Hindu Vedic Philosophy (Sri Valmiki Ramayanam): Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - yuddha Kanda (Book 6) Sarga 52 to 58

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - yuddha Kanda (Book 6) Sarga 52 to 58

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] 52

Introduction

Dhumraksha along with army attacks the monkeys. A tumultuous battle ensued between the demons and the monkeys. The battle reached frightful proportions in that both the monkeys and demons were killed in large numbers. When Dhumraksha pounced on Hanuman, the latter shattered Dhumraksha's chariot to pieces.

dhuumra akSam prekSya niryaantam raakSasam bhiima nisvanam |
vinedur vaanaraah sarve prahR^iSTaa yuddha kaankSiNaH || 6-52-1

1. viikSya= beholding; raakSasam= the demon; dhuumraakSam= Dhumraksha; bhiima vikramam= of terrible prowess; niryaantam= coming forth; sarve= all; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; vineduH= roared; prahR^iSTaaH= with joy; yuddha kaaNkSiNaH= longing for war.

Beholding the demon, Dhumraksha of terrible prowess coming forth, all the monkeys waiting for the war, roared with joy.

teSaam tu tumulam yuddham samjajne hari rakSasaam |
anyonyam paadapair ghorair nighnatam shuula mudgaraiH || 6-52-2

2. sutumulam= A highly tumultuous; yuddham= battle; samjajJNe= was perceived; teSaam= (between) those; kapirakSasaam= monkeys and demons; nighnataam= who were slaying; anyonyam= each other; ghoraiH= with terrible; paadapaiH= trees; shuula mudgaraiH= lances and maces.

A highly tumultuous battle was seen between those monkeys and demons, who were slaying each other, with terrible trees, lances and maces.

raakSasair vaanaraa ghoraa vinikR^ittaah samantataH |
vaanarai raakSasaash ca api drumair bhuumau samii kR^itaaH || 6-52-3

3. ghoraaH= the terrible; vaanaraaH= monkeys; vinikR^ittaaH= were cut down; samantataH= on all sides; raakSasaiH= by the demons; raakSasaashchaapi= and the demons also; bhuumisamiikR^itaaH= were levelled down to the earth; drumaiH= with trees; vaanaraiH= by the monkeys.

The terrible monkeys were moved down on all sides by the demons. The demon too were levelled down to the earth with trees by the monkeys.

raakSasaash ca api samkruddhaa vaanaraan nishitaih sharaiH |
vivyadhur ghora samkaashaih kanka patrair ajihmagaiH || 6-52-4

4. raakSasaastu= the demons on their part; abhisamkruddhaaH= enraged with anger; vivyadhuH= paralyzed; vaanaraan= the monkeys; sharaiH= with arrows; kaNkapatraiH= having wings; ajihmahaiH= going straight; nishitaiH= sharp; ghora samkaashaiH= and having frightful appearance.

Enraged with anger, the demons, on their part, paralyzed the monkeys with sharp and frightful arrows, going as straight as wings of eagle.

te gadaabhisH ca bhiimaabhih paTTasaih kuuTa mudgaraiH |
ghoraisH ca parighaisH citrais trishuulaisH ca api samshitaiH || 6-53-5
vidaaryamaaNaa rakSobhir vaanaraas te mahaa balaaH |
amarSaaj janita uddharSaasH cakruH karmaaNy abhiitavat || 6-52-6

5, 6. vidiiryamaaNaaH= (While) being torn asunder; rakSobhiH= by the demons; bhiimaabhiH= with terrible; gadaabhiH= maces; paTTishaiH= spears; kuuTa mudgaraiH= hammers; ghoraiH= frightful; parighaishcha= iron bars; samshritaiH= and resorting to; chitraiH= variegated; trishuulaishcha= tridents; te vaanaraaH= those monkeys; mahaabalaaH= of exceeding prowess; abhiitavat= fearlessly; chakruH= accomplished; karmaaNi= the tasks; amarSajanitoddharSaaH= with an excitement born of anger.

While being torn asunder by the demons with terrible maces, spears, hammers, frightful iron bars and variegated tridents, the mighty monkeys fearlessly accomplished their tasks with an excitement born of anger.

shara nirbhinna gaatraas te shuula nirbhinna dehinaH |
jagR^ihus te drumaams tatra shilaash ca hari yuuthapaaH || 6-52-7

7. shuula nirbhinna dehinaH= while their bodies were split up by the tridents; sharanirbhinna gaatraaH= and their limbs broken by arrows; te= those; vaanarayuuthapaaH= leaders of monkeys; jagruH= took up; drumaan= trees; shilaashcha= and rocks; tatra= there.

While their bodies were split up by the tridents and their limbs broken by arrows, those leaders of monkeys took up trees and rocks there to fight.

te bhiima vegaa harayo nardamaanaas tatas tataH |
mamanthuu raakSasaan bhiimaan naamaani ca babhaaSire || 6-52-8

8. te harayaH= those monkeys; bhiima vegaaH= of terrible swiftness; nardamaanaaH= roaring aloud; mamanthuH= herassed; viiraan= the valiant; raakSasaan= demons; tatstataH= at all places; babaaSire= and called out; naamaanicha= their names.

Those terribly swift monkeys, roaring aloud harassed the valiant demons at all places, by calling out their names.

tad babhuuva adbhutam ghoram yuddham vaanara rakSasaam |
shilaabhir vividhaabhish ca bahu shaakhaish ca paadapaiH || 6-52-9

9. tat= that; ghoram= awfu; yuddham= battle; vividhaabhiH= with various kinds of; shilaabhiH= rocks; bahushaakhaiH= and many branching; paadapaiH= trees; vaanararakSasaam= between monkeys and demons; babhuuva= became; adbhutam= wonderful.

That awful battle with all kinds of rocks and trees furnished with many branches between monkeys and demons appeared wonderful.

raakSasaa mathitaah kecid vaanarair jita kaashibhiH |
vavarSuu rudhiram kecin mukhai rudhira bhojanaaH || 6-52-10

10. kechit= some; raakSasaaH= demons; mathitaaH= were crushed; vaanaraiH= by monkeys; jitakaashibhiH= who conquered fear; kechit= and some; rudhira bhojanaaH= blood-sucking demons; pravemuH= vomitted; rudhiram= blood; mukhaiH= from their months.

Some demons were crushed by monkeys, who conquered fear and some blood-sucking demons vomited blood from their mouths.

paarshveSu daaritaah kecit kecid raashii kR^itaa drumaiH |
shilaabhisH cuurNitaaH kecit kecid dantair vidaaritaaH || 6-52-11

11. kechit= some; daaritaaH= were torn; paarshveSu= at the sides; kechit= some; raashikR^itaaH= were formed into a heap; drumaiH= by trees; kechit= some; chuurNitaah= were powdered; shilaabhiH= by stones; kechit= some; vidaaritaaH= were torn; dantaiH= by teeth.

Some demons were slashed open at their sides. Some were formed into a heap by the trees. Some others were crushed by stones and yet others torn to pieces by the monkeys teeth.

dhvajair vimathitair bhagnaiH kharaish ca vinipaatitaiH |
rathair vidhvamsitaisH ca api patitai rajanii caraiH || 6-52-12

12. dhvajaiH= their standards; vimathitaiH= crushed; bhagnaiH= and broken; khaDgaishcha= their swords; vimipaatitaiH= snapped; rathaiH= their chariots; vidhamsitaiH= overturned; kechit= some; rajaniicharaaH= demons; vyathitaaH= were perturbed.

With their standards crushed and broken, their swords snapped and their chariots overturned, some demons were perturbed.

gajendraiH parvataakaaraiH parvataagrairvanaukasaam |
mathitairvaajibhiH kiirNam saarohairvasudhaatalam || 6-52-13

13. mathitaiH= crushed; parvataagraiH= by the great rocks; vanaukasaam= of monkeys; vasudhaatalam= the earth; kiirNam= was scattered; gajendraiH= with elephants; parvataakaaaiH= resembling hills; vaajibhiH= and horses; saarohaiH= with their riders.

Crushed by the great rocks of monkeys, the earth was scattered with corpses of great elephants resembling hills and horses with their riders.

vaanarair bhiima vikraantair aaplutya aaplutya vegitaiH |
raakSasaaH karajais tiikSNair mukheSu vinikartitaaH || 6-52-14

14. vaanaraiH= by the monkeys; bhiimavikraantaiH= of terrific prowess; vegitaiH= and swiftness; raakSasaaH= the demons; aaplutya= jumped up horizontally; utputya= and vertically; vinidaaritaaH= and were torn; tiikSNaiH karajaiH= by their sharp nails; mukheSu= in their faces.

The monkeys of terrific prowess rushed upon the demons, flinging themselves upon them with great bounds horizontically and vertically and scratching their faces with their sharp nails.

vivarNa vadanaa bhuuyo viprakiirNa shiro ruhaaH |
muuDhaaH shoNita gandhena nipetur dharaNii tale || 6-52-15

15. viSaNNa vadanaaH= with their faces dejected; bhuuyaH= very much; viprakiirNashiroruhaaH= their hair torn out; muuDhaH= maddened; shoNitagandhena= by the smell of blood; (those demons); nipetuH= fell; charaNiitale= on the ground.

With their faces dejected very much, their hair torn out and maddened by the smell of blood, those demons fell on the ground.

naye tu parama kruddhaa raakSasaa bhiima vikramaaH |
talair eva abhidhaavanti vajra sparsha samair hariin || 6-52-16

16. anye= some other; raakSasaaH= demons; bhiima vikramaaH= of exceeding valour; parama kruddhaaH= very much enraged; abhidhaavanti= ran up towards; hariin= the monkeys; talaireva= with their palms; vajrasparsha samaiH= having a diamond-like blow.

Some other demons of exceeding valour, who were enraged, very much, ran up towards the monkeys to attack them with their palms having a diamond-like blow.

vanarair aapatantas te vegitaa vegavattaraiH |
muSTibhisH caraNair dantaiH paadapaisH caapa pothitaaH || 6-52-17

17. te= those demons; aapatantaH= coming quickly; vegitaaH= with a great speed; aavapothitaaH= were crushed; vaanaraiH= by the monkeys; vegavattaraiH= of greater swiftness; muSTibhiH= with their fists; charaNaiH= feet; dantaiH= teeth; paadapaishcha= and tress.

The monkeys, receiving that sharp shock, with even a greater ferocity, crushed the demons with blows of their fists, feet teeth and trees.

sanyam tu vidrutam dR^iSTvaa dhuumra akSo raakSasa R^iSabhaH |
roSeNa kadanam cakre vaanaraaNaam yuyutsataam || 6-52-18

18. dR^iSTvaa= Seeing; sainyam= the army; vidrutam= routed; druumraakSaH= Drumraksha; raakSasarSabhaH= the lion among the demons; roSeNa= with anger; chakre= made; kadanam= a blood-shed; vaanaraaNaam= of the monkeys; yuyutsataam= wishing to fight.

Seeing his army routed, Dhumraksha that lion among the demons, in his anger began to create a blood-shed of the monkeys wishing to fight.

praasaiH pramathitaaH kecid vaanaraaH shoNita sravaaH |
mudgarair aahataaH kecit patitaa dharaNii tale || 6-52-19

19. kechit= some; vaanaraaH= monkeys; pramathitaaH= pierced; praasaiH= with spears; shoNita sravaaH= lost rivers of blood; kechit= (while) others; aahataaH= struck down; mudgaraiH= by axes; paatitaaH= fell; dharaNiitale= to the earth's surgface.

Some monkeys pierced with spears lost rivers of blood while others struck down by blows of axe, fell to the earth's surface.

parighair mathitah kecid bhiNDi paalair vidaaritaaH |
paTTasair aahataah kecid vihvalanto gata asavaH || 6-52-20

20. kechit= some; mathitaaH= wee crushed; parighaiH= by iron bars; daaritaaH= (others) torn; bhindipaalaishcha= by harpoons; kechit= some; mathitaaH= were pierced; paTTishaiH= by javelins; vihvalantaH= were exhausted; gataasavaH= and lost their lives.

Some were crushed by iron bars, others torn by harpoons, some others pierced by javelins, all exhausted and lost their lives.

kecid vinihataa bhuumau rudhira aardraa vana okasaH |
kecid vidraavitaa naSTaah samkruddhai raakSasair yudhi || 6-52-21

21. vinihataaH= slain; yudhi= in battle; samkR^iddhaiH= by infuriated; raakSasaiH= demons; kechit= some; vanaukasaH= monkeys; rudhiraadraaH= drenched with blood; bhuumau= fell on the ground; kechit= some others; naSTaaH= disappeared; vidraavitaaH= having been driven away.

Slain in battle by infuriated demons, some monkeys, drenched with blood, fell on the ground and some others disappeared, having been driven away.

vibhinna hR^idayaaH kecid eka paarshvena shaayitaaH |
vidaarita astra shuulai ca kecid aantrair vinisrutaaH || 6-52-22

22. vibhinna hR^idayaaH= with pierced hearts; kechit= some (monkeys); shaayitaaH= were made to lie down; ekapaarshvena= on one side; kechit= some; vidaaritaaH= were torn asunder; tshuulaiH= by tridents; aantraiH= and their intestines; viniH sR^itaaH= came out.

With pierced hearts, some monkeys were made to lie down on one side. Some were torn asunder by tridents that even their intestines came out.

tat subhiimam mahad yuddham hari raakasa samkulam |
prababhau shastra bahulam shilaa paadapa samkulam || 6-52-23

23. tat yuddham= that battle; mahat= which was mighty; prababhau= flashed; subhiimam= quite terribly; hariraakSasa samkulam= intense between monkeys and demons; shilaapaadapa samkulam= crammed with rocks and trees; shastra bahulam= and multitude of weapons.

That mighty battle assumed most awful proportions in that monkeys and demons were crammed with rocks, trees and multitude of weapons.

dhanur jyaa tantri madhuram hikkaa taala samanvitam |
mandra stanita samgiitam yuddha gaandharvam aababhau || 6-52-24

24. tat= that; yuddha gaandharvam= combat in the form of a symphony ababhau= diffused; madhuram= sweet with (the sounds of) bow-strings; hikkaataala samanvitam= with neighing of the horses as rhythms; mandastanita giitam= and vocal music in the form of trumpeting of elephants.

With the bow-strings as the tuneful lute, the neighing of horses as a measure rhythm and the trumpeting of elephants as the vocal music, the whole battle resembled a symphony.

dhuumra akSas tu dhanuS paaNir vaanaraan raNa muurdhani |
hasan vidraavayaam aasa dishas taan shara vR^iSTibhiH || 6-52-25

25. dhuumraakSastu= Dhumraksha on his part; dhanuSpaaNiH= wielding a bow in his hand; hasan= laughing; raNa muurdhani= at the battle-front; vidraayaamaasa taan vaanaraan= made those monkeys to run away; dishaH= to (all) quarters; sharavR^iSThibhiH= by a shower of his arrows.

Dhumraksha on his part, wielding a bow in his hand and laughing at the battle-front, made those monkeys to run away to all the quarters by a shower of his arrows.

dhuumra akSeNa arditam sainyam vyathitam dR^ishya maarutiH |
abhyavartata samkruddhah pragR^ihya vipulaam shilaam || 6-52-26

26. prekSya= seeing; sainyam= the army; vyathitam= perturbed; arditam= and being tormented; dhuumraakSeNa= by Dhumraksha; maarutiH= Hanuman; samkruddhaH= was enraged; abhyavartata= and turned towards him; pragR^ihya= taking; vipulaam= a gigantic; shilaam= rock.

Seeing the army perturbed due to tormented by Dhumraksha, Hanuman was enraged and turned towards him, taking a gigantic rock in his hands.

krodhaad dviguNa taamra akSah pitR^i tulya paraakramaH |
shilaam taam paatayaam aasa dhuumra akSasya ratham prati || 6-52-27

27. tulya paraakramaH= Hanuman, who was equal in strength; pituH= to his father; dviguNa taamraakSah= with his eyes doubly red; krodhaat= due to anger; paatayaamaasa= threw down; taam shilaan= that rock; ratham prati= towards the chariot; dhuumraakSasya= of Dhumraksha.

Hanuman, who was equal in strength to his father, with his eyes inflamed with anger, flung the rock on the chariot of Dhumraksha.

aapatantiim shilaam dR^iSTvaa gadaam udyamya sambhramaat |
rathaad aaplutya vegena vasudhaayaam vyatiSThata || 6-52-28

28. dR^iSTvaa= behold; aapantantiim= the befalling; shilaam= rock; (Dhumraksha) udyamya= lifting; gadaam= his mace; sambhramaat= hurriedly; aaplutya= jumped down; vegena= speedily; rathaat= from the chariot; vyatiSThata= and stood; vasudhyaam= on the earth.

Beholding the befalling rock, Dhumraksha lifting his mace hurriedly, jumped down speedily from the chariot and stood there on the earth.

saa pramathya ratham tasya nipapaata shilaa bhuvi |
sacakra kuubaram saashvam sadhvajam sashara aasanam || 6-52-29

29. saa shilaa= that rock; pramathya= shattered; tasya= his; ratham= chariot; sa chakra kubera mukham= along with banner; sasharaasanam= and bows; nipapaata= and rolled down; bhuvi= to the ground.

Shattering his chariot with its wheels, its pole, its crest along with banner and bows, that rock rolled down to the ground.

sa bhanktvaa tu ratham tasya hanuumaan maaruta aatmajaH |
rakSasaam kadanam cakre saskandha viTapair drumaiH || 6-52-30

30. saH hanumaan= That Hanuma; maarutaatmajaH= the son of Maruta; bhaN^ktyaa= breaking; tasya= his; ratham= chariot; chakre= caused; kadanam= the destruction; rakSasaam= of demons; drumaiH= by the use of trees; saskandha viTapaiH= with their branches and shoots.

Thereafter, Hanuman the son of Maruta (the wind-god), after breaking the chariot, destroyed the demons with trunks of trees furnished with their branches.

vibhinna shiraso bhuutvaa raakSasaah shoNita ukSitaaH |
drumaiH pramathitaasH ca anye nipetur dharaNii tale || 6-52-31

31. vibhinna shirasaH= with their crushed heads; raakSasaaH= the demons; bhuutvaa= became; rudhirokSitaaH= drenched with blood; anye= some others; pramathitaaH= crunched; drumaiH= by trees; nipetuH= fell; dharaNiitale= on the ground.

With their heads crushed, the demons were drenched with blood. Some others were crunched by the trees and fell down to the earth.

vidraavya raakSasam sainyam hanuumaan maaruta aatmajaH |
gireH shikharam aadaaya dhuumra akSam abhidudruve || 6-52-32

32. hanumaan= Hanuma; maarutaatmajaH= sainyam= the army; raakSasam= of demons; aadaaya= and taking shikharam= the peak; gireH= of a mountain; abhidudruve= ran towards; dhuumraakSam= Dhumraksha.

Having driven away the army of demons, Hanuma born of Maruta, breaking off the peak of a mountain, ran towards Dhumraksha.

tam aapatantam dhuumra akSo gadaam udyamya viiryavaan |
vinardamaanaH sahasaa hanuumantam abhidravat || 6-52-33

33. viiryavaan= the valiant; dhuumraakSaH= Dhumraksha; udyamya= lifted; gadaam= his mace; vinardamaanaH= making a roaring sound; abhidravat= ran; tam hanumantam= towards that Hanuma; aapatantam= attacking on him; sahasaa= suddenly.

The valiant Dhumraksha lifted his mace and making a roaring sound, ran towards that Hanuman who was rushing on him suddenly.

tataH kruddhas tu vegena gadaam taam bahu kaNTakaam |
paatayaam aasa dhuumra akSo mastake tu hanuumataH || 6-52-34

34. atha= thereafter; dhuumraakSaH= Dhumraksha; roSeNa= with an outrage; paatayaamaasa= stroke down; taam gadaam= that mace; bahukaNTakaam= with spikes; mastake= on the head; tasya hanuumataH= of that Hanuman.

Thereafter, Dhumraksha with an outrage, brought down that mace studded with countless spikes on the head of that Hanuma.

taaDitah sa tayaa tatra gadayaa bhiima ruupayaa |
sa kapir maaruta balas tam prahaaram acintayan || 6-52-35
dhuumra akSasya shiro madhye giri shR^ingam apaatayat |

35. saH kapiH= that Hanuman; saH= the famous one; maaruta balaH= with an energy similar to the wind; taaDitaH= struck; tatra= there; tayaa gadayaa= by that mace; bhiimavegayaa= with a terrific velocity; achintayan= disregarding; tam prahaaram= that blow; apaatayat= threw down; girishR^iN^gam= his rocky peak; shiromadhye= on the middle of the skull; dhuumraakSasya= of Dhumraksha.

That Hanuman, who was endowed with an energy similar to the wind, was in no way disturbed by that blow but struck Dhumraksha on the middle of his skull with his rocky peak.

sa vihvalita sarva ango giri shR^ingeNa taaDitaH || 6-52-36
papaata sahasaa bhuumau vikiirNa;iva parvataH |

36. saH= that Dhumraksha; taaDitaH= struck; girishR^iN^gena= by the rocky peak; visphaarita sarvaaNgaH= having his shattered limbs; sahasaa= soon; papaata= fell down; bhuumau= on the ground; parvataH iva= like a mountain; vikiirNaH= crumbling.

That Dhumraksha, struck by the rocky peak, which shattered all his limbs, soon fell down on the ground like a mountain crumbling.

dhuumra akSam nihatam dR^iSTvaa hata sheSaa nishaa caraaH || 6-52-37
trastaaH pravivishur lankaam vadhyamaanaaH plavam gamaiH |

37. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; dhuumrakSam= Dhumraksha; nihatam= having been killed; nishaacharaaH= the demons; hata sheSaaH= left surviving; trastaaH= were frightened; vadhyamaanaaH= being killed; plavaN^gamaiH= by the monkeys; pravivishuH= entered; laN^kaam= Lanka.

Seeing Dhumraksha having been killed, the demons left surviving were frightened of being killled by the monkeys and re entered Lanka.

sa tu pavana suto nihatya shatrum |
kSataja vahaah saritash ca samvikiirya |
ripu vadha janita shramo mahaatmaa |
mudam agamat kapibhish ca puujyamaanaH || 6-52-38

38. saH= that; mahaatmaa= illustrious; pavanasutaH= Hanuma the son of Pavana; nihatya= having killed; shatruun= his enemies; vahaaH= causing; saritashcha= rivers; kSataja= of blood; samvikiirya= to flow; ripu vadhajanita= shramaH= weary of slaughter of enemies; mudam= with delight; agamat= received; supuujyamaanaH= the cordial felicitations; kapibhiH= by the monkeys.

That illustrious Hanuman the son of Pavana having destroyed his enemies, causing rivers of blood to flow, weary of slaughter of the enemies, with delight, received the cordial felicitations by the monkeys.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe dvipaJNchashaH sargaH

Thus completes 52nd 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] 53

Introduction

Ravana sends Vajradamstra, another demon to kill Rama, Sugreeva and his monkeys. Vajradamstra and his army emerge from the southern gate where Angada, the General of the Monkeys is stationed. The monkeys had a tough fight with the demons. Angada, the leader of the monkeys strikes the terrible strong demons, chopping off their heads.

dhuumraakSaM nihatam dR^iSTvaa raavaNo raakSaseshvaraH |
krodhena mahataaviSTo niHshvasannurago yathaa || 6-53-1
diirghamuSTaM viniHshvasya krodhena kaluSiikR^itaH |
abraviidaakSasaM kruuraM vajradaMSTraM mahaabalam || 6-53-2

1, 2. shrutvaa= hearing; dhuumraakSam= Dhumraksha; nihatam= having been killed; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakSasesvaraH= the king of demons; aaviSTaH= was possessed; krodhena= of anger; mahataa= greatly; niHshvasan= hissing; urago yathaa= like a serpent; viniHshvasya= sighing; diirgham= long; uSNam= and hot; kaluSikR^itaH= and polluted; krodhena= by anger; abraviit= spoke; vajradamSTram= to Vajradamshtra; raakSasam= a demon; kruuram= who was cruel; mahaabalam= and mighty.

Hearing the death of Dhumraksha, Ravana the King of demons was possessed of anger and began to hiss like a serpent. Polluted by anger, with long and burning sighs, he addressed the cruel and mighty Vajradamshtra, a demon (as follows)

gachchhatvaM viira niryaahi raakSanaiH parivaaritaH |
jahi daasharathiM raamaM sugriivaM vaanaraiH saha || 6-53-3

3. viira= O, warrior!; tvam= you; gachha= proceed niryaahi= go ahead; parivaaritaH= surrounded; raakSasaiH= by demons; jahi= slay; raamam= Rama; daasharathim= the son of Dasaratha; sugriivam= Sugriiva; vaanaraiH saha= along with his monkeys!

"O, warrior! Go ahead as the head of the demons and slay Rama the son of Dasaratha, as also Sugreeva and his monkeys!"

tathetyuktvaa krutataraM maayaavii raakSaseshvaraH |
nirjagaama balaiH saarthaM bahubhiH parivaaritaH || 6-53-4
naagairashvaiH kharairuSTraiH saMyuktaH susamaahitaH |
pataakaadhvajachitraishcha rathaishcha samalaMkR^itaH || 6-53-5

4, 5. raakSaseshvaraH= that leader of the demons; maayaavii= a conjurer; uktvaa= saying; tathaa it= "So it be" parivaaritaH= surrounded; bahubhiH= by many; balaiH saardham= along with the army; samyuktaH= accompanied; naagaiH= by elephants; ashvaiH= horses; kharaiH= mules; uSTraiH= camels; rathaiH= and chariots; pataakadhvajachitraiH= conspicuous with flags and banners; nirjagaama= set out; susamaahitaH= with a well-attentive mind; samalankR^itaH= and well-prepared.

"So it be" answered the leader of the demons who was a conjurer and departed with many divisions of the army that surrounded him. With the utmost attention, he assembled teams of elephants, horses mules camels and chariots adorning them with conspicuous flags and banners and he himself was well-prepared.

tato vichitrakeyuuramukuTena vibhuuSitaH |
tanutraM cha samaavR^itya sadhanurniryayau drutam || 6-53-6

6. tataH= then; vibhuuSitaH= adorned; vichitra keyuura mukuTena= with colourful bracelets and a diadem; samaavR^itya= well-covered; tanutramcha= by an armour; sadhanuH= along with a bow; (he); drutam= immediately; nirvayau= started.

Adorned with colourful bracelets and a diadem, Vajradamshtra set out immediately, wielding a bow and well-covered by an armour.

pataakaalaMkR^itaM diiptaM taptakaaJNchanabhuuSitam |
ratham pradakSiNam kR^itvaa samaarohachchamuupatiH || 6-53-7

7. chamnupatiH= that army-general; pradakSiNam kR^itvaa= circumambulated; samaarohat= and ascended; ratham= his chariot; pataakaalamkR^itam= decorated with flags; diiptam= and shiningly; tapta kaan^chana bhuuSitam= adorned with pure gold.

That army-general circumambulated and ascended his chariot, duly decorated with flags and shiningly adorned with purpose.

yaSTibhistomaraishchitraiH shlakSlaishcha musalairapi |
bhindipaalaishcha chaapaishcha shaktibhiH paTTishairapi || 6-53-8
khaDgaishchakrairgadaabhishcha nishitaishcha parashvadhaiH |
padaatayashcha niryaanti vividhaaH shastrapaaNayaH || 6-53-9

8, 9. padaatayashcha= Infantry; vividhaaH= of every kind; niryaanti= issued forth; shastra paaNayaH= furnished in hand with weapons; yaSTabhiH= (such as) clubs; chitraiH= excellent; tomaraiH= javelins; shlakSNaiH= smooth; musalairapi= pestles; bhindipaalaishcha= harpoons; chaapaishcha= bows; shaktibhiH= lances; paTTishairapi= spears; khaDgaiH= swords; chakraiH= discus; gadaabhishcha= maces; nishitaiH= and sharp; parashvadhaiH= axes.

Infantry of every kind issued forth, furnished in their hands with weapons such as clubs, excellent javelins, smooth pestles, harpoons, bows, lances, spears, swords, discus, maces and sharp axes.

vichitravaasasaH sarve diiptaa raakSasapuN^gavaaH |
gaja madotkaTaaH shuuraashchalanta iva parvataa || 6-53-10

10. sarve= all; raakSasapuNgaraah= those excellent demons; diiptaaH= in their resplendent; vichitra vaasasaH= and coloured uniforms; shuuraaH= full of strength; (mounted); gajaaH= on elephants; madotkaTaaH= furious with rut; chalantaH= parvataaH iva= resembled moving hills.

All those excellent demons in their resplendent and coloured uniforms, full of strength and mounted on elephants furious with rut, resembled moving mountains.

te yuddhakushalaa ruuDhaastomaraaN^kuvaaH |
anye lakSaNasaMyuktaaH shuuraaruuDhaa mahaabalaaH || 6-53-11

11. te= those elephants; ruuDhaaH= mounted; tomaraaN^kusha paaNibhiH= by warriors bearing lances and goads; yuddha kushalaaH= were skilled in was-fare; anye= some other elephants; lakSaNa samyuktaaH= having good qualities; shuuraaruuDhaaH= mounted by valiant demons; mahaabalaaH= were mighty in strength.

All those excellent demons in their resplendent and coloured uniforms, full of strength and mounted on elephants furious with rut, resembled moving mountains.

tadraakSasabalaM sarvaM viprasthitamashobhata |
praavR^iTkaale yathaa meghaa nardamaanaaH savidyutaH || 6-53-12
niHsR^itaa dakSiNadvaaraadaN^gado yatra yuuthapaH |

12. tat= that; sarvam= whole; raakSasa balam= army of demons; viprasthitam= paraded; ashobhata= looking as brilliant; meghaaH yathaa= as the clouds; savidyutaH= with lightning; nardamaanaaH= and sound; praavR^itaa= they emerged; dakSiNa dvaaraat= from the southern gate; yatra= where; yuuthapaH= the General; aNgadaH= Angada ( is stationed).

That whole army of demons paraded, looking as brilliant as the clouds, with lightning and sound in the rainy season. They emerged from the southern gate where the General Angada is stationed.

teSaaM niSkramamaaNaanaamashubhaM samajaayata || 6-53-13
aakaashaadvighanaattiivraadulmukaa nyapataMstadaa |
vamantaH paavakajvaalaaH shivaa ghoraa vavaashire || 6-53-14

13, 14. teSaam= (While) those demons; niSkramaaNaam= set forth; ashubham= inauspicious portents; ajaayata= appeared; tadaa= then; vighanaat= from a cloudless; tiivraat= yet burning; aakaashaat= sky; ulmukaani= meteors; apatan= fell; ghoraaH= fearful; shiraaH= jackals; vavaashire= (emitting) their howls; vamantaH= belched forth; paavakajraalaaH= flames and fire.

While those demons set forth, inauspicious portents appeared. From a cloudless yet burning sky, meteors fell. Fearful jackals, emitting their howls, belched forth flames and fire.

vyaaharanta mR^igaa ghoraa rakSasaaM nidhanaM tadaa |
samaapatanto yodhaastu praaskhalaMstatra daaruNam || 6-53-15

15. ghoraaH= the dreadful; mR^igaaH= animals; tadaa= then; vyaaharanta= foretold; midhanam= teh destruction; rakSasaam= of the demons; yodhaastu= the warriors; samaapatantaH= entering the combat; praaskhalam= stumbled; tatra= there daaruNam= miserably.

The dreadful beasts then foretold destruction of demons, who while entering the combat, stumbled miserably.

etaanautpaatikaan dR^iSTvaa vajradaMSTro mahaabalaH |
dhairyamaalambya tejasvii nirjagaama raNotsukaH || 6-53-16

16. dR^iSTvaa= (Even after) seeing; etaan= these; outpaatikaan= portents; vajradamSTraH= Vjradamshtra; mahaabalaH= of exceeding prowess; tejasvii= and sharpness; aalambhya= shored up; dhairyam= courage; nirjagaama= and set out (for the combat); roNotsukaH= being fond of the battle.

Ever after seeing these portents Vajradamshtra of exceeding prowess and sharpness, shored up courage and being fond of battle, set out for the combat.

taaMstu niSkramato dR^iSTvaa vaanaraa jitakaashinaH |
praNeduH sumahaanaadaan puurayaMshcha disho dashaH || 6-53-17

17. vaanaraaH= the monkeys; jitakaashinaH= burning for victory; dR^iSTvaa= seeing; taan= then; niSkramataH= advancing; praNeduH= sounded; sumahaanaadaan= very great noises; puurayamshcha= and filled; dasha= the ten; dishaH= quarters.

The monkeys, burning for victory, seeing their enemies advancing, made tremendous shouts which echoed every quarter.

tataH pravR^ittaM tumulaM hariiNaaM raakSasaiH saha |
ghoraaNaam bhiimaruupaaNaamanyonyavadhakaankSiNaam || 6-53-18

18. tataH= thereafter; tumulam= a tumultuous battle; pravR^ittam= occured; hariiNaam= (between) monkeys; tathaa= and; rakSasaam= demons; ghoraaNaam= who were cruel; bhiima ruupaaNaam= of fearful forms; anyonya vadhakaaNkSiNaam= and desirous of killing each other.

Thereafter, a tumultuous battle ensured between the monkeys and the demons, who were cruel, of ferocious form and desirous of each other's destruction.

niSpatanto mahotsaahaa bhinnadehashorodharaaH |
rudhirokSitasarvaaN^gaa nyapatandharaNiitale || 6-53-19

19. mahotsaahaaH= some warriors of great energy; niSpatantaH= coming for war; bhinna deha shirodharaaH= their necks and bodies severed; nyapatan= fell; dharaNiitale= to the surface of the earth; rudhirokSi ta sarvaaNgaaH= their entire body bathed in blood.

Some warriors of great energy, coming for war, their necks, and bodies severed, fell to the surface of the earth, their entire bodies bathed in blood.

kechidanyonyamaasaadya shuuraaH parighapaaNayaH |
chikSipurvividhaan shastraansamareSvanivartinaH || 6-53-20

20. kechit shuuraaH= some warriors; anivartinaH= who did not turn back; samre= in battle; parighapaaNayaH= with arms resembling steel; aasaadya= approached; anyonyam= each other; chikSipuH= and threw; vividhaan= various kinds; shastraan= of weapons.

Some other warriors, who did not turn back in battle, with arms resembling steel, approached one another, attacking with various kinds of weapons.

drumaaNaaM cha shilaanaaM cha shastraaNaaM chaapi niHsvanaH |
shruuyate sumahaaMstatra ghoro hR^idayabhedanaH || 6-53-21

21. sumahaan= an extremely great; ghoraH= and terrible sound; hR^idaya bhedanaH= breaking the hearts; shruuyate= was heard; tatra= there; drumaaNaam= of trees; shilaanaam cha= rocks; shastraaNaam cha api= and even weapons.

An extremely great and terrible noise, breaking the hearts, was heard there from trees, rocks and weapons.

rathanemi svanastatra dhanuSashchaapi ghoravat || 6-53-22
shaN^khabheriimR^idaN^ganaaM babhuuva tumulaH svanaH |

22. ghoravat= a terrific; rathanemi svnaH= noise of the wheel-rims of chariots; dhanushchaapi= the bow; tumulaH= the shaN^kha bheriimR^idaN^gaanaam= of couches, kettle-drums and tabours; babhuuva= arose; tatra= there.

A terrific noise of the wheel-rims of chariots and the bow, along with the tumultuous sounds of couches, kettle-drums and tabours arose there.

kechidastraaNi saMtyajya baahuyuddhamakurvata || 6-53-23
talaishcha charaNaishcaapi muSTibhishcha drumairapi |
jaanubhishcha hataaH kechidbhagnadehaashca raakSasaaH || 6-53-24
shilaabhishchuurNitaaH kechidvaanarairyuddhadurmadaiH |

23, 24. kechit= some demons; samtyajya= leaving; astraaNi= weapons; akurvata= performed; baahuyuddham= battle with their arms; raakshasaaH= the demons; hataaH= were beaten; bhagnadehaaH= and their bodies made fragmented; vaanaraiH= by the monkeys; yuddha durmadaiH= of fighting arrogance; talaishcha= with their palms; charaNaishcha= feet; muSTibhishcha= fists; drumairapi= even trees; jaanubhishcha= knees; kechit= some; chuurNitaa= were crushed to powder; shilaabhiH= by rocks.

Some demons, leaving weapons, performed battle with their arms. The demons were beaten and their bodies made fragmented by the monkeys of fighting arrogance, with their palms, feet, fists, trees and knees. Some demons were crushed to powder with rocks.

vajradaMSTro bhR^ishaM baanai raNe vitraasayan hariin || 6-53-25
chchaara lokasamhaare paashahasta ivaantakaH |

25. bhR^isham= tremendously; vitraayasan= frightening; hariin= the monkeys; raNe= in the battle; baaNaiH= by his arrows; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamshtra; chachaara= moved himself; antakaH iva= like Yama the God of Death; loka samhaare= at the time of destroying the words; paasha hastaH= with a noose in his hand.

Tremendously frightening the monkeys in the battle by his arrows, Vajradamshtra moved himself in the battle-field like Yama the God of Death moving at the time of dissolution of the worlds, wielding a noose in his hand.

balavanto.astraviduSo naanaapraharaNaa raNe || 6-53-26
jaghnarvaanarasainyaani raakSasaaH krodhamuurchitaaH |

26. balavantaH= the strong; raakSasaH= demons; astra vidiSaH= skilled in weaponry; naanaa praharaNaaH= and wielding various kinds of weapons; jaghnuH= killed; vaanara sainyaani= the army of monkeys; raNe= in the battle; krodha muurchitaaH= with their increased anger.

The strong demons skilled in weaponry and wielding various kinds of weapons, killed the army of monkeys in that battle, with their increased anger.

jaghne taan raakSasaan sarvaan dhR^iSTo vaalisuto raNe || 6-53-27
krodhena dviguNaaviSTaH saMvartaka ivaanalaH |

27. dhR^iSTaH= the courageous; vaalisutaH= Angada, the son of Vali; dviguNaaviSTaH= twice possessed krodhena= by anger; jaghne= killed; sarvaan= all; taan= those; raakSasaan= demons; raNe= in the battle; samvartake analaH iva= like a world destroying fire.

The courageous Angada the son of Vali, twice possessed of anger, killed all those demons in the battle, like a world-destroying fire.

taan raakSasagaNaan sarvaanvaR^ikSamudyamya viiryavaan || 6-53-28
aN^gadah krodhataamraakSaH simhah kSudramR^igaaniva |
chakaara kadanam ghoram shakratulyaparaakramaH || 6-53-29

28, 29. viiryavaan= the valiant; aNgadaH= Angada; krodhataamraakSaH= with his raging red eyes; udyamya= lifted; vR^ikSam= a tree; (jaghaana= killed); sarvaan= all; taan= those; raakSasagaNaan= troops of demons; sihaH iva= like a lion (killing); kSudramR^igaan= small animals; shakratulya paraakramaH= Angada, with his prowess resembling that of Indra the Lord of celestials; chakaara= made; ghoram= a terrific kadanam= destroyer of the enemies.

The valiant Angada with his raging red eyes lifted a tree and killed all those troop of demons, like a lion killing small animals. Angada, with his prowess resembling that of Indra the Lord of celestials, brought about a terrific destroyer of the enemies.

aN^gadaabhihataastatta raakSasaa bhiimavikramaaH |
vibhinnashirasaH peturnikR^ittaa iva paadapaaH || 6-53-30

30. bhiima vikramaaH= the terribly strong; raakSasaaH= demons; aN^gadaabhihataaH= struck by Angada; tatra= there; vibhinna shirasaH= with their heads shattered; petuH= fell down; paadapaaH iva= like trees; nikR^ittaaH= chopped off.

The terribly strong demons, struck by Angada there, had their heads shattered and fell down like chopped off trees.

rathaishchitrairdhyajairashvaiH shariirhairarirakSasaam |
rudhiraugheNa saMchannaa bhuumirbhayakaraa tadaa || 6-53-31

31. bhuumiH= the earth; tadaa= then; bhayakaraa= appeared fearful; samchannaa= being covered; rathaiH= with chariots; chitraiH= conspicuous; dhvajaiH= flags; ashvaiH= horses; shariiraiH= bodes; harirakSasaam= of monkeys and demons; rudhirougheNa= with streams of blood.

The earth then appeared fearful, it being covered with chariots, conspicuous flags, horses, bodies of monkeys and demons with streams of blood flowing there.

haarakeyuuravastraishcha chatraishcha samalamkR^itaa |
bhuumirbhaati raNe tatra shaaradiiva yathaa nishaa || 6-53-32

32. bhuumiH= the earth; samalamkR^itaa= decorated; raNe= in battle; tatra= there; haara keyuura vastraishcha= with necklaces, bracelets worn on upper arm, garments, chatraishcha= and umbrellas; bhaati= shone; shaaradii nisheva yathaa= like an autumnal night.

That battle-field, decorated with necklaces, bracelets worn on upper arm, garments and umbrellas looked like an autumnal night.

aN^gadasya cha vegena tadraakSasabalam mahat |
praakampata tadaa tatra pavanenaambudo yathaa || 6-53-33

33. vegena= by swiftness; aN^gadasya= of Angada; tat= that; mahat= great; raakSasabalam= army of demons; tatra= there; praakampata= trembled; tadaa= then; ambudoyathaa= like a cloud; vegena= by the swiftness; pavanena= of wind.

By the swiftness of Angada, that great army of demons there trembled then, like a cloud by the swiftness of wind.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddha kaaNDe tripaJNchashaH sargaH

Thus completes 53rd 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] 54

Introduction

The powerful demon Vajradamshtra penetrated the army of monkeys, sowing terror among them. The monkeys then sought refuge with Angada the monkey-leader. A fierce battle ensues between Vajradamshtra and Angada. Angada assaults Vajradamshtra with a sword and Vajradamshtra's head falls on the ground.

svabalasya cha ghaatena aN^gadasya balena cha |
raaSasaH krodhamaaviSTo vajradaMSTro mahaabalaH || 6-54-1

1. mahaabalaH= the mighty; raakSasaH= demon; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamshtra; aaviSTaH= got; krodham= angry; ghaatena= by the devastation; svabalasya= of his own army; balenacha= by the prowess; aN^gadasya= of Angada.

The devastation of his army through Angada's prowess filled the mighty Vajradamstra with anger.

visphaarya cha dhanurghoraM shakraashanisamaprabham |
vaanaraaNaamaniikaani praakirachchharavR^iSTibhiH || 6-54-2

2. visphaarya= stretching; ghoram= his terrific; dhanuH= bow; shakraashani= samaprabham= which had a spledour equal to that of the thunderbolt of Indra the Lord of celestials; praakirat= (he) hurled; shara vR^iSTibhiH= a flood of arrows; aniikaani= on the army; vaanaraNaam= of monkeys.

Stretching his terrific bow, like unto Indra's thunder bolt, he assailed the monkey battalions with a flood of arrows.

raakSasaashcaapi mukhyaaste rathaishcha samavasthitaaH |
naanaapraharaNaaH shuuraaH praayudhyanta tadaa raNe || 6-54-3

3. te= those; shuuraaH= valiant; mukhyaaH= leaders; raakSasashchaapi= of demons also; samavasthitaaH= coming rathaiH= in chariots; tadaa= then; praayudhyanta= fought; raNe= in the battle; naanaapracharaNaaH= with many types of weapons.

Then, the foremost of the demons mounted on chariots, fought the battle with every kind of weapon.

vaanaraaNaam cha shuuraastu te sarve plavagarSabhaaH |
aayudhyanta shilaahastaH samavetaaH samantataH || 6-54-4

4. sarve= all; te plavagottamaaH= those best among the monkeys; samavetaaH= assembled; samantataH= on all sides; ayudhyanta= fought; shilaahastaaH= with rocks in their hands.

The monkeys, those valiant bulls among the Plavagas, assembling on all sides, fought with rocks.

tatraayudhasahasraaNi tasminnaayodhane bhR^isham |
raakSasaaH kapimukhyeSu paatayaaMchakrire tadaa || 6-54-5

5. tadaa= then; tasmin= in that; ayodhane= battle; tatra= there; raakSasaaH= the demons; paatayaam chakrire= hurled; bhR^isham= abundantly; aayudha sahasraaNi= thousands of weapons; kapimukhyeSu= on the foremost of monkeys.

Then in that battle there, the demons abundantly hurled thousands of weapons on the foremost of monkeys.

vaanaraashcaiva rakSasu girivR^ikSaan mahaashilaaH |
praviiraaH paatayaamaasurmattavaaraNasamnibhaaH || 6-54-6

6. vaanaraashchaiva= the monkeys too; praviiraaH= of mighty prowess; matta vaaraNa samnibhaaH= resembling elephants in rut; paatayaamaasuH= hurled; girivR^ikSaan= mountains, trees; mahaashilaaH= and great rocks; rakSaH su= on the demons.

The monkeys of mighty prowess, resembling elephants in rut, showered down giant trees and huge lumps of rock on the demons.

shuuraaNaam yudhyamaanaanaam samareSvanivartnaam |
tadrakSasagaNaanaam cha syuddhaM samavartata || 6-54-7

7. shuuraaNaam= between those courageous warriors; raakSasagaNaanaam= troops of demons and monkeys; yuddhamaanaam= who were performing battle; anivartinaam= who never retreated; samareSu= in battle; tat= that; suyuddham= tremendous struggle; samavartate= ensued.

Between those courageous warriors, the demons and the monkeys, who never retreated in battle, a tremendous struggle ensued.

prabhagnashirasaH kechichhinnaiH paadaishcha baahubhiH |
sastrairarditadehaastu rudhireNa samukSitaaH || 6-54-8
harayo raakSasaashchaina sherate gaam samaashritaaH |
kaN^kagR^idhraabalaaDhyashcha gomaayukulasaMkulaaH || 6-54-9

8, 9. kechit= some; harayaH= monkeys; raakSasaashchaiva= and demons; prabhagna shirasaH= with shattered heads; chhinnaiH paadaiH= cut feet baahubhiH= and hands ardita dehaaH= bodies wounded; shastraiH= by weapons; samukSitaaH= dampened; rudhireNa= with blood; kaN^ka gR^idhhraa baaDhyaashcha= surrounded by groups of herons vultures and crows; gomaayukula samkulaaH= as also surrounded by groups of jackals; sherate= lied down; samaashritaaH= taking refuge; gaam= on the earth.

Some monkeys and demons, with their shattered heads, but bereft of arms and legs, lay on the earth bathed in blood with their bodies wounded by weapons, a prey to herons vultures and crows or devoured by troops of jackals.

kabandhaani samutpeturbhiimaaNaam bhiiSaNaani vai |
bhujapaaNishirashchhinnaashchhinnakaayaashcha bhuutale || 6-54-10
vaanaraa raakSasaashcaapi nipetustatra bhuutale |

10. vaanaraaH= monkeys; raakSasashchaapi= and demons; nipetuH= fell; bhuutale= on the surface of the earth; bhujapaaNi shirashchhinnaaH= with their arms, hands and heads severed; chhinna kaayaashcha= and their limbs hacked to pieces.

Monkeys and demons fell on the battle-field; headless trunks leaps up to the terror of all the fearful, their limbs hacked to pieces in the combat.

tato vaanarasainyena hanyamaanam nishaacharam || 6-54-11
praabhajyata balaM sarvaM vajradaMSTrasya pashyata |

11. tataH= thereafter; sarvam balam= all the army; nishaacharam= of demons; hanyamaanam= was killed; vaanara sainyena= by the monkey troops; praabhajyata= and broken up; (while) vajradamSTrasya= Vajradamshtra; pushyataH= was witnessing.

Thereafter, under the eyes of Vajradamshtra, all his army of demons were killed and broken up by the monkey-troops.

raakSasaan bhayavitrastaan hanyamaanaan plavaN^gamaiH || 6-54-12
dR^iSTvaa sa roSataamraakSo vajradaMSTraH prataapavaan |
pravivesha dhanuSpaaNi straasayan harivaahiniim || 6-54-13

12, 13. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; raakSasaan= the demons; bhaya vitrastaan= terrified with fear; plavaN^gamaiH= by the monkeys, saH= that; prataapavaan= powerful; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamshtra; roSa taamraakSaH= his eyes becoming red with anger; dhanuSpaaNiH= and wielding a bow in his hands; pravivesha= penetrated into; harivaahiniim= the army of monkeys; traasayan= frightening them.

Seeing the demons terrified with fear and decimated by the monkeys, that powerful Vajradamshtra, his eyes red with anger, bow in hand, penetrated the army of monkeys, sowing panic among them.

sharairvidaarayaamaasa kaN^kapatrairajihmagaiH |
bibheda vaanaraamstatra saptaSTau nava paJNcha cha || 6-54-14
vivyaadha paramakruddho vajradaMSTraH prataapavaan |

14. paramakruddhaH= getting very angry; prataapavaan= the vigorous; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamshtra; sharaiH= with his arrows; ajihmagaiH= going straight; kaN^kapatraiH= like wings of an eagle; vivyaadha= struck; vidarayaamaasa= and tore asunder; tatra= there; sapta= in sevens; aSTau= in eights; nava= in nines; paNchacha= and in fives.

Thereafter, in his fury, the vigorous Vajradamshtra dispatched those monkeys with arrows resembling wings of an eagle that flew straight to their target and pierced seven, eight, nine or five of his opponents simultaneously, thus destroying them.

trastaaH sarve harigaNaaH sharaiH saMkR^ittadehinaH || 6-54-15
aN^gadaM sampradhaavanti prajaapatimiva prajaaH |

15. trastaaH= frightened; samkR^itta dehinaH= with their severed limbs; sharaiH= due to arrows; sarve= all; harigaNaaH= the monkey troops; sampradhaavanti= ran towards; aN^gadam= Angada; prajaaH iva= as creatures; prajaapati= towards Brahma the Lord of creation.

With their limbs crippled by those arrows and frightened, those monkey battalions sought refuge with Angada, as all creatures with Brahma the Lord of Creation.

tato harigaNaan bhagnaan dR^iSTvaa vaalisutastadaa || 6-54-16
krodhena vajradaMSTram ta mudiikSantamudaikSata |

16. tataH= thereafter; dR^iSTvaa= seeing; bhagnaan= the defeated; harigaNaan= monkey-troops; vaalisutaH= Angada the son of Vali; tadaa= then; udaikSata= beheld; vajradamSTram= Vajradamshtra; udiikSantam= who was seeing; krodhena= with anger.

When he beheld those monkey troops fleeing in disorder, Angada the son Vali exchanged glances of hatred with Vajradamshtra.

vajradamSTro.aN^gadaschobhau yoyudhyete parasparam || 6-54-17
cheratuH paramakruddhau harimattagajaaviva |

17. ubhau= both; vajradamSTraH= Vajradamshtra; aN^gadashcha= and Angada; yoyudhyete= fought; parasparam= against each other; harimattagajaamiva= like a lion and an elephant in rut; cheratuH= and strolled; paramakruddhau= in a tremendous fury.

Both Vajradamshtra and Angada fought against each other like a lion and an elephant in rut. They strolled din a tremendous fury.

tataH shatasahasreNa hariputraM mahaabalam || 6-54-18
jaghaana marmadesheSu sharairagnishikhopamaiH |

18. tataH= thereafter; (that Vajradamshtra); jaghaana= knocked; mahaabalam= the mighty; hariputram= Angada; marmadesheSu= at his vulnerable places; sharaiH= with his arrows; shata sahasreNa agni shikhopamaiH= resembling a hundred thousand flames of fire.

Thereafter, that Vajradamshtra knocked the mighty Angada at his vital organs with his arrows resembling hundred thousand flames of fire.

rudhirokSitasarvaaN^go vaalisuunurmahaabalaH || 6-54-19
chikSepa vajradaMSTraya vR^ikSaM bhiimaparaakramaH |

19. rudhirokSita sarvaaNgaH= with all his limbs drenched in blood; mahaabalaH= the mighty; vaalisuunuH= Angada; bhiima paraakramaH= with a terrific prowess; chikSepa= thre; vR^ikSam= a tree; vajradamSTraaya= a Vajradamshtra.

With all his limbs drenched in blood, the mighty Angada having a terrific prowess threw a tree on Vajradamshtra.

dR^iSTvaapatantaM tam vR^ikSamasaMbhraantashcha raakSasaH || 6-54-20
chichheda bahudhaa so.api mathitaH praapatadbhuvi |

20. dR^iSTvaa= beholding; tam= that; aapatantam= befalling; vR^ikSam= tree; raakSasaH= (that) demon; asambharaantaH= unperplexed; chichchhesa= eat (it) off; bahudhaa= in many ways; so.api= It too; madhitaH= being cut off; praapatat= fell; bhuvi= on the ground.

That unperplexed demon, seeing that tree falling on him, cut it into innumerable pieces which fell in heaps on earth.

taM dR^iSTvaa sa rathaadaaplutya viiryavaan || 6-54-21
gadaapaaNirasaMbhraantaH pR^ithivyaaM samatiSThata |

21. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam vikramam= that strength; vajradamSTrasya= of Vajradamshtra; plavagarSabhaH= Angada that lion among the monkeys; pragR^ihya= taking; vipulam= a large; shailam= mountain; chikSepa cha= threw (on him); nanaada cha= and made a loud noise.

Witnessing the strength of Vajradamshtra, Angada that lion among the monkeys seized hold of a large rock and emitting a shout, threw it on him.

tamaapatantaM dR^iSTvaa sa rathaadaaplutya viiryavaan || 6-54-22
gadaapaaNirasaMbhraantaH pR^ithivyaaM samatiSThata |

22. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam= that rock; aapatabtan= coming and falling; saH= Vajradamshtra; viiryavaan= possessing vigour; asambhraantaH= not perplexed; gadaapaaNiH= having mace in his hand; aaplutya= jumping down; rathaat= from his chariot; samatiSThata= stood (there); pR^ithivyaam= on the battle-field.

As the rock descended, that vigorous Vajradamshtra leaping down from his chariot, armed with his mace, stood waiting unperplexed, on the battle-field.

aN^gadena shilaa kSiptaa gatvaa tu raNamuurdhani || 6-54-23
sachakrakuubaraM saashvaM pramamaatha rathaM tadaa |

23. shilaa= the rock; kSiptaa= thrown; aN^gadena= by Angada; gatvaa= going; raNamuurdhani= into the forefront of the battle; tadaa= then; pramamaatha= crushed; ratham= the chariot; sachakra kuubaram= with its wheels, shafts; saashvam= together with horses.

Meanwhile, the rock thrown by Angada, falling into the forefront of the battle, then crushed the chariot with its wheels shafts and horses

tato.anyachchhikharaM gR^ihya vipulaM drumabhuuSitam || 6-54-24
vajradaMSTrasya shirasi paatayaamaasa vaanaraH |

24. tataH= thereafter; vaanaraH= Angada the monkey; gR^ihya= seizing; anyat= another; vipulam= large; shikharam= peak of a mountain; druma bhuuSitam= adorned with trees; paatayaamaasa= threw; shirasi= on the head; vajradamSTrasya= of Vajradamshtra.

Thereafter, Angada the monkey, seizing another large peak of a mountain adorned with trees, threw it on Vajradamshtra's head.

abhavachchhoNitodgaarii vajradaMSTraH sa muurchhitaH || 6-54-25
muuhuurtamabhavanmuuDho gadaamaaliN^gya niHshvasan |

25. shoNitodgaarii= Vomiting the blood; saH vajradamSTraH= that Vajradamshtra; abhavat= became; muurchitaH= fainted; aaliN^gya= clasping; gadaam= his mace; niHshvasan= and breathing out; abhavat= became; muuDhaH= unconscious; muhuurtam= for a moment.

Beginning to vomit blood, Vajradamshtra became fainted, clenching his mace convulsively and breathing heavily for a moment.

saMlabdhasaMjJNo gadayaa vaaliputramavasthitam || 6-54-26
jaghaana paramakruddho vakSodeshe nishaacharaH |

26. sam labdha samjJNaH= regaining his consciousness; nishaacharaH= Vajradamshtra= the demon; parama kR^iddhaH= was very much enraged; jaghaana= and struck; vaaliputram= Angada; avasthitam= standing there; vakSodeshe= on his chest area; gadayaa= with his mace.

Regaining his consciousness, Vajradamshtra the demon was very much enraged and hit Angada full on the chest with his mace.

gadaaM tyaktvaa tatastatra muSTiyuddhamakurvata || 6-54-27
anyonyaM jaghnatustatra taavubhau hariraakSasau |

27. tataH= thereafter; tyaktvaa= leaving; dagaam= his mace; akurvata= (he) performed; muSTiyuddham= a pugilistic encounter; tatra= there; ubhau= both; tau= those; hariraakSasau= monkey and demon; jaghnatuH= hit; anyonyan= each other.

Leaving his mace, he performed a pugilistic encounter there. Both the monkey and the demon thus hit each other in that combat.

rudhirodgaariNau tau tu prahaarairjanitashamau || 6-54-28
babhuuvatuH suvikrantaavaN^gaaraka budhaaviva |

28. janitashramau= exhausted; prahaaraiH= by the blows; rudhirodgaariNau= spitting blood; tau suvikraantau= those valiant warriors; babhuuvatuH= were; aN^gaaraka budhaaviva= like the planets Mars and Mercury.

Exhausted by the blows, spitting blood, those valiant warriors were like the planets Mars and Mercury.

tataH paramatejasvii aN^gadaH plavagarSabhaH || 6-54-29
utpaaTya vR^ikSaM sthitavaan bahupuSpa phalaachitam |

29. tataH= then; aN^gada= Angada; plavaN^ga rSabha= the lion among; paramatejasvii= possessing a great splendour; utpaaTya= uprooted; vR^ikSam= a tree; bahupuSpa phalaachitam= full with many flowers and fruits; sthitavaan= stood waiting.

Then, Angada the lion among the monkeys, possessing a great splendour, uprooted a tree full with many flowers and fruits and stood waiting.

jagraaha chaarSabhaM charma khaDgaM cha vipulaM shubham || 6-54-30
kiN^kiNaajaalasaMbhannam charmaNaa cha pariSkR^itam |

30. jagraaha= (the demon too) seized hold of; charmaNaa= a shield; aarSabham charma= covered with the hide of a bull; vipulam= and a great; shubham= and beautiful; khaDgamcha= sword; pariSkR^itam= decorated; kiNkiNii jaala sampannam= richly with a multitude with a multitude of golden bells.

The demon too seized hold of a shield covered with the hide of a bull as well as a great beautiful sword decorated richly with a multitude of golden bells.

chitraaMshcha ruchiraanmaargaamshceratuH kapiraakSasau || 6-54-31
jaghnatushcha tadaanyonyam nardantau jayaakaaN^ikSiNau |

31. jayaN^kSiNau= with a desire to win; kapiraakSasau= the monkeys and the demons; nardantau= making roaring sounds; tadaa= then; cheratuH= roamed about; chitraan= in different; maargaan= ways; jaghnatushcha= and collided with; anyonyam= each other.

Thirsting for victory, the monkeys and the demons, making roaring sounds, roamed about in different ways and collided with each other.

vraNaiH samuthaiH shobhetaaM puSpitaaviva kimshukau || 6-54-32
yudhyamaanau parishraanau jaanubhyaamavaniim gatau |

32. samutthaiH= with their gaping; vraNaiH= wounds; shobhe taam= (they) shone; kimshukaaviva= like a pair of kimshuka trees; puSpitau= in blossom; yuddhamaanau= while fighting; parishraantau= exhausted they were; gatau= (they) sank; jaanubhyaam= their knees; avaniim= on the earth.

With their gaping wounds, they shone like a pair of kimshuka trees in blossom. Exhausted were both of them while fighting and they sank their knees on the earth.

nimeSaantaramaatreNa aN^gadah kapikuJNjaraH || 6-54-33
udatiSThata diiptaakSo daNDaahata ivoragaH |

33. aN^gadaH= Angada; kapikuN^jaraH= the foremost of the monkeys; nimSaantara maatreNa= just after a moment; diiptaakSaH= with his glittering eyes; udatiSThata= rose up; uragaH iva= like a serpent; daN^DaahataH= struck with a stick.

Angada, the foremost of the monkeys, just after a moment, with his glittering eyes, rose up like a serpent struck with a stick.

nirmalena sudhautena khaDgenaasya mahachchhiraH || 6-54-34
jaghaana vajradaMSTrasya vaalisuunurmahaabalaH |

34. mahaabalaH= the mighty; vaalisuumuH= Angada; jaghaana= assaulted; mahat= the giant; shiraH= head; vajradamSTrasya= of Vajradamshtra; khaDgena= by a sword; sudhautena= well-sharpened; nirmalena= and stainless.

The mighty Angada assaulted the giant head of Vajradamshtra with a well-sharpened and stainless sword.

rudhirokSitagaatrasya babhuuva patitam dvidhaa || 6-54-35
tachcha tasya pariitaakSaM shubham khaDgahatam shiraH |

35. khaDga hatam= hit by the sword; tat= that; shubham= charming; shiraH= head; tasya= of Vajradamshtra; rudhirokSita gaatrasya= with his limbs drenched with blood; pariitaakSam= and his eyes rolling; babhuuva patitam= fell; dvidhaa= into two pieces.

Struck by the sword, that charming head of Vajradamshtra, with his limbs drenched in blood and eyes rolling, fell into two pieces.

vajradaMSTram hatam dR^iSTvaa raakSasaa bhayamohitaaH || 6-54-36
trastahyabhyadravan laN^kaam vadhyamaanaaH plavaN^gamaiH |
viSaNLavadanaa diinaa hriyaa kimchidavaaN^mukhaaH || 6-54-37

36, 37. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; vajradamSTram= Vajradamshtra; hatam= killed; raakSasaaH= the the demons; bhaya mohitaaH= deluded with fear; vadhyamaanaaH= and being herassed; plavaN^gamaiH= by the monkeys; viSaNNavadanaiH= looking dejected; avaaN^gamaiH= and with their down-east faces; kimchit hriyaaH= due to a little of shame; abhyadvavan= made their escape; laN^kaam= to Lanka.

Seeing Vajradamshtra having been slain, the demons, deluded with fear, fled panic-stricken towards Lanka, harassed by the monkeys with their down-cast faces, their heads bowed in shame.

nihatya tam vajradharaprataapaH |
sa vaalisuunuH kapisainyamadhye |
jagaama harSam mahito mahaabalaH |
sahasranetrastridashairivaavR^itaH || 6-54-38

38. mahaabalaH= the mighty; saaH vaali suunuH= that Angada; vajradhara prataapavaan= with a strength of Indra the Lord of celestials; nihatya= having killed; tam= him; mahitaH= and being honoured; kapi sainya madhya= amidst the monkey-forces; jagama= obtained; harSam= joy; sahasranetraHiva= like Lord of a thousand eyes; aavR^itaH= surrounded; tridashaiH= by celestials.

The mighty Angada experienced a great joy amidst the monkey forces, honoured by them for his high courage and he resembled the Lord of a Thousand Eyes surrounded by the celestials.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe chatuHpachaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 54th 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] 55

Introduction

Ravana next sends Akampana for the battle. As Akampana along with his army sets out for the war, he visualized various bad portents. A deadly conflict ensued between monkeys and demons. Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the chiefs of monkeys creates a great carnage among demons

vajradamra akSam nihatam shrutvaa raavaNo raakSasa iishvaraH |
bala adhyakSam uvaaca idam kR^ita anjalim upasthitam || 6-55-1

1. shrutvaa= hearing; vajradamSTram= (that) Vajradamshtra; hatam= was killed; vaaliputreNa= by Angada; raavaNaH= Ravana; uvaacha= spoke; idam= these words; upasthitam= to the nearby; balaadhyakSam= army general; kR^itaaN^jalim= who joined his palms in reverence.

Hearing that Vajradamshtra was killed by Angada, Ravana spoke the following words to the General of his forces who, with joined palms, stood near him.

shiighram niryaantu durdharSaa raakSasaa bhiima vikramaaH |
akampanam puras kR^itya sarva shastra prakovidam || 6-55-2

2. bhiimavikramaaH= (Let) the invincible; raakSasaaH= demons; durdharSaaH= of irresistible courage; niryaantu= go forth; shiighram= soon; akampanam= with Akampana; puraskR^itya= in front; sarva shastraastra kovidam= who is skilled in use of every weapon and missile.

"Let the invincible demons of irresistible courage go forth soon, with Akampana as their head, who is skilled in the use of every weapon and missile."

eSa shaastaa cha goptaa cha netaa cha yudhi sattamaH |
bhuutikaamashcha me nityaM nityam cha samarapriyaH || 6-55-3

3. eSaH= this; sattamaH= excellent demon; shaastaa= is a chastiser; goptaacha= a protector; netaacha= ad a leader; yudhi= in batle; nityam= ever; me bhuutikaamashcha= desiring my welfare; samarapriyaH= and loved war; nityam= forever.

"This excellent demon is a chastiser, a protector and a leader in battle. He ever desired my welfare and always loved war."

eSa jeSyati kaakatthsau sugriivaM cha mahaabalam |
vaanaraamshchaaparaan ghoraan haniSyati na samshayaH || 6-55-4

4. eSaH= He; jeSyati= will prove victorious; haniSyati= and can kill; kaakutsthau= Rama, Lakshmana; mahaabalam= the mighty; sugriivam= Sugreeva; aparaan= and the other; ghoraan= terrific; vaanaraan= monkeys; na= there is no; samshayaH= doubt.

"There is no doubt that he will prove victorious and Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and the other terrible monkeys."

parigR^ihya sa taamaajJNaam raavaNasya mahaabalaH |
balaM samprerayaamaasa tadaa laghuparaakramaH || 6-55-5

5. parigR^ihya= taking; taam= that; aajJNaam= command; raavaNasya= of Ravana; mahaabalaH= the mighty; saH= Akampana; laghuparaakramaH= of quick resolution; tadaa= then; samprerayaamaasa= mobilized; balam= the army.

Taking that command of Ravana, the mighty Akampana of quick resolution then mobilized the army.

tato naanaapraharaNaa bhiimaakSaa bhiimadarshanaaH |
niSpetuu raakSasaa mukhyaa balaadhyakSaprachoditaaH || 6-55-6

6. mukhyaaH raakSasaaH= those foremost of demons; bhiima darshanaaH= of terrifying appearance; naanaapraharaNaaH= furnished with every kind of weapon; bhiimaakSaaH= and fearful to look upon; tataH= thereafter; niSpetuH= rushed into the fray; balaadhyakSaprachoditaaH= where their general had dispatched them.

Those foremost of demons of terrifying appearance, furnished with every kind of weapon and fearful to look upon, rushed into the fray where their general had dispatched them.

rathamaasthaaya vipulaM taptakaaJNchanabhuuSaNam |
meghaabho meghavarNashca meghasvanamahaasvanaH || 6-55-7

7. tadaa= then; akampanaH= Akampana; meghaabhaH= of the stature of a cloud; meghavarNashcha= of the colour of a cloud; meghasvana mahaasvanaH= whose voice resembled thunder; aasthaaya= ascended; vipulam= an extensive; ratham= chariot; tapta kaaN^chana bhuuSaNam= decorated with fine gold; niryaati= and set out; samvR^itaH= surrounded; ghoraiH= by dreadful; raakSasaiH= demons.

Then, Akampana of the stature and colour of a cloud, whose voice resembled a thunder, ascended his great chariot, decorated with fine gold and set out, surrounded by dreadful demons.

na hi kampayitum shakyah suraiR^iapi mahaa mR^idhe || 6-55-8
akampanas tatas teSaam aaditya;iva tejasaa |

8. surairapi= even celestials too; nashakyaH hi= were indeed unable; kampayitum= to upset; akampanaH= Akampana; mahaamR^idhe= in a great battle; tataH= hence; (he) tejasaa= by his splendour; aadityaH iva= was resembling the sun; teSaam= among the demons.

Even celestials were indeed unable to upset Akampana in a great battle. Hence, among the demons, he was shining like the sun, by his splendour.

tasya nidhaavamaanasya samrabdhasya yuyutsayaa || 6-55-9
akasmaad dainyam aagacchadd hayaanaam ratha vaahinaam |

9. tasya= (As) he; nirdhaava maanasya= sped on his way; samrabdhasya= hastening; yuyutsayaa= and eager to enter the battle; hayaanaam= the horses; rathavaahinaam= drawing his chariot; aagachchhat dainyam= were deprived of their energy; akasmaat= suddenly.

As he sped on his way, hastened and eager to enter the battle, the horses drawing his chariot were suddenly deprived of their energy.

vyasphuran nayanam ca asya savyam yuddha abhinandinaH || 6-55-10
vivarNo mukha varNash ca gadgadash ca abhavat svaraH |

10. savyam= the left; nayanam= eye; asya= of Akampana; yudhaabhinandinaH= who delighted in warfare; visphurat= began to twitch; mukhavarNashcha= hs countenance; vivarNaH= grew pale; svanaH= and his voice; abhavat= became; gadgadaH= trembled.

The left eye of Akampana, who delighted in warfare, began to twitch. His countenance grew pale and his voice trembled.

abhavat sudine ca api durdine ruukSa maarutam || 6-55-11
uucuh khagaa mR^igaah sarve vaacah kruuraa bhaya aavahaaH |

11. kaale= at a time; sudine= of a good day (marked by a fine weather); abhavat= it became; durdinam= a day of bad weather; mukSamaarutam= with a bitter wind beginning to blow; khagamR^igaaH= Birds and beasts; uuchuH= uttered; kruuraaH= cruel; bhayaavahaaH= and fearful; vaachaH= cries.

At a time of a good day, marked by fine weather, it turned into a day of bad weather with a bitter wind beginning to blow. Birds and beasts uttered cruel and fearful cries.

sa simha upacita skandhah shaarduula sama vikramaH || 6-55-12
taan utpaataan acintya eva nirjagaama raNa aajiram |

12. saH= that demon; simhaapachita skandhaH= who had the shoulders of a lion; shaarduulasama vikramaH= and the agility of a tiger; avichintyaiva= disregarding; taan= those; utpaataan= portents; nirjagaama= rushed; raNaajiram= towards the battle field.

That demon, who had the shoulders of a lion and the agility of a tiger, disregarding those portents, rushed towards the battle-field.

tadaa nirgacchatas tasya rakSasah saha raakSasaiH || 6-55-13
babhuuva sumahaan naadah kSobhayann iva saagaram |

13. tasya raakSasaH= (while) that demon; raakSasaiH saha= along with other demons; nirgachchhataH= went forward; tathaa= thus; sumahaan naadaH= an immense tumult; babhuuva= arose; khhobhayanmivaa= that seemed to convulse; saagaram= the ocean.

While Akampana advanced thus with his troops, an immense tumult arose that seemed to convulse the ocean.

tena shabdena vitrastaa vaanaraaNaam mahaa camuuH || 6-55-14
druma shaila praharaNaa yoddhum samavatiSThata |

14. tena shabdena= by (hearing) that sound; samupatiSThataam= of the coming demons; yoddhum= for the battle; mahaachamuuH= the huge army; vaanaraaNaam= of the monkeys; druma shailaprahaaraaNaam= moving forward with trees and rocks; vitrastaa= was frightened.

By hearing that clamour of the demons coming for the battle, the huge army of the monkeys, brandishing trees and rocks, was frightened.

teSaam yuddham mahaa raudram samjajne kapi rakSasaam || 6-55-15
raama raavaNayoR^iarthe samabhityakta jiivinaam |

15. mahaaraudram= a highly fierce; yuddham= battle; samjaJNe= occurred; teSaam= between those; kapiraakSasaam= monkeys and demons; samabhityakta jiivinaam= who were ready to lose their lives; raama raavaNayoH arthe= for the sake of Rama and Ravana.

A highly fierce battle ensued between those monkeys and demons, who were ready to lose their lives for the sake of Rama and Ravana.

sarve hy atibalaah shuuraah sarve parvata samnibhaaH || 6-55-16
harayo raakSasaash caiva paraspara jighamsavaH |

16. sarve= all; harayaH= the monkeys; raakSashchaiva= and the demons; paraspara jighaasavaH= who were willing to kill each other; atibalaaH= were very strong; shuuraaH= valiant; sarve= and all; parvata samnibhaaH= were resembling mountains.

All the monkeys and demons, who were willing to kill each other, were very strong and valiant. All were resembling mountains.

teSaam vinardaataam shabdah samyuge atitarasvinaam || 6-55-17
shushruve sumahaan krodhaad anyonyam abhigarjataam |

17. teSaam= their; sumahaan= very great; shabdaH= clamour; vinardataam= yelling; tarasvinaam= with their strength; kopam= in their rage; abhigarjitaam= making savage cries; shushruve= were heard; pamyuge= in that combat.

The tremendous clamour of the aforesaid warriors, yelling in their rage and strength, making savage cries, were distinctly heard on the battle-field.

rajasH ca aruNa varNa aabham subhiimam abhavad bhR^isham || 6-55-18
uddhuutam hari rakSobhiH samrurodha disho dasha |

18. subhiimam= A highly terrible; rajashcha= dust too; bhR^isham aruNa varNaabham= in a thick coppery colour; uddhatam= raised; harirakSobhiH= by the monkeys and demons; abhavata= was found; samrurodha= and enveloped; dasha= the ten; dishaH= quarters.

A highly terrific dust, in a thick coppery colour, raised by the monkeys and demons enveloped all the ten quarters.

anyonyam rajasaa tena kausheya uddhuuta paaNDunaa || 6-55-19
samvR^itaani ca bhuutaani dadR^ishuR^ina raNa ajire |

19. bhuutaani= the beings (combatants); samvR^itaani= enveloped; tena rajasaa= by that dust; kesheyoddhuuta paaNDunaa= which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind; na dadR^ishuH= did not see; anyonyam= each other; raNaajire= in the battle=field.

The combatants, enveloped by that dust, which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind, could no longer distinguish each other on the battle-field.

na dhvajo na pataakaa vaa varma vaa turago api vaa || 6-55-20
aayudham syandanam vaa api dadR^ishe tena reNunaa |

20. na= neither; dhvajaH= standard; pataakaa vaa= banner; na= nor; charma vaa= shield; turago.api vaa= horse; aayudham= weapon; syandanova api= even chariot; (could be seen); tena= in that; reNunaa= dust.

Neither standard, banner and shield, nor horse, weapon and chariot could be discerned in that pall of dust.

shabdasH ca sumahaams teSaam nardataam abhidhaavataam || 6-55-21
shruuyate tumule yuddhe na ruupaaNi cakaashire |

21. sumahaan= a great; tumulaH= tumultuous; shabdashcha= clamour; teSaaM= of warriors; nardataam= making challenging cries; abhidaavataam= and rushing upon each other; shruuyate= was heard; yuddhe= in the battle; ruupaaNi= (yet in the confuison) no forms; nachakaashire= were visible.

A great tumultuous clamour, of warriors, making challenging cries and rushing upon each other, was heard on the battle-field, yet in that confusion, no form was visible.

hariin eva susamkruddhaa harayo jaghnuR^iaahave || 6-55-22
raakSasaash ca api rakSaamsi nijaghnus timire tadaa |

22. tadaa= then; timire= in that darkness; susamruSTaaH= the greatly enraged; harayaH= monkeys; jaghnaH= killed; hariinena= the monkeys themselves; aahave= in the battle; raakSasaaH= the demons; nijaghnuH= killed; raakSasaashchaapi= the demons themselves.

In the darkness, the greatly enraged monkeys killed the monkeys themselves and the demons killed the demons themselves in battle.

te paraamshcha vinighnantaH svaamshcha vaanararaakSasaaH || 6-55-23
rudhiraardraam tadaa chakrurma hiiM paN^kaanulepanaam |

23. te= those; vaanara raakSasaaH= monkeys and demons; nighnantaH= killing; paraamshcha= others; svaamshcha= and their own people; tadaa= then; chakruH= make; mahiim= the earth; rudhiraardraam= dampened with blood; paNkaanulepanaam= anointing its body with mud.

Those monkeys and demons killing other and their own people then made the earth dampened with blood, anointing its body with mud.

tatas tu rudhira ogheNa siktam vyapagatam rajaH || 6-55-24
shariira shava samkiirNaa babhuuva ca vasum dharaa |

24. tataH= thereafter; trajaH= the dust; apagatam= wnet off; siktam= being sprinkled; rudhiogheNa= by the stream of blood; vasundharaa= the earth; babhuuva= became; shariira shava samkiirNaa= filled with bodies and corpses.

Under the stream of blood being sprinkled, the dust was laid, revealing the earth covered with bodies and corpses.

druma shakti shilaa praasaiR^igadaa parigha tomaraiH || 6-55-25
harayo raakSasaas tuurNam jaghnuR^ianyonyam ojasaa |

25. raakSasaaH= the demons; harayaH= and the monkeys; tuurNam= quickly; jaghmuH= struck; anyonyam= each other; ojasaa= with vigour; druma shaktigadaa praasaiH= with blows from trees, spears, maces, javelins; shilaa parigha tomaraiH= stones, bars and picks.

The demons and the monkeys vigorously struck each other swiftly with blows from trees, spears, maces, javelins, stones, bars and picks.

baahubhiH parighaa aakaaraiR^iyudhyantah parvata upamaaH || 6-55-26
harayo bhiima karmaaNo raakSasaan jaghnuR^iaahave |

26. haryaH= the monkeys; bhiima karmaaNaH= of dreadful deeds; parvatopamaaH= and who resembled mountains; yuddhantaH= fighting; baahubhiH= with their arms; parighaakaaraiH= appearing like iron bars; jaghnuH= killed; raakSasaan= the demons; aahave= in the battle.

The monkeys of dreadful deeds, resembling mountains, fighting with their arms appearing like iron bars, killed the demons in battle.

raakSasaasH ca api samkruddhaah praasa tomara paaNayaH || 6-55-27
kapiin nijaghnire tatra shastraih parama daaruNaiH |

27. praaasa tomara paaNayaH= with darts and javelins in their hands; abhisamkruddhaaH= the enraged; raakSasaastu= demons; tatra= there; nijaghnire= struck; kapiin= the monkeys; parama daaruNaiH= with their cruel; shastraiH= weapons.

The enraged demons with darts and javelins in their hands, struck the monkeys there with their cruel weapons.

akampanaH susaMkruddho raakSasaanaaM chamuupatiH || 6-55-28
saMharSayati taansarvaanraakSasaan bhiimavikramaan |

28. susamkruddhaH= the extremely enraged; akampanaH= Akampana; chamuupatiH= the General of the army; raakSasaanaam= of demons; samharSayati=cheered; sarvaan= all; taan raakSasaan= those demons; bhiimavikramaan= by his terrible prowess.

The extremely enraged Akampana, the general of the army of demons, cheered all those demons by his terrible prowess.

harayas tv api rakSaamsi mahaa druma mahaa ashmabhiH || 6-55-29
vidaarayanty abhikramya shastraaNy aacchidya viiryataH |

29. harayanti api= the monkeys however; abhikramya= leaping upon then; aachchhidya= and snatching; shastraaN= their weapons; viiryataH= through their strength; vidaarayanti= crushed; rakSaamsi= those demons; mahaa druma mahaashmabhiH= with blows from large trees and stones.

The monkeys however leaping upon them and snatching their weapons through their strength, crushed those demons with blows from large trees and stones.

etasminn antare viiraa harayah kumudo nalaH || 6-55-30
maindasH ca parama kruddhash cakruR^ivegam anuttamam |

30. etasmin antare= meanwhile; kumudaH= kumuda; nalaH= nala; maindashcha= and Mainda; viiraaH= the courageous; harayaH= monkeys; paramakruddhaaH= in an outburst of rage; charuH= displayed; anuttamam= unsurpassed; vegam= rashness.

Meanwhile Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the courageous monkeys in an outburst of anger, displayed unsuprassed rashness.

te tu vR^ikSaiR^imahaa vegaa raakSasaanaam camuu mukhe || 6-55-31
kadanam sumaha cakrur liilayaa hari yuuthapaaH |
mamanthuu raakSasaan sarve naanaapraharaNairbhR^isham || 6-55-32

31, 32. mahaaviiraaH= the exceedingly valiant; te= those; haripuN^gavaaH= chiefs of monkeys; liilayaa= as in sport; chamnumukhe= in the army-front; vR^ikSaiH= with trees; chakruH= performed; sumahat= a very great; kadanam= carnage; raakSasaanaam= of demons; sarve= all of them; bhR^isham= repeatedly; mamanthuH= crushed; raakSasaan= the demons; naanaa praharaNaiH= with every kind of weapon.

Those exceedingly valiant chiefs of monkeys, as in sport, in the battle-front, with mighty blows of trees, created a great carnage among the demons. All of them repeatedly crushed the demons with every kind of weapon.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe paJNchapaJNchashaH sargaH

Thus completes 55th 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] 56

Introduction

Akampana enters the battle-field and assails the monkeys with his bow and arrows. Then, Hanuman comes to the rescue of the monkeys. A great fight ensued between Akampana and Hanuman. Hanuman strikes the head of Akampana with a huge tree and Akampana dies. All the demons take to their heels and return to Lanka.

tad dR^iSTvaa sumahat karma kR^itam vaanara sattamaiH |
krodham aahaarayaam aasa yudhi tiivram akampanaH || 6-56-1

1. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tat= that; sumahat= very great; karma= exploit; kR^itam= done; vaanara sattamaiH= by the chiefs of monkeys; yudhi= in the battle; akampanaH= Akampana; aahaarayaamaasa= was seized; tiivram= a fierce; krodham= anger.

Seeing that very great exploit executed by the chiefs of monkeys in the battle, Akampana was seized with a fierce anger.

krodha muurchita ruupas tu dhnuvan parama kaarmukam |
dR^iSTvaa tu karma shatruuNaam saarathim vaakyam abraviit || 6-56-2

2. dR^iSTvaa= witnessing; karma= the work; shatruuNaam= of the enemies; krodha muurchhitaruupaH= appearing fully of fierce anger; dhunvan= and moving; parama kaarmukam= his great bow; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= the following words; saarathim= to his charioteer.

Witnessing that work of the enemies, his features were distorted by anger and brandishing his powerful bow, Akampana addressed his charioteer in these words.

tatra eva taavat tvaritam ratham praapaya saarathe |
ete atra bahavo ghnanti subahuun raakSasaan raNe || 6-56-3

3. saarathi= O, charioteer!; ete balinaH= these strong monkeys; ghnanti= are killing; subahuun= innumerable; raakSasaan= demons; raNe= in the battle; praapaya= get; ratham= the chariot; tatraiva= just there; tvaritaH= soon.

"Drive the chariot quickly to that place, for, those monkeys are killing innumerable demons on the battle field."

ete atra balavanto hi bhiima kaayaash ca vaanaraaH |
druma shaila praharaNaas tiSThanti pramukhe mama || 6-56-4

4. ete= these; vaanaraaH= monkeys; balavantaH= who are strong; bhiimakopaashcha= with terrific anger; druma shaila praharaNaaH= with trees and rocks as their weapons; tiSThanti= are standing; mama= in my; pramukhe= front; atra= here.

"Those arrogant monkeys of terrific ferocity, armed with trees and rocks, dare to affront me here."

etaan nihantum icchaami samara shlaaghino hy aham |
etaiH pramathitam sarvam dR^ishyate raakSasam balam || 6-56-5

5.aham ichchhami= I wish; nihantum= to kill; etaan= these monkeys; samarashlaaghinaH= who are praising themselves in battle; sarvam= all; balam= the army; rakSasaaam= of demons; dR^ishyate= who are seen; pramathitam= to be crushed; etaiH= by them.

"I wish to kill those andicious monkeys, who are seen herassing all the army of demons."

tataH prajavita ashvena rathena rathinaam varaH |
hariin abhyahanat krodhaat shara jaalair akampanaH || 6-56-6

6. tataH= thereafter; rathena= in his chariot; prachalitaashvena= drawn by fast-moving horses; akampanaH= Akampana; varaH= the most skillful; rathinaam= of chariot-warriors; sharajaalaiH= with a hail of darts; abhyapatat= assailed hariin= the monkeys; duuraat= from a distance.

Thereafter, in his chariot, drawn by fast-moving horses, Akampana the most skillful of chariot-warriors, with a hail of darts, assailed the monkeys from a distance.

na sthaatum vaanaraah shekuh kim punar yoddhum aahave |
akampana sharair bhagnaah sarva;eva pradudruvuH || 6-56-7

7. vaanaraaH= the monkeys; na shekuH= were no longer able; sthaatum= to maintain their formation; aahave= in the battle; kim punaH= how much less; yuddhum= to fight; sarve eva= all of them; bhagnaaH= were crushed; akampana sharaiH= under the shafts of Akampana; abhidudruvuH= and took to their heels.

The monkeys were no longer able to maintain their formation, much less fight in the battle. all of them were crushed under the shifts of Akampana and took to their heels.

taan mR^ityu vasham aapannaan akampana vasham gataan |
samiikSya hanumaan jnaatiin upatasthe mahaa balaH || 6-56-8

8. samiikSya= seeing; taan= those; jJNaatiin= companions; aapannaan= getting; mR6ityu vasham= under the sway of death; akampana sharaanugaan= pursued by Akampana's darts; mahaabalaH= the mighty; hanumaan= Hanuman; upatasthe= went to their rescue.

Seeing those companions, getting under the sway of death pursued by Akampana's darts, the mighty Hanuman went to their rescue.

tam mahaa plavagam dR^iSTvaa sarve plavaga yuuthapaaH |
sametya samare viiraah sahitaah paryavaarayan || 6-56-9

9. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam= him; mahaa plavagam= the giant monkey; sarve= all; te= those; viiraaH= valiant; plavagarSabhaaH= and best of the monkeys; hahitaaH= together; sametya= approached; paryavaarayan= and surrounded him.

Seeing Hanuman their great leader, all those valiant and the best of the monkeys together rallied and grouped themselves boldly round him.

vyavasthitam hanuumantam te dR^iSTvaa hari yuuthapaaH |
babhuuvur balavanto hi balavantam upaashritaaH || 6-56-10

10. dR^iSTvaa= observing; hanuumantam= Hanuman; vyavasthitam= standing comageously; te= those; plavagarSabhaH= excellent monkeys; upaashritaaH= took shelter; balavantam= in his powerfulness; babhuuvuH= and became; balavantaH hi= indeed powerful.

Observing Hanuman's courage, those excellent monkeys took shelter in his powerfulness and became powerfulness and became powerful indeed.

akampanas tu shaila aabham hanuumantam avasthitam |
mahaa indra;iva dhaaraabhih sharair abhivavarSa ha || 6-56-11

11. akampastu= Akampana; mahendraH iva= like Mahendra, the lord of celestials; abhivavarSaha= assailed; dharaabhiH= a hail; sharaiaH= of arrows; hanuumantam= on Hanuman; avasthitam= who remained as firm; shailaabham= as a rock.

Akampana, like Mahendra the Lord of celestials, assailed a hail of arrows on Hanuman, who remained as firm as a rock.

acintayitvaa baaNa oghaan shariire patitaan shitaan |
akampana vadha arthaaya mano dadhre mahaa balaH || 6-56-12

12. achintayitvaa= heedless; baaNaughaan= of the flood of weapons; patitaan= that fell; shariire= upon his body; mahaabalaH= the mighty; kapiH= Hanuman; manaH dadhre= resolved in his mind; akampanavadhaarthaaya= to slay Akampana.

Heedless of the flood of weapons that fell upon his body, the mighty Hanuman resolved in his mind to slay Akampana.

sa prahasya mahaa tejaa hanuumaan maaruta aatmajaH |
abhidudraava tad rakSah kampayann iva mediniim || 6-56-13

13. prahasya= laughing heartily; saH= that; hanumaan= Hanuma; mahaatejaaH= of great splendour; maarutaatmajaH= and thes on of Maruta the wind-god; abhirudraava= leapt; tat raakSaH= on that demon; mediniim= causing the earth; kampayanniva= to shake as it were.

Laughing heartily , that Hanuman, the son of Maruta the wind-god and possessing a great splendour, leapt on the demon, causing the earth to shake as it were.

tasya abhinardamaanasya diipyamaanasya tejasaa |
babhuuva ruupam durdharSam diiptasya iva vibhaavasoH || 6-56-14

14. diipta maanasya= while burning; tejasaa= with energy; nardamaanasya= and emitting yells; tasya= his; ruupam= form; babhuuva= became; durdharSam= difficult to overpower; diiptasya vibhaavasoH iva= like a blazing fire; atha= thereafter.

As he roared burning with energy, the form of Hanuman became difficult to overpower, like a blazing fire.

aatmaanam tv apraharaNam jnaatvaa krodha samanvitaH |
shailam utpaaTayaam aasa vegena hari pumgavaH || 6-56-15

15. jJNaatvaa= knowing; aatmaanam= himself; a praharaNam= to be bereft of any weapon; haripuN^gavaH= Hanuman the excellent monkey; krodha saman votaH= with anger; utpaaTayaamaasa= uplifted; shailam= a mountian; vegena= quickly.

Knowing himself to be bereft of any weapon, Hanuman the excellent monkey, with a rage, uplifted a mountain quickly.

tam gR^ihiitvaa mahaa shailam paaNinaa ekena maarutiH |
vinadya sumahaa naadam bhraamayaam aasa viiryavaan || 6-56-16

16. saH= that; viiryavaan= valiant; maarutiH= Hanuman; gR^ihiitvaa= seizing; sumahaashailam= very great mountain; ekena paaNinaa= with one hand; vinadye mahaanaadam= letting up a roar; bhraamayaamaasa= began to spin it rapidly.

That valiant Hanuman, seizing a very great mountain with one hand and letting up a roar, began to spin it rapidly.

tatas tam abhidudraava raakSasa indram akampanam |
yathaa hi namucim samkhye vajreNa iva puram daraH || 6-56-17

17. tataH= thereafter; puraa iva= as formerly; samkhye= in an encounter; purandaraH= Indra the Lord of celestials; vajreNa= (hurled) his thunderbolt; namuchimiva= at Namuchi; (Hanuman); abhirudraava= rushed; tam akampanam= towards that Akampana.

Thereafter, as formerly in an encounter Indra the Lord of celestials hurled his thunderbolt at Namuchi, Hanuman rushed towards Akampana.

akampanas tu tad dR^iSTvaa giri shR^ingam samudyatam |
duuraad eva mahaa baaNair ardha candrair vyadaarayat || 6-56-18

18. dR^iSTvaa= beholding; samudyatam= uplifted; girishR^iN^gam= mountain-peak; akampanstu= Akampana on his part; adaarayat= shattered it;duuraadeva= even from a distance; mahaa baaNaiH= by mighty arrows; ardhachandraiH= each having the shape of a crescent.

Beholding that crag flying towards him, Akampana shattered it even from a distance by means of his great crescent-shaped arrows.

tat parvata agram aakaashe rakSo baaNa vidaaritam |
vikiirNam patitam dR^iSTvaa hanuumaan krodha muurchitaH || 6-56-19

19. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam= that; parvataagram= rocky peak; rakSobaaNa vidaaritam= shattered by the demon's arrows; patitam= and falling; vikiirNam= in pieces; aakaashee= in the sky; hanumaan= Hanuman; krodha muurchhitaH= became mad with anger.

Seeing that rocky peak shatterd in the air by the demon's arrows and falling in pieces, Hanuman became mad with anger.

so ashva karNam samaasaadya roSa darpa anvito hariH |
tuurNam utpaaTayaam aasa mahaa girim iva ucchritam || 6-56-20

20. samaasaadya= approaching; ashvakarNam= an Ashvakarna tree; mahaagirimiva= as large as a mountain; roSadarpaanvitaH= in the transport of rage that possessed him; saH= that; hariH= Hanuman; utpaaTayaamaasa= uprooted it; tuurNam= speedily.

Approaching an Ashwakarna tree as large as a mountain, in the transport of rage that possessed him, that Hanuman uprooted it speedily.

tam gR^ihiitvaa mahaa skandham so ashva karNam mahaa dyutiH |
pragR^ihya parayaa priityaa bhraamayaamaasa bhuutale || 6-56-21

21. saH= that Hanuman; mahaadutiH= of great strength; gR^ihiitvaa= taking hold; tam ashvakarNam= of that Ashwakarna tree; mahaa skandam= with large branches; pragR^ihya= and tightly holding it; parayaa priityaa= with grea delight; bhraamayaamaasa= spinned it; bhuutale= on the ground.

Taking hold of that Ashvakarna tree with large branches, in his great strength, Hanuman with immense delight spinned it, while standing on the ground.

pradhaavann uru vegena prabhanjams tarasaa drumaan |
hanuumaan parama kruddhash caraNair daarayat kSitim || 6-56-22

22. paramakR^iddhaH= the highly enraged; hanumaan= hanuman; pradhaavan= began to run; uruvegena= with great strides; babhaN^jaH= breaking down; drumaan= the trees; tarasaa= by his strength; daarayan= and tearing up; mahiim= the earth; charaNaiH= with his feet.

Then, the highly enraged Hanuman began to run with great strides, breaking down the trees by his strength and tearing up the earth with his feet.

gajaamsH ca sagaja aarohaan sarathaan rathinas tathaa |
jaghaana hanumaan dhiimaan raakSasaamsh ca padaatikaan || 6-56-23

23. hanumaan= Hanuman; jaghaana= struck down; gajaamshcha= elephants; sagajaarohaan= as also who rode upon them; rathinaH= and charioteers; sarathaan= with their chariots; bhiimaan= and the terrific; padaatigaan= infantry; raakSasaan= of demons.

Hanuman struck down elephants as also who rode upon them and charioteers with their chariots and the terrific infantry of demons.

tam antakam iva kruddham samare praaNa haariNam |
hanuumantam abhiprekSya raakSasaa vipradudruvuH || 6-56-24

24. abhiprekSya= seeing; tam hanuumantam= that Hanuman; antakmiva= like unto Yama the Destroyer of Vital breaths; kruddham= full of wrath; sadrumam= aimed with a tree; praNahaariNam= and taking off lives; raakSasaaH= the demons; vipradudruvuH= took to flight.

Seeing that Hanuman, like unto Yama the Destroyer of vital Breaths, full of wrath armed with a tree and taking off lives, the demons took of flight.

tam aapatantam samkruddham raakSasaanaam bhaya aavaham |
dadarsha akampano viirash cukrodha ca nanaada ca || 6-56-25

25. viiraH= the valiant; akampanaH= Akampana; dadarsha= beheld; tam= that Hanuman; samkruddham= who was enraged; aapatantam= and rushing on; bhayaavaham= sowing terror; raakSasaanaam= among his demons; chukSobha cha= was greatly perturbed; nanaada cha= and set up a mighty shout.

The valiant Akampana, beholding that Hanuman who was enraged and rushing on, sowing terror among his soldiers, was greatly perturbed and set up a mighty shout.

sa caturdashabhir baaNaih shitair deha vidaaraNaiH |
nirbibheda hanuumantam mahaa viiryam akampanaH || 6-56-26

26. saH akampanaH= that Akampana; dasha dashabhiH= with his fourteen; nishitaiH= sharp; baaNaiH= arrows; deha daaraNaiH nirbibhedha= pierced that tore the body; mahaa viiryam= the highly valiant; hanumantam= Hanuman.

With fourteen sharp arrows that tore the flesh, that Akampana pierced the highly valiant Hanuman.

sa tathaa pratividdhas tu bahviibhih shara vR^iSTibhiH |
hanuumaan dadR^ishe viirah praruuDha;iva saanumaan || 6-56-27

27. viprakiirNaH= Riddled; shita shaktibhiH= with sharp-pointed; naaraachaiH= iron shafts; saH viiraH= that warrior; hanumaan= Hanuman; dadR^ishe= appeared; saanumaaniva= like a mountain; pravuuDhaH= on which number of plants sprang up.

Riddled with sharp-pointed shafts, that warrior Hanuman appeared like a mountain on which a number of plants shooted up.

viraraaja mahaaviiryo mahaakaayo mahaabalaH |
puSpitaashokasamkaasho vidhuuma iva paavakaH || 6-56-28

28. mahaabalaH= the mighy Hanuman; mahaaviiryaH= of great strength; mahaa kaayaH= with a large body; viraraaja= shone; paavakaH iva= like a fire; vidhuumaH= without smoke; puSpitaashoka samkaashaH= and resembling an Ashoka tree in flowering.

That mighty Hanuman of great strength with a large body shone like a fire without smoke and resembled a blooming Ashoka tree.

tato anyam vR^ikSam utpaaTya kR^itvaa vegam anuttamam |
shirasy abhijaghaana aashu raakSasa indram akampanam || 6-56-29

29. tatH= thereafter; kR^itvaa= showing; anuttamam= a great; vegam= haste; utpaaTya= in uprooting; anyam= another; vR^ikSam= tree; (Hanuman); jaghaana= struck; aashu= quickly; shirasi= on the head; akampanam= of Akampana; raakSasendram= the General of demons.

Thereafter, showing a great haste in uprooting another tree, Hanuman struck the head of Akampana the General of demons.

sa vR^ikSeNa hatas tena sakrodhena mahaatmanaa |
raakSaso vaanara indreNa papaata sa mamaara ca || 6-56-30

30. hataH= struck; vR^ikSeNa= with a tree; tena vaanarendraNa= by that Hanuman; sakrodhena= the enraged; mahaatmanaa= and the high-souled; saH= that; raakSasaH= demon; papaata= fell down; mamaaracha= and died.

Struck with a tree by that high-souled and enraged Hanuman, that demon fell down and died.

tam dR^iSTvaa nihatam bhuumau raakSasa indram akampanam |
vyathitaa raakSasaah sarve kSiti kampa;iva drumaaH || 6-56-31

31. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam akampanam= that Akampana; raakSasendram= the leader of demons; bhummau= on the ground; nihatam= killed; sarve= all; raakSasaaH= the demons; vyathitaaH= were perturbed; drumaaH iva= as trees; kSitikampe= during an earth-quake.

Seeing their leader Akampana lying lifeless on earth, all the demons trembled as the trees do during an earthquake.

tyakta praharaNaah sarve raakSasaas te paraajitaaH |
laN^kaam abhiyayus trastaa vaanarais tair abhidrutaaH || 6-56-32

32. sarve= all; te= those; paraajitaaH= defeated; raakSasaaH= demons; abhiyayuH= were going; laN^kaam= towards Lanka; traasaa= due to fear; tyakta praharaNaaH= abandoning their weapons; abhidrutaaH= and having been attacked; taiH vaanaraiH= by those monkeys.

All those defeated warriors, throwing their arms, escaped in the direction of Lanka, terrified, pursued by those monkeys.

te mukta keshaaH sambhraantaa bhagna maanaah paraajitaaH |
sravat shrama jalair angaih shvasanto vipradudruvuH || 6-56-33

33. mukta keshaaH= their hair loosened; sambhraantaaH= bewildered; bhagnamaanaaH= their pride broken; paraajitaaH= by the defeated; aN^gaiH= their limbs; sravachchhramajalaiH= dripping with sweat; te= those demons; vipradudruvuH= fled; shvasantaH= blowing out their breaths.

Their hair loosened, bewildered, their pride broken by defeat, their limbs dripping with sweat, those demons fled, blowing out their breaths.

anyonyam pramamantus te vivishur nagaram bhayaat |
pR^iSThatas te susammuuDhaah prekSamaaNaa muhur muhuH || 6-56-34

34. sammuuDhaaH= mad; bhayaat= with fear; prekSyamaaNaaH= looking; pR^iSThataH= back; muhurmuhuH= again and again; pramathnantaH= crushing; anyonyam= each other; te= they; vivishuH= entered; nagaram= the city.

Mad with fear, looking back again and again and crushing each other in haste, they entered the city.

teSu lankaam praviSTeSu raakSaseSu mahaa balaaH |
sametya harayah sarve hanuumantam apuujayan || 6-56-35

35. teSu raakSaseSu= (when) those demons; praviSTeSu= had entered; laNkaam= Lanka; sarve= all; mahaabalaaH= the mighty; harayaH= monkeys; sametya= approached; hanuumantam= Hanuman; apuujayan= and paid homage (to him).

When those demons had entered Lanka, all the mighty monkeys approached Hanuman and paid homage to him.

so api prahR^iSTas taan sarvaan hariin sampratyapuujayat |
hanuumaan sattva sampanno yathaa arham anukuulataH || 6-56-36

36. saH= that; hanumaanapi= Hanuman; sattva sampannaH= of noble nature; sampratya puujayat= honoured; sarvaan= all; taan= those; prahR^iSTaH= delighted; hariin= monkeys; yathaarham= in accord with their rank; anukuulataH= as per the occasion.

That Hanuman, of noble nature honoured all those delighted monkeys, in accord with their rank and the occasion.

vinedusH ca yathaa praaNam harayo jita kaashinaH |
cakarSusH ca punas tatra sapraaNaan eva raakSasaan || 6-56-37

37. jitakaashinaH= the triumphant; harayaH= monkeys; vineduH= shouted; yathaa praaNam= in accord with their might; punaH= and once again; chakR^iSushcha= dragged; raakSesaan= the demons; sapraaNaaneva= who were still alive; tatra= there on the battle field.

The triumphant monkeys shouted in accord with their nighty and once again dragged the demons who were still alive there on the battle-field.

sa viira shobhaam abhajan mahaa kapiH |
sametya rakSaamsi nihatya maarutiH |
mahaa asuram bhiimam amitra naashanam |
yathaiva viSNur balinam camuu mukhe || 6-56-38

38. saH mahaakapiH= that great monkey; maarutiH= born of Maruta; sametya= having encountered; nihatya= and killed; rakSaamsi= the demons; abhajat= enjoyed; viira shobham= the heroic lustre; viSNuryathaa= as Vishnu; (when he overcame); mahaasuram= the mighty demons; bhiimam= of terror; urubalam= of immense power; amitranaashanam= destroying his enemies; chamuumukhe= in the forefront of the battle.

That great monkey, born of Maruta having encountered and killed the demons, enjoyed the same renown as Vishnu when he overcame the mighty and terrific demon of immense power destroying his enemies in the forefront of the battle.

apuujayan deva gaNaas tadaa kapim |
svayam ca raamo atibalash ca lakSmaNah |
tathaiva sugriiva mukhaah plavam gamaa |
vibhiiSaNash caiva mahaa balas tadaa || 6-56-39

39. tadaa= then; devagaNaaH= the troops of deities; raamaH= along with Rama; svayam= himself; atibalaH= the exceedingly strong; lakSmaNaH cha= Lakshmana; tathaiva= and; sugriiva mukhaaH= Sugreeva etal; plavaNgamaaH= the monkeys; tathaa= and; mahaabalaH= the mighty; vibhiiSaNashchaiva= Vibhishana; apuujayam= paid homage; kapim= to Hanuman.

Then, the troops of deities along with Rama himself, the exceedingly strong Lakshmana, Sugreeva and other monkeys and the mighty Vibhishana paid homage to Hanuman.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe SaTpaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 56th 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] 57

Ravana asks Prahasta to go to the battle. Prahasta sets out for the combat along with a huge army and enters the eastern gate. Bad omens appeared, as Prahasta enters the battle-field. The army of monkeys seized hold of trees and rocks, to attack the demons.akampana vadham shrutvaa kruddho vai raakSasa iishvaraH |
kimcid diina mukhash ca api sacivaams taan udaikSata || 6-57-1

1. shrutvaa= hearing; akampana vadham= about the killing of Akampana; raakSaseshvaraH= Ravana the Lord of demons; kruddhaH= was enraged; kimchit diinamukhaH cha api= had a little depressed face; udaikSata= and looked; taan sachivaan= towards those ministers.

Hearing of Akampana's killing, Ravana the Lord of demons, with a little depressed face, was enraged and looked towards his ministers.

sa tu dhyaatvaa muhuurtam tu mantribhih samvicaarya ca |
tatastu raavaNaH puurvadivase raakSasaadhipaH || 6-57-2
puriim pariyayau lankaam sarvaan gulmaan avekSitum |

2. dhyaatvaa= having reflected; muhuurtam= a while; samvichaarya= and deliberated; mantribhiH= with his ministers; saH raavaNaH= that Ravana; raakSasaadhipaH= the king of Demons; tataH= then; yayau= went; laN^kaam puriim= to the City of Lanka; avekSitum= to inspect; sarvagulmaan= all his defenses; puurvadivasa= in the forenoon.

Having reflected awhile and deliberated with his ministers, Ravana the king of Demons then passed that forenoon in inspecting his defenses in the City of Lanka.

taam raakSasa gaNair guptaam gulmair bahubhir aavR^itaam || 6-57-3
dadarsha nagariim lankaam pataakaa dhvaja maaliniim |

3. raajaa= the king Ravana; dadarsha= saw; taam nagariim= that city; guptaam= protected; taam raakSasagaNaiH= by those groups of demons; aavR^itaam= and surrounded; bahubhiH= by many; gulmaiH= bodies of troops; pataaka dhvajamaaliniim= decorated with banners and flags.

The king Ravana saw that City, guarded by groups of demons, filled with innumerable troops and decorated with banners and flags.

ruddhaam tu nagariim dR^iSTvaa raavaNo raakSasa iishvaraH || 6-57-4
uvaaca amarSitah kaale prahastam yuddha kovidam |

4. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; nagariim= the City; ruddhaam= besieged; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH= the Lord of Demons; uvaacha= spoke; (as follows); prahastam= to Prahasta; yuddha kovidam= who was skilled in war-fare; aatmahitam= and who wished well of him; kaale= even at a critical time.

Seeing Lanka besieged, Ravana the Lord of Demons spoke as follows to Prahasta who was skilled in war-fare and who wished well of him even at a critical time.

purasya upaniviSTasya sahasaa piiDitasya ha || 6-57-5
na anyam yuddhaat prapashyaami mokSam yuddha vishaarada |

5. yuddha vishaarada= O, the proficient one in war-free!; na prapashyaami= I do not see; anyam= any other; mokSam= deliverance; yuddhaat= than a battle; purasya= for this City; upaniviSTasya= which is beseiged; sahasaa= suddenly; piiDitasya= and being devastated.

"O, Prahasta the proficient in war-free! I do not see any other deliverance than a battle for this city, which is besieged suddenly and being devastated."

aham vaa kumbha karNo vaa tvam vaa senaa patir mama || 6-57-6
indrajid vaa nikumbho vaa vaheyur bhaaram iidR^isham |

6. aham vaa= either I; kumbhakarNovaa= or Kumbhakarna; tvam vaa= or you; mama= my; senaapatiH= army-chief; indrajit vaa= or Indrajit; nikumbho vaa= or Nikumbha; vaheyuH= can bear; iidR^isham= such; bhaaram= a burden.

"Either myself or Kumbhakarna or yourself my army-chief or Indrajit or Nikumbha and none else could undertake such a task!"

sa tvam balam itah shiighram aadaaya parigR^ihya ca || 6-57-7
vijayaaya abhiniryaahi yatra sarve vana okasaH |

7. ataH= for that reason; saH tvam= you as such; aadaaya= taking; balam= the army; shiighram= quickly; parigR^ihyacha= and placing yourself in their midst; abhiniryaahi= set forth; vijayaaya= for victory; yatra= to the place where; sarve= all; vanaukasaH= the monkeys (are stationed)

"For that reason, taking a company of warriors, you quickly place yourself in their midst and set forth in order to triumph over all those monkeys."

niryaaNaad eva te nuunam capalaa hari vaahinii || 6-57-8
nardataam raakSasa indraaNaam shrutvaa naadam draviSyati |

8. harivaahinii= the army of monkeys; chalitaa= becoming disturbed; tuurNam= soon; nirNayaadeva= on (knowing) your decision (to go for the battle); draviSyati= will run away; shrutvaa= on hearing; naadam= the sound; raakSasendraaNaam= of the leaders of demons; nardataam= roaring.

"Unsettled in no time on knowing your decision to enter the battle-field, the army of monkeys will run away on hearing the raring sound of the leaders of demons."

capalaa hy aviniitaash ca cala cittaash ca vaanaraaH || 6-57-9
na sahiSyanti te naadam simha naadam iva dvipaaH |

9. vaanaraaH= the monkeys; chapalaaH= are unsteady; aviniitaashcha= mis-behaved; chalachittashcha= and fickle-minded; na sahiSyanti= (They) do not tolerate; te= your; naadam= sound; dvipaaH iva= as elephants; simhanaadani= the lion's roar.

"The monkeys are unsteady, mis-behaved and fickle-minded. They do not tolerate your sound, as elephants the lion's roar."

vidrute ca bale tasmin raamah saumitriNaa saha || 6-57-10
avashaste niraalambah prahasta vasham eSyati |

10. prahasta= O, Prahsta! tasmin bale= (As) that army; vidrude= takes to its heels; raamaH= Rama; saumitriNaa saha= along with Lakshmana; niraalambaH= without any support; avashaH= unwillingly; eSyati= will fall; vasham= into your power.

"O, Prahasta! As that army takes to its heels, Rama along with Lakshmana being supportless, will fall into your power though unwillingly."

aapat samshayitaa shreyo na atra nihsamshayii kR^itaa || 6-57-11
pratiloma anulomam vaa yad vaa no manyase hitam |

11. samshayitaa= A skeptical; aapat= misfortune; shreyaH= is preferable; na= and not; niH samshayiikR^itaa= that which is certain; atra= here; tu= but; pratilomaanu lomam vaa= whether it is unpleasing to hear or no; (say what); manyase= you consider; yat= that which; hitam= is advantageous; naH= for us.

"A skeptical misfortune is preferable to one that is certain! Whether it is unpleasing to hear or not, say what you consider as an advantage to us."

raavaNena evam uktas tu prahasto vaahinii patiH || 6-57-12
raakSasa indram uvaaca idam asura indram iva ushanaa |

12. vaahiniipatiH= the army-general; prahastaH= Prahasta; evam= thus; uktaH= spoken; raavaNena= by Ravana; uvaacha= spoke; idam= these words; raakSasendram= to Ravana; ushanaa= like Ushanaa= like Ushana (the preceptor of demons) asurendramiva= to Bali the king of Asuras.

Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta the Army-General spoke the following words to Ravana, like Ushana the preceptor of demons would speak to Bali, the king of demons.

raajan mantrita puurvam nah kushalaih saha mantribhiH || 6-57-13
vivaadasH ca api no vR^ittah samavekSya parasparam |

13. raajan= O, king!; mantrita puurvam= formerly it was deliberated; naH= by us; mantribhiH saha= along with ministers; kushalaiH= who were skilful; samavekSya= having observed attentively; parasparam= with one another; vivaadashcha= a disagreement; vR^ittaH= arose; naH= between us.

O, king! Formerly, we deliberated this matter with our wise ministers and, after having a good dialogue with each other, a disagreement arose between us."

pradaanena tu siitaayaah shreyo vyavasitam mayaa || 6-57-14
apradaane punar yuddham dR^iSTam etat tathaiva naH |

14. pradaanena= to return; siitaayaaH= Seetha; vyavasitam= was resolved; mayaa= by me; shreyaH= as preferable; apradaane punaH= not to return Seetha; yuddham= (meant) war; tathaiva= dR^iSTameva= we foresaw this.

"To return Seetha was what I considered preferable. Not to do so meant war; we foresaw this."

so aham daanaish ca maanaish ca satatam puujitas tvayaa || 6-57-15
saantvaisH ca vividhaih kaale kim na kuryaam priyam tava |

15. satatam= ever; puujitaH= honoured; tvayaa= by you; kaale= at appropriate time; daanaishcha= by gifts; maanaishcha= by felicitations; vividhaiH= by various; saanaishcha= nice words; kim= what; saH aham= I as such; na kuryaam= cannot do; hitam= benefit; tava= to you?

"I have ever been honoured by you at appropriate times by gifts, felicitations and nice words. When the opportunity arises, is it not for me to render you a service?"

na hi me jiivitam rakSyam putra daara dhanaani vaa || 6-57-16
tvam pashya maam juhuuSantam tvad arthe jiivitam yudhi |

16. me= to me; jiivitam= life; na hi= is indeed not; rakSyam= to be spared; putra daara dhanaanicha= (nor) sons; wives or riches; tvam= you; pashya= see; maam= me; juhuuSantam= who wish to sacrifice; jiivitam= my life; tvadarthe= for your sake; yudhi= in the battle.

"Neither wives nor sons nor riches are going to be spared by me. See you me, intending to sacrifice my life for your sake in the battle."

evam uktvaa tu bhartaaram raavaNam vaahinii patiH || 6-57-17
uvaachedam balaadhyakSaan prahastah purataH sthitaan |

17. uktvaa= having spoken; evam= thus; raavaNam= to Ravana; bhartaaram= the lord; prahastaH= Prahasta; vaahiniipatiH= the Army-general; uvaacha= spoke; idam= those words; balaadhyakSaan= to his leading officers; sthitaan= stationed; purataH= in front.

Having spoken thus to Lord Ravana, the General Prahasta said to his leading officers who stood before him as follows:

samaanayata me shiighram raakSasaanaam mahad balam || 6-57-18
mad baaNa ashani vegena hataanaam tu raNa ajire |
adya tR^ipyantu maamsena pakSiNah kaanana okasaam || 6-57-19

18, 19. samaanayata= gather; mahaabalam= a large army; raakSasaanaam= of demons; me= for me; madbaaNaanaam= With my arrows; vegena= by their swiftness; raaNaajire= on the battle field; maamsaadaaH= the flesh-eating; pakSiNaH= birds; kaanakausaH= and beasts; tR^ipyantu= shall feed; hataanaam= on the enemy that I stroke down; adya= today.

"Gather a large army of demons together for me. Today, the flesh-eating birds and beasts shall feed on the enemy that I strike down on the battle-field with my swift arrows."

tasya tadvachanam shrutvaa balaadhyakSaa mahaabalaaH |
balam udyojayaam aasus tasmin raakSasa mandire || 6-57-20

20. shrutvaa= hearing; tat= that; vachanam= command; tasya= of Prahasta; mahaabalaah= the mighty; balaadhyakSaaH= leaders of the army; udyojayaamaasuH= assembled; balam= the forces; tasmin raakSasa mandire= in the abode of that demon.

Hearing that command of Prahasta, the mighty leaders of the army assembled the forces in the abode of that demon.

saa babhuuva muhuurtena tigma naanaa vidha aayudhaiH |
lankaa raakSasa viirais tair gajair iva samaakulaa || 6-57-21

21. muhuurtena= within a short while; saa laN^kaa= that City of Lanka; babhuuva= became; samaakulaa= filled; tai= with those; bhiimaiH= terrific; raakSasa viiraiH= demon-warriors; gajairiva= resembling elephants; naanaa vidhaayudhaiH= wielding various types of weaponry.

Within a short while, that City of Lanka was filled with those terrific demon-warriors, resembling elephants and wielding various types of weaponry.

huta ashanam tarpayataam braahmaNaamsh ca namasyataam |
aajya gandha prativahah surabhir maaruto vavau || 6-57-22

22. (While some demons); tarpayataam= propitiated; hutaashanam= the fire-god; (with their offerings); namasyataam= and paid homage; braahmaNaamshcha= to Brahmanas; surabhiH= a fragrant; maarutaH= freeze; aajyagandha prativahaH= bearing the scent of clarified butter vavou= began to blow.

While some demons propitiated the fire-god with their offerings and paid homage to Brahmanas, a fragrant freeze bearing the scent of clarified butter, began to blow.

srajasH ca vividha aakaaraa jagR^ihus tv abhimantritaaH |
samgraama sajjaaH samhR^iSTaa dhaarayan raakSasaas tadaa || 6-57-23

23. tadaa= then; raakSasaaH= the demons; samgraama sajjaaH= ready for the battle; samhR^iSTaaH= delightedly; jagR^ihuH= wore; srajashcha= garlands; vividhaakaaraaH= of different shapes; abhimantritaaH= consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas).

Then, the demons who were ready for the battle, delightedly wore garlands of different shapes, consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas).

sadhanuSkaah kavacino vegaad aaplutya raakSasaaH |
raavaNam prekSya raajaanam prahastam paryavaarayan || 6-57-24

24. raakSasaaH= the demons; sadhanuSkaaH= with their bows; kavachinaH= and armours; prekSya= seeing; raajaanam= the king; raavaNam= Ravana; aaplutya= and jumping; vegaat= swiftly; paryavaarayan= ranged themselves towards; prahastam= Prahasta.

Thereafter, armed with bows and armours, the demons with their eyes turned towards their king Ravana, marched at a brisk pace and ranged themselves round Prahasta.

atha aamantrya ca raajaanam bheriim aahatya bhairavaam |
aaruroha ratham divyam prahastah sajja kalpitam || 6-57-25
hayair mahaa javair yuktam samyak suuta susamyutam |
mahaa jalada nirghoSam saakSaac candra arka bhaasvaram || 6-57-26
uraga dhvaja durdharSam suvaruutham svapaskaram |
suvarNa jaala samyuktam prahasantam iva shriyaa || 6-57-27

25, 26, 27. atha= then; prahastaH= Prahasta; yuktaH= who got ready with his weapons and armour; aamantrya= taking leave; raajaanam= of the king; aahatya= striking; bhairavaam= the terrible; bherniim= kettle-drum; aaruroha= mounted; ratham= his chariot; sajjakalpitam= which was kept ready; yuktam= yoked; mahaajavaiH= an extremely swift; hayaiH= horses; samyak suuta susamyatam= well-controlled by a charioteer; mahaajalada ninghoSam= with a noise resembling that of a large cloud; saakSaat= actually; chandraarka bhaasvaram= shining like moon-light; uraga dhvaja durdharSam= inviolable, with a flag bearing an ensign of snake; suvaruutham= with a good collision-guard; svavaskaram= having good wheels; suvarNajaala samyuktam= decorated with a net of pure gold; prahastamiva= smiling as it were; shriyaa= in its magnificence.

Then, Prahasta who got ready with his weapons and armour, after bidding obeisance to the king and striking a terrible kettle-drum, mounted his chariot, which was kept ready, yoked to an extremely swift horses, well controlled by a charioteer, emanating a noise resembling that of a large cloud, actually shining like moon-light, inviolable with a flag bearing an ensign of snake, with a good collision-guard, with nice wheels and decorated with a net of pure gold smiling as it were in its magnificence.

tatas tam ratham aasthaaya raavaNa arpita shaasanaH |
lankaayaa niryayau tuurNam balena mahataa vR^itaH || 6-57-28

28. tataH= then; raavaNaarpita shaasanaH= Prahasta, to whom command was given by Ravana; aasthaaya= mounted; ratham= his chariot; niryayau= set out; laN^kaayaaH= from Lanka; tuurnam= quickly; vR^itaH= along with; mahataa= a huge; balena= army.

Then, Prahasta the one who was commanded by Ravana, ascended his chariot and set out from Lanka soon along with a huge army.

tato dumdubhi nirghoSah parjanya ninada upamaH || 6-57-29
shushruve shankha shabdash ca prayaate vaahinii patau |

29. vaahiniipatau= (While) Prahasta the General; prayaate= sallied forth; tataH= then; dundubhi nirghoSaH= the sound of a kettle-drum; ninadaH cha= the sound; vaaditraaNaam= of musical instruments; shN^kha shabdashcha= and the sound of couches; shushruve= were heard; puurayanniva= as though filling; mediniim= the earth; parjanya; ninadopamaH= resembling the roar of a cloud.

While Prahasta the general sallied forth, the sound of a kettle-drum, the resonance of musical instruments and the sound of conches were heard, as though filling the earth like the roar of a cloud.

ninadantaH svaraan ghoraan raakSasaa jagmur agrataH || 6-57-30
bhiima ruupaa mahaa kaayaah prahastasya purah saraaH |

30. raakSasaaH= the demons; bhiimaruupaaH= having terrific forms; mahaakaayaaH= and bulky bodies; ninadantaH= shouting; ghoraan= with terrible; svaraan= voices; jagmuH= went; agrataH= in front; puraH saraaH= as forerunners; prahastasya= of Prahasta.

The demons with terrific forms and bulky bodies, shouting with dreadful voices, went in front, as forerunners of Prahasta.

naraantakaH kumbhahanurmahaanaadaH samunnataH | 6-57-31
prahastasachivaa hyete niryayuH parivaarya tam |

31. naraantakaH= Narantaka; kumbhahanuH= Kumbhahanu; mahaanaadaH= Mahanada; samunnataH= Samunnata; prahasta sachivaaH= attendants of Prahasta; ete= they; niryayuH= sallied forth; parivaarya= surrounding; tam= him.

Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata, attendants of Prahasta sallied forth, surrounding him on all sides.

vyuuDhena eva sughoreNa puurva dvaaraat sa niryayau || 6-57-32
gaja yuutha nikaashena balena mahataa vR^itaH |

32. saH= He; niryayau= emerged; puurva dvaaraat= from the eastern gate; vR^itaH= in the midst; mahataa= of an immense; sughoSeNa= formidable; vyuuDheneva= and orderly arranged; balena= army; gaja yuutha nikaashena= resembling a herd of elephants.

He emerged from the eastern gate in the midst of an immense, formidable and orderly arranged army, resembling a herd of elephants.

saagara pratima oghena vR^itas tena balena saH || 6-57-33
prahasto niryayau tuurNam kruddhah kaala antaka upamaH |

33. vR^itaH= In the centre; tena= of that; balena= army; saagara prati maughena= vast as the sea; saH prahastaH= that Prahasta; kruddhaH= in his fury; niryayau= came forth; kaalaantakayamopamaH= appearing like Death at the end of the world.

In the centre of that army, vast as the sea, that Prahasta in his fury, came forth appearing like Death at the end of the world.

tasya niryaaNa ghoSeNa raakSasaanaam ca nardataam || 6-57-34
lankaayaam sarva bhuutaani vinedur vikR^itaih svaraiH |

34. tasya niryaaNaghoSeNa= the uproar that arose on his setting forth; raakSasaanaam cha= with his demons; nardataam= raising their war cries; vineduH= sounded forth; vikR^itaiH= sinister; svaraiH= answering calls; sarvabhuutaani= from all creatures; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka.

The uproar that arose on his setting forth with his demons raising the war-cries drew sinister answering calls from all creatures in Lanka.

vyabhram aakaasham aavishya maamsa shoNita bhojanaaH || 6-57-35
maNDalaany apasavyaani khagaash cakruu ratham prati |

35. khagaaH= birds; maamsashoNitabhojanaaH= eating flesh and blood; aavishya= entering; nyabhram= cloudless; aakaasham= sky; chakruH= flew; maN^Dalaani= in circles; apasvyaani= from left to right; rathamprati= towards the chariot.

In a cloudless sky, birds of prey eating flesh and blood, flew in circles from left to right towards the chariot.

vamantyah paavaka jvaalaah shivaa ghoraa vavaashire || 6-57-36
antarikSaat papaata ulkaa vaayush ca paruSo vavau |

36. ghoraaH= fearful; shivaaH= jackals; vamantyaH= vomited forth; paavaka jvaalaaH= fire and flames; vavaashire= howling repeatedly; ulkaa= a meteor; papaata= fell; antarikSaat= from the sky; vaayushcha= and the wind; vavau= blew; paruSam= harshly.

Fearful jackals vomited forth fire and flames, howling repeatedly. A meteor fell from the sky and the wind blew harshly.

anyonyam abhisamrabdhaa grahaash ca na cakaashire || 6-57-37
meghaashcha kharanirghoSaa rathasyopari rakSasaH |
vavarSuu rudhiram ca asya siSicush ca purah saraan || 6-57-38

37, 38. grahaashcha= the planets; abhisamrabdhaaH= were in opposition; anyonyam= to each other; na cha prakaashire= and lost their brilliance; meghaashcha= the clouds; kharanirghoSaaH= made harsh sounds; vavarSuH= and rained; rudhiram= blood; upari= above; raakSasaH= the demons; rathasya= chariot; siSichushcha= and dampened; puraH saraan= those who were walking in front.

The plants, in opposition to each other, lost their brilliance. The clouds, with their raucous sound, showered blood on Prahasta's chariot and dampened those who were walking in front of it.

ketu muurdhani gR^idhro asya viliino dakSiNaa mukhaH |
nadannubhayataH paarshvaM samagraamaharatprabhaam || 6-57-39

39. gR^idhraH= A vulture; dakSiNaamukhaH= facing the south; viliinaH= alighted; muurdhani= on the top; ketoH= of the standard; nadan= croaking; ubhayataH paarshvam= on its both the sides; aharat= and deprived; (the demon); samagraam= of his entire; prabhaam= lustre.

A vulture facing the south alighted on the top of the standard, croaking towards both of its sides and deprived the demon of his entire lustre.

saarather bahushasH ca asya samgraamam avagaahataH |
pratodo nyapatadd hastaat suutasya haya saadinaH || 6-57-40

40. pratodaH= the goad; nyapata= fell; bahushaH= several times; atra= then; hastaat= from the hand; saarathaH= of the charioteer; suutasya= a Suta (the son of a Kshastriya by a Brahmana woman); hayasaadinaH eventhough skilled in controlling the horses; avagaahataH= as he entered; samgraamam= the battle-field.

The goad fell several times then from the hand of the charioteer, himself a Suta (the son of a Kshatriya by a Brahamana woman) eventhough skilled in controlling the horses, as he entered the battle-field.

niryaaNa shriish ca yaa asya aasiid bhaasvaraa ca sudurlabhaa |
saa nanaasha muhuurtena same ca skhalitaa hayaaH || 6-57-41

41. sudurlabhaa= that rarely; bhaasvaraa= splendour; yaa= which (clothed); niryaaNashriiH= (Prahasta) at the time of his exit; saa= that one; nanaasha= vanished; muhuurtena= in an instant; hayaashcha= and horses; sthalitaaH= stumbled; same= on the even ground.

That rarely splendour which clothed Prahasta at the time of his exit vanished in an instant and horses stumbled on the even ground.

prahastam tv abhiniryaantam prakhyaata bala pauruSam |
yudhi naanaa praharaNaa kapi senaa abhyavartata || 6-57-42

42. tam prahastam= (Beholding) that Prahasta; prakhyaata guNa pauruSam= renowned for his excellences and martial valour; niryaantam= as he advanced to give battle; kapisenaa= the army of monkeys; naana praharaNaa= furnished with weapons of every kind; abhyavartata= turned towards; yudii= the battle.

Beholding that Prahasta, renowned for his excellences and martial valour; as he advanced to give battle, the army of monkeys went forward to attack him.

atha ghoSah sutumulo hariiNaam samajaayata |
vR^ikSaan aarujataam caiva gurviish ca agR^ihNataam shilaaH || 6-57-43

43. atha= thereafter; sutumulaH= an exceedingly tumultuous; ghoSaH= clamour; samajayata= arose; hariiNaam= among the monkeys; aarujataam chaiva= as they tore up; vR^ikSaan= the trees; gR^ihNataam= seized hold of; gurviiH= of huge; shilaaH= rocks.

Thereafter, an exceedingly tumultuous clamour arose among the monkeys as they tore up the trees and seized hold of huge rocks.

nadataam raakSasaanaaM cha vaanaraaNaam cha garjataam |
ubhe pramudite sainye rakSo gaNa vana okasaam || 6-57-44
vegitaanaam samarthaanaam anyonya vadha kaankSiNaam |
parasparam ca aahvayataam ninaadah shruuyate mahaan || 6-57-45

44, 45. nadataam= the yelling; raakSasaanaamcha= demons; garjataam= and the roaring; vaanaraaNaamcha= monkeys; ubhau= both; sainye= the armies; pramudite= were delighted; vegitaanaam= impetuous; samarthaanaam= and powerful; anyonya vadhakaaNkSiNaam= with impatience to slay each other; aahvayataam= challenging parasparam= each other; mahaan= and tremendous; ninaadaH= shouts; rakSogaNa vanaukasaam= of troops of demons and monkeys; shruuyati= were heard.

Both the armies of the yelling demons and the roaring monkeys were delighted, impetuous and powerful with impatience to slay each other and challenging each other with great shouts.

tataH prahastaH kapi raaja vaahiniim |
abhi pratasthe vijayaaya durmatiH |
vivR^iddha vegaam ca vivesha taam camuum |
yathaa mumuurSuh shalabho vibhaavasum || 6-57-46

46. tataH= thereafter; durmatiH= the evil-minded; prahastaH= Prahasta; pratasthe= sallied forth; vijayaaya= for victor; kapiraaja vaahiniim= towards the army of Sugreeva; mumurSuH= whom in his folly imagined he would destroy vivR^iddha vegaH cha= with an accelerated speed; shalabhaH iva= as a grasshopper; vibhaavasum= falls into a flame.

Thereafter, the evil-minded Prahasta sallied forth for victory towards the army of Sugreeva, whom in his folly, imagined he would destroy, with an accelerated speed as a grass-hopper rushes towards a flame.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe saptapaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 57th 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] 58

On Rama's enquiry, Vibhishana explains the prowess of Prahasta who entered the battle-field. The demons with their arrows and the monkeys with their stones combat each other. Both the monkeys and demons were killed in the battle. Prahasta the demon and Nila the monkey come face to face to fight. Prahasta hurls a volley of darts over Nila. Nila kills Prahasta's horses by hurling a huge tree and breaks his bow. Finally a huge rock hurled by Nila breaks Prahasta's head into myriad pieces and dies. All the other demons abandon the battle-field and return to Lanka.tataH prahastaM niryaantam dR^iSTvaa raNakR^itodyamam |
uvaacha pasmitaM raamo vibhiiSaNamarimdamaH || 6-58-1

1. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; prahastam= Prahasta; niryaantam= setting out; raNakR^itodyamam= with a martial ardour; raamaH= Rama arindamaH= the conqueror of enemies; sasmitam= with a smile; uvaacha= spoke; vibhiiSaNam= to Vibhishana (as follows):

Seeing Prahasta setting out with a martial ardour, Rama the conqueror of enemies, smiling, spoke to Vibhishana as follows:

ka eSa sumahaakaayo balena mahataa vR^itaH |
aagacchhati mahaavegaH kimruupabalapauruSaH || 6-58-2
aachakSva me mahaabaaho viiryavantam nishaacharam |

2. kaH= who; eSaH= is he; sumahaakaayaH= with a very huge body; aagachchhati= coming; mahaavegaH= with great speed; vR^itaH= along with; mahataa= a large; balena= army?; mahaabaaho= O, the mighty armed!; aachakSva= tell; me= me; nishaacharam= about this demon; viiryavantam= who is possessing vigour.

"Who is he with a very huge body, coming with a great speed along with a large army? O, the mighty armed! Tell me about this strong demon."

raaghavasya vachaH shrutvaa pratyuvaacha vibhiiSaNaH || 6-58-3
eSa senaapatistasya prahasto naama raaksasaH |
laN^kaayaam raakSasendrasya tribhaagabalasaMvR^itaH || 6-58-4
viiryavaanastravichchhuuraH suprakhyaataparaakramaH |

3, 4. shrutvaa= hearing; raaghavasya= Rama's vachaH= words; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; pratyuvaacha= replied (as follows); eSaH= He; tribhaaga samvR^itaH= who is guarded by two thirds of the army; laN^kaayaam= in Lanka; viiryavaan= a demon of prowess; astravit= skilled in the use of weapons; shuuraH= strong; suprakhyaata paraakramaH= with a highly excellent bravery; raakSasaH= is a demon; prahasto naama= called Prahasta; senaapatiH= the Army General; tasya raakSasendrasya= of that Ravana.

Hearing Rama's words, Vibhishana replied as follows "He is guarded by two-thirds of the army of Lanka. He is a demon of prowess, skilled in the use of mystic weapons and valiant. He is the demon named Prahasta, the Army general of Ravana."

tataH prahastam niryaantam bhiimam bhiima paraakramam || 6-58-5
garjantam sumahaa kaayam raakSasair abhisamvR^itam |
dadarsha mahatii senaa vaanaraaNaam baliiyasaam || 6-58-6
abhisamjaata roSaaNaam prahastam abhigarjataam |

5, 6. tataH= then; mahatii= the great; senaa= army; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys; baliiyasaam= the powerful; abhisamjaata roSaaNaam= giving rise to anger; abhigarjataam= raising ferocious cries; prahastam= at Prahasta; dadarsha= saw; prahasta= Prahasta; abhisamvR^itam= who was accompanied; raakSasaiH= by demons; bhiimam= terrific; bhiima paraakramam= having terrible prowess; niryaantam= coming forth; sumahaakaayam= with his very huge body.

That huge and powerful army of monkeys, who began to emit cries of defiance with fury, thereupon saw the terrible Prahasta of formidable exploits coming forth towards them.

khaDga shakty aSTi baaNaash ca shuulaani musalaani ca || 6-58-7
gadaashca parighaah praasaa vividhaash ca parashvadhaaH |
dhanuumSi ca vicitraaNi raakSasaanaam jaya eSiNaam || 6-58-8
pragR^ihiitaany ashobhanta vaanaraan abhidhaavataam |

7, 8. khaDga shaktyaR^iSTibaaNaashcha= swords, lances, daggers, darts shuulaani= spears; musalaani= clubs; gadaashcha= maces; parighaaH= bars; praasaaH= barbed missiles; vividhaaH= various kinds; parashvadhaashcha= of axes; vichitraaNi= and many different; dhanuumSi= bows; pragR^ihiitaani= in the hands; raakSasaanaam= of demons; abhidhaavataam= who were running up; vaanaraan= towards the monkeys; jayaSiNaam= and desirous of victory.

Swords, lances, daggers, darts, spears, clubs, maces bars, barbed missiles, various kinds of axes and different bows glittered in the hands of demons, who were running up towards the monkeys and seeking victory.

jagR^ihuH paadapaamsh ca api puSpitaan vaanara R^iSabhaaH || 6-58-9
shilaashca vipulaa diirghaa yoddhu kaamaah plavam gamaaH |

9. plavaN^gamaaH= the monkeys; yoddhukaamaaH= who were burning to fight; jagR^ihuH= seized; paadapaamshchaapi= trees; puSpitaan= in flower; tathaa= and; giriin= rocks; diirghaaH= lofty; vipulaah= and thick; shilaaH cha= stones.

The monkeys who were burning to fight took hold of trees in flower, rocks and lofty and thick stones.

teSaam anyonyam aasaadya samgraamah sumahaan abhuut || 6-58-10
bahuunaam ashma vR^iSTim ca shara vR^iSTim ca varSataam |

10. aasaadya= as they approached; anyonyam= each other; sumahaan= a very great; samgraamaH= battle; abhuut= arose; teSaam= between those; bahuunaam= innumerable combatants; varSataam= who showered down; sharavarSamcha= a hail of arrows; aashma vR^iSTim= and bombardment of stones.

As they approached each other, a very great battle arose between those combatants who showered down a hail of arrows and a bombardment of stones.

bahavo raakSasaa yuddhe bahuun vaanara yuuthapaan || 6-58-11
vaanaraa raakSasaamsh ca api nijaghnur bahavo bahuun |

11. yuddhe= in the battle; bahavaH= many; raakSasaaH= demons; nijaghnuH= killed; bahuun= many; vaanara pungavaan= excellent monkeys; bahavaH= and many; vaanaraaH= monkeys; (killed); bahuun= many; raakSasaamshchaapi= demons.

In that battle, many of the demons killed several excellent monkeys and several monkeys killed many of the demons.

shuulaiH pramathitaah kecit kecit tu parama aayudhaiH || 6-58-12
parighair aahataah kecit kecic chinnaah parashvadhaiH |

12. kechit= some monkeys; pramathitaaH= were smashed; shuulaiH= by spears; kechittu= and some others; paramaayudhaiH= by fine weapons; kechit= some; aahataaH= were struck; parighaiH= by iron bars; kechit= and some; chhinnaaH= were slit parashvadhaiH= by axes.

Some monkeys were smashed by spears and some others by finer weapons. Some were struck by iron bars and some others were slit by axes.

nirucchvaasaah punah kecit patitaa dharaNii tale || 6-58-13
vibhinna hR^idayaah kecid iSu samtaana samditaaH |

13. kechit punnaH= yet again some; patitaaH= fell; jagatiitale= on the surface of the earth; niruchhvaasaaH= breathless; kechit= some; iSusamdhaana saaditaaH= were destroyed by the arrows aimed at them, vibhinna hR^idayaaH= with their hearts split asunder.

Yet again, some fell breathlessly on the ground and some were destroyed by the arrows aimed at them with their hearts splits asunder.

kecid dvidhaa kR^itaah khaDgaiH sphurantaH patitaa bhuvi || 6-58-14
vaanaraa raakSasaiH shuulaiH paarshvatash ca vidaaritaaH |

14. kR^itaaH= cut; dvidhaa= in two; khaDgaiH= with (the strokes of) swords; shuuraiH raakSasaiH= by the powerful demons; dechit= some; sphurantaH= trembling; vaanaraaH= monkeys; patitaaH= fell; bhuvi= on the earth; paarshvataH= their sides; vidaaritaaH= torn open.

Cut into two with the strokes of swords by those powerful demons, some monkeys, trembling, fell on the earth, their sides torn open.

vaanaraisH ca api samkruddhai raakSasa oghaaH samantataH || 6-58-15
paadapair giri shR^ingaish ca sampiSTaa vasudhaa tale |

15. raakSasaughaaH cha api= even the flock of demons; sampiSTaaH= were crushed; vasudhaatale= on to the earth; samkruddhaiH= by the furious; vaanaraiH= monkeys; samantataH= on all sides; paadapaiH= with trees; girshR^iN^gaishcha= and mountain-peaks.

Even the flock of demons on all sides were crushed on to the earth by the furious monkeys with tree and mountain-peaks.

vajra sparsha talair hastair muSTibhish ca hataa bhR^isham || 6-58-16
vaman shoNitam aasyebhyo vishiirNa dashana iikSaNaH |

16. vajra sparsha talaiH hastaiH= having been administered thundering slaps with their hands; hataaH= and terrific blows; muSTibhiH= with their fists; vidiirSa vadaekSaNaaH= the faces and eyes of demons were lacerated; (the demons); vaman= vomited; bhR^isham= plenty; shoNitam= of blood; aasyebhyaH= from their months.

Having been administered thundering slaps with their hands and terrific blows with their fists, the faces and eyes of demons were were lacerated. The demons vomited plenty of blood from their months.

aarta svaram ca svanataam simha naadam ca nardataam || 6-58-17
babhuuva tumulaH shabdo hariiNaam rakSasaam yudhi |

17. tumulaH= A tumultuous; shabdaH= clamour; babhuuva= arose; hariiNaam= among monkeys; rakSasaamapi= and demons; svanataam aartasvanam= as cries of pain; simhanaadam= and leonine roars; nardataam= were bellowed.

A tumultuous clamour arose among monkeys and demons, as cries of pain and leonine roars were bellowed.

vaanaraa raakSasaah kruddhaa viira maargam anuvrataaH || 6-58-18
vivR^itta nayanaah kruuraash cakruh karmaaNy abhiitavat |

18. vaanaraaH= the monkeys; raakSasaaH= and the demons; kruddhaah= with anger; anuvrataaH= following; viiramaargam= the path of heroes; kruuraaH= with cruelty; nivR^itta nayanaaH= and hostile eyes; chakruH= conducted; karmaaNi= their tasks; abhiitavat= with great courage.

The monkeys and the demons with anger, following the path of heroes, with their cruel and hostile eyes, accomplished their deeds with great courage.

nara antakaH kumbha hanur mahaa naadah samunnataH || 6-58-19
ete prahasta sacivaah sarve jaghnur vana okasaH |

19. naraantakaH= Narantaka; kumbha hanuH= Kumbhahanu; mahaanaadaH= Mahanada; samunnataH= Samunnata; prahasta sachivaaH= Prahasta's companins; ete sarve= all these demons; jaghnuH= killed; venaukasaH= the monkeys.

Narantaka Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata all these companions of Prahasta killed the monkeys.

teSaam aapatataam shiighram nighnataam ca api vaanaraan || 6-58-20
dvivido giri shR^ingeNa jaghaana ekam nara antakam |

20. dvividaH= Dvivida; jaghaana= killed; girishR^iN^geNa= with a mountain-peak; naraantakam= Narantaka; ekam= the one; teSam= among them; nipatataam= who was rushing upon; shiighram= quickly; nighnataamchaapi= and killing; vaanaraan= the monkeys.

Dvivida, with a mountain-peak, struck down Narantaka, the one among them who was rushing upon quickly and killing the monkeys.

durmukhaH punar utpaaTya kapiH sa vipula drumam || 6-58-21
raakSasam kSipra hastas tu samunnatam apothayat |

21. durmakhaH punaH= On his part Durmakha; kapiH= the monkey; kSiprahastam= with a ready hand; utthaaya= uprooted; suvipula drumam= a very large tree; apothayat= and crushed; samunnatam= Samunnata; raakSasam= the demon.

The ape Durmukha on his part, with a ready hand, uprooted a very large tree and crushed the demon Samunnata.

jaambavaams tu susamkruddhaH pragR^ihya mahatiim shilaam || 6-58-22
paatayaam aasa tejasvii mahaa naadasya vakSasi |

22. tejasvii= the energetic; jaambavaamstu= Jambavan; susamkruddhaH= with a great fury; pragR^ihya= seized; mahatiim= a huge; shilaam= rock; paatayaamaasa= and threw; vakSasi= on the chest-region; mahaanaadasya= of Mahanada.

The energetic Jambavan with a great fury seized a huge rock and threw it on the chest-region of Mahanada.

atha kumbha hanus tatra taareNa aasaadya viiryavaan || 6-58-23
vR^ikSeNa abhihato muurdhni praaNaams tatyaaja raakSasaH |

23. atha= then; viiryavaan= the valiant; kumbhahanuH= Kumbhahanu; tatra= there; raNe= in the battle; aasaadya= having attacked; taareNa= (the General) Tara; mahataa vR^ikSeNa= (who was armed) with a huge tree; (received a blow); samtyaajayat= that discharged; sadyaH= soon; praaNaan= his lives.

Then, the valiant Kumbhahanu there in the battle, having attacked the General Tara, who was armed with a huge tree, received a blow immediately cost him his life.

amR^iSyamaaNas tat karma prahasto ratham aasthitaH || 6-58-24
cakaara kadanam ghoram dhanuS paaNir vana okasaam |

24. amR^iSyamaaNaH= not tolerating; tat= that; karma= act; prahastaH= Prahasta; aashritaH= having occupied; ratham= his chariot; dhanuSpaaNiH= with the bow in his hand; chakaara= carried out; ghoram= a terrible; kadanam= destruction; vanaukasaam= of the monkeys.

Not tolerating the aforesaid act, Prahasta having occupied his chariot with bow in hand, caused a terrible havoc among the monkeys.

aavarta;iva samjajne;ubhayoh senayos tadaa || 6-58-25
kSubhitasya aprameyasya saagarasya iva nisvanaH |

25. tadaa= then; kSubhitasya= with the rapid movement; ubhayoH= of both; senayoH= the armies; samjaJNe= there arose; niHsvanaH= a clamour; saagarasya iva= resembling the roar of an ocean; kSubhitasya= which was tempestuous; aprameyasya= and unfathamable; aavarte= in a time of dissolution.

Then, with the rapid movement of both the armies, there arose of clamour resembling the roar of an unfathomable and tempestuous ocean in a time of dissolution.

mahataa hi shara ogheNa prahasto yuddha kovidaH || 6-58-26
ardayaam aasa samkruddho vaanaraan parama aahave |

26. raakSasaH= the demon, Prahasta; raNa durdamaH= who was hard to be subdued in battle; samkruddhaH= with full of anger; ardayaamaasa= tormented; vaanaraan= the monkeys; mahataa sharaugheNa= by an immense avalanche of arrows; paramaahave= in that great combat.

The demon Prahasta, who was hard to be subdued in battle, with full of anger, tormented the monkeys by an immense avalanche of arrows in that great combat.

vaanaraaNaam shariirais tu raakSasaanaam ca medinii || 6-58-27
babhuuva nicitaa ghoraa patitair iva parvataiH |

27. ghoraiH= by the frightening; shariiraiH= corpses; vaanaraaNaam= of monkeys; raakSasaanaam cha= and demons; atichitaa= a very extensive area; medinii= of the ground; samvR^itaa= was covered; parvataiH iva= like (hideous) mountains.

By the frightening corpses of monkeys and demons, appearing like hideous mountains, a very extensive area of the ground is covered.

saa mahii rudhira ogheNa pracchannaa samprakaashate || 6-58-28
samchannaa maadhave maasi palaashair iva puSpitaiH |

28. saa mahii= that ground; prachhannaa= covered; rudhirougheNa= by the stream of blood; samprakaashate= shone; maadhave maasi iva= as in the month of spring; samchhannaa= when covered; puSpitaiH= by the blossoming; palaashaiH= crimson coloured Palasha flowers.

That ground, covered by the stream of blood, shone as in the month of spring when overspread fully with the bloossoming crimson-coloured Palasa flowers.

hari viira ogha vapraam tu bhagna aayudha mahaa drumaam || 6-58-29
shoNita ogha mahaa toyaam yama saagara gaaminiim |
yakR^it pliiha mahaa pankaam vinikiirNa antra shaibalaam || 6-58-30
bhinna kaaya shiro miinaam anga avayava shaaDvalaam |
gR^idhra hamsa gaNa aakiirNaam kanka saarasa sevitaam || 6-58-31
medhaH phena samaakiirNaam aarta stanita nisvanaam |
taam kaapuruSa dustaaraam yuddha bhuumimayiim nadiim || 6-58-32
nadiim iva ghana apaaye hamsa saarasa sevitaam |
raakSasaah kapi mukhyaash ca terus taam dustaraam nadiim || 6-58-33
yathaa padma rajo dhvastaam naliniim gaja yuuthapaaH |

29, 30, 31, 32, 33. hata viiraughasravaam= with the heaps of warriors for its banks; bhagnaayudhamahaadrumaam= the broken weapons its trees; shoNitaugha mahaatoyaam= the torrents of blood its huge waves; yama saagara gaaminiim= death appeared like an ocean receiving its flood; yakR^itpliihamahaapaNkaam= livers and spleens its mire; vinikiirNaantrashaivalaam= the scattered entrails for its moss; bhinnakaayashiromiinaam= severed heads and trunks the fish; aN^gavaya shaadvalaam= morsels of flesh the grass; gR^idhra hamsavaraakiirNaam= the innumerable vultures its lovely swans; kaNka saarasaa sevitaam= herons visited for its geese; medaH phenasamaakiirNaam= covered as it was with fat for the foam; aavarta svana nisvanaam= the tumult the sound of its waters; taam= that; yuddha bhuumi mayiim= battle-field; nadiimiva= resembled a river; kaapuruSadustaaraam= incapable of being crossed by cowards; hamsa saarasas sevitam= visited by swans and cranes; ghanaapaaye= at the end of the rainy season; te raakSasaaH= those demons; kapimukhyaaH= and the foremost of the monkeys; teruH= crossed over; taam dustaraam= that impassable; nadiim= river; gajayuuthapaaH yathaa= as elephants lead their herds; maliniim= across a lake; padmarajodhvastaam= that the lotuses have covered with pollen..

With the heaps of warriors for its banks the broken weapons its trees, the torrents of blood its huge waves, death appeared like an ocean receiving its floods, livers and spleens its mire, entrails its moss, severed heads and trunks the fish, and morsels of flesh the grass, the innumerable vultures its lovely swans, herons its geese, covered as it was with fat for the foam, the tumult the sound of its waters, the battle field resembled a river, incapable of being crossed by cowards, visited by water-fowls at the end of the rainy season, those demons and the foremost of the monkeys crossed over that impassable river, as elephants lead their herds across a lake that the lotuses have covered with pollen.

tataH sR^ijantam baaNa oghaan prahastam syandane sthitam || 6-58-34
dadarsha tarasaa niilo vinighnantam plavam gamaan |

34. tataH= thereafter; niilaH= Nila; dadarsha= saw; prahastam= Prahasta; sR^ijantam= who was employing; baaNaughaan= a multitude of arrows; sthitam= staying; syndane= in the chariot; vidhamantam= and annihilating; plavaNgamaan= the monkeys; tarasaa= swiftly.

Then, Nila saw Prahasta who was employing a multitude of arrows sitting in the chariot and annihilating the monkeys swiftly.

uddhuuta iva vaayuH khe mahaadabhrabalaM balaat || 6-58-35
samiikSyaabhidrutam yuddhe prahasto vaahiniipatiH |
rathenaadityavarNena niilamevaabhidudruve || 6-58-36

35, 36. samiikSya= seeing abhidrutam= Nila who was running towards him; yuddhe= in the battle-field; uddhuutaH vaayuH= as a rocking wind; khe= in the sky; (rushed towards); mahat= a large; abhrabalam= mass of clouds; prahastaH= Prahasta; vaahiniipatiH= the Army General; abhidudruve= attacked; niilameva= Nila himself; rathena= with his chariot; aaditya varNena= having the sun's colour.

Seeing Nila who was running towards him in the battle-field, as a rocking wind in the sky rushes towards a large massive clouds, Prahasta the Army general attacked Nila himself with his chariot having the sun's colour.

sa dhanurdhanvinaaM shreSTho vikR^iSya paramaahave || 6-58-37
niilaaya vyasR^ijadbaaNaan prahasto vaahiniipatiH |

37. saH prahastaH= that Prahasta; vaahiniipatiH= the Army general; shreSTaH= excellent; dhanvinaam= among the wielders of bow; vikR^iSya= drew; dhanuh= the bow-string; vyasR^ijat= and hurled; baaNaan= the arrows; niilaaya= towards Nila; paramaahave= in the great battle.

That Prahasta the Army General, who was excellent among the wielders of bow, drew the bow-string and hurled the arrows towards Nila in that great battle.

te pretya nishikhaa niilaM vinirbhidya samaahitaaH || 6-58-38
mahiim jagmurmahaavegaa roSitaa iva pannagaaH |

38. te vishikhaaaH= those arrows; roSitaaH; pannagaaH iva= appearing like furious snakes; mahaavegaaH= and with a great speed; samaahitaaH= employed (by Prahasta) pretya= proceeded towards; niilam= Nila; vinibhidya= pierced (him); jagmuH= and fell; mahiim= on the earth.

Those arrows with a great speed resembling furious snakes employed by Prahasta proceeded towards Nila, pierced him and fell on the ground.

niilaH sharairabhihato nishitairjvalanopamaiH || 6-58-39
sa tam parama durdharSam aapatantam mahaa kapiH |
prahastam taaDayaam aasa vR^ikSam utpaaTya viiryavaan || 6-58-40

39, 40. saH= that; mahaakapiH= great ape; niilaH= Nila; viiryavaan= of prowess; abhihataH= struck; nishitaiH= by sharp; sharaiH= arrows; jvalanopamaiH= resembling fire; utpaaTya= uprooted; vR^ikSam= a tree; taaDayaamaasa= and thumped; tam prahastam= on that Prahast; parama durdharSam= who was most difficult to be assaulted; aapatantam= descending on him.

That great ape of prowess Nila, who was struck by sharp arrows resembling flames, uprooted a tree and thumped it on the descending Prahasta who was most difficult to be assaulted.

tasya baaNagaNaaneva raakSasasya duraatmanaH |
apaarayan vaarayitum pratyagR^ihNaan nimiilitaH || 6-58-41

41. apaarayan= unable; varayitum= to restrain; baaNagaNaaneva= the series of arrows; tasya raakSasasya= of that demon; duraatmanaH= the evil- mined; (Nila); pratyagR^iNaat= received (them); nimiilitaH= with closed eyes.

Being unable to restrain the series of arrows hurled at him by that evil-minded demon, nila received them with closed eyes.

yathaiva go vR^iSo varSam shaaradam shiighramaagatam |
evam eva prahastasya shara varSam duraasadam || 6-58-42
nimiilita akSaH sahasaa niilaH sehe sudaaruNam |

42. govR^iSaH yathaiva= like a bull; (standing under); shaaradam= an autumnal; varSam= down-pour; aagatam= which came; shiighram= suddenly; evame eva= so; duraasadaan= under that intolerable; sahasaa= and sudden; sharavarSaan= rain of darts; prahastasya= of Prahasta; niilaH= Nila; nimiilitaakSaH= with closed eyes; sehe= endured; duraasadran= though it was scarce to be endured.

Like a bull standing under a sudden autumnal down-pour, so under that intolerable and sudden rain of darts released by Prahasta, Nila endured with closed eyes though it was scarce to be endured.

roSitaH shara varSeNa saalena mahataa mahaan |
prajaghaana hayaan niilah prahastasya mano javaan || 6-58-43

43. mahaabalaH= the exceedingly strong; mahaan= and the great; niilaH= Nila; roSitaH= enraged over; sharavarSeNa= the volley of darts; prajaghaana= killed; prahastasya= Prahasta's; hayaan= horses; mahataa saalena= by a huge sala tree.

The exceedingly strong and the great Nila, enraged over the volley of darts, killed Prahasta's horses by hurling a huge Sala tree on them.

tato roSapariitaatmaa dhanustasya duraatmanaH |
babhaJNja tarasaa niilo nanaada cha punaH punaH || 6-58-44

44. tataH= thereafter; niilaH= Nila; roSapariitaatmaa= his mind filled with anger; tarasaa= quickly; babhaN^ja= broke; dhanuH= the bow; tasya= of Prahasta; duraatmanaH= the evil-minded demon; nanaada cha= and shouted; punaH punaH= again and again.

Thereafter the greatly enraged Nila quickly broke the bow of Prahasta the evil-minded demon and shouted again and again.

vidhanus tu kR^itas tena prahasto vaahinii patiH |
pragR^ihya musalam ghoram syandanaad avapupluve || 6-58-45

45. kR^itaH= made; vidhanuH= deprived of his bow; tena= Nila; saH prahastaH= that Prahasta; vaahiniipatiH= the leader of the army; pragR^ihya= seizing; ghoram= a formidable; musalam= mace; avapupluve= leapt down; syandanaat= from the chariot.

Deprived of his bow, Prahasta the leader of the army, seizing a formidable mace, leapt down from the chariot.

taav ubhau vaahinii mukhyau jaata roSau tarasvinau |
sthitau kSataja digdha angau prabhinnaav iva kunjarau || 6-58-46

46. tau= those, ubhau= two; vaahiniimuhyau= army-chiefs; taasvinau= who were courageous; jaata vairau= in whom enmity had sprung up; kSata siktaaN^gau= their limbs covered with blood; sthitau= were standing; kuN^jarau iva= like two elephants; prabhinnau= in rut.

Those two army-chiefs, who were courageous and in whom enmity had sprung up, with their limbs covered with blood, wee standing like two elephants in rut.

ullikhantau sutiikSNaabhir damSTraabhir itaretaram |
simha shaarduula sadR^ishau simha shaarduula ceSTitau || 6-58-47
vikraanta vijayau viirau samareSv anivartinau |
kaankSamaaNau yashaH praaptum vR^itra vaasavayoH samau || 6-58-48

47, 48. simha shaarduula sadR^ishau= lion and tiger in gait; simhashaarduula cheSTitau= lion and tiger in gestures; viirau= those two warriors; ullikhantau= tore; itaretaram= each other; sutiikSNaabhiH= with their sharp; damSTraabhiH= teeth; vikraanta vijayau= vanquishers of other heroes; anivartinau= and those who did not flee; samareSu= in battles; (they); kaaNkSa-maaNaaviva= thirsting; praaptum= to obtain; yashaH= fame; vR^itta vaasavayoH iva= like Vritra and Indra.

Lion and tiger in gait, lion and tiger in gestures, those two warriors tore each other with their shap teeth. Vanquishers of other heroes and intrepid combatants, both of them, thirsting for fame, resembled Vritra and Indra.

aajaghaana tadaa niilam lalaaTe musalena saH |
prahastaH param aayastas tasya susraava shoNitam || 6-58-49

49. tadaa= then; saH prahastaH= that Prahasta; paramaayattaH= exerting himself well; aajaghaana= struck; niilena= Nila; musalena= with a mace; lalaate= on his forehead; shoNitam= and blood; susraava= oozed= tataH= from his forehead.

Then, that Prahasta exerting himself well struck Nila on his forehead with a mace and blood oozed from his forehead.

tataH shoNita digdha angah pragR^ihya sumahaa tarum |
prahastasya urasi kruddho visasarja mahaa kapiH || 6-58-50

50. tataH= thereafter; shoNitadigdhaaN= with his limbed smeared with blood; mahaakapiH= the great ape; kmddhaH= was angry; pragR^ihyacha= seized; mahaatarum= a huge tree; visasarja= and hurled it; urasi= on the chest-region; prahastasya= of Prahasta.

Whereupon, that great ape, his limbs smeared with blood, seized a huge tree and struck Prahasta full in his chest with fury.

tam acintya prahaaram sa pragR^ihya musalam mahat |
abhidudraava balinam balii niilam plavam gamam || 6-58-51

51. achintya= ignoring; tam= that; prahaaram= blow; saH= he; pragR^ihya= seized; mahat= a huge; musalam= mace; abhirudraava= and ran; balaat= in strength; niilam= towards Nila; balinam= the strong; plavaN^gamam= monkey.

Ignoring that blow, he seized a huge mace and ran in strength towards Nila the strong monkey.

tam ugra vegam samrabdham aapatantam mahaa kapiH |
tataH samprekSya jagraaha mahaa vego mahaa shilaam || 6-58-52

52. tataH= then; mahaakapiH= Nila the great monkey; samprekSya= seeing; tam= Prahasta; ugra vegam= of terrible velocity; samrabdham= briskly; aapatantam= coming towards him; jagraaha= took; mahaashilaam= a large rock; mahaavegaH= with a great swiftness.

Seeing Prahasta of terrible velocity briskly rushing towards him, Nila the great monkey took a huge rock swiftly.

tasya yuddha abhikaamasya mR^idhe musala yodhinaH |
prahastasya shilaam niilo muurdhni tuurNam apaatayat || 6-58-53

53. niilaH= Nila; tuurNam= quickly; apaatayat= hurled; shilaam- that rock; muurdhni= on the head; tasya prahastasya= of that Prahasta; yuddheabhikaamasya= who was longing for war; musalayodhinaH= and fighting with a mace; mR^idhe= in the battle.

Nila quickly hurled that rock on the head of Prahasta who was longing for war and fighting with a mace in the battle.

niilena kapimukhyena vimuktaa mahatii shilaa |
bibheda bahudhaa ghoraa prahastasya shiras tadaa || 6-58-54

54. tadaa= then; mahatii= (that) huge; ghoraa= and terrible; shilaa= rock; vimuktaa= hurled; niilena= by Nila; kapimukhyena= the leader of the monkeys; bibheda= broke; prahastasya= Prahasta's; shiraH= head; bahudhaa= into myriad pieces.

Then, that huge and terrific rock hurled by Nila the leader of the monkeys broke Prahasa's head into myriad pieces.

sa gata asur gata shriiko gata sattvo gata indriyaH |
papaata sahasaa bhuumau chinna muula;iva drumaH || 6-58-55

55. saH= that Prahasta; gataasuH= who lost his breath; gata shriikaH= was disfigured; gatasattvaH= and dead; gatendriyah= bereft of his senses; papaata= and fell; bhuumau= on the ground; sahasaa= at once; drumaH iva= like a tree; chhinnamuulaH= cut up by the root.

That Prahasta who lost his breath, was disfigured and dead, bereft of his senses and at once fell on the ground like a tree cut up by the root.

vibhinna shirasas tasya bahu susraava shoNitam |
shariiraad api susraava gireh prasravaNam yathaa || 6-58-56

56. bahu= A lot of; shoNitam= blood; susraava= oozed; tasya vibhinna shirasaH= from his broken head; shariiraadapi= from his body too; susraava= (blood) streamed forth; prasravanam yathaa= like a cascade; gireH= from a mountain.

A lot of blood oozed from his broken head. From his body two, blood streamed forth like a cascade from a mountain.

hate prahaste niilena tad akampyam mahad balam |
rakSasaam aprahR^iSTaanaam lankaam abhijagaama ha || 6-58-57

57. prahaste= Prahasta; hate= having been killed; niilena= by Nila; tam akampyam= that unshakable; mataa balam= large army; raakSasaanaam= of demons; ahR^iSTaanaam= disconsolated; abhijagaamaha= withdrew; laN^kaam= to Lanka.

Thier leader having been slain by Nila that unshakable and large army of demons, becoming disconsolated, withdrew to Lanka.

na shekuH samavasthaatum nihate vaahinii patau |
setu bandham samaasaadya vishiirNam salilam yathaa || 6-58-58

58. vaahiniipate= the Army-chief; nihate= having been killed; (those demons); na shekuH= could not; samavasthaatum= continue to stand firmly there; salilam yathaa= any more than water; samaasaadya= on reaching; vishiirNam= a breached setubandham= bridge.

Thier chief of Army having been killed, those demons could not continue to stand firmy there, any more than water on reaching a breached bridge.

hate tasmimsH camuu mukhye raakSasas te nirudyamaaH |
rakSaH pati gR^iham gatvaa dhyaana muukatvam aagataaH || 6-58-59
praptaaH shokaarNaavam tiivram visamjJNaa iva te.bhavan |

59. tasmin= that Prahaste; chamuumukhye= the Chief of Army; hate= having been slain; te raakSasaaH= those demons; dhyaana muukatvam= dull dumb; nirudyamaah= and inactive; gatvaa= regained; rakSaH patigR^iham= the abode of Ravana; te= they; abhavan= became; visamjN^aaH iva= unconscious as it were; praaptaaH= plunged; shokaarNavam tiivram= in an ocean of burning grief.

That Prahasta the chief of Army having been slain, those demons dumb dispirited and inactive, regained the abode of their king. They became unconscious as it were plunged in an ocean of burning grief.

tatas tu niilo vijayii mahaa balaH |
prashasyamaanaH svakR^itena karmaNaa |
sametya raameNa salakSmaNena |
prahR^iSTa ruupas tu babhuuva yuuthapaH || 6-58-60

60. vijayii= the triumphant; yuuthapaH= warrior; niilaH= Nila; tataH= thereafter; prashasya maanaH= was honoured; raameNa= by Rama; sametya= joined; salakSmaNena= with Lakshmana; karmaNaa= for his task; sukR^itena= accomplished well; babhuuva= and experienced; prahR^iSTa ruupaH= supreme joy.

The triumphant Nila, however, was honoured by Rama and Lakshmana for his task well accomplished and experienced supreme joy.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yuddhakaaNDe aSTapaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 58th 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

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