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.
दिव्यचन्दनलिप्ताङ्गी मन्दारकृतमूर्धजा । दिव्योत्सवकृतारम्भा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना ।। ७.२६.
Her limbs anointed with divine sandalwood, her hair adorned with mandāra flowers, prepared for a celestial festival, her face radiant like the full moon,
चक्षुर्मनोहरं पीनं मेखलादामभूषितम् । समुद्वहन्ती जघनं रतिप्राभृतमुत्तमम् ।। ७.२६.
Her captivating eyes, full hips adorned with a jeweled girdle, she bore the finest gifts of love.
कृतैर्विशेषकैरार्द्रैः षडर्तुकुसुमोद्भवैः ।। ७.२६.
With special, freshly made ornaments of flowers from all six seasons.
बभावन्यतमेव श्रीकान्तिद्युतिमतिह्रियाम् । नीलं सतोयमेघाभं वस्त्रं समवकुण्ठिता ।। ७.२६.
She appeared as another goddess of beauty, radiant and modest, draped in a dark blue garment resembling a rain-filled cloud.
यस्या वक्त्रं शशिनिभं भ्रुवौ चापनिभे शुभे । ऊरू करिकराकारौ करौ पल्लवकोमलौ । सैन्यमध्येन गच्छन्ती रावणेनोपवीक्षिता ।। ७.२६.
Her face was like the moon, her beautiful eyebrows shaped like bows, her thighs like the trunks of young elephants, her arms soft as tender shoots; as she walked through the midst of the army, Rāvaṇa gazed intently at her.
तां समुत्थाय गच्छन्तीं कामबाणवशं गतः । करे गृहीत्वा लज्जन्तीं स्मयमानो ऽभ्यभाषत ।। ७.२६.
Overcome by the arrows of desire, Rāvaṇa rose and, taking her shy hand as she walked, spoke to her with a smile.
क्व गच्छसि वरारोहे कां सिद्धिं भजसे स्वयम् । कस्याभ्युदयकालो ऽयं यस्त्वां समुपभोक्ष्यते ।। ७.२६.
"Where are you going, O slender-waisted one? What success do you seek for yourself? For whom is this moment of fortune, who will enjoy your company?"
त्वदाननरसस्याद्य पद्मोत्पलसुगन्धिनः । सुधामृतरसस्येव को ऽद्य तृप्तिं गमिष्यति ।। ७.२६.
"Who today will be satisfied by the nectar-like taste of your lotus- and water-lily-scented mouth?"
स्वर्णकुम्भनिभौ पीनौ शुभौ भीरु निरन्तरौ । कस्योरस्थलसंस्पर्शं दास्यतस्ते कुचाविमौ ।। ७.२६.
"O timid one, whose chest will these two full, auspicious breasts, resembling golden jars and close together, touch?"
सुवर्णचक्रप्रतिमं स्वर्णदामचितं पृथु । अध्यारोहति कस्ते ऽद्य जघनं स्वर्गरूपिणम् ।। ७.२६.
"Who today will ascend your broad hips, adorned with golden chains and resembling a golden disc, which are like paradise itself?"