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|| om tat sat||

Sundarakanda
Sarga 26

In the fifteenth and sixteenth Sargas we see the description of Sita in sorrow. "Sita was like a flame of fire obscured by a cloud of smoke, like a text of Smriti of doubtful meaning, like a thrown away treasure, like a lost faith, like a hope obstructed, like a success inhibited, like vitiated intellect, like a fame soiled by false allegation.' That was Valmiki's description of Sita in sorrow

In this Sarga , we hear from Sita in her sorrow through Valmiki. "aham jīvituṁ na utsahē";"I have no interest in living

Why she has no interest? what she wants to do? We hear all about that from Sita whose thoughts go all over driving Sita into more sorrow. Yoga Vasista we hear the answer for her sorrow very precisely.

Yogavasishtam is a dialog is between Rama and sage Vasistha. Origin of the dialog is the fundamental query of why so much sorrow. In that dialog we hear the following Sloka almost at the very end of that dialog with Vasishta.

bahunātra kiṁ uktēna saṁkṣēpāth idaṁ ucyatē|
saṁkalpanaṁ parō bandhaḥ tad abhāvē vimuktatā||

" Why say so many words, briefly this can be told. Imagination is the bondage, absence of the same is liberation"

Thus imagination is the cause of sorrow .The overflowing thoughts in sorrow simply multiply the sorrow manyfold. That is precisely what we see in this Sarga .

||Sloka 26.01||

prasaktāśrumukhī tyēvaṁ bruvantī janakātmajā|
adhōmukhamukhī bālā vilaptumupacakramē ||26.01||

sa|| prasaktāśrumukhī bālā janakātmajā ēvaṁ bruvantīadhōgatamukhī vilaptuṁ upacakramē||

||Sloka meanings||

prasaktāśrumukhī adhōgatamukhī -
With face filled with tears and down cast
bālā janakātmajā -
the young lady who is Janaka's daughter
ēvaṁ bruvantī - speaking thus
vilaptuṁ upacakramē - began to cry

||Sloka summary||

"With face filled with tears and down cast , the young lady who is Janaka's daughter began to cry". ||26.01||

||Sloka 26.02||

unmattēva pramattēva bhrāntacittēva śōcatī|
upāvr̥tā kiśōrīva vivēṣṭhantī mahītalē||26.02||

sa|| unmattēva pramattēva bhrāntacittēva śōcatī upāvr̥tā kiśōrī iva mahītalē vivēṣṭaṁtī||

||Sloka meanings||

unmattēva pramattēva -
like an intoxicated and bewildered person
bhrāntacittēva śōcatī -
cried like a person with distracted mind
upāvr̥tā kiśōrī iva -
wallowing like a female horse
mahītalē vivēṣṭaṁtī -
coiled sitting on the ground

||Sloka summary||

"Like an intoxicated and bewildered person, like a worried person with distracted mind, she was wallowing on the ground like a female horse. ||26.02||

||Sloka 26.03||

rāghavasya pramattasya rakṣasā kāmarūpiṇā|
rāvaṇēna pramadhyā'hamānītā krōśatī balāt||26.03||

sa||rāghavasya pramattasya kāmarūpiṇā rakṣasā rāvaṇēna pramadhya krōśatī ahaṁ balāt ānītā||

||Sloka meanings||

rāghavasya pramattasya -
when Raghava was away
kāmarūpiṇā rakṣasā rāvaṇēna -
by Ravana, the Rakshasa who can take any form
pramadhya krōśatī -
tormented and crying
ahaṁ balāt ānītā -
I was brought forcibly

||Sloka summary||

"When Raghava was away , I was brought forcibly while crying by Ravana, the Rakshasa who can take any form."||26.03||

||Sloka 26.04||

rākṣasī vaśamāpannā bhartsyamānā sudāruṇam|
ciṁtayantī suduḥkhārtā nāhaṁ jīvitu mutsahē||26.04||

sa|| rākṣasī vaśaṁ āpannāsudāruṇaṁ bhartsyamānā ciṁtayaṁtī suduḥkhārtā ahaṁ jīvituṁ na utsahē||

||Sloka meanings||

rākṣasī vaśaṁ āpannā -
Being under the control of the Rakshasis
sudāruṇaṁ bhartsyamānā -
dreadfully threatened
ciṁtayaṁtī suduḥkhārtā -
worrying and overcome with grief
ahaṁ jīvituṁ na utsahē -
I have no interest in living

||Sloka summary||

"Being under the control of the Rakshasis, dreadfully threatened , worrying and overcome with grief, I have no interest in living ." ||26.04||

||Sloka 26.05||

nahi mē jīvitairarthō naivārdhairna ca bhūṣaṇaiḥ|
vasantyā rākṣasī madhyē vinā rāmaṁ mahāratham||26.05||

sa||vinā mahārathaṁ rāmaṁ rākṣasī madhyē vasantyā mē jīvitaiḥ arthaḥ na hi| na ēva arthaiḥ na ca bhūṣaṇaiḥ |

||Sloka meanings||

vinā mahārathaṁ rāmaṁ -
without the great charioteer Rama
rākṣasī madhyē vasantyā -
living among the Rakshasa women
rākṣasulamadhyalō nivasistunna
mē jīvitaiḥ arthaḥ na hi -
there is no meaning for this life..
na ēva arthaiḥ na ca bhūṣaṇaiḥ -
neither wealth nor the ornaments matter.

||Sloka summary||

"I have no interest in living. Living among the Rakshasa women without the great charioteer Rama, there is no meaning for this life. Neither wealth nor the ornaments matter.||26.05||

||Sloka 26.06||

aśmasāra midaṁ nūnaṁ athavā pyajarāmaram|
hr̥dayaṁ mama yēnēdaṁ na duḥkhē nāvaśīryatē ||26.06||

sa|| athavā mama idaṁ hr̥dayam nūnaṁ aśmasāraṁ ajarāmajaraṁ api yēna duḥkhēna avasīryatē||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā mama idaṁ hr̥dayam -
this my heart is surely
nūnaṁ aśmasāraṁ ajarāmajaraṁ -
made of stone, or it has no age or death
api yēna duḥkhēna avasīryatē -
since it is not broken down with grief

||Sloka summary||

"My heart is surely made of stone, or it has no age or death since it is not broken down with grief."||26.06||

||Sloka 26.07||

dhijñmāmanārya masatīṁ yā haṁ tēna vinākr̥tā|
muhūrtamapi rakṣāmi jīvitaṁ pāpa jīvitā||26.07||

sa || tēna vinā kr̥tā muhūrtaṁ api jīvitaṁ rakṣāmi (tat) anāryaṁ |ahaṁ pāpajīvitā asatīṁ mām dhik ||

||Sloka meanings||

tēna vinā kr̥tā muhūrtaṁ api -
that without him even for a moment
jīvitaṁ rakṣāmi (tat) anāryaṁ -
I am protecting this life is improper
ahaṁ pāpajīvitā asatīṁ mām dhik -
I am an infidel, a woman of sinful life. Fie on me.

||Sloka summary||

"That without him I am protecting this life even for a moment is improper. I am an infidel, a woman of sinful life. Fie on me. "||26.07||

||Sloka 26.08||

kā ca mē jīvitā śraddhā sukhēvā taṁ priyaṁ vinā|
bhartāraṁ sāgarāntāyāḥ vasudhāyāḥ priyaṁ vadam||26.08||

sa|| sāgarāṁtāyāḥ vasudhāyāḥ bhartāram priyaṁvadaṁ taṁ vinā mē jīvitē ssukhēvā śraddhā kā?

||Sloka meanings||

sāgarāṁtāyāḥ vasudhāyāḥ bhartāram -
lord of the earth, which stretches up to the shores of the oceans.
priyaṁvadaṁ taṁ vinā -
without the sweet tongued one
mē jīvitē ssukhēvā śraddhā kā? -
what is the interest in pleasure or happiness in my life?

||Sloka summary||

"What is the interest in pleasure or happiness in my life, without the sweet tongued Lord of the earth, which stretches up to the shores of the oceans.

||Sloka 26.09||

bhidyatāṁ bhakṣyatāṁ vāpi śarīraṁ viśr̥jāmyaham|
na cāpyahaṁ ciraṁ duḥkhaṁ sahēyaṁ priyavarjitā||26.09||

sa||ahaṁ śarīraṁ visr̥jāmi | bhidyatāṁ bhakṣyatāṁ vā api priyavarjitā ahaṁ cira duḥkhaṁ na ca sahēyaṁ||

||Sloka meanings||

ahaṁ śarīraṁ visr̥jāmi -
I will leave this body.
bhidyatāṁ bhakṣyatāṁ vā api -
Cut to pieces, or eaten up
priyavarjitā ahaṁ -
without my dear husband
cira duḥkhaṁ na ca sahēyaṁ -
cannot bear this sorrow for too long

||Sloka summary||

"I will leave this body. Cut me to pieces, or eat me up. Without my dear husband, I cannot bear this sorrow for too long." ||26.09||

||Sloka 26.10||

caraṇē nāpi savyēna na spr̥śēyaṁ niśācaram|
rāvaṇaṁ kiṁ punarahaṁ kāmayēyaṁ vigarhitam||26.10||

sa||ayaṁ niśācaraṁ vigarhitāṁ rāvaṇaṁ caraṇēna savyēna api na spr̥śē|kiṁ punaḥ kāmayē ayaṁ?

||Sloka meanings||

ayaṁ niśācaraṁ -
this night roamer
vigarhitaṁ rāvaṇaṁ - vile Ravana
savyēna caraṇēna api na spr̥śē -
not touch even with my left foot
kiṁ punaḥ kāmayē ayaṁ? -
Where is the question of loving him?

||Sloka summary||

"I cannot touch the vile night roamer, Ravana even with my left foot. Where is the question of loving him."? ||26.10||

||Sloka 26.11||

pratyākhyātaṁ na jānāti nātmānaṁ nātmanaḥ kulam|
yō nr̥śaṁsa svabhāvēna māṁ prārthayitumicchati||26.11||

sa||yaḥ nr̥śaṁsa bhāvēna māṁ prārthayituṁ icchati (saḥ) ātmānaṁ pratyākhyātaṁna jānāti| ātmanaḥ kulaṁ na ( jānāti)||

||Sloka meanings||

yaḥ nr̥śaṁsa bhāvēna -
this man of cruel nature
māṁ prārthayituṁ icchati -
wants to plead with me
(saḥ) ātmānaṁ pratyākhyātaṁna jānāti -
not aware of his own loss of fame
ātmanaḥ kulaṁ na ( jānāti) -
nor the loss of his family prestige

||Sloka summary||

"This man of cruel nature who wants to plead with me, he is not aware of his own loss of fame. Nor the loss of his family prestige."||26.11||

||Sloka 26.12||

chinnā bhinnā vibhaktā vā dīptē vāgnau pradīpitā|
rāvaṇaṁ nōpatiṣṭhēyaṁ kiṁ pralāpēna vaściram||26.12||

sa||chinnā vā bhinnā dīptē agnau pradīpitā rāvaṇam nōpatiṣṭēyaṁ | ciraṁ vibhaktāḥ pralāpēna kim?||

Rama Tika says- chchinnā rajjuvat, bhinnā bhittivat, prābhinnā ghaṭavat , dīptā agrau dīpta śūlyamāṁsavat , pradīpitā pradīptā gr̥hādivat

||Sloka meanings||

chinnā vā bhinnā -
cut or broken into pieces
dīptē agnau pradīpitā -
or burnt by fire
rāvaṇam nōpatiṣṭēyaṁ -
will not accept Ravana
ciraṁ vibhaktāḥ pralāpēna kim -
what is the use of your raving so long?

||Sloka summary||

"Whether cut or broken into pieces, or burnt by fire I will not accept Ravana. What is the use of your raving so long?" .||26.12||

||Sloka 26.13||

khyātaḥ prājñaḥ kr̥tajñaśca sānukrōśaśca rāghavaḥ|
sadvr̥ttō niranukrōśaḥ śaṅkē madbhāgya saṁkṣayāt||26.13||

sa|| rāghavaḥ khyātaḥ prājñaḥ kr̥tajñaḥ sadvr̥ttaḥ ca | saḥ anukrōśaḥ madbhāgyasaṁkṣayāt niranukrōśaḥ śaṅkē ||

||Sloka meanings||

rāghavaḥ khyātaḥ prājñaḥ -
Raghava is renowned as wise
kr̥tajñaḥ sadvr̥ttaḥ ca -
grateful and well behaved
saḥ anukrōśaḥ - he is kind hearted one
madbhāgyasaṁkṣayāt niranukrōśaḥ śaṅkē -
due to my misfortune became pitiless probably

||Sloka summary||

Raghava is renowned as wise grateful and well behaved. I doubt that kind hearted one due to my misfortune became pitiless probably" ||26.13||.

||Sloka 26.14||

rākṣasānāṁ sahasrāṇi janasthānē caturdaśaḥ|
yēnai kēna nirastāni sa māṁ kiṁ nābhipadyatē||26.14||

sa|| yēna ēkēna janasthānē caturdaśaḥ sahasrāṇi rākṣasānāṁ nirastāni saḥ māṁ kiṁ na abhipadyatē||

||Sloka meanings||

yēna janasthānē ēkēna -by whom alone in Janasthana
caturdaśaḥ sahasrāṇi rākṣasānāṁ nirastāni -
fourteen thousand Rakshasas were killed
saḥ māṁ kiṁ na abhipadyatē -
\why is he not protecting me?

||Sloka summary||

"The one who killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas in Janasthana , why is he not protecting me? " ||26.14||

||Sloka 26.15||

niruddhā rāvaṇē nāhaṁ alpavīryēṇa rakṣasā|
samarthaḥ khalu mē bhartā rāvaṇaṁ hantumāhavē||26.15||

sa|| ahaṁ ālpavīryēṇa rakṣasā rāvaṇēna niruddhā mē bhartā āhavē rāvaṇaṁ haṁtuṁ samarthaḥ khalu||

||Sloka meanings||

ālpavīryēṇa rakṣasā -
by this Rakshasa of inferior valor
rāvaṇēna ahaṁ niruddhā -
I am held captive by Ravana
āhavē rāvaṇaṁ haṁtuṁ -
in the battel to kill Ravana
mē bhartā samarthaḥ khalu-
my husband is capable

||Sloka summary||

"I am held captive by this Rakshasa of inferior valor. My husband is surely capable of killing Ravana in a battle." ||26.15||

||Sloka 26.16||

virādhō daṇḍakāraṇyē yēna rākṣasa puṁgavaḥ|
raṇē rāmēṇa nihataḥ sa māṁ kiṁ nābhipadyatē||26.16||

sa|| yēna daṇḍakāraṇyē raṇē rākṣasapuṁgavaḥ virādhaḥ nihataḥ saḥ māṁ kiṁ na abhipadyatē||

||Sloka meanings||

yēna daṇḍakāraṇyē -
by who in the forest of Dandaka
raṇē rākṣasapuṁgavaḥ -
in the battle with Rakshasa warrior
virādhaḥ nihataḥ -
Viradha was killed
saḥ māṁ kiṁ na abhipadyatē -
why is he not protecting me?

||Sloka summary||

"The one who killed Viradha the bull among Rakshasa in a fight in the Dandaka forest, why is he not protecting me." ||26.16||

"evaraitē daṁḍakāraṇyamulō rākṣasapuṁgavulaina virādhuni caṁpāḍō, aṭṭi vāḍunannu eṁduku rakṣiṁcuṭalēdu?" ||26.16||

||Sloka 26.17||

kāmaṁ madhyē samudrasya laṅkēyaṁ duṣpradharṣaṇā|
na tu rāghava bāṇānāṁ gatirōdhī ha vidyatē ||26.17||

sa||samudrasya madhyē iyaṁ laṅkā duṣpradharṣaṇā tu rāghavabāṇānāṁ gatirōdhaḥ na bhaviṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||

samudrasya madhyē -
in the middle of the sea
iyaṁ laṅkā duṣpradharṣaṇā tu -
though this Lanka is impregnable
rāghavabāṇānāṁ gatirōdhaḥ na bhaviṣyati -
nothing can resist Rama's arrows

||Sloka summary||

"Though this Lanka in the middle of the sea is impregnable, nothing can resist Rama's arrows." ||26.17||

||Sloka 26.18||

kinnu tatkāraṇaṁ yēna rāmō dhr̥ḍha parākramaḥ|
rakṣasāpahr̥tāṁ bhāryā miṣṭāṁ nābhyavapadyatē||26.18||

sa||tat kāraṇaṁ kiṁ nu yēna dr̥ḍhaparākramaḥ rāmaḥ rakṣasā apahr̥tāṁ bhāryā iṣṭāṁ na abhyavapadyatē||

||Sloka meanings||

tat kāraṇaṁ kiṁ nu -
what is the reason
yēna dr̥ḍhaparākramaḥ rāmaḥ -
because of which the highly powerful Rama
rakṣasā apahr̥tāṁ bhāryā iṣṭāṁ -
his dear wife abducted by the Rakshasa
na abhyavapadyatē -
not able to reach

||Sloka summary||

"What is the reason because of which the highly powerful Rama is not able to reach his dear wife abducted by the Rakshasa?"||26.18||

||Sloka 26.19||

ihasthāṁ māṁ na jānītē śaṅkē lakṣmaṇa pūrvajaḥ|
jānannapi hi tējasvī dharṣaṇaṁ marṣayiṣyati||26.19||

sa|| lakṣmaṇa pūrvajaḥ māṁ ihasthāṁ na jānītē śaṁkē| jānan api tējasvī dharṣaṇaṁ marṣayiṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||'

lakṣmaṇa pūrvajaḥ -
the elder brother of Lakshmana
māṁ ihasthāṁ na jānītē śaṁkē -
does not know that I am here probably
jānan api tējasvī - If he knew
dharṣaṇaṁ marṣayiṣyati -
would he tolerate this outrageous act?

||Sloka summary||

"Probably the elder brother of Lakshmana does not know that I am here. If he knew would that glorious one tolerate this outrageous act."||26.19||

||Sloka 26.20||

hr̥tēti yō'dhigatvā māṁ rāghavāya nivēdayēt |
gr̥dharājō'pi sa raṇē rāvaṇēna nipātitaḥ||26.20||

sa|| yaḥ adhigatvā hr̥taḥ iti rāghavāya nivēdayat saḥ gr̥dharājaḥ api rāvaṇēna raṇē nipātitaḥ|

||Sloka meanings||

yaḥ adhigatvā hr̥taḥ -
being abducted the one who knew
iti rāghavāya nivēdayat -
who can tell Raghava so?
saḥ gr̥dharājaḥ api -
that king of vultures
rāvaṇēna raṇē nipātitaḥ -
killed by Ravana in the battle.

||Sloka summary||

"That king of vultures who knows that I am abducted and hence can tell Rama, too is killed by Ravana in the battle."||26.20||

||Sloka 26.21||

kr̥taṁ karma mahattēna māṁ tathā'bhyavapadyatā|
tiṣṭhatā rāvaṇadvandvē vr̥ddhēnāpi jaṭāyuṣā||26.21||

sa|| mām tathā abhyavapadyatā vr̥ddhēnāpi rāvaṇadvaṁdvē tiṣṭhatā tēna jaṭāyuṣā mahat karma kr̥tam||

||Sloka meanings||

mām tathā abhyavapadyatā -
me who was being carried away
vr̥ddhēnāpi rāvaṇadvaṁdvē tiṣṭhatā -
though old, stood in the duel with Ravana
tēna jaṭāyuṣā -
by that Jatayu
mahat karma kr̥tam -
a great deed has been done

||Sloka summary||

"That Jatayu, who though old, stood by me in the duel with Ravana, did a great help".

||Sloka 26.22||

yadi mā miha jānīyāt vartamānaṁ sa rāghavaḥ|
adya bāṇai rabhikruddhaḥ kuryāllōkamarākṣasam||26.22||

sa||saḥ rāghavaḥ māṁ iha vartamānaṁ jānīyāt yadi abhikr̥ddhaḥ lōkaṁ bāṇaiḥ adya arākṣasaṁ kuryāt ||

||Sloka meanings||

saḥ rāghavaḥ - that Raghava
māṁ iha vartamānaṁ jānīyāt yadi -
if he knows that I am here
abhikr̥ddhaḥ -- being angry
lōkaṁ bāṇaiḥ - world with his arrows
adya arākṣasaṁ kuryāt -
today will make it free of Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"If that Rama knows that I am here , then being angry he would have made this world free of Rakshasas."||26.22||

||Sloka 26.23||

vidhamēccha purīṁ laṅkāṁ śōṣayēccha mahōdadhim|
rāvaṇasya ca nīcasya kīrtiṁ nāma ca nāśayēt||26.23||

sa||laṅkāṁ purīṁ vidhamēccha mahōdadhiṁ śōṣamēcchanīcasya rāvaṇasya kīrtiṁ nāma ca nāśayēt||

||Sloka meanings||

laṅkāṁ purīṁ vidhamēccha -
blow away the city of Lanka
mahōdadhiṁ śōṣamēcchanīcasya -
will drain the waters of the oceans
rāvaṇasya kīrtiṁ nāma ca nāśayēt -
destroy the name and fame of Ravana.

||Sloka summary||

"He will blow away the city of Lanka. He will drain the oceans. He will destroy the name and fame of that evil Ravana." ||26.23||

||Sloka 26.24||

tatō nihatā nādhānāṁ rākṣasīnāṁ gr̥hē gr̥hē|
yathā hamēvaṁ rudatī tadā bhūyō nasaṁśayaḥ||26.24||

sa|| tataḥ ahaṁ yathā ēvaṁ rudatī tathā gr̥hē gr̥hē nihata nāthānāṁ rākṣasīnāṁ bhūyaḥ na saṁśayaḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ ahaṁ yathā ēvaṁ rudatī -
then crying like me
tathā gr̥hē gr̥hē -
similarly in every house
nihata nāthānāṁ rākṣasīnāṁ -
for the dead husbands of Rakshasis
bhūyaḥ na saṁśayaḥ -
there is no doubt

||Sloka summary||

"Rakshasa women who lost their husbands will be crying in every house like me. I have no doubt" ||26.24||

Sita while engaged in wordy duel with Ravana said, "tapasaśca anupālanāt" , meaning " following the conduct of an ascetic", I am not burning you down, etc.

With Ravana not being around , feeling no such restraint to assert her superiority, Sita was unable to control her anger. We are now hearing her words of anger. The angry words of an ascetic come out sounding like curses. Sita's words here are also like that.

"I will soon see Rakshasa women who lost their husbands crying in every house like me. I have no doubt."

We will hear similar words form her in the following Slokas.

"This Lanka will soon be like a cremation ground, with its streets covered with smoke and vultures flying around"

"In this Lanka such inauspicious signs are seen, and very soon Lanka will lose its splendor."

"When the mean sinner the Rakshasa Ravana is killed , this impregnable Lanka will wither away like a widow".

" The city of Lanka which had many auspicious celebrations, having lost the king will remain like a woman with the death of her husband."

"Very soon I will surely hear the sounds of distress, distressful cries of Rakshasa women from every house".

||Sloka 26.25||

anviṣya rakṣasāṁ laṅkāṁ kuryādrāmaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ|
na hi tābhyāṁ ripurdr̥ṣṭō muhūrtamapi jīvati||26.25||

sa|| salakṣmaṇaḥ rāmaḥ rakṣasāṁ laṅkāṁ anviṣya kuryāt tābhyāṁ dr̥ṣṭaḥ ripuḥ muhūrtaṁ api na jīvati hi ||

||Sloka meanings||

salakṣmaṇaḥ rāmaḥ -
Rama along with Lakshmana
rakṣasāṁ laṅkāṁ anviṣya -
having found Lanka of Rakshasas
kuryāt tābhyāṁ dr̥ṣṭaḥ ripuḥ -
the enemies seen by them
muhūrtaṁ api na jīvati hi -
will not live even for a moment

||Sloka summary||

"If only Rama along with Lakshmana reach this Lanka, the enemies cannot stand in their sight even for a moment".||26.26||

||Sloka 26.26||

citādhūmākulapathā gr̥dhamaṇḍala saṁkulā |
acirēṇa tu laṅkēyaṁ śmaśāna sadr̥śībhavēt ||26.26||

sa|| iyaṁ laṅkā acirēṇa citādhūmakulapathā gr̥thamaṁḍala saṁkulā śmaśāna sadr̥śī bhavēt||

||Sloka meanings||

iyaṁ laṅkā acirēṇa -
Lanka (will) soon be
citādhūmakulapathā -
with its streets covered with smoke
gr̥thamaṁḍala saṁkulā -
with groups of vultures (flying around)
śmaśāna sadr̥śī bhavēt -
will be like a cremation ground

||Sloka summary||

"This Lanka will soon be like a cremation ground with its streets covered with smoke , with vultures flying around."||26.26||

||Sloka 26.27||

acirēṇaiva kālēna prāpsyāmyēva manōratham|
duṣprasthānō'ya mākhyāti sarvēṣāṁ vō viparyayam||26.27||

sa|| acirēṇa kālēna manōrathaṁ prāpsyamēva ayaṁ duṣprasthānaḥ sarvēṣāṁ
vaḥ viparyayam ākhyāti ||

||Sloka meanings||

acirēṇa kālēna -
very soon
manōrathaṁ prāpsyamēva -
my desire will be fulfilled
ayaṁ duṣprasthānaḥ -
bad behavior of all of you
sarvēṣāṁ vaḥ viparyayam ākhyāti -
indicates a reversal of fate.

||Sloka summary||

"Very soon my desire will be fulfilled. The bad behavior of all of you, indicates a reversal of fate." ||26.27||

||Sloka 26.28||

yādr̥śā nīha dr̥śyaṁtē laṅkāyā maśubhāni vai|
acirēṇa tu kālēna bhaviṣyati hataprabhā||26.28||

sa|| iha laṁkāyāṁ yādr̥śāni aśubhāni dr̥śyaṁtē acirēṇaiva kālēna (laṅkā) hataprabhā bhaviṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||

iha laṁkāyāṁ -
In this Lanka
yādr̥śāni aśubhāni dr̥śyaṁtē -
with the kind of inauspicious signs seen
acirēṇaiva kālēna - very soon
(laṅkā) hataprabhā bhaviṣyati -
Lanka will lose its splendor.

||Sloka summary||

"In this Lanka such inauspicious signs are seen that very soon Lanka will lose its splendor." ||26.28||

||Sloka 26.29||

nūnaṁ laṅkā hatē pāpē rāvaṇē rākṣasādhamē|
śōṣaṁ yāsyati durdharṣā pramadā vidhavā yathā||26.29||

sa|| pāpē rākṣasādhamē rāvaṇē hatē durdharṣā laṅkā nūnaṁ vidhavā pramadā yathā śōṣaṁ yāsyati||

||Sloka meanings||

pāpē rākṣasādhamē rāvaṇē hatē -
When the mean sinner, the Rakshasa Ravana is killed
durdharṣā laṅkā nūnaṁ -
this impregnable Lanka too
vidhavā pramadā yathā śōṣaṁ yāsyati -
Lanka will wither away like a widow

||Sloka summary||

"When the mean sinner, the Rakshasa Ravana is killed , this impregnable Lanka will wither away like a widow." ||26.29||

||Sloka 26.30||

puṇyōtsavasamutthā ca naṣṭabhartrī sa rākṣasī|
bhaviṣyati purī laṁkā naṣṭabhartrī yathā'ṅganā||26.30||

sa|| puṇyōtsava samutthā laṁkāpurī naṣṭabhartrī naṣṭabhartrī aṅganā yathā bhaviṣyati ||

||Sloka meanings||

puṇyōtsava samutthā laṁkāpurī -
city of Lanka with many auspicious celebrations
naṣṭabhartrī sa rākṣasī -
with the loss of King along with all Rakshasas
naṣṭabhartrī aṅganā yathā bhaviṣyati -
will be like a woman who lost her husband

||Sloka summary||

"Along with Rakshasa women, the city of Lanka which had many auspicious celebrations, having lost the king, will remain like a woman with the death of her husband."

||Sloka 26.31||

nūnaṁ rākṣasakanyānāṁ rudantīnāṁ gr̥hē gr̥hē|
śrōṣyāmi na cirādēva duḥkhārtānā miha dhvanim||26.31||

sa|| na cirādēva iha gr̥hē gr̥hē duḥkhārtānāṁ rudantīnāṁ rākṣasakanyānāṁ dhvaniṁ nūnaṁ śrōṣyāmi||

||Sloka meanings||

na cirādēva iha gr̥hē gr̥hē -
very soon in every house
duḥkhārtānāṁ rudantīnāṁ -
crying in distress
rākṣasakanyānāṁ dhvaniṁ -
sounds of Rakshasa women
nūnaṁ śrōṣyāmi -
will surely hear

||Sloka summary||

"Very soon, I will surely hear the sounds of distressful cries of Rakshasa women from every house." ||26.31||

||Sloka 26.32||

sāndhakārā hatadyōtā hata rākṣasapuṅgavā|
bhaviṣyati purī laṅkā nirdagdhā rāmasāyakaiḥ||26.32||

sa|| laṅkāpurī rāmasāyakaiḥ nirdagdhā sa andhakārā hatadyōtā hatarākṣasa puṅgavā bhaviṣyati ||

||Sloka meanings||

laṅkāpurī rāmasāyakaiḥ nirdagdhā -
city of Lanka will be totally burnt by the arrows of Rama
sa andhakārā hatadyōtā -
filled with darkness losing its splendor
hatarākṣasa puṅgavā bhaviṣyati -
with all Rakshasa warriors killed (by the arrows of Rama)

||Sloka summary||

"The city of Lanka will be totally burnt, filled with darkness losing its splendor. All the Rakshasa warriors will be killed by the arrows of Rama." ||26.32||

||Sloka 26.33,34||

yadi nāma sa śūrō māṁ rāmō raktāntalōcanaḥ|
jānīyādvartamānāṁ hi rāvaṇasya nivēśanē||26.33||

anēna tu nr̥śaṁsēna rāvaṇē nādhamēna mē|
samayō yastu nirdiṣṭaḥ tasyakālō'yamāgataḥ||26.34||
sa ca mē vihitō mr̥tyurasmin duṣṭē na vartatē|

sa|| yadi raktāṁtalōcanaḥ saḥ rāmaḥ rāvaṇasya nivēśanē vartamānāṁ yadi nāma jānīyāt | nr̥śaṁsēna adhamēna anēna rāvaṇēna yaḥ samayaḥ mē nirdiṣṭaḥ tasyaayaṁ kālaḥ āgataḥ| mēvihitaḥ saḥ mr̥tyuḥ asmin duṣṭēna vartatē||

||Sloka meanings||

yadi raktāṁtalōcanaḥ saḥ rāmaḥ -
If only the heroic Rama with blood shot eyes
rāvaṇasya nivēśanē vartamānāṁ -
at Ravana's palace present
yadi nāma jānīyāt - that I am here
nr̥śaṁsēna adhamēna anēna rāvaṇēna -
by the cruel and lowly person Ravana
yaḥ samayaḥ mē nirdiṣṭaḥ -
the time limit been set for me
tasyaayaṁ kālaḥ āgataḥ -
that will be time set for him
mēvihitaḥ saḥ mr̥tyuḥ -
the death set for me
asmin duṣṭēna vartatē -
will be fixed for him

||Sloka summary||

If only the heroic Rama with blood shot eyes knows that I am in the Ravana's palace, the time limit been set by this lowly person Ravana, that will be the time set for him. The death fixed for me will be fixed for him.

||Sloka 26.35||

akāryaṁ yē na jānanti nairr̥tāḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ|
adharmāttu mahōtpātō bhaviṣyati hi sāṁpratam ||26.35||
naitē dharmaṁ vijānanti rākṣasāḥ piśitāśanāḥ|

sa|| pāpakāriṇaḥ yē nairrutāḥ akāryaṁ na jānanti | adharmāt saṁprāptaṁ mahōtpātaḥ bhaviṣyati |piśitāśanāḥ ētē rakṣasāḥ dharmaṁ na vijānanti ||

||Sloka meanings||

pāpakāriṇaḥ yē nairrutāḥ -
these demoniac sinners
akāryaṁ na jānanti -
do not know the forbidden acts
adharmāt saṁprāptaṁ -
due to improper acts
mahōtpātaḥ bhaviṣyati -
great calamities will happen
piśitāśanāḥ ētē rakṣasāḥ -
these flesh-eating Rakshasas
dharmaṁ na vijānanti -
do not know righteous conduct

||Sloka summary||

"These sinners do not know the forbidden acts. Due to improper acts great calamities will happen. These flesh-eating Rakshasas do not know righteous conduct." ||26.35||

||Sloka 26.36, 37||

dhruvaṁ mā prātarāśārthē rākṣasaḥ kalpayiṣyati||36||
sā'haṁ katham kariṣyāmi taṁ vinā priyadarśanam|
rāmaṁ raktāntanayanaṁ apasyantī suduḥkhitā||26.37||

sa|| rākṣasaḥ dhruvaṁ māṁ prātarāśārthē kalpayiṣyati | sā ahaṁ priyadarśanam taṁ vinā kathaṁ kariṣyāmi | raktāntanayanam rāmaṁ apaśyantī suduḥkhitā||

||Sloka meanings||

rākṣasaḥ dhruvaṁ māṁ -
these Rakshasas will definitely
prātarāśārthē kalpayiṣyati -
make a morning meal of me
sā priyadarśanam taṁ vinā-
without the Rama who is pleasing to the eyes.
ahaṁ kathaṁ kariṣyāmi -
What can I do?
raktāntanayanam rāmaṁ -
Rama the one with reddish tinge in his eyes
apaśyantī suduḥkhitā -
unable to see( him) I am distressed very much

||Sloka summary||

"These Rakshasas will definitely make a morning meal of me. What can I do without the Rama who is pleasing to the eyes? Unable to see the one with reddish tinge in his eyes I am distressed very much." ||26.36,37||

||Sloka 26.38||

yadi kaścitpradātāmē viṣasyādya bhavēdiha|
kṣipraṁ vaivasvataṁ dēvaṁ paśyēyaṁ patinā vinā||26.38||

sa|| adya mē viṣasya pradātā kaścit iha bhavēt yadi patinā vinā kṣipraṁ dēvaṁ vaivasvataṁ paśyēyam||

||Sloka meanings||

adya mē viṣasya pradātā -
today one who can give poison (is)
kaścit iha bhavēt yadi -
If there is a person here
patinā vinā kṣipraṁ -
being without my lord
dēvaṁ vaivasvataṁ paśyēyam -
ready to see the Lord of death

||Sloka summary||

"If there is a person who can give poison is here, I am ready to see the Lord of death without my lord." ||26.38||

||Sloka 26.39||

nā jānā jjīvatīṁ rāmaḥ sa māṁ lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ|
jānaṁtau tau na kuryātāṁ nōrvyāṁ hi mama mārgaṇam||26.39||

sa|| lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ saḥ rāmaḥ mām jīvatīṁ nājānāt tau jānaṁtau mama mārgaṇaṁ urvyām na kuryatām iti na||

||Sloka meanings||

lakṣmaṇapūrvajaḥ saḥ rāmaḥ -
that Rama the elder brother of Lakshmana
mām jīvatīṁ nājānāt -
does not know that I am living
tau jānaṁtau - If they knew
mama urvyām mārgaṇaṁ -
search for me all over the world
na kuryatām iti na - will surely do

||Sloka summary||

"That Rama the elder brother of Lakshmana does not know that I am living . If they knew they would not have left searching all over." ||26.39||

||Sloka 26.40||

nūnaṁ mamaiva śōkēna sa vīrō lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ|
dēvalōka mitōyātaḥ tyaktvā dēhaṁ mahīpatē||26.40||

sa|| vīraḥ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ saḥ mama śōkēnaiva mahītalē dēhaṁ tyaktvā itaḥ dēvalōkaṁ yātaḥ nūnaṁ||

||Sloka meanings||

vīraḥ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ -
The heroic elder brother of Lakshmana
saḥ mama śōkēnaiva -
in distress for me
mahītalē dēhaṁ tyaktvā itaḥ -
may have left his body on the earth
dēvalōkaṁ yātaḥ nūnaṁ -
surely went to the abode of gods

||Sloka summary||

"The heroic elder brother of Lakshmana may have left his body on the earth in distress , and surely went to the abode of gods." ||26.40||

||Sloka 26.41||

dhanyā dēvāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāścaparamarṣayaḥ|
mama paśyanti yē nāthaṁ rāmaṁ rājīva lōcanam||26.41||

sa|| mama nāthaṁ rājīvalōcanam rāmaṁ yē paśyanti dēvāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ dhanyāḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

mama nāthaṁ - my husband
rājīvalōcanam rāmaṁ yē paśyanti -
see Rama who has eyes like that of lotus petals
dēvāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ dhanyāḥ -
the gods along with the Gandharvas, Siddhas and the great sages will be blessed

||Sloka summary||

"rājīvalōcanuḍagu nā rāmuni cūcina gaṁdharvulu, siddhulu, r̥ṣulatō kūḍina dēvulu dhanyulu." ||26.41||

"Seeing my husband who has eyes like that of lotus petals, the gods along with the Gandharvas, Siddhas and the great sages will be blessed." ||26.41||

||Sloka 26.42||

athavā kinnu tasyārthō dharmakāmasya dhīmataḥ|
mayā rāmasya rājarṣērbhāryayā paramātmanaḥ||42||

sa|| athavā dharmakāmasya dhīmataḥ rājarṣēḥ paramātmanaḥ tasya rāmasya bhāryayā mayā arthaḥ na hi||

Tilaka Tika says - atha vēti| dharmakāmasya hi bhāryā arthaḥ , ayaṁ tu na tathā| tadēva āha, dhīmataḥ atmānātma vivēkavataḥ ata ēva paramātmanaḥ paramātma brahmātmanā sthitasya jīvanmuktasya tasya mayā a arthaḥ| anēna vairāgyadāpravr̥ttiriti sūcitam||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā dharmakāmasya dhīmataḥ -
Or else the wise one ever seeking dharma
rājarṣēḥ paramātmanaḥ -
the royal sage , the supreme self
mayā tasya rāmasya bhāryayā arthaḥ na hi -
lost interest in me, Rama's wife.

||Sloka summary||

"Or else the wise one ever seeking dharma, the royal sage , the supreme self has lost interest in me, his wife."||26.42||

Losing interest in one's wife means one is no longer pursuing Dharma as applied to a householder, or may have developed indifference to worldly objects and life.
Ramayana Tilaka adds the following comment.

" ētēna bhāryā vinā dharmasiddhir na bhavati iti dhvanitam|
anēna vairāgyādagravr̥ttiriti sūcitam|
tathāca śrutiḥ " yat kartavyaṁ tadanayā saha"

This implies that without wife pursuit of Dharma ( householder) is not possible. Also implies possibility of "Vairagya". That is why Shrutis say- " What is to be done shall be done with wife by his side ",thus establishing the primacy of wife in Grihastha Ashrama.

||Sloka 26.43||

dr̥śyamānē bhavētprītiḥ sauhr̥daṁ nāstyapaśyataḥ|
nāśayaṁti kr̥taghnāstu na rāmō nāśayiṣyati||26.43||

sa|| dr̥śyamānē prītiḥ bhavēt apaśyataḥ sauhr̥daṁ nāsti| kr̥taghnāḥ nāśayaṁti rāmastu na nāśayiṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||.

dr̥śyamānē prītiḥ bhavēt -
When one keeps seeing love will happen
apaśyataḥ sauhr̥daṁ nāsti -
do not see, even friendship will not last.
kr̥taghnāḥ nāśayaṁti -
for ungrateful one's it perishes
rāmastu na nāśayiṣyati -
In Rama it does not perish

||Sloka summary||

"When one keeps seeing love will happen. If you do not see, even friendship does not last. For the ungrateful one's love perishes. Rama's love will not perish." ||26.43||

||Sloka 26.44||

kiṁ nu mē naguṇāḥ kēcit kiṁvā bhāgyakṣayō mama|
yāshaṁ sīdāmi rāmēṇa hīnā mukhyēna bhāminī||26.44||

sa|| bhāminī yā ahaṁ mukhyēna rāmēṇa vinā sīdāmi mēkēcit guṇāḥ na kiṁ nu | kiṁ vā mama bhāgyakṣayaḥ ( abahavat)||

||Sloka meanings||

bhāminī yā ahaṁ -
A charming lady that I am
mukhyēna rāmēṇa vinā sīdāmi -
that I am able to live without Rama
mē kēcit guṇāḥ na kiṁ nu? -
does it mean that some qualities are not in me?
kiṁ vā mama bhāgyakṣayaḥ (abhavat)-
Is my fortune diminished?"

||Sloka summary||

" A charming lady that I am , and that I am able to live without Rama , does it mean that some qualities are not in me? Is my fortune diminished?" ||26.44||

||Sloka 26.45||

śrēyō mē jīvitān martuṁ vihīnayā mahātmanaḥ|
rāmādakliṣṭa cāritrāt śūrāt śatrunibarhaṇāt||45||

sa|| akliṣṭacāritrāt śūrāt śatrunibarhaṇāt mahātmanaḥ rāmāt vihīnayāḥ mē jīvitāt martuṁ śrēyaḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

akliṣṭacāritrāt śūrāt -
of blemish less character and who is heroic
śatrunibarhaṇāt -
who can destroy his enemies.
mahātmanaḥ rāmāt vihīnayāḥ -
separated from the great soul Rama
mē jīvitāt martuṁ śrēyaḥ -
It is better for me to die instead of living

||Sloka summary||

"It is better for me to die instead of living separated from the great soul Rama who is of blemish less character, who is heroic, who can destroy his enemies."||26.45||

||Sloka 26.46||

athavā nyastaśastrau tau vanē mūlaphalāśinau|
bhrātarau hi naraśrēṣṭau saṁvr̥tau vanagōcarau||26.46||

sa|| athavā naraśrēṣṭhau tau bhrātarau nyasta śastrau vanē mūlaphalāsinau vanagōcarau saṁvr̥tau||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā naraśrēṣṭhau tau bhrātarau -
Or maybe those two brothers, best among men
nyasta śastrau - laid down their arms
vanē mūlaphalāsinau -
living on fruits and roots in the forest
vanagōcarau saṁvr̥tau -
roaming the forest as ascetics

||Sloka summary||

"Or maybe those two brothers, best among men, laid down their arms and are roaming the forest as ascetics living on fruits and roots". ||26.46||

||Sloka 26.47||

athavā rākṣasēndrēṇa rāvaṇēna durātmanā|
chadmanā ghātitau śūrau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau||26.47||

sa|| athavā śūrau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau durātmanā rākṣasēṁdrēṇa rāvaṇēna chadmanā ghātitau||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā śūrau bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau -
Or maybe the two heroic brothers
durātmanā rākṣasēṁdrēṇa rāvaṇēna -
by that king of Rakshasas Ravana
chadmanā ghātitau -
killed through subterfuge

||Sloka summary||

"Or maybe the two heroic brothers would have been killed using subterfuge by that cruel king of Rakshasas Ravana." ||26.47||

||Sloka 26.48||

sā'hamēvaṁ gatē kālē martu micchāmi sarvathā|
na ca mē vihitō mr̥tyu rasmin duḥkhē'pi vartati||26.48||

sa|| ēvaṁ gatē kālē sā ahaṁ sarvathā martuṁ icchāmi | asmin duḥkhē api mē mr̥tyuḥ vihitaḥ na vartatē||

||Sloka meanings||

ēvaṁ gatē kālē sā -
In these circumstances
ahaṁ sarvathā martuṁ icchāmi -
by all means I wish to die
asmin duḥkhē api -
In this sorrow also
mē mr̥tyuḥ vihitaḥ na vartatē -
death seems to be not possible

||Sloka summary||

"In these circumstances by all means I wish to die. In this sorrow even the death seems to be not possible." ||26.48||

||Sloka 26.49||

dhanyāḥ khalu mahātmānō munayaḥ tyakta kilbiṣāḥ|
jitātmānō mahābhāgā yēṣāṁ na staḥ priyāpriyē||26.49||

sa|| mahātmanaḥ tyaktakilbiṣāḥ jitātmanaḥ mahābhāgāḥ munayaḥ dhanyāḥ khalu yēṣām priyā apriyē na staḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

mahātmanaḥ tyaktakilbiṣāḥ -
great men who have given up all sins
jitātmanaḥ mahābhāgāḥ -
the exalted ones who have won over the Self
munayaḥ dhanyāḥ khalu - t
the sages are indeed blessed
yēṣām priyā apriyē na staḥ-
for them the pleasure or displeasure does not exist

||Sloka summary||

"Great men who have given up all sins, the exalted ones who have won over the Self, the sages are indeed blessed . For them the pleasure or displeasure does not exist." ||26.49||

||Sloka 26.50||

priyānna saṁbhavēt duḥkhaṁ apriyādadhikaṁ bhayaṁ|
tābhyāṁ hi yē niyujyaṁtē namastēṣāṁ mahātmanām||26.50||

sa|| priyāt duḥkhaṁ apriyāt adhikaṁ bhayaṁ na saṁbhavēt yē tābhyāṁ viyujyaṁtē tēṣāṁ mahātmanāṁ namaḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

priyāt duḥkhaṁ -
sorrow from pleasing act
apriyāt adhikaṁ bhayaṁ -
or fear from unpleasant act
na saṁbhavēt - does not happen
yē tābhyāṁ viyujyaṁtē -
those who have distanced themselves from these dualities
tēṣāṁ mahātmanāṁ namaḥ -
they are great souls. salutations to them.

||Sloka summary||

"Sorrow from pleasing act , or fear from unpleasant act does not happen to them. Those who have distanced themselves from these dualities, they are great souls. Salutations to them." ||46.50||

||Sloka 26.51||

sā'haṁ tyaktā priyārhēṇa rāmēṇa viditātmanā |
prāṇāṁ styakṣyāmi pāpasya rāvaṇasya gatā vaśam||26.51||

sa|| priyēṇaiva viditātmanā rāmēṇa tyaktā pāpasya rāvaṇasya vaśam gatā sā ahaṁ prāṇāṁ takṣyāmi ||

||Sloka meanings||

priyēṇaiva viditātmanā rāmēṇa tyaktā -
separated from the knower of Self Rama, who deserves pleasant things
pāpasya rāvaṇasya vaśam gatā -
being under the control of the sinner Ravana,
sā ahaṁ prāṇāṁ takṣyāmi -
I shall give up this life

||Sloka summary||

Separated from Rama who is a realized self, being under the control of the sinner Ravana, I shall give up this life..

This is the last Sloka of this Sarga. In the previous Sloka we hear another thought from Sita.

That is a very important thought.

Great men who have given up all sins, the exalted ones who have won over the self, and the sages are blessed . For them the pleasure or displeasure does not exist. Sorrow from a pleasing act , or fear from an unpleasant act does not happen to them. Those who have distanced themselves from these dualities are great souls. Salutations to them".

Whatever be the sorrow or the pleasure , one has to remain unperturbed by these twin entanglements

It is as poet is making the point that one should face sorrows and joys with equanimity. Valmiki makes us hear his thoughts from Sita.

That is also the inner meaning we hear from twenty sixth Sarga.

Thus ends the twenty sixth Sarga of Sundarakanda in Ramayana the first ever poem composed by the first poet sage Valmiki

ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē ādikāvyē vālmīkīyē
caturviṁśat sahasrikāyāṁ saṁhitāyām
śrīmatsuṁdarakāṁḍē ṣaḍviṁśassargaḥ||.

|| ōm tat sat||