The Story of Rama

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.3.28.1)

जनमेजय उवाच । कथं रामेण तच्चीर्णं व्रतं देव्याः सुखप्रदम् । राज्यभ्रष्टः कथं सोऽथ कथं सीता हृता पुनः

janamejaya uvāca kathaṁ rāmeṇa taccīrṇaṁ vrataṁ devyāḥ sukhapradam rājyabhraṣṭaḥ kathaṁ so'tha kathaṁ sītā hṛtā punaḥ

Janamejaya said: "How did Rama perform that happiness-giving vow of the Goddess? How did he become fallen from his kingdom, and how, again, was Sita abducted?"

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.3.28.2)

व्यास उवाच । राजा दशरथः श्रीमानयोध्याधिपतिः पुरा । सूर्यवंशधरश्चासीद्देवब्राह्मणपूजकः

vyāsa uvāca rājā daśarathaḥ śrīmānayodhyādhipatiḥ purā sūryavaṁśadharaścāsīddevabrāhmaṇapūjakaḥ

Vyasa said: Long ago there was the glorious King Dasharatha, lord of Ayodhya, bearer of the solar dynasty, and a worshipper of gods and Brahmins.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.3.28.3)

चत्वारो जज्ञिरे तस्य पुत्रा लोकेषु विश्रुताः । रामलक्ष्मणशत्रुघ्ना भरतश्चेति नामतः

catvāro jajñire tasya putrā lokeṣu viśrutāḥ rāmalakṣmaṇaśatrughnā bharataśceti nāmataḥ

Four sons were born to him, renowned throughout the worlds, by name Rama, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Bharata.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.3.28.4)

राज्ञः प्रियकराः सर्वे सदृशा गुणरूपतः । कौसल्यायाः सुतो रामः कैकेय्या भरतः स्मृतः

rājñaḥ priyakarāḥ sarve sadṛśā guṇarūpataḥ kausalyāyāḥ suto rāmaḥ kaikeyyā bharataḥ smṛtaḥ

All were dear to the king, alike in qualities and beauty; Rama was Kausalya's son, and Bharata is remembered as Kaikeyi's.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.3.28.5)

सुमित्रातनयौ जातौ यमलौ द्वौ मनोहरौ । ते जाता वै किशोराश्च धनुर्बाणधराः किल

sumitrātanayau jātau yamalau dvau manoharau te jātā vai kiśorāśca dhanurbāṇadharāḥ kila

Two charming twins were born to Sumitra; they grew up as youths, bearing bow and arrow indeed.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.3.28.6)

सूनवः कृतसंस्कारा भूपतेः सुखवर्धकाः । कौशिकेन तदाऽऽगत्य प्रार्थितो रघुनन्दनः

sūnavaḥ kṛtasaṁskārā bhūpateḥ sukhavardhakāḥ kauśikena tadā''gatya prārthito raghunandanaḥ

The sons, duly initiated, were a source of joy to the king; then Kaushika, arriving, sought that descendant of Raghu.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.3.28.7)

राघवं मखरक्षार्थं सूनुं षोडशवार्षिकम् । तस्मै सोऽयं ददौ रामं कौशिकाय सलक्ष्मणम्

rāghavaṁ makharakṣārthaṁ sūnuṁ ṣoḍaśavārṣikam tasmai so'yaṁ dadau rāmaṁ kauśikāya salakṣmaṇam

For the protection of the sacrifice, he asked for that son of Raghu, the sixteen-year-old prince; and the king gave to Kaushika this Rama, together with Lakshmana.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.3.28.8)

तौ समेत्य मुनिं मार्गे जग्मतुश्चारुदर्शनौ । ताटका निहता मार्गे राक्षसी घोरदर्शना

tau sametya muniṁ mārge jagmatuścārudarśanau tāṭakā nihatā mārge rākṣasī ghoradarśanā

The two, of lovely appearance, joined the sage and went along the road; on the way, Tataka, the terrible-visaged demoness, was slain.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.3.28.9)

रामेणैकेन बाणेन मुनीनां दुःखदा सदा । यज्ञरक्षा कृता तत्र सुबाहुर्निहतः शठः

rāmeṇaikena bāṇena munīnāṁ duḥkhadā sadā yajñarakṣā kṛtā tatra subāhurnihataḥ śaṭhaḥ

By Rama, with a single arrow, she who was ever a cause of sorrow to the sages was slain; and there the sacrifice was protected, and the wicked Subahu was slain.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.3.28.10)

मारीचोऽथ मृतप्रायो निक्षिप्तो बाणवेगतः । एवं कृत्वा महत्कर्म यज्ञस्य परिरक्षणम्

mārīco'tha mṛtaprāyo nikṣipto bāṇavegataḥ evaṁ kṛtvā mahatkarma yajñasya parirakṣaṇam

Marica, then, nearly dead, was hurled away by the force of the arrow; thus performing this great deed, the protection of the sacrifice —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.3.28.11)

गतास्ते मिथिलां सर्वे रामलक्ष्मणकौशिकाः । अहल्या मोचिता शापान्निष्पापा सा कृताऽबला

gatāste mithilāṁ sarve rāmalakṣmaṇakauśikāḥ ahalyā mocitā śāpānniṣpāpā sā kṛtā'balā

Rama, Lakshmana, and Kaushika, all together, went to Mithila; Ahalya was released from her curse, and that woman was made sinless.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.3.28.12)

विदेहनगरे तौ तु जग्मतुर्मुनिना सह । बभञ्ज शिवचापञ्च जनकेन पणीकृतम्

videhanagare tau tu jagmaturmuninā saha babhañja śivacāpañca janakena paṇīkṛtam

The two, together with the sage, went to the city of Videha; and Rama broke the bow of Shiva, which had been set as the wager by Janaka.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.3.28.13)

उपयेमे ततः सीतां जानकीञ्च रमांशजाम् । लक्ष्मणाय ददौ राजा पुत्रीमेकां तथोर्मिलाम्

upayeme tataḥ sītāṁ jānakīñca ramāṁśajām lakṣmaṇāya dadau rājā putrīmekāṁ tathormilām

Then he wedded Sita, the daughter of Janaka, born as a portion of Rama; and the king gave one daughter, Urmila, to Lakshmana.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.3.28.14)

कुशध्वजसुते कन्ये प्रापतुर्भ्रातरावुभौ । तथा भरतशत्रुघ्नौ सुशिलौ शुभलक्षणौ

kuśadhvajasute kanye prāpaturbhrātarāvubhau tathā bharataśatrughnau suśilau śubhalakṣaṇau

Both brothers obtained the two daughters of Kushadhvaja as wives; likewise Bharata and Shatrughna, of good conduct and auspicious marks.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.3.28.15)

एवं दारक्रियास्तेषां भ्रातॄणां चाभवन्नृप । चतुर्णां मिथिलायां तु यथाविधि विधानतः

evaṁ dārakriyāsteṣāṁ bhrātṝṇāṁ cābhavannṛpa caturṇāṁ mithilāyāṁ tu yathāvidhi vidhānataḥ

Thus, O king, the marriages of those four brothers took place in Mithila, duly, according to rite.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.3.28.16)

राज्ययोग्यं सुतं दृष्ट्वा राजा दशरथस्तदा । राघवाय धुरं दातुं मनश्चक्रे निजाय वै

rājyayogyaṁ sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā rājā daśarathastadā rāghavāya dhuraṁ dātuṁ manaścakre nijāya vai

Beholding his son fit for the kingdom, King Dasharatha then resolved in his mind to hand over the burden of rule to his own son Raghava.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.3.28.17)

सम्भारं विहितं दृष्ट्वा कैकेयी पूर्वकल्पितौ । वरौ सम्प्रार्थयामास भर्तारं वशवर्तिनम्

sambhāraṁ vihitaṁ dṛṣṭvā kaikeyī pūrvakalpitau varau samprārthayāmāsa bhartāraṁ vaśavartinam

Seeing the preparations made, Kaikeyi asked her compliant husband for the two boons she had earlier planned to claim.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.3.28.18)

राज्यं सुताय चैकेन भरताय महात्मने । रामाय वनवासञ्च चतुर्दशसमास्तथा

rājyaṁ sutāya caikena bharatāya mahātmane rāmāya vanavāsañca caturdaśasamāstathā

One boon was the kingdom for her own great-souled son Bharata; the other, exile to the forest for Rama, for fourteen years.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.3.28.19)

रामस्तु वचनात्तस्याः सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः । जगाम दण्डकारण्यं राक्षसैरुपसेवितम्

rāmastu vacanāttasyāḥ sītālakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ jagāma daṇḍakāraṇyaṁ rākṣasairupasevitam

And Rama, at her word, together with Sita and Lakshmana, went to the Dandaka forest, inhabited by Rakshasas.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.3.28.20)

राजा दशरथः पुत्रविरहेण प्रपीडितः । जहौ प्राणानमेयात्मा पूर्वशापमनुस्मरन्

rājā daśarathaḥ putraviraheṇa prapīḍitaḥ jahau prāṇānameyātmā pūrvaśāpamanusmaran

King Dasharatha, of immeasurable soul, tormented by separation from his son, gave up his life, remembering an earlier curse.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.3.28.21)

भरतः पितरं दृष्ट्वा मृतं मातृकृतेन वै । राज्यमृद्धं न जग्राह भ्रातुः प्रियचिकीर्षया

bharataḥ pitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛtaṁ mātṛkṛtena vai rājyamṛddhaṁ na jagrāha bhrātuḥ priyacikīrṣayā

Bharata, seeing his father dead through his own mother's doing, did not accept the prosperous kingdom, desiring his brother's good.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.3.28.22)

पञ्चवट्यां वसन् रामो रावणावरजां वने । शूर्पणखां विरूपां वै चकारातिस्मरातुराम्

pañcavaṭyāṁ vasan rāmo rāvaṇāvarajāṁ vane śūrpaṇakhāṁ virūpāṁ vai cakārātismarāturām

Rama, dwelling at Panchavati, in the forest, made Ravana's younger sister Shurpanakha, deformed as she was, exceedingly tormented by desire.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.3.28.23)

खरादयस्तु तां दृष्ट्वा छिन्ननासां निशाचराः । चक्रुः सङ्ग्राममतुलं रामेणामिततेजसा

kharādayastu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā chinnanāsāṁ niśācarāḥ cakruḥ saṅgrāmamatulaṁ rāmeṇāmitatejasā

Khara and the other demons, seeing her with her nose cut off, waged an unequaled battle against Rama, of boundless splendor.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.3.28.24)

स जघान खरादींश्च दैत्यानतिबलान्वितान् । मुनीनां हितमन्विच्छन् रामः सत्यपराक्रमः

sa jaghāna kharādīṁśca daityānatibalānvitān munīnāṁ hitamanvicchan rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ

Rama, of true valor, seeking the welfare of the sages, slew Khara and the other most powerful demons.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.3.28.25)

गत्वा शूर्पणखा लङ्कां खरदूषणघातनम् । दूषिता कथयामास रावणाय च राघवात्

gatvā śūrpaṇakhā laṅkāṁ kharadūṣaṇaghātanam dūṣitā kathayāmāsa rāvaṇāya ca rāghavāt

Going to Lanka, that violated Shurpanakha told Ravana of the slaying of Khara and Dushana, and of what Raghava had done to her.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.3.28.26)

सोऽपि श्रुत्वा विनाशं तं जातः क्रोधवशः खलः । जगाम रथमारुह्य मारीचस्याश्रमं तदा

so'pi śrutvā vināśaṁ taṁ jātaḥ krodhavaśaḥ khalaḥ jagāma rathamāruhya mārīcasyāśramaṁ tadā

He too, hearing of that destruction, that wicked one, overcome with rage, mounting his chariot, then went to Marica's hermitage.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.3.28.27)

कृत्वा हेममृगं नेतुं प्रेषयामास रावणः । सीताप्रलोभनार्थाय मायाविनमसम्भवम्

kṛtvā hemamṛgaṁ netuṁ preṣayāmāsa rāvaṇaḥ sītāpralobhanārthāya māyāvinamasambhavam

Ravana had him made into a golden deer, and sent that illusory, unreal creature, for the purpose of luring Sita.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.3.28.28)

सोऽथ हेममृगो भूत्वा सीतादृष्टिपथं गतः । मायावी चातिचित्राङ्गश्चरन्प्रबलमन्तिके

so'tha hemamṛgo bhūtvā sītādṛṣṭipathaṁ gataḥ māyāvī cāticitrāṅgaścaranprabalamantike

He, becoming a golden deer, came into the path of Sita's sight; illusory, of most wondrous form, roaming powerfully nearby.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.3.28.29)

तं दृष्ट्वा जानकी प्राह राघवं दैवनोदिता । चर्मानयस्व कान्तेति स्वाधीनपतिका यथा

taṁ dṛṣṭvā jānakī prāha rāghavaṁ daivanoditā carmānayasva kānteti svādhīnapatikā yathā

Beholding him, Janaki, impelled by fate, said to Raghava — as a wife who commands her husband would — "Bring me its hide, my beloved!"

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.3.28.30)

अविचार्याथ रामोऽपि तत्र संस्थाप्य लक्ष्मणम् । सशरं धनुरादाय ययौ मृगपदानुगः

avicāryātha rāmo'pi tatra saṁsthāpya lakṣmaṇam saśaraṁ dhanurādāya yayau mṛgapadānugaḥ

Then Rama too, without deliberation, having stationed Lakshmana there, taking up his bow with arrow, went following the tracks of the deer.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.3.28.31)

सारङ्गोऽपि हरिं दृष्ट्वा मायाकोटिविशारदः । दृश्यादृश्यो बभूवाथ जगाम च वनान्तरम्

sāraṅgo'pi hariṁ dṛṣṭvā māyākoṭiviśāradaḥ dṛśyādṛśyo babhūvātha jagāma ca vanāntaram

The deer too, seeing Rama, being most skilled in myriad illusions, became now visible, now invisible, and went off into the depths of the forest.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.3.28.32)

मत्वा हस्तगतं रामः क्रोधाकृष्टधनुः पुनः । जघान चातितीक्ष्णेन शरेण कृत्रिमं मृगम्

matvā hastagataṁ rāmaḥ krodhākṛṣṭadhanuḥ punaḥ jaghāna cātitīkṣṇena śareṇa kṛtrimaṁ mṛgam

Thinking him now within reach, Rama, his bow drawn again in anger, slew that artificial deer with an exceedingly sharp arrow.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.3.28.33)

स हतोऽतिबलात्तेन चुक्रोश भृशदुःखितः । हा लक्ष्मण हतोऽस्मीति मायावी नश्वरः खलः

sa hato'tibalāttena cukrośa bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ hā lakṣmaṇa hato'smīti māyāvī naśvaraḥ khalaḥ

Struck by that mighty force, that wicked, illusory, perishing creature cried out in great anguish: "Alas, Lakshmana, I am slain!"

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.3.28.34)

स शब्दस्तुमुलस्तावज्जानक्या संश्रुतस्तदा । राघवस्येति सा मत्वा दीना देवरमब्रवीत्

sa śabdastumulastāvajjānakyā saṁśrutastadā rāghavasyeti sā matvā dīnā devaramabravīt

That tumultuous cry was then heard by Janaki; thinking it to be Raghava's own voice, she, distressed, spoke to her brother-in-law:

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.3.28.35)

गच्छ लक्ष्मण तूर्णं त्वं हतोऽसौ रघुनन्दनः । त्वामाह्वयति सौमित्रे साहाय्यं कुरु सत्वरम्

gaccha lakṣmaṇa tūrṇaṁ tvaṁ hato'sau raghunandanaḥ tvāmāhvayati saumitre sāhāyyaṁ kuru satvaram

"Go quickly, Lakshmana! That descendant of Raghu has been slain! He is calling you, O son of Sumitra — render him aid at once!"

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.3.28.36)

तत्राह लक्ष्मणः सीतामम्ब रामवधादपि । नाहं गच्छेऽद्य मुक्त्वा त्वामसहायामिहाश्रमे

tatrāha lakṣmaṇaḥ sītāmamba rāmavadhādapi nāhaṁ gacche'dya muktvā tvāmasahāyāmihāśrame

Then Lakshmana said to Sita: "O mother, even more than the risk of Rama's death, I shall not now leave you alone, without help, in this hermitage.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.3.28.37)

आज्ञा मे राघवस्यात्र तिष्ठेति जनकात्मजे । तदतिक्रमभीतोऽहं न त्यजामि तवान्तिकम्

ājñā me rāghavasyātra tiṣṭheti janakātmaje tadatikramabhīto'haṁ na tyajāmi tavāntikam

My command from Raghava, O daughter of Janaka, is to remain here; fearing to transgress it, I shall not leave your side.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.3.28.38)

दूरं वै राघवं दृष्ट्वा वने मायाविना किल । त्यक्त्वा त्वां नाधिगच्छामि पदमेकं शुचिस्मिते

dūraṁ vai rāghavaṁ dṛṣṭvā vane māyāvinā kila tyaktvā tvāṁ nādhigacchāmi padamekaṁ śucismite

Even seeing Raghava far off in the forest, deceived by that illusion, I would not go a single step, abandoning you, O one of pure smile.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.3.28.39)

कृरु धैर्यं न मन्येऽद्य रामं हन्तुं क्षमं क्षिप्तौ । नाहं त्यक्त्वा गमिष्यामि विलङ्घ्य रामभाषितम्

kṛru dhairyaṁ na manye'dya rāmaṁ hantuṁ kṣamaṁ kṣiptau nāhaṁ tyaktvā gamiṣyāmi vilaṅghya rāmabhāṣitam

Have patience — I do not think any thrown weapon capable of killing Rama today; I shall not go, abandoning you, transgressing Rama's own word."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.3.28.40)

व्यास उवाच । रुदती सुदती प्राह ते तदा विधिनोदिता । अक्रूरा वचनं क्रूरं लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम्

vyāsa uvāca rudatī sudatī prāha te tadā vidhinoditā akrūrā vacanaṁ krūraṁ lakṣmaṇaṁ śubhalakṣaṇam

Vyasa said: Weeping, that lovely-toothed, gentle woman, impelled by fate, then spoke a harsh word to Lakshmana, of auspicious marks:

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.3.28.41)

अहं जानामि सौमित्रे सानुरागं च मां प्रति । प्रेरितं भरतेनैव मदर्थमिह सङ्गतम्

ahaṁ jānāmi saumitre sānurāgaṁ ca māṁ prati preritaṁ bharatenaiva madarthamiha saṅgatam

"I know, O son of Sumitra, that you harbor a passion toward me, and that you have been sent here by Bharata himself, for my sake, to remain with me.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.3.28.42)

नाहं तथाविधा नारी स्वैरिणी कुहकाधम । मृते रामे पतिं त्वां न कर्तुमिच्छामि कामतः

nāhaṁ tathāvidhā nārī svairiṇī kuhakādhama mṛte rāme patiṁ tvāṁ na kartumicchāmi kāmataḥ

I am not such a woman, wanton, O basest of deceivers! Should Rama die, I have no desire, out of passion, to make you my husband!

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.3.28.43)

नागमिष्यति चेद्रामो जीवितं सन्त्यजाम्यहम् । विना तेन न जीवामि विधुरा दुःखिता भृशम्

nāgamiṣyati cedrāmo jīvitaṁ santyajāmyaham vinā tena na jīvāmi vidhurā duḥkhitā bhṛśam

If Rama does not return, I shall give up my life; without him I cannot live, widowed and utterly grieved.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.3.28.44)

गच्छ वा तिष्ठ सौमित्रे न जानेऽहं तवेप्सितम् । क्व गतं तेऽद्य सौहार्दं ज्येष्ठे धर्मरते किल

gaccha vā tiṣṭha saumitre na jāne'haṁ tavepsitam kva gataṁ te'dya sauhārdaṁ jyeṣṭhe dharmarate kila

Go, or stay, O son of Sumitra — I do not know what you truly desire. Where has your affection for your elder brother, so devoted to dharma, gone today?"

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.3.28.45)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या लक्ष्मणो दीनमानसः । प्रोवाच रुद्धकण्ठस्तु तां तदा जनकात्मजाम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyā lakṣmaṇo dīnamānasaḥ provāca ruddhakaṇṭhastu tāṁ tadā janakātmajām

Hearing her words, Lakshmana, downcast in heart, his throat choked, then spoke to that daughter of Janaka:

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.3.28.46)

किमात्थ क्षितिजे वाक्यं मयि क्रूरतरं किल । किं वदस्यत्यनिष्टं ते भावि जाने धिया ह्यहम्

kimāttha kṣitije vākyaṁ mayi krūrataraṁ kila kiṁ vadasyatyaniṣṭaṁ te bhāvi jāne dhiyā hyaham

"Why do you speak, O daughter of the earth, such most cruel words against me? Why do you say such an unwelcome thing? I know, in my heart, what is truly about to befall."

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.3.28.47)

इत्युक्त्वा निर्ययौ वीरस्तां त्यक्त्वा प्ररुदन्भृशम् । अग्रजस्य ययौ पश्यञ्छोकार्तः पृथिवीपते

ityuktvā niryayau vīrastāṁ tyaktvā prarudanbhṛśam agrajasya yayau paśyañchokārtaḥ pṛthivīpate

Having said this, that hero set out, leaving her, weeping bitterly; grief-stricken, O lord of the earth, he went, looking about, toward his elder brother.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.3.28.48)

गतेऽथ लक्ष्मणे तत्र रावणः कपटाकृतिः । भिक्षुवेषं ततः कृत्वा प्रविवेश तदाश्रमे

gate'tha lakṣmaṇe tatra rāvaṇaḥ kapaṭākṛtiḥ bhikṣuveṣaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā praviveśa tadāśrame

When Lakshmana had gone, Ravana, in deceptive form, then assuming the guise of a mendicant, entered that hermitage.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.3.28.49)

जानकी तं यतिं मत्वा दत्त्वार्घ्यं वन्यमादरात् । भैक्ष्यं समर्पयामास रावणाय दुरात्मने

jānakī taṁ yatiṁ matvā dattvārghyaṁ vanyamādarāt bhaikṣyaṁ samarpayāmāsa rāvaṇāya durātmane

Janaki, taking him for an ascetic, giving him a guest-offering of forest produce with respect, offered alms to the evil-souled Ravana.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.3.28.50)

तां पप्रच्छ स दुष्टात्मा नम्रपूर्वं मृदुस्वरम् । काऽसि पद्मपलाशाक्षि वने चैकाकिनी प्रिये

tāṁ papraccha sa duṣṭātmā namrapūrvaṁ mṛdusvaram kā'si padmapalāśākṣi vane caikākinī priye

That evil-souled one, with feigned humility, in a gentle voice, asked her: "Who are you, O lotus-petal-eyed one, my dear, alone here in the forest?

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.3.28.51)

पिता कस्तेऽथ वामोरु भ्राता कः कः पतिस्तव । मूढेवैकाकिनी चात्र स्थिताऽसि वरवर्णिनि

pitā kaste'tha vāmoru bhrātā kaḥ kaḥ patistava mūḍhevaikākinī cātra sthitā'si varavarṇini

Who is your father, O fair-thighed one, who your brother, who your husband? O lovely one, you stand here alone as though bewildered.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.3.28.52)

निर्जने विपिने किं त्वं सौधार्हा त्वमसि प्रिये । उटजे मुनिपत्नीवद्देवकन्यासमप्रभा

nirjane vipine kiṁ tvaṁ saudhārhā tvamasi priye uṭaje munipatnīvaddevakanyāsamaprabhā

Why are you in this desolate forest, you who deserve a palace, my dear? In a mere hut, like a sage's wife, though you shine like a daughter of the gods?"

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.3.28.53)

व्यास उवाच । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच विदेहजा । दिव्यं दिष्ट्या यतिं ज्ञात्वा मन्दोदर्याः पतिं तदा

vyāsa uvāca iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā pratyuvāca videhajā divyaṁ diṣṭyā yatiṁ jñātvā mandodaryāḥ patiṁ tadā

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of his, the daughter of Videha replied — thinking, by good fortune, that he was a divine ascetic, though he was in truth the husband of Mandodari:

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.3.28.54)

राजा दशरथः श्रीमांश्चत्वारस्तस्य वै सुताः । तेषां ज्येष्ठः पतिर्मेऽस्ति रामनामेति विश्रुतः

rājā daśarathaḥ śrīmāṁścatvārastasya vai sutāḥ teṣāṁ jyeṣṭhaḥ patirme'sti rāmanāmeti viśrutaḥ

"There was the glorious King Dasharatha, who had four sons; the eldest of them is my husband, renowned by the name Rama.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.3.28.55)

विवासितोऽथ कैकेय्या कृते भूपतिना वरे । चतुर्दश समा रामो वसतेऽत्र सलक्ष्मणः

vivāsito'tha kaikeyyā kṛte bhūpatinā vare caturdaśa samā rāmo vasate'tra salakṣmaṇaḥ

Exiled, on account of a boon granted by the king to Kaikeyi, Rama dwells here for fourteen years, together with Lakshmana.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.3.28.56)

जनकस्य सुता चाहं सीतानाम्नीति विश्रुता । भङ्क्त्वा शैवं धनुः कामं रामेणाहं विवाहिता

janakasya sutā cāhaṁ sītānāmnīti viśrutā bhaṅktvā śaivaṁ dhanuḥ kāmaṁ rāmeṇāhaṁ vivāhitā

I am the daughter of Janaka, renowned by the name Sita; having broken Shiva's bow, as desired, I was married by Rama.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.3.28.57)

रामबाहुबलेनात्र वसामो निर्भया वने । काञ्चनं मृगमालोक्य हन्तुं मे निर्गतः पतिः

rāmabāhubalenātra vasāmo nirbhayā vane kāñcanaṁ mṛgamālokya hantuṁ me nirgataḥ patiḥ

By the strength of Rama's arms we dwell here fearlessly in the forest; having seen a golden deer, my husband went out to kill it, at my desire.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.3.28.58)

लक्ष्मणोऽपि पुनः श्रुत्वा रवं भ्रातुर्गतोऽधुना । तयोर्बाहुबलादत्र निर्भयाऽहं वसामि वै

lakṣmaṇo'pi punaḥ śrutvā ravaṁ bhrāturgato'dhunā tayorbāhubalādatra nirbhayā'haṁ vasāmi vai

Lakshmana too, hearing his brother's cry, has now also gone; by the strength of both their arms, I dwell here fearlessly indeed.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.3.28.59)

मयेदं कथितं सर्वं वृत्तान्तं वनवासके । तेऽत्रागत्यार्हणां ते वै करिष्यन्ति यथाविधि

mayedaṁ kathitaṁ sarvaṁ vṛttāntaṁ vanavāsake te'trāgatyārhaṇāṁ te vai kariṣyanti yathāvidhi

I have told you this entire account of our forest-dwelling; when they come here, they will surely honor you duly.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.3.28.60)

यतिर्विष्णुस्वरूपोऽसि तस्मात्त्वं पूजितो मया । आश्रमो विपिने घोरे कृतोऽस्ति रक्षसां कुले

yatirviṣṇusvarūpo'si tasmāttvaṁ pūjito mayā āśramo vipine ghore kṛto'sti rakṣasāṁ kule

An ascetic is of the very form of Vishnu; therefore you have been honored by me. This hermitage has been made in this terrible forest, in a region infested by the race of Rakshasas.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.3.28.61)

तस्मात्त्वां परिपृच्छामि सत्यं ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः । कोऽसि त्रिदण्डिरूपेण विपिने त्वं समागतः

tasmāttvāṁ paripṛcchāmi satyaṁ brūhi mamāgrataḥ ko'si tridaṇḍirūpeṇa vipine tvaṁ samāgataḥ

Therefore I ask you in turn — tell me truly, before me: who are you, who have come to this forest in the form of a triple-staff-bearing ascetic?"

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.3.28.62)

रावण उवाच । लङ्केशोऽहं मरालाक्षि श्रीमान्मन्दोदरीपतिः । त्वत्कृते तु कृतं रूपं मयेत्थं शोभनाकृते

rāvaṇa uvāca laṅkeśo'haṁ marālākṣi śrīmānmandodarīpatiḥ tvatkṛte tu kṛtaṁ rūpaṁ mayetthaṁ śobhanākṛte

Ravana said: "I am the lord of Lanka, O swan-eyed one, the glorious husband of Mandodari; but for your sake, O one of beautiful form, I have assumed this disguise.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.3.28.63)

आगतोऽहं वरारोहे भगिन्या प्रेरितोऽत्र वै । जनस्थाने हतौ श्रुत्वा भ्रातरौ खरदूषणौ

āgato'haṁ varārohe bhaginyā prerito'tra vai janasthāne hatau śrutvā bhrātarau kharadūṣaṇau

I have come here, O lovely one, urged indeed by my sister, upon hearing that my two brothers, Khara and Dushana, were slain in Janasthana.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.3.28.64)

अङ्गीकुरु नृपं मां त्वं त्यक्त्वा तं मानुषं पतिम् । हृतराज्यं गतश्रीकं निर्बलं वनवासिनम्

aṅgīkuru nṛpaṁ māṁ tvaṁ tyaktvā taṁ mānuṣaṁ patim hṛtarājyaṁ gataśrīkaṁ nirbalaṁ vanavāsinam

Accept me, a king, abandoning that mere mortal husband of yours — a man whose kingdom has been stolen, whose glory is gone, powerless, a mere forest-dweller.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.3.28.65)

पट्टराज्ञी भव त्वं मे मन्दोदर्युपरि स्फुटम् । दासोऽस्मि तव तन्वङ्गि स्वामिनी भव भामिनि

paṭṭarājñī bhava tvaṁ me mandodaryupari sphuṭam dāso'smi tava tanvaṅgi svāminī bhava bhāmini

Become my crowned queen, clearly above Mandodari herself; I am your servant, O slender-limbed one — become my mistress, O beautiful one.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.3.28.66)

जेताऽहं लोकपालानां पतामि तव पादयोः । करं गृहाण मेऽद्य त्वं सनाथं कुरु जानकि

jetā'haṁ lokapālānāṁ patāmi tava pādayoḥ karaṁ gṛhāṇa me'dya tvaṁ sanāthaṁ kuru jānaki

I, the conqueror of the guardians of the worlds, fall at your feet; take my hand today, O Janaki, and make me your protected one.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.3.28.67)

पिता ते याचितः पूर्वं मया वै त्वत्कृतेऽबले । जनको मामुवाचेत्थं पणबन्धो मया कृतः

pitā te yācitaḥ pūrvaṁ mayā vai tvatkṛte'bale janako māmuvācetthaṁ paṇabandho mayā kṛtaḥ

Your father was earlier entreated by me indeed, for your sake, O helpless one; Janaka said this to me — that a wager had been set by him.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.3.28.68)

रुद्रचापभयान्नाहं सम्प्राप्तस्तु स्वयंवरे । मनो मे संस्थितं तावन्निमग्नं विरहातुरम्

rudracāpabhayānnāhaṁ samprāptastu svayaṁvare mano me saṁsthitaṁ tāvannimagnaṁ virahāturam

Out of fear of Rudra's bow, I did not come to your svayamvara; my mind has ever since remained fixed on you, sunk, tormented by separation.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.3.28.69)

वनेऽत्र संस्थितां श्रुत्वा पूर्वानुरागमोहितः । आगतोऽस्म्यसितापाङ्गि सफलं कुरु मे श्रमम्

vane'tra saṁsthitāṁ śrutvā pūrvānurāgamohitaḥ āgato'smyasitāpāṅgi saphalaṁ kuru me śramam

Hearing that you were dwelling here in this forest, deluded by my earlier passion, I have come, O dark-eyed one — make my effort fruitful."