माल्यवानुपदेशः—रावणक्रोधः तथा लङ्काद्वाररक्षा-व्यवस्था (Malyavan’s Counsel, Ravana’s Anger, and the Fortification of Lanka)
युद्धकाण्ड
Sarga 36 stages a compact political-ethical drama. Ravana, described as having come under the sway of death (kāla), refuses to tolerate Mālyavān’s salutary advice (6.36.1). He responds with visible signs of anger—knitted brows and rolling eyes—and accuses the counselor of speaking harshly from enemy-partisanship or instigation (6.36.2–6.36.7). Ravana then asserts his inviolable pride: he would rather break than bow, presenting stubbornness as an inborn trait difficult to overcome (6.36.11). He dismisses the bridge-building as mere chance and claims Rama will not return alive after crossing with the vānaras (6.36.12–6.36.13). Recognizing Ravana’s rage, Mālyavān withdraws without reply, offering conventional blessings and departing (6.36.14–6.36.15). The chapter then pivots from rhetoric to logistics: Ravana consults ministers and institutes “unequalled” security for Laṅkā—posting Prahasta at the eastern gate, Mahāpārśva and Mahodara at the southern gate, Indrajit (and Mahāmāya) at the western gate, and Śuka-Sāraṇa at the northern gate; Virūpākṣa is stationed in the city’s center as a strong reserve (6.36.16–6.36.21). Having ordered these defenses, Ravana, driven by destiny, feels his task complete and enters the inner palace after dismissing ministers who bless him (6.36.22).
Verse 6.36.1
तत्तुमाल्यवतोवाक्यंहितमुक्तंदशाननः ।नमर्षयतिदुष्टात्माकालस्यवशमागतः ।।।।
But Daśānana, the ten-headed one—evil-minded and now under the sway of Death—could not endure the wholesome words spoken by Mālyavān.
Verse 6.36.2
नबद् ध्वाभ्रुकुटींवक्त्रेक्रोधस्यवशमागतः ।अमर्षात्परिवृत्ताक्षोमाल्यवन्तमथाब्रवीत् ।।।।
Posting Śuka and Sāraṇa at the northern city-gate, he told his ministers: “I myself will go there as well.”
Verse 6.36.3
हितबुध्यायदहितंवचःपरुषमुच्यते ।परपक्षंप्रनिश्यैवनैतच्च्रोत्रगतंमम ।।।।
I suspect you speak harshly to me—either from hatred toward a hero, or from partisanship for the enemy, or because you have been urged on by others.
Verse 6.36.4
मानुषंकृपणंराममेकंशाखामृगाश्रयम् ।समर्थंमन्यसेकेनत्यक्तंपित्रावनालयम् ।।।।
Who, being learned and knowing the truth of the śāstras, would address harshly one who is powerful and established—unless stirred up by the enemy?
Verse 6.36.5
रक्षसामीश्वरंमांचदेवानांचभयङ्करम् ।हीनंमांमन्यसेकेनह्यहीनंसर्वविक्रमैः ।।।।
Having brought Sītā from the forest—like Śrī bereft of her lotus—why should I give her back out of fear of Rāghava?
Verse 6.36.6
वीरद्वेषेणवाशङ्केपक्षपातेनवारिपोः ।त्वयाहंपरुषाण्युक्तःपरप्रोत्साहनेनवा ।।।।
You will see—within only a few days—Rāghava slain by me, along with Lakṣmaṇa and Sugrīva, even though surrounded by crores of vānaras.
Verse 6.36.7
प्रभवन्तंपदस्थंहिपरुषंकोऽभिभाषते ।पण्डितश्शास्त्रतत्त्वज्ञोविनाप्रोत्साहनाद्रिपोः ।।।।
In the city’s central sector, he stationed Virūpākṣa—mighty in strength and valor—together with many rākṣasas.
Verse 6.36.8
आनीयचवनासतीतांपद्महीनामिवश्रियम् ।किमर्थंप्रतिदास्यामिराघवस्यभयादहम् ।।।।
Thus, having set all things in order in Laṅkā, the foremost of the rākṣasas—driven by the pressure of fate—deemed himself as though his task were already accomplished.
Verse 6.36.9
वृतंवानरकोटीभिस्ससुग्रीवंसलक्ष्मणम् ।पश्यकैश्चिदहोभिस्त्वंराघवंनिहतंमया ।।।।
Then, after issuing ample orders for the city’s arrangements, he dismissed the ministers; honored by the council with blessings for victory and welfare, he entered the great, prosperous inner palace chambers.
Verse 6.36.10
द्वन्द्वेयस्यनतिष्ठन्तिदैवतान्यपिसंयुगे ।सकस्माद्रावणोयुद्धेभयमाहारयिष्यति ।।।।
In single combat on the battlefield, even the gods cannot stand firm against him—so from whom would Rāvaṇa ever take fear in war?
Verse 6.36.11
द्विधाभज्येयमप्येवंननमेयंतुकस्यचित् ।एषमेसहजोदोषस्स्वभावोदुरतिक्रमः ।।।।
Overcome by anger, knitting his brows and rolling his eyes in impatience, Rāvaṇa then spoke to Mālyavān.
Verse 6.36.12
यदितावत्समुद्रेतुसेतुर्बद्धोयदृच्छया ।रामेणविस्मयःकोऽत्रयेवमेभयमागतम् ।।।।
Even if I were split in two, I would not bow to anyone. This is my inborn flaw—my nature, hard to overcome.
Verse 6.36.13
सतुतीर्त्वार्णवंरामस्सहवानरसेनया ।प्रतिजानामितेसत्यंनजीवन्प्रतियास्यति ।।।।
If, by mere chance, Rāma has built a bridge upon the ocean—what is so astonishing in that, that fear has seized you because of it?
Verse 6.36.14
एवंब्रुवाणंसंरब्धंरुष्टंविज्ञायरावणम् ।व्रीळितोमाल्यवान्वाक्यंनोत्तरंप्रत्यपद्यत ।।।।
But once Rāma has crossed the ocean together with the host of Vānara, I tell you in truth—he will not return alive.
Verse 6.36.15
जयाशिषाचराजानंवर्धयित्वायथोचितम् ।माल्यवानभ्यनुज्ञातोजगामस्वंनिवेशनम् ।।।।
Seeing Rāvaṇa speaking thus, agitated and enraged, Mālyavān—ashamed—offered no reply.
Verse 6.36.16
रावणस्तुसहामात्योमन्त्रयित्वाविमृश्यच ।लङ्कायामतुलांगुप्तिंकारयामासराक्षसः ।।।।
Having, as custom requires, offered the king blessings for victory, Mālyavān—dismissed with leave—returned to his own dwelling.
Verse 6.36.17
व्यादिदेशसपूर्वस्यांप्रहस्तंद्वारिराक्षसम् ।दक्षिणस्यांमहावीर्यौमहापार्श्वमहादरौ ।।।।पश्चिमायामथोद्वारिपुत्रमिन्द्रजितंतदा ।व्यादिदेशमयामायंबहूभीराक्षसैर्भहुभिर्वृतम् ।।।।
Then Rāvaṇa, together with his ministers, having consulted and deliberated, ordered unparalleled defenses to be set in Laṅkā.
Verse 6.36.18
व्यादिदेशसपूर्वस्यांप्रहस्तंद्वारिराक्षसम् ।दक्षिणस्यांमहावीर्यौमहापार्श्वमहादरौ ।।6.36.17।।पश्चिमायामथोद्वारिपुत्रमिन्द्रजितंतदा ।व्यादिदेशमयामायंबहूभीराक्षसैर्भहुभिर्वृतम् ।।6.36.18।।
He stationed the rākṣasa Prahasta at the eastern gate; and at the southern gate he posted the mighty Mahāpārśva and Mahodara.
Verse 6.36.19
उतरस्यांपुरद्वारिव्यादिश्यशुकसारणौ ।स्वयंचात्रगमिष्यामिमन्त्रिणस्तानुवाचह ।।।।
Then, at the western gate, he stationed his son Indrajit—Mahamāya, the great wielder of illusion—surrounded by many rākṣasas.
Verse 6.36.20
राक्षसांतुविरूपाक्षंमहावीर्यपराक्रमम् ।मध्यमेऽस्थापयद्गुल्मेबहुभिस्सहराक्षसैः ।।।।
“With a pretence of good sense, you have spoken harsh words that do not serve my good, as though you had taken the enemy’s side. I will not let such talk enter my ears.”
Verse 6.36.21
एवंविधानंलङ्कायांकृत्वाराक्षसपुङ्गवः ।कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानंमन्यतेकालचोदितः ।।।।
“On what grounds do you deem Rāma—only a wretched human, standing alone, dependent on the forest-dwelling monkeys—capable, when he was cast out by his father and made the forest his abode?”
Verse 6.36.22
विसर्जयामासततस्समन्त्रिणोविधानमाज्ञाप्यपुरस्यपुष्कलम् ।जयाशिषामन्त्रिगणेनपूजितोविवेशचाऽन्तःपुरमृद्धिमन्महत् ।।।।
“I am the lord of the rākṣasas and a terror even to the devas. Endowed with every kind of prowess, why do you think me lacking?”