Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 90 of 128 · 94 verses
Lakshmana Kills Indrajit
His horses killed, standing on the ground, Indrajit blazes with rage. The two bowmen, each wanting to kill the other, are like two bull elephants come out to win in a forest; rakshasas and monkeys, killing each other, do not desert their masters. Indrajit cheers his rakshasas: thick darkness covers every direction; here no one can tell friend from foe; fight boldly to confuse the monkeys while I fetch a chariot; make sure these forest-dwellers do not fight while I am in the city. Deceiving the monkeys, he enters Lanka, has a lovely gold-adorned chariot made ready with spears, swords and arrows, fine horses and a trusted, skilled driver, and comes out again surrounded by chief rakshasas, driven on by the power of Death. Lakshmana, the monkeys and Vibhishana are amazed at his speed. He fells monkey leaders by hundreds and thousands with his bow drawn into a circle; they take refuge with Saumitri as creatures with Prajapati. Blazing with anger, Lakshmana cuts his bow; he strings another in haste; Lakshmana cuts that too with three arrows, and pierces his chest with five arrows like serpents’ venom, which pass through his body and fall to earth like red serpents. Vomiting blood, Indrajit takes a stronger bow and rains arrows like Indra raining; Lakshmana, unshaken, wards them off, to everyone’s wonder, and strikes each rakshasa with three arrows and Indrajit with a flood of arrows. Deeply wounded, Indrajit looses many arrows at Lakshmana, who cuts them before they arrive and with a bent-jointed broad arrow strikes off the head of his new charioteer. The driverless horses, undismayed, keep pulling the chariot in circles, a wonder. Lakshmana frightens the horses with arrows; Indrajit pierces him with ten arrows like thunderbolts, which melt against his golden armour; thinking the armour impenetrable, Indrajit strikes him in the forehead with three well-feathered arrows, and Lakshmana, glorying in battle, looks like a three-peaked mountain; he answers with five arrows into Indrajit’s face with its lovely earrings. Both are bathed in blood, like flowering kimshukas.
Indrajit pierces Vibhishana’s face with three iron-headed arrows and each monkey leader with one; Vibhishana, enraged, kills Indrajit’s horses with his mace. Leaping down, Indrajit hurls a spear at his uncle; Lakshmana cuts it into ten pieces with sharp arrows. Vibhishana drives five thunderbolt-like arrows into his chest. Indrajit, enraged, takes a supreme arrow given by Yama; Lakshmana takes another, given to him in a dream by Kubera himself, unbearable even for gods and asuras with Indra. Drawn by arms like iron bars, the two great bows cry out like cranes; the two arrows blaze with splendour; loosed, they light up the sky, meet point to point with great force, and from their clash a terrible fire with smoke and sparks arises; like two great planets colliding, they shatter into a hundred pieces and fall to earth. Ashamed and enraged to see their arrows checked, Lakshmana takes up the Varuna weapon, and Indrajit, firm in battle, looses the Raudra weapon, which stops the wondrous Varuna; then Indrajit fits the blazing Agneya, as if to engulf the world, and Lakshmana wards it off with the Saura weapon. Seeing his weapon stopped, Indrajit takes up the sharp Asura arrow; from his bow pour shining spiked hammers, spears, bhushundis, maces, swords and axes; Lakshmana counters that terrible weapon, irresistible to all beings, with the Maheshvara. Beings in the sky gather round Lakshmana; sages, ancestors, gods, gandharvas, Garudas and serpents, with Indra at their head, protect him in battle.
Then Raghava’s younger brother fits another arrow, the finest, with the touch of fire, made to split Ravana’s son, well feathered, rounded, well jointed, golden, life-ending, hard to ward off or bear, terrifying to rakshasas, like serpents’ venom, worshipped by the hosts of gods: the arrow with which mighty Indra, rider of bay horses, conquered the danavas in the war of gods and asuras long ago. Drawing it on his great bow, joining it with the Aindra weapon, glorious Lakshmana speaks words to accomplish his purpose: “If Rama, son of Dasharatha, is righteous and true to his word, and unequalled in manliness, then kill this son of Ravana.” Saying this, he draws the straight-flying arrow to his ear and looses it at Indrajit, and it tears from his body his head, with its helmet and shining, blazing earrings, and throws it to the ground. The great head, its neck severed, gleaming like gold, is seen on the ground drenched in blood; Ravana’s son falls dead on the earth in his armour and helmet, his bow flung away.
The monkeys and Vibhishana shout; they rejoice as the gods did at Vritra’s death; a cry of victory rises in the sky from gods, great sages, gandharvas and apsarases. The great rakshasa army, knowing him fallen, flees in every direction, struck by the triumphant monkeys; dropping their weapons, senseless with terror, they run toward Lanka; some enter the city, some fall into the sea, some take to the mountains. Not one of thousands of rakshasas is seen when Indrajit lies dead, as rays do not stay when the sun has set. The mighty-armed one lies like the sun with its rays quieted, like a fire gone out. The world, its many torments at rest, its enemy destroyed, rejoices; blessed Indra and all the great sages are glad; drums of the gods sound in the sky, apsarases dance with great gandharvas, and showers of flowers fall. With that cruel rakshasa killed, the waters and sky become clear; gods and danavas rejoice and come together, saying: let the brahmins now go about free from fever, their troubles calmed. The monkey leaders, seeing that unrivalled bull among nairritas dead, praise Lakshmana; Vibhishana, Hanuman and Jambavan, lord of the bear troops, honour and praise him for his victory. Shrieking, leaping and roaring, the monkeys, having found their mark, surround the son of the Raghus, lashing their tails and slapping their arms, proclaiming “Lakshmana is victorious!”, and embracing one another with glad hearts, they tell many stories of Raghava. Seeing that hard deed of Lakshmana’s in battle, his dear friends rejoice, and the gods, hearing that the enemy of Indra has been killed, feel the highest joy.
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स हताश्वो महातेजा भूमौ तिष्ठन् निशाचरः । इन्द्रजित् परमक्रुद्धः सम्प्रजज्वाल तेजसा ॥ १ ॥
His horses killed, standing on the ground, the radiant night-wanderer Indrajit, greatly enraged, blazed with energy.
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Lakshmana Kills Indrajit 1 min read.
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तौ धन्विनौ जिघांसन्तावन्योन्यमिषुभिर्भृशम् । विजयेनाभिनिष्क्रान्तौ वने गजवृषाविव ॥ २ ॥
The two bowmen, each seeking to kill the other with arrows, were like two bull elephants come out for victory in a forest.
निबर्हयन्तश्चान्योन्यं ते राक्षसवनौकसः । भर्तारं न जहुर्युद्धे सम्पतन्तस्ततस्ततः ॥ ३ ॥
Rakshasas and forest-dwellers, killing one another, rushing here and there, did not abandon their masters in battle.
ततस्तान् राक्षसान् सर्वान् हर्षयन् रावणात्मजः । स्तुन्वानो हर्षमाणश्च इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ४ ॥
Then the son of Ravana, cheering all those rakshasas, praising them and rejoicing, said these words:
तमसा बहुलेनेमाः संसक्ताः सर्वतो दिशः । नेह विज्ञायते स्वो वा परो वा राक्षसोत्तमाः ॥ ५ ॥
“All these directions are covered by thick darkness; here neither one’s own nor the enemy is known, best of rakshasas.
धृष्टं भवन्तो युध्यन्तु हरीणां मोहनाय वै । अहं तु रथमास्थाय आगमिष्यामि संयुगे ॥ ६ ॥
“Fight boldly, all of you, to confuse the monkeys; and I, having mounted a chariot, will come back to the battle.
तथा भवन्तः कुर्वन्तु यथेमे हि वनौकसः । न युध्येयुर्महात्मानः प्रविष्टे नगरं मयि ॥ ७ ॥
“Act so that these great-souled forest-dwellers do not fight while I have entered the city.”
इत्युक्त्वा रावणसुतो वञ्चयित्वा वनौकसः । प्रविवेश पुरीं लङ्कां रथहेतोरमित्रहा ॥ ८ ॥
Having said this, Ravana’s son, slayer of enemies, deceiving the forest-dwellers, entered the city of Lanka for a chariot.
स रथं भूषयित्वाथ रुचिरं हेमभूषितम् । प्रासासिशरसंयुक्तं युक्तं परमवाजिभिः ॥ ९ ॥
Having had a lovely chariot adorned, decorated with gold, furnished with spears, swords and arrows, yoked with the finest horses,
अधिष्ठितं हयज्ञेन सूतेनाप्तोपदेशिना । आरुरोह महातेजा रावणिः समितिंजयः ॥ १० ॥
driven by a charioteer who knew horses and gave trusted counsel, radiant Ravana’s son, conqueror in battle, mounted it.
स राक्षसगणैर्मुख्यैर्वृतो मन्दोदरीसुतः । निर्ययौ नगराद् वीरः कृतान्तबलचोदितः ॥ ११ ॥
Surrounded by the chief hosts of rakshasas, the heroic son of Mandodari went out from the city, driven by the power of Death.
सोऽभिनिष्क्रम्य नगरादिन्द्रजित् परमौजसा । अभ्ययाज्जवनैरश्वैर्लक्ष्मणं सविभीषणम् ॥ १२ ॥
Going out from the city with supreme might, Indrajit came against Lakshmana with Vibhishana, with swift horses.
ततो रथस्थमालोक्य सौमित्री रावणात्मजम् । वानराश्च महावीर्या राक्षसश्च विभीषणः ॥ १३ ॥
Then, seeing Ravana’s son standing in his chariot, Saumitri and the very valiant monkeys and the rakshasa Vibhishana
विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्लाघवात् तस्य धीमतः । रावणिश्चापि संक्रुद्धो रणे वानरयूथपान् ॥ १४ ॥
went into the greatest amazement at the swiftness of that clever one. And Ravana’s son too, enraged, in battle, the monkey troop leaders
पातयामास बाणौघैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । स मण्डलीकृतधनू रावणिः समितिंजयः ॥ १५ ॥
he felled with floods of arrows by hundreds and thousands. Ravana’s son, conqueror in battle, his bow drawn into a circle,
हरीनभ्यहनत् क्रुद्धः परं लाघवमास्थितः । ते वध्यमाना हरयो नाराचैर्भीमविक्रमाः ॥ १६ ॥
enraged, struck the monkeys, showing the greatest swiftness. Being struck by iron arrows, the monkeys of terrible valour
सौमित्रिं शरणं प्राप्ताः प्रजापतिमिव प्रजाः । ततः समरकोपेन ज्वलितो रघुनन्दनः । चिच्छेद कार्मुकं तस्य दर्शयन् पाणिलाघवम् ॥ १७ ॥
took refuge with Saumitri, as creatures with Prajapati. Then the delight of the Raghus, blazing with the anger of battle, cut his bow, showing the swiftness of his hand.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय सज्यं चक्रे त्वरन्निव । तदप्यस्य त्रिभिर्बाणैर्लक्ष्मणो निरकृन्तत ॥ १८ ॥
He took another bow and strung it, as if hurrying; that too Lakshmana cut away with three arrows.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानमाशीविषविषोपमैः । विव्याधोरसि सौमित्री रावणिं पञ्चभिः शरैः ॥ १९ ॥
Then Saumitri pierced Ravana’s son, whose bow was cut, in the chest with five arrows like the venom of poisonous snakes.
ते तस्य कायं निर्भिद्य महाकार्मुकनिःसृताः । निपेतुर्धरणीं बाणा रक्ता इव महोरगाः ॥ २० ॥
Those arrows, loosed from the great bow, splitting his body, fell on the ground like red great serpents.
स च्छिन्नधन्वा रुधिरं वमन् वक्त्रेण रावणिः । जग्राह कार्मुकश्रेष्ठं दृढज्यं बलवत्तरम् ॥ २१ ॥
His bow cut, vomiting blood from his mouth, Ravana’s son took the best of bows, with a firm string, stronger still.
स लक्ष्मणं समुद्दिश्य परं लाघवमास्थितः । ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि वर्षाणीव पुरंदरः ॥ २२ ॥
Aiming at Lakshmana, showing the greatest swiftness, he rained rains of arrows, as Purandara rains rains.
मुक्तमिन्द्रजिता तत्तु शरवर्षमरिंदमः । आवारयदसम्भ्रान्तो लक्ष्मणः सुदुरासदम् ॥ २३ ॥
That very unassailable rain of arrows loosed by Indrajit, Lakshmana, tamer of enemies, warded off unflustered.
संदर्शयामास तदा रावणिं रघुनन्दनः । असम्भ्रान्तो महातेजास्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥ २४ ॥
The radiant delight of the Raghus, unflustered, showed himself so to Ravana’s son; that was like a wonder.
ततस्तान् राक्षसान् सर्वांस्त्रिभिरेकैकमाहवे । अविध्यत् परमक्रुद्धः शीघ्रास्त्रं सम्प्रदर्शयन् । राक्षसेन्द्रसुतं चापि बाणौघैः समताडयत् ॥ २५ ॥
Then, greatly enraged, he pierced all those rakshasas in battle, each with three arrows, showing a swift weapon, and struck the son of the rakshasa king with floods of arrows.
सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता शत्रुणा शत्रुघातिना । असक्तं प्रेषयामास लक्ष्मणाय बहून् शरान् ॥ २६ ॥
Deeply pierced by the mighty enemy, slayer of enemies, he sent many arrows at Lakshmana without pause.
तानप्राप्तान् शितैर्बाणैश्चिच्छेद परवीरहा । सारथेरस्य च रणे रथिनो रथसत्तमः ॥ २७ ॥
The slayer of enemy heroes cut them with sharp arrows before they arrived; and in battle, the best of chariot-fighters, of the charioteer of that chariot-fighter,
शिरो जहार धर्मात्मा भल्लेनानतपर्वणा । असूतास्ते हयास्तत्र रथमूहुरविक्लवाः ॥ २८ ॥
the righteous one took the head with a broad arrow with bent joints. Without a charioteer, the horses there drew the chariot, undismayed,
मण्डलान्यभिधावन्ति तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् । अमर्षवशमापन्नः सौमित्रिर्दृढविक्रमः ॥ २९ ॥
running in circles; that was like a wonder. Overcome by indignation, Saumitri of firm valour
प्रत्यविध्यद्धयांस्तस्य शरैर्वित्रासयन् रणे । अमर्षमाणस्तत्कर्म रावणस्य सुतो रणे ॥ ३० ॥
pierced his horses in return with arrows, terrifying them in battle. Not bearing that deed, Ravana’s son in battle
विव्याध दशभिर्बाणैः सौमित्रिं तममर्षणम् । ते तस्य वज्रप्रतिमाः शराः सर्पविषोपमाः । विलयं जग्मुरागत्य कवचं काञ्चनप्रभम् ॥ ३१ ॥
pierced that indignant Saumitri with ten arrows. Those arrows of his, like thunderbolts, like serpents’ venom, coming to his golden-shining armour, melted away.
अभेद्यकवचं मत्वा लक्ष्मणं रावणात्मजः । ललाटे लक्ष्मणं बाणैः सुपुङ्खैस्त्रिभिरिन्द्रजित् ॥ ३२ ॥
Thinking Lakshmana’s armour impenetrable, Indrajit, Ravana’s son, pierced Lakshmana in the forehead with three well-feathered arrows,
अविध्यत् परमक्रुद्धः शीघ्रमस्त्रं प्रदर्शयन् । तैः पृषत्कैर्ललाटस्थैः शुशुभे रघुनन्दनः ॥ ३३ ॥
greatly enraged, showing a swift weapon. With those arrows standing in his forehead, the delight of the Raghus shone,
रणाग्रे समरश्लाघी त्रिशृङ्ग इव पर्वतः । स तथाप्यर्दितो बाणै राक्षसेन तदा मृधे ॥ ३४ ॥
glorying in battle at the front of the fight, like a three-peaked mountain. Though tormented so by arrows by the rakshasa then in battle,
तमाशु प्रतिविव्याध लक्ष्मणः पञ्चभिः शरैः । विकृष्येन्द्रजितो युद्धे वदने शुभकुण्डले ॥ ३५ ॥
Lakshmana quickly pierced him back with five arrows, drawing them, in Indrajit’s face with its lovely earrings.
लक्ष्मणेन्द्रजितौ वीरौ महाबलशरासनौ । अन्योन्यं जघ्नतुर्वीरौ विशिखैर्भीमविक्रमौ ॥ ३६ ॥
Lakshmana and Indrajit, heroes with very strong bows, the two heroes of terrible valour struck each other with arrows.
ततः शोणितदिग्धाङ्गौ लक्ष्मणेन्द्रजितावुभौ । रणे तौ रेजतुर्वीरौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥ ३७ ॥
Then, their limbs smeared with blood, Lakshmana and Indrajit both, the two heroes, shone in battle like flowering kimshukas.
तौ परस्परमभ्येत्य सर्वगात्रेषु धन्विनौ । घोरैर्विव्यधतुर्बाणैः कृतभावावुभौ जये ॥ ३८ ॥
Coming at each other, the two bowmen pierced each other in every limb with terrible arrows, both set on victory.
ततः समरकोपेन संयुतो रावणात्मजः । विभीषणं त्रिभिर्बाणैर्विव्याध वदने शुभे ॥ ३९ ॥
Then Ravana’s son, filled with the anger of battle, pierced Vibhishana in his handsome face with three arrows.
अयोमुखैस्त्रिभिर्विद्ध्वा राक्षसेन्द्रं विभीषणम् । एकैकेनाभिविव्याध तान् सर्वान् हरियूथपान् ॥ ४० ॥
Having pierced Vibhishana, king of the rakshasas, with three iron-headed arrows, he pierced each of all those monkey troop leaders with one.
तस्मै दृढतरं क्रुद्धो जघान गदया हयान् । विभीषणो महातेजा रावणेः स दुरात्मनः ॥ ४१ ॥
Enraged at him, radiant Vibhishana struck very hard with his mace the horses of that evil-souled son of Ravana.
स हताश्वादवप्लुत्य रथान्निहतसारथेः । अथ शक्तिं महातेजाः पितृव्याय मुमोच ह ॥ ४२ ॥
Leaping down from the chariot whose horses were killed and whose charioteer was killed, the radiant one then loosed a spear at his uncle.
तामापतन्तीं सम्प्रेक्ष्य सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनः । चिच्छेद निशितैर्बाणैर्दशधापातयद् भुवि ॥ ४३ ॥
Seeing it coming, the increaser of Sumitra’s joy cut it with sharp arrows and brought it down to the ground in ten pieces.
तस्मै दृढधनुः क्रुद्धो हताश्वाय विभीषणः । वज्रस्पर्शसमान् पञ्च ससर्जोरसि मार्गणान् ॥ ४४ ॥
Enraged, Vibhishana of the firm bow loosed five arrows like the touch of the thunderbolt into the chest of him whose horses were killed.
ते तस्य कायं भित्त्वा तु रुक्मपुङ्खा निमित्तगाः । बभूवुर्लोहितादिग्धा रक्ता इव महोरगाः ॥ ४५ ॥
Splitting his body, the gold-feathered arrows, hitting their target, became smeared with blood, like red great serpents.
स पितृव्यस्य संक्रुद्ध इन्द्रजिच्छरमाददे । उत्तमं रक्षसां मध्ये यमदत्तं महाबलः ॥ ४६ ॥
Enraged at his uncle, mighty Indrajit took an arrow, the finest among the rakshasas, given by Yama.
तं समीक्ष्य महातेजा महेषुं तेन संहितम् । लक्ष्मणोऽप्याददे बाणमन्यद् भीमपराक्रमः ॥ ४७ ॥
Seeing that great arrow fitted by him, radiant Lakshmana of terrible valour also took another arrow,
कुबेरेण स्वयं स्वप्ने यद् दत्तममितात्मना । दुर्जयं दुर्विषह्यं च सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः ॥ ४८ ॥
which had been given to him in a dream by Kubera himself, of immeasurable soul, hard to conquer and hard to bear even by gods and asuras with Indra.
तयोस्तु धनुषी श्रेष्ठे बाहुभिः परिघोपमैः । विकृष्यमाणे बलवत् क्रौञ्चाविव चुकूजतुः ॥ ४९ ॥
The two fine bows, drawn mightily by their arms like iron bars, cried out like two krauncha birds.
ताभ्यां तु धनुषि श्रेष्ठे संहितौ सायकोत्तमौ । विकृष्यमाणौ वीराभ्यां भृशं जज्वलतुः श्रिया ॥ ५० ॥
The two fine arrows fitted on those fine bows, being drawn by the two heroes, blazed greatly with splendour.
तौ भासयन्तावाकाशं धनुर्भ्यां विशिखौ च्युतौ । मुखेन मुखमाहत्य संनिपेततुरोजसा ॥ ५१ ॥
Loosed from the bows, lighting up the sky, the two arrows struck point against point and fell together with force.
संनिपातस्तयोश्चासीच्छरयोर्घोररूपयोः । सधूमविस्फुलिङ्गश्च तज्जोऽग्निर्दारुणोऽभवत् ॥ ५२ ॥
There was a clash of those two terrible-looking arrows, and a dreadful fire born of it arose, with smoke and sparks.
तौ महाग्रहसंकाशावन्योन्यं संनिपत्य च । संग्रामे शतधा यातौ मेदिन्यां चैव पेततुः ॥ ५३ ॥
Like two great planets, having clashed with each other in battle, they went into a hundred pieces and fell on the earth.
शरौ प्रतिहतौ दृष्ट्वा तावुभौ रणमूर्धनि । व्रीडितौ जातरोषौ च लक्ष्मणेन्द्रजितौ तदा ॥ ५४ ॥
Seeing their arrows checked at the head of the battle, both Lakshmana and Indrajit were then ashamed and grew angry.
सुसंरब्धस्तु सौमित्रिरस्त्रं वारुणमाददे । रौद्रं महेन्द्रजिद् युद्धेऽप्यसृजद् युधि निष्ठितः ॥ ५५ ॥
Very enraged, Saumitri took up the Varuna weapon; great Indrajit, firm in battle, loosed the Raudra weapon in the fight.
तेन तद्विहितं शस्त्रं वारुणं परमाद्भुतम् । ततः क्रुद्धो महातेजा इन्द्रजित् समितिंजयः । आग्नेयं संदधे दीप्तं स लोकं संक्षिपन्निव ॥ ५६ ॥
By it that most wondrous Varuna weapon was checked. Then, enraged, radiant Indrajit, conqueror in battle, fitted the blazing Agneya, as if to engulf the world.
सौरेणास्त्रेण तद् वीरो लक्ष्मणः पर्यवारयत् । अस्त्रं निवारितं दृष्ट्वा रावणिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ ५७ ॥
Heroic Lakshmana warded it off with the Saura weapon. Seeing his weapon warded off, Ravana’s son, overcome with anger,
आददे निशितं बाणमासुरं शत्रुदारणम् । तस्माच्चापाद् विनिष्पेतुर्भास्वराः कूटमुद्गराः ॥ ५८ ॥
took a sharp arrow, the Asura, splitter of enemies; from that bow there flew out shining spiked hammers,
शूलानि च भुशुण्ड्यश्च गदाः खड्गाः परश्वधाः । तद् दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणः संख्ये घोरमस्त्रमथासुरम् ॥ ५९ ॥
spears, bhushundis, maces, swords and axes. Seeing that terrible Asura weapon in battle, Lakshmana,
अवार्यं सर्वभूतानां सर्वशस्त्रविदारणम् । माहेश्वरेण द्युतिमांस्तदस्त्रं प्रत्यवारयत् ॥ ६० ॥
irresistible to all beings, splitting all weapons, the radiant one warded off that weapon with the Maheshvara.
तयोः समभवद् युद्धमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् । गगनस्थानि भूतानि लक्ष्मणं पर्यवारयन् ॥ ६१ ॥
There was a wondrous, hair-raising battle between the two; the beings in the sky surrounded Lakshmana.
भैरवाभिरुते भीमे युद्धे वानररक्षसाम् । भूतैर्बहुभिराकाशं विस्मितैरावृतं बभौ ॥ ६२ ॥
In that terrible battle of monkeys and rakshasas, full of fearful cries, the sky shone, crowded with many amazed beings.
ऋषयः पितरो देवा गन्धर्वगरुडोरगाः । शतक्रतुं पुरस्कृत्य ररक्षुर्लक्ष्मणं रणे ॥ ६३ ॥
Sages, ancestors, gods, gandharvas, Garudas and serpents, putting Indra of a hundred sacrifices at their head, protected Lakshmana in battle.
अथान्यं मार्गणश्रेष्ठं संदधे राघवानुजः । हुताशनसमस्पर्शं रावणात्मजदारणम् ॥ ६४ ॥
Then Raghava’s younger brother fitted another, the best of arrows, with the touch of fire, splitter of Ravana’s son,
सुपत्रमनुवृत्ताङ्गं सुपर्वाणं सुसंस्थितम् । सुवर्णविकृतं वीरः शरीरान्तकरं शरम् ॥ ६५ ॥
the hero, an arrow well feathered, with rounded body, well jointed, well formed, worked with gold, ending the body,
दुरावारं दुर्विषहं राक्षसानां भयावहम् । आशीविषविषप्रख्यं देवसंघैः समर्चितम् ॥ ६६ ॥
hard to ward off, hard to bear, frightening to rakshasas, like the venom of poisonous snakes, worshipped by the hosts of gods,
येन शक्रो महातेजा दानवानजयत् प्रभुः । पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे वीर्यवान् हरिवाहनः ॥ ६७ ॥
by which radiant Shakra, the lord, the valiant one whose mounts are bay horses, conquered the danavas long ago in the war of gods and asuras.
अथैन्द्रमस्त्रं सौमित्रिः संयुगेष्वपराजितम् । शरश्रेष्ठं धनुश्रेष्ठे विकर्षन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ ६८ ॥
Then Saumitri, drawing on his best of bows that best of arrows, the Aindra weapon, unconquered in battles, said this,
लक्ष्मीवाँल्लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमर्थसाधकमात्मनः । धर्मात्मा सत्यसंधश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यदि । पौरुषे चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वस्तदैनं जहि रावणिम् ॥ ६९ ॥
glorious Lakshmana, words to accomplish his own purpose: “If Rama, son of Dasharatha, is righteous and true to his promise, and unrivalled in manliness, then kill this son of Ravana.”
इत्युक्त्वा बाणमाकर्णं विकृष्य तमजिह्मगम् । लक्ष्मणः समरे वीरः ससर्जेन्द्रजितं प्रति । ऐन्द्रास्त्रेण समायुज्य लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा ॥ ७० ॥
Having said this, drawing to his ear that straight-going arrow, heroic Lakshmana loosed it in battle toward Indrajit; Lakshmana, slayer of enemy heroes, having joined it with the Aindra weapon,
तच्छिरः सशिरस्त्राणं श्रीमज्ज्वलितकुण्डलम् । प्रमथ्येन्द्रजितः कायात् पातयामास भूतले ॥ ७१ ॥
that head with its helmet, with glorious blazing earrings, tearing it from Indrajit’s body, threw it down on the ground.
तद् राक्षसतनूजस्य भिन्नस्कन्धं शिरो महत् । तपनीयनिभं भूमौ ददृशे रुधिरोक्षितम् ॥ ७२ ॥
That great head of the rakshasa’s son, severed at the neck, bright as gold, was seen on the ground, drenched with blood.
हतः स निपपाताथ धरण्यां रावणात्मजः । कवची सशिरस्त्राणो विप्रविद्धशरासनः ॥ ७३ ॥
Killed, Ravana’s son then fell on the earth, in his armour, with his helmet, his bow flung away.
चुक्रुशुस्ते ततः सर्वे वानराः सविभीषणाः । हृष्यन्ते निहते तस्मिन् देवा वृत्रवधे यथा ॥ ७४ ॥
Then all those monkeys with Vibhishana cried out; when he was killed they rejoiced, as the gods at the killing of Vritra.
अथान्तरिक्षे देवानामृषीणां च महात्मनाम् । जज्ञेऽथ जयसंनादो गन्धर्वाप्सरसामपि ॥ ७५ ॥
Then in the sky a cry of victory arose from the gods and the great-souled sages, and from the gandharvas and apsarases too.
पतितं समभिज्ञाय राक्षसी सा महाचमूः । वध्यमाना दिशो भेजे हरिभिर्जितकाशिभिः ॥ ७६ ॥
Knowing him fallen, that great rakshasa army, being slaughtered by the victorious monkeys, took to the directions.
वानरैर्वध्यमानास्ते शस्त्राण्युत्सृज्य राक्षसाः । लङ्कामभिमुखाः सस्रुर्भ्रष्टसंज्ञाः प्रधाविताः ॥ ७७ ॥
Being killed by the monkeys, the rakshasas, throwing away their weapons, ran toward Lanka, their senses lost, rushing.
दुद्रुवुर्बहुधा भीता राक्षसाः शतशो दिशः । त्यक्त्वा प्रहरणान् सर्वे पट्टिशासिपरश्वधान् ॥ ७८ ॥
Frightened, the rakshasas fled in many directions by hundreds, all throwing away their weapons, axes, swords and battle-axes.
केचिल्लङ्कां परित्रस्ताः प्रविष्टा वानरार्दिताः । समुद्रे पतिताः केचित् केचित् पर्वतमाश्रिताः ॥ ७९ ॥
Some, terrified, tormented by the monkeys, entered Lanka; some fell into the sea; some took refuge in the mountain.
हतमिन्द्रजितं दृष्ट्वा शयानं च रणक्षितौ । राक्षसानां सहस्रेषु न कश्चित् प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥ ८० ॥
Seeing Indrajit killed and lying on the battlefield, among thousands of rakshasas not one was seen.
यथास्तं गत आदित्ये नावतिष्ठन्ति रश्मयः । तथा तस्मिन् निपतिते राक्षसास्ते गता दिशः ॥ ८१ ॥
As, when the sun has set, its rays do not remain, so, when he had fallen, those rakshasas went off to the directions.
शान्तरश्मिरिवादित्यो निर्वाण इव पावकः । बभूव स महाबाहुर्व्यपास्तगतजीवितः ॥ ८२ ॥
Like the sun with its rays quieted, like a fire gone out, that mighty-armed one became, his life cast off and gone.
प्रशान्तपीडाबहुलो विनष्टारिः प्रहर्षवान् । बभूव लोकः पतिते राक्षसेन्द्रसुते तदा ॥ ८३ ॥
Its many torments quieted, its enemy destroyed, joyful, the world became when the son of the rakshasa king had fallen.
हर्षं च शक्रो भगवान् सह सर्वैर्महर्षिभिः । जगाम निहते तस्मिन् राक्षसे पापकर्मणि ॥ ८४ ॥
And blessed Shakra, with all the great sages, came to joy when that rakshasa of evil deeds was killed.
आकाशे चापि देवानां शुश्रुवे दुन्दुभिस्वनः । नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोभिश्च गन्धर्वैश्च महात्मभिः ॥ ८५ ॥
And in the sky the sound of the gods’ drums was heard, with dancing apsarases and great-souled gandharvas.
ववर्षुः पुष्पवर्षाणि तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् । प्रशशाम हते तस्मिन् राक्षसे क्रूरकर्मणि ॥ ८६ ॥
They rained showers of flowers; that was like a wonder. When that rakshasa of cruel deeds was killed, all grew calm.
शुद्धा आपो नभश्चैव जहृषुर्देवदानवाः । आजग्मुः पतिते तस्मिन् सर्वलोकभयावहे ॥ ८७ ॥
The waters and the sky became clear; gods and danavas rejoiced; they came when he had fallen, he who had been a terror to all the worlds.
ऊचुश्च सहितास्तुष्टा देवगन्धर्वदानवाः । विज्वराः शान्तकलुषा ब्राह्मणा विचरन्त्विति ॥ ८८ ॥
And gods, gandharvas and danavas, gathered and pleased, said: “Let the brahmins go about free from fever, their impurity quieted.”
ततोऽभ्यनन्दन् संहृष्टाः समरे हरियूथपाः । तमप्रतिबलं दृष्ट्वा हतं नैर्ऋतपुङ्गवम् ॥ ८९ ॥
Then the monkey troop leaders, greatly delighted, rejoiced in battle, seeing that unrivalled bull among nairritas killed.
विभीषणो हनूमांश्च जाम्बवांश्चर्क्षयूथपः । विजयेनाभिनन्दन्तस्तुष्टुवुश्चापि लक्ष्मणम् ॥ ९० ॥
Vibhishana and Hanuman and Jambavan, troop leader of the bears, rejoicing in the victory, praised Lakshmana too.
क्ष्वेडन्तश्च प्लवन्तश्च गर्जन्तश्च प्लवंगमाः । लब्धलक्षा रघुसुतं परिवार्योपतस्थिरे ॥ ९१ ॥
Shrieking and leaping and roaring, the leapers, having found their mark, surrounded the son of the Raghus and stood by him.
लाङ्गूलानि प्रविध्यन्तः स्फोटयन्तश्च वानराः । लक्ष्मणो जयतीत्येव वाक्यं विश्रावयंस्तदा ॥ ९२ ॥
Lashing their tails and slapping their arms, the monkeys then made heard the words, “Lakshmana is victorious!”
अन्योन्यं च समाश्लिष्य हरयो हृष्टमानसाः । चक्रुरुच्चावचगुणा राघवाश्रयसत्कथाः ॥ ९३ ॥
And embracing one another, the monkeys, glad at heart, of high and low qualities, told good stories of their refuge, Raghava.
तदसुकरमथाभिवीक्ष्य हृष्टाः प्रियसुहृदो युधि लक्ष्मणस्य कर्म । परममुपलभन्मनःप्रहर्षं विनिहतमिन्द्ररिपुं निशम्य देवाः ॥ ९४ ॥
Then, seeing that deed of Lakshmana’s in battle, hard to do, his dear friends rejoiced; and the gods, hearing that the enemy of Indra had been killed, gained the highest joy of mind.