The Binding of Indra

Shloka 1 (uttara.29.1)

ततस्तमसि सञ्जाते सर्वे ते देवराक्षसाः। अयुद्ध्यन्त बलोन्मत्ताः सूदयन्तः परस्परम् ॥ 29.1 ॥

tatastamasi sañjāte sarve te devarākṣasāḥ| ayuddhyanta balonmattāḥ sūdayantaḥ parasparam || 29.1 ||

Then, with darkness having fallen, all those gods and rakshasas, maddened by their own strength, fought on, slaying one another.

Shloka 2 (uttara.29.2)

ततस्तु देवसैन्येन राक्षसानां बृहद्बलम्। दशांशं स्थापितं युद्धे शेषं नीतं यमक्षयम् ॥ 29.2 ॥

tatastu devasainyena rākṣasānāṃ bṛhadbalam| daśāṃśaṃ sthāpitaṃ yuddhe śeṣaṃ nītaṃ yamakṣayam || 29.2 ||

Then, of the vast host of rakshasas, only a tenth part was left standing in that battle by the army of the gods; the rest was sent to Yama's abode.

Shloka 3 (uttara.29.3)

तस्मिंस्तु तामसे युद्धे सर्वे ते देवराक्षसाः। अन्योन्यं नाभ्यजानन्त युध्यमानाः परस्परम् ॥ 29.3 ॥

tasmiṃstu tāmase yuddhe sarve te devarākṣasāḥ| anyonyaṃ nābhyajānanta yudhyamānāḥ parasparam || 29.3 ||

In that battle wrapped in darkness, all those gods and rakshasas, though fighting against one another, could no longer recognize each other.

Shloka 4 (uttara.29.4)

इन्द्रश्च रावणश्चैव रावणिश्च महाबलः। तस्मिंस्तमोजालवृते मोहमीयुर्न ते त्रयः ॥ 29.4 ॥

indraśca rāvaṇaścaiva rāvaṇiśca mahābalaḥ| tasmiṃstamojālavṛte mohamīyurna te trayaḥ || 29.4 ||

Only Indra, Ravana, and the mighty Ravani — these three alone — were not overcome by confusion in that battle shrouded in a web of darkness.

Shloka 5 (uttara.29.5)

स तु दृष्ट्वा बलं सर्वं रावणो निहतं क्षणात्। क्रोधमभ्यगमत्तीव्रं महानादं च मुक्तवान् ॥ 29.5 ॥

sa tu dṛṣṭvā balaṃ sarvaṃ rāvaṇo nihataṃ kṣaṇāt| krodhamabhyagamattīvraṃ mahānādaṃ ca muktavān || 29.5 ||

Ravana, seeing his entire army struck down in an instant, was seized by fierce rage, and let out a great roar.

Shloka 6 (uttara.29.6)

क्रोधात्सूतं च दुर्धर्षः स्यन्दनस्थमुवाच ह। परसैन्यस्य मध्येन यावदन्तो नयस्व माम् ॥ 29.6 ॥

krodhātsūtaṃ ca durdharṣaḥ syandanasthamuvāca ha| parasainyasya madhyena yāvadanto nayasva mām || 29.6 ||

In his fury, the unassailable one spoke to his charioteer, standing in the chariot: "Drive me right through the middle of the enemy army, to its very end.

Shloka 7 (uttara.29.7)

अद्यैतान् त्रिदशान्सर्वान्विक्रमैः समरे स्वयम्। नानाशस्त्रैर्महाघोरैर्नयामि यमसादनम् ॥ 29.7 ॥

adyaitān tridaśānsarvānvikramaiḥ samare svayam| nānāśastrairmahāghorairnayāmi yamasādanam || 29.7 ||

Today, by my own prowess in this battle, I shall send all these gods, with weapons terrible and manifold, to the abode of Yama.

Shloka 8 (uttara.29.8)

अहमिन्द्रं वधिष्यामि धनदं वरुणं यमम्। त्रिदशान्विनिहत्याथ स्वयं स्थास्याम्यथोपरि। विषादो न च कर्तव्यः शीघ्रं वाहय मे रथम् ॥ 29.8 ॥

ahamindraṃ vadhiṣyāmi dhanadaṃ varuṇaṃ yamam| tridaśānvinihatyātha svayaṃ sthāsyāmyathopari| viṣādo na ca kartavyaḥ śīghraṃ vāhaya me ratham || 29.8 ||

I shall slay Indra, Kubera, Varuna and Yama; having struck down the gods, I myself shall then stand supreme above them all. There is no cause for despair — drive my chariot swiftly!

Shloka 9 (uttara.29.9)

द्विः खलु त्वां ब्रवीम्यद्य यावदन्तो नयस्व माम् ॥ 29.9 ॥

dviḥ khalu tvāṃ bravīmyadya yāvadanto nayasva mām || 29.9 ||

Twice now indeed have I told you today — drive me right to the very end!"

Shloka 10 (uttara.29.10)

अयं स नन्दनोद्देशो यत्र वर्तामहे वयम्। नय मामद्य तत्र त्वमुदयो यत्र पर्वतः ॥ 29.10 ॥

ayaṃ sa nandanoddeśo yatra vartāmahe vayam| naya māmadya tatra tvamudayo yatra parvataḥ || 29.10 ||

"This is that very region of Nandana where we now stand; take me now to that place where Mount Udaya stands."

Shloka 11 (uttara.29.11)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा तुरगान्स मनोजवान्। आदिदेशाथ शत्रणां मध्येनैव च सारथिः ॥ 29.11 ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā turagānsa manojavān| ādideśātha śatraṇāṃ madhyenaiva ca sārathiḥ || 29.11 ||

Hearing his words, the charioteer then guided his mind-swift steeds right through the very midst of the enemy.

Shloka 12 (uttara.29.12)

तस्य तं निश्चयं ज्ञात्वा शक्रो देवेश्वरस्तदा। रथस्थः समरस्थस्तान्देवान्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ॥ 29.12 ॥

tasya taṃ niścayaṃ jñātvā śakro deveśvarastadā| rathasthaḥ samarasthastāndevānvākyamathābravīt || 29.12 ||

Knowing his firm resolve, Shakra, lord of the gods, then, standing in his chariot in the midst of battle, spoke these words to the gods —

Shloka 13 (uttara.29.13)

सुराः शृणुत मद्वाक्यं यत्तावन्मम रोचते। जीवन्नेव दशग्रीवः साधु रक्षो निगृह्यताम् ॥ 29.13 ॥

surāḥ śṛṇuta madvākyaṃ yattāvanmama rocate| jīvanneva daśagrīvaḥ sādhu rakṣo nigṛhyatām || 29.13 ||

"O gods, hear my word, that which now seems best to me: let this rakshasa, ten-necked Ravana, be seized alive — that would be well done.

Shloka 14 (uttara.29.14)

एष ह्यतिबलः सैन्यै रथेन पवनौजसा। गमिष्यति प्रवृद्धोर्मिः समुद्र इव पर्वणि ॥ 29.14 ॥

eṣa hyatibalaḥ sainyai rathena pavanaujasā| gamiṣyati pravṛddhormiḥ samudra iva parvaṇi || 29.14 ||

For this immensely powerful one, with his army, in his wind-swift chariot, will surge forward — like the ocean's swollen tide at the full moon.

Shloka 15 (uttara.29.15)

नह्येष हन्तुं शक्यो ऽद्य वरदानात्सुनिर्भयः। तद्ग्रहीष्यामहे रक्षो यत्ता भवत संयुगे ॥ 29.15 ॥

nahyeṣa hantuṃ śakyo 'dya varadānātsunirbhayaḥ| tadgrahīṣyāmahe rakṣo yattā bhavata saṃyuge || 29.15 ||

For he cannot today be slain, being wholly fearless by virtue of his boon; therefore let us seize this rakshasa instead — be ready for it in the fight.

Shloka 16 (uttara.29.16)

यथा बलौ निरुद्धे च त्रैलोक्यं भुज्यते मया। एवमेतस्य पापस्य निरोधो मम रोचते ॥ 29.16 ॥

yathā balau niruddhe ca trailokyaṃ bhujyate mayā| evametasya pāpasya nirodho mama rocate || 29.16 ||

Just as, when Bali was confined, the three worlds came to be enjoyed by me, so too does the confinement of this sinner seem good to me."

Shloka 17 (uttara.29.17)

ततो ऽन्यं देशमास्थाय शक्रः सन्त्यज्य रावणम्। अयुध्यत महाराज राक्षसांस्त्रासयन्रणे ॥ 29.17 ॥

tato 'nyaṃ deśamāsthāya śakraḥ santyajya rāvaṇam| ayudhyata mahārāja rākṣasāṃstrāsayanraṇe || 29.17 ||

Then Shakra, setting aside Ravana, took his stand in another part of the field, O great king, and fought on, terrorizing the rakshasas in that battle.

Shloka 18 (uttara.29.18)

उत्तरेण दशग्रीवः प्रविवेशानिवर्तकः। दक्षिणेन तु पार्श्वेन प्रविवेश शतक्रतुः ॥ 29.18 ॥

uttareṇa daśagrīvaḥ praviveśānivartakaḥ| dakṣiṇena tu pārśvena praviveśa śatakratuḥ || 29.18 ||

Ten-necked Ravana, never turning back, pushed on through the northern flank, while Shatakratu (Indra) pressed in through the southern side.

Shloka 19 (uttara.29.19)

ततः स योजनशतं प्रविष्टो राक्षसाधिपः। देवतानां बलं सर्वं शरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ॥ 29.19 ॥

tataḥ sa yojanaśataṃ praviṣṭo rākṣasādhipaḥ| devatānāṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ śaravarṣairavākirat || 29.19 ||

Then that lord of rakshasas, having advanced a hundred yojanas deep, showered the entire host of the gods with a rain of arrows.

Shloka 20 (uttara.29.20)

ततः शक्रो निरीक्ष्याथ प्रनष्टं तु स्वकं बलम्। न्यवर्तयदसम्भ्रान्तः समावृत्य दशाननम् ॥ 29.20 ॥

tataḥ śakro nirīkṣyātha pranaṣṭaṃ tu svakaṃ balam| nyavartayadasambhrāntaḥ samāvṛtya daśānanam || 29.20 ||

Then Shakra, beholding his own army thus destroyed, undaunted, turned back and encircled ten-necked Ravana.

Shloka 21 (uttara.29.21)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे नादो मुक्तो दानवराक्षसैः। हा हताः स्म इति ग्रस्तं दृष्ट्वा शक्रेण रावणम् ॥ 29.21 ॥

etasminnantare nādo mukto dānavarākṣasaiḥ| hā hatāḥ sma iti grastaṃ dṛṣṭvā śakreṇa rāvaṇam || 29.21 ||

At that moment, a great cry went up from the danavas and rakshasas — "Alas, we are lost!" — on seeing Ravana thus caught by Shakra.

Shloka 22 (uttara.29.22)

ततो रथं समास्थाय रावणिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। तत्सैन्यमतिसङ्क्रुद्धः प्रविवेश सुदारुणम् ॥ 29.22 ॥

tato rathaṃ samāsthāya rāvaṇiḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ| tatsainyamatisaṅkruddhaḥ praviveśa sudāruṇam || 29.22 ||

Then Ravani, mounting his chariot, overcome with fury, entered that terrible army in a towering rage.

Shloka 23 (uttara.29.23)

तां प्रविश्य महामायां प्राप्तां गोपतिना पुरा। प्रविवेश सुसंरब्धस्तत्सैन्यं समभिद्रवत् ॥ 29.23 ॥

tāṃ praviśya mahāmāyāṃ prāptāṃ gopatinā purā| praviveśa susaṃrabdhastatsainyaṃ samabhidravat || 29.23 ||

Invoking that great power of illusion, obtained long ago from the lord of cattle (Shiva), he, greatly incensed, entered invisible and charged straight into that army.

Shloka 24 (uttara.29.24)

स सर्वा देवतास्त्यक्त्वा शक्रमेवाभ्यधावत। महेन्द्रश्च महातेजा नापश्यच्च सुतं रिपोः ॥ 29.24 ॥

sa sarvā devatāstyaktvā śakramevābhyadhāvata| mahendraśca mahātejā nāpaśyacca sutaṃ ripoḥ || 29.24 ||

Leaving aside all the other gods, he rushed straight at Shakra alone; and great, radiant Indra could not even see the son of his enemy.

Shloka 25 (uttara.29.25)

विमुक्तकवचस्तत्र वध्यमानो ऽपि रावणिः। त्रिदशैः सुमहावीर्यैर्न चकार च किञ्चन ॥ 29.25 ॥

vimuktakavacastatra vadhyamāno 'pi rāvaṇiḥ| tridaśaiḥ sumahāvīryairna cakāra ca kiñcana || 29.25 ||

There, Ravani, though his armour was loosened and he was being struck by the mighty gods, being invisible could himself do nothing openly in return just yet.

Shloka 26 (uttara.29.26)

स मातलिं समायान्तं ताडयित्वा शरोत्तमैः। महेन्द्रं बाणवर्षेण भूय एवाभ्यवाकिरत् ॥ 29.26 ॥

sa mātaliṃ samāyāntaṃ tāḍayitvā śarottamaiḥ| mahendraṃ bāṇavarṣeṇa bhūya evābhyavākirat || 29.26 ||

Striking Matali, who was approaching, with excellent arrows, he then showered great Indra once again with a rain of arrows.

Shloka 27 (uttara.29.27)

ततस्त्यक्त्वा रथं शक्रो विससर्ज च सारथिम्। ऐरावतं समारुह्य मृगयामास रावणिम् ॥ 29.27 ॥

tatastyaktvā rathaṃ śakro visasarja ca sārathim| airāvataṃ samāruhya mṛgayāmāsa rāvaṇim || 29.27 ||

Then Shakra, abandoning his chariot and dismissing his charioteer, mounted Airavata and went in search of Ravani.

Shloka 28 (uttara.29.28)

स तत्र मायाबलवानदृश्यो ऽथान्तरिक्षगः। इन्द्रं मायापरिक्षिप्तं कृत्वा स प्राद्रवच्छरैः ॥ 29.28 ॥

sa tatra māyābalavānadṛśyo 'thāntarikṣagaḥ| indraṃ māyāparikṣiptaṃ kṛtvā sa prādravaccharaiḥ || 29.28 ||

But he, mighty through his illusion, invisible, moving through the sky, kept Indra entangled in that illusion, and continued to assail him with arrows.

Shloka 29 (uttara.29.29)

स तं यदा परिश्रान्तमिन्द्रं जज्ञे ऽथ रावणिः। तदैनं मायया बद्ध्वा स्वसैन्यमभितो ऽनयत् ॥ 29.29 ॥

sa taṃ yadā pariśrāntamindraṃ jajñe 'tha rāvaṇiḥ| tadainaṃ māyayā baddhvā svasainyamabhito 'nayat || 29.29 ||

When Ravani perceived that Indra had grown weary, he then bound him fast by his illusion and led him away toward his own army.

Shloka 30 (uttara.29.30)

तं तु दृष्ट्वा बलात्तेन नीयमानं महारणात्। महेन्द्रममराः सर्वे किं नु स्यादित्यचिन्तयन् ॥ 29.30 ॥

taṃ tu dṛṣṭvā balāttena nīyamānaṃ mahāraṇāt| mahendramamarāḥ sarve kiṃ nu syādityacintayan || 29.30 ||

Seeing great Indra being forcibly led away by him from that great battlefield, all the immortals wondered anxiously, "What can this mean?"

Shloka 31 (uttara.29.31)

दृश्यते न स मायावी शक्रजित्समितिञ्जयः। विद्यावानपि येनेन्द्रो मायया नीयते बलात् ॥ 29.31 ॥

dṛśyate na sa māyāvī śakrajitsamitiñjayaḥ| vidyāvānapi yenendro māyayā nīyate balāt || 29.31 ||

That wielder of illusion, conqueror of Shakra, victorious in battle, could not be seen — he by whom Indra, learned though he is, was being forcibly led away by illusion.

Shloka 32 (uttara.29.32)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रुद्धाः सर्वे सुरगणास्तदा। रावणं विमुखीकृत्य शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥ 29.32 ॥

etasminnantare kruddhāḥ sarve suragaṇāstadā| rāvaṇaṃ vimukhīkṛtya śaravarṣairavākiran || 29.32 ||

Meanwhile, all the enraged hosts of gods then turned Ravana back, and covered him with a shower of arrows.

Shloka 33 (uttara.29.33)

रावणस्तु समासाद्य आदित्यांश्च वसूंस्तदा। न शशाक स सङ्ग्रामे योद्धुं शत्रुभिरर्दितः ॥ 29.33 ॥

rāvaṇastu samāsādya ādityāṃśca vasūṃstadā| na śaśāka sa saṅgrāme yoddhuṃ śatrubhirarditaḥ || 29.33 ||

Ravana, confronted then by the Adityas and the Vasus, harried by his enemies, could no longer continue to fight in that battle.

Shloka 34 (uttara.29.34)

स तं दृष्ट्वा परिम्लानं प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृतम्। रावणिः पितरं युद्धे दर्शनस्थो ऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ 29.34 ॥

sa taṃ dṛṣṭvā parimlānaṃ prahārairjarjarīkṛtam| rāvaṇiḥ pitaraṃ yuddhe darśanastho 'bravīdidam || 29.34 ||

Seeing his father thus wilted, shattered by blows, in that battle, Ravani, standing there visible again, spoke these words to him —

Shloka 35 (uttara.29.35)

आगच्छ तात गच्छामो रणकर्म निवर्तताम्। जितं नो विदितं ते ऽस्तु स्वस्थो भव गतज्वरः ॥ 29.35 ॥

āgaccha tāta gacchāmo raṇakarma nivartatām| jitaṃ no viditaṃ te 'stu svastho bhava gatajvaraḥ || 29.35 ||

"Come, father, let us go; let this work of battle now cease. Know that we have won; be at peace, your fever now gone.

Shloka 36 (uttara.29.36)

अयं हि सुरसैन्यस्य त्रैलोक्यस्य च यः प्रभुः। स गृहीतो दैवबलाद्भग्नदर्पाः सुराः कृताः ॥ 29.36 ॥

ayaṃ hi surasainyasya trailokyasya ca yaḥ prabhuḥ| sa gṛhīto daivabalādbhagnadarpāḥ surāḥ kṛtāḥ || 29.36 ||

For this very one, who is lord of the gods' army and of the three worlds, has been seized by my divine power — the pride of the gods now lies broken.

Shloka 37 (uttara.29.37)

यथेष्टं भुङ्क्ष्व लोकांस्त्रीन्निगृह्यारातिमोजसा। वृथा किं ते श्रमेणेह युद्धमद्य तु निष्फलम् ॥ 29.37 ॥

yatheṣṭaṃ bhuṅkṣva lokāṃstrīnnigṛhyārātimojasā| vṛthā kiṃ te śrameṇeha yuddhamadya tu niṣphalam || 29.37 ||

Having subdued your enemy by your might, enjoy the three worlds as you please. Why this vain exertion? Fighting on further today would be fruitless."

Shloka 38 (uttara.29.38)

ततस्ते दैवतगणा निवृत्ता रणकर्मणः। तच्छ्रुत्वा रावणेर्वाक्यं स्वस्थचेताः बभूव ह ॥ 29.38 ॥

tataste daivatagaṇā nivṛttā raṇakarmaṇaḥ| tacchrutvā rāvaṇervākyaṃ svasthacetāḥ babhūva ha || 29.38 ||

Then those hosts of gods, checked in the work of battle, withdrew; and Ravana, hearing his son Ravani's words, was set at ease.

Shloka 39 (uttara.29.39)

अथ स रणविगतज्वरः प्रभुर्विजयमवाप्य निशाचराधिपः। स्वभवनमभितो जगाम हृष्टः स्वसुतमवाप्य च वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 29.39 ॥

atha sa raṇavigatajvaraḥ prabhurvijayamavāpya niśācarādhipaḥ| svabhavanamabhito jagāma hṛṣṭaḥ svasutamavāpya ca vākyamabravīt || 29.39 ||

Then that lord of the night-roamers, his battle-fever gone, having gained victory, went joyfully toward his own home; and, his son restored to him, he spoke these words —

Shloka 40 (uttara.29.40)

अतिबलसदृशैः पराक्रमैस्तैर्मम कुलमानविवर्धनं कृतम्। यदयमतुल्यबलस्त्वयाद्य वै त्रिदशपतिस्त्रिदशाश्च निर्जिताः ॥ 29.40 ॥

atibalasadṛśaiḥ parākramaistairmama kulamānavivardhanaṃ kṛtam| yadayamatulyabalastvayādya vai tridaśapatistridaśāśca nirjitāḥ || 29.40 ||

"By those feats of prowess worthy of the mightiest, you have raised the honour of our lineage — for by you, of matchless strength, this very day the lord of the gods and the gods themselves have been conquered.

Shloka 41 (uttara.29.41)

नय रथमधिरोप्य वासवं नगरमितो व्रज सेनया वृतस्त्वम्। अहमपि तव गच्छतो द्रुतं सह सचिवैरनुयामि पृष्ठतः ॥ 29.41 ॥

naya rathamadhiropya vāsavaṃ nagaramito vraja senayā vṛtastvam| ahamapi tava gacchato drutaṃ saha sacivairanuyāmi pṛṣṭhataḥ || 29.41 ||

Mount Vasava upon your chariot and lead him from here to the city, surrounded by your army; I too shall follow swiftly behind you, together with the ministers, as you go."

Shloka 42 (uttara.29.42)

अथ स बलवृतः सवाहनस्त्रिदशपतिं परिगृह्य रावणिः। स्वभवनमभिगम्य वीर्यवान्कृतसमरान्विससर्ज राक्षसान् ॥ 29.42 ॥

atha sa balavṛtaḥ savāhanastridaśapatiṃ parigṛhya rāvaṇiḥ| svabhavanamabhigamya vīryavānkṛtasamarānvisasarja rākṣasān || 29.42 ||

Then Ravani, surrounded by his troops and mounts, having taken hold of the lord of the gods, and being himself of great valour, went to his own home and dismissed the rakshasas who had fought in that battle.