Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— श्रुत्वा विदेहजावाक्यं विहस्य रघुनन्दनः। इदमूचे जगच्चित्तसाक्षी साक्षान्महेश्वरः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Hearing the daughter of Videha's words, Raghunandana smiled. The direct witness of every mind in the world, himself the supreme Lord, spoke thus.
Passage 2
श्रीराम उवाच— प्रिये न वेत्सि मायेयं सुवर्णमृगरूपिणी। न जात्वीदृग्विधो दृष्टो वनेऽन्यत्र वा मृगः॥२॥
Śrī Rāma said: “Beloved, you do not recognize this illusion in the form of a golden deer. No deer of this kind has ever been seen in a forest or anywhere else.
Passage 3
प्रायशोऽनेकरूपेण विचरन्तीह राक्षसाः। निरूढवैशसा नित्यं मयि पूर्वविरोधिनि॥३॥
“Rākṣasas usually wander here in many forms. Firmly established in violence, they have long been hostile to me.
Passage 4
प्रायः स्थानमिदं कृत्स्नं घोराणामेव रक्षसाम्। माययानेकरूपास्ते मां वञ्चयितुमुद्यताः॥४॥
“This whole region is chiefly the domain of terrible rākṣasas. Assuming many forms through illusion, they are intent upon deceiving me.
Passage 5
जानासि सा स्वसा साक्षाल्लङ्केशस्य दुरात्मनः। प्रसह्य विद्रुतां नीतास्माभिस्तीक्ष्णकृपाणिना॥५॥
“You know how the wicked lord of Laṅkā's own sister was forcibly driven away by us with a sharp sword.
Passage 6
नाशिता बान्धवास्तस्य ते दूषणखरादयः। कोटयो राक्षसानां च वनेऽस्मिन् युद्ध्यता मया॥६॥
“Her kinsmen Dūṣaṇa, Khara, and the others, together with millions of rākṣasas, were destroyed by me fighting in this forest.
Passage 7
अतो वैरतरोर्मूलं सुदृढं तेन मेऽभवत्। भवेत्तस्यैव मायेयं कदाचित्सुदुरात्मनः॥७॥
“Therefore the root of his tree of hostility toward me has become very firm. This may well be the illusion of that supremely wicked one.
Passage 8
रूपाण्यनेकान्याश्रित्य घोरा मायाविनः खलाः। मोहयन्ति मनः पुंसां सुदुर्लक्ष्या निशाचराः॥८॥
“Those terrible, deceitful night-roamers are exceedingly difficult to recognize. Assuming many forms, they bewilder people's minds.
Passage 9
जिहास्य स्वीकृतौ यत्नमपरिज्ञातचेतसः। अपूर्वकनकैणस्य भवेन्माया कदाप्यसौ॥९॥
“Abandon the attempt to possess this unprecedented golden deer, whose mind and nature are unknown. It may indeed be an illusion. Rāma Urges Caution
Passage 10
त्वमहं चैव सौमित्रिर्वनेऽस्मिन्नेकाकिनस्त्रयः। चतुर्थो नैव कर्तव्यो जातु विश्वासभाजनम्॥१०॥
“You, I, and Lakṣmaṇa are the three of us alone in this forest. We must never make an unknown fourth being the recipient of our trust.
Passage 11
एते तु वाडवाः सौम्या रक्षोभिर्भीषिता वने। अस्मानाश्रित्य तिष्ठन्ति त्वद्वितीर्णान्नभोजिनः॥११॥
“These gentle brahmins, terrified by the rākṣasas in the forest, remain under our protection and eat the food you distribute.
Passage 12
न विश्वास्या न वोदास्या निरपेक्षा द्विजातयः। प्राणरक्षार्थिनः कृच्छ्रेणास्मदाश्रयवर्तिनः॥१२॥
“The brahmins who depend upon our refuge with difficulty for the protection of their lives must neither be betrayed nor neglected.
Passage 13
किं करिष्यति चैणेन भवती हेमवर्णिना। राजपुत्रि प्रतीक्षस्व कालमात्मसमुद्भवम्॥१३॥
“Princess, what will you do with this gold-colored deer? Wait for the proper time when our own fortune returns.
Passage 14
त्यक्तास्ताः सम्पदः पूर्णाः पितृपैतामहक्रमात्। आगताः स्वकुले कृत्स्नधरित्रीराज्यसम्भूताः॥१४॥
“We left behind the complete royal wealth that came through the succession of our fathers and grandfathers, born of sovereignty over the whole earth.
Passage 15
कियान् मनोरथस्तर्हि भवेत्स्वर्णमृगेण ते। त्यज लोभमिमं तन्वि न कालं दुरासदम्॥१५॥
“What worthy desire of yours could then depend upon a golden deer? Slender one, abandon this greed at such a dangerous time.
Passage 16
ताभिरेव नृपश्रीभिः काले युक्ता भविष्यसि। सम्प्राप्य व्यसनं मुग्धे मा चालय मनो निजम्॥१६॥
“In due time you will again possess that same royal splendor. Innocent one, do not let your mind be shaken merely because hardship has come.
Passage 17
सुवर्णरत्नकञ्चुक्यः कति नाङ्गे धृतास्त्वया। कति नो परिधातव्याः पुनः सम्प्राप्य तां श्रियम्॥१७॥
“How many bodices of gold and jewels have you not already worn? How many more will you wear when that prosperity is regained?
Passage 18
विभूषितास्यत्रिपुर्या त्वमखण्डश्रिये प्रिये। वासयन्ती वनं स्वाङ्गसौरभ्यैर्विचरस्यहो॥१८॥
“Beloved, endowed with undiminished beauty, you are ornamented by the splendor of all three worlds and perfume the forest as you wander with your body's fragrance.
Passage 19
को नु स्यात्तत शृङ्गारः सुवर्णमृगचर्मणा। प्रिये सहजयेवाङ्गश्रिया त्वं भूषितासि॥१९॥
“What added adornment could a golden deerskin provide? Beloved, you are already ornamented by the innate beauty of your limbs.
Passage 20
मुञ्चाभिलाषं तृष्णां च सुवर्णमृगसंग्रहे। इहापरिचिते स्थाने नय कालं यथातथम्॥२०॥
“Give up this desire and craving to possess the golden deer. In this unfamiliar place, pass the time with whatever is safely available.
Passage 21
कोऽसौ स्वर्णमृगच्छद्मा साधुर्वा दुष्ट एव वा। कोऽन्तः प्रविश्य जानाति कस्य चित्तं नु कीदृशम्॥२१॥
“Who is hidden beneath this golden-deer disguise—someone good or wicked? Who can enter another's interior and know the true nature of that mind?
Passage 22
विप्रयोगेण देवस्य गच्छेत्साध्वप्यसाधुताम्। समीक्ष्यकारी जयति परस्तत्र विहन्यते॥२२॥
“Through an adverse turn of fate, even a good being may become wicked. One who acts after careful examination succeeds; the opposite kind is ruined. The Story of Queen Sukeli
Passage 23
इतिहासं वदन्त्यत्र राज्ञ्याः स्वर्णखगस्य च। वञ्चयित्वा हता राज्ञी यथा स्वर्णखगेन सा॥२३॥
“They tell in this connection the history of a queen and a golden bird—how that queen was deceived and carried away by the golden bird.
Passage 24
आसीच्च सिंहलद्वीपे राजा नाम्ना शतज्वरः। तस्यासीन्महिषी नाम्ना सुकेलिरतिसुन्दरी॥२४॥
“On the island of Siṃhala there was a king named Śatajvara. His exceedingly beautiful chief queen was named Sukeli.
Passage 25
स प्रजाः पालयामास तथा देव्या समन्वितः। दिने दिने कृतप्रीतिस्तस्यामेव मृगीदृशि॥२५॥
“He governed his subjects together with that queen, and each day his love increased for that doe-eyed woman alone.
Passage 26
स कदाचिद्वनं यातो मृगयार्थं महीपतिः। तया देव्या समं सश्वत्क्षणविच्छेदकातरः॥२६॥
“One day the king went into the forest to hunt, taking the queen because he was always distressed by even a moment's separation from her.
Passage 27
अटवीमटमानस्तु चिक्रीडे मृगयाविदः। रथस्थो जायया सार्धं वने घ्नन् मृगशूकरान्॥२७॥
“Skilled in the hunt, he sported while roaming the wilderness, standing in his chariot beside his wife and killing deer and boars.
Passage 28
तस्मिन् वने महाघोरो वसत्येको निशाचरः। कामचारी कामरूपो महिषीं तां ददर्श सः॥२८॥
“A most terrible night-roamer lived in that forest. Moving and changing form at will, he saw the queen.
Passage 29
रूपेणाप्रतिमां भूमावाकर्णायतलोचनाम्। तप्तचामीकराभासविग्रहां भूरिभूषणाम्॥२९॥
“She was unequaled in beauty upon earth, with long eyes reaching toward her ears, a body shining like molten gold, and abundant ornaments.
Passage 30
पद्माननां मृगदृशं चन्द्रकान्तिसमप्रभाम्। समत्तकोकिलालापां क्रीडापाङ्गनिरीक्षिणीम्॥३०॥
“Lotus-faced and doe-eyed, she shone like moonstone, spoke like an intoxicated cuckoo, and cast playful sidelong glances.
Passage 31
तनुवस्त्रावृतां तन्वीं सुव्यक्तावयवप्रभाम्। बिम्बाधरां पृथुश्रोणीं हेमकुम्भोन्नतस्तनीम्॥३१॥
“Slender and clothed in a fine garment, the radiance of her limbs clearly visible, she had bimba-red lips, broad hips, and breasts raised like golden jars.
Passage 32
भवतीमिव चावङ्गीं दृष्ट्वा राक्षस ईदृशीम्। मुमोह विपिनेऽत्यर्थं मदनाविष्टमानसः॥३२॥
“Seeing that flawless woman, much like you, the rākṣasa became utterly bewildered in the forest, his mind possessed by desire.
Passage 33
हा मर्त्यजाति यत्रेदृक्सौन्दर्येण समन्विताः। भवन्ति नार्यो नयनैर्मोहयन्त्यो नृणां मनः॥३३॥
“He exclaimed, ‘Ah, the human race, in which women endowed with such beauty enchant men's minds with their eyes!
Passage 34
कथं न्वेतादृशी भार्या भवेन्मम मनोरमा। धिङ्मां रक्षोयोनिगतम् अनादृत्यं किलाखिलैः॥३४॥
“‘How might such a delightful woman become my wife? Shame upon my birth among rākṣasas, which is surely despised by everyone!
Passage 35
कदा स्वेतादृशीं बालां सुन्दरीमङ्कमध्यतः। आरोप्य रमयिष्यामि मदनोत्सवविह्वलः॥३५॥
“‘When shall I place such a young beauty in my lap and sport with her, overwhelmed by the festival of desire?
Passage 36
अपीयं नयनान्तेन मां पश्येद् दर्पशालिनी। तदेव मे भवेज्जन्म सार्थकं जगति ध्रुवम्॥३६॥
“‘If this proud woman would merely look at me from the corner of her eye, my birth in the world would certainly become worthwhile.’
Passage 37
इति ब्रुवाण एवायं मुमूर्छ स्मरविह्वलः। पुनः सम्प्राप्य कृच्छ्रेण चेतनामेष राक्षसः॥३७॥
“Speaking thus and overcome by passion, the rākṣasa fainted. With difficulty he later regained consciousness.
Passage 38
गृहं गच्छत एवास्य पृष्ठलग्नो बभूव ह। विवेश भार्यामादाय रत्नसौधं महीपतिः॥३८॥
“He followed close behind the king as he returned home. The ruler entered his jeweled palace with his wife.
Passage 39
गृहे निशाचरश्चास्य रन्ध्रान्वेषी बभूव सः। राज्ञे ज्योतिर्विदा केनाप्यावेदितमतः परम्॥३९॥
“The night-roamer remained near his house searching for an opening. Meanwhile an astrologer gave the king this warning.
Passage 40
राजन् भार्यां सावधानो गोपाय त्वं निरन्तरम्। अस्मिन् भार्यापहारस्ते मासि शास्त्रेण सूचितः॥४०॥
“‘King, remain vigilant and guard your wife continually. The science indicates that your wife may be abducted during this month.
Passage 41
चौरेभ्यो राक्षसेभ्यो वा साशङ्कस्तिष्ठ सन्ततम्। अलक्ष्यरूपाः कुर्वन्ति मायिनः कार्यमात्मनः॥४१॥
“‘Be constantly wary of thieves or rākṣasas. Sorcerers assume unrecognizable forms to accomplish their purpose.’
Passage 42
इत्युक्तस्तेन नृपतिरन्तःपुरगतः पुनः। भार्यायै ज्ञापयामास दैवज्ञेन यदीरितम्॥४२॥
“Thus warned, the king returned to the inner apartments and told his wife what the astrologer had said.
Passage 43
मा विश्वस हृदा राज्ञि यं कञ्चिन्मानवं ध्रुवम्। आवेदितं त्वद्विषयेऽनिष्टं ज्योतिर्विदा किल॥४३॥
“‘Queen, do not place heartfelt trust in any person whatsoever. The astrologer has indeed announced danger concerning you.
Passage 44
रक्षोभिस्तस्करैर्दुष्टैर्हरणं ते निवेदितम्। न सम्भाव्यतमं तत्तु तव रक्षाकृतस्थितेः॥४४॥
“‘He predicted your abduction by rākṣasas or wicked thieves, though such a thing seems nearly impossible while you remain under guard.
Passage 45
सामान्यजनभार्यापि हर्तुं नो शक्यते परैः। किं पुनस्त्वं कुरङ्गाक्षि ममान्तःपुररक्षिता॥४५॥
“‘Even an ordinary man's wife cannot easily be carried off by others—how much less you, doe-eyed one, protected in my inner apartments?
Passage 46
तथापि खलु दुर्दैवाच्छङ्कनीयं दिवानिशम्। इति तस्यै निवेद्यैष विश्वगक्षितवान् पुरम्॥४६॥
“‘Nevertheless, because misfortune is possible, vigilance is required day and night.’ Having told her this, he guarded the city on every side.
Passage 47
अन्तःपुरं विशेषेण नृपतिः पर्यरक्षयत्। आत्मना च महीपालो रक्षां चक्रेऽवधानतः॥४७॥
“The king especially protected the inner apartments and personally maintained the guard with great attention. The Golden Bird's Deception
Passage 48
कदाचिदेकान्तपुरगा गृहारामे मनोरमे। विचरन्ती सखीवृन्दैः खगमेकं ददर्श ह॥४८॥
“One day, walking with her companions in a lovely private palace garden, the queen saw a certain bird.
Passage 49
तमेव राक्षसं क्रूरं मायाकल्पितविग्रहम्। सुवर्णपक्षतिरम्यं रत्नचञ्चुमनोहरम्॥४९॥
“It was that same cruel rākṣasa in a magically fashioned body, beautiful with golden wings and a captivating jeweled beak.
Passage 50
विचित्रमणिमाणिक्यचरणं चारुचञ्चलम्। तं दृष्ट्वा चाद्भुततमं खगं कपटवेदिनम्॥५०॥
“Its feet appeared to be made of wonderful gems and rubies, and it moved charmingly. She beheld that most astonishing bird skilled in deception.
Passage 51
मुमोह मनसा बाला लोभात्तस्याभिलाषुका। तस्याः पुरः स विहगो मुहुः पर्युप्लवन् भुवि॥५१॥
“The young queen's mind became deluded by greed and she desired it. The bird repeatedly fluttered over the ground before her.
Passage 52
लोभयन् हृदयं चैव हस्तग्राह्य इवाभवत्। उत्प्लुत्योत्प्लुत्य धरणौ तिष्ठन् मायाखगः खलः॥५२॥
“Enticing her heart, the wicked illusory bird seemed almost within hand's reach, repeatedly hopping up and then standing upon the ground.
Passage 53
अग्रेऽग्रे तां क्रमान्निन्ये यत्र सान्द्रलतावनम्। विवेश तत्र सा बाला स्वर्णपक्षिकृतस्पृहा॥५३॥
“Moving just ahead, it gradually led her to a grove dense with vines. Desiring the golden-winged creature, the young woman entered it.
Passage 54
विनिवार्य सखीवृन्दं खगोच्चाटनदण्डया। आसीद्रहोगता चापि दुर्दैवेन प्रचोदिता॥५४॥
“Telling her companions to remain behind lest they frighten away the bird, she went alone into seclusion, driven by misfortune.
Passage 55
दृष्ट्वा रहोगतां बालां तां चिरेण कृतस्पृहाम्। रूपं प्रकाशयामास राक्षसो जनभीषणः॥५५॥
“Seeing the long-desired young woman alone, the people-terrifying rākṣasa revealed his true form.
Passage 56
तामादाय बलात्तन्वीं रुदन्तीं भयविह्वलाम्। व्योममार्गेण सम्प्राप्तः स्वावासं गह्वरं वनम्॥५६॥
“Seizing the slender woman by force as she wept and trembled with fear, he carried her through the sky to his home in a forest cave.
Passage 57
अतस्तेऽहं जनकजे बोधयामि पुनः पुनः। नैव विश्वासः सौवर्णमृगमज्ञातमानसम्॥५७॥
“Therefore, daughter of Janaka, I warn you again and again: place no trust in this golden deer whose mind is unknown.
Passage 58
असमीक्ष्यक्रिया हन्ति यशो विद्यां बलं धियम्। समीक्ष्यकारिणः सर्वे मोदन्ते सुखिनो जनाः॥५८॥
“Action taken without examination destroys reputation, learning, strength, and judgment. Those who act after careful consideration prosper and live happily.
Passage 59
एतन्मयोक्तं वचनं हितं ते राजेन्द्रपुत्रि प्रतिभान्वितायै। न लङ्घनीया च मम त्वदिष्टस्पृहाप्रपूर्तिर्भण यत्करोमि॥५९॥
“Princess, gifted with insight, these words I have spoken are for your good. Yet your cherished wish is not to be disregarded; tell me what I should do to fulfill it.” Thus ends Chapter 149, “Rāma's Instruction to His Beloved,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.