Skip to main content
राम

दक्षिणखण्ड · अध्याय 129

The Departure from Citrakūṭa and the Slaying of Virādha

Global chapter 275 of 51441 passagesSource PDF pages 454456
Chapter context and opening material

Rāma leaves Citrakūṭa with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa and enters the southern forest. The mountain's birds, animals, trees, vines, and groves grieve after losing the three of them. As the travelers illuminate and perfume the wilderness, they encounter the fearsome Virādha. Rāma answers the demon's threats with arrows; the brothers destroy and bury his body, allowing displaced ascetics to return to their hermitages. The Forest Grieves at Rāma's Departure

Passage 1

ब्रह्मोवाच— रामो भरतमायान्तमाशङ्क्य सविधत्वतः। चित्रकूटं परित्यज्य प्रययौ दक्षिणां दिशम्॥१॥

Brahmā said: Knowing that Bharata was approaching nearby, Rāma left Citrakūṭa and journeyed toward the south.

Passage 2

सानुजेन सदारेण तेन मुक्तं महीधरम्। चित्ते न रोचयामासुः पशवः पक्षिणोऽपि च॥२॥

After he had left the mountain with his wife and younger brother, even its animals and birds could no longer take delight in it.

Passage 3

येषां सीतामुखचन्द्रानुरागः प्रतिक्षणं वर्द्धमानो बभूव। ते चित्रकूटाद्रिचराश्चकोराः शून्या इवाशा ददृशुः समन्तात्॥३॥

The cakora birds roaming Citrakūṭa, whose longing for the moon of Sītā's face had increased at every moment, now saw every direction as empty.

Passage 4

ये प्रावृषेण्याभ्रसमूहनीलं श्रीरामचन्द्रस्य वपुर्मनोज्ञम्। पश्यन्त आनन्दभृतो मयूरा ग्रीष्मेऽपि नान्तःपरितापमापुः॥४॥

The peacocks had beheld Śrī Rāmacandra's lovely body, dark as a mass of rainclouds, and filled with joy they had felt no inward heat even in summer.

Passage 5

तेषामिदानीं समयः सुदुर्वहस्तेनैव कान्तेन वियोगभाजाम्। महादवाग्निज्वलिता इवासन् समन्ततश्चित्रकूटे वनान्ताः॥५॥

Now the season became unbearable for those separated from that beloved one, and every woodland of Citrakūṭa seemed to blaze in a great forest fire.

Passage 6

धनुर्धरस्यापि विदेहजेशितुर्वीरानुकम्पामधुरं वपुर्मृगाः। विलोकयन्तो मनसा न तत्रसुः कर्णान्तकृष्टाशुगमुक्तिभीष्वपि॥६॥

The deer had gazed upon the tender, compassion-filled form of the heroic bowman, lord of the daughter of Videha. Their hearts had not trembled even when he frighteningly released arrows drawn back to his ear.

Passage 7

ये रामचन्द्रमुरलीमधुरानुवादपीयूषपारणसुपल्लवपण्डितपूर्णाः। ते चित्रकूटकटकद्रुमगुल्मवल्लीवृन्दा अपि प्रतिपदं शुशुषुस्तदानीम्॥७॥

The trees, thickets, and masses of vines on Citrakūṭa's slopes had been abundantly nourished by tender leaves and by drinking the nectar of Rāmacandra's flute-like, sweet expressions. At that time they began to wither at every step.

Passage 8

इत्थं हित्वा चित्रकूटं चिरावासं स्पृहादृढः। आचक्राम धनुष्पाणिर्दक्षिणाशां सहानुजः॥८॥

Thus the resolute bowman left Citrakūṭa, his long residence, and entered the southern quarter with his younger brother.

Passage 9

प्रेयांसं समनुगच्छन्ती जानकी व्यरुचत्तराम्। राज्यश्रीरिव शोभाढ्या गजेन्द्रवरगामिनी॥९॥

Following her beloved, Jānakī shone exceedingly. Rich in splendor and walking with the stately gait of a noble elephant, she resembled royal Fortune herself.

Passage 10

विदेहजामनुगतो लक्ष्मणोऽपि व्यरोचत। प्रभोः पादोन्मुखीं भक्तिं जनो भागवतो यथा॥१०॥

Lakṣmaṇa, following the daughter of Videha, also shone like a devotee following devotion directed toward the Lord's feet.

Passage 11

अत्रिपत्न्यानुलिप्तेन साङ्गरागेण भूयसा। पुण्यगन्धपुषा चक्रे वनं तत्साधुसौरभम्॥११॥

The abundant fragrant cosmetic with which Atri's wife had anointed Sītā's limbs spread its blessed perfume and made that forest sweetly scented.

Passage 12

सीताङ्गसौरभं घ्रात्वा जिघ्रन्तस्तत्र कानने। सुरभीण्यपि पुष्पाणि तत्यजुस्तत्क्षणं किल॥१२॥

Once those in the forest inhaled the fragrance of Sītā's body, they immediately abandoned even its sweet-smelling flowers.

Passage 13

ऋषीणामाश्रमस्थानान्यलङ्कुर्वन्त उच्चकैः। आत्मभासान्विता जग्मुस्त्रयस्ते देवतोपमाः॥१३॥

The three, resembling deities and endowed with their own radiance, proceeded onward, greatly adorning the sites of the sages' hermitages.

Passage 14

प्रद्योतयन्तो विपिनं समन्ताच्छ्रीरामसीतानुजकल्पवृक्षाः। आनन्दिताः सौरभसम्भरेण मल्लीसुमेभ्यश्चकृषुर्मिलिन्दान्॥१४॥

Śrī Rāma, Sītā, and his younger brother were like wish-fulfilling trees illuminating the forest on every side. Delighted by their abundance of fragrance, they drew the bees away even from jasmine blossoms. Through the Southern Wilderness

Passage 15

वनस्थलीः पादसरोजपाविनीः समन्ततोऽसौ विदधद्रघूद्वहः। विराधरक्षोऽधिवासमाराज्जगाम कोदण्डधरोऽक्षयेषुधिः॥१५॥

The scion of Raghu made the forest grounds holy everywhere with his lotus feet. Bearing the Kodaṇḍa bow and an inexhaustible quiver, he approached the dwelling place of the demon Virādha.

Passage 16

क्रोडोच्छ्रेद्दुष्टमृगान् विहिंसन् मुक्तिं च तेभ्यः प्रददत्सुदुर्लभाम्। चमत्चकाराखिलमेव काननं महाबलो दाशरथिः सहानुजः॥१६॥

The mighty son of Daśaratha moved through the forest with his younger brother, killing its vicious beasts and granting them liberation, so difficult to attain; he filled the entire wilderness with wonder.

Passage 17

तयोर्महावीर्यमृगेन्द्रगामिनोर्मध्ये न सा विद्युदिव प्रयान्ती। रेजे महाराजसुता मनस्विनी पादाब्जशिञ्जद्वरनूपुरद्वया॥१७॥

The high-minded king's daughter walked between the two immensely valiant heroes, whose gait was like that of lions. With her fine anklets ringing at her lotus feet, she shone like lightning between clouds.

Passage 18

तस्यास्तनुद्योतभरेण भूयसा प्रकाशितास्तत्र वनेऽखिला दिशः। ननाश नक्तं सहसा यथा तमश्चमत्कृताश्चाखिलसत्त्वराशयः॥१८॥

The abundant brilliance of her body illuminated every direction in that forest. The darkness of night suddenly vanished, and the hearts of all its creatures were filled with wonder.

Passage 19

अग्रे रामः प्रकृतिसुभगश्चापतूणीरधारी खड्गी श्यामो भसितधवलः पिङ्गचूडाललामः। पृष्ठे तस्य क्षितिपतिसुता द्योतयन्ती दिगन्तां- स्तस्याः पृष्ठे कमलनयनो लक्ष्मणः संजगाम॥१९॥

Rāma walked in front, naturally beautiful, bearing bow and quiver and wearing a sword. His dark form was whitened with sacred ash and crowned by tawny matted locks. Behind him came the king's daughter, illuminating the horizons; behind her walked lotus-eyed Lakṣmaṇa. Virādha Blocks the Path

Passage 20

तेषामेवं गच्छतां मार्गमध्ये रक्षोऽतिष्ठद्घोरकर्मा विराधः। संध्याकालीनाभ्रवर्णः स्वरूपेणोच्चैः कायः कामचारी करालः॥२०॥

As they traveled, the evil-doing demon Virādha stood in the middle of their path. In form he was the color of an evening cloud, towering, fearsome, and able to roam wherever he wished.

Passage 21

तं खलं मार्गमावृत्य तिष्ठन्तं रघुपुङ्गवः। उवाच कोमलां वाचमादाय परमेश्वरः॥२१॥

The Supreme Lord, best of Raghu's line, addressed that villain who stood blocking the road, speaking in a gentle voice.

Passage 22

कस्त्वं भोः प्रांशुभीमाङ्गः संध्याभ्रकपिशद्युतिः। देहि नो गच्छतां मार्गं वनेऽस्मिन् भूरिभीषणे॥२२॥

“Who are you, towering and terrible-limbed, with the tawny glow of an evening cloud? Give us passage as we travel through this exceedingly dreadful forest.”

Passage 23

इत्युक्तः कुटिलस्वान्तो राक्षसो रुधिराशनः। प्रकृत्या भीषणतनुरुवाच विधिवञ्चितः॥२३॥

Thus addressed, the blood-drinking demon—crooked in heart, naturally dreadful in form, and cheated of good judgment by fate—replied.

Passage 24

के यूयमत्र विजने विपिने मम सद्मनि। सम्प्राप्ताः कोमलतमा रक्षसौ मम भक्षणाः॥२४॥

“Who are you, so very tender, who have entered this lonely forest, my own dwelling? You two men are food for me.

Passage 25

न कश्चिदत्र मनुजः संचरत्यात्मनो हितम्। अन्विच्छन् मदगारेऽस्मिन् भीषणे निर्जने वने॥२५॥

“No human being who seeks his own welfare travels here in this dreadful and deserted forest that is my home.

Passage 26

न चेह कश्चित्सम्प्राप्तः प्राणैः सह गतो जनः। अतो वो भोक्तुमिच्छामि मर्त्यानमृतपारणान्॥२६॥

“No one who has come here has departed with his life. Therefore I wish to devour you mortals, though you are accustomed to feasting upon nectar.

Passage 27

विधिना नोदिता यूयं सम्प्राप्ता मम सन्निधिम्। अलं वः कातरतयाधुना भूतं हि भावि यत्॥२७॥

“Driven here by fate, you have entered my presence. Enough of your cowardice now; what was destined to be has come to pass.”

Passage 28

इति तस्य गिरा रामो ज्ञात्वा तं राक्षसाधमम्। निहन्तुमेकं विशिखमुद्धाराशु तूणतः॥२८॥

From those words Rāma recognized him as the lowest of demons and quickly drew a single arrow from his quiver to kill him. Virādha Is Defeated

Passage 29

स तावदद्रेः शिखरमुत्पाट्य बलदुर्मदः। ऐच्छत्पातयितुं रामे आकर्णाकृष्टसायके॥२९॥

Meanwhile Virādha, arrogant in his strength, tore away a mountain peak and sought to cast it upon Rāma, who had drawn his arrow back to his ear.

Passage 30

बाणो रामकरोन्मुक्तः खण्डखण्डं चकार तत्। गिरेः स्थूलतरं शृङ्गं न्यपतद्रक्षसः करात्॥३०॥

The arrow released from Rāma's hand shattered that massive mountain peak into pieces, and it fell from the demon's hand.

Passage 31

ततः सोऽप्यद्रिगिरेः शृङ्गं भ्रामयित्वाऽऽत्मपाणिना। मुमोच राक्षसो रामे कल्पद्रुकुसुमोचिते॥३१॥

Then the demon whirled another rocky peak in his hand and hurled it at Rāma, whose body was fit to receive only flowers from heaven's wish-fulfilling tree.

Passage 32

तदप्यस्य करोन्मुक्तबाणभिन्नं सहस्रधा। निपपात महीपृष्ठे करकावर्षसन्निभम्॥३२॥

That peak too was split into a thousand pieces by an arrow released from Rāma's hand and fell upon the earth like a shower of hailstones.

Passage 33

अथ भूयः स संक्रुद्धो मुष्टिमाबध्य राक्षसः। प्रहर्तुकामस्त्वरितं राममभ्याययौ खलः॥३३॥

Then the wicked demon grew still more enraged, clenched his fist, and rushed at Rāma, intent upon striking him.

Passage 34

तमेकेन शरेणोच्चैर्भुजमूलेऽभ्यताडयत्। स तेन सुचिरं क्रूरो मूर्छनामाप राक्षसः॥३४॥

Rāma struck him forcefully at the root of the arm with a single arrow, and the cruel demon remained unconscious for a long time.

Passage 35

विहाय मूर्छनां रक्षः सहसा पुनरुत्थितः। दर्शयन् भीषणं रूपं दंष्ट्राकोटिस्फुटाननम्॥३५॥

Shaking off his stupor, the demon suddenly rose again and revealed his frightful form, his mouth stretched open by the tips of his fangs.

Passage 36

रामो मर्मणि विव्याध राक्षसं स्वापराधिनम्। आकर्णाकृष्टज्यामुक्तैः शरैराघातवेगिभिः॥३६॥

Rāma pierced the offending demon in his vital points with swiftly striking arrows released from a bowstring drawn to his ear.

Passage 37

एकेन तस्य वक्षोऽहन् द्वाभ्यां बाहू व्यकृन्तयत्। पुनरेकेन तच्छीर्षं कन्धराया अपातयत्॥३७॥

With one arrow he struck Virādha's chest; with two he cut off his arms; and with yet another he severed his head from his neck.

Passage 38

इत्थमालिङ्ग्य वैदेहीं श्रीरामो रघुसत्तमः। दृशा पीयूषवर्षिण्या ददर्श प्राणवल्लभाम्॥३८॥

Then Śrī Rāma, best of Raghu's line, embraced Vaidehī and gazed upon his life's beloved with eyes that showered nectar.

Passage 39

रामतीक्ष्णशराघातैर्विभिन्नतनुरस्रपः। निपतन् धरणीं कृत्स्नां कम्पयामास भारतः॥३९॥

The blood-drinking demon, his body torn apart by the blows of Rāma's sharp arrows, shook the entire earth as he fell, O descendant of Bharata.

Passage 40

तदङ्गं शतधा कृत्वा राघवौ खड्गकर्तनैः। स्थाने दुर्गन्धमाशङ्क्य धरण्यां विनिचखनतुः॥४०॥

The two sons of Raghu cut his body into a hundred pieces with their swords and, fearing that the place would be filled with its stench, buried it in the earth.

Passage 41

तस्मिन् दिने तद्विषयाद्विवासितास्तेनैव घोराचरितेन रक्षसा। स्वस्वाश्रमस्थानमुपाययुस्तदा तपोधना राघवयोः कृताशिषः॥४१॥

That very day the ascetics who had been driven from that region by the savagely acting demon returned to their respective hermitages, offering blessings to the two descendants of Raghu. Thus ends Chapter 129, “The Slaying of Virādha,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.