The Sleeping Hall of Ravana's Queens

Shloka 1 (sundara.9.1)

तस्यालयवरिष्ठस्य मध्ये विमलमायतम् । ददर्श भवनश्रेष्ठं हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥ 9.1 ॥

tasyālayavariṣṭhasya madhye vimalamāyatam | dadarśa bhavanaśreṣṭhaṃ hanumān mārutātmajaḥ || 9.1 ||

In the midst of that supreme abode, Hanuman, son of the Wind-god, saw a spotless and vast mansion, the finest of buildings.

Shloka 2 (sundara.9.2)

अर्धयोजनविस्तीर्णमायतं योजनं महत् । भवनं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य बहुप्रासादसंकुलम् ॥ 9.2 ॥

ardhayojanavistīrṇamāyataṃ yojanaṃ mahat | bhavanaṃ rākṣasendrasya bahuprāsādasaṃkulam || 9.2 ||

That mansion of the lord of the rakshasas, half a yojana in breadth and a full yojana in length, was thronged with countless great edifices.

Shloka 3 (sundara.9.3)

मार्गमाणस्तु वैदेहीं सीतामायतलोचनाम् । सर्वतः परिचक्राम हनूमानरिसूदनः ॥ 9.3 ॥

mārgamāṇastu vaidehīṃ sītāmāyatalocanām | sarvataḥ paricakrāma hanūmānarisūdanaḥ || 9.3 ||

Hanuman, destroyer of foes, searching for wide-eyed Sita, the princess of Videha, circled about on every side.

Shloka 4 (sundara.9.4)

उत्तमं राक्षसावासं हनुमानवलोकयन् । आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम् ॥ 9.4 ॥

uttamaṃ rākṣasāvāsaṃ hanumānavalokayan | āsasādātha lakṣmīvān rākṣasendraniveśanam || 9.4 ||

Surveying that supreme dwelling of the rakshasas, the glorious Hanuman then approached the residence of the lord of the rakshasas.

Shloka 5 (sundara.9.5)

चतुर्विषाणैर्द्विरदैस्त्रिविषाणैस्तथैव च । परिक्षिप्तमसम्बाधं रक्ष्यमाणमुदायुधैः ॥ 9.5 ॥

caturviṣāṇairdviradaistriviṣāṇaistathaiva ca | parikṣiptamasambādhaṃ rakṣyamāṇamudāyudhaiḥ || 9.5 ||

It was surrounded, spacious yet uncrowded, by elephants with four tusks and likewise with three, and guarded by soldiers with weapons upraised.

Shloka 6 (sundara.9.6)

राक्षसीभिश्च पत्नीभी रावणस्य निवेशनम् । आहृताभिश्च विक्रम्य राजकन्याभिरावृतम् ॥ 9.6 ॥

rākṣasībhiśca patnībhī rāvaṇasya niveśanam | āhṛtābhiśca vikramya rājakanyābhirāvṛtam || 9.6 ||

Ravana's dwelling was surrounded by rakshasa women, by his own wives, and by princesses seized by force.

Shloka 7 (sundara.9.7)

तन्नक्रमकराकीर्णं तिमिंगिलझषाकुलम् । वायुवेगसमाधूतं पन्नगैरिव सागरम् ॥ 9.7 ॥

tannakramakarākīrṇaṃ timiṃgilajhaṣākulam | vāyuvegasamādhūtaṃ pannagairiva sāgaram || 9.7 ||

It was like an ocean thronged with crocodiles and sea-monsters, teeming with whales and fish, stirred by the force of the wind, and full of serpents.

Shloka 8 (sundara.9.8)

या हि वैश्रवणे लक्ष्मीर्या चन्द्रे हरिवाहने । सा रावणगृहे रम्या नित्यमेवानपायिनी ॥ 9.8 ॥

yā hi vaiśravaṇe lakṣmīryā candre harivāhane | sā rāvaṇagṛhe ramyā nityamevānapāyinī || 9.8 ||

Whatever splendour dwells in Kubera, or in the moon that rides on tawny steeds — that same delightful splendour, ever undiminished, was found in Ravana's house.

Shloka 9 (sundara.9.9)

या च राज्ञः कुबेरस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च । तादृशी तद्विशिष्टा वा ऋद्धी रक्षोगृहेष्विह ॥ 9.9 ॥

yā ca rājñaḥ kuberasya yamasya varuṇasya ca | tādṛśī tadviśiṣṭā vā ṛddhī rakṣogṛheṣviha || 9.9 ||

Whatever prosperity belongs to King Kubera, to Yama, or to Varuna — the like of it, or even greater, was here in the houses of the rakshasas.

Shloka 10 (sundara.9.10)

तस्य हर्म्यस्य मध्यस्थवेश्म चान्यत् सुनिर्मितम् । बहुनिर्यूहसंयुक्तं ददर्श पवनात्मजः ॥ 9.10 ॥

tasya harmyasya madhyasthaveśma cānyat sunirmitam | bahuniryūhasaṃyuktaṃ dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ || 9.10 ||

In the midst of that great mansion, the son of the Wind-god saw another, well-built house, joined to many upper terraces.

Shloka 11 (sundara.9.11)

ब्रह्मणोऽर्थे कृतं दिव्यं दिवि यद् विश्वकर्मणा । विमानं पुष्पकं नाम सर्वरत्नविभूषितम् ॥ 9.11 ॥

brahmaṇo'rthe kṛtaṃ divyaṃ divi yad viśvakarmaṇā | vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ nāma sarvaratnavibhūṣitam || 9.11 ||

The divine aerial car named Pushpaka, adorned with every kind of jewel, which Vishvakarma had fashioned in heaven for the sake of Brahma —

Shloka 12 (sundara.9.12)

परेण तपसा लेभे यत् कुबेरः पितामहात् । कुबेरमोजसा जित्वा लेभे तद् राक्षसेश्वरः ॥ 9.12 ॥

pareṇa tapasā lebhe yat kuberaḥ pitāmahāt | kuberamojasā jitvā lebhe tad rākṣaseśvaraḥ || 9.12 ||

— which Kubera had obtained from the grandsire Brahma through supreme austerity, that same car the lord of the rakshasas obtained by conquering Kubera through his own might.

Shloka 13 (sundara.9.13)

ईहामृगसमायुक्तैः कार्तस्वरहिरण्मयैः । सुकृतैराचितं स्तम्भैः प्रदीप्तमिव च श्रिया ॥ 9.13 ॥

īhāmṛgasamāyuktaiḥ kārtasvarahiraṇmayaiḥ | sukṛtairācitaṃ stambhaiḥ pradīptamiva ca śriyā || 9.13 ||

It was studded with well-wrought pillars of refined gold and silver, carved with figures of wild beasts, and seemed ablaze with splendour.

Shloka 14 (sundara.9.14)

मेरुमन्दरसंकाशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरम् । कूटागारैः शुभागारैः सर्वतः समलंकृतम् ॥ 9.14 ॥

merumandarasaṃkāśairullikhadbhirivāmbaram | kūṭāgāraiḥ śubhāgāraiḥ sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtam || 9.14 ||

It was adorned on every side with lovely turret-chambers resembling Mount Meru and Mount Mandara, seeming almost to scrape the sky.

Shloka 15 (sundara.9.15)

ज्वलनार्कप्रतीकाशैः सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा । हेमसोपानयुक्तं च चारुप्रवरवेदिकम् ॥ 9.15 ॥

jvalanārkapratīkāśaiḥ sukṛtaṃ viśvakarmaṇā | hemasopānayuktaṃ ca cārupravaravedikam || 9.15 ||

Well wrought by Vishvakarma, blazing like fire and the sun, it had golden stairways and lovely, excellent platforms.

Shloka 16 (sundara.9.16)

जालवातायनैर्युक्तं काञ्चनैः स्फाटिकैरपि । इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम् ॥ 9.16 ॥

jālavātāyanairyuktaṃ kāñcanaiḥ sphāṭikairapi | indranīlamahānīlamaṇipravaravedikam || 9.16 ||

It was fitted with lattice-windows of gold and crystal, and its finest platforms were set with sapphires and great blue gems.

Shloka 17 (sundara.9.17)

विद्रुमेण विचित्रेण मणिभिश्च महाधनैः । निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिस्तलेनाभिविराजितम् ॥ 9.17 ॥

vidrumeṇa vicitreṇa maṇibhiśca mahādhanaiḥ | nistulābhiśca muktābhistalenābhivirājitam || 9.17 ||

Its floor gleamed, inlaid with wondrous coral, priceless gems, and pearls beyond compare.

Shloka 18 (sundara.9.18)

चन्दनेन च रक्तेन तपनीयनिभेन च । सुपुण्यगन्धिना युक्तमादित्यतरुणोपमम् ॥ 9.18 ॥

candanena ca raktena tapanīyanibhena ca | supuṇyagandhinā yuktamādityataruṇopamam || 9.18 ||

Anointed with red sandalwood gleaming like gold, sweetly fragrant, it resembled the newly risen sun.

Shloka 19 (sundara.9.19)

कूटागारैर्वराकारैर्विविधैः समलंकृतम् । विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यमारुरोह महाकपिः । तत्रस्थः सर्वतो गन्धं पानभक्ष्यान्नसम्भवम् ॥ 9.19 ॥

kūṭāgārairvarākārairvividhaiḥ samalaṃkṛtam | vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ divyamāruroha mahākapiḥ | tatrasthaḥ sarvato gandhaṃ pānabhakṣyānnasambhavam || 9.19 ||

Adorned with many splendid turret-chambers of excellent form, the great monkey ascended that divine car Pushpaka; standing there, he caught on every side the fragrance arising from food, drink and cooked rice.

Shloka 20 (sundara.9.20)

दिव्यं सम्मूर्च्छितं जिघ्रन् रूपवन्तमिवानिलम् । स गन्धस्तं महासत्त्वं बन्धुर्बन्धुमिवोत्तमम् ॥ 9.20 ॥

divyaṃ sammūrcchitaṃ jighran rūpavantamivānilam | sa gandhastaṃ mahāsattvaṃ bandhurbandhumivottamam || 9.20 ||

He inhaled that intense, divine fragrance, as if it were the very wind given form; that fragrance drew the great-souled one on, as a kinsman draws his own beloved kin.

Shloka 21 (sundara.9.21)

इत एहीत्युवाचेव तत्र यत्र स रावणः । ततस्तां प्रस्थितः शालां ददर्श महतीं शिवाम् ॥ 9.21 ॥

ita ehītyuvāceva tatra yatra sa rāvaṇaḥ | tatastāṃ prasthitaḥ śālāṃ dadarśa mahatīṃ śivām || 9.21 ||

It seemed to say, 'Come this way,' pointing toward where Ravana was. So Hanuman set out in that direction and beheld a great and auspicious hall.

Shloka 22 (sundara.9.22)

रावणस्य महाकान्तां कान्तामिव वरस्त्रियम् । मणिसोपानविकृतां हेमजालविराजिताम् ॥ 9.22 ॥

rāvaṇasya mahākāntāṃ kāntāmiva varastriyam | maṇisopānavikṛtāṃ hemajālavirājitām || 9.22 ||

That hall, dearly loved by Ravana, was like a beloved and excellent woman — its stairways wrought with gems, resplendent with lattices of gold.

Shloka 23 (sundara.9.23)

स्फाटिकैरावृततलां दन्तान्तरितरूपिकाम् । मुक्तावज्रप्रवालैश्च रूप्यचामीकरैरपि ॥ 9.23 ॥

sphāṭikairāvṛtatalāṃ dantāntaritarūpikām | muktāvajrapravālaiśca rūpyacāmīkarairapi || 9.23 ||

Its floor was covered with crystal, its figures inlaid between panels of ivory, and it was set with pearls, diamonds, coral, silver and gold.

Shloka 24 (sundara.9.24)

विभूषितां मणिस्तम्भैः सुबहुस्तम्भभूषिताम् । समैर्ऋजुभिरत्युच्चैः समन्तात् सुविभूषितैः ॥ 9.24 ॥

vibhūṣitāṃ maṇistambhaiḥ subahustambhabhūṣitām | samairṛjubhiratyuccaiḥ samantāt suvibhūṣitaiḥ || 9.24 ||

It was adorned with pillars of gems, decked with countless pillars, straight and even and very tall, beautifully ornamented on every side.

Shloka 25 (sundara.9.25)

स्तम्भैः पक्षैरिवात्युच्चैर्दिवं सम्प्रस्थितामिव । महत्या कुथयाऽऽस्तीर्णां पृथिवीलक्षणाङ्कया ॥ 9.25 ॥

stambhaiḥ pakṣairivātyuccairdivaṃ samprasthitāmiva | mahatyā kuthayā''stīrṇāṃ pṛthivīlakṣaṇāṅkayā || 9.25 ||

With its very tall pillars like wings, it seemed almost setting out for the sky; it was spread with a great carpet marked with the features of the whole earth.

Shloka 26 (sundara.9.26)

पृथिवीमिव विस्तीर्णां सराष्ट्रगृहशालिनीम् । नादितां मत्तविहगैर्दिव्यगन्धाधिवासिताम् ॥ 9.26 ॥

pṛthivīmiva vistīrṇāṃ sarāṣṭragṛhaśālinīm | nāditāṃ mattavihagairdivyagandhādhivāsitām || 9.26 ||

Vast as the earth itself, adorned as if with realms and dwellings, it resounded with the cries of birds in rapture, and was perfumed with divine fragrance.

Shloka 27 (sundara.9.27)

परर्घ्यास्तरणोपेतां रक्षोऽधिपनिषेविताम् । धूम्रामगुरुधूपेन विमलां हंसपाण्डुराम् ॥ 9.27 ॥

pararghyāstaraṇopetāṃ rakṣo'dhipaniṣevitām | dhūmrāmagurudhūpena vimalāṃ haṃsapāṇḍurām || 9.27 ||

It was furnished with priceless carpets, frequented by the lord of the rakshasas, faintly smoke-hazed with the fumes of aloe-wood incense, yet spotless and white as a swan.

Shloka 28 (sundara.9.28)

पत्रपुष्पोपहारेण कल्माषीमिव सुप्रभाम् । मनसो मोदजननीं वर्णस्यापि प्रसाधिनीम् ॥ 9.28 ॥

patrapuṣpopahāreṇa kalmāṣīmiva suprabhām | manaso modajananīṃ varṇasyāpi prasādhinīm || 9.28 ||

Bright with offerings of leaves and flowers like a dappled cow of many colours, it was a hall that brought joy to the mind and lent radiance even to one's own complexion.

Shloka 29 (sundara.9.29)

तां शोकनाशिनीं दिव्यां श्रियः संजननीमिव । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थैस्तु पञ्च पञ्चभिरुत्तमैः । तर्पयामास मातेव तदा रावणपालिता ॥ 9.29 ॥

tāṃ śokanāśinīṃ divyāṃ śriyaḥ saṃjananīmiva | indriyāṇīndriyārthaistu pañca pañcabhiruttamaiḥ | tarpayāmāsa māteva tadā rāvaṇapālitā || 9.29 ||

That divine hall, sorrow-dispelling as though it were the very begetter of fortune, ruled over by Ravana, satisfied all five senses with their five excellent objects, like a mother.

Shloka 30 (sundara.9.30)

स्वर्गोऽयं देवलोकोऽयमिन्द्रस्यापि पुरी भवेत् । सिद्धिर्वेयं परा हि स्यादित्यमन्यत मारुतिः ॥ 9.30 ॥

svargo'yaṃ devaloko'yamindrasyāpi purī bhavet | siddhirveyaṃ parā hi syādityamanyata mārutiḥ || 9.30 ||

'This is heaven! This is the very world of the gods! This could be Indra's own city! Or perhaps it is the highest attainment itself!' — so thought the son of the Wind-god.

Shloka 31 (sundara.9.31)

प्रध्यायत इवापश्यत् प्रदीपांस्तत्र काञ्चनान् । धूर्तानिव महाधूर्तैर्देवनेन पराजितान् ॥ 9.31 ॥

pradhyāyata ivāpaśyat pradīpāṃstatra kāñcanān | dhūrtāniva mahādhūrtairdevanena parājitān || 9.31 ||

There he saw golden lamps standing motionless, as if lost in thought, like gamblers defeated by greater gamblers at dice.

Shloka 32 (sundara.9.32)

दीपानां च प्रकाशेन तेजसा रावणस्य च । अर्चिर्भिर्भूषणानां च प्रदीप्तेत्यभ्यमन्यत ॥ 9.32 ॥

dīpānāṃ ca prakāśena tejasā rāvaṇasya ca | arcirbhirbhūṣaṇānāṃ ca pradīptetyabhyamanyata || 9.32 ||

'This building blazes with the light of these lamps, with Ravana's own splendour, and with the radiance of jewelled ornaments,' so he thought.

Shloka 33 (sundara.9.33)

ततोऽपश्यत् कुथासीनं नानावर्णाम्बरस्रजम् । सहस्रं वरनारीणां नानावेषबिभूषितम् ॥ 9.33 ॥

tato'paśyat kuthāsīnaṃ nānāvarṇāmbarasrajam | sahasraṃ varanārīṇāṃ nānāveṣabibhūṣitam || 9.33 ||

Then he saw, seated upon the carpets, a thousand excellent women, clad in garments and garlands of many colours, adorned in manifold fashions.

Shloka 34 (sundara.9.34)

परिवृत्तेऽर्धरात्रे तु पाननिद्रावशंगतम् । क्रीडित्वोपरतं रात्रौ प्रसुप्तं बलवत् तदा ॥ 9.34 ॥

parivṛtte'rdharātre tu pānanidrāvaśaṃgatam | krīḍitvoparataṃ rātrau prasuptaṃ balavat tadā || 9.34 ||

At the turning of midnight, that throng, having sported through the night, now lay still, fallen deep asleep, overcome by wine and slumber.

Shloka 35 (sundara.9.35)

तत् प्रसुप्तं विरुरुचे निःशब्दान्तरभूषितम् । निःशब्दहंसभ्रमरं यथा पद्मवनं महत् ॥ 9.35 ॥

tat prasuptaṃ viruruce niḥśabdāntarabhūṣitam | niḥśabdahaṃsabhramaraṃ yathā padmavanaṃ mahat || 9.35 ||

That sleeping throng shone, its ornaments now stilled and soundless, like a vast lotus-grove where the swans and bees, too, have fallen silent.

Shloka 36 (sundara.9.36)

तासां संवृतदान्तानि मीलिताक्षीणि मारुतिः । अपश्यत् पद्मगन्धीनि वदनानि सुयोषिताम् ॥ 9.36 ॥

tāsāṃ saṃvṛtadāntāni mīlitākṣīṇi mārutiḥ | apaśyat padmagandhīni vadanāni suyoṣitām || 9.36 ||

Hanuman saw the faces of those lovely women, their teeth hidden, their eyes closed, fragrant as lotuses.

Shloka 37 (sundara.9.37)

प्रबुद्धानीव पद्मानि तासां भूत्वा क्षपाक्षये । पुनः संवृतपत्राणि रात्राविव बभुस्तदा ॥ 9.37 ॥

prabuddhānīva padmāni tāsāṃ bhūtvā kṣapākṣaye | punaḥ saṃvṛtapatrāṇi rātrāviva babhustadā || 9.37 ||

Those faces, which by day seemed like lotuses in full bloom, now at the end of night appeared again like lotuses closed in petal, as if it were still night.

Shloka 38 (sundara.9.38)

इमानि मुखपद्मानि नियतं मत्तषट्पदाः । अम्बुजानीव फुल्लानि प्रार्थयन्ति पुनः पुनः ॥ 9.38 ॥

imāni mukhapadmāni niyataṃ mattaṣaṭpadāḥ | ambujānīva phullāni prārthayanti punaḥ punaḥ || 9.38 ||

'Surely drunken bees seek these lotus-faces again and again, as they would seek fully blossomed lotuses,' he thought.

Shloka 39 (sundara.9.39)

इति वामन्यत श्रीमानुपपत्त्या महाकपिः । मेने हि गुणतस्तानि समानि सलिलोद्भवैः ॥ 9.39 ॥

iti vāmanyata śrīmānupapattyā mahākapiḥ | mene hi guṇatastāni samāni salilodbhavaiḥ || 9.39 ||

So thought the glorious great monkey, reasoning it out; for indeed he judged those faces equal in quality to lotuses born of the water.

Shloka 40 (sundara.9.40)

सा तस्य शुशुभे शाला ताभिः स्त्रीभिर्विराजिता । शरदीव प्रसन्ना द्यौस्ताराभिरभिशोभिता ॥ 9.40 ॥

sā tasya śuśubhe śālā tābhiḥ strībhirvirājitā | śaradīva prasannā dyaustārābhirabhiśobhitā || 9.40 ||

That hall of his shone resplendent with those women, like the clear autumn sky made beautiful with stars.

Shloka 41 (sundara.9.41)

स च ताभिः परिवृतः शुशुभे राक्षसाधिपः । यथा ह्युडुपतिः श्रीमांस्ताराभिरिव संवृतः ॥ 9.41 ॥

sa ca tābhiḥ parivṛtaḥ śuśubhe rākṣasādhipaḥ | yathā hyuḍupatiḥ śrīmāṃstārābhiriva saṃvṛtaḥ || 9.41 ||

And that lord of the rakshasas, surrounded by them, shone like the glorious lord of the stars, the moon, encircled by the constellations.

Shloka 42 (sundara.9.42)

याश्च्यवन्तेऽम्बरात् ताराः पुण्यशेषसमावृताः । इमास्ताः संगताः कृत्स्ना इति मेने हरिस्तदा ॥ 9.42 ॥

yāścyavante'mbarāt tārāḥ puṇyaśeṣasamāvṛtāḥ | imāstāḥ saṃgatāḥ kṛtsnā iti mene haristadā || 9.42 ||

'These must be all those stars that fall from the sky when their store of merit is spent, now gathered here together,' so thought the monkey then.

Shloka 43 (sundara.9.43)

ताराणामिव सुव्यक्तं महतीनां शुभार्चिषाम् । प्रभावर्णप्रसादाश्च विरेजुस्तत्र योषिताम् ॥ 9.43 ॥

tārāṇāmiva suvyaktaṃ mahatīnāṃ śubhārciṣām | prabhāvarṇaprasādāśca virejustatra yoṣitām || 9.43 ||

There the radiance, complexion, and grace of those women shone forth clearly, like the light of great and auspicious stars.

Shloka 44 (sundara.9.44)

व्यावृत्तकचपीनस्रक्प्रकीर्णवरभूषणाः । पानव्यायामकालेषु निद्रोपहतचेतसः ॥ 9.44 ॥

vyāvṛttakacapīnasrakprakīrṇavarabhūṣaṇāḥ | pānavyāyāmakāleṣu nidropahatacetasaḥ || 9.44 ||

Their hair loose, their heavy garlands disarrayed, their fine ornaments scattered from the hours of wine and dance, their minds now overcome by sleep.

Shloka 45 (sundara.9.45)

व्यावृत्ततिलकाः काश्चित् काश्चिदुदभ्रान्तनूपुराः । पार्श्वे गलितहाराश्च काश्चित् परमयोषितः ॥ 9.45 ॥

vyāvṛttatilakāḥ kāścit kāścidudabhrāntanūpurāḥ | pārśve galitahārāśca kāścit paramayoṣitaḥ || 9.45 ||

Some of those excellent women had their forehead-marks smudged, some had their anklets displaced, and some had their necklaces slipped to their sides.

Shloka 46 (sundara.9.46)

मुक्ताहारवृताश्चान्याः काश्चित् प्रस्रस्तवाससः । व्याविद्धरशनादामाः किशोर्य इव वाहिताः ॥ 9.46 ॥

muktāhāravṛtāścānyāḥ kāścit prasrastavāsasaḥ | vyāviddharaśanādāmāḥ kiśorya iva vāhitāḥ || 9.46 ||

Others lay entangled in their pearl necklaces, some with their garments loosened, their girdle-strings in disarray — like young mares that have been ridden hard.

Shloka 47 (sundara.9.47)

अकुण्डलधराश्चान्या विच्छिन्नमृदितस्रजः । गजेन्द्रमृदिताः फुल्ला लता इव महावने ॥ 9.47 ॥

akuṇḍaladharāścānyā vicchinnamṛditasrajaḥ | gajendramṛditāḥ phullā latā iva mahāvane || 9.47 ||

Others had their earrings fallen off, their garlands crushed and scattered, like blossoming creepers in a great forest trampled by a mighty elephant.

Shloka 48 (sundara.9.48)

चन्द्रांशुकिरणाभाश्च हाराः कासांचिदुद्गताः । हंसा इव बभुः सुप्ताः स्तनमध्येषु योषिताम् ॥ 9.48 ॥

candrāṃśukiraṇābhāśca hārāḥ kāsāṃciduda‍gatāḥ | haṃsā iva babhuḥ suptāḥ stanamadhyeṣu yoṣitām || 9.48 ||

The necklaces of some, radiant as moonbeams, rising between their breasts, looked like sleeping swans.

Shloka 49 (sundara.9.49)

अपरासां च वैदूर्याः कादम्बा इव पक्षिणः । हेमसूत्राणि चान्यासां चक्रवाका इवाभवन् ॥ 9.49 ॥

aparāsāṃ ca vaidūryāḥ kādambā iva pakṣiṇaḥ | hemasūtrāṇi cānyāsāṃ cakravākā ivābhavan || 9.49 ||

For others, their cat's-eye necklaces resembled kadamba birds, and for others their golden chains looked like chakravaka birds.

Shloka 50 (sundara.9.50)

हंसकारण्डवोपेताश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः । आपगा इव ता रेजुर्जघनैः पुलिनैरिव ॥ 9.50 ॥

haṃsakāraṇḍavopetāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ | āpagā iva tā rejurjaghanaiḥ pulinairiva || 9.50 ||

Graced with swans and karandava-birds, adorned with chakravakas, those women shone like rivers, their hips like sandy banks.

Shloka 51 (sundara.9.51)

किङ्किणीजालसंकाशास्ता हेमविपुलाम्बुजाः । भावग्राहा यशस्तीराः सुप्ता नद्य इवाबभुः ॥ 9.51 ॥

kiṅkiṇījālasaṃkāśāstā hemavipulāmbujāḥ | bhāvagrāhā yaśastīrāḥ suptā nadya ivābabhuḥ || 9.51 ||

Sleeping there, they seemed like rivers — their tinkling ornaments like ripples, their golden lotuses ample, their moods like crocodiles beneath the surface, their fame the very riverbanks.

Shloka 52 (sundara.9.52)

मृदुष्वंगेषु कासांचित् कुचाग्रेषु च संस्थिताः । बभूवुर्भूषणानीव शुभा भूषणराजयः ॥ 9.52 ॥

mṛduṣvaṃgeṣu kāsāṃcit kucāgreṣu ca saṃsthitāḥ | babhūvurbhūṣaṇānīva śubhā bhūṣaṇarājayaḥ || 9.52 ||

On the soft limbs and at the tips of the breasts of some, the auspicious lines left by their ornaments themselves seemed like ornaments.

Shloka 53 (sundara.9.53)

अंशुकान्ताश्च कासांचिन्मुखमारुतकम्पिताः । उपर्युपरि वक्त्राणां व्याधूयन्ते पुनः पुनः ॥ 9.53 ॥

aṃśukāntāśca kāsāṃcinmukhamārutakampitāḥ | uparyupari vaktrāṇāṃ vyādhūyante punaḥ punaḥ || 9.53 ||

The edges of the fine garments of some, stirred by the breath from their mouths, fluttered again and again over their faces.

Shloka 54 (sundara.9.54)

ताः पताका इवोद्धूताः पत्नीनां रुचिरप्रभाः । नानावर्णसुवर्णानां वक्त्रमूलेषु रेजिरे ॥ 9.54 ॥

tāḥ patākā ivod‍dhūtāḥ patnīnāṃ ruciraprabhāḥ | nānāvarṇasuvarṇānāṃ vaktramūleṣu rejire || 9.54 ||

Like fluttering banners of lovely brightness, they shone at the base of the faces of those wives of many hues and golden complexions.

Shloka 55 (sundara.9.55)

ववल्गुश्चात्र कासांचित् कुण्डलानि शुभार्चिषाम् । मुखमारुतसंकम्पैर्मन्दं मन्दं च योषिताम् ॥ 9.55 ॥

vavalguścātra kāsāṃcit kuṇḍalāni śubhārciṣām | mukhamārutasaṃkampairmandaṃ mandaṃ ca yoṣitām || 9.55 ||

There, the earrings of some radiant, beautiful women swayed gently, stirred slightly by the breath from their faces.

Shloka 56 (sundara.9.56)

शर्करासवगन्धः स प्रकृत्या सुरभिः सुखः । तासां वदननिःश्वासः सिषेवे रावणं तदा ॥ 9.56 ॥

śarkarāsavagandhaḥ sa prakṛtyā surabhiḥ sukhaḥ | tāsāṃ vadananiḥśvāsaḥ siṣeve rāvaṇaṃ tadā || 9.56 ||

The breath from their faces, naturally fragrant with the scent of sugar-wine, sweet and pleasant, then wafted over and served Ravana.

Shloka 57 (sundara.9.57)

रावणाननशंकाश्च काश्चिद् रावणयोषितः । मुखानि च सपत्नीनामुपाजिघ्रन् पुनः पुनः ॥ 9.57 ॥

rāvaṇānanaśaṃkāśca kāścid rāvaṇayoṣitaḥ | mukhāni ca sapatnīnāmupājighran punaḥ punaḥ || 9.57 ||

Some of Ravana's women, mistaking them for Ravana's own face, kept smelling the faces of their co-wives again and again.

Shloka 58 (sundara.9.58)

अत्यर्थं सक्तमनसो रावणे ता वरस्त्रियः । अस्वतन्त्राः सपत्नीनां प्रियमेवाचरंस्तदा ॥ 9.58 ॥

atyarthaṃ saktamanaso rāvaṇe tā varastriyaḥ | asvatantrāḥ sapatnīnāṃ priyamevācaraṃstadā || 9.58 ||

Those excellent women, their minds wholly devoted to Ravana, not being in control of themselves, thus unknowingly did what pleased their co-wives instead.

Shloka 59 (sundara.9.59)

बाहूनुपनिधायान्याः पारिहार्यविभूषितान् । अंशुकानि च रम्याणि प्रमदास्तत्र शिश्यिरे ॥ 9.59 ॥

bāhūnupanidhāyānyāḥ pārihāryavibhūṣitān | aṃśukāni ca ramyāṇi pramadāstatra śiśyire || 9.59 ||

Other women lay there sleeping, using as pillows their own arms adorned with bracelets, and their lovely fine garments.

Shloka 60 (sundara.9.60)

अन्या वक्षसि चान्यस्यास्तस्याः काचित् पुनर्भुजम् । अपरा त्वङ्कमन्यस्यास्तस्याश्चाप्यपरा कुचौ ॥ 9.60 ॥

anyā vakṣasi cānyasyāstasyāḥ kācit punarbhujam | aparā tvaṅkamanyasyāstasyāścāpyaparā kucau || 9.60 ||

One slept upon another's bosom, and again another upon her arm; yet another upon another's lap, and yet another upon another's breast.

Shloka 61 (sundara.9.61)

ऊरुपार्श्वकटीपृष्ठमन्योन्यस्य समाश्रिताः । परस्परनिविष्टांग्यो मदस्नेहवशानुगाः ॥ 9.61 ॥

ūrupārśvakaṭīpṛṣṭhamanyonyasya samāśritāḥ | parasparaniviṣṭāṃgyo madasnehavaśānugāḥ || 9.61 ||

Overcome by intoxication and mutual affection, they lay resting upon one another's thighs, sides, waists and backs, their limbs entwined together.

Shloka 62 (sundara.9.62)

अन्योन्यस्यांगसंस्पर्शात् प्रीयमाणाः सुमध्यमाः । एकीकृतभुजाः सर्वाः सुषुपुस्तत्र योषितः ॥ 9.62 ॥

anyonyasyāṃgasaṃsparśāt prīyamāṇāḥ sumadhyamāḥ | ekīkṛtabhujāḥ sarvāḥ suṣupustatra yoṣitaḥ || 9.62 ||

Delighting in the mutual touch of one another's limbs, those slender-waisted women, their arms all interlaced, slept deeply there together.

Shloka 63 (sundara.9.63)

अन्योन्यभुजसूत्रेण स्त्रीमाला ग्रथिता हि सा । मालेव ग्रथिता सूत्रे शुशुभे मत्तषट्पदा ॥ 9.63 ॥

anyonyabhujasūtreṇa strīmālā grathitā hi sā | māleva grathitā sūtre śuśubhe mattaṣaṭpadā || 9.63 ||

That garland of women, strung together by the thread of one another's arms, shone like an actual flower-garland strung on a cord, with drunken bees hovering about it.

Shloka 64 (sundara.9.64)

लतानां माधवे मासि फुल्लानां वायुसेवनात् । अन्योन्यमालाग्रथितं संसक्तकुसुमोच्चयम् ॥ 9.64 ॥

latānāṃ mādhave māsi phullānāṃ vāyusevanāt | anyonyamālāgrathitaṃ saṃsaktakusumoccayam || 9.64 ||

Like a garden of blossoming creepers in the month of Vaishakha, entwined with each other's garlands by the caress of the breeze, their clustered flowers all intertwined —

Shloka 65 (sundara.9.65)

प्रतिवेष्टितसुस्कन्धमन्योन्यभ्रमराकुलम् । आसीद् वनमिवोद्धूतं स्त्रीवनं रावणस्य तत् ॥ 9.65 ॥

prativeṣṭitasuskandhamanyonyabhramarākulam | āsīd vanamivod‍dhūtaṃ strīvanaṃ rāvaṇasya tat || 9.65 ||

— its lovely boughs all interlocked, swarming everywhere with bees — such, stirred as if by the wind, was that forest of women belonging to Ravana.

Shloka 66 (sundara.9.66)

उचितेष्वपि सुव्यक्तं न तासां योषितां तदा । विवेकः शक्य आधातुं भूषणांगाम्बरस्रजाम् ॥ 9.66 ॥

uciteṣvapi suvyaktaṃ na tāsāṃ yoṣitāṃ tadā | vivekaḥ śakya ādhātuṃ bhūṣaṇāṃgāmbarasrajām || 9.66 ||

Even for those accustomed to it, it was then not clearly possible to tell apart the ornaments, the limbs, the garments and the garlands of those women.

Shloka 67 (sundara.9.67)

रावणे सुखसंविष्टे ताः स्त्रियो विविधप्रभाः । ज्वलन्तः काञ्चना दीपाः प्रेक्षन्तो निमिषा इव ॥ 9.67 ॥

rāvaṇe sukhasaṃviṣṭe tāḥ striyo vividhaprabhāḥ | jvalantaḥ kāñcanā dīpāḥ prekṣanto nimiṣā iva || 9.67 ||

As Ravana lay comfortably at rest, the blazing golden lamps, as though watching without blinking, seemed to gaze upon those women of manifold radiance.

Shloka 68 (sundara.9.68)

राजर्षिविप्रदैत्यानां गन्धर्वाणां च योषितः । रक्षसां चाभवन् कन्यास्तस्य कामवशंगताः ॥ 9.68 ॥

rājarṣivipradaityānāṃ gandharvāṇāṃ ca yoṣitaḥ | rakṣasāṃ cābhavan kanyāstasya kāmavaśaṃgatāḥ || 9.68 ||

The women of royal seers, of brahmins, of daityas, of gandharvas, and the daughters of rakshasas — all had come under his sway through desire.

Shloka 69 (sundara.9.69)

युद्धकामेन ताः सर्वा रावणेन हृताः स्त्रियः । समदा मदनेनैव मोहिताः काश्चिदागताः ॥ 9.69 ॥

yuddhakāmena tāḥ sarvā rāvaṇena hṛtāḥ striyaḥ | samadā madanenaiva mohitāḥ kāścidāgatāḥ || 9.69 ||

All those women had been carried off by Ravana through his desire for conquest; some, however, overcome by passion, had come to him bewildered by love alone.

Shloka 70 (sundara.9.70)

न तत्र काश्चित् प्रमदाः प्रसह्य वीर्योपपन्नेन गुणेन लब्धाः । न चान्यकामापि न चान्यपूर्वा विना वरार्हां जनकात्मजां तु ॥ 9.70 ॥

na tatra kāścit pramadāḥ prasahya vīryopapannena guṇena labdhāḥ | na cānyakāmāpi na cānyapūrvā vinā varārhāṃ janakātmajāṃ tu || 9.70 ||

Among all those women, not one — save Sita, Janaka's peerless daughter — had been won there by force, through mere might and valour; none longed for another man, and none had loved another before him.

Shloka 71 (sundara.9.71)

न चाकुलीना न च हीनरूपा नादक्षिणा नानुपचारयुक्ता । भार्याभवत् तस्य न हीनसत्त्वा न चापि कान्तस्य न कामनीया ॥ 9.71 ॥

na cākulīnā na ca hīnarūpā nādakṣiṇā nānupacārayuktā | bhāryābhavat tasya na hīnasattvā na cāpi kāntasya na kāmanīyā || 9.71 ||

Not one of his wives was of low birth, or lacking in beauty; not one was without skill, not one without courtesy; not one lacked nobility of spirit, and not one failed to be lovely and desirable to her beloved.

Shloka 72 (sundara.9.72)

बभूव बुद्धिस्तु हरीश्वरस्य यदीदृशी राघवधर्मपत्नी । इमा महाराक्षसराजभार्याः सुजातमस्येति हि साधुबुद्धेः ॥ 9.72 ॥

babhūva buddhistu harīśvarasya yadīdṛśī rāghavadharmapatnī | imā mahārākṣasarājabhāryāḥ sujātamasyeti hi sādhubuddheḥ || 9.72 ||

Then this thought arose in the pure-minded lord of the monkeys: 'If only Raghava's virtuous wife were as content among these as these wives of the great rakshasa king are — well would it be for him.'

Shloka 73 (sundara.9.73)

पुनश्च सोऽचिन्तयदात्तरूपो ध्रुवं विशिष्टा गुणतो हि सीता । अथायमस्यां कृतवान् महात्मा लंकेश्वरः कष्टमनार्यकर्म ॥ 9.73 ॥

punaśca so'cintayadāttarūpo dhruvaṃ viśiṣṭā guṇato hi sītā | athāyamasyāṃ kṛtavān mahātmā laṃkeśvaraḥ kaṣṭamanāryakarma || 9.73 ||

Then, his form changed by grief, he thought again: 'Surely Sita is supreme in virtue beyond all these; yet this great-souled lord of Lanka has done to her a grievous, ignoble deed.'