Uttara Kanda, Sarga 25
स तु दत्त्वा दशग्रीवो बलं घोरं खरस्य तत्। भगिनीं स समाश्वास्य हृष्टः स्वस्थतरोऽभवत्॥ १॥
Meaning
Having handed over to Khara the command of that formidable army and having consoled his sister, Rāvaṇa, the ten-headed monster, for his part felt rejoiced and at ease. (1)
ततो निकुम्भिला नाम लङ्कोपवनमुत्तमम्। तद् राक्षसेन्द्रो बलवान् प्रविवेश सहानुगः॥ २॥
Meaning
There was an excellent grove in Laṅkā, Nikumbhilā by name. Accompanied by his followers, the mighty ruler of ogres penetrated deep into it. (2)
ततो यूपशताकीर्णं सौम्यचैत्योपशोभितम्। ददर्श विष्ठितं यज्ञं श्रिया सम्प्रज्वलन्निव॥ ३॥
Meaning
Flaming, as it were, with splendour, he saw standing there a sacrificial hall, closely set with hundreds of sacrificial posts and adorned with a sanctuary of good omen. (3)
ततः कृष्णाजिनधरं कमण्डलुशिखाध्वजम्। ददर्श स्वसुतं तत्र मेघनादं भयावहम्॥ ४॥
Meaning
Then he beheld there his son, Meghanāda, wearing a black deerskin and a tuft of hair on his crown and holding a Kamaṇḍalu (a pot made of the shell of a poisonous coconut) and a staff and inspiring fear. (4)
तं समासाद्य लङ्केशः परिष्वज्याथ बाहुभिः। अब्रवीत् किमिदं वत्स वर्तसे ब्रूहि तत्त्वतः॥ ५॥
Meaning
Approaching him and folding him in his arms, the ruler of Laṅkā, forthwith said to him, “Child, what is it you are doing? Speak truly.” (5)
उशना त्वब्रवीत् तत्र यज्ञसम्पत्समृद्धये। रावणं राक्षसश्रेष्ठं द्विजश्रेष्ठो महातपाः॥ ६॥
Meaning
In order to ensure the success of the sacrificial performance (which would have been jeopardized if the sacrificer broke his vow of silence), Uśanā (the preceptor of the demons and Daityas, who was evidently conducting the sacrifice), the foremost of the twice-born and a great ascetic, for his part spoke as follows to Rāvaṇa, the foremost of ogres, on that occasion: (6)
अहमाख्यामि ते राजन् श्रूयतां सर्वमेव तत्। यज्ञास्ते सप्त पुत्रेण प्राप्तास्ते बहुविस्तराः॥ ७॥
Meaning
“I shall tell you everything, Your Majesty, please listen to it. Seven well-known sacrifices rich in numerous details have been performed by your son. (7)
अग्निष्टोमोऽश्वमेधश्च यज्ञो बहुसुवर्णकः। राजसूयस्तथा यज्ञो गोमेधो वैष्णवस्तथा॥ ८॥ माहेश्वरे प्रवृत्ते तु यज्ञे पुम्भिः सुदुर्लभे। वरांस्ते लब्धवान् पुत्रः साक्षात् पशुपतेरिह॥ ९॥
Meaning
“Six sacrifices named Agniṣṭoma and Aśwamedha, the Bahusuvarṇaka sacrifice, Rājasūya, Gomedha and the sacrifice intended to propitiate Lord Viṣṇu, had been performed; and when the sacrifice intended to propitiate Lord Maheśwara, which is exceedingly difficult for the mortals to accomplish, commenced, your son received boons personally from Lord Śiva (the ruler of embodied souls in bondage, who are no better than beasts) here, on this very ground. (8-9)
कामगं स्यन्दनं दिव्यमन्तरिक्षचरं ध्रुवम्। मायां च तामसीं नाम यया सम्पद्यते तमः॥ १०॥
Meaning
“He also received from Him a lasting heavenly car which could course in the air according to the will of its master, as well as a conjuring trick named Tāmasī Māyā by which darkness could be occasioned in the enemy’s ranks. (10)
एतया किल संग्रामे मायया राक्षसेश्वर। प्रयुक्तया गतिः शक्या नहि ज्ञातुं सुरासुरैः॥ ११॥
Meaning
“By means of this conjuring trick, when employed in a conflict, O ruler of ogres, the movement of the employer cannot be known either by the gods or the demons. (11)
अक्षयाविषुधी बाणैश्चापं चापि सुदुर्जयम्। अस्त्रं च बलवद् राजन् शत्रुविध्वंसनं रणे॥ १२॥
Meaning
“A pair of inexhaustible quivers full of arrows, as also a bow exceedingly difficult to resist and a powerful missile capable of exterminating the foe have also been secured by him, O king ! (12)
एतान् सर्वान् वराँल्लब्ध्वा पुत्रस्तेऽयं दशानन। अद्य यज्ञसमाप्तौ च त्वां दिदृक्षन् स्थितो ह्यहम्॥ १३॥
Meaning
“Having secured all these boons, indeed, O Rāvaṇa, this son of yours, stands here eager to see you at the completion of his sacrificial performance, and so do I.” (13)
ततोऽब्रवीद् दशग्रीवो न शोभनमिदं कृतम्। पूजिताः शत्रवो यस्माद् द्रव्यैरिन्द्रपुरोगमाः॥ १४॥
Meaning
Thereupon Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster) said, “This was not done well in that my enemies, whose leader is Indra, have been worshipped by means of offerings. (14)
एहीदानीं कृतं यद्धि सुकृतं तन्न संशयः। आगच्छ सौम्य गच्छामः स्वमेव भवनं प्रति॥ १५॥
Meaning
“Come now; that which has actually been done, has been done well: there is no doubt about it. Come, O my good child ! let us return to our abode.” (15)
ततो गत्वा दशग्रीवः सपुत्रः सविभीषणः। स्त्रियोऽवतारयामास सर्वास्ता बाष्पगद्गदाः॥ १६॥ लक्षिण्यो रत्नभूताश्च देवदानवरक्षसाम्। तस्य तासु मतिं ज्ञात्वा धर्मात्मा वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ १७॥
Meaning
Moving from that place with his son (Meghanāda) and Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster) caused to descend from the Pushpak all those women whose throats were choked with tears, nay, who were endowed with propitious bodily marks and were veritable jewels among the ladies of gods, Dānavas and ogres. Coming to know the mind of Rāvaṇa with regard to them, Vibhīṣaṇa, whose mind was set on virtue, spoke to him as follows: (16-17)
ईदृशैस्त्वं समाचारैर्यशोऽर्थकुलनाशनैः। धर्षणं प्राणिनां ज्ञात्वा स्वमतेन विचेष्टसे॥ १८॥
Meaning
“Acting according to your own sweet will, you knowingly commit offence against living beings through such practices, which ruin your fame and fortune and bring a blot on your family. (18)
ज्ञातींस्तान् धर्षयित्वेमास्त्वयाऽऽनीता वराङ्गनाः। त्वामतिक्रम्य मधुना राजन् कुम्भीनसी हृता॥ १९॥
Meaning
“Having overpowered their relations, these excellent women have been borne away by you; nay, disregarding you, O king, your own cousin Kumbhīnasī has been borne away by Madhu.” (19)
रावणस्त्वब्रवीद् वाक्यं नावगच्छामि किं त्विदम्। कोऽयं यस्तु त्वयाऽऽख्यातो मधुरित्येव नामतः॥ २०॥
Meaning
Rāvaṇa, however, observed as follows: “I am not aware as to how this happened. Who actually is this fellow who has been spoken of by you by the name of Madhu?” (20)
विभीषणस्तु संक्रुद्धो भ्रातरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। श्रूयतामस्य पापस्य कर्मणः फलमागतम्॥ २१॥
Meaning
Filled with rage, Vibhīṣaṇa for his part replied as follows to his (eldest) brother: “Listen, the fruit of your present sinful deed has appeared in the shape of the abduction of your own cousin. (21)
मातामहस्य योऽस्माकं ज्येष्ठो भ्राता सुमालिनः। माल्यवानिति विख्यातो वृद्धः प्राज्ञो निशाचरः॥ २२॥ पिता ज्येष्ठो जनन्या नो ह्यस्माकं चार्यकोऽभवत्। तस्य कुम्भीनसी नाम दुहितुर्दुहिताभवत्॥ २३॥
Meaning
“The aged and sagacious ranger of the night, widely known by the name of Mālyavān, who is the eldest brother of our maternal grandfather, Sumālī, is the eldest uncle of our mother, Kaikasī, and as such worthy of our respect. He had a daughter’s daughter, Kumbhīnasī by name. (22-23)
मातृष्वसुरथास्माकं सा च कन्यानलोद्भवा। भवत्यस्माकमेवैषा भ्रातॄणां धर्मतः स्वसा॥ २४॥
Meaning
“Nay, being daughter of our mother’s sister, born as she is of Analā (our mother’s own younger sister), she no doubt stands virtually and rightly in the relation of a sister to us all brothers. (24)
सा हृता मधुना राजन् राक्षसेन बलीयसा। यज्ञप्रवृत्ते पुत्रे तु मयि चान्तर्जलोषिते॥ २५॥ कुम्भकर्णो महाराज निद्रामनुभवत्यथ। निहत्य राक्षसश्रेष्ठानमात्यानिह सम्मतान्॥ २६॥
Meaning
“While your son, Meghanāda, for his part was engaged in a sacrifice, Your Majesty, and I lay submerged in water doing Tapas, while Kumbhakarṇa was enjoying sleep, O great king, she was borne away by the ogre Madhu of superior might, after killing our ministers, the foremost of ogres, who were held in high esteem here, O king ! (25-26)
धर्षयित्वा हृता सा तु गुप्ताप्यन्तःपुरे तव। श्रुत्वापि तन्महाराज क्षान्तमेव हतो न सः॥ २७॥ यस्मादवश्यं दातव्या कन्या भर्त्रे हि भ्रातृभिः। तदेतत् कर्मणो ह्यस्य फलं पापस्य दुर्मतेः॥ २८॥ अस्मिन्नेवाभिसम्प्राप्तं लोके विदितमस्तु ते। विभीषणवचः श्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रः स रावणः॥ २९॥ दौरात्म्येनात्मनोद्धूतस्तप्ताम्भा इव सागरः। ततोऽब्रवीद् दशग्रीवः क्रुद्धः संरक्तलोचनः॥ ३०॥
Meaning
“Though kept under watch in your gynaeceum, she was borne away after overpowering her. Even on hearing of it, O great monarch, the insult was pocketed by us—the fellow was not killed; for a maiden needs must be given away to a husband by her brothers. Let it be known to you that this is surely the fruit of your sinful deeds as well of your perverse mind, reaped in this very existence.” Looking like an ocean with turbulent waters when wrought up through viciousness practised by himself on hearing the speech of Vibhīṣaṇa, his eyes bloodshot through anger, that ten-headed monster, Rāvaṇa, the king of ogres, spoke as follows: (27—30)
कल्प्यतां मे रथः शीघ्रं शूराः सज्जीभवन्तु नः। भ्राता मे कुम्भकर्णश्च ये च मुख्या निशाचराः॥ ३१॥ वाहनान्यधिरोहन्तु नानाप्रहरणायुधाः। अद्य तं समरे हत्वा मधुं रावणनिर्भयम्॥ ३२॥ सुरलोकं गमिष्यामि युद्धाकाङ्क्षी सुहृद्वृतः। अक्षौहिणीसहस्राणि चत्वार्यग्र्याणि रक्षसाम्॥ ३३॥ नानाप्रहरणान्याशु निर्ययुर्युद्धकाङ्क्षिणाम्। इन्द्रजित् त्वग्रतः सैन्यात् सैनिकान् परिगृह्य च॥ ३४॥ जगाम रावणो मध्ये कुम्भकर्णश्च पृष्ठतः। विभीषणश्च धर्मात्मा लङ्कायां धर्ममाचरन्॥ ३५॥
Meaning
“Let my chariot be harnessed speedily and let our heroes get ready, let my brother, Kumbhakarṇa, and whoever other leading rangers of the night there are, get into their vehicles armed with all kinds of weapons. After killing in combat today the notorious Madhu, who is not afraid even of Rāvaṇa, i.e., myself, and accompanied by friends, I shall proceed to the realm of gods seeking an encounter with them.” Four thousand Akṣauhiṇīs of picked ogres, thirsting for combat and armed with all kinds of weapons, sallied forth with all speed. Nay, taking troops with him, Indrajit for his part marched at the head of the army; Rāvaṇa rode in the centre and Kumbhakarṇa in the rear. The pious-minded Vibhīṣaṇa stayed behind in Laṅkā practising virtues. (31—35)
शेषाः सर्वे महाभागा ययुर्मधुपुरं प्रति। खरैरुष्ट्रैर्हयैर्दीप्तैः शिशुमारैर्महोरगैः॥ ३६॥ राक्षसाः प्रययुः सर्वे कृत्वाऽऽकाशं निरन्तरम्। दैत्याश्च शतशस्तत्र कृतवैराश्च दैवतैः॥ ३७॥ रावणं प्रेक्ष्य गच्छन्तमन्वगच्छन् हि पृष्ठतः। स तु गत्वा मधुपुरं प्रविश्य च दशाननः॥ ३८॥ न ददर्श मधुं तत्र भगिनीं तत्र दृष्टवान्। सा च प्रह्वाञ्जलिर्भूत्वा शिरसा चरणौ गता॥ ३९॥ तस्य राक्षसराजस्य त्रस्ता कुम्भीनसी तदा। तां समुत्थापयामास न भेतव्यमिति ब्रुवन्॥ ४०॥ रावणो राक्षसश्रेष्ठः किं चापि करवाणि ते। साब्रवीद् यदि मे राजन् प्रसन्नस्त्वं महाभुज॥ ४१॥ भर्तारं न ममेहाद्य हन्तुमर्हसि मानद। नहीदृशं भयं किंचित् कुलस्त्रीणामिहोच्यते॥ ४२॥
Meaning
All the rest, who were highly fortunate, set out towards the city of Madhu. All the ogres marched on the back of donkeys, camels, excited horses, dolphins and huge serpents, leaving no space in the sky. Nay, perceiving Rāvaṇa on the march, Daityas in their hundreds who bore enmity to the gods, actually followed at his heels. Reaching the city of Madhu and entering it, Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster) saw his sister there but did not find Madhu. Nay, joining her palms as a token of submission, alarmed as she was, the said Kumbhīnasī fell at the feet of that ruler of ogres with her head touching them on that occasion. Saying, “You ought not to be afraid,” Rāvaṇa, the foremost of ogres, lifted her up and added, “What shall I do for you?” She replied, “If you are pleased with me, O mighty-armed monarch, you ought not to kill my husband here today, O bestower of honour! For nothing is said to be so dreadful as the death of a husband in the eyes of ladies of noble birth in this world. (36—42)
भयानामपि सर्वेषां वैधव्यं व्यसनं महत्। सत्यवाग् भव राजेन्द्र मामवेक्षस्व याचतीम्॥ ४३॥
Meaning
“Of all dreaded things widowhood is a great misfortune. Be true to your word, O ruler of rulers ! Have regard for me who am supplicating you. (43)
त्वयाप्युक्तं महाराज न भेतव्यमिति स्वयम्। रावणस्त्वब्रवीद्धृष्टः स्वसारं तत्र संस्थिताम्॥ ४४॥
Meaning
“An assurance has been given by you, of your own accord, O great king, in the following words: ‘You ought not to be afraid.’ ” Feeling rejoiced, Rāvaṇa, however, spoke as follows to his sister, standing there: (44)
क्व चासौ तव भर्ता वै मम शीघ्रं निवेद्यताम्। सह तेन गमिष्यामि सुरलोकं जयाय हि॥ ४५॥
Meaning
“Nay, let it be made known to me without delay where your husband actually is. I shall proceed with him to the realm of gods without doubt for the sake of conquest. (45)
तव कारुण्यसौहार्दान्निवृत्तोऽस्मि मधोर्वधात्। इत्युक्ता सा समुत्थाप्य प्रसुप्तं तं निशाचरम्॥ ४६॥ अब्रवीत् सम्प्रहृष्टेव राक्षसी सा पतिं वचः। एष प्राप्तो दशग्रीवो मम भ्राता महाबलः॥ ४७॥
Meaning
“Out of compassion and goodwill for you I have desisted from the destruction of Madhu.” Having awakened that ranger of the night, who was fast asleep, when reassured in these words and transported with joy as it were, the aforesaid ogress Kumbhīnasī, spoke as follows to her husband: “Here stands my exceptionally mighty brother, Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster) arrived. (46-47)
सुरलोकजयाकाङ्क्षी साहाय्ये त्वां वृणोति च। तदस्य त्वं सहायार्थं सबन्धुर्गच्छ राक्षस॥ ४८॥
Meaning
“Desirous of conquering the realm of gods, he asks you for help. Therefore, accompanied by your kinsmen, go out for help, O ogre! (48)
स्निग्धस्य भजमानस्य युक्तमर्थाय कल्पितुम्। तस्यास्तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा तथेत्याह मधुर्वचः॥ ४९॥
Meaning
“It is advisable for you to do your best in the interest of one who is affectionate to you and loves you as a son-in-law.” Hearing the aforesaid advice, Madhu replied as follows: “So be it.” (49)
ददर्श राक्षसश्रेष्ठं यथान्यायमुपेत्य सः। पूजयामास धर्मेण रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्॥ ५०॥
Meaning
He saw Rāvaṇa, the foremost of ogres, and approaching him according to propriety, paid respects to the suzerain lord of ogres in accordance with the prescribed code of conduct. (50)
प्राप्य पूजां दशग्रीवो मधुवेश्मनि वीर्यवान्। तत्र चैकां निशामुष्य गमनायोपचक्रमे॥ ५१॥
Meaning
Receiving attention in the abode of Madhu and having stayed there for one night, the powerful Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster) got ready to leave for the realm of gods. (51)
ततः कैलासमासाद्य शैलं वैश्रवणालयम्। राक्षसेन्द्रो महेन्द्राभः सेनामुपनिवेशयत्॥ ५२॥
Meaning
Having reached Mount Kailāsa, the abode of Kubera (son of Viśravā), Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, who resembled the mighty Indra, encamped his army there. (52)
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