Rama, Sugreeva, Hanuman and others assemble to take counsel together, upon reaching the precinets of Lanks. While they were delibrating on the ways and means for the success of their mission, Vibhishana informs that he has sent his counsellors as spies to gather information about the enemy's plans and that they returned after gathering the required news about Ravana's arrangements at the four gates of theity. After hearing Vibhishana's information, Rama orders Nila, Angada Hanuman and others to storm the four gates and decides to stay on Suvela mountain with his army.
नर वानर राजौ तौ स च वायु सुतः कपिः |
जाम्बवान् ऋक्ष राजसः च राक्षससः च विभीषणः || ६-३७-१
अन्गदो वालि पुत्रसः च सौमित्रिः शरभः कपिः |
सुषेणः सह दायादो मैन्दो द्विविद;एव च || ६-३७-२
गजो गव अक्षो कुमुदो नलो अथ पनसस् तथा |
अमित्र विषयम् प्राप्ताः समवेताः समर्थयन् || ६-३७-३
1; 2; 3. (Meanwhile); naravaanara raajanau = Rama; the king of men and Sugreeva the sovereign of monkeys; saH kapiH = that Hanuman; vaayusutaH = the son of the wind; jaambavaan = Jambavan; R^ikSaraajaH = the king of the bears; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; raakSasaH = the demon; aN^gadaH = Angada; vaaliputraH = the son of Vali; saumitriH = lakshmana; sharabhaH kapiH = the Ape Sharabha; suSeNaH = Sushena; saha daayadaH = along with his kin's folk; maindaH = Mainda; dvivida evacha = Dvivida; gajaH = Gaja; atha = and; gavaakSaH = Gavaksha; kumudaH = Kumuda; tathaa = and; nalaH = Nala; atha = and; panasaH = Panasa; praaptaaH = (all) having reached; anitraviSayam = the enemy's territory; samavetaaH = assembled; samarthayan = for deliberation.
Meanwhile, Rama the king of men and Sugreeva the Sovereign of monkeys, Hanuman the son of the wind, Jambavan the king of the Bears, Vibhishana the demon, Angada the son of Vali, Lakshmana, Sushena along with his kinsfolk, Mainda, Dvivida, Gaja, Gavaksha, Kumuda, Nala and Panasa, all having reached the enemy's territory, assembled to take counsel together.
इयम् सा लक्ष्यते लन्का पुरी रावण पालिता |
सासुर उरग गन्धर्वैर् अमरैर् अपि दुर्जया || ६-३७-४
4. lakshhate = observe; iyam = this; saa = that very; laN^kaapurii = City of Lanka; raavaNapaalitaa = ruled by Ravana; durjayaa = impregnable; amarairapi = even to celestials; saasuraH = and the demons together; uraga gandharvaiH = or the uragas (the serpant-demons) and Gandharvas (Celestials musicians)
"Observe this city of Lanka, ruled by Ravana, impregnable both to celestials and the demons together, or the uragas (the serpent-demons) and Gandharvas (celestial musicians)."
कार्य सिद्धिम् पुरस् क्ऱ्त्य मन्त्रयध्वम् विनिर्णये |
नित्यम् सम्निहितो ह्य् अत्र रावणो राक्षस अधिपः || ६-३७-५
5. raavaNaH = Ravana; raakSasaadhipaH = the Lord of Demons; nityam = always; samnihitaH hi = indeed stays; atra = there; mantrayadhvam = think; vinirNaye = of determining our duty; puraskR^itya = with regard to; kaarya siddhim = the success of our expedition.
"Ravana, the lord of demons always stays in the City. Think of the ways and means for the success of our expedition."
तथा तेषु ब्रुवाणेषु रावण अवरजो अब्रवीत् |
वाक्यम् अग्राम्य पदवत् पुष्कल अर्थम् विभीषणः || ६-३७-६
6. atha = then; (while); teSu = they; bruvaaNeSu = were talking thus; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; raavaNaavarajaH = the younger brother of Ravana; abraviit = spoke; (the following); puSkalaartham = meaningful; agraamyapadavat = and polished; vaakyam = words.
While they were talking thus, Vibhishana the younger brother of Ravana spoke the following meaningful and polished words:
अनलः शरभसः चैव सम्पातिः प्रघसस् तथा |
गत्वा लन्काम् मम अमात्याः पुरीम् पुनर् इह आगताः || ६-३७-७
7. mama = My; amatyaaH = counsellors; (named) analaH = Anala; panasashchaiva = and Panasa; sampaatiH = Sampati; tathaa = and; pramatiH = Pramati; gataa = went; laN^kaampuriim = to the City of Lanka; punaH aagataaaH = and returned; iha = here.
"My counsellors named Anala, Panasa, Sampati and Pramati went to the City of Lanka and returned here."
भूत्वा शकुनयः सर्वे प्रविष्टासः च रिपोर् बलम् |
विधानम् विहितम् यच् च तद् द्ऱ्ष्ट्वा समुपस्थिताः || ६-३७-८
8. bhuutvaa = by transforming into; shakunayaH = birds; sarve = all of them; praviSTaaH = entered; rupoH = the enemy's balam = army; samupasthitaaH = (they) came; dR^iSTvaa = after observing; yat = which; tat = that; vidhaanam = arrangement; vihitam = was done.
"Assuming the form of birds, all the four entered that enemy's citadel and observed the measures taken by Ravana closely."
सम्विधानम् यथा आहुस् ते रावणस्य दुरात्मनः |
राम तद् ब्रुवतः सर्वम् यथातथ्येन मे शृणु || ६-३७-९
9. raama = O; Rama! shruNu = hear; me = from me; bruvataH = telling; sarvam = all; yathaatathyena = the exact position; yathaa = as; te = they; aahuH = informed; samvidhaanam = about the arrangement; raavaNasya = of Ravana; duraatmanaH = the evil-minded.
"O, Rama! I give a detailed report as it was given to me of the defence-arrangements made by tha evil-minded Ravana, hear me."
पूर्वम् प्रहस्तः सबलो द्वारम् आसाद्य तिष्ठति |
दक्षिणम् च महा वीर्यौ महा पार्श्व महा उदरौ || ६-३७-१०
10. prahastaH = Prahasta; prabalaH = of great strenght; tiSThati = is standing; aasaadya = accussed; puurvam dvaaram = to the eastern gate; mahaa paarshva mahodarau = Mahaparshva and Mahodara; mahaaviiryau = of mighty prowess; ( are at); dakSiNamcha = the southern gate.
"The very strong Prashata is standing near the eastern gate. Mahaparshva and Mahodara of mighty prowess are at the southern gate."
इन्द्रजित् पश्चिम द्वारम् राक्षसैर् बहुभिर् वृतः |
पट्टस असि धनुष्मद्भिः शूल मुद्गर पाणिभिः || ६-३७-११
नाना प्रहरणैः शूरैर् आवृतो रावण आत्मजः |
11. indrajit = Indrajit; raavaNaatmajaH = the son of Ravana; vR^itaH = along with; bahubhiH = many; raakSasaiH = demons; pattishaasidhanuSmadbhiH = harpoon; swords; bows; shuula mudgaraH = spears and hammers; aavR^itaH = and along with; bhuuraiH = warriors; naanaapraharaNaiH = furnished with weapons of many kinds; pashchimam dvaaram = is at the western gate.
"Indragit, the son of Ravana is at the western gate along with many demons armed with harpoons, swords, bows, spears and hammers together with warriors furnished with weapons of various kinds."
राक्षसानाम् सहस्रैस् तु बहुभिः शस्त्र पाणिभिः || ६-३७-१२
युक्तः परम सम्विग्नो राक्षसैर् बहुभिर् व्ऱ्तः |
उत्तरम् नगर द्वारम् रावणः स्वयम् आस्थितः || ६-३७-१३
12; 13. paramasamvigraH = a prey to great anxiety; raavaNaH = Ravana; mantravit = knower of magical formulas; svayam = is himself; aasthitaH = stationed; uttaram nagaradvaaram = at the northern gate; yuktaH = along with; raakSasaiH = thousands; shatra paaNibhiH = holding lances in their hand.
"A prey to great anxiety, Ravana knower of magical formulas, is himself stationed at the northern gate, along with several thousands of demons holding lances in their hand."
विरूप अक्षस् तु महता शूल खड्ग धनुष्मता |
बलेन राक्षसैः सार्धम् मध्यमम् गुल्मम् आस्थितः || ६-३७-१४
14. viruupakSastu = as for virupaksha; mahataa balena = with a nighty army; shuula khedga dhanuSmataa = armed with spears; clubs and bows; raakSasaiH saardham = along with demons; aashritaH = occupies; madhyamam gulamam = the center of the fort.
"As for Virupaksha he with mighty army carrying spears, clubs and bows along with other demons, occupies the center of the fort."
एतान् एवम् विधान् गुल्माम्ल् लन्कायाम् समुदीक्ष्य ते |
मामकाः सचिवाः सर्वे शीघ्रम् पुनर् इह आगताः || ६-३७-१५
15. sarve = all; te mantriNaH = those counsellors; maamakaraH = of mine; samudiikSya = observed; etaan = these; gulmaan = arranged in this manner; laN^kaayaam = in Lanka; punaH aagataaH = and returned; iha = here; shiighram = quickly.
"All these counsellors of mine watched those groups of troops arranged in Lanka in this manner and immediately returned here."
गजानाम् च सहस्रम् च रथानाम् अयुतम् पुरे |
हयानाम् अयुते द्वे च साग्र कोटी च रक्षसाम् || ६-३७-१६
विक्रान्ता बलवन्तसः च सम्युगेष्व् आततायिनः |
इष्टा राक्षस राजस्य नित्यम् एते निशा चराः || ६-३७-१७
16; 17. dashasaahasaram = ten thousand; gajaanaam = elephants; tathaa = and; ayutam = ten thousand; ruthaanaam = chariots; dve ayutam = twenty thousand; hayaanaam = cavalry; saagraa = a little more than; koTishcha = crore; rakSasaam = foot soldiers; balavantashcha = who are strong; vikraantaaH = intrepid; aatataayinaH = in battle; nityam = have even been; raakSasa raajasya = of their sovereign's; iSTaaH = favourites.
"The elephants and chariots number some ten thousand each, the cavalry twenty thousand and there are more than a crore foot soldiers. These strong and intrepid demons endeavouring to kill someone in battle have ever been their sovereign's favourites."
एक एकस्य अत्र युद्ध अर्थे राक्षसस्य विशाम् पते |
परिवारः सहस्राणाम् सहस्रम् उपतिष्ठते || ६-३७-१८
18. vishaampate = O; king! atra = in these demons; ekasya = for each; raakSasya = demon; parivaaraH = a retime; sahasraaNaam sahasram = of ten lacs; upatiSThate = is near at land.
"O, Rama! In these demons, a retinue of ten lacs each is near at hand for each demon."
एताम् प्रवृत्तिम् लन्कायाम् मन्त्रि प्रोक्तम् विभीषणः |
रामम् कमल पत्र अक्षम् इदम् उत्तरम् अब्रवीत् || ६-३७-१९
19. mahaabaahuH = the mighty-armed; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; aadarshayat = showed; taan = those; raakSasaan = demons (his counsellors); uktvaa = after speaking; itaam = this; pravR^ittim = news; laN^kaayaam = in Lanka; evam = thus; mantriproktaam = spoken by his counsellors.
The mighty armed Vibhishana showed those counsellors to Rama after reporting the aforesaid news pertaining to Lanka, thus informed by his counsellors.
लङ्कायाम् सचिवैः रामाय प्रत्यवेदयत् |
रामं कमलपत्राक्षमिदमुत्तरमब्रवीत् || ६-३७-२०
रावणावरजः श्रीमान् रामप्रियचिकीर्षया |
20. sachivaiH = the counsellors; pratyavedayat = confirmed; sarvam = all that was known; laN^kaayaam = regarding Lanks; (thereafter); shromaan = the illustrious; raavaNaavarajaH = Vibhishana raama priya chikiirSayaa = in his desire to please Rama; abraviit = addressed; kamalapatraakSam = that lotus-eyed; raamam = Rama; uttaram = further; idam = with these words.
The counsellors of Vibhishana themselves confirmed all that was known regarding Lanka. Thereafter, the illustrious Vibhishana, in his desire to please Rama, addressed that lotus-eyed one, further with the following words:
कुबेरम् तु यदा राम रावणः प्रत्ययुध्यत || ६-३७-२१
षष्टिः शत सहस्राणि तदा निर्यान्ति राक्षसाः |
पराक्रमेण वीर्येण तेजसा सत्त्व गौरवात् || ६-३७-२२
सदृशा यो अत्र दर्पेण रावणस्य दुरात्मनः |
21; 22. raama = O; Rama!; yadaa = when; raavaNaH = Ravana; kuberam pratyayudhyata = attacked Kubera in battle; SaSTiH = sixty shatasahasraaaNi = lacs of raakSasaam = demons; niryaanti = sallied forth; tadaa = then(with him); sadR^ishaa = (all of them) were similar; raavaNasya = to Ravana; duraatmanaH = the evil minded; paraakramaNa = in prowess; viiryeNa = in strength; tejasaa = in splendour; stattvagouravaat = because of angmented courage; darpNa = and a pride; atra = there.
"O, Rama! When Ravana attacked Kubera in battle, sixty lacs of demons sallied forth with him. All of them were akin to the evil-minded Ravana in prowess, in strength, in courage and in pride."
अत्र मन्युर् न कर्तव्यो रोषये त्वाम् न भीषये || ६-३७-२३
समर्थो ह्य् असि वीर्येण सुराणाम् अपि निग्रहे |
23. manyuH = Indignation; na kartavyaH = is not required; atra = in this matter; tvaam roSaye = I am making you irritated; na bhiiSaye = and not terrifying; asihi = you are indeed; samarthaH = capable; nigrahe.api = of even overpowering; suraaNaam = the celestials; viiryeNa = by your valour.
"Indignation need not be resorted to (by you) based on this report. I am not terrifying you, bt only arousing your wrath. You are indeed capable of overpowering even celestials by your valour."
तद् भवांसः चतुर् अन्गेण बलेन महता वृतः || ६-३७-२४
व्यूह्य इदम् वानर अनीकम् निर्मथिष्यसि रावणम् |
24. tat = for this reason; vyuuhya vaanaraaniikam = having set out these monkey forces in battle-array; bhavam = you; nirmathiSyati = shall destroy; raavaNam = Ravana; idam = (with) this; vaanaraaniikam = army of monkeys; charaNgeNa balena = composed of four division; vR^itam = which surround you.
"Having set out these monkey-forces in battle-array, you shall destryoy Ravana with this great army of monkeys, composed of four divisions, which surround you."
रावण अवरजे वाक्यम् एवम् ब्रुवति राघवः || ६-३७-२५
शत्रूणाम् प्रतिघात अर्थम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत् |
25. raavaNaavaraje = Vibhishana; bruvatisati = having spoken; vaakyam = words; evam = thus; raaghavaH = Rama; abraviit = gave; idam = the following; vachanam = orders; pratighaataartham = for the attack; shatruuNaam = of the adversaries.
Vibhishana having spoken thus Rama gave the following orders for the attack of the adversaries.
पूर्व द्वारे तु लन्काया नीलो वानर पुम्गवः || ६-३७-२६
प्रहस्तम् प्रतियोद्धा स्याद् वानरैर् बहुभिर् वृतः |
26. puurva dvaare = at the eastern gate; laN^kaayaaH = of Lanka; niilaH = Nila; vaanarapuNgavaH = that lion among monkeys; syaat = for his part; vR^itaH = surrounded; bahubhiH = by many; vaanaraiH = monkeys; prahasta pratiyoddhaa = should attack Prahasta.
"At the eastern gate of Lanka, Nila that lion among monkeys for his part, surrounded by many monkeys, should attack Prahasta."
अन्गदो वालि पुत्रस् तु बलेन महता वृतः || ६-३७-२७
दक्षिणे बाधताम् द्वारे महा पार्श्व महा उदरौ |
27. dakSiNa dvaare = At the southern gate; aNgadaH = Angada; vaaliputraH = the son of Vali; vR^itaH = surrounded; mahataa = by his mighty; balena = army; baadhataam = should oppose; mahaapaarshva mahodarau = Mahaparshva and Mahodara.
"At the southern gate, Angada the son of Vali, surrounded by his mighty army, should oppose Mahaparshva and Mahodara."
हनूमान् पश्चिम द्वारम् निपीड्य पवन आत्मजः || ६-३७-२८
प्रविशत्व् अप्रमेय आत्मा बहुभिः कपिभिर् वृतः |
28. (Let); hanumaan = Hanuman; pavanaatmajaH = the son of wind; aprameyaatmaa = (and) of inscrutable spirit; vR^itaH = surrounded; bahubhiH = by a multitude; kapibhiH = of monkeys; niSpiiDya = having crashed; pashchima dvaare = into the western gate; praveshitu = enter (the City)
"Let Hanuman that son of the Wind and of inscrutable spirit, surrounded by a multitude of monkeys, enter the City through the western gate."
दैत्य दानव सम्घानाम् ऋषीणाम् च महात्मनाम् || ६-३७-२९
विप्रकार प्रियः क्षुद्रो वर दान बल अन्वितः |
परिक्रामति यः सर्वाम्ल् लोकान् सम्तापयन् प्रजाः || ६-३७-३०
तस्य अहम् राक्षस इन्द्रस्य स्वयम् एव वधे धृतः |
उत्तरम् नगर द्वारम् अहम् सौमित्रिणा सह || ६-३७-३१
निपीड्य अभिप्रवेक्ष्यामि सबलो यत्र रावणः |
29; 30 ; 31. aham = I; svayameva = am myself; dhR^itaH = determined; vadhe = to slay; tasya = that; kSudraH = mean fellow; raakSasendrasya = Ravana; yaH = who; varadaan abalaanivitaH = owing to the boon he has received; viprakaara priyaH = enjoys oppressing; daitya daanavasanghaanaam = multitudes of Daityas (giants) and daanavas (demons); mahaat manaam = as also the magnanimous; R^iSiiNaam cha = sages; parikraamati = and who ranges; lokaan = the worlds; samtaapayan = persecnting; sarvaan = all; prajaaH = being; saumitreNa saha = with the aid of Lakshaman; aham = I; nipiiDya = shall forcibly; abhipravekSyaami = enter; uttaram nagara dvaaram = the northern gate; yatra; raavaNaH = where Ravana is there; sabalaH = along with the army.
I am myself determined to slay that wicked who owing to the boon he has received, enjoys oppressing multitudes of Daityas (gaints) and Daanavas (demons), as also the magnanimous sages and who ranges the world, persenting all being. With the aid of Lakshmana, I shall forcibly enter the northern gate where Ravana is stationed along with his army."
वानर इन्द्रसः च बलवान् ऋक्ष राजसः च जाम्बवान् || ६-३७-३२
राक्षस इन्द्र अनुजसः चैव गुल्मे भवतु मध्यमे |
32. balavaan = the mighty; vaanarendrashcha = Sugreeva the king of monkeys; viiryavaan = the valiant; R^ikSaraajashcha = jambavanshchaiva = and vibhishana; the younger brother of the Lord of demons; bhavatu = be; gulme = of the army.
"Let the mighty Sugreeva the king of monkeys, the valiant Jambavan the king of bears and Vibhishana, the younger brother of the Lord of demons occupy the central position of the army."
न च एव मानुषम् रूपम् कार्यम् हरिभिर् आहवे || ६-३७-३३
एषा भवतु नः सम्ज्ना युद्धे अस्मिन् वानरे बले |
33. maanuSam = Human; ruupam = form; na chaiva kaaryam = should not be assumed; haribhiH = by the monkeys; aahave = in battle; bale = in the army; vaanare = of monkeys; eSaa = this monkey-shape; bhavatu = should be; samjJNaa = a sign of recognition; naH = among us; asmin = in this; yuddhe = battle.
"Monkeys should not assume human form in the battle, for, in the army of monkeys, this monkey-shape should serve as a sign of recognition among us."
वानरा;एव निश्चिह्नम् स्व जने अस्मिन् भविष्यति || ६-३७-३४
वयम् तु मानुषेण एव सप्त योत्स्यामहे परान् |
अहम् एव सह भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणेन महा ओजसा || ६-३७-३५
आत्मना पन्चमसः च अयम् सखा मम विभीषणः |
34; 35. asmin svajane = in our own people among us; vaanaraaH eva = the form of monkeys itself; bhaviSyati = will become; chihnam = a sign of recognition; naH = for us; sapta = seven; vayam = fo us; yotsyaamahe = will attack; paraan = the foe; maanuSeNaiva = in human form; eSaH = this; aham = I; (along with); bhraatraa = my brother; lakSmaNena = Lakshmana; mohaujasaa = who is full of valour; mama sakhaa = my friend; ayam = this; vibhiiSaNaH = Vibhishana; paN^chamaH = the fifhth; aatmanaa = with him (along with his four companions).
"Among our own people also, the form of monkeys will become a sign of recognition for us. Seven of us will attack the foe in our human form, I, my brother Lakshmana, who is full of valour, my friend Vibhishana and his four companions."
स रामः कार्य सिद्ध्य् अर्थम् एवम् उक्त्वा विभीषणम् || ६-३७-३६
सुवेल आरोहणे बुद्धिम् चकार मतिमान् मतिम् |
रमणीयतरम् दृष्ट्वा सुवेलस्य गिरेस्तट्म् || ६-३७-३७
36; 37. uktvaa = having said; evam = thus; vibhiiSaNam = to Vibhishana; kR^itya siddhyartham = for the success of the enterprise; saH raamaH = that Rama; matimaan prabhuH = in the role of a wise leader; chakaara = made up; buddhim = his mind; suvelaarohaNe = to ascend Mount Suvela; ramaNiiyataram = the more charming; taTam = slope; suvelasya gireH = of the Mount Suvela; dR^iSTvaa = (he) had observed.
Having said thus to Vibhishana for the success of the enterprise, Rama in the role of a wise leader, decided to stay on Mount Suvela, after observing its charming slopes.
ततस् तु रामो महता बलेन |
प्रच्चाद्य सर्वाम् पृथिवीम् महात्मा |
प्रहृष्ट रूपो अभिजगाम लन्काम् |
कृत्वा मतिम् सो अरि वधे महात्मा || ६-३७-३८
38. tataH = Thereafter; prachchhaadi = having covered; sarvaam pR^ithiviim = the entire field; mahataa balena = with his great army; kR^itvaa = having made up; matim = his mind; arivadhe = to slain the enemies; mahaatmaa = that high-souled; raamaH = Rama; mahaatmaa = of great courage; abhijagaama = set out; laN^kaam = for Lanka; prahR^iSTa ruupaH = with a joyous and exultant air.
Thereafter, having covered the entire filed with his great army and having made up his mind to destroy the enemies, that high-souled Rama of great courage, set out for Lanka with a joyous and exultant air.
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इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्ध कान्दे सप्तत्रिंशः सर्गः
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© November 2004, K. M. K. Murthy