Sloka & Translation

[ Vibheeshana goes to seek the help of Rama. Rama holds consultations with his ministers. ]

इत्युक्त्वापरुषंवाक्यंरावणंरावणानुजः ।

आजगाममुहूर्तेनयत्ररामस्सलक्ष्मणः ।।6.17.1।।


रावणानुजः Ravana's brother, Vibheeshana, रावणम् to Ravana, इति: thus, परुषम् in harsh, वाक्यम् language, उक्त्वा: said, सलक्ष्मणः with Lakshmana, रामः Rama, यत्र: there, मुहूर्तेन: in a short while, आजगाम: reached.

Vibheeshana, having addressed Ravana in harsh language, reached Rama and Lakshmana in a short while.
तंमेरुशिखराकारंदीप्तामिवशतह्रदाम् ।

गगनस्थंमहीस्थास्तेददृशुसर्ववानराः ।।6.17.2।।


महीस्थाः on the ground, सर्ववानराः all Vanaras, मेरुशिखराकारम् like the Mount Meru in form, दीप्ताम् shining, शतह्रदाम् इव: like a brilliant lightning, गगनस्थम् in the sky, तम् him, ददृशुः saw.

All the Vanaras on the ground saw Vibheeshana who was like Mount Meru in form and shining like a brilliant lightning.
येचाप्यनुचरास्तस्य चत्वारो भीमविक्रमा: ।

तेsपि सर्वायुधोपेता भूषणैश्चापि भूषिता ।।6.17.3।।


येच: these, अनुचरा: companions, तस्य: his, चत्वार: four, भीमविक्रमा: or terrible prowess, ते s पि: they also, सर्वायुधोपेता: with all weapons, भूषणैश्चापि: with ornaments, भूषिता: adorned.

His four companions of terrific prowess were also there with him. They were wearing all weapons and were adorned with excellent ornaments.
स च मेघाचलप्रख्यो वज्रायुधसमप्रभः ।

वरायुधधरो वीरो दिव्याभरणभूषितः ।।6.17.4।।


स च And that Vibheeshana, मेघाचलप्रख्यो resembling a mass of cloud, वज्रायुधसमप्रभः the equal of the God who wields the thunderbolt, वीरो valiant man, वरायुधधरो wearing excellent weapons, दिव्याभरणभूषितः and adorned with wonderful jewels.

Vibheeshana looked like a mass of cloud, like someone who can cause thunderbolt, possessing excellent weapons and wonderful jewels.
तमात्मपञ्चमंदृष्टवासुग्रीवोवाहिनीपति: ।

वानरैस्सहदुर्धर्षचिन्तयामासबुद्धिमान् ।।6.17.5।।


दुर्धर्षः formidable one, बुद्धिमान् wise one, वाहिनीपति: Lord of the Vanara army, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, आत्मपञ्चमम् the fifth one besides four others, तम् him, दृष्टवा: on seeing, वानरैःसह: along with Vanaras चिन्तयामास: started thinking.

Wise Sugriva the Lord of the Vanara army, a formidable one along with Vanaras, started thinking on seeing Vibheeshana (the fifth one) besides four others.
चिन्तयित्वामुहूर्तंतुवानरांस्तानुवाचह ।

हनुमत्प्रमुखान्सर्वानिदंवचनमुत्तमम् ।।6.17.6।।


मुहूर्तम् for a while, चिन्तयित्वा: reflecting, हनुमत् प्रमुखान् leader Hanuman, तान् those, सर्वान् all, वानरान् Vanaras, उत्तमम् best, इदम् these, वचनम् words, उवाचह: addressed.

Reflecting for a while he addressed Hanuman and the other Vanara leaders in this way.
एषसर्वायुधोपेतश्चतुर्भिस्सहराक्षसैः ।

राक्षसोऽभ्येतिपश्यध्वमस्मान्हन्तुंनसंशयः ।।6.17.7।।


सर्वायुधोपेतः armed with all kinds of weapons, एषःराक्षसः this Rakshasa, चतुर्भिराक्षसैःसह: along with four Rakshasas, अभ्येति: coming near, पश्यध्वम् you may see, अस्मान् us, हन्तुम् to attack, संशयः doubt, नः no.

Armed with all kinds of weapons this Rakshasa along with four Rakshasas are coming near to attack. You may see. There is no doubt.
सुग्रीवस्यवचश्रुत्वासर्वेतेवानरोत्तमाः ।

सालानुद्यम्यशैलांश्चइदंवचनमब्रुवन् ।।6.17.8।।


सर्वे: all, तेवानरोत्तमाः those Vanara leaders, सुग्रीवस्य: Sugriva's, वचः words, श्रुत्वा: having heard, सालान् Sala trees, शैलांश्च: boulders, उद्यम्य: taking up, इदम् these, वचनम् words, अब्रुवन् uttered.

Having heard Sugriva's words, all the Vanara leaders taking up Sala trees and boulders uttered these words.
शीघ्रंव्यादिशनोराजन्वधायैषांदुरात्मनाम् ।

निपतन्तुहताश्चैतेधरण्यामल्पतेजसः ।।6.17.9।।


राजन् O king दुरात्मनाम् evil minded, एषाम् these, वधाय: to kill, शीघ्रम् quickly, व्यादिश: order, अल्पतेजसा: being short of life, हता: killed, धरण्याम on the ground, निपतन्तु: will fall down.

"O King Order us to kill these evil minded ones at once. Being mortals and of short life, on striking, all of them will fall down dead on the ground."
तेषासम्भाषमाणानामन्योन्यंसविभीषणः ।

उत्तरंतीरमासाद्यखस्थएवव्यतिष्ठत ।।6.17.10।।


विभीषणः Vibheeshana, उत्तरम् northern, तीरम् shore, आसाद्य: having reached तेषाम् there, अन्योन्यम् one to the other, सम्भाषमाणानाम् started conversing, खस्थःएव: in the sky, व्यतिष्ठत: stayed.

As they (Vanaras) started conversing, Vibheeshana, having reached the northern shore, stayed in the sky.
उवाचमहाप्राज्ञस्स्वरेणमहतामहान् ।

सुग्रीवंतांश्चसम्प्रेक्ष्यसर्वान्वानरयूथपान् ।।6.17.11।।


महाप्राज्ञः very wise, महान् great, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, सुग्रीवम् at Sugriva, तांश्च: and those (Vanaras ), सम्प्रेक्ष्य: gazing, सर्वान् all, महता: loud, स्वरेण: tone, उवाच: addressed.

Great and very wise Vibheeshana, gazing at Sugriva and the Vanaras, addressed them in a loud tone.
रावणोनामदुर्वृत्तोराक्षसोराक्षसेश्वरः ।

तस्याहमनुजोभ्राताविभीषणइतिश्रुतः ।।6.17.12।।


रावणोनाम: Ravana by name, दुर्वृत्तः of evil conduct, राक्षसेश्वरः king of Rakshasas, राक्षसः Rakshasa, अहम् I, तस्य: his, अनुजःभ्राता: younger brother, विभीषणइति: as Vibheeshana, श्रुतः called.

"I am called Vibheeshana, the younger brother of Ravana, the king of Rakshasas and of evil conduct."
तेनसीताजनस्थानाद्धृताहत्वाजटायुषम् ।

रुद्दाचविवशादीनाराक्षसीभिस्सुरक्षिता ।।6.17.13।।


तेन: by him, जटायुषम् Jatayu, हत्वा: killing, सीता: Sita, जनस्थानात् from Janasthana, हृता: having been carried away, रुद्दा: detained, विवशा: poor, दीना: pitiable, राक्षसीभिः by Rakshasas, सुरक्षिता: protected.

"Having been carried away from Janasthana by him (Ravana) poor and pitiable Sita is detained and protected by the Rakshasas."
तमहंहेतुभिर्वाक्यैर्विविधैश्चन्यदर्शयम् ।

साधुनिर्यात्यतांसीतारामायेतिपुनःपुनः ।।6.17.14।।


सीता: Sita, साधु: correct, रामाय: to Rama, निर्यात्यताम् इति: to restore, पुनःपुनः again and again, तम् him, अहम् I, हेतुभिः argued also, विविधैः in several ways, वाक्यैः words, न्यदर्शयम् to explain.

"I argued with him again and again in several ways to explain him and admonished him saying 'restore Sita to Rama'."
सचनप्रतिजग्राहरावणःकालचोदितः ।

उच्यमानंहितंवाक्यंविपरीतइवौषधम् ।।6.17.15।।


सःरावणः that Ravana, कालचोदितः impelled by death, उच्यमानम् advice tendered, हितम् good, वाक्यम् words, विपरीतः contrary to, औषधम् इव: like the medicine, नप्रतिजग्राह: would not take.

"Impelled by death Ravana would not take good words of advice tendered to him just as one who is impelled by death does not take medicine."
सोऽहंपरुषितस्तेनदासवच्चावमानितः ।

त्यक्त्वापुत्रांश्चदारांश्चराघवंशरणंगतः ।।6.17.16।।


तेन: by him, परुषितः spoken to harshly, दासवत् treated like a slave, अवमानितः having been put to shame, सःअहम् that I, पुत्रांश्चदारांश्च: sons and wife, त्वक्त्वा: giving up, राघवम् of Raghava, शरणंगतः came for protection.

"Leaving my sons and wife, I have come for protection of Raghava having been put to shame by him (Ravana), spoken to harshly and treated like a slave."
सर्वलोकशरण्यायराघवायमहात्मने ।

निवेदयतमांक्षिप्रंविभीषणमुपस्थितम् ।।6.17.17।।


महात्मने: O great soul, सर्वलोकशरण्याय: one who is a protector of the whole world, राघवाय: Raghava's, विभीषणं: Vibheeshana, माम् I, उपस्थितम् waiting here, क्षिप्रम् at once, निवेदयत: you may inform.

At once you may inform Raghava who is a protector of the whole world that I, Vibheeshana, are waiting here.
एतत्तुवचनंश्रुत्वासुग्रीवोलघुविक्रमः ।

लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतोरामंसम्रब्धमिदमब्रवीत् ।।6.17.18।।


लघुविक्रमः highly valiant, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, एतत् all this, वचनम् words, श्रुत्वा: having heard, लक्ष्मणस्य: Lakshmana's, अग्रतः presence, रामम् Rama's, सम्रब्धतरम् eagerly, इदम् these words, अब्रवीत् spoken.

Highly valiant Sugriva having heard all this (from Vibheeshana) eagerly spoke these words to Rama in the presence of Lakshmana.
रावणस्यानुजोभ्राताविभीषणइतिश्रुतः ।

चतुर्भिस्सहरक्षोभिर्भवन्तंशरणंगतः ।।6.17.19।।


विभीषणःइति: thus Vibheeshana, श्रुतः heard, रावणस्य: Ravana's, अनुजःभ्रातः younger brother, चतुर्भिः all the four, रक्षोभिःसह: along with Rakshasas, भवन्तम्: to you शरणम् protection, गतः sought.

"Ravana's younger brother, known as Vibheeshana, along with four Rakshasas has come to you seeking protection."
मन्त्रेव्यूहेनयेचारेयुक्तोभवितुमर्हसि ।

वानराणांचभद्रंतेपरेषांचपरन्तप ।।6.17.20।।


परन्तप: scorcher of foes, वानराणांच: for Vanaras also, परेषांच: alert, मंत्रे: in deliberations, व्यूहे: in plan, नये: a method, चारे: of spies, युक्तः joined together, भवितुम् What is to be done in future, अर्हसि: let it be ते: to you, भद्रम् safety.

"O Scorcher of enemies For Vanara's safety and considering to be spies also you should be alert in your deliberations, with a plan and policy in moving together and deciding what is to be done. Let you be safe."
अन्तर्धानगताह्येतेराक्षसाःकामरूपिणः ।

शूराश्चनिकृतिज्ञाश्चतेषांजातुनविश्वसेत् ।।6.17.21।।


एतेराक्षसा: these Rakshasas, कामरूपिणः who can change their form at their will, अन्तर्धानगताः who can move about without bein g seen, शूराः heroic, निकृतिज्ञाश्च: who are crafty, तेषाम् them, जातु: know, नविश्वसेत् not to be trusted.

"Know that these Rakshasas are heroic, crafty and cannot be trusted. They can change their form at will and can move about without being seen."
प्रणिधीराक्षसेन्द्रस्यरावणस्यभवेदयम् ।

अनुप्रविश्यसोऽस्मासुभेदंकुर्यान्नसंशयः ।।6.17.22।।


अयम् this one, राक्षसेन्द्रस्य: Rakshasa king's, रावणस्य: Ravana's, प्रणिधिः spy, भवेत् may be, सः he, अनुप्रविशय: having found a way to enter, अस्मासु: to our place, भेदम् difference, कूर्यात् to create, संशयः doubt, न: no.

"This Rakshasa may be a spy who has found entry into our camp to create differences (among us). No doubt about it."
अथवास्वयमेवैषछिद्रमासाद्यबुद्धिमान् ।

अनुप्रविश्यविश्वस्तेकदाचित्प्रहरेदपि ।।6.17.23।।


अथवा: or else, बुद्धिमान् a wise one, एषः in this manner, स्वयमेव: on his own, छिद्रम् weak points, आसाद्य: having reached, अनुप्रविश्य: having found way, विश्वस्ते: if trusted, प्रहरेदपि: strike, कदाचित् perhaps.

"Or else if he is a wise one and knows our weak points, might have found a way and reached us. He may strike us if he is trusted."
मित्राटवीबलंचैवमौलभृत्यबलंतथा ।

सर्वमेतद्बलंग्राह्यंवर्जयित्वाद्विषद्बलम् ।।6.17.24।।


मित्राटवीबलंचैव: army of friends or army from a jungle, तथा: so also, मौलभृत्यबलम् army brought up by the king for generations, एतत् that way, सर्वम् all, बलम् kinds of army, द्विषद्बलम् army that is obtained by payment, वर्जयित्वा: apart from (enemies), ग्राह्यम् can be accepted.

Army of friends or army from a jungle, so also an army brought up by a king for generations, army obtained on payment and all kinds of army except for enemies can be accepted.
प्रकृत्याराक्षसेन्द्रस्यभ्राताऽमित्रस्यतेप्रभो: ।

आगतश्चरिपोस्साक्षात्कथमस्मिन्हिविश्वसेत् ।।6.17.25।।


प्रभो: O king एषः these, प्रकृत्या by nature, राक्षसोहि: Rakshasas also, अमित्रस्य: enemy's, भ्राता: brother, साक्षात् evidently, रिपोः enemies, आगतः arrived, आस्मिन् himself, कथम् how, विश्वसेत् to trust.

"O king, by nature they are Rakshasas, and he is brother of the enemy. Evidently, he has arrived by himself. How to trust him?"
रावणेनप्रणिहितंतमवेहिविभीषणम् ।

तस्याहंनिग्रहंमन्येक्षमंक्षमवतांवर ।।6.17.26।।


क्षमवताम् one who is forbearing, वर: choicest one, तम् him, विभीषणम् Vibheeshana, रावणेन: by Ravana, प्रणितम् sent by, अवेहि: to consider, तस्य: his, निग्रहम् arrest क्षमम् fit, अहम् I, मन्ये: think.

"O Rama of most forbearing nature Vibheeshana is sent by Ravana. You may consider that he is fit to be arrested, I think."
राक्षसोजिह्मयाबुद्ध्यासंदिष्टोऽयमुपागतः ।

प्रहर्तुंमाययाच्छन्नोविश्वस्तेत्वयिराघव ।।6.17.27।।


राघव: Raghava, अयम्: this, राक्षसः Rakshasa, जिह्मया: with a crooked, बुदद्या: you may know, संदिष्ट: being send, मायया: by deceit, छन्नः under the cover, विश्वस्ते: creating confidence, त्वयि: to you, प्रहर्तुम् to strike you, इह: here, आगतः came.

"O Raghava You may know that this Rakshasa is being sent here by deceit ever intending to strike you under the cover of creating confidence."
प्रविष्टश्शत्रुसैन्यंहिप्राप्तश्शत्रुरतर्कितः ।

निहन्यादन्तरंलब्ध्वाउलूकवायसानिव ।।6.17.28।।


प्रविष्टहि: just as one who entered, अतर्कितः not to suspect, प्राप्तः one who appeared, शत्रुसैन्यम् enemy's army, शत्रुः enemy, अन्तरम् inside the hole, लब्ध्वा: having got access, उलूकः an owl, वायसानिव: like crows, निहन्यात् after killing.

"One who entered the enemy's camp and had access to come inside kills the enemies. It is like an owl killing many crows having entered the hole."
वध्यतामेषतीव्रेणदण्डेनसचिवैस्सह ।

रावणस्यनृशंसस्यभ्राताह्येषविभीषणः ।।6.17.29।।


एषः that way, सचिवैः with ministers, तीव्रेण: severe, दण्डेन: by punishment, वध्यताम् will kill, एषःविभीषणः this Vibheeshana, नृशंसस्य: cruel, रावणस्यभ्राताहि: is Ravana's brother.

"Let us kill this Vibheeshana by punishment along with his ministers as he is the brother of cruel Ravana (said Sugriva to Rama)."
एवमुक्त्वातुतंरामंसम्रब्धोवाहिनीपतिः ।

वाक्यज्ञोवाक्यकुशलंततोमौनमुपागमत् ।।6.17.30।।


वाहिनीपतिः the chief of the army, वाक्यज्ञः one who knows to speak, सम्रब्ध: well, वाक्यकुशलम् one who was adept in expression, तंरामम् him, to Rama, एवम् in that manner, उक्त्वा: after having spoken, ततः then, मौनम् silent, उपागमत् remained.

The chief of the army (Sugriva) who knew how to speak appropriately having submitted in that manner to Rama who was adept in expression remained silent.
सुग्रीवस्यतुतद्वाक्यंश्रुत्वारामोमहायशाः ।

समीपस्थानुवाचेदंहनुमत्प्रमुखान्हरीन् ।।6.17.31।।


महायशाः of great fame, रामः Rama, सुग्रीवस्य: Sugriva's, तत् those words, श्रुत्वा: having heard, समीपस्थान् stood close by, हनुमत्प्रमुखान् including the great Hanuman, हरीन् to Vanaras, इदम् thus, उवाच: addressed.

Rama of great fame having heard the words of Sugriva, addressed the Vanara army including the great Hanuman who stood close by.
यदुक्तंकपिराजेनरावणावरजंप्रति ।

वाक्यंहेतुमदत्यर्थंचभवद्भिरपितच्छ्रुतम् ।।6.17.32।।


रावणावरजंप्रति: about Ravana's brother, कपिराजेन: by the king of Vanaras, अत्यर्थम् highly reasonable, हेतुमत् words of reason, यत् those, वाक्यम् words, उक्तम् having spoken, भवद्भिरपि: even by you, श्रुतम् has been heard.

"The highly reasonable words of advice given by the king of Vanaras about Ravana's brother was heard even by you."
सुहृदामर्थकृच्छेषुयुक्तंबुद्धिमतासदा ।

समर्थेनोपनिर्देष्टुंशाश्वतींभूतिमिच्छता ।।6.17.33।।


शाश्वतीम् everlasting, भूतिम् welfare, इच्छता: desirable, समर्थेन: capable, बुद्धिमता: wise one, सदा: ever, सुहृदाम् to near and dear ones, अर्थकृच्छ्रेषु: in difficult situation on complex matter, निर्देष्टुम्: to express, युक्तम् is proper.

"It is always desirable to seek everlasting advice for one's welfare from capable and wise ones by the near and dear ones. It is proper to seek advice on complex matters by one who is in a difficult situation."
इत्येवंपरिपृष्टास्तेस्वंस्वंमतमतन्द्रिताः ।

सोपचारंतदाराममूचुर्हितचिकीर्षवः ।।6.17.34।।


तदा: then, इत्येवम् in this manner, परिपृष्टाः having told, ते: you, अतन्द्रिताः vigilant, हितचिकीर्षवः beneficial advice, सोपचारम् respectfully an end, स्वंस्वम् one's own, मतम् opinion, राम् Rama, ऊचुः spoke.

The Vanaras having heard the words spoken by Rama in that way, tendered beneficial advice and their own opinion respectfully, to be vigilant.
अज्ञातंनास्तितेकिंचित्त्रिषुलोकेषुराघव: ।

आत्मानंसूचयन्राम: पृच्छस्यस्मान् सुहृत्तया ।।6.17.35।।


राघव: Raghava, त्रिषु: in the three, लोकेषु: worlds, ते: to you, अज्ञातम् that which, किंचित् nothing, नास्ति: is not there, आत्मानम् you yourself, सूचयन् to give our opinion, पृच्छसि: ask, अस्मान: to us, सुह्रत्तया: out of friendship.

"O Raghava there is nothing unknown to you in the three worlds. You are asking our opinion (giving us the honour) out of friendship."
त्वंहिसत्यव्रतश्शूरोधार्मिकोदृढविक्रमः ।

परीक्ष्यकारीस्मृतिमान्निसृष्टात्मासुहृत्सुच ।।6.17.36।।


त्वम् you, सत्यव्रतः one who follows vows truthfully, शूरः heroic, धार्मिकः one who is righteous, दृढविक्रमः firm in resolve, परीक्ष्यकारी: one who is capable of good judgment, स्मृतिमान् one who has good memory of laws of the past, सुहृत्सु: to your friends, निसृष्टात्माच: and committed in heart.

"You are a truthful follower of vows, a heroic and righteous one. You are firm in your resolve, capable of good judgment, have a good memory of the past traditions and committed in heart to your friends."
तस्मादेकैकशस्तावद्ब्रुवन्तुसचिवास्तव ।

हेतुतोमतिसम्पन्नास्समर्थाश्चपुन: पुनः ।।6.17.37।।


तस्मात् for that reason, मतिसम्पन्नाः richly endowed with intelligence, समर्थाश्च: capable also, पुनःपुनः again and again, तवसचिवाः your ministers, एकैकशः one after another, हेतुतः with reason, ब्रुवन्तु: speak out, तावत् like that.

"On account of that reason, since your ministers are richly endowed with intelligence let them speak out again and again, one after the other in that way."
इत्युक्तेराघवायाऽथमतिमानङ्गदोऽग्रतः ।

विभीषणपरीक्षार्थमुवाचवचनंहरिः ।।6.17.38।।


इति: so, उक्ते: having said, अथ: then, हरिः Vanara, मतिमान् intelligent, अङ्गदः Angada, राघवाय: to Rama, अग्रतः immediately, विभीषणपरीक्षार्थम् for the sake of judging Vibheeshana, वचनम् these words, उवाच: spoken.

Having said so, Angada the intelligent Vanara spoke these words immediately to Rama for judging Vibheeshana.
शत्रोस्सकाशात्सम्प्राप्तस्सर्वथाशङ् क्यएवहि ।

विश्वासयोग्यस्सहसानकर्तव्योविभीषणः ।।6.17.39।।


शत्रोः enemy, सकाशात् from the camp, सम्प्राप्तः having come, विभीषण: Vibheeshana, सर्वथा: in every way, शङ् क्या: doubtful, एवहि: surely, सहसा: suddenly, विश्वासयोग्यः worthy to be trusted, नकर्तव्यः not to be.

"Since he has come from the enemy's camp suddenly, surely Vibheeshana is to be suspected in every way. He is not worthy to be trusted."
छादयित्वाऽत्मभावंहिचरन्तिशठबुद्धयः ।

प्रहरन्तिचरन्ध्रेषुसोऽनर्थस्सुमहान्भवेत् ।।6.17.40।।


शठबुद्धयः one with perfidious mind, आत्मभावम् one's own feeling, छादयित्वा: concealing, चरन्तिहि: keep moving about, रन्ध्रेषु: a weak point, प्रहरन्तिच and attack, सः he, महान् great, अनर्थः inestimable mistake, भवेत् will be.

"One who has a perfidious mind keeps moving about concealing his intention and will attack at weak points, which will be a great inestimable mistake."
अर्थानर्थौविनिश्चित्यव्यवसायंभजेतह ।

गुणतस्सङ्ग्रहंकुर्याद्दोषतस्तुविसर्जयेत् ।।6.17.41।।


अर्थानर्थौ: advantages and disadvantages, विनिश्चित्य: ascertaining, व्यवसायम् course of action, भजेत: follows, गुणतः by virtue, सङ्ग्रहम् take hold of, कुर्यात् act, दोषतस्तु: if faulty, विसर्जयेत् should give up.

Ascertaining advantages and disadvantages one should take the right course of action, by acting if it is virtuous and giving up if it is faulty.
यदिदोषोमहांस्तस्मिंस्त्यज्वतामविशङ्कितम् ।

गुणान्वापिबहून् ज्ञात्वासङ्ग्रहःक्रियतांनृप ।।6.17.42।।


नृप: king, तस्मिन् in him, महान् great, दोषःयदि: if one has bad qualities, अविशङ्कितम् no doubt, त्यज्यताम् to be rejected, बहून् many, गुणान् virtues, ज्ञात्वावापि: knowing them also, सङ्ग्रहः let us take, क्रियताम् we will.

"If there are great bad qualities (in Vibheeshana) no doubt he has to be rejected. If there are many virtues let us take him knowing them also."
शरभस्त्वथनिश्चित्यसार्थंवचनमब्रवीत् ।

क्षिप्रमस्मिन्नरव्याघ्र चारःप्रतिविधीयताम् ।।6.17.43।।


नरव्याघ्र: tiger among men, अथ: and now, शरभस्तु: Sarabha too, निश्चित्य: decided, सार्थम् meaningful, वचनम् अब्रवीत् tendered words, अस्मिन् in this, क्षिप्रम् at once, चारः spy, प्रतिविधीयताम् shall be assigned to cover him.

"Sarabha has also decided and spoken these meaningful words of advice." O Tiger among men Let a spy be assigned to cover him at once."
प्रणिधायहिचारेणयथावत्सूक्ष्मबुद्धिना ।

परीक्ष्यचततःकार्योयथान्यायंपरिग्रहः ।।6.17.44।।


प्रणिधाय: employing spies, सूक्ष्मबुद्धिना: who has subtle intellect, चारेण: by a spy, यथावत् in the same way, परीक्ष्यच after examining, ततः thereafter, यथान्यायम् in appropriate manner, परिग्रहः accept, कार्यः action.

"By employing a spy with subtle intellect to examine Vibheeshana, we can act in an appropriate manner to accept him (Vibheeshana)."
जाम्बवांस्त्वथसम्प्रेक्ष्यशास्त्रबुध्याविचक्षणः ।

वाक्यंविज्ञापयामासगुणवद्दोषवर्जितम् ।।6.17.45।।


अथ: and then, विचक्षणः one who has sense of discrimination, जाम्बवांस्तु: even Jambavan also, शास्त्रबुध्या: enlightened one, सम्प्रेक्ष्य: considering, गुणवत् full of virtues, दोषवर्जितम् free from flaws, वाक्यम् statement, विज्ञापयामास: made this sub mission.

Then, enlightened Jambavan who was endowed with sense of discrimination, considering all facts made his submission which was free from flaws.
बद्धवैराच्चपापाच्चराक्षेसेन्द्राद्विभीषणः ।

अदेशकालेसम्प्राप्तस्सर्वथाशङ् क्यतामयम् ।।6.17.46।।


विभीषणः Vibheeshana, बद्धवैराच्च: one who has conceived bitter hatred, पापात् sinful one, राक्षसेन्द्रात् towards Rakshasa king, अदेशकाले: without regard for time
and place, सम्प्राप्तः having come, आयम् this, सर्वथा: always, शङ् क्यताम् viewed with suspicion.

"Vibheeshana who has conceived bitter hatred towards the sinful Rakshasa king Ravana came without regard for place and time is always to be viewed with suspicion."
ततोमैन्दस्तुसम्प्रेक्ष्यनयापनयकोविदः ।

वाक्यंवचनसम्पन्नोबभाषेहेतुमत्तरम् ।।6.17.47।।


ततः then, नयापनयकोविदः prudent in making policy, वचनसम्पन्नः rich in expression, मैन्दस्तु: Mainda, सम्प्रेक्ष्य: considering, हेतुमत्तरम् fully logical, वाक्यम् statement बभाषे: expressed.

"Mainda, who was prudent in making policy and rich in expression, considering all facts expressed this statement that was fully logical."
वजनंनामतस्यैषरावणस्यविभीषणः ।

पृच्छयतांमधुरेणायंशनैर्नरपतीश्वर ।।6.17.48।।


नरपतीश्वर: O king of the mortals, एषः this is, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, तस्य: his, रावणस्य: Ravana's, वचनं: words नाम: indeed, आयम् for long, मधुरेण: gently, शनैः slowly, पृच्छयताम् be interrogated.

"O king of mortals This is Ravana's brother called Vibheeshana. Let him be slowly and gently interrogated for long."
भावमस्यतुविज्ञायतत्त्वतस्त्वंकरिष्यसि ।

यदिदुष्टोनदुष्टोवाबुद्धिपूर्वंनरर्षभ ।।6.17.49।।


नरर्षभ: O best of kings, अस्य: his, भावम् intention, तत्त्वतः truly, विज्ञाय: after ascertaining, दुष्टोयदि: if he is wicked, नदुष्टोवा: or not wicked also, बुद्धिपूर्वम् wisely, त्वम् you, करिष्यसि: act accordingly.

"O Best of kings After truly ascertaining Vibheeshana's intention whether he is wicked or not, you may act wisely (said Mainda)."
अथसंस्कारसम्पन्नोहनुमान् सचिवोत्तमः ।

उवाचवचनंश्लक्ष्णमर्थवन्मधुरंलघु ।।6.17.50।।


अथ: on the other hand, संस्कारसम्पन्नः endowed with rich culture, सचिवोत्तमः best of the ministers, हनुमान् Hanuman, श्लक्ष्णम् soft, अर्थवत् full of meaning, मधुरम् sweet, लघु: brief, वचनम् words, उवाच: spoke.

On the other hand, Hanuman who was endowed with rich culture spoke these soft, sweet, and meaningful words briefly.
नभवन्तंमतिश्रेष्ठंसमर्थंवदतांवरम् ।

अतिशाययितुंशक्तोबृहस्पतिरपिब्रुवन् ।।6.17.51।।


बृहस्पतिरपि: even Brihaspati, बृवन् proclaim, मतिश्रेष्ठम् highly intelligent, समर्थम् exceptionally capable, वदताम् in eloquence, वरम् foremost, भवन्तम् you, अतिशाययितुम् excellent, नशक्तः not possible.

"Even for Brihaspati who is proclaimed to be highly intelligent, it is not possible to surpass you as you are the foremost in capability and eloquence."
नवादान्नपिसङ्घर्षान्नाधिक्यान्नचकामतः ।

वक्ष्यामिवचनंराजन्यथार्थंरामगौरवात् ।।6.17.52।।


राजन् O king, राम: Rama, वादात् for the sake of argument, वचनम् words, न: not, सङ्घर्षादपि: for the sake of creating friction, न: nor, आधिक्यात् with sense of superiority, न: nor, कामतःच: or even desire, न: nor, गौरवात् out of respect, यथार्थम् truth, वक्ष्यामि: telling you.

"O King Rama I am telling this to you truly not for the sake of argument, not for the sake of creating friction, or with a sense of superiority, or desire but out of respect."
अर्थानर्थनिमित्तंहियदुक्तंसचिवैस्तव ।

तत्रदोषंप्रपश्यामिक्रियानह्युपपद्यते ।।6.17.53।।


तव: your, सचिवैः counsellors, अर्थानर्थनिमित्तम् after judging good or bad qualities, यत् by what, उक्तम् has been said, तत्र: there, दोषम् fault, प्रपश्यामि: I see, क्रिया: action, नउपपद्यतेहि: not arise.

"Your counsellors have said that after judging good or bad qualities we should accept or reject Vibheeshana. I see a flaw in that statement as such action would not arise."
ऋतेनियोगात्सामर्थ्यमवबोद्धुंनशक्यते ।

सहसाविनियोगोहिदोषवान्प्रतिभातिमे ।।6.17.54।।


नियोगात् ऋते: only when entrusted with duty, सामर्थ्यम् capability, अवबोद्धुम् will be known, नशक्यते: not possible, सहसा: inconsiderately, विनियोगः appointment to a duty, दोषवान् will be faulty, मे: to me, प्रतिभाति: to understand.

"When entrusted with duty one's capability will be known. It is not possible to appoint him for duty inconsiderately without understanding (his capacity) as it will be faulty."
चारप्रणिहितंयुक्तंयदुक्तंसचिवैस्तव ।

अर्थस्यासम्भवात्तत्रकारणंनोपयुज्यते ।।6.17.55।।


तव: your, सचिवैः counsellors, यत् that way, चारप्रणिहितम् ascertain from the spies whether he is good or not, युक्तम् proper, उक्तम् has said, तत्र: then, अर्थस्य: has no meaning, असम्भवात् not possible to do, कारणम् reason, नोपयुज्यते: no purpose will be served by that.

"Your counsellors (Sarabha) have said that it is proper to know from the spies to ascertain about him. It has no meaning as it is not possible to do so (as he is near you). It does not serve the purpose."
अदेशकालेसम्प्राप्तइत्ययंयद्विभीषणः ।

विवक्षातत्रमेऽस्तीयंतांनिबोधयथामति ।।6.17.56।।


अयंविभीषणः this Vibheeshana, आदेशकाले: without regard for place and time, सम्प्राप्तःइतियत् has come here, तत्र: hence, मे: my, यथामति: according to me, इयंविवक्षा: desire to speak this, अस्ति: will be, ताम् to it, निबोध: be considered.

"This Vibheeshana has come here without regard for place and time. I desire to speak what I feel in this regard."
सएषदेश: कालश्चभवतीतियथातथा ।

पुरुषात्पुरुषंप्राप्यतथादोषगुणावपि ।।6.17.57।।


एषः this, इह: here, देश: place, कालश्च: and time, तथा: similarly, पुरुषात् you, पुरुषम् superior, प्राप्य: came here, तथा: so also, गुणदोषावपि: even if there are de merits (in him) and merits (in you), यथा: as, तथा: it is, इह: here, भवति: seems to be.

"It seems proper for him (Vibheeshana) to come here, considering place and time and so also considering that you are superior to him (Ravana) even if there are demerits in him and merits in you."
त्म्यंरावणेदृष्टवाविक्रमंचतथात्वयि ।

युक्तमागमनंह्यत्रसदृशंतस्यबुद्धितः ।।6.17.58।।


रवणे: in Ravana, दौरात्म्यम् wickedness, तथा: likewise, त्वयि: in you, विक्रमंच: valiance, दृष्टवा: seen, अत्र: here, आगमनम् has come, युक्तंहि: seems right, तस्य: his, बुद्धितः thinking, सदृशम् suitable.

"He has thought over and seen wickedness in Ravana, likewise valiance in you has made you come here. He seems to be right and suitable."
अज्ञातरूपैःपुरुषैस्सराजन्पृच्छ् यतामिति ।

यदुक्तमत्रमेप्रेक्षाकाचिदस्तिसमीक्षिता ।।6.17.59।।


राजन् O king अज्ञातरूपैः people of unknown identity, पुरुषैः by men, सः he (Mainda), पृच्छ् यताम् said to enquire इति: this, यत् that way, उक्तम् said, अत्र: here, समीक्षिता: having reviewed, मे: to me, काचित् a little, प्रेक्षा: view, अस्ति: be it.

"O king People of unknown identity should enquire about him. (Vibheeshana)" said Mainda. Having reviewed the matter, I have another view. (in the matter)."
पृच्छयमानोविशङ्केतसहसाबुद्धिमान्वचः ।

तत्रमित्रंप्रदुष्येतमिथ्यापृष्टंसुखागतम् ।।6.17.60।।


सहसा: at once, पृच्छयमानः if enquired, बुद्धिमान् wise one, वचः words, विशङ्केत: will become suspicious, तत्र: there, सुखागतम् come with relief, मित्रम् friend, मिथ्यापृष्टम् प्रदुष्येत: will appear as wicked one.

"If enquired suddenly, a wise one will also become suspicious of his words. Even a friend who has come there will seem like a wicked one to him."
अशक्यस्सहसाराजन्भावोबोद्धुंपरस्यवै ।

अन्तस्स्वभावैर्गीतैस्तैर्नैपुण्यंपश्यतांभृशम् ।।6.17.61।।


राजन् O king अन्तस्स्वभावै: his intention, र्गीतै: tone of words स्तै: his, पश्यताम् to find out, भृशम् excessive, नैपुण्यं: dexterity, परस्य: other's, भावः feelings, सहसा: at once, बोद्धुम् to know, अशक्यम् not possible.

"O king It is not possible to know the intention (of an enemy) of others at once without excessive dexterity. It is to be known by his tone of words and description."
नत्वस्यब्रुवतोजातुलक्ष्यतेदुष्टभावता ।

प्रसन्नंवदनंचापितस्मान्मेनास्तिसंशयः ।।6.17.62।।


ब्रुवतः he is speaking, अस्य: his, दुष्टभावता: malevolence, जातु: known, नलक्ष्यते: does not seem, वदनंचापि: even his countenance, प्रसन्नम् pleasing, तस्मात् therefore, मे: to me, संशयः suspicion, नास्ति: is not there.

"Even when one is speaking, his malevolence is known. It does not seem so as his countenance is also pleasing. Therefore, I have no doubt (of him)."
अशङ्कितमतिस्स्वस्थोनशठःपरिसर्पति ।

नचास्यदुष्टावाक्चापितस्मान्नास्तीहसंशयः ।।6.17.63।।


शठः one with deceitful feeling, अशङ्कितमतिः without any expression of suspicion, स्वस्थः on his own, नपरिसर्पति: not going about, अस्य: his, वाक् च: even his talk, दुष्टा: looks, नास्ति: not, तस्मात् therefore, मे: to me, संशयः suspicion, नास्ति: not there.

"One who is with deceitful feeling will not come without an expression of suspicion. He has come on his own and even his talk and looks are not suspicious to me."
आकारश्चाद्यमानोऽपिनशक्योविनिगूहितम् ।

बलाद्धिविवृणोत्येवभावमन्तर्गतंनृणाम् ।।6.17.64।।


आकारः form, छाद्यमानोऽपि: even if one wishes to hide, एवगूहितुम् kept concealed, नशक्यः not feasible, अन्तर्गतम् inner feeling, नृणाम् of a man's, भावम्: feeling, बलात् perforce, निप्पणोत्येव: cleverly also.

"Even if one intends to hide in his external form, it is not feasible to keep it concealed. The inner feeling of a man gets revealed even if cleverly hidden."
देशकालोपपन्नंचकार्यंकार्यविदांवर: ।

स्वफलंकुरुतेक्षिप्रंप्रयोगेणाभिसंहितम् ।।6.17.65।।


कार्यविदाम् among those who are efficient in action, वर: choicest one, देशकालोपपन्नंच: according to time and place, कार्यम् action, क्षिप्रम् speedily once, प्रयोगेण: employs, अभिसंहितम् conformable to, स्वफलम् the result, कुरुते: performs.

"O Rama You are the choicest among men of efficient action If according to time and place, one employs to act conformable to people, it yields results speedily."
उद्योगंतवसम्प्रेक्ष्यमिथ्यावृत्तंचरावणम् ।

वालिनंचहतंश्रुत्वासुग्रीवंचाभिषेचितम् ।।6.17.66।।

राज्यंप्रार्थयमानश्चबुद्धिपूर्वमिहागतः ।

एतावत्तुपुरस्कृत्ययुज्यतेतस्यसङ्ग्रहः ।।6.17.67।।


तव: your, उद्योगम् efforts, सम्प्रेक्ष्य: reviewing, रावणम् at Ravana, मिथ्यावृत्तम् all this news of your trials, वालिनम् Vali, हतम् to kill, सुग्रीवम् with Sugriva, अभिषेचितम् crowned as the king, श्रुत्वा: having heard, राज्यम् kingdom, प्रार्थयमानस्तु: in order to request, बुद्धिपूर्वम् intentionally, इह: here, आगतः come, एतावत्तु: in this way, पुरस्कृत्य: showing respect, तस्य: his, सङ्ग्रहः can be accepted, युज्यते: as our person.

"Reviewing your efforts to kill Ravana and having heard of your trials to kill Vali and about your conferring the kingdom to Sugriva, he (Vibheeshana) has intentionally come here in this manner in order to request you showing respect. He may be accepted as our own person."
यथाशक्तिमयोक्तंतुराक्षसस्यार्जवंप्रति ।

प्रमाणंत्वंतुशेषस्यशृत्वाबुद्धिमतांवर: ।। 6.17.68।।


बुद्धिमताम् wise one, वर: exceptional, राक्षसस्य: Rakshasa (Vibheeshana ), मया: by me, आर्जवंप्रति: about the ability, यथाशक्ति: according to my thinking, उक्तम् spoken, शृत्वा: hearing me, शेषस्य: the rest, त्वम् you alone, हि: are to decide.

"O Exceptionally wise Rama You have heard what has been spoken about the ability of Vibheeshana. According to my thinking. You alone being the best judge can decide the rest of it."
।। इत्यार्षेवाल्मीकीयेश्रीमद्रामायणेआदिकाव्येयुद्धकाण्डेसप्तदशस्सर्गः ।।
This is the end of the seventeenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic, the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.