सूतस्तु रथनेतास्य तदवस्थं निरीक्ष्य तम्। शनैर्युद्धादसम्भ्रान्तो रथं तस्यापवाहयत्
The charioteer, seeing his master in that condition, calmly and without confusion, gradually withdrew his chariot from the battle.
रथं च तस्याथ जवेन सारथि- र्निवार्य भीमं जलदस्वनं तदा। जगाम भीत्या समरान्महीपतिं निरस्तवीर्यं पतितं समीक्ष्य
Then the charioteer, restraining the terrible, thunderous chariot with speed, out of fear, departed from the battlefield after seeing the king fallen, his strength destroyed.
thumb|चतुरधिकशततमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे चतुरधिकशततमः सर्गः ॥६-
Hear now the one hundred and fourth sarga.
स तु मोहात् सुसंक्रुद्धः कृतान्तबलचोदितः। क्रोधसंरक्तनयनो रावणः सूतमब्रवीत्
But Ravana, greatly deluded, exceedingly enraged, and urged on by the force of death, his eyes reddened with anger, spoke to his charioteer.
हीनवीर्यमिवाशक्तं पौरुषेण विवर्जितम्। भीरुं लघुमिवासत्त्वं विहीनमिव तेजसा
You appear weak, powerless, lacking in manliness, fearful, light in spirit, and devoid of energy.
विमुक्तमिव मायाभिरस्त्रैरिव बहिष्कृतम्। मामवज्ञाय दुर्बुद्धे स्वया बुद्ध्या विचेष्टसे
As if abandoned by magic, cast out by weapons, you act on your own understanding, disregarding me, O fool.
किमर्थं मामवज्ञाय मच्छन्दमनवेक्ष्य च। त्वया शत्रुसमक्षं मे रथोऽयमपवाहितः
Why, disregarding me and not considering my will, have you withdrawn my chariot before my enemy?
त्वयाद्य हि ममानार्य चिरकालमुपार्जितम्। यशो वीर्यं च तेजश्च प्रत्ययश्च विनाशितः
Today, by you, O ignoble one, my long-acquired fame, valor, energy, and trust have been destroyed.
शत्रोः प्रख्यातवीर्यस्य रञ्जनीयस्य विक्रमैः। पश्यतो युद्धलुब्धोऽहं कृतः कापुरुषस्त्वया
In the presence of my enemy, renowned for his strength and celebrated for his exploits, while I, eager for battle, was watching, you have made me a coward.
यत् त्वं कथमिदं मोहान्न चेद् वहसि दुर्मते। सत्योऽयं प्रतितर्को मे परेण त्वमुपस्कृतः
If you did not do this out of delusion, O wicked-minded one, then my suspicion is true: you have been bribed by the other side.
नहि तद् विद्यते कर्म सुहृदो हितकांक्षिणः। रिपूणां सदृशं त्वेतद् यत् त्वयैतदनुष्ठितम्
Such an act is not fitting for a friend who desires good; this is suitable for enemies, for you have done this.
निवर्तय रथं शीघ्रं यावन्नापैति मे रिपुः। यदि वाध्युषितोऽसि त्वं स्मर्यते यदि मे गुणः
Turn the chariot back quickly before my enemy departs, if you have ever stayed with me or remember any of my virtues.
एवं परुषमुक्तस्तु हितबुद्धिरबुद्धिना। अब्रवीद् रावणं सूतो हितं सानुनयं वचः
Thus harshly addressed by the unwise one, the charioteer, who was wise and well-intentioned, spoke to Ravana words that were beneficial and conciliatory.
न भीतोऽस्मि न मूढोऽस्मि नोपजप्तोऽस्मि शत्रुभिः। न प्रमत्तो न निःस्नेहो विस्मृता न च सत्क्रिया
I am not afraid, nor am I confused, nor have I been corrupted by the enemy; I am not careless, nor lacking in affection, nor have I forgotten proper conduct.
मया तु हितकामेन यशश्च परिरक्षता। स्नेहप्रस्कन्नमनसा हितमित्यप्रियं कृतम्
But, desiring your welfare and preserving your fame, with a mind softened by affection, I have done this unpleasant act for your good.
नास्मिन्नर्थे महाराज त्वं मां प्रियहिते रतम्। कश्चिल्लघुरिवानार्यो दोषतो गन्तुमर्हसि
O great king, in this matter, you should not, through fault, consider me as insignificant or ignoble, for I am devoted to your welfare.
श्रूयतां प्रति दास्यामि यन्निमित्तं मया रथः। नदीवेग इवाम्भोभिः संयुगे विनिवर्तितः
Listen, I will tell you the reason why I withdrew the chariot in battle, just as a river's current is turned back by its waters.
श्रमं तवावगच्छामि महता रणकर्मणा। नहि ते वीर्यसौमुख्यं प्रकर्षं नोपधारये
I perceive your exhaustion from the great exertion of battle; yet I do not recognize any decline in your valor or composure.
रथोद्वहनखिन्नाश्च भग्ना मे रथवाजिनः। दीना घर्मपरिश्रान्ता गावो वर्षहता इव
My chariot horses are worn out from bearing the chariot; they are broken, dejected, and weary from the heat, like cows afflicted by rain.
निमित्तानि च भूयिष्ठं यानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति नः। तेषु तेष्वभिपन्नेषु लक्षयाम्यप्रदक्षिणम्
Many omens have appeared for us; among those that have arisen, I observe that they are not auspicious.
देशकालौ च विज्ञेयौ लक्षणानीङ्गितानि च। दैन्यं हर्षश्च खेदश्च रथिनश्च बलाबलम्
One must discern the place and time, the signs and gestures, the dejection, joy, and fatigue, as well as the strength and weakness of the charioteer.
स्थलनिम्नानि भूमेश्च समानि विषमाणि च। युद्धकालश्च विज्ञेयः परस्यान्तरदर्शनम्
The elevations and depressions of the ground, its level and uneven places, the timing of battle, and the observation of the enemy’s intentions must be understood.
उपयानापयाने च स्थानं प्रत्यपसर्पणम्। सर्वमेतद् रथस्थेन ज्ञेयं रथकुटुम्बिना
Approach and withdrawal, position and retreat—all these must be known by the charioteer who is responsible for the chariot.
तव विश्रामहेतोस्तु तथैषां रथवाजिनाम्। रौद्रं वर्जयता खेदं क्षमं कृतमिदं मया
For your rest, and for that of these chariot horses, I have avoided harsh fatigue; this was done by me as appropriate.
स्वेच्छया न मया वीर रथोऽयमपवाहितः। भर्तुः स्नेहपरीतेन मयेदं यत् कृतं प्रभो
O hero, this chariot was not withdrawn by me of my own will; what I have done, O lord, was out of affection for my master.
आज्ञापय यथातत्त्वं वक्ष्यस्यरिनिषूदन। तत् करिष्याम्यहं वीर गतानृण्येन चेतसा
Command me as you see fit, O slayer of enemies; I will carry it out, O hero, with a mind free from obligation.
संतुष्टस्तेन वाक्येन रावणस्तस्य सारथेः। प्रशस्यैनं बहुविधं युद्धलुब्धोऽब्रवीदिदम्
Rāvaṇa, pleased by the charioteer's words, praised him in many ways and, eager for battle, spoke thus.
रथं शीघ्रमिमं सूत राघवाभिमुखं नय। नाहत्वा समरे शत्रून् निवर्तिष्यति रावणः
O charioteer, quickly drive this chariot toward Rāghava; Rāvaṇa will not return without defeating his enemies in battle.
एवमुक्त्वा रथस्थस्य रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। ददौ तस्य शुभं ह्येकं हस्ताभरणमुत्तमम्। श्रुत्वा रावणवाक्यानि सारथिः संन्यवर्तत
Having spoken thus, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, gave his charioteer a single excellent hand ornament; hearing Rāvaṇa’s words, the charioteer turned the chariot.
ततो द्रुतं रावणवाक्यचोदितः प्रचोदयामास हयान् स सारथिः। स राक्षसेन्द्रस्य ततो महारथः क्षणेन रामस्य रणाग्रतोऽभवत्
Then, urged by Rāvaṇa’s command, the charioteer swiftly drove the horses; thus, the great chariot of the king of rākṣasas stood before Rāma in the forefront of battle within a moment.