Within Ravana’s palace

तस्यालयवरिष्ठस्य मध्ये विमलमायतम् ।

tasyālayavariṣṭhasya madhye vimalamāyatam |

Within that excellent residence, the son of the Wind

ददर्श भवनश्रेष्ठं हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥

dadarśa bhavanaśreṣṭhaṃ hanumān mārutātmajaḥ ||

saw a spacious, spotless, outstanding mansion.

अर्धयोजनविस्तीर्णमायतं योजनं महत् ।

ardhayojanavistīrṇamāyataṃ yojanaṃ mahat |

The rakshasa king's great residence was half a yojana broad and a yojana long,

भवनं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य बहुप्रासादसंकुलम् ॥

bhavanaṃ rākṣasendrasya bahuprāsādasaṃkulam ||

crowded with many lofty buildings.

मार्गमाणस्तु वैदेहीं सीतामायतलोचनाम् ।

mārgamāṇastu vaidehīṃ sītāmāyatalocanām |

Searching for wide-eyed Sita of Videha,

सर्वतः परिचक्राम हनूमानरिसूदनः ॥

sarvataḥ paricakrāma hanūmānarisūdanaḥ ||

Hanuman, destroyer of foes, moved around on every side.

उत्तमं राक्षसावासं हनुमानवलोकयन् ।

uttamaṃ rākṣasāvāsaṃ hanumānavalokayan |

While examining the splendid dwellings of the rakshasas,

आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम् ॥

āsasādātha lakṣmīvān rākṣasendraniveśanam ||

the illustrious Hanuman came upon their king's residence.

चतुर्विषाणैर्द्विरदैस्त्रिविषाणैस्तथैव च ।

caturviṣāṇairdviradaistriviṣāṇaistathaiva ca |

It was spacious, surrounded by four-tusked and three-tusked elephants,

परिक्षिप्तमसम्बाधं रक्ष्यमाणमुदायुधैः ॥

parikṣiptamasambādhaṃ rakṣyamāṇamudāyudhaiḥ ||

and protected by guards with raised weapons.

राक्षसीभिश्च पत्नीभी रावणस्य निवेशनम् ।

rākṣasībhiśca patnībhī rāvaṇasya niveśanam |

Ravana's dwelling was filled with his rakshasa wives

आहृताभिश्च विक्रम्य राजकन्याभिरावृतम् ॥

āhṛtābhiśca vikramya rājakanyābhirāvṛtam ||

and with royal maidens carried away by his might.

तन्नक्रमकराकीर्णं तिमिंगिलझषाकुलम् ।

tannakramakarākīrṇaṃ timiṃgilajhaṣākulam |

It was like an ocean filled with crocodiles, sea-monsters, enormous fish,

वायुवेगसमाधूतं पन्नगैरिव सागरम् ॥

vāyuvegasamādhūtaṃ pannagairiva sāgaram ||

and serpents, stirred by the force of the wind.

या हि वैश्रवणे लक्ष्मीर्या चन्द्रे हरिवाहने ।

yā hi vaiśravaṇe lakṣmīryā candre harivāhane |

The lovely prosperity found in Kubera, the moon, and Indra

सा रावणगृहे रम्या नित्यमेवानपायिनी ॥

sā rāvaṇagṛhe ramyā nityamevānapāyinī ||

remained continually in Ravana's house.

या च राज्ञः कुबेरस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च ।

yā ca rājñaḥ kuberasya yamasya varuṇasya ca |

The riches of King Kubera, Yama, and Varuna

तादृशी तद्विशिष्टा वा ऋद्धी रक्षोगृहेष्विह ॥

tādṛśī tadviśiṣṭā vā ṛddhī rakṣogṛheṣviha ||

were matched or surpassed in these rakshasa dwellings.

तस्य हर्म्यस्य मध्यस्थवेश्म चान्यत् सुनिर्मितम् ।

tasya harmyasya madhyasthaveśma cānyat sunirmitam |

In the middle of that palace the son of the Wind saw another well-built structure,

बहुनिर्यूहसंयुक्तं ददर्श पवनात्मजः ॥

bahuniryūhasaṃyuktaṃ dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ ||

furnished with many projecting chambers.

ब्रह्मणोऽर्थे कृतं दिव्यं दिवि यद् विश्वकर्मणा ।

brahmaṇo’rthe kṛtaṃ divyaṃ divi yad viśvakarmaṇā |

It was the divine aerial car named Pushpaka, ornamented with every kind of gem,

विमानं पुष्पकं नाम सर्वरत्नविभूषितम् ॥

vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ nāma sarvaratnavibhūṣitam ||

which Vishvakarma had made in heaven for Brahma.

परेण तपसा लेभे यत् कुबेरः पितामहात् ।

pareṇa tapasā lebhe yat kuberaḥ pitāmahāt |

Kubera obtained it from the Grandfather through severe austerity;

कुबेरमोजसा जित्वा लेभे तद् राक्षसेश्वरः ॥

kuberamojasā jitvā lebhe tad rākṣaseśvaraḥ ||

the rakshasa lord took it after conquering Kubera by force.

ईहामृगसमायुक्तैः कार्तस्वरहिरण्मयैः ।

īhāmṛgasamāyuktaiḥ kārtasvarahiraṇmayaiḥ |

It was covered with finely fashioned golden pillars bearing fabulous animals,

सुकृतैराचितं स्तम्भैः प्रदीप्तमिव च श्रिया ॥

sukṛtairācitaṃ stambhaiḥ pradīptamiva ca śriyā ||

and seemed to blaze with magnificence.

मेरुमन्दरसंकाशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरम् ।

merumandarasaṃkāśairullikhadbhirivāmbaram |

Its handsome upper chambers adorned it on every side,

कूटागारैः शुभागारैः सर्वतः समलंकृतम् ॥

kūṭāgāraiḥ śubhāgāraiḥ sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtam ||

resembling Meru and Mandara and seeming to scrape the sky.

ज्वलनार्कप्रतीकाशैः सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा ।

jvalanārkapratīkāśaiḥ sukṛtaṃ viśvakarmaṇā |

Vishvakarma had fashioned it with radiance like fire and the sun;

हेमसोपानयुक्तं च चारुप्रवरवेदिकम् ॥

hemasopānayuktaṃ ca cārupravaravedikam ||

it had golden stairs and beautiful, excellent platforms.

जालवातायनैर्युक्तं काञ्चनैः स्फाटिकैरपि ।

jālavātāyanairyuktaṃ kāñcanaiḥ sphāṭikairapi |

It had latticed windows of gold and crystal,

इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम् ॥

indranīlamahānīlamaṇipravaravedikam ||

and platforms made of fine indranila and mahanila gems.

विद्रुमेण विचित्रेण मणिभिश्च महाधनैः ।

vidrumeṇa vicitreṇa maṇibhiśca mahādhanaiḥ |

Its floor shone with varied coral, costly gems,

निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिस्तलेनाभिविराजितम् ॥

nistulābhiśca muktābhistalenābhivirājitam ||

matchless pearls, silver, and gold.

चन्दनेन च रक्तेन तपनीयनिभेन च ।

candanena ca raktena tapanīyanibhena ca |

It carried red sandalwood and golden-hued sandalwood of holy fragrance,

सुपुण्यगन्धिना युक्तमादित्यतरुणोपमम् ॥

supuṇyagandhinā yuktamādityataruṇopamam ||

and resembled the newly risen sun.

कूटागारैर्वराकारैर्विविधैः समलंकृतम् ।

kūṭāgārairvarākārairvividhaiḥ samalaṃkṛtam |

The great vanara climbed the divine Pushpaka,

विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यमारुरोह महाकपिः ।

vimānaṃ puṣpakaṃ divyamāruroha mahākapiḥ |

adorned with many beautifully shaped upper chambers;

तत्रस्थः सर्वतो गन्धं पानभक्ष्यान्नसम्भवम् ॥

tatrasthaḥ sarvato gandhaṃ pānabhakṣyānnasambhavam ||

standing there, he perceived the fragrance of drinks, dishes, and food on every side—

दिव्यं सम्मूर्च्छितं जिघ्रन् रूपवन्तमिवानिलम् ।

divyaṃ sammūrcchitaṃ jighran rūpavantamivānilam |

breathing that mingled, marvelous scent, as though the wind had taken visible form.

स गन्धस्तं महासत्त्वं बन्धुर्बन्धुमिवोत्तमम् ॥

sa gandhastaṃ mahāsattvaṃ bandhurbandhumivottamam ||

The fragrance approached that mighty one like a dear relative—

इत एहीत्युवाचेव तत्र यत्र स रावणः ।

ita ehītyuvāceva tatra yatra sa rāvaṇaḥ |

as though saying, 'Come this way,' toward the place where Ravana lay.

ततस्तां प्रस्थितः शालां ददर्श महतीं शिवाम् ॥

tatastāṃ prasthitaḥ śālāṃ dadarśa mahatīṃ śivām ||

Proceeding there, he saw a great, pleasing hall.

रावणस्य महाकान्तां कान्तामिव वरस्त्रियम् ।

rāvaṇasya mahākāntāṃ kāntāmiva varastriyam |

It was Ravana's exceedingly lovely hall, charming as a beautiful woman,

मणिसोपानविकृतां हेमजालविराजिताम् ॥

maṇisopānavikṛtāṃ hemajālavirājitām ||

elaborate with jeweled stairways and gleaming golden lattices.

स्फाटिकैरावृततलां दन्तान्तरितरूपिकाम् ।

sphāṭikairāvṛtatalāṃ dantāntaritarūpikām |

Its floor was covered with crystal, patterned with ivory,

मुक्तावज्रप्रवालैश्च रूप्यचामीकरैरपि ॥

muktāvajrapravālaiśca rūpyacāmīkarairapi ||

and embellished with pearls, diamonds, coral, silver, and gold.

विभूषितां मणिस्तम्भैः सुबहुस्तम्भभूषिताम् ।

vibhūṣitāṃ maṇistambhaiḥ subahustambhabhūṣitām |

It was adorned with jeweled pillars, many in number,

समैर्ऋजुभिरत्युच्चैः समन्तात् सुविभूषितैः ॥

samairṛjubhiratyuccaiḥ samantāt suvibhūṣitaiḥ ||

straight, even, very tall, and beautifully decorated all around.

स्तम्भैः पक्षैरिवात्युच्चैर्दिवं सम्प्रस्थितामिव ।

stambhaiḥ pakṣairivātyuccairdivaṃ samprasthitāmiva |

With those lofty pillars like wings, it seemed ready to fly into heaven;

महत्या कुथयाऽऽस्तीर्णां पृथिवीलक्षणाङ्कया ॥

mahatyā kuthayā’’stīrṇāṃ pṛthivīlakṣaṇāṅkayā ||

a great carpet marked with features of the earth covered it.

पृथिवीमिव विस्तीर्णां सराष्ट्रगृहशालिनीम् ।

pṛthivīmiva vistīrṇāṃ sarāṣṭragṛhaśālinīm |

It was broad as the earth, with its regions and houses,

नादितां मत्तविहगैर्दिव्यगन्धाधिवासिताम् ॥

nāditāṃ mattavihagairdivyagandhādhivāsitām ||

resounding with lively birds and filled with heavenly fragrance.

परर्घ्यास्तरणोपेतां रक्षोऽधिपनिषेविताम् ।

pararghyāstaraṇopetāṃ rakṣo’dhipaniṣevitām |

Costly coverings adorned it, and the rakshasa lord occupied it;

धूम्रामगुरुधूपेन विमलां हंसपाण्डुराम् ॥

dhūmrāmagurudhūpena vimalāṃ haṃsapāṇḍurām ||

though hazy with agaru incense, it was pure and white as a swan.

पत्रपुष्पोपहारेण कल्माषीमिव सुप्रभाम् ।

patrapuṣpopahāreṇa kalmāṣīmiva suprabhām |

Offerings of leaves and flowers made its bright surface multicolored;

मनसो मोदजननीं वर्णस्यापि प्रसाधिनीम् ॥

manaso modajananīṃ varṇasyāpi prasādhinīm ||

it brought delight to the mind and enhanced the beauty of all within it.

तां शोकनाशिनीं दिव्यां श्रियः संजननीमिव ।

tāṃ śokanāśinīṃ divyāṃ śriyaḥ saṃjananīmiva |

Divine, banishing sorrow, and seeming to generate prosperity,

इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थैस्तु पञ्च पञ्चभिरुत्तमैः ॥

indriyāṇīndriyārthaistu pañca pañcabhiruttamaiḥ ||

it offered the five senses their five finest enjoyments—

तर्पयामास मातेव तदा रावणपालिता ।

tarpayāmāsa māteva tadā rāvaṇapālitā |

and, protected by Ravana, satisfied them like a mother.

स्वर्गोऽयं देवलोकोऽयमिन्द्रस्यापि पुरी भवेत् ।

svargo’yaṃ devaloko’yamindrasyāpi purī bhavet |

'This is heaven, the world of gods, perhaps Indra's own city;

सिद्धिर्वेयं परा हि स्यादित्यमन्यत मारुतिः ॥

siddhirveyaṃ parā hi syādityamanyata mārutiḥ ||

or this may be supreme perfection,' thought the son of the Wind.

प्रध्यायत इवापश्यत् प्रदीपांस्तत्र काञ्चनान् ।

pradhyāyata ivāpaśyat pradīpāṃstatra kāñcanān |

He saw golden lamps there appearing absorbed in thought,

धूर्तानिव महाधूर्तैर्देवनेन पराजितान् ॥

dhūrtāniva mahādhūrtairdevanena parājitān ||

like gamblers defeated by greater gamblers at play.

दीपानां च प्रकाशेन तेजसा रावणस्य च ।

dīpānāṃ ca prakāśena tejasā rāvaṇasya ca |

With the light of the lamps, Ravana's radiance,

अर्चिर्भिर्भूषणानां च प्रदीप्तेत्यभ्यमन्यत ॥

arcirbhirbhūṣaṇānāṃ ca pradīptetyabhyamanyata ||

and the flashing ornaments, he thought the hall ablaze.

ततोऽपश्यत् कुथासीनं नानावर्णाम्बरस्रजम् ।

tato’paśyat kuthāsīnaṃ nānāvarṇāmbarasrajam |

Then he saw a thousand beautiful women resting upon carpets,

सहस्रं वरनारीणां नानावेषबिभूषितम् ॥

sahasraṃ varanārīṇāṃ nānāveṣabibhūṣitam ||

wearing many-colored garments, garlands, costumes, and ornaments.

परिवृत्तेऽर्धरात्रे तु पाननिद्रावशंगतम् ।

parivṛtte’rdharātre tu pānanidrāvaśaṃgatam |

After midnight, overcome by drink and sleep,

क्रीडित्वोपरतं रात्रौ प्रसुप्तं बलवत् तदा ॥

krīḍitvoparataṃ rātrau prasuptaṃ balavat tadā ||

they had ceased their nighttime play and were sleeping deeply.

तत् प्रसुप्तं विरुरुचे निःशब्दान्तरभूषितम् ।

tat prasuptaṃ viruruce niḥśabdāntarabhūṣitam |

Their sleeping company shone, with its ornaments silent,

निःशब्दहंसभ्रमरं यथा पद्मवनं महत् ॥

niḥśabdahaṃsabhramaraṃ yathā padmavanaṃ mahat ||

like a great lotus grove where swans and bees had fallen quiet.

तासां संवृतदान्तानि मीलिताक्षीणि मारुतिः ।

tāsāṃ saṃvṛtadāntāni mīlitākṣīṇi mārutiḥ |

The son of the Wind saw their faces with closed lips and shut eyes,

अपश्यत् पद्मगन्धीनि वदनानि सुयोषिताम् ॥

apaśyat padmagandhīni vadanāni suyoṣitām ||

lovely and fragrant as lotuses.

प्रबुद्धानीव पद्मानि तासां भूत्वा क्षपाक्षये ।

prabuddhānīva padmāni tāsāṃ bhūtvā kṣapākṣaye |

Their faces, like lotuses that open when night ends,

पुनः संवृतपत्राणि रात्राविव बभुस्तदा ॥

punaḥ saṃvṛtapatrāṇi rātrāviva babhustadā ||

now shone like flowers whose petals close again at night.

इमानि मुखपद्मानि नियतं मत्तषट्पदाः ।

imāni mukhapadmāni niyataṃ mattaṣaṭpadāḥ |

'Surely delighted bees would repeatedly seek these lotus-faces,

अम्बुजानीव फुल्लानि प्रार्थयन्ति पुनः पुनः ॥

ambujānīva phullāni prārthayanti punaḥ punaḥ ||

mistaking them for flowers blooming in water.'

इति वामन्यत श्रीमानुपपत्त्या महाकपिः ।

iti vāmanyata śrīmānupapattyā mahākapiḥ |

Thus the illustrious great vanara reasonably reflected,

मेने हि गुणतस्तानि समानि सलिलोद्भवैः ॥

mene hi guṇatastāni samāni salilodbhavaiḥ ||

judging their qualities comparable to water-born lotuses.

सा तस्य शुशुभे शाला ताभिः स्त्रीभिर्विराजिता ।

sā tasya śuśubhe śālā tābhiḥ strībhirvirājitā |

His hall, radiant with those women, shone

शरदीव प्रसन्ना द्यौस्ताराभिरभिशोभिता ॥

śaradīva prasannā dyaustārābhirabhiśobhitā ||

like a clear autumn sky ornamented with stars.

स च ताभिः परिवृतः शुशुभे राक्षसाधिपः ।

sa ca tābhiḥ parivṛtaḥ śuśubhe rākṣasādhipaḥ |

The rakshasa lord shone surrounded by them,

यथा ह्युडुपतिः श्रीमांस्ताराभिरिव संवृतः ॥

yathā hyuḍupatiḥ śrīmāṃstārābhiriva saṃvṛtaḥ ||

like the radiant moon amid the stars.

याश्च्यवन्तेऽम्बरात् ताराः पुण्यशेषसमावृताः ।

yāścyavante’mbarāt tārāḥ puṇyaśeṣasamāvṛtāḥ |

'These must be all the stars that fell from the sky,

इमास्ताः संगताः कृत्स्ना इति मेने हरिस्तदा ॥

imāstāḥ saṃgatāḥ kṛtsnā iti mene haristadā ||

still wrapped in the merit left to them,' the vanara thought.

ताराणामिव सुव्यक्तं महतीनां शुभार्चिषाम् ।

tārāṇāmiva suvyaktaṃ mahatīnāṃ śubhārciṣām |

The women's radiance, color, and serene beauty shone clearly,

प्रभावर्णप्रसादाश्च विरेजुस्तत्र योषिताम् ॥

prabhāvarṇaprasādāśca virejustatra yoṣitām ||

like the lovely beams of great stars.

व्यावृत्तकचपीनस्रक्प्रकीर्णवरभूषणाः ।

vyāvṛttakacapīnasrakprakīrṇavarabhūṣaṇāḥ |

Their hair and thick garlands had shifted, and fine ornaments lay scattered;

पानव्यायामकालेषु निद्रोपहतचेतसः ॥

pānavyāyāmakāleṣu nidropahatacetasaḥ ||

after drinking and exertion, sleep had overtaken their awareness.

व्यावृत्ततिलकाः काश्चित् काश्चिदुदभ्रान्तनूपुराः ।

vyāvṛttatilakāḥ kāścit kāścidudabhrāntanūpurāḥ |

Some had displaced forehead marks, some had anklets out of place,

पार्श्वे गलितहाराश्च काश्चित् परमयोषितः ॥

pārśve galitahārāśca kāścit paramayoṣitaḥ ||

and some lovely women had necklaces slipped to their sides.

मुक्ताहारवृताश्चान्याः काश्चित् प्रस्रस्तवाससः ।

muktāhāravṛtāścānyāḥ kāścit prasrastavāsasaḥ |

Others were encircled by pearl necklaces, while some garments had slipped;

व्याविद्धरशनादामाः किशोर्य इव वाहिताः ॥

vyāviddharaśanādāmāḥ kiśorya iva vāhitāḥ ||

their girdles were displaced like those of young mares tired from exercise.

अकुण्डलधराश्चान्या विच्छिन्नमृदितस्रजः ।

akuṇḍaladharāścānyā vicchinnamṛditasrajaḥ |

Others had lost earrings and wore torn, crushed garlands,

गजेन्द्रमृदिताः फुल्ला लता इव महावने ॥

gajendramṛditāḥ phullā latā iva mahāvane ||

like flowering creepers trampled by an elephant in a great forest.

चन्द्रांशुकिरणाभाश्च हाराः कासांचिदुद‍्गताः ।

candrāṃśukiraṇābhāśca hārāḥ kāsāṃcidudgatāḥ |

Some necklaces, gleaming like moonbeams,

हंसा इव बभुः सुप्ताः स्तनमध्येषु योषिताम् ॥

haṃsā iva babhuḥ suptāḥ stanamadhyeṣu yoṣitām ||

rested between the women's breasts like sleeping swans.

अपरासां च वैदूर्याः कादम्बा इव पक्षिणः ।

aparāsāṃ ca vaidūryāḥ kādambā iva pakṣiṇaḥ |

On others, vaidurya gems resembled kadamba waterbirds,

हेमसूत्राणि चान्यासां चक्रवाका इवाभवन् ॥

hemasūtrāṇi cānyāsāṃ cakravākā ivābhavan ||

while golden chains looked like chakravaka birds.

हंसकारण्डवोपेताश्चक्रवाकोपशोभिताः ।

haṃsakāraṇḍavopetāścakravākopaśobhitāḥ |

They shone like rivers accompanied by swans and ducks,

आपगा इव ता रेजुर्जघनैः पुलिनैरिव ॥

āpagā iva tā rejurjaghanaiḥ pulinairiva ||

beautified by chakravakas, their hips resembling sandy banks.

किङ्किणीजालसंकाशास्ता हेमविपुलाम्बुजाः ।

kiṅkiṇījālasaṃkāśāstā hemavipulāmbujāḥ |

With little bells like ripples and great golden lotus ornaments,

भावग्राहा यशस्तीराः सुप्ता नद्य इवाबभुः ॥

bhāvagrāhā yaśastīrāḥ suptā nadya ivābabhuḥ ||

with emotion as crocodiles and fame as banks, they seemed sleeping rivers.

मृदुष्वंगेषु कासांचित् कुचाग्रेषु च संस्थिताः ।

mṛduṣvaṃgeṣu kāsāṃcit kucāgreṣu ca saṃsthitāḥ |

On the soft limbs and breasts of some,

बभूवुर्भूषणानीव शुभा भूषणराजयः ॥

babhūvurbhūṣaṇānīva śubhā bhūṣaṇarājayaḥ ||

the lovely impressions left by ornaments themselves appeared like ornaments.

अंशुकान्ताश्च कासांचिन्मुखमारुतकम्पिताः ।

aṃśukāntāśca kāsāṃcinmukhamārutakampitāḥ |

The edges of some garments, stirred by their breathing,

उपर्युपरि वक्त्राणां व्याधूयन्ते पुनः पुनः ॥

uparyupari vaktrāṇāṃ vyādhūyante punaḥ punaḥ ||

fluttered repeatedly above their faces.

ताः पताका इवोद्‍धूताः पत्नीनां रुचिरप्रभाः ।

tāḥ patākā ivoddhūtāḥ patnīnāṃ ruciraprabhāḥ |

Those bright, many-colored and golden cloths

नानावर्णसुवर्णानां वक्त्रमूलेषु रेजिरे ॥

nānāvarṇasuvarṇānāṃ vaktramūleṣu rejire ||

shone near the wives' faces like fluttering banners.

ववल्गुश्चात्र कासांचित् कुण्डलानि शुभार्चिषाम् ।

vavalguścātra kāsāṃcit kuṇḍalāni śubhārciṣām |

Some women's brightly shining earrings

मुखमारुतसंकम्पैर्मन्दं मन्दं च योषिताम् ॥

mukhamārutasaṃkampairmandaṃ mandaṃ ca yoṣitām ||

swayed very gently with the movement of their breath.

शर्करासवगन्धः स प्रकृत्या सुरभिः सुखः ।

śarkarāsavagandhaḥ sa prakṛtyā surabhiḥ sukhaḥ |

Their naturally sweet and pleasant breath, fragrant with sugar-liquor,

तासां वदननिःश्वासः सिषेवे रावणं तदा ॥

tāsāṃ vadananiḥśvāsaḥ siṣeve rāvaṇaṃ tadā ||

drifted toward Ravana.

रावणाननशंकाश्च काश्चिद् रावणयोषितः ।

rāvaṇānanaśaṃkāśca kāścid rāvaṇayoṣitaḥ |

Some of Ravana's women, mistaking their co-wives' faces for his,

मुखानि च सपत्नीनामुपाजिघ्रन् पुनः पुनः ॥

mukhāni ca sapatnīnāmupājighran punaḥ punaḥ ||

repeatedly drew close and kissed or smelled those faces.

अत्यर्थं सक्तमनसो रावणे ता वरस्त्रियः ।

atyarthaṃ saktamanaso rāvaṇe tā varastriyaḥ |

Those beautiful women had minds deeply attached to Ravana;

अस्वतन्त्राः सपत्नीनां प्रियमेवाचरंस्तदा ॥

asvatantrāḥ sapatnīnāṃ priyamevācaraṃstadā ||

without conscious intention they treated their co-wives as their beloved.

बाहूनुपनिधायान्याः पारिहार्यविभूषितान् ।

bāhūnupanidhāyānyāḥ pārihāryavibhūṣitān |

Other women lay there using their bracelet-adorned arms

अंशुकानि च रम्याणि प्रमदास्तत्र शिश्यिरे ॥

aṃśukāni ca ramyāṇi pramadāstatra śiśyire ||

and lovely garments as pillows.

अन्या वक्षसि चान्यस्यास्तस्याः काचित् पुनर्भुजम् ।

anyā vakṣasi cānyasyāstasyāḥ kācit punarbhujam |

One rested on another's chest, another upon her arm;

अपरा त्वङ्कमन्यस्यास्तस्याश्चाप्यपरा कुचौ ॥

aparā tvaṅkamanyasyāstasyāścāpyaparā kucau ||

one leaned into another's lap, and another against her breasts.

ऊरुपार्श्वकटीपृष्ठमन्योन्यस्य समाश्रिताः ।

ūrupārśvakaṭīpṛṣṭhamanyonyasya samāśritāḥ |

Resting on one another's thighs, sides, waists, and backs,

परस्परनिविष्टांग्यो मदस्नेहवशानुगाः ॥

parasparaniviṣṭāṃgyo madasnehavaśānugāḥ ||

their bodies nestled together under the influence of affection and drink.

अन्योन्यस्यांगसंस्पर्शात् प्रीयमाणाः सुमध्यमाः ।

anyonyasyāṃgasaṃsparśāt prīyamāṇāḥ sumadhyamāḥ |

The slender women, comforted by one another's touch,

एकीकृतभुजाः सर्वाः सुषुपुस्तत्र योषितः ॥

ekīkṛtabhujāḥ sarvāḥ suṣupustatra yoṣitaḥ ||

slept there with their arms intertwined.

अन्योन्यभुजसूत्रेण स्त्रीमाला ग्रथिता हि सा ।

anyonyabhujasūtreṇa strīmālā grathitā hi sā |

That garland of women was threaded together by their arms,

मालेव ग्रथिता सूत्रे शुशुभे मत्तषट्पदा ॥

māleva grathitā sūtre śuśubhe mattaṣaṭpadā ||

shining like a flower garland threaded on a string and alive with bees.

लतानां माधवे मासि फुल्लानां वायुसेवनात् ।

latānāṃ mādhave māsi phullānāṃ vāyusevanāt |

Like flowering creepers in spring stirred by the wind,

अन्योन्यमालाग्रथितं संसक्तकुसुमोच्चयम् ॥

anyonyamālāgrathitaṃ saṃsaktakusumoccayam ||

their clusters of flowers entangled into a single garland—

प्रतिवेष्टितसुस्कन्धमन्योन्यभ्रमराकुलम् ।

prativeṣṭitasuskandhamanyonyabhramarākulam |

with fine stems wrapped together and bees mingling everywhere,

आसीद् वनमिवोद्‍धूतं स्त्रीवनं रावणस्य तत् ॥

āsīd vanamivoddhūtaṃ strīvanaṃ rāvaṇasya tat ||

Ravana's grove of women resembled a forest swayed by the breeze.

उचितेष्वपि सुव्यक्तं न तासां योषितां तदा ।

uciteṣvapi suvyaktaṃ na tāsāṃ yoṣitāṃ tadā |

Even where their ornaments, limbs, garments, and garlands properly belonged,

विवेकः शक्य आधातुं भूषणांगाम्बरस्रजाम् ॥

vivekaḥ śakya ādhātuṃ bhūṣaṇāṃgāmbarasrajām ||

it was impossible then to distinguish one woman's from another's.

रावणे सुखसंविष्टे ताः स्त्रियो विविधप्रभाः ।

rāvaṇe sukhasaṃviṣṭe tāḥ striyo vividhaprabhāḥ |

While Ravana rested comfortably, the women shone in many ways,

ज्वलन्तः काञ्चना दीपाः प्रेक्षन्तो निमिषा इव ॥

jvalantaḥ kāñcanā dīpāḥ prekṣanto nimiṣā iva ||

and the blazing golden lamps seemed to watch without blinking.

राजर्षिविप्रदैत्यानां गन्धर्वाणां च योषितः ।

rājarṣivipradaityānāṃ gandharvāṇāṃ ca yoṣitaḥ |

There were women descended from royal sages, brahmins, daityas, gandharvas,

रक्षसां चाभवन् कन्यास्तस्य कामवशंगताः ॥

rakṣasāṃ cābhavan kanyāstasya kāmavaśaṃgatāḥ ||

and rakshasas, who had come under his sway through desire.

युद्धकामेन ताः सर्वा रावणेन हृताः स्त्रियः ।

yuddhakāmena tāḥ sarvā rāvaṇena hṛtāḥ striyaḥ |

Ravana, eager for battle, had carried these women away;

समदा मदनेनैव मोहिताः काश्चिदागताः ॥

samadā madanenaiva mohitāḥ kāścidāgatāḥ ||

some, intoxicated and captivated by desire, had come to him themselves.

न तत्र काश्चित् प्रमदाः प्रसह्य

na tatra kāścit pramadāḥ prasahya

According to this description, none of the women there had been forced;

वीर्योपपन्नेन गुणेन लब्धाः ।

vīryopapannena guṇena labdhāḥ |

they had been won by his strength and qualities.

न चान्यकामापि न चान्यपूर्वा

na cānyakāmāpi na cānyapūrvā

None loved another or belonged to another before,

विना वरार्हां जनकात्मजां तु ॥

vinā varārhāṃ janakātmajāṃ tu ||

except the noble daughter of Janaka.

न चाकुलीना न च हीनरूपा

na cākulīnā na ca hīnarūpā

None of his wives was of low family or poor appearance,

नादक्षिणा नानुपचारयुक्ता ।

nādakṣiṇā nānupacārayuktā |

unkind or lacking courteous conduct.

भार्याभवत् तस्य न हीनसत्त्वा

bhāryābhavat tasya na hīnasattvā

None was deficient in spirit,

न चापि कान्तस्य न कामनीया ॥

na cāpi kāntasya na kāmanīyā ||

nor was any undesirable to her beloved.

बभूव बुद्धिस्तु हरीश्वरस्य

babhūva buddhistu harīśvarasya

The upright-minded vanara leader thought:

यदीदृशी राघवधर्मपत्नी ।

yadīdṛśī rāghavadharmapatnī |

“If Raghava’s lawfully wedded wife were situated

इमा महाराक्षसराजभार्याः

imā mahārākṣasarājabhāryāḥ

like these wives of the great rakshasa king,

सुजातमस्येति हि साधुबुद्धेः ॥

sujātamasyeti hi sādhubuddheḥ ||

that would indeed have been fortunate for him.”

पुनश्च सोऽचिन्तयदात्तरूपो

punaśca so’cintayadāttarūpo

Then, troubled, he reflected again:

ध्रुवं विशिष्टा गुणतो हि सीता ।

dhruvaṃ viśiṣṭā guṇato hi sītā |

'Sita is certainly distinguished by her virtues.

अथायमस्यां कृतवान् महात्मा

athāyamasyāṃ kṛtavān mahātmā

Yet this powerful lord of Lanka

लंकेश्वरः कष्टमनार्यकर्म ॥

laṃkeśvaraḥ kaṣṭamanāryakarma ||

has committed a cruel and ignoble deed against her.'