Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अथाष्टमीदिने वीरो मेघनादः सुरेन्द्रजित्। देवीं निकुम्भाभिलां नाम वरदामारराध ह॥१॥
Brahmā said: “Then, on the eighth day, the hero Meghanāda, conqueror of Indra, worshiped the boon-giving goddess named Nikumbhābhilā.
Passage 2
तस्या आराधनादेष लप्स्यते वरमुत्तमम्। ससुरासुरमर्त्येषु लोकेषु न हि केनचित्॥२॥
“Through worshiping her he was to obtain a supreme boon: no one in the worlds of gods, asuras, and mortals would be able to overcome him.
Passage 3
शक्यो जेतुमिति ज्ञात्वा रामभक्तो विभीषणः। बोधयामास तं वृत्तं बद्धाञ्जलिपुटः पुरः॥३॥
“Knowing this, Rāma's devotee Vibhīṣaṇa stood before him with joined palms and explained what was happening.
Passage 4
अद्य प्रभो स दुष्टात्मा मेघनादोऽतिदारुणः। आराधयति लङ्कायाः पूर्वद्वारान्तिके रहः॥४॥
“‘Lord, today that wicked and exceedingly dreadful Meghanāda is worshiping in secret near Laṅkā's eastern gate.
Passage 5
महाघोरे वनोद्देशे नानादुःसत्त्वसंकुले। निकुम्भाभिलां नाम देवीं वरदां सुप्रसादिनीम्॥५॥
“‘In a most terrible tract of forest crowded with many dangerous creatures, he worships the goddess named Nikumbhābhilā, a gracious giver of boons.
Passage 6
शीघ्रसाध्यवरां चैव ततो लब्ध्वा महावरम्। दुर्जेय एव भविता त्रैलोक्येऽपि सुरासुरैः॥६॥
“‘She grants boons swiftly. Once he obtains her great boon, even the gods and asuras throughout the three worlds will find him impossible to defeat.
Passage 7
इति ज्ञात्वा रिपोस्तस्य देव्याराधनकर्मणि। हनुमत्प्रमुखैर्वीरैर्विघ्न एव विधीयताम्॥७॥
“‘Knowing this, let Hanumān and the other heroes disrupt our enemy's rite of worship to the goddess.
Passage 8
वध्यश्चैष सुघोरात्मा त्वरितं लोककण्टकः। इति रक्षःपतेर्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा रामो महामतिः॥८॥
“‘This dreadful scourge of the world must be killed without delay.’ Hearing these words from the lord of the rākṣasas, wise Rāma acted.
Passage 9
हनुमत्प्रमुखान् वीरानादिदेश च लक्ष्मणम्। रे रे कपिवरा अद्य देवीं नाम्ना निकुम्भाभिलाम्॥९॥
“He commanded Lakṣmaṇa and the heroes led by Hanumān: ‘Foremost monkeys, today the wicked Indrajit is worshiping the goddess named Nikumbhābhilā.
Passage 10
आराधयत्यसौ दुष्टो घोरकर्मा सुरेन्द्रजित्। मन्त्राहुतिभिरत्यर्थं संतर्प्याग्निं स मन्त्रवित्॥१०॥
“‘That cruel worker of terrible deeds, conqueror of Indra and knower of mantras, is abundantly satisfying the fire with mantra-charged oblations.
Passage 11
दत्त्वा पूर्णाहुतिं यावल्लभते न महावरम्। तावत्तत्राखिला यूयं गत्वा कुरुत विघ्नकम्॥११॥
“‘Before he offers the final oblation and obtains the mighty boon, all of you go there and disrupt the rite.
Passage 12
नो चेल्लब्धवरो भूयः स्यादजेयः सुरासुरैः। त्वं च तत्र द्रुतं गत्वा सौमित्रे जहि ते रिपुम्॥१२॥
“‘Otherwise, once he has received the boon, gods and asuras alike will again be unable to defeat him. Son of Sumitrā, hurry there and kill your enemy.
Passage 13
बाणैर्वज्रनिभैस्तीक्ष्णैरर्धचन्द्रसमैर्भृशम्। निकृत्य समरेऽङ्गानि भुवि पातय विद्विषम्॥१३॥
“‘With sharp, thunderbolt-like arrows and powerful half-moon shafts, sever his limbs in battle and cast the enemy upon the earth.’ Lakṣmaṇa and the Monkey Army Advance
Passage 14
इत्यादाय प्रभोराज्ञां कपीन्द्रा बलवत्तराः। हनुमत्प्रमुखाः सर्वे प्रचेलुर्बद्धकक्षकाः॥१४॥
“Receiving the Lord's command, all the immensely strong monkey chiefs led by Hanumān set out, girded for battle.
Passage 15
रामस्यामृतसंस्रावैः करस्पर्शनलालनैः। पूर्वक्षतानि सर्वेषां प्रत्यङ्गं प्रशमं ययुः॥१५॥
“The nectar-streaming caresses of Rāma's hand had soothed every earlier wound on every limb of them all.
Passage 16
तेषां पुरश्च सौमित्रिः प्रणम्य रघुवल्लभम्। लब्धप्रसादस्तस्याशु विजेतुं शत्रुमाहवे॥१६॥
“At their head went Sumitrā's son. He bowed to the beloved Raghu, received his blessing, and hastened to conquer the enemy in battle.
Passage 17
सद्यः पराचलद्धीर आबद्धकवचो बली। धनुर्धरः कटिद्वन्द्वबद्धतूणीर उद्धतः॥१७॥
“The steadfast and powerful bowman immediately marched forth, his armor fastened and quivers bound at both sides of his waist.
Passage 18
तेषां निर्गच्छतां घोरघनवन्मतिगर्जताम्। संरम्भः सुमहानासीन्मेघनादवधोचितः॥१८॥
“As they departed roaring mightily like terrible storm clouds, a tremendous battle-fury arose in them, fit for Meghanāda's destruction.
Passage 19
अथ सुग्रीवहनुमन्नलनीलाङ्गदादयः। कपीन्द्राः सुमहावीराः कोटिकोटिबलैर्युताः॥१९॥
“Sugrīva, Hanumān, Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, and the other great monkey heroes were accompanied by forces numbering countless millions.
Passage 20
सह लक्ष्मणवीरेण सोत्साहा धावनोद्धताः। सर्वे तत्र परिप्रापुर्वनोद्देशेऽतिदारुणे॥२०॥
“Full of zeal and rushing forward with the hero Lakṣmaṇa, they all reached that exceedingly dreadful tract of forest.
Passage 21
यत्राराधयते देवीं घोरकर्मा सुरेन्द्रजित्। जपैर्होमैः स्तुतिगणैर्बलिदानैः सहस्रशः॥२१॥
“There the conqueror of Indra, performer of terrible deeds, worshiped the goddess with recitations, fire offerings, hosts of hymns, and thousands of sacrifices.
Passage 22
धूपदीपादिविधिभिः पृथङ्नैवेद्यराशिभिः। यावत्पूर्णाहुतिं दत्त्वा लभते न महावरम्॥२२॥
“He employed incense, lamps, and the other rites, with separate heaps of food offerings. Before he could make the final oblation and obtain the great boon—
Passage 23
प्रत्यक्षीकृत्य तां देवीमाशुतोषां निकुम्भाभिलाम्। तावदेते महोद्दामवीर्याः सर्वे कपीश्वराः॥२३॥
“before he could bring the quickly pleased goddess Nikumbhābhilā visibly before him—all those monkey lords of fiercely surging valor arrived.
Passage 24
सौमित्रिणा सह प्राप्ताः कर्मविध्वंसनोद्धुराः। ते द्वारपालान् प्रसभं राक्षसानतिदारुणान्॥२४॥
“They came with Sumitrā's son, resolute upon destroying the rite, and violently attacked the exceedingly dreadful rākṣasa gatekeepers.
Passage 25
निजघ्नुर्घोरनिर्घोषान् नानाशस्त्रप्रहारिणः। शिलावृक्षादिभिः सर्वे युगपत्कृतसम्मताः॥२५॥
“The roaring guards struck with many kinds of weapons, but the monkeys, acting together, killed them all with rocks, trees, and other missiles.
Passage 26
ते राक्षसाः सुसंक्रुद्धा यथास्थानं मनीषिणा। स्थापितास्तेन बलिना मेघनादेन निर्भयाः॥२६॥
“Those fearless rākṣasas had been stationed at their appointed places by the prudent and powerful Meghanāda.
Passage 27
प्राप्तान् वीक्ष्य कपीन्द्रांस्तान् बलात्प्रहरतोऽखिलान्। उच्चैः संचुक्रुशुर्घोराः परित्रस्ताः समन्ततः॥२७॥
“Seeing the monkey chiefs arrive and attack them all by force, the terrible guards became thoroughly frightened and cried aloud on every side.
Passage 28
तेषामाक्रोशतां भूयो द्वारेषु द्वाररक्षिणाम्। शुश्राव निनदं घोरं मेघनादोऽन्तरस्थितः॥२८॥
“From within, Meghanāda heard the dreadful clamor of the gatekeepers crying again and again at the entrances.
Passage 29
किमेतदित्यादिदेश पार्श्वस्थान् राक्षसोत्तमान्। ते धावमानाः परितो द्वारदेशं समाययुः॥२९॥
“Asking, ‘What is this?’ he sent the foremost rākṣasas standing beside him. They rushed out and reached the gateway from every side. Seven Defenses Fall and the Rite Is Broken
Passage 30
यत्र वानरसैन्यौघैर्हन्यन्ते द्वाररक्षकाः। राक्षसाः कोटिसंख्याता गृहीतविविधायुधाः॥३०॥
“They came where floods of monkey troops were killing the gatekeepers. Millions of rākṣasas took up weapons of every kind.
Passage 31
अथ तूर्णं समागत्य केचिदिन्द्रजितोऽन्तिकम्। ऊचिरे राक्षसास्त्रस्ताः सौमित्रिविशिखोत्करैः॥३१॥
“Some terrified rākṣasas, assailed by Sumitrā's son's volleys of arrows, hurried to Indrajit and addressed him.
Passage 32
महाराजकुमार त्वं निश्चिन्तो वर्तसे किमु। हन्यन्ते द्वारदेशे ते राक्षसाः कोटिशः परे॥३२॥
“‘Great prince, why do you remain unconcerned? At the gateway your rākṣasas are being killed by the millions.
Passage 33
सर्वेऽप्येते द्वारपाला यथास्थानं निवेशिताः। सप्तव्यूहान् विनिर्भिद्य प्राप्तप्राया इहापि ते॥३३॥
“‘All the gatekeepers stationed at their posts have fallen. The attackers have broken through seven formations and are almost here.
Passage 34
तेषां पुरः स सौमित्रिर्धृतधन्वा यथान्तकः। वर्षञ्छरोत्करान् भूयो भिनत्ति रजनीचरान्॥३४॥
“‘At their head stands Sumitrā's son, bow in hand like Death itself. Showering masses of arrows, he is cutting down the night-roamers again and again.’
Passage 35
तत इन्द्रजिताऽऽज्ञप्ताः केचिद्राक्षसयूथपाः। अहो वीरा बलीमुख्या इमान् स्तम्भयत द्विषः॥३५॥
“Indrajit then commanded several rākṣasa commanders: ‘Mighty and foremost heroes, hold these enemies back.
Passage 36
मुहूर्तं युध्यमानांस्तान् विलम्बयत यात भोः। यावत्कर्म समाप्याहमुत्तिष्ठेयं धृतायुधः॥३६॥
“‘Go and delay them in battle for a short while, until I complete the rite and rise with weapons in hand.’
Passage 37
इत्यादिष्टा निशिचरा घोरा रावणसूनुना। समेत्य तैर्युयुधिरे सौमित्रिबलवानरैः॥३७॥
“Thus commanded by Rāvaṇa's son, the dreadful night-roamers assembled and fought Sumitrā's son and the monkey force.
Passage 38
शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि घोराणि वर्षन्तो वानरान् प्रति। ते लक्ष्मणेन निशितैः शरैर्विद्राविताः क्षणात्॥३८॥
“They rained terrible weapons and missiles upon the monkeys, but Lakṣmaṇa routed them in an instant with keen arrows.
Passage 39
हनुमान् बद्धकक्षोटः क्रोधताम्रविलोचनः। आक्रम्य पोथयामास राक्षसान् धरणीतले॥३९॥
“Hanumān, girded for combat and his eyes copper-red with anger, charged and pounded the rākṣasas into the earth.
Passage 40
केचिद् द्विधा कृता भूमौ राक्षसास्तेन पातिताः। सुग्रीवबाहुनिर्मुक्तशिलाभूरूहकोटिभिः॥४०॥
“He tore some rākṣasas in two and cast them to the ground. Countless rocks and trees hurled from Sugrīva's arms struck others down.
Passage 41
चूर्णिताः शेरते भूम्यां यातुधानाः सहस्रशः। भ्रामयित्वा परे दिक्षु वालिपुत्रेण पातिताः॥४१॥
“Thousands of rākṣasas lay pulverized upon the earth. Vāli's son whirled still others around and flung them toward the quarters.
Passage 42
नलनीलादिभिः केचिद्गदापातैर्विचूर्णिताः। दुर्मुखो द्विविदो मैन्दः कुमुदः कपिकुञ्जरः॥४२॥
“Nala, Nīla, and the others crushed some beneath blows of their maces, while Durmukha, Dvivida, Mainda, and the mighty monkey Kumuda joined the assault.
Passage 43
राक्षसांश्चिक्षिपुः सर्वे कपयः शीघ्रकारिणः। लक्ष्मणस्य शितैर्बाणैर्वज्रनिर्घातराविभिः॥४३॥
“All the swift-moving monkeys hurled the rākṣasas away, while Lakṣmaṇa's sharp arrows resounded like thunderbolt strikes.
Passage 44
सहस्रशो हता भूमौ निपेतुः शोणितोत्कराः। इत्थं संहृत्य बलिनो रक्षोव्यूहाननेकशः॥४४॥
“Killed by the thousands, the rākṣasas fell upon the earth in heaps of blood. Thus the powerful monkeys destroyed formation after formation of the enemy.
Passage 45
अन्तः प्रविविशुर्यत्र मेघनादः क्रियाकुलः। पूर्णाहुतावदत्तायां कीशास्तं पर्यवेष्टयन्॥४५॥
“The monkeys entered the inner place where Meghanāda was absorbed in the rite. Before the final oblation had been offered, they surrounded him.
Passage 46
बभञ्जुः केऽपि पात्राणि केचिन्मण्डपमक्षिपन्। केऽप्यग्निं शमयामासुः केऽप्यघ्नन् कर्म ऋत्विजः॥४६॥
“Some smashed the ritual vessels, some tore down the pavilion, some extinguished the fire, and others struck the officiating priests.
Passage 47
ततः स कुपितो वीरो ध्वस्तकर्मा सुरेन्द्रजित्। दृष्ट्वा सौमित्रिमुत्तस्थौ संहितेषुर्धनुर्धरः॥४७॥
“His rite destroyed, the heroic conqueror of Indra became furious. Seeing Sumitrā's son, the bowman rose with an arrow fitted to his bow. The Six-Day Duel and Sulochanā's Lament
Passage 48
ततस्तयोरभूद्युद्धं सौमित्रिबलभिज्जितोः। परस्परं प्रहरतोर्विशिखानतिदारुणान्॥४८॥
“A battle then began between Sumitrā's son and the strength-breaking conqueror, each striking the other with exceedingly dreadful arrows.
Passage 49
गर्जतोः संतर्जयतोरन्योन्यविजयैषिणोः। अन्योन्यस्य शरव्रातानन्योन्यं विनिकृन्ततोः॥४९॥
“They roared and threatened one another, each seeking victory, and each cut apart the other's masses of arrows.
Passage 50
अन्योन्यमर्मतुदतोर्विचित्ररणदक्षयोः। अन्योन्यमारावयतोः प्रहारैः सकला दिशः॥५०॥
“Both were masters of extraordinary combat, piercing each other's vital points and making all the quarters resound with their blows.
Passage 51
गिरीनिवोज्जासयतोर्वज्रैरिव शरोत्करैः। यावद्दिनानि यद्घोरं युद्धं समभवत्तयोः॥५१॥
“With masses of arrows like thunderbolts they seemed to blast mountains apart. For days that terrible battle continued between them.
Passage 52
षष्ठेऽह्नि सम्प्रहरतस्तस्य घोरैः शिलीमुखैः। अर्धचन्द्रेषुणाकृन्तत् सौमित्रिर्भुजमुद्धतम्॥५२॥
“On the sixth day, as Indrajit attacked with terrible arrows, Sumitrā's son cut off his raised arm with a half-moon shaft.
Passage 53
जविना तस्य बाणेन कृत्तः शक्रजितो भुजः। उड्डीय व्योममार्गेण ययौ यत्र सुलोचना॥५३॥
“Severed by that swift arrow, Indrajit's arm flew through the path of the sky to where Sulochanā was.
Passage 54
सखीनिवहमध्यस्था कीर्तयन्ती गुणोत्करम्। रक्षोराजकुमारस्य भर्तुरर्धाङ्गगामिनी॥५४॥
“Surrounded by her companions, the devoted wife who shared her husband's very being was singing the many virtues of the rākṣasa prince.
Passage 55
महासती महाचारा महासौन्दर्यशालिनी। तस्याः पाणितले बाहुः पपात विपुलाङ्गदी॥५५॥
“She was a supremely faithful wife, noble in conduct and endowed with extraordinary beauty. His arm, bearing a massive armlet, fell into her hands.
Passage 56
अथ सा निजपर्यङ्कादुत्तीर्य विपुलेक्षणा। विललाप भुजं पत्युरालिङ्ग्य प्रेमकातरा॥५६॥
“The wide-eyed woman rose from her couch and, overcome by love, embraced her husband's arm and lamented.
Passage 57
हा वीर हा गुणागार हा मत्प्राणैकजीवन। हा परानीकमथन कृत्तः केन भुजस्तव॥५७॥
“‘Alas, hero! Alas, treasury of virtue, sole life of my life! Crusher of enemy armies, who has severed your arm?
Passage 58
अयं विकर्षन् मम मेखलागुणं दधत्सुपीनस्तनकुड्मलाङ्कम्। मिलन् सुनाभीजघनोरुवर्मभिर्बलेन नीवीं श्लथयन् करस्तव॥५८॥
“‘This hand of yours used to pull my girdle-cord, bearing the marks of my full breast-buds; meeting the armor of my lovely navel, hips, and thighs, it would forcefully loosen my lower garment.
Passage 59
कदा नु मां वीरवराङ्कमोक्ष्यते गतश्च सद्यः किमिवेदृशीं दशाम्। कदा नु नाकेशपुरीकपाटयोः प्रभञ्जनं कौतुकतः करिष्यते॥५९॥
“‘When will it again release me from the foremost hero's embrace? Why has it suddenly come to such a state? When will it playfully shatter the gates of the lord of heaven's city?
Passage 60
कदा नु नाकप्रमदाः कचोत्करे प्रगृह्य कर्षिष्यति वीर कौतुकात्। कदा पलायत्सुरकिन्नरश्रियो जवाच्च वेणीमिव तां कृपाणिकाम्॥६०॥
“‘Hero, when will it again playfully seize and pull the luxuriant hair of heaven's women? When will it swiftly seize the sword of a fleeing celestial or kinnara beauty as though it were her braid?’ Indrajit Falls and the Victors Return
Passage 61
इत्थं विलप्य सा बाला रुदन्ती करुणस्वरम्। मूर्छिता न्यपतद्भूमौ सखीसंदोहमध्यगा॥६१॥
“Lamenting thus in a pitiful voice, the young woman wept, fainted, and fell to the ground amid her companions.
Passage 62
अथ तस्य रणे क्रुद्धो लक्ष्मणः परदर्पहा। द्वितीयमपि चिच्छेद भुजमत्यर्थकर्कशम्॥६२॥
“Meanwhile in battle, Lakṣmaṇa, destroyer of enemy pride, became enraged and cut off Indrajit's other immensely powerful arm.
Passage 63
कृत्ते भुजद्वये तस्य कार्मुकं न्यपतद्भुवि। द्रुतं सहैव लङ्केशराज्यश्रीभोगमङ्गलैः॥६३॥
“When both his arms were severed, his bow immediately fell to the earth, together with every auspicious enjoyment of the glory of Laṅkā's royal fortune.
Passage 64
अथ तस्य शिरः कूटमहाद्रिग्रावकर्कशम्। अर्धचन्द्रमिते भल्ले निरकृन्तत लक्ष्मणः॥६४॥
“Lakṣmaṇa then severed his head, hard as the rock of a towering mountain peak, with a broad arrow shaped like a half moon.
Passage 65
तथापि नापतद्भूमौ कृतालीढपदस्थितिः। रुण्ड एव बलेनास्थान्महासत्त्वो निशाचरः॥६५॥
“Even then the mighty night-roamer did not fall to the ground. Headless, he remained standing by sheer strength in the warrior's ālīḍha stance.
Passage 66
तस्य प्राणानिलाः कण्ठान्निर्यान्तो वेगवत्तराः। भांकारभूरिनिर्घोषैः पूरयाञ्चक्रिरे नभः॥६६॥
“The powerful life-winds rushing from his neck filled the sky with tremendous humming roars.
Passage 67
छिन्नमूर्धाप्यसौ भीम उपगन्तुं न शक्यते। करिष्यत इवात्यर्थं पुनरप्युग्रविक्रमम्॥६७॥
“Though his head was severed, the terrifying warrior still could not be approached; he seemed ready to unleash another exceedingly violent assault.
Passage 68
ततो जयजयेत्युच्चैर्दिवि देवाः सवासवाः। कल्पवृक्षप्रसूनौघै रामानुजमवाकिरन्॥६८॥
“Then Indra and the gods in heaven cried, ‘Victory! Victory!’ and showered Rāma's younger brother with floods of blossoms from the wish-fulfilling trees.
Passage 69
त्रैलोक्यकण्टको ह्येष यथा क्षिप्तः शरैस्तव। तथास्य जनकोऽप्युच्चै रामेण क्षिप्यतां रणे॥६९॥
“‘As this scourge of the three worlds has been struck down by your arrows, so may his father also be cast down by Rāma in battle.’
Passage 70
देवदुन्दुभिजो घोषः परितो व्यानशे दिवि। हर्षिताश्च सुराः सर्वे तस्मिन् दुष्टे क्षयं गते॥७०॥
“The sound of celestial drums spread throughout the heavens, and all the gods rejoiced when that wicked one met his end.
Passage 71
दिशां प्रसादः समभूत् स्वयमेव समन्ततः। हृष्टाश्च कपयः सर्वे नलनीलाङ्गदादयः॥७१॥
“The quarters spontaneously became clear on every side, and all the monkeys, including Nala, Nīla, and Aṅgada, rejoiced.
Passage 72
हनुमत्सुग्रीवमुखास्तुष्टुवुस्तं धनुर्धरम्। राघवेन्द्रानुजं वीरं शक्रजिद्विनिषूदनम्॥७२॥
“Hanumān, Sugrīva, and the others praised that bowman—the heroic younger brother of the lord of the Raghus and destroyer of Indrajit.
Passage 73
तत आदाय तच्छीर्षं देवीं तां च निकुम्भाभिलाम्। सोपहारामिव प्रीतामाजग्मुर्विजयोजिताः॥७३॥
“Then, taking Indrajit's head and the goddess Nikumbhābhilā, pleased as though she had received an offering, the victors departed in triumph.
Passage 74
सर्वे कपिवरास्तुष्टाः कृत्वा रामानुजं पुरः। सप्रावृषेण्यजलदा उदीच्याः पवना इव॥७४॥
“All the foremost monkeys joyfully placed Rāma's younger brother at their head, like rain-season clouds advancing with northern winds.
Passage 75
रामावासस्थलीं प्राप्ताः साटोपाः सोत्सवाननाः। गर्जन्तो जयनिर्घोषैः केचित्पूरितगोमुखाः॥७५॥
“They reached Rāma's encampment in splendor, their faces festive, roaring cries of victory while some sounded their gomukha horns.
Passage 76
तेषां मध्यस्थः सुमित्रातनूजो रामस्योच्चैर्घोषयन् जेत्रनादम्। बिभ्रद्दोष्णोः कार्मुकज्याकिणाङ्कान् दृष्टो दूराद्रामचन्द्रेण वीरः॥७६॥
“In their midst, Sumitrā's heroic son loudly proclaimed Rāma's victory cry. Bearing on both arms the scars of the bowstring, he was seen from afar by Rāmacandra.”