Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16

Meaning

Rāvaṇa, who was under the influence of Death, addressed the following harsh words to Vibhīṣaṇa, who had rendered an advice which was wholesome and impregnated with meaning: (1)

Meaning

“One would rather live with an avowed enemy and even with an enraged venomous serpent than with an individual who, though professing himself to be a friend, is devoted to the enemy. (2)

Meaning

“I know, O ranger of the night, the disposition of one’s relatives in all the worlds. These latter always rejoice in the misfortunes of their relatives. (3)

Meaning

“Kinsfolk (as a rule) despise their chief, even though he carries on his duties as a ruler, is learned and given to piety, O ogre, and try to humiliate him, if he is a hero. (4)

Meaning

“Feeling highly rejoiced in the misfortunes of one another, having secret designs and turning desperadoes any moment, kinsfolk are generally cruel and formidable. (5)

Meaning

“Couplets uttered in the past by elephants in a bed of lotuses on seeing men with snares in their hands (to catch them) have been heard by me. Listen to them from me even as I repeat them: (6)

Meaning

“ ‘Neither fire nor other arms nor snares strike terror in us; but those of our own kind, who are cruel and actuated by self-interest, are dangerous. (7)

Meaning

“ ‘These (latter) will point out the device of catching us; there is no doubt about it. Nay, the peril from those of our kind is known to us as the most formidable of all perils.’ (8)

Meaning

“There exists wealth in the cow; there exists peril from one’s own kinsfolk; there exists capriciousness in women; and there exists asceticism in the Brāhmaṇa. (9)

Meaning

“Therefore, it is not to your liking, my good brother, that I am honoured by the whole world, have attained power and pelf and have set my foot on the heads of my enemies. (10)

Meaning

“Love bestowed on the unworthy does not moisten their heart any more than drops of water fallen on lotus leaves penetrate the latter. (11)

Meaning

“Even as the earth is not saturated with the water of clouds thundering and raining in autumn, so love bestowed on the unworthy fails to moisten their heart. (12)

Meaning

“Affection does not abide in the heart of the unworthy any more than a black bee stays with a flower even though sucking its nectar with avidity. You too are of that type. (13)

Meaning

“One bestowing love on the unworthy does not attain happiness any more than a black bee, though sucking the flowers of a grass known by the name of Kāśa gets nectar there. (14)

Meaning

“Just as picking up sand in its proboscis immediately after taking a dip in water in the first instance, an elephant soils its body again, so the affection bestowed on the unworthy gets clogged. (15)

Meaning

“He who, other than you, actually utters the aforesaid words in the way you have done, O ranger of the night, would have undoubtedly ceased to be this very moment. As for you, a curse upon you, O obloquy of your race!” (16)

Meaning

Rebuked in these harsh words, Vibhīṣaṇa, who had spoken what is right, rose in the airspace, mace in hand, alongwith four other ogres, his ministers. (17)

Meaning

Nay, standing in airspace, the glorious Vibhīṣaṇa, (half-) brother of Rāvaṇa, who was filled with indignation, actually addressed the following words at that moment to Rāvaṇa (the suzerain lord of ogres): (18)

Meaning

“You, who have spoken harsh words to me, O king, are deluded. Rebuke me in whatever words you will. Being my eldest brother, you are worthy of respect to me like a father; yet you are not steadfast on the path of virtue. I, therefore, cannot tolerate your abusive speech, even though you are my elder. (19)

Meaning

“Those who have not mastered their self and have fallen under the sway of Death do not heed the excellent words of wisdom uttered by a well-wisher, O Rāvaṇa (endowed with ten heads)! (20)

Meaning

“People ever given to uttering palatable words, O king, can be easily had. He, however, who utters and listens to words which, though unpleasant to hear, yet are conducive to one’s good are difficult to find. (21)

Meaning

“I could not ignore you, held fast in the noose of Death—who snatches away all beings—and going to perish like a house in flames. Hence I went out of my way to tell you all this. (22)

Meaning

“I did not wish to see you killed by Rāma with sharp arrows glowing like a flaming fire and ornamented with gold. (23)

Meaning

“Seized by death, even gallant and mighty men, nay, those who are skilled in archery fall in battle like dams of sand. (24)

Meaning

“Being my elder brother, pray, forgive what has been said by me, wishing you well, as I do. Now protect yourself in every way, as well as this city including the ogres. May prosperity attend on you. Be happy in my absence. (25)

Meaning

“While you were being restrained by me as I wished you well, my warning did not find favour with you, O ranger of the night! At the hour of death men whose life has run its course do not, as a rule, heed the salutary advice tendered by their well-wishers.” (26)