Saturday, December 28, 2013

Setubandham-16

सेतुबन्धम्-१६
पुण्णणइसोत्तसंणिहजलमज्झमुणिज्जमाणचलतिमिणिवहम् ।
बल‍आमुहमूलसमीसरन्तमसिरासिकज्जलि‍अपा‍आलम् ॥ २-३६ ॥
[ पुण्यनदीस्रोतःसन्निभजलमध्यज्ञायमानचलतिमिनिवहम् ।
  वड्वामुखमूलसमवसरन्मषीराशिकज्जलितपातालम् ॥]
Shoals of fish in the ocean could be surmised by the currents induced by their movement  resembling the currents of the holy river Ganga. The netherworld had darkened due to the black soot emanating from the downward flames of Vadava fire.

तो जग्गाडि‍अमूलो पव‍अबलक्कन्तमहि‍अलुद्धुच्छलिओ ।
दिट्ठीअ दिट्ठसारो णज्ज‍इ तुलिओ त्ति राहवेण समुद्दो ॥ २-३७ ॥
[ तत उद्घाटितमूलः प्लवगबलाक्रान्तमहीतलोर्ध्वोच्छलितः ।
  दृष्ट्या दृष्टसारो ज्ञायते तुलित इति राघवेण समुद्रः ॥]
Rama gauged the ocean by the fact that its bottom was visible due to its waters streaming up when the monkey brigade occupied the shores of the ocean.

Rama looks at the ocean:
कालन्तरपरिहुत्तं दट्ठूण वि अप्पणो महीअहिस‍अणम् ।
अण‍असुआबद्धमणो रामो पल‍अवरिणिं ण संभर‍इ सिरिम् ॥ २-३८ ॥
[ कालान्तरपरिभुक्तं दृष्ट्वाप्यात्मनो महोदधिशयनम् ।
  जनकसुताबद्धमना रामः प्रलयगृहिणीं न स्मरति श्रियम् ॥]
Rama with his heart bound to Sita, the daughter of Janaka, did not remember Lakshmi who was his consort at the time of the great deluge, even after seeing the ocean which he had enjoyed at another time when he slept on the ocean.

Lakshmana looks at the ocean:
ईसिजलपेसि‍अच्छं विहसन्तवि‍इण्णपव‍अव‍इसंलावम् ।
अद्दिट्ठे व्व ण मुक्कं दिट्ठे उ अहिम्मि लक्खणेण वि धीरम् ॥ २-३९ ॥
[ ईषज्जलप्रेक्षिताक्षं विहसद्वितीर्णप्लवगपतिसंलापम् ।
  अदृष्ट इव न मुक्तं दृष्टे उदधौ लक्ष्मणेनापि धैर्यम् ॥]
Although Lakshmana saw the ocean with a slender glance as he conversed with Sugriva, the chief of monkeys smilingly, his valour did not desert him as if he had not seen it. [ Lakshmana looked at the ocean with nonchalance.]

Sugriva looks at the ocean:
हरिसणिराउण्णामि‍अपीण‍अरालोअपा‍अडोवरिभा‍अम् ।
पव‍आहिओ वि पेक्ख‍इ अद्धुप्प‍इअं व रुम्भि(न्धि)ऊण सरीरम् ॥ २-४० ॥
[ हर्षनिरायतोन्नामितपीनतरालोकप्रकटोपरिभागम् ।
  प्लवगाधिपोऽपि प्रेक्षते अर्धोत्पतितमिव रुद्ध्वा शरीरम् ॥]
Sugriva, the chief of monkeys looks at the ocean as the upper part of his sinuous body, elongated and bent with joy appears as if it has half-heartedly jumped up controlling the (rest of) the body.

गरुडेण व जलणणिहं समुद्दलङ्घणमणेण वाणरव‍इणा ।
अवहोवासपसरि‍अं पक्खवि‍आणं व पुल‍इअं क‍इसेण्णम् ॥ २-४१ ॥
[ गरुडेनेव ज्वलननिभं समुद्रलङ्घनमनसा वानरपतिना ।
  उभयावकाशप्रसृतं पक्षवितानमिव प्रलोकितं कपिसैन्यम् ॥]
Sugriva, the chief of monkeys who was thinking of crossing the ocean looked at the army of monkeys spread on both sides like Garuda would his wings before flying.

सा‍अरदंसणहित्था अक्खित्तोसरि‍अवेवमाणसरीरा ।
सहसा लिहिअव्व ठिआ णिप्पन्दणिरा‍अलोअणा क‍इणिवहा ॥ २-४२ ॥
[ सागरदर्शनत्रस्ता आक्षिप्तापसृतवेपमानशरीराः ।
  सहसा लिखिता इव स्थिता निःस्पन्दनिरायतलोचनाः कपिनिवहाः ॥]
 The monkeys assembled there with their bodies shaking after jumping up and retracting frightened by the sight of the ocean looked as if in a painting with their eyes widespread and un-blinking.
- - -- 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Setubandham-15

सेतुबन्धम्-१५
स‍अरङ्ग‍अं विद्दुमपल्लवप्पहाघोलिरसास‍अरङ्घ‍अम् ।
रविरा‍इ‍अं धरणि‍अलं व मन्दरा‍अड्ढणदूरविरा‍इ‍अम् ॥ २-२९ ॥
[ सतरङ्गकं विद्रुमपल्लवप्रभाघूर्णमानशाश्वतरङ्गकम् ।
  रविराजितं धरणितलमिव मन्दराकर्षणदूरविराविकम् ॥]
The waves of the ocean had revolving red tint due to the luster of the red color of the young shoots of coral resembling the earth colored by the rays of the sun; The roar of the ocean was heard as though it was the roar of the churning by Mandara mountain. 

मुत्ताल‍अं ति‍असविण्णजीवि‍असुहाम‍अजम्मुत्ताल‍अम् ।
वित्थिण्ण‍अं पल‍उव्वेलसलिलहेलामलि‍उव्वित्थिण्ण‍अम् ॥ २-३० ॥
[ मुक्तालयं त्रिदशवितीर्णजीवितसुखामृतजन्मोत्तालकम् ।
  विस्तीर्णकं प्रलयोद्वेलसलिलहेलामृदितोर्वीस्त्यानकम् ॥]
The vast ocean was a source of gems; it produced the ambrosia which was the source of happiness of the Devas who conquered it; it compressed the mass of earth easily at the time of Pralaya as its waters crossed the shores.

चिरपरूढसे‍आलसिलाहरि‍अन्त‍अम्
पवणभिण्णरवदारुणणीहरि‍अन्त‍अम् ।
महुमहस्स णिहासम‍ए वीसाम‍अम्
पल‍अडड्ढविज्झा‍अतुलव्वीसाम‍अम् ॥ २-३१ ॥
[ चिरप्ररूढशॆवालशिलाहरितायितं
  पवनभिन्नरवदारुणनिर्हृदत्कम् ।
मधुमथनस्य निद्रासमये विश्रामदं
  प्रलयदग्धविध्माततलोर्वीश्यामकम् ॥]
The boulders in the ocean had a green color due the moss that had grown over a long time; The waters of the ocean roared harshly broken by the speeding wind; It was the resting place for Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu , at the time of his sleep; the ocean had dark land (island ?) puffed up and burnt at the time of Pralaya.

असुरोवडणविहट्टि‍अजलविवरिट्ठि‍अरसा‍अलुम्हाणिवहम् ।
महणवसभिण्णभामि‍अदीवन्तरलग्गमन्दर‍अडक्खण्डम् ॥ २-३२ ॥
[ असुरावपतनविघटितजलविवरोत्थितरसातलोष्मनिवहम् ।
  मथनवशभिन्नभ्रामितद्वीपान्तरलग्नमन्दरतटखण्डम् ॥]
Steam was forthcoming from the netherworld through the fissures(islands) caused by the fall of demons (Hiranyaksha and others); the small islands looked as though they were  pieces of Mandara stuck in a distant island at the time of churning (of the ocean).

एस अम‍अरससंभवो त्ति संभावि‍अं
णहणिहतमॆण व च‍उद्दिसं भावि‍अम् ।
गुणमहग्घसारं वसुहारक्खाणि‍अं
णिअ‍अजसणिहाणं मिव स‍अरक्खा‍णिअम् ॥ २-३३ ॥
[ एषोऽमृतसंभव इति संभावितं
  नभोनिभतमसेव चतुर्दिशं भावितम् ।
  गुणमहार्घसारं  वसुधारक्षानीतं
  निजकयशोनिधानमिव सगरखानितम् ॥]
This ocean is respected as the originator of ambrosia; it is dark like sky as if generated by darkness on all four directions; it is enriched by excellent qualities; it protects the earth (as it surrounds the earth); It was dug by Sagara as if he was searching for his fame (Sagara became famous because of his digging the ocean).

पवणुग्गाहिअजललवणिवहपहम्मन्तमुहलतीरलवणम् ।
ससिसेलमऊहोज्झरपरिवड्डि‍असलिलमलिअपवणुच्छङ्घम् ॥ २-३४ ॥
[ पवनोद्ग्राहितजललवनिवहप्रहन्यमानमुखरतीरतलवनम् ।
  शशिशैलमयूखनिर्झरपरिवर्धितसलिलमृदितपुलिनोत्सङ्गम् ॥]
The forests on the shores were whining as the water particles carried by the wind pounded them. The sandy beaches were pounded by waters of the ocean, rising due to the stream- like rays of the mountain-like moon.

मन्दरमेहक्खोहिअससिकलहंसपरिमुक्कसलिलुच्छङ्गम् ।
मरग‍असेवालोवरि णिसण्णतुह्णिक्कमीणचक्क‍अजुअम् ॥ ३-३५ ॥
[ मन्दरमेघक्षोभितशशिकलहंसपरिमुक्तसलिलोत्सङ्गम् ।
  मरकतशेवालोपरि निषण्णतूष्णीकमीनचक्रवाकयुगम् ॥]

The swan-like moon rises out of the waters of the ocean due to the disturbance caused by the cloud-like Mandara  mountain. The pair of fish-like chakravaka birds sits still on the emerald-like moss. [The poet with a touch of exaggeration attributes moon rising from the ocean to the disturbance caused by Mandara mountain.]
- - - - 

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Setubandham-14

सेतुबन्धम्-१४
मरग‍अमणिप्पहाह‍अहरि‍आऽअन्तजरढप्पवालकिसल‍अम् ।
सुरग‍अगन्धुद्धा‍इअकरिमकरासण्णदिण्णमेहमुहवडम् ॥ २-२२ ॥
[ मरकतमणिप्रभाहतहरितायमानजरठप्रवालकिसलयम् ।
  सुरगजगन्धोद्धावितकरिमकरासन्नदत्तमेघमुखपटम् ॥]
The old sprouts of corals were looking green because of the presence of emeralds and gems. The clouds looked like veils while the sea elephants were chased  by the fragrance of the ichor of celestial elephants. [What the poet wants to convey is not clear.]

मणिवाल‍अं तीरल‍आहरप्पहोहासि‍अरम्मणिवाल‍अम् ।
घणवारि‍अं वेलालिङ्गणेण चडुलं महिलङ्घणवारि‍अम् ॥ २-२३ ॥
[ मणिपालयं तीरलतागृहप्रभावभासितरम्यनृपालयम् ।
  घनवारिदं वेलालिङ्गनेन चटुलं महिलङ्घनवारितम् ॥]
The ocean was an abode for serpents, which protect gems. The bowered enclosures on the shore looked more beautiful than palaces because of their glow. The ocean was the source of water (to all) through clouds. The fickle ocean embraced the shore which was obstructed by the earth. [ “ocean” is masculine, “shore” (वेला) is feminine and earth (मही) is feminine. There is a suggestion of a man embracing a mistress while being restrained by his wife]

ससिमऊहपडिपेल्लणपक्खुब्भन्त‍अं
संचरन्तधरणीहरपक्खुब्भन्त‍अम् ।
धीर‍अं स‍इमुहलघणप‍अविज्जन्त‍अं
अट्ठि‍अं च वलवाणलप‍अविज्जन्त‍अम् ॥ २-२४ ॥
[ शशिमयूखपरिप्रेरणप्रक्षुभ्यत्कं
संचर्द्धरणीधरप्रक्षोभ्यमाणम् ।
 धैर्यकं सदामुखरघनपीयमान-
मस्थितं च वडवानलप्रताप्यमानम् ॥]
The ocean was getting disturbed by the rays of the moon; it was in tumult due to the movements of the mountains; it was being drunk by the clouds which were continuously roaring; it was being burnt within due to the Vadava fire; (despite all this) the brave ocean just became unsteady.

णि‍अ‍अविसाणलप‍अवि‍अमुत्ताणि‍अरपरिघोलमाणविसहरम् ।
मीणग‍इमग्गपा‍अडसे‍आलोम‍इलमणिसिलासंघा‍अम् ॥ २-२५ ॥
[ निजकविषानलप्रतापितमुक्तानिकरपरिघूर्णमानविषधरम् ।
  मीनगतिमार्गप्रकटशेवालावमलिनमणिशिलासंघातम् ॥]
There were snakes which were twisting around the groups of pearls which had been affected by the poisonous exhalations of the snakes. There were groups of gem stones which had become soiled due to the moss which could be seen on the routes taken by the fishes.

A description of the back flow of rivers joining the ocean:
सरिसंकुलं महुमहवल्लहा‍इ लच्छी‍अ सारसरिसं कुलम् ।
महीला‍इ‍अं णि‍इमुहपत्थि‍ओणि‍अत्ति‍अवेलामहिला‍इअम् ॥ २-२६ ॥
[ सरित्संकुलं मधुमथनवल्लभाया लक्ष्म्याः सारसदृशं कुलम् ।
महीलालितं नदीमुखप्रस्थितापनिवृत्तवेलामहिलायितम् ॥]
As the rivers poured onto the ocean which was a fit heritage for goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu demon and which was being fondled by the earth, it looked as though like women the streams after having embraced the ocean returned swiftly.

ण‍इसहस्सपडिउम्वणणा‍अरसन्त‍अं
पलहमेहसमदूसहणाअरसन्त‍अम् ।
पेलवेण पवणेण महुरसंचारि‍अं
म‍उ‍अम‍अखलन्तं व महुरसं चारि‍अम् ॥ २-२७ ॥
[ नदीसहस्रपरिचुम्बनज्ञातरसान्तरं
  प्रलयमेघसमदुःसहनादरसन्तम् ।
  पेलवेन पवनेन मधुरसंचारितं
मृदुमदस्खलन्तमिव मधुरसं चारितम् ॥]
The ocean having kissed thousands of rivers was aware of the pleasures of enjoying other women. It was making a sound that equaled the roar of the clouds at the time of pralaya. It was pleasantly unsteady as the soft winds blew. It looked like a drunken man with misplaced steps due to the liquor imbibed.

कसणमणिच्छा‍आरसेरज्जन्तोवरिपरिप्पवन्तप्फेणम् ।
हरिणाहिपङ्क‍अक्खलि‍असेणीसास‍अणिअविअडावत्तम् ॥ २-२८ ॥
[ कृष्णमणिच्छायारसरज्यमानोपरिप्लवमानफेनम् ।
  हरिनाभिपङ्कजस्खलितशेषनिःश्वासजनितविकटावर्तम् ॥]
The floating foam above had the colors of dark gems (as the transparent foam took the colour of the gems below them.) The ocean had hideous whirl pools due to the movement of the lotus in the navel of Vishnu and due to the exhalations of the serpent Shesha.
- - - -

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Setubandham-13

सेतुबन्धम्-१३
 पा‍आलोअरगहिरे महिप‍इरिक्कविअडे णहणिरालम्बे ।
तेल्लोक्के व्व महुमहं अप्पाण च्चि‍अं  ग‍आग‍आई करेन्तम् ॥ २.१५ ॥
[ पातालोदरगभीरे महीप्रतिरिक्तविकटे नभोनिरालम्बे ।
  त्रैलोक्य इव मधुमथनमात्मन्येव गतागतानि कुर्वन्तम् ]
Extending  deep into the bowels of the nether world and touching the sky with no support,  the ocean resembled Vishnu who (during Trivikrama incarnation) traversed within himself. [ The ocean which extended to the netherworld due to its depth and which touched the sky through its waves extended to all the three worlds like Trivikrama and its movements were restricted to within itself as a consequence.]

The back waters of rivers as they join the ocean are described:
अहिलीअ परमुहीहिं छिविओसरिएहिञ् अणुस‍अविलोलाहि ।
अणुणिज्जमाणमग्गं वेवन्तणिअत्तपत्थिआहिञ् णईहि ॥ २.१६ ॥
[ अभिलीय पराङ्मुखीभिः स्पृष्टापसृताभिरनुशयविलोलाभिः ।
अनुगम्य(नीय)मार्गं वेपमाननिवृत्तप्रस्थिताभिर्नदीभिः ॥]
The rivers (joining the ocean) followed the ocean as if hesitatingly with repentance, first touching the ocean and then going back trembling. [The poet suggests a parallel of ladies following their lover hesitatingly but finally going his way. ]

The munificence of ocean is described:
जीअगरुईहि अज्ज वि इच्छापज्जत्तसुहरसाहि म‍एन्तम् ।
धणरिद्धी‍अ सिरिअ ‍अ सलिलुप्पण्णा‍इ वारुणीअ अ लोअम् ॥ २.१७ ॥
[ जीवगुर्वीभिरद्यापीच्छापर्याप्तसुखरसाभिर्मदयन्तम् ।
  धनऋद्ध्या श्रिया च सलिलोत्पन्नया वारुण्या च लोकम् ॥]
The ocean was making the whole world intoxicated by ( its munificence) in the form of wealth (gems) and liquor (which came out of churning of the ocean) which are considered more precious than life itself and which fulfill ones desires.

चडुलं पि पि‍ईअ थिरं तिअसिक्खित्तर‍अणं पि सारब्भहिअम् ।
महिअं पि अणोलुग्गं असाउसलिलं पि अम‍अरसणीसन्दम् ॥ २.१८ ॥
[ चटुलमपि स्थित्या स्थिरं त्रिदशोत्क्षिप्तरत्नमपि साराभ्यधिकम् ।
  मथितमप्यनवरुग्णमस्वादुसलिलमप्यमृतरसनिःस्यन्दम् ॥]
The ocean is steady and does not transgress its limits although continuously agitated; although its riches have been taken away by the divine beings it continues to be full of riches; although it was churned (at the time of churning of ocean) it remains unharmed; although its water is not sweet, it produces ambrosia.

पज्जत्तरअणगब्भे णह‍अरुपह्वत्थचन्द‍अरपारोहे ।
उअरब्भन्तरसेले सुरव‍इडिम्बाणिहिए णिहि व्व वहन्तम् ॥ २.१९ ॥
[ पर्याप्तरत्नगर्भान्नभस्तरुपर्यस्तचन्द्रकरप्ररोहान् ।
  उदराभ्यन्तरशैलान्सुरपतिडिम्बनिहितान्निधीनिव वहन्तम् ॥]
Ocean has, out of fear for Indra, hidden within it mountains full of gems with sky as the tree above whose roots are moon’s rays. [ The suggestion is that just as riches are hidden deep in the ground after covering it with a tree grown above for fear of the king, ocean has hidden mountains for fear of Indra, the sky itself being the tree above it. It also alludes to the story that Mainaka mountain hid itself in the ocean evading Indra.]


परिअब्भिअं उवग‍ए बोलीणम्मिअ णिअत्तचडुलसहावम् ।
णवजोव्वणे व्व कामं द‍इअसमागमसुहम्मि चन्दुज्जोए ॥ २.२० ॥
[ परिजृम्भितमुपगते व्यतिक्रान्ते निवृत्तचटुलस्वभावम् ।
नवयौवन इव कामं दयितसमागमसुखे चन्द्रोद्द्योते ॥]
(They saw) the ocean which swelled at the rise of the moon and which became tranquil at the setting of the moon like the desire of the youth at the joyful presence of the beloved.

दरफुडिअसिप्पिसंपुडपलोट्टसङ्घमुहभरिअमुत्ताणिअरम् ।
मारुअदूरुच्छालिअजलभरिअद्धवहपडिणिअत्तजलहरम् ॥ २.२१ ॥
[ दरस्फुटितशुक्तिसंपुटप्रलुठितशङ्खमुखभृतमुक्तानिकरम् ।
  मारुतदूरोच्छालितजलभृतार्धपथप्रतिनिवृत्तजलधरम् ॥]

The pearls which were held at the mouth of the conch-shells rolled out from the oyster shells slightly prised open looked like clouds which returned half way filled with water and carried far by the winds. [What the poet wants to convey is not clear and the learned commentator seems to gloss over.]
- - - -

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Setubandham-12

सेतुबन्धम्-१२

धु‍अवणरा‍इकर‍अलं मल‍अमहिन्दत्थणोरसोल्लणसुहि‍अम् ।
वेलालिङ्गणमुक्कं छिविओसरि‍एहि वेलवन्तं व महिम् ॥ २.८ ॥
[ धुतवनराजिकरतलां मलयमहेन्द्रस्तनोर आर्द्रीकरणसुखिताम् ।
  वेलालिङ्गनमुक्तां स्पृष्टापसृतकैर्वेपयन्तमिव (पक्षे-व्याकुलन्तमिव) महीम् ॥]
As the oceanic waves lap against the seashore embracing and moving away, the earth appears shaken as the palm-like mangroves tremble and the breast-like Mahendra and Malaya hills seem to be enjoying being wet by the waves. [ The poet compares the situation  to that of a lady-love (earth) being embraced by her lover (ocean).]


ठाणे वि ठि‍इपहुत्तं पल‍ए महिमण्डलम्मि वि अमा‍अन्तम् ।
पण‍अन्तवामणतणुं कमन्तदेहभरभरि‍अलोअं व हरिम् ॥ २.९ ॥
[ स्थानेऽपि स्थितिप्रभूतं प्रलये महीमण्डलेऽप्यमान्तम् ।
  प्रणयद्वामनतनुं क्रममाणदेहभरभृतलोकमिव हरिम् ॥]
While at normal times ocean stayed within its bounds it would flood the whole of earth boundless during Pralaya, like Vishnu who had a body of a dwarf while begging (Bali) but enveloped the whole of the universe as he expanded.

दीसन्तं अहिरामं सुव्वन्तं पि अवि‍इह्णसोअव्वगुणम् ।
सुक‍अस्स व परिणामं उ‍अहुज्जन्तं पि सास‍असुहप्फल‍अम् ॥ २.१०॥
[ दृश्यमानमभिरामं श्रूअमाणमप्यवितृष्णश्रोतव्यगुणम् ।
  सुकृतस्येव परिणाममुपभुज्यमानमपि स्वाश्रयशुभ(पक्षे-शाश्वतसुख)फलदम् ।।]
Being delightful to behold and to hear, the ocean has qualities that can be heard without one getting satiated like good deeds that bring immediate pleasures and lead to further pleasant fruits.

Often Prakrut’s Chaya in Sanskrit  is not unique. In this verse two alternatives are possible:
उक्ख‍अदुमं व सेलं हिमह‍अकमला‍अरं व लच्छिविमुक्कम् ।
पीअम‍इरं व चस‍अं बहुलपओसं व मुद्धचन्दविरहिअम् ॥ २.११ ॥
[ उत्खातद्रुममिव शैलं हिमहतकमलाकरमिव लक्ष्मीविमुक्तम् ।
  पीतमदिरमिव चषकं बहुलप्रदोषमिव मुग्धचन्द्रविरहितम् ॥]
The ocean appeared like a mountain with trees uprooted (on account of Parijata tree having been removed from the ocean), devoid of luster  like a lake with lotuses destroyed by snow (on account of Lakshmi born in ocean having been taken as consort by Vishnu), like an empty cup of wine after the wine has been drunk (on account of Varuni the liquor that was produced while churning of the ocean having been taken away by Suras), like the dark fortnight bereft of the bewitching face of the moon (on account of the moon rising out of the ocean). [Through श्लेष the poet wants to convey that despite so many priceless objects of desire having been removed from the ocean it continues to be a store house of grandeur. He creates an apparent contradiction through the similes.]
[ उत्खातद्रुमं वशेलं हिमहयकमलाकरं बलच्छिद्विमुक्तम् ।
  पीतमदिरं  वचाशयं बहुलप्रदोषं वमुग्धचन्द्रविरहितम् ॥]
[ From the ocean the Parijata tree was uprooted; it keeps the earth under its control (as it surrounds the earth); it is the source of sandal wood, Uccaisravas horse and Lakshmi ; it is devoid of poison in the form of Kalakuta; has within it several dangerous creatures; it is blessed by the association of Varuna. [It is needless to say that the first interpretation is better]

णिप्फण्णसुहालो‍अं विमलजलब्भन्तरट्ठिअं वहमाणम् ।
दरकड्ढिअं व र‍इणा करावलम्बि‍अकरं रत्नसंघातम् ॥ २.१२ ॥
[ निष्पन्नसुखालोकं विमलजलाभ्यन्तरस्थितं वहमानम् ।
  दरकृष्टमिव रविणा करावलम्बितकरं रत्नसंघातम् ॥]
The ocean carries under its clear waters heaps of gems which provide joy to (beholders) due to their radiance and which appear slightly nearer as if pulled up by the hands in the form of his rays by the sun. [ It looks like the poet refers to the fact of gems appearing nearer due to refraction.]

The Vadava fire under the ocean is described:
महणासा‍अविमुक्कं उच्छित्ताम‍अविसङ्खलाणलणिवहम् ।
वासुइमुहणीसन्दं वडवामुहकुहरपुञ्जिअं वहमाणम् ॥ २.१३ ॥
[ मथनायासविमुक्तमुत्क्षिप्तामृतविशृङ्खलानलनिवहम् ।
  वासुकिमुखनिःस्पन्दं वडवामुखकुहरपुञ्जितं वहमानम् ॥]
The flames of Vadava fire, disturbed by the rising  ambrosia, appear to be the (poisonous) juices  emanating from the mouth of serpent Vasuki (which was being used as the churning rope) as a result of the fatigue of churning. [ The poet with a stretch of exaggeration likens the Vadava fires to the poisonous juices coming out of Vasuki’s mouth.]

धीरं व जलसमूहं तिमिणिवहं मिव सपक्खपव्व‍अलोअम् ।
ण‍इसोत्ते व्व तरङ्गे र‍अणा‍इ व गरुअगुणस‍आइञ् वहन्तम् ॥ २.१४ ॥
[ धैर्यमिव जलसमूहं तिमिनिवहमिव सपक्षपर्वतलोकम् ।
  नदीस्रोतांसीव तरङ्गान् रत्नानीव गुरुकगुणशतानि वहन्तम् ]
The ocean carries with it hundreds of finest qualities as if they are gems; it carries within it, mass of water as if it was composure personified; it carries within it winged mountains as if they are marine animals; it carries waves as if they are river streams.
- - - -  

Friday, November 22, 2013

Setubandham-11

सेतुबन्धम्-११
द्वितीय आश्वासकः
अह पेच्छा रहुतणओ चडुलं दोसस‍अदुक्खबोलेअव्वम् ।
अम‍अरससारगरुअं कज्जारम्भस्स जोव्वणं व समुद्दम् ॥२.१॥
[ अथ पश्यति रघुतनयश्चटुलं दोषशतदुःखव्यतिक्रमणीयम् ।
  अमृतरससारगुरुकं कार्यारम्भस्य यौवनमिव समुद्रम् ॥]
Rama, scion of Raghu looks at the unsteady ocean which needs to be crossed after undergoing hundreds of painful impediments and which is respected because of its holding (gems) which are so to say the essence of ambrosia and the ocean looked to him like the youthful phase of work (of defeating Ravana) that has been started.

ग‍अणस्स‍अ पडिबिम्बं धरणी‌अ व णिग्गमं दिशाण व णिल‍अम् ।
भुवणस्स व मणितडिमं पल‍अस्स व सावसेसजलविच्छड्डम् ॥ २.२ ॥
[ गगनस्येव प्रतिबिम्बं धरण्या इव निर्गमं दिशामिव निलयम् ।
 भुवनस्येव मणितडिमं प्रलयस्येव सावशेषजलविच्छर्दम् ॥]
The ocean looked like the reflection of the sky, like the gateway of land, like the residence of directions, like a gem-studded partition wall (or pavement?) of the world, and like the remnant of the great Flood.  

भमिरुब्भडकल्लोलं थोरकराहदिसामुहोत्थ‍असलिलम् ।
सास‍अभएण बहुसो खोहिज्जन्तं दिसाग‍एण व ससिणा ॥ २.३ ॥
[ भ्रमणशीलोद्भटकल्लोलं स्थूलकराहतदिङ्मुखावस्तृतसलिलम् ।
  स्वाश्रयमृगेण (पक्षे-शाश्वतमदेन) बहुशः क्षोभ्यमाणं दिग्गजेनेव शशिना ॥
He sees the ocean being agitated by the moon with a deer in its care. The ocean was consequently swirling with exalted waves with waters spread in all directions struck by the rays of the moon as if agitated by an elephant having a permanent state of excitement. ( Reference to the deer is to the mark on the moon which looks like a deer.) 


अप्फुण्णविद्दुमवणे गुप्पन्तपडित्थिरे सलिलकल्लोले ।
मन्दरगूढप्पहरे अज्ज वि संखा‍अलोहि‍ए व्व वहन्तम् ॥ २.४ ॥
[ आक्रान्तविद्रुमवनान् व्याकुलपरिस्थिरान् सलिलकल्लोलान् ।
  मन्दरगूढप्रहारानद्यापि संस्त्यानलोहितानिव वहन्तम् ॥]
The ocean’s waves covered the red coral reefs with the surroundings agitated and it looked as though the ocean was still carrying the dense blood spots due to the deep hits made by the Mandara mountain while churning the ocean.

मुहलघणविप्प‍इण्णं जतणिवहं भरि‍अस‍अलणहमहिविवरम् ।
ण‍इमुहपह्लत्थन्तं अप्पाण विणिग्ग‍अं जसं व पि‍अन्तम् ॥ २.५ ॥
[ मुखरघनविप्रकीर्णं जलनिवहं भृतसकलनभो महीविवरम् ।
  नदीमुखपर्यस्यन्तमात्मनो विनिर्गतं यश इव पिबन्तम् ॥]
The ocean, like a king enjoying his fame emanating from himself, was drinking the mass of water, which was scattered all over by the roaring clouds and which had filled nooks and corners of sky and earth and which was unevenly rushing out from the mouths of rivers.[ Due to use of words with double meaning the qualifying clauses apply to fame also.]
जोह्ला‍ए व्व मि‍अङ्कं कित्ती‍अ व सु‍उरिसं पहा‍ए व्व रविम् ।
सेलं महाण‍ई व सिरी‍अ चिरणिग्ग‍आ‍इ वि अमुच्चन्तम् ॥ २.६ ॥
[ ज्योत्स्नयेव मृगाङ्कं कीर्त्येव सुपुरुषं प्रभयेव रविम् ।
  शैलं महानद्येव श्रिया चिरनिर्गतयाप्यमुच्यमानम् ॥]
The ocean continued to be associated with wealth (lustre) despite being continuously flowing out for long in the manner the moon is associated with moonlight, a virtuous person with fame, sun with sunlight, a mountain with the river (flowing from it). [ Ocean was a never exhaustible source of water despite losing through continuous evaporation.]

कालन्तरजी‍अहरं ग‍ओणि‍अत्तन्तपवणर‍अघट्टिज्जन्तम् ।
सल्लं व देहलग्गं वि‍अडं वडवामुहाणलं वहमाणम् ॥ २.७ ॥
[ कालान्तरजीवहरं गतापनिवर्तमानपवनरयघट्यमानम् ।
  शल्यमिव देहलग्नं विकटं वडवामुखानलं वहमानम् ॥ ]

The ocean was carrying within itself the sub-oceanic fire of the shape of horse’s head (Vadava fire) which would at a later date burn the flood waters of the great annihilation (pralaya) and which was being fanned by the winds moving hither and thither like a spear stuck in the body which also will bring about death at a later date and which gets affected by the exhalation and inhalation of the body. [ As per Hindu mythology the Vadava fire will decimate the flood waters of Pralaya.]
- - - - 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Setubandham-10

सेतुबन्धम्-१०
जलहरणिद्दा‍अन्तं पा‍अवगहणेसु सिसिरणिदा‍अन्तम् ।
स‍इ दुहिणसामल‍अं पत्ता भरगधु‍अचन्दणरसा मल‍अम् ॥ ५९ ॥
[ जलधरनिर्दावान्तं पादपगहनेषु शिशिरनिद्रायन्तम् ।
सदा दुर्दिनश्यामलतं प्राप्ता भग्नधुतचन्दनरसा मलयम् ॥]
The monkeys covered by the juice of sandal wood trees broken and shaken (by them) reached Malaya mountain, which was free from forest fires due to (constant) clouds and which made things somnolent due to cold in the dense woods.

चन्दनपा‍अणलग्गे खुडि‍उव्वेलि‍अल‍आपरिमलच्छाए ।
संदाणि‍अणिम्मोए पेच्छन्ति महाभुअ‍ङ्गवेढणमग्गे ॥ ६० ॥
[ चन्दनपादपलग्नान्खण्डितोद्वेल्लितलतापरिमलच्छायान् ।
 सन्दानितनिर्मोकान् पश्यन्ति महाभुजगवेष्टनमार्गान् ॥]
They saw the sloughs of serpents stuck which indicated the manner of serpents’ coiling and which were adhering to the sandal wood trees and which looked like crushed creepers.

सेवन्ति तीरवड्ढि‍अणि‍अ‍अभरोव्वत्तचन्दणल‍आलिद्धे ।
रम्मत्तणदिप्पवहे वणग‍अदानकडुए गिरिणईप्पवहे ॥ ६१ ॥
[ सेवन्ते तीरवर्धितनिजकभरापवृत्तचन्दनलतालीढान् ।
  रम्यतृणदीप्रपथान् वनगजदानकटून् गिरिनदीप्रवाहान् ॥]
The monkeys savour the waters of mountain streams into which the sandal wood creepers growing on the banks had dipped due to their own weight and which had become bitter due to the ichor of forest elephants and to which there led routes shining with beautiful grass.  


तो तरुणसिप्पिसंपुडदरदावि‍अजलणिहित्तमुत्ताव‍अरम् ।
पत्ता पत्तलव‍उलं ग‍अदाणसु‍अन्धिर‍अणवेलं वेलम् ॥ ६२ ॥
[ ततस्तरुणशुक्तिसंपुटदर्शितजलनिहितमुक्ताप्रकराम् ।
  प्राप्ता पत्त्रलवकुलां गजदानसुगन्धिरजोनवैलां वेलाम् ॥]
Then they reached the shores (of the ocean) where could be seen under the water tender pearl oysters slightly opened, where were Bakula trees full of leaves and which had the fragrance of stamens of tender cardamom as fragrant as the ichor of elephants.


वि‍असिअतमालणीलं पुणो पुणो चलतरङ्गपरिमट्ठम् ।
फुल्लेलावणसुर‍इ ‍उ‍अहिग‍इन्दस्स दाणलेहं व टि‍अम् ॥ ६३ ॥
[ विकसिततमालनीलां पुनः पुनश्चलतरङ्गकरपरिमृष्टाम् ।
 फुल्लैलावनसुरभिमुदधिगजेन्द्रस्य दानलेखामिव स्थिताम् ॥]
The shores looked like the ichor flow of the elephant- like ocean, dark in colour due to the flowered Tamala trees, often scratched by the trunk- like waves, having the fragrance of cardamom plants with blossoms.

फेणविसमङ्गरा‍अं विद्दुमदन्तव्वणणि‍अमुद्दच्छा‍अम् ।
मलि‍अवणकेसकुसुमं परिहुत्तसमुद्दपरिमलं व वहन्तिम् ॥ ६४ ॥
[ फेनविषमाङ्गरागां विद्रुमदन्तव्रणानीतमुखच्छायाम् ।
  मृदितवनकेशकुसुमां परिभुक्तसमुद्रपरिमलमिव वहन्तीम् ॥]
The shore looked like a lady carrying the scent of (her lover) in the form of ocean whose company she had enjoyed,  wearing the cosmetics in the form of sea foam, whose face displayed tooth bites in the form of corals and with crumpled hair and flowers in the form of forests.

सिप्पि‍उडम‍उलि‍अच्छि ल‍आहरब्भन्तरेसु परिवड्ढन्तम् ।
अणुरा‍अपरिट्ठ‍वि‍अं  आ‍अण्णन्तिं व किंणरुग्गी‍अरवम् ॥ ६५ ॥
[ शुक्तिपुटमुकुलिताक्षीं लतागृहाभ्यन्तरेषु परिवर्धमानम् ।
  अनुरागपरिस्थापितमाकर्णयन्तीमिव किन्नरोद्गीतरवम् ॥]
The sea shore looked like a lady with her eyes half closed in the form of pearl oysters listening to the music sung by Kinnaras reverberating in the interiors of bowers of creepers in the pitch appropriate to the musical ragas.


इ‍अ सिरिपवरसेणविर‍इए दशमुहवहे महाकव्वे पढुमो आसासओ समत्तो ॥
[ इति श्रीप्रवरसेनविरचिते दशमुखवधे महाकाव्ये प्रथम आश्वासकः समाप्तः ॥]
Thus comes to end the first canto in the great epic called,  “The killing of the ten-headed” composed by Pravarasena.
-- - - - 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Setubandham-9

सेतुबन्धम्-९
संखोहि‍अमहिवे‍ढो तो सो क‍इसेण्णविलुलि‍अवणाहो‍ओ ।
खुहि‍असमुद्दाहिमुहो महणारम्भम्मि मन्दरो वि‍अ चलि‍ओ ॥ ४९ ॥
[ संक्षोभितमहीवेष्टस्ततः स कपिसैन्यविलुलितवनाभोगः ।
  क्षुभितसमुद्राभिमुखो मथनारम्भे मन्दर इव चलितः ॥]
The surrounding ground was disturbed; the expanses of the forest were trampled by the monkeys; Rama moved towards the disturbed ocean looking like Mandara mountain at the beginning of churning of the ocean.

चलि‍अं च वाणरवलं चलि‍ए तम्मि चलकेसरसडुज्जो‍अम् ।
गहि‍अदिसापरिणाहं म‍ऊहजालं व दिण‍अरस्स फुरन्तम् ॥ ५० ॥
[ चलितं च वानरबलं चलिते तस्मिंश्चलकेसरसटोद्द्योतम् ।
  गृहीतदिक्परिणाहं मयूखजालमिव दिनकरस्य स्फुरत् ॥]
When Rama started, the army of monkeys also started with their coppery manes shining like the sparkling rays of the sun expanding in all directions.

वेराअरणिपज्जलि‍ओ तो सो रोसपवणाह‍उद्ध‍अमुहलो ।
वड्ढ‍इ मग्गाणुग‍ओ लङ्कावणरा‍इवणद‍इ‍ओ क‍इलो‍ओ ॥ ५१ ॥
[ वैरारणिप्रज्वलितस्ततः स रोषपवनाहतोद्धतमुखरः ।
  वर्धते मार्गानुगतो लङ्कावनराजिवनदवः कपिलोकः ॥]
The entire monkey population followed the path of Rama. They looked like the forest fire produced by sacrificial pieces of wood called enmity (towards the demons) and becoming noisy blown by the wind of anger.

वच्च‌इ अ चडुलकेसरसटोज्ज्वलालोकवानरपरिक्षिप्तः ।
सर्वदिगाऌष्टप्रलयप्रदीप्तगिरिसंकुल इव समुद्रः ॥ ५२ ॥
[ व्रजति च चटुलकेसरसटोज्ज्वलालोकवानरपरिक्षिप्तः ।
 सर्वदिगाकृष्टप्रलयप्रदीप्तगिरिसंकुल इव समुद्रः ॥]
When Rama proceeded surrounded by monkeys whose brilliant coppery manes created an aura, he looked like an ocean which was experiencing violent agitation due to blazing mountains being dragged (into the ocean) at the time of universal annihilation.

घोलन्ति णिम्मला‍ओ फुरन्तदि‍अस‍अरपा‍अहि‍अरू‍आओ ।
दावि‍अमग्गम्मि वि से हि‍अए सो‍अन्ध‍आरि‍अम्मि दिसा‍ओ ॥ ५३ ॥
[ घूर्णन्ते निर्मलाः स्फुरद्दिवसकरप्रकटितरूपाः ।
  दर्शितमार्ग इव यस्य हृदये शोकान्धकारिते दिशः ॥]
The directions which (in reality) looked clear and where forms were clearly discernible in sun light, were whirling in the mind of Rama, which had become darkened due to grief.

आलो‍ए‍इ अ विज्झं धनुसंठाणस्स साअरस्स भरसहम् ।
सन्धि‍अण‍इसोत्तसरं अवहोवासघडि‍अं व जी‍आबन्धम् ॥ ५४ ॥
[ आलोकते च विन्ध्यं धनुःसंस्थानस्य सागरस्य भरसहम् ।
संहितनदीस्रोतःशरमुभयावकाशघटितमिव जीवाबन्धम् ॥]
Rama looks at the Vindhya Mountain which was capable of withstanding the stress impressed by the ocean, the shore line of which was bent like a bow. The mountain stretching across looked like the string strung between the ends of the bow. A stream (which gushed forth into the ocean through the mountain range) looked like an arrow. [ Nature is viewed as promoting Rama’s valorous mood.]

मसिणि‍असिहरुच्छङ्गो विहु‍अणि‍अम्बवणपा‍अडि‍अतु‍ङ्ग‍अडो ।
विज्झेण भरि‍अकु‍हरो हेलावा‍ओ वि वाणराणञ् ण सहि‍ओ ॥ ५५ ॥
[ मसृणितशिखरोत्सङ्गो विधुतनितम्बवनप्रकटिततुङ्गतटः ।
  विन्ध्येन भृतकुहरो हेलापातोऽपि वानराणां न सोढः ॥ ]
The peaks of the mountain were smoothened by the monkeys (by their playful activities);  the high mountain slopes looked bare as the monkeys shook up the forests that had covered them; monkeys filled up each and every hollow on the mountain; the mountain was not able to bear such playful activities (of the monkeys).

पत्ता अ सीभरा‍ह‍अधा‍उसिला‍अलणिसण्णरा‍इ‍अजल‍अम् ।
सज्झं ओज्झरपहसि‍अदरिमुहणिक्कन्तव‍उलम‍इरामो‍अम् ॥ ५६ ॥
[ प्राप्ताश्च शीकराहतधातुशिलातलनिषण्णराजितजलदम् ।
 सह्यं निर्झरप्रहसितदरीमुखनिष्क्रान्तबकुलमदिरामोदम् ॥]
They reached Sahya Mountain, where radiant clouds stayed on colourful metallic ores sprinkled by sprays (of clouds). The streams emanating from hollows of the mountains carried the heady fragrance of Bakula flowers and it looked as though the gurgling streams laughed emitting the fragrance of Bakula flowers.


बोलन्ति अ पेच्छन्ता पडिमासंकन्तधवलघणसंघा‍ए ।
फुडफडिहसिलासंकुलखलि‍ओ वरिपत्थि‍ए वि‍अ ण‍इप्पवहे ॥ ५८ ॥
[ व्यतिक्रामन्ति च पश्यन्तः प्रतिमासंघातधवलघनसंघातान् ।
 स्फुटस्फटिकशिलासंकुलस्खलितोपरिप्रस्थितानिव नदीप्रवाहान् ॥]

They crossed rivers seeing in them reflections of groups of white clouds which looked as if the rivers were flowing on white marble.
- - - - 

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Setubandham-8

सेतुबन्धम्-८
खणमूलाबद्धा‍ए णिव्वण्णन्तमसिणं समारूढा‍ए ।
सज्जीवं मिव जा‍अं अणोणमन्तं पि रामदित्ठी‍अ धणुम् ॥ ४५ ॥
[ क्षणमूलाबद्धया निर्वर्ण्यमानमसृणं समारूढया ।
 सजीवमिव जातमनवतमपि रामदृष्ट्या धनुः ॥]
The bow, which had not been bent looked as if it had been stringed by Rama’s stare as he looked at it intently traversing from its root to the smooth ends.


सुग्गीवस्स हि‍अ‍अं राहवसुक‍अपडिमो‍अणासत्तण्हम् ।
अगणिअदहमुहदप्पं णिव्वूढभरं व तक्खणं ऊससि‍अम् ॥ ४६ ॥
[ सुग्रीवस्यापि हृदयं राघवसुकृतप्रतिमोचनासतृष्णम् ।
  अगणितदशमुखदर्पं निर्व्यूढभरमिव तत्क्षणमुच्छ्वसितम् ॥]
Even Sugriva (along with Rama) eager to repay the good deed done by Rama took a deep breath as if he was carrying the difficult burden of Ravana’s immeasurable prowess.

चिन्ति‍अलद्धत्तं मिव बुम‍आविक्खेवसू‍इ‍आमरिसरसम् ।
गमणं राहवहि‍अ‍ए रक्खसजीवि‍अहरं विषमिव निहितम् ॥ ४७ ॥
[ चिन्तितलब्धार्थमिव भ्रूविक्षेपसूचितामर्षरसम् ।
  गमनं राघवहृदये राक्षसजीवितहरं विषमिवनिहितम्॥]
Rama’s mind was intent on travel to Lanka. The (impending) travel was to him like wealth thought of and was obtained. His anger manifested itself only in the form of his brows pointing towards Lanka. The intention to travel residing deeply in Ramas’ mind was like poison which would kill the demons.

सोह व्व लक्खणमुहं वणमालव्व वि‍अडं हरिव‍इस्स उरम् ।
कित्ति व्व पवणतण‍अं आण व्व बलाइञ् से विलग्ग‍इ दिट्ठी ॥ ४८ ॥
[ शोभेवलक्ष्मणमुखं वनमालेव विकटं हरिपतेरुरः ।
  कीर्तिरिव पवनतनयमाज्ञेव बलान्यस्य विलगति दृष्टिः ॥]
Rama’s eyes fell on Lakshmana to Sugriva, Hanuman and then the army. The gaze on Lakshmana looked as if his face was being anointed with turmeric. His gaze on Sugriva looked like a garland of forest flowers, his gaze on Hanuman looked like bestowing on him (Hanuman) fame. His gaze on the army looked as if he was commanding them. [Reference to garland of forest flowers brings to mind that Sugriva was given a garland by Rama for identifying him while fighting with Vali.]
- - - -  

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Setubandham-7

सेतुबन्धम्-७
पढमं वि‍अ मारु‍इणा हरिसभरिज्जन्तलो‍अणेण मुहेण ।
जण‍अतण‍आप‍उत्ती पच्छा वा‍आ‍इ णिअरवसेसं सिट्टा ॥ ३७ ॥
[ प्रथममेव मारुतिना हर्षभ्रियमाणलोचनेन मुखेन ।
 जनकतनयाप्रवृत्तिः पश्चाद्वाचा निरवशेषं शिष्टा ॥]
Right at the beginning Hanuman conveyed the well being of Sita only through his eyes which were brimming with happiness; later through words in its entirety.

दिट्ट त्ति ण सद्दहि‍अं झीण त्ति सबाहमन्थरं णीससिअम् ।
सो‍अ‍इ तुमं ति रुण्णं पहुणा जि‍अ‍इ त्ति मारु‍ई उवऊढो ॥ ३८ ॥
[ दृष्टेति न श्रद्धितं क्षीणेति सबाष्पमन्थरं निःश्वसितम् ।
शोचति त्वामिति रुदितं प्रभुणा जीवतीति मारुतिरुपगूढः ॥]
When Hanuman said “ (Sita was) seen”, Rama did not believe. When he said, “(She was) weak”, Rama constrained by tears, sighed deeply and slowly. When he said, “She is anxious about you”, Rama wept. (Finally) knowing that she is alive, Rama embraced Hanuman. [ Sometimes the original in Prakrut can be interpreted in Sanskrit in more than one way. In this verse the commentator has given another version also. As it did not seem to have any particular merit, it has not been translated.]

चिन्ताह‍अप्पहं मिव तं च करे खे‍अणिसहं च णिसण्णम् ।
वेणीबन्धणम‍इलं सो‍अकिलन्तं व से पणामे‍इ मणिम् ॥ ३९ ॥
[ चिन्ताहतप्रभमिव तं च करे खेदनिःसहमिव निषण्णम् ।
वेणीबन्धमलिनं शोकक्लाम्यन्तमिवास्य प्रणयति मणिम् ॥]
Hanuman brings with him the crest-jewel of Sita, which looked soiled due to its being tied to Sita’s (unkempt) hair and it looked as if it had lost its radiance due to sadness and was sitting in his palm unable to bear the grief.

सो कर‍अलञ्जलिग‍ओ वाहत्थवापह‍ओसिहन्तम‍ऊहो ।
ण‍अणेहिञ् दासरहिणा दिट्ठो पी‍ओ णु पुच्छि‍ओ णु प‍उत्तिम् ॥ ४० ॥
[ स करतलाञ्जलिगतो बाष्पस्तबकप्रहतावसीदन्मयूखः ।
नयनाभ्यां दाशरथिना दृष्टः पीतो नु पृष्टो नु प्रवृत्तिम् ॥ ]
When the eyes of Rama looked at the gem which was in the hollow of Hanuman’s hands with its glow destroyed by the tears (of Hanuman), it looked as if he was drinking it and enquiring it of (Sita’s well-being).  

सो अ‍इ अ णं रहुव‍ई विरलङ्गुलिगलि‍अकिरणधाराव‍अरम् ।
व‍अणे विमलुज्जो‍अं दररोत्तूण सलिलञ्जलिं व णिमेन्तो ॥ ४१ ॥
[ शोचति चैनं रघुपतिर्विरलाङ्गुलिगलितकिरणधाराप्रकरम् ।
 वदने विमलोद्द्योतं दररुदित्वा सलिलाञ्जलिमिव नियोजयन् ॥]
Taking the gem, whose rays were leaking away through his fingers, near his face Rama was feeling sorry for the gem and it looked as if he was taking a handful of water to clean his face after having wept for a while.


तं दह‍आहिण्णाणं जम्मि वि अङ्गम्मि राहवेण  ण णिमि‍अम् ।
सी‍आपरिमट्टेण व वूढो तेण वि णिरन्तरं रोमञ्चो ॥ ४२ ॥
[ तद्दयिताभिज्ञानं यस्मिन्नप्यङ्गे राघवेण न नियोजितम् ।
 सीतापरिमृष्टेनॆवव्यूढस्तेनापि निरन्तरं रोमाञ्चः ॥]
Even those limbs of Rama which did not come into contact with the gem experienced horripilation as they would have, had Sita touched them.


बाहम‍इलं पि तो से दहमुहचिन्ताविजृम्भमाणामरिसम् ।
जा‍अं दुक्खालो‍अं जरढा‍अन्तरविमण्डलं मिव व‍अणम् ॥ ४३ ॥
[ बाष्पमलिनमपि ततोऽस्य दशमुखचिन्ताविजृम्भमाणामर्षम् ।
जातं दुःखालोकं जरठायमानरविमण्डलमिव वदनम् ॥]
His (Rama’s) face indicating the anger generated by the thought about Ravana could be seen with difficulty despite darkened by tears like the orb of the sun with the day progressing. 

तो से चिरमज्झत्थे कुवि‍अक‍अन्तभुम‍आल‍आपडिरूए ।
दिट्ठी दिट्ठत्थामे कज्जधुरव्व णि‍अ‍ए धणुम्मि णिसण्णा ॥ ४४ ॥
[ ततोऽस्य चिरमध्यस्थे कुपितकृतान्तभ्रूलताप्रतिरूपे ।
दृष्टिर्दृष्टस्थाम्नि कार्यधुरेव निजके धनुषि निषण्णा ॥]
His gaze fell with the weight of the impending duty (of killing Ravana) as it were, on his bow which had established its strength (earlier in Vali’s killing) and was resting for quite some time and which was bent like the brows of angry Yama, God of Death.
- - - - 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Setubandham-6

सेतुबन्धम्-६
पज्जत्तकमलगन्धो महुतण्णा‍ओसरन्तणवकुमु‍अर‍ओ ।
भमिरभमरो‍अ‍इव्वो संचर‍इ सदाणसीअरो वणवाओ ॥ ३१ ॥
[ पर्याप्तकमलगन्धो मध्वार्द्रापसरन्नवकुमुदरजाः ।
भ्रमद्भ्रमरोपजीव्यः सञ्चरति सदानशीकरो वनवातः ॥]
The wind , replete with the fragrance of lotuses and fresh sweet and damp pollens emanating from the white water lilies,  is full of the spray of rutting elephants and is providing succour to bumble bees. 

कण्ट‍इ‍अणूमि‍अङ्गी धो‍अत्थो‍ओसरन्तमुद्धसहावा ।
र‍इ‍अरचुम्बिज्झन्तं ण णि‍अत्ते‍इ णिलिणी मुहं वि‍अ कमलम् ॥ ३२ ॥
[ कण्टकितगोपिताङ्गी स्तोकस्तोकापसरन्मुग्धस्वभावा ।
रविकरचुम्ब्यमानं न निवर्तयति नलिनी मुखमिव कमलम् ॥] 
The lotus-plant does not retract the lotus kissed by the rays of the sun, while it is hiding the thorns and slowly getting out of shyness like  a lady who does not retract her face kissed by her lover while she is hiding the horripilation on her body. 

परिघोलन्तक्खलि‍अं सत्तच्छ‍अकुसुमधवलरेणुक्ख‍‍इ‍अम् ।
उप्पुस‍इ दाणवङ्कं मुहुत्तग‍अकण्णचामरं भमर‍उलम् ॥ ३३ ॥
[ परिघूर्णमानस्खलितं सप्तच्छदकुसुमधवलरेणूत्खचितम् ।
उत्प्रोञ्छति दानपङ्कं मुहूर्तगजकर्णचामरं भ्रमरकुलम् ॥]
Swarm of bees fanned by the ears of the elephant throws up the slushy ichor which has dropped off due to elephant’s turning of the head and which is embedded with the white pollens of saptacchada flowers.  

इ‍अ पहसि‍अकुमु‍असरे भडिमुहपङ्क‍अविरुद्धचन्दालो‍ए ।
जा‍ए फुरन्ततारे लच्छिस‍अंगाहणवपओसे सर‍ए ॥ ३४ ॥
[ इति प्रहसितकुमुदसरसि भटीमुखपङ्कजविरुद्धचन्द्रालोकायाम् ।
जातायां स्फुरत्तारायां लक्ष्मीस्वयंग्राहनवप्रदोषे शरदि ॥]
छिज्ज‍इ झिण्णावि तणू अट्टि‍अवाहं पुणो परुण्णं व मुहम् ।
रामस्स अ‍ईसन्ते आसाबन्धे व्व चिरगए हणुमन्ते ॥ ३५ ॥ (जुग्ग‍अम्)
[ क्षीयते क्षीणापि तनुरास्थितबाष्पं पुनः प्ररुदितमिव मुखम् ।
रामस्यादृश्यमाने आशाबन्ध इव चिरगते हनूमति ॥] (युग्मकम्)
Thus in the early autumnal evening when Goddess Lakshmi voluntarily chooses her abode, the lakes looked as if they were laughing with blooming white water lilies . There was moonlight inimical to the lotus faces of soldiers’ wives and stars twinkled. Rama’s withered body shrunk further. His face with constrained tears looked as if he had wept again. Hanuman who was away for long who was the only strand of hope for Rama could not be seen.

णवरि अ जहासत्थि‍अणिव्वत्ति‍अकज्जणिव्वलन्तच्छा‍अम् ।
पेच्छ‍इ मारु‍अतण‍अं मणोरहं चे‍अ चिन्ति‍असुहोवण‍अम् ॥ ३६ ॥
[ अनन्तरं च यथासमर्थितनिर्वर्तितकार्यनिर्वलच्छायम् ।
प्रेक्षते मारुततनयं मनोरथमेव चिन्तितसुखोपनतम् ॥]

Then (suddenly) Rama sees Hanuman, son of Wind God, who was the embodiment as it were of his desire and cherished happiness and who was returning after accomplishing his work with a luster that distinguished him from other monkeys.
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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Setubandham-5

सेतुबन्धम्-५
पीणप‍ओहरलग्गं दिसाणञ् पवसन्तजल‍असम‍अवि‍इण्णम् ।
सोहग्गपढम‍इण्हं पम्माअ‍इ सरसणहव‍अं इन्दधणुम् ॥ २४ ॥
[ पीनपयोधरलग्नं दिशां प्रवसज्जलदसमयवितीर्णम् ।
  सौभाग्यप्रथमचिह्नं प्रम्लायति सरसनखपदमिन्द्रधनुः ॥]
The rainbow attached to the heavy clouds formed while the rainy season departs appears like the first mark of great fortune and makes the nail mark made on the heavy breasts (of ladies) when the lovers depart look dull. [The poet brings out a metaphor between the rain bow and the nail mark on the heavy breasts of ladies made by departing lovers and it revolves around the use of पीनपयोधरलग्नम्, which applies to the cloud as well as to the nail mark through श्लेष. After the rainy season lovers who were in the company of their beloveds leave after making nail marks as sign of their being loved just as rainy season leaves the directions leaving a mark of the rainbow.] 

पज्जत्तसलिलधो‍ए दूरालोक्कन्तणिम्मले ग‍अण‍अले ।
अच्चासण्णं व ठि‍अं विमुक्कपरभा‍अपा‍अडं ससिबिम्बम् ॥ २५ ॥
[ पर्याप्तसलिलधौते दूरालोक्यमाननिर्मले गगनतले]
 अत्यासन्नमिव स्थितं विमुक्तपरभागप्रकटं शशिबिम्बम् ॥]
In the sky which had been thoroughly cleaned by the rain waters and which looked spotlessly clean as far as eyes could see the moon’s orb bereft of the (cover) of clouds appears to be nearby.

चिर‍आलपडिणि‍उत्तं दिसासु घोलन्तकुमु‍अर‍अवेल्लवि‍अम् ।
भम‍इ अलद्धासा‍अं कमला‍अरदंसणूसुअं हंसौलम् ॥ २६ ॥
[ चिरकालप्रतिनिवृत्तं दिक्षु घूर्णमानकुमुदरजोविलिप्तम् ।
भ्रमत्यलब्धास्वादं कमलाकरदर्शनोत्सुकं हंसकुलम् ॥]
Returning after a long time a bevy of swans is circling around smeared by the pollen of blue lotuses (which blossom during nights) eager to have a look at lakes where lotuses bloom. [Swans are supposed to visit manas lake during rainy season and return during autumn.]

चन्दा‍अवधवला‍ओ फुरन्तदि‍असर‍अणन्तरि‍असोहा‍ओ ।
सोम्मे सर‍अस्स उरे मुत्ता‍अलिविब्भमं वहन्ति णिसा‍ओ ॥ २७ ॥
[चन्द्रातपधवलाः स्पुरद्दिवसरत्नान्तरितशोभाः ।
सौम्ये शरद उरसि मुक्तावलिविभ्रमं वहन्ति निशाः ॥]
Autumnal nights which are white with moonlight and which become obscured by dazzling daylight look like a string of pearls on the breasts of (ladies). [ Just as a string of pearls gets obscured by the dazzling luster of gems on the breasts of a lady, the moonlit nights of autumn get obscured by the dazzling sun at daytime.]

भमररु‍अदिण्णसण्णं घणरोहविमुक्कदिण‍अर‍अरालिट्टम् ।
फरिससुहा‍अन्तं वि‍अ पडिबुज्झ‍इ जलणिहित्तणालं णलिणम् ॥ २८ ॥
[भ्रमररुतदत्तसंज्ञं घनरोधविमुक्तदिनकरकराश्लिष्टम् ।
 स्पर्शसुखायमानमिव प्रतिबुध्यते जलनिहितनालं नलिनम् ॥]
The lotus with its stalk hidden in water which has been signaled by the sounds of bumble bees looks like being woken up pleased by the touch of the embracing rays of the sun free from the cloud coverings. [The poet suggests a parallel scene of a person being woken up by the pleasing touch of a friend.]    

मम्महधणुणिग्घोसो कमलवणक्खलि‍अलच्छिणे‍उरसद्दो ।
सुव्व‍इ कलहंसर‍ओ महु‍अरिवाहित्तणलिणिपडिसंला‍ओ ॥ २९ ॥
[ मन्मथधनुनिर्घोषः कमलवनस्खलितलक्ष्मीनूपुरशब्दः ।
 श्रूयते कलहंसरवो मधुकरीव्याहृतनलिनीप्रतिसंलापः ॥]
 The cackle of swans at night in the lakes appears like the twang of the bow of Love God Manmatha, like the sound of the anklets of Goddess Lakshmi who is leaving the lotuses which are closing shut and like the reply of the lake to the utterances of the bumble bees. [ The commentator takes pain to link up the various metaphors. But I have departed from his way as it looked less attractive and less natural.]


खुडिडप्प‍इ‍अमुणालं दहूण पि‍अं व सिढिलवल‍अं णलिणिम् ।
महु‍अरिमहुरुल्लावं महुम‍अतम्बं मुहं व घेप्प‍इ कमलम् ॥ ३० ॥
[ खण्डितोत्पाटितमृणालां दृष्ट्वा प्रियामिव शिथिलवलयां नलिनीम् ।
   मधुकरीमधुरोल्लापं मधुमयाताम्रं मुखमिव गृह्यते कमलम् ॥ ]

Lotus fibres have been cut and removed in the lake in the manner a lady is troubled by her lover. The borders of the lake have become loose. The red lotus in the lake which is plucked (by people) looks like the face of a lady which has become red on account of imbibing drinks and which has been held by a lover. The buzzing of bees look like the utterances of the lady. 
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Friday, October 4, 2013

Setubandham-4

सेतुबन्धम्-४
तं तिअसवन्दिमोक्खं समत्थतेल्लोक्कहिअ‍असल्लुद्धरणम् ।
सुणह अणुरा‍अ‍इण्हं  सीआदुक्ख‍अं दहमुहस्स वहम् ॥ १२ ॥
[तं त्रिदशबन्दिमोक्षं समस्तत्रैलोक्यहृदयशल्योद्धरणम् ।
शृणुतानुरागचिह्नं सीतादुःखक्षयं दशमुखस्य वधम् ]
Listen now to the famous story of slaying of Ravana, which enabled releasing of the imprisoned divine beings, which removed the heart’s anguish of all the three worlds, which dissipated the grief of Sita and which was an emblem of love.


अह पडिवण्णविरोहे रहववम्महसरेण माणब्भहिये ।
विद्धाइ वालिहिअए रा‍असिरीअ अहिसारिए सुग्गीवे ॥ १३ ॥
ववसाअरैपओसो रोसग‍इन्ददिढसिङ्खलापडिबन्धो ।
कह कह वि दासरहिणो ज‍अकेसरिपञ्जरो गओ घणसमओ ॥ १४ ॥
[अथ प्रतिपन्नविरोधे राघवमन्मथशरेण मानाभ्यधिके ।
विद्धया वालिहृदये राजश्रियाभिसारिते सुग्रीवे ॥
व्यवसायरविप्रदोषो रोषगजेन्द्रदृढशृङ्खलाप्रतिबन्धः ।
कथंकथमपि दाशरथेर्जयकेसरिपञ्जरो गतो घनसमयः ॥]
Having had an adversary (in Rama), when the Goddess of royal wealth residing in the exceedingly proud heart of Vali was hit by the arrow of Love God in the form of Rama, she departed to reside in Sugriva. Rama son of Dasaratha some how (with difficulty) spent the rainy days which happened to be night for the sun called Activity, which was a strong binding chain for the elephant called Anger of Rama and which was a cage for the Lion called Victory (of Rama). [ The poet imagines that the Rama’s arrow that hit Vali became an arrow of love that affected the Goddess of royal prosperity and made her fall in love with Sugriva. As no activity was possible in rainy days, they became night for the sun called Activity; Rama’s anger became like a chained elephant; Victory of Rama was like a caged lion.]     

गमिआ कलम्बवा‍आ दिट्टं मेहन्ध‍आरिअं ग‍अण‍अलम् ।
सहिओ गज्जिअसद्दो तह वि हु से णत्थि जीविए आसङ्घो ॥ १५ ॥
[गमिताः कदम्बवाता दृष्टं मेघान्धकारितं गगनतलम् ।
सोढो गर्जितशब्दस्तथापि खल्वस्य नास्ति जीवितेऽध्यवसायः ॥]
 Somehow the wind blowing through kadamba groves were tolerated; somehow the deep  dark skies of rainy season passed; somehow the roaring thunders were heard; Rama is still not determined whether to live.

A description of Autumn faced by Rama follows:
तो हरि व‍इजसवन्थो राहवजीवस्स पढमहत्थालम्बो ।
सीआबाहविहाओ दहमुहवज्झदिअहो उवगओ सरओ ॥ १६ ॥
[ ततो हरिपतियशःपथो राघवजीवस्य प्रथमहस्तालन्बः ।
सीताबाष्पविघातो दशमुखवध्यदिवस उपगता शरत् ॥]
Then came Autumn, which acted as a path to Sugriva’s fame, a first hand of support to the life of Rama, a cessation of Sita’s tears and the day of death for Ravana.

र‍इअरकेसरणिवहं धवलब्भदलसहस्सपरिगवम् ।
महुमहदंसणजोग्गं पि‍आमहुप्पत्तिपङ्क‍अं व णह‍अलम् ॥ १७ ॥
[रविकरकेसरनिवहं शोभते धवलाभ्रदलसहस्रपरिगतम् ।
मधुमथनदर्शनयोग्यं पितामहोत्पत्तिपङ्कजमिव नभस्तलम् ॥]
The sky looks resplendent like the lotus flower from which Brahma emanated and fit to be seen by Vishnu ( as he gets up from his sleep), the slayer of Madhu, with sun’s rays looking like stamens and thousands of white clouds looking like petals.

दिणमणिमोहप्फुरिअं गलिअं घणलच्छिर‍अणरसणादामम् ।
उदुम‍अणबाणवत्तं णहमन्दारणवकेसरं इन्दधणुम् ॥ १८ ॥
[दिनमणिमयूखस्फुरितं गलितं घनलक्ष्मीरसनादाम ।
ऋतुमदनबाणवक्त्रं नभोमन्दारनवकेसरमिन्द्रधनुः ॥]
The rainbow looks like the sparkling rays of day-gem (sun), a torn waist band of the lady called the cloud-lustre, the front of the bow of Love-god called Season and fresh stamens of the mandara flower called sky. 


धु‍अमेहमहु‍अरावो घणसमाआ‍अड्ढिओण‍अविमुक्काओ ।
णहपाअवसाहाओ णि‍अ‍अड्ढाणं व पडिग‍आओ दिसाओ ॥ १९ ॥
[धुतमेघमधुकरा घनसमयाकृष्टावनतविमुक्ताः ।
 नभःपादपशाखा निजकस्थानमिव प्रतिगता दिशः ॥]
It looks like the directions have returned to their original places like branches of the tree called sky, with bees called clouds being scattered while the rainy season pulled, bent and then released them. ( During the rainy season the directions look overhanging. After the rainy season has ceased the directions have returned to their original places like branches of a tree pulled, bent and then released!)

अहिणवणिद्धालो‍आ उद्देसासारदीसमाणजललवा ।
णिम्मा‍अमज्जणसुहा दरवसु‍आ‍अच्छविं वहन्ति व दि‍अहा ॥ २० ॥
[अभिनवस्निग्धालोका उद्देशासारदृश्यमानजललवाः ।
निर्मितमज्जनसुखा दरशुष्कच्छविं वहन्ति दिवसाः ॥]
Days display a slightly dry luster; sights are new and friendly; there are water drops to be seen at elevated places; it is pleasant to take a dive in water bodies.

सुहसंमाणिअणिद्दो वरकालुङ्खिअसमुद्ददिण्णुकण्ठो ।
असुवन्तो वि विबुद्धो प्रढमविबुद्धसिरिसेविओ महुमहणो ॥ २१ ॥
[सुखसम्मानितनिद्रो विरहस्पृष्टसमुद्रदत्तोत्कण्ठः ।
अस्वपन्नपि विबुद्धः प्रथमविबुद्धश्रीसेवितो मधुमथनः ॥]
Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu, got up after having been served by Lakshmi who had got up earlier and having enjoyed a pleasant rest although he did not sleep at all. The ocean is weary of his impending absence (as he has got up). [ The reference is to the legend that Vishnu who is lying down on the milky ocean gets up during autumn (on utthaanadvaadasi). Lakshmi is supposed to have got up earlier. The words used suggest that Rama has become ready to fight Ravana after having been saddened by the sight of Sita’s ring brought by Hanuman.]

सोह‍इ विसुद्धकिरणो ग‍अणसमुद्दम्मि र‍अणिवेलालग्गो ।
तारामुत्ताव‍अरो फुडविहडिअमेहसिप्पिसंपुडमुक्को ॥ २२ ॥
[शोभते विशुद्धकिरणो गगनसमुद्रे रजनिवेलालग्नः ।
तारामुक्तप्रकरः स्फुटविघटितमेघशुक्तिसंपुटमुक्तः ॥]
The sky is like an ocean where darkness of night acts as the seashore, the stars look like heaps of pearls and the clear separated patches of autumnal clouds look like pearl oysters scattered all over.

सत्तच्छाणञ् गन्धो लग्ग‍इ हिअए खल‍इ कलम्बामो‍ओ ।
कलहंसाणञ् कलरओ ठाइ ण संठाइ परिण‍अं सिहिव्रुअम् ॥ २३ ॥
[सप्तच्छदानां गन्धो लगति हृदये स्खलति कदम्बामोदः ।
कलहंसानां कलरवस्तिष्ठति न संतिष्ठते परिणतं शिखिविरुतम् ॥]

The fragrance of saptaparna trees is pleasant (being seasonal); the smell of kadamba flowers does not appeal, (being non-seasonal); The cackling of swans is pleasant, while the sound of peacocks is not so, being non-seasonal. 
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