Aranya Kanda, Sarga 58

Meaning

Having slain the ogre Mārīca, who was capable of changing his form at will, moving about in the form of a deer, Śrī Rāma quickly returned to the trodden path leading to his hermitage. (1)

Meaning

While he was making all possible haste to return to the hermitage, eager as he was to see Sītā (a princess of Mithilā), a jackal uttering a fierce yell presently cried loudly at his back. (2)

Meaning

Concluding the yell of that jackal, which made one’s hair stand on end, to be of fearful consequence, Śrī Rāma, who was already seized with apprehension to hear Mārīca’s voice in imitation of his own, became thoughtful. (3)

Meaning

He said to himself ‘From the way in which the jackal is yelling, alas, I apprehend some evil. Is all well with Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory)? Has she escaped being devoured by the ogres? (4)

Meaning

‘If Lakṣmaṇa happens to have heard the piteous wail, knowingly uttered in imitation of my voice by Mārīca, appearing in the disguise of a deer, then, hearing that voice and forthwith leaving the said Sītā (a princess of Mithilā), and sent by that very lady, the aforesaid son of Sumitrā will speedily seek my presence here. (5-6)

Meaning

‘The destruction of Sītā is surely sought by the ogres joined together. From the way in which the ogre, Mārīca, appearing as a golden deer, nay, luring me away from my hermitage and taking me afar, uttered the cry, ‘Alas, O Lakṣmaṇa, I am killed indeed !’ when he was pierced with my arrow, I for my part am very doubtful that all is well with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, bereft of me in the forest; for, I stand antagonized by the ogres on the score of my having devastated their colony at Janasthāna. (7—9)

Meaning

‘Nay, many evil portents too of a fearful nature are seen by me today.’ Reflecting thus on hearing the cry of the jackal, and hastily retracing his steps, Śrī Rāma, the master of his Self, proceeded towards his hermitage. Reviewing with apprehension the event of his having been lured away by the ogre, Mārīca, appearing in the disguise of a deer, Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, proceeded on his way back to Janasthāna. Śrī Rāma passed beasts and birds, who felt miserable and distressed in mind, keeping the high-souled prince to their left, and uttered fearful cries. Witnessing those exceedingly fearful portents and taking rapid strides, Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, presently retraced his steps with expedition to his hermitage. (10—13)

Meaning

In the meantime he espied Lakṣmaṇa approaching, his splendour entirely gone. Presently at no considerable distance the said Lakṣmaṇa, who was feeling despondent and afflicted, got united with Śrī Rāma, who too looked dejected and shared the agony of Lakṣmaṇa. Seeing Lakṣmaṇa come, having abandoned Sītā in a lonely forest frequented by ogres, the aforesaid brother, Śrī Rāma, forthwith proceeded to censure him. Taking hold of his left hand, Śrī Rāma (the delight of the Raghus), like one distressed, addressed to Lakṣmaṇa the following harsh words, though agreeable in consequence : “Ah Lakṣmaṇa, a reproachful act has been done by you in that you came away here leaving alone Sītā, who deserved protection, O gentle brother ! Can she be expected to be doing well? No, doubt lurks in my mind, O heroic brother, that the daughter of Janaka has at all events been removed out of sight or even devoured by ogres ranging in the forest, as is evident from the fact that evil portents alone appear before me in abundance. (14—19)

Meaning

“Shall we actually be able to find, O Lakṣmaṇa, the entire being of Sītā, daughter of Janaka, continuing to live, O tiger among men? (20)

Meaning

“Nay, from the way in which herds of deer as well as the jackal as also birds actually utter fierce cries facing the quarter brightened by the sun it is doubtful that all may be well with that princess, O brother, possessed of extraordinary might ! (21)

Meaning

“This ogre, Mārīca, who, having seduced me, in a form closely resembling a deer, had gone far away, reappeared as an ogre only while dying when killed anyhow by me with great exertion. (22)

Meaning

“My mind is distressed at this moment and not much rejoiced as my left eye is throbbing. Without doubt, O Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā is no more in the hermitage; she has either been borne away to some other place or is dead or is on the way to some unknown destination being forcibly carried away by someone.” (23)