Chapter 24

Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

VERSE 1

सा वीरसमिती राज्ञा विरराज व्यवस्थिता
शशिना शुभिनक्षत्रा पौर्णमासीव शारदी

sā vīrasamitī rājñā virarāja vyavasthitā
śaśinā śubhinakṣatrā paurṇamāsīva śāradī

SYNONYMS

: that | vīra samitīḥ: assemblage of valiant monkeys | rājṅā: along with the king Sugriva | virarāja: looked charmingly | pournamāpi iva: like a full moon night | śaradī: in autumn | śaśivā: along with moon | śubha nakṣatrā: and bright stars. |

TRANSLATION

That army of valiant monkeys along with the king Sugriva looked charming like a full moon night in autumn presided over by the moon and illuminated by bright stars.

VERSE 2

प्रचचाल च वेगेन त्रस्ता चैव वसुन्धरा
पीड्यमाना बलौ घेन तेन सागरवर्चसा

pracacāla ca vegena trastā caiva vasundharā
pīḍyamānā balau ghena tena sāgaravarcasā

SYNONYMS

vasundharā: the earth | pīḍyamānā: pressed under foot | tena: by that | baloughena: multitude of army | sāgara varcasā: which was energetic like a sea | pracacāla: was trembled | trastā: with fear | vegena: by the rapid movement of the army. |

TRANSLATION

The earth pressed under foot by that multitude of army which was energetic like a sea, was trembled with fear by the rapid movement of that army.

VERSE 3

ततः शुश्रुपुराक्रुष्टम् लङ्कायाः काननौकसः
भेरीमृदङ्गसम्घुष्टम् तुमुलम् रोमहर्षणम्

tataḥ śuśrupurākruṣṭam laṅkāyāḥ kānanaukasaḥ
bherīmṛdaṅgasamghuṣṭam tumulam romaharṣaṇam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | kānanoukasaḥ: the monkeys | śuśruvaḥ: heard | ākruṣṭam: a great tumult | laṅkāyāḥ: arising in Lanka | tumulam: and noisy | bherīmṛdaṇga samghuṣṭam: sounds of kettledrums and tabours | romaharṣaṇam: which caused their hair to stand on end. |

TRANSLATION

Then the monkeys heard a great tumult arising in Lanka and noisy sounds of kettledrums and tabours, which caused their hair to stand on end.

VERSE 4

बभूवुस्तेन घोषेण सम्हृष्टा हरियूथपाः
अमृष्यमाणास्तम् घोषम् विनेदुर्घोषवत्तरम्

babhūvustena ghoṣeṇa samhṛṣṭā hariyūthapāḥ
amṛṣyamāṇāstam ghoṣam vinedurghoṣavattaram

SYNONYMS

hariyutāpaḥ: the leaders of monkeys | samhṛṣṭāḥ: were rejoiced | tena ghośeṇa: by that sound | amṛṣyamāṇāḥ: not tolerating | tam: that | ghoṣam: sound | vineduḥ: they emitted shouts | ghoṣavattaram: which surpassed that uproar. |

TRANSLATION

The leaders of monkeys were rejoiced by that sound. But by not tolerating that sound, they emitted shouts, which surpassed that uproar.

VERSE 5

राक्षसास्तम् प्लवङ्गानाम् शुश्रुवुस्ते।अपि गर्जितम्
वर्दतामिव दृप्तानाम् मेघानामम्बरे स्वनम्

rākṣasāstam plavaṅgānām śuśruvuste|api garjitam
vardatāmiva dṛptānām meghānāmambare svanam

SYNONYMS

te: those | rākṣasāḥ: demons too | śuśruvuḥ: heard | garjitam: the roaring | dṛptānām: of the wildly delighted | plavaṅgānām: monkeys | svanam iva: which was like the sound | nardatām meghānām: of thundering clouds | ambare: in the sky. |

TRANSLATION

Those demons too heard the roaring of the wildly delighted monkeys, which roar sounded like thundering of clouds in the sky.

VERSE 6

दृष्ट्वा दाशरथिर्लङ्काम् चित्रध्वजपताकिनिम्म्
जगाम मनसा सीताम् दूयमानेन चेतसा

dṛṣṭvā dāśarathirlaṅkām citradhvajapatākinimm
jagāma manasā sītām dūyamānena cetasā

SYNONYMS

dṛṣṭvā: seeing | laṅkām: Lanka | citradhvaja patākinīm: dressed with multicolored flags and butings | dāśarathiḥ: Rama | manasā: by his mind | jagāma: went | sītām: to Sita | cetasā: and his heart | dūyamānena: was filled with grief. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing Lanka dressed with multi colored flags and buntings, Rama bethought himself of Sita and his heart was filled with grief.

VERSE 7

अत्र सा मृगशाबाक्षी रावणेनोपरुध्यते
अभिभूता ग्रहेणेव लोहिताङ्गेन रोहिणी

atra sā mṛgaśābākṣī rāvaṇenoparudhyate
abhibhūtā graheṇeva lohitāṅgena rohiṇī

SYNONYMS

: that Sita | mṛgaśabākṣī: whose eyes resemble like a young deer | uparudhyate: was detained | rāvaṇena: by Ravana | atra: there | rohiṇīva: as Rohini star | abhibhūtā: is overshadowed | lohitāṇgena: by red bodied | graheṇa: planet(Mars). |

TRANSLATION

"Sita whose eyes resemble those of a young deer, was detained by Ravana there, as Rohini star is overshadowed by the red bodied planet (mars)."

VERSE 8

दीर्घमुष्णम् च निःश्वस्य समुद्वीक्ष्य च लक्ष्मणम्
उवाच वचनम् वीरस्तत्कालहितमात्मनः

dīrghamuṣṇam ca niḥśvasya samudvīkṣya ca lakṣmaṇam
uvāca vacanam vīrastatkālahitamātmanaḥ

SYNONYMS

niḥśvasya: sighing | uṣṇamca: warmly | dīrgham: and deeply | samudvīkṣyaca: and seeing | lakṣmaṇam: Lakshmana | vīraḥ: the heroic Rama | vuvāca: spoke | vacanam: the following words | tatkālahitam: beneficial at that time | ātmānaḥ: for him. |

TRANSLATION

Seeing Lakshmana after a warm and deep sigh, the heroic Rama spoke the following words, which were beneficial for him at that time :-

VERSE 9

आलिखन्तीमिवाकाशमुत्थिताम् पश्य लक्ष्मण
मन्सेव कृताम् लङ्काम् नगाग्रे विश्वकर्मणा

ālikhantīmivākāśamutthitām paśya lakṣmaṇa
manseva kṛtām laṅkām nagāgre viśvakarmaṇā

SYNONYMS

lakṣmaṇa: O | ḻakśmana! Paśya: look | laṅkām: at Lanka | kṛtām iva: which appears as though constructed | nagāgre: on a hill top | viśvakarmaṇā: by Viswakarma | manasā: with his imagination | utthitām: so elevated | ālikhantim: scraping | ākāśam: the sky. |

TRANSLATION

"O, Lakshmana! Look at this Lanka, which appears as though constructed on a hilltop by Visvakarma with his imagination and so elevated scraping the sky."

VERSE 10

विमानैर्बहुभिर्लङ्क सम्कीर्णा रचिता पुरा
विष्णोः पदमिवाकाशम् चादितम् पाण्डुभिर्घनैः

vimānairbahubhirlaṅka samkīrṇā racitā purā
viṣṇoḥ padamivākāśam cāditam pāṇḍubhirghanaiḥ

SYNONYMS

laṇkā: the city of Lanka | purā: was formerly | racitā: constructed | kīrṇā: and filled with | bahubhiḥ: many | vimānaiḥ: seven storied buildings | chāditam iva: as though covered | pāṅḍubhiḥ: with white | ghanaiḥ: clouds | ākāśam: the sky | padam: the abode | viṣṇoḥ: of Vishnu |

TRANSLATION

The city of Lanka was constructed densely with many seven storied buildings and appears like a sky the abode of Vishnu (the all pervaded), covered with white clouds."

VERSE 11

पुष्पितैः शोभिता लङ्का वनैश्चत्ररथोपमैः
नानापतगसम्घुष्टफलपुष्पोपगैः शुभैः

puṣpitaiḥ śobhitā laṅkā vanaiścatrarathopamaiḥ
nānāpatagasamghuṣṭaphalapuṣpopagaiḥ śubhaiḥ

SYNONYMS

lankā: Lanka | śobhitā: is made beautiful | vanaiḥ: by the gardens | caitrarathaiḥ: vying with Chaitraratha | nānāpatagasamghuṣṭaphala puṣpopagaiḥ: with various sounds of birds | śubhaiḥ: and charms | puṣpitaiḥ: in bloom. |

TRANSLATION

"Lanka is made beautiful by the garden vying with chaitraratha (the garden of Kubera the god of riches) with songs of birds of various species, with fruit bearing flowers and charms in bloom.

VERSE 12

पश्य मत्तविहङ्गनि प्रलीनभ्रमराणि च
कोकिलाकुलखण्डानि दोधवीति शिवो।अविलः

paśya mattavihaṅgani pralīnabhramarāṇi ca
kokilākulakhaṇḍāni dodhavīti śivo|avilaḥ

SYNONYMS

paśya: see | śivaḥ: a gentle | anilaḥ: breeze | dodhavīti: sways | kokilākula khan^ḍāni: the branches where the cuckoos abound | pralīnabhramarānica: where bees swarm | mattavihaṅgāni: and where the birds are exited with joy. |

TRANSLATION

"See how a gentle breeze sways the branches where the cuckoos abound where bees swarm and where the birds are excited with joy."

VERSE 13

इति दाशरथीरमो लक्ष्मणम् समभाषत
बलम् च तत्र विभजच्चास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा

iti dāśarathīramo lakṣmaṇam samabhāṣata
balam ca tatra vibhajaccāstradṛṣṭena karmaṇā

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | dāśarathiḥ: son of Dasaratha | samabhāṣata: spoke | iti: thus | lakṣmaṇam: to Lakshmana | tatra: there | balam: the army | vibhajacca: was divided into battalions | karmaṇā: according to method | śāstradṛṣṭena: found in the scriptures. |

TRANSLATION

Rama the son of Dasaratha spoke as aforesaid to Lakshmana. The army there was divided into battalions according to the procedure found in scriptures.

VERSE 14

शशास कपिसेमाम् ताम् बलादादाय वीर्यवान्
अङ्गदः सह नीलेन तिष्ठे दुरपि दुर्जयः

śaśāsa kapisemām tām balādādāya vīryavān
aṅgadaḥ saha nīlena tiṣṭhe durapi durjayaḥ

SYNONYMS

śaśāsa: (He issued the following) commands | ādāya: taking | tām: these | kapisenām: troops of monkeys | balata: from the army | (let) vīryavān: the valiant | durjayaḥ: and the invincible | aṅgadaḥ: Angada | tiṣṭhāt: take up his position | nīlena saha: with Nila | urapi: at the center of the formation. |

TRANSLATION

He issued the following commands: --"Taking these troops of monkeys from the army, let the valiant and the invincible Angada take up his position with Nila at the center of the formation.

VERSE 15

तिष्ठेद्वानरवाहिन्या वानरौघसमावृतः
आशिर्तो दक्षिणम् पार्श्वमृषभो नाम वानरः

tiṣṭhedvānaravāhinyā vānaraughasamāvṛtaḥ
āśirto dakṣiṇam pārśvamṛṣabho nāma vānaraḥ

SYNONYMS

vānaraḥ: (let)the monkeys | ṛṣabhonāma: named Rishabha | vānarougha samavṛtaḥ: along with the multitude of monkeys | tiṣṭhet: take up his position | āśritaḥ: having recourse to | dakṣiṇam: to the right | pārśvam: side | vānara vāhinyāḥ: of the monkey-troops. |

TRANSLATION

Let Rishabha along with the multitude of monkeys take up his position, having recourse to the right side of the army."

VERSE 16

गन्धहस्तीव दुर्धर्षस्तरस्वी गन्धमादनः
तिष्ठेद्वानरवाहिन्याः सव्यम् पक्षमधिष्ठतः

gandhahastīva durdharṣastarasvī gandhamādanaḥ
tiṣṭhedvānaravāhinyāḥ savyam pakṣamadhiṣṭhataḥ

SYNONYMS

gandhamādanaḥ: (let)Gandhamadana | tarasvī: the strong | durdarṣaḥ: and the unconquerable | gandhahastīva: like an elephant in rut | tiṣṭhet: take his position | adhiṣṭhitaḥ: superintending | savyampakṣam: the left side | vānara vāhinyāḥ: of the monkey troops. |

TRANSLATION

"Let Gandhamadana, the strong and unconquerable, resembling an elephant in rut, take his position superintending the left side of the monkey troops."

VERSE 17

मूर्ध्नि स्थास्याम्यहम् यत्तो लक्ष्मणेन समन्वितः
जाम्बवांश्च सुषेणश्च वेगदर्शी च वानरः

mūrdhni sthāsyāmyaham yatto lakṣmaṇena samanvitaḥ
jāmbavāṃśca suṣeṇaśca vegadarśī ca vānaraḥ

SYNONYMS

aham: I | sthāsyāmi: shall stand | yattaḥ: alert | mūrdhni: in the forefront of the army | samanvitaḥ: along with | lakṣmaṇena: Lakshmana | jambavāśca: and Jambavan | suṣeṇaśca: Sushena | vegadarṣīca: and Vegadarshi | vānarāḥ: the monkey | te: those | trayah: three | mahātmanāḥ: exceedingly wise ones | ṛkṣamukhyāḥ: the leaders of the bears | rakṣanti: protect | kukṣim: the belly. |

TRANSLATION

"I shall stand alert in the forefront of the army along with Lakshmana. Let Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi the monkey - those three exceeding wise leaders of bears and monkeys- protest the belly portion of the army."

VERSE 18

जघनम् कपिसेनायाः कपिराजो।अभिरक्षतु

jaghanam kapisenāyāḥ kapirājo|abhirakṣatu

SYNONYMS

kapirājaḥ: Sugriva | abhirakṣatu: protect | jaghanam: the hips and loins | kapisenāyāḥ: of the monkey troops | pravetāḥ: as Varuna (the god of water) | vṛtaḥ: who remains enveloped | tejasā: with splendor | paścārdhamiva: the western quarter | lokasya: of the earth. |

TRANSLATION

"Let Sugriva the king of monkeys protect the rear guard of the army, resembling Varuna (the god of water) who remains enveloped with splendor protects the western quarter of the earth."

VERSE 19

सुविभक्तमहाव्यूहा महावानररक्षिता

suvibhaktamahāvyūhā mahāvānararakṣitā

SYNONYMS

sā amīkinī: that army | suvibhakta mahāvyūhā: with innumerable divisions being skillfully distributed | mahā vānararakṣitā: led by the foremost of monkeys | vibabhou: shone | yathā dyouḥ: like heavens | bābhrasamplavā: with mass of clouds. |

TRANSLATION

That army with innumerable divisions, being skillfully distributed led by the foremost of monkeys, resembled heavens with their mass of clouds.

VERSE 20

प्रगृह्य गिरिशृङ्गाणि महतश्च महीरुहान्

pragṛhya giriśṛṅgāṇi mahataśca mahīruhān

SYNONYMS

mimardayiṣavah: with a desire to crush(the demons) | raṇe: in battle | vānarāh: the monkeys | pragṛhya: seizing | giriśṛṇgāṇi: peaks of mountains | mahataḥ: and gigantic | mahīruhān: trees | āseduḥ: reached | laṅkām: Lanka. |

TRANSLATION

With a desire to crush the demons in battle, the monkeys, seizing peaks of mountains and gigantic trees, reached Lanka.

VERSE 21

शिखरैर्विकिरामैनाम् लङ्काम् मुष्टिभिरेव वा

śikharairvikirāmainām laṅkām muṣṭibhireva vā

SYNONYMS

sarve: all | haripuṅgavāḥ: the heroic monkeys | dadhire: held | manāmsi: in their minds | iti: the following resolve | "śikharaiḥ: with the peaks of mountains | muṣṭibhireva vā: or with our bare fists | vikirāma: we shall shatter into pieces | enām: this | laṇkām: Lanka. |

TRANSLATION

All the heroic monkeys held the following resolve in their minds, "It is with peak of mountains or with our bare fists even, we shall shatter this Lanka into pieces."

VERSE 22

ततो रामो महातेजाः सुग्रीव मिदमब्रवीत्

tato rāmo mahātejāḥ sugrīva midamabravīt

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | rāmaḥ: Rama | mahātejāḥ: with great splendor | abravīt: spoke | idam: these words | sugrivam: to Sugriva | sainyāni: our forces | suvibhaktām: are properly marshaled | eṣaḥ śukaḥ: let this Shuka | vimucyatām: be released. |

TRANSLATION

Then, Rama with great splendor spoke the following words to Sugriva, "Our forces are properly marshaled. Let this Shuka be released."

VERSE 23

रामस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा वानरेन्द्रो महाबलः

rāmasya tu vacaḥ śrutvā vānarendro mahābalaḥ

SYNONYMS

ṣrutvā: hearing | vacanam: the words | rāmasya: of Rama. | vānarendraḥ: Sugriva the lord of monkeys | mocayāmāsa: released | śukam: Shuka | tam dūtam: that messenger | śāsanāt: by the order |

TRANSLATION

Hearing the words of Rama, Sugriva the lord of monkeys released Shuka the messenger, as per the order of Rama.

VERSE 24

मोचितो रामवाक्येन वानरैश्च निपीडितः

mocito rāmavākyena vānaraiśca nipīḍitaḥ

SYNONYMS

śukaḥ: Shuka | nipīḍitaḥ: who was harassed | vānaraiḥ: by monkeys | mocitaḥ: and released | rāmavākyaena: through the words of Rama | paramasamtrastaḥ: was trembling with great fear | upāgamat: and reached | rakṣodhipam: Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

Shuka who was harassed by the monkeys and released then as per the words of Rama, was trembling with great fear and reached Ravana.

VERSE 25

रावणः प्रहसन्नेव शुकम् वाक्यमुवाच ह

rāvaṇaḥ prahasanneva śukam vākyamuvāca ha

SYNONYMS

26| rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | prahasanneva: even while laughing | uvācaha: enquired | śukam: Shuka | vākyam: with the following words: kim = why | imou: these | te: your | pakṣou: wings | sitou: were tied up? dR^ishyase = you are appearing | lūnapakṣaśca: with your wings plucked up | tvam na āgataḥ kaccit: Have you not fallen | teṣām: into their | anekacittānām: various(fickle)minds? |

TRANSLATION

Ravana, even while laughing, enquired Shuka with the following words: " why were your wings tied up? You appear with your wings plucked up. Have you not fallen as a victim to their various fickle minds?"

VERSE 27

ततस्प भयसम्विग्न स्तदा राज्ञाभिचोदितः
वचनम् प्रत्युवाचेदम् राक्षसाधिपमुत्तमम्

tataspa bhayasamvigna stadā rājñābhicoditaḥ
vacanam pratyuvācedam rākṣasādhipamuttamam

SYNONYMS

28| tataḥ: then | saḥ: that Shuka | bhayasamvignaḥ: agitated with fear | tadā: then | abhicoditaḥ: prompted | rāj^ṇā: by the king Ravana | pratyuvāca: replied | idam: with these | uttamam: exellent | vacanam: words | rākṣasādhipam: to Ravana: uttare tiire = on the northern shore | sāgarasya: of the ocean | abravam: I spoke | tathā: as | te: your | ślakṣṇayā: conciliating | yathāsandeśam: as per your instructions | akliṣṭam: without any ambiguity. |

TRANSLATION

Asked as aforesaid by the king Ravana, Shuka agitated as he was with fear, gave him the following excellent reply: "On the northern shore of the ocean, I conveyed your message in a smooth tone, conciliating and without any ambiguity exactly as per your instructions."

VERSE 29

क्रुद्धैस्तेरहमुत्प्लुत्य दृष्टमात्रः प्लवङ्गमैः
गृहितो।अस्म्यपि चारब्धो हन्तुम् लोप्तुम् च मुष्टिभिः

kruddhaisterahamutplutya dṛṣṭamātraḥ plavaṅgamaiḥ
gṛhito|asmyapi cārabdho hantum loptum ca muṣṭibhiḥ

SYNONYMS

aham: I | dṛṣṭamātraḥ: on just being seen | gṛhītaḥ: by those monkeys | kruddhaiḥ: in rage | apica: and | ārābddhaiḥ: started | hantum: beating | loptumca: and plucking | muṣṭibhiḥ: with their fists. |

TRANSLATION

"Just on seeing me, the enraged monkeys jumped on me and seized me. They soon started beating and plucking me with their fists."

VERSE 30

न ते सम्भाषितुम् शक्याः सम्प्रश्नो।अत्र न विद्यते
प्रकृत्या कोपनास्तीक्षिणा वानरा राक्षसाधिप

na te sambhāṣitum śakyāḥ sampraśno|atra na vidyate
prakṛtyā kopanāstīkṣiṇā vānarā rākṣasādhipa

SYNONYMS

rākṣasādhipa: O | lord of demons! ṭe: those monkeys | naśakyāḥ: are not capable of being | sambhāṣitum: spoken to | navidyate: nor possible | sampraśnaḥ: of being questioned | atra: in this matter | vānarāḥ: monkeys | prakṛtyāḥ: by their nature | kopanāḥ: are angry | tīkṣṇāḥ: and ferocious. |

TRANSLATION

"O, Lord of demons! Those monkeys are not capable of being spoken to, or possible of being questioned in this matter. Monkeys, by their very nature, are angry and ferocious."

VERSE 31

स च हन्ता विराधस्य कबन्धस्य खरस्य च
सुग्रीवसहितो रामः सीतायाः पदमागतः

sa ca hantā virādhasya kabandhasya kharasya ca
sugrīvasahito rāmaḥ sītāyāḥ padamāgataḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ rāmaḥ: that Rama | hantā: the killer | virādhasya: of Viradha | kabandhasya: Kabandha | kharasyaca: and Khara | āgataḥ: came | sugrīva sahitaḥ: along with Sugriva | padam: to the place | sītāyāḥ: of Sita. |

TRANSLATION

"That Rama the killer of Viraadha, Kabandha and Khara came along with Sugriva to the place of Sita."

VERSE 32

स कृत्वा सागरे सेतुम् तीर्त्वा च लवणोदधिम्
एष रक्षासि निर्धूय धन्वी तिष्ठति राघवः

sa kṛtvā sāgare setum tīrtvā ca lavaṇodadhim
eṣa rakṣāsi nirdhūya dhanvī tiṣṭhati rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

kṛtvā: having constructed | setum: a bridge | sāgare: across the sea | tīrtvā: and having crossed | lavaṇodadhim: the salty ocean | nirdhūya: and expelling | rakśāmsi: the demons | rāghavaḥ: Rama | eṣaḥ: as such | tiṣṭhati: stands | dhanvī: wielding a bow. |

TRANSLATION

"Having constructed a bridge across the sea and crossed the salty ocean and expelling the demons, here stands Rama wielding a bow."

VERSE 33

ऋक्षवानरसम्घानामनीकानि सहस्रशः
गिरिमेघनिकाशानाम् चादयन्ति वसुन्धराम्

ṛkṣavānarasamghānāmanīkāni sahasraśaḥ
girimeghanikāśānām cādayanti vasundharām

SYNONYMS

sahasraśaḥ: thousands | anīkāni: of divisions | ṛkṣavānarasamghavām: of crowds of bears and monkeys | girimegha nikaśānām: resembling mountains and clouds | chādayanti: cover | vasundharām: the earth. |

TRANSLATION

"Thousands of divisions of hordes of bears and monkeys resembling mountains and clouds, cover the earth."

VERSE 34

राक्षसानाम् बलौघस्य वानरेन्द्रबलस्य च
नैतयोर्विद्यते संधिर्देवदानवयोरिव

rākṣasānām balaughasya vānarendrabalasya ca
naitayorvidyate saṃdhirdevadānavayoriva

SYNONYMS

navidyate: there is no more possibility | samdhiḥ: of an alliance | etayoḥ: between these two armies | baloughasya: the army | rākṣasānām: of demons | vānarendra balasya: and the army of Sugriva | devadānavayoriva: than between a god and a demon. |

TRANSLATION

"There is no more possibility of an alliance between these two armies - the army of demons and the army of monkeys- than between a God and a demon."

VERSE 35

पुरा प्राकारमायान्ति क्षिप्रमेकतरम् कुरु
सीताम् वास्मै प्रयच्चाशु युद्धम् वापि प्रदीयताम्

purā prākāramāyānti kṣipramekataram kuru
sītām vāsmai prayaccāśu yuddham vāpi pradīyatām

SYNONYMS

purā āyanti: very soon | prākāram: to the rampart | kuru: do | ekataram: any one of the two acts | kṣipram: immediately | prayaccha vā: either to restore | sītām: Sita | yuddhamvāpi: or combat | pradīyatām: may be offered | asmai: to him | āśu: soon. |

TRANSLATION

"Very soon they will come to our rampart. Immediately, do any one of these two acts- either to restore Sita or to offer a combat to him."

VERSE 36

शुकस्य वचनम् श्रुत्वा रावणो वाक्य मब्रवीत्
रोषसम्रक्तनयनो निर्दहन्निव चक्षुषा

śukasya vacanam śrutvā rāvaṇo vākya mabravīt
roṣasamraktanayano nirdahanniva cakṣuṣā

SYNONYMS

śrutvā: hearing | vacanam: the words | śukasya: of Shuka | rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana | roṣasamraktanayanaḥ: with his eyes becoming blood red in anger | abravīt: spoke | vākyam: these words | nirdahanniva: as if he would consume him | cakṣusā: with his glance. |

TRANSLATION

Hearing the words of Shuka, Ravana with his eyes becoming blood red in anger, as if he would consume him with his glance, said as follows:

VERSE 37

यदि माम् प्रतियुध्येरन् देवगन्धर्वदानवाः
नैव सीताम् प्रदास्यामि सर्वलोकभयादपि

yadi mām pratiyudhyeran devagandharvadānavāḥ
naiva sītām pradāsyāmi sarvalokabhayādapi

SYNONYMS

sarva loka bhayādapi: even if I were frightened by all worlds | mām pratiyuddhyerannapi: or even if I were to face a battle | devagandharva dānavāḥ: with celestials | naiva pradāsyāmi: I would not give back | sītām: Sita. |

TRANSLATION

"Even if I were frightened by all the worlds or even if I were to face a battle with celestials or Gandharvas (celestial singers) or demons, I would not give back Sita."

VERSE 38

कदा समभिधानन्ति मामका राघवम् शराः
वसन्ते पुष्पितम् मत्ता भ्रमरा इव पादपम्

kadā samabhidhānanti māmakā rāghavam śarāḥ
vasante puṣpitam mattā bhramarā iva pādapam

SYNONYMS

kadā: when | māmakāḥ: will my | śavāḥ: arrows | samabhidhāvanti: soon fall | rāghavam: upon Rama | bhramarāḥ iva: as large black bees | mattāḥ: exited with joy | (fall upon) pādapam: a tree | puṣpitam: in bloom | vasante: at spring time? |

TRANSLATION

"When will my arrows soon fall upon Rama, as large black bees excited with joy fall upon a tree in bloom at spring time?"

VERSE 39

कदा शोणितदिग्धाङ्गम् दीपैः कार्मुकविच्युतैः
शरैरादीपयिष्यामि उल्काभिरिव कुञ्जरम्

kadā śoṇitadigdhāṅgam dīpaiḥ kārmukavicyutaiḥ
śarairādīpayiṣyāmi ulkābhiriva kuñjaram

SYNONYMS

kadā: when | ādī payiṣyāmi: shall I consume | dīptaiḥ: by the blazing | śaraiḥ: arrows | kārmuka vicyutaiḥ: released from my bow | śoṇita digdhāṇgam: his body flowing with blood | ulkābhiriva: as flaming torches | (destroy) kuṅjaram: an elephant? |

TRANSLATION

"When shall I consume his body flowing with blood, by the blazing arrows released from my bow, as flaming torches destroy an elephant?"

VERSE 40

तच्चास्य बलमादास्ये बलेन महता वृतः
ज्योतिषामिव सर्वेषाम् प्रभामुद्यन्दिवाकरः

taccāsya balamādāsye balena mahatā vṛtaḥ
jyotiṣāmiva sarveṣām prabhāmudyandivākaraḥ

SYNONYMS

vṛtaḥ: endowed with | mahatā: a huge | balena: army | ādāsye: I shall eclipse | tat: the aforesaid | balam: army | asya: of Rama | prabhāmiva: as the brilliance | sarveṣām jyotiṣām: of all stars | udyan: at the rising | divākaraḥ: of the sun. |

TRANSLATION

"Endowed with a huge army I shall eclipse the aforesaid army of Rama, as the brilliance of all stars is obscured at the rising of the sun."

VERSE 41

सागरस्येव मे वेगो मारुतस्येव मे बलम्
न च दाशरथिर्वेद तेन माम् योद्धुमिच्चति

sāgarasyeva me vego mārutasyeva me balam
na ca dāśarathirveda tena mām yoddhumiccati

SYNONYMS

me: my | vegaḥ-: rashness | sagarasyeva: is like that of the sea. Me = my | balam: strength | marutasyeva: is like that of the wind | dāśarathiḥ: Rama | nacaveda: is not aware of it | tena: that is why | iccati: he desires | mām yoddhum: to meet me in combat. |

TRANSLATION

"My rashness is like that of the sea and my strength is like that of the wind. Rama is not aware of it. That is why, he is desirous of meeting me in a combat."

VERSE 42

न मे तूणीशयान् बाणान् सनिषानिव पन्नगान्
रामः पश्यति सम्ग्रामे तेन माम् योद्धुमिच्चति

na me tūṇīśayān bāṇān saniṣāniva pannagān
rāmaḥ paśyati samgrāme tena mām yoddhumiccati

SYNONYMS

rāmaḥ: Rama | na paśyati: has not seen | me bānān: my arrows | saviṣān pannagāniva: resembling venomous serpents | tūṇīśayān: in my quiver | tena: that is why | icchati: he desires | yoddhum: to fight | mām: with me. |

TRANSLATION

"Rama has not seen my arrows resembling venomous serpents lying in my quiver. That is why, he desires to fight with me."

VERSE 43

न जानाति पुरा वीर्यम् मम युद्धे स राघवः
मम चापमयीम् वीणाम् शरकोणैः प्रवादिताम्

na jānāti purā vīryam mama yuddhe sa rāghavaḥ
mama cāpamayīm vīṇām śarakoṇaiḥ pravāditām

SYNONYMS

44| saḥ rāghavaḥ: that Rama | purā: formerly | najānāti: was not aware | mama: of my | vīryam: prowess | ẏuddhe: in battle | vādayiṣyāmi: I shall cause to resound | vīṇām: Vina | mama cāpa mayīm: in the form of my bow | nārācatala samvādām: which is played on | jyāśabda tumulām: the bow string producing a tumultuous sound | ārtagīta mahāsvanām: the huge cries of the wounded | ghorām: its terrible accompaniment | śara koṇaiḥ: the darts | pravāditām: sounding its innumerable notes | (vhen) aham: I | avagāhya: enter | mahāraṅgam: a vast stage | mām ahitavāhinīm: in the form of my enemy ranks | tām: in that | raṇe: battle. |

TRANSLATION

Rama was not formerly aware of my prowess in battle. I shall cause to resound Vina (a musical instrument) in the form of my bow, which is played on with the heads of my arrows, the bow string producing a tumultuous sound, the huge cries of the wounded its terrible accompaniment, the darts sounding its innumerable notes, when I enter a vast stage in the form of my enemy ranks in that battle."

VERSE 45

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे चतुर्विंशः सर्गः

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe caturviṃśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

vāasavenāpi: neither by Devendra | sahasracakṣuṣā: the thousand eyed | varuṇenāpi: nor by Varuna | svayam: in person | yuddhe: in combat | yamanaivā: nor by Yama the god of death | śarāgninā: with the fire of his arrows | vaiśravaṇenavā: nor by Kubera the lord of riches | śakyaḥ: can I be able | dharṣayitum: to be attacked | mahāhave: in a great battle. |

TRANSLATION

"Neither by the thousand eyed Indra the god of celestials nor by Varuna the God of waters in person in a combat, nor by Yama the god of death with the fire of his arrows, nor by Kubera the lord of riches in person, can I be able to be attacked in a great battle."