Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— सा जनस्थानमभ्येत्य तथाभूता विरूपिणी। राक्षसेभ्यः खरादिभ्य आचख्यौ स्वं पराभवम्॥१॥
Brahmā said: Thus mutilated, Śūrpaṇakhā reached Janasthāna and told Khara and the other rākṣasas of her humiliation.
Passage 2
तां लूनवक्रावयवां स्वभर्तुर्बलिनोऽनुजाम्। निरीक्ष्य राक्षसाः सर्वे बभूवुर्जातमन्यवः॥२॥
Seeing the younger sister of their mighty lord with the features of her face severed, all the rākṣasas became enraged.
Passage 3
अथ प्रतस्थुः संरब्धास्ते खरत्रिशिरादयः। राक्षसा घोरकर्माणो गृहीतविविधायुधाः॥३॥
Khara, Triśiras, and the other rākṣasas of dreadful deeds then set out furiously, carrying many kinds of weapons.
Passage 4
अहो कृतं मनुष्येण मृत्युकारणमात्मनः। इति हेलापरं सद्यो रक्षोऽनीकं समुद्ययौ॥४॥
“Ah, this human has caused his own death!” they scoffed, and the rākṣasa army immediately marched forth.
Passage 5
ते पुरोधाय विघ्रां तामदृश्यां विजयोद्यमे। यत्र तस्थुर्यातुधानास्तत्रैषामशुभं बभौ॥५॥
They placed the mutilated woman at their head as they undertook the campaign for victory; wherever those rākṣasas stood, an evil omen appeared before them.
Passage 6
त एकीभूय संरब्धा नानावर्णनिशाचराः। निपेतुर्विकृतारावास्तस्मिन् स्थाने उदायुधाः॥६॥
United in fury, the night-roamers of many colors rushed upon that place with weapons raised and hideous cries.
Passage 7
राघवेन्द्रो रिपून् वीक्ष्य सर्वानापततस्तदा। इदमाहानुजं सद्यः समधिज्यधनुर्धरः॥७॥
Seeing all the enemies approaching, the lord of the Raghus immediately strung his bow and addressed his younger brother.
Passage 8
नन्वेतान् पश्य सौमित्रे सुसंरब्धान् निशाचरान्। विघ्नायाः खलु राक्षस्याः प्रायशो बान्धवा ह्यमी॥८॥
“Lakṣmaṇa, look at these greatly enraged night-roamers. They are surely the kinsmen of that mutilated rākṣasī.
Passage 9
अहं तु निग्रहीष्यामि प्राणान्तेन रिपूनिमान्। त्वं रक्षावहितो भूत्वा जायां मे जनकात्मजाम्॥९॥
“I shall subdue these enemies by ending their lives. Remain vigilant and protect my wife, Janaka's daughter.”
Passage 10
तथेति लक्ष्मणः सीतां जुगोप द्विषतां बलात्। आजुहावाथ तान् योद्धुमेको रामो धनुर्धरः॥१०॥
Saying, “So be it,” Lakṣmaṇa guarded Sītā from the enemy force, while Rāma stood alone with his bow and challenged them to fight. Rāma Meets the Assault
Passage 11
यावन्तस्ते राक्षसानीकयोधा धृतायुधास्तत्र योद्धुं निपेतुः। तावद्रूपो ददृशे तैः स रामो धनुर्धरस्तीक्ष्णबाणौघवर्षी॥११॥
However many armed warriors of the rākṣasa host rushed upon him, that many forms of the bow-bearing Rāma seemed to appear before them, each raining torrents of sharp arrows.
Passage 12
ते खड्गैः क्राष्टिभिः शूलैः प्रासैः परशुपट्टिशैः। गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चक्रैः शक्तिभिर्युयुधुस्तराम्॥१२॥
They fought fiercely with swords, spears, tridents, lances, axes, halberds, clubs, pestles, discs, and darts.
Passage 13
केचिदुच्चिक्षिपुर्वृक्षान् केचिद् ग्राव्णां गणांस्तथा। केचिदुल्मुकसंदोहान् ज्वालामालाभयानकान्॥१३॥
Some raised trees, others masses of rocks, and still others terrifying heaps of firebrands wreathed in flame.
Passage 14
एकं राघवमुद्दिश्य दृप्ताः सर्वेऽपि राक्षसाः। ववृषुर्विविधान्यस्त्राणि तुमुलः सोऽभवद् रणः॥१४॥
All the arrogant rākṣasas showered their many weapons upon Rāma alone, and the battle became tumultuous.
Passage 15
रामोऽधिज्यं धनुः कृत्वा सीतां निक्षिप्य लक्ष्मणे। सुदूरे पर्णशालाया निर्जगामासुरानभि॥१५॥
Having strung his bow and entrusted Sītā to Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma went far from the leaf cottage to meet the demons.
Passage 16
तेषामापततो वेगादस्त्रपूगान् भयानकान्। अभिवीक्ष्य मुमोचेषून् धनुषः कुण्डलीकृतात्॥१६॥
Seeing the terrifying masses of weapons rushing swiftly toward him, he released arrows from his deeply bent bow.
Passage 17
शस्त्रास्त्रैः कौणपेन्द्राणामेकसार्थसमुद्गतैः। आच्छन्नमभवद्व्योम घनैरिव घनागमे॥१७॥
The sky was covered by weapons and missiles released together by the rākṣasa chiefs, as clouds cover it in the rainy season.
Passage 18
रामस्य चापनिर्मुक्तैः शरैर्झङ्कारराविभिः। रक्षसामस्त्रपूगानि खण्डखण्डानि चक्रिरे॥१८॥
Rāma's arrows, released from his bow with a ringing roar, shattered the rākṣasas' masses of missiles into fragments.
Passage 19
बाहुवेगेरितास्तेषां पतमाना महाशिलाः। कृताः सहस्रधा रामसायकैः करका इव॥१९॥
Great rocks hurled by the force of their arms were split into a thousand pieces by Rāma's arrows, like hailstones breaking apart.
Passage 20
मारयोत्सारयास्कन्द छिन्धि भिन्धि निपातय। इत्यारावभरा घोरा निपेतुस्तमभिद्विषः॥२०॥
Shouting terribly, “Kill! Drive him back! Attack! Cut! Split! Strike him down!” the enemies rushed upon him. The Army Is Cut Down
Passage 21
तानेकैकशरे रामश्चक्रे विशिरसः खलान्। कबन्धप्रायमभवत्सहसा तद्रणाङ्गणम्॥२१॥
With one arrow for each, Rāma beheaded those wicked beings, and the battlefield suddenly became filled with headless trunks.
Passage 22
शस्त्रहस्ता रुषाविष्टाः क्षरद्रक्तभरोक्षिताः। मुण्डेक्षणैः प्रपश्यन्तः कबन्धा ननृतुस्तराम्॥२२॥
Still clutching weapons, consumed by rage and drenched in streaming blood, the headless bodies watched through the eyes of their severed heads and danced wildly.
Passage 23
क्षणेन तन्महासैन्यं रक्षसां सुमहोद्धतम्। आत्मक्रोधानलज्वालावलीढं न्यपतद् भुवि॥२३॥
In a moment that immense and exceedingly arrogant army fell to the ground, engulfed by the flames of the fire of Rāma's wrath.
Passage 24
महान्तो राक्षसा रामस्यार्धचन्द्रोपमैः शरैः। फुल्लकिंशुकवृक्षाभा बभूवुः समराजिरे॥२४॥
Pierced by Rāma's crescent-shaped arrows, the huge rākṣasas shone like kiṃśuka trees in full red bloom.
Passage 25
केषांचिन्मुञ्चतां शस्त्राण्यभिद्यन्त भुजा युधि। ते विदीर्णमुखा दंष्ट्रायुधे राममभिद्रुताः॥२५॥
The arms of some were severed as they released their weapons in battle; their mouths gaping, they charged Rāma with their fangs as weapons.
Passage 26
निबद्धघोरभ्रुकुटीविरूपाः करालदीर्णाननघोरदंष्ट्राः। सुघर्घरा रावमुचोऽरुणाक्षाः सद्यो निकृत्तायतबाहुदण्डाः॥२६॥
Hideous with fiercely knotted brows, dreadful fangs, and wide-open mouths, the red-eyed rākṣasas uttered harsh roars even as their long arms were cut away.
Passage 27
सुभीमतिर्यङ्नयनावलोकैः संतर्जयन्तो युधि राक्षसास्ते। धनुर्धरं राममभिद्रवन्तो व्यकम्पयन् भूतलमङ्घ्रिपातैः॥२७॥
Threatening him with dreadful sidelong glances, the rākṣasas charged the bow-bearing Rāma and shook the earth with their footfalls.
Passage 28
तान् राघवेन्द्रो विशिखैः सुतीक्ष्णैरापुङ्खमग्नैर्निभृतैरुरःसु। सद्यः परावर्तयदेकसार्थे ते घूर्णिताक्षा न्यपतंश्च भूमौ॥२८॥
The lord of the Raghus drove extremely sharp arrows feather-deep into their chests and stopped the whole company at once; their eyes rolling, they fell upon the ground.
Passage 29
प्रत्यालीढपदाः केचिदाकर्णाकृष्टकार्मुकाः। निकृत्तचरणा रामसायकैर्न्यपतन् भुवि॥२९॥
Some stood in the archer's stance with bows drawn to their ears, but Rāma's arrows severed their legs and they fell to earth.
Passage 30
तेषां करविनिर्मुक्ताः सायकाः रामसायकैः। सद्यो द्विधाकृता युद्धे विनिपेतुः परागताः॥३०॥
The arrows released from their hands were instantly cut in two by Rāma's arrows and fell spent upon the battlefield.
Passage 31
सहस्रं राक्षसा रामे एकसार्थनिपातिनः। तावद्भिस्तच्छरैः सद्यः परावृत्य निपातिताः॥३१॥
A thousand rākṣasas attacked Rāma in a single company; turning upon them, he felled them instantly with the same number of arrows.
Passage 32
रामचापजवोन्मुक्तैः शरैः प्रबलपातिभिः। उड्डीयन्ते स्म मूर्धानो रक्षसां श्रीफलोपमाः॥३२॥
Powerfully striking arrows released swiftly from Rāma's bow sent the rākṣasas' heads flying like great round fruits.
Passage 33
मूर्धानो रक्षसां घोरा गिरिगण्डमिता अपि। उड्डीय संगता व्योम्नि दृश्यन्ते लघुसम्मिताः॥३३॥
Though the rākṣasas' dreadful heads were as large as mountain slopes, once flung together into the sky they appeared small.
Passage 34
नीलाः पीता धूम्रवर्णाश्च रक्ताः पिङ्गत्विषः काककृष्णाः सिताश्च। घोरा घटाः पातिनां राक्षसानां संदृश्यन्ते प्रावृषीवाभ्रसंघाः॥३४॥
Blue, yellow, smoke-colored, red, tawny, crow-black, and white, the dreadful masses of falling rākṣasas looked like banks of clouds in the rainy season.
Passage 35
घोरान् कटकटारावकारिणः पिष्टदंष्ट्रकान्। नानावर्णान् यातुधानान् शरैश्चिच्छेद राघवः॥३५॥
With his arrows Rāma cut down rākṣasas of many colors who made terrible gnashing sounds and ground their fangs.
Passage 36
तेषां मुण्डा भूतलं कम्पयन्तो दन्ताग्रदष्टोष्ठपुटाः सुभीमाः। उत्तानितोर्ध्वभ्रुकुटीतरङ्गा हुङ्कारगर्भाः सहसा निपेतुः॥३६॥
Their dreadful heads suddenly struck and shook the earth, lips bitten by the tips of their teeth, brows arched upward in waves, and throats still holding roars.
Passage 37
निकृत्तशीर्षा रघुवीरसायकैर्विभिन्नदोर्दण्डयुगाः क्षताङ्घ्रयः। शिरोधराभिः कटुघोरराविणो रुण्डायिताङ्गा न्यपतन्निशाचराः॥३७॥
The night-roamers fell with heads severed by the hero of Raghu's arrows, paired arms split, feet wounded, and headless torsos giving harsh and terrible cries through their necks.
Passage 38
द्विधाकृताङ्गाः खलु रामसायकैः केऽप्येकबाह्वक्षिपदा निशाचराः। परिप्लवन्तो रुधिरौघवाहिनीस्रोतोजवैर्नीयमानाश्च दृष्टाः॥३८॥
Some night-roamers, their bodies split by Rāma's arrows and left with only one arm, eye, or foot, were seen tumbling and being swept along by the current of a river of blood. The River of Battle
Passage 39
सा केशशैवाललताजटालरक्ताम्बुवेगाकलितप्रवाहा। विभिन्नमूर्धाम्बुजिनी कबन्धग्राहाकुलान्दोलितबाहुमीना॥३९॥
That river's rushing red water was tangled with hair like waterweed; severed heads were its lotuses, headless trunks its crocodiles, and tossing arms its fish.
Passage 40
करालरक्षोधिपकायकूलं क्षोभिवृन्दा सुविरूपदर्शा। रणाङ्गणो शोणितवारिपूरैस्तरङ्गिणी रामधनुर्धनोत्था॥४०॥
With the dreadful bodies of rākṣasa chiefs as its banks and hideous, churning hosts within it, the battlefield became a surging river filled with blood, raised by the thunder of Rāma's bow.
Passage 41
निरन्तरं प्रावहदस्रपूरःक्षितिध्रनिर्भेदकरी समन्तात्। यस्यां निमज्जन्त्यवगाहनार्थं प्रसह्य भूतेशगणाः पिशाचाः॥४१॥
The unbroken flood of blood flowed everywhere with earth-splitting force, and hosts of spirits and piśācas plunged forcibly into it to bathe.
Passage 42
कोटिशो राक्षसगणा रामकार्मुकनिर्गतैः। सायकैर्घोरनिर्घातैः क्षयं नीतास्तदाञ्जसा॥४२॥
Millions of rākṣasa troops were swiftly destroyed by the thunderously striking arrows released from Rāma's bow. Khara, Dūṣaṇa, and Triśiras Fall
Passage 43
अथाययौ वृतः कोट्या राक्षसैरुद्यतायुधैः। विचित्रयोधी प्रबलो दूषणो नाम राक्षसः॥४२॥
Then the mighty and resourceful rākṣasa named Dūṣaṇa arrived, surrounded by ten million rākṣasas with weapons raised. The edition repeats printed marker 42 for editorial passage 43.
Passage 44
खरश्चातिखरारावैर्युतः कोट्या निशाचरैः। आजगाम रणाकाङ्क्षी रामेण रणदुर्मदः॥४४॥
Khara too came with ten million loudly roaring night-roamers, intoxicated with battle and eager to fight Rāma.
Passage 45
तथैव त्रिशिरा नाम राक्षसो भीमयोधनः। आययौ समरे रामवीरं योधयितुं बली॥४५॥
Likewise the powerful and terrifying warrior Triśiras came to contend with the heroic Rāma in battle.
Passage 46
तेषामग्रेसरास्तावद्राक्षसाः सुमहोद्धताः। महान्तं विक्रमं चक्रुः खड्गशक्तिपरश्वधैः॥४६॥
The exceedingly arrogant rākṣasas at their front displayed great valor with swords, darts, and axes.
Passage 47
स्वायुधैर्वेगनिर्मुक्तैर्धारासम्पातदर्शनैः। राघवेन्द्रं गिरिमिवच्छादयामासुरस्रपाः॥४७॥
The rākṣasas covered Rāma like a mountain beneath a downpour, releasing their weapons so swiftly that they appeared as falling streams.
Passage 48
तेषां शस्त्राणि चास्त्राणि पतमानानि कोटिशः। बभञ्ज राघवः सद्यो विशिखैः शीघ्रगामिभिः॥४८॥
With swift-flying arrows, Rāma immediately broke the millions of weapons and missiles falling upon him.
Passage 49
राक्षसायुधसंदोहवर्षाद् रामदिवाकरः। आत्मानं भासयामास बाणैर्दीधितिभिर्निजैः॥४९॥
Amid the rain of accumulated rākṣasa weapons, the sunlike Rāma made himself shine with the rays of his own arrows.
Passage 50
निरस्य राक्षसास्त्राणि वर्षास्त्राणीव राघवः। चण्डानिलैरिव शरैर्दिदीपे पुनरर्कवत्॥५०॥
Scattering the rākṣasas' missiles with arrows like fierce winds dispersing rain clouds, Rāma again blazed like the sun.
Passage 51
तथैवैकैकशः शत्रून् बाणैरेकेकयातिभिः। कृत्स्नशो निर्विभेदैष प्रापणाय यमालये॥५१॥
With individual arrows flying against individual foes, he pierced every enemy completely and sent them to Yama's abode.
Passage 52
रामबाणविनिर्भिन्ना अपुनर्बोधशायिनः। पुरोगा राक्षसेन्द्राणां समं जग्मुर्यमालयम्॥५९॥
Pierced by Rāma's arrows and fallen into a sleep from which they would not awaken, the vanguard of the rākṣasa lords went together to Yama's abode. The edition prints marker 59 for editorial passage 52.
Passage 53
महीयसि बले चैवं जाते स्वल्पीयसि द्रुतम्। आययुर्दूषणखरत्रिशिरःसंज्ञकाः खलाः॥५३॥
When their immense army had swiftly become very small, the wicked commanders named Dūṣaṇa, Khara, and Triśiras came forward.
Passage 54
रामस्तान् प्रतिजग्राह शरैः समनिपातिभिः। यथापूर्वं च निर्भिन्नविग्रहास्ते परापतन्॥५४॥
Rāma received them with arrows that struck simultaneously, and like those before them they fell with bodies pierced through.
Passage 55
त्रिभिरेव च रामस्य सायकैर्घोरराविभिः। तेषां त्रयाणां रुधिरमायुश्च सहसा पपे॥५५॥
Only three of Rāma's fiercely whistling arrows suddenly drank the blood and life of those three commanders.
Passage 56
हृदयानि विनिर्भिद्य परतो निर्गताः शराः। पश्चान्निपेतुः पूर्वं तु तेषां देहा महीतले॥५६॥
The arrows pierced their hearts and emerged from the other side; their bodies fell upon the earth first, and the arrows afterward. Aftermath of the Battle
Passage 57
इति रघुपतिसायकैर्निकृत्ते महति बले प्रबले निशाचराणाम्। चलमिव ददृशे रणाङ्गणं तत्प्रहरणपाणिभिरुद्धतैः कबन्धैः॥५७॥
Thus, when the great and powerful rākṣasa army was cut down by Rāma's arrows, the battlefield seemed to move with arrogant headless trunks still holding weapons in their hands.
Passage 58
श्रामं श्रामं युद्धभूमौ कबन्धाः स्निग्धमेदोमांसरक्ताचितायाम्। वृत्तश्वासाः स्खलितास्ते कथंचिद्भारावाप्ताः कन्धराभिर्निपेतुः॥५८॥
Exhausted again and again upon the battlefield slick with fat, flesh, and blood, the headless bodies stumbled, lost their breath, and finally fell under their own weight upon their necks.
Passage 59
सा योधयित्वा रघुवीरमुच्चकैः सुरद्विषां घोरतरा वरूथिनी। सुष्वाप भूयः प्रतिबोधवर्जिता गृध्रच्छदच्छायनिरालपावनौ॥५९॥
After fighting the hero of Raghu fiercely, that terrible army of the gods' enemies slept without ever awakening again, beneath the shade of vultures' wings in the desolate battlefield.
Passage 60
उत्कृत्योत्कृत्य मांसोत्करमथ विकटाराविभिः फेरुसंघैर्युक्ता मत्ताः शिवाल्यः समरभुवि मुहुर्बभ्रमुर्भीमरूपाः। काकाः कङ्काश्च गृध्राः पृथुतरपललग्रासकेलीं दधाना उड्डीयोड्डीय पक्षध्वनिभरभयदाः प्रेतवृन्दे निपेतुः॥६०॥
Frenzied she-jackals roamed the battlefield with howling packs, repeatedly tearing away masses of flesh. Crows, herons, and vultures sported with great mouthfuls of meat, rising and falling among the corpses while the heavy sound of their wings spread fear.
Passage 61
मांसमस्तिष्कपङ्केषु प्रमत्ताः फेरवः शिवाः। विकटारावकारिण्यः सीदन्ति स्म सुतृप्तयः॥६१॥
Drunk with feeding, the jackals and she-jackals sank into mud formed of flesh and brains, making hideous cries and utterly satisfied.
Passage 62
मेदोमांसवसास्वादसोष्माणः पलचारिणः। शोणितस्रोतसां मध्ये चिक्रीडुः शमितोष्मणाम्॥६२॥
The flesh-eating beasts, their heat soothed by tasting fat, meat, and marrow, played amid streams of blood.
Passage 63
प्रसह्य भूतेशगणैः पिशाचैराकृष्यमाणा रथिसंघमध्ये। बभुर्निबद्धान्त्रगुणाः कबन्धा नावो यथा सिन्धुषु कर्णधारैः॥६३॥
Dragged forcibly by hosts of spirits and piśācas among the fallen charioteers, the headless trunks—with intestines bound like ropes—resembled boats guided by helmsmen upon a river.
Passage 64
आकर्षन्तो गृध्रनखाग्ररुग्णान्यन्त्राणि युद्धाङ्गणगाः पिशाचाः। उड्डीयमाना दिवि वातजीवा गुणैर्दधान इव रेजिरेतराम्॥६४॥
Piśācas on the battlefield pulled at entrails torn by the tips of vultures' claws; as the wind lifted them into the sky, they shone as though holding ropes aloft.
Passage 65
इत्थं राघवबाणपूगसुविदीर्णानां महीशायिनां तेषां तत्र पुनः प्रबोधनविहीनानां महारक्षसाम्। नैकोऽप्युदैरितो निशाचरपतेर्वक्तुं ध्रुवं यो भवेद् दुःसंदेशमिमं ननु स्वभगिनीं तामेव विघ्नां विना॥६५॥
Thus the great rākṣasas lay upon the earth, utterly torn by Rāma's masses of arrows and never to awaken again. Not one survived to carry this dreadful news to the lord of the night-roamers—none, surely, except his mutilated sister herself. Thus ends Chapter 144, “The Slaying of Khara, Dūṣaṇa, and Triśiras,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi in the Dakṣiṇa-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa.