Chapter 20 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 20

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 20.11

पश्य तावन्महाबाहो राक्षसेश्वर मानुषम्। मूढमेवं विचित्रार्थं यस्य न ज्ञायते गतिः॥ क्वचिद्वादित्रनृत्यादि सेव्यते मुदितैर्जनैः। रुद्यते चापरैरातैर्धाराश्रुनयनाननैः॥

paśya tāvanmahābāho rākṣaseśvara mānuṣam| mūḍhamevaṃ vicitrārthaṃ yasya na jñāyate gatiḥ|| kvacidvāditranṛtyādi sevyate muditairjanaiḥ| rudyate cāparairātairdhārāśrunayanānanaiḥ||

English Meaning

O mighty-armed one, o lord of Rākşasas, behold man, albeit having their sense stupified, engaged in the pursuit of various interests, and themselves not understanding their own ways;* some pass their time merrily with dancing and playing on musical instruments while others weep distressfully with tears streaming from their eyes down their cheeks. *Gati, according to the commentator, means the time of employment and suffering. I think the ordinary meaning answers, and give it accordingly.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)