सर्वदा राक्षसेन्द्रोऽसौ शुभं रामेश्वरत्रयम्
Always, that king of rākṣasas worships the three Rāmeśvaras.
लंकाद्वारे स्थितो यो वै सेतुखण्डे महेश्वरः
At the gate of Laṅkā, Maheshvara stands at the segment of the bridge.
जलमध्यगतं यच्च सेतुखंडं द्वितीयकम्
And the second segment of the bridge is situated in the midst of water.
एनं देव निशीथे च सर्वदागत्य भक्तितः
To this god, at midnight and always, one comes with devotion.
तस्मात्तिष्ठ त्वमव्यग्रः स्थानेऽत्रैव समाहितः
Therefore, remain here steadfast and undisturbed, fully attentive in this place.
तेनैव सहितः पश्चात्स्वेच्छया तस्य मन्दिरम्
Later, together with him, at your own will, you may enter his abode.
अथ तेषां तदाकर्ण्य स दूतो हर्षसंयुतः ६.१०४.
Then, upon hearing this, the messenger became filled with joy.
अथ प्राप्ते निशार्धे स राक्षसैः परिवारितः
When midnight arrived, he was surrounded by the rākṣasas.
विमानवरमारूढः स्तूयमानः समन्ततः
Mounted upon the splendid aerial chariot, he was praised from all sides.
उत्तीर्य च विमानाग्र्यात्कृत्वाऽथ त्रिः प्रदक्षिणाम्
Having descended from the excellent chariot, he circumambulated it three times.
नमस्ते देवदेवेश भक्तानामभयप्रद
Salutations to you, Lord of gods, giver of fearlessness to devotees.
त्वं यज्ञस्त्वं वषट्कारस्त्वं चंद्रस्त्वं प्रभाकरः
You are the sacrifice, you are the vaṣaṭ call, you are the moon, you are the sun.
यथा तिलगतं तैलं गूढं तिष्ठति सर्वदा
Just as oil remains always hidden within sesame seeds,
यथा काष्ठगतो वह्निः संस्थितोऽपि न लक्ष्यते
Just as fire, though present within wood, is not visible,
यथा दधिगतं सर्पिर्निगूढत्वेन संस्थितम्
Just as ghee exists concealed within curds,
यथा जलं धरापृष्ठात्खनन्नाप्नोति मानवः
Just as a person obtains water by digging into the earth,
तावच्च दुर्लभः स्वर्गस्तावच्छूराश्च शत्रवः ६.१०४.
So long is heaven difficult to attain, and so long are enemies valiant.
तावल्लक्ष्मीश्चला नॄणां तावद्रोगाः पृथग्विधाः
So long is fortune unstable among men, and so long are various diseases present.
तावत्पुत्रोद्भवं दुःखं तथा प्रियसमु द्भवम्॥ यावत्त्वं देव नायासि सन्तोषं देहिनामिह
So long is the sorrow of childbirth, and likewise the sorrow of beloved ones; until you, O Lord, bring contentment to embodied beings here.
एवं स्तुत्वा ततो लिंगं स्नापयित्वा यथाविधि
Having thus praised, he then bathed the liṅga according to the prescribed manner.
पारिजातकपुष्पैश्च तथा सन्तानसम्भवैः
With pārijāta flowers and those born of lineage,
पूजां चक्रे सुविस्तीर्णा श्रद्धया परया युतः
He performed a vast worship, endowed with supreme faith.
स च गीतं स्वयं चक्रे तालमादाय पाणिना
And he himself began to sing, keeping the rhythm with his hand.
तानयुक्त्या समोपेतं ग्रामै रागैः स्वलंकृतम्
It was accompanied by proper tempo, adorned with melodies and musical modes.
यावत्संप्रस्थितो भूयो लंकां प्रति विभीषणः
Meanwhile, as Vibhishana once more set out towards Lanka—
विशेषतस्तु तेनोक्तं यत्तस्य पुरतः पुरा
Especially, what had previously been spoken by him in front of that one—
तच्छ्रुत्वाथ प्रणम्योच्चैर्दूतं प्राह विभीषणः ६.१०४.
Hearing that, Vibhishana bowed deeply and addressed the messenger in a loud voice.
यद्येवं विहितं राज्ये रामपुत्रस्य राक्षसैः
If indeed the kingdom has been established for Rama's son by the Rakshasas,
तस्मान्महाप्रसादो मे कृतस्तेन महात्मना
Then I have received the highest favor from that great-souled one.
एवमुक्त्वा स तान्सर्वाञ्छोधयामास राक्षसान्
Having spoken thus, he questioned all the Rakshasas.