Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथ रामचमूं द्रष्टुं चतुर्दिक्षु निवेशिताम्। आगतोऽट्टालकशिरस्यधिरूढो दशाननः॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Then the ten-headed one climbed to the top of a tower to see Rāma's army stationed in the four directions.
Passage 2
दशभिः शिखरैर्युक्तो महानद्रिरिवोन्नतः। विशत्या बाहुभिर्दीर्घैश्छादयन्नु हरितोऽखिलाः॥२॥
“Crowned with ten peaks, he towered like a great mountain, while his twenty long arms seemed to cover every quarter.
Passage 3
पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण व्यक्तं समुपलक्षितः। अनुगै राक्षसवरैः स्थितैः सविनयं वृतः॥३॥
“He was clearly distinguished by a white royal parasol and was surrounded by eminent rākṣasa attendants standing respectfully.
Passage 4
बद्धाञ्जलिपुटैः कैश्चिद्दूरात्समुपवीक्षितः। बीज्यमानश्चोभयतश्चामराभ्यां प्रतिक्षणम्॥४॥
“Some watched him from a distance with joined palms, while at every moment he was fanned from both sides with yak-tail whisks.
Passage 5
ददर्श तं रघुश्रेष्ठो दूरादरुणलोचनः। एष वैरी ममेत्युच्चैः सामर्षहृदयो भृशम्॥५॥
“The red-eyed chief of Raghu's line saw him from afar. Thinking intensely, ‘This is my enemy,’ his heart filled with wrath.
Passage 6
ततः संधाय धनुषा सोऽर्धचन्द्रमितं शरम्। आकर्णाकृष्टसुदृढज्यागुणो बलवत्तरः॥६॥
“Then that exceedingly powerful one set a crescent-headed arrow to his bow and drew its firm string back to his ear.
Passage 7
चिच्छेद तस्य शिरसि स्थितं शतशलाककम्। मुक्ताजालवृतं छत्रं पूर्णचन्द्रमहोज्ज्वलम्॥७॥
“He cut down the hundred-ribbed parasol above Rāvaṇa's head, wrapped in a net of pearls and radiant like the full moon.
Passage 8
छिन्नमात्रे तु तच्छत्रे रक्षोवीराः शशङ्किरे। अहो रामस्य बाणेन छिन्नं लङ्काधिपस्य तत्॥८॥
“As soon as that parasol was cut, the rākṣasa heroes grew apprehensive: ‘Ah! Rāma's arrow has cut down the parasol of Laṅkā's lord—
Passage 9
त्रैलोक्यवर्तिवीरेन्द्रमाननीयं महोज्ज्वलम्। समस्तराक्षसेवन्यं मुक्तामालिमनोहरम्॥९॥
“‘the splendid parasol honored by the foremost warriors throughout the three worlds, served by all the rākṣasas, and beautiful with strings of pearls.
Passage 10
छत्रं स्वर्णमयं लङ्काराजधान्या विभूषणम्। छिन्नप्रायं त्वस्य शिरो देवेनैव सुरक्षितम्॥१०॥
“‘The golden parasol was an ornament of the capital Laṅkā. His very head was nearly cut away and was preserved only by fate.
Passage 11
अधुनापि न जानाति प्रभावं राघवस्य चेत्। अहो कालेन धीरस्य विपरीतं बभूव तत्॥११॥
“‘If even now he does not recognize Rāghava's power, alas, Time has surely turned that resolute one's understanding backward.’
Passage 12
इति प्रजल्पतां तेषां राक्षसानां वचांसि सः। आकर्ण्य रावणः क्रुद्धः साक्षेपमयमूचिवान्॥१२॥
“Hearing the rākṣasas speaking in this way, the enraged Rāvaṇa answered them contemptuously. Rāvaṇa Boasts
Passage 13
अलं भयेन वो भीता राक्षसा इयतैव किम्। अतः परं न सोढव्यस्तापसस्यास्य दुर्नयः॥१३॥
“‘Enough of your fear! Rākṣasas, why are you frightened by so little? From this point onward, this ascetic's insolence must not be endured.
Passage 14
अयं पतङ्गवत्प्राप्तो मयि दीपे मुमूर्षुकः। द्रक्ष्यथ श्वो मम बलं दुर्नयस्यास्य निग्रहे॥१४॥
“‘Desiring death, he has approached me like a moth approaching a lamp. Tomorrow you will see my power in suppressing this insolent man.
Passage 15
यदसौ भीषयति मां छत्रच्छेदेन मानुषः। लप्स्यते तत्फलं शीघ्रं मयि याते रणाङ्गणम्॥१५॥
“‘This human tries to frighten me by cutting my parasol. When I enter the battlefield, he will swiftly receive the fruit of that act.
Passage 16
अथवालं प्रयातेन मयास्य दमनाय वै। पर्याप्ता एव मे वीराः क्रीडादत्तारिनिग्रहाः॥१६॥
“‘Or rather, I need not go to subdue him. My warriors, who overcome their enemies as sport, are entirely sufficient.
Passage 17
यदसौ मां न जानाति हेलादत्तेन्द्रनिग्रहम्। तदात्मनाशस्योपायं संचिनोत्पन्न्यवैभवः॥१७॥
“‘Because this newly ascendant man does not know that I effortlessly subdued Indra, he is devising the means of his own destruction.
Passage 18
किं छत्रेण निकृन्तेन हेमदण्डेन मेऽमुना। ज्ञास्यतेऽसौ मम बलं राक्षसैरेव मद्भटैः॥१८॥
“‘What does it matter if this parasol of mine with its golden shaft has been cut? He will learn my strength from my own rākṣasa warriors.
Passage 19
भक्ष्यं चोपस्थितमिह ह्यनायासेन रक्षसाम्। एतैः कपिपलग्रासैस्तृप्तिं यास्यन्ति मामकाः॥१९॥
“‘Food has come here effortlessly for the rākṣasas. My people will be satisfied by mouthfuls of monkey flesh.
Passage 20
इमौ च तापसौ मर्त्यौ भक्षणार्थं न आगतौ। अनायासेन तुष्टेन दैवेनैवोपसादितौ॥२०॥
“‘Have not these two mortal ascetics also come to be eaten? As though pleased with us, fate itself has delivered them without effort.’
Passage 21
इत्थं विकत्थमानेऽसौ राक्षसेन्द्रो महामदः। न हृदा गणयामास छत्रभङ्गादमङ्गलम्॥२१॥
“Boasting in this way, that exceedingly arrogant lord of the rākṣasas did not take to heart the evil omen of his broken parasol. The Spies Describe Rāma's Army
Passage 22
तावत्तत्सन्निधिं प्राप्तौ मुक्तौ रामेण बन्धनात्। दृष्टकृत्स्नकपिस्तोमबलौ तौ शुकसारणौ॥२२॥
“Meanwhile Śuka and Sāraṇa, released from bondage by Rāma after seeing the strength of the entire monkey host, reached his presence.
Passage 23
ताववर्णयतां तस्य सविधे विहिताञ्जली। बलं श्रीरामचन्द्रस्य यथा दृष्टं तथैव तत्॥२३॥
“Standing before him with joined palms, the two described glorious Rāmacandra's army exactly as they had seen it.
Passage 24
दृष्टं रक्षःपतेऽस्माभिर्बलमेतदशेषतः। इह वीरा असंख्याताः कपीन्द्राः पर्वतोपमाः॥२४॥
“‘Lord of the rākṣasas, we have seen this entire army. Here are countless heroic monkey chiefs resembling mountains.
Passage 25
जृम्भयन्ति मुखैरेते लङ्काग्रासार्थमुद्धुराः। एकैकशो तुल्यबला गर्जन्ति मुहुरुन्मदाः॥२५॥
“‘Fiercely opening their mouths to devour Laṅkā, they roar again and again in wild excitement, each one equal in strength to the others.
Passage 26
स उन्मुखो नाम कपिर्महाबलपराक्रमः। त्वामीक्षतेऽति संक्रुद्ध इतः पश्य शनैः प्रभो॥२६॥
“‘That monkey named Unmukha possesses immense strength and valor. He looks toward you in extreme fury—look carefully from here, lord.
Passage 27
दृश्यतामेष संक्रुद्धो द्विविदो नाम वानरः। ग्रसन्निव पुरीमेनां विदीर्णमुखकन्दरः॥२७॥
“‘See this enraged monkey named Dvivida. With his cavernous mouth gaping, he appears to be swallowing the city.
Passage 28
अयं नीलाह्वयः पश्य कपीन्द्रोऽमितविक्रमः। प्रहस्तमवृणोद्धन्तुं हरीणां पुरतो रणे॥२८॥
“‘Behold this monkey chief named Nīla, whose valor is immeasurable. Before the monkey forces he has chosen Prahasta as the one he will kill in battle.
Passage 29
अयं कपिर्नलो नाम महाबलपराक्रमः। बद्धः पयोनिधौ येन महासेतुर्महीधरैः॥२९॥
“‘This monkey named Nala has immense strength and valor. He built the great bridge across the ocean with mountains.
Passage 30
अयमङ्गदनामात्र कपीन्द्र इत ऊर्ध्वदृक्। स्वपित्रा वलिना तुल्यबलः शौर्येण भूषितः॥३०॥
“‘This monkey chief here, looking upward, is named Aṅgada. Equal in strength to his father Vāli, he is adorned with heroism.
Passage 31
आरुरुक्षुरिवोत्तुङ्गं प्राकाराग्रं विलोक्य नः। आस्ते बाहुबलोन्नद्धो मथितुं नः कृतोद्यमः॥३१॥
“‘Looking upon the lofty summit of our rampart as though eager to climb it, he stands proud of the strength of his arms and intent on crushing us.
Passage 32
अयमृक्षेश्वरो वीरः स्वयूथमधितिष्ठति। बलवान् बुद्धिमांश्चैव वृद्धो युद्धविशारदः॥३२॥
“‘This heroic lord of the bears commands his own troop. He is powerful and wise, aged, and skilled in warfare.
Passage 33
जाम्बवान्नाम सुमहानद्रिकूटसमुच्छ्रितः। निजदोर्दण्डयुगलं पश्यन्नास्ते बलोद्धतः॥३३॥
“‘Named Jāmbavān, he is immense and rises like a mountain peak. Exalted by his strength, he stands regarding his pair of mighty arms.
Passage 34
एकैकोऽप्रतिमश्चात्र दोर्बलेन कपीश्वरः। पर्याप्त उर्वीमुद्धर्तुं का लङ्का तृणपुञ्जवत्॥३४॥
“‘Each monkey lord here is unequaled in the strength of his arms and capable of lifting the earth. What, then, is Laṅkā, which is like a heap of straw?
Passage 35
मर्कटा इति ते बुद्धिर्मा भूच्च दशकन्धर। सर्वे ह्येतेऽतुलबलाः सर्वे देवपराक्रमाः॥३५॥
“‘Ten-necked one, do not think of them as mere monkeys. Every one of them has incomparable strength, and every one possesses the valor of a god.
Passage 36
सर्वे रघुपतेराज्ञामाकाङ्क्षन्ति कपीश्वराः। लङ्कापुरीप्रमथनं कर्तुमुद्यतबाहवः॥३६॥
“‘All the monkey lords await the command of the lord of Raghu's line, their arms raised to crush the city of Laṅkā.
Passage 37
इतो निरीक्ष्यतां देव रामोऽयं रघुपुङ्गवः। सुग्रीवोत्सङ्गनिहितमस्तको धरणीशयः॥३७॥
“‘Look from here, lord. This is Rāma, foremost of Raghu's line, lying upon the ground with his head resting in Sugrīva's lap.
Passage 38
योऽक्षहा हनुमान् वीरस्तदङ्कनिहिताङ्घ्रिकः। त्वत्सोदरोक्तिनिचयदत्तश्रुतिरमेयधीः॥३८॥
“‘The heroic Hanumān who slew Akṣa holds Rāma's feet in his lap, while the immeasurably wise Rāma lends his ear to the words of your brother.
Passage 39
आस्ते हेममृगस्याधश्चर्माध्यासितवांश्च यः। भ्रात्रा सौमित्रिणाऽऽनीतं धनुरालोकयन्मुहुः॥३९॥
“‘Seated upon the hide of the golden deer, he repeatedly looks at the bow brought by his brother, Sumitrā's son. Śuka and Sāraṇa Counsel Surrender
Passage 40
तव वंशविनाशाय किञ्चिदारक्तलोचनः। दृष्ट्वा तस्य बलं कृत्स्नमावां शीघ्रमिहागतौ॥४०॥
“‘His eyes are slightly red as he prepares to destroy your dynasty. Having seen his entire army, we have hurried back here.
Passage 41
दातुं तवोचितां बुद्धिमिदानीमपि चेतय। भवान् विहितान् गृह्णन् कर्मेदं रक्षसां पते॥४१॥
“‘We have come to give you fitting counsel. Even now, lord of the rākṣasas, awaken and adopt the proper course.
Passage 42
पीतमात्मविनाशाय ध्रुवं हालाहलं विषम्। सम्प्रति त्यज्यतां लङ्का जानकी च पराङ्गना॥४२॥
“‘You have surely drunk the Hālāhala poison of your own destruction. Now relinquish Laṅkā and Jānakī, who is another man's wife.
Passage 43
यदि ते जीवितुं वाञ्छा सकुटुम्बस्य विद्यते। उदितोऽयं धूमकेतुर्नाशाय तव रक्षसाम्॥४३॥
“‘If you wish to live together with your family, understand that this comet has arisen to destroy you and the rākṣasas.
Passage 44
पश्य पश्यान्धहृद्दृग्भ्यां रक्षैतान् सर्वराक्षसान्। रामबाणाग्निना दग्धान् नो चेद्यास्यन्ति संक्षयम्॥४४॥
“‘Look, look with the eyes of your blinded heart, and save all these rākṣasas. Otherwise, burned by the fire of Rāma's arrows, they will pass into destruction.
Passage 45
तस्माच्छीघ्रतरं याहि सार्धं खलु निजाङ्गजैः। प्रसादत्वेन दत्ता ते भ्रातृलङ्काभिधा पुरी॥४५॥
“‘Therefore depart swiftly together with your sons. The city named Laṅkā has been granted as a favor to your brother—
Passage 46
रामेण वीरवर्येण शरणागतरक्षिणा। येन कैशोरवयसि हता स्त्री ताडकाभिधा॥४६॥
“‘by Rāma, foremost of heroes and protector of those who seek refuge, who in his youth slew the woman named Tāḍakā.
Passage 47
विनिकृत्तघ्राणकर्णा तथा तेऽवरजा कृता। ह्रिया तव पितुस्त्यक्ता स्त्रीत्वेन निहता न सा॥४७॥
“‘He likewise cut off the nose and ears of your younger sister. Out of respect for your father he spared her, and because she was a woman he did not kill her.
Passage 48
कृत्वा तस्यापराधं को जीवेत दशकन्धर। एते रामशरप्लुष्टाः क्षयं यास्यन्ति राक्षसाः॥४८॥
“‘Ten-necked one, who can offend him and survive? Scorched by Rāma's arrows, these rākṣasas will pass into destruction.’ Rāvaṇa Rejects the Warning
Passage 49
इत्येवं शुकसारणोक्तवचने हेलापरो रावणः प्रोन्मत्तो दशभिर्मुखैः प्रहसितो दिक्चक्रमारावयन्। आहूयाथ समस्तराक्षसचमूनाथान् प्रसंख्यापरस्तत्तत्स्थानदिशामुखेषु निखिलानाज्ञात आरोपयत्॥४९॥
Thus Rāvaṇa contemptuously dismissed the words spoken by Śuka and Sāraṇa. Raving with arrogance, he laughed through his ten mouths and made the circle of the directions resound. Then, intent on numbering his forces, he summoned all the commanders of the rākṣasa armies and ordered every one of them deployed at the appointed positions facing each direction.