Sloka & Translation

[ Sri Rama decided to accept friendship with Vibheeshana. ]

atharāmaḥprasannātmāśṛtvāvāyusutasyaha .

pratyabhāṣatadurdhaṣaśrutavānātmanisthitam ।।6.18.1।।

atha: and then, durdharṣaḥ formidable one, śrutavān one who heard, rāmaḥ Rama, vāyusutasya: son of wind god's, śṛtvā: having heard, prasannātmā: highly pleased at heart, ātmani: his own, sthitam that which was in his mind, pratyabhāṣata: started to tell.

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

mamāpituvivakṣā.stikācitprativibhīṣaṇam .

śrōtumicchāmitatsarvaṅbhavadbhiśśrēyasisthitaiḥ ।।6.18.2।।

vibhīṣaṇaṅprati: about Vibheeshana, mamāpi: even I, kācit a few words, vivakṣā: desire to speak, āsti: is there, śrēyasi: well wishers, sthitaiḥ are devoted, bhavadbhiḥ you also, tat that, śrōtum to hear, icchāmi: 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."

mitrabhāvēnasamprāptaṅnatyajēyaṅkathañcana .

dōṣōyadyapitasyasyātsatāmētadagarhitam ।।6.18.3।।

mitrabhāvēna: with friendly feeling, samrāptam having come here, tasya: his, dōṣa: defects, yadyasi: although, kathañcana: however, natyajēyam not reject, ētat all this, satām good people, agarhitam 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.

sugrīstvathatadvākyamābhāṣyacavimṛśyaca .

tataśśubhataraṅvākyamuvācaharipuṅgavaḥ ।।6.18.4।।

atha then, haripuṅgavaḥ leader of Vanaras, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, tadvākyam his statement, abhāṣyaca and spoken by, vimṛśyaca and reflecting upon, tataḥ thereafter, śubhataram favouring, vākyam words, uvācaha said.

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

suduṣṭōvāpyaduṣṭōvākimēṣarajanīcaraḥ .

īdṛśaṅvyasanaṅprāptaṅbhrātaraṅyaḥparityajēt ।।6.18.5।।

kōnāmasabhavēttasyayamēṣanaparityajēt .

ēṣaḥ this, rajanīcaraḥ night ranger, suduṣṭōvā: be a wicked one, aduṣṭōvā: or not a wicked one, kim what, yaḥ with him, īdṛśam such a person, vyasanam worry, prāptam has come here, bhrātaram when brother, parityajēt had abandoned, tasyaēṣaḥ his this, yam who, naparityajēt not abandon saḥ he, kōnāma: who will not, bhavēt 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?"

vānarādhipatērvākyaṅśrutvāsarvānudīkṣyaca ।।6.18.6।।

īṣadutsmayamānastulakṣmaṇaṅpuṇyalakṣaṇam .

itihōvācakākutsthōvākyaṅsatyaparākramaḥ ।।6.18.7।।

satyaparākramaḥ one of truthful valour, kākutstha: of Kakuthsa dynasty, vānarādhipatēḥ of king of Vanaras, vākyam words, śrutvā: on hearing, sarvān all, udīkṣyatu: looking at, īṣat slightly, utsmayamānaḥ throwing up a smile, puṇyalakṣaṇam meritorious characteristics, lakṣmaṇam at Lakshmana, iti: these, vākyam words, uvācaha: 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.

anadhītyacaśāstrāṇivṛddhānanupasēvyaca .

naśakyamīdṛśaṅvaktuṅyaduvācaharīśvaraḥ ।।6.18.8।।

harīśvaraḥ Lord of monkeys, yat that which, uvācaha: has been said, īdṛśam in this way, vaktum to speak, śāstrāṇi: sastras, anadhītya: without studying, vṛddān elders, anupasēnyaca: to one who has served, naśakyam 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."

astisūkṣmataraṅkiṅcidyadatrapratibhātimē .

pratyakṣaṅlaukikaṅcāpividyatēsarvarājasu ।।6.18.9।।

yat that in this matter, sarvarājasu: for all kings, pratyakṣam openly, vidyatē: known, laukikaṅcāpi: even from worldly view, sūkṣmataram in subtle manner, kiṅcit a little, asti: is, atra: that, mē: to me, pratibhāti: 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."

amitrāstatkulīnāścaprātidēśyāścakīrtitāḥ .

vyasanēṣuprahartārastasmādayamihāgataḥ ।।6.18.10।।

tatkulīnāśca: of kings of same clan, prātidēśyāśca: kings of adjoining countries, amitrā: not friendly ones, vyasanēṣu: when in difficulties, prahartāraḥ keep attacking, kīrtitāḥ renowned, tasmāt on account of this, ayam he has, iha: here, āgataḥ 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."

apāpāstatkulīnāścamānayantisvakānhitān .

ēṣaprāyōnarēndrāṇāṅśaṅkanīyastuśōbhanaḥ ।।6.18.11।।

apāpāḥ sinless one, tatkulīnāḥ of the same clan, svakān of their own, hitān friendly ones, mānayanti: respect, prāyaḥ by and large, narēndrāṇām of the kings, śōbhanaḥ virtuous ones, ēṣaḥ in this way, śaṅkanīyaḥ 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."

yastudōṣastvayāprōktōhyādānē.ribalasyaca .

tatratēkīrtayiṣyāmiyathāśāstramidaṅśṛṇu ।।6.18.12।।

aribalasya: regarding the enemy's strength, ādānē: accepting, yaḥ that which, dōṣaḥ demerit, tvayā: by you, prōktaḥ you have spoken, tatra: there, tē: to you, yathāśāstram What the scriptures say, kīrtayiṣyāmi: will narrate to you, idam this, śṛṇu: 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."

navayaṅtatkulīnāścarājyakāṅ kṣīcarākṣasaḥ .

paṇḍitāhibhaviṣyantitasmādgrāhyōvibhīṣaṇaḥ ।।6.18.13।।

vayam we, tatkulīnāḥca: their clan, na: not, rākṣasaḥ Rakshasas, rājyakāṅ kṣīca: and desire for their (Rakshasa) kingdom, paṇḍitāḥ learned, bhaviṣyanti: desires, tasmāt on account of this cause, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, grāhyaḥ 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 ?"

avyagrāścaprahṛṣṭāścanabhaviṣyantisaṅgatā .

praṇādaścamahānēṣatatō.syabhayamāgatam ।।6.18.14।।

itibhēdaṅgamiṣyantitasmāgrāhyōvibhīṣaṇaḥ .

avyagrāśca: free from anxiety, prahṛṣṭāśca: satisfied, saṅgatāḥ with one another, nabhaviṣyanti: will not be, iti: this, bhēdam difference, gamiṣyanti: will have, ataḥ and that way, asya: his (Vibheeshana's), bhayam fear, āgatam has come, ēṣaḥ this way, praṇādaśca: crying for help, mahān loudly, tasmāt as such, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, grāhyaḥ 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."

nasarvēbhrātarastātabhavantibharatōpamāḥ .

madvithāvāpituḥputrāssuhṛdōnābhavadvithāḥ ।।6.18.15।।

tāta: dear, sarvē: all, bhrātaraḥ brothers, bharatōpamāḥ like Bharata, nabhavanti: will not be, pituḥ father, madvithāḥ like me, putrāḥ are sons, bhavadvidhāḥ like you, suhṛdōvā: or friends.

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

ēvamuktasturāmēṇasugrīvassahalakṣmaṇaḥ .

utthāyēdaṅmahāprājñaḥpraṇatōvākyamabravīt ।।6.18.16।।

rāmēṇa: by Rama, ēvam in this way, uktaḥ having spoken, mahāprājñaḥ very wise, sahalakṣmaṇaḥ along with Lakshmana, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, utthāya: got up, praṇataḥ saluting, idam this, vākyam words, abravīt spoken.

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

rāvaṇēnapraṇihitaṅtamavēhivibhīṣaṇam .

tasyāhaṅnigrahaṅmanyēkṣamaṅkṣamavatāṅvara ।।6.18.17।।

kṣamavatāṅvara: exceptional in excusing, tam him, vibhīṣaṇam Vibheeshana, rāvaṇēna: by Ravana, praṇihitam has been sent, avēhi: Realize, tasya: his, nigraham captivate, kṣamam befitting, manyē: 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."

rākṣasōjihmayābudhyāsandiṣṭō.yamihāgataḥ .

prahartuṅtvayiviśvastēpracchannōmayivānagha ।।6.18.18।।

lakṣmaṇēvāmahābāhō savadhyassacivaissahā .

rāvaṇasyanṛśaṅsasyabhrātāhyēṣavibhīṣaṇaḥ ।।

ēvamuktvāraghuśrēṣṭhaṅsugrīvōvāhinīpatiḥ .

vākyajñōvākyakuśalaṅtatōmaunamupāgamat ।।6.18.19।।

anagha: sinless, mahābāhō: mighty-armed, āyaṅrākṣasaḥ this Rakshasa, viśvastē: I believe, tvayi: you, pracchannō: covertly, mayi: or me, lakṣmaṇēvā: at Lakshman too, prahartum strike, sandiṣṭaḥ is been sent, jihmayā: greedily, buddhyā: on knowing, iha: here, āgataḥ has come, saḥ he, sacivaissaha: along with his counsellors, badhyaḥ kill, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, nṛśaṅsasya: the cruel one, rāvaṇasyabhrātāhi: Ravana's brother, vākyajñaḥ adept in expression, vāhinīpatiḥ chief of the army, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, vākyakuśalam good at speech, raghuśrēṣṭham best of Raghu race, ēvam in this way, uktvā: having said, tataḥ then, maunam silent, upāgamat remained.

"O sinless mighty-armed 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.

sugrīvasyatutadvākyaṅrāmaśrutvāvimṛśyaca .

tataśśubhataraṅvākyamuvācaharipuṅgavam ।।6.18.20।।

rāmaḥ Rama, sugrīvasya: Sugriva's, tat vākyam those words, śrutvā: having heard, vimṛśyatutataḥ that which was nobler, haripuṅgavam leader of the Vanaras, śubhataram auspicious, vākyam words, uvāca: spoken.

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

suduṣṭōvāpyaduṣṭōvākimēṣarajanīcaraḥ .

sūkṣmamapyahitaṅkartuṅmamāśaktaḥkathañcana ।।6.18.21।।

ēṣaḥ this, rajanīcaraḥ night ranger, suduṣṭōvā: wicked or, aduṣṭōvā: or not wicked, mama: to me, kathañcana: What to say, sūkṣmam subtlest, ahitamapi: that which is harmful, kartum to do, āśaktaḥ capable.

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

piśācānadānavān yakṣa I napṛthivyāṅcaivarākṣasān .

aṅgulyagrēṇatān hanyāmicchan harigaṇēśvara ।।6.18.22।।

harigaṇēśvara: leader of Vanara troop, icchān if I desire, pṛthivyām on this earth, tān them, piśācān devils, dānavān Danavas, yakṣān Yakshas, rākṣasāncaiva: including Rakshasas, aṅgulyagrēṇa: with tip of my big finger, hanyām 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."

śrūyatēhikapōtēnaśatruśśaraṇamāgataḥ .

arcitaścayathānyāyaṅsvaiścamāṅsairnimantritaḥ ।।6.18.23।।

kapōtēna: by a dove, śaraṇam to seek refuge, āgataḥ came, śatruḥ enemy, yathānyāyam according to practice, ārcitaśca: offered, svaiḥ its own, māṅsaiḥ flesh, nimantritaśca: without any jealousy, śrūyatēhi: 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)."

sahitaṅpratijagrāhabhāryāhartāramāgataḥ .

kapōtōvānaraśrēṣṭha: kiṅpunarmadvidhōjanaḥ ।।6.18.24।।

vānaraśrēṣṭha: supreme Vanara, saḥkapōtaḥ that dove, āgatam came near, bhāryāhartāram carried away its mate, tam him, pratijagrāhahi: in turn received, madvidhaḥ like me, janaḥ a man, kiṅpunaḥ 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?"

ṛṣēḥkaṇvasyaputrēṇakaṇḍunāparamarṣiṇā .

śṛṇugāthāṅpurāgītāṅdharmiṣṭhāsatyavādinā ।।6.18.25।।

purā: in the past, kaṇvasyaṛṣēḥ sage Kanva's, putrēṇa: by the son, satyavādinā: truthful one, paramarṣiṇā: great sage, kaṇḍunā: Kandu by name, dharmiṣṭhā: inculcating righteousness, gāthā: used to sing, gītā: verses, śṛṇu: 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."

baddhāñjalipuṭaṅdīnaṅyācantaṅśaraṇāgatam .

nahanyadānṛśaṅsyārthamapiśatruṅparantapa ।।6.18.26।।

parantapa scorcher of enemies, baddhāñjalipuṭam who greets reverentially with folded hands, dīnam piteous, yācantam begs, śaraṇāgatam protection, śatrum api even the enemy, anṛśaṅsyārtham not to be cruel nahanyāt 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."

ārtōvāyadivādṛptaḥparēṣāṅśaraṇāṅgataḥ .

ariḥprāṇānparityajyarakṣitavyaḥkṛtātmanā ।।6.18.27।।

kṛtātmānā one's own self, parēṣām an enemy, śaraṇam protection, gataḥ comes, ariḥ enemy, ārtōvā or one who is struck by suffering, yadivā whoever he be, dṛptaḥ arrogant, prāṇān life, parityajya giving up, rakṣitavyaḥ 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.

sacēdbhayādvāmōhādvākāmādvāpinarakṣati .

svayāśaktyāyathāsattvaṅtatpāpaṅlōkagarhitam ।।6.18.28।।

saḥ he, bhayādvā: from fear, mōhādvā: from delusion, kāmādvāpi: even from desire, svayā: his own, śaktvā: capacity, yathāsattvam accordingly, narakṣaticēt if he does not protect, tat that, lōkagarhitam censured by the world, pāpam 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."

vinaṣṭaḥpaśyatastasyārakṣiṇaśśaraṇāgataḥ .

ādāyasukṛtaṅtasyasarvaṅgacchēdarakṣita:।। 6.18.29।।

śaraṇāgataḥ one who seeks protection, arakṣitaḥ fails to protect, tasya: his, rakṣiṇaḥ refugee, paśyataḥ in the eyes of, vinaṣṭaḥ ruined, tasya: his, sarvam all, sukṛtam merit, ādāya: takes, gacchēt 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."

ēvaṅdōṣōmahānatraprapannānāmarakṣaṇē .

asvargyaṅcāyaśasyaṅcabalavīryavināśanam ।।6.18.30।।

prapannānām resorts to, atraarakṣaṇē: that way fails to protect, ēvam in that way, mahān great, dōṣaḥ sin, asvargyam out of heaven, ayaśasyaṅca: and infamy, balavīryavināśanam 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."

kariṣyāmiyathārthaṅtukaṇḍōrvacanamuttamam .

dharmiṣṭhaṅcayaśasyaṅcasvargyaṅsyāttuphalōdayē ।।6.18.31।।

kaṇḍōḥ of Kandu, uttamam excellent, vacanam words, yathārtham meaningful, kariṣyāmi: has said, dharmiṣṭham one who does his rightful duty, yaśasyam glorious, svargyam heaven, phalōdayēsyāt 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."

sakṛdēvaprapannāyatavāsmīticayācatē .

abhayaṅsarvabhūtēbhyōdadāmyētadvrataṅmama ।।6.18.32।।

sakṛdēva: for the sake of one, prapannāya: one who seeks protection, tava: him, asmi: me, iti: this way, yācatē: begs, sarvabhūtēbhyaḥ from all living beings, abhayam security, dadāmi: will provide, ētat thus, mama: my, vratam 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."

anayainaṅhariśrēṣṭha: dattamasyābhayaṅmayā .

vibhīṣaṇōvāsugrīva: yadivārāvaṇassvayam ।।6.18.33।।

hariśrēṣṭha: best of Vanaras, sugrīva: Sugriva, vibhīṣaṇōvā: either Vibheeshana, yadivā: or any one, svayam by himself, rāvaṇaḥ Ravana, asya: his, mayā: from me, abhayam security, dattam will offer, ēnam thus, ānaya: 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."

rāmasyatuvacśutvāsugrīvaḥplavagēśvaraḥ .

pratyabhāṣatakākutsthaṅsauhārdēnapracōditaḥ ।।6.18.34।।

plavagēśvaraḥ king of (leaping) Vanaras, sugrīvaḥ Sugriva, rāmasya: Rama's, vacaḥ words, śrutvā: having heard, sauhārdēna: lovingly, pracōditaḥ inciting, kākutstham Rama of Kakuthsa race, pratyabhāṣata: replied.

Having heard the inciting words spoken by Rama so lovingly, the king of Vanaras replied.

kimatracitraṅdharmajña: lōkanātha: sukhāvahā: .

yattvamāryaṅprabhāṣēthāssattvavān satpathēsthitaḥ ।।6.18.35।।

dharmajña: knower of righteous duty, lōkanāthasukhāvahā: protector of the world, sattvavān virtuous one, satpathē: upright, sthitaḥ who stands, tvam by you, āryam noble, prabhāṣēthāḥ that which was spoken, itiyat thus which, atra: here, citram wonderful, kim 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."

mamacāpyantarātmāyaṅśuddhaṅvēttivibhīṣaṇam .

anumānāccabhāvāccasarvatassuparīkṣitaḥ ।।6.18.36।।

mama: my, ayam this, antarātmāca: inner self, vibhīṣaṇam Vibheeshana's, śuddham pure, vētti: known, anumānāt ca: and with doubt, bhāvāt feeling, sarvataḥ in all respects, suparīkṣitaḥ been tested.

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

tasmāt kṣipraṅsahāsmābhistulyōbhavatarāghava: .

vibhīṣaṇōmahāprājñassakhitvaṅcābhyupaitunaḥ ।।6.18.37।।

rāghava: Rama, tasmāt therefore, mahāprājñaḥ highly sagacious one, vibhīṣaṇaḥ Vibheeshana, kṣipram at once, asmābhissaha: along with us, tulyaḥ equal term, bhavatu: be, naḥ our, sakhitvaṅca: friendship, abhyupaitu: you enjoy.

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

tatastusugrīvavacōniśamyataddarīśvarēṇābhihitaṅnarēśvaraḥ .

vibhīṣaṇēnāśujagāmasaṅgamaṅpatattrirājēnayathāpurandaraḥ ।।6.18.38।।

tataḥ then, narēśvaraḥ king, tat there, sugrīvavacaḥ Sugriva's words, niśamya: perceiving, purandaraḥ: like Indra, patattrirājēnayathā like with the king of birds, vibhīṣaṇēna: with Vibheeshana, aśu: as said, harīśvarēṇa: by Sugriva, abhihitam very fitting, saṅgamam meeting, jagāma: went.

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