कुम्भकर्णस्य प्रबोधनम् — The Awakening and Commissioning of Kumbhakarna
युद्धकाण्ड
Sarga 62 stages Kumbhakarṇa’s mobilization as a political-psychological episode inside Laṅkā. Sleepy and intoxicated yet portrayed as a formidable rākṣasa “tiger,” he proceeds along the splendid royal road, escorted by thousands and honored with showers of flowers. He enters the resplendent rākṣasa-king’s residence—gold-latticed and sun-bright—and advances with such strides that the earth seems to shake. Rāvaṇa, seated in the Puṣpaka setting and visibly perturbed, rises with delight on seeing his brother, embraces him, and seats him with honor. Kumbhakarṇa, now enraged and blood-eyed, demands the reason for being awakened and asks whom Rāvaṇa fears. Rāvaṇa confesses fear of Rāma, explains that Rāma and Sugrīva have crossed the ocean with an army, and laments the devastation of Laṅkā’s groves and the rākṣasa losses while the vānaras appear unbroken in battle. He pleads for protection of an exhausted city with only children and elders remaining, praises Kumbhakarṇa’s past victories against devas and asuras, and commissions him to scatter the enemy host like wind dispersing rain-clouds.
Verse 6.62.1
स तुराक्षसशार्दूलोनिद्रामदसमाकुलः ।राजमार्गंश्रियाजुष्टंययौविपुलविक्रमः ।।6.62.1।।
But that tiger among the rākṣasas, of vast prowess, dazed by sleep and intoxication, went forth along the splendid royal road, adorned with glory.
Verse 6.62.2
राक्षसानांसहस्रैश्चवृतःपरमदुर्जयः ।गृहेभ्यःपुष्पवर्षेणकीर्यमाणस्तदाययौ ।।6.62.2।।
Then, that warrior, exceedingly difficult to conquer, set out surrounded by thousands of Rakshasas, being strewn with showers of flowers from the houses.
Verse 6.62.3
स हेमजालविततंभानुभास्वरदर्शनम् ।ददर्शविपुलंरम्यंराक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम् ।।6.62.3।।
Then Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa), seeing Kumbhakarṇa standing before him, rose swiftly in delight and drew him close.
Verse 6.62.4
स तत्तदासूर्यइवाभ्रजालंप्रविश्यरक्षोधिपतेर्निवेशम् ।ददर्शदूरेऽग्रजमासनस्थंस्वयम्भुवंशक्रवासनस्थम् ।।6.62.4।।
Then mighty Kumbhakarṇa rose from his seat, bowed at his brother’s feet, and asked, “What is it that must be done?”
Verse 6.62.5
भ्रातुस्सभवनंगच्छन्रक्षोगणसमन्विम् ।कुम्भकर्णःपदन्यासैरकम्पयतमेदिनीम् ।।6.62.5।।
O mighty-armed brother, for your brother’s sake accomplish this deed—most difficult indeed. Never before, O brother, scourge of foes, have I asked you for anything like this.
Verse 6.62.6
सोऽभिगम्यगृहंभ्रातुःकक्ष्यामभिविगाह्य च ।ददर्शोद्विगन्नमासीनंविमानेपुष्पकेगुरुम् ।।6.62.6।।
In you I have affection, and for you I hold the highest esteem, O bull among Rākṣasas. Many a time in wars between Devas and Asuras, you have met them in battle-array and prevailed—over the Devas, and over the Asuras in their own warfare.
Verse 6.62.7
अथदृष्टवादशग्रीवःकुम्भकर्णमुपस्थितम् ।तूर्णमुत्थायसंहृष्टःसन्निकर्षमुपानयत् ।।6.62.7।।
Therefore, muster all your might, O you of dreadful prowess; for among all beings none is seen who equals you in strength.
Verse 6.62.8
अथासीनस्यपर्यङ्केकुम्भकर्णोमहाबलः ।भ्रातुर्ववन्देचरणौकिंकृत्यमितिचाब्रवीत् ।।6.62.8।।
Do for me this highest act of good, dear one—lover of battle and beloved of your kin. With your own splendor scatter the enemy host, like a mighty wind rising and driving away the autumn rain-clouds.
Verse 6.62.9
उत्पत्यचैनंमुदितोरावणःपरिषस्वजे ।स भ्रात्रासम्परिष्वक्तोयथावच्छाभिनन्दितः ।।6.62.9।।कुम्भकर्णश्शुभंदिव्यंप्रतिपेदेवरासनम् ।
Rāvaṇa, rising up in delight, embraced him. Kumbhakarṇa too—embraced by his brother and duly welcomed—then took his seat, splendid and exalted.
Verse 6.62.10
स तदासनमाश्रित्यकुम्भकर्णोमहाबलः ।।6.62.10।।संरक्तनयनःक्रोधाद्रावणंवाक्यमब्रवीत् ।
Taking his seat, the mighty Kumbhakarṇa, his eyes reddened with anger, spoke words to Rāvaṇa.
Verse 6.62.11
किमर्थमहमादृत्यत्वयाराजन्विबोधितः ।।6.62.11।।शंसकस्माद्भयंतेऽत्रकोऽद्यप्रेतोभविष्यति ।
Then Kumbhakarṇa, nearly invincible, advanced surrounded by thousands of rākṣasas, while showers of flowers were cast down upon him from the houses.
Verse 6.62.12
भ्रातरंरावणःक्रुद्धंकुम्भकर्णमवस्थितम् ।।6.62.12।।ईषत्तुपरिवृत्ताभ्यांनेत्राभ्यांवाक्यमब्रवीत् ।
“O King, for what purpose have you roused me with such urgency? Tell me—what fear has arisen here for you, and who is it that is to fall dead today?”
Verse 6.62.13
अद्यतेसुमहान्कालश्शयानस्यमहाबल ।।6.62.13।।सुखितस्त्वं न जानीषेममरामकृतंभयम् ।
Rāvaṇa then spoke to his brother Kumbhakarṇa, who stood there in anger, while Rāvaṇa’s eyes rolled slightly with agitation.
Verse 6.62.14
एषदाशरथीरामःसुग्रीवसहितोबली ।।6.62.14।।समुद्रंसबलस्तीर्त्वामूलंनःपरिकृन्तति ।
O mighty one, you have slept long in comfort; you do not know the fear that Rāma has brought upon me.
Verse 6.62.15
हन्तपश्यस्वलङ्कायावनान्युपवनानि च ।।6.62.15।।सेतुनासुखमागम्यवानरैकार्णवीकृतम् ।
This is Rāma, son of Daśaratha, mighty and accompanied by Sugrīva; with his army he has crossed the ocean and is cutting at the very root of our power.
Verse 6.62.16
येराक्षसामुख्यतमाहतास्तेवानरैर्युधि ।।6.62.16।।वानराणांक्षयंयुद्धे न पश्यामिकदाचन ।नचापिवानरायुद्धेजितपूर्वाःकदाचन ।।6.62.17।।
Alas, behold Laṅkā’s forests and pleasure-groves—having come easily by the bridge, the vānaras have laid them waste.
Verse 6.62.17
येराक्षसामुख्यतमाहतास्तेवानरैर्युधि ।।6.62.16।।वानराणांक्षयंयुद्धे न पश्यामिकदाचन ।नचापिवानरायुद्धेजितपूर्वाःकदाचन ।।6.62.17।।
The foremost of our rākṣasas have been slain in battle by the vānaras. Yet I never see the vānaras meeting destruction in war; nor have the vānaras ever been known to be defeated in this fighting.
Verse 6.62.18
तदेतद्भयमुत्पन्नंत्रायस्वेमांमहबल ।नाशयत्वमिमानद्यतदर्थंबोधितोभवान् ।।6.62.18।।
Thus this fear has arisen. Protect me, O mighty one. Destroy them today—this is the very purpose for which you have been awakened.
Verse 6.62.19
सर्वक्षपितकोशं च स त्वमभ्यवपद्यमाम् ।त्रायस्वेमांपुरींलङ्कांबालवृद्धावशेषिताम् ।।6.62.19।।
My resources are utterly spent. Therefore stand by me and strike back; save this city of Laṅkā, now left with only children and the aged.
Verse 6.62.20
भ्रातुरर्थेमहाबाहो कुरुकर्मसुदुष्करम् ।मयैवंनोक्तपूर्वोहिकश्चिद्भ्रातः परन्तप ।।6.62.20।।
He beheld the vast and splendid dwelling of the lord of the Rākṣasas, spread with golden latticework and radiant to the eye like the morning sun.
Verse 6.62.21
त्वय्यस्तिममस्नेहःपरासम्भावना च मे ।दैवासुरेषुयुद्धेषुबहुशोराक्षसर्षभ ।।6.62.21।।त्वयादेवाःप्रतिव्यूह्यनिर्जिताश्चासुरायुधि ।
Then, entering the lord of the Rākṣasas’ abode like the sun piercing a mass of clouds, he saw from afar his elder brother seated upon the throne—like Indra beholding the Self-born Brahmā enthroned.
Verse 6.62.22
तदेतत्सर्वमातिष्ठवीर्यंभीमपराक्रम ।।6.62.22।।न हितेसर्वभूतेषुदृश्यतेसदृशोबली ।
As Kumbhakarṇa proceeded to his brother’s mansion accompanied by hosts of Rākṣasas, the earth itself trembled beneath the weight of his strides.
Verse 6.62.23
कुरुष्वमेप्रियहितमेतदुत्तमंयथाप्रियंप्रियरणबान्धवप्रिय ।स्वतेजसाविधमसपत्नवाहिनींशरद्घनंपवनइवोद्यतोमहान् ।।6.62.23।।
Having reached his brother’s dwelling and entered the inner enclosure, he beheld his elder brother seated in the celestial Puṣpaka car, troubled and uneasy at heart.