The Sons of Sukesha

Shloka 1 (uttara.5.1)

सुकेशं धार्मिकं दृष्ट्वा वरलब्धं च राक्षसम् । ग्रामणीर्नाम गन्धर्वो विश्वावसुसमप्रभः ॥ 5.1 ॥

sukeśaṃ dhārmikaṃ dṛṣṭvā varalabdhaṃ ca rākṣasam | grāmaṇīrnāma gandharvo viśvāvasusamaprabhaḥ || 5.1 ||

Seeing that righteous rakshasa Sukesha, who had obtained such a boon, a gandharva named Gramani, radiant as Vishvavasu —

Shloka 2 (uttara.5.2)

तस्य देववती नाम द्वितीया श्रीरिवात्मजा । त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्याता रूपयौवनशालिनी । तां सुकेशाय धर्मेण ददौ रक्षःश्रियं यथा ॥ 5.2 ॥

tasya devavatī nāma dvitīyā śrīrivātmajā | triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātā rūpayauvanaśālinī | tāṃ sukeśāya dharmeṇa dadau rakṣaḥśriyaṃ yathā || 5.2 ||

— his daughter, named Devavati, like a second Lakshmi, renowned throughout the three worlds and endowed with beauty and youth — he gave her to Sukesha in accordance with dharma, as though bestowing on him the very glory of the rakshasas.

Shloka 3 (uttara.5.3)

वरदानकृतैश्वर्यं सा तं प्राप्य पतिं प्रियम् । आसीद्देववती तुष्टा धनं प्राप्येव निर्धनः ॥ 5.3 ॥

varadānakṛtaiśvaryaṃ sā taṃ prāpya patiṃ priyam | āsīddevavatī tuṣṭā dhanaṃ prāpyeva nirdhanaḥ || 5.3 ||

Having gained that beloved husband, whose lordship had come through the boon, Devavati was as pleased as a poor man who has suddenly found wealth.

Shloka 4 (uttara.5.4)

स तया सह संयुक्तो रराज रजनीचरः । अञ्जनादभिनिष्क्रान्तः करेण्वेव महागजः ॥ 5.4 ॥

sa tayā saha saṃyukto rarāja rajanīcaraḥ | añjanādabhiniṣkrāntaḥ kareṇveva mahāgajaḥ || 5.4 ||

United with her, that night-ranger shone forth, like a great elephant emerging from a mountain of dark collyrium, together with his mate.

Shloka 5 (uttara.5.5)

देववत्यां सुकेशस्तु जनयामास राघव ॥ 5.5 ॥

devavatyāṃ sukeśastu janayāmāsa rāghava || 5.5 ||

In Devavati, O Raghava, Sukesha begot children.

Shloka 6 (uttara.5.6)

त्रीन् पुत्रान् जनयामास त्रेताग्निसमविग्रहान् । माल्यवन्तं सुमालिं च मालिं च बलिनां वरम् । त्रींस्त्रिनेत्रसमान्पुत्रान्राक्षसान्राक्षसाधिपः ॥ 5.6 ॥

trīn putrān janayāmāsa tretāgnisamavigrahān | mālyavantaṃ sumāliṃ ca māliṃ ca balināṃ varam | trīṃstrinetrasamānputrānrākṣasānrākṣasādhipaḥ || 5.6 ||

That lord of rakshasas begot three sons whose forms blazed like the three sacred fires — Malyavan, Sumali, and Mali, foremost among the mighty — three rakshasa sons resembling the three-eyed Shiva himself.

Shloka 7 (uttara.5.7)

त्रयो लोका इवाव्यग्राः स्थितास्त्रय इवाग्नयः । त्रयो मन्त्रा इवात्युग्रास्त्रयो घोरा इवामयाः ॥ 5.7 ॥

trayo lokā ivāvyagrāḥ sthitāstraya ivāgnayaḥ | trayo mantrā ivātyugrāstrayo ghorā ivāmayāḥ || 5.7 ||

Steadfast as the three worlds, standing firm like the three sacred fires, fierce as the three Vedic mantras, dreadful as three afflictions.

Shloka 8 (uttara.5.8)

त्रयः सुकेशस्य सुतास्त्रेताग्निसमतेजसः । विवृद्धिमगमंस्तत्र व्याधयोपेक्षिता इव ॥ 5.8 ॥

trayaḥ sukeśasya sutāstretāgnisamatejasaḥ | vivṛddhimagamaṃstatra vyādhayopekṣitā iva || 5.8 ||

The three sons of Sukesha, radiant as the three sacred fires, grew there as unchecked diseases grow.

Shloka 9 (uttara.5.9)

वरप्राप्तिं पितुस्ते तु ज्ञात्वेश्वरतपोबलात् । तपस्तप्तुं गता मेरुं भ्रातरः कृतनिश्चयाः ॥ 5.9 ॥

varaprāptiṃ pituste tu jñātveśvaratapobalāt | tapastaptuṃ gatā meruṃ bhrātaraḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ || 5.9 ||

Knowing how their father had won his boon through the power of austerity toward Ishvara, those brothers, resolved in purpose, went to Mount Meru to perform penance.

Shloka 10 (uttara.5.10)

प्रगृह्य नियमान्घोरान्राक्षसा नृपसत्तम । विचेरुस्ते तपो घोरं सर्वभूतभयावहम् ॥ 5.10 ॥

pragṛhya niyamānghorānrākṣasā nṛpasattama | viceruste tapo ghoraṃ sarvabhūtabhayāvaham || 5.10 ||

Taking up fierce vows, O best of kings, those rakshasas performed terrible austerities that struck fear into every living being.

Shloka 11 (uttara.5.11)

सत्यार्जवशमोपेतैस्तपोभिरतिदुष्करैः । सन्तापयन्तस्त्रील्लोँकान्सदेवासुरमानुषान् ॥ 5.11 ॥

satyārjavaśamopetaistapobhiratiduṣkaraiḥ | santāpayantastrīllo̐kānsadevāsuramānuṣān || 5.11 ||

Through austerities of the utmost difficulty, joined with truth, integrity, and calm, they scorched the three worlds, gods, asuras, and men alike.

Shloka 12 (uttara.5.12)

ततो विभुश्चतुर्वक्त्रो विमानवरमास्थितः । सुकेशपुत्रानामन्त्र्य वरदो ऽस्मीत्यभाषत ॥ 5.12 ॥

tato vibhuścaturvaktro vimānavaramāsthitaḥ | sukeśaputrānāmantrya varado 'smītyabhāṣata || 5.12 ||

Then the mighty four-faced Brahma, seated upon his splendid celestial chariot, addressed the sons of Sukesha, saying: "I am here to grant a boon."

Shloka 13 (uttara.5.13)

ब्रह्माणं वरदं ज्ञात्वा सेन्द्रैर्देवगणैर्वृतम् । ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे वेपमाना इव द्रुमाः ॥ 5.13 ॥

brahmāṇaṃ varadaṃ jñātvā sendrairdevagaṇairvṛtam | ūcuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve vepamānā iva drumāḥ || 5.13 ||

Recognizing Brahma, the giver of boons, surrounded by the hosts of gods with Indra, they all, joining their palms and trembling like trees, spoke.

Shloka 14 (uttara.5.14)

तपसाराधितो देव यदि नो दिशसे वरम् । अजेयाः शत्रुहन्तारस्तथैव चिरजीविनः ॥ 5.14 ॥

tapasārādhito deva yadi no diśase varam | ajeyāḥ śatruhantārastathaiva cirajīvinaḥ || 5.14 ||

"O god, if, propitiated by our penance, you grant us a boon, let us be invincible, destroyers of our enemies, and likewise long-lived."

Shloka 15 (uttara.5.15)

प्रभविष्ण्वो भवामेति परस्परमनुव्रताः ॥ 5.15 ॥

prabhaviṣṇvo bhavāmeti parasparamanuvratāḥ || 5.15 ||

"Let us be mighty, and ever devoted to one another."

Shloka 16 (uttara.5.16)

एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा सुकेशतनयान्विभुः । स ययौ ब्रह्मलोकाय ब्रह्मा ब्राह्मणवत्सलः ॥ 5.16 ॥

evaṃ bhaviṣyatītyuktvā sukeśatanayānvibhuḥ | sa yayau brahmalokāya brahmā brāhmaṇavatsalaḥ || 5.16 ||

Having said to the sons of Sukesha, "So be it," the mighty Brahma, ever gracious to brahmins, then departed for Brahmaloka.

Shloka 17 (uttara.5.17)

वरं लब्ध्वा तु ते सर्वे राम रात्रिञ्चरास्तदा । सुरासुरान्प्रबाधन्ते वरदानसुनिर्भयाः ॥ 5.17 ॥

varaṃ labdhvā tu te sarve rāma rātriñcarāstadā | surāsurānprabādhante varadānasunirbhayāḥ || 5.17 ||

Having obtained the boon, O Rama, all those night-rangers, now fearless through the gift, began to torment gods and asuras alike.

Shloka 18 (uttara.5.18)

तैर्वध्यमानास्त्रिदशाः सर्षिसङ्घाः सचारणाः । त्रातारं नाधिगच्छन्ति निरयस्था यथा नराः ॥ 5.18 ॥

tairvadhyamānāstridaśāḥ sarṣisaṅghāḥ sacāraṇāḥ | trātāraṃ nādhigacchanti nirayasthā yathā narāḥ || 5.18 ||

The gods, harassed by them, together with the hosts of sages and celestial bards, could find no protector, like men fallen into hell.

Shloka 19 (uttara.5.19)

अथ ते विश्वकर्माणं शिल्पिनां वरमव्ययम् । ऊचुः समेत्य संहृष्टा राक्षसा रघुसत्तम ॥ 5.19 ॥

atha te viśvakarmāṇaṃ śilpināṃ varamavyayam | ūcuḥ sametya saṃhṛṣṭā rākṣasā raghusattama || 5.19 ||

Then, O best of the Raghus, those rakshasas, assembling together in delight, spoke to Vishvakarma, the imperishable foremost of craftsmen.

Shloka 20 (uttara.5.20)

ओजस्तेजोबलवतां महतामात्मतेजसा । गृहकर्ता भवानेव देवानां हृदयेप्सितम् ॥ 5.20 ॥

ojastejobalavatāṃ mahatāmātmatejasā | gṛhakartā bhavāneva devānāṃ hṛdayepsitam || 5.20 ||

"You alone, by your own splendor, are the builder of dwellings for the mighty, vigorous, and powerful, dwellings dear to the very hearts of the gods."

Shloka 21 (uttara.5.21)

अस्माकमपि तावत्त्वं गृहं कुरु महामते । हिमवन्तमपाश्रित्य मेरुमन्दरमेव वा । महेश्वरगृहप्रख्यं गृहं नः क्रियतां महत् ॥ 5.21 ॥

asmākamapi tāvattvaṃ gṛhaṃ kuru mahāmate | himavantamapāśritya merumandarameva vā | maheśvaragṛhaprakhyaṃ gṛhaṃ naḥ kriyatāṃ mahat || 5.21 ||

"For us too, O wise one, build a dwelling — resting upon Himavat, or Meru, or Mandara. Let a great home, as renowned as the abode of Maheshvara, be made for us."

Shloka 22 (uttara.5.22)

विश्वकर्मा ततस्तेषां राक्षसानां महाभुजः । निवासं कथयामास शक्रस्येवामरावतीम् ॥ 5.22 ॥

viśvakarmā tatasteṣāṃ rākṣasānāṃ mahābhujaḥ | nivāsaṃ kathayāmāsa śakrasyevāmarāvatīm || 5.22 ||

Then Vishvakarma, the mighty-armed, told those rakshasas of a dwelling place resembling Amaravati, the city of Indra himself.

Shloka 23 (uttara.5.23)

दक्षिणस्योदधेस्तीरे त्रिकूटो नाम पर्वतः । सुवेल इति चाप्यन्यो द्वितीयस्तत्र सत्तमाः ॥ 5.23 ॥

dakṣiṇasyodadhestīre trikūṭo nāma parvataḥ | suvela iti cāpyanyo dvitīyastatra sattamāḥ || 5.23 ||

"On the shore of the southern ocean stands a mountain named Trikuta; and there also is a second one, named Suvela, O worthy ones."

Shloka 24 (uttara.5.24)

शिखरे तस्य शैलस्य मध्यमे ऽम्बुदसन्निभे । शकुनैरपि दुष्प्रापे टङ्कच्छिन्नचतुर्दिशि ॥ 5.24 ॥

śikhare tasya śailasya madhyame 'mbudasannibhe | śakunairapi duṣprāpe ṭaṅkacchinnacaturdiśi || 5.24 ||

"On that mountain's middle peak, resembling a mass of cloud, unreachable even by birds, its four sides sheer as though hewn by a chisel —"

Shloka 25 (uttara.5.25)

त्रिंशद्योजनक्स्तीर्णा शतयोजनमायता । स्वर्णप्राकारसंवीता हेमतोरणसंवृता ॥ 5.25 ॥

triṃśadyojanakstīrṇā śatayojanamāyatā | svarṇaprākārasaṃvītā hematoraṇasaṃvṛtā || 5.25 ||

"— thirty yojanas in breadth, and a hundred yojanas in length, encircled by ramparts of gold, enclosed by golden archways —"

Shloka 26 (uttara.5.26)

मया लङ्केति नगरी शक्राज्ञप्तेन निर्मिता । तस्यां वसत दुर्धर्षा यूयं राक्षसपुङ्गवाः ॥ 5.26 ॥

mayā laṅketi nagarī śakrājñaptena nirmitā | tasyāṃ vasata durdharṣā yūyaṃ rākṣasapuṅgavāḥ || 5.26 ||

"— that city, named Lanka, was built by me at Indra's command. Dwell there, O foremost of rakshasas, you who are unconquerable."

Shloka 27 (uttara.5.27)

अमरावतीं समासाद्य सेन्द्रा इव दिवौकसः । लङ्कादुर्गं समासाद्य राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृताः ॥ 5.27 ॥

amarāvatīṃ samāsādya sendrā iva divaukasaḥ | laṅkādurgaṃ samāsādya rākṣasairbahubhirvṛtāḥ || 5.27 ||

"As the gods, with Indra, flourish having reached Amaravati, so too, having reached the fortress of Lanka, surrounded by many rakshasas —"

Shloka 28 (uttara.5.28)

भविष्यथ दुराधर्षाः शत्रूणां शत्रुसूदनाः ॥ 5.28 ॥

bhaviṣyatha durādharṣāḥ śatrūṇāṃ śatrusūdanāḥ || 5.28 ||

"— you shall become unassailable, slayers of your enemies."

Shloka 29 (uttara.5.29)

विश्वकर्मवचः श्रुत्वा ततस्ते राक्षसोत्तमाः । सहस्रानुचरा भूत्वा गत्वा तामवसन्पुरीम् ॥ 5.29 ॥

viśvakarmavacaḥ śrutvā tataste rākṣasottamāḥ | sahasrānucarā bhūtvā gatvā tāmavasanpurīm || 5.29 ||

Hearing Vishvakarma's words, those foremost rakshasas, with thousands of followers, then went and settled in that city.

Shloka 30 (uttara.5.30)

दृढप्राकारपरिखां हैमैर्गृहशतैर्वृताम् । लङ्कामवाप्य ते हृष्टा न्यवसन्रजनीचराः ॥ 5.30 ॥

dṛḍhaprākāraparikhāṃ haimairgṛhaśatairvṛtām | laṅkāmavāpya te hṛṣṭā nyavasanrajanīcarāḥ || 5.30 ||

Having gained Lanka, with its strong walls and moat, encircled by hundreds of golden mansions, those night-rangers dwelt there in delight.

Shloka 31 (uttara.5.31)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु यथाकामं च राघव । नर्मदा नाम गन्धर्वी बभूव रघुनन्दन ॥ 5.31 ॥

etasminneva kāle tu yathākāmaṃ ca rāghava | narmadā nāma gandharvī babhūva raghunandana || 5.31 ||

At this same time, O Raghava, joy of the Raghus, there lived, roaming as she pleased, a gandharva woman named Narmada.

Shloka 32 (uttara.5.32)

तस्याः कान्यात्रयं ह्यासीत् धीश्रीकिर्तिसमद्युति । ज्येष्ठक्रमेण सा तेषां राक्षसानामराक्षसी ॥ 5.32 ॥

tasyāḥ kānyātrayaṃ hyāsīt dhīśrīkirtisamadyuti | jyeṣṭhakrameṇa sā teṣāṃ rākṣasānāmarākṣasī || 5.32 ||

She had three daughters, radiant as Wisdom, Fortune, and Fame. Though not herself a rakshasi, she, in order of seniority, gave them to those rakshasas.

Shloka 33 (uttara.5.33)

कन्यास्ताः प्रददौ हृष्टा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाः । त्रयाणां राक्षसेन्द्राणां तिस्रो गन्धर्वकन्यकाः ॥ 5.33 ॥

kanyāstāḥ pradadau hṛṣṭā pūrṇacandranibhānanāḥ | trayāṇāṃ rākṣasendrāṇāṃ tisro gandharvakanyakāḥ || 5.33 ||

Gladly she gave those maidens, their faces like the full moon — three gandharva maidens to the three lords of the rakshasas.

Shloka 34 (uttara.5.34)

दत्ता मात्रा महाभागा नक्षत्रे भगदैवते । कुतदारास्तु ते राम सुकेशतनयास्तदा ॥ 5.34 ॥

dattā mātrā mahābhāgā nakṣatre bhagadaivate | kutadārāstu te rāma sukeśatanayāstadā || 5.34 ||

Given by their mother under the auspicious constellation ruled by Bhaga, those blessed maidens became their wives — and so, O Rama, the sons of Sukesha, now married —

Shloka 35 (uttara.5.35)

चिक्रीडुः सह भार्याभिरप्सरोभिरिवामराः । ततो माल्यवतो भार्या सुन्दरी नाम सुन्दरी ॥ 5.35 ॥

cikrīḍuḥ saha bhāryābhirapsarobhirivāmarāḥ | tato mālyavato bhāryā sundarī nāma sundarī || 5.35 ||

— sported with their wives, as the immortals do with apsaras. Then Malyavan's wife, the lovely one named Sundari —

Shloka 36 (uttara.5.36)

स तस्यां जनयामास यदपत्यं निबोध तत् । वज्रमुष्टिर्विरूपाक्षोदुर्मुखश्चैव राक्षसः ॥ 5.36 ॥

sa tasyāṃ janayāmāsa yadapatyaṃ nibodha tat | vajramuṣṭirvirūpākṣodurmukhaścaiva rākṣasaḥ || 5.36 ||

— in her he begot children; hear now who they were: Vajramushti, Virupaksha, and the rakshasa Durmukha —

Shloka 37 (uttara.5.37)

सुप्तघ्नो यज्ञकोपश्च मत्तोन्मत्तौ तथैव च । अनला चाभवत्कन्या सुन्दर्यां राम सुन्दरी ॥ 5.37 ॥

suptaghno yajñakopaśca mattonmattau tathaiva ca | analā cābhavatkanyā sundaryāṃ rāma sundarī || 5.37 ||

— Suptaghna and Yajnakopa, and likewise Matta and Unmatta. And, O Rama, to Sundari was also born a lovely daughter named Anala.

Shloka 38 (uttara.5.38)

सुमालिनो ऽपि भार्यासीत्पूर्णचद्रनिभानना । नाम्ना केतुमती राम प्राणेभ्यो ऽपि गरीयसी ॥ 5.38 ॥

sumālino 'pi bhāryāsītpūrṇacadranibhānanā | nāmnā ketumatī rāma prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasī || 5.38 ||

Sumali too had a wife, her face like the full moon, named Ketumati, O Rama, who was dearer to him than life itself.

Shloka 39 (uttara.5.39)

सुमाली जनयामास यदपत्यं निशाचरः । केतुमत्यां महाराज तन्निबोधानुपूर्वशः ॥ 5.39 ॥

sumālī janayāmāsa yadapatyaṃ niśācaraḥ | ketumatyāṃ mahārāja tannibodhānupūrvaśaḥ || 5.39 ||

Sumali, the night-ranger, begot children in Ketumati; hear of them now, O great king, in order.

Shloka 40 (uttara.5.40)

प्रहस्तो ऽकम्पनश्चैव विकटः कालकार्मुखः । धूम्राक्षश्चैव दण्डश्च सुपार्श्वश्च महाबलः ॥ 5.40 ॥

prahasto 'kampanaścaiva vikaṭaḥ kālakārmukhaḥ | dhūmrākṣaścaiva daṇḍaśca supārśvaśca mahābalaḥ || 5.40 ||

Prahasta, Akampana, Vikata, Kalakarmukha, Dhumraksha, Danda, and the mighty Suparshva —

Shloka 41 (uttara.5.41)

संह्रादिः प्रघसश्चैव भासकर्णश्च राक्षसः । राका पुष्पोत्कटा चैव कैकसी च शुचिस्मिता ।। कुम्भीनसी च इत्येते सुमालेः प्रसवाः स्मृताः ॥ 5.41 ॥

saṃhrādiḥ praghasaścaiva bhāsakarṇaśca rākṣasaḥ | rākā puṣpotkaṭā caiva kaikasī ca śucismitā || kumbhīnasī ca ityete sumāleḥ prasavāḥ smṛtāḥ || 5.41 ||

— Samhradi, Praghasa, and the rakshasa Bhasakarna; and the daughters Raka, Pushpotkata, the sweetly-smiling Kaikasi, and Kumbhinasi — these are remembered as the offspring of Sumali.

Shloka 42 (uttara.5.42)

मालेस्तु वसुधा नाम गन्धर्वी रूपशालिनी । भार्यासीत्पद्मपत्राक्षी स्वक्षी यक्षीवरोपमा ॥ 5.42 ॥

mālestu vasudhā nāma gandharvī rūpaśālinī | bhāryāsītpadmapatrākṣī svakṣī yakṣīvaropamā || 5.42 ||

Mali's wife was a gandharvi named Vasudha, lovely in form, lotus-eyed, fair-eyed, resembling a foremost yakshini.

Shloka 43 (uttara.5.43)

सुमालेरनुजस्तस्यां जनयामास यत् प्रभो । अपत्यं कथ्यमानं तु मया त्वं शृणु राघव ॥ 5.43 ॥

sumāleranujastasyāṃ janayāmāsa yat prabho | apatyaṃ kathyamānaṃ tu mayā tvaṃ śṛṇu rāghava || 5.43 ||

In her, Mali, the younger brother of Sumali, begot children, my lord; hear now, O Raghava, as I tell them to you.

Shloka 44 (uttara.5.44)

अनिलश्चानलश्चैव हरः सम्पातिरेव च । एते विभीषणामात्या मालेयास्तु निशाचरः ॥ 5.44 ॥

anilaścānalaścaiva haraḥ sampātireva ca | ete vibhīṣaṇāmātyā māleyāstu niśācaraḥ || 5.44 ||

Anila, and Anala, and Hara, and Sampati as well — these night-rangers, sons of Mali, became the counselors of Vibhishana.

Shloka 45 (uttara.5.45)

ततस्तु ते राक्षसपुङ्गवास्त्रयो निशाचरैः पुत्रशतैश्च संवृताः । सुरान्सहेन्द्रानृषिनागयक्षान्बबाधिरे तान्बहुवीर्यदर्पिताः ॥ 5.45 ॥

tatastu te rākṣasapuṅgavāstrayo niśācaraiḥ putraśataiśca saṃvṛtāḥ | surānsahendrānṛṣināgayakṣānbabādhire tānbahuvīryadarpitāḥ || 5.45 ||

Then those three foremost rakshasas, surrounded by their hundreds of night-ranging sons, and swollen with pride in their great might, began to torment the gods together with Indra, the sages, the nagas, and the yakshas.

Shloka 46 (uttara.5.46)

जगद्भ्रमन्तो ऽनिलवद्दुरासदा रणेषु मृत्युप्रतिमानतेजसः । वरप्रदानादतिगर्विता भृशं क्रतुक्रियाणां प्रशमङ्कराः सदा ॥ 5.46 ॥

jagadbhramanto 'nilavaddurāsadā raṇeṣu mṛtyupratimānatejasaḥ | varapradānādatigarvitā bhṛśaṃ kratukriyāṇāṃ praśamaṅkarāḥ sadā || 5.46 ||

Roaming the world like the wind, unassailable in battle, their splendor like that of Death itself, and made exceedingly proud by the boon they had received, they ever brought about the disruption of sacrificial rites.