Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Yuddha Kanda (Book 6 ) Sarga 9 to 15

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,   

Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 9

Introduction

Restraining the demons, who were boasting of their own strength, Vibhishana starts to speak words of morality and requests Ravana to restore Seetha to Rama. After hearing Vibhishana’s words, Ravana retires to his own palace.

tato nikumbho rabhasaH suurya shatrur mahaabalaH |
suptaghno yaj~na kopaH ca mahaapaarshvo mahaauaraH || 6-9-1
agni ketuH ca durdharSo rashmi ketuH ca raakSasaH |
indrajic ca mahaatejaa balavaan raavaNa aatmajaH || 6-9-2
prahasto atha viruupa akSo vajra damSTro mahaabalaH |
dhuumra akSaH ca atikaayaH ca durmukhaH caiva raakSasaH || 6-9-3
parighaan paTTasaan praasaan shakti shuula parashvadhaan |
caapaani ca sabaaNaani khaDgaamH ca vipulaan shitaan || 6-9-4
pragR^ihya parama kruddhaaH samutpatya ca raakSasaaH |
abruvan raavaNam sarve pradiiptaa iva tejasaa || 6-9-5

1-5. tataH= then; nikumbhaH= Nikumbha; rabhasaH= Rabhasa; mahaabalaH= exceedingly strong; suurya shatruH= Suryasatru; suptaghnaH= Suptaghna; yaj~na kopaH= Yajnakopa; mahaapaarsva mahodarau= Mahaparsva and Mahodara; durdharshhaH= the unconquerable raakSasaaH= demons; agniketuH ca= Agniketu and; rashmiketuH ca= Rasmiketu; tataH= then; balavaan= pweful; mahaatejaa= and endowed with great energy; raavaNaatmajaH= son of Ravana; indrajichya= Indrajit; athaH= and; prahasthaH= Prahasta; viruupaakSaH; Virupaksha; mahaabalaH= the extraordinarily strong; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamstra; dhuumraakSashcha= Dhumraksha; atikaayashcha= Atikaya; raakSasaH= and the demon; durmukhashchaiva= named Durmukha; pragR^ihya= carrying; pathishaan= iron clubs; parighaan= sharp-edged spears; shuulaan= spikes; praasaan= darts; shaktiparashvathaan= javelins and axes; chaapaani= bows; sabaaNaani= with excellent arrows; khadgaamshcha= and swords; vipulaambubhaan= shining like a vast expanse of water; sarve= who were all; parama kruddhaaH= extremely enraged; pradiiptaaH iva= flaming as it were; tejasaaH= with glory; raakSasaaH= (those)demons; samutpatya= rose up abruvan= (and) spoke; raavaNam= to Ravana (as follows).

Then, Nikumbha, Rabhasa, the exceedingly strong Surya satru, Suptaghna, Yaj~akopa, Mahaparsva and Mahodara, the unconquerable demons Agniketu and Rasmiketu, then the powerful son of Ravana named Indrajit endowed with great energy, Prahasta and Virupaksha, Vajradamstra who was extraordinarily strong, Dhumarksha and Atikaya and the demon by name Durmukha, carrying iron clubs, sharp-edged spears, spikes, darts, javelins and axes, bows with excellent arrows and swords shining like a vast expanse of water, and who were all extremely enraged, and flaming as it were with glory, those demons rose up and spoke to Ravana (as follows).

adya raamam vadhiSyaamaH sugriivam ca salakSmaNam |
kR^ipaNam ca hanuumantam la.nkaa yena pradharSitaa || 6-9-6

6. adya= now itself; vadhiSyaamaH= we shall kill; raamam= Rama; sahalakSmaNam= along with Lakshmana; sugriivam ca= and Sugreeva; kR^ipaNam= and the pitiable; hanuumantam= Hanuma; yena= by whom; la.nkaa=Lanka; pradharSitaa= was attacked.

“Now itself, we shall kill Rama along with Lakshmana and Sugreeva as well as the pitiable Hanuma by whom Lanka was attacked.”

taan gR^ihiita aayudhaan sarvaan vaarayitvaa vibhiiSaNaH |
abraviit praanjalir vaakyam punaH pratyupaveshya taan || 6-9-7

7. vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; vaarayitvaa= restraining, taan sarvaan= all those; gR^ihiita aayudhaan= who were made to seize weapons; pratyupaveshya= were made to sit again; abraviit= and spoke; vaakyam= (these) words; praanjaliH= with joined palms.

Vibhishana (Ravana’s youngest half-brother) restraining all those who were made to seize weapons, were made to sit again by saluting them with joined palms and spoke as follows:

api upaayais tribhis taata yo arthaH praaptum na shakyate |
tasya vikrama kaalaams taan yuktaan aahur maniiSiNaH || 6-9-8

8. taata= dear brother; yaH= which; arthaH= act; na shakyate= cannot; praaptum= be accomplished; tribhiH= by three; upaayais api= strategies too; tasya= that act; aahuH= is said; yuktaan= to be suitable; nikramakaalaan= occasion for displaying prowess maniiSiNaH= by wise men.

“Dear brother! That act which cannot be accomplished by three well-known strategies (viz . conciliation, gift and sowing dissention) , is only then to be accomplished by exhibiting prowess, as stated by wise men.”

pramatteSv abhiyukteSu daivena prahateSu ca |
vikramaas taata sidhyanti pariikSya vidhinaa kR^itaaH || 6-9-9

9. taata= Oh , brother; pramatteSu= in respect of indifferent people; abhiyukteShu= in those who have been attacked by an enemy; prahateSu ca= in those who were struck down; daivena= by fate; vikramaaH= the gallantries; kR^itaH= performed; vidhinaa= according to precept; pariikSya= after being examined carefully; sidhyanti= succeed.

“The gallantries performed according to the prescribed precept, after being tested, O dear brother, only succeed against those who are indifferent, who have been already attacked by an enemy or who stand struck down by fate.”

apramattam katham tam tu vijigiiSum bale sthitam |
jita roSam duraadharSam pradharSayitum icchatha || 6-9-10

10. katham= how; icchatha= do you wish; dharSayitum= to attack; tam= that famous; tam= Rama; apramattam= who is attentive; vijigiiSum= who has subdued his anger; duraadharSam= and who is difficult to be conquered.

“How do you wish to attack that famous Rama, who is always attentive, who has a will to conquer, who is established in strength, who has subdued his anger and who is difficult to be conquered.”

samudram langhayitvaa tu ghoram nada nadii patim |
kR^itam hanumataa karma duSkaram tarkayeta kaH || 6-9-11

11. kaH= who; vidyaat= can know; tarkayeta vaa= or even imagine; loke= in the world; hanumataH= Hanuma’s; gatim= speed; langhayitvaa= in crossing; ghoram= the formidable; samudram= ocean; nada nadii patim= the lord of streams and rivers?

“Who can conceive or even imagine in this world, that Hanuma’s speed in crossing the formidable ocean, which is the lord of streams and rivers?”

balaani aparimeyaani viiryaaNi ca nishaa caraaH |
pareSaam sahasaa avaj~naa na kartavyaa kathamcana || 6-9-12

12. nishaacaraaH= O, demons; balaani= the strength; viiryaaNi ca= and the abilities; pareSaam= of the enemies; aparimeyaani= are difficult to be measured; na kartavyaa= they cannot be treated; avajJNyaa= with contempt; sahasaa= hastily; kathamcana= by any means.

“O, demons! The strength and the abilities of the enemies are difficult to be measured. They cannot be treated with contempt hastily by any means.”

kim ca raakSasa raajasya raameNa apakR^itam puraa |
aajahaara jana sthaanaad yasya bhaaryaam yashasvinaH || 6-9-13

13. kim= what; apakR^itam= offence (was done); puraa= earlier; raakSasaraajasya= to the king of demons; yashashvinaH= by the illustrious; raameNa= Rama; yasya= whose; bhaaryaam= wife; aajahaara= (he) bore away; janasthaanaat= firm janasthana?”

“What offence was done earlier to the king of demons by the illustrious Rama, whose wife that he bore away from Janasthana?”

kharo yadi ativR^ittas tu raameNa nihato raNe |
avashyam praaNinaam praaNaa rakSitavyaa yathaa balam || 6-9-14

14. kharaH= Khara; ativR^ittaH= who has gone beyond his limits; nihataH yadi= was of course killed; raameNa= by Rama; raNe= in an encounter; praaNaaH= lives; avashyam= certainly; rakSitavyaaH= are to be protected; yathaa balam= according to one’s own strength; praaNinaam= by living beings.”

“Khara, who has gone beyond limits, was of course killed by Rama in an encounter. Lives are certainly to be protected, according to one’s own strength, by living beings.”

etan nimittam vaidehii bhayam naH sumahad bhavet |
aahR^itaa saa parityaajyaa kalaha arthe kRte na kim || 6-9-15

15. etan nimittam= for this reason; sumahat= a very great; vaidehii bhayam= danger because of Seetha; bhavet= will occur; naH= to us; saa= she; aahR^itaa= who was brought; parityaajyaa= is to be given up; kim= what is the use; kR^ite na= in doing anything; kalaha arthe= with an animosity as an end?.

“For this reason, a very great danger because of Seetha will occur to us. She, who was brought here, is to be given away. What is the use in doing anything, with an animosity as an end?”

na naH kSamam viiryavataa tena dharma anuvartinaa |
vairam nirarthakam kartum diiyataam asya maithilii || 6-9-16

16. na naH kSamam= It is not appropriate; kartum= to make; vairam= enmity; nirarthakam= uselessly; tena= with Rama; viiryavataa= who is valiant; dharma anuvartinaa= and who follows; righteousness= maithilii= (let) Seetha; diiyataam= be given away; asya= to him.

“It is not appropriate to make enmity uselessly with Rama, who is valiant and who follows righteousness. Let Seetha be given away to him.”

yaavan sagajaam saashvaam bahu ratna samaakulaam |
puriim daarayate baaNair diiyataam asya maithilii || 6-9-17

17. yaavan= before; puriim= the city of Lanka; sagajaam= along with elephants; saashvaam= with horses; bahu ratna samaakulaam= and filled with many riches; daarayate= are shattered; maithilii= (let) Seetha; diiyataam= be given away; asya= to him.

"Before the City of Lanka with its elephants, horses and many riches are shattered by arrows, let Seetha be given away to him.”

yaavat sughoraa mahatii durdharSaa hari vaahinii |
na avaskandati no la.nkaam taavat siitaa pradiiyataam || 6-9-18

18. na yaavat taavat= not so long as; mahatii= the huge; harivaahinii= army of monkeys; sughoraa= which is very dangerous; durdharSaa= and unconquerable; naavaskandati= attacks; naH= our; la.nkaam= Lanka; siitaa= (let) Seetha; pradiiyataam= be given away.

“Not so long as the huge army of monkeys which is very dangerous and unconquerable attacks our Lanka, let Seetha be given away.”

vinashyedd hi purii la.nkaa shuuraaH sarve ca aakSasaaH |
raamasya dayitaa patnii na svayam yadi diiyate || 6-9-19

19. dayitaa= (If) the beloved; patnii= wife; raamasya= of Rama; na diiyate yadi= is not given away; svayam= of your own accord; la.nkaa purii= the City of Lanka; vinshyet hi= will indeed; perish; sarve= all; shuuraaH= the valiant; raakSasaashca= demons too(will perish).

“If the beloved wife of Rama is not given away of your own accord, the city of Lanka will indeed perish. All our valiant demons too will Perish.”

prasaadaye tvaam bandhutvaat kuruSva vacanam mama |
hitam pathyam tv aham bruumi diiyataam asya maithilii || 6-9-20

20. prasaadaye= I am propitiating; tvaam= you; bandhutvaat= because of my relationship; kuruSva= act on; mama= my; vachanam= words; aham= I; bruumi= am telling; hitam= the beneficial; tvaham tu= and the truthful (word); maithilii= (let) Seetha; diiyataam= be given away; asya= to him.

“I am propitiating you because of my relationship. Act on my words. I am telling you beneficial as well as truthful word. Let Seetha be given away to him.”

puraa sharat suurya mariicci samnibhaan |
nava agra punkhaan sudR^iDhaan nR^ipa aatmajaH |
sR^ijati amoghaan vishikhaan vadhaaya te |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-9-21

21. puraa= before; nR^ipa aatmajaH= Rama the prince; sR^ijati= discharges; te vadhaaya te= for your destruction; sudR^iDhaan= very strong; vishikhaan= arrows; sharat suurya mariicci samnibhaan= equal to the rays of autumnal sun; nava agra punkhaan- provided with new heads and shafts; amoghaan= which are unfailing; maithilii= (let) Seetha; pradiiyataam= be given away; daasharathaaya= to Rama.

“Before Rama the prince discharges for your destruction, very strong and unfailing arrows equal to the rays of autumnal sun and provided with new heads and shafts, let Seetha be given away to Rama.”

tyajasva kopam sukha dharma naashanam |
bhajasva dharmam rati kiirti vardhanam |
prasiida jiivema saputra baandhavaaH |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-9-22

22. tyaja= abandon; aashu= soon; kopam= anger; sukha dharma naashanam= which destroys; happiness and piety; bhajasva= resort to; dharmam= righteousness; rati kiirti vardhanam= which augments joy and fame; prasiida= become placid; jiivema= we shall live; saputra baandhavaaH=with our sons and relatives; maithilii= (let) Seetha; pradiiyataam= be given away; daasharathaaya= to Rama.

“Abandon soon your anger, which destroys happiness and piety. Resort to righteousness, which augments joy and fame. Become placid so that we may live with our sons and relatives. Let Seetha be given away to Rama.”

vibhiiSaNavacaH shrutvaa raavaNo raakSaseshvaraH |
visarjayitvaa taan sarvaan praivesha svakam gR^iham || 6-9-23

23. shrutvaa= having; vibhiiSaNaH vachaH= Vibhishana’s words; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH= the king of demons; visarjayitvaa= left; sarvaan= all; taan= of them; pravivesha= and entered; svakam= his own; gR^iham= house.

After hearing Vibhishana’s words, Ravana the king of demons left all of them and entered his own palace.

ityaarSe shriimadraamayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe navamaH sargaH

Thus completes 9th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 10

Introduction

Vibhishana, the half-brother of Ravana, lists out bad omens occurring in the city and in the gynaeceum and advises Ravana to restore Seetha to Rama as an atonement t these evil forces. Ravana turns a deaf ear to Vibhishana’s counsel and sends him away

tataH pratyuSasi praapte praaptadharmaarthanishchayaH |
raakSasaadhipaterveshma bhiimakarmaa vibhiiSaNaH || 6-10-1

1. tataH= thereafter; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; praapta dharmaartha nishcayaH= who arrived at a settlement about virtue, pleasure and wealth; bhiimakarmaa= and who was terrible in his act; praapte= on arrival of; pratyuSasi= the dawn; veshma= (entered) the palace; raakSasaadhipateH= of Ravana.

Vibhishana, who always arrived at a settlement in matters of virtue, pleasure and wealth and who was terrible in his act, on arrival of the dawn, entered the palace of Ravana.

shailaagracayasamkaasham shailashR^ij~gamivonnatam |
suvibhaktamahaakakSam mahaajanaparigraham || 6-10-2

2. shailaagracayasankaasham= looking like a multitude of mountain-tops; unnatam= elevated; shaila shR^ingamiva= like a mountain-peak; suvibhakta mahaakakSam= well-divided into large apartments mahaajana parigraham= occupied by eminent men.

Ravana’s palace was looking like a mass of rocks, elevated like a mountain-peak, well-divided into spacious apartments and occupied by eminent men.

matimadbhirmahaamaatrairanurakairadhiSThitam |
raakSasairaaptaparyaaptaih sarvataH parirakSitam || 6-10-3

3. adhiSThitam= It was inhabited; mahaamatraiH= by prime ministers; matimadbhiH= who were intelligent; anuraktaiH= and beloved; parirakSitam= It was guarded; sarvataH= on all sides; raakSasaiH= by demons; aapta paryaaptaiH= who were trust-worthy and efficient.

It was inhabited by prime ministers, who were intelligent and beloved. It was guarded on all sides by demons, who were trust worthy and efficient.

mattamaataj~ganiHshvaasairvyaakuliikR^itamaarutam |
shaj~khaghoSamahaaghoSam tuuryasambaadhanaaditam || 6-10-4

4. matta maatamga niHshvaasaiH= by the sighing breaths of elephants in rut; vyaakuliikR^ita maarutam= the air was filled; shaNkha ghoSa mahaaghoSam= with a tumultuous noise produced by the sounds of couches; tuurya sambaadha naaditaam= made to resound, by a set of musical instruments.

The air was filled with the sighing breaths of elephants in rut, with tumultuous noise produced by the blowing of conches and made to resound by an ensemble of musical instruments.

pramadaajanasambaadham prajalpitamahaapatham |
taptakaaJNcananiryuuham bhuuSaNottamabhuuSitam || 6-10-5

5 pramadaajana sambaadhaam= filled with women-folk; prajalpita mahaapatham= with principal pasaages having spoken words; taptakaaNcana niryuuham= with turrets made of pure gold; bhuuSaNottama bhuuSitam= adorned with excellent decorations.

The palace was filled with a number of women-folk. It was having principal passages in which spoken words were heard. It was having turrets made of pure gold and adorned with excellent decors.

gandharvaaNaamivaavaasamaalayam marutaamiva |
ratnasamcayasambaadham bhavanam bhoginaamiva || 6-10-6

6 aavaasam iva= It was like an abode; gandharvaaNaam= of Gandharvas; aalayam iva= like a palace marutaam= of Marus; ratna samhaya sambaadhaam= filled with a collection of jewels; bhavanam iva= resembling a house; bhoginaam= of serpents.

The palace was like an abode of Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and of Maruts (strom-gods) filled with a collection of jewels resembling a house of Nagas (serpent-gods).

tam mahaabhramivaaditya stejovistR^itarashmimaan |
agrajasyaalayam viiraH pravivesha mahaadyutiH || 6-10-7

7. viiraH= the valiant Vbhishana; mahaadyutiH= with great splendour; pravivesha= entered; tam aalayam= that mansion; agrajasya= of his elder brother, Ravana, mahaabhramiva= like a large cloud; aadityaH= by Sun; tejovistR^ita rashmimaan= with rays outstretched with splendour.

The valiant Vibhishana with great splendour entered that mansion of his elder brother, Ravana, like the sun with rays outstretched with splendour entering a big cloud.

puNyaan puNyaahaghoSaamshcha vedividbhirudaahR^itaan |
shushraava sumahaatejaa bhraaturvijayasamshritaan || 6-10-8

8. sumahaatejaaH= Vibhishana, with very great radiance; shushraava ca= heard; puNyaan= the auspicious; puNyaaha ghoSaan= sounds of felicitous recital of prayers; udaahR^itaam= uttered; vedavidbhiH= by the knowers of Veda; vijaya samshritaan= relating to victory; bhraatuH= of his brother.

Vibhishana with great radiance, heard the auspicious sounds of felicitous recital of prayers uttered by the knowers of Vedas (scriptural texts), wishing for the victory of his brother.

puujitaan dadhipaatraishca sarpirbhiH sumanokSataiH |
mantravedavido vipraan dadarsha sa mahaabalaH || 6-10-9

9. saH= he; mahaabalaH= with great strength; dadarsha= saw; vipraan= Brahmins; mantra veda vidaH= who knew Mantras (sacred texts) and Brahmanas; puujitaan= respected and offered with; dadhipaatraishca= pots filled with curd; sarpirbhiH= with clarified butter; sumanokSataiH= with flowers and unbroken grains of rice.

Vibhishana of great strength, saw Brahmins who know Mantras (sacred texts) and Brahmanas, respected and offered with pots filled of curd, clarified butter as well as with flowers and unbroken rice.

sa puujyamaano rakSobhiddiipyamaanam svatejasaa |
asavastham mahaabaahurvavande dhanadaanujam || 6-10-10

10. mahaabaahuH= the mighty armed; saH= Vibhishana; puujyamaanaH= being adored; rakSobhiH= by demons; diipyamaanam= and shining; svategasaa= by his own splendour; vavande= offered salutation; dhanadaanuham= to Ravana the younger brother Kubera (Lord of riches), aasanastham= who was on the throne.

The mighty armed Vibhishana, being adored by the deomons and shining by his own splendour, offered salutation to Ravana the younger brother of Kubera (the lord of riches), who occupied the throne.

sa raajadR^iSTisampannamaasanam hemabhuuSitam |
jagaama samudaacaaram prayujyaacaarakovidaH || 6-10-11

11. prayujya= employing; samudaacaaram= customary formalities; saH= Vibhishana; aachara kovidaH= who knew the code of conduct; jagaama= obtained; aasanam= a seat; hemabhuuSitam= adorned with gold; raaja dR^iSTi sampannam= endowed to him by a glance of the king.

Practicing customary formalities, Vibhishana who knew the code of conduct, obtained a seat adorned with gold, as endowed to him by a glance of the king.

sa raavaNam mahaatmaanam vijane mantrisamnidhau |
uvaaca hitamatyartham vacanam hetunishchitam || 6-10-12

12. mantra samnidhau= in the presence of ministers, vijane= and in privation; saH= Vibhishana; uvaacha= spoke; raavaNam= to Ravana; mahaatmaanam= the powerful; vachanam= the words; hetunishcitam= convinced of reason; atyartham= and very much; hitam= beneficial.

In the presence of ministers and in privation, Vibhishana spoke to powerful Ravana the words convinced of reason and which were very much beneficial.

prasaadya bhraataram jyeSTham saantvenopasthitakramaH |
deshakaalaarthasamvaadi dR^iSTalokaparaavaH || 6-10-13

13. dR^iSTa lokaparaaparaH= Vibhishana, who could behold good and evil things in the world; prasaadya= having sought the favour; jyeSTham bhraataram= from his elder (half-) brother, saantvenaa= by means of soothing words; upasthita kramaH= arranged in order; deshakaalartha samvaadi= spoke in consonance with place, time and purpose.

Vibhishana, who could discriminate between good and evil things in the world, having sought the favour from his eldest (half-) brother by means of soothing words arranged in an order, spoke in consonance with place, time and purpose.

yadaa prabhR^iti vaidehii sampraapteha paratapa |
tadaa prabhR^iti dR^ishyante nimittaanyashubhaani naH || 6-10-14

14. paramtapa= O, annihilator of enemies; yadaa prabhR^iti= since when; vaidehii= Seetha; sampraaptaa= came; iha= here; tadaa prabhR^iti= since then; ashubhaani= inauspicious; nimittaani= omnes; dR^ishyante= are being seen; naH= by us.

“O, annihilator of enemies! We are seeing inauspicious omens, since Seetha arrived here.”

sasphulij~gaH sadhuumaarcih sadhuumakaluSodayaH |
mantrasamghahuto.apyagnirna samyagabhivardhate || 6-10-15

15. mantra samghahutaH api= even if the sacrificial fire is fed with oblations while uttering a set of proper Mantras (scared texts); agniH= the fire; naabhivardhate= is not flaring up; samyak= well; sasphuliN^gaH= with rising sparks; sadhuumaarahiH= with flames containing smoke; sadhuumakaluSodayaH= cming forth polluted with soot.

“Even if the sacrificial fire is fed with oblations while uttering a proper set of Mantras (Spiritual texts), the fire is not flaring up well, emitting sparks, its flames are enveloped in smoke and are coming forth, polluted with soot.”

agniSTheSvagnishaalaasu tathaa brahmasthaliiSu ca |
pariipR^ipaaNi dR^ishyante havyeSu ca pipiilikaaH || 6-10-16

16. sariisR^ipaaNi= serpents; dR^ishyanti= are seen; agniSTheSu= at the corner of the sacrificial post which is nearest the fires; agnishaalaasu= in houses keeping sacrificial fire; tathaa= and; brahma sthaliiSu ca= in places where sacred studies are made; pipiilikaaH= ants (are seen); havyeSu= in things to be offered as oblations.

“Serpents are seen at the corner of the sacrificial post which is nearest the fire, also in houses keeping sacrificial fire and in places where sacred studies are made. Ants are seen in things to be offered as oblations.”

gavaam payaamsi skannaani vimadaa varakuJNjaraaH |
diinamashvaaH praheSante na ca graasaabhinandinaH || 6-10-17

17. payaamsi= milk; gavaam= of cows; skannaani= is getting curdled; varakuNjaraaH= excellent elephants; vimadaaH= are bereft of rut; ashraaH=horses; praheSante= are neighing, diinam= miserably; na ca= and not; graasaabhinanditaH= rejoicing at grass.

“Cow’s milk is getting curdled. Excellent elephants are bereft of rut. Horses are neighing miserably and are not rejoiced in eating grass.”

kharoSTraashvataraa raajanbhinnromaaH sravanti ca |
na svabhaave.avatiSThante vidhaanairapi cintataaH || 6-10-18

18. raajan= O, king; kharoSTraashvataraaH= donkeys, camels and mules; sravantica= shed tears; bhinna romaaH= losing their hair; chintitaaH.api= and even if treated vidhaanaiH= as per medical procedures; na avatiSThante= do not stand; svabhaave= to their nature.

“O, king! Donkeys, camels and mules shed tears, losing their hair and even if treated asper medical procedures are not getting cured.”

vaayasaaH saghashaH kruuraa vyaaharanti samantataH |
samavetaashca dR^ishyante vimaanaagreSu samghashaH || 6-10-19

19.kruuraaH vaayasaaH= crows; samghashaH= in flocks; vyaaharanti= are crying; kruuraaH= crudly; samastataH= from all sides; dR^shyante= are being seen; samghashaH= in crowds; samavetaaH= assembled together; vimanaagreSu= on house-tops.

“Crows in flocks are crying cruelly from all sides and are seen in crowds assembled together on house-tops.”

gR^idhraashca pariliiyante puriimupari piNDitaaH |
upapannaashca samdhye dve vyaaharantyashivam shivaaH || 6-10-20

20. gR^idhraashca= vultures; pariliiyante= fly to and from paripiNDitaaH= in circles; puriimupari= over the city; shivaaH= jackals; vyaaharanti= are crying; ashivam= inauspiciously; upasannaaH= at the approach; dve sandhye= of both dawn and dusk.

“Vultures fly to and fro in circles over the city. Jackals are crying inauspiciously at the approach of both dawn and the dusk.”

kravyaadaanaam mR^igaaNaam ca puriidvaareSu saj~ghashaH |
shruuyante vipulaa ghoSaaH savisphuurjitaniHsvanaaH || 6-10-21

21. puriidvaareSu= at city-gates; shruuyante= are heard; vipulaaH= loud; ghoSaaH= cries; kravyaadaanaam= of carnivorons; mR^igaaNaam= animals; saNghashaH= gathered in groups; savisphuurjita niHsvanaaH= with thundering noise.

“At city-gates are heard loud cries of carnivorous animals gathered in groups, with thundering noise.”

tadevam prastute kaarte praayashcittamidam kSamam |
rocaye viira vaidehii raaghavaaya pradiiyataam || 6-10-22

22. viira= O, brave man; tat= hence; kaarye= (when) the actions of evil forces; prastute= are happening; evam= in this way; idam= this; praayashcittam= atonement; kSama= is appropriate; rocaye= I like it; vaidehi= (that) Seetha; pradiiyataam= be given away; raaghavaaya= to Rama.

“O, brave man! Hence, when the actions of evil forces are happening in this way, this atonement is appropriate that Seetha be given away to Rama and I like it.”

idam ca yadi vaamohaallobhaadvaa vyaahR^itam mayaa |
tatraap ca mahaaraaja na doSam kartumarhasi || 6-10-23

23. mahaaraja= O, emperor; mayaa vyahR^itam yadi= if I am speaking; idam= this; mohaadvaa= because of infatuation; lobhaadvaa= or greed; tatraapi= in that case also; naarhasi= you ought not; kartum= to find; doSam= fault (with me).

“O, emperor! If I am speaking this because of infatuation or greed, in that case also, you ought not to find fault with me.”

ayam hi doSaH sarvasya janasyaapyopalakSyate |
rakSasaam raakSasiinaam ca purasyaantaH purasya ca || 6-10-24

24. ayam= these; doSaH= bad omens; upalakSyate hi= are being seeing indeed; rakSasaam= by demons; raakSasiinaamca= by lady-demons; purasya= of the city; antaHpuraasya= and of the gynaeceum; sarvasya= and all; asya= these; janasya= people.

“These bad omens are being seen indeed by demons and lady-demons of the city and of the gynaeceum as well as all these people here.”

praapaNe caasya mantrasya nivR^ittaaH sarvamantriNaH |
avashyam ca mayaa vaacyam yaddR^iSTamathavaa shrutam || 6-10-25
samvidhaaya yathaanyaayam tadbhavaan kartumarhati |

25. sarva mantriNaH= all the ministers; nivR^ittaaH= have abstained; praapaNe= to pass; asya= this; mantrasya= counsel; yat= whatever; dR^iSTam= is seen; athavaa= or; shrutam= heard (it); vaacyam= is to be told; avashyam= surely; mayaa= by me; tat= hence, bhavaan= you; arhati= ought; kartum= to do; yathaanyaayam= according to fitness of things; samvidhaaya= for the occasion.

“All your ministers have abstained to pass this counsel to you. Whatever is seen or heard, it is to be told certainly by me. Hence, you ought to do according to a justification of things for the occasion.”

iti svamantriNaam madhye bhraataa bhraataramuucivaan || 6-10-26
raavaNam rakSasaam shreSTham pathyametadvibhiiSaNaH |

26. vibhishaNaH= Vibhishana; bhraataa= (the half-)brother; uucivaan= spoke; iti= these; pathyam= beneficial; etat= words; raavaNam= to Ravana; rakSasaam shreSTham= the best among demons; svamantriNaam= in the midst of ministers; bhraataram= of his (half-) brother

Vibhishana, the half- bother spoke these beneficial words to Ravana, the best among demons in the midst of his half-brother’s ministers.

hitam mahaartham maR^idu hetusamhitam |
vyatiitakaalaayatisampratikSamam |
nishamya tadvaakyamupasthitajvaraH |
prasaj~gavaanuttarameta dabraviit || 6-10-27

27. prasaNgavaan= Ravana, who had evil inclination; nishamya= heard; tat= those; vaakyam= words; hitam= which were beneficial; mahaartam= very well-meaning; mR^idu= soft; hetusamhitam= conformable to reason; vyatiitakaalaayati sampratikSamam= and suitable for the past future and the present times, upasthitajvaraH= got enraged; abraviit= uttered; etat= this; uttaram= reply.

Ravana, who had evil inclination, heard those words, which were beneficial very well-meant, soft, conformable to reason and suitable for the past future and present times, got enraged and uttered this reply.

bhayam na pashyaami kutashcidapyaham |
na raaghavaH praapsyati jaatu maithiliim |
suraiH sahendrairapi samgare katham |
mamaagrataH sthaasyati lakSmaNaagrajaH || 6-10-28

28. na pashyaami= I do not see; bhayam= fear; bhayam= fear; kutashchidapi= from whom so ever; raamaH= Rama; napraapsyati= cannot obtain; maithiliim= Seetha; jaatu= by any means; katham= how; lakshmaNaagrajaH= Rama; sthaasyati= can stand; agrataH= before me; sangare= in battle; shendraiH= even along with Indra; surairapi= together with celestials also?

“I do not see any fear from whom so ever. Rama cannot obtain Seetha by any means. How Rama even along with Indra and the celestials can stand before me in battle?”

ityevamukrvaa surasainyanaashano |
mahaabalaH samyati caNDavikramaH |
dashaanano bhraataramaaptavaadinam |
visarjayaamaasa tadaa vibhiiSaNam || 6-10-29

29. dasgaababaH= Ravana; surasainya raashanaH= who annihilates the army of celestials; mahaabalaH= (and) very powerful; chaNDavikramaH= with an impetuous valour; ityevam= thus; uktvaa= spoke; tadaa= then; visarjayaamaasa= sent away; vibhiiSaNam= Vibhishana; aaptavaadinam= who spoke honestly.

Ravana, who annihilated the army of celestials and who was very powerful with an impetuous valour, thus spoke and then sent away Vibhishana, who had spoken honestly.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe dashamaH sargaH

Thus completes 10th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 11

Introduction

Ravana goes again to the assembly hall, to hold consultations with his ministers, othere important demons and Vibhishana

sa babhuva kR^isho raajaa maithiliikaamamohitaH |
asanmaanaachcha suhR^idaam paapaH paapena karmaNaaH || 6-11-1

1. saH= that; paapaH= sinful; raajaa= king of demons; maithiliikaamamohitaH= infatuated by his desire for Seetha; babhuuva= became; kR^ishaH= emaciated; asanmaanaacca= despising; suhR^idaam= the kind-hearted; paapena karmaNaa= and by his sinful action.

That sinful Ravana, infatuated by his desire for Seetha, became emaciated by his sinful action and by his despising of well-disposed people like Vibhishana.

atiitasamaye kaale tasminve yudhi raavaNaH |
amaatyaishcha suhR^idbhishca praaptakaalamamanyata || 6-11-2

2. tasmi= that; kaale=occasion; yudhi= for war; vai= indeed; atiita samaye= having gone by; raavama= Ravana; amanyata= thought of consultation with; amaatyaishcha= his ministers and; suhR^idbhishca= well-wishers; praapta kaale= to be a fit-time.

Though the occasion for war was lacking Ravana thought of consulting with his ministers and well-wishers then to be a fit time.

sa hemajaalavitatam maNividrumabhuuSitam |
upagamya viniitaashvamaaruroha mahaartham || 6-11-3

3. upagamya= approaching; mahaaratham= a great chariot; hemajaalavitatam= covered by a golden net; maNividruma bhuushhitam= adorned with gems and corals; viniitaashvam= and tied with trained horses; saH= he; aaruruha= ascended (it).

Approaching a great chariot, covered by a golden net, adorned with gems and corals and yoked with trained horses, Ravana mounted on it.

tamaasthaaya rathashreSTho mahaameghasamasvanam |
prayayau rakshasaam shreSTho dashagriivaH sabhaam prati || 6-11-4

4. dashagriivaH= Ravana; shreSThaH= the excellent; rakSasaam= among demons; aasthaaya= mounted; tam= that; rathashreSTham= most beautiful chariot; mahaameghasmasvanam= with a rattling sound resembling the rumbling of a large cloud; prayayau= and preceeded; sabhaam prati= towards the assembling hall.

Ravana the excellent among demons ascended that most beautiful chariot, with a rattling sound resembling the rumbling of a large cloud and then proceeded towards the assembly-hall.

asicharmadharaa yodhaaH sarvaayudhadharaastataH |
raakshasaa raakshasendrasya purastaatsampratasthire || 6-11-5

5. tataH= then; yodhaaH= warriors; as carmadharaaH= holding swords and shields; raakSasaaH= and demons; sarvaayudhadharaaH= wearing all tpes of weapons; sampratasthire= marched; purastaat= in front; raakSasendrasya= of that king of demons.

Warriors holding swords and shield as well as demons wearing all types of weapons, marched in front of Ravana.

naanaavikR^itaveSaashcha naanaabhuuSaNabhuuSitaaH |
paarshvataH pR^iSThatashchainam parivaarya yayustadaa || 6-11-6

6. naanaa vikR^ita veSaashca= 9demons) wearing all types of unusual dresses; naanaabharaNa bhuushhitaaH= and adoring various kinds of jewellery; tadaa= then; yayuH= marched; parivaarya= surrounding; enam= him; paarshvataH= from sides; pR^iSThatashcaiva= and even from behind.

Demons wearing all types of unusual dresses and adoring various kinds of jewellery then marched, duly surrounding him from sides and even behind.

rathaishcaatirathaa shiighram mataishca varavaaraNaiH |
amaatpeturdashagriivamaakriiDadbhishcha vaajibhiH || 6-11-7

7. atirathaaH= great chariot-warriors; rathaiH= in chariots; varavaaraNaiH= on excellent elephants; mattaiH= in rut; vaajibhishca= and horses; aakriiDadbhiH= sportively coming in different gaits; anuutpetuH dashagriivam= rushed after Ravana; shiighram= quickly.

Great chariot-warriors in chariots, on excellent elephants in rut and horses supportively coming in different gaits, rushed after Ravana quickly.

gadaaparighahastaashcha shaktitomarapaaNayaH |
parashvathadharaashcaanye tathaanye shuulapaaNayaH || 6-11-8

8. gadaaparigha hastaashca= with maces and iron bars in their hands; shaktitomarapaaNayaH= with javelins and iron clubs in their hands; parishvathadharaaH= wearing axes; anye= some others; shuulapaaNayaH= with darts in theirs hands.

Some had maces and iron bars in their hands. Some had javelins and iron clubs. Some were holding axes. Some others had darts in their hands.

tatastuuryasahasraaNaam samjajJNe niHsvano mahaan |
tumulaH shaN^khashabdashcha sabhaam gacchati ravaNe || 6-11-9

9. tataH= thereafter; raavaNe= as Ravana; gachchhati= was going; sabhaam= to the assembly hall; mahaan= loud; niHsvanaH= blare; tuuryasahasraaNaam= of thousands of trumpets= tumulaH= and tumultuous; shaNkhashabdashca= noise of couches; samjaN^e= were produced.

As Ravana was proceeding to the assembly-hall, loud blare of thousands of trumpets along with tumultuous noise of conches were produced.

sa nemighoSeNa mahaansahasaabhininaadayan |
raajamaargam shriyaa juSTam pratipede mahaarathaH || 6-11-10

10. saH= that; mahaan= excellently; mahaarathaH= great chariot; abhininaadayau= making noise; nemighoSeNa= of the sound of the wheels; sahasaa= soon; pratipade= obtained; raajamaargam= the royal high way; juSTam= possessed; shriyaa= of beauty.

That excellently great chariot, making noise of the sound of its wheels, soon entered the beautiful royal high-way.

vimalam caatapatram ca pagR^ihiitamashobhata |
paaNDuram raakshasendrasya puurNastaaradhipo yathaa || 6-11-11

11. aatapatram= the umbrella; vimalam= which was spot-lessly; paaNDuram= white; ashobhata= shone; puurNa taaraadhipoyathaa= like a full moon; pragR^ihiitam= was held; raakSasandraya= (on the head) of Ravana.

The spotlessly white umbrella, held on Ravana's head, shone like a full-moon.

hemaJNjarigarbhe ca shuddhasphaTikavigrahe |
caamaravyajane tasya rejatuH savyadakshiNe || 6-11-12

12. tasya savyadakSiNe= on his left and right sides, chaamaravyajane= two fans of yak's tails; shuddha sphaTika vigrahe= with crystal handles; hemamaNjarigarbhe= and golden fringes; regatuH= were shining.

On his left and right sides, two fans of yak's tails with crystal handles and golden fringes were shining.

te kR^itaaJNjalayaH sarve rathastham pR^ithiviisthitaaH |
raakshsaa raakshasashreSTham shirobhistam vavandire || 6-11-13

13. sarve= all; te raakSasaaH= those demons; vavandire= offered theri salutation; shirobhiH= (by bending) their heads; kR^itaaNjalayaH= and by joining their palsm; tam= to him; raakSasashreSTam= the best of demons; rathastham= mounted on the chariot.

All those demons standing on ground offered their salutation by bending their heads and joining their palms to his the best of demons, mounted on the chariot.

raakshanaiH stuuyamaanaH san jayaashiirbhirarimdamaH |
asasaada mahaatejaaH sabhaam viracitaam tadaa || 6-11-14

14. tadaa= then; arindamaH= Ravana the harasser of enemies; san= possessing; mahaatejaH= great splendour; stuuyamaanaH= while being praised; raakSasaiH= by demons; jayashiirbhiH= throught cheers of victory; aasasaada= approached; virachitaam= the arranged; sabhaam= assembly.

Ravana the harasser of enemies, possessing great splendor, while being praised by demons through cheers of victory, approached that organized assembly.

suvarNarajataastiirNaam vishuddhasphaTikaantaraam |
viraajamaano vapuSaa rukmapaTTottaracchadaam || 6-11-15
taam pishaacashataiH SaDbhirabhiguptaam sadaaprabhaam |
pravivesha mahaatejaaH sukR^itaam vishvakarmaNaa || 6-11-16

15,16. mahaatejaaH= Ravana with great splendour; viraajamaanaH= with shining brightly; napuSaa= body; pravivesha= entered; taam= that assembly hall; suvarNarajataastiirNaam= viSuddhasphaTikaantaraam= whose intereior was wrought with pure crystal; rukmapaTTottaraccadaam= carpeted with skins of deer; abhiguptaam= guarded by shaaDbhiH pishaaca shataiH= six hundred evil spirits, sadaaprabhaam= ever shining; sukR^itaam= and well- build; vishvakarmaNaa= by Visvakarma.

Ravana with great splendour, with his body shining brightly, entered that assembly hall, which was paved with gold and silver, whose interior was wrought with pure crystal, carpeted with skins of deer, guarded by six hundred evil spirits, ever shining and well-constructed by Visvakarma.

tasyaam sa vaiduuryamayam priyaakaajinasamvR^itam |
mahatsopaashrayam bheje raavaNaH paramaasanam || 6-11-17

17. saH= that; raavaNaH= Ravana, tasyaam= in that hall; bheje= occupied; mahat= big; paramaasanam= (and) excellent throne; vaiduuryamayam= embedded with jewels (cat's eye gems); priyakaajinasamvR^itam= covered with skin of deer called Priyaka; sopaashrayam= (and) furnished with pillows.

Ravana, that hall, occupied a big and excellent throne embedded with jewels (cat's eye gems), covered with skin of deer called Priyaka and furnished with pillows.

tataH shashaaseshvaravadduutaan laghuparaakramaan |
samaanayata me kshipramihaitaan raakshasaaniti || 6-11-18
kR^ityamasti mahaajjaane kartavyamiti shatrubhiH |

18. tataH= thereafter; iishvaravat= as a king; iti= thus; duutaan= his messengers; laghuparaakramaan= who were mering fast; asti= there is; mahat= a gigantic; kR^ityam= work; jaane= I know; kartvayam iti= what is being done; shatrubhiH= by enemies; samaanayata= bring; iha= here; etaan= these; raakSasaan= demons; kSipram= quickly.

Thereafter Ravana, as a king, ordered his messengers, who were moving fast as follows: "There is a gigantic work before us. I know what the enemies are doing. Therefore, bring all the demons here quickly."

raakshasaastadvacaH shrutvaa laN^kaayaam paricakramuH || 6-11-19
anugehamavasthaya vihaarashayaneSu ca |
udyaaneSu ca rakkshamsi codayanto hyabhiitavat || 6-11-20

19, 20. shrutvaa= hearing;tadvacaH= those words; raakSasaaH= the (messenger) demons; chodayantaH= impelling; rakSaamsi= the demons; avasthaaya= staying; vihaara shayaneSu= in entertainment or in places bed-rooms; udyaaneSuca= or in gardens; paricakramuH= went; abhiitavat= without fear; anugchaam= to every house; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka.

Hearing those words, the messenger impelled the demons staying in entertainment places, in bedrooms or in gardens and went without fear to every house in Lanka.

te rathaan ruciraaneke dR^iptaaneke dR^iDhaan hayaan |
naaganeke.adhiruruhurjagmushcaike padaatayaH || 6-11-21

21. adhiruruhuH= mounted; te= those demons; eke= some; ruchiraan= beautiful; rathaan= chariots; eke= some; dR^iptaan= wild; dR^iDhaan= and strong hayaan= horses; eke= some; naagaan= elephants; eke= some; jagmuh= wnet; padaatayaH= by foot.

Some of the demons mounted beautiful chariots; some mounted wild and strong horses and some mounted on elephants. Some others went on foot.

saa purii paramaakiirNaa rathakuJNjaravaajibhiH |
sampatadbhirviruruce garutmadchirivaamabaram || 6-11-22

22. saa purii= that city, paramaakiirNaa= extremely crowded; rathaa kuNjara vaajibhiH= with chariots, elephants and horses, sampatadbhiH= rushing togeher fast; viruruche= appeared; ambaramiva= like the sky; garutmadbhiH= by the birds.

That city, extremely crowded with chariots elephants and horses rushing fast together, appeared like birds rushing fast in the sky.

te vaahanaanyavasthaapya yaanaani vividhaani ca |
sabhaam padbhiH pravivishuH simhaa giriguhaamiva || 6-11-23

23. avasthaapya= parking; vaahanaani= horses, elephants; vividhaani= and various; yaanaanicha= kinds of vehicles like chariots; te= they; pravivishuH= entered; padbhiH= by foot; sabhaam= the assembly-hall; giriguhaamiva= like a mountain-cave; simhaaH= by lions.

Parking horses, elephants and various kinds vehicles like chariots, they entered by foot the assembly-hall as a mountain-cave is entered by lions.

raajJNH paadau gR^ihiitvaa tu raajJNaa te pratipuujitaaH |
piiTheSvanye bR^isiiSvanye bhuumau kecidupaavishan || 6-11-24

24. gR^ihiitvaa= touching; paadau= the feet; raaN^aH= of the king; pratipuujitaaH= and being greeted in turn; raajJNaa= by the king; anye= some; upaavishan= sat down; piiTheSu= on seats; anye= some others; bR^iiSu= on mats(of Kusa grass); kechit= and others; bhuumau= on the ground.

Touching the feet of the king and greeted in turn by the king, some sat down on seats, some others on mats (of Kusa grass) and others on the ground.

te sametya sabhaayaam vai raakshasaa raajashaasanaat |
yathaarhamupatasthuste raavaNam raakshasaadhipam || 6-11-25

25. sametya= congregating; sabhaayaam= in the assembly-hall; raaja shaasanaat= at the king's command; te raakSasaaH= those demons; te= they; upasthuH= took their position; yathaarham= (each) according to their rank; raavaNam (round) Ravana; raakSasaadhipam= the king of demons.

Congregating in the assembly hall at the king's command, those demons took their position round Ravana the king of demons, each according to their rank.

mantriNashcha yathaamukhyaa nishchitaartheSu paNDitaaH |
amaatyaashca guNopetaaH sarvajJNaa buddhidarshanaaH || 6-11-26
samiiyustatra shatashaH shuuraashcha bahavastathaa |
sabhaayaam hemavarNaayaam sarvaarthasya sukhaaya vai || 6-11-27

26,27. mantriNashca= ministers; paNditaaH= who were scholars; nishchitaartheshhu= well-versed in deciding actions; guNopetaaH= those endowed with good qualities; sarvajJNaaH= those who were all-knowing; amaatyaashca= king's ministers; buddhidarshanaaH= who could perceive things by their power of intellect; tathaa= and; bahuvaH= many; shuuraaH= warriors; shatashaH= in hundreds; samiiyuH= gathered; yathaamukhyaaH= according to their importance; sabhaayaam= in assembly hall; hemavarNaayaam- wrapped with gold; sukhaayavai= for felicity; sarvaarthasya= of all actions.

Ministers who were scholars well versed in deciding action those endowed with good qualities, those who were all-knowing, king's ministers who could perceive things by their power of intellect and many warriors in hundreds, gathered according to their importance in that assembly hall, wrapped with gold, for providing felicity in all actions.

tato mahaatmaa vipulam suyugyam |
ratham varam hemavicitritaaN^gam |
shubham samaasthaaya yayau yashasvii |
vibhiiSaNaH samsadamagrajasya || 6-11-28

28. tataH= then; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; mahaatmaa= the hight-souled; yashasvii= and the inllustrious; aasthaaya= ascended; varam= the excellent; ratham= chariot; vipulam= which was spacious; suyugyam= yoked with good horses; hemavichitritaaN^gam= its various parts decked with gold; shubham= and auspicious; yayau= and drove; samsadam= towards assembly-hall; agrajasya= of his elder brother, Ravana.

The high-souled and illustrious VibhiShana ascended an excellent auspicious and spacious chariot yoked with good horses with its various parts decked in gold and drove towards the assembly-hall of Ravana his elder brother.

sa puurvajaayaavarajaH shashamsa |
naa maatha pashcaaccaraNau vavande |
shukaH prahastashca tathaiva tebhyo |
dadau yathaarham pR^thagaasanaani || 6-11-29

29. atha= thereafter; saH= that; avarajaH= younger brogher; shashamsa= told; naama= his name; pashchaat= then; vavande= saluted; charaNau= the feet; shukaH= Suka; prahastashcha= and Prahasta; tathaiva; (saluted) likewise (Ravana); dadau= gave; aasanaani= seats; tebhyaH= to them; pR^ithak= separately; yathaarham= according to their rank.

Then, that younger brother Vibhishana told Ravana his name and offered salutation to the feet. Suka and Prahasta followed suit. Ravana gave them suitable seats separately.

suvarNanaanaamaNibhuSaNaanaam |
suvaasasaam samsadi raakshasaanaam |
teSaam paraarthyagurucandanaanaam |
srajaam ca gandhaaH pravavuH samantaat || 6-11-30

30. gandhaaH= the aroma; paraarthyaaguru chandanaanaam= of the best aloe and sandal paste; teSaam rakSasaanaam= painted on those demons; srajaamca= and of garlands; suvarNanaanaamaNi= of gold and gems; suvaasasaam= and attired in good clothes; pravavuH= diffused; samantaat= all round; samsadi= in the assembly-hall.

The aroma of the best aloe and sandal paste painted on the persons as also of garlands worn round the necks of those demons duly adorned with ornaments of gold and gems and attired in excellent clothes diffused all round in the assembly-hall.

na cukrushurnaanR^itamaaha kashci |
tsabhaasado naapi jajalpuruccaiH |
samsiddhaarthaH sarva evograviiryaa |
bhartuH sarve dadR^ishushcaananam te || 6-11-31

31. sabhaasadaH= the assembled persons; na chukrushuH= did not yell loudly; na kashchit= No one; aaha= uttered; anR^itam= untruth; na jajulpuH api= not even talked; uchchaiH= loudly; sarve= all of them; samsiddhaarthaaH= were ready for action; ugraviiryaaH= and were endowed with terrible energy; te sarve= all of them; dadR^ishuH= perceived; bhartuH= their lord's aanaam= face.

The assembled persons there did not yell loudly. None uttered untruth or even talked vociferously. All of them were ready for action and were endowed with terrible energy. All of them sat, perceiving their lord's face.

sa raavaNaH shastrabhR^itaam manasvinaam |
mahaabalaanaam samitau manasvii |
tapyaam sabhaayaam prabhayaa cakaashe |
madhye vasuunaamiva vajrahastaH || 6-11-32

32. tasyaam sabhaayaam= In that assembly; saH raavaNaH= that Ravana; manasvii= full of mind; chakashe= shone; samitau= prabhayaa= with brilliance; samitau= among the assmeblage; mahaabalaanaam= of those demons possessing great strength; vajrahastaH iva= like Devendra (the Lord of heaven); madhye= amidst; vasuunaam= Vasus (a class of gods)

In that assembly, that Ravana, full of mind, shone with brilliance among the assemblage of those demons possessing great strength, like Devendra (the Lord of heaven) amidst Vasus (a class of gods)

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe ekaadashaH sargaH

Thus completes 11th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 12

Introduction

Ravana instructs Prahasta, chief of his army to defend the city of Lanka carefully. Prahasta positioned the army for defense accordingly at suitable places both inside and outside the city. Ravana then narrates how he brought beautiful Seetha to Lanka from Dandaka forest, because of his growing infatuation for her. Ravana asks his companions and relatives gathered there, to suggest ways and means to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Then, Kumbhakarna, Ravana's brother first accuses Ravana of his unworthy act but assures him that he would neutralize that dishonour by killing the enemies.

sa taam pariSadam kR^itsnaam samiikshya samitimjayaH |
prabodhayaamaasa tadaa prahastam vaahiniipatim || 6-12-1

1. tadaa= then; saH= that Ravana; samitimjayaH= eminent in an assembly; dR^iSTvaa= having seen; kR^itsnaam= all; taam pariSadam= that gathering; tadaa= at that time; prabodhayaamaasa= instructed; prahastam= Prahasta; vaahiniipatim= the commander of the army (as follows):

Then, Ravana an eminent person in the assembly, having seen all that gathering, instructed Prahasta the chief of his army (as follows):

senaapate yathaa te syuH kR^itavidyaashcaturvidhaaH |
yodhaa nagararakshaayaam tathaa vyaadeSTumarhasi || 6-12-2

2. senapate= "O, commander!; te= (Let) those; yodhaaH= warriors; kR^itavidyaaH= well-trained; chaturvidhaaH= in four ways; yathaa= how; syuH= (they) stand; nagararakSaayaam= in defence of the city; tathaa= in that way' arhasi= you are allowed; vyaadeSTum= to command.

"O, commander! You are allowed to issue an order to see that well-trained warriors belonging to the four divisions of the army (viz.cavalry, infantry, chariots and elephants) are entrusted with the defense of the city."

sa prahastaH pratiitaatmaa cikiirSan raajashaasanam |
vinikshipad balam sarvam bahirantashca mandire || 6-12-3

3. saH= that; prahastaH= Prahasta; pratiitaatmaa= steadfast in his mind; chikiirSan= with a desire to follow; raajashaasanam= king's order; vinikSipat= stationed; sarvam= the whole; balam= army; bahiH= outside; antashca= and inside; mandire= the city.

Prahasta, resolute in his mind to follow the king's orders stationed the whole army both outside as well as inside the city.

tato vinikshipya balam sarvam nagaraguptaye |
prahastaH pramukhe raajJNo niSasaada jagaada ca || 6-12-4

4. tataH= thereafter, prahastaH= Prahasta; vinikSipya= keeping; sarvam= the whole; balam= army; nagaraguptaye= in defence of the city; niSasaada= sat; pramukhe= in front; raaN^aH= of the king; jagaada= and spoke (as follows).

Thereafter, Prahasta after keeping the whole army in defence of the city, sat in front of the king and spoke (as follows):

vihitam bahirantashca balam balavatastava |
kuruSvaavimanaaH kshipram yadabhipretamasti te || 6-12-5

5. tava= your; balam= army; balavataH= as strong (as you are); vihitam= has been stationed; bahiH= outside; antashca= and inside; kuruSva= do; kSipram= quickly; yat= what; asti= is; abhipretam= preference; te= to you; avimanaaH= with an undistracted mind."

Your army, as strong as you are, has been positioned both outside and inside the city. Pray do quickly, with an undistracted mind, whatever is preferable to you."

prahastasya vachaH shrutvaa raajaa raajyahitaiSiNaH |
sukhepsuH suhR^idaam madhye vyaajahaara sa raavaNaH || 6-6-12

6. saH= that; raavaNaH= Ravana; raajaa= the king; shrutvaa= hearing; vachaH= the words; prahastasya= of Prahasta; raajya hitaishhiNaH= who wished the welfare of the kingdom; sukhepsuH= being desirous of obtaining happiness; vyaajahara= spoke (as follows); madhye= in the middle; suhR^idaam= of his friends.

Hearing the words of Prahasta, who wished the welfare of the kingdom, king Ravana, with a desire to obtain happiness, spoke in the desire midst of his friends as follows:

priyaapriye sukha duHkham laabhaalaabhe sitaahite |
dharmakaamaarthakR^icchreSu yuuyamaarhatha veditum || 6-12-7

7. yuuyam= (when) you; dharma; kaamaarthkR^ichchhreshhe= are in difficult situations regarding virtue pleasure and wealth; arhatha= you are able; veditum= to have a correct notion; riyaapriye= of pleasant and unpleasant things; sukham duHkham= of happiness and sorrow; laabhaalaabhe= of gain and detriment; hitaahite= and of advantages and disadvantages of things.

When you are in difficult situations regarding virtue pleasure and wealth, you are able to have a correct notion of pleasant and unpleasant things, happiness and sorrow, gain and detriment as well as advantages and disadvantages."

sarvakR^ityaani yuSmaabhiH samaarabdhani sarvadaa |
mantrakarmaniyuktaani na jaatu viphalaani me || 6-12-8

8. me= My; sarvakR^ityaani= entire; tasks; sarvadaa= always; samarambhaani= undertaken; yuSmaabhiH= by you; mantrakarmaniyuktaani= with an act of attention; na jaatu= were never; viphalaani= in vain."

"All of my works undertaken by you with an act of attention, were never in vain."

sasomagrahanakshatrairmarudbhiriva vaasavaH |
bhavadbhirahamatyartham vR^itaH shriyamavaapnuyaam || 6-12-9

9. aham= I; avapnuyaam= will obtain; atyartham= maximum; shriyam= prosperity; vR^itaH= while abiding; bhavadbhiH= with you; vaasavaH iva= as Inidra; (obtains prosperity); sa somagrahanakshhatraiH= while abdiding with moon, planets and stars; marudbhiH= as well as celestials."

"I will obtain maximum prosperity, while abiding with you, as Indra obtains properity while abiding with moon, planets, stars and celestials."

aham tu khalu sarvanvaH samarthayutumudyataH |
kumabhakarNasya tu svapnaannemamarthamacodayam || 6-12-10

10. aham= I; udyataH= an intent on; samarthayitum= reminding; sarvaan= all; vaH= of you; kumbhakarNasya tu= but to Kumbhakarna; svapnaat= beacuse of his sleep; na achodayam= I could not inform; imam= this; artham= matter.

"I am intent on reminding all of you again. But I could not inform this matter earlier to Kumbhakarna because of his sleep."

ayam hi suptaH SNmaasaan kumbhakarNo mahaabalaH |
sarvashastrabhR^itam mukhyaH sa idaaniim samutthitaH || 6-12-11

11. ayam= this; mahaabalaH= very strong kumbhakarNaH= Kumbhakarna; mukhyaH= the chief; sarvashastrabhR^itaam= among the entire wielders of weapons; suptaH hi= was indeed sleeping; shhaTmaasaaH= for the last six months; saH= He; samutthitaH= woke up; idaaniim= now.

"This most powerful Kumbhakarna, the chief among all the wielders of weapons, was indeed sleeping for the last six months and now, he woke up."

iyam ca daNDakaaraNYaadraamasya mahiSii priyaa |
rakshobhishcharitoddeshaadaaniitaa janakaatmajaa || 6-12-12

12. iyam= this; janakaatmajaa= Seetha; priyaa= the beloved; mahiSii= wife; raamasya= of Rama; aaniitaa= was brought; daNDakaaraNyaat= from the forest of Dandaka; charitoddeshaat= the place randered; rakSobhiH= by demons."

"Seetha the beloved wife of Rama was brought from the forest of Dandaka, the place frequented by demons."

saa me na shayyaamaaroDhumicchatyalasagaaminii |
triSulokeShu caanyaa me na siitaasadR^ishii mataa || 6-12-13

13. saa= She; alasaagaaminii= who walks slowly; na ichchhati= does not like; aaroDhum= to reach; me= my; shayyam= bed; namataa= It is not acceptable; me= to me; anyaa= any other woman; siitaa sadR^ishii= similar to Seetha; triSu= in the three; lokeSu= worlds.

Seetha of languid pace, does not like to reach my bed. I do not imagine any other woman similar to Seetha existing in the three worlds."

tanumadhyaa pR^ithushroNii sharadindunibhaananaa |
hemabimbanibhaa saumyaamaayeva mayanirmitaa || 6-12-14

14. tanumadhyaa= (She has) a slim waist; pR^ithy shroNii= well-developed hips; sharadindunibhaananaa= her face similar to antumnal moon; hema bimbanibhaa= looking like an image of gold; saumyaa= placid; maayeva= like an illusory image; mayanirmitaa= made by Maya.

"She has a slim waist, well-developed hips, and a face similar to an autumnal moon. Looking like an idol of gold and being placid She appears like an illusory image created by Maya.

Maya: Architect of demons, also versed in magic, astronomy and military science.

sulohitatalau shlakkshaNau caraNau supratiSThatau |
dR^iSTvaa taamranakhau tasyaa diipyate me shariirajaH || 6-12-15

15. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tasyaaH= Her; charoNau= feet; sulohitatalau= with a little reddish soles; shlakSNau= smooth; supratiSThitau= evenly resting on the ground; taamranakhau= with lightly reddish nails; me= my; shariirajaH= lust; diipyate= is kindled.

"Seeing Her feet with rose-coloured soles, smooth and evenly resting on ground with the rosy soles, my lust is kindled."

hutaagnirarchiHsamkaashaamenaam sauriimiva prabhaam |
unnasam vimalam valgu vadanam caarulocanam || 6-12-16
pashyamstadavashastasyaaH kaamasya vashameyivaan |

16. pashyan= seeing; tasyaaH= Her; tat= that; vadanam= countenance; hutaagnirarchiH sankaasham= similar to the flame of a sacrificial fire; prabhaamiva= (and) looking like radiance; sauriim= of the sun; enaam= with her; unnasam= prominent nose; chaarulochanam= her pretty eyes; vimalam= which are clear; valgu= and handsome; avasham= not being in my fire will; eyivaan= I obtained; vasham= the will; kaamesya= of passion."

"Seeing her countenance similar to the flame of a sacrificial fire and looking like the radiance of the sun, with her prominent nose and the pretty clear and handsome eyes, I became unrestrained, having submitted to the will of my passion."

krodhaharSasamaanena durvarNakaraNena ca || 6-12-17
shokasamtaapanityena kaamena kaluSiikR^itaH |

17. kalushhiikR^itaH= I have been polluted; kaamena= by lust; krodha harshhasamaanena= equally in anger and pleasure; durvarNakaraNenacha= making me pale; shokasantaapanityena= and is ever present in grief and anguish."

"I have been polluted by lust and equally by anger and pleasure thus making me pale and I have been ever since in grief and anguish."

saa tu samvatsaram kaalam maamayaacata bhaaminii || 6-12-18
pratiikshamaaNaa bhartaaram raamamaayatalocanaa |
tanmayaa caarunetraayaaH pratijJNaatam vacaH shubham || 6-12-19
shraanto.aham satatam kaamaadyaato haya ivaadhvani |

18,19. pratiikSamaaNaa= looking forward; raamam= for Rama; bhartaaram= her husband; saa= that; aayatalochanaa= large-eyed; bhaaminii= Seetha; ayaachata= requested; maam= me; samvatsaram kaalam= year's time; tat= those; shubham= auspicious; vachaH= words; chaaran netraayaaH= of the charmingly eyed Seetha; pratijJNaatam= were accepted; mayaa= by me; aham= I; shraantaH= am wearied; kaamaat= of lust; hayaH iva= like a horse yaataH= going; aadhvani= along the way; satatam= uninterruptedly.

"Looking forward Rama, her husband, that longish large eyed Seetha, requested me to give time for one year. I accepted the auspicious words of the charmingly eyed Seetha. I am wearied of this lust, like a horse galloping along a path continuously."

katham saagaramakshobhyam tariShyanti vanaukasaH || 6-12-20
bahusattvasamaakiirNam tau vaa dasharathaatmajau |

20. katham= how; vanaukasaH= the monkeys or; tau= those; dasharaatmajau vaa= Rama and Lakshmana; tariSyanti= can cross; saagaram= the ocean; akSobhyam= the unassailable; bahusattvasamaakiirNam= completely crowded with sea-animals?

How the monkeys or even Rama and Lakshmana can cross the unassailable ocean, completely infested as it was with sea-animals?"

athavaa kapinaikena kR^itam naH kadanam mahat || 6-12-21
durjJNeyaaH kaaryagatayo bruuta yasya yathaamati |

athvaa= Is it not so; ekena kapinaa= by one monkey, mahat= a huge; kadanam= destruction; kR^itam= was done; naH= to us; kaaryagatayaH= the consequences of their actions; durN^eyaaH= are not known; bruuta= tell (me); yathaamati= according to your own intellect; yasya= what is there (in your mind).

"on the other hand, a huge destruction was done to us, by a single monkey. The consequences of their acts are unpredictable. Tell me what is there in your mind, according to your own understanding."

maanuSaanno bhayam naasti tathaapi tu vimR^ishyataam || 6-12-22
tadaa devaasure yudde yuSmaabhiH sahito.ajayam |
te me bhavantashca tathaa sugriivapramukhaan hariin || 6-12-23
pare paare samudrasya puraskR^itya nR^ipaatmajau |
siitaayaaH padaviim praapya sampraaptau varuNaalayam || 6-12-24

22,23,24. naasti= no; bhayam= fear; naH= to us; maanuSaat= with human beings; tathaapi= even so; vimR^ishyataam= let it be deliberated; tadaa= at that time; sahitaH= together; yushhmaabhiH= with you; ajayam= I conquered; devaasurayuddhe= in the battle between celestials and demons; te= those; bhantashca= of you also; me= on my side; tathaa= (conquered) in the same manner; praapya= procuring; padaviim= access; siitaayaaH= of Seetha; nR^ipaatmajau= Rama and Lakshama, the princes; puraskR^itya= placing in front; vaanaraan= the monkeys; sugriiva pramukhaan= like Sugreeva and others; sampraaptau; well-reached; varuNaalayam= the ocean; parepaare= on the other bank; samudrasya= of the ocean.

"We have no fear with human beings. Even so, the matter can be discussed. Earlier, together with you, I conquered the celestials in a battle between the celestials and demons. You also conquered them. Knowing the whereabouts of Seetha, Rama and Lakshmana together with Sugreeva and other monkeys reached the other shore of the ocean."

adeyaa ca yathaa siitaa vadhyau dasharathaatmajau |
bhavadbhirmantyrataam mantraH suniitam caabhidhiiyataam || 6-12-25

25. mantraH mantryataam= let a thought be deliberated; bharadbhiH= by you; yathaa= how; siitaa= Settha; adeyaa= may not be given; dasharathaatmajau= (and) how Rama and Lakshama; vadhyauca= may be killed; suniitam= A prudent advice; abhidhiiyatamca= be mentioned."

"Let a consultation be held by you and a judicious line of course suggested, so that Seetha may not have to be handed -over to them back and Rama and Lakshmana may be killed."

na hi shaktim prapashyaami jagatyanyasya kasyacit |
saagaram vaanaraistiirtvaa vishcayena jayo mama || 6-12-26

26. na prapashyaami= I do not see; kasyachit= any; anyasya= other; shaktim= capability; tiirtvaa= to cross; saagaram= the ocean; vaanaraiH= along with the monkeys; jayaH= Victory; nishchayena= is surely; mama= mine."

"I do not see any other's capability to cross the ocean even so with the monkeys. Victory is surely mine."

tasya kaamapariitasya nishamya paridevitam |
kumbhakarNaH prachukrodha vacanam chedamabraviit || 6-12-27

27. nishamya= hearing; paridevitam= the lamentation; tasya= of Ravana; kaamapariitasya= captivated by lust; kumbhakarNa= Kumabhakara; prachukrodha= was angry; abraviitcha= and spoke; idam= those; vachanam= words.

Hearing the lamentation of Ravana who was captivated by lust, Kumbhakarana became angry and spoke the following words:

yadaa tu raamasya salakshmaNasya |
prasahya siitaa khalu paa ihaa.ahR^itaa |
sakR^itsamiikshaiva sunishcitam tadaa |
bhajeta cittam yamuneva yaamunam || 6-12-28

28. yadaa= when; siitaa= Seetha; raamasya= of Rama; salakshhmaNasya= accompanied by Lakshmana; khalu= indeed; aahR^itaa= was brought; iha= here; prasahya= forcibly; tadaa; then itself; sakR^it= once; samiikshhyena= by contemplating thoroughly; chittam= your mind; bhajeta= should have driven into; sunishchitam= a good decision; yaamunaniva= like filling the depression at its source; yamunaa= by Yamuna River."

"You should have contemplated thoroughly that very moment when Seetha was brought here forcibly only after a single impulsive thought from the hermitage of Rama, who was accompanied by Lakshmana, even like the river Yamuna fills the depression at its source the moment it descends on earth."

sarvametanmahaaraaja kR^itamapratimam tava |
vidhiiyeta sahaasmaabhiraadaavevaasya karmaNaH || 6-12-29

29. mahaaraaja= O, emperor!; aadaaneva= athe beginning itself; asya= of this; karmaNaH= action; apratimam= it would have been unequalled; tava= to you; yadi sarvam= (if)all etat= this; kR^itam= act of consultation asmaabhiH saha= with us; vidhiiyetayadi= was done.

"O, emperor! If all this act of consultation with us was done at the beginning of this action itself (of bringing Seetha here), it would have been worthy of you."

nyaayena raajakaaryaaNi yaH karoti dashaanana |
na sa samtapyate pashcaannishcataarthamatirnR^ipaH || 6-12-30

30. dashaanana = O, Ravana; yaH= which; nR^ipaH= king; karoti= does; raajakaaryaani= king's functions; nishchitaarthamatiH= with a mind; ascertained; nyaayenna= by justice; saH= he; nasantapyate= will not repent; pashchaat= thereafter."

"O, Ravana! A king who performs king's functions with a mind duly ascertained by justice, will not repent thereafter."

anupaayena karmaaNi vipariitaani yaani ca |
kriyamaaNaani duSyanti haviimSyaprayateSvina || 6-12-31

31. karmaaNi= actions; vuoaruutaabu= oervertedktl kriyamaaNaani= done; anupaayena= witout use of any strategem; duSyanti= get spoiled; haviinshhiiva= even as oblations; aprayate= not intent on devotion.

"Actions done pervertedly without use of any stratagem get spoiled, even as oblations not intent on devotion got spoiled.

yaH pashcaatpuurvakaaryaaNi karmaaNyabhicikiirSati |
puurvam caaparakaryaaNi na sa veda nayaanayau || 6-12-32

32. yaH= He who; chikiirshhati= wants to do; karmaaNi= actions; puurvakaaryaani= which ought to be done before; pashchaat= later; aparakaryaaNi= and actions which ought to be done later; puurvamca=\ before; saH= he; na veda= is not aware; nayaanayau= of predence and imprudence.

"He who is not aware of prudence and imprudence, wants to do actions which are to be done before at a later stage and actions which are to be done later at a stage before."

capalasya tu kR^ityeSu prasamiiksyaadhikam balam |
chidramanye prapadyante krauJNcasya khamiva dvijaaH || 6-12-33

33. prasamiikshhya= seeing; adhikam= superior; balam= strength; chapalasya= of a hasteful enemy (others); prapadyante= look for; chhidram= his weak point; dvijaaH iva= even as swans; kham= (seek) the cleavage; krauNchasya= in Kraucha mountain.

"Seeing superior strength in a hasteful enemy, some look for his weak point, even as swans seek the cleavage in the Kraunca mountain."

God Kartikeya (son of Lord Shiva) made a cleavage in Krauncha mountain with His javelin. (Mahabharata, Salya Parva 46-84).

tvayedam mahaadaarabham kaarya mapraticintitam |
diSTyaa tvaam naavadhiidraamo viSamishramivaamR^itam || 6-12-34

34. idam= this; mahat= great; kaaryam= act; aarabdham= was undertaken; tvayaa= by you; apratichintitam= without proper thinking; diSTyaa= by good fortune; raamaH= Rama; naavadhiit= did not kill; tvaam= you; aamiSam iva= even as the meat; viSamishram= mixed with poison."

"This great act was undertaken by you without proper thinking. By good fortune, Rama did not kill you even as the meat mixed with poison would kill the consumer."

tasmaattvayaa samaarabdham karma hyapratimam paraiH |
aham samiikariSyaami hatvaa shatruum stanaanagha || 6-12-35

35. anagha= O, irreproachable brother!; tasmaat= therefore; hatvaa= by killing; tava= your; shatruum= enemies; samiikarishhyaami= I shall neutralise; apratimam= the dishonourable; karma= act; samaarabdham= undertaken; tvayaa= by you; paraiH= in relation to your enemies."

"O, irreproachable brother! Therefore by killing your enemies, I shall neutralize the dishonourable act undertaken by you in relation to your enemies."

ahamutsaadayiSyaami shatruumstava nishaacara |
yadi shakravivasvantau yadi paavakamaarutau || 6-12-36
taavaham yodhayiSyaami kuberavaruNaavapi |

36. nishaachara= O, ranger of night!; aham= I; utsaadayishhyaami= shall destroy; tava= your; shatruun= enemies; aham= I; yodhayishhyaami= shall do battle with; tau= the two brother; yadi= even if (they are); shakravivasvautau= Indra and the sun-god; yadi paavakamaarutau= even if god of fire and the wind-god; kubera varuNaavapi= or Kubera (the god of riches) and Varuna (the god of water).

"O, ranger of night! I shall destroy your enemies. I shall do battle with the two brothers, even if they are Indra and the sun-god or the god of fire and the wind-god or Kubera (the god of riches) and Varuna (the god of water).

girimaatrashariirasya mahaaparighayodhinaH || 6-12-37
nardatastiikshNadamSTrasya bibhiiyaadvai purandaraH |

37. purandaraH= even Indra; bibhiiyat vai= indeed will be afraid of me; girimaatra shariirasya= with a mountain-sized body; tiikshhNadamsTrasya= fiery teeth; nardataH= making a roaring sound; mahaaparigha yodhinaH= attacking with an immense bludgeon."

"Entering the combat with a mountain-sized body and fiery teeth, roaring the while and attacking with an immense bludgeon, I shall strike terror in Indra himself!"

punarmaam sadvitiiyena shareNa nihaniSyati || 6-12-38
tato.aham tasya paasyaami rudhiram kaamamaashvasa |

38. saH= (before) that Rama; nihanishhyati= strikes; maam= me; punaH= once more; dvitiiyena= with a second; shareNa= arrow; tataH= immediately; paasyaami= I shall drink; tasya= his; rudhiram= blood; aashvasa= cheer-up; kaamam= freely."

"Even before Rama strikes me once more with a second arrow, I shall drink his blood. Cheer up freely.

vadheva vai daasharatheh sukhaavaham |
jayam tavaahartumaham tayiSye |
hatvaa ca raamam saha lakshmaNena |
khaadaami sarvaan hariyuuthamukhyaan || 6-12-39

39. aham= I; yatiSve= shall try; aahartum= to fetch; jayam= victory; sukhavaham= which brings pleasure; tava= to you; vadhena= by killing; daasharadhena= of Rama; hatvaa= by killing; raamam= Rama; lakshhmaNena iha= along with lakshmana; khaadaami= I shall eat awa; sarvaan= all hariyuuthamukhyaan= the leaders of monkey- troops."

"I shall try to fetch victory, which brings pleasure to you, by the killing of Rama. By exterminating Rama along with Lakshmana, I shall devour all the leaders of monkey-troops."

ramasva kaamam piba caagryavaaruNiim |
kuruSva kaarvaaNi hitaani vijvaraH |
mayaa tu raame gamite yamakshayam |
ciraaya siitaa vashagaa bhaviSyati || 6-12-40

40. ramasva= enjoy yourself; kaamam= freely; piba= drink; agryavaaruNiim= excellent of your desire; vijvaraH= without anxiety; raame= Rama; gamite= having been despatched; yamakshhayam= to the abode of death; mayaa= by me; siita= Seetha; bhavishhyati= will be; vashaga= at your disposal; chiraaya= forever."

"Enjoy yourself freely. Drink excellent of wines to the extent of your desire without any anxiety. Rama, having been dispatched by me to the abode of death, Seetha will be at your disposal forever."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe dvaadashaH sargaH

Thus completes 12th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 13

Introduction

Advised by Mahaparsva to take charge of Sita by force, Ravana expresses his inability to do so, because of a curse pronounced against him by Brahma (lord of creation) in the past. Ravana then boasts of his own prowess.

raavaNam kruddhamaajJNaaya mahaapaarshvo mahaabalaH |
muhuurta manusamcintya praaJNjalirvaakya mabraviit || 6-13-1

1. aaG^yaaya= noticing; raavaNam= Ravana; kruddham= enraged; mahaabalaaH= a very strong; mahaapaarshvaH= Mahaparsva; anusanchintya= thought; muhuurtam= for a while; praaNjaliH= and with joined palms; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= these words:

Perceiving Ravana enraged, a very strong demon named Mahaparsva thought for a while and with joined palms, spoke as follows:

yaH khalvapi vanam praapya mR^igavyaalaniSevitam |
na pibenmadhu sampraapya sa naro baalisho dhruvam || 6-13-2

2. khaluapi= besides indeed; yaH naraH= which man; praapya= after reaching; vanam= a forest; mR^igavyaala nishhevitam= inhabited by wild beasts and vicious elephants; sampraapya= obtained; madhu= honey; na pibet= does not drink; saH= he; dhruvam= surely; baalishaH=is a fool.”

“That man indeed is a fool, who after reaching a forest inhabited by wild beasts and vicious elephants and having duly found honey, does not drink it.”

iishvarasyeshvaraH ko.asti tava shatrunibarhaNa |
ramasva saha vaidehyaa shatruunaakramya muurdhasu || 6-13-3

3. shatrunibarhaNa= O, annihilator of enemies! KaH= who; asti= is; iishvaraH= a lord; tava =to you; iishvarsya= who are a lord of all? aakramya= stepping upon; muurdhasu= the heads; shatruun= of your enemies; ramasva= you take pleasure; vaidehyaa saha= with Sita.”

“O,annihilator of enemies! Who is a lord to you, who are a lord of all? Setting your foot upon the heads of your enemies, take pleasure with Sita.”

balaatkukkuTavR^ittena pravartasva mahaabala |
akramyaakramya siitaam vai taam bhuN^iksva ca ramasva ca || 6-13-4

4. mahaabala= O, ruler endowed with a mighty prowess! pravartasva= Behave; kukkuTa vR^ittena= in the mode of a cock; balata= using force against her; bhuNkshhva= enjoy; taam siitaam= that Sita; aakramya aakramya=charging and charging; ramasya cha= and revel with her.”

“O, ruler endowed with a mighty prowess! Act in the mode of a cock, forcibly against her. Enjoy that Sita, by charging on her again and again and revel with her.”

labdhakaamasya te pashcaadaagamiSyati kim bhayam |
praaptamapraaptakaalam vaa sarvam pratividhaasyate || 6-13-5

5. kim bhayam= what fear; aagamishhyati= will come; pashchaat= after; labdhakaamasya= fulfilling your lust? sarvam= All; praaptum= that comes; apraaptakaalam= or yet to come ; pratividhaanyate= will be prevented.”

“What fear will be there to you, after fulfilling your lust? All that comes or yet to come will be prevented (by us).”

kumbhakarNaH sahaasmaabhirindrajicca mahaabalaH |
pratiSedhayitum shaktau savajramapi vajriNam || 6-13-6

6. kumbhakarNaH= Kumbhakarna; indrajitcha= and Indrajit; mahaabalaH= of great might; asmaabhiHcha= with us; shaktou= are capable; pratishhedhayitum= of keeping off; vajriNam api= even Devendra(god of celestials); savajram= wielding the weapon of a thunderbolt”.

“Kumbhakarna and Indrajit of great might together with us are capable of keeping off even Devendra (god of celestials), wielding the weapon of a thunderbolt.”

upapradaanam saantvam vaa bhedam vaa kushalaiH kR^itam |
samatikramya daNDena siddhimartheSu rocaye || 6-13-7

7. samatikramya=having overstepped; upapradaanam= the method of giving away gifts; saa stvam vaa= or gentle means; bhedamvaa= or showing dissention; kR^itam= being done; kushalaiH= by right men ,rochaye= I like; siddhim= accomplishment; artheshhu= in actions; daNDena= through hostility.”

“Overstepping the methods of giving away gifts or conciliation or even showing dissention being followed by right men, I like accomplishment of actions through hostile means.”

iha praaptaanvayam sarvaan shatruumstava mahaabala |
vashe shastraprataapena kariSyaamo na samshayaH || 6-13-8

8. mahaabala=O, ruler endowed with great might! Vayam =We; karishhyaamaH= shall make; sarvaan= all; tava= your; shatruun= enemies; praaptaan= reached; iha = here; vashe= to surrender; shastraprataapena= by the power of our weapons; na samshayaH= there is no doubt.”

“O, ruler endowed with great might! We shall make all your enemies reaching here to surrender, by the power of our weapons. There is no doubt about it.”

evamuktastadaa raajaa mahaapaarshvaena raavaNaH |
tasya sampuujayanvaakyamidam vacanamabraviit || 6-13-9

9. tadaa= then; sampuujayan= appreciating; tasya=his; vaakyam= words; evam= thus; uktaH= spoken; mahaapaarshvena=by Mahaparsva; raajaa=king; raavaNaH= Ravana; abraviit= spoke; idam= these; vachanam= words:

Appreciating the words spoken thus by Mahaparsva, King Ravana spoke the following words:

mahaapaarshva nibodha tvam rahasyam kimcidaatmanaH |
ciravR^ittam tadaakhyaasye yadavaaptam puraa mayaa || 6-13-10

10. mahaapaarshva= “ O,Mahaparsva; nibodha= know; kimchit= a little; rahasyam= secret; aatmanaH= about me; aakhyaasye= I shall tell; tat= that; yat= which; avaaptam= was obtained; mayaa= by me; puraa= previously; chiravR^ittaam= which occurred long ago.”

“O, Mahaparsva! Know a little secret about me. I shall tell you an incident, which occurred to me long ago.”

pitaamahasya bhavanam gacchantiim puJNjikasthalaam |
caJNcuuryamaaNaamadraakshamaakaashe.agnishikhaamiva || 6-13-11

11. adraakshham= I saw; puNjikasthala= Punjikasthala; (by name); agnishikhaamiva= gleaming like a flame; chaNchuuryamaaNaam= concealing herself (for fear of me); aakaashe= in the sky; gachchhantiim= and proceeding; bhavanam= to the abode; pitaamahasya= of Brahma.”

“Once I saw a celestial nymph, Punjikasthala(by name) flashing like a flame, concealing herself in the sky and proceeding towards the abode of Brahma.”

saa prasahya mayaa bhuktaa kR^itaa vivasanaa tataH |
svayambhuubhavanam praaptaa lolitaa nalinii yathaa || 6-13-12

12. saa= she; kR^itaa= was made; vivasanaa= unclothed; bhuktaa= and was enjoyedmayaa= by me; prahasya= forcibly; tataH= thereafter; praaptaa= she reached; svayambhuu bhavanam= the abode of Brahma; naliniiyathaa= like a lotus; lolitaa= which was crumled.”

“She was made unclothed by me and was enjoyed forcibly. Thereafter, appearing like a crumpled lotus, she went to the abode of Brahma.”

tacca tasya tadaa manye jJNaatamaasiinmahaatmanaH |
atha samkupito vedhaa maamidam vaakyamabravii || 6-13-13

13. manye= I think; tachcha= it; G^yaatam= was informed; tadaa= then; tasya= to Brahma; mahaatmanaH= the high soled; atha= and then; samkupitaH= the enraged; vedhaaH= Brahama; abraviit= spoke; idam= these; vaakyam= words; maam= to me.”

“I think that the matter was made known to the high soled Brahama and then the enraged Brahma spoke to me the following words:

adyaprabhR^iti yaamanyaam balaannaariim gamiSyasi |
tadaa te shatadhaa murdhaa phaliSyati na samshayaH || 6-13-14

14. adya prabhR^ti= from today onwards; gamishhyasi= if you revel with ; yaam anyaam= any other; naariim= woman; balaan= forcibly; tadaa= then; te= your; muurthaa= head; phalishhyati= will break asunder; shatadhaa= into hundred (pieces); na samshayaH= there is no doubt.”

“From today onwards, if you revel with any other woman forcibly, your head then undoubtedly will break asunder into a hundred pieces.”

ityaham tasya shaapasya bhiitaH prasabhameva taam |
naarohaye balaatsiitaam vaidehiim shayne shubhe || 6-13-15

15. bhiitaH= fearing; tasya= his; shaapasya= curse; iti= in this manner; aham=I; naarohye taam siitaam vaidehiim= am not making that Sita, the daughter of king Videha to mount; shube= (my) beautiful; shayane= bed; prasabhameva= hurriedly.”

“Fearing the curse given in this manner by Brahama, I am not violently making Sita the daughter of Videha, to mount on my beautiful bed forcibly.”

saagarasyeva me vego maarutasyeva me gatiH |
naitaddaasharathirveda hyaapaadayati tena maam || 6-13-16

16. me= my; vegaH= swiftness; saagarasyeva= is like that of an ocean; me= my; gatiH= movement; maarutasyeva= is like that of wind; daasarathiH= Rama= na veda= does not know; etad= this; tena= that is why; aasaadayati hi= he is indeed attacking; maam= me.”

“My swiftness is like that of an ocean. My movement is like that of a wind. Rama does not know this and hence he is indeed having an encounter with me.”

ko hi simhamivaasiinam suptam giriguhaashaye |
kruddham mR^ityumivaa.asiinam sambodhayitumicchati || 6-13-17

17. kohi= who; ichchhati= wants; sambodhayitum= to arouse; (me); aasiinam= sitting; simham iva= like a lion; suptam= sleeping; giriguhaashaye= at a place in a mountain cave; mR^ityum iva= like death; aasiinam= sitting; kR^Iddham= enraged.”

“If not otherwise, who wants to arouse me (for a combat) as one would awaken a lion asleep, sitting at a place in a mountain cave or arouse into activity an enraged Death?”

na matto nirgataan baaNaan dvijihvaan panngaaniva |
raamaH pashyati samgraame tena maamabhigacchati || 6-13-18

18. raamaH= Rama; na pashyati= did not see; baaNaam= the arrows; pannagaaniva= looking like serpents; dvijihvaan= with two tongues; nirgataan= coming forth; mattaH= from me; tena= for that reason; abhigachchhati= he is coming against; maam= me; samgraame= in battle.”

“Rama did not see the arrows, looking like two tongued serpents, coming forth from me. That is why he is marching against me for a battle”

kshipram vajrasamairbaaNaiH shatadhaa kaarmukachutaiH |
raamamaadiipayiSyaami ulkabhiriva kuJNjaram || 6-13-19

19. aadiipayishhyaami= I shall blaze up; raamam= Rama; kshhipram= quickly; baaNaiH= by arrows; vajrasamaiH= resembling thunderbolts; shatadhaa= in hundreds; kaarmukachyutaiH= released from my bow; kuNjaram iva= like an elephant; ullaabhiH= with fire brands.”

“I shall blaze up Rama swiftly with my arrows in hundreds resembling thunder bolts discharged from my bow, like tormenting an elephant with fire brands.”

taccaasya balamaadaasye balena mahataa vR^itaH |
uditaH savitaa kaale nakshatraaNaam prabhaamiva || 6-13-20

20. vR^itaH= surrounded; mahataa balena= by a great army; aadasya= I shall take away; asya= his; tat= that; balam= strength; prabhaamiva= like taking away the light; nakshhatraaNaam = of the stars; uditaH= by a rising; savitaa= sun; kaale= in dawn.”

“Surrounded by great army, I shall take away that strength of Rama, as a rising sun at dawn takes away radiance of the stars.”

na vaasavenaapi sahasracakshuSaa |
yudhaasmi shakyo varuNena vaa punaH |
mayaa tviyam baahubalena nirjitaa |
puraa purii vaishravaNena paalitaa || 6-13-21

21. vaasavenaapi= even by Devendra(Lord of celestials) ; sahasra chakshhushhaa= with thousand eyes; varuNenavaa= or by Varuna(king of the universe); nashakyaH asmi= I am not capable of being conquered; yudhaa= in a battle; puraa= once; iyam purii= this city; paalitaa= ruled; vaishrevaNena= by Kubera; (Lord of riches); nirjitaa= was conquered; mayaa= by me; baahubalena= with the power of my arms.”

“Even Devendra (lord of celestials) with thousand eyes or Varuna (king of the Universe) can not conquer me in battle. Once upon a time, this city of Lanka ruled by Kubera (Lord of riches) was conquered by me with the power of my arms.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe trayodashaH sargaH

Thus completes 13th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 14

Introduction

Vibhishana informs the assembly about the strength of the monkeys, and about the power of Rama`s arrow. He also informs that none on the demon’s side can withstand Rama, in battle. Prahasta replies that they have no fear at any time to face Rama in battle. Then, Vibhishana reiterates the enormous strength of the fatal arrows discharged by Rama and requests the assembly to save Ravana by giving back Sita to Rama.

nishaacarendrasya nishamya vaakyam |
sa kumbhakarNasya ca garjitaani |
vibhiiSaNo raakshasaraajamukhya |
muvaaca vaakyam hitamrthayuktam || 6-14-1

1. nishamya= hearing; vaakyam= the words; nishaacharendrasya= of the king of demons; garijitaani=and the growls; kumbhakarNasya= of Kumbhakarna; saH vibhiishhaNaH= that Vibhishana; uvaacha=spoke; hitam= friendly; arthayuktam= and meaningful; vaakyam=words; raakshhasaraajamukhyam=to that Ravana; the foremost king of demons.

Hearing the words of Ravana the king of demons and the growls of Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana spoke the following friendly and meaningful words to Ravana the foremost king of ogres:

vR^ito hi baahvantarabhogaraashi |
shchintaaviSaH susmitatiikshaNadamSTraH |
paJNcaaN^guliipaJNcashiro.atikaayaH |
siitaamahaahistava kena raajan || 6-14-2

2. raajaa= “O,king! Kena= by whom, vR^taH= has been wrapped; tava= to you; siita mahaa hiH atikaayaH= this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita; baahvantarabhogaraashiH= with heap of expanded hoods as her bosom; chintaavishhaH= having the poison called anxiety; susmita tiikshhNadamshhtraH= with sharp fangs as her sweet smile; paNchaaNgulii paNcha shiro atikaayaH= with five hoods as her five fingers.”

“By whom, O, king, has been wrapped around your neck, this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita, with heap of expended hoods as her bosom, having poison as her anxiety and with sharp fangs as her sweet smile and with five hoods as her five fingers.”

yaavanna laN^kaa samabhidravanti |
valiimukhaaH parvatakuuTamaatraaH |
damSTrayudhaashcaiva nakhaayudhaashca |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-14-3

3. na yaavat= before; valumukhaaH= the monkeys; parvata kuuTa maatraaH= with the size of mountain peaks; damshhTraayudhaaH= with their teeth as weapons; nakhaayudhaashcha= and their nails too as weapons; samaadhidravanti= rush full upon; laNkaam= the city of Lanka; maithilii= let Sita; pradiiyataam= be given back, dasharathaaya= to Rama."

“Even before the monkeys with their body size as mountain peaks, having their teeth and nails as weapons, rush full upon the city of Lanka, give back Sita to Rama.”

yaavanna gR^ihNanti shiraamsi baaNaa |
raameritaa raakshasapuN^gavaanaam |
vajropamaa vaayusamaanavegaaH |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-14-4

4. na yaavat= before; baaNaaH= the arrows; raameritaa= dispatched by Rama; vajropamaa= resembling thunderbolts; vaayu samaana vegaaH= with a speed equal to wind; gR^ihNanti= take away; shiraamsi= the heads; raakshhasapuNgavaan= of the chiefs of demons; maithilii= let Sita; pradiiyataam= be given back; daasharathaaya= to Rama.”

“Even before arrows resembling thunder bolts and with a speed equal to wind, dispatched by Rama, take away the heads of chiefs of demons, give back Sita to Rama.”

na kumbhakarNendrajitau ca raajam |
stathaa mahaapaarshvamahodarau vaa |
nikumbhakumbhau ca tathaatikaayaH |
sthaatum samarthaa yudhi raaghavasya || 6-14-5

5. raajan= O, king!; kumbhakarNendrajitou= Either Kumbhakarna or Indrajit; tathaa= and; mahaparshva mahodarou vaa= either Mahaparshvaa or Mahodara; nikumbhakumbhaou= or Nikumbha or Kumbha; tathaa= and; atikaayaH= Atikaya; na samarthaaH= cannot; sthaatum= withstand; raaghavasya= against Rama; yudhi= in battle.”

“O, king! Either Kumbhakarna or Indrajit and either Mahaparsva or Mahodara and either Nikumbha or Kumbha or even Atikaya cannot withstand Rama in battle.”

jiivamstu raamasya na moksyase tvam |
guptaH savitraapyathavaa marudbhiH |
na vaasavasyaaN^kagato na mR^ityo |
rnabho na paataalamanupraviSTaH || 6-14-6

6. tvam= (Even if) you; guptaH= are guarded; savitraa= by the sun god; athavaa= or marudbhiH=by Maruts; jiivan= alive; raamasya= by Rama; na= nor; aNgagataH= when gone in proximity; vaasavasya= of Indra; na= nor; mR^ityoH= when gone nearer to the god of death; na= nor; anupravishhTaH= when penetrated; nabhaH= the heaven; paataalam= or under the earth.”

“Even if you are protected by the sun god, or by Maruts (storm gods) nor even seated in the lap of Indra or god of Death nor if you have penetrated into the regions of heaven or under the earth you will not be spared by the arrows of Rama.”

nishamya vaakyam tu vibhiiSaNasya |
tataH prahasto vacanam babhaaSe |
na no bhayam vidma na daivatebhyo |
na daanavebhyo.apyathavaa kadaacit || 6-14-7

7. nishamya= hearing; vaakyam= the words; vibhiishaNasya= of Vibhishana;prahastaH= Prahasta; tataH= then; babhaashhe= spoke;vachanam=these words; naH= “To us; na vidma= is not known; bhayam= fear; na= neither; daivatebhyaH= for celestials; na athavaa= nor; daanavebhyaH= for demons; kadaachit= at any time.”

Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Prahasta spoke as follows: “We are not knowing of fear at all. We do not have fear of either celestials or demons at any time.”

na yakshagandharvamahoragebhyo |
bhayam na samkhye patagoragebhyaH |
katham nu raamaadbhavitaa bhayam no |
narendraputraatsamare kadaacit || 6-14-8

8. na bhayam= there is no fear; (for us); yakshagandharva mahoragebhyaH= from Yakshas or Gandharvas or eminent Nagas; na= nor from; patagoragebhyaH= birds and reptiles; samkhye= in battle; katham= how; bhavitaa= can; kadaachit= at any time; bhayam= fear; naH= to us; samare= in battle; raamaat= from Rama; narendraputraat= the son of a human king?”

“We do not have fear from Yakshas (demi- gods) or Gandharvas (celestial musicians) or eminent Nagas (serpent demons) or from birds and reptiles on the field of battle. When such is the case, how can we have fear from Rama, the son of a human king at any time in battle?”

prahastavaakyam tvahitam nishamya |
vibhiiSaNo raajahitaanukaaN^ikshii |
tato mahaartham vacanam babhaaSe |
dharmaarthakaameSu niviSTabuddhiH || 6-14-9

9. tatah=then; vibhiishaNaH= Vibhishana; raaja hitaanukaaNkshhiii=who desired the welfare of the king; nivishhTa buddhiH= who possessed a stable mind; dharmaarthakaamashhu= in virtue wealth and pleasure; nishamya= having heard; Prahasta vaakyam= the words of Prahasta; ahitam= which were inimical; babhaashhe= spoke; mahaartham= greatly meaningful; vachanam= words(as follows):

Vibhishana who desired the welfare of the king and who possessed a stable mind in virtue wealth and pleasure, after hearing the inimical words of Prahasta, spoke highly meaningful words as follows:

prahasta raajaa ca mahodarashca |
tvam kumbhakarNashca yathaarthajaatam |
braviita raamam prati tanna shakyam |
yathaa gatiH svargamadharmabuddheH || 6-14-10

10. prahasta= “O, Prahasta! Yathaa= How; raajaacha= the king; mahodarashcha= and Mahodara; tvam= you; kumbhakarNashcha= and Kumbhakarna; braviita= are telling; arthajaatam= the collection of things; raamamprati= about Rama; tat= that; nashakyam= is impossible; yathaa= as ; adharmabuddheH= to the wicked minded; gatiH= going; svargam= to heaven(is impossible).”

“O, Prahasta! The series of actions king or Mahodara as also yourself and Kumbhakarna propose to take against Rama are impossible of being accomplished, any more than going to heaven by wicked minded persons.”

vadhastu raamasya mayaa tvayaa ca |
prahasta sarvairapi raakshasairvaa |
katham bhavedarthavishaaradasya |
mahaarNavam tartu mivaaplavasya || 6-14-11

11. katham= how; bhavet= is it possible; mayaa= by me; tvayaacha= or by you; sarvaH= or by all; raakshhasairvaa= demons; vadhaH= the killing; raamasya= of Rama; arthavishaaradasya= who is expert in any matter; tartum iva= like crossing; mahaarNavam= a great ocean; aplavasya= by a person without a bark.”

“How is it possible by me or by you or by all the demons to kill Rama, who is expert in all matters, any more than a person without a bark to cross a great ocean.”

dharmapradhaanasya mahaarathasya |
iksvaakuvamshaprabhavasya raajJNaH |
puro.asya devaashca tathaavidhasya |
kR^ityeSu shaktasya bhavanti muuDhaaH || 6-14-12

12. “devashcha= Even the celestials; bhavanti= become; muuDhaaH= bewildered; puraH= before; raaG^yaH= the king; asya= Rama; tathaavidhasya= of such qualities as whose priority is righteousness; ;mahaarathasya= who is great car warrior; ikshhvaakuvamsha prabhavesya= who was born in Ikshvaku dynasty; shaktasya= who is capable of accomplishing; kR^iteshhu= his objects.”

“Even the celestials would feel bewildered when placed in front of the king Rama who gives priority to righteousness, is a great car warrior, was born in the dynasty of Ikshvaku and is capable of accomplishing his objects.”

tiikshaNaa na taavattava kaN^kapatraa |
duraapadaa raaghavavipramuktaaH |
bhittvaashariiram pravishanti baaNaaH |
prahasta tenaiva vikatthase tvam || 6-14-13

13. prahasta=O,Prahasta ! baaNaaH= the arrows; raaghavavipramuktaaH= released by Rama; tiikshhNaaH= which are sharp; kaN^kapatraaH= furnished with heron’s feathers; duraasadaaH= which are dangerous to be approached; na pravishanti taavat= did not penetrate; bhittavaa= piercing; tava= your; shariiram= body; tenaina= for that reason; tvam=you; vikatthase= are boasting.”

“O, Prahasta! The sharp arrows discharged by Rama, which are furnished with heron’s feathers and are dangerous to be approached, have not yet penetrated, duly piercing, your body. That is why, you indulge in a boastful talk.”

bhittvaa na taavatpravishanti kaayam |
praaNaantakaaste.ashanitulyvegaaH |
shitaaH sharaa raaghavavipramuktaaH |
prahasta tenaiva vikatthase tvam || 6-14-14

14. prahaste= O,Prahasta! SharaaH= The arrows; praaNaahtakaaH= which are fatal; ashanitulyavegaaH= having the speed of a thunderbolt; shitaaH= and are sharp; raaghave vipramuktaaH= discharged by Rama; na taavat pravishanti= have not yet penetrated; bhitvaa= splitting; te= your; kaayam= body; tenaiva= that is why; tvam= you; vikatthase= are boasting.”

“The sharp and fatal arrows, discharged by Rama with the speed of a thunderbolt, have not yet penetrated, duly splitting your body. That is why; you are indulged in a boastful talk.”

na raavaNo naaibalastriishiirSo |
na kumbhakarNasya suto nikubhaH |
na cendrajiddaasharathim prasoDhum |
tvam vaa raNe shakrasamam samarthaH || 6-14-15

15. raavaNaH= Ravana; nasamarthaH= is not capable; na=nor; trishiirshhaH= Triseersha; atibalaH= with great strength; na= nor; Indrajit= Indrajit; tvam vaa= nor yourself; soDhum= to withstand; daasharathim= Rama; shakrasamam= equal to Indra; raNe= in battle.”

“Ravana or Triseersha, with great strength or Nikumbha the son of Kumbhakarna or Indrajit or yourself are not capable to withstand Rama, who is equal in strength to Indra, in battle.”

devaantako vaapi naraantako vaa |
tathaatikaayo.atiratho mahaatmaa |
akampananashcaadrisamaanasaaraH |
sthaatum na shaktaa yudhi raaghavasya || 6-14-16

16. devaantakova.api=or even Devantaka ; naraatakovaa:or Narantaka; tathaa:and;atikaayaH:Atikaya;atirathaH:or Atiratha; mahaatmaa= of gigantic proportions; akampanashcha= or Akampana; adrisamaana saaraH= who is mighty as an ocean; na shaktaaH= are not capable; sthaatum=to withstand; yudhi= in battle; raaghavasya= against Rama.”

“Even Devantaka or Narantaka or Atikaya or Atiratha of gigantic proportions, or Akampana who is mighty as an ocean are not capable to withstand against Rama in battle.”

ayam ca raajaa nyasanaabhibhuuto |
mitrairamitrapratimairbhavadbhiH |
anvaasyate raakshasanaashanaarthe |
tiikshaNaH prakR^ityaa hyasamiikshyakaarii || 6-14-17

17. ayam raajaa= this king; vyasanaabhibhuutaH= who is over come by evil addictions*; tiikshhNaH= is rude; prakR^ityaa= in nature; asamiikshhyakaarii= and acts inconsiderately; raakshhanaashanarthe= for the destruction of demons; anvaasyate= he is being seated round as a caucus; bhavadbhiH= by you; mitraiH= who are his friends; amitrapratimaiH= taking the form of enemies.”

“This king who is overcome by evil addictions, * is rude in nature and acts inconsiderately. Such a king is being surrounded as a caucus by you who are his companions taking the form of his enemies for the ultimate destruction of demons.”

*The following are the seven evil habits to which kings are generally found addicted: --Harshness of speech and severity of punishment, extravagance, drinking, love of women, hunting and gambling.

anantabhogena sahasramuurdhnaa |
vaagena bhiimena mahaabalena |
balaatparikshiptamimam bhavanto |
raajaanamutkshipya vimocayantu || 6-14-18

18. bhavantaH= you; utekshhipya= lift up; vimochayantu= and release; imaam raajaanam= this king; parikshhiptam=who has been wrapped; balata= forcibly; bhiimana= by terrific; naagena= snake; mahaabalena= exceedingly strong; ananta bhogena= of boundless proportions; sahasra muurdhnaa= having thousand hoods.”

“You lift up and release this king, who has been wrapped forcibly by a terrific and exceedingly strong snake of boundless proportions having thousand hoods and make him completely free.”

yaavaddhi keshagrahaNaatsuhR^idbhiH |
sametya sarvaiH paripuurNakaamaiH |
nigR^ihya raajaa parirakshitavyo |
bhuutairyathaa bhiimabalairgR^ihiiaH || 6-14-19

19. sarvaiH= all; suhR^IdbhiH= the well wishers; paripuurNakaamaiH= who are getting their desires fulfilled (by the king); sametya= should come together; raajaa parirakshhitavyaHhi= and the king is indeed to be protected; nigR^ihya= by coersion; keshagrahaNaat yaavat= even by pulling his hair; gR^ihiitaH yathaa= as one who is taken possession of ; bhuutaiH= by evil spirits; bhiimabalaiaH= of terrific strength.”

“All the well-wishers who are getting their desires fulfilled by the king, should come together and protect the king by coercion even by pulling his hair if necessary as one who is taken ossession of by evil spirits with terrific strength, is protected by one’s kith and kin.”

suvaariNaa raaghavasaagareNa |
pracchaadyamaanastarasaa bhavadbhiH |
yuktastvayam taarayitum sametya |
kaakutthsapaataalamukhe patansaH || 6-14-20

20. ayam=this Ravana; prachchaadyamaanaH= who is going to be enveloped; tarasaa= forcibly; raaghavasaagareNa= with full of excellent water; patan= and who is about to fall; kaakutthsa paataala mukhe=into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region; ); in the shape of Rama; yuktaH= is fit; taarayitum= to be saved; sametya= united; bhavidbhiH= by you.”

“This Ravana, for his part who is going to be enveloped forcibly by an ocean in the shape of Rama – which is full of excellent water (who possesses excellent moral character) and who is about to fall into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region) in the shape of Rama, is fit to be rescued united by you.”

idam purasyaasya saraakshasasya |
raajJNashcha pathyam sasuhR^ijjanasya |
samyagghi vaakyam svamatam braviimi |
narendraputraaya dadaatu maithiliim || 6-14-21

21. braviimihi= I am indeed telling; samyak= rightly; idam vaakyam= these words; pathyam= which are wholesome; svamatam= as per my opinion; asya= to this; parasya= city; paraakshhasasya= and the demons residing init; raaG^yashcha= to the king; sasuhR^ijjanasya= along with his well wishers; maithiliim= Let Sita; dadaatu= be given back; narendraputraaya= to Rama."

“I am telling these right and wholesome words, as per my opinion, to this city and the demons inhabiting in it as well as to the king and his well wishers: Let Sita be given back to Rama.”

parasya viiryam svabalam ca buddhvaa |
sthaanam kshayam caiva tathaiva vR^iddhim |
tathaa svapakshe pyanumR^ishya buddhyaa |
vadt kshamam svaamihitam sa mantrii || 6-14-22

22. buddhvaa= knowing; viiryam= the strength; parasya= of the enemies; svabalamcha=and our own strength; anumR^Ishya= grasping; buddhyaa=by the intellect; tathaa= like wise; sthaanam= the status quo; kshhayamchaiva= the fall; tathaiva= and; vR^iddhim= rise; svapakshhe= in our army; vadet= (he who) speaks; svaamihitam= in the interest of the king; khhamam=in a befitting manner; saH= he; mantrii= is the councellor."

“A counselor is he, who after knowing the strength of the enemies and that of his own (master) and even so duly grasping with his intellect, the status quo, fall, or rise in military power like-wise on both sides, renders advice which is appropriate to the interest of his king.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe caturdashaH sargaH

Thus completes 14th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 15

Introduction

Indrajit criticizes Vibhishana for underestimating the former`s strength. Vibhishana abuses Indrajit for his immaturity of mind and for his rash nature in underscoring the power of Rama`s arrows. Vibhishana further advises Ravana to give back Sita along with valuable presents to Rama and to live happily ever after in Lanka.

bR^ihaspatestulyamatervacasta |
nnishamya yatnena vibhiiSaNasya |
tato mahaatmaa vacanam babhaaSe |
tatrendrajinnairR^itayuuthamukhyaH || 6-15-1

1. nishamya= hearing; yatnena= carefully; tat= those; vachaH=words; vibhiishhaNasya= of Vibhishana; tulyamateH= whose intellect was equal; bR^ihaspataH= to that of Brihaspati( god of wisdom and eloquence); mahaatmaa= the high spirited; Indrajit=Indrajit; nairR^itayuutha mukhyaH=the chief of army of demons; babhaashha= spoke; vachanam=(these) words; tatra=there.

Carefully hearing the words of Vibhishana, whose intellect was equal to that of Brihaspati (god Of wisdom and eloquence) the high spirited Indrajit, the chief of army of demons spoke as follows:

kim naama te taata kaniSTha vaakya |
manrthakam vai bahubhiitavacca |
asmin kule yo.api bhavenna jaataH |
so.apiidR^isham naiva vadenna kuryaat || 6-15-2

2. kanishhTha taata= O, youngest uncle! Kim naama= pray, what? Te= your; vaakyam= words; anarthakam= are meaning less; bahubhiitavachcha= and very much frightening; saHapi= Even he; yaH= who; na bhavet= is not born; asmin= in this; kule= race; naiva vadet= would not speak; iidR^sham= such words; na kuryaat= nor do such a thing (as you suggest)”.

“O, youngest uncle! Pray, what? Your words are meaningless and very much frightening. Even he who is not born in this race would neither speak such words nor do such a thing (as you suggest).”

sattvena viiryeNa paraakrameNa
dhairyeNa shauryeNa ca tejasaa ca |
ekaH kule.asmin puruSo vimukto |
vibhiiSaNastaatakaniSTha eSaH || 6-15-3

3. asmin= in this; kule= race; eshhaH= this; vibhiishhaNaH= Vibhishana; taatakanishhThaH= the youngest uncle; ekaH= is the only; purushhaH= individual; vimuktaH= lacking; sattvena= in strength; viiryeNa= heroism; paraakrameNa= prowess; dhairyeNa= courage; shauryana= valour; tejasaacha= and vital power.”

“In our race, this Vibhishana the youngest uncle is the only individual lacking in strength, heroism, prowess, courage, valor and vital powers” W.w m.

kim naama tau maanuSaraajaputraa |
vasmaakamekena hi raakshasena |
supraakR^itenaapi nihantumetau |
shakyau kuto bhiiSayase sma bhiiro || 6-15-4

4. kim naama= what then are, tau= those; manushha raajaputrou= princes who are human beings? Etou= these; shakyau= can be; nihantum= killed; ekena raakshhasena= by one demon; supraakR^itenaapi= even very ordinary; asmaakam= among us; kutaH= why; bhiishhayase= are you frightening (us); bhiiro= O, coward!”

"What after all are those princes who are mere human beings? They can be killed even by one very ordinary demon among us. O, coward! Why are you frightening us? “

trilokanaatho nama devaraajaH |
shakto mayaa bhuumitale viviSTaH |
bhayaarmitaashcaapi dishaH prapannaaH |
sarve tadaa devagaNaaH samagraaH || 6-15-5

5. tadaa= at that time; shaktaH= the competent; devaraajaH= the lord of three worlds; nanu= indeed; nivishhTah= was tossed down; bhuumi tale= on the floor; mayaa= by me; sarve= all; devaganaaH= the flock of celestials; bhayaarpitaashchaapi= were cast into fear; samgraaH= and all; prasannaaH= cleared; dishaH= (to different) quarters.”

“At one time, the competent Devendra, the lord of three worlds, was indeed tossed down on the floor by me. All the flocks of celestials were cast into fear and all of them fled to different quarters.”

airaavato visvaramunnadan sa |
nipaatito bhuumitale mayaa tu |
vikR^iSya dantau tu mayaa prapahya |
vitraasitaa devagaNaaH samagraaH || 6-15-6

6. saH= that; airaavatah= Airavata, Indra`s elephant; unnadan= which was making noise; visvaram= discordantly; nipaatitaH=was hurled down; bhuumitale= on the floor; mayaa= by me; prasahya= forcibly; vikR^ishhya= extracted; dantou= its teeth; mayaa= by me; samagraaH= the entire; devagaNaaH= flocks of celestials; vitraasitaa= were frightened.”

“Airavata (Indra`s elephant), which was making noise discordantly, was hurled down by me on the floor. I forcibly extracted its teeth and frightened the entire flock of celestials.”

so.aham suraaNaamapi darpahantaa |
daityottamaanaamapi shokakartaa |
katham narendratmajayorna shakto |
mamaSyayoH praakR^itayoH suviiryaH || 6-15-7

7. katham= how; saH aham= am I; darpahantaa= who suppressed the arrogance; suraaNaamapi= of even the celestials; shoka kartaa= who made miserable; daityottomaanaamapi= the life of even excellent of the demons; suviiryaH= and having great valor; nashaktaH=not capable; narendraatmajayoH= the princes; praakR^itayoH= who are ordinary; manushhyayoH= human beings?”

“How can I, with great valor, who suppressed the arrogance of even the celestials and who made the lives of even excellent of the demons miserable, not capable of conquering the two princes who are ordinary human beings?”

athendrakalpasya duraasadasya |
mahaajasastadvacanam nishamya |
tato mahaartham vacanam babhaaSe |
vibhiiSaNaH shastrabhR^itaam variSThaH || 6-15-8

8. nishamya= hearing; tatvachanam= those words;( of Indrajit); indrakalpasya= who was equal to Indra; duraasadasya =dangerous to be approached; mahaujasaH= and possessing great vital power; vibhiishhaNaH= Vibhishana; varishhThaH= excellent; shastrabhR^Itaam= among bearers of weapons; tataH= then; babhaashha= spoke; mahaartham= highly meaningful; vachanam=words:-

Hearing those words of Indrajit, who was equal to Indra (god of celestials), dangerous to be approached, and possessing great vital power, Vibhishana the excellent one among bearers of weapons spoke then the following highly meaningful words:

na taata mantre tava nishcayo.asti |
baalastvamadyaapyavipakvabuddhiH |
tasmaattvayaapyaatmavinaashanaaya |
vacho.arthhiinam bahu vipralaptam || 6-15-9

9. taata= O, child! Naasti= There is no; nishchayaH= settlement; mantre= of thought; tava= in you; tvam= you; baalaH= being a boy; avipakvabuddhiH= are immature in mind; adyaapi= even now. Tasmaat= that is why; arthahiinam= meaningless; bahuvachaH= many words; vipralaptam= was prattled; tvayaapi= by you too; aatmavinaashanaaya= for only your self destruction.”

“O, child! There is no stability of thought in you. Being a boy, you are still immature in mind. That is why, many a meaningless word was prattled by you too, for only your self-destruction.”

putrapravaadena tu raavaNasya |
tvamindrajinmitramukho.asi shatruH |
yasyedR^isham raaghavato vinaasham |
vishamya mohaadanuvanyase tvam || 6-15-10

10. indrajit= “ O, Indrajit! Nishamya= hearing; iidR^isham= such; vinaashanam= destruction; yasya= of which Ravana; raaghavataH= from Rama; tvam= you; anunanyase= are accepting; mohaat= by ignorance; putraa pravaadena= in the guise of a son; raavaNasya= of such Ravana; asi= you are; shatruH= his enemy; mitramukhaaH= in the mask of as a well wisher.”

“In the guise of a son, O, Indrajit, you are an enemy of Ravana putting on the mask of a well wisher in that even hearing (from me) of his destruction at the hands of Rama, you are blindly agreeing with him.”

tvameva vadhyashca sudurmatishca |
sa caapi vadhyo ya aihaanayattvaam |
baalam dR^iDham saahaasikam ca yo.adya |
praaveshayanmantrakR^taam samiipam || 6-15-11

11. tvameva= you surely; vadhyashcha= are fit to be killed; yaH= he who; aanayat= brought; tvaam=you; baalam= a boy; dR^Idham= who are thorougly; susaahasikam= reckless; praaveshayat= and ushered you ; iha= here; adya=today; samiipam= in proximity; mantrakR^itaam= of the counselors; saHcha= also he; sudurmatiH= who is very much a fool; vadhyah= is to be killed.”

“You surely are fit to be killed. Nay, he too is fit to be killed, who brought you, a reckless boy here today and ushered you foolishly in the proximity of counselors”.

muuDho.apragalbho.avinayopapanna |
stiikshaNasvabhaavo.alpamatirduraatmaa |
muurkhastvamatyantasudurmatishca |
tvamindrajidbaalatayaa braviiSi || 6-15-12

indrajit= O, Indrajit! tvam=you; muuDhaH= irresolute; avinayopapannaH= without humility; tiikshhNa svabhaahaH= rude natured; alpamatiH= unwise; duraatmaa= evil natured; muurkhaH=inexperienced; atyanta sudurmatishcha=highly evil minded; tvam= you; bra viishhi= are thus speaking; baalatayaa= because you are a boy.”

“O, Indrajit! You are a stupid, irresolute, without humility, rude natured; unwise; evil person, inexperienced and highly evil minded. You are speaking in this manner because you are an immature boy”.

ko brahmadaNDapratimaprakaashaa |
narciSmataH kaalanikaasharuupaan |
saheta baaNaanyamadaNDakalpaa |
nsamakshamuktaanyudhi raaghaveNa || 6-15-13

13. kaH=who; saheta=can endure; baaNaam=the arrows; samakshhamuktaan=discharged in front; raghaveNa=by Rama; yudhi=in battle; brahmadaNDa pratimaprakaashaan=with a splendor resembling Brahma’s (creator’s) staff; archishhmataH= with rays of light; kaalanikaasha ruupaan=taking the form of Yama (God of Death); yamadaNDa kalpaan=resembling Yama’s staff.

”Who can endure the arrows, discharged by Rama in battle right in front of the enemy, which resemble Brahma’s (creator’s) staff in glory, which present a form similar to that of God of Death and are equal to the Yama’s staff?”

dhanaani ratnaani subhuuSaNaani |
vaapaampi divyaani maNiimshca citraan |
siitaam ca raamaaya nivedya deviim |
vasema raajanniha viitashokaaH || 6-15-14

14. raajan= O, king; nivedya=offering; dhanaani=riches; ratnaani=precious stones; subhuushhaNaani=good jewels; divyaani=excellent; vasaamsi=clothes; chitraan=bright colored; maNiimshcha=gems; siitaamdeviimcha=and the god-like Sita; raamaaya=to Rama; vasesu=let us live; iha=here; vita shokaH=free from anguish.

“ O, king! Offering riches, precious stones, good jewellery, excellent clothes, bright colored gems and the god-like Sita to Rama, let us live here, free from anguish.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe paJNcadashaH sargaH

Thus completes 15th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection