Chapter 19
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
राघवेन अभये दत्ते सम्नतो रावण अनुजः
विभीषणो महाप्राज्ञो भूमिम् समवलोकयत्
rāghavena abhaye datte samnato rāvaṇa anujaḥ
vibhīṣaṇo mahāprājño bhūmim samavalokayat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While the assurance of protection having been given to Rama, the highly sagacious Vibhishana the brother of Ravana bent down and glanced towards the earth.
खात् पपात अवनिम् हृष्टो भक्तैर् अनुचरैः सह
स तु रामस्य धर्म आत्मा निपपात विभीषणः
khāt papāta avanim hṛṣṭo bhaktair anucaraiḥ saha
sa tu rāmasya dharma ātmā nipapāta vibhīṣaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The virtuous Vibhishana descended joyously from the sky to the ground along with his faithful companions and alighted in the vicinity of Rama.
पादयोः शरण अन्वेषी चतुर्भिः सह राक्षसैः
अब्रवीच् च तदा रामम् वाक्यम् तत्र विभीषणः
pādayoḥ śaraṇa anveṣī caturbhiḥ saha rākṣasaiḥ
abravīc ca tadā rāmam vākyam tatra vibhīṣaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, Vibhishana along with the four demons fell prostrate and spoke to Rama the following words which were equitable suitable and delightful.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I am the younger brother of Ravana and was humiliated by him. I sought refuge in you, who are the refuge for all the beings."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Abandoning Lanka, friends and possessions, I place my kingdom, life and happiness at your disposal."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing those words of Vibhishana, Rama in a soothing tone and with a refreshing look in his eyes, spoke these words: "Tell me really the strengths and weaknesses of the demons."
एवमुक्तम् तदा रक्षो रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा
रावणस्य बलम् सर्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे
evamuktam tadā rakṣo rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā
rāvaṇasya balam sarvamākhyātumupacakrame
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thus asked then by Rama who was unwearied in action, Vibhishana started telling about the detailed strength of Ravana.
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानाम् गन्धर्वोरगपक्षिणाम्
राजपुत्र दशग्रीवो वरदानात्स्वयम्भुवः
avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānām gandharvoragapakṣiṇām
rājaputra daśagrīvo varadānātsvayambhuvaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, prince! Because of a special boon given by Brahma (lord of creation), Ravana can not be killed by all beings, Gandharvas (celestial musicians), serpents, and birds."
रावणानन्तरो भ्राता मम ज्येष्ठश्च वीर्यवान्
कुम्भकर्णो महातेजाः शक्रप्रतिबलो युधि
rāvaṇānantaro bhrātā mama jyeṣṭhaśca vīryavān
kumbhakarṇo mahātejāḥ śakrapratibalo yudhi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Kumbhakarna, my elder brother born after Ravana, who is valiant and highly powerful, has enough strength to fight against Indra (Lord of celestials) in battle.
राम सेनापतिस्तस्य प्रहस्तो यदि ते श्रुतः
कैलासे येन सम मणिभद्रः पराजितः
rāma senāpatistasya prahasto yadi te śrutaḥ
kailāse yena sama maṇibhadraḥ parājitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Rama! You might have heard about Prahasta, his chief of army. He defeated Manibhadra in a battle on the mountain of Kailasa."
बद्दगोधाङ्गुलित्रश्च अवध्यकवचो युधि
धनुरादाय यस्तिष्ठन्नदृश्यो भवतीन्द्रजित्
baddagodhāṅgulitraśca avadhyakavaco yudhi
dhanurādāya yastiṣṭhannadṛśyo bhavatīndrajit
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"When furnished with gloves made of the skin of Iguana (to prevent injury from the bowstring) and when clad in armor that no arrow can pierce, that Indrajit (son of Ravana) standing in battle wielding a bow, becomes invisible."
सम्ग्रामे सुमहद्व्यूहे तर्पयित्वा हुताशनम्
अन्तर्धानगतः श्रीमानिन्द्रजिद्धन्ति राघव
samgrāme sumahadvyūhe tarpayitvā hutāśanam
antardhānagataḥ śrīmānindrajiddhanti rāghava
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Rama! The glorious Indrajit, having propitiated the God of Fire, strikes his enemy while remaining invisible in the battle field with a huge battle array (on both sides)"
महोदरमहापार्स्वौ राक्षसश्चाप्यकम्पनः
अवीकपास्तु तप्यैते लोकपालसमा युधि
mahodaramahāpārsvau rākṣasaścāpyakampanaḥ
avīkapāstu tapyaite lokapālasamā yudhi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Mahodara and Mahaparsva along with a demon called Akampana who are equal to the guardians of the world in battle - they are the commanders of his army."
दशकोटिसहस्राणि रक्षसाम् कामरूपिणाम्
मांसशोणितभक्ष्याणाम् लङ्कापुरनिवासिनाम्
daśakoṭisahasrāṇi rakṣasām kāmarūpiṇām
māṃsaśoṇitabhakṣyāṇām laṅkāpuranivāsinām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"In the city of Lanka, are residing ten thousand crore demons, who can assume any form at will and who consume flesh and blood as their staple food"
स तैस्तु सहितो राजा लोकपालानयोधयत्
सह देवैस्तु ते भग्ना रावणेन दुरात्मना
sa taistu sahito rājā lokapālānayodhayat
saha devaistu te bhagnā rāvaṇena durātmanā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"King Ravana along with those demons made war against the guardians of the earth. Those guardians of the earth along with the celestials were defeated by the wicked Ravana."
विभीषणस्य तु वचस्तछ्रुत्वा रघुसत्तमः
अन्वीक्ष्य मनसा सर्वमिदम् वचनमब्रवीत्
vibhīṣaṇasya tu vacastachrutvā raghusattamaḥ
anvīkṣya manasā sarvamidam vacanamabravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the aforesaid words of Vibhishana, Rama scrutinized them all attentively and spoke the following words:
यानि कर्मापदानानि रावणस्य विभीषण
अख्यातानि च तत्त्वेन ह्यवगच्चामि तान्यहम्
yāni karmāpadānāni rāvaṇasya vibhīṣaṇa
akhyātāni ca tattvena hyavagaccāmi tānyaham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Vibhishana! I indeed know those feats standing to the credit of Ravana, which were told by you, as true."
अहम् हत्वा दशग्रीवम् सप्रहस्तम् सहात्मजम्
राजानम् त्वाम् करिष्यामि सत्यमेतच्छृणोतु मे
aham hatvā daśagrīvam saprahastam sahātmajam
rājānam tvām kariṣyāmi satyametacchṛṇotu me
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After killing Ravana along with Prahasta and his son (Indrajit), I will make you the king. Hear this truth from me."
रसातलम् वा प्रविशेत्पातालम् वापि रावणः
पितामहसकाशम् वा न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यते
rasātalam vā praviśetpātālam vāpi rāvaṇaḥ
pitāmahasakāśam vā na me jīvanvimokṣyate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Ravana may well plunge into Rasaatala (the penultimate subterranean region) or even Paataala (the nethermost subterranean region) or seek the presence of Brahma and he will not be left alive by me."
अहत्वा रावणम् सम्ख्ये सपुत्रजनबान्धवम्
अयोध्याम् न प्रवेक्ष्यामि त्रिभिस्तैर्भ्रतृभिः शपेः
ahatvā rāvaṇam samkhye saputrajanabāndhavam
ayodhyām na pravekṣyāmi tribhistairbhratṛbhiḥ śapeḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I will not enter Ayodhya without killing Ravana together with his sons, companions and relatives in battle. I take oath on my three brothers."
श्रुत्वा तु वचनम् तस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः
शिरसा वन्द्य धर्मात्मा वक्तुमेव प्रचक्रमे
śrutvā tu vacanam tasya rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ
śirasā vandya dharmātmā vaktumeva pracakrame
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the words of that Rama, who was unwearied in action, the right minded Vibhishana saluted him by bowing his head and started telling as follows:
राक्षसानाम् वधे साह्यम् लंकायाः च प्रधर्षणे
करिष्यामि यथा प्राणम् प्रवेक्ष्यामि च वाहिनीम्
rākṣasānām vadhe sāhyam laṃkāyāḥ ca pradharṣaṇe
kariṣyāmi yathā prāṇam pravekṣyāmi ca vāhinīm
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I will extend my help in killing the demons and in attacking the city of Lanka. According to my strength, I will also penetrate into the army of the adversary to fight."
इति ब्रुवाणम् रामस् तु परिष्वज्य विभीषणम्
अब्रवील् लक्ष्मणम् प्रीतः समुद्राज् जलम् आनय
iti bruvāṇam rāmas tu pariṣvajya vibhīṣaṇam
abravīl lakṣmaṇam prītaḥ samudrāj jalam ānaya
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama on his part, duly delighted, embraced Vibhishana who was speaking as aforesaid and spoke to Lakshmana as follows: "Bring some water from the ocean."
तेन च इमम् महाप्राज्ञम् अभिषिन्च विभीषणम्
राजानम् रक्षसाम् क्षिप्रम् प्रसन्ने मयि मानद
tena ca imam mahāprājñam abhiṣinca vibhīṣaṇam
rājānam rakṣasām kṣipram prasanne mayi mānada
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Lakshmana who bestows honor on others! Quickly consecrate as a king of demons this greatly intelligent Vibhishana with that water, so that I am pleased."
एवम् उक्तस् तु सौमित्रिर् अभ्यषिन्चद् विभीषणम्
मध्ये वानर मुख्यानाम् राजानम् राम शासनात्
evam uktas tu saumitrir abhyaṣincad vibhīṣaṇam
madhye vānara mukhyānām rājānam rāma śāsanāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing Rama's words, Lakshmana consecrated Vibhishana as a king, as per the royal instructions, amidst the leaders of monkeys.
तम् प्रसादम् तु रामस्य दृष्ट्वा सद्यः प्लवम् गमाः
प्रचुक्रुशुर् महानादान् साधु साध्व् इति च अब्रुवन्
tam prasādam tu rāmasya dṛṣṭvā sadyaḥ plavam gamāḥ
pracukruśur mahānādān sādhu sādhv iti ca abruvan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Perceiving that instant graciousness in Rama, the monkeys cried, proclaiming "excellent, excellent" about the high soled Rama.
अब्रवीच् च हनूमाम्ः च सुग्रीवः च विभीषणम्
कथम् सागरम् अक्षोभ्यम् तराम वरुण आलयम्
abravīc ca hanūmāmḥ ca sugrīvaḥ ca vibhīṣaṇam
katham sāgaram akṣobhyam tarāma varuṇa ālayam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hanuman and Sugreeva asked Vibhishana as follows: " How can we cross the imperturbable ocean, the habitation of Varuna, the god of water by all of us along with our army of monkeys possessing a great splendor?"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"In what manner shall we along with the army swiftly cross the sea, the lord of streams and rivers, and arrive at that strategy?"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing their words, the right minded Vibhishana replied as follows: "It is apt if prince Rama seeks ocean as his refuge"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This immeasurable great ocean was excavated by Sagara*. Hence, this great ocean will be inclined to do the act for Rama, his kinsman".
PURPORT
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the aforesaid words of the learned demon Vibhishana, Sugreeva came to the place where Rama and Lakshmana were there.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The long necked Sugreeva then started to tell the auspicious words of Vibhishana, advising Rama to approach the ocean (to allow him a passage).
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That advice found favor with Rama who by nature is of pious attitude. Then that highly illustrious Rama replied to Sugreeva, the ruler of monkeys who was skillful in action and who was accompanied by Lakshmana. Full of respect for Vibhishana's words, he told him as also his brother Lakshmana smilingly as follows:
विभीषणस्य मन्त्रो अयम् मम लक्ष्मण रोचते
सुग्रीवः पण्डितो नित्यम् भवान् मन्त्र विचक्षणः
vibhīṣaṇasya mantro ayam mama lakṣmaṇa rocate
sugrīvaḥ paṇḍito nityam bhavān mantra vicakṣaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Lakshmana! This idea of Vibhishana is agreeable to me. Sugreeva is a learned person. You are ever wise in your thoughts. Both of you decide on the matter and inform whichever is agreeable to you."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing Rama's words, Sugreeva and Lakshmana both, valiant as they were, spoke with proper courtesy, the following words: .
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O, Rama the tiger among men! Why not Vibhishana's words, which are soothing at this time of crisis be agreeable also to us?"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Without constructing a bridge across this fiery ocean, which is an abode of Lord Varuna, even the celestials and demons along with Indra cannot reach the city of Lanka."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Let the valiant Vibhishana's words be followed suitably. It is enough that we have already wasted our time. Let the ocean be commanded to yield a passage for the army to reach the city being ruled by Ravana."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाम्डे एकोनविंशः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāmḍe ekonaviṃśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having been thus exhorted, Rama then sat on the shore of the ocean covered with blades of Kusha grass, as the God of Fire ascends the altar.