The Council of War and the Gates of Lanka

Shloka 1 (yuddha.37.1)

नरवानरराजानौ स तु वायुसुतः कपिः। जाम्बवानृक्षराजश्च राक्षसश्च विभीषणः ॥ 37.1 ॥

naravānararājānau sa tu vāyusutaḥ kapiḥ| jāmbavānṛkṣarājaśca rākṣasaśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 37.1 ||

The two kings of men and monkeys, together with that monkey the son of the Wind, Jambavan the king of the bears, and the rakshasa Vibhishana,

Shloka 2 (yuddha.37.2)

अङ्गदो वालिपुत्रश्च सौमित्रिः शरभः कपिः। सुषेणः सहदायादो मैन्दो द्विविद एव च ॥ 37.2 ॥

aṅgado vāliputraśca saumitriḥ śarabhaḥ kapiḥ| suṣeṇaḥ sahadāyādo maindo dvivida eva ca || 37.2 ||

Angada the son of Vali, Lakshmana the son of Sumitra, the monkey Sharabha, Sushena together with his kinsmen, and Mainda and Dvivida too,

Shloka 3 (yuddha.37.3)

गजो गवाक्षः कुमुदो नलोऽथ पनसस्तथा। अमित्रविषयं प्राप्ताः समवेताः समर्थयन् ॥ 37.3 ॥

gajo gavākṣaḥ kumudo nalo'tha panasastathā| amitraviṣayaṃ prāptāḥ samavetāḥ samarthayan || 37.3 ||

and Gaja, Gavaksha, Kumuda, Nala, and Panasa as well -- having reached the enemy's realm, all these gathered together and took counsel.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.37.4)

इयं सा लक्ष्यते लङ्का पुरी रावणपालिता। सासुरोरगगन्धर्वैरमरैरपि दुर्जया ॥ 37.4 ॥

iyaṃ sā lakṣyate laṅkā purī rāvaṇapālitā| sāsuroragagandharvairamarairapi durjayā || 37.4 ||

Behold, there lies the city of Lanka, ruled by Ravana -- unconquerable even by asuras, serpent-folk, gandharvas, or the very gods.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.37.5)

कार्यसिद्धिं पुरस्कृत्य मन्त्रयध्वं विनिर्णये। नित्यं संनिहितो यत्र रावणो राक्षसाधिपः ॥ 37.5 ॥

kāryasiddhiṃ puraskṛtya mantrayadhvaṃ vinirṇaye| nityaṃ saṃnihito yatra rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ || 37.5 ||

Keeping the success of our mission foremost in mind, take counsel on how to proceed, for Ravana the lord of the rakshasas is ever close at hand there.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.37.6)

अथ तेषु ब्रुवाणेषु रावणावरजोऽब्रवीत्। वाक्यमग्राम्यपदवत् पुष्कलार्थं विभीषणः ॥ 37.6 ॥

atha teṣu bruvāṇeṣu rāvaṇāvarajo'bravīt| vākyamagrāmyapadavat puṣkalārthaṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 37.6 ||

As they were speaking thus, Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother, spoke words that were elegant in phrasing and rich in meaning:

Shloka 7 (yuddha.37.7)

अनलः पनसश्चैव सम्पातिः प्रमतिस्तथा। गत्वा लङ्कां ममामात्याः पुरीं पुनरिहागताः ॥ 37.7 ॥

analaḥ panasaścaiva sampātiḥ pramatistathā| gatvā laṅkāṃ mamāmātyāḥ purīṃ punarihāgatāḥ || 37.7 ||

‘Anala and Panasa, as well as Sampati and Pramati, my own ministers, went into the city of Lanka and have now returned here.’

Shloka 8 (yuddha.37.8)

भूत्वा शकुनयः सर्वे प्रविष्टाश्च रिपोर्बलम्। विधानं विहितं यच्च तद् दृष्ट्वा समुपस्थिताः ॥ 37.8 ॥

bhūtvā śakunayaḥ sarve praviṣṭāśca riporbalam| vidhānaṃ vihitaṃ yacca tad dṛṣṭvā samupasthitāḥ || 37.8 ||

‘Taking the form of birds, they all entered the enemy's stronghold, and having observed the defenses arranged there, they have now come before us.’

Shloka 9 (yuddha.37.9)

संविधानं यथाहुस्ते रावणस्य दुरात्मनः। राम तद् ब्रुवतः सर्वं याथातथ्येन मे शृणु ॥ 37.9 ॥

saṃvidhānaṃ yathāhuste rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ| rāma tad bruvataḥ sarvaṃ yāthātathyena me śṛṇu || 37.9 ||

‘O Rama, hear from me now, exactly and in full, everything about the defenses of the wicked Ravana just as they reported it to me.’

Shloka 10 (yuddha.37.10)

पूर्वं प्रहस्तः सबलो द्वारमासाद्य तिष्ठति। दक्षिणं च महावीर्यौ महापार्श्वमहोदरौ ॥ 37.10 ॥

pūrvaṃ prahastaḥ sabalo dvāramāsādya tiṣṭhati| dakṣiṇaṃ ca mahāvīryau mahāpārśvamahodarau || 37.10 ||

‘At the eastern gate, Prahasta stands guard with his troops; at the southern gate are the two mighty warriors Mahaparshva and Mahodara.’

Shloka 11 (yuddha.37.11)

इन्द्रजित् पश्चिमं द्वारं राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृतः। पट्टिशासिधनुष्मद्भिः शूलमुद्गरपाणिभिः ॥ 37.11 ॥

indrajit paścimaṃ dvāraṃ rākṣasairbahubhirvṛtaḥ| paṭṭiśāsidhanuṣmadbhiḥ śūlamuda‍garapāṇibhiḥ || 37.11 ||

‘Indrajit holds the western gate, surrounded by a host of rakshasas armed with spears, swords, and bows, their hands gripping tridents and maces.’

Shloka 12 (yuddha.37.12)

नानाप्रहरणैः शूरैरावृतो रावणात्मजः। राक्षसानां सहस्रैस्तु बहुभिः शस्त्रपाणिभिः ॥ 37.12 ॥

nānāpraharaṇaiḥ śūrairāvṛto rāvaṇātmajaḥ| rākṣasānāṃ sahasraistu bahubhiḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ || 37.12 ||

‘Ravana's son is encircled by brave warriors wielding weapons of every kind, thousands upon thousands of armed rakshasas.’

Shloka 13 (yuddha.37.13)

युक्तः परमसंविग्नो राक्षसैः सह मन्त्रवित्। उत्तरं नगरद्वारं रावणः स्वयमास्थितः ॥ 37.13 ॥

yuktaḥ paramasaṃvigno rākṣasaiḥ saha mantravit| uttaraṃ nagaradvāraṃ rāvaṇaḥ svayamāsthitaḥ || 37.13 ||

‘Ravana himself, gravely anxious, versed in strategy, is stationed with his rakshasas at the northern city-gate.’

Shloka 14 (yuddha.37.14)

विरूपाक्षस्तु महता शूलखड्गधनुष्मता। बलेन राक्षसैः सार्धं मध्यमं गुल्ममाश्रितः ॥ 37.14 ॥

virūpākṣastu mahatā śūlakhaḍgadhanuṣmatā| balena rākṣasaiḥ sārdhaṃ madhyamaṃ gulmamāśritaḥ || 37.14 ||

‘And Virupaksha, with a great force of rakshasas armed with tridents, swords, and bows, holds the central garrison.’

Shloka 15 (yuddha.37.15)

एतानेवं विधान् गुल्माँल्लङ्कायां समुदीक्ष्य ते। मामका मन्त्रिणः सर्वे शीघ्रं पुनरिहागताः ॥ 37.15 ॥

etānevaṃ vidhān gulmā~llaṅkāyāṃ samudīkṣya te| māmakā mantriṇaḥ sarve śīghraṃ punarihāgatāḥ || 37.15 ||

‘Having observed these garrisons thus arranged throughout Lanka, all my ministers swiftly returned here.’

Shloka 16 (yuddha.37.16)

गजानां दशसाहस्रं रथानामयुतं तथा। हयानामयुते द्वे च साग्रकोटिश्च रक्षसाम् ॥ 37.16 ॥

gajānāṃ daśasāhasraṃ rathānāmayutaṃ tathā| hayānāmayute dve ca sāgrakoṭiśca rakṣasām || 37.16 ||

‘Ten thousand elephants, ten thousand chariots as well, twenty thousand horses, and just over ten million rakshasas --

Shloka 17 (yuddha.37.17)

विक्रान्ता बलवन्तश्च संयुगेष्वाततायिनः। इष्टा राक्षसराजस्य नित्यमेते निशाचराः ॥ 37.17 ॥

vikrāntā balavantaśca saṃyugeṣvātatāyinaḥ| iṣṭā rākṣasarājasya nityamete niśācarāḥ || 37.17 ||

-- these night-roaming demons, valiant and mighty, ever fierce in battle, who are always cherished by the king of the rakshasas.’

Shloka 18 (yuddha.37.18)

एकैकस्यात्र युद्धार्थे राक्षसस्य विशाम्पते। परीवारः सहस्राणां सहस्रमुपतिष्ठते ॥ 37.18 ॥

ekaikasyātra yuddhārthe rākṣasasya viśāmpate| parīvāraḥ sahasrāṇāṃ sahasramupatiṣṭhate || 37.18 ||

‘O lord of men, for battle here, each single rakshasa is attended by a retinue of a full million.’

Shloka 19 (yuddha.37.19)

एतां प्रवृत्तिं लङ्कायां मन्त्रिप्रोक्तां विभीषणः। एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहू राक्षसांस्तानदर्शयत् ॥ 37.19 ॥

etāṃ pravṛttiṃ laṅkāyāṃ mantriproktāṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ| evamuktvā mahābāhū rākṣasāṃstānadarśayat || 37.19 ||

Having thus related this report about Lanka as his ministers had given it, the mighty-armed Vibhishana pointed those rakshasas out to Rama.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.37.20)

लङ्कायां सचिवैः सर्वं रामाय प्रत्यवेदयत्। रामं कमलपत्राक्षमिदमुत्तरमब्रवीत् ॥ 37.20 ॥

laṅkāyāṃ sacivaiḥ sarvaṃ rāmāya pratyavedayat| rāmaṃ kamalapatrākṣamidamuttaramabravīt || 37.20 ||

He reported to Rama everything his ministers had told him about Lanka, and then spoke these further words to the lotus-eyed prince:

Shloka 21 (yuddha.37.21)

रावणावरजः श्रीमान् रामप्रियचिकीर्षया। कुबेरं तु यदा राम रावणः प्रतियुद्ध्यति ॥ 37.21 ॥

rāvaṇāvarajaḥ śrīmān rāmapriyacikīrṣayā| kuberaṃ tu yadā rāma rāvaṇaḥ pratiyuddhyati || 37.21 ||

The illustrious younger brother of Ravana, wishing to please Rama, said: ‘O Rama, when Ravana went to war against Kubera,

Shloka 22 (yuddha.37.22)

षष्टिः शतसहस्राणि तदा निर्यान्ति राक्षसाः। पराक्रमेण वीर्येण तेजसा सत्त्वगौरवात्। सदृशा ह्यत्र दर्पेण रावणस्य दुरात्मनः ॥ 37.22 ॥

ṣaṣṭiḥ śatasahasrāṇi tadā niryānti rākṣasāḥ| parākrameṇa vīryeṇa tejasā sattvagauravāt| sadṛśā hyatra darpeṇa rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ || 37.22 ||

then sixty hundred-thousand rakshasas marched out with him, all matching the wicked Ravana in prowess, valor, fiery energy, strength of spirit, and pride.’

Shloka 23 (yuddha.37.23)

अत्र मन्युर्न कर्तव्यः कोपये त्वां न भीषये। समर्थो ह्यसि वीर्येण सुराणामपि निग्रहे ॥ 37.23 ॥

atra manyurna kartavyaḥ kopaye tvāṃ na bhīṣaye| samartho hyasi vīryeṇa surāṇāmapi nigrahe || 37.23 ||

‘Yet you need feel no dismay at this -- I say it not to provoke your anger nor to frighten you, for you are indeed capable, by your own valor, of subduing even the gods.’

Shloka 24 (yuddha.37.24)

तद्भवांश्चतुरङ्गेण बलेन महता वृतम्। व्यूह्येदं वानरानीकं निर्मथिष्यसि रावणम् ॥ 37.24 ॥

tadbhavāṃścaturaṅgeṇa balena mahatā vṛtam| vyūhyedaṃ vānarānīkaṃ nirmathiṣyasi rāvaṇam || 37.24 ||

‘Therefore, surrounded by your own mighty fourfold army, marshal this force of monkeys, and you will crush Ravana utterly.’

Shloka 25 (yuddha.37.25)

रावणावरजे वाक्यमेवं ब्रुवति राघवः। शत्रूणां प्रतिघातार्थमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 37.25 ॥

rāvaṇāvaraje vākyamevaṃ bruvati rāghavaḥ| śatrūṇāṃ pratighātārthamidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 37.25 ||

When Ravana's younger brother had spoken thus, Rama, intent on striking down the enemy, spoke these words:

Shloka 26 (yuddha.37.26)

पूर्वद्वारं तु लङ्काया नीलो वानरपुङ्गवः। प्रहस्तं प्रतियोद्धा स्याद् वानरैर्बहुभिर्वृतः ॥ 37.26 ॥

pūrvadvāraṃ tu laṅkāyā nīlo vānarapuṅgavaḥ| prahastaṃ pratiyoddhā syād vānarairbahubhirvṛtaḥ || 37.26 ||

‘At the eastern gate of Lanka, let Nila, foremost among monkeys, surrounded by a host of his kind, stand as the challenger against Prahasta.’

Shloka 27 (yuddha.37.27)

अङ्गदो वालिपुत्रस्तु बलेन महता वृतः। दक्षिणे बाधतां द्वारे महापार्श्वमहोदरौ ॥ 37.27 ॥

aṅgado vāliputrastu balena mahatā vṛtaḥ| dakṣiṇe bādhatāṃ dvāre mahāpārśvamahodarau || 37.27 ||

‘And Angada, son of Vali, surrounded by a great host, shall press the attack against Mahaparshva and Mahodara at the southern gate.’

Shloka 28 (yuddha.37.28)

हनूमान् पश्चिमद्वारं निष्पीड्य पवनात्मजः। प्रविशत्वप्रमेयात्मा बहुभिः कपिभिर्वृतः ॥ 37.28 ॥

hanūmān paścimadvāraṃ niṣpīḍya pavanātmajaḥ| praviśatvaprameyātmā bahubhiḥ kapibhirvṛtaḥ || 37.28 ||

‘Let Hanuman, son of the Wind-God, whose spirit none can fathom, storm the western gate, surrounded by a host of monkeys, and force his way within.’

Shloka 29 (yuddha.37.29)

दैत्यदानवसङ्घानामृषीणां च महात्मनाम्। विप्रकारप्रियः क्षुद्रो वरदानबलान्वितः ॥ 37.29 ॥

daityadānavasaṅghānāmṛṣīṇāṃ ca mahātmanām| viprakārapriyaḥ kṣudro varadānabalānvitaḥ || 37.29 ||

‘As for that base Ravana, who delights in tormenting the hosts of daityas and danavas and the great-souled sages, and who is armed with the strength of boons he has won --

Shloka 30 (yuddha.37.30)

परिक्रमति यः सर्वान् लोकान् संतापयन् प्रजाः। तस्याहं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य स्वयमेव वधे धृतः ॥ 37.30 ॥

parikramati yaḥ sarvān lokān saṃtāpayan prajāḥ| tasyāhaṃ rākṣasendrasya svayameva vadhe dhṛtaḥ || 37.30 ||

-- who roams through all the worlds tormenting every creature -- I myself am resolved to slay that lord of the rakshasas with my own hands.’

Shloka 31 (yuddha.37.31)

उत्तरं नगरद्वारमहं सौमित्रिणा सह। निपीड्याभिप्रवेक्ष्यामि सबलो यत्र रावणः ॥ 37.31 ॥

uttaraṃ nagaradvāramahaṃ saumitriṇā saha| nipīḍyābhipravekṣyāmi sabalo yatra rāvaṇaḥ || 37.31 ||

‘Together with Lakshmana and my forces, I shall storm my way through the northern city-gate, where Ravana himself stands.’

Shloka 32 (yuddha.37.32)

वानरेन्द्रश्च बलवानृक्षराजश्च वीर्यवान्। राक्षसेन्द्रानुजश्चैव गुल्मे भवतु मध्यमे ॥ 37.32 ॥

vānarendraśca balavānṛkṣarājaśca vīryavān| rākṣasendrānujaścaiva gulme bhavatu madhyame || 37.32 ||

‘Let the mighty king of monkeys, the valiant king of the bears, and the younger brother of the rakshasa-lord remain together at the central position.’

Shloka 33 (yuddha.37.33)

न चैव मानुषं रूपं कार्यं हरिभिराहवे। एषा भवतु नः संज्ञा युद्धेऽस्मिन् वानरे बले ॥ 37.33 ॥

na caiva mānuṣaṃ rūpaṃ kāryaṃ haribhirāhave| eṣā bhavatu naḥ saṃjñā yuddhe'smin vānare bale || 37.33 ||

‘The monkeys must not take on human form in this battle; let their monkey-shape itself be our mark of recognition in this war.’

Shloka 34 (yuddha.37.34)

वानरा एव नश्चिह्नं स्वजनेऽस्मिन् भविष्यति। वयं तु मानुषेणैव सप्त योत्स्यामहे परान् ॥ 37.34 ॥

vānarā eva naścihnaṃ svajane'smin bhaviṣyati| vayaṃ tu mānuṣeṇaiva sapta yotsyāmahe parān || 37.34 ||

‘The monkey-form alone will mark out our own men among this host; but we seven shall fight the enemy in our human shapes.’

Shloka 35 (yuddha.37.35)

अहमेव सह भ्रात्रा लक्ष्मणेन महौजसा। आत्मना पञ्चमश्चायं सखा मम विभीषणः ॥ 37.35 ॥

ahameva saha bhrātrā lakṣmaṇena mahaujasā| ātmanā pañcamaścāyaṃ sakhā mama vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 37.35 ||

‘I myself, together with my mighty brother Lakshmana; and this friend of mine, Vibhishana, himself the fifth among his own companions --’

Shloka 36 (yuddha.37.36)

स रामः कृत्यसिद्ध्यर्थमेवमुक्त्वा विभीषणम्। सुवेलारोहणे बुद्धिं चकार मतिमान् प्रभुः। रमणीयतरं दृष्ट्वा सुवेलस्य गिरेस्तटम् ॥ 37.36 ॥

sa rāmaḥ kṛtyasiddhyarthamevamuktvā vibhīṣaṇam| suvelārohaṇe buddhiṃ cakāra matimān prabhuḥ| ramaṇīyataraṃ dṛṣṭvā suvelasya girestaṭam || 37.36 ||

Having thus spoken to Vibhishana for the fulfillment of their purpose, the wise and mighty Rama, beholding the most delightful slope of Mount Suvela, resolved to ascend it.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.37.37)

ततस्तु रामो महता बलेन प्रच्छाद्य सर्वां पृथिवीं महात्मा। प्रहृष्टरूपोऽभिजगाम लङ्कां कृत्वा मतिं सोऽरिवधे महात्मा ॥ 37.37 ॥

tatastu rāmo mahatā balena pracchādya sarvāṃ pṛthivīṃ mahātmā| prahṛṣṭarūpo'bhijagāma laṅkāṃ kṛtvā matiṃ so'rivadhe mahātmā || 37.37 ||

Then that great-souled Rama, his vast army covering the earth entire, his heart set on the destruction of his foe, advanced upon Lanka with a joyful countenance.