३.९.१
वाक्यमेतत्तु वैदेह्या व्याहृतं भर्तृभक्तया ।
श्रुत्वा धर्मे स्थितो रामः प्रत्युवाचाथ मैथिलीम् ॥
श्रुत्वा धर्मे स्थितो रामः प्रत्युवाचाथ मैथिलीम् ॥
Summary
AI
Hearing these words spoken by Vaidehī out of devotion to her husband, Rāma, who is firmly established in righteousness, then replied to Maithilī.
M N Dutt
Hearing Vaidehi's words spoken through high regard (for her husband), Rāma with his energy enhanced, answered Janaka's daughter.
३.९.२
हितमुक्तं त्वया देवि स्निग्धया सदृशं वचः ।
कुलं व्यपदिशन्त्या च धर्मज्ञे जनकात्मजे ॥
कुलं व्यपदिशन्त्या च धर्मज्ञे जनकात्मजे ॥
Summary
AI
O Goddess, O daughter of Janaka, O knower of dharma! These beneficial and appropriate words have been spoken by you, who are full of affection and who reflect the dignity of your lineage.
M N Dutt
O noble lady, you have spoken wild words fraught with worth and profit; and, O Janaka's daughter versed in virtue, you have expounded the duties of Kșatriyas.
३.९.३
किं तु वक्ष्याम्यहं देवि त्वयैवोक्तमिदं वचः ।
क्षत्रियैर्धार्यते चापो नार्तशब्दो भवेदिति ॥
क्षत्रियैर्धार्यते चापो नार्तशब्दो भवेदिति ॥
Summary
AI
However, O Goddess, I must say this: you yourself have uttered the principle that a bow is carried by Kṣatriyas so that there may be no cry of distress.
M N Dutt
What, O exalted one, shall I say? You have yourself by your words (furnished an answer to what you had said). Kşatriyas wear bows in order that the word 'distressed' may not exist (on earth).
३.९.४
ते चार्ता दण्डकारण्ये मुनयः संशितव्रताः ।
मां सीते स्वयमागम्य शरण्याः शरणं गताः ॥
मां सीते स्वयमागम्य शरण्याः शरणं गताः ॥
Summary
AI
O Sītā, those distressed sages of the Daṇḍaka forest, who are firm in their vows and worthy of protection, came to me of their own accord seeking refuge.
M N Dutt
O Sītā, those ascetics of severe vows that are beset with perils in Dandaka, having personally come to me, who am their refuge, have sought protection at my hands.
३.९.५
वसन्तो धर्मनिरता वने मूलफलाशनाः ।
न लभन्ते सुखं भीता राक्षसैः क्रूरकर्मभिः ॥
न लभन्ते सुखं भीता राक्षसैः क्रूरकर्मभिः ॥
Summary
AI
Living in the forest, devoted to righteousness, and subsisting on roots and fruits, they find no peace, being terrified of the demons who perform cruel deeds.
३.९.६
काले काले च निरता नियमैर्विविधैर्वने ।
भक्ष्यन्ते राक्षसैर्भीमैर्नरमांसोपजीविभिः ॥
भक्ष्यन्ते राक्षसैर्भीमैर्नरमांसोपजीविभिः ॥
Summary
AI
While engaged in various religious observances at the prescribed times in the forest, they are being devoured by fearsome, man-eating demons.
३.९.७
ते भक्ष्यमाणा मुनयो दण्डकारण्यवासिनः ।
अस्मानभ्यवपद्येति मामूचुर्द्विजसत्तमाः ॥
अस्मानभ्यवपद्येति मामूचुर्द्विजसत्तमाः ॥
Summary
AI
Those best of the twice-born, the sages residing in the Daṇḍaka forest, while being devoured, said to me, "Protect us!"
M N Dutt
Always dwelling in the forest, subsisting on fruits and roots, they on account of Rākṣasas of cruel deeds do not, O timid attain ease. These ascetics are devoured by terrible Rākṣasas living on human flesh. Being eaten up (by the Rākşasas), the anchorites living in the forest of Dandaka, those best of the twice-born ones, said to us-Be you gracious to us.'
३.९.८
मया तु वचनं श्रुत्वा तेषामेवं मुखाच्च्युतम् ।
कृत्वा चरणशुश्रूषां वाक्यमेतदुदाहृतम् ॥
कृत्वा चरणशुश्रूषां वाक्यमेतदुदाहृतम् ॥
Summary
AI
Having heard those words falling from their mouths, and having performed service at their feet, this promise was uttered by me.
M N Dutt
Hearing those words of theirs which fell from their lips, I, resolving to act in accordance with their request, said.
३.९.९
प्रसीदन्तु भवन्तो मे ह्रीरेषा हि ममातुला ।
यदीदृशैरहं विप्रैरुपस्थेयैरुपस्थितः ।
किं करोमीति च मया व्याहृतं द्विजसंनिधौ ॥
यदीदृशैरहं विप्रैरुपस्थेयैरुपस्थितः ।
किं करोमीति च मया व्याहृतं द्विजसंनिधौ ॥
Summary
AI
"Be gracious to me! It is indeed a matter of great shame for me that I have been approached by such venerable Brāhmaṇas whom I should have approached myself." Thus I spoke in the presence of the twice-born, asking, "What shall I do?"
M N Dutt
'Be you propitious.' This is surpassing shame to me that such Vipras who themselves are worthy of being sought, seek me. What shall I do? I said this in the presence of those twiceborn ones.
३.९.१०
सर्वैरेव समागम्य वागियं समुदाहृता ।
राक्षसैर्दण्डकारण्ये बहुभिः कामरूपिभिः ।
अर्दिताः स्म भृशं राम भवान्नस्त्रातुमर्हति ॥
राक्षसैर्दण्डकारण्ये बहुभिः कामरूपिभिः ।
अर्दिताः स्म भृशं राम भवान्नस्त्रातुमर्हति ॥
Summary
AI
They all gathered together and spoke these words: "O Rāma, we are greatly tormented in the Daṇḍaka forest by many shape-shifting demons; you ought to protect us."
M N Dutt
Thereat all those that had come, said, We have been, O Rāma, immensely harassed in the forest of Dandaka by Räkşasas wearing shapes at will. Do you deliver us.
३.९.११
होमकाले तु संप्राप्ते पर्वकालेषु चानघ ।
धर्षयन्ति स्म दुर्धर्षा राक्षसाः पिशिताशनाः ॥
धर्षयन्ति स्म दुर्धर्षा राक्षसाः पिशिताशनाः ॥
Summary
AI
O sinless one! When the time for offerings arrives, and during sacred festivals, the unassailable, flesh-eating demons attack us.
M N Dutt
O sinless one! These irrepressible Rākṣasas living on human flesh vanquish us at the time of Homa, and on the occasions of Parvas.
३.९.१२
राक्षसैर्धर्षितानां च तापसानां तपस्विनाम् ।
गतिं मृगयमाणानां भवान्नः परमा गतिः ॥
गतिं मृगयमाणानां भवान्नः परमा गतिः ॥
Summary
AI
For the ascetic practitioners of penance who are harassed by demons and are seeking a refuge, you are our supreme refuge.
M N Dutt
Of the saints and ascetics afflicted by the Rākşasas, who are on the search for their refuge, you are our best refuge. sore
३.९.१३
कामं तपः प्रभावेन शक्ता हन्तुं निशाचरान् ।
चिरार्जितं तु नेच्छामस्तपः खण्डयितुं वयम् ॥
चिरार्जितं तु नेच्छामस्तपः खण्डयितुं वयम् ॥
Summary
AI
Although we are certainly capable of destroying the night-stalkers through the power of our penance, we do not wish to diminish our long-accumulated ascetic merit.
M N Dutt
We can by virtue of the energy of our asceticism easily destroy the rangers of the night; but we are loath to lose our asceticism earned in a long time. O Rāghava our austerities are constantly disturbed, and we can hardly perform thein.
३.९.१४
बहुविघ्नं तपोनित्यं दुश्चरं चैव राघव ।
तेन शापं न मुञ्चामो भक्ष्यमाणाश्च राक्षसैः ॥
तेन शापं न मुञ्चामो भक्ष्यमाणाश्च राक्षसैः ॥
Summary
AI
O Rāghava, penance is always full of obstacles and difficult to perform. Therefore, even while being devoured by demons, we do not release a curse.
३.९.१५
तदर्द्यमानान्रक्षोभिर्दण्डकारण्यवासिभिः ।
रक्षनस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा त्वन्नाथा हि वयं वने ॥
रक्षनस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा त्वन्नाथा हि वयं वने ॥
Summary
AI
Therefore, protect us who are being tormented by the demons inhabiting the Daṇḍaka forest, along with your brother; for in this forest, you are our protector.
M N Dutt
Therefore, although afflicted and devoured by the Rākşasas dwelling in the forest of Dandaka, we do not cast our curse on them. You along with your brother are our protector: you are our master in this forest.
३.९.१६
मया चैतद्वचः श्रुत्वा कार्त्स्न्येन परिपालनम् ।
ऋषीणां दण्डकारण्ये संश्रुतं जनकात्मजे ॥
ऋषीणां दण्डकारण्ये संश्रुतं जनकात्मजे ॥
Summary
AI
O daughter of Janaka, having heard these words, I have promised the complete protection of the sages in the Daṇḍaka forest.
M N Dutt
Having heard these words, I promised my perfect protection to the saints in the forest of Dandaka, O daughter of Janaka.
३.९.१७
संश्रुत्य च न शक्ष्यामि जीवमानः प्रतिश्रवम् ।
मुनीनामन्यथा कर्तुं सत्यमिष्टं हि मे सदा ॥
मुनीनामन्यथा कर्तुं सत्यमिष्टं हि मे सदा ॥
Summary
AI
Having made this promise, I cannot, while I live, act contrary to my word given to the sages; for truth is always dear to me.
M N Dutt
Having promised, I living cannot violate my vow concerning the ascetics; verily truth is ever dear to me.
३.९.१८
अप्यहं जीवितं जह्यां त्वां वा सीते सलक्ष्मणाम् ।
न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः ॥
न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः ॥
Summary
AI
O Sītā, I would sooner give up my life, or even you along with Lakṣmaṇa, than fail to keep a promise, especially one made to Brāhmaṇas.
M N Dutt
I had rather renounce my life, or you, O Sītā, along with Lakşmaņa-but by no means my promise made, especially to Brahmanas.
३.९.१९
तदवश्यं मया कार्यमृषीणां परिपालनम् ।
अनुक्तेनापि वैदेहि प्रतिज्ञाय तु किं पुनः ॥
अनुक्तेनापि वैदेहि प्रतिज्ञाय तु किं पुनः ॥
Summary
AI
O Vaidehī, the protection of the sages must be carried out by me even if unasked, then what to speak of it after having made a formal promise?
M N Dutt
O Videha's daughter, the protection of the saints is incumbent on me even without any representation, and what (shall I say) when I have promised the same?
३.९.२०
मम स्नेहाच्च सौहार्दादिदमुक्तं त्वया वचः ।
परितुष्टोऽस्म्यहं सीते न ह्यनिष्टोऽनुशिष्यते ।
सदृशं चानुरूपं च कुलस्य तव शोभने ॥
परितुष्टोऽस्म्यहं सीते न ह्यनिष्टोऽनुशिष्यते ।
सदृशं चानुरूपं च कुलस्य तव शोभने ॥
Summary
AI
O Sītā, these words were spoken by you out of affection and friendship for me; I am well-pleased. Indeed, one does not advise someone they dislike. O beautiful one, your words are worthy and befitting of your lineage.
M N Dutt
You have spoken this to me through affection and friendship. I have been well pleased with you, O Sītā. One did not instruct another that one did not bear affection to.
३.९.२१
इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं महात्मा
सीतां प्रियां मैथिल राजपुत्रीम् ।
रामो धनुष्मान्सहलक्ष्मणेन
जगाम रम्याणि तपोवनानि ॥
सीतां प्रियां मैथिल राजपुत्रीम् ।
रामो धनुष्मान्सहलक्ष्मणेन
जगाम रम्याणि तपोवनानि ॥
Summary
AI
Having spoken these words to his beloved Sītā, the princess of Mithilā, the high-souled Rāma, armed with his bow, proceeded toward the enchanting penance groves along with Lakṣmaṇa.
M N Dutt
Having said these words to Mithila's princess, the, beloved Sītā, the high-souled Răma, equipped with bows, along with Laksmana, directed his steps towards the inviting woods of asceticism.
॥ इति अरण्यकाण्डे नवमः सर्गः ॥
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