Chapter 126
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
बहूनि नाम वर्षाणि गतस्य सुमहद्वनम्
शृणोम्यहं प्रीतिकरं मम नाथस्य कीर्तनम्
bahūni nāma varṣāṇi gatasya sumahadvanam
śṛṇomyahaṃ prītikaraṃ mama nāthasya kīrtanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I am indeed hearing a delight mention of my lord, who proceeded to the vast forest so many years ago.
कल्याणी बत गाथेयं लौकिकी प्रतिभाति मे
एति जीवन्तमानन्दो नरं वर्षशतादपि
kalyāṇī bata gātheyaṃ laukikī pratibhāti me
eti jīvantamānando naraṃ varṣaśatādapi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This common saying sounds to me good, that bliss comes to a surviving man, even if it be after a hundred years!"
राघवस्य हरीणां च कथमासीत्समागमः
कस्मिन्देशे किमाश्रित्य तत्त्वमाख्याहि पृच्छतः
rāghavasya harīṇāṃ ca kathamāsītsamāgamaḥ
kasmindeśe kimāśritya tattvamākhyāhi pṛcchataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"How and on what ground, an alliance has been concluded between Rama and the monkeys and at what place? Tell the truth to me, enquiring as I am."
स पृष्टो राजपुत्रेण बृस्यां समुपवेशितः
आचचक्षे ततः सर्वं रामस्य चरितं वने
sa pṛṣṭo rājaputreṇa bṛsyāṃ samupaveśitaḥ
ācacakṣe tataḥ sarvaṃ rāmasya caritaṃ vane
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seated comfortably on a cushion and interrogated by Bharata, Hanuma thereupon began to narrate the entire exploits of Rama in the forest.
यथा प्रव्रजितो रामो मातुर्दत्ते वरे तव
यथा च पुत्रशोकेन राजा दशरथो मृतः
yathā pravrajito rāmo māturdatte vare tava
yathā ca putraśokena rājā daśaratho mṛtaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O Lord, the long-armed! How your mother was conferred with two boons by your father, how Rama was sent to exile, how Dasaratha the king died, with a shocking sorrow for his son's exile, how you were brought quickly from Rajagriha (the seat of government of Kekaya kings) by the envoys, how sovereignty was not coveted by you when you returned to Ayodhya, how on your going to mount Chitrakuta, your, elder brother the tormentator of enemies was invited by you who followed righteousness to take back the kingdom, how Rama who stood by his father's words, renounced the kingdom and stood by his father's words, renounced the kingdom and how your returned to Ayodhya, taking with you the wooden sandals all this is known accurately to you. Hear from me now, that which occurred after you had returned to Ayodhya."
अपयाते त्वयि तदा समुद्भ्रान्तमृगद्विजम्
प्रविवेशाथ विजनं सुमहद्दण्डकावनम्
apayāte tvayi tadā samudbhrāntamṛgadvijam
praviveśātha vijanaṃ sumahaddaṇḍakāvanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"When you had gone away, that forest (of Chitrakuta) then assumed a very miserable appearance, with the frightened animals and birds (on seeing strange people there)."
तद्धस्तिमृदितं घोरं सिंहवाग्रमृगाकुलम्
प्रविवेशाथ विजनं स महद्दण्डकावनम्
taddhastimṛditaṃ ghoraṃ siṃhavāgramṛgākulam
praviveśātha vijanaṃ sa mahaddaṇḍakāvanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Rama, thereupon, entered that large, terrific and solitary forest of Dandaka, which had been trampled by elephants and extensive with lions, tigers and deers."
तेषां पुरस्ताद्बलवान्गच्छतां गहने वने
विनदन्सुमहानादं विराधः प्रत्यदृश्यत
teṣāṃ purastādbalavāngacchatāṃ gahane vane
vinadansumahānādaṃ virādhaḥ pratyadṛśyata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"In front of them, even as they were going in that dense forest, there appeared Viradha, a demon, uttering forth a very loud roar.
तमुत्क्षिप्य महानादमूर्ध्वबाहुमधोमुखम्
निखाते प्रक्षिपन्ति स्म नदन्तमिव कुञ्जरम्
tamutkṣipya mahānādamūrdhvabāhumadhomukham
nikhāte prakṣipanti sma nadantamiva kuñjaram
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"They cast him, who rushed with uplifted arms towards them, into a pit, turning his head bent low, and who was emitting a loud cry, like an elephant."
तत्कृत्वा दुष्करं कर्म भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ
सायाह्ने शरभङ्गस्य रम्यमाश्रममीयतुः
tatkṛtvā duṣkaraṃ karma bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau
sāyāhne śarabhaṅgasya ramyamāśramamīyatuḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Carrying out that ardous task, Rama and Lakshmana, both the brothers, went to the beautiful hermitage of Sharbhanga, in that evening.
शरभङ्गे दिवं प्राप्ते रामः सत्यपराक्रमः
अभिवाद्य मुनीन्सर्वाञ्जनस्थानमुपागमत्
śarabhaṅge divaṃ prāpte rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
abhivādya munīnsarvāñjanasthānamupāgamat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Offering salutation to all the hermits when Sharabhanga ascended to heaven, Rama who truly mighty, reached the region of Janasthana."
पश्चाच्चूर्पणखा नाम रामपार्श्वमुपागता
ततो रामेण संदिष्टो लक्ष्मणः सहसोत्थितः
paścāccūrpaṇakhā nāma rāmapārśvamupāgatā
tato rāmeṇa saṃdiṣṭo lakṣmaṇaḥ sahasotthitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Thereafter, a female-demon called Surpanakha sought the presence of Rama. As ordered by Rama, the mighty Lakshmana thereupon rose quickly and seizing a sword, chopped off her ears and nose."
चतुर्दशसहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्
हतानि वसता तत्र राघवेण महात्मना
caturdaśasahasrāṇi rakṣasāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām
hatāni vasatā tatra rāghaveṇa mahātmanā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Fourteen thousand demons, inhabiting Janasthana-region, were killed by the great-souled Rama, while sojourning that region."
एकेन सह संगम्य रामेण रणमूर्धनि
अह्नश्चतुर्थभागेन निःशेषा राक्षसाः कृताः
ekena saha saṃgamya rāmeṇa raṇamūrdhani
ahnaścaturthabhāgena niḥśeṣā rākṣasāḥ kṛtāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The demons, who came together at the battle-front, were wholly finished by Rama alone, in a fraction of a quarter of a day."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The demons who were the mighty inhabitants of Dandaka-forest, who were causing obstacles to the austerity of the ascetics, were killed by Rama."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The demons were smashed in the battle. Khara (their leader) also was killed. After killing Dushana (his brother) first, Trishira (the other brother) was killed thereafter."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Tormented by the incident of destruction of demons, the foolish Surpanakha sought refuge with Ravana. Disguised in the form of a deer studded with precious stones, a terrific demon by name, Maricha, a follower of Ravana, allured Seetha."
सा राममब्रवीद्दृष्ट्वा वैदेही गृह्यतामिति
अयं मनोहरह् कान्त आश्रमो नो भविष्यति
sā rāmamabravīddṛṣṭvā vaidehī gṛhyatāmiti
ayaṃ manoharah kānta āśramo no bhaviṣyati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"That Seetha, on seeing it, told Rama, 'Let this deer be caught. Our hermitage will turn out to be charming and pleasing to the eye'."
ततो रामो धनुष्पाणिर्धावन्तमनुधावति
स तं जघान धावन्तं शरेणानतपर्वणा
tato rāmo dhanuṣpāṇirdhāvantamanudhāvati
sa taṃ jaghāna dhāvantaṃ śareṇānataparvaṇā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Thereupon, Rama wielding a bow in his arm, chased that deer and killed that running one, with an arrow of curved knots."
अथ सौम्या दशग्रीवो मृगं याते तु राघवे
लक्ष्मणे चापि निष्क्रान्ते प्रविवेशाश्रमं तदा
atha saumyā daśagrīvo mṛgaṃ yāte tu rāghave
lakṣmaṇe cāpi niṣkrānte praviveśāśramaṃ tadā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O good sir! While Rama was chasing the deer and even when Lakshmana had gone out, Ravana forthwith entered their hermitage during that interval."
जग्राह तरसा सीतां ग्रहः खे रोहिणीम् इव
त्रातुकामं ततो युद्धे हत्वा गृध्रं जटायुषम्
jagrāha tarasā sītāṃ grahaḥ khe rohiṇīm iva
trātukāmaṃ tato yuddhe hatvā gṛdhraṃ jaṭāyuṣam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Ravana, the demon, seized Seetha, even as a planet like Mars would obscure the constellation, Rohini. Having killed a vulture named Jatayu, who sought to deliver her, Ravana then went quickly in haste, taking Seetha with him"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Then, in surprise, some monkeys who was staying on a mountain-peak, looking like mountain, saw, with astonishment writ large in their faces, Ravana the king of demons, passing that way, taking away Seetha."
ततः शीघ्रतरं गत्वा तद्विमानं मनोजवम्
आरुह्य सह वैदेह्या पुष्पकं स महाबलः
tataḥ śīghrataraṃ gatvā tadvimānaṃ manojavam
āruhya saha vaidehyā puṣpakaṃ sa mahābalaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Going still faster and ascending along with Seetha, the aerial car, Pushpaka, which was as swift as thought, the mighty Ravana the king of demons thereupon entered the City of Lanka."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Conducting that Seetha into a large beautiful mansion, embellished with gold, that Ravana sought to cajole her gently with his words."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Caring a straw for that Ravana and his talk, Seetha, later, actually remained in Ashoka-grove."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having killed that deer, Rama while returning to the hermitage, saw the vulture (Jatayu) in the forest. Rama was greatly disturbed. Seeing the vulture (Jatayu) who was dearer to him than his own father killed, Rama was disturbed."
मार्गमाणस्तु वैदेहीं राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः
गोदावरीमनुचरन्वनोद्देशांश्च पुष्पितान्
mārgamāṇastu vaidehīṃ rāghavaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ
godāvarīmanucaranvanoddeśāṃśca puṣpitān
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"While searching for Seetha, RAma along with Lakshmana strolled after blossomed woodlands along the bank of Godavari-river."
आसेदतुर्महारण्ये कबन्धं नाम राक्षसं
ततः कबन्धवचनाद्रामः सत्यपराक्रमः
āsedaturmahāraṇye kabandhaṃ nāma rākṣasaṃ
tataḥ kabandhavacanādrāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"They met, in that great forest, a demon by name Kabandha. Then according to the advice of Kabandha, Rama of true prowess met Sugreeva, after heading for Mount Rishyamuka."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Even before they met, a meeting of hearts through affinity, had taken place between them. Sugreeva had been banished in the past by the enraged Vali, his elder brother and as a result of mutual talks, affection deeply arose between Rama and Sugreeva."
रामः स्वबाहुवीर्येण स्वराज्यं प्रत्यपादयत्
वालिनं समरे हत्वा महाकायं महाबलम्
rāmaḥ svabāhuvīryeṇa svarājyaṃ pratyapādayat
vālinaṃ samare hatvā mahākāyaṃ mahābalam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having killed with the strength of his arms in combat, the mighty Vali with a colossal body, Rama caused the kingdom of Sugreeva restored.
सुग्रीवः स्थापितो राज्ये सहितः सर्ववानरैः
रामाय प्रतिजानीते राजपुत्र्यास्तु मार्गणम्
sugrīvaḥ sthāpito rājye sahitaḥ sarvavānaraiḥ
rāmāya pratijānīte rājaputryāstu mārgaṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Sugreeva, who was established in his kingdom with all, his monkeys, had given his pledge to Rama, to commence a search for Seetha the princess."
आदिष्टा वानरेन्द्रेण सुग्रीवेण महात्मना
दशकोट्यः प्लवङ्गानां सर्वाः प्रस्थापिता दिशः
ādiṣṭā vānarendreṇa sugrīveṇa mahātmanā
daśakoṭyaḥ plavaṅgānāṃ sarvāḥ prasthāpitā diśaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Ten crores of monkeys were accordingly commanded by the great-souled Sugreeva and sent to all the four quarters."
तेषां नो विप्रनष्टानां विन्ध्ये पर्वतसत्तमे
भृशं शोकाभितप्तानां महान्कालोअत्यवर्तत
teṣāṃ no vipranaṣṭānāṃ vindhye parvatasattame
bhṛśaṃ śokābhitaptānāṃ mahānkāloatyavartata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having lost our way in Vindhya, the foremost of mountain-ranges, a long time slipped past us and we felt sore-stricken with sorrow."
भ्राता तु गृध्रराजस्य सम्पातिर्नाम वीर्यवान्
समाख्याति स्म वसतिं सीताया रावणालये
bhrātā tu gṛdhrarājasya sampātirnāma vīryavān
samākhyāti sma vasatiṃ sītāyā rāvaṇālaye
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Meanwhile, the brother of Jatayu (the king of vultures), Sampati by name, precisely communicated to us that Seetha was dwelling in the habitation of Ravana."
सोअहं दुःखपरीतानां दुःखं तज्ज्ञातिनां नुदन्
आत्मवीर्यं समास्थाय योजनानां शतं प्लुतः
soahaṃ duḥkhaparītānāṃ duḥkhaṃ tajjñātināṃ nudan
ātmavīryaṃ samāsthāya yojanānāṃ śataṃ plutaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Removing the grief of my kinsfolk, who were seized with sorrow, I, as such, crossed one hundred yojanas (eight hundred miles of the ocean), resorting to my own strength."
तत्राहमेकामद्राक्षमशोकवनिकां गताम्
कौशेयवस्त्रां मलिनां निरानन्दां दृढव्रताम्
tatrāhamekāmadrākṣamaśokavanikāṃ gatām
kauśeyavastrāṃ malināṃ nirānandāṃ dṛḍhavratām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"There, I saw Seetha, living alone in a grove of Ashoka trees, clad in a soiled silk-saree, looking cheerless, but unflinching in her vow."
तया समेत्य विधिवत्पृष्ट्वा सर्वमनिन्दिताम्
अभिज्ञानं मया दत्तं रामनामाङ्गुलीयकम्
tayā sametya vidhivatpṛṣṭvā sarvamaninditām
abhijñānaṃ mayā dattaṃ rāmanāmāṅgulīyakam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After meeting her and duly enquiring that faultless Seetha, everything of her, a ring with the name, Rama engraved on it, was handed-over to her by me as a token."
अभिज्ञानं मणिं लब्ध्वा चरितार्थोअहमागतः
मया च पुनरागम्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः
abhijñānaṃ maṇiṃ labdhvā caritārthoahamāgataḥ
mayā ca punarāgamya rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Receiving in return from her, a jewel (from her head), I came back to the northern shore, successful as I was in my undertaking. On my return, that brilliant and valuable jewel was given by me as a token to Rama who was unweary in action."
श्रुत्वा तां मैथिलीं हृष्टस्त्वाशशंसे स जीवितम्
śrutvā tāṃ maithilīṃ hṛṣṭastvāśaśaṃse sa jīvitam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"On hearing the news of Seetha, Rama for his part regained the hope to survive, as a dying patient would, on drinking the ambrosia."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Excited as he was to put forth a war-effort, he set his mind on the destruction of Lanka, as the fire-god intending to destroy all the three worlds, would, at the end of the universe."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Then, on reaching the ocean, he got a bridge constructed by Nala and through that bridge, the army of the valiant monkeys crossed the ocean."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Neela killed Prahasta. Rama, the scion of Raghu dynasty, personally killed Kumbhakarna and Ravana. Lakshmana killed Indrajit, the son of Ravana."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The illustrious Rama, the destroyer of enemies, happened to meet Indra the lord of celestials, Yama the lord of dissolution, Varuna the lord of waters, Maheshvara, the great lord (Shiva), Brahma the lord of creation as also Dasaratha (his deceased father) and was bestowed boons by them. Sages and celestial masters who came there, too gave boons."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Having been granted boons, Rama for his part flew to Kishkindha in an aerial car called Pushpaka, along with the monkeys who gathered there."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Reaching the coast-line of Ganga-river again, Rama is staying in the presence of the sage, Bharadwaja. Tomorrow, when the moon will be in conjunction with the asteroid, Pushya you will be able to see Rama, without any obstacle."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे षड्विंशत्यधिकशततमः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe ṣaḍviṃśatyadhikaśatatamaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Gladdened to hear Rama's impending return to Ayodhya in the sweet words of Hanuma, Bharata offered his salutation by joining his palms together and spoke the following words, which enraptured his mind: 'My desire has been fulfilled indeed after a long time'."