सर्गः 16

O Rama, having conquered his brother Kubera, the lord of Rakshasas then went to that great thicket of reeds, the birthplace of Kartikeya.

Then Daśagrīva (Ravana) saw that great golden thicket of reeds, which was enveloped in a network of rays, appearing like a second sun.

Then, having ascended a certain mountain with beautiful forest interiors, he saw the Pushpaka aerial chariot stopped there by Rama.

Seeing the Pushpaka chariot, which was supposed to move at will, now stopped and motionless, the lord of Rakshasas, surrounded by his ministers, began to ponder.

He wondered why this Pushpaka, which should move according to his will, was not moving, and speculated that this obstruction might be the work of someone on top of the mountain.

Then, at that moment, the wise Maricha spoke, saying, "O King, this Pushpaka chariot does not stop moving without a cause."

Alternatively, he suggested that this Pushpaka, being Kubera's vehicle and not meant for anyone else, has become motionless because it is now separated from its true owner, the lord of wealth.

Just as Maricha was speaking, a formidable, black and tawny, dwarfish, monstrous, bald-headed, powerful being named Nandi, with bowed arms, appeared.

Then, Nandi, the fearless attendant of Shiva, approached the lord of Rakshasas and spoke these words.

"Turn back, O Dashagriva, for Shankara is sporting on this mountain, which is inaccessible to Suparnas, Nagas, Yakshas, Devas, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas."

"This mountain has been made inaccessible to all beings," Nandi declared, and having heard these words, Ravana's earrings trembled with anger.

With eyes reddened by rage, he descended from the Pushpaka chariot, exclaiming, "Who is this Shankara?" and approached the base of the mountain.

There, not far from Shiva, he saw Nandi standing, firmly holding a shining trident, appearing like a second Shankara himself.

That demon, having seen his monkey-face and disdained him, burst into a loud laugh there, like a cloud thundering with water.

Enraged, the divine Nandi, who was another form of Shiva, spoke there to that demon Ravana who was present.

Because, O ten-headed one, you have disdained me, who am in the form of a monkey, and uttered a loud laugh resembling the fall of a thunderbolt.

Therefore, monkeys endowed with my form and possessing might and splendor equal to mine will indeed be born for the destruction of your lineage.

They will be fierce, with nails and fangs as their weapons, swift as thought, intoxicated with battle, overflowing with strength, and moving like mountains.

They will unitedly destroy your mighty and diverse arrogance and haughtiness, along with your ministers and sons.

O night-wanderer, what is possible for me to do to kill you now, for you are not to be killed, as you have already been destroyed by your own actions.

When those words were spoken by that great-souled god, divine drums sounded, and a shower of flowers fell from the sky.

Disregarding Nandi's words, the mighty Dashanana then approached the mountain and spoke.

O lord of cattle, I will uproot this mountain, because of which the movement of my Pushpaka chariot has been obstructed while I was going.

By what power does Shiva constantly play like a king, not recognizing the imminent danger that should be known?

Having thus spoken, O Rama, (Ravana) spread his arms on the mountain and quickly began to lift it, causing that mountain to tremble.

Due to the shaking of the mountain, Shiva's attendants trembled, and Parvati, who was embracing Maheshvara, also trembled then.

Then, O Rama, the great god Hara, the foremost among the gods, playfully pressed down that mountain with his big toe.

Indeed, his arms were then crushed beneath the mountain, and the demon's ministers there became astonished.

Then, from the anger and the crushing of his arms, that demon suddenly let out a roar by which the three worlds were shaken.

His ministers considered the sound to be a thunderbolt's strike signaling the end of an age, while the gods, led by Indra, were disturbed from their celestial paths.

The oceans became greatly agitated, the mountains were shaken, and Yakshas, Vidyadharas, and Siddhas all exclaimed, "What is this?"

Then his ministers said to him, who was crying out, "Please propitiate Mahadeva, the blue-throated one, the husband of Uma."

"O ten-headed one, we see no other refuge here except him; therefore, having bowed down with praises, seek refuge in him alone."

The compassionate Lord Shankara, being pleased, will bestow his grace upon you; thus advised by his ministers, Ravana then praised Lord Shiva.

Having bowed down with various hymns and praises, the ten-headed Ravana spent a thousand years crying and performing penance.

Then, O Rama, the pleased Lord Mahadeva, situated on the mountain peak, released Ravana's arms and spoke to the ten-headed one.

O ten-headed one, I am pleased with your valor and prowess, demonstrated by the very terrible cry you released while being crushed by the mountain.

Because the three worlds were made to cry out and fear came upon them due to your roar, therefore, O king, you shall henceforth be known by the name Ravana.

Gods, humans, yakshas, and all others on earth will thus call you Ravana, the one who makes the worlds cry.

O son of Pulastya, O king of rakshasas, go confidently by the path you desire, for you are indeed permitted by me to depart.

Thus spoken to by Shambhu, the lord of Lanka himself replied, "If you are pleased, O Mahadeva, then grant me a boon as I ask."

I have already obtained the boon of invincibility against gods, gandharvas, danavas, rakshasas, guhyakas, nagas, and any other more powerful beings.

O god, I do not count humans, as they are considered insignificant by me; and O destroyer of Tripura, I have already obtained a long life from Brahma.

Ravana thus requested Lord Shankara to grant him his desired remaining lifespan and a weapon.

Then, Lord Shiva, the lord of beings, granted him the greatly radiant sword known as Chandrahāsa, and also the remainder of his life.

Having given it, Shambhu then said, "This (sword) is not to be disrespected by you; if it is indeed disregarded by you, it will undoubtedly return to me."

Thus, Ravana, whose name was indeed established by Maheśvara, then saluted Mahadeva and ascended the Pushpaka chariot.

Then, O Rama, Ravana roamed about on the earth's surface, harassing very mighty Kshatriyas here and there.

Some powerful and brave Kshatriyas, unyielding in battle, who disobeyed his command, perished along with their retinue.

Others, knowing the Rakshasa to be unconquerable and being considered wise, declared to the strength-proud Rakshasa, "We are conquered.". इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे षोडशः सर्गः ।। 16 ।। Thus ends the sixteenth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.