Sita's Longing for the Golden Deer

Shloka 1 (aranya.43.1)

सा तम् संप्रेक्ष्य सुश्रोणी कुसुमानि विचिन्वती । हेम राजत वर्णाभ्याम् पार्श्वाभ्याम् उपशोभितम् ॥ 43.1 ॥

sā tam saṃprekṣya suśroṇī kusumāni vicinvatī | hema rājata varṇābhyām pārśvābhyām upaśobhitam || 43.1 ||

She, the slender-waisted Sita, gathering flowers, caught sight of that deer whose two flanks gleamed, one with gold and the other with silver,

Shloka 2 (aranya.43.2)

प्रहृष्टा च अनवद्यान्गी मृष्ट हाटक वर्णिनी । भर्तारम् अपि च आक्रन्द लक्ष्मणम् चैव सायुधम् ॥ 43.2 ॥

prahṛṣṭā ca anavadyāngī mṛṣṭa hāṭaka varṇinī | bhartāram api ca ākranda lakṣmaṇam caiva sāyudham || 43.2 ||

flawless of limb and of a complexion like burnished gold, was overjoyed, and called out both to her husband and to Lakshmana, who stood there armed.

Shloka 3 (aranya.43.3)

आहूय आहूय च पुनः तम् मृगम् साधु वीक्षते । आगच्छ आगच्छ शीघ्रम् वै आर्यपुत्र सह अनुज ॥ 43.3 ॥

āhūya āhūya ca punaḥ tam mṛgam sādhu vīkṣate | āgaccha āgaccha śīghram vai āryaputra saha anuja || 43.3 ||

Calling out to him again and again, she gazed fondly at the deer all the while: "Come, come quickly, noble husband, together with your younger brother!"

Shloka 4 (aranya.43.4)

तया आहूतौ नरव्याघ्रौ वैदेह्या राम लक्ष्मणौ । वीक्षमाणौ तु तम् देशम् तदा ददृशतुः मृगम् ॥ 43.4 ॥

tayā āhūtau naravyāghrau vaidehyā rāma lakṣmaṇau | vīkṣamāṇau tu tam deśam tadā dadṛśatuḥ mṛgam || 43.4 ||

Rama and Lakshmana, those tigers among men, thus summoned by Vaidehi, came scanning that place and then caught sight of the deer.

Shloka 5 (aranya.43.5)

शंकमानः तु तम् दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणो रामम् अब्रवीत् । तम् एव एनम् अहम् मन्ये मारीचम् राक्षसम् मृगम् ॥ 43.5 ॥

śaṃkamānaḥ tu tam dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇo rāmam abravīt | tam eva enam aham manye mārīcam rākṣasam mṛgam || 43.5 ||

But on seeing it, Lakshmana grew suspicious and said to Rama: "I believe this deer to be none other than the demon Maricha.

Shloka 6 (aranya.43.6)

चरन्तो मृगयाम् हृष्टाः पापेन उपाधिना वने । अनेन निहता राम राजानः काम रूपिणा ॥ 43.6 ॥

caranto mṛgayām hṛṣṭāḥ pāpena upādhinā vane | anena nihatā rāma rājānaḥ kāma rūpiṇā || 43.6 ||

Rama, when kings out hunting delightedly roamed this forest, this wicked shape-shifting creature, by his various disguises, has slain many of them.

Shloka 7 (aranya.43.7)

अस्य मायाविदो माया मृग रूपम् इदम् कृतम् । भानुमत् पुरुषव्याघ्र गन्धर्व पुर संनिभम् ॥ 43.7 ॥

asya māyāvido māyā mṛga rūpam idam kṛtam | bhānumat puruṣavyāghra gandharva pura saṃnibham || 43.7 ||

This dazzling deer-form, tiger among men, is the illusion wrought by that master of deception -- no more real than a shimmering city of the Gandharvas.

Shloka 8 (aranya.43.8)

मृगो हि एवम् विधो रत्न विचित्रो न अस्ति राघव । जगत्याम् जगतीनाथ माया एषा हि न संशयः ॥ 43.8 ॥

mṛgo hi evam vidho ratna vicitro na asti rāghava | jagatyām jagatīnātha māyā eṣā hi na saṃśayaḥ || 43.8 ||

No such deer, dappled with the sheen of gems, exists anywhere in this world, Raghava; this, lord of the earth, is truly illusion -- have no doubt of it." So Lakshmana said to Rama.

Shloka 9 (aranya.43.9)

एवम् ब्रुवाणम् काकुत्स्थम् प्रतिवार्य शुचि स्मिता । उवाच सीता संहृष्टा चद्मना हृत चेतना ॥ 43.9 ॥

evam bruvāṇam kākutstham prativārya śuci smitā | uvāca sītā saṃhṛṣṭā cadmanā hṛta cetanā || 43.9 ||

While Lakshmana was speaking thus, Sita -- her heart already stolen by that deception, and quite delighted -- cut him off with a bright smile and spoke.

Shloka 10 (aranya.43.10)

आर्यपुत्र अभिरामो असौ मृगो हरति मे मनः । आनय एनम् महाबाहो क्रीडार्थम् नः भविष्यति ॥ 43.10 ॥

āryaputra abhirāmo asau mṛgo harati me manaḥ | ānaya enam mahābāho krīḍārtham naḥ bhaviṣyati || 43.10 ||

"Noble husband, that lovely deer is stealing my heart; bring it to me, mighty-armed one -- it will be our plaything.

Shloka 11 (aranya.43.11)

इह आश्रम पदे अस्माकम् बहवः पुण्य दर्शनाः । मृगाः चरन्ति सहिताः चमराः सृमराः तथा ॥ 43.11 ॥

iha āśrama pade asmākam bahavaḥ puṇya darśanāḥ | mṛgāḥ caranti sahitāḥ camarāḥ sṛmarāḥ tathā || 43.11 ||

Here at the threshold of our hermitage many lovely-looking creatures move about in herds -- camara deer, and srimara deer besides,

Shloka 12 (aranya.43.12)

ऋक्षाः पृषत संघाः च वानराः किनराः तथा । विचरन्ति महाबाहो रूप श्रेष्ठा महाबलाः ॥ 43.12 ॥

ṛkṣāḥ pṛṣata saṃghāḥ ca vānarāḥ kinarāḥ tathā | vicaranti mahābāho rūpa śreṣṭhā mahābalāḥ || 43.12 ||

and bears, herds of spotted deer, monkeys, and kinnara deer too -- all of splendid form and great strength -- roam about here, mighty-armed one.

Shloka 13 (aranya.43.13)

न च अस्य सदृशो राजन् दृष्ट पूर्वो मृगः मया । तेजसा क्षमया दीप्त्या यथा अयम् मृग सत्तमः ॥ 43.13 ॥

na ca asya sadṛśo rājan dṛṣṭa pūrvo mṛgaḥ mayā | tejasā kṣamayā dīptyā yathā ayam mṛga sattamaḥ || 43.13 ||

But never before, my king, have I seen a deer to equal this one -- in brilliance, in gentleness, in sheer radiance, this is the finest of deer.

Shloka 14 (aranya.43.14)

नाना वर्ण विचित्र अंगो रत्न भूतो मम अग्रतः । द्योतयन् वनम् अव्यग्रम् शोभते शशि संनिभः ॥ 43.14 ॥

nānā varṇa vicitra aṃgo ratna bhūto mama agrataḥ | dyotayan vanam avyagram śobhate śaśi saṃnibhaḥ || 43.14 ||

Its limbs strangely dappled in many hues, as though wrought entirely of gems, it shines here before me, lighting up the forest as serenely as the moon.

Shloka 15 (aranya.43.15)

अहो रूपम् अहो लक्ष्मीः स्वर संपत् च शोभना । मृगो अद्भुतो विचित्रांगो हृदयम् हरति इव मे ॥ 43.15 ॥

aho rūpam aho lakṣmīḥ svara saṃpat ca śobhanā | mṛgo adbhuto vicitrāṃgo hṛdayam harati iva me || 43.15 ||

Ah, what beauty! Ah, what splendour! And how lovely even its cry! This wondrous, strangely-dappled deer seems to steal away my very heart.

Shloka 16 (aranya.43.16)

यदि ग्रहणम् अभ्येति जीवन् एव मृगः तव । आश्चर्य भूतम् भवति विस्मयम् जनयिष्यति ॥ 43.16 ॥

yadi grahaṇam abhyeti jīvan eva mṛgaḥ tava | āścarya bhūtam bhavati vismayam janayiṣyati || 43.16 ||

If this deer should come alive into your hands, it would be a marvel indeed, and would fill everyone with astonishment.

Shloka 17 (aranya.43.17)

समाप्त वन वासानाम् राज्य स्थानाम् च नः पुनः । अंतःपुरे विभूषार्थो मृग एष भविष्यति ॥ 43.17 ॥

samāpta vana vāsānām rājya sthānām ca naḥ punaḥ | aṃtaḥpure vibhūṣārtho mṛga eṣa bhaviṣyati || 43.17 ||

When our time in the forest is done and we are established once more in the kingdom, this deer will become a treasured ornament of the inner chambers.

Shloka 18 (aranya.43.18)

भरतस्य आर्यपुत्रस्य श्वश्रूणाम् मम च प्रभो । मृग रूपम् इदम् दिव्यम् विस्मयम् जनयिष्यति ॥ 43.18 ॥

bharatasya āryaputrasya śvaśrūṇām mama ca prabho | mṛga rūpam idam divyam vismayam janayiṣyati || 43.18 ||

My lord, this deer's wondrous form will delight Bharata, you my noble husband, my mothers-in-law, and me as well.

Shloka 19 (aranya.43.19)

जीवन् न यदि ते अभ्येति ग्रहणम् मृग सत्तमः । अजिनम् नरशार्दूल रुचिरम् तु भविष्यति ॥ 43.19 ॥

jīvan na yadi te abhyeti grahaṇam mṛga sattamaḥ | ajinam naraśārdūla ruciram tu bhaviṣyati || 43.19 ||

And should this excellent deer not fall alive into your hands, tiger among men, its lovely hide at least will be ours.

Shloka 20 (aranya.43.20)

निहतस्य अस्य सत्त्वस्य जांबूनदमय त्वचि । शष्प बृस्याम् विनीतायाम् इच्छामि अहम् उपासितुम् ॥ 43.20 ॥

nihatasya asya sattvasya jāṃbūnadamaya tvaci | śaṣpa bṛsyām vinītāyām icchāmi aham upāsitum || 43.20 ||

Once this creature is slain, I long to sit with you on its golden-hued skin, laid over a bed of soft young grass.

Shloka 21 (aranya.43.21)

कामवृत्तम् इदम् रौद्रम् स्त्रीणाम् असदृशम् मतम् । वपुषा तु अस्य सत्त्वस्य विस्मयो जनितो मम ॥ 43.21 ॥

kāmavṛttam idam raudram strīṇām asadṛśam matam | vapuṣā tu asya sattvasya vismayo janito mama || 43.21 ||

Such headstrong, wilful desire, they say, does not become a woman -- yet the beauty of this creature's body has stirred a longing of wonder in me." Thus Sita spoke, and waited for Rama's answer.

Shloka 22 (aranya.43.22)

तेन कांचन रोम्णा तु मणि प्रवर शृंगिणा । तरुण आदित्य वर्णेन नक्षत्र पथ वर्चसा ॥ 43.22 ॥

tena kāṃcana romṇā tu maṇi pravara śṛṃgiṇā | taruṇa āditya varṇena nakṣatra patha varcasā || 43.22 ||

By its golden coat, its horns like the choicest sapphires, its hue like the young rising sun, and its glow like the star-strewn heavens,

Shloka 23 (aranya.43.23)

बभूव राघवस्य अपि मनो विस्मयम् आगतम् । एवम् सीता वचः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा च मृगम् अद्भुतम् ॥ 43.23 ॥

babhūva rāghavasya api mano vismayam āgatam | evam sītā vacaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā ca mṛgam adbhutam || 43.23 ||

even Raghava's own heart was struck with wonder. So it was that, hearing Sita's words and gazing on that marvelous deer,

Shloka 24 (aranya.43.24)

लोबितः तेन रूपेण सीताया च प्रचोदितः । उवाच राघवो हृष्टो भ्रातरम् लक्ष्मणम् वचः ॥ 43.24 ॥

lobitaḥ tena rūpeṇa sītāyā ca pracoditaḥ | uvāca rāghavo hṛṣṭo bhrātaram lakṣmaṇam vacaḥ || 43.24 ||

lured by its beauty and spurred on by Sita, Raghava, delighted, spoke these words to his brother Lakshmana.

Shloka 25 (aranya.43.25)

पश्य लक्ष्मण वैदेह्याः स्पृहाम् उल्लसिताम् इमाम् । रूप श्रेष्ठतया हि एष मृगो अद्य न भविष्यति ॥ 43.25 ॥

paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehyāḥ spṛhām ullasitām imām | rūpa śreṣṭhatayā hi eṣa mṛgo adya na bhaviṣyati || 43.25 ||

"See, Lakshmana, this eager longing that has lit up Vaidehi. Truly, for beauty of form, no deer like this exists in the world today --

Shloka 26 (aranya.43.26)

न वने नंदनोद्देशे न चैत्ररथ संश्रये । कुतः पृथिव्याम् सौमित्रे यो अस्य कश्चित् समो मृगः ॥ 43.26 ॥

na vane naṃdanoddeśe na caitraratha saṃśraye | kutaḥ pṛthivyām saumitre yo asya kaścit samo mṛgaḥ || 43.26 ||

not in this forest, not in the gardens of Nandana, not even in the groves of Chaitraratha -- where on this earth, Saumitri, could there be any deer to match it?

Shloka 27 (aranya.43.27)

प्रतिलोम अनुलोमाः च रुचिरा रोम राजयः । शोभन्ते मृगम् आश्रित्य चित्राः कनक बिन्दुभिः ॥ 43.27 ॥

pratiloma anulomāḥ ca rucirā roma rājayaḥ | śobhante mṛgam āśritya citrāḥ kanaka bindubhiḥ || 43.27 ||

Its lines of fur, some lying smooth, some against the grain, are so lovely; wondrous golden spots gleam all over the deer's coat.

Shloka 28 (aranya.43.28)

पश्य अस्य जृंभमाणस्य दीप्ताम् अग्नि शिखोपमाम् । जिह्वाम् मुखात् निःसरंतीम् मेघात् इव शत ह्रदाम् ॥ 43.28 ॥

paśya asya jṛṃbhamāṇasya dīptām agni śikhopamām | jihvām mukhāt niḥsaraṃtīm meghāt iva śata hradām || 43.28 ||

Look, as it yawns, how its tongue flickers out from its mouth, glowing like a tongue of fire, like lightning flashing out from a cloud.

Shloka 29 (aranya.43.29)

मसार गल्वर्क मुखः शंख मुक्ता निभ उदरः । कस्य नाम अनिरूप्यः असौ न मनो लोभयेत् मृगः ॥ 43.29 ॥

masāra galvarka mukhaḥ śaṃkha muktā nibha udaraḥ | kasya nāma anirūpyaḥ asau na mano lobhayet mṛgaḥ || 43.29 ||

Its face like a goblet of sapphire, its belly gleaming like conch-shell and pearl -- whose heart would this deer of indescribable beauty fail to entice?

Shloka 30 (aranya.43.30)

कस्य रूपम् इदम् दृष्ट्वा जांबूनदमय प्रभम् । नाना रत्नमयम् दिव्यम् न मनो विस्मयम् व्रजेत् ॥ 43.30 ॥

kasya rūpam idam dṛṣṭvā jāṃbūnadamaya prabham | nānā ratnamayam divyam na mano vismayam vrajet || 43.30 ||

Seeing this form of golden radiance, seemingly divine and wrought of every kind of gem, whose mind would not be seized by wonder?

Shloka 31 (aranya.43.31)

मांस हेतोः अपि मृगान् विहारार्थम् च धन्विनः । घ्नन्ति लक्ष्मण राजानो मृगयायाम् महावने ॥ 43.31 ॥

māṃsa hetoḥ api mṛgān vihārārtham ca dhanvinaḥ | ghnanti lakṣmaṇa rājāno mṛgayāyām mahāvane || 43.31 ||

Lakshmana, in the great forests, archer-kings on the hunt kill deer either for their flesh or simply for the sport of it.

Shloka 32 (aranya.43.32)

धनानि व्यवसायेन विचीयन्ते महावने । धातवो विविधाः च अपि मणि रत्न सुवर्णिनः ॥ 43.32 ॥

dhanāni vyavasāyena vicīyante mahāvane | dhātavo vividhāḥ ca api maṇi ratna suvarṇinaḥ || 43.32 ||

It is by such effort, too, that men gather the riches of great forests -- ores of every kind, jewels, gems, and gold-bearing earth.

Shloka 33 (aranya.43.33)

तत् सारम् अखिलम् नॄणाम् धनम् निचय वर्धनम् । मनसा चिन्तितम् सर्वम् यथा शुक्रस्य लक्ष्मण ॥ 43.33 ॥

tat sāram akhilam nṝṇām dhanam nicaya vardhanam | manasā cintitam sarvam yathā śukrasya lakṣmaṇa || 43.33 ||

All of that finest wealth, Lakshmana, goes to swell the treasuries of men, just as everything merely thought of fills the treasury of Shukra.

Shloka 34 (aranya.43.34)

अर्थी येन अर्थ कृत्येन संव्रजति अविचारयन् । तम् अर्थम् अर्थ शास्त्रज्ञः प्राहुः अर्थ्याः च लक्ष्मण ॥ 43.34 ॥

arthī yena artha kṛtyena saṃvrajati avicārayan | tam artham artha śāstrajñaḥ prāhuḥ arthyāḥ ca lakṣmaṇa || 43.34 ||

Lakshmana, that goal which a seeker of gain pursues unhesitatingly through worthwhile effort -- that alone is what the masters of statecraft, and prosperous men themselves, call true wealth.

Shloka 35 (aranya.43.35)

एतस्य मृग रत्नस्य परार्ध्ये कांचन त्वचि । उपवेक्ष्यति वैदेही मया सह सुमध्यमा ॥ 43.35 ॥

etasya mṛga ratnasya parārdhye kāṃcana tvaci | upavekṣyati vaidehī mayā saha sumadhyamā || 43.35 ||

On the priceless, golden skin of this jewel among deer, the slender-waisted Vaidehi shall sit down together with me.

Shloka 36 (aranya.43.36)

न कादली न प्रियकी न प्रवेणी न च अविकी । भवेत् एतस्य सदृशी स्पर्शनेन इति मे मतिः ॥ 43.36 ॥

na kādalī na priyakī na praveṇī na ca avikī | bhavet etasya sadṛśī sparśanena iti me matiḥ || 43.36 ||

Not the skin of the Kadali deer, nor of the Priyaki, nor the Praveni, nor even the finest sheepskin, could match this one for softness of touch, or so I believe.

Shloka 37 (aranya.43.37)

एष चैव मृगः श्रीमान् यः च दिव्यो नभः चरः । उभौ एतौ मृगौ दिव्यौ तारामृग महीमृगौ ॥ 43.37 ॥

eṣa caiva mṛgaḥ śrīmān yaḥ ca divyo nabhaḥ caraḥ | ubhau etau mṛgau divyau tārāmṛga mahīmṛgau || 43.37 ||

This magnificent deer here on earth, and that divine one which moves across the sky -- these two alone are the divine deer, one among the stars, one upon the earth.

Shloka 38 (aranya.43.38)

यदि वा अयम् तथा यत् माम् भवेत् वदसि लक्ष्मण । माया एषा राक्षसस्य इति कर्तव्यो अस्य वधो मया ॥ 43.38 ॥

yadi vā ayam tathā yat mām bhavet vadasi lakṣmaṇa | māyā eṣā rākṣasasya iti kartavyo asya vadho mayā || 43.38 ||

"But even if it should turn out, Lakshmana, exactly as you say -- that this is some demon's illusion -- then to slay it becomes my duty.

Shloka 39 (aranya.43.39)

एतेन हि नृशंसेन मारीचेन अकृत आत्मना । वने विचरता पूर्वम् हिंसिता मुनि पुंगवाः ॥ 43.39 ॥

etena hi nṛśaṃsena mārīcena akṛta ātmanā | vane vicaratā pūrvam hiṃsitā muni puṃgavāḥ || 43.39 ||

For this cruel and vile-hearted Maricha, roaming these forests in times past, has tormented the foremost among sages.

Shloka 40 (aranya.43.40)

उत्थाय बहवो अनेन मृगयायाम् जनाधिपाः । निहताः परम इष्वासाः तस्मात् वध्यः तु अयम् मृगः ॥ 43.40 ॥

utthāya bahavo anena mṛgayāyām janādhipāḥ | nihatāḥ parama iṣvāsāḥ tasmāt vadhyaḥ tu ayam mṛgaḥ || 43.40 ||

Rising up against them in their hunting-grounds, he has slain many a king who was a master archer; for that reason alone this creature deserves to die.

Shloka 41 (aranya.43.41)

पुरस्तात् इह वातापिः परिभूय तपस्विनः । उदरस्थो द्विजान् हन्ति स्व गर्भो अश्वतरीम् इव ॥ 43.41 ॥

purastāt iha vātāpiḥ paribhūya tapasvinaḥ | udarastho dvijān hanti sva garbho aśvatarīm iva || 43.41 ||

"Long ago, here, the demon Vatapi held ascetics in contempt, and would slay Brahmins from inside their very bellies, just as a mule-foal at birth destroys the womb of its own mother.

Shloka 42 (aranya.43.42)

स कदाचित् चिरात् लोभात् आससाद महामुनिम् । अगस्त्यम् तेजसा युक्तम् भक्ष्यः तस्य बभूव ह ॥ 43.42 ॥

sa kadācit cirāt lobhāt āsasāda mahāmunim | agastyam tejasā yuktam bhakṣyaḥ tasya babhūva ha || 43.42 ||

Once, after a long while, out of sheer greed, he came upon the great and radiant sage Agastya -- and it was Vatapi himself who ended up as the sage's meal.

Shloka 43 (aranya.43.43)

समुत्थाने च तत् रूपम् कर्तु कामम् समीक्ष्य तम् । उत्स्मयित्वा तु भगवान् वातापिम् इदम् अब्रवीत् ॥ 43.43 ॥

samutthāne ca tat rūpam kartu kāmam samīkṣya tam | utsmayitvā tu bhagavān vātāpim idam abravīt || 43.43 ||

And when Vatapi, inside him, sought to resume his true form so as to burst forth again, the venerable sage, observing this, smiled scornfully and spoke to him thus:

Shloka 44 (aranya.43.44)

त्वया अविगण्य वातापे परिभूताः च तेजसा । जीव लोके द्विज श्रेष्ठाः तस्मात् असि जराम् गतः ॥ 43.44 ॥

tvayā avigaṇya vātāpe paribhūtāḥ ca tejasā | jīva loke dvija śreṣṭhāḥ tasmāt asi jarām gataḥ || 43.44 ||

"Vatapi, without a thought you destroyed by your power the finest of Brahmins in this world of the living; for that, you have now gone the way of digestion."

Shloka 45 (aranya.43.45)

तत् एतत् न भवेत् रक्षो वातापिः इव लक्ष्मण । मत् विधम् यो अतिमन्येत धर्म नित्यम् जितेन्द्रियम् ॥ 43.45 ॥

tat etat na bhavet rakṣo vātāpiḥ iva lakṣmaṇa | mat vidham yo atimanyeta dharma nityam jitendriyam || 43.45 ||

"So too, Lakshmana, will this demon meet the fate of Vatapi, should it dare to defy one such as me -- ever devoted to righteousness, and master of my own senses.

Shloka 46 (aranya.43.46)

भवेत् हतो अयम् वातापिः अगस्त्येन इव मा गतः । इह त्वम् भव संनद्धो यंत्रितो रक्ष मैथिलीम् ॥ 43.46 ॥

bhavet hato ayam vātāpiḥ agastyena iva mā gataḥ | iha tvam bhava saṃnaddho yaṃtrito rakṣa maithilīm || 43.46 ||

It will be destroyed just as Vatapi was by Agastya, should it come against me. Now, remain here fully armed, and guard Maithili with unwavering attention.

Shloka 47 (aranya.43.47)

अस्याम् आयत्तम् अस्माकम् यत् कृत्यम् रघुनंदन । अहम् एनम् वधिष्यामि ग्रहीष्यामि अथवा मृगम् ॥ 43.47 ॥

asyām āyattam asmākam yat kṛtyam raghunaṃdana | aham enam vadhiṣyāmi grahīṣyāmi athavā mṛgam || 43.47 ||

Descendant of Raghu, whatever purpose we have here depends upon her safety. As for this deer, I shall either capture it, or else kill it.

Shloka 48 (aranya.43.48)

यावत् गच्छामि सौमित्रे मृगम् आनयितुम् द्रुतम् । पश्य लक्ष्मण वैदेहीम् मृग त्वचि गताम् स्पृहाम् ॥ 43.48 ॥

yāvat gacchāmi saumitre mṛgam ānayitum drutam | paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehīm mṛga tvaci gatām spṛhām || 43.48 ||

I go now, Saumitri, to fetch that deer swiftly. See, Lakshmana, how completely Vaidehi's heart is set upon its skin.

Shloka 49 (aranya.43.49)

त्वचा प्रधानया हि एष मृगो अद्य न भविष्यति । अप्रमत्तेन ते भाव्यम् आश्रमस्थेन सीतया ॥ 43.49 ॥

tvacā pradhānayā hi eṣa mṛgo adya na bhaviṣyati | apramattena te bhāvyam āśramasthena sītayā || 43.49 ||

Truly, because of that remarkable skin, this deer will not live out the day. You must remain watchful, staying here at the hermitage with Sita.

Shloka 50 (aranya.43.50)

यावत् पृषतम् एकेन सायकेन निहन्मि अहम् । हत्वा एतत् चर्म च आदाय शीघ्रम् एष्यामि लक्ष्मण ॥ 43.50 ॥

yāvat pṛṣatam ekena sāyakena nihanmi aham | hatvā etat carma ca ādāya śīghram eṣyāmi lakṣmaṇa || 43.50 ||

The instant I bring down this spotted deer with a single arrow, I shall take its hide and hurry straight back, Lakshmana.

Shloka 51 (aranya.43.51)

प्रदक्षिणेन अतिबलेन पक्षिणा । जटायुषा बुद्धिमता च लक्ष्मण । भव अप्रमत्तः प्रतिगृह्य मैथिलीम् । प्रति क्षणम् सर्वत एव शन्कितः ॥ 43.51 ॥

pradakṣiṇena atibalena pakṣiṇā | jaṭāyuṣā buddhimatā ca lakṣmaṇa | bhava apramattaḥ pratigṛhya maithilīm | prati kṣaṇam sarvata eva śankitaḥ || 43.51 ||

"With the loyal, mighty, and wise bird Jatayu at your side, Lakshmana, take Maithili into your charge, and remain watchful, suspicious of everything, every moment." So spoke Rama, and set off after the deer.