Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथायुक्तं मन्यमानः कर्म तद्भ्रातुरात्मनः। पुनः पुनर्विचार्यासौ कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Mighty Kumbhakarṇa reflected again and again upon his brother's deed and judged it improper.
Passage 2
व्यषीददात्मनो मृत्युं मन्यमानो रणाङ्गणे। तथा सपुत्रपौत्रस्य रावणस्यापि राघवात्॥२॥
“He sank into grief, foreseeing his own death upon the battlefield and Rāvaṇa's death at Rāghava's hands together with his sons and grandsons.
Passage 3
आजगाम ततो वीरो विषण्ण इव चेतसा। सभामण्डपमध्यस्थं भ्रातरं दशकन्धरम्॥३॥
“Heavy-hearted, the hero went to his ten-necked brother, who sat within the great assembly hall.
Passage 4
तमायान्तमसौ दूराज्जग्राह परमादृतः। महाबल इति ज्ञात्वा न्यस्तयुद्धभरं हितम्॥४॥
“Seeing Kumbhakarṇa approach from afar, Rāvaṇa received him with the highest honor. Knowing his immense strength, he placed the burden of the war upon this trusted ally.
Passage 5
महासभामण्डपान्तस्तावेकासनसंस्थितौ। सप्रश्रयेक्षणप्रश्नप्रतिवाक्यादिभिर्मुदा॥५॥
“The two sat together upon one seat inside the great assembly hall, happily exchanging respectful glances, questions, and replies.
Passage 6
मिथः प्रेमकथालापैः सुप्रीतौ तौ बभूवतुः। ततो बली कुम्भकर्णो रावणं प्राणसम्मितम्॥६॥
“Their affectionate conversation pleased them both. Mighty Kumbhakarṇa then addressed Rāvaṇa, whom he valued like his own life.
Passage 7
आभाष्य चापि सम्बोध्य प्रियभ्रातरमात्मनः। एतदूचे वचो न्याय्यं निश्चित्य विदुषां गिरा॥७॥
“Calling upon his beloved brother, he carefully spoke these just words in accordance with the teaching of the wise.
Passage 8
हन्त भ्रातस्त्वया किं नु कृतमेतज्जुगुप्सितम्। तद्धि सन्तः प्रकुर्वन्ति यन्न्यायादनपोदितम्॥८॥
“Kumbhakarṇa said, ‘Brother, alas, why have you committed this contemptible act? The virtuous perform only deeds that justice does not condemn.
Passage 9
सत्यं वयं क्रूरतमा राक्षसाः सत्त्ववर्जिताः। तमोमात्रलयाः क्वापि विरले रजसि स्थिताः॥९॥
“‘It is true that we rākṣasas are exceedingly cruel, devoid of purity, immersed almost wholly in darkness and only faintly touched by passion.
Passage 10
तथापि भ्रातर्जानीहि पुलस्त्यस्य मुनेः कुलम्। यस्मिन् वयं सुसंजाता अनुरूपा भवेम चेत्॥१०॥
“‘Even so, brother, remember the lineage of the sage Pulastya in which we were nobly born. If we conduct ourselves worthily of it—
Passage 11
तदा नो भुवने श्लाघा नो चेन्निन्दैव सत्सु नः। साम्प्रतं भवता वीर परजाया रहोगता॥११॥
“‘—the world will praise us; otherwise the good will only condemn us. But now, hero, you have secretly taken another man's wife.
Passage 12
हृता बलेन तत्कर्म न युक्तमिति मन्महे। को नाजनि बली लोके को न शक्तश्च सर्वथा॥१२॥
“‘You carried her away by force, and I consider that act unjust. Who in this world has not possessed strength, and who has not had some power?
Passage 13
न्याय्यामेवाचरन् सर्वे दुर्नयाद्नश्यते यतः। इति ज्ञात्वा नयं भ्रातरिदानीमपि विद्धि भोः॥१३॥
“‘Everyone must act according to justice, for ruin follows evil policy. Knowing this, brother, embrace sound counsel even now.
Passage 14
पराङ्गनामिमां दूराद्विषवल्लीमिव त्यज। यां स्पृशन् म्रियते जन्तुः परत्रेह च निन्दिताम्॥१४॥
“‘Cast this other man's wife far away like a poisonous vine. Whoever touches such a condemned thing dies and incurs disgrace both here and hereafter.
Passage 15
इति नीतिमुपादाय यदि वर्त्स्यति वै भवान्। भविष्यति चिरञ्जीवी पुत्रपौत्रादिभिः सह॥१५॥
“‘If you adopt this policy and act accordingly, you will live long together with your sons, grandsons, and descendants.
Passage 16
नो चेत्समेतः सर्वैस्त्वं नाचिराद्यास्यसि क्षयम्। विचार्येत्थं मुहुर्भ्रातरिदानीमपि चेतय॥१६॥
“‘Otherwise, you and all of them together will soon be destroyed. Brother, reflect on this repeatedly and come to your senses even now.
Passage 17
त्रैलोक्यश्रीमदाविष्टं चेतोनिजमतन्द्रितः। जीवन्तु चापि समराच्छेषा अपि निशाचराः॥१७॥
“‘Vigilantly withdraw your mind from its intoxication with the splendor of the three worlds, so that the night-roamers who remain may survive this war.’ Rāvaṇa Rejects His Brother's Warning
Passage 18
प्रतिकूलगिरस्तस्य गिरमित्थं निशम्य सः। दर्पोत्क्षिप्तभुजोद्दण्डः प्रत्युवाच विहस्य तम्॥१८॥
“Hearing this disagreeable speech, arrogant Rāvaṇa raised his massive arms, laughed at Kumbhakarṇa, and replied.
Passage 19
अहो कृच्छ्रेण यद्भ्रातर्मया त्वं सम्प्रबोधितः। तत्साधु समरे शत्रुं कुम्भकर्ण जिगाय भोः॥१९॥
“‘Brother, I awakened you with tremendous difficulty. Well done, Kumbhakarṇa—you have conquered the enemy in battle!
Passage 20
अपि मे मानसोत्साहमित्थं वारिभिर्विलोपयन्। प्रतिकूलवृत्तिः समये सुप्त एव भवान् वरम्॥२०॥
“‘You pour water upon the ardor of my heart with such contrary behavior at the moment of need. It would have been better had you remained asleep.
Passage 21
यः क्षिणोति मनोवृत्तिं कार्यकाल उपस्थिते। न स भ्राता च बन्धुश्च सुहृन्मित्रं सखापि वा॥२१॥
“‘One who crushes another's resolve when the hour for action arrives is neither brother nor kinsman, neither well-wisher, friend, nor companion.
Passage 22
स शत्रुरेव विज्ञेयः शत्रोरीप्सितमाचरन्। तमिमं यूथवृत्तघ्नं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्॥२२॥
“‘He must be recognized as an enemy, for he accomplishes what the enemy desires. One should cast far away such a destroyer of collective resolve.
Passage 23
तस्माद्भ्रातरहं मन्ये भवानपि बलीमुखैः। वित्रासित इवात्यन्तं दृश्यतेऽद्य विना रणम्॥२३॥
“‘Therefore, brother, I think the monkeys have utterly terrified you before you have even entered battle.
Passage 24
कामं भक्षय मांसानामन्नानां च महीधरान्। किं ते रणेन सोत्साहं मयि तिष्ठति सम्प्रति॥२४॥
“‘By all means eat mountains of meat and grain. What need have you for battle while I still stand here full of vigor?
Passage 25
कामं स्वपिहि भुक्त्वा च यथेच्छं भूरिवत्सरान्। अपि मैवं पुनर्वादीर्मानसोत्साहतक्षणम्॥२५॥
“‘Eat and then sleep as you please for many years, but never again speak to me in a way that cuts down my heart's resolve.
Passage 26
कृतवानहमेतावत्त्रयोदश चतुर्युगीः। एतल्लङ्कापुरीराज्यं तव बाहुबलेन किम्॥२६॥
“‘I alone have maintained this kingdom of Laṅkā for thirteen cycles of four yugas. What part did the strength of your arms play in it?
Passage 27
अहं शक्रपुरीं भ्रातर्विजेतुमधिरूढवान्। आत्मनैव तदापि त्वं साहाय्यं कृतवान्नु किम्॥२७॥
“‘Brother, I advanced to conquer Indra's city by my own power. Did you offer me any help even then?
Passage 28
अपि मे भवता भ्रातः कदा किमपि यत्कृतम्। स्मर तत्सुमहानिद्रानीताखिलजनुःफलम्॥२८॥
“‘Remember, brother, whether you have ever done anything at all for me. Your enormous sleep has swallowed the entire fruit of your life. Rāvaṇa Boasts of His Remaining Champions
Passage 29
जीवन्तु मे महावीरा महोत्साहा निशाचराः। ये प्राणानैरपेक्ष्येण पुरोगा मम संयुगे॥२९॥
“‘Long may my immensely valiant and ardent night-roamers live—warriors who march before me in battle without regard for their lives.
Passage 30
येषां बाहुबलोद्भूताः सुग्रीवाद्याः प्लवंगमाः। त्यक्तुमिच्छन्ति सपदि संग्रामाङ्गणमातुराः॥३०॥
“‘Overwhelmed by the power of their arms, Sugrīva and the other monkeys anxiously long to abandon the battlefield at once.
Passage 31
तेषां मदर्थे बहवस्त्यक्तप्राणा दिवं गताः। बहवश्च विलोक्यन्ते बद्धकक्षाः परान् प्रति॥३१॥
“‘Many of these warriors have given their lives for my sake and gone to heaven; many more stand before us girded to confront the enemy.
Passage 32
अमी नरान्तकमुखास्त्रैलोक्यविजयोद्धुराः। येषां बाहुबलेनाहं कुम्भकर्ण सुखं स्वपे॥३२॥
“‘Here are Narāntaka and the other heroes who bear the burden of conquering the three worlds. Through the strength of their arms, Kumbhakarṇa, I too can sleep in peace.
Passage 33
इमौ कुम्भो निकुम्भश्चाप्युभौ राक्षससत्तमौ। याभ्यां बलात्समानीता बन्दीकृत्य सुरश्रियः॥३३॥
“‘Here too are Kumbha and Nikumbha, both foremost among rākṣasas, who forcibly captured and carried away the celestial maidens—
Passage 34
उत्पाटिताश्च रदना दिग्गजानामपि ध्रुवम्॥३४॥
“‘—and even tore out the tusks of the elephants guarding the directions.
Passage 35
अभयवीर्यौ मत्सुतौ राक्षसानां यशस्करौ। ताविमौ जीवतो वीरौ किं भ्रातः खिद्यसे वृथा॥३५॥
“‘These two fearless, valiant sons of mine bring glory to the rākṣasas. Both heroes still live, brother, so why do you grieve without cause?
Passage 36
एषोऽतिकायो बलवान् रक्षोवीरः प्रतापवान्। यद्बलं विबुधैरदृष्टं विद्रुतैर्युधि तत्क्षणात्॥३६॥
“‘Here is mighty Atikāya, a splendid rākṣasa hero whose strength the gods have never truly seen, for they flee the instant battle begins.
Passage 37
द्वीपेषु जलधेरस्य गिरिदुर्गेषु चातुलः। जागर्ति चण्डदोर्दण्डप्रतापः सुरतापनः॥३७॥
“‘Unrivaled throughout the ocean's islands and mountain fortresses, this tormentor of the gods stands watch, terrible in the majesty of his mighty arms.
Passage 38
मकराक्षो नाम महानेष रक्षोगणेश्वरः। यस्य गीर्वाणगेहेषु विमानावलिशालिषु॥३८॥
“‘Here is the great Makarākṣa, lord of hosts of rākṣasas. Throughout the gods' mansions, spacious with rows of aerial cars—
Passage 39
सर्वस्वलुण्ठनो दीप्तः प्रतापाग्निस्तपत्यहो। हेमाद्रिशिखरद्रावसूचितो यस्य तेजिमा॥३९॥
“‘—the blazing fire of his prowess burns as he plunders all they possess; his heat is proclaimed by the melting peaks of the golden mountain.
Passage 40
अलमेषां बाहुबलं कथयञ्छाम रक्षसाम्। मम संततिरेवोग्रा जीवताच्छरदां शतम्॥४०॥
“‘Enough of describing the arm-strength of these rākṣasas! May my own fierce progeny live for a hundred autumns.
Passage 41
यस्यामेकैक उद्दामो हेलाध्वस्तेन्द्रवैभवः। त्रैलोक्यमथने शक्तः सुखं स्वपिहि कुत्रचित्॥४१॥
“‘Every one of them is formidable, capable of casually shattering Indra's glory and churning the three worlds. Go sleep comfortably somewhere.
Passage 42
अयमिन्द्रजिदुद्दामो महाबाहुर्महाबलः। गीर्वाणगणनिग्राही परदाही रणेषु यः॥४२॥
“‘Here is unconquerable Indrajit, immensely strong and mighty-armed, who subdues the hosts of gods and scorches his enemies in battle.
Passage 43
कार्या मद्विषये चिन्ता त्वया भ्रातर्न जातुचित्। कुम्भकर्ण सुखं भुङ्क्ष्व भोज्यभाराननेकशः॥४३॥
“‘Brother, you need never concern yourself about me. Kumbhakarṇa, comfortably consume your innumerable masses of food.
Passage 44
सुखं स्वपिहि कल्पान्तं विधिना तेऽर्पितो वरः। मा पुनर्मन्मनोधैर्यं निकृन्तेथा महामते॥४४॥
“‘Sleep comfortably until the end of the age, enjoying the boon Brahmā granted you—but, wise brother, never again cut down the courage of my heart.’
Passage 45
इति नयभाषितेन सरुषोऽभिहिताधिकरूक्षवादिनो दशवदनस्य तानि परुषाणि वचांसि निशम्य सोदरः। घन इव कुम्भकर्ण इदमाह नितान्तगभीरभाषणो विहसितदीर्यमाणमुखगह्वरदृष्टसुदीर्घदंष्ट्रकः॥४५॥
“Hearing these harsh words from angry, exceedingly rough-spoken ten-faced Rāvaṇa in reply to his prudent counsel, Kumbhakarṇa laughed. His cavernous mouth split open to reveal enormously long fangs, and in a voice as deep as a thundercloud he began to answer.”