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.
इति स्वमन्त्रिणां मध्ये भ्राता भ्रातरमूचिवान्। रावणं रक्षसां श्रेष्ठं पथ्यमेतद् विभीषणः
Thus, in the midst of his ministers, Vibhīṣaṇa spoke these beneficial and proper words to his brother Rāvaṇa, the foremost of rākṣasas.
हितं महार्थं मृदु हेतुसंहितं व्यतीतकालायतिसम्प्रतिक्षमम्। निशम्य तद्वाक्यमुपस्थितज्वरः प्रसङ्गवानुत्तरमेतदब्रवीत्
Hearing that gentle, well-reasoned, timely, and beneficial speech, Rāvaṇa, burning with fever and full of passion, gave this reply.
भयं न पश्यामि कुतश्चिदप्यहं न राघवः प्राप्स्यति जातु मैथिलीम्। सुरैः सहेन्द्रैरपि संगरे कथं ममाग्रतः स्थास्यति लक्ष्मणाग्रजः
I see no fear from anywhere; Rāghava will never obtain Maithilī. Even with the gods and Indra in battle, how could Lakṣmaṇa's elder brother stand before me?
इत्येवमुक्त्वा सुरसैन्यनाशनो महाबलः संयति चण्डविक्रमः। दशाननो भ्रातरमाप्तवादिनं विसर्जयामास तदा विभीषणम्
Having spoken thus, the ten-headed one, destroyer of the gods' army, of great might and fierce valor in battle, then dismissed his brother Vibhīṣaṇa, who had spoken honestly.
thumb|एकादशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे एकादशः सर्गः ॥६-
Let the eleventh sarga be heard in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, chapter eleven.
स बभूव कृशो राजा मैथिलीकाममोहितः। असन्मानाच्च सुहृदां पापः पापेन कर्मणा
The king became emaciated, infatuated with desire for Maithilī, and, dishonored by his friends, committed evil through wicked deeds.
अतीव कामसम्पन्नो वैदेहीमनुचिन्तयन्। अतीतसमये काले तस्मिन् वै युधि रावणः। अमात्यैश्च सुहृद्भिश्च प्राप्तकालममन्यत
Greatly overwhelmed by desire, constantly thinking of Vaidehī, at that untimely hour in battle, Rāvaṇa considered the time to have come, along with his ministers and friends.
स हेमजालविततं मणिविद्रुमभूषितम्। उपगम्य विनीताश्वमारुरोह महारथम्
He approached a great chariot adorned with golden latticework and decorated with jewels and coral, and, mounting it with disciplined horses, ascended the splendid chariot.
तमास्थाय रथश्रेष्ठं महामेघसमस्वनम्। प्रययौ रक्षसां श्रेष्ठो दशग्रीवः सभां प्रति
Taking his stand on that excellent chariot, which roared like a great cloud, the ten-headed lord, foremost among rākṣasas, went towards the assembly hall.
असिचर्मधरा योधाः सर्वायुधधरास्ततः। राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पुरस्तात् सम्प्रतस्थिरे
Warriors bearing swords and shields, and armed with all kinds of weapons, then took their places before the king of the Rākṣasas.