Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 63 of 128 · 58 verses
Kumbhakarna’s Rebuke and Promise
Hearing his brother’s lament, Kumbhakarna laughs. The fault we saw long ago in council has come upon you, he says, because you would not listen to those who wished you well; the fruit of your evil deed has come as quickly as hell comes to the evildoer. You did this without thinking, only from pride in your strength, never weighing the consequences. A king who does later what should come first, and first what should come later, does not know policy from folly; deeds out of place and time spoil like offerings to the unworthy. A king who uses the five aspects of the three kinds of action, agrees with his ministers, consults sound counsellors and sees who his true friends are, walks the right path. A man should pursue dharma, profit and pleasure each in its time, or in pairs; a king who hears which is best and does not understand has learned much in vain. The four means, conciliation, gifts, division and force, and when to use them: the one who consults his ministers about these will not meet disaster. Fools without learning, admitted to the inner council, speak boldly; their advice must be rejected, for ministers who are enemies in friends’ clothing lead the master to ruin. The enemy finds the rash man’s weak spot as birds find the gap in Krauncha. One who despises his enemy and does not guard himself loses his place. What my wife (Mandodari) and our younger brother told you before was good advice; do as you wish.
Ravana frowns: why do you lecture me like an honoured teacher? Why waste words? Do what is fitting now. Whatever was not done, from error, confusion or reliance on strength, there is no use talking of it. Think what is right now; the wise do not grieve over what is past. Set right by valour the trouble my bad policy has caused, if you love me. He is a friend who helps the unfortunate; he is a kinsman who helps those who have gone astray.
Seeing his brother deeply shaken and angry, Kumbhakarna speaks gently to soothe him: listen, king; enough of distress; put aside anger and be at ease; while I live you need not worry; I will destroy what troubles you. I had to speak for your good, out of kinship and brotherly love; now see what a loving brother should do at this time. Today you will see the monkey army flee, Rama and his brother killed, Rama’s head brought by me from the battle; be happy, and let Sita grieve. Today all the rakshasas who lost kin will see Rama’s death; I will dry their tears. You will see Sugriva scattered like a mountain. Why are you anxious, with these rakshasas and me wanting to kill Rama? Let him kill me first before he can reach you. Send me now; you need no one else. Even if Indra, Yama, Fire, Wind, Kubera or Varuna stand against me, I will fight them; Indra himself would fear me roaring with my sharp spear; I could kill even the thunderbolt-wielder with my hands alone. If Raghava can bear the force of my fist, then my arrows will drink his blood. I will kill Raghava, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Hanuman, who burned Lanka, and devour the monkeys; I will bring down the sun and stars, drink the ocean, grind the mountains and split the earth; let all beings see the valour of Kumbhakarna after his long sleep. Enjoy yourself, king, drink wine, put aside your sorrow; when I have sent Rama to Yama’s abode, Sita will be yours for a long time.
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तस्य राक्षसराजस्य निशम्य परिदेवितम् । कुम्भकर्णो बभाषेदं वचनं प्रजहास च ॥ १ ॥
Hearing the lament of that king of the rakshasas, Kumbhakarna spoke these words and laughed:
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Kumbhakarna’s Rebuke and Promise 1 min read.
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दृष्टो दोषो हि योऽस्माभिः पुरा मन्त्रविनिर्णये । हितेष्वनभियुक्तेन सोऽयमासादितस्त्वया ॥ २ ॥
“The fault that we saw long ago in deciding policy has come upon you, since you did not apply yourself to those who wished you well.
शीघ्रं खल्वभ्युपेतं त्वां फलं पापस्य कर्मणः । निरयेष्वेव पतनं यथा दुष्कृतकर्मणः ॥ ३ ॥
“The fruit of your evil deed has come to you quickly, as a fall into hell comes to the doer of wicked deeds.
प्रथमं वै महाराज कृत्यमेतदचिन्तितम् । केवलं वीर्यदर्पेण नानुबन्धो विचारितः ॥ ४ ॥
“At first, great king, this deed was not thought through; only from pride in your valour, the consequences were not considered.
यः पश्चात्पूर्वकार्याणि कुर्यादैश्वर्यमास्थितः । पूर्वं चोत्तरकार्याणि न स वेद नयानयौ ॥ ५ ॥
“He who, established in power, does later what should be done first, and first what should be done later, does not know good policy from bad.
देशकालविहीनानि कर्माणि विपरीतवत् । क्रियमाणानि दुष्यन्ति हवींष्यप्रयतेष्विव ॥ ६ ॥
“Deeds without regard to place and time, done perversely, are spoiled when done, like offerings given to the unworthy.
त्रयाणां पञ्चधा योगं कर्मणां यः प्रपद्यते । सचिवैः समयं कृत्वा स सम्यग् वर्तते पथि ॥ ७ ॥
“He who undertakes the fivefold application of the three kinds of action, having made agreement with his ministers, walks rightly on the path.
यथागमं च यो राजा समयं च चिकीर्षति । बुध्यते सचिवैर्बुद्ध्या सुहृदश्चानुपश्यति ॥ ८ ॥
“The king who wishes to act according to tradition and agreement understands with his ministers by intelligence and looks to his friends.
धर्ममर्थं हि कामं वा सर्वान् वा रक्षसां पते । भजेत पुरुषः काले त्रीणि द्वन्द्वानि वा पुनः ॥ ९ ॥
“A man should follow dharma, profit or pleasure, or all, lord of the rakshasas, in their time, or the three pairs.
त्रिषु चैतेषु यच्छ्रेष्ठं श्रुत्वा तन्नावबुध्यते । राजा वा राजमात्रो वा व्यर्थं तस्य बहुश्रुतम् ॥ १० ॥
“And the king, or one like a king, who has heard which is best among these three and does not understand it, his great learning is vain.
उपप्रदानं सान्त्वं च भेदं काले च विक्रमम् । योगं च रक्षसां श्रेष्ठ तावुभौ च नयानयौ ॥ ११ ॥
“Gifts, conciliation, division, and valour in their time, and application, best of rakshasas, and both good and bad policy:
काले धर्मार्थकामान् यः सम्मन्त्र्य सचिवैः सह । निषेवेतात्मवाँल्लोके न स व्यसनमाप्नुयात् ॥ १२ ॥
“the self-possessed man who, consulting with his ministers, practises dharma, profit and pleasure in their time, does not meet disaster in the world.
हितानुबन्धमालोक्य कुर्यात् कार्यमिहात्मनः । राजा सहार्थतत्त्वज्ञैः सचिवैर्बुद्धिजीविभिः ॥ १३ ॥
“Having looked at the beneficial consequence, a king should do his work here with ministers who know the truth of affairs and live by intelligence.
अनभिज्ञाय शास्त्रार्थान् पुरुषाः पशुबुद्धयः । प्रागल्भ्याद् वक्तुमिच्छन्ति मन्त्रिष्वभ्यन्तरीकृताः ॥ १४ ॥
“Men with the minds of beasts, not knowing the meaning of the treatises, admitted among the ministers, wish to speak out of boldness.
अशास्त्रविदुषां तेषां कार्यं नाभिहितं वचः । अर्थशास्त्रानभिज्ञानां विपुलां श्रियमिच्छताम् ॥ १५ ॥
“The words of those who do not know the treatises, ignorant of the science of statecraft, wanting great fortune, should not be acted on.
अहितं च हिताकारं धार्ष्ट्याज्जल्पन्ति ये नराः । अवश्यं मन्त्रबाह्यास्ते कर्तव्याः कृत्यदूषकाः ॥ १६ ॥
“Men who boldly chatter what is harmful in the guise of good: those spoilers of affairs must certainly be kept out of counsel.
विनाशयन्तो भर्तारं सहिताः शत्रुभिर्बुधैः । विपरीतानि कृत्यानि कारयन्तीह मन्त्रिणः ॥ १७ ॥
“Destroying their master, in league with wise enemies, ministers here make him do perverse deeds.
तान् भर्ता मित्रसंकाशानमित्रान् मन्त्रनिर्णये । व्यवहारेण जानीयात् सचिवानुपसंहितान् ॥ १८ ॥
“Those enemies who look like friends, ministers in league with them, the master should recognise by their conduct in deciding policy.
चपलस्येह कृत्यानि सहसानुप्रधावतः । छिद्रमन्ये प्रपद्यन्ते क्रौञ्चस्य खमिव द्विजाः ॥ १९ ॥
“The enemies find the weak spot in the undertakings of the rash man, who rushes suddenly, as birds find the gap in Krauncha.
यो हि शत्रुमवज्ञाय आत्मानं नाभिरक्षति । अवाप्नोति हि सोऽनर्थान् स्थानाच्च व्यवरोप्यते ॥ २० ॥
“He who despises his enemy and does not guard himself meets disasters and is thrown down from his place.
यदुक्तमिह ते पूर्वं प्रियया मेऽनुजेन च । तदेव नो हितं वाक्यं यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ २१ ॥
“What was said to you before by my beloved and by our younger brother, that alone is good advice for us; do as you wish.”
तत् तु श्रुत्वा दशग्रीवः कुम्भकर्णस्य भाषितम् । भ्रुकुटिं चैव संचक्रे क्रुद्धश्चैनमभाषत ॥ २२ ॥
Hearing what Kumbhakarna said, Ten-necked frowned and, angry, said to him:
मान्यो गुरुरिवाचार्यः किं मां त्वमनुशाससे । किमेवं वाक्श्रमं कृत्वा यद् युक्तं तद् विधीयताम् ॥ २३ ॥
“Why do you instruct me like an honoured elder or teacher? Why make this effort of speech? Let what is fitting be done.
विभ्रमाच्चित्तमोहाद् वा बलवीर्याश्रयेण वा । नाभिपन्नमिदानीं यद् व्यर्था तस्य पुनः कथा ॥ २४ ॥
“Whatever has not been attained now, from error, confusion of mind, or reliance on strength and valour, there is no use in speaking of it again.
अस्मिन् काले तु यद् युक्तं तदिदानीं विचिन्त्यताम् । गतं तु नानुशोचन्ति गतं तु गतमेव हि ॥ २५ ॥
“Let what is fitting at this time be thought of now; the wise do not grieve over the past; what is gone is gone.
ममापनयजं दोषं विक्रमेण समीकुरु । यदि खल्वस्ति मे स्नेहो विक्रमं वाधिगच्छसि ॥ २६ ॥
“Make level by valour the trouble born of my bad policy, if you have love for me, or if you know your own valour.
यदि कार्यं ममैतत्ते हृदि कार्यतमं मतम् । स सुहृद् यो विपन्नार्थं दीनमभ्युपपद्यते ॥ २७ ॥
“If you count this task of mine as the most important in your heart: he is a friend who comes to the aid of one whose affairs are ruined and who is wretched;
स बन्धुर्योऽपनीतेषु साहाय्यायोपकल्पते । तमथैवं ब्रुवाणं स वचनं धीरदारुणम् ॥ २८ ॥
“he is a kinsman who offers help to those who have gone astray.” To him speaking so, words steady and harsh,
रुष्टोऽयमिति विज्ञाय शनैः श्लक्ष्णमुवाच ह । अतीव हि समालक्ष्य भ्रातरं क्षुभितेन्द्रियम् ॥ २९ ॥
knowing “He is angry,” he spoke slowly and gently. Seeing his brother very much shaken in his senses,
कुम्भकर्णः शनैर्वाक्यं बभाषे परिसान्त्वयन् । शृणु राजन्नवहितो मम वाक्यमरिंदम ॥ ३० ॥
Kumbhakarna spoke slowly, soothing him: “Hear my words attentively, king, tamer of enemies.
अलं राक्षसराजेन्द्र संतापमुपपद्य ते । रोषं च सम्परित्यज्य स्वस्थो भवितुमर्हसि ॥ ३१ ॥
“Enough, king of the rakshasa kings, of giving yourself to anguish; give up your anger and be at ease.
नैतन्मनसि कर्तव्यं मयि जीवति पार्थिव । तमहं नाशयिष्यामि यत् कृते परितप्यते ॥ ३२ ॥
“This must not be taken to heart while I live, king; I will destroy that for which you are anguished.
अवश्यं तु हितं वाच्यं सर्वावस्थं मया तव । बन्धुभावादभिहितं भ्रातृस्नेहाच्च पार्थिव ॥ ३३ ॥
“But I had to speak what is good for you in every circumstance; it was said out of kinship and brotherly love, king.
सदृशं यच्च कालेऽस्मिन् कर्तुं स्नेहेन बन्धुना । शत्रूणां कदनं पश्य क्रियमाणं मया रणे ॥ ३४ ॥
“See what a loving kinsman should do at this time: see the slaughter of the enemies done by me in battle.
अद्य पश्य महाबाहो मया समरमूर्धनि । हते रामे सह भ्रात्रा द्रवन्तीं हरिवाहिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥
“Today, mighty-armed one, see at the head of the battle, when Rama with his brother has been killed by me, the monkey army running away.
अद्य रामस्य तद् दृष्ट्वा मयाऽऽनीतं रणाच्छिरः । सुखी भव महाबाहो सीता भवतु दुःखिता ॥ ३६ ॥
“Today, having seen Rama’s head brought by me from the battle, be happy, mighty-armed one, and let Sita be unhappy.
अद्य रामस्य पश्यन्तु निधनं सुमहत् प्रियम् । लङ्कायां राक्षसाः सर्वे ये ते निहतबान्धवाः ॥ ३७ ॥
“Today let all the rakshasas in Lanka whose kin have been killed see Rama’s death, so very welcome.
अद्य शोकपरीतानां स्वबन्धुवधशोचिनाम् । शत्रोर्युधि विनाशेन करोम्यश्रुप्रमार्जनम् ॥ ३८ ॥
“Today, by the destruction of the enemy in battle, I will wipe away the tears of those overcome with grief, mourning the killing of their kin.
अद्य पर्वतसंकाशं ससूर्यमिव तोयदम् । विकीर्णं पश्य समरे सुग्रीवं प्लवगेश्वरम् ॥ ३९ ॥
“Today see Sugriva, lord of the leapers, like a mountain, like a cloud with the sun, scattered in battle.
कथं च राक्षसैरेभिर्मया च परिसान्त्वितः । जिघांसुभिर्दाशरथिं व्यथसे त्वं सदानघ ॥ ४० ॥
“And how, sinless one, being comforted by me and these rakshasas who want to kill Dasharatha’s son, are you always distressed?
मां निहत्य किल त्वां हि निहनिष्यति राघवः । नाहमात्मनि संतापं गच्छेयं राक्षसाधिप ॥ ४१ ॥
“Raghava will kill you only after killing me; I would not feel anguish for myself, lord of the rakshasas.
कामं त्विदानीमपि मां व्यादिश त्वं परंतप । न परः प्रेक्षणीयस्ते युद्धायातुलविक्रम ॥ ४२ ॥
“Now command me as you wish, scorcher of foes; you need not look to another for battle, you of matchless valour.
अहमुत्सादयिष्यामि शत्रूंस्तव महाबलान् । यदि शक्रो यदि यमो यदि पावकमारुतौ ॥ ४३ ॥
“I will root out your mighty enemies, even if Shakra, even if Yama, even if Fire and Wind,
तानहं योधयिष्यामि कुबेरवरुणावपि । गिरिमात्रशरीरस्य शितशूलधरस्य मे ॥ ४४ ॥
“Kubera and Varuna too: I will fight them. Of me, with a body the size of a mountain, holding a sharp spear,
नर्दतस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रस्य बिभीयाद् वै पुरंदरः । अथ वा त्यक्तशस्त्रस्य मृद्नतस्तरसा रिपून् ॥ ४५ ॥
“roaring, with sharp teeth, Purandara would be afraid. Or, having thrown away my weapons, crushing enemies with force,
न मे प्रतिमुखः कश्चित् स्थातुं शक्तो जिजीविषुः । नैव शक्त्या न गदया नासिना निशितैः शरैः ॥ ४६ ॥
“no one wishing to live can stand before me. Not with spear, nor with mace, nor with sword or sharp arrows,
हस्ताभ्यामेव संरभ्य हनिष्यामि सवज्रिणम् । यदि मे मुष्टिवेगं स राघवोऽद्य सहिष्यति ॥ ४७ ॥
“with my hands alone, in fury, I will kill even the wielder of the thunderbolt. If that Raghava today can bear the force of my fist,
ततः पास्यन्ति बाणौघा रुधिरं राघवस्य मे । चिन्तया तप्यसे राजन् किमर्थं मयि तिष्ठति ॥ ४८ ॥
“then floods of my arrows will drink Raghava’s blood. Why are you tormented with anxiety, king, while I stand here?
सोऽहं शत्रुविनाशाय तव निर्यातुमुद्यतः । मुञ्च रामाद् भयं घोरं निहनिष्यामि संयुगे ॥ ४९ ॥
“Here I am, ready to go out for the destruction of your enemies. Let go of your terrible fear of Rama; I will kill in battle
राघवं लक्ष्मणं चैव सुग्रीवं च महाबलम् । हनूमन्तं च रक्षोघ्नं येन लङ्का प्रदीपिता ॥ ५० ॥
“Raghava and Lakshmana, and mighty Sugriva, and Hanuman, killer of rakshasas, by whom Lanka was set on fire.
हरींश्च भक्षयिष्यामि संयुगे समुपस्थिते । असाधारणमिच्छामि तव दातुं महद् यशः ॥ ५१ ॥
“And I will eat the monkeys when the battle has come. I wish to give you great, unequalled glory.
यदि चेन्द्राद् भयं राजन् यदि चापि स्वयंभुवः । ततोऽहं नाशयिष्यामि नैशं तम इवांशुमान् ॥ ५२ ॥
“If there is fear from Indra, king, or even from the Self-born, then I will destroy it as the sun destroys the darkness of night.
अपि देवाः शयिष्यन्ते मयि क्रुद्धे महीतले । यमं च शमयिष्यामि भक्षयिष्यामि पावकम् ॥ ५३ ॥
“Even the gods will lie on the ground when I am angry; I will quiet Yama and devour Fire.
आदित्यं पातयिष्यामि सनक्षत्रं महीतले । शतक्रतुं वधिष्यामि पास्यामि वरुणालयम् ॥ ५४ ॥
“I will bring the sun down to the ground with the stars; I will kill Shatakratu and drink Varuna’s home.
पर्वतांश्चूर्णयिष्यामि दारयिष्यामि मेदिनीम् । दीर्घकालं प्रसुप्तस्य कुम्भकर्णस्य विक्रमम् ॥ ५५ ॥
“I will grind the mountains to powder and split the earth: let all beings today see the valour of Kumbhakarna, who slept so long,
अद्य पश्यन्तु भूतानि भक्ष्यमाणानि सर्वशः । न त्विदं त्रिदिवं सर्वमाहारो मम पूर्यते ॥ ५६ ॥
“being devoured on every side. Not even all this heaven would fill my belly.
वधेन ते दाशरथेः सुखावहं सुखं समाहर्तुमहं व्रजामि । निहत्य रामं सह लक्ष्मणेन खादामि सर्वान् हरियूथमुख्यान् ॥ ५७ ॥
“I am going to bring you happiness, which brings joy, by killing Dasharatha’s son. Having killed Rama with Lakshmana, I will eat all the chief leaders of the monkey troops.
रमस्व राजन् पिब चाद्य वारुणीं कुरुष्व कृत्यानि विनीय दुःखम् । मयाद्य रामे गमिते यमक्षयं चिराय सीता वशगा भविष्यति ॥ ५८ ॥
“Enjoy yourself, king, and drink wine today; do your business, putting away your sorrow. When Rama has been sent by me to Yama’s abode today, Sita will be in your power for a long time.”