Sarga 35

Verse 6.35.1

तेनशङ्खविमिश्रेणभेरीशब्देनराघवः ।उपयातिमहाबाहूरामःपरपुरञ्जयः ।।।।

Amid the mingled blare of conches and the rolling beat of drums, Rāma—mighty-armed Rāghava, conqueror of enemy strongholds—marched forth.

Verse 6.35.2

तंनिनादंनिशम्याथरावणोराक्षसेश्वरः ।मुहूर्तंध्यानमास्थायसचिवानभ्युदैक्षत ।।।।

Purified by austerity and devoted to the fostering of dharma, these twice-born sages continually perform the foremost sacrifices, steadfast in those sacred rites.

Verse 6.35.3

अथतान्सचिवांस्तत्रसर्वानाभाष्यरावणः ।सभांसन्नादयन् सर्वामित्युवाचमहाबलः ।।।।जगत्सन्तापन्क्रूरोगर्हयन्राक्षसेश्वरः ।

Then Rāvaṇa—lord of the Rākṣasas, cruel and a torment to the world—addressed all the ministers there; making the whole assembly resound, the mighty one spoke, reproaching them.

Verse 6.35.4

तरणंसागरस्यापिविक्रमंबलसञ्जियम् ।।।।यदुक्तवन्तोरामस्यभवन्तस्तन्मयाश्रुतम् ।

Then the exceedingly wise rākṣasa named Mālyavān—Rāvaṇa’s maternal grandsire—having heard Rāvaṇa’s words, spoke in reply.

Verse 6.35.5

भवतश्चाप्यहंवेमदियुद्धेसत्यपराक्रमान् ।।।।तूषिकानीक्षतोऽन्योन्यंविदित्वारामविक्रमम् ।

O King, the ruler who is well disciplined in the sciences and follows sound policy reigns long in sovereignty and brings even enemies under his control.

Verse 6.35.6

ततस्तुसुमहाप्राज्ञोमाल्यवान्नामराक्षसः ।।।।रावणस्यवचश्श्रुत्वामातुःपैतामहोऽब्रवीत् ।

For by forming alliances at the proper time, opposing foes when necessary with the aid of scouts, and strengthening his own side, a ruler attains great sovereignty.

Verse 6.35.7

विद्यास्वभिविनीतोयोराजाराजन्नयानुगः ।।।।सशास्तिचिरमैश्वर्यमरींश्चकुरुतेवशे ।

When a king’s power is declining, he should make peace with an equal; he should not despise an enemy—and if the opponent is stronger, he should refrain from hostility.

Verse 6.35.8

सन्दधानोहिकालेनविगृह्णंश्चारिभिस्सह ।।।।स्वपक्षवर्थनंकुर्वन्महदैश्वर्यमश्नुते ।

He by whom that utterly wondrous bridge was bound across the ocean—make peace with that ruler of men, Rāma, O Rāvaṇa. Having understood and rightly judged the course of action, let what is beneficial for the future be done.

Verse 6.35.9

हीयमानेनकर्तव्योराज्ञासन्धिस्समेवच ।।।।नशत्रुमवमन्येतज्यायान्कुर्वीतविग्रहम् ।

Having spoken thus, mighty Mālyavān—foremost in counsel among the eminent—again examined the rākṣasa-lord’s mind; and seeing Rāvaṇa, he fell silent.

Verse 6.35.10

तन्मह्यंरोचतेसन्धिस्सहरामेणरावण ।।।।यदर्थमभियुक्ता: स्मसीतातस्मैप्रदीयताम् ।

“O Rāvaṇa, reconciliation with Rāma is pleasing to us. Let Sītā—on whose account we have been attacked—be restored to him.”

Verse 6.35.11

यस्यदेवर्षयस्सर्वेगन्धर्वाश्चजयैषिणः ।।।।विरोथंमागमस्तेनसन्धिस्तेतेनरोचताम् ।

“All the devarṣis and the Gandharvas, yearning for victory, desire his triumph. Therefore do not enter into hostility with him; let alliance with him be pleasing to you.”

Verse 6.35.12

असृजद्भगवान्पक्षौद्वावेनहिपितामहः ।।।।सुराणामसुराणांचधर्माधर्मौतदाश्रयौ ।

Truly, the blessed Pitāmaha (Brahmā) created two opposing sides—devas and asuras—resting respectively upon dharma and adharma.

Verse 6.35.13

धर्मोहिश्रूयतेपक्षीह्यमराणांमहात्मनाम् ।।।।अधर्मोरक्षसांपक्षोह्यसुराणांचराक्षस ।

Dharma, it is said, is the side of the noble immortals, the great-souled; adharma is the side of the rākṣasas and the asuras, O Rākṣasa.

Verse 6.35.14

धर्मोवैग्रसतेऽधर्मंततःकृतमभूद्युगम् ।।।।अधर्मोग्रसतेधर्मंततस्तिष्यःप्रवर्तते ।

When dharma consumes adharma, that age is called the Kṛta Yuga; when adharma overwhelms dharma, then the Tiṣya (Kali) age comes into force.

Verse 6.35.15

तत्त्वयाचरयालोकान्धर्मोपिविनिहतोमहान् ।।।।अधर्मःप्रगृहीतश्चतेनास्मद्बलिनःपरे ।

As you ranged through the worlds, you cast aside even great dharma and embraced adharma; therefore the foes—standing with righteousness—have become stronger than we.

Verse 6.35.16

सप्रमादावदिवृद्धस्तेऽधर्मोहिग्रसतेहिनः ।।।।विवर्थयतिपक्षंचसुराणांसुरभावनः ।

That adharma, nourished by your negligence, will indeed devour us; and it strengthens the side of the gods, becoming a cause of their increase in power.

Verse 6.35.17

विषयेषुप्रसक्तेनयत्किञ्चित्कारणात्वया ।।।।ऋषीणामग्नकल्पानामुद्वेगोजनितोमहान् ।

Because you are engrossed in sense-pleasures, on some account or other you have stirred great distress among the seers—those who are like fire in the power of their austerity.

Verse 6.35.18

तेषांप्रभावोदुर्धर्षःप्रदीप्तइवपावकः ।।।।तपसाभावितात्मानोधर्मस्यानुग्रहेरताः ।मुख्यर्यज्ञैर्यजन्त्येतेनित्यंतैस्सैर्द्विजातयः ।।।।जुह्वत्यनगींश्चविधिवद्वेदांश्चोच्चैरधीयते ।अभिभूयचरक्षांसिब्रह्मघोषानुदैरयन् ।।।।दिशोऽपिविद्रुतास्सर्वेस्तनयित्नुरिवोष्णगे ।

Their spiritual power is hard to withstand, blazing like fire. Purified by austerity and devoted to the upholding of dharma, those twice-born ones continually perform the foremost sacrifices, duly offering oblations and loudly reciting the Vedas. Having subdued the rākṣasas, they raise the sound of sacred formulae; and the rākṣasas flee in every direction, like clouds scattered in the heat of summer.

Verse 6.35.19

तेषांप्रभावोदुर्धर्षःप्रदीप्तइवपावकः ।।6.35.18।।तपसाभावितात्मानोधर्मस्यानुग्रहेरताः ।मुख्यर्यज्ञैर्यजन्त्येतेनित्यंतैस्सैर्द्विजातयः ।।6.35.19।।जुह्वत्यनगींश्चविधिवद्वेदांश्चोच्चैरधीयते ।अभिभूयचरक्षांसिब्रह्मघोषानुदैरयन् ।।6.35.20।।दिशोऽपिविद्रुतास्सर्वेस्तनयित्नुरिवोष्णगे ।

Hearing that uproar, Rāvaṇa—the lord of the rākṣasas—paused for a moment in reflection, and then looked toward his ministers.

Verse 6.35.20

तेषांप्रभावोदुर्धर्षःप्रदीप्तइवपावकः ।।6.35.18।।तपसाभावितात्मानोधर्मस्यानुग्रहेरताः ।मुख्यर्यज्ञैर्यजन्त्येतेनित्यंतैस्सैर्द्विजातयः ।।6.35.19।।जुह्वत्यनगींश्चविधिवद्वेदांश्चोच्चैरधीयते ।अभिभूयचरक्षांसिब्रह्मघोषानुदैरयन् ।।6.35.20।।दिशोऽपिविद्रुतास्सर्वेस्तनयित्नुरिवोष्णगे ।

They duly offer oblations into the fires and loudly recite the Vedas; and, having overpowered the rākṣasas, they raise the resonant sounds of sacred formulae—so that the rākṣasas flee in every direction, like clouds scattering in the heat of summer.

Verse 6.35.21

ऋषीणामग्निकल्पानामग्निहोत्रासमुत्थितः ।।।।अदत्तेरक्षसांतेजोधूमोव्याप्यदिशोदश ।

The smoke rising from the agnihotra of the seers—who are like fire itself—spreads through the ten directions and steals away the radiance of the Rakshasas.

Verse 6.35.22

तेषुतेषुचदेशेषुपुण्येष्वेवदृढव्रतैः ।।।।चर्यमाणंतपस्तीव्रंसन्तापयतिराक्षसान् ।

In those many regions—especially in sacred places—the intense austerity practiced by the firm-vowed ascetics scorches and torments the Rakshasas.

Verse 6.35.23

देवदानवयक्षेभ्योगृहीतश्चवरस्त्वया ।।।।मनुषावानराऋक्षागोलाङ्गूलामहाबलाः ।बलवन्तइहागम्यगर्जन्तीदृढविक्रमाः ।।।।

You obtained a boon of safety from gods, Dānavas, and Yakṣas; yet here now come powerful humans, Vānaras, bears, and dark-faced monkeys—mighty and strong—roaring with unwavering valor.

Verse 6.35.24

देवदानवयक्षेभ्योगृहीतश्चवरस्त्वया ।।6.35.23।।मनुषावानराऋक्षागोलाङ्गूलामहाबलाः ।बलवन्तइहागम्यगर्जन्तीदृढविक्रमाः ।।6.35.24।।

You obtained a boon of safety from gods, Dānavas, and Yakṣas; yet here now come powerful humans, Vānaras, bears, and dark-faced monkeys—mighty and strong—roaring with unwavering valor.

Verse 6.35.25

उत्पातान्विविधान्दृष्टवाघोरन्बहुविधांस्तथा ।विनाशमनुपश्यामिसर्वेषांरक्षसामहम् ।।।।

Seeing many kinds of dreadful portents, I foresee the destruction of all the Rakshasas.

Verse 6.35.26

खराभिस्न्तिताघोरामेघाःप्रतिभयङ्कराः ।शोणितेनाभिवर्षन्तिलङ्कामुष्णेनसर्वतः ।।।।

Terrifying, dreadful clouds, crackling with harsh thunder, rain hot blood upon Laṅkā on every side.

Verse 6.35.27

रुदतांवाहनानांचप्रपवन्त्यौस्रबिन्दवः ।ध्वजाध्वस्ताविवर्णाश्चनप्रभान्तियथापुरम् ।।।।

From the mounts that seem to weep, teardrops fall; and the banners and the dust-dulled horses and elephants appear discolored, no longer shining as they once did.

Verse 6.35.28

व्याळागोमायवोगृध्रावाश्यन्तिचसुभैरवम् ।प्रविश्यलङ्कामनिशंसमवायांश्चकुर्वते ।।।।

Wicked beasts—jackals and vultures—have entered deep into Laṅkā; gathering together without pause, they cry out with terrifying sounds.

Verse 6.35.29

काळिकाःपाण्डुरैर्दन्तै: प्रहसन्त्यग्रतःस्थिताः ।स्त्रियस्स्वप्नेषुमुष्ण्नत्योगृहाणिप्रतिभाष्यच ।।।।

In dreams, coal-black women with pale teeth stand before us, laughing loudly; speaking ominously, they seem to plunder the very homes—an evil sign.

Verse 6.35.30

गृहाणांबलिकर्माणिश्वानःपर्युपभुञ्जते ।खरागोषुप्रजायन्तेमूषकानकुलैस्सह ।।।।

In the houses, dogs consume the food-offerings meant for worship; among the cows, donkeys are born, and rats are born together with mongooses—signs of nature’s inversion and impending calamity.

Verse 6.35.31

मार्जाराद्वीपिभिस्सार्थंसूकराश्शुनकैस्सह ।किन्नराराक्षसैश्चापिसमीयुर्मानुषैस्सह ।।।।

Cats consort with leopards, pigs with dogs; even Kinnaras mingle with Rākṣasas and with humans—confusions of kind that bode the collapse of order.

Verse 6.35.32

पाण्डुरारक्तपादाश्चविहङ्गाःकालचोदिताः ।राक्षसानांविनाशायकपोताविचरन्तिच ।।।।

White doves with red feet, driven by Time itself, roam about—foretelling the destruction of the Rākṣasas.

Verse 6.35.33

वीचीकूचीतिवाश्य्नत्यश्शारिकावेश्मसुस्थिताः ।पतन्तिग्रथिताश्चापिनिर्जिताःकलहैषिणः ।।।।

Mynas dwelling in the houses cry out with strange calls; even combative birds, tangled in conflict, fall down—defeated—another ominous sign.

Verse 6.35.34

पक्षिणश्चमृगास्सर्वेप्रत्यादित्यंरुदन्तिच ।कराळोविकटोमुण्डःपुरुषःकष्णपिङ्गळः ।।।।कालोगृहाणिसर्वेषांकालेकालेऽन्ववेक्षते ।एतान्यन्यानिदुष्टानिनिमित्तान्युत्पतन्तिच ।।।।

All birds and beasts cry out toward the sun as if in hostility. Time (Kāla) itself appears as a dreadful, grotesque, shaven-headed, dark-tawny figure, repeatedly looking into every household. These and other sinister portents keep arising.

Verse 6.35.35

पक्षिणश्चमृगास्सर्वेप्रत्यादित्यंरुदन्तिच ।कराळोविकटोमुण्डःपुरुषःकष्णपिङ्गळः ।।6.35.34।।कालोगृहाणिसर्वेषांकालेकालेऽन्ववेक्षते ।एतान्यन्यानिदुष्टानिनिमित्तान्युत्पतन्तिच ।।6.35.35।।

All birds and beasts cry out in hostility toward the sun; Kāla appears as a dreadful, grotesque, shaven-headed figure, dark and tawny, repeatedly peering into every home. These and other evil omens continue to arise.

Verse 6.35.36

विष्णुंमन्यामहेरामंमानुषंरूपमास्थितम् ।नहिमानुषमात्रोऽसौराघवोदृढविक्रमः ।।।।येनबद्धःसमुद्रेचसेतुःसपरमाद्भुतः ।कुरुष्वनरराजेनसधनिंरामेणरावण ।।।।ज्ञात्वावधार्यकर्माणिक्रियतामायतिक्षमम् ।

We regard Rāma as Viṣṇu who has assumed a human form; that steadfast and mighty Rāghava is not merely human. He is the one by whom an astonishing bridge has been built upon the ocean. O Rāvaṇa, make peace with that king of men, Rāma; having understood and rightly determined the course of action, do what will endure for the future.

Verse 6.35.37

विष्णुंमन्यामहेरामंमानुषंरूपमास्थितम् ।नहिमानुषमात्रोऽसौराघवोदृढविक्रमः ।।6.35.36।।येनबद्धःसमुद्रेचसेतुःसपरमाद्भुतः ।कुरुष्वनरराजेनसधनिंरामेणरावण ।।6.35.37।।ज्ञात्वावधार्यकर्माणिक्रियतामायतिक्षमम् ।

I have heard what you have said—about the sea being crossed, and about the valor and gathered strength displayed in Rāma’s cause.

Verse 6.35.38

इदंवचस्तत्रनिशम्यमाल्यवान्परीक्ष्यरक्षोधिपतेर्मनःपुनः ।अनुत्तमेषूत्तमपौरुषोबलीबभूवतूष्णींसमवेक्ष्यरावणम् ।।।।

I know you too to be truly valorous in war; yet, having understood Rāma’s prowess, you stand silent, looking at one another.