Chapter 75
Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
ततो।अब्रवीन्महातेजाः सुग्रीवो वानरेश्वरः
अर्थ्यम् विज्ञापयंश्चापि हनूमन्तमिदं वचः
tato|abravīnmahātejāḥ sugrīvo vānareśvaraḥ
arthyam vijñāpayaṃścāpi hanūmantamidaṃ vacaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, Sugreeva of great majesty, the king of monkeys spoke (the following) meaningful words to Hanuma, in order to inform him what they should do next.
यतो हतः कुम्भकर्णः कुमाराश्च निषूदिताः
नेदानीमुपनिर्हारम् रावनो दातुमर्हति
yato hataḥ kumbhakarṇaḥ kumārāśca niṣūditāḥ
nedānīmupanirhāram rāvano dātumarhati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Since Kumbhakarna and his four sons were killed, Ravana cannot give any defense now".
ये ये महाबलाः सन्ति लघवश्च प्लवंगमाः
लङ्कामभिपतन्त्वाशु गृह्योल्काः प्लवगर्षभाः
ye ye mahābalāḥ santi laghavaśca plavaṃgamāḥ
laṅkāmabhipatantvāśu gṛhyolkāḥ plavagarṣabhāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Let those dexterous monkeys, possessing the strength of lions, taking torches in their hands, rush towards Lanka quickly, in order to set ablaze the abode of Ravana."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then at the sunset of that awful evening, those foremost of the monkeys, went towards Lanka, with torches in their hands.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
When the troops of monkeys, with torches in their hands, attacked Lanka on all sides, the diversely eyed demons who were holding the position of guards, suddenly fled away.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Those monkeys, feeling gladdened, threw fire to the towering gates, attics, streets, various byways and mansions.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, the fire consumed thousands of houses of demons. Mansions of mountainous forms fell down on the ground.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Aloe, excellent sandalwood of great value, pearls, glossy gems, diamonds and corals were burnt there.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Linen, charming silk, blankets of sheep's wool, various kinds of ram's wool, gold ornaments and weapons were burnt there.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The ornaments, saddles etc. of diverse and peculiar designs of horses, the chains worn round the neck of the elephants as also their girths and polished ornaments meant for the chariots were also burnt.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Coats of mail of the warriors, the armour of the elephants and horses, swords, bows, bow-strings, arrows, lances, goads and javelins were burnt there.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The fire raging on all sides burnt blankets and rugs made of the hair of animals, whisks made of the hair of the tails, the skins of tigers, many birds, palaces inlaid with pearls and gems and various kinds of stores of arms.
नानाविधान् गृहांश्चित्रान् ददाह हुतभुक्तदा
आवासान् राक्षसानां च सर्वेषां गृहगृद्नुनाम्
nānāvidhān gṛhāṃścitrān dadāha hutabhuktadā
āvāsān rākṣasānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ gṛhagṛdnunām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then, the fire burnt away many kinds of bright coloured houses of all demons, who were greedily desirous of their homes. The fire there burnt away hundreds and thousands of inhabitants of Lanka, who were protected by gold coloured armoury and decked with garlands, ornaments and garments, with quivering eyes due to inebriation, moving with lustful walking, who were seized with fury against their enemy, who carried maces, pikes and swords in their hands, who were eating and drinking too or lay fast asleep on splendid beds with their loved ones and who were decamping quickly to all sides, taking their sons with them, frightened and fearing up again and again.
सारवन्ति महार्हाणि गम्भीरगुणवन्ति च
हेमचन्द्रार्धचन्द्राणि चन्द्रशालोत्तमानि च
sāravanti mahārhāṇi gambhīraguṇavanti ca
hemacandrārdhacandrāṇi candraśālottamāni ca
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The fire there burnt away the houses, which were strong, very valuable, with profound qualities, decked in gold with moon shapes and crescent shapes, which rose high with their top rooms, provided all round with beautiful windows, furnished with seats coaches etc., decorated with gems and corals, as though touching the sky, rendered noisy with notes of herons, peacocks, veena the Indian lute and the jingling of ornaments as also appearing like mountains.
ज्वलनेन परीतानि तोरणानि चकाशिरे
विद्युद्भिरिव नद्धानि मेघजालानि घर्मगे
jvalanena parītāni toraṇāni cakāśire
vidyudbhiriva naddhāni meghajālāni gharmage
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Surrounded by fire, the arch-ways shone like a collection of clouds bound by lightning, at the end of a summer season.
ज्वलनेन परीतानि गृहाणि प्रचकाशिरे
दावाग्निदीप्तानि यथा शिखराणि महागिरेः
jvalanena parītāni gṛhāṇi pracakāśire
dāvāgnidīptāni yathā śikharāṇi mahāgireḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The houses, surrounded by fire shone like the peaks of a large mountain, ignited by a forest-fire.
विमानेषु प्रसुप्ताश्च दह्यमाना वराङ्गनाः
त्यक्ताभरणसर्वाङ्ग हा हेत्युच्चैर्विचुक्रुशुः
vimāneṣu prasuptāśca dahyamānā varāṅganāḥ
tyaktābharaṇasarvāṅga hā hetyuccairvicukruśuḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Getting scorched in fire, beautiful women, while lying fast asleep in their seven-storeyed mansions, gave up all connection with their ornaments and screamed loudly, saying "ah! Alas!"
तत्र चाग्निपरीतानि निपेतुर्भवनान्यपि
वज्रिवज्रहतानीव शिखराणि महागिरेः
tatra cāgniparītāni nipeturbhavanānyapi
vajrivajrahatānīva śikharāṇi mahāgireḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The houses too, surrounded by fire there, fell down like peaks of a great mountain, struck by the thunder-bolt of Indra.
तानि निर्दह्यमानानि दूरतः प्रचकाशिरे
हिमवच्छिखराणीव दह्यमानानि सर्वशः
tāni nirdahyamānāni dūrataḥ pracakāśire
himavacchikharāṇīva dahyamānāni sarvaśaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Those houses, while being burnt, shone, from afar, like the peaks of Himalayas being consumed by fire on all sides.
हर्म्याग्रैर्दह्यमानैश्च ज्वालाप्रज्वलितैरपि
रात्रौ सा दृश्यते लङ्का पुष्पितैरिव किंशुकैः
harmyāgrairdahyamānaiśca jvālāprajvalitairapi
rātrau sā dṛśyate laṅkā puṣpitairiva kiṃśukaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That City of Lanka at night with its house-tops being burnt ablaze with flames, looked like Kimshuka trees in full bloom.
हस्त्यध्यक्षैर्गजैर्मुकैर्मुकैश्च तुरगैरपि
बभूव लङ्का लोकान्ते भ्रान्तग्राह इवार्णवः
hastyadhyakṣairgajairmukairmukaiśca turagairapi
babhūva laṅkā lokānte bhrāntagrāha ivārṇavaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
With their elephants let loose by the superintendents of the elephants and horses too set free, Lanka was like an ocean, with roaming alligators in it at the end of a world-cycle.
अश्वं मुक्तं गजो दृष्ट्वा क्वचिद्भीतो।अपसर्पति
भीतो भीतं गजं दृष्ट्वा क्वचिदश्वो निवर्तते
aśvaṃ muktaṃ gajo dṛṣṭvā kvacidbhīto|apasarpati
bhīto bhītaṃ gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā kvacidaśvo nivartate
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Here, seeing a horse being let loose, an elephant went back frightened. There, seeing a frightened elephant, a horse turned back with an alarm.
लङ्कायाम् दह्यमानायाम् शुशुभे च महोदधिः
चायासंसक्तसलिलो लोहितोद इवार्णवः
laṅkāyām dahyamānāyām śuśubhe ca mahodadhiḥ
cāyāsaṃsaktasalilo lohitoda ivārṇavaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While Lanka was being burnt, the great ocean, with its image reflected on its waters, assumed like a great sea with red waters.
सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन हरिभिर्दीपिता पुरी
लोकस्यास्य क्षये घोरे प्रदीप्तेव वसुंधरा
sā babhūva muhūrtena haribhirdīpitā purī
lokasyāsya kṣaye ghore pradīpteva vasuṃdharā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That City burnt by the monkeys, within a short time, became transformed like the earth burning at the time of terrific dissolution of this world.
नारीजनस्य धूमेन व्याप्तस्योच्चैर्विनेदुषः
स्वनो ज्वलनतप्तस्य शुश्रुवे शतयोजनम्
nārījanasya dhūmena vyāptasyoccairvineduṣaḥ
svano jvalanataptasya śuśruve śatayojanam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The noise of the women-folk, who were burnt by fire and covered with smoke, roaring loudly, was heard upto one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles).
प्रदग्धकायानपरान् राक्षसान्निर्गतान् बहिः
सहसा ह्युत्पतन्ति स्म हरयो।अथ युयुत्सवः
pradagdhakāyānaparān rākṣasānnirgatān bahiḥ
sahasā hyutpatanti sma harayo|atha yuyutsavaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then the monkeys, eager to fight, bounced suddenly upon the other demons, whose bodies had been severely burnt and who rushed out (to save their lives).
उद्घुष्टं वानराणां च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनः
दिशो दश समुद्रं च पृथिवीम् च व्यनादयत्
udghuṣṭaṃ vānarāṇāṃ ca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanaḥ
diśo daśa samudraṃ ca pṛthivīm ca vyanādayat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The loud noise made by the monkeys and the cry of the demons caused resounding of all the ten quarters, the ocean and the earth.
विशल्यौ च महात्मानौ तावुभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ
असम्भ्रान्तौ जगृहतुस्ते उभे धनुषी वरे
viśalyau ca mahātmānau tāvubhau rāmalakṣmaṇau
asambhrāntau jagṛhatuste ubhe dhanuṣī vare
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Healed of their wounds and unperplexed, both those great souled princes, Rama and Lakshmana seized hold of those two excellent bows.
ततो विस्फारयामास रामश्च धनुरुत्तमम्
बभूव तुमुलः शब्दो राक्षसानाम् भयावहः
tato visphārayāmāsa rāmaśca dhanuruttamam
babhūva tumulaḥ śabdo rākṣasānām bhayāvahaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereupon, Rama pulled his excellent bow, making a tumultuous twang, which struck terror in demons.
अशोभत तदा रामो धनुर्विस्फारयन् महत्
भगवानिव सम्क्रुद्धो भवो वेदमयं धनुः
aśobhata tadā rāmo dhanurvisphārayan mahat
bhagavāniva samkruddho bhavo vedamayaṃ dhanuḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama, drawing his great bow, was as shining at that time as Lord Shiva (the source of Universe), stretching his bow, consisting of the Vedas in a great wrath (as at the time of dissolution of the Universe).
उद्गुष्टं वानराणां च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनम्
ज्याशब्दस्तावुभौ शब्दावति रामस्य शुश्रुवे
udguṣṭaṃ vānarāṇāṃ ca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanam
jyāśabdastāvubhau śabdāvati rāmasya śuśruve
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The twang of the bow-string of Rama could be heard above both of those sounds. The sound of the monkeys and the cry of the demons.
वानरोद्घुष्टशब्दश्च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनः
ज्याशब्दश्चापि रामस्य त्रयं व्याप दिशो दसः
vānarodghuṣṭaśabdaśca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanaḥ
jyāśabdaścāpi rāmasya trayaṃ vyāpa diśo dasaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The raised voice of the monkeys, the cry of the demons and even the twang of Rama's bow-string these three sounds pervaded all the ten quarters.
तस्य कार्मुकनिर्मुक्तैः शरैस्तत्पुरगोपुरम्
कैलासशृङ्गप्रतिमं विशीर्णमपतद्भुवि
tasya kārmukanirmuktaiḥ śaraistatpuragopuram
kailāsaśṛṅgapratimaṃ viśīrṇamapatadbhuvi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
By the arrows released from Rama's bow, the main gate of that City looking like a peak of Mount Kailasa, tumbled down, shattered, to the ground.
ततो रामशरान् दृष्ट्वा विमानेषु गृहेषु च
संनाहो राक्षसेन्द्राणां तुमुलः समपद्यत
tato rāmaśarān dṛṣṭvā vimāneṣu gṛheṣu ca
saṃnāho rākṣasendrāṇāṃ tumulaḥ samapadyata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereupon, seeing Rama's arrows descending on seven-storeyed mansions and other houses, the war-preparedness of the leaders of demons got disturbed.
तेषां सम्नह्यमानानाम् सिम्हनादं च कुर्वताम्
शर्वरी राक्षसेन्द्राणाम् द्रौद्रीव समपद्यत
teṣāṃ samnahyamānānām simhanādaṃ ca kurvatām
śarvarī rākṣasendrāṇām draudrīva samapadyata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
To those demoniac leaders, who were preparing for the battle and emitting lion's roars, that night became a night of final dissolution (presided over by Rudra, the lord of destruction).
आदिष्टा वानरेन्द्रास्ते सुग्रीवेण महात्मना
असन्नम् द्वारमासाद्य युध्यध्वं च प्लवंगमाः
ādiṣṭā vānarendrāste sugrīveṇa mahātmanā
asannam dvāramāsādya yudhyadhvaṃ ca plavaṃgamāḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The monkey-chiefs were commanded by Sugreeva as follows: "O monkeys! Approaching the nearest gate, begin to wage the war. Even though present at the scene of fighting, he among you who proves futile by an escape, should be overtaken and killed as he will be quality of disobeying the royal command."
तेषु वानरमुख्येषु दीप्तोल्कोज्ज्वलपाणिषु
स्थितेषु द्वारमाश्रित्य रावणं क्रोध आविशत्
teṣu vānaramukhyeṣu dīptolkojjvalapāṇiṣu
sthiteṣu dvāramāśritya rāvaṇaṃ krodha āviśat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing those monkey-chiefs, standing at the gate, with flaming torches in their hands, Ravana was enraged with fury.
तस्य जृम्भितविक्षेपाद्व्यामिश्रा वै दिशो दश
रूपवानिव रुद्रस्य मन्युर्गात्रेष्वदृश्यत
tasya jṛmbhitavikṣepādvyāmiśrā vai diśo daśa
rūpavāniva rudrasya manyurgātreṣvadṛśyata
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
All the ten directions were distracted because of Ravana's act of disorderly movement of his body due to yawning and he looked like the wrath manifest in the limbs of Rudra appearing with a form.
स कुम्भं च निकुम्भं च कुम्भकर्णात्मजावुभौ
प्रेषयामास संक्रुद्धो राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सह
sa kumbhaṃ ca nikumbhaṃ ca kumbhakarṇātmajāvubhau
preṣayāmāsa saṃkruddho rākṣasairbahubhiḥ saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The enraged Ravana sent both Kumbha and Nimkumbha, the sons of Kumbhakarna, along with a multitude of demons.
यूपाक्षः शोणिताक्षश्च प्रजङ्घः कम्पनस्तथा
निर्ययुः कौम्भकर्णिभ्यां सह रावणशासनात्
yūpākṣaḥ śoṇitākṣaśca prajaṅghaḥ kampanastathā
niryayuḥ kaumbhakarṇibhyāṃ saha rāvaṇaśāsanāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
By the orders of Ravana, Yupaksha, Shonitaksha, Prajangha and Kampana along with the aforesaid sons of Kumbhakarna set out for the battle.
शशास चैव तान् सर्वान् राक्षसान् स महाबलान्
राक्षसा गच्छताद्यैव सिम्हनादं च नादयन्
śaśāsa caiva tān sarvān rākṣasān sa mahābalān
rākṣasā gacchatādyaiva simhanādaṃ ca nādayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Ravana instructed all those mighty demons thus, "O demons! Proceed now itself, bellowing a lion's roar."
ततस्तु चोदितास्तेन राक्षसा ज्वलितायुधाः
लङ्काया निर्ययूर्वीराः प्रणदन्तः पुनः पुनः
tatastu coditāstena rākṣasā jvalitāyudhāḥ
laṅkāyā niryayūrvīrāḥ praṇadantaḥ punaḥ punaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Incited by Ravana, the valiant demons then, wielding shining weapons and roaring repeatedly, sallied forth from Lanka.
रक्षसां भूषणस्थाभिर्भाभिः स्वाभिश्च सर्वशः
चक्रुस्ते सप्रभं व्योम हरयश्चाग्निभिः सह
rakṣasāṃ bhūṣaṇasthābhirbhābhiḥ svābhiśca sarvaśaḥ
cakruste saprabhaṃ vyoma harayaścāgnibhiḥ saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
By the gleams of ornaments worn by their own natural splendour, those demons and monkeys with their fires, made the sky fluorescent on all sides.
तत्र ताराधिपस्याभा ताराणाम् भा तथैव च
तयोराभरणाभा च ज्वलिता द्यामभासयत्
tatra tārādhipasyābhā tārāṇām bhā tathaiva ca
tayorābharaṇābhā ca jvalitā dyāmabhāsayat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The effulgence of the moon there, the light of the stars and the splendour of the ornaments of both the armies, while blazing, made the sky brilliant.
चन्द्राभा भूषणाभा च ग्रहाणाम् ज्वलिता च भा
हरिराक्षससैन्यानि भ्राजयामास सर्वतः
candrābhā bhūṣaṇābhā ca grahāṇām jvalitā ca bhā
harirākṣasasainyāni bhrājayāmāsa sarvataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The effulgence of the moon, the splendour of the ornaments and the fluorescence of the blazing planets made the armies of monkeys and demons glitter on all sides.
तत्र चार्धप्रदीप्तानां गृहाणाम् सागरः पुनः
भाभिः संसक्तसलिलश्चलोर्मिः शुशुभे।अधिकम्
tatra cārdhapradīptānāṃ gṛhāṇām sāgaraḥ punaḥ
bhābhiḥ saṃsaktasalilaścalormiḥ śuśubhe|adhikam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
With the flames of the half-scorched houses there, the ocean on its part with its agitated waves mingled with water, shone abundantly.
पताकाध्वजसम्युक्तमुत्तमासिपरश्वधम्
भीमाश्वरथमातङ्गं नानापत्तिसमाकुलम्
patākādhvajasamyuktamuttamāsiparaśvadham
bhīmāśvarathamātaṅgaṃ nānāpattisamākulam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That army of demons was looking awful with flags and banners, with excellent axes shaped like swords, consisting of terrific horses, chariots and elephants, crowded with foot-soldiers of every description, distinguished by shining pikes, maces, swords, spears, lances and bows, noted for its redoubtable valour and prowess, with shining lances and rendered noisy by hundreds of tiny bells (tied around chariots, elephants etc), the arms of its warriors adorned with sets of gold ornaments, their axes being brandished, mighty weapons being waved about, arrows fitted to the bows and the whole atmosphere rendered fragrant by the abundance of sandal paste, garlands and wine.
घोरं शूरजनाकीर्णम् महाम्बुधरनिःस्वनम्
तद्दृष्ट्वा बलमायातं राक्षसानां दुरासदम्
ghoraṃ śūrajanākīrṇam mahāmbudharaniḥsvanam
taddṛṣṭvā balamāyātaṃ rākṣasānāṃ durāsadam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing the army of demons, which came crowded with gallant warriors, thundered like a huge cloud which was difficult to assail, the army of monkeys marched forth and made a loud noise.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That large army of demons on its part went springing forward with all speed, towards the hostile army, as moths towards a flame.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The excellent army of those demons, in which iron clubs and the tips of missiles being brandished through the action of their arms, shone all the more brightly.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, the monkeys desirous to fight there, striking the demons with trees, rocks and fists, jumped up as though frenzied.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Likewise, the demons with their terrific prowess instantly tore off the heads of those monkeys bouncing upon them, with sharp arrows.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The demons there strolled in the streets of Lanka, with their ears bitten off with teeth, their skulls smashed with fists and their limbs broken by crag blows.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Even so, some demons with terrific form struck those chiefs among the monkeys, with sharp swords, on all sides of the battle field.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
One warrior killed the one who was killing another, a second one threw down the one throwing down another; a third one scolded another who was scolding the other one; while a fourth one chewed the one chewing another.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
There, one said "Give me the blow. Another said, "He is giving". Yet another said, "I am giving" some talked with one another, saying "Wait. Why do you take pains?"
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
In that very terrific war between monkeys and demons, some weapons were made futile. Some weapons were dug into armours. Long lances were lifted up. Fists, pikes, swords and spears were used as weapons of war.
वानरान् दश सप्तेति राक्षसा जघ्नराहवे
राक्षसान् दश सप्तेति वानराश्चाभ्यपातयन्
vānarān daśa sapteti rākṣasā jaghnarāhave
rākṣasān daśa sapteti vānarāścābhyapātayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
In the battle-front, the demons killed monkeys in tens and sevens. The monkeys too threw the demons down in tens and sevens.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये युद्धकांडे पञ्चसप्ततितमः सर्गः
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye yuddhakāṃḍe pañcasaptatitamaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Catching hold of the army of demons, whose hair and raiment's were kept in order with difficulty and whose armours and standards were thrown away, the monkeys surrounded them on all sides.
