तस्मात्त्वमिदं दार्वेकप्रयत्नैकबाणनिपातेन पंचधाच्छिंधि ततस्तव शक्तिं ज्ञात्वा युद्धमतिदृढं कुर्वीमहि
Therefore, you must cut this wood into five parts with a single, concentrated arrow; then, knowing your power, we will wage a most intense battle.
अथ भार्गववचोविज्ञाय रामः पूर्वकोट्यां स्पर्शमात्रेण सज्यं कृत्वा धनुषि बाणं संयोज्य रक्षोभ्यां हनूमताश्रावयन्नेव बाणं मुमोच
Then, understanding Bhārgava's words, Rāma, at the eastern gate, merely by touch strung his bow, fitted an arrow, and, with Hanumān making the demons listen, released the arrow.
बाणं धनुषश्चलितं तौ राक्षसौ बाणमार्गं निरीक्षमाणौ दारु बाणेन पंचधा च्छिन्नं निरीक्ष्य रामं व्यज्ञापयतामावयोः शिशवो रक्षणीयास्त्वयेति तथेत्याह रामः राक्षसौ लंकां प्रविष्टौ
As the arrow left the bow, those two demons watched its path; seeing the wood cut into five pieces by the arrow, they petitioned Rāma: 'Let our children be protected by you.' Rāma replied, 'So be it,' and the demons entered Laṅkā.
अथ प्राकारयुद्धं कर्तुं वानरा गत्वा सर्वतो वरणमात्रं हि पार्ष्णिभिः पादैर्जानुभिः करैः पृष्ठैश्च तलसमं कृत्वा द्वितीयप्राकारं गतास्तदा च रावणः समागत्य सर्वानेवेषुभिर्द्रावयित्वा तदनुगच्छन्राममगात्
Then the monkeys went to fight at the rampart, making the entire enclosure level with their heels, feet, knees, hands, and backs, and reached the second rampart. At that time, Rāvaṇa came, scattering all with arrows, and, pursuing them, went toward Rāma.
अथ राममपि पंचभिर्बाणैर्विव्याध
Then he struck Rāma with five arrows.
अथ रामो दशभिर्बाणै रावणं सव्रणं चकार
Then Rāma wounded Rāvaṇa with ten arrows.
अनयोरतिदारुणमन्योन्यं युद्धं बभूव
A most terrible battle took place between these two.
रावणो दशभिर्बाणैर्विव्याध
Rāvaṇa struck with ten arrows.
अथ रामबाणैश्च क्षतशरीरो राक्षसः पलायनपरोऽभवत्
Then, wounded by Rāma's arrows, the Rākṣasa became intent on fleeing.
वानरा लक्ष्मणश्च कोटिकोटिराक्षसानघ्नन्
The Vānaras and Lakṣmaṇa were slaying countless millions of Rākṣasas.
अथपरस्मिन्नहनि विभीषणो रावणं विचार्येदमुवाच
Then, on the next day, Vibhīṣaṇa, having considered, spoke this to Rāvaṇa:
तृतीयोपायकालोऽयं चतुर्थं न विचारय । चतुर्थो विपरीतो न शस्तः शस्तार्थकारिणः
This is the time for the third strategy; do not consider the fourth, for the fourth, being contrary, is not proper for one seeking what is right.
परस्य चाऽत्मनः शक्तिं विदित्वा चाऽत्मनोऽधिकाम् । तदा युद्धं प्रशस्तं स्याद्विपरीतं विनाशकम्
Having understood both the enemy's and one's own strength, and knowing one's own to be greater, then battle is proper; if the opposite, it leads to destruction.
रामेण बलिनानैव युद्धं ते दुर्बलस्य च । एकेषुवालिहन्ताऽसौ वालिर्ज्ञातस्त्वया पुरा
Battle with Rāma, who is powerful, is not for one who is weak; that Vāli, who slew with a single arrow, you have known before.
मारीचमेकबाणेन भवानपि पलायितः । निहता राक्षसाः शूरा इन्द्र जिच्च सुतो हतः
You yourself fled when Mārīca was struck down with a single arrow; the heroic Rākṣasas have been slain, and Indrajit, your son, is dead.
वरेण्यत्रितयं भग्नं तेन युद्धं च नैव ते । दासभावमथो वाऽपि दत्त्वा सीतामथाऽप्नुहि
The three boons have been broken by him, and you have not won the battle; therefore, either accept servitude or return Sītā and obtain peace.
गोपुरस्थं तथा दारु पञ्चवक्त्रमथेषुणा । चिच्छेद पञ्चधा तेन रामस्त्वां मारयिष्यति
He cut into five pieces, with an arrow, the five-headed Dāru who stood on the rampart; Rāma will kill you as well.
त्वदर्थं बहवो नष्टा नाशमेष्यंति चापरे । एको न्यायः सुखार्थाय न च मौढ्यं सहोदर
Many have perished for your sake, and others will meet destruction; there is only one just path for happiness, not folly, O brother.
मानुषीं मृत्युसंयुक्तामनिच्छन्तीं पतिव्रताम् । पत्नीं बलवतश्चापि पूजयित्वा विसर्जय
A human wife, joined with death, unwilling and devoted to her husband—honor her and send her back, even if you are powerful.
अनिच्छन्त्याः समायोगे भवेद्दुःखपरंपरा । दुर्गन्धमलसंयुक्तो नारीसङ्गो जुगुप्सितः
Union with one who is unwilling brings a succession of sorrows; association with a woman, tainted by foul smell and impurity, is to be shunned.
विरक्तिरथ चेज्जाता दुःखायाकार्यवर्तनम् । अनुरागोयदि भवेन्मरणं नरकं ततः
If dispassion has arisen, acting contrary brings sorrow; if attachment remains, then death and hell follow.
आत्मनो मरणं व्यर्थं तस्याश्चाद्य समागमे । त्यागो वा मरणं तात धर्मपत्न्यास्तथा भवेत्
Your own death is futile in union with her today; O dear one, either renunciation or death should be for a lawful wife.
एवमादि तथाऽन्यच्च कश्मलं संभविष्यति । अन्यदाख्यामि ते वाक्यं सर्वेषां च प्रियं हितम्
Thus, and in other ways, calamity will arise; I will tell you another word, dear and beneficial to all.
गत्वा रामान्तिकं नत्वा स्तुत्वा विज्ञाप्य राघवम् । क्षम राम महावीर शरणागतवत्सल
Go to Rāma, bow down, praise him, and inform Rāghava: 'Forgive, O Rāma, great hero, protector of those who seek refuge.'
तामसा राक्षसाः सर्वे वयमेते सुपापिनः । सीतापहारजं दोषं त्यक्त्वा पुत्रानवेहि नः
We are all these tamasic, demonic beings, exceedingly sinful; set aside the fault arising from Sita's abduction and recognize us as your sons.
त्वदधीना वयं राम रक्ष वा मारयेच्छया । इत्युदीर्य पुरस्तस्य राघवस्य स्थिता वयम्
We are under your authority, Rama; protect or slay us as you wish. Thus speaking, we stood before the descendant of Raghu.
स्थिरायुषो भविष्यामः स्थिरराज्या दशानन । अथाऽहं रावणो वाक्यमहो नो राक्षसो भवान्
We shall possess enduring life and stable rule, O ten-headed one. Then I, Ravana, said: 'Ah! You are not a rakshasa.'
न शूरो राजधर्मं च न च जानासि शाश्वतम् । परनारीपरद्र व्यपरराज्यनिषेवया
You are not a hero, nor do you know royal duty or the eternal law; by pursuing the wives, wealth, and kingdoms of others.
शूराणामुत्तमो धर्मो न षण्ढानां भवादृशाम् । शत्रुपक्षं समालिग्य निर्गच्छेच्छा हि चेन्नृप
The highest dharma is for heroes, not for eunuchs like you; if a king wishes, let him abandon the enemy's side and depart.
अथ बिभीषणो मन्दिरं गत्वा रामान्तिकं गत्वा तं शरणमभजत्
Then Vibhishana, entering the palace, went to Rama and sought refuge in him.