Sloka & Translation

[There at the hermitage Sita asks Lakshmana to rush to Rama's help- Lakshmana resists, stating Rama needs no help--Sita lashes at Lakshmana in harsh words.]

ārtasvaraṅ tu taṅ bharturvijñāya sadṛśaṅ vanē.

uvāca lakṣmaṇaṅ sītā gaccha jīnīhi rāghavam৷৷3.45.1৷৷


sītā Sita, vanē in the forest, bhartuḥ husband, sadṛśam similar, tam that, ārtasvaram voice in distress, vijñāya knowing, lakṣmaṇam to Lakshmana, uvāca said, gaccha go, rāghavam Rama, jānīhi know (what happened).

On hearing the voice in distress and recognising that it was similar to her husband's voice, Sita said to Lakshmana, 'Go and find out Rama's whereabouts'.
na hi mē hṛdayaṅ sthānē jīvitaṅ vā.vatiṣṭhati.

krōśataḥ paramārtasya śrutaśśabdō mayā bhṛśam৷৷3.45.2৷৷

ākrandamānaṅ tu vanē bhrātaraṅ trātumarhasi.


bhṛśam greatly, krōśataḥ paramārtasya crying out in great distress, śabda: voice, mayā by me, śrutaḥ heard, mē my, hṛdayam heart, jīvitaṅ vā my life too, sthānē in its place, na avatiṣṭhati is not resting, hi indeed, vanē in the forest, ākrandamānam crying in pain, bhrātaram brother, trātum to protect, arhasi you ought to.

I clearly heard Rama calling out in great distress. Indeed, my heart as well as my life is not in its place (restless). You ought to go and protect your brother who is crying in pain in the forest.
taṅ kṣipramabhidhāva tvaṅ bhrātaraṅ śaraṇaiṣiṇam৷৷3.45.3৷৷

rakṣasāṅ vaśamāpannaṅ siṅhānāmiva gōvṛṣam.


siṅhānām of the lions, gōvṛṣamiva like a bull, rakṣasām of demons, vaśam grip, āpannam been under it, śaraṇaiṣiṇam seeking help, taṅ bhrātaram that brother, kṣipram quickly, tvam you, abhidhāva run.

Like a bull caught by lions, your brother is seeking help caught by demons. You should run at once to your brother.
na jagāma tathōktastu bhrāturājñāya śāsanam৷৷3.45.4৷৷

tamuvāca tatastatra kupitā janakātmajā.


tathā like that, uktastu though instructed , bhrātuḥ brother's, śāsanam order, ājñāya knowing, na jagāma did not go, tataḥ then, kupitā angry, janakātmajā Sita, tatra there, tam him, uvāca said.

When he did not budge in obedience to his brother's order (to protect Sita), the daughter of Janaka in a rage said :
saumitrē mitrarūpēṇa bhrātustvamasi śatruvat৷৷3.45.5৷৷

yastvamasyāmavasthāyāṅ bhrātaraṅ nābhipatsyasē.


saumitrē son of Sumitra,( Lakshmana), yaḥ who, tvam you, asyām in this, avasthāyām situation, bhrātaram your brother, nābhipatsyasē not going to, tvam you, bhrātuḥ to brother, mitrarūpēṇa in the form of a friend, śatruvat enemy, asi you are.

Since you, O son of Sumitra, are not reaching out to your brother in this situation, you are an enemy to your brother in the guise of a friend৷৷
icchasi tvaṅ vinaśyantaṅ rāmaṅ lakṣmaṇa matkṛtē৷৷3.45.6৷৷

lōbhāttvaṅ matkṛtē nūnaṅ nānugacchasi rāghavam.


lakṣmaṇa O Lakshmana, tvam you, rāmam Rama, vinaśyantam being destroyed, matkṛtē for my sake, icchasi desirous, tvam you, matkṛtē for my sake, lōbhāt out of greed, rāmam Rama, nānugacchasi you are not following him, nūnam surely.

It is possess me that you wish Rama's death. You do not rush to him certainly because of greed for me.
vyasanaṅ tē priyaṅ manyē snēhō bhrātarināstitē৷৷3.45.7৷৷

tēna tiṣṭhasi viśrabdhaṅtamapaśyanmahādyutim.


tē to you, vyasanam distrees, priyam dear, manyē I think, tē to you, bhrātari for your brother, snēhaḥ love, nāsti is not there, tēna by that, mahādyutim brilliiant, tam him, apaśyan not seen, viśrabdham confident, tiṣṭhasi you are standing.

I think Rama's adversity is welcome to you. You do not have any love towards your brother. It is for this that you stand unconcerned instead of proceeding to help your brilliant brother.
kiṅ hi saṅśayamāpannē tasminniha mayā bhavēt৷৷3.45.8৷৷

kartavyamiha tiṣṭhantyā yatpradhānastvamāgataḥ.


tvam you, yatpradhānaḥ iha primarily to serve Rama, āgataḥ came here, tasmin when he , saṅśayam in difficulty, āpannē has met with, iha here, tiṣṭhantyā remaining, mayā by me, kim what, kartavyam duty bhavēt be.

When he for whose service you have primary come here, has met with difficulty, what is the use of your being here? What purpose you serve by staying here with me ?
iti bruvāṇāṅ vaidēhīṅ bāṣpaśōkapariplutām৷৷3.45.9৷৷

abravīllakṣmaṇastrastāṅ sītāṅ mṛgavadhūmiva.


iti thus, bruvāṇām while speaking, bāṣpaśōkapariplutām flooded with tears of sorrow, trastām frightened lady, mṛgavadhūmiva like a female deer, vaidēhīm Vaidehi, sītām Sita, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, abravīt said.

While Sita thus spoke, flooded with tears of sorrow, frightened like a doe, Lakshmana replied :
pannagāsuragandharvadēvamānuṣarākṣasaiḥ৷৷3.45.10৷৷

aśakyastava vaidēhi bhartā jētuṅ na saṅśayaḥ.


vaidēhi Vaidehi, tava your, bhartā husband, pannagāsuragandharvadēvamānuṣarākṣasaiḥ pannagas, asuras, gandharvas, gods, men or even demons, jētum to win, aśakyaḥ not possible, na saṅśayaḥ there is no doubt.

O Vaidehi! there is no doubt that pannagas, asuras, gandharvas, gods, men or even demons cannot defeat him.
dēvi dēvamanuṣyēṣu gandharvēṣu patatriṣu৷৷3.45.11৷৷

rākṣasēṣu piśācēṣu kinnarēṣu mṛgēṣu ca.

dānavēṣu ca ghōrēṣu sa na vidyēta śōbhanē৷৷3.45.12৷৷

yō rāmaṅ pratiyudhyēta samarē vāsavōpamam.


śōbhanē dēvi O brilliant Devi, samarē vāsavōpamam like Indra in war, rāmam Rama, yaḥ who, pratiyudhyēta may encounter, dēvamanuṣyēṣu among gods or men, gandharvēṣu among gandharvas, patatriṣu among birds, rākṣasēṣu among demons, piśācēṣu among goblins, kinnarēṣu even among kinnaras, mṛgēṣuca even animals, ghōrēṣu dreadful, dānavēṣu demons, na vidyēta not found.

O brilliant Devi ! none among gods or men, gandharvas, birds or goblins kinnaras, wild animals or dreadful demons can encounter Rama in war.
avadhyassamarē rāmō naivaṅ tvaṅ vaktumarhasi৷৷3.45.13৷৷

na tvāmasminvanē hātumutsahē rāghavaṅ vinā.


rāmaḥ Rama, samarē in war, avadhyaḥ indestructible, tvam you, ēvam in this way, vaktum to speak,
nārhasi it is not proper, tvām you, rāghavaṅ vinā without Rama, asmin in this, vanē in the forest, hātum to leave alone, na utsahē I do not wish.

Rama is indestructible in war. It is not proper for you to say what you said. When he is not here I do not wish to leave you alone here in the forest.
anivāryaṅ balaṅ tasya balairbalavatāmapi৷৷3.45.14৷৷

tribhirlōkaissamudyuktaissēśvarairapi sāmaraiḥ.


balavatām of strong people, balairapi even with all their strength, sēśvaraiḥ by Indra, sāmarairapi even by those supported by gods, samudyuktai: by the well-equipped, tribhiḥ lōkai by the three worlds, api also, tasya his, balam strength, anivāryam irresistible.

He cannot be stopped by the strength of the mighty, or by Indra supported by gods or by the well-equipped armies of all the three worlds.
hṛdayaṅ nirvṛtaṅ tē.stusantāpastyajyatāmayam৷৷3.45.15৷৷

āgamiṣyati tē bhartā śrīghraṅ hatvā mṛgōttamam.


tē your, hṛdayam heart, nirvṛtam relieved, astu may be, ayam this, santāpaḥ sorrow, tyajyatām give up, tē bhartā your husband, mṛgōttamam excellent deer, hatvā after killing, śrīghram quickly, āgamiṣyati will come back.

May your heart be relieved (of this fear) ! Give up this grief. Your husband will soon return with the excellent deer killed.
na ca tasya svarō vyaktaṅ māyayā kēna citkṛtaḥ.

gandharvanagaraprakhyā māyā sā tasya rakṣasaḥ৷৷3.45.16৷৷


tasya his, svaraḥ voice, na not, vyaktam it is clear, kēna cit by some one, māyayā deceptively, kṛtaḥ is made, sā that, tasya rakṣasaḥ of that demon, gandharvanagaraprakhyā like the city of the gandharvas, māyā illusion.

Surely it is not his voice. It is contrived by some one's illusory power. It is the illusion created by that demon, like the city of the gandharvas. (which does not exist.)
nyāsabhūtāsi vaidēhi nyastā mayi mahātmanā৷৷3.45.17৷৷

rāmēṇa tvaṅ varārōhē na tvāṅ tyaktumihōtsahē.


varārōhē O beautiful lady, vaidēhi Vaidehi, nyāsabhūtāsi entrusted for safety, mahātmanā by the great self, rāmēṇa by Rama, mayi with me, nyastā entrusted, iha here, tvām you, tyaktum to leave, nōtsahē not act.

O best of women Vaidehi ! great Rama has entrusted your safty to me. I do not wish to leave you here alone.
kṛtavairāśca vaidēhi vayamētairniśācaraiḥ৷৷3.45.18৷৷

kharasya nidhanādēva janasthānavadhaṅ prati.


vaidēhi Vaidehi, kharasya Khara's, nidhanādēva since his killing, janasthānavadhaṅ prati towards killing of the residents of Janasthana, vayam we, ētaiḥ by these, niśācaraiḥ by the demons, kṛtavairāḥ developed enmity.

O Vaidehi! since the killing of Khara and the residents of Janasthana we have developed enmity with the demons.
rākṣasā vividhā vācō visṛjanti mahāvanē৷৷3.45.19৷৷

hiṅsāvihārā vaidēhi na cintayitumarhasi.


vaidēhi Vaidehi, mahāvanē in the great forest, hiṅsā vihārāḥ who wander by torturing, rākṣasāḥ demons, vividhāḥ different , vācaḥ words, visṛjanti they spread, cintayitum to worry, nārhasi you need not.

These demons wander about tormenting others and spreading rumours of all kinds.
You need not worry about them.
lakṣmaṇēnaivamuktā sā kruddhā saṅraktalōcanā৷৷3.45.20৷৷

abravītparuṣaṅ vākyaṅ lakṣmaṇaṅ satyavādinam.


lakṣmaṇēna by Lakshmana, ēvam in that way, uktā having been told, sā Sita, kruddhā an angry, saṅraktalōcanā with eyes turned red, satyavādinam to the truthful, lakṣmaṇam Lakshmana, paruṣam harsh, vākyam words, abravīt she spoke.

Addressed thus by Lakshmana, Sita got mighty angry. Her eyes turned red and she spoke harshly to truthful Lakshmana
anāryākaraṇārambha nṛśaṅsa kulapāṅsana৷৷3.45.21৷৷

ahaṅ tava priyaṅ manyē rāmasya vyasanaṅ mahat.


anāryakaraṇārambha man of bad conduct, nṛśaṅsa cruel one, kulapāṅsana disgrace to your family, rāmasya at Rama's, mahat great, vyasanam disaster, tava yours, priyam pleasing, aham I, manyē I think.

O ignoble, cruel Lakshmana, you are a disgrace to your family. I think this great disaster of Rama is a pleasure to you.
rāmasya vyasanaṅ dṛṣṭvā tēnaitāni prabhāṣasē৷৷3.45.22৷৷

naitaccitraṅ sapatnēṣu pāpaṅ lakṣmaṇa yadbhavēt.

tvadvidhēṣu nṛśaṅsēṣu nityaṅ pracchannacāriṣu৷৷3.45.23৷৷


lakṣmaṇa Lakshmana, rāmasya vyasanam Rama's disaster, dṛṣṭvā seeing, tēna by that, ētāni these words, (pra)bhāṣasē speak, nityam always, pracchannacāriṣu who move in disguise, nṛśaṅsēṣu cruel men, tvadvidhēṣu among men like you, sapatnēṣu among rivals, pāpam sin, bhavēt iti yat will be thus, ētat this, citram wonder, na not .

O Lakshmana,do you speak such words seeing the disaster of Rama? No wonder that cruel men who always move like you in disguise will thus resort to sinful action against rivals.
suduṣṭastvaṅ vanē rāmamēkamēkō.nugacchasi.

mama hētōḥ praticchannaḥ prayuktōbharatēna vā৷৷3.45.24৷৷


suduṣṭaḥ very wicked , tvam you, ēkaḥ alone, praticchannaḥ hiding your true self, hētōḥ reason, bharatēna by Bharata, prayuktaḥ vā or employed, ēkam alone, rāmam Rama, vanē in forest, anugacchasi you are following.

You are very wicked. You are hiding your true identity, and employed by Bharata, you are following Rama in the forest as he is alone.
tannasidhyati saumitrē tava vā bharatasya vā.

kathamindīvaraśyāmaṅ padmapatranibhēkṣaṇam৷৷3.45.25৷৷

upasaṅśritya bhartāraṅ kāmayēyaṅ pṛthagjanam.


saumitrē Lakshmana, tava vā yours or, bharatasya vā or Bharata's, tat such, nasidhyati will not be fulfilled, padmapatranibhēkṣaṇam eyes like lotus petals, indīvaraśyāmam looks like a blue lotus, bhartāram husband, upasaṅśritya held the hands of, pṛthagjanam other men, katham how, kāmayēyam can I prefer ?

O Lakshmana such intention of yours or even of Bharata's will not be fulfilled. I have held the hands of Rama who has eyes like the lotus petal, who has the complexion of the blue lotus. How can I prefer some other man?
samakṣaṅ tava saumitrē prāṇāṅstyakṣē na saṅśayaḥ.

rāmaṅ vinā kṣaṇamapi na hi jīvāmi bhūtalē৷৷3.45.26৷৷


saumitrē O Saumitri, tava in your, samakṣam presence, prāṇām life, tyakṣyē I give up, saṅśayaḥ doubt, na
not, rāmaṅ vinā without Rama, kṣaṇamapi even a moment, bhūtalē on earth, na jīvāmi hi I will not live.

I will undoubtedly give up my life in your presence.I will not live even for a moment on earth without Rama, O son of Sumitra !
ityuktaḥ paruṣaṅ vākyaṅ sītayā rōmaharṣaṇam৷৷3.45.27৷৷

abravīllakṣmaṇassītāṅ prāñjalirvijitēndriyaḥ.


vijitēndriyaḥ self-controlled, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, sītayā by Sita, iti in this way, rōmaharṣaṇam causing horripilation, paruṣam harsh, vākyam words, uktaḥ uttered, prāñjaliḥ with folded palms, sītām to Sita, abravīt said.

The self-controlled Lakshmana with folded palms replied to Sita's harsh, horripilating words:
uttaraṅ nōtsahē vaktuṅ daivataṅ bhavatī mama৷৷3.45.28৷৷

vākyamapratirūpaṅ tu na citraṅ strīṣu maithili.

svabhāvastvēṣa nārīṇāmēvaṅ lōkēṣu dṛśyatē৷৷3.45.29৷৷


maithili Mythili, uttaram reply, vaktum to tell, nōtsahē not wish, bhavatī yourself, mama for me, daivatam deity, apratirūpam unworthy, vākyam word, strīṣu among women, citram wonder, na not, ēṣaḥ such, nārīṇām women's, svabhāvastu nature, lōkēṣu in the world, ēvam likewise, dṛśyatē is seen.

O princess from Mithila, I do not want to use such harsh words. To me you are a deity (worthy of adoration). It is not surprising that women of the world use such undeserving words. It is their nature.
vimuktadharmāścapalāstīkṣṇā bhēdakarāḥ striyaḥ.

na sahē hīdṛśaṅ vākyaṅ vaidēhi janakātmajē৷৷3.45.30৷৷

śrōtrayōrubhayōrmēdya taptanārācasannibham.


striyaḥ women, vimuktadharmāḥ devoid of dharma, capalāḥ fickle, tīkṣṇāḥ sharp-tongued, bhēdakarāḥ piercing, janakātmajē daughter of Janaka, vaidēhi Vaidehi, mē my, ubhayōḥ two, śrōtrayōḥ ears, taptanārācasannibham like red hot darts(words that pierce ears like arrows), vākyam words, adya now, na sahē hi cannot bear

Women devoid dharma are fickle and inconsistent. They use sharp, piercing words. O daughter of Janaka, O princess from Videha, your words pierce my ears like red-hot darts.I cannot tolerate them.
upaśṛṇvantu mē sarvē sākṣibhūtā vanēcarāḥ৷৷3.45.31৷৷

nyāyavādī yathānyāyamuktō.haṅ paruṣaṅ tvayā.


nyāyavādī am just in speaking, aham I, tvayā by you, yathā like this, paruṣam harsh words, anyāyam unjustified, uktaḥ spoken, mē to me, sākṣibhūtāḥ witnesses , sarvē all, vanēcarāḥ foresters, upaśṛṇvantu listen.

I speak what is just while you use harsh and unjust words. Let all beings who move in the forest bear witness.
dhiktvāmadya praṇaśya tvaṅ yanmāmēvaṅ viśaṅkasē.

strītvaladuṣṭaṅ svabhāvēna guruvākyē vyavasthitam৷৷3.45.32৷৷


tvām you, dhik fie upon, strītvāt duṣṭasvabhāvēna woman's wicked nature, tvam you, guruvākyē on the word of my brother, vyavasthitam stood firmly, mām me, yat since, ēvam thus, viśaṅkasē doubting, praṇaśya you will fall to ruin.

Fie upon you. Like a woman of wicked nature you doubt me when I stood firm by my brother's words. You will go to ruin.
gamiṣyē yatra kākutstha svasti tē.stu varānanē৷৷3.45.33৷৷

rakṣantu tvāṅ viśālākṣi samagrā vanadēvatāḥ.


varānanē O beautiful lady, kākutstha Rama, yatra whereever he be, gamiṣyē will go, tē svasti astu be happy, viśālākṣi O large-eyed lady, tvām to you, samagrāḥ all the, vanadēvatāḥ sylvan deties, rakṣantu protect you.

O beautiful lady, I will go to Rama wherever he may be. Be happy. O large-eyed one, may all the deities of the forest protect you.
nimittāni ca ghōrāṇi yāni prādurbhavanti mē৷৷3.45.34৷৷

api tvāṅ saha rāmēṇa paśyēyaṅ punarāgataḥ.

na vētyētanna jānāmi vaidēhi janakātmajē৷৷3.45.35৷৷


janakātmajē daughter of Janaka, vaidēhi Vaidehi, ghōrāṇi dreadful, yāni those, nimittāni omens, mē me, prādurbhavanti are manifesting, punaḥ again, āgataḥ when I return, tvām you, saha along with, rāmēṇa with Rama, api paśyēyam will I ever see, na vā or not, ityētat in this way, na jānāmi I do not know.

O daughter of Janaka! O princess from Videha, I see dreadful omens. I do not know whether I will see you when I am back with Rama.
lakṣmaṇēnaivamuktā sā rudantī janakātmajā.

pratyuvāca tatō vākyaṅ tīvraṅ bāṣpapariplutā৷৷3.45.36৷৷


lakṣmaṇēna by Lakshmana, ēvam likewise, uktā spoken, sā janakātmajā she, the daughter of Janaka, tataḥ then, rudantī while crying, bāṣpapariplutā eyes filled with tears, tīvram harsh, vākyam words, pratyuvāca replied.

At these words of Lakshmana Sita started crying. With eyes filled with tears she replied with harshness :
gōdāvarīṅ pravēkṣyāmi vinā rāmēṇa lakṣmaṇa.

abandhiṣyē.thavā tyakṣyē viṣamē dēhamātmanaḥ৷৷3.45.37৷৷


lakṣmaṇa Lakshmana, rāmēṇa vinā without Rama, gōdāvarīm Godavari, pravēkṣyāmi I will enter, athavā or else, abandhiṣyē hang myself, viṣamē cliff ( dangerous place), ātmanaḥ myself, dēham body, tyakṣyē will give up.

O Lakshmana without Rama I will drown myself in Godavari or hang myself or leap from a cliff into death.
pibāmyahaṅ viṣaṅ tīkṣṇaṅ pravēkṣyāmi hutāśanam.

na tvahaṅ rāghavādanyaṅ padāpi puruṣaṅ spṛśē৷৷3.45.38৷৷


aham I, tīkṣṇam viṣam venom, pibāmi I will drink, hutāśanam fire, pravēkṣyāmi I will enter, tu but, aham I, rāghavāt Rama's, anyam other, puruṣam man, padāpi even with feet, na spṛśē I will not touch.

I will drink deadly poison or enter fire and die, but will not touch any other man even with my feet.
iti lakṣmaṇamākruśya sītā duḥkhasamanvitā.

pāṇibhyāṅ rudatī duḥkhādudaraṅ prajaghāna ha৷৷3.45.39৷৷


sītā Sita, iti thus, lakṣmaṇam to Lakshmana, ākruśya duḥkhasamanvitā blaming and crying in distress, rudatī crying, duḥkhāt with grief, pāṇibhyām by her hands, udaram belly, prajaghāna ha hit herself.

Thus Sita cried in distress, sadly hitting her belly with both the hands, blaming Lakshmana (all the time).
tāmārtarūpāṅ vimanā rudantīṅ saumitrirālōkya viśālanētrām.

āśvāsayāmāsa na caiva bhartu staṅ bhrātaraṅkiñciduvāca sītā৷৷3.45.40৷৷


saumitriḥ Saumitri, vimanāḥ dejected, ārtarūpām in a pitiable state, rudantīm crying, tām her, viśālanētrām large-eyed, ālōkya seeing, āśvasayāmāsa consoled, sītā Sita, bhartuḥ husband's, bhrātaram brother, tam him, kiñcit any thing, na uvāca did not speak.

Saumitri saw the large-eyed, dejected Sita crying in distress.He pacified and consoled her but she did not say anything at all to her husband's brother.
tatastu sītāmabhivādya lakṣmaṇaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ kiñcidabhipraṇamya ca.

anvīkṣamāṇō bahuśaśca maithilīm jagāma rāmasya samīpamātmavān৷৷3.45.41৷৷


tataḥ then, ātmavān self-composed, lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakshmana, sītām to Sita, abhivādya taking leave, kṛtāñjaliḥ with joined palms, kiñcit a little, abhipraṇamya saluting with great reverence, bahuśaḥ in several ways, maithilīm princess from Mithila, anvīkṣamāṇaḥ looking at her, rāmasya of Rama, samīpam near, jagāma went.

Self-composed Lakshmana with joined palms saluted her with great reverence.And then, turning towards her again and again, left for Rama.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē pañjacatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the fortyfifth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.