Sundara Kanda 22

Chapter [Sarga] 22.1      

Ravana gives Seetha two months to marry him. He orders ogres to frighten Seetha and bring Her to his control. Ravana then goes back to his own house with his consorts.

siitaaya vachanaM shrutvaa paruSaM raakshaseshvaraH |
pratyuvaacha tataH siitaaM vipriyaM priyadarshanam || 5-22-1

Ravana listening to Seetha's words which were harsh thereafter replied to Seetha unpleasant words which are seen to be pleasant.

yathaa yathaa saantvayitaa vashyaH striiNaaM tathaa tathaa |
yathaa yathaa priyam vaktaa pariBhuutastathaa tahaa || 5-22-2

"If gentle language is used to women they think that men are  under control. If men speak dear words, they will be rejected."

saMniyachchati me krodhaM tvayi kaamaH samutthitaH |
dravato.amaargamaasaadya hayaaniva susaarathiH || 5-22-3

"In your matter, the desire which has risen up is subduing my anger like horses running in a bad path being controlled by a good charioteer."

vaamaH kaamo manuSyaaNaam yasmin kila nibadhyate |
jane tasmiMstvanukroshaH snehashcha kila jaayate || 5-22-4

"Desire is unfavorable to men. If we have desire in someone, we show compassion and fondness on them."

etasmaatkaaraNaanna tvaaM ghaatayaami varaanane |
vadhaarhamavamaanaarhaaM mithyaapravrajite rataam || 5-22-5

"O one with dubious saintly form ! for this reason, although you are suitable to be killed and suitable to be humiliated,  I am not killing you."

paruSaaNiiha vaakyaani yaani yaani braviiSi maam |
teSu teSu vadho yuktastava maithili daaruNaH || 5-22-6

"O Seetha! Here whatever harsh words you are speaking about me, because of those words, you are suitable to be horribly slayed."

ekamuktvaa tu viadeshiiM raavaNo raakshasaadhipaH |
krodhasaMrambhasamyuktaH siitaamuttaramabraviit || 5-22-7

The king of ogres Ravana speaking thus to Seetha,  spoke subsequent word to Seetha with increased anger.

dvau maasau rakShitavyau me yo.avadhiste mayaa kR^itaH |
tataH shayanamaaroha mama tvaM varavarNini || 5-22-8

"O Seetha with best complexion! Two months are remaining in the twelve months time given to you. Within these two months you have to ascend my bed."

uurdhvaM dvaabhyaaM tu maasaabhyaaM bhartaaram maamanichchatiim |
mama tvaaM praataraashaarthamaalabhante mahaanase || 5-22-9

"If you do not agree within  two months,  you will be killed and used for breakfast in my kitchen."

taaM tarjyamaanaaM samprekSya raakSasendreNa jaanakiim |
devagandharvakanyaastaa viSedurvikR^itekSaNaaH || 5-22-10

Seeing Seetha being frightened by Ravana,  those Deva and Gandharva maidens looked at Seetha with grief and  troubled eyes.

auSThaprakaarairaparaa vaktranetraistathaaparaaH |
siitaamaashvaasayaamaasustarjitaaM tena rakSasaa || 5-22-11

They consoled Seetha with the signs by lips, faces and eyes.

taabhiraashvaasitaa siitaa raavaNam raakSasaadhipam |
uvaachaatmahitaM vaakyaM vR^ittashauNDiiryagarvitam || 5-22-12

Consoled by them Seetha, proud of virtuous conduct, spoke words beneficial to self to the king of ogres Ravana.

nuunam na te janaH kashchidasti niHshreyase sthitaH |
nivaarayati yo na tvaaM karmaNo.asmaadvigarhitaat || 5-22-13

"O Raavana! There is no well wisher for you in this Lanka. That is the reason no one prevented you from this bad deed. This is definite."

maaM hi dharmaatmanaH patniiM shachiimiva shachiipateH |
tvadanyastriSu lokeSu praarthayenmanasaapi kaH || 5-22-14

"No one can desire me, Like Shachidevi, the wife of Indra.   In all the three worlds, no one can desire me, wife of virtuous Rama, even in heart."

raakSasaadhama raamasya bhaaryaamamitatejasaH |
uktavaanasi yatpaapaM kva gatastasya mokSyase || 5-22-15

"O vile ogre! You will get the suitable results for the sinful  words you spoke to me, who is the wife of the great resplendent Rama. You can not escape from this wherever you go."

yathaa dR^iptashcha maataN^gaH shashashcha sahitau vane |
tathaa dviradavadraamastvaM niicha shashavat smR^itaH || 5-22-16

Do not think that you are equal to Rama as you and Rama are living on earth. "Like an elephant in rut and a hare at war in the forest, in the same way O vile one! Rama is like an elephant and you are said to be like a hare."

sa tvamikSvaakunaatham vai kSipanniha na lajjase |
chakSuSorviSayam tasya na taavadupagachchhasi || 5-22-17

"Such you are not shameful abusing the lord of Ikshvaku dynasty Rama. You are not getting Rama's matter so much."

ive te nayane kruute viruupe kR^iSNapiN^gale |
kSitau na patite kasmaanmaamanaarya niriikSataH || 5-22-18

"O ignoble one! For what reason your these eyes which are cruel, crooked, which are black and reddish brown, are not falling down after seeing me with sinful desire."

tasya dharmaatmanaH patniiM snuSaaM dasharathasya cha |
kathaM vyaaharato maaM te na jihvaa vyavashiiryate || 5-22-19

"Why your tongue did not fall off after speaking about me,  who am the wife of virtuous Rama and the daughter-in-law of Dasaratha.."

asaMdeshaattu raamasya tapasashchaamapaalanaat |
na tvaaM kurmi dashagriiva bhasma bharmaarha tejasaa || 5-22-20

"O Ravana! Although you are suited to be burnt into ashes, not having the mandate of Rama and preserving austerity, I am not reducing you into ashes with my glory."

This verse indicates the character of a pious women and those who believe that is the only one to  whom we can accede to. Such people do not try to protect themselves inspite of  having ability to do so. Mother Seetha had exhibited the same here.

God has declared that …

            PATIM VISHWAASYAATMESHWARYAM

It is not indicated in the Veda that the jivas need to protect themselves. Hence, mother Seetha said that she do not have the mandate of Sri Rama. 

Mother Seetha is away from Rama and is under the siege of Ravana. What penance is she performing?. Believing that Rama is her protector and not trying to protect herself is the penance. The NYAASA is the penance

Giving the protecting responsibility to God is NYAASA. Since mother Seetha is performing penance, She has not burnt Raavana.

One need not doubt the ability of mother Seetha to burn Raavana. When demons have lighted the tail of Hanuma, mother prayed the Agni to protect Hanuma by uttering

                        SHEETHO BHAVA HANUMATHAH (53.28).

If She had said, DAGDHOBHAVA DASHAANANA, Agni would have burnt Raavana. But she has not done it. This is the dharma of the one who surrender to God and leaves the responsibility of protection with Him.

naapahartumahaM shakyaa tvayaa raamasya dhiimataH |
vidhistava vadhaarthaaya vihito naatra saMshayaH || 5-22-21

" I  belong to the noble Rama and am can not be abducted by you. This act has been made for your slaying. In this there is no doubt."

shuureNa dhanadabhraatraa balaiH samuditena cha |
apihya raamaM kasmaaddhi daarachauryaM tvayaa kR^itam || 5-22-22

"You are strong, brother of Kubera and in possession of strong army. Having such qualities  why  did you abduct me after  diverting Rama away from the hermitage."

siitaayaa vachanaM shrutvaa raavaNo raakSasaadhipaH |
vinR^itya nayane kruure jaanakiimanvavaikSata || 5-22-23

King of rakshasas Ravana listening to Seetha's words turned around his cruel eyes and saw Seetha.

niilajiimuutasamkaasho mahaabhujashirodharaH |
siMhasattvagatiH shriimaan diipta jihvagralochanaH || 5-22-24

Ravana was qual to a black cloud, with big shoulders and neck with the strength and gait of a lion, glorious with radiant tip of tongue and eyes.

chalaagramakuTapraaMshushchitramaalyaanulepanaH |
raktamaalyaambaradharastaptaaN^gadavibhuuSaNaH || 5-22-25

He was tall with moving front portion of crown, with excellent garlands and anointments, wearing red garlands and clothes, with ornaments made of refined gold.

shroNisuutreNa mahataa mechakena susamvR^itaH |
amR^itotpaadanaddhena bhujageneva mandaraH || 5-22-26

Like Mount Mandara tied by Vasuki for producing nectar, Ravana was well tied by a black big thread.

taabhyaaM sa paripuurNaabhyaaM bhujaabhyaaM raakSaseshvaraH |
shushubhe.achalasaMkaashaH shR^iN^gaabhyaamiva mandaraH || 5-22-27

Equalling a mountain the king of ogres shone with those perfect shoulders like Mount Mandara with its peaks.

taruNaadityavarNaabhyaaM kuNDalaabhyaaM vibhuuSitaH |
raktapallavapuSpaabhyaamashokaabhyaamivaachalaH || 5-22-28

With the color of just risen sun, decorated by earrings, he was like a mountain with Ashoka trees with red flowers and shoots.

sa kalpavR^ikSapratimo vasanta iva muurtimaan |
shmashaanachaityapratimo bhuuSito.api bhayamkaraH || 5-22-29

Equalling a Kalpavriksha he was like the embodiment of spring season. Like a funeral mound in a grave-yard was horrible even though decorated.

avekSamaaNo vaidehiiM kopasamraktalochanaH |
uvaacha raavaNaH siitaaM bhujaN^ga iva niHshvasan || 5-22-30

With red eyes due to anger,  Ravana was looking at Seetha sighing like a serpant and spoke to Seetha.

anayenaabhisampannamarthahiinamanuvrate |
naashayaamyahamadya tvaaM suuryaH sandhyaamivaujasaa || 5-22-31

O Seetha! follower of wealth less and non-righteous Rama ! Now I will destroy you like sun destroying morning twilight with light.

ityuktvaa maithiliim raajaa raavaNaH shatruraavaNaH |
samdidesha tataH sarvaa raakSasiirgoradarshanaaH || 5-22-32

The king Ravana who causes enemies to cry thus speaking to Seetha, thereafter ordered all ogre women with horrible appearances.

ekaakSiimekakarNaaM cha karNapraavaraNaaM tathaa |
gokarNiiM hastikarNiim cha lambakarNiimakarNikaam || 5-22-33
hastipaadyashvapaadyau cha gopaadiiM paadachuuLikaam |
ekaakSiimekapaadiiM cha pR^ithupaadiimapaadikaam || 5-22-34
atimaatrashirogriivaamatimaatrakuchodariim |
atimaatraasyanetraam cha diirghajihvamajihvikaam || 5-22-35
anaasikaaM simhamukhiiM gomukhiim suukariimukhiim |

Ravana ordered all those ogress  who are described as - who one with a single eye, one with a single ear and one with ears as covering, one with cow's wars, one with ears of an elephant, one with dangling ears, one without ears and one with the feet of an elephant and one with the feet of a horse, one with feet of a cow,one with hair over feet, one with a single eye and one with a single foot, one with big feet, one without feet, one with a big head and neck,one with big breasts and stomach, and one with big mouth and eyes, one with a long tongue, one without tongue, one without nose, one with the face of a lion, one with the face of a cow,one with the face of a pig.

yathaa madvashagaa siitaa kSpraM bhavati jaanakii || 5-22-36
tathaa kuruta raakSasyaH sarvaaH kSipraM sametya cha |

pratilomaanulomaishcha saamadaanaadibhedanaiH || 5-22-37
avarjayata vaidehiiM daNDasyodyamanena cha |

"O ogres! All of you should accomplish the task to bring the daughter of Janaka, Seetha, under my control quickly. Bring Seetha under my possession with hostile and favorable tasks, with kind words, with gifts and dividing words and exertion of punishment,."

iti pratisamaadishya raakSasendraH punaH punaH || 5-22-38
kaamamanyupariitaatmaa jaanakiiM paryatarjayat |

Ravana thus ordering ogress, again frightened Seetha with a mind full of lust and anger.

upagamya tataH shiighraM raakSasii dhaanyamaalinii || 5-22-39
pariSvajya dashagriivamidaM vachanamabraviit |

Thereafter an ogre named Dhanyamalini quickly neared Ravana, embraced him and spoke these words.

mayaa kriiDa mahaaraaja siitayaa kiM tavaanayaa || 5-22-40
vivarNayaa kR^ipaNayaa maanuSyaa raakSaseshvara |

"O king! Sport with me. O lord of ogres! Of what use to you is this Seetha who is colorless and a wreched human."

nuunamasyaa mahaaraaja na divyaan bhogasattamaan || 5-22-41
vidadhaatyamarashreSThastava baahubalaarjitaan |

"O king! Lord Barhma did not assign to Her (Seetha)  the wonderful best luxuries earned by the might of your arms. This is definite."

akaamaaM kaamayaanasya shariiramupatapyate || 5-22-42
ichchhantiiM kaamayaanasya priitirbhavati shobhanaa |

"You can derive pleasure by desiring a woman who do not desire you. Good happiness will occur to one who loves a woman who desires him."

evamuktastu raakSasyaa samutkSiptastato balii || 5-22-43
prahasanmeghasamkaasho raakSasaH sa nyavartata |

Thus spoken to by that ogre,  that Ravana who was strong equalling a cloud, thereafter returned back laughing."

prasthitaH sa dashagriivaH kampayanniva mediniim || 5-22-44
jvaladbhaaskaravarNaabham pravivesha niveshanam |

That Ravana departing was as though shaking the earth and entered his house with the lustre of blazing sun shine.

devagandharvakanyaashcha naagakanyaashcha sarvataH || 5-22-45
parivaarya dashagriivaM vivishustaM gR^ihottamam |

Deva and Gandharva maidens and Naga maidens surrounding Ravana in all directions entered that best among houses.

sa maithiliiM dhrama paraamavasthitaaM |
pravepamaanaaM paribharsya raavaNaH |
vihaaya siitaaM madanena mohitaH |
svameva veshma pravivesha bhaasvaram || 5-22-46

That Ravana frightening Seetha, who was steadfastly intent on virtue and who was shaking, leaving Seetha, infatuated by love, entered his own house which was shining.

ityaarSe shiirmadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe dvaaviMshaH sargaH

Thus completes 22nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.