Vibhishana Warns of Ill Omens

Shloka 1 (yuddha.10.1)

ततः प्रत्युषसि प्राप्ते प्राप्तधर्मार्थनिश्चयः । राक्षसाधिपतेर्वेश्म भीमकर्मा विभीषणः ॥ 10.1 ॥

tataḥ pratyuṣasi prāpte prāptadharmārthaniścayaḥ | rākṣasādhipaterveśma bhīmakarmā vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 10.1 ||

Then, when dawn arrived, Vibhishana — firm in his resolve upon dharma and artha, and terrible in action — went to the palace of the lord of the rakshasas.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.10.2)

शैलाग्रचयसंकाशं शैलशृङ्गमिवोन्नतम् । सुविभक्तमहाकक्षं महाजनपरिग्रहम् ॥ 10.2 ॥

śailāgracayasaṃkāśaṃ śailaśṛṅgamivonnatam | suvibhaktamahākakṣaṃ mahājanaparigraham || 10.2 ||

That palace looked like a mass of mountain-peaks, rising high as a mountain's crest, well laid out with vast chambers, and thronged with eminent men.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.10.3)

मतिमद्भिर्महामात्रैरनुरक्तैरधिष्ठितम् । राक्षसैराप्तपर्याप्तैः सर्वतः परिरक्षितम् ॥ 10.3 ॥

matimadbhirmahāmātrairanuraktairadhiṣṭhitam | rākṣasairāptaparyāptaiḥ sarvataḥ parirakṣitam || 10.3 ||

occupied by wise and devoted ministers, and guarded on every side by trustworthy and capable rakshasas.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.10.4)

मत्तमातङ्गनिःश्वासैर्व्याकुलीकृतमारुतम् । शङ्खघोषमहाघोषं तूर्यसम्बाधनादितम् ॥ 10.4 ॥

mattamātaṅganiḥśvāsairvyākulīkṛtamārutam | śaṅkhaghoṣamahāghoṣaṃ tūryasambādhanāditam || 10.4 ||

The very air there was disturbed by the breath of rutting elephants; it resounded with the deep blare of conches and the crowded din of musical instruments.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.10.5)

प्रमदाजनसम्बाधं प्रजल्पितमहापथम् । तप्तकाञ्चननिर्यूहं भूषणोत्तमभूषितम् ॥ 10.5 ॥

pramadājanasambādhaṃ prajalpitamahāpatham | taptakāñcananiryūhaṃ bhūṣaṇottamabhūṣitam || 10.5 ||

It was thronged with women, its main passageways astir with murmured talk, its turrets fashioned of refined gold, and it was adorned with the finest ornaments.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.10.6)

गन्धर्वाणामिवावासमालयं मरुतामिव । रत्नसंचयसम्बाधं भवनं भोगिनामिव ॥ 10.6 ॥

gandharvāṇāmivāvāsamālayaṃ marutāmiva | ratnasaṃcayasambādhaṃ bhavanaṃ bhogināmiva || 10.6 ||

That mansion seemed like a dwelling of the gandharvas, an abode of the maruts, and, crowded with heaps of jewels, like the very palace of the serpent-lords.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.10.7)

तं महाभ्रमिवादित्यस्तेजोविस्तृतरश्मिवान् । अग्रजस्यालयं वीरः प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः ॥ 10.7 ॥

taṃ mahābhramivādityastejovistṛtaraśmivān | agrajasyālayaṃ vīraḥ praviveśa mahādyutiḥ || 10.7 ||

The valiant Vibhishana, of great splendour, entered his elder brother's mansion — as if it were a vast cloud — like the sun with its rays spread wide in radiance.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.10.8)

पुण्यान् पुण्याहघोषांश्च वेदविद्भिरुदाहृतान् । शुश्राव सुमहातेजा भ्रातुर्विजयसंश्रितान् ॥ 10.8 ॥

puṇyān puṇyāhaghoṣāṃśca vedavidbhirudāhṛtān | śuśrāva sumahātejā bhrāturvijayasaṃśritān || 10.8 ||

That greatly radiant one heard the sacred, auspicious chants — uttered by knowers of the Veda and offered for his brother's victory.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.10.9)

पूजितान् दधिपात्रैश्च सर्पिभिः सुमनोक्षतैः । मन्त्रवेदविदो विप्रान् ददर्श स महाबलः ॥ 10.9 ॥

pūjitān dadhipātraiśca sarpibhiḥ sumanokṣataiḥ | mantravedavido viprān dadarśa sa mahābalaḥ || 10.9 ||

That mighty one saw brahmins learned in mantra and Veda, honoured with vessels of curd, with ghee, and with flowers and unbroken rice.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.10.10)

स पूज्यमानो रक्षोभिर्दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा । आसनस्थं महाबाहुर्ववन्दे धनदानुजम् ॥ 10.10 ॥

sa pūjyamāno rakṣobhirdīpyamānaṃ svatejasā | āsanasthaṃ mahābāhurvavande dhanadānujam || 10.10 ||

That mighty-armed one, honoured by the rakshasas, went and bowed to Kubera's younger brother, seated on the throne, himself blazing with his own splendour.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.10.11)

स राजदृष्टिसम्पन्नमासनं हेमभूषितम् । जगाम समुदाचारं प्रयुज्याचारकोविदः ॥ 10.11 ॥

sa rājadṛṣṭisampannamāsanaṃ hemabhūṣitam | jagāma samudācāraṃ prayujyācārakovidaḥ || 10.11 ||

Vibhishana, versed in etiquette, having observed the customary formalities, took the gold-adorned seat granted by the king's glance.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.10.12)

स रावणं महात्मानं विजने मन्त्रिसंनिधौ । उवाच हितमत्यर्थं वचनं हेतुनिश्चितम् ॥ 10.12 ॥

sa rāvaṇaṃ mahātmānaṃ vijane mantrisaṃnidhau | uvāca hitamatyarthaṃ vacanaṃ hetuniścitam || 10.12 ||

There, in privacy, in the presence of the ministers, he spoke to the great Ravana words that were most beneficial and grounded in sound reason.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.10.13)

प्रसाद्य भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठं सान्त्वेनोपस्थितक्रमः । देशकालार्थसंवादि दृष्टलोकपरावरः ॥ 10.13 ॥

prasādya bhrātaraṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ sāntvenopasthitakramaḥ | deśakālārthasaṃvādi dṛṣṭalokaparāvaraḥ || 10.13 ||

Vibhishana, who could discern the good and the ill of the world, first sought to please his elder brother with soothing words, then, proceeding methodically, spoke in a manner fitted to the place, the time, and the purpose.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.10.14)

यदाप्रभृति वैदेही सम्प्राप्तेह परंतप । तदाप्रभृति दृश्यन्ते निमित्तान्यशुभानि नः ॥ 10.14 ॥

yadāprabhṛti vaidehī samprāpteha paraṃtapa | tadāprabhṛti dṛśyante nimittānyaśubhāni naḥ || 10.14 ||

O scorcher of foes, ever since Vaidehi arrived here, inauspicious omens have been appearing to us.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.10.15)

सस्फुलिङ्गः सधूमार्चिः सधूमकलुषोदयः । मन्त्रसंधुक्षितोऽप्यग्निर्न सम्यगभिवर्धते ॥ 10.15 ॥

sasphuliṅgaḥ sadhūmārciḥ sadhūmakaluṣodayaḥ | mantrasaṃdhukṣito'pyagnirna samyagabhivardhate || 10.15 ||

Even the sacred fire, kindled with proper mantras, does not blaze up rightly — it throws off sparks, its flames are laced with smoke, and it rises murky, fouled with soot.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.10.16)

अग्निष्टेष्वग्निशालासु तथा ब्रह्मस्थलीषु च । सरीसृपाणि दृश्यन्ते हव्येषु च पिपीलिकाः ॥ 10.16 ॥

agniṣṭeṣvagniśālāsu tathā brahmasthalīṣu ca | sarīsṛpāṇi dṛśyante havyeṣu ca pipīlikāḥ || 10.16 ||

Reptiles are seen near the fire-altars, in the fire-chambers, and in the places of sacred study; and ants are found among the offerings themselves.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.10.17)

गवां पयांसि स्कन्नानि विमदा वरकुञ्जराः । दीनमश्वाः प्रहेषन्ते नवग्रासाभिनन्दिनः ॥ 10.17 ॥

gavāṃ payāṃsi skannāni vimadā varakuñjarāḥ | dīnamaśvāḥ praheṣante navagrāsābhinandinaḥ || 10.17 ||

The milk of the cows is curdling; our finest elephants have gone dry of their rutting fluid; and the horses, once delighted by fresh fodder, now neigh mournfully.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.10.18)

खरोष्ट्राश्वतरा राजन् भिन्नरोमाः स्रवन्ति च । न स्वभावेऽवतिष्ठन्ते विधानैरपि चिन्तिताः ॥ 10.18 ॥

kharoṣṭrāśvatarā rājan bhinnaromāḥ sravanti ca | na svabhāve'vatiṣṭhante vidhānairapi cintitāḥ || 10.18 ||

O king, donkeys, camels, and mules are shedding their hair and weeping tears; even when treated with due remedies, they do not return to their natural state.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.10.19)

वायसाः संघशः क्रूरा व्याहरन्ति समन्ततः । समवेताश्च दृश्यन्ते विमानाग्रेषु संघशः ॥ 10.19 ॥

vāyasāḥ saṃghaśaḥ krūrā vyāharanti samantataḥ | samavetāśca dṛśyante vimānāgreṣu saṃghaśaḥ || 10.19 ||

Crows in flocks are crying harshly on every side, and are seen gathered in swarms upon the rooftops of our mansions.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.10.20)

गृध्राश्च परिलीयन्ते पुरीमुपरि पिण्डिताः । उपपन्नाश्च संध्ये द्वे व्याहरन्त्यशिवं शिवाः ॥ 10.20 ॥

gṛdhrāśca parilīyante purīmupari piṇḍitāḥ | upapannāśca saṃdhye dve vyāharantyaśivaṃ śivāḥ || 10.20 ||

Vultures wheel in dense circles above the city, and jackals, appearing at both dusk and dawn, howl their ill-omened cries.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.10.21)

क्रव्यादानां मृगाणां च पुरीद्वारेषु संघशः । श्रूयन्ते विपुला घोषाः सविस्फूर्जितनिःस्वनाः ॥ 10.21 ॥

kravyādānāṃ mṛgāṇāṃ ca purīdvāreṣu saṃghaśaḥ | śrūyante vipulā ghoṣāḥ savisphūrjitaniḥsvanāḥ || 10.21 ||

At the city gates are heard the loud cries of carnivorous beasts gathered in packs, mingled with a rumbling roar.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.10.22)

तदेवं प्रस्तुते कार्ये प्रायश्चित्तमिदं क्षमम् । रोचये वीर वैदेही राघवाय प्रदीयताम् ॥ 10.22 ॥

tadevaṃ prastute kārye prāyaścittamidaṃ kṣamam | rocaye vīra vaidehī rāghavāya pradīyatām || 10.22 ||

So, O hero, given all that is now unfolding, this alone is the fitting atonement — I urge that Vaidehi be restored to Raghava.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.10.23)

इदं च यदि वा मोहाल्लोभाद् वा व्याहृतं मया । तत्रापि च महाराज न दोषं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ 10.23 ॥

idaṃ ca yadi vā mohāllobhād vā vyāhṛtaṃ mayā | tatrāpi ca mahārāja na doṣaṃ kartumarhasi || 10.23 ||

And, great king, even if I have spoken this out of delusion or greed, you ought not, even then, to find fault with me for it.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.10.24)

अयं हि दोषः सर्वस्य जनस्यास्योपलक्ष्यते । रक्षसां राक्षसीनां च पुरस्यान्तःपुरस्य च ॥ 10.24 ॥

ayaṃ hi doṣaḥ sarvasya janasyāsyopalakṣyate | rakṣasāṃ rākṣasīnāṃ ca purasyāntaḥpurasya ca || 10.24 ||

For this same ill omen is being witnessed by all the people here — by the rakshasas and rakshasi-women of the city and of the inner apartments alike.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.10.25)

प्रापणे चास्य मन्त्रस्य निवृत्ताः सर्वमन्त्रिणः । अवश्यं च मया वाच्यं यद् दृष्टमथवा श्रुतम् । सम्प्रधार्य यथान्यायं तद् भवान् कर्तुमर्हति ॥ 10.25 ॥

prāpaṇe cāsya mantrasya nivṛttāḥ sarvamantriṇaḥ | avaśyaṃ ca mayā vācyaṃ yad dṛṣṭamathavā śrutam | sampradhārya yathānyāyaṃ tad bhavān kartumarhati || 10.25 ||

All your ministers have shrunk from offering you this counsel; but what I have seen or heard, I must surely speak. Weigh it well, then, and do what is right.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.10.26)

इति स्वमन्त्रिणां मध्ये भ्राता भ्रातरमूचिवान् । रावणं रक्षसां श्रेष्ठं पथ्यमेतद् विभीषणः ॥ 10.26 ॥

iti svamantriṇāṃ madhye bhrātā bhrātaramūcivān | rāvaṇaṃ rakṣasāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ pathyametad vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 10.26 ||

Thus did the brother Vibhishana speak this wholesome counsel to his brother Ravana, foremost of the rakshasas, there in the midst of his own ministers.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.10.27)

हितं महार्थं मृदु हेतुसंहितं व्यतीतकालायतिसम्प्रतिक्षमम् । निशम्य तद्वाक्यमुपस्थितज्वरः प्रसङ्गवानुत्तरमेतदब्रवीत् ॥ 10.27 ॥

hitaṃ mahārthaṃ mṛdu hetusaṃhitaṃ vyatītakālāyatisampratikṣamam | niśamya tadvākyamupasthitajvaraḥ prasaṅgavānuttarametadabravīt || 10.27 ||

Having heard that speech — beneficial, weighty in meaning, gentle, grounded in reason, and fitting for past, present, and future alike — Ravana, ever inclined to evil, burned with sudden fury and gave this reply.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.10.28)

भयं न पश्यामि कुतश्चिदप्यहं न राघवः प्राप्स्यति जातु मैथिलीम् । सुरैः सहेन्द्रैरपि संगरे कथं ममाग्रतः स्थास्यति लक्ष्मणाग्रजः ॥ 10.28 ॥

bhayaṃ na paśyāmi kutaścidapyahaṃ na rāghavaḥ prāpsyati jātu maithilīm | suraiḥ sahendrairapi saṃgare kathaṃ mamāgrataḥ sthāsyati lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ || 10.28 ||

I see no cause for fear from any quarter; never, by any means, shall Raghava obtain Maithili. How could Lakshmana's elder brother stand before me in battle, even joined by the gods together with Indra himself?

Shloka 29 (yuddha.10.29)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा सुरसैन्यनाशनो महाबलः संयति चण्डविक्रमः । दशाननो भ्रातरमाप्तवादिनं विसर्जयामास तदा विभीषणम् ॥ 10.29 ॥

ityevamuktvā surasainyanāśano mahābalaḥ saṃyati caṇḍavikramaḥ | daśānano bhrātaramāptavādinaṃ visarjayāmāsa tadā vibhīṣaṇam || 10.29 ||

Having spoken thus, the ten-headed Ravana — destroyer of the armies of the gods, mighty, and of fierce prowess in battle — then dismissed his brother Vibhishana, who had spoken only the truth.