सर्गः 5

Having seen Sukesha, the righteous demon who had obtained a boon, a Gandharva named Gramani, whose splendor was like that of Vishvavasu, (approached him).

He had a second daughter named Devavati, renowned in the three worlds for her beauty and youth, whom he righteously gave to Sukesha, just as one would bestow the prosperity of the Rakshasas.

Having obtained him, her dear husband whose prosperity was due to boons, Devavati became as pleased as a poor man who has acquired wealth.

United with her, that Rakshasa shone like a great elephant emerging from the Anjana mountain with a female elephant.

Indeed, Sukesha begot children in Devavati, O Raghava.

The lord of Rakshasas begot three sons, Malyavan, Sumali, and Mali (the best among the strong), who were Rakshasas with bodies like the three sacred fires and equal to Shiva.

They remained like the three undisturbed worlds, like the three sacred fires, like three extremely fierce incantations, and like three dreadful diseases.

The three sons of Sukesha, possessing a brilliance akin to the three sacred fires, grew there like neglected diseases.

Having learned of their father's boon obtained through the power of Shiva's penance, the brothers, having made a firm resolve, went to Mount Meru to perform penance.

O best of kings, those Rakshasas undertook severe vows and performed terrible penance that instilled fear in all beings.

Through their extremely difficult penances, which were endowed with truth, straightforwardness, and self-control, they tormented the three worlds, including gods, asuras, and humans.

Then, the powerful, four-faced Brahma, seated on his excellent aerial chariot, addressed the sons of Sukesha, declaring, "I am here to grant boons."

Realizing that Brahma, the bestower of boons, was present, surrounded by Indra and hosts of gods, all of them spoke with folded hands, trembling like trees.

They requested, "O Lord, if you, who have been propitiated by our penance, grant us a boon, let us be unconquerable, destroyers of enemies, and also long-lived."

They further requested, "And let us be mighty, always devoted to each other."

Having told the sons of Sukesha, "So it shall be," the powerful Brahma, who is affectionate to Brahmins, then returned to his own world.

O Rama, having obtained the boon, all those night-wanderers then became very fearless due to the boon and began to harass both gods and asuras.

Being tormented by them, the gods, along with groups of sages and Charanas, could not find a protector, just like people suffering in hell.

O best of Raghu's lineage, then those delighted Rakshasas, having met Vishwakarma, the best and imperishable among artisans, spoke to him.

You alone, by your own splendor, are the cherished house-builder for the great, vigorous, splendid, and powerful gods.

O great-minded one, therefore, please build a grand dwelling for us also, resembling the abode of Maheswara, either by resorting to the Himalayas or Mount Meru or Mandara.

Then, the mighty-armed Vishwakarma described to those Rakshasas a dwelling place, which was like Amaravati, the city of Indra.

O best ones, on the shore of the southern ocean, there is a mountain named Trikuta, and another, a second one, named Suvela.

On the middle peak of that mountain, which resembles a cloud, is difficult for even birds to reach, and is carved on all four sides as if by a chisel.

This place is thirty yojanas wide and a hundred yojanas long, surrounded by golden walls and adorned with golden archways.

This city, named Lanka, was built by me at Indra's command; O invincible and foremost Rakshasas, you should dwell there.

Having reached the fortress of Lanka, you will be surrounded by many Rakshasas, just as the gods, led by Indra, dwell in Amaravati.

You will become invincible and destroyers of your enemies.

Having heard the words of Vishwakarma, those foremost Rakshasas then went to that city with thousands of followers and dwelt there.

Having obtained Lanka, which was surrounded by strong walls and moats and hundreds of golden houses, those delighted night-wanderers (Rakshasas) took up residence there.

O Raghava, O delight of Raghu's lineage, at this very time, a Gandharva woman named Narmada was born as desired.

She, who was not a Rākṣasī, indeed had three daughters whose splendor was equal to intellect, prosperity, and fame, and these daughters were for those Rākṣasas in order of their seniority.

Delighted, she gave those three Gandharva maidens, whose faces resembled the full moon, to the three chiefs of the Rākṣasas.

O greatly fortunate Rama, those sons of Sukesha then indeed took wives, given by their mother in the constellation presided over by Bhaga.

They sported with their wives like gods with Apsaras; then, Malyavan's wife, named Sundari, who was beautiful...

He begot in her the following offspring: Vajramushti, Virupaksha, and Durmukha, who were Rākṣasas.

O Rama, from Sundari were born sons named Suptaghna, Yajñakopa, Matta, and Unmatta, and also a beautiful daughter named Anala.

O Rama, Sumali also had a wife named Ketumati, whose face was like the full moon and who was dearer to him than his own life.

O great king, now learn in due order about the offspring that the demon Sumali begot through Ketumati.

These sons were Prahasta, Akampana, Vikata, Kalakarmukha, Dhūmrākṣa, Danda, and the mighty Suparshva.

The demon's other offspring were Samhradi, Praghasa, Bhasakarna, Raka, Pushpotkata, Kaikasi of the pure smile, and Kumbhinasi, all known as Sumali's progeny.

Kumbhinasi and others are known as the offspring of Sumali.

Mali's wife was a beautiful Gandharva woman named Vasudha, who had eyes like lotus petals and was as splendid as a chief Yakshini.

O Lord Raghava, listen to the offspring that Sumali's younger brother begot in her, which I am now relating to you.

Anila, Anala, Hara, and Sampati are these sons of Mali, who were night-wanderers and later became ministers of Vibhishana.

Then, those three chief Rakshasas, surrounded by hundreds of their Rakshasa sons, became arrogant with their immense power and tormented the gods along with Indra, as well as the Rishis, Nagas, and Yakshas.

These beings wander the world like the wind, are difficult to approach, possess valor equal to death in battles, are exceedingly proud due to the boon they received, and always destroy sacrificial rites. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे पञ्चमः सर्गः ।। 5 ।। Thus ends the fifth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.