Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
( Translation and Commentary by Scholar,
Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )
Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 81
| Placing an illusory live image of Seetha in his chariot, Indrajit along with his army enters the battle-field. Hanuma with his army of monkeys march in front to face Indrajit in battle. While Hanuma and his army are watching, Indrajit pulls Seetha by her hair and unsheathed his sword. Indrajit kills the illusory living image of Seetha, with his sharp sword. |
Guessing the mind of that great-souled Rama, Indrajit turning away from that battle, entered the City.
Then, recalling the killing of those energetic demons like Kumbhakarna and others, that valiant Indrajit sallied forth (for the fight) with red-hot eyes in anger. That Indrajit, of very great prowess, the adversary of gods and who was born in Sage Pulstya's dynasty, accompanied by an army of demons, came forth from the western gate.
Seeing the two valiant brothers, Rama and Lakshamana, who were prepared for the encounter, Indrajit for his part, then started to demonstrate his conjuring tricks. Placing an illusory image of Seetha on his chariot and a large army surrounding the chariot, Indrajit intended to kill her.
Making up his mind to purposefully confuse all, by playing a trick to kill Seetha's illusory image, the exceedingly evil-minded Indrajit sallied forth towards the direction of the monkeys. Seeing him coming forth towards their direction, all those monkeys were enraged and bounced towards him, with rocks in their hands and with an intent to fight.
Hanuma, the foremost among the monkeys, taking hold of a very large mountain-peak, which was difficult to be reached by others, marched in front. That Hanuma saw Seetha, the wife of Rama, the best among women, bereft of joy, wearing only a single braid of hair, looking miserable, with her face emaciated due to fasting, dressed in single worn-out clothing, unadorned and with all her limbs covered with dust and dirt; in the chariot of Indrajit.
On seeing her for a moment, Hanuma ascertained her as Seetha and became dejected. That Seetha was indeed seen by him, not long ago. Seeing her stricken with grief bereft of joy, looking distressed, miserable and sitting under the sway of Indrajit, Hanuma wondered as to what his intention might be. Thus thinking, he along with those leaders of monkeys, rushed towards Indrajit.
Beholding that army of monkeys, Indrajit was excited with anger, pulled Seetha by the hair on her head and unsheathed his sword. While those monkeys were seeing, demon began to strike that woman who was placed in the chariot by the dint of his conjuring trick and who was crying "Rama! Rama!"
On seeing her seized by the hair Hanuma the son of wind-god was confounded with affliction and shed tears, in agony from his eyes. On seeing Seetha with all her charming limbs, the beloved wife of Rama, Hanuma angrily addressed the following harsh words to Indrajit:
"O evil minded one! Born in a dynasty of Brahmanical sages, but belonging to demoniacal race, you touched a lock of her hair, for your hair, for your own ruin. O cruel, vulgar and mean fellow! O wicked demon of sinful prowess! O pitiless fellow! Woe be to you, of sinful conduct, in whom such a resolve has taken place. Such an act is worthy of a barbarian. There is no pity in you."
"O pitiless one! Seetha came away from her house, from her kingdom and from her husband’s (Rama's) protection. What wrong has Seetha done to you, that you are killing her? By killing Seetha, you will not survive for long in any way. O demon, deserving of death! By your act, you indeed fell into my hands. Abandoning your life in this world, you shall, after death, descend to those worlds which are the lot of the killers of women and are condemned even by those who deserved to be killed by the people."
Thus speaking, Hanuma surrounded as he was by monkeys with their weapons and very much enraged, rushed headlong towards Indrajit. The army of demons of terrible rage intercepted that army of monkeys possessing a high prowess and advancing towards them.
Stirring up that army of monkeys with a multitude of his arrows, Indrajit replied to Hanuma, the foremost of monkeys as follows: "For whose sake, Sugreeva, yourself and Rama came here, I am going to kill Seetha now itself, while you stand looking on. O monkey! After killing her, I will make a short work of Rama, Lakshmana, yourself too, Sugreeva and that vulgar Vibhishana thereafter. O monkey! What you have said just now viz. that women are not to be killed is correct. But that which causes tormentation to the enemies indeed needs to be done."
Having spoken thus to Hanuma, Indrajit personally killed that illusory Seetha, who had been sobbing all the while, with his sharp-edged sword. Split asunder by him diagonally, that miserable lady of broad hips and pleasant to the sight, fell down on the ground. After killing that woman, Indrajit told Hanuma as follows: "See, I killed Rama's wife with my weapon. This Seetha is dead and all your labour is in vain."
After killing her with a large sword personally, that Indrajit then sitting on his chariot, pleasure fully roared loudly. The monkeys standing in vicinity heard his roar, even as he shouted with his mouth wide open, while comfortable sitting in that tower of the aerial chariot, which was actually difficult of access for others. After killing Seetha in that way, the evil-minded Indrajit became exceedingly glad. Seeing him exceedingly pleased, the monkeys looked dejected and suddenly ran away.
Thus, this is the 81st chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 82
| Led by Hanuma, the monkeys fight with the demons in battle with trees and rocks. On seeing his army seriously hurt, Indrajit releases a number of arrows and kills some monkeys. Hanuma destroys some terrible demons with trees and rocks. Later, Hanuma along with his army returns to the presence of Rama. Indrajit pours oblations into the sacred fire at the sanctuary of Nikumbhila. |
Hearing that terrific roar, similar to the sound of Indra's thunderbolt, the monkeys looking hither and thither, ran away in all directions. Then, Hanuma the son of wind-god spoke (as follows) to all those monkeys, who were running away widely apart, looking dejected, miserable and frightened.
"O, monkeys! Why are you running away, looking dejected and leaving your zeal to fight? Where has your valour gone? Come along closely behind me, while I am marching ahead in the battle. For the valiant who are born in a good family, it is not indeed proper to shrink back from the battle."
Hearing the words of that wise Hanuma, the monkeys in a cheerful mood, took hold of mountain-peaks and trees in a great fury. The foremost of monkeys, while roaring, rushed towards the demons. They followed him, by surrounding Hanuma on all sides, in that great battle.
That Hanuma, being surrounded by those monkey-chiefs on all sides, began to consume that army of adversaries as a flaming fire. Then Hanuma, accompanied by his army of monkeys, brought about the destruction of demons, as Yama the lord of death does at the time of universal dissolution.
Filled with inordinate grief and rage, that Hanuma the monkey-chief, threw a large rock on Indrajit's chariot. On seeing that rock rushing towards them, the obedient horses, yoked to that chariot, carried the chariot off to a far-distance.
That rock employed in vain, without reaching that Indrajit and his charioteer sitting in the chariot, split itself into fragments and penetrated the ground. The demons were very much bruised by the falling fragments of the rock. That army of demons was perturbed over the rock thus falling upon them.
Hundreds of monkeys with their colossal bodies, lifting up trees and mountain-peaks, rushed roaring towards Indrajit. Those monkeys of terrible prowess, threw trees and mountain-peaks towards Indrajit in battle. While shooting a large deluge of trees and rocks, the monkeys caused destruction of their enemies. They roared in various high tones.
Beaten forcibly with trees, by those highly terrible monkeys, those demons of frightful appearance, rolled about restlessly in the battle-field. On seeing his army tormented by the monkeys, that enraged Indrajit, taking hold of his weapons, sallied forth, facing towards his enemies.
That Indrajit, of firm fortitude, accompanied by his army, by releasing a multitude of arrows, killed a very many number of monkeys. In the battle, Indrajit's soldiers too killed the monkeys with spikes tips of missiles, swords, sharp-edged spears and concealed weapons similar to mallets.
The mighty Hanuma played a havoc among demons of terrible deeds, with Shala trees, distinguished by excellent trunks and branches as with rocks. Keeping the hostile army back, that Hanuma spoke to those monkeys as follows: "Retreat! This army need not be conquered any more by us."
"That Seetha for whose sake we have fought so far, with a wish to do what is pleasing to Rama, making a special effort to win, risking our lives has been killed. Informing Rama and even Sugreeva about this matter, we shall do that which both of them are prepared to do in return."
Thus speaking and keeping back all the monkeys, Hanuma the chief of monkeys, with absence of fear, along with his army, gradually turned back. Seeing Hanuma with drawing to the place where Rama was, the evil-minded Indrajit went to a sanctuary called Nikumbhila, seeking to pour oblations into the sacred fire.
Arriving at Nikumbhila, Indrajit poured oblations into the sacred fire. Thereupon, while being propitiated by that demon on reaching sacrificial ground, the sacrificial fire then blazed up on consuming the oblations of flesh and blood.
Swollen up when propitiated with oblations of blood, the highly intense fire, like the evening sun, appeared wrapped in flames. Then, Indrajit, well-versed with the technique of performance of rites for the prosperity of the demons, poured oblations according to the scriptural precepts. Seeing this, those demons, who knew what was prudent and evil in major battles, stood firm in big piles (by Indrajit’s side).
Thus, this is the 82nd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 83
| Hanuma, with his army, approaches Rama and informs him that Indrajit has killed Seetha. Rama faints away, upon hearing that news. The monkeys sprinkle water on Rama, so that he regains consciousness. Then, Lakshmana embraces Rama and discusses with him the roles of vice and virtue in life. After consoling Rama, Lakshmana prepares for a fight with Indrajit. |
On hearing that great tumult of battle between demons and monkeys, Rama spoke to Jambavan as follows: “O excellent Jambavan! From the way in which a very great terrible rattling sound of arms in heard, it seems an exceedingly difficult feat has been performed by Hanuma. It is certain. O lord of bears! Therefore, accompanied by your own army, go and quickly extend your help to that Hanuma, who is fighting.”
Saying “Yes, so be it” and surrounded by his own army, Jambavan came to the western gate, where the monkey, Hanuma was.
Thereupon, Jambavan saw Hanuma, coming with monkeys, who had given fight and were sighing (on account of grief caused by the destruction of Seetha). Seeing that terrible army of bears, looking like a dark cloud on their way, ready (to perform battle) and effectively intercepting it, Hanuma retreated them all.
Quickly seeking the presence of Rama with that army, the highly illustrious Hanuma, with sorrow, spoke the following words to Rama: “While we, who were carrying on the battle, stood looking on, Indrajit, the son of Ravana killed Seetha in front of us, even though she continued to weep. O destroyer of enemies! On seeing her with my distressed mind, I felt sad. I came to report the event to you.”
Hearing those words of Hanuma, Rama then was agitated with grief and fell down on the ground, like a tree with its bottom chopped off. On seeing that Rama, who with the semblance of god, falling on the ground, the chiefs of monkeys came bouncing from all sides and rushed towards him. They sprinkled him with water, fragrant with scent of lotuses and lilies, as one would sprinkle an inextinguishable as one would sprinkle an inextinguishable fire, which has just flared up suddenly and is burning all.
Then, the highly lamenting Lakshmana, having embraced that ailing Rama in his arms, spoke the following meaningful words, endowed with reason: “O venerable brother! Virtue cannot save you, who are sticking to the noble path and who have subdued the senses, from adversities and is (hence) useless. Just as inanimate and animate beings are visible, likewise virtue and vice are not visible. Therefore, my opinion is that virtue is non-existent. Even as inanimate beings and animate beings are expressly visible, likewise this form of virtue of vice is not established. For, in that case, a virtuous man like you would not have this misfortune.”
“If unrighteousness had been effective, Ravana should have obtained the hell. You, endowed with virtue, would never obtain such troubles. Since there is absence of calamity for Ravana and misfortune occurred to you, the result of vice is obtained through virtue and the result of virtue is obtained through vice. The contraries of each other have changed the roles with each other.”
Will the fruit of virtue be obtained through virtue and fruit of vice through vice? If that in whom unrighteousness is rooted are enjoined with the fruit of unrighteousness alone, people showing interest in unrighteousness would be deprived of the fruit of virtue. The fruit of virtue alone would have accrued to those who administer righteousness through that virtue? Since prosperities of those, in whom unrighteousness is rooted, develop; while those who have a conduct of virtue suffer, hence these two (virtue and vice) are useless.
“Or if a man is killed by a recourse to a ritual prescribed in the scriptures or kills another (by recourse to such a ritual), that destiny alone, which is engendered by that ritual, is tainted by that sinful act and not the agent. O Rama, the destroyer of adversaries! It is not clear how prosperity can be reached by righteousness, which has never known how to retaliate. Hence, righteousness seems to be non-existent.”
“O chief among the virtuous! If righteousness were really there, no evil whatever would have accrued to you. As you reaped such a calamity, the hypotheses that the destiny engendered by virtuous acts is real is not proved.”*
*The utterance of such apparently incoherent words on the part of Lakshmana in a fit of agony on seeing Rama agonized shows his agitation caused by love. Later on, as his grief subsides, Lakshmana himself says in verse 44 below that he had given expression only to assuage the grief of Rama and spur him on to action.
“Or else, if righteousness becomes weak and cowardly, as it surrenders to the might, it is my opinion that the righteousness, which lacks strength and has been deprived of its capacity, should no longer be pursued. Depend on might, as you do now on virtue, if the virtue is subordinate to might, thus giving up predominance of virtue. O tormentator of enemies! Or else, if speaking truth were indeed a virtue, our lying father, who was merciless to you, was disunited from you. Were you not bound by that announcement made by our father regarding your installation as the Prince Regent?”
“O tormentator of your enemies! Had either righteousness or unrighteousness worth pursuing, Indra the wielder of thunderbolt would not have performed a sacrifice on killing a sage (viz. Viswarupa, son of Twasta*)
*The story was narrated at length in Book VI, DiscourseIX of Srimad Bhagavata.
"O Rama! Virtue destroys enemies, when united with might (something other than virtue). O Rama! A man does all this, according to his will. O Rama in a pitiable condition. My opinion is that righteousness consists in such recourse to both virtue and strength. The very roots of virtue (in the form of earthly gain) have been chopped off by you in that you spurned the sovereignty the other day. By the treasures brought from place to place and augmented by means of various strategies, all the tasks are indeed fulfilled, as the rivers flow from the mountains. All the tasks of a man of small intellect, bereft of his wealth, get a cessation as small rivers dry up in summer-season.”
“Such a man, brought up by comforts, renouncing wealth (within easy reach) and seeking comfort, proceeds to commit sinful act and then evil (in the form of punishment) follows from it. Friends gather round him, who has riches. Relatives stand by him, who has riches. He alone is virile in the world, who has riches. He alone is a learned man, who has riches.”
“He alone is a mighty man, who has riches. He alone is a prudent man, who has riches. He alone is highly fortunate. He alone is distinguished, who has riches. O resolute one! I told you about these evils attendant on the abjuration of wealth. The ground on which you made the resolve to sacrifice the kingdom was not known to me. A man in whom the treasures abide, religious merit and wealth are obtained. All would be favourable to him. To the penniless man, who has a desire for wealth and even hunting for wealth, it is not possible to attain wealth.”
“O king! Delight, sensuous pleasure, pride, virtue, anger, peace, control of the senses all these are attained from wealth. Those riches, due to renunciation of which, worldly happiness of those practicing the path of virtue gets lost, are not seen in you, any more than the planets are seen in cloudy days.”
“O valiant one! While you were in exile, faithful to the command of your father, your wife who was more beloved than life itself, was stolen away by a demon. O valiant prince! I shall dispel with my exploits today, that great agony caused by Indrajit. Therefore, raise O Rama! O the foremost among men! O the long-armed one! O the firmly resolute one! Arise! Why are you not knowing about yourself, who is the great-souled and whose spirit is disciplined? O faultless one! On seeing the death of Seetha and enraged, rising to do favour for you, I shall completely destroy with my arrows, Lanka with its chariots, elephants and horses along with Ravana.”
Thus, this is the 83rd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 84
| Vibhishana comes to Lakshmana and beholds Rama having fallen into a swoon and lying in the lap of Lakshmana. Lakshmana informs Vibhishana that on hearing the words of Hanuma saying that Seetha was killed by Indrajit, Rama fell into a swoon. Telling Rama the secret of conjuring trick practiced by Indrajit in killing an illusory image of Seetha, Vibhishana assures him of Seetha being still alive and urges him to send Lakshmana with an army to the sanctuary of Nikumbhila. |
While Lakshmana, who was so fond of his brother, was consoling Rama, Vibhishana, keeping the troops of simian army in their respective positions, arrived there. That Vibhishana, surrounded by four warriors, wielding many types of weapons, and who were chiefs of troops, looking like heaps of black collyrium and who were appearing like elephants, approached Lakshmana who was totally engrossed in sorrow and saw the monkeys also, whose eyes were filled with tears.
Vibhishana also saw the great-souled Rama, the delight of Inkshvaku dynasty fallen into a swoon and resting on the lap of Lakshmana. On seeing the embarrassed Rama, tormented with grief, that Vibhishana, distressed as he was in spirits, with agony inside, asked him, “What is this?”
Fixing his gaze on Vibhishana’s face and looking at Sugreeva and those monkeys, Lakshmana with tears pouring down, spoke the following words, with a splendid meaning: “O gentle Sir! Just on hearing through the words of Hanuma, saying that Seetha was killed by Indrajit, Rama entered into a swoon.”
Intercepting the narrating Lakshmana in the middle, Vibhishana spoke the following amply meaningful words to Rama, who was in an unconscious state. “I hold that which you have been told by Hanuma with a sorrowful temper, O ruler of men, to be absurd as the drying up of the sea. O the long armed! I know the design of the evil-minded Ravana towards Seetha. He would never do the killing of Seetha.”
“Eventhough begged by me, the well-wisher, several times to give up Seetha, he did not heed that advice. It is neither possible even to see her by recourse to conciliation nor by bestowing gifts nor by sowing dissention. How is it possible then by a war? By any other strategy, it is impossible.”
“That Indrajit for his part retracted, by hoodwinking the monkeys. O the long armed! Know that Seetha (who was seemingly killed by him) as illusory. After reaching a sanctuary by name Nikumbhila, this Indrajit will pour oblations into the sacred fire. On returning after pouring oblations into the sacred fire, Indrajit will prove difficult to be overcome in battle, even by celestials including Indra.”
“Certainly, this conjuring trick (in the form of killing an illusory living effigy of Seetha) was exhibited by him, who was employing his magical art, expecting interruption by the prowess of the monkeys there. While the sacrificial performance is not ended, we shall proceed to that place, along with an army. O the foremost of men! Give up this improper grief, which has come upon you. Seeing you tormented with grief, the entire army is sinking into despondency.”
“Very exalted as you are in courage, stay you here, confident at heart, and send Lakshmana with us, who are taking an army along with us. This Lakshmana, the eminent prince, can make Indrajit abandon that act of sacrifice, by employing his sharp arrows. Then, he will be susceptible of being killed.”
“Lakshmana’s arrows, which are sharp and fiery, with a speed equal to the wings of a bird, can drink his blood like cruel birds. O the long-armed one! Therefore, dispatch Lakshmana having auspicious body-marks even as Indra the lord of celestials employed the thunderbolt to kill Indrajit.”
“O the best of men! It is not appropriate to delay the killing of the enemy any further now. Therefore, grant permission to Lakshmana to destroy the enemy, as Indra would hurl his thunderbolt to destroy the enemies of celestials. If that Indrajit, the foremost of demons completes the sacrifice, he would not be visible even to the celestials and the demons in battle. If he come with a desire to fight, after ending that sacrifice, the celestials also will feel a great suspicion on their own lives.”
Thus, this is the 84th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 85
| Vibhishana suggests Rama to send Lakshmana to kill Indrajit, even before Indrajit completes the sacrificial fire in the sanctuary of Nikumbhila. Rama then asks Lakshmana to proceed with the battle along with armies of Sugreeva, Hanuma, Jambavan and Vibhishana. Lakshmana proceeds to Nikumbhila along with Hanuma, Vibhishana and Jambavan to kill Indrajit. Lakshmana accompanied by Vibhishana, Angada and Hanuma penetrates that heterogeneous army of the enemies at the sanctuary of Nikumbhila. |
Hearing those words of Vibhishana, Rama, agonized as he was with grief, could not understand clearly what was spoken by that demon.
Then, Rama the conqueror of the cities of enemies, leaning upon his courage, spoke to Vibhishana who was sitting nearby and in front of the monkeys (as follows): “O lord of demons! I wish to hear again those of the words spoken by you. I desire to hear again, whatever you intend to tell me.”
Hearing those words of Rama, spoken very sadly, that Vibhishana who was skilled in expression, again spoke his words gently as follows: "O the long armed hero! Immediately after your orders, the marshalling of the troops was done by me in the manner as enjoined by you. All those armies were divided and positioned at all places. Even the commanders of those divisions were arrayed and distributed according to their ranks. O great lord! I have to report to you something further. Listen to it. While you are lamenting without any cause, we feel painful at our hearts."
"O king! Abandon this lamentation and false grief which came to you. Let your worry, which augments the pleasure of your adversaries be therefore abandoned. O hero! If you want to get back Seetha and if the demons are to be destroyed, raise up for the occasion. Keep yourself cheerful. O Rama! Listen to my benign words I tell you. This Lakshmana together with a large army should go soon to kill Indrajit, who reached Nikumbhila, with arrows as deadly as the serpentine poison released from his snake-like bow in battle."
"By his penance, Indrajit obtained a weapon called Brahmashira, by way of a gift from Brahma and also horses, which are coursing at his will. That Indrajit, as such along with his army, is reported to have reached Nikumbhila. If he comes forth after completing his sacrificial act, know that all of us as killed."
"A boon was given by Brahma to that intelligent demon as follows: "O Indrajit! That enemy of yours, who strikes while you are marching with your bow drawn, and while you have not arrived at Nikumbhila, or even while you have not offered oblations to the sacred fire, will prove to be the cause of your killing. O mighty Rama! Give your command for killing of Indrajit. When he is killed, know that Ravana along with his associate troops also as killed.”
Hearing the words of Indrajit, Rama then spoke the following words:"O Vibhishana of true prowess! I know the conjuring trick of that terrific demon. That Indrajit is skilled in the use of the mystic missile presided over by Brahma. He is intelligent. He is a master of several conjuring tricks. He is so mighty that he can render unconscious in battle even the gods along with Varuna the king of gods. O highly illustrious hero! While he drifts in the sky, ascending his chariot, his movement is not known to others, as the sun is not seen beneath a dense mass of clouds."
Having known the toughness of the conjuring tricks of the evil-minded adversary, Rama spoke to the illustrious Lakshmana as follows: "O Lakshmana! You, accompanied by that entire army which stands at the disposal of Sugreeva, along with troop-commanders with Hanuma as their head and protected by Jambavan the lord of bears, who will be accompanied by his army, kill that Indrajit the prince of demons, rich in the power of conjuring tricks. The great souled Vibhishana, who knows all the conjuring tricks of Indrajit, along with his counsellors, will follow behind you."
Hearing the words of Rama, Lakshmana of highly wonderful prowess, along with Vibhishana, took hold of his excellent bow.
The rejoiced Lakshmana who was prepared for the combat, clad in an armour, wielding a sword and arrows, wearing his bow in his left hand and having touched Rama's feet in salutation, spoke as follows: "Today, the arrows released from my bow, piercing Indrajit, will drop into the City of Lanka, as swans descend into a louts-pond. Now itself, my arrows discharged from the bow-string of this great bow, duly splitting his terrific body, will blow him away."
Thus speaking in front of his brother, that resplendent Lakshmana, quickly marched forward, with an intent to kill Indrajit. Offering salutation to the feet of his brother and doing circumambulation too, that Lakshmana went to the sanctuary named Nikumbhila, which was protected by Indrajit. Having obtained the blessings from his brother, the glorious Lakshmana, the prince, quickly sallied forth along with Vibhishana.
Then, Hanuma accompanied by many a thousand of monkeys and Vibhishana along with his counsellors went behind Lakshmana. That Lakshmana, quickly surrounded by a large army of monkeys, saw the army of Jambavan also stationed in the way.
After covering a long distance, that Lakshmana, the delight to his friends, saw the army of Ravana, ranged in battle-array, from a distance. Duly arriving at Nikumbhila, that foe-conquering Lakshmana stood, bow in hand, to conquer that Indrajit, the possessor of conjuring tricks, in conformity with Brahma's ordinance. The valiant Lakshmana stood there along with Vibhishana, the heroic Angada and Hanuma, the son of wind-god.
Lakshmana penetrated that heterogeneous army of enemies, resplendent with spotless weapons, thick with ensigns and abounded with huge chariots, exceedingly impenetrable, very terrific, with unimaginable swiftness, even as one would enter a thick veil of darkness.
Thus, this is the 85th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 86
| On the advice of Vibhishana, Lakshmana releases a multiple of arrows towards Indrajit. A fight ensues between bears monkeys and demons. Hearing the terrible noise of the battle, Indrajit discontinues his sacrificial rite and enters the battle-field. Hanuma with trees as weapons, plays havoc among the demons and challenges Indrajit to a duel. Lakshmana catches sight of Indrajit, coming in his chariot. |
In that situation, Vibhishana then spoke the following words, which were hostile to the enemies and advantageous to Lakshmana. "Let this army of demons which is seen here, dark as a cloud, be quickly engaged in battle, by the monkeys using rocks as thier weapons. O Lakshmana! Make an effort to break this mighty army. When this army is destroyed, Indrajit also will become visible."
"You as such, rush forward quickly, gushing out arrows, equal to Indra's thunderbolt, on the enemies, so long as this sacrificial act of Indrajit is not actually carried through. O hero! Make a short work of Indrajit, the evil minded, who is interested in performing conjuring tricks, who is unjust, engaged in cruel acts and who brings fear to all the worlds."
Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Lakshmana, having auspicious marks, showered forth streams of arrows in the direction of Indrajit. Bears and monkeys, who fight was gigantic trees, rushed towards that army of demons, drawn up in battle-array.
The demons too, with an intent to kill the monkeys in battle, attacked them with sharp arrows, sowrds, spears and javelins. That tumultuous battle between the monkeys and the demons rendered Lanka noisy on all sides with its great uproar.
The sky was covered with weapons of various shapes, sharp arrows, trees and tossed mountain tops. Those demons of ugly faces and arms, hurling weapons on the monkeys, created a great fear. Even the monkeys too struck and killed all the demons in the battle, with various types of trees and mountain-peaks.
A great fear developed among the demons who were fighting with mighty leaders of bears and monkeys endowed with colossal bodies. Hearing that his own army being tormented by the enemies, was dejected; that unconquerable Indrajit left off, without performing the sacrificial rite.
That enraged Indrajit, coming out from the gloominess of the trees, ascended his firmly yoked chariot which had already been united. That awful Indrajit, armed with terrific bow and arrows, looking like a mass of black collyrium with his blood-red eyes, appeared like the destructive Death.
Just on seeing Indrajit being on a chariot, that army of demons with a terrific speed, turned back, wishing to fight with Lakshmana. At that time, Hanuma the destroyer of enemies looking like a mountain, uplifted an absolutely unpaalleled large tree. Consuming that army of demons, as a fire at the time of universal dissolution, the aforesaid monkey made that army unconscious on the battle field, with many trees.
Immediately on seeing Hanuma destroying thier army rapidly, thousands of demons hurled weapons on him. Approaching Hanuma looking like a mountain, the demons bearing pointed pikes struck him from all sides with pkes, those carrying swords in their hands with swords, those carring javelins in their hands with jalins, with iron rods with maces; those armed with sharp-edged spears with spears, as also with bright-looking spears, with hundreds of cylindrical wooden pieces studded with iron spikes, with steel hammers, ,with awful axes, with slings for the rwing stones, with their thunderbolt-like fists and slaps which fell like flashes of lighning. Then, the enraged Hanuma made a colossal destruction of those demons.
That Indrajit saw Hanuma, the foremost of monkeys, looking like a mountain, fearlessly killing his enemies. He spoke the following words tohis charioteer: "Take the chariot to the place where that monkey is standing. If we neglect him, he will surely destroy our demons."
Hearing the words of that Indrajit, the charioteer went, carrying that very unconquerable Indrajit sitting in the chariot, to the place where Hanuma was there. Coming close to Hanuma, that unconquerable Indrajit hurled swords, sharp-edged spears and axes on the head of Hanuma.
Receiving those terrible weapons, that Hanuma spoke, seized as he was, with great rage, the following words: "O evil-minded Indrajit! If you are valiant, fight with me. Coming nearer to Hanuma, you will not return alive. O foolish fellow! If you enter into a duel with me, fight with your arms. Withstand my force in the battle-field. Then you will be considered as the best among the demons."
Vibhishana told Lakshmana in the following words that while with bow upraised, Indrajit sought to kill Hanuma. "Having seated in a chariot, Indrajit, who conquered Indra, is seeking to kill Hanuma. O Lakshmana! Kill that Indrajit with your terrific arrows of incomparable workmanship, which ward off the enemies and putting an end to their lives."
Hearing the words of Vibhishana, who was fearful to his adversaries, the great-souled Lakshmana saw Indrajit, who closely resembled a mountain, seated in a chariot, of terrific strength and who was difficult to approach.
Thus, this is the 86th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 87
| Vibhishana takes Lakshmana to the place where indrajit is performing the sacrificial rite. He advises Lakshmana to destroy Indrajit even before he finishes the sacrificial rite at a banyan tree. Indrajit sees Vibhishana there and starts talking harsh words to him, saying that he has ditched him by bringing Lakshmana to that place. Vibhishana replies that because of Ravana's vices, he has left him and joined Rama's side. He further adds that Indrajit and his army will not survive under the range of Lakshmana's arrows. |
After speaking to him as aforesaid, Vibhishana taking Lakshmana, who held a bow in his hand, felt rejoiced and hastened away. Moving not very distant from there and entering an extensive thicket, Vibhishana showed to Lakshmana, the place where Indrajit was going to pour oblations into the sacred fire. The glorious Vibhishana showed a terribly looking banyan tree, appearing like a black cloud (and spoke as follows):
"After offering oblations to the spirits at this place, the mighty Indrajit proceeds to the battle afterwards. Thereupon, this demon becomes invisible to any one, kills some enemies in battle and binds some with his excellent arrows. Destroy that mighty Indrajit, along with his chariot, horses and charioteer, by releasing your blazing arrows, even while he has not reached the banyan tree."
"After offering oblations to the spirits at this place, the mighty Indrajit proceeds to the battle afterwards. Thereupon, this demon becomes invisible to any one, kills some enemies in battle and binds some with his excellent arrows. Destroy that mighty Indrajit, along with his chariot, horses and charioteer, by releasing your blazing arrows, even while he has not reached the banyan tree."
That greatly brilliant Lakshmana, a delight of his fiends, saying 'So be it' took his stand there, twanging his bow at full length. That Indrajit, the son of Ravana, clad in armour, armed with a sword, and distinguished by his ensign, appeared in a fire-coloured chariot. That highly splendid Lakshmana spoke to that Indrajit, the scion of Sage Paulastya, who had never been conquered before (as follows): "I am inviting you for a fight. Give battle to me in a right manner."
Thus spoken by Lakshmana, Indrajit with a great brilliance and high mindedness, seeing Vibhishana there, spoke the following harsh words to him: "O demon! You are born and brought up here. You are a direct brother to my father and a paternal uncle to me. How can you be hostile to a son? O perverted fellow, an abuser of righteousness! Consanguinity is not a norm for you, or friendliness, or pride of birth, nor a brotherly feeling nor a right conduct. O evil-minded one! You are pitiable and deserve to be reproached by the virtuous, in that having abandoned your onw kind; you have entered into the service of our enemy."
"You are not recognizing the great difference because of your feeble mind. Where is living together with one's own kindred and where is taking refuge with low kind of enemies? Opponents may be virtuous. One's own kindred may not be virtuous. But, a relation, though bereft of merit is preferable. An enemy is, indeed, ever an enemy. He who, abandoning his own side, takes sides with adversary, is killed, after his own knsmen are destroyed just by those people of the other side."
"O Indrajit, the demon! The ruthlessness thus shown by you and the manliness exhibited by you (in bringing Lakshmana here) could be possible only by you, our own kindred."
"O Indrajit, the demon! The ruthlessness thus shown by you and the manliness exhibited by you (in bringing Lakshmana here) could be possible only by you, our own kindred."
Hearing the words of Indrajit, his brother's son, Vibhishana replied: "O demon! Why do you speak perversely, as though you are not aware of my nature? O Indrajit the wicked one! Atleast out of respect for the elders, abandon your harshness. Even if I am born in a demoniac race, which does cruel acts, my nature is goodness, which is prime virtue of human beings and it is not demoniacal. I neither delight in cruel acts, nor rejoice in unvirtuous acts. How can a brother be driven away by his brother, even if the former's nature is different?"
"Renouncing a man of sinful resolve hose conduct has deviated from righteousness, one attains happiness, as one shakes off a venomous serpent from his hand. The wise men say that an evil-natured fellow, who is intent on taking away other's property and lustfully touches another's wife, is worth shunning, as one abandons a house in flames. Three faults produce destruction. Taking away other's property, lustfully touching another's wife and excessive distrust with one's friends.”
These faults which destroy one's life and lordship killing great sages terribly, waging war against all celestials, arrogance, becoming angry very easily, quarrelsomeness, ill-will have concealed the good qualities of my elder brother, as the clouds conceal the view of mountains. Because of these vices, Ravana, your father and my brother, has been abandoned by me. Neither will this City of Lanka will exist any longer nor you nor your father."
"O demon! You can talk to me as you like, since you are arrogant, foolish, and indisciplined and caught, as you are, in the noose of Death. O the worst of demons! You got this calamity here because you spoke harsh words to me today. You cannot reach the banyan-tree any longer. It is not possible for you to survive, on attacking Lakshmana. You fight with Lakshmana, the lord of men, in the battle-field. After being killed, you will do sacred work in the abode of Yama, the god of Death. Do spend away all your weapons and arrows, by showing your own augmented strength. Reaching the range of Lakshmana's arrows, you will not indeed return alive with your army today."
Thus, this is the 87th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 88
| A fierce battle of archery starts between Indrajit and Lakshmana. Indrajit strikes Lakshmana with seven arrows, Hanuma with ten arrows and Vibhishana with a hundred arrows, almost at the same time. In retaliation, Lakshmana strikes Indrajit with a multiple of arrows and Indrajit’s armour breaks up into pieces. Indrajit, in response, strikes Lakshmana with a thousand arrows and breaks up Lakshmana’s armour. A fierce fight ensues for a long time. Meanwhile, Vibhishana joins the battle-field, to relieve Lakshmana’s fatigue. |
Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Indrajit was excited with rage, spoke harsh words and rushed forward in fury. Indrajit was looking like Yama the lord of Death at the time of dissolution of the world, sitting in a well-decorated and distinguished chariot yoked with black horses, having upraised sword and weapons, raising a big terrific enormous strong and swift bow and laying hold of arrows which can torment the enemies.
The mighty the destroyer of adversaries, wielding a large bow, fully adorned, and seated in a chariot saw that Lakshmana who was embellished with his own splendor. Indrajit hurriedly spoke to those foremost of monkeys and to this Lakshmana, who ascended Hanuma’s back with a splendor of the sun shining on Mount Udaya and also with Vibhishana as follows: “You behold my prowess now. Now, you can face an unconquerable stream of arrows, like rain, released in the sky, as discharged from my bow in the battle-field. Today my arrows released from my large bow will destroy your bodies, as fire consumes a pile of cotton. Today, I will send all of you to the world of Yama the lord of Death, by piercing you with my sharp arrows and hurling the pikes, javelins and lances on you.
" Who can stand before me, while I release streams of arrows with my swift-hand in battle, thundering like a cloud? Earlier on that day, in a nocturnal battle, both of you along with Sugreeva and other followers, were made unconscious by my arrows which were like thunderbolts and tips of missiles as also you were made to fall down on the floor. Do you not have that remembrance? I presume clearly that you are on the road to Yama the lord of Death, since you have come to give battle to me, enraged as I am, like a venomous serpent.”
Enraged in hearing that roaring of Indrajit, Lakshmana then spoke the following words, with a courageous countenance. “O demon! It has been proclaimed by you about the successful conclusion of your tasks, eventhough it is difficult to achieve them. He alone is clever, whoever carries through his undertakings in practice.”
“O evil-minded one! You are thinking that you have accomplished your end, by proclaiming through word alone, the achievement of your end, which is difficult to attain for anyone, though you, as such, lack in capacity to achieve your purpose. The path, which was followed on that day by you, becoming invisible in the battle-field, is the one trodden by thieves and is not the path followed by valiant ones. O demon! Having reached the range of your arrows, I am standing before you. Therefore show your prowess today. Why should you brag with your words?
Hearing those words, the mighty Indrajit, victorious in battle, reaching his terrific bow, released sharp arrows from it. Duly reaching Lakshmana, the arrows released by Indrajit, which rushed with great speed and were as deadly as the venom of serpents, fell like the hissing of snakes.
The swift Indrajit, the son of Ravana, with his arrows of very great velocity, in that battle, struck Lakshmana who was endowed with auspicious body-marks. That glorious Lakshmana, drenched in blood, with his body very much wounded by arrows, shone like a smokeless flame.
Mulling over his own feat, Indrajit for his part, approaching Lakshmana and emitting an exceedingly loud roar, spoke the following words: “The sharp-edged and deadly arrows, with their wings, released from my bow, will now take your life, O Lakshmana! Let a number of Jackals, multitude of hawks and vultures descend upon you, when struck down by me, you are dead. The exceedingly evil-minded Rama now itself can see you, a mere kshatriya (military class only for a name sake), ever ignoble and his devoted brother, killed by me. O Lakshmana! Rama will see you, struck down by me today, with your armour dropped down, bow thrown about and head dismantled.”
Lakshmana, understanding the sense of the word, replied in the following logical words to the enraged Indrajit thus speaking harshly.
“O evil-minded one! Give up strength of speech in your empty words. O demons! You are doing cruel acts. Why do you indulge in such idle talk? Make it active with your good work. Without performing that act, why do you boast yourself here? Perform that act by which I can believe your brag. O the worst of persons! Without speaking even a few harsh words, without abusing you and without bragging myself, Lo! I will kill you.”
Thus speaking, Lakshmana stretching five steel arrows upto the ear, dug them into the demon’s chest with a great speed. The arrows, blazing like serpents and feathered with fine plumes, shone like sun-rays in that demon’s chest. Struck with arrows by Lakshmana, that enraged Indrajit pierced in return three arrows well-directed towards Lakshmana.
That fight between Lakshmana, the foremost among men and Indrajit, the formost among demons, who wished to conquer one over the other in battle, was most terrific and tumultuous. Both were endowed with strength. Both were distinguished for their prowess. Both were exceedingly difficult to conquer and peerless in strength and courage.
Those two heroes, who were difficult to overcome in battle, fought at that moment like two plants figuring in the sky and like Indra and Vritra, the demon. Then, the two warriors, who were engaged in releasing several streams of arrows, fought like two lions. Lakshmana the foremost among humans and Indrajit the foremost among demons fought with rejoice.
Thereupon, Lakshmana the tormentator of enemies, fitting his arrows to his bow, released arrows on Indrajit, hissing like an enraged serpent. Hearing the twang of the bow-string of Lakshmana, Indrajit the Chief of demons became pale-faced and fixed his gaze on Lakshmana.
Seeing Indrajit (the son of Ravana) pale-faced, Vibhishana spoke as follows to Lakshmana, who was fully absorbed in the fight. “O the long-armed Lakshmana! I infer on the strength of the indications which I see in Indrajit, that he is disappointed. There is no doubt about it. Make haste.”
Thereupon, fitting to his bow sharp arrows, resembling poisonous snakes, Lakshmana discharged those arrows which looked like serpents full of venom to him. Hit by Lakshmana with arrows, which invaded all his senses, like the hit of Indra’s thunderbolt, Indrajit became stupefied for a moment.
Regaining his consciousness within a moment, with his senses restored, that Indrajit saw the valiant Lakshmana engaged in the battle.
With blood-red eyes in anger, Indrajit walked towards Lakshmana. Approaching Lakshmana, he again spoke the following harsh words to him: “Don’t you remember my prowess in the first encounter, when you along with your brother, was bound by me and you wriggled on the floor? At first, both of you along with your foremost warriors in a major encounter, were indeed laid down unconscious on the ground, by my arrows which were equal to Indra’s thunderbolt. The fact that you desire to attack me means that either the remembrance of it no longer exists in you or I presume you desire to go clearly to the abode of Yama the lord of Death. If my prowess was not witnessed by you in the first encounter, I will show it today. Stand ready for it now.”
Thus speaking, he struck Lakshmana with seven arrows and Hanuma with ten excellent sharp-edged arrows. Then, the valiant Idnrajit with anger and with twice as much vehemence, wounded Vibhishana with a hundred well-aimed arrows.
Seeing that feat accomplished by Indrajit, yet disregarding it, deriding it by saying “This is noting” and taking up terrific arrows, the fearless and enraged Lakshmana the younger brother of Rama and foremost among men, then discharged them against Indrajit in battle. “O demon! Heroes who come to battle do not strike like this. These arrows of yours are light, weak and mild indeed. Warriors, who wish to win in battle, do not fight like this.” Thus speaking, Lakshmana the wielder of a bow, streamed forth arrows on him.
A large golden armour, broken to pieces by Lakshmana’s arrows, slipped down in the middle of chariot, like a cob-web of stars falling from the sky. The valiant Indrajit, with his armour disheveled by the steel arrows, was wounded in battle and looked like the sun at dawn. Thereafter, the valiant Indrajit of terrific prowess was enraged and wounded Lakshmana with a thousand arrows in battle. The large celestial armour of Lakshmana broke into pieces. The two warriors vied with each other in offence and retaliation in their attack.
Those two warriors, with their entire bodies lacerated in combat, smeared with blood all around and breathing heavily, fought the battle tumultuously. Thos mighty warriors, skilled in warfare, were cutting through each other, for a long time, with sharp arrows.
Those two heroes f terrific prowess stay on strenuously trying to secure their own victory, covered as they were, all over with a multitude of arrows as also their armour and standards torn to pieces. They stood emitting hot blood, as two water-falls gushing hot water.
Much of a time lapsed while the two warriors fought loosing terrific stream of arrows, then with an awful clamour, like two dark destructive clouds raining from the sky. They neither trned their back from the battle, nor experienced any fatigue.
Displaying their missiles again and again, the two warriors, who were excellent among those skilled in the use missiles, fastened a net work of arrows both large and small, in the sky. Loosing their arrows faultlessly, gracefully and easily in a wonderful way, both the man and the demon carried on a tumultuous and terrific war.
Their terrific and tumultuous sound could be heard one by one repeatedly. That sound created a tremble in people, like a violent thunder-storm. That clamour of those two warriors, who were engaged thus in that martial act, resembled the rumbling of two dreadful thundering clouds in the sky.
Those two mighty and glorious warriors, who were determined to gain victory over one another, wounded with golden-shafted steel arrows, were profusely giving out blood. Fallen on their limbs, the golden-shafted arrows, dropped on the battle-field, smeared with blood and pierced into the surface of the earth.
Some more arrows released by those two warriors clashed in thousands with sharp weapons in the sky and shattered and tore them. The terrific pile of arrows in battle appeared like a mass of sacred Kusha grass by the side of two blazing fires at a sacrifice.
The wounded bodies of those two mighty warriors shoen like Kimshuka and Shalmali (silk-cotton) trees in full blossom, deprived of leaves. Indrajit and Lakshmana who were time and again wishing to attain victory one over the other, carried out tumultuous and terrific battle.
In the combat, Lakshmana was striking Indrajit and Indrajit too was striking Lakshmana. Both of them were striking each other and did not experience any weariness. With a multitude of arrows dug deep into their bodies, those two warriors, of great prowess and swiftness, shone like two mountains shooting forth plants from them.
At that time, all their limbs, dampened with blood and thickly covered with arrows shone very much like blazing fires. A lot of time lapsed in the meanwhile past the two warriors. They neither turned their back from the battle nor experienced any fatigue. Then, to relieve martial weariness of Lakshmana, who did not experience defeat in any facet of war, the great-souled Vibhishana, offering agreeable and salutary words, took up his position, on reaching the battle-field.
Thus, this is the 88th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 89
| Vibhishana enters the battle-field and destroys many demons. He speaks encouraging words to the chiefs of monkeys urging them to carry on the combat. The monkeys start a furious attack on the demons. Even Hanuma begins to destroy thousands of demons. Indrajit rushes towards Lakshmana and starts fighting with him. Lakshmana kills Indrajit's charioteer. Four excellent monkey-chiefs kill Indrajit's horses and destroys his chariot. |
Seeing Lakshmana and Indrajit, fighting with commitment to gain victory one over the other, like elephants in rut, that strong and valiant Vibhishana, wielding his excellent bow, stood there at the battle-front, with an intent to behold their combat.
Standing there thus, Vibhishana stretched his great bow and released excellent sharp pointed arrow son those demons. Falling in exact spot, those arrows, hitting like fire, tore the demons into pieces, as thunderbolts would cleave large mountains. Even the foremost of demons, the attendants of Vibhishana too, rent asunder those valiant demons in battle, with pikes, swords and sharp-edged spears.
Surrounded by those demons, Vibhishana shone like an elephant in the midst of proud young tuskers. Vibhishana, who knew the timing, spoke to the monkeys, who cherished to destroy the demons, the following opportune words duly inspiring them. "O chiefs of monkeys! Here stands before you, one who is the last support of Ravana. He is all that is left in his force. Why do you stand idle? At the end of this war, if this sinful demon is killed, the remaining army is as good as killed, except Ravana."
Prahasta was killed. The valiant Nikumbha, the mighty Kumbhakarna, Kumbha, the demon called Dhumraksha, Jambumali, Mahamali, the highly swift Ashaniprabha, Suptaghna, Yajnakopa, a demon named Vajradamshtra, Samhadri, Vikata the destroyer of enemies, Tapana, Manda, Praghaasa, Praghasa, PrajaN^gha, Janga, Agniketu who was difficult to be conquered, Agniketu, the valiant Rashmiketu, vidyujjihva, Dvijihva, Suryashatru, Akampana, Suparshva, Chakramali, Kampana and the mighty Devantaka were also killed."
Having killed these many mighty and foremost of demons and having swun the ocean, let the tiny puddle be crossed. "O monkeys! Only this much of army remains yet to be conquered here. All the demons, who were proud of their strength, having come to the battle-field here, were killed by you. Driving away tenderness, for the sake of Rama, I will kill my own brother's son though being his uncle (who is as good as a father), it is not appropriate for me to compose his death. My eyes are getting clouded with tear, even when I think of killing him. This long-armed Lakshmana alone will finish him. O Monkeys! All of you, together, kill his servents standing beside him."
Thus impelled by that illustrious Vibhishana, those monkey-chiefs were rejoiced and lashed their tails (in a happy mood). Then, those monkeys-chiefs, roaring time and again, emitted various kinds of sounds resembling the sounds of peacocks at the time of seeing the clouds. Even Jambavan and those monkeys, accompanied by all those, who belong to their identical troops, began to strike the demons with stones, nails and teeth.
Those mighty demons, having various kinds of weapons, abandoning their fear, surrounded that Jambavan, who was playing havoc on them. They struck Jambavan, who was killing the army of demons in battle, with sharp axes, spears with sharp edges, sticks and javelins.
That tumultuous and terrific battle accompanied by a great noise, occurred between the monkeys and the demons as between enraged celestials and demons. That haughty Hanuma too who felt enraged, causing Lakshmana to descend from his back, and tearing up Sala tree from a mountain, approached the demons and himself began to destroy those demons in their thousands.
That mighty Indrajit, the destroyer valiant enemies, after giving a tumultuous fight to his uncle, yet again rushed towards Lakshmana. The two valiant celebrities, Lakshmana and Indrajit, the two intense fighters in battle, then began to strike each other, showering a multitude of arrows on their enemies.
The mighty and energetic Lakshmana and Indrajit covered each other off exceedingly by a network of arrows, in the same way as the sun and the moon are veiled by clouds at the end of summer. Due to lightness of their hands, even as they fight there, neither the holding of the bow, nor the taking off the arrows, nor fitting them on their bow-string, nor adjusting their fists, nor drawing the bow-string nor attaining the target was visible.
The sky, having been covered by a multitude of arrows, on all sides, discharged with force by them both, was shrouded in darkness. Meeting Indrajit, Lakshmana fought with him. Meeting Lakshmana, Indrajit too took the offensive. As they clashed with each other, there was terrible confusion (as to who would win ultimately). By the sharp arrows released almost continuously with the sky was covered with darkness.
By the fall of a multitude of their sharp arrows in hundreds, the quarters and sub-quarters were filled with arrows. All the space was covered with darkness, showing up great fear. While the sun was setting down, encircling darkness all over, large streams of blood in plenty poured out.
Cruel and carnivorous animals diffused awful sounds with their roaring noise. Wind did not blow at that time nor the wind blazed up. Those great sages proclaimed, "May it be well for the (three) worlds!" The frightened Gandharvas the celestial musicians along with Charanas, the wandering singers arrived there to see tha battle-field.
By discharging four arrows, Lakshmana then struck four black gold-adorned horses of Indrajit. Thereupon, with alacrity of his hand, that illustrious Lakshmana, fully stretching and releasing another sharp thunderbolt-like arrow, named Bhalla, which was yellowish in colour, with charming plumes, having a good splendour similar to Indra's thunderbolt and echoing a clapping sound, severed the head of Indrajit's charioteer from his trunk, even as he was circling around.
When the charioteer was killed, the greatly splendoured Indrajit did the charioteering by himself and also took hold of his bow. For them, who saw his capability in that battle, it looked wonderful. When he was driving his horses, Lakshmana struck him with sharp arrows. When he was attending to his bow, he released arrows on horses.
Lakshmana, who was swift in his acts, tormented Indrajit who was ranging the battle-field fearlessly, with a multitude of arrows on such opportune occasions. Seeing his charioteer killed in battle, Indrajit became dejected and los this enthusiasm in undertaking the combat.
Seeing Indrajit with a despondent face, the monkey-chiefs were very much dejected and then acclaimed Lakshmana. Then, four monkey-leaders named Pramathi, Rabhasa, Sharabha and Gandhamadana, getting impatient, acted hastily. Those four monkeys, having a great might and terrible prowess, quickly bounced and descended on his excellent horses. Blood started flowing from the mouths of those horses pressed under the weight of those monkeys, as huge as mountains.
Those crushed horses, with their limbs broken as also moving to and fro, fell down dead on the ground. After killing his horses, those monkeys also crushed that great chariot and jumping up again with speed, they stood by the side of Lakshmana. That Indrajit, whose charioteer was killed and horses destroyed, leaped down from his chariot and attacked Lakshmana with streams of arrows.
Then, that Lakshmana like Indra the lord of celestials, restrained those arrows with many a number of his arrows. That Indrajit was coming on foot, as his excellent horses had been killed and began to release exquisite sharp arrows in battle.
Thus, this is the 89th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 90
| Indrajit goes back to Lanka and brings another chariot with him. He attacks the monkeys severely. The monkeys seek refuge in Lakshmana. Indrajit and Lakshmana continue a fierce battle with their bow and arrows. Lakshmana destroys Indrajit’s chariot. Indrajit strikes three arrows in Lakshmana’s forehead and Lakshmana strikes five arrows on Indrajit’s face. When Indrajit strikes Vibhishana with arrows, Vibhishana kills Indrajit’s horses. Fitting a missile presided over by Indra the lord of celestials, Lakshmana addressed a prayer on Rama and discharged it towards Indrajit. Indrajit’s head gets chopped off and falls to the ground. Witnessing Indrajit’s death, all the monkey-chiefs, Vibhishana, Hanuma and Jambavan applaud Lakshmana. |
Indrajit, the demon, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, standing on the ground his horses having been killed; was very much enraged and blazed with spirit. Those two warriors, holding their bows, having an extreme intent to kill each other with their arrows, were like two excellent elephants going out in the forest for the purpose of conquering one over the other. Those demons and monkeys, rushing from all sides, destroying each other, did not desert their masters in battle.
Applauding and causing rejoice to all the demons and even feeling delighted himself, Indrajit then spoke the following words: “These quarters are wrapped on all sides with abundant darkness. O foremost of demons! It can not be identified at this time whether one belongs to one’s own army or an enemy. You courageously fight, so as to stupefy the monkeys. I, on my part, will return to the battle-field, ascending another chariot. You act in such a way so that these evil-minded monkeys do not carry on their fight (with me) while enter the city.”
Thus speaking, Indrajit the annihilator of enemies, having deceived the monkeys, entered the City of Lanka for the sake of getting anther chariot. Arranging for embellishment of a chariot, which was beautiful, decked with gold, furnished with darts, swords and arrows, yoked with excellent horses, directed by a charioteer who could understand those horses properly and could give credible instructions to them, that Indrajit, a conqueror in battle, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, then ascended it.
That valiant Indrajit, surrounded by troops of principal demons and incited by the force of destiny, sallied forth from the city. Moving out form the City with his swift horses, that Indrajit, the destroyer of valiant enemies, attacked Lakshmana and Vibhishana.
Seeing Indrajit seated in the chariot, Lakshmana, the mighty monkeys and Vibhishana the demon then were very much surprised on recalling the alacrity of the intelligent Indrajit. The enraged Indrajit also struck down hundreds and thousands of monkey-chiefs by using a multitude of arrows in the battle-field.
Stretching his bow to a circle, that enraged Indrajit the conqueror in battle, exhibiting supreme agility, began to kill the monkeys. Thus being killed by steel arrows, those monkeys of terrible prowess sought refuge in Lakshmana, as people would take refuge in Brahma the Lord of Creation.
Then, blazing with hostile anger, Lakshmana, showing his agility of hand, tore Indrajit’s bow. Hurriedly, he took another bow and made it ready. Lakshmana tore that bow too of Indrajit with three arrows.
Thereupon, Lakshmana struck that Indrajit, whose bow was torn, on his chest with five arrows which were deadly like a serpentine poison. Those arrows, released from that great bow, penetrating through Indrajit’s body, fell to the ground like huge red serpents.
Ejecting blood from his month, that Indrajit, who had his bow torn, took hold of his excellent bow with the bow-string firmly fastened and which was stronger than the earlier bow. Employing utmost agility, Indrajit, aiming at Lakshmana, streamed forth a shower of arrows, as Indra the lord of celestials streaming forth the rain.
Lakshmana the annihilator of enemies coolly warded off the shower of arrows released by Indrajit, though it was most difficult to resist. Lakshmana with great splendor, remaining unperplexed, then showed his prowess to Indrajit, which was marvelous indeed.
Getting extremely enraged, Lakshmana then pierced all those demons who stood in the battle-field with three arrows each, showing his speed in discharging missiles and also struck Indrajit with an array of arrows.
That Indrajit, who was struck by the enemy, who was mighty destroyer of enemies, released several arrows unhindered towards Lakshmana. Lakshmana, the destroyer of valiant adversaries, tore those arrows yet unarrived, with sharp arrows. The virtuous Lakshmana eliminated the head of the charioteer of Indrajit, the chariot-warrior, in the battle with an arrow called Bhalla which was looking curved at its nodes.
Those horses, bereft of a charioteer there, without getting perturbed, ran up in a circular fashion and continued to draw the chariot. The scene looked wonderful indeed. Getting the power of anger, Lakshmana of unyielding prowess, pierced the horses of Indrajit with arrows, so as to frighten them thereby.
Getting impatient with that act of Lakshmana in battle, Indrajit struck that enraged Lakshmana with ten arrows. Those arrows of Indrajit, equal to thunderbolts and deadly as serpentine poison, having reached Lakshmana’s armour with a golden hue, got destroyed.
Understanding Lakshmana to have been protected by an impenetrable armour and showing his swiftness in discharging missiles, Indrajit the son of Ravana, who felt very much angered, pierced Lakshmana in the forehead with three arrows provided with good plumes.
With those three arrows planted in his forehead, Lakshmana who was fond of fighting, shone like a mountain with its three peaks, in the battle-field. Thus tormented in battle by Indrajit the demon, that Lakshmana then quickly stretching the bow, pierced him in return with five arrows, in battle, in Indrajit’s face holding beautiful ear-rings.
Lakshmana Indrajit, the heroes endowed with extraordinary might and armed with very strong bows and possessing terrible prowess, struck each other with distinctly pointed arrows.
Those two warriors, Lakshmana and Indrajit, with both their bodies stained in blood, shone in the battle-field at that time, like Kimshuka trees in blossom. Those two archers, with their minds directed towards victory, met each other and pierced their opponent in all limbs with dreadful arrows.
Then, Indrajit, filled with martial anger, struck Vibhishana in his auspicious face, with three arrows. Having struck Vibhishana, the leader of demons, with three arrows, Indrajit struck all those monkey chiefs with a single arrow each.
Very much enraged with him, that Vibhishana of great splendor killed the horses of that evil-minded Indrajit with his mace. Just leaping down from the chariot whose charioteer was destroyed earlier and whose horses were killed, that Indrajit of great splendor employed his javelin towards his maternal uncle.
Seeing that Javelin rushing towards Vibhishana, Lakshmana tore it into ten pieces with his sharp arrows and felled it on the floor. The strong bodied Vibhishana, in anger, dug five arrows, whose impact was a hard as that of a thunder-bolt, into the bosom of Indrajit, whose horses were already killed.
Having penetrated his body, those arrows which were provided with golden feathers, went straight into their target, got stained with blood and appeared like red large serpents. Enraged with his paternal uncle, that Indrajit, standing in the midst of demons, took hold of an excellent arrow earlier presented by Yama the lord of Death.
Seeing that great arrow seized by him, Lakshmana also, of great splendor and terrible prowess, took hold of another arrow. That arrow had been presented to him, in the course of a dream, by Kubera the god of riches, of immense glory himself, which was difficult to be conquered and much more difficult to be tolerated even for gods and demons including Indra the lord of celestials.
Stretched with strength by their arms, which resembled a pair of steel rods, emitted a piercing sound like that of a pair of curlew-cranes. The excellent arrows fitted and pulled out from their excellent bow by those heroes, blazed very much with splendour.
Those arrows, released from the bow, making the sky shine and hitting each other face to face, collided each other powerfully. The collision of those arrows of terrible form broke out a fierce fire comprising of smoke and sparkles. Hitting each other like two major planets, those two arrows in battle burst into a hundred pieces and fell on the ground.
On seeing their arrows warded off in the battle-front, those two warriors, Lakshmana and Indrajit then felt abashed and got provoked. Getting excited, Lakshmana took hold of a missile presided over by Varuna (the god of water). Skilled in warfare, the great Indrajit too discharged a missile presided over by Rudra (the god of destruction) in battle.
By that Rudra missile, that very wonderful Varuna-missile was struck. Then, that enraged Indrajit of great splendour and the conqueror of battle, looking like the destroyer of the world, employed a missile presided over by Agni the god of fire which was blazing. The valiant Lakshmana obstructed Agni-missile, by a missile presided over by the sun-god. Finding his missile repelled, Indrajit was filled with anger and took hold of a sharp arrow used by demons and capable of tearing down an enemy.
From that bow, blazing weapon similar to a hammer duly hidden, darts, fire arms, maces, swords and axes rushed forth. Seeing that terrible missile, which was very harsh, unrestrainable for all beings and which can tear all weapons in battle, the brilliant Lakshmana obstructed that missile by using Maheswara-missile.
There was a wonderful battle between both of them, causing hair to stand erect. The beings in the sky surrounded Lakshmana. Surrounded by many surprised beings in that terrible battle taking place between monkeys and demons, yielding terrific noise, the sky sparkled.
Placing Indra the lord of celestials as their head, the sages, manes, gods, Gandharvas the celestial musicians, eagles and serpents protected Lakshmana in the battle-field. Then, Lakshmana fitted another excellent arrow, which had a sensation of ignition and which can tear down Indrajit.
The heroic Lakshmana fitted the arrow, having beautiful plumes, which consisted of rounded parts, well-jointed, skillfully fashioned, decked with gold, capable of destroying the body of the enemies, not difficult to keep off but difficult even to tolerate, a source of terror to the demons as deadly as the venom of poisonous snakes and duly honoured by the host of gods.
With the help of that arrow, the highly powerful and valiant Indra, the lord of celestials, who had green horses to his chariot, was able to conquer the demons in a combat which raged between celestials and demons. Fitting a missile presided over by Indra the lord of celestials, which had never been defeated in battle, to his excellent bow and drawing it, the glorious Lakshmana addressed the following prayer, which was intended to achieve his purpose: “O my dear arrow! If Rama the son of Dasaratha has set his mind on virtue, keeps up his promise and is second to none in his prowess, destroy this Indrajit.”
Thus saying and drawing up to the ear the arrow, which went straight, the heroic Lakshmana released it towards Indrajit. That large head of Indrajit, separated from his trunk and moistened with blood, was seen on the ground, shining like gold.
Having been killed, that Indrajit then forthwith fell to the ground, along with his armour and head-protector, with his bow shattered. As Indrajit was killed, all those monkeys together with Vibhishana roared in rejoice, as the celestials did, when Vritra the demon was killed.
Then, a shout of victory rose in the sky from the mouth of gods, great-souled sages, Gandharvas the celestial musicians and the celestial nymphs. Seeing him fallen, that great army of demons, being struck by monkeys shining with victory, sought the quarters.
Abandoning their weapons, while being struck by the monkeys, those demons went towards Lanka, running fast stupefied. All those frightened demons, abandoning their weapons sharp-edged spears, swords and axes ran away in hundreds to various directions.
Tormented by the monkeys, some were scared and entered Lanka. Some fell into the ocean. Some took refuge in the mountain. Seeing Indrajit killed and lying on the battle-field, not even one among the thousands of demons was to be seen.
As the sun-rays do not exist when the sun has sunk below the horizon, so those demons left to different directions when Indrajit had fallen. Thrown asunder and dead, that long-armed Indrajit looked like the sun whose rays have cooled down and like the fire which is extinguished.
When Indrajit was fallen, the world then had its oppressions pacified, now that its enemy had been destroyed and it experience a rejoice. While that demon of sinful deeds is having been killed, the illustrious Indra the ruler of gods along with all the great sages were rejoiced.
In the sky too was heard the sound of large drums played by celestials, the melody produced by dancing Apsaras the celestial nymphs and the songs of Gandharvas the celestial musicians. While that demon of cruel deeds was killed, a deluge of flowers rained along with showers of praises. It was a wonderful scene.
While that Indrajit, who was the terror of all the worlds, had fallen, the waters and the sky became clear. The celestials and demons were rejoiced and arrived on the scene. The gratified celestials, Gandharvas the celestial musicians and the demons said: “Let the Brahmanas move about cheerfully, now that their trouble has ceased.”
Seeing that foremost among demons, who was unrivalled in battle, having been killed, the rejoiced monkey-chiefs applauded Lakshmana. Vibhishana, Hanuma and Jambavan the chief of bears were pleased at Lakshmana for his victor and applauded him too.
The monkeys, who accomplished their aim, roaring, jumping with joy and emitting thundering sounds, stood encircling Lakshmana. Wagging their tails and lashing them, the monkeys then gave forth the slogan, “Victorious is Lakshmana!”
Embracing each other with rejoiced minds, the monkeys indulged in good conversations about Lakshmana and his manifold qualities. Hearing Indrajit having been killed and witnessing that arduous act of Lakshmana, their beloved friend in battle, and the celestials were gratified and experienced a great rejoice in their minds.
Thus, this is the 90th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 91
| Lakshmana and Vibhishana approach Rama and inform him that Indrajit's head has been chopped off. Rama was delighted with the news and applauds Lakshmana, by embracing him. Rama gets Lakshmana and others treated by Sushena. After the medical treatment by Suhena, Lakshmana becomes sound, active and full of joy. |
Lakshmana, endowed with auspicious bodily marks, whose limbs were drenched in blood, felt rejoiced on having killed Indrajit in combat. Having offered salutation to Jambavan, Hanuma and all those monkeys, that valiant Lakshmana of great brilliance then quickly came from there to the place where Sugreeva and Rama were there, by leaning himself upon Vibhishana and Hanuma.
Having offered his salutation and approached Rama, Lakshmana stood beside his brother, even as Lord Vamana (the younger brother of Indra) would stand beside Indra the lord of celestials. Then, the valiant Lakshmana, arriving at the great-souled Rama, told him in a murmuring tone (as he was feeling tiresome) about the terrific destroyal of Indrajit.
Then, the rejoiced Vibhishana informed (in a clear tone) to Rama that Indrajit's head had been chopped off by the great-souled Lakshmana. Just on hearing the news about the killing of Indrajit by Lakshmana, Rama of great prowess obtained immeasurable joy and spoke the following words: "O Lakshmana! Well done! I feel gratified. An ardous act has been done. Consider it as our victory, through the destroyal of Indrajit.”
Smelling the head of that Lakshmana, who had augmented his fame and yet who was feeling abashed (to hear himself being praised), forcibly drawing him to his lap and placing that Lakshmana his younger brother in his lap with affection, wounded as he was, that valiant Rama, having embraced him, tenderly gazed upon him affectionately again and again.
Smelling once more the head of that Lakshmana, who was feeling tormented by the arrows that had penetrated into his body, who had been wounded, who was breathing heard, who was endowed with auspicious characteristics, was afflicted with agony and was feeling pained at the time of respiration, and hurriedly stroking him as well as restoring confidence in him, Rama the foremost among men spoke the following words: "An extremely noble act was performed by you, a doer of difficult things. Now, that his son having been killed, I account Ravana to have been killed in battle. As that evil-minded enemy has been killed, I become victorious. O valiant Lakshmana! Fortunately, you indeed severed the right hand of the cruel Ravana. Indrajit is indeed the support for that Ravana. Vibhishana and Hanuma too performed a great feat in the great battle."
"In the course of three days and nights, the valiant Indrajit was felled down somehow. Now, I have been made free of enemies. Hearing of his son having been struck down, Ravana will indeed come forth with a great and powerful battle-array. By encircling that Ravana, who is difficult to be conquered, with a great army, I will kill him, who is coming forth with a feeling of distress for the death of his son. O Lakshmana! As that Indrajit has been killed in battle by you, who are my protector, neither Seetha nor this entire earth is hard to attain.”
Having thus consoled Lakshmana and having embraced him, that Rama who was born in Raghu-dynansty, was duly delighted and by calling Sushena, spoke to him the following words: "O highly intelligent one! You attend upon this wounded Lakshmana, who is fond of friends, so that he will become perfectly well in health."
Let Lakshmana along with Vibhishana be quickly made free from pain caused by the arrows that have penetrated into their body. Let all others too among the gallant bear and monkey-warriors fighting with trees who have fought on the battle-field here and stand pierced with arrows and wounded, be healed in the same way with great care."
As commanded by Rama, the great-souled Sushena, the monkey-chief gave an excellent medicine through nose to Lakshmana. Inhaling the odour of that herb, Lakshmana became healed of the arrow-wounds, free from pains and his wounds got completely cured. As per the order of Rama, Sushena then treated his companions like Vibhishana and others including all the monkey-chiefs.
Then, with his arrow-wounds healed, his fatigue gone and his feverishness cured within a moment, Lakshmana having restored his original disposition, felt joyful there. Then, on seeing Lakshmana standing up with sound health, Rama, Sugreeva, Vibhishana and the valiant Jambavan along with the army were rejoiced for a long time.
That great-souled Rama applauded the ardous feat of Lakshmana. Hearing of Indrajit having been killed in battle, Sugreeva became delighted.
Thus, this is the 91st chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 92
| Ravana feels distressed in hearing the news of his son's death. He gets enraged and after deeply pondering over, decides to kill Seetha, who was the root of all this trouble. Ravana with a sword in his hand, sallies forth towards Ashoka garden to make a short work of Seetha. Seetha observes Ravana rushing towards her and laments that after killing Rama and Lakshmana, he is coming to her place to kill her. Beholding the lamentation of Seetha, Suparshva, a good and upright minister of Ravana advises Ravana to desist from that dastardly act and to divert his anger towards Rama in battle. Ravana accepts the advice of his minister and returns to his assembly-hall. |
Hearing of Indrajit's killing and having ascertained the news, Ravana's counsellors reported the matter hurriedly to Ravana : "O monarch! Your great majestic son has been killed by Lakshmana with the help of Vibhishana, while we were witnessing the event in the battle-field. Your valiant son, who was unbeatable in combats and that hero who conquered Indra the lord of celestials, having collided with valiant Lakshmana, has been killed. Having tormented Lakshmana with his arrows, Indrajit departed to the highest world."
Hearing that news of formidable, harsh and terrific death of Indrajit his son in battle, Ravana gave way to a protracted swoon.
Regaining his consciousness after a long time, the king Ravana confounded as he was with sorrow on account of his son's death and with his mind confused, lamented as follows depressed as he was: "Alas! My child, the chief of the army of demons, having extraordinary might! Having conquered Indra, how have you been subjected to the power of Lakshmana now? Certainly, when enraged, you would pierce with your arrows in battle, even the all-destroying time in the form of Yama the Lord of Death and even the peaks of Mount Mandara. What to tell about Lakshmana? O the long armed one! Highly esteemed to me is the king Yama, son of sun-god, by whom you have been subjected to the ravages of time today."
"This is the path for great warriors even among all the celestial hosts. That male offspring who is killed for the cause of his lord, obtains heaven. Seeing Indrajit having been killed, all the hosts of celestials, the guardians of the world and the great sages now can sleep comfortably and peacefully. Bereft of Indrajit alone, the entire earth with its forest appear to be wholly alone to me. Nay, even the three worlds! Now, I shall hear the hue and cry of the demon-maidens in the gynaecium, even as one would hear the roar of a troop of female-elephants in a mountain cave."
"O destroyer of enemies! Where did you go leaving the rank of Prince Regent as also Lanka, the demons, your mother and myself, your wives and all of us. O hero! The obsequies rights in my honour ought to have been done by you, consequent upon my death in future. You are, however, following a reverse path. Deserting us without taking away my tormentation, while Sugreeva, Lakshmana and Rama are still alive, where have you gone?"
A huge rage enveloped Ravana, the king of demons, born of his son's death, while he was feeling distressed through grief as aforesaid. The anguishes occasioned by the death of his son, flared up further for him, who by his very nature, was wrathful, as rays of the sun flare up the blazing sun in summer.
With his eye brows joined together on his forehead, he shone brightly like an ocean, at the time of the dissolution of the world, with crocodiles and giant waves. While he was yawning with anger; a fire with smoke, as though clearly burning, broke out from his mouth, as it did from the month of Vritra (in the former days).
Afflicted with the grief of his son's killing, that valiant Ravana got wrapped up in wrath and pondering with his mind, craved for the killing of Seetha. The dreadful eyes of that Ravana, which were red in colour by their very nature and were red even by the fire of his wrath, looked glittering.
That naturally terrific form of Ravana, filled with the fire of his wrath, became difficult to be approached, like the form of enraged Rudra the god of destruction. Drops of tears fell down from his enraged eyes, as drops of oil with flames fall down from blazing lamps.
The sound of his teeth, produced from the friction of his teeth as he ground them, were heard like the noise of a large machine being bragged by the demons. Trembling with fear, the demons hid themselves, in whichever quarter to which he directed his look, enraged as he was, like the fire of universal dissolution.
Demons could not go towards Ravana, who was looking at all the four quarters, like the enraged Yama the god of Death, who wants to devour both the mobile and the immobile creatures.
Desirous of posting the demons to the battle-field, Ravana the king of demons, who was very much enraged, then spoke as follows, in their midst: "Brahma the lord of creation was gratified by me, by performing a stupendous austerity for thousands of years, at the conclusion of those austerities. As a consequence of that austerity alone and by the grace of Brahma the lord of creation, there was never a fear for me either from the demons or from the celestials. In the course of combats with the gods and demons, the armour gifted to me by Brahma, the lord of creation, which is as brilliant as the sun, could not be mutilated by those who held the thunderbolt in their fists."
"Who will, be it Indra himself, dare to attack me on the battle-field now, when mounted on chariot on this field of battle, and duly wearing the aforesaid armour? Let that large bow of mine, which was given at that time to me along with arrows by the gracious Brahma the lord of creation, on the occasion of my combat between gods and demons, be taken out today to the accompaniment of a band of musical instruments, for the purpose of killing Rama and Lakshmana in the great battle."
That cruel Ravana, afflicted as he was with grief at the killing of his son, was subjected to anger and deeply pondering with his mind, decided kill Seetha.
Looking fixedly with blood-red eyes on all those demons, who were making miserable sounds, that very awful Ravana for his part, who had assumed a terrible appearance, though feeling distressed, spoke to them as follows: "In order to hoodwink the monkeys, something which had been killed there, was shown, by taking recourse to conjuring tricks, as Seetha, by my child (Indrajit). I shall make that hoax into a hard reality, which is pleasing to me. I shall destroy Seetha, who is devoted to Rama, a bad warrior".
Thus speaking to his counsellors, he swiftly drew his sword. The enraged Ravana, who was very much agitated in mind because of the grief for his son's death, springing up suddenly and taking his excellent sword, having the dazzle of a clear sky, sallied forth from the assembly hall along with his ministers swiftly and quickly to the place where Seetha was.
Seeing Ravana going, his followers emitted a lion's roar. Seeing the enraged Ravana and embracing each other, they spoke as follows: "Both those brothers (Rama and Lakshmana), on seeing him now in fury, will get perturbed. Indeed even the four guardians of the world had been frightened by him, who was in fury. Many other enemies were also frightened by him in various battles. Fetching precious things existing in all the three worlds, Ravana enjoys them. No one on the earth is equal to him in strength and prowess."
While those demons were thus talking, Ravana who was excited with fury, rushed towards Seetha, who was present in the Ashoka grove. Though being kept back by his companions whose minds were set on his welfare, Ravana who was very much enraged, rushed like Mars, in the sky, which would rush towards the constellation, Rohini in fury.
The faultless Seetha for her part, who was being guarded by female demons, saw the enraged Ravana who was bearing an excellent sword. Seetha was perturbed in seeing him, bearing sword and who was not going back eventhough being kept back in many ways by his friends.
Filled with sorrow and lamenting, Seetha said to herself as follows: "From the manner in which this fellow himself is rushing towards me in fury, I fear the evil-minded demon is going to kill me, to make me husband-less, even though I have a husband. He incited me several times, devoted as I am to my husband, saying 'Be my consort!'. He was refused firmly by me. Having been evidently afflicted with despair on my refusing to wait upon him, he is surely intent to kill me, filled as he was with anger and infatuation. Otherwise, that vulgar demon might have killed those brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, the foremost of men, today in battle, because of me."
"Here, I just heard a terrific great noise of a multitude of demons, who have been jubilant and roaring about a pleasant happening. Alas! Woe is me, if that destruction of the two princes was brought about because of me. Otherwise, the terrific demon of a sinful resolve, having not been able to kill Rama and Lakshmana, is going to kill, me, because of the grief over his son's death."
"Those words of Hanuma were not acted upon by me, having a low mind. If I left on that day on his back, though not won back by my husband, I would not have grieved like this today, as I should be resting on the lap of my husband (in that case). I think that the heart of that Kausalya will get burst, when the lady, who had only one son, hears of her son having been killed in battle."
"While lamenting, Kausalya will vividly recall about the birth, childhood, youth, the righteous acts and the handsome form of the great-souled Rama. Having observed a ceremony in honour of her deceased son and getting despondent and unconscious, Kausalya will surely enter the flame or be drowned in water. Woe be to the unfaithful hunch-back Manthara, of sinful resolve, on whose consequence, Kausalya will get this grief.”
Seeing Seetha miserably weeping in that manner like Rohini (the deity presiding over a constellation of this name), fallen under the sway of the planet Mars, when away of the moon-god (her husband), a minister called Suparshva, a good-natured, upright and highly intelligent demon, even though restrained by other ministers, spoke the following words Ravana, the foremost of demons: "O Ravana, the younger brother of Kubera himself! How do you wish to kill Seetha, abandoning your righteousness, in a bout of anger? O valiant king of demons! Why are you thinking of destroying a lady, ever since you completed the vow of celibacy essential for a study of the Vedic lore and were devoted to your own duty? O king! Behold at Seetha, endowed, as she is, with beauty. Together with us, release your anger, in battle, on Rama alone."
"Making yourself ready today itself, the fourteenth day of the dark half of this month, you along with the armies, sally forth tomorrow, the moonless day, to victory. As a valiant and shrewd chariot-warrior, fighting with a sword, in the foremost of your chariots, you can fetch Seetha by killing Rama, the son of Dasaratha."
Accepting that advice, endowed with justice, tendered by a friend, the evil-minded Ravana went to his palace. Thereafter, that valiant Ravana, along with his friends, again went to his assembly hall from there.
Thus, this is the 92nd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 93
| As per Ravana's command, his army marches forward to the battle-field, so as to fight fiercely with Rama and his army with their weapon. When the demons attack the monkeys with their various weapons fiercely, they seek refuge in Rama. Rama destroys the troops of demons in the battle-field swiftly. |
That king, who was dejected and very much distressed, having entered the assembly-hall, sat on his pre-eminent seat, snorting like a lion. That mighty Ravana, who was emaciated for his son's death, having joined both his palms in salutation, spoke the following words all those chiefs of army:
"Surrounded by the entire elephants and horses, as also graced with columns of chariots and foot-soldiers, all of you march forward. Encircling Rama alone, you have to kill him, by showering streams of arrows upon him, even as clouds pour showers during the rainy season. Or I shall kill Rama, while the world is witnessing it tomorrow, once his limbs are torn by you with your sharp arrows in the great battle."
Having heard those words of Ravana, those demons sallied forth for the battle, along with various kinds of armies and speedy chariots. All those demons hurled iron clubs, sharp-edged spikes, arrows, swords and axes capable of destroying the life. The monkeys too hurled trees and mountains towards the demons. Towards sun-rise, that very terrific battle became tumultuous between demons and monkeys.
Those monkeys and demons then began to strike each other with multi-coloured maces, darts, swords and axes in the battle. While the battle was thus in progress, the surprisingly enormous dust was actually settled down by the streams of blood, proceeding from the demons and monkeys. With elephants and chariots as their river-banks, with horses as their fish and with flag-staffs as trees, rivers of blood gushed forth, carrying dead
Then, all those monkeys were drenched in streams of blood. Leaping and bouncing on the battle-field, the monkey-chiefs broke off flag-staffs, armours, chariots, horses and various kinds of weapons. With their sharp teeth and nails, the monkeys tore off the hair, ears, eye-brows and noses of the demons.
A hundred monkey-chiefs rushed towards each single demon in the battle, even as birds would rush towards a tree laden with fruits. Then, the demons resembling mountain in size, struck down the terrific monkeys with large maces, darts, swords and axes. The huge army of monkeys, being struck down by the demons, sought refuge in Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who affords protection.
Thereupon, Rama of great splendour and prowess, taking up his bow and entering the army of demons, streamed forth showers of arrows. Those highly terrific demons dared not approach Rama, having entered their ranks, was scorching them with the flame of his arrows, even as clouds would not approach the scorching sun in the sky.
Those demons saw the most terrible deeds only of Rama, when they were actually performed by him in the battle-field, which were difficult to perform for others. Those demons could not actually see Rama, while he was shaking their huge army and blowing away their great chariots, any more than one could see a gale of wind in a forest.
They saw the army torn and pierced with arrows, as also scorched, broken down and tormented with missiles. They could not see Rama, who was so swift in his martial art. The demons could not behold Rama hitting their bodies, even as created beings are not able to see their individual souls resting in their sense-objects.
"Here is Rama, killing the army of elephants. Here is Rama, destroying great chariot-warriors. Here is Rama, killing foot-soldiers along with horses with his sharp arrows". Saying so, all those demons struck one another with rage in the battle-field those who were in similarity of appearance to Rama.
Having been thrown into confusion by the great mystic missile presided over by the Gandharvas, the celestial musicians; presided over by the Gandharvas, the celestial musicians; those demons were unable to see Rama, even when he was scorching away their army. Those demons for their part saw thousands of Rama's in the battle-field, while at other times, they saw only one Rama in that great battle.
Those demons for their part saw thousands of Ramas in the battle-field; while at other times, they saw only one Rama in that great battle. The created beings saw that Rama in the form of a discus, which was killing the demons on the battle-field, like the "Wheel of Time", for its flame, the arrows for its spokes, his bow for the felly of the wheel, the twanging of the bow-string and the clanging of the gauntlet for the sound produced for its revolution, his energy and the virtues for its radiance and the power of his mystic missiles for its edge.
Within a matter of three hours, with his arrows looking like tongues of flames, Rama killed an army of demons, capable of changing their form at will, including ten thousands chariots possessing the swiftness of the wind, eighteen thousand strong elephants, fourteen thousand horses with their riders and a full two lacs of demons fighting on foot.
Those surviving demons, with their horses killed, with their chariots destroyed, with their flag-staffs broken and with broken spirits, rushed back towards the City of Lanka. That battle-field, with elephants, foot-soldiers and horses killed, looked like a pleasure-grave of the powerful and the enraged the lord of destruction.
Then, the celestials along with Gandharvas the celestial musicians, holy saints and great sages acclaimed that feat of Rama, saying "well done, well done!". Then, the virtuous Rama spoke also to Sugreeva, Vibhishana, Hanuma the monkey, Jambavan, Mainda the foremost of monkeys and even Dvivida, who were in close proximity to him as follows "Such wonderful power of this missile exists either with me or with the three-eyed Rudra the lord of destruction."
Rama, a compeer of Indra the lord of celestials, the great souled, unwearied in the use of weapons and missiles, having destroyed that army of demons, was applauded by the rejoiced troops of celestials.
Thus, this is the 93rd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 94
| The female-demons lament over the death of their husbands and kinsfolk in battle. They further rebuke Surpanakha, for being the prime cause to bring Seetha to Lanka forcibly by Ravana and for all the combat occurring with Rama thereafter. The female-demons feel sad that Ravana did not heed to the appropriate advice given by Vibhishana. They further lament on perceiving bad omens and predict the annihilation of Ravana. They recollect an instance of celestials praying for Shiva and getting a boon that a woman (Seetha) will be born to cause the destruction of demons. |
Rama, who was unweary in action, with his shining arrows adorned with pure gold, killed those thousands of elephants dispatched by Ravana, thousands of horses, valiant demons who can change their form at will mounted on thousands of chariots with their flag-staffs, having the colour of fire, fighting with maces and iron rods and conspicuous with their golden banners.
Seeing and hearing about the killing of the demons, the surviving demons well frightened, looked sad and were overwhelmed with anxiety. They wailed when they met their wives. All female-demons who lost their husbands, sons and kinsfolk met at one place, stricken as they were with sorrow, wailed as follows: "How did the old and ugly Surpanakha, of sunken belly, approach, in the forest, Rama who is charming like the god of love?"
"How strange that on seeing that Rama of tender youth, endowed with extraordinary strength and devoted to the welfare of all created beings, that ugly woman (Surpanakha) who deserved to be condemned by the people, was stung with excessive lust? How that ugly-faced demoness, who is bereft of all virtues, dared to make love to Rama, who is full of virtues, endowed with great bodily strength and who possessed a charming countenance?"
"Because of the ill-luck of these people, and to the destruction of demons and of Dushana and Khara, that grey-haired and disgusting woman, who had developed wrinkles, tried to be arrogant with Rama, misdeed which was worth ridiculing and condemned by the whole world. For the sake of that Surpanakha, Ravana built this huge enmity. For his own destruction, Ravana the demon brought that Seetha."
"Ravana cannot obtain Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, but an endless enmity has been built with the mighty Rama. Seeing that instance of Rama killing single-handedly Viradha the demon, who was yearning for Seetha, is enough indeed (to convince Ravana of Rama's strength and ability)"
"In Janasthana, Rama killed fourteen thousand demons who were doing terrific feats, with his arrows resembling tongues of fire. In that battle, Khara, Dushana and Trishira were killed with arrows resembling the sun. That instance should have been sufficient (to open the eyes of Ravana)."
"Further, that Kabandha having arms with a length of eight miles each, with blood as his food and roaring with anger was killed. That instance should have been sufficient. Rama killed the mighty Vali, the son of Indra the lord of celestials, looking like the black cloud. That instance should have been sufficient. (To open the eyes of Ravana)"
"The kingdom was restored to the miserable Sugreeva, who was residing in Mount Rishyamuka, living with his wishes disappointed. That instance should prove sufficient. (To open the eyes of Ravana). The appropriate advice tendered by Vibhishana which was conformable to duty and interest of Ravana as also beneficial to all the demons, was not to the liking to him, due to his ignorance."
"Had Ravana followed Vibhishana's advice, this Lanka would not have become a burial ground, tormented by sorrow. Ravana is not able to learn a lesson, even after hearing that the mighty Kumbhakarna was killed by Rama and that unconquerable colossal-bodied Indrajit, his beloved son was killed by Lakshmana."
"Ravana is not able to learn a lesson, even after hearing that the mighty Kumbhakarna was killed by Rama and that the unconquerable colossal-bodied Indrajit, his beloved son was killed by Lakshmana. The valiant Rama killed hundreds and thousands of chariots, horses and elephants in the battle. He killed even the foot soldiers too."
"Rama, coming in the form of either Rudra the lord of destruction or Vishnu, the lord of preservation, or Indra the lord of celestials who performed one hundred ritual sacrifices, or otherwise Yama, the Lord of Death himself, is killing us. As Rama killed all our great warriors, we are lamenting with a loss of hope in our lives, failing to see an end to our fear and having become helpless."
"The valiant Ravana, having been gifted with great boons by Brahma, is not able to understand this greatly terrific calamity, coming forth from the hand of Rama. Neither the celestials nor Gandharvas the celestial musicians nor the evil spirits nor the demons are able to protect Ravana, who is about to attack Rama in battle."
"Bad omens are appearing for Ravana, as and when his warriors are setting out for each combat. They are indeed telling about the prospective annihilation of Ravana by Rama. Brahma, the lord of creation, gratified by the austerity of Ravana, gave protection to Ravana from celestials, demons and ogres. But Ravana did not seek protection from human beings."
"I think that such a calamity has come from that humanity only dreadfully causing an end to the lives for the demons and for Ravana too. There is no doubt about it. The celestials, tormented by the mighty Ravana, because of the misuse of the boon bestowed on him, worshipped Brahma the lord of creation with their glowing austerities."
"The great-souled Brahma, duly gratified, spoke for the benefit of those celestials, the following words to them: From today onwards, all the ogres and demons, constantly enveloped with fear, will be wandering always in the three worlds. All the celestials together with Indra and others, got propitiated by Shiva the lord of destruction, with the ensign of a bull on his flag-staff and who destroyed the three strong cities built of gold, silver and iron in the sky, air and earth for demons."
"The gracious Shiva spoke the following words to the celestials: 'For your benefit, a woman will be born, for causing destruction of the demons.' This Seetha, the destroyer of demons, employed by the celestials, will consume us along with Ravana, as in the past hunger consumed the demons."
"As a result of the bad behaviour of Ravana, the wicked demon with an evil disposition of mind, this terrific havoc with grief occurred. Rama is occupying us, as the Death occupies at the time of dissolution of the universe. We do not find any one now, who can give protection to us in this world."
"There is no refuge whatsoever for us, who stand in great danger, as indeed there is no shelter for female-elephants, enveloped by a wild fire in a forest. The great-souled Vibhishana did something opportune. He sought refuge in him alone from whom such a peril is perceived."
Then, all female-demons, embracing each other in their arms, afflicted as they were with grief and tormented with excessive fear, lamented thus and wept loudly and severely.
Thus, this is the 94th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 95
| On beholding the sight of female-demons, afflicted with grief in the houses of Lanka, Ravana is very much enraged and orders his generals to tell their armies to set out for the battle immediately. Ravana promises them to take revenge by killing Rama and Lakshmana as also monkey-chiefs in the battle. Accompanied by several demon-warriors, Ravana marched to the battle-field, where Rama and Lakshmana are while Ravana is sallying forth for the battle, he sees several bad omens presaging his death. On hearing the noise of the demons entering the battle-field, the army of monkeys return to the battle. A tumultuous fight ensues, between the monkeys and the demons. Ravana fights fiercely with monkeys. |
Ravana for his part heard the mournful and plaintive cry of the afflicted female-demons in every house at Lanka.
Sighing for a long time and remaining engrossed in reflection for a while, that Ravana was very much enraged and assumed a frightful appearance. Nipping his lips with his teeth, his eyes becoming blood-red with anger, and his sight becoming difficult to endure even for the demons, Ravana looked like the augmented fire of dissolution.
Ravana, in words indistinct with anger as though consuming them with his glance, ordered the demons, standing there near him, viz. Mahodara, Mahaparshva and Virupaksha, the demon (as follows): "Tell the armies asking them to start immediately, as per my command."
Hearing that command of Ravana, those demons were tormented with fear and enjoined those armies of demons, who felt unagitated, in accordance with the orders of the king. Saying, 'so it be', all those demons of terrible aspect, praying for the blessing of the Almighty for averting evil, sallied forth, with their faces turned towards the battle-field.
Paying reverence to Ravana according to the rules of propriety, all those great car-warriors stood with joined palms, wishing victory to their lord.
Laughing heartily, Ravana then, stupefied as he was with anger, spoke to those demons viz. Mahodara, Mahaparshva and Virupaksha, the demons as follows: "Today, I will send Rama and Lakshmana to the abode of Death, with my arrows looking similar to the sun at the time of dissolution of the Universe. By killing the enemies now, I will take vengeance for Khara, Kumbhakarna, Prahasta and Indrajit. The sky overcast by my arrows, like clouds, will not be distinctly seen. Neither the quarters, nor the heaven, nor the seas will come to view. With a multitude of plumed arrows joined with my bow, I will kill, by turns, the troops of monkey-chiefs today."
"By mounting on a chariot, having a speed equal to that of wind, I will destroy today the armies of monkeys, with waves of arrows arising out of the ocean of my bow. Like an elephant, today I will destroy ponds in the form of troops of monkeys shining like the filaments of lotus, with their faces resembling full-blown lotuses. With their faces transfixed with arrows, the monkey-leaders, lying on the battle-field today will adorn the earth as with lotuses together with the stalks."
"With each arrow released in battle today, I shall tear one hundred full of monkeys, the most furious of their troop, fighting with trees. By killing the enemy today, I shall wipe off the tears of those demons, who lost their brothers and sons. With the monkeys pierced with my arrows, lying scattered in the battle-field and bereft of their lives today, I shall cover the earth so fully, that it would be possible to see its surface only with effort."
"Today, I shall satiate the crows, vultures and all those other creatures which eat the flesh, with the flesh of enemies, struck by my arrows. Arrange my chariot quickly. Bring my bow swiftly. Let all the remaining demons here, follow me to the combat."
Hearing that command of Ravana, Mahaparshva ordered the army-chiefs, standing there, as follows: "Let the army be made ready quickly.”
Going around the city of Lanka, the army-chiefs for their part, with quick resolution, joined hand in hand and hastened the demons in every house to set out for the battle. The demons, of terrible aspect and having awful faces, then roaring, with their arms equipped with various weapons viz. swords, sharp-edged darts, pikes, maces, clubs, plough-like weapons, sharp-edged javelins, huge Kutas and Mudgara, staffs, discuses of every kind, sharpened axes, slings for throwing stones, stones or cylindrical wooden pieces with iron pikes and other excellent weapons, rushed out within a moment.
Then, as per the orders of Ravana, the army-commander hurriedly brought a chariot, moving swiftly, along with a charioteer and yoked with eight horses. Thereupon, the awful Ravana mounted that chariot, shining with his own splendour. Then, surrounded by several demons, Ravana sallied forth quickly, as though he was cracking the earth with a profundity of his strength.
Thereupon, a great noise emanated on all sides from tabors, drums, Kettle-drums and counches along with the clamour of the demons. A clamour was heard, saying "There comes the ruler of demons, the abductor of Seetha, the destroyer of Brahmanas, the enemy of gods, notorious for his bad conduct, accompanied by his canopy and pair of whisks, to fight with Rama, the foremost among the Raghu dynasty."
By that huge sound, the earth trembled. Hearing that sound suddenly, the monkeys ran away in fear. The long-armed Ravana, for his part, with extra-ordinary energy, surrounded by his ministers, turned up for victory in quest of victory. Mahaparshva and Mahodara as also Virupaksha, who was difficult to overpower, as order by Ravana, then ascended their chariots.
Those demons, roaring elatedly, as though cracking the earth, and emitting an awfull uproar, sallied forth, longing for victory. Then, the powerful Ravana, resembling the all-destroying Time in the form of Yama, along with his army-troops of demons, set out for the battle with his raised bow.
Then, that Ravana, the great chariot-warrior, ascending his chariot driven by swift horses, sallied forth to the gate, where Rama and Lakshmana were. Then, the sun lost its radiance. The quarters too were enveloped in darkness. The birds emitted fearful notes. The earth too trembled violently.
The cloud rained blood. The horses stumbled. A vulture descended on the top of the ensign. Jackals emitted sinister howls. His left eye too throbbed. His left arm trembled. He became pale-faced. His voice was a little lowered.
When Ravana the demon was sallying forth for the battle, the following evil phenomena, predicting his death, appeared in the battle-field. A meteor with a sound similar to a thunder, fell down from the sky. Ill-omened vultures together with crows cried out aloud.
Ignoring these dreadful bad omens due to his ignorance, Ravana marched forward for the purpose of the massacre in battle, driven as he was by fate. On hearing the sound of the chariot of those mighty demons, that army of monkeys too returned for the fight.
A tumultuous battle ensued between those monkeys and demons, who were fond of victory and summoning each other for combat with rage. Thereupon, the enraged Ravana, with his arrows decked with gold, performed a great battle with that army of monkeys.
Some monkeys had their heads chopped off by Ravana. Some had their hearts pierced. Some were made deprived of their ears. Some were struck down breathless. Some were torn in their ribs. Some had their skulls smashed. Some were deprived of their eyes. Whichever side Ravana was coming in his chariot on the battle-field, his eyes rolling in anger, those monkey-warriors, on that side, could not with stand the rapidity of his arrows.
Thus, this is the 95th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 96
| Having destroyed some monkeys in the battle-field, Ravana tries to approach Rama to continue his fight. Meanwhile, Sugreeva along with some monkeys attack some chiefs of demons and destroy them. Then, Virupaksha a demon comes and attacks Sugreeva. Sugreeva brings down a violent slap on the temple-bone of Virupaksha and kills him. |
The battle-field there, on its part, was strewn on that occasion with those monkeys whose bodies had thus been torn asunder by Ravana with his arrows. Those monkeys could not bear that irresistible descent of arrows loosed by Ravana, any more than moths would bear a blazing fire.
Those monkeys tormented by sharp arrows, fled away roaring, as elephants run away, when enveloped in flames of fire and getting scorched by them. Ravana was marching forward swiftly in that battle-field, blowing away the army of monkeys, like the wind blows away large clouds.
Having brought about with his might the destruction of those monkeys in battle, Ravana quickly approached Rama on the battle-field. Seeing those monkeys running away in defeat in that battle, Sugreeva kept Sushena in charge of his army and quickly threw his mind into the fight.
Keeping that Sushena who was equal to himself, his substitute that, Sugreeva armed with the tree as a weapon, marched forward towards the enemy. Taking huge rocks and various kinds of trees, all the monkey-warriors followed Sugreeva at his side and behind.
The gigantic Sugreeva roared at a high pitch in the battle-field. Striking with his blows, he crushed various other chiefs of demons. The colossal bodied Sugreeva smashed the demons, as the grown-up trees are smashed by the wind at the time of dissolution of the world.
Sugreeva rained a hail of rocks on the army of demons, as a cloud rains a shower of hail-stones on a host of birds in a forest. While those demons, thus defeated by Sugreeva, falling on the floor and then roaring, get diminished in number from all sides, the indomitable Virupaksha the demon, holding a bow, pronouncing his name by himself, descended from his chariot and mounted the back of an elephant.
That mighty Virupaksha, mounting that elephant, then roared a terrific noise and rushed towards the monkeys. Virupaksha released dreadful arrows on Sugreeva who was at the front-rank of the army. He strengthened his support to the worried demons, by cheering then up.
Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, when he was struck severely with sharp arrows by that demon, shouted loudly. With profuse anger, he set his mind on killing him. Uplifting a tree and coming near that huge elephant, the valiant Sugreeva, a thorough fighter, struck it on its face.
That huge elephant, struck with the blow of Sugreeva, receded to a distance of four yards, sank down and roared too. Descending quickly from his wounded elephant, that valiant demon then seizing hold of his sword from a shield made of a bull's hide and advancing in rapid paces, facing towards Sugreeva his enemy, approached him, who stood firm, threatening him as it were.
Taking a huge rock, which looked like a cloud, that Sugreeva, who felt enraged, threw it on Virupaksha. Seeing that rock falling, that highly valiant and excellent of demons then receding away, struck him with a sword. Wounded by the blow of the sword of that strong demon, Sugreeva became as though unconscious on the ground, for a moment.
Then, bouncing up suddenly in that great battle, Sugreeva, tightening his fist, brought it down on the demon's chest violently. Feeling enraged, when struck by the blow of that fist, Virupaksha the demon brought down the armour of Sugreeva by his sword at the battle-front. Thus struck by him, Sugreeva fell down from his feet.
Getting up when fallen, Sugreeva gave him a slap, which produced a terrific sound similar to a thunder. Setting himself free from that slap, which was about to be raised by Sugreeva skillfully, Virupaksha the demon struck Sugreeva on the chest with his fist.
Then, seeing that demon escaping his blow, Sugreeva the monkey-king for his part, very much enraged. That monkey saw an opportunity to strike that Virupaksha. Then, with anger, Sugreeva brought down another violent slap on his temple-bone. Virupaksha, struck by the blow of that palm, which was like the thunderbolt to the ground, oozing blood profusely from the (nine) apertures* of his body, as water flows from the spring.
* Nine apertures of body are two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, mouth, penis and anus.
The monkeys saw Virupaksha, bathed in foaming blood, with his eyes rolling through anger and as such rendered all the more deformed.*
* There is a pun here on the word 'Virupaksha' which means one with deformed eyes.
The monkeys saw their enemy, bathed in blood, turning to and from as also throbbing on his sides and roaring piteously. Confronting together in the battle-field in that way, those two violent and terrific armies which were extensive as oceans, of monkeys and demons, roared like two large oceans which had burst their bounds. Beholding that mighty Virupaksha killed by Sugreeva, the army of monkeys and demons together looked like the agitated river of Ganga.
Thus, this is the 96th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
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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