Ravana Drives His Fleeing Army Back With the Edge of His Own Sword
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 42
Doha 42 · Movement 1 of 2
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Through Rama's power the vanara host crushes demon formations and climbs the fortress from every side. Glory to Raghuvira, radiant as the sun. The defenders scatter like banks of cloud driven apart by a violent wind.
Grief fills the city. Children cry, anguished women tremble, and citizens curse the king whose rule has summoned death to their homes. Ravana hears that his army has broken and sends the warriors back. Whoever turns from battle, he threatens, will die beneath his own terrible sword.
You consumed the kingdom's wealth and enjoyed every pleasure, he tells them. Why cherish life now upon the field? Fear of the king joins shame before one another, and the demons turn again in anger. The old warrior's law that honor lies in dying face to face with the enemy hardens their resolve. They release their grasp on life and reenter the battle.
Caught between the vanaras and Ravana's blade, the fleeing army turns back toward the storm it cannot escape.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम प्रताप प्रबल कपिजूथा। मर्दहिं निसिचर सुभट बरूथा।। चढ़े दुर्ग पुनि जहँ तहँ बानर। जय रघुबीर प्रताप दिवाकर।। चले निसाचर निकर पराई। प्रबल पवन जिमि घन समुदाई।। हाहाकार भयउ पुर भारी। रोवहिं बालक आतुर नारी।। सब मिलि देहिं रावनहि गारी। राज करत एहिं मृत्यु हँकारी।। निज दल बिचल सुनी तेहिं काना। फेरि सुभट लंकेस रिसाना।। जो रन बिमुख सुना मैं काना। सो मैं हतब कराल कृपाना।। सर्बसु खाइ भोग करि नाना। समर भूमि भए बल्लभ प्राना।। उग्र बचन सुनि सकल डेराने। चले क्रोध करि सुभट लजाने।। सन्मुख मरन बीर कै सोभा। तब तिन्ह तजा प्रान कर लोभा।।
By Rama's glorious power, the mighty monkey host crushes the demon warriors and their formations. The monkeys scaled the fortress from every side. Victory to Raghubir, whose glory is radiant as the sun! The demon hordes fled in retreat, scattered like clouds before a powerful wind. A great cry of distress arose in the city; children wept and women trembled in anguish. All together they cursed Ravana: 'His rule has summoned death itself upon us.' Hearing of his own army's retreat, the enraged lord of Lanka turned his warriors back. 'Whoever I hear has turned his face from battle, him I shall slay with my terrible sword.' 'You have consumed all wealth and enjoyed every pleasure. Now on the battlefield, have your lives become so dear?' Hearing these harsh words, all were frightened; the shamed warriors went forth in renewed fury. To die facing the enemy is a warrior's true glory. Then they abandoned their clinging to life.