“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

Sita Tells Ravana About Herself

Summary

The debate of Seetha and Ravana has started, as Ravana wished to woo Seetha. In the
first instance Seetha believes him to be a Vedic Brahman but insists to know about him. Ravana
reveals his identity and asks her to become his wife. Thereupon she goes into a frenzied state
and brainstorms Ravana in all her curtness.

Chapter [Sarga] 47

raavanena tu vaidehii tadaa pristaa jihiir.hsunaa |

parivraajaka ruupena shasha.msa aatmaanam aatmanaa || 3-47-1

When Ravana whose intention is to abduct her has enquired thus, then on the basis of
his Brahman friar's mien Seetha informed about herself on her own. [3-47-1]

braahmanah ca atithih ca esa anukto hi shapeta maam |

iti dhyaatvaa muhuurtam tu siitaa vacanam abraviit || 3-47-2

Thinking briefly that, 'he is a Brahman and an untimely guest, he will indeed curse me if
he is not replied,' Seetha spoke this sentence. [3-47-2]

duhitaa janakasya aham maithilasya mahaatmanah |

siitaa naamnaa asmi bhadram te raamasya mahisii priyaa || 3-47-3

"I am the daughter of noble-souled Janaka, the king of Mithila, by name I am Seetha, and
the dear wife and queen of Rama, let safety betide you. [3-47-3]

usitvaa dvaa dasha samaah ikshvaakuunaam niveshane |

bhu.njaanaa maanusaan bhogaan sarva kaama samriddhinii || 3-47-4

"On residing in the residence of Ikshvaku-s in Ayodhya for twelve years, I was in
sumptuosity of all cherishes while relishing all humanly prosperities. [3-47-4]

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 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

tatra trayo dashe varse raaja ama.ntryata prabhuh |

abhisecayitum raamam sameto raaja manhtribhih || 3-47-5

"In the thirteenth year the lordly king Dasharatha deliberated together with his imperial
ministers to anoint Rama as Crown Prince of Ayodhya. [3-47-5]

tasmin sa.mbhriyamaane tu raaghavasya abhisecane |

kaikeyii naama bhartaaram mama aaryaa yaacate varam || 3-47-6

"When Raghava's anointment was being organized my venerable mother-in-law known

as Kaikeyi begged her husband Dasharatha for a boon. [3-47-6]

pratigrihya tu kaikeyii shvashuram sukritena me |

mama pravraajanam bhartur bharatasya abhisecanam || 3-47-7

dvau ayaacata bhartaaram satyasa.ndham nripottamam |

"Restraining my veracious father-in-law by a good deed once done by her in his respect,
Kaikeyi besought two boons from him, namely expatriation of my husband, and anointment of her
son Bharata. [3-47-7, 8a]

na adya bhoksye na ca svapsye na paasye kadaacana || 3-47-8

esa me jiivitasya anto raamo yadi abhisicyate |

iti bruvaanaam kaikeyiim shvashuro me sa paarthivah || 3-47-9

ayaacata arthaih anvarthaih na ca yaa.ncaam cakaara saa |

" 'If Rama is anointed now, come what may I will not eat, sleep, or drink, and my life ends
this way,' thus Kaikeyi was adamantine, and the king and my father-in-law entreated her who is
nagging with meaningful riches, but she did not make good on that entreaty. [3-47-8b, 9, 10a]

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 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

mama bhartaa mahaatejaa vayasaa pa.nca vi.mshakah || 3-47-10

astaa dasha hi var.hsaani mama janmani ganyate |

"My great-resplendent husband was of twenty-five years of age at that time, and to me
eighteen years are reckoned up from my birth. [3-47-10b, 11a]

raama iti prathito loke satyavaan shiilavaan shucih || 3-47-11

vishaalaakso mahaabaahuh sarva bhuuta hite ratah |

"Rama - thus he is exalted in the world, an unambiguous, unblemished, unsullied one,

and a broad-eyed ambidextrous one, who delights in bringing universal welfare, is my husband.
[3-47-11b, 12a]

kaamaartah ca mahaaraajah pitaa dasharathah svayam || 3-47-12

kaikeyyaah priya kaamaartham tam raamam na abhisecayat |

"But Rama's father Dasharatha was lovesick for Kaikeyi and to fulfill her desired
aspiration that great king did not anoint Rama. [3-47-12b, 13a]

abhisekaaya tu pituh samiipam raamam aagatam || 3-47-13

kaikeyii mama bhartaaram iti uvaaca drutam vacah |

"When Rama arrived in the presence of his father, Kaikeyi readily and decidedly spoke
these words to my husband. [3-47-b, 14a]

tava pitraa samaajnaptam mama idam shrinu raaghava || 3-47-14

bharataaya pradaatavyam idam raajyam akantakam |

“‘What your father has proclaimed, oh, Raghava, that may be heard from me. He said, 'let
this thorn-less kingdom be accorded to Bharata.' [3-47-14b, 15a]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

tvayaa tu khalu vastavyam nava var.hsaani pa.nca ca || 3-47-15

vane pravraja kaakutstha pitaram mocaya anritaat |

"And you, oh, Kakutstha Rama, indeed have to inhabit the forests for nine plus five years,
hence you repair to forests and redeem your father from the remorse of perjury.' [3-47-15b, 16a]

tathaa iti uvaaca taam raamah kaikeyiim akuto bhayah || 3-47-16

cakaara tat vacah tasyaa mama bhartaa dridha vratah |

“‘As an un-fearing one from any quarter and as a resolute one in his pledge my husband
Rama said 'so be it' to Kaikeyi and followed her dictate. [3-47-16b, 17a]

dadyaat na pratigrihniiyaat satyam bruuyaat na ca anritam || 3-47-17

etat braahmana raamasya vratam dhruvam anuttamam |

"My husband is evermore a renderer [deliverer or giver] but not a recipient, and forever
he speaks truth, and not the untruth, least of all. Oh, Brahman, this is the unalterable and
unsurpassable vow of Rama. [3-47-17b, 18a]

tasya bhraataa tu vaimaatro laksmano naama viiryavaan || 3-47-18

raamasya purusavyaaghrah sahaayah samare arihaa |

"One known as Lakshmana is such a Rama's brother from another mother, and he is a
valorous one, tigerly-man, and an eliminator of enemies in war. [3-47-18b, 19a]

sa bhraataa laksmano naama dharma caarii dridha vratah || 3-47-19

anvagacchat dhanus paanih pravraja.ntam mayaa saha |

"He who is known as Lakshmana, a follower of virtue and steadfast in his commitment,
followed Rama handling his bow as a helpmate, when Rama was proceeding to forests along
with me. [3-47-19b, 20a]

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 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

jatii taapasa ruupena mayaa saha saha anujah || 3-47-20

pravisto da.ndakaaranyam dharma nityo dhridha vratah |

"Because Rama always abides in probity and resolutely vowed to it, he entered Dandaka
forest in the aspect of a tufty haired saint along with me and his brother. [3-47-20b, 21a]

te vayam pracyutaa raajyaat kaikeyyaah tu krite trayah || 3-47-21

vicaraama dvija shrestha vanam ga.mbhiiram ojasaa |

"Such as we are, oh, eminent Brahman, we three are moving about the impenetrable
Dandaka forest just by our own mettle as we fell down from kingdom owing to Kaikeyi. [3-47-21b,
22a]

samaashvasa muhuurtam tu shakyam vastum iha tvayaa || 3-47-22

aagamisyati me bhartaa vanyam aadaaya puskalam |

ruruun godhaan varaahaan ca hatvaa aadaaya amisaan bahu || 3-47-23

"Be comfortable for a moment, here it is possible for you to make a sojourn, and soon my
husband will be coming on taking plentiful forest produce, and on killing stags, mongooses, wild
boars he fetches meat, aplenty. [3-47-22b, 23]

sah tvam naama ca gotram ca kulam aacaksva tattvatah |

ekah ca dandakaaranye kim artham carasi dvija || 3-47-24

"Such as you are, oh, Brahman, you may make mention of your name, parentage and
caste, in their actuality. For what reason you are wandering in Dandaka forest lonesomely?" Thus
Seetha questioned Ravana. [3-47-24]

evam bruvatyaam siitaayaam raama patniiaam mahaabalah |

pratyuvaaca uttaram tiivram raavano raaksasaadhipah || 3-47-25

Ravana, the great-mighty king of demons, brusquely replied Seetha, the wife of Rama,
while she is still speaking in this way. [3-47-25]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

yena vitraasitaa lokaah sa deva asura maanusaa |

aham sah raavano naama siite rakso gana iishvarah || 3-47-26

"Oh, Seetha, of whom all the worlds composed of gods, demons and humans are highly
startled, I am that sovereign of hosts of demons, known as Ravana. [3-47-26]

tvaam tu kaa.ncana varna aabhaam dristvaa kausheya vaasiniim |

ratim svakesu daaresu na adhigacchaami anindite || 3-47-27

"On seeing you, oh, impeccable one, glittering with golden complexion and attired in
ochry-silks, I derive no pleasure in my wives. [3-47-27]

bahviinaam uttama striinaam aahritaanaam itah tatah |

sarvaasaam eva bhadram te mama agra mahisii bhava || 3-47-28

"You become my prime queen above all the choicest women with superior status, whom I
have appropriated from here and there. [3-47-28]

lankaa naama samudrasya madhye mama mahaapurii |

saagarena pariksiptaa nivistaa giri muur.hdhani || 3-47-29

"Nestled on a mountaintop my great city known as Lanka is there in the midst of an

ocean and all over encompassed by an ocean. [3-47-29]

tatra siite mayaa saardham vanesu vicarisyasi |

na ca asya vana vaasasya sprihayisyasi bhaamini || 3-47-30

"Oh, Seetha, there you can saunter in pleasure-gardens along with me, and oh, lady with
resentment, you will not think back to this forest-living, at all events. [3-47-30]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

panca daasyah sahasraani sarva aabharana bhuusitaah |

siite paricarisyanti bhaaryaa bhavasi me yadi || 3-47-31

"Oh, Seetha, if you become my wife five thousand handmaidens adorned with ornaments
of every description will be in your attendance." Thus Ravana said to Seetha. [3-47-31]

raavanena evam uktaa tu kupitaa janaka aatmajaa |

pratyuvaaca anavadyaa.ngii tam anaadritya raaksasam || 3-47-32

When Ravana said in this way, Seetha the daughter of Janaka, a flawless one by her
physique, dishonored and replied that demon. [3-47-32]

mahaa girim iva aka.mpyam mahendra sadrisham patim |

mahaa udadhim iva aksobhyam aham raamam anuvrataa || 3-47-33

"I have avowed to adhere to such a husband Rama, who is inflexible like a sturdy
mountain, comparable to lordly Indra, unshakable like a vast ocean. [3-47-33]

sarva lakshana sa.mpannam nyagrodha pari mandalam |

satya sandham mahaabhaagam raamam anuvrataa || 3-47-34

"He who is enriched with all endowments, and who is like a banyan tree with its
surmounted orbicularity [circularity], the high-minded one with truthfulness alone is his target, and
I am avowed to adhere to such a Rama. [3-47-34]

mahaabaahum mahoraskam simha vikraa.nta gaaminam |

nrisimham si.mha sa.mkaasham aham raamam anuvrataa || 3-47-35

"He who is ambidextrous, broad-chested, supreme among men, and a lion-like person
with the strides of prancing lion, and I am avowed to adhere to such a Rama. [3-47-35]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

puurna candra aananam viiram raaja vatsam jitendriyam |

prithu kiirtim mahaabaahum aham raamam anuvrataa || 3-47-36

"He who is a valiant one with a face like that of full-moon, a prince with his self-
conquered, and he who is expressly acclaimed and effectively armed, and I am avowed to adhere
to such a Rama. [3-47-36]

tvam punah jambukah si.mhiim maam iha icchasi durlabhaam |

na aham shakyaa tvayaa sprastum aadityasya prabhaa yathaa || 3-47-37

"You being a fox you woo me who am an absolutely inaccessible lioness? Why wooing, it
is impossible for you to touch me as with the untouchable Shine of the Sun. [3-47-37]

paadapaan kaa.ncanaan nuunam bahuun pashyasi mandabhaak |

raaghavasya priyaam bhaaryaam yah tvam icchasi raakshasa || 3-47-38

"You who are an ill-fated demon, oh, demon, by your wooing the dear wife of Raghava,
thus you must be visualizing many golden trees, undeniably. [3-47-38]

ksudhitasya ca simhasya mriga shatroh tarasvinah |

aashii visasya vadanaat damstraam aadaatum icchasi || 3-47-39

"Do you wish to twitch fangs from the mouth of a ravenous lion, the expeditious
challenger of animals, and from the mouth of a rebounding venomous serpent. [3-47-39]

mandaram parvata shrestham paaninaa hartum icchasi |

kaala kuutam visam piitvaa svastimaan gantum icchasi || 3-47-40

"Do you wish to steal away the massive Mandara Mountain by the sleight of your hand,
but how do you wish to decamp healthily without consuming lethal poison? [3-47-40]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

aksi suucyaa pramrijasi jihvayaa ledhi ca ksuram |

raaghavasya priyaam bhaaryaam adhiga.ntum tvam icchasi || 3-47-41

"If you wish to override the dear wife of Raghava, then it is as good as wishing to deeply
scrape your eyes with needlepoint, and licking the razorblade with your tongue. [3-47-41]

avasajya shilaam kanthe samudram tartum icchasi |

suuryaa candramasau ca ubhau praanibhyaam hartum icchasi || 3-47-42

yo raamasya priyaam bhaaryaam pradharhsayitum icchasi |

"You who wish to bitterly intimidate the dear wife of Rama are as good as the one who
wish to swim an ocean arraying a boulder around his neck, and with a pair of hands you wish to
steal away both the Sun and Moon? [3-47-42, 43a]

agnim prajvalitam dristvaa vastrena aahartum icchasi || 3-47-43

kalyaana vrittaam yo bhaaryaam raamasya hartum icchasi |

"You who wish to abduct me with an auspicious legend as the wife of Rama, thus you
wish to steal away a glowing fire in a cloth-bundle, though evincing it to be highly flaming? [3-47-
43b, 44a]

ayo mukhaanaam shuulaanaam agre caritum icchasi |

raamasya sadrishiim bhaaryaam yo adhiga.ntum tvam icchasi || 3-47-44

"You who wish to override the befitting and selfsame wife of Rama, are wishing to tread
on the needle-sharp spikes of iron spears. [3-47-44b, c]

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Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

yad antaram si.mha shrigaalayoh vane

yad antaram syandanikaa samudrayoh |

sura agrya sauviirakayoh yad a.ntaram

tad a.ntaram daasharatheh tava eva ca || 3-47-45

"Which odds are there between a lion and a fox in a given forest, which odds are there
between a turbid-rivulet and an ocean, and which odds are there between a fine-wine and sour-
gruel, likewise you are also at odds with the son of Dasharatha. [3-47-45]

yad antaram kaa.ncana siisa lohayoh

yad a.ntaram candana vaari pa.nkayoh |

yad a.ntaram hasti bidaalayoh vane

tad a.ntaram dasharatheh tava eva ca || 3-47-46

"Which imparity is there among the metals of gold and lead, which imparity is there
among the waters of sandalwood and sewage, which imparity is there between an elephant and a
wildcat of forests, such an imparity exists between you and the son of Dasharatha. [3-47-46]

yad antaram vaayasa vainateyayoh

yad a.ntaram madgu mayuurayoh api |

yad antaram hamsa gridhrayoh vane

tad a.ntaram daasharatheh tava eva ca || 3-47-47

"Which dissimilarity obtains betwixt a crow and an eagle, which dissimilarity obtains
betwixt a waterfowl and a peacock, which dissimilarity obtains betwixt a swan and a falcon living
in forest, such dissimilarity obtains betwixt [between] you and the son of Dasharatha. [3-47-47]

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 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

tasmin sahasraaksa sama prabhaave

raame sthite kaarmuka baana paanau |

hritaa api te aham na jaraam gamisye

vajram yathaa maksikayaa avagiirnam || 3-47-48

"Even if you steal me away now, later when Indra similar Rama posits himself with his
bow and arrows in hand on the battlefield, you cannot live on, and in the meanwhile you cannot
digest me, as with a diamond swallowed along with a fly." Thus Seetha gave her vent to her
disdainful feelings towards Ravana. [3-47-48]

iti iva tat vaakyam adusta bhaavaa

sudustam uktvaa rajanii caram tam |

gaatra praka.mpaat vyathitaa babhuuva

vaata uddhataa saa kadalii iva tanvii || 3-47-49

On speaking these sentences with high-strung words, with all her unsullied intentions to
that highly sullied night-rambler Ravana, her fragile body trembled tormentedly as with a banana
plant up-heaved by gust. [3-47-49]

taam vepamaanaam upalaksya siitaam

sa raavano mrityu sama prabhaavah |

kulam balam naama ca karma ca aatmanah

samaacacakse bhaya kaarana artham || 3-47-50

On closely marking Seetha to be tremulous, he that Ravana whose impetus is Death

similar, clearly informed her of his name, caste, competency, and capability as his purpose is to
cause scare. [3-47-50]

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 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Aranya Kanda – Chapter 47

iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye aranya kaande sapta catvaarinshah sargah

Thus, this is the 47th chapter in Aranya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of
India.

Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate

References

Desiraju Hanumanta Rao. (1998). Aranya Kanda - Forest track.

Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.

Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.

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