Sarama's Consolation

Shloka 1 (yuddha.33.1)

सीताम् तु मोहिताम् दृष्ट्वा सरमा नाम राक्षसी । आससाद आशु वैदेहीम् प्रियाम् प्रणयिनी सखी । ॥ 33.1 ॥

sītām tu mohitām dṛṣṭvā saramā nāma rākṣasī | āsasāda āśu vaidehīm priyām praṇayinī sakhī | || 33.1 ||

Then, seeing Sita bewildered, a rakshasi named Sarama - her beloved, affectionate friend - swiftly approached Vaidehi.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.33.2)

मोहिताम् राक्षसेन्द्रेण सीताम् परमदुःखिताम् । आश्वासयामास तदा सरमा मृदुभाषिणी । ॥ 33.2 ॥

mohitām rākṣasendreṇa sītām paramaduḥkhitām | āśvāsayāmāsa tadā saramā mṛdubhāṣiṇī | || 33.2 ||

Sarama, the soft-spoken one, then consoled Sita, who had been thrown into confusion by the demon-lord and was in the depths of sorrow.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.33.3)

सा हि तत्र कृता मित्रम् सीतया रक्ष्यमाणया । रक्षन्ती रावणाद् इष्टा सानुक्रोशा दृढ व्रता । ॥ 33.3 ॥

sā hi tatra kṛtā mitram sītayā rakṣyamāṇayā | rakṣantī rāvaṇād iṣṭā sānukrośā dṛḍha vratā | || 33.3 ||

She, kind-hearted and firm in her vows, had indeed been made Sita's friend there, while guarding her at Ravana's own bidding.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.33.4)

सा ददर्श सखीम् सीताम् सरमा नष्ट चेतनाम् । उपावृत्य उत्थिताम् ध्वस्ताम् वडवाम् इव पांसुषु । ॥ 33.4 ॥

sā dadarśa sakhīm sītām saramā naṣṭa cetanām | upāvṛtya utthitām dhvastām vaḍavām iva pāṃsuṣu | || 33.4 ||

That companion Sarama found her friend Sita bereft of her senses, having just risen up covered in dust, like a mare that has rolled in the dirt.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.33.5)

ताम् समाश्वासयाम् आस सखी स्नेहेन सुव्रता । उक्ता यद् रावणेन त्वम् प्रत्युक्तम् च स्वयम् त्वया । ॥ 33.5 ॥

tām samāśvāsayām āsa sakhī snehena suvratā | uktā yad rāvaṇena tvam pratyuktam ca svayam tvayā | || 33.5 ||

That devoted friend consoled her tenderly: "O Vaidehi, take comfort, let there be no distress in your heart.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.33.6)

उक्ता यद्रावणेन त्वम् प्रत्युक्तश्च स्वयम् त्वया । सखी स्नेहेन तद् भीरु मया सर्वम् प्रतिश्रुतम् । ॥ 33.6 ॥

uktā yadrāvaṇena tvam pratyuktaśca svayam tvayā | sakhī snehena tad bhīru mayā sarvam pratiśrutam | || 33.6 ||

Whatever Ravana said to you, and whatever you, of your own accord, replied to him - all of it I overheard,

Shloka 7 (yuddha.33.7)

लीनया गनहे शूह्ये भयम् उत्सृज्य रावणात् । तव हेतोर् विशाल अक्षि न हि मे जीवितम् प्रियम् । ॥ 33.7 ॥

līnayā ganahe śūhye bhayam utsṛjya rāvaṇāt | tava hetor viśāla akṣi na hi me jīvitam priyam | || 33.7 ||

hiding unafraid in the empty sky, for love of you. O wide-eyed one, for your sake I have no fear at all of Ravana; my life itself is not so dear to me.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.33.8)

स सम्भ्रान्तश च निष्क्रान्तो यत् कृते राक्षस अधिपः । तच् च मे विदितम् सर्वम् अभिनिष्क्रम्य मैथिलि । ॥ 33.8 ॥

sa sambhrāntaśa ca niṣkrānto yat kṛte rākṣasa adhipaḥ | tac ca me viditam sarvam abhiniṣkramya maithili | || 33.8 ||

O Maithili, I went out and learned everything - the very reason why the lord of demons departed so agitated.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.33.9)

न शक्यम् सौप्तिकम् कर्तुम् रामस्य विदित आत्मनः । वधश्च पुरुष व्याघ्रे तस्मिन्न् एव उपपद्यते । ॥ 33.9 ॥

na śakyam sauptikam kartum rāmasya vidita ātmanaḥ | vadhaśca puruṣa vyāghre tasminn eva upapadyate | || 33.9 ||

It is not possible to make a night-attack upon Rama, who is ever mindful of himself; nor can that tiger among men be slain at all.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.33.10)

न च एव वानरा हन्तुम् शक्याः पादप योधिनः । सुरा देव ऋषभेण इव रामेण हि सुरक्षिताः । ॥ 33.10 ॥

na ca eva vānarā hantum śakyāḥ pādapa yodhinaḥ | surā deva ṛṣabheṇa iva rāmeṇa hi surakṣitāḥ | || 33.10 ||

Nor indeed can the monkeys, who fight with trees as their weapons, be slain in such a manner - guarded as they are by Rama, as the gods are guarded by the bull among gods, Indra.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.33.11)

दीर्घ वृत्त भुजः श्रीमान् महा उरस्कः प्रतापवान् । धन्वी सम्हनन उपेतो धर्म आत्मा भुवि विश्रुतः । ॥ 33.11 ॥

dīrgha vṛtta bhujaḥ śrīmān mahā uraskaḥ pratāpavān | dhanvī samhanana upeto dharma ātmā bhuvi viśrutaḥ | || 33.11 ||

O Sita, Raghava, of long and rounded arms, illustrious, broad-chested, mighty, wielder of the bow, firm of frame, righteous of soul, renowned upon the earth -

Shloka 12 (yuddha.33.12)

विक्रान्तो रक्षिता नित्यम् आत्मनश्च परस्य च । लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा कुशली नय शास्त्रवित् । ॥ 33.12 ॥

vikrānto rakṣitā nityam ātmanaśca parasya ca | lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā kuśalī naya śāstravit | || 33.12 ||

- ever valiant, protector of himself and of others, together with his brother Lakshmana, of noble birth, versed in the science of statecraft -

Shloka 13 (yuddha.33.13)

हन्ता पर बल ओघानाम् अचिन्त्य बल पौरुषः । न हतो राघवः श्रीमान् सीते शत्रु निबर्हणः । ॥ 33.13 ॥

hantā para bala oghānām acintya bala pauruṣaḥ | na hato rāghavaḥ śrīmān sīte śatru nibarhaṇaḥ | || 33.13 ||

- the destroyer of enemy hosts, of unimaginable strength and valor - that glorious Raghava, O Sita, the annihilator of foes, has not been slain.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.33.14)

अयुक्त बुद्धि कृत्येन सर्व भूत विरोधिना । इयम् प्रयुक्ता रौद्रेण माया मायाविदा त्वयि । ॥ 33.14 ॥

ayukta buddhi kṛtyena sarva bhūta virodhinā | iyam prayuktā raudreṇa māyā māyāvidā tvayi | || 33.14 ||

A mere illusion has here been practiced upon you by that sorcerer of perverse intent, hostile to all beings, that fierce demon.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.33.15)

शोकस् ते विगतः सर्वः कल्याणम् त्वाम् उपस्थितम् । ध्रुवम् त्वाम् भजते लक्ष्मीः प्रियम् ते भवति शृणु । ॥ 33.15 ॥

śokas te vigataḥ sarvaḥ kalyāṇam tvām upasthitam | dhruvam tvām bhajate lakṣmīḥ priyam te bhavati śṛṇu | || 33.15 ||

All your grief has now departed; auspiciousness itself awaits you. Fortune assuredly favors you; a happy turn is coming for you - hear me.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.33.16)

उत्तीर्य सागरम् रामः सह वानर सेनया । सम्निविष्टः समुद्रस्य तीरम् आसाद्य दक्षिणम् । ॥ 33.16 ॥

uttīrya sāgaram rāmaḥ saha vānara senayā | samniviṣṭaḥ samudrasya tīram āsādya dakṣiṇam | || 33.16 ||

Rama, together with his army of monkeys, having crossed the ocean, has arrived and encamped upon its southern shore.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.33.17)

दृष्टो मे परिपूर्ण अर्थः काकुत्स्थः सह लक्ष्मणः । सहितैः सागर अन्तस्थैर् बलैस् तिष्ठति रक्षितः । ॥ 33.17 ॥

dṛṣṭo me paripūrṇa arthaḥ kākutsthaḥ saha lakṣmaṇaḥ | sahitaiḥ sāgara antasthair balais tiṣṭhati rakṣitaḥ | || 33.17 ||

I myself have seen the fully-purposed Kakutstha, together with Lakshmana, standing there protected, surrounded by his forces gathered near the sea.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.33.18)

अनेन प्रेषिता ये च राक्षसा लघु विक्रमः । राघवस् तीर्णैत्य् एवम् प्रवृत्तिस् तैर् इह आहृता । ॥ 33.18 ॥

anena preṣitā ye ca rākṣasā laghu vikramaḥ | rāghavas tīrṇaity evam pravṛttis tair iha āhṛtā | || 33.18 ||

This report - that Raghava had crossed over - was brought here by those swift demon-spies whom Ravana himself had sent out.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.33.19)

स ताम् श्रुत्वा विशाल अक्षि प्रवृत्तिम् राक्षस अधिपः । एष मन्त्रयते सर्वैः सचिवैः सह रावणः । ॥ 33.19 ॥

sa tām śrutvā viśāla akṣi pravṛttim rākṣasa adhipaḥ | eṣa mantrayate sarvaiḥ sacivaiḥ saha rāvaṇaḥ | || 33.19 ||

Hearing that report, O wide-eyed one, that very Ravana, lord of demons, is now taking counsel with all his ministers.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.33.20)

इति ब्रुवाणा सरमा राक्षसी सीतया सह । सर्व उद्योगेन सैन्यानाम् शब्दम् शुश्राव भैरवम् । ॥ 33.20 ॥

iti bruvāṇā saramā rākṣasī sītayā saha | sarva udyogena sainyānām śabdam śuśrāva bhairavam | || 33.20 ||

While the rakshasi Sarama was thus speaking with Sita, a fearsome sound was heard, from the full mobilization of the armies.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.33.21)

दण्ड निर्घात वादिन्याः श्रुत्वा भेर्या महा स्वनम् । उवाच सरमा सीताम् इदम् मधुर भाषिणी । ॥ 33.21 ॥

daṇḍa nirghāta vādinyāḥ śrutvā bheryā mahā svanam | uvāca saramā sītām idam madhura bhāṣiṇī | || 33.21 ||

Hearing the great roar of the war-drums, struck resoundingly by their sticks, the sweet-voiced Sarama spoke these words to Sita:

Shloka 22 (yuddha.33.22)

सम्नाह जननी ह्य् एषा भैरवा भीरु भेरिका । भेरी नादम् च गम्भीरम् शृणु तोयद निस्वनम् । ॥ 33.22 ॥

samnāha jananī hy eṣā bhairavā bhīru bherikā | bherī nādam ca gambhīram śṛṇu toyada nisvanam | || 33.22 ||

"O timid one, this dreadful roll of drums is indeed the herald of mobilization for war. Hear too the deep boom of the kettle-drums, resembling the roar of rain-clouds.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.33.23)

कल्प्यन्ते मत्त मातम्गा युज्यन्ते रथ वाजिनः । तत्र तत्र च सम्नद्धाः सम्पतन्ति पदातयः । ॥ 33.23 ॥

kalpyante matta mātamgā yujyante ratha vājinaḥ | tatra tatra ca samnaddhāḥ sampatanti padātayaḥ | || 33.23 ||

War-elephants in rut are being caparisoned, chariot-horses are being yoked, and on every side armed foot-soldiers are rushing to their places.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.33.24)

तत्र तत्र च सन्नद्धाः सम्पतन्ति सहस्रशः । आपूर्यन्ते राज मार्गाः सैन्यैर् अद्भुत दर्शनैः । ॥ 33.24 ॥

tatra tatra ca sannaddhāḥ sampatanti sahasraśaḥ | āpūryante rāja mārgāḥ sainyair adbhuta darśanaiḥ | || 33.24 ||

In their thousands, warriors clad in armor rush about on every side; the royal highways are filled with soldiers wondrous to behold,

Shloka 25 (yuddha.33.25)

वेगवद्भिर् नदद्भिश्च तोय ओघैर् इव सागरः । शास्त्राणाम् च प्रसन्नानाम् चर्मणाम् वर्मणाम् तथा । ॥ 33.25 ॥

vegavadbhir nadadbhiśca toya oghair iva sāgaraḥ | śāstrāṇām ca prasannānām carmaṇām varmaṇām tathā | || 33.25 ||

like a raging sea, roaring and swift with its floods of water - such is this bustle of demons, jubilant and swift, following the lead of Ravana.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.33.26)

रथ वाजि गजानाम् च भूषितानाम् च रक्षसाम् । सम्भ्रमो रक्षसामेष हृषितानाम् तरस्विनाम् । ॥ 33.26 ॥

ratha vāji gajānām ca bhūṣitānām ca rakṣasām | sambhramo rakṣasāmeṣa hṛṣitānām tarasvinām | || 33.26 ||

See, hurriedly, this luster cast by burnished weapons, shields and coats of mail, blazing in many hues,

Shloka 27 (yuddha.33.27)

प्रभाम् विसृजताम् पश्य नाना वर्णाम् समुत्थिताम् । वनम् निर्दहतो धर्मे यथा रूपम् विभावसोः । ॥ 33.27 ॥

prabhām visṛjatām paśya nānā varṇām samutthitām | vanam nirdahato dharme yathā rūpam vibhāvasoḥ | || 33.27 ||

like the very form of fire when it consumes a forest in the heat of summer - such is the tumult of chariots, horses and elephants, of demons following Ravana's lead, exultant and swift.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.33.28)

घण्टानाम् शृणु निर्घोषम् रथानाम् शृणु निस्वनम् । हयानाम् हेषमाणानाम् शृणु तूर्य ध्वनिम् यथा । ॥ 33.28 ॥

ghaṇṭānām śṛṇu nirghoṣam rathānām śṛṇu nisvanam | hayānām heṣamāṇānām śṛṇu tūrya dhvanim yathā | || 33.28 ||

Hear the clanging of the bells, hear the rumbling of the chariots, hear the neighing of the horses, like the blare of trumpets -

Shloka 29 (yuddha.33.29)

उद्यत आयुध हस्तानाम् राक्षस इन्द्र अनुयायिनाम् । सम्भ्रमो रक्षसाम् एष तुमुलो लोम हर्षणः । ॥ 33.29 ॥

udyata āyudha hastānām rākṣasa indra anuyāyinām | sambhramo rakṣasām eṣa tumulo loma harṣaṇaḥ | || 33.29 ||

this tumult of demons, weapons raised in hand, following the lead of the demon-king - this bustle makes the hair stand on end.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.33.30)

श्रीस् त्वाम् भजति शोकघ्नी रक्षसाम् भयम् आगतम् । रामात् कमल पत्र अक्षि दैत्यानाम् इव वासवात् । ॥ 33.30 ॥

śrīs tvām bhajati śokaghnī rakṣasām bhayam āgatam | rāmāt kamala patra akṣi daityānām iva vāsavāt | || 33.30 ||

Fortune, the destroyer of sorrow, now favors you; peril has come upon the demons. Rama, the lotus-eyed one, will win you back -

Shloka 31 (yuddha.33.31)

अवजित्य जित क्रोधस् तम् अचिन्त्य पराक्रमः । रावणम् समरे हत्वा भर्ता त्वा अधिगमिष्यति । ॥ 33.31 ॥

avajitya jita krodhas tam acintya parākramaḥ | rāvaṇam samare hatvā bhartā tvā adhigamiṣyati | || 33.31 ||

- having overcome his anger, of inconceivable prowess, having slain Ravana in battle, that husband of yours will win you back, even as Indra prevailed over the demons.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.33.32)

विक्रमिष्यति रक्षह्सु भर्ता ते सह लक्ष्मणः । यथा शत्रुषु शत्रुघ्नो विष्णुना सह वासवः । ॥ 33.32 ॥

vikramiṣyati rakṣahsu bhartā te saha lakṣmaṇaḥ | yathā śatruṣu śatrughno viṣṇunā saha vāsavaḥ | || 33.32 ||

Your husband, together with Lakshmana, will show his valor among the demons, as Shatrughna together with Vishnu did among their foes, like Indra himself.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.33.33)

आगतस्य हि रामस्य क्षिप्रम् अन्क गताम् सतीम् । अहम् द्रक्ष्यामि सिद्ध अर्थाम् त्वाम् शत्रौ विनिपातिते । ॥ 33.33 ॥

āgatasya hi rāmasya kṣipram anka gatām satīm | aham drakṣyāmi siddha arthām tvām śatrau vinipātite | || 33.33 ||

Very soon, when Rama has come and the enemy lies fallen, I shall see you, your purpose accomplished, seated upon his lap.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.33.34)

अश्रूण्य् आनन्दजानि त्वम् वर्तयिष्यसि शोभने । समागम्य परिष्वक्ता तस्य उरसि महा उरसः । ॥ 33.34 ॥

aśrūṇy ānandajāni tvam vartayiṣyasi śobhane | samāgamya pariṣvaktā tasya urasi mahā urasaḥ | || 33.34 ||

O radiant one, you will shed tears born of joy, embraced upon the broad chest of that mighty-chested one, once reunited with him.

Shloka 35 (yuddha.33.35)

अचिरान् मोक्ष्यते सीते देवि ते जघनम् गताम् । धृताम् एताम् बहून् मासान् वेणीम् रामो महा बलः । ॥ 33.35 ॥

acirān mokṣyate sīte devi te jaghanam gatām | dhṛtām etām bahūn māsān veṇīm rāmo mahā balaḥ | || 33.35 ||

Before long, O queen Sita, that mighty Rama will loosen this single plait of yours, reaching down to your hips, worn now for so many months.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.33.36)

तस्य दृष्ट्वा मुखम् देवि पूर्ण चन्द्रम् इव उदितम् । मोक्ष्यसे शोकजम् वारि निर्मोकम् इव पन्नगी । ॥ 33.36 ॥

tasya dṛṣṭvā mukham devi pūrṇa candram iva uditam | mokṣyase śokajam vāri nirmokam iva pannagī | || 33.36 ||

Seeing his face, O queen, risen like the full moon, you shall shed your tears born of grief, as a serpent-maiden sheds her slough.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.33.37)

रावणम् समरे हत्वा नचिराद् एव मैथिलि । त्वया समग्रम् प्रियया सुख अर्हो लप्स्यते सुखम् । ॥ 33.37 ॥

rāvaṇam samare hatvā nacirād eva maithili | tvayā samagram priyayā sukha arho lapsyate sukham | || 33.37 ||

O Maithili, having slain Ravana in battle before long, Rama, deserving of happiness, will attain happiness together with you, his beloved, in full measure.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.33.38)

समागता त्वम् रामेण मोदिष्यसि महात्मना । सुवर्षेण समायुक्ता यथा सस्येन मेदिनी । ॥ 33.38 ॥

samāgatā tvam rāmeṇa modiṣyasi mahātmanā | suvarṣeṇa samāyuktā yathā sasyena medinī | || 33.38 ||

United with the great-souled Rama, you will rejoice, as the earth rejoices when joined with abundant crops after a good rain.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.33.39)

गिरि वरम् अभितो अनुवर्तमानो । हय इव मण्डलम् आशु यः करोति । तम् इह शरणम् अभ्युपेहि देवि दिवस करम् प्रभवो ह्ययम् प्रजानाम् । ॥ 33.39 ॥

giri varam abhito anuvartamāno | haya iva maṇḍalam āśu yaḥ karoti | tam iha śaraṇam abhyupehi devi divasa karam prabhavo hyayam prajānām | || 33.39 ||

O queen, take refuge now in him who, circling round the great mountain, moves swiftly like a horse tracing its circuit - for he, the sun, is indeed the source of all creatures."