Khara Confronts Rama

Shloka 1 (aranya.28.1)

निहतं दूषणं दृष्ट्वा रणे त्रिशिरसा सह। खरस्याप्यभवत् त्रासो दृष्ट्वा रामस्य विक्रमम् ॥ 28.1 ॥

nihataṃ dūṣaṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā raṇe triśirasā saha | kharasyāpyabhavat trāso dṛṣṭvā rāmasya vikramam || 28.1 ||

Seeing Dushana slain in battle along with Trishira, and witnessing Rama's valor, Khara too grew afraid.

Shloka 2 (aranya.28.2)

स दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं सैन्यमविषह्यं महाबलम्। हतमेकेन रामेण दूषणस्त्रिशिरा अपि ॥ 28.2 ॥

sa dṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṃ sainyamaviṣahyaṃ mahābalam | hatamekena rāmeṇa dūṣaṇastriśirā api || 28.2 ||

Seeing that insufferable and mighty army of rakshasas, and even Dushana and Trishira, slain by Rama alone,

Shloka 3 (aranya.28.3)

तद्बलं हतभूयिष्ठं विमनाः प्रेक्ष्य राक्षसः। आससाद खरो रामं नमुचिर्वासवं यथा ॥ 28.3 ॥

tadbalaṃ hatabhūyiṣṭhaṃ vimanāḥ prekṣya rākṣasaḥ | āsasāda kharo rāmaṃ namucirvāsavaṃ yathā || 28.3 ||

and observing that force almost wholly destroyed, the disheartened demon Khara advanced upon Rama, as once Namuchi advanced upon Vasava (Indra).

Shloka 4 (aranya.28.4)

विकृष्य बलवच्चापं नाराचान् रक्तभोजनान्। खरश्चिक्षेप रामाय क्रुद्धानाशीविषानिव ॥ 28.4 ॥

vikṛṣya balavaccāpaṃ nārācān raktabhojanān | kharaścikṣepa rāmāya kruddhānāśīviṣāniva || 28.4 ||

Drawing his mighty bow taut, Khara loosed at Rama his blood-drinking iron shafts, like enraged venomous serpents.

Shloka 5 (aranya.28.5)

ज्यां विधुन्वन् सुबहुशः शिक्षयास्त्राणि दर्शयन्। चचार समरे मार्गान् शरै रथगतः खरः ॥ 28.5 ॥

jyāṃ vidhunvan subahuśaḥ śikṣayāstrāṇi darśayan | cacāra samare mārgān śarai rathagataḥ kharaḥ || 28.5 ||

Twanging his bowstring again and again, displaying his mastery of weapons, Khara, mounted on his chariot, wheeled about the battlefield in many paths, showing his skill with arrows.

Shloka 6 (aranya.28.6)

स सर्वाश्च दिशो बाणैः प्रदिशश्च महारथः। पूरयामास तं दृष्ट्वा रामोऽपि सुमहद् धनुः ॥ 28.6 ॥

sa sarvāśca diśo bāṇaiḥ pradiśaśca mahārathaḥ | pūrayāmāsa taṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmo'pi sumahad dhanuḥ || 28.6 ||

That great charioteer filled every direction and intermediate direction with his arrows; seeing this, Rama too took up his own great bow.

Shloka 7 (aranya.28.7)

स सायकैर्दुर्विषहैर्विस्फुलिङ्गैरिवाग्निभिः। नभश्चकाराविवरं पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिभिः ॥ 28.7 ॥

sa sāyakairdurviṣahairvisphuliṅgairivāgnibhiḥ | nabhaścakārāvivaraṃ parjanya iva vṛṣṭibhiḥ || 28.7 ||

With unbearable arrows like sparking flames, Rama filled the sky without a gap, as the rain-god fills it with torrents of rain.

Shloka 8 (aranya.28.8)

तद् बभूव शितैर्बाणैः खररामविसर्जितैः। पर्याकाशमनाकाशं सर्वतः शरसंकुलम् ॥ 28.8 ॥

tad babhūva śitairbāṇaiḥ khararāmavisarjitaiḥ | paryākāśamanākāśaṃ sarvataḥ śarasaṃkulam || 28.8 ||

With the sharp arrows loosed by both Khara and Rama, the vault of the sky, once open, became on every side thick and choked with arrows.

Shloka 9 (aranya.28.9)

शरजालावृतः सूर्यो न तदा स्म प्रकाशते। अन्योन्यवधसंरम्भादुभयोः सम्प्रयुध्यतोः ॥ 28.9 ॥

śarajālāvṛtaḥ sūryo na tadā sma prakāśate | anyonyavadhasaṃrambhādubhayoḥ samprayudhyatoḥ || 28.9 ||

As both, eager to slay each other, fought fiercely, the sun, veiled by that mesh of arrows, ceased to shine.

Shloka 10 (aranya.28.10)

ततो नालीकनाराचैस्तीक्ष्णाग्रैश्च विकर्णिभिः। आजघान रणे रामं तोत्रैरिव महाद्विपम् ॥ 28.10 ॥

tato nālīkanārācaistīkṣṇāgraiśca vikarṇibhiḥ | ājaghāna raṇe rāmaṃ totrairiva mahādvipam || 28.10 ||

Then, with tubular shafts, iron arrows, and sharp-edged, crescent-headed ones, Khara struck Rama in that battle, as a great elephant is struck with a goad.

Shloka 11 (aranya.28.11)

तं रथस्थं धनुष्पाणिं राक्षसं पर्यवस्थितम्। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम् ॥ 28.11 ॥

taṃ rathasthaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ rākṣasaṃ paryavasthitam | dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni pāśahastamivāntakam || 28.11 ||

All beings beheld that rakshasa, standing ready on his chariot with bow in hand, as if he were Death himself with noose in hand.

Shloka 12 (aranya.28.12)

हन्तारं सर्वसैन्यस्य पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितम्। परिश्रान्तं महासत्त्वं मेने रामं खरस्तदा ॥ 28.12 ॥

hantāraṃ sarvasainyasya pauruṣe paryavasthitam | pariśrāntaṃ mahāsattvaṃ mene rāmaṃ kharastadā || 28.12 ||

Khara then supposed that the great and indefatigable Rama, though he had shown his mettle in destroying the whole army, must by now be utterly wearied.

Shloka 13 (aranya.28.13)

तं सिंहमिव विक्रान्तं सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनम्। दृष्ट्वा नोद्विजते रामः सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगं यथा ॥ 28.13 ॥

taṃ siṃhamiva vikrāntaṃ siṃhavikrāntagāminam | dṛṣṭvā nodvijate rāmaḥ siṃhaḥ kṣudramṛgaṃ yathā || 28.13 ||

But seeing Khara advancing with the gait and valor of a lion, Rama remained unshaken, as a lion is unshaken at the sight of a lesser beast.

Shloka 14 (aranya.28.14)

ततः सूर्यनिकाशेन रथेन महता खरः। आससादाथ तं रामं पतङ्ग इव पावकम् ॥ 28.14 ॥

tataḥ sūryanikāśena rathena mahatā kharaḥ | āsasādātha taṃ rāmaṃ pataṅga iva pāvakam || 28.14 ||

Then Khara, in his great sun-like chariot, closed upon Rama, as a moth flies into fire.

Shloka 15 (aranya.28.15)

ततोऽस्य सशरं चापं मुष्टिदेशे महात्मनः। खरश्चिच्छेद रामस्य दर्शयन् हस्तलाघवम् ॥ 28.15 ॥

tato'sya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ muṣṭideśe mahātmanaḥ | kharaściccheda rāmasya darśayan hastalāghavam || 28.15 ||

Then, displaying deftness of hand, Khara cut through the grip of great-souled Rama's bow, arrow and all.

Shloka 16 (aranya.28.16)

स पुनस्त्वपरान् सप्त शरानादाय मर्मणि। निजघान रणे क्रुद्धः शक्राशनिसमप्रभान् ॥ 28.16 ॥

sa punastvaparān sapta śarānādāya marmaṇi | nijaghāna raṇe kruddhaḥ śakrāśanisamaprabhān || 28.16 ||

Still enraged, he then took up seven more arrows, radiant as Indra's thunderbolt, and struck Rama's armor in that battle.

Shloka 17 (aranya.28.17)

ततः शरसहस्रेण राममप्रतिमौजसम्। अर्दयित्वा महानादं ननाद समरे खरः ॥ 28.17 ॥

tataḥ śarasahasreṇa rāmamapratimaujasam | ardayitvā mahānādaṃ nanāda samare kharaḥ || 28.17 ||

Then, having harassed Rama of matchless vigor with a thousand arrows, Khara roared aloud in that combat.

Shloka 18 (aranya.28.18)

ततस्तत्प्रहतं बाणैः खरमुक्तैः सुपर्वभिः। पपात कवचं भूमौ रामस्यादित्यवर्चसम् ॥ 28.18 ॥

tatastatprahataṃ bāṇaiḥ kharamuktaiḥ suparvabhiḥ | papāta kavacaṃ bhūmau rāmasyādityavarcasam || 28.18 ||

Struck by the well-jointed arrows loosed by Khara, Rama's armor, radiant as the sun, shattered and fell to the ground.

Shloka 19 (aranya.28.19)

स शरैरर्पितः क्रुद्धः सर्वगात्रेषु राघवः। रराज समरे रामो विधूमोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन् ॥ 28.19 ॥

sa śarairarpitaḥ kruddhaḥ sarvagātreṣu rāghavaḥ | rarāja samare rāmo vidhūmo'gniriva jvalan || 28.19 ||

With arrows piercing every limb, Raghava grew enraged, and in that battle he blazed forth like a smokeless fire.

Shloka 20 (aranya.28.20)

ततो गम्भीरनिर्ह्रादं रामः शत्रुनिबर्हणः। चकारान्ताय स रिपोः सज्यमन्यन्महद्धनुः ॥ 28.20 ॥

tato gambhīranirhrādaṃ rāmaḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ | cakārāntāya sa ripoḥ sajyamanyanmahaddhanuḥ || 28.20 ||

Then Rama, destroyer of foes, to finish his enemy, strung another great bow that roared with a deep and thunderous sound.

Shloka 21 (aranya.28.21)

सुमहद् वैष्णवं यत् तदतिसृष्टं महर्षिणा। वरं तद् धनुरुद्यम्य खरं समभिधावत ॥ 28.21 ॥

sumahad vaiṣṇavaṃ yat tadatisṛṣṭaṃ maharṣiṇā | varaṃ tad dhanurudyamya kharaṃ samabhidhāvata || 28.21 ||

Raising up that supremely excellent bow of Vishnu, once granted to him by the great sage (Agastya), Rama charged straight at Khara.

Shloka 22 (aranya.28.22)

ततः कनकपुङ्खैस्तु शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। चिच्छेद रामः संक्रुद्धः खरस्य समरे ध्वजम् ॥ 28.22 ॥

tataḥ kanakapuṅkhaistu śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | ciccheda rāmaḥ saṃkruddhaḥ kharasya samare dhvajam || 28.22 ||

Then, greatly enraged, with gold-shafted, curve-jointed arrows, Rama severed Khara's battle-standard.

Shloka 23 (aranya.28.23)

स दर्शनीयो बहुधा विच्छिन्नः काञ्चनो ध्वजः। जगाम धरणीं सूर्यो देवतानामिवाज्ञया ॥ 28.23 ॥

sa darśanīyo bahudhā vicchinnaḥ kāñcano dhvajaḥ | jagāma dharaṇīṃ sūryo devatānāmivājñayā || 28.23 ||

That beautiful golden standard, shattered into many pieces, fell to the earth, as if the sun itself had fallen by decree of the gods.

Shloka 24 (aranya.28.24)

तं चतुर्भिः खरः क्रुद्धो रामं गात्रेषु मार्गणैः। विव्याध हृदि मर्मज्ञो मातङ्गमिव तोमरैः ॥ 28.24 ॥

taṃ caturbhiḥ kharaḥ kruddho rāmaṃ gātreṣu mārgaṇaiḥ | vivyādha hṛdi marmajño mātaṅgamiva tomaraiḥ || 28.24 ||

Enraged, and knowing the vital points, Khara struck Rama's chest and limbs with four arrows, as one goads an elephant with lances.

Shloka 25 (aranya.28.25)

स रामो बहुभिर्बाणैः खरकार्मुकनिःसृतैः। विद्धो रुधिरसिक्ताङ्गो बभूव रुषितो भृशम् ॥ 28.25 ॥

sa rāmo bahubhirbāṇaiḥ kharakārmukaniḥsṛtaiḥ | viddho rudhirasiktāṅgo babhūva ruṣito bhṛśam || 28.25 ||

Struck by many arrows loosed from Khara's bow, Rama, his limbs drenched in blood, grew fiercely indignant.

Shloka 26 (aranya.28.26)

स धनुर्धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः संगृह्य परमाहवे। मुमोच परमेष्वासः षट् शरानभिलक्षितान् ॥ 28.26 ॥

sa dhanurdhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ saṃgṛhya paramāhave | mumoca parameṣvāsaḥ ṣaṭ śarānabhilakṣitān || 28.26 ||

Then Rama, foremost of archers, taking up his great bow in that supreme battle, loosed six precisely aimed arrows.

Shloka 27 (aranya.28.27)

शिरस्येकेन बाणेन द्वाभ्यां बाह्वोरथार्पयत् । त्रिभिश्चन्द्रार्धवक्त्रैश्च वक्षस्यभिजघान ह ॥ 28.27 ॥

śirasyekena bāṇena dvābhyāṃ bāhvorathārpayat | tribhiścandrārdhavaktraiśca vakṣasyabhijaghāna ha || 28.27 ||

With one arrow he struck Khara's head, with two more his arms, and then with three crescent-headed shafts he struck his chest.

Shloka 28 (aranya.28.28)

ततः पश्चान्महातेजा नाराचान् भास्करोपमान्। जघान राक्षसं क्रुद्धस्त्रयोदश शिलाशितान् ॥ 28.28 ॥

tataḥ paścānmahātejā nārācān bhāskaropamān | jaghāna rākṣasaṃ kruddhastrayodaśa śilāśitān || 28.28 ||

Then that greatly resplendent Rama, in his fury, loosed thirteen stone-whetted iron shafts, bright as the sun, to slay the demon.

Shloka 29 (aranya.28.29)

रथस्य युगमेकेन चतुर्भिः शबलान् हयान्। षष्ठेन च शिरः संख्ये चिच्छेद खरसारथेः ॥ 28.29 ॥

rathasya yugamekena caturbhiḥ śabalān hayān | ṣaṣṭhena ca śiraḥ saṃkhye ciccheda kharasāratheḥ || 28.29 ||

With one arrow he cut the yoke of the chariot, with four he felled the four dappled horses, and with a sixth, in that combat, he severed the head of Khara's charioteer.

Shloka 30 (aranya.28.30)

त्रिभिस्त्रिवेणून् बलवान् द्वाभ्यामक्षं महाबलः। द्वादशेन तु बाणेन खरस्य सशरं धनुः ॥ 28.30 ॥

tribhistriveṇūn balavān dvābhyāmakṣaṃ mahābalaḥ | dvādaśena tu bāṇena kharasya saśaraṃ dhanuḥ || 28.30 ||

With three arrows that mighty one cut the triple shaft, with two the axle, and with a twelfth arrow he shattered Khara's bow along with the arrow set upon it.

Shloka 31 (aranya.28.31)

छित्त्वा वज्रनिकाशेन राघवः प्रहसन्निव। त्रयोदशेनेन्द्रसमो बिभेद समरे खरम् ॥ 28.31 ॥

chittvā vajranikāśena rāghavaḥ prahasanniva | trayodaśenendrasamo bibheda samare kharam || 28.31 ||

Having thus shattered it, Raghava, equal to Indra, as though smiling, then with a thirteenth arrow resembling a thunderbolt, pierced Khara through in that battle.

Shloka 32 (aranya.28.32)

प्रभग्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। गदापाणिरवप्लुत्य तस्थौ भूमौ खरस्तदा ॥ 28.32 ॥

prabhagnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ | gadāpāṇiravaplutya tasthau bhūmau kharastadā || 28.32 ||

His bow utterly shattered, his chariot destroyed, his horses and charioteer slain, Khara then leapt down and stood firm on the ground, mace in hand.

Shloka 33 (aranya.28.33)

तत् कर्म रामस्य महारथस्य समेत्य देवाश्च महर्षयश्च। अपूजयन् प्राञ्जलयः प्रहृष्टा- स्तदा विमानाग्रगताः समेताः ॥ 28.33 ॥

tat karma rāmasya mahārathasya sametya devāśca maharṣayaśca | apūjayan prāñjalayaḥ prahṛṣṭā- stadā vimānāgragatāḥ sametāḥ || 28.33 ||

Then the gods and the great sages, gathering together in their celestial chariots overhead, joyfully honored that feat of the great charioteer Rama with joined palms.