1. saa= that army; saa= he famous one; vidhivat= duly; svaarakSaa= well-protected; niilena= by Neela; viniveshitaa= was kept stationed; saadhu= well; uttare tiire= at the northern shore; saagarasya= of the ocean.

2. ubhau= both; maindaH ca= Maina; dvividashcaiva= and Divida; vaanara pumgavau= the distinguished; tatra= there monkeys; viceratuH= moved; sarvato disham= in all directions; taam senaam= in that army; rakSaa artham= for the purpose of vigilance.

3. senaayaam= (after) the army; niviSTaayaam= was settled; tiire= at the shore; nada nadii pate= of the sea; raamaH= Rama; abraviit= spoke; vachanam= these words; dR^iSTvaa= seeing; lakshmaNam= Lakshmana; paarshvastham= at his side.

4. kila= It is so said; shokaH= (that) sorrow; apagachchhati= gets vanished; gachchhataaa= at the passing; kaalena= of time; mama cha= but my agony; apashyataH= of not seeing kaantaam= my beloved; vardhate= is getting increased; ahanyahani= day n and day out.

5. na= no; duHkham= anguish; me= to me;; priyaa= (that) my beloved; duure= is at a distance; na= No; duHkham= anguish; me= to me; hR^iteti cha= tat she was taken away; asyaaH= Her; vayaH= age; ativartate hi= is indeed passing away; amshochaami= I am repenting; eetadeva= only about this.

6. vaata= Oh, wind!; vaahi= flow; yataH= from which side; kaantaa= is my beloved; spR^iSTvaa= touch; taam= her; spR^isha= (and) touch; maam api= me too; gaatra sparshaH= contact of her limb; me= to me; tvayi= is obtained through you; dR^iSTisamaagamaH= contact of our eyes; chandre= is through moon.”

7. saa priyaa= that darling; hriyamaaNaa= being carried away; abraviit iti yat= might have cried; haa naathaa iti= Oh, Lord (seeking for help); tat= It; viSam iva= is like poison; piitam= gulped (by me); aashaye= and hovering in my stomach; dahati= scorching; me= my; gaatraaNi= limbs.

8. me= My; shariiram= body; dahyate= is scorching; raatrim divam= night and day; madanaagninaa= by the fire of passion; tadviyogendhana vataa= holding fuel of my separation from her; tacchintaavimalarchiSaa= and my thoughts of her flaring up into shimmering flames.

9. saumitre= OH, Lakshmana!; avagaahya= going deep into; aarNavam= the sea; bhavataa vina= without you; svapasye= I shall fall asleep; prajvalan= flaming; kaamaH= passion; na dahet= will not scorch; maam= me; evam cha= thus; suptam= sleeping; jale= in water.

10. etat= this; bahu= is great thing; kaamayaanasya= for me who is passionate; iti yat= that; aham= I; saa vaamoruuH= and that Seetha, with charming thighs aashritau= are resting; ekaam= on one and the same; dharaNim= earth; shakyam= I am able; jiivitum= to survive; etena= on this fact.

11. yat= that; shruNomi= I am hearing; taam= her; jiivantiim= as surviving; jiivaami= I also survive; kedaaraH iva= as a paddy-field; niruudakaH= without water (survives); upasnehena= getting wet; kedaarasya= by another paddy-field; sodakasya= under water.

12. kadaa khalu= when; drakshhyaami= shall I see; siitaam= Seetha; shushroNiim= with charming hips; shata patraayatekshhaNaam= having long lotus-like eyes; sphiitaam= flourishing; shriyamiva= as prosperity; vijitya= by conquering; shatruun= the enemies.

13. kadaa= when; unnamya= raising; iishhat= a little; tasyaaH= her; aananam= face; padmamiva= looking like louts; suchaarudantoshhTham= with its beautiful teeth and lips; paasyaami= shall I drink; rasaayanamiva= as a sovereign drink of remedy; aaturaH= by a sick man?”

14. khalu= when will; tau= those; stanau= breasts; hasantyaaH= which are delightful; sahitau= close; piinau= bulging; sotkampau= and quivering; taalaphalopamau= looking like Palmyra fruits; bhajishhyathaH nu= indeed press; maam= me?

15. saa= she; asitaapaaN^gii= with dark-cornered eyes; rakshhomadhyagataa satii= who has fallen in the middle of ogres; mannaathaa= though I am her support; nuunam= is certainly; naadhigachchhati= not getting; traataaram= any defender; naatha hiinena= resembling an orphan.

16. katham= how; janakaraajasya duhitaa= Seetha, the daughter of king Janaka; mama cha= my; priyaa= darling; dasharathasya cha= and Dasaratha’s; snushhaa= daughter-in-law; shete= is sleeping; raakshhasiimadhyagaa= in the midst of ogresses?

17. saa= Seetha; utpatishhyati= will come out; vidhuuya= driving away (through my force) avikshhobhyaaNi= the unassailable; rakshhaamsi= demons; vidhuuya= as driving away; niilaan= black; jaladaan= clouds; shasilekhaa= by a digit of the moon; sharat su= in autumn.

18. siitaa= Seetha; svabhaavatanukaa= who, by nature is slender; nuunam= will undoubtedly; bhuuyaH= further; tanutaraa= become more lean; shokena= because of anguish; anashanena= abstinence from food; desha kaalaviparyayaat= and adverse position of time and place.

19. kadaam= when; pratyaharishhyaami= shall I bring back; siitaam= Seetha; nidhaaya= having lodged; saayakaan= arrows; raakshasendrasya= in Ravana’s urasi= chest; utsR^ijya= and having abandoned; maanasam= (this) mental; shokam= agony?

20. kadaa khalu= when indeed shall; siitaa= Seetha; saadhvii= the virtuous woman; surasutopamaa= similar to the child of a celestial; sotkaNThaa= with an excited longing; aalambya= embrace; me= my; kaNTham= neck; mokshhyati nu= (and) will release; jalam= tears; aanandajam= begotten of joy?

21. kadaa= when; vipramokshhyaami nu= shall I thrillingly abandon; imam= this; ghoram= terrible; shokam= anguish; maithiliiviprayogajam= born out of my separation from; sahasaa= so Seetha soon; shukletaram vaasam yathaa= as (abandoning) a soiled clothing?

22. tasya= (while) that; dhiimataH= sagacious; raamasya= Rama; vilapataH= was lamenting; tatra= there; evam-= thus; bhaaskaraH= sun; mandavapuH= sun; dinakshhayaat= due to day-decline; astam upaagataH= approached dusk.

23. aashvaasitaH= consoled; lakshmaNena= by Lakshmana; raamaH= Rama; shokaakuliikR^itaH= made overcome by anguish; smarau= recollecting; siitaam= Seetha; kamelapatraakshhiim= the lotus-eyes; upaasataH= worshipped; sandhyaam= the evening-twilight.

1. dR^iSTvaa= having seen; bhayaavaham= the fearful; ghoram= and the terrible; karma= act; kR^itam= done; hanumataa= by Hanuman; shakreNa iva= as Devendra (King of celestials); hamaatmanaa= the powerful; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka; raakshasendraH= Ravana; avaan mukhaH= had his face down; kimchit= a little; hriyaa= and spoke; sarvaan= to all; raakshhasaan= the demons (as follows):

2. tena= by him; vaanara maatreNa= who was only a monkey; dushhpraasahaa= the irresistible; laNkapurii= City of lanka; pravishhTaacha= was entered into; dharshhitaa cha= and was over-powered; siitaa= Seetha; jaanakii= the daughter of Janka; dR^ishhTaam cha= was also seen (by him).

3. chaityaH praasaadaH= the thousand pillared building used as a sanctuary; dharshhitaH= was assaulted; hanumataa= by Hanuma; pravaraaH= the most excellent; raakshhaasaaH= demons; hataaH= were killed; sarvaa= the entire; laNkaa purii= City of Lanka; kR^itaa= was made; aavilaa= turbid.

4. bhadram= prosperity; vaH= to you! Kim= what; karishhyaami= shall I do? Kim vaa= what thing; yuktam= appropriate thing; anantaram= (is to be done) afterwards? Uchyataam= let it be spoken; yat= that which is samantham= well-answering; bhavet= and which becomes; sukrutam= well-done.

5. mahaabalaaH= Oh, people of great strength! manasvinaH= wise-men; pravadanti= say; vijayam= that victory; mantramuulam= is dependent on good forethought; tasmaat vai= just for that reason; rochaye= I desire; mantram= a deliberation; raamamprati= about Rama.

6. triividhaaH= there are three types; purushhaaH= of men; loke= in the world; uttamaadhama madhyamaaH= namely, the foremost, the middle most and the lowest; aham= I; vadaami= am telling; teshhaam= their; samavetaanaam= inherent; guNadoshhaa= merits and defects.

7-8. yaH= he who; pravartayet= carries through; karmaarmabhaan= beginning of undertaking; mantrayitvaa= after consulting; sahitaH= collectively with; hitasmyuktaiH= or with ministers; samarthaiH= efficient; mantra nirNaye= in advising decisions, mitrairvaapi= or with friends; samanaarthaiH= having common; baandhavairaapi= or with relatives; adhikaaH= additionally; kurute= or who does; yatnam= endeavour; daivecha= in the matter of providence too; tam= him; aahuH= (the wise) call; purushhottamam= as the foremost among men.

9. vimR^ishet= (He who) deliberates; artham= about an activity; ekaH= solitarily; prakurute= applies; manaH= his mind; dharme= on law and justice; ekaH= all by himself; kurute= performs; kaaryaaNi= the workds; eakH= singly; aahuH= they call; tam naram= that man; madhyamam= as mediocre.

10. yaH= He who; nanishchitya= does not determine; guNadoshhaa= the merits and demerits; vyaktma= clearly; daivavyapaashreyaH= having recourse to providence; upekshhet= neglects; kaaryam= his duty; karishhyaami iti= telling simply ‘I shall do’; saH= he; naraadhamaH= is the lowest among men.

11. yathaa= how; ime= those; purushhaaH= men; nityam= are always; uttamaadhama madhyaaH= either good, bad or mediocre; mantro.api= even the resolution in thought is; evam= thus; viJNeyaH= known; uttama adhama madhyamaH= as good, bad or mediocre.”

12. mantraiNaH= the thinkers; chakshhushhaa= on a view; shaastradR^iSTena= perceived by scriptures; upaagamya= obtain; aikamatyam= consensus; nirataaH= and are satisfied; tam= that; mantram= resolution of thought; aahuH= (the wise) say; uttamam= as the excellent one.

13. gatvaapi= even after obtaining; bahviiH= several kinds; matiH= of opinions; yatra= where; arthanirNayaH= the decision of a matter; mantriNaam= by the counselors; punaH= once more; praaptaH= gets; ekataam= to a consensus; saH= that; mantraH= decision; smR^itaH= is called; madhmaH= mediocre.

14. saH= that; mantraH= resolution; uchyate= is said to be; adhamaH= worst; yatra= in which; sampratibhaashhyate= arguments are made, aasthaaya= emplying; anyouya matim= one or the other divergent opinions; naasti= (in which) there is no; shriyaH= advantage; aikamatye= even after a consensus.

15. tasmaat= for that reason; bhavantaH= you; matisattamaaH= having excellent intellect; sampritipadyantaam= arrive at; sumantritam= a well-thought out; saadhu= rightful; kaaryam= action; etat= this; mama= to me; matam= is earnestly; kR^ityam= to be done.”

16. raamaH= Rama; parivaaritah= surrounded by; sahasraiH= thousands of; dhiraaNaam= brave; vaanaraaNaam= monkeys; abhyeti= is coming; laN^kaam puriim= to the City of Lanka; uparodhakaH= for besieging; asmaakam= us.

17. raagahavaH= Rama; yukta ruupeNa= by his befitting; tarasaa= strength; suvyaktam= can certainly; tarishhyati cha= cross; saagaram= the ocean; sukham= easily; saamjaH= with his brother; sabalaamgaH= along with his army and companions.

18-19. samudram uchchhoshhayati= (He may) get the ocean dried up; karoti= (He may) do; anyadvaa= any other thing; viiryeNa= by his valour; tasmin= that; kaarye= act; viruddhe= of enemity; vaanaraiH saha= with monkeys; evam vidhe= (having commenced) in this way; sammantryataam= advise me; sarvam= everything; hitam= that is good; pure= for the city; mama sainye= and for my army.

1-2a. uktaaH= after spoken; iti= thus; raakSasa indreNa= by Ravana; te raakSasaaste= those demons; mahaabalaH= who were very strong; niitibaahyaaH= who were without moral behaviour; abuddhayaH= who were stupid; sarve= all praaNjalayaH= who lifted up their joined palms; avijJNaaya= ignorant; dviSatpakshham= of the enemy’s side; uuchuH= spoke; raavaNam= to Ravana; raakSaseshvaram= the king of demons.

2b-3a. raajan= Oh, king; naH balam= our army; parigha shakti R^iSTi shuula paTTasa samkulam= equipped with iron bars, javelins, double-edged swords, darts and sharp-edged spears; sumahat= is very great; kasmaat= why; bhavaan bhajate= are you getting; viSaadam= worry?

3b-4. gatvaa= after proceeding; bhogavatiim= to Bhogavati city (the abode of Nagas in Patala, one of the seven regions under the earth); pannagaaH= the serpents; nirjataaH= were defeated; tvayaa= by you; dhanadaH= Kubera (the bestower of riches); kailaasa shikhara aavaasii= who resides on the peak of Mount Kailasa; aavR^itaH= surrounded by; bahubhiH= many; yakshhaiH= Yakshas (a class of demi-gods); kR^itvaa= having done; sumahat= a very great; kadanam= battle; vashyaH= surrendered; te= to you.

5. vibho= “Oh, Lord; roSaal= by your rage; saH= that Kubera; shlaaghamaanaH= who was praising himself; maheshvara sakhyena= for his friendship with Lord Shiva (the Supreme Lord); loka paalaH= a guardian of the world; mahaabalaH= with great strength; nirjitaH= was defeated samare= in battle; tvayaa= by you.

6. vinihatya= throwing down; yakSaughaan= a group of Yakshas; vikSobhya= and taking them into prison; idam= this; vimaanam= aerial car (Pushpak); aahR^itam= was procured; tvayaa= by you; kailaasa sikharaat= from Mount Kailasa.

7. raakSasa pumgava= Oh, the best of demons; mayena= by Maya; daanava indreNa= the lord of demons; duhitaa= his daughter (Mandodari); dattaa= was give; tava= to you; bharyaa arthe= as wife; tvad bhayaat= due to fear from you; icchataa= and desiring; sakhyam= friendship.

8. mahaabaaho= Oh, mighty armed; kumbhiinasyaaH= Kumbhinasa’s; sukha aavahaH= husband; daanava indraH= a king of demons; viirya utsiktaH= who was proud of his valour; duraasadaH= and who was difficult to be defeated; aaniitaH= was taken into; vasham= (your) subjugation; vigR^ihya= having warred against him.

9. mahaabaaho= Oh, mighty armed! Gatvaa= after going; rasaa talam= to Rasatala (the penultimate subterranean region); naagaaH= the serpent-demons; vaasukiH= Vasuki; takSakaH= Takshaka; shankhaH= Sankha; jaTii ca= and Jati; nirjitaaH= were conquered; te= by you; aahR^itaaH= and were captivated; vasham= as your subject.

10-11. arindamau= Oh, annihilator of enemies; raakSasa adhipa= commander of demons; vibho= Oh, Lord; yuddhvaa= after performing battle; samvatsaram= for a year; tvayaa= by you; daanavaaH= demons; akSayaaH= who were beyond destruction; balavantaH ca= mighty and; shuuraaH= valiant; punaH= and; labdhavaraaH= who obtained boons; vasham niitaaH= were defeated; samupaashritya= taking resort; sva balam= to your own strength; samare= in the combat; bahvyaH= several; maayaashcha= fascinating tricks also; adhigataaH= were obtained from them.

12. mahaabhaaga= Oh, the illustrious; varuNasya= Varuna’s; sutaaH= sons; shuuraaH ca= the valiant ones; balavantaH cha= the strong ones; catur vidha bala anugaaH= who were followed by an army having four limbs (viz. elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry); nirjitaaH= were defeated; te= by you; raNe= in a battle.

13-15. raajan= Oh, king; avagaahya= after entering; yamalokamahaarNavam= a great ocean in the shape of Yama’s realm; mR^ityu daNDa mahaagraaham= with a huge alligator in the form of Death’s rod of punishment; shaalmali druma maNDitam= adorned with silk cotton trees (bristling with thorns to be used as weapons); kaalapashamahaaviicim= turbulent with a huge wave in the shape of the noose of Kala (Time spirit); yamakimkarapannagam= with serpents in the form of Yama’s servants; durdharSam= and difficult to be conquered; mahaa jvareNa= on account of mighty Jvara (spirit presiding over fevers); saagaram= (and churning) the sea; bala saagaram= in the form of Yama’s forces; viplulaH= a great; jayaH ca= victory; praaptaH= was obtained; mR^ityuH ca= and Death; pratiSedhitaH= warded off; tvayaa= by you; sarve= all lokaH= the people; tatra= there; sutoSitaaH= were delighted; te suyuddhena= by your good battle.

16. vasumatii= the earth; aasiit= was; puurNaa= filled; madadbhiH paadapaiH iva= as with big trees; bahubhiH= with many; kSatviyaiH= warriors; viiraiH= who were strong; shakra tulya paraakramaiH= with a courage equal to that of Devendra (Lord of celestials).

17. raajan= Oh, king; raaghavaH= Rama; na= was not; samaH= equal; teSaam= to them; raNe= in combat; viirya guNa utsaahaiH= by their valour, excellence and energy; te= those warriors; samo raNe durjayaaH= who were difficult to be overcome in a battle; prasahya= were over powered; hataaH= and killed; tvayaa= by you.”

18. mahaaraaja= Oh, emperor; vaa= or; tiSTha= you stay; kim= why; shrameNa= by exertion; tava= to you? Mahaaraaja= Oh, emperor! Ayam= this; indrajit= Indrajit; ekaH= alone; kshapayiSyati= can destroy; vaanaraan= the monkeys.

19. mahaaraja= Oh, emperor; iSTvaa= after performing; anuttamam= an excellent; yajJNam= sacrifice; mahesvaram= to propitiate Mahesvara (the great Lord, shiva); varaH= a boon; parama durlabhaH= very rare to be obtained; loke= in the world; labdhaH hi= was indeed acquired; anena= by him.”

20-22. samaasaadya= Approaching; mahat= the huge; balasaagaram= ocean of army; devaanaam= celestials; shaktitomaramiinam ca= whose fist are lances and spheres; vinikiirNaantrashaivalam= and guts thrown asunder as duck-weeds; gajakacchapasambaadhaam= whose turtles are the elephants; ashvamanDuuka samkulam= whose frogs are the teeming horses; rudraadityamahaagraaham= infested with alligators in the form of (eleven) Rudras (gods of destruction) and (twelve) Adityas (sons of Aditi); marudvasumahoragam= with huge serpents in the form of (forty nine) maruts (winds gods) and (eight) Vasus, rathashvagajatoyaugham= having chariots, horses and elephants for its volume of waters; padaatipulinam= the sandy banks its infantry; daivatapatiH= Devendra (Lord of celestials); gR^ihiitaH= was captured; anena= by him; praveshitaH caapi= and was impelled to enter; laN^kaam= Lanka (as a detenu).

23. raajan= Oh, king; muktaH= having been released; piitaamahaniyogaacca= by the orders of Lord Brahma (your grand-father); shambaravR^itrahaa= Devendra who killed demons called Shambara and Vritra; sarvadevanamaskR^itaH= and who was adored by all celestials; gataH= went (back); tritviSTapam= to heaven.

24. mahaaraaja= Oh, emperor; tvam= you; visR^ija= send; tam= that; indrajitameva= Indrajit alone; taam= that; vaanara senaam= army of monkeys; paraamaam= together with Rama; yaavadnayati= will be brought; kSayam= to an end.

25. raajan= Oh, king; iyam= this; ayuktaa= unbefitting; aapad= danger; aagataa= has come; janaat= from a man; praakR^itaaj= who is ordinary; naiva kaaryaa= It is not to be kept; tvayaa= by you; hR^idi= in mind; tvam= you; vadhiSyasi= will kill; raaghavam= Rama.