Sloka & Translation

[Ravana gets annoyed at Vibheeshana's advice and replies to him in a harsh tone. Vibheeshana departs from Ravana.]

सुनिविष्टंहितंवाक्यमुक्तवन्तंविभीषणम् ।

अब्रवीत्परुषंवाक्यंरावणःकालचोदितः ।।6.16.1।।

सुनिविष्टम् with good intention, हितम् favourable, वाक्यम् words, उक्तवन्तम् that were spoken by, विभीषणं: Vibheeshana, रावणः Ravana, कालचोदितः influenced by death, परुषम् harsh, वाक्यम् words, आब्रवीत् spoke.

While Vibheeshana advised in Ravana's favour with all good intention, Ravana who was under the influence of death spoke harsh words.

वसेत्सहसपत्नेनक्रुद्धेऽनाशीविषेणवा ।

नतुमित्रप्रवादेनसंवसेच्छत्रुसेविना ।।6.16.2।।

सपत्नेनसह: with known enemy, वसेत् can live with, कृद्धेन: angry, अशीविषेणच: even with venomous serpent, मित्रप्रवादेन: professing to be a friend, शत्रुणासहतु: devoted to enemy, नसंवसेत् cannot stay together.

"One can live with a known enemy or even with an angry and venomous serpent but cannot stay together with one who professes to be a friend and devoted to an enemy."

जानामिशीलंज्ञातीनांसर्वलोकेषुराक्षस: ।

हृष्यन्तिव्यसनेष्वेतेज्ञातीनाज्ञातयस्सदा ।।6.16.3।।

राक्षस: O Rakshasa, सर्वलोकेषु: in all the worlds, ज्ञातीनाम् of close relatives, शीलम् behaviour, जानामि: is known to me, एते these, ज्ञातयः relatives, सदा: always, ज्ञातीनाम् of relatives, व्यसनेषु: when in difficulty, हृष्यन्ति: are happy.

"The behaviour of close relatives in all worlds is known to me. They are happy at the difficulties of relatives."

प्रथानंसाधनंवैद्यंधर्मशीलंचराक्षस: ।

ज्ञातयोह्यवमन्यन्तेशूरंपरिभवन्तिच ।।6.16.4।।

राक्षस: Rakshasa, ज्ञातयः relatives, प्रथानम् chief, साधकम् accomplished वैद्यम्: learned ones, धर्मशीलंच: and one who is virtuous, शूरम् heroic ones, अवमन्यस्तेहि: will disapprove, परिभवन्तिच: will disrespect.

"O Rakshasa Relatives will insult and disapprove their chief even if he is an accomplished one, a virtuous one or a heroic one and does his duty (as a ruler)."

नित्यमन्योन्यसम्हृष्टाव्यसनेष्वाततायिनः ।

प्रच्छन्नहृदयाघोराज्ञातयस्तुभयावहाः ।।6.16.5।।

व्यसनेषु: in misfortunes, नित्यम् forever, अन्योन्यसम्हृष्टाः rejoice pretending to be friendly, आततायिनः a desperado, प्रच्छन्नहृदयाः a covertly person, घोरा: terrible, ज्ञातियः relatives, भयावहाः create fear.

"Pretending to be friendly forever the relatives rejoice in them is fortunes of their relatives. They create terrible fear like desperadoes and covertly ones."

श्रूयन्तेहस्तिभिर्गीताश्श्लोकाःपद्मवनेक्वचित् ।

पाशहस्तान्नरान्द्रुष्टवाशृणुतान्गदतोमम ।।6.16.6।।

पुरा: in the past, पद्मवने: in the lotus park, पाशहस्तान् one holding the snares, नरान् men in hand, दृष्ट्वा: seeing, हस्तिभिः even elephants, गीताः uttered, श्लोकाः verses, श्रूयन्ते: heard of, गदतः relate, मम: to me, शृणु: listen.

"In the past elephants in the lotus park, uttered some verses on seeing men holding snares in hand. I will relate those that I heard. You may listen."

नाग्निर्नान्यानिशस्त्राणिननःपाशाभयावहाः ।

घोरास्स्वार्थप्रयुक्तास्तुज्ञातयोनोभयावहाः ।।6.16.7।।

अग्नि: fire, न: no, अन्यानि: others, शस्त्राणि: weapons, न: no, पाशाः noose, भयावहाः fear, न: no, घोराः terrific, स्वार्थप्रयुक्ताः one who is selfish, ज्ञातयः close relatives, नः for us, भयावहाः causing fear.

"We have no fear of fire or weapons or noose of death. Selfish relatives are causing fear in us."

उपायमेतेवक्ष्यन्तिग्रहणेनात्रसंशयः ।

कृत्स्नाद्भयाद् ज्ञातिभयंसुकष्टंविदितंचन ।।6.16.8।।

एते: they, ग्रहणे: to catch, उपायम् means, वक्ष्यन्ति: teach, कृत्स्ना: great, भयात् fear, ज्ञातिभयम् fear of paternal relatives, नः for us, सुकष्टम् very difficult, विदितम् is known.

"It is known that they (paternal relatives) teach the means to catch us. Out of all fears the fear of close relatives is the great difficulty for us."

विद्यतेगोषुसम्पन्नंविद्यतेब्राह्मणेदमः ।

विद्यतेस्त्रीषुचापल्यंविद्यतेज्ञातितोभयम् ।।6.16.9।।

गोषु: in cows, सम्पन्नम् wealth, विद्यते: is present, ज्ञातितः in close relatives, भयम् fear, विद्यते: is seen, स्त्रीषु: in women, चापल्यम् capriciousness, विद्यते: is present, ब्राह्मणे: in brahmins, दमः forbearance, विद्यते: is present.

"In the cows' wealth is present, in the brahmins forbearance is seen, in the women capriciousness exists but in close relatives fear is present."

ततोनेष्टमिदंसौम्ययदहंलोकसत्कृतः ।

ऐश्वर्यमभिजातश्चज्ञातीनांमूर्ध्न्यवस्थितः ।।6.16.10।।

सौम्य: gentle, ततः therefore, अहम् I, लोकसत्कृतः worshipped by the people, ऐश्वर्यम् sovereignty, अभिजातःच: born of noble descent, ज्ञातीनाम् of the clan, मूध्नर्य: chief, अवस्थित: attained, इदम् this, नइष्टम् not like.

"Gentle (Vibheeshana) one Since you belong to the same kinsfolk (as I) you do not like me, who is born of noble descent, attained the position of chief (of clan), is worshipped by the world, and attained sovereignty."

यथापुष्करपत्रेषुपतितास्तोयबिन्दवः ।

नश्लेषमभिगच्छन्तितथाऽनार्येषुसङ्गतम् ।।6.16.11।।

पुष्करपत्रेषु: on the lotus leaves, पतिताः fallen, तोयबिन्दवः drops of water, यथा: so also, श्लेषम् adhering to, न: not, अभिगच्छन्ति: however long you spend, अनार्येषु: with unworthy, सङ्गतम् good friendship, तथा: likewise.

"Just as drops of water that fall on lotus leaves do not adhere to each other, like wise however long you spend with an unworthy (relative) one, good friendship does not take place."

यथामधुकरस्तर्षाद्रसंविन्दन्नविद्यते ।

तथात्वमपितत्रैवतथानार्येषुसौहृदम् ।।6.16.12।।

यथा: that way, रसम् juice, विन्दन् gaining, मधुकरः honeybees, तर्षात् satisfying, नविद्यते: does not know, त्वमपि: you also, तथा: likewise, तत्रैवअनार्येषु: in the same way with unworthy ones, सौहृदम् making friendship, तथा: that way.

"Just as honeybees do not have gratitude after drinking (honey) and satisfying, the friendship with an unworthy person like you is of no use."

यथापूर्वंगजस्स्नात्वागृह्यहस्तेनवैरजः ।

दूषयत्यात्मनोदेहंतथानार्येषुसङ्गतम् ।।6.16.13।।

गजः elephant, पूर्वम् first, स्नात्वा: taking bath, हस्तेन: with its own trunk, रजः dust,गृह्य: taking, आत्मनः own, देहम् body, यथा: in the same way, दूषयति: abuses, तथा: that way, अनार्येषु: unworthy ones, सङ्गतम् association.

"Just as an elephant takes dust with its trunk and abuses (and spreads on) its own body after taking a bath so also is the association with unworthy ones."

यथाशरदिमेघानांसिञ्चतामपिगर्जताम् ।

नभवत्यम्बुसंक्लेदस्तथाऽनार्येषुसौहृदम् ।।6.16.14।।

शरदि: in autumn, गर्जतामपि: even the thundering, सिञ्चताम् water poured down, मेघानाम् from the clouds, अम्बुसंक्लेदः dampness created by water, यथा: in the same way, नभवति: not happen, अनार्येषु: unworthy, सौहृदम् affection.

"Just as the autumn rain poured out from the thundering clouds does not dampen, in the same way unworthy ones do not have affection."

यथामधुकरस्तर्षात्काशपुष्पंपिबन्नपि ।

रसमत्रनविन्देततथानार्वेषुसौहृदम् ।।6.16.15।।

मधुकरः honey bees, तर्षात् on satisfying, काशपुष्पम् from the flower, पिबन्नपि: even after drinking, अत्र: stay here, रसम् the nectar, यथा: in the same way, नविन्देत: after getting, अनार्येषु: unworthy one, सौहृदम् friendships, तथा: likewise.

"Just as honeybees do not stay at the flower after satisfaction with the nectar, in the same way is the friendship with unworthy ones."

अन्यस्त्वेवंविधंब्रूयाद्वाक्यमेतन्निशाचर: ।

अस्मिन्मुहूर्तेनभवेत्त्वांतुधिक्कुलपांसन ।।6.16.16।।

निशाचर: night ranger, अन्यः others, यः whoever, एवंविधम् this kind of, एतत् in this way, वाक्यम् words, ब्रूयात् had spoken, अस्मिन् him, मुहूर्तेनभवेत् will not let him live this moment, कुलपांसनम् to destroy, त्वांतु: you also, धिक् fie.

"O Night ranger (Vibheeshana) If any other one had spoken such words, I would not let him live this moment and also destroy. Fie upon you."

इत्युक्तःपरुषंवाक्यंन्यायवादीविभीषणः ।

उत्पपातगदापाणिश्चतुर्भिस्सहराक्षसैः ।।6.6.17।।

इति: this, परुषम् harsh, वाक्यम् words, उक्तः having spoken, न्यायवादी: one who is just in argument, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, गदापाणिः wielding the mace, चतुर्भिः with four, राक्षसैःसह: accompanied by Rakshasas, उत्पपात: rose up.

Vibheeshana who was just in his argument rose up, wielding mace in hand accompanied by the four Rakshasas, when Ravana had spoken such harsh words to him.

अब्रवीच्चतदावाक्यंजातक्रोधोविभीषणः ।

अन्तरिक्षगत्शीमान्भ्रातरंराक्षसाधिपम् ।।6.16.18।।

जातक्रोधः enraged, श्रीमान् prosperous, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, अन्तरिक्षगतः going into the sky, तदा: then, भ्रातरम् brother, राक्षसाधिपम् Lord of Rakshasas, अब्रवीच्च spoke.

Great Vibheeshana was enraged. Then going up into the sky spoke these words to his brother, the Lord of Rakshasas.

सत्वंभ्राताऽसिमेराजन्ब्रूहिमांयद्यदिच्छसि ।

ज्येष्टोमान्यःपितृसमोनचधर्मपथेस्थितः ।।6.16.19।।

इदंतुपरुषंवाक्यंनक्षमाम्यग्रजस्यते ।

राजन् O King, सःत्वम् that you, मे: my, भ्राता: brother, असि: being so, यद्यत् that which, इच्छसि: wish, माम् to me, ब्रूहि: to tell, ज्येष्ठः elder, पितृसमः equal to the father, धर्मपथे: righteous path, नचस्थितः not followed, मान्यः honour, आग्रजस्य: to elder brother, ते: to you, इदम् thus, वाक्यं: words तु: to you नक्षमामि: not pardonable.

"O King You, being my elder brother, you may tell me What you wish. You are equal to father being elder brother and are to be honoured. But you have not followed the righteous path. The words you spoke are not pardonable."

सुनीतंहितकामेनवाक्यमुक्तंदशानन: ।

नगृह्णन्त्यकृतात्मानःकालस्यवशमागताः ।।6.16.20।।

दशानन: tenheaded one, कालस्य: of death, वशम् under the sway, आगताः fallen, अकृतात्मानः foolish one, हितकामेन: wishing your welfare, उक्तम् spoken, सुनीतम् well prepared, हितम् good, वाक्यम् words, नगृह्णन्ति: not understand.

"O Tenheaded king Fallen under the sway of death, you are foolish. You do not understand the well prepared good words spoken by me wishing your welfare."

सुलभाःपुरुषराजन् सततंप्रियवादिनः ।

अप्रियस्यचपथ्यस्यवक्ताश्रोताचदुर्लभः ।।6.16.21।।

राजन् O king, सततम् always, प्रियवादिनः who speak pleasingly, पुरुषाः men, सुलभाः are easily found, अप्रियस्य: that which is unpleasant, पथ्यस्य: good words, वक्ता: speaker, श्रोताच: listener also, दुर्लभः difficult.

"O King Those who speak pleasingly are always easier to find than those who speak unpleasant but good words. Listeners of unpleasant words (though good) are difficult (to find)."

बद्धंकालस्यपाशेनसर्वभूतापहारिणा ।

ननश्यन्तमुपेक्षेत्वांप्रदीप्तंशरणंयथा ।।6.16.22।।

सर्वभूतापहारिणा: one who is cause for destruction of all beings, कालस्य: at death, पाशेन: by the noose, बद्दम् bound, नश्यन्तम् getting killed, त्वाम् you, प्रदीप्तम् blazing, शरणंयथा: house, नउपेक्षे: do not ignore.

"Bound by the noose of death which is the cause of destruction of all beings you are going to be killed just as the burning house if you ignore my advice."

दीप्तपावकसङ्काशैश्शितैःकाञ्चनभूषणैः ।

नत्वामिच्छाम्यहंद्रष्टुंरामेणनिहतंशरैः ।।6.16.23।।

दीप्तपावकसङ्काशैः like burning fire, काञ्जनभूषणैः decorated with gold, शितैः sharp, शरैः arrows, रामेण: by Rama, निहतम् striking to kill, त्वाम् you, द्रष्टुम् to see, नइच्छामि: I do not wish.

"While the sharp golden arrows of Rama burning like fire strike you, I do not wish to see."

शूराश्चबलवन्तश्चकृतास्त्राश्चरणाजिरे ।

कालाभिपन्नास्सीदन्तियथावालुकसेतव ।।6.16.24।।

रणाजिरे: in war, शूराः heroic archers, बलवन्तश्च: and mighty, कृतास्त्राश्च: those wielding arrows, नराः humans, कालाभिपन्नाः seized by death, वालुकसेतवयथा: just as the dams of sand, सीदन्ति: will fall.

"Even the heroic archers and mighty men wielding weapons will fall in war seized by death like the dams of sands."

तन्मर्षयतुयच्चोक्तंगुरुत्वाद्धितमिच्छता ।।6.16.25।।

अत्मानंसर्वथारक्षपुरींचेमांसराक्षसाम् ।

स्वस्तितेऽस्तुगमिष्यामिसुखीभवमयाविना ।।6.16.26।।

गुरुत्वात् as you are an elderly one, हितम् good advice, इच्छता: wished, यत् such, उक्तम् words spoken, तत् that, मर्षयतु: I may be excused, आत्मानम् yourself, सराक्षसाम् these Rakshasas, इमाम् this, पुरींच: capital city, सर्वथा: all, रक्षते: you protect, स्वस्ति: let you be auspicious, अस्तु: you be, गमिष्यामि: I will depart, मयाविना: without me, सुखीभव: let you be happy.

"Since you are an elderly one, I desired to tender good advice and spoke these words. I may be excused. You protect all these Rakshasas, this capital city and yourself after I depart. Let you be auspicious and be happy."

निवार्यमाणस्यमयाहितैषिणानरोचतेतेवचनंनिशाचर: ।

परीतकालाहिगतायुषोनराहितंनगृह्णन्तिसुहृद्भिरीरितम् ।।6.16.27।।

निशाचर: night ranger, हितैषिणा: in your interest, मया: by me, निवार्यमाणस्य: preventing you, ते: to you, वचनम् my words, नरोचते: not palatable, परीतकालाहि: at the time of death, गतायुषः those whose life is over, नराः beings, गतायुषः whose life is over, सुहृद्भि: friends, ईरितम् tendering, हितम् good advice, नगृह्णन्तिहि: will not receive.

"O King My words (of advice), given in your interest to prevent you, are not palatable to you. Good advice tendered by friends at the time of death will not be received by those beings whose life is over."
।।इत्यार्षेवाल्मीकीयेश्रीमद्रामायणेआदिकाव्येयुद्धकाण्डेषोडशस्सर्गः।।
This is the end of the sixteenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.