Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 71 of 128 · 116 verses
Lakshmana Kills Atikaya
Seeing his army shaken, his brothers and uncles Yuddhonmatta and Matta killed, Atikaya, huge as a mountain, holder of Brahma’s boon, crusher of the pride of gods and danavas, rides out in a chariot shining like a thousand suns, crowned, with polished earrings; he twangs his bow, proclaims his name and roars. The monkeys, thinking Kumbhakarna has risen again, cling to one another and flee to Rama. Rama, amazed, asks Vibhishana who this giant archer is, in a chariot drawn by a thousand horses, bristling with blazing spears, lances and javelins, with twenty-eight quivers, many bows with golden strings, two swords at his sides, a Rahu emblem on his banner, his face between earrings like the full moon between the Punarvasu stars.
Vibhishana tells him: this is Atikaya, son of Ravana and Dhanyamalini, equal to his father in strength, who serves his elders, knows the scriptures and all weapons, is respected in horsemanship, elephant-riding, swordsmanship and archery, in division, conciliation, gifts, policy and counsel; on his arm Lanka leans without fear. Having pleased Brahma by austerity, he won weapons and immunity from gods and asuras, this heavenly armour and sun-bright chariot; he has beaten gods and danavas by the hundred, stopped Indra’s thunderbolt with his arrows and turned back Varuna’s noose. Act quickly, before he destroys the monkey army.
Atikaya enters the monkey army twanging his bow. Kumuda, Dvivida, Mainda, Nila and Sharabha attack together with trees and peaks; he cuts them down and pierces them all, and drives the monkeys like a lion driving deer. But he strikes no one who is not fighting; he goes up to Rama and proudly says: I stand in my chariot with bow and arrows and do not fight commoners; whoever has the strength and resolve, let him give me battle. Lakshmana, angry, smiling, takes his bow and twangs it so that earth, sky and sea ring. Atikaya scoffs: you are a boy, Saumitri, unskilled in valour; go; why fight me, who am like Time? Not even Himavat, the sky or the earth can bear my arrows; do not wake the sleeping fire of doom; put down your bow and go home, or stay and die. My serpent-like arrow will drink your blood as a lion drinks an elephant’s. Lakshmana answers: one does not become great by words, nor good by boasting; show your strength in deeds while I stand here, bow in hand. A hero shows himself by his acts. Today my arrows will bring down your head like a ripe palm fruit shaken by the wind, and drink your blood. Do not despise me as a boy: boy or old, know me as your death in battle; the child Vishnu strode the three worlds in three steps.
Gods, danavas, sages and spirits gather to watch. Atikaya shoots a serpent-like arrow; Lakshmana cuts it with a crescent arrow; Atikaya shoots five; Lakshmana cuts them all. Lakshmana draws to the full and strikes Atikaya on the forehead; the arrow stands there bleeding like a serpent on a mountain, and Atikaya shakes like the gate of the Three Cities struck by Rudra’s arrow. Recovering, he says: well shot, you are an enemy worthy of praise. They fight on: Atikaya’s arrows light the sky and Lakshmana cuts them; Atikaya strikes Lakshmana’s chest and he bleeds like an elephant in rut; Lakshmana pulls out the arrow; fire weapon meets sun-and-Raudra weapon and both burn to ash in mid-air; Tvashtri’s reed weapon meets Indra’s; Yama’s meets the Wind’s. Lakshmana rains arrows, but they break on Atikaya’s diamond-studded armour. Atikaya strikes Lakshmana in a vital spot and he faints for a moment, then kills Atikaya’s horses and driver and cuts down his banner, but cannot hurt him. Then the Wind comes to Lakshmana and says: he has Brahma’s boon and invulnerable armour; pierce him with the Brahma weapon; no other weapon can kill him. Lakshmana fits the Brahma weapon to a sharp arrow; the directions, sun, moon and planets tremble, the sky is frightened and the earth groans. Atikaya sees it coming, swift as the wind, feathered like Garuda, and strikes it with arrows, spears, lances, maces, axes and tridents, all in vain; the blazing arrow takes his crowned head, which falls like a peak of Himavat. The surviving rakshasas, downcast, flee howling to the city; the monkeys, their faces like opened lotuses, honour Lakshmana, and he goes, honoured, to Rama’s side.
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स्वबलं व्यथितं दृष्ट्वा तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । भ्रातॄंश्च निहतान् दृष्ट्वा शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमान् ॥ १ ॥
Seeing his own army shaken, tumultuous, hair-raising, and seeing his brothers, of valour equal to Shakra’s, killed,
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पितृव्यौ चापि संदृश्य समरे संनिपातितौ । युद्धोन्मत्तं च मत्तं च भ्रातरौ राक्षसोत्तमौ ॥ २ ॥
and seeing his two uncles, Yuddhonmatta and Matta, the two best of rakshasas, struck down in battle,
चुकोप च महातेजा ब्रह्मदत्तवरो युधि । अतिकायोऽद्रिसंकाशो देवदानवदर्पहा ॥ ३ ॥
radiant Atikaya, holder of Brahma’s boon in battle, like a mountain, crusher of the pride of gods and danavas, grew angry.
स भास्करसहस्रस्य संघातमिव भास्वरम् । रथमारुह्य शक्रारिरभिदुद्राव वानरान् ॥ ४ ॥
Mounting a chariot shining like a mass of a thousand suns, the enemy of Shakra rushed at the monkeys.
स विस्फार्य तदा चापं किरीटी मृष्टकुण्डलः । नाम संश्रावयामास ननाद च महास्वनम् ॥ ५ ॥
Drawing his bow then, crowned, with polished earrings, he proclaimed his name and roared a great roar.
तेन सिंहप्रणादेन नामविश्रावणेन च । ज्याशब्देन च भीमेन त्रासयामास वानरान् ॥ ६ ॥
With that lion’s roar, the proclaiming of his name and the terrible sound of the bowstring, he terrified the monkeys.
ते दृष्ट्वा देहमाहात्म्यं कुम्भकर्णोऽयमुत्थितः । भयार्ता वानराः सर्वे संश्रयन्ते परस्परम् ॥ ७ ॥
Seeing the greatness of his body, “This is Kumbhakarna risen,” all the monkeys, tormented by fear, clung to one another.
ते तस्य रूपमालोक्य यथा विष्णोस्त्रिविक्रमे । भयाद् वानरयोधास्ते विद्रवन्ति ततस्ततः ॥ ८ ॥
Seeing his form, like Vishnu’s at the three strides, the monkey warriors fled here and there in fear.
तेऽतिकायं समासाद्य वानरा मूढचेतसः । शरण्यं शरणं जग्मुर्लक्ष्मणाग्रजमाहवे ॥ ९ ॥
Coming up against Atikaya, the monkeys, their minds bewildered, went for refuge in battle to the refuge, Lakshmana’s elder brother.
ततोऽतिकायं काकुत्स्थो रथस्थं पर्वतोपमम् । ददर्श धन्विनं दूराद् गर्जन्तं कालमेघवत् ॥ १० ॥
Then Kakutstha saw Atikaya in his chariot, like a mountain, a bowman, roaring far off like a cloud of doom.
स तं दृष्ट्वा महाकायं राघवस्तु सुविस्मितः । वानरान् सान्त्वयित्वा च विभीषणमुवाच ह ॥ ११ ॥
Seeing that huge-bodied one, Raghava, greatly amazed, comforting the monkeys, said to Vibhishana:
कोऽसौ पर्वतसंकाशो धनुष्मान् हरिलोचनः । युक्ते हयसहस्रेण विशाले स्यन्दने स्थितः ॥ १२ ॥
“Who is that one like a mountain, bow in hand, with tawny eyes, standing in a great chariot yoked with a thousand horses,
य एष निशितैः शूलैः सुतीक्ष्णैः प्रासतोमरैः । अर्चिष्मद्भिर्वृतो भाति भूतैरिव महेश्वरः ॥ १३ ॥
“who shines surrounded by blazing sharp spears, very sharp lances and javelins, like Maheshvara surrounded by his spirits,
कालजिह्वाप्रकाशाभिर्य एषोऽभिविराजते । आवृतो रथशक्तीभिर्विद्युद्भिरिव तोयदः ॥ १४ ॥
“who shines surrounded by chariot spears bright as the tongue of Death, like a cloud with lightning?
धनूंषि चास्य सज्जानि हेमपृष्ठानि सर्वशः । शोभयन्ति रथश्रेष्ठं शक्रचापमिवाम्बरम् ॥ १५ ॥
“His bows, all strung, with golden backs, adorn the fine chariot like Shakra’s bow the sky.
य एष रक्षःशार्दूलो रणभूमिं विराजयन् । अभ्येति रथिनां श्रेष्ठो रथेनादित्यवर्चसा ॥ १६ ॥
“This tiger among rakshasas, lighting up the battlefield, the best of chariot-fighters, comes on with a chariot bright as the sun,
ध्वजशृङ्गप्रतिष्ठेन राहुणाभिविराजते । सूर्यरश्मिप्रभैर्बाणैर्दिशो दश विराजयन् ॥ १७ ॥
“shining with Rahu standing on the peak of his banner, lighting the ten directions with arrows bright as the sun’s rays.
त्रिनतं मेघनिर्ह्रादं हेमपृष्ठमलंकृतम् । शतक्रतुधनुःप्रख्यं धनुश्चास्य विराजते ॥ १८ ॥
“His bow shines, three-curved, thundering like a cloud, gold-backed, adorned, like Shatakratu’s bow.
सध्वजः सपताकश्च सानुकर्षो महारथः । चतुःसादिसमायुक्तो मेघस्तनितनिःस्वनः ॥ १९ ॥
“With banner and flag and drag, the great chariot, yoked with four horsemen, roars like a thundering cloud.
विंशतिर्दश चाष्टौ च तूणास्य रथमास्थिताः । कार्मुकाणि च भीमानि ज्याश्च काञ्चनपिङ्गलाः ॥ २० ॥
“Twenty, ten and eight quivers stand in his chariot, and terrible bows, and strings yellow as gold.
द्वौ च खड्गौ च पार्श्वस्थौ प्रदीप्तौ पार्श्वशोभितौ । चतुर्हस्तत्सरुयुतौ व्यक्तहस्तदशायतौ ॥ २१ ॥
“And two swords at his sides, blazing, beautiful at his sides, with hilts four hands long, ten hands long when drawn.
रक्तकण्ठगुणो धीरो महापर्वतसंनिभः । कालः कालमहावक्त्रो मेघस्थ इव भास्करः ॥ २२ ॥
“Steadfast, wearing a red cord at his throat, like a great mountain, black, with a great dark mouth, like the sun standing in a cloud,
काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाभ्यां भुजाभ्यामेष शोभते । शृङ्गाभ्यामिव तुङ्गाभ्यां हिमवान् पर्वतोत्तमः ॥ २३ ॥
“he shines with his arms bound with golden armlets, like Himavat, best of mountains, with two lofty peaks.
कुण्डलाभ्यामुभाभ्यां च भाति वक्त्रं सुभीषणम् । पुनर्वस्वन्तरगतं परिपूर्णो निशाकरः ॥ २४ ॥
“And his very terrible face shines with its two earrings, like the full moon standing between the Punarvasu stars.
आचक्ष्व मे महाबाहो त्वमेनं राक्षसोत्तमम् । यं दृष्ट्वा वानराः सर्वे भयार्ता विद्रुता दिशः ॥ २५ ॥
“Tell me, mighty-armed one, about this best of rakshasas, at the sight of whom all the monkeys, tormented by fear, have fled in all directions.”
स पृष्टो राजपुत्रेण रामेणामिततेजसा । आचचक्षे महातेजा राघवाय विभीषणः ॥ २६ ॥
Asked by the prince Rama of boundless splendour, radiant Vibhishana told Raghava:
दशग्रीवो महातेजा राजा वैश्रवणानुजः । भीमकर्मा महात्मा हि रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः ॥ २७ ॥
“Ten-necked, the radiant king, younger brother of Vaishravana, of terrible deeds, the great soul Ravana, lord of the rakshasas:
तस्यासीद् वीर्यवान् पुत्रो रावणप्रतिमो बले । वृद्धसेवी श्रुतिधरः सर्वास्त्रविदुषां वरः ॥ २८ ॥
“he had a valiant son, equal to Ravana in strength, who serves the elders, holds the scriptures, best of all knowers of weapons,
अश्वपृष्ठे नागपृष्ठे खड्गे धनुषि कर्षणे । भेदे सान्त्वे च दाने च नये मन्त्रे च सम्मतः ॥ २९ ॥
“esteemed on horseback and on elephants, with the sword and with the bow in drawing it, in division, conciliation and gifts, in policy and counsel,
यस्य बाहुं समाश्रित्य लङ्का भवति निर्भया । तनयं धान्यमालिन्या अतिकायमिमं विदुः ॥ ३० ॥
“on whose arm Lanka leans and is without fear: they know this one as Atikaya, son of Dhanyamalini.
एतेनाराधितो ब्रह्मा तपसा भावितात्मना । अस्त्राणि चाप्यवाप्तानि रिपवश्च पराजिताः ॥ ३१ ॥
“By him, his self made pure by austerity, Brahma was worshipped; weapons were obtained and enemies defeated.
सुरासुरैरवध्यत्वं दत्तमस्मै स्वयंभुवा । एतच्च कवचं दिव्यं रथश्च रविभास्वरः ॥ ३२ ॥
“Immunity from death at the hands of gods and asuras was given to him by the Self-born, and this heavenly armour, and the chariot bright as the sun.
एतेन शतशो देवा दानवाश्च पराजिताः । रक्षितानि च रक्षांसि यक्षाश्चापि निषूदिताः ॥ ३३ ॥
“By him gods and danavas have been defeated by the hundred, rakshasas protected and yakshas slaughtered.
वज्रं विष्टम्भितं येन बाणैरिन्द्रस्य धीमता । पाशः सलिलराजस्य युद्धे प्रतिहतस्तथा ॥ ३४ ॥
“By whose arrows, the wise one’s, Indra’s thunderbolt was checked, and the noose of the king of the waters likewise turned back in battle:
एषोऽतिकायो बलवान् राक्षसानामथर्षभः । स रावणसुतो धीमान् देवदानवदर्पहा ॥ ३५ ॥
“this is Atikaya, mighty, bull among rakshasas, Ravana’s wise son, crusher of the pride of gods and danavas.
तदस्मिन् क्रियतां यत्नः क्षिप्रं पुरुषपुङ्गव । पुरा वानरसैन्यानि क्षयं नयति सायकैः ॥ ३६ ॥
“So let an effort be made against him quickly, bull among men, before he destroys the monkey armies with his arrows.”
ततोऽतिकायो बलवान् प्रविश्य हरिवाहिनीम् । विस्फारयामास धनुर्ननाद च पुनः पुनः ॥ ३७ ॥
Then mighty Atikaya, entering the monkey army, twanged his bow and roared again and again.
तं भीमवपुषं दृष्ट्वा रथस्थं रथिनां वरम् । अभिपेतुर्महात्मानः प्रधाना ये वनौकसः ॥ ३८ ॥
Seeing that one of terrible body, the best of chariot-fighters, in his chariot, the great-souled chief forest-dwellers attacked him:
कुमुदो द्विविदो मैन्दो नीलः शरभ एव च । पादपैर्गिरिशृङ्गैश्च युगपत् समभिद्रवन् ॥ ३९ ॥
Kumuda, Dvivida, Mainda, Nila and Sharabha rushed at him together with trees and mountain peaks.
तेषां वृक्षांश्च शैलांश्च शरैः कनकभूषणैः । अतिकायो महातेजाश्चिच्छेदास्त्रविदां वरः ॥ ४० ॥
Radiant Atikaya, best of knowers of weapons, cut their trees and rocks with arrows adorned with gold.
तांश्चैव सर्वान् स हरीन् शरैः सर्वायसैर्बली । विव्याधाभिमुखान् संख्ये भीमकायो निशाचरः ॥ ४१ ॥
And the mighty, terrible-bodied night-wanderer pierced all those monkeys facing him in battle with arrows all of iron.
तेऽर्दिता बाणवर्षेण भिन्नगात्राः पराजिताः । न शेकुरतिकायस्य प्रतिकर्तुं महाहवे ॥ ४२ ॥
Tormented by the rain of arrows, their limbs split, defeated, they could not retaliate against Atikaya in the great battle.
तत् सैन्यं हरिवीराणां त्रासयामास राक्षसः । मृगयूथमिव क्रुद्धो हरिर्यौवनदर्पितः ॥ ४३ ॥
The rakshasa terrified that army of monkey heroes as an angry lion, proud with youth, terrifies a herd of deer.
स राक्षसेन्द्रो हरियूथमध्ये नायुध्यमानं निजघान कंचित् । उत्पत्य रामं स धनुःकलापी सगर्वितं वाक्यमिदं बभाषे ॥ ४४ ॥
The king of the rakshasas killed no one in the midst of the monkey troops who was not fighting; leaping up to Rama, with his bow and quiver, he spoke these proud words:
रथे स्थितोऽहं शरचापपाणि- र्न प्राकृतं कंचन योधयामि । यस्यास्ति शक्तिर्व्यवसाययुक्तो ददातु मे शीघ्रमिहाद्य युद्धम् ॥ ४५ ॥
“I stand in my chariot, bow and arrows in hand; I do not fight any common one. Whoever has the strength, joined with resolve, let him quickly give me battle here today.”
तत् तस्य वाक्यं ब्रुवतो निशम्य चुकोप सौमित्रिरमित्रहन्ता । अमृष्यमाणश्च समुत्पपात जग्राह चापं च ततः स्मयित्वा ॥ ४६ ॥
Hearing the words of him speaking so, Saumitri, slayer of enemies, grew angry; not bearing it, he sprang up and then took his bow, smiling.
क्रुद्धः सौमित्रिरुत्पत्य तूणादाक्षिप्य सायकम् । पुरस्तादतिकायस्य विचकर्ष महद्धनुः ॥ ४७ ॥
Angry, Saumitri, springing up, drawing an arrow from his quiver, drew his great bow in front of Atikaya.
पूरयन् स महीं सर्वामाकाशं सागरं दिशः । ज्याशब्दो लक्ष्मणस्योग्रस्त्रासयन् रजनीचरान् ॥ ४८ ॥
Filling the whole earth, the sky, the ocean and the directions, Lakshmana’s fierce bowstring-sound terrified the night-wanderers.
सौमित्रेश्चापनिर्घोषं श्रुत्वा प्रतिभयं तदा । विसिस्मिये महातेजा राक्षसेन्द्रात्मजो बली ॥ ४९ ॥
Hearing Saumitri’s frightening bow-sound then, the radiant, mighty son of the king of the rakshasas was amazed.
तदातिकायः कुपितो दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणमुत्थितम् । आदाय निशितं बाणमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ५० ॥
Then Atikaya, angry, seeing Lakshmana risen, took a sharp arrow and said this:
बालस्त्वमसि सौमित्रे विक्रमेष्वविचक्षणः । गच्छ किं कालसंकाशं मां योधयितुमिच्छसि ॥ ५१ ॥
“You are a boy, Saumitri, inexperienced in feats; go; why do you wish to fight me, who am like Time?
नहि मद्बाहुसृष्टानां बाणानां हिमवानपि । सोढुमुत्सहते वेगमन्तरिक्षमथो मही ॥ ५२ ॥
“For not even Himavat, nor the sky, nor the earth can bear the force of the arrows loosed from my arm.
सुखप्रसुप्तं कालाग्निं विबोधयितुमिच्छसि । न्यस्य चापं निवर्तस्व प्राणान्न जहि मद्गतः ॥ ५३ ॥
“You wish to wake the sleeping fire of doom; put down your bow and go back; do not lose your life by coming against me.
अथवा त्वं प्रतिस्तब्धो न निवर्तितुमिच्छसि । तिष्ठ प्राणान् परित्यज्य गमिष्यसि यमक्षयम् ॥ ५४ ॥
“Or if, obstinate, you do not wish to turn back, stay; giving up your life, you will go to Yama’s abode.
पश्य मे निशितान् बाणान् रिपुदर्पनिषूदनान् । ईश्वरायुधसंकाशांस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणान् ॥ ५५ ॥
“See my sharp arrows, destroyers of enemies’ pride, like the Lord’s weapons, adorned with refined gold.
एष ते सर्पसंकाशो बाणः पास्यति शोणितम् । मृगराज इव क्रुद्धो नागराजस्य शोणितम् । इत्येवमुक्त्वा संक्रुद्धः शरं धनुषि संदधे ॥ ५६ ॥
“This arrow of mine, like a serpent, will drink your blood, as an angry king of beasts drinks the blood of a lordly elephant.” Having said this, enraged, he fitted an arrow to his bow.
श्रुत्वातिकायस्य वचः सरोषं सगर्वितं संयति राजपुत्रः । स संचुकोपातिबलो मनस्वी उवाच वाक्यं च ततो महार्थम् ॥ ५७ ॥
Hearing Atikaya’s angry, proud words in battle, the prince, very mighty and high-minded, grew angry and spoke words of great meaning:
न वाक्यमात्रेण भवान् प्रधानो न कत्थनात् सत्पुरुषा भवन्ति । मयि स्थिते धन्विनि बाणपाणौ निदर्शयस्वात्मबलं दुरात्मन् ॥ ५८ ॥
“You are not foremost by words alone, nor do men become good by boasting. While I stand here, a bowman with arrows in hand, show your own strength, evil one.
कर्मणा सूचयात्मानं न विकत्थितुमर्हसि । पौरुषेण तु यो युक्तः स तु शूर इति स्मृतः ॥ ५९ ॥
“Show yourself by deeds; you should not boast. He who is endowed with manliness is called a hero.
सर्वायुधसमायुक्तो धन्वी त्वं रथमास्थितः । शरैर्वा यदि वाप्यस्त्रैर्दर्शयस्व पराक्रमम् ॥ ६० ॥
“You are furnished with all weapons, a bowman standing in a chariot; show your valour with arrows or with weapons.
ततः शिरस्ते निशितैः पातयिष्याम्यहं शरैः । मारुतः कालसम्पक्वं वृन्तात् तालफलं यथा ॥ ६१ ॥
“Then I will bring down your head with sharp arrows, as the wind brings down a palm fruit ripened by time from its stalk.
अद्य ते मामका बाणास्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणाः । पास्यन्ति रुधिरं गात्राद् बाणशल्यान्तरोत्थितम् ॥ ६२ ॥
“Today my arrows, adorned with refined gold, will drink the blood rising from your body between the darts.
बालोऽयमिति विज्ञाय न चावज्ञातुमर्हसि । बालो वा यदि वा वृद्धो मृत्युं जानीहि संयुगे ॥ ६३ ॥
“You should not despise me, thinking ‘He is a boy.’ Boy or old, know me as death in battle.
बालेन विष्णुना लोकास्त्रयः क्रान्तास्त्रिविक्रमैः । लक्ष्मणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुमत् परमार्थवत् । अतिकायः प्रचुक्रोध बाणं चोत्तममाददे ॥ ६४ ॥
“The boy Vishnu strode the three worlds with three strides.” Hearing Lakshmana’s reasoned, meaningful words, Atikaya grew very angry and took an excellent arrow.
ततो विद्याधरा भूता देवा दैत्या महर्षयः । गुह्यकाश्च महात्मानस्तद् युद्धं द्रष्टुमागमन् ॥ ६५ ॥
Then vidyadharas, spirits, gods, daityas, great sages and great-souled guhyakas came to see that battle.
ततोऽतिकायः कुपितश्चापमारोप्य सायकम् । लक्ष्मणाय प्रचिक्षेप संक्षिपन्निव चाम्बरम् ॥ ६६ ॥
Then Atikaya, angry, fitting an arrow to his bow, hurled it at Lakshmana as if shrinking the sky.
तमापतन्तं निशितं शरमाशीविषोपमम् । अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा ॥ ६७ ॥
As that sharp arrow, like a poisonous snake, came on, Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, cut it with a crescent arrow.
तं निकृत्तं शरं दृष्ट्वा कृत्तभोगमिवोरगम् । अतिकायो भृशं क्रुद्धः पञ्च बाणान् समादधे ॥ ६८ ॥
Seeing the arrow cut, like a snake with its coil cut, Atikaya, very angry, fitted five arrows.
तान् शरान् सम्प्रचिक्षेप लक्ष्मणाय निशाचरः । तानप्राप्तान् शितैर्बाणैश्चिच्छेद भरतानुजः ॥ ६९ ॥
The night-wanderer hurled those arrows at Lakshmana; before they reached him, Bharata’s younger brother cut them with sharp arrows.
स तान् छित्त्वा शितैर्बाणैर्लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा । आददे निशितं बाणं ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा ॥ ७० ॥
Having cut them with sharp arrows, Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, took a sharp arrow, as if blazing with splendour.
तमादाय धनुःश्रेष्ठे योजयामास लक्ष्मणः । विचकर्ष च वेगेन विससर्ज च सायकम् ॥ ७१ ॥
Taking it, Lakshmana fitted it to his fine bow, drew it with force and loosed the arrow.
पूर्णायतविसृष्टेन शरेण नतपर्वणा । ललाटे राक्षसश्रेष्ठमाजघान स वीर्यवान् ॥ ७२ ॥
With the arrow loosed at full stretch, with bent joints, the valiant one struck the best of rakshasas on the forehead.
स ललाटे शरो मग्नस्तस्य भीमस्य रक्षसः । ददृशे शोणितेनाक्तः पन्नगेन्द्र इवाचले ॥ ७३ ॥
That arrow, sunk in the forehead of that terrible rakshasa, smeared with blood, was seen like a lordly serpent on a mountain.
राक्षसः प्रचकम्पेऽथ लक्ष्मणेषु प्रपीडितः । रुद्रबाणहतं घोरं यथा त्रिपुरगोपुरम् ॥ ७४ ॥
Then the rakshasa shook, pained by Lakshmana’s arrows, like the terrible gate of the Three Cities struck by Rudra’s arrow.
चिन्तयामास चाश्वास्य विमृश्य च महाबलः । साधु बाणनिपातेन श्लाघनीयोऽसि मे रिपुः ॥ ७५ ॥
Recovering and reflecting, the mighty one thought: “Well done; by the fall of your arrow you are an enemy worthy of praise by me.”
विधायैवं विदार्यास्यं नियम्य च महाभुजौ । स रथोपस्थमास्थाय रथेन प्रचचार ह ॥ ७६ ॥
Having thought so, opening his mouth wide and steadying his mighty arms, he took his seat in the chariot and moved about in his chariot.
एवं त्रीन् पञ्च सप्तेति सायकान् राक्षसर्षभः । आददे संदधे चापि विचकर्षोत्ससर्ज च ॥ ७७ ॥
So the bull among rakshasas took three, five and seven arrows, fitted them, drew them and loosed them.
ते बाणाः कालसंकाशा राक्षसेन्द्रधनुश्च्युताः । हेमपुङ्खा रविप्रख्याश्चक्रुर्दीप्तमिवाम्बरम् ॥ ७८ ॥
Those arrows, like Time, loosed from the bow of the king of the rakshasas, golden-feathered, like the sun, made the sky as if ablaze.
ततस्तान् राक्षसोत्सृष्टान् शरौघान् राघवानुजः । असम्भ्रान्तः प्रचिच्छेद निशितैर्बहुभिः शरैः ॥ ७९ ॥
Then Raghava’s younger brother, unflustered, cut those floods of arrows loosed by the rakshasa with many sharp arrows.
तान् शरान् युधि सम्प्रेक्ष्य निकृत्तान् रावणात्मजः । चुकोप त्रिदशेन्द्रारिर्जग्राह निशितं शरम् ॥ ८० ॥
Seeing those arrows cut in battle, Ravana’s son, enemy of the king of the thirty, grew angry and took a sharp arrow.
स संधाय महातेजास्तं बाणं सहसोत्सृजत् । तेन सौमित्रिमायान्तमाजघान स्तनान्तरे ॥ ८१ ॥
Fitting it, the radiant one suddenly loosed that arrow; with it he struck Saumitri, coming on, between the breasts.
अतिकायेन सौमित्रिस्ताडितो युधि वक्षसि । सुस्राव रुधिरं तीव्रं मदं मत्त इव द्विपः ॥ ८२ ॥
Struck on the chest in battle by Atikaya, Saumitri streamed fierce blood, like an elephant in rut streaming ichor.
स चकार तदात्मानं विशल्यं सहसा विभुः । जग्राह च शरं तीक्ष्णमस्त्रेणापि समाददे ॥ ८३ ॥
The lord quickly made himself free of the dart, took a sharp arrow and joined it with a weapon.
आग्नेयेन तदास्त्रेण योजयामास सायकम् । स जज्वाल तदा बाणो धनुष्यस्य महात्मनः ॥ ८४ ॥
Then he joined the arrow to the Fire weapon; then that arrow blazed on the great soul’s bow.
अतिकायोऽतितेजस्वी रौद्रमस्त्रं समाददे । तेन बाणं भुजङ्गाभं हेमपुङ्खमयोजयत् ॥ ८५ ॥
Very radiant Atikaya took up the Raudra weapon; with it he joined a serpent-like arrow with golden feathers.
तदस्त्रं ज्वलितं घोरं लक्ष्मणः शरमाहितम् । अतिकायाय चिक्षेप कालदण्डमिवान्तकः ॥ ८६ ॥
That blazing, terrible weapon, the arrow fitted, Lakshmana hurled at Atikaya, as Death hurls the rod of Time.
आग्नेयास्त्राभिसंयुक्तं दृष्ट्वा बाणं निशाचरः । उत्ससर्ज तदा बाणं रौद्रं सूर्यास्त्रयोजितम् ॥ ८७ ॥
Seeing the arrow joined with the Fire weapon, the night-wanderer then loosed the Raudra arrow joined with the Sun weapon.
तावुभावम्बरे बाणावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः । तेजसा सम्प्रदीप्ताग्रौ क्रुद्धाविव भुजङ्गमौ ॥ ८८ ॥
Those two arrows struck each other in the sky, their tips blazing with splendour, like two angry serpents.
तावन्योन्यं विनिर्दह्य पेततुः पृथिवीतले ॥ ८९ ॥
Burning each other up, they fell on the ground.
निरर्चिषौ भस्मकृतौ न भ्राजेते शरोत्तमौ । तावुभौ दीप्यमानौ स्म न भ्राजेते महीतले ॥ ९० ॥
Lightless, turned to ash, the two best arrows did not shine; the two that had blazed did not shine on the ground.
ततोऽतिकायः संक्रुद्धस्त्वाष्ट्रमैषीकमुत्सृजत् । ततश्चिच्छेद सौमित्रिरस्त्रमैन्द्रेण वीर्यवान् ॥ ९१ ॥
Then Atikaya, enraged, loosed the reed weapon of Tvashtri; then valiant Saumitri cut it with Indra’s weapon.
ऐषीकं निहतं दृष्ट्वा कुमारो रावणात्मजः । याम्येनास्त्रेण संक्रुद्धो योजयामास सायकम् ॥ ९२ ॥
Seeing the reed weapon destroyed, the prince, Ravana’s son, enraged, joined his arrow to Yama’s weapon.
ततस्तदस्त्रं चिक्षेप लक्ष्मणाय निशाचरः । वायव्येन तदस्त्रेण निजघान स लक्ष्मणः ॥ ९३ ॥
Then the night-wanderer hurled that weapon at Lakshmana; Lakshmana struck it down with the Wind’s weapon.
अथैनं शरधाराभिर्धाराभिरिव तोयदः । अभ्यवर्षत संक्रुद्धो लक्ष्मणो रावणात्मजम् ॥ ९४ ॥
Then Lakshmana, enraged, rained on Ravana’s son with streams of arrows, as a cloud with streams of rain.
तेऽतिकायं समासाद्य कवचे वज्रभूषिते । भग्नाग्रशल्याः सहसा पेतुर्बाणा महीतले ॥ ९५ ॥
Reaching Atikaya, at the armour studded with diamonds, those arrows, their tips and points broken, suddenly fell on the ground.
तान्मोघानभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा । अभ्यवर्षत बाणानां सहस्रेण महायशाः ॥ ९६ ॥
Seeing them fruitless, Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, of great fame, rained a thousand arrows.
स वृष्यमाणो बाणौघैरतिकायो महाबलः । अवध्यकवचः संख्ये राक्षसो नैव विव्यथे ॥ ९७ ॥
Being rained on by floods of arrows, mighty Atikaya, his armour invulnerable, the rakshasa was not distressed in battle.
शरं चाशीविषाकारं लक्ष्मणाय व्यपासृजत् । स तेन विद्धः सौमित्रिर्मर्मदेशे शरेण ह ॥ ९८ ॥
And he loosed at Lakshmana an arrow like a poisonous snake; pierced by that arrow in a vital spot, Saumitri
मुहूर्तमात्रं निःसंज्ञो ह्यभवच्छत्रुतापनः । ततः संज्ञामुपालभ्य चतुर्भिः सायकोत्तमैः ॥ ९९ ॥
was unconscious for a moment, the scorcher of foes. Then, regaining consciousness, with four excellent arrows
निजघान हयान् संख्ये सारथिं च महाबलः । ध्वजस्योन्मथनं कृत्वा शरवर्षैररिंदमः ॥ १०० ॥
the mighty one killed his horses in battle, and his charioteer, and, with showers of arrows, cut down his banner, the tamer of enemies.
असम्भ्रान्तः स सौमित्रिस्तान् शरानभिलक्षितान् । मुमोच लक्ष्मणो बाणान् वधार्थं तस्य रक्षसः ॥ १०१ ॥
Unflustered, Saumitri loosed arrows, well aimed, to kill that rakshasa.
न शशाक रुजं कर्तुं युधि तस्य नरोत्तमः । अथैनमभ्युपागम्य वायुर्वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥ १०२ ॥
The best of men could not do him harm in battle. Then the Wind came up to him and said:
ब्रह्मदत्तवरो ह्येष अवध्यकवचावृतः । ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेण भिन्ध्येनमेष वध्यो हि नान्यथा । अवध्य एष ह्यन्येषामस्त्राणां कवची बली ॥ १०३ ॥
“This one has a boon from Brahma and is wrapped in invulnerable armour. Split him with the Brahma weapon; he can be killed in no other way. This mighty armoured one cannot be killed by other weapons.”
ततस्तु वायोर्वचनं निशम्य सौमित्रिरिन्द्रप्रतिमानवीर्यः । समादधे बाणमथोग्रवेगं तद्ब्राह्ममस्त्रं सहसा नियुज्य ॥ १०४ ॥
Then, hearing the Wind’s words, Saumitri, of valour like Indra’s, fitted an arrow of fierce speed, suddenly joining to it that Brahma weapon.
तस्मिन् वरास्त्रे तु नियुज्यमाने सौमित्रिणा बाणवरे शिताग्रे । दिशश्च चन्द्रार्कमहाग्रहाश्च नभश्च तत्रास ररास चोर्वी ॥ १०५ ॥
As that supreme weapon was being joined by Saumitri to the sharp-pointed best of arrows, the directions, the moon, the sun and the great planets, and the sky, trembled there, and the earth groaned.
तं ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण नियुज्य चापे शरं सपुङ्खं यमदूतकल्पम् । सौमित्रिरिन्द्रारिसुतस्य तस्य ससर्ज बाणं युधि वज्रकल्पम् ॥ १०६ ॥
Joining that feathered arrow, like Yama’s messenger, to his bow with the Brahma weapon, Saumitri loosed the arrow, like the thunderbolt, at the son of the enemy of Indra in battle.
तं लक्ष्मणोत्सृष्टविवृद्धवेगं समापतन्तं श्वसनोग्रवेगम् । सुपर्णवज्रोत्तमचित्रपुङ्खं तदातिकायः समरे ददर्श ॥ १०७ ॥
That arrow loosed by Lakshmana, its force growing, coming on with the fierce speed of the wind, with its wonderful feathers like Suparna’s and the thunderbolt, Atikaya saw then in battle.
तं प्रेक्षमाणः सहसातिकायो जघान बाणैर्निशितैरनेकैः । स सायकस्तस्य सुपर्णवेग- स्तथातिवेगेन जगाम पार्श्वम् ॥ १०८ ॥
Seeing it, Atikaya suddenly struck it with many sharp arrows; that arrow, with Suparna’s speed, went with great speed to his side.
तमागतं प्रेक्ष्य तदातिकायो बाणं प्रदीप्तान्तककालकल्पम् । जघान शक्त्यृष्टिगदाकुठारैः शूलैः शरैश्चाप्यविपन्नचेष्टः ॥ १०९ ॥
Seeing that arrow come, like Death and Time blazing, Atikaya struck it with spears, lances, maces and axes, with tridents and arrows, his efforts unfailing.
तान्यायुधान्यद्भुतविग्रहाणि मोघानि कृत्वा स शरोऽग्निदीप्तः । प्रगृह्य तस्यैव किरीटजुष्टं तदातिकायस्य शिरो जहार ॥ ११० ॥
Making those weapons of wondrous form vain, that arrow, blazing like fire, seized and took off Atikaya’s head with its crown.
तच्छिरः सशिरस्त्राणं लक्ष्मणेषुप्रमर्दितम् । पपात सहसा भूमौ शृङ्गं हिमवतो यथा ॥ १११ ॥
That head, with its helmet, crushed by Lakshmana’s arrow, suddenly fell on the ground like a peak of Himavat.
तं भूमौ पतितं दृष्ट्वा विक्षिप्ताम्बरभूषणम् । बभूवुर्व्यथिताः सर्वे हतशेषा निशाचराः ॥ ११२ ॥
Seeing him fallen on the ground, his garments and ornaments scattered, all the night-wanderers left from the slaughter were distressed.
ते विषण्णमुखा दीनाः प्रहारजनितश्रमाः । विनेदुरुच्चैर्बहवः सहसा विस्वरैः स्वरैः ॥ ११३ ॥
Downcast, wretched, worn by the blows, many cried out loudly, suddenly, with discordant voices.
ततस्तत्परितं याता निरपेक्षा निशाचराः । पुरीमभिमुखा भीता द्रवन्तो नायके हते ॥ ११४ ॥
Then the night-wanderers, without regard, went off from there toward the city, frightened, running, their leader killed.
प्रहर्षयुक्ता बहवस्तु वानराः प्रफुल्लपद्मप्रतिमाननास्तदा । अपूजयँल्लक्ष्मणमिष्टभागिनं हते रिपौ भीमबले दुरासदे ॥ ११५ ॥
Many monkeys, full of joy, their faces like full-blown lotuses, then honoured Lakshmana, who had won his desire, when the enemy of terrible strength, hard to approach, was killed.
अतिबलमतिकायमभ्रकल्पं युधि विनिपात्य स लक्ष्मणः प्रहृष्टः । त्वरितमथ तदा स रामपार्श्वं कपिनिवहैश्च सुपूजितो जगाम ॥ ११६ ॥
Having brought down in battle very mighty Atikaya, like a cloud, Lakshmana, delighted, went quickly to Rama’s side, well honoured by the hosts of monkeys.