Yuddha Kanda/Yuddha Kanda Sarga 14
Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
Yuddha Kanda Sarga 14 in English
Chapter [Sarga] 14 - Vibhishana informs about the power of Rama's arrow
Introduction - Vibhishana informs the assembly about the strength of the Vanaras, and about the power of Rama`s arrow. He also informs that none on the demon’s side can withstand Rama, in battle. Prahasta replies that they have no fear at any time to face Rama in battle. Then, Vibhishana reiterates the enormous strength of the fatal arrows discharged by Rama and requests the assembly to save Ravana by giving back Sita to Rama.
1. Hearing the words of Ravana the king of demons and the growls of Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana spoke the following friendly and meaningful words to Ravana the foremost king of ogres:
2. By whom, O, king, has been wrapped around your neck, this great serpent of gigantic body called Sita, with heap of expended hoods as her bosom, having poison as her anxiety and with sharp fangs as her sweet smile and with five hoods as her five fingers.
3. Even before the Vanaras with their body size as mountain peaks, having their teeth and nails as weapons, rush full upon the city of Lanka, give back Sita to Rama.”
4. Even before arrows resembling thunder bolts and with a speed equal to wind, dispatched by Rama, take away the heads of chiefs of demons, give back Sita to Rama.
5. O, king! Either Kumbhakarna or Indrajit and either Mahaparsva or Mahodara and either Nikumbha or Kumbha or even Atikaya cannot withstand Rama in battle.
6. Even if you are protected by the sun god, or by Maruts (storm gods) nor even seated in the lap of Indra or god of Death nor if you have penetrated into the regions of heaven or under the earth you will not be spared by the arrows of Rama.
7. Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Prahasta spoke as follows: “We are not knowing of fear at all. We do not have fear of either celestials or demons at any time.”
8. We do not have fear from Yakshas (demi- gods) or Gandharvas (celestial musicians) or eminent Nagas (serpent demons) or from birds and reptiles on the field of battle. When such is the case, how can we have fear from Rama, the son of a human king at any time in battle?”
9. Vibhishana who desired the welfare of the king and who possessed a stable mind in virtue wealth and pleasure, after hearing the inimical words of Prahasta, spoke highly meaningful words as follows:
10. O, Prahasta! The series of actions king or Mahodara as also yourself and Kumbhakarna propose to take against Rama are impossible of being accomplished, any more than going to heaven by wicked minded persons.
11. How is it possible by me or by you or by all the demons to kill Rama, who is expert in all matters, any more than a person without a bark to cross a great ocean.
12. Even the celestials would feel bewildered when placed in front of the king Rama who gives priority to righteousness, is a great car warrior, was born in the dynasty of Ikshvaku and is capable of accomplishing his objects.
13. O, Prahasta! The sharp arrows discharged by Rama, which are furnished with heron’s feathers and are dangerous to be approached, have not yet penetrated, duly piercing, your body. That is why, you indulge in a boastful talk.
14. The sharp and fatal arrows, discharged by Rama with the speed of a thunderbolt, have not yet penetrated, duly splitting your body. That is why; you are indulged in a boastful talk.
15. Ravana or Triseersha, with great strength or Nikumbha the son of Kumbhakarna or Indrajit or yourself are not capable to withstand Rama, who is equal in strength to Indra, in battle.
16. Even Devantaka or Narantaka or Atikaya or Atiratha of gigantic proportions, or Akampana who is mighty as an ocean are not capable to withstand against Rama in battle.
17. This king who is overcome by evil addictions, * is rude in nature and acts inconsiderately. Such a king is being surrounded as a caucus by you who are his companions taking the form of his enemies for the ultimate destruction of demons.
- The following are the seven evil habits to which kings are generally found addicted: --Harshness of speech and severity of punishment, extravagance, drinking, love of women, hunting and gambling.
18.You lift up and release this king, who has been wrapped forcibly by a terrific and exceedingly strong snake of boundless proportions having thousand hoods and make him completely free.
19. All the well-wishers who are getting their desires fulfilled by the king, should come together and protect the king by coercion even by pulling his hair if necessary as one who is taken ossession of by evil spirits with terrific strength, is protected by one’s kith and kin.
20. This Ravana, for his part who is going to be enveloped forcibly by an ocean in the shape of Rama – which is full of excellent water (who possesses excellent moral character) and who is about to fall into the mouth of Patala (the nethermost subterranean region) in the shape of Rama, is fit to be rescued united by you.
21. I am telling these right and wholesome words, as per my opinion, to this city and the demons inhabiting in it as well as to the king and his well wishers: Let Sita be given back to Rama.
22. A counselor is he, who after knowing the strength of the enemies and that of his own (master) and even so duly grasping with his intellect, the status quo, fall, or rise in military power like-wise on both sides, renders advice which is appropriate to the interest of his king.
श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे चतुर्दशः सर्गः ॥६-१४॥
निशाचरेन्द्रस्य निशम्य वाक्यम् । स कुम्भकर्णस्य च गर्जितानि । विभीषणो राक्षसराजमुख्य । मुवाच वाक्यम् हितम्र्थयुक्तम् ॥६-१४-१॥
वृतो हि बाह्वन्तरभोगराशि । श्चिन्ताविषः सुस्मिततीक्षणदम्ष्ट्रः । पञ्चाङ्गुलीपञ्चशिरोऽतिकायः । सीतामहाहिस्तव केन राजन् ॥६-१४-२॥
यावन्न लङ्का समभिद्रवन्ति । वलीमुखाः पर्वतकूटमात्राः । दम्ष्ट्रयुधाश्चैव नखायुधाश्च । प्रदीयताम् दाशरथाय मैथिली ॥६-१४-३॥
यावन्न गृह्णन्ति शिराम्सि बाणा । रामेरिता राक्षसपुङ्गवानाम् । वज्रोपमा वायुसमानवेगाः । प्रदीयताम् दाशरथाय मैथिली ॥६-१४-४॥
न कुम्भकर्णेन्द्रजितौ च राजम् । स्तथा महापार्श्वमहोदरौ वा । निकुम्भकुम्भौ च तथातिकायः । स्थातुम् समर्था युधि राघवस्य ॥६-१४-५॥
जीवम्स्तु रामस्य न मोक्स्यसे त्वम् । गुप्तः सवित्राप्यथवा मरुद्भिः । न वासवस्याङ्कगतो न मृत्यो । र्नभो न पातालमनुप्रविष्टः ॥६-१४-६॥
निशम्य वाक्यम् तु विभीषणस्य । ततः प्रहस्तो वचनम् बभाषे । न नो भयम् विद्म न दैवतेभ्यो । न दानवेभ्योऽप्यथवा कदाचित् ॥६-१४-७॥
न यक्षगन्धर्वमहोरगेभ्यो । भयम् न सम्ख्ये पतगोरगेभ्यः । कथम् नु रामाद्भविता भयम् नो । नरेन्द्रपुत्रात्समरे कदाचित् ॥६-१४-८॥
प्रहस्तवाक्यम् त्वहितम् निशम्य । विभीषणो राजहितानुकाङिक्षी । ततो महार्थम् वचनम् बभाषे । धर्मार्थकामेषु निविष्टबुद्धिः ॥६-१४-९॥
प्रहस्त राजा च महोदरश्च । त्वम् कुम्भकर्णश्च यथार्थजातम् । ब्रवीत रामम् प्रति तन्न शक्यम् । यथा गतिः स्वर्गमधर्मबुद्धेः ॥६-१४-१०॥
वधस्तु रामस्य मया त्वया च । प्रहस्त सर्वैरपि राक्षसैर्वा । कथम् भवेदर्थविशारदस्य । महार्णवम् तर्तु मिवाप्लवस्य ॥६-१४-११॥
धर्मप्रधानस्य महारथस्य । इक्स्वाकुवम्शप्रभवस्य राज्ञः । पुरोऽस्य देवाश्च तथाविधस्य । कृत्येषु शक्तस्य भवन्ति मूढाः ॥६-१४-१२॥
तीक्षणा न तावत्तव कङ्कपत्रा । दुरापदा राघवविप्रमुक्ताः । भित्त्वाशरीरम् प्रविशन्ति बाणाः । प्रहस्त तेनैव विकत्थसे त्वम् ॥६-१४-१३॥
भित्त्वा न तावत्प्रविशन्ति कायम् । प्राणान्तकास्तेऽशनितुल्य्वेगाः । शिताः शरा राघवविप्रमुक्ताः । प्रहस्त तेनैव विकत्थसे त्वम् ॥६-१४-१४॥
न रावणो नाइबलस्त्रीशीर्षो । न कुम्भकर्णस्य सुतो निकुभः । न चेन्द्रजिद्दाशरथिम् प्रसोढुम् । त्वम् वा रणे शक्रसमम् समर्थः ॥६-१४-१५॥
देवान्तको वापि नरान्तको वा । तथातिकायोऽतिरथो महात्मा । अकम्पननश्चाद्रिसमानसारः । स्थातुम् न शक्ता युधि राघवस्य ॥६-१४-१६॥
अयम् च राजा न्यसनाभिभूतो । मित्रैरमित्रप्रतिमैर्भवद्भिः । अन्वास्यते राक्षसनाशनार्थे । तीक्षणः प्रकृत्या ह्यसमीक्ष्यकारी ॥६-१४-१७॥
अनन्तभोगेन सहस्रमूर्ध्ना । वागेन भीमेन महाबलेन । बलात्परिक्षिप्तमिमम् भवन्तो । राजानमुत्क्षिप्य विमोचयन्तु ॥६-१४-१८॥
यावद्धि केशग्रहणात्सुहृद्भिः । समेत्य सर्वैः परिपूर्णकामैः । निगृह्य राजा परिरक्षितव्यो । भूतैर्यथा भीमबलैर्गृहीअः ॥६-१४-१९॥
सुवारिणा राघवसागरेण । प्रच्चाद्यमानस्तरसा भवद्भिः । प्रच्चाद्यमानस्तरसा भवद्भिः । युक्तस्त्वयम् तारयितुम् समेत्य । काकुत्थ्सपातालमुखे पतन्सः ॥६-१४-२०॥
इदम् पुरस्यास्य सराक्षसस्य । राज्ञश्च पथ्यम् ससुहृज्जनस्य । सम्यग्घि वाक्यम् स्वमतम् ब्रवीमि । नरेन्द्रपुत्राय ददातु मैथिलीम् ॥६-१४-२१॥
परस्य वीर्यम् स्वबलम् च बुद्ध्वा । स्थानम् क्षयम् चैव तथैव वृद्धिम् । तथा स्वपक्षे प्यनुमृश्य बुद्ध्या । वद्त् क्षमम् स्वामिहितम् स मन्त्री ॥६-१४-२२॥
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये युद्धकाण्डे चतुर्दशः सर्गः ॥६-१४॥