Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— वर्णितं त्रिजटयैतदाहवं राक्षसौघकपिसंघयोर्मिथः। संनिशम्य जनकात्मजा मुहुस्तामथो वचनमेतदब्रवीत्॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Having repeatedly heard Trijaṭā describe this mutual battle between the rākṣasa host and the monkey companies, Janaka's daughter then spoke these words to her.
Passage 2
सीतोवाच— अस्मिन् घोरतमे युद्धे वीरेन्द्रः प्राणवल्लभः। चकार सानुजो यत्तन्मह्यं समुपवर्णय॥२॥
Sītā said: “Describe fully to me what the lord of heroes, my beloved, did together with his younger brother in this most terrible war.”
Passage 3
त्रिजटोवाच— वीक्ष्य विक्रमतो युद्धे कपिवीरान् महोत्कटान्। आस्फाल्य धनुषी तत्र वीरेन्द्रावभितस्थतुः॥३॥
Trijaṭā said: “Seeing the immensely formidable monkey heroes displaying their valor in battle, the two heroic lords twanged their bows and took their stand there.
Passage 4
पश्य रामधनुर्मुक्तैर्वाणैः सान्द्रनिपातिभिः। भिद्यन्ते रक्षसां यूथाः शलभा इव कण्टकैः॥४॥
“Look: dense volleys of arrows released from Rāma's bow pierce the rākṣasa companies like locusts upon thorns.
Passage 5
एकैको विशिखस्तस्य शतशः शतशो रणे। निर्भिद्य राक्षसानीकं निपातयति भूतले॥५॥
“Each one of his arrows pierces the rākṣasa army and casts hundreds upon hundreds to the ground in battle.
Passage 6
रामबाणबलोद्रिक्ताः कपयो रजनीचरैः। युध्यन्ते समरे धीरं भज्येरन्नन्यथा न किम्॥६॥
“Emboldened by the power of Rāma's arrows, the monkeys fight the night-roamers steadfastly; otherwise, would they not be broken?
Passage 7
भ्रातरौ रघुकुलाद्रिभास्करौ प्रावृषेण्यघनसुन्दरावुभौ। आत्तघोरतरकार्मुकौ रणे राक्षसान् क्षपयतः शरोत्करैः॥७॥
“The two brothers, suns above the mountain of Raghu's lineage and both beautiful as monsoon clouds, wield their fearsome bows and destroy rākṣasas in battle with masses of arrows.
Passage 8
प्रेषिता दशवक्त्रेण येऽसंख्याता निशाचराः। ते रामबाणनिर्दग्धाः शेरते धरणीतले॥८॥
“The countless night-roamers sent by the ten-headed king lie upon the earth, burned by Rāma's arrows.
Passage 9
रघुवीरवरेण्याभ्यां विशिखानलकीलया। रक्षसां कदनं चक्रे तदालोक्य दशाननः॥९॥
“The two foremost heroes of Raghu's line slaughter the rākṣasas with the flames of their arrow-fire. Seeing this, the ten-headed king— Rāvaṇa Dispatches Indrajit
Passage 10
चुक्रुधे तनयं स्वं च मेघनादं समादिशत्। पश्येन्द्रजिदनेनाद्य हन्यन्ते मम राक्षसाः॥१०॥
“—grew angry and commanded his son Meghanāda: ‘Look, Indrajit! This man is killing my rākṣasas today.
Passage 11
भवता क्षम्यते किं नु मर्त्यः सोऽप्येष तापसः। गच्छाशु धनुरादाय विक्रमं स्वं प्रदर्शय॥११॥
“‘Why do you tolerate this mortal ascetic? Take up your bow, go quickly, and display your prowess.
Passage 12
त्वयि जाग्रति रे पुत्र वरिष्ठेऽखिलधन्विनाम्। किमेष कुरुते मर्त्यो वैयात्यं नाम दुर्नयम्॥१२॥
“‘While you remain alert, my son—the foremost of all archers—how can this mortal commit such insolent misconduct?
Passage 13
तदेनं जहि युद्धेऽस्मिन् सुघोरे निजमार्गणैः। धीरस्त्वया समरे पुत्र वासवोऽपि विनिर्जितः॥१३॥
“‘Kill him with your arrows in this terrible war. Resolute son, even Indra was thoroughly defeated by you in battle.
Passage 14
जानामि नितरां पुत्र भवाँल्लज्जायते न किम्। अस्मिन् वानरसंदोहबहुले संयुगेऽधमे॥१४॥
“‘I understand fully, son: are you not ashamed to enter this base conflict crowded with hordes of monkeys?
Passage 15
तथाप्ययं मर्त्यमात्रो लघीयान् रिपुरूर्जितः। मूढो मामपि लोकेऽस्मिन्नजानन्नतिवर्तते॥१५॥
“‘Yet this insignificant enemy, merely a mortal, is emboldened. The fool transgresses against even me in this world because he does not know me.
Passage 16
अतस्त्वमेनं दर्पान्धं कपिराजबलोर्जितम्। निजदोर्दण्डवीर्येण जहि शक्रबलार्दन॥१६॥
“‘Therefore, crusher of Indra's strength, kill this pride-blinded man, emboldened by the monkey king's forces, through the valor of your mighty arms.
Passage 17
अल्पवीर्यानिमान् कीशान् दर्पात् प्रोच्छलतो लघून्। महता शरजालेन रुन्धि भोः शफरानिव॥१७॥
“‘With a vast net of arrows, hem in these weak, insignificant monkeys who leap about proudly, as one catches little fish.
Passage 18
यावन्न तापसावेतौ रक्षसां कदनोद्यतौ। भवता न निवार्येते तावच्छाम्यन्ति नो इमे॥१८॥
“‘Until you check these two ascetics who are intent upon slaughtering the rākṣasas, these monkeys will not grow quiet.
Passage 19
कपयो बद्धकक्षोटा मल्ला इव मदोद्धताः। निशाचरैर्युध्यमाना दुर्विनीता सहस्रशः॥१९॥
“‘Thousands of ill-disciplined monkeys, girded for combat and swollen with pride like wrestlers, are fighting the night-roamers.’
Passage 20
इति पितुर्वचनेन स नोदितस्त्रिदशराजजयोर्जितमानसः। सपदि पाणिगृहीतधनुर्धरः कटिनिबद्धनिषङ्गयुगो ययौ॥२०॥
“Thus urged by his father's words, his mind proud of conquering the king of the gods, Indrajit immediately took his bow in hand, fastened a pair of quivers at his waist, and departed.
Passage 21
तमनुप्रययुः क्रुद्धा नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः। राक्षसाः कलिताटोपा गर्जमानाः सहस्रशः॥२१॥
“Thousands of enraged and roaring rākṣasas followed him, full of ostentation and holding many weapons and missiles.
Passage 22
योद्धुं युधि क्षपितराक्षसयूथपेन रामेण निर्गतवतीन्द्रजिति प्रसह्य। रात्रिचरा मदविघूर्णितलोहिताक्षाः सर्वं जितं जितमिति प्रसभं जगर्जुः॥२२॥
“When Indrajit came forth forcefully to fight Rāma, who had destroyed the rākṣasa commanders, the night-roamers—with blood-red eyes rolling in pride—roared violently, ‘Everything is conquered! Victory!’
Passage 23
अथ राक्षसयूथेषु पणवानकगोमुखाः। भेरीदुन्दुभिढक्कादया अवादयन्त समन्ततः॥२३॥
“Then paṇavas, ānakas, gomukhas, kettledrums, war drums, ḍhakkās, and other instruments sounded throughout the rākṣasa companies.
Passage 24
तूर्यत्रिकभवो घोषः कल्पान्तघनघर्घरः। व्यानशे रक्षसां सैन्ये धरणीगगनान्तरम्॥२४॥
“The clamor produced by the three classes of instruments, rumbling like doomsday clouds, spread through the rākṣasa army and between earth and sky.
Passage 25
पुरोगास्तस्य बलिनो राक्षसाः सुमहोद्धताः। शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि चात्यन्तं वर्षन्तः सुसमाययुः॥२५॥
“The immensely formidable rākṣasas advancing before mighty Indrajit approached in close order, raining weapons and missiles without cease.
Passage 26
गदाभिर्मुशलैः शूलैः शक्तिभिश्च परश्वधैः। भुशुण्डीभिश्च परिघैर्मुद्गरैरसिपट्टिशैः॥२६॥
“They came with maces, clubs, spears, lances, axes, bhuśuṇḍī weapons, iron bars, hammers, swords, and halberds.
Passage 27
समन्ताच्छादयामासुर्विक्रमाढ्या निशाचराः। तान्यस्त्राणि च शस्त्राणि राक्षसानां प्रगर्जताम्॥२७॥
“The night-roamers, rich in valor, covered every side. The missiles and weapons of those roaring rākṣasas—
Passage 28
समन्तात्पतमानानि वीक्ष्य वानरसैनिकाः। तत्रसुर्हृदयैराशु तुमुले रणदुर्दिने॥२८॥
“—fell from every direction. Seeing them, the monkey soldiers quickly trembled in their hearts amid that tumultuous, battle-darkened day.
Passage 29
लीलयैव तु चिच्छेद रामो निजशरोत्करैः। ततः क्रुद्धाः खड्गहस्ता निपेतुः कोणपव्रजाः॥२९॥
“But Rāma effortlessly cut them apart with masses of his arrows. Then enraged hordes of rākṣasas, swords in hand, rushed upon him.
Passage 30
स तानापततो वीक्ष्य खड्गहस्तान् निशाचरान्। चिच्छेद रामो विशिखैर्वज्रसम्पातदारुणैः॥३०॥
“Seeing those sword-bearing night-roamers charge, Rāma cut them down with arrows as terrible as falling thunderbolts.
Passage 31
शायिताः कोटिशस्तेन प्रोत्पतन्तो निशाचराः। रामेणैकैकबाणेन छित्त्वा छित्त्वा रणाङ्गणे॥३१॥
“As the night-roamers sprang forward, Rāma cut down each one with a single arrow and laid them upon the battlefield by the tens of millions. Indrajit's Challenge
Passage 32
अथ चुक्रोध बलवान् मेघनादो धनुर्धरः। रामबाहुबलेनोच्चैर्वीक्ष्य विक्रमतः कपीन्॥३२॥
“Then mighty, bow-bearing Meghanāda grew angry upon seeing the monkeys display such valor through the strength of Rāma's arms.
Passage 33
रणाङ्गणगतो वीरो मेघगम्भीरगर्जनः। अधिज्यं धनुरादाय लक्ष्यदृक्संहिताशुगः॥३३॥
“The hero entered the battlefield, roaring deeply like a cloud. Taking up his strung bow, he fixed his gaze upon the target and fitted an arrow.
Passage 34
इदमूचे महादर्पः क्रोधेन प्रज्वलन्निव। शृण्वत्सु वीरयूथेषु मध्यस्थः सेनयोर्द्वयोः॥३४॥
“Blazing as though with anger and filled with immense pride, he stood between the two armies and spoke while the companies of warriors listened:
Passage 35
रे रे नितान्तचपलाः कपयो लघुविग्रहाः। सुखं विक्रमता वध्या यूयं ननु मया रणे॥३५॥
“‘You utterly fickle, puny-bodied monkeys! Leap about freely; you are easily slain by me in battle.
Passage 36
क्षुद्रास्त्यजत संत्रासं सुखं प्रोच्छलतोच्चकैः। न मच्छरेभ्यस्तीक्ष्णेभ्यो युष्माकं भयमण्वपि॥३६॥
“‘Little creatures, abandon your terror and leap high without concern. Surely you have not the slightest fear of my sharp arrows!
Passage 37
अमीषां कपिदेहेषु पततां महती त्रपा। येषां प्रमत्तशक्रेभकुम्भनिर्दारणं लघु॥३७॥
“‘It is deeply shameful for my arrows to fall upon these monkey bodies, when rending the temples of Indra's furious elephant is easy for them.
Passage 38
ससुरासुरमर्त्येषु जगत्सु ननु रेऽल्पकाः। को मद्बाणप्रहरणं सोढुं शक्तो भवेत्पुमान्॥३८॥
“‘Insignificant creatures, among worlds inhabited by gods, demons, and mortals, what man could withstand the assault of my arrows?
Passage 39
अमीभिर्वज्रसम्पातभीषणैर्मम मार्गणैः। विबुधाधिपतेर्वीर्यं मया प्रमथितं रणे॥३९॥
“‘With these arrows of mine, dreadful as falling thunderbolts, I crushed the lord of the gods' prowess in battle.
Passage 40
अलं तवापि सौमित्रे भिया मम शरोत्करैः। भवानपि न मद्बाहुदण्डविक्रमभाजनम्॥४०॥
“‘Enough of your fear too, son of Sumitrā, before my masses of arrows. You are no worthy object for the prowess of my mighty arms.
Passage 41
अत्यर्थमभ्युपेतोऽस्मि योद्धुं रामेण तं न्वहम्। भ्रूभङ्गलीलया येन निबद्धः पयसां निधिः॥४१॥
“‘I have come especially to fight that Rāma, who bound the ocean by the mere play of a bend in his brow.
Passage 42
अथवा किं निबद्धेन सिन्धुना जलरूपिणा। तीक्ष्णाः खलु ममोद्दण्डदोर्दण्डविशिखानलाः॥४२॥
“‘But what significance has binding an ocean made of water? The fiery arrows released by my upraised, powerful arms are sharp indeed.’ The Duel Begins
Passage 43
इत्युक्त्वा युधि कर्णान्तकुण्डलीकृतकार्मुकः। राघवेन्द्रमभिक्रुद्धो मुमोच विशिखान् दश॥४३॥
“Saying this, Indrajit drew his bow into a curve reaching his ear and, enraged at the lord of the Raghus, released ten arrows.
Passage 44
तानापतत एवाशु रामो निजमहेषुणा। चकर्त ते च नभसि द्विधाभूताः पराययुः॥४४॥
“As they flew toward him, Rāma quickly cut them with his great arrow; split in two, they fell away through the sky.
Passage 45
ततस्तयोस्तिग्मतरप्रहारिणोः परस्परं घोरतरे रणाजिरे। महेन्द्रजिद्राघवयोः शरोत्करैर्बभूव युद्धं तुमुलं जयैषिणोः॥४५॥
“Then, on that terrible battlefield, a tumultuous fight arose between Indrajit and Rāghava, both seeking victory and striking one another fiercely with masses of arrows.
Passage 46
रामस्य विशिखान् यावन्मेघनादो निकृन्तति। तावत्सौमित्रिराकर्णाकृष्टात्यायतकार्मुकः॥४६॥
“While Meghanāda cut apart Rāma's arrows, the son of Sumitrā drew his great bow all the way to his ear—
Passage 47
अताडयदमुं घोरैर्मार्गणैस्तनुमर्मसु। ततोऽसौ चुक्रुधे वीरो लक्ष्मणायात्तधन्वने॥४७॥
“—and struck him in the body's vital points with terrible shafts. The hero then grew angry at bow-bearing Lakṣmaṇa.
Passage 48
द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यां शराभ्यां तौ ताडयामास मर्मणि। रामस्तावपि चिच्छेद लक्ष्मणश्चैतदन्तरे॥४८॥
“He struck each of the two brothers in a vital point with two arrows, but Rāma cut down those arrows; meanwhile Lakṣmaṇa—
Passage 49
अताडयत्तं विशिखैः सुघोरैर्मर्मपातिभिः। ततः स आह संक्रुद्धो युधि क्रूरतरं वचः॥४९॥
“—struck Indrajit with exceedingly dreadful arrows that fell upon his vital points. Enraged, Indrajit then spoke harsh words in battle.
Passage 50
हे राम हे लक्ष्मण नैवमेतद्युक्तं रणेऽस्मिन् युवयोर्न योदितम्। यदेक एवाहमिषुप्रयोगैर्युध्यामि चान्योन्यबलाश्रयौ युवाम्॥५०॥
“‘Rāma! Lakṣmaṇa! What you two are doing in this battle is not proper: I fight alone through volleys of arrows, while each of you relies upon the other's strength.
Passage 51
नैतद्वीरस्य संस्लाघ्यं युवाभ्यां क्रियते रणम्। इति श्रुत्वा रघुश्रेष्ठः सौमित्रिमिदमब्रवीत्॥५१॥
“‘This conduct of battle by you two is not praiseworthy for a hero.’ Hearing this, the best of the Raghus said to the son of Sumitrā:
Passage 52
अन्यतो युध्यतां वीर भवानहमिहामुना। एक एव करिष्यामि युद्धं वीरवरोचितम्॥५२॥
“‘Hero, fight elsewhere. I alone will battle this one here in a manner befitting the best of warriors.’
Passage 53
ततश्च लक्ष्मणो वीर आज्ञप्तः स्वामिना तथा। अन्यानेव प्रचिच्छेद शरैः कोणपयूथपान्॥५३॥
“Thus commanded by his lord, heroic Lakṣmaṇa cut down other rākṣasa commanders with his arrows.
Passage 54
आर्यस्य पार्श्वगः क्रूरान् बलादापततोऽस्रपान्। चिच्छेदैकैकबाणेन शतशः शतशो रणे॥५४॥
“Remaining at his elder brother's side, he cut down hundreds upon hundreds of cruel blood-drinkers charging forcefully, each with a single arrow.
Passage 55
सम्पूर्णं नवमीदिनं समभवद्युद्धं महासंकुलं वीरेणेन्द्रजिता रघुप्रवरयोस्तत्पृष्ठैश्चास्रपैः। तत्राधिज्यधनुर्धरेण बलिना सौमित्रिणा कोटिशो बाणैरेव हता निशाचरवराः क्षोणीतले शिश्यिरे॥५५॥
“Throughout the entire ninth day, a profoundly confused battle raged between heroic Indrajit, the two foremost Raghus, and the blood-drinkers behind him. There, mighty bow-bearing Lakṣmaṇa slew the foremost night-roamers by the tens of millions with arrows alone, and they lay upon the earth.”