Chapter 107

Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

VERSE 1

ततः प्रवृत्तं सुक्रूरं रामरावणयोस्तदा
सुमहद्द्वैरथं युद्धं सर्वलोकभयावहम्

tataḥ pravṛttaṃ sukrūraṃ rāmarāvaṇayostadā
sumahaddvairathaṃ yuddhaṃ sarvalokabhayāvaham

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | tadā: and there | sukrūram: a very cruel | sumahat: and a very great | dvairatham: chariot-duel | yuddham: in battle | sarva loka bhayāvaham: which was frightful to all the worlds | pravṛttam: occurred | rāma rāvaṇayoḥ: between Rama and Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

Then ensued a fierce and a prolonged chariot-duel between Rama and Ravana, which was frightful to all the worlds.

VERSE 2

ततो राक्षससैन्यं च हरीणां च महद्बलम्
प्रगृहीतप्रहरणं निश्चेष्टं समतिष्ठत

tato rākṣasasainyaṃ ca harīṇāṃ ca mahadbalam
pragṛhītapraharaṇaṃ niśceṣṭaṃ samatiṣṭhata

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | rākṣasa sainyam ca: the army of demons | mahatt balamca: and the huge army | harīṇām: of monkeys | pragṛhīta praharaṇam: having taken hold fast of their weapons | samavartata: stood | niśceṣṭam: motionless. |

TRANSLATION

Then, the army of demons and the huge army of mokeys, stood motionless with their weapons held fast in their hands.

VERSE 3

सम्प्रयुद्धौ ततो दृष्ट्वा बलवन्नरराक्षसौ
व्याक्षिप्तहृदयाः सर्वे परं विस्मयमागताः

samprayuddhau tato dṛṣṭvā balavannararākṣasau
vyākṣiptahṛdayāḥ sarve paraṃ vismayamāgatāḥ

SYNONYMS

vyākṣipitahṛdayaḥ: having their hearts captivated | dṛṣṭvā: in seeing | tau: those two warriors | nara rākṣasau: a human being and a demon | balavat: both in full strength | samprayuddhau: engaged in a fight | sarve: all for their part | āgatāḥ: experienced | param: a great | vismayam: wonder. |

TRANSLATION

Having their hearts captivated in seeing those two warriors, a human being and a demon, both in full strength engaged in a fight, all for their part experienced a great wonder.

VERSE 4

नानाप्रहरणैर्व्यग्रैर्भुजैर्विस्मितबुद्धयः
तस्थुः प्रेक्ष्य च सङ्ग्रामं नाभिजघ्नुः परस्परम्

nānāpraharaṇairvyagrairbhujairvismitabuddhayaḥ
tasthuḥ prekṣya ca saṅgrāmaṃ nābhijaghnuḥ parasparam

SYNONYMS

nānāpraharaṇaiḥ vyagraiḥ bhujaiḥ: having their hands occupied with various kinds of weapons | te sarve: all those warriors | tasthuḥ vismita buddhayaḥ: stood amazed in mind | prekṣya: in beholding (the duel) | na abhijagmuḥ: they did not go for war | parasparam: on each other. |

TRANSLATION

Having their hands occupied with various kinds of weapons, all those warriors stood amazed in mind in beholding that duel. They did not go for war on each other.

VERSE 5

रक्षसां रावणं चापि वानराणां च राघवम्
पश्यतां विस्मिताक्षाणां सैन्यं चित्रमिवाबभौ

rakṣasāṃ rāvaṇaṃ cāpi vānarāṇāṃ ca rāghavam
paśyatāṃ vismitākṣāṇāṃ sainyaṃ citramivābabhau

SYNONYMS

rakṣasām: the demons | vismitākṣāṇām: with their eyes in amazement | paśyatām: beholding | rāvaṇam: Ravana | sainyam vānarāṇām ca: and the army of demons | rāghavam: (seeing) Rama | ābabhau: appeared | citramiva: as though they were paintings. |

TRANSLATION

The demons beholding Ravana and the army of monkeys seeing Rama with their eyes in amazement appeared as though they were paintings.

VERSE 6

ते तु तत्र निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा राघवरावणौ
कृतबुद्धी स्थिरामर्षौ युयुधाते अभीतवत्

te tu tatra nimittāni dṛṣṭvā rāghavarāvaṇau
kṛtabuddhī sthirāmarṣau yuyudhāte abhītavat

SYNONYMS

kṛta buddhī: having made up their minds | sthirāmarṣau: and firm in their anger | tau tu: those two warriors for their part | rāghava rāvaṇau: Rama and Ravana | yuyudhāte: fought | abhītavat: fearlessly | dṛṣṭvā: on seeing | nimittāni: the portents | tatra: there (in the battle). |

TRANSLATION

Having made up their minds and being firm in their anger, those two warriors for their part, Rama and Ravana fought fearlessly, as it were, on seeing the portents in the battle.

VERSE 7

जेतव्यमिति काकुत्स्थो मर्तव्यमिति रावणः
धृतौ स्ववीर्यसर्वस्वं युद्धे।अदर्शयतां तदा

jetavyamiti kākutstho martavyamiti rāvaṇaḥ
dhṛtau svavīryasarvasvaṃ yuddhe|adarśayatāṃ tadā

SYNONYMS

kākutsthaḥ: Rama | jetavyam iti: who was convinced that he was going to win | rāvaṇaḥ: and Ravana | dhṛtau martavyam iti: who was firmly persuaded that he would die | tadā: then | adarśayatām: demonstrated svaviirya sarvasvam = the entire wealth of their prowess | yuddhe: in that battle. |

TRANSLATION

Rama, who was convinced that he was going to win and Ravana who was firmly persuaded that he would die, then demonstrated the entire wealth of their prowess in battle on that occasion.

VERSE 8

ततः क्रोधाद्दशग्रीवः शरान्सन्धाय वीर्यवान्
मुमोच ध्वजमुद्दिश्य राघवस्य रथे स्थितम्

tataḥ krodhāddaśagrīvaḥ śarānsandhāya vīryavān
mumoca dhvajamuddiśya rāghavasya rathe sthitam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereupon | vīryavān: the valiant | daśagrīvaḥ: Ravana | samdhāya: fitting | śarān: his arrows | krodhāt: with anger | mumoca: released (them) | uddiśya: directing | dhvajam: towards the flag-staff | sthitam: fixed | rathe: on the chariot | rāghavasya: of Rama. |

TRANSLATION

Thereupon, the valiant Ravana, fitting his arrows with anger, released them, directing them towards the flag-staff fixed on Rama's chariot.

VERSE 9

ते शरास्तमनासाद्य पुरन्दररथध्वजम्
रक्तशक्तिं परामृश्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले

te śarāstamanāsādya purandararathadhvajam
raktaśaktiṃ parāmṛśya nipeturdharaṇītale

SYNONYMS

anāsādya: without even reaching | tam: that | purandara rathadhvajam: standard of Indra's chariot | te: those | śarāḥ: arrows | parāmṛśya: on touching | rathaśaktim: the staff which supported the banner of the chariot | nipetuḥ: fell | dharaṇītale: on the ground. |

TRANSLATION

Without even reaching the ensign on Indra's chariot and touching off the staff which supported the banner of the chariot, the arrows fell on the ground.

VERSE 10

ततो रामो।अभिसङ्क्रुद्धश्चापमायम्य वीर्यवान्
कृतप्रतिकृतं कर्तुं मनसा सम्प्रचक्रमे

tato rāmo|abhisaṅkruddhaścāpamāyamya vīryavān
kṛtapratikṛtaṃ kartuṃ manasā sampracakrame

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereafter | vīryavān: the valiant | ramo'pi: Rama too | samkruddhaḥ: in great anger | ākṛṣya: stretching | cāpam: his bow | sampracakrame: proceeded | manasā: with his mind | kartum kṛta pratikṛtam: to return blow for blow. |

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, the valiant Rama too, in great anger, stretching his bow, proceeded with his mind, to return blow for blow.

VERSE 11

रावणध्वजमुद्दिश्य मुमोच निशितं शरम्
महासर्पमिवासह्यं ज्वलन्तं स्वेन तेजसा

rāvaṇadhvajamuddiśya mumoca niśitaṃ śaram
mahāsarpamivāsahyaṃ jvalantaṃ svena tejasā

SYNONYMS

mumoca: (Rama) released | niśitam: a sharp | śaram: arrow | mahāsarpamiva: looking like a huge serpent | asahyam: which was unbearable | jvalantam iva: as though blazing | svena tejasā: with its own splendour | uddiśya: directing towards | rāvaṇa dhvajam: Ravana's flag-staff. |

TRANSLATION

Rama released a sharp arrow, looking like a huge serpent and which was unbearable, as though blazing with its own splendour, directing towards Ravana's flag-staff.

VERSE 12

रामश्चिक्षेप तेजस्वी केतुमुद्दिश्य सायकम्
जगाम स महीं भित्त्वा दशग्रीवध्वजं शरः

rāmaścikṣepa tejasvī ketumuddiśya sāyakam
jagāma sa mahīṃ bhittvā daśagrīvadhvajaṃ śaraḥ

SYNONYMS

tejasvī: the brilliant | rāmaḥ: Rama | cikṣepa: released | sāyakam: the arrow | uddiśya: directing towards | ketum: the flag-staff | saḥ śaraḥ: that arrow | chittvā: having torn asunder | daśagrīva dhvajam: Ravana's flag-staff | jagāma: went | mahīm: towards the earth. |

TRANSLATION

As the brilliant Rama released the arrow towards the flag-staff, that arrow, tearing asunder Ravana's flag-staf, entered the earth.

VERSE 13

स निकृत्तो।अपतद्भूमौ रावणस्य रथध्वजः
ध्वजस्योन्मथनं दृष्ट्वा रावणः सुमहाबलः

sa nikṛtto|apatadbhūmau rāvaṇasya rathadhvajaḥ
dhvajasyonmathanaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇaḥ sumahābalaḥ

SYNONYMS

14| saḥ: that | rāvaṇasyandana dhvajaḥ: standard mounted on Ravana's chariot | nikṛttaḥ: having been torn off | apatat: fell | bhūmau: on the ground | dṛṣṭvā: seeing | unmathanam: the thrown-down piece | dhvajasya: of his flag-staff | saḥ mahābalaḥ: that mighty | rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | abhavat: appeared | prahasanniva: as though he was laughing | amarṣāt: with intolerance | sampradīptaḥ: flaming up | krodhāt: with anger | vavarṣa ha: (he) showered | śaravarṣam: a stream of arrows | āpannaḥ: afflicted as he was | roṣavaśam: with the power of wrath. |

TRANSLATION

That standard, mounted on Ravana's chariot, having been torn off, fell on the ground. Seeing the thrown-down piece of his flag-staff, that mighty Ravana stood blazing as though he was laughing with intolerance. Flaming up with anger, he showered a stream of arrows afflicted as he was, with the power of wrath.

VERSE 15

रामस्य तुरगान्दिव्याञ्शरैर्विव्याध रावणः
ते विद्धा हरयस्तस्य नास्खलन्नापि बभ्रमुः

rāmasya turagāndivyāñśarairvivyādha rāvaṇaḥ
te viddhā harayastasya nāskhalannāpi babhramuḥ

SYNONYMS

rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | vivyādha: struck | rāmasya turagān: Rama's horses | dīptaiḥ śaraiḥ: with blazing arrows | te: those | divyāḥ: divine | turagāḥ: horses | nāskhalan: were neither shaken | na babhramuḥ: nor stumbled | tatra: there | babhūvuḥ: (They) were | svastha hṛdayāḥ: healthy at heart | āhatāḥ iva: and felt as though they were struck | padmanālaiḥ: with lotus-stalks. |

TRANSLATION

Ravana struck Rama's horses with blazing arrows. Those divine horses were neither shaken nor stumbled in the battle-field. They were indeed healthy at heart and felt as though they were just struck with lotus-stalks.

VERSE 16

तेषामसम्भ्रमं दृष्ट्वा वाजिनां रावणस्तदा

teṣāmasambhramaṃ dṛṣṭvā vājināṃ rāvaṇastadā

SYNONYMS

dṛṣṭvā: seeing | teṣām: those | vājinām: horses | asambhramam: unstumbled | rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | tadā: then | bhūyaḥ: was very much | susamkruddhaḥ: enraged | muoca ha: and released | śara varṣam: showers of arrows. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing those horses unstumbled, Ravana then was very much enraged and released showers of arrows.

VERSE 17

गदाश्च परिघांश्चैव चक्राणि मुसलानि च

gadāśca parighāṃścaiva cakrāṇi musalāni ca

SYNONYMS

(ḥe also hurled) gadāśca: maces | parighāmśca: iron bludgeous | cakrāṇi: discs | musalāni: iron clubs | giriśṛṇgāṇi: mountain-tops | vṛskṣāṇi: trees | tathā: and | śūlapariśvadhān: spikes and axes. |

TRANSLATION

He also hurled maces, iron bludgeons, discs, iron clubs, mountain-tops, trees, spikes and axes.

VERSE 18

माया विहितमेतत्तु शस्त्रवर्षमपातयत्

māyā vihitametattu śastravarṣamapātayat

SYNONYMS

aśrānta hṛdayodyamaḥ: unwearied in heart and in effort | tadā: (Ravana) then | apāyat: employed | śastra varṣam: streams of missiles | etat māya vihitam: created out of his magic | sahasraśaḥ: and thousands of | bāṇān: arrows. |

TRANSLATION

Unwearied as he was in his heart and in effort, Ravana then employed streams of missiles as a creation of magic and also thousands of arrows.

VERSE 19

तुमुलं त्रासजननं भीमं भीमप्रतिस्वनम्

tumulaṃ trāsajananaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmapratisvanam

SYNONYMS

yuddhe: in that battle | mahat: abundant | varṣam: rain | tat naikaśastramayam: of those many missiles | tumulam: which were tumultuous | trāsajananam: generating fear | bhīmam: terrific | bhīma pratisvanam: attended with a terrible echo | abhavat: descended. |

TRANSLATION

In that battle, abundant rain of various missiles, which were tumultuous, generating fear, terrific and attended with a terrible echo, descended.

VERSE 20

विमुच्य राघवरथं समन्ताद्वानरे बले

vimucya rāghavarathaṃ samantādvānare bale

SYNONYMS

vimucya: leaving alone | rāghava ratham: Rama's chariot | sāyakaiḥ: (he released) arrows | vānare bale: on the army of monkeys | samantāt: on all sides sunirantaram chakaara = wholly covering | antarikṣam: the sky. |

TRANSLATION

Leaving alone Rama's chariot, Ravana released arrows on the army of monkeys on all sides, thus wholly covering the sky.

VERSE 21

मुमोच च दशग्रीवो निःसङ्गेनान्तरात्मना

mumoca ca daśagrīvo niḥsaṅgenāntarātmanā

SYNONYMS

22| daśagrīvaḥ: Ravana | mumoca: loosed | antarātmanā: with a mind | niḥ saṅgena: which had given up all hope of survival | dṛṣṭvā: seeing | tam rāvaṇam: that Ravana | raṇe tatparam: who was interested in battle | vyāyacachamānam: putting forth his great effort | kākutsthaḥ: Rama | samdadhe: fitted | niśitān śarān: sharp arrows to his bow | prahasanniva: as though laughing | tataḥ: and thereupon | saḥ: he | bāṇān: the arrows | śataśaḥ: in hundreds | sahasraśaḥ: and thousands. |

TRANSLATION

Ravana released arrows with a mind, which had given up all hope of survival. Seeing that Ravana, who was interested in the battle, putting forth his great effort, Rama fitted Sharp arrows to his bow, as though laughing and thereupon he loosed the arrows in hundreds and thousands.

VERSE 23

तान् दृष्ट्वा रावणश्चक्रे स्वशरैः खं निरन्तरम्

tān dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇaścakre svaśaraiḥ khaṃ nirantaram

SYNONYMS

-24|dṛṣṭvā: seeing | tān: arrows | rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | cakre nirantaram: completely covered | kham: the sky | svaśaraiḥ: with his own arrows | bhāsvatā śaravarṣeṇa: due to that dazzling shower of arrows | niyuktena: employed | tadā: then | tābhyām: by the two warriors | bhāsvat: the shining | ambaram: sky | ābhāti dvitīyam iva: looked like a second sky | śarabaddham: built with arrows. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing those arrows, Ravana completely covered the sky with his own arrows. Due to that dazzling shower of arrows then employed by the two warriors, the shining sky looked like a second sky built with arrows.

VERSE 25

नानिमित्तो।अभवद्बाणो नातिभेत्ता न निष्फलः
अन्योन्यमभिसंहत्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले

nānimitto|abhavadbāṇo nātibhettā na niṣphalaḥ
anyonyamabhisaṃhatya nipeturdharaṇītale

SYNONYMS

rāma rāvaṇayoḥ: while Rama and Ravana | visṛjatoḥ: were discharging | bāṇān: the arrows | tathā: thus | mṛdhe: in the battle | na bāṇaḥ abhavat: no arrow was | animittaḥ: without a target | na anirbhettā: nor one which failed to pierce its target | na niṣphalaḥ: nor gone in vain | abhisamhatya: colliding | anyonyam: with each other | nipetuḥ: (they) fell | dharaṇītale: on the earth's surface. |

TRANSLATION

While Rama and Ravana were discharging the arrows thus in the battle0field, no arrow missed the target, no one failed to pierce the target and none had gone in vain. Colliding with each other, they fell on the ground.

VERSE 26

प्रायुध्येतामविच्छिन्नमस्यन्तौ सव्यदक्षिणम्

prāyudhyetāmavicchinnamasyantau savyadakṣiṇam

SYNONYMS

asyantau: releasing the arrows | savya dakṣiṇam: left and right | avicchinnam: continually | prāyudhyaitām: they fought (at each other) | ghoraiḥ śaraiḥ: with their terrific arrows | cakratuḥ ca: they made | ambaram: the sky | nirucchvāsamiva: bereft of even a breathing space. |

TRANSLATION

Releasing the arrows left and right continually, they fought at each other. With their terrific arrows, they made the sky, bereft of even a breathing space.

VERSE 27

रावणस्य हयान्रामो हयान्रामस्य रावणः

rāvaṇasya hayānrāmo hayānrāmasya rāvaṇaḥ

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | rāvaṇasa hayān: (struck) Ravana's horses | rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | rāmasya hayān: (struck) Rama's horses | tau: both the warriors | tadā: then | jaghnatuḥ: struck at | anyonyam: each other | kṛtānukṛta kāriṇau: doing anything before and after. |

TRANSLATION

Rama struck Ravana's horses. Ravana struck Rama's horses. Both the warriors then struck at each other, doing anything before and after.

VERSE 28

एवं तु तौ सुसंक्रुद्धौ चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम्

evaṃ tu tau susaṃkruddhau cakraturyuddhamuttamam

SYNONYMS

susamkruddhau tau: those two extremely enraged warriors | evam: in this way | cakratuḥ: carried out | uttamam: an excellent | yuddham: battle | tumulam: a tumultuous | abhavat: occured | muhūrtam: for an hour or so | romaharṣaṇam: causing the hair to stand erect. |

TRANSLATION

Those two extremely enraged warriors in this way, carried out are excellent combat. A tumultuous battle ensued for an hour or so, causing the hair to stand erect.

VERSE 29

प्रयुध्यमानौ समरे महाबलौ
शितैः शरै रावणलक्ष्मणाग्रजौ
ध्वजावपातेन स राक्षसाधिपो
भृशं प्रचुक्रोध तदा रघूत्तमे

prayudhyamānau samare mahābalau
śitaiḥ śarai rāvaṇalakṣmaṇāgrajau
dhvajāvapātena sa rākṣasādhipo
bhṛśaṃ pracukrodha tadā raghūttame

SYNONYMS

mahā balau: the mighty | rāvaṇa lakṣma ṇāgrajau: Ravana and Rama | prayudhyamānau: carried out the fight well | śitaiḥ: with sharp | śaraiḥ: arrows | samare: in the battle-field | saḥ rākṣasādhipaḥ: that Ravana | tadā: at that time | bhṛśam pracukrodha: was very much enraged | raghūttame: with Rama | dhvajā vapātena: as his flag-staff was thrown down. |

TRANSLATION

The mighty Ravana and Rama carried out the fight well with sharp arrows in the battle-field. That Ravana at that time was very much enraged with Rama, as his flag-staff was thrown down.

VERSE 30

तौ तथा युध्यमानौ तु समरे रामरावणौ
ददृशुः सर्वभूतान्नि विस्मितेनान्तरात्मना

tau tathā yudhyamānau tu samare rāmarāvaṇau
dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtānni vismitenāntarātmanā

SYNONYMS

sarva bhūtāni: all the created beings | dadṛśuḥ: gazed | vismitena antarātmanā: with an astonished mind | rāma rāvaṇau: on Rama and Ravana | tathā: who were thus | yudhyamānau: fighting | samare: in the battle-field. |

TRANSLATION

All the created beings for their part gazed with an astonished mind on Rama and Ravana, who thus were fighting at each other in the battle-field.

VERSE 31

अर्दयन्तौ तु समरे तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ
परस्परमभिक्रुद्धौ परस्परमभिद्रुतौ

ardayantau tu samare tayostau syandanottamau
parasparamabhikruddhau parasparamabhidrutau

SYNONYMS

abhikruddhau: furiously | ardayantau: attacking | parasparam: each other. | tayoḥ syandanottamau: those excellent chariots of the two warriors | abhidrutau: ran towards |

TRANSLATION

Furiously attacking each other in the battle-field, those excellent chariots of the two warriors ran towards each other.

VERSE 32

परस्परवधे युक्तौ घोररूपौ बभूवतुः
मण्डलानि च वीथीश्च गतप्रत्यागतानि च

parasparavadhe yuktau ghorarūpau babhūvatuḥ
maṇḍalāni ca vīthīśca gatapratyāgatāni ca

SYNONYMS

yuktau: intent on | paraspara vadhe: destroying each other | darśayantau: displaying | bahuvidhām gatim: various types of movements | maṅḍalāni: (such as) moving in circles | vīthīśca: moving straight | gata pratyāgatāni: and darting forward as also receding forthwith | sūtasāmarthyajām: created from the capabilities of the charioteers | ghorarūpā: a terrible aspect. |

TRANSLATION

Intent on destroying each other, those chariots, displaying various types of movements such as, moving in circles, moving straight and darting forward as also receding forthwith, originated from the capabilities of those charioteers, assumed a terrible aspect.

VERSE 33

अर्दयन् रावणं रामो राघवं चापि रावणः

ardayan rāvaṇaṃ rāmo rāghavaṃ cāpi rāvaṇaḥ

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | ardayan: wounding | rāvaṇam: Ravana | rāvaṇaḥ cāpi: and Ravana too | rāghavam: (wounding) Rama | samāpannau: had recourse to | gativegam: speed in movement | prativega pravartane: in their forward and backward motion. |

TRANSLATION

Rama wounding Ravana and Ravana too wounding Rama, both of them had recourse to speed in movement in their forward and backward motions.

VERSE 34

क्षिपतोः शरजालानि तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ

kṣipatoḥ śarajālāni tayostau syandanottamau

SYNONYMS

syandanottamaiḥ: those excellent chariot | kṣipatoḥ: casting | śarajālāmi: streams of arrows | ceratuḥ: strolled | samyugamahīm: in the battle-field | jalān iva: like two clouds | sāsārau: pouring showers. |

TRANSLATION

Those excellent chariots, casting streams of arrows, strolled in the battle-field, like two clouds pouring showers.

VERSE 35

दर्शयित्वा तदा तौ तु गतिं बहुविधां रणे

darśayitvā tadā tau tu gatiṃ bahuvidhāṃ raṇe

SYNONYMS

darśayitvā: showing | bahuvidhām: various kinds | gatim: of movement | raṇe: in the battle-field | tau: those chariots | tadā: then | punareva: again | tasthatuḥ: stood | abhimukhau: facing | parasparasya: each other. |

TRANSLATION

Showing various kinds of movement in the battle-field, those chariots then again stood facing each other.

VERSE 36

धुरं धुरेण रथयोर्वक्त्रं वक्त्रेण वाजिनाम्

dhuraṃ dhureṇa rathayorvaktraṃ vaktreṇa vājinām

SYNONYMS

dhuram: the shafts | rathayoḥ: of the two chariots | sthitayoḥ: even as they stood | tadā: at that moment | samīyuḥ: met | dhureṇa: (one) with the other shaft | vaktram: the muzzle | vaktreṇa vājinām: of the horses (met) the one with the other | patākāḥ: and the flags | patākābhiḥ ca: met the one with the other flags. |

TRANSLATION

The shaft of the two chariots even as they stood at that moment, met one with the other shaft the muzzle of the horses met the one with the other and the flags met the one with the other flags.

VERSE 37

रावणस्य ततो रामो धनुर्मुकैः शितैः शरैः

rāvaṇasya tato rāmo dhanurmukaiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | rāmaḥ: Rama | caturbhiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ: with his four sharp arrows | dhanurmuktaiḥ: discharged from his bow | pratya pasarpayat: drove back | caturaḥ: the four | dīptān: splendid | hayān: horses | rāvaṇasya: of Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

Then Rama, with his four sharp arrows discharged from his bow, drove back the four splendid horses of Ravana.

VERSE 38

स क्रोधवशमापन्नो हयानामपसर्पणे

sa krodhavaśamāpanno hayānāmapasarpaṇe

SYNONYMS

saḥ daśānanaḥ: that Ravana | āpannaḥ krodha vaśam: falling a prey to anger | apasarpaṇe: for retreating | hayānām: his horses | mumoca: discharged | niśitān śarān: sharp arrows | rāghavāya: on Rama. |

TRANSLATION

That Ravana, falling a prey to anger for retreating his horses, discharged sharp arrows on Rama.

VERSE 39

सो।अतिविद्धो बलवता दशग्रीवेण राघवः

so|atividdho balavatā daśagrīveṇa rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

rāghavaḥ: Rama | atividdhaḥ: severely struck | balavatā daśagrīveṇa: by the mighty Ravana | na jagāma: did not get | vikāram: upset | na abhavat: nor was vyathitaH cha api = even tottered. |

TRANSLATION

Rama, who was severely struck by the mighty Ravana, did not get upset nor was even tottered.

VERSE 40

चिक्षेप च पुनर्बाणान् वज्रपातसमस्वनान्

cikṣepa ca punarbāṇān vajrapātasamasvanān

SYNONYMS

uddiśya: directing towards | sārathim: the charioteer | vajrahastasya: of Indra | daśagrīvaḥ: Ravana | punaḥ: again | cikṣepa: hurled | bāṇān: arrows | vajrapāta sama svanān: with a sound similar to that of a thunder-bolt. |

TRANSLATION

Directing towards Matali, Indra's charioteer, Ravana hurled arrows with a sound similar to that of a thunder-bolt.

VERSE 41

मातलेस्तु महावेगाः सरीरे पतिताः शराः

mātalestu mahāvegāḥ sarīre patitāḥ śarāḥ

SYNONYMS

śarāḥ: arrows | mahāvegāḥ: of great speed | patitāḥ: fallen | mātaleḥ śarīre: on Matali's body | na pradaduḥ: did not cause | susūkṣmam api: even a pretty little | sammoham: of bewilderment | vyathām vā: or hurt (on him) | yudhi: in the battle. |

TRANSLATION

Arrows of great speed, fallen on Matali's body, did not cause even a pretty little of bewilderment or hurt on him in that battle.

VERSE 42

तया धर्षणया क्रुद्धो मातलेर्न तथात्मनः

tayā dharṣaṇayā kruddho mātalerna tathātmanaḥ

SYNONYMS

rāghavaḥ: Rama | kruddhaḥ: was enraged | tayā dharṣaṇayā: at that daring | mātaleḥ: on Matali | na: not | tathā: in the same way | ātmanaḥ: (at an attack) on himself | cakāre: (He) made | ripum: the enemy | vimukham: turn away | śarajālena: by his net work of arrows (on him). |

TRANSLATION

Enraged at that daring attack on Matali, Rama who for his part did not feel provoked by the attack on himself, made his enemy turn away by hurling a net work of arrows on him.

VERSE 43

विंशतिं त्रिंशतिं षष्टिं शतशो।अथ सहस्रशः

viṃśatiṃ triṃśatiṃ ṣaṣṭiṃ śataśo|atha sahasraśaḥ

SYNONYMS

vīraḥ: the valiant | rāghavaḥ: Rama | mumoca: discharged | viśatim: twenty | trimśatim: thirty | ṣaṣṭim: sixty | atha: and | śataśaḥ: hundreds | sahasraśaḥ: and thousands | sāyakān: of arrows | ripoḥ syandane: on the enemy's chariot. |

TRANSLATION

The valiant Rama discharged twenty, thirty, sixty and hundreds and thousands of arrows on the enemy's chariot.

VERSE 44

रावणो।अपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः

rāvaṇo|api tataḥ kruddho rathastho rākṣaseśvaraḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereupon | rāvaṇaḥ'pi: even Ravana | kruddhaḥ rākṣaseśvaraḥ: the enraged king of demons | rathasthaḥ: who was seated in the chariot | pratyardayat: tormented | rāmam: Rama | gadāmusala varṣeṇa: by showering maces and mallets (on him) | raṇe: in the battle. |

TRANSLATION

Thereupon, even Ravana, the enraged king of demons, who was seated in the chariot, tormented Rama, by showering maces and mallets on him in the battle.

VERSE 45

तत्प्रयुक्तं पुनर्युद्धं तु मुलं रोमहर्षणम्

tatprayuktaṃ punaryuddhaṃ tu mulaṃ romaharṣaṇam

SYNONYMS

-46| yuddham: the battle | punaḥ: again | tatprayuktam: started by them | tumulam: was tumultuous | roma harṣaṇam: causing one's hair to stand erect | niḥ svanaiḥ: with the sounds | gadānām: of maces | musalānāmca: mallets | pariśāṇām ca: and iron rods | puṇkhavātaiśca śarāṇām: and with the gusts raised | sapta sāgarāḥ: the seven ocean | kṣubhitāḥ: became agitated. |

TRANSLATION

The battle thus started again by then, was tumultuous, causing one's hair to stand erect. With the sounds of maces, mallets and iron rods and with the gusts raised by the plumes adorning the flying arrows, the seven agitated oceans felt disquieted.

VERSE 47

क्षुब्धानां सागराणां च पातालतलवासिनः
व्यथिता दानवाः सर्वे पन्नगाश्च सहस्रशः

kṣubdhānāṃ sāgarāṇāṃ ca pātālatalavāsinaḥ
vyathitā dānavāḥ sarve pannagāśca sahasraśaḥ

SYNONYMS

sahasraśaḥ: thousands of | sarve: all | dānavāḥ: the demons | pannagāśca: and serpents | pātāla vāsinaḥ: inhabiting in the nethermost subterranean region | kṣubdhānām sāgarāṇām: of the agitated oceans | vyathitāḥ: felt disturbed. |

TRANSLATION

Thousands of all the demons and serpents, inhabiting in the nethermost subterranean region of the agitated oceans, felt disturbed.

VERSE 48

चकम्पे मेदिनी कृत्स्ना सशैलवनकानना
भास्करो निष्प्रभश्चासीन्न ववौ चापि मारुतः

cakampe medinī kṛtsnā saśailavanakānanā
bhāskaro niṣprabhaścāsīnna vavau cāpi mārutaḥ

SYNONYMS

kṛsnā: the entire | medinī: earth | sa śailavanakānanā: including mountains | cakampe: trembled | bhāskaraśca: the sun too | āsīt: became | niṣprabha: gloomy | mārutaścāpi: even the wind too | na vavau: did not blow. |

TRANSLATION

The entire earth, including mountains, groves and forests trembled. The sun too became gloomy even the wind did not blow.

VERSE 49

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः
चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे सकिंनरमहोरगाः

tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ
cintāmāpedire sarve sakiṃnaramahoragāḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | devāḥ: the gods | sagandharvāḥ: along with Gandharvas the celestial musicians | siddhāsca: Siddhas the semi-divine beings | paramarṣayaḥ: great sages | sarve: and all | sakimnaramahoragāḥ: including kinnaras the mythical beings and great serpents aapedire = obtained | cintām: anxiety. |

TRANSLATION

Then, the gods along with Gandharvas the celestial musicians, Siddhas the semi-divine beings, great sages and all including Kinnaras the mythical beings and great serpents became disquieted.

VERSE 50

स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणेभ्यो।अस्तु लोकास्तिष्ठन्तु शाश्वताः
जयतां राघवः संख्ये रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम्

svasti gobrāhmaṇebhyo|astu lokāstiṣṭhantu śāśvatāḥ
jayatāṃ rāghavaḥ saṃkhye rāvaṇaṃ rākṣaseśvaram

SYNONYMS

-51| tadā: at that time | te devāḥ: those gods | sarṣigaṇāḥ: along with troops of sages | japantaḥ: saying | evam: thus | svasti astu: "May all be well | gobrāhmaṇebhyaḥ: with the cows and Brahmanas | lokāḥ: May all the worlds | tiṣṭhantu: endure | śāśvatāḥ: forever | rāghavaḥ: May Rama | jayatām: conquer | rāvaṇam: Ravana!" apashyan = saw | ghoram: a terrific | yuddham: battle | rāmarāvaṇayoḥ: between Rama and Ravana | romaharṣaṇam: which caused one's hair to stand on end. |

TRANSLATION

At that time, those gods along with troops of sages, saying "May all be well with the cows and Brahmanas, May all the worlds endure forever, May Rama conquer Ravana!", saw a terrific battle between Rama and Ravana, which caused one's hair to stand on end.

VERSE 52

गन्धर्वाप्सरसां संघा दृष्ट्वा युद्धमनूपमम्
गगनं गगनाकारं सागरः सागरोपमः

gandharvāpsarasāṃ saṃghā dṛṣṭvā yuddhamanūpamam
gaganaṃ gaganākāraṃ sāgaraḥ sāgaropamaḥ

SYNONYMS

-53| dṛṣṭvā: seeing | anūpamam: that matchless | yuddham: struggle | gaganākāram: (and observing) that the sky is its own compeer | sāgaraḥ: and the ocena | sāgaropamaḥ: is its own analogue | rāma rāvaṇayoḥ yuddham: the battle between Rama and Ravana | rāma rāvaṇayoḥ iva: can be likened only to the battle between Rama and Ravana | gandharva apsarasām: the hosts of Gandharvas the celestial musicians and Apsaras | dadṛśuḥ: looked on | tat yuddham: that battle | rāma rāvaṇām: between Rama and Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing that matchless struggle and observing that the sky is its own compeer and the ocean is its own analogue, the battle between Rama and Ravana can be likened only to the battle between Rama and Ravana, the hosts of Gandharvas the celestial musicians and Apsaras, the heavenly lymphs, looked on that battle between Rama and Ravana.

VERSE 54

ततः क्रोधान्महाबाहू रघूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः
संधाय धनुषा रामः शरमाशीविषोपमम्

tataḥ krodhānmahābāhū raghūṇāṃ kīrtivardhanaḥ
saṃdhāya dhanuṣā rāmaḥ śaramāśīviṣopamam

SYNONYMS

-55| tataḥ: thereupon | rāmaḥ: Rama | mahābāhuḥ: the great-armed | kīrtivardhanaḥ: and who augmented the fame | rāghūṇām: of the kings born in Raghu dynasty | krodhāt: with anger | samdhāya: stretching | āśīviṣopamam: the serpent-like | śaram: arrow | dhanuṣā: with his bow | acchindat: chopped off | rāvaṇasya: shiraH = the head of Ravana | jvalita kuṅḍalam: which was graced with blazing ear-rings | tadā: then | tat: that | śrīmat: glorious | śiraḥ: head | dṛṣṭam: was seen | patitam: fallen | bhūmau: on the ground | tribhiḥ lokaiḥ: by the three worlds. |

TRANSLATION

Thereupon, the great-armed Rama who augmented the fame of the kings born in Raghu dynasty, stretching with anger, the serpent-like arrow with his bow, chopped off the glorious head of Ravana, which was graced with blazing ear-rings. Then, all the three worlds saw that head, fallen on the ground.

VERSE 56

तस्यैव सदृशं चान्यद्रावणस्योत्थितं शिरः
तत् क्षिप्तं क्षिप्रहस्तेन रामेण क्षिप्रकारिणा

tasyaiva sadṛśaṃ cānyadrāvaṇasyotthitaṃ śiraḥ
tat kṣiptaṃ kṣiprahastena rāmeṇa kṣiprakāriṇā

SYNONYMS

anyat: another | śiraḥ: head | sadṛśam: similar | tasyaiva: exactl to that head | utthitam: cropped up | rāvaṇasya: (on the shoulders) of Ravana | tat: that (second head) | kṣiptam: was chopped off | rāmeṇa: by Rama kShiprahatena = having swift hand | kṣiprakāriṇā: and who performs his act swiftly. |

TRANSLATION

Another head, exactly similar to that head, cropped up on the shoulders of Ravana. That second head was again chopped off by Rama, possessing a swift hand and who was swift in his act.

VERSE 57

द्वितीयं रावणशिरश्चिन्नं संयति सायकैः
चिन्नमात्रं च तच्छीर्षं पुनरेव प्रद्श्यते

dvitīyaṃ rāvaṇaśiraścinnaṃ saṃyati sāyakaiḥ
cinnamātraṃ ca tacchīrṣaṃ punareva pradśyate

SYNONYMS

dvitīyam: that second | rāvaṇaḥ śiraḥ: head of Ravana | chinnam: was cut off | sāyakaiḥ: by arrows | samyati: in the battle | tat śīrṣam chinnamātram: soon after that head was chopped off | punareva: (it) again | dṛśyate: rose into view. |

TRANSLATION

The second head of Ravana was cut off by arrows in that battle. Soon after that head was chopped off, it again rose into view.

VERSE 58

तदप्यशनिसंकाशैश्छिन्नं रामस्य सायकैः
एवमेव शतं चिन्नं शिरसां तुल्यवर्चसाम्

tadapyaśanisaṃkāśaiśchinnaṃ rāmasya sāyakaiḥ
evameva śataṃ cinnaṃ śirasāṃ tulyavarcasām

SYNONYMS

tadapi: that head too | chinnam: were chopped off. | rāma sāyakaiḥ: by Rama's arrows | aśanisamkāśaiḥ: which were looking like thunder-bolt | evemeva: in the same way | śatam: a hundred | śirasām: of heads | tulyavarcasām: of equal splendour |

TRANSLATION

Rama chopped off that head too with his arrows looking like thunderbolts. In the same manner, a hundred of Ravana's heads of equal splendour were chopped off by Rama.

VERSE 59

न चैव रावणस्यान्तो दृश्यते जीवितक्षये
ततः सर्वास्त्रविद्वीरः करुसल्यानन्दवर्धनः

na caiva rāvaṇasyānto dṛśyate jīvitakṣaye
tataḥ sarvāstravidvīraḥ karusalyānandavardhanaḥ

SYNONYMS

na antaḥ caiva: yet no certainty | jīvita kṣaye: about the death raavaNasya = of Ravana | dṛśgate: could be seen | tataḥ: then | vīraḥ: the valiant | rāmaḥ: Rama | kausalyānandavardhanaḥ: the augmentor of the joy of Kausalya yuktaH = and endowed with | bahubhiḥ bāṇaiḥ: many arrows | sarva astravit: and the knower of all missiles | cintayāmāsa: became thoughtful (said to himself as follows:) |

TRANSLATION

Yet, no certainty about Ravana's death could be seen. Thought equipped with many arrows and well-versed with all kinds of missiles, the valiant Rama, the augmentor of Kausalya's joy, then became thoughtful (said to himself as follows):

VERSE 60

मारीचो निहतो यैस्तु खरो यैस्तु सदूषणः
क्रौञ्चावने विराधस्तु कबन्दो दण्डके वने
यैः साला गिरयो भग्ना वाली च क्षुभितो।अम्बुधिः

mārīco nihato yaistu kharo yaistu sadūṣaṇaḥ
krauñcāvane virādhastu kabando daṇḍake vane
yaiḥ sālā girayo bhagnā vālī ca kṣubhito|ambudhiḥ

SYNONYMS

-61| kim: what | tat kāraṇam: is that reason te ime saayakaaH = these arrows | yaiḥ: by which | nihataḥ: was killed | kharaḥ: Khara | sadūṣaṇaḥ: along with Dushana | kabandhaḥ: kabandha | krouncavane: in Krouncha forest | virādhuḥ tu: Viradha | daṅḍakāvane: in the forest of Dandaka (were killed) | sālāḥ: Sala trees | girayaḥ: and mountains | bhagnāḥ: were broken | vālīca: Vali too was killed | ambudhiḥ: the ocean | kṣubhitaḥ: was skaken up | sarve: all these arrows | prātyayikāḥ: which provided immediate help | mama: to me | yuddhe: in battle | manda tejasaḥ: have proved of little efficacy | rāvane: in the case of Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

"What is the reason, these arrows by which Mareecha, Khara, Dushana, Kabandha in Kroucha-forest, and Viradha in Dandaka-forest were killed, by which seven Sala trees and the mountains were burst, by which Vali was killed and the ocean shaken up all these arrows which provided immediate succour to me in battle, have proved of little efficacy in the case of Ravana."

VERSE 62

इति चिन्तापरश्चासी दप्रमत्तश्च संयुगे
ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि राघवो रावणोरसि

iti cintāparaścāsī dapramattaśca saṃyuge
vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi rāghavo rāvaṇorasi

SYNONYMS

iti: thus | cintāparaḥ: absorbed in thought | rāghavaḥ: Rama | āsīt: remained | apramattaśca: vigilant | samyuge: in the battle-filed | vavarṣa: (He) showered | śaravarṣāṇi: streams of arrows | rāvaṇorasi: in Ravana's chest. |

TRANSLATION

Thus absorbed in thought, Rama remained vigilant in the battle-field. He showered streams of arrows in Ravana's chest.

VERSE 63

रावणो।अपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः
गदामुसलवर्षेण रामं प्रत्यर्दयद्रणे

rāvaṇo|api tataḥ kruddho rathastho rākṣaseśvaraḥ
gadāmusalavarṣeṇa rāmaṃ pratyardayadraṇe

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereupon | rāvaṇaḥ'pi: even Ravana | kruddhaḥ rākṣaseśvaraḥ: the enraged king of demons | rathasthaḥ: who was seated in the chariot | pratyardayat: tormented | rāmam: Rama | gadā musale varṣeṇa: by showeing maces and mallets (on him) | raṇe: in the combat. |

TRANSLATION

Thereupon, even Ravana, the enraged king of demons, who was seated in his chariot, tormented Rama by showering maces and mallets on him in the combat.

VERSE 64

तत्प्रवृत्तं महद्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्
अन्तरिक्षे च भूमौ च पुनश्च गिरिमूर्धनि

tatpravṛttaṃ mahadyuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam
antarikṣe ca bhūmau ca punaśca girimūrdhani

SYNONYMS

tat: that | mahat: great | tumulam: tumultuous | yuddham: battle | romaharṣaṇam: which caused one's hair to stand on end | pravṛttam: took place | antarikṣe ca: in the sky | bhūmau ca: on the ground | punaśca: and furthermore | girimūrdhani: on the mountain. |

TRANSLATION

That great tumultuous battle, which caused one's hair to stand on end, took place in the sky, on the ground and furthermore on the mountain.

VERSE 65

देवदानवयक्षाणां पिशाचोरगरक्षसाम्
पश्यतां तन्महायुद्धं सप्तरात्रमवर्तत

devadānavayakṣāṇāṃ piśācoragarakṣasām
paśyatāṃ tanmahāyuddhaṃ saptarātramavartata

SYNONYMS

devadānava yakṣāṇām: (while) the gods | ẏakśas the supernatural beings piśācoragarakṣasām: the devils | paśyatām: were witnessing | tat: that | mahāyuddham: great battle | avartata: occurred | saptarātram: for seven days. |

TRANSLATION

While the gods, the demons, Yakshas the super-natural beings, the devils, the serpents and the ogres were witnessing, that great battle occurred for seven days.

VERSE 66

नैव रात्रिं न दिवसं न मुहूर्तं न च क्षणम्
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं विराममुपगच्छति

naiva rātriṃ na divasaṃ na muhūrtaṃ na ca kṣaṇam
rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ virāmamupagacchati

SYNONYMS

na virāmam: there was no respite | rātrim upagacchati: occurred in the night | na: nor | divasam: in the day | muhūrtam: for an hour | na kṣaṇan: nor for an instant | yuddhan: in the battle | rāma rāvaṇayoḥ: between Rama and Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

There was no respite in battle between Rama and Ravana, either in the might or in the day-time or for an hour or even for a instant.

VERSE 67

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे सप्तोत्तरशततमः सर्गः

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe saptottaraśatatamaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

anavekṣya: not beholding | daśarathasuta rākṣasendrayoḥ: between Rama and Ravana | saḥ: that | mahātmā: great souled | suravarasārathiḥ: Matali the charioteer of Indra | āśu: quickly | uvāca: spoke | vākyam: the following words | raṇaratarāmam: to Rama |

TRANSLATION

Not beholding the victory of Rama in the combat between Rama and Ravana that great-souled Matali, the charioteer of Indra quickly spoke the following words to Rama, who was still engaged in fighting.