Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— विरूपां भगिनीं वीक्ष्य विलूनावयवां तथा। रामेण मर्त्यरूपेण परितेपे दशाननः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Seeing his sister disfigured and her features mutilated by Rāma in human form, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa burned with anguish.
Passage 2
रावण उवाच— हा ते भगिनि वैरूप्यं तेन दुष्टेन यत्कृतम्। ध्रुवमात्मविनाशाय तन्मन्ये नात्र संशयः॥२॥
Rāvaṇa said: “Alas, sister! That wicked man has disfigured you. I am certain that he did it only to bring about his own destruction.
Passage 3
अपूर्वोऽयं परिभवो रक्षसां मम चेतसि। उपतापं जनयति प्रसह्यामर्षशालिनः॥३॥
“This unprecedented humiliation of the rākṣasas forcibly generates torment in my proud and intolerant heart.
Passage 4
अस्यामर्षोत्थरोषाग्नेः प्रतीकारो न विद्यते। विना तस्यैव दुष्टस्य प्रसह्य विनिपातनम्॥४॥
“There is no remedy for this fire of anger born from indignation except the forcible destruction of that very villain.
Passage 5
हरणं चापि जायाया मरणेन समं ध्रुवम्। इति निश्चित्य भगिनि करिष्यामि बलेन तत्॥५॥
“The abduction of his wife will surely be equal to death for him. Having resolved this, sister, I shall accomplish it by force.
Passage 6
मन्दया जातगर्वया हसन्त्यास्त्वां विरोधतः। बलेन हरणं तस्या मुक्तिमेव न संशयः॥६॥
“That foolish woman, swollen with pride, laughed at you in hostility. Carrying her off by force will itself be your deliverance—there is no doubt.
Passage 7
कदनं मम बन्धूनां तादृशानां बलीयसाम्। शोकवह्निमपूर्वं मे हृदये समदीपयत्॥७॥
“The slaughter of such powerful kinsmen of mine has kindled an unprecedented fire of grief within my heart. He Remembers the Fallen Warriors
Passage 8
हा सखे दूषण भ्रातः खर हा त्रिशिरः कथम्। मर्त्येन तेन दुष्टेन यूयं नीताः स्थ संक्षयम्॥८॥
“Alas, my friend Dūṣaṇa! Brother Khara! Alas, Triśiras! How were you brought to destruction by that wicked mortal?
Passage 9
येषां वो बाहुवेगेन विनिःक्षिप्तैर्वरायुधैः। सहसा त्रिदशानीकमभज्यत रणेष्वलम्॥९॥
“The excellent weapons cast by the force of your arms could suddenly shatter the formidable army of the gods in battle.
Passage 10
ते यूयमद्य दुष्टस्य तस्य तापसवेशिनः। विशिखैः संक्षयं याताः किं मे दुःखमतः परम्॥१०॥
“Yet today you have been destroyed by the arrows of that villain dressed as an ascetic. What sorrow could be greater for me?
Passage 11
येषां बाहुबलं सम्यगाश्रित्य रजनीचराः। त्रैलोक्ये निर्भयाः सन्तः क्रीडन्ति स्म यथातथम्॥११॥
“Relying fully upon the strength of your arms, the night-roaming rākṣasas moved as they pleased through the three worlds without fear.
Passage 12
यैर्लूषाः समरेषु श्रीजयदर्पभरा युधि। सुराणां भूरिवीर्याणां स्वबाहुबलवेगतः॥१२॥
“In battle you plundered the immensely powerful gods through the impetuous strength of your own arms, filled with the proud splendor of victory.
Passage 13
येषां वीर्यात्सुखं शेते कुम्भकर्णः सुनिर्भयः। अहं चापि सुसम्पन्नं मन्ये राज्यमिदं निजम्॥१३॥
“Because of your valor, Kumbhakarṇa sleeps at ease and entirely without fear, while I consider this kingdom of mine perfectly secure.
Passage 14
येषु वीर्यबलोद्रेकाद् गृहीतायुधपाणिषु। पिहितान्यभवन् नाके कपाटानि समन्ततः॥१४॥
“Whenever you took up weapons in the surge of your heroic strength, the gates of heaven were closed on every side.
Passage 15
येष्वाज्ञावशतो बद्धकराञ्जलिपुटेषु मे। न दुर्लभमभूत्किञ्चित्त्रैलोक्येऽपि चराचरे॥१५॥
“With you standing obediently before me, hands joined in reverence, nothing moving or unmoving in the three worlds was beyond my reach.
Passage 16
ये रोपिता ममारामे समुत्पाट्य स्वदोर्बलात्। भयादिव धृताकम्पशाखाः सुरमहीरुहाः॥१६॥
“By the strength of your own arms you uprooted the celestial trees and planted them in my garden, where their branches seemed to tremble from fear.
Passage 17
यैः केशेष्विव चाकृष्य पलायन्त्यः सुरस्त्रियः। वन्दीकृत्य समानिताः प्रसभं मम सद्मनि॥१७॥
“You seized the fleeing women of the gods as if by their hair, made them captives, and forcibly brought them into my palace.
Passage 18
यैर्दिग्विजययात्रासु ममाग्रेसरता गतैः। कतिधा न कृता व्यर्था मम निर्घा वनश्रमाः॥१८॥
“Going ahead of me on my campaigns of conquest, how many times did you not render needless my arduous journeys through the wilderness?
Passage 19
येषां मयि परः स्नेहो मम येषु च सौहृदम्। निरुपाधिमतोत्कर्षमुपयाति दिवानिशम्॥१९॥
“Your love for me was supreme, and my friendship with you grew unconditionally, day and night.
Passage 20
यैः पुलस्त्यमुनेर्वंशो गरीयान् गुणिभिः कृतः। येषां च विजयश्लोकश्चुम्बतीन्द्रशिखामणिम्॥२०॥
“Through your virtues the lineage of the sage Pulastya was made illustrious, and the song of your victory kissed the crest jewel of Indra.
Passage 21
यैरिन्द्रनगरी नित्यं कृता विश्रमणं श्रियः। येषां वीर्यबलोत्कर्षो ममोत्साहविवर्धनः॥२१॥
“By you the city of Indra was continually made a resting place for our splendor, and the excellence of your heroic strength increased my confidence.
Passage 22
येषां बलमुपाश्रित्य मया लङ्का विनिर्जिता। विवासितश्च धनदो गन्धर्वकुलसंयुतः॥२२॥
“Relying upon your strength, I won Laṅkā and drove out Kubera together with his hosts of gandharvas.
Passage 23
येषु संरब्धमात्रेषु देवगन्धर्वकिन्नराः। विजयाशां जहुर्युद्धे मानवानां तु का कथा॥२३॥
“At the mere sight of you enraged, gods, gandharvas, and kinnaras abandoned all hope of victory in battle—what need is there to speak of humans?
Passage 24
यैः स्वसम्बन्धसौहार्दं कृतं मयि यथा कृतम्। न तथा तु मया किञ्चित्कृतं कालं प्रतीक्षता॥२४॥
“You treated me with all the affection due to your own kin, but I, waiting for another occasion, did nothing comparable for you.
Passage 25
रक्षसां राज्यमुत्कृष्टमहमाश्रित्य मत्तधीः। यानवज्ञातवान् बन्धून् न्यूनस्थानासनादिभिः॥२५॥
“Proud-minded after attaining the exalted kingdom of the rākṣasas, I slighted those kinsmen by assigning them inferior stations and seats. “How Shall I Mourn Them?”
Passage 26
तेषां सम्प्रत्यनादृत्य हतभाग्यं हतोऽस्म्यहम्। यमालयातिथीभूतान् हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥२६॥
“Now I, ill-fated and ruined after having failed to honor them, must mourn those who have become guests in Yama's abode. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 27
न मयोपकृतं तेषु राज्यश्रीमत्तचेतसा। मदर्थोपकृतप्राणान् हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥२७॥
“My mind intoxicated by royal splendor, I did no good for those who devoted their very lives to my cause. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 28
तेष्वहं सम्प्रतीतेषु जीवन्स्तिष्ठामि सम्प्रति। मन्दधीर्मन्दभाग्यश्च हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥२८॥
“Now that they have passed away, foolish and unfortunate I still remain alive. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 29
यैर्दत्तो मह्यमुत्कर्षो बलवद्भिर्दुरासदैः। न मयोपकृतं तेषु हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥२९॥
“Those mighty, unassailable heroes gave me greatness, yet I did nothing for them. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 30
येषां बाहुबलैर्देवाः समरे खण्डशः कृताः। ते हता लघुमर्त्येन हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३०॥
“The gods were hewn to pieces in battle by the strength of their arms, yet they were killed by an insignificant mortal. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 31
यैर्निर्जितं यमपुरं यमश्च युधि खण्डितः। पुनस्तत्रैव ते प्राप्ता हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३१॥
“They conquered Yama's city and shattered Yama in battle, yet they have now arrived there once more. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 32
भक्ष्या हि नः सदा मर्त्या मर्त्येष्वपि स तापसः। तेषां प्राणहरो जातो हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३२॥
“Mortals have always been food for us, yet that ascetic, though himself mortal, became the taker of their lives. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 33
पराभवस्य वार्तापि येषां स्वप्नेऽपि दुःश्रवा। श्रूयते मरणं तेषां हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३३॥
“Even a report of their defeat would have been unbearable to hear in a dream; now their death itself is proclaimed. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 34
कार्कशेषुप्रयोगस्य चर्वणं दंष्ट्रयैकया। न कृतं तस्य दुष्टस्य हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३४॥
“They did not even chew with a single fang that wicked wielder of cruel arrows. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 35
प्रसह्य वन्दीकर्तारः सुरलोकपतिश्रियम्। ते युद्धवन्तो मर्त्येन हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३५॥
“Those who forcibly made a captive of the lordly splendor of heaven were overcome in battle by a mortal. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 36
यैः खण्डितः पुरा संख्ये दण्डपाणिः सहस्रधा। तान् नेतुमागतो नामैष हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३६॥
“Long ago they cut the staff-bearing Yama into a thousand pieces in battle, yet now it seems he came to carry them away. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 37
येषां तदिन्द्रं कुलिशाङ्ककण्डितदुःखनुत्। ते मर्त्यस्य शरैः शीर्णा हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३७॥
“They once overcame the suffering inflicted by Indra's thunderbolt, yet they were shattered by a mortal's arrows. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 38
मुखे क्षिप्तैकहस्तेन यैः स दुष्टो न भक्षितः। युद्धप्रयासं चक्रुश्च हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३८॥
“They did not seize that villain with one hand, cast him into their mouths, and devour him; instead they labored in battle. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 39
रहिता यैर्मेदसवो न प्रयान्ति तनोर्बहिः। जीवन्ति च लघीयांसो हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥३९॥
“Those lesser beings whom they stripped of strength could not send their life-breaths outside the body, yet they themselves still live. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 40
यैर्नाहृतोऽस्मि समरे युध्यमानैः क्षयोन्मुखैः। तस्यैककवलायाहं हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥४०॥
“Why did they, fighting face-to-face with death, not carry me into battle as a single morsel for him? Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 41
आकार्यमेकतो वृत्तं मम जिष्णोः पुनर्जगत्। एकतोऽजनि शोकश्च हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥४१॥
“On one side lies my task of conquering the world again; on the other this grief has arisen. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 42
नीता अपि यमागारं तेन मर्त्यजघीयसा। किं नागता यमं जित्वा हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥४२॥
“Though taken to Yama's house by that lowest of mortals, why have they not defeated Yama and returned? Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 43
यैर्वञ्चितोऽहं निःस्नेहैर्विस्मृत्य स्नेहसम्पदम्। गतास्ते मामनादृत्य हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥४३॥
“Those pitiless men have forsaken me: forgetting the wealth of our affection, they departed without regard for me. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 44
इति प्रलपतोऽत्यर्थं मम शोकेन मूर्च्छतः। यैः संस्मृतिरपि त्यक्ता हा रोदिमि कथं नु तान्॥४४॥
“As I rave so intensely and faint from grief, they have abandoned even the remembrance of me. Alas, how shall I weep for them?
Passage 45
हा दूषण सखे भ्रातर्हा खर त्रिशिरः सुहृत्। विनापराधं मां हित्वा यूयं याताः क्व सम्प्रति॥४५॥
“Alas, Dūṣaṇa, my friend! Brother Khara! Alas, my dear Triśiras! Though I committed no offense against you, where have you now gone after abandoning me?
Passage 46
क्व ता गिरः स्नेहदिग्धाः क्व सा प्रीतिः क्व ते गुणाः। सर्वं विस्मृतवन्तः स्थ यूयं मद्दर्शने रताः॥४६॥
“Where are those words anointed with affection? Where is that love, and where are those virtues? Though once devoted to my presence, you have forgotten everything.
Passage 47
क्व ताः क्रियाः प्रेमपुषः क्व सा गोष्ठी क्व तद्धितम्। सर्वं विस्मृत्य सुहृदो याताः स्थ मददर्शनम्॥४७॥
“Where are those acts nourished by love, that companionship, and that care for my welfare? Friends, forgetting all, you have gone beyond my sight.
Passage 48
युष्मासु प्रेततां यातेष्वधुना प्रसभं मया। कृतापि निष्कृतिर्व्यर्था तस्मिन् दुष्टे विरोधतः॥४८॥
“Now that you have become departed spirits, even vengeance forcibly taken by me against that villain will be futile.
Passage 49
तथापि येन भवतां दर्शितं यमपत्तनम्। तस्य मर्त्यस्य मद्बाणाः कुर्वन्तु प्राणभोजनम्॥४९॥
“Nevertheless, my arrows shall feast upon the life of the mortal who showed you the city of Yama.” Lamentation and Funeral Rites
Passage 50
इति विप्रकृतिं नीतः शोकेन दशकन्धरः। रुरोद बन्धुवर्गस्य नाशाज्जातमनोज्वरः॥५०॥
Thus overcome and disordered by grief, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa wept, his mind burning with fever at the destruction of his circle of kinsmen.
Passage 51
तस्य संरुदतः प्रोच्चैर्दशवक्त्रोद्भवो रवः। सभामण्डपमापूर्य व्यानशे व्योममण्डलम्॥५१॥
The sound arising from his ten mouths as he wept exceedingly loudly filled the assembly hall and spread through the vault of heaven.
Passage 52
स बन्धुशोककष्टेन कृशीभूतकलेवरः। रुदन् संगतवांस्तेषां दारैरापन्नजीवितैः॥५२॥
His body emaciated by the agony of grief for his kinsmen, he continued weeping and joined their wives, whose lives were overwhelmed by sorrow.
Passage 53
रामबाणविदीर्णानां रक्षसां योषितस्तदा। लङ्केशमुखसंदेशं श्रुत्वा वैधव्यसूचकम्॥५३॥
The wives of the rākṣasas pierced by Rāma's arrows then heard from the lord of Laṅkā the message announcing their widowhood.
Passage 54
मूर्च्छिताः पतिता भूमौ चिरेण च समुत्थिताः। कथञ्चिल्लब्धचैतन्या रुरुदुर्हतवक्षसः॥५४॥
They fainted and fell upon the ground. After a long while they rose, somehow regained consciousness, beat their breasts, and wept.
Passage 55
तासां घ्नतीनां वक्षांसि शिरांसि च मुहुर्मुहुः। वज्रनिष्पेषनिर्घातः प्राकम्पयत मेदिनीम्॥५५॥
As they struck their breasts and heads again and again, the thunderous pounding, like the crushing blow of a thunderbolt, made the earth tremble.
Passage 56
स्मारं स्मारं च राक्षस्यः पतिबन्धुसुहृत्सुतान्। विलापं चक्रिरे दीर्घं दुःखाल्लङ्केशितुः पुरः॥५६॥
Repeatedly remembering husbands, relatives, friends, and sons, the rākṣasī women uttered a long lament in their anguish before the lord of Laṅkā.
Passage 57
तेभ्यो मृतेभ्यः समरे कृत्वा प्रेतोदकक्रियाम्। रक्षोगणैः परिवृतः शुशोच दशकन्धरः॥५७॥
After performing the funerary water rite for those who had died in battle, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa, surrounded by hosts of rākṣasas, continued to grieve.
Passage 58
त्रिशिरःखरदूषणादिरक्षःप्रवराणां वनिता असोढशोकाः। विविशुः शुचिमेधसा समिद्धं परिरभ्यायुधवस्त्रभूषणादीन्॥५८॥
Unable to bear their grief, the wives of the foremost rākṣasas—Triśiras, Khara, Dūṣaṇa, and the others—embraced their husbands' weapons, garments, ornaments, and other possessions and entered the fire kindled with pure fuel.
Passage 59
तेषां मातृबन्धुवर्गाश्च शोकात्सहसा प्राणांस्त्यजतो राक्षसेन्द्रः। वाक्यैः शोकापनोदनार्थैः समाधात् कृच्छ्राद्भूयः स्वं निकेतं प्रपेदे॥५९॥
As their mothers and circles of relatives began suddenly to give up their lives from grief, the king of the rākṣasas consoled them with words meant to dispel sorrow and, with great difficulty, returned once more to his own dwelling. Thus ends Chapter 146, “Rāvaṇa's Lament,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.