Yuddha Kanda — Sarga 57

अकम्पनवधं श्रुत्वा क्रुद्धो वै राक्षसेश्वरः। किंचिद्दीनमुखश्चापि सचिवांस्तानुदैक्षत॥

Hearing that Akampana had been killed, the lord of Raksasas, overwhelmed with anger, with his face somewhat fallen, cast his eyes on his counsellors.

Yuddha Kanda 57.1

स तु ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं तु मन्त्रिभिः संविचार्य च। ततस्तु रावणः पूर्वदिवसे राक्षसाधिपः।। पुरीं परिययौ लङ्कां सर्वान्गुल्मानवेक्षितुम्॥

Then pondering and reflecting for a while, in the forenoon he went round the city of Lankā for inspecting the barracks.

Yuddha Kanda 57.2

तां राक्षसगणैर्गुप्तां गुल्मैर्बहुभिरावृताम्। ददर्श नगरी राजा पताकाध्वजमालिनीम्॥

The king surveyed the city guarded by the Rakşsasas, covered with innumerable barracks, and crowned with ensigns and standards,

Yuddha Kanda 57.3

रुद्धां तु नगरी दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। उवाचात्महितं काले प्रहस्तं युद्धकोविदम्॥

Seeing the city besieged, Ravana-lord of the Rākşaşas-seasonably spoke words of welfare to Prahasta skilled in fight.

Yuddha Kanda 57.4

पुरस्योपनिविष्टस्य सहसा पीडितस्य ह। नान्ययुद्धात्प्रपश्यामि मोक्षं युद्धविशारदाः॥

"Save battle, deliverance find I none for the city suddenly beleaguered and put to straits.

Yuddha Kanda 57.5

अहं वा कुम्भकर्णो वा त्वं वा सेनापतिर्यम। इन्द्रजिद्धा निकुम्भो वा वहेयुर्भारमीदृशम्॥

And this strain must be borne by these versed in warfare-me or Kumbhakarna or you-my general or Indrajit or Nikumbha.

Yuddha Kanda 57.6

सत्त्वं बलमतः शीघ्रमादाय परिगृह्य च। विजयायाभिनियहि यत्र सर्वे वनौकसः॥

Therefore do you from this place, speedily taking this force, march to where the monkeys are, for securing victory (in the encounter).

Yuddha Kanda 57.7

निर्याणादेव तूर्णं च चलिता हरिवाहिनी। नर्दतां राक्षसेन्द्राणां श्रुत्वा नादं द्रविष्यति॥

And as soon as you set out, the monkeyforces, hearing the roars of the foremost Rākșasas-speedily setting themselves in motionshall flee away.

Yuddha Kanda 57.8

चपला ह्यविनाताश्च चलचित्ताश्च वानराः। न सहिष्यन्ति ते नादं सिंहनादमिव द्विषा:॥

And volatile and haughty and of fickle minds, the monkeys will not be able to bear your shouts; even as elephants are incapable of bearing the roaring of a lion.

Yuddha Kanda 57.9

विद्वते च बले तस्मिन्रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। अवशस्तु निरालम्बः प्रहस्तवशमेष्यति॥

And on that monkey-army running away, Rāma in company with Sumitrās son, deprived of his power and shorn of support, shall, O Prahasta, come under your subjection.

Yuddha Kanda 57.10

आपत्संशयिता श्रेयो नात्र निःसंशयीकृता। प्रतिलोमानुलोमं वा यत्तु नो मन्यसे हितम्॥

In this matter, your being slain is uncertain, but victory is certain. Now do you, as you weigh out welfare, declare yourself for or against this course.

Yuddha Kanda 57.11

रावणेनैवमुक्तस्तु प्रहस्तो वाहिनीपतिः। राक्षसेन्द्रमुवाचेदमसुरेन्द्रमिवोशना॥

Thus addressed by Ravana, Prahasta-general of the forces-said to the Rākşaas-chief; like Uśanas addressing the lord of Asuras.

Yuddha Kanda 57.12

राजन्मन्त्रितपूर्वं नः कुशलैः सह मन्त्रिभिः। विवादश्चापि नो वृत्तः समवेक्ष्य परस्परम्॥

O king before this we had deliberated together with wise counsellors, and then we disputed with each other in our respective views.

Yuddha Kanda 57.13

प्रदानेन तु सीतायाः श्रेयो व्यवसितं मया। अप्रदाने पुनयुद्धं दृष्टमेव तथैव नः॥

And I had declared myself for giving up Sītā as fraught with our welfare; and we saw war involved in withholding her.

Yuddha Kanda 57.14

सोऽहं दानैश्च मानैश्च सततं पूजितस्त्वया। सान्त्वैश्च विविधैः काले किं न कुर्यां हितं तव॥

I have ever been honoured by you variously with gifts and regard and soft speech. And what is your good for which I shall not be at the pains?

Yuddha Kanda 57.15

नहि मे जीवितं रक्ष्यं पुत्रदारधनानि च। त्वं पश्य मां जुहूषन्तं त्वदर्थे जीवितं युधि॥

My life I do not care to keep, nor yet my sons or my wife. Behold! for you will I offer up my life into the sacrificial fire of conflict.

Yuddha Kanda 57.16

एवमुक्त्वा तु भर्तारं रावणं वाहिनीपतिः। उवाचेदं बलाध्यक्षान्प्रहस्तः पुरतः स्थितान्॥

Having said this to his master-Rävaņa-the general, Prahasta, addressed his generals staying before him, saying.

Yuddha Kanda 57.17

समानयत मे शीघ्रं राक्षसानां महाबलम्। मद्बाणानां तु वेगेन हतानां तु रणाजिरे॥ अद्य तृप्यन्तु मांसादाः पक्षिणः काननौकसः।

At once bring up the mighty host of Raksasas Today in the field of fight will I entertain the flesh-feeding fowls of the forest with the bodies of the foes slain with my resistless shafts.

Yuddha Kanda 57.18

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा बलाध्यक्षा महाबलाः॥ बलमुद्योजयामासुस्तस्मिनाक्षसमन्दिरे।

Hearing his speech, the highly powerful leaders arrayed the army in that abode of the Raksasa.

Yuddha Kanda 57.19

सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन भीमैर्नानाविधायुधैः॥ लङ्का राक्षसवीरैस्तैर्गजैरिव समाकुला। हुताशनं तर्पयतां ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यताम्॥ आज्यगन्धप्रतिवहः सुरभिर्मारुतो ववौ।

In a moment Lankā swarmed with heroic and terrific Rākşasas equipped with various arms, as if with elephants, as well as with people worshipping Fire and bowing down to Brāhmaṇas. And the perfumed breeze blew, laden with the incense of sacrificial offerings.

Yuddha Kanda 57.20

सजश्च विविधाकारा जगृहुस्त्वभिमन्त्रिताः॥ संग्रामसज्जाः संहृष्टा धारयनराक्षसास्तदा।

The Raksasas, inspired with martial ardour, put on diverse garlands, consecrated with scriptural formulae; and donned on their armour.

Yuddha Kanda 57.21

सधनुष्काः कवचिनो वेगादुत्सृज्य राक्षसाः॥ रावणं प्रेक्ष्य राजानं प्रहस्तं पर्यवारयन्।

And furnished with their boys and wearing their armour, the Rākşasas, on seeing king Ravana, leaving (their vehicles), stood, surrounding Prahasta.

Yuddha Kanda 57.22

अथामन्त्र्य तु राजानं भेरीमाहत्य भैरवाम्।।२४ आरुरोह रथं युक्तः प्रहस्तः सज्जकल्पितम्। हयैर्महाजवैर्युक्तं सम्यक्सूतं सुसंयतम्॥ महाजलदनिर्घोषं साक्षाच्चन्द्रार्कभास्वरम्। उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षं सुवरूथं स्वपस्करम्॥ सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तं प्रहसन्तमिव श्रिया।

The greeting the monarch, Prahasta, furnished (with all appliances of battle), winding his dreadful trumpet, ascended his car; having all sorts of weapons; yoked with wondrous fleet steeds; driven by a competent charioteer, excellently furnished; sending up sounds resembling the rumbling of mighty masses of cloud, appearing like the very sun or Moon; invincible with a serpent-standard; having a defence as well as a portion exceedingly handsome; netted with gold all round; and seeming to be laughing in grace.

Yuddha Kanda 57.23

ततस्तं रथमास्थाय रावणार्पितशासनः॥ लङ्काया निर्ययौ तूर्णं बलेन महता वृतः। ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पर्जन्यनिनदोपमः।। वादित्राणां न निनदः पूरयन्निव मेदिनीम्॥ शुश्रुवे शङ्खशब्दश्च प्रयाते वाहिनीपतौ।

Then ascending this car, Prahasta, whom Rāvana had entrusted with authority, surrounded by a vast host, swiftly went out of Larkā. And then there were heard the sounds of kettledrums, resembling the roars of Parjanya, and the sounds of musical instruments, as if filling the Earth.

Yuddha Kanda 57.24

निनदन्तः स्वरान्घोराराक्षसा जग्मुरग्रतः॥ भीमरूपा महाकायः प्रहस्तस्य पुनःसराः।

And on that general of the forces marching, sounds of conchs were heard (all around); and the Rākşasas of dreadful forms and huge bodies, going before Prahasta, advanced, emitting tremendous roars.

Yuddha Kanda 57.25

नरान्तकः कुम्भहनुर्महानादः समुन्नतः।। प्रहस्तसचिवा ह्येते निर्ययुः परिवार्य तम्॥

Narāntaka, Kumbhahunu, Mahānāda, and Samunnata Prahasta's counsellors all of themwent on, surrounding him.

Yuddha Kanda 57.26

व्यूढेनैव सुघोरेण पूर्वद्वारात्स निर्ययौ। गजयूथनिकाशेन बलेन महता वृतः॥

And he went out by the Eastern entrance, environed by this exceedingly dreadful array, resembling troops of elephants.

Yuddha Kanda 57.27

सागरप्रतिमौधेन वृतस्तेन बलेन सः। प्रहस्तो निर्ययौ क्रुद्धः कालान्तकयमोपमः॥

And resembling the Destroyer-Yama himselfPrahasta in rage went out surrounded by that mighty host resembling the sea.

Yuddha Kanda 57.28

तस्य निर्याणघोषेण राक्षसानां च नर्दताम्। लङ्कायां सर्वभूतानि विनेदुर्विकृतैः स्वरैः॥

And at the tumult raised by their exodus, as well as the roars of the Rākşasas, all creatures in Lankā began to cry in preternatural tones.

Yuddha Kanda 57.29

व्यभ्रमाकाशमाविश्य मांसशोणितभोजनाः। मण्डलान्यपसव्यानि खगाश्चक्रू रथं प्रति॥

And swarming under the cloudless welkin, birds feasting on flesh and gore began to gyrate at the right hand of the car.

Yuddha Kanda 57.30

वमन्ति पावकज्वालाः शिवा घोरा ववाविशे। अन्तरिक्षात्पपातोल्का वायुश्च परुषं ववौ॥

And dreadful jackals, emitting live flames from their mouths, set up cries. And stars began to shoot from the firmament; and the winds to ruffle.

Yuddha Kanda 57.31

अन्योन्यमभिसंरब्धा ग्रहाश्च न चकाशिरे। मेघाश्च खरनिर्घोषा रथस्योपरि रक्षसः॥ ववधू रुधिरं चास्य सिषिचुश्च पुरःसरान्। केतुमूर्धनि गृध्रस्तु विलीनो दक्षिणामुखः॥ नदन्नुभयतः पार्श्व समयां श्रियमाहरन्।

And enraged at each other, the planetary bodies were shorn of their brightness. And clouds emitting sharp sounds, showered down blood upon the car, and those marching in front were washed therewith. And alighting at the top of the standard, a vulture set up cries, facing the south and began to prick both its sides, thereby depriving (Prahasta) of his grace.

Yuddha Kanda 57.32

सारथेर्बहुशश्चात्र संग्राममानिवर्तिनः॥ प्रतोदो न्यपतद्धस्तात्सूतस्य हयसादिनः।

And from the hands of his charioteer and his driver conducting the steeds, never given to turning away from the field the goad began to drop again and again.

Yuddha Kanda 57.33

निर्याणश्रीश्च या चस्याद्भास्वरा च सुदुर्लभा॥ सा ननाश मुहूर्तेन समे च स्खलिता हयाः।

The auspiciousness that was bright and rare when the army set out, was clean gone in a moment, and the steeds began to stumble on even ground.

Yuddha Kanda 57.34

प्रहस्तं तं हि निर्यान्तं प्रख्यातगुणपौरुषम्।। युधि नानाप्रहरणा कपिसेनाभ्यवर्तत॥

And as Prahasta of renowned worth and valour marched, the monkey-army equipped with various arms, presented themselves before him.

Yuddha Kanda 57.35

अथ घोषः सुतुमुलो हरीणां समजायत। वृक्षानारुजतां चैव गुर्वी गृह्णतां शिलाः॥ नदतां राक्षसानां च वानराणां च गर्जताम्। उभे प्रमुदिते सैन्ये रक्षोगणवनौकसाम्।॥ वेगितानां समर्थानामन्योन्यवधकाक्षिणाम्। परस्परं चाह्वयतां निनादः श्रूयते महान्॥

And loud was the tumult that was raised by the monkeys. And mighty was the din that was heard of those, uprooting trees and taking up ponderous crags, of the Räkşasas roaring and the monkeys storming in both the exhilarated armies of Raksasa and wood-rangers, of vehement and able (warriors) eager for slaying each other, and challenging each other to fight.

Yuddha Kanda 57.36

ततः प्रहस्तः कपिराजवाहिनीमभिप्रतस्थे विजयाय दुर्मतिः। विवृद्धवेगश्च विवेशितां चमूं यथा मुमूर्षुः शलभो विभावसुम्॥

And like an insect falling into a flame, the wicked-minded Prahasta for obtaining victory, increasing his impetuosity entered into that host of the monkey-king.

Yuddha Kanda 57.37