Rambha and the Curse of Nalakubara

Shloka 1 (uttara.26.1)

स तु तत्र दशग्रीवः सह सैन्येन वीर्यवान्। अस्तं प्राप्ते दिनकरे निवासं समरोचयत् ॥ 26.1 ॥

sa tu tatra daśagrīvaḥ saha sainyena vīryavān| astaṃ prāpte dinakare nivāsaṃ samarocayat || 26.1 ||

There, the mighty ten-necked one, together with his army, decided to make camp as the sun reached its setting.

Shloka 2 (uttara.26.2)

उदिते विमले चन्द्रे तुल्यपर्वतवर्चसि। प्रसुप्तं सुमहत्सैन्यं नानाप्रहरणायुधम् ॥ 26.2 ॥

udite vimale candre tulyaparvatavarcasi| prasuptaṃ sumahatsainyaṃ nānāpraharaṇāyudham || 26.2 ||

When the stainless moon rose, its splendour like a mountain's, his vast army, armed with weapons of every kind, lay asleep.

Shloka 3 (uttara.26.3)

रावणस्तु महावीर्यो निषण्णः शैलमूर्धनि। स ददर्श गुणांस्तत्र चन्द्रपादोपशोभितान् ॥ 26.3 ॥

rāvaṇastu mahāvīryo niṣaṇṇaḥ śailamūrdhani| sa dadarśa guṇāṃstatra candrapādopaśobhitān || 26.3 ||

Ravana of great valour, seated upon the mountain's summit, beheld there its beauties, adorned by the rays of the moon.

Shloka 4 (uttara.26.4)

कर्णिकारवनैर्दीप्तैः कदम्बगहनैस्तथा। पद्मिनीभिश्च फुल्लाभिर्मन्दाकिन्या जलैरपि ॥ 26.4 ॥

karṇikāravanairdīptaiḥ kadambagahanaistathā| padminībhiśca phullābhirmandākinyā jalairapi || 26.4 ||

With its blazing groves of karnikara trees, its dense thickets of kadamba, its blooming lotus-beds, and the very waters of the Mandakini —

Shloka 5 (uttara.26.5)

चम्पकाशोकपुन्नागमन्दारतरुभिस्तथा। चूतपाटललोध्रैश्च प्रियङ्ग्वर्जुनकेतकैः। तगरैर्नारिकैलैश्च प्रियालपनसैस्तथा ॥ 26.5 ॥

campakāśokapunnāgamandāratarubhistathā| cūtapāṭalalodhraiśca priyaṅgvarjunaketakaiḥ| tagarairnārikailaiśca priyālapanasaistathā || 26.5 ||

with campaka, ashoka, punnaga and mandara trees, with mango, patala and lodhra, with priyangu, arjuna and ketaki, with tagara, nutmeg, priyala and jackfruit trees as well —

Shloka 6 (uttara.26.6)

आरग्वधैस्तमालैश्च प्रियालवकुलैरपि। एतैरन्यैश्च तरुभिरुद्भासितवनान्तरे। किन्नरा मदनेनार्ता रक्ता मधुरकण्ठिनः ॥ 26.6 ॥

āragvadhaistamālaiśca priyālavakulairapi| etairanyaiśca tarubhirudbhāsitavanāntare| kinnarā madanenārtā raktā madhurakaṇṭhinaḥ || 26.6 ||

with amaltas and tamala trees, with priyala and bakula too, and with these and other trees the heart of the forest gleamed, where the kinnaras, love-stricken, passionate, sweet of voice,

Shloka 7 (uttara.26.7)

समं सम्प्रजगुर्यत्र मनस्तुष्टिविवर्धनम् ॥ 26.7 ॥

samaṃ samprajaguryatra manastuṣṭivivardhanam || 26.7 ||

sang together in that place, a song that increased the delight of the mind.

Shloka 8 (uttara.26.8)

विद्याधरा मदक्षीबा मदरक्तान्तलोचनाः। योषिद्भिः सह सङ्क्रान्ताश्चिक्रीडुर्जहृषुश्च वै ॥ 26.8 ॥

vidyādharā madakṣībā madaraktāntalocanāḥ| yoṣidbhiḥ saha saṅkrāntāścikrīḍurjahṛṣuśca vai || 26.8 ||

The vidyadharas, intoxicated with passion, their eyes reddened at the corners with intoxication, mingling there with their women, sported and rejoiced.

Shloka 9 (uttara.26.9)

घण्टानामिव सन्नादः शुश्रुवे मधुरस्वरः। अप्सरोगणसङ्घानां गायतां धनदालये ॥ 26.9 ॥

ghaṇṭānāmiva sannādaḥ śuśruve madhurasvaraḥ| apsarogaṇasaṅghānāṃ gāyatāṃ dhanadālaye || 26.9 ||

A sweet sound, like the ringing of bells, was heard there, of the throngs of apsaras singing in Kubera's abode.

Shloka 10 (uttara.26.10)

पुष्पवर्षाणि मुञ्चन्तो नगाः पवनताडिताः। शैलं तं वासयन्तीव मधुमाधवगन्धिनः ॥ 26.10 ॥

puṣpavarṣāṇi muñcanto nagāḥ pavanatāḍitāḥ| śailaṃ taṃ vāsayantīva madhumādhavagandhinaḥ || 26.10 ||

The trees, struck by the wind, shed showers of blossoms, and, fragrant with the scent of spring's honey, seemed to perfume that whole mountain.

Shloka 11 (uttara.26.11)

मधुपुष्परजःपृक्तं गन्धमादाय पुष्कलम्। प्रववौ वर्धयन्कामं रावणस्य सुखो ऽनिलः ॥ 26.11 ॥

madhupuṣparajaḥpṛktaṃ gandhamādāya puṣkalam| pravavau vardhayankāmaṃ rāvaṇasya sukho 'nilaḥ || 26.11 ||

A pleasant breeze blew, carrying the abundant fragrance mingled with the pollen of honeyed flowers, kindling desire in Ravana.

Shloka 12 (uttara.26.12)

गेयात्पुष्पसमृद्ध्या च शैत्याद्वायोर्गिरेर्गुणात्। प्रवृत्तायां रजन्यां च चन्द्रस्योदयनेन च ॥ 26.12 ॥

geyātpuṣpasamṛddhyā ca śaityādvāyorgirerguṇāt| pravṛttāyāṃ rajanyāṃ ca candrasyodayanena ca || 26.12 ||

From the singing, from the abundance of flowers, from the coolness and virtue of the mountain breeze, and with the night now advanced and the moon risen —

Shloka 13 (uttara.26.13)

रावणस्तु महावीर्यः कामस्य वशमागतः। विनिःश्वस्य विनिःश्वस्य शशिनं समवैक्षत ॥ 26.13 ॥

rāvaṇastu mahāvīryaḥ kāmasya vaśamāgataḥ| viniḥśvasya viniḥśvasya śaśinaṃ samavaikṣata || 26.13 ||

Ravana of great might, overcome by desire, sighing again and again, gazed at the moon.

Shloka 14 (uttara.26.14)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र दिव्याभरणभूषिता। सर्वाप्सरोवरा रम्भा दिव्यपुष्पविभूषिता ॥ 26.14 ॥

etasminnantare tatra divyābharaṇabhūṣitā| sarvāpsarovarā rambhā divyapuṣpavibhūṣitā || 26.14 ||

Just then, Rambha, the foremost of all apsaras, adorned with celestial ornaments and decked in heavenly flowers, appeared there.

Shloka 15 (uttara.26.15)

दिव्यचन्दनलिप्ताङ्गी मन्दारकृतमूर्धजा। दिव्योत्सवकृतारम्भा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना ॥ 26.15 ॥

divyacandanaliptāṅgī mandārakṛtamūrdhajā| divyotsavakṛtārambhā pūrṇacandranibhānanā || 26.15 ||

Her limbs anointed with heavenly sandal-paste, her hair dressed with mandara blossoms, she had set out for a celestial festival, her face like the full moon.

Shloka 16 (uttara.26.16)

चक्षुर्मनोहरं पीनं मेखलादामभूषितम्। समुद्वहन्ती जघनं रतिप्राभृतमुत्तमम् ॥ 26.16 ॥

cakṣurmanoharaṃ pīnaṃ mekhalādāmabhūṣitam| samudvahantī jaghanaṃ ratiprābhṛtamuttamam || 26.16 ||

She bore her full hips, delightful to the eye and adorned with a jewelled girdle — hips that were themselves love's supreme offering.

Shloka 17 (uttara.26.17)

कृतैर्विशेषकैरार्द्रैः षडर्तुकुसुमोद्भवैः ॥ 26.17 ॥

kṛtairviśeṣakairārdraiḥ ṣaḍartukusumodbhavaiḥ || 26.17 ||

adorned with fresh forehead-markings made from the flowers born of all six seasons —

Shloka 18 (uttara.26.18)

बभावन्यतमेव श्रीकान्तिद्युतिमतिह्रियाम्। नीलं सतोयमेघाभं वस्त्रं समवकुण्ठिता ॥ 26.18 ॥

babhāvanyatameva śrīkāntidyutimatihriyām| nīlaṃ satoyameghābhaṃ vastraṃ samavakuṇṭhitā || 26.18 ||

she shone with a beauty and radiance that outshone even modesty itself, wrapped as she was in a blue garment like a rain-laden cloud.

Shloka 19 (uttara.26.19)

यस्या वक्त्रं शशिनिभं भ्रुवौ चापनिभे शुभे। ऊरू करिकराकारौ करौ पल्लवकोमलौ। सैन्यमध्येन गच्छन्ती रावणेनोपवीक्षिता ॥ 26.19 ॥

yasyā vaktraṃ śaśinibhaṃ bhruvau cāpanibhe śubhe| ūrū karikarākārau karau pallavakomalau| sainyamadhyena gacchantī rāvaṇenopavīkṣitā || 26.19 ||

Her face was like the moon, her lovely brows like bows, her thighs shaped like an elephant's trunk, her hands soft as young shoots — as she passed through the midst of the army, Ravana caught sight of her.

Shloka 20 (uttara.26.20)

तां समुत्थाय गच्छन्तीं कामबाणवशं गतः। करे गृहीत्वा लज्जन्तीं स्मयमानो ऽभ्यभाषत ॥ 26.20 ॥

tāṃ samutthāya gacchantīṃ kāmabāṇavaśaṃ gataḥ| kare gṛhītvā lajjantīṃ smayamāno 'bhyabhāṣata || 26.20 ||

Rising up and overcome by the arrow of desire, he seized by the hand that bashful woman as she walked, and, smiling, addressed her.

Shloka 21 (uttara.26.21)

क्व गच्छसि वरारोहे कां सिद्धिं भजसे स्वयम्। कस्याभ्युदयकालो ऽयं यस्त्वां समुपभोक्ष्यते ॥ 26.21 ॥

kva gacchasi varārohe kāṃ siddhiṃ bhajase svayam| kasyābhyudayakālo 'yaṃ yastvāṃ samupabhokṣyate || 26.21 ||

"Where are you going, lovely one? What success do you seek for yourself? Whose fortunate hour is this, that he shall enjoy you?

Shloka 22 (uttara.26.22)

त्वदाननरसस्याद्य पद्मोत्पलसुगन्धिनः। सुधामृतरसस्येव को ऽद्य तृप्तिं गमिष्यति ॥ 26.22 ॥

tvadānanarasasyādya padmotpalasugandhinaḥ| sudhāmṛtarasasyeva ko 'dya tṛptiṃ gamiṣyati || 26.22 ||

Who today will attain his fill of the nectar of your face, fragrant as lotus and lily, sweet as the very essence of ambrosia?

Shloka 23 (uttara.26.23)

स्वर्णकुम्भनिभौ पीनौ शुभौ भीरु निरन्तरौ। कस्योरस्थलसंस्पर्शं दास्यतस्ते कुचाविमौ ॥ 26.23 ॥

svarṇakumbhanibhau pīnau śubhau bhīru nirantarau| kasyorasthalasaṃsparśaṃ dāsyataste kucāvimau || 26.23 ||

O timid one, these two full, lovely breasts of yours, like golden pitchers, pressed close together — to whose chest will they give their touch?

Shloka 24 (uttara.26.24)

सुवर्णचक्रप्रतिमं स्वर्णदामचितं पृथु। अध्यारोहति कस्ते ऽद्य जघनं स्वर्गरूपिणम् ॥ 26.24 ॥

suvarṇacakrapratimaṃ svarṇadāmacitaṃ pṛthu| adhyārohati kaste 'dya jaghanaṃ svargarūpiṇam || 26.24 ||

Who is it that will today mount your broad hips — like a wheel of gold, strung with golden garlands, the very shape of heaven itself?

Shloka 25 (uttara.26.25)

मद्विशिष्टः पुमान्को ऽद्य शक्रो विष्णुरथाश्विनौ। मामतीत्य हि यं च त्वं यासि भीरु न शोभनम् ॥ 26.25 ॥

madviśiṣṭaḥ pumānko 'dya śakro viṣṇurathāśvinau| māmatītya hi yaṃ ca tvaṃ yāsi bhīru na śobhanam || 26.25 ||

What man is superior to me — is it Indra, Vishnu, or the Ashvins? It is not fitting, O timid one, that you should pass me by to go to another."

Shloka 26 (uttara.26.26)

विश्रम त्वं पृथुश्रोणि शिलातलमिदं शुभम् ॥ 26.26 ॥

viśrama tvaṃ pṛthuśroṇi śilātalamidaṃ śubham || 26.26 ||

"Rest yourself, broad-hipped one, upon this fair rock's surface.

Shloka 27 (uttara.26.27)

त्रैलोक्ये यः प्रभुश्चैव मदन्यो नैव विद्यते ॥ 26.27 ॥

trailokye yaḥ prabhuścaiva madanyo naiva vidyate || 26.27 ||

For there exists no lord of the three worlds other than myself.

Shloka 28 (uttara.26.28)

तदेवं प्राञ्जलिः प्रह्वो याचते त्वां दशाननः। भर्तुर्भर्ता विधाता च त्रैलोक्यस्य भजस्व माम् ॥ 26.28 ॥

tadevaṃ prāñjaliḥ prahvo yācate tvāṃ daśānanaḥ| bharturbhartā vidhātā ca trailokyasya bhajasva mām || 26.28 ||

Thus, ten-headed Ravana, palms joined, bowing low, entreats you — I, who am lord over lords, the very disposer of the three worlds; do you accept me."

Shloka 29 (uttara.26.29)

एवमुक्ता ऽब्रवीद्रम्भा वेपमाना कृताञ्जलिः। प्रसीद नार्हसे वक्तुमीदृशं त्वं हि मे गुरुः ॥ 26.29 ॥

evamuktā 'bravīdrambhā vepamānā kṛtāñjaliḥ| prasīda nārhase vaktumīdṛśaṃ tvaṃ hi me guruḥ || 26.29 ||

Thus addressed, Rambha, trembling, with joined palms, replied: "Be gracious! It is not fitting for you to speak so, for you are indeed my elder.

Shloka 30 (uttara.26.30)

अन्येभ्यो हि त्वया रक्ष्या प्राप्नुयां धर्षणं यदि। तद्धर्मतः स्नुषा ते ऽहं तत्त्वमेव ब्रवीमि ते ॥ 26.30 ॥

anyebhyo hi tvayā rakṣyā prāpnuyāṃ dharṣaṇaṃ yadi| taddharmataḥ snuṣā te 'haṃ tattvameva bravīmi te || 26.30 ||

It is by you that I should be protected from others, should violation befall me — for by dharma I am your daughter-in-law; this very truth I tell you.

Shloka 31 (uttara.26.31)

अथाब्रवीद्दशग्रीवश्चरणाधोमुखीं स्थिताम्। रोमहर्षमनुप्राप्तां दृष्टमात्रेण तां तदा ॥ 26.31 ॥

athābravīddaśagrīvaścaraṇādhomukhīṃ sthitām| romaharṣamanuprāptāṃ dṛṣṭamātreṇa tāṃ tadā || 26.31 ||

Then, seeing her standing there with face bowed to his feet, her body thrilling with fear at the mere sight of him, ten-necked Ravana said —

Shloka 32 (uttara.26.32)

सुतस्य यदि मे भार्या ततस्त्वं हि स्नुषा भवेः। बाढमित्येव सा रम्भा प्राह रावणमुत्तरम् ॥ 26.32 ॥

sutasya yadi me bhāryā tatastvaṃ hi snuṣā bhaveḥ| bāḍhamityeva sā rambhā prāha rāvaṇamuttaram || 26.32 ||

"If you are the wife of my son, then indeed you would be my daughter-in-law." "So be it," Rambha replied, giving this answer to Ravana.

Shloka 33 (uttara.26.33)

धर्मतस्ते सुतस्याहं भार्या राक्षसपुङ्गव। पुत्रः प्रियतरः प्राणैर्भ्रातुर्वैश्रवणस्य ते। विख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु नलकूबर इत्ययम् ॥ 26.33 ॥

dharmataste sutasyāhaṃ bhāryā rākṣasapuṅgava| putraḥ priyataraḥ prāṇairbhrāturvaiśravaṇasya te| vikhyātastriṣu lokeṣu nalakūbara ityayam || 26.33 ||

"O bull among rakshasas, by dharma I am the wife of your son — dearer than life itself to your brother Vaishravana's son, known in all three worlds as Nalakubara.

Shloka 34 (uttara.26.34)

धर्मतो यो भवेद्विप्रः क्षत्रियो वीर्यतो भवेत्। क्रोधाद्यश्च भवेदग्निः क्षान्त्या च वसुधासमः ॥ 26.34 ॥

dharmato yo bhavedvipraḥ kṣatriyo vīryato bhavet| krodhādyaśca bhavedagniḥ kṣāntyā ca vasudhāsamaḥ || 26.34 ||

He who by righteousness is a brahmin, by valour a kshatriya, who in anger becomes fire itself, and in forbearance is equal to the earth —

Shloka 35 (uttara.26.35)

तस्यास्मि कृतसङ्केता लोकपालसुतस्य वै। तमुद्दिश्य तु मे सर्वं विभूषणमिदं कृतम् ॥ 26.35 ॥

tasyāsmi kṛtasaṅketā lokapālasutasya vai| tamuddiśya tu me sarvaṃ vibhūṣaṇamidaṃ kṛtam || 26.35 ||

to him, that guardian-of-the-world's son, I stand pledged; and it is for him that all this adornment of mine has been made.

Shloka 36 (uttara.26.36)

तथा तस्य हि नान्यस्य भावो मां प्रति तिष्ठति ॥ 26.36 ॥

tathā tasya hi nānyasya bhāvo māṃ prati tiṣṭhati || 26.36 ||

Thus my heart is fixed toward him alone, toward no other.

Shloka 37 (uttara.26.37)

तेन सत्येन मां राजन्मोक्तुमर्हस्यरिन्दम ॥ 26.37 ॥

tena satyena māṃ rājanmoktumarhasyarindama || 26.37 ||

By this truth, O king, tormentor of foes, you ought to release me.

Shloka 38 (uttara.26.38)

स हि तिष्ठति धर्मात्मा मां प्रतीक्ष्य समुत्सुकः। तत्र विघ्नं सुतस्येह कर्तुं नार्हसि मुञ्च माम् ॥ 26.38 ॥

sa hi tiṣṭhati dharmātmā māṃ pratīkṣya samutsukaḥ| tatra vighnaṃ sutasyeha kartuṃ nārhasi muñca mām || 26.38 ||

For that righteous soul waits there, eager, expecting me; you ought not create this obstacle for your own son — release me!

Shloka 39 (uttara.26.39)

सद्भिराचरितं मार्गं गच्छ राक्षसपुङ्गव। माननीयो मम त्वं हि पालनीया तथा ऽस्मि ते ॥ 26.39 ॥

sadbhirācaritaṃ mārgaṃ gaccha rākṣasapuṅgava| mānanīyo mama tvaṃ hi pālanīyā tathā 'smi te || 26.39 ||

Follow the path trodden by the virtuous, O bull among rakshasas; you are indeed to be honoured by me, just as I am to be protected by you."

Shloka 40 (uttara.26.40)

एवमुक्तो दशग्रीवः प्रत्युवाच विनीतवत्। स्नुषा ऽस्मि यदवोचस्त्वमेकपत्नीष्वयं क्रमः। देवलोकस्थितिरियं सुराणां शाश्वती मता ॥ 26.40 ॥

evamukto daśagrīvaḥ pratyuvāca vinītavat| snuṣā 'smi yadavocastvamekapatnīṣvayaṃ kramaḥ| devalokasthitiriyaṃ surāṇāṃ śāśvatī matā || 26.40 ||

Thus addressed, ten-necked Ravana replied, as though deferentially: "This rule of yours — 'I am your daughter-in-law' — that would hold among women bound to a single husband. Among the gods, this order of things is not held to be the eternal custom.

Shloka 41 (uttara.26.41)

पतिरप्सरसां नास्ति न चैकस्त्रीपरिग्रहः ॥ 26.41 ॥

patirapsarasāṃ nāsti na caikastrīparigrahaḥ || 26.41 ||

The apsaras have no fixed husband, nor is any single woman held as another's sole possession."

Shloka 42 (uttara.26.42)

एवमुक्त्वा स तां रक्षो निवेश्य च शिलातले। कामभोगाभिसंसक्तो मैथुनायोपचक्रमे ॥ 26.42 ॥

evamuktvā sa tāṃ rakṣo niveśya ca śilātale| kāmabhogābhisaṃsakto maithunāyopacakrame || 26.42 ||

Having said this, that rakshasa laid her down upon the rock, and, given over to lustful desire, forced himself upon her in union.

Shloka 43 (uttara.26.43)

सा विमुक्ता ततो रम्भा भ्रष्टमाल्यविभूषणा। गजेन्द्राक्रीडमथिता नदीवाकुलतां गता ॥ 26.43 ॥

sā vimuktā tato rambhā bhraṣṭamālyavibhūṣaṇā| gajendrākrīḍamathitā nadīvākulatāṃ gatā || 26.43 ||

Then Rambha, released, her garlands and ornaments fallen away, was left disturbed, like a river churned by a great elephant at play.

Shloka 44 (uttara.26.44)

लुलिताकुलकेशान्ता करवेपितपल्लवा। पवनेनावधूतेव लता कुसुमशालिनी ॥ 26.44 ॥

lulitākulakeśāntā karavepitapallavā| pavanenāvadhūteva latā kusumaśālinī || 26.44 ||

Her hair-ends dishevelled and disordered, her tender hands trembling, she was like a flowering creeper shaken violently by the wind.

Shloka 45 (uttara.26.45)

सा वेपमाना लज्जन्ती भीता करकृताञ्जलिः। नलकूबरमासाद्य पादयोर्निपपात ह ॥ 26.45 ॥

sā vepamānā lajjantī bhītā karakṛtāñjaliḥ| nalakūbaramāsādya pādayornipapāta ha || 26.45 ||

Trembling, ashamed, afraid, her hands joined in supplication, she went to Nalakubara and fell at his feet.

Shloka 46 (uttara.26.46)

तदवस्थां च तां दृष्ट्वा महात्मा नलकूबरः। अब्रवीत्किमिदं भद्रे पादयोः पतिता ऽसि मे ॥ 26.46 ॥

tadavasthāṃ ca tāṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmā nalakūbaraḥ| abravītkimidaṃ bhadre pādayoḥ patitā 'si me || 26.46 ||

Seeing her in that state, the great-souled Nalakubara said: "What is this, good lady? Why have you fallen at my feet?"

Shloka 47 (uttara.26.47)

सा वै निःश्वसमाना तु वेपमाना कृताञ्जलिः। तस्मै सर्वं यथातत्त्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे ॥ 26.47 ॥

sā vai niḥśvasamānā tu vepamānā kṛtāñjaliḥ| tasmai sarvaṃ yathātattvamākhyātumupacakrame || 26.47 ||

Sighing and trembling, her hands joined, she began to relate to him the entire truth of what had happened.

Shloka 48 (uttara.26.48)

एष देव दशग्रीवः प्राप्तो गन्तुं त्रिविष्टपम्। तेन सैन्यसहायेन निशेयं परिणामिता ॥ 26.48 ॥

eṣa deva daśagrīvaḥ prāpto gantuṃ triviṣṭapam| tena sainyasahāyena niśeyaṃ pariṇāmitā || 26.48 ||

"My lord, this ten-necked Ravana had come intending to go to heaven; with the aid of his army, this night was passed by him here.

Shloka 49 (uttara.26.49)

आयन्ती तेन दृष्टा ऽस्मि त्वत्सकाशमरिन्दम। गृहीता तेन पृष्टा ऽस्मि कस्य त्वमिति रक्षसा ॥ 26.49 ॥

āyantī tena dṛṣṭā 'smi tvatsakāśamarindama| gṛhītā tena pṛṣṭā 'smi kasya tvamiti rakṣasā || 26.49 ||

As I was coming toward you, O tormentor of foes, he saw me; that rakshasa seized me and asked, 'Whose are you?'

Shloka 50 (uttara.26.50)

मया तु सर्वं यत्सत्यं तस्मै सर्वं निवेदितम्। काममोहाभिभूतात्मा नाश्रौषीत्तद्वचो मम ॥ 26.50 ॥

mayā tu sarvaṃ yatsatyaṃ tasmai sarvaṃ niveditam| kāmamohābhibhūtātmā nāśrauṣīttadvaco mama || 26.50 ||

I told him everything truthfully, all of it; but his mind overwhelmed by the delusion of lust, he did not heed my words.

Shloka 51 (uttara.26.51)

याच्यमानो मया देव स्नुषा ते ऽहमिति प्रभो। तत्सर्वं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा बलात्तेनास्मि धर्षिता ॥ 26.51 ॥

yācyamāno mayā deva snuṣā te 'hamiti prabho| tatsarvaṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā balāttenāsmi dharṣitā || 26.51 ||

Though I entreated him, my lord, saying 'I am your daughter-in-law,' he set all that aside and violated me by force.

Shloka 52 (uttara.26.52)

एवं त्वमपराधं मे क्षन्तुमर्हसि सुव्रत। न हि तुल्यं बलं सौम्य स्त्रियाश्च पुरुषस्य च ॥ 26.52 ॥

evaṃ tvamaparādhaṃ me kṣantumarhasi suvrata| na hi tulyaṃ balaṃ saumya striyāśca puruṣasya ca || 26.52 ||

Thus you should forgive me my transgression, O you of noble vows; for the strength of a woman, O gentle one, is not equal to that of a man."

Shloka 53 (uttara.26.53)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु सङ्क्रुद्धस्तदा वैश्रवणात्मजः। धर्षणां तां परां श्रुत्वा ध्यानं सम्प्रविवेश ह ॥ 26.53 ॥

etacchrutvā tu saṅkruddhastadā vaiśravaṇātmajaḥ| dharṣaṇāṃ tāṃ parāṃ śrutvā dhyānaṃ sampraviveśa ha || 26.53 ||

Hearing this, the son of Vaishravana became enraged; having heard of that extreme violation, he entered into deep meditation.

Shloka 54 (uttara.26.54)

तस्य तत्कर्म विज्ञाय तदा वैश्रवणात्मजः। मुहूर्तात्क्रोधताम्राक्षस्तोयं जग्राह पाणिना ॥ 26.54 ॥

tasya tatkarma vijñāya tadā vaiśravaṇātmajaḥ| muhūrtātkrodhatāmrākṣastoyaṃ jagrāha pāṇinā || 26.54 ||

Knowing then the deed that had been done, the son of Vaishravana, his eyes reddened with fury, after a moment took water in his hand.

Shloka 55 (uttara.26.55)

गृहीत्वा सलिलं सर्वमुपस्पृश्य यथाविधि। उत्ससर्ज यथा शापं राक्षसेन्द्राय दारुणम् ॥ 26.55 ॥

gṛhītvā salilaṃ sarvamupaspṛśya yathāvidhi| utsasarja yathā śāpaṃ rākṣasendrāya dāruṇam || 26.55 ||

Taking up all that water, and touching it duly according to rite, he pronounced this terrible curse upon the lord of rakshasas —

Shloka 56 (uttara.26.56)

अकामा तेन यस्मात्त्वं बलाद्भद्रे प्रधर्षिता। तस्मात्स युवतीमन्यां नाकामामुपयास्यति ॥ 26.56 ॥

akāmā tena yasmāttvaṃ balādbhadre pradharṣitā| tasmātsa yuvatīmanyāṃ nākāmāmupayāsyati || 26.56 ||

"Because you, good lady, were unwilling, and yet forced by him — therefore, henceforth he shall never approach another unwilling young woman.

Shloka 57 (uttara.26.57)

यदा ह्यकामां कामार्तो धर्षयिष्यति योषितम्। मूर्धा तु सप्तधा तस्य शकलीभविता तदा ॥ 26.57 ॥

yadā hyakāmāṃ kāmārto dharṣayiṣyati yoṣitam| mūrdhā tu saptadhā tasya śakalībhavitā tadā || 26.57 ||

If ever, tormented by lust, he violates an unwilling woman, then his very head shall split into seven pieces."

Shloka 58 (uttara.26.58)

तस्मिन्नुदाहृते शापे ज्वलिताग्निसमप्रभे। देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता। पितामहमुखाश्चैव सर्वे देवाः प्रहर्षिताः ॥ 26.58 ॥

tasminnudāhṛte śāpe jvalitāgnisamaprabhe| devadundubhayo neduḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiśca khāccyutā| pitāmahamukhāścaiva sarve devāḥ praharṣitāḥ || 26.58 ||

When that curse was pronounced, radiant as blazing fire, the drums of the gods resounded, and a rain of flowers fell from the sky; and all the gods, led by Grandsire Brahma, rejoiced.

Shloka 59 (uttara.26.59)

ज्ञात्वा लोकगतिं सर्वां तस्य मृत्युं च रक्षसः। ऋषयः पितरश्चैव प्रीतिमापुरनुत्तमाम् ॥ 26.59 ॥

jñātvā lokagatiṃ sarvāṃ tasya mṛtyuṃ ca rakṣasaḥ| ṛṣayaḥ pitaraścaiva prītimāpuranuttamām || 26.59 ||

Knowing the whole course of the world and this rakshasa's coming death, the sages and the ancestors too attained supreme joy.

Shloka 60 (uttara.26.60)

श्रुत्वा तु स दशग्रीवस्तं शापं रोमहर्षणम्। नारीषु मैथुने भावं नाकामास्वभ्यरोचयत् ॥ 26.60 ॥

śrutvā tu sa daśagrīvastaṃ śāpaṃ romaharṣaṇam| nārīṣu maithune bhāvaṃ nākāmāsvabhyarocayat || 26.60 ||

Ravana, on hearing that hair-raising curse, thereafter never desired union with unwilling women.

Shloka 61 (uttara.26.61)

तेन नीताः स्त्रियः प्रीतिमापुः सर्वाः पतिव्रताः। नलकूबरनिर्मुक्तं शापं श्रुत्वा मनःप्रियम् ॥ 26.61 ॥

tena nītāḥ striyaḥ prītimāpuḥ sarvāḥ pativratāḥ| nalakūbaranirmuktaṃ śāpaṃ śrutvā manaḥpriyam || 26.61 ||

Through this, all virtuous, devoted wives found comfort and joy, on hearing of that curse — so pleasing to the heart — pronounced by Nalakubara.