Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War
King Sugreeva asks Hanuma to arrange for setting ablaze the City of Lanka. With torches in their hands, some monkeys throw fire to all parts of Lanka. The City, burnt by the monkeys within a short time, assumed like the earth burning at the time of a terrific dissolution of the world. Getting healed of their wounds, Rama and Lakshmana take their bows to resume fighting. Gates and buildings in the city are tumbled down by Rama’s arrows. Ravana gets enraged and sends Kumbha and Nikumbha the sons of Kumbhakarna along with other demons to the battle. A terrific fighting ensure between the monkeys and the demons. All the monkeys finally surround the army of demons in all sides. |
tato.abraviinmahaatejaaH sugriivo vaanareshvaraH |
arthyam vijJNaapayamshchaapi hanuumantamidaM vachaH || 6-75-1
1. tataH= then; sugriivaH= Sugreeva; vaanareshvaraH= the king of monkeys; mahaatejaaH= of great majesty; abraviit= spoke; idam= these; arthyam= meaningful; vachaH= words; hanuumantam= to Hanuma; viJNaapayanchaapi= in order to inform Hanuma (What they should do next).
Then, Sugreeva of great majesty, the king of monkeys spoke (the following) meaningful words to Hanuma, in order to inform him what they should do next.
yato hataH kumbhakarNaH kumaaraashcha niShuuditaaH |
nedaaniimupanirhaaram raavano daatumarhati || 6-75-2
2. yataH= since; kumbhakarNaH= Kumbhakarna; kumaaraashcha= and his sons; hataaH= were killed; niShuuditaaH= and destroyed; raavaNaH= Ravana; idaaniim= now; na arhati= ought not; datum= to give; upanirhaaram= any destroyal.
“Since Kumbhakarna and his four sons were killed, Ravana cannot give any defense now”.
ye ye mahaabalaaH santi laghavashcha plavaMgamaaH |
laN^kaamabhipatantvaashu gR^ihyolkaaH plavagarShabhaaH || 6-75-3
harayo harisaMkaashaaH pradagdhum raavaNaalayam |
3. ye ye= whichever; plavaN^gamaaH= monkeys; santi= are there; mahaabalaaH= with great strength; harisamkaashaaH= equal to that of lions; plavagarShabhaaH= those foremost of monkeys; laghuvashcha= of dexterity; gR^ihya= taking; ulkaaH= the torches; abhipatantu= rush towards; laN^kaam= the City of Lanka; ashu= quickly; pradagdhum= in order to burn; raavaNaalayam= the abode of Ravana.
“Let those dexterous monkeys, possessing the strength of lions, taking torches in their hands, rush towards Lanka quickly, in order to set ablaze the abode of Ravana.”
tato.astaM gata aaditye raudre tasminnishaamukhe || 6-75-4
laN^kaamabhimukhaaH solkaa jagmuste plavagarShabhaaH |
4. tataH= then; aaditye= when the sun; astamgate= was setting; tasmin= at that; raudre= awful; nishaamukhe= evening; te= those; plavagarShabhaaH= excellent monkeys; solkaaH= with the torches; jagmuH= went; LaN^kaam abhimukhaaH= facing towards Lanka.
Then at the sunset of that awful evening, those foremost of the monkeys, went towards Lanka, with torches in their hands.
ulkaahastairharigaNaiH sarvataH samabhidrutaaH || 6-75-5
aarakShasthaa viruupaakShaaH sahasaa vipradudruvuH |
5. harigaNaiH= (When) the troops of monkeys; ulkaahastaiH= with torches in their hands; samabhidrutaaH= attacked; sarvataH= on all sides; viruupaakShaaH= the diversely eyed demons; aarakShasthaaH= who were holding the position of guards; sahasaa= suddenly; vipradudruvuH= fled away.
When the troops of monkeys, with torches in their hands, attacked Lanka on all sides, the diversely eyed demons who were holding the position of guards, suddenly fled away.
gopuraaTTapratoliiShu charyaasu vividhaasu cha || 6-75-6
praasaadeShu cha saMhR^iSTaaH sasR^ijuste hutaashanam |
6. te= those monkeys; samhR^iShTaaH= feeling gladdened; sasR^ijuH= threw; hutaashanam= fire; gopuraaTTapratoliiShu= to the towering gates, attics and streets; vividha asu= and to the various; charyaasu= by-ways; praasaadeShu= and to the mansions.
Those monkeys, feeling gladdened, threw fire to the towering gates, attics, streets, various byways and mansions.
teShaaM gR^ihasahasraaNi dadaaha hutabhuktadaa || 6-75-7
praasaadaaH parvataakaaraaH patanti dharaNiitale |
7. tadaa= then; hutabhuk= the fire; dadaaha= consumed; gR^ihasahasraaNi= thousands of houses; teShaam= of those demons; praasaadaaH= Mansion; parvataakaaraaH= of mountainous forms; patanti= fell down; dharaNiitale= on the ground.
Then, the fire consumed thousands of houses of demons. Mansions of mountainous forms fell down on the ground.
agururdahyate tatra paraM chaiva suchandanam || 6-75-8
mauktikaa maNayaH snigdhaa vajraM chaapi pravaalakam |
8. aguruH= aloe; param= excellent; suchandanam= sandal wood of great value; mauktikaaH= pearls; snigdhaaH maNayaH= glossy gems; vajramchaapi= diamonds; pravaalakam= and corals; dahyate= were burnt; tatra= there.
Aloe, excellent sandalwood of great value, pearls, glossy gems, diamonds and corals were burnt there.
kShaumam cha dahyate tatra karusheyaM chaapi shobhanam || 6-75-9
aavikaM vividhaM chaurNaM kaaJNchanaM bhaaNDamaayudham |
9. kShaumam= Linen; shobhanam= charming; kausheyam cha= silk; aavikam= blankets of sheep’s wool; vividham= various kinds of; aurNam cha= ram’s wool; kaaN^chanam= gold; bhaaN^Dam= ornaments; aayudham= and weapons; dahyate= were burnt; tatra= there.
Linen, charming silk, blankets of sheep’s wool, various kinds of ram’s wool, gold ornaments and weapons were burnt there.
naanaavikR^itasaMsthaanam vaajibhaaNDaparichchhadam || 6-75-10
gajagraiveyakakShyaashcha rathabhaaNDaashcha saMskR^itaaH |
10. vaajibhaaN^Da parichchhadam= the ornaments, saddle etc. of horses; naanaavikR^ita samsthaanam= of diverse and peculiar designs; gajagraiveyakakShyaashcha= the chains worn round the neck of the elephants as well as their girths; saskR^itaaH= and polished; rathabhaaN^Daashcha= ornaments meant for the chariots (were also burnt).
The ornaments, saddles etc. of diverse and peculiar designs of horses, the chains worn round the neck of the elephants as also their girths and polished ornaments meant for the chariots were also burnt.
tanutraaNi cha yodhaanaaM hastyashvaanaam cha charma cha || 6-75-11
khaDgaa dhanuuMShi jyaabaaNaastomaraaN^kushashaktayaH |
11. tanutraaNi= coats of mail; yodhaanaam= of the warriors; charma cha hastyashvaanaam cha= and the armour for the elephants and the horses; khaDgaaH= swords; dhanuumShi= bows; jyaaH= bow-strings; baaNaaH= arrows; tomaraaN^kusha shaktayaH= lances, goads and javelins (were burnt).
Coats of mail of the warriors, the armour of the elephants and horses, swords, bows, bow-strings, arrows, lances, goads and javelins were burnt there.
roomajaM vaalajaM charma vyaaghrajaM chaaNDajaM bahu || 6-75-12
muktaamaNivichitraaMshcha praasaadaaMshcha samantataH |
vividhaanastrasaMghaataanagnirdahati tatra vai || 6-75-13
12, 13. agniH= the fire; samantataH= raging on all; dahativai= burnt; tatra= there; romajam= blankets and rugs made of the hair of animals; vaalajam= whisks made of the hair of tails; charma= the skins; vyaaghrajam= of tigers; bahu= many; aN^Dajam= birds; praasaadaan cha= and palaces; muktaamaNi vichitraan= in laid with pearls and gems; vividhaan= and various kinds of; astra samghaataan= stores of arms.
The fire raging on all sides burnt blankets and rugs made of the hair of animals, whisks made of the hair of the tails, the skins of tigers, many birds, palaces inlaid with pearls and gems and various kinds of stores of arms.
naanaavidhaan gR^ihaamshchitraan dadaaha hutabhuktadaa |
aavaasaan raakShasaanaaM cha sarveShaaM gR^ihagR^idnunaam || 6-75-14
hemachitratanutraaNaam sragbhaaNDaambaradhaariNaam |
siidhupaanachalaakShaaNaaM madavihvalagaaminaam || 6-75-15
kaantaalambitavastraaNaam shatrusaMjaatamanyunaam |
gadaashuulaasihastaanaaM khaadataaM pibataamapi || 6-75-16
shayaneShu mahaarheShu prasuptaanaaM priyaiH saha |
trastaanaaM gachchhataaM tuurNam putraanaadaaya sarvataH || 6-75-17
teShaaM shatasahasraaNi tadaa laN^kaanivaasinaam |
adahatpaavakastatra jajvaala cha punaH punaH || 6-75-18
14, 15, 16, 17, 18. tadaa= then; hutabhuk= the fire; dadaaha= burnt away; naanaavidhaan= many kinds; chitraan= of bright-coloured; gR^ihaan= houses; sarveShaam raakShasaan= of all demons; gR^ihagR^idhnunaam= who were greedily desirous of houses; paavakaH= the fire; tatra= there; adahat= burnt away; teShaam= those; shata sahasraaNi= hundreds and thousands; laN^kaanivaasinaam= of inhabitants of Lanka; hemachitratanutraaNaam= with gold-coloured armours; sragbhaaN^Daambara dhaariNaam= wearing garlands, ornaments and good clothing; siidhupaanachalaakShaaNaam= with quivering eyes because of drinking of spirits; madavihvala gaaminaam= moving with lustful walks; shatru samjaatamanyuunaam= who were seized with fury against their enemy; gadaa shuulaasihastaanaam= who carried maces, pikes and swords in their hands; khaadataam= who were eating; pibataamapi= and drinking too; prasuptaanaam= or lay fast asleep; mahaarheShu shayaneShu= on splendid beds; priyaiH saha= with their loved ones; gachchhataam= and who were decamping; tuurNam= quickly; sarvataam= to all sides; aadaaya= taking; putraan= their sons; trastaanaam= frightened; punaH punaH= again and again; jajvaala= firing up.
Then, the fire burnt away many kinds of bright coloured houses of all demons, who were greedily desirous of their homes. The fire there burnt away hundreds and thousands of inhabitants of Lanka, who were protected by gold coloured armoury and decked with garlands, ornaments and garments, with quivering eyes due to inebriation, moving with lustful walking, who were seized with fury against their enemy, who carried maces, pikes and swords in their hands, who were eating and drinking too or lay fast asleep on splendid beds with their loved ones and who were decamping quickly to all sides, taking their sons with them, frightened and fearing up again and again.
saaravanti mahaarhaaNi gambhiiraguNavanti cha |
hemachandraardhachandraaNi chandrashaalottamaani cha || 6-75-19
tatra chitragavaakShaaNi saadhiSTaanaani sarvashaH |
maNividrumachitraani spR^ishantiiva divaakaram || 6-75-20
krauJNchabarhiNaanaaM bhuuShaNaanaaM cha niHsvanaiH |
naaditaanyachalaabhaani veshmaanyagnirdadaaha ha || 6-75-21
19, 20, 21. agniH= the fire; tatra= there; dadaaha ka= burnt away; veshmaani= the houses; saaravanti= which were strong; mahaarhaaNi= very valuable; gambhiira guNavanticha= with profound qualities; hema chandraardha chandraaNi= decked in gold with moon-shapes and crescent-shapes; chandrashaalottamaani= which rose high with their top rooms beautiful windows; saadhiShThaanaani= furnished with seats, coaches etc; maNi vidruma chitraaNi= decorated with gems and corals; spR^ishantiiva= as though touching; divaakaram= the sun; naaditaani= rendered noisy; nisvanaiH= with notes of; krauN^chabarhiNa viinaanaam= herons, peacocks, veena the Indian lute; bhuuShaNaanaamcha= and the jingling of ornaments; achalaabhaani= and appearing like mountains.
The fire there burnt away the houses, which were strong, very valuable, with profound qualities, decked in gold with moon shapes and crescent shapes, which rose high with their top rooms, provided all round with beautiful windows, furnished with seats coaches etc., decorated with gems and corals, as though touching the sky, rendered noisy with notes of herons, peacocks, veena the Indian lute and the jingling of ornaments as also appearing like mountains.
jvalanena pariitaani toraNaani chakaashire |
vidyudbhiriva naddhaani meghajaalaani gharmage || 6-75-22
22. pariitaani= Surrounded; jvalanena= by fire; toraNaani= the arch-ways; chakaashire= shone; meghajaalaaniiva= like a collection of clouds; naddhaani= bound; vidyudbhiH= by lightning; gharmage= at the end of summer-season.
Surrounded by fire, the arch-ways shone like a collection of clouds bound by lightning, at the end of a summer season.
jvalanena pariitaani gR^ihaaNi prachakaashire |
daavaagnidiiptaani yathaa shikharaaNi mahaagireH || 6-75-23
23. gR^ihaaNi= the houses; pariitaani= surrounded; jvalanena= by fire; prachakaashire= shone; shikharaaNiyathaa= like the peaks; mahaagireH= of a large mountain; daavaagni diiptaani= ignited by a forest-fire.
The houses, surrounded by fire shone like the peaks of a large mountain, ignited by a forest-fire.
vimaaneShu prasuptaashcha dahyamaanaa varaaN^ganaaH |
tyaktaabharaNasarvaaN^ga haa hetyuccairvichukrushuH || 6-75-24
24. varaaN^ganaaH= beautiful women; prasuptaaH= while lying fast asleep; vimaaneShu= in their seven-storeyed mansions; dahyamaanaaH= while getting scorched; tyaktaabharaNa sarvaa N^gaaH= gave up all connection with their ornaments; vichukrushuH= and screamed; uchchaiH= loudly; haa haa iti= saying “ah! Alas!”
Getting scorched in fire, beautiful women, while lying fast asleep in their seven-storeyed mansions, gave up all connection with their ornaments and screamed loudly, saying “ah! Alas!”
tatra chaagnipariitaani nipeturbhavanaanyapi |
vajrivajrahataaniiva shikharaaNi mahaagireH || 6-75-25
25. bhavanyaapi= the houses too; agni pariitaani= surrounded by fire; tatra= there; nipetuH= fell down; shikharaaNiiva= like peaks mahaagireH= of a great mountain; vajrivajrahataani= struck by the thunder-bolt of Indra.
The houses too, surrounded by fire there, fell down like peaks of a great mountain, struck by the thunder-bolt of Indra.
taani nirdahyamaanaani duurataH prachakaashire |
himavachchhikharaaNiiva dahyamaanaani sarvashaH || 6-75-26
26. taani= those houses; nirdahyamaanaani= while being burnt; duurataH= from afar; prachakaashire= illumined; himavachhikharaaNiiva= like peaks of Himalayas; dahyamaanaani= being consumed by fire; sarvashaH= on all sides.
Those houses, while being burnt, shone, from afar, like the peaks of Himalayas being consumed by fire on all sides.
harmyaagrairdahyamaanaishcha jvaalaaprajvalitairapi |
raatrau saa dR^ishyate laN^kaa puShpitairiva kimshukaiH || 6-75-27
27. saa= that; laN^kaa= City of Lanka; raatrau= at night; harmyaagraiH= with its house-tops; dahyamaanaiH= being burnt; jvaalaaprajvalitaiH= ablaze with flames; dR^ishyate= appeared; puShpitaiH kimshukaiH iva= like Kimshuka trees in flowering.
That City of Lanka at night with its house-tops being burnt ablaze with flames, looked like Kimshuka trees in full bloom.
hastyadhyakShairgajairmukairmukaishcha turagairapi |
babhuuva laN^kaa lokaante bhraantagraaha ivaarNavaH || 6-75-28
28. gajaiH= with their elephants; muktaiH= let loose; hastyadhyakShaiH= by the superintendents of the elephants; turagairapi= and horses too; muktaiH= set free; laN^kaa= Lanka; babhuuva= was; aarNavaH iva= like an ocean; bhraantagraahaH= with alligators roaming about it; lokaante= at the end of a world-cycle.
With their elephants let loose by the superintendents of the elephants and horses too set free, Lanka was like an ocean, with roaming alligators in it at the end of a world-cycle.
ashvaM muktaM gajo dR^iSTvaa kvachidbhiito.apasarpati |
bhiito bhiitaM gajaM dR^iSTvaa kvachidashvo nivartate || 6-75-29
29. kvachit= here; dR^iShTvaa= seeing; ashvam= a horse; muktam= being let loose; gajaH= an elephant; bhiitaH= got frightened; apasarpati= and goes back; kvachit= there; dR^iShTvaa= seeing; bhiitam= a frightened; gajam= elephant; ashvaH= a horse; bhiitaH= got frightened; nivartate= and turned back.
Here, seeing a horse being let loose, an elephant went back frightened. There, seeing a frightened elephant, a horse turned back with an alarm.
laN^kaayaam dahyamaanaayaam shushubhe cha mahodadhiH |
chaayaasamsaktasalilo lohitoda ivaarNavaH || 6-75-30
30. laN^kaayaam= (While) Lanka; dahyamaanaayaam= was being burnt; mahodadhiH= the great ocean; chhaayaasamsakta salilaH= with its image reflected on water; shushubhe= looked charming; mahaarNavaH iva= like a great sea; lohitodaH= with red waters.
While Lanka was being burnt, the great ocean, with its image reflected on its waters, assumed like a great sea with red waters.
saa babhuuva muhuurtena haribhirdiipitaa purii |
lokasyaasya kShaye ghore pradiipteva vasuMdharaa || 6-75-31
31. saa purii= that city; diipitaa= burnt; haribhiH= by monkeys; muhuurtena= within a moment; babhuuva= became; vasumdharaa iva= like the earth; prdadiipta= burning; ghore kShaye= at the time of terrific dissolution; asya lokasya= of this world.
That City burnt by the monkeys, within a short time, became transformed like the earth burning at the time of terrific dissolution of this world.
naariijanasya dhuumena vyaaptasyochchairvineduShaH |
svano jvalanataptasya shushruve shatayojanam || 6-75-32
32. svanaH= the noise; naariijanasya= of the women-folk; jvalanataptasya= burnt by fire; vyaaptasya= and covered; dhuumana= with smoke; vineduShaH= roaring; uchchaiH= loudly; shushruve= was heard; shata yojanam= upto one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles).
The noise of the women-folk, who were burnt by fire and covered with smoke, roaring loudly, was heard upto one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles).
pradagdhakaayaanaparaan raakShasaannirgataan bahiH |
sahasaa hyutpatanti sma harayo.atha yuyutsavaH || 6-75-33
33. atha= then; yuyutsavaH= eager to fight; harayaH= the monkeys; utpatantisma= bounced; sahasaa= suddenly; aparaan= on the other; raakShasaan= demons; pradagdhakaayaan= whose bodies had been severely burnt; nirgataan bahiH= and who rushed out (to save their lives).
Then the monkeys, eager to fight, bounced suddenly upon the other demons, whose bodies had been severely burnt and who rushed out (to save their lives).
udghuSTaM vaanaraaNaaM cha raakShasaanaaM cha niHsvanaH |
disho dasha samudraM cha pR^ithiviim cha vyanaadayat || 6-75-34
34. udghuShTam cha= the loud noise; vaanaraaNaam= of the monkeys; niHsvanaH cha= and the cry; raakShasaanaam= of the demons; vyanaadayat= caused resounding; dasha dishaH= of ten directions; samudramcha= the ocean; pR^ithiviimcha= and the earth.
The loud noise made by the monkeys and the cry of the demons caused resounding of all the ten quarters, the ocean and the earth.
vishalyau cha mahaatmaanau taavubhau raamalakShmaNau |
asambhraantau jagR^ihatuste ubhe dhanuShii vare || 6-75-35
35. vishalyau= healed of their wounds; asambhraantau= and unperplexed; tau ubhau= both those; mahaatmaanau= great souled princes; raamalakShmaNau= Rama and LakShmana; jagR^ihatuH= seized hold; tau ubhau vare dhanuShii= of the two excellent bows.
Healed of their wounds and unperplexed, both those great souled princes, Rama and Lakshmana seized hold of those two excellent bows.
tato visphaarayaamaasa raamashcha dhanuruttamam |
babhuuva tumulaH shabdo raakShasaanaam bhayaavahaH || 6-75-36
36. tataH= thereupon; raamaH cha= Rama; vishphaarayaamaasa= pulled; uttamam= his excellent; dhanuH= bow; babhuuva= and made; tumulaH= a tumultuous; shabdaH= twang; bhayaavahaH= which struck terror; raakShasaanaam= in the demons.
Thereupon, Rama pulled his excellent bow, making a tumultuous twang, which struck terror in demons.
ashobhata tadaa raamo dhanurvisphaarayan mahat |
bhagavaaniva samkruddho bhavo vedamayaM dhanuH || 6-75-37
37. raamaH= Rama; vishphaarayan= drawing; mahat= his great; dhanuH= bow; ashobhata= was as shining; tadaa= at that time; bhagavaan bhavaH iva= as Lord Shiva (the Source of the Universe); dhanuH= stretching his bow; vedamayam= consisting of the Vedas; samkruddhaH= in a great wrath (as at the time of the dissolution of the Universe).
Rama, drawing his great bow, was as shining at that time as Lord Shiva (the source of Universe), stretching his bow, consisting of the Vedas in a great wrath (as at the time of dissolution of the Universe).
udguSTaM vaanaraaNaaM cha raakShasaanaaM cha niHsvanam |
jyaashabdastaavubhau shabdaavati raamasya shushruve || 6-75-38
38. jyaashabdaH= the twang of the bow-string; raamasya= of Rama; atishushruve= could be heard above; tau ubhau shabdaavati= both of those sounds; udguShTam= the sound; vaanaraaNaam= of the monkeys; niH svanamcha= and the cry; raakShasaanaam= of the demons.
The twang of the bow-string of Rama could be heard above both of those sounds. The sound of the monkeys and the cry of the demons.
vaanarodghuSTashabdashcha raakShasaanaaM cha niHsvanaH |
jyaashabdashcaapi raamasya trayaM vyaapa disho dasaH || 6-75-39
39. vaanaradghuShTaghoShaH cha= the raised voice of the monkeys; niH svanaH cha= the cry; raakShasaanaam= of the demons; jyaashabdashchaapi= and even the din of the twang of the bow string; raamasya= of Rama; trayam= these three sounds; vyaapa= pervaded; dasha dishaH= (all) the ten quarters.
The raised voice of the monkeys, the cry of the demons and even the twang of Rama’s bow-string these three sounds pervaded all the ten quarters.
tasya kaarmukanirmuktaiH sharaistatpuragopuram |
kailaasashR^iN^gapratimaM vishiirNamapatadbhuvi || 6-75-40
40. sharaiH= by the arrows; kaarmukanirmuktaiH= released from the bow; tasya= of Rama; tatpuragopuram= the main gate of that City; kailaasa shR^iN^ga pratimam= looking like a peak of Mount Kailasa; apatat= tumbled down; vishiirNam= shattered; bhuvi= to the ground.
By the arrows released from Rama’s bow, the main gate of that City looking like a peak of Mount Kailasa, tumbled down, shattered, to the ground.
tato raamasharaan dR^iSTvaa vimaaneShu gR^iheShu cha |
saMnaaho raakShasendraaNaaM tumulaH samapadyata || 6-75-41
41. tataH= thereupon; dR^iShTvaa= seeing; raama sharaan= Rama’s arrows; vimaaneShu (falling) on seven-storeyed mansions; gR^iheShucha= and other houses; samnaahaH= the readiness for battle; raakShasendraaNaam= of the leaders of demons; samapadyata= became; tumulaH= disturbed.
Thereupon, seeing Rama’s arrows descending on seven-storeyed mansions and other houses, the war-preparedness of the leaders of demons got disturbed.
teShaaM samnahyamaanaanaam simhanaadaM cha kurvataam |
sharvarii raakShasendraaNaam draudriiva samapadyata || 6-75-42
42. teShaam raakShasendraaNaam= to those leaders of demons; samnahyamaanaanaam= who were ready for the battle; kurvataam= and doing; samhanaadam= lion’s roars; sharvarii= that night; samapadyata= became; raudriiva= a night of final dissolution (presided over by Rudra, the Lord of Destruction).
To those demoniac leaders, who were preparing for the battle and emitting lion’s roars, that night became a night of final dissolution (presided over by Rudra, the lord of destruction).
aadiSTaa vaanarendraaste sugriiveNa mahaatmanaa |
asannam dvaaramaasaadya yudhyadhvaM cha plavaMgamaaH || 6-75-43
yashcha vo vitathaM kuryaattatra tatraapyupasthitaH |
sa hantavyo.abhisamplutya raajashaasanaduuShakaH || 6-75-44
43, 44. te= those; vaanarendraaH= leaders of monkeys; aadiShTaaH= were commanded; mahaatmanaa= by the great-souled; sugriiveNa= Sugreeva (as follows): plavangamaaH= O monkeys!; aasaadya= reaching; aasannam= the nearest; dvaaram= gate; yudhyadhvam= wage the war; yaH= whoever; upasthitaH api= eventhought present; tatra tatra= in those respective places; kuryaat vitatham= proves futile; saH= he; raajashaasana duuShakaH abhisamplutya hantavyaH= who disobeyed the royal command ought to be bounced upon and killed.
The monkey-chiefs were commanded by Sugreeva as follows: “O monkeys! Approaching the nearest gate, begin to wage the war. Even though present at the scene of fighting, he among you who proves futile by an escape, should be overtaken and killed as he will be quality of disobeying the royal command.”
teShu vaanaramukhyeShu diiptolkojjvalapaaNiShu |
sthiteShu dvaaramaashritya raavaNaM krodha aavishat || 6-75-45
45. teShu vaanara mukhyeShu= those monkey-chiefs; sthiteShu= standing; aashritya dvaaram= by taking recourse to the gate; diiptolkojjvala paaNiShu= with flaming torches in their hands; krodhaH aavishat= enraged; raavaNam= Ravana.
Seeing those monkey-chiefs, standing at the gate, with flaming torches in their hands, Ravana was enraged with fury.
tasya jR^imbhitavikShepaadvyaamishraa vai disho dasha |
ruupavaaniva rudrasya manyurgaatreShvadR^ishyata || 6-75-46
46. dasha dishaH= the ten directions; vyaamishraaH vai= were distracted; tasya= because of his; jR^imbhitavikShepaat= act of disorderly movement of his body due to yawning; adR^ishyataiva= and he looked like; manyuH= the wrath; rudrasya gaatreShu= manifest in the limbs of Rudra; ruupavaan= having a form.
All the ten directions were distracted because of Ravana’s act of disorderly movement of his body due to yawning and he looked like the wrath manifest in the limbs of Rudra appearing with a form.
sa kumbhaM cha nikumbhaM cha kumbhakarNaatmajaavubhau |
preShayaamaasa saMkruddho raakShasairbahubhiH saha || 6-75-47
47. samkruddhaH= the enraged; saH= Ravana; preShayaamaasa= sent; ubhau= both; kumbham cha= Kumbha and ; nikumbham cha= Nikumbha; kumbhakarNaatmajau= the sons of Kumbhakarna; bahubhiH raakShasaiH saha= along with a multitude of demons.
The enraged Ravana sent both Kumbha and Nimkumbha, the sons of Kumbhakarna, along with a multitude of demons.
yuupaakShaH shoNitaakShashcha prajaN^ghaH kampanastathaa |
niryayuH kaumbhakarNibhyaaM saha raavaNashaasanaat || 6-75-48
48. raavaNa shaasanaat= by the orders of Ravana; yuupaakShaH= Yuupaksha; shoNitaakShashcha= Shonitaksha; prajaN^ghaH= prajangha; tathaa= and KampanaH= Kampana; kubhakarNibhyaam saha= along with the sons of Kumbhakarna; niryayuH= set out (for the battle).
By the orders of Ravana, Yupaksha, Shonitaksha, Prajangha and Kampana along with the aforesaid sons of Kumbhakarna set out for the battle.
shashaasa chaiva taan sarvaan raakShasaan sa mahaabalaan |
raakShasaa gachchhataadyaiva simhanaadaM cha naadayan || 6-75-49
49. saH= Ravana; shashaasa cha= instructed; sarvaan= all; taan= those; mahaabalaan= mighty; raakShasaan= demons; raakShasaaH= O demons!; gachchhata= proceed; adyaiva= now itself; naadayan= bellowing; simhanaadam= a lion’s roar.
Ravana instructed all those mighty demons thus, “O demons! Proceed now itself, bellowing a lion’s roar.”
tatastu choditaastena raakShasaa jvalitaayudhaaH |
laN^kaayaa niryayuurviiraaH praNadantaH punaH punaH || 6-75-50
50. choditaaH= incited; tena= by Ravana; viiraaH= the aliant; raakShasaaH= demons; tataH= then; jvalitaayudhaaH= wearing shining weapons; praNadantaH= and roaring; punaH punaH= again and again; niryayuH= sallied forth; laN^kaayaaH= from Lanka.
Incited by Ravana, the valiant demons then, wielding shining weapons and roaring repeatedly, sallied forth from Lanka.
rakShasaaM bhuuShaNasthaabhirbhaabhiH svaabhishcha sarvashaH |
chakruste saprabhaM vyoma harayashchaagnibhiH saha || 6-75-51
51. bhaabhiH= by the gleams; bhuuShaNa sthaabhiH= of ornaments; rakShasaam= of the demons; svaabhishcha= and by their own natural splendour; te= those demons; harayaH cha= and monkeys; agnibhiH saha= along with their fires; chakruH= made; vyoma= the sky; saprabham= fluorescent; sarvasaH= on all sides.
By the gleams of ornaments worn by their own natural splendour, those demons and monkeys with their fires, made the sky fluorescent on all sides.
tatra taaraadhipasyaabhaa taaraaNaam bhaa tathaiva cha |
tayoraabharaNaabhaa cha jvalitaa dyaamabhaasayat || 6-75-52
52. aabhaa= the effulgence; taaraadhisasya= of the moon; tatra= there; tathaiva cha= and; bhaa= the light; taaraaNaam= of the stars; aabharaNaabhaacha= and the splendour of the ornaments; tayoH= of both the armies; jvalitaa= blazing; abhaasayat dyaam= made the sky brilliant.
The effulgence of the moon there, the light of the stars and the splendour of the ornaments of both the armies, while blazing, made the sky brilliant.
chandraabhaa bhuuShaNaabhaa cha grahaaNaam jvalitaa cha bhaa |
hariraakShasasainyaani bhraajayaamaasa sarvataH || 6-75-53
53. chandraabha= the effulgence of the moon; bhuuShaNaabhaa cha= the splendour of the ornaments; bhaa cha= and the fluorescence; jvalitaa grahaaNaam= of the blazing planets; bhraajayaamaasa hariraakShasa sainyaani= made the armies of monkeys and demons glitter; sarvataH= on all sides.
The effulgence of the moon, the splendour of the ornaments and the fluorescence of the blazing planets made the armies of monkeys and demons glitter on all sides.
tatra chaardhapradiiptaanaaM gR^ihaaNaam saagaraH punaH |
bhaabhiH saMsaktasalilashchalormiH shushubhe.adhikam || 6-75-54
54. bhaabhiH= with the blazes; ardhapradiiptaanaam gR^ihaaNaam= of the half-scorched houses; tatra= there; saagaraH punaH= the ocean on its part; chalormiH= with its agitated waves; samsakta salilaH= with their waters mingled; shushubhe= shone; adhikam= abundantly.
With the flames of the half-scorched houses there, the ocean on its part with its agitated waves mingled with water, shone abundantly.
pataakaadhvajasamyuktamuttamaasiparashvadham |
bhiimaashvarathamaataN^gaM naanaapattisamaakulam || 6-75-55
diiptashuulagadaakhaDgapraasatomarakaarmukam |
tadraakShasaM balaM bhiimam ghoravikramapauruSham || 6-75-56
dadR^ishe jvalitaprasaM kiN^kiNiishatanaaditam |
hemajaalaachitabhujaM vyaaveShTitaparashvadham || 6-75-57
vyaaghuurNitamahaashastraM baaNasaMyuktakaarmukam |
gandhamaalyamadhuutsekasaMmoditamahaanilam || 6-75-58
55, 56, 57, 58. tat= that; raakShasabalam= army of demons; dadR^ishe= was looking; bhiimam= aweful; pataakaadhvaja samyuktam= with flags and banners; uttamaasipara shvadham= with excellent axes shaped like swords; bhiimaashvarathamaataN^gam= consisting of terrific horses, chariots and elephants; naanaapatti samaakulam= crowded with foot soldiers of every description; diipta shuula gaddakhaD^ga praasa tomarakaarmukam= distinguished by shining pikes, maces, swords, spears, lances and bows; ghora vikrama pauruSham= noted for its redoubtable valour and prowess; jvalita praasam= with shining lances; kiN^kiNiishata naaditam= rendered noisy by hundreds of tiny bells (tied around chariots, elephants etc); hemajaalaachita bhujam= the arms of its warriors adorned with sets of gold ornaments; vyaaveShTituparashvadham= axes being brandished; vyaaghuurNitamahaashastram= mighty weapons being waved about; baaNa samyukta kaarmukam= arrows being fitted to the bows; gandhamaalyamadhuutseka sammoditamahaanilam= the extensive atmosphere rendered fragrant by the abundance of sandal-paste, garlands and wine.
That army of demons was looking awful with flags and banners, with excellent axes shaped like swords, consisting of terrific horses, chariots and elephants, crowded with foot-soldiers of every description, distinguished by shining pikes, maces, swords, spears, lances and bows, noted for its redoubtable valour and prowess, with shining lances and rendered noisy by hundreds of tiny bells (tied around chariots, elephants etc), the arms of its warriors adorned with sets of gold ornaments, their axes being brandished, mighty weapons being waved about, arrows fitted to the bows and the whole atmosphere rendered fragrant by the abundance of sandal paste, garlands and wine.
ghoraM shuurajanaakiirNam mahaambudharaniHsvanam |
taddR^iSTvaa balamaayaataM raakShasaanaaM duraasadam || 6-75-59
saMchachaala plavaMgaanaaM balamucchairnanaada cha |
59. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; tat= that; raakShasaanaam balam= army of demons; aayuutam= which came; ghoramshuurajanaakiirNam= crowded with gallant warriors, mahaambudhara niH shvanam= thundered like huge clouds; duraasadam= which was difficult to assail; balam= the army; plavaNgaanaam= of monkeys; samchachaala= marched forth; uchchaiH nanaada cha= and made loud noise.
Seeing the army of demons, which came crowded with gallant warriors, thundered like a huge cloud which was difficult to assail, the army of monkeys marched forth and made a loud noise.
javenaaplutya cha punastadbalaM rakShasaaM mahat || 6-75-60
abhyayaatpratyaribalaM patamgaa iva paavakam |
60. tat= that; mahat= large; balam punaH rakShasaam= army of demons on its part; pratyayaat= went; aaplutya javena= springing forward with all speed; pratyaribalam= towards the hostile army; patamgaaH iva= as moths; paavakam= towards a flame.
That large army of demons on its part went springing forward with all speed, towards the hostile army, as moths towards a flame.
teShaaM bhujaparaamarshavyaamR^iSTaparighaashani || 6-75-61
raakShasaanaaM balam shreShThaM bhuuyaH paramashobhata |
61. shreShTham= the excellent; balam= army; teShaam raakShasaanaam= of those demons; bhuja paraamarsha vyaamR^iShTaparigha ashani= in which iron clubs and the tips of missiles being brandished through the action of their arms; ashobhata= shone; bhuuyaH param= all the more (brightly).
The excellent army of those demons, in which iron clubs and the tips of missiles being brandished through the action of their arms, shone all the more brightly.
tatronmattaa ivotpeturharayo.atha yuyutsavaH || 6-75-62
tarushailairabhighnanto muShTibhishcha nishaacharaan |
62. atha= thereafter; harayaH= the monkeys; yuyutsavaH= desirous to fight; tatra= there; abhighnantaH= striking; nishaacharaan= the demons; tarushailaiH= with trees, rocks; muShTibhiH cha= and fists; utpetuH= jumped up; unmattaaH iva= as though frenzied.
Thereafter, the monkeys desirous to fight there, striking the demons with trees, rocks and fists, jumped up as though frenzied.
tathaivaapatataaM teShaaM hariiNaam nishitaiH sharaiH || 6-75-63
shiraaMsi sahasaa jahruu raakShasaa bhiimavikramaaH |
63. tathaiva= likewise; raakShasaaH= the demons; bhiima vikramaaH= with their terrific prowess; sahasaa= instantly; jahruH= tore off; shiraamsi= the heads; teShaam hariiNaam= of those monkeys; aapatataam= bouncing upon them; nishitaiH sharaiH= with sharp arrow.
Likewise, the demons with their terrific prowess instantly tore off the heads of those monkeys bouncing upon them, with sharp arrows.
dashanairhatakarNaashcha muShTibhirbhinnamastakaaH || 6-75-64
shilaaprahaarabhagnaaN^ga vicherustatra raakShasaaH |
64. raakShasaaH= the demons; tatra= there; vicheruH= strolled; hatakarNaaH= with their ears bitten off; dashanaiH= with teeth; bhinna mastakaaH= with their skulls smashed; muShTibhiH= with fists; shilaaprahaara bhagnaaN^gaaH= and their limbs broken by the blows of crags.
The demons there strolled in the streets of Lanka, with their ears bitten off with teeth, their skulls smashed with fists and their limbs broken by crag blows.
tathaivaapyapare teShaaM kapiinaamasibhiH shitaiH || 6-75-65
pravaraanabhito jaghnurghoraruupaa nishaacharaaH |
65. tathaiva= even so; apare= some other; nishaacharaaH= demons; ghoraruupaaH= with terrific forms; jaghnuH= struck; teShaam= those; pravaraan= chiefs; kapiinaam= of monkeys; shitaiH= with sharp; asibhiH= swords; abhitaH= on all sides (of the battle field).
Even so, some demons with terrific form struck those chiefs among the monkeys, with sharp swords, on all sides of the battle field.
ghnantamanyaM jaghaanaanyaH paatayantamapaatayat || 6-75-66
garhamaaNam jagarhanyo dashantamaparo.adashat |
66. anyaH= another; jaghaana= killed; anyam= the one; ghnantam= who was killing; upaatayat= threw down; paatayantam= the one who was throwing down (another); anyaH= another; agarha= scolded; garhamaaNam= the one who was scolding; aparaH= and another; adashat= chewed; dashantam= the one who was chewing.
One warrior killed the one who was killing another, a second one threw down the one throwing down another; a third one scolded another who was scolding the other one; while a fourth one chewed the one chewing another.
dehiityanyo dadaatyanyo dadaamiityaparaH punaH || 6-75-67
kiM kleshayasi tiShTheti tatraanyonyam babhaaShire |
67. anyaH= one; tatra= there; deheti= said “Give me the blow”; anyaH= another; dadaati= said “He is giving”; aparaH punaH= yet another; dadaamiiti= said “I am giving”; babhaasShire anyonyam= some talked with one another; kim kleshayati= saying, “Why do you take pains?”; tiShhTha iti= and saying “wait”.
There, one said “Give me the blow. Another said, “He is giving”. Yet another said, “I am giving” some talked with one another, saying “Wait. Why do you take pains?”
vipralambhita shastraM cha vimuktakavachaayudham || 6-75-68
samudyatamahaapraasaM yaShTishuulaasimsamkulam |
praavarta mahaa raudraM yuddham vaanararakShasaam || 6-75-69
68, 69. mahaaraudram= that very terrific; yuddham= battle; vaanara raakShasaam= between monkeys and demons; vipralambhita shastram= having its weapons made futile; vimukta kavachaayudham= (some) weapons dug into armours; samudyata mahaapraasam= long lances lifted up; yaShTishuulaasi samkulam= fists, pikes, swords and spears used as weapons of war.
In that very terrific war between monkeys and demons, some weapons were made futile. Some weapons were dug into armours. Long lances were lifted up. Fists, pikes, swords and spears were used as weapons of war.
vaanaraan dasha sapteti raakShasaa jaghnaraahave |
raakShasaan dasha sapteti vaanaraashchaabhyapaatayan || 6-75-70
70. aahave= in the battle; raakShasaaH= demons; jaghnuH= killed; vaanaraan= monkeys; dasha sapta iti= in tens and sevens; vaanaraashcha= the monkeys too; abhyapaatayan= threw down; raakShasaan= the demons; dasha sapta iti= in tens and sevens.
In the battle-front, the demons killed monkeys in tens and sevens. The monkeys too threw the demons down in tens and sevens.
visrastakeshavasanam vimuktakavachadhvajam |
balam raakShasamaalambya vaanaraaH paryavaarayan || 6-75-71
71. aalambya= taking hold; raakShasam balam= of the army of demons; visrastakesha vasanam= whose hair and raiments were kept in order with difficulty; vimukta kavachadhvajam= and whose armours and standards were thrown away; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; paryavaarayan= surrounded them on all sides.
Catching hold of the army of demons, whose hair and raiment’s were kept in order with difficulty and whose armours and standards were thrown away, the monkeys surrounded them on all sides.
ityaarShe shriimadraamaayaNe vaalmiikiiye aadikaavye yuddhakaaMDe paJNchasaptatitamaH sargaH
Thus, this is the 75th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
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© May 2008, K. M. K. Murthy