VAALMIKI RAMAYANA

YUDDHAKAANDA – SARGA 12

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

स बभुव कृशो राजा मैथिलीकाममोहितः |
असन्मानाच्च सुहृदाम् पापः पापेन कर्मणाः ||

सः = that;
पापः = sinful;
राजा = king of demons;
मैथिलीकाममोहितः = infatuated by his desire for
Seeta;
बभुव = became;
कृशः = emaciated;
असन्मानाच्च = despising;
सुहृदाम् = the kind-hearted;
पापेन कर्मणाः = and by his sinful action.

That sinful Ravana, infatuated by his desire for सीथ, became emaciated by his sinful action and by his despising of well-disposed people like Vibhishana. 1

अतीतसमये काले तस्मिन्वे युधि रावणः |
अमात्यैश्च सुहृद्भिश्च प्राप्तकालममन्यत ||

सः = that;
काले = occasion;
युधि = for war;
वै= indeed;
अतीतसमये = having gone by;
रावणः = Ravana;
अमन्यत = thought of consultation with;
अमात्यैश्च = his ministers and;
सुहृद्भिश्च = well-wishers;
प्राप्तकाले = 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. 2.

स हेमजालविततम् मणिविद्रुमभूषितम् |
उपगम्य विनीताश्वमारुरोह महार्थम् ||

उपगम्य = approaching;
महारथम्= a great chariot;
हेमजालविततम् = covered by a golden net; maNividruma
भूषितम् = adorned with gems and corals;
विनीताश्वम् = and tied with trained horses;
सः = he;
आरुरुह= 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. 3.

तमास्थाय रथश्रेष्ठो महामेघसमस्वनम् |
प्रययौ रक्षसाम् श्रेष्ठो दशग्रीवः सभाम् प्रति ||

दशग्रीवः = Ravana;
श्रेष्टाः= the excellent;
रक्षसाम् = among demons;
आस्थाय= mounted;
तं = that;
रथश्रेष्टम् = most beautiful chariot;
महामेघसमस्वनम् = with a rattling sound resembling the rumbling of a large cloud;
प्रययौ = and preceeded;
सभाम् प्रति = 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. 4.

असिचर्मधरा योधाः सर्वायुधधरास्ततः |
राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पुरस्तात्सम्प्रतस्थिरे ||

ततः = then;
योधाः = warriors; as
चर्मधराः = holding swords and shields;
राक्षसा: = and demons;
सर्वायुधधरा: = wearing all tpes of weapons;
सम्प्रतस्थिरे= marched;
पुरस्तात्= in front;
राक्षसेन्द्रस्य = of that king of demons.

Warriors holding swords and shield as well as demons wearing all types of weapons, marched in front of Ravana. 5.

नानाविकृतवेषाश्च नानाभूषणभूषिताः |
पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतश्चैनम् परिवार्य ययुस्तदा ||

नानाविकृतवेषाश्च = (demons) wearing all types of unusual dresses;
नानाभूषणभूषिताः = and adoring various kinds of jewellery;
तदा = then;
ययु: = marched;
परिवार्य = surrounding;
एनम्= him;
पार्श्वतः = from sides;
पृष्ठतश्चै = 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. 6.

रथैश्चातिरथा शीघ्रम् मतैश्च वरवारणैः |
अमात्पेतुर्दशग्रीवमाक्रीडद्भिश्च वाजिभिः ||

अतिरथाः = great chariot-warriors;
रथै: = in chariots;
वरवारणैः = on excellent elephants;
मतै: = in rut;
वाजिभिः श्च = and horses;
आक्रिडद्भिः = sportively coming in different gaits;
अनूत्पेतुः दसग्रीवम् = rushed after Ravana;
शीघ्रम् = quickly.

Great chariot-warriors in chariots, on excellent elephants in rut and horses supportively coming in different gaits, rushed after Ravana quickly. 7.

गदापरिघहस्ताश्च शक्तितोमरपाणयः |
परश्वथधराश्चान्ये तथान्ये शूलपाणयः ||

गदापरिघहस्ताश्च = with maces and iron bars in their hands;
शक्तितोमरपाणयः = with javelins and iron clubs in their hands;
परिश्वथधराः = wearing axes;
अन्ये= some others;
शूलपाणयः = 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. 8.

ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणाम् सम्जज्ञे निःस्वनो महान् |
तुमुलः शङ्खशब्दश्च सभाम् गच्चति रवणे ||

ततः = thereafter;
रावणे = as Ravana;
गच्चति = was going;
सभाम् = to the assembly hall;
महान् = loud;
निःस्वन: = blare;
तूर्यासः अस्राणाम् = of thousands of trumpets;
तुमुलः = and tumultuous;
शङ्खशब्दश्च = noise of couches;
सम्जज्ञे = were produced.

As Ravana was proceeding to the assembly-hall, loud blare of thousands of trumpets along with tumultuous noise of conches were produced. 9.

स नेमिघोषेण महान्सहसाभिनिनादयन् |
राजमार्गम् श्रिया जुष्टम् प्रतिपेदे महारथः ||

सः = that;
महान्= excellently;
महारथः = great chariot;
अभिनिनादयौ= making noise;
नेमिघोषेण = of the sound of the wheels;
सः असा = soon;
प्रतिपेदे = obtained;
राजमार्गम् = the royal high way;
जुष्टम् = possessed;
श्रिया = of beauty.

That excellently great chariot, making noise of the sound of its wheels, soon entered the beautiful royal high-way. 10.

विमलम् चातपत्रम् च मशोभत |
पाण्डुरम् राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पूर्णस्तारधिपो यथा ||

आतपत्रम्= the umbrella;
विमलम् = which was spot-lessly;
पाण्डुरम् = white;
अशोभत = shone;
पूर्ण ताराधिपोयथा = like a full moon;
प्रगृहीतम् = was held;
राक्ष= (on the head) of Ravana.

The spotlessly white umbrella, held on Ravana’s head, shone like a full-moon. 11.

हेमञ्जरिगर्भे च शुद्धस्फटिकविग्रहे |
चामरव्यजने तस्य रेजतुः सव्यदक्षिणे ||

तस्य सव्यदक्षिणे = on his left and right sides;
चामरव्यजने = two fans of yak’s tails;
शुद्धस्फटिकविग्रहे = with crystal handles;
हेमञ्जरिगर्भे = and golden fringes;
रेजतुः = were shining.

On his left and right sides, two fans of yak’s tails with crystal handles and golden fringes were shining. 12.

ते कृताञ्जलयः सर्वे रथस्थम् पृथिवीस्थिताः |
राक्ष्सा राक्षसश्रेष्ठम् शिरोभिस्तम् ववन्दिरे ||

सर्वे = all;
ते राक्ष्सा:= those demons;
ववन्दिरे = offered theri salutation;
शिरोभि: = (by bending) their heads;
कृताञ्जलयः = and by joining their palsm;
तं= to him;
राक्षसश्रेष्ठम् = the best of demons;
रथस्थम् = 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. 13.

राक्षनैः स्तूयमानः सन् जयाशीर्भिररिंदमः |
अससाद महातेजाः सभाम् विरचिताम् तदा ||

तदा = then;
अरिन्दमः= Ravana the harasser of enemies;
सन् = possessing;
महातेजाः = great splendour;
स्तूयमानः = while being praised;
राक्षसैः= by demons;
जयशीर्भिः = throught cheers of victory;
अससाद = approached;
विरचिताम् = the arranged;
सभाम् = assembly.

Ravana the harasser of enemies, possessing great splendor, while being praised by demons through cheers of victory, approached that organized assembly. 14.

सुवर्णरजतास्तीर्णाम् विशुद्धस्फटिकान्तराम् |
विराजमानो वपुषा रुक्मपट्टोत्तरच्चदाम् ||
ताम् पिशाचशतैः षड्भिरभिगुप्ताम् सदाप्रभाम् |
प्रविवेश महातेजाः सुकृताम् विश्वकर्मणा ||

महातेजाः = Ravana with great splendour;
विराजमान: = with shining brightly;
वपुषा= body;
प्रविवेश = entered;
ताम् = that assembly hall;
सुवर्णरजतास्तीर्णाम् = made or consisting of gold and silver
विशुद्धस्फटिकान्तराम् = whose intereior was wrought with pure crystal;
रुक्मपट्टोत्तरच्चदाम् = carpeted with skins of deer;
अभिकृताम् = guarded by
शाड्भिः पिशाचशतैः = six hundred evil spirits;
सदाप्रभाम् = ever shining;
सुकृताम् = and well- build;
विश्वकर्मणा = 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. 15.

तस्याम् स वैदूर्यमयम् प्रियाकाजिनसम्वृतम् |
महत्सोपाश्रयम् भेजे रावणः परमासनम् ||

सः = that;
रावणः = Ravana;
तस्याम् = in that hall;
भेजे = occupied;
महत् = big;
परमासनम् = (and) excellent throne;
वैदूर्यमयम् = embedded with jewels (cat’s eye gems);
प्रियाकाजिनसम्वृतम् = covered with skin of deer called Priyaka;
सोपाश्रयम् = (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. 16.

ततः शशासेश्वरवद्दूतान् लघुपराक्रमान् |
समानयत मे क्षिप्रमिहैतान् राक्षसानिति ||
कृत्यमस्ति महाज्जाने कर्तव्यमिति शत्रुभिः |

ततः = thereafter;
ईश्वरवत् = as a king;
इति= thus;
ढूतान्= his messengers;
लघुपराक्रमान् = who were mering fast;
अस्ति = there is;
महत् = a gigantic;
कृत्यम्= work;
जाने = I know;
कर्तव्यमिति = what is being done;
शत्रुभिः = by enemies;
समानयत = bring;
इह = here;
एतान्= these;
राक्षसान्= demons;
क्षिप्रम्= 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.” 17.

राक्षसास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा लङ्कायाम् परिचक्रमुः ||
अनुगेहमवस्थय विहारशयनेषु च |
उद्यानेषु च रक्क्षंसि चोदयन्तो ह्यभीतवत् ||

श्रुत्वा = hearing;
तद्वचः= those words;
राक्षसा: = the (messenger) demons;
चोदयन्त: = impelling;
रक्क्षंसि = the demons;
अवस्थाय= staying;
विहारशयनेषु = in entertainment or in places bed-rooms;
उद्यानेषु च= or in gardens;
परिचक्रमुः = went;
अभीतवत्= without fear;
अनुग्चां = to every house;
लङ्कायाम् = 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.18.

ते रथान् रुचिरानेके दृप्तानेके दृढान् हयान् |
नागनेकेऽधिरुरुहुर्जग्मुश्चैके पदातयः ||

अधिरुरुहुः = mounted;
ते= those demons;
के = some;
रुचिरान्= beautiful;
रथान् = chariots;
एके = some;
दृप्तान्= wild;
दृढान् = and strong
हयान् = horses;
एके = some;
नागान्= elephants;
एके = some;
जग्मुः = wnet;
पदातयः = 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.

सा पुरी परमाकीर्णा रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः |
सम्पतद्भिर्विरुरुचे गरुत्मद्चिरिवामबरम् ||

सा पुरी = that city;
परमाकीर्णा = extremely crowded;
रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः = with chariots; elephants and horses;
सम्पतद्भिः = rushing togeher fast;
विरुरुचे= appeared;
अम्बरमिव= like the sky;
गरुत्मद्भिः = by the birds.

That city, extremely crowded with chariots elephants and horses rushing fast together, appeared like birds rushing fast in the sky. 19.

ते वाहनान्यवस्थाप्य यानानि विविधानि च |
सभाम् पद्भिः प्रविविशुः सिम्हा गिरिगुहामिव ||

अवस्थाप्य= parking;
वाहनानि = horses; elephants;
विविधानि = and various;
यानानिच = kinds of vehicles like chariots;
ते = they;
प्रविविशुः = entered;
पद्भिः = by foot;
सभाम् = the assembly-hall;
गिरिगुहामिव = like a mountain-cave;
सिम्हा: = 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.

राज्ञः पादौ गृहीत्वा तु राज्ञा ते प्रतिपूजिताः |
पीठेष्वन्ये बृसीष्वन्ये भूमौ केचिदुपाविशन् ||

गृहीत्वा = touching;
पादौ = the feet;
राणाः = of the king;
प्रतिपूजिताः = and being greeted in turn;
राज्झा = by the king;
अन्ये = some;
उपाविशन् = sat down;
पीठेषु = on seats;
अन्ये = some others;
ब्रीषु = on mats(of Kusa grass);
केचित् = and others;
भूमौ = 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. 20.

ते समेत्य सभायाम् वै राक्षसा राजशासनात् |
यथार्हमुपतस्थुस्ते रावणम् राक्षसाधिपम् ||

समेत्य = congregating;
साभायाम् = in the assembly-hall;
राज शासनात् = at the king’s command;
समेत्य = congregating;
ते राक्ष्स्साः = those demons;
ते = they;
उपस्थुः = took their position;
यथार्थम् = (each) according to their rank;
रावणम् (round) Ravana;
राक्षसाधिपम् = 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. 21.

मन्त्रिणश्च यथामुख्या निश्चितार्थेषु पण्डिताः |
अमात्याश्च गुणोपेताः सर्वज्ञा बुद्धिदर्शनाः ||
समीयुस्तत्र शतशः शूराश्च बहवस्तथा |
सभायाम् हेमवर्णायाम् सर्वार्थस्य सुखाय वै ||

मन्त्रिणश्च = ministers;
पण्डिताः = who were scholars;
निस्चितार्थेषु = well-versed in deciding actions;
गुणोपेताः = those endowed with good qualities;
सर्वज्झाणाः = those who were all-knowing;
अमात्याश्च = king’s ministers;
बुद्धिदर्शनाः = who could perceive things by their power of intellect;
तता = and;
बहुवः = many;
शूराः = warriors;
शतशः = in hundreds;
समीयुः = gathered;
यथामुख्याः = according to their importance;
सभायां = in assembly hall;
हेमवर्णायाम् = wrapped with gold;
सुखायवै = for felicity;
सर्वार्थस्य = 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. 22.

ततो महात्मा विपुलम् सुयुग्यम् |
रथम् वरम् हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम् |
शुभम् समास्थाय ययौ यशस्वी |
विभीषणः संसदमग्रजस्य ||

ततः = then;
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
महात्मा = the hight-souled;
यशस्वी = and the inllustrious;
आस्थाय= ascended;
वरम् = the excellent;
रथम् = chariot;
विपुलम् = which was spacious;
सुयुग्यम् = yoked with good horses;
हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम् = its various parts decked with gold;
शुभम् = and auspicious;
ययौ = and drove;
संसद= towards assembly-hall;
अग्रजस्य = 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. 23.

स पूर्वजायावरजः शशंस |
ना माथ पश्चाच्चरणौ ववन्दे |
शुकः प्रहस्तश्च तथैव तेभ्यो |
ददौ यथार्हम् प्ऱ्^थगासनानि ||

अथ= thereafter;
सः = that;
अवरजः= younger brogher;
शशंस = told;
नाम= his name;
पश्चात् = then;
ववन्दे = saluted;
चरणौ = the feet;
शुकः = Suka;
प्रहस्तश्च = and Prahasta;
तथैव = (saluted) likewise (Ravana);
ददौ = gave;
आसनानि= seats;
तेभ्य: = to them;
पृ^इथक = separately;
यथार्हम् = 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. 24.

सुवर्णनानामणिभुषणानाम् |
सुवाससाम् संसदि राक्षसानाम् |
तेषाम् परार्थ्यगुरुचन्दनानाम् |
स्रजाम् च गन्धाः प्रववुः समन्तात् ||

गन्धाः = the aroma;
परार्थ्यगुरुचन्दनानाम् = of the best aloe and sandal paste;
तेषाम् राक्षसानाम् = painted on those demons;
स्रजाम् च= and of garlands;
सुवर्णनानामणि= of gold and gems;
सुवाससाम् = and attired in good clothes;
प्रववुः = diffused;
समन्तात् = all round;
संसदि = 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.25.

न चुक्रुशुर्नानृतमाह कश्चि |
त्सभासदो नापि जजल्पुरुच्चैः |
संसिद्धार्थः सर्व एवोग्रवीर्या |
भर्तुः सर्वे ददृशुश्चाननम् ते ||

सभासद: = the assembled persons;
न चुक्रुशु: = did not yell loudly;
न कश्चित् = No one;
आह= uttered;
अनृतं = untruth;
न जजुल्पुः अपि = not even talked;
उच्चैः= loudly;
सर्वे = all of them;
संसिद्धार्थः = were ready for action;
उग्रवीर्याः = and were endowed with terrible energy;
ते सर्व = all of them;
ददृशुः = perceived;
भर्तुः = their lord’s
आनाम् = 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. 26.

स रावणः शस्त्रभृताम् मनस्विनाम् |
महाबलानाम् समितौ मनस्वी |
तप्याम् सभायाम् प्रभया चकाशे |
मध्ये वसूनामिव वज्रहस्तः ||

तप्याम् सभायाम् = In that assembly;
सः रावणः = that Ravana;
मनस्वि= full of mind;
चकशे = shone;
समितौ प्रभया = with brilliance;
समितौ = among the assmeblage;
महाबलानाम् = of those demons possessing great strength;
वज्रहस्तः इव= like Devendra (the Lord of heaven);
मध्ये = amidst;
वसूनाम्= 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) 27.

सः = that;
पापः = sinful;
राजा = king of demons;
मैथिलीकाममोहितः = infatuated by his desire for सीथ;
बभुव = became;
कृशः = emaciated;
असन्मानाच्च = despising;
सुहृदाम् = the kind-hearted;
पापेन कर्मणाः = and by his sinful action.

That sinful Ravana, infatuated by his desire for सीथ, became emaciated by his sinful action and by his despising of well-disposed people like Vibhishana. 28.

सः = that;
काले = occasion;
युधि = for war;
वै= indeed;
अतीतसमये = having gone by;
रावणः = Ravana;
अमन्यत= thought of consultation with;
अमात्यैश्च = his ministers and;
सुहृद्भिश्च = well-wishers;
प्राप्तकाले = 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. 29.

स हेमजालविततम् मणिविद्रुमभूषितम् |
उपगम्य विनीताश्वमारुरोह महार्थम् ||

उपगम्य = approaching;
महारथम्= a great chariot;
हेमजालविततम् = covered by a golden net;
मणिविद्रुमभूषितम् = adorned with gems and corals;
विनीताश्वम् = and tied with trained horses;
सः = he;
आरुरुह = 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. 30.

दशग्रीवः = Ravana;
श्रेष्ठ: = the excellent;
रक्षसाम् = among demons;
आस्थाय= mounted;
तं= that;
रथश्रेष्ठम् = most beautiful chariot;
महामेघसमस्वनम् = with a rattling sound resembling the rumbling of a large cloud;
प्रययौ = and preceeded;
सभाम् प्रति = 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. 31.

ततः = then;
योधाः = warriors;
असिचर्मधरा: = holding swords and shields;
राक्षसा = and demons;
सर्वायुधधरा:= wearing all tpes of weapons;
सम्प्रतस्थिरे= marched;
पुरस्तात् = in front;
राक्षसेन्द्रस्य = of that king of demons.

Warriors holding swords and shield as well as demons wearing all types of weapons, marched in front of Ravana. 32.

नानाविकृतवेषाश्च = 9demons wearing all types of unusual dresses;
नानाभूषणभूषिताः = and adoring various kinds of jewellery;
तदा = then;
ययु: = marched;
परिवार्य = surrounding;
एनम्= him;
पार्श्वतः = from sides;
पृष्ठतश्चैव= 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.33.

रथैश्चातिरथा शीघ्रम् मतैश्च वरवारणैः |
अमात्पेतुर्दशग्रीवमाक्रीडद्भिश्च वाजिभिः |

अतिरथा: = great chariot-warriors;
रथै: = in chariots;
वरवारणैः = on excellent elephants;
मतै: = in rut;
वाजिभिः च = and horses;
आक्रीड्दद्भिः = sportively coming in different gaits;
अनूत्पेतुः दशग्रीवम् = rushed after Ravana;
शीग्रम् = quickly.

Great chariot-warriors in chariots, on excellent elephants in rut and horses supportively coming in different gaits, rushed after Ravana quickly. 34.

गदापरिघहस्ताश्च शक्तितोमरपाणयः |
परश्वथधराश्चान्ये तथान्ये शूलपाणयः ||

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. 35.

ततः = thereafter;
रावणे= as Ravana;
गच्चति = was going;
सभाम् = to the assembly hall;
महान् = loud;
निःस्वन: = blare;
तूर्यसहस्राणाम् = of thousands of trumpets;
तुमुलः = and tumultuous;
शङ्खशब्दश्च = noise of couches;
सम्जज्ञे = were produced.

As Ravana was proceeding to the assembly-hall, loud blare of thousands of trumpets along with tumultuous noise of conches were produced. 36

सः = that;
महान् = excellently;
महारथः = great chariot;
अभिनिनादयौ= making noise;
नेमिघोषेण = of the sound of the wheels;
सः असा= soon;
प्रतिपेदे = obtained;
राजमार्गम् = the royal high way;
जुष्टम् = possessed;
श्रिया = of beauty.

That excellently great chariot, making noise of the sound of its wheels, soon entered the beautiful royal high-way. 37.

विमलम् चातपत्रम् च पगृहीतमशोभत |
पाण्डुरम् राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पूर्णस्तारधिपो यथा ||

आतपत्रम्= the umbrella;
विमलम् = which was spot-lessly;
पाण्डुरम् = white;
अशोभत= shone;
पूर्णस्तारधिपो यथा= like a full moon;
प्रगृहीतम् = was held;
राक्षसेन्द्रस्य = (on the head) of Ravana.

The spotlessly white umbrella, held on Ravana’s head, shone like a full-moon. 38.

हेमञ्जरिगर्भे च शुद्धस्फटिकविग्रहे |
चामरव्यजने तस्य रेजतुः सव्यदक्षिणे ||

On his left and right sides, two fans of yak’s tails with crystal handles and golden fringes were shining. 39.

सर्वे = all;
ते राक्ष्सा: = those demons;
ववन्दिरे = offered their salutation;
शिरोभि: = (by bending) their heads;
कृताञ्जलयः = and by joining their palms;
तम् = to him;
राक्षसश्रेष्ठम् = the best of demons;
रथस्थम् = 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. 40

तदा = then;
अरिन्दमः= Ravana the harasser of enemies;
सन् = possessing;
महातेजाः = great splendour;
स्तूयमानः = while being praised;
राक्षसैः= by demons;
जयाशीर्भिः = throught cheers of victory;
अससाद = approached;
विरचिताम् = the arranged;
सभाम् = assembly.

Ravana the harasser of enemies, possessing great splendor, while being praised by demons through cheers of victory, approached that organized assembly.40.

महातेजाः = Ravana with great splendour;
विराजमान: = with shining brightly;
वपुषा = body;
प्रविवेश = entered;
ताम् = that assembly hall;
सुवर्णरजतास्तीर्णाम् = entered that assembly hall, which was paved with gold and silver,
विशुद्धस्फटिकान्तराम् = whose intereior was wrought with pure crystal;
रुक्मपट्टोत्तरच्चदाम् = carpeted with skins of deer;
अभिगुप्ताम्= guarded by
षड्भि: पिशाचशतैः = six hundred evil spirits;
सदाप्रभाम् = ever shining;
सुकृताम् = and well- build;
विश्वकर्मणा = by Visvakarma.

सः = that;
रावणः = Ravana;
तस्याम् = in that hall;
भेजे = occupied;
महत्= big;
परमासनम् = (and) excellent throne;
वैदूर्यमयम् = embedded with jewels (cat’s eye gems);
प्रियाकाजिनसम्वृतम् = covered with skin of deer called Priyaka;
सोपाश्रयम्= (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.42.

ततः = thereafter;
ईश्वरवत्= as a king;
इति= thus;
दूतान् = his messengers;
लघुपराक्रमान् = who were mering fast;
अस्ति= there is;
महत् = a gigantic;
कृत्यम् = work;
जाने= I know;
कर्तव्यमिति = what is being done;
शत्रुभिः = by enemies;
समानयत = bring;
इह= here;
एतान्= these;
राक्षसान् = demons;
क्षिप्रम् = quickly.

राक्षसास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा लङ्कायाम् परिचक्रमुः ||
अनुगेहमवस्थय विहारशयनेषु च |
उद्यानेषु च रक्क्षंसि चोदयन्तो ह्यभीतवत्

श्रुत्वा = hearing;
तद्द्वचः = those words;
राक्षषसाः = the (messenger) demons;
चोदयन्त: = impelling;
रक्षांसि = the demons;
अवस्थाय= staying;
विहारशयनेषु = in entertainment or in places bed-rooms;
उद्यानेषु च= or in gardens;
परिचक्रमुः = went;
अभीतवत् = without fear;
अनुग्चाम् = to every house;
लङ्कायाम् = 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. 44.

अधिरुरुहु: = mounted;
ते = those demons;
एके = some;
रुचिरान्= beautiful;
रथान् = chariots;
एके = some;
दृप्तान्= wild and strong;
हयान् = horses;
एके = some;
नागान्= elephants;
एके = some;
जग्मुः = went;
पदातयः = 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. 45.

सा पुरी = that city;
परमाकीर्णा = extremely crowded;
रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः = with chariots; elephants and horses;
सतम्पद्भि: = rushing togeher fast;
विरुरुचे= appeared;
अम्बरमिव = like the sky;
गरुत्मद्भिः = by the birds.

That city, extremely crowded with chariots elephants and horses rushing fast together, appeared like birds rushing fast in the sky. 46.

ते वाहनान्यवस्थाप्य यानानि विविधानि च |
सभाम् पद्भिः प्रविविशुः सिम्हा गिरिगुहामिव |

अवस्थाप्य= parking;
वाहनानि = horses; elephants;
विविधानि = and various;
यानानि च= kinds of vehicles like chariots;
ते = they;
प्रविविशुः = entered;
पद्भिः = by foot;
सभाम् = the assembly-hall;
गिरिगुहामिव = like a mountain-cave;
सिम्हा : = 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. 47.

गृहीत्वा = touching;
पादौ = the feet;
राणः = of the king;
प्रतिपूजिताः = and being greeted in turn;
राज्ञः = by the king;
अन्ये = some;
उपाविशन् = sat down;
पीठेषु= on seats;
अन्ये = some others;
बृईषु = on mats(of Kusa grass);
केचित् = and others;
भूमौ = 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. 48.

समेत्य = congregating;
सभायाम् = in the assembly-hall;
राजशासनात् = at the king’s command;
ते राक्षसा: = those demons;
ते = they;
उपतस्थु: = took their position;
यथार्हम्= (each) according to their rank;
रावणम् (round) Ravana;
राक्षसाधिपम् = 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. 49.

मन्त्रिणश्च = ministers;
पण्डिताः = who were scholars;
निश्चितार्थेषु = well-versed in deciding actions;
गुणोपेताः = those endowed with good qualities;
सर्वज्ञा: = those who were all-knowing;
अमात्याश्च = king’s ministers;
बुद्धिदर्शनाः = who could perceive things by their power of intellect;
तथा = and;
बहुवः = many;
शूराः = warriors;
शतशः = in hundreds;
समीयुः= gathered;
यथामुख्याः = according to their importance;
सभायाम् = in assembly hall;
हेमवर्णायाम् = wrapped with gold;
सुखाय वै = for felicity;
सर्वार्थस्य = of all actions.

ततः = then;
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
महात्मा = the hight-souled;
यशस्वी = and the inllustrious;
आस्थाय= ascended;
वरम् = the excellent;
रथम् = chariot;
विपुलम् = which was spacious;
सुयुग्यम् = yoked with good horses;
हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम् = its various parts decked with gold;
शुभम् = and auspicious;
ययौ = and drove;
संसदम् = towards assembly-hall;
अग्रजस्य = of his elder brother; Ravana.

अथ = thereafter;
सः = that;
अवरजः= younger brogher;
शशंस = told;
नाम = his name;
पश्चात् = then;
ववन्दे = saluted;
छरणौ = the feet;
शुकः = Suka;
प्रहस्तश्च = and Prahasta;
तथैव = (saluted) likewise (Ravana);
ददौ = gave;
आसनानि = seats;
तेभ्य: = to them;
प्रिथक् = separately;
यथार्हम् = 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.52.

गन्धाः = the aroma;
परार्थ्यगुरुचन्दनानाम् = of the best aloe and sandal paste; तेषाम् राक्षसानाम् = painted on those demons;
स्रजाम्चा = and of garlands;
सुवर्णनानामणि= of gold and gems;
सुवाससाम् = and attired in good clothes;
प्रववुः = diffused;
समन्तात् = all round;
संसदि= in the assembly-hall.

सभासदः = the assembled persons;
न चुक्रुशुः = did not yell loudly;
न कश्चित् = No one;
आह = uttered;
अनृथं = untruth;
न जजुल्पुः अपि = not even talked;
उच्चैः = loudly;
सर्वे = all of them;
संसिद्धार्थः = were ready for action;
उग्रवीर्याः = and were endowed with terrible energy;
ते सर्वे = all of them;
ददृशुः= perceived;
भर्तुः = their lord’s
आनाम्= face.

तस्यां सभायाम् = In that assembly;
सः रावणः = that Ravana;
मनस्वि = full of mind;
चकाशे = shone;
समितौ प्रभया = with brilliance;
समितौ = among the assmeblage;
महाबलानाम् = of those demons possessing great strength;
वज्रहस्तः इव = like Devendra (the Lord of heaven);
मध्ये = amidst;
वसूनाम्= Vasus (a class of gods)

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे द्वादश: सर्गः

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

NEXT: SARGA 13

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