Headless Warriors Run While Rama's Arrows Lay the Champions Down
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 13
Doha 88 · Movement 2 of 3
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Headless trunks run violently through the field while cries of Jaya, Jaya continue to sound. The severed spectacle does not become still. Motion outlives form, and the war keeps its dreadful momentum among bodies already claimed by death.
Warriors clash with skull bowls and swords. Champion brings down champion as the boundaries between combatant, weapon, and remnant dissolve in the courtyard of battle. Around them, the vanaras crush companies of demons, made bold by the strength of Rama.
Showers of Rama's arrows cross the arena and great warriors lie down beneath them in their final sleep. The language grows almost quiet at the end, transforming the same ground that rang with steel and disembodied cries into a courtyard filled with sleeping forms. Rama's power moves through the vanaras who remain standing and through the shafts beside which Ravana's champions will not rise again.
In the courtyard of battle, the roar of headless bodies ends beneath the quiet sleep given by Rama's arrows.
Read the passage from the Manas
बोल्लहिं जो जय जय मुंड रुंड प्रचंड सिर बिनु धावहीं। खप्परिन्ह खग्ग अलुज्झि जुज्झहिं सुभट भटन्ह ढहावहीं।। बानर निसाचर निकर मर्दहिं राम बल दर्पित भए। संग्राम अंगन सुभट सोवहिं राम सर निकरन्हि हए।।
Those headless trunks that cry 'Jaya! Jaya!' run wildly about the field. With skull-cups and swords they clash and fight; mighty champions strike down champions. The monkeys crush the demon hordes, emboldened by Rama's strength. In the courtyard of battle, great warriors lie in their final sleep, felled by showers of Rama's arrows.