Chapter IX: Section IX

Then, in fierce wrath seizing bludgeons, and _patticas_, lances and bearded darts and javelins, and axes, bows and excellent shafts and swords, resembling crystelline water, sprung up the Rakshasas, Rabhasa, and the mighty Suryyacatru, and Saptaghna, and Yajnakopa, and Mahaparcwa and Mahodara, Agniketu the irrepressible, and the Rakshasa Racmiketu, and the lusty Indracatru, son unto Ravana--and Prahasta, Virupaksha, and the exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,--and Dhumraksha, and Nikumbha, and the Raksha Durmukha. And, flaming in energy, they all addressed Ravana, saying,--"To-day shall we slay Rama, and Sugriva along with Lakshmana, and the helpless Hanuman, who hath damaged Lanka. 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 (Rama), 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 Hanuman'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 Rama unto the king of the Rakshasas, that he hath carried off from Janasthana the spouse of that illustrious one? If Khara, who had trespassed into regions not his own, hath been slain in battle by Rama, 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 (Rama), 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 Lanka of ours, do ye give (back) Sita. This city of Lanka shall perish as also all the heroic Rakshasas, if thou dost not thyself make over Rama'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) Rama'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 Dacarathi. 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 Dacaratha's son". Having heard Vibhishana's speech, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--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.