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 41
| Rama advises Sugreeva not to repeat such reckless acts in future on the ground of he being a king. Then Rama tells Lakshmana about the various evil portents he had seen. Rama commands the monkey-generals to besiege all the four gates of Lanka. He himself along with Lakshmana protects the army, besieging the northern gate being guarded by Ravana. Then, Rama sends Angada to Ravana, to expostulate him and to bring him back to reason. Angada tries his best to convince Ravana, but in vain. Ravana commands his attendants to seize Angada. Angada shakes out those attendants who tried to seize him ascends the roof of Ravana’s palace, tramples ad crushes it down by his strength. Angada finally returns to Rama, who was stationed in the midst of the monkey-forces. |
Seeing the marks of conflict on the person of Sugreeva, Rama the elder brother of Lakshmana after embracing Sugreeva spoke these words.
“Without consulting me closely, such a reckless act has been done by you, such a rashness is not seemly in a king. O, warrior longing for acts of daring! This wrong and reckless act has been done by you, causing me, this army and Vibhishana great anxiety. Do not act thus in future. O, the mighty armed! O, annihilator of enemies! If you have come by some misfortune, I would have had nothing to do with Seetha, Bharata, Lakshmana or still younger Shatrughna or even with my own person.”
“O, monkey of great strength, equal to Indra the god of celestials and Varuna the king of universe! If you have not returned, though I am conversant with your valour, this was my pre-determined resolve that having killed Ravana in fight with his sons forces and chariots, I should have installed Vibhishana as king of Lanka, placing the kingdom of Ayodhya in the hands of Bharata and renounced my life.”
Hearing Rama’s words, Sugreeva replied as follows: “O, brave Rama! Seeing Ravana who had taken away your consort and being conscious of my own strength, how can I act otherwise?”
Complimenting that hero Sugreeva who was thus speaking, Rama addressed Lakshmana, who was endowed with auspicious marks, saying: “O, Lakshmana! Beside these fresh waters and trees laden with fruit, let us divide this multitude of troops, drawing it up in a battle array and remain alert. I foresee a terrible calamity to come, boding universal destruction and death to the intrepid bears, monkeys and demons. Harsh winds blow. The earth trembles. Mountain-peaks shake and the elephants bearing the earth trumpet. Sinister clouds prey-roar violently like carnivorous animals and let fall a rain mixed with drops of blood.”
“The dusk, red as sandal, is full of horror and from the sun, this blazing mass of fire falls. Wile beasts and birds emit frantic cries, ill at ease and ominous, inspiring great fear, facing the sun. The moon shorn of its radiance, surrounded by black and fiery rays, burns red as at the time of destruction of the word and is creating an anguish in the night.”
“O, Lakshmana! In the disk of the sun, a small halo with a black mark, fiery, shorn of its radiance and of coppery hue is seen. The stars are not appearing as they should be duly foretelling their intention to hasten a final dissolution of the world. Crows, eagles and vultures are whirling round at a lower level. Jackals too are howling inauspicious sounds.”
“The earth, crowded with rocks, darts and daggers discharged by monkeys and demons, will become a slime of flesh and blood. Now surrounded by the monkeys from all sides, let us make an attack on that invincible citadel ruled by Ravana quickly and swiftly.”
Thus speaking to Lakshmana, the heroic Rama of great strength climbed down from that mountain-peak. Having descended from that mountain, Rama, whose mind was set on righteousness, held a review of his own army, which was verily difficult to conquer for the enemies.
Rama, who knew the fitting moment to act, along with Sugreeva made ready the great army and commanded the army to advance, at the appropriate moment for the battle. Rama, the mighty armed, together with the mighty army marched in front, wielding a bow, towards the city of Lanka, at the befitting moment. Then, Vibhishana, Sugreeva, Hanuman, Jambavan the king of bears, Nala, Nila and Lakshmana accompanied that Rama.
Thereafter, fully covering a vast stretch of land, the great army of bears and monkeys, followed in the wake of Rama. Monkeys, the annihilator of enemies, resembling elephants, took hold of mountain-peaks and hundreds of well-grown huge trees. Those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the destroyers of their adversaries, reached the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, in not a long time.
The monkeys, encouraged by the sound of Rama’s voice and obedient to his command, halted before the city of Lanka, garlanded with banners, beautiful and splendid with pleasure-gardens, having an unusual rampart which is inaccessible with its elevated arched door-ways and invincible even by the celestials. Reaching the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, the heroic Rama the son of Dasaratha accompanied by Lakshmana, halted near the northern gate, where Ravana stayed. Who else but Rama is capable of protecting the army besieging that gate, regulated by Ravana, as an ocean, regulated by Varuna, guarded by awful demons on all sides and creating fear to the weak as a subterranean region is guarded by demons?
Rama saw various types and multitude of weapons and shields kept there by the warriors. Nila, the valiant army-chief of monkeys together with Mainda and Dvivida reached and halted before the Eastern gate. Angada of very mighty prowess, together with Rishhabha, Gavaksha, Gaja and Gavaya took charge of the Southern gate.
The strong monkey Hanuman together with Prajangha, Tarasa and other warriors, guarded the western gate. Sugreeva, along with all the chiefs of monkeys equal to the strength of Garuda (the eagle and the vehicle of Vishnu) as well as Vayu the god of the wind, was stationed himself in the middle of the fort.
Thirty six crores of monkeys, highly renowned generals stood besiezed, where the monkey Sugreeva was there, having exerted pressure on the demons occupying that post. Meanwhile, under Rama’s command, Lakshmana along with Vibhishana distributed a crore each of his monkeys at each gate.
Behind Rama and not far from him, Sushena together with Jambavan, followed by a multitude of forces, stood at the intermediate post. Those lions among the monkeys, possessing the teeth of tigers, taking hold of trees and rocks, waited delightedly for the signal to fight.
All of them were lashing their tails feverishly, using their jaws and nails as weapons, trembling in every limb and had their faces set grimly. Some were having a strength of ten elephants, some a ten times of that and some were equal to the strength of a thousand elephants.
Some were having the strength of an ogha* of elephants. Some were endowed with a strength of ten times to that. Some others there were chiefs of monkeys, having an immeasurable strength.
*For the number represented by on ogha vide canto 28, Sarga 37.
Marvellous and astonishing was the gathering of those troops of monkeys there, like a swarm of locusts. By the monkeys who reached Lanka and by those stationed already beneath its walls, the air and earth seem to be completely filled. A hundred divisions of one lakh each of bears and monkeys poured towards the gates of Lanka, while others proceeded to fight on every side.
Those monkeys covered the mountain on every side. A crore of them ranged round that city. Even winds were unable to penetrate Lanka being surrounded on all sides by heroic monkeys holding tree trunks in their hands.
The demons, who in their valour equaled Indra the ruler of gods, seeing themselves besieged, as by clouds, were struck with sudden terror. While the flock of monkey- troops was advancing there, a tremendous clamour arose, resembling a roar in the ocean beating against its shore. By that great tumult, the entire Lanka with its ramparts arches, hills, woods and forests began to tremble.
That army of monkeys, guarded by Rama, Lakshmana and Sugreeva became even more invincible than all the celestials and demons put together. Having thus ranged his forces, with a view to destroy the demons, Rama who knew about the four expedients (to be used against an enemy in the shape of conciliation, gift, sowing dissension and punishment) employed in succession, took counsel again and again with his ministers and arrived at a decision. Calling to his mind the duty of the kings, Rama who was eager to undertake what was to be done next, in concurrence with Vibhishana, summoned Angada the son of Vali and spoke as follows:
“Go my gentle Angada on my behalf and, passing thought the city of Lanka without fear and anxiety and Lanka without fear and anxiety and approaching Ravana – the unfortunate demon devoid of sovereignty and who has lost his splendour because of his inclination to die – admonish him in the following words: “O, Ravana the Ranger of the Night! In your reckless arrogance, sages, celestials, celestial musicians and their wives, serpent – demons, yakshas the semi-divine beings and kings have been oppressed by you. From now on, that arrogance, born of the boon you received from Brahma the Lord of creation, shall be subdued.”
“I shall inflict a fitting penalty for your ruthless abduction of my consort. I am stationed myself at the gate of Lanka, with a Rod of chastisement. O, demon! Slain by me, you will attain the region of Gods, of all the great sages and all the royal sages.”
“O, the worst demon! Demonstrate the same courage and magic that you did employ in bearing Seetha away from me. If you do not make an appeal to my clemency by returning Seetha, I shall make this world devoid of all demons. This pious minded Vibhishana, the foremost of demons has come to me. Surely, this illustrious demon will obtain the kingdom of Lanka, which will henceforth be free from troubles.”
“You, without a knowledge of the self and a sinful demon having stupid followers around you, cannot indeed enjoy the kingdom even for a moment, by this unrighteousness. O, demon! Otherwise, get ready for a battle, by gathering courage and laying hold of your valour. Having been slain by my arrows in combat, you will be laid in peace.
“O, Ranger of the Night! Even if you range the three worlds in the forms of a bird, you will not return alive, when you come into my range of sight. I give you this salutary counsel prepare for your obsequies. Let Lanka be obliged to be seen well by you (like your last sight), as your survival is in my hands.”
Hearing the words of Rama, who was unwearied in action, Angada the son of Tara, leapt into air like a god of fire personified and marched ahead. Reaching Ravana’s palace in an instant, the illustrious Angada saw Ravana, seated coolly along with his ministers.
Angada, the foremost of the monkeys, wearing golden bracelets, descended close to the king and stood there like a flaming torch. Having made himself known, Angada communicated, that whole of the excellent speech of Rama without adding or subtracting anything to Ravana in the presence of Ravana’s ministers, saying:
“I am the son of Vali, Angada by name. I have come as a messenger for the king of Koshala, Rama of imperishable exploits. Has my name ever reached your ears? Rama who is born in Raghu dynasty and who augements the joy of Kausalya speaks thus to you, ‘O, ruthless demon! Come forth and enter into combat. Prove to be the representative of your race!’”
“ ‘I shall kill you along with your ministers, sons, cousins and other relatives. You being dead, all the three worlds will be rid of fear.’ ‘Now, I shall uproot you, a thorn to sages and an enemy to celestials, demons, semi-divine beings, celestial musicians, serpent-gods and ogres’. If you do not restore Seetha honourably, by bowing respectfully before me, you are slain and Vibhishana will become the king.’ ”
Hearing these harsh words from Angada the lion among the monkeys, Ravana the Lord of the demon-tribe was infuriated. Then, the enraged Ravana repeatedly commanded his attendants, saying: “Let this stupid monkey be seized and put to death.” Hearing Ravana’s words, four terrible demons seized Angada who, in his splendour, resembled a blazing torch.
Then, the prudent and heroic Angada the son of Tara voluntarily allowed himself to be seized, in order to display his prowess before the host of demons. Then, seizing like unto birds those attendants clung to his arms, Angada leapt on to the palace that resembled like a mountain.
All those four demons were shaken out by Angada’s impetuous leap and fell on the ground there under the eyes of their king. Thereafter, the glorious Angada the son of Vali ascended the roof of Ravana’s palace, which equaled the summit of a mountain in height. That roof of the palace, trampled by Angada, crumbled – as a peak of Himalayan range was shattered long ago by lightening – before Ravana’s gaze. After destroying the roof of the palace, Angada proclaimed his name and with a triumphant roar, rose into the air. Causing restlessness to all the demons but delight to the monkeys, Angada approached close to Rama, who was stationed in the middle of the monkey-forces.
Because of the destruction of his palace, Ravana on his part got extremely angry. Foreseeing his own destruction, he became a desponded demon. Surrounded by many monkeys, roaring with delight, Rama on his part was proceeding ahead already for the battle, with an intent to wipe out the enemy.
Now, Sushena the highly valiant monkey, was stationed there like the head of the mountain surrounded by innumerable monkeys, who were bale to change their form at will. Under the order of Sugreeva, the invincible monkey, Sushena was patrolling the gates and wandering like a moon among the stars. Seeing hundreds of divisions of those monkeys encamped under the walls of Lanka, marshaled on the shores of the sea, the demons were amazed and some others were terror-struck while others, overjoyed at the prospect of fighting, leapt even in exultation.
Those miserable demons saw the entire extensive space between the walls and the moat being occupied by the monkeys, like unto a second rampart. The demons cried out, “Woe! Alas!” in panic. As a result of that appalling tumult in the capital city of the demons, the soldiers of Ravana seized hold of their great weapons and sallied forth like the winds that blow at the dissolution of the worlds.
Thus completes 41st Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 42
| The demons break the news to Ravana about Lanka. Ravana having been laid siege to by the monkeys. Ravana then ascends his mansion and surveys the innumerable troops of monkeys, occupying the entire city of Lanka. Meanwhile, Rama issues a command to the monkeys to destroy the enemies forthwith. The monkeys start demolishing various important defensive structures of the city of Lanka and besiege all the city-gates. Ravana also commands his army to commence combat. Sounds of couches blown by the army and terrible roars on both sides re-echoes the air, earth and sea. Demons begin to strike the monkeys with their weapons and the monkeys respond the strike with trees, mountain-tops, nails and teeth. |
Then, the demons there, approached Ravana and informed him that the city had been besieged by Rama along with his monkeys. Hearing that the city has been attacked, Ravana exhibiting his anger, doubly made the necessary arrangements for the war and ascended his mansion.
That Ravana caught a glimpse of the city of Lanka, with its mountains, groves and forests all being covered by innumerable troops of monkeys, waiting for war. Seeing the earth made all brown with innumerable monkeys, Ravana in great perplexity reflected: “How can they be exterminated?”
Having pondered for long, regaining his confidence and with his eyes widened by surprise, Ravana gazed on Rama and his troops of monkeys. Full of delight, Rama passed forward (on the back of a monkey) along with his army and saw Lanka being guarded on all sides and thronged with demons. Seeing that city of Lanka duly decorated with banners and flags, Rama remembered Seetha with a distressed heart. He said to himself, “Here is that daughter of Janaka, whose eyes resemble those of a fawn, tormented with grief, emaciated, with a bare ground as her bed and suffering here on my account.”
Reflecting on Seetha being troubled, the virtuous Rama speedily issued a command to the monkeys to destroy the enemies forthwith. Hearing those words of Rama, who was unwearied in action, the monkeys vying with one another filled the air with their roaring resembling those of lion. “We shall tear asunder this Lanka with mountain-peaks or with fists alone.” – thus resolved all the monkey- generals. Lifting up mountain peaks and huge rocks and plucking up various kinds of trees, the monkey-generals stood prepared (for the attack).
In order to fulfill Rama’s cherished desire, those troops, forming themselves into columns, began to scale the heights of Lanka, while Ravana stood gazing. Those monkeys, of golden hue with coppery countenance, fighting with Sala trees and mountain-peaks, marched ahead towards the city of Lanka, ready as they were to lay down their lives in Rama’s service. Those monkeys demolished innumerable defensive walls and arches with blows from trees, mountain-tops and fists. The monkeys filled the moats containing clear water with sands, mountain-tops, grasses and logs of wood.
The commanders scaled the walls of Lanks, taking with them battalions of monkeys in thousands, in crores and even hundreds of crores. The monkeys stood tearing up the golden arches and breaking down the gates that equaled the peak of Kailasa the mountainous abode of Shiva the Lord of Destruction. The monkeys who resembled great elephants hurled themselves towards that Lanka, springing, leaping and roaring. They, who were able to change their form at will, shouting – “Victory to the mighty Rama and the valiant Lakshmana!” “Victory of Sugreeva protected by Raghava!” and roaring, rushed towards the defensive walls of Lanka.
Those monkey-generals Virabahu, Subahu, Nala and Panasa, having position on them. Meanwhile, they formed an encampment of a multitude of military divisions there. The mighty Kumuda, surrounded by a crore of monkeys, who behaved like conquerors, stood besieging the eastern gate (while remaining stationed in north-east). Surrounded by other monkeys, a monkey called Prasabha and the mighty armed Panasa too up their position, in order to assist Kumuda himself. The strong and valiant monkey, Shatabali accompanied by twenty crores of monkeys, approached the southern gate (while remaining stationed in south-east) and stood there, to obstruct the exit.
The mighty monkey named Sushena, the father of Tara (Vali’s wife), going to the western gate (while remaining stationed in the south-west) surrounded by crores and crores of monkeys, stood besieging that gate. Rama along with Lakshmana and Sugreeva the mighty lord of the monkeys, seeking the northern gate (while remaining stationed in the north west) stood besieging that gate.
Accompanied by a crore of bears having terrific rage, Dhumra (brother of Jambavan, the king of bears) of great prowess and the annihilator of enemies, took up his position by the side of Rama. Vibhishana of great energy with mace in hand, clad in defensive armour and accompanied by his watchful ministers, took his position where the mighty Rama is stationed.
Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadana, galloping on all sides, defended the army of monkeys. Ravana the lord of demons with his mind filled in anger, then commanded for the decamping of the entire army immediately. At this command coming from Ravana lips, a tremendous clamour arose among the demons. By beating with sticks of gold, the demons stirred up on every side, kettle drums whose discs were white as the moon. Hundreds and thousands of sonorous couches blared forth, blown with their cheeks extended to the full, by the most ghastly demons. With their handsome limbs equipped with couches, those rangers of night shone like clouds bordered with lightning accompanied by rows of cranes.
The battalions rushed forth under Ravana’s instructions like the rushing forth of the ocean, which is swollen by the clouds, at the time of universal dissolution. Then, from every side a clamour, arose from the army of monkeys, which filled Malaya mountain with its ridges, plains and caves. The sound of couches and drums made by the demons and the leouine roars of those monkey- warriors re-echoed over the earth, sky and sea. With the trumpeting of elephants, the neighing of the horses, the clattering of the chariot-wheels and the sounds of the foot-steps, the sound of the couches reechoed over the earth, sky and sea.
In the meantime, a terrible struggle ensued between the demons and the monkeys, as in the former times between celestials and demons. Exhibiting their native prowess, the demons began to strike all the monkeys with their flaming maces, spears, harpoons and axes. Then, the gigantic monkeys swiftly struck those demons with trees, mountain-tops, nails and teeth “Victorious is king Sugreeva” – thus arose a loud war-cry. Then, some other terrifying demons on their part, shouting “Be winsome! Be victorious!”, proclaimed their own respective names. While some demons standing on walls hacked at the monkeys standing on the ground (below) with hooks and harpoons.
The enraged monkeys, who wee standing on the ground, leapt into the air and dragged down the demons stationed on the walls by seizing them with their arms. That tumultuous combat between demons and monkeys transformed into a wonder, leaving a mire of flesh and blood.
Thus completes 42nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 43
| Extra-ordinary duels arose between the monkeys and demons, who ran up towards each other. Indrajit fought with Angeda, Sampati with Prajangha, Hanuman with Jambumali, Vibhishana with the demon Shatrughna, Gaja with Tapana, Nila with Nikumbha, Sugreeva with Praghasa, Lakshmana with Virupaksha, Agniketu and others with Rama, Vajramsushit with Mainda, Ashaniprabha with Divivda, Pratapana with Nala and Sushena with Vidyunami. Streams of blood flowed from both sides. In a series of hand-to-hand encounters, the valiant monkeys destroyed the strong demons. The remaining demons waited for the sun to se-in and re-assembled with a renewed vigour for the battle. |
While highly wise monkey-troops and the demons were fighting a terrible military ferocity arose in them. Those demons, the best of ogres, doing terrific acts and eager to triumph in Ravana’s name, marched ahead on steeds with golden trappings or elephants resembling pointed flames, or in chariots flashing like the sun and themselves wearing beautiful armours, creating reverberant sounds in the ten regions. The great army of monkeys, also eager to triumph, marched opposite to those troops of demons of terrible acts. Extra-ordinary duels arose between those demons and monkeys, who ran up towards each other.
The demon Indrajit of immense energy fought with Angada the son of Vali, as the demon Andhaka fought with Shiva the Lord of destruction. The ever indomitable Sampati fought with Prajangha and Hanuman the monkey measured his strength with Jambumali. The demon with great fury, Vibhishana the younger brother of Ravana confronted with Shatrughna possessing fiery velocity in battle.
Gaja of great strength fought with a demon called Tapana and Nila too of great energy fought with Nikumbha. Sugreeva the king of monkeys confronted well with Praghasa and the glorious Lakshmana confronted with Virupaksha in the battle. The invincible Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitraghnu and Yajnakopa confronted with Rama.
Vajramushti confronted with Mainda and Ashaniprabha with Dvivida. Those principal monkeys Mainda and Dvivida confronted with those highly terrific demons. Pratapana, the valiant, terrific and invincible in battle fought well with Nala of intense speed in battle.
That great monkey called Sushena, the strong son of Yama fought with Vidyunmali. Some other dreadful monkeys, having finished their fight with many demons, swiftly got a duel with some other demons.
A very great tumultuous battle, which caused hair to stand on end, continued there between heroic demons and monkeys, who were eager to triumph. Streams of blood flowed from the bodies of monkeys and demons, with turfs of hair and carrying bodies in the stream, like timber. The enraged Indrajit struck the valiant Angada (who can tear asunder the enemy forces) with a mace, like Indra the Lord of celestials with his thunder-bolt.
The swift monkey, Angada struck his chariot, having a variegated body of gold, along with horses and the charioteer in the battle. Sampati, who was struck by Prajangha with three arrows, killed Prajangha by an Ashvakarna tree, at the zenith of the combat. Jambumali, standing in his chariot, full of strength and fury banged on Hanuman’s breast, with a javelin kept in his chariot, on the field of battle.
Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, ascended his chariot and soon overthrew it together with the demon, with the palm of his hand. That terrific Pratapana, while roaring, ran towards Nala. Nala suddenly scratched out Pratapana’s eyes.
Pierced in the limbs by sharp arrows by Praghasa the swift-handed demon, Sugreeva the Lord of demons immediately killed Praghasa (who was appearing to swallow the monkey-troops) with a Saptaparna tree. Lakshmana with a terrific look, having tormented Virupaksha the demon with a shower of arrows, finally killed him with an arrow. The invincible Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitrughna and Yajnakopa wounded Rama by arrows.
The enraged Rama on his part chopped the hands of those four demons in the battle by his four terrific arrows having fire-like points. Struck with a fist by Mainda in the battle, Vajramushti along with his chariot fell to the ground like a watch-tower on a city-wall.
Nikumbha chopped Nila, having a radiance of a mass of collyrium in battle, by his sharp arrows, like a cloud by the rays of the sun. Then, Nikumbha the swift-handed demon again wounded Nila by a hundred arrows in the battle and laughed continuously.
Nila chopped the head of the charioteer of Nikumbha by the wheel of the same chariot in that fight, as Vishnu the Lord of preservation (by his Chakra, a circular missile weapon) in a battle. Even Dvivida, whose impact was like a flash of lightening of a thunder bolt, struck Ashaniprabha with a rock before the eyes of all the demons.
That Ashaniprabha wounded Dvivida the monkey leader by his thunder bolt-like arrows, while Dvivida was fighting with trees in the battle. With his limbs struck by arrows, that Dvivida agitated as he was by anger, struck with a Sala tree, Ashaniprabha, his chariot and the horses.
Vidyunmali, seated in a chariot, struck Sushena repeatedly with arrows adorned with gold and made a roaring sound. Sushena the excellent monkey, seeing him mounted on a chariot, quickly caused the chariot to fall down, by a huge rock.
Retreating soon from the chariot, Vidyunmali the demon endowed with a skill, stood on the ground with a mace in his hand. Then, the excellent monkey, Sushena engulfed as he was with anger, seizing a very huge rock in his hands, chased that demon.
Vidyunmali the ranger of the night; struck that approaching Sushena the excellent monkey, quickly with a mace on his chest. Not minding that terrific blow with the mace in the great battle, Sushena the excellent monkey silently threw that huge rock on his chest. Struck by the thump of that rock, Vidyunmali the demon, his chest crushed, fell lifeless on the earth. Those strong demons were destroyed thus by those valiant monkeys there in a series of hand to hand encounters, as the demons were destroyed by the blows of the celestials.
The battle-field became frightening with extra-ordinary spears, other arrows, maces, javelins, lances and some other weapons with three points, shattered chariots and military steeds elephants in rut, monkeys and demons which had been killed, wheels axles and yokes broken and lying on the ground and frequented as it was by herds of jackals. The headless trunks of monkeys and demons sprang up here and there in the midst of that tumultuous conflict, which resembled the war between celestials and demons. Then, the rangers of the night, with their limbs anointed with blood after being attacked by the excellent monkeys, longed for sun-set and again with strength, assembled for a good combat.
Thus completes 43rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 44
| A nocturnal was commences between the hostile demons and monkeys. The demons destroy some monkeys. The monkeys drag and kill elephants, chariots and their occupants. Rama and Lakshmana even in that darkness kill the foremost of demons. As a result of the struggle, streams of blood flow in the battle-field. That fatal night transforms into a night of dissolution. When some demons attack Rama with arrows, Rama strikes down six of the demons within a moment and they run away for life. Rama then clears off innumerable demons from the battle filed. Angada strikes Indrajit, his chariot and the charioteer all at once, but Indrajit vanishes from the spot. Sugreeva and his monkeys feel delighted and praise Angada’s prowess. Indrajit comes back in an invisible form and by recourse to magic, makes Rama and Lakshmana captive by hurling a net work of serpentine around them. |
While those monkeys and demons were fighting, the sun sank below the horizon, setting in motion a night of carnage. Then, a nocturnal was commenced between the terrific monkeys and demons, who contracted hostility with each other, wishing for their victory.
“You are a demon” said the monkeys “You are a monkey” said the demons and killed at each other in battle; during that dreadful darkness. “Strike!” “Tear asunder!” “come near!” “Why are you running away?” – very tumultuous sounds like this could be heard in that army.
The black demons in that darkness, wearing golden mails, were appearing as mountains with groves of medicinal plants emitting their light. In that darkness, which was difficult to be overcome, the demons agitated as they were with anger, attacked with great speed, duly destroying the monkeys.
Those strong monkeys with a terrific rage leapt forward and tore asunder by their sharp teeth, the steeds with gold ornaments on their head, the serpentine banners and frightened the demoniac army. Agitated with anger, the monkeys dragged the elephants and those mounted on them and also the chariots with their banners and flag-staffs duly breaking them to pieces with their teeth.
Rama and Lakshmana killed the foremost of the demons, both those who were visible and those who were invisible, with their arrows resembling venomous snakes. The dust rising from the hooves of horses and the wheels of the chariots blocked the ears and the eyes of the combatants.
While that terrible battle was taking place, causing the hair to bristle; very terrible rivers with streams of blood were flowing there. There arose a marvelous sound of kettle drums and tabors, mixed with the sounds of counches, fellies of chariot-wheels and drums. There appeared a terrific sound resonated by horses, demons and monkeys being wounded. The assassinated great monkeys, spears, maces, axes and the slaughtered demons, who were able to change their form at will and with their bodies appearing like mountains were lying there on the battle-field. And those weapons appeared to be offered up as a profusion of flowers by the earth, which became hidden and rendered impassable by the slime formed out of streams of blood.
That fatal night became as calamitous to the monkeys and demons, as a night of dissolution, which is difficult to be overcome by all beings. In that very terrible darkness, those demons thrilling with rapture attacked Rama with showers of arrows. Yelling in fury, the sound of those demons approaching in order to assault Rama was like the noise of the oceans at the time of destruction of all the creatures.
Within a twinkling of an eye, Rama with six sharp arrows resembling tongues of flame, struck down six of those demons. The unconquerable Yagnashatru, Mahaparashva, Mahodara, the giant bodied Vajradamshtra, both Shuka and Sarana – all those six having been beaten by Rama on their vital organs with a flood of his arrows, retreated from the battle and somehow survived for the rest of their life.
Rama the great warrior, merely within an instant, made the quarters and the intermediate quarters, clear of all the demons, by his arrows resembling flames of fire. The other valiant demons, who were standing with their face turning towards Rama, also perished like moths, having encountered the same fire. That night, with the golden shafts of arrows, flying on all sides, appeared bright-coloured, like an autumnal night with its fire-flies on all sides.
The terrible night on that day became more terrible again by the sound of kettle-drums and by the roaring sounds of the demons. By that great sound, which re-echoed on all sides, the mountain Trikuta, full of caves, appeared to be uttering confused murmurs. Long-tailed and black faced monkeys with their gigantic bodies and dark-like figure, crushed the demons with their arms and allowed them to be eaten (by jackals, vultures etc).
Angada on his part, who came to annihilate the enemies in that battle-field, struck Indrajit, his charioteer and the horses all at once. While that awful and very intense battle was going on, Indrajit a great trickster, leaving the chariot, with its horses and charioteer killed by Angada, vanished from that very spot itself.
All the celestials, both Rama and Lakshmana together with all sages were pleased with that act of the venerable Angada the son of Vali. Since all the living beings knew the supernatural powers of Indrajit in battle, they were pleased on seeing that highly gifted demon being defeated by Angada. Seeing the enemy defeated, those monkeys along with Sugreeva and Vibhishana were delighted and praised Angada as an efficient warrior. Indrajit, on the other hand, then was driven to a very terrible rage, as he was defeated in battle by Angada the son of Vali a dreadful monkey.
That Indrajit the son of Ravana, the sinful demon who had gone out of sight and was cruel in battle, rendered himself as invisible again and hurled forth sharp arrows, bright as lightning. Being enraged in battle, Indrajit bursted out serpent-like terrible arrows into all the limbs of Rama and Lakshmana who were born in Raghu dynasty. Enveloped by illusion, he sought to confuse Rama and Lakshmana in the struggle there and invisible to all beings through his magic arts, Indrajit the ranger of the night bound those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana with a net work of arrows.
Then, the monkeys saw the two warriors, those lions among men, being wounded quickly by the serpentine arrows of that enraged demons. Not being able to hurt those two princes in his manifest form, Indrajit the son of the king of demons with his perverse mind, had recourse to magic in order to make them captive.
Thus completes 44th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 45
| Rama orders ten of the monkey-generals to search for the whereabouts of Indrajit. But Indrajit arrested the approach of those monkeys, by means of his arrows. Both Rama and Lakshmana were transfixed by Indrajit with a net work of serpentine arrows into the vital parts of Rama and Lakshmana and they fall down on the battle-ground in a bath of blood. Seeing those two scions of Raghu in that state, the monkeys give way to utter despondence. |
That very strong and powerful Rama the son of Dasaratha ordered ten monkey-generals to search for the whereabouts of Indrajit. Rama the scourger of his enemies ordered both the sons of Sushena, Nila the chief of monkeys, Angada the son of Vali, the strong Sharabha, Dvivida, Hanuman, the very strong Sanuprastha, Rishabha and Rishabha skandha.
All those monkeys, thrilled with enthusiasm, flung into the air brandishing huge trunks of trees in order to explore the ten regions. Indrajit, the son of Ravana, who was skilled in the use of magic weapons, by means of his arrows with great speed, released from his most excellent of bows, arrested the impetuous outbreak of the monkeys. Those monkeys of terrific bound, whose bodes were cruelly pierced by those shafts, were unable to see Indrajit in the darkness, as the sun is obscured when veiled in clouds.
Indrajit, the victorious in battle, transfixed Rama and Lakshmana with those arrows that lacerated their flesh in great measure. The bodies of both those warriors, Rama and Lakshmana were densely transfixed with serpentine arrows by the enraged Indrajit. Blood flowed from the wound-marks of both Rama and Lakshmana and both of them shone like Kimshuka trees in flowering.
At that instant, though still invisible, Indrajit, Ravana’s son, with his inflamed eyes, which resembled a mass of collyrium mixed with oil, spoke the following words to those two brothers. “When I enter into combat, making myself invisible, even Indra the lord of celestials is not able to see or approach me. How much less, you two! O, Descendents of Raghu! Having imprisoned you in this net work of arrows furnished with heron’s feathers, I, yielding myself up to the violence of my wrath, am about to dispatch you to the region of Yama the Lord of Death.”
Speaking thus to the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, who were aware of righteousness, Indrajit pierced them with pointed arrows and shouted too exultantly. Indrajit, who was as black as a heap of shattered collyrium, stretching his immense bow, discharged formidable arrows even once more, in that great fight.
That warrior, Indrajit, who was aware of their vital parts, set up a continual shouting, digging sharp arrows into the vital parts of Rama and Lakshmana. Those two princes, in the forefront of battle, bounded by that net work of arrows in the twinkling of an eye, became incapable of even looking up.
Pierced in their vital parts, exhausted, and covered all over with heads of arrows, those two mighty and courageous archers fell to the earth, they who were the lords of the earth, shaking violently like a pair of flag-staffs in honour of Indra the Lord celestials and freed from their raised of chords.
Those warriors, Rama and Lakshmana, lying on that heroes’ bed (on the battle-ground), bathed in blood, all their limbs bristling with arrows and extremely injured, felt distressed. There was not a finger’s breadth on their bodies form the tips of their fingers to the end of their feet that was not lacerated, implanted and pierced by those arrows. Struck down by that ferocious demon, who was able to change his shape at will, the hot blood gushed forth from both Rama and Lashmana, as water from a spring. Rama fell first, his vital parts pierced by arrows of the wrathful Indrajit, who had formerly vanquished Indra the Lord of celestials.
Indrajit pierced Rama by arrows with golden shafts, with sharp points, which had downward movement, which go fast, Narchas, Demi-narachas, Bhallas (with wide tips), Anjalis, Vatsa dantas, Simha dantas and those shafts like unto razors. Throwing asunder his bow bent at three places, adorned with gold, with its string loosened away and detached from the hold of his fist, Rama lied down on the battle-ground.
Seeing Rama the excellent man fallen, at a distance of an arrows range, Lakshmana became hopeless about his own life. Seeing his elder brother Rama, with his eyes resembling lotus-leaves, having fallen on the ground, wounded as he was by a net work of arrows, Lakshmana felt sad.
Beholding that Rama, the monkeys too were in great grief and wept terribly, with their eyes filled in tears, being afflicted as they were by sorrow. Those monkeys with Hanuman in first place gathered at a place and stood surrounding Rama and Lakshmana, who wee bound by a net work of arrows and lying down on the battle ground. They were disturbed and afflicted sorrow.
Thus completes 45th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 46
| The monkeys along with Hanuman and Angada begin to grieve, on beholding the plight of Rama and Lakshmana who were entwined in a net work of arrows. Indrajit informs demons about his adventure of captivating both Rama and Lakshmana by his net work of serpentine arrows. Indrajit strikes the other monkey-chiefs like . Nila, Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman, Gavaksha and Angada as also Jambavan. When Sugreeva looks depressed on seeing the plight of Rama and Lakshmana, Vibhishana consoles him, saying that Rama is not going to die. He also reassures the disheartened monkeys and infuses confidence in them. Indrajit, in the meanwhile, informs Ravana that both Rama and Lakshmana have been killed. Ravana applauds his son for his daring act. |
Thereafter, surveying the earth and the sky, the monkeys beheld the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, covered with arrows. Then, along with Sugreeva, Vibhishana came to that place, after Indrajit finished his work and retired; even as Indra* would, after raining.
· Indra: The god of the sky and the given of rain.
Nila, Dvivida, Mainda, Sushena, kumuda, Angada along with Hanuman forthwith began to grieve for Rama and Lakshmana.
Breathing but faintly, bathed in blood; riddled with innumerable arrows, motionless and lying inactive, they lay stretched on a bed of arrows, sighing like serpents, helpless, having little prowess, their limbs smeared with a stream of blood, resembling two golden standards, and lying on heroes’ couch, those warriors with tardy movement of their limbs, were surrounded by their monkey-leaders, whose eyes were suffused with tears. Seeing the two Raghavas, pierced by a multitude of arrows, all the monkeys along with Vibhishana became perturbed. The monkeys surveyed all the quarters in the sky, without being able to discover Indrajit (the son of Ravana), who was veiled by his magic powers in the fight.
Vibhishana, beholding by his magic arts, saw that nephew, standing nearby, duly hidden by his occult power. Althought that warrior who had no peer in the field and who had unique exploits, had made himself invisible by virtue of the boon he had received, he was recognized by Vibhishana, who was full of energy, glory and prowess.
Contemplating his own feat, Indrajit gazed on those two warriors, stretched on the earth and in excess of joy, wishing to share it with all the demons, said: “The exceedingly strong brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the killers of Khara and Dushana have been killed by my arrows. Even were they aided by the gods and demons with the host of sages, these two brothers would never be able to release themselves from those arrows that paralyze them. This non- sensical pest, which was wearing away the very roots of us all, on whose account, the three watches of the night slipped past my father, who is unable even to touch his couch with his limbs, who remains absorbed in thought and stricken with grief and because of whom, the entire city of Lanka remains agitated, like a river during the rains, has ban destroyed by me. As clouds are useless in the autumn, so are all the exploits of Rama, Lakshmana and all the monkeys.”
Thus speaking to all those demons, Indrajit the son of Ravana (by his arrows) struck the monkey chief. Striking Nila with nine arrows, Indrajit the destroyer of foes tormented Mainda and Dvivida with three superb arrows on each. Indrajit the wielder of a great bow smacked the chest-region of Jambavan with an arrow and released ten arrows towards Hanuman, the swift monkey. Indrajit the son of Ravana of great swiftness, struck both Gavaksha and Sharabha of unbounded valour with two arrows on each of them, in that battle.
Thereafter, Indrajit the son of Ravana swiftly with his various arrows, struck Gavaksha (the ruler of golangulas) and then Angada the son of Vali too. Indrajit, that strong and highly courageous demons, pierced those jewels among the monkeys there with his arrows which resembled flames of fire and began to shout in triumph.
Tormenting them with a multitude of arrows and frightening the monkeys, the mighty armed Indrajit heartily laughed and spoke (as follows): “O, demons! At the forefront of the army, behold those two brothers (Rama and Lakshmana) bound together by me by a terrible net work of my arrows.”
All those demons, the treacherous fighters on their part, after hearing the words of Indrajit, were seized with a great wonder and were overjoyed. All of them cheered Indrajit unanimously with a roar like unto thunder, crying “Rama is dead”. Seeing the two brothers – Rama and Lakshmana lying motionless and breathless on the floor, Indrajit thought they were dead. Indrajit, full of joy and victorious in conflict, returned to Lanka, spreading happiness among the demons.
Seeing Rama and Lakshmana riddle with arrows and pierced in every limb and bone of their bodies, a great fear had taken possession of Sugreeva. Vibhishana then spoke to that Sugreeva, who was frightened, whose eyes were filled with tears, looking helpless and whose eyes were agitated in grief.
“Have no fear, O Sugreeva! Stay this rush of tears. Wars are like this. Victory is not certain. O, warrior! If a remnance of luck is there with us, the highly-souled and the exceedingly strong Rama and Lakshmana will drive off this loss of consciousness. O, Sugreeva! Be courageous and bring about courage in me, having no protector. For those who are devoted to truth and righteousness, there is no fear of death.” Thus speaking, Vibhishana then wiped the charming eyes of Sugreeva with his hand moistened in water.
Then, the pious minded Vibhishana took water, enchanted it with an incantation and wiped the eyes of Sugreeva. Having dried the face of the wise Sugreeva Vibhishana spoke the following words full of good sense and comfort. “O, Sugreeva the king of monkeys! This is not the time to cling to despondency. At this hour, even too much attachment leads to death. Therefore, abandoning your despair, which ruins all actions, focus now on how best to serve the troops which have Rama going before them. Or else, let Rama be protected till he regains consciousness. Having regained consciousness, Rama and Lakshmana can indeed drive away the fear of both of us. This is nothing to Rama nor Rama is going to die. The bodily splendour, which is difficult to be found in those whose longevity of life has run out; is not abandoning him. Therefore console yourself and call on your prowess, till I restore confidence in the entire ranks. O, the foremost of monkeys! These monkeys, having their eyes dilated due to fear, are signaling some words into each other’s ear, terrified as they were. Let the monkeys cast off their fear, even as one would discard a used garland, on seeing me running about to activate the troops.”
Having emboldened Sugreeva, Vibhishana the foremost of demons once again reassured that army of monkeys, who were pushing away. Indrajit, the great conjurer, surrounded by all his forces, re-entered the city of Lanka. Approaching Ravana there and saluting with joined palms, Indrajit informed his father in pleasing words that both Rama and Lakshmana had been slain.
Hearing in the midst of demons, the news that both the enemies having been killed, Ravana forthwith sprang on his feet in joy and embraced his son.
Smelling on his head, Ravana delighted at heard, made enquiries in the matter. Indrajit reported the matter as it happened, to his enquiring father, as to how both Rama and Lakshmana were made motion-less and luster-less by entwining them with arrows. Hearing the words of Indrajit the great charioteer, Ravana with his heart filled with a gush of joy, relinquished his anguish, caused on account of Rama and applauded his son with pleasing words.
Thus completes 46th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 47
| Ravana summons some female demons including Trijata and instructs them to take Seetha in Pushpaka-plane to the battle-front and show Rama and Lakshmana alleged to have been killed by Indrajit. Accordingly, the female-demons take Seetha in Pushpaka-plane and show her Rama and Lakshmana lying unconscious on a bed of arrows in the battle-field. Imagining Rama and Lakshmana to have been dead, Seetha bursts into sobs. |
Indrajit, the son of Ravana having returned to Lanka, his purpose accomplished, the leading monkeys surrounded Rama in order to watch over him. Hanuman, Angada, Nila, Sushena, Kumuda, Nala, Gaja, Gavaksha, Panasa, Sanuprastha and the mighty Jambavan with Sunda, Rambha, Shatabali and Prithu all these monkeys, armed with trees, reorganized their ranks, stood alert, surveyed the quarters of the sky up and down and on every side and, even if a grass stirred, they exclaimed, “It is a demon!” Ravana, meanwhile, full of joy, dismissed his son Indrajit and thereafter summoned the female demons who guarded Seetha.
Following his orders, the female-demons along with Trijata appeared before him. Then, the rejoiced Ravana said to them as follows:
“Tell Seetha that Rama and Lakshmana have been killed by Indrajit. Take her in Pushpaka the aeroplane and show her Rama and Lakshmana who were killed in battle. Her husband, the one depending on whom rendered her so proud that she refused to be united with me, lies there killed with his brother in the battle-front. From now on, free from anxiety, grief and expectation of reunion, Seetha the princess of Mithila kingdom, adorned in all her jewels, will submit herself to me. Beholding Rama and Lakshmana fallen under the sway of death on the battle-field today, finding no other haven and hoping for nothing else, the large-eyed Seetha will voluntarily seek refuge with me!”
Hearing these words of the cruel Ravana, they all replied, “Be it so” and went to where the Pushpaka chariot was. Thereafter, the female-demons brought the aerial car, Pushpaka as per the instructions of Ravana and carried it nearer to Seetha who was staying in Ashoka-grove.
The female-demons brought Seetha who was afflicted with grief for her husband and made her to ascend Pushpaka-plane. The female-demons along with Trijata made Seetha to ascend Pushpaka-plane and proceeded to show her Rama and Lakshmana. Ravana the king of demons, thrilled with rapture, caused Lanka to be garlanded with flags and banners and arranged a proclamation to be made in Lanka announcing that Rama and Lakshmana had been slain by Indrajit in battle.
Seetha along with Trijata, transported by that plane, saw all the monkey-troops who had been slain. Seetha saw the demons who were delighted at heart and monkeys disturbed with grief, standing round Rama and Lakshmana. Then, Seetha beheld those two warriors Rama and Lakshmana lying unconscious on the ground on a bed of arrows, their limbs pierced with arrows, riddled with weapons, their armour shattered, their bows cast aside at a distance and their entire body transfixed by darts.
On seeing those two brothers, who were filled with valour, having lotus-eyes, the excellent of men, lying stretched on a bed of arrows there in that wretched plight like the two sons of the fire-god (Shakha and Vishakha) lying on a bed of reeds, Seetha wailed piteously, stricken as she was with a great agony. The dark-eyed Seetha the daughter of Janaka with her faultless limbs, beholding her lord and Lakshmana lying in the dust, burst into sobs. Witnessing those brothers, the prominent sons of god, Seetha afflicted with tearful sorrow, believing their death, spoke with grief the following words.
Thus completes 47th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 48
| Seetha, on beholding Rama and Lakshmana, was absorbed in various thoughts like, "The sooth sayers had prophesied that I should never be widowed and would bear sons. How could their prediction become untrue?" However, Trijata reassures her, stating good reasons for Rama and Lakshman to be still alive and cheering her up, takes her back to Ashoka grove. |
Seeing her husband and the mighty Lakshmana having been killed, Seetha was very much emaiated through grief and lamented pitiably (as follows):
"The sooth sayers, reading the marks and signs on my body, prophesized that I shall bear sons and never be widowed. Now that Rama has been slain, their words have proved to be untrue. Since Rama is slain, all those astrologers, who predicted that I should be the companion of a sattra sacrifice and the consort of the performer of great sacrifices, now have proved to be utteres of falsehood. Now that Rama has been slain, all those sooth-sayers who predicted that I should be honoured by my husband as well as the wives of warriors and kings, are proved to be liars."
"Now that Rama has been slain, all those astrologers among the wise brahmins. Who openly foretold that I should remain happy with my husband are proved to have spoken falsely! Yet I bear the marks of lotus on my soles by virtue of which high-born women are consecrated on an imperial throne with their husbands and lords. I do not find those marks of ill-fortune which betoken widowhood in women who are ill-starred and as I examine, all the auspicious signs appear to be rendered void for me."
"Those marks of the lotus said to be good augury for women by wise men, have become meaningless, now that Rama is slain. My hair is fine, black in colour and smooth. My eye-brows are disunited. My shanks are hair-less and well rounded. My teeth are contiguous, without any gaps between them. My temples, eyes, arms, feet, ankles and thights are homogenous and well-proportioned. My fingers have well-rounded and glossy nails, having a right length."
"My breasts are close to each other, fully developed and have depressed nipples. My navel is deeply indented. My flanks and bossom are well-formed. My complexion has the sheen of a pearl. The hair on my skin are soft. It is said of me as endowed with auspicious signs, in that I touched the ground with my twelve limbs (viz. the ten toes and two soles).
"Those who interpret the marks of youthful maidens spoke of me that my hands and feet are rosy, fully provided with marks each resembling a barley corn, devoid of space between my fingers and toes and that my smile is gentle. All that was told by brahmins well-versed in sooth-saying, of me that- I should be consecrated on the imperial throne along with my husband-proved to be in vain."
"Having searched all the resorts of men, received the tidings of my fate, and crossed the impassable ocean, those two brothers have perished din the imprint of a cow's hoof ( a small puddle). Rama and Lakshmana surely knew the use of the arrows of Varuna, Agni, Indra and Vayu, as also the Brahmashira weapon."
"By means of magic arts, an invisible foe has slain Rama and Lakshmana, my protectors, who are equal to Indra in battle and I am now bereft of any support. Having reached the range of sight of Rama in a combat, no enemy could return alive, eventhough he were endowed with the swiftness of thought. There is no burden too heavy for death to shoulder, as Rama along with his brother are lying struck down on the battle-field. Fate is inexorable."
"I do not repent so much for Rama and Lakshmana or for myself or even my mother but for my unfortunate mother-in-law, Kausalya. She, for her part, forever remains absorbed in the thought 'When shall I see Lakshmana and Seetha with Rama returned (to Ayodhya) having completed his vow (of remaining in exile in the forest for fourteen years)?"
The demoness Trijata spoke to that lamenting Seetha as follows : "O, the god-like lady! Do not despair. Your husband, Rama is still living. I will tell you mighty and cogent reasons, how these two brothers Rama and Lakshmana are living. The leader having been lost, the faces of the soldiers on the field of battle are never seized by anger nor are they animated with joy."
"O, Seetha! This aerial car called Pushpaka by name, celestial as it is, would not have brought you here, if those two heroes have lost their lives. An army that sees its valiant commander fall, is bereft of courage and wanders aimlessly about on the battle field, like a ship which has broken its rudder in water. This army for its part is neither confused nor perturbed and is guarding Rama and Lakshmana. I am pointing this out to you on account of my affection for you, O lady given to austerities!
"You as such, be reassured by these auspicious omens. Behold Rama and Lakshmana who are not dead. I am telling you this, on account of my affection for you. O, Seetha! I have not spoken falsehood before, nor shall I ever do so. By your conduct and natural gaiety, you have found a place in my heart!"
"Even celestials and demons along with Indra cannot vanquish there two heroes in battle. This is what I have observed and communicated to you. O Seetha! See this, a great marvel! See how, fallen under those shafts and deprived of their senses, their beauty has not deserted them. Generally, the faces of those who lost their lives and whose vital power has vanished, will be appearing with an appalling alteration. O, Seetha! Banish your grief, pain and ignorance on account of Rama and Lakshmana. It is impossible, now with the splendour seen in their faces, for Rama and Lakshmana to die."
Hearing her words, Seetha, the daughter of Mithila kingdom resembling a daughter of gods, with joined palms exclaimed, "May it be so." After sending back that aerial car, Pushpaka which was as swift as the thought, the sorrowful Seetha was caused by Trijata to enter Lanka once more. Thereafter, Seetha along with Trijata who descended from Pshpaka the aerial car, were caused by the female demons, to enter the Ashoka grove again. Entering that Ashoka grove, planted with a multitude of trees, sporting ground of Ravana and recalling the two princes who she had just seen, Seetha gave way to extreme grief.
Thus completes 48th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 49
| Returning to consciousness, Rama laments over the plight of Lakshmana, who was lying unconscious. The foremost of monkeys too were plunged in grief and despondency on seeing Rama lamenting as aforesaid. In the meantime, Vibhishana approaches Rama and the monkeys flee away, mistaking him as Indrajit. |
Bound by that formidable network of arrows, the two high-souled sons of Dasaratha lay bathed in blood, breathing like serpents. All those foremost of monkeys who were exceedingly strong, including Sugreeva, plunged in grief, were standing around those two illustrious warriors. In the meanwhile, the mighty Rama by virtue of his hardihood and native strength, awoke from his sworn, despite the shafts that held him captive.
Then, beholding his brother, bleeding unconscious, firmly thrown on the floor, and his features changed, Rama full of grief lamented thus: "Of what use to me is the recovery of Seetha or even life itself, since my brother now lying, before my eyes, has been struck down in the fight? It can be possible, if I were to look for her, to find a consort equal to Seetha in this world of mortals but not a brother, a friend and a comrade in a hostile war, such as Lakshmana!"
"If Lakshmana returned to the five elements, he the increaser of Sumitra's joy, I will yield up my life-breaths while the monkeys stand looking on. What shall I say to my mother, Kausalya or to Kaikeyi? How can I talk to my mother Sumitra, sighing for the sight of her son? How shall I console Sumitra, trembling and crying out like an osprey, bereft of her son, if I return to Ayodhya without Lakshmana?"
"How shall I tell Shatrughna and the illustrious Bharata when I return without Lakshmana, who followed to the forest along with me? Alas! I should not be able to endure Sumitra's reproaches. I will leave my body here itself. I do not wish to continue living. Woe unto me to my wicked deed and to my lack of nobility. Through my fault, Lakshmana has fallen and lies indeed on a bed of arrows as on who has yielded up his life! O, Lakshmana! You always used to console me whenever I was in a great sorrow. You, having lost your life now are not able to allay my sufferings with your words."
"You, who in this battle today, struck down innumerable demons to the earth, are fallen, pierced by darts, like a hero on the self same field. Lying on this bed of arrows, batted in blood, you are piled up i a heap of arrows. You look like the sun setting behind the horizon. Your vital parts having been pierced with arrows, you are not able even to speak now. Eventhough you are not speaking, your agony is disclosed by the redness of your eyes. I shall follow him to the region of Yama, as that illustrious warrior accompanied me when I retired to the forest. He who loved his own kinsfolk and was filled with devotion for me, got this state to which my misdeeds have brought him, wretched that I am!"
"I do not remember to have heard any harsh or hateful words from that valiant Lakshmana, even if he is deeply provoked. Lakshmana, who was able to loose five hundred arrows in one shot, was surpassing Kartavirya himself in the science of archery. This Lakshmana, who was accustomed to a rich couch and who by his arrows severe the weapons the mighty Indra the Lord of celestials, is lying slain on the ground."
"Those vain words uttered by me, will undoubtedly consume me since I have not made Vibhishana the king of demons. O, Sugreeva! You ought to return at once from here since knowing that you are bereft of my support, Ravana will overcome you, O king!"
"O, Sugreeva! Recross the sea with your army, keeping Angada in front and with your followers, Nila and Nala. I am fully satisfied by the great military exploit, done by Jambavan the king of Bears and the General of the Monkeys, which was impossible to any other in battle. A great act was done by Angada, Mainda and Dvivida. A terrible combat was done by Kesari and Sampati in the battle-field. By Gavaya, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Gaja and other monkeys, who are willing to sacrifice their lives for me, the battle was carried on."
"O, Sugreeva! It is not possible for mortals to avoid their destiny. O, Sugreeva the tormentat of enemies! Fearing to fail in your duty, you have done all that which a friend and a comrade could do. O, foremost of Monkeys! You have accomplished all this due to your friendship. I take leave of you all; go where it seems best to you!"
All the tawny eyed monkeys, who heard Rama's lament thus, allowed tears to fall from their eyes. Meanwhile, Vibhishana having established order in all the ranks, with mace in his hand, came quickly to Rama. Seeing him, who resembled a mass of collyrium, hastening towards them thus, all the monkeys thinking him to be Indrajit the son of Ravana, fled away.
Thus completes 49th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose
Sarga 50
| Observing Vibhishana to be the cause of panic created among the monkeys, Sugreeva asks Jambavan to restore the confidence of monkeys. Jambavan then reassures the monkeys. Vibhishana also feels distressed on perceiving the bodies of Rama and Lakshmana lying unconscious on the ground. Sugreeva consoles and convinces Ravana that Rama and Lakshmana will regain consciousness. Meanwhile, Garuda the King of Birds, makes his appearance on the scene and liberates Rama and Lakshmana from their bondage. |
Meanwhile, Sugreeva the king of Monkeys, possessing a great splendour and a mighty power, enquired saying, "Why is this army agitated, like a ship driven out of its course in water?"
Hearing the words of Sugreeva, Angada the son of Vali replied, saying "Do you not see the high-souled Rama and Lakshmana of the great chariot, those two valiant sons of Dasaratha covered with darts lying all bloody in a bed of arrows?"
Thereupon, Sugreeva the Lord of Monkeys said to his son Angada: "To my mind, there is some other cause why the monkeys are bewildered. There must be some danger ahead. Here, these monkeys are running away in all directions, with their eyes distended with terror, throwing down their arms and looking dejected. They are not ashamed of one another. They are not looking behind than even. They are jostling each other and leaping over those who have fallen."
In the midst of this turmoil, the valiant Vibhishana, wielding a mace in his hand came there and cheered Sugreeva and Rama saying "Victory to Rama! Victory to Rama!."
Observing Vibhishana to be the cause of panic among the monkeys, Sugreeva spoke to the illustrious Jambavan the king of Bears who stood near (as follows): "It is Vibhishana who has come here. On seeing him, the foremost of monkeys seized with terror have fled, deeming him to be Indrajit, Ravana's son. You reassemble those monkeys immediately, who in fear have scattered in many directions and inform them that it is Vibhishana who has come!"
Thus spoken by Sugreeva, Jambavan the king of Bears called the fugitive monkeys back and restored them to confidence. Hearing the words of Jambavan the king of Bears, all those monkeys, on perceiving Vibhishana, retraced their steps, shaking off their fear. Meanwhile, the virtuous Vibhishana, on beholding Rama's body as also of Lakshmana's covered with arrows, felt distressed.
Washing their eyes with his hands dipped in water, Vibhishana began to weep, with anguish seizing his heart and lamented, saying: "These two powerful and valiant warriors have been brought tot his state by the demons, the treacherous combatants. The son of my brother, that wicked youth of perverse soul in his demoniac cunning mind, has deceived those two honourable fighters. These two warriors, Rama and Lakshmana, who were struck badly by arrows and covered with blood are lying on the earth, like two porcupines. These two lions among men, on whom depended the position aspired by me, are lying insensible, waiting for the dissolution of the body. Deprived of the hope now of becoming a king, I am as one dead, eventhough surviving; while my rival Ravana sees his vow fulfilled and gets his desires realized."
Then, Sugreeva the magnanimous King of Monkeys embraced that Vibhishana thus lamenting and spoke the following words: "O, knower of what is right! You shall certainly reign over Lanka. Ravana and his son will not achieve their purpose. The injury done to Rama and Lakshmana is not grave. Emerging from their swoon, they will destroy Ravana with his hordes in battles."
Consoling and convincing Vibhishana thus, Sugreeva spoke to Sushena, his father-in-law, who was on his side (as follows): "Taking these two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana with the troops of monkeys who are strong, you go to Kishkindha, till these two scourgers of their foes have recovered their consciousness. As for me, I shall slay Ravana with his son and his relatives and bring back Seetha as did Indra the Lord of celestials, the prosperity he had lost. Hearing the words of Sugreeva, Sushena replied as followers: " A highly terrific and great was between celestials and demons was perceived by me. By making themselves invisible again and again, the demons skilled in the use of arrows overcame the celestials despite their skill in bearing arms. To those celestials who were wounded, unconscious and almost deprived of life, Brihaspati treated them by the aid of herbs accompanied by his spells of sacred formulas. Let the monkeys Sampati, Panasa and others go quickly in speed, to the ocean of milk, to bring those herbs."
"These monkeys are conversant with those efficacious mountainous herbs - the celestial Sanjivakarani and Vishalya, which were created by a God. In the bosom of the milky ocean the best of oceans, rise the mountains called Chandra and Drona, where the ambrosia was formerly churned. These two excellent herbs exist there. The celestials placed those two mountain in the vast sea. O, King! Let Hanuman the son of Wind-God go there."
In the meantime, a great wind arose, accompanied by massed clouds and lightning, whipping up the salty waves in the ocean, causing the mountains to tremble as from an earthquake. "Large trees on the sand-banks had their branches broken by the mighty stroke of Vata's wings and fell headlong into the briny waters of the ocean. The snakes became frightened. The snakes inhabiting there and all the marine animals plunged quickly into the briny ocean."
Thereupon, all the monkeys saw within a moment, a mighty eagle, Garuda, the son of Vinata, like unto a blazing torch. On beholding Garuda the eagle which came there, the serpents who bound those two warriors Rama and Lakshmana in the form of mighty arrows, fled away. Thereupon, Garuda the eagle, coming into contact with Rama and Lakshmana d offering them his good wishes, with his hands caressly touched their faces that were radiant like the moon.
Their wounds, touched by Garuda the eagle, were healed. Their bodies soon became smooth and well-rounded. Their luster, valour, strength, endurance and resolution, those great qualities, also their perspicacity, intelligence and memory were re-doubled.
Lifting them up both who were like Indra, the highly majestic Garuda the eagle embraced them. Rama also, being pleased, spoke to him (as follows): "Now, by your grace, we both have overcome a great disaster created by Indrajit the son of Ravana. We have been made strong as before. By meeting you thus, my heart is gladdened in the same manner as I am meeting Dasaratha, my father and Aja, my paternal grandfather. Who are you, the one endowed with beauty, having blissful garlands and anointments, wearing clean garments and adorned with divine ornaments?"
The highly majestic and the mighty Garuda the eagle, the King of Birds, with his eyes widened in gladness and with a pleased heart, spoke to Rama as follows: "O, Rama! I am your dearest friend Garuda dear as your own breath moving outside I came here for the purpose of helping you, both. Either the most valiant demons or the exceedingly strong monkeys or the celestials together with the celestial musicians having Devendra the Lord of celestials in their forefront are unable to untie this awfully terrific entanglement of arrows created through his power of sorcery by Indrajit of terrific deeds."
"These serpents, which took their base at, were none other than the sons of Kadru with their sharp fangs, abundantly filled with poison, transformed into arrows, by the dint of sorcery by Indrajit the demon. "O, Rama the knower of righteousness and true to your promise! You, along with your brother Lakshmana the annihilator of enemies, indeed are lucky. Hearing about this incident, I have hastened all at once, duly cherishing the love and friendship (for you). You have been released from this quite terrific shackle of arrows. Both of you should maintain vigilance, all the time."
"All the demons by their very nature are treacherous fighters in battle. For you, the warriors, your pure-mindedness and straight forwardness are the strengths. What Indrajit has done, exemplifies how the demons are always crooked-minded. For this reason, you should not trust the demons in battle."
That mighty Garuda, having spoken thus to Rama then and having affectionately embraced him, began to take leave of him. "O, Rama the knower of piety, affectionate even towards your enemies and my dear fried! I wish to take leave of you." I shall proceed happily. O, hero! You need not be so curious to know the cause of my friendship. You will know of it, once you have accomplished success in battle. When, under the flutter of your arrows, Lanka has been destroyed save for the aged and the children and you have slain Ravana,. your enemy, you will bring back Seetha."
Having spoken thus, Garuda of swift flight, having beautiful wings, who had just healed Rama's wounds in the presence of monkeys, having paid obeisance presence of monkeys, having paid obeisance to him (by circumambulation) and taken him into his arms, entered the sky with the speed of the wind. Seeing Rama and Lakshmana healed of their wounds, the chiefs of monkeys howled like roars of lions and lashed their tails.
Thereupon, gongs were beaten, drums resounded, and couches were blown amid jumping in joy of the monkeys as before. Some other strong monkeys who use trees as maces in battle, waving their arms and uprooting hundreds and thousands of various trees, stood there, ready for the battle. Uttering great noises, frightening the demons and desirous to fight, the monkeys reached the gates of Lanka.
Thereafter, a highly terrible and tumultuous sound arose among the leaders of the monkeys, as, at the end of summer the roaring of thunder clouds in the mid-night.
Thus completes 50th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 51
| Hearing the rejoicing cries of the monkeys, Ravana asks some demons to discover the cause of that rejoicing. The demons mount the rampart and discover that Rama and Lakshmana have been relieved of the shackle of arrows. They come to Ravana and inform that the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana are alive and appear like two strong elephants in the battle-field. Ravana then calls Dhumraksha, a demons and asks him to go with an army and kill Rama, Lakshmana and the monkeys Dhumraksha along with his army enters the western gate of Lanka where the army-chief Hanuman is stationed. While Dhumraksha advances in the battle-field, he observes several bad omens and feels disturbed. |
That tumultuous sound, set up by the monkeys who were full of martial ardour, arrested the attention of Ravana and his demons. Hearing that mighty clamour, sounding smooth and deep, Ravana spoke to his ministers who surrounded him.
"A great uproar, resembling the rumbling of clouds, has arisen from that horde of rejoiced monkeys. Undoubtedly their joy is great, their mighty roars are agitating the briny ocean itself. Those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana were tied by sharp arrows. This sound of a great magnitude being heard by me, is begetting an apprehension in me."
Having spoken thus to his ministers, Ravana the Lord of Demons said to his demons who stood round him there (as follows): "You immediately discover from what cause this general rejoicing among all these monkeys coming for the their present grievous situation!"
Thus commanded by Ravana, they mounted the rampart very briskly and saw the army lead by the high-souled Sugreeva and also the highly fortunate Rama and Lakshmana who were relieved of the terrific shackle of arrow a and risen up together. All the demons felt desponded on seeing it. With their hearts trembling with fear and faces turning pale, all those terrific demons descended from the rampart and approached Ravana.
With downcast faces, those demons skilled in speech, faithfully informed Ravana of those unpleasant tidings, saying: "The two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, whom Indrajit had bound with his benumbing shafts and whose arms he had pinioned, are free from the arrows which paralyzed them and now appear on the field of battle, as two strong elephants who have snapped their fetters."
Hearing their words, the might Ravana was filled with anxiety and fury. His face became pale (and he spoke as follows): "If my adversaries, having thus been bound by Indrajit are freed, despite their injuries in battle by his formidable arrows which were infallible those rare boons, resembling serpents, bright as the sun, I perceive my entire army in jeopardy. Those very arrows, bright as fire, which in battle have taken the life of my enemies, have now been rendered void indeed!"
Having spoken thus in furious tones, hissing like a snake, he addressed a demon called Dhumraksha who was seated amidst the demons and said. "You, with a terrific prowess, go quickly with a considerable force of demons and slay Rama, Lakshmana and his monkeys."
Thus commanded by Ravana, the intelligent Dhumraksha, going past from there, quickly departed front her royal palace. Having crossed that gate, he spoke to the General of the Forces as follows: "Mobilize the army. Hasten quickly. What need is there for the delay?"
Hearing the words of Dhumraksha, the general of forces, having the army which followed him, kept the army ready quickly, as per Ravana's command. Those strong demons of terrific form, making sounds with bells hung on their bodies, joyously surrounded Dhumraksha. Furnished with every kind of weapon, brandishing spears, hammers, maces, harpoons, sticks, iron cudgels, bars, clubs, javelins, missiles, nooses and axes, those terrible demons sallied forth with the noise of thunder. Clad in mail, mounted on chariots that were magnificently dressed with flags and decorated with bands of pure gold, harnessed to mules of many heads or steeds of exceeding fleetness or elephants in furious rut, some other excellent demons went forth like veritable tigers.
Dhumraksha, with a mule-like clatter, set out in a celestial chariot to which mules adorned with gold and heads of deer and lions were hitched. That Dhumraksha of mighty prowess, surrounded by demons, set forth amidst mocking laughter, through the western gate where the army-chief Hanuman was stationed. As he mounted and advanced in an excellent chariot harnessed to mules, whose voices he emulated, birds of ill-omen in the sky obstructed that advancing demon of very terrible and fearful appearance.
A highly terrible vulture alighted on the top of his chariot, while those devourer of corpses clustered on the point of his standard. Streaming with blood, a huge decapitated trunk fell to earth, emitting inarticulate noise in Dhumraksha's vicinity and the sky rained down blood. The earth trembled. The wind with noise resembling a thunder blew adversely. Every quarter, obscured by abundant darkness, did not dazzle. Seeing those terrible omens that appeared in all their horror to the demons, Dhumraksha became perturbed. Terror seized all the demons who were advancing in front of Dhumraksha.
Then, Dhumraksha, the highly terrible and strong demon, surrounded by a multitude of demons, eager to enter into combat, set out and beheld that army of a multitude of monkeys, resembling a flood, protected by the arms of Rama.
Thus completes 51st Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 52
| Dhumraksha along with army attacks the monkeys. A tumultuous battle ensued between the demons and the monkeys. The battle reached frightful proportions in that both the monkeys and demons were killed in large numbers. When Dhumraksha pounced on Hanuman, the latter shattered Dhumraksha's chariot to pieces. Lifting his mace, Dhumraksha fights with Hanuman, who in turn hits him on his head and kills him |
Beholding the demon, Dhumraksha of terrible prowess coming forth, all the monkeys waiting for the war, roared with joy. A highly tumultuous battle was seen between those monkeys and demons, who were slaying each other, with terrible trees, lances and maces. The terrible monkeys were moved down on all sides by the demons. The demon too were levelled down to the earth with trees by the monkeys. Enraged with anger, the demons, on their part, paralyzed the monkeys with sharp and frightful arrows, going as straight as wings of eagle.
While being torn asunder by the demons with terrible maces, spears, hammers, frightful iron bars and variegated tridents, the mighty monkeys fearlessly accomplished their tasks with an excitement born of anger. While their bodies were split up by the tridents and their limbs broken by arrows, those leaders of monkeys took up trees and rocks there to fight. Those terribly swift monkeys, roaring aloud harassed the valiant demons at all places, by calling out their names. That awful battle with all kinds of rocks and trees furnished with many branches between monkeys and demons appeared wonderful.
Some demons were crushed by monkeys, who conquered fear and some blood-sucking demons vomited blood from their mouths. Some demons were slashed open at their sides. Some were formed into a heap by the trees. Some others were crushed by stones and yet others torn to pieces by the monkeys teeth. With their standards crushed and broken, their swords snapped and their chariots overturned, some demons were perturbed.
Crushed by the great rocks of monkeys, the earth was scattered with corpses of great elephants resembling hills and horses with their riders. The monkeys of terrific prowess rushed upon the demons, flinging themselves upon them with great bounds horizontally and vertically and scratching their faces with their sharp nails. With their faces dejected very much, their hair torn out and maddened by the smell of blood, those demons fell on the ground.
Some other demons of exceeding valour, who were enraged, very much, ran up towards the monkeys to attack them with their palms having a diamond-like blow. The monkeys, receiving that sharp shock, with even a greater ferocity, crushed the demons with blows of their fists, feet teeth and trees. Seeing his army routed, Dhumraksha that lion among the demons, in his anger began to create a blood-shed of the monkeys wishing to fight.
Some monkeys pierced with spears lost rivers of blood while others struck down by blows of axe, fell to the earth's surface. Some were crushed by iron bars, others torn by harpoons, some others pierced by javelins, all exhausted and lost their lives. Slain in battle by infuriated demons, some monkeys, drenched with blood, fell on the ground and some others disappeared, having been driven away.
With pierced hearts, some monkeys were made to lie down on one side. Some were torn asunder by tridents that even their intestines came out. That mighty battle assumed most awful proportions in that monkeys and demons were crammed with rocks, trees and multitude of weapons. With the bow-strings as the tuneful lute, the neighing of horses as a measure rhythm and the trumpeting of elephants as the vocal music, the whole battle resembled a symphony.
Dhumraksha on his part, wielding a bow in his hand and laughing at the battle-front, made those monkeys to run away to all the quarters by a shower of his arrows. Seeing the army perturbed due to tormented by Dhumraksha, Hanuman was enraged and turned towards him, taking a gigantic rock in his hands.
Hanuman, who was equal in strength to his father, with his eyes inflamed with anger, flung the rock on the chariot of Dhumraksha. Beholding the befalling rock, Dhumraksha lifting his mace hurriedly, jumped down speedily from the chariot and stood there on the earth.
Shattering his chariot with its wheels, its pole, its crest along with banner and bows, that rock rolled down to the ground. Thereafter, Hanuman the son of Maruta (the wind-god), after breaking the chariot, destroyed the demons with trunks of trees furnished with their branches.
With their heads crushed, the demons were drenched with blood. Some others were crunched by the trees and fell down to the earth. Having driven away the army of demons, Hanuman born of Maruta, breaking off the peak of a mountain, ran towards Dhumraksha. The valiant Dhumraksha lifted his mace and making a roaring sound, ran towards that Hanuman who was rushing on him suddenly. Thereafter, Dhumraksha with an outrage, brought down that mace studded with countless spikes on the head of that Hanuman.
That Hanuman, who was endowed with an energy similar to the wind, was in no way disturbed by that blow but struck Dhumraksha on the middle of his skull with his rocky peak. That Dhumraksha, struck by the rocky peak, which shattered all his limbs, soon fell down on the ground like a mountain crumbling. Seeing Dhumraksha having been killed, the demons left surviving were frightened of being killed by the monkeys and re entered Lanka. That illustrious Hanuman the son of Pavana having destroyed his enemies, causing rivers of blood to flow, weary of slaughter of the enemies, with delight, received the cordial felicitations by the monkeys.
Thus completes 52nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 53
| Ravana sends Vajradamstra, another demon to kill Rama, Sugreeva and his monkeys. Vajradamstra and his army emerge from the southern gate where Angada, the General of the Monkeys is stationed. The monkeys had a tough fight with the demons. Angada, the leader of the monkeys strikes the terrible strong demons, chopping off their heads. |
Hearing the death of Dhumraksha, Ravana the King of demons was possessed of anger and began to hiss like a serpent. Polluted by anger, with long and burning sighs, he addressed the cruel and mighty Vajradamshtra, a demon (as follows): "O, warrior! Go ahead as the head of the demons and slay Rama the son of Dasaratha, as also Sugreeva and his monkeys! "So it be" answered the leader of the demons who was a conjurer and departed with many divisions of the army that surrounded him. With the utmost attention, he assembled teams of elephants, horses mules camels and chariots adorning them with conspicuous flags and banners and he himself was well-prepared.
Adorned with colourful bracelets and a diadem, Vajradamshtra set out immediately, wielding a bow and well-covered by an armour. That army-general circumambulated and ascended his chariot, duly decorated with flags and shiningly adorned with purpose. Infantry of every kind issued forth, furnished in their hands with weapons such as clubs, excellent javelins, smooth pestles, harpoons, bows, lances, spears, swords, discus, maces and sharp axes.
All those excellent demons in their resplendent and coloured uniforms, full of strength and mounted on elephants furious with rut, resembled moving mountains. Those elephants mounted by warriors bearing lances and goads were skilled in war-fare. Some other elephants, with good qualities, mounted by valiant demons, were quite mighty in strength. That whole army of demons paraded, looking as brilliant as the clouds, with lightning and sound in the rainy season. They emerged from the southern gate where the General Angada is stationed.
While those demons set forth, inauspicious portents appeared. From a cloudless yet burning sky, meteors fell. Fearful jackals, emitting their howls, belched forth flames and fire. The dreadful beasts then foretold destruction of demons, who while entering the combat, stumbled miserably. Ever after seeing these portents Vajradamshtra of exceeding prowess and sharpness, shored up courage and being fond of battle, set out for the combat.
The monkeys, burning for victory, seeing their enemies advancing, made tremendous shouts which echoed every quarter. Thereafter, a tumultuous battle ensured between the monkeys and the demons, who were cruel, of ferocious form and desirous of each other's destruction. Some warriors of great energy, coming for war, their necks, and bodies severed, fell to the surface of the earth, their entire bodies bathed in blood.
Some other warriors, who did not turn back in battle, with arms resembling steel, approached one another, attacking with various kinds of weapons. An extremely great and terrible noise, breaking the hearts, was heard there from trees, rocks and weapons. A terrific noise of the wheel-rims of chariots and the bow, along with the tumultuous sounds of couches, kettle-drums and tabours arose there.
Some demons, leaving weapons, performed battle with their arms. The demons were beaten and their bodies made fragmented by the monkeys of fighting arrogance, with their palms, feet, fists, trees and knees. Some demons were crushed to powder with rocks. Tremendously frightening the monkeys in the battle by his arrows, Vajradamshtra moved himself in the battle-field like Yama the God of Death moving at the time of dissolution of the worlds, wielding a noose in his hand.
The strong demons skilled in weaponry and wielding various kinds of weapons, killed the army of monkeys in that battle, with their increased anger. The courageous Angada the son of Vali, twice possessed of anger, killed all those demons in the battle, like a world-destroying fire. The valiant Angada with his raging red eyes lifted a tree and killed all those troop of demons, like a lion killing small animals. Angada, with his prowess resembling that of Indra the Lord of celestials, brought about a terrific destroyer of the enemies.
The terribly strong demons, struck by Angada there, had their heads shattered and fell down like chopped off trees. The earth then appeared fearful, it being covered with chariots, conspicuous flags, horses, bodies of monkeys and demons with streams of blood flowing there. That battle-field, decorated with necklaces, bracelets worn on upper arm, garments and umbrellas looked like an autumnal night. By the swiftness of Angada, that great army of demons there trembled then, like a cloud by the swiftness of wind.
Thus completes 53rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 54
| The powerful demon Vajradamshtra penetrated the army of monkeys, sowing terror among them. The monkeys then sought refuge with Angada the monkey-leader. A fierce battle ensues between Vajradamshtra and Angada. Angada assaults Vajradamshtra with a sword and Vajradamshtra's head falls on the ground. |
The devastation of his army through Angada's prowess filled the mighty Vajradamstra with anger. Stretching his terrific bow, like unto Indra's thunder bolt, he assailed the monkey battalions with a flood of arrows.
Then, the foremost of the demons mounted on chariots, fought the battle with every kind of weapon. The monkeys, those valiant bulls among the Plavagas, assembling on all sides, fought with rocks. Then in that battle there, the demons abundantly hurled thousands of weapons on the foremost of monkeys. The monkeys of mighty prowess, resembling elephants in rut, showered down giant trees and huge lumps of rock on the demons.
Between those courageous warriors, the demons and the monkeys, who never retreated in battle, a tremendous struggle ensued. Some monkeys and demons, with their shattered heads, but bereft of arms and legs, lay on the earth bathed in blood with their bodies wounded by weapons, a prey to herons vultures and crows or devoured by troops of jackals.
Monkeys and demons fell on the battle-field; headless trunks leaps up to the terror of all the fearful, their limbs hacked to pieces in the combat. Thereafter, under the eyes of Vajradamshtra, all his army of demons were killed and broken up by the monkey-troops.
Seeing the demons terrified with fear and decimated by the monkeys, that powerful Vajradamshtra, his eyes red with anger, bow in hand, penetrated the army of monkeys, sowing panic among them. Thereafter, in his fury, the vigorous Vajradamshtra dispatched those monkeys with arrows resembling wings of an eagle that flew straight to their target and pierced seven, eight, nine or five of his opponents simultaneously, thus destroying them. With their limbs crippled by those arrows and frightened, those monkey battalions sought refuge with Angada, as all creatures with Brahma the Lord of Creation.
When he beheld those monkey troops fleeing in disorder, Angada the son Vali exchanged glances of hatred with Vajradamshtra. Both Vajradamshtra and Angada fought against each other like a lion and an elephant in rut. They strolled din a tremendous fury. Thereafter, that Vajradamshtra knocked the mighty Angada at his vital organs with his arrows resembling hundred thousand flames of fire.
With all his limbs drenched in blood, the mighty Angada having a terrific prowess threw a tree on Vajradamshtra. That unperplexed demon, seeing that tree falling on him, cut it into innumerable pieces which fell in heaps on earth.
Witnessing the strength of Vajradamshtra, Angada that lion among the monkeys seized hold of a large rock and emitting a shout, threw it on him. As the rock descended, that vigorous Vajradamshtra leaping down from his chariot, armed with his mace, stood waiting unperplexed, on the battle-field.
Meanwhile, the rock thrown by Angada, falling into the forefront of the battle, then crushed the chariot with its wheels shafts and horses. Thereafter, Angada the monkey, seizing another large peak of a mountain adorned with trees, threw it on Vajradamshtra's head.
Beginning to vomit blood, Vajradamshtra became fainted, clenching his mace convulsively and breathing heavily for a moment. Regaining his consciousness, Vajradamshtra the demon was very much enraged and hit Angada full on the chest with his mace.
Leaving his mace, he performed a pugilistic encounter there. Both the monkey and the demon thus hit each other in that combat. Exhausted by the blows, spitting blood, those valiant warriors were like the planets Mars and Mercury.
Then, Angada the lion among the monkeys, possessing a great splendour, uprooted a tree full with many flowers and fruits and stood waiting. The demon too seized hold of a shield covered with the hide of a bull as well as a great beautiful sword decorated richly with a multitude of golden bells. Thirsting for victory, the monkeys and the demons, making roaring sounds, roamed about in different ways and collided with each other.
With their gaping wounds, they shone like a pair of Kimshuka trees in blossom. Exhausted were both of them while fighting and they sank their knees on the earth. Angada, the foremost of the monkeys, just after a moment, with his glittering eyes, rose up like a serpent struck with a stick. The mighty Angada assaulted the giant head of Vajradamshtra with a well-sharpened and stainless sword.
Struck by the sword, that charming head of Vajradamshtra, with his limbs drenched in blood and eyes rolling, fell into two pieces. Seeing Vajradamshtra having been slain, the demons, deluded with fear, fled panic-stricken towards Lanka, harassed by the monkeys with their down-cast faces, their heads bowed in shame. The mighty Angada experienced a great joy amidst the monkey forces, honoured by them for his high courage and he resembled the Lord of a Thousand Eyes surrounded by the celestials.
Thus completes 54th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 55
| Ravana next sends Akampana for the battle. As Akampana along with his army sets out for the war, he visualized various bad portents. A deadly conflict ensued between monkeys and demons. Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the chiefs of monkeys creates a great carnage among demons. |
Hearing that Vajradamshtra was killed by Angada, Ravana spoke the following words to the General of his forces who, with joined palms, stood near him. "Let the invincible demons of irresistible courage go forth soon, with Akampana as their head, who is skilled in the use of every weapon and missile. This excellent demon is a chastiser, a protector and a leader in battle. He ever desired my welfare and always loved war. There is no doubt that he will prove victorious and Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and the other terrible monkeys."
Taking that command of Ravana, the mighty Akampana of quick resolution then mobilized the army. Those foremost of demons of terrifying appearance, furnished with every kind of weapon and fearful to look upon, rushed into the fray where their general had dispatched them. Then, Akampana of the stature and colour of a cloud, whose voice resembled a thunder, ascended his great chariot, decorated with fine gold and set out, surrounded by dreadful demons.
Even celestials were indeed unable to upset Akampana in a great battle. Hence, among the demons, he was shining like the sun, by his splendour. As he sped on his way, hastened and eager to enter the battle, the horses drawing his chariot were suddenly deprived of their energy. The left eye of Akampana, who delighted in warfare, began to twitch. His countenance grew pale and his voice trembled. At a time of a good day, marked by fine weather, it turned into a day of bad weather with a bitter wind beginning to blow. Birds and beasts uttered cruel and fearful cries.
That demon, who had the shoulders of a lion and the agility of a tiger, disregarding those portents, rushed towards the battle-field. While Akampana advanced thus with his troops, an immense tumult arose that seemed to convulse the ocean. By hearing that clamour of the demons coming for the battle, the huge army of the monkeys, brandishing trees and rocks, was frightened. A highly fierce battle ensued between those monkeys and demons, who were ready to lose their lives for the sake of Rama and Ravana.
All the monkeys and demons, who were willing to kill each other, were very strong and valiant. All were resembling mountains. The tremendous clamour of the aforesaid warriors, yelling in their rage and strength, making savage cries, were distinctly heard on the battle-field. A highly terrific dust, in a thick coppery colour, raised by the monkeys and demons enveloped all the ten quarters.
The combatants, enveloped by that dust, which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind, could no longer distinguish each other on the battle-field. Neither standard, banner and shield, nor horse, weapon and chariot could be discerned in that pall of dust. A great tumultuous clamour, of warriors, making challenging cries and rushing upon each other, was heard on the battle-field, yet in that confusion, no form was visible.
In the darkness, the greatly enraged monkeys killed the monkeys themselves and the demons killed the demons themselves in battle. Those monkeys and demons killing other and their own people then made the earth dampened with blood, anointing its body with mud.
Under the stream of blood being sprinkled, the dust was laid, revealing the earth covered with bodies and corpses. The demons and the monkeys vigorously struck each other swiftly with blows from trees, spears, maces, javelins, stones, bars and picks. The monkeys of dreadful deeds, resembling mountains, fighting with their arms appearing like iron bars, killed the demons in battle.
The enraged demons with darts and javelins in their hands, struck the monkeys there with their cruel weapons. The extremely enraged Akampana, the general of the army of demons, cheered all those demons by his terrible prowess. The monkeys however leaping upon them and snatching their weapons through their strength, crushed those demons with blows from large trees and stones.
Meanwhile Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the courageous monkeys in an outburst of anger, displayed unsurpassed rashness. Those exceedingly valiant chiefs of monkeys, as in sport, in the battle-front, with mighty blows of trees, created a great carnage among the demons. All of them repeatedly crushed the demons with every kind of weapon.
Thus completes 55th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose
Sarga 56
| Akampana enters the battle-field and assails the monkeys with his bow and arrows. Then, Hanuman comes to the rescue of the monkeys. A great fight ensued between Akampana and Hanuman. Hanuman strikes the head of Akampana with a huge tree and Akampana dies. All the demons take to their heels and return to Lanka. |
Seeing that very great exploit executed by the chiefs of monkeys in the battle, Akampana was seized with a fierce anger. Witnessing that work of the enemies, his features were distorted by anger and brandishing his powerful bow, Akampana addressed his charioteer in these words. "Drive the chariot quickly to that place, for, those monkeys are killing innumerable demons on the battle field."
"Those arrogant monkeys of terrific ferocity, armed with trees and rocks, dare to affront me here. I wish to kill those audacious monkeys, who are seen harassing all the army of demons."
Thereafter, in his chariot, drawn by fast-moving horses, Akampana the most skillful of chariot-warriors, with a hail of darts, assailed the monkeys from a distance. The monkeys were no longer able to maintain their formation, much less fight in the battle. all of them were crushed under the shifts of Akampana and took to their heels. Seeing those companions, getting under the sway of death pursued by Akampana's darts, the mighty Hanuman went to their rescue.
Seeing Hanuman their great leader, all those valiant and the best of the monkeys together rallied and grouped themselves boldly round him. Observing Hanuman's courage, those excellent monkeys took shelter in his powerfulness and became powerfulness and became powerful indeed.
Akampana, like Mahendra the Lord of celestials, assailed a hail of arrows on Hanuman, who remained as firm as a rock. Heedless of the flood of weapons that fell upon his body, the mighty Hanuman resolved in his mind to slay Akampana. Laughing heartily , that Hanuman, the son of Maruta the wind-god and possessing a great splendour, leapt on the demon, causing the earth to shake as it were.
As he roared burning with energy, the form of Hanuman became difficult to overpower, like a blazing fire. Knowing himself to be bereft of any weapon, Hanuman the excellent monkey, with a rage, uplifted a mountain quickly. That valiant Hanuman, seizing a very great mountain with one hand and letting up a roar, began to spin it rapidly.
Thereafter, as formerly in an encounter Indra the Lord of celestials hurled his thunderbolt at Namuchi, Hanuman rushed towards Akampana. Beholding that crag flying towards him, Akampana shattered it even from a distance by means of his great crescent-shaped arrows.
Seeing that rocky peak shatterd in the air by the demon's arrows and falling in pieces, Hanuman became mad with anger. Approaching an Ashwakarna tree as large as a mountain, in the transport of rage that possessed him, that Hanuman uprooted it speedily.
Taking hold of that Ashvakarna tree with large branches, in his great strength, Hanuman with immense delight spinned it, while standing on the ground. Then, the highly enraged Hanuman began to run with great strides, breaking down the trees by his strength and tearing up the earth with his feet.
Hanuman struck down elephants as also who rode upon them and charioteers with their chariots and the terrific infantry of demons. Seeing that Hanuman, like unto Yama the Destroyer of vital Breaths, full of wrath armed with a tree and taking off lives, the demons took of flight.
The valiant Akampana, beholding that Hanuman who was enraged and rushing on, sowing terror among his soldiers, was greatly perturbed and set up a mighty shout. With fourteen sharp arrows that tore the flesh, that Akampana pierced the highly valiant Hanuman. Riddled with sharp-pointed shafts, that warrior Hanuman appeared like a mountain on which a number of plants shooted up.
That mighty Hanuman of great strength with a large body shone like a fire without smoke and resembled a blooming Ashoka tree. Thereafter, showing a great haste in uprooting another tree, Hanuman struck the head of Akampana the General of demons.
Struck with a tree by that high-souled and enraged Hanuman, that demon fell down and died. Seeing their leader Akampana lying lifeless on earth, all the demons trembled as the trees do during an earthquake. All those defeated warriors, throwing their arms, escaped in the direction of Lanka, terrified, pursued by those monkeys.
Their hair loosened, bewildered, their pride broken by defeat, their limbs dripping with sweat, those demons fled, blowing out their breaths. Mad with fear, looking back again and again and crushing each other in haste, they entered the city. When those demons had entered Lanka, all the mighty monkeys approached Hanuman and paid homage to him.
That Hanuman, of noble nature honoured all those delighted monkeys, in accord with their rank and the occasion. The triumphant monkeys shouted in accord with their might and once again dragged the demons who were still alive there on the battle-field.
That great monkey, born of Maruta having encountered and killed the demons, enjoyed the same renown as Vishnu when he overcame the mighty and terrific demon of immense power destroying his enemies in the forefront of the battle. Then, the troops of deities along with Rama himself, the exceedingly strong Lakshmana, Sugreeva and other monkeys and the mighty Vibhishana paid homage to Hanuman.
Thus completes 56th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 57
| Ravana asks Prahasta to go to the battle. Prahasta sets out for the combat along with a huge army and enters the eastern gate. Bad omens appeared, as Prahasta enters the battle-field. The army of monkeys seized hold of trees and rocks, to attack the demons. |
Hearing of Akampana's killing, Ravana the Lord of demons, with a little depressed face, was enraged and looked towards his ministers. Having reflected awhile and deliberated with his ministers, Ravana the king of Demons then passed that forenoon in inspecting his defenses in the City of Lanka.
The king Ravana saw that City, guarded by groups of demons, filled with innumerable troops and decorated with banners and flags. Seeing Lanka besieged, Ravana the Lord of Demons spoke as follows to Prahasta who was skilled in war-fare and who wished well of him even at a critical time.
"O, Prahasta the proficient in war-free! I do not see any other deliverance than a battle for this city, which is besieged suddenly and being devastated. Either myself or Kumbhakarna or yourself my army-chief or Indrajit or Nikumbha and none else could undertake such a task! For that reason, taking a company of warriors, you quickly place yourself in their midst and set forth in order to triumph over all those monkeys. Unsettled in no time on knowing your decision to enter the battle-field, the army of monkeys will run away on hearing the raring sound of the leaders of demons."
"The monkeys are unsteady, mis-behaved and fickle-minded. They do not tolerate your sound, as elephants the lion's roar. O, Prahasta! As that army takes to its heels, Rama along with Lakshmana being supportless, will fall into your power though unwillingly. A skeptical misfortune is preferable to one that is certain! Whether it is unpleasing to hear or not, say what you consider as an advantage to us."
Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta the Army-General spoke the following words to Ravana, like Ushana the preceptor of demons would speak to Bali, the king of demons. "O, king! Formerly, we deliberated this matter with our wise ministers and, after having a good dialogue with each other, a disagreement arose between us. To return Seetha was what I considered preferable. Not to do so meant war; we foresaw this."
"I have ever been honoured by you at appropriate times by gifts, felicitations and nice words. When the opportunity arises, is it not for me to render you a service? Neither wives nor sons nor riches are going to be spared by me. See you me, intending to sacrifice my life for your sake in the battle."
Having spoken thus to Lord Ravana, the General Prahasta said to his leading officers who stood before him as follows: "Gather a large army of demons together for me. Today, the flesh-eating birds and beasts shall feed on the enemy that I strike down on the battle-field with my swift arrows."
Hearing that command of Prahasta, the mighty leaders of the army assembled the forces in the abode of that demon. Within a short while, that City of Lanka was filled with those terrific demon-warriors, resembling elephants and wielding various types of weaponry. While some demons propitiated the fire-god with their offerings and paid homage to Brahmanas, a fragrant freeze bearing the scent of clarified butter, began to blow.
Then, the demons who were ready for the battle, delightedly wore garlands of different shapes, consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas). Thereafter, armed with bows and armours, the demons with their eyes turned towards their king Ravana, marched at a brisk pace and ranged themselves round Prahasta.
Then, Prahasta who got ready with his weapons and armour, after bidding abeyance to the king and striking a terrible kettle-drum, mounted his chariot, which was kept ready, yoked to an extremely swift horses, well controlled by a charioteer, emanating a noise resembling that of a large cloud, actually shining like moon-light, inviolable with a flag bearing an ensign of snake, with a good collision-guard, with nice wheels and decorated with a net of pure gold smiling as it were in its magnificence.
Then, Prahasta the one who was commanded by Ravana, ascended his chariot and set out from Lanka soon along with a huge army. While Prahasta the general sallied forth, the sound of a kettle-drum, the resonance of musical instruments and the sound of conches were heard, as though filling the earth like the roar of a cloud.
The demons with terrific forms and bulky bodies, shouting with dreadful voices, went in front, as forerunners of Prahasta. Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata, attendants of Prahasta sallied forth, surrounding him on all sides. He emerged from the eastern gate in the midst of an immense, formidable and orderly arranged army, resembling a herd of elephants. In the centre of that army, vast as the sea, that Prahasta in his fury, came forth appearing like Death at the end of the world.
The uproar that arose on his setting forth with his demons raising the war-cries drew sinister answering calls from all creatures in Lanka. In a cloudless sky, birds of prey eating flesh and blood, flew in circles from left to right towards the chariot. Fearful jackals vomited forth fire and flames, howling repeatedly. A meteor fell from the sky and the wind blew harshly.
The plants, in opposition to each other, lost their brilliance. The clouds, with their raucous sound, showered blood on Prahasta's chariot and dampened those who were walking in front of it. A vulture facing the south alighted on the top of the standard, croaking towards both of its sides and deprived the demon of his entire lustre. The goad fell several times then from the hand of the charioteer, himself a Suta (the son of a Kshatriya by a Brahamana woman) eventhough skilled in controlling the horses, as he entered the battle-field.
That rarely splendour which clothed Prahasta at the time of his exit vanished in an instant and horses stumbled on the even ground. Beholding that Prahasta, renowned for his excellences and martial valour; as he advanced to give battle, the army of monkeys went forward to attack him.
Thereafter, an exceedingly tumultuous clamour arose among the monkeys as they tore up the trees and seized hold of huge rocks. Both the armies of the yelling demons and the roaring monkeys were delighted, impetuous and powerful with impatience to slay each other and challenging each other with great shouts. Thereafter, the evil-minded Prahasta sallied forth for victory towards the army of Sugreeva, whom in his folly, imagined he would destroy, with an accelerated speed as a grass-hopper rushes towards a flame.
Thus completes 57th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 58
| On Rama's enquiry, Vibhishana explains the prowess of Prahasta who entered the battle-field. The demons with their arrows and the monkeys with their stones combat each other. Both the monkeys and demons were killed in the battle. Prahasta the demon and Nila the monkey come face to face to fight. Prahasta hurls a volley of darts over Nila. Nila kills Prahasta's horses by hurling a huge tree and breaks his bow. Finally a huge rock hurled by Nila breaks Prahasta's head into myriad pieces and dies. All the other demons abandon the battle-field and return to Lanka. |
Seeing Prahasta setting out with a martial ardour, Rama the conqueror of enemies, smiling, spoke to Vibhishana as follows: "Who is he with a very huge body, coming with a great speed along with a large army? O, the mighty armed! Tell me about this strong demon."
Hearing Rama's words, Vibhishana replied as follows "He is guarded by two-thirds of the army of Lanka. He is a demon of prowess, skilled in the use of mystic weapons and valiant. He is the demon named Prahasta, the Army general of Ravana."
That huge and powerful army of monkeys, who began to emit cries of defiance with fury, thereupon saw the terrible Prahasta of formidable exploits coming forth towards them. Swords, lances, daggers, darts, spears, clubs, maces bars, barbed missiles, various kinds of axes and different bows glittered in the hands of demons, who were running up towards the monkeys and seeking victory.
The monkeys who were burning to fight took hold of trees in flower, rocks and lofty and thick stones. As they approached each other, a very great battle arose between those combatants who showered down a hail of arrows and a bombardment of stones. In that battle, many of the demons killed several excellent monkeys and several monkeys killed many of the demons. Some monkeys were smashed by spears and some others by finer weapons. Some were struck by iron bars and some others were slit by axes.
Yet again, some fell breathlessly on the ground and some were destroyed by the arrows aimed at them with their hearts splits asunder. Cut into two with the strokes of swords by those powerful demons, some monkeys, trembling, fell on the earth, their sides torn open.
Even the flock of demons on all sides were crushed on to the earth by the furious monkeys with tree and mountain-peaks. Having been administered thundering slaps with their hands and terrific blows with their fists, the faces and eyes of demons were were lacerated. The demons vomited plenty of blood from their months.
A tumultuous clamour arose among monkeys and demons, as cries of pain and leonine roars were bellowed. The monkeys and the demons with anger, following the path of heroes, with their cruel and hostile eyes, accomplished their deeds with great courage.
Narantaka Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata all these companions of Prahasta killed the monkeys. Dvivida, with a mountain-peak, struck down Narantaka, the one among them who was rushing upon quickly and killing the monkeys. The ape Durmukha on his part, with a ready hand, uprooted a very large tree and crushed the demon Samunnata.
The energetic Jambavan with a great fury seized a huge rock and threw it on the chest-region of Mahanada. Then, the valiant Kumbhahanu there in the battle, having attacked the General Tara, who was armed with a huge tree, received a blow immediately cost him his life. Not tolerating the aforesaid act, Prahasta having occupied his chariot with bow in hand, caused a terrible havoc among the monkeys.
Then, with the rapid movement of both the armies, there arose of clamour resembling the roar of an unfathomable and tempestuous ocean in a time of dissolution. The demon Prahasta, who was hard to be subdued in battle, with full of anger, tormented the monkeys by an immense avalanche of arrows in that great combat.
By the frightening corpses of monkeys and demons, appearing like hideous mountains, a very extensive area of the ground is covered. That ground, covered by the stream of blood, shone as in the month of spring when overspread fully with the blossoming crimson-coloured Palasa flowers.
With the heaps of warriors for its banks the broken weapons its trees, the torrents of blood its huge waves, death appeared like an ocean receiving its floods, livers and spleens its mire, entrails its moss, severed heads and trunks the fish, and morsels of flesh the grass, the innumerable vultures its lovely swans, herons its geese, covered as it was with fat for the foam, the tumult the sound of its waters, the battle field resembled a river, incapable of being crossed by cowards, visited by water-fowls at the end of the rainy season, those demons and the foremost of the monkeys crossed over that impassable river, as elephants lead their herds across a lake that the lotuses have covered with pollen.
Then, Nila saw Prahasta who was employing a multitude of arrows sitting in the chariot and annihilating the monkeys swiftly. Seeing Nila who was running towards him in the battle-field, as a rocking wind in the sky rushes towards a large massive clouds, Prahasta the Army general attacked Nila himself with his chariot having the sun's colour. That Prahasta the Army General, who was excellent among the wielders of bow, drew the bow-string and hurled the arrows towards Nila in that great battle.
Those arrows with a great speed resembling furious snakes employed by Prahasta proceeded towards Nila, pierced him and fell on the ground. That great ape of prowess Nila, who was struck by sharp arrows resembling flames, uprooted a tree and thumped it on the descending Prahasta who was most difficult to be assaulted.
Being unable to restrain the series of arrows hurled at him by that evil-minded demon, Nila received them with closed eyes. Like a bull standing under a sudden autumnal down-pour, so under that intolerable and sudden rain of darts released by Prahasta, Nila endured with closed eyes though it was scarce to be endured.
The exceedingly strong and the great Nila, enraged over the volley of darts, killed Prahasta's horses by hurling a huge Sala tree on them. Thereafter the greatly enraged Nila quickly broke the bow of Prahasta the evil-minded demon and shouted again and again.
Deprived of his bow, Prahasta the leader of the army, seizing a formidable mace, leapt down from the chariot. Those two army-chiefs, who were courageous and in whom enmity had sprung up, with their limbs covered with blood, wee standing like two elephants in rut.
Lion and tiger in gait, lion and tiger in gestures, those two warriors tore each other with their shap teeth. Vanquishers of other heroes and intrepid combatants, both of them, thirsting for fame, resembled Vritra and Indra. Then, that Prahasta exerting himself well struck Nila on his forehead with a mace and blood oozed from his forehead.
Whereupon, that great ape, his limbs smeared with blood, seized a huge tree and struck Prahasta full in his chest with fury. Ignoring that blow, he seized a huge mace and ran in strength towards Nila the strong monkey. Seeing Prahasta of terrible velocity briskly rushing towards him, Nila the great monkey took a huge rock swiftly.
Nila quickly hurled that rock on the head of Prahasta who was longing for war and fighting with a mace in the battle. Then, that huge and terrific rock hurled by Nila the leader of the monkeys broke Prahasa's head into myriad pieces. That Prahasta who lost his breath, was disfigured and dead, bereft of his senses and at once fell on the ground like a tree cut up by the root.
A lot of blood oozed from his broken head. From his body two, blood streamed forth like a cascade from a mountain. Their leader having been slain by Nila that unshakable and large army of demons, becoming disconsolated, withdrew to Lanka.
Their chief of Army having been killed, those demons could not continue to stand firmly there, any more than water on reaching a breached bridge. That Prahasta the chief of Army having been slain, those demons dumb dispirited and inactive, regained the abode of their king. They became unconscious as it were plunged in an ocean of burning grief. The triumphant Nila, however, was honoured by Rama and Lakshmana for his task well accomplished and experienced supreme joy.
Thus completes 58th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 59
| Feeling desperate at the death of Prahasta, Ravana himself appears on the battle-front for an encounter, along with Akampana, Indrajit, Atikaya, Mahodara, Pishacha, Trishiras, Kumbha, Nimkumbha and Narantaka the foremost of demons. After a tough fight with Sugreeva, Lakshmana, Hanuma and Nila, Ravana encounters Rama in battle, and sustaining an ignominious defeat at the latter's hands and escaping with his life, withdraws to Lanka. |
While Prahasta the Army chief of demons was slain in the battle by Nila the foremost among the monkeys, Ravana's army possessing terrible arms took to flight with the speed of a tide. The demons went and told Ravana that Prahasta the Army chief had been killed by Nila the son of Fire-god. Hearing those words of the demons, Ravana was possessed of anger.
Hearing that Prahasta had perished in the fight, Ravana was afflicted with anger and his heart filled with grief and her addressed the foremost of his leaders as Indra the Lord of celestials to the leaders of the celestial troops (as follows): "That enemy is not to be despised; under whose blows the destroyer of Indra's host the leader of my army with his followers and elephants fell. I myself shall go to that wonderful battle-front without hesitation in order to destroy the enemies and to gain victory. As a forest is consumed by blazing fires, so shall I scorch that army of monkeys now along with Lakshmana and Rama with a multitude of arrows. Today, I shall satiate the earth with the blood of the monkeys."
Speaking thus, Ravana the enemy of the Lord of celestials ascended his chariot which shone like a flame and was yoked to a team of excellent horses with its brilliance of an effulgent body. Ravana the best among the kings of demons sallied forth with the sound of couches, kettle-drums, cymbals, clapping of hands and leonine roars and well-acclaimed by agreeable encomiums. That Ravana along with the flesh-eating demons whose forms resembled mountains and clouds and whose glances flashed like torches shone like Rudra the Lord of Immortals surrounded by genii.
Ravana who was endowed with extraordinary energy, issuing all at once from the city, observed a ferocious army of monkeys with trees and rocks in their hands, ready for combat and roaring like a vast ocean and a mass of thunder-clouds.
Seeing that army of demons who were excessively furious, Rama whose arms resembled great serpents, accompanied by his forces and having great fortune, spoke to Vibhishana the best among the wielders of weapons (as follows): "Who is in command of this army, furnished with every kind of standard, banner and canopy, armed with javelins, swords, stakes and other weapons and missiles and composed of imperturbable soldiers and elephants as high as the Mahendra Mountain?"
Hearing the words of Rama, Vibhishana the equal of Indra in valour, then narrated to Rama about the choicest army of the foremost among demons of the highest peculiarity (as follows): "O Prince! That hero who has a face with a coppery hue resembling a newly rising sun, coming on the back of an elephant causing its head to sway, know him to be Akampana. He who, standing in his chariot, brandish his bow which has a splendour of Indra's bow, whose standard bears the image of a lion, and who shines like unto an elephant with its terrible curved tusks, he is Indrajit who is renowned for the boons he had received from Brahma."
"He who, the archer like unto the Vindhya, Asta or Mahendra Mountains, standing in his chariot, a mighty warrior, of superior strength, who wields a bow of unequalled size and having an exceedingly grown body, he is called Atikaya. He who, with tawny eyes resembling the dawn, riding an elephant with its bells jangling, who is shouting aloud, he is that strong demon of the highest peculiarity is called Mahodara. He who, ascending the brilliantly caparisoned horse raising high a gleaming javelin, possesses a velocity of a well-directed thunder-bolt and resembles a mass of evening clouds and a mountain, he is Pishacha."
"He who, seizing a sharp spike with a possesses the velocity of a well-directed thunder bolt and comes mounting on an excellent bull which shines like a moon, he is the illustrious Trishiras. The other resembling a thunder-bolt, of large and well-developed chest, who has an attentive mind, has the King of Snakes as his standard, who is moving and twanging his bow, he is Kumbha. He who, holding a mace decorated with gold and diamonds, which are radiant (as fire) and also smoky (studded with sapphires), who advances as a standard bearer tot he army of demons, he is Nikumbha of Prodigious exploits."
"He who, mounted in a chariot, adorned with flags, gleaming like a glowing blazer, who is furnished with bows swords and a multitude of arrows, he is Narantaka who shines brightly over there and who, in combat, fights with mountain-tops. He who, surrounded by ghosts of dreadful form of rolling eyes, with heads of tigers, buffalo mighty elephants, deer and horses, under an excellent white canopy with slender ribs and shining like a moon, he who is the humbler of the gods themselves, shining like unto Rudra amidst the genii, is the suzerain Lord of Demons there. Ravana, decked with a diadem, who has brought Indra the Lord of celestials and Vaivasvata the Lord of Death low, is shining like the sun. His countenance is graced by ear-rings. His formidable stature equals the Vindhya the Lord of Mountains."
Then, Rama the annihilator of enemies, answered Vibhishana and said "Alas! What glory, what majesty is Ravana's the Lord of Demons! "Ravana is beaming like the sun with his rays difficult to be gazed, neither can the eye rest on him such is the binding strength of his magnificence! The body of celestial or demonical heroes may not be so radiant in this manner as this body of the king of demons. All the warriors of the suzerain Ravana are as high as hills. All fight with mountains. All wield fiery weapons."
"Amidst the fiery ghosts of terrible aspect, this king of demons shines like Yama the Lord of Death surrounded by blazing genii endowed with hideous forms. By good luck, that wretch comes today within my range of sight! Today, I shall expunge my wrath, born of Seetha's abduction!"
Having spoken thus, the valiant Rama who was accompanied by Lakshmana, took up his bow and then standing erect, drew out an excellent arrow. Thereafter, that powerful Ravana spoke to those exceedingly strong demons as follows: "Take up your positions unfalteringly and happily at the gates and principal exits, the outposts and fortifications. Learning of my presence along with you here, taking this to be a weak point and storming this desolate city which is otherwise difficult to be overpowered, the monkeys when united may destroy it by surprise."
Having dismissed those counsellors and as the demons departed as ordered, Ravana thereafter began to split under the waters of the sea of monkeys, in the same way as a gigantic fish would rend the entire expanse of the sea. Seeing Ravana with his radiant bow, in the battle, Sugreeva the Lord of Monkeys tearing up a huge mountain-top, ran towards that king of demons.
Seizing a mountain-top with its many trees and ridges, Sugreeva hurled it on Ravana the demon. Seeing that mountain-top coming towards him, Ravana quickly broke it asunder with his arrows with golden shafts. While that mountain-top with its well-developed ridges and excellent trees was rent asunder and fell on the earth, Ravana like unto another Yama the Lord of Death, loosed an arrow resembling a great serpent.
The enraged Ravana, taking that arrow with the speed of a thunder bolt of Indra the Lord of celestials and possessing the brilliance of a fire, hurled it to kill Sugreeva. That arrow released by Ravana's arm reached Sugreeva, having a bodily splendour equal to that of Indra's thunder bolt, and pierced his body in its flight as formerly Guha's spear when he discharged it at the Krauncha Mountain.
Wounded by that arrow, which bereft him of consciousness, that warrior fell moaning to the earth. Beholding him falling on the ground, deprived of his senses in the battle-field, the demons raised a shout of triumph. Then, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha, Jyotimukha and Nala; of exceeding corpulence tearing up rocks, rushed towards Ravana.
That Lord of Demons, with hundreds of arrows, possessed of sharp points, rendered their projectiles fruitless and pierced those leaders of the monkeys with a multitude of marvellous golden shafted arrows. Pierced by the arrows of Ravana the Enemy of Gods, those monkey-Generals of terrifying stature fell on the ground. Thereupon, he covered that formidable army of monkeys with a shower of arrows.
Assailed and fallen down, those monkey-warriors, emitted cries as though struck by an arrow of terror, whom Ravana was destroying with his darts and fled for refuge to Rama who is capable of affording protection to all. Then the high-souled Rama the skilful archer, taking his bow, set out at once.
Lakshmana, however, approaching him with joined palms, spoke very meaningful words follows: "O, noble Brother! Of my own accord, I am able to kill this wretched Ravana. O, Lord! I shall slay him. Permit me to do so." The exceedingly powerful and the truly courageous Rama spoke to that Lakshmana as follows: "Go, Lakshmana and also be strenuous in this duel."
The exceedingly powerful and the truly courageous Rama spoke to that Lakshmana as follows: "Go, Lakshmana and also be strenuous in this duel. Seek out his weak points and guard against your own. Defend yourself vigilantly with your eye and bow."
Hearing the words of Rama, Lakshmana embraced him, thereafter offering obeisance and bidding him farewell, he entered the battle-field. Lakshmana then saw Ravana with arms as large as the trunks of elephants, who was brandishing his dreadful and fiery bow, covering those monkeys whose bodies he had severed with a close rain of darts. The exceedingly energetic Hanuma, born of Maruta the god of wind, beholding this, rushed on Ravana in order to bring that rain of arrows to an end.
Approaching his chariot, the sagacious Hanuma lifted his right arm and spoke the following threatening words to Ravana: "You have obtained the boon of invulnerability to the celestials, demons, celestial musicians, ogres and semi-divine beings. But monkeys are a danger to you. This five-branched right hand of mine, which I now raise, will rob you of your life that has long been resident in your body."
Hearing the words of Hanuma, the exceedingly valiant Ravana, his eyes inflamed with anger, answered. "Strike quickly without fear, O Monkey! Win eternal renown. Thereafter, I shall destroy you, after measuring your strength."
Hearing the words of Ravana, Hanuma the son of wind-god spoke the following words: "Recollect that I have killed your son Aksha already."
Thus spoken, the highly energetic and the valiant Ravana the Lord of Demons struck Hanuma the son of Anila a violent blow on his chest with the palm of his hand.
Hanuma, thus struck with Ravana's palm, reeled repeatedly. Thereafter the highly sagacious and illustrious Hanuma secured his balance within a moment and in fury, struck Ravana the enemy of Immortals with the very palm of his hand. Under the violent impact of the blow of the mighty Hanuma Ravana shook like a mountain when the earth trembles. Beholding Ravana struck in the fight by Hanuma's palm; the sages, monkeys, semi-divine beings, along with celestials and demons raised a resounding approbation.
Then, the extremely spirited Ravana, having regained his breath, spoke the following words: "Well done! Well done! O, monkey! You are my adversary, worthy of praise by your valour!"
Then, Hanuma answered, "O, Ravana! Cursed by that strength since you do still survive! O, foolish fellow! Why this boasting? Now come, strike me once! my fist is about to dispatch you to the Abode of Yama the Lord of Death!"
Hearing the words of Hanuma, the powerful Ravana, enraged, his eyes red with fury and whirling his fist with force knocked it down violently on Hanuma's chest. Under the shock, Hanuma reeled once again. Seeing that mighty Hanuma exhausted, Ravana turned his chariot towards Nila. With his terrific arrows in the likeness of serpents, Ravana the powerful Lord of Demons pierced the vital parts of his enemy, thus overwhelming Nila the Monkey-general.
Nila, the Army General of Monkeys, tormented by that hail of arrows, with one hand hurled a great rock at Ravana the king of demons.
Meanwhile, Hanuma of exalted mind, burning with courage, regained his breath and in his martial ire cried out furiously towards Ravana, the Lord of Demons who occupied in fight with Nila as follows: "It is not proper to engage in a combat with a person who is already doing a fight with another."
Then, the mighty Ravana, however, shattered the rock hurled by Nila with seven pointed arrows and it fell down, crumbling to pieces. Seeing that rock crumbling to pieces, Nila the Army-general the destroyer of enemies who resembled the Fire of Time, glowed with fury.
In that fight, Nila hurled Aswakarna trees, Shala trees with extensive flowering, Chuta trees and other various types of trees. Ravana, confronting those trees, bursted them and showered a hail of dangerous darts on Nila the son of Fire-God. Showered by a multitude of shafts, as from a cloud, the mighty Nila assumed a diminutive form and leapt on to the point of Ravana's standard.
Seeing Nila the son of Fire-God standing well on the point of his standard, Ravana inflamed with fury. Then, Nila shouted loudly. Beholding that monkey sometimes leaping on to the point of Ravana's standard sometimes on to the tip of his bow and sometimes on to the peak of his diadem, Lakshmana, Hanuma and Rama were astonished. The mighty Ravana, amazed at the monkey's agility, seized a marvellous and glowing arrow called Agneya the weapon of Fire.
Thereafter, those monkeys who felt rejoiced to see Ravana disconcerted at the agility of Nila and had found an occasion for jubilation, shouted joyously. Then, provoked by the shouts of the monkeys, his heart possessed with confusing, Ravana did not know what to do. Ravana the demon, taking up an arrow, charged with the missile presided over by the fire-God, aimed at Nila who had perched on the tip of his standard.
Then, Ravana the king of demons said,: "O monkey! You are endowed with agility combined with a supreme power of magic. Do you save your life if you can, eventhogh you are creating numerous deeds of various kinds indeed worthy of your own self, O, monkey! Even then, the arrow charged with a mystic missile I am about to loose, will severe you from life, which existence you seek to preserve."
Thus speaking, Ravana the long-armed King of Demons, having placed Agni Missile with his arrow, struck Nila the Army-General. Struck on the chest by the arrow combined with a missile, Nila being burnt all over, suddenly fell to the ground. Yet by virtue of the powerful aid of his father and his own native vigour, though brought to his knees on to the earth, he was not deprived of his life.
Seeing Nila unconscious, Ravana, eager for fight, in his chariot whose rattling sounded like thunder-clouds, rushed on Lakshmana. Coming to the centre of the battle-field, the powerful Ravana the King of Demons prevented Lakshmana to go forward, halted, standing there in his glory and lifted up his bow.
Lakshmana of indomitable courage spoke to that Ravana who was lifting up his unfathomable bow (as follows): "O, King of Demons! Now enter into combat with me; cease from fighting with the monkeys!"
Hearing that marvellously modulated voice that resounded like the twanging of a bow-string, Ravana drawing near his adversary, who stood close to his chariot, answered in anger: "O, Lakshmana! By my good fortune, you in your perverted mind, reached within my range of sight so as to meet your death. This very instant, you will go to the region of Death, after having collapsed by the bang of my rain of arrows."
Then, Lakshmana, unmoved spoke to that Ravana who was roaring with his sharp and protruding teeth (as follows): "Greatly dignified ones eschew bragging! O, the foremost of evil-doers! You are sounding your own praises! O, King of Demons! I know your valour, strength, energy and courage! Come! I now stand here, with my bow and arrows in hand. O what use are vain boasts."
Thus accosted, the King of Demons, infuriated, loosened seven marvellously plumed arrows which Lakshmana shattered with his beautiful golden-shafted arrows of sharp ends and edges. Beholding those arrows shattered like great cobras with their hoods shattered, Ravana got angry and loosened other sharp arrows.
Lakshmana, however, caused a well-aimed rain of missiles from his bow to fall on Ravana and nay, even broke Ravana's arrows with his arrows called Khura, Ardhachandra, the excellent Karni and Bhalla. He did not feel perturbed. Seeing his successive arrows proving in vain, Ravana the King of those hostile to Gods was astonished at Lakshmana's skill and released more whetted shafts upon him.
Lakshmana, the equal of Mahendra the Lord of celestials, fixing some sharpened arrows, swift as lightning and of blazing effulgence on his bow-string, discharged them on Ravana in order to strike him down. Whereupon, Ravana the King of Demons shattered those pointed arrows and struck Lakshmana in the forehead with a struck Lakshmana in the forehead with a shaft as bright as the Fire of Time, which had been bestowed on him by Brahma the Lord of Creation.
Struck by Ravana's arrow, Lakshmana reeled a little and was scarcely able to retain his bow. But, coming to his consciousness with difficulty, he shattered that weapon belonging to Ravana, Indra's enemy. Then, Lakshmana the son of Dasaratha struck Ravana, whose bow was broken, with three pointed darts. The king, pierced by those arrows, swooned and regained his senses with difficulty.
Ravana, the enemy of celestials, whose bow was broken, struck by the arrows, his limbs spattered with flesh, and streaming with blood, himself of formidable energy, seized in the battle a spear gifted to him by Brahma the Lord of Creation. Ravana the Lord of the country of demons hurled with strength on Lakshmana, that blazing spear, emitting smoke and as bright as fire, frightening the monkeys in the fray.
Lakshmana the younger brother of Bharata struck that weapon falling upon him with arrows and darts, as if it were a sacrificial fire. Nevertheless, that spear entered Lakshmana's broad chest.
The mighty Lakshmana, struck by the spear, lay on the earth, breathing fire. The king, rushing suddenly on him who was yet insensible, seized him brutally in his hands.
Though he was able to lift up Himavat, Mandara and Meru mountains as also the Three Worlds with the Gods, he could not raise Lakshmana the younger brother of Bharata. Lakshmana, though wounded in the breast by Brahma's weapon, recollected that he was an inconceivable fraction of Vishnu Himself.
Ravana that thorn in the side of the Gods, though overcoming that Lakshmana who removed the pride of demons, was unable to bear him away with his hands. Thereupon, the enraged Hanuma the son of the Wind-God, rushed towards Ravana and struck angrily on his chest with his fist, resembling a thunder-bolt. By that blow of the fist, Ravana the Lord of Demons reeled and fell on his knees to the ground.
A lot of blood oozed out from his face, eyes, and ears. Reeled and motionless, he became and sat in the middle of the chariot. Seeing Ravana despite his redoubtable strength swooned on the battle-field, sages and monkeys began to shout in triumph as did also celestials and the demons (invisibly present on the scene).
Then, the courageous Hanuma lifting up Lakshmana in his arms, who had been wounded by Ravana, brought him to Rama's presence. That Lakshmana, whom his foes were unable to move, became light for Hanuma because of friendship and great devotion of Hanuma the son of Wind-God towards him.
That spear leaving Lakshmana, who was overcome in the battle, returned to its position in that chariot of Ravana. The mighty Ravana too, regaining his consciousness in the great battle-field, picked up his sharp arrows and the great bow.
Healed and free from that lance, Lakshmana the annihilator of his foes, recollected of himself as a part of the inconceivable Vishnu the Lord of Preservation. Beholding the great army of monkeys whose great warriors were overthrown on the battle-field, Rama rushed on Ravana.
Meanwhile, Hanuma approaching Rama spoke the following words: "You have to punish the demon by climbing my back, as Vishnu on Garuda in order to fight with the Enemy of Gods."
Hearing those words spoken by Hanuma the son of Wind-God, Rama soon after mounted the great monkey, Hanuma. Rama the Lord of men then saw Ravana standing in his chariot in the battle-field.
The mighty Rama became angry on seeing him and rushed upon that Ravana like unto Vishnu with his uplifted mace rushed upon Virochana.
Rama made a sound in drawing the cord of his bow and like unto the roll of thunder, spoke in a deep voice to Ravana as follows: "O, Tiger among the Demons! Stay, stay! Having evoked such a displeasure to me, where will you flee and get an abandonment? Even if you seek refuge in the region of Indra the Lord of celestials or Yama the Lord of Death or the Sun or Brahma the Lord of Creation or Agni the Lord of Fire or Shiva the Lord of dissolution or in the ten regions, even in those abodes you will elude me from now on."
"O, Ravana the King of Demons! The one who was struck by the spear, fell swooping this day only to recover consciousness immediately, will now, assuming the form of death, claim you, your sons and grandsons in battle. Here is he, under whose blows of arrows, fourteen thousand demons of terrible form perished, who had established themselves in Janasthana and were furnished with excellent weapons."
Hearing the words of Rama, Ravana of great strength, full of rage and recollecting his former hostility struck with flaming arrows resembling the tongues of the Fire of Dissolution, on Hanuman the son of Wind-God, who with extreme velocity, was bearing Rama in the battle-field. Even when struck by that demon with his arrows in the battle, the vigour of Hanuman, who was endowed with native strength, increased still further. Thereupon, seeing Hanuman the Tiger among the monkeys getting wounded by Ravana, Rama was transported with anger.
Going near his chariot with his sharp and pointed arrows, Rama shattered it along with its wheels, horses, banner, canopy, great standard, charioteer, darts, spears and swords. Thereupon, with a great force, Rama struck with his shaft shining brightly as the thunderbolt, that Ravana, the enemy of Indra, in his broad and beautiful chest, even as the mighty Indra would strike the Mount Meru with his thunderbolt.
That valiant King of Demons, whom neither thunder nor lightning could cause disturbance or trembling; stumbled letting fall his bow at the valiant impact of Rama's missile which created a deep injury. Seeing that Ravana swooning, the magnanimous Rama took up a blazing arrow shaped like a crescent moon and immediately used it to shatter the diadem of Ravana the Lord of Demons, which was of bright hue.
In that battle-field, Rama said to that Lord of Demons whose splendour was dimmed, the setting of his diadem river, who resembled a venomous snake robbed of its poison or like a sun its rays extinguished, bereft of lustre. "You have accomplished a highly terrific great feat and my brave soldiers have succumbed beneath your blows. Now, you are weary and in this condition, I shall not put you under the clutches of Death."
"O, King of the Ranger of night! I know you have been tormented in the battle. Go and return to Lanka. Having regained your breath, come back in your chariot with your bow and then standing in your chariot, you will witness once more my prowess."
At these words, that King Ravana, his joy boasting subdued, his bow shattered, his horses and chariot slain pierced with arrows, his great diadem broken, he soon returned to Lanka. While that mighty Ravana the Lord of Demons and the enemy of celestials and titans returned to Lanka, Rama arranged for drawing out arrows from monkeys and from Lakshmana too, in the forefront of that vast battle-field.
That Ravana, the adversary of the King of the Gods being vanquished, the celestials, Asuras the multitude of beings in all the quarters, the creatures of the ocean with the great serpents as also all beings on earth and in waters rejoiced very much.
Thus completes 59th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose
Sarga 60
| Ravana returns to Lanka and asks some demons to go to the abode of sleeping Kumbhakarna, to wake him up and request him to come to him. The slumbering Kumbhakarna is roused by the demons under orders of their king. Kumbhakarna, giant in form, sets out on the high way to see Ravana and the monkeys get alarmed to see the giant demon. |
Returning to the City of Lanka, Ravana the King of Demons was afflicted with the fear of Rama's arrows, his pride was humbled and his senses troubled. The king was overcome by the high-souled Rama, like an elephant is by a lion or a serpent by an eagle. The Lord of Demons was maddened in recollecting Rama's arrows resembling the Rod of Brahma the Lord of creation and possessed of the splendour of lightning.
Resting on an excellent and charming throne made of gold, Ravana looked at the demons and spoke the following words: "All that great penance performed by me became a waste indeed, for, I who am equal to Mahendra the Lord of Celestials have been defeated by a mere man! The terrible words of Brahma the Lord of Creation saying, 'You know of the threat from men' appear true. That is so. I sought immunity from death at the hands of celestials, titans or celestials musicians, or semi divine beings or demons or serpent-demons, but f man I made no mention."
"Rama the son of Dasaratha is the man I think of whom Anaranya born of Ikshvaku dynasty formerly spoke, saying: 'O, the worst of demons, the worst of your race and the wretched one! In my race will be born a man who will slay you in battle with your sons, ministers, army, horses and charioteer. Further, I was formerly cursed by Vedavati when she was humiliated by me. The same Vedavati is born as the highly fortunate Seetha the daughter of Janaka."
"What was predicted by Parvati the consort of Shiva, Nandishvara the attendant of Shiva, Rambha the wife of Nalakubara and Punjikasthala the daughter of Varunda has come to pass! The words of the sages never prove false. On account of all this and admitting it, you should exert yourselves to the uttermost. Let the demons go to the summit of Charya Mountain. Awaken that kumbhakarna, who is without equal in prowess, who humbles the pride of the celestials and demons, and on whom the curse of Brahma the Lord of creation rests."
Having known that Prahasta being slain and knowing himself to have been defeated in the battle, Ravana issued his commands tot he dreadful army, saying: "Guard the gates with utmost care. Man the ramparts. Rouse Kumbhakarna who is slumbering soundly. Kumbhakarna is sleeping happily, his understanding vitiated by lust and free from all anxieties. The demon sleeps for nine, seven, ten or eight months. Having deliberated with me nine days ago, he has since fallen asleep. Awaken quickly that mighty Kumbhakarna."
"The mighty armed Kumbhakarna, the foremost of all demons will kill the monkeys and the two princes at once in the battle. This Kumbhakarna, the chief among all the demons and a great mark in the battle, being fond of a rustic comfort, is always sleeping stupidly. If Kumbhakarna is awaken, there will be no worry for me, who stand defeated by Rama in this highly terrific battle. What is the use of him, who possessing a strength equal to that of Indra the Lord of celestials, cannot help me in such a dreadful catastrophe?"
Hearing those words of Ravana, those demons very briskly went to the abode of Kumbhakarna. Entering the beautiful cave of Kumbhakarna, with a large door, having an area of a Yojana on all sides and bearing a floral perfume, the demons of mighty strength, though shaken off by Kumbhakarna's breaths, remained stable forcefully with difficulty and went into the cave. Entering that beautiful cave inlaid with diamonds and gold, those tigers among demons beheld Kumbhakarna, of terrific prowess, who was sleeping.
They together tried to awaken Kumbhakarna who was sleeping nastily like a spread-out mountain in a great slumber. His limbs covered with down which stood on end, breathing like a serpent, as he slept, Kumbhakarna of irresistible valour emitted dreadful snores, his nostrils being horrible, and his mouth a gaping hell. Stretched to his full length on the earth, he gave forth an odour of marrow and blood, his limbs were adorned with golden armlets and he wore a diadem as bright as the sun, thus did that lion among demons, Kumbhakarna, the slayer of his foes, appear!
Then, those powerful demons, in order to satisfy him, placed a heap of venison as high as Mount Meru, in front of Kumbhakarna. Those excellent demons piled up a great mass of wonderful food with the meat of deers, buffaloes and pigs. Then, the demons placed pots of blood and various kinds of meat in front of Kumbhakarna. They rubbed Kumbhakarna the scourge of his foes with the most rare sandalwood and refreshed him with celestial and fragrant garlands as well as sweet-smelling perfumes. They burnt incenses and hymned the praises of that warrior who proved fatal to his foes. They cried out noises which burst forth on every side like thunder.
They blew couches which were as bright as the moon and with impatience, made with impatience, made sounds tumultuously all at once. Those demons made sounds by clapping their hands, in order to awaken Kumbhakarna and shook him too, creating a great clamour. The birds passing through the sky ran helter-shelter and fell down soon on hearing the sounds of the couches, drums, gongs, clapping of hands and leonine roars.
As the illustrious Kumbhakarna did not waken from his slumber despite those great sounds, all troops of demons seized hold of bars, pestles and maces towards him. Then, the cruel demons struck that sleeping Kumbhakarna on his chest with mountain-tops, pestles, maces, hammers and their fists. Even with all their strength, the demons could not stand upright before the breathing winds of Kumbhakarna, the demon. Then, the terribly strong demons firmly seated themselves round him and began to beat drums, cymbals, kettle-drums and myriads of couches and trumpets.
Ten thousand demons surrounded him all at once. Beating that colossus who resembled a heap of antimony, the demons on their part tried to rouse him by making sounds. Even then, he did not wake. As they were unable to rouse him by these means, they resorted to more energetic and ruthless methods. They beat horses, camels, donkeys, and elephants with sticks whips and thongs, so that they trample upon him and blasted kettle-drums, couches and drums.
They crushed his limbs under piles of heavy logs and pillars, as also maces lifted with all their strength. The entire Lanka, with its mountain and groves, was filled with great noise. He nevertheless did not wake. Then, they beat a thousand drums all around with sticks of refined gold. Yet, as he did not wake from his profound slumber, being under the spell of a curse, the demons were enraged. All those demons of terrible strength were filled with a great fury. Some others assembled their strength to awaken that demon.
Some beat drums, some shouted, some tore out his hair and some others bit his ears. Some poured hundreds of pitchers of water into his ears but Kumbhakarna, plunged in deep sleep, did not stir. Some strong ones, armed with rocks and hammers, struck the rocks and hammers on his head, chest and other limbs. Though smitten by missiles fastened with ropes on all sides, the giant bodied demon did not wake.
A thousand elephants ran up and down on his body till Kumbhakarna lightly woke up and became aware of the pressure. Being insensible to those violent blows of crags and trees hurled upon him, but under the prompting of extreme hunger, Kumbhakarna suddenly sprang up from sleep, yawning due to loss of sleep. Waving his arms resembling serpent's coils or the peaks of mountains, hard as cut diamonds, that demons opening his monstrous month like unto the face of a submarine fire, yawned.
His mouth yawning horribly resembled hell and appeared like the sun rising under the high peak of Meru Mountain. That mighty demon, being awake, yawned, heaving a sigh, like unto a tempest arising from a mountain. That figure of Kumbhakarna, rising up, stood out resembling Time at the dissolution of the world, prepared to devour all beings. His huge eyes, resembling flames of fire, with a glitter equal to that of lightning, appeared like great blazing planets.
Then, the demons pointed to various kinds of victuals, boar and buffalo. The mighty Kumbhakarna devoured them. Then, the hungry Kumbhakarna, the enemy of Indra, ate the meat and being thirsty drank the blood and gulped pitchers full of fat and wine. Thereupon, knowing that Kumbhakarna was gratified of his hunger, the demons approached him, saluting him with their heads bent and surrounded him on all sides.
Raising his eyelids that were heavy with sleep, his gaze still veiled, he directed his glance towards those demons and spoke as follows: That excellent demons kindly addressing all the demons and surprised at being roused, spoke the following words to the demons: "For what reason have you thus wakened me so suddenly? Is all well with the king or anything in peril here? Surely, there must be some great danger from an external source since you have wakened me in haste. Now, I shall drive away the misfortune from Ravana the King of Demons, even if I have to cut Mahendra himself to pieces or to freeze the Fire. For a petty reason, one does not indeed awaken, one such as I, from my slumber. Hence, tell me frankly, for what reason you have roused me."
Yupaksha, a minister of the King, with his hands joined salutation, spoke (as follows) to Kumbhakarna, the annihilator of his enemies, thus talking excitedly. "O, Prince! There is no threat whatsoever at anytime for us from celestials but a mere man is driving us back by a tumultuous tremor. O, Prince! It is not indeed the celestials or demons who have put us in such a peril as it comes to us from a man. Monkeys, whose forms are as large as mountains, are besieging Lanka. There is a tumultuous peril for us from Rama, who is furious on account of Seetha's abduction."
"Already, a single monkey set fire to our great city of slew the youthful Prince Aksha with his escort of elephants and retinue. ' Get thee hence' were the words addressed by Rama who is equal to the sun in splendour, to Ravana in person the Lord of Demons and the trouble-some person to celestials. That which this king never suffered at the hands of Gods or Demons or Danavas, he has had to endure here from Rama, who released him from the danger to his life."
Hearing about the humiliation of his brother in the battle through the words of Yupaksha, Kumbhakarna rolling his great eyes, spoke to Yupaksha (as follows): "O, Yupaksha! Now itself, after conquering the entire army of monkeys with Lakshmana and Rama on the battle-field, then only I shall see Ravana. I shall satiate the demons with the flesh and blood of monkeys and, as for Rama and Lakshmana, I shall drink their blood myself."
Hearing these haughty from that demon, whose anger increased his ferocity, Mahodara the chief of warriors of demons, having offered obeisance with joined palms, spoke the following words: "O, the mighty armed! When you have listened to the words of Ravana and considered the advantages and disadvantages of the matter, even afterwards you can conquer the enemies in battle."
Hearing the words of Mahodara, the might Kumbhakarna of great valour prepared to depart, surrounded by demons. The demons, having awaken that sleeping Kumbhakarna of dreadful eyes, form and valour, went to the King's palace in haste. All those demons, approaching Ravana who was seated on the throne, said to him with joined palms, as follows: "O, Lord of Demons! Kumbhakarna, your brother, has wakened. Is it your will that he should enter the battle field from there itself or do you desire him to come here and see you?"
Ravana answered those demons who stood before him and with a glad heart, said: "I want to see him here. Bring him after extending the honours due to him in a befitting manner." Uttering "Be it so", all those demons as commanded by Ravana, returned to Kumbhakarna and spoke the following words: "The king, the lion of all the demons, desires to see you. Go and gratify your brother!"
Hearing his brother's wish, Kumbhakarna the inviolable demon of great prowess, uttering "so be it", leapt up from his couch. Washing his face and bathing, refreshed and delighted, adorning himself well and feeling thirsty, he hastened them to bring him a drink which can boost up his strength.
Thereupon, those demons brought him quickly the wine and various kinds of eatable there, in their hurry to take Kumbhakarna with them as per Ravana's commands. Having drunk two thousand pitchers, Kumbhakarna prepared to set out and slightly inebriated and flushed, he was exhilarated and filled with energy.
The fuming Kumbhakarna, going to his brother's palace along with the army of demons, appeared like Yama the Lord of Death at the end of all-destroying Time. He caused the earth to tremble with his foot-steps, while marching. The royal high way was illumined by his body, like unto that orb of a thousand rays (the sun) by its flashes illumines the earth and he went there, surrounded by a circle of demons paying obeisance, resembling Indra the Lord of Celestials approaching the abode of Brahma the Lord of Creation.
Seeing that slayer of his foes on the royal high way, that monster as high as the peak of a mountain, those monkeys stationed outside the city, as also their leaders, were frightened suddenly. Some gained refuge in Rama who affords protection, some fell down tottering, some fled away perturbed in all directions and some others lay on the ground, confounded with fear. Seeing that colossus appearing like a great peak, having a diadem who seemed to touch the sun with his brilliance, the monkeys were seized with terror and had grown immensely in size, fled hither and thither.
Thus completes 60th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sree Valmiki Ramayana
courtesy from
Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji
and Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji
I Humbly bow to the lotus feet of both of them
for the collection
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