Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 10

Meaning

After that, when the morning came, even as the sun with its rays diffused through their brilliance would penetrate into a huge cloud, the heroic Vibhīṣaṇa of valiant deeds, who was clothed with extraordinary splendour and who had ascertained the truth about righteousness and material gain, penetrated deep into the well-known palace of his eldest (half-) brother, the suzerain ruler of ogres, which looked like a mass of crags, was lofty like a mountain top and symmetrically divided into spacious apartments; which was inhabited by a gathering of learned men, superintended by wise and devoted ministers and guarded on all sides by trusted and competent ogres; whose air was rendered tempestuous by the breath of elephants in rut, which resounded with a loud noise made by the ogres, resembling the blast of conches and was rendered noisy by the blare of trumpets; which remained crowded with young women; whose broad passages were noisy (with the talk of passers-by) and which was provided with gates of refined gold; which was decked with the foremost of jewels and looked like an abode of Gandharvas (celestial musicians) or a mansion of gods; and which, abounding, as it did, in collections of precious stones, resembled a house of Nāgas. (1—7)

Meaning

There Vibhīṣaṇa (who was clothed with exceptional splendour) heard the holy sounds of prayers wishing a propitious day to the king and invoking the victory of his eldest half-brother, uttered by the knowers of Veda. (8)

Meaning

Vibhīṣaṇa, who was endowed with extraordinary might, beheld Brāhmaṇas versed in Mantras (sacred texts) as well as in the Brāhmaṇas (the portion of the Vedas containing rules for the recitation of the Mantras at various sacrifices) and worshipped with ghee, flowers and unbroken grains of rice as well as with vessels full of curds. (9)

Meaning

While being glorified by ogres, the mighty-armed Vibhīṣaṇa saluted Rāvaṇa (a younger half-brother of Kubera, the bestower of riches), seated on a throne, and shining with native splendour. (10)

Meaning

Going through the customary formalities, Vibhīṣaṇa, who was well-versed in the code of conduct, made for a seat decked with gold and blessed by a glance from the king. (11)

Meaning

Having sought the favour of his eldest (half-) brother by means of soothing words, Vibhīṣaṇa, who knew what is good and bad in the world and had observed the customary rites (in the form of salutations etc.), tendered to the eminent Rāvaṇa in the presence of the latter’s ministers in seclusion the following advice, which was exceedingly wholesome and based on logical grounds and was in consonance with place, time and purpose: (12-13)

Meaning

“Ever since Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) arrived here, evil portents are being observed by us. (14)

Meaning

“The sacrificial fire emits sparks, its flames are enveloped in smoke, its manifestation (as a result of rubbing two pieces of wood against each other) is also obscure, accompanied as it is by smoke, and it does not flare up properly even when fed with oblations while uttering sacred formulas. (15)

Meaning

“Reptiles are observed in kitchens and fire-sanctuaries and, likewise, in the places where the Vedas are taught, and ants are discovered in the substances to be offered as oblations into the sacrificial fire. (16)

Meaning

“The milk of cows has dried up, ichor no longer flows from the temples of the best of elephants; while horses, though feeling satisfied with their fresh supply of fodder, neigh dolefully. (17)

Meaning

“Nay, donkeys, camels and mules, O king, shed tears, their hair standing on end. Even though treated with care according to medical directions, they do not return to normalcy. (18)

Meaning

“Crows in flock utter harsh cries on all sides and are seen gathered in swarms on the tops of seven-storeyed buildings. (19)

Meaning

“Nay, vultures collected in swarms hover over the city; while, arrived near the city, she-jackals howl ominously both morning and evening. (20)

Meaning

“At the gates of the city are heard the loud cries of carnivorous animals (such as wolves and hyenās) gathered in herds alongwith peals of thunder. (21)

Meaning

“Therefore, when the action of evil forces has started in this way, O gallant brother, this atonement is desirable that Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) be restored to Rāma (a scion of Raghu) and I like it.(22)

Meaning

“Even if this submission has been made through infatuation or greed, you ought not to find fault with me, O eminent monarch! (23)

Meaning

“This offence in the shape of Sītā’s abduction is recognized by all the people here, the ogres and the ogresses, the whole city and the gynaeceum. (24)

Meaning

“True, all your counsellors have refrained from tendering this advice to you for fear of incurring your displeasure; yet that which has been perceived or heard by me needs must be submitted. Determining the propriety or otherwise of my counsel according to the principles of equity, you ought to act accordingly.” (25)

Meaning

Thus in the midst of his half-brother’s counsellors, Vibhīṣaṇa, brother of Rāvaṇa, tendered the aforesaid salutary advice to his (eldest half-) brother, Rāvaṇa, the foremost of ogres. (26)

Meaning

Hearing the foregoing submission of Vibhīṣaṇa, which was wholesome, full of great significance, gentle, logical and capable of doing good in the past, present and future, Rāvaṇa (who was seized with fever in the form of anger and) who was full of passion (for Sītā), made the following reply: (27)

Meaning

“I see no cause for fear from any quarter whatsoever. Rāma (a scion of Raghu) shall in no case get back Sītā (a princess of Mithilā). How can Rāma (the eldest half-brother of Lakṣmaṇa) stand before me in an encounter even though aided by gods including Indra (their ruler)?” (28)

Meaning

Having spoken as aforesaid, Rāvaṇa, the ten-headed monster, the destroyer of the celestial forces, who was endowed with extraordinary valour and exhibited terrific prowess in combat, forthwith dismissed his younger half-brother, Vibhīṣaṇa, who had elucidated the truth. (29)