Arjuna Kartavirya Captures Ravana

Shloka 1 (uttara.32.1)

नर्मदापुलिने यत्र राक्षसेन्द्रः सुदारुणः । पुष्पोपहारं कुरुते तस्माद्देशाददूरतः ॥ 32.1 ॥

narmadāpuline yatra rākṣasendraḥ sudāruṇaḥ | puṣpopahāraṃ kurute tasmāddeśādadūrataḥ || 32.1 ||

Not far from the sandbank of the Narmada where that most terrible lord of the rakshasas was making his flower-offering —

Shloka 2 (uttara.32.2)

अर्जुनो जयतां श्रेष्ठो माहिष्मत्याः पतिः प्रभुः । क्रीडते सह नारीभिर्नर्मदातोयमाश्रितः ॥ 32.2 ॥

arjuno jayatāṃ śreṣṭho māhiṣmatyāḥ patiḥ prabhuḥ | krīḍate saha nārībhirnarmadātoyamāśritaḥ || 32.2 ||

— there Arjuna, foremost among conquerors, lord and ruler of Mahishmati, having entered the waters of the Narmada, was sporting there with his women.

Shloka 3 (uttara.32.3)

तासां मध्यगतो राजा रराज च तदार्जुनः । करेणूनां सहस्रस्य मध्यस्थ इव कुञ्जरः ॥ 32.3 ॥

tāsāṃ madhyagato rājā rarāja ca tadārjunaḥ | kareṇūnāṃ sahasrasya madhyastha iva kuñjaraḥ || 32.3 ||

That King Arjuna, seated in their midst, shone at that moment like a great elephant standing amid a thousand female elephants.

Shloka 4 (uttara.32.4)

जिज्ञासुः स तु बाहूनां सहस्रस्योत्तमं बलम् । रुरोध नर्मदावेगं बाहुभिर्बहुभिर्वृतः ॥ 32.4 ॥

jijñāsuḥ sa tu bāhūnāṃ sahasrasyottamaṃ balam | rurodha narmadāvegaṃ bāhubhirbahubhirvṛtaḥ || 32.4 ||

Wishing to test the supreme strength of his thousand arms, surrounded by his own many arms, he checked the current of the Narmada.

Shloka 5 (uttara.32.5)

कार्तवीर्यभुजासक्तं तज्जलं प्राप्य निर्मलम् । कूलोपहारं कुर्वाणं प्रतिस्रोतः प्रधावति ॥ 32.5 ॥

kārtavīryabhujāsaktaṃ tajjalaṃ prāpya nirmalam | kūlopahāraṃ kurvāṇaṃ pratisrotaḥ pradhāvati || 32.5 ||

That clear water, checked by the arms of Kartavirya, overflowed its banks and rushed back against its own current.

Shloka 6 (uttara.32.6)

समीननक्रमकरः सपुष्पकुशसंस्तरः । स नर्मदाम्भसो वेगः प्रावृट्काल इवाबभौ ॥ 32.6 ॥

samīnanakramakaraḥ sapuṣpakuśasaṃstaraḥ | sa narmadāmbhaso vegaḥ prāvṛṭkāla ivābabhau || 32.6 ||

That backward-rushing surge of the Narmada's water, carrying its fish and crocodiles, its scattered flowers and kusha grass, looked like the flood of the rainy season.

Shloka 7 (uttara.32.7)

स वेगः कार्तवीर्येण सम्प्रेषित इवाम्भसः । पुष्पोपहारं सकलं रावणस्य जहार ह ॥ 32.7 ॥

sa vegaḥ kārtavīryeṇa sampreṣita ivāmbhasaḥ | puṣpopahāraṃ sakalaṃ rāvaṇasya jahāra ha || 32.7 ||

That surge of water, as if sent forth by Kartavirya himself, swept away the whole of Ravana's flower-offering.

Shloka 8 (uttara.32.8)

रावणो ऽर्धसमाप्तं तमुत्सृज्य नियमं तदा । नर्मदां पश्यते कान्तां प्रतिकूलां यथा प्रियाम् ॥ 32.8 ॥

rāvaṇo 'rdhasamāptaṃ tamutsṛjya niyamaṃ tadā | narmadāṃ paśyate kāntāṃ pratikūlāṃ yathā priyām || 32.8 ||

Ravana, abandoning his half-completed observance, then looked at the beloved Narmada as one looks at a sweetheart suddenly turned hostile.

Shloka 9 (uttara.32.9)

पश्चिमेन तु तं दृष्ट्वा सागरोद्गारसन्निभम् । वर्धन्तमम्भसो वेगं पूर्वामाशां प्रविश्य तु ॥ 32.9 ॥

paścimena tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā sāgarodgārasannibham | vardhantamambhaso vegaṃ pūrvāmāśāṃ praviśya tu || 32.9 ||

Seeing that surge of water, swelling like the surging of the ocean, moving from the west toward the east,

Shloka 10 (uttara.32.10)

ततो ऽनुभ्रान्तशकुनां स्वभावोपरमे स्थिताम् । निर्विकाराङ्गनाभासामपश्यद्रावणो नदीम् ॥ 32.10 ॥

tato 'nubhrāntaśakunāṃ svabhāvoparame sthitām | nirvikārāṅganābhāsāmapaśyadrāvaṇo nadīm || 32.10 ||

Ravana then beheld the river — her birds circling in confusion, her natural motion suspended, standing still like an agitated woman.

Shloka 11 (uttara.32.11)

सव्येतरकराङ्गुल्या सशब्दं च दशाननः । वेगप्रभावमन्वेष्टुं सो ऽदिशच्छुकसारणौ ॥ 32.11 ॥

savyetarakarāṅgulyā saśabdaṃ ca daśānanaḥ | vegaprabhāvamanveṣṭuṃ so 'diśacchukasāraṇau || 32.11 ||

The ten-headed one, snapping the fingers of his right hand, sent Shuka and Sarana to discover the cause of that force.

Shloka 12 (uttara.32.12)

तौ तु रावणसन्दिष्टौ भ्रातरौ शुकसारणौ । व्योमान्तरगतौ वीरौ प्रस्थितौ पश्चिमामुखौ ॥ 32.12 ॥

tau tu rāvaṇasandiṣṭau bhrātarau śukasāraṇau | vyomāntaragatau vīrau prasthitau paścimāmukhau || 32.12 ||

Thus commanded by Ravana, those two heroic brothers, Shuka and Sarana, set out through the sky, facing westward.

Shloka 13 (uttara.32.13)

अर्धयोजनमात्रं तु गत्वा तौ रजनीचरौ । पश्येतां पुरुषं तोये क्रीडन्तं सहयोषितम् ॥ 32.13 ॥

ardhayojanamātraṃ tu gatvā tau rajanīcarau | paśyetāṃ puruṣaṃ toye krīḍantaṃ sahayoṣitam || 32.13 ||

Having gone about half a yojana, those two night-rangers saw a man sporting in the water together with women.

Shloka 14 (uttara.32.14)

बृहत्सालप्रतीकाशं तोयव्याकुलमूर्धजम् । मदरक्तान्तनयनं मदव्याकुलतेजसम् ॥ 32.14 ॥

bṛhatsālapratīkāśaṃ toyavyākulamūrdhajam | madaraktāntanayanaṃ madavyākulatejasam || 32.14 ||

He resembled a great sala tree; his hair was disheveled by the water; his eyes were reddened at the corners with intoxication, his splendor made unsteady by that same intoxication.

Shloka 15 (uttara.32.15)

नदीं बाहुसहस्रेण रुन्धन्तमरिमर्दनम् । गिरिं पादसहस्रेण रुन्धन्तमिव मेदिनीम् ॥ 32.15 ॥

nadīṃ bāhusahasreṇa rundhantamarimardanam | giriṃ pādasahasreṇa rundhantamiva medinīm || 32.15 ||

That crusher of enemies was holding back the river with his thousand arms, as a mountain might hold back the earth with a thousand feet.

Shloka 16 (uttara.32.16)

बालानां वरनारीणां सहस्रेण समावृतम् । समदानां करेणूनां सहस्रेणेव कुञ्जरम् ॥ 32.16 ॥

bālānāṃ varanārīṇāṃ sahasreṇa samāvṛtam | samadānāṃ kareṇūnāṃ sahasreṇeva kuñjaram || 32.16 ||

He was surrounded by a thousand young and excellent women, like a rutting elephant-king surrounded by a thousand female elephants.

Shloka 17 (uttara.32.17)

तमद्भुततमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ । सन्निवृत्तावुपागम्य रावणं तमथोचतुः ॥ 32.17 ॥

tamadbhutatamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasau śukasāraṇau | sannivṛttāvupāgamya rāvaṇaṃ tamathocatuḥ || 32.17 ||

Having seen that most astonishing sight, the two rakshasas Shuka and Sarana turned back, came to Ravana, and said to him —

Shloka 18 (uttara.32.18)

बृहत्सालप्रतीकाशः को ऽप्यसौ राक्षसेश्वर । नर्मदां रोधवद्रुद्ध्वा क्रीडापयति योषितः ॥ 32.18 ॥

bṛhatsālapratīkāśaḥ ko 'pyasau rākṣaseśvara | narmadāṃ rodhavadruddhvā krīḍāpayati yoṣitaḥ || 32.18 ||

'O lord of the rakshasas, some great being resembling a huge sala tree, having dammed up the Narmada, is making women sport there.'

Shloka 19 (uttara.32.19)

तेन बाहुसहस्रेण सन्निरुद्धजला नदी । सागरोद्गारसङ्काशानुद्गारान्सृजते मुहुः ॥ 32.19 ॥

tena bāhusahasreṇa sanniruddhajalā nadī | sāgarodgārasaṅkāśānudgārānsṛjate muhuḥ || 32.19 ||

'The river, its water dammed by his thousand arms, again and again throws up surges like the surging of the ocean.'

Shloka 20 (uttara.32.20)

इत्येवं भाषमाणौ तौ निशाम्य शुकसारणौ । रावणो ऽर्जुन इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ युद्धलालसः ॥ 32.20 ॥

ityevaṃ bhāṣamāṇau tau niśāmya śukasāraṇau | rāvaṇo 'rjuna ityuktvā prayayau yuddhalālasaḥ || 32.20 ||

Hearing Shuka and Sarana speak thus, Ravana said, 'This is Arjuna,' and set out, eager for battle.

Shloka 21 (uttara.32.21)

अर्जुनाभिमुखे तस्मिन्रावणे राक्षसाधिपे । चण्डः प्रवाति पवनः सनादः सुरजास्तथा ॥ 32.21 ॥

arjunābhimukhe tasminrāvaṇe rākṣasādhipe | caṇḍaḥ pravāti pavanaḥ sanādaḥ surajāstathā || 32.21 ||

As that lord of the rakshasas, Ravana, turned to face Arjuna, a fierce wind began to blow with a roar, and clouds of dust rose.

Shloka 22 (uttara.32.22)

सकृदेव कृतो रावः सरक्तः प्रेषितो घनैः । महोदरमहापार्श्वधूम्राक्षशुकसारणैः ॥ 32.22 ॥

sakṛdeva kṛto rāvaḥ saraktaḥ preṣito ghanaiḥ | mahodaramahāpārśvadhūmrākṣaśukasāraṇaiḥ || 32.22 ||

A single roar, tinged with fury, rose up at once from Mahodara, Mahaparshva, Dhumraksha, Shuka and Sarana.

Shloka 23 (uttara.32.23)

संवृतो राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु तत्रागाद्यत्र चार्जुनः । अदीर्घेणैव कालेन स तदा राक्षसो बली । तं नर्मदाह्रदं भीममाजगामाञ्जनप्रभः ॥ 32.23 ॥

saṃvṛto rākṣasendrastu tatrāgādyatra cārjunaḥ | adīrgheṇaiva kālena sa tadā rākṣaso balī | taṃ narmadāhradaṃ bhīmamājagāmāñjanaprabhaḥ || 32.23 ||

Surrounded by them, the lord of the rakshasas went to where Arjuna was; in a very short time, that mighty rakshasa, dark as collyrium, reached that terrible pool of the Narmada.

Shloka 24 (uttara.32.24)

स तत्र स्त्रीपरिवृतं वाशिताभिरिव द्विपम् । नरेन्द्रं पश्यते राजा राक्षसानां तदार्जुनम् ॥ 32.24 ॥

sa tatra strīparivṛtaṃ vāśitābhiriva dvipam | narendraṃ paśyate rājā rākṣasānāṃ tadārjunam || 32.24 ||

There the king of the rakshasas saw King Arjuna, surrounded by women, as an elephant is surrounded by its rutting cow-elephants.

Shloka 25 (uttara.32.25)

स रोषाद्रक्तनयनो राक्षसेन्द्रो बलोद्धतः ॥ 32.25 ॥

sa roṣādraktanayano rākṣasendro baloddhataḥ || 32.25 ||

That lord of the rakshasas, his eyes red with anger, swollen with pride of strength, spoke thus in a deep voice to Arjuna's minister —

Shloka 26 (uttara.32.26)

इत्येवमर्जुनामात्यनाह गम्भीरया गिरा । अमात्याः क्षिप्रमाख्यात हैहयस्य नृपस्य वै ॥ 32.26 ॥

ityevamarjunāmātyanāha gambhīrayā girā | amātyāḥ kṣipramākhyāta haihayasya nṛpasya vai || 32.26 ||

'Ministers, go quickly and tell the king of the Haihayas that a rakshasa named Ravana has come here desiring battle.'

Shloka 27 (uttara.32.27)

युद्धार्थी समनुप्राप्तो रावणो नाम राक्षसः । रावणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणो ऽथार्जुनस्य ते । उत्तस्थुः सायुधास्त्राश्च रावणं वाक्यमब्रुवन् ॥ 32.27 ॥

yuddhārthī samanuprāpto rāvaṇo nāma rākṣasaḥ | rāvaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā mantriṇo 'thārjunasya te | uttasthuḥ sāyudhāstrāśca rāvaṇaṃ vākyamabruvan || 32.27 ||

Hearing Ravana's words, Arjuna's ministers rose up at once, weapons and missiles in hand, and spoke these words to Ravana —

Shloka 28 (uttara.32.28)

युद्धस्य कालो विज्ञेयः साधु भोः साधु रावण । यः क्षीबं स्त्रीवृतं चैव योद्धुमुत्सहते नृपम् ॥ 32.28 ॥

yuddhasya kālo vijñeyaḥ sādhu bhoḥ sādhu rāvaṇa | yaḥ kṣībaṃ strīvṛtaṃ caiva yoddhumutsahate nṛpam || 32.28 ||

'One should know the proper time for battle — well, good Ravana, well done — you who wish to fight a king who is intoxicated and surrounded by women —'

Shloka 29 (uttara.32.29)

स्त्रीसमक्षं कथं यत्तद्योद्धुमुत्सहसे ऽर्जुनम् । वाशितामध्यगं मत्तं शार्दूल इव कुञ्जरम् ॥ 32.29 ॥

strīsamakṣaṃ kathaṃ yattadyoddhumutsahase 'rjunam | vāśitāmadhyagaṃ mattaṃ śārdūla iva kuñjaram || 32.29 ||

'— how do you dare to fight Arjuna in the presence of women, intoxicated and standing amid his queens, as a tiger might dare to attack an elephant?'

Shloka 30 (uttara.32.30)

क्षमस्वाद्य दशग्रीव चोष्यतां रजनी त्वया । युद्धे श्रद्धा च यद्यस्ति श्वस्तात समरे ऽर्जुनम् ॥ 32.30 ॥

kṣamasvādya daśagrīva coṣyatāṃ rajanī tvayā | yuddhe śraddhā ca yadyasti śvastāta samare 'rjunam || 32.30 ||

'Show forbearance today, O ten-necked one, and pass this night here; if you truly have zeal for battle, then tomorrow, good sir, meet Arjuna in combat.'

Shloka 31 (uttara.32.31)

यद्यद्यास्ति मतिर्योद्धुं युद्धतृष्णासमावृता । निहत्यास्मांस्ततो युद्धमर्जुनेनोपयास्यसि ॥ 32.31 ॥

yadyadyāsti matiryoddhuṃ yuddhatṛṣṇāsamāvṛtā | nihatyāsmāṃstato yuddhamarjunenopayāsyasi || 32.31 ||

'And if your mind, possessed by thirst for war, is still set upon fighting, then you shall have to kill us first before you can come to battle with Arjuna.'

Shloka 32 (uttara.32.32)

ततस्ते रावणामात्यैरमात्याः पार्थिवस्य तु । सूदिताश्चापि ते युद्धे भक्षिताश्च बुभुक्षितैः ॥ 32.32 ॥

tataste rāvaṇāmātyairamātyāḥ pārthivasya tu | sūditāścāpi te yuddhe bhakṣitāśca bubhukṣitaiḥ || 32.32 ||

Then those ministers of King Arjuna were slain in battle by Ravana's ministers, and, being hungry, were even devoured by them.

Shloka 33 (uttara.32.33)

ततो हलहलाशब्दो नर्मदातीर आबभौ । अर्जुनस्यानुयात्राणां रावणस्य च मन्त्रिणाम् ॥ 32.33 ॥

tato halahalāśabdo narmadātīra ābabhau | arjunasyānuyātrāṇāṃ rāvaṇasya ca mantriṇām || 32.33 ||

Then a great tumult arose on the bank of the Narmada, raised by Arjuna's retinue and Ravana's ministers.

Shloka 34 (uttara.32.34)

इषुभिस्तोमरैः शूलैस्त्रिशूलैर्वज्रकर्षणैः । सरावणानर्दयन्तः समन्तात्समभिद्रुताः ॥ 32.34 ॥

iṣubhistomaraiḥ śūlaistriśūlairvajrakarṣaṇaiḥ | sarāvaṇānardayantaḥ samantātsamabhidrutāḥ || 32.34 ||

With arrows, javelins, spears, tridents and thunderbolt-like maces, roaring together with Ravana's men, they rushed upon each other from every side.

Shloka 35 (uttara.32.35)

हैहयाधिपयोधानां वेग आसीत्सुदारुणः । सनक्रमीनमकरसमुद्रस्येव निःस्वनः ॥ 32.35 ॥

haihayādhipayodhānāṃ vega āsītsudāruṇaḥ | sanakramīnamakarasamudrasyeva niḥsvanaḥ || 32.35 ||

The onslaught of the Haihaya king's warriors was most terrible, like the roar of an ocean full of crocodiles, fish and sea-creatures.

Shloka 36 (uttara.32.36)

रावणस्य तु ते ऽमात्याः प्रहस्तशुकसारणाः । कार्तवीर्यबलं क्रुद्धा निर्दहन्ति स्म तेजसा ॥ 32.36 ॥

rāvaṇasya tu te 'mātyāḥ prahastaśukasāraṇāḥ | kārtavīryabalaṃ kruddhā nirdahanti sma tejasā || 32.36 ||

Ravana's ministers, Prahasta, Shuka and Sarana, enraged, began to scorch the army of Kartavirya with their fiery power.

Shloka 37 (uttara.32.37)

अर्जुनाय तु तत्कर्म रावणस्य समन्त्रिणः । क्रीडमानाय कथितं पुरुषैर्द्वाररक्षिभिः ॥ 32.37 ॥

arjunāya tu tatkarma rāvaṇasya samantriṇaḥ | krīḍamānāya kathitaṃ puruṣairdvārarakṣibhiḥ || 32.37 ||

That deed of Ravana and his ministers was reported to Arjuna, who was still at his sport, by the men guarding the gate.

Shloka 38 (uttara.32.38)

श्रुत्वा न भेतव्यमिति स्त्रीजनं तं ततो ऽर्जुनः । उत्ततार जलात्तस्माद्गङ्गातोयादिवाञ्जनः ॥ 32.38 ॥

śrutvā na bhetavyamiti strījanaṃ taṃ tato 'rjunaḥ | uttatāra jalāttasmādgaṅgātoyādivāñjanaḥ || 32.38 ||

Hearing this, Arjuna, telling the women there was nothing to fear, rose up out of that water like the elephant Anjana rising from the waters of the Ganga.

Shloka 39 (uttara.32.39)

क्रोधदूषितनेत्रस्तु स ततो ऽर्जुनपावकः । प्रजज्वाल महाघोरो युगान्त इव पावकः ॥ 32.39 ॥

krodhadūṣitanetrastu sa tato 'rjunapāvakaḥ | prajajvāla mahāghoro yugānta iva pāvakaḥ || 32.39 ||

His eyes reddened with fury, that fire named Arjuna then blazed up terribly, like the fire that burns at the end of an age.

Shloka 40 (uttara.32.40)

स तूर्णतरमादाय वरहेमाङ्गदो गदाम् । अभिदुद्राव रक्षांसि तमांसीव दिवाकरः ॥ 32.40 ॥

sa tūrṇataramādāya varahemāṅgado gadām | abhidudrāva rakṣāṃsi tamāṃsīva divākaraḥ || 32.40 ||

He, adorned with fine golden armlets, swiftly seized his mace and rushed upon the rakshasas, as the sun rushes upon the darkness.

Shloka 41 (uttara.32.41)

बाहुविक्षेपकरणां समुद्यम्य महागदाम् । गारुडं वेगमास्थाय चापपातैव सो ऽर्जुनः ॥ 32.41 ॥

bāhuvikṣepakaraṇāṃ samudyamya mahāgadām | gāruḍaṃ vegamāsthāya cāpapātaiva so 'rjunaḥ || 32.41 ||

Raising his great mace, meant to be whirled by the arms, and moving with the speed of Garuda, Arjuna swooped down upon them.

Shloka 42 (uttara.32.42)

तस्य मार्गं समारुद्ध्य विन्ध्यो ऽर्कस्येव पर्वतः । स्थितो विन्ध्य इवाकम्प्यः प्रहस्तो मुसलायुधः ॥ 32.42 ॥

tasya mārgaṃ samāruddhya vindhyo 'rkasyeva parvataḥ | sthito vindhya ivākampyaḥ prahasto musalāyudhaḥ || 32.42 ||

Blocking his path, as the Vindhya mountain blocks the sun, Prahasta, armed with a club, stood unshaken like the Vindhya itself.

Shloka 43 (uttara.32.43)

ततो ऽस्य मुसलं घोरं लोहबद्धं महोद्धतः । प्रहस्तः प्रेषयन्क्रुद्धो ररास च यथाम्बुदः ॥ 32.43 ॥

tato 'sya musalaṃ ghoraṃ lohabaddhaṃ mahoddhataḥ | prahastaḥ preṣayankruddho rarāsa ca yathāmbudaḥ || 32.43 ||

Then the enraged and haughty Prahasta hurled his terrible iron-bound club at him, roaring like a thundercloud.

Shloka 44 (uttara.32.44)

तस्याग्रे मुसलस्याग्निरशोकापीडसन्निभः । प्रहस्तकरमुक्तस्य बभूव प्रदहन्निव ॥ 32.44 ॥

tasyāgre musalasyāgniraśokāpīḍasannibhaḥ | prahastakaramuktasya babhūva pradahanniva || 32.44 ||

At the tip of that club, released from Prahasta's hand, there blazed a fire resembling an ashoka-blossom crest, as though it would burn everything up.

Shloka 45 (uttara.32.45)

अथायान्तं तु मुसलं कार्तवीर्यस्तदार्जुनः । निपुणं वञ्चयामास सगदो ऽगदविक्रमः ॥ 32.45 ॥

athāyāntaṃ tu musalaṃ kārtavīryastadārjunaḥ | nipuṇaṃ vañcayāmāsa sagado 'gadavikramaḥ || 32.45 ||

Then Kartavirya Arjuna, mace in hand, his valor unimpaired, skillfully dodged that oncoming club.

Shloka 46 (uttara.32.46)

ततस्तमभिदुद्राव प्रहस्तं हैहयाधिपः । भ्रामयानो गदां गुर्वीं पञ्चबाहुशतोच्छ्रयाम् ॥ 32.46 ॥

tatastamabhidudrāva prahastaṃ haihayādhipaḥ | bhrāmayāno gadāṃ gurvīṃ pañcabāhuśatocchrayām || 32.46 ||

Then the lord of the Haihayas rushed upon Prahasta, whirling his heavy mace, as tall as five hundred arms.

Shloka 47 (uttara.32.47)

तथा हतो ऽतिवेगेन प्रहस्तो गदया तदा । निपपात स्थितः शैलो वज्रिवज्रहतो यथा ॥ 32.47 ॥

tathā hato 'tivegena prahasto gadayā tadā | nipapāta sthitaḥ śailo vajrivajrahato yathā || 32.47 ||

Struck with tremendous force by that mace, Prahasta fell then and there, like a standing mountain struck down by Indra's thunderbolt.

Shloka 48 (uttara.32.48)

प्रहस्तं पतितं दृष्ट्वा मारीचशुकसारणाः । समहोदरधूम्राक्षा ह्यपसृष्टा रणाजिरात् ॥ 32.48 ॥

prahastaṃ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā mārīcaśukasāraṇāḥ | samahodaradhūmrākṣā hyapasṛṣṭā raṇājirāt || 32.48 ||

Seeing Prahasta fallen, Maricha, Shuka, Sarana, together with Mahodara and Dhumraksha, withdrew from the field of battle.

Shloka 49 (uttara.32.49)

अपक्रान्तेष्वमात्येषु प्रहस्ते वै निपातिते । रावणो ऽभ्यद्रवत्तूर्णमर्जुनं नृपसत्तमम् ॥ 32.49 ॥

apakrānteṣvamātyeṣu prahaste vai nipātite | rāvaṇo 'bhyadravattūrṇamarjunaṃ nṛpasattamam || 32.49 ||

When his ministers had fled and Prahasta had fallen, Ravana himself swiftly rushed upon Arjuna, that best of kings.

Shloka 50 (uttara.32.50)

सहस्रबाहोस्तद्युद्धं विंशद्बाहोश्च दारुणम् । नृपराक्षसयोस्तत्र चारब्धं रोमहर्षणम् ॥ 32.50 ॥

sahasrabāhostadyuddhaṃ viṃśadbāhośca dāruṇam | nṛparākṣasayostatra cārabdhaṃ romaharṣaṇam || 32.50 ||

Then began that terrible, hair-raising battle between the thousand-armed king and the twenty-armed rakshasa.

Shloka 51 (uttara.32.51)

सागराविव संरब्धौ चलन्मूलाविवाचलौ । तेजोयुक्ताविवादित्यौ प्रदहन्ताविवानलौ ॥ 32.51 ॥

sāgarāviva saṃrabdhau calanmūlāvivācalau | tejoyuktāvivādityau pradahantāvivānalau || 32.51 ||

The two, enraged, seemed like two oceans; like two mountains shaken to their roots; like two suns full of splendor; like two blazing fires.

Shloka 52 (uttara.32.52)

बलोद्धतौ यथा नागौ वाशितार्थे यथा वृषौ । मेघाविव विनर्दन्तौ सिंहाविव बलोत्कटौ ॥ 32.52 ॥

baloddhatau yathā nāgau vāśitārthe yathā vṛṣau | meghāviva vinardantau siṃhāviva balotkaṭau || 32.52 ||

They were like two mighty elephants, like two bulls fighting over a cow, roaring like two thunderclouds, and mighty with strength like two lions.

Shloka 53 (uttara.32.53)

रुद्रकालाविव क्रुद्धौ तदा तौ राक्षसार्जुनौ । परस्परं गदाभ्यां तौ ताडयामासतुर्भृशम् ॥ 32.53 ॥

rudrakālāviva kruddhau tadā tau rākṣasārjunau | parasparaṃ gadābhyāṃ tau tāḍayāmāsaturbhṛśam || 32.53 ||

Enraged then like Rudra and Kala themselves, the rakshasa and Arjuna struck each other fiercely with their maces.

Shloka 54 (uttara.32.54)

वज्रप्रहारानचला यथा घोरान्विषेहिरे । गदाप्रहारांस्तौ तत्र सेहाते नरराक्षसौ ॥ 32.54 ॥

vajraprahārānacalā yathā ghorānviṣehire | gadāprahārāṃstau tatra sehāte nararākṣasau || 32.54 ||

As mountains endure the terrible blows of thunderbolts, so did that man and that rakshasa endure each other's blows of the mace.

Shloka 55 (uttara.32.55)

यथाशनिरवेभ्यस्तु जायते वै प्रतिश्रुतिः । तथा तयोर्गदापोथैर्दिशः सर्वाः प्रतिश्रुताः ॥ 32.55 ॥

yathāśaniravebhyastu jāyate vai pratiśrutiḥ | tathā tayorgadāpothairdiśaḥ sarvāḥ pratiśrutāḥ || 32.55 ||

As an echo is born from the roaring of thunder, so did all the directions resound with the pounding of their two maces.

Shloka 56 (uttara.32.56)

अर्जुनस्य गदा सा तु पात्यमानाहितोरसि । काञ्चनाभं नभश्चक्रे विद्युत्सौदामिनी यथा ॥ 32.56 ॥

arjunasya gadā sā tu pātyamānāhitorasi | kāñcanābhaṃ nabhaścakre vidyutsaudāminī yathā || 32.56 ||

Arjuna's mace, as it fell upon the enemy's chest, made the sky glow golden, like a flash of lightning.

Shloka 57 (uttara.32.57)

तथैव रावणेनापि पात्यमाना मुहुर्मुहुः । अर्जुनोरसि निर्भाति गदोल्केव महागिरौ ॥ 32.57 ॥

tathaiva rāvaṇenāpi pātyamānā muhurmuhuḥ | arjunorasi nirbhāti gadolkeva mahāgirau || 32.57 ||

So too, hurled again and again by Ravana, the mace shone upon Arjuna's chest like a fiery meteor striking a great mountain.

Shloka 58 (uttara.32.58)

नार्जुनः खेदमायाति न राक्षसगणेश्वरः । इदमासीत्तयोर्युद्धं यथा पूर्वं बलीन्द्रयोः ॥ 32.58 ॥

nārjunaḥ khedamāyāti na rākṣasagaṇeśvaraḥ | idamāsīttayoryuddhaṃ yathā pūrvaṃ balīndrayoḥ || 32.58 ||

Neither Arjuna nor the lord of the rakshasa hosts grew weary; that battle between them was like the ancient battle between Bali and Indra.

Shloka 59 (uttara.32.59)

शृङ्गैरिव वृषायुध्यन्दन्ताग्रैरिव कुञ्जरौ । परस्परं तौ निघ्नन्तौ नरराक्षससत्तमौ ॥ 32.59 ॥

śṛṅgairiva vṛṣāyudhyandantāgrairiva kuñjarau | parasparaṃ tau nighnantau nararākṣasasattamau || 32.59 ||

That best of men and best of rakshasas kept striking each other, as bulls fight with their horns and elephants with the tips of their tusks.

Shloka 60 (uttara.32.60)

ततो ऽर्जुनेन क्रुद्धेन सर्वप्राणेन सा गदा । स्तनयोरन्तरे मुक्ता रावणस्य महोरसि ॥ 32.60 ॥

tato 'rjunena kruddhena sarvaprāṇena sā gadā | stanayorantare muktā rāvaṇasya mahorasi || 32.60 ||

Then, enraged, Arjuna hurled that mace with the whole of his strength straight at the broad chest of Ravana, between his two breasts.

Shloka 61 (uttara.32.61)

वरदानकृतत्राणे सा गदा रावणोरसि । दुर्बलेव यथावेगं द्विधाभूत्वा ऽपतत्क्षितौ ॥ 32.61 ॥

varadānakṛtatrāṇe sā gadā rāvaṇorasi | durbaleva yathāvegaṃ dvidhābhūtvā 'patatkṣitau || 32.61 ||

That mace, striking Ravana's boon-protected chest, broke apart into two pieces, as if it had grown feeble, and fell to the ground, its force spent.

Shloka 62 (uttara.32.62)

स त्वर्जुनप्रमुक्तेन गदापातेन रावणः । अपासर्पद्धनुर्मात्रं निषसाद च निष्टनन् ॥ 32.62 ॥

sa tvarjunapramuktena gadāpātena rāvaṇaḥ | apāsarpaddhanurmātraṃ niṣasāda ca niṣṭanan || 32.62 ||

Ravana, struck by the fall of that mace hurled by Arjuna, staggered back the length of a bow, sat down, and groaned aloud.

Shloka 63 (uttara.32.63)

स विह्वलं तदालक्ष्य दशग्रीवं ततो ऽर्जुनः । सहसोत्पत्य जग्राह गरुत्मानिव पन्नगम् ॥ 32.63 ॥

sa vihvalaṃ tadālakṣya daśagrīvaṃ tato 'rjunaḥ | sahasotpatya jagrāha garutmāniva pannagam || 32.63 ||

Seeing the ten-necked one thus dazed, Arjuna suddenly leaped up and seized him, as Garuda seizes a serpent.

Shloka 64 (uttara.32.64)

स तु बाहुसहस्रेण बलाद्गृह्य दशाननम् । बबन्ध बलवान्राजा बलिं नारायणो यथा ॥ 32.64 ॥

sa tu bāhusahasreṇa balādgṛhya daśānanam | babandha balavānrājā baliṃ nārāyaṇo yathā || 32.64 ||

That mighty king, forcibly seizing the ten-headed one with his thousand arms, bound him, as Narayana once bound Bali.

Shloka 65 (uttara.32.65)

बध्यमाने दशग्रीवे सिद्धचारणदेवताः । साध्वीतिवादिनः पुष्पैः किरन्त्यर्जुनमूर्धनि ॥ 32.65 ॥

badhyamāne daśagrīve siddhacāraṇadevatāḥ | sādhvītivādinaḥ puṣpaiḥ kirantyarjunamūrdhani || 32.65 ||

As the ten-necked one was being bound, the Siddhas, Charanas and gods, crying 'well done, well done!', showered flowers upon Arjuna's head.

Shloka 66 (uttara.32.66)

व्याघ्रो मृगमिवादाय मृगराडिव दन्तिनम् । ननाद हैहयो राजा हर्षादम्बुदवन्मुहुः ॥ 32.66 ॥

vyāghro mṛgamivādāya mṛgarāḍiva dantinam | nanāda haihayo rājā harṣādambudavanmuhuḥ || 32.66 ||

As a tiger seizes a deer, or a lion an elephant, so the Haihaya king, having seized him, roared again and again with joy, like a thundercloud.

Shloka 67 (uttara.32.67)

प्रहस्तस्तु समाश्वस्तो दृष्ट्वा बद्धं दशाननम् । सह तै राक्षसैः क्रुद्धश्चाभिदुद्राव पार्थिवम् ॥ 32.67 ॥

prahastastu samāśvasto dṛṣṭvā baddhaṃ daśānanam | saha tai rākṣasaiḥ kruddhaścābhidudrāva pārthivam || 32.67 ||

Prahasta, having recovered his senses and seeing the ten-headed one bound, rushed furiously upon the king together with those rakshasas.

Shloka 68 (uttara.32.68)

नक्तञ्चराणां वेगस्तु तेषामापततां बभौ । उद्भूत आतपापाये पयोदानामिवाम्बुधौ ॥ 32.68 ॥

naktañcarāṇāṃ vegastu teṣāmāpatatāṃ babhau | udbhūta ātapāpāye payodānāmivāmbudhau || 32.68 ||

The onrushing force of those attacking night-wanderers appeared like a mass of clouds gathering over the ocean at the end of a hot spell.

Shloka 69 (uttara.32.69)

मुञ्च मुञ्चेति भाषन्तस्तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चासकृत् । मुसलानि सशूलानि सोत्ससर्ज तदार्जुने ॥ 32.69 ॥

muñca muñceti bhāṣantastiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cāsakṛt | musalāni saśūlāni sotsasarja tadārjune || 32.69 ||

Crying again and again, 'release him, release him!' and 'stand, stand!', they hurled their clubs and spears at Arjuna.

Shloka 70 (uttara.32.70)

अप्राप्तान्येव तान्याशु असम्भ्रान्तस्तदार्जुनः । आयुधान्यमरारीणां जग्राहारिनिषूदनः ॥ 32.70 ॥

aprāptānyeva tānyāśu asambhrāntastadārjunaḥ | āyudhānyamarārīṇāṃ jagrāhāriniṣūdanaḥ || 32.70 ||

Unshaken, that slayer of foes, Arjuna, seized the weapons of those enemies of the gods before they could even reach him.

Shloka 71 (uttara.32.71)

ततस्तैरेव रक्षांसि दुर्धरैः प्रवरायुधैः । भित्त्वा विद्रावयामास वायुरम्बुधरानिव ॥ 32.71 ॥

tatastaireva rakṣāṃsi durdharaiḥ pravarāyudhaiḥ | bhittvā vidrāvayāmāsa vāyurambudharāniva || 32.71 ||

Then, with those very same formidable, excellent weapons, he pierced and scattered the rakshasas, as the wind scatters the clouds.

Shloka 72 (uttara.32.72)

राक्षसांस्त्रासयित्वा तु कार्तवीर्यो ऽर्जुनस्तदा । रावणं गृह्य नगरं प्रविवेश सुहृद्वृतः ॥ 32.72 ॥

rākṣasāṃstrāsayitvā tu kārtavīryo 'rjunastadā | rāvaṇaṃ gṛhya nagaraṃ praviveśa suhṛdvṛtaḥ || 32.72 ||

Having thus terrified the rakshasas, Kartavirya Arjuna, taking Ravana with him, entered his city surrounded by his friends.

Shloka 73 (uttara.32.73)

स कीर्यमाणः कुसुमाक्षतोत्करैर्द्विजैः सपौरैः पुरुहूतसन्निभः । तदा ऽर्जुनः सम्प्रविवेश तां पुरीं बलिं निगृह्येव सहस्रलोचनः ॥ 32.73 ॥

sa kīryamāṇaḥ kusumākṣatotkarairdvijaiḥ sapauraiḥ puruhūtasannibhaḥ | tadā 'rjunaḥ sampraviveśa tāṃ purīṃ baliṃ nigṛhyeva sahasralocanaḥ || 32.73 ||

Showered with heaps of flowers and unbroken rice-grains by the brahmins and townsfolk, resembling Indra himself, Arjuna then entered that city, as if the thousand-eyed Indra were leading away the captured Bali.