Chapter 108
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
अथ सस्मारयामास मातली राघवं तदा
अजानन्निव किं वीर त्वमेनमनुवर्तसे
atha sasmārayāmāsa mātalī rāghavaṃ tadā
ajānanniva kiṃ vīra tvamenamanuvartase
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereupon, Matali refreshed the memory of Rama as follows: "O the valiant one! Why are you still carrying out the battle with Ravana as though you are unaware (of how to dispose of him)?
विसृजास्मै वधाय त्वमस्त्रं पैतामहं प्रभो
विनाशकालः कथितो यः सुरैः सो।अद्य वर्तते
visṛjāsmai vadhāya tvamastraṃ paitāmahaṃ prabho
vināśakālaḥ kathito yaḥ suraiḥ so|adya vartate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O lord! You can employ a mystic missile presided over by Brahma the lord of creation. The time for his destruction has come now, as expressed by the celestials."
ततः संस्मारितो रामस्तेन वाक्येन मातलेः
जग्राह स शरं दीप्तं निःश्वसन्तमिवोरगम्
tataḥ saṃsmārito rāmastena vākyena mātaleḥ
jagrāha sa śaraṃ dīptaṃ niḥśvasantamivoragam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, the valiant Rama, who was reminded thus by Matali, took hold of a blazing arrow, which was given by Brahma and which in turn was given to him by the glorious sage, Agastya earlier in the battle-field and which looked like a hissing serpent.
ब्रह्मणा निर्मितं पूर्वमिन्द्रार्थममितौजसा
दत्तं सुरपतेः पूर्वं त्रिलोकजयकाङ्क्षिणः
brahmaṇā nirmitaṃ pūrvamindrārthamamitaujasā
dattaṃ surapateḥ pūrvaṃ trilokajayakāṅkṣiṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having been made formerly for Indra, the lord of celestials by Brahma, the lord of creation of infinite strength, it was bestowed in the past on the ruler of gods, who was desirous of conquering the three worlds.
यस्य वाजेषु पवनः फले पावकबास्करौ
शरीरमाकाशमयं गौरवे मेरुमन्दरौ
yasya vājeṣu pavanaḥ phale pāvakabāskarau
śarīramākāśamayaṃ gaurave merumandarau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
In its feathers, wind was established. In its end-point were the fire and the sun. In its heaviness were Mounts Meru and Mandara. Its shaft was made of ether.
जाज्वल्यमानं वपुषा सुपुङ्खं हेमभूषितम्
तेजसा सर्वभूतानां कृतं भास्करवर्चसम्
jājvalyamānaṃ vapuṣā supuṅkhaṃ hemabhūṣitam
tejasā sarvabhūtānāṃ kṛtaṃ bhāskaravarcasam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Provided with good shaft decked with gold, the arrow which had its body shining, had been made up of the efficacy of all the elements and an illuminating power of the sun.
सधूममिव कालाग्निं दीप्तमाशीविषोपमम्
नरनागाश्ववृन्दानां भेदनं क्षिप्रकारिणम्
sadhūmamiva kālāgniṃ dīptamāśīviṣopamam
naranāgāśvavṛndānāṃ bhedanaṃ kṣiprakāriṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Blazing like a fire at the time of universal dissolution enveloped in smoke and looking like a venomous snake, it was swift in action and capable of bursting hosts of men, elephants and horses.
द्वाराणां परिघाणां च गिरीणां चापि भेदनम्
नानारुधिरदिग्धाङ्गं मेदोदिग्धं सुदारुणम्
dvārāṇāṃ parighāṇāṃ ca girīṇāṃ cāpi bhedanam
nānārudhiradigdhāṅgaṃ medodigdhaṃ sudāruṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
It broke gate-ways, iron bars, and even mountains. Smeared witht he blood of various victims and quoted with their marrow, it presented a very terrific appearance.
वज्रसारं महानादं नानासमितिदारणम्
सर्ववित्रासनं भीमं श्वसन्तमिव पन्नगम्
vajrasāraṃ mahānādaṃ nānāsamitidāraṇam
sarvavitrāsanaṃ bhīmaṃ śvasantamiva pannagam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That arrow had an efficacy of a thunder bolt, loud-sounding, tearing off armies of adversaries in many battles and creating fear to all, like a hissing serpent.
कङ्कगृध्रबकानां च गोमायुगणरक्षसाम्
नित्यं भक्षप्रदं युद्धे यमरूपं भयावहम्
kaṅkagṛdhrabakānāṃ ca gomāyugaṇarakṣasām
nityaṃ bhakṣapradaṃ yuddhe yamarūpaṃ bhayāvaham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
It was giving perennial feed to vultures, eagles, cranes, troops of jackals and demons in the battle-field, possessing a form of Yama the lord of Death and was fearful.
नन्दनं वानरेन्द्राणां रक्षसामवसादनम्
वाजितं विविधर्वाजैश्चारुचित्रैर्गरुत्मतः
nandanaṃ vānarendrāṇāṃ rakṣasāmavasādanam
vājitaṃ vividharvājaiścārucitrairgarutmataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That arrow bestowed joy on the monkey-leaders and destroyed the demons. It was made speedy, by tying various kinds of beautiful coloured feathers of Garuda, the king of eagles, to it.
तमुत्तमेषुम् लोकानामिक्ष्वाकुभयनाशनम्
द्विषतां कीर्तिहरणम् प्रहर्षकरमात्मनः
tamuttameṣum lokānāmikṣvākubhayanāśanam
dviṣatāṃ kīrtiharaṇam praharṣakaramātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Making it sacred by a special formula as per the procedure specified in scriptures, Rama who was endowed with an extraordinary strength then fixed that arrow which was the foremost among the three worlds, capable of removing the fear of Ikshwaku dynasty, taking away the glory of the enemies and bestowing joy to one's own self on his bow.
तस्मिन् संधीयमाने तु राघवेण शरोत्तमे
सर्वभूतानि संत्रेसुश्चचाल च वसुंधरा
tasmin saṃdhīyamāne tu rāghaveṇa śarottame
sarvabhūtāni saṃtresuścacāla ca vasuṃdharā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While that excellent arrow was being fixed by Rama, all the beings were frightened and the earth trembled.
स रावणाय संक्रुद्धो भृशमायम्य कार्मुकम्
चिक्षेप परमायत्तः शरं मर्मविदारणम्
sa rāvaṇāya saṃkruddho bhṛśamāyamya kārmukam
cikṣepa paramāyattaḥ śaraṃ marmavidāraṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That enraged Rama, stretching his bow well and with an attentive mind, hurled that arrow which can tear off the vitals, towards Ravana.
स वज्र इव दुर्धर्षो वज्रिबाहुविसर्जितः
कृतान्त इव चावार्यो न्यपतद्रावणोरसि
sa vajra iva durdharṣo vajribāhuvisarjitaḥ
kṛtānta iva cāvāryo nyapatadrāvaṇorasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That arrow, which was inviolable as a thunderbolt hurled by the arms of Indra and irresistible as Yama the lord of Death, fell upon Ravana's chest.
स विसृष्तो महावेगह् शरीरान्तकरः शरः
च्छेद हृदयं तस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः
sa visṛṣto mahāvegah śarīrāntakaraḥ śaraḥ
ccheda hṛdayaṃ tasya rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That arrow, released with great speed and which was capable of destroying the body, tore off the heart of that evil-minded Ravana.
रुधिराक्तह् स वेगेन शरीरान्तकरः शरः
रावणस्य हरन् प्राणान् विवेश धरणीतलम्
rudhirāktah sa vegena śarīrāntakaraḥ śaraḥ
rāvaṇasya haran prāṇān viveśa dharaṇītalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That arrow, which was capable of causing death to the body, after taking away the life of Ravana and having been anointed with blood, penetrated the earth.
स शरो रावणं हत्वा रुधिरार्रीकृतच्छविः
कृतकर्मा निभृतवत्स्वतूणीं पुनराविशत्
sa śaro rāvaṇaṃ hatvā rudhirārrīkṛtacchaviḥ
kṛtakarmā nibhṛtavatsvatūṇīṃ punarāviśat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Smeared with blood on having killed Ravana and thereby accomplishing its mission, that arrow re-entered its own quiver (of Rama) silently.
तस्य हस्तद्धतस्याशु कार्मुकं च ससायकम्
विपपात सह प्राणैर्भ्रुश्यमानस्य जीवितात्
tasya hastaddhatasyāśu kārmukaṃ ca sasāyakam
vipapāta saha prāṇairbhruśyamānasya jīvitāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
From the hands of the slain Ravana, who was being separated from his life, fell his bow with its arrows (fitted to it), at the same time coinciding indeed with his life-breath.
गतासुर्भीमवेगस्तु नैरृतेन्द्रो महाद्युतिः
पपात स्यन्दनाद्भूमौ वृत्रो वज्रहतो यथा
gatāsurbhīmavegastu nairṛtendro mahādyutiḥ
papāta syandanādbhūmau vṛtro vajrahato yathā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having lost his life, that king of demons for his part, who was endowed with terrible swiftness and invested with great splendour, fell down from the chariot to the ground , like Vritra the demon when the latter was struck down by the thunderbolt.
तं दृष्ट्वा पतितं भूमौ हतशेषा निशाचराः
हतनाथा भयत्रस्ताः सर्वतः संप्रदुद्रुवुः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā patitaṃ bhūmau hataśeṣā niśācarāḥ
hatanāthā bhayatrastāḥ sarvataḥ saṃpradudruvuḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing Ravana fallen down on earth, the surviving demons whose king had been killed, were panic stricken and ran away to all sides.
सर्वतश्चाभिपेतुस्तान् वानरा द्रुमयोधिनः
दशग्रीववधं दृष्ट्वा वानरा जितकाशिनः
sarvataścābhipetustān vānarā drumayodhinaḥ
daśagrīvavadhaṃ dṛṣṭvā vānarā jitakāśinaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The monkeys, who fought with trees, fell upon the demons from all sides. Seeing the killing of Rvana, the monkeys assumed a triumphant appearance.
अत्दिता वानरैर्भ्रष्टा लङ्कामभ्यपतन् भयात्
हताश्रयत्वात्करुणैर्बाष्पप्रस्रवणैर्मुखैः
atditā vānarairbhraṣṭā laṅkāmabhyapatan bhayāt
hatāśrayatvātkaruṇairbāṣpaprasravaṇairmukhaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Tormented by the monkeys, the demons rushed back with panic towards Lanka, with faces looking miserable and tears flowing down, their supporter having been killed.
ततो विनेदुः संहृष्टा वानरा जितकाशिनः
वदन्तो राघवजयं रावणस्य च तद्वधम्
tato vineduḥ saṃhṛṣṭā vānarā jitakāśinaḥ
vadanto rāghavajayaṃ rāvaṇasya ca tadvadham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Roaring shouts of joy, quite rejoiced as they were, and proclaiming Rama's victory and the killing of Ravana in his hands, the monkeys behaved like conquerors.
अथान्तरिक्षे व्यनदत्सौम्य्स्त्रिदशदुन्दुभिः
दिव्यगन्धवहस्तत्र मारुतः सुसुखो ववौ
athāntarikṣe vyanadatsaumystridaśadundubhiḥ
divyagandhavahastatra mārutaḥ susukho vavau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then the cheerful kettle-drum of the gods reverberated in the sky. Very pleasant winds, carrying divine odour, blew there.
निपपातान्तरिक्षाच्च पुष्पवृष्टिस्तदा भुवि
किरन्ती रघवरथं दुरवापा मनोहरा
nipapātāntarikṣācca puṣpavṛṣṭistadā bhuvi
kirantī raghavarathaṃ duravāpā manoharā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Pouring over the chariot of Rama quite fascinating shower of flowers, which was difficult to be accomplished (elsewhere), fell from the heavens to the earth on that occasion.
राघवस्तवसंयुक्ता गगने च विशुश्रुवे
साधु साध्विति वागग्य्रा देवतानां महात्मनाम्
rāghavastavasaṃyuktā gagane ca viśuśruve
sādhu sādhviti vāgagyrā devatānāṃ mahātmanām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Excellent pronouncements of the great-souled gods saying "well done! Bravo!", combined with a panegyric in praise of Rama, was distinctly heard in the sky.
आविवेश महान् हर्षो देवानां चारणैः सह
रावने निहते रौद्रे सर्वलोकभयंकरे
āviveśa mahān harṣo devānāṃ cāraṇaiḥ saha
rāvane nihate raudre sarvalokabhayaṃkare
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
When Ravana, the cruel demon and the terror of all the worlds, was killed, a great rejoice filled the hearts of gods and charanas the celestial bards.
ततः सकामं सुग्रीवमङ्गदं च विभीषणम्
चकार राघवः प्रीतो हत्वा राक्षसपुंगवम्
tataḥ sakāmaṃ sugrīvamaṅgadaṃ ca vibhīṣaṇam
cakāra rāghavaḥ prīto hatvā rākṣasapuṃgavam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Having been pleased with the killing of Ravana, Rama then fulfilled the desire of Sugreeva, Angada and Vibhishana.
ततः प्रजग्मुः प्रशमं मरुद्गणा
दिशः प्रसेदुर्विमलं नभो।अभवत्
मही चकम्पे न च मारुतो ववौ
स्थिरप्रभश्चाप्यभवद्दिवाकरः
tataḥ prajagmuḥ praśamaṃ marudgaṇā
diśaḥ prasedurvimalaṃ nabho|abhavat
mahī cakampe na ca māruto vavau
sthiraprabhaścāpyabhavaddivākaraḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, troops of celestials got their mental peace. All the quarters were brightened up and the sky became clear. The earth did not tremble. The wind blew gently. The sun too shed a steady light.
ततस्तु सुग्रीवविभीषणाङ्गदाः
सुहृद्विशिष्टाः सहलक्ष्मणास्तदा
समेत्य हृष्टा विजयेन राघवं
रणे।अभिरामं विधिनाभ्यपूजयन्
tatastu sugrīvavibhīṣaṇāṅgadāḥ
suhṛdviśiṣṭāḥ sahalakṣmaṇāstadā
sametya hṛṣṭā vijayena rāghavaṃ
raṇe|abhirāmaṃ vidhinābhyapūjayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rejoiced with the victory in battle, Sugreeva, Vibhishana and Angada together with Lakshmana along with their friends paid their respects with due ceremony to Rama, who looked charming.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे अष्टोत्तरशरतमः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe aṣṭottaraśaratamaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That Rama, the delight of Dasaratha, for his part, who had just killed his enemy and thus who was steadfast in his vows and who was endowed with a great splendour, who stood surrounded on the battle-field by his own people and the army shone like Indra the lord of celestials.
