Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 14
Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

Vibhishana informs the assembly about the strength of the monkeys, and about the power of Rama`s arrow. He also informs that none on the demon's side can withstand Rama, in battle. Prahasta replies that they have no fear at any time to face Rama in battle. Then, Vibhishana reiterates the enormous strength of the fatal arrows discharged by Rama and requests the assembly to save Ravana by giving back Sita to Rama.

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nishaacarendrasya nishamya vaakyam |
sa kumbhakarNasya ca garjitaani |
vibhiiShaNo raakshasaraajamukhya |
muvaaca vaakyam hitamrthayuktam || 6-14-1

1. nishamya = hearing; vaakyam = the words; nishaacharendrasya = of the king of demons; garijitaani = and the growls; kumbhakarNasya = of Kumbhakarna; saH vibhiishhaNaH = that Vibhishana; uvaacha = spoke; hitam = friendly; arthayuktam = and meaningful; vaakyam = words; raakshhasaraajamukhyam = to that Ravana; the foremost king of demons.

Hearing the words of Ravana the king of demons and the growls of Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana spoke the following friendly and meaningful words to Ravana the foremost king of ogres:

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vR^ito hi baahvantarabhogaraashi |
shchintaaviShaH susmitatiikshaNadamShTraH |
paJNcaaN^guliipaJNcashiro.atikaayaH |
siitaamahaahistava kena raajan || 6-14-2

2. raajaa = "O;king! Kena = by whom; vR^taH = has been wrapped; tava = to you; siita mahaa hiH atikaayaH = this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita; baahvantarabhogaraashiH = with heap of expanded hoods as her bosom; chintaavishhaH = having the poison called anxiety; susmita tiikshhNadamshhtraH = with sharp fangs as her sweet smile; paNchaaNgulii paNcha shiro atikaayaH = with five hoods as her five fingers."

"By whom, O, king, has been wrapped around your neck, this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita, with heap of expended hoods as her bosom, having poison as her anxiety and with sharp fangs as her sweet smile and with five hoods as her five fingers."

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yaavanna laN^kaa samabhidravanti |
valiimukhaaH parvatakuuTamaatraaH |
damShTrayudhaashcaiva nakhaayudhaashca |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-14-3

3. na yaavat = before; valumukhaaH = the monkeys; parvata kuuTa maatraaH = with the size of mountain peaks; damshhTraayudhaaH = with their teeth as weapons; nakhaayudhaashcha = and their nails too as weapons; samaadhidravanti = rush full upon; laNkaam = the city of Lanka; maithilii = let Sita; pradiiyataam = be given back; dasharathaaya = to Rama."

"Even before the monkeys with their body size as mountain peaks, having their teeth and nails as weapons, rush full upon the city of Lanka, give back Sita to Rama."

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yaavanna gR^ihNanti shiraa.nsi baaNaa |
raameritaa raakshasapuN^gavaanaam |
vajropamaa vaayusamaanavegaaH |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-14-4

4. na yaavat = before; baaNaaH = the arrows; raameritaa = dispatched by Rama; vajropamaa = resembling thunderbolts; vaayu samaana vegaaH = with a speed equal to wind; gR^ihNanti = take away; shiraamsi = the heads; raakshhasapuNgavaan = of the chiefs of demons; maithilii = let Sita; pradiiyataam = be given back; daasharathaaya = to Rama."

"Even before arrows resembling thunder bolts and with a speed equal to wind, dispatched by Rama, take away the heads of chiefs of demons, give back Sita to Rama."

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na kumbhakarNendrajitau ca raajam |
stathaa mahaapaarshvamahodarau vaa |
nikumbhakumbhau ca tathaatikaayaH |
sthaatum samarthaa yudhi raaghavasya || 6-14-5

5. raajan = O; king!; kumbhakarNendrajitou = Either Kumbhakarna or Indrajit; tathaa = and; mahaparshva mahodarou vaa = either Mahaparshvaa or Mahodara; nikumbhakumbhaou = or Nikumbha or Kumbha; tathaa = and; atikaayaH = Atikaya; na samarthaaH = cannot; sthaatum = withstand; raaghavasya = against Rama; yudhi = in battle."

"O, king! Either Kumbhakarna or Indrajit and either Mahaparsva or Mahodara and either Nikumbha or Kumbha or even Atikaya cannot withstand Rama in battle."

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jiiva.nstu raamasya na moksyase tvam |
guptaH savitraapyathavaa marudbhiH |
na vaasavasyaaN^kagato na mR^ityo |
rnabho na paataalamanupraviShTaH || 6-14-6

6. tvam = (Even if) you; guptaH = are guarded; savitraa = by the sun god; athavaa = or marudbhiH = by Maruts; jiivan = alive; raamasya = by Rama; na = nor; aNgagataH = when gone in proximity; vaasavasya = of Indra; na = nor; mR^ityoH = when gone nearer to the god of death; na = nor; anupravishhTaH = when penetrated; nabhaH = the heaven; paataalam = or under the earth."

"Even if you are protected by the sun god, or by Maruts (storm gods) nor even seated in the lap of Indra or god of Death nor if you have penetrated into the regions of heaven or under the earth you will not be spared by the arrows of Rama."

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nishamya vaakyam tu vibhiiShaNasya |
tataH prahasto vacanam babhaaShe |
na no bhayam vidma na daivatebhyo |
na daanavebhyo.apyathavaa kadaacit || 6-14-7

7. nishamya = hearing; vaakyam = the words; vibhiishaNasya = of Vibhishana;prahastaH = Prahasta; tataH = then; babhaashhe = spoke;vachanam = these words; naH = "To us; na vidma = is not known; bhayam = fear; na = neither; daivatebhyaH = for celestials; na athavaa = nor; daanavebhyaH = for demons; kadaachit = at any time."

Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Prahasta spoke as follows: "We are not knowing of fear at all. We do not have fear of either celestials or demons at any time."

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na yakshagandharvamahoragebhyo |
bhayam na samkhye patagoragebhyaH |
katham nu raamaadbhavitaa bhayam no |
narendraputraatsamare kadaacit || 6-14-8

8. na bhayam = there is no fear; (for us); yakshagandharva mahoragebhyaH = from Yakshas or Gandharvas or eminent Nagas; na = nor from; patagoragebhyaH = birds and reptiles; samkhye = in battle; katham = how; bhavitaa = can; kadaachit = at any time; bhayam = fear; naH = to us; samare = in battle; raamaat = from Rama; narendraputraat = the son of a human king?"

"We do not have fear from Yakshas (demi- gods) or Gandharvas (celestial musicians) or eminent Nagas (serpent demons) or from birds and reptiles on the field of battle. When such is the case, how can we have fear from Rama, the son of a human king at any time in battle?"

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prahastavaakyam tvahitam nishamya |
vibhiiShaNo raajahitaanukaaN^ikshii |
tato mahaartham vacanam babhaaShe |
dharmaarthakaameShu niviShTabuddhiH || 6-14-9

9. tatah = then; vibhiishaNaH = Vibhishana; raaja hitaanukaaNkshhiii = who desired the welfare of the king; nivishhTa buddhiH = who possessed a stable mind; dharmaarthakaamashhu = in virtue wealth and pleasure; nishamya = having heard; Prahasta vaakyam = the words of Prahasta; ahitam = which were inimical; babhaashhe = spoke; mahaartham = greatly meaningful; vachanam = words(as follows):

Vibhishana who desired the welfare of the king and who possessed a stable mind in virtue wealth and pleasure, after hearing the inimical words of Prahasta, spoke highly meaningful words as follows:

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prahasta raajaa ca mahodarashca |
tvam kumbhakarNashca yathaarthajaatam |
braviita raamam prati tanna shakyam |
yathaa gatiH svargamadharmabuddheH || 6-14-10

10. prahasta = "O; Prahasta! Yathaa = How; raajaacha = the king; mahodarashcha = and Mahodara; tvam = you; kumbhakarNashcha = and Kumbhakarna; braviita = are telling; arthajaatam = the collection of things; raamamprati = about Rama; tat = that; nashakyam = is impossible; yathaa = as ; adharmabuddheH = to the wicked minded; gatiH = going; svargam = to heaven(is impossible)"

"O, Prahasta! The series of actions king or Mahodara as also yourself and Kumbhakarna propose to take against Rama are impossible of being accomplished, any more than going to heaven by wicked minded persons."

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vadhastu raamasya mayaa tvayaa ca |
prahasta sarvairapi raakshasairvaa |
katham bhavedarthavishaaradasya |
mahaarNavam tartu mivaaplavasya || 6-14-11

11. katham = how; bhavet = is it possible; mayaa = by me; tvayaacha = or by you; sarvaH = or by all; raakshhasairvaa = demons; vadhaH = the killing; raamasya = of Rama; arthavishaaradasya = who is expert in any matter; tartum iva = like crossing; mahaarNavam = a great ocean; aplavasya = by a person without a bark"

"How is it possible by me or by you or by all the demons to kill Rama, who is expert in all matters, any more than a person without a bark to cross a great ocean."

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dharmapradhaanasya mahaarathasya |
iksvaakuva.nshaprabhavasya raajJNaH |
puro.asya devaashca tathaavidhasya |
kR^ityeShu shaktasya bhavanti muuDhaaH || 6-14-12

12. "devashcha = Even the celestials; bhavanti = become; muuDhaaH = bewildered; puraH = before; raaG^yaH = the king; asya = Rama; tathaavidhasya = of such qualities as whose priority is righteousness; ;mahaarathasya = who is great car warrior; ikshhvaakuvamsha prabhavesya = who was born in Ikshvaku dynasty; shaktasya = who is capable of accomplishing; kR^iteshhu = his objects."

"Even the celestials would feel bewildered when placed in front of the king Rama who gives priority to righteousness, is a great car warrior, was born in the dynasty of Ikshvaku and is capable of accomplishing his objects."

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tiikshaNaa na taavattava kaN^kapatraa |
duraapadaa raaghavavipramuktaaH |
bhittvaashariiram pravishanti baaNaaH |
prahasta tenaiva vikatthase tvam || 6-14-13

13. prahasta = O;Prahasta ! baaNaaH = the arrows; raaghavavipramuktaaH = released by Rama; tiikshhNaaH = which are sharp; kaN^kapatraaH = furnished with heron's feathers; duraasadaaH = which are dangerous to be approached; na pravishanti taavat = did not penetrate; bhittavaa = piercing; tava = your; shariiram = body; tenaina = for that reason; tvam = you; vikatthase = are boasting"

"O, Prahasta! The sharp arrows discharged by Rama, which are furnished with heron's feathers and are dangerous to be approached, have not yet penetrated, duly piercing, your body. That is why, you indulge in a boastful talk."

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bhittvaa na taavatpravishanti kaayam |
praaNaantakaaste.ashanitulyvegaaH |
shitaaH sharaa raaghavavipramuktaaH |
prahasta tenaiva vikatthase tvam || 6-14-14

14. prahaste = O;Prahasta! SharaaH = The arrows; praaNaahtakaaH = which are fatal; ashanitulyavegaaH = having the speed of a thunderbolt; shitaaH = and are sharp; raaghave vipramuktaaH = discharged by Rama; na taavat pravishanti = have not yet penetrated; bhitvaa = splitting; te = your; kaayam = body; tenaiva = that is why; tvam = you; vikatthase = are boasting."

"The sharp and fatal arrows, discharged by Rama with the speed of a thunderbolt, have not yet penetrated, duly splitting your body. That is why; you are indulged in a boastful talk."

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na raavaNo naaibalastriishiirSho |
na kumbhakarNasya suto nikubhaH |
na cendrajiddaasharathim prasoDhum |
tvam vaa raNe shakrasamam samarthaH || 6-14-15

15. raavaNaH = Ravana; nasamarthaH = is not capable; na = nor; trishiirshhaH = Triseersha; atibalaH = with great strength; na = nor; Indrajit = Indrajit; tvam vaa = nor yourself; soDhum = to withstand; daasharathim = Rama; shakrasamam = equal to Indra; raNe = in battle."

"Ravana or Triseersha, with great strength or Nikumbha the son of Kumbhakarna or Indrajit or yourself are not capable to withstand Rama, who is equal in strength to Indra, in battle."

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devaantako vaapi naraantako vaa |
tathaatikaayo.atiratho mahaatmaa |
akampananashcaadrisamaanasaaraH |
sthaatum na shaktaa yudhi raaghavasya || 6-14-16

16. devaantakova.api = or even Devantaka ; naraatakovaa:or Narantaka; tathaa:and;atikaayaH:Atikaya;atirathaH:or Atiratha; mahaatmaa = of gigantic proportions; akampanashcha = or Akampana; adrisamaana saaraH = who is mighty as an ocean; na shaktaaH = are not capable; sthaatum = to withstand; yudhi = in battle; raaghavasya = against Rama."

"Even Devantaka or Narantaka or Atikaya or Atiratha of gigantic proportions, or Akampana who is mighty as an ocean are not capable to withstand against Rama in battle."

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ayam ca raajaa nyasanaabhibhuuto |
mitrairamitrapratimairbhavadbhiH |
anvaasyate raakshasanaashanaarthe |
tiikshaNaH prakR^ityaa hyasamiikshyakaarii || 6-14-17

17. ayam raajaa = this king; vyasanaabhibhuutaH = who is over come by evil addictions*; tiikshhNaH = is rude; prakR^ityaa = in nature; asamiikshhyakaarii = and acts inconsiderately; raakshhanaashanarthe = for the destruction of demons; anvaasyate = he is being seated round as a caucus; bhavadbhiH = by you; mitraiH = who are his friends; amitrapratimaiH = taking the form of enemies."

"This king who is overcome by evil addictions, * is rude in nature and acts inconsiderately. Such a king is being surrounded as a caucus by you who are his companions taking the form of his enemies for the ultimate destruction of demons."

*The following are the seven evil habits to which kings are generally found addicted: --Harshness of speech and severity of punishment, extravagance, drinking, love of women, hunting and gambling.

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anantabhogena sahasramuurdhnaa |
vaagena bhiimena mahaabalena |
balaatparikshiptamimam bhavanto |
raajaanamutkshipya vimocayantu || 6-14-18

18. bhavantaH = you; utekshhipya = lift up; vimochayantu = and release; imaam raajaanam = this king; parikshhiptam = who has been wrapped; balata = forcibly; bhiimana = by terrific; naagena = snake; mahaabalena = exceedingly strong; ananta bhogena = of boundless proportions; sahasra muurdhnaa = having thousand hoods."

"You lift up and release this king, who has been wrapped forcibly by a terrific and exceedingly strong snake of boundless proportions having thousand hoods and make him completely free."

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yaavaddhi keshagrahaNaatsuhR^idbhiH |
sametya sarvaiH paripuurNakaamaiH |
nigR^ihya raajaa parirakshitavyo |
bhuutairyathaa bhiimabalairgR^ihiiaH || 6-14-19

19. sarvaiH = all; suhR^IdbhiH = the well wishers; paripuurNakaamaiH = who are getting their desires fulfilled (by the king); sametya = should come together; raajaa parirakshhitavyaHhi = and the king is indeed to be protected; nigR^ihya = by coersion; keshagrahaNaat yaavat = even by pulling his hair; gR^ihiitaH yathaa = as one who is taken possession of ; bhuutaiH = by evil spirits; bhiimabalaiaH = of terrific strength."

"All the well-wishers who are getting their desires fulfilled by the king, should come together and protect the king by coercion even by pulling his hair if necessary as one who is taken ossession of by evil spirits with terrific strength, is protected by one's kith and kin."

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suvaariNaa raaghavasaagareNa |
pracchaadyamaanastarasaa bhavadbhiH |
pracchaadyamaanastarasaa bhavadbhiH |
yuktastvayam taarayitum sametya |
kaakutthsapaataalamukhe patansaH || 6-14-20

20. ayam = this Ravana; prachchaadyamaanaH = who is going to be enveloped; tarasaa = forcibly; raaghavasaagareNa = with full of excellent water; patan = and who is about to fall; kaakutthsa paataala mukhe = into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region; ); in the shape of Rama; yuktaH = is fit; taarayitum = to be saved; sametya = united; bhavidbhiH = by you."

"This Ravana, for his part who is going to be enveloped forcibly by an ocean in the shape of Rama - which is full of excellent water (who possesses excellent moral character) and who is about to fall into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region) in the shape of Rama, is fit to be rescued united by you."

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idam purasyaasya saraakshasasya |
raajJNashcha pathyam sasuhR^ijjanasya |
samyagghi vaakyam svamatam braviimi |
narendraputraaya dadaatu maithiliim || 6-14-21

21. braviimihi = I am indeed telling; samyak = rightly; idam vaakyam = these words; pathyam = which are wholesome; svamatam = as per my opinion; asya = to this; parasya = city; paraakshhasasya = and the demons residing init; raaG^yashcha = to the king; sasuhR^ijjanasya = along with his well wishers; maithiliim = Let Sita; dadaatu = be given back; narendraputraaya = to Rama".

"I am telling these right and wholesome words, as per my opinion, to this city and the demons inhabiting in it as well as to the king and his well wishers: Let Sita be given back to Rama."

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parasya viiryam svabalam ca buddhvaa |
sthaanam kshayam caiva tathaiva vR^iddhim |
tathaa svapakshe pyanumR^ishya buddhyaa |
vadt kshamam svaamihitam sa mantrii || 6-14-22

22. buddhvaa = knowing; viiryam = the strength; parasya = of the enemies; svabalamcha = and our own strength; anumR^Ishya = grasping; buddhyaa = by the intellect; tathaa = like wise; sthaanam = the status quo; kshhayamchaiva = the fall; tathaiva = and; vR^iddhim = rise; svapakshhe = in our army; vadet = (he who) speaks; svaamihitam = in the interest of the king; khhamam = in a befitting manner; saH = he; mantrii = is the councellor".

"A counselor is he, who after knowing the strength of the enemies and that of his own (master) and even so duly grasping with his intellect, the status quo, fall, or rise in military power like-wise on both sides, renders advice which is appropriate to the interest of his king."

- - - -

ityaarShe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe caturdashaH sargaH

Thus completes 14th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

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© August 2003, K. M. K. Murthy

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