यत्कृते च वयं लङ्कां त्यकत्वा याता रसातलम् । तद्गतं नो महाबाहो महद्विष्णुकृतं भयम् ।। ७.११.
'Because of this, O mighty-armed one, we abandoned Laṅkā and went to the netherworld; that great fear caused by Viṣṇu has now passed from us.'
असकृत्तद्भयाद्भीताः परित्यज्य स्वमालयम् । विद्रुताः सहिताः सर्वे प्रविष्टाः स्म रसातलम् ।। ७.११.
'Many times, terrified by that fear, we all together abandoned our homes and fled, entering the netherworld.'
अस्मदीया च लङ्केयं नगरी राक्षसोचिता । निवेशिता तव भ्रात्रा धनाध्यक्षेण धीमता ।। ७.११.
'And this city of Laṅkā, suitable for Rākṣasas, was established by your brother, the wise Lord of Wealth.'
यदि नामात्र शक्यं स्यात्साम्ना दानेन वानघ । तरसा वा महाबाहो प्रत्यानेतुं कृतं भवेत् ।। ७.११.
'If, O sinless one, it is possible to regain it by conciliation, by gifts, or by force, O mighty-armed one, let it be done.'
त्वं तु लङ्केश्वरस्तात भविष्यसि न संशयः । त्वया राक्षसवंशो ऽयं निमग्नो ऽपि समुद्धृतः । सर्वेषां नः प्रभुश्चैव भविष्यसि महाबल ।। ७.११.
'You, my child, will surely become lord of Laṅkā; by you, this Rākṣasa lineage, though sunken, will be raised up, and you will be the master of us all, O mighty one.'
अथाब्रवीद्दशग्रीवो मातामहमुपस्थितम् । वित्तेशो गुरुरस्माकं नार्हसे वक्तुमीदृशम् ।। ७.११.
Then the ten-headed one spoke to his grandfather who had come near: 'Kubera is our teacher; you ought not to speak in this way.'
साम्नापि राक्षसेन्द्रेण प्रत्याख्यातो गरीयसा । किञ्चिन्नाह तदा रक्षो ज्ञात्वा तस्य चकीर्षितम् ।। ७.११.
Even when addressed with conciliation by the king of the Rākṣasas, he was refused by the illustrious one; at that time, the Rākṣasa, knowing his intention, said nothing.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य वसन्तं रावणं ततः । उक्तवन्तं तथा वाक्यं दशग्रीवं निशाचरः ।। ७.११.
Then, after some time had passed, as Rāvaṇa was residing there, the night-wanderer spoke such words to the ten-headed one.
प्रहस्तः प्रश्रितं वाक्यमिदमाह स कारणम् ।। ७.११.
Prahasta, with humility, spoke these words, giving the reason.
दशग्रीव महाबाहो नार्हस्त्वं वक्तुमीदृशम् । सौभ्रात्रं नास्ति शूराणां शृणु चेदं वचो मम ।। ७.११.
O ten-headed one, mighty-armed, you should not speak in this way; among the valiant, there is no brotherly affection—listen to these words of mine.
अदितिश्च दितिश्चैव भगिन्यौ सहिते हि ते । भार्ये परमरूपिण्यौ कश्यपस्य प्रजापतेः ।। ७.११.
Aditi and Diti, indeed, are sisters, both supremely beautiful wives of Kaśyapa, the lord of creatures.
अदितिर्जनयामास देवांस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरान् । दितिस्त्वजनयत्पुत्रान्कश्यपस्यात्मसम्भवान् ।। ७.११.
Aditi gave birth to the gods, the rulers of the three worlds; but Diti bore sons, the offspring of Kaśyapa himself.
दैत्यानां किल धर्मज्ञ पुरीयं सवनार्णवा । सपर्वता मही वीर ते ऽभवन्प्रभविष्णवः ।। ७.११.
It is said, O knower of righteousness, that this earth with its oceans and mountains was once ruled by the powerful Daityas.
निहत्य तांस्तु समरे विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना । देवानां वशमानीतं त्रैलोक्यमिदमव्ययम् ।। ७.११.
But when those Daityas were slain in battle by Viṣṇu, the mighty one, this imperishable threefold world was brought under the dominion of the gods.
नैतदेको भवानेव करिष्यति विपर्ययम् । सुरासुरैराचरितं तत्कुरुष्व वचो मम ।। ७.११.
You alone will not bring about a reversal of this; what has been done by gods and demons—do you follow my advice.
एवमुक्तो दशग्रीवः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना । चिन्तयित्वा मुहूर्तं वै बाढमित्येव सो ऽब्रवीत् ।। ७.११.
Thus addressed, the ten-headed one, delighted in his heart, after pondering for a moment, said, 'So be it.'
स तु तेनैव हर्षेण तस्मिन्नहनि वीर्यवान् । वनं गतो दशग्रीवः सह तैः क्षणदाचरैः ।। ७.११.
Then, filled with that same joy, the valiant ten-headed one went to the forest that very day, together with those night-wanderers.
त्रिकूटस्थः स तु तदा दशग्रीवो निशाचरः । प्रेषयामास दौत्येन प्रहस्तं वाक्यकोविदम् ।। ७.११.
Then, while staying on Trikūṭa, the ten-headed night-wanderer sent Prahasta, skilled in speech, as a messenger.
प्रहस्त शीघ्रं गच्छ त्वं ब्रूहि नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवम् । वचसा मम वित्तेशं सामपूर्वमिदं वचः ।। ७.११.
'Prahasta, go quickly and speak to the foremost among the Nairṛtas; say these words of mine to Kubera, first with conciliation.'
इयं लङ्का पुरी राजन्राक्षसानां महात्मनाम् । त्वया निवेशिता सौम्य नैतद्युक्तं तवानघ ।। ७.११.
'This city of Laṅkā, O king, of the great-souled Rākṣasas, was established by you, gentle one; this is not fitting for you, O faultless one.'
तद्भवान्यदि नो ह्यद्य दद्यादतुलविक्रम । कृता भवेन्मम प्रीतिर्धुर्मश्चैवानुपालितः ।। ७.११.
'Therefore, if today, O one of incomparable valor, you would give it to us, my wish would be fulfilled and duty too would be observed.'
स तु गत्वा पुरीं लङ्कां धनदेन सुरक्षिताम् । अब्रवीत्परमोदारं वित्तपालमिदं वचः ।। ७.११.
Having gone to the city of Laṅkā, well-guarded by Kubera, he spoke these words to the exceedingly generous lord of wealth.
प्रेषितो ऽहं तव भ्रात्रा दशग्रीवेण सुव्रत । त्वत्समीपं महाबाहो सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वर ।। ७.११.
'I have been sent by your brother, the ten-headed one, O steadfast one, to your presence, O mighty-armed, best of all who bear arms.'
तच्छ्रूयतां महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । वचनं मम वित्तेश यद्ब्रवीति दशाननः ।। ७.११.
Hear now, O greatly wise and learned in all the scriptures, what message the Lord of Wealth brings, as spoken by the Ten-Headed One.
इयं किल पुरी रम्या सुमालिप्रमुखैः पुरा । भुक्तपूर्वा विशालाक्ष राक्षसैर्भीमविक्रमैः ।। ७.११.
This charming city, O wide-eyed one, was once enjoyed by the mighty Rakshasas led by Sumali, who were of terrible valor.
तेन विज्ञाप्यते सो ऽयं साम्प्रतं विश्रवात्मज । तदेषा दीयतां तात याचतस्तस्य सामतः ।। ७.११.
Now, the son of Vishrava requests you through me; therefore, O father, grant this city to him who asks, with your consent.
प्रहस्तादभिसंश्रुत्य देवो वैश्रवणो वचः । प्रत्युवाच प्रहस्तं तं वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः ।। ७.११.
Having heard the words of Prahasta, Lord Vaishravana, skilled in speech, replied to Prahasta in these words.
दत्ता ममेयं पित्रा तु लङ्का शून्या निशाचरैः । निवासिते च मे यक्षैर्दानमानादिभिर्गुणैः ।। ७.११.
This Lanka, once deserted by the night-wandering demons, was given to me by my father, and I have settled Yakshas here, endowed with generosity, respect, and other virtues.
ब्रूहि गच्छ दशग्रीवं पुरं राज्यं च यन्मम । तवाप्येतन्महाबाहो भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यमकण्टकम् ।। ७.११.
Go and tell Dashagriva: the city and kingdom that are mine, O mighty-armed one, you too may enjoy this kingdom without hindrance.
एवमुक्त्वा धनाध्यक्षो जगाम पितुरन्तिकम् ।। ७.११.
Having spoken thus, the Lord of Wealth went to his father's presence.