Sundara Kanda, Sarga 9

तस्यालयवरिष्ठस्य मध्ये विपुलमायतं। ददर्श भवनश्रेष्ठं हनुमान्मारुतात्मजः।।5.9.1।।

tasyālayavariṣṭhasya madhye vipulamāyataṃ| dadarśa bhavanaśreṣṭhaṃ hanumānmārutātmajaḥ

The son of the Windgod, Hanuman, saw a huge, spacious and excellent of all mansions in the centre of the palace.

अर्धयोजनविस्तीर्णमायतं योजनं हि तत्। भवनं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य बहुप्रासादसङ्कुलम्।।5.9.2।।

ardhayojanavistīrṇamāyataṃ yojanaṃ hi tat| bhavanaṃ rākṣasendrasya bahuprāsādasaṅkulam

The mansion of the lord of demons was a conglomeration of palaces half a yojana long and half a yojana wide.

मार्गमाणस्तु वैदेहीं सीतामायतलोचनाम्। सर्वतः परिचक्राम हनूमानरिसूदनः।।5.9.3।।

mārgamāṇastu vaidehīṃ sītāmāyatalocanām| sarvataḥ paricakrāma hanūmānarisūdanaḥ

Hanuman, the subduer of enemies, went around in search of the largeeyed Vaidehi.

उत्तमं राक्षसावासं हनुमानवलोकयन्। आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम्।।5.9.4।। चतुर्विषाणैर्द्विरदैस्त्रिविषाणैस्तथैव च। परिक्षिप्तमसम्बाधं रक्ष्यमाणमुदायुधैः।।5.9.5।।

uttamaṃ rākṣasāvāsaṃ hanumānavalokayan| āsasādātha lakṣmīvān rākṣasendraniveśanam caturviṣāṇairdviradaistriviṣāṇaistathaiva ca| parikṣiptamasambādhaṃ rakṣyamāṇamudāyudhaiḥ

Searching the excellent residences of important demons, Hanuman finally reached the palace of the lord of ogres guarded by armed demons with elephants with two or three or four tusks.

उत्तमं राक्षसावासं हनुमानवलोकयन्। आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम्।।5.9.4।। चतुर्विषाणैर्द्विरदैस्त्रिविषाणैस्तथैव च। परिक्षिप्तमसम्बाधं रक्ष्यमाणमुदायुधैः।।5.9.5।।

uttamaṃ rākṣasāvāsaṃ hanumānavalokayan| āsasādātha lakṣmīvān rākṣasendraniveśanam caturviṣāṇairdviradaistriviṣāṇaistathaiva ca| parikṣiptamasambādhaṃ rakṣyamāṇamudāyudhaiḥ

Searching the excellent residences of important demons, Hanuman finally reached the palace of the lord of ogres guarded by armed demons with elephants with two or three or four tusks.

राक्षसीभिश्च पत्नीभी रावणस्य निवेशनम्। आहृताभिश्च विक्रम्य राजकन्याभिरावृतम्।।5.9.6।। तन्नक्रमकराकीर्णं तिमिङ्गिलझषाकुलम्। वायुवेगसमाधूतं पन्नगैरिव सागरम्।।5.9.7।।

rākṣasībhiśca patnībhī rāvaṇasya niveśanam| āhṛtābhiśca vikramya rājakanyābhirāvṛtam tannakramakarākīrṇaṃ timiṅgilajhaṣākulam| vāyuvegasamādhūtaṃ pannagairiva sāgaram

Hanuman entered the palace of Ravana crowded with shedemons who were the wives of Ravana and the princesses brought by him after winning them in wars. To Hanuman, it looked like an ocean filled with crocodiles, sharks, whales, and a variety of fishes and snakes tossed by the force of the wind.

राक्षसीभिश्च पत्नीभी रावणस्य निवेशनम्। आहृताभिश्च विक्रम्य राजकन्याभिरावृतम्।।5.9.6।। तन्नक्रमकराकीर्णं तिमिङ्गिलझषाकुलम्। वायुवेगसमाधूतं पन्नगैरिव सागरम्।।5.9.7।।

rākṣasībhiśca patnībhī rāvaṇasya niveśanam| āhṛtābhiśca vikramya rājakanyābhirāvṛtam tannakramakarākīrṇaṃ timiṅgilajhaṣākulam| vāyuvegasamādhūtaṃ pannagairiva sāgaram

Hanuman entered the palace of Ravana crowded with shedemons who were the wives of Ravana and the princesses brought by him after winning them in wars. To Hanuman, it looked like an ocean filled with crocodiles, sharks, whales, and a variety of fishes and snakes tossed by the force of the wind.

या हि वैश्रवणे लक्ष्मीर्या चेन्द्रे हरिवाहने। सा रावणगृहे सर्वा नित्यमेवानपायिनी।।5.9.8।।

yā hi vaiśravaṇe lakṣmīryā cendre harivāhane| sā rāvaṇagṛhe sarvā nityamevānapāyinī

Whatever wealth was possessed by Vaisravana (Kubera, the son of sage Vishrava) and also Indra who rides the Ucchaisrava green horse, was there in the palace of Ravana.

या च राज्ञः कुबेरस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च। तादृशी तद्विशिष्टा वा ऋद्धी रक्षोगृहेष्विह।।5.9.9।।

yā ca rājñaḥ kuberasya yamasya varuṇasya ca| tādṛśī tadviśiṣṭā vā ṛddhī rakṣogṛheṣviha

The wealth stored in Ravana's palace was akin to what lay in the palaces of Kubera, Yama or Varuna, and ever more exquisite.

तस्य हर्म्यस्य मध्यस्थं वेश्म चान्यत्सुनिर्मितं। बहुनिर्यूहसङ्कीर्णं ददर्श पवनात्मजः।।5.9.10।।

tasya harmyasya madhyasthaṃ veśma cānyatsunirmitaṃ| bahuniryūhasaṅkīrṇaṃ dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ

Hanuman saw in the centre of that palace a complex of many wellbuilt houses.

ब्रह्मणोऽर्थे कृतं दिव्यं दिवि यद्विश्वकर्मणा। विमानं पुष्पकं नाम सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्।।5.9.11।। परेण तपसा लेभे यत्कुबेरः पितामहात्। कुबेरमोजसा जित्वा लेभे तद्राक्षसेश्वरः।।5.9.12।।

brahmaṇo'rthe kṛtaṃ divyaṃ divi yadviśvakarmaṇā| vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ nāma sarvaratnavibhūṣitam pareṇa tapasā lebhe yatkuberaḥ pitāmahāt| kuberamojasā jitvā lebhe tadrākṣaseśvaraḥ

There was a wonderful aerial chariot called Pushpaka embellished with all kinds of gems built by Visvakarma for Brahma. It was the same one that Kubera had won from his grandfather, the creator Brahma, through his supreme penance. The lord of ogres acquired it (as a memento for his victory) by defeating Kubera with his might.

ब्रह्मणोऽर्थे कृतं दिव्यं दिवि यद्विश्वकर्मणा। विमानं पुष्पकं नाम सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्।।5.9.11।। परेण तपसा लेभे यत्कुबेरः पितामहात्। कुबेरमोजसा जित्वा लेभे तद्राक्षसेश्वरः।।5.9.12।।

brahmaṇo'rthe kṛtaṃ divyaṃ divi yadviśvakarmaṇā| vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ nāma sarvaratnavibhūṣitam pareṇa tapasā lebhe yatkuberaḥ pitāmahāt| kuberamojasā jitvā lebhe tadrākṣaseśvaraḥ

There was a wonderful aerial chariot called Pushpaka embellished with all kinds of gems built by Visvakarma for Brahma. It was the same one that Kubera had won from his grandfather, the creator Brahma, through his supreme penance. The lord of ogres acquired it (as a memento for his victory) by defeating Kubera with his might.

ईहामृगसमायुक्त्तै: कार्तस्वरहिरमण्मयैः। सुकृतैराचितं स्तम्भैः प्रदीप्तमिव च श्रिया।।5.9.13।। मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरं। कूटागारैश्शुभाकारैस्सर्वतस्समलङ्कृतम्।।5.9.14।।

īhāmṛgasamāyukttai: kārtasvarahiramaṇmayaiḥ| sukṛtairācitaṃ stambhaiḥ pradīptamiva ca śriyā merumandarasaṅkāśairullikhadbhirivāmbaraṃ| kūṭāgāraiśśubhākāraissarvatassamalaṅkṛtam

It was supported by finely built pillars of two types of gold (Kartaswara and Hiranmaya) with images of wolves carved on them and blazing. It was tall as if scraping the sky and resembled mountains like Meru and Mandara. It was graced with multitudes of auspicious and decorated pleasurehouses everywhere.

ईहामृगसमायुक्त्तै: कार्तस्वरहिरमण्मयैः। सुकृतैराचितं स्तम्भैः प्रदीप्तमिव च श्रिया।।5.9.13।। मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरं। कूटागारैश्शुभाकारैस्सर्वतस्समलङ्कृतम्।।5.9.14।।

īhāmṛgasamāyukttai: kārtasvarahiramaṇmayaiḥ| sukṛtairācitaṃ stambhaiḥ pradīptamiva ca śriyā merumandarasaṅkāśairullikhadbhirivāmbaraṃ| kūṭāgāraiśśubhākāraissarvatassamalaṅkṛtam

It was supported by finely built pillars of two types of gold (Kartaswara and Hiranmaya) with images of wolves carved on them and blazing. It was tall as if scraping the sky and resembled mountains like Meru and Mandara. It was graced with multitudes of auspicious and decorated pleasurehouses everywhere.

ज्वलनार्कप्रतीकाशं सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा। हेमसोपानसंयुक्तं चारुप्रवरवेदिकम्।।5.9.15।।

jvalanārkapratīkāśaṃ sukṛtaṃ viśvakarmaṇā| hemasopānasaṃyuktaṃ cārupravaravedikam

It was well built by Visvakarma and and had golden stairways, with radiant platforms glowing like fire and Sun.

जालवातायनैर्युक्तं काञ्चनैः स्स्फाटिकैरपि। इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम्।।5.9.16।।

jālavātāyanairyuktaṃ kāñcanaiḥ ssphāṭikairapi| indranīlamahānīlamaṇipravaravedikam

It had latticed windows made of gold inlaid with crystals. The platforms were encrusted with saphires called Indraneela and Mahaneela appropriately.

विद्रुमेण विचित्रेण मणिभिश्च महाघनैः। निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिस्तलेनाभिविराजितम्।।5.9.17।।

vidrumeṇa vicitreṇa maṇibhiśca mahāghanaiḥ| nistulābhiśca muktābhistalenābhivirājitam

It was shining bright with colourful corals, precious gems and peerless pearls fixed on its floor.

चन्दनेन च रक्तेन तपनीयनिभेन च। सुपुण्यगन्धिना युक्तमादित्यतरुणोपमम्।।5.9.18।।

candanena ca raktena tapanīyanibhena ca| supuṇyagandhinā yuktamādityataruṇopamam

It was bright like molten gold, fragrant with red sandal comparable to the rising Sun.

कूटागारैर्वराकारैर्विविधैस्समलङ्कृतम्। विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यमारुरोह महाकपिः।।5.9.19।।

kūṭāgārairvarākārairvividhaissamalaṅkṛtam| vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ divyamāruroha mahākapiḥ

Hanuman ascended the wonderful Pushpaka, welldecked with many corridors.

तत्रस्थस्स तदा गन्धं पानभक्ष्यान्नसम्भवम्। दिव्यं सम्मूर्छितं जिघ्रद्रूपवन्तमिवानिलम्।।5.9.20।।

tatrasthassa tadā gandhaṃ pānabhakṣyānnasambhavam| divyaṃ sammūrchitaṃ jighradrūpavantamivānilam

There he smelt the stupefying, unearthly odour of food and drink. He felt as though the fragrance had taken a potentially solid form. (Note: The wind has no form. But when he carried the aroma of food and drink it appeared like the personification of wind which could be smelt. गन्धवती पृथवी fragrance comes from earth पृथवीतत्त्व the poet transmits the same to the wind who has got only स्पर्श sense of touch).

स गन्धस्तं महासत्त्वं बन्धुर्बन्धुमिवोत्तमम्। इत एहीत्युवाचेन तत्र यत्र स रावणः।।5.9.21।।

sa gandhastaṃ mahāsattvaṃ bandhurbandhumivottamam| ita ehītyuvācena tatra yatra sa rāvaṇaḥ

The fragrance was as if inviting the mighty hero like a relative inviting his kith and kin, saying 'come here' and leading him to a place where Ravana rested.

ततस्तां प्रस्थितश्शालां ददर्श महतीं शुभाम्। रावणस्य मनः कान्तां कान्तामिव वरस्त्रियम्।।5.9.22।।

tatastāṃ prasthitaśśālāṃ dadarśa mahatīṃ śubhām| rāvaṇasya manaḥ kāntāṃ kāntāmiva varastriyam

Then he proceeded to an auspicious hall, which was Ravana's favourite like his chief queen dear to his heart.

मणिसोपानविकृतां हेमजालविभूषिताम्। स्फाटिकैरावृततलां दन्तान्तरितरूपिकाम्।।5.9.23।।

maṇisopānavikṛtāṃ hemajālavibhūṣitām| sphāṭikairāvṛtatalāṃ dantāntaritarūpikām

The stairways of the mansion were inlaid with special gems, windows were latticed with gold, floors were covered with crystals, figures of ivory with silver.

मुक्ताभिश्च प्रवालैश्च रूप्यचामीकरैरपि। विभूषितां मणिस्तम्भैस्सुबहुस्तम्भभूषिताम्।।5.9.24।।

muktābhiśca pravālaiśca rūpyacāmīkarairapi| vibhūṣitāṃ maṇistambhaissubahustambhabhūṣitām

It was decorated with pillars of silver and gold inlaid with pearls and corals and gems.

नम्रैरृजुभिरत्युच्चैस्समन्तात्सुविभूषितैः। स्तम्भै: पक्षैरिवात्युच्चैर्दिवं संप्रस्थितामिव।।5.9.25।।

namrairṛjubhiratyuccaissamantātsuvibhūṣitaiḥ| stambhai: pakṣairivātyuccairdivaṃ saṃprasthitāmiva

It had highly ornamented pillars all over, some slightly bent and others straight. With lofty columns looking like wings it appeared as if the mansion had started on its journey to heaven.

महत्या कुथयास्तीर्णां पृथिवीलक्षणाङ्कया। पृथिवीमिव विस्तीर्णां सराष्ट्रगृहमालिनीम्।।5.9.26।।

mahatyā kuthayāstīrṇāṃ pṛthivīlakṣaṇāṅkayā| pṛthivīmiva vistīrṇāṃ sarāṣṭragṛhamālinīm

The floor was covered with a wide carpet spread from wall to wall with designs of different murals of many places and houses drawn in a row (garland like). The big carpet appeared like the expanse of earth itself.

नादितां मत्तविहगैर्दिव्यगन्धाधिवासिताम्। परार्ध्यास्तरणोपेतां रक्षोधिपनिषेविताम्।।5.9.27।।

nāditāṃ mattavihagairdivyagandhādhivāsitām| parārdhyāstaraṇopetāṃ rakṣodhipaniṣevitām

The mansion was resounding with the noise of birds singing in heat. It had wonderful fragrance. It was laid with exquisite tapestries and served as a dwelling place for the king of demons.

धूम्रामगरुधूपेन विमलां हंसपाण्डुराम्। चित्रां पुष्पोपहारेण कल्माषीमिव सुप्रभाम्।।5.9.28।।

dhūmrāmagarudhūpena vimalāṃ haṃsapāṇḍurām| citrāṃ puṣpopahāreṇa kalmāṣīmiva suprabhām

It was smoky with fumes of agaru incence though spotless like a swan. It was colourful and radiant like Kamadhenu, the wishfulfilling cow, because of the offering of flowers.

मनस्संह्लादजननीं वर्णस्यापि प्रसादिनीम्। तां शोकनाशिनीं दिव्यां श्रियः सञ्जननीमिव।।5.9.29।।

manassaṃhlādajananīṃ varṇasyāpi prasādinīm| tāṃ śokanāśinīṃ divyāṃ śriyaḥ sañjananīmiva

(The mansion) was so full of effulgence and soul ravishing that it served as an adornment even to splendour. It looked as though it banished all sorrow and was a source of prosperity.

इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थैस्तु पञ्च पञ्चभिरुत्तमैः। तर्पयामास मातेव तदा रावणपालिता।।5.9.30।।

indriyāṇīndriyārthaistu pañca pañcabhiruttamaiḥ| tarpayāmāsa māteva tadā rāvaṇapālitā

The chamber of Ravana, like a mother, gratified all the five senses of Hanuman with proper objects of the senses.

स्वर्गोऽयं देवलोकोऽयमिन्द्रस्येयं पुरी भवेत्। सिद्धिर्वेयं परा हि स्यादित्यमन्यत मारुतिः।।5.9.31।।

svargo'yaṃ devaloko'yamindrasyeyaṃ purī bhavet| siddhirveyaṃ parā hi syādityamanyata mārutiḥ

'This may be heaven or world of gods. It may be Amaravati, the abode of Indra or else it may be the supreme achievment (of the Creator), thought Maruti৷৷

प्रध्यायत इवापश्यत्प्रदीपांस्तत्र काञ्चनान्। धूर्तानिव महाधूतैर्देवनेन पराजितान्।।5.9.32।।

pradhyāyata ivāpaśyatpradīpāṃstatra kāñcanān| dhūrtāniva mahādhūtairdevanena parājitān

Seeing the golden lamps that stood burning steadily, Hanuman thought they looked like gamblers in deep thought defeated by expert gamblers in a game of dice.

दीपानां च प्रकाशेन तेजसा रावणस्य च। अर्चिर्भिर्भूषणानां च प्रदीप्तेत्यभ्यमन्यत।।5.9.33।।

dīpānāṃ ca prakāśena tejasā rāvaṇasya ca| arcirbhirbhūṣaṇānāṃ ca pradīptetyabhyamanyata

Hanuman fancied that the entire place was set ablaze with the glow of lamps, the lustre of Ravana and the brilliant glow of Ravana's ornaments (everything was shining).

ततोऽपश्यत्कुथाऽऽसीनं नानावरायम्बरस्रजम्। सहस्रं वरनारीणां नानावेषविभूषितम्।।5.9.34।।

tato'paśyatkuthā''sīnaṃ nānāvarāyambarasrajam| sahasraṃ varanārīṇāṃ nānāveṣavibhūṣitam

He found thousands of beautiful women seated on carpets wearing different clothes and garlands and dressed in various attires.

परिवृत्तेऽर्धरात्रे तु पाननिद्रावशं गतम्। क्रीडित्वोपरतं रात्रौ सुष्वाप बलवत्तदा।।5.9.35।।

parivṛtte'rdharātre tu pānanidrāvaśaṃ gatam| krīḍitvoparataṃ rātrau suṣvāpa balavattadā

Drinking and sporting until midnight, they had dropped off to sleeptired.

तत्प्रसुप्तं विरुरुचे निश्शब्दान्तरभूषणम्। निःशब्दहंसभ्रमरं यथा पद्मवनं महत्।।5.9.36।।

tatprasuptaṃ viruruce niśśabdāntarabhūṣaṇam| niḥśabdahaṃsabhramaraṃ yathā padmavanaṃ mahat

Fast asleep, sounds of their ornaments silenced, the young women looked like a large bed of lotuses with swans and bees sitting calm without their usual noise.

तासां संवृतदन्तानि मीलिताक्षीणि मारुतिः। अपश्यत्पद्मगन्धीनि वदनानि सुयोषिताम्।।5.9.37।।

tāsāṃ saṃvṛtadantāni mīlitākṣīṇi mārutiḥ| apaśyatpadmagandhīni vadanāni suyoṣitām

Hanuman looked at the faces of the wellbred young women with closed eyes and concealed teeth, fragrant like lotuses.

प्रबुद्धानीव पद्मानि तासां भूत्वा क्षपाक्षये। पुनस्संवृतपत्राणि रात्राविव बभुस्तदा।।5.9.38।।

prabuddhānīva padmāni tāsāṃ bhūtvā kṣapākṣaye| punassaṃvṛtapatrāṇi rātrāviva babhustadā

The faces of the women looked like blooming lotuses at daybreak, their petals closed up again at night.

इमानि मुखपद्मानि नियतं मत्तषट्पदाः। अम्बुजानीव फुल्लानि प्रार्थयन्ति पुनः पुनः।।5.9.39।।

imāni mukhapadmāni niyataṃ mattaṣaṭpadāḥ| ambujānīva phullāni prārthayanti punaḥ punaḥ

The intoxicated bees would again and again long to enjoy these beautiful faces which were like blooming lotuses.

इति चामन्यत श्रीमानुपपत्त्या महाकपिः। मेने हि गुणतस्तानि समानि सलिलोद्भवैः।।5.9.40।।

iti cāmanyata śrīmānupapattyā mahākapiḥ| mene hi guṇatastāni samāni salilodbhavaiḥ

The illustrious Hanuman felt it to be correct to compare those faces with lotuses for their fragrance.

सा तस्य शुशुभे शाला ताभिस्त्रीभिर्विराजिता। शारदीव प्रसन्ना द्यौस्ताराभिरभिशोभिता।।5.9.41।।

sā tasya śuśubhe śālā tābhistrībhirvirājitā| śāradīva prasannā dyaustārābhirabhiśobhitā

Brightened by (the beauty of) the maidens, the mansion shone like the autumnal sky endearing and pleasing with stars.

स च ताभिः परिवृतश्शुशुभे राक्षसाधिपः। यथा ह्युडुपतिश्शीमांस्ताराभिरभिसंवृतः।।5.9.42।।

sa ca tābhiḥ parivṛtaśśuśubhe rākṣasādhipaḥ| yathā hyuḍupatiśśīmāṃstārābhirabhisaṃvṛtaḥ

The lord of demons surrounded by women shone like the beautiful Moon encircled by stars.

याश्च्यवन्तेऽम्बरात्ताराः पुण्यशेषसमावृताः। इमास्तास्सङ्गताः कृत्स्ना इति मेने हरिस्तदा।।5.9.43।।

yāścyavante'mbarāttārāḥ puṇyaśeṣasamāvṛtāḥ| imāstāssaṅgatāḥ kṛtsnā iti mene haristadā

Seeing those women lying together Hanuman imagined them to be numerous meteors dropped from heaven after enjoying their merits, enjoyed and exhausted.

ताराणामिव सुव्यक्तं महतीनां शुभार्चिषाम्। प्रभावर्णप्रसादाश्च विरेजुस्तत्र योषिताम्।।5.9.44।।

tārāṇāmiva suvyaktaṃ mahatīnāṃ śubhārciṣām| prabhāvarṇaprasādāśca virejustatra yoṣitām

It was clear that the grace and lustre of those women looked brilliant like the lustre and grace of brilliant stars releasing an auspicious glow.

व्यावृत्तगुरुपीनस्रक्प्रकीर्णवरभूषणाः। पानव्यायामकालेषु निद्रापहृतचेतसः।।5.9.45।।

vyāvṛttagurupīnasrakprakīrṇavarabhūṣaṇāḥ| pānavyāyāmakāleṣu nidrāpahṛtacetasaḥ

Garlands displaced and jewels scattered, they were drowsy due to drink and sexual exercise.

व्यावृत्ततिलकाः काश्चित्काश्चिदुद्भ्रन्तनूपुराः। पार्श्वे गलितहाराश्च काश्चित्परमयोषितः।।5.9.46।।

vyāvṛttatilakāḥ kāścitkāścidudbhrantanūpurāḥ| pārśve galitahārāśca kāścitparamayoṣitaḥ

A few young women had their circular vermilion mark (on the forehead) smudged, some had their anklets loosened and a few had their necklaces.

मुक्ताहाराऽवृताश्चान्याः काश्चिद्विस्रस्तवाससः। व्याविद्धरशनादामाः किशोर्य इव वाहिताः।।5.9.47।।

muktāhārā'vṛtāścānyāḥ kāścidvisrastavāsasaḥ| vyāviddharaśanādāmāḥ kiśorya iva vāhitāḥ

Some had their strings of pearl broken, others had their clothes slipped off, and some had their waist belts snapped. They were like young mares fallen to rest after carrying heavy loads.

सुकुण्डलधराश्चान्या विच्छिन्नमृदितस्रजः। गजेन्द्रमृदिताः फुल्ला लता इव महावने।।5.9.48।।

sukuṇḍaladharāścānyā vicchinnamṛditasrajaḥ| gajendramṛditāḥ phullā latā iva mahāvane

With their good eartops broken and flower garlands crushed some looked like blooming creepers in a dense forest crushed by mighty elephants.

चन्द्रांशुकिरणाभाश्च हाराः कासांचिदुत्कटाः। हंसा इव बभुस्सुप्ताः स्तनमध्येषु योषिताम्।।5.9.49।।

candrāṃśukiraṇābhāśca hārāḥ kāsāṃcidutkaṭāḥ| haṃsā iva babhussuptāḥ stanamadhyeṣu yoṣitām

The pearl chains, large and shining like rays of the Moon in the space between the breasts looked like sleeping swans.

अपरासां च वैडूर्याः कादम्बा इव पक्षिणः। हेमसूत्राणि चान्यासां चक्रवाका इवाभवन्।।5.9.50।।

aparāsāṃ ca vaiḍūryāḥ kādambā iva pakṣiṇaḥ| hemasūtrāṇi cānyāsāṃ cakravākā ivābhavan

The vaidurya worn by women (on the breasts) looked like Kadamba birds while the golden chains put on by some others appeared like ruddy geese.

हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णाश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः। आपगा इव ता रेजुर्जघनैः पुलिनैरिव।।5.9.51।।

haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ| āpagā iva tā rejurjaghanaiḥ pulinairiva

Their hips were like river banks crowded with swans, karandava and Chakravaka birds shining like rivers.

किङ्किणीजालसङ्कोशास्ता हैमविपुलाम्बुजाः। भावग्राहा यशस्तीराः सुप्ता नद्य इवाऽऽबभुः।।5.9.52।।

kiṅkiṇījālasaṅkośāstā haimavipulāmbujāḥ| bhāvagrāhā yaśastīrāḥ suptā nadya ivā''babhuḥ

With their tiny bells round their girdle looking like buds, the bold golden ornaments like lotuses, their gestures of love like crocodiles and their radiant beauty like silver banks, the women looked like smoky rivers.

मृदुष्वङ्गेषु कासाञ्चित्कुचाग्रेषु च संस्थिताः। बभुर्वर्भूषणानीव शुभा भूषणराजयः।।5.9.53।।

mṛduṣvaṅgeṣu kāsāñcitkucāgreṣu ca saṃsthitāḥ| babhurvarbhūṣaṇānīva śubhā bhūṣaṇarājayaḥ

The beautiful imprints made by the (heavy) ornaments on the tender limbs, breasts and nipples of some women appeared like many ornaments.

अंशुकान्ताश्च कासाञ्चिन्मुखमारुतकम्पिताः। उपर्युपरि वक्त्राणां व्याधूयन्ते पुनः पुनः।।5.9.54।।

aṃśukāntāśca kāsāñcinmukhamārutakampitāḥ| uparyupari vaktrāṇāṃ vyādhūyante punaḥ punaḥ

Shaken by the breath released from their mouths the fringes of the garments of some women were drawn towards their faces again and againfluttering.

ताः पताका इवोद्धूताः पत्नीनां रुचिरप्रभाः। नानावर्णसुवर्णानां वक्त्रमूलेषु रेजिरे।।5.9.55।।

tāḥ patākā ivoddhūtāḥ patnīnāṃ ruciraprabhāḥ| nānāvarṇasuvarṇānāṃ vaktramūleṣu rejire

The fringes of their garments glowing beautifully close to the faces of the wives (of Ravana) with different beautiful hues, shone splendid like flags.

ववल्गुश्चात्र कासांचित्कुण्डलानि शुभार्चिषाम्। मुखमारुतसंसर्गान्मन्दं मन्दं सुयोषिताम्।।5.9.56।।

vavalguścātra kāsāṃcitkuṇḍalāni śubhārciṣām| mukhamārutasaṃsargānmandaṃ mandaṃ suyoṣitām

The eartops of some women endowed with auspicious charm were swinging softly generating a gentle sound by the touch of their breath.

शर्कराऽसवगन्धैश्च प्रकृत्या सुरभिः सुखः। तासां वदननिश्वासस्सिषेवे रावणं तदा।।5.9.57।।

śarkarā'savagandhaiśca prakṛtyā surabhiḥ sukhaḥ| tāsāṃ vadananiśvāsassiṣeve rāvaṇaṃ tadā

The sweet smell of wine emitted from their mouth and the natural fragrance of their breath was refreshing to Ravana as if it was serving him at that time.

रावणाननशङ्काश्च काश्चिद्रावणयोषितः। मुखानि स्म सपत्नीनामुपाजिघ्रन्पुनः पुनः।।5.9.58।।

rāvaṇānanaśaṅkāśca kāścidrāvaṇayoṣitaḥ| mukhāni sma sapatnīnāmupājighranpunaḥ punaḥ

Some women of Ravana (overcome by blind passion) smelt again and again the mouths of their cowives next to them assuming it to be Ravana's.

अत्यर्थं सक्तमनसो रावणे ता वरस्त्रियः। अस्वतन्त्राः सपत्नीनां प्रियमेवाऽचरंस्तदा।।5.9.59।।

atyarthaṃ saktamanaso rāvaṇe tā varastriyaḥ| asvatantrāḥ sapatnīnāṃ priyamevā'caraṃstadā

Even though the beautiful wives (should have been angry with their cowives for smelling their mouths) they behaved pleasingly, having no freedom to act with Ravana

बाहूनुपनिधायान्याः पारिहार्यविभूषितान्। अंशुकानि च रम्याणि प्रमदास्तत्र शिश्यिरे।।5.9.60।।

bāhūnupanidhāyānyāḥ pārihāryavibhūṣitān| aṃśukāni ca ramyāṇi pramadāstatra śiśyire

Some women slept pillowed on their arms, laying aside their adornments and others had their garment under the head as pillows and lay in sleep.

अन्या वक्षसि चान्यस्यास्तस्याः काचित्पुनर्भुजम्। अपरा त्वङ्कमन्यस्यास्तस्याश्चाप्यपरा भुजौ।।5.9.61।।

anyā vakṣasi cānyasyāstasyāḥ kācitpunarbhujam| aparā tvaṅkamanyasyāstasyāścāpyaparā bhujau

Some women lay placing their arms on the breasts of the other while their own arms were used as pillow by another. One woman placed her head on the lap of the other and slept.

ऊरुपार्श्वकटीपृष्ठमन्योन्यस्य समाश्रिताः। परस्परनिविष्टाङ्ग्यो मदस्नेहवशानुगाः।।5.9.62।।

ūrupārśvakaṭīpṛṣṭhamanyonyasya samāśritāḥ| parasparaniviṣṭāṅgyo madasnehavaśānugāḥ

Given to intoxication and sex, the women slept touching one another's thighs, sides, hips, back and lap of the other, with their limbs intertwined.

अन्योन्यभुजसूत्रेण स्त्रीमाला ग्रथिता हि सा। मालेव ग्रथिता सूत्रे शुशुभे मत्तषट्पदा।।5.9.63।।

anyonyabhujasūtreṇa strīmālā grathitā hi sā| māleva grathitā sūtre śuśubhe mattaṣaṭpadā

Knit with the shoulders of one another like a garland of flowers intertwined with the tipsy bees resting the women shone.

लतानां माधवे मासि फुल्लानां वायुसेवनात्। अन्योन्य मालाग्रथितं संसक्तकुसुमोच्चयम्।।5.9.64।। व्यतिवेष्टितसुस्कन्धमन्योन्यभ्रमराकुलम्। आसीद्वनमिवोद्धूतं स्त्रीवनं रावणस्य तत्।।5.9.65।।

latānāṃ mādhave māsi phullānāṃ vāyusevanāt| anyonya mālāgrathitaṃ saṃsaktakusumoccayam vyativeṣṭitasuskandhamanyonyabhramarākulam| āsīdvanamivoddhūtaṃ strīvanaṃ rāvaṇasya tat

The women of Ravana appeared like a garden in spring. They were as if a cluster of creepers blossomed in spring due to the caresses of the breeze. They were knit together as one string forming a garland, flowers of one creeper striking the other. The joints of these creepers had grown strong when tangled together. Shaken by the breeze, the bees resting on one creeper would go to the other.

लतानां माधवे मासि फुल्लानां वायुसेवनात्। अन्योन्य मालाग्रथितं संसक्तकुसुमोच्चयम्।।5.9.64।। व्यतिवेष्टितसुस्कन्धमन्योन्यभ्रमराकुलम्। आसीद्वनमिवोद्धूतं स्त्रीवनं रावणस्य तत्।।5.9.65।।

latānāṃ mādhave māsi phullānāṃ vāyusevanāt| anyonya mālāgrathitaṃ saṃsaktakusumoccayam vyativeṣṭitasuskandhamanyonyabhramarākulam| āsīdvanamivoddhūtaṃ strīvanaṃ rāvaṇasya tat

The women of Ravana appeared like a garden in spring. They were as if a cluster of creepers blossomed in spring due to the caresses of the breeze. They were knit together as one string forming a garland, flowers of one creeper striking the other. The joints of these creepers had grown strong when tangled together. Shaken by the breeze, the bees resting on one creeper would go to the other.

उचितेष्वपि सुव्यक्तं न तासां योषितां तदा। विवेकः शक्य आधातुं भूषणाङ्गाम्बरस्रजाम्।।5.9.66।।

uciteṣvapi suvyaktaṃ na tāsāṃ yoṣitāṃ tadā| vivekaḥ śakya ādhātuṃ bhūṣaṇāṅgāmbarasrajām

It was not possible to distinguish clearly between their jewels, limbs, garments and garlands and to place them in the right spots.

रावणे सुखसंविष्टे तास्त्रियो विविधप्रभाः। ज्वलन्तः काञ्चना दीपाः प्रैक्षन्तानिमिषा इव।।5.9.67।।

rāvaṇe sukhasaṃviṣṭe tāstriyo vividhaprabhāḥ| jvalantaḥ kāñcanā dīpāḥ praikṣantānimiṣā iva

When Ravana was happily asleep, the gods of light burning on the gold lampposts gazed without winking as it were, at the women, whom they dare not gaze for fear of waking Ravana.

राजर्षिपितृदैत्यानां गन्धर्वाणां च योषितः। राक्षसानां च याः कन्यास्तस्य कामवशं गताः।।5.9.68।।

rājarṣipitṛdaityānāṃ gandharvāṇāṃ ca yoṣitaḥ| rākṣasānāṃ ca yāḥ kanyāstasya kāmavaśaṃ gatāḥ

The women halled from the families of royal sages, ancestral deities, daityas and demons who were infatuated with him.

युद्धकामेन ताः सर्वा रावणेन हृताः स्त्रियः। समदा मदनेनैव मोहिताः काश्चिदागताः।।5.9.69।।

yuddhakāmena tāḥ sarvā rāvaṇena hṛtāḥ striyaḥ| samadā madanenaiva mohitāḥ kāścidāgatāḥ

Many were brought by Ravana as captives of war and some came on their own deluded by lust.

न तत्र काचित्प्रमदा प्रसह्य वीर्योपपन्नेन गुणेन लब्धा। न चान्यकामापि न चान्यपूर्वा विना वरार्हां जनकात्मजां ताम्।।5.9.70।।

na tatra kācitpramadā prasahya vīryopapannena guṇena labdhā| na cānyakāmāpi na cānyapūrvā vinā varārhāṃ janakātmajāṃ tām

Except Sita no other woman among them had been taken there by force. They were won only on account of his valour and virtues. None loved any one earlier and none was married to others.

न चाकुलीना न च हीनरूपा नादक्षिणा नानुपचारयुक्ता। भार्याभवत्तस्य न हीनसत्त्वा न चापि कान्तस्य न कामनीया।।5.9.71।।

na cākulīnā na ca hīnarūpā nādakṣiṇā nānupacārayuktā| bhāryābhavattasya na hīnasattvā na cāpi kāntasya na kāmanīyā

None among them was born of a lowly family, nor lacked beauty, kindness, skill, strength or brightness. No one was not lovable to Ravana.

बभूव बुद्धिस्तु हरीश्वरस्य यदीदृशी राघवधर्मपत्नी। इमा यथा राक्षसराजभार्याः सुजातमस्येति हि साधुबुद्धेः।।5.9.72।।

babhūva buddhistu harīśvarasya yadīdṛśī rāghavadharmapatnī| imā yathā rākṣasarājabhāryāḥ sujātamasyeti hi sādhubuddheḥ

'If the lawful wife of Rama born of a good family can be allowed to remain with Rama in the same way as the consorts of the lord of demons, how fortunate it would be, thought the wise lord of monkeys'.

पुनश्च सोऽचिन्तयादात्तरूपो ध्रुवं विशिष्टा गुणतो हि सीता। अथायमस्यां कृतवान्महात्मा लङ्केश्वरः कष्टमनार्यकर्म।।5.9.73।।

punaśca so'cintayādāttarūpo dhruvaṃ viśiṣṭā guṇato hi sītā| athāyamasyāṃ kṛtavānmahātmā laṅkeśvaraḥ kaṣṭamanāryakarma

Hanuman once again assuming his true form said to himself, 'Sita is surely a virtuous lady superior to and more distinguished than them all. Alas, this lord of Lanka committed an ignoble, act (by abducting her). इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे नवमस्सर्गः। Thus ends the ninth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.