मन्त्रमूलं च विजयं प्रवदन्ति मनस्विनः। तस्माद् वै रोचये मन्त्रं रामं प्रति महाबलाः
The wise declare that victory is rooted in counsel; therefore, I favor deliberation regarding Rama, O mighty ones.
मन्त्रस्त्रिभिर्हि संयुक्तः समर्थैर्मन्त्रनिर्णये। मित्रैर्वापि समानार्थैर्बान्धवैरपि वाधिकैः
A counsel joined by three, skilled in the discernment of strategy, whether with friends sharing the same interests, relatives, or even rivals—
सहितो मन्त्रयित्वा यः कर्मारम्भान् प्रवर्तयेत्। दैवे च कुरुते यत्नं तमाहुः पुरुषोत्तमम्
He who, having deliberated together, initiates actions and applies effort in matters of fate, is called the best among men.
एकोऽर्थं विमृशेदेको धर्मे प्रकुरुते मनः। एकः कार्याणि कुरुते तमाहुर्मध्यमं नरम्
One who considers a matter alone, sets his mind on righteousness alone, or acts alone, is called a middling man.
गुणदोषौ न निश्चित्य त्यक्त्वा दैवव्यपाश्रयम्। करिष्यामीति यः कार्यमुपेक्षेत् स नराधमः
He who, without determining merits and faults, disregards reliance on fate and neglects the task, saying 'I will do it,' is called the lowest of men.
यथेमे पुरुषा नित्यमुत्तमाधममध्यमाः। एवं मन्त्रोऽपि विज्ञेय उत्तमाधममध्यमः
Just as men are always classified as superior, inferior, and middling, so too is counsel to be understood as superior, inferior, and middling.
ऐकमत्यमुपागम्य शास्त्रदृष्टेन चक्षुषा। मन्त्रिणो यत्र निरतास्तमाहुर्मन्त्रमुत्तमम्
When unity is achieved, with vision guided by scripture, and counselors are devoted to deliberation, that counsel is called the best.
बह्वीरपि मतीर्गत्वा मन्त्रिणामर्थनिर्णयः। पुनर्यत्रैकतां प्राप्तः स मन्त्रो मध्यमः स्मृतः
When, after many opinions among counselors, the determination of the matter is reached, and unity is again attained, that counsel is considered middling.
अन्योन्यमतिमास्थाय यत्र सम्प्रतिभाष्यते। न चैकमत्ये श्रेयोऽस्ति मन्त्रः सोऽधम उच्यते
Where, relying on mutual opinion, there is argument and no unity, and no benefit is found, that counsel is said to be inferior.
तस्मात् सुमन्त्रितं साधु भवन्तो मतिसत्तमाः। कार्यं सम्प्रतिपद्यन्तमेतत् कृत्यं मतं मम
Therefore, let the best of minds deliberate well; let you all decide upon the proper action. This is my considered view.
वानराणां हि धीराणां सहस्रैः परिवारितः। रामोऽभ्येति पुरीं लङ्कामस्माकमुपरोधकः
For Rama, surrounded by thousands of wise monkeys, is approaching the city of Lanka, a threat to us.
तरिष्यति च सुव्यक्तं राघवः सागरं सुखम्। तरसा युक्तरूपेण सानुजः सबलानुगः
Surely, Rāghava will cross the ocean with ease, accompanied by his brother and his army, with fitting vigor and speed.
समुद्रमुच्छोषयति वीर्येणान्यत्करोति वा। तस्मिन्नेवंविधे कार्ये विरुद्धे वानरैः सह। हितं पुरे च सैन्ये च सर्वं सम्मन्त्र्यतां मम
He may dry up the ocean by his valor, or accomplish something else; in such a matter, opposed by the monkeys, let all that is beneficial for the city and the army be thoroughly discussed with me.
thumb|सप्तमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे सप्तमः सर्गः ॥६-
Let the seventh chapter be heard.
इत्युक्ता राक्षसेन्द्रेण राक्षसास्ते महाबलाः। ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम्
Thus addressed by the king of the Rākṣasas, those mighty Rākṣasas, with joined palms, all spoke to Rāvaṇa, lord of the Rākṣasas.
द्विषत्पक्षमविज्ञाय नीतिबाह्यास्त्वबुद्धयः। राजन् परिघशक्त्यृष्टिशूलपट्टिशकुन्तलम्
Unaware of the enemy's strength, and lacking in wisdom and policy, O King, we have clubs, spears, javelins, tridents, and slings.
सुमहन्नो बलं कस्माद् विषादं भजते भवान्। त्वया भोगवतीं गत्वा निर्जिताः पन्नगा युधि
Why does Your Majesty, possessing such a vast army, fall into despondency? You conquered the serpents in battle after reaching Bhogavatī.
कैलासशिखरावासी यक्षैर्बहुभिरावृतः। सुमहत्कदनं कृत्वा वश्यस्ते धनदः कृतः
Surrounded by many Yakṣas dwelling on the peaks of Kailāsa, you performed a great slaughter and brought the lord of wealth under your control.
स महेश्वरसख्येन श्लाघमानस्त्वया विभो। निर्जितः समरे रोषाल्लोकपालो महाबलः
You, O Lord, praised for your friendship with Maheśvara, defeated in battle, out of wrath, the mighty guardian of the world.
विनिपात्य च यक्षौघान् विक्षोभ्य विनिगृह्य च। त्वया कैलासशिखराद् विमानमिदमाहृतम्
Having struck down hosts of Yakṣas, shaken and subdued them, you brought this aerial chariot from the summit of Kailāsa.
दानवेन्द्रो महाबाहो वीर्योत्सिक्तो दुरासदः। विगृह्य वशमानीतः कुम्भीनस्याः सुखावहः
The lord of the Dānavas, mighty-armed, brimming with power and hard to approach, was subdued by you after conflict, bringing comfort to Kumbhīnasī.
निर्जितास्ते महाबाहो नागा गत्वा रसातलम्। वासुकिस्तक्षकः शङ्खो जटी च वशमाहृताः
You, mighty-armed one, conquered the serpents after reaching the netherworld; Vāsuki, Takṣaka, Śaṅkha, and Jaṭī were all brought under your control.
अक्षया बलवन्तश्च शूरा लब्धवराः पुनः। त्वया संवत्सरं युद्ध्वा समरे दानवा विभो
The Dānavas, inexhaustible, powerful, heroic, and granted boons, were subdued by you, O Lord, after waging war for a year.
स्वबलं समुपाश्रित्य नीता वशमरिंदम। मायाश्चाधिगतास्तत्र बह्व्यो वै राक्षसाधिप
Relying on your own strength, you subdued them, O destroyer of foes; and there, O lord of Rākṣasas, you acquired many magical powers.
शूराश्च बलवन्तश्च वरुणस्य सुता रणे। निर्जितास्ते महाभाग चतुर्विधबलानुगाः
The heroic and powerful sons of Varuṇa, accompanied by all four divisions of the army, were conquered by you in battle, O greatly fortunate one.
मृत्युदण्डमहाग्राहं शाल्मलीद्रुममण्डितम्। कालपाशमहावीचिं यमकिंकरपन्नगम्
You entered the great ocean of Yama's realm, adorned with the Śālmalī tree, filled with the deadly rod of death, the great noose of time, and Yama's serpent attendants.
महाज्वरेण दुर्धर्षं यमलोकमहार्णवम्। अवगाह्य त्वया राजन् यमस्य बलसागरम्
You, O King, plunged into the mighty ocean of Yama's world, hard to withstand due to its great fever, and full of Yama's power.
जयश्च विपुलः प्राप्तो मृत्युश्च प्रतिषेधितः। सुयुद्धेन च ते सर्वे लोकस्तत्र सुतोषिताः
You achieved great victory and warded off death; by your excellent battle, all the worlds there were greatly satisfied.
क्षत्रियैर्बहुभिर्वीरैः शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमैः। आसीद् वसुमती पूर्णा महद्भिरिव पादपैः
The earth was once filled with many heroic Kṣatriyas, equal in valor to Indra, like the earth is filled with great trees.
तेषां वीर्यगुणोत्साहैर्न समो राघवो रणे। प्रसह्य ते त्वया राजन् हताः समरदुर्जयाः
In strength, virtue, and vigor, Rāghava is not their equal in battle; those who were unconquerable in war have been forcefully slain by you, O King.