Ravana Humbled by Vali

Shloka 1 (uttara.34.1)

अर्जुनेन विमुक्तस्तु रावणो राक्षसाधिपः । चचार पृथिवीं सर्वामनिर्विण्णस्तथा कृतः ॥ 34.1 ॥

arjunena vimuktastu rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ | cacāra pṛthivīṃ sarvāmanirviṇṇastathā kṛtaḥ || 34.1 ||

Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, though thus humbled, once freed by Arjuna roamed the whole earth still undismayed.

Shloka 2 (uttara.34.2)

राक्षसं वा मनुष्यं वा शृणुते ऽयं बलाधिकम् । रावणस्तं समासाद्य युद्धे ह्वयति दर्पितः ॥ 34.2 ॥

rākṣasaṃ vā manuṣyaṃ vā śṛṇute 'yaṃ balādhikam | rāvaṇastaṃ samāsādya yuddhe hvayati darpitaḥ || 34.2 ||

Whenever he heard of any being, rakshasa or man, possessed of surpassing strength, Ravana, in his arrogance, would seek him out and challenge him to battle.

Shloka 3 (uttara.34.3)

ततः कदाचित्किष्किन्धां नगरीं वालिपालिताम् । गत्वा ह्वयति युद्धाय वालिनं हेममालिनम् ॥ 34.3 ॥

tataḥ kadācitkiṣkindhāṃ nagarīṃ vālipālitām | gatvā hvayati yuddhāya vālinaṃ hemamālinam || 34.3 ||

Then once, going to the city of Kishkindha, ruled by Vali, he challenged to battle Vali, who wore a garland of gold.

Shloka 4 (uttara.34.4)

ततस्तु वानरामात्यस्तारस्तारापिता प्रभुः । उवाच वानरो वाक्यं युद्धप्रेप्सुमुपागतम् ॥ 34.4 ॥

tatastu vānarāmātyastārastārāpitā prabhuḥ | uvāca vānaro vākyaṃ yuddhaprepsumupāgatam || 34.4 ||

Then Tara, the counselor of the monkeys, standing as lord in Vali's absence, spoke these words to him who had come there desiring battle —

Shloka 5 (uttara.34.5)

राक्षसेन्द गतो वाली यस्ते प्रतिबलो भवेत् । को ऽन्यः प्रमुखतः स्थातुं तव शक्तः प्लवङ्गमः ॥ 34.5 ॥

rākṣasenda gato vālī yaste pratibalo bhavet | ko 'nyaḥ pramukhataḥ sthātuṃ tava śaktaḥ plavaṅgamaḥ || 34.5 ||

'O lord of rakshasas, Vali, who alone could match your strength, has gone out; what other monkey is capable of standing before you?'

Shloka 6 (uttara.34.6)

चतुर्भ्यो ऽपि समुद्रेभ्यः सन्ध्यामन्वास्य रावण । इमं मुहूर्तमायाति वाली तिष्ठ मुहूर्तकम् ॥ 34.6 ॥

caturbhyo 'pi samudrebhyaḥ sandhyāmanvāsya rāvaṇa | imaṃ muhūrtamāyāti vālī tiṣṭha muhūrtakam || 34.6 ||

'Having performed his twilight worship at all four oceans, O Ravana, Vali is coming this very hour — wait but a moment.'

Shloka 7 (uttara.34.7)

एतानस्थिचयान्पश्य य एते शङ्खपाण्डुराः । युद्धार्थिनामिमे राजन्वानराधिपतेजसा ॥ 34.7 ॥

etānasthicayānpaśya ya ete śaṅkhapāṇḍurāḥ | yuddhārthināmime rājanvānarādhipatejasā || 34.7 ||

'Behold these heaps of bones, white as conch-shells, O king — these belong to those who came desiring battle, and were brought to this state by the splendor of the lord of monkeys.'

Shloka 8 (uttara.34.8)

यद्वा ऽमृतरसः पीतस्त्वया रावण राक्षस । तदा वालिनमासाद्य तदन्तं तव जीवितम् ॥ 34.8 ॥

yadvā 'mṛtarasaḥ pītastvayā rāvaṇa rākṣasa | tadā vālinamāsādya tadantaṃ tava jīvitam || 34.8 ||

'Or, O rakshasa Ravana, even if you had drunk the very essence of ambrosia, still, once you meet Vali, that will be the end of your life.'

Shloka 9 (uttara.34.9)

पश्येदानीं जगच्चित्रमिमं विश्रवसः सुत । इदं मुहूर्तं तिष्ठस्व दुर्लभं ते भविष्यति ॥ 34.9 ॥

paśyedānīṃ jagaccitramimaṃ viśravasaḥ suta | idaṃ muhūrtaṃ tiṣṭhasva durlabhaṃ te bhaviṣyati || 34.9 ||

'O son of Vishrava, behold this wondrous world now; wait but this one moment more, for hereafter such a sight will become impossible for you.'

Shloka 10 (uttara.34.10)

अथवा त्वरसे मर्तुं गच्छ दक्षिणसागरम् । वालिनं द्रक्ष्यसे तत्र भूमिस्थमिव पावकम् ॥ 34.10 ॥

athavā tvarase martuṃ gaccha dakṣiṇasāgaram | vālinaṃ drakṣyase tatra bhūmisthamiva pāvakam || 34.10 ||

'Or if you are in such haste to die, go to the southern ocean; there you shall see Vali, like fire itself embodied upon the earth.'

Shloka 11 (uttara.34.11)

स तु तारं विनिर्भर्त्स्य रावणो लोकरावणः । पुष्पकं तत्समारुह्य प्रययौ दक्षिणार्णवम् ॥ 34.11 ॥

sa tu tāraṃ vinirbhartsya rāvaṇo lokarāvaṇaḥ | puṣpakaṃ tatsamāruhya prayayau dakṣiṇārṇavam || 34.11 ||

Ravana, the terror of the worlds, rebuking Tara, mounted the Pushpaka and set out for the southern ocean.

Shloka 12 (uttara.34.12)

तत्र हेमगिरिप्रख्यं तरुणार्कनिभाननम् । रावणो वालिनं दृष्ट्वा सन्ध्योपासनतत्परम् ॥ 34.12 ॥

tatra hemagiriprakhyaṃ taruṇārkanibhānanam | rāvaṇo vālinaṃ dṛṣṭvā sandhyopāsanatatparam || 34.12 ||

There Ravana saw Vali, resembling a golden mountain, his face like the rising sun, intent upon his twilight worship.

Shloka 13 (uttara.34.13)

पुष्पकादवरुह्याथ रावणो ऽञ्जनसन्निभः । ग्रहीतुं वालिनं तूर्णं निःशब्दपदमाव्रजत् ॥ 34.13 ॥

puṣpakādavaruhyātha rāvaṇo 'ñjanasannibhaḥ | grahītuṃ vālinaṃ tūrṇaṃ niḥśabdapadamāvrajat || 34.13 ||

Descending from the Pushpaka, Ravana, dark as collyrium, advanced with silent steps to seize Vali quickly.

Shloka 14 (uttara.34.14)

यदृच्छया तदा दृष्टो वालिनापि स रावणः । पापाभिप्रायवान् दृष्ट्वा चकार न तु सम्भ्रमम् ॥ 34.14 ॥

yadṛcchayā tadā dṛṣṭo vālināpi sa rāvaṇaḥ | pāpābhiprāyavān dṛṣṭvā cakāra na tu sambhramam || 34.14 ||

That Ravana, though of wicked intent, was by chance seen by Vali too, but seeing him, Vali showed no alarm.

Shloka 15 (uttara.34.15)

शशमालक्ष्य सिंहो वा पन्नगं गरुडो यथा । न चिन्तयति तं वाली रावणं पापनिश्चयम् ॥ 34.15 ॥

śaśamālakṣya siṃho vā pannagaṃ garuḍo yathā | na cintayati taṃ vālī rāvaṇaṃ pāpaniścayam || 34.15 ||

As a lion regards a hare, or Garuda a serpent, so did Vali give no thought at all to that Ravana, wicked in his resolve.

Shloka 16 (uttara.34.16)

जिघृक्षमाणमायान्तं रावणं पापचेतसम् । कक्षावलम्बिनं कृत्वा गमिष्ये त्रीन्महार्णवान् ॥ 34.16 ॥

jighṛkṣamāṇamāyāntaṃ rāvaṇaṃ pāpacetasam | kakṣāvalambinaṃ kṛtvā gamiṣye trīnmahārṇavān || 34.16 ||

(Vali thought:) 'This evil-minded Ravana, coming to seize me — I shall pin him under my arm and carry him to the three great oceans.'

Shloka 17 (uttara.34.17)

द्रक्ष्यन्त्यरिं ममाङ्कस्थं स्रंसदूरुकराम्बरम् । लम्बमानं दशग्रीवं गरुडस्येव पन्नगम् ॥ 34.17 ॥

drakṣyantyariṃ mamāṅkasthaṃ sraṃsadūrukarāmbaram | lambamānaṃ daśagrīvaṃ garuḍasyeva pannagam || 34.17 ||

'They shall see this enemy of mine dangling at my side, his thighs, arms and garments slipping loose, the ten-necked one hanging as a serpent hangs in Garuda's grip.'

Shloka 18 (uttara.34.18)

इत्येवं मतिमास्थाय वाली कर्णमुपाश्रितः । जपन्वै नैगमान्मन्त्रांस्तस्थौ पर्वतराडिव ॥ 34.18 ॥

ityevaṃ matimāsthāya vālī karṇamupāśritaḥ | japanvai naigamānmantrāṃstasthau parvatarāḍiva || 34.18 ||

Having resolved thus, Vali, his hand resting at his ear, remained reciting the Vedic mantras, motionless as a mountain-king.

Shloka 19 (uttara.34.19)

तावन्योन्यं जिघृक्षन्तौ हरिराक्षसपार्थिवौ । प्रयत्नवन्तौ तत्कर्म ईहतुर्बलदर्पितौ ॥ 34.19 ॥

tāvanyonyaṃ jighṛkṣantau harirākṣasapārthivau | prayatnavantau tatkarma īhaturbaladarpitau || 34.19 ||

Those two, the king of monkeys and the king of the rakshasas, each proud of his own strength, strove with all their effort, each wishing to seize the other.

Shloka 20 (uttara.34.20)

हस्तग्राहं तु तं मत्वा पादशब्देन रावणम् । पराङ्मुखो ऽपि जग्राह वाली सर्पमिवाण्डजः ॥ 34.20 ॥

hastagrāhaṃ tu taṃ matvā pādaśabdena rāvaṇam | parāṅmukho 'pi jagrāha vālī sarpamivāṇḍajaḥ || 34.20 ||

Recognizing by the sound of his footsteps that Ravana was about to grab him, Vali, though facing away, seized him, as Garuda seizes a serpent.

Shloka 21 (uttara.34.21)

ग्रहीतुकामं तं गृह्य रक्षसामीश्वरं हरिः । खमुत्पपात वेगेन कृत्वा कक्षावलम्बिनम् ॥ 34.21 ॥

grahītukāmaṃ taṃ gṛhya rakṣasāmīśvaraṃ hariḥ | khamutpapāta vegena kṛtvā kakṣāvalambinam || 34.21 ||

Seizing that lord of the rakshasas who had himself come wishing to seize him, the monkey pinned him under his arm and leapt swiftly into the sky.

Shloka 22 (uttara.34.22)

तं चापीडयमानं तु वितुदन्तं नखैर्मुहुः । जहार रावणं वाली पवनस्तोयदं यथा ॥ 34.22 ॥

taṃ cāpīḍayamānaṃ tu vitudantaṃ nakhairmuhuḥ | jahāra rāvaṇaṃ vālī pavanastoyadaṃ yathā || 34.22 ||

Though Ravana struggled, clawing at him again and again with his nails, Vali carried him off, as the wind carries off a cloud.

Shloka 23 (uttara.34.23)

अथ ते राक्षसामात्या ह्रियमाणं दशाननम् । मुमोक्षयिषवो वालिं रवमाणा अभिद्रुताः ॥ 34.23 ॥

atha te rākṣasāmātyā hriyamāṇaṃ daśānanam | mumokṣayiṣavo vāliṃ ravamāṇā abhidrutāḥ || 34.23 ||

Then those ministers of the rakshasas, seeing the ten-headed one being carried off, rushed after him roaring, wishing to make Vali release their lord.

Shloka 24 (uttara.34.24)

अन्वीयमानस्तैर्वाली भ्राजते ऽम्बरमध्यगः । अन्वीयमानो मेघौघैरम्बरस्थ इवांशुमान् ॥ 34.24 ॥

anvīyamānastairvālī bhrājate 'mbaramadhyagaḥ | anvīyamāno meghaughairambarastha ivāṃśumān || 34.24 ||

Vali, pursued by them, shone forth in the midst of the sky, like the sun pursued by masses of cloud, shining in the heavens.

Shloka 25 (uttara.34.25)

ते ऽशक्नुवन्तः सम्प्राप्तुं वालिनं राक्षसोत्तमाः । तस्य बाहूरुवेगेन परिश्रान्ता व्यवस्थिताः ॥ 34.25 ॥

te 'śaknuvantaḥ samprāptuṃ vālinaṃ rākṣasottamāḥ | tasya bāhūruvegena pariśrāntā vyavasthitāḥ || 34.25 ||

Those foremost rakshasas, unable to overtake Vali, exhausted by the speed of his arms and thighs, came to a halt.

Shloka 26 (uttara.34.26)

वालिमार्गादपाक्रामन्पर्वतेन्द्रो हि गच्छतः । किं पुनर्जीवितप्रेप्सुर्बिभ्रद्वै मांसशोणितम् ॥ 34.26 ॥

vālimārgādapākrāmanparvatendro hi gacchataḥ | kiṃ punarjīvitaprepsurbibhradvai māṃsaśoṇitam || 34.26 ||

If even the lords of mountains give way before Vali's onward path, how much more would one who desires to live, and bears only flesh and blood!

Shloka 27 (uttara.34.27)

अपक्षिगणसम्पातान्वानरेन्द्रो महाजवः । क्रमशः सागरान्सर्वान्सन्ध्याकालमवन्दत ॥ 34.27 ॥

apakṣigaṇasampātānvānarendro mahājavaḥ | kramaśaḥ sāgarānsarvānsandhyākālamavandata || 34.27 ||

That most swift king of monkeys, moving at the speed of birds in flight, worshipped at each ocean in turn, at the hour of twilight.

Shloka 28 (uttara.34.28)

सभाज्यमानो भूतैस्तु खैचरैः खैचरोत्तमः । पश्चिमं सागरं वाली ह्याजगाम सरावणः ॥ 34.28 ॥

sabhājyamāno bhūtaistu khaicaraiḥ khaicarottamaḥ | paścimaṃ sāgaraṃ vālī hyājagāma sarāvaṇaḥ || 34.28 ||

That foremost of sky-rangers, honored by the sky-going beings, came, carrying Ravana with him, to the western ocean.

Shloka 29 (uttara.34.29)

तस्मिन्सन्ध्यामुपासित्वा स्नात्वा जप्त्वा च वानरः । उत्तरं सागरं प्रायाद्वहमानो दशाननम् ॥ 34.29 ॥

tasminsandhyāmupāsitvā snātvā japtvā ca vānaraḥ | uttaraṃ sāgaraṃ prāyādvahamāno daśānanam || 34.29 ||

Having performed his twilight worship there, and having bathed and recited his prayers, the monkey set out for the northern ocean, still carrying the ten-headed one.

Shloka 30 (uttara.34.30)

बहुयोजनसाहस्रं वहमानो महाहरिः । वायुवच्च मनोवच्च जगाम सह शत्रुणा ॥ 34.30 ॥

bahuyojanasāhasraṃ vahamāno mahāhariḥ | vāyuvacca manovacca jagāma saha śatruṇā || 34.30 ||

Carrying his enemy, that great monkey traveled many thousand yojanas, swift as the wind, swift as thought.

Shloka 31 (uttara.34.31)

उत्तरे सागरे सन्ध्यामुपासित्वा दशाननम् । वहमानो ऽगमद्वाली पूर्वं वै स महोदधिम् ॥ 34.31 ॥

uttare sāgare sandhyāmupāsitvā daśānanam | vahamāno 'gamadvālī pūrvaṃ vai sa mahodadhim || 34.31 ||

Having worshipped at the northern ocean, still carrying the ten-headed one, Vali then went on to the eastern ocean.

Shloka 32 (uttara.34.32)

तत्रापि सन्ध्यामन्वास्य वासविः सहरीश्वरः । किष्किन्धामभितो गृह्य रावणं पुनरागमत् ॥ 34.32 ॥

tatrāpi sandhyāmanvāsya vāsaviḥ saharīśvaraḥ | kiṣkindhāmabhito gṛhya rāvaṇaṃ punarāgamat || 34.32 ||

There too having performed his worship, that son of Indra, lord of monkeys, carrying Ravana, came back again toward Kishkindha.

Shloka 33 (uttara.34.33)

चतुर्ष्वपि समुद्रेषु सन्ध्यामन्वास्य वानरः । रावणोद्वहनश्रान्तः किष्किन्धोपवने ऽपतत् ॥ 34.33 ॥

caturṣvapi samudreṣu sandhyāmanvāsya vānaraḥ | rāvaṇodvahanaśrāntaḥ kiṣkindhopavane 'patat || 34.33 ||

Having thus worshipped at all four oceans, the monkey, wearied from carrying Ravana, came down in the garden of Kishkindha.

Shloka 34 (uttara.34.34)

रावणं तु मुमोचाथ स्वकक्षात्कपिसत्तमः । कुतस्त्वमिति चोवाच प्रहसन्रावणं मुहुः ॥ 34.34 ॥

rāvaṇaṃ tu mumocātha svakakṣātkapisattamaḥ | kutastvamiti covāca prahasanrāvaṇaṃ muhuḥ || 34.34 ||

That best of monkeys then released Ravana from under his arm, and, laughing, asked him again and again, 'Who are you, and from where?'

Shloka 35 (uttara.34.35)

विस्मयं तु महद्गत्वा श्रमलोलनिरीक्षणः । राक्षसेन्द्रो हरीन्द्रं तमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 34.35 ॥

vismayaṃ tu mahadgatvā śramalolanirīkṣaṇaḥ | rākṣasendro harīndraṃ tamidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 34.35 ||

Overcome with great astonishment, his gaze unsteady with fatigue, the lord of the rakshasas spoke these words to that lord of monkeys —

Shloka 36 (uttara.34.36)

वानरेन्द्र महेन्द्राभ राक्षसेन्द्रो ऽस्मि रावणः । युद्धेप्सुरिह सम्प्राप्तः स चाद्यासादितस्त्वया ॥ 34.36 ॥

vānarendra mahendrābha rākṣasendro 'smi rāvaṇaḥ | yuddhepsuriha samprāptaḥ sa cādyāsāditastvayā || 34.36 ||

'O king of monkeys, splendid as great Indra, I am Ravana, lord of the rakshasas; I came here desiring battle, and today I have found you.'

Shloka 37 (uttara.34.37)

अहो बलमहो वीर्यमहो गाम्भीर्यमेव च । येनाहं पशुवद्गृह्य भ्रामितश्चतुरो ऽर्णवान् ॥ 34.37 ॥

aho balamaho vīryamaho gāmbhīryameva ca | yenāhaṃ paśuvadgṛhya bhrāmitaścaturo 'rṇavān || 34.37 ||

'Ah, what strength! What valor! And what depth of spirit! By which you have seized me like an animal and carried me round the four oceans!'

Shloka 38 (uttara.34.38)

एवमश्रान्तवद्वीर शीघ्रमेव महार्णवान् । मां चैवोद्वहमानस्तु को ऽन्यो वीरः क्रमिष्यति ॥ 34.38 ॥

evamaśrāntavadvīra śīghrameva mahārṇavān | māṃ caivodvahamānastu ko 'nyo vīraḥ kramiṣyati || 34.38 ||

'What other hero, O valiant one, carrying me all the while, could cross the great oceans so swiftly, and as though quite untired?'

Shloka 39 (uttara.34.39)

त्रयाणामेव भूतानां गतिरेषा प्लवङ्गम । मनोनिलसुपर्णानां तव चात्र न संशयः ॥ 34.39 ॥

trayāṇāmeva bhūtānāṃ gatireṣā plavaṅgama | manonilasuparṇānāṃ tava cātra na saṃśayaḥ || 34.39 ||

'This manner of motion belongs to only three beings, O leaping one — the mind, the wind, and Garuda — and there is no doubt you possess it too.'

Shloka 40 (uttara.34.40)

सो ऽहं दृष्टबलस्तुभ्यमिच्छामि हरिपुङ्गव । त्वया सह चिरं सख्यं सुस्निग्धं पावकाग्रतः ॥ 34.40 ॥

so 'haṃ dṛṣṭabalastubhyamicchāmi haripuṅgava | tvayā saha ciraṃ sakhyaṃ susnigdhaṃ pāvakāgrataḥ || 34.40 ||

'Having now witnessed your strength, O bull among monkeys, I desire to form with you a lasting and most affectionate friendship, before the fire.'

Shloka 41 (uttara.34.41)

दाराः पुत्राः पुरं राष्ट्रं भोगाच्छादनभोजनम् । सर्वमेवाविभक्तं नौ भविष्यति हरीश्वर ॥ 34.41 ॥

dārāḥ putrāḥ puraṃ rāṣṭraṃ bhogācchādanabhojanam | sarvamevāvibhaktaṃ nau bhaviṣyati harīśvara || 34.41 ||

'O lord of monkeys, wives, sons, city, kingdom, enjoyments, clothing, food — all of it shall henceforth be undivided between the two of us.'

Shloka 42 (uttara.34.42)

ततः प्रज्वालयित्वाग्निं तावुभौ हरीराक्षसौ । भ्रातृत्वमुपसम्पन्नौ परिष्वज्य परस्परम् ॥ 34.42 ॥

tataḥ prajvālayitvāgniṃ tāvubhau harīrākṣasau | bhrātṛtvamupasampannau pariṣvajya parasparam || 34.42 ||

Then, having kindled the sacred fire, those two, the monkey and the rakshasa, embraced one another and entered into brotherhood.

Shloka 43 (uttara.34.43)

अन्योन्यं लम्बितकरौ ततस्तौ हरिराक्षसौ । किष्किन्धां विशतुर्हृष्टौ सिंहौ गिरिगुहामिव ॥ 34.43 ॥

anyonyaṃ lambitakarau tatastau harirākṣasau | kiṣkindhāṃ viśaturhṛṣṭau siṃhau giriguhāmiva || 34.43 ||

Then, their arms linked together, that monkey and that rakshasa, joyful, entered Kishkindha, as two lions might enter a mountain cave.

Shloka 44 (uttara.34.44)

स तत्र मासमुषितः सुग्रीव इव रावणः । अमात्यैरागतैर्नीतस्त्रैलोक्योत्सादनार्थिभिः ॥ 34.44 ॥

sa tatra māsamuṣitaḥ sugrīva iva rāvaṇaḥ | amātyairāgatairnītastrailokyotsādanārthibhiḥ || 34.44 ||

Ravana dwelt there a month, like Sugriva himself, until he was fetched away by his ministers, who had come there desiring the destruction of the three worlds.

Shloka 45 (uttara.34.45)

एवमेतत्पुरावृत्तं वालिना रावणः प्रभो । धर्षितश्च कृतश्चापि भ्राता पावकसन्निधौ ॥ 34.45 ॥

evametatpurāvṛttaṃ vālinā rāvaṇaḥ prabho | dharṣitaśca kṛtaścāpi bhrātā pāvakasannidhau || 34.45 ||

Thus, O lord, in ancient times Ravana was humbled by Vali, and was even made his brother before the sacred fire.

Shloka 46 (uttara.34.46)

बलमप्रतिमं राम वालिनो ऽभवदुत्तमम् । सो ऽपि त्वया विनिर्दग्धः शलभो वह्निना यथा ॥ 34.46 ॥

balamapratimaṃ rāma vālino 'bhavaduttamam | so 'pi tvayā vinirdagdhaḥ śalabho vahninā yathā || 34.46 ||

Vali's strength, O Rama, was matchless and supreme; yet even he was utterly consumed by you, as a moth is consumed by fire.