Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथ राक्षसवर्गाणां मन्त्रमाज्ञाय रावणः। अभिषेणयितुं ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरं चक्रमे तमाम्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Accepting the counsel of the Rākṣasa hosts, Rāvaṇa prepared to march against his elder brother.
Passage 2
पूर्वं तु प्रेषयामास दूतीकृत्य दशाननः। रक्षः क्रूरमुखं नाम यथार्थगुणनामकम्॥२॥
First the ten-headed king sent as messenger a Rākṣasa named Krūramukha, whose character fully matched his name, “fierce-faced.”
Passage 3
ज्येष्ठं तु भ्रातरं त्वं मे गच्छ क्रूरमुख द्रुतम्। तत्र गत्वा च तं ब्रूहि लङ्केशं वचनान्मम॥३॥
“Krūramukha, go quickly to my elder brother. When you reach the lord of Laṅkā, speak these words from me.
Passage 4
अहं बलाभिवृद्ध्यामी पुरीं लङ्कामियामनु। भ्रातस्त्वमन्यतो गच्छ यदि मत्प्रीतिमिच्छसि॥४॥
“My strength has greatly increased, and I intend to take the city of Laṅkā. Brother, if you desire my favor, go elsewhere.
Passage 5
सौवर्णी सा पुरी सर्वा रमणीयतमा मम। राजधानी भवे भूषणं भुवनोर्जगनस्तवेः॥५॥
“That entirely golden and supremely delightful city shall become my capital, an ornament praised throughout the worlds.
Passage 6
भवान् हि वयसा ज्येष्ठस्तपसा विद्यया त्वहम्। विक्रमेण च यद्रक्षा ततः स्थानं प्रदेहि मे॥६॥
“You are elder in years, but I am superior in austerity, knowledge, and valor. Therefore surrender the ancestral Rākṣasa seat to me.”
Passage 7
श्रुत्वा दूतमुखादेवं कुबेरः परुषं वचः। अभवत् क्रोधताम्राक्षः प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा॥७॥
Hearing these harsh words from the messenger, Kubera's eyes reddened with anger and he seemed to blaze with power.
Passage 8
विचार्य स्वागतं भूयस्ततोऽवोचत कोपतः। अये राक्षस मूढात्मन्स्तमनुब्रूहि मद्वचः॥८॥
After considering the matter, he angrily replied: “Foolish Rākṣasa, carry my words back to him.
Passage 9
तपः परिणतं सम्यक् तव यो मां जिगीषसि। ज्येष्ठं पितृसमं साक्षाद्भ्रातरं श्रीमदान्धदृक्॥९॥
“Your austerity has indeed borne a strange fruit: blinded by pride, you wish to conquer your elder brother, who is equal to a father.
Passage 10
विद्या च ते परिणतिं सम्यगेवमुपागता। अभिचक्रमिषोर्ज्येष्ठं यस्यान्व्या विशातिदृशः॥१०॥
“Your learning too has reached its fitting conclusion, since your distorted vision impels you to attack your elder.
Passage 11
मा कुरुष्व विलम्बं भोस्त्वं हि कार्यं चिकीर्षिते। मयापि सममे ग्राह्यो दूरादेव दशानन॥११॥
“Do not delay in the deed you intend. Ten-headed one, I too shall meet you as an equal even from afar.”
Passage 12
इत्युक्त्वा विससर्जैष दूतं क्रूरमुखं बली। स गत्वा रावणं प्राह कुपितस्ते धनाधिपः॥१२॥
Having spoken thus, mighty Kubera dismissed Krūramukha. Returning to Rāvaṇa, the messenger reported, “The lord of wealth is enraged with you.”
Passage 13
युवयोः खलु संग्रामो भ्रात्रोरेव भविष्यति। उचितानुचितं विद्वान् यथेच्छं कुरुतः परम्॥१३॥
“A battle between you two brothers will surely follow. Knowing what is proper and improper, do now as you wish.” Both Armies Assemble
Passage 14
अथासज्जत स क्रूरो मार्गितां रक्षसां चमूम्। अभिषेणयितुं सज्जो लङ्केशं राज्यलिप्सया॥१४॥
The fierce Rāvaṇa then marshaled the Rākṣasa army he had gathered and prepared to march against Laṅkā's lord in his hunger for sovereignty.
Passage 15
रक्षसां वाहिनीनाथा ये लङ्कायामपि स्थिताः। तेऽभवन् रावणबले देवस्यैव यदृच्छया॥१५॥
By divine ordinance, even the commanders of the Rākṣasa forces then living in Laṅkā joined Rāvaṇa's army.
Passage 16
कुबेरः कोटिशो यक्षान् गन्धर्वात् किन्नरांस्तथा। नानाजातीन् भूतयोनीन् पर्यसज्जत तत्क्षणात्॥१६॥
Kubera immediately arrayed millions of Yakṣas, together with Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and beings of many different origins.
Passage 17
योद्धुं रक्षोबलं क्रुद्धा यक्षा आजग्मुरञ्जसा। रञ्जयन्तो मौलिरत्नैः कुबेरस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजम्॥१७॥
The enraged Yakṣas came swiftly to fight the Rākṣasa host, bowing until the jewels of their crowns brightened Kubera's lotus feet.
Passage 18
उभे सेने सुसम्पन्ने परस्परजयेहया। सिन्धोर्द्वीपे रावणस्य लङ्कायां धनदस्य च॥१८॥
The two splendidly equipped armies, each desiring victory over the other, faced one another on Laṅkā, the island in the ocean—Rāvaṇa's force against Kubera's.
Passage 19
स्वानुरूपं प्रविज्ञाय तामसत्वाद्दशाननम्। लङ्कास्थान्यपि रक्षांसि नागच्छन् धनदेशितम्॥१९॥
Recognizing the ten-headed king as one of their own dark nature, the Rākṣasas residing in Laṅkā refused to follow the lord of wealth.
Passage 20
यक्षराक्षसवाहिन्यः सज्जाः संग्रामकर्मणि। जगदुद्धोषयामासुः ससुरासुरमानवम्॥२०॥
Ready for battle, the Yakṣa and Rākṣasa armies filled the whole world—including gods, Asuras, and humans—with the roar of their mobilization.
Passage 21
यक्षरक्षोबलैः पूर्णा समन्ताद्भूमिरास्तृता। अभज्यतेव शेषस्य त्रोटयन्तीव मस्तकम्॥२१॥
The earth was covered everywhere by Yakṣa and Rākṣasa forces, as though their weight would break Śeṣa and crush his head. Pulastya Intervenes
Passage 22
पुलस्त्यस्तदनुश्रुत्य वृत्तं वै यक्षरक्षसाम्। अचिन्तयद्धृदा योगी स्वानां प्रियचिकीर्षुकः॥२२॥
When the yogī Pulastya heard what had occurred between the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, he pondered how to secure the welfare of his descendants.
Passage 23
उभौ मे तनयौ शूरौ कुबेरश्चापि रावणः। यथा स्याद्भद्रमनयोस्तथा भवितुमर्हति॥२३॥
“Both Kubera and Rāvaṇa are heroic sons of my line. I must act so that good may come to them both.
Passage 24
अनयो र्युद्धयतोः स्वस्ववाहिनीबलदृप्तयोः। मिथः संघर्षजो वह्निरशयेच्च कुले उभे॥२४॥
“If these two, each proud of his army's strength, go to war, the fire born of their clash will consume both branches of the family.
Passage 25
अतोऽनयोः प्रबलयोः कलहः पर्युपस्थितः। यथा शाम्येत्तथा कार्यमुभयोः श्रेयसे मया॥२५॥
“Therefore I must act for the welfare of both mighty brothers so that this impending conflict may subside.”
Passage 26
इति निश्चित्य मनसा पुलस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। कुबेरपार्श्वमगमज्जिहीर्षुः कलहं तयोः॥२६॥
Resolving this in his mind, the divine sage Pulastya went to Kubera, wishing to remove the quarrel between the brothers.
Passage 27
तमागतं ऋषिश्रेष्ठं श्रद्धया नरवाहनः। प्रत्यगृह्णात् स्वागताद्यैः पाद्यार्घादिसपर्यया॥२७॥
Seeing the foremost sage arrive, Kubera, who rides a man, received him reverently with words of welcome, water for his feet, an offering, and other honors.
Passage 28
ऋषिः सम्पूजितस्तेन स्वस्थः स्वासनमास्थितः। विनयावनतांसेन धनदेनेदमीरितः॥२८॥
Properly worshiped, the sage sat comfortably upon his seat. Bowing his shoulders in humility, the lord of wealth addressed him.
Passage 29
अद्य सम्यगनुगृहीतोऽहं भगवन् करुणावता। भवता तीर्थपादेन स्वागतेन मदालयम्॥२९॥
“Compassionate lord, today I have been fully blessed, for your sacred feet have graciously entered my dwelling.
Passage 30
प्राणिनां श्रेयसे शश्वदायान्ति हि भवादृशः। तेनैव पूर्वपापानां नाशोऽप्यनुमितः खलु॥३०॥
“Those like you always travel for the welfare of living beings. Your coming itself shows that former sins are being destroyed.
Passage 31
भवतां पादतीर्थेन पूयन्ते भवनानि नः। गृहाश्रमे प्रसक्तानां दग्धानां कामकोटिभिः॥३१॥
“Our homes are purified by the sacred water from your feet, for we householders remain bound and scorched by millions of desires.
Passage 32
श्रेयसामयनं साक्षाद्दर्शनं नो भवादृशाम्। अथो आज्ञापय ब्रह्मन् यन्मह्यमुचितं तथा॥३२॥
“The sight of persons like you is the direct abode of all good. Therefore, holy sage, command me to do whatever is proper.”
Passage 33
कुबेरेणोदितं श्रुत्वा प्रसन्नोऽभूत् स आत्मवान्। तमुवाचाथ कृपया सद्वाग्व्यापारभाजनम्॥३३॥
Hearing Kubera's words, the self-possessed sage became pleased and compassionately addressed that worthy recipient of noble speech.
Passage 34
सर्वेषां श्रेयसां वत्स त्वं योग्योऽसि विशेषतः। विनीते धार्मिके सत्यं स्थानवोऽखिलभूतयः॥३४॥
“Child, you are especially worthy of every blessing. All forms of prosperity truly take root in one who is humble and righteous.
Passage 35
देशं कालं वयोध्वस्था सहायं स्वजनादिकम्। अनपेक्ष्यैव जायन्ते स्वधर्मेणैव भूतयः॥३५॥
“Without depending upon country, time, age, circumstance, allies, or relatives, prosperity arises through one's own dharma.
Passage 36
सर्वदेशे सर्वकाले सर्वावस्थासु सर्वथा। जायन्ते भूतयः सर्वास्त्वादृशे धर्मतत्परे॥३६॥
“In every land, time, condition, and manner, all prosperity comes to a person like you who is devoted to dharma.
Passage 37
अतस्ते कलहस्तेन रक्षसा घोरचेतसा। निवर्ततां जवात्पुत्र सुखमेधस्व संततम्॥३७॥
“Therefore, son, quickly withdraw from your quarrel with that fierce-minded Rākṣasa and flourish in lasting happiness.” Kubera Explains His Refusal
Passage 38
कुबेर उवाच— एकं स्थानमिदं ब्रह्मन्निवसामि चिरादिह। तज्जिघृक्षुरसौ दुष्टः कलहं कुरुते मया॥३८॥
Kubera said: “Holy sage, this is my one dwelling, where I have lived for a long time. That wicked one seeks to seize it and therefore quarrels with me.
Passage 39
अहं स्थानादितो भ्रष्टः क्व नु गच्छेयमन्यतः। इत्यनेन सुदुष्टेन चिकीर्षामि मृधं मिथः॥३९॥
“If I am driven from this place, where else could I go? For this reason I intend to fight that exceedingly wicked brother.
Passage 40
गजाश्वरत्नवित्तादि यदेषामुचितं भवेत्। तद्दीयतेऽपि कृच्छ्रेण न तु स्थानं कदा च न॥४०॥
“I could yield elephants, horses, jewels, wealth, or anything else suitable, even at great cost—but never this dwelling.”
Passage 41
इत्थं स्थानभ्रंशमाशङ्कमानः सज्जो योद्धुं राक्षसा यक्षराजः। आख्यात्सर्वं कलहस्यापि हेतुं मौनं पश्चादास बद्धाञ्जलिः सः॥४१॥
Thus the Yakṣa king, fearing displacement and prepared to fight the Rākṣasa, explained the entire cause of the quarrel. Then he folded his hands and fell silent. Source Note The Sanskrit follows source leaves 385–388 (printed pages 358–361). All forty-one independent passages are continuously numbered in the source.