Uttara Kanda, Sarga 23

ततो जित्वा दशग्रीवो यमं त्रिदशपुङ्गवम् । रावणस्तु रणश्लाघी स्वसहायान्ददर्श ह ।। 7.23.1 ।।

tato jitvā daśagrīvo yamaṃ tridaśapuṅgavam | rāvaṇastu raṇaślāghī svasahāyāndadarśa ha || 7.23.1 ||

Then, having conquered Yama, the chief among the gods, Ravana, who boasted of his prowess in battle, indeed saw his own companions.

ततो रुधिरसिक्ताङ्गं प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृतम् । रावणं राक्षसा दृष्ट्वा ह्यष्टवत् समुपागमन् ।। 7.23.2 ।।

tato rudhirasiktāṅgaṃ prahārairjarjarīkṛtam | rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasā dṛṣṭvā hyaṣṭavat samupāgaman || 7.23.2 ||

Then, having seen Ravana, whose body was drenched in blood and shattered by blows, the demons indeed approached him auspiciously.

जयेन वर्धयित्वा च मारीचप्रमुखास्ततः । पुष्पकं भेजिरे सर्वे सान्त्विता रावणेन तु ।। 7.23.3 ।।

jayena vardhayitvā ca mārīcapramukhāstataḥ | puṣpakaṃ bhejire sarve sāntvitā rāvaṇena tu || 7.23.3 ||

After Ravana had consoled them and celebrated their victory, Maricha and the other chiefs all boarded the Pushpaka chariot.

ततो रसातलं गच्छन् प्रविष्टः पयसां निधिम् । दैत्योरगगणाध्युष्टं वरुणेन सुरक्षितम् ।। 7.23.4 ।।

tato rasātalaṃ gacchan praviṣṭaḥ payasāṃ nidhim | daityoragagaṇādhyuṣṭaṃ varuṇena surakṣitam || 7.23.4 ||

Then, proceeding to Rasatala, he entered the ocean, which was inhabited by hosts of Daityas and Nagas and well-protected by Varuna.

स तु भोगवतीं गत्वा पुरीं वासुकिपालिताम् । कृत्वा नागान्वशे हृष्टो ययौ मणिमयीं पुरीम् ।। 7.23.5 ।।

sa tu bhogavatīṃ gatvā purīṃ vāsukipālitām | kṛtvā nāgānvaśe hṛṣṭo yayau maṇimayīṃ purīm || 7.23.5 ||

Having gone to the city of Bhogavati, protected by Vasuki, and having brought the Nagas under his control, he, delighted, proceeded to the gem-studded city.

निवातकवचास्तत्र दैत्या लब्धवरा वसन् । राक्षसान्तान्समागम्य युद्धाय समुपाह्वयत् ।। 7.23.6 ।।

nivātakavacāstatra daityā labdhavarā vasan | rākṣasāntānsamāgamya yuddhāya samupāhvayat || 7.23.6 ||

There lived the Nivātakavachas, Daityas who had obtained boons, and Ravana, having approached them, challenged them to battle.

ते तु सर्वे सुविक्रान्ता दैतेया बलशालिनः । नानाप्रहरणास्तत्र प्रहृष्टा युद्धदुर्मदाः ।। 7.23.7 ।।

te tu sarve suvikrāntā daiteyā balaśālinaḥ | nānāpraharaṇāstatra prahṛṣṭā yuddhadurmadāḥ || 7.23.7 ||

All those Daityas were indeed very mighty, powerful, equipped with various weapons, and overjoyed and fierce in battle.

शूलैस्त्रिशूलैः कुलिशैः पट्टिशासिपरश्वधैः । अन्योन्यं बिभिदुः क्रुद्धा राक्षसा दानवास्तथा ।। 7.23.8 ।।

śūlaistriśūlaiḥ kuliśaiḥ paṭṭiśāsiparaśvadhaiḥ | anyonyaṃ bibhiduḥ kruddhā rākṣasā dānavāstathā || 7.23.8 ||

The enraged Rakshasas and Danavas fiercely pierced each other with spears, tridents, thunderbolts, sharp-edged spears, swords, and axes.

तेषां तु युध्यमानानां साग्रः संवत्सरो गतः । न चान्यतरयोस्तत्र विजयो वा क्षयो ऽपि वा ।। 7.23.9 ।।

teṣāṃ tu yudhyamānānāṃ sāgraḥ saṃvatsaro gataḥ | na cānyatarayostatra vijayo vā kṣayo 'pi vā || 7.23.9 ||

As they continued to fight, more than a year passed, yet neither side achieved victory nor suffered complete destruction.

ततः पितामहस्तत्र त्रैलोक्यगतिरव्ययः । आजगाम द्रुतं देवो विमानवरमास्थितः ।। 7.23.10 ।।

tataḥ pitāmahastatra trailokyagatiravyayaḥ | ājagāma drutaṃ devo vimānavaramāsthitaḥ || 7.23.10 ||

Then, the imperishable god Brahma, the lord of the three worlds, quickly arrived there, seated in his magnificent aerial chariot.

निवातकवचानां तु निवार्य रणकर्म तत् । वृद्धः पितामहो वाक्यमुवाच विदितार्थवत् ।। 7.23.11 ।।

nivātakavacānāṃ tu nivārya raṇakarma tat | vṛddhaḥ pitāmaho vākyamuvāca viditārthavat || 7.23.11 ||

Having stopped that act of war involving the Nivatakavachas, the wise grandfather Brahma spoke meaningful words.

नह्ययं रावणो युद्धे शक्यो जेतुं सुरासुरैः । न भवन्तः क्षयं नेतुमपि सामरदानवैः ।। 7.23.12 ।।

nahyayaṃ rāvaṇo yuddhe śakyo jetuṃ surāsuraiḥ | na bhavantaḥ kṣayaṃ netumapi sāmaradānavaiḥ || 7.23.12 ||

Indeed, this Ravana cannot be conquered in battle by gods and asuras, nor can you (Nivatakavachas) be led to destruction even by gods and Danavas.

राक्षसस्य सखित्वं च भवद्भिः सह रोचते । अविभक्ताश्च सर्वार्थाः सुहृदां नात्र संशयः ।। 7.23.13 ।।

rākṣasasya sakhitvaṃ ca bhavadbhiḥ saha rocate | avibhaktāśca sarvārthāḥ suhṛdāṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ || 7.23.13 ||

Friendship with you Rakshasas is agreeable, and there is no doubt that all interests of friends are undivided.

ततो ऽग्निसाक्षिकं सख्यं कृतवांस्तत्र रावणः । निवातकवचैः सार्धं प्रीतिमानभवत्तदा ।। 7.23.14 ।।

tato 'gnisākṣikaṃ sakhyaṃ kṛtavāṃstatra rāvaṇaḥ | nivātakavacaiḥ sārdhaṃ prītimānabhavattadā || 7.23.14 ||

Then, Ravana established a friendship with the Nivātakavachas, with fire as witness, and became delighted at that time.

अर्थतस्तैर्यथान्यायं संवत्सरमथोषितः । स्वपुरान्निर्विशेषं च प्रियं प्राप्तो दशाननः ।। 7.23.15 ।।

arthatastairyathānyāyaṃ saṃvatsaramathoṣitaḥ | svapurānnirviśeṣaṃ ca priyaṃ prāpto daśānanaḥ || 7.23.15 ||

Ravana then resided there for a year, treated properly and justly by them, receiving affection as if he were in his own city.

ततोपधार्य मायानां शतमेकं समाप्तवान् । सलिलेन्द्रपुरान्वेषी भ्रमति स्म रसातलम् ।। 7.23.16 ।।

tatopadhārya māyānāṃ śatamekaṃ samāptavān | salilendrapurānveṣī bhramati sma rasātalam || 7.23.16 ||

Then, having mastered a full hundred magic arts, Ravana wandered through the netherworld in search of the city of Varuna, the lord of waters.

ततो ऽश्मनगरं नाम कालकेयैरधिष्ठितम् । गत्वा तु कालकेयांश्च हत्वा तत्र बलोत्कटान् ।। 7.23.17 ।।

tato 'śmanagaraṃ nāma kālakeyairadhiṣṭhitam | gatvā tu kālakeyāṃśca hatvā tatra balotkaṭān || 7.23.17 ||

Then, having gone to the city named Ashmanagara, which was inhabited by the Kalakeyas, Ravana killed the exceedingly strong Kalakeyas there.

शूर्पणख्याश्च भर्तारमसिना प्राच्छिनत्तदा । श्यालं च बलवन्तं च विद्युज्जिह्वं बलोत्कटम् । जिह्वया संलिहन्तं च राक्षसं समरे तथा ।। 7.23.18 ।।

śūrpaṇakhyāśca bhartāramasinā prācchinattadā | śyālaṃ ca balavantaṃ ca vidyujjihvaṃ balotkaṭam | jihvayā saṃlihantaṃ ca rākṣasaṃ samare tathā || 7.23.18 ||

Then, Ravana cut off Shurpanakha's husband, his mighty and exceedingly strong brother-in-law named Vidyujjihva, who was a Rakshasa licking (blood/wounds) with his tongue in battle, with his sword.

तं विजित्य मुहूर्तेन जघ्ने दैत्यांश्चतुःशतम् ।। 7.23.19 ।।

taṃ vijitya muhūrtena jaghne daityāṃścatuḥśatam || 7.23.19 ||

Having conquered him, he killed four hundred demons in an instant.

ततः पाण्डुरमेघाभं कैलासमिव भास्वरम् । वरुणस्यालयं दिव्यमपश्यद्राक्षसाधिपः ।। 7.23.20 ।।

tataḥ pāṇḍurameghābhaṃ kailāsamiva bhāsvaram | varuṇasyālayaṃ divyamapaśyadrākṣasādhipaḥ || 7.23.20 ||

Then, the lord of rakshasas saw the divine abode of Varuna, which resembled white clouds and shone like Mount Kailasa.

क्षरन्तीं च पयस्तत्र सुरभिं गामवस्थिताम् । यस्याः पयोभिनिष्यन्दात्क्षीरोदो नाम सागरः ।। 7.23.21 ।।

kṣarantīṃ ca payastatra surabhiṃ gāmavasthitām | yasyāḥ payobhiniṣyandātkṣīrodo nāma sāgaraḥ || 7.23.21 ||

There he saw the divine cow Surabhi, standing and continuously flowing milk, from whose abundant milk flow the ocean named Kshiroda originated.

ददर्श रावणस्तत्र गोवृषेन्द्रवरारणिम् । यस्माच्चन्द्रः प्रभवति शीतरश्मिर्निशाकरः ।। 7.23.22 ।।

dadarśa rāvaṇastatra govṛṣendravarāraṇim | yasmāccandraḥ prabhavati śītaraśmirniśākaraḥ || 7.23.22 ||

There Ravana saw the ocean, the best source of cows, bulls, and excellent things, from which the cool-rayed moon, the maker of night, originated.

यं समाश्रित्य जीवन्ति फेनपाः परमर्षयः । अमृतं यत्र चोत्पन्नं स्वधा च स्वधभोजिनाम् ।। 7.23.23 ।।

yaṃ samāśritya jīvanti phenapāḥ paramarṣayaḥ | amṛtaṃ yatra cotpannaṃ svadhā ca svadhabhojinām || 7.23.23 ||

Great sages known as foam-drinkers subsist by depending on this ocean, and it is also where nectar and Svadhā, the offering for ancestors, originated.

यां ब्रुवन्ति नरा लोके सुरभिं नाम नामतः । प्रदक्षिणं तु तां कृत्वा रावणः परमाद्भुताम् ।। 7.23.24 ।।

yāṃ bruvanti narā loke surabhiṃ nāma nāmataḥ | pradakṣiṇaṃ tu tāṃ kṛtvā rāvaṇaḥ paramādbhutām || 7.23.24 ||

Ravana, having circumambulated the exceedingly wonderful Surabhi, whom people in the world call by that name, then proceeded.

प्रविवेश महाघोरं गुप्तं बहुविधैर्बलैः । ततो धाराशताकीर्णं शारदाभ्रनिभं तदा । नित्यप्रहृष्टं ददृशे वरुणस्य गृहोत्तमम् ।। 7.23.25 ।।

praviveśa mahāghoraṃ guptaṃ bahuvidhairbalaiḥ | tato dhārāśatākīrṇaṃ śāradābhranibhaṃ tadā | nityaprahṛṣṭaṃ dadṛśe varuṇasya gṛhottamam || 7.23.25 ||

He then entered a very dreadful place, guarded by various forces, and there he saw Varuna's excellent abode, which was filled with hundreds of streams, resembled an autumn cloud, and was always joyful.

ततो हत्वा बलाध्यक्षान्समरे तैश्च ताडितः । अब्रवीच्च ततो योधान्राजा शीघ्रं निवेद्यताम् ।। 7.23.26 ।।

tato hatvā balādhyakṣānsamare taiśca tāḍitaḥ | abravīcca tato yodhānrājā śīghraṃ nivedyatām || 7.23.26 ||

Then, having killed the commanders of the army in battle and being struck by them, Ravana said to the warriors, "Let the king (Varuna) be quickly informed."

युद्धार्थी रावणः प्राप्तस्तस्य युद्धं प्रदीयताम् । वद वा न भयं ते ऽस्ति निर्जितो ऽस्मीति साञ्जलिः ।। 7.23.27 ।।

yuddhārthī rāvaṇaḥ prāptastasya yuddhaṃ pradīyatām | vada vā na bhayaṃ te 'sti nirjito 'smīti sāñjaliḥ || 7.23.27 ||

"Ravana, desirous of battle, has arrived; let battle be given to him, or else, with folded hands, say 'I am conquered' if you have no fear."

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रुद्धा वरुणस्य महात्मनः । पुत्राः पौत्राश्च निष्क्रामन्गौश्च पुष्कर एव च ।। 7.23.28 ।।

etasminnantare kruddhā varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ | putrāḥ pautrāśca niṣkrāmangauśca puṣkara eva ca || 7.23.28 ||

At this moment, the enraged sons and grandsons of the great-souled Varuna, including Gau and Pushkara, came out.

ते तु वीर्यगुणोपेता बलैः परिवृताः स्वकैः । युङ्क्त्वा रथान्कामगमानुद्यद्भास्वरवर्चसः ।। 7.23.29 ।।

te tu vīryaguṇopetā balaiḥ parivṛtāḥ svakaiḥ | yuṅktvā rathānkāmagamānudyadbhāsvaravarcasaḥ || 7.23.29 ||

Endowed with valorous qualities and surrounded by their own forces, they yoked their chariots, which moved at will, shining with brilliant splendor.

ततो युद्धं समभवद्दारुणं रोमहर्षणम् । सलिलेन्द्रस्य पुत्राणां रावणस्य च धीमतः ।। 7.23.30 ।।

tato yuddhaṃ samabhavaddāruṇaṃ romaharṣaṇam | salilendrasya putrāṇāṃ rāvaṇasya ca dhīmataḥ || 7.23.30 ||

Then, a terrible and hair-raising battle ensued between the sons of Varuna, the lord of waters, and the intelligent Ravana.

अमात्यैश्च महावीर्यैर्दशग्रीवस्य रक्षसः । वारुणं तद्बलं कृत्स्नं क्षणेन विनिपातितम् ।। 7.23.31 ।।

amātyaiśca mahāvīryairdaśagrīvasya rakṣasaḥ | vāruṇaṃ tadbalaṃ kṛtsnaṃ kṣaṇena vinipātitam || 7.23.31 ||

And by the very powerful ministers of the Rakshasa Dashagriva, that entire army of Varuna was destroyed in a moment.

समीक्ष्य स्वबलं सङ्ख्ये वरुणस्य सुतास्तदा । अर्दिताः शरजालेन निवृत्ता रणकर्मणः ।। 7.23.32 ।।

samīkṣya svabalaṃ saṅkhye varuṇasya sutāstadā | arditāḥ śarajālena nivṛttā raṇakarmaṇaḥ || 7.23.32 ||

Then, seeing their own army afflicted by a shower of arrows in battle, the sons of Varuna retreated from the fight.

महीतलगतास्ते तु रावणं दृश्य पुष्पके । आकाशमाशु विविशुः स्यन्दनैः शीघ्रगामिभिः ।। 7.23.33 ।।

mahītalagatāste tu rāvaṇaṃ dṛśya puṣpake | ākāśamāśu viviśuḥ syandanaiḥ śīghragāmibhiḥ || 7.23.33 ||

Indeed, they, who were on the ground, having seen Ravana in the Pushpaka chariot, quickly ascended into the sky with their swift-moving chariots.

महादासीत्ततस्तेषां तुल्यं स्थानमवाप्य तत् । आकाशयुद्धं तुमुलं देवदानवयोरिव ।। 7.23.34 ।।

mahādāsīttatasteṣāṃ tulyaṃ sthānamavāpya tat | ākāśayuddhaṃ tumulaṃ devadānavayoriva || 7.23.34 ||

After obtaining an equal position in the sky, a great and tumultuous battle ensued among them, resembling the fierce combat between gods and demons.

ततस्ते रावणं युद्धे शरैः पावकसन्निभैः । विमुखीकृत्य सन्तुष्टा विनेदुर्विविधान्रवान् ।। 7.23.35 ।।

tataste rāvaṇaṃ yuddhe śaraiḥ pāvakasannibhaiḥ | vimukhīkṛtya santuṣṭā vinedurvividhānravān || 7.23.35 ||

Then, having turned Ravana away in battle with their fire-like arrows, they were satisfied and roared various sounds.

ततो महोदरः क्रुद्धो राजानं दृश्य धर्षितम् । त्यक्त्वा मृत्युभयं वीरो युद्धकाङ्क्षी व्यलोकयत् ।। 7.23.36 ।।

tato mahodaraḥ kruddho rājānaṃ dṛśya dharṣitam | tyaktvā mṛtyubhayaṃ vīro yuddhakāṅkṣī vyalokayat || 7.23.36 ||

Then, the enraged hero Mahodara, seeing his king humiliated, abandoned all fear of death and, desirous of battle, looked towards the enemy.

तेन ते दारुणा युद्धे कामगाः पवनोपमाः । महोदरेण गदया हता वै प्रययुः क्षितिम् ।। 7.23.37 ।।

tena te dāruṇā yuddhe kāmagāḥ pavanopamāḥ | mahodareṇa gadayā hatā vai prayayuḥ kṣitim || 7.23.37 ||

In that fierce battle, those who moved at will and resembled the wind were indeed struck by Mahodara with his mace and fell to the earth.

तेषां वरुणपुत्राणां हत्वा योधान्हयाञ्छतान् । मुमोचाशु महानादं विरथान्प्रेक्ष्य तान्स्थितान् ।। 7.23.38 ।।

teṣāṃ varuṇaputrāṇāṃ hatvā yodhānhayāñchatān | mumocāśu mahānādaṃ virathānprekṣya tānsthitān || 7.23.38 ||

Having killed hundreds of warriors and horses belonging to the sons of Varuna, Mahodara quickly let out a great roar upon seeing them standing dismounted from their chariots.

ते तु तेषां रथाः साश्वाः सह सारथिभिर्हतैः । महोदरेण निहताः पतिताः पृथिवीतले ।। 7.23.39 ।।

te tu teṣāṃ rathāḥ sāśvāḥ saha sārathibhirhataiḥ | mahodareṇa nihatāḥ patitāḥ pṛthivītale || 7.23.39 ||

Mahodara struck down their chariots, which, along with their horses and slain charioteers, fell to the ground.

ते तु त्यक्त्वा रथान्पुत्रा वरुणस्य महात्मनः । आकाशे विष्ठिताः शूराः स्वप्रभावान्न विव्यथुः ।। 7.23.40 ।।

te tu tyaktvā rathānputrā varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ | ākāśe viṣṭhitāḥ śūrāḥ svaprabhāvānna vivyathuḥ || 7.23.40 ||

But those brave sons of the great-souled Varuna, having abandoned their chariots, stood in the sky and were not distressed due to their inherent power.

धनूंषि कृत्वा सज्जानि विनिर्भिद्य महोदरम् । रावणं समरे क्रुद्धाः सहिताः समभिद्रवन् ।। 7.23.41 ।।

dhanūṃṣi kṛtvā sajjāni vinirbhidya mahodaram | rāvaṇaṃ samare kruddhāḥ sahitāḥ samabhidravan || 7.23.41 ||

Enraged, they made their bows ready, pierced Mahodara, and together attacked Ravana in battle.

सायकैश्चापविभ्रष्टैर्वज्रकल्पैः सुदारुणैः । दारयन्ति स्म सङ्क्रुद्धा मेघा इव महागिरिम् ।। 7.23.42 ।।

sāyakaiścāpavibhraṣṭairvajrakalpaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ | dārayanti sma saṅkruddhā meghā iva mahāgirim || 7.23.42 ||

Greatly enraged, they tore him apart with very terrible arrows, released from their bows and resembling thunderbolts, just as clouds tear apart a great mountain.

ततः क्रुद्धो दशग्रीवः कालाग्निरिव निर्गतः । शरवर्षैर्महाघोरैस्तेषां मर्मस्वताडयत् ।। 7.23.43 ।।

tataḥ kruddho daśagrīvaḥ kālāgniriva nirgataḥ | śaravarṣairmahāghoraisteṣāṃ marmasvatāḍayat || 7.23.43 ||

Then, the enraged Ravana, appearing like the fire of destruction, struck their vital spots with very dreadful showers of arrows.

ततस्तेनैव सहसा सीदन्ति स्म पदातयः । मुसलानि विचित्राणि ततो भल्लशतानि च ।। 7.23.44 ।।

tatastenaiva sahasā sīdanti sma padātayaḥ | musalāni vicitrāṇi tato bhallaśatāni ca || 7.23.44 ||

Then, by him alone, the foot-soldiers suddenly began to collapse under the impact of various maces and hundreds of spears.

पट्टिशांश्चैव शक्तीश्च शतघ्नीस्तोमरांस्तथा । पातयामास दुर्धर्षस्तेषामुपरि विष्ठितः ।। 7.23.45 ।।

paṭṭiśāṃścaiva śaktīśca śataghnīstomarāṃstathā | pātayāmāsa durdharṣasteṣāmupari viṣṭhitaḥ || 7.23.45 ||

The irresistible Ravana, positioned above them, hurled down sharp-edged spears, lances, 'hundred-killers', and javelins upon them.

अपविद्धास्तु ते वीरा विनिष्पेतुः पदातयः । महापङ्कमिवासाद्य कुञ्जराष्षष्टिहायनाः ।। 7.23.46 ।।

apaviddhāstu te vīrā viniṣpetuḥ padātayaḥ | mahāpaṅkamivāsādya kuñjarāṣṣaṣṭihāyanāḥ || 7.23.46 ||

Those brave foot-soldiers, struck down, scattered and fled like sixty-year-old elephants that have fallen into a deep mud-pit.

सीदमानान्सुतान्दृष्ट्वा विह्वलान्सुमहौजसः । ननाद रावणो हर्षान्महानम्बुधरो यथा ।। 7.23.47 ।।

sīdamānānsutāndṛṣṭvā vihvalānsumahaujasaḥ | nanāda rāvaṇo harṣānmahānambudharo yathā || 7.23.47 ||

Seeing his very mighty enemies (literally 'sons') collapsing and distressed, Ravana roared with joy like a great thundercloud.

ततो रक्षो महानादान्मुक्त्वा हन्ति स्म वारुणान् । नानाप्रहरणोपेतैर्धारापातैरिवाम्बुदः ।। 7.23.48 ।।

tato rakṣo mahānādānmuktvā hanti sma vāruṇān | nānāpraharaṇopetairdhārāpātairivāmbudaḥ || 7.23.48 ||

Then, the Rakshasa Ravana, having uttered great roars, struck down the followers of Varuna (Devas) with showers of various weapons, just like a cloud pours down torrents of rain.

ततस्ते विमुखाः सर्वे पतिता धरणीतले । रणात्स्वपुरुषैः शीघ्रं गृहाण्येव प्रवेशिताः ।। 7.23.49 ।।

tataste vimukhāḥ sarve patitā dharaṇītale | raṇātsvapuruṣaiḥ śīghraṃ gṛhāṇyeva praveśitāḥ || 7.23.49 ||

Then, all of them, defeated and fallen to the ground, were quickly brought back into their homes by their own men from the battlefield.

तानब्रवीत्ततो रक्षो वरुणाय निवेद्यताम् ।। 7.23.50 ।।

tānabravīttato rakṣo varuṇāya nivedyatām || 7.23.50 ||

Then the demon Ravana said to them, "Let this be announced to Varuna."

रावणं त्वब्रवीन्मन्त्री प्रहस्तो (प्रहसो) नाम वारुणः । गतः खलु महाराजो ब्रह्मलोकं जलेश्वरः ।। 7.23.51 ।।

rāvaṇaṃ tvabravīnmantrī prahasto (prahaso) nāma vāruṇaḥ | gataḥ khalu mahārājo brahmalokaṃ jaleśvaraḥ || 7.23.51 ||

Then a minister of Varuna named Prahasta (or Prahasa) said to Ravana, "Indeed, the great king, the lord of waters Varuna, has gone to the world of Brahma."

गान्धर्वं वरुणः श्रोतुं यं त्वमाह्वयसे युधि । तत्किं तव वृथा वीर परिश्रम्य गते नृपे । ये तु सन्निहिता वीराः कुमारास्ते पराजिताः ।। 7.23.52 ।।

gāndharvaṃ varuṇaḥ śrotuṃ yaṃ tvamāhvayase yudhi | tatkiṃ tava vṛthā vīra pariśramya gate nṛpe | ye tu sannihitā vīrāḥ kumārāste parājitāḥ || 7.23.52 ||

Varuna, whom you challenge in battle, has gone to hear Gandharva music; therefore, O hero, what is the use of your vain exertion when the king is absent, and those princes who were present here have already been defeated?

राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा नाम विश्राव्य चात्मनः । हर्षान्नादं विमुञ्चन्वै निष्क्रान्तो वरुणालयात् ।। 7.23.53 ।।

rākṣasendrastu tacchrutvā nāma viśrāvya cātmanaḥ | harṣānnādaṃ vimuñcanvai niṣkrānto varuṇālayāt || 7.23.53 ||

Having heard that, the lord of demons Ravana, proclaiming his own name and uttering a joyful roar, indeed departed from Varuna's abode.

आगतस्तु पथा येन तेनैव विनिवृत्य सः । लङ्कामभिमुखो रक्षो नभस्तलगतो ययौ ।। 7.23.54 ।।

āgatastu pathā yena tenaiva vinivṛtya saḥ | laṅkāmabhimukho rakṣo nabhastalagato yayau || 7.23.54 ||

Having arrived by a certain path, the demon Ravana returned by that very path, flying through the sky towards Lanka. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे त्रयोविंशः सर्गः ।। 23 ।। Thus ends the twenty-third sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.