लक्ष्मणेन तु तद्वाक्यमुक्तं श्रुत्वा स राघवः। संदधे परवीरघ्नो धनुरादाय वीर्यवान्॥ रावणाय शरान्घोरान्विससर्ज चमूमुखे। अथान्यं रथमास्थाय रावणो राक्षसाधिपः॥ अभ्यधावत काकुत्स्थं स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्।
Hearing the words uttered by Lakşmaņa, that slayer of hostile heroes-Raghava-endued with prowess, taking his bow, set shafts on it, and in the brunt of battle began to discharge dreadful arrows at Ravana. And mounted on another car, Rāvana-lord of Rakşasas-rushed against Käkutstha, even as Svarbhānu rush against the Sun.
दशग्रीवो रथस्थस्तु रामं वज्रोपमैः शरैः।। आजघान महाशैलं धाराभिरिव तोयदः॥
Even as a mass of clouds poured down torrents on a mighty mountain, the Ten-necked one, mounted on his car, smote Rāma with shafts resembling thunder-bolts.
दीप्तपावकसंकाशैः शरैः काञ्चनभूषणैः। अभ्यवर्षद्रणे रामो दशग्रीवं समाहितः॥
In the encounter Rāma, concentrating his thoughts, showered on the Ten-necked one arrows embellished with gold and looking like living fire.
भूमौ स्थितस्य रामस्य रथस्थस्य च रक्षसः। न समं युद्धमित्याहुर्देवगन्धर्वकिंनराः॥
And celestials and Gandharvas and Kinnaras declared that there had been no other battle like to the encounter of Rāma stationed on the ground and the Rākṣasa mounted on his car.
ततो देववरः श्रीमाञ्श्रुत्वा तेषां वचोऽमृतम्। आहूय मातलिं शक्रो वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्॥
Then the foremost of celestials-ſakra-hearing their ambrosial speech, summoning Mätali, said.
रथेन मम भूमिष्ठं शीघ्रं याहि रघूत्तमम्। आहूय भूतलं यातः कुरु देवहितं महत्॥
Taking my car, hie to the best of the Raghus. And reaching the earth do you welcoming (him) bring about great good to the gods.
इत्युक्तो देवराजेन मातलिदेवसारथिः। प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं ततो वचनमब्रवीत्।८।। शीघ्रं यास्यामि देवेन्द्र सारथ्यं च करोम्यहम्।
Thus accosted by the sovereign of the celestials, Matali-celestial charioteer bending down his head, addressed that celestial saying. Speedily shall I go o lord of the celestials; and I shall also do the office of a charioteer (to Raghava).
ततो हयैश्च संयोज्य हरितैः स्यन्दनोत्तमम्।। ततः काञ्चनचित्राङ्गः किङ्किणीशतभूषितः॥ तरुणादित्यसंकाशो वैदूर्यमयकूबरः। सदश्वैः काञ्चनापीडैर्युक्तः श्वेतप्रकीर्णकैः॥ हरिभिः सूर्यसंकाशैर्हेमजालविभूषितैः। रुक्मवेणुध्वजः श्रीमान्देवराजरथो वरः॥ देवराजेन संदिष्टो रथमारुह्य मातलिः। अभ्यवर्तत काकुत्स्थमवतीर्य त्रिविष्टपात्॥
Then yoking with steeds that best of cars, curiously wrought with gold; adorned with hundreds of small bells; resembling the Sun new risen; having its pole studded with lapises: yoked with excellent horses caparisoned in gold; furnished with white chowris, drawn by steeds resembling the Sun; decked with golden networks, and provided with a golden standardthe graceful car of the sovereign of the celestialsMātalī commanded by the king of the immortals, ascending the car went out of the celestial regions and came to Käkutstha.
अब्रवीच्च तदा रामं सप्रतोदो रथे स्थितः। प्राञ्जलिर्मातलिक्यिं सहस्राक्षस्य सारथिः॥
With his hand holding the reins, the charioteer car, of the thousand-eyed (Deity) with joined hands addressed Rāma: saying.
सहस्राक्षेण काकुत्स्थ रथोऽयं विजयाय ते। दत्तस्तव महासत्त्व श्रीमशत्रुनिबर्हण॥ इदमैन्द्रं महच्चापं कवचं चाग्निसंनिभम्। शराश्चादित्यसंकाशाः शक्तिश्च विमला शिवा ॥
O Kākutstha, in order that you may obtain the victory, the thousand-eyed (god) has sent you his car. O exceedingly powerful one! O graceful (hero)! O you that slays your foes! this is the redoubtable bow of Indra, and this is the mail resembling fire, and these are the arrows looking like the very Sun; and this is the dart shining and fraught with fair fortune.
आरुह्येमं रथं वीर राक्षसं जहि रावणम्। मया सारथिना देव महेन्द्र इव दानवान्॥
Ascend you this O hero Slay the RākşasaRāvaņa, with me as your charioteer, even as the lord of the celestials slay Dānavas.
इत्युक्तः संपरिक्रम्य रथं तमभिवाद्य च। आरुरोह तदा रामो लोकॉल्लक्ष्म्या विराजयन्॥
Thus addressed, Rāma, going round the car and saluting it, ascended the same, illumining the worlds with his splendour.
तद्वभौ चाद्भुतं युद्धं द्वैरथं रोमहर्षणम्। रामस्य च महाबाहो रावणस्य च रक्षसः॥
The encounter that took place between the two cars with the mighty-armed Rāma (on one side) and the Rākşasa-Rāvana (on the other) was wonderful to behold.
स गान्धर्वेण गान्धर्वं दैवं दैवेन राघवः। अस्त्रं राक्षसराजस्य जघान परमास्त्रवित्॥
Rāghava highly proficient in weapons with a Gândharva weapon resisted the Gandharva weapons of the Rākşasa king and with a celestial weapon, his celestial weapon.
अस्त्रं तु परमं घोरं राक्षसं राक्षसाधिपः। ससर्ज परमक्रुद्धः पुनरेव निशाचरः॥
Then that lord of Raksasas-the night-rangerfired with high rage, again discharged an exceedingly dreadful Rākṣasa, weapon.
ते रावणधनुर्मुक्ताः शराः काञ्चनभूषणाः। अभ्यवर्तन्त काकुत्स्थं सर्पा भूत्वा महाविषाः॥
The gold-decked shafts shot from Ravana's bow, becoming furiously venomous serpents covered Kakutstha.
ते दीप्तवदना दीप्तं वमन्तो ज्वलनं मुखैः। राममेवाभ्यवर्तन्त व्यादितास्या भयानकाः॥
And vomiting living flames they of terrific aspect, having flaming faces, showered over Rāma with gaping mouths.
तैर्वासुकिसमस्पर्शेर्दीप्तभोगैर्महाविषैः। दिशश्च संतताः सर्वा विदिशश्च समावृताः॥
Those flaming venomous serpents having the feel of Vāsuki himself, covered all sides and enveloped all quarters.
तान्दृष्ट्वा पत्रगानरामः समापतत आहवे। अखं गारुत्मतं घोरं प्रादुश्चक्रे भयावहम्॥
Seeing those serpents descending in the encounter, Rāma employed a dreadful Garuda weapon.
ते राघवधनुर्मुक्ता रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिखिप्रभाः। सुपर्णाः काञ्चना भूत्वा विचेरुः सर्पशत्रवः॥
Discharged from Rāghava's bow, those arrows plated with gold at the feathered parts and furnished with the splendour of peacocks, becoming golden birds-began to range (the field of battle) as the enemies of the serpents.
ते तान्सर्वाशराजघ्नुः सर्परूपान्महाजवान्। सुपर्णरूपा रामस्य विशिखा: कामरूपिणः॥
The shafts of Rāma capable of wearing forms at will, turned into birds, destroyed all the exceedingly swift coursing arrows having the forms of serpents.
अस्त्रे प्रतिहते क्रुद्धो रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। अभ्यवर्षत्तदा रामं घोराभिः शरवृष्टिभिः॥
On his weapon having been baffle, Ravanalord of Rākşasas waxing wroth poured tremendous showers of shafts on Räma.
ततः शरसहस्रेण राममक्लिष्टकारिणम्। अर्दयित्वा शरौघेण मातलिं प्रत्यविध्यत॥
Smiting Rama of untiring deeds with thousands of shafts, (Ravana) pierced Matali with vollies of arrows.
चिच्छेद केतुमुद्दिश्य शरेणैकेन रावणः। पातयित्वा रथोपस्थे रथात्केतुं च काञ्चनम्॥ ऐन्द्रानपि जघानाश्वाञ्शरजालेन रावणः।
And with an arrow, Rāvana severed the standard; and having brought down the golden standard on the floor of the car, Rāvaņa wounded even Indra's steeds with a net-work of arrows. were
विषेदुर्देवगन्धर्वचारणा दानवैः सह॥ राममार्तं तदा दृष्ट्वा सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। व्यथिता वानरेन्द्राश्च बभूवुः सविभीषणाः॥
Seeing Rāma hard pressed, celestials and Gandharvas and Carañas along with Dänavas, and Sidhas, and the supreme saints were overcome with sadness; and the foremost monkeys together with Vibhīşaņa aggrieved.
रामचन्द्रमसं दृष्ट्वा ग्रस्तं रावणराहुणा। प्राजापत्यं च नक्षत्रं रोहिणीं शशिनः प्रियाम्॥ समाक्रम्य बुधस्तस्थौ प्रजानामहितावहः।
Seeing a moon of Rāmacandra in the grasp of a Rāhu of Rāvana that bringer of evil to creatures-Buddha-stood, assailing the Prājāpatya star-Rohini-beloved of the Moon.
सधूमपरिवृत्तोर्मिः प्रज्वलनिव सागरः॥ उत्पपात तदा क्रुद्धः स्पृशनिव दिवाकरम्।
The enraged Ocean, heaving with smoking surges and flaming as it were swelled up seeming to the touch the Sun.
शस्त्रवर्णः सुपरुषो मन्दरश्मिदिवाकरः॥ अदृश्यत कबन्धाङ्कः संसक्तो धूमकेतुना।
The Sun was blackened and assumed a stern aspect, with his rays dimmed. And he was seen with a head-less trunk on his lap and he was in conjunction with a comet.
कोसलानां च नक्षत्रं व्यक्तमिन्द्राग्निदैवतम्॥ आहत्याङ्गारकस्तस्थौ विशाखमपि चाम्बरे।
That star of the Kośalas, relating to the deities-Indra and Agni-Angaraka-stood in the sky, attacking Visakha.
दशास्यो विंशतिभुजः प्रगृहीतशरासनः॥ अदृश्यत दशग्रीवो मैनाक इव पर्वतः।
The Ten-necked one having ten faces and twenty arms, equipped with his bow, looked like the mountain-Mainaka.
निरस्यमानो रामस्तु दशग्रीवेण रक्षसा॥ नाशक्नोदभिसंधातुं सायकारणमूर्धनि ।
Rāma reduced to sore straits by the Tennecked Rākṣasa, could not discharge his arrows in the conflict.
स कृत्वा भ्रुकुटि क्रुद्धः किंचित्संरक्तलोचनः॥ जगाम सुमहाक्रोधं निर्दहनिव राक्षसान्।
Then the enraged Rāma with his eyes slightly red flew into a tremendous passion as if burning up the Rākşasas.
तस्य क्रुद्धस्य वदनं दृष्ट्वा रामस्य धीमतः।। सर्वभूतानि वित्रेसुः प्राकम्पत च मेदिनी॥
Seeing the face of the enraged Rāma endued with under standing all the creatures were overwhelmed with fear and the Earth herself shook.
सिंहशार्दूलवाञ्छैलः संचचाल चलद्रुमः। बभूवः चापि क्षुभितः समुद्रः सरितां पतिः॥
And mountains abounding with lions and tigers began to tremble, and trees to shiver. And even the deep-lord of streams-was wrought up wondrously.
खराश्च खरनिर्घोषा गगने परुषा घनाः। औत्पातिकाश्च नर्दन्तः समन्तात्परिचक्रमुः॥
And rough and terrific clouds in the sky sent forth fierce roars. And stormy clouds rumbling went about the heavens.
रामं दृष्ट्वा सुसंक्रुद्धमुत्पाताश्चैव दारुणान्। वित्रेसुः सर्वभूतानि रावणस्याभवद्भयम्।॥
Seeing Rāma wrought up with a mighty passion, and the fearful disastrous omens, all creatures were possessed by fright and Rāvana was stuck with dismay.
विमानस्थास्तदा देवा गन्धर्वाश्च महोरगाः। ऋषिदानवदैत्याश्च गरुत्मन्तश्च खेचराः॥ ददृशुस्ते तदा युद्धं लोकसंवर्तसंस्थितम्। नानाप्रहरणै मैः शूरयोः संप्रयुध्यतोः॥
Then stationed in the sky celestials and Gandharvas and mighty serpents and saints and Dānavas and Daityas and those related to Garuda-fowls-beheld that conflict like to the universal tumbling as the two heroes faught on with various dire arms.
ऊचुः सुरासुराः सर्वे तदा विग्रहमागताः। प्रेक्षमाणा महायुद्धं वाक्यं भक्त्या प्रहृष्टवत्॥
As they looked on the mighty encounter, the celestials and the Asuras, who had come to the conflict, from feeling of regard,* Cheerfully spoke (these words). *i.e. each party out of regard for the warrior to whom it wished well.
दशग्रीवं जयेत्याहुरसुराः समवस्थिताः। देवा राममथोचुस्ते त्वं जयेति पुनः पुनः॥
The Asuras staying there said to the Tennecked one, Be victorious and the celestials again and again said to Rāma, 'Be victorious'!
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रोधाद्राघवस्य च रावणः। प्रहर्तुकामो दुष्टात्मा स्पृशन्प्रहरणं महत्॥ वज्रसारं महानादं सर्वशनिबर्हणम्। शैलशृङ्गनिभैः कूटैश्चित्तदृष्टिभयावहम्॥ सधूममिव तीक्ष्णाग्रं युगान्ताग्निचयोपमम्। अतिरौद्रमनासाद्यं कालेनापि दुरासदम्॥ त्रासनं सर्वभूतानां दारणं भेदनं तथा। प्रदीप्त इव रोषेण शूलं जग्राह रावणः॥
In the meantime, the impious Rāvaņa, desirous of slaying Rāghava, from wrath took up a mighty weapon, fraught with the essence of the thunder bolt; sending terrible sounds; capable of destroying all foes-furnished with forks resembling mountain-peaks; tending to strike terror to mind and sight; sharp-pointed resembling the smoking fire rise at the hour of universal dissolution; exceedingly terrible; irresistible (in battle); unbearable even by the Destroyer-the terror of all creatures-terrific; and competent to rive (all things). Flaming up with wrath, Ravana took this dart.
तच्छूलं परमद्धो जग्राह युधि वीर्यवान्। अनीकैः समरे शूरै राक्षसैः परिवारितः॥ समुद्यम्य महाकायो ननाद युधि भैरवम्। संरक्तनयनो रोषात्स्वसैन्यमभिहर्षयन्॥ पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षं च दिशश्च प्रदिशस्तथा। प्राकम्पयत्तदा शब्दो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य दारुणः॥
And fired with furious wrath, that powerful one took the dart in the encounter, surrounded in that contest by many heroic Rākşasas. And uplifting (the dart), the huge-bodied Ravana, with his eyes reddened in passion, emitted mighty roars. And the shouts ofd the Rākşasa sovereign made the earth and the sky and the cardinal quarters and all sides tremble.
अतिकायस्य नादेन तेन तस्य दुरात्मनः। सर्वभूतानि वित्रेसुः सागरश्च प्रचुक्षुभे॥
And at the roars of that wicked-minded and huge-bodied one, all creatures were struck with terror, and the sea was vexed.* *The still-vexed Bermoothes.'-Tempest.
स गृहीत्वा महावीर्यः शूलं तद्रावणो महत्। विनद्य सुमहानादं रामं परुषमब्रवीत्॥
The exceedingly energetic Rävaņa, taking that mighty dart, and sending up furious shouts, addressed Rāma in a harsh speech, saying.
शूलोऽयं वज्रसारस्ते राम रोषान्मयोद्यतः। तव भ्रातृसहायस्य सम्यक्प्राणान्हरिष्यति॥
O Rāma, I in wrath uplift this dart having the strength of the levin. This will utterly deprive of life you who are assisted by your brother.
रक्षसामद्य शूराणां निहतानां चमूमुखे। त्वां निहत्य रणश्लाघी करोमि तरसा समम्॥
O you, that delight in battle, today swiftly slaying you, I shall make you even with those heroic Rākşasa slain in the van of the forces.
तिष्ठेदानी निहन्मि त्वामेष शूलेन राघव। एवमुक्त्वा च चिक्षेप तच्छूलं राक्षसाधिपः॥
Stay now, O Raghava, you shall I slay with this dart. Saying this, the lord of the Rākşasas hurled the dart.
तद्रावणकरान्मुक्तं विद्युन्मालासमावृतम्। अष्टघण्टं महानादं वियद्गतमशोभत। ५९॥
And discharged from Ravana's hand, (the dart), surrounded with garlands of lighting furnished with eight bells, sending mighty roars, rising to the sky, looked exceedingly splendid.
तच्छूलं राघवो दृष्ट्वा ज्वलन्तं घोरदर्शनम्। ससर्ज विशिखारामश्चापमायम्य वीर्यवान् ॥
Seeing the dart, flaming and of terrific aspect, Raghu's son-Rāma-endowed with prowess, drawing his bow, discharged arrows.
आपतन्तं शरौघेण वारयामास राघव। उत्पतन्तं युगान्ताग्नि जलौघैरिव वासवः॥
And with vollies of shafts Räghava resisted the descending (dart), even as Vāsava extinguish the fire of doomsday with his showers.
निर्ददाह स तान्बाणान्रामकार्मुकनिःसृतान्। रावणस्य महाशूल: पतङ्गानिव पावकः॥
Then even as a flame consume insects, the mighty dart of Rāvana burnt up those shafts shot from the bow of Råma.
तान्दृष्ट्वा भस्मसाद्भूताशूलसंस्पर्शचूर्णितान्। सायकानन्तरिक्षस्थानराघवः क्रोधमूर्छितः॥
Seeing those shafts reduced to ashes and crushed on coming in contact with the dart, as they were coursing in the sky, Rāghava was transported with passion.
स तां मातलिना नीतां शक्तिं वासवसंमताम्। जग्राह परमक्रुद्धो राघवो रघुनन्दनः॥
Then waxing wondrous wroth, Raghu's sonRāghava-took up a javelin, liked by Vāsava himself, brought by Matali.
सा तोलिता बलवता शक्तिघण्टाकृतस्वना। नभः प्रज्वालयामास युगान्तोल्केव सप्रभा॥
On being wielded by that strong one, the javelin, resonant with bells, made the welkin blaze up, like a burning meteor on the occasion of universal rack.
सा क्षिप्ता राक्षसेन्द्रस्य तस्मिञ्छूले पपात ह। भिन्नः शक्त्या महाशूलो निपपात गतद्युतिः॥
And when hurled, it alighted on that same dart of the Raksasa chief. And thereat, with its splendour lost, the mighty dart, riven, dropped (to the earth.)
निर्बिभेद ततो बाणैर्हयानस्य महाजवान्। रामः क्षिप्तैर्महावेगैर्बाणवद्भिरजिह्मगैः॥
Then Rama, shooting straight-speeding arrows, pierced his (Ravana's) exceedingly fleet steeds.
निर्बिभेदोरसि तदा रावणं निशितैः शरैः। राघवः परमायचो ललाटे पत्रिभिस्त्रिभिः॥
Then he pierced Rāvana in the chest with whetted arrows. And the energetic Rāghava hit (Rāvaņa) in the temples with three feathered shafts.
स शरैभिन्नसर्वाङ्गो गात्रप्रमुतशोणितः। राक्षसेन्द्रसमूहस्थः फुल्लाशोक इवाबभौ॥
Thereat with all his limbs pierced (with arrows), and his body laved in blood, the lord of Räkşasas furnished with many limbs, looked like a flowering Asoka.
स रामबाणैरतिविद्धगात्रो निशाचरेन्द्रः क्षतजाईगात्रः। जगाम खेदं च समाजमध्ये क्रोधं च चक्रे सुभृशं तदानीम्॥
With his person pierced with the shafts of Rāma, the lord of night-rangers having his body drenched with blood, was stricken with sadness in the midst of his forces, and was also overwhelmed with terrific wrath.