त्रैलोक्यवसुभोक्तारं रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम्। भर्तारमुपसंगम्य विहरस्व यथासुखम्
Approach Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, enjoyer of the wealth of the three worlds, and live with him as you please.
मानुषी मानुषं तं तु राममिच्छसि शोभने। राज्याद् भ्रष्टमसिद्धार्थं विक्लवन्तमनिन्दिते
O beautiful one, you desire that human Rāma, who is deprived of his kingdom, unsuccessful in his aims, and dispirited, O blameless lady.
राक्षसीनां वचः श्रुत्वा सीता पद्मनिभेक्षणा। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Hearing the words of the rākṣasīs, Sītā, whose eyes are like lotus petals, with her eyes filled with tears, spoke these words.
यदिदं लोकविद्विष्टमुदाहरत संगताः। नैतन्मनसि वाक्यं मे किल्बिषं प्रतितिष्ठति
Whatever hateful words you all are speaking together, such sinful speech does not remain in my mind.
न मानुषी राक्षसस्य भार्या भवितुमर्हति। कामं खादत मां सर्वा न करिष्यामि वो वचः
A human woman should not become the wife of a rākṣasa; you may all eat me if you wish, but I will not do your bidding.
दीनो वा राज्यहीनो वा यो मे भर्ता स मे गुरुः। तं नित्यमनुरक्तास्मि यथा सूर्यं सुवर्चला
Whether he is destitute or deprived of his kingdom, my husband is my lord; I am always devoted to him, as Suvarcalā is to the sun.
यथा शची महाभागा शक्रं समुपतिष्ठति। अरुन्धती वसिष्ठं च रोहिणी शशिनं यथा
As the greatly fortunate Śacī serves Indra, as Arundhatī serves Vasiṣṭha, and as Rohiṇī serves the moon,
लोपामुद्रा यथागस्त्यं सुकन्या च्यवनं यथा। सावित्री सत्यवन्तं च कपिलं श्रीमती यथा
As Lopāmudrā serves Agastya, Sukanyā serves Cyavana, Sāvitrī serves Satyavat, and Śrīmatī serves Kapila,
सौदासं मदयन्तीव केशिनी सगरं यथा। नैषधं दमयन्तीव भैमी पतिमनुव्रता
As Madayantī serves Saudāsa, Keśinī serves Sagara, Damayantī serves Nala, and Bhīmi serves her husband with fidelity,
तथाहमिक्ष्वाकुवरं रामं पतिमनुव्रता। सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षस्यः क्रोधमूर्च्छिताः। भर्त्सयन्ति स्म परुषैर्वाक्यै रावणचोदिताः
So too am I devoted to my husband Rāma, the best of the Ikṣvākus. Hearing Sītā’s words, the rākṣasīs, enraged at Rāvaṇa’s urging, began to threaten her with harsh words.
अवलीनः स निर्वाक्यो हनुमान् शिंशपाद्रुमे। सीतां संतर्जयन्तीस्ता राक्षसीरशृणोत् कपिः
Hanumān, silent and concealed in the śiṃśapā tree, heard those rākṣasīs threatening Sītā.
तामभिक्रम्य संरब्धा वेपमानां समन्ततः। भृशं संलिलिहुर्दीप्तान् प्रलम्बान् दशनच्छदान्
Rushing at her from all sides, furious, they licked their long, blazing fangs intensely as she trembled.
ऊचुश्च परमक्रुद्धाः प्रगृह्याशु परश्वधान्। नेयमर्हति भर्तारं रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्
Seizing their sharp axes, they spoke in great anger: 'She does not deserve Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, as her husband.'
सा भर्त्स्यमाना भीमाभी राक्षसीभिर्वरांगना। सा बाष्पमपमार्जन्ती शिंशपां तामुपागमत्
That noble lady, threatened by the terrifying rākṣasīs, wiped away her tears and approached the śiṃśapā tree.
ततस्तां शिंशपां सीता राक्षसीभिः समावृता। अभिगम्य विशालाक्षी तस्थौ शोकपरिप्लुता
Then Sītā, surrounded by the rākṣasīs, came to the śiṃśapā tree; the wide-eyed one stood there, overwhelmed by grief.
तां कृशां दीनवदनां मलिनाम्बरवासिनीम्। भर्त्सयाञ्चक्रिरे भीमा राक्षस्यस्ताः समन्ततः
Those terrifying rākṣasīs all around began to threaten her—emaciated, with a sorrowful face, clad in soiled garments.
ततस्तु विनता नाम राक्षसी भीमदर्शना। अब्रवीत् कुपिताकारा कराला निर्णतोदरी
Then a rākṣasī named Vinatā, fearsome in appearance, with a terrible face and sunken belly, spoke in anger.
सीते पर्याप्तमेतावद् भर्तुः स्नेहः प्रदर्शितः। सर्वत्रातिकृतं भद्रे व्यसनायोपकल्पते
O Sita, this much affection from your husband has been sufficiently shown; everywhere, O gentle one, excess leads to misfortune.
परितुष्टास्मि भद्रं ते मानुषस्ते कृतो विधिः। ममापि तु वचः पथ्यं ब्रुवन्त्याः कुरु मैथिलि
I am satisfied; may good befall you. The human path has been fulfilled. But now, Maithili, do what I say, for it is beneficial.
रावणं भज भर्तारं भर्तारं सर्वरक्षसाम्। विक्रान्तमापतन्तं च सुरेशमिव वासवम्
Accept Ravana as your husband, the lord of all the Rakshasas, mighty and advancing like Indra, the king of the gods.
दिव्यांगरागा वैदेहि दिव्याभरणभूषिता। अद्यप्रभृति लोकानां सर्वेषामीश्वरी भव
O Vaidehi, adorned with divine perfumes and divine ornaments, from this day forth, become the sovereign of all the worlds.
अग्नेः स्वाहा यथा देवी शची वेन्द्रस्य शोभने। किं ते रामेण वैदेहि कृपणेन गतायुषा
Just as Svaha is to Agni, and Sachi to Indra, O lovely one, what use have you for Rama, who is wretched and whose life is as good as ended?
एतदुक्तं च मे वाक्यं यदि त्वं न करिष्यसि। अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सर्वास्त्वां भक्षयिष्यामहे वयम्
If you do not do what I have said, then in this very moment, we will all devour you.
अन्या तु विकटा नाम लम्बमानपयोधरा। अब्रवीत् कुपिता सीतां मुष्टिमुद्यम्य तर्जती
Then another, named Vikata, with hanging breasts, angrily threatened Sita, raising her fist.
बहून्यप्रतिरूपाणि वचनानि सुदुर्मते। अनुक्रोशान्मृदुत्वाच्च सोढानि तव मैथिलि
Many improper words, O Maithili, have been endured from you, out of compassion and gentleness, though you are of evil mind.
न च नः कुरुषे वाक्यं हितं कालपुरस्कृतम्। आनीतासि समुद्रस्य पारमन्यैर्दुरासदम्
You do not heed our timely and beneficial advice; you have been brought across the ocean, which is difficult for others to cross.
रावणान्तःपुरे घोरे प्रविष्टा चासि मैथिलि। रावणस्य गृहे रुद्धा अस्माभिस्त्वभिरक्षिता
You have entered the dreadful inner chambers of Ravana, O Maithili, and are confined in Ravana's house, guarded by us.
न त्वां शक्तः परित्रातुमपि साक्षात् पुरंदरः। कुरुष्व हितवादिन्या वचनं मम मैथिलि
Not even Purandara himself could save you; heed my words, O Maithili, for I speak for your good.
अलमश्रुनिपातेन त्यज शोकमनर्थकम्। भज प्रीतिं प्रहर्षं च त्यजन्ती नित्यदैन्यताम्
Enough of shedding tears; abandon this useless grief. Seek joy and delight, casting aside constant misery.
सीते राक्षसराजेन परिक्रीड यथासुखम्। जानीमहे यथा भीरु स्त्रीणां यौवनमध्रुवम्
O Sita, sport as you please with the king of the Rakshasas. We know well, O timid one, that youth is fleeting for women.