Sloka & Translation

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

ityuktvāparuṣaṅvākyaṅrāvaṇaṅrāvaṇānujaḥ .

ājagāmamuhūrtēnayatrarāmassalakṣmaṇaḥ ।।6.17.1।।

rāvaṇānujaḥ Ravana's brother, Vibheeshana, rāvaṇam to Ravana, iti: thus, paruṣam in harsh, vākyam language, uktvā: said, salakṣmaṇaḥ with Lakshmana, rāmaḥ Rama, yatra: there, muhūrtēna: in a short while, ājagāma: reached.

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

taṅmēruśikharākāraṅdīptāmivaśatahradām .

gaganasthaṅmahīsthāstēdadṛśusarvavānarāḥ ।।6.17.2।।

mahīsthāḥ on the ground, sarvavānarāḥ all Vanaras, mēruśikharākāram like the Mount Meru in form, dīptām shining, śatahradām iva: like a brilliant lightning, gaganastham in the sky, tam him, dadṛśuḥ saw.

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

yēcāpyanucarāstasya catvārō bhīmavikramā: .

tēspi sarvāyudhōpētā bhūṣaṇaiścāpi bhūṣitā ।।6.17.3।।

yēca: these, anucarā: companions, tasya: his, catvāra: four, bhīmavikramā: or terrible prowess, tē s pi: they also, sarvāyudhōpētā: with all weapons, bhūṣaṇaiścāpi: with ornaments, bhūṣitā: adorned.

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

sa ca mēghācalaprakhyō vajrāyudhasamaprabhaḥ .

varāyudhadharō vīrō divyābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ ।।6.17.4।।

sa ca And that Vibheeshana, mēghācalaprakhyō resembling a mass of cloud, vajrāyudhasamaprabhaḥ the equal of the God who wields the thunderbolt, vīrō valiant man, varāyudhadharō wearing excellent weapons, divyābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ and adorned with wonderful jewels.

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

tamātmapañcamaṅdṛṣṭavāsugrīvōvāhinīpati: .

vānaraissahadurdharṣacintayāmāsabuddhimān ।।6.17.5।।

durdharṣaḥ formidable one, buddhimān wise one, vāhinīpati: Lord of the Vanara army, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, ātmapañcamam the fifth one besides four others, tam him, dṛṣṭavā: on seeing, vānaraiḥsaha: along with Vanaras cintayāmāsa: 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.

cintayitvāmuhūrtaṅtuvānarāṅstānuvācaha .

hanumatpramukhānsarvānidaṅvacanamuttamam ।।6.17.6।।

muhūrtam for a while, cintayitvā: reflecting, hanumat pramukhān leader Hanuman, tān those, sarvān all, vānarān Vanaras, uttamam best, idam these, vacanam words, uvācaha: addressed.

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

ēṣasarvāyudhōpētaścaturbhissaharākṣasaiḥ .

rākṣasō.bhyētipaśyadhvamasmānhantuṅnasaṅśayaḥ ।।6.17.7।।

sarvāyudhōpētaḥ armed with all kinds of weapons, ēṣaḥrākṣasaḥ this Rakshasa, caturbhirākṣasaiḥsaha: along with four Rakshasas, abhyēti: coming near, paśyadhvam you may see, asmān us, hantum to attack, saṅśayaḥ doubt, naḥ 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.

sugrīvasyavacaśrutvāsarvētēvānarōttamāḥ .

sālānudyamyaśailāṅścaidaṅvacanamabruvan ।।6.17.8।।

sarvē: all, tēvānarōttamāḥ those Vanara leaders, sugrīvasya: Sugriva's, vacaḥ words, śrutvā: having heard, sālān Sala trees, śailāṅśca: boulders, udyamya: taking up, idam these, vacanam words, abruvan uttered.

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

śīghraṅvyādiśanōrājanvadhāyaiṣāṅdurātmanām .

nipatantuhatāścaitēdharaṇyāmalpatējasaḥ ।।6.17.9।।

rājan O king! durātmanām evil minded, ēṣām these, vadhāya: to kill, śīghram quickly, vyādiśa: order, alpatējasā: being short of life, hatā: killed, dharaṇyāma ; on the ground, nipatantu: 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."

tēṣāsambhāṣamāṇānāmanyōnyaṅsavibhīṣaṇaḥ .

uttaraṅtīramāsādyakhasthaēvavyatiṣṭhata ।।6.17.10।।

vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, uttaram northern, tīram shore, āsādya: having reached tēṣām there, anyōnyam one to the other, sambhāṣamāṇānām started conversing, khasthaḥēva: in the sky, vyatiṣṭhata: stayed.

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

uvācamahāprājñassvarēṇamahatāmahān .

sugrīvaṅtāṅścasamprēkṣyasarvānvānarayūthapān ।।6.17.11।।

mahāprājñaḥ very wise, mahān great, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, sugrīvam at Sugriva, tāṅśca: and those (Vanaras ), samprēkṣya: gazing, sarvān all, mahatā: loud, svarēṇa: tone, uvāca: addressed.

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

rāvaṇōnāmadurvṛttōrākṣasōrākṣasēśvaraḥ .

tasyāhamanujōbhrātāvibhīṣaṇaitiśrutaḥ ।।6.17.12।।

rāvaṇōnāma: Ravana by name, durvṛttaḥ of evil conduct, rākṣasēśvaraḥ king of Rakshasas, rākṣasaḥ Rakshasa, aham I, tasya: his, anujaḥbhrātā: younger brother, vibhīṣaṇaiti: as Vibheeshana, śrutaḥ called.

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

tēnasītājanasthānāddhṛtāhatvājaṭāyuṣam .

ruddācavivaśādīnārākṣasībhissurakṣitā ।।6.17.13।।

tēna: by him, jaṭāyuṣam Jatayu, hatvā: killing, sītā: Sita, janasthānāt from Janasthana, hṛtā: having been carried away, ruddā: detained, vivaśā: poor, dīnā: pitiable, rākṣasībhiḥ by Rakshasas, surakṣitā: protected.

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

tamahaṅhētubhirvākyairvividhaiścanyadarśayam .

sādhuniryātyatāṅsītārāmāyētipunaḥpunaḥ ।।6.17.14।।

sītā: Sita, sādhu: correct, rāmāya: to Rama, niryātyatām iti: to restore, punaḥpunaḥ again and again, tam him, aham I, hētubhiḥ argued also, vividhaiḥ in several ways, vākyaiḥ words, nyadarśayam to explain.

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

sacanapratijagrāharāvaṇaḥkālacōditaḥ .

ucyamānaṅhitaṅvākyaṅviparītaivauṣadham ।।6.17.15।।

saḥrāvaṇaḥ that Ravana, kālacōditaḥ impelled by death, ucyamānam advice tendered, hitam good, vākyam words, viparītaḥ contrary to, auṣadham iva: like the medicine, napratijagrāha: 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."

sō.haṅparuṣitastēnadāsavaccāvamānitaḥ .

tyaktvāputrāṅścadārāṅścarāghavaṅśaraṇaṅgataḥ ।।6.17.16।।

tēna: by him, paruṣitaḥ spoken to harshly, dāsavat treated like a slave, avamānitaḥ having been put to shame, saḥaham that I, putrāṅścadārāṅśca: sons and wife, tvaktvā: giving up, rāghavam of Raghava, śaraṇaṅgataḥ 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."

sarvalōkaśaraṇyāyarāghavāyamahātmanē .

nivēdayatamāṅkṣipraṅvibhīṣaṇamupasthitam ।।6.17.17।।

mahātmanē: O great soul, sarvalōkaśaraṇyāya: one who is a protector of the whole world, rāghavāya: Raghava's, vibhīṣaṇaṅ: Vibheeshana, mām I, upasthitam waiting here, kṣipram at once, nivēdayata: you may inform.

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

ētattuvacanaṅśrutvāsugrīvōlaghuvikramaḥ .

lakṣmaṇasyāgratōrāmaṅsamrabdhamidamabravīt ।।6.17.18।।

laghuvikramaḥ highly valiant, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, ētat all this, vacanam words, śrutvā: having heard, lakṣmaṇasya: Lakshmana's, agrataḥ presence, rāmam Rama's, samrabdhataram eagerly, idam these words, abravīt spoken.

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

rāvaṇasyānujōbhrātāvibhīṣaṇaitiśrutaḥ .

caturbhissaharakṣōbhirbhavantaṅśaraṇaṅgataḥ ।।6.17.19।।

vibhīṣaṇaḥiti: thus Vibheeshana, śrutaḥ heard, rāvaṇasya: Ravana's, anujaḥbhrātaḥ younger brother, caturbhiḥ all the four, rakṣōbhiḥsaha: along with Rakshasas, bhavantam: to you śaraṇam protection, gataḥ sought.

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

mantrēvyūhēnayēcārēyuktōbhavitumarhasi .

vānarāṇāṅcabhadraṅtēparēṣāṅcaparantapa ।।6.17.20।।

parantapa: scorcher of foes, vānarāṇāṅca: for Vanaras also, parēṣāṅca: alert, maṅtrē: in deliberations, vyūhē: in plan, nayē: a method, cārē: of spies, yuktaḥ joined together, bhavitum What is to be done in future, arhasi: let it be tē: to you, bhadram 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."

antardhānagatāhyētērākṣasāḥkāmarūpiṇaḥ .

śūrāścanikṛtijñāścatēṣāṅjātunaviśvasēt ।।6.17.21।।

ētērākṣasā: these Rakshasas, kāmarūpiṇaḥ who can change their form at their will, antardhānagatāḥ who can move about without bein g seen, śūrāḥ heroic, nikṛtijñāśca: who are crafty, tēṣām them, jātu: know, naviśvasēt 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."

praṇidhīrākṣasēndrasyarāvaṇasyabhavēdayam .

anupraviśyasō.smāsubhēdaṅkuryānnasaṅśayaḥ ।।6.17.22।।

ayam this one, rākṣasēndrasya: Rakshasa king's, rāvaṇasya: Ravana's, praṇidhiḥ spy, bhavēt may be, saḥ he, anupraviśaya: having found a way to enter, asmāsu: to our place, bhēdam difference, kūryāt to create, saṅśayaḥ doubt, na: no.

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

athavāsvayamēvaiṣachidramāsādyabuddhimān .

anupraviśyaviśvastēkadācitpraharēdapi ।।6.17.23।।

athavā: or else, buddhimān a wise one, ēṣaḥ in this manner, svayamēva: on his own, chidram weak points, āsādya: having reached, anupraviśya: having found way, viśvastē: if trusted, praharēdapi: strike, kadācit 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."

mitrāṭavībalaṅcaivamaulabhṛtyabalaṅtathā .

sarvamētadbalaṅgrāhyaṅvarjayitvādviṣadbalam ।।6.17.24।।

mitrāṭavībalaṅcaiva: army of friends or army from a jungle, tathā: so also, maulabhṛtyabalam army brought up by the king for generations, ētat that way, sarvam all, balam kinds of army, dviṣadbalam army that is obtained by payment, varjayitvā: apart from (enemies), grāhyam 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.

prakṛtyārākṣasēndrasyabhrātā.mitrasyatēprabhō: .

āgataścaripōssākṣātkathamasminhiviśvasēt ।।6.17.25।।

prabhō: O king! ēṣaḥ these, prakṛtyā by nature, rākṣasōhi: Rakshasas also, amitrasya: enemy's, bhrātā: brother, sākṣāt evidently, ripōḥ enemies, āgataḥ arrived, āsmin himself, katham how, viśvasēt 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?"

rāvaṇēnapraṇihitaṅtamavēhivibhīṣaṇam .

tasyāhaṅnigrahaṅmanyēkṣamaṅkṣamavatāṅvara ।।6.17.26।।

kṣamavatām one who is forbearing, vara: choicest one, tam him, vibhīṣaṇam Vibheeshana, rāvaṇēna: by Ravana, praṇitam sent by, avēhi: to consider, tasya: his, nigraham arrest kṣamam fit, aham I, manyē: think.

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

rākṣasōjihmayābuddhyāsaṅdiṣṭō.yamupāgataḥ .

prahartuṅmāyayācchannōviśvastētvayirāghava ।।6.17.27।।

rāghava: Raghava, ayam: this, rākṣasaḥ Rakshasa, jihmayā: with a crooked, budadyā: you may know, saṅdiṣṭa: being send, māyayā: by deceit, channaḥ under the cover, viśvastē: creating confidence, tvayi: to you, prahartum to strike you, iha: here, āgataḥ 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."

praviṣṭaśśatrusainyaṅhiprāptaśśatruratarkitaḥ .

nihanyādantaraṅlabdhvāulūkavāyasāniva ।।6.17.28।।

praviṣṭahi: just as one who entered, atarkitaḥ not to suspect, prāptaḥ one who appeared, śatrusainyam enemy's army, śatruḥ enemy, antaram inside the hole, labdhvā: having got access, ulūkaḥ an owl, vāyasāniva: like crows, nihanyāt 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."

vadhyatāmēṣatīvrēṇadaṇḍēnasacivaissaha .

rāvaṇasyanṛśaṅsasyabhrātāhyēṣavibhīṣaṇaḥ ।।6.17.29।।

ēṣaḥ that way, sacivaiḥ with ministers, tīvrēṇa: severe, daṇḍēna: by punishment, vadhyatām will kill, ēṣaḥvibhīṣaṇaḥ this Vibheeshana, nṛśaṅsasya: cruel, rāvaṇasyabhrātāhi: 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)."

ēvamuktvātutaṅrāmaṅsamrabdhōvāhinīpatiḥ .

vākyajñōvākyakuśalaṅtatōmaunamupāgamat ।।6.17.30।।

vāhinīpatiḥ the chief of the army, vākyajñaḥ one who knows to speak, samrabdha: well, vākyakuśalam one who was adept in expression, taṅrāmam him, to Rama, ēvam in that manner, uktvā: after having spoken, tataḥ then, maunam silent, upāgamat 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.

sugrīvasyatutadvākyaṅśrutvārāmōmahāyaśāḥ .

samīpasthānuvācēdaṅhanumatpramukhānharīn ।।6.17.31।।

mahāyaśāḥ of great fame, rāmaḥ Rama, sugrīvasya: Sugriva's, tat those words, śrutvā: having heard, samīpasthān stood close by, hanumatpramukhān including the great Hanuman, harīn to Vanaras, idam thus, uvāca: addressed.

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

yaduktaṅkapirājēnarāvaṇāvarajaṅprati .

vākyaṅhētumadatyarthaṅcabhavadbhirapitacchrutam ।।6.17.32।।

rāvaṇāvarajaṅprati: about Ravana's brother, kapirājēna: by the king of Vanaras, atyartham highly reasonable, hētumat words of reason, yat those, vākyam words, uktam having spoken, bhavadbhirapi: even by you, śrutam has been heard.

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

suhṛdāmarthakṛcchēṣuyuktaṅbuddhimatāsadā .

samarthēnōpanirdēṣṭuṅśāśvatīṅbhūtimicchatā ।।6.17.33।।

śāśvatīm everlasting, bhūtim welfare, icchatā: desirable, samarthēna: capable, buddhimatā: wise one, sadā: ever, suhṛdām to near and dear ones, arthakṛcchrēṣu: in difficult situation on complex matter, nirdēṣṭum: to express, yuktam 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."

ityēvaṅparipṛṣṭāstēsvaṅsvaṅmatamatandritāḥ .

sōpacāraṅtadārāmamūcurhitacikīrṣavaḥ ।।6.17.34।।

tadā: then, ityēvam in this manner, paripṛṣṭāḥ having told, tē: you, atandritāḥ vigilant, hitacikīrṣavaḥ beneficial advice, sōpacāram respectfully an end, svaṅsvam one's own, matam opinion, rām Rama, ūcuḥ spoke.

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

ajñātaṅnāstitēkiṅcittriṣulōkēṣurāghava: .

ātmānaṅsūcayanrāma: pṛcchasyasmān suhṛttayā ।।6.17.35।।

rāghava: Raghava, triṣu: in the three, lōkēṣu: worlds, tē: to you, ajñātam that which, kiṅcit nothing, nāsti: is not there, ātmānam you yourself, sūcayan to give our opinion, pṛcchasi: ask, asmāna: to us, suhrattayā: 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."

tvaṅhisatyavrataśśūrōdhārmikōdṛḍhavikramaḥ .

parīkṣyakārīsmṛtimānnisṛṣṭātmāsuhṛtsuca ।।6.17.36।।

tvam you, satyavrataḥ one who follows vows truthfully, śūraḥ heroic, dhārmikaḥ one who is righteous, dṛḍhavikramaḥ firm in resolve, parīkṣyakārī: one who is capable of good judgment, smṛtimān one who has good memory of laws of the past, suhṛtsu: to your friends, nisṛṣṭātmāca: 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."

tasmādēkaikaśastāvadbruvantusacivāstava .

hētutōmatisampannāssamarthāścapuna: punaḥ ।।6.17.37।।

tasmāt for that reason, matisampannāḥ richly endowed with intelligence, samarthāśca: capable also, punaḥpunaḥ again and again, tavasacivāḥ your ministers, ēkaikaśaḥ one after another, hētutaḥ with reason, bruvantu: speak out, tāvat 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."

ityuktērāghavāyā.thamatimānaṅgadō.grataḥ .

vibhīṣaṇaparīkṣārthamuvācavacanaṅhariḥ ।।6.17.38।।

iti: so, uktē: having said, atha: then, hariḥ Vanara, matimān intelligent, aṅgadaḥ Angada, rāghavāya: to Rama, agrataḥ immediately, vibhīṣaṇaparīkṣārtham for the sake of judging Vibheeshana, vacanam these words, uvāca: spoken.

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

śatrōssakāśātsamprāptassarvathāśaṅ kyaēvahi .

viśvāsayōgyassahasānakartavyōvibhīṣaṇaḥ ।।6.17.39।।

śatrōḥ enemy, sakāśāt from the camp, samprāptaḥ having come, vibhīṣaṇa: Vibheeshana, sarvathā: in every way, śaṅ kyā: doubtful, ēvahi: surely, sahasā: suddenly, viśvāsayōgyaḥ worthy to be trusted, nakartavyaḥ 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."

chādayitvā.tmabhāvaṅhicarantiśaṭhabuddhayaḥ .

praharanticarandhrēṣusō.narthassumahānbhavēt ।।6.17.40।।

śaṭhabuddhayaḥ one with perfidious mind, ātmabhāvam one's own feeling, chādayitvā: concealing, carantihi: keep moving about, randhrēṣu: a weak point, praharantica and attack, saḥ he, mahān great, anarthaḥ inestimable mistake, bhavēt 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."

arthānarthauviniścityavyavasāyaṅbhajētaha .

guṇatassaṅgrahaṅkuryāddōṣatastuvisarjayēt ।।6.17.41।।

arthānarthau: advantages and disadvantages, viniścitya: ascertaining, vyavasāyam course of action, bhajēta: follows, guṇataḥ by virtue, saṅgraham take hold of, kuryāt act, dōṣatastu: if faulty, visarjayēt 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.

yadidōṣōmahāṅstasmiṅstyajvatāmaviśaṅkitam .

guṇānvāpibahūn jñātvāsaṅgrahaḥkriyatāṅnṛpa ।।6.17.42।।

nṛpa: king, tasmin in him, mahān great, dōṣaḥyadi: if one has bad qualities, aviśaṅkitam no doubt, tyajyatām to be rejected, bahūn many, guṇān virtues, jñātvāvāpi: knowing them also, saṅgrahaḥ let us take, kriyatām 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."

śarabhastvathaniścityasārthaṅvacanamabravīt .

kṣipramasminnaravyāghra ! cāraḥpratividhīyatām ।।6.17.43।।

naravyāghra: tiger among men, atha: and now, śarabhastu: Sarabha too, niścitya: decided, sārtham meaningful, vacanam abravīt tendered words, asmin in this, kṣipram at once, cāraḥ spy, pratividhīyatām 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."

praṇidhāyahicārēṇayathāvatsūkṣmabuddhinā .

parīkṣyacatataḥkāryōyathānyāyaṅparigrahaḥ ।।6.17.44।।

praṇidhāya: employing spies, sūkṣmabuddhinā: who has subtle intellect, cārēṇa: by a spy, yathāvat in the same way, parīkṣyaca after examining, tataḥ thereafter, yathānyāyam in appropriate manner, parigrahaḥ accept, kāryaḥ action.

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

jāmbavāṅstvathasamprēkṣyaśāstrabudhyāvicakṣaṇaḥ .

vākyaṅvijñāpayāmāsaguṇavaddōṣavarjitam ।।6.17.45।।

atha: and then, vicakṣaṇaḥ one who has sense of discrimination, jāmbavāṅstu: even Jambavan also, śāstrabudhyā: enlightened one, samprēkṣya: considering, guṇavat full of virtues, dōṣavarjitam free from flaws, vākyam statement, vijñāpayāmāsa: 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.

baddhavairāccapāpāccarākṣēsēndrādvibhīṣaṇaḥ .

adēśakālēsamprāptassarvathāśaṅ kyatāmayam ।।6.17.46।।

vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, baddhavairācca: one who has conceived bitter hatred, pāpāt sinful one, rākṣasēndrāt towards Rakshasa king, adēśakālē: without regard for time
and place, samprāptaḥ having come, āyam this, sarvathā: always, śaṅ kyatām 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."

tatōmaindastusamprēkṣyanayāpanayakōvidaḥ .

vākyaṅvacanasampannōbabhāṣēhētumattaram ।।6.17.47।।

tataḥ then, nayāpanayakōvidaḥ prudent in making policy, vacanasampannaḥ rich in expression, maindastu: Mainda, samprēkṣya: considering, hētumattaram fully logical, vākyam statement babhāṣē: expressed.

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

vajanaṅnāmatasyaiṣarāvaṇasyavibhīṣaṇaḥ .

pṛcchayatāṅmadhurēṇāyaṅśanairnarapatīśvara ।।6.17.48।।

narapatīśvara: O king of the mortals, ēṣaḥ this is, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, tasya: his, rāvaṇasya: Ravana's, vacanaṅ: words nāma: indeed, āyam for long, madhurēṇa: gently, śanaiḥ slowly, pṛcchayatām be interrogated.

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

bhāvamasyatuvijñāyatattvatastvaṅkariṣyasi .

yadiduṣṭōnaduṣṭōvābuddhipūrvaṅnararṣabha ।।6.17.49।।

nararṣabha: O best of kings, asya: his, bhāvam intention, tattvataḥ truly, vijñāya: after ascertaining, duṣṭōyadi: if he is wicked, naduṣṭōvā: or not wicked also, buddhipūrvam wisely, tvam you, kariṣyasi: act accordingly.

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

athasaṅskārasampannōhanumān sacivōttamaḥ .

uvācavacanaṅślakṣṇamarthavanmadhuraṅlaghu ।।6.17.50।।

atha: on the other hand, saṅskārasampannaḥ endowed with rich culture, sacivōttamaḥ best of the ministers, hanumān Hanuman, ślakṣṇam soft, arthavat full of meaning, madhuram sweet, laghu: brief, vacanam words, uvāca: spoke.

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

nabhavantaṅmatiśrēṣṭhaṅsamarthaṅvadatāṅvaram .

atiśāyayituṅśaktōbṛhaspatirapibruvan ।।6.17.51।।

bṛhaspatirapi: even Brihaspati, bṛvan proclaim, matiśrēṣṭham highly intelligent, samartham exceptionally capable, vadatām in eloquence, varam foremost, bhavantam you, atiśāyayitum excellent, naśaktaḥ 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."

navādānnapisaṅgharṣānnādhikyānnacakāmataḥ .

vakṣyāmivacanaṅrājanyathārthaṅrāmagauravāt ।।6.17.52।।

rājan O king!, rāma: Rama, vādāt for the sake of argument, vacanam words, na: not, saṅgharṣādapi: for the sake of creating friction, na: nor, ādhikyāt with sense of superiority, na: nor, kāmataḥca: or even desire, na: nor, gauravāt out of respect, yathārtham truth, vakṣyāmi: 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."

arthānarthanimittaṅhiyaduktaṅsacivaistava .

tatradōṣaṅprapaśyāmikriyānahyupapadyatē ।।6.17.53।।

tava: your, sacivaiḥ counsellors, arthānarthanimittam after judging good or bad qualities, yat by what, uktam has been said, tatra: there, dōṣam fault, prapaśyāmi: I see, kriyā: action, naupapadyatēhi: 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."

ṛtēniyōgātsāmarthyamavabōddhuṅnaśakyatē .

sahasāviniyōgōhidōṣavānpratibhātimē ।।6.17.54।।

niyōgāt ṛtē: only when entrusted with duty, sāmarthyam capability, avabōddhum will be known, naśakyatē: not possible, sahasā: inconsiderately, viniyōgaḥ appointment to a duty, dōṣavān will be faulty, mē: to me, pratibhāti: 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."

cārapraṇihitaṅyuktaṅyaduktaṅsacivaistava .

arthasyāsambhavāttatrakāraṇaṅnōpayujyatē ।।6.17.55।।

tava: your, sacivaiḥ counsellors, yat that way, cārapraṇihitam ascertain from the spies whether he is good or not, yuktam proper, uktam has said, tatra: then, arthasya: has no meaning, asambhavāt not possible to do, kāraṇam reason, nōpayujyatē: 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."

adēśakālēsamprāptaityayaṅyadvibhīṣaṇaḥ .

vivakṣātatramē.stīyaṅtāṅnibōdhayathāmati ।।6.17.56।।

ayaṅvibhīṣaṇaḥ this Vibheeshana, ādēśakālē: without regard for place and time, samprāptaḥitiyat has come here, tatra: hence, mē: my, yathāmati: according to me, iyaṅvivakṣā: desire to speak this, asti: will be, tām to it, nibōdha: be considered.

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

saēṣadēśa: kālaścabhavatītiyathātathā .

puruṣātpuruṣaṅprāpyatathādōṣaguṇāvapi ।।6.17.57।।

ēṣaḥ this, iha: here, dēśa: place, kālaśca: and time, tathā: similarly, puruṣāt you, puruṣam superior, prāpya: came here, tathā: so also, guṇadōṣāvapi: even if there are de merits (in him) and merits (in you), yathā: as, tathā: it is, iha: here, bhavati: 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."

tmyaṅrāvaṇēdṛṣṭavāvikramaṅcatathātvayi .

yuktamāgamanaṅhyatrasadṛśaṅtasyabuddhitaḥ ।।6.17.58।।

ravaṇē: in Ravana, daurātmyam wickedness, tathā: likewise, tvayi: in you, vikramaṅca: valiance, dṛṣṭavā: seen, atra: here, āgamanam has come, yuktaṅhi: seems right, tasya: his, buddhitaḥ thinking, sadṛśam 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."

ajñātarūpaiḥpuruṣaissarājanpṛcch yatāmiti .

yaduktamatramēprēkṣākācidastisamīkṣitā ।।6.17.59।।

rājan O king! ajñātarūpaiḥ people of unknown identity, puruṣaiḥ by men, saḥ he (Mainda), pṛcch yatām said to enquire iti: this, yat that way, uktam said, atra: here, samīkṣitā: having reviewed, mē: to me, kācit a little, prēkṣā: view, asti: 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)."

pṛcchayamānōviśaṅkētasahasābuddhimānvacaḥ .

tatramitraṅpraduṣyētamithyāpṛṣṭaṅsukhāgatam ।।6.17.60।।

sahasā: at once, pṛcchayamānaḥ if enquired, buddhimān wise one, vacaḥ words, viśaṅkēta: will become suspicious, tatra: there, sukhāgatam come with relief, mitram friend, mithyāpṛṣṭam praduṣyēta: 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."

aśakyassahasārājanbhāvōbōddhuṅparasyavai .

antassvabhāvairgītaistairnaipuṇyaṅpaśyatāṅbhṛśam ।।6.17.61।।

rājan O king! antassvabhāvai: his intention, rgītai: tone of words stai: his, paśyatām to find out, bhṛśam excessive, naipuṇyaṅ: dexterity, parasya: other's, bhāvaḥ feelings, sahasā: at once, bōddhum to know, aśakyam 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."

natvasyabruvatōjātulakṣyatēduṣṭabhāvatā .

prasannaṅvadanaṅcāpitasmānmēnāstisaṅśayaḥ ।।6.17.62।।

bruvataḥ he is speaking, asya: his, duṣṭabhāvatā: malevolence, jātu: known, nalakṣyatē: does not seem, vadanaṅcāpi: even his countenance, prasannam pleasing, tasmāt therefore, mē: to me, saṅśayaḥ suspicion, nāsti: 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)."

aśaṅkitamatissvasthōnaśaṭhaḥparisarpati .

nacāsyaduṣṭāvākcāpitasmānnāstīhasaṅśayaḥ ।।6.17.63।।

śaṭhaḥ one with deceitful feeling, aśaṅkitamatiḥ without any expression of suspicion, svasthaḥ on his own, naparisarpati: not going about, asya: his, vāk ca: even his talk, duṣṭā: looks, nāsti: not, tasmāt therefore, mē: to me, saṅśayaḥ suspicion, nāsti: 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."

ākāraścādyamānō.pinaśakyōvinigūhitam .

balāddhivivṛṇōtyēvabhāvamantargataṅnṛṇām ।।6.17.64।।

ākāraḥ form, chādyamānō.pi: even if one wishes to hide, ēvagūhitum kept concealed, naśakyaḥ not feasible, antargatam inner feeling, nṛṇām of a man's, bhāvam: feeling, balāt perforce, nippaṇōtyēva: 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."

dēśakālōpapannaṅcakāryaṅkāryavidāṅvara: .

svaphalaṅkurutēkṣipraṅprayōgēṇābhisaṅhitam ।।6.17.65।।

kāryavidām among those who are efficient in action, vara: choicest one, dēśakālōpapannaṅca: according to time and place, kāryam action, kṣipram speedily once, prayōgēṇa: employs, abhisaṅhitam conformable to, svaphalam the result, kurutē: 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."

udyōgaṅtavasamprēkṣyamithyāvṛttaṅcarāvaṇam .

vālinaṅcahataṅśrutvāsugrīvaṅcābhiṣēcitam ।।6.17.66।।

rājyaṅprārthayamānaścabuddhipūrvamihāgataḥ .

ētāvattupuraskṛtyayujyatētasyasaṅgrahaḥ ।।6.17.67।।

tava: your, udyōgam efforts, samprēkṣya: reviewing, rāvaṇam at Ravana, mithyāvṛttam all this news of your trials, vālinam Vali, hatam to kill, sugrīvam with Sugriva, abhiṣēcitam crowned as the king, śrutvā: having heard, rājyam kingdom, prārthayamānastu: in order to request, buddhipūrvam intentionally, iha: here, āgataḥ come, ētāvattu: in this way, puraskṛtya: showing respect, tasya: his, saṅgrahaḥ can be accepted, yujyatē: 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."

yathāśaktimayōktaṅturākṣasasyārjavaṅprati .

pramāṇaṅtvaṅtuśēṣasyaśṛtvābuddhimatāṅvara: ।। 6.17.68।।

buddhimatām wise one, vara: exceptional, rākṣasasya: Rakshasa (Vibheeshana ), mayā: by me, ārjavaṅprati: about the ability, yathāśakti: according to my thinking, uktam spoken, śṛtvā: hearing me, śēṣasya: the rest, tvam you alone, hi: 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."
।। ityārṣēvālmīkīyēśrīmadrāmāyaṇēādikāvyēyuddhakāṇḍēsaptadaśassargaḥ ।।
This is the end of the seventeenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic, the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.