विनश्येद्धि पुरी लङ्का शूराः सर्वे च राक्षसाः। रामस्य दयिता पत्नी न स्वयं यदि दीयते
"For surely the city of Laṅkā and all the valiant demons will perish if Rāma's beloved wife is not given back of our own accord."
प्रसादये त्वां बन्धुत्वात् कुरुष्व वचनं मम। हितं तथ्यं त्वहं ब्रूमि दीयतामस्य मैथिली
"Out of kinship I entreat you—follow my words; I speak what is beneficial and true: let Sītā be returned to him."
पुरा शरत्सूर्यमरीचिसंनिभान् नवाग्रपुङ्खान् सुदृढान् नृपात्मजः। सृजत्यमोघान् विशिखान् वधाय ते प्रदीयतां दाशरथाय मैथिली
"Before the prince, whose arrows are like autumn sunbeams, new-tipped, strong, and unfailing, releases them for your destruction, let Sītā be given to the son of Daśaratha."
त्यजाशु कोपं सुखधर्मनाशनं भजस्व धर्मं रतिकीर्तिवर्धनम्। प्रसीद जीवेम सपुत्रबान्धवाः प्रदीयतां दाशरथाय मैथिली
Abandon your anger at once, which destroys happiness and righteousness; embrace righteousness, which increases delight and fame. Be gracious—let us live with our sons and kin. Let Sītā be returned to Rāma, son of Daśaratha.
विभीषणवचः श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। विसर्जयित्वा तान् सर्वान् प्रविवेश स्वकं गृहम्
Hearing Vibhīṣaṇa’s words, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, dismissed them all and entered his own palace.
thumb|दशमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे दशमः सर्गः ॥६-
The tenth sarga is to be heard in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter ten.
ततः प्रत्युषसि प्राप्ते प्राप्तधर्मार्थनिश्चयः। राक्षसाधिपतेर्वेश्म भीमकर्मा विभीषणः
Then, at dawn, Vibhīṣaṇa of mighty deeds, resolved in righteousness and purpose, approached the palace of the lord of the rākṣasas.
शैलाग्रचयसंकाशं शैलशृङ्गमिवोन्नतम्। सुविभक्तमहाकक्षं महाजनपरिग्रहम्
It appeared like a peak made of mountain summits, lofty as a mountain crest, with vast, well-divided courtyards and thronged with multitudes.
मतिमद्भिर्महामात्रैरनुरक्तैरधिष्ठितम्। राक्षसैराप्तपर्याप्तैः सर्वतः परिरक्षितम्
It was inhabited by wise and devoted ministers, surrounded on all sides by loyal and sufficient rākṣasas, and well-guarded.
मत्तमातङ्गनिःश्वासैर्व्याकुलीकृतमारुतम्। शङ्खघोषमहाघोषं तूर्यसम्बाधनादितम्
The air was disturbed by the snorting of intoxicated elephants, resounded with the great blare of conches, and was filled with the din of musical instruments.
प्रमदाजनसम्बाधं प्रजल्पितमहापथम्। तप्तकाञ्चननिर्यूहं भूषणोत्तमभूषितम्
It was crowded with women, its great avenues abuzz with conversation, adorned with golden gateways and the finest ornaments.
गन्धर्वाणामिवावासमालयं मरुतामिव। रत्नसंचयसम्बाधं भवनं भोगिनामिव
It was like the dwelling of the Gandharvas, a palace of the Maruts, filled with heaps of jewels, like the abode of the serpents.
तं महाभ्रमिवादित्यस्तेजोविस्तृतरश्मिवान्। अग्रजस्यालयं वीरः प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः
That hero of great splendor, like the sun entering a vast cloud, entered the elder brother’s palace, radiant with far-reaching rays.
पुण्यान् पुण्याहघोषांश्च वेदविद्भिरुदाहृतान्। शुश्राव सुमहातेजा भ्रातुर्विजयसंश्रितान्
He, of immense brilliance, heard auspicious chants and sacred sounds recited by those learned in the Vedas, all invoking his brother’s victory.
पूजितान् दधिपात्रैश्च सर्पिभिः सुमनोक्षतैः। मन्त्रवेदविदो विप्रान् ददर्श स महाबलः
He saw the learned brāhmaṇas, honored with bowls of curds, clarified butter, and scattered flowers, masters of mantras and the Vedas, as he entered.
स राजदृष्टिसम्पन्नमासनं हेमभूषितम्। जगाम समुदाचारं प्रयुज्याचारकोविदः
He, skilled in proper conduct, approached a seat fit for a king, adorned with gold, and performed the customary courtesies.
स रावणं महात्मानं विजने मन्त्रिसंनिधौ। उवाच हितमत्यर्थं वचनं हेतुनिश्चितम्
There, in private and in the presence of the ministers, the great-souled Vibhīṣaṇa spoke to Rāvaṇa words of utmost benefit, well-reasoned.
प्रसाद्य भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठं सान्त्वेनोपस्थितक्रमः। देशकालार्थसंवादि दृष्टलोकपरावरः
Having appeased his elder brother with gentle approach, observing proper order, and speaking in accordance with time, place, and purpose, he who understood the ways of the world addressed him.
यदाप्रभृति वैदेही सम्प्राप्तेह परंतप। तदाप्रभृति दृश्यन्ते निमित्तान्यशुभानि नः
From the time that Sītā arrived here, O subduer of foes, from that very moment, we have been seeing ominous signs.
सस्फुलिङ्गः सधूमार्चिः सधूमकलुषोदयः। मन्त्रसंधुक्षितोऽप्यग्निर्न सम्यगभिवर्धते
The fire, though kindled with mantras, rises with sparks, smoke, and sooty flames, yet does not burn brightly.
अग्निष्टेष्वग्निशालासु तथा ब्रह्मस्थलीषु च। सरीसृपाणि दृश्यन्ते हव्येषु च पिपीलिकाः
In your fire-altars and sacrificial halls, as well as in the sanctuaries of Brahmā, reptiles are seen, and ants appear in the offerings.
गवां पयांसि स्कन्नानि विमदा वरकुञ्जराः। दीनमश्वाः प्रहेषन्ते नवग्रासाभिनन्दिनः
The milk of cows is spilling, the noble elephants are intoxicated, the horses are weak and neighing, rejoicing at fresh fodder.
खरोष्ट्राश्वतरा राजन् भिन्नरोमाः स्रवन्ति च। न स्वभावेऽवतिष्ठन्ते विधानैरपि चिन्तिताः
The camels, dromedaries, and mules, O King, have their hair falling out and are oozing; even when cared for according to custom, they do not remain in their natural state.
वायसाः संघशः क्रूरा व्याहरन्ति समन्ततः। समवेताश्च दृश्यन्ते विमानाग्रेषु संघशः
Cruel crows, in flocks, are cawing all around; gathered together, they are seen in groups before the palaces.
गृध्राश्च परिलीयन्ते पुरीमुपरि पिण्डिताः। उपपन्नाश्च संध्ये द्वे व्याहरन्त्यशिवं शिवाः
Vultures, clustered together, are settling above the city; and at both twilights, auspicious birds utter inauspicious cries.
क्रव्यादानां मृगाणां च पुरीद्वारेषु संघशः। श्रूयन्ते विपुला घोषाः सविस्फूर्जितनिःस्वनाः
At the city gates, the loud howls of carnivorous beasts and animals are heard in groups, with resounding and crackling noises.
तदेवं प्रस्तुते कार्ये प्रायश्चित्तमिदं क्षमम्। रोचये वीर वैदेही राघवाय प्रदीयताम्
Therefore, with the matter at hand thus prepared, this expiation is fitting; I suggest, O hero, that Vaidehī be returned to Rāghava.
इदं च यदि वा मोहाल्लोभाद् वा व्याहृतं मया। तत्रापि च महाराज न दोषं कर्तुमर्हसि
And if, whether from delusion or greed, I have spoken this, even then, O great king, you should not find fault with me.
अयं हि दोषः सर्वस्य जनस्यास्योपलक्ष्यते। रक्षसां राक्षसीनां च पुरस्यान्तःपुरस्य च
For this fault is observed among all the people here—among the rākṣasas, the rākṣasīs, the city, and the inner palace.
प्रापणे चास्य मन्त्रस्य निवृत्ताः सर्वमन्त्रिणः। अवश्यं च मया वाच्यं यद् दृष्टमथवा श्रुतम्। सम्प्रधार्य यथान्यायं तद् भवान् कर्तुमर्हति
And with the recitation of this counsel, all the ministers have withdrawn; whatever I have seen or heard, I must speak. Having considered it properly, you should act accordingly.