Ravana Convenes His Council of War

Shloka 1 (yuddha.11.1)

स बभूव कृशो राजा मैथिलीकाममोहितः । असन्मानाच्च सुहृदां पापः पापेन कर्मणा ॥ ११.१ ॥

sa babhūva kṛśo rājā maithilīkāmamohitaḥ | asanmānācca suhṛdāṃ pāpaḥ pāpena karmaṇā ||

Infatuated by his lust for Sita, that sinful king Ravana grew emaciated through his own wicked conduct and through his contempt for his well-wishers.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.11.2)

अतीतसमये काले तस्मिन् वै युधि रावणः । अमात्यैश्च सुहृद्भिश्च प्राप्तकालममन्यत ॥ ११.२ ॥

atītasamaye kāle tasmin vai yudhi rāvaṇaḥ | amātyaiśca suhṛdbhiśca prāptakālamamanyata ||

Although the proper occasion for war had already passed, Ravana then judged it a fit time to take counsel with his ministers and well-wishers.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.11.3)

स हेमजालविततं मणिविद्रुमभूषितम् । उपगम्य विनीताश्वमारुरोह महारथम् ॥ ११.३ ॥

sa hemajālavitataṃ maṇividrumabhūṣitam | upagamya vinītāśvamāruroha mahāratham ||

Approaching that magnificent chariot, covered with a net of gold and adorned with jewels and coral, yoked with well-trained horses, he mounted it.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.11.4)

तमास्थाय रथश्रेष्ठं महामेघसमस्वनम् । प्रययौ रक्षसां श्रेष्ठो दशग्रीवः सभां प्रति ॥ ११.४ ॥

tamāsthāya rathaśreṣṭhaṃ mahāmeghasamasvanam | prayayau rakṣasāṃ śreṣṭho daśagrīvaḥ sabhāṃ prati ||

Mounted on that finest of chariots, which rumbled like a great thundercloud, Ravana, foremost of the demons, set out toward the assembly hall.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.11.5)

असिचर्मधरा योधाः सर्वायुधधरास्ततः । राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पुरस्तात् सम्प्रतस्थिरे ॥ ११.५ ॥

asicarmadharā yodhāḥ sarvāyudhadharāstataḥ | rākṣasā rākṣasendrasya purastāt sampratasthire ||

Then warriors bearing swords and shields, and demons armed with every kind of weapon, marched ahead of that lord of demons.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.11.6)

नानाविकृतवेषाश्च नानाभूषणभूषिताः । पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतश्चैनं परिवार्य ययुस्तदा ॥ ११.६ ॥

nānāvikṛtaveṣāśca nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitāḥ | pārśvataḥ pṛṣṭhataścainaṃ parivārya yayustadā ||

Demons wearing all manner of strange attire and adorned with varied ornaments then marched, surrounding him on either side and from behind.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.11.7)

रथैश्चातिरथाः शीघ्रं मत्तैश्च वरवारणैः । अनूत्पेतुर्दशग्रीवमाक्रीडद्भिश्च वाजिभिः ॥ ११.७ ॥

rathaiścātirathāḥ śīghraṃ mattaiśca varavāraṇaiḥ | anūtpeturdaśagrīvamākrīḍadbhiśca vājibhiḥ ||

Great chariot-warriors swiftly rushed after Dashagriva—some in chariots, some on excellent rutting elephants, and some on horses prancing playfully.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.11.8)

गदापरिघहस्ताश्च शक्तितोमरपाणयः । परश्वधधराश्चान्ये तथान्ये शूलपाणयः ॥ ११.८ ॥

gadāparighahastāśca śaktitomarapāṇayaḥ | paraśvadhadharāścānye tathānye śūlapāṇayaḥ ||

Some carried maces and iron clubs in their hands, others javelins and iron-tipped lances; some bore axes, while still others held tridents.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.11.9)

ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणं संजज्ञे निःस्वनो महान् । तुमुलः शङ्खशब्दश्च सभां गच्छति रावणे ॥ ११.९ ॥

tatastūryasahasrāṇaṃ saṃjajñe niḥsvano mahān | tumulaḥ śaṅkhaśabdaśca sabhāṃ gacchati rāvaṇe ||

Then, as Ravana proceeded toward the assembly, the mighty blare of a thousand trumpets and the tumultuous roar of conch-shells arose.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.11.10)

स नेमिघोषेण महान् सहसाभिनिनादयन् । राजमार्गं श्रिया जुष्टं प्रतिपेदे महारथः ॥ ११.१० ॥

sa nemighoṣeṇa mahān sahasābhininādayan | rājamārgaṃ śriyā juṣṭaṃ pratipede mahārathaḥ ||

That great chariot, suddenly resounding with the rumble of its wheels, entered the beautiful royal highway.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.11.11)

विमलं चातपत्रं च प्रगृहीतमशोभत । पाण्डुरं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पूर्णस्ताराधिपो यथा ॥ ११.११ ॥

vimalaṃ cātapatraṃ ca pragṛhītamaśobhata | pāṇḍuraṃ rākṣasendrasya pūrṇastārādhipo yathā ||

The spotless white parasol held over the demon-lord's head shone like the full moon.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.11.12)

हेममञ्जरिगर्भे च शुद्धस्फटिकविग्रहे । चामरव्यजने तस्य रेजतुः सव्यदक्षिणे ॥ ११.१२ ॥

hemamañjarigarbhe ca śuddhasphaṭikavigrahe | cāmaravyajane tasya rejatuḥ savyadakṣiṇe ||

On his left and right, two whisks with pure crystal handles and golden fringes shimmered.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.11.13)

ते कृताञ्जलयः सर्वे रथस्थं पृथिवीस्थिताः । राक्षसा राक्षसश्रेष्ठं शिरोभिस्तं ववन्दिरे ॥ ११.१३ ॥

te kṛtāñjalayaḥ sarve rathasthaṃ pṛthivīsthitāḥ | rākṣasā rākṣasaśreṣṭhaṃ śirobhistaṃ vavandire ||

All those demons standing on the ground, joining their palms, bowed their heads in salutation to that foremost of demons seated upon the chariot.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.11.14)

राक्षसैः स्तूयमानः सञ्जयाशीर्भिररिंदमः । आससाद महातेजाः सभां विरचितां तदा ॥ ११.१४ ॥

rākṣasaiḥ stūyamānaḥ sañjayāśīrbhirariṃdamaḥ | āsasāda mahātejāḥ sabhāṃ viracitāṃ tadā ||

The subduer of foes, that mighty and radiant Ravana, being extolled by the demons with cries of victory, then arrived at the assembly which had been arrayed for the occasion.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.11.15)

सुवर्णरजतास्तीर्णां विशुद्धस्फटिकान्तराम् । विराजमानो वपुषा रुक्मपट्टोत्तरच्छदाम् ॥ ११.१५ ॥

suvarṇarajatāstīrṇāṃ viśuddhasphaṭikāntarām | virājamāno vapuṣā rukmapaṭṭottaracchadām ||

Radiant in body, he approached that hall paved with gold and silver, its interior wrought of pure crystal, and hung with gold-fringed drapes.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.11.16)

तां पिशाचशतैः षड्भिरभिगुप्तां सदाप्रभाम् । प्रविवेश महातेजाः सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा ॥ ११.१६ ॥

tāṃ piśācaśataiḥ ṣaḍbhirabhiguptāṃ sadāprabhām | praviveśa mahātejāḥ sukṛtāṃ viśvakarmaṇā ||

That greatly radiant one entered the hall, ever-shining, well-built by Vishvakarma, and guarded by six hundred evil spirits.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.11.17)

तस्यां तु वैदूर्यमयं प्रियकाजिनसंवृतम् । महत्सोपाश्रयं भेजे रावणः परमासनम् ॥ ११.१७ ॥

tasyāṃ tu vaidūryamayaṃ priyakājinasaṃvṛtam | mahatsopāśrayaṃ bheje rāvaṇaḥ paramāsanam ||

In that hall Ravana occupied a great and excellent throne, set with cat's-eye gems, covered with the hide of the priyaka deer, and furnished with cushions.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.11.18)

ततः शशासेश्वरवद्दूताँल्लघुपराक्रमान् । समानयत मे क्षिप्रमिहैतान् राक्षसानिति । कृत्यमस्ति महज्जाने कर्तव्यमिति शत्रुभिः ॥ ११.१८ ॥

tataḥ śaśāseśvaravaddūtāṃllaghuparākramān | samānayata me kṣipramihaitān rākṣasāniti | kṛtyamasti mahajjāne kartavyamiti śatrubhiḥ ||

Then, as their sovereign, he commanded his swift-moving messengers: 'Quickly bring these demons here to me. I know a great task lies before us because of our enemies.'

Shloka 19 (yuddha.11.19)

राक्षसास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा लङ्कायां परिचक्रमुः ॥ ११.१९ ॥

rākṣasāstadvacaḥ śrutvā laṅkāyāṃ paricakramuḥ ||

Hearing those words, the demons went rushing about through Lanka.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.11.20)

अनुगेहमवस्थाय विहारशयनेषु च । उद्यानेषु च रक्षांसि चोदयन्तो ह्यभीतवत् ॥ ११.२० ॥

anugehamavasthāya vihāraśayaneṣu ca | udyāneṣu ca rakṣāṃsi codayanto hyabhītavat ||

Fearlessly, they went to every house, to pleasure-grounds and bedchambers, and to gardens, urging on the demons.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.11.21)

ते रथान् रुचिरानेके दृप्तानेके दृढान् हयान् । नागानेकेऽधिरुरुहुर्जग्मुश्चैके पदातयः ॥ ११.२१ ॥

te rathān rucirāneke dṛptāneke dṛḍhān hayān | nāgāneke'dhiruruhurjagmuścaike padātayaḥ ||

Some of them mounted beautiful chariots, some proud and powerful horses, some climbed upon elephants, while others went on foot.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.11.22)

सा पुरी परमाकीर्णा रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः । सम्पतद्भिर्विरुरुचे गरुत्मद्भिरिवाम्बरम् ॥ ११.२२ ॥

sā purī paramākīrṇā rathakuñjaravājibhiḥ | sampatadbhirviruruce garutmadbhirivāmbaram ||

That city, thronged with rushing chariots, elephants, and horses, gleamed like the sky filled with swiftly darting birds.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.11.23)

ते वाहनान्यवस्थाय यानानि विविधानि च । सभां पद्भिः प्रविविशुः सिंहा गिरिगुहामिव ॥ ११.२३ ॥

te vāhanānyavasthāya yānāni vividhāni ca | sabhāṃ padbhiḥ praviviśuḥ siṃhā giriguhāmiva ||

Leaving their mounts and various conveyances outside, they entered the hall on foot, as lions enter a mountain cave.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.11.24)

राज्ञः पादौ गृहीत्वा तु राज्ञा ते प्रतिपूजिताः । पीठेष्वन्ये बृसीष्वन्ये भूमौ केचिदुपाविशन् ॥ ११.२४ ॥

rājñaḥ pādau gṛhītvā tu rājñā te pratipūjitāḥ | pīṭheṣvanye bṛsīṣvanye bhūmau kecidupāviśan ||

Having touched the king's feet and been duly honoured by him in turn, some sat on seats, some on mats of kusha grass, and others upon the ground.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.11.25)

ते समेत्य सभायां वै राक्षसा राजशासनात् । यथार्हमुपतस्थुस्ते रावणं राक्षसाधिपम् ॥ ११.२५ ॥

te sametya sabhāyāṃ vai rākṣasā rājaśāsanāt | yathārhamupatasthuste rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasādhipam ||

Those demons, gathered in the hall at the king's command, took their places around Ravana, lord of demons, each according to his rank.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.11.26)

मन्त्रिणश्च यथामुख्या निश्चितार्थेषु पण्डिताः । अमात्याश्च गुणोपेताः सर्वज्ञा बुद्धिदर्शनाः ॥ ११.२६ ॥

mantriṇaśca yathāmukhyā niścitārtheṣu paṇḍitāḥ | amātyāśca guṇopetāḥ sarvajñā buddhidarśanāḥ ||

There were ministers, foremost among the wise and expert in settled counsel, and virtuous councillors, all-knowing and perceptive through their intellect.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.11.27)

समीयुस्तत्र शतशः शूराश्च बहवस्तथा । सभायां हेमवर्णायां सर्वार्थस्य सुखाय वै ॥ ११.२७ ॥

samīyustatra śataśaḥ śūrāśca bahavastathā | sabhāyāṃ hemavarṇāyāṃ sarvārthasya sukhāya vai ||

Many warriors too, in their hundreds, gathered there in that gold-hued hall, for the accomplishment and welfare of every undertaking.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.11.28)

ततो महात्मा विपुलं सुयुग्यं रथं वरं हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम् । शुभं समास्थाय ययौ यशस्वी विभीषणः संसदमग्रजस्य ॥ ११.२८ ॥

tato mahātmā vipulaṃ suyugyaṃ rathaṃ varaṃ hemavicitritāṅgam | śubhaṃ samāsthāya yayau yaśasvī vibhīṣaṇaḥ saṃsadamagrajasya ||

Then the noble and illustrious Vibhishana, mounting a spacious and auspicious chariot, its parts richly wrought with gold and yoked to fine horses, set out for the assembly hall of his elder brother.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.11.29)

स पूर्वजायावरजः शशंस नामाथ पश्चाच्चरणौ ववन्दे । शुकः प्रहस्तश्च तथैव तेभ्यो ददौ यथार्हं पृथगासनानि ॥ ११.२९ ॥

sa pūrvajāyāvarajaḥ śaśaṃsa nāmātha paścāccaraṇau vavande | śukaḥ prahastaśca tathaiva tebhyo dadau yathārhaṃ pṛthagāsanāni ||

That younger brother first announced his name to his elder and then bowed at his feet; Suka and Prahasta likewise did the same. Ravana gave each of them a separate seat according to their rank.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.11.30)

सुवर्णनानामणिभूषणानां सुवाससां संसदि राक्षसानाम् । तेषां परार्घ्यागुरुचन्दनानां स्रजां च गन्धाः प्रववुः समन्तात् ॥ ११.३० ॥

suvarṇanānāmaṇibhūṣaṇānāṃ suvāsasāṃ saṃsadi rākṣasānām | teṣāṃ parārghyāgurucandanānāṃ srajāṃ ca gandhāḥ pravavuḥ samantāt ||

The fragrance of costly aloe-wood and sandal paste, and of the garlands worn by those demons—adorned with ornaments of gold and various gems and clad in fine garments—wafted all around that hall.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.11.31)

न चुक्रुशुर्नानृतमाह कश्चित् सभासदो नापि जजल्पुरुच्चैः । संसिद्धार्थाः सर्व एवोग्रवीर्या भर्तुः सर्वे ददृशुश्चाननं ते ॥ ११.३१ ॥

na cukruśurnānṛtamāha kaścit sabhāsado nāpi jajalpuruccaiḥ | saṃsiddhārthāḥ sarva evogravīryā bhartuḥ sarve dadṛśuścānanaṃ te ||

None there shouted out, none spoke falsely, nor did the assembled members prattle loudly; all of them, men of fierce valour and settled purpose, simply gazed upon the face of their lord.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.11.32)

स रावणः शस्त्रभृतां मनस्विनां महाबलानां समितौ मनस्वी । तस्यां सभायां प्रभया चकाशे मध्ये वसूनामिव वज्रहस्तः ॥ ११.३२ ॥

sa rāvaṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ manasvināṃ mahābalānāṃ samitau manasvī | tasyāṃ sabhāyāṃ prabhayā cakāśe madhye vasūnāmiva vajrahastaḥ ||

In that assembly, amidst those spirited, weapon-bearing demons of immense might, the resolute Ravana blazed with splendour, like the wielder of the thunderbolt shining amidst the Vasus.