Sarga 37

Verse 6.37.1

नरवानरराजौतौसतुवायुसुतःकपिः ।जाम्बवानृक्षराजश्चराक्षसश्चविभीषणः ।।।।अङ्गदोवालिपुत्रश्चसौमित्रिश्शरभःकपिः ।सुषेणस्सहदायादोमैन्दोद्विविदएवच ।।।।गजोगवाक्षःकुमुदोनलोऽथपनसस्तथा ।अमित्रविषयंप्राप्तास्समवेतास्समर्धयन् ।।।।

Sugrīva, king of men and Vānaras, with Hanumān the son of Vāyu, Jāmbavān lord of bears, and the rākṣasa Vibhīṣaṇa; and also Aṅgada son of Vāli, Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa), the Vānara Śarabha, Suṣeṇa with his kinsmen, Mainda and Dvivida, Gaja, Gavākṣa, Kumuda, Nala, and Panasa—having reached the enemy’s stronghold, assembled together and deliberated.

Verse 6.37.2

नरवानरराजौतौसतुवायुसुतःकपिः ।जाम्बवानृक्षराजश्चराक्षसश्चविभीषणः ।।6.37.1।।अङ्गदोवालिपुत्रश्चसौमित्रिश्शरभःकपिः ।सुषेणस्सहदायादोमैन्दोद्विविदएवच ।।6.37.2।।गजोगवाक्षःकुमुदोनलोऽथपनसस्तथा ।अमित्रविषयंप्राप्तास्समवेतास्समर्धयन् ।।6.37.3।।

There were Aṅgada, Vālin’s son, and Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa), along with the monkey Śarabha; and Suṣeṇa with his kinsmen, as well as Mainda and Dvivida too—all assembled.

Verse 6.37.3

नरवानरराजौतौसतुवायुसुतःकपिः ।जाम्बवानृक्षराजश्चराक्षसश्चविभीषणः ।।6.37.1।।अङ्गदोवालिपुत्रश्चसौमित्रिश्शरभःकपिः ।सुषेणस्सहदायादोमैन्दोद्विविदएवच ।।6.37.2।।गजोगवाक्षःकुमुदोनलोऽथपनसस्तथा ।अमित्रविषयंप्राप्तास्समवेतास्समर्धयन् ।।6.37.3।।

That lord of rākṣasas—base and fond of injuring others, empowered by the strength of boons—harasses the peoples of all worlds, even hosts of Daityas, Dānavas, and great sages. I myself am resolved to bring about his death. I, with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa) and our forces, will press upon and force entry through the northern city-gate, where Rāvaṇa is.

Verse 6.37.4

इयंसालक्षयतेलङ्कापुरीरावणपालिता ।सासुरोरगगन्धर्वैरमरैरपिदुर्जया ।।।।

As they spoke among themselves, Vibhīṣaṇa—Rāvaṇa’s younger brother—addressed them with courteous words, rich in meaning.

Verse 6.37.5

कार्यसिद्धिंपुरस्कृत्यमन्द्रयध्वंविनिर्णये ।नित्यंसन्निहितोह्यत्ररावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।।।।

My ministers—Anala, Śarabha, Sampāti, and Praghasa—went to the city of Laṅkā and then returned here again.

Verse 6.37.6

तथातेषुब्रुवाणेषुरावणावरजोऽब्रवीत् ।वाक्यमग्राम्यपदवत्पुष्कलार्धंविभीषणः ।।।।

All of them took the form of birds, penetrated deep within, observed the enemy’s strength and the arrangements that had been made, and then returned to report.

Verse 6.37.7

अनलश्शरभश्चैवसम्पातिःप्रघसस्तथा ।गत्वालङ्कांममामात्याःपुरींपुनरिहागताः ।।।।

Rāma, they have told me—exactly as it is—how the evil-minded Rāvaṇa has organized his forces. Listen to me now in full.

Verse 6.37.8

भूत्वाशकुनयस्सर्वेप्रविष्टाश्चरिपोर्भलम् ।विधानंविहितंयच्चतद्धृष्टवासमुपस्थिताः ।।।।

Then wise Rāma, seeing the exceedingly beautiful slopes of Mount Suvela, set his mind upon ascending it.

Verse 6.37.9

संविधानंयथाहुस्तेरावणस्यदुरात्मनः ।राम तद्ब्रुवतस्सर्वंयथात्त्वेनमेशृणु ।।।।

Thereafter the great-souled Rāma, with his vast army spread across the earth, advanced toward Laṅkā—his countenance bright with confidence—having firmly resolved upon the destruction of the enemy.

Verse 6.37.10

पूर्वंप्रहस्तस्सबलोद्वारमासाद्यतिष्ठति ।दक्षिणंचमहावीर्यौमहापार्श्वमहोदरौ ।।।।

At the eastern gate, the powerful Prahasta stands with his forces; and at the southern gate stand the great warriors Mahāpārśva and Mahodara.

Verse 6.37.11

इन्द्रजित्पश्चिमंद्वारंराक्षसैर्भहुभिर्वृतः ।पट्टसासिधनुष्मद्भिश्शूलमुद्गरपाणिभिः ।।।।नानाप्रहरणैश्शूरैरावृतोरावणात्मजः ।

At the western gate stood Indrajit, Rāvaṇa’s son, surrounded by many rākṣasas—heroes bearing swords and bows, spears and maces, and weapons of many kinds.

Verse 6.37.12

राक्षसानांसहस्रैस्तुबहुभिश्शस्त्रपाणिभिः ।।।।युक्तःपरमसंविग्नोराक्षर्भहुभिर्वृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारंरावणस्स्वयमास्थितः ।।।।

At the city’s northern gate, Rāvaṇa himself stood—greatly agitated—surrounded by many Rākṣasas in their thousands, all bearing weapons.

Verse 6.37.13

राक्षसानांसहस्रैस्तुबहुभिश्शस्त्रपाणिभिः ।।6.37.12।।युक्तःपरमसंविग्नोराक्षर्भहुभिर्वृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारंरावणस्स्वयमास्थितः ।।6.37.13।।

This verse repeats the same report: Rāvaṇa, greatly agitated, stands at the city’s northern gate, surrounded by many thousands of weapon-bearing Rākṣasas.

Verse 6.37.14

विरूपाक्षस्तुमहताशूलखडगधनुष्मता ।बलेनराक्षसैस्सार्थंमध्यमंगुल्ममास्थितः ।।।।

Virūpākṣa, with a great force armed with spears, swords, and bows, held a central formation within the city along with the Rākṣasas.

Verse 6.37.15

एतानेवंविधान्गुल्मान् लङ्कायांसमुदीक्ष्यते ।मामकामन्त्रिणस्सर्वेपुनशशीघ्रमिहागताः ।।।।

Having carefully surveyed these troop-formations within Laṅkā, all those counselors of mine returned here again at once.

Verse 6.37.16

गजानांचसाहस्रंचरथानामयुतंपुरे ।हयानामयुतेद्वेचसाग्राकोटीचरक्षसाम् ।।।।विक्रान्ताबलवन्तश्चसंयुगेष्वाततायिनः ।इष्टाराक्षसराजस्यनित्यमेतेनिशाचराः ।।।।

In the city there were ten thousand elephants, ten thousand chariots, and twenty thousand horses; and besides these, more than a crore of Rākṣasas—valiant and strong, fierce in battle. These night-roamers were ever dear to the Rākṣasa-king.

Verse 6.37.17

गजानांचसाहस्रंचरथानामयुतंपुरे ।हयानामयुतेद्वेचसाग्राकोटीचरक्षसाम् ।।6.37.16।।विक्रान्ताबलवन्तश्चसंयुगेष्वाततायिनः ।इष्टाराक्षसराजस्यनित्यमेतेनिशाचराः ।।6.37.17।।

In Laṅkā there are a thousand elephants, ten thousand chariots, twenty thousand horses, and more than a crore of Rākṣasas. Valiant and strong in battle, ever bent on assault, these night-roamers are always dear to the king of the Rākṣasas.

Verse 6.37.18

एकैकस्यात्रयुद्धार्थेराक्षसस्यविशाम्पते ।परीवारस्सहस्राणांसहस्रमुपतिष्ठते ।।।।

O lord of men, for each single Rākṣasa here who goes to war, an attendant host—thousands upon thousands—stands ready to support him.

Verse 6.37.19

एतांप्रवृत्तिंलङ्कायांमन्त्रिप्रोक्तांविभीषणः ।एवमुक्त्वामहाबाहूराक्षसांस्तानदर्शयत् ।।।।

Mighty-armed Vibhīṣaṇa, having spoken thus, conveyed to Rāma the intelligence about Laṅkā as reported by the ministers, and then pointed out those Rākṣasas.

Verse 6.37.20

लङ्कायांसचिवैस्सर्वंरामायप्रत्यवेदयत् ।रामंकमलपत्राक्षमिदमुत्तरमब्रवीत् ।।।।रावणावरजःश्रीमान् रामप्रियचिकीर्षया ।

The illustrious younger brother of Rāvaṇa reported to Rāma everything about Laṅkā as learned from the ministers; then, gazing upon lotus-eyed Rāma and wishing to do what would please him, he spoke this further reply.

Verse 6.37.21

कुबेरंतुयदाराम रावणःप्रत्ययुध्यत ।।।।षष्टिश्शतसहस्राणितदानिर्यान्तिरक्षसाः ।राक्रमेणवीर्येणतेजसासत्त्वगौरवात् ।।।।सदृशाय्येऽत्रदर्पेणरावणस्यदुरात्मनः ।

“Rāma, when Rāvaṇa once attacked Kubera, then sixty hundred-thousands of Rākṣasas marched forth—equal to that evil-minded Rāvaṇa in pride, and comparable to him in prowess, strength, radiance, and steadfast hardihood.”

Verse 6.37.22

कुबेरंतुयदाराम रावणःप्रत्ययुध्यत ।।6.37.21।।षष्टिश्शतसहस्राणितदानिर्यान्तिरक्षसाः ।राक्रमेणवीर्येणतेजसासत्त्वगौरवात् ।।6.37.22।।सदृशाय्येऽत्रदर्पेणरावणस्यदुरात्मनः ।

“Rāma, when Rāvaṇa attacked Kubera, sixty hundred-thousands of Rākṣasas set forth then—equal to him in pride, and comparable in prowess, valor, radiance, and toughness.”

Verse 6.37.23

अत्रमन्युर्नकर्तव्योरोषयेत्वांनभीषये ।।।।समर्थोह्यसिवीर्येणसुराणामपिनिग्रहे ।

“In this matter, you should not give way to anger. I speak not to provoke you or to frighten you; for by your valor you are capable even of subduing the gods.”

Verse 6.37.24

तद्भवांश्चतुरङ्गेणबलेनमहातावृतः ।।।।व्यूह्येदंवानरानीकंनिर्मथिष्यतिरावणम् ।

“Therefore you, encompassed by this great fourfold force, should array this Vānara host in battle formation; thus you will crush Rāvaṇa.”

Verse 6.37.25

रावणावरजेवाक्यमेवंब्रुवतिराघवः ।।।।शत्रूणांप्रतिघातार्थमिदंवचनमब्रवीत् ।

As Rāvaṇa’s younger brother spoke thus, Rāghava (Rāma) spoke these words, intending the repulse and destruction of the enemies.

Verse 6.37.26

पूर्वद्वारेतुलङ्कायानीलोवानरपुङ्गवः ।।।।प्रहस्तप्रतियोद्धास्याद्वानरैर्बहुभिर्वृतः ।

At Laṅkā’s eastern gate, let Nīla, the foremost of Vānaras, stand ready to fight Prahasta, surrounded by many Vānara warriors.

Verse 6.37.27

अङ्गदोवालिपुत्रस्तुबलेनमहतावृतः ।।।।दक्षिणेबाधतांद्वारेमहापार्श्वमहोदरौ ।

And let Aṅgada, Vālin’s son, surrounded by a great force, press the fight at the southern gate against Mahāpārśva and Mahodara.

Verse 6.37.28

हनुमान्पश्चिमद्वारंनिपीड्यपवनात्मजः ।।।।प्रविशत्वप्रमेयात्माबहुभिःकपिभिर्वृतः ।

Gaja, Gavākṣa, Kumuda, Nala, and Panasa likewise reached the enemy’s domain; gathered together, they deliberated on the course of action.

Verse 6.37.29

दैत्यदावनसङ्घानामृषीणांचमहात्मनाम् ।।।।विप्रकारप्रियःक्षुद्रोवरदानबलान्वितः ।परिक्रमतियःसर्वान्लोकान्सन्तापयन्प्रजाः ।।।।तस्याहंराक्षसेन्द्रस्यस्वयमेववधेधृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारमहंसौमित्रिणासह ।।।।निपीड्याभिप्रवेक्ष्यामिसबलोयत्ररावणः ।

Let Hanumān—the Wind-god’s son, of immeasurable might—press upon the western gate and enter, surrounded by many vānara warriors.

Verse 6.37.30

दैत्यदावनसङ्घानामृषीणांचमहात्मनाम् ।।6.37.29।।विप्रकारप्रियःक्षुद्रोवरदानबलान्वितः ।परिक्रमतियःसर्वान्लोकान्सन्तापयन्प्रजाः ।।6.37.30।।तस्याहंराक्षसेन्द्रस्यस्वयमेववधेधृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारमहंसौमित्रिणासह ।।6.37.31।।निपीड्याभिप्रवेक्ष्यामिसबलोयत्ररावणः ।

Let the mighty lord of the Vānara, the valiant king of bears, and also the younger brother of the Rākṣasa king take the central position in the battle-array.

Verse 6.37.31

दैत्यदावनसङ्घानामृषीणांचमहात्मनाम् ।।6.37.29।।विप्रकारप्रियःक्षुद्रोवरदानबलान्वितः ।परिक्रमतियःसर्वान्लोकान्सन्तापयन्प्रजाः ।।6.37.30।।तस्याहंराक्षसेन्द्रस्यस्वयमेववधेधृतः ।उत्तरंनगरद्वारमहंसौमित्रिणासह ।।6.37.31।।निपीड्याभिप्रवेक्ष्यामिसबलोयत्ररावणः ।

And in this battle the Vānara warriors should not assume human form; let this be our agreed sign of recognition within the Vānara host.

Verse 6.37.32

वानरेन्द्रश्चबलवानृक्षराजश्चवीर्यवान् ।।।।राक्षसेन्द्रानुजश्चैवगुलोभवतुमध्यम: ।

Among our own, the Vānara form itself will be our sign of recognition. But as for us, seven will fight the enemy in human form—myself and my mighty brother Lakṣmaṇa, and as the fifth among us by my side, my friend Vibhīṣaṇa.

Verse 6.37.33

नचैवमानुषंरूपंकार्यंहरिभिराहवे ।।।।एषाभवतुसंङञान् युद्धेऽस्मिन् वानरेबले ।

Thus Rāma—wise and intent on accomplishing the mission—having spoken to Vibhīṣaṇa, resolved to ascend Suvela; and seeing the mountain’s slopes as exceedingly beautiful, he proceeded.

Verse 6.37.34

वानराएवनश्चिह्नंस्वजनेऽस्मिन् भविष्यति ।।।।वयंतुमानुषेणैवसप्तयोत्प्यामहेपरान् ।अहमेषममभ्रात्रालक्ष्मणेनमहौजसौ ।।।।आत्मनापञ्चमश्चायंसखाममविभीषणः ।

Among our own side, the very sign by which we will be recognized is that we are with the Vānaras. But we seven alone will fight the enemies in human form—here am I, along with my mighty brother Lakṣmaṇa; and as the fifth by my own person is this friend of mine, Vibhīṣaṇa.

Verse 6.37.35

वानराएवनश्चिह्नंस्वजनेऽस्मिन् भविष्यति ।।6.37.34।।वयंतुमानुषेणैवसप्तयोत्प्यामहेपरान् ।अहमेषममभ्रात्रालक्ष्मणेनमहौजसौ ।।6.37.35।।आत्मनापञ्चमश्चायंसखाममविभीषणः ।

But we shall fight the enemies only in human guise—seven in all: I myself, my mighty brother Lakṣmaṇa, and as the fifth, this friend of mine, Vibhīṣaṇa.

Verse 6.37.36

सरामःकृत्यसिध्यर्थएवमुक्त्वाविभीषणम् ।।।।सुवेलारोहणेबुद्धिश्चकारमतिमान्मतिम् ।रमणीयतरंदृष्टवासुवेलस्यगिरेस्तटम् ।।।।

Wise Rāma, having thus spoken to Vibhīṣaṇa for the successful accomplishment of the mission, and beholding the exceedingly beautiful slopes of Mount Suvela, resolved to climb it.

Verse 6.37.37

सरामःकृत्यसिध्यर्थएवमुक्त्वाविभीषणम् ।।6.37.36।।सुवेलारोहणेबुद्धिश्चकारमतिमान्मतिम् ।रमणीयतरंदृष्टवासुवेलस्यगिरेस्तटम् ।।6.37.37।।

“This city of Laṅkā, ruled by Rāvaṇa, is now in sight. It appears unconquerable—even to the gods, the nāgas, and the gandharvas, and even to the immortals.”

Verse 6.37.38

ततस्तुरामोमहताबलेनप्रच्छाद्यसर्वांपृथिवींमहात्मा ।प्रहृष्टरूपोऽभिजगामलङ्कांकृत्वामतिंसोऽरिवधेमहात्मा ।।।।

“Keeping the success of our mission foremost, deliberate and decide your course of duty. For Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, is ever present here.”