The Spear That Struck Lakshmana

Shloka 1 (yuddha.100.1)

तस्मिन् प्रतिहतेऽस्त्रे तु रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। क्रोधं च द्विगुणं चक्रे क्रोधाच्चास्त्रमनन्तरम् ॥ 100.1 ॥

tasmin pratihate'stre tu rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| krodhaṃ ca dviguṇaṃ cakre krodhāccāstramanantaram || 100.1 ||

When that missile was thwarted, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, grew doubly enraged, and in his fury at once employed another weapon.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.100.2)

मयेन विहितं रौद्रमन्यदस्त्रं महाद्युतिः। उत्स्रष्टुं रावणो भीमं राघवाय प्रचक्रमे ॥ 100.2 ॥

mayena vihitaṃ raudramanyadastraṃ mahādyutiḥ| utsraṣṭuṃ rāvaṇo bhīmaṃ rāghavāya pracakrame || 100.2 ||

That greatly resplendent Ravana made ready to loose upon Raghava another terrible, dreadful weapon, wrought by Maya.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.100.3)

ततः शूलानि निश्चेरुर्गदाश्च मुसलानि च। कार्मुकाद् दीप्यमानानि वज्रसाराणि सर्वशः ॥ 100.3 ॥

tataḥ śūlāni niścerurgadāśca musalāni ca| kārmukād dīpyamānāni vajrasārāṇi sarvaśaḥ || 100.3 ||

Then from that bow burst forth, on every side, blazing tridents, maces, and clubs, hard as adamant.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.100.4)

मुद्गराः कूटपाशाश्च दीप्ताश्चाशनयस्तथा। निष्पेतुर्विविधास्तीक्ष्णा वाता इव युगक्षये ॥ 100.4 ॥

mudgarāḥ kūṭapāśāśca dīptāścāśanayastathā| niṣpeturvividhāstīkṣṇā vātā iva yugakṣaye || 100.4 ||

Hammers, treacherous nooses, and blazing thunderbolts of many kinds burst forth as fiercely as the gales at the dissolution of an age.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.100.5)

तदस्त्रं राघवः श्रीमानुत्तमास्त्रविदां वरः। जघान परमास्त्रेण गान्धर्वेण महाद्युतिः ॥ 100.5 ॥

tadastraṃ rāghavaḥ śrīmānuttamāstravidāṃ varaḥ| jaghāna paramāstreṇa gāndharveṇa mahādyutiḥ || 100.5 ||

That glorious Raghava, foremost among the masters of divine weapons, resplendent as he was, destroyed that missile with the supreme Gandharva weapon.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.100.6)

तस्मिन् प्रतिहतेऽस्त्रे तु राघवेण महात्मना। रावणः क्रोधताम्राक्षः सौरमस्त्रमुदीरयत् ॥ 100.6 ॥

tasmin pratihate'stre tu rāghaveṇa mahātmanā| rāvaṇaḥ krodhatāmrākṣaḥ sauramastramudīrayat || 100.6 ||

When that missile too was thwarted by the great-souled Raghava, Ravana, his eyes red with fury, invoked the missile of the sun.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.100.7)

ततश्चक्राणि निष्पेतुर्भास्वराणि महान्ति च। कार्मुकाद् भीमवेगस्य दशग्रीवस्य धीमतः ॥ 100.7 ॥

tataścakrāṇi niṣpeturbhāsvarāṇi mahānti ca| kārmukād bhīmavegasya daśagrīvasya dhīmataḥ || 100.7 ||

Then from the bow of that shrewd and terribly swift ten-necked one there burst forth great, radiant discuses.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.100.8)

तैरासीद् गगनं दीप्तं सम्पतद्भिः समन्ततः। पतद्भिश्च दिशो दीप्ताश्चन्द्रसूर्यग्रहैरिव ॥ 100.8 ॥

tairāsīd gaganaṃ dīptaṃ sampatadbhiḥ samantataḥ| patadbhiśca diśo dīptāścandrasūryagrahairiva || 100.8 ||

As they hurtled down on every side, the sky grew ablaze with them, and as they fell the horizons shone as though lit by moon, sun, and planets.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.100.9)

तानि चिच्छेद बाणौघैश्चक्राणि तु स राघवः। आयुधानि च चित्राणि रावणस्य चमूमुखे ॥ 100.9 ॥

tāni ciccheda bāṇaughaiścakrāṇi tu sa rāghavaḥ| āyudhāni ca citrāṇi rāvaṇasya camūmukhe || 100.9 ||

But Raghava, with a flood of arrows, cut down those discuses and Ravana's other strange weapons there at the front of the host.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.100.10)

तदस्त्रं तु हतं दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। विव्याध दशभिर्बाणै रामं सर्वेषु मर्मसु ॥ 100.10 ॥

tadastraṃ tu hataṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| vivyādha daśabhirbāṇai rāmaṃ sarveṣu marmasu || 100.10 ||

Seeing that missile foiled, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, pierced Rama with ten arrows in all his vital points.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.100.11)

स विद्धो दशभिर्बाणैर्महाकार्मुकनिःसृतैः। रावणेन महातेजा न प्राकम्पत राघवः ॥ 100.11 ॥

sa viddho daśabhirbāṇairmahākārmukaniḥsṛtaiḥ| rāvaṇena mahātejā na prākampata rāghavaḥ || 100.11 ||

Pierced by those ten arrows loosed from Ravana's great bow, the mighty Raghava did not so much as tremble.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.100.12)

ततो विव्याध गात्रेषु सर्वेषु समितिंजयः। राघवस्तु सुसंक्रुद्धो रावणं बहुभिः शरैः ॥ 100.12 ॥

tato vivyādha gātreṣu sarveṣu samitiṃjayaḥ| rāghavastu susaṃkruddho rāvaṇaṃ bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ || 100.12 ||

Then Raghava, ever victorious in battle and now sorely enraged, pierced Ravana in every limb with a multitude of arrows.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.100.13)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रुद्धो राघवस्यानुजो बली। लक्ष्मणः सायकान् सप्त जग्राह परवीरहा ॥ 100.13 ॥

etasminnantare kruddho rāghavasyānujo balī| lakṣmaṇaḥ sāyakān sapta jagrāha paravīrahā || 100.13 ||

Meanwhile Raghava's mighty younger brother, Lakshmana, slayer of hostile heroes, in fury seized seven arrows.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.100.14)

तैः सायकैर्महावेगै रावणस्य महाद्युतिः। ध्वजं मनुष्यशीर्षं तु तस्य चिच्छेद नैकधा ॥ 100.14 ॥

taiḥ sāyakairmahāvegai rāvaṇasya mahādyutiḥ| dhvajaṃ manuṣyaśīrṣaṃ tu tasya ciccheda naikadhā || 100.14 ||

With those swift arrows the resplendent Lakshmana cut Ravana's banner, bearing the emblem of a man's head, into many pieces.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.100.15)

सारथेश्चापि बाणेन शिरो ज्वलितकुण्डलम्। जहार लक्ष्मणः श्रीमान् नैर्ऋतस्य महाबलः ॥ 100.15 ॥

sāratheścāpi bāṇena śiro jvalitakuṇḍalam| jahāra lakṣmaṇaḥ śrīmān nairṛtasya mahābalaḥ || 100.15 ||

The glorious, mighty Lakshmana also carried off, with a single arrow, the head of that rakshasa's charioteer, its earrings still gleaming.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.100.16)

तस्य बाणैश्च चिच्छेद धनुर्गजकरोपमम्। लक्ष्मणो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पञ्चभिर्निशितैस्तदा ॥ 100.16 ॥

tasya bāṇaiśca ciccheda dhanurgajakaropamam| lakṣmaṇo rākṣasendrasya pañcabhirniśitaistadā || 100.16 ||

Then Lakshmana, with five sharp arrows, cut through that rakshasa lord's bow, curved like an elephant's trunk.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.100.17)

नीलमेघनिभांश्चास्य सदश्वान् पर्वतोपमान्। जघानाप्लुत्य गदया रावणस्य विभीषणः ॥ 100.17 ॥

nīlameghanibhāṃścāsya sadaśvān parvatopamān| jaghānāplutya gadayā rāvaṇasya vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 100.17 ||

Vibhishana, leaping forward, struck down with his mace Ravana's splendid horses, dark as blue clouds and huge as mountains.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.100.18)

हताश्वात् तु तदा वेगादवप्लुत्य महारथात्। कोपमाहारयत् तीव्रं भ्रातरं प्रति रावणः ॥ 100.18 ॥

hatāśvāt tu tadā vegādavaplutya mahārathāt| kopamāhārayat tīvraṃ bhrātaraṃ prati rāvaṇaḥ || 100.18 ||

Leaping swiftly down from that great chariot whose horses were slain, Ravana was seized with violent fury against his own brother.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.100.19)

ततः शक्तिं महाशक्तिः प्रदीप्तामशनीमिव। विभीषणाय चिक्षेप राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान् ॥ 100.19 ॥

tataḥ śaktiṃ mahāśaktiḥ pradīptāmaśanīmiva| vibhīṣaṇāya cikṣepa rākṣasendraḥ pratāpavān || 100.19 ||

Then that mighty, glorious lord of rakshasas hurled at Vibhishana a spear, blazing like a thunderbolt.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.100.20)

अप्राप्तामेव तां बाणैस्त्रिभिश्चिच्छेद लक्ष्मणः। अथोदतिष्ठत् संनादो वानराणां महारणे ॥ 100.20 ॥

aprāptāmeva tāṃ bāṇaistribhiściccheda lakṣmaṇaḥ| athodatiṣṭhat saṃnādo vānarāṇāṃ mahāraṇe || 100.20 ||

Before it could reach him, Lakshmana cut it down with three arrows; and then a great shout arose from the monkeys in that mighty battle.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.100.21)

सम्पपात त्रिधा छिन्ना शक्तिः काञ्चनमालिनी। सविस्फुलिङ्गा ज्वलिता महोल्केव दिवश्च्युता ॥ 100.21 ॥

sampapāta tridhā chinnā śaktiḥ kāñcanamālinī| savisphuliṅgā jvalitā maholkeva divaścyutā || 100.21 ||

That spear, garlanded with gold, cut into three, fell showering sparks and ablaze, like some great meteor dropping from the sky.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.100.22)

ततः सम्भाविततरां कालेनापि दुरासदाम्। जग्राह विपुलां शक्तिं दीप्यमानां स्वतेजसा ॥ 100.22 ॥

tataḥ sambhāvitatarāṃ kālenāpi durāsadām| jagrāha vipulāṃ śaktiṃ dīpyamānāṃ svatejasā || 100.22 ||

Then he seized another vast spear, one held in the highest esteem, hard for even Death to withstand, blazing with its own inner splendour.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.100.23)

सा वेगिता बलवता रावणेन दुरात्मना। जज्वाल सुमहातेजा दीप्ताशनिसमप्रभा ॥ 100.23 ॥

sā vegitā balavatā rāvaṇena durātmanā| jajvāla sumahātejā dīptāśanisamaprabhā || 100.23 ||

Whirled with force by that mighty, evil-souled Ravana, it blazed the more, its light like that of a flashing thunderbolt.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.100.24)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरो लक्ष्मणस्तं विभीषणम्। प्राणसंशयमापन्नं तूर्णमभ्यवपद्यत ॥ 100.24 ॥

etasminnantare vīro lakṣmaṇastaṃ vibhīṣaṇam| prāṇasaṃśayamāpannaṃ tūrṇamabhyavapadyata || 100.24 ||

In that moment, the valiant Lakshmana rushed at once to Vibhishana, whose life now hung in danger.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.100.25)

तं विमोक्षयितुं वीरश्चापमायम्य लक्ष्मणः। रावणं शक्तिहस्तं वै शरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ॥ 100.25 ॥

taṃ vimokṣayituṃ vīraścāpamāyamya lakṣmaṇaḥ| rāvaṇaṃ śaktihastaṃ vai śaravarṣairavākirat || 100.25 ||

To save him, the valiant Lakshmana drew his bow and covered Ravana, spear still in hand, with a downpour of arrows.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.100.26)

कीर्यमाणः शरौघेण विसृष्टेन महात्मना। न प्रहर्तुं मनश्चक्रे विमुखीकृतविक्रमः ॥ 100.26 ॥

kīryamāṇaḥ śaraugheṇa visṛṣṭena mahātmanā| na prahartuṃ manaścakre vimukhīkṛtavikramaḥ || 100.26 ||

Overwhelmed by that flood of arrows loosed by the great-souled Lakshmana, his onslaught thwarted, Ravana could not bring himself to strike.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.100.27)

मोक्षितं भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणेन स रावणः। लक्ष्मणाभिमुखस्तिष्ठन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 100.27 ॥

mokṣitaṃ bhrātaraṃ dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇena sa rāvaṇaḥ| lakṣmaṇābhimukhastiṣṭhannidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 100.27 ||

Seeing his own brother rescued by Lakshmana, that Ravana, turning to face Lakshmana, spoke these words:

Shloka 28 (yuddha.100.28)

मोक्षितस्ते बलश्लाघिन् यस्मादेवं विभीषणः। विमुच्य राक्षसं शक्तिस्त्वयीयं विनिपात्यते ॥ 100.28 ॥

mokṣitaste balaślāghin yasmādevaṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ| vimucya rākṣasaṃ śaktistvayīyaṃ vinipātyate || 100.28 ||

"O boaster of your own strength! Since you have thus saved that rakshasa, this same spear, sparing him, shall now be hurled down upon you.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.100.29)

एषा ते हृदयं भित्त्वा शक्तिर्लोहितलक्षणा। मद्बाहुपरिघोत्सृष्टा प्राणानादाय यास्यति ॥ 100.29 ॥

eṣā te hṛdayaṃ bhittvā śaktirlohitalakṣaṇā| madbāhuparighotsṛṣṭā prāṇānādāya yāsyati || 100.29 ||

This blood-marked spear, hurled from my bar-like arm, shall pierce your heart and depart only after taking your life."

Shloka 30 (yuddha.100.30)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा तां शक्तिमष्टघण्टां महास्वनाम्। मयेन मायाविहिताममोघां शत्रुघातिनीम् ॥ 100.30 ॥

ityevamuktvā tāṃ śaktimaṣṭaghaṇṭāṃ mahāsvanām| mayena māyāvihitāmamoghāṃ śatrughātinīm || 100.30 ||

So saying, that spear — hung with eight bells, thunderous of sound, wrought by Maya's sorcery, unfailing and slayer of foes —

Shloka 31 (yuddha.100.31)

लक्ष्मणाय समुद्दिश्य ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा। रावणः परमक्रुद्धश्चिक्षेप च ननाद च ॥ 100.31 ॥

lakṣmaṇāya samuddiśya jvalantīmiva tejasā| rāvaṇaḥ paramakruddhaścikṣepa ca nanāda ca || 100.31 ||

blazing as though with its own fire, Ravana, in towering rage, aimed at Lakshmana, hurled it, and roared aloud.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.100.32)

सा क्षिप्ता भीमवेगेन वज्राशनिसमस्वना। शक्तिरभ्यपतद् वेगाल्लक्ष्मणं रणमूर्धनि ॥ 100.32 ॥

sā kṣiptā bhīmavegena vajrāśanisamasvanā| śaktirabhyapatad vegāllakṣmaṇaṃ raṇamūrdhani || 100.32 ||

Hurled with terrible speed, roaring like a thunderbolt, that spear fell with force upon Lakshmana at the forefront of battle.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.100.33)

तामनुव्याहरच्छक्तिमापतन्तीं स राघवः। स्वस्त्यस्तु लक्ष्मणायेति मोघा भव हतोद्यमा ॥ 100.33 ॥

tāmanuvyāharacchaktimāpatantīṃ sa rāghavaḥ| svastyastu lakṣmaṇāyeti moghā bhava hatodyamā || 100.33 ||

Seeing that spear rushing on, Raghava called out to it: "May it go well with Lakshmana! Be thou in vain, thy purpose broken!"

Shloka 34 (yuddha.100.34)

रावणेन रणे शक्तिः क्रुद्धेनाशीविषोपमा। मुक्ताऽऽशूरस्य भीतस्य लक्ष्मणस्य ममज्ज सा ॥ 100.34 ॥

rāvaṇena raṇe śaktiḥ kruddhenāśīviṣopamā| muktā''śūrasya bhītasya lakṣmaṇasya mamajja sā || 100.34 ||

Yet that spear, like a venomous serpent, loosed in battle by the enraged Ravana, plunged deep into the fearless, valiant Lakshmana.

Shloka 35 (yuddha.100.35)

न्यपतत् सा महावेगा लक्ष्मणस्य महोरसि। जिह्वेवोरगराजस्य दीप्यमाना महाद्युतिः ॥ 100.35 ॥

nyapatat sā mahāvegā lakṣmaṇasya mahorasi| jihvevoragarājasya dīpyamānā mahādyutiḥ || 100.35 ||

That spear of tremendous speed and dazzling splendour fell upon Lakshmana's broad chest, like the flickering tongue of the king of serpents.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.100.36)

ततो रावणवेगेन सुदूरमवगाढया। शक्त्या विभिन्नहृदयः पपात भुवि लक्ष्मणः ॥ 100.36 ॥

tato rāvaṇavegena sudūramavagāḍhayā| śaktyā vibhinnahṛdayaḥ papāta bhuvi lakṣmaṇaḥ || 100.36 ||

Driven deep by the force of Ravana's throw, that spear pierced his heart, and Lakshmana fell to the ground.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.100.37)

तदवस्थं समीपस्थो लक्ष्मणं प्रेक्ष्य राघवः। भ्रातृस्नेहान्महातेजा विषण्णहृदयोऽभवत् ॥ 100.37 ॥

tadavasthaṃ samīpastho lakṣmaṇaṃ prekṣya rāghavaḥ| bhrātṛsnehānmahātejā viṣaṇṇahṛdayo'bhavat || 100.37 ||

Standing nearby, Raghava, seeing Lakshmana in that state, was, out of brotherly love, seized with anguish in his great heart.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.100.38)

स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः। बभूव संरब्धतरो युगान्त इव पावकः ॥ 100.38 ॥

sa muhūrtamiva dhyātvā bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ| babhūva saṃrabdhataro yugānta iva pāvakaḥ || 100.38 ||

His eyes clouded with tears, he stood lost in thought for a moment, and then blazed up in fury, like the fire that ends an age.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.100.39)

न विषादस्य कालोऽयमिति संचिन्त्य राघवः। चक्रे सुतुमलं युद्धं रावणस्य वधे धृतः। सर्वयत्नेन महता लक्ष्मणं परिवीक्ष्य च ॥ 100.39 ॥

na viṣādasya kālo'yamiti saṃcintya rāghavaḥ| cakre sutumalaṃ yuddhaṃ rāvaṇasya vadhe dhṛtaḥ| sarvayatnena mahatā lakṣmaṇaṃ parivīkṣya ca || 100.39 ||

Reflecting that this was no time for despair, Raghava, glancing at Lakshmana yet resolved upon Ravana's death, threw himself with all his might into a most tumultuous battle.

Shloka 40 (yuddha.100.40)

स ददर्श ततो रामः शक्त्या भिन्नं महाहवे। लक्ष्मणं रुधिरादिग्धं सपन्नगमिवाचलम् ॥ 100.40 ॥

sa dadarśa tato rāmaḥ śaktyā bhinnaṃ mahāhave| lakṣmaṇaṃ rudhirādigdhaṃ sapannagamivācalam || 100.40 ||

Then Rama looked upon Lakshmana, pierced by the spear in that great battle, drenched in blood, like a mountain with a serpent coiled upon it.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.100.41)

तामपि प्रहितां शक्तिं रावणेन बलीयसा। यत्नतस्ते हरिश्रेष्ठा न शेकुरवमर्दितुम् ॥ 100.41 ॥

tāmapi prahitāṃ śaktiṃ rāvaṇena balīyasā| yatnataste hariśreṣṭhā na śekuravamarditum || 100.41 ||

That spear, hurled by mighty Ravana, those foremost of monkeys, for all their effort, could not wrench free,

Shloka 42 (yuddha.100.42)

अर्दिताश्चैव बाणौघैस्ते प्रवेकेण रक्षसाम्। सौमित्रेः सा विनिर्भिद्य प्रविष्टा धरणीतलम् ॥ 100.42 ॥

arditāścaiva bāṇaughaiste pravekeṇa rakṣasām| saumitreḥ sā vinirbhidya praviṣṭā dharaṇītalam || 100.42 ||

for they themselves were being tormented by a flood of arrows from that foremost of rakshasas; and, piercing clean through Saumitri, it had sunk deep into the earth.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.100.43)

तां कराभ्यां परामृश्य रामः शक्तिं भयावहाम्। बभञ्ज समरे क्रुद्धो बलवान् विचकर्ष च ॥ 100.43 ॥

tāṃ karābhyāṃ parāmṛśya rāmaḥ śaktiṃ bhayāvahām| babhañja samare kruddho balavān vicakarṣa ca || 100.43 ||

Rama, gripping that fearsome spear with both his hands, in fury and with all his strength, wrenched it out there in the battle and shattered it.

Shloka 44 (yuddha.100.44)

तस्य निष्कर्षतः शक्तिं रावणेन बलीयसा। शराः सर्वेषु गात्रेषु पातिता मर्मभेदिनः ॥ 100.44 ॥

tasya niṣkarṣataḥ śaktiṃ rāvaṇena balīyasā| śarāḥ sarveṣu gātreṣu pātitā marmabhedinaḥ || 100.44 ||

Even as he was drawing that spear out, mighty Ravana rained down vital-piercing arrows upon him, striking every limb.

Shloka 45 (yuddha.100.45)

अचिन्तयित्वा तान् बाणान् समाश्लिष्य च लक्ष्मणम्। अब्रवीच्च हनूमन्तं सुग्रीवं च महाकपिम् ॥ 100.45 ॥

acintayitvā tān bāṇān samāśliṣya ca lakṣmaṇam| abravīcca hanūmantaṃ sugrīvaṃ ca mahākapim || 100.45 ||

Paying those arrows no heed, and taking Lakshmana in his arms, Rama then said to Hanuman and to the great monkey Sugriva,

Shloka 46 (yuddha.100.46)

लक्ष्मणं परिवार्यैवं तिष्ठध्वं वानरोत्तमाः। पराक्रमस्य कालोऽयं सम्प्राप्तो मे चिरेप्सितः ॥ 100.46 ॥

lakṣmaṇaṃ parivāryaivaṃ tiṣṭhadhvaṃ vānarottamāḥ| parākramasya kālo'yaṃ samprāpto me cirepsitaḥ || 100.46 ||

"O foremost of monkeys, stand thus and surround Lakshmana. Now has come that hour for showing my prowess, long desired,

Shloka 47 (yuddha.100.47)

पापात्मायं दशग्रीवो वध्यतां पापनिश्चयः। कांक्षितं चातकस्येव घर्मान्ते मेघदर्शनम् ॥ 100.47 ॥

pāpātmāyaṃ daśagrīvo vadhyatāṃ pāpaniścayaḥ| kāṃkṣitaṃ cātakasyeva gharmānte meghadarśanam || 100.47 ||

as the chataka bird longs for the sight of a cloud at summer's end. Now must this evil-souled Ravana, resolved upon sin, be slain.

Shloka 48 (yuddha.100.48)

अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते नचिरात् सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि वः। अरावणमरामं वा जगद् द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः ॥ 100.48 ॥

asmin muhūrte nacirāt satyaṃ pratiśṛṇomi vaḥ| arāvaṇamarāmaṃ vā jagad drakṣyatha vānarāḥ || 100.48 ||

At this very hour I make you this true vow: before long, O monkeys, you shall see the world either without Ravana, or without Rama."

Shloka 49 (yuddha.100.49)

राज्यनाशं वने वासं दण्डके परिधावनम्। वैदेह्याश्च परामर्शो रक्षोभिश्च समागमम् ॥ 100.49 ॥

rājyanāśaṃ vane vāsaṃ daṇḍake paridhāvanam| vaidehyāśca parāmarśo rakṣobhiśca samāgamam || 100.49 ||

"The loss of my kingdom, the dwelling in the forest, the wandering through the Dandaka wilds, the outrage upon Vaidehi, and this reckoning with the rakshasas —

Shloka 50 (yuddha.100.50)

प्राप्तं दुःखं महाघोरं क्लेशश्च निरयोपमः। अद्य सर्वमहं त्यक्ष्ये निहत्वा रावणं रणे ॥ 100.50 ॥

prāptaṃ duḥkhaṃ mahāghoraṃ kleśaśca nirayopamaḥ| adya sarvamahaṃ tyakṣye nihatvā rāvaṇaṃ raṇe || 100.50 ||

the terrible sorrow and hell-like torment I have endured through all of this — today I shall cast it all away, by slaying Ravana in battle."

Shloka 51 (yuddha.100.51)

यदर्थं वानरं सैन्यं समानीतमिदं मया। सुग्रीवश्च कृतो राज्ये निहत्वा वालिनं रणे। यदर्थं सागरः क्रान्तः सेतुर्बद्धश्च सागरे ॥ 100.51 ॥

yadarthaṃ vānaraṃ sainyaṃ samānītamidaṃ mayā| sugrīvaśca kṛto rājye nihatvā vālinaṃ raṇe| yadarthaṃ sāgaraḥ krāntaḥ seturbaddhaśca sāgare || 100.51 ||

"He for whose sake I gathered this army of monkeys, for whose sake I slew Vali in battle and set Sugriva upon the throne, for whose sake the ocean was crossed and a bridge built across the sea —

Shloka 52 (yuddha.100.52)

सोऽयमद्य रणे पापश्चक्षुर्विषयमागतः। चक्षुर्विषयमागत्य नायं जीवितुमर्हति ॥ 100.52 ॥

so'yamadya raṇe pāpaścakṣurviṣayamāgataḥ| cakṣurviṣayamāgatya nāyaṃ jīvitumarhati || 100.52 ||

that very sinner has today come within the range of my sight, here in battle. Having come within my sight, he does not deserve to live any longer.

Shloka 53 (yuddha.100.53)

दृष्टिं दृष्टिविषस्येव सर्पस्य मम रावणः। यथा वा वैनतेयस्य दृष्टिं प्राप्तो भुजंगमः ॥ 100.53 ॥

dṛṣṭiṃ dṛṣṭiviṣasyeva sarpasya mama rāvaṇaḥ| yathā vā vainateyasya dṛṣṭiṃ prāpto bhujaṃgamaḥ || 100.53 ||

Ravana has come within my gaze as one comes within the gaze of a snake whose very glance is venom, or as a serpent falls under the eye of Garuda, son of Vinata."

Shloka 54 (yuddha.100.54)

सुखं पश्यत दुर्धर्षा युद्धं वानरपुङ्गवाः। आसीनाः पर्वताग्रेषु ममेदं रावणस्य च ॥ 100.54 ॥

sukhaṃ paśyata durdharṣā yuddhaṃ vānarapuṅgavāḥ| āsīnāḥ parvatāgreṣu mamedaṃ rāvaṇasya ca || 100.54 ||

"O unconquerable foremost of monkeys, sit upon the mountain peaks and watch at ease this battle between me and Ravana.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.100.55)

अद्य पश्यन्तु रामस्य रामत्वं मम संयुगे। त्रयो लोकाः सगन्धर्वाः सदेवाः सर्षिचारणाः ॥ 100.55 ॥

adya paśyantu rāmasya rāmatvaṃ mama saṃyuge| trayo lokāḥ sagandharvāḥ sadevāḥ sarṣicāraṇāḥ || 100.55 ||

Today let the three worlds, with the gandharvas, the gods, the seers and the celestial bards, behold in this combat what makes Rama truly Rama.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.100.56)

अद्य कर्म करिष्यामि यल्लोकाः सचराचराः। सदेवाः कथयिष्यन्ति यावद् भूमिर्धरिष्यति। समागम्य सदा लोके यथा युद्धं प्रवर्तितम् ॥ 100.56 ॥

adya karma kariṣyāmi yallokāḥ sacarācarāḥ| sadevāḥ kathayiṣyanti yāvad bhūmirdhariṣyati| samāgamya sadā loke yathā yuddhaṃ pravartitam || 100.56 ||

Today I shall perform a deed that all the worlds, moving and unmoving, together with the gods, shall recount and gather to tell, for as long as the earth endures, of how this battle was fought."

Shloka 57 (yuddha.100.57)

एवमुक्त्वा शितैर्बाणैस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणैः। आजघान रणे रामो दशग्रीवं समाहितः ॥ 100.57 ॥

evamuktvā śitairbāṇaistaptakāñcanabhūṣaṇaiḥ| ājaghāna raṇe rāmo daśagrīvaṃ samāhitaḥ || 100.57 ||

So saying, Rama, his mind gathered and steady, struck the ten-necked Ravana in battle with sharp arrows adorned with refined gold.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.100.58)

तथा प्रदीप्तैर्नाराचैर्मुसलैश्चापि रावणः। अभ्यवर्षत् तदा रामं धाराभिरिव तोयदः ॥ 100.58 ॥

tathā pradīptairnārācairmusalaiścāpi rāvaṇaḥ| abhyavarṣat tadā rāmaṃ dhārābhiriva toyadaḥ || 100.58 ||

In the same way Ravana, in turn, poured blazing steel arrows and clubs upon Rama, as a raincloud pours down its streams of water.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.100.59)

रामरावणमुक्तानामन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नताम्। वराणां च शराणां च बभूव तुमुलः स्वनः ॥ 100.59 ॥

rāmarāvaṇamuktānāmanyonyamabhinighnatām| varāṇāṃ ca śarāṇāṃ ca babhūva tumulaḥ svanaḥ || 100.59 ||

As the excellent arrows loosed by Rama and by Ravana clashed against one another, a tumultuous roar arose.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.100.60)

विच्छिन्नाश्च विकीर्णाश्च रामरावणयोः शराः। अन्तरिक्षात् प्रदीप्ताग्रा निपेतुर्धरणीतले ॥ 100.60 ॥

vicchinnāśca vikīrṇāśca rāmarāvaṇayoḥ śarāḥ| antarikṣāt pradīptāgrā nipeturdharaṇītale || 100.60 ||

The arrows of both Rama and Ravana, broken and scattered, their tips still blazing, fell from the sky down to the surface of the earth.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.100.61)

तयोर्ज्यातलनिर्घोषो रामरावणयोर्महान्। त्रासनः सर्वभूतानां सम्बभूवाद्भुतोपमः ॥ 100.61 ॥

tayorjyātalanirghoṣo rāmarāvaṇayormahān| trāsanaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ sambabhūvādbhutopamaḥ || 100.61 ||

The mighty twang of Rama's and Ravana's bowstrings against their palms became a sound that struck terror into every living being, wondrous beyond measure.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.100.62)

स कीर्यमाणः शरजालवृष्टिभि- र्महात्मना दीप्तधनुष्मतार्दितः। भयात् प्रदुद्राव समेत्य रावणो यथानिलेनाभिहतो बलाहकः ॥ 100.62 ॥

sa kīryamāṇaḥ śarajālavṛṣṭibhi- rmahātmanā dīptadhanuṣmatārditaḥ| bhayāt pradudrāva sametya rāvaṇo yathānilenābhihato balāhakaḥ || 100.62 ||

Riddled and tormented by that shower of net-like arrows from the great-souled one who bore a blazing bow, Ravana, at last closing with him, fled away in fear, like a storm-cloud driven off by the wind.