Sloka & Translation

[ Sri Rama decided to accept friendship with Vibheeshana. ]

अथरामःप्रसन्नात्माशृत्वावायुसुतस्यह ।

प्रत्यभाषतदुर्धषश्रुतवानात्मनिस्थितम् ।।6.18.1।।


अथ: and then, दुर्धर्षः formidable one, श्रुतवान् one who heard, रामः Rama, वायुसुतस्य: son of wind god's, शृत्वा: having heard, प्रसन्नात्मा: highly pleased at heart, आत्मनि: his own, स्थितम् that which was in his mind, प्रत्यभाषत: started to tell.

Having heard Hanuman (son of wind god) formidable Rama was highly pleased at heart and started to tell his opinion.
ममापितुविवक्षाऽस्तिकाचित्प्रतिविभीषणम् ।

श्रोतुमिच्छामितत्सर्वंभवद्भिश्श्रेयसिस्थितैः ।।6.18.2।।


विभीषणंप्रति: about Vibheeshana, ममापि: even I, काचित् a few words, विवक्षा: desire to speak, आस्ति: is there, श्रेयसि: well wishers, स्थितैः are devoted, भवद्भिः you also, तत् that, श्रोतुम् to hear, इच्छामि: I desire.

"Even I desire to speak a few words about Vibheeshana. I wish you, who are my well wishers and devoted to me, also hear me."
मित्रभावेनसम्प्राप्तंनत्यजेयंकथञ्चन ।

दोषोयद्यपितस्यस्यात्सतामेतदगर्हितम् ।।6.18.3।।


मित्रभावेन: with friendly feeling, सम्राप्तम् having come here, तस्य: his, दोष: defects, यद्यसि: although, कथञ्चन: however, नत्यजेयम् not reject, एतत् all this, सताम् good people, अगर्हितम् not reprehensible.

Although he (Vibheeshana) has defects, as he has come here with a friendly feeling, I cannot reject him. Good people are not reprehensible.
सुग्रीस्त्वथतद्वाक्यमाभाष्यचविमृश्यच ।

ततश्शुभतरंवाक्यमुवाचहरिपुङ्गवः ।।6.18.4।।


अथ then, हरिपुङ्गवः leader of Vanaras, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, तद्वाक्यम् his statement, अभाष्यच and spoken by, विमृश्यच and reflecting upon, ततः thereafter, शुभतरम् favouring, वाक्यम् words, उवाचह said.

Then Sugriva, the leader of Vanaras reflecting on what was spoken by Rama said these words favouring Rama.
सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।

ईदृशंव्यसनंप्राप्तंभ्रातरंयःपरित्यजेत् ।।6.18.5।।

कोनामसभवेत्तस्ययमेषनपरित्यजेत् ।


एषः this, रजनीचरः night ranger, सुदुष्टोवा: be a wicked one, अदुष्टोवा: or not a wicked one, किम् what, यः with him, ईदृशम् such a person, व्यसनम् worry, प्राप्तम् has come here, भ्रातरम् when brother, परित्यजेत् had abandoned, तस्यएषः his this, यम् who, नपरित्यजेत् not abandon सः he, कोनाम: who will not, भवेत् do so.

"Let this Rakshasa (night ranger) be a wicked one or not a wicked one, what have we to worry about such a person? He has come here abandoned by his brother and who will not send away such a person? Who will not do so?"
वानराधिपतेर्वाक्यंश्रुत्वासर्वानुदीक्ष्यच ।।6.18.6।।

ईषदुत्स्मयमानस्तुलक्ष्मणंपुण्यलक्षणम् ।

इतिहोवाचकाकुत्स्थोवाक्यंसत्यपराक्रमः ।।6.18.7।।


सत्यपराक्रमः one of truthful valour, काकुत्स्थ: of Kakuthsa dynasty, वानराधिपतेः of king of Vanaras, वाक्यम् words, श्रुत्वा: on hearing, सर्वान् all, उदीक्ष्यतु: looking at, ईषत् slightly, उत्स्मयमानः throwing up a smile, पुण्यलक्षणम् meritorious characteristics, लक्ष्मणम् at Lakshmana, इति: these, वाक्यम् words, उवाचह: spoke.

On hearing the words of the king of Vanaras, Rama of Kakuthsa dynasty and of truthful valour looked at all and threw a smile slightly at meritorious Lakshmana and spoke these words.
अनधीत्यचशास्त्राणिवृद्धाननुपसेव्यच ।

नशक्यमीदृशंवक्तुंयदुवाचहरीश्वरः ।।6.18.8।।


हरीश्वरः Lord of monkeys, यत् that which, उवाचह: has been said, ईदृशम् in this way, वक्तुम् to speak, शास्त्राणि: sastras, अनधीत्य: without studying, वृद्दान् elders, अनुपसेन्यच: to one who has served, नशक्यम् not possible.

"That which has been spoken by the Lord of monkeys in this way is not possible for one who has not studied sastras or served the elders."
अस्तिसूक्ष्मतरंकिंचिद्यदत्रप्रतिभातिमे ।

प्रत्यक्षंलौकिकंचापिविद्यतेसर्वराजसु ।।6.18.9।।


यत् that in this matter, सर्वराजसु: for all kings, प्रत्यक्षम् openly, विद्यते: known, लौकिकंचापि: even from worldly view, सूक्ष्मतरम् in subtle manner, किंचित् a little, अस्ति: is, अत्र: that, मे: to me, प्रतिभाति: strikes.

"It strikes me that in this regard, as it is openly known for all the kings or at least in a subtle manner from a worldly point of view."
अमित्रास्तत्कुलीनाश्चप्रातिदेश्याश्चकीर्तिताः ।

व्यसनेषुप्रहर्तारस्तस्मादयमिहागतः ।।6.18.10।।


तत्कुलीनाश्च: of kings of same clan, प्रातिदेश्याश्च: kings of adjoining countries, अमित्रा: not friendly ones, व्यसनेषु: when in difficulties, प्रहर्तारः keep attacking, कीर्तिताः renowned, तस्मात् on account of this, अयम् he has, इह: here, आगतः come.

"When in difficulty kings of the same clan of adjoining countries keep attacking the renowned and so they are declared as enemies. It is on account of this cause he (Vibheeshana) has come here."
अपापास्तत्कुलीनाश्चमानयन्तिस्वकान्हितान् ।

एषप्रायोनरेन्द्राणांशङ्कनीयस्तुशोभनः ।।6.18.11।।


अपापाः sinless one, तत्कुलीनाः of the same clan, स्वकान् of their own, हितान् friendly ones, मानयन्ति: respect, प्रायः by and large, नरेन्द्राणाम् of the kings, शोभनः virtuous ones, एषः in this way, शङ्कनीयः do not believe.

"The sinless ones respect the kings of their clan as friendly ones. But by and large such kings also do not believe the virtuous ones among the kings."
यस्तुदोषस्त्वयाप्रोक्तोह्यादानेऽरिबलस्यच ।

तत्रतेकीर्तयिष्यामियथाशास्त्रमिदंशृणु ।।6.18.12।।


अरिबलस्य: regarding the enemy's strength, आदाने: accepting, यः that which, दोषः demerit, त्वया: by you, प्रोक्तः you have spoken, तत्र: there, ते: to you, यथाशास्त्रम् What the scriptures say, कीर्तयिष्यामि: will narrate to you, इदम् this, शृणु: you may listen.

"I will tell you what the scriptures have said about the demerit in accepting an enemy's strength that you have spoken. You may listen."
नवयंतत्कुलीनाश्चराज्यकाङ् क्षीचराक्षसः ।

पण्डिताहिभविष्यन्तितस्माद्ग्राह्योविभीषणः ।।6.18.13।।


वयम् we, तत्कुलीनाःच: their clan, न: not, राक्षसः Rakshasas, राज्यकाङ् क्षीच: and desire for their (Rakshasa) kingdom, पण्डिताः learned, भविष्यन्ति: desires, तस्मात् on account of this cause, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, ग्राह्यः can be accepted.

"We do not belong to their clan. Among Rakshasas there are some learned ones. Vibheeshana has come because of his desire for their (Rakshasa) kingdom, perhaps ?"
अव्यग्राश्चप्रहृष्टाश्चनभविष्यन्तिसङ्गता ।

प्रणादश्चमहानेषततोऽस्यभयमागतम् ।।6.18.14।।

इतिभेदंगमिष्यन्तितस्माग्राह्योविभीषणः ।


अव्यग्राश्च: free from anxiety, प्रहृष्टाश्च: satisfied, सङ्गताः with one another, नभविष्यन्ति: will not be, इति: this, भेदम् difference, गमिष्यन्ति: will have, अतः and that way, अस्य: his (Vibheeshana's), भयम् fear, आगतम् has come, एषः this way, प्रणादश्च: crying for help, महान् loudly, तस्मात् as such, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, ग्राह्यः worthy to accept.

"Kinsmen will not be satisfied with one another and are not free from anxiety. That way they will not be together. Vibheeshana who has come out of fear in this way crying loudly for help and is worthy to accept."
नसर्वेभ्रातरस्तातभवन्तिभरतोपमाः ।

मद्विथावापितुःपुत्रास्सुहृदोनाभवद्विथाः ।।6.18.15।।


तात: dear, सर्वे: all, भ्रातरः brothers, भरतोपमाः like Bharata, नभवन्ति: will not be, पितुः father, मद्विथाः like me, पुत्राः are sons, भवद्विधाः like you, सुहृदोवा: or friends.

"O dear All brothers cannot be like Bharata, all sons will not be like me, or all friends like you."
एवमुक्तस्तुरामेणसुग्रीवस्सहलक्ष्मणः ।

उत्थायेदंमहाप्राज्ञःप्रणतोवाक्यमब्रवीत् ।।6.18.16।।


रामेण: by Rama, एवम् in this way, उक्तः having spoken, महाप्राज्ञः very wise, सहलक्ष्मणः along with Lakshmana, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, उत्थाय: got up, प्रणतः saluting, इदम् this, वाक्यम् words, अब्रवीत् spoken.

When Rama had spoken that way, sagacious Sugriva along with Lakshmana got up and saluted him and spoke these words to Rama.
रावणेनप्रणिहितंतमवेहिविभीषणम् ।

तस्याहंनिग्रहंमन्येक्षमंक्षमवतांवर ।।6.18.17।।


क्षमवतांवर: exceptional in excusing, तम् him, विभीषणम् Vibheeshana, रावणेन: by Ravana, प्रणिहितम् has been sent, अवेहि: Realize, तस्य: his, निग्रहम् captivate, क्षमम् befitting, मन्ये: I think.

"Rama, you are exceptional in excusing Vibheeshana. Realize that he has been dispatched here by Ravana. I consider befitting for you to captivate him."
राक्षसोजिह्मयाबुध्यासन्दिष्टोऽयमिहागतः ।

प्रहर्तुंत्वयिविश्वस्तेप्रच्छन्नोमयिवानघ ।।6.18.18।।

लक्ष्मणेवामहाबाहो सवध्यस्सचिवैस्सहा ।

रावणस्यनृशंसस्यभ्राताह्येषविभीषणः ।।

एवमुक्त्वारघुश्रेष्ठंसुग्रीवोवाहिनीपतिः ।

वाक्यज्ञोवाक्यकुशलंततोमौनमुपागमत् ।।6.18.19।।


अनघ: sinless, महाबाहो: mightyarmed, आयंराक्षसः this Rakshasa, विश्वस्ते: I believe, त्वयि: you, प्रच्छन्नो: covertly, मयि: or me, लक्ष्मणेवा: at Lakshman too, प्रहर्तुम् strike, सन्दिष्टः is been sent, जिह्मया: greedily, बुद्ध्या: on knowing, इह: here, आगतः has come, सः he, सचिवैस्सह: along with his counsellors, बध्यः kill, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, नृशंसस्य: the cruel one, रावणस्यभ्राताहि: Ravana's brother, वाक्यज्ञः adept in expression, वाहिनीपतिः chief of the army, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, वाक्यकुशलम् good at speech, रघुश्रेष्ठम् best of Raghu race, एवम् in this way, उक्त्वा: having said, ततः then, मौनम् silent, उपागमत् remained.

"O sinless mightyarmed Rama I believe that this Rakshasa has been sent to come here covertly to strike at you or me or Lakshmana. On knowing that you are here the cruel Ravana's brother has come greedily along with his counsellors to kill you."
Sugriva the chief of the army, who was good at speech and adept in expression, having said to Rama, the best among the Raghu race, remained silent thereafter.
सुग्रीवस्यतुतद्वाक्यंरामश्रुत्वाविमृश्यच ।

ततश्शुभतरंवाक्यमुवाचहरिपुङ्गवम् ।।6.18.20।।


रामः Rama, सुग्रीवस्य: Sugriva's, तत् वाक्यम् those words, श्रुत्वा: having heard, विमृश्यतुततः that which was nobler, हरिपुङ्गवम् leader of the Vanaras, शुभतरम् auspicious, वाक्यम् words, उवाच: spoken.

Having heard the words of the leader of Vanaras that were nobler, Rama spoke these auspicious words.
सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।

सूक्ष्ममप्यहितंकर्तुंममाशक्तःकथञ्चन ।।6.18.21।।


एषः this, रजनीचरः night ranger, सुदुष्टोवा: wicked or, अदुष्टोवा: or not wicked, मम: to me, कथञ्चन: What to say, सूक्ष्मम् subtlest, अहितमपि: that which is harmful, कर्तुम् to do, आशक्तः capable.

"Whether this night ranger is wicked or not wicked, is he capable of doing even subtlest harm to me?"
पिशाचानदानवान् यक्ष I नपृथिव्यांचैवराक्षसान् ।

अङ्गुल्यग्रेणतान् हन्यामिच्छन् हरिगणेश्वर ।।6.18.22।।


हरिगणेश्वर: leader of Vanara troop, इच्छान् if I desire, पृथिव्याम् on this earth, तान् them, पिशाचान् devils, दानवान् Danavas, यक्षान् Yakshas, राक्षसान्चैव: including Rakshasas, अङ्गुल्यग्रेण: with tip of my big finger, हन्याम् can kill.

"O leader of the Vanara troop If I so desire, I can kill with the tip of my big finger the devils, Danavas, Yakshas and the Rakshasas on this earth."
श्रूयतेहिकपोतेनशत्रुश्शरणमागतः ।

अर्चितश्चयथान्यायंस्वैश्चमांसैर्निमन्त्रितः ।।6.18.23।।


कपोतेन: by a dove, शरणम् to seek refuge, आगतः came, शत्रुः enemy, यथान्यायम् according to practice, आर्चितश्च: offered, स्वैः its own, मांसैः flesh, निमन्त्रितश्च: without any jealousy, श्रूयतेहि: have heard.

"You have heard of the (story of a) dove that offered his own flesh to an enemy who came to seek protection according to tradition (of hospitality)."
सहितंप्रतिजग्राहभार्याहर्तारमागतः ।

कपोतोवानरश्रेष्ठ: किंपुनर्मद्विधोजनः ।।6.18.24।।


वानरश्रेष्ठ: supreme Vanara, सःकपोतः that dove, आगतम् came near, भार्याहर्तारम् carried away its mate, तम् him, प्रतिजग्राहहि: in turn received, मद्विधः like me, जनः a man, किंपुनः What more.

"O Supreme Vanara When the fowler who had carried away the mate came near the dove it received him and in turn protected him. What more can a man like me do?"
ऋषेःकण्वस्यपुत्रेणकण्डुनापरमर्षिणा ।

शृणुगाथांपुरागीतांधर्मिष्ठासत्यवादिना ।।6.18.25।।


पुरा: in the past, कण्वस्यऋषेः sage Kanva's, पुत्रेण: by the son, सत्यवादिना: truthful one, परमर्षिणा: great sage, कण्डुना: Kandu by name, धर्मिष्ठा: inculcating righteousness, गाथा: used to sing, गीता: verses, शृणु: you may listen.

"In the past Kanva's son called Kandu, a sage and a truthful one used to sing verses inculcating righteousness. (I shall recite) You may listen."
बद्धाञ्जलिपुटंदीनंयाचन्तंशरणागतम् ।

नहन्यदानृशंस्यार्थमपिशत्रुंपरन्तप ।।6.18.26।।


परन्तप scorcher of enemies, बद्धाञ्जलिपुटम् who greets reverentially with folded hands, दीनम् piteous, याचन्तम् begs, शरणागतम् protection, शत्रुम् अपि even the enemy, अनृशंस्यार्थम् not to be cruel नहन्यात् not to be killed.

"O scorcher of enemies To one who greets reverentially with folded hands and begs for protection, we should not be cruel, and he is not to be killed."
आर्तोवायदिवादृप्तःपरेषांशरणांगतः ।

अरिःप्राणान्परित्यज्यरक्षितव्यःकृतात्मना ।।6.18.27।।


कृतात्माना one's own self, परेषाम् an enemy, शरणम् protection, गतः comes, अरिः enemy, आर्तोवा or one who is struck by suffering, यदिवा whoever he be, दृप्तः arrogant, प्राणान् life, परित्यज्य giving up, रक्षितव्यः should be protected.

An enemy who comes for protection against another enemy should be protected, even giving up one's own life whoever he may be, even if he is afflicted or arrogant.
सचेद्भयाद्वामोहाद्वाकामाद्वापिनरक्षति ।

स्वयाशक्त्यायथासत्त्वंतत्पापंलोकगर्हितम् ।।6.18.28।।


सः he, भयाद्वा: from fear, मोहाद्वा: from delusion, कामाद्वापि: even from desire, स्वया: his own, शक्त्वा: capacity, यथासत्त्वम् accordingly, नरक्षतिचेत् if he does not protect, तत् that, लोकगर्हितम् censured by the world, पापम् sin.

"If one does not protect, or give refuge, according to his capacity out of fear, desire (to gain) or delusion, the sin acquired by him will be censured by the world."
विनष्टःपश्यतस्तस्यारक्षिणश्शरणागतः ।

आदायसुकृतंतस्यसर्वंगच्छेदरक्षित:।। 6.18.29।।


शरणागतः one who seeks protection, अरक्षितः fails to protect, तस्य: his, रक्षिणः refugee, पश्यतः in the eyes of, विनष्टः ruined, तस्य: his, सर्वम् all, सुकृतम् merit, आदाय: takes, गच्छेत् away.

"One who fails to protect a refugee who seeks protection from him is ruined in the eyes of the refugee and he takes away all the merit."
एवंदोषोमहानत्रप्रपन्नानामरक्षणे ।

अस्वर्ग्यंचायशस्यंचबलवीर्यविनाशनम् ।।6.18.30।।


प्रपन्नानाम् resorts to, अत्रअरक्षणे: that way fails to protect, एवम् in that way, महान् great, दोषः sin, अस्वर्ग्यम् out of heaven, अयशस्यंच: and infamy, बलवीर्यविनाशनम् strength and virility gets lost.

"One who resorts to failure in protecting a refugee, will be doing a great sin that way and will be shut out of heaven, be infamy and his strength and virility will be lost."
करिष्यामियथार्थंतुकण्डोर्वचनमुत्तमम् ।

धर्मिष्ठंचयशस्यंचस्वर्ग्यंस्यात्तुफलोदये ।।6.18.31।।


कण्डोः of Kandu, उत्तमम् excellent, वचनम् words, यथार्थम् meaningful, करिष्यामि: has said, धर्मिष्ठम् one who does his rightful duty, यशस्यम् glorious, स्वर्ग्यम् heaven, फलोदयेस्यात् will receive such result (after death).

"Excellent and meaningful words have been said by sage Kandu (about one who protects a refugee), that is by doing one's righteous duty. He will be not only famous but reach heaven as a result of his action."
सकृदेवप्रपन्नायतवास्मीतिचयाचते ।

अभयंसर्वभूतेभ्योददाम्येतद्व्रतंमम ।।6.18.32।।


सकृदेव: for the sake of one, प्रपन्नाय: one who seeks protection, तव: him, अस्मि: me, इति: this way, याचते: begs, सर्वभूतेभ्यः from all living beings, अभयम् security, ददामि: will provide, एतत् thus, मम: my, व्रतम् vow.

"I will provide protection from all living beings for the one who seeks protection from me and begs in this way. This is my vow."
अनयैनंहरिश्रेष्ठ: दत्तमस्याभयंमया ।

विभीषणोवासुग्रीव: यदिवारावणस्स्वयम् ।।6.18.33।।


हरिश्रेष्ठ: best of Vanaras, सुग्रीव: Sugriva, विभीषणोवा: either Vibheeshana, यदिवा: or any one, स्वयम् by himself, रावणः Ravana, अस्य: his, मया: from me, अभयम् security, दत्तम् will offer, एनम् thus, आनय: one who is unprotected.

"O best of Vanaras Sugriva Either Vibheeshana or any one by himself and even Ravana who is unprotected thus seeks security from me, I will offer protection."
रामस्यतुवच्शुत्वासुग्रीवःप्लवगेश्वरः ।

प्रत्यभाषतकाकुत्स्थंसौहार्देनप्रचोदितः ।।6.18.34।।


प्लवगेश्वरः king of (leaping) Vanaras, सुग्रीवः Sugriva, रामस्य: Rama's, वचः words, श्रुत्वा: having heard, सौहार्देन: lovingly, प्रचोदितः inciting, काकुत्स्थम् Rama of Kakuthsa race, प्रत्यभाषत: replied.

Having heard the inciting words spoken by Rama so lovingly, the king of Vanaras replied.
किमत्रचित्रंधर्मज्ञ: लोकनाथ: सुखावहा: ।

यत्त्वमार्यंप्रभाषेथास्सत्त्ववान् सत्पथेस्थितः ।।6.18.35।।


धर्मज्ञ: knower of righteous duty, लोकनाथसुखावहा: protector of the world, सत्त्ववान् virtuous one, सत्पथे: upright, स्थितः who stands, त्वम् by you, आर्यम् noble, प्रभाषेथाः that which was spoken, इतियत् thus which, अत्र: here, चित्रम् wonderful, किम् What.

"What wonderful words have been spoken by you, Rama? You are the knower of righteous duty, protector of the world, a virtuous and upright one."
ममचाप्यन्तरात्मायंशुद्धंवेत्तिविभीषणम् ।

अनुमानाच्चभावाच्चसर्वतस्सुपरीक्षितः ।।6.18.36।।


मम: my, अयम् this, अन्तरात्माच: inner self, विभीषणम् Vibheeshana's, शुद्धम् pure, वेत्ति: known, अनुमानात् च: and with doubt, भावात् feeling, सर्वतः in all respects, सुपरीक्षितः been tested.

"My inner self is aware that this Vibheeshana is pure. He has been tested in all respects with doubtful feelings."
तस्मात् क्षिप्रंसहास्माभिस्तुल्योभवतराघव: ।

विभीषणोमहाप्राज्ञस्सखित्वंचाभ्युपैतुनः ।।6.18.37।।


राघव: Rama, तस्मात् therefore, महाप्राज्ञः highly sagacious one, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, क्षिप्रम् at once, अस्माभिस्सह: along with us, तुल्यः equal term, भवतु: be, नः our, सखित्वंच: friendship, अभ्युपैतु: you enjoy.

"Rama therefore, let this highly sagacious Vibheeshana be with you like a friend in equal terms and enjoy."
ततस्तुसुग्रीववचोनिशम्यतद्दरीश्वरेणाभिहितंनरेश्वरः ।

विभीषणेनाशुजगामसङ्गमंपतत्त्रिराजेनयथापुरन्दरः ।।6.18.38।।


ततः then, नरेश्वरः king, तत् there, सुग्रीववचः Sugriva's words, निशम्य: perceiving, पुरन्दरः: like Indra, पतत्त्रिराजेनयथा like with the king of birds, विभीषणेन: with Vibheeshana, अशु: as said, हरीश्वरेण: by Sugriva, अभिहितम् very fitting, सङ्गमम् meeting, जगाम: went.

Perceiving Sugriva's befitting words, king Rama went to meet Vibheeshana like Indra arranged to meet with the king of birds.
।। इत्यार्षेवाल्मीकीयेश्रीमद्रामायणेआदिकाव्येयुद्धकाण्डेअष्टादशस्सर्गः ।।
This is the end of the eighteenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.