Sarga 63

Verse 6.63.1

तस्यराक्षसराजस्यनिशम्यपरिदेवितम् ।कुम्भकर्णोबभाषेदंवचनंप्रजहास च ।।6.63.1।।

Hearing the lamentation of the rākṣasa-king, Kumbhakarṇa replied with these words—and laughed as well.

Verse 6.63.2

दृष्टोदोषोहियोऽस्माभिःपुरामन्त्रन्वििर्णये ।हितेष्वनभियुक्तेनसोऽयमासादितस्त्वया ।।6.63.2।।

When a ruler is fickle and rushes headlong into deeds, others seize upon his gaps and vulnerabilities—just as birds find openings in the sky around Mount Krauñca.

Verse 6.63.3

शीघ्रंखल्वभ्युपेतंत्वांफलंपापस्यकर्मणः ।निरयेष्वेवपतनंयथादुष्कृतकर्मणः ।।6.63.3।।

Truly, the fruit of your sinful deed has swiftly come upon you—just as evildoers plunge headlong into the hell-realms.

Verse 6.63.4

प्रथमंवैमहाराजकृत्यमेतदचिन्तितम् ।केवलंवीर्यदर्पेणनानुबन्धोविचिन्तितः ।।6.63.4।।

At the outset, O great king, this course of action was undertaken without reflection; in sheer pride of strength, its consequences were not considered.

Verse 6.63.5

यःपश्चातूर्वकार्याणिकुर्यादैश्वर्यमास्थितः ।पूर्वंचोत्तरकार्याणि न स वेदनयानया ।।6.63.5।।

Standing firm in the battle, I will slay even the Vānara hosts. I do not wish to leave you without extraordinary and great glory.

Verse 6.63.6

देशकालविहीनानिकर्माणिविपरीतवत् ।क्रियमाणानिदुष्यन्तिहवींष्यप्रयतेष्विव ।।6.63.6।।

“Let all creatures witness today the prowess of Kumbhakarṇa, who has slept for a long time—today, beings everywhere shall be devoured.”

Verse 6.63.7

त्रयाणांपञ्चधायोगंकर्मणांयःप्रपश्यति ।सचिवैस्समयंकृत्वा स सभ्येवर्ततेपथि ।।6.63.7।।

“Indeed, even all the three worlds together would not suffice to fill my hunger as food.”

Verse 6.63.8

यथागमं च योराजासमयंविचिकीर्षति ।बुध्यतेसचिवान्बध्यासुहृदश्चानुपश्यति ।।6.63.8।।

“By killing Rāma, son of Daśaratha, I go to secure for you the happiness you deem your due. After striking down Rāma together with Lakṣmaṇa, I shall devour the foremost leaders of the Vānara hosts.”

Verse 6.63.9

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च सर्वान्वारक्षसांपते । भजतेपुरुषःकालेत्रीणिद्वन्द्वानिवापुनः ।।6.63.9।।

O lord of the Rākṣasas, a man, in due season, should cultivate dharma, artha, and kāma—either all three together, or again in paired combinations—according to what time and circumstance allow.

Verse 6.63.10

त्रिषुचैतेषुयच्छ्रेष्ठंश्रुत्वातन्नावबुध्यते ।राजावाराजमात्रोवाव्यर्थंतस्यबहुश्रुतम् ।।6.63.10।।

Among these three, if a king—or even one fit to be called king—hears what is best yet fails to grasp it, then all his learning is wasted.

Verse 6.63.11

उपप्रदानंसान्त्वं च भेदंकाले च विक्रमम् ।योगं च रक्षसांश्रेष्ठतावुभौ च नयानयौ ।।6.63.11।।कालेधर्मार्थकामान्यस्सम्मन्त्ऱ्यसचिवैःसह ।निषेवेतात्मवान्लोके न स व्यसनमाप्नुयात् ।।6.63.12।।

O best of rākṣasas: concession and conciliation, the sowing of division, and—when the time demands—bold force, along with their proper combination: these are statecraft and its opposite, made right or wrong by their use.

Verse 6.63.12

उपप्रदानंसान्त्वं च भेदंकाले च विक्रमम् ।योगं च रक्षसांश्रेष्ठतावुभौ च नयानयौ ।।6.63.11।।कालेधर्मार्थकामान्यस्सम्मन्त्ऱ्यसचिवैःसह ।निषेवेतात्मवान्लोके न स व्यसनमाप्नुयात् ।।6.63.12।।

He who is self-possessed, consults with ministers, and in due season pursues dharma, artha, and kāma—such a man does not fall into calamity in this world.

Verse 6.63.13

हितानुबन्धमालोच्यकार्यात्कार्यमिहात्मनः ।राजासहार्थतत्त्वज्ञैस्सचिवैर्बुस्सहिजीवति ।।6.63.13।।

A king who reflects on the long-reaching consequences of what is beneficial and decides each action as it ought to be done—together with ministers who know reality—lives supported by their counsel and intelligence.

Verse 6.63.14

अनभिज्ञायशास्त्रार्थान् पुरुषाःपशुबुद्धयः ।प्रागल्भ्याद्वक्तुमिच्छन्तिमन्त्रेष्वभ्यन्तरीकृताः ।।6.63.14।।

Men of animal-like understanding, ignorant of the meaning of the śāstras, when admitted into councils, wish to speak out of sheer presumption.

Verse 6.63.15

अशास्त्रविदुषांतेषां न कार्यमभिहितंवचः ।अर्थशास्त्रानभिज्ञानांविपुलांश्रियमिच्छताम् ।।6.63.15।।

The counsel of those who do not know the śāstras should not be acted upon—especially of those ignorant of arthaśāstra who yet crave vast prosperity.

Verse 6.63.16

अहितं च हिताकारंधार्ष्ट्याज्जल्पन्तियेनराः ।अवेक्ष्यमन्त्रबाह्यास्तेकर्तव्याःकृत्यदूषणा:।। 6.63.16।।

Those men who, in brazen pride, prattle what is harmful while clothing it as beneficial—after due scrutiny—should be kept outside the council, for they mar the undertaking.

Verse 6.63.17

विनाशयन्तोभर्तारंसहिताश्शत्रुभिर्बुधैः ।विपरीतानिकृत्यानिकारयन्तीहमन्त्रिणः ।।6.63.17।।

Here, certain ministers, intent on ruining their lord, collude with wise enemies and lead him to undertake deeds wholly perverse.

Verse 6.63.18

तान्भर्तामित्रसङ्काशानमित्रान्मन्त्रनिर्णये ।व्यवहारेणजानीयात्सचिवानुपसम्हितान् ।।6.63.18।।

The calamity I had foreseen earlier in counsel and decision—because you did not rightly rely upon your well-wishers—has now come upon you.

Verse 6.63.19

चपलस्येहकृत्यानिसहसानुप्रधावतः ।छिद्रमन्येप्रपद्यन्तेक्रौञ्चस्य ख मिवद्विजाः ।।6.63.19।।

A ruler should, in counsel and decision, discern those ministers who seem like friends yet are enemies—drawn into the enemy’s sphere—by observing their conduct.

Verse 6.63.20

योहिशत्रुमवज्ञायनात्मानमभिरक्षति ।अवाप्नोतिहिसोऽनर्थान् स्थानाच्चव्यवरोप्यते ।।6.63.20।।

He who, scorning the enemy, does not guard himself surely meets calamity—and is even cast down from his station.

Verse 6.63.21

यदुक्तमिहतेपूर्वंक्रियतामनुजेन च ।तदेवनोहितंवाक्यंयदिच्छसि च तत्कुरु ।।6.63.21।।

Carry out what your younger brother advised you earlier; that counsel alone is for our good. Yet, if you wish, do as you please.

Verse 6.63.22

तत्तुश्रुत्वादशग्रीवःकुम्भकर्णस्यभाषितम् ।भ्रुकुटिंचैवसञ्चक्रेक्रुद्धश्चैनमभाषत ।।6.63.22।।

Hearing Kumbhakarṇa’s words, Daśagrīva knit his brows; angered, he spoke to him.

Verse 6.63.23

मान्योगुरुवारिचार्यःकिमांत्वमनुशाससि ।किमेवंवाक्छ्रमंकृत्वाकालेयुक्तंविधीयताम् ।।6.63.23।।

“You are worthy of honor, like a father or a teacher—why then do you instruct me so? Why this display of verbal cleverness? Let what is fitting for the moment be done.”

Verse 6.63.24

विभ्रमाच्चित्तमोहाद्वाबलवीर्याश्रयेणवा ।नाभिपन्नमिदानींयद्व्यर्थातस्यपुनःकथाः ।।6.63.24।।

“Whether through delusion, confusion of mind, or reliance on my own strength and valor, what has already been done cannot be undone now; to speak of it again is futile.”

Verse 6.63.25

अस्मिन्कालेतुयद्युक्तंतदिदानींविधीयताम् ।गतंतुनानुशोचन्तिगतंतुगतमेवहि ।।6.63.25।।

At this moment, let what is fitting be done now. Do not grieve for what is past—for what is past is truly gone.

Verse 6.63.26

ममापनयजंदोषंविक्रमेणसमीकुरु ।यदिखल्वस्तिमेस्नेहोविक्रमंवाऽवगच्छसि ।।6.63.26।।यदिवकार्यंमेतत्तेहृदिकार्यतमंमतम् ।

Set right, by your valor, the fault that has arisen for me. If indeed you bear affection for me—or if you know your own prowess—then do what your heart deems the most necessary act for my cause.

Verse 6.63.27

स सुहृद्योविपन्नार्थंदीनमभ्यवपद्यते ।।6.63.27।।स बन्धुर्योऽपनीतेषुसाहाय्यायोपकल्पते ।

A true friend is one who stands by a man when his fortune has collapsed and he is in distress; and a true kinsman is one who is ready to help even when one has strayed from proper conduct.

Verse 6.63.28

तमथैवंब्रुवाणंतुवचनंधीरदारुणम् ।।6.63.28।।रुष्टोऽयमितिविज्ञायशनैश्श्लक्षणमुवाच ह ।

Seeing him speak in that grave and harsh manner, and understanding that he was enraged, Kumbhakarṇa replied softly, in a gentle tone.

Verse 6.63.29

अतीवहिसमालक्ष्यभ्रातरंक्षुभितेन्द्रियम् ।।6.63.29।।कुम्भकर्णश्शनैर्वाक्यंबभाषेपरिसान्त्वयन् ।

Noticing that his brother’s senses were deeply disturbed, Kumbhakarṇa—seeking to soothe him—spoke gently and without haste.

Verse 6.63.30

शृणुराजन्नवहितोममवाक्यमरिन्दम ।।6.63.30।।अलंराक्षसराजेन्द्र सन्तापमुपपद्यते ।रोषं च सम्परित्यज्यस्वस्थोभवितुमर्हसि ।।6.63.31।।

Listen, O king, with full attention to my words, O subduer of foes. Enough of this grief, O lord of the rākṣasas; casting aside anger as well, you should regain your steadiness and be yourself again.

Verse 6.63.31

शृणुराजन्नवहितोममवाक्यमरिन्दम ।।6.63.30।।अलंराक्षसराजेन्द्र सन्तापमुपपद्यते ।रोषं च सम्परित्यज्यस्वस्थोभवितुमर्हसि ।।6.63.31।।

So long as I live, O king, you should not let this burden your mind. I will destroy the one on whose account you suffer.

Verse 6.63.32

नैतन्मनसिकर्तव्यंमयिजीवतिपार्थिव ।तमहंनाशयिष्यामियत्कृतेपरितप्यते ।।6.63.32।।

Yet I must speak what is for your good in every circumstance, O king—spoken from kinship and from brotherly affection.

Verse 6.63.33

अवश्यंतुहितंवाच्यंसर्वावस्थांतवमया ।बन्धुभावादभिहितंभ्रातृस्नेहाच्छपार्थिव ।।6.63.33।।

At such a time, behold what it is fitting for an affectionate kinsman to do: in battle you shall see me bring about the destruction of the enemies.

Verse 6.63.34

सदृशंयत्तुकालेऽस्मिन् कर्तुंस्निग्धेनबन्धुना ।शत्रूणांकदनंपश्यक्रियमाणंमयारणे ।।6.63.34।।

Behold today, O mighty-armed one: on the very crest of battle, when I have slain Rāma together with his brother, you will see the vānaras’ host fleeing.

Verse 6.63.35

अद्यपश्यमहाबाहो मयासमरमूर्धनि ।हतेरामेसहभ्रात्राद्रवन्तींहरिवाहिनीम् ।।6.63.35।।

O mighty-armed one, behold today: at the very forefront of battle, once I have slain Rāma along with his brother, the vānaras’ army will flee.

Verse 6.63.36

अद्यरामस्यतद्दृष्टवामयानीतंरणाच्छिरः ।सुखीभवमहाबाहो सीताभवतुदुःखिता ।।6.63.36।।

Today, when you see me bring Rāma’s head back from the battlefield, rejoice, O mighty-armed one; let Sītā be plunged into sorrow.

Verse 6.63.37

अद्यरामस्यपश्यन्तुनिधनंसुमहत्प्रियम् ।लङ्कायांराक्षसाःसर्वेयेतेनिहतबान्धवाः ।।6.63.37।।

Let all the Rākṣasas in Laṅkā—those whose kinsmen have been slain—witness today the death of Rāma, a sight they will welcome greatly.

Verse 6.63.38

अद्यशोकपरीतानांस्वबन्धुवधकारणात् ।शत्रोर्युधिविनाशेनकरोम्यस्रप्रमार्जनम् ।।6.63.38।।

Today, by destroying the enemy in battle, I shall wipe away the tears of those overwhelmed by grief because their own kinsmen have been slain.

Verse 6.63.39

अद्यपर्वतसङ्काशंससूर्यमिवतोयदम् ।विकीर्णंपश्यसमरेसुग्रीवंप्लवगोत्तम ।।6.63.39।।

Today, behold in battle Sugrīva, foremost of the monkeys—scattered and struck down—like a mountain-like cloud lit by the sun.

Verse 6.63.40

कथं च राक्षसैरेभिर्मया च परिरक्षितः ।जिघांसुभिर्दाशरथिं वध्यसे त्वमिहानघ ।।6.63.40।।

How could you be slain here, O blameless one, when you are protected by these Rākṣasas and by me—while we are intent on killing Dāśarathi (Rāma)?

Verse 6.63.41

मांनिहत्यकिलत्वांहिनिहनिष्यतिराघवः ।नाहमात्मनिसन्तापंगच्छेयंराक्षसाधिप ।।6.63.41।।

They say Rāghava will kill you only after killing me; therefore, O lord of the Rākṣasas, I will not let distress take hold within me.

Verse 6.63.42

कामंवतिदानीमपिमांव्यादिशत्वंपरन्तप ।न परःप्रेषणीयस्तेयुद्धायातुलविक्रम ।।6.63.42।।

If you wish, command me even now, O scorcher of foes; for your war, none other is to be sought—O one of incomparable valor.

Verse 6.63.43

अहमुत्सादयिष्यामिशत्रूंस्तवमहाबल: ।यदिशक्रोयदियमोयदिपावकमारुतौ ।।6.63.43।।तानहंयोधयिष्यामिकुबेरवरुणावपि ।

Mighty as I am, I shall crush your enemies—even if they were Śakra (Indra), or Yama, or Agni and Vāyu; I would fight even Kubera and Varuṇa.

Verse 6.63.44

गिरिमात्रशरीरस्यशितशूलधरस्यमे ।।6.63.44।।नर्दतस्तीक्षणदंष्ट्रस्यबिभीयाच्चपुरन्दरः ।

Even Purandara (Indra) would fear me—mountain-bodied, bearing a sharp spear—and flee at the roar of my keen-fanged mouth.

Verse 6.63.45

अथवात्यक्तशस्त्रस्यमृद्नतस्तरसारिपून् ।।6.63.45।।न मेप्रतिमुखेस्थातुंकश्चित् शक्तोजिजीविषुः ।

Or else—casting weapons aside—I will crush the enemies by sheer force; no one who still desires to live has the power to stand facing me.

Verse 6.63.46

नैवशक्त्या न गदयानासिनानिशितैश्शरैः ।।6.63.46।।हस्ताभ्यामेवसम्रब्दोहनिष्याम्यपिवज्रिणम् ।

Not with spear, not with mace, not with sword, nor with sharp arrows—enraged, I will strike down even Vajrin (Indra) with my bare hands alone.

Verse 6.63.47

यदिमेमुष्टिवेगं स राघवोऽद्यसहिष्यते ।।6.63.47।।ततःपाश्यन्तिबाणौघारुधिरंराघवस्यतु ।

If Rāghava can endure today the force of my fists, then you will see volleys of arrows—and the blood of Rāghava as well.

Verse 6.63.48

चिन्तयाबाध्यसेराजन्किमर्थंमयितिष्ठति ।।6.63.48।।सोऽहंशत्रुविनाशाय तव निर्यातुमुद्यतः ।

O King, why are you burdened by worry while I stand here? I am ready to march forth to destroy your enemy.

Verse 6.63.49

मुञ्चरामाद्भयंराज न्हनिष्यामीहसम्युगे ।।6.63.49।।राघवंलक्ष्मणंचैवसुग्रीवं च महाबलम् ।हनूमन्तं च रक्षोघ्नंलङ्कायेनप्रदीपिता ।।6.63.50।।

Cast off your fear of Rāma, O King. Here in battle I will slay Rāghava and Lakṣmaṇa, and mighty Sugrīva as well—along with Hanūmān, the slayer of rākṣasas, who set Laṅkā ablaze.

Verse 6.63.50

मुञ्चरामाद्भयंराज न्हनिष्यामीहसम्युगे ।।6.63.49।।राघवंलक्ष्मणंचैवसुग्रीवं च महाबलम् ।हनूमन्तं च रक्षोघ्नंलङ्कायेनप्रदीपिता ।।6.63.50।।

If you fear even Indra, O King—or even the Self-born Brahmā—then I will destroy that fear, as the sun destroys the darkness of night. When I am enraged, even the gods will lie fallen upon the earth.

Verse 6.63.51

हरींश्चापिहनियिष्यामिसंयुगेसमवास्थिवान् ।असाधारणमिच्छामिनदातुंमहद्यशः ।।6.63.51।।

I will subdue Yama; I will devour Fire; and I will cast down the Sun—together with the stars—upon the earth.

Verse 6.63.52

तदिचेन्द्राद्भयं राजन्यदि चापिस्वयम्भुवः ।ततोऽहंनाशयिष्यामिनैशंतमइवांशुमान् ।।6.63.52।।अपिदेवाश्शयिष्यन्तेक्रुद्धेमयिमहीतले ।

He who, relying on prosperity and power, postpones the duties that should be done first and then attends to what comes later—such a one understands neither right policy nor its opposite (the right and the wrong course).

Verse 6.63.53

यमं च शमयिष्यामिभक्षयिष्यामिपावकम् ।।6.63.53।।आदित्यंपातयिष्यामिसनक्षत्रंमहीतले ।

I shall quell even Yama, the God of Death; I shall devour Pavaka, the Fire-god; and I shall cause the Sun, together with the stars, to fall upon the earth.

Verse 6.63.54

शतक्रतुंवधिष्यामिपास्यामिवरुणालयम् ।।6.63.54।।पर्वतांश्चूर्णयिष्यामिदारयिष्यामिमेदिनीम् ।

Actions undertaken without due regard for place and time turn ruinous; performed thus, they become fruitless—like oblations offered without proper consecration.

Verse 6.63.55

दीर्घकालंप्रसुप्तस्यकुम्भकर्णस्यविक्रमम् ।।6.63.55।।अद्यपश्यन्तुभूतानिभक्ष्यमाणानिसर्वशः ।नन्विदंत्रिदिवंसर्वमाहारस्य न पूर्यते ।।6.63.56।।

He who foresees how policy is to be applied in its threefold modes and its fivefold considerations, and who, having consulted with ministers, acts at the proper time—he proceeds on the right path in the royal assembly.

Verse 6.63.56

दीर्घकालंप्रसुप्तस्यकुम्भकर्णस्यविक्रमम् ।।6.63.55।।अद्यपश्यन्तुभूतानिभक्ष्यमाणानिसर्वशः ।नन्विदंत्रिदिवंसर्वमाहारस्य न पूर्यते ।।6.63.56।।

That king who, in accordance with rightful tradition, seeks to act at the proper juncture—who with discernment understands his ministers and keeps his well-wishers in view—truly knows what ought to be done.

Verse 6.63.57

वधेनतेदाशरथेःसुखार्हंसुखंसमाहर्तुमहंव्रजामि ।निहत्यरामंसहलक्ष्मणेनखादामिन्हरियूथमुख्यान् ।।6.63.57।।

O lord of the rākṣasas, a man should pursue dharma, artha, and kāma—either all together, or at least in balanced pairs—each in its proper time.

Verse 6.63.58

“I will slay Śatakratu (Indra); I will drink up the ocean, Varuṇa’s abode; I will grind the mountains to dust and split the earth itself.”