सोऽहं वनगतं रामं परिभूय महाबलम्। तापसोऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन्
I, disregarding Rama, who was dwelling in the forest and possessed great strength, thinking him an ascetic and recalling my former enmity, approached him.
अभ्यधावं सुसंक्रुद्धस्तीक्ष्णशृङ्गो मृगाकृतिः। जिघांसुरकृतप्रज्ञस्तं प्रहारमनुस्मरन्
I, in the form of a deer with sharp horns, rushed at him in great anger, intent on killing, remembering the previous blow.
तेन त्यक्तास्त्रयो बाणाः शिताः शत्रुनिबर्हणाः। विकृष्य सुमहच्चापं सुपर्णानिलतुल्यगाः
He released three sharp arrows, destroyers of enemies, drawing his great bow, their speed equal to that of Garuda and the wind.
ते बाणा वज्रसंकाशाः सुघोरा रक्तभोजनाः। आजग्मुः सहिताः सर्वे त्रयः संनतपर्वणः
Those arrows, resembling thunderbolts, terrifying and thirsting for blood, all three together, with their joints bent, advanced.
पराक्रमज्ञो रामस्य शठो दृष्टभयः पुरा। समुत्क्रान्तस्ततो मुक्तस्तावुभौ राक्षसौ हतौ
Knowing Rama’s valor, deceitful and once having seen danger, he escaped; then, released, both those Rakshasas were slain.
शरेण मुक्तो रामस्य कथंचित् प्राप्य जीवितम्। इह प्रव्राजितो युक्तस्तापसोऽहं समाहितः
Freed by Rama’s arrow, somehow preserving my life, I have wandered here, now settled as an ascetic, composed in mind.
वृक्षे वृक्षे हि पश्यामि चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरम्। गृहीतधनुषं रामं पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम्
On every tree I see Rama, clad in bark and black deer skin, holding his bow, like Death with a noose in hand.
अपि रामसहस्राणि भीतः पश्यामि रावण। रामभूतमिदं सर्वमरण्यं प्रतिभाति मे
Even thousands of Ramas I see, terrified, O Ravana; this whole forest appears to me as if it has become Rama.
राममेव हि पश्यामि रहिते राक्षसेश्वर। दृष्ट्वा स्वप्नगतं राममुद्भ्रमामि विचेतनः
I see only Rama, even in solitude, O lord of Rakshasas; having seen Rama in a dream, I wander, bewildered and senseless.
रकारादीनि नामानि रामत्रस्तस्य रावण। रत्नानि च रथाश्चैव वित्रासं जनयन्ति मे
Names beginning with 'Ra', gems, and chariots, O Ravana, all cause me fear, for I am terrified by Rama.
अहं तस्य प्रभावज्ञो न युद्धं तेन ते क्षमम्। बलिं वा नमुचिं वापि हन्याद्धि रघुनन्दनः
I know his power; battle with him is not suitable for you. The descendant of Raghu could slay even Bali or Namuci.
रणे रामेण युद्धस्व क्षमां वा कुरु रावण। न ते रामकथा कार्या यदि मां द्रष्टुमिच्छसि
Fight Rama in battle, or show patience, O Ravana. You need not speak of Rama if you wish to see me.
बहवः साधवो लोके युक्ता धर्ममनुष्ठिताः। परेषामपराधेन विनष्टाः सपरिच्छदाः
Many virtuous people in the world, devoted to righteousness, have perished, along with their possessions, because of others’ offenses.
सोऽहं परापराधेन विनशेयं निशाचर। कुरु यत् ते क्षमं तत्त्वमहं त्वां नानुयामि वै
Thus, by another’s offense, I too may perish, O night-wanderer. Do what you deem proper; I will not follow you.
रामश्च हि महातेजा महासत्त्वो महाबलः। अपि राक्षसलोकस्य भवेदन्तकरोऽपि हि
Rama is possessed of great splendor, great courage, and great strength; he could indeed be the destroyer even of the world of Rakshasas.
यदि शूर्पणखाहेतोर्जनस्थानगतः खरः। अतिवृत्तो हतः पूर्वं रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा। अत्र ब्रूहि यथातत्त्वं को रामस्य व्यतिक्रमः
If Khara, because of Shurpanakha, went to Janasthana and was excessively violent, and was previously slain by Rama, whose deeds are effortless, then tell me truly, what fault is there in Rama?
इदं वचो बन्धुहितार्थिना मया यथोच्यमानं यदि नाभिपत्स्यसे। सबान्धवस्त्यक्ष्यसि जीवितं रणे हतोऽद्य रामेण शरैरजिह्मगैः
If you do not accept these words, spoken by me for your welfare and that of your kin, then you and your relatives will lose your lives in battle, slain today by Rama’s straight-flying arrows.
thumb|चत्वारिंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अरण्यकाण्डे चत्वारिंशः सर्गः ॥३-
Let the fortieth chapter be heard. In the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Aranyakanda, the fortieth chapter.
मारीचस्य तु तद् वाक्यं क्षमं युक्तं च रावणः। उक्तो न प्रतिजग्राह मर्तुकाम इवौषधम्
Ravana, hearing Maricha’s words, which were proper and fitting, did not accept them, like one wishing for death rejects medicine.
तं पथ्यहितवक्तारं मारीचं राक्षसाधिपः। अब्रवीत् परुषं वाक्यमयुक्तं कालचोदितः
The lord of Rakshasas, prompted by fate, spoke harsh and unfitting words to Maricha, who advised what was wholesome and beneficial.
दुष्कुलैतदयुक्तार्थं मारीच मयि कथ्यते। वाक्यं निष्फलमत्यर्थं बीजमुप्तमिवोषरे
This speech, Maricha, spoken to me, is unfit and meaningless, coming from one of ignoble lineage; it is utterly fruitless, like a seed sown in barren ground.
त्वद्वाक्यैर्न तु मां शक्यं भेत्तुं रामस्य संयुगे। मूर्खस्य पापशीलस्य मानुषस्य विशेषतः
Your words cannot break me in battle against Rama, especially since he is a foolish, sinful human.
यस्त्यक्त्वा सुहृदो राज्यं मातरं पितरं तथा। स्त्रीवाक्यं प्राकृतं श्रुत्वा वनमेकपदे गतः
He who, having abandoned friends, kingdom, mother and father, went alone to the forest upon hearing the ordinary words of a woman—
अवश्यं तु मया तस्य संयुगे खरघातिनः। प्राणैः प्रियतरा सीता हर्तव्या तव संनिधौ
Certainly, in battle with the slayer of Khara, I must seize Sita, who is dearer to him than life, right before you.
एवं मे निश्चिता बुद्धिर्हृदि मारीच विद्यते। न व्यावर्तयितुं शक्या सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः
Such is the firm resolve in my heart, Maricha; it cannot be turned aside, not even by gods or demons together with Indra.
दोषं गुणं वा सम्पृष्टस्त्वमेवं वक्तुमर्हसि। अपायं वा उपायं वा कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये
When asked about the faults or merits, you ought to speak thus, whether about danger or opportunity, regarding the decision of this task.
सम्पृष्टेन तु वक्तव्यं सचिवेन विपश्चिता। उद्यताञ्जलिना राज्ञो य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः
When questioned, a wise minister should speak, with hands joined in respect, to the king, if he desires his own prosperity.
वाक्यमप्रतिकूलं तु मृदुपूर्वं शुभं हितम्। उपचारेण वक्तव्यो युक्तं च वसुधाधिपः
Words that are not opposed, gentle, auspicious, and beneficial, should be spoken to the ruler, with proper decorum and appropriateness.
सावमर्दं तु यद्वाक्यमथवा हितमुच्यते। नाभिनन्देत तद् राजा मानार्थी मानवर्जितम्
If words are spoken that are harsh or beneficial, but lack respect, the king who values honor should not welcome them.
पञ्च रूपाणि राजानो धारयन्त्यमितौजसः। अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च
Kings of immeasurable energy bear five forms: those of Agni, Indra, Soma, Yama, and Varuna.