Yuddha Kanda: Chapter 100

तस्मिन्प्रतिहतेऽस्त्रे तु रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। क्रोधं च द्विगुणं चक्रे क्रोधाच्चास्त्रमनन्तरम्॥ मयेन विहितं रौद्रमन्यदस्त्रं महाद्युतिः। उत्स्रष्टुं रावणो भीमं राघवाय प्रचक्रमे॥
On that weapon of his hvaing been baffled, Rāvaņa lord of the Rākṣasas-was fired with double fury, and the highly effuigent Rāvaņa from wrath set about discharging at Rāghava a dreadful Rudra weapon, which had been। conferred on him by Maya.

ततः शूलानि निश्चेरुर्गदाश्च मुसलानि च। कार्मुकाद्दीप्यमानानि वज्रसाराणि सर्वशः॥ मुद्गराः कूटपाशाश्च दीप्ताश्चाशनयस्तथा। निष्पेतुर्विविधास्तीक्ष्णा वाता इव युगक्षये॥
And from his bow began to issue forth in large numbers darts and maces and clubs, flaming and having the might of thunder; and various kinds of sharp clubs and diggers and nooses and flaming thunderbolts began to i descend like to the winds at the universal tumbling.

तदत्रं राघवः श्रीमानुत्तमास्त्रविदां वरः। जघान परमात्रेण गान्धर्वेण महाद्युतिः॥
Thereupon the graceful and exceedingly effulgent Rāghava-foremost of those accomplished in noble arms-resisted that weapon with a powerful Gandharva weapon.

तस्मिन्प्रतिहतेऽस्त्रे तु राघवेण महात्मना। रावणः क्रोधताम्राक्षः सौरमस्त्रमुदरीयत्॥
On that weapon being baffled by the highsouled Raghava, Rävaņa, with his eyes rendered coppery with passion took up a Solar weapon.

ततश्चक्राणि निष्पेतु स्वराणि महान्ति च। कार्मुकाद्भीमवेगस्य दशग्रीवस्य धीमतः।७।।
Thereupon from the bow of the wondrous vehement and intelligent Ten-necked one rushed out discuses flaming and mighty.

तैरासीद्गगनं दीप्तं संपतद्भिः समन्ततः। पतद्भिश्च दिशो दीप्तैश्चन्द्रसूर्ग्रहैरिव।।।।
The firmament all round blazed up with those impendent (arms) as blaze up the cardinal quarters on the Sun and the Moon and the planets dropping down.

तानि चिच्छेद बाणौधैश्चक्राणि तु स राघवः। आयुधानि च चित्राणि रावणस्य चमूमुखे।।।।
Thereat Rāghava in the van of that army by means of vollies of shafts cut off Rāvana's wonderful weapons and discuses.

तदत्रं तु हतं दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। विव्याध दशभिर्बाणै रामं सर्वेषु मर्मसु॥
Seeing that weapon destroyed, Ravana-lord of Rakşasas-with ten arrows pierced Rāma all through his vitals.

स विद्धो दशभिर्बाणैर्महाकार्मुकनिःसृतैः। रावणेन महातेजा न प्राकम्पत राघवः॥
And pierced by Rāyaṇa with those ten shafts discharged from his mighty bow the exceedingly powerful Rāghava did not so much shake.

ततो विव्याध गात्रेषु सर्वेषु समितिंजयः। राघवस्तु सुसंकुद्धो रावणं बहुभिः शरैः॥
Then Rāghava-victor fight-waxing wondrous wroth, with countless shafts pierced Ravaņa all over his person.

एतस्मिनन्तरे क्रुद्धो राघवस्यानुजो बली। लक्ष्मण: सायकान्सप्त जग्राह परवीरहा॥
In the meanwhile Raghava's younger brother, the mighty Lakşmaņa-destroyer of foes-growing enraged, took up seven arrows.

तैः सायकैर्महावेगै रावणस्य महाद्युतिः। ध्वजं मनुष्यशीर्ष तु तस्य चिच्छेद नैकधा॥
With those highly impetuous arrows that exceedingly effulgent one severed the humanheaded standard of Råvaņa.

सारथेश्चापि बाणेन शिरो ज्वलितकुण्डलम्। जहार लक्ष्मणः श्रीमानैर्ऋतस्य महाबलः॥
The mighty and graceful Lakşmaņa with a shafts cut off the head of the Nairta's charioteer, illumined with ear-rings.

तस्य बाणैश्च चिच्छेद धनुर्गजकरोपमम्। लक्ष्मणो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पञ्चभिनिशितैस्तदा॥
Then with five sharpened arrows Lakşmaņa severed the bow the bow of the Räkşasa-chief, resembling the trunk of an elephant.

नीलमेघनिभांश्चास्य सदश्वान्पर्वतोपमान्। जघानाप्लुत्य गदया रावणस्य विभीषणः॥
Vibhīşaņa, bounding up, with his mace despatched Ravana's excellent steeds, resembling hills or dark-blue clouds.

हताश्वात्तु तदा वेगादवप्लुत्य महारथात्। कोपमाहारयत्तीवं भ्रातरं प्रति रावणः॥
Thereat leaping down from his mighty car, whose horses had been slain, Råvana was fired with high wrath against his brother.

ततः शक्तिं महाशक्तिः प्रदीप्तामशनीमिव। विभीषणाय चिक्षेप राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान्॥
The powerful lord of Raksasas endowed with immense strength, hurled at Vibhīşaņa a dart resembling the flaming thunder-bolt.

अप्राप्तामेव तां बाणैत्रिभिश्चिच्छेद लक्ष्मणः। अथोदतिष्ठत्संनादो वानराणां महारणे॥
Ere the dart had reached its destination, Laks mana severed it with three shafts; and thereat in that mighty conflict there arose a mighty uproar from the monkeys.

संपपात त्रिधा छिन्ना शक्तिः काञ्चनमालिनी। सविस्फुलिङ्गा ज्वलिता महोल्केव दिवश्च्युता॥
The dart dight with networks of gold fell down in three fragments, as dropped a mighty meteor from the firmament, flaming and shooting out scintillations.

ततः संभाविततरां कालेनापि दुरासदाम्। जग्राह विपुलां शक्ति दीप्यमानां स्वतेजसा।२२।।
Then (Ravana) took up a huge dart, glowing in its own energy, celebrated as being irresistible, and incapable of being borne by the Destroyer himself.

सा वेगिता बलवता रावणेन दुरात्मना। जज्वाल सुमहातेजा दीप्ताशनिसमप्रभा॥
On being whirled by the impious and strong Rāvana, the dart possessed of exceeding energy, flamed up

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरो लक्ष्मणस्तं विभीषणम्। प्राणसंशयमापनं तूर्णमभ्यवपद्यत॥ तं विमोक्षयितुं वीरश्चापमायम्य लक्ष्मणः। रावणं शक्तिहस्तं वै शरवषैरवाकिरत्॥ कीर्यमाणः शरौघेण विसृष्टेन महात्मना। स प्रहर्तुं मनश्चक्रे विमुखीकृतविक्रमः॥
In the mean while the heroic Lakşmaņa swiftly come to the side of Vibhīsaņa, * whose life was placed in peril. And in order to save him that hero-Lakşmaņa drawing his bow, covered the dart, handed Rāvana with showers of shafts. On being covered with arrows shot by that high souled one, Rāvaņa with his prowess baffled, make up his mind to let (his brother) go. *The commentator explains; Himself coming before the dart Lakşmaņa saved Vibhîşaņa.

मोक्षितं भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणेन स रावणः। लक्ष्मणाभिमुखस्तिष्ठनिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Seeing his brother delivered by Lakşmana, Ravana, facing Laksmana spoke these words.

मोक्षितस्ते बलश्लाघिन्यस्मादेवं विभीषणः। विमुच्य राक्षसं शक्तिस्त्वयीयं विनिपात्यते॥
O you proud of your prowess! as Vibhīşana has this wise been delivered by you, passing by the Raksasa, this dart, discharged from my bludgeon of an arms, will depart depriving you of your life.

एषा ते हृदयं भित्त्वा शक्तिर्लोहितलक्षणा। मद्बाहुपरिघोत्सृष्टा प्राणानादाय यास्यति॥ इत्येवमुक्त्वा तां शक्तिमष्टघण्टां महास्वनाम्। मयेन मायाविहिताममोघां शत्रुघातिनीम्॥ लक्ष्मणाय समुद्दिश्य ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा। रावणः परमवद्धश्चिक्षपे च ननाद च॥ सा क्षिप्ता भीमवेगेन वज्राशनिसमस्वना। शक्तिरभ्यपतद्वेगाल्लक्ष्मणं रणमूर्धनि॥
Having said this, Rāvana waxing furiously enraged, discharged at Laksmana that dart forged by Maya with his power of illusion, furnished with eight bells, having might sounds,t Incapable of being resisted, competent to finish foes: and flaming in energy-and shouted simultaneously. And hurled with terrific force the dart sending sounds resembling that of Vajra of the thunder-bolt, vehemently alighted at Lakş maņa in that encounter.

तामनुव्याहरच्छक्तिमापतन्ती स राघवः। स्वस्त्यस्तु लक्ष्मणायेति मोघा भव हतोद्यमा॥
Thereat as the dart descended, Raghava addressed it, saying-peace be to Laksmana! Be you frustrated; and let your energy go out of you. *i.e. as Rāmānuja remarks, addressed the deity presiding over it.

रावणेन रणे शक्तिः कुद्धेनाशीविषोपमा। मुक्ता शूरस्य भीतस्य लक्ष्मणस्य ममज्ज सा।।३४ न्यपतत्सा महावेगा लक्ष्मणस्य महोरसि। जिह्वेवोरगराजस्य दीप्यमाना महाद्युतिः॥ ततो रावणवेगेन सुदूरमवगाढया। शक्त्या विभिन्नहृदयः पपात भुवि लक्ष्मणः॥
But the dart discharged in the encounter by the enraged Rāvana, resembling a venomous serpent, dived into the dauntless and heroic Laks maņa; and (the dart) exceedingly splendid and blazing, possessed of dreadful impetuosity and resembling the tongue of the king of serpents, smote Lakşmaņa in his mighty chest. And with his breast riven by the dart driving deep through the force of Rāvana, Lakşmaņa fell down to the earth.

तदवस्थं समीपस्थो लक्ष्मणं प्रेक्ष्य राघवः। भ्रातृस्नेहान्महातेजा विषण्णहृदयोऽभवत्॥
Rāghava, standing by seeing Lakşmaņa in that plight, had his heart overspread with sorrow.

स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः। बभूव संरब्धतरो युगान्त इव पावकः॥
But reflecting only for a while, he with his eyes surcharged with tears was filled with greater martial ardour, and resembled the fire risen at the universal dissolution. Then thinking.

न विषादस्य कालोऽयमिति संचिन्त्य राघवः। चक्रे सुतुमुलं युद्ध रावणस्य वधे धृतः।। सर्वयत्नेन महता लक्ष्मणं परिवीक्ष्य च॥
This is not the time to indulge in grief he, gazing at Lakşmaņa, entered into a terrific encounter resolved upon slaying Rāvaņa, laying under contribution his dearest energies.

स ददर्श ततो रामः शक्त्या भिन्नं महाहवे। लक्ष्मणं रुधिरादिग्धं सपन्नगमिवाचलम्॥
Rāma saw Lakşmaņa with his chest riven by the dart in the mighty conflict lying drenched in blood, and resembling a hill with serpents present in it.

तामपि प्रहितां शक्तिं रावणेन बलीयसा। यत्नतस्ते हरिश्रेष्ठा न शेकुरवमर्दितुम्॥
In spite of all their efforts, the foremost monkeys failed to extract the dart which had been hurled by the powerful Rāvaņa.

अदिताश्चैव बाणौषैस्ते प्रवेकेण रक्षसाम्। सौमित्रेः सा विनिर्भिद्य प्रविष्टा धरणीतलम्॥
And further, they were (all the white) sore assailed with showers of shafts by the foremost Rākṣasa of them all. The dart having pierced Sumitra's son, had entered the earth.

तां कराभ्यां परामृश्य रामः शक्तिं भयावहाम्। बभञ्ज समरे क्रुद्धो बलवान्विचकर्ष च॥
In the encounter the mighty Rāma grasping the dreadful dart with his hands, extracted the same the wrathfully snapped it* *The commentator has a characteristic note. This dart, having pierced the foe, used always to return to Ravana. But Rama, whose was the Lord himself, having spoken to it as he did, it could not this time go back; and Rāma snapped it, which none else could do.

तस्य निष्कर्षतः शक्तिं रावणेन बलीयसा। शराः सर्वेषु गात्रेषु पातिता मर्मभेदिनः॥
As he (Rāma) was engaged in pulling the dart out, the mighty Ravana kept pouring marrowpiercing shafts all over his person.

अचिन्तयित्व तान्बाणान्समाश्लिष्य च लक्ष्मणम्। अब्रवीच्च हनूमन्तं सुग्रीवं च महाकपिम्॥
Thinking nothing of those arrows. Rāma embracing Lakşmaņa, spoke to Hanuman and the mighty monkey, Sugriva.

लक्ष्मणं परिवार्यैवं तिष्ठध्वं वानरोत्तमाः। पराक्रमस्य कालोऽयं संप्राप्तो मे चिरेप्सितः॥
You foremost of monkeys do you stay here surrounding Lakṣmaṇa. The opportunity for putting forth my prowess which I had sought, is present.

पापात्मायं दशग्रीवो वध्यतां पापनिश्चयः। काशितं चातकस्येव धर्मान्ते मेघदर्शनम्॥
I shall slay this wicked minded Ten-necked one, who is resolved to pursue the course of unrighteousness. Even as on the expire of summer the Cătaka is eager for the sight of clouds, I had long been eager to obtain a sight of (Ravana).

अस्मिन्मुहूर्ते न चिरात्सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि वः। अरावणमरामं वा जगद्रक्ष्यथ वानराः॥
You monkeys, this I swear to you-this very hour not long after you will see this world without Rāvaņa or Rāma.

राज्यनाशं वने वासं दण्डके परिधावनम्। वैदेह्याश्च परामर्शो रक्षोभिश्च समागमम्॥ प्राप्तं दुःखं महाघोरं क्लेशश्च निरयोपमः। अद्य सर्वमहं त्यक्ष्ये निहत्वा रावणं रणे।५०॥
To-day having slain Rāvaņa in battle, I shall renounce all sorrow arising from the loss of my kingdom, from my sojourn in the woods, from my wandering in Daņdaka, from the ravishment of Vaidehi, from encounter with the Raksasa, all the terrible evils that I have suffered and all the troubles resembling hell.

यदर्थं वानरं सैन्यं समानीतमिदं मया। सुग्रीवश्च कृतो राज्ये निहत्वा वालिनं रणे।। यदर्थं सागरः क्रान्तः सेतुर्बद्धश्च सागरे॥ सोऽयमद्य रणे पापा आपश्चक्षुर्विषयमागतः। चक्षुर्विषयमागत्य नायं जीवितमर्हति॥
He for whom I have brought over the monkey-forces, made Sugriva king, slaying Vali in battle, for whom I have crossed the ocean and constructed a bridge over the deep-the same has been come at by me in conflict, and the same has come within the range of my vision.

दृष्टिं दृष्टिविषस्येव सर्पस्य मम रावणः। यथा वा वैनतेयस्य दृष्टिं प्राप्तो भुजंगमः॥
Having come within my ken, Răvaņa will not live, even as one coming within ken of a serpent of poisonous sight, does not live; or even as a serpent does not live, coming within ken of Vinatās son. *Garuda.

सुखं पश्यथ दुर्धर्षा युद्धं वानरपुङ्गवाः। आसीनाः पर्वताग्रेषु ममेदं रावणस्य च ॥
Do you, you irrepressible ones, you foremost of monkeys, seated at the brow of the mountain, behold the battle between me and Rāvaņa.

अद्य पश्यन्तु रामस्य रामत्वं मम संयुगे। त्रयो लोकाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणाः॥
Today let the three worlds with the Gandharvas, and the Siddhas, and the Caranas, see that for which Rāma is Rāma.

अद्य कर्म करिष्यामि यल्लोकाः सचराचराः। सदेवाः कथयिष्यन्ति यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति॥
Today I shall do a deed of which the worlds with the mobile and the immobile and the gods, shall speak as long as the Earth sustain (creatures.)

समागम्य सदा लोके यथायुद्धं प्रवर्तितम्। एवमुक्त्वा शितैर्बाणैस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणैः। आजघान रणे रामो दशग्रीवं समाहितः।५७।।
Having delivered himself thus, Rama, concentrating his attention, began to charge the Ten-necked one in encounter with whetted arrows decked with burnished gold.

तथा प्रविद्धैनाराचैर्मुसलैश्चापि रावणः। अभ्यवर्षत्तदा रामं धाराभिरिव तोयदः॥
In the same way Rāvana showered on Rama great Nárācas and clubs, even as clouds pour down showers.

रामरावणमुक्तानामन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नताम्। वराणां च शराणां च बभूव तुमुलः स्वनः।॥
There arose a tremendous uproar of mighty arrows discharged by Rama and Ravana, smiting one another.

विच्छिन्नाश्च विकीर्णाश्च रामरावणयोः शराः। अन्तरिक्षात्प्रदीप्ताग्रा निपेतुर्धरणीतले॥
The shafts shot by Rama and Rāvana, severed and scattered, with flaming heads dropped to the Earth.

तयोर्ध्यातलनिर्घोषो रामरावणयोर्महान्। त्रासनः सर्वभूतानां बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः॥
The mighty twangs of the bow strings of both, terrifying all creatures, were wonderful to behold.* *Adbhutadarśana-wonderful to behold, wonderful to witness is the sense.

महात्मनां दीप्तधनुष्मतार्दितः। भयात्प्रदुद्राव समेत्य रावणो यथानिलेनाभिहतो बलाहकः।२।।
Then even as clouds disperse on being trampled by the Winds, Ravana, covered with showers of arrowy networks by that high souled one and reduced to sore straits by that one (Rāma) of a glowing bow, fled away in fear.