वसतस्तस्य रामस्य ततः शूर्पणखाकृतम्। खरेणासीन्महद्वैरं जनस्थाननिवासिना
While Rāma was living there, a great enmity arose with Khara, the resident of Janasthāna, instigated by Śūrpaṇakhā.
रक्षार्थं तापसानां तु राघवो धर्मवत्सलः। चतुर्दशसहस्राणि जघान भुवि राक्षसान्
For the protection of the ascetics, Rāghava, devoted to righteousness, slew fourteen thousand rākṣasas on earth.
दूषणं च स्वरं चैवनिहत्य सुमहाबलौ। चक्रे क्षेमं पुनर्धीमान्धर्मारण्यं स राघवः
Having slain the mighty Dūṣaṇa and Svara as well, the wise Rāghava restored safety to the righteous forest.
हतेषु तेषु रक्षःसु ततः शूर्पणखा पुनः। ययौ निकृत्तनासोष्ठी लङ्कां भ्रातुर्निवेशनम्
When those rākṣasas were slain, then Śūrpaṇakhā, her nose and lips cut off, went to Laṅkā, to her brother’s abode.
ततो रावणमभ्येत्य राक्षसी दुःखमूर्च्छिता। पपात पादयोर्भ्रातुः संशुष्करुधिरानना
Then, the demoness, overcome with sorrow, approached Ravana and collapsed at her brother’s feet, her face dried and bloodless.
तां तथा विकृतां दृष्ट्वा रावणः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। उत्पपातासनात्क्रुद्धो दन्तैर्दन्तानुपस्पृशन्
Seeing her in such a state, Ravana, seized by anger, sprang up from his seat, furious, grinding his teeth against each other.
स्वानमात्यान्विसृज्याथ विविक्ते तामुवाच सः। केनास्येवं कृता भद्रे मामचिन्त्यावमत्य च
He dismissed his own ministers and, in private, spoke to her: 'Who has done this to you, dear one, disregarding me, who should not be underestimated?'
कः शूलं तीक्ष्णमासाद्य सर्वगात्रेषु सेवते। कः शिरस्यग्निमाधाय विश्वस्तः स्वपते सुखम्
Who, having found a sharp spear, applies it to all their limbs? Who, trusting, sleeps peacefully with fire placed upon their head?
आशीविषं घोरतरं पादेन स्पृशतीह कः। सिंहं केसरिणं मत्तः स्पृष्ट्वा दंष्ट्रासु तिष्ठति
Who here touches a deadly serpent with their foot? Who, having provoked a furious lion, stands before its fangs?
इत्येवं ब्रुवतस्तस्य नेत्रेभ्यस्तेजसोऽर्चिषः। निश्चेरुर्दह्यतो रात्रौ वृक्षस्येव स्वरन्ध्रतः
As he spoke thus, flames of energy issued from his eyes at night, like fire bursting from the hollow of a tree.
तस्य तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ भगिनी रामविक्रमम्। खरदूषणसंयुक्तं राक्षसानां पराभवम्
His sister recounted everything to him: Rama’s valor, the defeat of the rakshasas alongside Khara and Dushana.
ततो ज्ञातिवधं श्रुत्वा रावणः कालचोदितः। रामस्य वधमाकाङ्क्षन्मारीचं मनसागमत्
Then, hearing of his kin’s slaughter, Ravana, urged by fate, desired Rama’s death and turned his thoughts to Maricha.
स निश्चित्यततः कृत्यं सागरं लवणाकरम्। ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमे राजा विधाय नगरे विधिम्
Having resolved his course of action, the king crossed the salty ocean, after arranging affairs in his city.
त्रिकूटं समतिक्रम्य कालपर्वतमेव च। ददर्श मकरावासं गम्भीरोदं महोदधिम्
Passing Trikuta and the mountain Kala, he beheld the vast, deep ocean, abode of makaras.
तमतीत्याथ गोकर्णमभ्यगच्छद्दशाननः। दयितं स्तानमव्यग्रं शूलपाणेर्महात्मनः
Then, crossing that, Ravana reached Gokarna, the beloved and undisturbed place of the great soul wielding the trident.
तत्राभ्यगच्छन्मारीचं पूर्वामात्यं दशाननः। पुरा रामभयादेव तापसं प्रियजीवितम्
There, Ravana approached Maricha, his former minister, who, out of fear of Rama, had previously become an ascetic cherishing his life.
मारीचस्त्वथ संभ्रान्तो दृष्ट्वा रावणमागतम्। पूजयामास सत्कारैः फलमूलादिभिस्ततः
Maricha, startled upon seeing Ravana arrive, honored him with hospitality, offering fruits and roots.
विश्रान्तं चैनमासीनमन्वासीनः स राक्षसः। उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्
After Ravana rested and was seated, Maricha, himself seated nearby, addressed him with courteous words, skilled in speech.
न ते प्रकृतिमान्वर्णः कच्चित्क्षेमं पुरे तव। कच्चित्प्रकृतयः सर्वा भजन्ते त्वां यथा पुरा
Your appearance is not as usual; is all well in your city? Do all your subjects still serve you as before?
किमिहागमने चापि कार्यं ते राक्षसेश्वर। कृतमित्येव तद्विद्धि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम्
What purpose brings you here, lord of the rakshasas? Consider it done, even if it is most difficult.
शशंस रावणस्तस्मै तत्सर्वं रामचेष्टितम्। समासेनैव कार्याणि क्रोधामर्षसमन्वितः
Ravana told him everything about Rama’s actions, briefly stating his intentions, filled with anger and resentment.
मारीचस्त्वब्रवीच्छ्रत्वा समासेनैव रावणम्। अलं ते राममासाद्य वीर्यज्ञो ह्यस्मि तस्य वै
Maricha, having heard, replied to Ravana in brief: 'Enough for you to confront Rama; I know his strength well.'
बाणवेगं हि कस्तस्य शक्तः सोढुं महात्मनः। प्रव्रज्यायां हि मे हेतुः स एव पुरुषर्षभः। विनाशमुखमेतत्ते केनाख्यातं दुरात्मना
Who indeed is able to withstand the force of his arrows, that great soul? He alone, O best of men, is the cause of my renunciation. Who has told you of this path to destruction, and with what evil intent?
तमुवाचाथ सक्रोधो रावणः परिभर्त्सयन्। अकुर्वतोऽस्मद्वचनं स्यान्मृत्युरपि ते ध्रुवम्
Then Ravana, angered, rebuked him and said: If you do not obey my command, even death itself is certain for you.
मरीचश्चिन्तयामास विशिष्टान्मरणं वरम्। अवश्यं मरणे प्राप्ते करिष्याम्यस्य यन्मतम्
Maricha thought: Death at the hands of Rama is preferable to any other. Since death is inevitable, I will do as he wishes.
ततस्तं प्रत्युवाचाथ मारीचो रक्षसांवरम्। किं ते साह्यां मया कार्यं करिष्याम्यवशोपि तत्
Then Maricha, foremost among the Rakshasas, replied to him: What help do you require from me? Even against my will, I will do it.
तमब्रवीद्दशग्रीवो गच्छ सीतां प्रलोभय। रत्नशृङ्गो मृगो भूत्वा रत्नचित्रतनूरुहः
The ten-headed one said to him: Go and entice Sita, taking the form of a deer with jeweled horns and a body adorned with gems.
ध्रुवं सीता समालक्ष्यत्वां रामं चोदयिष्यति। अपक्रान्ते च काकुत्स्थे सीता वश्या भविष्यति
Certainly Sita, upon seeing you, will urge Rama to pursue you; and when Kakutstha has departed, Sita will be within my power.
तामादायापनेष्यामि ततः स नभविष्यति। भार्यावियोगाद्दुर्बुद्धिरेतत्साह्यं कुरुष्व मे
I will then seize her and take her away, and Rama will be helpless. Deprived of his wife, that fool will be lost—therefore, assist me in this.
इत्येवमुक्तोमारीचः कृत्वोदकमथात्मनः। रावणं पुरतो यान्तमन्वगच्छत्सुदुःखितः
Thus addressed, Maricha performed water-rites for himself, and, deeply distressed, followed Ravana as he went forth.