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राम

दक्षिणखण्ड · अध्याय 227

Kumbhakarṇa Is Awakened

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Chapter context and opening material

Rāvaṇa's servants prepare the colossal feast and try elephants, chariots, boulders, bells, and even animals driven through Kumbhakarṇa's ears and nose, but none can break his enchanted sleep. Rāvaṇa remembers that only a vast concert of music, song, and dance can awaken him. The prescribed performance finally rouses the giant, who rises ravenously hungry. The Feast Is Ready

Passage 1

राक्षसा ऊचुः— यथैव भवतादिष्टं तथास्माभिः कृतं प्रभो। विहिता भोज्यसम्भाराः कुम्भकर्णस्य भुक्तये॥१॥

The rākṣasas said: “Lord, we have done exactly as you commanded. The masses of food for Kumbhakarṇa's meal are prepared.

Passage 2

आमैः पक्वैश्च पललैः कृता दशमहीधराः। अन्नैर्नानाविधैः पक्वैरामैश्च विहिता दश॥२॥

“We made ten mountains of raw and cooked meat, and ten more from many varieties of cooked and uncooked food.

Passage 3

तिलैर्मुद्गैस्तण्डुलैश्च कृताः कूटाः पृथक् पृथक्। पत्रैः शाकैः फलैश्चैव विहिता राशयो दश॥३॥

“Separate peaks were made from sesame, mung beans, and rice, and ten heaps from leaves, vegetables, and fruit.

Passage 4

रसालजम्बूपनसवदरामलकेङ्गुदैः। फलैर्नानाविधैः स्निग्धैर्मधुरै राशयः कृताः॥४॥

“We made heaps of many succulent and sweet fruits: mangoes, rose-apples, jackfruit, jujubes, āmalakas, and iṅgudas.

Passage 5

रोटिकापूपद्विदलशष्कुलीतण्डुलादिभिः। पृथक् पृथक्कृतास्तत्र राशयो रक्षसां पतेः॥५॥

“Lord of the rākṣasas, separate heaps were formed there from flatbreads, cakes, split pulses, śaṣkulī pastries, rice, and other foods.

Passage 6

घृताक्तैः शर्करापूर्णैर्दधिदक्षीरसम्प्लुतैः। पायसैराज्यसंयुक्तैः शर्करापूरपूरितैः॥६॥

“There are milk puddings drenched in ghee, filled with sugar, flooded with curd and milk, enriched with clarified butter, and stuffed with sweet fillings—

Passage 7

असंख्यातानि कुण्डानि पूर्णानि सुमहान्ति च। दधिमध्वाज्यपूर्णानि कुण्डानि च पृथक् पृथक्॥७॥

“—filling innumerable immense vessels, while separate vats stand full of curd, honey, and ghee.

Passage 8

तद्वदिक्षुरसैर्गाढमावर्तितपयोभरैः। पूर्णानि दश कुण्डानि कर्पूरैलादिवासितैः॥८॥

“Ten vessels are likewise full of sugarcane juice and great quantities of thickened milk, scented with camphor, cardamom, and other spices.

Passage 9

माहेयैः स्वादुभिर्गाढैर्विहितानि तवाज्ञया। अत्युत्कटसुरास्रोतावाहिनी च कृता सरित्॥९॥

“At your command we prepared rich and delicious buffalo-milk dishes, and made a river carry a stream of exceptionally potent liquor.

Passage 10

वाप्यश्च पशुसंदोहरुधिरैः सम्भृता भृशम्। गाढैः स्निग्धमयैर्हृद्यैः कृता मांसाद्रिसन्निधौ॥१०॥

“Ponds have been filled to abundance with blood drawn from herds of animals, beside pleasing mountains of dense, rich meat.

Passage 11

नानाविधाश्च सम्भारा भोज्यवस्तूपकल्पिताः। आमोदवन्तः स्वादिष्ठा निर्मलाः सुखदाः कृताः॥११॥

“Every kind of provision and edible has been arranged—fragrant, delicious, clean, and satisfying.

Passage 12

दृष्टिप्रसाददानेन तान् गृह्णातु भवान् प्रभो। सुखमेष्यति तान् दृष्ट्वा कुम्भकर्णस्तवानुजः॥१२॥

“Be pleased to accept them with a gracious glance, lord. Your younger brother Kumbhakarṇa will be delighted when he sees them.” Force Cannot Break His Sleep

Passage 13

आदायादाय हस्तेन भोक्ष्यते च यथारुचि। पात्रमात्रावशिष्टांश्च करिष्यति स तत्क्षणात्॥१३॥

“He will take handful after handful and eat as he pleases, and in a moment nothing but the empty vessels will remain.

Passage 14

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां राक्षसेन्द्रो दशाननः। उवाच राक्षसानन्यान् सोत्साहं दशकन्धरः॥१४॥

“Hearing their report, ten-headed Rāvaṇa, king of the rākṣasas, eagerly addressed another group of his servants.

Passage 15

अतः परं कुम्भकर्णं बोधयन्तु निशाचराः। नयन्तु तत्र करिणो महतः पर्वतोपमान्॥१५॥

“‘Now the night-roamers must awaken Kumbhakarṇa. Bring enormous elephants, each resembling a mountain.

Passage 16

स्यन्दनान् वाहनैराढ्यांस्तुरगान् वृषभानपि। अन्यानपि महासत्त्वांस्ते मर्दयत तद्वपुः॥१६॥

“‘Bring richly equipped chariots, horses, bulls, and other massive creatures, and make them trample his body.

Passage 17

यथा निद्रां विहायाशु चिरात्सुप्तः स बुध्यते। तथा कुरुत हे प्राज्ञाः पादसंवाहनामिव॥१७॥

“‘Wise servants, do whatever will quickly make him cast off the sleep in which he has lain so long—as though giving him a foot-massage.

Passage 18

हृदये जानुनोर्बाह्नोरंसयोस्तस्य पीनयोः। मर्दनं कुरुतोत्तुङ्गगजेन्द्रचरणक्रमैः॥१८॥

“‘Have the towering elephants tread heavily upon his chest, knees, arms, and massive shoulders.

Passage 19

शिलाभिः स्थूलमूलाभिर्दृढं ताडयतोरसि। तस्यातिपीवरे यद्वत्कन्दुकैस्तूलपूरितैः॥१९॥

“‘Strike his exceedingly broad chest hard with massive boulders, as though they were balls stuffed with cotton.’

Passage 20

इत्यादाय प्रभोराज्ञां तथा चक्रुः समेत्य ते। तथाप्येष महानिद्रश्चिरसुप्तो न बुध्यते॥२०॥

“Receiving their lord's command, the rākṣasas assembled and did exactly so. Yet the giant, long submerged in sleep, did not awaken.

Passage 21

प्रत्युताधिकमस्वाप्सीत्पादसंवाहनाद्यथा। मर्दनं तैः कृतं तस्य सुखसुप्त्यै बभूव तत्॥२१॥

“Instead he slept even more deeply, as though receiving a soothing massage. Everything they did to crush him only made his sleep more comfortable.

Passage 22

आरण्यमहिषैः शृङ्गैर्दन्तिनां दन्तपातनैः। खुरक्षेपैस्तथाश्वानां सुखनिद्रानुकूल्यतः॥२२॥

“The horns of wild buffalo, the blows of elephants' tusks, and the strikes of horses' hooves all proved conducive to his pleasant sleep.

Passage 23

मेने कण्डूयनमिव स किञ्चित्कोमलैर्नखैः। घोरघण्टानिनादेन मिश्रितैः करिणां तथा॥२३॥

“He regarded them as a gentle scratching by soft nails. Nor did the dreadful clamor of bells mingled with the elephants' cries disturb him—

Passage 24

अश्वानां च रथानां च गच्छतां प्रतिगच्छताम्। नृणामालयतां चैव गम्भीरध्वनिकारिणाम्॥२४॥

“—nor the deep noise of horses and chariots going back and forth, nor of men shouting all around him.

Passage 25

स तादृक्काहलः शब्दः कोलाहलरवोद्धुरः। नास्य निद्राविनाशाय पर्याप्तोऽण्वपि सोऽभवत्॥२५॥

“Even such a tumultuous uproar, swollen with every kind of clamor, was not sufficient to diminish his sleep in the slightest.

Passage 26

ततो लङ्केश्वराज्ञप्ता राक्षसास्तस्य कर्णयोः। घ्राणयोश्चापि बहुशः सत्त्वानुच्चावचानपि॥२६॥

“At the king of Laṅkā's command, the rākṣasas next brought countless creatures, large and small, to Kumbhakarṇa's ears and nostrils—

Passage 27

सहस्रशो गा महिषीर्गवयाञ्छूकरान् मृगान्। छागीश्छागांश्च मेषांश्च शशमार्जारकुक्कुरान्॥२७॥

“—cows by the thousand, buffaloes, wild oxen, boars, deer, she-goats, he-goats, rams, hares, cats, and dogs;

Passage 28

बलीमुखान् गौरखरानन्यांश्च विविधान् पशून्। पक्षिणः श्येनगृध्रादींश्चाषतित्तिरिवायसान्॥२८॥

“monkeys, cattle, donkeys, and many other animals; and birds such as hawks, vultures, blue jays, partridges, and crows.

Passage 29

विविधान् पर्वतगुहाप्रतिमेन बिलाध्वना। अन्तः प्रवेशयामासुः प्रविशंस्ते च सत्वरम्॥२९॥

“They drove the varied creatures inside through cavernous passages like mountain caves, and the animals hurried inward.

Passage 30

अन्तर्यथा ब्रह्मरन्ध्रं परिप्रायुस्ततश्च ते। क्षुति संजनयामासुस्तस्य सुप्तस्य रक्षसः॥३०॥

“They passed through his interior as far as the crown of his head and caused the sleeping rākṣasa to sneeze.

Passage 31

अन्तःक्षुतिसमुद्भूतिमरुद्वेगसमाहृताः। सर्वे ते बहिराजग्मुः पशवः पक्षिणोऽपि च॥३१॥

“The violent wind produced by that inner sneeze swept them all out again—animals and birds alike.

Passage 32

तथापि न स संसुप्तः प्राबुध्यत मनागपि। ततस्तस्यैव वचनं सस्मार दशकन्धरः॥३२॥

“Even then the profoundly sleeping giant did not awaken at all. Ten-headed Rāvaṇa at last remembered Kumbhakarṇa's own words. Rāvaṇa Remembers the Prescribed Music

Passage 33

उक्तं ह्यनेन यत्पूर्वं स्वापस्यादौ महीयसः। अहं स्वपिमि लङ्केश लब्धनिद्रावरो विधेः॥३३॥

“At the beginning of his great sleep Kumbhakarṇa had said, ‘King of Laṅkā, I am going to sleep, having obtained the boon of sleep from Brahmā.

Passage 34

नाचिरेण प्रबोधो मे भविष्यति दशाननः। नानाचतुर्युगीर्व्याप्य स्वप्स्यामि रहितः शुचा॥३४॥

“‘Ten-headed king, I shall not awaken soon. I will sleep free from sorrow through the passage of many cycles of four yugas.

Passage 35

यदि त्वावश्यके कार्ये परिप्राप्ते तवार्थके। अवश्यं बोधनीयः स्यां तर्हि यत्नोऽयमुच्यते॥३५॥

“‘If some necessary task for your welfare arises and I absolutely must be awakened, then this is the method to employ.

Passage 36

दिव्याङ्गनाजनोद्गीतैः सरसैः सप्तभिः स्वरैः। मूर्छनाग्रामसंयुक्तैः सतालैर्नर्तनक्रमैः॥३६॥

“‘Let divine women sing beautifully in the seven notes, joined with scales and modes, rhythm, and ordered dance;

Passage 37

पादमञ्जीरमधुरक्वणत्कारैः सुखावहैः। मेखलादामझङ्कारैर्वलयानां च निक्वणैः॥३७॥

“‘let the pleasing, sweet ringing of their anklets sound together with the jingling of girdle-chains and the chime of bracelets;

Passage 38

करतालैः कांस्यतालैः क्वणन्मड्डुकझर्झरैः। मृदङ्गमुरजोद्धोषैर्वीणापणवमर्दलैः॥३८॥

“‘let hand-clappers, bronze cymbals, ringing small drums and jharjharas resound with mṛdaṅgas, murajas, vīṇās, paṇavas, and mardalas;

Passage 39

ध्वनद्भिः परितो नाट्यगाननृत्यमहारवैः। तत्क्षणान्मुक्तनिद्रः स्यां तौर्यत्रिकभवै रवैः॥३९॥

“‘let the immense sound of drama, song, and dance thunder on every side. The combined roar of music, dance, and song will release me from sleep that very instant.

Passage 40

शङ्खदुन्दुभिभेरीणां वार्याद्यैः सुमहारवैः। मन्द्रैस्तारैश्च निर्घोषैर्मधुरैः श्रोत्रपूरकैः॥४०॥

“‘Conches, dundubhis, kettledrums, and other instruments must be sounded in a tremendous roar, with sweet low and high notes filling my ears.

Passage 41

निद्रात्ययो मे भ्रातः स्यान्नान्यथा यत्नकोटिभिः। विधिनामे वरो दत्तो निद्रैव च वृता मया॥४१॥

“‘Brother, only then will my sleep end; not even ten million other efforts will suffice. Brahmā gave me this boon, and sleep is what I chose.

Passage 42

सुखं स्वप्स्यामि सततं शयनीये मनोरमे। उक्तस्ते बोधने यत्नोत्पाते कार्य आगते॥४२॥

“‘I shall sleep in continual comfort upon my delightful bed. I have told you the effort required to wake me should a calamitous need arise.

Passage 43

त्रैलोक्यं त्वं तु निर्जित्य विधाय स्ववशे भृशम्। सदेवासुरगन्धर्वयक्षराक्षसमानुषम्॥४३॥

“‘As for you, conquer the three worlds and bring gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and humans completely under your control.

Passage 44

कुरुष्व राज्यमव्यग्रः स्थितो लङ्कापुरीमधि। परिखायितपाथोधि हेमप्राकारदुर्गमाम्॥४४॥

“‘Rule without anxiety from Laṅkā, inaccessible behind golden ramparts and encircled by the ocean as its moat.

Passage 45

भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान् यथाकामं लभमानो महत्सुखम्। मां च भो अनुजानीहि चिराय सुखसुप्तये॥४५॥

“‘Enjoy every pleasure as you desire and attain immense happiness. Now permit me to sleep comfortably for a very long time.’

Passage 46

इत्युक्तं मह्यमेतेन स्मरामि प्रयतोऽधुना। तं करिष्यामि वै यत्नं स्वयमेवामुनोदितम्॥४६॥

“Rāvaṇa thought, ‘I now remember what he carefully told me. I shall perform the very method he himself prescribed.’ The Concert Awakens Kumbhakarṇa

Passage 47

इति संचिन्त्य मनसा राक्षसान् स तथादिशत्। ते तदादेशमादाय तथा चक्रुर्निशाचराः॥४७॥

“Having resolved this in his mind, Rāvaṇa issued the command to the rākṣasas, and the night-roamers carried it out.

Passage 48

गायकान्नर्तकीश्चैव वादकान् लासकानपि। मार्दङ्गिकान्मौरजिकान् दुन्दुभीवादने पटून्॥४८॥

“They summoned singers, female dancers, instrumentalists, graceful performers, players of mṛdaṅgas and murajas, and experts at sounding dundubhis;

Passage 49

अन्यांश्च वाद्यनिपुणान् नानाविद्याधरानपि। जवादाहूय तत्पार्श्वमहोद्धोषमकारिषुः॥४९॥

“they swiftly called many other masters of instruments and vidyādharas to Kumbhakarṇa's side, where they produced an immense clamor.

Passage 50

ततानां विततानां च सुषिराणां तथैव च। घनानां भूरिभेदानां वाद्यानां परिवाद्यताम्॥५०॥

“They played the many varieties of stringed, covered, wind, and solid percussion instruments.

Passage 51

अभूद्घोषो महांस्तत्र यत्र शेते स राक्षसः। निद्राणो महतः कालात्त्रयोदश चतुर्युगीः॥५१॥

“A tremendous sound arose where the rākṣasa lay, having slept for the vast span of thirteen cycles of four yugas.

Passage 52

कृच्छ्रान्निद्रां विनिर्धूय प्रोन्मीलितविलोचनः। जजागार क्षणेनैव कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः॥५२॥

“With difficulty mighty Kumbhakarṇa shook off his sleep, opened his eyes wide, and awoke in that very instant.

Passage 53

तमाह रावणो भूयो निमीलन्नयनालसम्। भ्रातर्जागृहि नो स्वापकालः सम्प्रति वर्तते॥५३॥

“When his sluggish eyes began closing again, Rāvaṇa said, ‘Brother, stay awake! This is no time for sleep.

Passage 54

प्राप्तोऽयं तापसः कश्चिदिह भूरिचमूवृतः। अहर्निशं क्षपयति राक्षसान् बाणवह्निना॥५४॥

“‘An ascetic has arrived here surrounded by an enormous army. Day and night he consumes the rākṣasas in the fire of his arrows.

Passage 55

बहवो मे हता वीरा अनेन परिपन्थिना। शून्यप्रायमभूत्पश्य परितो नगरं त्विदम्॥५५॥

“‘This enemy has killed many of my heroes. Look—the city all around us has become nearly empty.

Passage 56

कृच्छ्रेण बोधितस्त्वं तु स्मृतत्वद्वचसा मया। किं निमीलयसे नेत्रे भूयोऽप्यलसयक्ष्मणी॥५६॥

“‘Remembering your own words, I awakened you with tremendous difficulty. Why do you once again close those eyes afflicted by weariness?’

Passage 57

तस्मिन् प्रबुद्धमात्रे तु राक्षसानां कदम्बकाः। जितं जितं रावणेनेत्यवोचन् वीक्ष्य शात्रवान्॥५७॥

“The moment Kumbhakarṇa awoke, the assembled rākṣasas looked toward their enemies and cried, ‘Rāvaṇa has conquered! Victory is won!’

Passage 58

स रक्तनिद्रालसतुन्दिलेक्षणो विकीर्णकेशो भयानकाननः। स जृम्भमाणोऽतिदीर्घविग्रहो गिरिर्यथा तुङ्गतयोदतिष्ठत॥५८॥

“His swollen eyes red and heavy with sleep, his hair disheveled and his face terrifying, the enormously tall giant yawned and rose like a mountain soaring upward.

Passage 59

अथ क्षणेनोत्थितमात्र एष विलोक्य वीरः पुरतो दशास्यम्। सुप्तश्चिराद्भोक्तुमना बभाषे क्षुधाकुलोऽस्मीति गभीरघोषः॥५९॥

“As soon as the hero rose and saw ten-faced Rāvaṇa before him, his first thought after that long sleep was food. In a deep voice he declared, ‘I am tormented by hunger.’”