Sita's Abduction and Lament
Ravana abducts Sita through deceit. In separation, she cries out in grief, and the forest, mountains, and rivers seem to bear witness to her sorrow.
Aranya Kand · Episode 12 / 18
Episode Text
खल बधि तुरत फिरे रघुबीरा। सोह चाप कर कटि तूनीरा॥ आरत गिरा सुनी जब सीता। कह लछिमन सन परम सभीता॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khala badhi turata phire raghubīrā। soha cāpa kara kaṭi tūnīrā॥ ārata girā sunī jaba sītā। kaha lachimana sana parama sabhītā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Having slain the wicked Maricha, the Lord of the Raghu line returned at once. His bow in hand and quiver at his waist looked splendid. When Sita heard the anguished cry, she said to Lakshmana in great fear—
जाहु बेगि संकट अति भ्राता। लछिमन बिहसि कहा सुनु माता॥ भृकुटि बिलास सृष्टि लय होई। सपनेहुँ संकट परइ कि सोई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāhu begi saṃkaṭa ati bhrātā। lachimana bihasi kahā sunu mātā॥ bhṛkuṭi bilāsa sṛṣṭi laya hoī। sapanẽhuṃ saṃkaṭa parai ki soī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
'Go quickly; your brother is in great danger.' Lakshmana smiled and said, 'Listen, Mother. By a mere play of His brows the whole creation is dissolved. Could such a one ever be in danger, even in a dream?'
मरम बचन जब सीता बोला। हरि प्रेरित लछिमन मन डोला॥ बन दिसि देव सौंपि सब काहू। चले जहाँ रावन ससि राहू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
marama bacana jaba sītā bolā। hari prērita lachimana mana ḍolā॥ bana disi deva sauṃpi saba kāhū। cale jahāṃ rāvana sasi rāhū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When Sita began speaking words that pierced the heart, Lakshmana's mind too was stirred by the Lord's prompting. Entrusting Sita to the guardians of the forest and the directions, he went to where Rama was, like Rāhu to the moon-like Ravana.
सून बीच दसकंधर देखा। आवा निकट जती कें बेषा॥ जाकें डर सुर असुर डेराहीं। निसि न नीद दिन अन्न न खाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sūna bīca dasakaṃdhara dekhā। āvā nikaṭa jatī keṃ beṣā॥ jākeṃ ḍara sura asura ḍerahāīṃ। nisi na nīda dina anna na khāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Taking advantage of the deserted place, Ravana approached Sita in the guise of an ascetic. Such is the fear he inspires that even the gods and demons tremble—they cannot sleep at night or eat their fill during the day.
सो दससीस स्वान की नाईं। इत उत चितइ चला भड़िहाईं॥ इमि कुपंथ पग देत खगेसा। रह न तेज तन बुधि बल लेसा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so dasasīsa svāna kī nāīṃ। ita uta citaī calā bhaṛihāīṃ॥ imi kupantha paga deta khagesā। raha na teja tana budhi bala lesā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
That ten-headed Ravana moved about, glancing this way and that like a dog, as if out to steal. [Kakabhushundi says:] O Garuda, when one sets foot on the wrong path, not even a trace of radiance, body, wisdom, or strength remains. * When a dog takes advantage of a deserted place and stealthily snatches food or utensils, that is called 'bhadhihaī' (pilfering).
नाना बिधि करि कथा सुहाई। राजनीति भय प्रीति देखाई॥ कह सीता सुनु जती गोसाईं। बोलेहु बचन दुष्ट की नाईं॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nānā bidhi kari kathā suhāī। rājānīti bhaya prīti dekhāī॥ kaha sītā sunu jatī gosāīṃ। bolehu bacana duṣṭa kī nāīṃ॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Ravana, in many charming ways, spun tales and displayed statesmanship, fear, and affection before Sita. Sita said, 'Listen, ascetic lord. You have spoken like a wicked man.'
तब रावन निज रूप देखावा। भई सभय जब नाम सुनावा॥ कह सीता धरि धीरजु गाढ़ा। आइ गयउ प्रभु रहु खल ठाढ़ा॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba rāvana nija rūpa dekhāvā। bhaī sabhaya jaba nāma sunāvā॥ kaha sītā dhari dhīraju gāṛhā। āi gayau prabhu rahu khala ṭhāṛhā॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
Then Ravana showed his true form, and when he announced his name, Sita became frightened. Gathering deep courage, she said, 'O wicked one, stand there—the Lord has come!'
जिमि हरिबधुहि छुद्र सस चाहा। भएसि कालबस निसिचर नाहा॥ सुनत बचन दससीस रिसाना। मन महुँ चरन बंदि सुख माना॥ ८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jimi haribadhuhi chudra sasa cāhā। bhaisi kālabasa nisicara nāhā॥ sunata bacana dasasīsa risānā। mana mahuṃ carana bandi sukha mānā॥ 8 ॥
Meaning:
Just as a tiny rabbit might desire the she-lion, so too, O lord of demons, you have fallen under the power of Time. Hearing these words, Ravana grew angry, but in his heart he bowed to Sita's feet and felt joy.
क्रोधवंत तब रावन लीन्हिसि रथ बैठाइ। चला गगनपथ आतुर भयँ रथ हाँकि न जाइ॥ २८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
krodhavaṃta taba rāvana līnhisi ratha baiṭhāi। calā gaganapatha ātura bhayaṃ ratha hāṃki na jāi॥ 28 ॥
Meaning:
Then, in anger, Ravana seated Sita in his chariot and set off by the path of the sky, but in his fear he could not drive the chariot properly.
हा जग एक बीर रघुराया। केहिं अपराध बिसारेहु दाया॥ आरति हरन सरन सुखदायक। हा रघुकुल सरोज दिननायक॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hā jaga eka bīra raghurāyā। kehiṃ aparādha bisārehu dāyā॥ ārati harana sarana sukhadāyaka। hā raghukula saroja dinanāyaka॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
[Sita was lamenting:] Alas, unique hero of the world, Lord Raghunatha! For what offense have you forgotten your mercy toward me? O remover of sorrow, giver of comfort to those who seek refuge, alas, sun of the lotus of Raghu’s line!
हा लछिमन तुम्हार नहिं दोसा। सो फलु पायउँ कीन्हेउँ रोसा॥ बिबिध बिलाप करति बैदेही। भूरि कृपा प्रभु दूरि सनेही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hā lachimana tumhāra nahiṃ dosā। so phalu pāyaūṃ kīhneūṃ rosā॥ bibidha bilāpa karati baidehī। bhūri kṛpā prabhu dūri sanehī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Alas, Lakshmana, it is not your fault. I acted in anger and have reaped the fruit of it. Janaki is lamenting in many ways—alas! The Lord’s grace is abundant, but the loving Lord has gone far away.
बिपति मोरि को प्रभुहि सुनावा। पुरोडास चह रासभ खावा॥ सीता कै बिलाप सुनि भारी। भए चराचर जीव दुखारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bipati mori ko prabhuhi sunāvā। puroḍāsa caha rāsabha khāvā॥ sītā kai bilāpa suni bhārī। bhae carācara jīva dukhārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Who can tell the Lord of this misfortune of mine? A donkey desires to eat sacrificial offerings. Hearing Sita’s intense lament, all moving and unmoving beings became sorrowful.