Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Yuddha Kanda ( Book 6) Sarga 22 to 31

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 22

Introduction

When Rama is about to release a missile presided over by Brahma from his bow, the sea-god appears in person before him with joined palms and advises him to get a bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean. The ocean god disappears after giving this advice to Rama. Nala accordingly constructs a bridge across the sea with the help of other monkeys.

athovaaca raghushreSThaH saagaram daaruNam vacaH |
adya tvaam shoSayiSyaami sapaataalam mahaarNava || 6-22-1

1. atha= then; raghushreshhThaH= Rama; uvaacha= spoke; daaruNam= (these) harsh; vachanam= words; saagaram= to the ocean; mahaarNava= “O, Ocean! shoshhayishhyaami=I will make you dry up; adya= now; sapaataalam= along with your nethermost subterranean region.”

Then, Rama spoke these harsh words to the ocean: “O, ocean! I will make you dry up now along with your nethermost subterranean region.”

sharanirdagdhatoyasya parishuSkasya saagara |
mayaa nihatasattvasya paamsurutpadyate mahaan || 6-22-2

2. saagara= O, ocean! Mahaan= a vast; paamsuH= sand; utpadyate= will appear; shara nirdagdha toyasya= (when) your water gets consumed by my arrows; parishushhkasya= you get dried up; nihata sattvastya= and the creations inhabiting you get destroyed; mayaa= by me.

“O, Ocean! A vast stretch of sand will appear, when your water gets consumed by my arrows; when you get dried up and the creatures inhabiting you get destroyed by me.”

matkaarmukanisR^iSTena sharavarSeNa saagara |
param tiiram gamiSyanti padbhireva plavaN^gamaaH || 6-22-3

3. saagara= O, ocean! SharavarshheNa= by a gush of arrows; matkaarmuka nisR^ishhTena=released by my bow; plavaN^gamaaH= our monkeys; gamishhyanti= can proceed; param tiiram= to the other shore; padbhireva= with even their feet.

“By a gush of arrows released by my bow, our monkeys can proceed to the other shore even by foot; O, ocean!”

vichinvannaabhijaanaasi pauruSam vaapi vikramam |
daavnavaalaya samtaapam matto naama gamiSyasi || 6-22-4

4. daanavaalaya= O, Sea the abode of demons! na abhijaanaasi= you are not able to recognize; pourushham= my valor ; na vikramapi = nor prowess;vichinvan= by your discernment; gamishhyapi naama= you will indeed get ; santaapam= repentance; mattaH= at my hands.

“O, Sea the abode of demons! You are not able to recognize my valor or prowess through your intelligence .You will indeed get repentance at my hands.”

braahmeNaastreNa samyojya brahmadaNDanibham sharam |
samyojya dhanuSi shre SThe vicakarSa mahaabalaH || 6-22-5

5. mahaabalaH= the exceedingly powerful Rama; samyojya= fixing; sharam= an arrow; brahmadaNda nibham= resembling the Rod of Brahma(creator); samyojya= and charged; brahmeNaastreNa= with a missile presided over by Brahma; shreshhThe dhanushhi= to his excellent bow; vichakarshha= stretched it.

“Fixing an arrow resembling the Rod of Brahma (the creator) charged with a missile (presided over by Brahama) to his excellent bow, the exceedingly powerful Rama stretched it towards the sea.”

tasminvikR^iSTe sahasaa raaghaveNa sharaasane |
rodasii sampaphaaleva parvataashca chakampire || 6-22-6

6. tasmin= (while)that; sharaasane= bow; vikR^ishhTe= was being stretched; raaghaveNa = by Rama; rodasii= both the heaven and earth; sahasaa= suddenly; sampaphaaleva= seemed to be split asunder; parvataashcha= Mountains also; chakampire= were shaken.

While Rama was stretching that bow, both the heaven and earth suddenly seemed to be split asunder. Mountains also were shaken.

tamashca lokamaavavre dishashca na chakaashire |
praticukshubhire caashu saraamsi saritastadaa || 6-22-7

7. tadaa= then; tamashcha= darkness; aavavre= enveloped; lokam= the world; dishashcha= the quarters; na chakaashire= did not shine; saraamsi= lakes; saritaH= and rivers; aashu= soon; pratichukshhbhire= were agitated.

Darkness enveloped the world. All the quarters were obscured. Lakes and rivers were soon agitated.

tiryak ca saha nakshatraiH samgatau candrabhaaskarau |
bhaaskaraamshubhiraadiiptam tamasaa ca samaavR^itam || 6-22-8
pracakaashe tadaakaashamulkaashatavidiipitam |
antarikshaachcha nirghaataa nirjagmuratulasvanaaH || 6-22-9

8, 9. chandra bhaaskarou= moon; sun; nakshhatraischa= along with stars; sangatou= moved; tiryak= obliquely; (and though); aakaasham= the sky; aadiiptam= was lit; bhaaskaraamshubhiH= by the sun’s rays; samaavR^itam= it was enveloped; tamasaacha= by darkness; prachakaashe= and shined; ulkaashata vidiipitam= with a blaze of hundreds of meteors; (while) nirghaataaH= thunders; nirjagmuH=reverberated; atulasvanaaH= with an unparallel sound; antarikshhaat= in sky.

The moon sun and the stars moved obliquely and though the sun’s rays lighted the sky, it was enveloped by darkness and shined with a blaze of hundreds of meteors while thunders reverberated with an unparalleled sound in the sky.

vapuHprakarSeNa vavurdivyamaarutapaN^ktyaH |
babhaJNja cha tadaa vR^ikshaan jaladaanudvahan muhuH || 6-22-10

10. divyamaaruta paN^ktayaH= series of celestial winds; vavuH= blew; vapuH prakarshheNa= in their colossal forms; udvahan= drawing out; jaladaan= clouds; muhuH= again and again; tadaa= then; babhaN^jacha= tore up; vR^ikshhaan= the trees.

Series of celestial winds blew in their colossal form and the winds, then sweeping away the clouds, tore up the trees again and again.

aarujamshcaiva shailaagraan shikharaaNi babhaJNja ca |
divi ca sma mahaavegaaH samhataaH samahaasvanaaH || 6-22-11
mumucurvaidyutaanagniimste mahaashanayastadaa |

11. (the wind) aarujan cha= shattering; shailaagraan= the mountain peaks; babhaN^jacha= broke off; shikharaaNi= the points of the rocks; mahaavegaaH= winds of great velocity; samhataaH= struck together; divi= in the sky; mumuchuH= emitted; agniin= flashes of radiance; vaidyutaan= proceeding from lightning; samahaa svanaaH= with a great sound; tadaa= and then; te= they (became); mahaashanayaH= great thunders.

The wind, shattering the mountain peaks, broke off the points of the rocks. Winds of great velocity struck together in the sky and emitted flashes of radiance proceeding from lightning with a great sound and then there were great thunders.

yaani bhuutaani dR^ishyaani chukrushushcaashaneH samam || 6-22-12
adR^ishyaani ca bhuutaani mumuchurbhairavasvanam |
shishyare caabhibhuutaani samtrastaamyadvijanti ca || 6-22-13
sampravivyathire caapi na ca paspandire bhayaat |

12, 13. bhuutaani= the living beings; yaani= which were; dR^ishhyaani= visible; chukushruH= cried out; ashaneH samam= along with the thunders; adR^ishyaani= the visible; bhuutaanicha= beings too; mumuchuH= gave off; bhairava svanam= terrific noise; (the beings) abhibhuutaani= were overpowered; sampravivyathirechaapi= and also very much anguished; na cha paspandiri= they did not move; bhayaat= due to fear.

The visible creatures cried out along with the thunders. The invisible beings too gave off a terrific noise. The creatures were overpowered, frightened, agitated, lied down and also very much anguished. They did not move due to fear.

sahabhuutaiH satoyormiH sanaagaH saharaakshasaH || 6-22-14
sahasaabhuuttato vegaadbhiimavego mahodadhiH |
yojanam vyaticakraama velaamanyatra samplavaat || 6-22-15

14, 15. tataH= thereafter; mahodadhiH= the great ocean; satoyormiH= with its waves and water; sahabhuuteH= along with creatures; sanaagah= including snakes; saha raakshhasaH= and demons; abhuut= became; sahasaa= soon; bhiimavegaH= possessed with terrific velocity; vegaat= due to speed; samplavaat= and swelling of waters; vyatichakraama= it crossed beyond; anyatra=the other; velaam= shore; yojanam= for a Yojana (eight miles)

The great ocean with its waves and water, along with its living creatures including snakes and demons soon became possessed of a terrific velocity. Due to that speed and swelling of waters, the ocean crossed beyond the other shore to the extent of a Yojana (eight miles).

tam tathaa samatikraantam naaticakraama raaghavaH |
samuddhatamamitraghno raamo nadanadiipatim || 6-22-16

16. raamaH= Rama; raaghavaH= born in Raghu dynasty; amitraghnaH= and the annihilator of enemies; naatichakraama= did not retreat; (before) tam= that; nadanadiipatim= ocean; samuddhatam= and crossed its limits.

Rama born in Raghu dynasty and the annihilator of enemies, did not retreat before that ocean, which swelled and crossed its limits.

tato madhyaat samudrasya saagaraH svayam utthitaH |
udayan hi mahaashailaan meror iva divaa karaH || 6-22-17

17. tataH=then; saagaraH= Sagara the god of ocean; svayam= himself; utthitah= raised;madhyaat=from the middle; samudrasya = of the ocean; divaakaraH iva= as the sun;( raising) mahaa shailaan meroH= from the huge mountain of Meru; udayam=at dawn.

Then, Sagara (the ocean god) himself rose from the middle of the ocean as the sun rises at dawn from the huge mountain of Meru.

pannagaiH saha diipta aasyaiH samudraH pratyadR^ishyata |
snigdha vaiduurya samkaasho jaambuu nada vibhuuSitaH || 6-22-18

18. samudraH= the ocean; pannagaiH saha= along with snakes; diiptaasyaiH= of flaming jaws; pratyadR^ishyata = appeared; snigdha vaiduuryasamkaashaH= with a hue of glossy emerald; jaambuunada vibhuushhaNaH= adorned with gold.

That ocean along with snakes of flaming jaws appeared with a hue of glossy emerald adorned with gold.

ratna maalya ambara dharaH padma patra nibha iikSaNaH |
sarvapuSpamayiim divyaam shirasaa dhaarayan srajam || 6-22-19
jaataruupamayaishcaiva tapaniiyavibhuuSito bhuuSaNottamaiH |
aatmajaanaam ca ratnaanaam bhuuSito bhuuSaNottamaiH || 6-22-20
dhaatubhirmaNDitaH shailo vividhairhamavaaniva |
ekaavaliimadhyagatam taralam paaNDaraprabham || 6-22-21
vipulenorasaa bibhratkaustubhasya sahodaram |
aaghuurNitataraN^gaughaHkaalikaanilasamkulaH || 6-22-22
gaN^gaasindhupradhaanaabhiraapagaabhiH samaavR^itaH |
devataanaam saruupaabhirnaanaaruupaabhiriishvaraH || 6-22-23
saagaraH samatikramya puurvam aamantrya viiryavaan |
abraviit praanjalir vaakyam raaghavam shara paaNinam || 6-22-24

19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24. viiryavaan= the valiant; saagaraaH= ocean; iishvaraH= the lord of rivers; ratna maalyaambaradharaH= wearing a wreath of pearls; padmapatra nibhekshhaNaH= with his eyes resembling lotus- leaves; dhaarayaan= bearing; divyaam= a beautiful; srajam= garland; sarvapushhpamayiim= made of all kinds of flowers; shirasaa= on his head; tapaniiya vibhuushhaNaiH= with ornaments of refined; jaataruupa mayaishchaiva= gold; bhuushhitaH= adorned; bhuushhaNottamaIH= with excellent jewels; ratnaanaam= made of pearls; aatmajaanaam= from his domain; maN^DitaH= decorated; vividhaiH= with different kinds; dhaatubhiH= of gems and metals ;himavaan shailaH iva= resembling the Himavat Mountain; bibhrat= he wore; vipulena= on his broad; urasaa= chest; taralam= a locket; paN^Dara prabham=sheding a white luster; kaustubhasya sahodaram= resembling a Kaustubha gem(adorning the bosom of Lord Vishnu.);ekaavalii madhyagatam= and hanging in the middle of a single string of pearls ; aaghuurNita taraN^goughaH= with a multitude of waves, whirled around him; kaalikaanila samkulaH= encircled by the clouds and winds; samaavRi^taH= escorted;; aapagaabhiH =by rivers; gaN^gaa Sindhu pradhaanaabhiH=mainly Ganga and Sindhu; saruupaabhiH= equal in form; devataanaam= to deities; naanaa ruupaabhiH= and endowed with diverse forms; samuprakramya= approached; raaghavam= Rama; praaN^jaliH=with joined palms; sharapaaNinam= who stood with arrows in hand; aamantrya= addressing as “Rama!’ puurvam=first; abraviit=spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words:

The valiant ocean, the lord of rivers, wearing a wreath of pearls, with his eyes resembling lotus leaves, bearing a beautiful garland made of all kinds of flowers on his head, with ornaments of refined gold, adorned with excellent jewels made of pearls from his domain, decorated with different kinds of gems and metals, resembling Himavat mountain, wearing on his broad chest a locket shedding a white luster, resembling a Kaustubha gem (adorning the blossom of Lord Vishnu) and hanging in the middle of a single string of pearls, with a multitude of waves whirled around him, encircled by the clouds and winds, escorted by rivers mainly the Ganga and Sindhu, endowed with diverse forms resembling various deities, approached Rama with joined palms, who stood with arrows in hand, addressing him first as ‘Rama!’ and spoke the following words:

pR^ithivii vaayur aakaasham aapo jyotiH ca raaghavaH |
svabhaave saumya tiSThanti shaashvatam maargam aashritaaH || 6-22-25

25. soumya= O, beloved; raaghava= Rama! Prithivii= earth; vaayuH= wind; aakaasham= ether; aapaH= water; jyothishcha= and light; tishhThanti= remain fixed; svabhaave= in their own nature; aashhritaaH= taking refuge; shaashvatam= in an eternal; maargam= path.

“O, beloved Rama! Earth, wind ether, water and light remain fixed in their own nature, resorting to their eternal path.”

tat svabhaavo mama api eSa yad agaadho aham aplavaH |
vikaaras tu bhaved raadha etat te pravadaami aham || 6-22-26

26. tat= hence; aham= I; agaadhaH= am fathomless; mamaapi= and my; svaabhaH= nature; eshhaH= is this; aplavaH iti yat= being impossible of being swum across; bhavet= It becomes; vikaaraH= unnatural; gaadhahtu= If I am shallow; pravadaam= I am telling; te= you; etat= this (the following device to cross me).

“Therefore, I am fathomless and my nature is that it is impossible of being swum across. It becomes unnatural if I am shallow. I am telling you the following device to cross me.”

na kaamaan na ca lobhaad vaa na bhayaat paarthiva aatmaja |
raagaannakraakulajalam stambhayeyam kathamcana || 6-22-27

27. paarthivaatmaja= O, prince! na kaamaat=neither from desire; lobhatva= nor ambition; bhayaat= nor fear; na raagaat= nor from affection; stambhayeyam= I am able to solidify; nakraakula jalam= my waters inhabited by alligators.

“O, prince! Neither from desire nor ambition nor fear nor from affection, I am able to solidify my waters inhabited by alligators.”

vidhaasye yena gantaasi viSahiSye hyaham tathaa |
na graahaa vidhamiSyanti yaavatsenaa tariSyati || 6-22-28
hariiNaam taraNe raama kariSyaami yathaasthalam |

28. raama= O, Rama! Aham= I; karishhyaami= will make it possible; tathaa yena= in that manner by which; gantaasi= you can go; yathaa tathaa= in every way; karishhyaami= I will arrange; sthalam= a place; hariNaam= for the monkeys; taraNe= to cross me; vishhaahishhye= and bear with it; yaavat= as far as; senaa= the army; tarishhyati= crosses me; graahaaH= the crocodiles; na vidhamishhyanti= will not be aggressive.

“O, Rama! I shall make it possible to see that you are able to cross over. I will arrange a place for the monkeys to cross me and bear with it. As far as the army crosses me, the crocodiles will not be aggressive to them.”

tamabraviittadaa raamaH shR^iNu me varuNaalaya || 6-22-29
amogho.ayam mahaabaaNaH kasmin deshe nipaatyataam |

29. tadaa= then; raamaH= Rama; abraviit= spoke; tam= to that ocean; (as follows); shruNu= Listen; me= to me; ayam= this; mahaa=baaNaH= great arrow; amoghaH= should not be in vain; kasmin= in which; deshe= direction; nipaatyataam= should it be descended?

Then, Rama spoke to that ocean as follows: “Listen to me. This great arrow should not go in vain. In which region should it be descended?”

raamasya vachanam shrutvaa tam ca dR^iSTvaa mahaasharam || 6-22-30
mahodadhirmahaatejaa raaghavam vaakyamabraviit |

30. shrutvaa= hearing; raamasya= Rama’s; vachanam= words; mahaatejaH= large splendid; mahodadhiH= mighty ocean; dR^ishhTvaa= seeing; tam= that; mahaasharam= powerful arrow; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= the following words; raaghavam= to Rama.

Hearing Rama’s words and seeing that powerful arrow, the large splendid Ocean spoke the following words to Rama:

uttareNaavakaasho.asti kashchitpuNyataro mama || 6-22-31
drumakulya iti khyaato loke khyaato yathaa bhavaan |

31. asti= there is; kashhchit= a certain; avakaashaH= place; uttareNa= which is northward; me= to me; khyaataH= it is well known; drumakulaH iti= as Drumatulya; yathaa= as; bhavaan= you; khyaataH= are well known; loke= in the world.

“Towards my northern side, there is a holy place. It is well known as Drumatulya, in the same way as you are well known to this world.”

ugradarshanakarmaaNo bahavastatra dasyavaH || 6-22-32
aabhiirapramukhaaH paapaaH pibanti salilam mama |

32. bahavaH=numerous; dasyavaH= robbers; ugra darshanakarmaaNaH= of fearful aspect and deeds; paapaaH abhiira pramukhaaH= having the sinful Abhiras as their chief, pibanti= drink; mama= my; salilam= waters; tatra= there.

“Numerous robbers of fearful aspect and deeds, having the sinful Abhiras as their chief, drink my waters there.”

tairna tatsparshanam paapam saheyam paapakarmabhiH || 6-22-33
amoghaH kriyataam raama tatra teSu sharottamaH |

33. na saheyam= I am not able to bear; tat= that; sparshanam= touch; taiH= of those; paapaiH= wicked people; paapakarmabhiH= the evil doers; raama= O, Rama! SharottamaH= let excellent arrow; kriyataam= be released; teshhu= on them; tatra= there; amoghaH= with out vain.

“I am not able to bear that touch of those wicked people, the evil doers, O, Rama! Let this excellent arrow with out vain be released over them there.”

tasya tadvacanam shrutvaa saagarasya mahaatmanaH || 6-22-34
mumoca tam sharam diiptam param saagaradarshanaat |

34. shrutvaa= hearing; tatvachanam= those words; tasya saagarasya= of that Ocean; mahaatmanaH= the high soled; (Rama) mumocha= released; tam sharam= that arrow; param= which was excellent; diiptam= and splendid; saagara darshanaat= towards the place as directed by the ocean.

Hearing those words of the high-soled Ocean, Rama released that excellent and splendid arrow towards that place as directed by the ocean.

tena tanmarukaantaaram p^ithivyaam kila vishrutam || 6-22-35
vipaatitaH sharo yatra vajraashanisamaprabhaH |

35. yatra=the place, where; sharaH= the arrow; vajraashani samaprabhaH= whose splendor was akin to that of a thunder and a thunder–bolt; nipaatitaH= was descended; tena= by Rama; tat= that place; vishrutamkila= is indeed famous; maru kaantaaram= as desert of Maru; pR^ithivyaan= on earth.

The place where the arrow, whose splendor was akin to that of a thunder and a thunder bolt, was descended by Rama- that place is indeed famous as desert of Maru* on this earth.

* Maru—Malwar in Rajastan (India)

nanaada ca tadaa tatra vasudhaa shalyapiiDitaa || 6-22-36
tasmaadbaaNamukhaattoyamutpapaata rasaatalaat |

36. vasudhaa= the earth; tatra =there; shalyapiiDitaa= pierced by the arrow; tadaa= then; nanaada= emitted a sound; toyam= the waters; rasaatalaat= of the penultimate subterranean region; utpapaata= gushed forth; baaNamukhaat= from the mouth of that cleft.

The earth there, pierced by the dart, then emitted a sound . The waters of the penultimate subterranean region gushed forth from the mouth of that cleft.

sa babhuuva tadaa kuupo vraNa ityeva vishrutaH || 6-22-37
satatam cotthitam toyam samudrasyeva dR^ishyate |

37. tadaa= then; saH= that; kuupaH= hollow; babhuuva=became; vishrutaH= known; vraNaH ityeva= as Vrana; toyam= water; satatam= constantly; dR^ishyate= seen; utthitam= gushing forth; samudrasyeva= resembling seawater.

Then the hollow became known as Vrana. Water constantly seen, gushing forth from it resembled seawater.

avadaaraNashabdashca daaruNaH samapadyata || 6-22-38
tasmaattadbaaNapaatena apaH kukshiSvashoSayat |

38. tasmaat= from that place; daaruNaaH= a terrific; avadaaraNa shabdaH= splitting sound; sampadyata= was born; aapaH= water; ashoshhayat= was dried up; kukshhishhu= in those cavities; tadbaaNapaatena= by hurling of that arrow.

A terrific splitting sound was born in that place. Water was dried up in those cavities, as a result of hurling of that arrow by Rama.

vikhyaatam triSu lokeSu madhukaantaarameva ca || 6-22-39
shoSayitvaa tu tam kukshim raamo dasharathaatmajaH |
varam tasmai dadau vidvaanmarave.amaravikramaH || 6-22-40

39, 40. maru kantaaram= that desert of Meru; vikhyaatam= became famous; trishhu= in the three; lokeshhu= worlds; raamaH= Rama; dasharathaatmajaH= the son of Dasaratha; vidvaan= wise man; amaravikramaH= and a valiant man like a celestial; tam kukshhim shoshhayitvaa= made that cavity dried up; dadou= and gave; varam= a boon; tasmai marave= to the desert of Maru.

That desert of Maru became famous in the three worlds. Rama (the son of Dasaratha), a wise man and a valiant man resembling a celestial, made that cavity dried up and gave a boon to that desert of Maru.

pashavyashcaalparogashca phalamuularasaayutaH |
bahusneho bahukshiiraH sugandhirvividhauSadhiH || 6-22-41
evametairguNairyukto bahibhiH samyuto maruH |
raamasya varadaanaacca shivaH panthaa babhuuva ha || 6-22-42

41, 42. varadaanaat= due to granting of a boon; maruH= to that desert Maru; raamasya= by Rama; pashavyashcha= the place became most fit for cattle; alpamuularasaayutaH= having tasty fruits and roots; bahusnehaH= with a lot of clarified butter; bahukshhiiraH= lot of milk; sugandhiH= sweet smelling ; vividhaoushhadhiH= having various kinds of herbs; evam= thus; babhuuva= it became; shivaH= an auspicious; yuktaH= and suitable; panthaaH= move; samyutaH= consisting of ; etaiH= these; guNaiH= merits.

Due to granting of a boon by Rama, that desert of Maru became the most congenial place for cattle rearing, a place with a little of disease, producing tasty fruits and roots, with a lot of clarified butter, a lot of milk and various kinds of sweet- smelling herbs. Thus it became an auspicious and suitable move, bestowing these merits.

tasmin dagdhe tadaa kukshau samudraH saritaam patiH |
raaghavam sarvashaastrajJNamidam vacanambraviit || 6-22-43

43. tadaa= then; tasmin= while that; kukushhou= cavity; dagdhe= was burning; samudraaH= ocean; saritaam pati= the lord of rivers; abraviit=spoke; idam= these; vachanam= words; raaghavam= to Rama; sarvashaatraj^Naam= who knew all scientific treaties.

While that cavity was burning, Ocean the lord of rivers spoke these words to Rama who knew all scientific treatises.

ayam saumya nalo naama tanujo vishva karmaNaH |
pitraa datta varaH shriimaan pratimo vishva karmaNaH || 6-22-44

44. soumya= O, excellent man! ayam= this one; nalonaama= named Nala; sriimaan= a glorious person; tanayaH= is the son; vishvakarmaNaH = of Visvakarma; datta varaH= who was given a boon; pitra= by his father; pratimaH= and equal to; vishvakarmaNaH= Visvakarma.

“O, excellent man! This one, named Nala, a glorious person, is the son of Vishvakarma; who was given a boon by his father and is equal to Visvakarma.”

eSa setum mahaautsaahaH karotu mayi vaanaraH |
tam aham dhaarayiSyaami tathaa hi eSa yathaa pitaa || 6-22-45

45. eshhaH vaanaraH= let this monkey; mahotsaahaH= a greatly energetic one; karotu= build; setum= a bridge; mayi= in me; aham= I; dhaaraayishhyaami= can hold; tam= it; eshhaH= He; tathaa= is the same; yathaa= as; pitaa= his father.

“Let this greatly energetic monkey build a bridge across me. I can hold that bridge. He is just the same as his father.”

evam uktvaa udadhir naSTaH samutthaaya nalas tataH |
abraviid vaanara shreSTho vaakyam raamam mahaabalaH || 6-22-46

46. evam=thus; uktvaa= speaking; udadhiH= the god of Ocean; nashhTaH= disappeared; tadaa= then; nalaH= Nala; vaanarashhreshhThaH= the more distinguished among monkeys; samutthaayaaa= stood up; abraviit= and spoke; vaakyam= words; (these) raamam= to Rama; mahaabalam= of great power.

Thus speaking, the god of Ocean disappeared from that place. Then Nala, the more distinguished among monkeys stood up and spoke the following words to Rama of great power:

aham setum kariSyaami vistiirNe varuNa aalaye |
pituH saamarthyam aasthaaya tattvam aaha mahaaudadhiH || 6-22-47

47. mahodadhiH= the great ocean; aaha= told; tattvam= a truth; aham= I; karishhyaami= will construct; setum= a bridge; vistiirNe= (across) the large; makaraalaye= ocean; aasthitaH= taking recourse to ; saamarthyam= the ability; pituH= of my father.

“The great Ocean disclosed a truth. I will construct a bridge across this large Ocean, taking recourse to the skill and ability of my father.”

asau tu saagaro bhiimaH setukarmadidR^ikshayaa |
dadau daNDabhayaadgaadham raaghavaaya mahodadhiH || 6-22-48

48. asou= this; saagaraH= Sagara; bhiimaH= the formidable; mahodadhiH= mass of water; daN^Da bhyaat= in fear punishment; setukarmadidR^kshhayaa= wished to see a bridge constructed ; dadou= (and) gave; gaadham= a passage; raaghavaaya= to Rama.

“This Sagara, the formidable mass of water, in fear of punishment, gave a passage to Rama, wishing to see a bridge constructed on it.”

mama maatur varo datto mandare vishva karmaNaa |
aurasas tasya putro aham sadR^isho vishva karmaNaa || 6-22-49

49. mandare= on the mountain of Mandara; varaH= the following boon; dattaH= was given; mama maatuH= to my mother; vishvakarmaNaa = by Visvakarma; devii= “O, like lady! PutraH= a son; sadR^ishaH= equal; mayaa= to me; bhavishhyati= will be born; tava= to you.

“On the mountain of Mandara, the following boon was given by Visvakarma to my mother: “O, god like lady! A son equal to me will be born to you.”

aurasastasya putro.aham sadR^isho vishvakarmaNaa|
smaarito.asmyahametena tattvamaaha mahodadhiH || 6-22-50
na ca api aham anukto vai prabruuyaam aatmano guNaan |

50. aham= I; tasya ourasa putraH= am a son born of Visvakarma’s own loins; sadR^ishaH= I am equal; visvakarmaNaa= to Visvakarma; smaaritaH asmi= I have been reminded; etena=by this god of ocean; mahodadhiH= the great ocean; aaha= spoke; tattvam= the truth; anuktaH= unasked; aham= I; naprabruuyaam= have not told; vaH= you; aatmanah= my; guNaam= description.

“I am a son born of Visvakarma’s own loins. I am equal to Visvakarma. This god of Ocean has reminded me. The great ocean spoke the truth. Being unasked, I have not told you my details earlier.”

samarthshcaapyaham setum kartum vai varuNaalaye || 6-22-51
tasmaadadyaiva badhnantu setum vaanarapuN^gavaaH |

51. aham=I; samarthashchaapi= am capable; kartum= to construct; setum= a bridge; varuNaalaye= across the ocean; tasmaat= Hence; vaanarapuN^gavaaH= (let) the foremost of the monkeys; badhnantu= build; setum= the bridge; adyaiva= now itself.

“I am capable of constructing a bridge across the ocean. Hence, let the foremost of monkeys build the bridge now itself.”

tato nisR^iSTa raameNa sarvato hari yuuthapaaH || 6-22-52
abhipetur mahaaaraNyam hR^iSTaaH shata sahasrashaH |

52. tataH= then; visR^ishhTaaH= being sent; raameNa= by Rama; shatasahasrashaH= hundreds and thousands; haripuN^gavaaH= of monkey heroes; abhyutpetuH=jumped; hR^ishhTaaH= in joy; sarvataH= on all sides; mahaaraNyam= towards the great forest.

Then, being sent by Rama, hundreds and thousands of monkey heroes jumped in joy on all sides towards the great forest.

te nagaan naga samkaashaaH shaakhaa mR^iga gaNa R^iSabhaaH || 6-22-53
babhanjur vaanaraas tatra pracakarSuH ca saagaram |

53. te= those; shaakhaamR^iga gaNarshhabhaah= army chiefs of monkeys; nagasamkaashaaH= who resembled the mountains; babhaN^juH= broke; nagaan= the rocks; paadapaan= and trees; tatra= there; prachakarshhushcha= and dragged them away; saagaram= towards the sea.

Those army-chiefs of monkeys, who resembled mountains, broke the rocks and trees there and dragged them away towards the sea.

te saalaiH ca ashva karNaiH ca dhavair vamshaiH ca vaanaraaH || 6-22-54
kuTajair arjunais taalais tikalais timishair api |
bilvakaiH saptaparNaishca karNikaaraishca puSpitaiH || 6-22-55
cuutaiH ca ashoka vR^ikSaiH ca saagaram samapuurayan |

54, 55. te vaanaraah= those monkeys; paryapuurayam= filled ; saagaram= the ocean; vR^ikshhaishcha=( with all types) of trees; namely ; saalaishcha= sala; ashvakarNaishcha= Asvakarna; dhavaiH= Dhava; vamshaishcha= bamboo; kuTajaiH= Kutaja; arjunaiH= Arjuna; taalaih= palmyra; tilakaiH= Tilaka; tinishairapi= Tinisa; bilvakaiH= Bilva; saptaparNaishcha= Saptaparna; pushhpitaiH= the flowered; karNikaaraiH= Karnika; chuutaishcha= mango; ashoka= and Asoka.

Those monkeys filled the ocean with all types of trees like Sala and Asvakarna, Dhava and bamboo, Kutaja, Arjuna, palmyra,Tilaka, Tinisa, Bilva, Saptaparna, Karnika, in blossom as also mango and Asoka.

samuulaamH ca vimuulaamH ca paadapaan hari sattamaaH || 6-22-56
indra ketuun iva udyamya prajahrur harayas taruun |

56. vanaraah= the forest animals; harisattamaaH= the very good monkeys; udyamya= lifted; prajahruH= and brought; paadapaan= the trees; samuulaancha= some with roots intact; vimuulaancha= (and some); taruun= trees without roots; indraketuuniva= like Indra’s flag posts.

The excellent monkeys, the forest animals lifted and brought, like Indra’s flag posts, some trees with roots intact and some others without roots.

taalaan daaDimagulmaamshca naarikelavibhiitakaan || 6-22-57
kariiraan bakulaannimbaan samaajahruritastataH |

57. itastataH= from here and there; (they) samaajahruH= brought; taalan= Palmyra trees; daaDima gulmaamshcha= pomegranate shrubs; naarikela vibhiitakaan= coconut and Vibhitaka; kariiraan=Karira;bakulaan= Bakula; nimbaan=and neem trees.

From here and there the monkeys brought Palmyra trees, pomegranate shrubs, coconut and Vibhitaka, Karira, Bakula and neem trees.

hastimaatraan mahaakaayaaH paaSaaNaamshca mahaabalaaH || 6-22-58
parvataamshca samutpaaTya yantraiH parivahanti ca |

58. mahaakaayaaH= the monkeys having huge bodies; mahaabalaaH= and mighty strength; samutpaaTya= uprooted; hastimaatraan= elephant-sized; paashhaaNaan= rocks; parvataamshcha= and mountains; parivahanti= and transported; yantraiH= by mechanical contrivances.

The huge bodied monkeys with mighty strength uprooted elephant-sized rocks and mountains and transported them by mechanical contrivances.

prakSipyamaaNair acalaiH sahasaa jalam uddhatam || 6-22-59
samutpatitam aakaasham apaasarpat tatas tataH |

59. jalam= the water; uddhR^itam= raised up; sahasaa= due to sudden; prakshhipyamaaNaiH= throwing; achalaiH= of mountains; (in to the sea)samutsasarpa= soured upward towards; aakaasham= the sky; tataH= from there; punaH= again; avaasarpat= gushed back.

The water, raised up due to sudden throwing of mountains in the sea, soured upward towards the sky and from there again, gushed back.

samudram kshobhayaamaasurnipatantaH samantataH || 6-22-60
suutraaNyanye pragR^ihNanti hyaayatam shatayojanam |

60. nipatantaH= the rocks befalling; samantataH= on all sides; kshhobhayaamaasuH= perturbed; samudram= the sea; anye= some others; pragR^ihNamti= drew up; suutraaNi= strings; shatayojanam= a hundred Yojanas; aayatam= long; (in order to keep the rocks in a straight line).

The rocks befalling on all sides perturbed the ocean. Some others drew up strings a hundred Yojanas long (in order to keep the rocks in a straight line.)

nalaH cakre mahaasetum madhye nada nadii pateH || 6-22-61
sa tadaa kriyate seturvaanarai rghorakarmabhiH |

61. nalaH= Nala; chakre= initiated; mahaasetum= a monumental bridge; madhye= in middle; nadanadiipate= of the ocean; setuH=The bridge; kriyate= was built; tadaa= at that time; vaanaraih= by the monkeys; ghorakarmabhiH= of terrible acts.

Nala on his part initiated a monumental bridge in the middle of the ocean. The bridge was built at that time with the cooperation of other monkeys, of terrible doings.

daNDananye pragR^ihNanti vicinvanti tathaapare || 6-22-62
vaanaraiH shatashastatra raamasyajJNaapuraHsaraiH |
meghaabhaiH parvataabhashca tR^iNaiH kaaSThairbabandhare || 6-22-63

62, 63. anye= some monkeys; pragR^ihNanti= were holding; daN^Daan= the poles(for measuring the bridge) ; tathaa= and; apare= some others; vichinvanti= collected the material; (some parts of bridge); babandhire= were fastened; tR^iNaiH= by reeds; kaashhThaishcha= and logs; vaanarah satashaH= by hundred s of monkeys; tatra= there; meghaabhaiH= looking like clouds; parvataabhaishcha= and resembling mountains; aaaj^NaapuraHsaraiH= proceeded by the command; raamasya= of Rama.

Some monkeys were holding poles for measuring the bridge and some others collected the material. Reeds and logs resembling clouds and mountains, brought by hundreds of monkeys, lead by the command of Rama, fastened some parts of the bridge.

puSpitaagraishcha tarubhiH setum badhnanti vaanaraaH |
paaSaaNaamshca giriprakhyaan giriiNaam shikharaaNi ca || 6-22-64
dR^ishyante paridhaavanto gR^ihya daanavasamnibhaaH |

64. vanaraaH= monkeys; badhnauti= constructed; setum= the bridge; tarubhiH= with trees; pushhpitaagraiH= having blossom at the end of their boughs; daanavasamvibhaaH= some monkeys looking like demons; gR^ihya= seized; paashhaaNaamshcha=rocks; giriprakhyaan=resembling mountains;; shikharaaNicha= and peaks; giriiNaam= of mountains; dR^ishyante= and appeared; paridhavantah= running hither and thither.

Monkeys constructed the bridge with trees having blossom at the end of their boughs. Some monkeys looking like demons seized rocks resembling mountains and peaks of mountains and appeared running hither and thither.

shilaanaam kSipyamaaNaanaam shailaanaam tatra paatyataam || 6-22-65
babhuuva tumulaH shabdas tadaa tasmin mahaaudadhau |

65. tadaa= then; tumulaH= a tumultuous; shabdaH= sound; babhuuva= occurred; tatra= there; shilaanam= of the rocks; kshhipyamaaNaanaam= thrown; tasmin mahodadhou=into that sea; shailaanaam= and of mountains; paatyataam= which were caused to fall.

Then, a tumultuous sound occurred when the rocks were thrown into the sea and when mountains were caused to fall there.

kR^itaani prathamenaahnaa yojanaani caturdasha || 6-22-66
prahR^iSTaijasamkaashaistvaramaaNaiH plavaN^gamaiH |

66. prathamena= on the first; aahnena= day; chaturdasha= fourteen; yojanaani= yojanas; kR^itaam= were constructed; plavaNgamaiH= by the monkeys; prahR^ishhTaiH= thrilled with delight; gaja samkaashaiH= resembling elephants; tvaramaaNaiH= speedily.

On the first day, fourteen Yojanas of bridge were constructed by the monkeys speedily, thrilled with delight as they were, resembling elephants.

dvitiiyena tathaivaahnaa yojanaani tu vishatiH || 6-22-67
kR^itaani plavagaistuurNam bhiimakaayairmahaabalaiH |

67. tathaiva= in the same manner; dvitiiyena= on the second; aahnaa= day; vimshati= twenty; yojanaani= yojanas; kR^itaani= were constructed; tuurNan= speedily; plavaNgaiH= by the monkeys; bhiima kaayaih= of terrific bodies; mahaabalaiH= and of mighty strength.

In the same manner, on the second day twenty Yojanas of bridge were constructed speedily by the monkeys of terrific bodies and of mighty strength.

ahnaa tR^itiiyena tathaa yojanaani tu saagare || 6-22-68
tvaramaaNairmahaakayairekavimshatireva ca |

68. tathaa= thus; tR^itiiyena= on the third; aahnaa= day; ekavimshatirevacha= twenty one; yojanaani= yojanas; were constructed) ; saagare= in the ocean; tvaramaaNaih= speedily; mahaakaayaiH= by the monkeys with colossal bodies.

Thus, on the third day twenty-one Yojanas of the bridge were constructed in the ocean speedily by the monkeys with their colossal bodies.

caturthena tathaa caahnaa dvaavimshatirathaapi vaa || 6-22-69
yojanaani mahaavegaiH kR^itaani tvaritaistataH |

69. athaapivaa= and; tataH= then; chaturthena= on the fourth; aahnaa= day; dvaavimshatiH= twenty-two; yojanaani= yojanas; kR^itaani=were constructed; tvaritaiH= by the hastening monkeys; mahaavegaiH= with a great speed.

On the forth day, a further of twenty-two Yojanas were constructed by the dashing monkeys with a great speed.

paJNcamena tathaa caahnaa plavagaiH kshiprakaaribhiH || 6-22-70
yojanaani trayovimshatsuvelamadhikR^itya vai |

70. tathaa= in that manner; paN^chameva= on the fifth; aahnaa= day; trayovimshat= twenty three; yojanaani= yojanas; (were constructed) suvelam adhikR^itya= up to the other sea shore; plavaNgaiH= by the monkeys; kshhipra kaaribhiH= working quickly.

In that manner, on the fifth day, the monkeys working quickly constructed twenty-three yojanas of the bridge up to the other seashore.

sa vaanaravaraH shriimaan vishvakarmaatmajo balii || 6-22-71
babandha saagare setum yathaa caasya tathaa pitaa |

71. saH= that Nala; vaanaravaraH= the illustrious one; vishvakarmaatmajaH= the son of Vivakarma, balii= and a strong one; babandha= built; setum= the bridge; saagare= in the sea; yathaa tathaa= as truly as; asya= his; pitaa= father.

That Nala, the strong and illustrious son of Visvakarma and an excellent monkey built the bridge across the sea as truly as his father would have built it.

sa nalena kR^itaH setuH saagare makara aalaye || 6-22-72
shushubhe subhagaH shriimaan svaatii patha iva ambare |

72. saH= that; subhagaH= beautiful; shriimaan= and lovely; setuH= bridge; kR^itaH= constructed; nalena= by Nala; saagare= across the ocean; makaraalaye= the abode of alligators; shushubhe= shone brightly; svaatiipathaa iva= like a milky way of stars; ambare= in the sky.

That beautiful and lovely bridge constructed by Nala across the ocean the abode of alligators, shone brightly like a milky way of stars in the sky.

tato devaaH sagandharvaaH siddhaaH ca parama R^iSayaH || 6-22-73
aagamya gagane tasthurdraSTukaamaastadadbhutam |

73. drashhTu kaamaaH= with a desire to see; tat= that; adbhutam= marvel; devataaH= celestials; sagandharvaaH= along with the heavenly musicians; siddhaashcha= siddhas;(semi- divine beings of great purity and perfection possessing super natural qualities.); paramarshhayah= and great sages; aagamya=came; tataH= then; tasthuH= and stood up; gagane= in the sky.

With a desire to behold that marvel, celestials along with Gandharvas, the heavenly musicians, Siddhas (semi-divine beings of great purity and perfection, possessing super natural qualities) and great sages came then and stood up in the sky.

dashayojanavistiirNam shatayojana maayatam || 6-22-74
dadR^ishurdevagandharvaa nalasetum suduSkaram |

74. devagandharvaaH= the celestials and the heavenly musicians; dadR^ishuh= saw; nala setum= Nala’s bridge; dashayojana vistiirNam= having a width of ten yojanas; shatayojanam aayatam= and a length of hundred yojanas; sudushhkaram= and which was very difficult to be built.

The celestials and Gandharvas, the heavenly musicians saw Nala’s bridge, having a width of ten yojanas and a length of hundred yojanas and which was very difficult to be built.

aaplavantaH plavantaH ca garjantaH ca plavam gamaaH || 6-22-75
tam acintyam asahyam ca adbhutam loma harSaNam |
dadR^ishuH sarva bhuutaani saagare setu bandhanam || 6-22-76

75, 76. plavaNgamaaH= the monkeys; aaplavantaH=taking long leaps; plavantashcha=and short leaps; garjantashcha= shouted (in delight) sarva bhuutaani= all other beings; dadR^ishuH= saw; tat setubandhanam= that construction of the bridge; saagare= in the ocean; achintyam= which was unimaginable; asahyamecha=impossible; adbhutam= wonderful; romaharshhaNam= causing hair to stand on end (in amazement).

The monkeys taking long leaps and short leaps shouted in joy. All other beings saw that construction of the bridge across the ocean as unimaginable, impossible and wonderful, causing their hair to stand on end in amazement.

taani koTi sahasraaNi vaanaraaNaam mahaaojasaam |
badhnantaH saagare setum jagmuH paaram mahaaudadheH || 6-22-77

77. taani= those; koTisahasraaNi= thousand crores; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys; mahaujasaam= in a great spectacle; jagmuH= reached; paaram= the other shore; mahodadhiH= of the great ocean; badhnantaH= soon after building; setum= the bridge; saagare= across the ocean.

Those thousand crores of monkeys in a great spectacle reached the other shore of the great ocean soon after building that bridge across the sea.

vishaalaH sukR^itaH shriimaan subhuumiH susamaahitaH |
ashobhata mahaasetuH siimanta iva saagare || 6-22-78

78. mahaan= that colossal; setuH= bridge; vishaalaH= which was broad; sukR^itaH= well- constructed; shriimaan= glorious; subhuumiH= of good posture; susamaahitaH= and held together firmly; ashobhata= looked beautiful; siimanta iva= like a separating straight line; saagare= in the ocean.

That colossal bridge, which was broad, well-constructed, glorious, well postured and held together firmly, looked beautiful like a separating straight line in the ocean.

tataH pare samudrasya gadaa paaNir vibhiiSaNaH |
pareSaam abhighata artham atiSThat sacivaiH saha || 6-22-79

79. tataH= then; vibhiishhaNaH= Vibhishana; gadaapaaNiH= wielding a mace in his hand; aatishhThat= stood up; pare= on the shore; samudrasya= of the ocean; sachivaiH saha= along with ministers; abhiyaanaartham= for the purpose of invading; pareshhaam= the enemies.

Vibhishana, wielding a mace in his hand, stood up on the seashore along with his ministers, for the purpose of invading the enemies.

sugriivastu tataH praaha raamam satyaparaakramam |
hanumantam tvamaaroha aN^gadam tvatha lakshmaNaH || 6-22-80
ayam hi vipulo viira saagaro makaraalayaH |
vaihaayasau yuvaametau vaanarau dhaarayiSyataH || 6-22-81

80, 81. tataH= thereafter; sugrivantu= Sugriva on his part; praaha= spoke; raamam= to Rama; satyaparaakramam= the truly brave man; “Viira= O,valiant man! ayam= This; saagaraH= ocean; makaraalayaH= the abode of alligators; vipulaH hi= is indeed vast; tvam= you; aaroha= ascend; hanumantam= on Hanuman; atha= and; lakshhmaNaH= let Lakshmana; (ascend), aNgadam= Angada; etou= these; vaanarou= monkeys; dhaarayishhyataH= can hold; yuvaam= both of you; vaihaayason= while flying in the sky.

Thereafter, Sugriva on his part spoke to Rama, the truly brave man as follows: “O, valiant man! This ocean, the abode of alligators, is indeed vast. You ascend the shoulder of Hanuman and let Lakshmana ascend the shoulder of Angada. These monkeys can hold both of you while flying in the sky.”

agratas tasya sainyasya shriimaan raamaH salakshmaNaH |
jagaama dhanvii dharma aatmaa sugriiveNa samanvitaH || 6-22-82

82. raamaH= Rama; shriimaan= the glorious; dharmaatmaa= and the righteous man; dhanvii= wielding a bow; sa lakshhmaNaH=along with Lakshmana; samanvitaH= together; sugriiveNa= with Sugriva; jagaama= went; agrataH= in front; tasya sainyasya= of that army.

Rama the glorious and righteous man, wielding a bow along with Lakshmana together with Sugriva, went in front of that army.

anye madhyena gacchanti paarshvato anye plavam gamaaH |
salile prapatanti anye maargam anye na lebhire || 6-22-83
kecid vaihaayasa gataaH suparNaa iva pupluvuH |

83. anye= some; plavaNgamaaH= monkeys; gachchhanti= went; madhyena= through the middle(of the bridge); anye= some others; paarshvatah= went through the sides of the bridge. Anye= some others; prapatanti= were jumping into; salilam= water; anye= some others; prapedire= went forward; maargam= on the path; kechit= some others; vaihaayasagataaH= entered the sky; pupluvuH= and aviated; suparNaaH iva= like Garuda, the eagle.

Some monkeys went along the middle of the bridge. Some others went along the sides. Some others were jumping into water. Some others marched forward on the path. Some monkeys entered the sky and aviated like Garuda the eagle.

ghoSeNa mahataa ghoSam saagarasya samucchritam || 6-22-84
bhiimam antar dadhe bhiimaa tarantii hari vaahinii |

84. mahataa ghoshheNa= by the great sound; bhiimaa= of the terrific; harivaahinii= army of monkeys; tarantii= who were crossing (the ocean); ghoshham= the sound; saagarasya= of the ocean; samuchchhritam= which was very high; bhiimam= and terrific; antardadhe= was covered up.

The highly terrific sound of the ocean was covered up by the great sounds of the terrific monkeys who were crossing the sea.

vaanaraaNaam hi saa tiirNaa vaahinii nala setunaa || 6-22-85
tiire nivivishe raaj~naa bahu muula phala udake |

85. saa= that; vaahinii= army; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys; tiirNaa= which crossed; nala setunaa= the bridge constructed by Nala; nivivishe= was encamped; tire= at a shore; bahu muula phaodake= having many fruits roots and water; raaj^Naa= by Sugriva.

That army of monkeys, which crossed the ocean by the bridge constructed by Nala, was encamped by Sugriva at a shore having many fruits tubers and water.

tad adbhutam raaghava karma duSkaram |
samiikSya devaaH saha siddha caaraNaiH |
upetya raamam sahitaa maharSibhiH |
samabhyaSincan sushubhiar jalaiH pR^ithak || 6-22-86

86. samiikshhye= Seeing; tat= that; raaghava karm= Rama’s accomplishment; adbhutam= which was amazing; dushhkaram= and arduous; devaaH= celestials; Siddha chaariNaiH= Siddhas(semi-divine beings possessing supernatural faculties) and Charanas(celestial bards); maharshhibhiH saha= along with great sages; sahasaa= forthwith; upetya= approached; raamaH= Rama; abhishhinchan= consecrated;sushubhaiH= with very sacred; jalaiH= water; pR^ithak= separately.

Seeing that Rama’s accomplishment, which was amazing and arduous; celestials, Siddhas (semi-divine beings possessing supernatural faculties) and Charanas (celestial bards) along with great sages, forthwith approached Rama and consecrated him with very splendid waters separately.

jayasva shatruun nara deva mediniim |
sasaagaraam paalaya shaashvatiiH samaaH |
iti iva raamam nara deva satkR^itam |
shubhair vacobhir vividhair apuujayan || 6-22-87

87. (The celestials Siddhas and others); aapuujayan= exalted; raamam= Rama; naradeva satkR^itam= who was respected by kings; vividhaiH= with various; shubhaiH= auspicious; vachobhiH= words; itiiva= thus; naradeva= O king! Jayasva= defeat; shatruun= the enemies; paalaya= rule; mediniim= the earth; sa saagaraan= along with the sea; shaasvatiiH= eternally; samaaH= for years.

The celestials, Siddhas and others exalted Rama, who was duly respected by kings with their auspicious -words as follows: “ O, king! Defeat the enemies. Rule the earth and ocean eternally for years.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe dvaavimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 22nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 23

Introduction

Rama explains to Lakshmana the various portents, he observes around him, that signal a destructive war fare. He orders for formation of battalions in the army and surges forth together with the battalions towards Lanka

nimittaani nimittajJNo dR^iSTvaa lakshmaNapuurvajaH |
saumitrim sampariSvajya idam vacanambraviit || 6-23-1

1. lakshhmaNa puurvajaH= Rama; nimittaj^NaH= who was acquainted with omens; dR^IshhTNaa= on seeing; nimittaani= the omens; samparishhvajya= embraced; soumitrim= Lakshmana; abraviit= and spoke; idam= these; vachanam= words.

Rama, who was well acquainted with portents, on seeing the portents around, embraced Lakshmana and spoke as follows:

parigR^ihyodakam shiitam vanaani phalavanti ca |
balau gham samvibhajyemam vyuuhya tiSThema lakshmaNa || 6-23-2

2. lakshhmaNa= O, Lakshmana; parigR^ihya= acquiring (this region provided with); shiitam= cold; udakam= water; vanaanicha= and woods; phalavanti= abounding in fruit; samvibhajya= let us speedily divide; idam= this; balougham= multitude of forces; (into battalions); vyuuhya= and drawing it up in battle array; tishhThema= we shall remain stand at attention.

“O, Lakshmana! Acquiring this region endowed with cold water and woods abounding in fruits, let us speedily divide this multitude of forces into battalions and drawing it up in battle array, we shall stand attentive."

lokakshayakaram bhiimam bhayam pashyaamyupasthitam |
prabarhaNam praviiraaNaamR^ikshavaanararakshasaam || 6-23-3

3. pashyaami= I see; upasthitam= an impending;; bhayam= danger; bhiimam= which is terrific; lokakshhayakaram= causing destruction to the world; prabarhaNam= and torture; praviiraaNaam= the eminent heroes; R^ikshha vaanara raakshhasaam= among bears, monkeys and demons.

“I perceive an impending danger which will be terrific, causing destruction to the world, and torture to the eminent heroes among bears monkeys and demons."

vaataashca kaluSaa vaanti kampate ca vasundharaa |
parvataagraaNi vepante patanti ca mahiiruHaaH || 6-23-4

4. vaataaH= winds; vaanti= are blowing; kalushhaH= with dust; vasundharaacha= and earth; kampate= is trembling; parvataagraaNi= mountain-tops; vepanti= are quivering; mahiiruhaaH= trees; patanticha= are falling down.

“Winds are blowing with dust and earth is trembling. Mountain- tops are quivering and trees are falling down."

meghaaH kravyaadasamkaashaaH paruSaaH paruSasvanaaH |
kruuraaH kruuram pravarSanti mishram shoNitabindubhiH || 6-23-5

5. kruuraH= ferocious; meghaaH= clouds; kravyaada samkaashaH= resembling wild beasts; parushhaaH= dirty colored; parushha svanaaH= with harsh sound; pravarshhanti= are raining; kruuram= cruelly; mishram= mixed; shoNitabindubhiH= with drops of blood.

“Ferocious clouds resembling wild beasts were dirty colored and emit a terrific roaring and let loose dreadful showers mingled with drops of blood.”

raktacandanasamkaashaa samdhyaa paramadaaruNaa |
jvalataH prapatatyetadaadityaadagnimaNDalam || 6-23-6

6. samdhyaa= evening twilight; raktachandana samkaashaah= resembling red sandalwood; paramadaaruNaa=is very much dreadful; jvalatah= from the blazing; aadityaat= sun; etat= this; agnimaN^Dalam= ball of fire; patanticha= falls.

“Evening twilight resembling red sandal wood is very much dreadful. From the blazing sun, balls of fire fall.”

diinaa diinasvaraaH kruuraaH sarvato mR^igapakshiNaH |
pratyaadityam vinardanti janayanto mahadbhayam || 6-23-7

7. kruura mR^iga pakshhiNaH= wild animals and birds; vinardanti= are roaring; diinaaH= pitiably; diinasvaraaH= with melancholic sound; pratyaadityam= facing towards the sun; mahat= in great; bhayam= fear.

“Wild animals and birds from all sides are roaring pitiably with melancholic sound, facing towards the sun in great fear.”

rajanyaamaprakaashastu samtaapayati candramaaH |
kR^iSNaraktaamshuparyanto lokakshaya ivoditaH || 6-23-8

8. chandramaah= the moon, uditaiva= as though rising; lokakshhaye= at the time of universal dissolution;kR^ishhNa raktaamshu paryantaH= invested with a black and red halo; samtaapayati= is tormenting(the mind); aprakaashaH= splendourless; rajanyaam= at night.

“The splendorous moon as though rising at the time of universal dissolution, invested with a black and red halo is tormenting the mind this night.”

hrasvo ruuksho.aprashastashca pariveSastu lohitaH |
aaditye vimale viilam lakshma lakshmaNa dR^ishyate || 6-23-9

9. lakshhmaNa= O, Lakshmana! Niilam= a dark; lakshhma= stain; dR^ishyate=appears; vimale aaditye pariveshhaH=on the colorless solar disc; hrasvaH= which is diminished; ruukshhaH= dreary; aprashastah=inauspicious; lohitaH= and coppery.

“O, Lakshmana! A dark stain appears on the cloudless solar disc, which is diminished, dreary, inauspicious and coppery.”

rajasaa mahataa caapi nakshatraaNi hataani ca |
yugaantamiva lokaanaam pashya shasanti lakshmaNa || 6-23-10

10. O, lakshhmaNa= O, Lakshmana! Pashya=look! Nakshhatraani= stars; hataani= enveloped; mohataa= in enormous; rajasaa= dust; shamsantiiva= appear to announce; yugaantam =a dissolution; lokaanaam= of the worlds.

“O, Lakshmana! Look! Stars enveloped in enormous dust, appear to announce a dissolution of the world.”

kaakaaH shyenaastathaa niicaa gR^idhraaH paripatanti ca |
shivaashcaapyashubhaannaadaannadanti sumahaabhayaan || 6-23-11

11. kaakaaH= crows; shyenaaH= eagles; tathaa= and; gR^iddhaaH= vultures; paripatanti= are flying; niichaaH= low; shivaashchaapi=jackals also; nadanti= are howling; sumahaabhayaan= very dreadful; ashubhaan= and inauspicious; naadaan= sounds.

“Crows, eagles and vultures are flying low. Jackals too are howling very dreadful and inauspicious sounds.”

shailaiH shuulaishcha khaDgaishca vimukaiH kapiraakshasaiH |
bhaviSyatyaavR^itaa bhuumirmaamsashoNitakardamaa || 6-23-12

12. bhuumiH= earth; bhavishhyati= will become; aavR^itaaH= covered by; shailaiH=rocks; shuulaiH= spears; khadgaishcha= and swords; vimuktaiH= hurled; kapiraakshhsaiH= by monkeys and demons; maamsa shoNita kardamaa= and a quagmire of flesh and blood.

“Earth will become a quagmire of flesh and blood, covered with rocks spears and swords hurled by monkeys and demons.”

kshipramadyaiva durdharSaam puriim raavaNapaalitaam |
abhiyaama javenaiva sarvairharibhiraavR^itaaH || 6-23-13

13. aavR^itaaH= abounding with; sarvaiH= all; haribhiH= monkeys; abhiyaama= we shall attack; puriim= the city; raavaNaHpaalitaam= ruled by Ravana; adyaiva= now itself; kshhipram= quickly; javenaiva= with a speed.

“Abounding with all the monkeys we shall attack the city ruled by Ravana, now itself at a quick pace.”

ityevamuktvaa dhanvii sa raamaH samgraamadharSaNaH |
pratasthe purato raamo laN^kaamabhimukho vibhuH || 6-23-14

14. raamaH= Rama; vibhuH= the Lord; samgraama dharshhaNaH=the conqueror of enemies in battle; raamaH= and a charming man; ityevam= thus; uktvaa= speaking; dhanvii= wielding a bow; pratasthe=and traveled; purataH= in front; abhimukhaH= facing; laNkaam= towards Lanka.

Rama the lord, the conqueror of enemies and a charming man thus speaking, wielded a bow and sallied forth in front, facing towards Lanka.

savibhiiSaNasugriivaaH sarve te vaanararSabhaaH |
pratasthire vinardanto dhR^itaanaam dviSataam vadhe || 6-23-15

15. sarve-= all; te= those; vaanarshhabhaaH= excellent monkeys; savibhiishhaNasugrivaaH= together with Vibhishana and Sugriva; vinardantaH= making roaring sounds; pratasthire= surged forth; vadhe= for thedestruction; dvishhataam= of enemies; dhR^itaanaam= the audacious.

All those excellent monkeys, together with Vibhishana and Sugriva making roaring sounds surged forth for the destruction of the audacious enemies.

raaghavasya priyaartham tu sutaraam viiryashaalinaam |
hariiNaam karmaceSTaabhistutoSa raghunandanaH || 6-23-16

16. raghunandanaH= Rama; tutoshha= was pleased; karmacheshhTaabhiH= by the acts and gestures; sutaraam= of very; viirya shaalinaam= strong; hariiNaam= monkeys; priyaartham=for the sake of their beloved; raaghavasya= Rama.

Rama on his part was pleased by the act and gestures of those very strong monkeys, with their intention to gratify him.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe trayovimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 23rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 24

Introduction

Seeing Lanka and describing it, Rama instructs Lakshmana to draw up his army in battle-array. Rama orders for release of Shuka who was captured by the army earlier. Shuka approached Ravana and describes the strength of Rama's side of the army. Ravana boasts himself of his own army strength.

saa viirasamitii raajJNaa viraraaja vyavasthitaa |

shashinaa shubhanakshatraa paurNamaasiiva shaaradii || 6-24-1

1. saa= that; viira samitiH= assemblage of valiant monkeys; raaJNaa= along with the King Sugreeva; viraraaja= looked charmingly; paurNamaasiiva= like a full moon night; shaaradii= in autumn; shashivaa= along with moon; shubha nakShatraa= and bright stars.

That army of valiant monkeys along with the King Sugreeva looked charming like a full-moon night in atumn presided over by the moon and illuminated by bright stars.

prachachaala cha vegena trastaa chaiva vasundharaa |

piiDyamaanaa balaughena tena saagaravarchasaa || 6-24-2

2.vasundharaa= the earth; piiDyamaanaa= pressed under foot; tena= by that; balaughena= multitude of army; saagara varchasaa= which was energetic like a sea; prachchaala= was trembled; trastaa= with fear; vegena= by the rapid movement of the army.

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.

tataH shushruvuraakruShTaM laN^kaayaaH kaananaukasaH |

bheriimR^idaN^gasaMghuShTaM tumulaM romaharShaNam || 6-24-3

3. tataH= then; kaananaukasaH= the monkeys; shushruvuH= heard; aakruShTam= a great tumult; laN^kaayaaH= arising in Lanka; tumulam= and noisy; bheriimR^idaN^ga samghuShTam= sounds of kettle drums and tabours; roma harShaNam= which caused their hair to stand on end.

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

babhuuvustena ghoSheNa saMhR^iShTaa hariyuuthapaaH |

amR^iShyamaaNaastaM ghoShaM vinedurghoShavattaram || 6-24-4

4. hariyuuthapaaH= the leaders of monkeys; samhR^iShTaaH= were rejoiced; tena ghoSheNa= by that sound; amR^iShyamaaNaaH= Not tolerating; tam= that; ghoSham= sound; vineduH= they emitted shouts; ghoShavattaram= that surpassed that uproar.

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

raakShasaastaM plavaN^gaanaaM shushruvuste.api garjitam |

nardataamiva dR^iptaanaaM meghaanaamambare svanam || 6-24-5

5. te= those; raakShasaaH api= demons too; shushruvuH= heard; garjitam= the roaring; dR^iptaanaam= of the wildly delighted the roaring; plavaN^gaanaam= monkeys; svanam iva= which was like the sound; nardataam meghaanaam= of thundering clouds; ambare= in the sky.

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

dR^iShTvaa daasharathirlaN^kaaM chitradhvajapataakiniim |

jagaama manasaa siitaaM duuyamaanena chetasaa || 6-24-8

6. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; laN^kaam= Lanka; chitradhvaja pataakiniim= dressed with multi-coloured flags and buntings; daasharathiH= Rama; manasaa= by his mind; jagaama= went; siitaam= to Seetha; chetasaa= and his heart; duuyamaanena= was filled with grief.

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

atra saa mR^igashaabaakShii raavaNenoparudhyate |

abhibhuutaa graheNeva lohitaaN^gena rohiNii || 6-24-7

7. saa= that Seetha; mR^igashabaakShii= whose eyes resemble those of a young deer; uparudhyate= was detained; raavaNena= by Ravana; atra= there; rohiNiiva= as Rohini star; abhibhuutaa= is oversadowed; lohitaaN^gena= by red-boded; graheNa= planet (Mars).

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

diirghamuShNaM cha niHshvasya samudviikShya cha lakShmaNam |

uvaacha vachanaM viirastatkaalahitamaatmanaH || 6-24-8

8. niHShvasya= sighing; uShNamcha= warmly; diirgham= and deeply; samudviikShyacha= and seeing; lakShmaNam= Lakshmana; viiraH= the heroic Rama; uvaacha= spoke; vachanam= (the following) words; tatkaala hitam= beneficial at that time; aatmanaH= for him.

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

aalikhantiimivaakaashamutthitaaM pashya lakShmaNa |

manaseva kR^itaaM laN^kaaM nagaagre vishvakarmaNaa || 6-24-9

9. lakShmaNa= O, lakshmana!; pashya= look; laN^kaam= at Lanka; kR^itaam iva= which appears as though constructed; nagaagre= on a hill-top; vishvakarmaNaa= by Visvakarma; manasaa= with his imagination; utthitaam= so elevated; aalikhantiim= scraping; aakaasham= the sky."

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

vimaanairbahubhirlaN^kaa saMkiirNaa rachitaa puraa |

viShNoH padamivaakaashaM chaaditaM paaNDubhirghanaiH || 6-24-10

10. laN^kaa= the City of Lanka; puraa= was formerly; rachitaa= constructed; kiirNaa= and filled with; bahubhiH= many; vimaanaiH= seven storied buildings; chhaaditam iva= as though covered; paaNDubhiH= with white; ghanaiH= clouds; aakaasham= the sky; padam= the abode; viShNoH= of Vishnu the all-pervader.’

"The City of Lanka was constructed thick with many seven-storied building and appears like a sky the abode of Vishnu (the All-pervader) covered with white clouds."

puShpitaiH shobhitaa laN^kaa vanaishchitrarathopamaiH |

naanaapatagasaMghuShTaphalapuShpopagaiH shubhaiH || 6-24-11

11.laN^kaa= Lanka; shobhitaa= is made beautiful; vanaiH= by the gardens; chaitraathopamaiH= vying with chaitraratha; naanaa pataga samghuShTaphala puShpopagaiH= with various sounds of birds, fruit-bearing flowers; shubhaiH= and charms; puShpitaiH= in bloom.

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

pashya mattavihaN^gani praliinabhramaraaNi cha |

kokilaakulakhaNDaani dodhaviiti shivo.anilaH || 6-24-12

12. pashya= see; (how); shivaH= a gentle; anilaH= breeze; dodhaviiti= sways; kokilaakula khaN^Daani= the branches where the Cuckoos abound; praliina bhraamaraamicha= where bees swarm; matta vihaN^gaani= and where the birds are excited with joy..

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

iti daasharathii raamo lalShmaNaM samabhaaShata |

balaM cha tatra vibhajachchhaastradR^iShTena karmaNaa || 6-24-13

13. raamaH= Rama; daasharathiH= son of Dasaratha; samabhaaShata= spoke; iti= thus; lakShmaNam= to lakshmana; tatra= there; balam= the army; vibhajachcha= was dvivided into battalions; karmaNaa= according to the methods; shaastra dR^iShTena= found in the scriptures.

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

shashaasa kapisenaaM taaM balaadaadaaya viiryavaan |

aN^gadaH saha niilena tiShThedurasi durjayaH || 6-24-14

14. aadaaya= taking; taam= these; kapisenaam= troops of monkeys; balaat= from the army; (let); viiryavaan= the valiant; durjayaH= and the invincible; aN^gadah= Angada; tiShThaat= take up his position; niilena saha= with nila; urapi= at the centre of the formation.

"Taking these troops of monkeys from the army, let the valiant and the invincible Angada take up his position with Nila at the centre of the formation."

tiShThedvaanaravaahinyaa vaanaraughasamaavR^itaH |

aashrito dakShiNaM paarshvamR^iShabho naama vaanaraH || 6-24-15

15. vaanaraH= (Let) the monkey; R^iShabhonaama= named Rishabha; vaanaraugha samavR^itaH= along with the multitude of monkeys; tiShThet= take up his position; aashritaH= having recourse to; dakShiNam= to the right; paarshvam= side; vaanara vaahinyaaH= of the monkey-troops."

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

gandhahastiiva durdharShastarasvii gandhamaadanaH |

tiShThedvaanaravaahinyaaH savyaM pakShamadhiShThitaH || 6-24-16

16. gandhamaadanaH= "(Let) Gandhamadana; tarasvii= the strong; durdarShaH= and the unconquerable; gandhahastiiva= like an elephant in rut; tiShTet= take his position; adhiShThitah= superintending; svayam pa, take his kSham= the left side; vaanara vaahinyaaH= of the monkey-troops."

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

muurdhni sthaasyamyahaM yatto lakSmaNena samanvitaH |

jaambavaaMshcha suSheNashcha vegadarshii cha vaanaraH || 6-24-17

R^ikShamukhyaa mahaatmaanaH kukShiM rakShantu te trayaH ||

17. aham= "I; sthaasyaami= shall stand; yattaH= alert; muurdhni= in the forefront (of the army); samanvitaH= along with; lakShmaNena= Lakshmana; jambavaashcha= and Jambavan; suSheNashcha= Sushena; vegadarShii cha= and Vegadarshi; vaanarah= the monkey; te= those; trayaH= three; mahaatmaanaH= exceedingly wise persons; R^ikShamukhyaaH= the leaders of the bears; rakShantu= protect; kukShim= the belly."

"I shall stand alert in the forefront of the army along with Lakshmana and let Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi the monkey those three exceedingly wise persons and the leaders of bears-protect the belly-portion of the army."

jaghanaM kapisenaayaaH kapiraajo.abhirakShatu || 6-24-18

pashchaardhamiva lokasya prachetaastejasaa vR^itaH |

18 (Let) kapiraajaH= Sugreeva, the King of monkeys; abhirakShantu= protect; jaghanam= hips and loins; kapisenaayaaH= o.f the monkey-troups; the god of water); vR^itaH= who remains encircled; tejasaa= with splendour; (protects); pashchaardhamiva= the western quarter; lokasya= of the earth.

"Let Sugreeva the king of monkeys protect the rear-guard of the army, resembling Varuna (the god of water) who remains encircled with splendour and protects the western quarter of the earth."

suvibhaktamahaavyuuhaa mahaavaanararakShitaa || 6-24-19

aniikinii saa vibabhau yathaa dyauH saabhrasaMplavaa |

19. saa aniikinii= that army; suvibhakta mahaavyuuhaa= with innumerable divitions being skilfully distributed; mahaa vaanara rakShitaa= led by the foremost of monkeys; vibabhau= shone; yathaa dyouH= like heavens; saabhra samplavaa= with mass of clouds.

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

pragR^ihya girishR^iN^gaaNi mahatashcha mahiiruhaan || 6-24-20

aasedurvaanaraa laN^kaaM mimardayiShavo raNe |

20. mimardayiShavaH= with a desire to crush (the demons); raNe= in battle; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; pragR^ihya= seizing; girishR^iNgaaNi= peaks of mountains; mahataH= and gigantic; mahiiruhaan= trees; aaseduH= reached; laN^kaam= Lanka.

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

shikharairvikiraamainaaM laN^kaaM muShTibhireva vaa || 6-24-21

iti sma dadhire sarve manaaMsi haripuN^gavaaH |

21. sarve= all; haripuN^gavaaH= the heroic monkeys; dadhire= held, manaamsi= in their minds; iti= the following (resolve): "shikharaiH= with the peaks of mountains; muShTibhireva vaa= or with one bare fists; vikiraama= we shall shatter into pieces; enaam= this; laN^kaam= Lanka."

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."

tato raamo mahaatejaaH sugriiva midamabraviit || 6-24-22

suvibhaktaani sainyaani shuka eSha vimuchyataam |

22. tataH= then; raamaaH= Rama; mahaatejaaH= with great splendour; abraviit= spoke; idam= these words; sugriivam= to Sugreeva; "sainyaani= our forces; suvibhaktaani= are properly marshalled; eShaH shukaH= Let this Shuka; vimuchyataam= be released."

Then, Rama with great splendour, spoke the following words to Sugreeva, "Our forces are properly marshalled. Let this Shuka be released."

raamasya tu vachaH shrutvaa vaanarendro mahaabalaH || 6-24-23

mochayaamaasa taM duutaM shukaM raamasya shaasanaat |

23. shrutvaa= hearing; vachanam= the words; raamasya= of Rama; vaanarendraH= Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys; mochayaamaasa= released; shukam= Shuka; tam duutam= that messenger; shaasanaat= by the order; raamasya= of Rama.

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

mochito raamavaakyena vaanaraishcha nipiiDitaH || 6-24-24

shukaH paramasaMtrasto rakShodhipamupaagamat |

24. shukaH= Shuka; nipiiDitah= who was herassed; vaanaraiH= by monkeys; mochitaH= and released; raama vaakyena= through the words of Rama; parama samtrastaH= was trembling with great fear; upaagamat= and reached; rakShodhipam= Ravana.

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

raavaaNaH prahasanneva shukaM vaakyamuvaacha ha || 6-24-25

kimimau te sitau pakShau luunapakShashcha dR^ishyase |

kachchannaanekachittaanaaM teShaaM tvaM vashamaagataH || 6-24-26

25, 26. raavaNaH= Ravana; prahasanneva= even while laughing; uvaacha ha= enquired; shukam= Shuka; vaakyam= (with the following) words; kim= why; imau= these; te= your; pakShau= wings; sitau= were tied up?; dR^ishyase= you are appearing; luuna pakShashcha= with your wings plucked up; tvam na aagataH kachchit= have you not fallen; teShaam= into their; aneka chittaanaam= various (fickled) minds?

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 fickled minds?"

tatassa bhayasaMvigna stadaa raajJNaabhichoditaH |

vachanaM pratyuvaachedaM raakShasaadhipamuttamam || 6-24-27

saagarasyottare tiire.abravaM te vachanaM tathaa |

yathaasaMdeshamakSliShTaM saantvayan shlakShNayaa giraa || 6-24-28

27, 28. tataH= then; saH= that Shuka; bhaya samvignaH= agitated with fear; tadaa= then; abhichoditaH= prompted; raaj^Naa= by the king Ravana; pratyuvaacha= replied; idam= with these; uttamam= excellent; rachanam words; raakShasaadhipam= to Ravana; 'uttare tiire= on the northern shore; saagarasya= of the ocean; abravam= I spoke; tathaa= as; te= your; vachanam= words; shalkShNayaa= with a smooth; giraa= voice; saantvayan= conciliatingly; yathaa sandesham= as per your instructions; akliShTam= without any ambiguity.

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, conciliatingly and without any ambignity exactly as per your instructions."

kruddhaisairahamutplutya dR^iShTamaatraH plavaN^gamaiH |

gR^ihiito.asmyapi chaarabdho hantuM cha muShTibhiH || 6-24-29

29. aham= I; dR^iShTamaatrah= on just being seen; gR^ihiitaH asmi= was seized; utplutya= jumpingly; taiH plavaN^gamaiH= by those monkeys; kruddhaiH= in rage; apicha= and; aarabdhah= started; hantum= beating; aarabdhaH= sarted; hantum= beating; loptumcha= and plucking; muShTibhiH= with their fists."

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

na te saMbhaaShituM shakyaaH saMprashno.atra na vidyate |

prakR^ityaa kopanaastiikShaNaa vaanaraa raakShasaadhipa || 6-24-30

30. raakShasaadhipa= "O, lord of demons!; te= those monkeys; na shakyaaH= are not capabale of being; sambhaaShitum= spoken to; na vidyate= nor possible; samprashnaH= of being questioned; atra= in this matter; vaanaraaH= monkeys; prakR^ityaaH= by their nature; kopanaaH= are angry; tiikShaNaaH= and ferocious."

"O, Lord of demons! Those monkeys are not capable of being spoken to, nor possible of being questioned in this matter. Monkeys, by their very nature, are angry and ferocious."

sa cha hantaa viraadhasya kabandhasya kharasya cha |

sugriivasahito raamah siitaayaaH padamaagataH || 6-24-31

31. sah raamaH= that Rama; hantaa= the killer; viraadhasya= of Viradha; kabandhasya= kabandha; kharasya cha= and Khara; aagataH= came; sugriiva sahitaH= along with Sugreeva; padam= to the place; siitaayaah= of Seetha.

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

sa kR^itvaa saagare setuM tiirtvaa cha lavaNodadhim |

eSha rakShaaMsi nirdhuuya dhanvii tiShThati raaghavaH || 6-24-32

32. kR^itvaa= Having constructed; setum= a bridge; saagare= across the sea; tiirtvaa= and having crossed; lavaNodadhim= the salty ocean; nirdhuuya= and expelling; rakShaamsi= the demons; raaghavaH= Rama; eShaH= as such; tiShThati= stands; dhanvii= wielding a bow."

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

R^ikShavaanarasaMghaanaamaniikaani sahasrashaH |

girimeghanikaashaanaaM chaadayanti vasundharaam || 6-24-33

33. sahasrashaH= "Thousands; aniikaani= of divisions; R^ikSha vaanara samghaanaam= of crowds of bears and monkeys; girimegha nikashaanaam= resembling mountains and clouds; chhaadayanti= cover; vasundharaam= the earth."

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

raakShasaanaaM balaughasya vaanarendrabalasya cha |

naitayorvidyate saMdhirdevadaanavayoriva || 6-24-34

34. na vidyate= there is no more possiblity; samdhiH= of an alliance; etayoH= between these two armies; balaughasya= the army; raakShasaanaam= of demons; vaanarendra balasya= and the army of Sugreeva, the lord of monkeys; deva daanavayoriva= than between a god and a demon.

"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."

puraa praakaaramaayaanti kShipramekataraM kuru |

siitaaM vaasmai prayachchhaashu yuddhaM vaapi pradiiyataam || 6-24-35

35. puraa aayanti= very soon, (they) can come; praakaaram= to the rampart; kuru= do; ekataram= any one of the two acts; kShipram= immediately; prayachchha vaa= either to restore; siitaam= Seetha; yuddham vaapi= or combat; pradiiyataam= may be offered; asmai= to him; aashu= soon.”

"Very soon, they can come to our rampart. immediately, do any one of these two acts, either to restore Seetha or to offer a combat to him."

shukasya vachanaM shrutvaa raavaNo vaakya mabraviit |

roShasaMraktanayano nirdahanniva chakShuShaa || 6-24-36

36. shrutvaa= hearing; vachanam= the words; shukasya= of Shuka; raavaNaH= Ravana; roShasamrakta nayanaH= with his eyes becoming blood-red in anger; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (these) words; nirdahanniva= as if he would consume him; chakShusaa= with his glance.

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:

yadi maaM pratiyudhyeran devagandharvadaanavaaH |

naiva siitaaM praadaasyaami sarvalokabhayaadapi || 6-24-37

37. sarva loka bhayaadapi= even if I were frightened by all the worlds; maam pratiyuddhye= frightened by all the worlds; maam pratiyuddhyerannapi= or even if I were to face a battle; deva gandharva daanavaaH= with celestials; Gandharvas (celestial singers); or demons; naiva pradaasyaami= I would not give back; siitaam= Seetha.

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

kadaa samabhidhaavanti maamakaa raaghavaM sharaaH |

vasante puSpitaM mattaa bhramaraa iva paadapam || 6-24-38

38. tadaa= when; maamakaaH= will my; sharaaH arrows; samabhidhaavanti= soon fall; raaghavam= upon Rama; bhramaraaH iva= as large black bees; mattaaH= excited with joy; (fall upon); paadapam= a tree; puShpitam= in bloom; vasante= at spring-time?

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

kadaa shoNitadigdhaaN^gaM diipaiH kaarmukavichyutaiH |

sharairaadiipayiShyaami ulkaabhiriva kuJNjaram || 6-24-39

39. kadaa= when; aadiipayishyaami= shall I consume; diiptaiH= by the blazing; sharaiH= arrows; kaarmuka vichyutaiH= released from my bow; shoNita digdhaaN^gam= his body flowing with blood; ulkaabhiriva= as flaming torches; (destroy); kuN^jaram= an elephant?

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

tachchaasya balamaadaasye balena mahataa vR^itaH |

jyotiShaamiva sarveShaaM prabhaamudyandivaakaraH || 6-24-40

40. vR^itaH= endowed with; mahataa= a huge; balena= army; aadaasya= I shall eclipse; tat= the aforesaid; balam= army; asya= of Rama; prabhaamiva= as the brilliance; sarveShaam jyotiShaam= of all stars; udyan= at the rising; divaakaraH= of the sun.

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

saagarasyeva me vego maarutasyeva me balam |

na cha daasharathirveda tena maaM yoddhumichchhati || 6-24-41

41. me= My; vegaH= rashness; saagarasyeva= is like that of the sea; me= my; balam= strength; maarutasyeva= is like that of the wind; daasharathiH= Rama; na cha veda= is not aware 9of it); tena= that is why; ichchhat he desires; maam yoddhum= to meet me in combat."

"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."

na me tuuNiishayaan baaNaan saviShaaniva pannagaan |

raamaH pasyati saMgraame tena maam yoddhumichchhati || 6-24-42

42. raamaH= Rama; na pashyati= has not seen; me baaNaan= my arrows; saviShaan pannagaaniva= resembling venomous serpants; tuuniishayaan= in my quiver; tena= that is why; ichchhati= he desires; yoddhum= to fight; maam= with me..

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

na jaanaati puraa viiryaM mama yuddhe sa raaghavaH |

mama chaapamayiiM viiNaaM sharakoNaiH pravaaditaam || 6-24-43

jyaashabdatumulaaM ghoraamaartagiitamahaasvanaam |

naaraachatalasaMnaadaaM taaM mamaahitavaahiniim || 6-24-44

avagaahya mahaaraN^gaM vaadayiShyaamyahaM raNe |

43, 44. saH raaghavaH= that Rama; puraa= formerly; na jaanaati= was not aware; mama= of my; viiryam= prowess; yuddhe= in battle; vaadayiShyaami= I shall cause to resound; viiNaam= Vina; mama chaapamayiim= in the form of my bow; naaraachatala samvaadaam= which is played on, with the heads of my arrows; jyaashabda tumulaam the bow-string producing a tumultuous sound; aartagiita mahaasvanaam= the huge cries of the wounded; ghoraam= its terrible accompaniment; sharakoNaiH= the darts; pravaaditaam= sounding its innumerable notes; (when); aham= I; avagaahya= enter; mahaaraN^gam a vast stage; maam ahita vaahiniim= in the form of my enemy ranks; taam= in that; raNe= battle.

"That Rama formely was not 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 soundiing its innumerable notes, when I enter a vast stage in the form of my enemy-ranks in that battle."

na vaasavenaapi sahasrachakShuShaa |

yuddhe.asmi shakyo varuNena vaa svayam |

yamena vaa dharShayituM sharaagninaa |

mahaahave vaishravaNena vaa svayam || 6-24-45

45. vaasavenaapi= neither by Devendra, the god of celestials; sahasra chakShuShaa= the thousand eyed; varuNenaapi= nor by Varuna, the god of svayam= in person' dharShayitum= to be attacked; mahaahave= in a great battle.

"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."

ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yudhakaaNDe chaturviMshaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 24th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 25

Introduction

While Rama crossed over to the other shore of the sea, Ravana instructs his ministers, Suka and Sarana to enter the enemy's army in disguise and to bring all the required information about them. When Suka and Sarana entered the enemy's ranks, Vibhishana recognises and captures them. But Rama sets them free. Going back to Ravana, they explain the might strength of the enemy's ranks and exhort him to restore Seetha to Rama.

sabale saagaram tiirNe raame dasharatha aatmaje |
amaatyau raavaNaH shriimaan abraviit shuka saaraNau || 6-25-1

1. raame= (While) Rama; dasharathaatmaje= the son of Dasaratha; tiirNe= crossed; saagaram= the ocean; sabale= along; with his army; shriimaan= the illustrious; raavaNaH= Ravana; abraviit= spoke; shukasaaraNau= to Shuka and sarana; amaatyau= his ministers (as follows)

While Rama, the son of Dasaratha, crossed the ocean along with his army, the illustrious Ravana spoke to Shuka and Sarana, his ministers as follows:

samagram saagaram tiirNam dustaram vaanaram balam |
abhuuta puurvam raameNa saagare setu bandhanam || 6-25-2

2. samagram= the entire; bala= army; vaanaram= of monkeys; tiiraNam= crossed; dustaram= the impassable; saagaram= ocean; abhuutapurvam= the unprecedented; setubandhanam= construction of the bridge; saagare= across the ocean (was done); raameNa= by Rama.

"The entire army of monkeys crossed the impassable ocean. The construction of the bridge, unprecedented, across the ocean was executed by Rama."

saagare setu bandham tu na shraddadhyaam kathamcana |
avashyam ca api samkhyeyam tan mayaa vaanaram balam || 6-25-3

3. na shraddhadhyaam= I am not able to believe; kathamchana= under any circumstances; tam= that; setubandham= construction of the bridge; saagare= across the ocean; avashyam= certainly; tat= that; vaanaram balam= army of monkeys; samkhyeyamcha= is worth to be conduted (carried weight); mayaa= by me.

"I am not able to believe under any circumstances that a pass-way has been constructed across the ocean. Certainly, that army of monkeys is worth to be counted (carried weight) by me."

bhavantau vaanaram sainyam pravishya anupalakSitau |
parimaaNam ca viiryam ca ye ca mukhyaaH plavam gamaaH || 6-25-4
mantriNo ye ca raamasya sugriivasya ca sammataaH |
ye puurvam abhivartante ye ca shuuraaH plavam gamaaH || 6-25-5
sa ca setur yathaa baddhaH saagare salila arNave |
niveshaH ca yathaa teSaam vaanaraaNaam mahaatmanaam || 6-25-6
raamasya vyavasaayam ca viiryam praharaNaani ca |
lakSmaNasya ca viirasya tattvato j~naatum arhatha || 6-25-7

4, 5, 6, 7. bhavantau= both of you; anupalakShitau= unperceived (to others); pravishya= enter; sainyam= the army; vaanaram= of monkeys; arhathaH= and ought; N^aatum= to know; tattvataH= actually; parimaaNamcha= the quantum of the army; viiryamcha= their prowess; ye= as to which; plavaN^gamaaH= monkeys; mukhyaaH= are important ones; ye= which; mantriNaH= ministers; raamasya= of Rama; sugriivasya cha= and of Sugreeva; sangataaH= have come together; ye= which; abhivartante= are abiding; puurvam= in front; ye= which; plavaNgamaa= monkeys; shuuraaH= are valiant; yathaa= how; saH= that; setuH= bridge; baddhaH= was constructed; saagare= across the ocean; salilaarNave= full of water; yathaa= how; nivesham= the encamping (is done); teSaam vaanaraaNaam= for those monkeys; mahaatmaanaam= the great souled; vyavasaayamcha= the determination; viiryam= the strength; praharaNaanicha= and the striking senses; raamasya= of Rama; viirasya= and of the heroic; lakshmaNasya= Lakshmana.

"Become unrecognisable to others, enter the army of monkeys and make out the real quantum of their army, their prowess, as to which monkeys are important among them, which ministers of Rama and Sugreeva have come together, which monkeys are abiding in front, which monkeys are valiant, how that bridge was constructed across the ocean full of water, how the encamping is done for those great-souled monkeys; the determination, strength and the striking senses of Rama and of the heroic Lakshmana."

kaH ca senaa patis teSaam vaanaraaNaam mahaaojasaam |
etaj j~naatvaa yathaa tattvam shiighram agantum arhathaH || 6-25-8

8. kaH= who; senaapatiH= is the chief of army; teSaam= of those; mahaatmanaam= high-souled; vaanaraaNaam= monkeys; N^aatvaa= knowing; tatcha= that also; yathaatattvam= actually; shiighram= and quickly; arhathaH= you ought; aagantum= to come.

"Knowing also accurately who the Chief of Army of those high-souled monkeys is, you have to come back quickly."

iti pratisamaadiSTau raakSasau shuka saaraNau |
hari ruupa dharau viirau praviSTau vaanaram balam || 6-25-9

9. pratipamaadiSTau= having thus been commanded; viirau= the valiant; raakSasau= demons; shukasaaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; hariruupadhaarau= both possessing the form of monkeys; praviSTau= entered; bala= (that) army; vaanaram= of monkeys.

Having thus been commanded by Ravana, the valiant demons Shuka and Sarana , both in the disguise of monkeys, entered that army of monkeys.

tatas tad vaanaram sainyam acintyam loma harSaNam |
samkhyaatum na adhyagacchetaam tadaa tau shuka saaraNau || 6-25-10

10. tataH= thereafter; tau= those; shuka saaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; tadaa= then; naadhyagachchhetaam= were not able; samkhyaatum= to count; sainyam= the army; tat= of those; vaanaram= monkeys; achintyam= which was inconceivable; lomaharSaNam= and causing their hair to stand erect.

Shuka and Sarana were not able to count then that inconeviable army of monkeys, causing their hair to stand on end.

tat sthitam parvata agreSu nirdareSu guhaasu ca |
samudrasya ca tiireSu vaneSu upavaneSu ca || 6-25-11
taramaaNam ca tiirNam ca tartu kaamam ca sarvashaH |
niviSTam nivishac caiva bhiima naadam mahaabalam || 6-25-12
tadbalaarNavamakshobhyam dadR^ishaate nishaacarau |

11, 12. tat= that army; sthitam= was stationed; parvataagreSu= on the tops of mountains; nirjhareSu= round about the water-falls; guhaasucha= in the caves; tiireSu= on the shores; samudrasya= of the ocean; vaneSu= in the woodlands; upavaneSu= and in the gardens; taramaaNam= (It was either in) the process of crossing the ocen; tiirNam cha= or had crossed it; tartukaamamcha= or was intending to cross it; sarvashaH= in its entirety; niviSTam= (It had either) encamped; nivishachchaiva= or was still encamping; bhiima naadam= making a terrible noise; nishaacharau= the two demons; dadR^iSaate= saw; mahaabalam= that very stong; akSobhyam= and impeterbable; tadbalaarNavam= sea of army.

That army was stationed on the tops of mountains, round about the waterfalls, in the caves, on the sea-shores, in the woodlands and in the gardens. It was either in the process of crossing the ocean, or was intending to cross it in its entirety. It had either encamped or was still encamping, making a terrible noise. The two demons saw that very strong and imperturbable sea of army.

tau dadarsha mahaatejaaH pracchannau ca vibhiiSaNaH || 6-25-13
aacacakSe atha raamaaya gR^ihiitvaa shuka saaraNau |

13. vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; mahaatejaaH= with great splendour; dadarshau= beheld; tau= both of them; praticchannau= in disguise; saH= He; gR^ihiitva= laid hold of; shuka saaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; aacacakSe= and said; raamaaya= to Rama (as follows)

Vibhishana with great splendour beheld both of them in disguise. He caught hold of Shuka and Sarana and told Rama as follows:

tasyaitau raakshasendrasya mantriNau shuksaaraNau || 6-25-14
la.nkaayaaH samanupraaptau caarau para puram jayau |

14. parapuramjaya= O, Rama the conqueror of hostile citadels!; etau= these; shukasaaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; mantriNau= the two miisters; tasya raakSasendrasya= of that Ravana; samanupraaptau= and came; caarau= as spies; laNkaayaaH= from Lanka.

"O, Rama the conqueror of hostile citadels! These two demons are Shuka and Sarana, the ministers of Ravana and they came here as spies from Lanka."

tau dR^iSTvaa vyathitau raamam niraashau jiivite tadaa || 6-25-15
kR^ita anjali puTau bhiitau vacanam ca idam uucatuH |

15. tau= both of the them; dR^iSTvaa= having seen; vaamam= Rama; vyathitau= were trembled; tathaa= and ; niraashau= were without hope; jiivite= for their lives; bhiitau= were frightened; chedam= and; uuchatu= spoke; idam= these; vachanam= words; kR^itaaN^jalipuTau= having joined their palms.

Both of them, having seen Rama, were trembled with fear, without any hope for their lives and having joined their palms, spoke the following words:

aavaam iha aagatau saumya raavaNa prahitaav ubhau || 6-25-16
parij~naatum balam kR^itsnam tava idam raghu nandana |

16. raghunandana= O, Rama! Saumya= O, excellent man! aavaam ubhau= we both; raavaNaprahitau= as sent by Ravana; aagatau= came; iha= here; parijJNaatum= to know; idam= this; tat= and that; sarvam= entire; balam= army.

"O, excellent man! O, Rama! We both of us, as sent by Ravana, came here together to know everything about your entire army."

tayos tad vacanam shrutvaa raamo dasharatha aatmajaH || 6-25-17
abraviit prahasan vaakyam sarva bhuuta hite rataH |

17. raamaH= Rama; dasharathaatmajaH= the son of Dasaratha; rataH= who was interested; sarvabhuutahite= in the welfare of all being; shrutvaa= after hearing; tat= those; vachanam= words; tayoH= of them both; prahasan= simingly; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words.

Hearing their aforesaid words, Rama the son of Dasaratha who was interested in the welfare of all beings, smilingly spoke the following words:

yadi dR^iSTam balam kR^itsnam vayam vaa susamiikSitaaH || 6-25-18
yathaa uktam vaa kR^itam kaaryam chandataH pratigamyataam |

18. sarvam= (Has) the entire; balam= army; dR^iSTam= yadi= been seen? vayam susamiikSitaH vaa= have we been seen well? kaaryam kR^itam vaa= has the operation been accomplished; yathoktam= as instructed? pratigamyataam= you may go back; chandataH= according to your own wish.

"Has the entire army been observed by you? Have you observed us well? Have you accomplished the task, as entrusted to you? If so, you may go back now according to your free will."

atha kimcidadR^iSTam vaa bhuuyastaddraSTumarhathaH || 6-25-19
vibhiiSano vaa kaartsnyena punaH samdarshayiSyati |

19. atha= or; adR^iSTam vaa= even if you have not seen; kimchit= something; arhathaH= you ought; draSTum= to see; tat= that; bhuuyaH= also; vaa= otherwise; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; samdarSayati= will show you; punaH= again; kaartsnyena= entirely.

"Even if you have not seen something you may see it now also. Otherwise, Vibhishana will show it to you again entirely."

na chedam graham Nam prapya bhetavyam jiivitam prati || 6-25-20
vyastashastrau gR^ihiitau ca na duutau vadhamarhataH |

20. praapya= having obtained; idam= this; grahaNam= seizure; nabhetavyam= you need not fear; jivitam prati= about your life; gR^ihiitau= the seized; ddutau= messengers; nyastashastrau= without weapons; arhataH= deserve; na vadham= no killing.

"You, having been caught, need not fear about your life. The captured messengers holding no weapons indeed deserve no killing."

pracchannau ca vimuJNcaemau caarau raatrimca raavubhau || 6-25-21
shatrupakshasya satatam vibhiiSaNa vikarSiNau |

21. vibhiSaNa= O, Vibhishana! satatam= always; vikarSaNau= draw; a bow-string; shatrupakSasya= on the opponents; vimuJNca= set free; ubhau= the two; raatrimaharau= deomns; chaarau= who are spies; pracchanau= in disguise.

"O, Vibhishana! Always try to draw a bow-string on the opponents and not on these two demons. Set them both, who are spies in disguise, free."

pravishya nagariim la.nkaam bhavadbhyaam dhanada anujaH || 6-25-22
vaktavyo rakSasaam raajaa yathaa uktam vacanam mama |

22. pravishya= after entering; laN^kaam nagariim= the city of Lanka; dhanadaanujaH= Ravana the younger half-brother of Kubera the god of riches; raajaa= and the king; rakSasaam= of demons; vaktavyaH= be told; bhavadbhyaam= by you; yathoktam= as told; mama vachanam= in my words.

"When you return to the city of Lanka, repeat my words faithfully to Ravana the younger half-brother of Kubera and the king of demons."

yad balam ca samaashritya siitaam me hR^itavaan asi || 6-25-23
tad darshaya yathaa kaamam sasainyaH saha baandhavaH |

23. yat= that; balam= force; samaashritya= on which you relied; hR^itavaan asi= when you were taking away; siitaam= Seetha; darshaya= display; yathaakaamam= at your will; tat= that force; sasainyaiH= along with your troops; sahabaandhavaH= and with your allies.

"That force on which you relied when you were taking away Seetha from me, display that force at your will along with your troops and allies."

shvaH kaale nagariim la.nkaam sapraakaaraam satoraNaam || 6-25-24
raakSasam ca balam pashya sharair vidhvamsitam mayaa |

24. shvaH= tomorrow; kaalye= at break of day; pashya= you will see; laN^kaa nagariim= the city of Lanka; sapraakaaraam- with its ramparts; satoraNaam= and arches; balam= (as well as) the army; rakSasaam= of demons; vidhavamsitaam= demolised; mayaa= by me; shariaH= by my arrows.

"Tomorrow, at break of day, you will see my arrows demolish the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches as well as the army of demons."

khodham bhiimamaham mokSye balam dhaaraya raavaNa || 6-25-25
shvaH kaale vajravaan vajram daanaveSv iva vaasavaH |

25. raavaNa= O, Ravana! shvaH= tomorrow, kaalye= at break of day; aham= I; mokSyaami= shall cast; bhiimam= my terrific; krodham= andger; tvayi= on you; sasainye= with your army; vajram iva= as casting a thunderbolt; daanaveSu= on demons; vaasavaH= Indra the Lord of Celestials; vajravaan= wielding the thunder-bolt.

"O, Ravana! Tomorrow, at break of day I will cast my dreadful anger on you and your army as Indra the Lord of celestials wielding a thunderbolt casts the thunderbolt on demons."

iti pratisamaadiSTau raakSasau shuka saaraNau || 6-25-26
jayeti pratinandyainam raaghavam dharmavatsalam |
aagamya nagariim la.nkaam abruutaam raakSasa adhipam || 6-25-27

26, 27. iti= thus; pratisamaadiSTau= commanded; shuka saaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; raakSasau= the demons; pratinandya= admired; iti= that; jaya= "May you be Victorious!" enam= on this; raaghavam= Rama; dharmavatsalam= who was intent on righteousness; aagamya= reached; laN^kaam nagariim= the city of Lanka; abruutaam= and spoke; raakSasaadhipam= to Ravana.

Receiving this command, the two demons, Shuka and Sarana, admiring his justice, cried out: "May you be victorious!", reached the city of Lanka and spoke to Ravana as follows:

vibhiiSaNa gR^ihiitau tu vadha arhau raakSasa iishvara |
dR^iSTvaa dharma aatmanaa muktau raameNa amita tejasaa || 6-25-28

28. raakSaseshvara= O, king of demons! vibhiSaNagR^ihiitau= we were seized by Vibhishana; vadhaartham= with the intention of killing us; raameNa= but by Rama; dharmaatmanaa= the pious minded; amita tejasaa= whose valour is immeasureable; muktau= we were released; dR^iSTvaa= on seeing.

"O, king of demons! We were seized by Vibhishana with the intention of killing us. But, Rama, the pious minded wose valour is immeasurable, seeing us, set us free."

eka sthaana gataa yatra catvaaraH puruSa R^iSabhaaH |
loka paala upamaaH shuuraaH kR^ita astraa dR^iDha vikramaaH || 6-25-29
raamo daasharathiH shriimaaml lakshmaNaH ca vibhiiSaNaH |
sugriivaH ca mahaatejaa mahaaindra sama vikramaH || 6-25-30
ete shaktaaH puriim la.nkaam sapraakaaraam satoraNaam |
utpaaTya samkraamayitum sarve tiSThantu vaanaraaH || 6-25-31

29, 20, 31. yatra= where; chatvaaraH= the four; puruSarSabhaaH= eminent persons; lokapaalasamaaH= who are equal to the protector of the worlds; shuuraaH= the valiant ones; kR^itaastraaH= skilled in the use of weapons; dR^iDhavikramaaH= and of proven prowess; raamaH= Rama; daasharathiH= son of Dasartha; shriimaan= the illustrious; lakSmaNaH= Lakshmana; mahaatejaH= the great resplendent; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; sugriivashca= and Sugreeva; mahendra samavikramaH= whose valour is equal to that of Indra the Lord of celestials; ekasthaanagataaH= are stationed at the same place; ete= they; utpaaTya= having plucked up; laN^kaampuriim= the city of Lanka; sapraakaaraam= with its ramparts; satoraNaam= and arches; shaktaaH= are able; samkraamayitum= to transplant it elswhere; sarve= (even if) all; vaanaraaH= (the) monkeys; tiSThantu= keep aloof.

"Where the four eminent persons who are equal to the protector of the worlds, the valiant ones skilled in the use of weapons and of proven prowess namely Rama the son of Dasaratha, the illustrious Lakshmana, the great resplendent Vibhishana and Sgreeva whose valour is equal to Indra the Lord of celestials, arestationed at the same place, they can pluck up the city of Lanka with its ramparts and arches and transplant it elswhere, even if all the monkeys keep aloof."

yaadR^isham tasya raamasya ruupam praharaNaani ca |
vadhiSyati puriim la.nkaam ekas tiSThantu te trayaH || 6-25-32

32. tat= such; raamasya= is Rama's; ruupam= from; yaadR^iSham= and such; praharaNaanicha= are his weapons; ekaH= that he can alone; vadhiSyati= overthrow; laN^kaampurim= the city of Lanka; te trayaH= his three companions; tiSThantu= standing by.

"Such is Rama's form and such are his weapons, that he can alone overthrow the city of Lanka, his three other companious standing by."

raama lakSmaNa guptaa saa sugriiveNa ca vaahinii |
babhuuva durdharSataraa sarvair api sura asuraiH || 6-25-33

33. saa vaahinii= that army; raamalakSmaNaguptaa= protected by Rama and Lakshmana; sugreeveNaca= as well as by sugreeva; babhuuva= are; durdharSataraa= exceedingly unconquerable; sarvaiH= by all; suraasuraiH api= the gods and demons even.

"That army protected by Rama and Lakshmana as well as Sugreeva, are exceedingly unconquerable even by all the gods and demons."

prahR^iSTa ruupaa dhvajinii vana okasaam |
vanaukasaam samprati yoddhum icchataam |
alam virodhena shamo vidhiiyataam |
pradiiyataam daasharathaaya maithilii || 6-25-34

34. samprati= now; dhvajinii= the army; vanaukasaam= of the monkeys; mahaatmanaam= the minghty ones; icchataam= who are inclined; yoddhum= to fight; prahR^iSTayodhaaH= has cheerful warriors; alaim= enough; virodhena= of hte enmity; shamaH= (Let) peace; vidhiiyataam= be made; pradiiyataam= restore; maithilii= Seetha; daasharathaaya= to Rama.

"Now, the army of the mighty monkeys, who are readily inclined to fight, consists of cheerful warriors. Mae peace, insted of enmity with them. Restore Seetha to Rama."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe paJNcavimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 25th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 26

Introduction

Hearing the submission of Sarana, Ravana climbs up the roof of his palace and sees the entire army of monkeys from there. Ravana enquires about the various monkey leaders and Sarana shows him Nila, Angada, Nala, Sweta, Kumuda, Rambha, Sarabha, Panasa, Vinata and Krathana the army-generals along with their distinguishing characterestics.

tad vacaH pathyam akliibam saaraNena abhibhaaSitam |
nishamya raavaNo raajaa pratyabhaaSata saaraNam || 6-26-1

1. nishamya= hearing; tat= those; vachaH= words; tathyam= which were truthful; akliibam= and cowardless; abhibhaaSitam= as spoken; saaraNena= by Sarana; raajaa= the king; raavanaH= Ravana; paryabhaSata= spoke; saaraNam= to Sarama (as follows):

Hearing those words, which were truthful and coward less, as spoken by Sarana, the king Ravana spoke to Sarana as follows:

yadi maam abhiyunjiiran deva gandharva daanavaaH |
na eva siitaam pradaasyaami sarva loka bhayaad api || 6-26-2

2. aham= I; naiva daasyaami= do not give; siitaam= Seetha; yadi= even if; devagandharva daanavaaH= celestials, celestial musicians or demons; abhiyuNjiiran= attack (me); sarvalokabhayaadapi= or even if there is terror from all the worlds.

"I do not give Seetha even if the celestials, celestial musicians or demons attack me or even if there is a terror from all the worlds."

tvam tu saumya paritrasto haribhir nirjito bhR^isham |
pratipradaanam adya eva siitaayaaH saadhu manyase || 6-26-3

3. O, gentle one! tvamtu= as you were; bhR^isham= very much; piiDitaH- harassed; haribhiH= by the monkeys; paritrastaH= (and hence) fearful; manyase= you are thinking; pratipradaanam= of giving back; siitaayaaH= Seetha; adyaiva= now itself; saadhu= as good.

"O, gentle one! As you were harassed very much by the monkeys and hence fearful; you are thingking of giving back Seetha now itself as good."

ko hi naama sapatno maam samare jetum arhati |
iti uktvaa paruSam vaakyam raavaNo raakSasa adhipaH || 6-26-4
aaruroha tataH shriimaan praasaadam hima paaNDuram |
bahu taala samutsedham raavaNo atha didR^ikSayaa || 6-26-5

4, 5. kaH= which; sapatnaH= enemy; arhati= is fit; jitum= to defeat; maam= me; samare= in battle? raavaNaH= Ravana; raakShasaadhipaH= the lord of demons; raavaNaH= causing (the world) to cry; shriimaan= the illustrious demon; uktvaa= spoke; paruSam= harsha; vaakyam= words; iti= as aforesaid; atha= and then; tataH= from there; aaruroha= ascended; praasaadam= the roof of his palace; hitapaaNDuuram= which was white like snow; bahutaala samutsedham= and equal in height to several; palmyra trees; didR^ikSayaa= with a desire to see (the army of monkeys).

"Which enemy can defeat me in battle?" The illustrious Ravana, the lord of demons, causing the world to cry, spoke harsh words as aforesaid and then from there ascended the roof of his palace which was shining white like his snow and which was equal to the height his snow and which was equal to the height of several palmyrah trees, with a desire to see the army of monkeys.

taabhyaam caraabhyaam sahito raavaNaH krodha muurchitaH |
pashyamaanaH samudram ca parvataamH ca vanaani ca || 6-26-6
dadarsha pR^ithivii desham susampuurNam plavam gamaiH |

6. raavanaH= Ravana; krodhamurchhitaH= stupefied with anger; sahitaH= along with; taabhyaam= those; charaabhyaam= spies; pashyamaanaH= was seeing; tam samudram= that ocean; parvataamshca= the mountains; vanaanicha= and the forest; dadarsha= and beheld; pR^ithiviidasham= the entire land; susampuurNam= completly filled; plavaNgamaiH= with monkeys.

Ravana, stupefied with anger, along with his spies, saw that ocean, the mountains and the forests and beheld the entire land completely filled with monkeys.

tad apaaram asamkhyeyam vaanaraaNaam mahad balam || 6-26-7
aalokya raavaNo raajaa paripapraccha saaraNam |

7. aalokya= seeing; tat= that; mahaabalam= great army; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys; apaaram= which was boundless; asahyamcha= and intolerable; raajaa= the king; raavaNaH= Ravana; paripaprachchha= asked; saaraNam= sarana; (as follows):

Seeing that great army of monkeys, which was boundless and intolerable, the king Ravana asked Sarana as follows:-

eSaam vaanara mukhyaanaam ke shuuraaH ke mahaabalaaH || 6-26-8
ke puurvam abhivartante mahaautsaahaaH samantataH |

8. ke= which; vaanaraaH= monkeys; mukhyaaH= are importat; eSaam= in them? ke= who; shuuraaH= are valiant? ke= who; mahaabalaaH= are very strong? ke= who; abhivartante= will stay; puurvam= in front; samantataH= at all places; mahatsaahaaH= with great energy?

"Which monkeys are important among them? Who are valiant ones? Who are the very strong ones? Who will stay in front at all places, with great energy?"

keSaam shR^iNoti sugriivaH ke vaa yuuthapa yuuthapaaH || 6-26-9
saaraNa aacakSva me sarvam ke pradhaanaaH plavam gamaaH |

9. keSaam= to whom; sugriivaH= will Sugreeva; shruNoti= hear? ke vaa= who; yuuthapa yuthapaaH= are the generals of the commanders of the monkey- hordes? kimprabhaavaaH= what is the influence; plavangamaaH= of the monkeys?saaraNa= O, Sarana! aachakshva= tell; me= me; sarvam= all.

"To whom Sugreeva will hear? Who are the generals of the commanders of the monkey-heads? What is the influence of the monkeys? O, Sarana! Tell me all."

Verse Locator

saaraNo raakSasa indrasya vacanam paripR^icchataH || 6-26-10
aacacakSe atha mukhyaj~no mukhyaams taams tu vana okasaH |

10. atha= then; saraNaH= Sarana; mukhyajJNaH= who knew the chiefs of monkesy; aababhaaSati= spoke; vachanam= (the follwoing) words; mukhyaan= about the chiefs; vanaukasaH= of the monkeys; tatra= in them; raakSasendrasya= to the lord of demons; paripR^ichchhataH= who was enquiring (about them).

Then, Sarana who knew the chiefs of monkeys, spoke the following words about the chiefs of the monkeys i them, to the lord of demons who was enquiring about them.

eSa yo abhimukho la.nkaam nardams tiSThati vaanaraH || 6-26-11
yuuthapaanaam sahasraaNaam shatena parivaaritaH |
yasya ghoSeNa mahataa sapraakaaraa satoraNaa || 6-26-12
la.nkaa pravepate sarvaa sashaila vana kaananaa |
sarva shaakhaa mR^iga indrasya sugriivasya mahaatmanaH || 6-26-13
bala agre tiSThate viiro niilo naama eSa yuuthapaH |

11, 12, 13. eSaH= he; niilonaama= is named Nila; viiraH= the heroic; yuuthapaH= chief of army; yasya= by whose; mahataa= great; ghoSeNa= battle-ery; sarvaa= the entire; laN^kaa= Lanka; sapraakaraa= with its ramparts; sashailavanakaananaa= with its mountains, gardens and forest; pratihataa= is resounding; yaH= which; eSaH= this; vaanaraH= monkey; parivaaritaH= is encircled; shatena= by hundreds; sahasreNaa= and thousands; yuuthapaanaam= of chiefs of the troops; tiSThati= and who is staitoned; laN^kaam abhi mukhaH= with his face directed towards Lanka; nardan= and making a roaring sound; tiSThate= (He is) standing; blaagre= in front of the army; sugriivasya= of Sugreeva; mahaatmanaH= the high-souled; sarv ashakhaa mR^igendrasya= lord of all the monkeys.

"He, the valiant one, who holds his arms high, who tramples the earth under his feet as he marches, whose face is turned towards Lanka, who in fury is knitting his brows very much, who is resembling a mountain- peak in stature, who is like filaments of a louts in hue, who is excess of anger continuously lashes out his tail and the swish of which is heard in ten regions, he is the prince named Angada, anointed by Sugreeva the king of monkeys and is challenging you to the battle."

baahuu pragR^ihya yaH padbhyaam mahiim gacchati viiryavaan || 6-26-14
la.nkaam abhimukhaH kopaad abhiikSNam ca vijR^imbhate |
giri shR^inga pratiikaashaH padma kinjalka samnibhaH || 6-26-15
sphoTayati abhisamrabdho laanguulam ca punaH punaH |
yasya laanguula shabdena svananti iva disho dasha || 6-26-16
eSa vaanara raajena surgriiveNa abhiSecitaH |
yauvaraajye angado naama tvaam aahvayati samyuge || 6-26-17

14, 15, 16, 17. yaH= He (who); viiryavaan= the valiant one; pratigR^ihya= who hold; baahuu= his arms (hight); gachchhati= and who tramples; mahiim= the earth; padbhyaam= under his feet (as he marches); laN^kaam abhimukhaH= who face is turned towards Lanka; kopaat= and who in fury; vijR^imbhate= is knitting his brows; abhiikSaNam= very much; girishR^iga pratiikaashaH= who is resembling a mountian peak (in stature); padmakiN^jalkasamnibhaH= and like the filaments of a lotus in hue; atisamrabdhaH= who is excess of anger; punaH punaH= continueously; sphoTayati= lashes out; laN^guulam= his tail; yasya= whose; laN^guulashabdena= swish of the tail; svananti= is heard; dasha= in ten; pradishaH= regions; eSaH= he; yuvaraajaH= is the prince; aNgadonaama= nemed Angada; abhiSechitaH= anointed; sugriiveNa= by Sugreeva; vaanararajena= the king of monkeys; aahvayati= and is inviting; tvam= you; samyuge= to battle.

"He, the valiant one, who holds his arms high, who tramples the earth under his feet as he marches, whose face is turned towards Lnaka, who in fury is knitting his brows very much, who is remsebling amountain- peak in stature, who is like filaments ofa louts in hue, who is excess of anger continuously lashes out his tail and the swish of hwich is heard in ten regious, he is the prince named Angada, anointed by Sugreeva the king of monkeys and is challenging you to the battle."

vaalinaH sadR^ishaH putraH sugriivasya sadaa priyaH |
raaghavaarthe paraakraantaH shakraarthe varuNo yathaa || 6-26-18

18. (This Angada) sadR^ishaH= a worthy; putraH= son; vaalinaH= of Vali; sadaa= and always; priyaH= dear; sugriivasya= to Sugreeva; paraakraantaH= is coming forward; raaghavaarthe= for Rama's interest; varuNoyathaa= as Varuna; shakraarthe= is to Indra's.

"This Angada, a worthy son of Vali and always dear to Sugreeva, is coming forwards for Rama's interests, as Varuna is to Indra's."

etasya saa matiH sarvaa yaddR^iSTaa janakaatmajaa |
hanuumataa vegavataa raaghavasya hitaiSiNaa || 6-26-19

19. saa sarvaa= It is all; etasya= in his (Angada's) matiH= wisdom; itiyat= that; janakaatmajaa= Seetha; dR^iSTaa= was found; hanuumataa= by Hanuman; vegavataa= the swift monkey; hitaiSiNaa= who desires the welfare; raaghavasya= of Rama.

"It is all due to Angada's design that Seetha was found by Hanuman, who is a swift monkey and a well-wisher of Rama."

bahuuni vaanarendraaNaameSa yuuthaani viiryavaan |
parigR^ihyaabhiyaati tvaam svenaaniikena marditum || 6-26-20

20. eSaH= this Angada; viiryavaan= the valiant; parigR^ihya= taking along with him; bahuuni= innumerable; yuthaani= chiefs of monkeys; abhiyaati= is approaching; marditum to crush; tvaam= you; svena aniikena= with the help of his own army.

"This valiant Angada, bringing along with him innumerable cheifs of monkeys, is approaching to crush you, with the help of his own army."

anuvaalisutasyaapi balena mahataa vR^itaH |
viirastiSThati samgraame setuheturayam nalaH || 6-26-21

21. ayam= this; nalaH= Nala; setu hetuH= who is the creator of the bridge; viiraH= and the valiant one; samgraame= in battle; tiSThati= stands; anuvaalisutasya= next to Angada, son of Vali; vR^itaH= surrounded by; mahataa= a large; balena= army.

"Surrounded by a large army, here stands the valiant Nala the creator of the bridge, next to Angada the son of Vali, prepared for the battle."

ye tu viSTabhya gaatraaNi kSveDayanti nadanti ca |
utthaaya ca vijR^imbhante krodhena hari pumgavaaH || 6-26-22
ete duSprasahaa ghoraaH caNDaaH caNDa paraakramaaH |
aSTau shata sahasraaNi dasha koTi shataani ca || 6-26-23
ya enam anugacchanti viiraaH candana vaasinaH |
eSa aashamsate la.nkaam svena aniikena marditum || 6-26-24

22, 23, 24. ye= which; aSTau= eight; shatasahasraaNi= laksha; dashakoti and shataanicha= ten hundred crores; haripuNgavaaH= of excellent monkeys; chandana vaasinaH= lodging in sandalwood groves; vadanticha= who are yelling kSveDayanti= with a lions roar; viSTabhya= having stiffened; gatraaNi= their limbs; vijR^imbhante= are knitting their eye-brow; utthaaya= raised; krodhena= in anger; ye= which; viiraaH= valiant monkeys; anugacchhanti= who are going after; enam= him; duSprasahaaH= are difficult to be conquered; ghoraaH= the terrific; chaNDaah= the fierceful; chaNDaparaakramaaH= having feroceous zeal; eSaiva= Nala himself; svena= with his; aniikena; army; aashamsate= aspires marditum= to smash; laN^kaam= Lanka.

"These excellent monkeys, numbering a thousand crores and eight lakhs, lodging in sandalwood groves, yelling with a lion's roar and having stiffened their limbs, are knitting their eye=brows raised in anger. These valiant monkeys, who are terrific and fierceful having a feroceous zeal are going after Nala. Nala himself with his aforesaid army aspires to smash Lanka forthwith."

shveto rajata samkaashaH sabalo bhiima vikramaH |
buddhimaan vaanaraH shuuras triSu lokeSu vishrutaH || 6-26-25
tuurNam sugriivam aagamya punar gacchati vaanaraH |
vibhajan vaanariim senaam aniikaani praharSayan || 6-26-26

25, 26. vaanaraH= a monkey; shvetaH= called Sveta; rajatasamkaashaH= of siver hue; chapalaH= who is quick-witted; bhiimavikramaH= and of terrific prowess; buddhimaan= an intelligent monkey; shuuraH= a warrior; vishrutaH= renowned; triSu lokeSu= in the three worlds; aagatya= has come; sugriivam= to Sugreeva; tuurNam= swiftly; vibhajan= dividing; senaam= the army; vaanariim= of monkeys; praharSayan= and bringing great delight; aniikaani= to the troops, gachchhati= he goes; punaH= back; satvaraH= at once.

"A monkey called Sweta of sivlver hue who is quick-witted and cleaver, of terricfic prowess and a warrior renowned in the three worlds, has come to Sugreeva swiftly, dividing the army of monkeys and brining great delight to the troops, he goes back at once."

yaH puraa gomatii tiire ramyam paryeti parvatam |
naamnaa samkocano naama naanaa naga yuto giriH || 6-26-27
tatra raajyam prashaasti eSa kumudo naama yuuthapaH |
yo asau shata sahasraaNaam sahasram parikarSati || 6-26-28
yasya vaalaa bahu vyaamaa diirgha laanguulam aashritaaH |
taamraaH piitaaH sitaaH shvetaaH prakiirNaa ghora karmaNaH || 6-26-29
adiino roSaNaH caNDaH samgraamam abhikaankSati |
eSa eva aashamsate la.nkaam svena aniikena marditum || 6-26-30

27, 28, 29, 30. puraa= long ago; yaH= which; giriH= mountain; ramaym= called Ramya; gomatiitiire= on the banks of Gomati; (that mountain) naanaanagayutaH= filled with various kinds of trees; naamnaa= was called; samrochanonaama= by another name, Samrochana; yuuthapaH= an army chief; kumudonaama= named Kumuda; eSaH= this; parvatam= mountain; prashaasti= and was ruling; raajyam= the kingdom; tatra= there; yaH= who; parikarSati= was leading; saharSam= happily; shatasahasraaNi= lakshs (of monkeys); yasya= whose; bahuvyaamaaH= very long; valaaH= hair; tamraaH= coppery; piitaaH= yello; siitaaH= pale; shvetaaH= and white; ghoradarshanaaH= and hideous to look upon; prakiirNa= thrown about (and) aashritaH= resting on; diirghalaaN^guulam= his long tail; vaanaraH= that monkey; adiinaH= is undepressed in spirit; chaNDaH= and fierceful; abhikaaNkSati= yearns; saN^graamam= the battle; eSaiva= he even; aashamsate= desires; marditum= to smash; laN^kaam= Lanka; svena= with his; aniikena= foreces.

"There was mountain called Ramya, on the banks of River Gomati. That mountain filled with various kinds of trees was also called Samrochana. An army-chief, named Kumuda used to roam around that mountainous region. He also used to rule that kingdom. He is the leader for lakhs of monkeys. He has a very long hair-coppery, yellow, pale and white and hideous to cook upon- thrown about on his tail is the intrepid and fierceful monkey called Kanda. He yearns to fight and boast that he with destroy Lanka his forces."

yas tv eSa simha samkaashaH kapilo diirgha kesaraH |
nibhR^itaH prekSate la.nkaam didhakSann iva cakSuSaa || 6-26-31
vindhyam kR^iSNa girim sahyam parvatam ca sudarshanam |
raajan satatam adhyaaste rambho naama eSa yuuthapaH || 6-26-32
shatam shata sahasraaNaam trimshac ca hari yuuthapaaH |
yam yaantam vaanaraa ghoraashcaNDaashchaNDparaakramaaH || 6-26-33
parivaarya anugacchanti la.nkaam marditum ojasaa |

31, 32, 33. raajan= O, king! saH= he; yaH= lion; kapilaH= of yellowish brown colour; diirgha kesaraH= with long mane; prekSate= and who is seeing; laN^kaam= the city of Lanka; nibhR^itaH= attentively; didhakSanniva= as though he wishes to consume it; chakSuSaa= with his glances; adhyaaste= who dwells; satatam= mostly; krishnagirim= on the mountain of Krishna; sahyam parvatam= and Sahya mountain; vindhyam= Vindhya range; sudarshanam= of pleasing aspect; yuddhapaH= is the General; rambhonaama= named Rambha; trimshashca= thirty; shatam= hundred; shatasahasraaNaam= laksh; haripuNgavaaH= of excellent monkeys; ghoraaH= who are formidable; chaNDaparakramaH= of impetuous valour; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; ojasaa= of vigour; parivaarya= surround; yam= him; yaantam= who is moving; anugachchhanti= and follow in his steps; marditum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka.

"O, king! He who resembles a tawny lion with a long mane and who is looking at Lanka attentively as though he wishes to consume it with his glasses, who dwells mostly on the mountains of Krishna and Sahya of Vindhya range of pleasing aspect, is the General named Rambha. Three thousand crores of excellent monkeys, who are formidable of impetuous valour and vigour, surround him who is marching ahead and follow in his goot-sets to destroy Lanka."

yas tu karNau vivR^iNute jR^imbhate ca punaH punaH || 6-26-34
na ca samvijate mR^ityor na ca yuuthaad vidhaavati |
prakampate cha roSena tiryakcha punariikshate || 6-26-35
pashyan laaN^guulamapi ca ksveDatyeSa mahaabalaH |
mahaabalo viita bhayo ramyam saalveya parvatam || 6-26-36
raajan satatam adhyaaste sharabho naama yuuthapaH |

34, 35, 36. pashya= look! raajan= O, king! yaH tu= the one who; jR^imbhate cha= is yawning; punaH punaH= again and again; vipR^iNute= and who is shaking; karNau= his ears natu samvijate= he who does not have fear; mR^ityoH= about death; nachapradhaavati= who never retreats; yuddhaat= from a battle; prakampate= but violently moves; roSheNa= with rage; iikSate= who sees; punaH= again; tiryak= obliquely; vikSepam= he who lashes out; laNguulam= his tail; kSveDati= roars like a lion; mahaabalaH= with great vigour; satatam= and constantly; adhyaaste= dwells; ramyam= on the lovely; saalveyam parvatam= Salveya mountain; eSaH= he; sharabhonaama= in Sarabha by name; yuuthapaH= the commander of monkeys; mahaujasaa= of immense energy; viitabhyayaH= devoid of fear.

"O, king! Look! The one who is yawning continuously and shaking his ears, he who does not have fear of death, he who never retreats from a battle, but violently moves with rage, who again sees obliquely, he who lashes out his tail and roars like a lion with great vigour, he who constantly dwells on the lovely Salveya mountain, he is Sarabha by name, the commander of monkeys with immense energy and devoid of fear."

etasya balinaH sarve vihaaraa naama yuuthapaaH || 6-26-37
raajan shata sahasraaNi catvaarimshat tathaiva ca |

37. raajan= O, king! sarve= all; etasya= his; shatasahasraaNi= one lakh; tathaiva= and ehaturvisushat= forty thousand; yuuthapaaH= army-chiefs; vihaaraaH naama= named Viharas*; balinaH= are strong.

"O, king! All his one lakh and forty thousand army-chiefs called Viharas* are strong.

*Viharas - Those who roam about at will.

yas tu megha iva aakaasham mahaan aavR^itya tiSThati || 6-26-38
madhye vaanara viiraaNaam suraaNaam iva vaasavaH |
bheriiNaam iva samnaado yasya eSa shruuyate mahaan || 6-26-39
ghoraH shaakhaa mR^iga indraaNaam samgraamam abhikaankSataam |
eSa parvatam adhyaaste paariyaatram anuttamam || 6-26-40
yuddhe duSprasaho nityam panaso naama yuuthapaH |

38, 39, 40. yaH= the one who; mahaan megha iva= is like a great cloud; aavR^itya; enveloping; aakaasham= space; tiSThati= and who stays; madhye= in the middle; vaanaraviiraaNaam= of monkey- warriors; vaasavaH iva= like Indra (the god of celestials) mahaan= the great; ghoSaH= vocie; yasyaiva= of whose; shaakhaa mR^igendraaNaam= monkeys; abhikaaNkSataam= desiring; saNgraamam= for a battle; shruuyate samnaadaH iva= is heard like the roll; bheriiNaam= of drums; eSaH= he; yuuthapaH= the General; panasonaama= named Panasa; nityam= always; duSprasahaH= invinible; yuddhe= in battle; adhyaaste= (and he) dwells; paariyaatram= in Pariyatra; anuttamam= a mountain that is exceeded by none in height."

"The one who is like a great cloud, enveloping the space and who stays in teh middle of monkey-warriors like Indra the god of celestials, the great voice of whose monkeys wishing for battle is heard like the roll of drums, is the General named Panasa, who is always invincible in battle. He dwells in Pariyatra, a mountain that is exceeded by none in height."

enam shata sahasraaNaam shata ardham paryupaasate || 6-26-41
yuuthapaa yuuthapa shreSTham yeSaam yuuthaani bhaagashaH |

41. enam= to him; yuuthapashreSTham= whos is excellent among army-chiefs; eSaam= whose; yuuthaam= troop-commenders; shataartham= numbering fifty; shatasahasraaNaam= laksha; bhaagashaH= in separate units; paryupaasate= attend obediently, enam= to him.

Troop-commanders numbering fifty lakhs commanding separate units attend obediently to him, who is excellent among the Generals."

yas tu bhiimaam pravalgantiim camuum tiSThati shobhayan || 6-26-42
sthitaam tiire samudrasya dvitiiya iva saagaraH |
eSa dardara samkaasho vinato naama yuuthapaH || 6-26-43
pibamH carati parNaashaam nadiinaam uttamaam nadiim |
SaSTiH shata sahasraaNi balam asya plavam gamaaH || 6-26-44

42, 43, 44. yaH= he who; sthitaam= is encamped; SaSTiH= with sixty; shatasahasraaNi= lakhs; plavaN^gamaaH= monkeys; asya= his; balam= strength of army; samudrasya tiire= on the sea-shore; dvitiiya saagaraH iva= like unto a second ocean; yuuthapaH- is the commander; vinatonaama= called Vinata; eSaH= who; dardurasamkaashaH= resembles the Dardura mountain (in size); shobhayan= lending charm; bhiimaam= to the formidable; chamuum= army; pravalgantiim= marching; charati= and moves about; piban= drinking; naddiim= ( the waters of) River; veNaam= Vena; uttamaam= the foremost; nadiinaam= of all rivers.

"He who is encamped with sixty lakhs monkeys as his army-strength on the sea-shore like unto a second ocean is the commander called Vinata who resembles Dardura mountain (in size) and is positioned there lending charm to the formidable army marching ahead and moves about, drinking the water of River Vena, the foremost of all rivers."

tvaam aahvayati yuddhaaya krathano naama yuuthapaH |
vikraantaa balavantashca yathaa yuuthaani bhaagashaH || 6-26-45

45. vaanaraH= A monkey; krathanonaama= called Krathana; (keeping); vikrantaaH= the courageous; balavantashcha= and strong monkeys; yuuthaani= and the army-chiefs; yathaa= according to bhaagashaH= separate units; aahvayati= and invites; tvaam= you; yuddhaaya= for the battle."

"A monkey called krathana, keeping the courageous, strong monkeys and the army-lieutenants in separate units, is inviting you for the battle."

yas tu gairika varNa aabham vapuH puSyati vaanaraH |
avamatya sadaa sarvaanvaanaraan baladarpitaH || 6-26-46
gavayo naama tejasvii tvaam krodhaad abhivartate |

46. yaH= which; vaanaraH= monkey; puSyati= nourishes; vapuH= his body; gairika varNaabham= radiant with the colour of a red-chalk; sadaa= who is forever; baladarpitaH= proud of his strength; tejasvii= and resplendent; gavapnaama= is called Gavaya; tvaam abhivartate= is stunds facing you;krodhaat= with anger; avamatya= despising sarvaan= all; vaanaraan= the monkeys.

"That resplendent monkey who for his part nourishes his body having the hue of a red chalk and proud of his strength, stands facing you with anger despising all other monkeys."

enam shata sahasraaNi saptatiH paryupaasate |
eSa aashamsate la.nkaam svena aniikena marditum || 6-26-47

47. saptatiH= seventy; shatasahasraaNi= lakhs; paryopaasate= are attending on; evam= him; eSaiva= he himself; aashamsate= wishes; marditum= to crush; laN^kaam= the city of Lanka; svena= (with the help of) his own; aniikena= army.

"Seventy lakhs monkeys are attending on him. He himself wishes to crush the city of Lanka with the help of his army."

ete duSprasahaa ghoraa balinaH kaama ruupiNaH |
yuuthapaa yuuthapa shreSThaa yeSaam samkhyaa na vidyate || 6-26-48

48. ete= these; viiraaH= valiant; yuuthapaaH= commanders; yuuthapashreSThaaH= and the commander-in-chiefs; duSprasahaaH= are difficult to be attacked; eSaam= whose; samkhyaa= number; navidyate= is not know; teSaam= their; yuuthaani= troops; bhaagashaH= are divided in parts.

"These commanders and commanders-in-chief are difficult to be conquered and their number is hard to be counted. Their troops are divided into distinct units."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe SaDvimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 26th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 27

Introduction

Sharana continues to describe the individual strengths of the various commanders in the army of monkeys, mentioning their names one by one, in detail.

taamstu te samprakSyaami prekSamaaNasya yuuthapaan |
raaghava arthe paraakraantaa ye na rakSanti jiivitam || 6-27-1

1. pravakSyaami= I shall tell; te= you; prekSamaaNasya= who are looking; taan yuuthapaan= about those army-chiefs; ye= who; paraakraantaaH= moved forward; raaghavaarthe= for the sake of Rama; narakSanti= without protecting; jiivitam= their life.

“I on my part shall tell you, who are keenly observing about those army-chiefs, who are ready to show their valour in the case of Rama, even without caring for their lives.”

snigdhaa yasya bahu shyaamaa baalaa laanguulam aashritaaH |
taamraaH piitaaH sitaaH shvetaaH prakiirNaa ghora karmaNaH || 6-27-2
pragR^ihiitaaH prakaashante suuryasya iva mariicayaH |
pR^ithivyaam ca anukR^iSyante haro naama eSa yuuthapaH || 6-27-3

2,3. eSaH= he; vaanaraH= is a monkey; haronaama= called Hara; ghora karmaNaH= who has terrific acts; yasya= whose; baalaaH= hair; aashritaaH= resting on; laaN^guulam= his tail; bahuvyaamaH= measuring many fathoms; snighdhaaH= which are soft; taamraaH= red in colour; piitaaH= yello; sitaaH= white; shvetaaH= super white; prakiirNaaH= wavery; prakaashante= shining; marrichayaH iva= like the rays; suuryasya= of the sun; pragR^ihiitaa= standing erect; anukR^iSyante= and dragging; pR^ittivyaam= along the ground.

"He is a monkey called Hara, who has terrific acts to his credit. The hair on his tail, measuring many fathoms, soft, red in colour, yellow, white and super-white, wavery and shining like the rays of the sun standing erect thrown about are dragging along the ground."

yam pR^iSThato anugacchanti shatasho atha sahasrashaH |
vR^ikSaanudyamya sahasaa laN^kaa rohaNatatparaaH || 6-27-4
yuuthapaa hariraajasya kimkaraaH samupasthitaaH |

4. shatashaH= hundreds; atha= and; sahasrashaH= thousands; yuuthapaaH= of troop-leaders; samupasthitaaH= who are resoled; kimkaraaH= to be the servants; hariraajasya= of Sugreeva; pR^iSThateH= behind; yam= whom; anugachchhanti= they are following; udyamya= carrying; vR^ikSaan= trees; laN^kaarohaNatatparaaH= with an intention to mount the city of Lanka; sahasaa= soon.

"Hundreds and thousands of troop-leaders who are resolved to be the servants of Sugreeva rally behind him, carrying trees with them and with an intention to attack Lanka soon."

niilaan iva mahaameghaams tiSThato yaams tu pashyasi || 6-27-5
asitaan jana samkaashaan yuddhe satya paraakramaan |
asamkhyeyaan anirdeshyaan param paaram iva udadheH || 6-27-6
parvateSu ca ye kecid viSameSu nadiiSu ca |
ete tvaam abhivartante raajann R^iSkaaH sudaaruNaaH || 6-27-7

5, 6, 7. raajam= O, king! tiSThataH= those who appear; niilan= black; mahaameghaamiva= like big clouds; asitaaNjana samkaashaaH= akin to black collyrium; ete= these are; R^iKSaaH= bears; sudaaruNaaH= who are extremely ferocious; satyaparaakramaan= truly mighty, yuddhe= in combat; asamkyeyaan= exceedingly in large number; anirdeshyaan= undefinable ; param paaramiva= like the other shore; udadheH= of the ocean, yaan tu= whom; pashyasi= you are seeing; ye kechit= some of whom; (reside); parvateSu= in mountains; viSayeSu= in plains; nadiiSu cha= and on river-banks abhivartante= and they are coming towards; tvaam= you.

“O, king! Those who appear black like black-clouds and akin to black collyrium are extremely ferocious bears, truly mighty in combat, which are in exceedingly large number, indefinable like the other shore of an ocean, whom you are observing and serve of whom reside in mountains, plains and on river-banks. They are all coming towards you.”

eSaam madhye sthito raajan bhiima akSo bhiima darshanaH |
parjanya iva jiimuutaiH samantaat parivaaritaH || 6-27-8
R^ikSavantam giri shreSTham adhyaaste narmadaam piban |
sarva R^ikSaaNaam adhipatir dhuumro naama eSa yuuthapaH || 6-27-9

8, 9. raajan= O, king! sthitaH= standing, eSaam madhye= in the middle; bhiimakSaH= with terrific eyes; bhayadarshanaH= of fearful appearance; parivaaritaH= encircled; samantaat= by all; parjanyaH iva= like Parajanya ( the Lord of rain); jiimutaiH= (being encircled) by clouds; eSaH= he; yuuthapaH= is the army-chief; dhuumraH naama= called Dhumra; adhipatiH= the lord sarvarkSaaNaam= of all bears; piban= who drinks; narmadaam= the waters of River Narmada; adhyaaste= and resides; girishreSTham= on an excellent mountain; R^ikSavantam= called Rikshanvanta.

“O, king! He who is standing in the middle, with terrific eyes and of fearful appearance, encircled by all like Parjanya (the rain-god) being encircled by clouds; is the army-chief called Dhumra, the Lord of all bears, who drinks the waters of River Narmada and resides on an excellent mountain named Rikshavanta.”

yaviiyaan asya tu bhraataa pashya enam parvata upamam
bhraatraa samaano ruupeNa vishiSTas tu paraakrame || 6-27-10
sa eSa jaambavaan naama mahaayuuthapa yuuthapaH |
prashaanto guru vartii ca samprahaareSv amarSaNaH || 6-27-11

10, 11. pashya= see; enam= him; parvatopamam= who is resembling a mountain; yaniiyaan= the younger; bhraataa= brother; asya= of Dhumra; samaanaH= resembling; bhraatraa= his brother; ruupeNa= in appearance; vishiSTaH= but distinguished; paraakrame= in prowess; sa eSaH= he as such; mahaayuuthapayuuthapaH= is a commander of even the mighty generals; jaambavaannaama= called jambavan; prakraantaH= who is setting on a march (for the battle); guruvartiicha= who has respectful behaviour towards venerable persons; aamarSaNaH= and who is impatient; samprahaareSu= in battle.

“See him who is appearing like a mountain the younger brother of Dhumra, though in form resembling like his brother, is more distinguished in prowess. He as such is a commander of even the mighty generals called Jambavan, who is setting on the march (for the battle). He has a respectful behaviour towards venerable persons impatient in battle.”

etena saahyam sumahat kR^itam shakrasya dhiimataa |
deva asure jaambavataa labdhaaH ca bahavo varaaH || 6-27-12

12. etena= by this; jaambavataa= Jambavan; dhiimataa= the intelligent; mahat= a great; saahyam= help; kR^itam= was done; shakrasya= to Indra (Lord of celestials); devaasure in a battle between celestials and demons; bhavaH= and many; varaashcha= boons also; labdhaaH= were obtained.

By the intelligent Jambavan, a great help was rendered to Indra (the lord of celestials) in a battle between celestials and demons and many boons were obtained.”

aaruhya parvata agrebhyo mahaaabhra vipulaaH shilaaH |
muncanti vipula aakaaraa na mR^ityor udvijanti ca || 6-27-13
raakSasaanaam ca sadR^ishaaH pishaacaanaam ca romashaaH |
etasya sainye bahavo vicaranti agni tejasaH || 6-27-14

13, 14. etasya= his; vipulaakaaraaH= gaint bodied; sainyaaH= troops; sadR^ishaaH= equal to; raakSasaanaam= demons; pishachaanaam cha= and devils; romashaaH= having thick hair; amitaujasaH= and endowed with unlimited energy; vicharanti= wonder about; aaruuhya= climbing; parvataagrebhyaH= mountain-heights; muN^chanti= and hurl; mahaabhra vipulaaH= as big as huge clouds; shilaaH= massive rocks; naudvijanti= they do not fear; mR^ityaH= for death.

“Jambavan’s giant bodied troops, resembling demons and devils, having thick hair and endowed with unlimited energy, wander about, climbing mountain-heights and hurl massive rocks as big as huge clouds. They do not have a fear in facing death.”

yam tv enam abhisamrabdham plavamaanam iva sthitam |
prekSante vaanaraaH sarve sthitam yuuthapa yuuthapam || 6-27-15
eSa raajan sahasra akSam paryupaaste hari iishvaraH |
balena bala sampanno rambho naama eSa yuuthapaH || 6-27-16

15, 16. raajan= O, king! eSaH= this; hariishvaraH= lord of monkeys; yuuthapayuuthapam= the commander of the commanders; yam enam= on whom; abhisamrabdham= whether he is in a hurried fury; plavamaaniva= or leaking; sthitam= or standing still; sarve= all; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; sthitam= stand; prekSante= looking; eSaH= he dambhonama= is called Dambha; balasamyuktaH= who along with his army; balena= in bulkiness; parayupaaste= dwell on; sahasraakSam= Sahasraksha mountain.

“O, king! This Lord of monkeys- the commander of commanders on whom, whether he is in a hurried fury or leaping or standing still and all the monkeys stand looking – he is called Dambha who along with his bulky troops dwell on Sahasraksha mountain.”

yaH sthitam yojane shailam gacchan paarshvena sevate |
uurdhvam tathaiva kaayena gataH praapnoti yojanam || 6-27-17
yasmaan na paramam ruupam catuSpaadeSu vidyate |
shrutaH samnaadano naama vaanaraaNaam pitaamahaH || 6-27-18
yena yuddham tadaa dattam raNe shakrasya dhiimataa |
paraajayaH ca na praaptaH so ayam yuuthapa yuuthapaH || 6-27-19

17, 18, 19. yaH= he who; sevate= walking on all fours; (touches); paarshvena= with his flanks; shailam= a mountain; sthitam= situated; yogane= at a distance of one Yogana (eight miles); tathaiva= and reaching; (an object); yojanam= one Yojana; uurdhavam= high; praapnoti= obtains it; kaayena= with his body; yasmaat= more than whose; paramam= huge; ruupam= from; na chatuSpaatsu= no four-legged anima; vidyate= is having; yena= by whose; dhiimataa= intelligence; yuddham= battle; dattam= was given; puraa= earlier; shakrasya= to Indra; the Lord of celestials; raNe= on a field of battle; na paraajayaH= but no defeat; praaptaH= was sustained; ayam= he; saH= as such; yuuthapa yuuthapaH= is a commander of commanders; pitaamahaH; shrutaH= famous; samnaadanonaama= as Samnadana by name.

“He who, walking on all fours touches with his flanks, a mountain situated at a distance of one Yojana (eight miles) and reaching an object one Yojana high, obtains it with his body, whose huge form no other four-begged animal is having, by which intelligent monkey, battle was given earlier to Indra the Lord of celestials on a field of battle but no defeat was sustained by him, he is a commander of commanders and the grand-father of monkeys, famous as Samnadana by name.”

yasya vikramamaaNasya shakrasya iva paraakramaH |
eSa gandharva kanyaayaam utpannaH kR^iSNa vartmanaa || 6-27-20
tatra devaasure yuddhe saahyaartham tridivaukasaam |

20. yasya= whose; vikramaaNasya= striding; paraakramaaH= prowess; shakrasyeva= is like that of Indra the Lord of celestials; eSaH= this Samnada; utpannaH= was born; gandharva kanyaayaam= of a youthful Gandharva maiden; kR^iSNavartmanaa= and Krishnavartmana; tadaa= then; devaasurayuddhe= in a combat between celestials and demons; saahyaartham= for the purpose of helping; trividvaukasaam= the celestials.

“This Samnada, whose striding prowess is equal to that of Indra the Lord of Celestials was born of a youthful Gandharva maiden and krishnavartman for the purpose of helping the celestials in a combat between celestials and demoneous.”

yatra vaishravaNo raajaa jambuumupaniSevate || 6-27-21
yo raajaa parvata indraaNaam bahu kimnara sevinaam |
vihaara sukhado nityam bhraatus te raakSasa adhipa || 6-27-22
tatra eSa vasati shriimaan balavaan vaanara R^iSabhaH |
yuddheSv akatthano nityam krathano naama yuuthapaH || 6-27-23

21, 22, 23. raakshasaadhipa= O, king of demons! eSaH= this; yuuthapaH= commander; krathanonaama= named krathane; vaishravaNaH= the son of Visravasa; raajaa= the illustrious one; upaniSevate= who stis, jambuum= beneath the Jambu tree; yatra; on that mountain; parvatendraaNaam= the king of peaks; bahukimnarasevinaam= frequented by kinneras; yaH= which mountain; vihaarasukhadaH= affords delight; te bhraatuH= to your brother; tatra= it is near there; shriimaaan= that fortunate one; balavaan= that powerful vaanarottamaH= lord of the monkeys; akatthanaH= whose prowess is not confined to words; yuddhesu= in battles; (krathana); nityam= forever; ramate= sports.

“O king of demons! This commander named Krathana, the son of Visravasa, the illustrious one, sits beneath the Jambu tree, on that mountain, the king of peaks, which is frequented by Kinneras, and which mountain affords delight constantly to your brother. It is near there, Krathana, that fortunate one, that powerful lord of the monkeys, whose prowess in not confined to words in battles, sports.”

vR^itaH koTi sahasreNa hariiNaam samavasthitaH |
eSaivaashamsate laN^kaam svenaaniikena marditum || 6-27-24

24. eSaiva= he indeed; sthitaH= is standing; vR^itaH= surrounded; koTisahasreNa= by a thousand crores; hariiNaam= of monkeys; aashamsae= and hopes; marditum= to crush; laN^kaam= Lanka; svena= by his; aniikena= army.

“He indeed is standing, surrounded by a thousand crores of monkeys. He hopes to crush Lanka with the help of his army.”

yo gaN^gaamanuparyeti traasayan gajayuuthapaan |
hastinaam vaanaraaNaam ca puurvavairamanusmaran || 6-27-25
eSa yuuthapatirnetaa garjan giriguhaashayaH |
gajaan rodhayate vanyaanaarujamshcha mahiiruhaan || 6-27-26

25, 26. 25, 26. yaH= He who; anuparyet= usually roam; gaN^gaam= by the ganges; traasayan= sowing terror; gaja yuuthapaan= leaders of herds of elephants; anumaran= remembering as he does; puurva vairam= the old quarrel; hastinaam= between elephants; vaanaraaNaam ca= and monkeys; garjan= thundering; aarujamshca= and uprooting; mahiiruhaan= trees; yuuthapatiH= the commander; netaa= and the leader (of monkeys); eSaH= this; pramathigiriguhaashayaH= dwells in the mountain caves; rodhayate= subduing; vanyaan gajaan= wild elephants.

“He who usually roams by the Ganges, sowing terror among leaders of herds of elephants, remembering as he does the old quarrel between elephants and monkeys, thundering and uprooting trees, he is the commander and leader of monkeys called Pramathim who dwells in mountain-caves, subduing wild elephants.”

hariiNaam vaahinii mukhyo nadiim haimavatiim anu |
ushiira biijam aashritya parvatam mandara upamam || 6-27-27
ramate vaanara shreSTho divi shakra iva svayam |

27. vaanarashreSThaH= this excellent one among monkeys; vaahinii mukhyaH= and this army-chief; hariiNaam= of monkeys; aashritya= taking shelter in; Mandara= Mandara; parvatottamam= the formost of mountains; ushiirabiijam= and the mountain called Ushirabija; nadim anu= alongside the River Ganaga; ramte= passes his life happily; shukraH iva= like unto Indra; svayam= himself.

“This excellent one among the monkeys and this army-chief of monkeys, taking shelter in Mandara the foremost of mountains and the mountain called ushirabija alongside the River Ganga, passes his life happily like unto Indra himself.”

enam shata sahasraaNaam sahasram abhivartate || 6-27-28
viiryavikramadR^iptaanaam nardataam baahushaalinaam |

28. shatasahasraaNaam= a hundred thousands of monkeys, viirya vikrama dR^iptaanaam= proud of their strength and prowess; baahushalinaam= with radiant fore-arms; nardataam= making a roaring sound; abhivartate= are following; enam= him.

“A hundred thousands of monkeys; proud of their strength and prowess with their radiant fore-arms, making a roaring noise, are following him.”

sa eSa netaa nhaiteSaam vaanaraaNaam mahaatmanam || 6-27-29
sa eSa durmarSaNo raajan pramaathii naama yuuthapaH |

29. saH eSaH= he as such; netaa= is the leader; eteSaam= of these; mahaatmanaam= high-souled; vaanaraaNaam= monkeys; raajan= O, king!; saH eSaH= he as such; yuuthapaH= is the commander; pramaathii naama= called Pramathi; durdharaH= the one difficult to be conquered.

“He is the leader of these high-soled monkeys. O, king! He is the commander called Pramathi, the one difficult to be conquered.”

vaatena iva uddhatam megham yam enam anupashyasi || 6-27-30
aniikamapi samrabdham vaanaraaNaam tarasvinaam |
uddhuutamaruNaabhaasam pavanena samantataH || 6-27-31
vivartamaanam bahusho yatra etad bahulam rajaH |

30, 31. enam= he; yam= whom; samanupashyasi= you are seeing; meghamiva= as a cloud; uddhatam= raised; vaatena= by wind; (is Pramathi); yatra= in which place; aruNaabhaasam= a red illumined; rajah= dust; bahulam= in great quantity; uddhuutam= and raised; vivartamaanam= is tossed about; pavanena= by wind; (there exists); tarasvinaam= energetic; samrabdham= ad excited aniikamapi= army also; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys.

“He whom you are beholding a cloud raised by wind is Pramathi. At that place, a great quantity of red illumined dust is tossed about and raised by wind in various ways in different directions. Energetic and excited army of monkeys is also stationed there along with Pramathi.”

ete asita mukhaa ghoraa go laanguulaa mahaabalaaH || 6-27-32
shatam shata sahasraaNi dR^iSTvaa vai setu bandhanam |
go laanguulam mahaavegam gava akSam naama yuuthapam || 6-27-33
parivaarya abhivartante la.nkaam marditum ojasaa |

32, 33. mahaaraaja= O, monarch! Shatam= one hundred; shatasahasraaNi= laksha; golaaN^guulaaH= of monkeys; asitamukhaaH= with black faces; ghoraaH= fearful; mahaabalaaH= and with great strength; dR^iSTvaa= experiencing (the crossing of); setubandhanam= the bridge; parivaarya= surrounded; yuuthapam= the troop-leaders; gavaakshamnaama= by name Gavaksha; golaaN^guulam= a monkey; abhinardante= and were making a roaring noise; marditum= to crush; laN^kaam= Lanka; ojasaa= by their bodily strength.

“O, monarch! One hundred lakhs of monkeys with their black faces, with fearful appearance and with great strength, experiencing the crossing of the bridge, surrounds the troop-leader by name Gavaksha, a monkey and are making a roaring noise, ready to crush Lanka by their bodily strength.”

bhramara aacaritaa yatra sarva kaama phala drumaaH || 6-27-34
yam suurya tulya varNa aabham anuparyeti parvatam |
yasya bhaasaa sadaa bhaanti tad varNaa mR^iga pakSiNaH || 6-27-35
yasya prastham mahaatmaano na tyajanti maharSayaH |
sarvakaamaphalaa vR^ikSaaH sarve phalasamanvitaaH || 6-27-36
madhuuni ca mahaarhaaNi yasmin parvatasattame |
tatra eSa ramate raajan ramye kaancana parvate || 6-27-37
mukhyo vaanara mukhyaanaam kesarii naama yuuthapaH |

34, 35, 36, 37. raajan= O, king! eSaH= this; yuuthapaH= army-chief; kesariinaama= called Kesari; mukhyaH= the chief; vaanaramukhyaanaam= of the commanders of monkeys; ramate= wanders; kaaN^chana parvate= in Kauchana Mountain; yatra= wherein; sarvakaala phaladrumaaH= there are trees which yield fruits in all seasons; bhramaraarachitaa= occupied with large black bees; yam= to which; suuryaH= the sun; anuparyeti= makes a whole round (of the mountain); tulyavarNaabham= equal to its own colour and splendour; yasya= by whose; bhaasaa= brightness; mR^iga pakSiNaH= animals and birds; sadaa= forever; bhaanti= shine; tadvarNaaH= with that hue; yasya= whose; prastham= table land on the top of the mountain; maharSayaH= the great sages; na tyajanti= do not leave; vR^ikshaaH= the trees; sarvakaamaphalaaH= all mongo trees phalasamanvitattladen with fruits; sarve= on all sides; yasmin= in which; parvata sattame= excellent mountin; madhuuni= honey-bees; mahaarhaaNi= are of most superior variety.

“O, king! This army-chief called Kesari, the chief of the commanders of monkeys, wanders in Kanchana mountain wherein there are trees which yield fruits in all seasons, inhabited by large black-bees, to which the sun circumambulates clock-wise, the mountain shining with its own colour and splendour, by whose brightness, the animals and birds ever shine with the same hue, whose table-land on the top of the mountain the great sages do not leave, wherein trees, all mango-trees laden with fruits on all sides and wherein inhabit honey-bees of excellent variety.”

SaSTir giri sahasraaNaam ramyaaH kaancana parvataaH || 6-27-38
teSaam madhye giri varas tvam iva anagha rakSasaam |
tatra ete kapilaaH shvetaas taamra aasyaa madhu pingalaaH || 6-27-39
nivasanti uttama girau tiikSNa damSTraa nakha aayudhaaH |
simha iva catur damSTraa vyaaghraa iva duraasadaaH || 6-27-40
sarve vaishvanara samaa jvalita aashii viSa upamaaH |
sudiirgha ancita laanguulaa matta maatamga samnibhaaH || 6-27-41
mahaaparvata samkaashaa mahaajiimuuta nisvanaaH |
vR^ittapiN^galanetraa hi mahaabhiimagatisvanaaH || 6-27-42
mardayantiiva te sarve tasthurlaN^kaam samiikSya te |

38, 39, 40, 41, 42. anagha= O, faultless king! SaSTiH= there are sixty; girisahasraaNi= thousand mountains; ramyaaH= in that beautiful; kaaNchana parvataaH= golden mountain ranges; tvamiva= as you are rakshasaam= in the middle of demons; girivaraH= there is an excellent mountain; madhye= in the middle; teSam= of that mountain-range; tatra= in that range; ete= there; antimagirau= in the last mountain; ete= these monkeys; kapilaaH= the tawny coloured one; shvetaaH= the white coloured one; taamraasyaaH= with copper coloured faces; madhupiNgalaaH= honey-like reddish brown coloured; tiikshaNadamSTraaH= having ferocious tusks; nakhaayudhaaH= with nails as their weapons; chaturdamSTraaH= having four tusks; sinhaa iva= like lions; duraasadaaH= difficult to be approached; vyaaghraa iva= like tigers; sarve= all; vaishvaanara samo= equal to fire; jvaladaashiiviSopamaa= like unto serpants vomiting poison; sudiirghaaNchita laaNguulaaH= with their very long coiling tails; matta maataN^ga sannibhaaH= resembling elephants in rut; mahaa parvata samkaasaat= equal to mighty mountains; mahaajiimuutaniHsnaaH= having great thunderous sound like that of cloud; nivasnati are residing; sarve= all of them; tasthuH= stand; samiikshya= looking on; te= your; laN^kaam= Lanka; te mardayantiiva= as if they are about to crush it.

“O, faultless king! There are sixty thousand mountains in that beautiful golden mountain ranges. There is an excellent mountain the middle of that mountain range as you the middle of that demons. In that mountain range there, in the last mountain these monkeys reside. Some of the monkeys are tawny coloured, some are white-coloured and with nails as their weapons; having four tusks, with nails as their weapons having four tusks like lions, difficult to be approached like tigers, resembling fire, like unto serpents vomiting poison with their very long coiling tails, resembling elephants in rut, equal to mighty mountains and making great thunderous sound like that of clouds. All of them stand looking on your Lanka as if they are about to crush it.”

eSa chaiSaamadhipatirmadhye tiSThati viiryavaan || 6-27-43
jayaarthii nityamaadityamupatiSThati buddhimaan |
naamnaa pR^ithivyaam vikhyaato raajan shata balii iti yaH || 6-27-44
eSa eva aashamsate la.nkaam svena aniikena marditum |

43, 44. raajan= O, king! eSaH= he; yaH= who tiSThati= stands; madhye= in the middle; viiryavaan= is the powerful; adhipatiH= leader; eSaam= of the monkeys; nityam= (who) ever; upatiSThate= faces; aadityam= sun; buddhimaan= He is a wise man to conquer you; vikhyaataH= he is famours; pR^ithivyaam= in the world; naamnaa= by the name; shatabaliiti= of Shatabli; eSaiva= Indeed is he; aashamasate= who swears; marditum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka; svena aniikena= with his troops.

“O, king! He who stands in the middle is the powerful leader of the monkeys who ever faces the sun, who is a wise man, eager to conquer you and is famous in the world by the name, Shatabali. He swears to destroy Lanka with his troops.”

vikraanto balavaan shuuraH pauruSe sve vyavasthitaH || 6-27-45
raamapriyaartham praaNaanaam dayaam na kurute hariH |

45. hariH= this monkey; vikraantaH= is courageous; balavaan= stron; shuuraH= valiant; vyavasthitaH= established; sve= in his; paurSe= manliness; na kurute= and does not make; dayaam= pity for; praaNaanaam= his lives; raamapriyaartham= for the sake of Rama.

“This Shatabali the monkey is courageous, strong, valiant and is established in his manliness. He does not care for his life, in the cause of Rama.”

gajo gava akSo gavayo nalo niilaH ca vaanaraH |
eka eka eva yuuthaanaam koTibhir dashabhir vR^itaH || 6-27-46

46. ekaikameva= every single one; gajaH= Gaja; gavakshaH= Gavaksha; gavayaH= Gavaya; nalaH= Nala; niilaH vaanarashcha= and a monkey called Nila; (each) vR^itaH= is surrounded; dasha koTibhiH= by ten crores; yodhaanaam= of warriors.

“Each and every single one, like Gaja, Gavaya, Nala and a monkey called Nila is surrounded by crores of warriors.”

tathaa anye vaanara shreSThaa vindhya parvata vaasinaH |
na shakyante bahutvaat tu samkhyaatum laghu vikramaaH || 6-27-47

47. tathaa= besides, anye= other; vaanara shreSThaH= excellent monkeys; vindhya parvata vaasinaH= residing in vindhya mountain; laghuvikramaaH= and are impossible; samkhyaatum= to be counted; bahutvaat= because of their multitude.

“Besides, other excellent monkeys residing in Vindhya mountain are quick-paced and are impossible to be counted because of their multitude.”

sarve mahaaraaja mahaaprabhaavaaH |
sarve mahaashaila nikaasha kaayaaH |
sarve samarthaaH pR^ithiviim kSaNena |
kartum pravidhvasta vikiirNa shailaam || 6-27-48

48. mahaaraaja= O, monarch! Sarve= all of them; mahaa prabhavaaH= are highly prominent; sarve= all of them; mahaashailanikaashakaayaaH= are having their stature, equal to great mountains; sarve= all of them; samarthaaH= are capable; kshaNena= in a moment; kartum= to level; pR^ithiviim= the earth; pravidhvasta vikiirNa shailaam= by uprooting and razing to its mountains to the ground.

“O, monarch! All of them are highly prominent, their stature equal to high hills and all of them are capable in a moment to level the earth by uprooting and razing its mountains earth by uprooting and razing its mountains to the ground.”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe saptavimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 27th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 28

Introduction

Shuka in his turn enumerates the enemies and completes the account given by Sarana.

saaraNasya vacaH shrutvaa raavaNam raakSasa adhipam |
balam aalokayan sarvam shuko vaakyam atha abraviit || 6-28-1

1. atha= then; shrutvaa= hearing; vachaH= the words; saaraNasya= of Sarana; shukaH= Shuka; aadishya= pointing out; sarvam= all; tat= that; balam= army; abraviit= (and) spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words; raavaNam= to Ravana; raakSasaadhipam= the Lord of demons.

After listening to Sarana’s words Shuka, pointing out all that army of monkeys, spoke the following words to Ravana the Lord of Demons.

sthitaan pashyasi yaan etaan mattaan iva mahaadvipaan |
nyagrodhaan iva gaangeyaan saalaan haimavatiin iva || 6-28-2
ete duSprasahaa raajan balinaH kaama ruupiNaH |
daitya daanava samkaashaa yuddhe deva paraakramaaH || 6-28-3

2, 3. raajan= O, king! Yaan= those; etaan= whom; pashyasi= you are seeing; sthitaan= standing (here); ete= they; mahaadvipaaniva= are like huge elephants; mattaan= in rut; nyagrodhaaniva= like banyan trees; gaaN^geyaan= relating to the River Ganga; saalaaniva= like Sala trees; haimavataan= on Himalaya mountains; duSprasahaaH= who are irresistible; balinaH= strong ones; kaama ruupiNaH= who can change their form at their will; daityadaanava samkaashaaH= equal to celestials and demons, devaparaakramaaH= having a prowess of celestials; yuddhe= in battle.

“O, king! Do you observe those monkeys resembling huge elephants in rut, rising like banyan trees on the banks of River Ganga or Sala trees on Himalayas? Those warriors, able to change their form at will, are irresistible, equal to celestials and demons, and in a battle, are endowed with the valour of the gods.”

eSaam koTi sahasraaNi nava panca ca sapta ca |
tathaa shankha sahasraaNi tathaa vR^inda shataani ca || 6-28-4

4. eSaam= their (are); nava= mine; paN^caca= five; saptaca= seven; (twenty one); koTisahasraaNi= thousand crores; tathaa= and; shaNkusahasraaNi= thousand Shakus*; tathaa= and; vR^indashataanica= hundred Vrindas.

“There are twenty one thousand crores, a thousand Shankus and a hundred Vrindas of these monkeys.”

The number exactly corresponding to a Shanku and a Vrinda should be understood as calculated at the end of this chapter.

ete sugriiva sacivaaH kiSkindhaa nilayaaH sadaa |
harayo deva gandharvair utpannaaH kaama ruupiNaH || 6-28-5

5. ete= these monkeys; sugriiva sachivaaH= the attendants of Sugreeva; utpannaaH= born; devagandharvaiH= of celestials and celestial musicians; kaama ruupiNaH= are able to change their form at will; sadaa= and always; kiSkindha nilayaaH= stay in Kishkindha.

“These monkeys, the attendants of Sugreeva born of celestials and celestial musicians, are able to change their form at will and always stay in Kishkindha.”

yau tau pashyasi tiSThantau kumaarau deva ruupiNau |
maindaH ca dvividaH ca ubhau taabhyaam na asti samo yudhi || 6-28-6

6. tau= those; yau= whom; pashyati= you are seeing; tiSThantau= standing; devaruupiNau= with celestial appearance; samaanau= with the same resemblance; maindashcha= are Mainda; dvividashchaiva= and Dvivida; naasti= nonw; samanaH= is equal taabhyaam= to both of them; yudhi= in battle.

“The two who stand there, who have the same resemblance and have the appearance of celestials, are Mainda and Dvivida. None can equal them in combat.”

brahmaNaa samanuj~naataav amR^ita praashinaav ubhau |
aashamsete yudhaa la.nkaam etau marditum ojasaa || 6-28-7

7. eatu= these; ubhau= two; amR^ita praashinau= who ate ambrosion; samanujJNaatau= with due authorization; brahmaNaa= from Brahma; aashampete marditum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka; ojasaa= by their power.

“These two, who ate ambrosion on due authorization by Brahma, are hopefully of destroying Lanka by their power."

yam tu pashyasi tiSThantam prabhinnam iva kunjaram |
yo balaat kSobhayet kruddhaH samudram api vaanaraH || 6-28-8
eSo abhigantaa la.nkaayaa vaidehyaas tava ca prabho |
enam pashya puraa dR^iSTam vaanaram punar aagatam || 6-28-9

8, 9. yaH= as for; vaanaraH= (that) monkey; yam= whom; pashyasi= you see (there); teSThantam= standing; kuJNaram iva= like an elephant; prabhinnam= in an intoxicated state; yaH= who; kruddhaH= in fury; balata= and strength; kSobhayet= is able to churn up; samudram api= the ocean itself; eSaH= it is he; abhigantaa= who came; laN^kaayaaH= to Lanka; vaidehyaaH= (to find) Seetha; tavacha= (and to spy) on you; (that monkey); dR^iSTam= who was seen; puraa= earlier; pashya= see; enam= him; yanaH= again; aagatam= who came.

“As for that monkey who you see there, resembling an intoxicated elephant, who in strength and fury is able to churn up the ocean itself, it is he who came to Lanka to find Seetha and spy on you, O, Lord! See that monkey, who was seen earlier and who appears here again.”

jyeSThaH kesariNaH putro vaata aatmaja iti shrutaH |
hanuumaan iti vikhyaato langhito yena saagaraH || 6-28-10

10. yena= by whom; saagaraH= the ocean; laN^kitaH= was traversed; jyeSThaH= is the eldest; putraH= son; kesariNaH= of Kesari; shrutaH= known as; vaataatmajaH= the son of wind-god; vikhyaataH= and famous; hanumaaniti= as Hanuman.

“This monkey, by whom the ocean was traversed, is the eldest son of Kesari. He is known as the son of wind-god and famously called as Hanuman.”

kaama ruupii hari shreSTho bala ruupa samanvitaH |
anivaarya gatiH caiva yathaa satatagaH prabhuH || 6-28-11

11. harishreSThaH= this excellent monkey; kaamaruupaH= is able to assume any form at will; balaruupasamanvitaH= endowed with great strength and good form; satatagaH= always moving; prabhuH yathaa= like the god (of wind); anivaaryagatishchaiva= with an uninterrupted mobility.

“This excellent monkey can assume any form at will. He is endowed with a good strength and form always moving like the wind-god, having an uninterrupted mobility.”

udyantam bhaaskaram dR^iSTvaa baalaH kila pipaasitaH |
triyojana sahasram tu adhvaanam avatiirya hi || 6-28-12
aadityam aahariSyaami na me kSut pratiyaasyati |
iti samcintya manasaa puraa eSa bala darpitaH || 6-28-13

12, 13. baalaH= this Hanuman; when he was a chilled; bubhukSitaH= he desired to eat; dR^iSTvaa= on seeing; udyantam= a rising; bhaaskaram= sun; avatiirya= took off; adhvaanam= to a distance; triyojana sahasram= of three thousand; yojanas( or twenty four thousand miles); iti= thus; nishchitya= reflectin; manasaa= in his mind; aahariSyaami= I shall seize hold; aadityam= of the sun; me= and my; kSut= hunger; na pratiyaasyati= will not be appeased (otherwise); pupluve kila= they say he leapt up(into the air); baladarpitaH= intoxicated as he was with his strength.

“While yet a child, seeing the sun rise, he desired to eat it and took off to a distance of three thousand yojanas (or twenty four thousand miles) reflecting: ‘I shall seize hold of the sun and my hunger will not be appeased otherwise’ and they say, he leapt up (into the air) intoxicated as he was with his own strength.”

anaadhR^iSyatamam devam api deva R^iSi daanavaiH |
anaasaadya eva patito bhaaskara udayane girau || 6-28-14

14. anaasaadyaiva= without even reaching; devam= the sun; anaadhR^iSyatamam= who cannot be meddled much with; devarSi raakSasairapi= even by celestials, sages or demons; patitaH= he fell; girau= on a mountain; bhaaskaradoyane= where that radiant or rises.

“Without even reaching the sun, which is most unassailable even to celestials, sages or demons, he however fell on a mountain, where that radiant orb rises."

patitasya kaper asya hanur ekaa shilaa tale |
kimcid bhinnaa dR^iDha hanor hanuumaan eSa tena vai || 6-28-15

15. ekaa= one; hanuH= jaw; asya= of this; kapiH= monkey; patitasya= who fell down; shilaatale= on the head of a rock; bhagnaa= was fractured; kimchit= a little; tena= for that reason; eSaH= he who; dR^iDhahanuH= has a strong jaw; hanuumaan= is called Hanuman.

“One of the jaws of this monkey who fell down on the head of the rock, was a little fractured. For this reason, because of his strong jaw, he is called Hanuma.”

satyam aagama yogena mama eSa vidito hariH |
na asya shakyam balam ruupam prabhaavo vaa anubhaaSitum || 6-28-16

16. eSaH= this; hariH= monkey; viditaH= is known; mama= to me; satyam= actually; aagamayogena= through the words of my bosom friends; na shakyam= It is not possible; anubhaSitam= to describe; asya= his; balam= strength; ruupam= or physical form; prabaavovaa= or glory.

“This monkey is known to me actually through the words of my bosom friends. It is not possible to describe his strength or physical form or glory.”

eSa aashamsate la.nkaam eko marditum ojasaa |
yeva jaajvalyate.asau vai dhuumaketustavaadya vai || 6-28-17
la.nkaayaam nihitashcaapi katham vismarase kasim |

17. eSaH= He; ekaH= alone; aashamsate= experts; mathitum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka; ojasaa= by his; valour; katham= how; vismarate= do you forget; kapim= this monkey; yena= by whom; nihitaH= was kept; asau= this; dhuumaketuH= fire; adyavai= which is still; jaajvalyate= blazing up; tava= in your; laN^kaayaam= Lanka.

“He alone wants to destroy Lanka by his valour. How do you forget this monkey by whom this fire was lighted and is still blazing up Lanka.”

yaH ca eSo anantaraH shuuraH shyaamaH padma nibha iikSaNaH || 6-28-18
ikSvaakuuNaam atiratho loke vikhyaata pauruSaH |
yasmin na calate dharmo yo dharmam na ativartate || 6-28-19
yo braahmam astram vedaamH ca veda vedavidaam varaH |
yo bhindyaad gaganam baaNaiH parvataamH ca api daarayet || 6-28-20
yasya mR^ityor iva krodhaH shakrasya iva paraakramaH |
yasya bhaaryaa jansthaanaatsiitaa caapi hR^itaa tvayaa || 6-28-21
sa eSa raamas tvaam yoddhum raajan samabhivartate |

18, 19, 20, 21. eSaH= He; ekaH= alone; aashamsate= experts; mathitum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka; ojasaa= by his; valour; katham= how; vismarate= do you forget; kapim= this monkey; yena= by whom; nihitaH= was kept; asau= this; dhuumaketuH= fire; adyavai= which is still; jaajvalyate= blazing up; tava= in your; laN^kaayaam= Lanka. “he alone wants to destroy Lanka by his valour. How do you forget this monkey by whom this fire was lighted and is still blazing up Lanka.” 18. raajan= O, king!; yaH eSaH= this warrior; anantaraH= who is immediately after Hanuma; shyaamaH= dark of hue; padmanibhekSaNaH= with eyes like lotuses; atirathaH= a chief warrior; ikSvaakuuNaam= among Ikshvakus; vishruta pauruSaH= his heroism is well-known; loke= in the world; yasmin= whose; dharmaH= sense of duty; nachalate= never wavers; naativartate= nor does he ever transgress; dharmam= the righteousness; yaH= who; veda= to know (to loose); braahmam astram= Bhrahma’s weapon; vedaamshcha= and is conversant with the Veda; varaH= he is the most learned; veda vidaam= of Vedic scholars; yaH= who; bindyaat= shatters; yaganam= the firmament; baaNaiH= with his arrows; daarayet= and rends; mediniimchaapi= the earth even; yasya= whose; krodhaH= anger; mR^ityoriva= is equal to that of Death; paraakramaH= and valour; shakrasyeva= equal to that of Indra the god of celestials; yasya= whose; bhaaryaa= consort; siitaa= is Seetha; hR^itaa= who was taken away; tvayaa= by you; janasthaanaat= from a place called Janasthana; saH= he; eSaH= is this; raamaH= Rama; abhivartate= is approaching; tvaam= you; yoddhum= to wage war.

“Nearby is a warrior, dark of hue with eyes like lotuses, a chief warrior among Ikshvakus, his heroism is well-known in the world, his sense of duty never wavers, nor does he ever transgress the righteousness, he knows to loose Brahma’s weapon and is conversant with Veda, he is the most learned of the Vedic scholars, he shatters the firmament with his arrows, and rends even the earth, his anger is akin to that of Death, his valour equal to that of Indra the god of celestials, his consort is Seetha who was taken away by you from a place called Janasthana, he is Rama who has come to wage war on you, O king!”

yaH ca eSa dakSiNe paarshve shuddha jaambuu nada prabhaH || 6-28-22
vishaala vakSaas taamra akSo niila kuncita muurdhajaH |
eSo asya lakSmaNo naama bhraataa praaNa samaH priyaH || 6-28-23
naye yuddhe ca kushalaH sarva shaastrabhR^itaam varaH |

22, 23. eSaH= this (man); shuddha jaambuunada prabhaH= having a radiance of pure gold; vishaalavakSaaH= with a broad chest; taamraakSaH= having red eyes; niilakuN^chita muurdhajaH= with black and curled hair; dakSiNe paarshve= standing at the right side; yasya= of which Rama; eSaH= he; lakshmaNonaama= is Lakshmana by name; rataH= interest; priyahite= in care and welfare; bhraatruH= of his brother; kushalaH= skilled; maye= in leadership; yuddheca= in a combat; varaH= excellent; sarvashastrabhR^itaam= among the wielders of all weapons.

“This man, having the radiance of pure gold, with a broad chest, having red eyes, with black and curled hair, standing at the right side of Rama, he is called Lakshmana, who is interested in the care and welfare of his brother, skilled in leadership of combat and excellent among the wielders of all weapons.”

amarSii durjayo jetaa vikraanto buddhimaan balii || 6-28-24
raamasya dakSiNo baahur nityam praaNo bahiH caraH |

24. (This Lakshamana is); amarSii= an angry person; durjayaH= difficult to be conquered; jetaa= a conquere; buddhimaan= a wise man; balii= a strong man; nityam= forever; dakSiNaH baahuH= a right arm; raamasya= of Rama; bahishcharaH= and an outward moving; praaNaH= life (of Rama).

This Lakshmana is an angry person, difficult to be conquered, victorious, wise and mighty. He has always been the right arm of Rama and in outward moving life (of Rama).

na hi eSa raaghavasya arthe jiivitam parirakSati || 6-28-25
eSa eva aashamsate yuddhe nihantum sarva raakSasaan |

25. eSaH= He; na parirakSati hi= does not indeed care; jiivitam= for his life; raaghavasyaarthe= in the cause of Rama; eSaiva= He alone; aashamsate= wishes; nihantum= to kill; sarvaraakshasaan= all the demons; yuddhe= in battle.

“He does not indeed care for his life in the cause of Rama. He alone wishes to kill all the demons in battle.”

yas tu savyam asau pakSam raamasya aashritya tiSThati || 6-28-26
rakSo gaNa parikSipto raajaa hi eSa vibhiiSaNaH |

26. yaHtu= He who; asau= that; tiSThati= is standing; aashritya= taking guard; savyam= at the left; pakSam= side; raamasya= of Rama; rakSogaNa parikSiptaH= surrounded by a troop of demons; eSaH= he; raajaaH= is the king; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana.

“He who is standing there, taking guard at the left side of Rama, surrounded by a troop of demons he is the king Vibhishana.”

shriimataa raaja raajena la.nkaayaam abhiSecitaH || 6-28-27
tvaam eva pratisamrabdho yuddhaaya eSo abhivartate |

27. eSaH= He abhiSechitaH= who was consecrated as a king; laN^kaayaam= for Lanka; raja raajena= by Rama the king of kings; shriimataa= the illustrious man; pratisamrabdhaH= being enraged; tvaameva= with you really; abhivartate= is to attack; yuddhaaya= for the battle.

“He, who was consecrated as a king for Lanka by the illustrious Rama, the king of kings, is enraged really with you and is to attack us in the battle.”

yam tu pashyasi tiSThantam madhye girim iva acalam || 6-28-28
sarva shaakhaa mR^iga indraaNaam bhartaaram aparaajitam |
tejasaa yashasaa buddhyaa j~naanena abhijanena ca || 6-28-29
yaH kapiin ati babhraaja himavaan iva parvataan |
kiSkindhaam yaH samadhyaaste guhaam sagahana drumaam || 6-28-30
durgaam parvata durgasthaam pradhaanaiH saha yuuthapaiH |
yasya eSaa kaancanii maalaa shobhate shata puSkaraa || 6-28-31
kaantaa deva manuSyaaNaam yasyaam lakSmiiH pratiSThitaa |
etaam ca maalaam taaraam ca kapi raajyam ca shaashvatam || 6-28-32
sugriivo vaalinam hatvaa raameNa pratipaaditaH |

28, 29, 30, 31, 32. yam= (the other) whom; pashyasi= you see; girimiva= like a mountain; achalam= which is unshakable; tiSThantam= and standing; madhye= in the midst of monkeys; bhartaaram= as a Lord; sarvashaakhaa mR^igendraaNaam= of all chiefs of monkeys; amitaujasam= with a boundless energy; yaH= who; himavaan parvataH iva= like a Himalayan hill; atibabhraaja= very much; radiating; kapiin= the other monkeys; tejasaa= by his splendour; yashasaa= by his glory; buddhyaa= by his wisdom; balena= by his strength; abhijanena= and by his noble descent; yaH= who; samdhyaaste= occupies; pradhaanaiH= yuuthapaiH saha= along with chiefs of army generals; guhaam= secret place; kiSkindhaam= called Kishkindha; sagahana drumaam= with forsts and trees; durgaam= and inaccessible; parvatadurgamyaam= because of impassable mountains; yasyaam= in which; pratiSThitaa= is established; lakshmiiH= in good fortune; devamanuSyaaNaam= of celestials and human beings; yasya= whose; kaantaa= charming; shata puSkaraa= hundred lotused; kaaNchanii= golden coloured; maalaa= garland; shobhate= is beautifying; eSaa= this sugriivaH= is Sugreeva; taam= this; maalaam= garland; taaraam= Tara; shaasvatam= as well as permanent; kapiraajyam cha= kingdom; pratipaaditaH= were presented; raameNa= by Rama; hatvaa= after having killed; vaalinam= Vali.

“The other whom you see as an unshakable mountain and standing in the centre of monkeys as a Lord of all chiefs of monkeys, with a boundless energy and who, like a Himalayan hill, very much radiating the other monkeys by his splendour, glory, wisdom, strength and his noble descent, who occupies along with the chiefs of Army Generals, a secret place called Kishkindha, with its forests and trees and the place inaccessible because of its impassable mountains, in which is established a good fortune of celestials and human beings, whose charming and golden coloured garland with hundred lotuses is beautifying, that person is Sugreeva. This garland along with a lady called Tara as well as the permanent kingdom of monkeys were presented to him by Rama after having killed Vali (Sugreeva’s brother).”

shatam shatasahasraaNaam koTimaahurmaniiSiNaH || 6-28-33
shatam koTisahasraaNaam shaN^kurityabhidhiiyate |

33. maniiSiNaH= wise men; aahuH= say; shatam= a hundred; shata sahasraaNaam= lakhs; koTim= as a crore; (and) shatam= a hundred; koTisahasraaNaam= thousand crores; abhidhiiyate= is reckoned; shankuH= as a Shanku.

“Wise men call a hundred lakhs as a crore. A hundred thousand crores is reckoned as a Shanku.”

shatam shaN^kusahasraaNaam mahaashaN^kuriti smR^itaH || 6-28-34
mahaashaN^kysahasraaNaam shatam vR^indamihocyate |
shatam nR^indasahasraaNaam mahaavR^indamiti smR^itam || 6-28-35
mahaavR^indasahasraaNaam shatam padmamihocyate |
shatam padmasahasraaNaam mahaapadmamiti smR^itam || 6-28-36
mahaapadmasahasraaNaam shatam kharvamihocyate |
shatam kharvasahasraaNaam mahaakharvamiti smR^itam || 6-28-37
mahaakharvasahasraaNaam samudramabhidhiiyate |
shatam samudrasaahasramogha ityabhidhiiyate || 6-28-38
shatamoghasahasraaNaam mahaugha iti vishrutaH |

34, 35, 36, 37, 38. shatam= a hundred; shaN^kusahasraaNaam= thousand Shakus; smR^itaH= are said; mahaashaN^kuH iti= one Maha Shanku; shatam= a hundred; mahaashaNku sahasraaNaam= thousand Maha Shankus; uchyate= are called; vR^indam= one Vrindam; iha= here; shatam= a hundred; vR^inda sahasraaNaam= thounsand Vrindas; smR^itam= are said; mahaavR^indam iti= to be one Mahavrindam; shatam= a hundred; mahaavR^inda sahasraaNaam= thousand Mahavrindas; uchyate= are called; padmam= one Pdmam; iha= here; shatam= a hundred; padmasahasraaNaam= thousand Padmas; smR^itam= are said; mahaapadmaniti= to be one Maha padmam; shatam= a hundred; mahaapadmashasraaNaam= thousand Mahapadmas; uchyate= are called; kharvam= one kharvam; iha= here; shatam= A hundred; kharvasahasraam= thousand; kharvas; smR^itam= are said; mahaakharvamiti= to be one; Mahakharva; shatam= a hundred; mahaakharva sahasraaNaam= thousand Mahaknarvas; abhidhiiyate= are called; samudram= one Samudra; shatam= A hundred; samudra sahasraam= thousand Samudras; abhidhiiyate= are said; oghaH iti= to be one ogha; shatam= a hundred; oghasahasraaNaam= thousand oghas; vishrutaH= are acclaimed; mahaughaH iti= as one Mahaugha.

“A hundred thousand Shankus are said to be one Maha Shanku. A hundred thousand Maha Shankus are called one Vrindam here. A hundred thousand Vrindas are said to be one Maha vrindam. A hundred thousand Mahavrindas are called one Padmam here. A hundred thousand padmas are said to be one Mahapadmam. A hundred thousand Mahapadmas are called one Kharvam here. A hundred thousand kharvas are said to be one Mahakharvam. A hundred thousand Mahakharvas are called one Samundram. A hundred thousand Samudras are said to be one ogha here. A hundred thousand oghas are acclaimed a one Mahaugha.”

evam koTi sahasreNa shankuunaam ca shatena ca || 6-28-39
mahaashaN^kusahasreNa tathaa vR^indashatena ca |
mahaavR^indasahasreNa tathaa padmashatena ca || 6-28-40
mahaapadmasahasreNa tathaa kharvashatena ca |
samudreNa ca tenaiva mahughena tathaiva ca || 6-28-41
eSa koTimahaughena samudrasadR^ishena ca |
vibhiiSaNena viireNa sacivaiH parivaaritaH || 6-28-42
sugriivo vaanara indras tvaam yuddha artham abhivartate |
mahaabalavR^ito nityam mahaabalaparaakramaH || 6-28-43

39, 40, 41, 42, 43. eSaH sugreevaH= this Sugreeva; vaanarandraH= the king of monkeys; mahaabala paraakramaH= having great strength and valour; nityam= always; mahaabalavR^itaH= surrounded by a large army; anuvartate= is approaching; tvaam= you; yuddhaartham= for the sake of doing war; parivaaritaH= accompanied by; viireNa= by the valiant; vibhiiSaNena= Vibhishana; sachivaiH= the ministers; evam= and indeed; shatenacha= hundred; koTisahasreNa= thousand crores; shaN^kuunaam= of Shankus; mahaashaN^ku sahasreNa= a thousand of Mahashankus; tathaa= and; vR^inda shatenacha= a hundred Vrindas; mahaavrinda sahasreNa= a thousand Mahavrindas; tathaa= and; padmashatenacha= a hundred Padmas; mahaapadma sahasreNa= a thousand Mahapadmas; tathaa= and; kharva shatena= a hundred kharvas; tenava= Same numbered (a hundred) samudreNa= Samudras; tathaivacha= and; mahanghena= Mahanghas; koTimahanghena= a crore of Mahanghas; samudra sadR^ishena cha= and (the whole army) of identical an ocean.

“This Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, having great strength and valour, always surrounded by a colossal army, is approaching you to make war, accompanied by the valiant Vibhishana and the ministers, as also a hundred thousand crores of Shankas, a thousand Mahashankus, a hundred Vrindas, a thousand mahavrindas, a hundred padmas, a thousand Mahapadmas, a hundred kharves, samudras and Mahaughas of the same number, and a crore of Mahanghas wholearmy as such is identical of an ocean.”

imaam mahaaraaja samiikSya vaahiniim |
upasthitaam prajvalita graha upamaam |
tataH prayatnaH paramo vidhiiyataam |
yathaa jayaH syaan na paraiH paraajayaH || 6-28-44

44. mahaaraaja= O, king!; samiikshya= carefully observing; imam= this; vaahiniim= army; upasthitaam= which arrived; prajvalita grahopamaam= much the same as a blazing planet; vidhiiyataam= perfom; paramaH= a great; prayatnaH= effort; yathaa= so as; syaat= to obtain; jayaH= victory; tataH= thereafter; ma= and not (to get); paraabhavaH= defeat; pariaH= from the enemies.

“O, king! Carefully observing this army, which appears much the same as a blazing planet, prepare yourself for a great effort to get victory and take measures to avoid defeat from the enemies.”

ityaarSe sriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe aSTaavimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 28th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 29

Introduction

Ravana reprimands Shuka and Sarana, asking them to leave the assembly. He again sends some spies to the place of Rama and Lakshmana. Those spies were got caught by Vibhishana and the monkeys start harassing them. But the compassionate Rama gets them released and the spies reach back Lanka

shukena tu samaakhyaataams taan dR^iSTvaa hari yuuthapaan |
lakSmaNam ca mahaaviiryam bhujam raamasya dakSiNam || 2-29-1
samiipastham ca raamasya bhraataram svam vibhiiSaNam |
sarva vaanara raajam ca sugriivam bhiima vikramam || 2-29-2
aN^gadam caapi balinam vajrahastaatmajaatmajam |
hanuumantam ca vikraantam jaambavantam ca durjayam || 2-29-3
suSeNam kumudam niilam nalam ca plavagarSabham |
gajam gavaaksham sharabham vaindam ca dvividam tathaa || 2-29-4
kimcid aavigna hR^idayo jaata krodhaH ca raavaNaH |
bhartsayaam aasa tau viirau kathaa ante shuka saaraNau || 2-29-5

1, 2, 3, 4, 5. dR^iSTvaa= beholding; hariyuuthapaan= those foremost of monkey-leaders; samaadiSTaan= shown; shukena= Shuka; mahaaviiryam= the most valiant; lakshmaNamcha= Lakshmana; raamasya= Rama’s; dakSiNambhujam= right arm; bhraataram= his own brother; vibhiiSaNam= Vibhishana; samiipastham= standing close; raamasya= to Rama; bhiimavikramam= the terribly powerful; sugriivamcha= Sugreeva; sarvavaanararaajam= the king of all monkeys; balinam= the strong; aN^gadam chaapi= Angada; vajra hastaatmajaatmajam= grand son of Indra, the Bearer of the Thunder bolt; vikraantam= the powerful; hanuumantam= Hanuman; durjayam= the invincible; jaambavantam= Jambavan; suSeNam= Sushena; kumudam= Kumuda; niilam= Nila; nalamcha= Nala; plavagarSabham= the excellent of monkeys; gajam= Gaja; gavaakSam= Gavaksha; sharabham= Sharabha; maindam= Mainda; tathaa= and; dvividam= Divivida; saHraavaNaH= that Ravana; aavigna hR^idayaH= his heart agitated; kimchit= a little; jaatakrodhashcha= became enraged; bhartsayaamaasa= abused; tau= those two; viirau= heroes; shuka saaraNau= Shika and Sarana; kathaante= who had completed their report.

Beholding those foremost of monkey leaders pointed out by Shuka- the most valiant Lakshmana; Rama’s right arm, his own brother Vibhishana standing close to Rama, the terribly powerful Sugreeva the king of all monkeys, the strong Angada grandson of Indra the wielder of thunderbolt, the powerful Hanuman, the imincible Jambavan, Sushena, Kumuda, Nila, Nala the excellent of monkeys, Gaja, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Mainda and Dvivida- that Ravana – his heart became agitated a little, was enraged and then abused those two heroes Shuka and Sarana who had completed their report.

adho mukhau tau praNataav abraviit shuka saaraNau |
roSa gadgadayaa vaacaa samrabdhaH paruSam vacaH || 2-29-6

6. (Ravana) abraviit= spoke; tau= to those; shuka saaraNau= Shuka and Sarana; praNatau= who saluted; adhomukhau= with their faces bent donw; vaachaa= in a voice; roSagadgadayaa= choked in anger; samrabdham= excited; tathaa= and paruSam= and harsh.

Ravana spoke (the following) excited and harsh words, in a voice choked in anger to Shuka and Sarana who stood saluting with their faces bent down.

na taavat sadR^isham naama sacivair upajiivibhiH |
vipriyam nR^ipater vaktum nigraha pragrahe vibhoH || 2-29-7

7. na taavatnaama= It is not; sadR^isham= befitting; vaktum= to utter; vipriyam= unpleasant words; upajivibhiH= by dependent; sachivaiH= ministers; nR^ipate= to their king; prabhoH= who has the power; nigrahe= to mete out punishment; pragrahe= or reward.

“It is not befitting to utter unpleasant words by dependent ministers to their king who has the power to mete out any punishment or reward.”

ripuuNaam pratikuulaanaam yuddha artham abhivartataam |
ubhaabhyaam sadR^isham naama vaktum aprastave stavam || 2-29-8

8. sadR^isham naama= Is it proper; vaktum= to utter; stavam= praise; vipuuNaam= of the enemies; pratikuulaanaam= who are adverse to us; abhivartataam= and who are coming; yuddhartham= for war; ubhaabhyaam= by both of you; aprastave= irrelevantly?

“Is it proper for both of you to shower irrelevant praise on our enemies who are adverse to us and are approaching for a war?”

aacaaryaa guravo vR^iddhaa vR^ithaa vaam paryupaasitaaH |
saaram yad raaja shaastraaNaam anujiivyam na gR^ihyate || 2-29-9

9. vR^ithaa= in vain; paryupaasitaaH= have you sat at the feet; aachaaryaaH= of your elders; guravaH= and your preceptors; vR^iddhaaH= and the aged; yat= since; saaram= the essence; anujiivyam= to be followed; raaja shastraaNaam= from political sciences; nagR^ihyate= has not been grasped; vaam= by both of you.

“In vain have you sat at the feet of your elders, your preceptors and the aged, since the essence to be followed from political sciences has not been grasped by both of you.”

gR^ihiito vaa na vij~naato bhaaro j~naanasya vaa uchyate |
iidR^ishaiH sacivair yukto muurkhair diSTyaa dharaami aham || 2-29-10

10. grahitaH= or if you have imbibed them; na vijJNaato raa= you have not remembered them; vaahyate vaa bhaaraH= you are over-burdened; ajJNaanasya= with ignorance; yuktaH= being associated; iidR^ishaiH= with such; sachiraiH= ministers; murkhaiH= who are fools; diSTyaa= it is a miracle; aham (that) I; dharaami= I am able to retain my sovereignity.

“Or if you have imbibed them, you have not remembered them. You are over-burdened with ignorance! Being associated with such foolish ministers, it is a miracle that I am still able to retain my sovereignty.”

kim nu mR^ityor bhayam na asti maam vaktum paruSam vacaH |
yasya me shaasato jihvaa prayacchati shubha ashubham || 2-29-11

11. naasti kimnu= have you no; bhayam= fear; mR^ityoH= of death; vaktum= to speak; paruSam= (such) rude; vachaH= words; maam= to me; prayachchhati= who dispenses; shubhaashubham= good and evil; yasyame= by my; jihvaa= tongue; shaasataH= which commands.

“Have you no fear of death that you dare address me thus rudely, I whose tongue that you dare tongue dispenses good and evil?”

api eva dahanam spR^iSTvaa vane tiSThanti paadapaaH |
raaja doSa paraamR^iSTaas tiSThante na aparaadhinaH || 2-29-12

12. paadapaaH= trees; tiSThanti= survive; vane= in the forest; spR^iSTvaa apyaiva= even if disturbed; dahanam= by fire; (But); aparaadhinaH= the guilty; na tiSThante= cannot survive; raja daN^DaparaamR^iSTaaH= if touched by the royal scepter.

“Trees may survive in the forest, even if disturbed by fire. But the guilty cannot survive, if touched by the royal scepter.”

hanyaam aham imau paapau shatru pakSa prashamsakau |
yadi puurva upakaarair me na krodho mR^idutaam vrajet || 2-29-13

13. yadi= If; me= my; krodhaH= anger; na vrajet mR^idutaam= is not softened; puurvopakaaraiH= by the services they rendered earlier; aham= I; hanyaam= would have killed; imau paapau= these two miscreants; satrupakSaprashamsinau= who are praising the band of enemies.

“If my anger is not softened by the services they rendered earlier, I would have killed thse two miscreants who are praising the band of enemies.”

apadhvamsata gacchadhvam samnikarSaad ito mama |
na hi vaam hantum icchaami smarann upakR^itaani vaam || 2-29-14
hataav eva kR^itaghnau tau mayi sneha paraan mukhau |

14. apadhvamsata= keep away; mama= from my; itaH= this; samnikarSaat= neighbourhood; na shyadhvam= do not be seen anywhere here; smaraani= I am recollectin; vaam= your; upakR^itaani= services; na ichchhaami= I do not wish; hantum= to kill; vaam= you; dvau= both of you; kR^itaghnau= who are ungrateful; snehaparaaN^mukhau= and affection-less; mayi= towards me; hataaveva= are just as dead.

“Keep away from my neighbourhood. Do not be seen anywhere here. I am recollecting your past services and hence do not wish to kill you. Both of you, who are ungrateful and unfaithful towards me, are just as dead to me.”

evam uktau tu savriiDau taav ubhau shuka saaraNau || 2-29-15
raavaNam jaya shabdena pratinandya abhinihsR^itau |

15. tau shukasaariNau= those Shuka and Sarana; evam= thus; uktau= told; savriidau= they were ashamed; dR^iSTvaa= having seen; raavaNam= Ravana; niHsR^itau= and went away; pratinandya= having enlogised; jayashabdena= with words of victory.

Hearing Ravana’s words, Shuka and Sarana felt ashamed to see Ravana paid obeisance to him saying, “Be thou victorious!” and went away.

abraviit sa dashagriivaH samiipastham mahaaudaram || 2-29-16
upasthaapaya shiighram me caaraan niiti vishaaradaan |

16. nishaacharaH= the deomon; dashagriivaH= Ravana; abraviit= spoke; mahodaram= to Mahodara; samipastham= who was standing nearby (as follows):- upasthaaya= bring; me= me; chaaraan= spies; shiighram= quickly.

The demon Ravana spoke to Mahodara who was standing nearby as follows: “Bring me the spies here quickly.”

mahodarastathoktastu shiighramaajJNaapayaccharaan || 2-29-17
tatashcaaraaH samtvaritaaH praaptaaH paarthivashaasanaat |
upasthithaaH praaJNjalayo vardhayitvaa jayaashiSaH || 2-29-18

17, 18. mehodaraH= Mahodara; tathaa= thus; uktaH= spoken; shiighram= quickly; aajJNaapayat= ordered; charaan= for the spies; tataH= then; chaaraaH= the spies; praaptaaH= who came; samtvaritaaH= hurriedly; paarthiva shaasanat= as per the order of the king; praaJNjalayaH= paid obeisance by joining their palms; upasthitaaH= and approached; vadhayitvaa= having felicitated (Ravana); jayaashiSaH= expressing their desire to see him victorious.

Hearing those words, Mahodara immediately ordered for the spies. The spies came hurriedly as per the orders of the king, paid obeisance to him by joining their palms and approached him, having made a complement expressing their desire to see him victorious.

taan abraviit tato vaakyam raavaNo raakSasa adhipaH || 2-29-19
caaraan pratyayikaan shuuraan bhaktaan vigata saadhvasaan |

19. tataH= then; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakshasaadhipaH= the king of demons; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (these) words; taan charaan= to those spies; praatyayikam= who were faithful; shuuraan= brave; dhiiraan= energetic; vigata saadhvasaan= and free from fear.

Then, Ravana the king of demons spoke the following words to those spies, who were faithful, brave, energetic and free from fear:

ito gacchata raamasya vyavasaayam pariikSatha || 2-29-20
mantreSv abhyantaraa ye asya priityaa tena samaagataaH |

20. gachchhata= you go; itaH= from here; pariikshitum= to investigate; vyavasaayam= about the first impression; raamasya= about Rama; ye= (as regards) who; abhyantaraaH= are the intimate friends; asya= to him; samaagataaH= and those who joined; tena= with him; priityaa= in affection.

“You go from here to investigate about the first impression concerning Rama, as regards who are his intimate friends and in respect of those who joined on his side with a liking towards him.”

katham svapiti jaagarti kim anyac ca kariSyati || 2-29-21
vij~naaya nipuNam sarvam aagantavyam asheSataH |

21. katham= how; (is he); svapiti= sleeping? Jaagarti= and waking up? Kim= what; kariSyati= will he do; adya= now? Aagantavyam= you ought to come; vijJNaaya= after acquainting with; sarvam= all this; asheSaaH= completely; nipuNam= and skillfully.

“Find out what are his hours of sleeping and waking and what he intends to do next. You ought to come here, after acquainting with all this information completely and skillfully.”

caareNa viditaH shatruH paNDitair vasudhaa adhipaiH || 2-29-22
yuddhe svalpena yatnena samaasaadya nirasyate |

22. vasudhaadhipaiH= by kings; paNDitaiH= who are shrewd; shatruH= an enemy; yuddhe= in battle; samaasaadhya= who is got; chaareNa= through spies; nirasyate= will be defeated; svalpena= with a little; yatnena= of effort.

“An enemy in battle, got known through spies by kings, will be defeated with only a little of effort.”

caaraas tu te tathaa iti uktvaa prahR^iSTaa raakSasa iishvaram || 2-29-23
shaarduulamagrataH kR^itvaa tatashcakruH pradakshiNam |

23. te= those; chaaraastu= spies on their part; prahR^iSTaaH= were delighted; uktvaa= spoke; tatheti= “May it be so”; kR^itvaa= kept; shaarduulam= Shardula; agrataH= in front; chakruH= and made; pradakshiNam= clockwise circumambulation; raakshasesvaram= around Ravana.

Those spies on their part delightfully replied, “May it be so”, kept Shardula in their front and made their circumambulation clockwise around Ravana.

tatastam tu mahaatmaanam caaraa raakshasasattamam || 2-29-24
kR^itvaa pradakSiNam jagmur yatra raamaH salakshmaNaH |

24. tataH= then; chaaraaH= the spies; pradakSiNam kR^itvaa= having made the circumambulation; (around); tam= that; raakSasa sattamam= excellent demon; mahaatmaanam= the distinguished; jagmuH= and went; yatra= to the place where; raamaH= Rama; salakSmaNaH= along with Lakshmana (were there).

Having thus made circumambulation to Ravana the excellent and the distinguished demon, the spies went to the place where Rama along with Lakshmana were there.

te suvelasya shailasya samiipe raama lakSmaNau || 2-29-25
pracchannaa dadR^ishur gatvaa sasugriiva vibhiiSaNau |

25. gatvaa= having gone; prachchhannaaH= in a disguised manner; te= they; dadR^ishuH= saw; raamalakshmaNau= Rama and Lakshman; sa sugriiva vibhiiSaNau= together with Sugreeva and Vibhishana; saniipe= in the vicinity; suvelasya shailasya= of mountain Suvela.

Having gone in a disguised manner, those spies saw Rama and Lakshman together with Sugreeva and Vibhishana in the neighbourhood of Mountain Suvela.

prekshamaaNaashcamuum taam ca babhuuvurbhayavihvalaaH || 2-29-26
te tu dharma aatmanaa dR^iSTaa raakSasa indreNa raakSasaaH |

26. prekshamaaNaaH= seeing; taam chamuum= that army; te raakshasaaH= those demons; babhuuvuH= became; bhayavihvalaaH= overwhelmed with fear; dR^iSTaaH= and were observed; raakshasendreNa= by Vibhishana the Lord of demons; dharmaatmanaa= the high-souled.

Seeing that army, those demons became overwhelmed with fear. However, they were observed by the high-souled Vibhishana the Lord of demons.

vibhiiSaNena tatrasthaa nigR^ihiitaa yadR^icchayaa || 2-29-27
shaarduulo graahitastvekaH paapo.ayamiti raakshasaH |

27. yard^ichchhayaa= accidentally; tatrasthaaH= the demons there; nigR^ihiitaaH= were caught; vibhiiSaNena= by Vibhishana; iti= saying that; ayam= this; raakSasaH= demon; paapaH= was a wicked person; shaarduulaH tu= Shardula; ekaH= alone; graahitaH= was got seized.

Accidentally, the deomons there were caught by Vibhishana, who said that the demon Shardula among them was wicked and got him alone seized.

mokshitaH so.api raameNa vadhyamaanaH plavaN^gamaiH || 2-29-28
anR^ishamsena raameNa mokshitaa raakshasaaH sare |

28. so.api= that Shardula also; vadhyamaanaH= who was about to be killed; plavaN^gamaiH= by the monkeys; mochitaH= was got released; raameNa= by Rama; pare= the other; raakSasaaH= demons; mokSitaaH= wee got released; raameNa= by Rama; anR^ishamsena= the kind man.

That Shardula also, who was going to be killed by the monkeys, was got released by Rama. The other demons also were got released by Rama, the kind man.

vaanarair arditaas te tu vikraantair laghu vikramaiH || 2-29-29
punar la.nkaam anupraaptaaH shvasanto naSTa cetasaH |

29. te= those demons; arditaaH= harassed; vaanaraiH= by the monkeys; vikraantaiH= the courageous; laghuvikramaiH= and the quick-footed; naSTachetasaH= became insensible; shvasantaH= heaved a sigh; anupraaptaaH= and reached; laN^kaam= Lanka; punaH= again.

Those demons, harassed by the courageous and the quick-paced monkeys, became insensible, heaved a sigh and reached back Lanka.

tato dashagriivam upasthitaas te |
caaraa bahir nitya caraa nishaa caraaH |
gireH suvelasya samiipa vaasinam |
nyavedayan bhiima balam mahaabalaaH || 2-29-30

30. chaaraaH= (those) spies; nityacharaaH= mahaabalaaH= valiant; nishaacharaaH= rangers of the night; tataH= thereafter; upasthitaaH= approached; dashagriivam= Ravana; nyavedayan= and informed him; raama balam= that Rama’s army; samiipavaasinam= was camping in the vicinity; suvelasya= of the Suvela mountain.

Those spies, who always wander outside and who were valiant rangers of the night, thereafter approached Ravana and informed him that Rama’s army was camping in the vicinity of the Suvela mountain.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe ekonatrimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 29th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 30

Introduction

Dispatched by the king Ravana to ascertain the strength of the army in the opposition-camp, Shardula the demon-spy acquaints his master with the important leaders of the monkeys

tatastamakSobhya balam la.nkaa adhipataye caraaH |
suvele raaghavam shaile niviSTam pratyavedayan || 6-30-1

1. tataH= thereafter; charaaH= the spies; pratyavedayan= informed; laN^kaadhipate= Ravana; tam= about that; raaghavam= Rama; akshobhyabalam= with his unperturbable army; suvela shaile= on Suvela Mountain.

Thereafter, the spies informed Ravana about Rama, with his unperturbable army, having encamped on Suvela Mountain.

caaraaNaam raavaNaH shrutvaa praaptam raamam mahaabalam |
jaata udvego abhavat kimcit shaarduulam vaakyam abraviit || 6-30-2

2. shrutvaa= hearing; chaaraaNaam= from the spies; praaptam= about the arrival; mahaabalam= of the exceedingly strong; raamam= Rama; raavaNaH= Ravana; abhavat= became; kimchit= a little; jaatodvegaH= perturbed; abraviit= (and) spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words; sharduulam= to Shardula.

Hearing from the spies about the arrival of Rama, the exceedingly strong man, Ravana became a little perturbed and spoke to Shardula as follows:

ayathaavac ca te varNo diinaH ca asi nishaa cara |
na asi kaccid amitraaNaam kruddhaanaam vasham aagataH || 6-30-3

3. nishaachara= O, demon! Te= your; varNaH= complexion; ayathaavat cha= is not so as it should be; asi= you (look); diinashcha= miserable too; na aagataH kachchit= I hope that you have not fallen; vasham= a victim; kruddhaanaam= to the enraged; amitraaNaam= enemies.

O, demon! Your complexion is not so as it should be. You look miserable too. I hope that you have not fallen a victim to the enraged monkeys.”

iti tena anushiSTas tu vaacam mandam udiirayat |
tadaa raakSasa shaarduulam shaarduulo bhaya vihvalaH || 6-30-4

4. iti= thus; anushiSTaH= questioned; tena= by Ravana; shaarduulaH= Shardula; bhaya vihvalaH= afflicted with fear; tadaa= then; mandam= sluggishly; udiirayat= spoke; vaacham= (these) words; raakshasa shaarduulam= to Ravana the tiger among demons.

Thus questioned by Ravana, Shardula afflicted with fear, then sluggishly spoke the following words to Ravana the tiger among demons:

na te caarayitum shakyaa raajan vaanara pumgavaaH |
vikraantaa balavantaH ca raaghaveNa ca rakSitaaH || 6-30-5

5. raajan= O, king! Te= those; vaanara puNgavaaH= excellent monkeys; vikraantaaH= bold; balavantashcha= strong; rakSitaaH cha= and protected; raaghavaNa= by Rama; na shakyaaH= are not capable of being; chaarayitum= spied upon.

“O, king! Those strong, bold and excellent monkeys protected by Rama are not capable of being spied upon.”

na api sambhaaSitum shakyaaH samprashno atra na labhyate |
sarvato rakSyate panthaa vaanaraiH parvata upamaiH || 6-30-6

6. na shakyaaH= they are not capable of being; sambhaaSitumapi= talked with; na labhyate= nor can be found anything; samprashna= by interrogating; atra= with them; sarvataH= the entire; panthaaH= path; rakshyate= is being protected; vaanaraiH= by the monkeys; parvatopamaiH= looking like mountains.

“They are not capable of being talked with and nothing can be found in interrogating with them. The entire path is being protected by the monkeys looking like mountains.”

praviSTa maatre j~naato aham bale tasminn acaarite |
balaad gR^ihiito bahubhir bahudhaa asmi vidaaritaH || 6-30-7

7. aham= I; jJNaataH= was identified; (when); tasmin= that; bale= army; praviSTamaatre= was merely penetrated into (by me); achaarite= and began to be examined; gR^ihiitaH= I was seized; balata= forcibly; rakshobhiH= by the demons (forming the retinue of Vibhishana); asmi= I was; vichaaritaH= investigated (by them); babhudhaaH= in various ways.

“I was identified when that army was merely penetrated into (by me) and began to be examined. I was seized forcibly by the demons (forming the retinue of Vibhishana), who investigated me in various ways.”

jaanubhir muSTibhir dantais talaiH ca abhihato bhR^isham |
pariNiito asmi haribhir balavadbhir amarSaNaiH || 6-30-8

8. abhihataH= I was beaten; bhR^isham= very much; jaambhiH= with knees; muSTibhiH= fists; dantaiH= teeth; talaishcha= and palms; amarSaNaiH= by the enraged; haribhiH= monkeys; asmi= I was; pariNiitaH= paraded round; balamdhye= in the middle of the army.

“I was beaten on all sides with knees, fists, teeth and palms by the enraged monkeys. I was also paraded round in the midst of their army.”

pariNiiya ca sarvatra niito aham raama samsadam |
rudhira aadigdha sarva ango vihvalaH calita indriyaH || 6-30-9

9. pariNiiya= having been paraded; sarvatra= all around; aham= I; niitaH= was taken; raamasamsadi= to the court of Rama; rudhiraadidighdhasarvaaN^gaH= all my limbs was anointed with blood; vihvalaH= being trembled; chalitendriyaH= my senses were disturbed.

“Having been paraded all around thus, I was finally taken to the court of Rama. All my limbs were bleeding and Rama. All my limbs were bleeding and I was trembling, with my senses disturbed.”

haribhir vadhyamaanaH ca yaacamaanaH kR^ita anjaliH |
raaghaveNa paritraato jiivaami ha yadR^icchayaa || 6-30-10

10. vadhyamaanaH= while being plagmed; haribhiH= by the monkeys; yaachamaanaH= and asked for protection; kR^itaN^jaliH= with joined palms; paritraataH= I was saved; yard^ichchhayaa= fortunately; raaghaveNa= by Rama; maameti cha= saying “stay! Stay!”.

“While being plagued by the monkeys and asked for protection with joined palms, I was saved fortunately by Rama, saying ‘stay!stay!’

eSa shailaiH shilaabhiH ca puurayitvaa mahaaarNavam |
dvaaram aashritya la.nkaayaa raamas tiSThati saayudhaH || 6-30-11

11. eSaH= that; raamaH= Rama; puurayitvaa= has filled; mahaarNavam= the sea; shailaiH= with boulders; shilaabhishcha= and rocks; aashritya= taking up his position; dvaaram= at the gates; laN^kaayaaH= of Lanka; tiSThati= and stands there; saayndhaH= well equipped with weapon.

“Rama has filled the sea with boulders and rocks, taking up his position at the gates of Lanka and stands there, well-equipped with weapons.”

garuDa vyuuham aasthaaya sarvato haribhir vR^itaH |
maam visR^ijya mahaatejaa la.nkaam eva abhivartate || 6-30-12

12. visR^ijya= having released; maam= me; mahaatejajaaH= Rama of great splendour; aasthaaya= arranged; (the army); garuDa vyuuham= in the form of Garuda (an eagle); vR^itaH= (He is) encircled; sarvataH= on all sides; haribhiH= by monkeys; abhivartate= and is approaching; laN^kaameva= towards Lanka.

“Having released me, Rama of great splendour arranged the army in the form of Garuda (an eagle). He is encircled on all sides by the monkeys and is approaching towards Lanka.”

puraa praakaaram aayaati kSipram ekataram kuru |
siitaam ca asmai prayaccha aashu suyuddham vaa pradiiyataam || 6-30-13

13. puraa aayaati= he may reach; praakaaram= the ramparts; kuru= do; ekataram= one thing or the other; kshipram= quickly; vaa= or; prayaachchha= give away; siitaam= Seetha; aashu= immediately; pradiiyataam vaapi= or even give him; yuddham= a battle.

“Before he reaches the ramparts, do one thing or the other quickly or give away Seetha immediately or even offer him battle.”

manasaa samtataapa atha tat shrutvaa raakSasa adhipaH |
shaarduulasya mahad vaakyam atha uvaaca sa raavaNaH || 6-30-14

14. shrutvaa= having heard; tat= those words; saH= that; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakshasaadhipaH= the Lord of demons; tadaa= then; prekshya manasaa= reflected; tat= on it; atham= and thereafter; uvaacha= spoke; sumahat vaakyam= the significant words; shaarduulam= to shardula.

Having heard those words, Ravana the lord of demons reflected on it and thereafter spoke the following significant words to Shardula.

yadi maam pratiyudhyeran deva gandharva daanavaaH |
na eva siitaam pradaasyaami sarva loka bhayaad api || 6-30-15

15. naira pradaasyaami= I will not give away; siitaam= Seetha; yadi= even if; deva gandharva daanavaaH= the celestials or Gandharvas the celestial musicians or the demons; pratiyudhyerannapi= were to fight again; maam= me; sarva loka bhayaadapi= or even under danger from all beings.

“I will not give away Seetha even if the celestials or Gandharvas the celestial musicians or the demons were to fight against me or even under danger from all beings.”

evam uktvaa mahaatejaa raavaNaH punar abraviit |
caaritaa bhavataa senaa ke atra shuuraaH plavam gamaaH || 6-30-16

16. mahaatejaaH= the heroic; raavaNaH= Ravana; evam= thus; uktvaa= uttered; punaH= and again; abraviit= spoke (as follows); senaa= (has) the army; charitaa= been espied; bhavataa= by you? Ke= who; shuuraaH= are the valiant; plavaN^gamaaH= monkeys; atra= among them?

After uttering the aforesaid words, the heroic Ravana again spoke as follows: “Has the army been espied by you? Who are the valiant monkeys among them?”

kiidR^ishaaH kim prabhaavaaH ca vaanaraa ye duraasadaaH |
kasya putraaH ca pautraaH ca tattvam aakhyaahi raakSasa || 6-30-17

17. suurata= O, the virtuous; saumya= gentle man!; kimprabhaaH vaanaraaH= what radiance do the monkeys have; ye= who; duraasadaaH= an difficult to be conquered? kiidR^ishaaH= of what kind? Kasya= whose; putraaH= sons (are they?) pautrashcha= whose grandsons are they? Tvam= you; aakhyaahi= describe; tat= it.

“O, the virtuous gentle Shardula! What radiance do the monkeys, who are difficult to be conquered possess of? what kind? Whose sons and grandsons are they? You tell me that information.”

tathaatra pratipatsyaami j~naatvaa teSaam bala abalam |
avashyam bala samkhyaanam kartavyam yuddham icchataa || 6-30-18

18. jJNaatvaa= after knowing; teSaam= their; balaabalam= strength and weakness; pratipatsyaami= I will decide; atra= in this matter; tathaa= accordingly; kartavyam khalu= Is it not necessary; samkhyaanam= to count; avashyam= clearly; ichchhataam= those who are yearning; yuddham= for battle?

“After knowing their strengths and weakness, I will decide in this matter accordingly. Is it not necessary to count clearly those who are really yearning to fight the battle?”

atha evam uktaH shaarduulo raavaNena uttamaH caraH |
idam vacanam aarebhe vaktum raavaNa samnidhau || 6-30-19

19. evam= thus; uktaH= spoken; raavaNena= by Ravana; shaarduulaH= Shardula; uttamaH charaH= the excellent spy; atha= then; aarebhe= started; vaktum= to tell; idam= these; vachanam= words; raavaNa samvidhau= for Ravana’s clearance.

Hearing Ravana’s words, Shardula the excellent spy then started to narrate these words for Ravana’s information:

atha R^ikSa rajasaH putro yudhi raajan sudurjayaH |
gadgadasya atha putro atra jaambavaan iti vishrutaH || 6-30-20

20. atha= certainly; raajaa= king Sugreeva; putraH= the son; R^iksharajasaH= of Riksharajasa; duraasadaH= is difficult to be conquered; yudhi= in battle; atra= here; sutraH= is the so; gadgadasya= of Gadgada; vishrutaH= famously; jaambavaaniti= called as Jambavan.

“Certainly, king Sugreeva, the son of Riksharajasa, is difficult to be conquered in battle. Here is the son of Gadgada, famously called as Jambavan.”

gadgadasya eva putro anyo guru putraH shata kratoH |
kadanam yasya putreNa kR^itam ekena rakSasaam || 6-30-21

21. asyaH= the other one; putraH= is the son; gadgadasyaiva= of the same Gadagada. (another one); guruputraH= is the son of Brihaspati, the teacher; shatakratoH= of Indra the god of celestials; (called Kesari); yasya= by whose; putreNa= son (Hanuman); ekena= alone; kadanam= the destroyal; rakshasaam= of demons; kR^itam= was done.

“The other one is the son of the same Gadgada. Another one is the son of Brihaspati the teacher of Indra the lord of celestials, called Kesari by whose son Hanuman the demons were destroyed.”

suSeNaH ca api dharma aatmaa putro dharmasya viiryavaan |
saumyaH soma aatmajaH ca atra raajan dadhi mukhaH kapiH || 6-30-22

22. raajan= O, king! Atra= here is; suSeNashcha= Sushena; putraH= the son; dharmasya= of Yama the lord of Death; viiryavaan= who is valiant; dharmaatmaa= and virtuous minded; dadhimukhaH kapiH= and a monkey called Dadhimukha; somaatmajaH= who is the son of moon; saumyaH= and cool-minded.

“O, king! Here is Sushena the son of Yama the Lord of Death who is valiant and virtuous, as well as a monkey called Dadhimukha, the cool-minded, who is the son of moon.”

sumukho durmukhaH ca atra vega darshii ca vaanaraH |
mR^ityur vaanara ruupeNa nuunam sR^iSTaH svayambhuvaa || 6-30-23

23. sumukhaH= Sumukha; durmukhashchaiva= Durmukha; vaanaraH= and monkey called; vegadarshiicha= called Vegadarshi; nuunam= are surely; mR^ityuH= the death; sR^iSTaH= created; vaanara rapeNa= in the form of monkeys; svayambhuvaa= by Brahma the Lord of creation.

“Sumukha, Durmukha and a monkey called Vegadarshi are surely the personifications of death in the form of monkeys, created by Brahma, the Lord of creation.”

putro huta vahasya atha niilaH senaa patiH svayam |
anilasya ca putro atra hanuumaan iti vishrutaH || 6-30-24

24. atra= here is; niilaH= Nila; senaapatiH= the army-general; svayam= himself; putraH= the son; hutavahasya= of Agni the Lord of Fire; atra= here is; anilasya putraH= the son of Vayu the Lord of Wind; vishrutaH= well-know; hanumaaniti= as Hanuman.

“Here is Nila the army-general himself, the son of Agni the Lord of Fire. Here is the son of Vayu the Lord of Wind well- known as Hanuman.”

naptaa shakrasya durdharSo balavaan angado yuvaa |
maindaH ca dvividaH ca ubhau balinaav ashvi sambhavau || 6-30-25
putraa vaivasvatasya atra panca kaala antaka upamaaH |
gajo gava akSo gavayaH sharabho gandha maadanaH || 6-30-26
dasha vaanarakoTyashcha shuuraaNaam yuddhakaaN^gkshiNaam |
shriimataam devaputraaNaam sheSam naakhyaatumutsahe || 6-30-27

25, 26, 27. yuvaa= the young; an^gadaH= Angada; shakrasya= Indra’s; naptaa= grandson; balavaan= the stron; durdharSaH= and invincible; ubhau= both; balinau= the mighty; maindashacha= Mainda; dvividashcha= and Dvivida; ashvisambhavau= born of the two divinities of Ashvin*; atha= and; gaja= Gaja; gavaakSaH= Gavaksha; gavayaH= Gavaya; sharabhaH= Sharabha; gandhamaadhanaH= and Gandhamadhana; paN^cha= the five; putraaH= sons; vaivasvatasya= of Yama the God of Death; kaalaantkopamaa= resembling Yama at the time of dissolution of the world; dasha= ten; vaanarakoTyashcha= crores of monkeys; shuuraaNaam= the valiant ones; yuddhakaaNkshiNaam= who are yearning for battle (are here); na utsahe= I cannot venture; aakhyaatum= to tell; sheSaam= about remaining; devaputraaNaam= sons of god; shriimataam= the glorious.

“The young Angada, Indra’s grandson, the strong and invincible one, both the mighty Mainda and Dvinda born of the two divinties of Ashvin* as well as Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadhana the five sons of Yama the God of Death all of them resembling Yama at the time of dissolution of the world, the valiant ten crores of monkeys who are yearning for battle are all here. I cannot venture to tell about the remaining glorious sons of god.”

The two divinities of Ashvin are said to appear in the sky before the dawn in a golden carriage drawn by horses or birds, they bring treasures to men and avert misfortune and sickness; they are considered as the physicians of heaven.

putro dasharathasyeSa simhasamhanano yuvaa |
duuSaNo nihato yena kharashca trishiraastathaa || 6-30-28

28. eSaH= this; yuvaa= young man; (is Rama); dasharathasya= Dasaratha’s; putraH= son; simha samhananaH= who is well-built like a lion; yena= by whom; duuSaNaH= Dushana; nihataH= was killed; tathaa= as also; kharashcha= Khara; trishiraaH= and Trishira.

“This young man is Rama, Dasartha’s son, who is well-built like a lion, by whom Dushana ws killed as also Khara and Trishana.

naasti raamasya sadR^isho vikrame bhuvi kashcana |
viraadho nihato yena kabandhashcaantakopamaH || 6-30-29

29. naasti kashchana= there is no one; bhuvi= on earth; sadR^ishaH= who is equal; vikrame= in prowess; raamasya= to Rama; yena= by whom; viraadho= Viradha; nihataH= was killed; kabandhashcha= as also Kabandha; antakopamaH= who was equal to Yama.

“There is no one on earth who is equal in prowess to Rama, by whom Viradha was killed as also Kabandha who was equal to Yama.”

vaktum na shakto raamasya guNaan kashchinnaraH kshitau |
janasthaanagataa yena taavanto raakshasaa hataaH || 6-30-30

30. na shaktaH naraH kashchit= No man is able; kSitau= on this earth; vaktum= to tell; guNaan= the qualities; raamasya= of Rama; yena= by whom; taavantaH= all raakshasaH= the demons; janasthaanagataaH= staying in Janasthana; hataaH= were killed.

“No man on this earth is able to narrate the qualities of Rama, by whom all the demons staying in Janasthana were killed.”

lakshmaNashcaatra dharmaatmaa maataN^gavaamivarSabhaH |
yasya baaNapatham praapya va jiivedapi vaasavaH || 6-30-31

31. praapya= having stood; yasya= on whose; baaNapatham= path of arrows; vaasavaH api= even Indra the Lord of celestials; na jiivet= could not survive; lakshmaNashcha= that Lakshamna; dharmaatmaa= the virtuous man; R^iSabhaH iva= resembling the most excellent of elephants; maataN^gaanaam= among elephants.

“Here too is the virtuous Lakshamana, resembling the most excellent elephant among elephants, in the path of whose arrows, even Indra the Lord of celestials himself could not survive

shveto jyotir mukhaH ca atra bhaaskarasya aatma sambhavau |
varuNasya ca putro atha hema kuuTaH plavam gamaH || 6-30-32
vishva karma suto viiro nalaH plavaga sattamaH |
vikraanto vegavaan atra vasu putraH sudurdharaH || 6-30-33

32, 33. shveta= Sweta; jyotirmukhashcha= and Jyotirmukha; aatmasambhavau= the sons; bhaaskarasya= of the sun-god; plavaN^gamaH= a monkey called; hemakuuTaH= Hemakuta; anyaH putraH= another son; varuNasya= of Varuna; nalaH= Nala; vishvakarmasutaH= the son of Vishvakarma; viiraH= the strong; plavN^gama sattamaH= and the best of monkeys; saH= (as well as) that; durdharaH= Durdhara; vasuputraH= the son of Vasus; vikraantaH= the mighty; vegavaan= and the swift; atra= are here.

“Sweta and Jyotirmukha, the sons of the sun-god, a monkey called Hemakuta, another son of Varuna, Nila the son of Visvakarma the strong and the best of monkeys, as well as that mighty and swift Durdhara the son of Vasus are all here.”

raakSasaanaam variSThaH ca tava bhraataa vibhiiSaNaH |
parigR^ihya puriim la.nkaam raaghavasya hite rataH|| 6-30-34

34. variSThashcha= there is the prince; raakSasaanaam= of demons; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; tava= your; bhraataa= brother; prtigR^ihya= who having secured; laN^kaam puriim= the city of Lanka; (as a prospective gift from Rama); rataH= remains devoted; hite= to be good; raaghavasya= of Rama.

"There is the prince of demons Vibhishana, your brother, who having secured the city of Lanka (as a prospective gift from Rama) remains devoted to the good of Rama."

iti sarvam samaakhyaatam tava idam vaanaram balam |
suvele adhiSThitam shaile sheSa kaarye bhavaan gatiH || 6-30-35

35. iti= thus; samaakhyaatam= has been; described; idam= about this; sarvam= entire; vaanaram balam= army of monkeys; adhiSThitam= stationed; suvele shaile= on the Mount Suvela; bhavaan= It is for you; gatiH= to decide; sheSakaarye= what remains to be done!.

“Thus, I have described about the entire army of monkeys stationed on the Mount Suvela. Now, it is for you to decide what remains to be done!”

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe trimshaH sargaH

Thus completes 30th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 31

 Agitated to learn that Rama had arrived to Lanka and is stationed at Suvela mountain along with his army, Ravana confers with his ministers and after dismissing them, approaches Seetha with Vidyujjuha, knower of conjuring tricks. Informing Seetha that her husband along with his army had been killed in battle, he produces before her an illusive Rama's head along with bow and arrows created with Vidyujjuha's conjuring trick. Thus, Ravana deceives Seetha about the death of Rama.

tatastamakshobhyabalam laN^kaayaaM nR^ipateshcaraaH |
suvele raaghavaM shaile niviSTaM pratyavedayan || 6-31-1

1. tataH= then; nR^ipateH= the king's; charaaH= spies; pratyavedan= informed (Ravana); tam raaghavam= that Rama; akSobhya balam= with his imperturbable army; niviSTam= was stationed; suvele shaile= at Mount Suvela; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka.

The spies of king Ravana informed him that Rama with his imperturbable army was encamped at Mount Suvela in Lanka.

chaaraaNaam raavaNaH shrutvaa praaptam raamam mahaabalam |
jaatodvego.abhavatkiMchitsachivaanidamabraviit || 6-31-2

2. shrutvaa= Hearing; chaaraaNaam= throught; spies; raamam= that Rama; mahaabalam= with his mighty army; praaptam= had arrived; raavaNaH= Ravana; jaatodvegaH= was agitated; kimchit= a little; abraviit= and spoke; idam= thse words; sachivaan= to his counsellors (as follows):

Hearing through his spies that Rama with his mighty army had arrived to Lanka, Ravana was a little agitated and spoke to his counsellors as follows:

mantriNaH shiighramaayaantu sarve vai su samaahitaaH |
ayam no mantrakaalo hi sampraasta iti raakshasaaH || 6-31-3

3. ayam= this; mantrakaalaH= time for delibration; sampraaptaH iti= has come; naH= to us; (Let); sarve= all; mantriNaH= the ministerial; raakshhasaaH= demons; shiighram= quickly; aagaantu= come; susamaahitaaH= with keenly attentive minds.

"The time for deliberation has come to us. Let our ministerial colleagues come quickly with their keenly attentive minds."

tasya tacchaasanam shrutvaa mantriNo.abhyaagaman drutam |
tataH sa mantrayaamaasa raakshasaiH sachivaiH saha || 6-31-4

4. shrutvaa= hearing; tat= that; shaasanam= command; tasya= of his; mantriNaH= the ministers; abhyaagamam= came; drutam= soon; tataH= thereafter; saH= he; mantrayaamaasa= deliberated; sachivaiH saha= with his ministers; raakshhasaiH= the ogres.

As per his command, the ministers came instantly. Ravana conferred with the ogres, his ministers.

mantrayitvaa tu durdharSaH kshamaM yattadanntaram |
visarjayitvaa sachivaan pravivesha svamaalayam || 6-31-5

5. durdharshhaH= Ravana, the dreadful one; mantrayitvaa= deliberated; tat= that; yat= which; kshhamam= was befitting to be done; anantaram= immediately after; visarjayitvaa= sent away sachivaan= the ministers; pravivesha= and entered; svam his; aalayam= palace.

The dreadful Ravana discussed about the ensuing things to be done immediately. He sent away the ministers and entered his palace.

tato raakshasamaadaaya vidyujjihvam mahaabalam |
maayaavidam mahaamaayaH pravishadyatra maithilii || 6-31-6

6. tataH= thereafter; mahaamayaH= Ravana; practising conjuring tricks; aadaaya= took; vidyujjihvam= Vidyujjihva; mahaabalam= exceedingly strong; maayaavidam= who knew magic spells (along with him); praavishat= entered; yatra= the place where; maithilii= Seetha ( was there).

Thereafter, Ravana the practiser of conjuring tricks, took the exceedingly strong Vidyujjihva who was a great sourcerer along with him and went to Seetha's place.

vidyujjihvam cha maayaajJNmabraviidraakshasaadhipaH |
mohayiSyaavahe siitaam maayayaa janakaatmajaam || 6-31-7

7. raakshaasaadhipaH= Ravana the lord of demons; abraviit cha= spoke; vidyujjihvam= to Vidyujjihva; maagaajN^gam= who knew deceptions (as follows): mohayishhvaavahe maayayaa= we shall create an illusion to deceive; siitaam= Seetha; janakaatmajaam= the daughter of Janaka.

Ravana the lord of demons spoke to Vidyujjihva, who was a knower of conjuring tricks as follows: "With your spells, create an illusion in order to deceive Seetha, daughter of Janaka."

shiro maayaamayam gR^ihya raaghavasya vishaachara |
maaM tvaM samupatiSThasva mahachcha sasharam dhanuH || 6-31-8

8. nishaachara= O, demon!; tvam= you; samupatisthasva= approached; maam= me; gR^ihya= holding; mayaamayam= a deceptive; raaghavasya= Rama's; shiraa= head sa sharam= along with his arrows; mahat= and the big; dhanuH cha= bow.

"O, demon! Produce a head resembling Rama's along with a great bow and arrows created deceptively and present yourself before me."

evamukta stathetyaaha vidyujjihvo nishaachataH |
darshayaamaasa taam maayaam suprayuktaam sa raavaNe || 6-31-9
tasya tuSTo.abhavadraajaa pradadau cha vibhuuSaNam |

9. evam= thus; uktaH= spoken; nishaacharaH= the demon; vidyujjihvaH= Vidyujjihva; aaha= said; tatheti= "be itso"; saH= he; darshayaamaasa= showed; raavaNe= to Ravana; taam maayaam= that conjuring trick; suprayuktaam= well-performed; raajaa= the king; abravat= became well-performed; raajaa= the king; abhaat= became; tushhTaH= satisfied; tasya= of him; pradadecha= and gave too; vibhuushhaNam= an ornament.

Hearing Ravana's words, the demon Vidyujjihva said, "Be it so". He showed to Ravana those things of his conjuring trick, well-performed. The king became satisfied of his work and gave him an ornament (as a gift).

ashokavanikaayaam cha siitaadarshanalaalasaH || 6-31-10
nairR^itaanaamadhipatiH samvivesha mahaabalaH |

10. mahaabalaH= the exceedingly strong; nairR^itaanaam adhipatiH= Ravana the suzerain lord of demons; samvivesha= duly entered; ashoka vanikaayaam= the Ashoka grove; siitaadarshana laalasaH= eagerly longng for the sight of Seetha.

The exceedingly strong Ravana the suzerain lord of demons, duly entered the Ashoka grove, eagerly longing for the sight of Seetha.

tato diinaamadainyaarhaam dadarsha dhanadaamajaH || 6-31-11
adhomukhiiM shokaparaamupaviSTaam mahiitale |
bhartaarameva dhyaayantiimashokavanikaam gataam || 6-31-12

11, 12. tataH= then; dhanadaanujaH= Ravana, the younger brother of Kubera ( the god of riches); dadarsha= saw (Seetha); diinaam= the unfortunate one; adainyaarham= who did not desrve that fate; adhomukhiim= her head bowed; shokaparaam= plunged in grief upaviSTaam= seated; mahiitale= on the ground; gataam= abtained; ashoka vanikaam= in the Ashoka grove; dhyaantiim= absorbed in the thought; bhartaarameva= of her husband.

Then, Ravana the younger brother of Kubera ( the god of riches) saw Seetha the unfortunate one, who did not deserve that fate, seated on the ground with her head bent down in the Ashoka grove plunged in grief as she was and absorbed in the thought of her husband.

upaasyamaanaam ghoraabhii raakshasiibhiraduurataH |
upasR^itya tataH siitaam praharSaM naama kiirtayan || 6-31-13
idam cha vachanam dhR^iSTamuvaacha janakaatmajaam |

13. tataH= then; upasR^itya= approaching; siitaam= Seetha; upaasyamaanaam= who was attended upon; ghoraabhiH raakshhasiibhiH= by ghastly ogresses; aduurataH= not for distant from her; kiirtayan praharshham naama= and mentioning his own name with great delight; uvaacha= spoke; idam vachanam= these words; dhR^ishhTam= whih were audacious; janakaatmajam= to Seetha.

Then, approaching Seetha who was attended upon by ghastly ogresses seated not far distance from her and mentioning his own name with great delight, Ravana spoke the following audacious words to Seetha.

saantvyamaanaa mayaa bhadre yamaashritya vimanyase || 6-31-14
kharahantaa sa te bhartaa raaghavaH samare hataH |

14. bhadre= O, Beautiful one!; saH= He; yam= in whom; aashritya= you took shelter; vimanasyase= and repelled me, ssantvaanaa= when you were consoled; mayaa= by me; kharahantaa= that murderer of Khara; te bhartaa= your husband; raaghavaH= Rama; hataH= has been killed; samara= in battle.

"O, Beautiful one! He in whom you trusted and repelled me when I sought to console you - that murderer of Khara, your husband Rama has been killed in battle."

chinnam te sarvathaa muulam darpashcha vihato mayaa || 6-31-15
vyasanenaatmanaH siite mama bhaaryaa bhaviSyasi |

15. siite= O Seetha!; te muulam= your root; chhinnam= has been cut off; sarvathaa= in all ways; mayaa= be me; darpashha= bhavishhyasi= you will become; mama= my; bhaaryaa= wife; aatmaanaH= by your; vyasanana= evil predicament.

"O, Seetha! Your root has been cut off in all ways by me and your pride has been slain. By your present evil predicament, you will become my wife."

visR^ijaitaaM matiM muuDhe kiM mR^itena kariSyasi || 6-31-16
bhavasva bhadre bhaaryaaNaaM sarvaasaamiishvarii mama |

16. muuDhe= O, Foolish one!; visR^ija= give up etaam= this; matim= resolution; kim kariSyasi= what will you do; mR^itena= with one dead?; bhadre= O, beautiful one!; Bhave= become; iishvarii= the Chief Queen; sarvaasaam= over all; mama= my; bharyaaNaam= consorts.

"O, Foolish one! Give up this resolution. What will you do with one dead. O, beautiful one! Become the Chief Queen over all my consorts."

alpapuNye nivR^ittaarthe muuDhe paNDitamaanini || 6-31-17
sR^iNu bhartR^inadham siite ghoraM vR^itravadhaM yathaa |

17. munDhe= O, foolish one; alpapuNye= with scant virtue; nivR^ittaarthe= and lost purpose!; panN^Dita maanini= you think yourself as wise! Siite= O, Seetha!; shR^iNu= hear; ghoram bhartR^ivadham= about the dreadful killing of your husband; vR^itra vadham yathaa= as the killing of the demon vR^itra(at the hands of Indra).

"O, Foolish one, with scant virtue and failed purpose! You think yourself as wise! O, Seetha! Hear about the dreadful killing of your husband in battle, as the killing of the demon Vritra (at the hands of Indra)"

samaayaataH samudraantaM hantuM maaM kila raaghavaH || 6-31-18
vaanarendrapraNiitena baleva mahataa vR^itaH |

18. raaghavaH= Rama; vR^itaH= encircled; mahataa balena= by an extensive army; vaanarendra praNiitena= led forwards by sugreeva; samaayaataH kila= at the sea- shore; hantum= to kill; maam= me.

"Rama, encircled by an extensive army led forward by Sugreeva, is said to have arrived at the sea-shore, to kill me."

samniviSTaH samudrasya piiDya tiiramathottaram || 6-31-19
balena mahataa raamo vrajatyastam divaakare |

19. atha= thereafter; (while); divaakare= the sun; vrajati= was going; astam= to set; raamaH= Rama; savishhTaH= encamped; piiDya= encroaching upon; uttaram= the northern; tiiram= shore; samudrasya= of sea; mahataa balena= with his mighty army.

"While sun was going to set, Rama with his mighty army was encamped there, encroaching upon the northern shore of the sea."

athaadhvani parishraantamardharaatre sthitam balam || 6-31-20
sukhasuptaM samaasaadya charitam prathamaM charaiH |

20. atha= then; balam= their army; sthitam= stationed there; sukhasuptam= omfortably asleep; ardharaatre= at the middle of the night; parishraantam= and completely fatigued; adhvani= in the course of the journey; samaasaadya= was approached; prathamam= first; charitam= and spied; charaiH= by our spies.

"Their army stationed there, comfortably asleep at the middle of the night and completely fatigued in the course of the journey, was approached first and espied by our spies."

tatprahastapraNiitena balena mahataa mama || 6-31-21
balamasya hatam raatrau yatra raamaH salakshmaNaH |

21. mama balena= by my army; mahataa= which is great; prahasta praNiitena= which was led by Prahasta; asya= Rama's; balam= army; hatam= was killed; raatrau= in the night; yatra= at the place where; raamaH= Rama; salakshhmaNaH= along with Lakshmana (were there).

"By my great army, which was led by Prahasta, Rama's army was killed in the night at the place where Rama and Lakshmana were there."

paTTishaan parighaaMshchakraanR^iSTiirdaNDaanmahaayudhaan || 6-31-22
baaNajaalaani shuulaani bhaasvaraan kuuTamudgaraan |
yaSTiishcha tomaraan praasaamshchakraaNi musalaani cha || 6-31-23
udyamyodyamya rakshobhirvaanareSu nipaatitaaH |

22, 23. paTTishaan= harpoons; parighaan= maes; chakraan= disus; R^iSTiiH= daggers; daN^Daan= sticks; mahaayudhaan= massed weapons; baaNajaalaani= multitude of arrows; shuulaani= spears bhaasvaraan= shining; kuuTamudgaraan= spiked maces; yashhTiishha= picks; tomaraan= lanes; praasaan= darts; chakraaNi= made iruular missiles; musalaani cha= lubs; udyamya udyamya= were made use of again and again; rakSobhiH= by the demons; nipaatitaaH= and struk down; vaanareSu= on the monkeys.

The demons wielding harpoons, maces, discus, daggers, sticks, great arrows spears, shining maces with spikes, picks lances, darts, massed weapons, clubs and circular missiles, made use of them again and again in order to strike down the monkeys."

atha suptasya raamasya prahastena pramaathinaa || 6-31-24
asaktam kR^itahastena shirashchhinnaM mahaasinaa |

24. atha= thereafter; prahastena= by Prahasta; pramaadhinaa= the impetuous; kR^itahastena= and the steady-handed demon; suptasya= the sleeping; raamasya= Rama's; shiraH= head; hhinnam= was severed; mahaasinaa= by his mighty sword; asaktam= without any resistance.

"The impetuous Prahasta, with his steady hand, severed the head of Rama sleeping there, with his mighty sword without a resistance from any one."

vibhiiSaNaH samutpatya nigR^ihiito yadR^ichchhayaa || 6-31-25
disham pravraajitaH sainyairlakshmaNaH plavagaiH saha |

25. yard^ichchhayaa= fortunately; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; samut[atua= was overleaped; nigR^ihiitaH= and hel aptive; lakshhmaNaH= Lakshmana; plavangaiH saha= along with monkeys; pravraajitaH= were made to run away; disham= in all diretions.

"Fortunately, Vibhishana was over leaped and held captive. Lakshmana along with the monkeys were made to run away in all directions."

sugriivo griivayaa siite bhagnayaa plavagaadhipaH || 6-31-26
nirastahanukaH shrete hanumaan raakshasaiHrhataH |

26. siite= O, Seetha!; sugriivaH= Sugreeva; plavagaadhipaH= the king of monkeys; bhagnayaa= with the broken; griivayaa= neck; hanuman= and Hanuman; nirastahanukaH= with his jaw removed; shete= were laid down; hataH= and killed; raakSasaiH= by the demons.

"O, Seetha! Sugreeva the king of monkeys with his neck broken and Hanuman with his jaw removed were laid down and killed by the demons."

jaambavaanatha jaanubhyaamutpatannihato yudhi || 6-31-27
paTTishairbahubhishchhanno vikR^ittaH saadapo yathaa |

27. atha= thereafter; jaambavaan= Jambavan; utpatan= who was rising up; jaanubhyaam= on his knees; nihataH= was killed; yudhi= in the combat; chhinnaH= (He was) cut off; bahubhiH with many; paTTishaiH= sharp-edged spears; paadapoyatha= like a tree.

"Thereafter Jambavan who was rising up on his knees was killed in the battle. His body was cut off with many sharp-edged spears, like a tree is cut off."

maindashcha dvividashchobhau tau vaanaravararSabhau || 6-31-28
niHshvasantau rudantau cha rudhireNa pariivR^itau |
asinaa vyaayatau chinnau madhye hyariniSuudanau || 6-31-29

28, 29. maindashcha= Mainda; dvividashcha= and Dvivida; ubhau= ariniSuudanau= those two great scourgers of their foes; vyaayatau= the long bodied; vaanararshhabhau= and the foremost of monkeys; rudantau= groaning; niHshvasantau= and breathless; pariivR^itau= their limbs bathed; rudhireNa= in blood; chhinrau= wee cut to pieces; madhye= at the waist-level; asinaa= by a sword.

"Mainda and Dvivida - those two great scourgers of their foes, the long bodied and the foremost of the monkeys, groaning and breathless, their limbs bathed in blood-were cut to pieces at the waist-level, by a sword."

anuSvanati medinyaam panasaH yathaa || 6-31-30
vaaraachairbahubhishchhannaH shrete daryaam dariimukhaH |
kumudastu mahaatejaa niSkuujan saayakairhataH || 6-31-31

30,31. panasaH= Panasa; anuSvanati= crying for help (was stretched); medinyaam= on the earth; panasoyathaa= under a tree by the same name; chhinnaH= Piered; bahubhiH= by a number of naraachaiH= steel arrows; dariimukhaH= Darimukha; shete= is lying; daryaami= in a pit; mahaa tejaaH= the exceedingly valiant; kumudastu= Kumuda on his part; nishhkuujan= shrieking; hataH= was killed; saayakaiH= by missiles.

"Panasa, crying for help was stretched on the earth under a tree of the same name. Pierced by lying in a pit. The exceedingly valiant kumuda on his part, shrieking, was killed by a hail of missiles."

aN^gado bahubhishchhnnaH sharairaasaadya raakshasaiH |
parito rudhirodgaarii kshitau nipatitaaN^gadaH || 6-31-32

32. aN^gada= Angada; nipataaN^gadaH= who was adorned with bracelets, lies fallen down; kshhitau= on the ground; rudhirodgaarii= emitting blood; saritaH= on all sides; chhinnaH= (as he was) pierced; raakshhasaiH= by the demons bahubhiH= with many; sharaiH= arrows; aasaadya= after approaching him.

"Angada, who was adorned with bracelets lies fallen down, emitting blood on all sides, as he was pierced by the demons with many arrows, after approaching him."

harayo mathitaa vaagairatha jaalaistathaapare |
shayaanaa mR^iditaastatra vaayuvegairivaambudaaH || 6-31-33

33. apare= other; harayaH= monkeys; shayanaaH= sleeping; tatra= there; mathitaa= were crushed; naagai= by elephants; tathaa= and; rathajaalaiH= multitude of chariots; ambudaaH iva= like clouds; m^iditaa= are crushed; vaayuvegaiH= by the velocity of wind.

"The monkeys sleeping there were crushed by elephants and multitude of chariots, like clouds are crushed to pieces by the velocity of wind."

prasR^itaashca pare trastaaH hanyamaanaa jaghanyataH |
anudrutaastu rakshoBhiH simhairiva mahaadvipaaH || 6-31-34

34. pare= the enemy; prasR^itaaH= fled; trastaaH= in terror; anudrutaaH; pursued; rakshhobhiH= by demons; hanyamaanaaH= while being struck; jaghanyataH= on the back; simhaiH iva= like lions; mahaadvipaaH= pursuing great elephants.

"The enemy fled in terror, pursued by demons, while being struck on the bak, like lions pursuing great elephants."

saagare patitaaH kechitkechidgaganamaashritaaH |
R^ikshaa vR^ikshaamapaaruuDhaa vaanarairvyatimishritaaH || 6-31-35

35. kechit= some; patitaaH= fell; saagare= in the ocean; kechit= some; aashritaaH= sought shelter; gaganam= in the sky; R^ikshhaaH= the bears; vyatinishritaaH= combined; vaanaraiH= with monkeys; upaaruuDhaaH= climbed; viR^ikshhaan= the trees.

"Some monkeys fell in the sea and some sought shelter in the sky. The bears with the monkeys climbed the trees."

saagarasya cha tiireSu shaileSu cha vaneSu cha |
piN^galaaste viruupaakshe raakshasairbahavo hataaH || 6-31-36

36. raakshhasaiH= by the demons; viruupaakshhaiH= with monstrous eyes; hataaH= were killed; te= those; bahavaH= multitude; piN^galaaH= of monkeys; tiireshhu= at the shores; saagarasya= of the sea; shaileshhuha= in the mountains vaneshhuha= and in the woods.

"By the demons with monstrous eyes, were killed a multitude of monkeys, at the shores of the sea, in the mountains an in the woods."

evam tava hato bhartaa sasainyo mama sevayaa |
kshatajaardraM rajodhvastamidaM chaapyaahR^itam shiraH || 6-31-37

37. evam= thus; tava= your; bharataa= husband; sa sainyaH= together with his army; hataH= was killed; mama senagaaH= by my army; idam= this; shiraH= head; asya kshhata jaardram= dvenced in his blood; rajodhvastam= and covered with dust; aahR^itam= is procured.

"Thus, your husband together with his army was killed by my troops. This head, drenched in his blood and besmeared with dust has been gathered up."

tataH paramadurdharSo raavaNo raakshaseshvaraH |
siitaayaamupashR^iNvatyaaM raakshasiimida mabraviit || 6-31-38

38. tataH= thereafter; raavaNaH= Ravana; paramadurdharshhaH= very much difficult to be attacked; raakshhashvaraH= and the lord of demns; siitaayaam upashR^iNya= while Seetha was overhearing; abraviit= spoke; idam= these words; raakshhasiim= to an ogress.

Thereafter, Ravana the Lord of demons who was very much difficult to be attacked, spoke the following words to an ogress, while Seetha was overhearing them.

raakshasam kruurakarmaaNam vidyujjihvam samaanaya |
yena tadraghanashiraH saN^gramaatsvayamaahR^itam || 6-31-39

39. samaanaya= bring; vidyujjihvam= Vidyujjihva; raakshhasam= the demons; kruurakarmaaNam= of the cruel deed; yena= by whom; tat= that; raaghava shiraH= Raghava's head; aahR^itam= was brought; svayam= by himself; saN^graamaat= from the battle-field.

"Bring Vidyujjihva, the demon of the cruel deed, by whom himself Raghava's head was brought back from the battle-field."

vidyujjihva stadaa gR^ihya shirastatsasharaasanam |
praNaamam shirasaa kR^itvaa raavaNasyaagrataH sthitaH || 6-31-40

40. tadaa= then; gR^iya; holding; tat shiraH= that head; sa sharaasanam= along with a bow; vidyujjihvaH= Vidyujjihva; kR^itva= making a respectful salute; shirasaa= with his head bent low; sthitaH= stood; agrataH= in front; raavaNasya= of Ravana.

Holding that head along with a bow, Vidyujjihva making a respectful salute with his head bent low, stood in front of Ravana.

tamabraviittato raajaa raavaNo raakshasam sthitam |
vidyujjihvam mahaajihvam samiipaparivartinam || 6-31-41

41. tataH= thereafter; raajaa= the king; raavaNaH= Ravana; abraviit= spoke; tam vidyujjihvam= to that Vidyujjihva; raakshhasam= the demon; mahaajihvam= who had a huge tongue; sthitam= and who was standing; samiipa parivartinam= and moving closely.

Thereafter, the king Ravana spoke the following words to Vidyujjihva, the demon who had a large tongue and who was standing and moving closely.

agrataH kuru siitaayaaH shriighraM daasharatheH shiraH |
avasthaaM pashichamaaM bhartuH kR^ipaNaa saadhu pashyatu || 6-31-42

42. kuru= keep; daasharatheH= Rama's; shiraH= head; shiighram= immediately; agrataH= in front; siitaayaaH= of Seetha; kR^ipaNaa= (let) the miserable Seetha; pashyatu= see; saadhu= well; pashchimaam= the find; avasthaam= condition; bhartaH= of her husband.

"Keep Rama's head immediately in front of Seetha. Let the miserable Seetha see well the final condition of her husband.

evamuktaM tu tadrakshaH shirastatpriyadarshanam |
upanikshipya siitaayaaH kshipramantaradhiiyata || 6-31-43

43. tat rakshhaH= that demon; evam= thus; uktam= spoken; upamikshhipya= desposited in the vicinity; siitaayaaH= of Seetha; tat= that; shiraH= head; priyadarshanam= whih was pleasant to look at; kshhipram= and soon; antaradhiiyata= disappeared from the site.

Hearing Ravana's words, that demon deposited the cherished head in the vicinity of Seetha and soon disappeared from the site.

raavaNashcaapi chikshepa bhaasvaram kaarmukam mahat |
triSu lokeSu vikhyaatam raamasyaitaditi bruvan || 6-31-44

44. etat= this is; raamasya= Rama's; vikhyaatam= (bow) famous; tishhu lokeshhu= in the three worlds; raavaNashhaai= Ravana; bruvan= speaking; iti= thus; hikshhepa= threw ( in front of Seetha); bhaasvaram= the shining; mahat= great; kaarmukam= bow.

"Here is Rama's bow famous in the three worlds!" - saying thus, Ravana threw a great shining bow in front of Seetha.

idam tattava raamasya kaarmukaM jyaasamaavR6itam |
iha prahastevaaniitam tam hatvaa nishi maanuSam || 6-31-45

45. idam= this is; tat= that; kaarmukam= bow; jyaa samaavR^itam= with its cord stretched; tava raamasya= belonging to Rama; aaniitam= that was brought back; prahastena= by Prahasta; iha= here; hatvaa= after killing; tam= that; maanushham= man; nishi= in the night.

"This is the bow with its cord stretched, belonging to Rama, that was brought back by Prahasta here, after killing that hero in the night."

sa vidyujihvena sahaiva tachchhiro |
dhamashcha bhuumau vinikiirya raavaNaH |
videharaajasya sutaam yashasviniiM |
tato.abraviittaam bhava me vashaamugaa || 6-31-46

46. saH aavaNaH= that Ravana; vidyujihvena sahaiva= along with Vidyujjihva; vinikiirya= threw; tat= that; shiraH= head; dhanushha= and the bow; bhuumau= on the ground; taam= towards Seetha; yashasviniim= the illustrious; sutaam= daughter; videharaajasya= of Janaka; abraviit= and said; bhava= you become; rashaamgaa= but missive; me= to me.

That Rama's head and bow on the ground in front of Seetha the illustrious daughter of Janaka, saying: "You now become submissive to my desire."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe ekatriMshaH sargaH

Thus completes 31st Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection