Sanskrit Text in Telugu , Kannada, Gujarati, Devanagari, English

|| om tat sat||

Sundarakanda
Sarga 20

In this Sarga we hear the uninterrupted dialog of Ravana addressing the unhappy, sorrowing ascetic lady Sita. Ravana expresses his desire in no uncertain terms.
He addresses her with sweet and animated words. He was the ego personified. His dialog is in line with his personification aptly summarized as, 'रावयति इति रावणः'

||Sloka 20.01||

स तां परिवृताम् दीनां निरानन्दां तपस्स्विनीम्।
साकारैर्मथुरैर्वाक्यैः न्यदर्शयत रावणः॥20.01||

स॥ तां परिवृतां दीनां निरानंदां तपस्स्विनीं तां साकारैः मधुरैः वाक्यैः न्यदर्शयत॥

॥Sloka meanings||

परिवृतां दीनां - surrounded and looking depressed
निरानंदां तपस्स्विनीं - unhappy ascetic
तां साकारैः मधुरैः वाक्यैः - with sweet and animated words
तां न्यदर्शयत - addressed her

||Sloka summary||

"Then the depressed unhappy ascetic lady Sita surrounded by Rakshasa women was addressed by Ravana with sweet animated words." ||20.01||

This is Ravana's unabashed attempt to woo Sita.

That Ravana is no other than our own mind, which finds innumerable opportunities to stray from the path of "Good", which is ever ready to take the path of "Pleasant"

The innumerable ways in which a mind can be persuaded to wander or stray from the path of good can be seen in the attempts of Ravana to win Sita.

||Sloka 20.02||

मां दृष्ट्वा नागनासोरु गूहमान स्तनोदरम्।
अदर्शनमिवात्मानं भयान्नेतुं त्व मिच्चसि॥20.02||'

स॥ नागनासोरु मां दृष्ट्वा स्तनोदरं गूहमाना त्वं भयात् आत्मानं नेतुम् अदर्शनं इच्छसि इव ||

||Sloka meanings||

नागनासोरु -
Lady with thighs like the trunk of an elephant
मां दृष्ट्वा भयात् -
seeing me out of fear
स्तनोदरं गूहमाना -
hiding your breasts and belly,
आत्मानं नेतुम् -
yourself from me
त्वं अदर्शनं इच्छसि इव -
you want to conceal yourself

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Lady with thighs like the trunk of an elephant ! Seeing me, out of fear hiding your breasts and belly, you want to conceal yourself.: ||20.03||

||Sloka 20.03||

कामयेत्वां विशालाक्षी बहुमन्यस्व मां प्रिये।
सर्वाङ्ग गुण संपन्ने सर्वलोकमनोहरे॥20.03||

स॥ विशालाक्षी सर्वाङ्ग गुण संपन्ने सर्वलोक मनोहरे त्वां कामये || प्रिये मां बहुमन्यस्व॥

||Sloka meanings||

विशालाक्षी सर्वाङ्ग गुण संपन्ने-
Oh large eyed one, richly endowed with beauty in all limbs
सर्वलोक मनोहरे -
delight of the whole world
त्वां कामये - I desire you
प्रिये मां बहुमन्यस्व - dear oblige me

||Sloka summary||

"Oh large eyed one, richly endowed with beauty in all limbs, delight of all worlds I desire you. Dear oblige me ." ||20.03||

||Sloka 20.04||

नेह केचिन्मनुष्या वा राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः।
व्यपसर्पतु ते सीते भयं मत्तस्समुत्थितम्॥20.04||

स॥इह मनुष्या वा राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः न | सीते ते मत्तः समुत्थितं भयं व्यपसर्पतु॥

॥Sloka meanings||

इह मनुष्या वा -
here there are no other men
राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः न -
or Rakshasas who can change their form
ते मत्तः समुत्थितं भयं -
the fear that got generated in your mind
सीते व्यपसर्पतु -
o Sita please give up

||Sloka summary||

"Here there are no other men or Rakshasas who can change their form . Sita be free of fear you have of me". ||20.04||

Ravana starts his dialog saying, "नेह केचिन्मनुष्या वा" - "here there is nobody else", meaning that there is nothing to fear, since nobody else is there.

It is a known common failing. When one wants to do something that is not normal, he would like to do it surreptitiously, when nobody is watching him. For one whose mind is ever focused on things other than spiritual pursuits, the mind becomes ever eager when nobody else is watching, even though that ever-present Self is always watching !

||Sloka 20.05||

स्वधर्मो रक्षसां भीरु सर्वथैव नसंशयः।
गमनं वा परस्त्रीणां हरणं संप्रमध्य वा ||20.05||

स॥ हे भीरु परस्त्रीणां हरणं वा संप्रमध्य वा गमनं वा रक्षसां सर्वथैव स्वधर्मः। न संशयः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

हे भीरु परस्त्रीणां संप्रमध्य हरणं वा -
Oh Timid one kidnapping by force
गमनं वा - approaching
रक्षसां सर्वथैव स्वधर्मः -
always normal for Rakshasas
न संशयः - there is no doubt

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Timid one kidnapping by force or approaching others wives is normal for Rakshasas. There is no doubt" ||20.05||

'Self' belongs to Paramatman. But getting hold of that 'Self', and indulging oneself in all other pursuits of seemingly pleasant ways is the function of mind. Although 'Self' is pure by nature, the preponderance of one's nature in the form of Tamo Rajo and Sattva Gunas diverts one from the true 'Self' to ego satisfying activities.

Ravana who is the other form of the fickle mind, tells Sita that to steal others wives and indulge themselves is in the nature of Rakshasa.

Thus, through Ravana's words the poet is again narrating the truth of the fickle mind which indulges itself forgetting the true nature of Self.

||Sloka 20.06||

एवं चैतदकामं तु न त्वां स्प्रक्ष्यामि मैथिलि।
कामं कामः शरीरे मे यथा कामं प्रवर्तताम्॥20.06||

स॥ एतत् एवं कामः कामं यथाकामं मे शरीरे प्रवर्तताम् तु | अकामम् मैथिली त्वां न स्प्रक्ष्यामि ||

||Sloka meanings||

एतत् एवं कामं - let it be
कामः यथाकामं -passion as it desires
मे शरीरे प्रवर्तताम् तु - holds sway on my body
मैथिली - Mythili
अकामं त्वां न स्प्रक्ष्यामि -
not touch you who do not desire me

||Sloka summary||

"Let the passion holds it sway on my body in this way. But I do not touch you who do not desire me." ||20.06||

Mind diverts only those who have no self-control. Mind cannot capture those who are of firm thoughts. We hear this in Gita too. One who is Sthita pragnya does not waver under any circumstances,

Ravana too acknowledges saying, "एवं चैतदकामं तु न त्वां स्प्रक्ष्यामि मैथिलि"; Even though it is in our nature - I am not going to touch you since you are, "अकामं तु". (You) have no desire."

Desire is the cause of bondage. Desiring things other than Bhagavan creates bondage. Sita desired the golden deer , that resulted in her bondage. Now Sita's mind is locked on no other than Rama and Ravana cannot touch her as he says.

"अकाम" means one without any desires . It also means one desiring only "अ" meaning Vishnu. The one who is desiring only "Vishnu" cannot be captured by anything else.

||Sloka 20.07||

देवी नेह भयं कार्यं मयि विश्वसिहि प्रिये।
प्रणयस्व च तत्वेन मैवं भूः शोकलालसा ||20.07||

स॥ देवी प्रिये मयि विश्वसिहि इह भयं न कार्यं | तत्वेन च प्रणयस्व | एवं शोकलालसा मा भूः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

देवी प्रिये मयि विश्वसिहि - . O Lady trust me
इह भयं न कार्यं - have no fear here
तत्वेन च प्रणयस्व - truly love me
एवं शोकलालसा मा भूः - do not be entertaining sorrow.

||Sloka summary||

"O Lady trust me. You have no fear here. Truly love me. Do not be entertaining sorrow."||20.07||

||Sloka 20.08||

एकवेणीधराशय्या ध्यानं मलिन मंबरम्।
अस्थानेऽप्युपवासश्च नैता न्यौपयिकानि ते॥20.08||

स॥ एकवेणी धराशय्या ध्यानं मलिनं अंबरं अस्थाने उपवासः च एतान् ते न औपयिकानि ||

||Sloka meanings||

एकवेणी धराशय्या -
being with a single braid, sleeping on the ground
ध्यानं - meditation,
मलिनं अंबरं अस्थाने उपवासः च -
wearing soiled clothes, fasting without reason
एतान् ते न औपयिकानि - not appropriate for you

||Sloka summary||

"Oh lady ! being with a single braid , sleeping on the ground, meditation, wearing soiled clothes, fasting without reason are not appropriate for you." ||20.08||

The descriptions used by Ravana for Sita are "एकवेणी", "धराशय्या" ,"यौवनं"; These are the same thoughts pushed by the mind to drive one away from spiritual path. Ravana's exhortation "कुरु गात्रेषु भूषणं" too is the one, which is on the top of many a being in pursuit of vanity.

There are those who think that this body is the Self. They believe that the being born is to be wedded to pursuit of desires. Such people are lost in the fear of youth passing them by. Everything is to be experienced in the youth. Ravana keeps referring to the same saying, let not your "youth go waste"

But Self is different from the "body". Self enters the body to seek the unification with Paramatman. That unification is possible only in the form of human beings. Being born in human form is like the youth. Before that life is over one must experience the "Self" or "Paramatman". Otherwise it is also a wasted life.

||Sloka 20.09||

विचित्राणि च माल्यानि चन्दनान्यगरूणि च।
विविधानि च वासांसि दिव्यान्याभरणानिच ||20.09||

स॥ मैथिलि मां प्राप्य विचित्राणि माल्यानि चन्दनानि अगरूणि च विविधानि वासांसि दिव्यान् आभरणानि च लभस्व॥

॥Sloka meanings||

मैथिलि मां प्राप्य - Mythili having secured me
विचित्राणि माल्यानि - wonderful garlands
चन्दनानि अगरूणि च - sandal incense
विविधानि वासांसि - several kinds of garments
दिव्यान् आभरणानि च लभस्व - obtain divine ornaments

||Sloka summary||

"Mythili having secured me , you can get wonderful garlands, sandal incense several kinds of divine garments and ornaments." ||20.09||

||Sloka 20.10||

महार्हाणि च पानानि शयनान्यासनानि च।
गीतं नृत्तं च वाद्यंच लभ मां प्राप्य मैथिलि ||20.10||

स॥ महार्हाणि च पानानि शयनानि आसनानि च गीतं नृत्तं च वाद्यं च लभ॥

॥Sloka meanings||

महार्हाणि च पानानि - rich drinks
शयनानि आसनानि च - rich beds and seats too,
गीतं नृत्तं च वाद्यं च- singing dancing and music too
लभ - you can enjoy

||Sloka summary||

"Rich drinks, beds and seats too, as well as singing dancing and music too
you can enjoy." ||20.10||

||Sloka 20.11||

स्त्री रत्नमसि मैवं भूः कुरु गात्रेषु भूषणं।
मां प्राप्य हि कथं नु स्यात् त्वमनर्हा सुविग्रहे॥20.11||

स॥ स्त्री रत्नं असि | एवं माभूः | गात्रेषु भूषणं कुरु | सुविग्रहे मां प्राप्य त्वं कथं नु अनर्हा स्यात् ||

||Sloka meanings||

स्त्री रत्नं असि - you are jewel among women
एवं माभूः - do not remain like this
गात्रेषु भूषणं कुरु - decorate your limbs
सुविग्रहे मां प्राप्य - lady of beautiful body having obtained me
त्वं कथं नु अनर्हा स्यात् - how can you be deprived of anything.

||Sloka summary||

"You are jewel among women. Do not remain like this. Decorate your limbs. Lady of beautiful body having obtained me how can you be deprived of anything." ||20.11||

||Sloka 20.12||

इदं ते चारु संजातं यौवनं व्यतिवर्तते।
यत् अतीतं पुनर्नैति स्रोतः शीघ्रमपामिव॥20.12||

स॥ चारु संजातं इदं ते यौवनं व्यतिवर्तते | यत् अतीतं शीघ्रः स्रोतः अपां इव पुनः न इति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

चारु संजातं -
beautifully created
इदं ते यौवनं व्यतिवर्तते -
this youth of yours will pass away
यत् अतीतं शीघ्रः -
( like) the fast (flowing)
स्रोतः अपां इव पुनः न इति -
flowing water it will not return again

||Sloka summary||

"This beautiful youth of yours thus created will pass away. Like the fast-flowing water it will not return again." ||20.12||

||Sloka 20.13||

त्वां कृत्वोपरतो मन्ये रूपकर्ता स विश्वसृक् |
न हि रूपोपमा त्वन्या तवास्ति शुभदर्शने ||20.13||

स॥ शुभदर्शने त्वां कृत्वा सः रूपकर्ता विश्वसृक् उपरतः मन्ये। त्वत् अन्या तव रूपसमः न अस्ति ||

||Sloka meanings||

शुभदर्शने - Oh lady of auspicious looks
त्वां कृत्वा - having created you
सः रूपकर्ता विश्वसृक्- the creator of this world
उपरतः मन्ये - stopped (creation) I think
त्वत् अन्या तव रूपसमः न अस्ति -
other than you, there is none who is comparable beauty to you

||Sloka summary||

"Oh lady of auspicious looks having created you even the creator of this world stopped. There is none who is comparable beauty to you."||20.13||

||Sloka 20.14||

त्वां समसाद्य वैदेही रूपयौवनशालिनीम्।
कः पुमा नतिवर्तेत साक्षा दपि पितामहः॥20.14||

स॥वैदेही रूपयौवनशालिनीं त्वां समासाद्य कः पुमान् अतिवर्तेत || साक्षात् पितामहः अपि॥

॥Sloka meanings||

रूपयौवनशालिनीं - of endowed with youth and beauty
त्वां समासाद्य - having seen you
कः पुमान् अतिवर्तेत - which man can go away
साक्षात् पितामहः अपि - even grandsire cannot

||Sloka summary||

"Vaidehi after getting you with your extraordinary beauty youth who can retain his mind. Even creator cannot." ||20.14||

||Sloka 20.15||

यद्यत् पश्यामि ते गात्रं शीतांशुसदृशानने।
तस्मिं स्तस्मिन् पृथुश्रोणी चक्षुर्मम निबध्यते॥20.15||

स॥ शीतांशुसदृशानने पृथुश्रोणी ते यद्यत् गात्रं पशामि तस्मिं तस्मिन् मम चक्षुः निबध्यते॥

॥Sloka meanings||

शीतांशुसदृशानने - with face like that of a full moon
पृथुश्रोणी - with heavy hips
ते यद्यत् गात्रं पश्यामि - whichever limb I see
तस्मिं तस्मिन् मम चक्षुः निबध्यते - in that in that my eyes are locked

||Sloka summary||

"With face like that of a full moon and heavy hips, whichever limb I see, limbs which ever limb I see I am unable to extricate my eyes." ||20.15||

||Sloka 20.16||

भव मैथिलि भार्या मे मोह मेनं विसर्जय।
बह्विनां उत्तमस्त्रीणां आहृतानाम् इतः ततः॥20.16||

स॥ मैथिलि मे भार्या भव | एनं मोहं विसर्जय | आहृतानां भह्वीनाम् मम उत्तम स्त्रीणां सर्वासां एव अग्रमहिषी भव। ते भद्रम् अस्तु ||

||Sloka meanings||

मैथिलि मे भार्या भव - Mythili be my wife
एनं मोहं विसर्जय - give up this delusion
आहृतानां भह्वीनाम् - of many women brought
मम उत्तम स्त्रीणां सर्वासां एव - of all the best of my women
अग्रमहिषी भव - be the chief consort .
ते भद्रम् अस्तु - you be blessed

||Sloka summary||

"Mythili, be my wife. Give up this delusion. Be my chief consort among all the several wonderful women who have been brought by me and be blessed."||20.16||

||Sloka 20.17||

सर्वासामेव भद्रंते ममाग्रमहीषीभव।
लोकेभ्यो यानि रत्नानि संप्रमथ्याहृतानि वै॥20.17||
तानि मे भीरु सर्वाणि राज्यं चैतदहं च ते।

स॥ भीरुः लोकेभ्यः यानि रत्नानि संप्रममध्य आहृतानि तानि सर्वाणि एतत् राज्यं च अहं च ते॥

॥Sloka meanings||

भीरुः लोकेभ्यः यानि रत्नानि -
Oh Timid lady ! All those gems and precious things from all over the world
संप्रममध्य आहृतानि - brought by force
तानि सर्वाणि - all of those
एतत् राज्यं च - this kingdom too
अहं च ते - and me too are yours

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Timid lady ! All the gems and precious things I brought by force from all over the world, all the kingdom and me too are yours."||20.17||

||Sloka 20.18||

विजित्य पृथिवीं सर्वां नानानगरमालिनीम्॥20.18||
जनकाय प्रदास्यामि तव हेतोर्विलासिनी।

स॥ पृथिवीं सर्वां नाना नगरमालिनीं विजित्य विलासिनी तव हेतोः जनकाय प्रदास्यामि ||

||Sloka meanings||

सर्वां नाना नगरमालिनीं -
of all the different cities forming a garland
पृथिवीं विजित्य - the earth , having won
विलासिनी तव हेतोः -O lovely lady for you
जनकाय प्रदास्यामि - give to King Janaka

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Lovely lady! Winning the whole world and all the cities I will give them to Janaka for your sake." ||20.18||

||Sloka 20.19||

नेह पश्यामि लोकेऽन्यं यो मे प्रतिबलो भवेत् ||20.19||
पश्यमे सुमहद्वीर्यं अप्रतिद्वन्द्वमाहवे।

स॥ इह लोके अन्यं मे प्रतिबलः न | आहवे मे सुमहत् वीर्यं अप्रतिद्वन्द्वं पश्य ||

||Sloka meanings||

इह लोके अन्यं मे प्रतिबलः न -
in this world there is none equal to me
आहवे मे सुमहत् वीर्यं -
my great strength
आहवे अप्रतिद्वन्द्वं पश्य -
unrivalled in the battle, see

||Sloka summary||

"In this world there is none equal to me. In battle see my unrivalled great strength."||20.19||

||Sloka 20.20||

असकृत् संयुगे भग्ना मया विमृदितध्वजाः॥20.20||
अशक्ताः प्रत्यनीकेषु स्थातुं मम सुरासुराः।

स॥मया असकृत् सुरासुराः संयुगे भग्नाः विमृदित ध्वजाः | मम प्रत्यनीकेषु स्थातुम् अशक्ताः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

मया असकृत् -
by me again and again
सुरासुराः संयुगे भग्नाः -
Devas and Asuras having been shattered in the battle
विमृदित ध्वजाः - with their flags crushed
मम प्रत्यनीकेषु स्थातुम् अशक्ताः -
unable to stand against me

||Sloka summary||

"Again and again Devas and Asuras, with their flags crushed, were shattered in battle unable to stand against me." ||20.20||

||Sloka 20.21,22||

इच्च मां क्रियता मद्य प्रतिकर्म तवोत्तमम्॥20.21||
सप्रभाण्यवसज्यन्तां तवाङ्गे भूषणानिच।
साधु पश्यामि ते रूपं संयुक्तं प्रतिकर्मणा॥20.22||

स॥मां इच्छ आद्य तव उत्तमम् प्रतिकर्म क्रियताम्। तव अङ्गे स प्रभाणि भूषणानि च अवसज्यंतां | प्रतिकर्मणा संयुक्तं ते साधु रूपं पश्यामि ||

||Sloka meanings||

मां इच्छ - desire me
आद्य तव - today you
उत्तमम् प्रतिकर्म क्रियताम् - do best decoration
तव अङ्गे स प्रभाणि भूषणानि च -
radiant ornaments on your limbs
अवसज्यंतां - may you wear
संयुक्तं प्रतिकर्मणा -
decorating yourself in all ways
साधु पश्यामि ते रूपं -
your pleasing form I wish to see

||Sloka summary||

"Desire me. You do best decoration. You wear radiant ornaments on your body. I wish you to decorate yourself and see your pleasing form". ||20.21-22||

||Sloka 20.23||

प्रतिकर्माभि संयुक्ता दाक्षिण्येन वरानने।
भुंक्ष्वभोगान् यथाकामं पिब भीरु रमस्व च॥20.23||

स॥ वरानने भीरुः दाक्षिण्येन प्रतिकर्माभि संयुक्ता यथा कामं भोगान् भुंक्ष्व पिब रमस्व च॥

॥Sloka meanings||

वरानने भीरुः -
O Charming lady ! Timid one
दाक्षिण्येन प्रतिकर्माभि संयुक्ता -
Liberally decorate yourself as you like
यथा कामं भोगान् भुंक्ष्व -
enjoy luxuries as you please
पिब रमस्व च -
drink and enjoy

||Sloka summary||

"O Charming lady ! Timid one ! Liberally decorate yourself as you like, drink and make merry." ||20.23||

||Sloka 20.24||

यथेष्टं च प्रयच्च त्वं पृथिवीं वा धनानि च।
ललस्व मयि विस्रब्दा धृष्ट माज्ञापयस्व च॥20.24||

स॥ त्वं पृथिवीम् धनानि च यथेच्छं प्रयच्छ। विस्रब्दा मयि ललस्व | घृष्टं आज्ञापयस्व च॥

॥Sloka meanings||

पृथिवीम् धनानि च -
land and wealth
त्वं यथेच्छं प्रयच्छ -
you give away as you wish
विस्रब्दा मयि ललस्व -
being free enjoy with me
घृष्टं आज्ञापयस्व च -
boldly order me.

||Sloka summary||

"Give away land and wealth as you wish. Being free enjoy with me. Boldly order me."||20.24||

||Sloka 20.25||

मत्प्रसादा ल्ललन्त्याश्च ललन्तां भान्धवा स्तव |
बुद्धिं मामनुपश्य त्वं श्रियं भद्रे यशश्च मे॥20.25||

स॥ भद्रे मत्प्रसादात् ललन्त्याः तव बांधवा ललन्तां | त्वं मम ऋद्धिं यशश्च अनुपश्य।

॥Sloka meanings||

भद्रे मत्प्रसादात् ललन्त्याः -
Oh Auspicious lady ! By my grace enjoying
तव बांधवा ललन्तां -
your relations too may enjoy
मम ऋद्धिं -my wealth
यशश्च त्वं अनुपश्य -
and fame too you see

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Auspicious lady ! By my grace enjoying your relations you too may enjoy. You see my wealth and fame." ||20.25||

||Sloka 20.26||

किं करिष्यसि रामेण सुभगे चीरवाससा।
निक्षिप्त विजयो रामो गतश्रीः वनगोचरः॥20.26||
व्रती स्थण्डिलशायी च शङ्के जीवति वा न वा।

स॥ सुभगे चीरवाससा रामेण किं करिष्यसि। निक्षिप्त विजयः गतश्रीः वनगोचरः व्रती स्थण्डिलशायी च रामः जीवति वा न शङ्के ||

||Sloka meanings||

सुभगे चीरवाससा रामेण -
beautiful lady, with Rama who wears bark clothes
किं करिष्यसि - what will you do
निक्षिप्त विजयः गतश्रीः -
with who renounced victory, lost fortune
वनगोचरः व्रती -
wandering in the forest , following ascetism
स्थण्डिलशायी च -
sleeping on the ground
रामः जीवति वा न शङ्के -
whether Rama is alive or not is doubtful

||Sloka summary||

"O Beautiful lady ! What will you do with the person in bark robes. With renounced victory, lost fortune, wandering in the forest , following ascetism , sleeping on the ground whether Rama is alive or not I am doubtful." ||20.26||

||Sloka 20.27||

न हि वैदेहि राम स्त्वां द्रष्टुं वाप्युपलप्स्यते॥20.27||
पुरो बलाकै रसितैः मेघैः ज्योत्स्नामिवावृतम्।

स॥ वैदेही रामः त्वं पुरोबलाकैः असितैः मेघैः आवृतां ज्योत्स्नां इव द्रष्टुं वा पि न हि उपलप्स्यते॥

॥Sloka meanings||

वैदेही -O Vaidehi
पुरोबलाकैः असितैः -
the cranes flying in the front
मेघैः आवृतां ज्योत्स्नां इव -
cannot see the moon rays veiled by the clouds
रामः त्वं द्रष्टुं वा पि - for Rama too to see you
न हि उपलप्स्यते - is not possible .

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Vaidehi ! Rama too may not even be able to see you, like the cranes flying in the front cannot see the moon rays veiled by the clouds." ||20.27||

||Sloka 20.28||

न चापि मम हस्ता त्त्वाम् प्राप्तु मर्हति राघवः॥20.28||
हिरण्यकशिपुः कीर्तिं इंद्रहस्तगतामिव।

स॥ हिरण्यकशिपुः इन्द्रहस्त गतां कीर्तिं इव राघवः मम हस्तात् त्वां प्राप्तुं न चापि अर्हति॥

॥Sloka meanings||.

हिरण्यकशिपुः इन्द्रहस्तगतां कीर्तिं इव -
like Hiranyakasipu was able to get back Certhiids wife from the hands of Indra
राघवः मम हस्तात् -
from my hands Raghava
त्वां प्राप्तुं न चापि अर्हति -
not possible to get you

||Sloka summary||

"Raghava will not be able to get you back from my hands like Hiranyakasipu was able to get back his wife Kirti from the hands of Indra." ||20.28||

||Sloka 20.29||

चारुस्मिते चारुदति चारुनेत्रे विलासिनि॥ 20.29||
मनोहरसि मे भीरु सुपर्णः पन्नगं यथा।

स॥चारुस्मिते चारुदति चारुनेत्रे विलासिनि भीरु सुपर्णः पन्नगं यथा मम मनः हरसि॥

॥Sloka meanings||

चारुस्मिते चारुदति -
Lady of charming smile and beautiful teeth
चारुनेत्रे विलासिनि भीरु -
of beautiful luxurious eyes and timid lady
सुपर्णः पन्नगं यथा -
like the Garuda snatching away a serpent.
मम मनः हरसि -
you have captivated my mind

||Sloka summary||

"Lady of charming smile, lady of beautiful teeth , beautiful eyes luxurious and timid lady you have captivated my mind like the Garuda snatching away a serpent. ||20.29||

||Sloka 20.30||

क्लिष्ट कौशेयवसनां तन्वी मप्यनलङ्कृताम्॥20.30||
तां दृष्ट्वा स्वेषु दारेषु रतिं नोपलभाम्यहम्।

स॥ क्लिष्टकौशेयवसनां तन्वीं त्वां अनलंकृतां अपि दृष्ट्वा अहं स्वेषु दारेषु रतिं न उपलभामि॥

॥Sloka meanings||

क्लिष्टकौशेयवसनां - wearing spoiled silk clothes
अनलंकृतां अपि - though not adorned
तन्वीं त्वां दृष्ट्वा - oh tender woman seeing you I
अहं स्वेषु दारेषु - with my wives
अहं रतिं न उपलभामि -
I am not finding love in my other wives

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Tender woman wearing spoiled silk clothes, though not adorned, seeing you I am not finding love in my other wives. " ||20.30||

||Sloka 20.31||

अन्तःपुर निवासिन्यः स्त्रियः सर्वगुणान्विताः॥20.31||
यावंत्यो मम सर्वासाम् ऐश्व्वर्यं कुरु जानकि।

स॥ जानकी मम स्त्रियः अन्तःपुरनिवासिन्यः यावन्त्यः सर्वगुणान्विताः | सर्वासां इश्वर्यं कुरु॥

॥Sloka meanings||

जानकी स्त्रियः मम अन्तःपुरनिवासिन्यः -
O Janaki, ladies of my harem
यावन्त्यः सर्वगुणान्विताः -
many of them are endowed with all attributes
सर्वासां ऐश्वर्यं कुरु -
exercise authority on all of them

||Sloka summary||

"ओ जानकी ना अंतः पुरमुलो उन्न स्त्रीलु चालामंदि सर्वगुण संपन्नुलु. नीवु वारंदरिपै अधिपत्यमु वहिंचुमु". ||20.31||

"O Janaki, many of the ladies of my harem are endowed with all attributes . You exercise authority on all of them." ||20.31||

||Sloka 20.32||

मम ह्यसितकेशांते त्रैलोक्यप्रवरा स्स्त्रियः॥20.32||
तास्त्वां परिचरिष्यन्ति श्रिय मप्सरसो यथा।

स॥ असितकेशांते मम ताः त्रैलोक्य प्रवराः स्त्रियः अप्सरसः श्रियं यथा त्वां परिचरिष्यन्ति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

असितकेशांते -
Oh lady with dark hair
मम ताः त्रैलोक्य प्रवराः स्त्रियः -
my women, the best among the women in the three worlds
अप्सरसः श्रियं यथा -
like Apsarasas attending on Lakshmi
त्वां परिचरिष्यन्ति -
they will serve you

||Sloka summary||

"O lady with black hair, the best among the women in the three worlds, Apsaras who are mine will attend on you like Goddess Lakshmi." ||20.32||

||Sloka 20.33||

यानि वैश्रवणे सुभ्रु रत्नानि धनानि च॥20.33||
तानि लोकांश्च सुश्रोणि मां च भुङ्क्ष्व यथा सुखम्।

स॥ सुश्रोणि सुभृ वैश्रवणे यानि रत्नानि धनानि च तानि लोकांश्च मां च यथासुखं भुङ्क्ष्व॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सुश्रोणि सुभृ - Lady of beautiful hips, beautiful eyebrows
वैश्रवणे यानि रत्नानि धनानि च - whatever gems and wealth Kubera had
तानि लोकांश्च मां च - that , the worlds and me too
यथासुखं भुङ्क्ष्व - enjoy as you please

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Lady of beautiful hips, beautiful eyebrows you be happy and enjoy with whatever gems and wealth and those worlds as well including me." ||20.33||

||Sloka 20.34||

न रामस्तपसा देवि न बलेन न विक्रमैः।
न धनेन मया तुल्यः तेजसा यशसाऽपि वा॥20.34||

स॥ देवी रामः तपसा मया न तुल्यः | न बलेन विक्रमैः च।न धनेन तेजसा यशसा अपि वा॥

॥Sloka meanings||

रामः तपसा मया न तुल्यः -
Rama is not my equal in penance
न बलेन विक्रमैः च -
not in prowess or valor
न धनेन तेजसा यशसा अपि वा -
\not in wealth, brilliance or fame too

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Devi , Rama is not my equal in penance. Not in prowess or valor. Not in wealth, brilliance or fame too." ||20.34||

||Sloka 20.35||

पिब विहर रमस्व भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्
धननिचयं प्रदिशामि मेदिनीं च।
मयि लल ललने यथासुखं त्वं
त्वयि च समेत्य ललन्तु बान्धवास्ते || 20.35||

स॥ललने धननिचयं मेदिनीं च त्वं प्रदिशामि |पिब विहर रमस्व | भोगान् यथायुक्तं मयि लल। ते बान्धवाः समेत्य त्वयि ललन्तु॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ललने धननिचयं मेदिनीं च -
delightful one, Heaps of riches as well as lands
त्वं प्रदिशामि -
I am presenting to you
पिब विहर रमस्व -
drink, sport and enjoy
भोगान् यथायुक्तं मयि लल -
enjoy all pleasures enjoy as you please
ते बान्धवाः समेत्य त्वयि ललन्तु -
enjoy along with your relations

||Sloka summary||

"Oh delightful one, Heaps of riches as well as lands I am presenting to you. Drink, sport and enjoy. All enjoy all pleasures enjoy as you please. Enjoy along with your relations." ||20.35||

||Sloka 20.36||

कुसुमित तरुजाल संततानि
भ्रमरयुतानि समुद्रतीरजानि।
कनक विमल हारभूषिताङ्गि
विहर मया सह भीरु काननानि॥20.36||

स॥ भीरु कनक विमल हारभूषितांगी कुसुमित तरुजाल संततानि भ्रमरयुतानि समुद्रतीरजानि काननानि मया सह विहर॥

॥Sloka meanings||

भीरु कनक विमल हारभूषितांगी -
Oh Timid one, deck yourself with pure gold necklaces
कुसुमित तरुजाल संततानि -
groves full of trees with blossoms
भ्रमरयुतानि समुद्रतीरजानि काननानि -
sea side forest groves with swarms of bees
मया सह विहर -
you may enjoy with me

||Sloka summary||

Oh Timid one ! Deck yourself with pure gold necklaces. Enjoy along with me in the enchanting sea side forest groves full of trees with swarms of bees. ||20.36||

Ravana's words in the end "Drink, sport and enjoy. Enjoy all pleasures with me as you please. Enjoy along with your relations" have a lilt. The poet's poetic lines with a lilt, give a hint of a man walking with swagger, blinded by his assumptions of power.

That is where a mind full of ego positions a man.

In these Slokas, Ravana presses Sita to leave Rama from her mind and enjoy the life . He praises Sita saying even the creator will want her. He puts down Rama as a simple wanderer in the forest.

Those are all the words of one whose ego is at its height. Ego boosted by mind with the wealth, the indulgence tries to distance the man from the search of Self

The poet is presenting the push of the mind towards the path of "pleasant". The path described by Yama to Nachiketa, the path that is not to be followed.

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये वाल्मीकीये
चतुर्विंशत् सहस्रिकायां संहितायाम्
श्रीमत्सुंदरकांडे विंशस्सर्गः॥

Thus ends the Sarga 20 in Sundarakanda of Shrimad Valmiki Ramayan composed by Valmiki.
||om tat sat ||