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.
वज्रदम्र अक्षम् निहतम् श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षस ईश्वरः |
बल अध्यक्षम् उवाच इदम् कृत अन्जलिम् उपस्थितम् || ६-५५-१
1. shrutvaa = hearing; vajradamSTram = (that) Vajradamshtra; hatam = was killed; vaaliputreNa = by Angada; raavaNaH = Ravana; uvaacha = spoke; idam = these words; upasthitam = to the nearby; balaadhyakSam = army general; kR^itaaN^jalim = who joined his palms in reverence.
Hearing that Vajradamshtra was killed by Angada, Ravana spoke the following words to the General of his forces who, with joined palms, stood near him.
शीघ्रम् निर्यान्तु दुर्धर्षा राक्षसा भीम विक्रमाः |
अकम्पनम् पुरस् कृत्य सर्व शस्त्र प्रकोविदम् || ६-५५-२
2. bhiimavikramaaH = (Let) the invincible; raakSasaaH = demons; durdharSaaH = of irresistible courage; niryaantu = go forth; shiighram = soon; akampanam = with Akampana; puraskR^itya = in front; sarva shastraastra kovidam = who is skilled in use of every weapon and missile.
"Let the invincible demons of irresistible courage go forth soon, with Akampana as their head, who is skilled in the use of every weapon and missile."
एष शास्ता च गोप्ता च नेता च युधि सत्तमः |
भूतिकामश्च मे नित्यं नित्यम् च समरप्रियः || ६-५५-३
3. eSaH = this; sattamaH = excellent demon; shaastaa = is a chastiser; goptaacha = a protector; netaacha = ad a leader; yudhi = in batle; nityam = ever; me bhuutikaamashcha = desiring my welfare; samarapriyaH = and loved war; nityam = forever.
"This excellent demon is a chastiser, a protector and a leader in battle. He ever desired my welfare and always loved war."
एष जेष्यति काकत्थ्सौ सुग्रीवं च महाबलम् |
वानरांश्चापरान् घोरान् हनिष्यति न संशयः || ६-५५-४
4. eSaH = He; jeSyati = will prove victorious; haniSyati = and can kill; kaakutsthau = Rama; Lakshmana; mahaabalam = the mighty; sugriivam = Sugreeva; aparaan = and the other; ghoraan = terrific; vaanaraan = monkeys; na = there is no; samshayaH = doubt.
"There is no doubt that he will prove victorious and Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and the other terrible monkeys."
परिगृह्य स तामाज्ञाम् रावणस्य महाबलः |
बलं सम्प्रेरयामास तदा लघुपराक्रमः || ६-५५-५
5. parigR^ihya = taking; taam = that; aajJNaam = command; raavaNasya = of Ravana; mahaabalaH = the mighty; saH = Akampana; laghuparaakramaH = of quick resolution; tadaa = then; samprerayaamaasa = mobilized; balam = the army.
Taking that command of Ravana, the mighty Akampana of quick resolution then mobilized the army.
ततो नानाप्रहरणा भीमाक्षा भीमदर्शनाः |
निष्पेतू राक्षसा मुख्या बलाध्यक्षप्रचोदिताः || ६-५५-६
6. mukhyaaH raakSasaaH = those foremost of demons; bhiima darshanaaH = of terrifying appearance; naanaapraharaNaaH = furnished with every kind of weapon; bhiimaakSaaH = and fearful to look upon; tataH = thereafter; niSpetuH = rushed into the fray; balaadhyakSaprachoditaaH = where their general had dispatched them.
Those foremost of demons of terrifying appearance, furnished with every kind of weapon and fearful to look upon, rushed into the fray where their general had dispatched them.
रथमास्थाय विपुलं तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणम् |
मेघाभो मेघवर्णश्च मेघस्वनमहास्वनः || ६-५५-७
7. tadaa = then; akampanaH = Akampana; meghaabhaH = of the stature of a cloud; meghavarNashcha = of the colour of a cloud; meghasvana mahaasvanaH = whose voice resembled thunder; aasthaaya = ascended; vipulam = an extensive; ratham = chariot; tapta kaaN^chana bhuuSaNam = decorated with fine gold; niryaati = and set out; samvR^itaH = surrounded; ghoraiH = by dreadful; raakSasaiH = demons.
Then, Akampana of the stature and colour of a cloud, whose voice resembled a thunder, ascended his great chariot, decorated with fine gold and set out, surrounded by dreadful demons.
न हि कम्पयितुम् शक्यह् सुरैऋअपि महा मृधे || ६-५५-८
अकम्पनस् ततस् तेषाम् आदित्य;इव तेजसा |
8. surairapi = even celestials too; nashakyaH hi = were indeed unable; kampayitum = to upset; akampanaH = Akampana; mahaamR^idhe = in a great battle; tataH = hence; (he) tejasaa = by his splendour; aadityaH iva = was resembling the sun; teSaam = among the demons.
Even celestials were indeed unable to upset Akampana in a great battle. Hence, among the demons, he was shining like the sun, by his splendour.
तस्य निधावमानस्य सम्रब्धस्य युयुत्सया || ६-५५-९
अकस्माद् दैन्यम् आगच्चद्द् हयानाम् रथ वाहिनाम् |
9. tasya = (As) he; nirdhaava maanasya = sped on his way; samrabdhasya = hastening; yuyutsayaa = and eager to enter the battle; hayaanaam = the horses; rathavaahinaam = drawing his chariot; aagachchhat dainyam = were deprived of their energy; akasmaat = suddenly.
As he sped on his way, hastened and eager to enter the battle, the horses drawing his chariot were suddenly deprived of their energy.
व्यस्फुरन् नयनम् च अस्य सव्यम् युद्ध अभिनन्दिनः || ६-५५-१०
विवर्णो मुख वर्णश् च गद्गदश् च अभवत् स्वरः |
10. savyam = the left; nayanam = eye; asya = of Akampana; yudhaabhinandinaH = who delighted in warfare; visphurat = began to twitch; mukhavarNashcha = hs countenance; vivarNaH = grew pale; svanaH = and his voice; abhavat = became; gadgadaH = trembled.
The left eye of Akampana, who delighted in warfare, began to twitch. His countenance grew pale and his voice trembled.
अभवत् सुदिने च अपि दुर्दिने रूक्ष मारुतम् || ६-५५-११
ऊचुह् खगा मृगाह् सर्वे वाचह् क्रूरा भय आवहाः |
11. kaale = at a time; sudine = of a good day (marked by a fine weather); abhavat = it became; durdinam = a day of bad weather; mukSamaarutam = with a bitter wind beginning to blow; khagamR^igaaH = Birds and beasts; uuchuH = uttered; kruuraaH = cruel; bhayaavahaaH = and fearful; vaachaH = cries.
At a time of a good day, marked by fine weather, it turned into a day of bad weather with a bitter wind beginning to blow. Birds and beasts uttered cruel and fearful cries.
स सिम्ह उपचित स्कन्धह् शार्दूल सम विक्रमः || ६-५५-१२
तान् उत्पातान् अचिन्त्य एव निर्जगाम रण आजिरम् |
12. saH = that demon; simhaapachita skandhaH = who had the shoulders of a lion; shaarduulasama vikramaH = and the agility of a tiger; avichintyaiva = disregarding; taan = those; utpaataan = portents; nirjagaama = rushed; raNaajiram = towards the battle field.
That demon, who had the shoulders of a lion and the agility of a tiger, disregarding those portents, rushed towards the battle-field.
तदा निर्गच्चतस् तस्य रक्षसह् सह राक्षसैः || ६-५५-१३
बभूव सुमहान् नादह् क्षोभयन्न् इव सागरम् |
13. tasya raakSasaH = (while) that demon; raakSasaiH saha = along with other demons; nirgachchhataH = went forward; tathaa = thus; sumahaan naadaH = an immense tumult; babhuuva = arose; khhobhayanmivaa = that seemed to convulse; saagaram = the ocean.
While Akampana advanced thus with his troops, an immense tumult arose that seemed to convulse the ocean.
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता वानराणाम् महा चमूः || ६-५५-१४
द्रुम शैल प्रहरणा योद्धुम् समवतिष्ठत |
14. tena shabdena = by (hearing) that sound; samupatiSThataam = of the coming demons; yoddhum = for the battle; mahaachamuuH = the huge army; vaanaraaNaam = of the monkeys; druma shailaprahaaraaNaam = moving forward with trees and rocks; vitrastaa = was frightened.
By hearing that clamour of the demons coming for the battle, the huge army of the monkeys, brandishing trees and rocks, was frightened.
तेषाम् युद्धम् महा रौद्रम् सम्जज्ने कपि रक्षसाम् || ६-५५-१५
राम रावणयोऋअर्थे समभित्यक्त जीविनाम् |
15. mahaaraudram = a highly fierce; yuddham = battle; samjaJNe = occurred; teSaam = between those; kapiraakSasaam = monkeys and demons; samabhityakta jiivinaam = who were ready to lose their lives; raama raavaNayoH arthe = for the sake of Rama and Ravana.
A highly fierce battle ensued between those monkeys and demons, who were ready to lose their lives for the sake of Rama and Ravana.
सर्वे ह्य् अतिबलाह् शूराह् सर्वे पर्वत सम्निभाः || ६-५५-१६
हरयो राक्षसाश् चैव परस्पर जिघंसवः |
16. sarve = all; harayaH = the monkeys; raakSashchaiva = and the demons; paraspara jighaasavaH = who were willing to kill each other; atibalaaH = were very strong; shuuraaH = valiant; sarve = and all; parvata samnibhaaH = were resembling mountains.
All the monkeys and demons, who were willing to kill each other, were very strong and valiant. All were resembling mountains.
तेषाम् विनर्दाताम् शब्दह् सम्युगे अतितरस्विनाम् || ६-५५-१७
शुश्रुवे सुमहान् क्रोधाद् अन्योन्यम् अभिगर्जताम् |
17. teSaam = their; sumahaan = very great; shabdaH = clamour; vinardataam = yelling; tarasvinaam = with their strength; kopam = in their rage; abhigarjitaam = making savage cries; shushruve = were heard; pamyuge = in that combat.
The tremendous clamour of the aforesaid warriors, yelling in their rage and strength, making savage cries, were distinctly heard on the battle-field.
रजसः च अरुण वर्ण आभम् सुभीमम् अभवद् भृशम् || ६-५५-१८
उद्धूतम् हरि रक्षोभिः सम्रुरोध दिशो दश |
18. subhiimam = A highly terrible; rajashcha = dust too; bhR^isham aruNa varNaabham = in a thick coppery colour; uddhatam = raised; harirakSobhiH = by the monkeys and demons; abhavata = was found; samrurodha = and enveloped; dasha = the ten; dishaH = quarters.
A highly terrific dust, in a thick coppery colour, raised by the monkeys and demons enveloped all the ten quarters.
अन्योन्यम् रजसा तेन कौशेय उद्धूत पाण्डुना || ६-५५-१९
सम्वृतानि च भूतानि ददृशुऋन रण अजिरे |
19. bhuutaani = the beings (combatants); samvR^itaani = enveloped; tena rajasaa = by that dust; kesheyoddhuuta paaNDunaa = which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind; na dadR^ishuH = did not see; anyonyam = each other; raNaajire = in the battle = field.
The combatants, enveloped by that dust, which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind, could no longer distinguish each other on the battle-field.
न ध्वजो न पताका वा वर्म वा तुरगो अपि वा || ६-५५-२०
आयुधम् स्यन्दनम् वा अपि ददृशे तेन रेणुना |
20. na = neither; dhvajaH = standard; pataakaa vaa = banner; na = nor; charma vaa = shield; turago.api vaa = horse; aayudham = weapon; syandanova api = even chariot; (could be seen); tena = in that; reNunaa = dust.
Neither standard, banner and shield, nor horse, weapon and chariot could be discerned in that pall of dust.
शब्दसः च सुमहांस् तेषाम् नर्दताम् अभिधावताम् || ६-५५-२१
श्रूयते तुमुले युद्धे न रूपाणि चकाशिरे |
21. sumahaan = a great; tumulaH = tumultuous; shabdashcha = clamour; teSaaM = of warriors; nardataam = making challenging cries; abhidaavataam = and rushing upon each other; shruuyate = was heard; yuddhe = in the battle; ruupaaNi = (yet in the confuison) no forms; nachakaashire = were visible.
A great tumultuous clamour, of warriors, making challenging cries and rushing upon each other, was heard on the battle-field, yet in that confusion, no form was visible.
हरीन् एव सुसम्क्रुद्धा हरयो जघ्नुऋआहवे || ६-५५-२२
राक्षसाश् च अपि रक्षांसि निजघ्नुस् तिमिरे तदा |
22. tadaa = then; timire = in that darkness; susamruSTaaH = the greatly enraged; harayaH = monkeys; jaghnaH = killed; hariinena = the monkeys themselves; aahave = in the battle; raakSasaaH = the demons; nijaghnuH = killed; raakSasaashchaapi = the demons themselves.
In the darkness, the greatly enraged monkeys killed the monkeys themselves and the demons killed the demons themselves in battle.
ते परांश्च विनिघ्नन्तः स्वांश्च वानरराक्षसाः || ६-५५-२३
रुधिरार्द्राम् तदा चक्रुर्म हीं पङ्कानुलेपनाम् |
23. te = those; vaanara raakSasaaH = monkeys and demons; nighnantaH = killing; paraamshcha = others; svaamshcha = and their own people; tadaa = then; chakruH = make; mahiim = the earth; rudhiraardraam = dampened with blood; paNkaanulepanaam = anointing its body with mud.
Those monkeys and demons killing other and their own people then made the earth dampened with blood, anointing its body with mud.
ततस् तु रुधिर ओघेण सिक्तम् व्यपगतम् रजः || ६-५५-२४
शरीर शव सम्कीर्णा बभूव च वसुम् धरा |
24. tataH = thereafter; trajaH = the dust; apagatam = wnet off; siktam = being sprinkled; rudhiogheNa = by the stream of blood; vasundharaa = the earth; babhuuva = became; shariira shava samkiirNaa = filled with bodies and corpses.
Under the stream of blood being sprinkled, the dust was laid, revealing the earth covered with bodies and corpses.
द्रुम शक्ति शिला प्रासैऋगदा परिघ तोमरैः || ६-५५-२५
हरयो राक्षसास् तूर्णम् जघ्नुऋअन्योन्यम् ओजसा |
25. raakSasaaH = the demons; harayaH = and the monkeys; tuurNam = quickly; jaghmuH = struck; anyonyam = each other; ojasaa = with vigour; druma shaktigadaa praasaiH = with blows from trees; spears; maces; javelins; shilaa parigha tomaraiH = stones; bars and picks.
The demons and the monkeys vigorously struck each other swiftly with blows from trees, spears, maces, javelins, stones, bars and picks.
बाहुभिः परिघा आकारैऋयुध्यन्तह् पर्वत उपमाः || ६-५५-२६
हरयो भीम कर्माणो राक्षसान् जघ्नुऋआहवे |
26. haryaH = the monkeys; bhiima karmaaNaH = of dreadful deeds; parvatopamaaH = and who resembled mountains; yuddhantaH = fighting; baahubhiH = with their arms; parighaakaaraiH = appearing like iron bars; jaghnuH = killed; raakSasaan = the demons; aahave = in the battle.
The monkeys of dreadful deeds, resembling mountains, fighting with their arms appearing like iron bars, killed the demons in battle.
राक्षसासः च अपि सम्क्रुद्धाह् प्रास तोमर पाणयः || ६-५५-२७
कपीन् निजघ्निरे तत्र शस्त्रैह् परम दारुणैः |
27. praaasa tomara paaNayaH = with darts and javelins in their hands; abhisamkruddhaaH = the enraged; raakSasaastu = demons; tatra = there; nijaghnire = struck; kapiin = the monkeys; parama daaruNaiH = with their cruel; shastraiH = weapons.
The enraged demons with darts and javelins in their hands, struck the monkeys there with their cruel weapons.
अकम्पनः सुसंक्रुद्धो राक्षसानां चमूपतिः || ६-५५-२८
संहर्षयति तान्सर्वान्राक्षसान् भीमविक्रमान् |
28. susamkruddhaH = the extremely enraged; akampanaH = Akampana; chamuupatiH = the General of the army; raakSasaanaam = of demons; samharSayati = cheered; sarvaan = all; taan raakSasaan = those demons; bhiimavikramaan = by his terrible prowess.
The extremely enraged Akampana, the general of the army of demons, cheered all those demons by his terrible prowess.
हरयस् त्व् अपि रक्षांसि महा द्रुम महा अश्मभिः || ६-५५-२९
विदारयन्त्य् अभिक्रम्य शस्त्राण्य् आच्चिद्य वीर्यतः |
29. harayanti api = the monkeys however; abhikramya = leaping upon then; aachchhidya = and snatching; shastraaN = their weapons; viiryataH = through their strength; vidaarayanti = crushed; rakSaamsi = those demons; mahaa druma mahaashmabhiH = with blows from large trees and stones.
The monkeys however leaping upon them and snatching their weapons through their strength, crushed those demons with blows from large trees and stones.
एतस्मिन्न् अन्तरे वीरा हरयह् कुमुदो नलः || ६-५५-३०
मैन्दसः च परम क्रुद्धश् चक्रुऋवेगम् अनुत्तमम् |
30. etasmin antare = meanwhile; kumudaH = kumuda; nalaH = nala; maindashcha = and Mainda; viiraaH = the courageous; harayaH = monkeys; paramakruddhaaH = in an outburst of rage; charuH = displayed; anuttamam = unsurpassed; vegam = rashness.
Meanwhile Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the courageous monkeys in an outburst of anger, displayed unsuprassed rashness.
ते तु वृक्षैऋमहा वेगा राक्षसानाम् चमू मुखे || ६-५५-३१
कदनम् सुमह चक्रुर् लीलया हरि यूथपाः |
ममन्थू राक्षसान् सर्वे नानाप्रहरणैर्भृशम् || ६-५५-३२
31; 32. mahaaviiraaH = the exceedingly valiant; te = those; haripuN^gavaaH = chiefs of monkeys; liilayaa = as in sport; chamnumukhe = in the army-front; vR^ikSaiH = with trees; chakruH = performed; sumahat = a very great; kadanam = carnage; raakSasaanaam = of demons; sarve = all of them; bhR^isham = repeatedly; mamanthuH = crushed; raakSasaan = the demons; naanaa praharaNaiH = with every kind of weapon.
Those exceedingly valiant chiefs of monkeys, as in sport, in the battle-front, with mighty blows of trees, created a great carnage among the demons. All of them repeatedly crushed the demons with every kind of weapon.
- - - -
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे पञ्चपञ्चशः सर्गः
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© February 2006, K. M. K. Murthy