Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 9

Meaning

Firmly grasping iron clubs, sharp-edged spears, pikes, darts, javelins and axes as also bows with excellent arrows as well as swords shining like a vast expanse of water, and jumping up, the ogres Nikumbha, Rabhasa, Sūryaśatru, who was endowed with extraordinary strength, Suptaghna and Yajñakopa, Mahāpārśwa and Mahodara, nay, Agniketu, who was difficult to overpower, and the ogre Raśmiketu, as also Indrajit, the lusty eldest son of Rāvaṇa, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, Prahasta and Virūpākṣa, Vajradaṁṣṭra, who was endowed with extraordinary might, and Dhūmrākṣa as also Atikāya as well as the ogre Durmukha, who were all extremely enraged, and were flaming as it were with glory, thereupon submitted to Rāvaṇa as follows: (1—5)

Meaning

“Today we shall dispose of Rāma and Sugrīva with Lakṣmaṇa, as well as the wretched Hanumān, by whom Laṅkā was outraged.” (6)

Meaning

Restraining them all, who stood seizing hold of their weapons, and then pressing them to resume their seats, Vibhīṣaṇa (Rāvaṇa’s youngest half-brother) submitted as follows with joined palms: (7)

Meaning

“The wise declare the well-known occasions for exhibiting prowess appropriate to that end only which cannot be attained with all the other three expedients, viz., conciliation, gift and sowing seeds of dissension, O dear brother! (8)

Meaning

“Deeds of valour which are performed according to the prescribed method, after being duly tested, O dear brother, succeed only against those who are wanton, who have already been attacked by another enemy or who stand doomed by an adverse fate. (9)

Meaning

“How do you seek to overcome the celebrated Rāma, who is, on the contrary, watchful, is keen to conquer, is supported by divine power, has subdued anger and is difficult to overpower? (10)

Meaning

“Who in the world can know or even conceive the speed of Hanumān, who for his part came over to Laṅkā, leaping across the sea, the formidable lord of rivers and streams? (11)

Meaning

“Inestimable are the troops at the disposal of Rāma and so is his power, O rangers of the night! Underestimation should not be precipitately made in any case in respect of enemies. (12)

Meaning

“Moreover, what offence was given to the ruler of ogres by the illustrious Rāma, whose consort the former bore away from Janasthāna? (13)

Meaning

“If it is urged in reply that Rāvaṇa abducted Rāma’s wife because Rāma had killed Khara, our half-brother, my rejoinder is that Khara was made short work of by Rāma in an encounter because the former had, for his part, gone beyond his limits, in that he had attacked Rāma in the latter’s own hermitage. Life needs must be protected by living beings according to their might. (14)

Meaning

“If Sītā, a princess of the Videha territory, was borne away because of this grudge, she deserves to be yielded up inasmuch as she may prove to be a peril to us. What on earth will be gained if anything is done which has strife for its object? (15)

Meaning

“It is not at all desirable to make enmity without any purpose with that powerful prince, who follows the moral code. Sītā, a princess of Mithilā, may, therefore, be restored to him. (16)

Meaning

“Let Sītā, a princess of Mithilā, be made over to him before he tears asunder with his arrows Laṅkā, full of many precious stones, with its elephants and horses. (17)

Meaning

“Let Sītā be given back to Rāma before the huge army of monkeys, which is most formidable and difficult to overpower, besieges Laṅkā. (18)

Meaning

“If the beloved consort of Rāma is not restored of your own accord, the city of Laṅkā as well as all the heroic ogres will surely perish. (19)

Meaning

“I seek to propitiate you because of your being my relation; pray, follow my counsel. I suggest only that which is true and conducive to your good: let Sītā, a princess of Mithilā, be surrendered to Rāma. (20)

Meaning

“Let Sītā, a princess of Mithilā, be restored to Rāma (son of Daśaratha) before the prince looses for your destruction most stiff and unfailing arrows, shining brightly like the rays of the autumnal sun and provided with new heads and shafts. (21)

Meaning

“Pray, renounce at once anger, which destroys happiness and virtues. Pursue righteousness, which enhances joy and fame. Be pacified, so that we may survive with our sons and relations; and let Sītā, a princess of Mithilā, be restored to Rāma (son of Daśaratha).” (22)

Meaning

Dismissing them all on hearing the submission of Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāvaṇa, the lord of ogres, retired to his own palace. (23)