Sita’s steadfast answer

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सीता रौद्रस्य रक्षसः ।

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā sītā raudrasya rakṣasaḥ |

Hearing those words of the fierce rakshasa, Sita, distressed,

आर्ता दीनस्वरा दीनं प्रत्युवाच ततः शनैः ॥

ārtā dīnasvarā dīnaṃ pratyuvāca tataḥ śanaiḥ ||

answered slowly in a sorrowful, subdued voice.

दुःखार्ता रुदती सीता वेपमाना तपस्विनी ।

duḥkhārtā rudatī sītā vepamānā tapasvinī |

Afflicted by grief, weeping and trembling, the faithful woman

चिन्तयन्ती वरारोहा पतिमेव पतिव्रता ॥

cintayantī varārohā patimeva pativratā ||

thought only of her husband.

तृणमन्तरतः कृत्वा प्रत्युवाच शुचिस्मिता ।

tṛṇamantarataḥ kṛtvā pratyuvāca śucismitā |

Placing a blade of grass between them, the pure-smiling woman replied:

निवर्तय मनो मत्तः स्वजने प्रीयतां मनः ॥

nivartaya mano mattaḥ svajane prīyatāṃ manaḥ ||

'Turn your mind away from me; let it find pleasure among your own people.'

न मां प्रार्थयितुं युक्तस्त्वं सिद्धिमिव पापकृत् ।

na māṃ prārthayituṃ yuktastvaṃ siddhimiva pāpakṛt |

'You should not seek me, just as a wrongdoer cannot seek spiritual perfection.

अकार्यं न मया कार्यमेकपत्न्या विगर्हितम् ॥

akāryaṃ na mayā kāryamekapatnyā vigarhitam ||

As a wife devoted to one husband, I will not perform a condemned act—'

कुलं सम्प्राप्तया पुण्यं कुले महति जातया ।

kulaṃ samprāptayā puṇyaṃ kule mahati jātayā |

'I was born into a great family and married into a virtuous one.'

एवमुक्त्वा तु वैदेही रावणं तं यशस्विनी ॥

evamuktvā tu vaidehī rāvaṇaṃ taṃ yaśasvinī ||

Having spoken thus to Ravana, renowned Sita of Videha—

रावणं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा भूयो वचनमब्रवीत् ।

rāvaṇaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā bhūyo vacanamabravīt |

turned her back upon Ravana and spoke again:

नाहमौपयिकी भार्या परभार्या सती तव ॥

nāhamaupayikī bhāryā parabhāryā satī tava ||

'I am not a suitable wife for you, for I am already another man's wife.'

साधु धर्ममवेक्षस्व साधु साधुव्रतं चर ।

sādhu dharmamavekṣasva sādhu sādhuvrataṃ cara |

'Attend properly to righteousness and practice the conduct of the good.

यथा तव तथान्येषां रक्ष्या दारा निशाचर ॥

yathā tava tathānyeṣāṃ rakṣyā dārā niśācara ||

As your wives deserve protection, so do the wives of others, night-roamer.'

आत्मानमुपमां कृत्वा स्वेषु दारेषु रम्यताम् ।

ātmānamupamāṃ kṛtvā sveṣu dāreṣu ramyatām |

'Judge by your own feelings and find pleasure with your own wives.

अतुष्टं स्वेषु दारेषु चपलं चपलेन्द्रियम् ।

atuṣṭaṃ sveṣu dāreṣu capalaṃ capalendriyam |

A restless man, unsatisfied with them and unable to govern his senses,

नयन्ति निकृतिप्रज्ञं परदाराः पराभवम् ॥

nayanti nikṛtiprajñaṃ paradārāḥ parābhavam ||

is brought to ruin by pursuing others' wives with deceitful intent.'

इह सन्तो न वा सन्ति सतो वा नानुवर्तसे ।

iha santo na vā santi sato vā nānuvartase |

'Are there no good people here, or do you refuse to follow them?

यथा हि विपरीता ते बुद्धिराचारवर्जिता ॥

yathā hi viparītā te buddhirācāravarjitā ||

Your judgment is so perverse and separated from proper conduct.'

वचो मिथ्याप्रणीतात्मा पथ्यमुक्तं विचक्षणैः ।

vaco mithyāpraṇītātmā pathyamuktaṃ vicakṣaṇaiḥ |

'Or, having set yourself upon a false path, you reject

राक्षसानामभावाय त्वं वा न प्रतिपद्यसे ॥

rākṣasānāmabhāvāya tvaṃ vā na pratipadyase ||

the beneficial words of discerning people, to the destruction of the rakshasas.'

अकृतात्मानमासाद्य राजानमनये रतम् ।

akṛtātmānamāsādya rājānamanaye ratam |

'Prosperous kingdoms and cities are ruined

समृद्धानि विनश्यन्ति राष्ट्राणि नगराणि च ॥

samṛddhāni vinaśyanti rāṣṭrāṇi nagarāṇi ca ||

when they fall under an undisciplined king devoted to wrongdoing.'

तथैव त्वां समासाद्य लंका रत्नौघसंकुला ।

tathaiva tvāṃ samāsādya laṃkā ratnaughasaṃkulā |

'In just that way, jeweled Lanka, having you as ruler,

अपराधात् तवैकस्य नचिराद् विनशिष्यति ॥

aparādhāt tavaikasya nacirād vinaśiṣyati ||

will soon be destroyed through your single offense.'

स्वकृतैर्हन्यमानस्य रावणादीर्घदर्शिनः ।

svakṛtairhanyamānasya rāvaṇādīrghadarśinaḥ |

'When a short-sighted wrongdoer is destroyed by his own deeds, Ravana,

अभिनन्दन्ति भूतानि विनाशे पापकर्मणः ॥

abhinandanti bhūtāni vināśe pāpakarmaṇaḥ ||

all beings rejoice at his downfall.'

एवं त्वां पापकर्माणं वक्ष्यन्ति निकृता जनाः ।

evaṃ tvāṃ pāpakarmāṇaṃ vakṣyanti nikṛtā janāḥ |

'People injured by you will say with joy,

दिष्ट्यैतद् व्यसनं प्राप्तो रौद्र इत्येव हर्षिताः ॥

diṣṭyaitad vyasanaṃ prāpto raudra ityeva harṣitāḥ ||

“Fortunately this cruel sinner has met his disaster.”'

शक्या लोभयितुं नाहमैश्वर्येण धनेन वा ।

śakyā lobhayituṃ nāhamaiśvaryeṇa dhanena vā |

'You cannot tempt me with power or wealth.

अनन्या राघवेणाहं भास्करेण यथा प्रभा ॥

ananyā rāghaveṇāhaṃ bhāskareṇa yathā prabhā ||

I am inseparable from Raghava, as sunlight is from the sun.'

उपधाय भुजं तस्य लोकनाथस्य सत्कृतम् ।

upadhāya bhujaṃ tasya lokanāthasya satkṛtam |

'Having rested upon the honored arm of that protector of the world,

कथं नामोपधास्यामि भुजमन्यस्य कस्यचित् ॥

kathaṃ nāmopadhāsyāmi bhujamanyasya kasyacit ||

how could I ever rest upon the arm of someone else?'

अहमौपयिकी भार्या तस्यैव च धरापतेः ।

ahamaupayikī bhāryā tasyaiva ca dharāpateḥ |

'I belong as wife to that king alone,

व्रतस्नातस्य विद्येव विप्रस्य विदितात्मनः ॥

vratasnātasya vidyeva viprasya viditātmanaḥ ||

as sacred learning belongs to a self-disciplined brahmin who has completed his vows.'

साधु रावण रामेण मां समानय दुःखिताम् ।

sādhu rāvaṇa rāmeṇa māṃ samānaya duḥkhitām |

'Do well, Ravana: reunite sorrowing me with Rama,

वने वासितया सार्धं करेण्वेव गजाधिपम् ॥

vane vāsitayā sārdhaṃ kareṇveva gajādhipam ||

as one reunites a forest elephant with his captive mate.'

मित्रमौपयिकं कर्तुं रामः स्थानं परीप्सता ।

mitramaupayikaṃ kartuṃ rāmaḥ sthānaṃ parīpsatā |

'If you wish to preserve your position and avoid terrible bondage,

बन्धं चानिच्छता घोरं त्वयासौ पुरुषर्षभः ॥

bandhaṃ cānicchatā ghoraṃ tvayāsau puruṣarṣabhaḥ ||

it is fitting that you make that foremost man, Rama, your friend.'

विदितः सर्वधर्मज्ञः शरणागतवत्सलः ।

viditaḥ sarvadharmajñaḥ śaraṇāgatavatsalaḥ |

'He is known as a knower of every duty and a protector of those who seek refuge.

तेन मैत्री भवतु ते यदि जीवितुमिच्छसि ॥

tena maitrī bhavatu te yadi jīvitumicchasi ||

Become his friend if you wish to live.'

प्रसादयस्व त्वं चैनं शरणागतवत्सलम् ।

prasādayasva tvaṃ cainaṃ śaraṇāgatavatsalam |

'Win the favor of that protector of those who seek refuge;

मां चास्मै प्रयतो भूत्वा निर्यातयितुमर्हसि ॥

māṃ cāsmai prayato bhūtvā niryātayitumarhasi ||

with a disciplined purpose, return me to him.'

एवं हि ते भवेत् स्वस्ति सम्प्रदाय रघूत्तमे ।

evaṃ hi te bhavet svasti sampradāya raghūttame |

'By restoring me to the finest of Raghu's line, you may find safety;

अन्यथा त्वं हि कुर्वाणः परां प्राप्स्यसि चापदम् ॥

anyathā tvaṃ hi kurvāṇaḥ parāṃ prāpsyasi cāpadam ||

acting otherwise, you will meet the greatest calamity.'

वर्जयेद् वज्रमुत्सृष्टं वर्जयेदन्तकश्चिरम् ।

varjayed vajramutsṛṣṭaṃ varjayedantakaściram |

'A hurled thunderbolt might spare you; death might delay its coming;

त्वद्विधं न तु संक्रुद्धो लोकनाथः स राघवः ॥

tvadvidhaṃ na tu saṃkruddho lokanāthaḥ sa rāghavaḥ ||

but angry Raghava, protector of the world, will not spare one like you.'

रामस्य धनुषः शब्दं श्रोष्यसि त्वं महास्वनम् ।

rāmasya dhanuṣaḥ śabdaṃ śroṣyasi tvaṃ mahāsvanam |

'You will hear the mighty sound of Rama's bow,

शतक्रतुविसृष्टस्य निर्घोषमशनेरिव ॥

śatakratuvisṛṣṭasya nirghoṣamaśaneriva ||

like the crash of a thunderbolt released by Indra.'

इह शीघ्रं सुपर्वाणो ज्वलितास्या इवोरगाः ।

iha śīghraṃ suparvāṇo jvalitāsyā ivoragāḥ |

'Soon well-feathered arrows marked with Rama's and Lakshmana's names

इषवो निपतिष्यन्ति रामलक्ष्मणलक्षिताः ॥

iṣavo nipatiṣyanti rāmalakṣmaṇalakṣitāḥ ||

will fall here like serpents with blazing mouths.'

रक्षांसि निहनिष्यन्तः पुर्यामस्यां न संशयः ।

rakṣāṃsi nihaniṣyantaḥ puryāmasyāṃ na saṃśayaḥ |

'Slaying rakshasas within this city, without doubt,

असम्पातं करिष्यन्ति पतन्तः कङ्कवाससः ॥

asampātaṃ kariṣyanti patantaḥ kaṅkavāsasaḥ ||

those feathered shafts will fall so densely that passage becomes impossible.'

राक्षसेन्द्रमहासर्पान् स रामगरुडो महान् ।

rākṣasendramahāsarpān sa rāmagaruḍo mahān |

'Great Rama, like Garuda, will swiftly carry away

उद्धरिष्यति वेगेन वैनतेय इवोरगान् ॥

uddhariṣyati vegena vainateya ivoragān ||

the serpentlike rakshasa chiefs, as Garuda seizes serpents.'

अपनेष्यति मां भर्ता त्वत्तः शीघ्रमरिंदमः ।

apaneṣyati māṃ bhartā tvattaḥ śīghramariṃdamaḥ |

'My husband, destroyer of foes, will quickly take me from you,

असुरेभ्यः श्रियं दीप्तां विष्णुस्त्रिभिरिव क्रमैः ॥

asurebhyaḥ śriyaṃ dīptāṃ viṣṇustribhiriva kramaiḥ ||

as Vishnu recovered radiant sovereignty from the asuras with three strides.'

जनस्थाने हतस्थाने निहते रक्षसां बले ।

janasthāne hatasthāne nihate rakṣasāṃ bale |

'When Janasthana was laid waste and the rakshasa force destroyed,

अशक्तेन त्वया रक्षः कृतमेतदसाधु वै ॥

aśaktena tvayā rakṣaḥ kṛtametadasādhu vai ||

you, incapable of facing him, committed this wicked deed.'

आश्रमं तत्तयोः शून्यं प्रविश्य नरसिंहयोः ।

āśramaṃ tattayoḥ śūnyaṃ praviśya narasiṃhayoḥ |

'You entered the empty hermitage of those two lionlike men

गोचरं गतयोर्भ्रात्रोरपनीता त्वयाधम ॥

gocaraṃ gatayorbhrātrorapanītā tvayādhama ||

while the brothers were away and carried me off, base one.'

नहि गन्धमुपाघ्राय रामलक्ष्मणयोस्त्वया ।

nahi gandhamupāghrāya rāmalakṣmaṇayostvayā |

'You could no more remain before Rama and Lakshmana, once aware of their presence,

शक्यं संदर्शने स्थातुं शुना शार्दूलयोरिव ॥

śakyaṃ saṃdarśane sthātuṃ śunā śārdūlayoriva ||

than a dog could stand before two tigers.'

तस्य ते विग्रहे ताभ्यां युगग्रहणमस्थिरम् ।

tasya te vigrahe tābhyāṃ yugagrahaṇamasthiram |

'Your joining battle with them would not endure,

वृत्रस्येवेन्द्रबाहुभ्यां बाहोरेकस्य विग्रहे ॥

vṛtrasyevendrabāhubhyāṃ bāhorekasya vigrahe ||

as one-armed Vritra could not withstand the arms of Indra.

क्षिप्रं तव स नाथो मे रामः सौमित्रिणा सह ।

kṣipraṃ tava sa nātho me rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha |

'My lord Rama, together with Sumitra's son, will soon

तोयमल्पमिवादित्यः प्राणानादास्यते शरैः ॥

toyamalpamivādityaḥ prāṇānādāsyate śaraiḥ ||

take your life with arrows as the sun dries up a little water.'

गिरिं कुबेरस्य गतोऽथवाऽऽलयं

giriṃ kuberasya gato’thavā’’layaṃ

'Though you go to Kubera's mountain or dwelling,

सभां गतो वा वरुणस्य राज्ञः ।

sabhāṃ gato vā varuṇasya rājñaḥ |

or enter King Varuna's assembly,

असंशयं दाशरथेर्विमोक्ष्यसे

asaṃśayaṃ dāśarathervimokṣyase

you will find no escape from Dasharatha's son,

महाद्रुमः कालहतोऽशनेरिव ॥

mahādrumaḥ kālahato’śaneriva ||

like a great tree overtaken by a fatal thunderbolt.'