Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 52
Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

Hearing the harsh words of Hanuma, Ravana orders him to be killed. Vibhishana, however, advises Ravana to desist from the dastardly act, pointing out that the killing of an envoy is forbiddenaccording to religious scriptures.


Verse Locator

tasya tat vacanam śrutvā vānarasya mahātmanaḥ |
ājñāpayat vadham tasya rāvaṇaḥ krodha mūrcitaḥ || 5-52-1

1. shrutvaa = hearing; tat vachanam = those words; tasya vaanarasya = of that Hanuma; mahaatmanaH = the high-souled one; raavaNaH = Ravana; krodhamuurchhitaH = excited with anger; aajJNaapayat = ordered; vadham = for the killing; tasya = of Hanuma.

Hearing those words of the high=souled Hanuma, Ravana duly excited with anger, ordered for the killing of Hanuma.

Verse Locator

vadhe tasya samājñapte rāvaṇena durātmanā |
niveditavato dautyam na anumene vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 5-52-2

2. samaajJNapte = while it was ordered; duraatmanaa raavaNena = by the evil-natured Ravana; tasya vadhe = for killing of Hanuma; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; naanumene = did not agree; dautyam niveditavataH = to the killing of Hanuma; who was entrusted with the function of a messenger.

While it was ordered by the evil-natured Ravana for the killing of Hanuma, Vibhishana did not agree to the killing of Hanuma, who was entrusted with the functions of a messenger.

Verse Locator

tam rakṣo adhipatim kruddham tac ca kāryam upasthitam |
viditvā cintayāmāsa kāryam kārya vidhau sthitaḥ || 5-52-3

3. viditvaa = looking to; tat = that; kaaryam cha = affair (of killing an envoy); upasthitam = that has arisen; tam = and that; rakSodhipatim = Ravana; kruddham = getting enraged; kaaryavidhau; sthitaH = Vibhishana; who was firm in accompanying any object; chintayaamaasa = reflected upon; kaaryam = the appropriate action to be done.

Seeing Ravana getting enraged and looking to that affair (of killing of an envoy) that has arisen, Vibhishana who was firm in accompanying any object, reflected upon an appropriate action to be done.

Verse Locator

niścita arthaḥ tataḥ sāmnā āpūjya śatrujit agrajam |
uvāca hitam atyartham vākyam vākya viśāradaḥ || 5-52-4

4. tataH = then; nishchitaarthaH = deciding about a right action; vaakyavishaaradaH = Vibhishana; who was skilled in communication; shatrujit = and a conqueror of enemies; uvaacha = spoke; atyartham = very meaningful; hitam = and useful; vaakyam = words; puujyam agrajam = to his venerable brother; saamnaa = softly.

Then, deciding about a right action, Vibhishna, who was silled in communication and a conqueror of enemies, spoke softly the following very meaningful and useful words to Ravana, his venerable borther.

Verse Locator

kṣamasva roṣam tyaja rākṣasendra |
prasīda madvākyamidam śṛṇuṣva |
vadham na kurvanti parāvarajñā |
dūtasya santo vasudhādhipendrāḥ || 5-52-5

5. raakSasendra = O king of demons!; kSamasva = forgive; tyaja = and give up; roSam = anger; prasiida = be gracious; shR^iNusva = and hear; idam = these; madvaakyam = words of mine; santaH = virtuous; vasudhaadhipendraaH = kings of excellence; paraavarajJNaaH = knowing the disant and the near; na kurvanti = do not cause; vadham = killing; duutasya = of an envoy.

"O king of demons! Forgive and give up your anger. Be gracious and hear my words. Virtuous kings of excellence, knowing the distant and the near, do not cause killing of an envoy."

Verse Locator

rājan dharma viruddham ca loka vṛtteḥ ca garhitam |
tava ca asadṛśam vīra kapeḥ asya pramāpaṇam || 5-52-6

6. viira = O hero!; pramaapaNam = murder; asya kapeH = of this monkey; raajadharma viruddham = is antagonistic to a royal virtue; garhitam = and is condemnable; loka vR^itteshcha = according to universal custom; asadR^isham = It is improper; tavacha = for you too.

"O hero! Killing of this monkey is against a royal virtue and any universal custom condemns it. Hence, it is improper for you also to do it."

Verse Locator

dharmajñśca kṛtajñśca rājadharmaviśāradaḥ |
parāvarajño bhūtānām tvameva paramārthavit || 5-52-7

7. tvameva = you are indeed; dharmajJNascha = the knower of what is right; kR^itajJNashcha = and a person of gratitude; raajadharma vishaaradaH = you are experienced in royal virtues; paraavarajJNaH = you know both the distant and the near; bhuutaanaam = in beings; paramaarthavit = you know the highest truth.

"You are indeed the knower of what is right. You are a person of gratitude. You are well-versed in royal virtues. You know both the distant and the near in beings. You know the highest truth."

Verse Locator

gṛhyante yadi roṣeṇa tvādṛśo.api vipaścitaḥ |
tataḥ śāstravipaścittvam śrama eva hi kevalam || 5-52-8

8. vipashchito.api yadi = if even learned persons; tvaadR^ishaH = like you; gR^ihyante = are seized; roSam = by anger; tataH = then; shaastravipashchittvam = the knowledge of scriptures; kevalam shrama eva hi = is indeed just a labour in vain.

"If even learned persons like you are seized by anger, then the knowledge of scriptures is indeed just a labour in vain."

Verse Locator

tasmātprasīda śatrughna rākṣasendra durāsada |
tataḥ śāstravipaścittvam śrama eva hi kevalm || 5-52-9

9. raakSasendra = O king of demons!; shatrughna = O annihilator of enemies!; duuraasada = O king; dangerous to be approached!; tasmaat = therefore; prasiida = be greaceful; vinishchitya = determining; yuktaayuktam = about right and wrong; duutadaN^DaH = (let) the punishment to the envoy; vidhiiyataam = be ordered.

"O king of demons! O annihilator of enemies, dangerous to be approached! Therefore, be graceful. After ascertaining about right and wrong, let appropriate punishment be ordered to the envoy."

Verse Locator

vibhīṣaṇavacaḥ śrutvā rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ |
roṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo vākyamuttaramabravīt || 5-52-10

10. shrutvaa = hearing; vibhiiSaNa vachaH = the words of Vibhishana; raavaNaH = Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH = the lord of demons; aaviSTaH mahataa roSeNa = was enveloped by a great anger; abraviit = and spoke; vaakyam = (the following) words; uttaran = in reply.

Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Ravana the lord of demons was greatly enraged and replied in the following words:

Verse Locator

na pāpānām vadhe pāpam vidyate śatrusūdana |
tasmādenam vadhiṣyāmi vānaram pāpacāriṇam || 5-52-11

11. shatru suudana = O annihilator of enemies!; na vidyate paapam = there is no sin; vadhe = in killing; paapaanaam = of sinners; tasmaat = therefore; vadhiSyaami = I shall kill; enam = this; vaanaram = monkey; paapachaariNam = who performed sins.

"O Vibhishana, the annihilator of enemies! There is no sin, even if the sinners are killed. So, I shall kill this monkey, who performed sins."

Verse Locator

adharmamūlam bahudoṣayukta |
manāryajuṣṭam vacanam niśamya |
uvāca vākyam paramārthatattvam |
vibhīṣaṇo buddhimatām variṣṭhaḥ || 5-52-12

12. nishamya = hearing; vachanam = those words; adharma muulam = rooted in unrighteousness; bahuroSayuktam = accompanied by a great enragement; anaarya juSTam = and practised by the dishonourable; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; variSThaH = the best buddhimataam = among those who were endowed iwht understanding; uvaacha = spoke; vaakyam = ( the following) words; paramaarthatattvam = comprising of the highest truth.

Hearing those words, rooted in unrighteousness, enveloped in a great anger and accepted by the dishonourable, Vibhishana the best among those who weer endowed with understanding, spoke the following words, comprising of the highest truth.

Verse Locator

prasīda laṅkeśvara rākṣasendra |
dharmārthayuktam vacanam śṛṇuṣva |
dūtānavadhyān samayeṣu rājan |
sarveṣu sarvatra vadanti santaḥ || 5-52-13

13. raakSasendra = O king of demons!; laN^keshwara = O Lord of Lanka!; prasiida = be gracious enough!; shruNuSva = hear; vachanam = my words; dharmaarthayuktam = endowed with righteousness and significance; raajan = O king; santah = sages; vadanti = say; duutaan = that envoys; avadhyaan = are not to be killed; sarveSu samayeSu = at all times; sarvatra = and at all places.

"O king of demons! O lord of Lanka! Be gracious enough. Hear my words endowed with righteousness and significance. O king! Sages say that messengers should not be killed at all places and at all times."

Verse Locator

asaṃśayam śatruḥ ayam pravṛddhaḥ |
kṛtam hi anena apriyam aprameyam |
na dūta vadhyām pravadanti santo |
dūtasya dṛṣṭā bahavo hi daṇḍāḥ || 5-52-14

14. asamshayam = there is no doubt; ayam shatruH = this enemy; pravR^iddhaH = is arrogant; aprameyam = an unlimited; apriyam = displeasure; kR^itam hi = has indeed been done; anena = by him; santaH = sages; na pravadanti = do not speak; duuta vadhyaam = about the killing of an envoy; bahavaH = many; daN^DaaH = punishments; dR^iSTaaH hi = are indeed indentified; duutasya = for an envoy.

"There is no doubt that this enemy is arrogant. He has created an unlimited displeasure to us. But, sages do not talk about the killing of an envoy There are indeed severeal punishments, intended for an envoy."

Verse Locator

vairūpyām angeṣu kaśa abhighāto |
mauṇḍyam tathā lakṣmaṇa samnipātaḥ |
etān hi dūte pravadanti daṇḍān |
vadhaḥ tu dūtasya na naḥ śruto api || 5-52-15

15. vairuupyam = deforming; aN^geSu = the limbs; kashaabhighaataH = striking with a whip; mauN^Dyam = shaving the head; tathaa = ad; lakSaNa sannipaataH = impressing marks on the body; pravadanti = (they) say; etaan = these; daN^Daan = to be the punishments; duute = for the envoys; naasti = It is not; shrutaH = heard; naH = by us; vadhastu = about the killing; duutasya = of a messenger.

"Some of the punishments to an envoy are-deforming the limbs, striking with a whip, shaving the head and impressing marks on the body. Indeed, we have not heard at any time of killing a messenger."

Verse Locator

katham ca dharma artha vinīta buddhiḥ |
para avara pratyaya niścita arthaḥ |
bhavat vidhaḥ kopa vaśe hi tiṣṭhet |
kopam niyacchanti hi sattvavantaḥ || 5-52-16

16. katham = how; bavadvidhaH = can a person like you; dharmaartha viniita buddhiH = holding an intellect trained in religious merit and purpose; paraavara pratyayanishchitaarthaH = and who has a right judgement over cause and effect; tiSThet = abide; kopavashe = in subjection of anger; sattvantaH = wise persons; niyachchhantihi = indeed contain; kopam = their anger.

"How can a person like you, holding an intellect trained in religious merit and purpose and a right judgement on cause and effect, subject to anger? Wise people indeed contain their anger."

Verse Locator

na dharma vāde na ca loka vṛtte |
na śāstra buddhi grahaṇeṣu vā api |
vidyeta kaścit tava vīra tulyaḥ |
tvam hi uttamaḥ sarva sura asurāṇām || 5-52-17

17. viira = O hero!; na vidyeta = there is none; tulyaH = equal; tava = to you; dharma vaade = who can discuss about the law or duty; na = none; loka vR^itte = about universal custom; na = and none; shaastra buddhi grahaNeSu = in capturing the essence of scriptures; tvam = you; uttamaH hi = are indeed excellent; sarva suraasuraaNaam = among all the celestials and demons (in these matters).

"O hero! There is no one equal to you, who can discuss about the law or duty, none about universal custom and none in capturing the essence of scriptures. You are indeed excellent among all the celestials and demons in these matter."

Verse Locator

śūreṇa vīreṇa niśācarendra |
surāsurāṇāmapi durjayena |
tvayā pragalbhāḥ suradaityasamghā |
jitāśca yuddheṣvasakṛnnarendrāḥ || 5-52-18

18. nishaacharendra = O king of demons!; shuureNa = you are valiant; viireNa = you are heroic; tvayaa = by you; durjayena = who cannot be conquered; suraasuraaNaamapi = even by celestials and demons; pragalbhaaH = proud; suradaitya samghaaH = multitude of celestials and demons; narendraaH = together with their kings; jiteshcha = were conquered; yuddheSu = in battles; asakR^it = several times.

"O king of demons! You are valiant. You are heroic. Even celestials and demons cannot conquer you. You conquered a multitude of proud celestials and demons together with their kings in battles several times"

Verse Locator

na ca api asya kapeḥ ghāte kaṃcit paśyāmi aham guṇam |
teṣv ayam pātyatām daṇḍo yaiḥ ayam preṣitaḥ kapiḥ || 5-52-19

19. aham = I; na pashyaami = do not see; kamchit guNam = any merit; ghaate = in killing; asya = this; kapeH = monkey; ayam daN^DaH = let this punishment; paatyataam = be employed; teSu = on those; yaiH = by whom; ayam kapiH = this monkey; preSitaH = was sent.

"I do not see any merit in killing this monkey. Let this carnal punishment be employed on those by whom this monkey was sent."

Verse Locator

sādhuḥ vā yadi vā asādhuḥ paraiḥ eṣa samarpitaḥ |
bruvan para artham paravān na dūto vadham arhati || 5-52-20

20. eSaH = He; samarpitH = is a person sent; paraiH = by our enemies; saadhurvaa = or bad; na arhati = It is not worthy; vadham = of killing; duutaH = him who is a messenger; paravaan = who is dependent on others; bruvan = and who talks; paraartham = for the cause of others.

"He is a person, sent by our enemies, whether he is good or bad. It is not worthy of killing him, who is an envoy, who is dependent on others and who talks for the cause of others."

Verse Locator

api ca asmin hate rājan na anyam paśyāmi khe caram |
iha yaḥ punaḥ āgacchet param pāram mahāudadhiḥ || 5-52-21

21. raajaa = O king!; apicha = moreover; asmin = (If) he; hate = is killed; na pashyaami = I do not find; anyam = any other person; yaH khecharam = who can travel through sky; aagachchhet = and come; iha = here; punaH = again; param paaram = to this shore; mahodadhe = of the great ocen.

"O king! Moreover, If he is killed, I do not find any other person, who can travel through the sky and come here again to this shore of the great ocean."

Verse Locator

tasmān na asya vadhe yatnaḥ kāryaḥ para puram jaya |
bhavān sa indreṣu deveṣu yatnam āsthātum arhati || 5-52-22

22. para puramjaya = O conqueror of enemies!; tasmaat = therefore; na kaaryaH yatnaH = do not make effort; vadhe = to kill; asya = him; bhavaan = you; arhasi = ought; aasthaatum = to strengthen; yatnam = your effort; deveSu = on celestials; sendreSu = including Indra.

"O conqueror of enemies! Therefore, do not make efforts to kill him. On the other hand, you ought to strengthen such effort on celestials including indra."

Verse Locator

asmin vinaṣṭe na hi dūtam anyam |
paśyāmi yaḥ tau nara rāja putrau |
yuddhāya yuddha priya durvinītāv |
udyojayet dīrgha patha avaruddhau || 5-52-23

23. yuddhapriya = O Ravana; fond of war!; asmin vinaSTe = If he is dead; na pashyaami hi = I do not indeed find; anyam = another; viiram = her; yaH = who; udyojayet = can incite; tau nara raajaputrau = those princes; durviniitaa = who are arrogant; diirgha pathaavaruddhau = and who are hindered by a long distance; yuddhaa ya = for war.

"O Ravana, who is fond of war! If he is dead, I do not find any other hero, who can incite those two arrogant princes, who are hindered by a long distance, for war."

Verse Locator

parākrama utsāha manasvinām ca |
sura asurāṇām api durjayena |
tvayā mano nandana nairṛtānām |
yuddha āyatiḥ nāśayitum na yuktā || 5-52-24

24. manonandana = O Ravana who can gladden the hearts; nairR^itaanaam = of demons!; tvayaa = by you; durjayena = who are difficult to be conquered; suraasuraaNaamapi = by even celestials and demons; paraakramat saaha manasvinaam = having prowess; energy and courage; na yuktaa = it is not proper; naashayitum = to eliminate; yuddhaayatiH = an arrival of war.

"O Ravana who can gladden the hearts of demons! It is not proper for you, who are difficult to be conquered by even celestials and demons having sufficient prowess energy and courage, to crush the arrival of a war."

Verse Locator

hitāḥ ca śūrāḥ ca samāhitāḥ ca |
kuleṣu jātāḥ ca mahāguṇeṣu |
manasvinaḥ śastrabhṛtām variṣṭhāḥ |
koṭi agra śaste subhṛtāḥ ca yodhāḥ || 5-52-25

25. koTyagrataH = (There are) more than a crore; yodhaaH = of warriors; subhR^itaashcha = well-maintained; te hitaashcha = and who desire your welfare; shuuraashcha = valiant ones; samaahitaashcha = mahaaguNeSu = who have colossal merits;; jaataaH = who were born; kuleSu = in a good tribe; manasvinaH = who are n high spirits; variSThaaH = excellent ones; shastra bhR^itaam = among wielders of weapons.

"There are more than a crore of valiant warriors in your charge, well-maintained, who desire your welfare, quite devoted, having colossal merits, born in a good tribe, holding high spirits and excellent wielders of weapons."

Verse Locator

tat eka deśena balasya tāvat |
kecit tava ādeśa kṛto apayāntu |
tau rāja putrau vinigṛhya mūḍhau |
pareṣu te bhāvayitum prabhāvam || 5-52-26

26. tat = therefore; kechit = some; tava aadesha kR^itaH = who follow your command; abhiyaantu = go; ekadeshena = with a portion; balasya = of your army; vinigR^ihya = subjugating; tau = those; muuDhyau raajaputrau = two stupid princes; bhaavayitum = and to protect; te = your; prabhaavam = power; pareSu = on the enemies.

"Therefore, let some who follow your command, by talking a portion of your army, subjugate those two stupid princes, in order to make your power known to your adversaries."

Verse Locator

niśācarāṇāmadhipo.anujasya |
vibhīṣaṇasyottamavākyamiṣṭam |
jagrāha buddhyā suralokaśatru |
rmahābalo rākṣasarājamukhyaḥ || 5-52-27

27. mahaabalaH = the mighty; raakSasaraaja mukhyaH = and eminent king of demons; adhipaH = the lord; nishaacharaaNaam = of ogres; suralokashatruH = and the adversary of the world of celestials; jagraaha = understood; iSTam = the cherished; uttam vaakyam = and excellent message; amyasya vibhiiSaNasya = of Vibhishana his brother; buddhyaa = with his presence of mind.

Ravana, the mighty and the eminent king of demons as also the lord of ogres and the adversary of the world of celestials, understood the cherished and excellent message of Vibhishana his brother with his due presence of mind."

- - -

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye sundarakāṇḍe dvipañcāśaḥ sargaḥ

Thus completes 52nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

- - - Verse Locator for Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty : Chapter 52

Top of Page 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27

© February, 2006, K. M. K. Murthy




Read more about: who and verse
Site uploaded by Go FTP FREE Program