Sloka & Translation

[Sita's admonition to Rama on the evil of attachment to weapons, after he had given up the kingdom.]

सुतीक्ष्णेनाभ्यनुज्ञातं प्रस्थितं रघुनन्दनम्।

हृद्यया स्निग्धया वाचा भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।3.9.1।।


सुतीक्ष्णेन by Sutikshna, अभ्यनुज्ञातम् permitted, प्रस्थितम् to leave, भर्तारम् husband, रघुनन्दनम् delight of the Raghus, हृद्यया heartily, स्निग्धया affectionately, वाचा with words, इदम् these, अब्रवीत् said.

While Rama was leaving with the permission of Sutikshna, Sita spoke these warm, affectionate words to her husband:
अयं धर्मस्सुसूक्ष्मेण विधिना प्राप्यते महान्।

निवृत्तेन तु शक्योऽयं व्यसनात्कामजादिह।।3.9.2।।


महान् great, अयं धर्मः this righteous path, सुसूक्ष्मेण in a subtle, विधिना means, प्राप्यते is obtained, अयम् this, कामजात् born of desire, व्यसनात् by addiction, निवृत्तेन by that which is averted, इह here, शक्यः not possible.

This great path of dharma you are following now can be attained only through subtle means by one free from addiction born of passion.
त्रीण्येव व्यसनान्यत्र कामजानि भवन्त्युत।

मिथ्यावाक्यं परमकं तस्माद्गुरुतरावुभौ।।3.9.3।।

परदाराभिगमनं विना वैरं च रौद्रता।


अत्र here (in this context), कामजानि born out of lust, व्यसनानि vices, त्रीण्येव three only, उत
indeed, भवन्ति are there, मिथ्यावाक्यम् speaking untruth, परमकम् greatest of all, परदाराभिगमनम् have sexual relation with others' wives विना वैरम् without enmity, रौद्रता violent acts, उभौ both, तस्मात् therefore, गुरुतरौ are of serious nature.

There are three kinds of vices born out of lust. First, speaking untruth, second, having sexual relation with others' wives and third, resorting to violence with no enmity. The later two vices are of serious nature.
मिथ्यावाक्यं न ते भूतं न भविष्यति राघव।।3.9.4।।

कुतोऽभिलाषणं स्त्रीणां परेषां धर्मनाशनम्।


राघव Rama, मिथ्यावाक्यम् lie, ते to you, न भूतम् never practised, न भविष्यति nor in future, धर्मनाशनम् destroying the character, परेषाम् other's, स्त्रीणाम् women, अभिलषणम् such desire, कुतः how can it come to you.

O Rama you never spoke untruth in the past nor will you speak in future. How can there be any desire in you to destroy the virtue of others' wives ?
तव नास्ति मनुष्येन्द्र न चाभूत्ते कदाचन।।3.9.5।।

मनस्यपि तथा राम न चैतद्विद्यते क्वचित्।


मनुष्येन्द्र O Indra among men, तव to you, एतत् now, नास्ति does not exist, ते to you, कदाचन at any time, न अभूत् च did not happen earlier, राम Rama, तथा like that, मनस्यपि even in your mind, क्वचित् indeed at any time, न विद्यते does not exist.

O Rama, lord among men, you hadn't it (lust for other women) in the past. You havn't it now. Never does it exist even in your mind.
स्वदारनिरतस्त्वं च नित्यमेव नृपात्मज।।3.9.6।।

धर्मिष्ठस्सत्यसन्धश्च पितुर्निर्देशकारकः।


नृपात्मज O prince , त्वम् you, नित्यमेव always, स्वदारनिरतः ever attached to your wife, धर्मिष्ठः
righteous, सत्यसन्धश्च adherent to truth, पितुः father, निर्देशकारकः obedient.

O prince, you are always faithful to your wife. You are righteous, truthful and obedient to your father's orders.
सत्यसन्ध महाभाग श्रीमल्लक्ष्मणपूर्वज।।3.9.7।।

त्वयि धर्मश्च सत्यं च त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्।


सत्यसन्ध truthful, महाभाग reverend, श्रीमन् powerful one, लक्ष्मणपूर्वज one born before Lakshmana (Rama), त्वयि in you, धर्मश्च righteousness, सत्यं च truth, त्वयि in you, सर्वम् all, प्रतिष्ठितम् are wellestablished.

O Rama, you are truthful, honourable, powerful. O elder brother of Lakshmana, in you is established truth and righteousness.
तच्च सर्वं महाबाहो शक्यं धर्तुं जितेन्द्रियैः।।3.9.8।।

तव वश्येन्द्रियत्वं च जानामि शुभदर्शन।


महाबाहो longarmed, तत् that, सर्वम् all, जितेन्द्रियैः having conquered the senses, धर्तुम् to hold, शक्यम् possible, शुभदर्शन pleasing to look at, तव वश्येन्द्रियत्वम् your ability to control the senses, जानामि I know.

O longarmed one, to contain all this is only possible for those who have conquered the senses. O handsome one, I know your ability to control the senses.
तृतीयं यदिदं रौद्रं परप्राणाभिहिंसनम्।।3.9.9।।

निर्वैरं क्रियते मोहात्तच्च ते समुपस्थितम्।


निर्वैरम् without enmity, यत् as such, इदम् this, रौद्रम् wrath, परप्राणाभिहिंसनम् showing violence on other beings, मोहात् out of delusion, क्रियते is carried out, तत् that, तृतीयम् third, ते you, समुपस्थितम् befallen.

(But) you are a victim to the third (vice born of lust) i.e. showing violence without cause for enmity
प्रतिज्ञातस्त्वया वीर दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम्।।3.9.10।।

ऋषीणां रक्षणार्थाय वधस्संयति रक्षसाम्।


वीर O valiant one , दण्डकारण्यवासिनाम् those residing in Dandaka forest, ऋषीणाम् of sages, रक्षणार्थाय to protect them, संयति in battle, रक्षसाम् with demons, वधः killing, त्वया by you, प्रतिज्ञात: is promised.

O valiant one, you have promised to kill the demons in the battle, in order to protect the sages residing in the Dandaka forest.
एतन्निमित्तं च वनं दण्डका इति विश्रुतम्।।3.9.11।।

प्रस्थितस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा धृतबाणशरासनः।


एतन्निमित्तम् for this reason, त्वम् you, धृतबाणशरासनः wielding bow and arrows, भ्रात्रा सह with brother, दण्डकाः Dandaka forest, इति by name, विश्रुतम् wellknown, वनम् forest, प्रस्थितः entered.

It is only on account of this that you entered the wellknown Dandaka forest with your brother wielding bow and arrows.
ततस्त्वां प्रस्थितं दृष्ट्वा मम चिन्ताकुलं मनः।।3.9.12।।

त्वद्वृत्तं चिन्तयन्त्या वै भवेन्निश्श्रेयसं हितम्।


ततः therefore, प्रस्थितम् present, त्वाम् you, दृष्ट्वा seeing, मम to me, मनः mind, चिन्ताकुलम् is worried, त्वद्वृत्तम् your stand, चिन्तयन्त्याः while I reflect, हितम् salutary, निश्रेयसम् final benefit, भवेत् वै it is wished.

I am, therefore, worried in my mind when I see you here and think of your wellbeing. I wish your ultimate good. [The next two lines appear, more or less, a repetition. So omitted : Editor]
त्वां चैव प्रस्थितं दृष्ट्वा राम चिन्ताकुलं मनः।।3.9.13।।

सर्वतचशिन्तय्नत्या मे तव निश्श्रेयसं नृप।

न हि मे रोचते वीर गमनं दण्डकान्प्रति।।3.9.14।।

कारणं तत्र वक्ष्यामि वदन्त्याश्श्रूयतां मम।


वीर O brave Rama, दण्डकान् प्रति to Dandakaranyam, गमनम् going, मे to me, न रोचते not to my liking, तत्र there, कारणम् reason, वक्ष्यामि I shall tell, मम वदन्त्याः my saying so, श्रूयताम् please listen.

O brave Rama, I do not like your going to Dandaka forest. I shall tell you the reason. Do listen.
त्वं हि बाणधनुष्पाणिर्भ्रात्रा सह वनं गतः।।3.9.15।।

दृष्ट्वा वनचरान्सर्वान्कच्चित्कुर्याश्शरव्ययम्।


बाणधनुष्पाणिः holding bow and arrows, त्वम् you, भ्रात्रा सह with your brother, वनम् to the forest, गतः you are gone, सर्वान् all, वनचरान् forestrangers दृष्ट्वा seeing, शरव्ययम् release of arrows, कच्चित् कुर्यात् you may resort to.

Of course, you will go to the forest with your brother, holding the bow and arrows. Release the arrows when you see the forestrangers.
क्षत्रियाणामपि धनुर्हुताशस्येन्धनानि च।।3.9.16।।

समीपतस्स्थितं तेजो बलमुच्छ्रयते भृशम्।


क्षत्रियाणाम् for Kshatriyas, समीपतः nearby, स्थितम् available, धनुः bow, हुताशस्य for a fire, इन्धनानि च is fuel also, भृशम् surely, तेजः lustre, बलम् strength, उच्छ्रयते increases.

A bow in the hand of a kshatriya is like fuel to fire. It surely swells his strength and his brilliance.
पुरा किल महाबाहो तपस्स्वी सत्यवाक्छुचिः।।3.9.17।।

कस्मिंश्चिदभवत्पुण्ये वने रतमृगद्विजे।


महाबाहो mightyarmed, पुरा in the past, पुण्ये in a sacred, रतमृगद्विजे where animals and birds roamed, कस्मिंश्चित् some, वने in a forest, सत्यवाक् one who speaks the truth, शुचिः pure, तपस्स्वी ascetic, अभवत् किल lived.

O mightyarmed one, there dwelt in the past an ascetic, noble and truthful in a sacred forest where animals and birds lived merrily together.
तस्यैव तपसो विघ्नं कर्तुमिन्द्रश्शचीपतिः।।3.9.18।।

खङ्गपाणिरथागच्छदाश्रमं भटरूपधृत्।


अथ then, शचीपतिः husband of Sachi, इन्द्रः Indra, तस्यैव his only, तपसः penance, विघ्नम् obstruction, कर्तुम् to do, भटरूपधृत् in the guise of an attendant, खङ्गपाणिः sword in hand, आश्रमम् to the hermitage, आगच्छत् came.

Once Indra, husband of Sachi, came to his hermitage in the guise of an attendant, sword in hand, in order to hinder his penance.
तस्मिंस्तदाश्रमपदे निशितः खङ्ग उत्तमः।।3.9.19।।

स न्यासविधिना दत्तः पुण्ये तपसि तिष्ठतः।


तदा then, तस्मिन् in that, आश्रमपदे at the hermitage, पुण्ये holy, तपसि in penance, तिष्ठतः practising, निशितः a sharp, उत्तमः best, सः खङ्ग: that sword, न्यासविधिना as a trust, दत्तः was deposited.

Then while the sage was practising penance at the hermitage, he gave him that excellent sword to be kept in trust.
स तच्छस्त्रमनुप्राप्य न्यासरक्षणतत्परः।।3.9.20।।

वने तु विचरत्येव रक्षन्प्रत्ययमात्मनः।


सः तु that sage, तत् that, शस्त्रम् weapon, अनुप्राप्य having received, आत्मनः his own, प्रत्ययम् trust, रक्षन् while keeping, न्यासरक्षणतत्परः always attentive in protecting that deposit, वने in the forest, विचरत्येव went wandering.

Having received the weapon as a trust, the sage went wandering in the forest, always attentive in safeguarding the weapon.
यत्र गच्छत्युपादातुं मूलानि च फलानि च।।3.9.21।।

न विना याति तं खङ्गं न्यासरक्षणतत्परः।


न्यासरक्षणतत्परः ever alert in protecting the trust, मूलानि च roots, फलानि च and fruits, यत्र wherever, गच्छति he goes, तं खङ्गं विना without that sword, न याति does not go,

Vigilant about protecting the sword deposited with him, the sage never moved without it even when he went gathering roots and fruits.
नित्यं शस्त्रं परिवहन्क्रमेण स तपोधनः।।3.9.22।।

चकार रौद्रीं स्वां बुद्धिं त्यक्त्वा तपसि निश्चयम्।


नित्यम् always, शस्त्रम् weapon, परिवहन् while carrying, सः तपोधनः that sage, तपसि in penance, निश्चयम् his resolve, त्यक्त्वा after giving up, क्रमेण gradually, स्वाम् his, बुद्धिं intellect, रौद्रीम् fierce, चकार developed.

While the sage moved about holding the weapon, he gave up the practice of penance gradually and developed a violent mindset.
ततस्सरौद्रेऽभिरतः प्रमत्तोऽधर्मकर्शितः।।3.9.23।।

तस्य शस्त्रस्य संवासाज्जगाम नरकं मुनिः।


ततः then, तस्य of that, शस्त्रस्य संवासात् in association with the weapon, रौद्रे in a violent mood, अभिरतः always involved, सः that, मुनिः sage, प्रमत्तः in excitement अधर्मकर्शितः dragged in unrighteous ways, नरकम् to hell, जगाम went.

By association with the sword, he developed a violent attitude. And in that habitual state of excitement he was dragged into unrighteous ways which (ultimately) took him to hell.
एवमेतत्पुरा वृत्तं शस्त्रसंयोगकारणम्।।3.9.24।।

अग्निसंयोगवद्धेतुश्शस्त्रसंयोग उच्यते।

स्नेहाच्च बहुमानाच्च स्मारये त्वां न शिक्षये।।3.9.25।।


पुरा in the past, एतत् that, शस्त्रसंयोगकारणम् owing to contact with the weapon, वृत्तम् this happened, शस्त्र संयोगः association with the weapon, अग्निसम्योगवत् like contact with fire हेतुः becomes a cause, उच्यते it is said, स्नेहाच्च out of love, बहुमानाच्च out of great respect, त्वाम् to you, स्मारये I am reminding, न शिक्षये I am not instructing you.

Contact with the weapon has led to this in the past. Like contact with fire, it leads man to destruction. I say this out of my love and reverence for you as a reminder and not as an instruction.
न कथञ्चन सा कार्या गृहीतधनुषा त्वया।

बुद्धिर्वैरं विना हन्तुं राक्षसान्दण्डकाश्रितान्।।3.9.26।।

अपराधं विना हन्तुं लोकान्वीर न कामये।


गृहीतधनुषा by one holding a bow, त्वया by you, वैरं विना without animosity, दण्डकाश्रितान् those taking shelter in Dandaka, राक्षसान् demons, हन्तुम् to kill, सा बुद्धि: that thinking, कथञ्चन on any account, न कार्या should not be done, अपराधं विना without any offence, लोकान् the people, हन्तुम् to kill, न कामये not desirable.

While holding a bow, you should not have the intention to kill demons residing in Dandaka with no animosity against you. O valiant one I do not desire that any one should be killed without incurring any offence.
क्षत्रियाणां तु वीराणां वनेषु निरतात्मनाम्।।3.9.27।।

धनुषा कार्यमेतावदार्तानां त्वभिरक्षणम्।


वनेषु in the forests, निरतात्मनाम् those practising selfcontrol, वीराणाम् for warriors, क्षत्रियाणाम् for kshatriyas, आर्तानाम् of the panicked, अभिरक्षणम् protection, एतावत् this much, धनुषा with a bow, कार्यम् duty.

It is the duty of a kshatriya, a warrior to protect with his bow those who practise selfcontrol (penance) in the forest in a state of panic.
क्वच शस्त्रं क्व च वनं क्व च क्षात्रं तपः क्वच।।3.9.28।।

व्याविद्धमिदमस्माभिर्द्देशधर्मस्तु पूज्यताम्।


क्वच शस्त्रं where is a weapon, क्व च वनं and where is a forest, क्व च क्षात्रं where is the duty of a kshatriya, तपः क्वच and where is penance, अस्माभि by us, इदं this, व्याविद्धम् is encroached, देशधर्मस्तु law of the locality पूज्यताम् may be honoured.

Where is the question of wielding a weapon and living in the forest, where is the life of a kshatriya and the life of penance? For us, this is an encroachment. Let the law of the land be honoured.
तदार्य कलुषा बुद्धिर्जायते शस्त्रसेवनात्।।3.9.29।।

पुनर्गत्वा त्वयोध्यायां क्षत्रधर्मं चरिष्यसि।


आर्य Lord तत् thus, शस्त्रसेवनात् serving the weapons बुद्धि: mind, कलुषा impure, जायते will be, पुनः again, गत्वा after going to, अयोध्यायाम् to Ayodhya, क्षत्रधर्मम् duty of a Kshatriya, चरिष्यसि you can practise.

Lord, when we handle the weapon, the mind gets vitiated. (Only) after returning to Ayodhya can you perform the duty of a kshatriya.
अक्षया तु भवेत्प्रीतिश्श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोर्मम।।3.9.30।।

यदि राज्यं परित्यज्य भवेस्त्वं निरतो मुनिः।


त्वम् you, राज्यम् kingdom, परित्यज्य having given up, निरतः permanent, मुनिः an ascetic, भवेः you, यदि if, मम to me, श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोः to motherinlaw and fatherinlaw, अक्षया unlimited, प्रीतिः joy, भवेत् will be.

You would have been on unlimited source of joy to my fatherinlaw and motherinlaw had you permanently renounced the kingdom for the life of an ascetic.
धर्मादर्थः प्रभवति धर्मात्प्रभवते सुखम्।।3.9.31।।

धर्मेण लभते सर्वं धर्मसारमिदं जगत्।


धर्मात् from righteous duty, अर्थः wealth, प्रभवति will arise, धर्मात् from righteousness, सुखम् happiness, प्रभवते will result, धर्मेण by righteous ways, सर्वम् everything, लभते is attained, इदं जगत् this world, धर्मसारम् the essence is dharma.

Righteousness brings wealth. Wealth brings happiness. Righteousness brings everything. In fact, the essence of the world is righteousness.
आत्मानं नियमैस्तैस्तै कर्शयित्वा प्रयत्नतः।।3.9.32।।

प्राप्यते निपुणैर्धर्मो न सुखाल्लभ्यते सुखम्।


निपुणैः by wisemen, आत्मानम् themselves, तैस्तै: by their various means, नियमैः by their discipline, प्रयत्नतः with effort, कर्शयित्वा after crushing, धर्मः righteousness, प्राप्यते is attained, सुखात् from happiness, सुखम् joy, न लभ्यते will not be attained.

The wise earn dharma through getting their bodies emaciated by carefully adopting
different means of discipline (selftorture). Happiness does not beget happiness.
नित्यं शुचिमतिस्सौम्य चर धर्मं तपोवने।।3.9.33।।

सर्वं हि विदितं तुभ्यं त्रैलोक्यमपि तत्त्वतः।


सौम्य O gentle one, नित्यम् always, शुचिमतिः with a pure mind (free from thoughts of punishing the innocent), तपोवने in this forest of ascetics, धर्मम् dharma, चर follow, त्रैलोक्यम् three worlds, सर्वम् अपि all put together, तुभ्यम् to you, तत्त्वतः in true spirit, विदितं हि is known indeed.

O gentle one you may move in this forest of ascetics with a pure mind. The true meaning behind everything in these three worlds is known to you, indeed.
स्त्रीचापलादेतदुदाहृतं मे धर्मं च वक्तुं तव कस्समर्थः।

विचार्य बुद्ध्या तु सहानुजेन यद्रोचते तत्कुरु मा चिरेण।।3.9.34।।


स्त्रीचापलात् due to the fickle nature of a woman, एतत् all that, मे by myself, उदाहृतम् is mentioned to you, तव your, धर्मम् rightful duty, वक्तुम् to direct, कः who indeed, समर्थः a capable one, तु you, बुद्ध्या applying your mind, अनुजेन with brother, सह also, विचार्य after deliberating carefully, यत् whatever, रोचते pleases you, तत् that, कुरु you may do, माचिरेण let there be no delay.

I told you all this out of feminine fickleness. Who can guide you in the ways of dharma? After carefully deliberating the matter with your brother you may act according to your wish. Let there be no delay (hesitation).
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे नवमस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the ninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.