Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथास्तमगमद्भानुस्तयोः समिति राक्षसैः। युध्यतोर्वर्षतोर्बाणान् रामलक्ष्मणवीरयोः॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Then the sun set while the heroic Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fought the rākṣasas and poured forth arrows in battle.
Passage 2
ततो रात्रिरभूच्छुक्लनवमी चन्द्ररश्मिभिः। प्रकाशमाना तौ तस्यां युयुधाते निशाचरैः॥२॥
“Then came the bright ninth night, luminous with the moon's rays, and the two brothers fought the night-roamers beneath it.
Passage 3
भ्रातरौ सज्यधनुषौ भूरिसंरम्भभीषणौ। प्रहरन्तौ शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः पातयन्तौ च राक्षसान्॥३॥
“The brothers, their bows strung and dreadful with immense fury, struck with sharp arrows and cast down rākṣasas.
Passage 4
रामस्य धनुरुन्मुक्तैः सायकैरतिदारुणैः। इन्द्रजिच्छिन्नभिन्नाङ्गो विरराम न संयुगात्॥४॥
“Although Indrajit's limbs were torn by the exceedingly terrible shafts released from Rāma's bow, he did not withdraw from battle.
Passage 5
सौमित्रिणा शरव्रातैः पतितान् युधि कोटिशः। संवीक्ष्य राक्षसान् भूमौ मेघनादश्चुकोप ह॥५॥
“Seeing tens of millions of rākṣasas cast upon the earth by the son of Sumitrā's volleys, Meghanāda grew angry. The Battlefield of the Fallen
Passage 6
क्षरद्रुधिरदिग्धाङ्गै राक्षसैरुद्धैः समन्ततः। उत्पतद्भिः पतद्भिश्च भ्रमद्भिः क्षतवेदनैः॥६॥
“Rākṣasas whose limbs were smeared with flowing blood filled every side—leaping, falling, and staggering from the pain of their wounds;
Passage 7
जवनिर्यत्सरिद्वारिनिभप्रवहदस्रकैः। भूरिभूरिदिग्धाङ्गैः कण्ठोद्यच्छासनिःस्वनैः॥७॥
“their blood streamed swiftly like river water; dust filled and coated their bodies, and wheezing sounds rose from their throats;
Passage 8
एकबाह्वक्षिचरणैर्द्विधाभूतैः क्षतार्दितैः। अधोनिपतितैः कैश्चिदुद्बाहुभिरुदङ्घ्रिभिः॥८॥
“some, tormented by wounds and split in two, had only one arm, one eye, or one foot; some had fallen headlong with arms or feet raised;
Passage 9
आघूर्णमानतनुभिर्विपर्यस्तैश्च कैश्चन। उड्डीनपाददोःशीर्षैर्मध्यमात्रावशेषितैः॥९॥
“some bodies reeled or lay overturned, while others remained only as trunks, their feet, arms, and heads severed;
Passage 10
विदीर्णमस्तकैः कैश्चिद्विदीर्णहृदयैरपि। विदीर्णोदरकोष्ठैश्च निर्गतान्त्रकदम्बकैः॥१०॥
“some had split skulls, some had torn hearts, and others had ruptured bellies and bowels with masses of entrails protruding;
Passage 11
कैश्चिद्द्विधाभूतभालैः शरप्रोतैश्च कैश्चन। कैश्चिद्ध्वस्तकपालैश्च रणतल्पावलम्बिभिः॥११॥
“some had brows split in two, some were transfixed by arrows, and some, their skulls crushed, rested upon the bed of battle;
Passage 12
भांकारराविकण्ठैश्च कैश्चिदस्रावशायिभिः। शिवागणोत्कृत्तमांसैर्विचेष्टद्भिरितस्ततः॥१२॥
“some lay in pools of blood, their throats uttering frightful cries, while others writhed here and there as packs of jackals tore away their flesh;
Passage 13
विकीर्णचिकुरैः कैश्चिद्घूर्णमानविलोचनैः। आतस्तरे मही कृत्स्ना सौमित्रिशरताडितैः॥१३॥
“some had disheveled hair and rolling eyes. Struck by Lakṣmaṇa's arrows, they covered the whole earth.
Passage 14
दशकन्धरपुत्रस्य पुरोगैः पार्ष्णिगैरपि। रक्षोभिः समरोत्साहसमायातैः सहस्रशः॥१४॥
“These were the thousands of rākṣasas who had eagerly entered battle as the son of the ten-headed king's vanguard and rear guard.
Passage 15
चन्द्रज्योत्स्नावलक्षायां निशि प्रेतनिशाचरान्। विचिन्वन्तः पिवन्तश्च शोणितं पिशिताशनाः॥१५॥
“In the night made bright by moonlight, flesh-eating spirits searched among the dead rākṣasas and drank their blood.
Passage 16
जत्कुर्वन्तश्च संतृप्ताः शोणितार्द्रैः शिरोगणैः। गुम्फन्तोऽस्रगुणोतैर्मुण्डमालाः सहस्रशः॥१६॥
“Sated, they cried out and strung thousands of garlands from severed heads, threading them upon cords of blood.
Passage 17
चण्डीरुद्रगणास्तत्र विचेरुर्घोरनिःस्वनाः। रामलक्ष्मणयोः श्रेय आशिषाणा समन्ततः॥१७॥
“Fiercely sounding hosts of Caṇḍī and Rudra roamed there, blessing Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with victory from every side.
Passage 18
चर्वयन्त्यो मृदून्यस्थीन्यश्नन्त्यः पिशितानि च। पिबन्त्यो रौधिरीर्धाराः कण्ठेभ्यो रात्रिचारिणाम्॥१८॥
“Female spirits chewed soft bones, ate flesh, and drank streams of blood from the night-roamers' throats.
Passage 19
सद्यः सौमित्रिविशिखैर्निकृत्तेभ्यः कवोष्णिकाः। उद्गारयन्त्योऽसृक्शेषं विचेरुः शतशः शिवाः॥१९॥
“Hundreds of jackals wandered about, drawing out the remaining warm blood from those freshly cut down by Lakṣmaṇa's arrows. Indrajit's Retreat and Return
Passage 20
एवं घोरे रणे वृत्ते राक्षसौघक्षयं करे। कपिसैन्योत्साहकरे रामलक्ष्मणदोर्बलात्॥२०॥
“Thus the terrible battle, driven by the strength of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa's arms, destroyed the rākṣasa host and raised the monkey army's courage.
Passage 21
क्रोधाक्तरक्तनयनः शक्रजिन्निशि विक्रमन्। हतदर्पो ययौ लङ्कां मोहितो रामविक्रमैः॥२१॥
“Indrajit, his blood-red eyes filled with anger, fought through the night; but Rāma's prowess confounded him, shattered his pride, and sent him back to Laṅkā.
Passage 22
पुनरागत्य दुर्वृत्तः समरे क्रोधमूर्छितः। चकार सुमहत्कर्म वीरविस्मयकारकम्॥२२॥
“The wicked one returned to battle, overwhelmed by anger, and performed an immense deed that astonished the warriors.
Passage 23
नागपाशैर्बबन्धाजौ सुदृढं मन्त्रवित्तमः। कपीन्द्रांश्चापि सुग्रीवनलनीलाङ्गदादिकान्॥२३॥
“Supremely skilled in mantra, he tightly bound Sugrīva, Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, and the other monkey lords with serpent-nooses.
Passage 24
तस्य मन्त्रप्रभावेण महामायाविनो रणे। बद्धौ तौ भ्रातरौ घोरैर्नागपाशैः समन्ततः॥२४॥
“Through that great illusionist's mantra-power, the two brothers were bound on every side by terrible serpent-nooses.
Passage 25
बद्धानि कपिसैन्यानि युध्यमानानि राक्षसैः। बभूवुस्तत्क्षणादेव निश्चेष्टानि महानिशि॥२५॥
“The monkey forces fighting the rākṣasas were bound and instantly rendered motionless in the deep night.
Passage 26
सुप्तप्रायं तु तत्सैन्यं रामस्य परितोऽखिलम्। विलोक्य राक्षसाः सर्वे हृदा मुमुदिरेतराम्॥२६॥
“Seeing Rāma's entire surrounding army lying as though asleep, all the rākṣasas rejoiced exceedingly in their hearts. The Serpent-Nooses
Passage 27
तेस्तैर्महाविषज्वालाविषमैर्घोरफूत्कृतैः। फणिभिः कालमेघाभैरुत्फणैरतिभीषणैः॥२७॥
“Those serpent-nooses were dreadful, hooded serpents resembling dark storm clouds, hissing terribly and fierce with flames of potent venom;
Passage 28
विषाग्निविस्फुलिङ्गौघान् मुञ्चद्भिर्लोचनाध्वना। प्रचण्डपवनाटोपं सृजद्भिः सुमहाजवैः॥२८॥
“their eyes discharged masses of sparks from venomous fire, while their immense speed raised a violent gale;
Passage 29
वल्लिभिः कालसूत्राभैः क्रूरदंष्ट्राङ्कुरोद्भटैः। ललत्सुघोररसनैर्वमद्भिर्गरलोत्करान्॥२९॥
“like creeping vines resembling the cord of death, they bore savage budding fangs, brandished fearsome tongues, and vomited masses of poison;
Passage 30
सहस्रधा च शतधा वेष्टितैर्भीमचेष्टितैः। कालाञ्जनचयप्रख्यैः शिरोमणिविभूषणैः॥३०॥
“wrapping their victims hundreds and thousands of times, they moved fearfully, resembled masses of black collyrium, and were adorned with jewels upon their heads;
Passage 31
तस्य मन्त्रबलाहृतैर्मेघनादस्य मायिनः। नागैर्नानाविधैः स्थूलैः फणामण्डलराजिभिः॥३१॥
“many kinds of massive serpents, arrayed in circles of hoods, had been summoned by the illusionist Meghanāda's mantra-power.
Passage 32
नागपाशवताबद्धा रामलक्ष्मणसैनिकाः। निपेतुर्धरणीपृष्ठे निश्चेष्टा मूर्छिता इव॥३२॥
“Bound by the coils of the serpent-nooses, the soldiers of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fell motionless upon the earth as though unconscious.
Passage 33
स्वयं च सुमहावीरौ युध्यन्तावेव तत्क्षणात्। नागपाशैः समाविद्धौ पेततुर्धरणीतले॥३३॥
“At that very moment, while still fighting, the two immensely heroic brothers themselves were pierced and bound by serpent-nooses and fell upon the ground. Indrajit Proclaims Victory
Passage 34
अथेन्द्रजिन्मुदायुक्तो वीक्ष्य तादृग्विषधांश्च तान्। उवाचोद्धतया वाचा राक्षसान् पार्श्ववर्तिनः॥३४॥
“Delighted upon seeing them in that condition beneath the venomous serpents, Indrajit spoke arrogantly to the rākṣasas at his side:
Passage 35
अहो रे राक्षसास्त्रस्तानेतान् परिपश्यत। हस्तग्राह्यशिरोवेष्टान् निश्चेष्टान् पतितान् रणे॥३५॥
“‘Rākṣasas, look closely at these terrified enemies! Their heads and hands are ensnared; they lie motionless in battle.
Passage 36
पश्यतामुं रघुपतिं रामं भुवि सहानुजम्। पतितं नागपाशौघैर्निबद्धं दृढबन्धनैः॥३६॥
“‘Look at Rāma, lord of the Raghus, fallen on the earth with his younger brother and tightly bound by masses of serpent-nooses.
Passage 37
अशक्तं चेष्टितुमपि हस्तात्स्खलितकार्मुकम्। बहवो मे हता आभ्यां राक्षसाः समराङ्गणे॥३७॥
“‘He cannot even move, and his bow has slipped from his hand. These two killed many of my rākṣasas upon the battlefield.
Passage 38
इदानीं क्वानयोर्वीर्यं दोर्बलं क्व च विक्रमः। मर्त्यौ भूत्वा मया सार्धं स्पर्धमानाविमां दशाम्॥३८॥
“‘Where now is their heroism, the strength of their arms, and their prowess? Though mere mortals, they competed with me and have reached this state.
Passage 39
प्राप्तौ पश्यत रणे पतितौ गतचेष्टितौ। अमी कपिभटाः सर्वे पतिता धरणीतले॥३९॥
“‘See the two of them fallen and motionless in battle. All these monkey warriors too have fallen upon the ground,
Passage 40
मूर्छिता इव निश्चेष्टा नागपाशैर्दृढं सिताः। विक्रमं पश्यतामीषामिदानीं दोर्बलं च तत्॥४०॥
“‘motionless as though unconscious and tightly bound by serpent-nooses. Look now at their prowess and that strength of arm!
Passage 41
मया सह धृतस्पर्धाः प्राप्नुवन्तीदृशीं दशाम्। किमत्र चित्रं त्रैलोक्ये एकवीरोऽस्म्यहं यतः॥४१॥
“‘Those who dare compete with me attain such a condition. What is surprising in this? I alone am the hero of the three worlds.
Passage 42
को मे प्रतिभटो लोके कृत्स्नेऽस्मिन् सचराचरे। अवस्थां पश्यतामीषां पतितानां रणाङ्गणे॥४२॥
“‘Who in this entire world of moving and unmoving beings can oppose me? Behold the condition of those fallen upon the battlefield!’
Passage 43
एवं वदति सोत्साहं मेघनादे मुदान्विते। उदस्थाज्जयनिर्घोषो निशाचरचमूगतः॥४३॥
“As delighted Meghanāda spoke so exultantly, a thunderous cry of victory rose from the night-roamer army.
Passage 44
भेरीदुन्दुभिनिःसानपटहानकगोमुखैः। शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गाद्यैर्निशाचरकराहतैः॥४४॥
“The night-roamers struck kettledrums, war drums, paṭahas, ānakas, gomukhas, conches, trumpets, mṛdaṅgas, and other instruments.
Passage 45
समभूद्भूरिनिर्घोषो जयवादित्रसम्भवः। जितं जितमिति स्वैरं राक्षसाः समवादिषुः॥४५॥
“An immense roar arose from the victory instruments, and the rākṣasas freely cried, ‘Victory! Victory!’
Passage 46
ततो जयोत्साहविवृद्धमानसः समुत्क्षिपन् बाहुयुगं मदेन सः। सुरेन्द्रजिद्रात्रिचरैः सुहर्षितैर्विवेश लङ्काधिपतेर्निकेतनम्॥४६॥
“Then Indrajit, his heart swelling with the excitement of victory, proudly raised both arms and entered the lord of Laṅkā's palace with the greatly delighted night-roamers.”