YUDDHAKAANDA – SARGA 18
Vibhishana together with four of his companions reach Rama’s place. Halting in the sky itself, Vibhishana asks Rama to give a refuge to him. Sugriva tells Rama that he cannot trust Vibhishana the demon. Then Rama asks for opinion of the leaders in his group. Angada, sharabha, Jambavan and Mainda expressed their apprehensions to accept Vibhishana. But Hanuman says that Vibhishana need not be doubted because he thinks that Vibhishana understands the merits in Rama and demerits in Ravana. Hanuman further adds that Vibhishana is approaching Rama for refuge because Vibhishana is desirous of obtaining the kingdom of demons. Hanuman requests Rama to take his final decision on the matter.
इति उक्त्वा परुषम् वाक्यम् रावणम् रावण अनुजः |
आजगाम मुहूर्तेन यत्र रामः रामः ||
उक्त्वा = having spoken;
परुषम् = harsh;
वाक्यम् = words;
इति = thus;
रावणम् = to Ravana;
रावण अनुजः= Vibhishana;
आजगाम = arrived;
मुहूर्तेन = almost immediately;
यत्र = where;
रामः = Rama was;
रामः = together with Lakshmana.
Having spoken the aforesaid harsh words to Ravana, Vibhishana arrived almost immediately to the place where Rama was together with Lakshmana. 1.
तम् मेरु शिखर आकारम् दीप्ताम् इव शत ह्रदाम् |
गगनस्थम् महीस्थास् ते ददृशुर् वानर अधिपाः ||
ते= those;
वानर अधिपाः= leaders of monkeys;
महीस्थास: = standing on ground;
ददृशु: = saw;
तम् = him;
मेरु शिखर आकारम्= resembling the peak of mount Meru;
दीप्तम् = and shining;
शत ह्रदाम् इव = like a thunder bolt;
गगनस्थम् = in the sky.
Those leaders of monkeys standing on the ground saw Vibhishana, resembling the peak of Mount Meru and shining like a thunderbolt in the sky. 2.
ते चाप्यनुचरास्तस्य चत्वारो भीमविक्रमाः |
तेऽपि वर्मायुधोपेता भूषणोत्तमभूषिताः ||
tasya = his;
chatvaaraH = four;
ते= those;
अनुचरास्तस्य अपि= companions also;
भीमविक्रमाः = of terrific prowess; (where there);
तेऽपि = they also;
वर्मायुधोपेता: = were wearing armor and weapons;
भूषणोत्तमभूषिताः = and adorned with excellent ornaments.
His four companions of terrific prowess were also there with him. They were wearing weapons and armour and were adorned with excellent ornaments. 3.
स च मेघाचलप्रख्यो वज्रायुधसमप्रभः |
वरायुधधरो वीरो दिव्याभरणभूषितः ||
स च = that Vibhishana also;
मेघाचलप्रख्य: = resembling a mass of cloud;
वज्रायुधसमप्रभः = the equal of the God who wields the thunderbolt;
वीर: = and valiant man;
वरायुधधर: = wearing excellent weapons; divyaabharaNa
भूषितः = and adorned with wonderful jewels.
Vibhishana also resembled a mass of cloud, the equal of the God who wields the thunderbolt. He was holding excellent weapons and was adorned with wonderful jewels. 4.
तम् आत्म पन्चमम् दृष्ट्वा सुग्रीवो वानर अधिपः |
वानरैः सह दुर्धर्षः चिन्तयाम् आस बुद्धिमान् ||
सुग्रीव: = Sugriva;
दुर्धर्षः = who was difficult to be overpowered;
वीर्यवान् = a valiant person;
वानर अधिपः= and the king of monkeys;
दृष्ट्वा = having seen;
तम् = him;
आत्म पन्चमम्= being himself the fifth one along with four others;
चिन्तयाम् आस= became thoughtful;
वानरैः सह = along with monkeys.
Sugriva the valiant of monkeys, who was difficult to be overpowered, having seen Vibhishana, the fifth one along with four others, became thoughtful along with monkeys. 5.
चिन्तयित्वा मुहूर्तम् तु वानरांस् तान् उवाच ह |
हनूमत् प्रमुखान् सर्वान् इदम् वचनम् उत्तमम् ||
चिन्तयित्वा = having thought;
मुहूर्तम् = for a moment;
उवाच ह = spoke;
इदम् = these;
उत्तमम् = sterling;
वचनम् = words;
सर्वान् = to all;
तान् = those;
वानराम्= monkeys;
हनूमत् प्रमुखान्= and to Hanuman in particular.
Having thought for a moment, Sugriva spoke these sterling words to all those monkeys and to Hanuman in particular. 6.
एष सर्व आयुध उपेतः चतुर्भिः सह राक्षसैः |
राक्षसो अभ्येति पश्यध्वम् अस्मान् हन्तुम् न संशयः ||
पश्यध्वम् = see;
एष: राक्षस: = this demon;
सर्व आयुध उपेतः= possessing all types of weapons;
अभ्येति = coming;
चतुर्भिः राक्षसैः सह= along with four demons.
न = There is no;
संशयः = no doubt;
हन्तुम् = that; (he is coming) to kill;
अस्मान् = us.”
“See this demon possessing all types of weapons, coming along with four demons. There is no doubt that he is coming to kill us.” 7.
सुग्रीवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वे ते वानर उत्तमाः |
सालान् उद्यम्य शैलामः च इदम् वचनम् अब्रुवन् ||
श्रुत्वा = hearing;
सुग्रीवस्य = Sugriva’s;
वचः = words;
सर्वे = all;
ते= those;
वानर उत्तमाः= excellent monkeys;
उद्यम्य = lifted;
सालान् = trees;
शैलामः च= and mountains;
अब्रुवन् = and spoke;
इदम् = these;
वचनम् = words:
Hearing Sugriva’s words, all those excellent monkeys lifted trees and mountains and spoke as follows: 8.
शीघ्रम् व्यादिश नो राजन् वधाय एषाम् दुरात्मनाम् |
निपतन्तु हताः च एते धरण्याम् अल्प जीविताः ||
राजन् = O;king!
व्यादिश = order;
शीघ्रम् = swiftly;
वधाय = for killing;
एषाम् = them;
दुरात्मनाम् = the wicked ones;
हताः = Being killed;
अल्पचेतनाः= these fools;
निपतन्तियावत् = will drop;
धरण्याम् = to the ground.”
“Do you swiftly order us to slay these wicked doers, O, king? Let us strike these fools down so that they drop to the ground!” 9.
तेषाम् सम्भाषमाणानाम् अन्योन्यम् स विभीषणः |
उत्तरम् तीरम् आसाद्य खस्थ एव व्यतिष्ठत ||
स: विभीषणः = that Vibhishana;
आसाद्य = who reached;
उत्तरम् = the northern;
तीरम् = shore;
व्यतिष्ठत = was stationed;
खस्थ: एव= indeed composedly;
तेषाम् = while those monkeys;
सम्भाषमाणानाम् = speak together;
अन्योन्यम् = among one another.
While the monkeys were speaking thus among one another, Vibhishana had reached the northern shore and indeed coolly halted there. 10.
स उवाच च महाप्राज्ञः स्वरेण महता महान् |
सुग्रीवम् तामः च सम्प्रेक्ष्य खस्थ एव विभीषणः ||
स: विभीषणः = that Vibhishana;
महाप्राज्ञः = that highly intelligent;
महान् = and the great;
सम्प्रेक्ष्य = seeing;
सुग्रीवम् = Sugriva;
तामः च = and those monkeys;
खस्थ: एव = halting in the sky itself;
उवाच = spoke;
महता = with a loud;
स्वरेण = voice.
That great and highly intelligent Vibhishana, halting in the sky itself, saw Sugriva and those monkeys and spoke to them in a loud voice (as follows): 11.
रावणो नाम दुर्वृत्तो राक्षसो राक्षस ईश्वरः |
तस्य अहम् अनुजो भ्राता विभीषण इति श्रुतः ||
राक्षस: = there is a demon;
रावणो नाम= named Ravana;
राक्षस ईश्वरः= the king of demons;
दुर्वृत्त: = having a bad conduct;
अहम् = I;
तस्य अनुज: भ्रात: = am his younger brother;
श्रुतः = known;
विभीषण: = as Vibhishana”
“There is a demon called Ravana, the king of demons, having a bad conduct. I am his younger brother, known as Vibhishana.” 12.
तेन सीता जन स्थानाद्द् हृता हत्वा जटायुषम् |
रुद्ध्वा च विवशा दीना राक्षसीभिः सुरक्षिता ||
हत्वा = killing;
जटायुषम् = a bird called Jatayu;
तेन = by himself;
सीता = Sita;
हृता = was taken away;
जन स्थानात् = from janasthana;
रुद्धा= and hold captive;
विवशा = against her will;
दीना = and unfortunate Sita;
सुरक्षिता = is well guarded;
राक्षसीभिः = by female titans.”
“It is Ravana who, having killed a bird Jatayu, took away Sita from Janasthana.That unfortunate lady is held captive against her will and she is now amidst the female titans who guard her jealously”. 13.
तम् अहम् हेतुभिर् वाक्यैर् विविधैः च न्यदर्शयम् |
साधु निर्यात्यताम् सीता रामाय इति पुनः पुनः ||
अहम् = I;
न्यदर्शयम् = persuaded;
तम् = him;
पुनः पुनः= again and again;
विविधैः = by diverse;
वाक्यै: = words;
हेतुभि: = and arguments;
इति = that ;
सीता = Sita;
निर्यात्यताम् = be restored;
साधु = smoothly;
रामाय = to Rama.
“I persuaded Ravana again and again by my diverse words and arguments to restore Sita smoothly to Rama. 14.
स च न प्रतिजग्राह रावणः काल चोदितः |
उच्यमानो हितम् वाक्यम् विपरीत इव औषधम् ||
स: रावणः = that Ravana;
काल चोदितः= impelled by fate;
न प्रतिजग्राह = did not accept;
हितम् = the sage;
वाक्यम् = advice;
उच्यमानाम्= uttered; (by me);
औषधम् = (as not accepting) a medicine;
विपरीत: = by a perverted person.”
“That Ravana, impelled by fate, did not receive my sage advice, as a perverted person does not accept his prescribed medicine”. 15.
सो अहम् परुषितस् तेन दासवच् च अवमानितः |
त्यक्त्वा पुत्रामः च दारामः च राघवम् शरणम् गतः ||
परुषित: = reviled;
तेन = by him;
अवमानितः = and humiliated;
दासवत् = as a slave;
स: अहम् = I as such;
त्यक्त्वा = leaving;
पुत्रमः = my sons;
दारामः च = and my wife;
शरणम् गतः = have come to take refuge;
राघवम् = with Rama.”
“Reviled by him and humiliated as a slave, I, leaving my sons and my wife, have come to take refuge with Rama.” 16.
निवेदेअयत माम् क्षिप्रम् राघवाय महात्मने |
सर्व लोक शरण्याय विभीषणम् उपस्थितम् ||
निवेदेअयत = inform;
क्षिप्रम् = immediately;
राघवाय = to Rama;
महात्मने = the high souled;
सर्व लोक शरण्याय = and the refuge of all the worlds;
माम् = of me;
विभीषणम् = Vibhishana;
उपस्थितम् = having come here.”
“Inform immediately to high souled Rama, the protector of all the worlds, that I, Vibhishana, have come here.” 17.
एतत्तु वचनम् श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवो लघु विक्रमः |
लक्ष्मणस्य अग्रतो रामम् सम्रब्धम् इदम् अब्रवीत् ||
सुग्रीव: = Sugriva;
लघु विक्रमः= having a swift pace;
श्रुत्वा = hearing;
एतत्= these;
वचनम् = words;
अब्रवीत् = spoke;
इदम् = these words;
सम्रब्धतरम्= more hurriedly;
रामम् = to Rama;
अग्रत: = in front;
लक्ष्मणस्य = of Lakshmana.
The swift-paced Sugriva, having heard the words of Vibhishana, spoke more hurriedly to Rama, in front of Lakshmana as follows: 18.
प्रविष्टः शत्रु सैन्यम् हि प्राप्तः शत्रुरतर्कितः |
निहन्यादन्न्तरम् लब्ध्वा उलूको वायसानिव ||
प्राप्तः = belonging;
शत्रुसैन्यम्= to the enemy force;
शत्रु: = an adversary;
अतर्कितः= who unexpectedly;
प्रविष्टः हि = has indeed come;
निहन्यात्= to kill us;
लब्ध्वा = getting;
अन्न्तरम् = a first opportunity;
वायसानिव = like killing the crows;
उलूक: = by an owl.”
“Belonging to the enemy force, here is an adversary taking us unawares, who unexpectedly has come here to slay us at the first opportunity like an owl destroying crows!”
मन्त्रे व्यूहे नये चारे युक्तो भवितुमर्हसि |
वानराणाम् च भद्रम् ते परेषाम् च परम्तप ||
परम्तप = O; annihilator of enemies!
अर्हसि= You are apt;
भवितुम्= to become;
युक्त: = aware;
मन्त्रे = of the design;
व्यूहे = distribution;
नये = leading of the army;
चारे = and the secret service;
वानराणाम् च= of the monkeys;
परेषाम् च= and also your foes;
भद्रम् = May good come;
ते= to you.”
“O, annihilator of enemies! You ought to be aware of the design, distribution, leading of the army and the secret service of the monkeys and also of your foes. May good come to you!” 20.
अन्तर्धनगताह्येते राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः |
शूराश्च निकृतिज्ञाश्च तेषाम् जातु न विश्वसेत् ||
एते राक्षसाः = these demons;
कामरूपिणः = can assume any form at will;
अन्तर्धनगताह्ये= and can disappear;
शूरा: = they are valiant;
निकृतिज्ञाश्च = and know how to be deceitful;
न विश्वसेत् = we can not trust;
तेषाम् = them;
जातु = at any time.”
“These demons can assume any form at will and can disappear. They are valiant and deceitful. We can not trust them at any time.” 21.
प्रणीधी राक्षसेन्द्रस्य रावणस्य भवेदयम् |
अनुप्रविश्य सोऽ स्मासु भेदम् कुर्यान्न संशयः ||
अयम्= he;
भवेत् = may be;
प्रणीधी: = a spy;
रावणस्य = of Ravana;
राक्षसेन्द्रस्य = the king of demons.
सः = he;
अनुप्रविश्य = will succeed to become a member;
अस्मासु = among us;
कुर्यात्= and create;
भेदम् = a controversy;
न संशयः = no doubt.”
“He may be a spy of Ravana the king of demons. He will succeed to become a member among us and create differences. There is no doubt.” 22
अथवा स्वयमेवैष चिद्रमासाद्य बुद्धिमान् |
अनुप्रविश्य विश्वस्ते कदाचित्प्रहरेदपि ||
अथवा = otherwise;
सः= he;
बुद्धिमान् = the intelligent;
स्वयमेव = himself on his own;
आसाद्य= can get into possession of;
चिद्रम्= a weak point;
अनुप्रविश्य = after becoming a member among us;
प्रहरेदपि कदाचित् = can at any time strike;
विश्वस्ते = at you having the trust.”
“Otherwise he, intelligent by himself, can get into possession of a weak point in us. Having first gained our confidence by craft, he may even at any time attack us.” 23.
मित्राटवीबलम् चैव मौलभृत्यबलम् तथा |
सर्वमेतद्बलम् ग्राह्यम् वर्जयित्वा द्विषद्बलम् ||
मित्राटवीबलम् चैव = a contingent supplied by friends or an inhabitant of the woods (like ourselves);
तथा = and;
मौलभृत्यबलम् = those furnished by hereditary warriors or paid servants;
सर्वम्= all;
एतत् = this;
बलम्= contingent;
ग्राह्यम् = can be accepted;
वर्जयित्वा = leaving off;
द्विषद्बलम् = that furnished by an enemy.”
“A contingent supplied by friends or an inhabitant of the woods (like our selves), or furnished by hereditary warriors or paid servants – all these contingents can be accepted but not that furnished by an enemy.” 24.
प्रकृत्या राक्षसो ह्येष भ्रातामित्रस्य वै प्रभो |
आगतश्च रिपोः साक्षात्कथमस्मिंश्च विश्वसेत् ||
प्रभो = O; Lord!
एष्हः= He;
राक्षसोहि= is indeed a demon;
प्रकृत्या = by nature;
भ्राता= a brother;
अमित्रस्य = of an enemy;
आगत: = who came;
साक्षात् = directly;
रिपोः = from an adversary;
कथम्= how;
विश्वसेत् = can we keep trust;
अस्मिन्= in him?”
“O, Lord! He is indeed a demon by nature and a brother of an enemy who came directly from an adversary. How can we keep trust in him?” 25.
रावणस्य अनुजो भ्राता विभीषण इति श्रुतः |
चतुर्भिः सह रक्षोभिर् भवन्तम् शरणम् गतः ||
अनुज: भ्राता = the younger brother;
रावणस्य = of Ravana;
श्रुतः = the famous;
विभीषण: रक्षोभि: सह = along with four demons;
गतः = approached;
भवन्तम् = you;
शरणम् = far a refuge.”
The younger brother of the famous Ravana, called Vibhishana along with four other demons approached you for refuge.” 26.
रावणेन प्रणिहितम् तम् अवेहि विभीषणम् |
तस्य अहम् निग्रहम् मन्ये क्षमम् क्षमवताम् वर ||
क्षम वताम् = O, the excellent one among men knowing what is right!
अवेहि = know;
तम् = that;
विभीषणम् = Vibhishana;
प्रणिहितम् = is being sent;
रावणेन = by Ravana;
मन्ये = I think;
तस्य = of him;
क्षमम् = being fit for;
निग्रहम् = arrest.”
“O, the excellent one among men knowing what is right! Know that Ravana is sending Vibhishana. I opine that Vibhishana is fit for arrest.” 27.
राक्षसो जिह्मया बुद्ध्या संदिष्टो अयम् उपस्थितः |
प्रहर्तुम् मायया चन्नो विश्वस्ते त्वयि राघव ||
अनघ = O; the faultless one!
संदिष्ट: = being sent;
जिह्मया = with a crooked;
बुद्ध्या = intention;
अयम् = this;
राक्षसाः = demon;
आगतः = came;
इह = here;
प्रहर्तुम् = to attack;
त्वयि = you;
विश्वस्ते = reposed faith in him;
च्हन्नः = remaining hidden;
मायया = by his witchcraft.”
“O, the faultless one! Being sent with a crooked intent, this demon came here to attack when you are going to repose faith in him, (remaining hidden by his witchcraft). 28.
बध्यताम् एष तीव्रेण दण्डेन सचिवैः सह |
रावणस्य नृशंसस्य भ्राता हि एष विभीषणः ||
एष: विभीषणः = this Vibhishana;
भ्राता हि= is indeed the brother;
नृशंसस्य = of cruel;
रावणस्य = Ravana;
एष: = he;
सचिवैः = along with his ministers;
बध्यताम् = be killed;
तीव्रेण = by severe;
दण्डेन = punishment.”
“This Vibhishana is indeed the brother of cruel Ravana. Hence, let him along with his ministers be killed, by imposing severe punishment on them.” 29.
एवम् उक्त्वा तु तम् रामम् सम्रब्धो वाहिनी पतिः |
वाक्यज्ञो वाक्य कुशलम् ततो मौनम् उपागमत् ||
वाक्यज्ञ: = Sugriva; who knew how to speak;
वाहिनी पतिः= and who was the chief of army;
उक्त्वा = spoke;
एवम् = thus;
सम्रब्ध: = hurriedly;
तम् रामम् = to that Rama;
वाक्य कुशलम्= who was skilled in oratory;
तत: = and thereafter;
उपागमत् = entered into;
मौनम् = silence.”
The chief of army Sugriva, who knew how to speak expressed thus hurriedly to Rama, who was skilled in oratory and thereafter entered into silence. 30.
सुग्रीवस्य तु तद् वाक्यम् श्रुत्वा रामो महाबलः |
समीपस्थान् उवाच इदम् हनूमत् प्रमुखान् हरीन् ||
श्रुत्वा = hearing;
तत्= those;
वाक्यम् = words;
सुग्रीवस्य = of Sugriva;
महाबलः = the exceedingly strong;
राम: = Rama;
उवाच = addressed;
इदम् = in this manner;
कपीन्= to the monkeys;
हनूमत् प्रमुखान् = in front of Hanuman;
समीपस्थान् = staying nearby:
Hearing those words of Sugriva, the exceedingly strong Rama addressed as follows to the monkeys in front of Hanuman staying near by: 31.
यद् उक्तम् कपि राजेन रावण अवरजम् प्रति |
वाक्यम् हेतुमद् अत्यर्थम् भवद्भिर् अपि तत् श्रुतम् ||
यत्= which;
वाक्यम् = words;
अत्यर्थम् = which were very;
हेतुमत्= reasonable;
उक्तम् = uttered;
कपि राजेन = by Sugriva;
रावण अवरजम् प्रति = about Vibhishana;
श्रुतम् = were heard;
भवद्भिर् अपि = by you also.”
“The very reasonable words uttered by Sugriva about Vibhishana were heard by you too.” 32.
सुहृदा हि अर्थ कृच्चेषु युक्तम् बुद्धिमता सता |
समर्थेन अपि संदेष्टुम् शाश्वतीम् भूतिम् इच्चता ||
समर्थेन = by an efficient;
बुद्धिमता = and intelligent person;
सदा = ever;
इच्चता = desirous;
शाश्वतीम् = of everlasting;
भूतिम् = prosperity;
सुहृदम् = of his friends;
युक्तम् = it is befitting;
उपसंदेष्टुम् = to advise well;
अर्थ कृच्चेषु = in difficult matters.”
“An efficient and intelligent person ever desirous of everlasting well being of his friends should properly advise them well in difficult matters. Hence, tell your opinion one by one”. 33.
इति एवम् परिपृष्टास् ते स्वम् स्वम् मतम् अतन्द्रिताः |
स उपचारम् तदा रामम् ऊचुर् हित चिकीर्षवः ||
तदा = then;
परिपृष्टा: = asked;
इति एवम्= thus;
ते = they;
अतन्द्रिताः = free from lassitude;
पर्यंचिकीर्षवः = wishing to do good;
स उपचारम् = and out of their politeness;
ऊचु: = spoke;
स्वम् मतम् = their respective opinion;
रामम् = to Rama (as follows)
Thus asked by Rama, those monkeys free from lassitude, wishing to do good and out of their politeness, spoke their respective opinions to Rama as follows: 34.
अज्ञातम् न अस्ति ते किंचित् त्रिषु लोकेषु राघव |
आत्मानम् पूजयन् राम पृच्चसि अस्मान् सुहृत्तया ||
राघव = O; Rama!
न अस्ति किंचित् = Nothing;
अज्ञातम् = is unknown;
ते = to you;
त्रिषु = in the three;
लोकेषु = worlds;
पृच्चसि = you are asking;
अस्मान् = us;
सुहृत्तया = with a friendly heart;
आत्मानम् = to us.”
“O, Rama! Nothing is unknown to you in the three worlds. You are consulting us with a friendly heart, as an honor to us.” 35.
त्वम् हि सत्य व्रतः शूरो धार्मिको दृढ विक्रमः |
परीक्ष्य कारा स्मृतिमान् निसृष्ट आत्मा सुहृत्सु च ||
त्वम् = you;
सत्य व्रतः= are strictly truthful;
शूर: = a valiant man;
दृढ विक्रमः = of firm fortitude;
परीक्ष्य कारी = take action proper investigation;
स्मृतिमान् = having good memory;
निसृष्टमाच= and committed in your heart;
सुहृत्सु = to your friends.”
“You are avowed to truth, a valiant man and a righteous man of firm fortitude. You take action only after proper investigation. You have good memory. You are committed in your heart to your friends.” 36.
तस्माद् एक एकशस् तावद् ब्रुवन्तु सचिवास् तव |
हेतुतो मति सम्पन्नाः समर्थाः च पुनः पुनः ||
तस्मात्= hence;
तावद् सचिवा: = your counselors;
मति सम्पन्नाः= who are rich in their minds;
तता= and;
समर्थाः च पुनः = are moreover efficient;
ब्रुवन्तु तवात्= will tell;
हेतुत: = with reason;
एकैकशः = one by one.”
“Hence, your counselors, who are rich in their minds and are moreover efficient, one by one, will tell their opinion with reason.” 37.
इति उक्ते राघवाय अथ मतिमान् अन्गदो अग्रतः |
विभीषण परीक्षा अर्थम् उवाच वचनम् हरिः ||
उक्ते = having spoken ;
इति = thus;
अथ = then;
अन्गद: = Angada;
मतिमान् = the intelligent;
हरिः = monkey;
उवाच = spoke;
वचनम् = words;
राघवाय = to Rama;
विभीषण परीक्षा अर्थम् = for examining Vibhishana;
अग्रतः = at the first instance.”
Having spoken thus by the monkeys, Angada the intelligent monkey told Rama to arrange for examination of Vibhishana before hand.” 38.
शत्रोः सकाशात् सम्प्राप्तः सर्वथा शन्क्य एव हि |
विश्वास योग्यः सहसा न कर्तव्यो विभीषणः ||
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
सम्प्रीतः = who came;
सकाशात् = from the presence of;
शत्रोः = an enemy;
सर्वथा = by all means;
तर्क्यः एव हि= is indeed to be doubted;
न कर्तव्य: = He is not to be made;
विश्वासनीयः= a trustworthy person;
सहसा = immediately.”
“Vibhishana who came from an enemy is indeed to be doubted by all means. He is not to be made as a trust worthy person so soon.” 39.
चादयित्वा आत्म भावम् हि चरन्ति शठ बुद्धयः |
प्रहरन्ति च रन्ध्रेषु सो अनर्थः सुमहान् भवेत् ||
शठ बुद्धयः = the deceitful minded;
चरन्ति: = move around;
चादयित्वा = concealing;
आत्म भावम् = their peculiar nature;
प्रहरन्ति च= attack;
रन्ध्रेषु = at weak places;
स: = It;
भवेत् = will produce;
सुमहान् = a very great;
अनर्थः = evil.”
“Deceitful persons move around, concealing their peculiar nature and attack at weak places. They will create a very great misfortune.” 40.
अर्थ अनर्थौ विनिश्चित्य व्यवसायम् भजेत ह |
गुणतः सम्ग्रहम् कुर्याद् दोषतस् तु विसर्जयेत् ||
भजेत = one must wait upon;
व्यवसायम् = a decision;
विनिश्चित्य = after ascertaining;
अर्थ अनर्थौ= the pros and cons;
सम्ग्रहम् = acceptance;
कुर्यात् = has to be done;
गुणतः = according to quality;
दोषतस् तु= but faults;
विसर्जयेत् = should be given up.
“One must take a decision, after ascertaining the pros and cons of it. One should take up the action, if there is an advantage and reject it, if it is faulty.” 41.
यदि दोषो महांस् तस्मिंस् त्यज्यताम् अविशन्कितम् |
गुणान् वा अपि बहून् ज्ञात्वा सम्ग्रहः क्रियताम् नृप ||
नृप = O; king!
महांन् दोषह्यदि = If there are great faults;
तस्मिन् = in him;
त्यज्यताम् = let him be rejected;
अविशन्कितम् = undoubtedly;
ज्ञात्वा अपि = If we recognize;
बहून् = many;
गुणाम् = good qualities;
क्रियताम् सम्ग्रहः = let him be accepted.
“O, king! If there are great faults in him, let him be rejected undoubtedly. If we recognize many good qualities in him, let him be accepted.” 42.
शरभस् त्व् अथ निश्चित्य सार्थम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् |
क्षिप्रम् अस्मिन् नर व्याघ्र चारः प्रतिविधीयताम् ||
अथ = thereafter;
शरभस्तु= Sharabha on his part;
अब्रवीत् = spoke;
सार्थम् = meaningful;
निश्चित्य = and decisive;
वचनम् = words;
नर व्याघ्र= O, tiger among men!
चारः प्रतिविधीयताम् = Let a spy be sent;
क्षिप्रम् = immediately;
अस्मिन् = for him.”
Thereafter Sharabha on his part spoke the following meaningful and decisive words: “O, tiger among men! Let a spy be sent to shadow him” 43.
प्रणिधाय हि चारेण यथावत् सूक्ष्म बुद्धिना |
परीक्ष्य च ततः कार्यो यथा न्यायम् परिग्रहः ||
प्रणिधाय = by sending out a spy;
परीक्ष्य च= and investigating;
यथावत् = suitably;
सूक्ष्म बुद्धिना = by a keenly intellectual;
गूढचारण = spy;
ततः = and then;
परिग्रहः = acceptance;
कार्य: = to be done;
यथा न्यायम्= as per justice.”
“By sending out a spy and causing a suitable investigation by a keenly intellectual spy, he can then be accepted as per justice.” 44.
जाम्बवांस् त्व् अथ सम्प्रेक्ष्य शास्त्र बुद्ध्या विचक्षणः |
वाक्यम् विज्ञापयाम् आस गुणवद् दोष वर्जितम् ||
अथ = then;
विचक्षणः = the discerning;
जाम्बवांस्तु = Jambavaan on his part;
सम्प्रेक्ष्य = perceiving;
शास्त्र बुद्ध्या = through his leaning derived from scriptures;
विज्ञापयाम् आस= advised;
गुणवत्= qualitative;
दोष वर्जितम् = fault-less;
वाक्यम् = words:
Then, the discerning Jambavan on his part, perceiving the matter through his learning derived from scriptures, advised the following fault-less and qualitative words: 45.
बद्ध वैराच् च पापाच् च राक्षस इन्द्राद् विभीषणः |
अदेश काले सम्प्राप्तः सर्वथा शन्क्यताम् अयम् ||
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
सम्प्राप्तः = came;
राक्षस इन्द्रात् = from Ravana the king of demons;
बद्ध वैराच् च= who has contracted hostility with you;
पापात् = and who is sinful;
अदेश काले= at a very wrong place and time;
अयम् = He;
शन्क्यताम् = is to be suspected;
सर्वथा = by all means.”
“This Vibhishana came from sinful Ravana who has contracted hostility with you and that too at a wrong place and time. He is to be suspected by all means.” 46.
ततो मैन्दस् तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य नय अपनय कोविदः |
वाक्यम् वचन सम्पन्नो बभाषे हेतुमत्तरम् ||
ततः = then;
मैन्दस् तु= Mainda;
नयापनयकोविदः= skilled in discriminating good and bad conduct;
सम्प्रेक्षे= observed carefully;
बभाषे = and spoke;
वचन सम्पन्न: = in his perfect oratory;
हेतुमत्तरम् = highly reasonable;
वाक्यम्= words.
Then Mainda, skilled in discriminating good and bad conduct in others observed the matter carefully and spoke in his perfect oratory in the following highly reasonable words: 47.
अनुहो नाम तस्य एष रावणस्य विभीषणः |
पृच्च्यताम् मधुरेण अयम् शनैर् नर वर ईश्वर ||
नरपतिईश्वर= O, king of kings!
एष: = This;
विभीषणः = Vibhishana;
अनुहो नाम = is indeed the younger brother;
तस्य = of that;
रावणस्य = Ravana;
अयम् पृच्च्यताम् = let him be questioned;
शनै: = slowly;
मधुरेण = by sweet words.”
“O, king of kings! This Vibhishana is indeed the younger brother of that Ravana. Let him be questioned slowly by sweet words” 48.
भावम् अस्य तु विज्ञाय ततस् तत्त्वम् करिष्यसि |
दृष्टो न दुष्टो वा बुद्धि पूर्वम् नरषभ ||
नरषभ = O, the best among men!
विज्ञाय = having known;
तत्त्वतः = actually;
अस्य = his;
भावम् = mind;
दुष्टोयदि = whether he is dangerous;
न दुष्टो वा = or not dangerous;
त्वम्= you;
करिष्यसि = should act;
बुद्धि पूर्वम्= according to your feelings.”
“O, the best among men! Having read actually his mind whether he is dangerous or not, you should act according to your feelings.” 49.
अथ संस्कार सम्पन्नो हनूमान् सचिव उत्तमः |
उवाच वचनम् श्लक्ष्णम् अर्थवन् मधुरम् लघु ||
अथ = then;
हनूमान् = Hanuman;
संस्कार सम्पन्न: = who was well educated;
सचिव उत्तमः= the best among consellors;
उवाच = spoke;
श्लकम् = smooth;
अर्थवत्= meaningful;
मधुरम् = sweet;
लघु = and brief;
वचनम् = words:
Then the well educated Hanuman, the excellent among counselors; spoke the following smooth meaningful, sweet and brief words: 50.
न भवन्तम् मति श्रेष्ठम् समर्थम् वदताम् वरम् |
अतिशाययितुम् शक्तो बृहस्पतिर् अपि ब्रुवन् ||
बृहस्पतिर् अपि = even Brihaspati;
ब्रुवन् = while talking;
न शक्त: = cannot;
अतिशाययितुम् = excel;
भवन्तम् = you;
मति श्रेष्ठम्= who are of an exalted intellect;
समर्थम् = powerful;
वरम् = and the foremost;
वदताम् = of those who are eloquent.
“Even Brihaspati, while talking cannot excel you, who are possessing an exalted intellect. You are powerful and the foremost man among those who are eloquent.” 51.
न वादान् न अपि सम्घर्षान् न आधिक्यान् न च कामतः |
वक्ष्यामि वचनम् राजन् यथा अर्थम् राम गौरवात् ||
राजन् = O, king!
राम = O, Rama!
न = Neither;
वादात् = for argument;
न = nor;
सम्घर्षादपि = for competition(with other counselors);
न = nor;
आधिक्यात्= for superiority;
न = nor;
कामतः च = out of passion;
गौरवात् = but on account of importance;
वक्ष्यामि = I am talking;
यथा अर्थम् = the matter in hand.
“O, king! O, Rama! I am talking neither for argument, nor for competition (with other counselors, nor for superiority, nor out of passion for debate but on account of importance of this matter in hand.” 52.
अर्थ अनर्थ निमित्तम् हि यद् उक्तम् सचिवैस् तव |
तत्र दोषम् प्रपश्यामि क्रिया न हि उपपद्यते ||
प्रपश्यामि = Iam perceiving;
दोषम् = a mistake;
तत्र = in that;
यत्= which;
उक्तम् = was told;
सचिवै: = by your counselors;
अर्थ अनर्थ निमित्तम्= regarding advantages and disadvantages (accruing from Vibhishana);
न उपपद्यतेहि = It is not indeed possible;
क्रिया = for judicious investigation.
“I am perceiving an error in what was advised by your counselors assigned to look into advantages and disadvantages, accruing from accepting Vibhishana. It is not possible for such a judicious investigation into his character.” 53.
ऋते नियोगात् सामर्थ्यम् अवबोद्धुम् न शक्यते |
सहसा विनियोगो हि दोषवान् प्रतिभाति मे ||
नियोगात् ऋते = without entrusting any work;
न शक्यते = It is not possible;
अवबोद्धुम् = to understand;
सामर्थ्यम् = his ability;
प्रतिभाति = It occurs;
मे = to me;
दोषवान् = as a mistake;
विनियोगो = to entrust any work;
सहसा = so soon (to a stranger).
“Without entrusting any work, it is not possible to understand his ability. But at the same time, it occurs to me as a mistake to entrust any work so soon to a stranger.” 54.
चार प्रणिहितम् युक्तम् यद् उक्तम् सचिवैस् तव |
अर्थस्य असम्भवात् तत्र कारणम् न उपपद्यते ||
यत्= whatever;
युक्तम् = was told;
तव सविचिवैः = by your counselors;
युक्तम् = as it was befitting;
चार प्रणिहितम् = to send spies;
तत्र = that;
कारणम् = action;
न उपपद्यति = is not possible;
असम्भवात् = due to impracticality;
अर्थस्य = of the thing.
“What ever was told by your counselors that it was befitting to send spies to Vibhishana, that action is not possible due to impracticality of the proposition.” 55.
अदेश काले सम्प्राप्त इति अयम् यद् विभीषणः |
विवक्षा च अत्र मे अस्ति इयम् ताम् निबोध यथा मति ||
इतियत् = It has been said;
अयम् विभीषणः= that Vibhishana;
सम्प्राप्त: = came;
अदेश काले= into a wrong place and time;
तत्र = In that matter;
अस्ति = there is;
मे = to me;
इय विवक्षा = a desire to tell;
यथा मति= according to my mind;
निबोध = Listen;
ताम् = to it.
“It has been said that Vibhishana came into a wrong place and time. In that matter, I have to express my thought. Listen to it.” 56.
स एष देशः कालः च भवति इह यथा तथा |
पुरुषात् पुरुषम् प्राप्य तथा दोष गुणाव् अपि ||
एष = this;
देशः च = place;
कालः च= and time;
इह = here;
भवति = become;
यथा तथा= according to what is right;
तथा = thus;
प्राप्य = by obtaining; (in his mind)
पुरुषात् पुरुषम्= you are superior to Ravana;
गुणदोषवापि= and also found merits in you and demerits in the latter.
“This place and time become rightly obtained in his mind, as he has thought that you are superior to Ravana and also found merits in you and demerits in Ravana.” 57.
दौरात्म्यम् रावणे दृष्ट्वा विक्रमम् च तथा त्वयि |
युक्तम् आगमनम् तस्य सदृशम् तस्य बुद्धितः ||
युक्तम् हि= it is indeed befitting;
आगमनम् = to arrive;
अत्र = at this place and time;
दृष्ट्वा = by seeing;
विक्रमम् च= the prowess;
त्वयि = in you;
तथा = and;
दौरात्म्यम् = wickedness;
रावणे = in Ravana;
सदृशम् = It is worthy;
तस्य = of his;
बुद्धितः = judgement.
“It is indeed appropriate for him to arrive at this place and time, by seeing the prowess in you and the wickedness in Ravana. It is worthy of his judgment.” 58.
अज्ञात रूपैः पुरुषैः स राजन् पृच्च्यताम् इति |
यद् उक्तम् अत्र मे प्रेक्षा काचिद् अस्ति समीक्षिता ||
राजन् = O, king!
यत् = whatever;
उक्तम् = was told;
स: पृच्च्यताम् इति = that let him be questioned;
पुरुषैः = by spies;
अज्ञात रूपैः = of unknown identity;
मे = my;
काचित् = certain;
प्रेक्षा = view;
अत्र = in this matter;
समीक्षिता = after due consideration;
अस्ति = is this.
“O, king! Whatever was told by your counselors that let Vibhishana be questioned by spies of unknown identity, my considered view is as follows: 59.
पृच्च्यमानो विशन्केत सहसा बुद्धिमान् वचः |
तत्र मित्रम् प्रदुष्येत मिथ्य पृष्टम् सुख आगतम् ||
बुद्धिमान् = a wise man;
पृच्च्यमान: = being questioned;
सहसा = suddenly;
विशन्केत = would be apprehensive;
वचः = of the talk;
तत्र = in those circumstances;
सुख आगतम्= an easily obtained;
मित्रम् = friend;
प्रदुष्येत = becomes faithless;
मिथ्य पृष्टम् = due to deceitful questioning
“A wise man being questioned suddenly would be apprehensive of that questioning. In those circumstances, an easily obtained friend becomes faithless upon facing a deceitful questioning.” 60.
अशक्यः सहसा राजन् भावो वेत्तुम् परस्य वै |
अन्तः स्वभावैर् गीतैस् तैर् नैपुण्यम् पश्यता भृशम् ||
राजन् = O; king!
भृशम् नैपुण्यम् विना= without a high skill;
पश्यताम् = of perceiving;
अन्तरेण = between;
भिन्नैः स्वरैः = different voices;
अशक्यम् = it is not possible;
सहसा = rapidly;
बोद्धुं = to comprehend;
परस्य = the other’s;
भाव: = intention.
“O, king! Without possessing a high skill of reading his diversified tones, it is not possible rapidly to comprehend his intention.” 61.
न त्वस्य ब्रुवतो जातु लक्ष्यते दुष्ट भावता |
प्रसन्नम् वदनम् च अपि तस्मान् मे न अस्ति संशयः ||
न दुष्ट भावता = no bad intention;
न दृश्यते = is seen;
जातु = at all;
अस्य = in his;
ब्रुवत: = talk;
वदनम् च अपि= His face is also;
प्रसन्नम् = bright;
तस्मात् = hence;
न अस्ति= there is no;
संशयः = doubt;
मे = for me.
“I am not seeing any bad intention at all in his talk. His face is also bright. Hence, I do not doubt him.” 62.
अशन्कित मतिः स्वस्थो न शठः परिसर्पति |
न च अस्य दुष्टा वागस्ति तस्मान् न अस्ति इह संशयः ||
शठः = a deceitful person;
न परिसर्पति = does not approach;
अशन्कित मतिः= fearlessly;
स्वस्थ: = and confidently;
अस्य = his;
वाक्च= expression too;
न अस्ति= is not;
दुष्टा = bad;
तस्मात् = hence;
मे= to me;
न अस्ति = there is no;
संशयः = doubt.
“A deceitful person does not approach so fearlessly and confidently. His expression too is not bad. Hence, there is no doubt to me on him.” 63.
आकारः चाद्यमानो अपि न शक्यो विनिगूहितुम् |
बलाद्द् हि विवृणोति एव भावम् अन्तर् गतम् नृणाम् ||
न शक्य: = it is not possible;
विनिगूहितम् = to hide;
आकारः = expression of the face;
चाद्यमानो अपि = even if it is concealed;
बलात= by force;
अन्तर् गतम्= the internal;
भावम् = intent;
नृणाम् = of the persons;
विवृणोति एव= certainly gets revealed.
“It is not possible to hide expression of the face, even if it is concealed. By force, the internal intent of the persons certainly gets revealed.” 64.
देश काल उपपन्नम् च कार्यम् कार्यविदाम् वर |
सफलम् कुरुते क्षिप्रम् प्रयोगेण अभिसम्हितम् ||
कार्यविदाम् वर = O, the eminently skillful man in work!
कार्यम् = an action;
देश काल उपपन्नम् च = endowed with proper place and time;
कुरुते = transacts;
सफलम् = successfully;
अभिसम्हितम् = if associated;
प्रयोगेण = with practice;
क्षिप्रम् = quickly.
“O, the eminently skillful man in work! An action endowed with proper place and time transacts successfully, if it is performed quickly.” 65.
उद्योगम् तव सम्प्रेक्ष्य मिथ्या वृत्तम् च रावणम् |
वालिनः च वधम् श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवम् च अभिषेचितम् ||
राज्यम् प्रार्थयमानः च बुद्धि पूर्वम् इह आगतः |
एतावत् तु पुरस् कृत्य युज्यते त्व् अस्य सम्ग्रहः ||
सम्प्रेक्ष्य = seeing;
तव = your;
उद्योगम् = perseverance;
मिथ्या वृत्तम्= and improper conduct;
रावणम् = of Ravana;
श्रुत्वा = and hearing;
वालिनम्= about Vali;
वधम् = having been killed;
सुग्रीवम् = and Sugriva;
अभिषेचितम् = having been anointed as a king;
आगतम् = came;
इह = here;
बुद्धि पूर्वम्= deliberately;
पुरस् कृत्य= considering;
तावतु = this much alone;
तस्य = his;
सम्ग्रहनः= acceptance;
विद्यते= is understandable.
“Seeing your perseverance and the improper conduct of Ravana as well as hearing about Vali having been killed and Sugriva anointed as king, he deliberately came here, with a desire to obtain the kingdom of demons. On consideration of this aspect alone, he is worthy of acceptance by us.” 66;67.
यथा शक्ति मया उक्तम् तु राक्षसस्य आर्जवम् प्रति |
प्रमाणम् तु शेषस्य श्रुत्वा बुद्धिमताम् वर ||
बुद्धिमताम् वर = O Rama; the best among the wise!
उक्तम् = It has been told;
मया = by me;
यथा शक्ति = according to my ability;
आर्जवम् प्रति = about the sincerety;
राक्षसस्य = of this demon;
श्रुत्वा = after hearing this;
त्वम्= you;
प्रमाणम् हि = indeed are the judge;
शेषस्य = of the issue.
“O, Rama the best among the wise! It has been told by me this according to my ability about the sincerity of this demon. After hearing my words, you are indeed the final judge of the issue.” 68.
इत्यार्शे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे अष्टादशः सर्गः
Thus completes 18th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
NEXT: SARGA 19
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