SECTION IX.
Then, in fierce wrath seizing bludgeons, and pattiças, lances and bearded darts and javelins, and axes, bows and excellent shafts and swords, resembling crystelline water, sprung up the Rākshasas, Rabhasa, and the mighty Suryyaçatru, and Saptaghna, and Yajnakopa, and Mahāpārçwa and Mahodara, Agniketu the irrepressible, and the Rākshasa Raçmiketu, and the lusty Indraçatru, son unto Rāvana—and Prahasta, Virupāksha, and the exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,—and Dhumrāksha, and Nikumbha, and the Raksha Durmukha. And, flaming in energy, they all addressed Rāvana, saying,—"To-day shall we slay Rāma, and Sugriva along with Lakshmana, and the helpless Hanumān, who hath damaged Lankā. Then, preventing them, who had (thus) equipped themselves with all kinds of weapons, and making them sit down, Vibhishana, with joined hands, again spoke unto them, saying,—"The wise have asserted that an appeal to prowess should be resorted to anent a business then only when the end sought cannot be attained through the three (other) means.²⁷ Prowess produceth fruit only in respect of well-advised action directed while carefully watching (enemies) that are negligent, or captive,²⁸ or under Divine affliction. But why do ye intend to discomfit (Rāma), who is vigilant, who desireth victory, who is strong in the Divine strength, who hath subdued passion, and who is hard to subdue? Who had in this world ever thought of or reasoned about Hanumān’s career over the dreadful deep, the lord of streams and rivers? O rangers of the night, the strength and prowess (of the foe) being immeasurable, ye should by no means recklessly disregard him. And what was the wrong that formerly had been done by Rāma unto the king of the Rākshasas, that he hath carried off from Janasthāna the spouse of that illustrious one? If Khara, who had trespassed into regions not his own, hath been slain in battle by Rāma, surely a creature should to the best of his might preserve his life. It is for this great fear that exerciseth us on the score of Vaidehi owing its existence to this,²⁹ that she, having been ravished, should (now) be given up. What is the use of acting so that quarrel may be the consequence? And (Rāma), possessed of prowess, yet ever abiding by morality, is incapable of initiating hostilities for no purpose. Therefore, do ye give him his Maithili. And before, he by means of his shafts riveth this city together with her elephants and steeds, overflowing with countless gems, do ye give him his Maithili. And before the dreadful, irrepressible and mighty monkey-host blocketh up this Lankā of ours, do ye give (back) Sitā. This city of Lankā shall perish as also all the heroic Rākshasas, if thou dost not thyself make over Rāma’s spouse unto him. I exert myself to pleasure thee, because of the fraternity (that subsisteth between us). Do what I say. I say what is truth and what also is for thy good. Do thou render (back) Rāma’s Maithili. Ere yet the king’s son, for compassing thy destruction, showereth sure shafts resembling the rays of the autumnal Sun, having shining heads and feathered parts, and exceedingly hard, do thou render Maithili unto Dāçarathi. Forsake thy wrath at once, which destroyeth happiness and virtue; and follow righteousness, which enhanceth enjoyment and fame. Be thou propitious,—so that we may live (at ease) along with our sons and relatives! Render (back) Maithili unto Daçaratha’s son". Having heard Vibhishana’s speech, Rāvana—lord of Rākshasas—I leaving all of them, entered his own chamber.
²⁷ Viz., conciliation, gift, and creating division.—T.
²⁸ In the hands of other enemies.—T.
²⁹ The feeling of revenge for the slaughter of Khara and the rest.—T.