रामायणम् — उत्तरकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः

ततो वित्रासयन्मर्त्यान्पृथिव्यां राक्षसाधिपः ।
आससाद घने तस्मिन्नारदं मुनिसत्तमम् ॥

Summary AI Thereafter, terrifying mortals on earth, the king of the *Rākṣasas* encountered the best of sages, *Nārada*, in that dense cloud.

M N Dutt As the lord of Rākşasas was ranging the earth frightening everyone, Nārada foremost of ascetics, came to that wood mounted on a cloud,

७.२०.२

नारदस्तु महातेजा देवर्षिरमितप्रभः ।
अब्रवीन्मेघपृष्ठस्थो रावणं पुष्पके स्थितम् ॥

Summary AI The highly effulgent *Devarṣi* *Nārada*, possessing immeasurable radiance and seated upon a cloud, spoke to *Rāvaṇa* who was stationed in the *Puṣpaka* chariot.

M N Dutt That Devarsi the exceedingly energetic Nārada of immeasurable splendour, seated on the back of the cloud, addressed Ravana, who was stationed in Puspaka, saying, O lord of Raks asas, o placid one, O son of Viśravā, stay. I am well pleased with your prowess and fame.

७.२०.३

राक्षसाधिपते सौम्य तिष्ठ विश्रवसः सुत ।
प्रीतोऽस्म्यभिजनोपेत विक्रमैरूर्जितैस्तव ॥

Summary AI "O gentle king of *Rākṣasas*, O son of *Viśravas*, endowed with high lineage, stay! I am pleased with your mighty feats of prowess."

M N Dutt That Devarsi the exceedingly energetic Nārada of immeasurable splendour, seated on the back of the cloud, addressed Ravana, who was stationed in Puspaka, saying, O lord of Raks asas, o placid one, O son of Viśravā, stay. I am well pleased with your prowess and fame.

७.२०.४

विष्णुना दैत्यघातैश्च तार्क्ष्यस्योरगधर्षणैः ।
त्वया समरमर्दैश्च भृशं हि परितोषितः ॥

Summary AI "By *Viṣṇu* through the destruction of *Daityas*, by *Tārkṣya* through the subjugation of serpents, and by you through your crushing victories in battle, I am indeed greatly gratified."

M N Dutt And even as Vişnu had pleased me by destroying the Daityas, you pleased me by harassing the Gandharvas and serpents.

७.२०.५

किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि तावत्ते श्रोतव्यं श्रोष्यसे यदि ।
श्रुत्वा चानन्तरं कार्यं त्वया राक्षसपुंगव ॥

Summary AI "O bull among *Rākṣasas*, if you are willing to listen to what should be heard, I shall say something to you. Having heard it, you should act accordingly."

७.२०.६

किमयं वध्यते लोकस्त्वयावध्येन दैवतैः ।
हत एव ह्ययं लोको यदा मृत्युवशं गतः ॥

Summary AI "Why is this world being slain by you, who are invincible even to the gods? This world is already slain, since it is subject to the power of *Mṛtyu* (Death)."

M N Dutt Why, my child, do you slay these*; you are incapable of being slain by even the celestials. All these (men) are subject to death, they are verily slain. *i.e. human being.

७.२०.७

पश्य तावन्महाबाहो राक्षसेश्वरमानुषम् ।
लोकमेनं विचित्रार्थं यस्य न ज्ञायते गतिः ॥

Summary AI "O mighty-armed lord of *Rākṣasas*, behold this human world full of varied experiences, whose course of destiny is unknown."

७.२०.८

क्वचिद्वादित्रनृत्तानि सेव्यन्ते मुदितैर्जनैः ।
रुद्यते चापरैरार्तैर्धाराश्रुनयनाननैः ॥

Summary AI "In some places, musical instruments and dances are enjoyed by happy people, while elsewhere, others in distress, with faces and eyes streaming with tears, are weeping."

M N Dutt O mighty-armed one, o lord of Rākşasas, behold man, albeit having their sense stupified, engaged in the pursuit of various interests, and themselves not understanding their own ways;* some pass their time merrily with dancing and playing on musical instruments while others weep distressfully with tears streaming from their eyes down their cheeks. *Gati, according to the commentator, means the time of employment and suffering. I think the ordinary meaning answers, and give it accordingly.

७.२०.९

माता पितृसुतस्नेहैर्भार्या बन्धुमनोरमैः ।
मोहेनायं जनो ध्वस्तः क्लेशं स्वं नावबुध्यते ॥

Summary AI "Destroyed by delusion through affection for mothers, fathers, and sons, and for charming wives and kinsmen, these people do not realize their own suffering."

M N Dutt Down fallen on account of their attachment for their mothers and fathers and sons, and of their desires touching their wives and friends they set small store by labours having the hereafter as their object.

७.२०.१०

तत्किमेवं परिक्लिश्य लोकं मोहनिराकृतम् ।
जित एव त्वया सौम्य मर्त्यलोको न संशयः ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, O gentle one, why distress this world already confounded by delusion? The world of mortals has already been conquered by you; there is no doubt about it."

M N Dutt What then is the use of affecting a race that is brought down ever by its own infatuation. O placid one, this world is verily conquered by you, there is no doubt.

७.२०.११

एवमुक्तस्तु लङ्केशो दीप्यमान इवौजसा ।
अब्रवीन्नारदं तत्र संप्रहस्याभिवाद्य च ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed, the lord of *Laṅkā*, glowing as if with splendor, laughed heartily, saluted *Nārada*, and spoke to him there.

M N Dutt Thus addressed Lankā's lord, flaming in native energy, addressed Narada, laughing and saluting him. 'O you that delightest in the sport of gods and Gandharvas, and that take pleasure in warfare, I am ready to go to the nethermost regions for the purpose of conquest.

७.२०.१२

महर्षे देवगन्धर्वविहार समरप्रिय ।
अहं खलूद्यतो गन्तुं विजयार्थी रसातलम् ॥

Summary AI "O great sage, who roams among gods and *Gandharvas* and loves battle, I am indeed prepared to go to *Rasātala* seeking victory."

७.२०.१३

ततो लोकत्रयं जित्वा स्थाप्य नागान्सुरान्वशे ।
समुद्रममृतार्थं वै मथिष्यामि रसालयम् ॥

Summary AI "Then, having conquered the three worlds and brought the *Nāgas* and gods under control, I shall churn the ocean, the abode of waters, for the sake of nectar."

M N Dutt And conquering the three worlds, and bringing under subjection serpents and celestials I shall for ambrosia churn the nether regions.

७.२०.१४

अथाब्रवीद्दशग्रीवं नारदो भगवानृषिः ।
क्व खल्विदानीं मार्गेण त्वयानेन गमिष्यते ॥

Summary AI Then the divine sage *Nārada* said to the ten-necked *Rāvaṇa*, "Where indeed are you going now by this path?"

M N Dutt Then the reverend sage Närada spoke to the Ten-necked Ravana, Who save you can on forsooth go that journey? Verily, o irrepressible one, O destroyer of foes, the way leading to the city of the lord of the dead is difficult of access.

७.२०.१५

अयं खलु सुदुर्गम्यः पितृराज्ञः पुरं प्रति ।
मार्गो गच्छति दुर्धर्षो यमस्यामित्रकर्शन ॥

Summary AI "O subduer of enemies, this path, which is very difficult to traverse and hard to overcome, leads toward the city of *Yama*, the king of the ancestors."

M N Dutt Then the reverend sage Närada spoke to the Ten-necked Ravana, Who save you can on forsooth go that journey? Verily, o irrepressible one, O destroyer of foes, the way leading to the city of the lord of the dead is difficult of access.

७.२०.१६

स तु शारदमेघाभं मुक्त्वा हासं दशाननः ।
उवाच कृतमित्येव वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Letting out a laugh bright as an autumnal cloud, the ten-faced *Rāvaṇa* said, "It is done!" and then spoke these words.

M N Dutt Thereat laughing, the Ten-faced one said to the saint resembling a mass of white clouds, "This is done.

७.२०.१७

तस्मादेष महाब्रह्मन्वैवस्वतवधोद्यतः ।
गच्छामि दक्षिणामाशां यत्र सूर्यात्मजो नृपः ॥

Summary AI "O great *Brahman*, therefore, intent on slaying the son of *Vivasvat*, I am going to the southern quarter where the king, the son of the Sun, resides."

M N Dutt Therefore,* O great Brahmana, intent upon slaying the Vaivasvata's son, I will go by this way which lead to the king-the offspring of the sun. *As you has commanded me.

७.२०.१८

मया हि भगवन्क्रोधात्प्रतिज्ञातं रणार्थिना ।
अवजेष्यामि चतुरो लोकपालानिति प्रभो ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, O divine one, desiring battle, I have indeed vowed out of anger that I shall conquer the four world-protectors (*Lokapālas*)."

M N Dutt O master, from wrath I have vowed that I will, eager for encounter, O reverend one, conquer the four Lokapālas.

७.२०.१९

तेनैष प्रस्थितोऽहं वै पितृराजपुरं प्रति ।
प्राणिसंक्लेशकर्तारं योजयिष्यामि मृत्युना ॥

Summary AI "For that reason, I have set out toward the city of the king of the ancestors. I shall unite the one who causes suffering to living beings with *Mṛtyu* (Death) himself."

M N Dutt Then here go I to the city of the lord of the Pitſs; and I am determined to compass the death of him that visit creatures with smart.

७.२०.२०

एवमुक्त्वा दशग्रीवो मुनिं तमभिवाद्य च ।
प्रययौ दक्षिणामाशां प्रहृष्टैः सह मन्त्रिभिः ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus and saluted the sage, the ten-necked *Rāvaṇa* departed for the southern direction along with his delighted ministers.

M N Dutt Having delivered himself thus and saluted the sage, he, entering the southern way with his councillors, proceeded along.

७.२०.२१

नारदस्तु महातेजा मुहूर्तं ध्यानमास्थितः ।
चिन्तयामास विप्रेन्द्रो विधूम इव पावकः ॥

Summary AI The highly effulgent Nārada, the foremost of sages, remained in meditation for a moment and reflected deeply, appearing like a smokeless fire.

M N Dutt The exceedingly energetic Nārada best of Brāhmaṇas resembling a smokeless fire, remaining rapt for a while, began to reflect.

७.२०.२२

येन लोकास्त्रयः सेन्द्राः क्लिश्यन्ते सचराचराः ।
क्षीणे चायुषि धर्मे च स कालो हिंस्यते कथम् ॥

Summary AI How can Kāla, who afflicts the three worlds including Indra and all moving and non-moving beings when their life and merit are exhausted, be harmed or conquered?

M N Dutt How can (Ravana) conquer Time who, when its life wane, righteously visit with affection the time, sphere with Indra, fraught with mobile and immobile.

७.२०.२३

यस्य नित्यं त्रयो लोका विद्रवन्ति भयार्दिताः ।
तं कथं राक्षसेन्द्रोऽसौ स्वयमेवाभिगच्छति ॥

Summary AI How does this King of Rākṣasas personally go to confront him, from whom the three worlds constantly flee in terror?

M N Dutt How can this lord of Raksasas, of himself, go to him who, resembling another fire, bear to the gifts and acts (of persons), that high-souled one of whom attaining consciousness, people put forth their activity; and; afflicted with the fear of whom these three worlds fall away?

७.२०.२४

यो विधाता च धाता च सुकृते दुष्कृते यथा ।
त्रैलोक्यं विजितं येन तं कथं नु विजेष्यति ॥

Summary AI How will he conquer him who is the ordainer and sustainer regarding good and evil deeds, and who has already subdued the three worlds?

M N Dutt How can (Rāvana) subdue him who ordain things both great and small, who met rewards and punishments for good and bad acts, and who himself has conquered the three worlds? Resorting* to what other means shall Rāvana secure (victory)? *Explains the commentator: "Time has every thing under its control. Like the all-enclosing space, time pervades all that is. This being so, resorting what transcending Time, shall Rāvana obtain victory over it."

७.२०.२५

अपरं किं नु कृत्वैवं विधानं संविधास्यति ।
कौतूहलसमुत्पन्नो यास्यामि यमसादनम् ॥

Summary AI Having done this, what other arrangement will he make? Filled with curiosity, I shall proceed to the abode of Yama.

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