नानाविकृतवेषाश्च नानाभूषणभूषिताः। पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतश्चैनं परिवार्य ययुस्तदा
With varied and strange attire, adorned with many ornaments, they surrounded him on all sides—at his flanks and behind—and proceeded onward.
रथैश्चातिरथाः शीघ्रं मत्तैश्च वरवारणैः। अनूत्पेतुर्दशग्रीवमाक्रीडद्भिश्च वाजिभिः
Great chariot-warriors advanced swiftly in their chariots, with noble, intoxicated elephants, and with spirited, prancing horses, following Daśagrīva.
गदापरिघहस्ताश्च शक्तितोमरपाणयः। परश्वधधराश्चान्ये तथान्ये शूलपाणयः। ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणं संजज्ञे निःस्वनो महान्
Some held maces and iron clubs in their hands, others grasped spears and javelins; some bore axes, and others carried tridents. Then arose a mighty sound from a thousand musical instruments.
तुमुलः शङ्खशब्दश्च सभां गच्छति रावणे। स नेमिघोषेण महान् सहसाभिनिनादयन्
A tumultuous blare of conches echoed as Rāvaṇa entered the assembly, resounding greatly together with the thunder of drums.
राजमार्गं श्रिया जुष्टं प्रतिपेदे महारथः। विमलं चातपत्रं च प्रगृहीतमशोभत
The great chariot-warrior entered the royal road, splendidly adorned, and the spotless white parasol held above him shone brilliantly.
चामरव्यजने तस्य रेजतुः सव्यदक्षिणे। ते कृताञ्जलयः सर्वे रथस्थं पृथिवीस्थिताः
On his left and right, the yak-tail fans waved for him; all those standing on the ground, with joined palms, paid homage to him as he stood in his chariot.
राक्षसा राक्षसश्रेष्ठं शिरोभिस्तं ववन्दिरे। राक्षसैः स्तूयमानः सञ्जयाशीर्भिररिंदमः
The Rākṣasas bowed their heads to the foremost of Rākṣasas; praised by the Rākṣasas and blessed by the bards, the subduer of foes entered.
आससाद महातेजाः सभां विरचितां तदा। सुवर्णरजतास्तीर्णां विशुद्धस्फटिकान्तराम्
That mighty and radiant one then entered the assembly hall, splendidly constructed, with floors strewn with gold and silver, and inlaid with pure crystal.
विराजमानो वपुषा रुक्मपट्टोत्तरच्छदाम्। तां पिशाचशतैः षड्भिरभिगुप्तां सदाप्रभाम्
Resplendent in form, he shone in garments bordered with gold, in that ever-bright hall, always guarded by hundreds of Piśācas.
प्रविवेश महातेजाः सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा। तस्यां तु वैदूर्यमयं प्रियकाजिनसंवृतम्
The mighty and radiant one entered the hall, skillfully built by Viśvakarman; there, a seat of cat's-eye gem, covered with his beloved black antelope skin, was set.
महत्सोपाश्रयं भेजे रावणः परमासनम्। ततः शशासेश्वरवद्दूताँल्लघुपराक्रमान्
Rāvaṇa took that supreme throne, with a great footrest; then, like a lord, he commanded his swift and valiant messengers.
समानयत मे क्षिप्रमिहैतान् राक्षसानिति। कृत्यमस्ति महज्जाने कर्तव्यमिति शत्रुभिः
"Quickly bring those Rākṣasas here to me!" he said. "I know there is a great task to be done concerning the enemies."
राक्षसास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा लङ्कायां परिचक्रमुः। अनुगेहमवस्थाय विहारशयनेषु च। उद्यानेषु च रक्षांसि चोदयन्तो ह्यभीतवत्
Hearing those words, the Rākṣasas moved about in Laṅkā, going from house to house, in pleasure-rooms and sleeping chambers, and in gardens, urging the Rākṣasas without fear.
ते रथान्तचरा एके दृप्तानेके दृढान् हयान्। नागानेकेऽधिरुरुहुर्जग्मुश्चैके पदातयः
Some mounted chariots, others, proud and strong, mounted horses; some ascended elephants, while others went on foot.
सा पुरी परमाकीर्णा रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः। सम्पतद्भिर्विरुरुचे गरुत्मद्भिरिवाम्बरम्
That city, filled to the utmost with chariots, elephants, and horses rushing about, shone like the sky crowded with Garuḍas.
ते वाहनान्यवस्थाय यानानि विविधानि च। सभां पद्भिः प्रविविशुः सिंहा गिरिगुहामिव
Leaving their vehicles and various conveyances, they entered the assembly hall on foot, like lions entering a mountain cave.
राज्ञः पादौ गृहीत्वा तु राज्ञा ते प्रतिपूजिताः। पीठेष्वन्ये बृसीष्वन्ये भूमौ केचिदुपाविशन्
Having touched the king's feet, and honored by the king, some sat on seats, others on benches, and some sat upon the ground.
ते समेत्य सभायां वै राक्षसा राजशासनात्। यथार्हमुपतस्थुस्ते रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्
Those rākṣasas, having assembled in the council by the king’s command, approached Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, and honored him as was fitting.
मन्त्रिणश्च यथामुख्या निश्चितार्थेषु पण्डिताः। अमात्याश्च गुणोपेताः सर्वज्ञा बुद्धिदर्शनाः
The foremost ministers, learned in decisive matters, and counselors endowed with virtues, all-knowing and insightful, were also present.
समीयुस्तत्र शतशः शूराश्च बहवस्तथा। सभायां हेमवर्णायां सर्वार्थस्य सुखाय वै
There gathered hundreds of heroes as well, in the golden-hued assembly hall, for the comfort of all affairs.
ततो महात्मा विपुलं सुयुग्यं रथं वरं हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम्। शुभं समास्थाय ययौ यशस्वी विभीषणः संसदमग्रजस्य
Then the illustrious Vibhīṣaṇa, great-souled and renowned, mounted a splendid chariot, broad and well-yoked, adorned with gold, and went to the assembly of his elder brother.
स पूर्वजायावरजः शशंस नामाथ पश्चाच्चरणौ ववन्दे। शुकः प्रहस्तश्च तथैव तेभ्यो ददौ यथार्हं पृथगासनानि
He, accompanied by his elder and younger wives, announced his name and then bowed at their feet; Śuka and Prahasta likewise, to them, gave separate seats as appropriate.
सुवर्णनानामणिभूषणानां सुवाससां संसदि राक्षसानाम्। तेषां परार्घ्यागुरुचन्दनानां स्रजां च गन्धाः प्रववुः समन्तात्
In that assembly of rākṣasas, adorned with gold and various jewels, wearing fine garments, the fragrances of precious aloes and sandalwood, and garlands of highest worth, spread all around.
न चुक्रुशुर्नानृतमाह कश्चित् सभासदो नापि जजल्पुरुच्चैः। संसिद्धार्थाः सर्व एवोग्रवीर्या भर्तुः सर्वे ददृशुश्चाननं ते
No one in the assembly uttered falsehood, nor did anyone speak loudly; all were accomplished in their aims, of great might, and they all gazed upon their lord’s face.
स रावणः शस्त्रभृतां मनस्विनां महाबलानां समितौ मनस्वी। तस्यां सभायां प्रभया चकाशे मध्ये वसूनामिव वज्रहस्तः
There, Rāvaṇa, resolute among bearers of arms and mighty warriors, shone in that assembly by his radiance, like Indra with the thunderbolt among the Vasus.
thumb|द्वादशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः ॥६-
Hear now the twelfth sarga.
स तां परिषदं कृत्स्नां समीक्ष्य समितिंजयः। प्रचोदयामास तदा प्रहस्तं वाहिनीपतिम्
He, the conqueror in battle, surveying the entire assembly, then urged Prahasta, the commander of the army.
सेनापते यथा ते स्युः कृतविद्याश्चतुर्विधाः। योधा नगररक्षायां तथा व्यादेष्टुमर्हसि
O general, you should assign those skilled in the fourfold arts of war as defenders of the city.
स प्रहस्तः प्रणीतात्मा चिकीर्षन् राजशासनम्। विनिक्षिपद् बलं सर्वं बहिरन्तश्च मन्दिरे
Prahasta, self-controlled and intent on carrying out the king’s command, stationed the entire force both outside and inside the palace.
ततो विनिक्षिप्य बलं सर्वं नगरगुप्तये। प्रहस्तः प्रमुखे राज्ञो निषसाद जगाद च
Then, having stationed all the troops for the city’s protection, Prahasta sat before the king and spoke.