Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— सुलोचनाया वात्सल्यादुवास पुरि रक्षसाम्। भगवान् शेषनागेन्द्रोऽददत् कामवरान् बहून्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Out of affection for Sulochanā, Lord Śeṣa, king of the serpents, remained in the city of the Rākṣasas and granted many desired boons.
Passage 2
पूरयित्वा स्वदुहितुर्बहुधा स मनोरथम्। तद्विसृष्टस्ततश्चैव स्वेच्छया स्वपुरीं ययौ॥२॥
After fulfilling his daughter's wishes in many ways, he took leave of her and returned freely to his own city.
Passage 3
शेषस्यागमनं पुर्यां लङ्कायां दशकन्धरः। श्रुत्वा कामवरावाप्तिं ततः स्वतनयस्य च॥३॥
Ten-headed Rāvaṇa heard that Śeṣa had come to the city of Laṅkā and that his son had received the boons he desired.
Passage 4
अधृष्यद्धृदयेनासौ ज्ञात्वा स्वोत्कर्षमुत्तमम्। सिद्धाभिलाषं तं वीक्ष्य मुदितं मुदितोऽभवत्॥४॥
His heart now unassailable, Rāvaṇa recognized his own supreme ascendancy; seeing his son delighted and his desire fulfilled, he too rejoiced.
Passage 5
अथोद्यतो जगज्जेतुं मेघनादो महामनाः। कृत्वा शेषाहिनिर्दिष्टं मन्त्रस्य विधिमुत्तमम्॥५॥
Then noble Meghanāda, intent on conquering the world, performed the excellent discipline of the mantra prescribed by the serpent Śeṣa.
Passage 6
स महीयस्तपस्तेपे मन्त्रसाधनतत्परः। सोमजायास्तटे पुण्ये यत्र वेदद्रुमपर्वतः॥६॥
Devoted to perfecting the mantra, he practiced mighty austerity on the sacred bank of the Somajā, where Mount Vedadruma stands.
Passage 7
मन्त्रमाराध्य कष्टेन चक्रे होमार्चनादिकम्। एवं यथाविधि कृते प्रादुरासीद्रथो महान्॥७॥
After arduously mastering the mantra, he performed the fire offering, worship, and the other rites. When everything had thus been done according to rule, a magnificent chariot appeared.
Passage 8
होमद्रव्यैर्विधिहुतैः समिद्धाज्जातवेदसः। जगज्जयकरो दीप्तस्तेजसाप्रतिमेन यः॥८॥
It arose from blazing Fire, kindled by oblations duly offered, radiant with incomparable splendor and capable of securing victory over the world.
Passage 9
सर्वायुधगणैः पूर्णः सिद्धसर्वपरिच्छदः। जगज्जेत्रमहाघोषः साक्षादग्निसमद्युतिः॥९॥
It was filled with every class of weapon, furnished with every perfected implement, world-conquering and thunderously loud, its brilliance equal to Fire himself.
Passage 10
तं दृष्ट्वा प्रससादोच्चैः कुमारो राक्षसेशितुः। सिद्धं मनोरथं मेने सुरेन्द्रपुरनिर्जये॥१०॥
Seeing it, the Rākṣasa king's son became exceedingly pleased and considered his wish to conquer Indra's city already accomplished.
Passage 11
अथासौ दर्पितो वीरः सुमुहूर्ते शुभोदये। विहिताशीर्मुनिगणैर्मन्त्रपाठपुरःसरम्॥११॥
At the rise of an auspicious and excellent hour, the proud warrior received the sages' blessings, preceded by the chanting of mantras.
Passage 12
स्वस्तिपुण्याहमावाच्य सिक्तः पल्लवपाथसा। दिव्येन वर्मणा पश्चाद्वेष्टितो विपुलद्युतिः॥१२॥
After the invocations of well-being and the sacred day had been proclaimed, he was sprinkled with water from leafy twigs and then enclosed in divine armor, blazing with ample splendor.
Passage 13
सुधन्वा बद्धनिस्त्रिंशो बद्धाक्षयशरेषुधिः। मातरं पितरं चैव प्रणम्य विहिताञ्जलिः॥१३॥
Bearing a fine bow, a fastened sword, and a quiver of inexhaustible arrows, he joined his palms and bowed to his mother and father.
Passage 14
स्वेष्टदेवं हृदि स्मृत्वा भालोद्यत्कुङ्कुमाक्षतः। महान्तं रथमास्थाय प्रातिष्ठत जगज्जयी॥१४॥
Remembering his chosen deity in his heart, with a bright mark of saffron and unbroken rice upon his brow, the conqueror of the world mounted the great chariot and departed. Conquest of the Directions
Passage 15
गत्वा स उत्तरामाशां कुबेरेण निषेविताम्। अधिज्यं धनुरास्फाल्य यक्षगन्धर्वकिन्नरान्॥१५॥
He went to the northern quarter, the realm attended by Kubera, strung his bow, and made it resound before the Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras.
Passage 16
त्रासयामास टङ्कारैर्बाणवर्षपुरःसरैः। अनम्रान् नामयामास निजवीर्येण भूयसा॥१६॥
He terrified them with the bowstring's clang and volleys of arrows; by his immense valor he made those who would not bow submit.
Passage 17
तस्योपनिन्युर्गन्धर्वा रत्नानि विविधान्यपि। अत्यर्थसुन्दरीः कन्याः धनानि विपुलानि च॥१७॥
The Gandharvas brought him many kinds of jewels, exceedingly beautiful maidens, and abundant riches.
Passage 18
कुबेरस्त्रस्तहृदयस्तस्य वीर्येण कम्पितः। मेने तद्विहितामाज्ञामुपनीतमहानिधिः॥१८॥
Kubera, his frightened heart shaken by Meghanāda's prowess, accepted the command laid upon him and brought forth his great treasures.
Passage 19
उत्तराशां विजित्येत्थं सर्वस्वहरणोद्धतः। चन्द्रचूडं शिवं वीक्ष्य समाराध्य सपर्यया॥१९॥
Having conquered the northern quarter in this way and boldly seized its wealth, Meghanāda beheld moon-crested Śiva and worshiped him with due service.
Passage 20
लब्ध्वा कामवरं चास्मात्ततो निववृते बली। एवमाशाश्चतस्रोऽपि जिगाय परमोद्धतः॥२०॥
After receiving a desired boon from him, the mighty warrior turned back. In the same way, supremely audacious, he conquered all four directions.
Passage 21
अनिर्जिताश्च ये पूर्वं दशास्येन महौजसा। अजैषीत्तान् नरपतीनाजहार धनानि च॥२१॥
He defeated those kings whom mighty ten-faced Rāvaṇa had not conquered before and carried away their wealth. The Battle Outside Amarāvatī
Passage 22
ततः प्रतस्थौ बलवान् जेतुं सुरपतेः पुरीम्। नाम्नामरावतीं यत्र स्वयमास्ते पुलोमजा॥२२॥
Then the powerful warrior set out to conquer the lord of the gods' city, named Amarāvatī, where Pulomā's daughter herself dwells.
Passage 23
तस्याः परिसरे गत्वा शङ्खं दध्मौ महाभुजः। उत्तेजयन् महेन्द्रस्य चित्ते युद्धमहोत्सवम्॥२३॥
Reaching its outskirts, the mighty-armed warrior blew his conch, stirring in great Indra's heart the exhilaration of battle.
Passage 24
श्रुत्वा शङ्खरवं तस्य वीरस्य दृढधन्वनः। जजागार महेन्द्रस्य हृदि युद्धमहोत्सवः॥२४॥
Hearing the conch blast of that firm-bowed hero, the exhilaration of combat awoke in great Indra's heart.
Passage 25
तमाययौ सुरपतिर्वारणेन्द्रं समाश्रितः। देवतानीकमध्यस्थो युद्धदुर्मदमानसः॥२५॥
The lord of the gods came against him mounted upon the king of elephants, standing amid the divine army with a mind fiercely proud for war.
Passage 26
धनुष्मान् कवची खङ्गी वज्रहस्तः सुराधिपः। अमरावत्याः परिसरे रक्षसा योद्धुमाययौ॥२६॥
Armed with bow, armor, and sword, the thunderbolt in his hand, the lord of the gods came to Amarāvatī's outskirts to fight the Rākṣasa.
Passage 27
तमनुप्रययुर्देवा आदित्या वसवस्तथा। भास्वरास्तुषिताः साध्या विश्वेदेवास्तथाखिलाः॥२७॥
The gods followed him—the Ādityas and Vasus, the Bhāsvaras, Tuṣitas, Sādhyas, and all the Viśvedevas.
Passage 28
अन्ये चोच्चावचा देवा गन्धर्वा मरुतस्तथा। अग्निर्यमो निर्ऋतिश्च वरुणो धनदस्तथा॥२८॥
Other gods of every rank came as well, together with the Gandharvas and Maruts: Agni, Yama, Nirṛti, Varuṇa, and the giver of wealth.
Passage 29
ये निर्जिताः पुरा तेन विजयावसरे दिशाम्। तेऽमर्षिताः सुरगणा मघोना सह संयुगे॥२९॥
The divine hosts whom Meghanāda had already defeated during his conquest of the directions, now burning with resentment, joined Maghavan in battle.
Passage 30
सायुधा बद्धवर्माणो रक्षसा योद्धुमाययुः। शङ्खनादान् प्रकुर्वन्तः स्वं स्वं वाहनमास्थिताः॥३०॥
Armed and clad in armor, they came to fight the Rākṣasa, each mounted upon his own vehicle and sounding his conch.
Passage 31
तेऽगृह्णन् पुरतो भूत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रकुमारकम्। भुशुण्डीः परिघांश्चक्रान् गदाखङ्गपरश्वधान्॥३१॥
They confronted the Rākṣasa king's son, taking up bhuśuṇḍī missiles, iron clubs, discs, maces, swords, and axes.
Passage 32
वर्षन्तः सायकांस्तीक्ष्णान् धनुर्मण्डलनिर्गतान्। युगपच्छादयामासुः सर्वे तं परमायुधैः॥३२॥
All together they covered him with their supreme weapons, raining sharp arrows released from their drawn bows.
Passage 33
सोऽपि क्रुद्धो महायुद्धे विक्रमन् सुमहाबलः। अयोधयत् सुरपतिं विक्रमन्तं सुदुर्मदम्॥३३॥
Enraged in the great battle, the immensely powerful Meghanāda advanced and fought the lord of the gods, who was himself advancing in fierce arrogance.
Passage 34
इत्येवं युध्यतस्तस्य स्वर्गे विक्रमशालिनः। प्रादुरासुर्महाशब्दा आयुधोत्क्षेपसम्भवाः॥३४॥
As that valorous warrior fought in heaven, tremendous sounds arose from the hurling of weapons.
Passage 35
सोऽत्यर्थतीक्ष्णान् विशिखानैरावतकटद्वये। निचखान महावीर्यः शुष्कदानजले भयात्॥३५॥
The mighty warrior drove exceedingly sharp arrows into both temples of Airāvata; in fear, the elephant's flowing ichor dried up.
Passage 36
स तैरायुधैरच्छादयामास सगजेन्द्रं पुरन्दरम्। तान् कृन्तयित्वा मघवा निश्चक्राम महाहवे॥३६॥
With those weapons he covered Purandara together with the lordly elephant. Maghavan cut them apart and emerged again into the great battle.
Passage 37
युयुधे मेघनादेन समवीर्येण गोत्रभित्। अस्त्रैः शस्त्रैश्च बहुभिर्वज्रनिष्पेषराविभिः॥३७॥
The mountain-splitter fought the equally powerful Meghanāda with many missiles and weapons whose crashing roar was like the thunderbolt's. Indra and the Gods Are Routed
Passage 38
स कुम्भयोर्गजेन्द्रस्य ताडयामास सायकैः। शूलेन चापि विव्याध तस्य मर्मणि संयुगे॥३८॥
Meghanāda struck both temples of the lordly elephant with arrows and pierced a vital point with his spear in the battle.
Passage 39
ऐरावतः सचीत्कारं पलायत रणाङ्गणात्। ताड्यमानोऽतिबलिना मेघनादेन भूरिशः॥३९॥
Repeatedly struck by the immensely powerful Meghanāda, Airāvata fled the battlefield with a cry.
Passage 40
इन्द्रस्त्यक्त्वा गजपतिं रथं मातलिनाऽऽहृतम्। आरुह्य द्रुतमायातो दशास्यसुतसम्मुखे॥४०॥
Indra abandoned the elephant king, mounted the chariot brought by Mātali, and swiftly returned to face the ten-faced king's son.
Passage 41
तमुवाच प्रहस्यैव महावीरो रणाङ्गणे। परावृत्तोऽपि किं शक्र पुनरायासि सम्मुखम्॥४१॥
The great warrior laughed and said to him on the battlefield, “Though you turned away, Śakra, why have you come back to face me?
Passage 42
कथं स्थास्यति ते लज्जा पराभूतस्य वै मया। अतः प्राणान् समादाय द्रुतं याहि रणाङ्गणात्॥४२॥
“How can any honor remain for you after I have defeated you? Take your life with you and leave the battlefield at once.
Passage 43
नो चेत्त्वां विरथं कृत्वा छिन्नवर्माणमेव च। विशस्त्रं दुर्गतं चापि बाणैस्तीक्ष्णतमैरहम्॥४३॥
“Otherwise I shall destroy your chariot, cut away your armor, disarm you, reduce you to misery, and pierce you with my sharpest arrows.
Passage 44
बद्ध्वा दृढतरैः पाशैर्नेष्यामि स्वां पुरीं जवात्। वीर्यं प्रकटय स्वीयं न चेद्द्रक्ष्यसि दुर्गतिम्॥४४॥
“I shall bind you with the strongest bonds and carry you swiftly to my city. Display your own valor, or you will meet with ruin.”
Passage 45
इत्युदीर्य वचः क्रुद्धश्छादयामास तं शरैः। सवाहनध्वजरथं पुरुहूतं समातलिम्॥४५॥
Having spoken thus, the enraged Meghanāda covered the much-invoked Indra with arrows—his chariot, vehicle, banner, and Mātali as well.
Passage 46
सोऽतिकृच्छ्राद्विनिष्क्रम्य रक्षसः शरपञ्जरात्। उदतोलयत क्रुद्धस्तं हन्तुं वज्रमात्मनः॥४६॥
Escaping the Rākṣasa's cage of arrows only with great difficulty, the furious Indra raised his thunderbolt to kill him.
Passage 47
स तत्करं सकुलिशं विव्याध स्वमहेषुणा। यथा पपात धरणौ कुलिशं तेन संहितम्॥४७॥
Meghanāda pierced the hand holding the thunderbolt with his great arrow, causing the poised weapon to fall to the ground.
Passage 48
हस्तात्प्रविच्युते वज्रे महेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः। तत्र सुरदेवताः सर्वा हाहेति च विचुक्रुशुः॥४८॥
When the thunderbolt slipped from mighty Indra's hand, all the gods there cried out, “Alas! Alas!”
Passage 49
स तस्मिन्नन्तरे शक्रं विव्याध दशभिः शरैः। विशस्त्रमपि मन्वानः शीघ्रमात्मजयेच्छया॥४९॥
At that moment Meghanāda struck Śakra with ten arrows, judging him weaponless and wishing to secure his own victory quickly.
Passage 50
इन्द्रमत्याकुलं वीक्ष्य परेणाक्रान्तमाहवे। अन्ये देवा युयुधिरे बलिना तेन रक्षसा॥५०॥
Seeing Indra utterly distressed and overpowered by his enemy in battle, the other gods fought that mighty Rākṣasa.
Passage 51
अत्याहिताः प्रयुयुजुः स्वानि स्वान्यायुधानि ते। युगपद्योधयामासुर्मेघनादं महाबलम्॥५१॥
Gravely threatened, they loosed their several weapons and all at once attacked immensely powerful Meghanāda.
Passage 52
निरकृन्तत स बलवांस्तेषामायुधसंहतिम्। प्रत्येकं ताडयामास सुतीक्ष्णैरायुधैर्निजैः॥५२॥
The powerful warrior cut down their mass of weapons and struck each god in turn with his own keen arms.
Passage 53
ते ताडिता दशमुखस्य कुमारकेण प्रादुद्रुवुर्दश दिशस्त्रिदशास्तदानीम्। आदाय भीतिभवकम्पभृतो निजासून्नो सम्मुखे समरसीम्नि पुनर्बभूवुः॥५३॥
Struck by the ten-faced king's son, the gods fled at once through the ten directions. Saving their lives and trembling with fear, they did not again appear before him at the battle line.
Passage 54
देवान् पलायनपरान् मघवा विलोक्य धैर्यच्युतिप्रसभवेपितसर्वगात्रः। आत्ता सुमात्रकुशलो जविना रथेन पृष्ठं प्रदाय समराद्व्यचलत्सुभीतः॥५४॥
Seeing the gods intent on flight, Maghavan lost his courage and every limb shook violently. With a swift chariot and its highly skilled driver, the terrified Indra turned his back and withdrew from the battle.
Passage 55
इति निजभुजवीर्याद् द्रावयित्वा सुरौघान् ध्वनितविजयशङ्खस्तत्क्षणे मेघनादः। सरभसममराणां राजधानीं विजित्य श्रियमलघुममीषां स्वात्मसादेव चक्रे॥५५॥
Thus, scattering the hosts of gods by the strength of his own arms, Meghanāda sounded his conch of victory. Having swiftly conquered the immortals' capital, he made their immense wealth his own. इति श्रीमदादिरामायणे ब्रह्मभुशुण्डसंवादे दक्षिणखण्डे महेन्द्रपराजये चतुर्दशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः॥ ११४ ॥ Thus ends Chapter 114, “The Defeat of Great Indra,” in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the venerable Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi. --- Source Note - Source witness: Bhuśuṇḍi Rāmāyaṇa, Volume 2, Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa. - This chapter was collated directly from source leaves 418–422 (printed pages 391–395; physical PDF pages 419–423). - All 55 numbered passages are presented in order. Chapter 113 ends and Chapter 114 begins on physical PDF page 419; Chapter 114 ends and Chapter 115 begins on physical PDF page 423. - The printed edition flags an archaic extra syllable in one pāda of passage 35; the root is preserved as printed. The dense chariot phrase in passage 54 is likewise preserved as printed and translated from its immediate narrative context. - Obvious word spacing and sandhi have been normalized without changing the source vocabulary. The English is a fresh, direct translation prepared for this edition.