The First Duel of Rama and Ravana

Shloka 1 (yuddha.102.1)

लक्ष्मणेन तु तद्वाक्यमुक्तं श्रुत्वा स राघवः। संदधे परवीरघ्नो धनुरादाय वीर्यवान् ॥ 102.1 ॥

lakṣmaṇena tu tadvākyamuktaṃ śrutvā sa rāghavaḥ| saṃdadhe paravīraghno dhanurādāya vīryavān || 102.1 ||

Hearing those words spoken by Lakshmana, that valorous Rama, destroyer of enemy heroes, took up his bow and fitted an arrow to it.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.102.2)

रावणाय शरान्घोरान्विससर्ज चमूमुखे। अथान्यं रथमास्थाय रावणो राक्षसाधिपः ॥ 102.2 ॥

rāvaṇāya śarānghorānvisasarja camūmukhe| athānyaṃ rathamāsthāya rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ || 102.2 ||

In the forefront of battle he loosed terrible arrows at Ravana. Then, mounting another chariot, Ravana, lord of the demons,

Shloka 3 (yuddha.102.3)

अभ्यधावत् काकुत्स्थं स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्। दशग्रीवो रथस्थस्तु रामं वज्रोपमैः शरैः ॥ 102.3 ॥

abhyadhāvat kākutsthaṃ svarbhānuriva bhāskaram| daśagrīvo rathasthastu rāmaṃ vajropamaiḥ śaraiḥ || 102.3 ||

rushed upon Kakutstha, as Rahu the eclipse-demon rushes upon the sun. Ten-necked Ravana, standing in his chariot, struck Rama with arrows like thunderbolts,

Shloka 4 (yuddha.102.4)

आजघान महाघोरैर्धाराभिरिव तोयदः। दीप्तपावकसङ्काशैः शरैः काञ्चनभूषणैः ॥ 102.4 ॥

ājaghāna mahāghorairdhārābhiriva toyadaḥ| dīptapāvakasaṅkāśaiḥ śaraiḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇaiḥ || 102.4 ||

as a rain-cloud pelts a mountain with terrific torrents. With an attentive mind, Rama in turn

Shloka 5 (yuddha.102.5)

निर्बिभेद रणे रामो दशग्रीवं समाहितः। भूमिस्थितस्य रामस्य रथस्थस्य च रक्षसः ॥ 102.5 ॥

nirbibheda raṇe rāmo daśagrīvaṃ samāhitaḥ| bhūmisthitasya rāmasya rathasthasya ca rakṣasaḥ || 102.5 ||

pierced ten-necked Ravana in that battle with arrows blazing like fire and decked with gold. The gods, gandharvas, and danavas all said

Shloka 6 (yuddha.102.6)

न समं युद्धमित्याहुर्देवगन्धर्वदानवाः। ततो देववरः श्रीमान् श्रुत्वा तेषां वचोऽमृतम् ॥ 102.6 ॥

na samaṃ yuddhamityāhurdevagandharvadānavāḥ| tato devavaraḥ śrīmān śrutvā teṣāṃ vaco'mṛtam || 102.6 ||

that this fight, between Rama standing on the ground and the demon fighting from a chariot, was not an equal one. Then the glorious chief of the gods, hearing their nectar-like words,

Shloka 7 (yuddha.102.7)

आहूय मातलिं शक्रो वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्। रथेन मम भूमिष्ठं शीघ्रं याहि रघूत्तमम् ॥ 102.7 ॥

āhūya mātaliṃ śakro vacanaṃ cedamabravīt| rathena mama bhūmiṣṭhaṃ śīghraṃ yāhi raghūttamam || 102.7 ||

Indra called Matali and spoke these words to him: "Go quickly with my chariot to that foremost of the Raghus, standing on the ground —

Shloka 8 (yuddha.102.8)

आहूय भूतलं यातः कुरु देवहितं महत्। इत्युक्तो देवराजेन मातलिर्देवसारथिः ॥ 102.8 ॥

āhūya bhūtalaṃ yātaḥ kuru devahitaṃ mahat| ityukto devarājena mātalirdevasārathiḥ || 102.8 ||

invite him after reaching the earth, and thereby perform a great service for the gods." Thus addressed by the king of the gods, Matali, the charioteer of the gods,

Shloka 9 (yuddha.102.9)

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं ततो वचनमब्रवीत्। शीघ्रं यास्यामि देवेन्द्र सारथ्यं च करोम्यहम् ॥ 102.9 ॥

praṇamya śirasā devaṃ tato vacanamabravīt| śīghraṃ yāsyāmi devendra sārathyaṃ ca karomyaham || 102.9 ||

bowed his head to his lord and then spoke these words: "O lord of the gods, I shall go at once, and I myself shall act as his charioteer."

Shloka 10 (yuddha.102.10)

ततो हयैश्च संयोज्य हरितैः स्यन्दनोत्तमम्। ततः काञ्चनचित्राङ्गः किङ्किणीशतभूषितः ॥ 102.10 ॥

tato hayaiśca saṃyojya haritaiḥ syandanottamam| tataḥ kāñcanacitrāṅgaḥ kiṅkiṇīśatabhūṣitaḥ || 102.10 ||

Then, yoking that excellent chariot to green-hued horses — its body inlaid with gold, adorned with a hundred little bells,

Shloka 11 (yuddha.102.11)

तरुणादित्यसंकाशो वैदूर्यमयकूबरः। सदश्वैः काञ्चनापीडैर्युक्तः श्वेतप्रकीर्णकैः ॥ 102.11 ॥

taruṇādityasaṃkāśo vaidūryamayakūbaraḥ| sadaśvaiḥ kāñcanāpīḍairyuktaḥ śvetaprakīrṇakaiḥ || 102.11 ||

shining like the rising sun, its pole set with cat's-eye gems, yoked to excellent steeds wearing golden headbands and bearing white whisks,

Shloka 12 (yuddha.102.12)

हरिभिः सूर्यसंकाशैर्हेमजालविभूषितैः। रुक्मवेणुध्वजः श्रीमान्देवराजरथो वरः ॥ 102.12 ॥

haribhiḥ sūryasaṃkāśairhemajālavibhūṣitaiḥ| rukmaveṇudhvajaḥ śrīmāndevarājaratho varaḥ || 102.12 ||

horses radiant as the sun and decked with nets of gold, and bearing a banner on a golden staff — that glorious, excellent chariot of the king of the gods,

Shloka 13 (yuddha.102.13)

देवराजेन संदिष्टो रथमारुह्य मातलिः। अभ्यवर्तत काकुत्स्थमवतीर्य त्रिविष्टपात् ॥ 102.13 ॥

devarājena saṃdiṣṭo rathamāruhya mātaliḥ| abhyavartata kākutsthamavatīrya triviṣṭapāt || 102.13 ||

Matali, commanded by the king of the gods, mounted that chariot, descended from heaven, and approached Kakutstha.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.102.14)

अब्रवीच्च तदा रामं सप्रतोदो रथे स्थितः। प्राञ्जलिर्मातलिर्वाक्यं सहस्राक्षस्य सारथिः ॥ 102.14 ॥

abravīcca tadā rāmaṃ sapratodo rathe sthitaḥ| prāñjalirmātalirvākyaṃ sahasrākṣasya sārathiḥ || 102.14 ||

Then Matali, the charioteer of the thousand-eyed Indra, standing in the chariot with whip in hand, spoke this word to Rama with joined palms:

Shloka 15 (yuddha.102.15)

सहस्राक्षेण काकुत्स्थ रथोऽयं विजयाय ते। दत्तस्तव महासत्त्व श्रीमाञ्शत्रुनिबर्हणः ॥ 102.15 ॥

sahasrākṣeṇa kākutstha ratho'yaṃ vijayāya te| dattastava mahāsattva śrīmāñśatrunibarhaṇaḥ || 102.15 ||

"O Kakutstha, O being of great strength, this glorious, enemy-destroying chariot has been given to you by the thousand-eyed Indra, for your victory.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.102.16)

इदमैन्द्रं महच्चापं कवचं चाग्निसंनिभम्। शराश्चादित्यसङ्काशाः शक्तिश्च विमला शिता ॥ 102.16 ॥

idamaindraṃ mahaccāpaṃ kavacaṃ cāgnisaṃnibham| śarāścādityasaṅkāśāḥ śaktiśca vimalā śitā || 102.16 ||

Here too is Indra's great bow, an armour bright as fire, arrows radiant as the sun, and a stainless, sharp spear.

Shloka 17 (yuddha.102.17)

आरुह्येमं रथं वीर राक्षसं जहि रावणम्। मया सारथिना राम महेन्द्र इव दानवान् ॥ 102.17 ॥

āruhyemaṃ rathaṃ vīra rākṣasaṃ jahi rāvaṇam| mayā sārathinā rāma mahendra iva dānavān || 102.17 ||

Mount this chariot, O hero Rama, and with me as your charioteer, slay the demon Ravana, as mighty Indra once slew the danavas."

Shloka 18 (yuddha.102.18)

इत्युक्तः स परिक्रम्य रथं तमभिवाद्य च। आरुरोह तदा रामो लोकाँल्लक्ष्म्या विराजयन् ॥ 102.18 ॥

ityuktaḥ sa parikramya rathaṃ tamabhivādya ca| āruroha tadā rāmo lokā̐llakṣmyā virājayan || 102.18 ||

Thus addressed, Rama circled that chariot in reverence, bowed to it, and then mounted it, causing all the worlds to shine with his splendour.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.102.19)

बभूव च महायुद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्। रामस्य च महाबाहो रावणस्य च रक्षसः ॥ 102.19 ॥

babhūva ca mahāyuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam| rāmasya ca mahābāho rāvaṇasya ca rakṣasaḥ || 102.19 ||

Then, O mighty-armed one, a great, tumultuous, hair-raising battle broke out between Rama and the demon Ravana.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.102.20)

स गान्धर्वेण गान्धर्वं दैवं दैवेन राघवः। अस्त्रं राक्षसराजस्य जघान परमास्त्रवित् ॥ 102.20 ॥

sa gāndharveṇa gāndharvaṃ daivaṃ daivena rāghavaḥ| astraṃ rākṣasarājasya jaghāna paramāstravit || 102.20 ||

That Rama, most skilled in missile-lore, countered the demon-king's Gandharva missile with a Gandharva missile, and his divine missile with a divine missile of his own.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.102.21)

अस्त्रं तु परमं घोरं राक्षसं राक्षसाधिप। ससर्ज परमक्रुद्धः पुनरेव निशाचरः ॥ 102.21 ॥

astraṃ tu paramaṃ ghoraṃ rākṣasaṃ rākṣasādhipa| sasarja paramakruddhaḥ punareva niśācaraḥ || 102.21 ||

Then, O lord of the demons, that night-wanderer, in towering fury, once more let loose an extremely terrific Rakshasa missile.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.102.22)

ते रावणधनुर्मुक्ताः शराः काञ्चनभूषणाः। अभ्यवर्तन्त काकुत्स्थं सर्पा भूत्वा महाविषाः ॥ 102.22 ॥

te rāvaṇadhanurmuktāḥ śarāḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇāḥ| abhyavartanta kākutsthaṃ sarpā bhūtvā mahāviṣāḥ || 102.22 ||

Those gold-adorned arrows, released from Ravana's bow, turned into highly venomous serpents and rushed towards Kakutstha.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.102.23)

ते दीप्तवदना दीप्तं वमन्तो ज्वलनं मुखैः। राममेवाभ्यवर्तन्त व्यादितास्या भयानकाः ॥ 102.23 ॥

te dīptavadanā dīptaṃ vamanto jvalanaṃ mukhaiḥ| rāmamevābhyavartanta vyāditāsyā bhayānakāḥ || 102.23 ||

Those dreadful serpents, their mouths ablaze, jaws gaping wide, vomiting blazing fire from their mouths, rushed straight at Rama.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.102.24)

तैर्वासुकिसमस्पर्शैर्दीप्तभोगैर्महाविषैः। दिशश्च सन्तताः सर्वाः प्रदिशश्च समावृताः ॥ 102.24 ॥

tairvāsukisamasparśairdīptabhogairmahāviṣaiḥ| diśaśca santatāḥ sarvāḥ pradiśaśca samāvṛtāḥ || 102.24 ||

All the quarters were pervaded, and even the intermediate directions enveloped, by those highly venomous serpents, whose touch was as fierce as Vasuki's, their blazing hoods spread wide.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.102.25)

तान्दृष्ट्वा पन्नगान्रामः समापतत आहवे। अस्त्रं गारुत्मतं घोरं प्रादुश्चक्रे भयावहम् ॥ 102.25 ॥

tāndṛṣṭvā pannagānrāmaḥ samāpatata āhave| astraṃ gārutmataṃ ghoraṃ prāduścakre bhayāvaham || 102.25 ||

Seeing those serpents rushing upon him in battle, Rama brought forth the terrible and dreadful missile presided over by Garuda.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.102.26)

ते राघवधनुर्मुक्ता रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिखिप्रभाः। सुपर्णाः काञ्चना भूत्वा विचेरुः सर्पशत्रवः ॥ 102.26 ॥

te rāghavadhanurmuktā rukmapuṅkhāḥ śikhiprabhāḥ| suparṇāḥ kāñcanā bhūtvā viceruḥ sarpaśatravaḥ || 102.26 ||

Those arrows of Raghava, gold-shafted and flame-bright, turned into golden eagles, the natural enemies of serpents, and ranged everywhere.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.102.27)

ते तान्सर्वाञ्शराञ्जघ्नुः सर्परूपान्महाजवान्। सुपर्णरूपा रामस्य विशिखाः कामरूपिणः ॥ 102.27 ॥

te tānsarvāñśarāñjaghnuḥ sarparūpānmahājavān| suparṇarūpā rāmasya viśikhāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ || 102.27 ||

Rama's arrows, which could assume any form at will, taking the form of eagles, destroyed all those swiftly-flying serpent-formed arrows.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.102.28)

अस्त्रे प्रतिहते क्रुद्धो रावणो राक्षसाधिपः। अभ्यवर्षत्तदा रामं घोराभिः शरवृष्टिभिः ॥ 102.28 ॥

astre pratihate kruddho rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ| abhyavarṣattadā rāmaṃ ghorābhiḥ śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ || 102.28 ||

His missile thus foiled, the enraged Ravana, lord of the demons, then poured terrible showers of arrows upon Rama.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.102.29)

ततः शरसहस्रेण राममक्लिष्टकारिणम्। अर्दयित्वा शरौघेण मातलिं प्रत्यविध्यत ॥ 102.29 ॥

tataḥ śarasahasreṇa rāmamakliṣṭakāriṇam| ardayitvā śaraugheṇa mātaliṃ pratyavidhyata || 102.29 ||

Then, tormenting Rama the untiring with a thousand arrows, he pierced Matali too with a multitude of shafts.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.102.30)

चिच्छेद केतुमुद्दिश्य शरेणैकेन रावणः। पातयित्वा रथोपस्थे रथात्केतुं च काञ्चनम् ॥ 102.30 ॥

ciccheda ketumuddiśya śareṇaikena rāvaṇaḥ| pātayitvā rathopasthe rathātketuṃ ca kāñcanam || 102.30 ||

Ravana, taking aim with a single arrow, severed the banner-staff, felling that golden standard from the chariot's top down onto its very seat.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.102.31)

ऐन्द्रानभिजघानाश्वाञ्शरजालेन रावणः। विषेदुर्देवगन्धर्वा दानवाश्चारणैः सह ॥ 102.31 ॥

aindrānabhijaghānāśvāñśarajālena rāvaṇaḥ| viṣedurdevagandharvā dānavāścāraṇaiḥ saha || 102.31 ||

Ravana struck even Indra's horses with a net of arrows. At this the gods, gandharvas, danavas, and charanas all fell into despair.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.102.32)

राममार्तं तदा दृष्ट्वा सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। व्यथिता वानरेन्द्राश्च बभूवुः सविभीषणाः ॥ 102.32 ॥

rāmamārtaṃ tadā dṛṣṭvā siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ| vyathitā vānarendrāśca babhūvuḥ savibhīṣaṇāḥ || 102.32 ||

Seeing Rama thus afflicted, the Siddhas and the great sages too grew dismayed, and the monkey chiefs, together with Vibhishana, became distressed.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.102.33)

रामचन्द्रमसं दृष्ट्वा ग्रस्तं रावणराहुणा। प्राजापत्यं च नक्षत्रं रोहिणीं शशिनः प्रियाम् ॥ 102.33 ॥

rāmacandramasaṃ dṛṣṭvā grastaṃ rāvaṇarāhuṇā| prājāpatyaṃ ca nakṣatraṃ rohiṇīṃ śaśinaḥ priyām || 102.33 ||

It was as though, seeing the moon that was Rama seized by the Rahu that was Ravana, the planet Mercury took its stand,

Shloka 34 (yuddha.102.34)

समाक्रम्य बुधस्तस्थौ प्रजानामशुभावहः। सधूमपरिवृत्तोर्मिः प्रज्वलन्निव सागरः ॥ 102.34 ॥

samākramya budhastasthau prajānāmaśubhāvahaḥ| sadhūmaparivṛttormiḥ prajvalanniva sāgaraḥ || 102.34 ||

assailing the beloved Rohini, the star presided over by Prajapati, boding disaster for all creatures. The ocean, its waves wreathed in smoke, rose high as if ablaze,

Shloka 35 (yuddha.102.35)

उत्पपात तदा क्रुद्धः स्पृशन्निव दिवाकरम्। शस्त्रवर्णः सुपरुषो मन्दरश्मिर्दिवाकरः ॥ 102.35 ॥

utpapāta tadā kruddhaḥ spṛśanniva divākaram| śastravarṇaḥ suparuṣo mandaraśmirdivākaraḥ || 102.35 ||

as though reaching to touch the sun. The sun itself appeared ashen as steel, harsh, its rays grown dim,

Shloka 36 (yuddha.102.36)

अदृश्यत कबन्धाङ्गः संसक्तो धूमकेतुना। कोसलानां च नक्षत्रं व्यक्तमिन्द्राग्निदैवतम् ॥ 102.36 ॥

adṛśyata kabandhāṅgaḥ saṃsakto dhūmaketunā| kosalānāṃ ca nakṣatraṃ vyaktamindrāgnidaivatam || 102.36 ||

as if it bore a headless trunk within it, joined with a comet. Then the planet Mars, in the sky,

Shloka 37 (yuddha.102.37)

आक्रम्याङ्गारकस्तस्थौ विशाखामपि चाम्बरे। दशास्यो विंशतिभुजः प्रगृहीतशरासनः ॥ 102.37 ॥

ākramyāṅgārakastasthau viśākhāmapi cāmbare| daśāsyo viṃśatibhujaḥ pragṛhītaśarāsanaḥ || 102.37 ||

took its stand, assailing Vishakha, the constellation belonging visibly to the people of Kosala, presided over by Indra and Agni. Ten-faced, twenty-armed, his bow gripped tight,

Shloka 38 (yuddha.102.38)

अदृश्यत दशग्रीवो मैनाक इव पर्वतः। निरस्यमानो रामस्तु दशग्रीवेण रक्षसा ॥ 102.38 ॥

adṛśyata daśagrīvo maināka iva parvataḥ| nirasyamāno rāmastu daśagrīveṇa rakṣasā || 102.38 ||

Ravana appeared like Mount Mainaka. Rama, thus being overwhelmed by the demon Ravana,

Shloka 39 (yuddha.102.39)

नाशकदभिसन्धातुं सायकान्रणमूर्धनि। स कृत्वा भ्रुकुटिं क्रुद्धः किंचित्संरक्तलोचनः ॥ 102.39 ॥

nāśakadabhisandhātuṃ sāyakānraṇamūrdhani| sa kṛtvā bhrukuṭiṃ kruddhaḥ kiṃcitsaṃraktalocanaḥ || 102.39 ||

in the forefront of the battle could not even fit his arrows to his bow. Then, enraged, knitting his brow, his eyes turning somewhat red,

Shloka 40 (yuddha.102.40)

जगाम सुमहाक्रोधं निर्दहन्निव रक्षसान्। तस्य क्रुद्धस्य वदनं दृष्ट्वा रामस्य धीमतः ॥ 102.40 ॥

jagāma sumahākrodhaṃ nirdahanniva rakṣasān| tasya kruddhasya vadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmasya dhīmataḥ || 102.40 ||

he was seized by a towering rage, as though he would burn the demons to ashes. Seeing the face of the sagacious Rama thus enraged,

Shloka 41 (yuddha.102.41)

सर्वभूतानि वित्रेसुः प्राकम्पत च मेदिनी। सिंहशार्दूलवान् शैलः संचचाल चलद्द्रुमः। बभूव चापि क्षुभितः समुद्रः सरितां पतिः ॥ 102.41 ॥

sarvabhūtāni vitresuḥ prākampata ca medinī| siṃhaśārdūlavān śailaḥ saṃcacāla caladdrumaḥ| babhūva cāpi kṣubhitaḥ samudraḥ saritāṃ patiḥ || 102.41 ||

all beings were terrified, and the earth trembled; the mountain, home to lions and tigers, shook, its trees swaying; and even the ocean, lord of rivers, grew agitated.

Shloka 42 (yuddha.102.42)

खराश्च खरनिर्घोषा गगने परुषा घनाः। औत्पातिकाश्च नर्दन्तः समन्तात् परिचक्रमुः ॥ 102.42 ॥

kharāśca kharanirghoṣā gagane paruṣā ghanāḥ| autpātikāśca nardantaḥ samantāt paricakramuḥ || 102.42 ||

Harsh, grating clouds, portending disaster, roamed the sky on every side, roaring with a raucous din.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.102.43)

रामं दृष्ट्वा सुसंक्रुद्धमुत्पातांश्चैव दारुणान्। वित्रेसुः सर्वभूतानि रावणस्याभवद्भयम् ॥ 102.43 ॥

rāmaṃ dṛṣṭvā susaṃkruddhamutpātāṃścaiva dāruṇān| vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni rāvaṇasyābhavadbhayam || 102.43 ||

Seeing Rama in towering fury, and those dreadful portents besides, all beings were seized with terror — and even Ravana was struck with fear.

Shloka 44 (yuddha.102.44)

विमानस्थास्तदा देवा गन्धर्वाश्च महोरगाः। ऋषिदानवदैत्याश्च गरुत्मन्तश्च खेचराः ॥ 102.44 ॥

vimānasthāstadā devā gandharvāśca mahoragāḥ| ṛṣidānavadaityāśca garutmantaśca khecarāḥ || 102.44 ||

The gods, seated in their aerial chariots, and gandharvas, great serpent-beings, sages, danavas, daityas, and the sky-ranging eagles,

Shloka 45 (yuddha.102.45)

ददृशुस्ते तदा युद्धं लोकसंवर्तसंस्थितम्। नानाप्रहरणैर्भीमैः शूरयोः संप्रयुध्यतोः ॥ 102.45 ॥

dadṛśuste tadā yuddhaṃ lokasaṃvartasaṃsthitam| nānāpraharaṇairbhīmaiḥ śūrayoḥ saṃprayudhyatoḥ || 102.45 ||

then beheld that battle of the two heroes, fighting on with a host of dreadful weapons — a battle that seemed like the very dissolution of the worlds.

Shloka 46 (yuddha.102.46)

ऊचुः सुरासुराः सर्वे तदा विग्रहमागताः। प्रेक्षमाणा महद्युद्धं वाक्यं भक्त्या प्रहृष्टवत् ॥ 102.46 ॥

ūcuḥ surāsurāḥ sarve tadā vigrahamāgatāḥ| prekṣamāṇā mahadyuddhaṃ vākyaṃ bhaktyā prahṛṣṭavat || 102.46 ||

All the gods and demons who had gathered to watch that mighty conflict, delighted at the spectacle, cried out these words with fervour —

Shloka 47 (yuddha.102.47)

दशग्रीवं जयेत्याहुरसुराः समवस्थिताः। देवा राममवोचंस्ते त्वं जयेति पुनः पुनः ॥ 102.47 ॥

daśagrīvaṃ jayetyāhurasurāḥ samavasthitāḥ| devā rāmamavocaṃste tvaṃ jayeti punaḥ punaḥ || 102.47 ||

the demons standing there cried, "Victory to Ravana!", while the gods called out to Rama again and again, "Victory to you!"

Shloka 48 (yuddha.102.48)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे क्रोधाद्राघवस्य स रावणः। प्रहर्तुकामो दुष्टात्मा स्पृशन् प्रहरणं महत् ॥ 102.48 ॥

etasminnantare krodhādrāghavasya sa rāvaṇaḥ| prahartukāmo duṣṭātmā spṛśan praharaṇaṃ mahat || 102.48 ||

In the meanwhile, that evil-souled Ravana, wishing in his fury to strike Raghava, laid his hand upon a great weapon —

Shloka 49 (yuddha.102.49)

वज्रसारं महानादं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्। शैलशृङ्गनिभैः कूटैश्चित्तदृष्टिभयावहम् ॥ 102.49 ॥

vajrasāraṃ mahānādaṃ sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam| śailaśṛṅganibhaiḥ kūṭaiścittadṛṣṭibhayāvaham || 102.49 ||

hard as the thunderbolt, roaring loudly, destroyer of all foes, its spikes like mountain-peaks, terrifying to behold and even to imagine,

Shloka 50 (yuddha.102.50)

सधूममिव तीक्ष्णाग्रं युगान्ताग्निचयोपमम्। अतिरौद्रमनासाद्यं कालेनापि दुरासदम् ॥ 102.50 ॥

sadhūmamiva tīkṣṇāgraṃ yugāntāgnicayopamam| atiraudramanāsādyaṃ kālenāpi durāsadam || 102.50 ||

its sharp point wreathed as if in smoke, like a mass of fire at the world's dissolution, exceedingly terrible, unapproachable, unassailable even by Death himself,

Shloka 51 (yuddha.102.51)

त्रासनं सर्वभूतानां दारणं भेदनं तथा। प्रदीप्तमिव रोषेण शूलं जग्राह रावणः ॥ 102.51 ॥

trāsanaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ dāraṇaṃ bhedanaṃ tathā| pradīptamiva roṣeṇa śūlaṃ jagrāha rāvaṇaḥ || 102.51 ||

a terror to all beings, capable of rending and splitting them, blazing as if with its own fury — that spike Ravana took up in his hand.

Shloka 52 (yuddha.102.52)

तच्छूलं परमक्रुद्धो मध्ये जग्राह वीर्यवान्। अनीकैः समरे शूरैः राक्षसैः परिवारितः ॥ 102.52 ॥

tacchūlaṃ paramakruddho madhye jagrāha vīryavān| anīkaiḥ samare śūraiḥ rākṣasaiḥ parivāritaḥ || 102.52 ||

That mighty Ravana, surrounded in battle by the valiant ranks of his demon-warriors, in towering fury grasped that spike by its middle.

Shloka 53 (yuddha.102.53)

समुद्यम्य महाकायो ननाद युधि भैरवम्। संरक्तनयनो रोषात् स्वसैन्यमभिहर्षयन् ॥ 102.53 ॥

samudyamya mahākāyo nanāda yudhi bhairavam| saṃraktanayano roṣāt svasainyamabhiharṣayan || 102.53 ||

That colossal-bodied Ravana, his eyes reddened with fury, raised it aloft and, gladdening his own army, roared terribly in that battle.

Shloka 54 (yuddha.102.54)

पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षं च दिशश्च प्रदिशस्तथा। प्राकम्पयत्तदा शब्दो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य दारुणः ॥ 102.54 ॥

pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣaṃ ca diśaśca pradiśastathā| prākampayattadā śabdo rākṣasendrasya dāruṇaḥ || 102.54 ||

That terrific roar of the demon-king made the earth, the sky, the quarters and the intermediate directions tremble.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.102.55)

अतिकायस्य नादेन तेन तस्य दुरात्मनः। सर्वभूतानि वित्रेसुः सागरश्च प्रचुक्षुभे ॥ 102.55 ॥

atikāyasya nādena tena tasya durātmanaḥ| sarvabhūtāni vitresuḥ sāgaraśca pracukṣubhe || 102.55 ||

At that roar of the colossal, evil-souled one, all beings were terrified, and even the ocean grew turbulent.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.102.56)

स गृहीत्वा महावीर्यः शूलं तद्रावणो महत्। विनद्य सुमहानादं रामं परुषमब्रवीत् ॥ 102.56 ॥

sa gṛhītvā mahāvīryaḥ śūlaṃ tadrāvaṇo mahat| vinadya sumahānādaṃ rāmaṃ paruṣamabravīt || 102.56 ||

That mighty Ravana, having taken up that great spike, and roaring a tremendous roar, spoke these harsh words to Rama:

Shloka 57 (yuddha.102.57)

शूलोऽयं वज्रसारस्ते राम रोषान्मयोद्यतः। तव भ्रातृसहायस्य सम्यक् प्राणान् हरिष्यति ॥ 102.57 ॥

śūlo'yaṃ vajrasāraste rāma roṣānmayodyataḥ| tava bhrātṛsahāyasya samyak prāṇān hariṣyati || 102.57 ||

"O Rama, this spike, hard as the thunderbolt, raised by me in fury, shall surely take away your life, together with the life of your brother, your companion in aid.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.102.58)

रक्षसामद्य शूराणां निहतानां चमूमुखे। त्वां निहत्य रणश्लाघी करोमि तरसा समम् ॥ 102.58 ॥

rakṣasāmadya śūrāṇāṃ nihatānāṃ camūmukhe| tvāṃ nihatya raṇaślāghī karomi tarasā samam || 102.58 ||

This day, killing you with my might, I, who ever praise the ways of war, shall make you the equal of the valiant demons already slain in the forefront of battle.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.102.59)

तिष्ठेदानीं निहन्मि त्वामेष शूलेन राघव। एवमुक्त्वा स चिक्षेप तच्छूलं राक्षसाधिपः ॥ 102.59 ॥

tiṣṭhedānīṃ nihanmi tvāmeṣa śūlena rāghava| evamuktvā sa cikṣepa tacchūlaṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ || 102.59 ||

Stand still now, O Raghava — with this very spike I shall slay you this instant!" So saying, that lord of the demons hurled that spike.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.102.60)

तद्रावणकरान्मुक्तं विद्युन्मालासमावृतम्। अष्टघण्टं महानादं वियद्गतमशोभत ॥ 102.60 ॥

tadrāvaṇakarānmuktaṃ vidyunmālāsamāvṛtam| aṣṭaghaṇṭaṃ mahānādaṃ viyadgatamaśobhata || 102.60 ||

That spike, wreathed in a garland of lightning, fitted with eight bells and roaring loudly, released from Ravana's hand, blazed magnificently as it sped through the sky.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.102.61)

तच्छूलं राघवो दृष्ट्वा ज्वलन्तं घोरदर्शनम्। ससर्ज विशिखान् रामश्चापमायम्य वीर्यवान् ॥ 102.61 ॥

tacchūlaṃ rāghavo dṛṣṭvā jvalantaṃ ghoradarśanam| sasarja viśikhān rāmaścāpamāyamya vīryavān || 102.61 ||

Seeing that blazing spike of terrible aspect, the mighty Raghava drew his bow and let fly his arrows.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.102.62)

आपतन्तं शरौघेण वारयामास राघवः। उत्पतन्तं युगान्ताग्निं जलौघैरिव वासवः ॥ 102.62 ॥

āpatantaṃ śaraugheṇa vārayāmāsa rāghavaḥ| utpatantaṃ yugāntāgniṃ jalaughairiva vāsavaḥ || 102.62 ||

Raghava warded off that oncoming spike with a stream of arrows, just as Indra checks the rising fire of world's-end with torrents of water.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.102.63)

निर्ददाह स तान् बाणान् रामकार्मुकनिःसृतान्। रावणस्य महान् शूलः पतङ्गानिव पावकः ॥ 102.63 ॥

nirdadāha sa tān bāṇān rāmakārmukaniḥsṛtān| rāvaṇasya mahān śūlaḥ pataṅgāniva pāvakaḥ || 102.63 ||

That great spike of Ravana consumed those arrows loosed from Rama's bow, as fire consumes moths.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.102.64)

तान् दृष्ट्वा भस्मसाद्भूतान् शूलसंस्पर्शचूर्णितान्। सायकानन्तरिक्षस्थान् राघवः क्रोधमाहरत् ॥ 102.64 ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā bhasmasādbhūtān śūlasaṃsparśacūrṇitān| sāyakānantarikṣasthān rāghavaḥ krodhamāharat || 102.64 ||

Seeing those arrows, still in mid-air, crushed to powder and reduced to ashes by the mere touch of the spike, Raghava was seized with fury.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.102.65)

स तां मातलिनानीतां शक्तिं वासवसंमताम्। जग्राह परमक्रुद्धो राघवो रघुनन्दनः ॥ 102.65 ॥

sa tāṃ mātalinānītāṃ śaktiṃ vāsavasaṃmatām| jagrāha paramakruddho rāghavo raghunandanaḥ || 102.65 ||

That Raghava, delight of the Raghu race, now in towering fury, took up the spear that Matali had brought, the one approved by Indra himself.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.102.66)

सा तोलिता बलवता शक्तिर्घण्टाकृतस्वना। नभः प्रज्वालयामास युगान्तोल्केव सप्रभा ॥ 102.66 ॥

sā tolitā balavatā śaktirghaṇṭākṛtasvanā| nabhaḥ prajvālayāmāsa yugāntolkeva saprabhā || 102.66 ||

That spear, lifted by the mighty Rama, its bells ringing out, set the sky ablaze, radiant as a meteor at the world's dissolution.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.102.67)

सा क्षिप्ता राक्षसेन्द्रस्य तस्मिन् शूले पपात ह। भिन्नः शक्त्या महान् शूलो निपपात हतद्युतिः ॥ 102.67 ॥

sā kṣiptā rākṣasendrasya tasmin śūle papāta ha| bhinnaḥ śaktyā mahān śūlo nipapāta hatadyutiḥ || 102.67 ||

Hurled forth, that spear fell upon the demon-lord's spike. Split apart by the spear, that great spike, its splendour extinguished, fell to the ground.

Shloka 68 (yuddha.102.68)

निर्बिभेद ततो बाणैर्हयानस्य महाजवान्। रामस्तीक्ष्णैर्महावेगैर्बाणवद्भिरजिह्मगैः ॥ 102.68 ॥

nirbibheda tato bāṇairhayānasya mahājavān| rāmastīkṣṇairmahāvegairbāṇavadbhirajihmagaiḥ || 102.68 ||

Then, with sharp, swift, straight-flying reed-shafted arrows, Rama pierced Ravana's exceedingly fleet horses.

Shloka 69 (yuddha.102.69)

निर्बिभेदोरसि तदा रावणं निशितैः शरैः। राघवः परमायत्तो ललाटे पत्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः ॥ 102.69 ॥

nirbibhedorasi tadā rāvaṇaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ| rāghavaḥ paramāyatto lalāṭe pattribhistribhiḥ || 102.69 ||

Raghava then pierced Ravana's chest with his sharp arrows, and, taking most deliberate aim, struck his forehead too with three feathered shafts.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.102.70)

स शरैर्भिन्नसर्वाङ्गो गात्रप्रसृतशोणितः। राक्षसेन्द्रः समूहस्थः पुल्लाशोक इवाबभौ ॥ 102.70 ॥

sa śarairbhinnasarvāṅgo gātraprasṛtaśoṇitaḥ| rākṣasendraḥ samūhasthaḥ pullāśoka ivābabhau || 102.70 ||

His whole body pierced by arrows, blood streaming from his limbs, that lord of the demons, standing amid his host, shone like a blossoming Ashoka tree.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.102.71)

स रामबाणैरतिविद्धगात्रो। निशाचरेन्द्रः क्षतजार्द्रगात्रः। जगाम खेदं च समाजमध्ये। क्रोधं च चक्रे सुभृशं तदानीम् ॥ 102.71 ॥

sa rāmabāṇairatividdhagātro| niśācarendraḥ kṣatajārdragātraḥ| jagāma khedaṃ ca samājamadhye| krodhaṃ ca cakre subhṛśaṃ tadānīm || 102.71 ||

That lord of the night-wanderers, his limbs severely torn by Rama's arrows, his body drenched in blood, grew faint with exhaustion amid the assembled host — and, even then, was overcome that very moment with a violent rage.