ततः पौलस्त्यसचिवाः श्रुत्वा चेन्द्रजितो वधम्। आचचक्षुरवज्ञाय दशग्रीवाय सत्वराः॥
Then the counsellors of Pulastya's son, hearing of Indrajit having been slain, speedily conveyed the tidings to the Ten-necked one, who was ignorant* of the same.
युद्धे हतो महाराज लक्ष्मणेन तवात्मजः। विभीषणसहायेन मिषतां नो महाद्युतिः॥
O mighty monarch, in our very sight your exceedingly effulgent son has been slain by Lakş maņa with the help of Vibhīşaņa.
शूरः शूरेण संगम्य संयुगेष्वपराजितः। लक्ष्मणेन हतः शूरः पुत्रस्ते विबुधेन्द्रजित्॥ गतः स परमाल्लोकाशरैः संतर्घ्य लक्ष्मणम्।
That hero confronted by the (other) heros, has been vanquished in fight. And the hero, you son, the conqueror of the celestial chief, has also been slain by Lakşmaņa. And having gratified Lakş maņa with his shafts, he has repaired to the supreme regions.
स तं प्रतिभयं श्रुत्वा वधं पुत्रस्य दारुणम्॥ घोरमिन्द्रजितः संख्ये कश्मलं प्राविशन्महत्।
Hearing of that mighty terror, viz., the rueful and dreadful destruction of his son, "Indrajit, in battle, he straightway swooned away.
उपलभ्य चिरात्संज्ञां राजा राक्षसपुङ्गवः॥ पुत्रशोकाकुलो दीनो विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः।
Then regaining his consciousness after a long while, that foremost of Räkşasas-the kingover-whelmed with grief for his son, and distressed, burst into lamentations, with his senses wildered, thus.
हा राक्षसचमूमुख्य मम वत्स महाबल॥ जित्वेन्द्रं कथमद्य त्वं लक्ष्मणस्य वशं गतः।
O foremost in the Räkşasa army! O my child endowed with high might! Having conquered Indra himself, wherefore today have you come under the sway of Lakşmaņa?
ननु त्वमिषुभिः कृद्धो भिन्द्याः कालान्तकावपि॥ मन्दरस्यापि शृङ्गाणि किं पुनर्लक्ष्मणं युधि।
Doubtless, you enraged could pierce with you arrows the Destroyer of Time himself, and the summit of Mandāra, what shall I say of Laks mana in encounted?
अद्य वैवस्वतो राजा भूयो बहुमतो मम॥ येनाद्य त्वं महाबाहो संयुक्तः कालधर्मणा।
Today king Vivasvata has raised himself immensely in my estimation, for today he, O mighty-armed one, has brought you under the law of Time.
एष पन्थाः सुयोधानां सर्वामरगणेष्वपि।। यः कृते हन्यते भर्तुः स पुमान्स्वर्गमृच्छति॥
But this is the way of capable warriors as well as celestials. He that lay down his life for his lord, repair to heaven.
अद्य देवगणाः सर्वे लोकपाला महर्षयः। हतमिन्द्रजितं दृष्ट्वा सुखं स्वप्स्यन्ति निर्भयाः॥
To-day seeing Indrajit slain, the deities and the guardians of the worlds, and the mighty saints, their fear gone off, shall sleep peacefully.
अद्य लोकास्त्रयः कृत्स्ना पृथिवी च सकानना। एकेनेन्द्रजिता हीना शून्येव प्रतिभाति मे॥
This triple world and this entire earth with her woods, reft of one—Indrajit—appear to me as vacant.
अद्य नैर्ऋतकन्यानां श्रोष्याम्यन्तःपुरे रवम्। करेणुसङ्घस्य यथा निनादं गिरिगह्वरे॥
To-day shall I hear the cries of the daughters of the Naiſtas in my inner apartment, like to the roars of she-elephants in a mountain-cavern.
यौवराज्यं च लङ्कां च रक्षांसि च परंतप। मातरं मां च भार्याश्च क्व गतोऽसि विहाय नः॥
Renouncing your state of an heir-apparent, and Lanka and Raksasas, O subduer of enemies, and your mother, and me, and your wifewhither have you gone, (leaving) us all?
मम नाम त्वया वीर गतस्य यमसादनम्। प्रेतकार्याणि कार्याणि विपरीते हि वर्तसे॥
O hero, I having gone to the region of Yama, you ought to have performed my last rites, but you stand in a relation the very reverse of this.* *i.e. I have to perform your last rites, you having fallen in fight while I am alive.
स त्वं जीवति सुग्रीवे लक्ष्मणे न च राघवे। मम शल्यमनुढत्य क्व गतोऽसि विहाय नः॥
And Sugriva living and Lakşmana and Raghava, without extracting my dart, whither have you gone, leaving us all?
एवमादिविलापात रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्। आविवेश महान्कोपः पुत्रव्यसनसंभवः॥ प्रकृत्या कोपनं ह्येनं पुत्रस्य पुनराधयः। दीप्तं संदीपयामासुर्धर्मेऽर्कमिव रश्मयः॥
Then arising from the disaster that had befallen his son, a mighty wrath overcame the lord of Räkşasas-Rāvaņa, as he was thus indulging in lamentations. And even as in summer, the (Solar) rays flame up the Sun, the destruction of his son flamed up all the fiercer, him, who was naturally irascible.
कोपाद्विजृम्भमाणस्य वक्राव्यक्तमिव ज्वलन्। उत्पपात सधूमाग्निवृत्रस्य वदनादिव॥
As he kept yawning in passion, a flaming fire with smoke darted from his mouth, even as it did from the mouth of Vſtra.
स पुत्रवधसंतप्तः शूरः क्रोधवशं गतः। समीक्ष्य रावणो बुद्ध्या वैदेहा रोचयद्वधम्॥
And burning in grief for the destruction of his son, and coming under masterdom of passion, that hero-Ravana-reflecting (awhile) in his mind, resolved upon slaying Vaidehi.
तस्य प्रकृत्या रक्ते च रक्ते क्रोधाग्निनापि च। रावणस्य महाघोरे दीप्ते नेत्रे बभूवतुः।२०।।
And naturally red, and reddened (still more by the fire of wrath, Ravana's glowing eyes were dreadful (to behold).
घोरं प्रकृत्या रूपं तत्तस्य क्रोधाग्निमूर्च्छितम्। बभूव रूपं क्रुद्धस्य रुद्रस्येव व्यवस्थितम्॥
And his form, terrific by nature, in consequence of the fire of his wrath having possessed it entirely, resembled the form of the enraged Rudra.
तस्य कृद्धस्य नेत्राभ्यां प्रापतनशुबिन्दवः। दीपाभ्यामिव दीप्ताभ्यां साचिषः स्नेहबिन्दवः॥
And from the eyes of that infuriated one fell drops of tears as drop from a flaming lamp drops of burning oil.
दन्तान्विदशतस्तस्य श्रूयते दशनस्वनः। यन्त्रस्याकृष्यमाणस्य मध्नतो दानवैरिव ॥
As the grinded his teeth, the gnashing resembled the sounds sent by the machine* drawn by the Dänavas and churing the deep. *Meaning the mountain Mandara.
कालाग्निरिव संक्रुद्धो यां यां दिशमवैक्षत। तस्यां तस्यां भयत्रस्ता राक्षसाः संविलिल्यिरे।। तमन्तकमिव क्रुद्धं चराचरचिखादिषुम्। वीक्षमाणं दिशः सर्वा राक्षसा नोपचक्रमुः॥
The Rakşasas durst not approach that one eyeing round and resembling the Destroyer himself, intent on devouring both mobile and immobile.
ततः परमसंक्रुद्धो रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। अब्रवीद्रक्षसां मध्ये संस्तम्भयिषुराहवे॥
Then exceedingly enraged, Ravana-lord of Rākşasas-spoke in the midst of the Räkşasas, inciting them to battle.
मया वर्षसहस्राणि चरित्वा परमं तपः। तेषु तेष्ववकाशेषु स्वयंभूः परितोषितः॥
I practised severe austerities for thousands of years; and gratified the Self-sprung at times.
तस्यैव तपसा व्युष्ट्या प्रसादाच्च स्वयंभुवः। नासुरेभ्यो न देवेभ्यो भयं मम कदाचन॥।
Neither from Asuras nor from celestials can any fear spring to me.
कवचं ब्रह्मदत्तं मे यदादित्यसमप्रभम्। देवासुरविमर्देषु न छिन्नं वज्रमुष्टिभिः॥
My mail conferred on me by Brahma, which in effulgence resembles the Sun himself, was not broken by blows like to thunder-bolt at the war between the deities and demons.
तेन मामद्य संयुक्तं रथस्थमिह संयुगे। प्रतीयात्कोऽद्य मामाजौ साक्षादपि पुरन्दरः॥
Today who will come forward against me in battle accoutred in that and mounted on a car in the conflict? Not even Purandara himself.
यत्तदाभिप्रसन्नेन सशरं कार्मुकं महत्। देवासुरविमर्देषु मम दत्तं स्वयंभुवा॥ अद्य तूर्यशतैर्भीमं धनुरुत्थाप्यतां मम। रामलक्ष्मणयोरेव वधाय परमाहवे॥
Do you, beating hundreds of drums, today raise that mighty and dreadful bow of mine which, with arrows, had been bestowed on one by the gratified Self-sprung at the war of the gods and Asuras, so that I may therewith compass the destruction of Rama and Lakşmaņa in mighty battle.
स पुत्रवधसंतप्तः क्रूरः क्रोधवशं गतः। समीक्ष्य रावणो बुद्ध्या सीतां हन्तुं व्यवस्यत॥
Burning (in grief) for the destruction of his son, the fell Råvana. coming under the influence of anger, reflection (in his mind), resolved to slay Sīta.
प्रत्यवेक्ष्य तु ताम्राक्षः सुघोरो घोरदर्शनः। दीनो दीनस्वरान्सांस्तानुवाच निशाचरान्॥
And eyeing round, that copper-eyed and dreadful one of a terrific aspect, distressed, in a piteous voice addressed all the night-rangers, saying.
मायया मम वत्सेन वञ्चनार्थ वनौकसाम्। किंचिदेव हतं तत्र सीतेयमिति दर्शितम्॥
By his power of illusion, my beloved child, for deceiving the wood-rangers, slaying something (else), had shown it to them as Sītā.
तदिदं तथ्यमेवाहं करिष्ये प्रियमात्मनः। वैदेहीं नाशयिष्यामि क्षत्रबन्धुमनुव्रताम्।। इत्येवमुक्त्वा सचिवान्खङ्गमाशु परामृशत्॥
Now will I do that good office myself, Vaidehi will I slay-even her that is devoted to that friend of Ksatriyas.
उत्प्लुत्य गुणसंपन्नं विमलाम्बरवर्चसम्। निष्पपात स वेगेन सभार्यः सचिवैर्वृतः॥ रावणः पुत्रशोकेन भृशमाकुलचेतनः। संक्रुद्धः खङ्गमादाय सहसा यत्र मैथिली॥
Having spoken thus to his counsellors he swiftly took up a sword; and raising it, of excellent temper and of cerulean hue, he rushed out vehemently, surrounded by his wives and counsellors. From grief for his son. Råvana with his consciousness wilderd, taking up a sword; in rage, rushed towards the place where Mithila's daughter was.
व्रजन्तं राक्षसं प्रेक्ष्य सिंहनादं विचुक्रुशुः। ऊचुश्चान्योन्यमालिङ्गय संक्रुद्धं प्रेक्ष्य राक्षसम्॥
Seeing the Räksasa rising on, some, emitted leonine roars, and seeing the Räkşasa enraged, embracing each other, said-"To-day those two brothers, seeing this one, will be exceedingly pained.
अद्यैनं तावुभौ दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरौ प्रव्यथिष्यतः। लोकपाला हि चत्वारः क्रुद्धेनानेन निर्जिताः।। बहवः शत्रवश्चान्ये संयुगेष्वभिपातिताः॥
By this one influenced with passion were the four guardians of the worlds conquered; and many other foes were brought down in battle.
त्रिषु लोकेषु रत्नानि भुङ्क्ते आहृत्य रावणः। विक्रमे च बले चैव नास्त्यस्य सदृशो भुवि॥
Procuring gems from the three worlds, Răvana enjoy them. Neither in strength nor in prowess is there and one on earth who is his compeer.
तेषां संजल्पमानानामशोकवनिकां गताम्। अभिदुद्राव वैदेहीं रावणः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः॥
As they were speaking thus, Ravana, reft of his senses by wrath, rushed against Vaidehi, who had taken up her abode in the Asoka wood.
वार्यमाणः सुसंस्क्रुद्धः सुहृद्भिर्हितबुद्धिभिः। अभ्यधावत संक्रुद्धः खे ग्रहो रोहिणीमिव।॥
And dissuaded by his friends endowed with good intelligence, he wrought up with high wrath, darted (against Sītā), even as an enraged planet' rush against Rohinr in the firmament. 1. Kuja etc. 2. Hesperus.
मैथिली रक्ष्यमाणा तु राक्षसीभिरनिन्दिता। ददर्श राक्षसं क्रुद्धं निस्त्रिंशवरधारिणम् ॥ तं निशम्य सनिस्त्रिंश व्यथिता जनकात्मजा। निवार्यमाणं बहुशः सुहृद्भिरनिवर्तिनम्॥ सीता दुःखसमाविष्टा विलपन्तीदमब्रवीत्। यथायं मामभिक्रुद्धः समभिद्रवति स्वयम्।। वधिष्यति सनाथां मामनाथामिव दुर्मतिः॥
The blameless daughter of Mithilă protected by the Rākşasis, saw the infuriated Rāvana bearing that best of blades in his hand. Seeing (Ravana) approach, sword in hand, despite the earnest entreaties of his friends, Janaka's daughter, SIta, pained and overcome by grief, said, weeping-From the way in which, wrought up with wrath, this wicked-minded one is rushing on at me personally it appears that he will slay me, who have a lord, as one who has not.
बहुशश्चोदयामास भर्तारं मामनुव्रताम्। भार्या मम भवस्वेति प्रत्याख्यातो ध्रुवं मया॥
He did urge me much ever devoted to my lord saying Be you my wife; but forsooth I disregarded him.
सोऽयं मामनुपस्थाने व्यक्तं नैराश्यमागतः। क्रोधमोहसमाविष्टो व्यक्तं मां हन्तुमुद्यतः॥
And plainly in consequence of my refusal, he has given way to despair. And overcome by anger and passion, he is ready to slay me.
अथवा तौ नरव्याघ्रौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। मन्निमित्तमनार्येण समरेऽद्य निपातितौ॥
Or it may be that today for me those foremost of men, the brothers-Rama and Laksmana-have been slain in encounter by this inglorious one.
भैरवो हि महानादो राक्षसानां श्रुतो भया। बहूनामिह हृष्टानां तथा विक्रोशतमां प्रियम्॥
I heard a furious and fearful uproar raised by countless Rākşasas rejoicing and expressing their delight.
अहो धिङ्मन्निमित्तोऽयं विनाशो राजपुत्रयोः। अथवा पुत्रशोकेन अहत्वा रामलक्ष्मणौ॥ विधमिष्यति मां रौद्रो राक्षसः पापनिश्चयः।
Alas! O fie! For me those princes have met with destruction. Or it may be that not without slaying Rāma and Laksmana, this terrific Rākşasa having his heart set on sin, from grief for his son will slay me.
हनूमतस्तु तद्वाक्यं न कृतं क्षुद्रया मया॥ यद्यहं तस्य पृष्ठेन तदायासमनिर्जिता। नाद्यैवमुशोचेयं भर्तुरङ्कगता सती॥
Fool that I am I did not then act agreeably to Hanumān's words. If I had gone away seated on his back, without waiting for the victory (of my lord). I devoted to him placed on his lap, should not have come by this repentance.
मन्ये तु हृदयं तस्याः कौसल्यायाः फलिष्यति। एकपुत्रा यदा पुत्रं विनष्टं श्रोष्यते युधि ॥
When Kausalya, having an only son, will hear of her son slain in battle, I fancy, her heart shall burst.
सा हि जन्म च बाल्यं च यौवनं च महात्मनः। धर्मकार्याणि रूपं च रुदती संस्मरिष्यति॥
And weeping she will remember that highsouled one's birth and weeping, she will remember that high-souled one's birth and boyhood, and youth and pious acts and loveliness.
निराशा निहते पुत्रे दत्त्वा श्राद्धमचेतना। अग्निमावेक्ष्यते नूनमपो वापि प्रवेक्ष्यति॥
That one bereft of her consciousness, filled with despair, after having performed his srāddha,* will doubtless enter into fire or water. *Funereal rites performed in accordance with the injunctions of the Hindu Scriptures.
धिगस्तु कुब्जामसती मन्थरां पापनिश्चयाम्। यनिमित्तमिमं शोकं कौसल्या प्रतिपत्स्यते॥
Shame on the unchaste and hump-backed Manthara, having her heart fixed in sin, for whose sake this grief shat Rāvana's exercise Kausalya!
इत्येवं मैथिली दृष्ट्वा विलपन्तीं तपस्विनीम्। रोहिणीमिव चन्द्रेण विना ग्रहवशं गताम्॥ एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तस्य अमात्यः शीलवञ्छुचिः। सुपार्थो नाम मेधावी रावणं रक्षसां वरम्।। निवार्यमाणः सचिवैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Seeing the distressed daughter of Mithila lament thus, like to Rohiņi come under the sway of a planet in the absence of the Moon, in the meanwhile his (Rāvana's) pure and good courtier, named Suparsva, endowed with intelligence, albeit prevented by other courtiers, spoke to Rāvana, foremost of Räkșasa.
कथं नाम दशग्रीव साक्षाद्वैश्रवणानुज। हन्तुमिच्छसि वैदेही क्रोधाद्धर्ममपास्य च॥
Wherefore, O Ten-necked one, O you who are the very younger brother of Vaiśravaņa himself, Did you desire to slay Vaidehī, forsaking righteousness?
वेदविद्याव्रतस्नातः स्वकर्मनिरतस्तथा। स्त्रियः कस्माद्वधं वीर मन्यसे राक्षसेश्वर॥
Why O hero! O lord of Rākşasas! having led the Brahmacarya mode of life, studied the Vedas, and returned from the house of your spiritual guide, and ever engaged in religious acts, today did you intend to slay a woman?
मैथिली रूपसंपन्नां प्रत्यवेक्षस्व पार्थिव । तस्मिन्नेव सहास्माभिराहवे क्रोधमुत्सृज॥
Do you, O king, now stay expecting Mithila's daughter' endowed with loveliness; and do you along with us vent your wrath on him." 1. Explains the commentator: till you slay Rāma in battle. 2. Rama.
अभ्युत्थानं त्वमद्यैव कृष्णपक्षचतुर्दशी। कृत्वा निर्याह्यमावास्यां विजयाय बलैर्वृतः॥
To-day being the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, do you this very day prepare for conflict; at amăvāsyā,* environed with your forces do you march for victory. *i.e. tomorrow.
शूरो धीमारथी खङ्गी रथप्रवरमास्थितः। हत्वा दाशरथिं भीमं भवान्प्राप्स्यति मैथिलीम्॥
Heroic, and intelligent, a mighty car-warrior and swordsman, you, mounted on a car, slay the redoubtable son of Dasaratha, will obtain Mithilā's daughter.
स तदुरात्मा सुहृदा निवेदितं वचः सुधयं प्रतिगृह्य रावणः। गृहं जगामाथ ततश्च वीर्यवान् पुनः सभां च प्रययौ सुहृद्वृतः॥
Thus exhorted by his friend, the untighteous Rāvana accepted his virtuous speech; and then that powerful one went (back) to his house, and, surrounded by his friends, entered the court.