Yuddha Kanda: Chapter 89

युध्यमानौ ततो दृष्ट्वा प्रसक्तौ नरराक्षसौ। प्रभिन्नाविव मातंगौ परस्परजयैषिणौ॥ तयायुद्धं द्रष्टुकामो वरचापधरो बली। शूरः स रावणभ्राता तस्थौ संग्राममूर्धनि ॥
Seeing the man and the Rākṣasa engaged in battle, with their whole soul, each eager to beat the other, like to elephants with the temporal juice trickling from their temples, desirous of beholding their encounter, Răvaņa's mighty and heroic brother, bearing an excellent bow, stood in front of the arena.

ततो विस्फारयामास महद्धनुरवस्थितः। उत्ससर्ज च तीक्ष्णग्रान्राक्षसेषु महाशरान्॥
Taking up his post, he stretched his great bow and shot terrific sharp-pointed shafts at the Rāks asas.

ते शराः शिखिसंस्पर्शा निपतन्तः समाहिताः। राक्षसान्दारयामासुर्वज्रा इव महागिरीन्॥
Even like thunder-bolt cleaving mighty mountains, those shafts furnished with peacock's plumes falling powerfully (upon the foe), rent the Raksasas.

विभीषणस्यानुचरास्तेऽपि शूलासिपट्टिशैः। चिच्छिदुः समरे वीराराक्षसान्राक्षसोत्तमाः॥
Those foremost of Raksasas, Vibhisana's followers, also in the encounter discharged darts and scimitars and pațțiśas at heroic Rākşasas.

राक्षसैस्तैः परिवृतः स तदा तु विभीषणः। बभौ मध्ये प्रधृष्टानां कलभानामिव द्विपः॥
Surrounded by those Raksasas, Vibhisana, then in the midst of his followers, appeared like an elephant in the midst of young ones.

ततः संचोदमानो वै हरीरक्षोवधप्रियान्। उवाच वचनं काले कालज्ञो रक्षसां वरः॥
Then inciting the monkeys, whose dear object was to slay Ravana, that one versed in time, the foremost of Rākşasas,spoke seasonably thus.

एकोऽयं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य परायणमवस्थितः। एतच्छेषं बलं तस्य किं तिष्ठत हरीश्वराः॥ तस्मिंश्च निहते पापे राक्षसे रणमूर्धनि। रावणं वर्जयित्वा तु शेषमस्य बलं हतम्॥
This one that stay (in the field) is the sole and mighty support of the Raksasa-chief; and this is his remaining force. Why then do the monkeychiefs remain inactive? On this wicked Rāksasa being slain on the edge of battle, the remnant of his army, with the single exception of Rāvawa, is destroyed.

प्रहस्तो निहतो वीरो निकुम्भश्च महाबलः। कुम्भकर्णश्च कुम्भश्च धूम्राक्षश्च निशाचरः॥ जम्बुमाली महामाली तीक्ष्णवेगोऽशनिप्रभः। सुप्तघ्नो यज्ञकोपश्च वज्रदंष्ट्रश्च राक्षसः॥ संहादी विकटोऽरिघ्नस्तपनो मन्द एव च। प्रघासः प्रघसश्चैव प्रजङ्घो जङ्घ एव च॥ अग्निकेतुश्च दुर्धर्षो रश्मिकेतुश्च वीर्यवान्। विद्युज्जिह्वो द्विजिह्वश्च सूर्यशत्रुश्च राक्षसः॥ अकम्पनः सुपार्श्वश्च चक्रमाली च राक्षसः। कम्पनः सत्त्ववन्तश्च देवान्तकनरान्तकौ॥
That hero-prahasta-has been slain, and Nikumbha possessed of wondrous strength, and Kumbhakarņa, and Kumbha and the night-ranger Dhūmrākṣa, and Jämbumāli and Mahāmāli and Tikşņavega and Hemaprabha, and Suptaghna, and Yajñakopa, and the Rākşasa Vajradanștra, Samhradi, and Vikata, and Arighna, and Tapana, and Manda, and Fraghāsa and Praghasa, and Prajangha, and Jangha, and Agniketu, and Durdharsa, and the powerful Rasmiketu and Vidyujjihva, and Dvijihva, and the RaksasaSüryaśatru, and Akampana, and Supārsva, and the Raksasas-Cakramali, and Kampana, and Satvavanta, and Devāntaka and Narāntaka.

एतानिहत्यातिबलान्बहूराक्षससत्तमान्। बाहुभ्यां सागरं तीर्खा लङ्घयतां गोष्पदं लघु।।१५
Having slain these many powerful Rākşasas endowed with excess of might, having crossed the sea with your arms, do you cross this foot print of a cow.

एतावदेव शेषं वो जेतव्यमिति वानराः। हताः सर्वे समागम्य राक्षसा बलदर्पिताः॥
This is the remaining force which you monkeys must conquer; all those Rākşasas, that had come forward, elated with the pride of strength, have all been slain.

अयुक्तं निधनं कर्तुं पुत्रस्य जनितुर्मम । घृणामपास्य रामार्थे निहन्यां भ्रातुरात्मजम्॥
It is not meet for me to slay the son of my brother, yet, casting off compassion will I for Rama slay him.* *The text has 'brother's son.'

हन्तुकामस्य मे बाष्पं चक्षुश्चैव निरुध्यति। तमेवैष महाबाहुर्लक्ष्मणः शमयिष्यति॥
Tears surcharge the eyes of me who seek to slay him. Let therefore Lakşmaņa administer him his quietus.

वानरा घ्नत संभूय भृत्यानस्य समीपगान्। इति तेनातियशसा राक्षसेनाभिचोदिताः॥
You monkeys, do you in a body (first) slaughter those that are beside him (Indrajit.)" Thus exhorted by that illustrious Rākşasa, the monkey-chiefs, were exhilarated and began to flourish their tails.

वानरेन्द्रा जहषिरे लांगूलानि च विव्यधुः। ततस्तु कपिशार्दूलाः श्वेडन्तश्च पुनः पुनः।। मुमुचुर्विविधानादान्मेघान्दृष्ट्वेव बर्हिणः॥
Then those mighty monkeys roared again and again, and sent up various shouts, even as peacocks cry on seeing clouds.

जाम्बवानपि तैः सर्वैः सयूथ्यैरभिसंवृतः। तेऽश्मभिस्ताडयामासुर्नखैर्दन्तैश्च राक्षसान्॥
Then Jämbavān surrounded by his own forces, assailed the Raksasas with rocks-and with their nails and teeth.

निघ्नन्तमृक्षाधिपतिं राक्षसास्ते महाबलाः। परिभर्त्य भयं त्यक्त्वा तमनेकविधायुधाः॥ शरैः परशुभिस्तीक्ष्णैः पट्टिशैर्यष्टितोमरैः। जाम्बवन्तं मृधे जघ्नुनिघ्नन्तं राक्षसी चमूम्॥
Thereat Räkşasas, endowed with exceeding strength, equipped with various weapons reproaching the lord of bears, as he was engaged in smiting (the foe), and renouncing fear, with shafts and sharp axes and pațțiśas and yaşțis, and tomaras, in the encounter assailed Jambavān, who was engaged in beating the Räkşasa forces.

स संप्रहारस्तुमुलः संजज्ञे कपिरक्षसाम्। देवासुराणां क्रुद्धानां यथा भीमो महास्वनः॥
That conflict between the monkeys and the Rākşasas, waxed furious, like to the tumultuous encounter of the immortals and the Asuras fired with wrath.

हनूमानपि संक्रुद्धः सानुमुत्पाट्य पर्वतात्। स लक्ष्मणं स्वयं पृष्ठादवरोप्य महामनाः॥ रक्षसां कदनं चक्रे दुरासादः सहस्रशः।
The magnanimous Hanumān incapable of being approached growing wroth, uprooting a mountain, and putting down Lakşmaņa from his back, began a great carnage among the Rākşasas by thousands.

स दत्त्वा तुमुलं युद्धं पितृव्यस्येन्द्रजिद्बली॥ लक्ष्मणं परवीरघ्नः पुनरेवाभ्यधावत।
And fighting a furious fight with his uncle, the powerful Indrajit, slayer of hostile heroesagain rushed against Lakşmaņa.

तौ प्रयुद्धौ तदा वीरौ मृधे लक्ष्मणराक्षसौ॥ शरौघानभिवर्षन्तौ जघ्नतुस्तौ परस्परम्। अभीक्ष्णमन्तर्दधतुः शरजालैर्महाबलौ॥ चन्द्रादित्याविवोष्णान्ते यथा मेघैस्तरस्विनौ।
Then there took place an encounter between those heroes in the field, Laksmana and the Räksasa-discharging vollies of shafts and smiting each other; and those mighty and impetuous ones repeatedly covered each other with networks of arrows; like to the sun and the moon covered by clouds at the expiration of Summer.

नह्यादानं न संधानं धनुषो वा परिग्रहः॥ न विप्रमोक्षो बाणानां न विकर्षों न विग्रहः। न मुष्टिप्रतिसंधानं न लक्ष्यप्रतिपादनम्॥
And on account of their light-handedness, neither discharge of arrows, nor the drawing of the bow; nor the setting of the shaft on the bowstring; not the taking of the bow; nor the selection of shafts; nor the clenching fast of their fists; nor the hitting of aims, could be perceived as they faught on.

अदृश्यत तयोस्तत्र युध्यतोः पाणिलाघवात्। चापवेगप्रयुक्तैश्च बाणजालैः समन्ततः॥ अन्तरिक्षेऽभिसंपन्ने न रूपाणि चकाशिरे।
In consequence of the sky being covered with networks of arrows all around, discharged powerfully from their bows, the forms (of objects) could not be discovered.

लक्ष्मणो रावणिं प्राप्य रावणिश्चापि लक्ष्मणम्॥ अव्यवस्था भवत्युग्रा ताभ्यामन्योन्यविग्रहे।
Laksmana having at Ravana's son, and Rāvana's son having at Lakşmana, critical was the huggermugger that ensued* in the encounter between each other. *i.e. in consequence of all sides being covered with arrows, neither the Rākşas nor the monkeys could distinguish their several parties in the encounter, and the blows that each dealt were misdirected in consequence.

ताभ्यामुभाभ्यां तरसा प्रसृष्टैर्विशिखैः शितैः॥ निरन्तरमिवाकाशं बभूव तमसा वृतम्।
They both kept ceaselessly showering feathered and sharpened shafts, the firmament was engulphed with a deep darkness.

तैः पतद्भिश्च बहुभिस्तयोः शरशतैः शितैः॥ दिशश्च प्रदिशश्चैव बभूवुः शरसंकुलाः।
In consequence of countless keen arrow alighting in hundreds, all sides and all the cardinal quarters were swarming with shafts.

तमसा पिहितं सर्वमासीत्प्रतिभयं महत्॥ अस्तं गते सहस्रांशी संवते तमसा च वै। रुधिरौघा महानद्यः प्रावर्तन्त सहस्रशः।२६।। क्रव्यादा दारुणा वाग्भिश्चिक्षिपुर्भीमनिःस्वनान्। न तदानीं ववौ वायुर्न च जज्वाल पावकः॥ स्वस्त्यस्तु लोकेभ्य
And all being overspread with gloom, a mighty fright took possession (of creatures) when the Sun having ascended the setting-hill, and darkness environing all objects. And that day* mighty torrents of blood flowed in thousands of streams; and fierce beasts of prey set up terrific yells (all around). And at that hour the wind did not blow, and fire did not blaze. * Aiya today in the text.

इति जजल्पुस्ते महर्षयः। संपेतुश्चात्र संतप्ता गन्धर्वाः सह चारणैः॥
The Maharsis said, 'Fair befell creatures.' And the Gandharvas along with the Cāranas grew exceedingly agitated.

अथ राक्षससिंहस्य कृष्णान्कनकभूषणान्। शरैश्चतुर्भिः सौमित्रिर्विव्याध चतुरो हयान्॥
Then Sumitrā's son pierced the four black steeds of the leonine Räksasa, caparisoned in gold.

ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन पीतेन निशितेन च। संपूर्णायतमुक्तेन सुपत्रेण सुवर्चसा ॥ महेन्द्राशनिकल्पेन सूतस्य विचरिष्यतः। स तेन बाणाशनिना तलशब्दानुनादिना ॥ लघवाद्राघवः श्रीमाशिरः कायादपाहरत्।
Then he hit at (Indrajit's) charioteer with another yellow and sharpened javelin splendid, furnished with feathers; and resembling the thunder-bolt of the great Indra. And through his fleet handedness the graceful son of Raghu with the thunder-bolt of his shaft, resonant with the sound of his palm, separated the (charioteer's head) from his trunk.

स यन्तरि महातेजा हते मन्दोदरीसुतः।॥ स्वयं सारथ्यमकरोत्पुनश्च धनुरस्पृशत्। तदद्भुतमभूत्तत्र सारथ्यं पश्यतां युधि ॥
And on his charioteer having been slain the exceedingly energetic son of Mandodari, himself began to perform the function of a charioteer, and took up his bow. And this in the encounter was wonderful to behold.

हयेषु व्यग्रहस्तं तं विव्याध निशितैः शरैः। धनुष्यथ पुनर्व्यग्रं हयेषु मुमुचे शरान्॥
Then as (Indrajit) was eagerly engaged in managing the steeds, (Laksmana) pierced him with sharpened shafts; and when (Indrajit) was eagerly wielding his bow, (Laksmana) discharged shafts at his steeds.

छिन्नेषु तेषु बाणौधैर्विचरन्तमभीतवत्। अर्दयामास समरे सौमित्रिः शीघ्रकृत्तमः॥
And on his steeds having been torn with shafts, Sumitrā's-foremost of fleet-handed in the encounter assailed (Indrajit) doubtlessly ranging the field.

निहतं सारथिं दृष्ट्वा समरे रावणात्मजः। प्रजही समरोद्धर्ष विषण्णः स बभूव ह।॥
Seeing his charioteer slain in the contest, Rāvana's son forewent his martial ardour, and was cast down.

विषण्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं हरियूथपाः। ततः परमसंहृष्टा लक्ष्मणं चाभ्यपूजयन्॥
Seeing the Rākşasa with his face fallen, the leaders of monkey-hands, were exceedingly delighted and rendered homage to Lakşmaņa.

ततः प्रमाथी रभसः शरभो गन्धमादनः। अमृष्यमाणाश्चत्वारश्चनुर्वेगं हरीश्वराः॥
Then those monkey-chiefs— Pramāthi, Rabhasa, Sarabha and Gandamādana, not brooking (their foe) summoned their impetuosity.

ते चास्य हयमुख्येषु तूर्णमुत्पत्य वानराः। चतुर्षु सुमहावीर्या निपेतुर्भीमविक्रमाः॥
And suddenly springing up, those highly powerful monkeys endowed with terrific prowess descended upon those four best of steeds.

तेषामधिष्ठितानां तैर्वानरैः पर्वतोपमैः। मुखेभ्यो रुधिरं व्यक्तं हयानां समवर्तत॥
On those chargers being assailed by those monkeys resembling mountains, blood gushed out of their mouths.

ते हया मथिता भग्ना व्यसवो धरणीं गताः। ते निहत्य हयांस्तस्य प्रमथ्य च महारथम्॥ पुनरुत्पत्य वेगेन तस्थुर्लक्ष्मणपार्श्वतः॥
Then the steeds were smashed and sent to the ground. And having slain the steeds, and smitten the mighty car-warrior,* again by a vehement bound, came to the side of Laksmana. *Maharatham (ac.) may also mean mighty car. By the way the samasa or junction called Tatpurusha is a frequent source of obscurity in Sanskrit specially where the gender of the word without samása is the same with that of the thing signified by the samāsa, as in this case.

स हताश्वादवप्लुत्य रथान्मथितसारथिः। शरवर्षेण सौमित्रिमभ्यधावत रावणिः॥
Springing down from his car whose steeds had been slain, Ravana's son, his charioteer having been pounded, charged the son of Sumitra with arrows.

ततो महेन्द्रप्रतिमः सलक्ष्मणः पदातिनं तं निहतैहयोत्तमैः। मृजन्तमाजौ निशिताञ्छरोत्तमान्भृशं तदा बाणगतैर्व्यदारयत्॥
Then Lakşmaņa resembling the great Indra, on (Indrajit's) best of chargers having been despatched, in the encounter began to terribly rive with arrows discharged (his foe) footing on the earth and showering excellent sharpened shafts.