Vaalmeeki Raamaayana Aranya Kaanda Sargas 67-68 (Devanagari, Roman)

[amritha varshini]

From: Read Ramayana <ad...@readramayana.org>

Date: 2016-08-27 6:31 GMT+05:30
Subject: Vaalmeeki Raamaayana Aranya Kaanda Sargas 67-68 (Devanagari, Roman)
To: amrithava...@gmail.com

Aranya Kaanda - Sarga 67 In this Sarga, Rāma, following the inspiring words and advice of Lakshmaṇa, goes all around the Vana along with him, searching for Seetā. They then see Jaṭāyu with his body covered in blood. Rāma mistakes him to be a Rākshasa who came in the form of an eagle and who had devoured Seetā. As he is about to shoot Jaṭāyu with his arrows, Jaṭāyu announces himself and tells that he has seen Rāvaṇa carrying off Seetā. He then explains how he fought with him, breaking his chariot and killing the charioteer and how Rāvaṇa subsequently cut his wings off when he was tired. Rāma embraces Jaṭāyu and cries, showing filial love to him.
3.67.1	पूर्वजोऽप्युक्तमात्रस्तु लक्ष्मणेन सुभाषितम् । सारग्राही महासारम् प्रतिजग्राह राघवः ॥ pūrvajō'pyuktamātrastu lakṣmaṇēna subhāṣitam । sāragrāhī mahāsāram pratijagrāha rāghavaḥ ॥ Even though he was the elder of the two, Rāghava who could grasp the essence with ease, accepted the wholesome and well spoken words of Lakshmaṇa right away.
3.67.2	सन्निगृह्य महाबाहुः प्रवृत्तं कोपमात्मनः । अवष्टभ्य धनुश्चित्रम् रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥ sannigṛhya mahābāhuḥ pravṛttaṃ kōpamātmanaḥ । avaṣṭabhya dhanuṡcitram rāmō lakṣmaṇamabravīt ॥ Restraining his swelling anger, Rāma of the mighty arm said to Lakshmaṇa who stood leaning on his splendid bow:
3.67.3	किं करिष्यावहे वत्स क्व वा गच्छाव लक्ष्मण । केनोपायेन पश्येयम् सीतामिति विचिन्तय ॥ kiṃ kariṣyāvahē vatsa kva vā gacchāva lakṣmaṇa । kēnōpāyēna paṡyēyam sītāmiti vicintaya ॥ O Lakshmaṇa, my dear, what shall we do, where shall we go, how shall we find Seetā? please think it over!
3.67.4-5a	तं तथा परितापार्तम् लक्ष्मणो राममब्रवीत् । इदमेव जनस्थानम् त्वमन्वेषितुमर्हसि । राक्षसैर्बहुभिः कीर्णम् नानाद्रुमलतायुतम् ॥ taṃ tathā paritāpārtam lakṣmaṇō rāmamabravīt । idamēva janasthānam tvamanvēṣitumarhasi । rākṣasairbahubhiḥ kīrṇam nānādrumalatāyutam ॥ Lakshmaṇa then said to Rāma who was pitifully in distress: ‘You should search right here in Janasthāna, which is full of Rākshasas and trees and creepers of every kind.’
3.67.5b-6	सन्तीह गिरिदुर्गाणि निर्दराः कन्दराणि च । गुहाश्च विविधा घोरा नानामृगगणाकुलाः । आवासाः किन्नराणां च गन्धर्वभवनानि च ॥ santīha giridurgāṇi nirdarāḥ kandarāṇi ca । guhāṡca vividhā ghōrā nānāmṛgagaṇākulāḥ । āvāsāḥ kinnarāṇāṃ ca gandharvabhavanāni ca ॥ There are many mountain peaks, valleys, dreadful caves and crevices in which dwell all kinds of beasts. There are also the dwellings of Kinnaras and mansions of Gandharvas.
3.67.7-8a	तानि युक्तो मया सार्धम् त्वमन्वेषितुमर्हसि । त्वद्विधा बुद्धिसम्पन्ना महात्मानो नरर्षभ । आपत्सु न प्रकम्पन्ते वायुवेगैरिवाचलाः ॥ tāni yuktō mayā sārdham tvamanvēṣitumarhasi । tvadvidhā buddhisampannā mahātmānō nararṣabha । āpatsu na prakampantē vāyuvēgairivācalāḥ ॥ You, aided by me, should make a thorough search. Mahātmas and men of excellent intellect like you are no more shaken by calamities, however great, O bull among men, than mountains by high winds.
3.67.8b-9a	इत्युक्तस्तद्वनं सर्वम् विचचार सलक्ष्मणः । क्रुद्धो रामश्शरं घोरम् सन्धाय धनुषि क्षुरम् ॥ ityuktastadvanaṃ sarvam vicacāra salakṣmaṇaḥ । kruddhō rāmaṡṡaraṃ ghōram sandhāya dhanuṣi kṣuram ॥ Thus advised, Rāma, in his anger, mounted a dreaded crescent-headed arrow on the bow and went around the entire Vana along with Lakshmaṇa.
3.67.9b-10a	ततः पर्वतकूटाभम् महाभागं द्विजोत्तमम् । ददर्श पतितं भूमौ क्षतजार्द्रं जटायुषम् ॥ tataḥ parvatakūṭābham mahābhāgaṃ dvijōttamam । dadarṡa patitaṃ bhūmau kṣatajārdraṃ jaṭāyuṣam ॥ Then he saw the blessed Jaṭāyu, the eminent bird, who was huge like a mountain crest fallen on the ground soaked in blood.
3.67.10b-11a	तं दृष्ट्वा गिरिशृङ्गाभम् रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् । अनेन सीता वैदेही भक्षिता नात्र संशयः ॥ taṃ dṛṣṭvā giriṡṛṅgābham rāmō lakṣmaṇamabravīt । anēna sītā vaidēhī bhakṣitā nātra saṃṡayaḥ ॥ Seeing him, who was like a mountain crest, Rāma said to Lakshmaṇa: ‘Without a doubt he is the one who devoured Vaidēhi.’
3.67.11b-12	गृध्ररूपमिदं रक्षो व्यक्तं भवति कानने । भक्षयित्वा विशालाक्षीम् आस्ते सीतां यथासुखम् । एनं वधिष्ये दीप्तास्यैः घोरैर्बाणैरजिह्मगैः ॥ gṛdhrarūpamidaṃ rakṣō vyaktaṃ bhavati kānanē । bhakṣayitvā viṡālākṣīm āstē sītāṃ yathāsukham । ēnaṃ vadhiṣyē dīptāsyaiḥ ghōrairbāṇairajihmagaiḥ ॥ This, clearly, is a Rākshasa in the guise of an eagle that roams the forest. Having devoured Seetā of wide eyes, he is lying here happily. I shall kill him with the terrible straight-flying arrows with blazing tips!
3.67.13	इत्युक्त्वाभ्यपतद्गृध्रम् सन्धाय धनुषि क्षुरम् । क्रुद्धो रामस्समुद्रान्ताम् कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥ ityuktvābhyapatadgṛdhram sandhāya dhanuṣi kṣuram । kruddhō rāmassamudrāntām kampayanniva mēdinīm ॥ Saying this, the angry Rāma dashed to the eagle, mounting a crescent-headed arrow on the bow, as if he would shake the earth that extends to the ocean’s edge.
3.67.14	तं दीनं दीनया वाचा सफेनं रुधिरं वमन् । अभ्यभाषत पक्षी तु रामं दशरथात्मजम् ॥ taṃ dīnaṃ dīnayā vācā saphēnaṃ rudhiraṃ vaman । abhyabhāṣata pakṣī tu rāmaṃ daṡarathātmajam ॥ But the bird addressed Rāma, son of Daṡaratha who was feeling miserable, in a feeble voice, vomiting frothy blood as he did so:
3.67.15	यामोषधिमिवायुष्मन् अन्वेषसि महावने । सा देवी मम च प्राणा रावणेनोभयं हृतम् ॥ yāmōṣadhimivāyuṣman anvēṣasi mahāvanē । sā dēvī mama ca prāṇā rāvaṇēnōbhayaṃ hṛtam ॥ O you of long life! Both the lady for whom you are searching, like for a rare herb, in this great Vana and my life were snatched away by Rāvaṇa.
3.67.16	त्वया विरहिता देवी लक्ष्मणेन च राघव । ह्रियमाणा मया दृष्टा रावणेन बलीयसा ॥ tvayā virahitā dēvī lakṣmaṇēna ca rāghava । hriyamāṇā mayā dṛṣṭā rāvaṇēna balīyasā ॥ I saw the lady being carried off by the powerful Rāvaṇa when you and Lakshmaṇa were away, O Rāghava!
3.67.17	सीतामभ्यवपन्नोऽहम् रावणश्च रणे मया । विध्वंसितरथश्चात्र पातितो धरणीतले ॥ sītāmabhyavapannō'ham rāvaṇaṡca raṇē mayā । vidhvaṃsitarathaṡcātra pātitō dharaṇītalē ॥ Then I went to her and fought with Rāvaṇa, shattering his chariot and hurling him down on the ground.
3.67.18	एतदस्य धनुर्भग्नम् एतदस्य शरावरम् । अयमस्य रथो राम भग्नसाङ्ग्रामिको मया ॥ ētadasya dhanurbhagnam ētadasya ṡarāvaram । ayamasya rathō rāma bhagnasāṅgrāmikō mayā ॥ This is the broken bow and this, his armor. This, O Rāma, is the war-chariot that was shivered by me.
3.67.19-20	अयं तु सारथिस्तस्य मत्पक्षनिहतो युधि । परिश्रान्तस्य मे पक्षौ छित्त्वा खड्गेन रावणः । सीतामादाय वैदेहीम् उत्पपात विहायसम् । रक्षसा निहतं पूर्वम् न मां हन्तुं त्वमर्हसि ॥ ayaṃ tu sārathistasya matpakṣanihatō yudhi । pariṡrāntasya mē pakṣau chittvā khaḍgēna rāvaṇaḥ । sītāmādāya vaidēhīm utpapāta vihāyasam । rakṣasā nihataṃ pūrvam na māṃ hantuṃ tvamarhasi ॥ This is his charioteer, who was killed by a blow from my wing. Cutting down my wings with his sword when I was tired and exhausted, Rāvaṇa rose into the sky, carrying Vaidēhi with him. The Rākshasa has already killed me; don’t you hit me too.
3.67.21	रामस्तस्य तु विज्ञाय बाष्पपूर्णमुखस्तदा । द्विगुणीकृततापार्तः सीतासक्तां प्रियां कथाम् ॥ rāmastasya tu vijñāya bāṣpapūrṇamukhastadā । dviguṇīkṛtatāpārtaḥ sītāsaktāṃ priyāṃ kathām ॥ Hearing from him the news of Seetā that he was longing to hear, Rāma felt doubly distressed, his face filled with tears.
3.67.22	गृध्रराजं परिष्वज्य परित्यज्य महद्धनुः । निपपातावशो भूमौ रुरोद सहलक्ष्मणः ॥ gṛdhrarājaṃ pariṣvajya parityajya mahaddhanuḥ । nipapātāvaṡō bhūmau rurōda sahalakṣmaṇaḥ ॥ Throwing away the great bow and embracing the king of eagles, he fell on the ground unable to hold himself and cried bitterly along with Lakshmaṇa.
3.67.23	एकमेकायने कृच्छ्रे निश्श्वसन्तं कथञ्चन । समीक्ष्य दुःखिततरो रामस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत् ॥ ēkamēkāyanē kṛcchrē niṡṡvasantaṃ kathañcana । samīkṣya duḥkhitatarō rāmassaumitrimabravīt ॥ On seeing the bird that lay alone managing to gasp somehow as the breath passed only in one direction, Rāma, his grief aggravated, said to Sowmitri: ‘Breath passed in only one direction’ means ‘able to exhale but not inhale’.
3.67.24	राज्यं भ्रष्टं वने वासः सीता नष्टा हतो द्विजः । ईदृशीयं ममालक्ष्मीः निर्दहेदपि पावकम् ॥ rājyaṃ bhraṣṭaṃ vanē vāsaḥ sītā naṣṭā hatō dvijaḥ । īdṛṡīyaṃ mamālakṣmīḥ nirdahēdapi pāvakam ॥ Kingdom gone, Vana for residence, Seetā lost and the bird killed; a misfortune like this could burn out even the fire.
3.67.25	सम्पूर्णमपि चेदद्य प्रविशेयं महोदधिम् । सोऽपि नूनं ममालक्ष्म्या विशुष्येत्सरितांपतिः ॥ sampūrṇamapi cēdadya praviṡēyaṃ mahōdadhim । sō'pi nūnaṃ mamālakṣmyā viṡuṣyētsaritāṃpatiḥ ॥ Even the great ocean, the recourse of all rivers, which is full (with water) will dry up without a doubt, if I enter it, because I carry ill-luck (with me).
3.67.26	नास्त्यभाग्यतरो लोके मत्तोऽस्मिन्सचराचरे । येनेयं महती प्राप्ता मया व्यसनवागुरा ॥ nāstyabhāgyatarō lōkē mattō'sminsacarācarē । yēnēyaṃ mahatī prāptā mayā vyasanavāgurā ॥ There is none in this world, among the mobile and the stationary who is more unfortunate than myself, caught in this huge net of sorrows. Mobile refers to the animal kingdom, planets, etc. that move and stationary refers to the plant kingdom, mountains, etc., which do not move.
3.67.27	अयं पितृवयस्यो मे गृध्रराजो जरान्वितः । शेते विनिहतो भूमौ मम भाग्यविपर्ययात् ॥ ayaṃ pitṛvayasyō mē gṛdhrarājō jarānvitaḥ । ṡētē vinihatō bhūmau mama bhāgyaviparyayāt ॥ It is due to my luck turning upside down that this king of eagles, a good friend of my father, ripe in age lies on the ground, struck down.
3.67.28	इत्येवमुक्त्वा बहुशो राघवस्सहलक्ष्मणः । जटायुषं च पस्पर्श पितृस्नेहं विदर्शयन् ॥ ityēvamuktvā bahuṡō rāghavassahalakṣmaṇaḥ । jaṭāyuṣaṃ ca pasparṡa pitṛsnēhaṃ vidarṡayan ॥ Saying many a word like this, Rāghava along with Lakshmaṇa stroked Jaṭāyu with his hands, showing filial love.
3.67.29	निकृत्तपक्षं रुधिरावसिक्तं स गृध्रराजं परिरभ्य रामः । क्व मैथिली प्राणसमा ममेति विमुच्य वाचं निपपात भूमौ ॥ nikṛttapakṣaṃ rudhirāvasiktaṃ sa gṛdhrarājaṃ parirabhya rāmaḥ । kva maithilī prāṇasamā mamēti vimucya vācaṃ nipapāta bhūmau ॥ Embracing the King of eagles, who was covered with blood and whose wings had been cut off, Rāghava fell on the ground, while saying ‘Where is Maithili, who is like my own life!’
	इत्यार्षे वाल्मीकीये श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे सप्तषष्टितमस्सर्गः । ityārṣē vālmīkīyē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē saptaṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ । Thus concludes the sixty seventh Sarga in Araṇya Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa, the first ever poem of humankind, composed by Maharshi Vālmeeki.
Aranya Kaanda - Sarga 68 In this Sarga, Rāma urges Jaṭāyu, who is struggling for his breath, to tell as much as he can about Seetā and Rāvaṇa. Jaṭāyu tells Rāma that Rāvaṇa is the son of Viṡravasu and the brother of Vaiṡravaṇa. He also tells that Rāvaṇa abducted Seetā in the Vinda Muhūrta and any property lost in Vinda Muhūrta ultimately comes back to the rightful owner. He assures Rāma that he will, before it is too long, kill Rāvaṇa and save Seetā. Jaṭāyu then takes his last breath. Rāma performs the last rites for him, as if he were his own kin, in a customary manner. He, along with Lakshmaṇa goes to Godavari and offers water libations to the bird. Then the brothers set out into the Vana to recover Seetā.
3.68.1	रामस्सम्प्रेक्ष्य तं गृध्रम् भुवि रौद्रेण पातितम् । सौमित्रिं मित्रसम्पन्नम् इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ rāmassamprēkṣya taṃ gṛdhram bhuvi raudrēṇa pātitam । saumitriṃ mitrasampannam idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥ Looking at the eagle on the ground that was struck down by the ferocious one, Rāma said these words to Sowmitri, who befriended all creatures:
3.68.2	ममायं नूनमर्थेषु यतमानो विहङ्गमः । राक्षसेन हतस्संख्ये प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यति दुस्त्यजान् ॥ mamāyaṃ nūnamarthēṣu yatamānō vihaṅgamaḥ । rākṣasēna hatassaṃkhyē prāṇāṃstyakṣyati dustyajān ॥ This bird has tried his utmost for my sake and was struck down by the Rākshasa in the fight. He would give up his life, for certain, the hardest (for anyone) to give up.
3.68.3	अति खिन्नः शरीरेऽस्मिन् प्राणो लक्ष्मण विद्यते । तथा हि स्वरहीनोऽयम् विक्लबस्समुदीक्षते ॥ ati khinnaḥ ṡarīrē'smin prāṇō lakṣmaṇa vidyatē । tathā hi svarahīnō'yam viklabassamudīkṣatē ॥ O Lakshmaṇa! It seems very little of life, if any, is left in his body. He is losing his voice as well, and is faltering.
3.68.4	जटायो यदि शक्नोषि वाक्यं व्याहरितुं पुनः । सीतामाख्याहि भद्रं ते वधमाख्याहि चात्मनः ॥ jaṭāyō yadi ṡaknōṣi vākyaṃ vyāharituṃ punaḥ । sītāmākhyāhi bhadraṃ tē vadhamākhyāhi cātmanaḥ ॥ O Jaṭāyu! If at all you can, once again please tell me about Seetā and tell me how you were struck down! May all bode well for you!
3.68.5	किं निमित्तोऽहरत्सीताम् रावणस्तस्य किं मया । अपराद्धं तु यं दृष्ट्वा रावणेन हृता प्रिया ॥ kiṃ nimittō'haratsītām rāvaṇastasya kiṃ mayā । aparāddhaṃ tu yaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇēna hṛtā priyā ॥ Why did Rāvaṇa abduct Seetā? What offence did I commit for Rāvaṇa to carry off my beloved?
3.68.6	कथं तच्चन्द्रसङ्काशम् मुखमासीन्मनोहरम् । सीतया कानि चोक्तानि तस्मिन्काले द्विजोत्तम ॥ kathaṃ taccandrasaṅkāṡam mukhamāsīnmanōharam । sītayā kāni cōktāni tasminkālē dvijōttama ॥ How did that lovely and moon-bright face look, and what did Seetā say at the time, O best of birds?
3.68.7	कथं वीर्यः कथं रूपः किं कर्मा स च राक्षसः । क्व चास्य भवनं तात ब्रूहि मे परिपृच्छतः ॥ kathaṃ vīryaḥ kathaṃ rūpaḥ kiṃ karmā sa ca rākṣasaḥ । kva cāsya bhavanaṃ tāta brūhi mē paripṛcchataḥ ॥ How strong is that Rākshasa? What did he look like? What exactly did he do? Where does he live? My dear father! Please answer my questions!
3.68.8	तमुद्वीक्ष्याथ दीनात्मा विलपन्तमनन्तरम् । वाचातिसन्नया रामम् जटायुरिदमब्रवीत् ॥ tamudvīkṣyātha dīnātmā vilapantamanantaram । vācātisannayā rāmam jaṭāyuridamabravīt ॥ Then Jaṭāyu, in his piteous condition, looked up at Rāma who was lamenting and said these words in a highly feeble voice:
.3.68.9	हृता सा राक्षसेन्द्रेण रावणेन विहायसा । मायामास्थाय विपुलाम् वातदुर्दिनसङ्कुलाम् ॥ hṛtā sā rākṣasēndrēṇa rāvaṇēna vihāyasā । māyāmāsthāya vipulām vātadurdinasaṅkulām ॥ She was carried off by the lord of Rākshasas along the sky that was tumultuous with high winds and clouds, which he created with his great wizardry.
3.68.10	परिश्रान्तस्य मे तात पक्षौ छित्वा स राक्षसः । सीतामादाय वैदेहीम् प्रयातो दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥ pariṡrāntasya mē tāta pakṣau chitvā sa rākṣasaḥ । sītāmādāya vaidēhīm prayātō dakṣiṇāṃ diṡam ॥ My dear! When I was tired to exhaustion, the Rākshasa cut off my wings and went in the southerly direction, taking Vaidēhi with him.
3.68.11	उपरुध्यन्ति मे प्राणा दृष्टिर्भ्रमति राघव । पश्यामि वृक्षान्सौवर्णान् उशीरकृतमूर्धजान् ॥ uparudhyanti mē prāṇā dṛṣṭirbhramati rāghava । paṡyāmi vṛkṣānsauvarṇān uṡīrakṛtamūrdhajān ॥ I am finding it difficult to breathe and I am feeling dizzy, O Rāghava! I see trees of golden hues with Uṡīra-like tops.
3.68.12	येन याति मुहूर्तेन सीतामादाय रावणः । विप्रणष्टं धनं क्षिप्रम् तत्स्वामी प्रतिपद्यते । विन्दो नाम मुहूर्तोऽयम् स च काकुत्स्थ नाबुधत् ॥ yēna yāti muhūrtēna sītāmādāya rāvaṇaḥ । vipraṇaṣṭaṃ dhanaṃ kṣipram tatsvāmī pratipadyatē । vindō nāma muhūrtō'yam sa ca kākutstha nābudhat ॥ Rāvaṇa carried off Seetā at the Vinda Muhūrta. Any property that is lost in that Muhūrta comes back to its proper owner. But he did not know that, O Kākutstha!
3.68.13	त्वत्प्रियां जानकीं हृत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । झषवद्बडिशं गृह्य क्षिप्रमेव विनश्यति ॥ tvatpriyāṃ jānakīṃ hṛtvā rāvaṇō rākṣasēṡvaraḥ । jhaṣavadbaḍiṡaṃ gṛhya kṣipramēva vinaṡyati ॥ Rāvaṇa, the lord of Rakshasas, having carried off your beloved Janaki, will soon perish like a fish that swallowed the hook.
3.68.14	न च त्वया व्यथा कार्या जनकस्य सुतां प्रति । वैदेह्या रंस्यसे क्षिप्रम् हत्वा तं राक्षसं रणे ॥ na ca tvayā vyathā kāryā janakasya sutāṃ prati । vaidēhyā raṃsyasē kṣipram hatvā taṃ rākṣasaṃ raṇē ॥ Do not worry about Janaka’s daughter; you will soon enjoy the company of Vaidēhi, having slain the Rākshasa in battle.
3.68.15	असम्मूढस्य गृध्रस्य रामं प्रत्यनुभाषतः । आस्यात्सुस्राव रुधिरम् म्रियमाणस्य सामिषम् ॥ asammūḍhasya gṛdhrasya rāmaṃ pratyanubhāṣataḥ । āsyātsusrāva rudhiram mriyamāṇasya sāmiṣam ॥ The dying eagle who, with a mind still clear, was thus replying to Rāma, vomited flesh and blood.
3.68.16	पुत्रो विश्रवसस्साक्षात् भ्राता वैश्रवणस्य च । इत्युक्त्वा दुर्लभान्प्राणान् मुमोच पतगेश्वरः ॥ putrō viṡravasassākṣāt bhrātā vaiṡravaṇasya ca । ityuktvā durlabhānprāṇān mumōca patagēṡvaraḥ ॥ (He) is the son of Viṡravasu and brother of Vaiṡravaṇa. Saying this, the lordly bird breathed his last, and gave up the life which cannot be regained.	How does Jaṭāyu know about Rāvaṇa’s background? Because he lived long and was knowledgeable about lineages, as was clear from Sarga 14 of this Kāṇḍa.
3.68.17	ब्रूहि ब्रूहीति रामस्य ब्रुवाणस्य कृताञ्जलेः । त्वक्त्वा शरीरं गृध्रस्य जग्मुः प्राणा विहायसम् ॥ brūhi brūhīti rāmasya bruvāṇasya kṛtāñjalēḥ । tvaktvā ṡarīraṃ gṛdhrasya jagmuḥ prāṇā vihāyasam ॥ As Rāma with folded hands urged him ‘Tell me, tell me!’, the soul of the eagle left the body and went to the heavens.
3.68.18	स निक्षिप्य शिरो भूमौ प्रसार्य चरणौ तदा । विक्षिप्य च शरीरं स्वम् पपात धरणीतले ॥ sa nikṣipya ṡirō bhūmau prasārya caraṇau tadā । vikṣipya ca ṡarīraṃ svam papāta dharaṇītalē ॥ He then fell down, laying down his head on the ground, stretching his feet and letting the body drop on the earth.
3.68.19	तं गृध्रं प्रेक्ष्य ताम्राक्षम् गतासुमचलोपमम् । रामस्सुबहुभिर्दुःखैः दीनस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत् ॥ taṃ gṛdhraṃ prēkṣya tāmrākṣam gatāsumacalōpamam । rāmassubahubhirduḥkhaiḥ dīnassaumitrimabravīt ॥ Seeing that red-eyed mountainous eagle fall dead, Rāma, sunk under the burden of many griefs, said to Sowmitri:
3.68.20	बहूनि रक्षसां वासे वर्षाणि वसता सुखम् । अनेन दण्डकारण्ये विशीर्णमिह पक्षिणा ॥ bahūni rakṣasāṃ vāsē varṣāṇi vasatā sukham । anēna daṇḍakāraṇyē viṡīrṇamiha pakṣiṇā ॥ Having lived for many years happily in the Daṇḍaka Araṇya, the abode of Rakshasas, this bird wilted here.
3.68.21	अनेकवार्षिको यस्तु चिरकालसमुत्थितः । सोऽयमद्य हतश्शेते कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः ॥ anēkavārṣikō yastu cirakālasamutthitaḥ । sō'yamadya hataṡṡētē kālō hi duratikramaḥ ॥ Having lived for many years and being energetic during that long time, he lies motionless and dead today; alas, fate can hardly be conquered!
3.68.22	पश्य लक्ष्मण गृध्रोऽयम् उपकारी हतश्च मे । सीतामभ्यवपन्नो वै रावणेन बलीयसा ॥ paṡya lakṣmaṇa gṛdhrō'yam upakārī hataṡca mē । sītāmabhyavapannō vai rāvaṇēna balīyasā ॥ Look Lakshmaṇa, this eagle, who meant to help me by trying to rescue Seetā, was killed by Rāvaṇa who was stronger.
3.68.23	गृध्रराज्यं परित्यज्य पितृपैतामहं महत् । मम हेतोरयं प्राणान् मुमोच पतगेश्वरः ॥ gṛdhrarājyaṃ parityajya pitṛpaitāmahaṃ mahat । mama hētōrayaṃ prāṇān mumōca patagēṡvaraḥ ॥ Relinquishing the kingdom of eagles that was handed down from father to son, this lord of birds gave up his life for my sake.
3.68.24	सर्वत्र खलु दृश्यन्ते साधवो धर्मचारिणः । शूराश्शरण्यास्सौमित्रे तिर्यग्योनिगतेष्वपि ॥ sarvatra khalu dṛṡyantē sādhavō dharmacāriṇaḥ । ṡūrāṡṡaraṇyāssaumitrē tiryagyōnigatēṣvapi ॥ O Sowmitri! Everywhere, even among the avian creatures, are to be found good souls that adhere to Dharma, who are valiant and the refuge of the weak and helpless.
3.68.25	सीताहरणजं दुःखम् न मे सौम्य तथाविधम् । यथा विनाशे गृध्रस्य मत्कृते च परन्तप ॥ sītāharaṇajaṃ duḥkham na mē saumya tathāvidham । yathā vināṡē gṛdhrasya matkṛtē ca parantapa ॥ O my dear! O scorcher of foes! The grief that arises in me because of the abduction of Seetā is nothing in comparison to that caused by the death of this eagle, for my sake.	In the very first Sarga of Rāmāyaṇa, Rāma was described as कृतज्ञः (kṛtajñaḥ), one who appreciates, remembers and is grateful for any help he received. In these Ṡlōkas we find the perfect example of that quality of him.
3.68.26	राजा दशरथश्श्रीमान् यथा मम महायशाः । पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च तथाऽयं पतगेश्वरः ॥ rājā daṡarathaṡṡrīmān yathā mama mahāyaṡāḥ । pūjanīyaṡca mānyaṡca tathā'yaṃ patagēṡvaraḥ ॥ This lord of birds is as worthy of my reverence and regard as the blessed and greatly renowned King Daṡaratha himself.
3.68.27	सौमित्रे हर काष्ठानि निर्मथिष्यामि पावकम् । गृध्रराजं दिधक्षामि मत्कृते निधनं गतम् ॥ saumitrē hara kāṣṭhāni nirmathiṣyāmi pāvakam । gṛdhrarājaṃ didhakṣāmi matkṛtē nidhanaṃ gatam ॥ Fetch firewood, O Sowmitri, I shall raise a fire and cremate the King of the eagles, who died for my sake.
3.68.28	नाथं पतगलोकस्य चितामारोप्य राघव । इमं धक्ष्यामि सौमित्रे हतं रौद्रेण रक्षसा ॥ nāthaṃ patagalōkasya citāmārōpya rāghava । imaṃ dhakṣyāmi saumitrē hataṃ raudrēṇa rakṣasā ॥ O Rāghava! O Sowmitri! I shall place this ruler of the world of birds, who was killed by the fierce Rākshasa, on the funeral pyre and cremate him.
3.68.29-30	या गतिर्यज्ञशीलानाम् आहिताग्नेश्च या गतिः । अपरावर्तिनां या च या च भूमिप्रदायिनाम् । मया त्वं समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकाननुत्तमान् । गृध्रराज महासत्त्व संस्कृतश्च मया व्रज ॥ yā gatiryajñaṡīlānām āhitāgnēṡca yā gatiḥ । aparāvartināṃ yā ca yā ca bhūmipradāyinām । mayā tvaṃ samanujñātō gaccha lōkānanuttamān । gṛdhrarāja mahāsattva saṃskṛtaṡca mayā vraja ॥ O King of eagles! O mighty soul! You shall, with my approbation and by virtue of the last rites I perform for you, go to such higher realms to which those who perform Yajñas and fire-rites, those who never turn their back in a battle and those who gift away lands go.
3.68.31	एवमुक्त्वा चितां दीप्ताम् आरोप्य पतगेश्वरम् । ददाह रामो धर्मात्मा स्वबन्धुमिव दुःखितः ॥ ēvamuktvā citāṃ dīptām ārōpya patagēṡvaram । dadāha rāmō dharmātmā svabandhumiva duḥkhitaḥ ॥ Saying this, Rāma, the Dharmātma, mounted the body of the lord of the birds on the blazing pyre and cremated him, grieving for him as one does for one’s own kin.
3.68.32	रामोऽथ सहसौमित्रिः वनं गत्वा स वीर्यवान् । स्थूलान्हत्वा महारोहीन् अनुतस्तार तं द्विजम् ॥ rāmō'tha sahasaumitriḥ vanaṃ gatvā sa vīryavān । sthūlānhatvā mahārōhīn anutastāra taṃ dvijam ॥ Then the valorous Rāma went with Sowmitri to the Vana and killed the giant Rōhi deer, and spread the Kuṡa grass for the bird.
3.68.33	रोहिमांसानि चोत्कृत्य पेशीकृत्य महायशाः । शकुनाय ददौ रामो रम्ये हरितशाद्वले ॥ rōhimāṃsāni cōtkṛtya pēṡīkṛtya mahāyaṡāḥ । ṡakunāya dadau rāmō ramyē haritaṡādvalē ॥ The greatly renowned one then scooped out the meat of the Rōhi deer, and turned into balls, and offered them to (the spirit of) the bird on the beautiful green sward.
3.68.34	यत्तत्प्रेतस्य मर्त्यस्य कथयन्ति द्विजातयः । तत्स्वर्गगमनं तस्य पित्र्यं रामो जजाप ह ॥ yattatprētasya martyasya kathayanti dvijātayaḥ । tatsvargagamanaṃ tasya pitryaṃ rāmō jajāpa ha ॥ And Rama recited all that was prescribed by the Brāhmaṇas for a deceased human, for him (the bird) to ascend to heaven.
3.68.35	ततो गोदावरीं गत्वा नदीं नरवरात्मजौ । उदकं चक्रतुस्तस्मै गृध्रराजाय तावुभौ ॥ tatō gōdāvarīṃ gatvā nadīṃ naravarātmajau । udakaṃ cakratustasmai gṛdhrarājāya tāvubhau ॥ Then both the sons of the King went to Godavari and offered water-libations to the king of eagles.
3.68.36	शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना जले गृध्राय राघवौ । स्नात्वा तौ गृध्रराजाय उदकं चक्रतुस्तदा ॥ ṡāstradṛṣṭēna vidhinā jalē gṛdhrāya rāghavau । snātvā tau gṛdhrarājāya udakaṃ cakratustadā ॥ After taking a bath, the Rāghavas offered water-libations as per the Sastras to the King of the eagles.
3.68.37	स गृध्रराजः कृतवान्यशस्करं सुदुष्करं कर्म रणे निपातितः । महर्षिकल्पेन च संस्कृतस्तदा जगाम पुण्यां गतिमात्मनश्शुभाम् ॥ sa gṛdhrarājaḥ kṛtavānyaṡaskaraṃ suduṣkaraṃ karma raṇē nipātitaḥ । maharṣikalpēna ca saṃskṛtastadā jagāma puṇyāṃ gatimātmanaṡṡubhām ॥ He, the king of eagles, who performed a formidable act that won him fame, who had been killed in the fight and who received the final rites from one who was like a Maharshi, attained the best and supreme state that he deserved.
3.68.38	कृतोदकौ तावपि पक्षिसत्तमे स्थिरां च बुद्धिं प्रणिधाय जग्मतुः । प्रवेश्य सीताधिगमे ततो मनो वनं सुरेन्द्राविव विष्णुवासवौ ॥ kṛtōdakau tāvapi pakṣisattamē sthirāṃ ca buddhiṃ praṇidhāya jagmatuḥ । pravēṡya sītādhigamē tatō manō vanaṃ surēndrāviva viṣṇuvāsavau ॥ After offering the water-libations, their minds fully and firmly focused on that eminent bird, they turned their minds towards bringing Seetā back, and like the lords of Suras, Vishṇu and Vāsava, the two entered the Vana.
	इत्यार्षे वाल्मीकीये श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे अष्टषष्टितमस्सर्गः । ityārṣē vālmīkīyē ṡrīmadrāmāyaṇē ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē aṣṭaṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ । Thus concludes the sixty eighth Sarga in Araṇya Kāṇḍa of the glorious Rāmāyaṇa, the first ever poem of humankind, composed by Maharshi Vālmeeki.

You have completed reading 8750 Ṡlōkas out of ~24,000 Ṡlōkas of Vālmeeki Rāmāyaṇa.

Meaning, notes and commentary by: Krishna Sharma.