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 demon 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 Lanks where the army-chief Hanuman is stationed. While Dhumraksha advances in the battle-field, he observes several bad omens and feels disturbed.
teṣām sutumulam śabdam vānarāṇām tarasvinām |
nardatām rākṣasaih sārdham tadā śuśrāva rāvaṇaḥ || 6-51-1
1. tadaa = then; raavaNaH = Ravana; raakSasaiH saardham = along with (other) demons; shushraava = heard; tumulam = the tumultuous; shabdam = sound; teSaam vaanaraaNaam = of those monkes; mahaujasaam = who were full of martial ardour; nardataam = and who were making a roaring sound.
That tumultuous sound, set up by the monkeys who were full of martial ardour, arrested the attention of Ravana and his demons.
snigdha gambhīra nirghoṣam śrutvā sa ninadam bhṛśam |
sacivānām tatas teṣām madhye vacanam abravīt || 6-51-2
2. shrutvaa = hearing; bhR^isham = the mighty; ninadam = clamour; snighdha gambhiira nirghoSam = in a smooth and deep sound; saH = that Ravana; tataH = then; abraviit = spoke; vachanam = (the following) words; madhye = in the midst; teshaam sachivaanaam = of those ministers.
Hearing that mighty clamour, sounding smooth and deep, Ravana spoke to his ministers who surrounded him.
yathā asau samprahṛṣṭānām vānarāṇām samutthitaḥ |
bahūnām sumahān nādo meghānām iva garjatām || 6-51-3
vyaktam sumahatī prītir eteṣām na atra saṃśayaḥ |
tathā hi vipulair nādaiś cukṣubhe varuṇa ālayaḥ || 6-51-4
3; 4. suvyaktam = It is very clear; shruuyate = by hearing; asau = this; sumahaan = very great; naadaH = sound; vaanaraaNaam = of the monkeys; bahuunaam = multitude in number; samutthitaH = risen up together; samprahR^iSTaanaam = who are rejoiced; yathaa = in the same manner; garjataam meghaanaamiva = as the rumbling sound of clouds; eteSaam = (that) their; priitiH = happiness; mahatii = is immense; na samshayaH = there is no doubt; atra = in this matter; tathaahi = for instance; lavaNaarNavaH = the briney ocean; chukSubhe = is agitated; vipulaiH naadaiH = by the loud noises.
"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.
tau tu baddhau śarais tīṣkṇair bhrātarau rāma lakṣmaṇau |
ayam ca sumahān nādah śankām janayati iva me || 6-51-5
5. tau raamalakSmaNau = those two; Rama and Lakshmana; bhraatarau = the brothers; baddhau = were tied; tiikSNaiH sharaiH = by sharp arrows; ayam naadaH = this sound; sumahaan = of great magnitude; janayatiiva = is begetting; shaNaam = a doubt; me = in me.
"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."
evam ca vacanam ca uktvā mantriṇo rākṣasa īśvaraḥ |
uvāca nairṛtāṃs tatra samīpa parivartinaḥ || 6-51-6
6. uktvaa = speaking; evam = thus; vachanam = the words; mantriNaH = to his ministers; raakSaseshvaraH = Ravana the Lord of Demons; uvaacha = said; nairR^itaan = to the demons; samiipaparivartanaH = who were moving nearby; tatra = there.
Having spoken thus to his ministers, Ravana the Lord of Demons said to his demons who stood round him there (as follows)
jnāyatām tūrṇam etaṣām sarveṣām vana cāriṇām |
śoka kāle samutpanne harṣa kāraṇam utthitam || 6-51-7
7. jJNaayataam = It is to be known; tuurNam = immediately; harSa kaaraNam = the cause of joy; utthitam = coming forth; sarveSaam = from all; eteSaam = these; vanankasaam = monkeys; shoka kaale = while a time for grief; samupanine = has arisen.
"You immediately discover from what cause this general rejoicing among all these monkeys coming for the their present grievous situation!'
tathā uktās tena sambhrāntāh prākāram adhiruhya te |
dadṛśuh pālitām senām sugrīveṇa mahātmanā || 6-51-8
tau ca muktau sughoreṇa śara bandhena rāghavau |
samutthitau mahā bhāgau viṣeduh prekṣya rākṣasāḥ || 6-51-9
8; 9. tathaa = thus; uktaaH = commanded; te = they; susambhraantaaH = very briskly; adhirohya = mounted; praakaaram = the rampart; dadR^ishuH = and saw; senaam = the army; paalitaam = ruled; mahaatmanaa = by the high-souled; sugriiveNa = Sugreeva; mahaabhaagau = and the highly lucky; tau raaghavam = (those) Rama and Lakshmana; muktau = relieved; sughoreNa = from the most terrific; sharabandhena = shackle of arrows; samutthitau = and risen up together; sarva raakSasaaH = all the demons; viSedeuH = were dejected.
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.
samtrasta hṛdayā sarve prākārād avaruhya te |
vivarṇa rakṣanāḥ ghorā rākṣasa indram upasthitāḥ || 6-51-10
10. samtrasta hR^idayaaH = with their hearts trembling with fear; vivarNaaH = and faces turning pale; sarve = all; te = those; ghoraaH = terrific; raakSasaaH = demons; avaruhya = descended; praakaaraaat = from the rampart; upasthitaaH = and approached; raakSasendram = Ravana.
With their hearts trembling with fear and faces turning pale, all those terrific demons descended from the rampart and approached Ravana.
tad apriyam dīna mukhā rāvaṇasya niśā carāḥ |
kṛtsnam nivedayām āsur yathāvad vākya kovidāḥ || 6-51-11
11. raakSasaaH = the demons; vaakya kovidaaH = who were killed in speech; diina mukhaah = showing sad faces; nyavedayan = informed; kR^itsnam = al; tat = that; apriyam = unpleasant tidings; yathaa vat = faithfully; raavaNasya = to Ravana.
With downcast faces, those demons skilled in speech, faithfully informed Ravana of those unpleasant tidings, saying:
yau tāv indrajitā yuddhe bhrātarau rāma lakṣmaṇau |
nibaddhau śara bandhena niṣprakampa bhujau kṛtau || 6-51-12
vimuktau śara bandhena tau dṛśyete raṇa ajire |
pāśān iva gajāu cittvā gaja indra sama vikramau || 6-51-13
12; 13. bhraatarau = the two brothers; raamalakSmaNau = Rama and Lakshmana; yau = whom; indrajitaa = by Indrajit; sharabandhena = with his benumbing shafts; nibaddhau = were bound; yuddhe = in battle; kR^itau = and made niSprakampa bhujau = their; tau = those two; gajendra samavikramau = with strength equal arms to best of elephants; chhitvaa = have broken; paashaan = their shackles; dR^ishyete = and are seen; gajau iva = as elephants; raNaajire = in the battle = field.
"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."
tat śrutvā vacanam teṣām rākṣasa indro mahā balaḥ |
cintā śoka samākrānto viṣaṇṇa vadano abravīt || 6-51-14
14. shrutvaa = hearing; tat vachanam = those words; teSaam = of them; mahaabalaH = the mighty; raakSasendraH = Ravana; chintaa roSa samaakraantaH = was filled with anxiety and fury; abhavat = and became; vivarNavadanaH = pale faced.
Hearing their words, the might Ravana was filled with anxiety and fury. His face became pale (and he spoke as follows):
ghorair datta varair baddhau śarair āśī viṣa umapaiḥ |
amoghaih sūrya samkāśaih pramathya indrajitā yudhi || 6-51-15
tam astra bandham āsādya yadi muktau ripū mama |
saṃśayastham idam sarvam anupaśyāmy aham balam || 6-51-16
15; 16. mama ripuuya = I my adversaries; baddhau aasaadyau = having thus been bound; indrajitaa = by Indrajitaa = by Indrajit; muktau = are feed; pramathya = though injured; yuddhi = in battle; ghoraiH sharaiH = by formidable arrows; datta varaiH = those rare boons; ashiiviSopamaiH = resembling serpents; suuryasamkaashaiH = bright as the sun; amoghaiH = that were infallible; aham = I anuupashyaami = perceive; sarvam = all; idam = this; balam = army; samshayastham = in jeopardy.
"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."
niṣphalāh khalu samvṛttāh śarā vāsuki tejasaḥ |
ādattam yais tu samgrāme ripūṇām mama jīvitam || 6-51-17
17. sharaaH = those arrows; paavaka tejasaH = bright as fire; yaiH = which; samgraame = in battle; aadattam = have taken; jiivitam = the life; ripuuNaam = of my enemies; samvR^ittaaH khalm = have indeed been rendered; niSphalaaH = void.
"Those very arrows, bright as fire, which in battle have taken the life of my enemies, have now been rendered void indeed!"
evam uktvā tu samkruddho niśvasann urago yathā |
abravīd rakṣasām madhye dhūmra akṣam nāma rākasam || 6-51-18
18. evam = thus; uktvaa = speaking; 9Ravana) samkR^iddhaH = enraged with anger; niH shvasan = sighing; urago yathaa = as a serpent; abraviit = spoke; raakSasam = to the demon; dhuumraakSam naama = called Dhumraksha; madhye = (seated) in the middle; rakSasaam = of the demons.
Having spoken thus in furious tones, hissing like a snake, he addressed a demon called Dhumraksha who was seated amidst the demons and said.
balena mahatā yukto rakṣasām bhīma karmaṇām |
tvam vadhāya abhiniryāhi rāmasya saha vānaraiḥ || 6-51-19
19. tvam = you; bhiima vikramaH = with terrific prowess; niryaahi = start; aashu = quickly; mahataa balena = with a mighty army; yuktaH = along with raakSasaiH = demons; vadhaaya = for the purpose of killing; raamaaya = of Rama; vaanaraiH saha = along with his monkeys.
"You, with a terrific prowess, go quickly with a considerable force of demons and slay Rama, Lakshmana and his monkeys."
evam uktas tu dhūmra akṣo rākṣasa indreṇa dhīmatā |
kṛtvā praṇāmam samhṛṣṭo nirjagāma nṛpa ālayāt || 6-51-20
20. evam = thus; uktaH = commanded; raakSasendraNa = by Ravana; dhiimataa = the intelligent; dhuumraakSaH = Dhumrakha; parikramya = going past; tataH = from there; nirjagaama = departed; shiighram = quickly; nR^ipaalayaat = from the royal palace.
Thus commanded by Ravana, the intelligent Dhumraksha, going past from there, quickly departed front her royal palace.
abhiniṣkramya tad dvāram bala adhyakṣam uvāca ha |
tvarayasva balam tūrṇam kim cireṇa yuyutsataḥ || 6-51-21
21. abhiniSkramya = having crossed; tad = that; dvaaram = gate; uvaacha ha = he spoke; balaadhyakSam = to the General of the foreces (as follows); yuyutsataH = Mobilise; balam = the army; tvarayasya = hasten; shiighram = quickly; kim = what need is there; chireNa = for delay?.
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?"
dhūmra akṣasya vacah śrutvā bala adhyakṣo bala anugaḥ |
balam udyojayām āsa rāvaṇasya ājnayā drutam || 6-51-22
22. shrutvaa = hearing; dhuumraakSa vachanam = the words of Dhumraksha; badaadhyakSaH = the General of Forces; balaanugaH = having the army which followed him; udyojayaamaasa = kept ready; balam = the army; drutam = quickly; aajJNaya = as per the command; raavaNasya = of Ravana.
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.
te baddha ghaṇṭā balino ghora rūpā niśā carāḥ |
vinardamānāh samhṛṣṭā dhūmra akṣam paryavārayan || 6-51-23
23. te nishaacharaaH = those demons; balinaH = strong; ghora ruupaaH = of terrific form; vinadyamaanaaH = making sounds; baddhaghaN^TaaH = with bells hung on them; samhR^iSTaaH = and rejoiced; paryavaarayan = surrounded; dhuumraakSam = Dhumraksha.
Those strong demons of terrific form, making sounds with bells hung on their bodies, joyously surrounded Dhumraksha.
vividha āyudha hastāś ca śūla mudgara pāṇayaḥ |
gadābhih paṭṭasair daṇḍair āyasair musalair bhṛśam || 6-51-24
parighair bhiṇḍi pālaiś ca bhallaih prāsaih paraśvadhaiḥ |
niryayū rākṣasā ghorā nardanto jaladā yathā || 6-51-25
24; 25. vividhaayudha hastaashcha = furnished with every kind of weapon; shuula mudgarapaaNayaH = brandishing spears; hammers; gadaabhiH = maces; paTTishaiH = harpoons; daNDaiH = sticks; aayasaiH = iron cudgels; musalairapi = bars; parighaiH = clubs; bhindipaalaishcha = javelins; bhallaiH = missiles; paashaiH = nooses; parashvadhaiH = and axes; ghoraaH = those terrible; raakSasaaH = demons; niryayuH = sallied forth; nardantaH = with the noise; jaladaayathaa = of thunder.
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.
rathaih kavacinas tv anye dhvajaiś ca samalamkṛtaiḥ |
suvarṇa jāla vihitaih kharaiś ca vividha ānanaiḥ || 6-51-26
hayaiḥ parama śīghraiś ca gaja indraiś ca mada utkaṭaiḥ |
niryayū rākṣasa vyāghrā vyāghrā;iva durāsadāḥ || 6-51-27
26; 27. kavachinaH = clad in mail; rathaiH = mounted on chariots; samalaN^kR^itaH = that were magnificently dressed; dhvajaiH = with flags; suvarNajaala vihitaiH = and decorated with bands of pure gold; kharaishcha = harnessed to mules; vividhaananaiH = of many heads; hayaishcha = or steeds; parama shiighraiH = of exceeding fleetness; gajaishchaiva = or elephants; madotkaTaiH = in furious rut; anye = some othr; nairR^itavyaaghraaH = excellent demons; niryayuH = went forth; duraasadaaH iva = like veritable; vyaaghraaH = tigers.
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.
mṛga simha mukhair yuktam kharaih kanaka bhūṣaṇaiḥ |
āruroha ratham divyam dhūmra akṣah khara nisvanaḥ || 6-51-28
28. dhuumraakSaH = Dhumraksha; kharaniHsvanaH = with a mule-like clatter; aaruroha = mounted; divyam = a celestial; ratham = chariot; kharaiH = to which mules; kanaka bhuuSitaiH = adorned with gold; mR^iga simhamukhaiH = and heads of deed and lions; yuktam = were hitched.
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.
sa niryāto mahā vīryo dhūmra akṣo rākṣasair vṛtaḥ |
prahasan paścima dvāram hanūmān yatra yūthapaḥ || 6-51-29
29. saH dhuumrakSaH = that Dhumraksha; mahaaviiryaH = of mighty prowess; vR^itaH = surrounded; raakSasaiH = by demons; niraataH = set forth; hasan = amidst mocking laughter; pashchima dvaaraat = through the western gate; yatra = where; yuuthapaH = the army-chief; hanuumaan = Hanuman (was stationed).
That Dhumraksha of mighty prowess, surrounded by demons, set forth amidst mocking laughter, through the western gate where the army-chief Hanuman was stationed.
rathapravaramāsthāya kharayuktaṃ kharasvanam |
prayāntam tu mahā ghoram rākṣasam bhīma darśanam || 6-51-30
antarikṣa gatāh krūrāh śakunāh pratyavārayan |
30. aasthaaya = (As he) mounted; prayaantam = and advanced; an excellent chariot; kharayuktam = harnessed to mules; kharasvanam = whose voices he emulated; kruuraaH shakunaaH = birds of ill-omen; antarikSagataaH = in the sky; pratyaSedhayan = obstructed; prayaantam raakSasam = that advancing demon; mahaaghoram = of very terrible; bhiimadarshanam = and fearful appearance.
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.
ratha śīrṣe mahā bhīmo gṛdhraś ca nipapāta ha || 6-51-31
dhvaja agre grathitāś caiva nipetuh kuṇapa aśanāḥ |
31. mahaabhiimaH = a highly terrible; gR^idhashcha = vulture; nipapaata ha = alighted; ratha shiirSe = on the top of his chariot; kuNapaashanaaH = the devorers of corpses; grathitaaH = clustered; nipetuH = and alighted; dhvajaagre = on the point of his standard.
A highly terrible vulture alighted on the top of his chariot, while those devourers of corpses clustered on the point of his standard.
rudhira ārdro mahān śvetah kabandhah patito bhuvi || 6-51-32
visvaram ca utsṛjan nādam dhūmra akṣasya samīpataḥ |
vavarṣa rudhiram devah saṃcacāla ca medinī || 6-51-33
32; 33. rudhiraardraH = streaming with blood; mahaan = a huge; kabandhaH = decapitated trunk; patitaH = fell; bhuvi = to earth; utsR^ijan = emitting; visvaram = inarticulate; naadam = noise; dhuumraakSasya = in Dhumraksha's vicinity and the sky rained down blood. The earth trembled.
Streming 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.
pratilomam vavau vāyur nirghāta sama nisvanaḥ |
timira ogha āvṛtās tatra diśaś ca na cakāśire || 6-51-34
34. vaayuH = the wind; nirghaata samanisvanaH = with noise resembling a thunder; vavau = blew; pratilomam = adversely; tatra = then; dishaH = the quarters; na chakaashire = did not dazzle timirough vR^itaaH = as observed by abundant darkness.
The wind with noise resembling a thunder blew adversely. Every quarter, obscured by abundant darkness, did not dazzle.
sa tu utpātāṃs tato dṛṣṭvā rākṣasānām bhaya āvahān |
prādur bhūtān sughorāṃś ca dhūmra akṣo vyathito abhavat || 6-51-35
mumuhū rākṣasāḥ sarve dhūmrākṣasya puraḥsarāḥ |
35. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; ghoraan = those terrible; utpaataan = omens; praadudbhuutaan = that appeared; tadaa = then; bhayaavahaan = to the demons; dhuumraakSaH = Dhumraksha; abhavat = became; vyathitaH = perturbed; mumuH = terror seized; sarve = all; raakSasaaH = the demons; puraH saraaH = who advanced in front; dhuumraakSasya = of Dhumraksha.
Seeing those terrible amones that appeared in all their horror to the demons, Dhumraksha became perturbed. Terror seized all the demons who were advancing in front of Dhumraksha.
tataḥ subhīmo bahubhir niśā carair |
rvṛto abhiniṣkramya raṇa utsuko balī |
dadarśa tām rāghava bāhu pālitām |
samudra kalpām bahu vānarīm camūm || 6-51-36
36. tataH = then; (Dhumraksha); subhiimaH = the highly terrible; balii = and strong demon; vR^itaH = surrounded; bahubhiH nishaacharaiH = by a multitude of demons; raNotsukaH = eager to enter into combat; abhiniSkramya = set out; dadarsha = and beheld; taam chamuum = that army; bahu vaanariim = of a multitude of monkeys; mahaughakalpaam = resembling a great flood; raaghava baahupaalitaam = protected by the arms of Rama.
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.
- - - -
ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe ekapañcaśaḥ sargaḥ
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© October 2005, K. M. K. Murthy
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