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The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 2 by Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

T >> Translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli >> The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 2




"'And while Sita was being carried away, the intelligent Rama, having
slain the great deer, retraced his steps and saw his brother Lakshmana
(on the way). And beholding his brother, Rama reproved him, saying, "How
couldst thou come hither, leaving the princess of Videha in a forest
that is haunted by the Rakshasa?" And reflecting on his own enticement
to a great distance by that Rakshasa in the guise of a deer and on the
arrival of his brother (leaving Sita alone in the asylum), Rama was
filled with agony. And quickly advancing towards Lakshmana while
reproving him still, Rama asked him, "O Lakshmana, is the princess of
Videha still alive? I fear she is no more!" Then Lakshmana told him
everything about what Sita had said, especially that unbecoming language
of hers subsequently. With a burning heart Rama then ran towards the
asylum. And on the way he beheld a vulture huge as a mountain, lying in
agonies of death. And suspecting him to be a Rakshasa, the descendant of
the Kakutstha race, along with Lakshmana rushed towards him, drawing
with great force his bow to a circle. The mighty vulture, however,
addressing them both, said, "Blessed be ye, I am the king of the
vultures, and friend of Dasaratha!" Hearing these words of his, both
Rama and his brother put aside their excellent bow and said, "Who is
this one that speaketh the name of our father in these woods?" And then
they saw that creature to be a bird destitute of two wings, and that
bird then told them of his own overthrow at the hands of Ravana for the
sake of Sita. Then Rama enquired of the vulture as to the way Ravana had
taken. The vulture answered him by a nod of his head and then breathed
his last. And having understood from the sign the vulture had made that
Ravana had gone towards the south, Rama reverencing his father's friend,
caused his funeral obsequies to be duly performed. Then those chastisers
of foes, Rama and Lakshmana, filled with grief at the abduction of the
princess of Videha, took a southern path through the Dandaka woods
beholding along their way many uninhabited asylums of ascetics,
scattered over with seats of Kusa grass and umbrellas of leaves and
broken water-pots, and abounding with hundreds of jackals. And in that
great forest, Rama along with Sumatra's son beheld many herds of deer
running in all directions. And they heard a loud uproar of various
creatures like what is heard during a fast spreading forest
conflagration. And soon they beheld a headless Rakshasa of terrible
mien. And that Rakshasa was dark as the clouds and huge as a mountain,
with shoulders broad as those of a Sola tree, and with arms that were
gigantic. And he had a pair of large eyes on his breast, and the opening
of his mouth was placed on his capacious belly. And that Rakshasa seized
Lakshmana by the hand, without any difficulty. And seized by the
Rakshasa the son of Sumitra, O Bharata, became utterly confounded and
helpless. And casting his glances on Rama, that headless Rakshasa began
to draw Lakshmana towards that part of his body where his mouth was. And
Lakshmana in grief addressed Rama, saying, "Behold my plight! The loss
of thy kingdom, and then the death of our father, and then the abduction
of Sita, and finally this disaster that hath overwhelmed me! Alas, I
shall not behold thee return with the princess of Videha to Kosala and
seated on thy ancestral throne as the ruler of the entire Earth! They
only that are fortunate will behold thy face, like unto the moon emerged
from the clouds, after thy coronation bath in water sanctified with Kusa
grass and fried paddy and black peas!" And the intelligent Lakshmana
uttered those and other lamentations in the same strain. The illustrious
descendant, however, of Kakutstha's race undaunted amid danger, replied
unto Lakshmana, saying, "Do not, O tiger among men, give way to grief!
What is this thing when I am here? Cut thou off his right arm and I
shall cut off his left." And while Rama was still speaking so, the left
arm of the monster was severed by him, cut off with a sharp scimitar, as
if indeed, that arm were a stalk of the _Tila corn_. The mighty son of
Sumitra then beholding his brother standing before him struck off with
his sword the right arm also of that Rakshasa. And Lakshmana also began
to repeatedly strike the Rakshasa under the ribs, and then that huge
headless monster fell upon the ground and expired quickly. And then
there came out from the Rakshasa's body a person of celestial make. And
he showed himself to the brothers, staying for a moment in the skies,
like the Sun in his effulgence in the firmament. And Rama skilled in
speech, asked him, saying, "Who art thou? Answer _me_ who enquire of
thee? Whence could such a thing happen? All this seems to me to be
exceedingly wonderful!" Thus addressed by Rama, that being replied unto
him, saying, "I am, O prince, a Gandharva of the name of Viswavasu! It
was through the curse of a Brahmana that I had to assume the form and
nature of a Rakshasa. As to thyself, O Rama, Sita hath been carried away
with violence by king Ravana who dwelleth in Lanka. Repair thou unto
Sugriva who will give thee his friendship. There, near enough to the
peak of _Rishyamuka_ is the lake known by the name of _Pampa_ of sacred
water and cranes. There dwelleth, with four of his counsellors, Sugriva,
the brother of the monkey-king Vali decked with a garland of gold.
Repairing unto him, inform of thy cause of sorrow. In plight very much
like thy own, he will render thee assistance. This is all that we can
say. Thou wilt, without doubt, see the daughter of Janaka! Without doubt
Ravana and others are known to the king of the monkeys!" Having said
these words, that celestial being of great effulgence made himself
invisible, and those heroes, both Rama and Lakshmana, wondered much.'"


SECTION CCLXXVIII

"Markandeya said, 'Afflicted with grief at the abduction of Sita, Rama
had not to go much further before he came upon _Pampa_--that lake which
abounded with lotuses of various kinds. And fanned by the cool,
delicious and fragrant breezes in those woods, Rama suddenly remembered
his dear spouse. And, O mighty monarch, thinking of that dear wife of
his, and afflicted at the thought of his separation from her, Rama gave
way to lamentations. The son of Sumitra then addressed him saying, "O
thou that givest proper respect to those that deserve it, despondency
such as this should not be suffered to approach thee, like illness that
can never touch an old man leading a regular life! Thou hast obtained
information of Ravana and of the princess of Videha! Liberate her now
with exertion and intelligence! Let us now approach Sugriva, that
foremost of monkeys, who is even now on the mountain top! Console
thyself, when I, thy disciple and slave and ally, am near!" And
addressed by Lakshmana in these and other words of the same import, Rama
regained his own nature and attended to the business before him. And
bathing in the waters of _Pampa_ and offering oblations therewith unto
their ancestors, both those heroic brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, set out
(for _Rishyamuka_). And arriving at _Rishyamuka_ which abounded with
fruits and roots and trees, those heroes beheld five monkeys on the top
of the mountain-peak. And seeing them approach, Sugriva sent his
counsellor the intelligent Hanuman, huge as the Himavat-mountains, to
receive them. And the brothers, having first exchanged words with
Hanuman, approached Sugriva. And then, O king, Rama made friends with
Sugriva. And when Rama informed Sugriva of the object he had in view,
Sugriva showed him the piece of cloth that Sita had dropped among the
monkeys, while being carried away by Ravana. And having obtained from
him those credentials, Rama himself installed Sugriva--that foremost of
monkeys--in sovereignty of all the monkeys of Earth. And Rama also
pledged himself to slay Vali in battle. And having come to that
understanding and placing the fullest confidence in each other, they all
repaired to _Kiskindhya_, desirous of battle (with Vali). And arriving
at _Kiskindhya_, Sugriva sent forth a loud roar deep as that of a
cataract. Unable to bear that challenge, Vali was for coming out (but
his wife) Tara stood in way, saying, "Himself endued with great
strength, the way in which Sugriva is roaring, showeth, I ween, that he
hath found assistance! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to go out!" Thus
addressed by her, that king of the monkeys, the eloquent Vali, decked in
a golden garland replied unto Tara of face beautiful as the moon,
saying, "Thou understandest the voice of every creature. Tell me after
reflection whose help it is that this brother in name only of mine hath
obtained!" Thus addressed by him Tara endued with wisdom and possessed
of the effulgence of the moon, answered her lord after a moment's
reflection, saying, "Listen, O monarch of the monkeys! That foremost of
bowmen, endued with great might, Rama the son of Dasaratha, whose spouse
hath been ravished, hath made an alliance offensive and defensive with
Sugriva! And his brother the intelligent Lakshmana also of mighty arms,
the unvanquished son of Sumitra, standeth beside him for the success of
Sugriva's object. And Mainda and Dwivida, and Hanuman the son of
_Pavana_, and Jamvuman, the king of the bears, are beside Sugriva as his
counsellors. All these illustrious ones are endued with great strength
and intelligence. And these all, depending upon the might and energy of
Rama, are prepared for thy destruction!" Hearing these words of hers
that were for his benefit, the king of the monkeys disregarded them
altogether. And filled with jealousy, he also suspected her to have set
her heart on Sugriva! And addressing Tara in harsh words, he went out of
his cave and coming before Sugriva who was staying by the side of the
mountains of Malyavat, he spoke unto him thus, "Frequently vanquished
before by me, fond as thou art of life, thou art allowed by me to escape
with life owing to thy relationship with me! What hath made thee wish
for death so soon?" Thus addressed by Vali, Sugriva, that slayer of
foes, as if addressing Rama himself for informing him of what had
happened, replied unto his brother in these words of grave import, "O
king, robbed by thee of my wife and my kingdom also, what need have I of
life? Know that it is for this that I have come!" Then addressing each
other in these and other words of the same import, Vali and Sugriva
rushed to the encounter, fighting with _Sala_ and _Tala_ trees and
stones. And they struck each other down on the earth. And leaping high
into the air, they struck each other with their fists. And mangled by
each other's nail and teeth, both of them were covered with blood. And
the two heroes shone on that account like a pair of blossoming
_Kinshukas_. And as they fought with each other, no difference (in
aspect) could be observed so as to distinguish them. Then Hanuman placed
on Sugriva's neck a garland of flowers. And that hero thereupon shone
with that garland on his neck, like the beautiful and huge peak of
_Malya_ with its cloudy belt. And Rama, recognising Sugriva by that
sign, then drew his foremost of huge bows, aiming at Vali as his mark.
And the twang of Rama's bow resembled the roar of an engine. And Vali,
pierced in the heart by that arrow, trembled in fear. And Vali, his
heart having been pierced through, began to vomit forth blood. And he
then beheld standing before him Rama with Sumatra's son by his side. And
reproving that descendant of Kakutstha's race, Vali fell down on the
ground and became senseless. And Tara then beheld that lord of hers
possessed of the effulgence of the Moon, lying prostrate on the bare
earth. And after Vali had been thus slain, Sugriva regained possession
of Kishkindhya, and along with it, of the widowed Tara also of face
beautiful as the moon. And the intelligent Rama also dwelt on the
beautiful breast of the Malyavat hill for four months, duly worshipped
by Sugriva all the while.

"'Meanwhile Ravana excited by lust, having reached his city of Lanka,
placed Sita in an abode, resembling _Nandana_ itself, within a forest of
_Asokas_, that looked like an asylum of ascetics. And the large-eyed
Sita passed her days there in distress, living on fruits and roots,
practising ascetic austerities with fasts, attired in ascetic garb, and
waning thin day by day, thinking of her absent lord. And the king of the
_Rakshasas_ appointed many _Rakshasa_ women armed with bearded darts and
swords and lances and battle-axes and maces and flaming brands, for
guarding her. And some of these had two eyes, and some three, and some
had eyes on their foreheads. And some had long tongues and some had
none. And some had three breasts and some had only one leg. And some had
three matted braids on their heads, and some had only one eye. And
these, and others of blazing eyes and hair stiff as the camel's, stood
beside Sita surrounding her day and night most watchfully. And those
_Pisacha_ women of frightful voice and terrible aspect always addressed
that large-eyed lady in the harshest tones. And they said, "Let us eat
her up, let us mangle her, let us tear her into pieces, her, that is,
that dwelleth here disregarding our lord!" And filled with grief at the
separation from her lord, Sita drew a deep sigh and answered those
_Rakshasa_ women, saying, "Reverend ladies, eat me up without delay! I
have no desire to live without that husband of mine, of eyes like
lotus-leaves and locks wavy, and blue in hue! Truly I will, without food
and without the least love of life, emaciate my limbs, like a she-snake
(hybernating) within a _Tala_ tree. Know this for certain that I will
never seek the protection of any other person than the descendant of
Raghu. And knowing this, do what ye think fit!" And hearing these words
of hers, those _Rakshasas_ with dissonant voice went to the king of the
_Rakshasas_, for representing unto him all she had said. And when those
_Rakshasas_ had gone away, one of their number known by the name of
_Trijata_, who was virtuous and agreeable in speech, began to console
the princess of Videha. And she said, "Listen, O Sita! I will tell thee
something! O friend, believe in what I say! O thou of fair hips, cast
off thy fears, and listen to what I say. There is an intelligent and old
chief of the _Rakshasas_ known by the name of Avindhya. He always
seeketh Rama's good and hath told me these words for thy sake!
'Reassuring and cheering her, tell Sita in my name, saying: "Thy husband
the mighty Rama is well and is waited upon by Lakshmana. And the blessed
descendant of Raghu hath already made friends with Sugriva, the king of
the monkeys, and is ready to act for thee!"' And, O timid lady,
entertain thou no fear on account of Ravana, who is censured by the
whole world, for, O daughter, thou art safe from him on account of
Nalakuvera's curse. Indeed, this wretch had been cursed before for his
having violated his daughter-in-law, Rambha. This lustful wretch is not
able to violate any woman by force. Thy husband will soon come,
protected by Sugriva and with the intelligent son of Sumitra in his
train, and will soon take thee away hence! O lady, I have had a most
terrible dream of evil omen, indicating the destruction of this
wicked-minded wretch of Pulastya's race! This night wanderer of mean
deeds is, indeed, most wicked and cruel. He inspireth terror in all by
the defects of his nature and the wickedness of his conduct. And
deprived of his senses by Fate, he challengeth the very gods. In my
vision I have seen every indication of his downfall. I have seen the
Ten-headed, with his crown shaven and body besmeared with oil, sunk in
mire, and the next moment dancing on a chariot drawn by mules. I have
seen Kumbhakarna and others, perfectly naked and with crowns shaven,
decked with red wreaths and unguents, and running towards the southern
direction. Vibhishana alone, with umbrella over his head, and graced
with a turban, and with body decked with white wreaths and unguents, I
beheld ascending the summit of the White hill. And I saw four of his
counsellors also, decked with white wreaths and unguents, ascending the
summit of that hill along with him. All this bodeth that these alone
will be saved from the impending terror. The whole earth with its oceans
and seas will be enveloped with Rama's arrows. O lady, thy husband will
fill the whole earth with his fame. I also saw Lakshmana, consuming all
directions (with his arrows) and ascending on a heap of bones and
drinking thereon honey and rice boiled in milk. And thou, O lady, hast
been beheld by me running towards a northernly direction, weeping and
covered with blood and protected by a tiger! And, O princess of Videha,
soon wilt thou find happiness, being united, O Sita, with thy lord, that
descendant of Raghu accompanied by his brother!' Hearing these words of
_Trijata_, that girl with eyes like those of a young gazelle, once more
began to entertain hopes of a union with her lord. And when at last
those fierce and cruel _Pisacha_ guards came back, they saw her sitting
with _Trijata_ as before.'"


SECTION CCLXXIX

"Markandeya said, 'And while the chaste Sita was dwelling there
afflicted with melancholy and grief on account of her lord, attired in
mean garb, with but a single jewel (on the marital thread on her wrist),
and incessantly weeping, seated on a stone, and waited upon by
_Rakshasa_ women, Ravana, afflicted by the shafts of the god of desire,
came to her and approached her presence. And inflamed by desire, that
conqueror in battle of the gods, the _Danavas_, the _Gandharvas_, the
_Yakshas_, and the _Kimpurushas_, attired in celestial robes and
possessing handsome features, decked with jewelled earrings and wearing
a beautiful garland and crown, entered the _Asoka_ woods, like an
embodiment of the vernal season. And dressed with care, Ravana looked
like the _Kalpa_ tree in Indra's garden. But though adorned with every
embellishment, that inspired her only with awe, like a beautified banian
in the midst of a cemetery. And that night wanderer, having approached
the presence of that slender-waisted lady, looked like the planet Saturn
in the presence of _Rohini_. And smitten with the shafts of the god of
the flowery emblem he accosted that fair-hipped lady then affrighted
like a helpless doe, and told her these words, "Thou hast, O Sita, shown
thy regard for thy lord too much! O thou of delicate limbs, be merciful
unto me. Let thy person be embellished now (by these maids in waiting).
O excellent lady, accept me as thy lord! And, O thou of the most
beautiful complexion, attired in costly robes and ornaments, take thou
the first place among all the women of my household. Many are the
daughters of the celestials and also the _Gandharvas_ that I possess! I
am lord also of many _Danava_ and _Daitya_ ladies! One hundred and forty
millions of _Pisachas_, twice as many man-eating Rakshasa of terrible
deed, and thrice as many Yaksha do my bidding! Some of these are under
the sway of my brother who is the lord of all treasures. In my drinking
hall, O excellent lady of beautiful thighs, Gandharvas and Apsaras wait
on me as they do on my brother! I am, again, the son of that regenerate
_Rishi_ Visravas himself of high ascetic merit. I am renowned, again, as
the fifth Regent of the Universe! And, O beautiful lady, of food and
edibles and drinks of the very best kind, I have as much as the Lord
himself of the celestials! Let all thy troubles consequent on a life in
the woods cease! O thou of fair hips, be my Queen, as Mandodari
herself!" Thus addressed by him, the beautiful princess of Videha,
turning away and regarding him as something less than a straw, replied
unto that wanderer of the night. And at that time the princess of
Videha, that girl of beautiful hips, had her deep and compact bosom
copiously drenched by her inauspicious tears shed ceaselessly. And she
who regarded her husband as her god, answered that mean wretch, saying,
"By sheer ill-luck it is, O king of the Rakshasas, that I am obliged to
hear such words of grievous import spoken by thee! Blessed be thou, O
Rakshasa fond of sensual pleasures, let thy heart be withdrawn from me!
I am the wife of another, ever devoted to my husband, and, therefore,
incapable of being possessed by thee! A helpless human being that I am,
I cannot be a fit wife for thee! What joy can be thine by using violence
towards an unwilling woman? Thy father is a wise Brahmana, born of
Brahma and equal unto that Lord himself of the creation! Why dost thou
not, therefore, thyself being equal to a Regent of the Universe, observe
virtue? Disgracing thy brother, that king of the Yakshas, that adorable
one who is the friend of Maheswara himself, that lord of treasures, how
is it that thou feelest no shame?" Having said these words, Sita began
to weep, her bosom shivering in agitation, and covering her neck and
face with her garments. And the long and well-knit braid, black and
glossy, falling from the head of the weeping lady, looked like a black
snake. And hearing these cruel words uttered by Sita, the foolish
Ravana, although thus rejected, addressed Sita once more, saying, "O
lady, let the god having the _Makara_ for his emblem burn me sorely. I
will, however, on no account, O thou of sweet smiles and beautiful hips,
approach thee, as thou art unwilling! What can I do to thee that still
feelest a regard for Rama who is only a human being and, therefore, our
food?" Having said those words unto that lady of faultless features, the
king of the _Rakshasa_ made himself invisible then and there and went
away to the place he liked. And Sita, surrounded by those _Rakshasa_
women, and treated with tenderness by _Trijata_, continued to dwell
there in grief.'"


SECTION CCLXXX

"Markandeya said, 'Meanwhile the illustrious descendant of Raghu, along
with his brother, hospitably treated by Sugriva, continued to dwell on
the breast of the _Malyavat_ hill, beholding every day the clear blue
sky. And one night, while gazing from the mountain-top on the bright
moon in the cloudless sky surrounded by planets and stars and stellar
bodies, that slayer of foes was suddenly awakened (to a remembrance of
Sita) by the cold breezes fragrant with the perfumes of the lily, lotus
and other flowers of the same species. And virtuous Rama, dejected in
spirits at the thought of Sita's captivity in the abode of the Rakshasa,
addressed the heroic Lakshmana in the morning saying, "Go, Lakshmana and
seek in Kishkindhya that ungrateful king of the monkeys, who understands
well his own interest and is even now indulging in dissipations, that
foolish wretch of his race whom I have installed on a throne and to whom
all apes and monkeys and bears owe allegiance, that fellow for whose
sake, O mighty-armed perpetuator of Raghu's race, Vali was slain by me
with thy help in the wood of Kishkindhya! I regard that worst of monkeys
on earth to be highly ungrateful, for, O Lakshmana, that wretch hath now
forgotten me who am sunk in such distress! I think he is unwilling to
fulfil his pledge, disregarding, from dullness of understanding, one who
hath done him such services! If thou findest him luke-warm and rolling
in sensual joys, thou must then send him, by the path Vali hath been
made to follow, to the common goal of all creatures! If, on the other
hand, thou seest that foremost of monkeys delight in our cause, then, O
descendant of Kakutstha, shouldst thou bring him hither with thee! Be
quick, and delay not!" Thus addressed by his brother, Lakshmana ever
attentive to the behests and welfare of his superiors, set out taking
with him his handsome bow with string and arrows. And reaching the gates
of Kishkindhya he entered the city unchallenged. And knowing him to be
angry, the monkey-king advanced to receive him. And with his wife,
Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, with a humble heart, joyfully received
him with due honours. And the dauntless son of Sumitra then told him
what Rama had said. And having heard everything in detail, O mighty
monarch, Sugriva, the king of the monkeys with his wife and servants,
joined his hands, and cheerfully said unto Lakshmana, that elephant
among men, these words: "I am, O Lakshmana, neither wicked, nor
ungrateful, nor destitute of virtue! Hear what efforts I have made for
finding out Sita's place of captivity! I have despatched diligent
monkeys in all directions. All of them have stipulated to return within
a month. They will, O hero, search the whole earth with her forests and
hills and seas, her villages and towns and cities and mines. Only five
nights are wanting to complete that month, and then thou wilt, with
Rama, hear tidings of great joy!"

"'Thus addressed by that intelligent king of the monkeys, the
high-souled Lakshmana became appeased, and he in his turn worshipped
Sugriva. And accompanied by Sugriva, he returned to Rama on the breast
of the Malyavat hill. And approaching him, Lakshmana informed him of the
beginning already made in respect of his undertaking. And soon thousands
of monkey-chiefs began to return, after having carefully searched the
three quarters of the earth, viz., the North, the East and the West. But
they that had gone towards the South did not make their appearance. And
they that came back represented to Rama, saying that although they had
searched the whole earth with her belt of seas, yet they could not find
either the princess of Videha or Ravana. But that descendant of
Kakutstha's race, afflicted at heart, managed to live yet, resting his
hopes (of hearing Sita's tidings) on the great monkeys that had gone
towards the South.