Chapter XIX: Section XIX

Raghava thus declaring unto him 'no fear', Ravana's younger brother, the greatly wise Bibhisana, bending low his head, cast his looks on the earth. And descending from the welkin with his devoted attendants the virtuous-souled Bibhisana, delighted, bowed unto Rama. And thereupon touching his feet along with four Rakshasas, Bibhisana addressed Rama,--with words, fraught with piety, befitting the occasion and conducing to pleasure. "I am Ravana's younger brother and have been greatly insulted by him, I have therefore come to seek thy shelter, the refuge of all creatures, abandoning Lanka, and renouncing my friends and riches. My kingdom, life and happiness are all at thy disposal". Hearing his words Rama replied,--comforting him with words and favouring him as if with looks. "Do thou relate unto me truly the strength and weakness of the enemies". Being thus accosted by Rama of unwearied actions, the Raksha, began to describe the strength of Ravana. "O prince, by virtue of the boon acquired from the Self-Create, the Ten-necked one is incapable of being slain by all creatures--Gandharbas, serpents, or birds. My elder brother--the one next to Ravana--is the heroic and highly effulgent _Kumbharkarna_--Sakra's equal in battle. Thou mayst have heard, O Rama, his commander is Prahasta, by whom was defeated Manibhadra on the mount Kailaca. (His son) Indrajit, equipped with invincible armour, bow and finger-protector made of the skin of iguana, becomes invisible in fight. And, worshipping Fire and becoming invisible, that graceful hero, O Raghava, slayeth the enemies in conflict, having the contending parties vast and well arranged. Mahodara, Mahaparcwa and the Rakshasa, Akampana, are his lieutenants, who equal the Lokapalas[47] in battle. His army consists of ten thousand _kotis_ of Rakshasas, wearing shapes at will, inhabiting the city of Lanka, and living on flesh and gore. And with the _Lokapalas_ and the celestials, they were all defeated by the vicious-souled Ravana". Hearing the words of Bibhisana and weighing them in his mind, that foremost of Raghu's race said--"I understand well the strength and prowess of Ravana, which thou hast depicted truly, O Bibhisana. Do thou hear truly that I shall slay the Ten-necked one together with Prahasta and his sons, and I shall make thee king. Whether he entereth the _Rasatala_[48] or the regions under the earth, or seeketh shelter of the Grand-father of the celestials, he shall not be able to save his life from me. I do swear by my three brethern that I shall enter the city of Ayodhya, after slaying in battle Ravana with his sons, kinsmen and friends". Hearing these words of Rama of unwearied action, the virtuous-souled (Bibhisana), bowing his head unto him, began--"I shall lend thee my might in slaying the Rakshasas and devastating the city of Lanka, and shall be in the midst of Ravana's army". Thereupon, embracing Bibhisana, who spoke thus, Rama, delighted, said unto Lakshmana,--"O my brother, do thou bring water from the ocean. Sprinkling the greatly wise Bibhisana, I shall make him at once the king of the Rakshasas, O conferer of honor; for I am greatly pleased with him". Being thus addressed, Saumitri, at the command of the king, annointed Bibhisana and made him the king of the Rakshasas in the presence of the monkey-host. Beholding Rama's kindness (towards Bibhisana), the monkeys eulogized the high-souled one, exclaiming "Excellent! Excellent!" Thereupon, Hanuman and Sugriva addressed Bibhisana, saying, "Do thou tell us how we shall cross over the main--the abode of Varuna, along with the host of the highly powerful monkeys. Do thou inform us of the means by which we may cross over, along with our army, the lord of rivers and streams--the abode of Varuna". Being thus addressed, the virtuous-souled Bibhisana replied,--"It behoveth the king, Raghava, to seek refuge from the Ocean. This measureless deep was dug out by (the king) Sagara.[49] And the great Ocean shall surely help Rama belonging to Sagara's race". Being thus accosted by the wise Rakshasa, Bibhishana. Sugriva reached where Rama with Lakshmana was. Thereupon, the broad-necked Sugriva began to explain the well-meaning words of Bibhishana, requesting Rama to seek the shelter of the Ocean. And those words pleased Rama, pious by nature. And the highly eflulgent (hero) requested, smiling, the active Lakshmana and the monkey-chief Sugriva to collect necessaries for his adoration. "O Lakshmana, this counsel of Bibhisana appeareth to me as most sound. Sugriva is always greatly wise, and thou art greatly proficient in counsel. Do ye, holding a conference, intimate to me what you think becoming". Thus addressed, those two heroes--Lakshmana and Sugriva, spoke respectfully the following words fraught with propriety,--"Why shall not the well-meaning words of Bibhisana expressed now, please us, O Raghava, O thou best of men? Without constructing a bridge over the deep, the terrible abode of Varuna, even the celestials and their lord (Indra) cannot get at the city of Lanka. Do thou act on the genuine counsel of the heroic Bibhisana, and without losing time, do thou engage the Ocean for this work, so that we may with our army proceed to the city of Ravana". Being thus addressed Rama reached the shore of the lord of rivers and streams, covered with Kuca, like unto fire getting into the sacrificial dais.

[47] Divinities who protect the regions, or the Sun, Moon, Fire, Wind,
Indra, Yama, Varuna and Kuvera.--T.

[48] The seven infernal regions under the earth and the residence of
the _Nagas_, _Asuras_ and _Daityas_. This is the lowest of the
seven divisions of Patala.--T.

[49] _Sagara_ was a sovereign of Ayodhya belonging to the same family
with Rama.