Rāmāyana | Yuddha Kaṇḍa | Chapter 14

14. Vibhīṣaṇa Chides Rāvaṇa

[Vibhīṣaṇa criticizes the action of his brother and requests him to return Sītā so that all Rākṣasas are not destroyed.]

Hearing the words of the king of Rākṣasas and the roar of Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa told the following useful words to the king of Rākṣasa. 14.1

"Who has tied unnecessarily this gigantic serpent called Sītā, whose bosom is the hood, whose anxiety is the poison, her sweet smiles are the fangs and whose five fingers are the five hoods. , around your neck" 14.2

"Before the mountain sized monkeys whose weapons are their teeth and nails descend on Lanka, please give back Maithili to the son of Dasaratha." 14.3

"Before the arrows of Rāma which are equivalent to Vajra come with a speed of wind and cuts off the heads of the Rākṣasa chiefs, please give back Maithili to the son of Dasaratha." 14.4

"Oh king, neither Kumbhakarṇa or Indrajit and either Mahaparsva or Mahodara and either Nikumbha or Kumbha or even Atikaya can withstand Rāma in a battle." 14.5

"Even if you are protected by the sun or Maruts or you are seated on the lap of Indra or even God of death or even if you have penetrated in to heaven or hell. The arrows of Rāma would not spare you." 14.6

After hearing the words of Vibhīṣaṇa Prahasta replied, "We have never felt any fear and we do not have any fear with devas or Rākṣasas at any time." 14.7

"When we do not have any fear from Yakṣas or Gandharvas or eminent Nagas or from birds and reptiles on the field of battle, how can we have fear from Rāma, the son of a human king at any time in battle?" 14.8

Hearing the words of Prahasta which were not good for the king, Vibhīṣaṇa who had a stable mind and was firm in following Dharma, Artha and Kama spoke these very meaningful words" 14.9

"Oh Prahasta, the actions that the king or Mahodhara or Kumbhakarṇa told about Rāma are impossible to be implemented and is like wicked people trying to go to heaven." 14.10

"How can the killing of Rāma who is an expert in war by you Prahasta or all other Rākṣasas happen, for how can a person without even a piece of wood cross an ocean." 14.11

"In front of Rāma who considers Dharma as important, who is a great charioteer, and an important king of the Ikshvāku dynasty, even Devas would feel bewildered and so how can ordinary people accomplish anything?" 14.12

"Oh, Prahasta, The sharp arrows discharged by Rāma, which are furnished with eagle's feathers and are dangerous to be approached and since they have not yet penetrated, your body, you indulge in a boastful talk." 14.13

"The sharp and fatal arrows, discharged by Rāma with the speed of a Vajra, have not yet penetrated, duly splitting your body. That is why; you are indulged in a boastful talk." 14.14

"Rāvaṇa or Trisīrsha, with great strength or Nikumbha the son of Kumbhakarṇa or Indrajit or yourself are not capable to withstand Rāma, who is equal in strength to Indra, in battle." 14.15

"Even Devantaka or Narantaka or Atikaya or Atiratha of very big proportions, or Akampana who is as mighty as an ocean are not capable to withstand against Rāma in battle." 14.16

"Now our king is addicted to several bad habits, is rude by nature and his friends have become his enemies and he is now acting without any consideration for the destruction of Rākṣasas.14.17

"You also please lift the king and release him from the ties of terrific and exceedingly strong snake of boundless proportions and having one thousand heads." 14.18

"It is time that all his friends, who are getting full favours from him, should collect together and if needed pull him back by catching his hair because he is in the clutch of very strong evil spirits." 14.19

"This Rāvaṇa , for his part who is going to be enveloped forcibly by an ocean in the shape of Rāma - which is full of excellent water and who is about to fall into the mouth of Pāṭala in the shape of Rāma, is fit to be rescued united by you." 14.20

"I am telling these right and wholesome words, to this city and the Rākṣasas inhabiting it as well as to the king and his well-wishers. Let Sītā be given back to the son of the king." 14.21

"He alone is a good minister, who after understanding the strength of others as well as our own strength, judges our own present position, possible decrease or increase and tells his opinion in the interests of the king." 14.22

This is the end of Fourteenth Sarga of Yuddha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.