Sundarakanda Sarga 23: Temptation by the Rākṣasīs (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 23: Temptation by the Rākṣasīs (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 23 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. Following Rāvaṇa’s departure, the Rākṣasī guards—including Ekajaṭā, Harijaṭā, and Durmukhī—surround Sītā Devi. They use a combination of flattery and intimidation, praising Rāvaṇa’s divine lineage and his terrifying command over the elements to force her submission, mocking her devotion to a "mere mortal." Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 20 | Primary Character: Sita Devi & Rākṣasī Guards | Key Events: Rākṣasī-Prarōcanam (Temptation by Demonesses), Pulastya-Vaṃśa-Varṇanam (Description of Ravana's Lineage), Prakṛti-Bhayam (Nature’s Fear of Ravana) | Location: Ashoka Vatika, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe trayōviṁśassargaḥ Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramayana - 23rd Sarga
rākṣasīprarōcanam Temptation by the Rākṣasīs
ityuktvā maithilīṅ rājā rāvaṇaḥ śatrurāvaṇaḥ | sandiśya ca tataḥ sarvā rākṣasīrnirjagāma ha || 1
Having spoken thus to Maithili, King Rāvaṇa, the terror of his enemies, and having given his final instructions to all the Rākṣasīs, he then departed. (1)
niṣkrāntē rākṣasēndrē tu punarantaḥpuraṅ gatē | rākṣasyō bhīmarūpāstāḥ sītāṅ samabhidudruvuḥ || 2
When the lord of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa) departed and went back to his inner palace, those hideous-looking Rākṣasīs rushed towards Sītā. (2)
tataḥ sītāmupāgamya rākṣasyaḥ krōdhamūrchitāḥ | paraṅ paruṣayā vācā vaidēhīmidamabruvan || 3
Then, the Rākṣasīs, overwhelmed with fury, approached Sītā and spoke these extremely harsh words to Vaidehī. (3)
paulastyasya variṣṭhasya rāvaṇasya mahātmanaḥ | daśagrīvasya bhāryā tvaṅ sītē na bahumanyasē || 4
"O Sītā, how can you not value the honor of becoming the wife of the great-souled, ten-headed Rāvaṇa, the foremost of the noble lineage of Pulastya?" (4)
tatastvēkajaṭā nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt | āmantrya krōdhātāmrākṣī sītāṅ karatalōdarīm || 5
Then, a Rākṣasī named Ekajaṭā, with red eyes from anger, addressed the slender-waisted Sītā and spoke to her. (5)
prajāpatīnāṅ ṣaṇṇāṅ tu caturthō yaḥ prajāpatiḥ | mānasō brahmaṇaḥ putraḥ pulastya iti viśrutaḥ || 6
The fourth Prajāpati among the six Prajāpatis (Marīchi, Atri, Angīrasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu), the son of Brahmā born from his thought, is renowned as Pulastya. (6)
pulastyasya tu tējasvī maharṣirmānasaḥ sutaḥ | nāmnā sa viśravā nāma prajāpatisamaprabhaḥ || 7
"The glorious son of Pulastya—that effulgent Maharṣi, who was born from his very thought and named Viśravā—is a sage equal in splendor to a Prajāpati." (7)
tasya putrō viśālākṣi rāvaṇaḥ śatrurāvaṇaḥ | tasya tvaṅ rākṣasēndrasya bhāryā bhavitumarhasi | mayōktaṅ cārusarvāṅgiḥ vākyaṅ kiṅ nānumanyasē || 8
"O wide-eyed one (Sītā), his son is Rāvaṇa, the king of the Rākṣasas and the terror of all enemies. It is most fitting and proper that you should become the wife of such a powerful king of the Rākṣasas! O Sītā, why do you not agree to the words that I have spoken?" (8)
tatō harijaṭā nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt | vivartya nayanē kōpānmārjārasadṛśēkṣaṇā || 9
Then, a Rākṣasī named Harijaṭā, whose cat-like eyes were rolled red with anger, spoke up: (9)
yēna dēvāstrayastriṅśaddēvarājaśca nirjitāḥ | tasya tvaṅ rākṣasēndrasya bhāryā bhavitumarhasi || 10
"It is most fitting that you should become the wife of this Lord of the Rākṣasas, for he is the one who has conquered the thirty-three gods and the very King of the Gods (Indra)!" (10)
vīryōtsiktasya śūrasya saṅgrāmēṣu nivartinaḥ | balinō vīryayuktasya bhāryātvaṅ kiṅ na lapsyasē || 11
"Why would you not choose to gain the status of wife to a hero who is proud of his valor, never retreats in battle, is strong, and full of might?" (11)
tatastu praghasā nāma rākṣasī krōdhamūrchitā | bhartsayantī tadā ghōramidaṅ vacanamabravīt || 12
Then, a Rākṣasī named Praghāsā was overwhelmed with fury and, threatening Sītā, spoke these dreadful words. (12)
priyāṅ bahumatāṅ bhāryāṅ tyaktvā rājā mahābalaḥ | sarvāsāṅ ca mahābhāgāṅ tvāmupaiṣyati rāvaṇaḥ || 13
"The great and mighty King Rāvaṇa will abandon his own dear and highly esteemed wife Mandodari—the most fortunate lady among all—and will come only to you!" (13)
samṛddhaṅ strīsahasrēṇa nānāratnōpaśōbhitam | antaḥpuraṅ samutsṛjya tvāmupaiṣyati rāvaṇaḥ || 14
Rāvaṇa will completely abandon his own inner palace, which is opulent with a thousand women and glittering with all kinds of jewels, and will come only to you, wishing to possess you. (14)
anyā tu vikaṭā nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt | asakṛddēvatā yuddhē nāgagandharvadānavāḥ | nirjitāḥ samarē yēna sa tē pārśvamupāgataḥ || 15
"He is the one who has repeatedly conquered the Gods, Nāgas, Gandharvas, and Dānavas in battle—that glorious lord has come to you!" (15)
tasya sarvasamṛddhasya rāvaṇasya mahātmanaḥ | kimadya rākṣasēndrasya bhāryātvaṅ nēcchasē.dhamē || 16
"O timid one, why do you not desire to become the wife of the great-souled Rāvaṇa, the supremely prosperous King of the Rākṣasas?" (16)
tatastu durmukhī nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt | yasya sūryō na tapati bhītō yasya ca mārutaḥ | na vāti smāyatāpāṅgē kiṅ tvaṅ tasya na tiṣṭhasi || 17
Then, a Rākṣasī named Durmukhī spoke these words: "O lady with expansive, beautiful eyes, he is the one whom the Sun, out of fear, does not scorch, and whom the Wind (Māruta) is afraid to even disturb!" (17)
puṣpavṛṣṭiṅ ca taravō mumucuryasya vai bhayāt | śailāśca subhru pānīyaṅ jaladāśca yadēcchati. || 18
"Furthermore, out of fear of him, the trees shed showers of flowers. O lady with lovely eyebrows, the mountains yield their waters, and the clouds pour forth rain whenever he desires it." (18)
tasya nairṛtarājasya rājarājasya bhāmini | kiṅ tvaṅ na kuruṣē buddhiṅ bhāryārthē rāvaṇasya hi || 19
"O lustrous lady, why do you not set your mind on becoming the wife of that King of the Rākṣasas, the King of Kings, Rāvaṇa?" (19)
sādhu tē tattvatō dēvi kathitaṅ sādhu bhāmini | gṛhāṇa susmitē vākyamanyathā na bhaviṣyasi || 20
O Devi, O virtuous lady (Bhāmini), the truth has now been told to you clearly. O smiling one, accept this advice, or else you will surely be ruined. (20)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde trayōviṁśassargaḥ
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