YUDDHAKAANDA – SARGA 15
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.
निशाचरेन्द्रस्य निशम्य वाक्यम् |
स कुम्भकर्णस्य च गर्जितानि |
विभीषणो राक्षसराजमुख्य |
मुवाच वाक्यम् हितम्र्थयुक्तम् ||
निशम्य = hearing;
वाक्यम् = the words;
निशाचरेन्द्रस्य = of the king of demons;
गर्जितानि = and the growls;
कुम्भकर्णस्य = of Kumbhakarna;
स: विभीषण: = that Vibhishana;
उवाच= spoke;
हितं= friendly;
अर्थयुक्तम् = and meaningful;
वाक्यम् = words;
राक्षसराजमुख्यम् = 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: 1.
वृतो हि बाह्वन्तरभोगराशि |
श्चिन्ताविषः सुस्मिततीक्षणदम्ष्ट्रः |
पञ्चाङ्गुलीपञ्चशिरोऽतिकायः |
सीतामहाहिस्तव केन राजन् ||
राजा = “O;king!
केन = by whom;
वृत: = has been wrapped;
तव = to you;
सीतामहाहिस्तव अतिकायः = this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita;
बाह्वन्तरभोगराशि: = with heap of expanded hoods as her bosom;
श्चिन्ताविषः = having the poison called anxiety;
सुस्मिततीक्षणदम्ष्ट्रः = with sharp fangs as her sweet smile;
पञ्चाङ्गुलीपञ्चशिरोऽतिकायः = 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.” 2.
यावन्न लङ्का समभिद्रवन्ति |
वलीमुखाः पर्वतकूटमात्राः |
दम्ष्ट्रयुधाश्चैव नखायुधाश्च |
प्रदीयताम् दाशरथाय मैथिली ||
न यावत्= before;
वलीमुखाः = the monkeys;
पर्वतकूटमात्राः = with the size of mountain peaks;
दम्ष्ट्रयुधा: = with their teeth as weapons;
नखायुधाश्च = and their nails too as weapons;
समभिद्रवन्ति = rush full upon;
लङ्काम् = the city of Lanka;
मैथिली = let Sita;
प्रदीयताम् = be given back;
दाशरथाय = 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.” 3.
यावन्न गृह्णन्ति शिरांसि बाणा |
रामेरिता राक्षसपुङ्गवानाम् |
वज्रोपमा वायुसमानवेगाः |
प्रदीयताम् दाशरथाय मैथिली ||
न यावत्= before;
बाणा: = the arrows;
रामेरिता = dispatched by Rama;
वज्रोपमा = resembling thunderbolts;
वायुसमानवेगाः = with a speed equal to wind;
गृह्णन्ति = take away;
शिरांसि = the heads;
राक्षसपुङ्गवान् = of the chiefs of demons;
मैथिली = let Sita;
प्रदीयताम् = be given back;
दाशरथाय = 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.” 4.
न कुम्भकर्णेन्द्रजितौ च राजम् |
स्तथा महापार्श्वमहोदरौ वा |
निकुम्भकुम्भौ च तथातिकायः |
स्थातुम् समर्था युधि राघवस्य ||
राजन् = O; king!;
कुम्भकर्णेन्द्रजितौ = Either Kumbhakar न or Indrajit;
तता = and;
महापार्श्वमहोदरौ वा = either Mahaparshvaa or Mahodara;
निकुम्भकुम्भौ = or Nikumbha or Kumbha;
तता = and;
अतिकायः = Atikaya;
न समर्था: = cannot;
स्थातुम् = withstand;
राघवस्य = against Rama;
युधि = 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.” 5.
जीवंस्तु रामस्य न मोक्स्यसे त्वम् |
गुप्तः सवित्राप्यथवा मरुद्भिः |
न वासवस्याङ्कगतो न मृत्यो |
र्नभो न पातालमनुप्रविष्टः ||
त्वम् = (Even if) you;
गुप्तः = are guarded;
सवित्रा = by the sun god;
अथवा = or
मरुद्भिः = by Maruts;
जीवन् = alive;
रामस्य = by Rama;
न = nor;
अङ्कगत: = when gone in proximity;
वासवस्य = of Indra;
न = nor;
मृत्यो: = when gone nearer to the god of death;
न = nor;
अनुप्रविष्टः = when penetrated;
नभः = the heaven;
पातालम् = 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.” 6.
निशम्य वाक्यम् तु विभीषणस्य |
ततः प्रहस्तो वचनम् बभाषे |
न नो भयम् विद्म न दैवतेभ्यो |
न दानवेभ्योऽप्यथवा कदाचित् ||
निशम्य = hearing;
वाक्यम् = the words;
विभीषणस्य = of Vibhishana;
प्रहस्त: = Prahasta;
ततः = then;
बभाषे = spoke;
वचनम् = these words;
न: = “To us;
न विद्म = is not known;
भयम् = fear;
न = neither;
daivatebhyaH = for celestials;
न athavaa = nor;
दैवतेभ्य: = for demons;
कदाचित् = 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.” 7.
न यक्षगन्धर्वमहोरगेभ्यो |
भयम् न सम्ख्ये पतगोरगेभ्यः |
कथम् नु रामाद्भविता भयम् नो |
नरेन्द्रपुत्रात्समरे कदाचित् ||
न भयम् = there is no fear; (for us);
यक्षगन्धर्वमहोरगेभ्य: = from Yakshas or Gandharvas or eminent Nagas;
न = nor from;
पतगोरगेभ्यः = birds and reptiles;
samkhye = in battle;
कथम् = how;
भविता = can;
कदाचित् = at any time;
भयम् = fear;
न: = to us;
समरे = in battle;
रामात् = from Rama;
नरेन्द्रपुत्रात्= 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?” 8.
प्रहस्तवाक्यम् त्वहितम् निशम्य |
विभीषणो राजहितानुकाङिक्षी |
ततो महार्थम् वचनम् बभाषे |
धर्मार्थकामेषु निविष्टबुद्धिः ||
तत: = then;
विभीषण: = Vibhishana;
राजहितानुकाङिक्षी = who desired the welfare of the king;
निविष्टबुद्धिः = who possessed a stable mind;
धर्मार्थकामेषु = in virtue wealth and pleasure;
निशम्य = having heard;
प्रहस्तवाक्यम् = the words of Prahasta;
अहितम् = which were inimical;
बभाषे = spoke;
महार्थम् = greatly meaningful;
वचनम् = 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: 9.
प्रहस्त राजा च महोदरश्च |
त्वम् कुम्भकर्णश्च यथार्थजातम् |
ब्रवीत रामम् प्रति तन्न शक्यम् |
यथा गतिः स्वर्गमधर्मबुद्धेः ||
प्रहस्त = “O; Prahasta!
यथा = How;
राजा च= the king;
महोदरश्च = and Mahodara;
त्वम् = you;
कुम्भकर्णश्च = and Kumbhakarna;
ब्रवीत = are telling;
अर्थजातम् = the collection of things;
रामम् प्रति = about Rama;
तत् = that;
नशक्यम् = is impossible;
यथा = as;
अधर्मबुद्धेः = to the wicked minded;
गतिः = going;
स्वर्गम् = 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.” 10.
वधस्तु रामस्य मया त्वया च |
प्रहस्त सर्वैरपि राक्षसैर्वा |
कथम् भवेदर्थविशारदस्य |
महार्णवम् तर्तु मिवाप्लवस्य ||
कथम् = how;
भवेत् = is it possible;
मया = by me;
तवयाच = or by you;
सर्वः = or by all;
राक्षसैर्वा = demons;
वधः = the killing;
रामस्य = of Rama;
अर्थविशारदस्य = who is expert in any matter;
तर्तुम् इव = like crossing;
महार्णवम् = a great ocean;
अप्लवस्य= 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?” 11.
धर्मप्रधानस्य महारथस्य |
इक्स्वाकुवंशप्रभवस्य राज्ञः |
पुरोऽस्य देवाश्च तथाविधस्य |
कृत्येषु शक्तस्य भवन्ति मूढाः ||
देवाश्च = Even the celestials;
भवन्ति = become;
मूढाः = bewildered;
पुराः = before;
राज्ञः = the king;
अस्य = Rama;
तथाविधस्य = of such qualities as whose
महारथस्य = who is great car warrior;
इक्स्वाकुवंशप्रभवस्य = who was born in Ikshvaku dynasty;
शक्तस्य = who is capable of accomplishing;
कृत्येषु = 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.” 12.
तीक्षणा न तावत्तव कङ्कपत्रा |
दुरापदा राघवविप्रमुक्ताः |
भित्त्वाशरीरम् प्रविशन्ति बाणाः |
प्रहस्त तेनैव विकत्थसे त्वम् ||
प्रहस्त = O, Prahasta!
बाणाः = the arrows;
राघवविप्रमुक्ताः = released by Rama;
तीक्षणा: = which are sharp;
कङ्कपत्रा: = furnished with heron’s feathers;
दुरासदाः = which are dangerous to be approached;
न प्रविशन्ति तावत् = did not penetrate;
भित्तवा = piercing;
तव = your;
शरीरम् = body;
तेनैव = for that reason;
त्वम् = you;
विकत्थसे = 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.” 13.
भित्त्वा न तावत्प्रविशन्ति कायम् |
प्राणान्तकास्तेऽशनितुल्य्वेगाः |
शिताः शरा राघवविप्रमुक्ताः |
प्रहस्त तेनैव विकत्थसे त्वम् ||
प्रहस्ते = O, Prahasta!
शरा: = The arrows;
प्राणान्तका: = which are fatal;
अशनितुल्य्वेगाः = having the speed of a thunderbolt;
शिताः = and are sharp;
राघवविप्रमुक्ताः = discharged by Rama;
न तावत्प्रविशन्ति = have not yet penetrated;
भित्त्वा = splitting;
ते = your;
कायम् = body;
तेनैव = that is why;
त्वम् = you;
विकत्थसे = 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.” 14.
न रावणो नाइबलस्त्रीशीर्षो |
न कुम्भकर्णस्य सुतो निकुभः |
न चेन्द्रजिद्दाशरथिम् प्रसोढुम् |
त्वम् वा रणे शक्रसमम् समर्थः ||
रावण: = Ravana;
न समर्थः = is not capable;
न = nor;
त्रीशीर्ष:= Triseersha;
अतिबलः = with great strength;
न = nor;
इन्द्रजित् = Indrajit;
त्वं वा = nor yourself;
सोढुम्= to withstand;
दाशरथिम् = Rama;
शक्रसमम् = equal to Indra;
रणे = 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.” 15.
देवान्तको वापि नरान्तको वा |
तथातिकायोऽतिरथो महात्मा |
अकम्पननश्चाद्रिसमानसारः |
स्थातुम् न शक्ता युधि राघवस्य ||
देवान्तको वापि = or even Devantaka;
नरान्तको वा= or Narantaka;
तथा = and;
अतिकायः = Atikaya;
अतिरथ = or Atiratha;
महात्मा = of gigantic proportions;
अकम्पननश्च = or Akampana;
अद्रिसमानसारः = who is mighty as an ocean;
न शक्ता: = are not capable;
स्थातुम् = to withstand;
युधि= in battle;
राघवस्य = against Rama.”
“Even Devantaka or Narantaka or Atikaya or Atiratha of gigantic proportions, or Akampan who is mighty as an ocean are not capable to withstand against Rama in battle.” 16.
अयम् च राजा न्यसनाभिभूतो |
मित्रैरमित्रप्रतिमैर्भवद्भिः |
अन्वास्यते राक्षसनाशनार्थे |
तीक्षणः प्रकृत्या ह्यसमीक्ष्यकारी ||
अयम् राजा= this king;
व्यसनाभिभूत: = who is over come by evil addictions*;
तीक्षणः = is rude;
प्रकृत्या = in nature;
असमीक्ष्यकारी= and acts inconsiderately;
राक्षसनाशनार्थे = for the destruction of demons;
अन्वास्यते = he is being seated round as a caucus;
भवद्भिः = by you;
मित्रैः = who are his friends;
अमित्रप्रतिमैः = 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.” 17.
*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.
अनन्तभोगेन सहस्रमूर्ध्ना |
वागेन भीमेन महाबलेन |
बलात्परिक्षिप्तमिमम् भवन्तो |
राजानमुत्क्षिप्य विमोचयन्तु ||
भवन्त: = you;
उतेक्षिप्य = lift up;
विमोचयन्तु = and release;
इमां राजानम् = this king;
परिक्षिप्तम् = who has been wrapped;
बलत = forcibly;
भीमन्= by terrific;
नागेन = snake;
महाबलेन = exceedingly strong;
अनन्तभोगेन = of boundless proportions;
saसहस्रमूर्ध्ना = 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.” 18.
यावद्धि केशग्रहणात्सुहृद्भिः |
समेत्य सर्वैः परिपूर्णकामैः |
निगृह्य राजा परिरक्षितव्यो |
भूतैर्यथा भीमबलैर्गृहीअः ||
सर्वैः = all;
सुहृद्भिः = the well wishers;
परिपूर्णकामैः = who are getting their desires fulfilled (by the king);
समेत्य = should come together;
राजा परिरक्षितव्यो = and the king is indeed to be protected;
निगृह्य = by coersion;
केशग्रहणा यावत् = even by pulling his hair;
गृहीतः यथा = as one who is taken possession of;
भूतै: = by evil spirits;
भीमबलै: = 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 possession of by evil spirits with terrific strength, is protected by one’s kith and kin.” 19.
सुवारिणा राघवसागरेण |
प्रच्चाद्यमानस्तरसा भवद्भिः |
प्रच्चाद्यमानस्तरसा भवद्भिः |
युक्तस्त्वयम् तारयितुम् समेत्य |
काकुत्थ्सपातालमुखे पतन्सः ||
अयं = this Ravana;
प्रच्चाद्यमानः= who is going to be enveloped;
तरसा = forcibly;
राघवसागरेण = with full of excellent water;
पतन् = and who is about to fall;
काकुत्थ्सपातालमुखे = into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region); in the shape of Rama;
युक्तः = is fit;
तारयितुम् = to be saved;
समेत्य = united;
भवद्भिः = 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.” 20.
इदम् पुरस्यास्य सराक्षसस्य |
राज्ञश्च पथ्यम् ससुहृज्जनस्य |
सम्यग्घि वाक्यम् स्वमतम् ब्रवीमि |
नरेन्द्रपुत्राय ददातु मैथिलीम् ||
ब्रवीमि: = I am indeed telling;
सम्यक् = rightly;
इदम् वाक्यम् = these words;
पथ्यम् = which are wholesome;
स्वमतम् = as per my opinion;
अस्य = to this;
परस्य = city;
पराक्षसस्य = and the demons residing in it;
राज्ञश्च = to the king;
ससुहृज्जनस्य = along with his well wishers;
मैथिलीम् = Let Sita;
ददातु = be given back;
नरेन्द्रपुत्राय = 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.” 21.
परस्य वीर्यम् स्वबलम् च बुद्ध्वा |
स्थानम् क्षयम् चैव तथैव वृद्धिम् |
तथा स्वपक्षे प्यनुमृश्य बुद्ध्या |
वद्त् क्षमम् स्वामिहितम् स मन्त्री ||
बुद्ध्वा = knowing;
वीर्यम् = the strength;
परस्य = of the enemies;
स्वबलम् च= and our own strength;
अनुमर्शय = grasping;
बुदध्या = by the intellect;
तता = like wise;
स्थानम् = the status quo;
क्षयम् चैव= the fall;
तथैव = and;
वृद्धिम् = rise;
स्वपक्षे = in our army;
वदेत् = (he who) speaks;
स्वामिहितम् = in the interest of the king;
क्षमम् = in a befitting manner;
स: = he;
मन्त्री = 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.” 22.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे पञ्चदशः सर्गः
Thus completes 15th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramaya न of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
NEXT: SARGA 16
Janamejayan's धर्म जिज्ञासा 