Doha - 21A-B
"An enemy, a malady, fire, sin, a master, and a serpent are never to be accounted trifles." So saying and with profuse laments she set to weeping. In her distress she threw herself down in Ravana's court and with many a tear said, "Do you think, my ten-headed brother, that I should be reduced to this state even though you are alive?"
Chupala
On hearing this the courtiers rose in great bewilderment; taking her by the arm they lifted her up and comforted her. Said the king of Lanka, "Tell me what has haapend to you. Who has struck off your nose and ears?"Two sons of Dasaratha, the lord of Ayodhya, who are lions among men, are out for hunting in the woods, The estimate that I have formed of their doing is that they will rid the earth of demons. Relying on the might of their arm, O ten-headed Ravana, the hermits roam about the woods without fear. Though quite young to look at, they are terrible as Death, the staunchest of archers and accomplished in many ways. Both brothers are unequalled in might and glory; devoted to the extermination of the wicked, they are a source of delight to gods and sages. The elder of the two who is an abode of beauty, is known by the name of Rama; he has with him a young belle. The Creator made that woman the very embodiment of loveliness; a hundred million Ratis (consorts of the god of love) are trifles before her. It was his younger brother (Laksmana) who chopped off my ears and nose and made a mock of me when he heard that I was you sister. When Khara and Dusana heard of it, they went to avenge the wrong done to me; but Rama slew the whole army in a trice!" The ten-headed demon (Ravana) burned all over (with rage) when he heard of the destruction of Khara, Dusana and Trisira.
Doha - 22
Having consoled Surpanakha he boasted of his strength in many ways; but he retired to his palace full of great anxiety and could not sleep the whole night.
Chupala
"Among gods, human beings, demons,Nagas and birds, "he though, "there is none why can withstand my servants. As for Khara and Dusana, they were as powerful as myself; who else could have killed them, had it not been the Lord Himself? If therefore the Lord Himself, the Delighter of the gods and the Reliever of Earth's burden, has appeared on earth, I will go and resolutely fight with Him and cross the ocean of mundane existence by falling to His arrows. Adoration is out of question in this(demociac) body, which is made up of the principle of ignorance, Tamasa. Therefore, such is my firm resolve in thought, word and deed. And if they happen to be some mortal princes I shall conquer them both in battle and carry off the bride." be some mortal princes I shall conquer them both in battle and carry off the bride." Having thus made up his mind, he mounted his chariot and drove off alone to the spot where Marica was living by the sea-sore. Now, hear, Uma, the delectable account of the device that Sri Rama employed.
Doha - 23
When Laksmana had gone to the woods to gather roots, fruits and bulbs, Sri Rama, the very incarnation of compassion and joy, spoke with a smile to Janaka's Daughter:--
Chupala
"Listen, my darling, who have been staunch in th holy vow of fidelity to me and are so virtuous in conduct: I am going to act a lovely human part. Abide in fire until I have completed the destruction of the demons." No sooner had Sri Rama told Her everything in detail than She impressed the image of the Lord's feet on Her heart and entered into the fire, leaving with Him only of a shadow of Hers, though precisely of the same appearance and the same amiable and gentle disposition. Laksmana too did not know the secret of what the Lord had done behind the curtain. The ten-headed Ravana approached Marica and bowed his head to him, selfish and vile as he was. The meekness of a mean creature is a source of great trouble like the bending of a goad, bow, snake or cat. The friendly speech of a villain is as dangerous, Bhavani (Parvati), as the flowers that blossom out of season.
Doha - 24
After doing him homage Marica respectfully enqured of him his errand: "Wherefore, my son, are you so much disturbed in mind that you have come all the way alone?"
Chupala
The wretched Ravana proudly repeated the whole story to him and added, "Assume the false appearance of a wily deer, so that I may be able to abduct the princess." Marica, however, remonstrated, "Listen, Ravana: though disgused as a man, He is the lord of the whole animate and inanimate creation. There can be no quarrel with Him, dear son; we die when He would have us die and live only by His sufferance. Those very princes had gone to guard the sacrifice of the sage Visvamitra, when Sri Rama (the Lord of Raghus) smote me with a pointless arrow, that threw me at a distance of 800 miles in an instant.It will not be good to antagonize them. I find myself reduced to the position of an insect caught in the nest of a Bhringa (a wasp-like winged creature) inasmuch as I behold the two brothers whever I took. Even if they are human beings, dear son, they are remarkable heroes nonetheless; opposition to them will not avail.
Doha - 25
"But can he possibly be a man, who recklessly killed tadaka and Subahu, broke Siva's bow and slew Khara, Dusana and Trisira?"
Chupala
"Therefore, considering the welfare of your race you had better return home." When he heard this he flared up and showered many abuses on Marica. "You fool, you presume to teach me as if you were my preceptor. Tell me which warrior in this world is a match for me." Then Marica thought to himself, "It does not do one good to make enemies of the following nine viz., one skilled in the use of a weapon, he who know one's secret, a powerful master, a dunce, a wealthy man, a physician, a panegyrist, a poet, an expert cook." Either way he saw he must die: hence he sought refuge in the Lord of Raghus. "If I argue further, the wretch would kill me; why, then, should I not be killed by Sri Rama's arrows?" Pondering thus in his mind he accompanied Ravana, unremitting in his devotion to Sri Rama's feet. He felt extremely delighted at the thought that he would be able to behold his greatest friend(Sri Rama), even though he would not reveal his joy to Ravana.
"My eyes will be rewarded when I behold my most beloved lord to my great exultation and I shall fix thoughts on the feet of the All- merciful accompanied by Sita and His younger brother. To think that Sri Hari, the Ocean of Bliss, wholse very wrath confers final beatitude and who, though subject to none gives Himself up entirely to the will of His devotees, will fit an arrow with His own hands to His bow and slay me!"
Doha - 26
"As He runs after me on foot, carrying His bow and arrow, I shall agian and again trun in order to get a sight of my lord! no one else is so blessed as I am."
Chupala
When the ten-headed Ravana drew near to the forest (in which Sri Rama had taken up His abode), Marica assmumed the false appearance of a deer, so very wonderful as to defy description, with a body of gold artistically inlaid with jewels. When Sita saw the exquisitely beautiful creature, most lovely in every limb, She said, "Listen, my gracious Lord Sri Rama (Hero of Raghu's line), this deer has a most charming skin. Pray kill this animal, my lord, and get me the hide, true as you are to your word." Thereupon the Lord of Raghus, even though He knew all the circumstances (that had led Marica to assume the semblance of a deer) arose with joy to accomplish the object of the gods. Casting a look at the deer Her girded up His loins with a piece of cloth and taking the bow in His hand fitted a shining arrow to the woods. Take care of Sita with due regard to your strength and circumstances and making use of your intellect and discretion." The deer took to fight at the sight at the Lord and Sri Rama ran after it pulling His bow-string. How strange that He whom the Vedas describe in negative terms such a not that and whom siva is unable to catch hold of even in meditation,ran in pursuit of a false deer! Now close at hand. The very next moment it ran away to some distance; at one time it came into view, at another it went out of sight. Thus alternately revealing and concealing itself and practing every kind of wile, it took the Lord far away. Now Sri Rama took a steady aim and let fly the fatal shaft, when the animal fell to the ground with a fearful cry, first calling alound to Laksmana but afterwards mentally invoking Sri Rama. While giving up the ghost it manifested its real form and lovingly remembered Sri Rama. The omniscient Lord, who could see the the love of his heart, conferred on him ths state which cannot be easily attained to even by the sages.
Doha - 27
The gods rained down flowers in abundance and sang praises of the Lord: " The Lord of Raghus is such a friend of the humble that He conferred His own state (divinity) on a demon."
Chupala
As soon as He had slain the wretch the Hero of Raghu's line turned back, the carming bow in his hand and the quiver at His waist. When Sita heard the cry of distress, she was seized with excessive fear and said to Laksmana, "Go quickly, your brother is in great peril." Laksmana answered with a smile, "Listen, mother: By the very play of Sri Rama's eybrows the entire creation is annibilated; could He then ever dream of being in danger?" But When Sita urged him with words that cut him to the quick, Laksmana's resolution-for such was Sri Hari's will-was shaken, He entrusted Her to the care of all the sylvan gods and the deities presiding over the quarters and proceeded to the place where Sri Rama, a veritable Rahu to the moonlike Ravana was Availing himself of this opportunity, when there was none by the side of Sita, the ten-headed Ravana drew near to Her cottage in the guise of a recluse. He, in fear of whom the gods and demons equally trembled, so much so that they could neither sleep by night nor eat their food by day,--that very Ravana proceeded on his mission of thieving looking this side and that like a cur. Even so the moment a man sets his foot on the path of vice, O Garuda (king of birds), his bodily glow, reason and strength completely disappear. Having invented alluring stories of various kinds he not only showed Her the course which was dictated by political wisdom but also used threats and made love to Her. Said Sita, "Listen, O holy father: you have spoken like a villain. "Then Ravana revealed his real form; and She was terrified when he mentioned his name. Sita plucked all Her courage and said, "Stay awhile, O wretch; my lord has come. Even as a tiny here would wed a lioness, so have you wooed you own destruction (by setting your heart on me), O king of demons." On hearing these words the ten-headed Ravana into a rage, though in his heart he rejoiced to adore Her feet.
Doha - 28
Full of rage, Ravana now seatd Her in his chariot and drove through the air in great flurry: he was so much afraid that he was scarcely able to drive.
"Ah! Lord of Raghus, peerless champion of the world, reliever of distress and delighter of the suppliant, ah!! the sun that gladdens the lotus-race of Raghu for what fault of mine have you become so hard-hearted against your nature? Ah! Laksmana, the fault is none of yours; I have reaped the fruit of the temper I showed." Manifold were the lamentations that Videha's Daughter uttered. "Though boundless his mercy, my loving lord is far away. Who will apprize the lord of my calamity? An ass would eat the sacrificial oblation!" At the sound of Sita's lound wailing all created beings, whether animate or inanimate, felt distressed, Jatayu (the king of vultures) heard the piteous cry and recognized (from Her voice) that it was the spouse of Sri Rama, the Glory of Raghu's race, who was being carried away by the vile spouse of Sri Rama, the Glory of Raghu's race, who was being carried away by the vile demon (Ravana) like a dun cow that had fallen into the hands of some barbarian. "Sita, my daughter fear not; I will kill this demon." The bird darted off in its fury like a thunderbolt hurled against, a mountain. "Why do you not stop, O villain? You are proceeding fearlessly as if you have not yet known me!" When he saw the vulture bearing down upon him like Death, the ten-headed monster turned towards him and reflected, "Is it Mount Mainaka or can it be Garuda (the king of birds)? The latter, however, knows my strength as also his lord (Bhagavan Visnu)!" When the bird drew near, he recognized it and said, " It is no other than the aged Jatayu; he has come to drop his body at the sanctuary of my hands." At this the vulture rushed in the safely, letting Janaka's Daughter alone. Otherwise despite your many arms what will happen is this: in the most terrible flame of Sri Rama's wrath your whole house will be consumed like a moth." Bellicose Ravana, however gave no answer.The vulture (Jatayu) thereupon rushed wildly on and clutching the demon by his hair pulled him from the chariot so that he fell to the ground. Having placed Sita in a safe retreat, the vulture turned once more toward Ravana and striking him with his beak tore his body. For nearly half an hour Ravana lay unconscious. Much annoyed at this the demon now angrily drew his most dreadful sword and cut off Jatayu's wings. Invoking Sri Rama and having accomplished marvellous feats, teh bird fell to the ground Ravana took Sita once more into his car and drove off in haste, greatly alarmed Sita was borne through the air lamenting like a frightened doe caught in the trap of a hunter. Perceiving some monkeys perched on a hill She dropped some cloth uttering Sri Hari's name. In this manner Ravana took Sita away and kept Her in the Asoka garden.
Doha - 29A
The wretch tried every kind of threat and endearment but failed miserbly. At last he kept Her under an Asoka tree strongly guarded.
Doha - 29B
Having impressed on Her heart the beautiful image of Sri Rama as He appeared while running in pursuit of the false deer, Sita incessantly repeated Sri Hari's Name.
Chaupala
when the Lord of Raghus saw His younger brother coming, He outwardly expressed much concern. "Alas! You have left Janaka's daughter alone and come here against my instructions. Hosts of demons are roaming about in the forest; I, therefore, suspect Sita is not at the hermitage." Laksmana clasped Sri Rama's lotus feet and replied with joined palms, "Lord,it is no fault of mine." Accompanied by His younger brother, the Lord went back to His hermitage on the bank of the Godavari. When He saw the hermitage bereft of Janaka's Daughter, He felt as perturped and afflicted as any common man."Alas! Sita, Janaka's daughter, the very mine of virtues, of such flawless beauty, character, austerity and devotion!" Laksmana consoled Him in many ways. He questioned all the creepers and trees (that stood on the way) as He went along(in search of Her): "O birds and deer, O string of bees, have you seen the fawn-eyed Sita? The wagtail, the parrot, the pigeon, the deer, the fish, the swarms of bees, the clever cuckoo, the jasmine buds, the pomegranate, the lightning, the lotus, the autumnal moon, the gliding serpent, the noose of Varuna (the god of water), the bow of Cupid, the swan, the elephant and the lion now hear themselves praised. The Bilva fruit and the gold banana rejoice and do not feel the least misgiving or bashfulness Listen, Janaka's daughter" in your absence today they are all glad as if they have got a kingdom. How can you bear such rivalry? Why do you not reveal yourself quickly, my darling?" In this way the Lord searched and lamented like an uxorious husband sore smitten with pangs of separation. Sri Rama, who is Bliss personified and has all His wishes accomplished, and who is both unborn and immortal, behaved like a mortal. Further on they saw the king of vultures lying, with his thoughts fixed on Sri Rama's feet which bear characteristic marks on their soles.
Doha - 30
The Hero of Raghu's line, the ocean of mercy, stroked Jatayu's head with His lotus hands. As the bird gazed on Sri Rama's countenance, the home of loveliness, all his pain desappeared.
Chaupala
The vulture now recovered himself and spoke as follows: "Listen, Rama, the allayer of the fear of transmigration : it was the ten-headed Ravana, my lord, who reduced me to this plight; it was the same wretch who carried off Janaka's daughter. He took her away, holy sir, to the south while she kept screaming loudly as an osprey. I have survived my lord, only to behold You, my life now is about to depart, of fountain of mercy. " Said Sri Rama, Live yet more, father." He, however, replied with a smile on his countenance, "He whose very name, so declare the Vedas, redeems the most depraved soul even if it appears on his lips at the moment of his death, is present before me in a visible form! What more is wanting now, for which I should retain my body any longer?" With His eyes full of tears the Lord of Raghus replied, "Dear father, you have attained to an enviable state by virtue of your own noble deeds. Nothing is difficult of attainment in this world to those who have others' interests at heart. Casting off your body, dear father, proceed now to My divine abode. What shall I give you, when you have all your desires already accomplished?