Sloka & Translation

[Ravana sends Suka and Saarana as spies to the Vanara army. They assume the form of Vanaras and enter the Vanara army. Vibheeshana recognizes them but Rama lets them go.]

सबलेसागरंतीर्णेरामेदशरथात्मजे ।

अमात्यौरावणश्रीमानब्रवीच्छुकसारणौ ।।6.25.1।।


सबले along with army, दशरथात्मजे Dasaratha's son, रामे Rama, सागरम् ocean, तीर्णे crossing the shore, श्रीमान् exuberant, रावणः Ravana, अमात्यौ with ministers, शुकसारणौ to Suka and Saarana, अब्रवीत् spoke.

On hearing about Rama, the son of Dasaratha crossing the shore of the ocean along with the army, exuberant Ravana spoke to his ministers Suka and Saarana.
समग्रंसागरंतीर्णंदुस्तरंवानरंबलम् ।

अभूतपूर्वंरामेणसागरेसेतुबन्धनम् ।।6.25.2।।


समग्रं all of them together, वानरम् Vanaras, बलम् army, दुस्तरम् arduous, सागरम् ocean, तीर्णम् crossed, रामेण by Rama, सागरे in the ocean अभूतपूर्वम् that which is not known before, सेतुबन्धनम् construction.

"That all the Vanara army together with Rama have crossed the arduous ocean and that the construction of a bridge (is possible) in the sea is not known before."
सागरेसेतुबन्दंतुनश्रद्दध्यांकथञ्चन ।

अवश्यंचापिसङ् ख्येयंतन्मयावानरंबलम् ।।6.25.3।।


सागरे in the sea, तम् they, सेतुबन्धम् constructed bridge, कथञ्चन even, नश्रद्दधाम् not believable, तत् those, वानरंबलम् Vanara force, मया to me, अवश्यम् surely, सङ् ख्येयंच the size of their army.

"It is not believable even to me that they constructed a bridge in the sea. Surely I wish to know the size of their army."
भवन्तौवानरंसैन्यंप्रविश्यानुपलक्षितौ ।

परिमाणंचवीर्यंचयेचमुख्याःप्लवङ्घमाः ।।6.25.4।।

मन्त्रिणोयेचरामस्यसुग्रीवस्यचसम्मता: ।

येपूर्वमभिवर्तन्तेयेचशूराःप्लवङ्गमाः ।।6.25.5।।

सचसेतुर्यथाबद्धस्सागरेसलिलार्णवे ।

निवेशंचयधातेषांवानराणांमहात्मनाम् ।।6.25.6।।

रामस्यव्यवसायंचवीर्यंप्रहरणानिच ।

लक्ष्मणस्यचवीर्यंतत्त्वतोज्ञातुमर्हथः ।।6.25.7।।


भवन्तौ you both, अनुपलक्षितौ without their notice, वानरम् Vanara's, सैन्यम् army, प्रविश्य entering, परिमाणंच size of it, वीर्यंच heroes, ये of those, प्लवङ्गमाः of the monkeys, मुख्याः chief, रामस्य Rama's, सुग्रीवस्यच and Sugriva's, ये of those, मन्त्रिणः ministers, सङ्गताः groups, ये of those, पूर्वम् earlier, अभिवर्तन्ते those who are in forefront, ये of those, प्लवङ्गमाः monkeys, शूराः warriors, सलिलार्णने in the abode of waters, सागरे in the sea, सः that, सेतुः bridge, यधा centre, बद्धः built, महात्मनाम् great, तेषां of those वानराणाम् of the Vanaras, निवेशम् location, यथा in the same way, रामस्यव्यवसायंच Rama's efforts, वीर्यम् valour, प्रहरणानिच weapons also, वीरस्य of the heroes, लक्षयणस्यच and of Lakshmana's, तत्त्वतः truly, ज्ञातुम् wish to know, अर्हथः I ought.

"Both of you enter Vanara's army without their knowledge and know about the size of the army, of Rama and Sugriva's ministers, of army chiefs who are in the forefront, of the warriors, how they have built bridge in the middle of the sea, about the location of Vanaras and in the same way the efforts and valour of heroes Rama and Lakshmana, I ought to know truly."
कश्चसेनापतिस्तेषांवानराणांमहौजसाम् ।

तच्चज्ञात्वायथातत्त्वंशीघ्रमगन्तुमर्हथः ।।6.25.8।।


महौजसाम् highly energetic ones, तेषाम् those, वानराणाम् among the Vanaras, सेनापतिः army chief, कः who, तच्च all these, यथातत्त्वम् their matters, ज्ञात्वाशीघ्रम् knowing quickly, अगन्तुम् you return, अर्हथः fit.

Among those energetic Vanaras, who is the chief of the army? Knowing all these matters, it is fit for you to return quickly.
इतिप्रतिसमादिष्टौराक्षसौशुकसारणौ ।

हरिरूपधरौवीरौप्रविष्टौवानरंबलम् ।।6.25.9।।


इति thus, प्रतिसमाधिष्टौ having accepted the order, वीरौ heroes, शुकसारणौ S uka and Saarana, राक्षसौ both Rakshasas, हरिरूपधरौ taking the form of Vanaras, वानरम् in to Vanaras, बलम् army, प्रविष्टौ entered.

Having accepted the order, both the Rakshasa heroes, Suka and Saarana took the form of Vanaras and entered the Vanara army.
ततस्तद्वानरंसैन्यमचिन्त्यंरोमहर्षणम् ।

सङ् ख्यातुंनाध्यगच्छेतांतदातौशुकसारणौ ।।6.25.10।।


ततः there upon, तौ both of them, शुकसारणौ Suka and Saarana, आचिन्त्यम् that which cannot be conceived, रोमहर्षणम् that which caused raising of hair (stunned), तत् that, वानरम् Vanara's, सैन्यम् army, सङ् ख्यातुम् to count the numbers, तदा that time, नाध्यगच्छेताम् whose number could not be known (not conceived).

There upon both Suka and Saarana did not know the numbers (of the army) at that time as they could not count the numbers from there as it could not be conceived. It caused the raising of their hair.
संस्थितंपर्वताग्रेषुनिर्दरेषुगुहासुच ।

समुद्रस्यचतीरेषुवनेषूपवनेषुच ।।6.25.11।।

तरमाणंचतीर्णंचतर्तुकामंचसर्वशः ।

निविष्टंनिविश्चैवभीमनादंमहाबलम् ।।6.25.12।।

तद्बलार्णवमक्षोभ्यंददृशातेनिशाचरौ ।


पर्वताग्रेषु on mountain summits, निर्दरेषु in caverns, गुहासुच in caves, समुद्रस्य ocean's, तीरेषु shores, वनेषु in forests, उपवनेषुच and adjoining gardens, स्थितम् settled, तरमाणम् crossing, तीर्णंच shores, तर्तुकामंच some in the process of crossing, सर्वशः all over, निविष्टम् settled, निविश्चे staying, भीमनादम् terrific noise, महाबलम् great force, अक्षोभ्यम् that which is never ending, तद्बलार्णवम् that ocean of army, निशाचरौ the Rakshasas, ददृशाते witnessed.

The ocean of army settled on the mountain summits, in caverns and caves, on the shores of the ocean, in the forests and adjoining gardens some who crossed the sea some in the process of crossing settled all over was witnessed by the Rakshasas. It was never ending and making terrific noise.
तौददर्शमहातेजाःप्रतिच्छन्नौचविभीषणः ।

आचचक्षेऽथरामायगृहीत्वाशुकसारणौ ।।6.25.13।।


महातेजाः brilliant one, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, प्रतिच्छन्नौ hidden, तौ those two, ददर्श saw, सः that, शुकसारणौ Suka and Saarana, गृहीत्वा took hold of, रामाय Rama's, आचचक्षे brought to the notice.

Brilliant Vibheeshana saw both Suka and Saarana hidden in the army. He took hold of them and brought to the notice of Rama.
तस्यैमौराक्षसेन्द्रस्यमन्त्रिणौशुकसारणौ ।

लङ्कायस्समनुप्राप्तौचारौपरपुरञ्जय:।। 6.25.14।।


परपुरञ्जय conqueror of enemy 's citadels, तस्य its, राक्षसेन्द्रस्य Rakshasa king's, मन्त्रिणौ ministers, एतौ those two, शुकसारणौ Suka and Saarana, चारौ spies, लङ्कायाः from Lanka, समनुप्राप्तौ have come to find out.

"O conqueror of enemy's citadels! these are spies from Lanka, Suka and Saarana who have come to find us out."
तौदृष्टवाव्यथितौरामंनिराशौजीवितेतथा ।

कृताञ्जलिपुटौभीतौवचनंचेदमूचतुः ।।6.25.15।।


तौ those two, रामम् at Rama, दृष्टवा to look, व्यथितौ worried, तथा so also, जीविते of life, निराशौ lost hope, भीतौ caught up with fear, कृताञ्जलिपुटौ lifted up their palms greeting, इदम् these, वचनम् words, ऊचतुः expressed.

The two (Rakshasa spies) got worried to look at Rama and also lost hope of their life. Caught up with fear they lifted their palms greeting Rama and expressed these words.
आवामिहागतौसौम्य रावणप्रहितावुभौ ।

परिज्ञातुंबलंसर्वंतवेदंरघुनन्दन:।। 6.25.16।।


सौम्य noble, राघवनन्दन delight of Raghu race, आवाम् come, रावणस्रहितौ assigned by Ravana, तव to you, इदम् thus, सर्वम् entire, बलम् army strength, परिज्ञातुम् to know about, इह here, आगतौ arrived.

"O noble one! We have come to you assigned by Ravana. O delight of Raghu race, thus we arrived here to know about the entire strength of your army."
तयोस्तद्वचनंश्रुत्वारामोदशरथात्मजः ।

अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्वाक्यंसर्वभूतहितेरतः ।।6.25.17।।


दशरथात्मजः Dasaratha's son, सर्वभूतहिते the wellbeing of all beings, रतः remains devoted, रामः Rama, तयोः to both of them, तत् those, वचनम् words, श्रूत्वा on hearing, प्रहसन् smiling, वाक्यम् words, आब्रवीत् spoke.

"On hearing (the spies) Dasaratha's son Rama who remains devoted to the wellbeing of all beings spoke these words smiling at both of them."
यदिदृष्टंबलंसर्वंवयंवासुपरिक्षिताः ।

यथोक्तंवाकृतंकार्यछन्दतःप्रतिगम्यताम् ।।6.25.18।।


सर्वम् entire, बलम् army, दृष्टंयदि looking at the, वयम् our, सुपरिक्षिताःवा observing well, यथोक्तम् that which is appropriate, कार्यम् action, कृतंना accomplishing, छन्दतः freely, प्रतिगम्यताम् you may return back.

After observing our entire army carefully, acting appropriately (according to Ravana's words) and accomplishing your task you may freely return (said Rama to the spies).
अथकिञ्चिददृष्टंवाभूयस्तद्द्रष्टुमर्हथः ।

विभीषणोवाकात्स्नर्येनभूयस्सन्दर्शयिष्यति ।।6.25.19।।


अथा and now, किञ्चित् even a bit, अदृष्टंवा not seen, तत् that, भूयः you may do, द्रष्टुम् see, अर्हथः ought to see, ना or else, विभीषणः Vibheeshana कात्स्नर्येन in totality, भूयः you may, सन्दर्शयिष्यति will show you.

"If you have not seen even a bit, you ought to see. Or else Vibheeshana will show you the total army."
नचेदंग्रहणंप्राप्यभेत्तव्यंजीवितंप्रति ।

न्यस्तशस्त्रौगृहतौवानदूतौवधमर्हतः ।।6.25.20।।


इदम् thus, ग्रहम् having been caught, प्राप्य by us, जीवितंप्रति in turn of your life, न not, वा or, भेतव्यम् apprehension, न्यस्तशस्त्रौ those who do not possess, गृहीतौ wield, दूतौ envoys, वदम् to slay अर्हतः ought to.

As you have been caught by us like this you need not have apprehension of your life. Those who do not possess wield or those who are envoys ought not to be slayed.
प्रच्छमानौविमुञ्चैतौचारौरात्रिंचरावुभौ ।

शत्रुपक्षस्यसततंविभीषण: विकर्षिणौ ।।6.25.21।।


विभीषण Vibheeshana, सततं ever, शत्रुपक्षस्य enemy's side, विकर्षिणौ seeking to divide, प्रच्छमानौ are requesting, चारौ spies, उभौ both, रात्रिंचरौ night rangers, विमुञ्च free.

"Vibheeshana! Even though they are spies seeking to divide the enemy army as both the night rangers have been requesting, you may set them free."
प्रविश्यनगरींलङ्कांभवद् भ्यांधनदानुजः ।

वक्तव्योरक्षसांराजायथोक्तंवचनंमम ।।6.25.22।।


लङ्कांनगरीम् into the city of Lanka, प्रविश्य on entering, रक्षसाम् Rakshasas, राजा king, धनदानुजः younger brother of Kubera, भवद् भ्याम् to them, ममवचनम् my words, यथोक्तम् as it is told by me, वक्तव्यः you may tell.

"Upon entering the city of Lanka, you may tell my words to the king of Rakshasas, the younger brother of Kubera just as it was told by me."
यद्बलंचसमाश्रित्यसीतांमेहृतवानपि ।

तद्दर्शययथाकामंससैन्यस्सहबान्धवः ।।6.25.23।।


यत् that which, बलम् strength, समाश्रित्य relying on which, मे my, सीताम् Sita, हृतावान् has been abducted अपिच and also, तत् that, ससैन्यः along with army, सहभान्दव and relations, यथाकाम् at his will, दर्शय you may display.

"Let him display the strength on which he has abducted my Sita along with his army and relations at his will."
श्वःकाल्येनगरींलङ्कांसप्राकारांसतोरणाम् ।

रक्षसंचबलंपश्यशरैर्विध्वंसितंमया ।।6.25.24।।


श्वः tomorrow, काल्ये at day dawn, मया of me, शरैः arrows, विध्वंसितम् will crush, रक्षसम् Rakshasas, बलम् strength, सप्राकाराम् in the same manner, सतोरणाम् the arches of the entrance, लङ्कांनगरीम् of Lanka city, पश्य you may see.

At dawn tomorrow, you may see how I will crush the arches of the entrance of Lanka city and the strength of Rakshasas."
क्रोधंभीममहंमोक्ष्येससैन्येत्वयिरावण: ।

श्वःकाल्येवज्रवान्वज्रंदानवेष्विववासवः ।।6.25.25।।


रावण Ravana, श्वः tomorrow, काल्ये at day dawn, वज्रवान् wielder of thunderbolt, वासवः Vasava, दानवेषु at Rakshasas, वज्रम् इव like the thunder bolt, ससैन्ये even the army also, त्वयि you. भीमम् dreadful, क्रोधम् anger, अहम् of mine, मोक्ष्यामि will release.

"Tomorrow at the dawn of the day I will release my dreadful anger on Ravana and even on Rakshasas just as the thunderbolt of Indra was released on Rakshasas."
इतिप्रतिसमादिष्टौराक्षसौशुकसारणौ ।।6.25.26।।

जयेतिप्रतिनन्द्यैतौराघवंधर्मवत्सलम् ।

आगम्यनगरींलङ्कामब्रूतांराक्षसाधिपम् ।।6.25.27।।


इति thus, प्रतिसमाधिष्टौ heard the words of reply, राक्षसौ both the Rakshasas, शुकसारणौ Suka and Saarana, धर्मवत्सलम् lover of dharma, एनम् in that manner, राघवम् Raghava, जयइतिप्रतिनन्द्य praising saying ' victory to you', लङ्कांनगरीम् to Lanka, आगम्य having reached, राक्षसाधिपम् king of Rakshasas, अब्रूताम् said like this.

Having heard the reply of Rama, both the Rakshasas Suka and Saarana praising Rama saying, "Victory to you!" reached Lanka and said to the king of Rakshasas as follows.
विभीषणगृहीतौतुवधार्तौराक्षसेश्वर: ।

दृष्टवाधर्मात्मनामुक्तौरामेणामिततेजसा ।।6.25.28।।


क्षसेश्वर Lord of Rakshasas, वधार्थम् for the sake of slaying, विभीषणगृहीतौ held captive by Vibheeshana, धर्मात्मना righteous self, अमिततेजसा highly effulgent, रामेण by Rama, दृष्टवा seeing, मुक्तौ released.

"O king of Rakshasas! Vibheeshana held us captive for slaying us. But righteous self, Rama, the highly effulgent one released us on seeing."
एकस्थानगतायत्रचत्वारःपुरुषर्षभाः ।

लोकपालसमाश्शूराःकृतास्त्रादृढविक्रमा ।।6.25.29।।

रामोदाशरथि्शीमान् लक्ष्मणश्चविभीषणः ।

सुग्रीवश्चमहातेजामहेन्द्रसमविक्रमः ।।6.25.30।।

एतेशक्ताःपुरीलङ्कांसप्राकारांसतोरणाम् ।

उत्पाट्यसङ्क्रमयितुंसर्वेतिष्ठन्तुवानराः ।।6.25.31।।


लोकपालसमाः equal to rulers of the world, शूराः heroic ones, कृतास्त्राः wielders of weapons, दृढविक्रमाः of remarkable bra very, दाशरथिः son of Dasaratha, रामः Rama, श्रीमान् exuberant, लक्ष्मणः Lakshmana, विभीषणः Vibheeshana, महातेजाः highly brilliant one, महेन्द्रसमविक्रमः resembles Indra in valour, सुग्रीवश्च and Sugriva's, चत्वारः all the four, पुरुषर्षभाः bulls among men, यत्र there, एकस्थानगताः come together, एते these, सप्राकाराम् that manner, सतोरणाम् the archways, लङ्कांपुरीम् of Lanka, उत्पाट्य unearth, सङ्क्रमयितुम् , शक्ताः capable, सर्वे even if all, वानराः Vanaras, तिष्ठन्तु keep away.

"Exuberant Rama and Lakshmana, highly brilliant Vibheeshana, and Sugriva who resembles Indra in his valour, are like rulers of the world and are heroic, wielders of weapons and bulls among men. If all four of them come together there in that manner, they will unearth the arch ways and even the city of Lanka. They are capable even if the Vanaras are kept away."
यादृश्यंतस्यरामस्यरूपंप्रहरणानिच ।

वधिष्यतिपुरींलङ्कामेकस्तिष्ठन्तुतेत्रयः ।।6.25.32।।


रामस्य Rama's, तत् that, रूपम् form, यादृशम् to see, प्रहरणानिचएकः weapons, he alone, लङ्कांपुरीम् Lanka city, वधिष्यति will slay, तेत्रयः those three, तिष्ठन्तु even keep away.

"If we see Rama's form and his weapon it is enough. He can alone slay even when all the other three keep away."
रामलक्ष्मणगुप्तासासुग्रीवेणचवाहिनी ।

बभूवदुर्दर्षतरासर्वैरपिसुरासुरैः ।।6.25.33।।


रामलक्ष्मणगुप्ता even if Rama and Lakshmana are protected, सुग्रीवेणच and Sugriva also, सावाहिनी that ocean of army, सर्वैः entire, सुरासुरैःअपि even suras and asuras, दुर्दर्षतर formidable, बभूव seems.

"Even if Rama and Lakshmana are protected, and even Sugriva also, the entire army seems formidable like suras and asuras."
प्रहृष्टरूपाध्वजिनीवनौकसां ।

महात्मनाम् सम्प्रतियोद्धुमिच्छताम् ।

अलंविरोधेनशमोविधीयतांप्रदीयतांदाशरथायमैदिली ।।6.25.34।।


सम्प्रति at this time, योद्धुम् war, इच्छताम् desiring, महात्मनाम् with great (Vanara) heroes, वनौकसाम् wanderers of woods, ध्वजिनी the army, प्रहृष्टरूपा are highly delighted, विरोधेन to wage war, अलम् not good, शम anger, विधीयताम् give up, मैथिली Mythili, दाशरथाय to Rama, प्रदीयताम् give away.

At this time, desiring war with those great Vanara heroes, the wanderers of woods, is not good. Their army is highly delighted to wage war. You may give away Mythili to Rama (said Suka and Saarana to Ravana).
।। इत्यार्षेवाल्मीकीयेश्रीमद्रामायणेआदिकाव्येयुद्धकाण्डेपञ्चविंशस्सर्गः ।।
This is the end of the twenty fifth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.