YUDDHAKAANDA – SARGA 11
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.
ततः प्रत्युषसि प्राप्ते प्राप्तधर्मार्थनिश्चयः |
राक्षसाधिपतेर्वेश्म भीमकर्मा विभीषणः ||
ततः = thereafter;
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
प्राप्तधर्मार्थनिश्चयः = who arrived at a settlement about virtue, pleasure and wealth;
भीमकर्मा = and who was terrible in his act;
प्राप्ते = on arrival of;
प्रत्युषसि = the dawn;
वेश्म= (entered) the palace;
राक्षसाधिपते: = 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. 11.1
शैलाग्रचयसम्काशम् शैलशृज्~गमिवोन्नतम् |
सुविभक्तमहाकक्षम् महाजनपरिग्रहम् ||
शैलाग्रचयसम्काशम् = looking like a multitude of mountain-tops;
उन्नतं= elevated;
शैलशृन्गमिव = like a mountain-peak;
सुविभक्तमहाकक्षम् = well-divided into large apartments;
महाजनपरिग्रहम् = 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. 11.2
मतिमद्भिर्महामात्रैरनुरकैरधिष्ठितम् |
राक्षसैराप्तपर्याप्तैह् सर्वतः परिरक्षितम् ||
अधिष्ठितम् = It was inhabited;
महामन्त्रैः= by prime ministers;
मतिमद्भि: = who were intelligent;
अनुरकैः = and beloved;
परिरधिष्ठितम्= It was guarded;
सर्वतः = on all sides;
राक्षसै: = by demons;
आप्तपर्याप्तैः = 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. 11.3
मत्तमातज्~गनिःश्वासैर्व्याकुलीकृतमारुतम् |
शज्~खघोषमहाघोषम् तूर्यसम्बाधनादितम् ||
मत्तमातम्गनिःश्वासैः = by the sighing breaths of elephants in rut;
व्याकुलीकृतमारुतम् = the air was filled;
शङ्कघोषमहाघोषम् = with a tumultuous noise produced by the sounds of couches;
तूर्यसम्बाधनादितम् = 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. 11.4
प्रमदाजनसम्बाधम् प्रजल्पितमहापथम् |
तप्तकाञ्चननिर्यूहम् भूषणोत्तमभूषितम् ||
प्रमदाजनसम्बाधाम् = filled with women-folk;
प्रजल्पितमहापथम् = with principal pasaages having spoken words;
तप्तकाञ्चननिर्यूहम् = with turrets made of pure gold;
भूषणोत्तमभूषितम् = 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. 11.5
गन्धर्वाणामिवावासमालयम् मरुतामिव |
रत्नसंचयसम्बाधम् भवनम् भोगिनामिव ||
आवासम् इव = It was like an abode;
गन्धर्वाणाम् = of Gandharvas;
आलयम् इव= like a palace;
मरुताम्= of Marus;
रत्नसंचयसम्बाधाम् = filled with a collection of jewels;
भवनम् इव= resembling a house;
भोगिनाम् = 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). 11.6
तम् महाभ्रमिवादित्य स्तेजोविस्तृतरश्मिमान् |
अग्रजस्यालयम् वीरः प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः ||
वीरः = the valiant Vbhishana;
महाद्युतिः = with great splendour;
प्रविवेश = entered;
तम् आलयम्= that mansion;
अग्रजस्य = of his elder brother, Ravana;
महाभ्रमिव = like a large cloud;
आदित्यः = by Sun;
तेजोविस्तृतरश्मिमान् = 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. 11.7
पुण्यान् पुण्याहघोषांश्च वेदिविद्भिरुदाहृतान् |
शुश्राव सुमहातेजा भ्रातुर्विजयसंश्रितान् ||
सुमहातेजा: = Vibhishana with very great radiance;
शुश्राव च = heard;
पुण्यान् = the auspicious;
पुण्याहघोषान् = sounds of felicitous recital of prayers;
उदाहृताम् = uttered;
वेदविद्भिः = by the knowers of Veda;
विजयसंश्रितान् = relating to victory;
भ्रातु: = 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. 11.8
पूजितान् दधिपात्रैश्च सर्पिर्भिः सुमनोक्षतैः |
मन्त्रवेदविदो विप्रान् ददर्श स महाबलः ||
सः = he;
महाबलः = with great strength;
ददर्श = saw;
विप्रान् = Brahmins;
मन्त्रवेदविदाः = who knew Mantras (sacred texts) and Brahmanas;
पूजितान् = respected and offered with;
दधिपात्रैश्च = pots filled with curd;
सर्पिर्भिः = with clarified butter;
सुमनोक्षतैः = 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. 11.9
स पूज्यमानो रक्षोभिद्दीप्यमानम् स्वतेजसा |
असनस्थम् महाबाहुर्ववन्दे धनदानुजम् ||
महाबाहु: = the mighty armed;
सः = Vibhishana;
पूज्यमान: = being adored;
रक्षोभि: = by demons;
दीप्यमानम्= and shining;
स्वतेजसा = by his own splendour;
ववन्दे = offered salutation;
धनदानुजम् = to Ravana the younger brother Kubera (Lord of riches);
असनस्थम् = 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. 11.10
स राजदृष्टिसम्पन्नमासनम् हेमभूषितम् |
जगाम समुदाचारम् प्रयुज्याचारकोविदः ||
प्रयुज्य = employing;
समुदाचारम् = customary formalities;
सः = Vibhishana;
आचारकोविदः = who knew the code of conduct;
जगाम = obtained;
आसनम्= a seat;
हेमभूषितम् = adorned with gold;
राजदृष्टिसम्पन्नम् = 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. 11.11
स रावणम् महात्मानम् विजने मन्त्रिसम्निधौ |
उवाच हितमत्यर्थम् वचनम् हेतुनिश्चितम् ||
मन्त्रिसम्निधौ = in the presence of ministers;
विजने = and in privation;
सः = Vibhishana;
उवाच = spoke;
रावणम् = to Ravana;
महात्मानम् = the powerful;
वचनम् = the words;
हेतुनिश्चितम् = convinced of reason;
अत्यर्थम्= and very much;
हितम्= 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. 11.12
प्रसाद्य भ्रातरम् ज्येष्ठम् सान्त्वेनोपस्थितक्रमः |
देशकालार्थसम्वादि दृष्टलोकपरावः ||
दृष्टलोकपरावः = Vibhishana who could behold good and evil things in the world;
प्रसाद्य = having sought the favour;
ज्येष्ठम् भ्रातरम् = from his elder (half-) brother;
सान्त्वेना= by means of soothing words;
उपस्थितक्रमः = arranged in order;
देशकालार्थसम्वादि = 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. 11.13
यदा प्रभृति वैदेही सम्प्राप्तेह परतप |
तदा प्रभृति दृश्यन्ते निमित्तान्यशुभानि नः ||
परतप = O, annihilator of enemies;
यदा प्रभृति = since when;
वैदेही = Seetha;
सम्प्राप्ता = came;
इह= here;
तदा प्रभृति = since then;
अशुभानि= inauspicious;
निमित्तानि= omnes;
दृश्यन्ते = are being seen;
नः = by us.
“O, annihilator of enemies! We are seeing inauspicious omens, since Seetha arrived here.” 11.14
सस्फुलिज्~गः सधूमार्चिह् सधूमकलुषोदयः |
मन्त्रसम्घहुतोऽप्यग्निर्न सम्यगभिवर्धते ||
मन्त्र सम्घहुतः अपि = even if the sacrificial fire is fed with oblations while uttering a set of proper Mantras (scared texts);
अग्निः= the fire;
नाभिवर्धते= is not flaring up;
सम्यक् = well;
सस्फुलिन्गः = with rising sparks;
सधूमारहिः= with flames containing smoke;
सधूमकलुषोदयः = 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.” 11.15
अग्निष्ठेष्वग्निशालासु तथा ब्रह्मस्थलीषु च |
परीपृपाणि दृश्यन्ते हव्येषु च पिपीलिकाः ||
सरीसृपाणि = serpents;
दृश्यन्ति = are seen;
अग्निष्ठेषू = at the corner of the sacrificial post which is nearest the fires;
अग्निशालासु = in houses keeping sacrificial fire;
तथा = and;
ब्रह्मस्थलीषु च = in places where sacred studies are made;
पिपीलिकाः = ants (are seen);
हव्येषु = 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.” 11.16
गवाम् पयांसि स्कन्नानि विमदा वरकुञ्जराः |
दीनमश्वाः प्रहेषन्ते न च ग्रासाभिनन्दिनः ||
पयांसि = milk;
गवाम् = of cows;
स्कन्नानि = is getting curdled;
वरकुञ्जराः = excellent elephants;
विमदा: = are bereft of rut;
अश्राः = horses;
प्रहेषन्ते = are neighing;
दीनम् = miserably;
न च = and not;
ग्रासाभिनन्दितः = 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.” 11.17
खरोष्ट्राश्वतरा राजन्भिन्न्रोमाः स्रवन्ति च |
न स्वभावेऽवतिष्ठन्ते विधानैरपि चिन्तताः ||
राजन् = O, king;
खरोष्ट्राश्वतरा: = donkeys, camels and mules;
स्रवन्ति च = shed tears;
बिन्न रोमाः = losing their hair;
चिन्तिताः अपि = and even if treated;
विधानै= as per medical procedures;
न अवतिष्टन्ते= do not stand;
स्वभावे= 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.”11.18
वायसाः सघशः क्रूरा व्याहरन्ति समन्ततः |
समवेताश्च दृश्यन्ते विमानाग्रेषु सम्घशः ||
क्रूरा: वायसाः = crows;
सघशः = in flocks;
व्याहरन्ति = are crying;
क्रूरा: = crudly;
समस्ततः= from all sides;
दृश्यन्ते = are being seen;
सम्घशः = in crowds;
समवेता: = assembled together;
विमानाग्रेषु = on house-tops.
“Crows in flocks are crying cruelly from all sides and are seen in crowds assembled together on house-tops.” 11.19
गृध्राश्च परिलीयन्ते पुरीमुपरि पिण्डिताः |
उपपन्नाश्च संध्ये द्वे व्याहरन्त्यशिवम् शिवाः ||
गृध्राश्च = vultures;
परिलीयन्ते = fly to and from;
परिपिण्डिताः = in circles;
पुरीमुपरि = over the city;
शिवाः = jackals;
व्याहरति= are crying;
अशिवं = inauspiciously;
उपसन्नाः = at the approach;
द्वे संध्ये = 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.” 11.20
क्रव्यादानाम् मृगाणाम् च पुरीद्वारेषु सज्~घशः |
श्रूयन्ते विपुला घोषाः सविस्फूर्जितनिःस्वनाः ||
पुरीद्वारेषु = at city-gates;
श्रूयन्ते = are heard;
विपुला: = loud;
घोषाः = cries;
क्रव्यादानाम् = of carnivorons;
मृगाणाम् = animals;
संघशः= gathered in groups;
सविस्फूर्जितनिःस्वनाः = with thundering noise.
“At city-gates are heard loud cries of carnivorous animals gathered in groups, with thundering noise.” 11.21
तदेवम् प्रस्तुते कार्ते प्रायश्चित्तमिदम् क्षमम् |
रोचये वीर वैदेही राघवाय प्रदीयताम् ||
वीर = O; brave man;
तत् = hence;
कार्ते = (when) the actions of evil forces;
प्रस्तुते = are happening;
एवं= in this way;
इदं = this;
प्रदीयताम् atonement;
क्षम= is appropriate;
रोचये = I like it;
वैदेही = (that) Seetha;
प्रदीयताम् = be given away;
राघवाय = 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.” 11.22
इदम् च यदि वामोहाल्लोभाद्वा व्याहृतम् मया |
तत्राप् च महाराज न दोषम् कर्तुमर्हसि ||
महाराज = O, emperor;
मया व्याहृतम् यदि = if I am speaking;
इदम् = this;
मोहाद्वा= because of infatuation;
लोभाद्वा = or greed;
तत्रापि= in that case also;
नार्हसि= you ought not;
कर्तुम्= to find;
दोषम् = 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.” 11.23
अयम् हि दोषः सर्वस्य जनस्याप्योपलक्ष्यते |
रक्षसाम् राक्षसीनाम् च पुरस्यान्तः पुरस्य च ||
अयम् = these;
दोषः= bad omens;
उपलक्ष्यते हि = are being seeing indeed;
रक्षसाम् = by demons;
राक्षसीनाम् च= by lady-demons;
पुरस्य = of the city;
अन्तपुरास्य = and of the gynaeceum;
सर्वस्य = and all;
अस्य= these;
जनस्य= 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.” 11.24
प्रापणे चास्य मन्त्रस्य निवृत्ताः सर्वमन्त्रिणः |
अवश्यम् च मया वाच्यम् यद्दृष्टमथवा श्रुतम् ||
सम्विधाय यथान्यायम् तद्भवान् कर्तुमर्हति |
सर्वमन्त्रिणः = all the ministers;
निवृत्ताः = have abstained;
प्रापणे = to pass;
अस्य= this;
मन्त्रस्य = counsel;
यत्= whatever;
दृष्टम् = is seen;
अथवा = or;
श्रुतम् = heard (it);
वाच्यम् = is to be told;
अवश्यं= surely;
मया = by me;
तत्= hence;
भवान् = you;
अर्हति = ought;
कर्तुम् = to do;
यथान्यायम् = according to fitness of things;
सम्विधाय = 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.” 11.25
इति स्वमन्त्रिणाम् मध्ये भ्राता भ्रातरमूचिवान् ||
रावणम् रक्षसाम् श्रेष्ठम् पथ्यमेतद्विभीषणः |
विभीषणः= Vibhishana;
भ्राता = (the half-)brother;
ऊचिवान् = spoke;
इति = these;
पथ्यं= beneficial;
एतत्= words;
रावणम् = to Ravana;
रक्षसाम् श्रेष्ठम् = the best among demons;
स्वमन्त्रिणाम् = in the midst of ministers;
भ्रातरम्= of his (half-) brother
Vibhishana, the half-brother spoke these beneficial words to Ravana, the best among demons in the midst of his half-brother’s ministers. 11.26
हितम् महार्थम् मऋदु मृदु|
व्यतीतकालायतिसम्प्रतिक्षमम् |
निशम्य तद्वाक्यमुपस्थितज्वरः |
प्रसज्~गवानुत्तरमेत दब्रवीत् ||
प्रसङ्गवान् = Ravana who had evil inclination;
निशम्य = heard;
तत् = those;
वाक्यं = words;
हितम् = which were beneficial;
महार्थम् = very well-meaning;
मृदु= soft;
हेतुसम्हितम् = conformable to reason;
व्यतीतकालायतिसम्प्रतिक्षमम् = and suitable for the past future and the present times;
उपस्थितज्वरः= got enraged;
अब्रवीत्= uttered;
एतत्= this;
उत्तरम् = 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.
भयम् न पश्यामि कुतश्चिदप्यहम् |
न राघवः प्राप्स्यति जातु मैथिलीम् |
सुरैः सहेन्द्रैरपि सम्गरे कथम् |
ममाग्रतः स्थास्यति लक्ष्मणाग्रजः ||
न पश्यामि = I do not see;
भयम् = fear;
कुतश्चिदपि = from whom so ever;
रामः= Rama;
नप्राप्स्यति = cannot obtain;
मैथिलीम्= Seetha;
जातु = by any means;
कथम् = how;
लक्ष्मणाग्रजः = Rama;
स्थास्यति = can stand;
अग्रतः= before me;
सम्गरे = in battle;
शेन्द्रैः= even along with Indra;
सुरैः अपि = 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?”
इत्येवमुक्र्वा सुरसैन्यनाशनो |
महाबलः सम्यति चण्डविक्रमः |
दशाननो भ्रातरमाप्तवादिनम् |
विसर्जयामास तदा विभीषणम् ||
दस्गाबबः= Ravana;
सुरसैन्यनाशन: = who annihilates the army of celestials;
महाबलः = (and) very powerful;
चण्डविक्रमः = with an impetuous valour;
इत्येवम्= thus;
उक्त्वा= spoke;
तदा = then;
विसर्जयामास = sent away;
विभीषणम् = Vibhishana;
आप्तवादिनम् = 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.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे एकादशः सर्गः
Thus completes 11th Chapter of Yuddha Kaanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
NEXT: SARGA 12
Janamejayan's धर्म जिज्ञासा 