Chapter 3
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
सुग्रीवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुमत् परम अर्थवित्
प्रतिजग्राह काकुत्स्थो हनूमन्तम् अथ अब्रवीत्
sugrīvasya vacaḥ śrutvā hetumat parama arthavit
pratijagrāha kākutstho hanūmantam atha abravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the well-founded and highly reasonable words of Sugreeva, Rama concurred with him and spoke then to Hanuma as follows:
तरसा सेतु बन्धेन सागर उच्चोषणेन वा
सर्वथा सुसमर्थो अस्मि सागरस्य अस्य लन्घने
tarasā setu bandhena sāgara uccoṣaṇena vā
sarvathā susamartho asmi sāgarasya asya langhane
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I am competent of crossing this ocean by all means, either by way of austerity or by forming a bridge or by drying up the ocean."
कति दुर्गाणि दुर्गाया लंकायास् तद् ब्रवीहि मे
ज्ञातुम् इच्चामि तत् सर्वम् दर्शनाद् इव वानर
kati durgāṇi durgāyā laṃkāyās tad bravīhi me
jñātum iccāmi tat sarvam darśanād iva vānara
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Tell me how many citadels in Lanka are difficult of access, Oh, Hanuma! I desire to know all that, as though viewed with an eye."
बलस्य परिमाणम् च द्वार दुर्ग क्रियाम् अपि
गुप्ति कर्म च लंकाया रक्षसाम् सदनानि च
balasya parimāṇam ca dvāra durga kriyām api
gupti karma ca laṃkāyā rakṣasām sadanāni ca
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"You had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the size of the army, the fortification-details of the gates and citadels, the way in which Lanka was guarded and the various mansions of ogres. Describe everything in accordance with facts, for you are skilled in all ways."
श्रुत्वा रामस्य वचनम् हनूमान् मारुत आत्मजः
वाक्यम् वाक्यविदाम् श्रेष्ठो रामम् पुनर् अथ अब्रवीत्
śrutvā rāmasya vacanam hanūmān māruta ātmajaḥ
vākyam vākyavidām śreṣṭho rāmam punar atha abravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Hearing the words of Rama, Hanuma the son of wind-god, who was excellent in the art of expression, forthwith spoke once more to Rama as follows:
श्रूयताम् सर्वम् आख्यास्ये दुर्ग कर्म विधानतः
गुप्ता पुरी यथा लंका रक्षिता च यथा बलैः
śrūyatām sarvam ākhyāsye durga karma vidhānataḥ
guptā purī yathā laṃkā rakṣitā ca yathā balaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Listen to me! I shall tell you everything-how the city of Lanka has been defended by the various methods of fortification and how it has been guarded by the troops."
राक्षसाश्च यथा स्निग्धा रावणस्य च तेजसा
पराम् समृद्धिम् लंकायाः सागरस्य च भीमताम्
rākṣasāśca yathā snigdhā rāvaṇasya ca tejasā
parām samṛddhim laṃkāyāḥ sāgarasya ca bhīmatām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I shall tell you the details of how the ogres are attached to their king, the excellent prosperity of Lanka generated by the glory of Ravana, the awfulness of the ocean, the division of the body of his forces and of animals like horses and elephants carrying his forces other than the infantry." Saying so, Hanuma the foremost among monkeys, who knew the truth narrated as follows.
प्रहृष्टा मुदिता लंका मत्त द्विप समाकुला
महती रथ सम्पूर्णा रक्षो गण समाकुला
prahṛṣṭā muditā laṃkā matta dvipa samākulā
mahatī ratha sampūrṇā rakṣo gaṇa samākulā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The great Lanka was rejoiced and gayful, full of elephants in rut, abounding in chariots and inhabited by gangs of ogres."
दृढ बद्ध कवाटानि महापरिघवन्ति च
चत्वारि विपुलान्यस्या द्वाराणि सुमहान्ति
dṛḍha baddha kavāṭāni mahāparighavanti ca
catvāri vipulānyasyā dvārāṇi sumahānti
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Four fairly big and extensive gates are fitted with strong doors along with huge beams for locking those gates."
तत्रेषूपयन्त्राणि बलवन्ति महान्ति च
आगतम् पर सैन्यम् तैस् तत्र प्रतिनिवार्यते
tatreṣūpayantrāṇi balavanti mahānti ca
āgatam para sainyam tais tatra pratinivāryate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Strong and mighty ballista capable of hurling darts and stones have been attached to them. The enemy troops which arrive there are warded off by those catapults at the very gates."
द्वारेषु संस्कृता भीमाः काल आयस मयाः शिताः
शतशो रोचिता वीरैः शतघ्न्यो रक्षसाम् गणैः
dvāreṣu saṃskṛtā bhīmāḥ kāla āyasa mayāḥ śitāḥ
śataśo rocitā vīraiḥ śataghnyo rakṣasām gaṇaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Dangerous and sharp edged Sataghnis made of iron, forged by hordes of ogres, have been kept in readiness in hundreds at the gates.
PURPORT
सौवर्णः च महांस् तस्याः प्राकारो दुष्प्रधर्षणः
मणि विद्रुम वैदूर्य मुक्ता विचरित अन्तरः
sauvarṇaḥ ca mahāṃs tasyāḥ prākāro duṣpradharṣaṇaḥ
maṇi vidruma vaidūrya muktā vicarita antaraḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A great rampart made of gold, which is difficult to assail with violence and is inlaid at intervals with gems, corals, cat's eyes and pearls, encircle that Lanka."
सर्वतः च महाभीमाः शीत तोया महाशुभाः
अगाधा ग्राहवत्यः च परिखा मीन सेविताः
sarvataḥ ca mahābhīmāḥ śīta toyā mahāśubhāḥ
agādhā grāhavatyaḥ ca parikhā mīna sevitāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Most awe-inspiring and fathomless moats (deep trenches) of great splendor, filled with cold water, infested with alligators and inhabited by fishes are there all round the city."
द्वारेषु तासाम् चत्वारः सम्क्रमाः परम आयताः
यन्त्रैर् उपेता बहुभिर् महद्भिर् दृढ संधिभिः
dvāreṣu tāsām catvāraḥ samkramāḥ parama āyatāḥ
yantrair upetā bahubhir mahadbhir dṛḍha saṃdhibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Anterior to the gateways, there are four very extensive draw-bridges, equipped with numerous engines and furnished with many rows of buildings (built on the rampart and meant for those entrusted with the duty of guarding the entrances)."
त्रायन्ते सम्क्रमास् तत्र पर सैन्य आगमे सति
यन्त्रैस् तैर् अवकीर्यन्ते परिखासु समन्ततः
trāyante samkramās tatra para sainya āgame sati
yantrais tair avakīryante parikhāsu samantataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Against the approach of the enemy forces there, the draw-bridges are protected by the aforesaid engines and the enemy-battalions are flung into the moats on every side."
एकस् त्व् अकम्प्यो बलवान् सम्क्रमः सुमहादृढः
काञ्चनैर् बहुभिः स्तम्भैर् वेदिकाभिः च शोभितः
ekas tv akampyo balavān samkramaḥ sumahādṛḍhaḥ
kāñcanair bahubhiḥ stambhair vedikābhiḥ ca śobhitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The most important draw-bridge which is unshakable, firmly fastened very well and strong, is dazzling with numerous gold pillars and pedestals."
स्वयम् प्रकृति सम्पन्नो युयुत्सू राम रावणः
उत्थितः च अप्रमत्तः च बलानाम् अनुदर्शने
svayam prakṛti sampanno yuyutsū rāma rāvaṇaḥ
utthitaḥ ca apramattaḥ ca balānām anudarśane
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Ravana, inclined to war and endowed with powers of the state, himself remains alert and in readiness to review the forces, Oh, Rama!"
PURPORT
लंका पुरी निरालम्बा देव दुर्गा भय आवहा
न अदेयम् पार्वतम् वन्यम् कृत्रिमम् च चतुर् विधम्
laṃkā purī nirālambā deva durgā bhaya āvahā
na adeyam pārvatam vanyam kṛtrimam ca catur vidham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Lanka therefore is impregnable, it is a celestial citadel, that inspires terror. Surrounded by water and built on a mountain, it has four fold defenses including forest and artificial fortification."
PURPORT
स्थिता पारे समुद्रस्य दूर पारस्य राघव
नौ पथः च अपि न अस्ति अत्र निरादेशः च सर्वतः
sthitā pāre samudrasya dūra pārasya rāghava
nau pathaḥ ca api na asti atra nirādeśaḥ ca sarvataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Lanka is situated on the other side of the ocean, which is difficult of access, Oh Rama! It offers no passage for vehicles either and there is no proper communication from all sides."
शैल अग्रे रचिता दुर्गा सा पूर् देव पुर उपमा
वाजि वारण सम्पूर्णा लंका परम दुर्जया
śaila agre racitā durgā sā pūr deva pura upamā
vāji vāraṇa sampūrṇā laṃkā parama durjayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"That city of Lanka, resembling the city of Gods, is built on a mountain peak and is inaccessible. That Lanka is abound with horses and elephants and is extremely difficult to conquer."
परिघाः च शतघ्न्यः च यन्त्राणि विविधानि च
शोभयन्ति पुरीम् लंकाम् रावणस्य दुरात्मनः
parighāḥ ca śataghnyaḥ ca yantrāṇi vividhāni ca
śobhayanti purīm laṃkām rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Deep trenches and Sataghnis too as well as engines of war of every kind adorn Lanka the city of wicked Ravana."
अयुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र पश्चिम द्वारम् आश्रितम्
शूल हस्ता दुराधर्षाः सर्वे खड्ग अग्र योधिनः
ayutam rakṣasām atra paścima dvāram āśritam
śūla hastā durādharṣāḥ sarve khaḍga agra yodhinaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Ten thousand ogres all carrying darts in their hands and warriors contending with swords, who are difficult to assail, are positioned at the eastern gate."
नियुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र दक्षिण द्वारम् आश्रितम्
चतुर् अन्गेण सैन्येन योधास् तत्र अपि अनुत्तमाः
niyutam rakṣasām atra dakṣiṇa dvāram āśritam
catur angeṇa sainyena yodhās tatra api anuttamāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"One hundred thousand of ogres, with an army of four limbs (viz. horses, foot soldiers, elephants and chariots) are positioned at the southern gate of the city. Warriors unsurpassed by others constitute that army."
प्रयुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र पूर्व द्वारम् समाश्रितम्
चर्म खड्ग धराः सर्वे तथा सर्व अस्त्र कोविदाः
prayutam rakṣasām atra pūrva dvāram samāśritam
carma khaḍga dharāḥ sarve tathā sarva astra kovidāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
One million troops arrived with shields and swords as well as proficient in the use of all mystic missiles, are positioned at the western gate."
न्यर्बुदम् रक्षसाम् अत्र उत्तर द्वारम् आश्रितम्
रथिनः च अश्व वाहाः च कुल पुत्राः सुपूजिताः
nyarbudam rakṣasām atra uttara dvāram āśritam
rathinaḥ ca aśva vāhāḥ ca kula putrāḥ supūjitāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A hundred millions of ogres, who are mounted in chariots or who ride on hoses, sons of distinguished families and greatly honored, are positioned there at the northern gate."
शतम् शत सहस्राणाम् मध्यमम् गुल्मम् आश्रितम्
यातु धाना दुराधर्षाः साग्र कोटिः च रक्षसाम्
śatam śata sahasrāṇām madhyamam gulmam āśritam
yātu dhānā durādharṣāḥ sāgra koṭiḥ ca rakṣasām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Moreover, ogres hundreds of thousands in number, difficult to attack, aggregating to one and quarter of a crore of ogres are positioned at the central division."
ते मया सम्क्रमा भग्नाः परिखाः च अवपूरिताः
दग्धा च नगरी लंका प्राकाराः च अवसादिताः
te mayā samkramā bhagnāḥ parikhāḥ ca avapūritāḥ
dagdhā ca nagarī laṃkā prākārāḥ ca avasāditāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Those bridges were broken by me and the moats were filled up (with the wreckage). The city of Lanka was burnt by me and the defensive walls were pulled down. A part of the army of the gigantic ogres was destroyed."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"By some way or other, let us cross the ocean. The city of Lanka should be assumed then as destroyed by the monkeys."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Rama! What is the use for the rest of the forces to you? Angada, Divida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Anala and Nila the commander-in-chief alone, by reaching that great city of Ravana leaping and storming Lanka with its mountains and woods, moats and archways, protective walls and buildings, will recover Seetha."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे तृतीयः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe tṛtīyaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Order quickly to get all the forces accumulated accordingly. Let us set out at the appropriate moment."
