Sundarakanda Sarga 24: Threatening by the Rākṣasīs (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 24: Threatening by the Rākṣasīs (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 24 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this chilling chapter, the Rākṣasī guards surround Sītā Devi, alternating between mocking her devotion to "mortal" Rāma and issuing terrifying threats of cannibalism. Witness Sītā's profound resilience as she invokes the names of history's most devoted wives, remaining steadfast even as her tormentors plot a macabre feast in the Ashoka Grove. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 47 | Primary Character: Sītā Devi & Rākṣasī Guards | Key Events: Rākṣasī-Nirbhartsanam (Threats by Demonesses), Sītā-Pativratā-Dharmam (Sītā's Devotion Verses), Nikumbhilā-Nṛtya-Sakalpam (Vow to Dance at Nikumbhilā) | Location: Śiṃśupā Tree, Ashoka Vatika |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe caturviṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramayana - 24th Sarga
rākṣasīnirbhartsanam Threatening by the Rākṣasīs
tataḥ sītāmupāgamya rākṣasyō vikṛtānanāḥ | paruṣaṅ paruṣā nārya ūcustāṅ vākyamapriyam || 1
Then, the Rākṣasīs, with their hideous faces and harsh natures, whirling and rotating around her, approached Sītā and spoke these unpleasant and cruel words to her. (1)
kiṅ tvamantaḥpurē sītē sarvabhūtamanōharē | mahārhaśayanōpētē na vāsamanumanyasē || 2
"O Sītā, why do you refuse to live in this inner palace, which captivates the minds of all beings and is furnished with magnificent and fine beds?" (2)
mānuṣī mānuṣasyaiva bhāryātvaṅ bahumanyasē | pratyāhara manō rāmānna tvaṅ jātu bhaviṣyasi || 3
"You, a mere mortal, place such great value on being the wife of a mere mortal man! Turn your heart away from Rāma, or else you will certainly not survive!" (3)
railōkyavasubhōktāraṅ rāvaṇaṅ rākṣasēśvaram | bhartāramupasaṅgamya viharasva yathāsukham || 4
"Accept Rāvaṇa, the king of the Rākṣasas, the possessor of the wealth of the three worlds, as your husband, and live here with all the pleasure you desire." (4)
mānuṣī mānuṣaṅ taṅ tu rāmamicchasi śōbhanē | rājyādbhrraṣṭamasiddhārthaṅ viklabaṅ tvamaninditē || 5
"O beautiful lady, you desire that mere human, Rāma, who has been banished from his kingdom, whose great purpose remains unfulfilled, and who is now helpless and bewildered." (5)
rākṣasīnāṅ vacaḥ śrutvā sītā padmanibhēkṣaṇā | nētrābhyāmaśrupūrṇābhyāmidaṅ vacanamabravīt || 6
Upon hearing the words of the Rākṣasīs, Sītā, whose eyes were like a lotus, spoke the following words, her eyes filled with tears. (6)
yadidaṅ lōkavidviṣṭamudāharatha saṅgatāḥ | naitanmanasi vākyaṅ mē kilbiṣaṅ pratibhāti vaḥ || 7
"The words that all of you speak, gathered here together, are detestable and hateful to the entire world. Do you truly not perceive the sinfulness of these words you speak to me?" (7)
na mānuṣī rākṣasasya bhāryā bhavitumarhati | kāmaṅ khādata māṅ sarvā na kariṣyāmi vō vacaḥ || 8
"A human woman is not fit to be the wife of a Rākṣasa! You may all eat me as you wish, but I will not carry out your command." (8)
dīnō vā rājyahīnō vā yō mē bhartā sa mē guruḥ | taṅ nityamanuraktāsmi yathā sūryaṅ suvarcalā || 9
Whether he is poor or deprived of his kingdom, he who is my husband is my Guru. I am forever devoted to him, just as Suvarcalā is devoted to the Sūrya. (9)
yathā śacī mahābhāgā śakraṅ samupatiṣṭhati | arundhatī vasiṣṭhaṅ ca rōhiṇī śaśinaṅ yathā || 10
"...the greatly fortunate Śacī to Śakra (Indra), Arundhatī to Vasiṣṭha, Rohiṇī to the Moon..." (10)
lōpāmudrā yathāgastyaṅ sukanyā cyavanaṅ yathā | sāvitrī satyavantaṅ ca kapilaṅ śrīmatī yathā || 11
"...Lopāmudrā to Agastya, Sukanyā to Cyavana, Sāvitrī to Satyavanta, Śrīmatī to Kapila..." (11)
saudāsaṅ madayantīva kēśinī sagaraṅ yathā | naiṣadhaṅ damayantīva bhaimī patimanuvratā | tathā.hamikṣvākuvaraṅ rāmaṅ patimanuvratā. || 12
"...Madayantī to Saudāsa, Keśinī to Sagara, and Damayantī to her husband, Nala. So too am I, devoted to my husband, Rāma, the best of the Ikshvākus." (12)
sītāyā vacanaṅ śrutvā rākṣasyaḥ krōdhamūrchitāḥ | bhartsayanti sma paruṣairvākyai rāvaṇacōditāḥ || 13
Hearing Sītā's words, the Rākṣasīs, overwhelmed with fury, began to threaten her with harsh words, as commanded by Rāvaṇa. (13)
avalīnaḥ sa nirvākyō hanūmān śiṅśupādrumē | yasītāṅ santarjayantīstā rākṣasīraśṛṇōt kapiḥ || 14
Hanumān, silent and concealed within the Śiṃśupā tree, heard those Rākṣasīs who were threatening Sītā. (14)
tāmabhikramya saṅkṛddhā vēpamānāṅ samantataḥ | bhṛśaṅ saṅlilihurdīptān pralambān daśanacchadān || 15
Highly enraged, they rushed at her from all sides while she trembled. They savagely licked their long, gleaming, hanging lips (or fangs), as though they were signaling their intent to devour her. (15)
ūcuśca paramakruddhāḥ pragṛhyāśu paraśvadhān | nēyamarhati bhartāraṅ rāvaṇaṅ rākṣasādhipam || 16
And being extremely enraged, they quickly raised their axes and declared: "She does not deserve Rāvaṇa, the king of the Rākṣasas, as her husband!" (16)
sā bhartsyamānā bhīmābhī rākṣasībhirvarānanā | sabāṣpamapa sarpantī śiṅśupāṅ tāmupāgamat || 17
Being threatened by the hideous Rākṣasīs, that beautiful-faced lady (Sītā), weeping, stepped back towards the trunk of that Śiṃśupā tree. (17)
tatastāṅ śiṅśupāṅ sītā rākṣasībhiḥ samāvṛtā | abhigamya viśālākṣī tasthau śōkapariplutā || 18
"Then, the Rākṣasīs surrounded the wide-eyed Sītā, who, overwhelmed with grief, stepped back and stood at the Śiṃśupā tree." (18)
tāṅ kṛśāṅ dīnavadanāṅ malināmbaradhāriṇīm | bhartsayāñcakrirē sītāṅ rākṣasyastāṅ samantataḥ || 19
Those Rākṣasīs surrounded Sītā from all sides, threatening her who was emaciated, had a pitiable face, and wore unclean garments. (19)
tatastāṅ vinatā nāma rākṣasī bhīmadarśanā | abravītkupitākārā karālā nirṇatōdarī || 20
Then, a terrifying and hideous Rākṣasī named Vinatā, with a shrunken belly and an angry countenance, spoke: (20)
sītē paryāptamētāvadbhartuḥ snēhō nidarśitaḥ | sarvātrātikṛtaṅ bhadrē vyasanāyōpakalpatē || 21
"O Sītā, enough of this! Your devotion to your husband has been fully demonstrated. O good lady, remember that excess in any virtue leads only to disaster." (21)
parituṣṭāsmi bhadraṅ tē mānuṣastē kṛtō vidhiḥ | mamāpi tu vacaḥ pathyaṅ bruvantyāḥ kuru maithili || 22
"I am quite satisfied; may good fortune be yours, as your devotion to a mere human's way has been fully shown. But now, O Maithili, please accept the beneficial words I am about to speak to you." (22)
rāvaṇaṅ bhaja bhartāraṅ bhartāraṅ sarvarakṣasām | vikrāntaṅ rūpavantaṅ ca surēśamiva vāsavam || 23
"Accept Rāvaṇa as your husband! He is the king of all Rākṣasas, valiant, handsome, and magnificent, just like Indra, the King of the Gods." (23)
dakṣiṇaṅ tyāgaśīlaṅ ca sarvasya priyadarśanam | mānuṣaṅ kṛpaṇaṅ rāmaṅ tyaktvā, rāvaṇamāśraya || 24
"Abandon that miserable, destitute human, Rāma, and take refuge in Rāvaṇa, who is generous, skillful, and a pleasure for everyone to behold." (24)
divyāṅgarāgā vaidēhi divyābharaṇabhūṣitā | adyaprabhṛti sarvēṣāṅ lōkānāmīśvarī bhava || 25
"O Vaidehi, adorned with divine unguents and divine ornaments, become the mistress of all worlds from this day forward!" (25)
agnēḥ svāhā yathā dēvī śacī vēndrasya śōbhanē | kiṅ tē rāmēṇa vaidēhi kṛpaṇēna gatāyuṣā || 26
"O beautiful one, be as the Goddess Svāhā is to Agni, and Śacī is to Indra. What use is that miserable, wretched Rāma to you, O Vaidehi, who is as good as dead?" (26)
ētaduktaṅ ca mē vākyaṅ yadi tvaṅ na kariṣyasi | asminmuhūrtē sarvāstvāṅ bhakṣayiṣyāmahē vayam || 27
"If you do not carry out this command spoken by me, all of us will devour you at this very moment." (27)
anyā tu vikaṭā nāma lambamānapayōdharā | abravītkupitā sītāṅ muṣṭimudyamya garjatī || 28
Then, another Rākṣasī named Vikaṭā, distinguished by her sagging breasts, raised her fist, roared with fury, and spoke to Sītā. (28)
bahūnyapriyarūpāṇi vacanāni sudurmatē | anukrōśānmṛdutvācca sōḍhāni tava maithili || 29
"O evil-minded Maithili, we have tolerated your many hateful, unpleasant words only because of our great pity and gentleness." (29)
na ca naḥ kuruṣē vākyaṅ hitaṅ kālapuraskṛtam | ānītāsi samudrasya pāramanyairdurāsadam || 30
"You refuse to follow our beneficial counsel, which is offered at a time most critical for you. you have been brought to this far shore of the ocean, a place that no one else can reach.” (30)
rāvaṇāntaḥpuraṅ ghōraṅ praviṣṭā cāsi maithili | rāvaṇasya gṛhē ruddhāmasmābhistu surakṣitām || 31
"O Maithili, you have entered the terrifying inner palace of Rāvaṇa, and you are confined and strictly guarded by us within his own house." (31)
na tvāṅ śaktaḥ paritrātumapi sākṣātpurandaraḥ | kuruṣva hitavādinyā vacanaṅ mama maithili || 32
"Even Indra (Purandara) himself is not capable of protecting you! O Maithili, accept the counsel of me, who speaks for your benefit." (32)
alamaśruprapātēna tyaja śōkamanarthakam | bhaja prītiṅ ca harṣaṅ ca tyajaitāṅ nityadainyatām || 33
"Enough of shedding tears; abandon this useless grief. Embrace love and joy, and cast off this perpetual misery." (33)
sītē rākṣasarājēna saha krīḍa yathāsukham | jānāsi hi yathā bhīru strīṇāṅ yauvanamadhruvam || 34
"O Sītā, enjoy yourself with the King of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa) as you please. For, O timid one, surely you know that a woman's youth does not last forever." (34)
yāvanna tē vyatikrāmēttāvatsukhamavāpnuhi | udyānāni ca ramyāṇi parvatōpavanāni ca || 35
"Do not let your youth pass in vain; enjoy happiness to the fullest now!" (35)
saha rākṣasarājēna cara tvaṅ madirēkṣaṇē | strī sahasrāṇi tē sapta vaśē sthāsyanti sundari || 36
"O lady with intoxicating eyes, roam through the delightful gardens and mountain groves with the King of the Rākṣasas. And listen, O beautiful one, seven thousand women will be placed under your command!" (36)
rāvaṇaṅ bhaja bhartāraṅ bhartāraṅ sarvarakṣasām | utpāṭya vā tē hṛdayaṅ bhakṣayiṣyāmi maithili | yadi mē vyāhṛtaṅ vākyaṅ na yathāvatkariṣyasi || 37
"Accept Rāvaṇa as your husband, the lord of all Rākṣasas, or else, O Maithili, I will tear out and eat your heart! If you do not precisely obey this command that I have given." (37)
tataścaṇḍōdarī nāma rākṣasī krōdhamūrchitā | bhrāmayantī mahacchūlamidaṅ vacanamabravīt || 38
Then the Rākṣasī named Caṇḍodarī, overwhelmed with fury, spoke these words while furiously brandishing a large spear. (38)
imāṅ hariṇalōlākṣīṅ trāsōtkampipayōdharām | rāvaṇēna hṛtāṅ dṛṣṭavā dauhṛdō mē mahānabhūt || 39
"Having seen her—with eyes as restless as a deer's and her bosom trembling with fear, since she was abducted by Rāvaṇa—a great craving (to devour her) has intensely arisen within me." (39)
yakṛtplīhamathōtpīḍaṅ hṛdayaṅ ca sabandhanam | āntrāṇyapi tathā śīrṣaṅ khādēyamiti mē matiḥ || 40
"My intention is to devour her liver, spleen, and lungs, along with her heart and its vessels, as well as her intestines and her head." (40)
tatastu praghasā nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt || 41
Then, a Rākṣasī named Praghāsā spoke up. (41)
kaṇṭhamasyā nṛśaṅsāyāḥ pīḍayāma kimāsyatē | nivēdyatāṅ tatō rājñē mānuṣī sā mṛtēti ha || 42
"Why are we waiting? Let us squeeze the neck of this cruel woman and then report to the King that the human woman is dead!" (42)
nātra kaścana saṅdēhaḥ khādatēti sa vakṣyati | tatastvajāmukhī nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt || 43
"There is no doubt that he (Rāvaṇa) will then tell us, 'Eat her!' After this, a Rākṣasī named Ajāmukhī spoke." (43)
viśasyēmāṅ tataḥ sarvāḥ samān kuruta piṇḍakān | vibhajāma tataḥ sarvā vivādō mē na rōcatē. | pēyamānīyatāṅ kṣipraṅ lēhyamuccāvacaṅ bahu || 44
"Let's all slaughter her now and cut her into equal pieces of flesh! We can then divide it among all of us, for I hate to see any quarrel over the meal. Let us quickly bring drinks and many different kinds of lickable provisions. Let’s have a feast" (44)
tataḥ śūrpaṇakhā nāma rākṣasī vākyamabravīt || 45
Then, a Rākṣasī named Śūrpaṇakhā spoke up. (45)
ajāmukhyā yaduktaṅ hi tadēva mama rōcatē | surā cānīyatāṅ kṣipraṅ sarvaśōkavināśinī | mānuṣaṅ māṅsamāsvādya nṛtyāmō.tha nikumbhilām || 46
"Ajāmukhī's suggestion is excellent and completely satisfies me. Let surā (wine), which banishes all sorrow, be brought immediately! After we savor the taste of this human flesh, we shall then go and dance at Nikumbhilā." (46)
ēvaṅ saṅbhartsyamānā sā sītā surasutōpamā | rākṣasībhiḥ sughōrābhirdairyamutsṛjya rōditi || 47
Thus being threatened by the extremely hideous Rākṣasīs, Sītā, who was like a celestial woman, abandoned her courage and wept. (47)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde caturviṁśassargaḥ
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