लक्ष्मणं चैव दृष्ट्वा तु वैदेहीं च यशस्विनीम्। मङ्गलानि प्रयुञ्जानाः प्रत्यगृह्णन् दृढव्रताः
Seeing Lakṣmaṇa and the renowned Vaidehī, those resolute ascetics welcomed them with auspicious blessings.
रूपसंहननं लक्ष्मीं सौकुमार्यं सुवेषताम्। ददृशुर्विस्मिताकारा रामस्य वनवासिनः
The forest-dwellers, amazed, beheld Rāma's form, his build, his grace, his delicacy, and his splendid attire.
वैदेहीं लक्ष्मणं रामं नेत्रैरनिमिषैरिव। आश्चर्यभूतान् ददृशुः सर्वे ते वनवासिनः
All those forest-dwellers gazed in wonder, their eyes unblinking, at Vaidehī, Lakṣmaṇa, and Rāma.
अत्रैनं हि महाभागाः सर्वभूतहिते रताः। अतिथिं पर्णशालायां राघवं संन्यवेशयन्
There, those greatly fortunate ones, devoted to the welfare of all beings, received Rāghava as a guest in their leaf-hut.
ततो रामस्य सत्कृत्य विधिना पावकोपमाः। आजह्रुस्ते महाभागाः सलिलं धर्मचारिणः
Then, honoring Rāma according to custom, those exalted, fire-like ascetics brought water for the righteous one.
मङ्गलानि प्रयुञ्जाना मुदा परमया युताः। मूलं पुष्पं फलं सर्वमाश्रमं च महात्मनः
With utmost joy, offering auspicious blessings, they presented roots, flowers, fruits, and all the resources of the great soul's hermitage.
निवेदयित्वा धर्मज्ञास्ते तु प्राञ्जलयोऽब्रुवन्। धर्मपालो जनस्यास्य शरण्यश्च महायशाः
Having offered these, those knowers of dharma, with joined palms, spoke: 'You, the protector of dharma and refuge of the people, famed one—'
पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च राजा दण्डधरो गुरुः। इन्द्रस्यैव चतुर्भागः प्रजा रक्षति राघव
'The king, wielder of the rod, is to be honored and respected; like a fourth part of Indra, Rāghava protects the people.'
राजा तस्माद् वरान् भोगान् रम्यान् भुङ्क्ते नमस्कृतः। ते वयं भवता रक्ष्या भवद्विषयवासिनः। नगरस्थो वनस्थो वा त्वं नो राजा जनेश्वरः
'Therefore, the king, worshipped, enjoys the finest pleasures; we, the dwellers in your domain, must be protected by you. Whether in the city or the forest, you are our king, lord of the people.'
न्यस्तदण्डा वयं राजञ्जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः। रक्षणीयास्त्वया शश्वद् गर्भभूतास्तपोधनाः
'We, O king, have laid down the rod, conquered anger and the senses; always, you must protect us ascetics, who are like embryos, rich in austerity.'
एवमुक्त्वा फलैर्मूलैः पुष्पैरन्यैश्च राघवम्। वन्यैश्च विविधाहारैः सलक्ष्मणमपूजयन्
Having spoken thus, they honored Rāghava and Lakṣmaṇa with fruits, roots, flowers, and various forest foods.
तथान्ये तापसाः सिद्धा रामं वैश्वानरोपमाः। न्यायवृत्ता यथान्यायं तर्पयामासुरीश्वरम्
Likewise, other ascetics and perfected beings, righteous in conduct and like fire, satisfied Rāma, the lord, as was proper.
thumb|द्वितीयः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अरण्यकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः ॥३-
Hear now the second chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇyakāṇḍa.
कृतातिथ्योऽथ रामस्तु सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। आमन्त्र्य स मुनीन् सर्वान् वनमेवान्वगाहत
Then, after receiving hospitality, Rāma, having taken leave of all the sages, set out toward the sunrise and entered the forest.
निष्कूजमानशकुनिं झिल्लिकागणनादितम्। लक्ष्मणानुचरो रामो वनमध्यं ददर्श ह
Accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma saw the heart of the forest, where no birds called, but the crickets resounded.
सीतया सह काकुत्स्थस्तस्मिन् घोरमृगायुते। ददर्श गिरिशृङ्गाभं पुरुषादं महास्वनम्
There, together with Sītā, the descendant of Kakutstha beheld a man-eater, terrible and loud, surrounded by fierce beasts, resembling a mountain peak.
गभीराक्षं महावक्त्रं विकटं विकटोदरम्। बीभत्सं विषमं दीर्घं विकृतं घोरदर्शनम्
With deep-set eyes, a huge mouth, a grotesque and swollen belly, hideous, uneven, tall, deformed, and terrifying to behold.
वसानं चर्म वैयाघ्रं वसार्द्रं रुधिरोक्षितम्। त्रासनं सर्वभूतानां व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्
Wearing a tiger's hide, still wet with fat and stained with blood, a terror to all beings, with mouth agape like Death itself.
त्रीन् सिंहांश्चतुरो व्याघ्रान् द्वौ वृकौ पृषतान् दश। सविषाणं वसादिग्धं गजस्य च शिरो महत्
Three lions, four tigers, two wolves, ten spotted deer, and a great elephant's head, horned and smeared with fat—
अवसज्यायसे शूले विनदन्तं महास्वनम्। स रामं लक्ष्मणं चैव सीतां दृष्ट्वा च मैथिलीम्
He had impaled them on an iron spike, roaring with a mighty voice; seeing Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sītā of Mithilā—
अभ्यधावत् सुसंक्रुद्धः प्रजाः काल इवान्तकः स कृत्वा भैरवं नादं चालयन्निव मेदिनीम्
He rushed at them, enraged, like Death at the end of time, making a dreadful sound as if shaking the earth.
अङ्केनादाय वैदेहीमपक्रम्य तदाब्रवीत्। युवां जटाचीरधरौ सभार्यौ क्षीणजीवितौ
Seizing Vaidehī in his arms and withdrawing, he said: 'You two, wearing matted locks and bark garments, with your wife, your lives are nearly over.'
प्रविष्टौ दण्डकारण्यं शरचापासिपाणिनौ। कथं तापसयोर्वां च वासः प्रमदया सह
You have entered the Daṇḍaka forest, armed with bow, arrows, and sword; how is it that you, ascetics, dwell here with a woman?
अधर्मचारिणौ पापौ कौ युवां मुनिदूषकौ। अहं वनमिदं दुर्गं विराधो नाम राक्षसः
Who are you, evil-doers, unrighteous and corruptors of sages? I am Virādha, a Rākṣasa, who roams this difficult forest.
चरामि सायुधो नित्यमृषिमांसानि भक्षयन्। इयं नारी वरारोहा मम भार्या भविष्यति
I wander always armed, consuming the flesh of sages; this woman of noble form shall become my wife.
युवयोः पापयोश्चाहं पास्यामि रुधिरं मृधे। तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो दुष्टं विराधस्य दुरात्मनः
And as for you two sinners, I will drink your blood in battle.' Thus spoke the wicked, evil-minded Virādha.
श्रुत्वा सगर्वितं वाक्यं सम्भ्रान्ता जनकात्मजा। सीता प्रवेपितोद्वेगात् प्रवाते कदली यथा
Hearing his arrogant words, Janaka's daughter Sītā, trembling with fear, shook like a plantain tree in the wind.
तां दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीतां विराधाङ्कगतां शुभाम्। अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता
Seeing Sītā, radiant and seated on Virādha's lap, Rāghava spoke to Lakṣmaṇa, his mouth parched.
पश्य सौम्य नरेन्द्रस्य जनकस्यात्मसम्भवाम्। मम भार्यां शुभाचारां विराधाङ्के प्रवेशिताम्
Behold, gentle one, the daughter of King Janaka, my wife of virtuous conduct, placed on Virādha's lap.
अत्यन्तसुखसंवृद्धां राजपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्। यदभिप्रेतमस्मासु प्रियं वरवृतं च यत्
A princess raised in utmost comfort, renowned—whatever was dear to us, whatever was her chosen wish—