Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 8

Meaning

The valiant ogre, Prahasta by name, the Commander-in-Chief, who resembled a dark cloud, then submitted as follows with joined palms on that occasion: (1)

Meaning

“The gods, Dānavas (sons of Danu) and Gandharvas, fiends, birds and serpents, all are capable of being easily overpowered by us in an encounter, much less a couple of mortals. (2)

Meaning

“We were all hoodwinked by Hanūmān because we were unwary and unsuspecting. That monkey (a denizen of the forest) could not otherwise escape alive so long as I am living. (3)

Meaning

“I can sweep the entire globe, bounded by the oceans, with its mountains, forests and woodlands, clear it of all monkeys. Command me, if you will. (4)

Meaning

“Nay, I shall certainly protect you against the monkey race, O ranger of the night! No calamity of any kind born of your own crime (in the shape of Sītā’s abduction) will come to you.” (5)

Meaning

“Feeling extremely enraged, another ogre, Durmukha by name, for his part submitted: “This outrage committed against us all is not worth pocketing, indeed. (6)

Meaning

“Furthermore, this assault by a monkey is an affront to the city of Laṅkā, to the royal gynaeceum as well as to the glorious ruler of ogres. (7)

Meaning

“Marching alone at this very hour, I shall repulse the monkeys, even if they have taken refuge in the dreaded deep, in the heavens or in Rasātala (the penultimate subterranean region).” (8)

Meaning

Then spoke as follows Vajradaṁṣṭra, who was endowed with extraordinary might, extremely enraged and clasping his terrible iron bludgeon stained with flesh and blood: (9)

Meaning

“What have we got to do with the miserable and poor Hanumān, so long as there is Rāma, who is difficult to assail, as well as Sugrīva, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa? (10)

Meaning

“Having disposed of single-handed with my iron bludgeon, Rāma, accompanied by Sugrīva and Lakṣmaṇa, and having caused panic in the army of monkeys, I shall return today. (11)

Meaning

“Pray, listen, if you will, O king, to this further submision of mine; for he alone who is resourceful is able to conquer his enemies if he is vigilant. (12)

Meaning

“Assuming a human semblance, nay, approaching Rāma, a scion of Kakutstha, and feeling altogether free from embarrassment, O suzerain lord of ogres, heroic and most formidable ogres, terrible to look at, nay, capable of assuming any form at will and determined of purpose, should speak as follows to Rāma, the foremost of Raghus: ‘We have been sent by your younger brother, Bharata, himself, and, ordering his army to march, Rāma too will surely sally forth apace.’ (13—15)

Meaning

“Carrying pikes, javelins and maces and with arrows and swords in hand, we should then speedily reach there with quick steps from this side. (16)

Meaning

“Taking our stand in the airspace in battalions and battering the army of monkeys with a mighty hail of stones and missiles, we should send them to the abode of Death. (17)

Meaning

“If Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fall into our trap, they need must succumb to our wily stratagem. (18)

Meaning

“Extremely enraged, the heroic and powerful son of Kumbhakarṇa, Nikumbha by name, thereupon submitted as follows to Rāvaṇa, who made people cry by his oppression: (19)

Meaning

“Let you all tarry here in the company of our mighty ruler. I shall presently kill single-handed, Rāma, a scion of Raghu, as well as Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva alongwith Hanumān and all the other monkeys too.” Then an ogre, Vajrahanu by name, who looked like a mountain, submitted as follows, licking his lips with his tongue in rage: “Completely rid of all anxiety, you discharge your duties without constraint. I shall devour single-handed the whole of that army of monkeys. Divert yourself confidently and drink wine, getting free from anxiety. Alone I shall kill Sugrīva with Lakṣmaṇa, and Hanumān with Aṅgada as well as all the monkeys this very moment.” (20—24)