Hari Om.
Let us begin the twentieth sarga of the sundara kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
With hanumAn having spotted sItA in the aSOka grove and after some deliberations ascertaining that it was indeed her, before he could think of how to approach her, dawn was about to break and with it came the ten headed abductor of sItA accompanied almost entirely by the inhabitants of his harem. They were sleep-walking for most part but were faithfully following rAvaNa who was propelled by the lust that he carried. He was absorbed in thought of sItA and in measured steps headed to where she was in deep penance. Aware of his evil sight, sItA, the epitome of modesty took a careful position covering her belly and bosom as she sat on the floor. She was terrified of what would transpire and the soul crushing words she will have to hear from rAvaNa. Inviting his own end, rAvaNa began to entice her. Onwards…
With sweet words and animated gestures rAvaNa spoke to sItA who was surrounded by the ogresses, downcast, dejected and was suffering and said –
“O lady with shapely limbs, you are concealing your vitals upon seeing me. It appears you do not desire to present yourself to me out of fear. O wide eyed one, O beloved, O well-endowed beauty, O delight of the world, I desire you, please oblige me. Neither any man nor any demon can take away this fear from you which has arisen out of me. O timid one, without doubt, it is appropriate and righteous for demons to approach others wives and abduct them forcefully. Even that being so, even if the raging lust in my body consumes it, I will not touch you without you desiring me.
O dear, there is no reason to fear, believe me, love me and don’t grieve. This unkempt hair without a hairline, sleeping on the ground, brooding, soiled clothes and fasting for no reason are not right for you. O Maithili, covet me and receive stunning garlands, perfumes of sandal and agaru, variety of clothes, jewelry, variety of rich drinks, couches, high seats and get entertained by song, dance and music. O embodiment of charm, you are a jewel among women, how can you be so unadorned having gotten me? You don’t deserve to be so, please deck up yourself.
इदं ते चारु सञ्जातं यौवनं व्यतिवर्तते।
यदतीतं पुनर्नैति स्रोतः शीघ्रमपामिव।।5.20.12।।
This charming youthfulness of yours won’t return once gone like the water in swift stream never returns. O delight of the eyes, having created you, the creator must have stopped creation, for there is no one who rivals your captivating form. Which man can be without turning his head once he sees you, even if it were the grandsire brahma himself? I am unable to withdraw my eyes from whichever part of your body that I see, O moon faced one. O maithili, discard this delusion and become my wife. Be my chief queen lording over the lovely women that I have abducted from wherever I went. All the gems in this world that have been usurped by me, this kingdom and myself – all belongs to you O scared woman. I will conquer the entire earth dotted with various cities and gift it away to your father janaka, O lovely woman.
I do not see anyone else in the world who can challenge my might and hegemony. Recognize my unrivaled valor, more than once I have crushed the flags of the gods and demons and they could not stand my torment. So, I would like you to covet me, dress up well, liberally deck up yourself, luxuriate as much as you can, drink and delight.
Give away as much land or wealth in charity as you want and revel in me. You can command me without hesitation. Seeing my fame and wealth and you enjoying it by my grace, all your kin will come to you. O bringer of fortune, what will you do with the ascetic rAma who is dressed in bark clothes and having squandered the kingdom and wealth headed to forests, sleeps on the ground and whose survival itself is doubtful.
O vaidEhI, rAma cannot as much get a glimpse of you, just like even the flying cranes don’t get a glimpse of the moonlight in a cloudy sky. There is no way rAghava will get you back from me, just like hiraNyakaSipu couldn’t get his wife back from indra. O timid lady with a bewitching toothy smile, like the garuDa snatches away the snake, you snatch my mind. You are dressed in soiled clothes and are unadorned, and yet seeing you, I find no interest in my wives. O jAnaki, you may boss over all my virtuous consorts in my inner chambers. The bexst of these women will attend to you like the apsaras attend on goddess lakshmI. Come and luxuriate with me and my wealth.
O lady, rAma is not equal to me in penance, in might, in valour, in wealth, in splendor or in fame. So O delightful one, drink, roam, delight, luxuriate with me. I will confer wealth and the world on you. May you and your kin enjoy their lives with me. O frightened woman, adorn yourself with exquisite golden jewelry and roam the floral gardens buzzing with bees and the lovely beaches.
Here we conclude the twentieth sarga of the sundara kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 5.21. sItA serves the daring ultimatum
Previous: 5.19. The exemplar of grief for rAma
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 