दैत्याश्च शतशस्तत्र कृतवैराश्च दैवतैः । रावणं प्रेक्ष्य गच्छन्तमन्वगच्छन्हि पृष्ठतः ।। ७.२५.
There, hundreds of Daityas, who had enmity with the gods, upon seeing Rāvaṇa going, indeed followed behind him.
स तु गत्वा मधुपुरं प्रविश्य च दशाननः । न ददर्श मधुं तत्र भगिनीं तत्र दृष्टवान् ।। ७.२५.
Having gone to Madhupura and entered it, the ten-headed one did not see Madhu there, but he saw his sister there.
सा च प्रह्वाञ्जलिर्भूत्वा शिरसा चरणौ गता ।। ७.२५.
She, with hands joined in reverence, bowed her head at his feet.
तस्य राक्षसराजस्य त्रस्ता कुम्भीनसी तदा । तां समुत्थापयामास न भेतव्यमिति ब्रुवन् ।। ७.२५.
At that time, Kumbhīnasī, frightened of the king of the Rākṣasas, was raised up by him as he said, 'Do not be afraid.'
रावणो राक्षसश्रेष्ठः किं चापि करवाणि ते । साब्रवीद्यदि मे राजन्प्रसन्नस्त्वं महाभुज । भर्तारं न ममेहाद्य हन्तुर्महसि मानद ।। ७.२५.
Rāvaṇa, best among Rākṣasas, said to his sister standing there, 'What can I do for you? If you, O king with mighty arms, are pleased with me today, do not kill my husband in your wrath, O giver of honor.'
न हीदृशं भयं किञ्चित्कुलस्त्रीणामिहोच्यते । भयानामपि सर्वेषां वैधव्यं व्यसनं महत् ।। ७.२५.
Such fear is not spoken of here for women of noble families; for all, widowhood is the greatest misfortune among fears.
सत्यवाग्भव राजेन्द्र मामवेक्षस्व याचतीम् । त्वयाप्युक्तं महाराज न भेतव्यमिति स्वयम् ।। ७.२५.
O king of kings, be truthful and look upon me as I beg; you yourself, great king, have said, 'Do not be afraid.'
रावणस्त्वब्रवीद्धृष्टः स्वसारं तत्र संस्थिताम् । क्व चासौ तव भर्ता वै मम शीघ्रं निवेद्यताम् ।। ७.२५.
Then Rāvaṇa, bold, spoke to his sister standing there: 'Where is your husband? Let him be brought to me quickly.'
सह तेन गमिष्यामि सुरलोकं जयावहे । तव कारुण्यसौहार्दान्निवृत्तो ऽस्मि मधोर्वधात् ।। ७.२५.
'I will go with him to the world of the gods and win victory; out of compassion and friendship for you, I have turned away from killing Madhu.'
इत्युक्ता सा समुत्थाप्य प्रसुप्तं तं निशाचरम् । अब्रवीत्सम्प्रहृष्टेव राक्षसी सा पतिं वचः ।। ७.२५.
Thus addressed, she raised up her sleeping night-wandering husband and, delighted, the Rākṣasī spoke these words to her husband.
एष प्राप्तो दशग्रीवो मम भ्राता महाबलः । सुरलोकजयाकाङ्क्षी साहाय्ये त्वां वृणोति च ।। ७.२५.
'This ten-headed one, my mighty brother, has arrived; desiring victory over the world of the gods, he seeks your help.'
तदस्य त्वं सहायार्थं सबन्धुर्गच्छ राक्षस । स्निग्धस्य भजमानस्य युक्तमर्थाय कल्पितुम् ।। ७.२५.
'Therefore, you, together with your kin, go to assist him, O Rākṣasa; it is fitting to act for the purpose of one who is affectionate and devoted.'
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा तथेत्याह मधुर्वचः ।। ७.२५.
Hearing her words, he replied sweetly, 'So be it.'
ददर्श राक्षसश्रेष्ठं यथान्यायमुपेत्य सः । पूजयमास धर्मेण रावणं राक्षसाधिपम् ।। ७.२५.
He approached the best of Rākṣasas as was proper, and with due honor worshipped Rāvaṇa, lord of the Rākṣasas.
प्राप्य पूजां दशग्रीवो मधुवेश्मानि वीर्यवान् । तत्र चैकां निशामुष्य गमनायोपचक्रमे ।। ७.२५.
Having received honor, the valorous ten-headed one stayed in Madhu's house, and after spending one night there, began preparations for departure.
ततः कैलासमासाद्य शैलं वैश्रवणालयम् । राक्षसेन्द्रो महेन्द्राभः सेनामुपनिवेशयत् ।। ७.२५.
Then, reaching Mount Kailāsa, the abode of Vaiśravaṇa, the king of the Rākṣasas, radiant as Indra, stationed his army there.
स तु तत्र दशग्रीवः सह सैन्येन वीर्यवान् । अस्तं प्राप्ते दिनकरे निवासं समरोचयत् ।। ७.२६.
There, the ten-headed one, powerful, together with his army, chose to make camp as the sun set.
उदिते विमले चन्द्रे तुल्यपर्वतवर्चसि । प्रसुप्तं सुमहत्सैन्यं नानाप्रहरणायुधम् ।। ७.२६.
When the pure moon, shining like a mountain, had risen, the vast army, equipped with various weapons, lay asleep.
रावणस्तु महावीर्यो निषण्णः शैलमूर्धनि । स ददर्श गुणांस्तत्र चन्द्रपादपशोभितान् ।। ७.२६.
Rāvaṇa, of great might, seated upon the summit of the mountain, saw there groves adorned by the moon and trees.
कर्णिकारवनैर्दीप्तैः कदम्बगहनैस्तथा । पद्मिनीभिश्च फुल्लाभिर्मन्दाकिन्या जलैरपि ।। ७.२६.
With radiant groves of karṇikāra and dense thickets of kadamba, blooming lotuses, and the waters of the Mandākinī river,
चम्पकाशोकपुन्नागमन्दारतरुभिस्तथा । चूतपाटललोध्रैश्च प्रियङ्ग्वर्जुनकेतकैः । तगरैर्नारिकैलैश्च प्रियालपनसैस्तथा ।। ७.२६.
With campaka, aśoka, punnāga, mandāra trees, as well as mango, pāṭala, lodhra, priyangu, arjuna, ketaka, tagara, coconut, priyāla, and jackfruit trees,
आरग्वधैस्तमालैश्च प्रियालवकुलैरपि । एतैरन्यैश्च तरुभिरुद्भासितवनान्तरे । किन्नरा मदनेनार्ता रक्ता मधुरकण्ठिनः ।। ७.२६.
With āragvadha, tamāla, priyāla, vakula, and other trees brightening the forest's edge, where Kinnaras, tormented by love, sang sweetly with passionate voices,
समं सम्प्रजगुर्यत्र मनस्तुष्टिविवर्धनम् ।। ७.२६.
There, they sang together in harmony, increasing the delight of the mind.
भिरुद्भासितवनान्तरे । विद्याधरा मदक्षीबा मदरक्तान्तलोचनाः । योषिद्भिः सह सङ्क्रान्ताश्चिक्रीडुर्जहृषुश्च वै ।। ७.२६.
In that forest brightened by trees, Vidyādharas, their eyes reddened with intoxication, together with women, played and rejoiced.
घण्टानामिव सन्नादः शुश्रुवे मधुरस्वरः । अप्सरोगणसङ्घानां गायतां धनदालये ।। ७.२६.
A sweet-sounding resonance, like the ringing of bells, was heard from the groups of Apsarases singing in the mansion of the Lord of Wealth.
पुष्पवर्षाणि मुञ्चन्तो नगाः पवनताडिताः । शैलं तं वासयन्तीव मधुमाधवगन्धिनः ।। ७.२६.
The trees, struck by the wind, released showers of flowers, as if perfuming that mountain with the scent of honey and spring blossoms.
मधुपुष्परजःपृक्तं गन्धमादाय पुष्कलम् । प्रववौ वर्धयन्कामं रावणस्य सुखो ऽनिलः ।। ७.२६.
The gentle wind, carrying a rich fragrance mixed with honey, flowers, and pollen, blew pleasantly, increasing Rāvaṇa's desire.
गेयात्पुष्पसमृद्ध्या च शैत्याद्वायोर्गिरेर्गुणात् । प्रवृत्तायां रजन्यां च चन्द्रस्योदयनेन च ।। ७.२६.
Because of the singing, the abundance of flowers, the coolness of the breeze, the mountain's qualities, the onset of night, and the rising of the moon,
रावणस्तु महावीर्यः कामस्य वशमागतः । विनिःश्वस्य विनिःश्वस्य शशिनं समवैक्षत ।। ७.२६.
Rāvaṇa, of great might, overcome by desire, sighed deeply again and again, gazing at the moon.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र दिव्याभरणभूषिता । सर्वाप्सरोवरा रम्भा दिव्यपुष्पविभूषिता ।। ७.२६.
Meanwhile, there appeared the foremost of all Apsarases, Rambhā, adorned with divine ornaments and decorated with celestial flowers.