Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 59 of 128 · 146 verses
Ravana’s First Battle
With Prahasta dead, the rakshasa army flees; Ravana, burning with anger and grief, declares that an enemy who has killed his commander must not be despised, and goes out himself in a blazing chariot, praised with hymns, surrounded by flesh-eating rakshasas like Rudra among his spirits. Rama asks Vibhishana whose this unshakeable army is. Vibhishana names the champions: Akampana on an elephant, Indrajit with his lion banner, huge Atikaya, Mahodara on an elephant, Pishacha on a horse, Trishiras on a bull, Kumbha with a serpent banner, Nikumbha with his iron bar, Narantaka, and under the white umbrella the king himself, crowned, with swinging earrings, huge as the Vindhya, crusher of Indra’s and Yama’s pride. Rama marvels at Ravana’s splendour, too bright to look at, a form no god or danava has: “By good fortune this evildoer has come into my sight; today I will let loose the anger born of Sita’s abduction.” He takes his bow and stands ready with Lakshmana.
Ravana posts guards at the gates so the monkeys cannot take the city while it is empty, and plunges into the monkey army like a great fish into the sea. Sugriva hurls a mountain peak; Ravana shatters it and strikes Sugriva with a fiery arrow that hurls him down senseless. Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha, Jyotirmukha and Nala attack and are all brought down; the monkeys, wounded and crying, run to Rama for refuge. Rama takes up his bow, but Lakshmana asks leave to fight Ravana himself; Rama consents: be careful; Ravana is of marvellous valour; watch for his weak points and guard your own. Hanuman reaches Ravana’s chariot and raises his right hand: you are safe from gods and demons, but you must fear monkeys; this hand will drive out the life long lodged in your body. They exchange blows: Ravana’s palm makes Hanuman reel; Hanuman’s slap shakes Ravana like a mountain in an earthquake, and the sages, gods and monkeys cheer. Ravana praises him: a worthy foe! Hanuman answers: shame on my strength, since you still live; strike once more, and my fist will send you to Yama. Ravana’s fist on his chest leaves Hanuman dazed.
Ravana turns on Nila, who throws a mountain peak; Ravana shatters it with seven arrows; Nila hurls trees; Ravana cuts them. Nila shrinks and perches on Ravana’s flag, then on his bow-tip, then on his crown, to the wonder of Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Ravana, amazed at his nimbleness, strikes him with an arrow charged with the fire weapon; Nila falls to his knees, scorched, but, being the son of Fire, does not die. Then Ravana faces Lakshmana, who tells him not to fight monkeys but him. Ravana calls him a fool going to his death; Lakshmana answers that great warriors do not boast. They shoot: Lakshmana cuts Ravana’s arrows; Ravana, amazed at his speed, strikes him on the forehead with a fiery arrow given by Brahma; Lakshmana staggers, recovers and cuts Ravana’s bow, then wounds him with three arrows. Wounded and bowless, Ravana hurls the spear given him by Brahma; though Lakshmana strikes it with arrows, it enters his broad chest and he falls burning. Ravana seizes him with both arms to carry him off, but cannot lift him: he could lift Himavat, Mandara or Meru, but not Bharata’s brother, who remembers himself as an inconceivable part of Vishnu.
Hanuman, furious, punches Ravana in the chest with a fist like a thunderbolt; Ravana falls to his knees, bleeding from mouth, eyes and ears, and collapses senseless in his chariot. Hanuman carries Lakshmana to Rama in his arms; out of friendship and devotion, Lakshmana, whom no enemy could move, becomes light for him. The spear returns to Ravana’s chariot; Lakshmana recovers, healed, remembering his divine nature. Rama rushes at Ravana; Hanuman offers his back, and Rama rides him as Vishnu rides Garuda. Twanging his bow, Rama says: stand, stand! Where can you go to escape after such a wrong? Even if you go to Indra, Yama, the Sun, Brahma, Agni or Shiva, you will not escape. The one you struck down today with your spear has become, in battle, the death of you and your sons and grandsons. Ravana shoots Hanuman, who only grows brighter. Rama, angry at the wound to Hanuman, cuts Ravana’s chariot to pieces, wheels, horses, banner, umbrella, flag, driver and weapons, strikes him in the chest with a thunderbolt-like arrow, and makes him drop his bow, then cuts off his sun-bright crown with a crescent arrow. To the rakshasa, now like a snake without venom, Rama says: you have done great, terrible deeds today and killed my heroes; because you are exhausted, I will not kill you now. Go into Lanka, rest, and come back with chariot and bow; then you will see my strength. Ravana, his pride and joy gone, bowless, horses and driver killed, crown broken, enters Lanka; and Rama heals the monkeys and Lakshmana, while gods, asuras, sages, serpents and all creatures rejoice at the defeat of the enemy of the gods.
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तस्मिन् हते राक्षससैन्यपाले प्लवंगमानामृषभेण युद्धे । भीमायुधं सागरवेगतुल्यं विदुद्रुवे राक्षसराजसैन्यम् ॥ १ ॥
When that guardian of the rakshasa army had been killed in battle by the bull among leapers, the army of the king of the rakshasas, with its terrible weapons, equal to the ocean’s force, fled.
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Ravana’s First Battle 1 min read.
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गत्वा तु रक्षोधिपतेः शशंसुः सेनापतिं पावकसूनुशस्तम् । तच्चापि तेषां वचनं निशम्य रक्षोधिपः क्रोधवशं जगाम ॥ २ ॥
Going to the lord of the rakshasas, they told him the commander had been killed by the son of Fire. Hearing their words, the lord of the rakshasas fell under the power of anger.
संख्ये प्रहस्तं निहतं निशम्य क्रोधार्दितः शोकपरीतचेताः । उवाच तान् राक्षसयूथमुख्या- निन्द्रो यथा निर्जरयूथमुख्यान् ॥ ३ ॥
Hearing that Prahasta had been killed in battle, tormented by anger, his heart overcome with grief, he said to those chiefs of the rakshasa troops, as Indra to the chiefs of the immortal troops:
नावज्ञा रिपवे कार्या यैरिन्द्रबलसादनः । सूदितः सैन्यपालो मे सानुयात्रः सकुञ्जरः ॥ ४ ॥
“No contempt should be shown to the enemy, by whom my army’s guardian, the crusher of Indra’s forces, has been destroyed, with his followers and elephants.
सोऽहं रिपुविनाशाय विजयायाविचारयन् । स्वयमेव गमिष्यामि रणशीर्षं तदद्भुतम् ॥ ५ ॥
“So I myself, without hesitation, for the destruction of the enemy and for victory, will go to the head of that wondrous battle.
अद्य तद् वानरानीकं रामं च सहलक्ष्मणम् । निर्दहिष्यामि बाणौघैर्वनं दीप्तैरिवाग्निभिः । अद्य संतर्पयिष्यामि पृथिवीं कपिशोणितैः ॥ ६ ॥
“Today I will burn that monkey army, and Rama with Lakshmana, with floods of arrows, as a forest with blazing fires. Today I will sate the earth with monkeys’ blood.”
स एवमुक्त्वा ज्वलनप्रकाशं रथं तुरंगोत्तमराजियुक्तम् । प्रकाशमानं वपुषा ज्वलन्तं समारुरोहामरराजशत्रुः ॥ ७ ॥
Having said this, the enemy of the king of the immortals mounted his chariot, bright as fire, yoked with rows of the best horses, shining, blazing with splendour.
स शङ्खभेरीपणवप्रणादै- रास्फोटितक्ष्वेडितसिंहनादैः । पुण्यैः स्तवैश्चापि सुपूज्यमान- स्तदा ययौ राक्षसराजमुख्यः ॥ ८ ॥
Honoured with the sounds of conches, kettledrums and tabors, with arm-slapping, shrieks and lions’ roars, and with holy hymns, the chief king of the rakshasas went out then.
स शैलजीमूतनिकाशरूपै- र्मांसाशनैः पावकदीप्तनेत्रैः । बभौ वृतो राक्षसराजमुख्यो भूतैर्वृतो रुद्र इवामरेशः ॥ ९ ॥
Surrounded by flesh-eaters with forms like mountains and clouds, with eyes blazing like fire, the chief king of the rakshasas shone like Rudra, lord of the immortals, surrounded by his spirits.
ततो नगर्याः सहसा महौजा निष्क्रम्य तद् वानरसैन्यमुग्रम् । महार्णवाभ्रस्तनितं ददर्श समुद्यतं पादपशैलहस्तम् ॥ १० ॥
Then, coming suddenly out of the city, the one of great energy saw that fierce monkey army, roaring like a great ocean and like clouds, raised up with trees and rocks in their hands.
तद् राक्षसानीकमतिप्रचण्ड- मालोक्य रामो भुजगेन्द्रबाहुः । विभीषणं शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठ- मुवाच सेनानुगतः पृथुश्रीः ॥ ११ ॥
Seeing that very fierce rakshasa army, Rama, with arms like serpent kings, of great glory, followed by his army, said to Vibhishana, best of weapon-bearers:
नानापताकाध्वजछत्रजुष्टं प्रासासिशूलायुधशस्त्रजुष्टम् । कस्येदमक्षोभ्यमभीरुजुष्टं सैन्यं महेन्द्रोपमनागजुष्टम् ॥ १२ ॥
“Whose is this unshakeable army, attended by the fearless, with many flags, banners and umbrellas, with lances, swords, tridents and weapons, with elephants like Mahendra’s?”
ततस्तु रामस्य निशम्य वाक्यं विभीषणः शक्रसमानवीर्यः । शशंस रामस्य बलप्रवेकं महात्मनां राक्षसपुंगवानाम् ॥ १३ ॥
Hearing Rama’s words, Vibhishana, of valour equal to Shakra’s, told Rama of the strength of the great-souled bulls among rakshasas:
योऽसौ गजस्कन्धगतो महात्मा नवोदितार्कोपमताम्रवक्त्रः । संकम्पयन्नागशिरोऽभ्युपैति ह्यकम्पनं त्वेनमवेहि राजन् ॥ १४ ॥
“That great soul on the elephant’s shoulder, his face red like the newly risen sun, coming on, making the elephant’s head shake: know him as Akampana, king.
योऽसौ रथस्थो मृगराजकेतु- र्धुन्वन् धनुः शक्रधनुःप्रकाशम् । करीव भात्युग्रविवृत्तदंष्ट्रः स इन्द्रजिन्नाम वरप्रधानः ॥ १५ ॥
“That one in the chariot with the lion banner, shaking his bow bright as Indra’s bow, who shines like an elephant with fierce, curved tusks, is named Indrajit, foremost in boons.
यश्चैष विन्ध्यास्तमहेन्द्रकल्पो धन्वी रथस्थोऽतिरथोऽतिवीरः । विस्फारयंश्चापमतुल्यमानं नाम्नातिकायोऽतिविवृद्धकायः ॥ १६ ॥
“And this one, like the Vindhya, the Asta and Mahendra mountains, the bowman in the chariot, a supreme chariot-fighter, a supreme hero, drawing his bow of matchless measure, is named Atikaya, of huge body.
योऽसौ नवार्कोदितताम्रचक्षु- रारुह्य घण्टानिनदप्रणादम् । गजं खरं गर्जति वै महात्मा महोदरो नाम स एष वीरः ॥ १७ ॥
“That great soul, with eyes red as the newly risen sun, mounted on an elephant roaring with the sound of bells, the harsh one who roars: that hero is named Mahodara.
योऽसौ हयं काञ्चनचित्रभाण्ड- मारुह्य संध्याभ्रगिरिप्रकाशम् । प्रासं समुद्यम्य मरीचिनद्धं पिशाच एषोऽशनितुल्यवेगः ॥ १८ ॥
“This one, mounted on a horse with golden trappings, bright as an evening cloud on a mountain, raising a lance bound with rays, is Pishacha, of speed equal to the thunderbolt.
यश्चैष शूलं निशितं प्रगृह्य विद्युत्प्रभं किंकरवज्रवेगम् । वृषेन्द्रमास्थाय शशिप्रकाश- मायाति योऽसौ त्रिशिरा यशस्वी ॥ १९ ॥
“And this one coming, holding a sharp trident bright as lightning, swift as the thunderbolt, mounted on a lordly bull bright as the moon, is glorious Trishiras.
असौ च जीमूतनिकाशरूपः कुम्भः पृथुव्यूढसुजातवक्षाः । समाहितः पन्नगराजकेतु- र्विस्फारयन् याति धनुर्विधुन्वन् ॥ २० ॥
“And that one, like a cloud in form, Kumbha, with a broad, well-formed chest, collected, with a serpent-king banner, goes drawing and shaking his bow.
यश्चैष जाम्बूनदवज्रजुष्टं दीप्तं सधूमं परिघं प्रगृह्य । आयाति रक्षोबलकेतुभूतो योऽसौ निकुम्भोऽद्भुतघोरकर्मा ॥ २१ ॥
“And this one, holding an iron bar set with gold and diamonds, blazing, smoking, coming as the banner of the rakshasa forces: that is Nikumbha, of wondrous, terrible deeds.
यश्चैष चापासिशरौघजुष्टं पताकिनं पावकदीप्तरूपम् । रथं समास्थाय विभात्युदग्रो नरान्तकोऽसौ नगशृङ्गयोधी ॥ २२ ॥
“And this one, standing in a chariot full of bows, swords and floods of arrows, with flags, blazing like fire, lofty: that is Narantaka, who fights with mountain peaks.
यश्चैष नानाविधघोररूपै- र्व्याघ्रोष्ट्रनागेन्द्रमृगाश्ववक्त्रैः । भूतैर्वृतो भाति विवृत्तनेत्रै- र्योऽसौ सुराणामपि दर्पहन्ता ॥ २३ ॥
“And this one, shining, surrounded by beings of many terrible forms, with faces of tigers, camels, lordly elephants, deer and horses, with rolling eyes, who crushed the pride even of the gods:
यत्रैतदिन्दुप्रतिमं विभाति छत्रं सितं सूक्ष्मशलाकमग्र्यम् । अत्रैष रक्षोधिपतिर्महात्मा भूतैर्वृतो रुद्र इवावभाति ॥ २४ ॥
“where that white umbrella shines, like the moon, fine-ribbed, excellent: there this great-souled lord of the rakshasas shines like Rudra surrounded by his spirits.
असौ किरीटी चलकुण्डलास्यो नगेन्द्रविन्ध्योपमभीमकायः । महेन्द्रवैवस्वतदर्पहन्ता रक्षोधिपः सूर्य इवावभाति ॥ २५ ॥
“That crowned one with swinging earrings on his face, with a terrible body like the Vindhya, king of mountains, the crusher of the pride of Mahendra and Vaivasvata, the lord of the rakshasas, shines like the sun.”
प्रत्युवाच ततो रामो विभीषणमरिंदमः । अहो दीप्तमहातेजा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः ॥ २६ ॥
Then Rama, tamer of enemies, replied to Vibhishana: “Ah, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, blazes with great splendour!
आदित्य इव दुष्प्रेक्ष्यो रश्मिभिर्भाति रावणः । न व्यक्तं लक्षये ह्यस्य रूपं तेजःसमावृतम् ॥ २७ ॥
“Ravana shines with rays like the sun, hard to look at; I cannot clearly make out his form, covered with splendour.
देवदानववीराणां वपुर्नैवंविधं भवेत् । यादृशं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य वपुरेतद् विराजते ॥ २८ ॥
“The body of the heroes of gods and danavas would not be like this, such as this body of the king of the rakshasas shines.
सर्वे पर्वतसंकाशाः सर्वे पर्वतयोधिनः । सर्वे दीप्तायुधधरा योधास्तस्य महात्मनः ॥ २९ ॥
“All like mountains, all fighting with mountains, all bearing blazing weapons are the warriors of that great soul.
विभाति रक्षोराजोऽसौ प्रदीप्तैर्भीमदर्शनैः । भूतैः परिवृतस्तीक्ष्णैर्देहवद्भिरिवान्तकः ॥ ३० ॥
“That king of the rakshasas shines, surrounded by blazing, terrible-looking, fierce beings, like Death with bodies around him.
दिष्ट्यायमद्य पापात्मा मम दृष्टिपथं गतः । अद्य क्रोधं विमोक्ष्यामि सीताहरणसम्भवम् ॥ ३१ ॥
“By good fortune this evil-souled one has come today into the path of my sight. Today I will let loose the anger born of Sita’s abduction.”
एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामो धनुरादाय वीर्यवान् । लक्ष्मणानुचरस्तस्थौ समुद्धृत्य शरोत्तमम् ॥ ३२ ॥
Having said this, valiant Rama took his bow and, followed by Lakshmana, stood, drawing out a superb arrow.
ततः स रक्षोधिपतिर्महात्मा रक्षांसि तान्याह महाबलानि । द्वारेषु चर्यागृहगोपुरेषु सुनिर्वृतास्तिष्ठत निर्विशङ्काः ॥ ३३ ॥
Then the great-souled lord of the rakshasas said to those mighty rakshasas: “Stand at the gates, the guard-houses and the gate towers, well settled and free from doubt.
इहागतं मां सहितं भवद्भि- र्वनौकसश्छिद्रमिदं विदित्वा । शून्यां पुरीं दुष्प्रसहां प्रमथ्य प्रधर्षयेयुः सहसा समेताः ॥ ३४ ॥
“Knowing that I have come here with you, the forest-dwellers, seeing this gap, might suddenly band together, storm the empty, unassailable city and violate it.”
विसर्जयित्वा सचिवांस्ततस्तान् गतेषु रक्षःसु यथानियोगम् । व्यदारयद् वानरसागरौघं महाझषः पूर्णमिवार्णवौघम् ॥ ३५ ॥
Then, having dismissed those ministers, when the rakshasas had gone as ordered, he tore through the flood of the monkey ocean, as a great fish tears through the full flood of the sea.
तमापतन्तं सहसा समीक्ष्य दीप्तेषुचापं युधि राक्षसेन्द्रम् । महत् समुत्पाट्य महीधराग्रं दुद्राव रक्षोधिपतिं हरीशः ॥ ३६ ॥
Seeing that king of the rakshasas suddenly coming on in battle with his blazing arrows and bow, the lord of the monkeys tore up a great mountain top and ran at the lord of the rakshasas.
तच्छैलशृङ्गं बहुवृक्षसानुं प्रगृह्य चिक्षेप निशाचराय । तमापतन्तं सहसा समीक्ष्य चिच्छेद बाणैस्तपनीयपुङ्खैः ॥ ३७ ॥
He hurled that mountain peak, with its slopes of many trees, at the night-wanderer; seeing it suddenly coming, he cut it with arrows with golden feathers.
तस्मिन् प्रवृद्धोत्तमसानुवृक्षे शृङ्गे विदीर्णे पतिते पृथिव्याम् । महाहिकल्पं शरमन्तकाभं समादधे राक्षसलोकनाथः ॥ ३८ ॥
When that peak, with its tall, fine trees and slopes, had been split and had fallen to the ground, the lord of the rakshasa world fitted an arrow like a great serpent, like Death.
स तं गृहीत्वानिलतुल्यवेगं सविस्फुलिङ्गज्वलनप्रकाशम् । बाणं महेन्द्राशनितुल्यवेगं चिक्षेप सुग्रीववधाय रुष्टः ॥ ३९ ॥
Taking that arrow, swift as the wind, blazing like fire with sparks, of speed equal to great Indra’s thunderbolt, he loosed it in anger to kill Sugriva.
स सायको रावणबाहुमुक्तः शक्राशनिप्रख्यवपुःप्रकाशम् । सुग्रीवमासाद्य बिभेद वेगाद् गुहेरिता क्रौञ्चमिवोग्रशक्तिः ॥ ४० ॥
That arrow, loosed from Ravana’s arm, with a form bright as Shakra’s thunderbolt, reaching Sugriva, split him with force, as Guha’s fierce spear split Krauncha.
स सायकार्तो विपरीतचेताः कूजन् पृथिव्यां निपपात वीरः । तं वीक्ष्य भूमौ पतितं विसंज्ञं नेदुः प्रहृष्टा युधि यातुधानाः ॥ ४१ ॥
Tormented by the arrow, his mind reeling, the hero fell groaning to the earth. Seeing him fallen senseless on the ground, the yatudhanas roared with delight in the battle.
ततो गवाक्षो गवयः सुषेण- स्त्वथर्षभो ज्योतिमुखो नलश्च । शैलान् समुत्पाट्य विवृद्धकायाः प्रदुद्रुवुस्तं प्रति राक्षसेन्द्रम् ॥ ४२ ॥
Then Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha, Jyotirmukha and Nala, tearing up rocks, their bodies grown, rushed at the king of the rakshasas.
तेषां प्रहारान् स चकार मोघान् रक्षोधिपो बाणशतैः शिताग्रैः । तान् वानरेन्द्रानपि बाणजालै- र्बिभेद जाम्बूनदचित्रपुङ्खैः ॥ ४३ ॥
The lord of the rakshasas made their blows vain with hundreds of sharp-pointed arrows, and pierced those monkey lords too with nets of arrows with golden, decorated feathers.
ते वानरेन्द्रास्त्रिदशारिबाणै- र्भिन्ना निपेतुर्भुवि भीमकायाः । ततस्तु तद् वानरसैन्यमुग्रं प्रच्छादयामास स बाणजालैः ॥ ४४ ॥
Those monkey lords, of terrible body, split by the arrows of the enemy of the thirty, fell on the ground. Then he covered that fierce monkey army with nets of arrows.
ते वध्यमानाः पतिताश्च वीरा नानद्यमाना भयशल्यविद्धाः । शाखामृगा रावणसायकार्ता जग्मुः शरण्यं शरणं स्म रामम् ॥ ४५ ॥
Being killed and fallen, those heroes, crying out, pierced by darts of fear, the tree-beasts, tormented by Ravana’s arrows, went for refuge to Rama, the refuge.
ततो महात्मा स धनुर्धनुष्मा- नादाय रामः सहसा जगाम । तं लक्ष्मणः प्राञ्जलिरभ्युपेत्य उवाच रामं परमार्थयुक्तम् ॥ ४६ ॥
Then great-souled Rama, the bowman, taking his bow, went suddenly. Lakshmana, approaching with joined palms, spoke to Rama words of great meaning:
काममार्य सुपर्याप्तो वधायास्य दुरात्मनः । विधमिष्याम्यहं चैतमनुजानीहि मां विभो ॥ ४७ ॥
“Truly, noble one, I am well able to kill this evil-souled one; I will scatter him; give me leave, lord.”
तमब्रवीन्महातेजा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः । गच्छ यत्नपरश्चापि भव लक्ष्मण संयुगे ॥ ४८ ॥
Radiant Rama, of true valour, said to him: “Go, and be intent on effort in the battle, Lakshmana.
रावणो हि महावीर्यो रणेऽद्भुतपराक्रमः । त्रैलोक्येनापि संक्रुद्धो दुष्प्रसह्यो न संशयः ॥ ४९ ॥
“For Ravana is of great valour, of wondrous prowess in battle; when angry, he is hard to withstand even for the three worlds, no doubt of it.
तस्यच्छिद्राणि मार्गस्व स्वच्छिद्राणि च लक्षय । चक्षुषा धनुषाऽऽत्मानं गोपायस्व समाहितः ॥ ५० ॥
“Look for his weak points and watch your own; guard yourself attentively with your eye and your bow.”
राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सम्परिष्वज्य पूज्य च । अभिवाद्य च रामाय ययौ सौमित्रिराहवे ॥ ५१ ॥
Hearing Raghava’s words, embracing and honouring him, and saluting Rama, Saumitri went into the battle.
स रावणं वारणहस्तबाहुं ददर्श भीमोद्यतदीप्तचापम् । प्रच्छादयन्तं शरवृष्टिजालै- स्तान् वानरान् भिन्नविकीर्णदेहान् ॥ ५२ ॥
He saw Ravana, with arms like an elephant’s trunk, his terrible blazing bow raised, covering those monkeys with nets of showers of arrows, their bodies split and scattered.
तमालोक्य महातेजा हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः । निवार्य शरजालानि विदुद्राव स रावणम् ॥ ५३ ॥
Seeing him, radiant Hanuman, son of the Wind, warding off the nets of arrows, ran at Ravana.
रथं तस्य समासाद्य बाहुमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम् । त्रासयन् रावणं धीमान् हनूमान् वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ५४ ॥
Reaching his chariot and raising his right arm, wise Hanuman, frightening Ravana, said:
देवदानवगन्धर्वैर्यक्षैश्च सह राक्षसैः । अवध्यत्वं त्वया प्राप्तं वानरेभ्यस्तु ते भयम् ॥ ५५ ॥
“You have gained immunity from gods, danavas and gandharvas, from yakshas and from rakshasas; but from monkeys you have something to fear.
एष मे दक्षिणो बाहुः पञ्चशाखः समुद्यतः । विधमिष्यति ते देहे भूतात्मानं चिरोषितम् ॥ ५६ ॥
“This right arm of mine, raised with its five branches, will drive out of your body the living self that has dwelt there long.”
श्रुत्वा हनूमतो वाक्यं रावणो भीमविक्रमः । संरक्तनयनः क्रोधादिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ५७ ॥
Hearing Hanuman’s words, Ravana, of terrible valour, his eyes red with anger, said:
क्षिप्रं प्रहर निःशङ्कं स्थिरां कीर्तिमवाप्नुहि । ततस्त्वां ज्ञातविक्रान्तं नाशयिष्यामि वानर ॥ ५८ ॥
“Strike quickly, without hesitation; win lasting fame. Then, having learned your valour, I will destroy you, monkey.”
रावणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वायुसूनुर्वचोऽब्रवीत् । प्रहतं हि मया पूर्वमक्षं तव सुतं स्मर ॥ ५९ ॥
Hearing Ravana’s words, the son of the Wind said: “Remember that I already killed your son Aksha.”
एवमुक्तो महातेजा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । आजघानानिलसुतं तलेनोरसि वीर्यवान् ॥ ६० ॥
Spoken to so, radiant Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, valiant, struck the son of the Wind on the chest with his palm.
स तलाभिहतस्तेन चचाल च मुहुर्मुहुः । स्थितो मुहूर्तं तेजस्वी स्थैर्यं कृत्वा महामतिः ॥ ६१ ॥
Struck by his palm, he reeled again and again; the radiant, very wise one stood for a moment, steadying himself,
आजघान च संक्रुद्धस्तलेनैवामरद्विषम् । ततः स तेनाभिहतो वानरेण महात्मना ॥ ६२ ॥
and, enraged, struck the enemy of the immortals with his palm too. Then, struck by that great-souled monkey,
दशग्रीवः समाधूतो यथा भूमितलेऽचलः । संग्रामे तं तथा दृष्ट्वा रावणं तलताडितम् ॥ ६३ ॥
Ten-necked was shaken like a mountain on the ground in an earthquake. Seeing Ravana so in battle, struck by the palm,
ऋषयो वानराः सिद्धा नेदुर्देवाः सहासुरैः । अथाश्वस्य महातेजा रावणो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ६४ ॥
sages, monkeys and siddhas cried out, and the gods with the asuras. Then, recovering, radiant Ravana said:
साधु वानर वीर्येण श्लाघनीयोऽसि मे रिपुः । रावणेनैवमुक्तस्तु मारुतिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ६५ ॥
“Well done, monkey! In valour you are an enemy worthy of praise by me.” Spoken to so by Ravana, the son of the Wind said:
धिगस्तु मम वीर्यस्य यत् त्वं जीवसि रावण । सकृत् तु प्रहरेदानीं दुर्बुद्धे किं विकत्थसे ॥ ६६ ॥
“Shame on my valour, since you are alive, Ravana. Strike just once more now, evil-minded one; why do you boast?
ततस्त्वां मामको मुष्टिर्नयिष्यति यमक्षयम् । ततो मारुतिवाक्येन कोपस्तस्य प्रजज्वले ॥ ६७ ॥
“Then my fist will take you to Yama’s abode.” At the words of the son of the Wind, his anger blazed up.
संरक्तनयनो यत्नान्मुष्टिमावृत्य दक्षिणम् । पातयामास वेगेन वानरोरसि वीर्यवान् ॥ ६८ ॥
His eyes red, with effort clenching his right fist, the valiant one brought it down with force on the monkey’s chest.
हनूमान् वक्षसि व्यूढे संचचाल पुनः पुनः । विह्वलं तु तदा दृष्ट्वा हनूमन्तं महाबलम् ॥ ६९ ॥
Struck on his broad chest, Hanuman reeled again and again. Seeing mighty Hanuman then dazed,
रथेनातिरथः शीघ्रं नीलं प्रति समभ्यगात् । राक्षसानामधिपतिर्दशग्रीवः प्रतापवान् ॥ ७० ॥
the supreme chariot-warrior in his chariot quickly went against Nila: Ten-necked, the powerful lord of the rakshasas.
पन्नगप्रतिमैर्भीमैः परमर्माभिभेदनैः । शरैरादीपयामास नीलं हरिचमूपतिम् ॥ ७१ ॥
With terrible arrows like serpents, splitting the vitals, he set ablaze Nila, commander of the monkey army.
स शरौघसमायस्तो नीलो हरिचमूपतिः । करेणैकेन शैलाग्रं रक्षोधिपतयेऽसृजत् ॥ ७२ ॥
Harassed by the flood of arrows, Nila, commander of the monkey army, hurled a mountain top with one hand at the lord of the rakshasas.
हनूमानपि तेजस्वी समाश्वस्तो महामनाः । विप्रेक्षमाणो युद्धेप्सुः सरोषमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ७३ ॥
And radiant, high-minded Hanuman, recovered, looking about, eager for battle, said angrily:
नीलेन सह संयुक्तं रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम् । अन्येन युध्यमानस्य न युक्तमभिधावनम् ॥ ७४ ॥
“Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, is engaged with Nila; it is not right to rush at one who is fighting another.”
रावणोऽथ महातेजास्तं शृङ्गं सप्तभिः शरैः । आजघान सुतीक्ष्णाग्रैस्तद् विकीर्णं पपात ह ॥ ७५ ॥
Then radiant Ravana struck that peak with seven very sharp-pointed arrows, and it fell scattered.
तद् विकीर्णं गिरेः शृङ्गं दृष्ट्वा हरिचमूपतिः । कालाग्निरिव जज्वाल कोपेन परवीरहा ॥ ७६ ॥
Seeing that mountain peak scattered, the commander of the monkey army, slayer of enemy heroes, blazed with anger like the fire of Time.
सोऽश्वकर्णद्रुमान् शालांश्चूतांश्चापि सुपुष्पितान् । अन्यांश्च विविधान् वृक्षान् नीलश्चिक्षेप संयुगे ॥ ७७ ॥
Nila hurled ashvakarna trees, salas and mangoes in full flower, and other trees of many kinds in battle.
स तान् वृक्षान् समासाद्य प्रतिचिच्छेद रावणः । अभ्यवर्षच्च घोरेण शरवर्षेण पावकिम् ॥ ७८ ॥
Coming up to those trees, Ravana cut them back, and rained a terrible shower of arrows on the son of Fire.
अभिवृष्टः शरौघेण मेघेनेव महाचलः । ह्रस्वं कृत्वा ततो रूपं ध्वजाग्रे निपपात ह ॥ ७९ ॥
Rained upon by the flood of arrows, like a great mountain by a cloud, he made his form small and dropped onto the top of the flagstaff.
पावकात्मजमालोक्य ध्वजाग्रे समवस्थितम् । जज्वाल रावणः क्रोधात् ततो नीलो ननाद च ॥ ८० ॥
Seeing the son of Fire standing on the top of the flagstaff, Ravana blazed with anger; and Nila roared.
ध्वजाग्रे धनुषश्चाग्रे किरीटाग्रे च तं हरिम् । लक्ष्मणोऽथ हनूमांश्च रामश्चापि सुविस्मिताः ॥ ८१ ॥
On the top of the flagstaff, on the tip of the bow, on the top of the crown, seeing that monkey, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Rama too were greatly amazed.
रावणोऽपि महातेजाः कपिलाघवविस्मितः । अस्त्रमाहारयामास दीप्तमाग्नेयमद्भुतम् ॥ ८२ ॥
Radiant Ravana too, amazed at the monkey’s nimbleness, took up the blazing, wondrous weapon of Fire.
ततस्ते चुक्रुशुर्हृष्टा लब्धलक्षाः प्लवंगमाः । नीललाघवसम्भ्रान्तं दृष्ट्वा रावणमाहवे ॥ ८३ ॥
Then the leapers, delighted, having found their mark, shouted, seeing Ravana flustered in battle by Nila’s nimbleness.
वानराणां च नादेन संरब्धो रावणस्तदा । सम्भ्रमाविष्टहृदयो न किंचित् प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ८४ ॥
Enraged by the monkeys’ roar, Ravana then, his heart filled with confusion, could not decide what to do.
आग्नेयेनापि संयुक्तं गृहीत्वा रावणः शरम् । ध्वजशीर्षस्थितं नीलमुदैक्षत निशाचरः ॥ ८५ ॥
Taking an arrow joined with the Fire weapon, the night-wanderer Ravana looked up at Nila, standing on the top of the flagstaff.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । कपे लाघवयुक्तोऽसि मायया परया सह ॥ ८६ ॥
Then radiant Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, said: “Monkey, you are nimble, with supreme illusion.
जीवितं खलु रक्षस्व यदि शक्तोऽसि वानर । तानि तान्यात्मरूपाणि सृजसि त्वमनेकशः ॥ ८७ ॥
“Save your life if you can, monkey, you who create these many forms of yourself.
तथापि त्वां मया मुक्तः सायकोऽस्त्रप्रयोजितः । जीवितं परिरक्षन्तं जीविताद् भ्रंशयिष्यति ॥ ८८ ॥
“Even so, the arrow I have loosed, joined to the weapon, will make you, guarding your life, fall from life.”
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहू रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । संधाय बाणमस्त्रेण चमूपतिमताडयत् ॥ ८९ ॥
Having said this, mighty-armed Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, fitted the arrow with the weapon and struck the commander.
सोऽस्त्रमुक्तेन बाणेन नीलो वक्षसि ताडितः । निर्दह्यमानः सहसा स पपात महीतले ॥ ९० ॥
Struck on the chest by the arrow loosed with the weapon, Nila, burning, suddenly fell on the ground.
पितृमाहात्म्यसंयोगादात्मनश्चापि तेजसा । जानुभ्यामपतद् भूमौ न तु प्राणैर्वियुज्यत ॥ ९१ ॥
Through his father’s greatness and his own splendour, he fell to the ground on his knees, but was not parted from his life.
विसंज्ञं वानरं दृष्ट्वा दशग्रीवो रणोत्सुकः । रथेनाम्बुदनादेन सौमित्रिमभिदुद्रुवे ॥ ९२ ॥
Seeing the monkey senseless, Ten-necked, eager for battle, rushed at Saumitri with his chariot roaring like a cloud.
आसाद्य रणमध्ये तं वारयित्वा स्थितो ज्वलन् । धनुर्विस्फारयामास राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान् ॥ ९३ ॥
Reaching him in the middle of the battle, the powerful king of the rakshasas stood blazing, having halted, and twanged his bow.
तमाह सौमित्रिरदीनसत्त्वो विस्फारयन्तं धनुरप्रमेयम् । अवेहि मामद्य निशाचरेन्द्र न वानरांस्त्वं प्रतियोद्धुमर्हसि ॥ ९४ ॥
Saumitri, of undaunted spirit, said to him as he twanged his immeasurable bow: “Know me now, king of the night-wanderers; you should not fight with monkeys.”
स तस्य वाक्यं प्रतिपूर्णघोषं ज्याशब्दमुग्रं च निशम्य राजा । आसाद्य सौमित्रिमुपस्थितं तं रोषान्वितं वाचमुवाच रक्षः ॥ ९५ ॥
Hearing his words, full-sounding, and the fierce sound of the bowstring, the king, reaching Saumitri, who had come up, said in rage:
दिष्ट्यासि मे राघव दृष्टिमार्गं प्राप्तोऽन्तगामी विपरीतबुद्धिः । अस्मिन् क्षणे यास्यसि मृत्युलोकं संसाद्यमानो मम बाणजालैः ॥ ९६ ॥
“By good fortune, Raghava, you have come into the path of my sight, going to your end, your mind perverse. This moment you will go to the world of death, crushed by my nets of arrows.”
तमाह सौमित्रिरविस्मयानो गर्जन्तमुद्वृत्तशिताग्रदंष्ट्रम् । राजन् न गर्जन्ति महाप्रभावा विकत्थसे पापकृतां वरिष्ठ ॥ ९७ ॥
To him, roaring, with curving sharp-pointed fangs, Saumitri said, unamazed: “King, those of great power do not roar; you boast, best of evildoers.
जानामि वीर्यं तव राक्षसेन्द्र बलं प्रतापं च पराक्रमं च । अवस्थितोऽहं शरचापपाणि- रागच्छ किं मोघविकत्थनेन ॥ ९८ ॥
“I know your valour, king of the rakshasas, your strength, your power and your prowess. I stand here with bow and arrows in hand; come; what use is vain boasting?”
स एवमुक्तः कुपितः ससर्ज रक्षोधिपः सप्त शरान् सुपुङ्खान् । ताँल्लक्ष्मणः काञ्चनचित्रपुङ्खै- श्चिच्छेद बाणैर्निशिताग्रधारैः ॥ ९९ ॥
Told so, the lord of the rakshasas, angry, loosed seven well-feathered arrows; Lakshmana cut them with arrows with golden feathers and sharp-pointed edges.
तान् प्रेक्षमाणः सहसा निकृत्तान् निकृत्तभोगानिव पन्नगेन्द्रान् । लङ्केश्वरः क्रोधवशं जगाम ससर्ज चान्यान् निशितान् पृषत्कान् ॥ १०० ॥
Seeing them suddenly cut, like great serpents with their coils cut, the lord of Lanka fell under the power of anger and loosed other sharp arrows.
स बाणवर्षं तु ववर्ष तीव्रं रामानुजः कार्मुकसम्प्रयुक्तम् । क्षुरार्धचन्द्रोत्तमकर्णिभल्लैः शरांश्च चिच्छेद न चुक्षुभे च ॥ १०१ ॥
Rama’s younger brother rained a fierce shower of arrows from his bow, and with razors, crescents, fine karnis and bhallas he cut the arrows and was not shaken.
स बाणजालान्यपि तानि तानि मोघानि पश्यंस्त्रिदशारिराजः । विसिस्मिये लक्ष्मणलाघवेन पुनश्च बाणान् निशितान् मुमोच ॥ १०२ ॥
Seeing all those nets of arrows made vain, the king of the enemies of the thirty was amazed at Lakshmana’s nimbleness and again loosed sharp arrows.
स लक्ष्मणश्चापि शिताञ् शिताग्रान् महेन्द्रतुल्योऽशनिभीमवेगान् । संधाय चापे ज्वलनप्रकाशान् ससर्ज रक्षोधिपतेर्वधाय ॥ १०३ ॥
And Lakshmana, equal to great Indra, fitting to his bow sharp, sharp-pointed arrows of terrible speed like the thunderbolt, bright as fire, loosed them to kill the lord of the rakshasas.
स तान् प्रचिच्छेद हि राक्षसेन्द्रः शिताञ् शराल्ँ लक्ष्मणमाजघान । शरेण कालाग्निसमप्रभेण स्वयंभुदत्तेन ललाटदेशे ॥ १०४ ॥
The king of the rakshasas cut those sharp arrows and struck Lakshmana on the forehead with an arrow bright as the fire of Time, given by the Self-born.
स लक्ष्मणो रावणसायकार्त- श्चचाल चापं शिथिलं प्रगृह्य । पुनश्च संज्ञां प्रतिलभ्य कृच्छ्रा- च्चिच्छेद चापं त्रिदशेन्द्रशत्रोः ॥ १०५ ॥
Lakshmana, hurt by Ravana’s arrow, reeled, holding his bow loosely; and, regaining consciousness with difficulty, he cut the bow of the enemy of the lord of the thirty.
निकृत्तचापं त्रिभिराजघान बाणैस्तदा दाशरथिः शिताग्रैः । स सायकार्तो विचचाल राजा कृच्छ्राच्च संज्ञां पुनराससाद ॥ १०६ ॥
The son of Dasharatha then struck him, his bow cut, with three sharp-pointed arrows; hurt by the arrows, the king reeled and with difficulty regained consciousness.
स कृत्तचापः शरताडितश्च मेदार्द्रगात्रो रुधिरावसिक्तः । जग्राह शक्तिं स्वयमुग्रशक्तिः स्वयंभुदत्तां युधि देवशत्रुः ॥ १०७ ॥
His bow cut, struck by arrows, his limbs wet with fat, drenched in blood, the enemy of the gods, himself of fierce power, took in battle the spear given by the Self-born.
स तां सधूमानलसंनिकाशां वित्रासनां संयति वानराणाम् । चिक्षेप शक्तिं तरसा ज्वलन्तीं सौमित्रये राक्षसराष्ट्रनाथः ॥ १०८ ॥
That spear, like smoking fire, terrifying the monkeys in battle, blazing, the lord of the rakshasa kingdom hurled with force at Saumitri.
तामापतन्तीं भरतानुजोऽस्त्रै- र्जघान बाणैश्च हुताग्निकल्पैः । तथापि सा तस्य विवेश शक्ति- र्भुजान्तरं दाशरथेर्विशालम् ॥ १०९ ॥
As it came on, Bharata’s younger brother struck it with weapons and with arrows like sacrificial fire; still that spear entered the broad chest of the son of Dasharatha.
स शक्तिमाञ् शक्तिसमाहतः सन् जज्वाल भूमौ स रघुप्रवीरः । तं विह्वलन्तं सहसाभ्युपेत्य जग्राह राजा तरसा भुजाभ्याम् ॥ ११० ॥
Struck by the spear, the hero of the Raghus, though strong, lay burning on the ground. As he writhed, the king came up suddenly and seized him with force in his two arms.
हिमवान् मन्दरो मेरुस्त्रैलोक्यं वा सहामरैः । शक्यं भुजाभ्यामुद्धर्तुं न शक्यो भरतानुजः ॥ १११ ॥
Himavat, Mandara, Meru, or the three worlds with the immortals could be lifted with the arms; Bharata’s younger brother could not.
शक्त्या ब्राह्म्या तु सौमित्रिस्ताडितोऽपि स्तनान्तरे । विष्णोरमीमांस्यभागमात्मानं प्रत्यनुस्मरत् ॥ ११२ ॥
Though struck on the chest by Brahma’s spear, Saumitri remembered himself as an inconceivable portion of Vishnu.
ततो दानवदर्पघ्नं सौमित्रिं देवकण्टकः । तं पीडयित्वा बाहुभ्यां न प्रभुर्लङ्घनेऽभवत् ॥ ११३ ॥
Then the thorn of the gods, pressing Saumitri, the crusher of the pride of danavas, with his arms, was not able to lift him.
ततः क्रुद्धो वायुसुतो रावणं समभिद्रवत् । आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धो वज्रकल्पेन मुष्टिना ॥ ११४ ॥
Then the son of the Wind, enraged, rushed at Ravana and, angry, struck him on the chest with a fist like the thunderbolt.
तेन मुष्टिप्रहारेण रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । जानुभ्यामगमद् भूमौ चचाल च पपात च ॥ ११५ ॥
By that blow of the fist Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, went to the ground on his knees, reeled and fell.
आस्यैश्च नेत्रैः श्रवणैः पपात रुधिरं बहु । विघूर्णमानो निश्चेष्टो रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् ॥ ११६ ॥
Much blood fell from his mouths, eyes and ears; whirling, motionless, he sank down on the floor of his chariot.
विसंज्ञो मूर्च्छितश्चासीन्न च स्थानं समालभत् । विसंज्ञं रावणं दृष्ट्वा समरे भीमविक्रमम् ॥ ११७ ॥
He was senseless, fainted, and could not find his place. Seeing Ravana, of terrible valour, senseless in battle,
ऋषयो वानराश्चैव नेदुर्देवाश्च सासुराः । हनूमानथ तेजस्वी लक्ष्मणं रावणार्दितम् ॥ ११८ ॥
the sages and monkeys cried out, and the gods with the asuras. Then radiant Hanuman, taking Lakshmana, hurt by Ravana,
आनयद् राघवाभ्याशं बाहुभ्यां परिगृह्य तम् । वायुसूनोः सुहृत्त्वेन भक्त्या परमया च सः । शत्रूणामप्यकम्प्योऽपि लघुत्वमगमत् कपेः ॥ ११९ ॥
in his arms, brought him near Raghava. Through friendship with the son of the Wind and supreme devotion, he who was unshakeable even by enemies became light for the monkey.
तं समुत्सृज्य सा शक्तिः सौमित्रिं युधि निर्जितम् । रावणस्य रथे तस्मिन् स्थानं पुनरुपागमत् ॥ १२० ॥
Leaving Saumitri, defeated in battle, that spear went back to its place in Ravana’s chariot.
रावणोऽपि महातेजाः प्राप्य संज्ञां महाहवे । आददे निशितान् बाणाञ्जग्राह च महद्धनुः ॥ १२१ ॥
Radiant Ravana too, regaining consciousness in the great battle, took sharp arrows and grasped his great bow.
आश्वस्तश्च विशल्यश्च लक्ष्मणः शत्रुसूदनः । विष्णोर्भागममीमांस्यमात्मानं प्रत्यनुस्मरन् ॥ १२२ ॥
And Lakshmana, slayer of enemies, revived and freed of the dart, remembered himself as an inconceivable portion of Vishnu.
निपातितमहावीरां वानराणां महाचमूम् । राघवस्तु रणे दृष्ट्वा रावणं समभिद्रवत् ॥ १२३ ॥
Seeing the great army of the monkeys with its great heroes struck down, Raghava rushed at Ravana in battle.
अथैनमनुसंक्रम्य हनूमान् वाक्यमब्रवीत् । मम पृष्ठं समारुह्य राक्षसं शास्तुमर्हसि ॥ १२४ ॥
Then Hanuman, following him, said: “Climb on my back; you should punish the rakshasa,
विष्णुर्यथा गरुत्मन्तमारुह्यामरवैरिणम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा राघवो वाक्यं वायुपुत्रेण भाषितम् ॥ १२५ ॥
“as Vishnu, mounted on Garutman, punishes the enemy of the immortals.” Hearing those words spoken by the son of the Wind, Raghava
अथारुरोह सहसा हनूमन्तं महाकपिम् । रथस्थं रावणं संख्ये ददर्श मनुजाधिपः ॥ १२६ ॥
suddenly mounted the great monkey Hanuman. The lord of men saw Ravana standing in his chariot in the battle.
तमालोक्य महातेजाः प्रदुद्राव स रावणम् । वैरोचनमिव क्रुद्धो विष्णुरभ्युद्यतायुधः ॥ १२७ ॥
Seeing him, the radiant one ran at Ravana, as angry Vishnu, weapon raised, at Vairocana.
ज्याशब्दमकरोत् तीव्रं वज्रनिष्पेषनिष्ठुरम् । गिरा गम्भीरया रामो राक्षसेन्द्रमुवाच ह ॥ १२८ ॥
He made a sharp twang of the bowstring, harsh as the crash of the thunderbolt, and Rama spoke to the king of the rakshasas in a deep voice:
तिष्ठ तिष्ठ मम त्वं हि कृत्वा विप्रियमीदृशम् । क्व नु राक्षसशार्दूल गत्वा मोक्षमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १२९ ॥
“Stand, stand! Having done me such a wrong, where will you go and find release, tiger among rakshasas?
यदीन्द्रवैवस्वतभास्करान् वा स्वयंभुवैश्वानरशंकरान् वा । गमिष्यसि त्वं दशधा दिशो वा तथापि मे नाद्य गतो विमोक्ष्यसे ॥ १३० ॥
“Even if you go to Indra, Vaivasvata or the Sun, to the Self-born, Vaishvanara or Shankara, or to the ten directions, still you will not escape me today.
यश्चैष शक्त्या निहतस्त्वयाद्य गच्छन् विषादं सहसाभ्युपेत्य । स एष रक्षोगणराज मृत्युः सपुत्रपौत्रस्य तवाद्य युद्धे ॥ १३१ ॥
“He who was struck by your spear today and fell suddenly into despair: he, king of the rakshasa hosts, is today in battle the death of you with your sons and grandsons.
एतेन चात्यद्भुतदर्शनानि शरैर्जनस्थानकृतालयानि । चतुर्दशान्यात्तवरायुधानि रक्षःसहस्राणि निषूदितानि ॥ १३२ ॥
“And by him, with arrows, fourteen thousand rakshasas, of most wondrous appearance, settled in Janasthana, bearing fine weapons, were destroyed.”
राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रो महाबलः । वायुपुत्रं महावेगं वहन्तं राघवं रणे ॥ १३३ ॥
Hearing Raghava’s words, the mighty king of the rakshasas, at the son of the Wind, of great speed, carrying Raghava in battle,
रोषेण महताऽऽविष्टः पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् । आजघान शरैर्दीप्तैः कालानलशिखोपमैः ॥ १३४ ॥
filled with great anger, remembering the old enmity, struck with blazing arrows like flames of the fire of Time.
राक्षसेनाहवे तस्य ताडितस्यापि सायकैः । स्वभावतेजोयुक्तस्य भूयस्तेजोऽभ्यवर्धत ॥ १३५ ॥
Though struck by the rakshasa’s arrows in the battle, the splendour of him, endowed with natural splendour, grew still more.
ततो रामो महातेजा रावणेन कृतव्रणम् । दृष्ट्वा प्लवगशार्दूलं क्रोधस्य वशमेयिवान् ॥ १३६ ॥
Then radiant Rama, seeing the tiger among leapers wounded by Ravana, fell under the power of anger.
तस्याभिसंक्रम्य रथं सचक्रं साश्वध्वजच्छत्रमहापताकम् । ससारथिं साशनिशूलखड्गं रामः प्रचिच्छेद शितैः शराग्रैः ॥ १३७ ॥
Advancing on his chariot, with its wheels, horses, banner, umbrella and great flag, its driver, its thunderbolts, tridents and swords, Rama cut it to pieces with sharp arrowheads.
अथेन्द्रशत्रुं तरसा जघान बाणेन वज्राशनिसंनिभेन । भुजान्तरे व्यूढसुजातरूपे वज्रेण मेरुं भगवानिवेन्द्रः ॥ १३८ ॥
Then he struck the enemy of Indra with force with an arrow like the thunderbolt in his broad, well-formed chest, as the blessed Indra strikes Meru with the thunderbolt.
यो वज्रपाताशनिसंनिपाता- न्न चुक्षुभे नापि चचाल राजा । स रामबाणाभिहतो भृशार्त- श्चचाल चापं च मुमोच वीरः ॥ १३९ ॥
The king who was not shaken and did not waver at the fall of thunderbolts, struck by Rama’s arrow, deeply hurt, reeled, and the hero let go of his bow.
तं विह्वलन्तं प्रसमीक्ष्य रामः समाददे दीप्तमथार्धचन्द्रम् । तेनार्कवर्णं सहसा किरीटं चिच्छेद रक्षोधिपतेर्महात्मा ॥ १४० ॥
Seeing him reeling, great-souled Rama then took a blazing crescent arrow and with it suddenly cut off the sun-coloured crown of the lord of the rakshasas.
तं निर्विषाशीविषसंनिकाशं शान्तार्चिषं सूर्यमिवाप्रकाशम् । गतश्रियं कृत्तकिरीटकूट- मुवाच रामो युधि राक्षसेन्द्रम् ॥ १४१ ॥
To him, like a venomous snake without venom, like the sun with its rays quenched, without light, his glory gone, the peaks of his crown cut off, Rama said in battle to the king of the rakshasas:
कृतं त्वया कर्म महत् सुभीमं हतप्रवीरश्च कृतस्त्वयाहम् । तस्मात् परिश्रान्त इति व्यवस्य न त्वां शरैर्मृत्युवशं नयामि ॥ १४२ ॥
“You have done a great, very terrible deed, and my foremost heroes have been killed by you. Therefore, judging you exhausted, I do not bring you under death’s power with arrows.
प्रयाहि जानामि रणार्दितस्त्वं प्रविश्य रात्रिंचरराज लङ्काम् । आश्वस्य निर्याहि रथी च धन्वी तदा बलं प्रेक्ष्यसि मे रथस्थः ॥ १४३ ॥
“Go; I know you are tormented by battle. Enter Lanka, king of the night-wanderers; rest, and come out with chariot and bow; then, standing in your chariot, you will see my strength.”
स एवमुक्तो हतदर्पहर्षो निकृत्तचापः स हताश्वसूतः । शरार्दितो भग्नमहाकिरीटो विवेश लङ्कां सहसा स्म राजा ॥ १४४ ॥
Told so, his pride and joy destroyed, his bow cut, his horses and driver killed, tormented by arrows, his great crown broken, the king suddenly entered Lanka.
तस्मिन् प्रविष्टे रजनीचरेन्द्रे महाबले दानवदेवशत्रौ । हरीन् विशल्यान् सह लक्ष्मणेन चकार रामः परमाहवाग्रे ॥ १४५ ॥
When that mighty king of the night-wanderers, the enemy of danavas and gods, had entered, Rama, with Lakshmana, freed the monkeys of their darts at the forefront of the great battle.
तस्मिन् प्रभग्ने त्रिदशेन्द्रशत्रौ सुरासुरा भूतगणा दिशश्च । ससागराः सर्षिमहोरगाश्च तथैव भूम्यम्बुचराः प्रहृष्टाः ॥ १४६ ॥
When that enemy of the lord of the thirty was broken, the gods and asuras, the hosts of beings, the directions, the oceans, the sages and great serpents, and likewise the creatures of land and water rejoiced.