The Spies Shuka and Sarana

Shloka 1 (yuddha.25.1)

सबले सागरं तीर्णे रामे दशरथात्मजे । अमात्यौ रावणः श्रीमानब्रवीच्छुकसारणौ ॥ 25.1 ॥

sabale sāgaraṃ tīrṇe rāme daśarathātmaje | amātyau rāvaṇaḥ śrīmānabravīcchukasāraṇau || 25.1 ||

While Rama, son of Dasharatha, was crossing the ocean with his army, the illustrious Ravana spoke to his ministers Shuka and Sarana.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.25.2)

समग्रं सागरं तीर्णं दुस्तरं वानरं बलम् । अभूतपूर्वं रामेण सागरे सेतुबन्धनम् ॥ 25.2 ॥

samagraṃ sāgaraṃ tīrṇaṃ dustaraṃ vānaraṃ balam | abhūtapūrvaṃ rāmeṇa sāgare setubandhanam || 25.2 ||

"The entire army of vanaras has crossed the impassable ocean; Rama has accomplished an unprecedented construction of a bridge across the sea."

Shloka 3 (yuddha.25.3)

सागरे सेतुबन्धं तं न श्रद्दध्यां कथंचन । अवश्यं चापि संख्येयं तन्मया वानरं बलम् ॥ 25.3 ॥

sāgare setubandhaṃ taṃ na śraddadhyāṃ kathaṃcana | avaśyaṃ cāpi saṃkhyeyaṃ tanmayā vānaraṃ balam || 25.3 ||

"I cannot in any way believe that a bridge has been built across the ocean. Certainly that army of vanaras must now be reckoned with by me."

Shloka 4 (yuddha.25.4)

भवन्तौ वानरं सैन्यं प्रविश्यानुपलक्षितौ । परिमाणं च वीर्यं च ये च मुख्याः प्लवंगमाः ॥ 25.4 ॥

bhavantau vānaraṃ sainyaṃ praviśyānupalakṣitau | parimāṇaṃ ca vīryaṃ ca ye ca mukhyāḥ plavaṃgamāḥ || 25.4 ||

"Enter the vanara army unrecognized, both of you, and learn its size and its might, and which are its chief vanaras;

Shloka 5 (yuddha.25.5)

मन्त्रिणो ये च रामस्य सुग्रीवस्य च सम्मताः । ये पूर्वमभिवर्तन्ते ये च शूराः प्लवंगमाः ॥ 25.5 ॥

mantriṇo ye ca rāmasya sugrīvasya ca sammatāḥ | ye pūrvamabhivartante ye ca śūrāḥ plavaṃgamāḥ || 25.5 ||

which are the ministers held in esteem by Rama and Sugriva, which advance in the vanguard, and which vanaras are truly valiant.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.25.6)

स च सेतुर्यथा बद्धः सागरे सलिलार्णवे । निवेशं च यथा तेषां वानराणां महात्मनाम् ॥ 25.6 ॥

sa ca seturyathā baddhaḥ sāgare salilārṇave | niveśaṃ ca yathā teṣāṃ vānarāṇāṃ mahātmanām || 25.6 ||

Find out how that bridge was constructed across the watery ocean, and how those great-souled vanaras are encamped;

Shloka 7 (yuddha.25.7)

रामस्य व्यवसायं च वीर्यं प्रहरणानि च । लक्ष्मणस्य च वीरस्य तत्त्वतो ज्ञातुमर्हथः ॥ 25.7 ॥

rāmasya vyavasāyaṃ ca vīryaṃ praharaṇāni ca | lakṣmaṇasya ca vīrasya tattvato jñātumarhathaḥ || 25.7 ||

and you should also ascertain truly the resolve, valor, and weapons of Rama, and of the heroic Lakshmana."

Shloka 8 (yuddha.25.8)

कश्च सेनापतिस्तेषां वानराणां महात्मनाम् । तच्च ज्ञात्वा यथातत्त्वं शीघ्रमागन्तुमर्हथः ॥ 25.8 ॥

kaśca senāpatisteṣāṃ vānarāṇāṃ mahātmanām | tacca jñātvā yathātattvaṃ śīghramāgantumarhathaḥ || 25.8 ||

"Who is the commander of those high-souled vanaras? Learn this too, exactly as it is, and return quickly."

Shloka 9 (yuddha.25.9)

इति प्रतिसमादिष्टौ राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ । हरिरूपधरौ वीरौ प्रविष्टौ वानरं बलम् ॥ 25.9 ॥

iti pratisamādiṣṭau rākṣasau śukasāraṇau | harirūpadharau vīrau praviṣṭau vānaraṃ balam || 25.9 ||

Thus commanded, the two rakshasas Shuka and Sarana, taking on the forms of vanaras, entered the vanara army.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.25.10)

ततस्तद् वानरं सैन्यमचिन्त्यं लोमहर्षणम् । संख्यातुं नाध्यगच्छेतां तदा तौ शुकसारणौ ॥ 25.10 ॥

tatastad vānaraṃ sainyamacintyaṃ lomaharṣaṇam | saṃkhyātuṃ nādhyagacchetāṃ tadā tau śukasāraṇau || 25.10 ||

But that vanara army was so inconceivably vast, so hair-raising to behold, that Shuka and Sarana were unable to reckon its number.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.25.11)

तत् स्थितं पर्वताग्रेषु निर्झरेषु गुहासु च । समुद्रस्य च तीरेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च । तरमाणं च तीर्णं च तर्तुकामं च सर्वशः ॥ 25.11 ॥

tat sthitaṃ parvatāgreṣu nirjhareṣu guhāsu ca | samudrasya ca tīreṣu vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca | taramāṇaṃ ca tīrṇaṃ ca tartukāmaṃ ca sarvaśaḥ || 25.11 ||

They saw it stationed on mountain-peaks, by waterfalls, in caves, on the shores of the ocean, in forests and groves, some vanaras still crossing, some having crossed, some eager to cross — everywhere and in every way,

Shloka 12 (yuddha.25.12)

निविष्टं निविशच्चैव भीमनादं महाबलम् । तद्बलार्णवमक्षोभ्यं ददृशाते निशाचरौ ॥ 25.12 ॥

niviṣṭaṃ niviśaccaiva bhīmanādaṃ mahābalam | tadbalārṇavamakṣobhyaṃ dadṛśāte niśācarau || 25.12 ||

some already encamped, some still encamping, filling the air with a fearsome roar — the two rakshasas beheld that vast, unshakeable ocean of an army.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.25.13)

तौ ददर्श महातेजाः प्रतिच्छन्नौ विभीषणः । आचचक्षे स रामाय गृहीत्वा शुकसारणौ ॥ 25.13 ॥

tau dadarśa mahātejāḥ praticchannau vibhīṣaṇaḥ | ācacakṣe sa rāmāya gṛhītvā śukasāraṇau || 25.13 ||

Vibhishana of great splendor spotted those two in disguise; he seized Shuka and Sarana and reported them to Rama.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.25.14)

तस्यैतौ राक्षसेन्द्रस्य मन्त्रिणौ शुकसारणौ । लङ्कायाः समनुप्राप्तौ चारौ परपुरंजय ॥ 25.14 ॥

tasyaitau rākṣasendrasya mantriṇau śukasāraṇau | laṅkāyāḥ samanuprāptau cārau parapuraṃjaya || 25.14 ||

"O conqueror of enemy citadels! These two, Shuka and Sarana, are the ministers of that lord of rakshasas; they have come here from Lanka as spies."

Shloka 15 (yuddha.25.15)

तौ दृष्ट्वा व्यथितौ रामं निराशौ जीविते तथा । कृताञ्जलिपुटौ भीतौ वचनं चेदमूचतुः ॥ 25.15 ॥

tau dṛṣṭvā vyathitau rāmaṃ nirāśau jīvite tathā | kṛtāñjalipuṭau bhītau vacanaṃ cedamūcatuḥ || 25.15 ||

Seeing Rama, the two, distressed and despairing of their lives, joined their palms in fear and spoke these words:

Shloka 16 (yuddha.25.16)

आवामिहागतौ सौम्य रावणप्रहितावुभौ । परिज्ञातुं बलं सर्वं तदिदं रघुनन्दन ॥ 25.16 ॥

āvāmihāgatau saumya rāvaṇaprahitāvubhau | parijñātuṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ tadidaṃ raghunandana || 25.16 ||

"O gentle one, O joy of the Raghus, we both have come here, sent by Ravana, to learn the full extent of your army."

Shloka 17 (yuddha.25.17)

तयोस्तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा रामो दशरथात्मजः । अब्रवीत् प्रहसन् वाक्यं सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥ 25.17 ॥

tayostad vacanaṃ śrutvā rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ | abravīt prahasan vākyaṃ sarvabhūtahite rataḥ || 25.17 ||

Hearing their words, Rama, son of Dasharatha, devoted to the welfare of all beings, spoke smilingly:

Shloka 18 (yuddha.25.18)

यदि दृष्टं बलं सर्वं वयं वा सुसमाहिताः । यथोक्तं वा कृतं कार्यं छन्दतः प्रतिगम्यताम् ॥ 25.18 ॥

yadi dṛṣṭaṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ vayaṃ vā susamāhitāḥ | yathoktaṃ vā kṛtaṃ kāryaṃ chandataḥ pratigamyatām || 25.18 ||

"If you have seen the whole army, and observed us closely, and if the task entrusted to you is done, then go back as you please.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.25.19)

अथ किंचिददृष्टं वा भूयस्तद् द्रष्टुमर्हथः । विभीषणो वा कात्स्न्येन पुनः संदर्शयिष्यति ॥ 25.19 ॥

atha kiṃcidadṛṣṭaṃ vā bhūyastad draṣṭumarhathaḥ | vibhīṣaṇo vā kātsnyena punaḥ saṃdarśayiṣyati || 25.19 ||

Or, if there is still something unseen, you ought to see it further; Vibhishana will show it to you again, in its entirety.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.25.20)

न चेदं ग्रहणं प्राप्य भेतव्यं जीवितं प्रति । न्यस्तशस्त्रौ गृहीतौ च न दूतौ वधमर्हथः ॥ 25.20 ॥

na cedaṃ grahaṇaṃ prāpya bhetavyaṃ jīvitaṃ prati | nyastaśastrau gṛhītau ca na dūtau vadhamarhathaḥ || 25.20 ||

Do not fear for your lives on account of this capture. You are unarmed captives, and envoys such as you do not deserve death.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.25.21)

प्रच्छन्नौ च विमुञ्चेमौ चारौ रात्रिंचरावुभौ । शत्रुपक्षस्य सततं विभीषण विकर्षिणौ ॥ 25.21 ॥

pracchannau ca vimuñcemau cārau rātriṃcarāvubhau | śatrupakṣasya satataṃ vibhīṣaṇa vikarṣiṇau || 25.21 ||

Set them both free in secret, O Vibhishana — these two spies who move by night, ever probing the enemy's side."

Shloka 22 (yuddha.25.22)

प्रविश्य महतीं लङ्कां भवद्भ्यां धनदानुजः । वक्तव्यो रक्षसां राजा यथोक्तं वचनं मम ॥ 25.22 ॥

praviśya mahatīṃ laṅkāṃ bhavadbhyāṃ dhanadānujaḥ | vaktavyo rakṣasāṃ rājā yathoktaṃ vacanaṃ mama || 25.22 ||

"After entering the great city of Lanka, let the king of the rakshasas, the younger brother of the Lord of Wealth, be told by you both exactly this message of mine:

Shloka 23 (yuddha.25.23)

यद् बलं त्वं समाश्रित्य सीतां मे हृतवानसि । तद् दर्शय यथाकामं ससैन्यश्च सबान्धवः ॥ 25.23 ॥

yad balaṃ tvaṃ samāśritya sītāṃ me hṛtavānasi | tad darśaya yathākāmaṃ sasainyaśca sabāndhavaḥ || 25.23 ||

'That very strength on which you relied when you carried off Sita from me — display it now as you wish, with your army and your kinsmen.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.25.24)

श्वः काल्ये नगरीं लङ्कां सप्राकारां सतोरणाम् । रक्षसां च बलं पश्य शरैर्विध्वंसितं मया ॥ 25.24 ॥

śvaḥ kālye nagarīṃ laṅkāṃ saprākārāṃ satoraṇām | rakṣasāṃ ca balaṃ paśya śarairvidhvaṃsitaṃ mayā || 25.24 ||

Tomorrow at daybreak, behold the city of Lanka with its ramparts and archways, and the army of rakshasas, laid waste by my arrows.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.25.25)

क्रोधं भीममहं मोक्ष्ये ससैन्ये त्वयि रावण । श्वः काल्ये वज्रवान् वज्रं दानवेष्विव वासवः ॥ 25.25 ॥

krodhaṃ bhīmamahaṃ mokṣye sasainye tvayi rāvaṇa | śvaḥ kālye vajravān vajraṃ dānaveṣviva vāsavaḥ || 25.25 ||

I shall unleash my terrible wrath upon you and your army, O Ravana, at daybreak tomorrow, as thunder-wielding Indra hurls his thunderbolt upon the demons.'"

Shloka 26 (yuddha.25.26)

इति प्रतिसमादिष्टौ राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ । जयेति प्रतिनन्द्यैनं राघवं धर्मवत्सलम् ॥ 25.26 ॥

iti pratisamādiṣṭau rākṣasau śukasāraṇau | jayeti pratinandyainaṃ rāghavaṃ dharmavatsalam || 25.26 ||

Thus commanded, the two rakshasas Shuka and Sarana, hailing Raghava, devoted to righteousness, with cries of "Victory to you!",

Shloka 27 (yuddha.25.27)

आगम्य नगरीं लङ्कामब्रूतां राक्षसाधिपम् । विभीषणगृहीतौ तु वधार्थं राक्षसेश्वर ॥ 25.27 ॥

āgamya nagarīṃ laṅkāmabrūtāṃ rākṣasādhipam | vibhīṣaṇagṛhītau tu vadhārthaṃ rākṣaseśvara || 25.27 ||

reached the city of Lanka and told the lord of rakshasas: "We were seized by Vibhishana, O lord of rakshasas, to be put to death,

Shloka 28 (yuddha.25.28)

दृष्ट्वा धर्मात्मना मुक्तौ रामेणामिततेजसा । एकस्थानगता यत्र चत्वारः पुरुषर्षभाः ॥ 25.28 ॥

dṛṣṭvā dharmātmanā muktau rāmeṇāmitatejasā | ekasthānagatā yatra catvāraḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ || 25.28 ||

but seeing us, we were released by the righteous, immeasurably splendorous Rama. There, in one place, stand four bull-like men,

Shloka 29 (yuddha.25.29)

लोकपालसमाः शूराः कृतास्त्रा दृढविक्रमाः । रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमाल्ँलक्ष्मणश्च विभीषणः ॥ 25.29 ॥

lokapālasamāḥ śūrāḥ kṛtāstrā dṛḍhavikramāḥ | rāmo dāśarathiḥ śrīmāl~lakṣmaṇaśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 25.29 ||

heroic, equal to the guardians of the world, skilled in weapons, of unshaken valor: Rama the illustrious son of Dasharatha, Lakshmana, and Vibhishana,

Shloka 30 (yuddha.25.30)

सुग्रीवश्च महातेजा महेन्द्रसमविक्रमः । एते शक्ताः पुरीं लङ्कां सप्राकारां सतोरणाम् ॥ 25.30 ॥

sugrīvaśca mahātejā mahendrasamavikramaḥ | ete śaktāḥ purīṃ laṅkāṃ saprākārāṃ satoraṇām || 25.30 ||

and Sugriva, of great splendor, whose valor equals that of Indra himself. These four alone are capable —

Shloka 31 (yuddha.25.31)

उत्पाट्य संक्रामयितुं सर्वे तिष्ठन्तु वानराः । यादृशं तद्धि रामस्य रूपं प्रहरणानि च ॥ 25.31 ॥

utpāṭya saṃkrāmayituṃ sarve tiṣṭhantu vānarāḥ | yādṛśaṃ taddhi rāmasya rūpaṃ praharaṇāni ca || 25.31 ||

even should all the vanaras stand aside — of tearing up the city of Lanka, with its ramparts and archways, and carrying it elsewhere. Such indeed is Rama's form, and such his weapons,

Shloka 32 (yuddha.25.32)

वधिष्यति पुरीं लङ्कामेकस्तिष्ठन्तु ते त्रयः । रामलक्ष्मणगुप्ता सा सुग्रीवेण च वाहिनी । बभूव दुर्धर्षतरा सर्वैरपि सुरासुरैः ॥ 25.32 ॥

vadhiṣyati purīṃ laṅkāmekastiṣṭhantu te trayaḥ | rāmalakṣmaṇaguptā sā sugrīveṇa ca vāhinī | babhūva durdharṣatarā sarvairapi surāsuraiḥ || 25.32 ||

that he alone could destroy the city of Lanka while the other three merely stood by. And that army, protected by Rama, Lakshmana, and Sugriva, has become utterly unconquerable, even by all the gods and demons together.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.25.33)

प्रहृष्टयोधा ध्वजिनी महात्मनां वनौकसां सम्प्रति योद्धुमिच्छताम् । अलं विरोधेन शमो विधीयतां प्रदीयतां दाशरथाय मैथिली ॥ 25.33 ॥

prahṛṣṭayodhā dhvajinī mahātmanāṃ vanaukasāṃ samprati yoddhumicchatām | alaṃ virodhena śamo vidhīyatāṃ pradīyatāṃ dāśarathāya maithilī || 25.33 ||

That banner-bearing army of great-souled forest-dwellers, its warriors joyful and eager to fight even now — enough of this hostility; let peace be made; let Maithili be restored to the son of Dasharatha."