Mandodari's Counsel and Ravana's Dialogue with Prahasta
Mandodari urges Ravana to return Sita and choose the path of wisdom. Ravana then discusses the coming war with Prahasta.
Lanka Kand · Episode 4 / 37
Episode Text
निज बिकलता बिचारि बहोरी। बिहँसि गयउ गृह करि भय भोरी॥ मंदोदरीं सुन्यो प्रभु आयो। कौतुकहीं पाथोधि बँधायो॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Nija bikalatā bicāri bahorī। Bihasi gayau gṛha kari bhaya bhorī॥ Maṃdodarīṃ sunyo prabhu āyo। Kautukahīṃ pāthodhi baṃdhāyo॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Then, reflecting on his own agitation, he went back to the palace, laughing outwardly and casting fear aside. Mandodari heard that Lord Rama had arrived and had bound the ocean as a sport.
कर गहि पतिहि भवन निज आनी। बोली परम मनोहर बानी॥ चरन नाइ सिरु अंचलु रोपा। सुनहु बचन पिय परिहरि कोपा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Kara gahi patihi bhavana nija ānī। Bolī parama manohara bānī॥ Carana nāi siru aṃcalu ropā। Sunahu bacana piya parihari kopā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then, taking him by the hand, she brought her husband into her house and spoke in a most lovely voice. Bowing her head at his feet and spreading her robe before him, she said, O beloved, listen to my words and put away your anger.
नाथ बयरु कीजे ताही सों। बुधि बल सकिअ जीति जाही सों॥ तुम्हहि रघुपतिहि अंतर कैसा। खलु खद्योत दिनकरहि जैसा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Nātha bayar u kīje tāhī soṃ। Budhi bala sakia jīti jāhī soṃ॥ Tumhahi raghupatihi antara kaisā। Khalu khadyota dinakarahi jaisā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O lord, one should pick a quarrel only with someone who can be conquered by intellect and strength. What difference is there between you and Raghupati, except as between a firefly and the sun?
अति बल मधु कैटभ जेहिं मारे। महाबीर दितिसुत संघारे॥ जेहिं बलि बाँधि सहसभुज मारा। सोइ अवतरेउ हरन महि भारा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Ati bala madhu kaiṭabha jehiṃ māre। Mahābīra ditisuta saṃghāre॥ Jehiṃ bali bāṃdhi sahasabhuja mārā। Soi avatareu harana mahi bhārā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
In the form of Vishnu He slew the mighty Madhu and Kaitabha; as the great hero He destroyed the sons of Diti. As Vamana He bound Bali and slew Sahasrabahu. He alone has descended in the form of Rama to lift the burden of the earth.
रामहि सौंपि जानकी नाइ कमल पद माथ। सुत कहुँ राज समर्पि बन जाइ भजिअ रघुनाथ॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Rāmahi sauṃpi Jānakī nāi kamala pada mātha। Suta kahuṃ rāja samarpi bana jāi bhajia raghunātha॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Surrender Janaki to Rama, bowing your head at His lotus feet. Then entrust the kingdom to your son and go to the forest to worship Raghunatha.
नाथ दीनदयाल रघुराई। बाघउ सनमुख गएँ न खाई॥ चाहिअ करन सो सब करि बीते। तुम्ह सुर असुर चराचर जीते॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Nātha dīnadayāla raghurāī। Bāghau sanmukha gaeṃ na khāī॥ Cāhia karana so saba kari bīte। Tumha sura asura carācara jīte॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O lord, Raghunatha is merciful to the helpless. Even a tiger does not eat one who goes before Him in surrender. Whatever had to be done, you have already done. You have conquered the gods, demons, and all moving and unmoving beings.
संत कहहिं असि नीति दसानन। चौथेंपन जाइहि नृप कानन॥ तासु भजनु कीजिअ तहँ भर्ता। जो कर्ता पालक संहर्ता॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Saṃta kahahiṃ asi nīti dasānana। Cautheṃpan jāihi nṛpa kānana॥ Tāsu bhajanu kījia tahaṃ bhartā। Jo kartā pālaka saṃhartā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The saints say, O ten-headed one, that in old age a king should go to the forest. There, O master, worship Him who is the creator, nourisher, and destroyer.
सोइ रघुबीर प्रनत अनुरागी। भजहु नाथ ममता सब त्यागी॥ मुनिबर जतनु करहिं जेहि लागी। भूप राजु तजि होहिं बिरागी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Soi raghubīra pranata anurāgī। Bhajahu nātha mamatā saba tyāgī॥ Munibara jatanu karahiṃ jehi lāgī। Bhūpa rāju taji hohiṃ birāgī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
That very Raghubira loves those who are surrendered to Him. O lord, worship Him, giving up all attachment. For His sake the best sages perform disciplines, and kings abandon their kingdoms and become renunciants.
सोइ कोसलाधीस रघुराया। आयउ करन तोहि पर दाया॥ जौं पिय मानहु मोर सिखावन। सुजसु होइ तिहुँ पुर अति पावन॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Soi kosalādhīsa raghurāyā। Āyau karana tohi para dāyā॥ Joṃ piya mānahu mora sikhāvana। Sujasa hoi tihuṃ pura ati pāvana॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
That Lord of Kosala, Raghuraya, has come to show you compassion. If you heed my counsel, beloved, your glorious fame will become supremely pure and spread through the three worlds.
अस कहि नयन नीर भरि गहि पद कंपित गात। नाथ भजहु रघुनाथहि अचल होइ अहिवात॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Asa kahi nayana nīra bhari gahi pada kampita gāta। Nātha bhajahu raghunāthahi acala hoi ahivāta॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, with tears filling her eyes and holding her husband's feet, her body trembling, Mandodari said: O lord, worship Raghunatha, so that my married life may remain firm and unshaken.
तब रावन मयसुता उठाई। कहै लाग खल निज प्रभुताई॥ सुनु तैं प्रिया बृथा भय माना। जग जोधा को मोहि समाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba rāvana mayasutā uṭhāī। kahai lāga khala nija prabhutāī॥ sunu taiṃ priyā bṛthā bhaya mānā। jaga jodhā ko mohi samānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Then Ravana raised Mandodari up, and the wicked one began boasting of his own power to her: “Listen, my dear, you have taken fear in vain. Tell me, who in the world is a warrior equal to me?”
बरुन कुबेर पवन जम काला। भुजबल जितेउँ सकल दिगपाला॥ देव दनुज नर सब बस मोरें। कवन हेतु उपजा भय तोरें॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baruna kubera pavana jama kālā। bhujabala jiteuṃ sakala digapālā॥ deva danuja nara saba basa moreṃ। kavana hetu upajā bhaya toreṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I have conquered Varuna, Kubera, the Wind-god, Yama, and even Time itself by the strength of my arms. Gods, demons, and men all are under my control. Then why has fear arisen in you?
नाना बिधि तेहि कहेसि बुझाई। सभाँ बहोरि बैठ सो जाई॥ मंदोदरीं हृदयँ अस जाना। काल बस्य उपजा अभिमाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nānā bidhi tehi kahesi bujhāī। sabhāṃ bahori baiṭha so jāī॥ maṃdodarīṃ hṛdayaṃ asa jānā। kāla basya upajā abhimānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Mandodari tried to explain to him in many ways, [but Ravana would not listen], and he went back and sat in the assembly. Mandodari understood in her heart that, being under the sway of Time, her husband’s pride had arisen.
सभाँ आइ मंत्रिन्ह तेहिं बूझा। करब कवन बिधि रिपु सैं जूझा॥ कहहिं सचिव सुनु निसिचर नाहा। बार बार प्रभु पूछहु काहा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sabhāṃ āi maṃtrinha tehiṃ būjhā। karaba kavana bidhi ripu saiṃ jūjhā॥ kahahiṃ saciva sunu nisichara nāhā। bāra bāra prabhu pūchhahu kāhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Coming into the assembly, he asked the ministers what method should be used to fight the enemy. The ministers said, “Listen, O Lord of the demons! O Master, why do you keep asking again and again?”
सब के बचन श्रवन सुनि कह प्रहस्त कर जोरि। नीति बिरोध न करिअ प्रभु मंत्रिन्ह मति अति थोरि॥ ८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saba ke bacana śravana suni kaha prahasta kara jori। nīti birodha na kari'a prabhu maṃtrinha mati ati thori॥ 8 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing everyone’s words with his ears, Prahasta said with folded hands: “O Lord, one should not act against policy; the ministers have very little wisdom.”
कहहिं सचिव सठ ठकुरसोहाती। नाथ न पूर आव एहि भाँती॥ बारिधि नाघि एक कपि आवा। तासु चरित मन महुँ सबु गावा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahahiṃ saciva saṭha ṭhakurasohātī। nātha na pūra āva ehi bhāṃtī॥ bāridhi nāghi eka kapi āvā। tāsu carita mana mahuṃ sabu gāvā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
These foolish, flattering ministers speak only soft, pleasing words. O Lord, matters will not be accomplished in this way. One monkey crossed the sea and came here; his exploits are still sung in everyone’s heart.
छुधा न रही तुम्हहि तब काहू। जारत नगरु कस न धरि खाहू॥ सुनत नीक आगें दुख पावा। सचिवन अस मत प्रभुहि सुनावा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chudhā na rahī tumhahi taba kāhū। jārat nagaru kasa na dhari khāhū॥ sunata nīka āgeṃ dukha pāvā। sacivana asa mata prabhuhi sunāvā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
At that time, was none of you hungry? [Monkeys are your food anyway; then] why did you not catch and eat him while he was burning the city? These ministers have advised you in a way that sounds good, but will bring sorrow later.
जेहिं बारीस बँधायउ हेला। उतरेउ सेन समेत सुबेला॥ सो भनु मनुज खाब हम भाई। बचन कहहिं सब गाल फुलाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehiṃ bārīsa baṃdhāyau helā। utareu sena sameta subelā॥ so bhanu manuja khāba hama bhāī। bacana kahahiṃ saba gāla phulāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The one who, in mere sport, bound the sea and came down with his army on Mount Suvela—tell me, brother, is that a human being, whom you claim we can eat? You are all speaking with puffed cheeks, as if mad.
तात बचन मम सुनु अति आदर। जनि मन गुनहु मोहि करि कादर॥ प्रिय बानी जे सुनहिं जे कहहीं। ऐसे नर निकाय जग अहहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta bacana mama sunu ati ādara। jani mana gunahu mohi kari kādara॥ priya bānī je sunahiṃ je kahahīṃ। aise nara nikāya jaga ahahīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O dear one, listen to my words with great respect. Do not think me cowardly in your heart. In the world there are crowds of such men who only listen to and speak sweet, pleasing words.
बचन परम हित सुनत कठोरे। सुनहिं जे कहहिं ते नर प्रभु थोरे॥ प्रथम बसीठ पठउ सुनु नीती। सीता देइ करहु पुनि प्रीती॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bacana parama hita sunata kaṭhore। sunahiṃ je kahahiṃ te nara prabhu thore॥ prathama basīṭha paṭhau sunu nītī। sītā dei karahu puni prītī॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, very few are those who hear and speak words that are harsh to hear but supremely beneficial in result. Listen to the policy: first send a messenger, and then, giving up Sita, make peace and friendship with Shri Ramji.
नारि पाइ फिरि जाहिं जौं तौ न बढ़ाइअ रारि। नाहिं त सन्मुख समर महि तात करिअ हठि मारि॥ ९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāri pāi phiri jāhiṃ jauṃ tau na baṛhāi'a rāri। nāhiṃ ta sanmukha samara mahi tāta kari'a haṭhi māri॥ 9 ॥
Meaning:
If they obtain the woman and then return, do not increase the quarrel needlessly. Otherwise, O dear one, if they do not turn back, then meet them in open battle and strike them down stubbornly.
यह मत जौं मानहु प्रभु मोरा। उभय प्रकार सुजसु जग तोरा॥ सुत सन कह दसकंठ रिसाई। असि मति सठ केहिं तोहि सिखाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha mata jauṃ mānahu prabhu morā। ubhaya prakāra sujasa jaga torā॥ suta sana kaha dasakaṃṭha risāī। asi mati saṭha kehiṃ tohi sikhāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, if you accept this advice of mine, your good fame will spread in the world in both ways. Ravana, enraged, said to his son, “You fool! Who taught you such wisdom?”
अबहीं ते उर संसय होई। बेनुमूल सुत भयहु घमोई॥ सुनि पितु गिरा परुष अति घोरा। चला भवन कहि बचन कठोरा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
abahīṃ te ura saṃsaya hoī। benumūla suta bhayahu ghamoī॥ suni pitu girā paruṣa ati ghorā। calā bhavana kahi bacana kaṭhorā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Even now a doubt has arisen in the heart? O son, you have become like a bamboo root [you have not fitted into my line]. Hearing his father’s extremely harsh and terrible words, he went home speaking harsh words.
हित मत तोहि न लागत कैसें। काल बिबस कहुँ भेषज जैसें॥ संध्या समय जानि दससीसा। भवन चलेउ निरखत भुज बीसा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hita mata tohi na lāgata kaisẽ। kāla bibasa kahuṃ bheṣaja jaisẽ॥ saṃdhyā samaya jāni dasasīsā। bhavana chaleu nirakhata bhuja bīsā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Why does good advice not affect you, just as medicine does not help one who is under the power of death? Knowing that it was evening, Ravana went to the palace, looking at his twenty arms.
लंका सिखर उपर आगारा। अति बिचित्र तहँ होइ अखारा॥ बैठ जाइ तेहिं मंदिर रावन। लागे किंनर गुन गन गावन॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
laṃkā sikhara upara āgārā। ati bicitra tahaṃ hoi akhārā॥ baiṭha jāi tehiṃ mandira rāvana। lāge kiṃnara guna gana gāvana॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
On the summit of Lanka there was a most wondrous palace, where a arena of dance and song would be held. Ravana went and sat in that palace, and the Kinnaras began singing his many virtues.
सुनासीर सत सरिस सो संतत करइ बिलास। परम प्रबल रिपु सीस पर तद्यपि सोच न त्रास॥ १० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunāsīra sata sarisa so saṃtata kara'i bilāsa। parama prabala ripu sīsa para tadyapi soca na trāsa॥ 10 ॥
Meaning:
He continually enjoys pleasures like hundreds of Indras. Though a most powerful enemy, like Shri Ramji, is upon his head, he still feels neither anxiety nor fear.