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Araṇya Kāṇḍa, sarga 41: Rāma pursues the deer

Summary. Lakṣmaṇa suspects Mārīca, Sītā asks for the living animal or its hide and Rāma leaves Lakṣmaṇa to guard her

Sequence

  1. Sītā calls Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to look at the deer (3.41.1–3)
  2. Lakṣmaṇa immediately suspects Mārīca, recalling that he has used disguises to kill royal hunters → he argues that no natural deer could be covered with jewels in this way (3.41.4–7)
  3. Sītā interrupts and asks Rāma to capture it for their enjoyment (3.41.8–14)
  4. she hopes to take it back to Ayodhyā as a living marvel for the family → if it cannot be caught alive, she asks for its golden hide to spread over her grass couch (3.41.15–20)
  5. Rāma too is captivated by its appearance and speaks of fulfilling her wish (3.41.21–28)
  6. he discusses hunting for food and recreation and the value of unusual things obtained through effort, imagining the hide as a seat for them both (3.41.29–35)
  7. he adds that if Lakṣmaṇa is right and it is Mārīca, then killing it is justified by the rākṣasa's attacks on munis and hunters (3.41.36–38)
  8. he recalls Agastya's destruction of Vātāpi and says the same fate awaits a rākṣasa who underestimates him (3.41.39–43)
  9. he orders Lakṣmaṇa to remain alert beside Sītā, with Jaṭāyu nearby, while he captures or kills the deer and returns. (3.41.44–49)

Verses 3.41.1–49

3.41.1

sā taṃ saṃprekṣya suśroṇī kusumāni vicinvatī
hemarājata varṇābhyāṃ pārśvābhyām upaśobhitam

Beholding him—graced with two flanks of gold and silver hue—she, the fair-hipped one, while gathering flowers,

Words: sā — she; taṃ — him; saṃprekṣya — having beheld; suśroṇī — the fair-hipped one; kusumāni — flowers; vicinvatī — gathering; hemarājata — gold and silver (compound-initial); varṇābhyāṃ — with the two hues; pārśvābhyām — with the two flanks; upaśobhitam — graced, adorned

3.41.2

prahṛṣṭā cānavadyāṅgī mṛṣṭahāṭakavarṇinī
bhartāram api cākrandal lakṣmaṇaṃ caiva sāyudham

delighted, she of flawless limbs, of the hue of polished gold, called out to her husband and to Lakṣmaṇa, who bore his weapons.

Words: prahṛṣṭā — delighted; cānavadyāṅgī — and of flawless limbs; mṛṣṭahāṭakavarṇinī — of the hue of polished gold; bhartāram api — to her husband too; cākrandal — and called out; lakṣmaṇaṃ caiva — and Lakṣmaṇa; sāyudham — who bore his weapons

3.41.3

tayāhūtau naravyāghrau vaidehyā rāmalakṣmaṇau
vīkṣamāṇau tu taṃ deśaṃ tadā dadṛśatur mṛgam

Called by Vaidehī, those two tigers among men, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, looking over that spot, then saw the deer.

Words: tayāhūtau — called by her (dual); naravyāghrau — two tigers among men (dual); vaidehyā — by Vaidehī; rāmalakṣmaṇau — Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa (dual); vīkṣamāṇau tu — looking over (dual); taṃ deśaṃ — that spot, region; tadā — then; dadṛśatur — the two saw; mṛgam — the deer

3.41.4

śaṅkamānas tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇo rāmam abravīt
tam evainam ahaṃ manye mārīcaṃ rākṣasaṃ mṛgam

But Lakṣmaṇa, seeing it, grew suspicious and said to Rāma: 'This very one I take to be that rākṣasa Mārīca in deer-form.'

Words: śaṅkamānas tu — but suspecting; taṃ dṛṣṭvā — having seen it; lakṣmaṇo — Lakṣmaṇa; rāmam abravīt — said to Rāma; tam evainam — this very one; ahaṃ manye — I think; mārīcaṃ — Mārīca; rākṣasaṃ — the rākṣasa; mṛgam — as a deer

3.41.5

caranto mṛgayāṃ hṛṣṭāḥ pāpenopādhinā vane
anena nihatā rāma rājānaḥ kāmarūpiṇā

By this one, who takes forms at will, through his wicked wiles, kings roaming the chase in delight in the forest have been slain, Rāma.

Words: caranto — roaming; mṛgayāṃ — the hunt, chase; hṛṣṭāḥ — delighted; pāpenopādhinā — by (his) wicked wile; vane — in the forest; anena — by this (one); nihatā — slain; rāma — O Rāma; rājānaḥ — kings; kāmarūpiṇā — by (him) who takes forms at will

3.41.6

asya māyāvido māyā mṛgarūpam idaṃ kṛtam
bhānumatpuruṣavyāghra gandharvapurasaṃnibham

This deer-form is the magic of this master of illusion, O radiant tiger among men—resembling a city of the gandharvas.

Words: asya — of this (one); māyāvido — of the illusionist; māyā — magic, illusion; mṛgarūpam — the deer-form; idaṃ — this; kṛtam — made; bhānumatpuruṣavyāghra — O radiant tiger among men; gandharvapurasaṃnibham — resembling a city of gandharvas

3.41.7

mṛgo hy evaṃvidho ratnavicitro nāsti rāghava
jagatyāṃ jagatīnātha māyaiṣā hi na saṃśayaḥ

For such a deer, dappled with jewels, does not exist on earth, Rāghava; O lord of the earth, this is surely magic, no doubt.

Words: mṛgo hy — for a deer; evaṃvidho — of such a kind; ratnavicitro — dappled with jewels; nāsti — does not exist; rāghava — O Rāghava; jagatyāṃ — on the earth; jagatīnātha — O lord of the earth; māyaiṣā hi — for this is magic; na saṃśayaḥ — no doubt

3.41.8

evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ kākutsthaṃ prativārya śucismitā
uvāca sītā saṃhṛṣṭā chadmanā hṛtacetanā

Checking the Kākutstha (Lakṣmaṇa) as he spoke thus, Sītā of the bright smile, greatly delighted, her wits stolen by the trick, said:

Words: evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ — (him) speaking thus; kākutsthaṃ — Kākutstha (here Lakṣmaṇa); prativārya — having checked, interrupted; śucismitā — of the bright smile; uvāca — said; sītā — Sītā; saṃhṛṣṭā — greatly delighted; chadmanā — by the trick, disguise; hṛtacetanā — her wits carried away

3.41.9

āryaputrābhirāmo 'sau mṛgo harati me manaḥ
ānayainaṃ mahābāho krīḍārthaṃ no bhaviṣyati

'Noble husband, that lovely deer steals my heart; fetch it, O mighty-armed one—it shall be for our amusement.'

Words: āryaputrābhirāmo 'sau — noble husband, that lovely (deer); mṛgo — the deer; harati me manaḥ — steals my heart; ānayainaṃ — fetch this; mahābāho — O mighty-armed; krīḍārthaṃ — for the sake of play; no bhaviṣyati — it will be for us

3.41.10

ihāśramapade 'smākaṃ bahavaḥ puṇyadarśanāḥ
mṛgāś caranti sahitāś camarāḥ sṛmarās tathā

Here at our hermitage-ground many deer of auspicious appearance roam together—camaras and sṛmaras likewise,

Words: ihāśramapade — here at the hermitage-ground; 'smākaṃ — our; bahavaḥ — many; puṇyadarśanāḥ — of auspicious appearance; mṛgāś caranti — deer roam; sahitāś — together; camarāḥ — camaras (yak-deer); sṛmarās tathā — and sṛmaras

3.41.11

ṛkṣāḥ pṛṣatasaṃghāś ca vānarāḥ kinarās tathā
vicaranti mahābāho rūpaśreṣṭhā mahābalāḥ

bears, and herds of spotted deer, and monkeys, and kinnaras too, wander about, O mighty-armed one—of surpassing beauty and great strength;

Words: ṛkṣāḥ — bears; pṛṣatasaṃghāś ca — and herds of spotted deer; vānarāḥ — monkeys; kinarās tathā — and kinnaras; vicaranti — wander; mahābāho — O mighty-armed; rūpaśreṣṭhā — of surpassing beauty; mahābalāḥ — of great strength

3.41.12

na cāsya sadṛśo rājan dṛṣṭapūrvo mṛgaḥ purā
tejasā kṣamayā dīptyā yathāyaṃ mṛgasattamaḥ

but never before, O prince, has a deer like this been seen—in splendour, gentleness, and radiance such as this best of deer.

Words: na cāsya — and not of this; sadṛśo — like, equal; rājan — O prince, king; dṛṣṭapūrvo — seen before; mṛgaḥ — deer; purā — before, formerly; tejasā — in splendour; kṣamayā — in gentleness, forbearance; dīptyā — in radiance; yathāyaṃ — as this; mṛgasattamaḥ — the best of deer

3.41.13

nānāvarṇavicitrāṅgo ratnabindusamācitaḥ
dyotayan vanam avyagraṃ śobhate śaśisaṃnibhaḥ

With his body variegated in many colours, studded with jewel-like spots, calmly lighting up the forest, he shines like the moon.

Words: nānāvarṇavicitrāṅgo — with body variegated in many colours; ratnabindusamācitaḥ — studded with jewel-spots; dyotayan — lighting up; vanam — the forest; avyagraṃ — calm, unhurried; śobhate — shines; śaśisaṃnibhaḥ — resembling the moon

3.41.14

aho rūpam aho lakṣmīḥ svarasaṃpac ca śobhanā
mṛgo 'dbhuto vicitro 'sau hṛdayaṃ haratīva me

Ah, what beauty! Ah, what grace, and what a lovely richness of voice! That wondrous, dappled deer fairly steals my heart.

Words: aho — ah!; rūpam — beauty; aho — ah!; lakṣmīḥ — grace, splendour; svarasaṃpac ca — and richness of voice; śobhanā — lovely; mṛgo 'dbhuto — the wondrous deer; vicitro 'sau — that dappled one; hṛdayaṃ — the heart; haratīva me — fairly steals mine

3.41.15

yadi grahaṇam abhyeti jīvann eva mṛgas tava
āścaryabhūtaṃ bhavati vismayaṃ janayiṣyati

If the deer comes into your capture alive, it will be a marvel and will excite wonder.

Words: yadi — if; grahaṇam — capture; abhyeti — comes to; jīvann eva — alive; mṛgas tava — the deer, yours; āścaryabhūtaṃ — a marvel; bhavati — becomes, is; vismayaṃ — wonder; janayiṣyati — will produce

3.41.16

samāptavanavāsānāṃ rājyasthānāṃ ca naḥ punaḥ
antaḥpuravibhūṣārtho mṛga eṣa bhaviṣyati

When our forest-dwelling is over and we are again established in the kingdom, this deer will serve to adorn the inner apartments.

Words: samāptavanavāsānāṃ — of us whose forest-dwelling is over; rājyasthānāṃ — of us settled in the kingdom; ca naḥ — and of us; punaḥ — again; antaḥpuravibhūṣārtho — serving to adorn the inner apartments; mṛga eṣa — this deer; bhaviṣyati — will be

3.41.17

bharatasyāryaputrasya śvaśrūṇāṃ mama ca prabho
mṛgarūpam idaṃ divyaṃ vismayaṃ janayiṣyati

For Bharata, for the noble prince (you), for my mothers-in-law, and for me, O lord, this divine deer-form will produce wonder.

Words: bharatasyāryaputrasya — of Bharata, of the noble prince; śvaśrūṇāṃ — of the mothers-in-law; mama ca — and of me; prabho — O lord; mṛgarūpam idaṃ — this deer-form; divyaṃ — divine; vismayaṃ — wonder; janayiṣyati — will produce

3.41.18

jīvan na yadi te 'bhyeti grahaṇaṃ mṛgasattamaḥ
ajinaṃ naraśārdūla ruciraṃ me bhaviṣyati

If the best of deer does not come alive into your capture, then, O tiger among men, its lovely hide will be mine.

Words: jīvan na yadi — if not alive; te 'bhyeti — comes to you; grahaṇaṃ — capture; mṛgasattamaḥ — the best of deer; ajinaṃ — the hide, skin; naraśārdūla — O tiger among men; ruciraṃ — lovely; me bhaviṣyati — will be mine

3.41.19

nihatasyāsya sattvasya jāmbūnadamayatvaci
śaṣpabṛsyāṃ vinītāyām icchāmy aham upāsitum

When this creature is slain, I wish to sit upon its golden hide, spread over a couch of tender grass.

Words: nihatasyāsya — of this slain; sattvasya — creature; jāmbūnadamayatvaci — on the hide made of gold; śaṣpabṛsyāṃ — on a couch of young grass; vinītāyām — spread out, arranged; icchāmy aham — I wish; upāsitum — to sit upon

3.41.20

kāmavṛttam idaṃ raudraṃ strīṇām asadṛśaṃ matam
vapuṣā tv asya sattvasya vismayo janito mama

This self-willed and savage (wish) is deemed unbecoming for women; yet by the beauty of this creature wonder has been stirred in me.

Words: kāmavṛttam — self-willed, wanton; idaṃ — this; raudraṃ — savage, fierce; strīṇām — of, for women; asadṛśaṃ — unbecoming, unfitting; matam — deemed, considered; vapuṣā — by the body, beauty; tv — but; asya sattvasya — of this creature; vismayo — wonder; janito — produced; mama — in me

3.41.21

tena kāñcanaroṃṇā tu maṇipravaraśṛṅgiṇā
taruṇādityavarṇena nakṣatrapathavarcasā
babhūva rāghavasyāpi mano vismayam āgatam

And by that deer—golden-haired, with horns of choicest gems, of the colour of the young sun, radiant as the starry sky—even Rāghava's mind was filled with wonder.

Words: tena — by that (one); kāñcanaroṃṇā — golden-haired; tu — and; maṇipravaraśṛṅgiṇā — with horns of choicest gems; taruṇādityavarṇena — of the colour of the young sun; nakṣatrapathavarcasā — radiant as the starry path (sky); babhūva — became; rāghavasyāpi — even Rāghava's; mano — mind; vismayam āgatam — come to wonder, filled with wonder

3.41.22

evaṃ sītāvacaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā ca mṛgam adbhutam
uvāca rāghavo hṛṣṭo bhrātaraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ vacaḥ

Thus hearing Sītā's words and seeing the wondrous deer, Rāghava, delighted, spoke these words to his brother Lakṣmaṇa:

Words: evaṃ — thus; sītāvacaḥ — Sītā's words; śrutvā — having heard; dṛṣṭvā ca — and having seen; mṛgam adbhutam — the wondrous deer; uvāca — spoke; rāghavo hṛṣṭo — Rāghava, delighted; bhrātaraṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ — to his brother Lakṣmaṇa; vacaḥ — words

3.41.23

paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehyāḥ spṛhāṃ mṛgagatām imām
rūpaśreṣṭhatayā hy eṣa mṛgo 'dya na bhaviṣyati

See, Lakṣmaṇa, this longing of Vaidehī's, fixed upon the deer; by reason of its surpassing beauty, this deer shall not live out this day.

Words: paśya — see; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; vaidehyāḥ — of Vaidehī; spṛhāṃ — longing, desire; mṛgagatām — fixed on the deer; imām — this; rūpaśreṣṭhatayā — by (its) surpassing beauty; hy eṣa — for this; mṛgo 'dya — the deer today; na bhaviṣyati — will not exist (i.e. will be killed)

3.41.24

na vane nandanoddeśe na caitrarathasaṃśraye
kutaḥ pṛthivyāṃ saumitre yo 'sya kaś cit samo mṛgaḥ

Not in the Nandana grove, nor in the Caitraratha wood, how much less on earth, Saumitri, is there any deer that is the equal of this one.

Words: na vane — not in the forest; nandanoddeśe — in the region of Nandana; na caitrarathasaṃśraye — nor in the resort of Caitraratha; kutaḥ — how then, whence; pṛthivyāṃ — on the earth; saumitre — O Saumitri; yo 'sya — which of this; kaś cit — any; samo mṛgaḥ — equal deer

3.41.25

pratilomānulomāś ca rucirā romarājayaḥ
śobhante mṛgam āśritya citrāḥ kanakabindubhiḥ

Lovely lines of hair, running against and with the grain, dappled with golden spots, adorn the deer's body.

Words: pratilomānulomāś ca — and (running) against and with the grain; rucirā — lovely; romarājayaḥ — lines of hair; śobhante — adorn, shine; mṛgam āśritya — resting on the deer; citrāḥ — dappled, bright; kanakabindubhiḥ — with golden spots

3.41.26

paśyāsya jṛmbhamāṇasya dīptām agniśikhopamām
jihvāṃ mukhān niḥsarantīṃ meghād iva śatahradām

Look, as he yawns, at his tongue coming forth from his mouth, blazing like a flame of fire, like lightning from a cloud.

Words: paśyāsya — look, of this one; jṛmbhamāṇasya — yawning; dīptām — blazing; agniśikhopamām — like a flame of fire; jihvāṃ — tongue; mukhān niḥsarantīṃ — coming out of the mouth; meghād iva — as from a cloud; śatahradām — lightning (the hundred-flashing)

3.41.27

masāragalvarkamukhaḥ śaṅkhamuktānibhodaraḥ
kasya nāmānirūpyo 'sau na mano lobhayen mṛgaḥ

With a mouth like a cat's-eye gem, a belly like conch and pearl—whose mind would that indescribable deer not allure?

Words: masāragalvarkamukhaḥ — with a mouth like cat's-eye gem; śaṅkhamuktānibhodaraḥ — with a belly like conch and pearl; kasya — whose; nāmānirūpyo — indescribable (indeed); 'sau — that; na mano lobhayen — would not allure the mind; mṛgaḥ — the deer

3.41.28

kasya rūpam idaṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmbūnadamaya prabham
nānāratnamayaṃ divyaṃ na mano vismayaṃ vrajet

Seeing this form, gleaming like gold, made of many jewels, divine—whose mind would not fall into wonder?

Words: kasya — whose; rūpam idaṃ — this form; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; jāmbūnadamaya — made of gold (compound-initial); prabham — radiance, gleam; nānāratnamayaṃ — made of various jewels; divyaṃ — divine; na mano — not the mind; vismayaṃ vrajet — would go to wonder

3.41.29

māṃsahetor api mṛgān vihārārthaṃ ca dhanvinaḥ
ghnanti lakṣmaṇa rājāno mṛgayāyāṃ mahāvane

For the sake of flesh, and also for sport, archer-kings kill deer in the hunt in the great forest, Lakṣmaṇa.

Words: māṃsahetor api — even for the sake of flesh; mṛgān — deer; vihārārthaṃ ca — and for the sake of sport; dhanvinaḥ — archers, bowmen; ghnanti — kill; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; rājāno — kings; mṛgayāyāṃ — in the hunt; mahāvane — in the great forest

3.41.30

dhanāni vyavasāyena vicīyante mahāvane
dhātavo vividhāś cāpi maṇiratnasuvarṇinaḥ

By exertion, riches are gathered in the great forest—minerals too of various kinds, rich in gems, jewels, and gold.

Words: dhanāni — riches; vyavasāyena — by exertion, enterprise; vicīyante — are gathered; mahāvane — in the great forest; dhātavo — minerals; vividhāś cāpi — and of various kinds; maṇiratnasuvarṇinaḥ — rich in gems, jewels, and gold

3.41.31

tat sāram akhilaṃ nṝṇāṃ dhanaṃ nicayavardhanam
manasā cintitaṃ sarvaṃ yathā śukrasya lakṣmaṇa

That is the whole essence of men's wealth, augmenting their store—all that is conceived in the mind, as it is for Śukra, Lakṣmaṇa.

Words: tat sāram — that essence; akhilaṃ — whole, entire; nṝṇāṃ — of men; dhanaṃ — wealth; nicayavardhanam — augmenting the store; manasā — by the mind; cintitaṃ — conceived, thought; sarvaṃ — all; yathā — as; śukrasya — of Śukra (Venus, guru of the asuras); lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa

3.41.32

arthī yenārthakṛtyena saṃvrajaty avicārayan
tam artham arthaśāstrajñaḥ prāhur arthyāś ca lakṣmaṇa

That gain, toward which a man of purpose proceeds unhesitatingly in pursuit of his aim—that, Lakṣmaṇa, those versed in the science of wealth and men of substance call 'artha.'

Words: arthī — a seeker (of gain); yenārthakṛtyena — by which pursuit of aim; saṃvrajaty — proceeds; avicārayan — without hesitating; tam artham — that gain, object; arthaśāstrajñaḥ — those learned in the science of wealth; prāhur — call, declare; arthyāś ca — and men of substance, seekers of gain; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa

3.41.33

etasya mṛgaratnasya parārdhye kāñcanatvaci
upavekṣyati vaidehī mayā saha sumadhyamā

Upon the priceless golden hide of this jewel of a deer, slender-waisted Vaidehī shall sit together with me.

Words: etasya — of this; mṛgaratnasya — jewel of a deer; parārdhye — priceless, most precious; kāñcanatvaci — on the golden hide; upavekṣyati — will sit; vaidehī — Vaidehī; mayā saha — together with me; sumadhyamā — slender-waisted

3.41.34

na kādalī na priyakī na praveṇī na cāvikī
bhaved etasya sadṛśī sparśaneneti me matiḥ

Neither a kādalī-deerskin, nor a priyaka-skin, nor a woven rug, nor a woollen fleece would equal this to the touch—such is my thought.

Words: na kādalī — neither the kādalī (deer-skin); na priyakī — nor the priyaka (antelope-skin); na praveṇī — nor the woven rug; na cāvikī — nor the woollen (sheep) rug; bhaved — would be; etasya — to this; sadṛśī — equal, similar; sparśaneneti — by touch, (so); me matiḥ — my thought

3.41.35

eṣa caiva mṛgaḥ śrīmān yaś ca divyo nabhaścaraḥ
ubhāv etau mṛgau divyau tārāmṛgamahīmṛgau

This glorious deer, and that divine one that courses the sky—both these are celestial deer: the star-deer of the sky and the earth-deer.

Words: eṣa caiva — this too; mṛgaḥ śrīmān — the glorious deer; yaś ca — and which; divyo — divine; nabhaścaraḥ — sky-coursing; ubhāv etau — both these; mṛgau divyau — two divine deer; tārāmṛgamahīmṛgau — the star-deer and the earth-deer

3.41.36

yadi vāyaṃ tathā yan māṃ bhaved vadasi lakṣmaṇa
māyaiṣā rākṣasasyeti kartavyo 'sya vadho mayā

Or if this one be indeed as you tell me, Lakṣmaṇa—that this is the magic of a rākṣasa—then its slaying must be done by me.

Words: yadi vāyaṃ — or if this; tathā — so, thus; yan māṃ — that (which) to me; bhaved — might be; vadasi — you say; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; māyaiṣā — this is the magic; rākṣasasyeti — of a rākṣasa, (so); kartavyo — to be done; 'sya vadho — its slaying; mayā — by me

3.41.37

etena hi nṛśaṃsena mārīcenākṛtātmanā
vane vicaratā pūrvaṃ hiṃsitā munipuṃgavāḥ

For by this cruel, evil-natured Mārīca, ranging the forest, bulls among sages were formerly harmed;

Words: etena hi — for by this; nṛśaṃsena — cruel; mārīcenākṛtātmanā — by Mārīca of evil (unformed) soul; vane — in the forest; vicaratā — roaming; pūrvaṃ — formerly; hiṃsitā — harmed; munipuṃgavāḥ — bulls among sages

3.41.38

utthāya bahavo yena mṛgayāyāṃ janādhipāḥ
nihatāḥ parameṣvāsās tasmād vadhyas tv ayaṃ mṛgaḥ

by whom many kings, mighty archers, setting out on the hunt, were slain; therefore this deer deserves to die.

Words: utthāya — having set out; bahavo — many; yena — by whom; mṛgayāyāṃ — in the hunt; janādhipāḥ — kings; nihatāḥ — slain; parameṣvāsās — mighty archers; tasmād — therefore; vadhyas tv ayaṃ — and this deserves death; mṛgaḥ — deer

3.41.39

purastād iha vātāpiḥ paribhūya tapasvinaḥ
udarastho dvijān hanti svagarbho 'śvatarīm iva

In olden days here Vātāpi, scorning ascetics, would kill the brahmins from within their bellies, as an unborn foal kills a she-mule.

Words: purastād — in olden days, before; iha — here; vātāpiḥ — Vātāpi; paribhūya — having scorned; tapasvinaḥ — the ascetics; udarastho — being in the belly; dvijān — the brahmins (twice-born); hanti — kills; svagarbho — as an embryo, unborn young; 'śvatarīm iva — like a she-mule

3.41.40

sa kadā cic cirāl loke āsasāda mahāmunim
agastyaṃ tejasā yuktaṃ bhakṣyas tasya babhūva ha

Once, after a long while, he came upon the great sage Agastya, full of power, in the world, and became his food.

Words: sa — he; kadā cic — once; cirāl loke — after a long time, in the world; āsasāda — came upon, encountered; mahāmunim — the great sage; agastyaṃ — Agastya; tejasā yuktaṃ — endowed with power; bhakṣyas tasya — his food; babhūva ha — became

3.41.41

samutthāne ca tad rūpaṃ kartukāmaṃ samīkṣya tam
utsmayitvā tu bhagavān vātāpim idam abravīt

And seeing him wishing to resume that (Vātāpi) form as he rose (from the meal), the venerable one smiled and said this to Vātāpi:

Words: samutthāne ca — and at the rising up (after the meal); tad rūpaṃ — that form; kartukāmaṃ — wishing to assume, make; samīkṣya tam — having observed him; utsmayitvā tu — having smiled; bhagavān — the venerable one; vātāpim — to Vātāpi; idam abravīt — said this

3.41.42

tvayāvigaṇya vātāpe paribhūtāś ca tejasā
jīvaloke dvijaśreṣṭhās tasmād asi jarāṃ gataḥ

'By you, Vātāpi, disregarding and scorning them by your power, the best of brahmins in the world of the living were destroyed; therefore you are digested (brought to your end).'

Words: tvayāvigaṇya — by you, disregarding; vātāpe — O Vātāpi; paribhūtāś ca — and scorned; tejasā — by (your) power; jīvaloke — in the world of the living; dvijaśreṣṭhās — the best of brahmins; tasmād — therefore; asi — you are; jarāṃ gataḥ — gone to digestion, dissolution

3.41.43

evaṃ tan na bhaved rakṣo vātāpir iva lakṣmaṇa
madvidhaṃ yo 'timanyeta dharmanityaṃ jitendriyam

So this rākṣasa, who would slight one like me—ever devoted to dharma and master of his senses—shall not survive, but perish like Vātāpi, Lakṣmaṇa.

Words: evaṃ — thus, so; tan na bhaved — that shall not survive; rakṣo — the rākṣasa; vātāpir iva — like Vātāpi; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; madvidhaṃ — one like me; yo 'timanyeta — who would slight; dharmanityaṃ — ever devoted to dharma; jitendriyam — master of the senses

3.41.44

bhaved dhato 'yaṃ vātāpir agastyeneva mā gatiḥ
iha tvaṃ bhava saṃnaddho yantrito rakṣa maithilīm

This one would be slain as Vātāpi was by Agastya—let there be no escape for it. Here you, girded and alert, guard Maithilī.

Words: bhaved dhato 'yaṃ — this would be slain; vātāpir — Vātāpi; agastyeneva — as by Agastya; mā gatiḥ — let there be no (escape) course [uncertain]; iha — here; tvaṃ — you; bhava saṃnaddho — be girded; yantrito — restrained, alert; rakṣa maithilīm — guard Maithilī

3.41.45

asyām āyattam asmākaṃ yat kṛtyaṃ raghunandana
aham enaṃ vadhiṣyāmi grahīṣyāmy atha vā mṛgam

On her rests all that is our concern, O joy of the Raghus; I shall either slay this deer or capture it.

Words: asyām — on her; āyattam — resting, dependent; asmākaṃ — our; yat kṛtyaṃ — what is to be done; raghunandana — O joy of the Raghus; aham enaṃ — I this (one); vadhiṣyāmi — shall slay; grahīṣyāmy atha vā — or else shall capture; mṛgam — the deer

3.41.46

yāvad gacchāmi saumitre mṛgam ānayituṃ drutam
paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehīṃ mṛgatvaci gataspṛhām

While I go, Saumitri, to fetch the deer quickly, watch over Vaidehī, Lakṣmaṇa, whose longing is set on the deer's hide.

Words: yāvad gacchāmi — while I go; saumitre — O Saumitri; mṛgam ānayituṃ — to bring the deer; drutam — quickly; paśya — watch, look after; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; vaidehīṃ — Vaidehī; mṛgatvaci — on the deer's hide; gataspṛhām — whose longing is set (upon)

3.41.47

tvacā pradhānayā hy eṣa mṛgo 'dya na bhaviṣyati
apramattena te bhāvyam āśramasthena sītayā

For with its excellent hide, this deer shall not live out this day; you must remain vigilant, staying at the hermitage with Sītā.

Words: tvacā pradhānayā — with (its) excellent hide; hy eṣa — for this; mṛgo 'dya — the deer today; na bhaviṣyati — will not exist (will be slain); apramattena — vigilant, careful; te bhāvyaṃ — you must be; āśramasthena — staying at the hermitage; sītayā — with Sītā

3.41.48

yāvat pṛṣatam ekena sāyakena nihanmy aham
hatvaitac carma ādāya śīghram eṣyāmi lakṣmaṇa

As soon as I bring down the spotted deer with a single arrow, having slain it and taken its skin, I shall return quickly, Lakṣmaṇa.

Words: yāvat — as soon as, while; pṛṣatam — the spotted deer; ekena sāyakena — with a single arrow; nihanmy aham — I strike down; hatvaitac — having slain this; carma ādāya — taking the skin; śīghram — quickly; eṣyāmi — I shall come; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa

3.41.49

pradakṣiṇenātibalena pakṣiṇā jaṭāyuṣā buddhimatā ca lakṣmaṇa
bhavāpramattaḥ pratigṛhya maithilīṃ pratikṣaṇaṃ sarvata eva śaṅkitaḥ

With the auspicious, mighty, and wise bird Jaṭāyus at hand, Lakṣmaṇa, stay vigilant, keeping Maithilī close, wary on every side at every moment.

Words: pradakṣiṇenātibalena — with the auspicious and very strong; pakṣiṇā — bird; jaṭāyuṣā — Jaṭāyus; buddhimatā ca — and wise; lakṣmaṇa — O Lakṣmaṇa; bhavāpramattaḥ — be vigilant; pratigṛhya — having kept close, protected; maithilīṃ — Maithilī; pratikṣaṇaṃ — at every moment; sarvata eva — on every side; śaṅkitaḥ — wary, apprehensive

← 3.40 The golden deer appears · Araṇya Kāṇḍa · 3.42 Mārīca’s false cry →

Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.

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