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॥ अथ अरण्यकाण्डे एकचत्वारिंशः सर्गः ॥
३.४१.१
सा तं संप्रेक्ष्य सुश्रोणी कुसुमानि विचिन्वती ।
हेमराजतवर्णाभ्यां पार्श्वाभ्यामुपशोभितम् ॥
Summary AI Seeing the deer adorned with flanks of gold and silver hues, the fair Sītā, while gathering flowers, looked at him with great wonder.
M N Dutt Beholding that deer with its sides painted with gold and silver, while collecting flowers, Sītā, having blameless limbs and beautiful hips and having the colour of her body like that of pure gold became immensely pleased and called aloud her husband and Lakşmaņa with scimitars in their hands.
३.४१.२
प्रहृष्टा चानवद्याङ्गी मृष्टहाटकवर्णिनी ।
भर्तारमपि चाक्रन्दल्लक्ष्मणं चैव सायुधम् ॥
Summary AI Exceedingly joyful, the flawless Sītā, possessing a complexion like refined gold, called out to her husband Rāma and the armed Lakṣmaṇa.
M N Dutt Beholding that deer with its sides painted with gold and silver, while collecting flowers, Sītā, having blameless limbs and beautiful hips and having the colour of her body like that of pure gold became immensely pleased and called aloud her husband and Lakşmaņa with scimitars in their hands.
३.४१.३
तयाहूतौ नरव्याघ्रौ वैदेह्या रामलक्ष्मणौ ।
वीक्षमाणौ तु तं देशं तदा ददृशतुर्मृगम् ॥
Summary AI Summoned by Vaidehī, those tigers among men, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, surveyed that area and beheld the extraordinary deer.
M N Dutt Having called (her husband) again and again in this strain she continued beholding that deer. Being thus called by the daughter of the king of Videha those two best of men Rāma and Laks maņa, casting their looks around beheld that deer.
३.४१.४
शङ्कमानस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणो राममब्रवीत् ।
तमेवैनमहं मन्ये मारीचं राक्षसं मृगम् ॥
Summary AI Observing the creature, the suspicious Lakṣmaṇa said to Rāma, "I believe this deer is none other than the Rākṣasa Mārīca in disguise."
M N Dutt Seeing him Lakşmana, struck with fear, said Me-thinks, this deer is the Raksasa Marica.
३.४१.५
चरन्तो मृगयां हृष्टाः पापेनोपाधिना वने ।
अनेन निहता राम राजानः कामरूपिणा ॥
Summary AI Lakṣmaṇa warned, "O Rāma, many kings hunting joyfully in the forest have been slain by this wicked shape-shifter through such deceitful forms."
M N Dutt This vicious Mārīca, O Rāma, assuming the shape of a deer oftentimes kills at pleasure the kings who come here a-hunting.
३.४१.६
अस्य मायाविदो मायामृगरूपमिदं कृतम् ।
भानुमत्पुरुषव्याघ्र गन्धर्वपुरसंनिभम् ॥
Summary AI "O tiger among men, this master of illusion has assumed this brilliant deer-form, which shines like a celestial city of the Gandharvas."
M N Dutt He is cognizant of illusions, by virtue of which he has assumed this shape, O best of men; its countenance is perfectly fine like the abode of Gandharvas and resplendent like the Sun; there is no such jewelled deer on earth. O Rāghava, O Lord of earth, there is no doubt that this is nothing but illusion.
३.४१.७
मृगो ह्येवंविधो रत्नविचित्रो नास्ति राघव ।
जगत्यां जगतीनाथ मायैषा हि न संशयः ॥
Summary AI "O Rāghava, such a deer, variegated with jewels, does not exist on this earth. O Lord of the earth, this is surely an illusion; there is no doubt."
M N Dutt He is cognizant of illusions, by virtue of which he has assumed this shape, O best of men; its countenance is perfectly fine like the abode of Gandharvas and resplendent like the Sun; there is no such jewelled deer on earth. O Rāghava, O Lord of earth, there is no doubt that this is nothing but illusion.
३.४१.८
एवं ब्रुवाणं काकुत्स्थं प्रतिवार्य शुचिस्मिता ।
उवाच सीता संहृष्टा छद्मना हृतचेतना ॥
Summary AI Silencing the descendant of Kākutstha, Lakṣmaṇa, as he spoke thus, the sweetly-smiling Sītā, her mind captivated by the deception, spoke to Rāma with great delight.
M N Dutt When Lakşınaņa spoke thus Sītā with a pure smile being under the influence of enchantment contradicted him, and being pleased said
३.४१.९
आर्यपुत्राभिरामोऽसौ मृगो हरति मे मनः ।
आनयैनं महाबाहो क्रीडार्थं नो भविष्यति ॥
Summary AI "O Āryaputra, this enchanting deer steals my heart. O mighty-armed one, capture him; he will be a wonderful playmate for us."
M N Dutt O son of the worshipful Sire, this deer has attracted my mind, get it for me, pray, O you of mighty arms: it shall be an object of sport for us.
३.४१.१३
नानावर्णविचित्राङ्गो रत्नबिन्दुसमाचितः ।
द्योतयन्वनमव्यग्रं शोभते शशिसंनिभः ॥
Summary AI With limbs of various colors and covered in jewel-like spots, he shines like the moon, illuminating the entire forest with his radiance.
M N Dutt Its cntire body is diversified with various colours, nay, it is a jewel itself. It moves before me beautifying the forest with its resplendence, like to Moon himself.
३.४१.१४
अहो रूपमहो लक्ष्मीः स्वरसंपच्च शोभना ।
मृगोऽद्भुतो विचित्रोऽसौ हृदयं हरतीव मे ॥
Summary AI "Oh, what beauty and splendor! His voice is so lovely! This marvelous and variegated deer has completely captivated my heart."
M N Dutt Ah! what beauty, what beautiful a lustre, how musical a voice, this wonderful deer of variegated countenance, has indeed captivated my heart!
३.४१.१५
यदि ग्रहणमभ्येति जीवन्नेव मृगस्तव ।
आश्चर्यभूतं भवति विस्मयं जनयिष्यति ॥
Summary AI "If you capture this deer alive, it will be a miraculous possession that will inspire wonder in everyone who sees it."
M N Dutt If can you get by this deer alive, O what wonder, what surprise!
३.४१.१६
समाप्तवनवासानां राज्यस्थानां च नः पुनः ।
अन्तःपुरविभूषार्थो मृग एष भविष्यति ॥
Summary AI "When our forest exile ends and we are restored to the kingdom, this deer will serve as a magnificent ornament for our royal inner apartments."
M N Dutt When shall we regain our kingdom after the expire of the term of our banishment, this deer shall beautify the interior of our palace.
३.४१.१७
भरतस्यार्यपुत्रस्य श्वश्रूणां मम च प्रभो ।
मृगरूपमिदं दिव्यं विस्मयं जनयिष्यति ॥
Summary AI "O Lord, this divine deer-form will surely amaze Bharata, you, my husband, and all my mothers-in-law back in Ayodhyā."
M N Dutt O Lord, truly shall this celestial deer create surprise in Bharata, yourself, me and my mothers-in-law.
३.४१.१८
जीवन्न यदि तेऽभ्येति ग्रहणं मृगसत्तमः ।
अजिनं नरशार्दूल रुचिरं मे भविष्यति ॥
Summary AI "O tiger among men, even if this excellent deer cannot be captured alive, his beautiful golden hide will be mine to keep."
M N Dutt O best of men, if can you not get hold of it alive its skin shall also look very beautiful (to us).
३.४१.१९
निहतस्यास्य सत्त्वस्य जाम्बूनदमयत्वचि ।
शष्पबृस्यां विनीतायामिच्छाम्यहमुपासितुम् ॥
Summary AI "I wish to sit upon the golden skin of this creature once it is slain, spread over a soft mat of grass in our hermitage."
M N Dutt Spreading on Kuća the skin of this golden deer when killed do I wish to invoke the Almighty.
३.४१.२०
कामवृत्तमिदं रौद्रं स्त्रीणामसदृशं मतम् ।
वपुषा त्वस्य सत्त्वस्य विस्मयो जनितो मम ॥
Summary AI "Though such a fierce desire driven by whim is considered unsuited for women, the exquisite beauty of this creature's body has filled me with irresistible wonder."
M N Dutt It looks (no doubt) unseemly and terrible and smacks of wilfulness, on the part of a wife to command her husband in this way, but I am sunk in surprise seeing the countenance of the deer.
३.४१.२३
पश्य लक्ष्मण वैदेह्याः स्पृहां मृगगतामिमाम् ।
रूपश्रेष्ठतया ह्येष मृगोऽद्य न भविष्यति ॥
Summary AI Look, Lakṣmaṇa, at this longing of Vaidehī for the deer. Indeed, because of its unsurpassed beauty, no such deer will exist elsewhere today.
M N Dutt Behold, O Laksmana, it has immensely excited Vaidehi's desire. On account of its exquisite beauty it shall loose its life to-day.
३.४१.२४
न वने नन्दनोद्देशे न चैत्ररथसंश्रये ।
कुतः पृथिव्यां सौमित्रे योऽस्य कश्चित्समो मृगः ॥
Summary AI O Saumitri, neither in the Nandana forest nor in the Caitraratha grove is there any deer like this; where on earth could there be a deer that equals it?
M N Dutt It has its equal no where on the earth-neither in the celestial garden nor in the Caitraratha forest.
३.४१.२५
प्रतिलोमानुलोमाश्च रुचिरा रोमराजयः ।
शोभन्ते मृगमाश्रित्य चित्राः कनकबिन्दुभिः ॥
Summary AI Growing both with and against the grain, the beautiful rows of hair on the deer, variegated with golden spots, look magnificent.
M N Dutt The hairs of its body being arranged in regular and contrary courses and being painted with golden drops do indeed look very beautiful.
३.४१.२६
पश्यास्य जृम्भमाणस्य दीप्तामग्निशिखोपमाम् ।
जिह्वां मुखान्निःसरन्तीं मेघादिव शतह्रदाम् ॥
Summary AI Behold its glowing tongue emerging from its mouth as it yawns, resembling a flame of fire or a flash of lightning darting from a cloud.
M N Dutt Do you see, while expanding its inouth, its tongue comes out resembling flaming fire like to a thunder-bolt reaving the mass of clouds.
३.४१.२७
मसारगल्वर्कमुखः शङ्खमुक्तानिभोदरः ।
कस्य नामानिरूप्योऽसौ न मनो लोभयेन्मृगः ॥
Summary AI With a face like emerald and sapphire and a belly resembling conch and pearls, whose mind would this indescribable deer not entice?
M N Dutt Its face is like a glass made of a best blue sapphire, its belly resembling a conch and pearl, and it is very difficult to ascertain its shapes. Beholding it who is there (on earth) whose heart is not enamoured?
३.४१.२८
कस्य रूपमिदं दृष्ट्वा जाम्बूनदमयप्रभम् ।
नानारत्नमयं दिव्यं न मनो विस्मयं व्रजेत् ॥
Summary AI Whose mind would not be filled with wonder upon seeing this divine form, which possesses a golden luster and appears as if fashioned from various gems?
M N Dutt Its beauty resembles the rays of gold and is variegated with diverse hues of jewels. Whose heart is not enveloped with surprise beholding such a celestial beauty, O Laksmana?
३.४१.२९
मांसहेतोरपि मृगान्विहारार्थं च धन्विनः ।
घ्नन्ति लक्ष्मण राजानो मृगयायां महावने ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, bow-wielding kings hunt deer in the great forest during the chase, both for the sake of meat and for recreation.
M N Dutt Princes, with bows in their hands, while-a hunting in a deep forest destroy deer either for flesh or for sport.
३.४१.३०
धनानि व्यवसायेन विचीयन्ते महावने ।
धातवो विविधाश्चापि मणिरत्नसुवर्णिनः ॥
Summary AI In the vast forest, various riches are collected through effort, including gems, jewels, gold, and different minerals.
M N Dutt Moreover while engaged in sporting they collect many a jewel and various metals as gold and silver, in the woods.
३.४१.३१
तत्सारमखिलं नॄणां धनं निचयवर्धनम् ।
मनसा चिन्तितं सर्वं यथा शुक्रस्य लक्ष्मण ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, just as everything conceived by the mind of Śukra becomes reality, so is this wealth which increases human prosperity and constitutes its true essence.
M N Dutt There is not the least doubt that these wild riches filling up their coffers are comparatively far better (than the wealth acquired by other sources) like to the objects of enjoyment, enjoyed at their fancy by the people inhabiting the celestial region.
३.४१.३२
अर्थी येनार्थकृत्येन संव्रजत्यविचारयन् ।
तमर्थमर्थशास्त्रज्ञः प्राहुरर्थ्याश्च लक्ष्मण ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, those learned in the science of wealth and seekers of prosperity declare that to be true wealth for which a seeker pursues his objective without hesitation.
M N Dutt The object which persons desirous of acquiring wealth follow without any discretion in their actions, is the true definition of wealth given by the political economists.
३.४१.३३
एतस्य मृगरत्नस्य परार्ध्ये काञ्चनत्वचि ।
उपवेक्ष्यति वैदेही मया सह सुमध्यमा ॥
Summary AI The slender-waisted Vaidehī will sit with me upon the priceless golden skin of this jewel-like deer.
M N Dutt Vaidehi of slender waist desire to sit with me on the exquisitely fine golden skin of this gem of a deer, me-seems no deer skin is so comfortable to touch as this neither the skin of Kādali, Priyaki, Praveni nor of Caviki.
३.४१.३४
न कादली न प्रियकी न प्रवेणी न चाविकी ।
भवेदेतस्य सदृशी स्पर्शनेनेति मे मतिः ॥
Summary AI It is my opinion that no hide—whether of the kādalī, priyakī, praveṇī, or āvikī deer—could match the soft touch of this deer's skin.
M N Dutt Vaidehi of slender waist desire to sit with me on the exquisitely fine golden skin of this gem of a deer, me-seems no deer skin is so comfortable to touch as this neither the skin of Kādali, Priyaki, Praveni nor of Caviki.
३.४१.३५
एष चैव मृगः श्रीमान्यश्च दिव्यो नभश्चरः ।
उभावेतौ मृगौ दिव्यौ तारामृगमहीमृगौ ॥
Summary AI This beautiful deer and the divine one that moves in the sky are both celestial deer—one being the stellar deer and the other this earthly one.
M N Dutt Truly handsome in this deer and the one that range in the welkin, indeed these two deer only are celestial—the one that range in the sky* (Mrgasirā) and this that range on earth. This refers to Mrgaşiră, the fifth lunar constellation which resembles a deer.
३.४१.३६
यदि वायं तथा यन्मां भवेद्वदसि लक्ष्मण ।
मायैषा राक्षसस्येति कर्तव्योऽस्य वधो मया ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, even if this is as you say—that it is the illusion of a Rākṣasa—then it is my duty to slay it.
M N Dutt And if it be a Raksasa's illusion as you say, O Laksmana, then it must be killed by me.
३.४१.३७
एतेन हि नृशंसेन मारीचेनाकृतात्मना ।
वने विचरता पूर्वं हिंसिता मुनिपुंगवाः ॥
Summary AI For in the past, the best of sages were harmed by this cruel and undisciplined Mārīca while he wandered through the forest.
M N Dutt This cruel vicious-souled Mārica made away with many eminent ascetics, while travelling in the forest; and this Räkşasa assuming the shape of an illusive deer destroyed many kings-mighty archers while a-hunting in this forest; it is for this that this deer must be killed.
३.४१.३८
उत्थाय बहवो येन मृगयायां जनाधिपाः ।
निहताः परमेष्वासास्तस्माद्वध्यस्त्वयं मृगः ॥
Summary AI Since many kings who were great archers have been killed by him during the hunt, this deer must certainly be slain.
M N Dutt This cruel vicious-souled Mārica made away with many eminent ascetics, while travelling in the forest; and this Räkşasa assuming the shape of an illusive deer destroyed many kings-mighty archers while a-hunting in this forest; it is for this that this deer must be killed.
३.४१.३९
पुरस्तादिह वातापिः परिभूय तपस्विनः ।
उदरस्थो द्विजान्हन्ति स्वगर्भोऽश्वतरीमिव ॥
Summary AI Formerly in this region, Vātāpi, having insulted the ascetics, would kill the twice-born from within their bellies, just as her own fetus kills a mule.
M N Dutt Formerly this Vātăpi entering into the womb of twice-born ones used to come out reaving them like to the embryo of a mule. The name of an Asur devoured by Agastya.
३.४१.४०
स कदाचिच्चिराल्लोके आससाद महामुनिम् ।
अगस्त्यं तेजसा युक्तं भक्ष्यस्तस्य बभूव ह ॥
Summary AI After a long time, he encountered the great sage Agastya, who was endowed with splendor, and indeed, he became the sage's meal.
M N Dutt Once on a time this Vātāpi approached the eminent saint Agastya and was devoured by him.
३.४१.४१
समुत्थाने च तद्रूपं कर्तुकामं समीक्ष्य तम् ।
उत्स्मयित्वा तु भगवान्वातापिमिदमब्रवीत् ॥
Summary AI Seeing Vātāpi desiring to resume his original form upon rising, the Lord Agastya, smiling slightly, spoke these words to him.
M N Dutt After the Šrāddha ceremony had been over, finding that Bātāpi desirous of assuming the shape of a Rākṣasa the great saint Agastya said smiling.
३.४१.४२
त्वयाविगण्य वातापे परिभूताश्च तेजसा ।
जीवलोके द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तस्मादसि जरां गतः ॥
Summary AI O Vātāpi! Since you disregarded and humiliated the foremost of the twice-born in the world of the living through your power, you have now been digested.
M N Dutt Being blinded with your prowess O Vātāpi, you have destroyed many eminent twice-born ones on this earth and for this that I do digest you.
३.४१.४३
एवं तन्न भवेद्रक्षो वातापिरिव लक्ष्मण ।
मद्विधं योऽतिमन्येत धर्मनित्यं जितेन्द्रियम् ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, any demon who insults a person like me, who is constantly devoted to dharma and has conquered his senses, will meet a fate similar to that of Vātāpi.
M N Dutt Truly that Raksasa, O, Laksmana who wish to surpass one like me who has controlled his senses and is ever engaged in pious offices shall meet with his end like to this Vātāpi.
३.४१.४४
भवेद्धतोऽयं वातापिरगस्त्येनेव मा गतिः ।
इह त्वं भव संनद्धो यन्त्रितो रक्ष मैथिलीम् ॥
Summary AI May this demon be killed just as Vātāpi was by Agastya. Do not worry about my safety. You stay here, remain prepared and disciplined, and protect Maithilī.
M N Dutt Therefore this Mārīca approaching me shall be killed by me like to Vātāpi being devoured by Agastya. Do you therefore vigilantly protect Vaidehi with mail and armours on.
३.४१.४५
अस्यामायत्तमस्माकं यत्कृत्यं रघुनन्दन ।
अहमेनं वधिष्यामि ग्रहीष्याम्यथ वा मृगम् ॥
Summary AI O descendant of Raghu, our task depends on Sītā's wish. I shall either kill this deer or capture it.
M N Dutt It is our prime duty, O descendant of Raghu, to protect Jānaki. I shall either kill this deer or shall get hold of it.
३.४१.४६
यावद्गच्छामि सौमित्रे मृगमानयितुं द्रुतम् ।
पश्य लक्ष्मण वैदेहीं मृगत्वचि गतस्पृहाम् ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, I shall go quickly to fetch the deer. Look at Vaidehī, who has set her heart upon the skin of this deer.
M N Dutt Look, O Laksmana, Vaidehi is extremely anxious to get the skin of this deer I shall therefore proceed at once, O son of Sumitrā, to catch this deer.
३.४१.४७
त्वचा प्रधानया ह्येष मृगोऽद्य न भविष्यति ।
अप्रमत्तेन ते भाव्यमाश्रमस्थेन सीतया ॥
Summary AI Indeed, because of its exquisite skin, this deer shall not survive today. You must stay in the hermitage with Sītā and remain extremely vigilant.
M N Dutt The skin of this deer is the best of its kind; for certain shall it loose its life today. As long as I do not kill this deer, O Lakşmaņa, do you with Sītā remain with vigilance in this asylum. I shall in no time come back with its skin after killing in with one arrow.
३.४१.४८
यावत्पृषतमेकेन सायकेन निहन्म्यहम् ।
हत्वैतच्चर्म आदाय शीघ्रमेष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, I will strike down this spotted deer with a single arrow. After killing it and taking its skin, I will return here quickly.
M N Dutt The skin of this deer is the best of its kind; for certain shall it loose its life today. As long as I do not kill this deer, O Lakşmaņa, do you with Sītā remain with vigilance in this asylum. I shall in no time come back with its skin after killing in with one arrow.
३.४१.४९
प्रदक्षिणेनातिबलेन पक्षिणा
जटायुषा बुद्धिमता च लक्ष्मण ।
भवाप्रमत्तः प्रतिगृह्य मैथिलीं
प्रतिक्षणं सर्वत एव शङ्कितः ॥
Summary AI O Lakṣmaṇa, along with the clever and powerful bird Jaṭāyu, take charge of Maithilī. Be cautious of everything from all sides and remain vigilant at every moment.
M N Dutt Do you stay here, O Lakşmaņa, with Jānakī in constant fear and vigilance, along with the mighty Jațāyu, intelligent and ever engaged in pious offices.
॥ इति अरण्यकाण्डे एकचत्वारिंशः सर्गः ॥

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A profound philosophical dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Kṛṣṇa, on the battlefield about duty and devotion
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