Uttara Kanda, Sarga 82

Meaning

Having thus narrated the story of Ikṣvāku to Śrī Rāma, the great sage, Agastya, the pitcher-born one, began to narrate another story connected with the same. (1)

Meaning

‘Then, O scion of Kakutstha, that Daṇḍa, the self-controlled one, ruled over that kingdom there, uprooting all foes, for successively ten thousand years. (2)

Meaning

Then at one time the king, Daṇḍa, went to the beautiful hermitage of sage Bhārgava (Śukra), in the enjoyable month of Caitra. (3)

Meaning

There Daṇḍa saw the daughter of Bhārgava, a paragon of beauty, roaming about in the forest. (4)

Meaning

Having seen her, that wicked minded Daṇḍa, dull-witted, one afflicted by the arrows of cupid, greatly agitated approached the daughter of Bhārgava and said: (5)

Meaning

‘O one of beautiful hips and loins, wherefrom do you hail, O beautiful one ! whose daughter you are? O of auspicious face, afflicted as I am by cupid, I ask you.’ (6)

Meaning

When he said so, blinded by the sexual urge and madly infatuated as he was, the daughter of Bhārgava replied thus courteously: (7)

Meaning

‘Know me as the daughter of the lord Bhārgava, unwearied in action, named Arajā, the eldest one residing in the hermitage. (8)

Meaning

‘Do not touch me by force, I am under the control of my father, O best among kings. My father is your preceptor and you are the pupil of that noble one. (9)

Meaning

‘Enraged, he (Bhārgava), the performer of great penances, shall cause you much grief. If, however, for something other than mere passion, you desire me, then ask my hand following the righteous path from my father, O best among men; otherwise you will meet with frightful consequences. (10-11)

Meaning

‘In anger my father would burn up the three worlds O one of perfect limbs. He will give me to you if asked for.’ (12)

Meaning

To Arajā speaking thus, Daṇḍa under the power of cupid, intoxicated with passion, replied folding his hands over his head: (13)

Meaning

‘Please favour me, O one of beautiful hips and loins, do not delay, O beautiful one, my vital breaths are shattering on your account. (14)

Meaning

‘By possessing you, let there be my death, or a great sin committed, accept me, devoted to you and asking for you, highly agitated.’ (15)

Meaning

Thus saying, he, Daṇḍa, the strong one, seizing the trembling daughter of Bhārgava between his arms by force, he raped her. (16)

Meaning

Having committed that terrible heinous crime, he went back soon to the unparalleled Madhumanta. (17)

Meaning

That Arajā too, remained weeping near the hermitage, and in great fright waited for her father, who was just like a god. (18)