The Seven-Day Duel and the Hundred Heads

Shloka 1 (yuddha.107.1)

ततः प्रवृत्तं सुक्रूरं रामरावणयोस्तदा। सुमहद् द्वैरथं युद्धं सर्वलोकभयावहम्॥॥ 107.1 ॥

tataḥ pravṛttaṃ sukrūraṃ rāmarāvaṇayostadā| sumahad dvairathaṃ yuddhaṃ sarvalokabhayāvaham|||| 107.1 ||

Then there began between Rama and Ravana a fierce and very great chariot-duel, terrifying to all the worlds.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.107.2)

ततो राक्षससैन्यं च हरीणां च महद्बलम्। प्रगृहीतप्रहरणं निश्चेष्टं समवर्तत॥॥ 107.2 ॥

tato rākṣasasainyaṃ ca harīṇāṃ ca mahadbalam| pragṛhītapraharaṇaṃ niśceṣṭaṃ samavartata|||| 107.2 ||

Then the army of the demons and the vast host of monkeys stood motionless, their weapons held fast in their hands.

Shloka 3 (yuddha.107.3)

सम्प्रयुद्धौ तु तौ दृष्ट्वा बलवन्नरराक्षसौ। व्याक्षिप्तहृदयाः सर्वे परं विस्मयमागताः॥॥ 107.3 ॥

samprayuddhau tu tau dṛṣṭvā balavannararākṣasau| vyākṣiptahṛdayāḥ sarve paraṃ vismayamāgatāḥ|||| 107.3 ||

Seeing that man and that demon, both mighty, locked in combat, all of them, their hearts held captive, were struck with utter wonder.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.107.4)

नानाप्रहरणैर्व्यग्रैर्भुजैर्विस्मितबुद्धयः। तस्थुः प्रेक्ष्य च संग्रामं नाभिजग्मुः परस्परम्॥॥ 107.4 ॥

nānāpraharaṇairvyagrairbhujairvismitabuddhayaḥ| tasthuḥ prekṣya ca saṃgrāmaṃ nābhijagmuḥ parasparam|||| 107.4 ||

With their hands full of various weapons, their minds struck with amazement, they stood watching that battle and did not fall upon one another.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.107.5)

रक्षसां रावणं चापि वानराणां च राघवम्। पश्यतां विस्मिताक्षाणां सैन्यं चित्रमिवाबभौ॥॥ 107.5 ॥

rakṣasāṃ rāvaṇaṃ cāpi vānarāṇāṃ ca rāghavam| paśyatāṃ vismitākṣāṇāṃ sainyaṃ citramivābabhau|||| 107.5 ||

The demons gazing upon Ravana, and the monkeys upon Rama, their eyes wide with wonder, the two armies looked as though they were painted pictures.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.107.6)

तौ तु तत्र निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा राघवरावणौ। कृतबुद्धी स्थिरामर्षौ युयुधाते ह्यभीतवत्॥॥ 107.6 ॥

tau tu tatra nimittāni dṛṣṭvā rāghavarāvaṇau| kṛtabuddhī sthirāmarṣau yuyudhāte hyabhītavat|||| 107.6 ||

Rama and Ravana, for their part, seeing those omens there, their minds made up and their anger unwavering, fought on fearlessly.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.107.7)

जेतव्यमिति काकुत्स्थो मर्तव्यमिति रावणः। धृतौ स्ववीर्यसर्वस्वं युद्धेऽदर्शयतां तदा॥॥ 107.7 ॥

jetavyamiti kākutstho martavyamiti rāvaṇaḥ| dhṛtau svavīryasarvasvaṃ yuddhe'darśayatāṃ tadā|||| 107.7 ||

Rama, resolved that he must win, and Ravana, resolved that he must die, both then displayed in that battle the entire wealth of their valour.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.107.8)

ततः क्रोधाद् दशग्रीवः शरान् संधाय वीर्यवान्। मुमोच ध्वजमुद्दिश्य राघवस्य रथे स्थितम्॥॥ 107.8 ॥

tataḥ krodhād daśagrīvaḥ śarān saṃdhāya vīryavān| mumoca dhvajamuddiśya rāghavasya rathe sthitam|||| 107.8 ||

Then the valiant ten-necked Ravana, fitting his arrows in anger, loosed them, aiming at the standard fixed upon Rama's chariot.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.107.9)

ते शरास्तमनासाद्य पुरंदररथध्वजम्। रथशक्तिं परामृश्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले॥॥ 107.9 ॥

te śarāstamanāsādya puraṃdararathadhvajam| rathaśaktiṃ parāmṛśya nipeturdharaṇītale|||| 107.9 ||

Those arrows, without even reaching that standard of Indra's chariot, merely grazed the flagstaff and fell down upon the ground.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.107.10)

ततो रामोऽपि संक्रुद्धश्चापमाकृष्य वीर्यवान्। कृतप्रतिकृतं कर्तुं मनसा सम्प्रचक्रमे॥॥ 107.10 ॥

tato rāmo'pi saṃkruddhaścāpamākṛṣya vīryavān| kṛtapratikṛtaṃ kartuṃ manasā sampracakrame|||| 107.10 ||

Then the valiant Rama too, greatly enraged, drawing his bow, resolved in his mind to return blow for blow.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.107.11)

रावणध्वजमुद्दिश्य मुमोच निशितं शरम्। महासर्पमिवासह्यं ज्वलन्तं स्वेन तेजसा॥॥ 107.11 ॥

rāvaṇadhvajamuddiśya mumoca niśitaṃ śaram| mahāsarpamivāsahyaṃ jvalantaṃ svena tejasā|||| 107.11 ||

Aiming at Ravana's standard, he loosed a sharp arrow, unbearable as a great serpent, blazing with its own splendour.

Shloka 12 (yuddha.107.12)

रामश्चिक्षेप तेजस्वी केतुमुद्दिश्य सायकम्। जगाम स महीं छित्त्वा दशग्रीवध्वजं शरः॥॥ 107.12 ॥

rāmaścikṣepa tejasvī ketumuddiśya sāyakam| jagāma sa mahīṃ chittvā daśagrīvadhvajaṃ śaraḥ|||| 107.12 ||

The radiant Rama hurled that arrow at the standard; and that arrow, slicing through Ravana's flagstaff, sank into the earth.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.107.13)

स निकृत्तोऽपतद् भूमौ रावणस्यन्दनध्वजः। ध्वजस्योन्मथनं दृष्ट्वा रावणः स महाबलः॥॥ 107.13 ॥

sa nikṛtto'patad bhūmau rāvaṇasyandanadhvajaḥ| dhvajasyonmathanaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇaḥ sa mahābalaḥ|||| 107.13 ||

That standard of Ravana's chariot, cut down, fell to the ground; and seeing his banner uprooted, that mighty Ravana —

Shloka 14 (yuddha.107.14)

सम्प्रदीप्तोऽभवत् क्रोधादमर्षात् प्रदहन्निव। स रोषवशमापन्नः शरवर्षं ववर्ष ह॥॥ 107.14 ॥

sampradīpto'bhavat krodhādamarṣāt pradahanniva| sa roṣavaśamāpannaḥ śaravarṣaṃ vavarṣa ha|||| 107.14 ||

blazed up with anger, as though burning with indignation; overcome by the power of his wrath, he poured down a storm of arrows.

Shloka 15 (yuddha.107.15)

रामस्य तुरगान् दीप्तैः शरैर्विव्याध रावणः। ते दिव्या हरयस्तत्र नास्खलन्नापि बभ्रमुः॥॥ 107.15 ॥

rāmasya turagān dīptaiḥ śarairvivyādha rāvaṇaḥ| te divyā harayastatra nāskhalannāpi babhramuḥ|||| 107.15 ||

Ravana struck Rama's horses with his blazing arrows; but those divine steeds neither faltered nor were thrown into disorder.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.107.16)

बभूवुः स्वस्थहृदयाः पद्मनालैरिवाहताः। तेषामसम्भ्रमं दृष्ट्वा वाजिनां रावणस्तदा॥॥ 107.16 ॥

babhūvuḥ svasthahṛdayāḥ padmanālairivāhatāḥ| teṣāmasambhramaṃ dṛṣṭvā vājināṃ rāvaṇastadā|||| 107.16 ||

They remained composed at heart, as though struck only by lotus-stalks; seeing those horses so unshaken, Ravana then —

Shloka 17 (yuddha.107.17)

भूय एव सुसंक्रुद्धः शरवर्षं मुमोच ह। गदाश्च परिघांश्चैव चक्राणि मुसलानि च॥॥ 107.17 ॥

bhūya eva susaṃkruddhaḥ śaravarṣaṃ mumoca ha| gadāśca parighāṃścaiva cakrāṇi musalāni ca|||| 107.17 ||

grew still more furious and let loose a fresh storm of arrows, and hurled maces, iron bludgeons, discs and clubs as well.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.107.18)

गिरिशृङ्गाणि वृक्षांश्च तथा शूलपरश्वधान्। मायाविहितमेतत् तु शस्त्रवर्षमपातयत्। सहस्रशस्तदा बाणानश्रान्तहृदयोद्यमः॥॥ 107.18 ॥

giriśṛṅgāṇi vṛkṣāṃśca tathā śūlaparaśvadhān| māyāvihitametat tu śastravarṣamapātayat| sahasraśastadā bāṇānaśrāntahṛdayodyamaḥ|||| 107.18 ||

mountain peaks and trees, and spikes and axes besides — this rain of weapons he unleashed, all conjured by his sorcery — and thousands upon thousands of arrows too, his heart and his effort never wearying.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.107.19)

तुमुलं त्रासजननं भीमं भीमप्रतिस्वनम्। तद् वर्षमभवद् युद्धे नैकशस्त्रमयं महत्॥॥ 107.19 ॥

tumulaṃ trāsajananaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmapratisvanam| tad varṣamabhavad yuddhe naikaśastramayaṃ mahat|||| 107.19 ||

That great rain of countless weapons in the battle was tumultuous, terror-inspiring, dreadful, and echoing with a fearsome roar.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.107.20)

विमुच्य राघवरथं समन्ताद् वानरे बले। सायकैरन्तरिक्षं च चकार सुनिरन्तरम्॥॥ 107.20 ॥

vimucya rāghavarathaṃ samantād vānare bale| sāyakairantarikṣaṃ ca cakāra sunirantaram|||| 107.20 ||

Leaving Rama's chariot alone, he loosed his arrows on every side at the monkey army, and filled the entire sky with them, leaving not a gap.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.107.21)

मुमोच च दशग्रीवो निःसङ्गेनान्तरात्मना। व्यायच्छमानं तं दृष्ट्वा तत्परं रावणं रणे॥॥ 107.21 ॥

mumoca ca daśagrīvo niḥsaṅgenāntarātmanā| vyāyacchamānaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā tatparaṃ rāvaṇaṃ raṇe|||| 107.21 ||

And the ten-necked Ravana loosed his shafts with a mind wholly detached, having given up all hope; seeing that Ravana straining with all his might in the battle, intent upon it —

Shloka 22 (yuddha.107.22)

प्रहसन्निव काकुत्स्थः संदधे निशितान् शरान्। स मुमोच ततो बाणान् शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥॥ 107.22 ॥

prahasanniva kākutsthaḥ saṃdadhe niśitān śarān| sa mumoca tato bāṇān śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ|||| 107.22 ||

Rama, almost smiling, fitted sharp arrows to his bow, and then loosed his shafts by the hundred and by the thousand.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.107.23)

तान् दृष्ट्वा रावणश्चक्रे स्वशरैः खं निरन्तरम्। ताभ्यां नियुक्तेन तदा शरवर्षेण भास्वता॥॥ 107.23 ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇaścakre svaśaraiḥ khaṃ nirantaram| tābhyāṃ niyuktena tadā śaravarṣeṇa bhāsvatā|||| 107.23 ||

Seeing those arrows, Ravana in turn filled the sky completely with his own; and then, with that dazzling rain of arrows loosed by the two of them —

Shloka 24 (yuddha.107.24)

शरबद्धमिवाभाति द्वितीयं भास्वदम्बरम्। नानिमित्तोऽभवद् बाणो नानिर्भेत्ता न निष्फलः॥॥ 107.24 ॥

śarabaddhamivābhāti dvitīyaṃ bhāsvadambaram| nānimitto'bhavad bāṇo nānirbhettā na niṣphalaḥ|||| 107.24 ||

the shining sky seemed to become a second sky woven of arrows; no shaft went without its target, none failed to pierce, none fell in vain.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.107.25)

अन्योन्यमभिसंहत्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले। तथा विसृजतोर्बाणान् रामरावणयोर्मृधे॥॥ 107.25 ॥

anyonyamabhisaṃhatya nipeturdharaṇītale| tathā visṛjatorbāṇān rāmarāvaṇayormṛdhe|||| 107.25 ||

Colliding with one another, they fell to the ground, as Rama and Ravana thus loosed arrow after arrow in that combat.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.107.26)

प्रायुध्येतामविच्छिन्नमस्यन्तौ सव्यदक्षिणम्। चक्रतुश्च शरैर्घोरैर्निरुच्छ्वासमिवाम्बरम्॥॥ 107.26 ॥

prāyudhyetāmavicchinnamasyantau savyadakṣiṇam| cakratuśca śarairghorairnirucchvāsamivāmbaram|||| 107.26 ||

Without pause they fought on, loosing arrows to left and right, and with their terrible shafts they made the sky seem as though it could not draw breath.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.107.27)

रावणस्य हयान् रामो हयान् रामस्य रावणः। जघ्नतुस्तौ तदान्योन्यं कृतानुकृतकारिणौ॥॥ 107.27 ॥

rāvaṇasya hayān rāmo hayān rāmasya rāvaṇaḥ| jaghnatustau tadānyonyaṃ kṛtānukṛtakāriṇau|||| 107.27 ||

Rama struck Ravana's horses, and Ravana struck Rama's; thus the two of them struck at each other, each answering the other's blow.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.107.28)

एवं तु तौ सुसंक्रुद्धौ चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम्। मुहूर्तमभवद् युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्॥॥ 107.28 ॥

evaṃ tu tau susaṃkruddhau cakraturyuddhamuttamam| muhūrtamabhavad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam|||| 107.28 ||

Thus, greatly enraged, the two of them fought a supreme battle; for a while that tumultuous combat continued, making the hair stand on end.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.107.29)

तौ तथा युध्यमानौ तु समरे रामरावणौ। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि विस्मितेनान्तरात्मना॥॥ 107.29 ॥

tau tathā yudhyamānau tu samare rāmarāvaṇau| dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni vismitenāntarātmanā|||| 107.29 ||

As Rama and Ravana fought thus in that battle, all beings looked on, their inmost hearts filled with wonder.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.107.30)

अर्दयन्तौ तु समरे तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ। परस्परमभिक्रुद्धौ परस्परमभिद्रुतौ॥॥ 107.30 ॥

ardayantau tu samare tayostau syandanottamau| parasparamabhikruddhau parasparamabhidrutau|||| 107.30 ||

As the two of them tormented each other in that battle, their two excellent chariots, both enraged, both charging, rushed at one another.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.107.31)

परस्परवधे युक्तौ घोररूपौ बभूवतुः। मण्डलानि च वीथीश्च गतप्रत्यागतानि च॥॥ 107.31 ॥

parasparavadhe yuktau ghorarūpau babhūvatuḥ| maṇḍalāni ca vīthīśca gatapratyāgatāni ca|||| 107.31 ||

Bent on destroying one another, they took on a terrible aspect, wheeling in circles, moving in straight lines, darting forward and doubling back,

Shloka 32 (yuddha.107.32)

दर्शयन्तौ बहुविधां सूतौ सारथ्यजां गतिम्। अर्दयन् रावणं रामो राघवं चापि रावणः॥॥ 107.32 ॥

darśayantau bahuvidhāṃ sūtau sārathyajāṃ gatim| ardayan rāvaṇaṃ rāmo rāghavaṃ cāpi rāvaṇaḥ|||| 107.32 ||

displaying, through the skill of their two charioteers, movements of every kind; Rama harrying Ravana, and Ravana harrying Rama in turn.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.107.33)

गतिवेगं समापन्नौ प्रवर्तननिवर्तने। क्षिपतोः शरजालानि तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ॥॥ 107.33 ॥

gativegaṃ samāpannau pravartananivartane| kṣipatoḥ śarajālāni tayostau syandanottamau|||| 107.33 ||

Both had recourse to great speed of movement, advancing and retreating, as the two of them cast their nets of arrows; their two excellent chariots —

Shloka 34 (yuddha.107.34)

चेरतुः संयुगमहीं सासारौ जलदाविव। दर्शयित्वा तदा तौ तु गतिं बहुविधां रणे॥॥ 107.34 ॥

ceratuḥ saṃyugamahīṃ sāsārau jaladāviva| darśayitvā tadā tau tu gatiṃ bahuvidhāṃ raṇe|||| 107.34 ||

ranged over the field of battle like two rain-clouds pouring down torrents; having thus displayed in that battle movements of many kinds,

Shloka 35 (yuddha.107.35)

परस्परस्याभिमुखौ पुनरेव च तस्थतुः। धुरं धुरेण रथयोर्वक्त्रं वक्त्रेण वाजिनाम्॥॥ 107.35 ॥

parasparasyābhimukhau punareva ca tasthatuḥ| dhuraṃ dhureṇa rathayorvaktraṃ vaktreṇa vājinām|||| 107.35 ||

they came once more to stand facing one another; the shafts of their two chariots met shaft to shaft, the muzzles of the horses met muzzle to muzzle,

Shloka 36 (yuddha.107.36)

पताकाश्च पताकाभिः समीयुः स्थितयोस्तदा। रावणस्य ततो रामो धनुर्मुक्तैः शितैः शरैः॥॥ 107.36 ॥

patākāśca patākābhiḥ samīyuḥ sthitayostadā| rāvaṇasya tato rāmo dhanurmuktaiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ|||| 107.36 ||

and the flags met flag to flag, as the two chariots stood there together. Then Rama, with sharp arrows loosed from his bow,

Shloka 37 (yuddha.107.37)

चतुर्भिश्चतुरो दीप्तान् हयान् प्रत्यपसर्पयत्। स क्रोधवशमापन्नो हयानामपसर्पणे॥॥ 107.37 ॥

caturbhiścaturo dīptān hayān pratyapasarpayat| sa krodhavaśamāpanno hayānāmapasarpaṇe|||| 107.37 ||

with four arrows drove back Ravana's four blazing horses; and Ravana, overcome with rage at his horses being driven back,

Shloka 38 (yuddha.107.38)

मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् राघवाय दशाननः। सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता दशग्रीवेण राघवः॥॥ 107.38 ॥

mumoca niśitān bāṇān rāghavāya daśānanaḥ| so'tividdho balavatā daśagrīveṇa rāghavaḥ|||| 107.38 ||

the ten-faced one loosed sharp arrows at Rama; Rama, though severely wounded by the mighty ten-necked demon —

Shloka 39 (yuddha.107.39)

जगाम न विकारं च न चापि व्यथितोऽभवत्। चिक्षेप च पुनर्बाणान् वज्रपातसमस्वनान्॥॥ 107.39 ॥

jagāma na vikāraṃ ca na cāpi vyathito'bhavat| cikṣepa ca punarbāṇān vajrapātasamasvanān|||| 107.39 ||

showed no change, nor was he in the least shaken; and the ten-faced one again hurled arrows with a sound like the crash of a thunderbolt,

Shloka 40 (yuddha.107.40)

सारथिं वज्रहस्तस्य समुद्दिश्य दशाननः। मातलेस्तु महावेगाः शरीरे पतिताः शराः॥॥ 107.40 ॥

sārathiṃ vajrahastasya samuddiśya daśānanaḥ| mātalestu mahāvegāḥ śarīre patitāḥ śarāḥ|||| 107.40 ||

aiming them at the charioteer of Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt; those arrows of tremendous force, falling upon Matali's body —

Shloka 41 (yuddha.107.41)

न सूक्ष्ममपि सम्मोहं व्यथां वा प्रददुर्युधि। तया धर्षणया क्रुद्धो मातलेर्न तथाऽऽत्मनः॥॥ 107.41 ॥

na sūkṣmamapi sammohaṃ vyathāṃ vā pradaduryudhi| tayā dharṣaṇayā kruddho mātalerna tathā''tmanaḥ|||| 107.41 ||

caused him not the slightest confusion or pain in that battle; enraged at that assault upon Matali — more than he would have been at an assault on himself —

Shloka 42 (yuddha.107.42)

चकार शरजालेन राघवो विमुखं रिपुम्। विंशतिं त्रिंशतिं षष्टिं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥॥ 107.42 ॥

cakāra śarajālena rāghavo vimukhaṃ ripum| viṃśatiṃ triṃśatiṃ ṣaṣṭiṃ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ|||| 107.42 ||

Rama, with a net of arrows, made his enemy turn away; loosing twenty, thirty, sixty, then hundreds and thousands of shafts,

Shloka 43 (yuddha.107.43)

मुमोच राघवो वीरः सायकान् स्यन्दने रिपोः। रावणोऽपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः॥॥ 107.43 ॥

mumoca rāghavo vīraḥ sāyakān syandane ripoḥ| rāvaṇo'pi tataḥ kruddho rathastho rākṣaseśvaraḥ|||| 107.43 ||

the valiant Rama rained his arrows upon the enemy's chariot; then Ravana too, enraged, that lord of demons seated in his chariot,

Shloka 44 (yuddha.107.44)

गदामुसलवर्षेण रामं प्रत्यर्दयद् रणे। तत् प्रवृत्तं पुनर्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्॥॥ 107.44 ॥

gadāmusalavarṣeṇa rāmaṃ pratyardayad raṇe| tat pravṛttaṃ punaryuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam|||| 107.44 ||

tormented Rama in that battle with a shower of maces and clubs; thus that tumultuous, hair-raising battle broke out once more,

Shloka 45 (yuddha.107.45)

गदानां मुसलानां च परिघाणां च निःस्वनैः। शराणां पुङ्खवातैश्च क्षुभिताः सप्त सागराः॥॥ 107.45 ॥

gadānāṃ musalānāṃ ca parighāṇāṃ ca niḥsvanaiḥ| śarāṇāṃ puṅkhavātaiśca kṣubhitāḥ sapta sāgarāḥ|||| 107.45 ||

and with the din of maces, clubs and iron bars, and with the gusts stirred up by the feathered arrows, the seven oceans were thrown into turmoil.

Shloka 46 (yuddha.107.46)

क्षुब्धानां सागराणां च पातालतलवासिनः। व्यथिता दानवाः सर्वे पन्नगाश्च सहस्रशः॥॥ 107.46 ॥

kṣubdhānāṃ sāgarāṇāṃ ca pātālatalavāsinaḥ| vyathitā dānavāḥ sarve pannagāśca sahasraśaḥ|||| 107.46 ||

With the oceans thus in turmoil, all the danavas and thousands of serpents dwelling in the depths of the netherworld were struck with distress.

Shloka 47 (yuddha.107.47)

चकम्पे मेदिनी कृत्स्ना सशैलवनकानना। भास्करो निष्प्रभश्चासीन्न ववौ चापि मारुतः॥॥ 107.47 ॥

cakampe medinī kṛtsnā saśailavanakānanā| bhāskaro niṣprabhaścāsīnna vavau cāpi mārutaḥ|||| 107.47 ||

The entire earth, with its mountains, groves and forests, trembled; the sun grew dim, and even the wind ceased to blow.

Shloka 48 (yuddha.107.48)

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे सकिंनरमहोरगाः॥॥ 107.48 ॥

tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ| cintāmāpedire sarve sakiṃnaramahoragāḥ|||| 107.48 ||

Then the gods together with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas and the great sages, along with the Kinnaras and the great serpents, were all filled with anxious thought.

Shloka 49 (yuddha.107.49)

स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु लोकास्तिष्ठन्तु शाश्वताः। जयतां राघवः संख्ये रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम्॥॥ 107.49 ॥

svasti gobrāhmaṇebhyastu lokāstiṣṭhantu śāśvatāḥ| jayatāṃ rāghavaḥ saṃkhye rāvaṇaṃ rākṣaseśvaram|||| 107.49 ||

[Praying,] "May there be well-being for cows and brahmins; may the worlds endure forever; may Raghava conquer Ravana, lord of demons, in this battle!" —

Shloka 50 (yuddha.107.50)

एवं जपन्तोऽपश्यंस्ते देवाः सर्षिगणास्तदा। रामरावणयोर्युद्धं सुघोरं रोमहर्षणम्॥॥ 107.50 ॥

evaṃ japanto'paśyaṃste devāḥ sarṣigaṇāstadā| rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ sughoraṃ romaharṣaṇam|||| 107.50 ||

thus murmuring, those gods, together with the hosts of sages, watched that terrifying, hair-raising battle between Rama and Ravana.

Shloka 51 (yuddha.107.51)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसां सङ्घा दृष्ट्वा युद्धमनूपमम्। गगनं गगनाकारं सागरः सागरोपमः॥॥ 107.51 ॥

gandharvāpsarasāṃ saṅghā dṛṣṭvā yuddhamanūpamam| gaganaṃ gaganākāraṃ sāgaraḥ sāgaropamaḥ|||| 107.51 ||

The hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras, beholding that matchless battle, said, "The sky alone resembles the sky, the ocean alone resembles the ocean —

Shloka 52 (yuddha.107.52)

रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव। एवं ब्रुवन्तो ददृशुस्तद् युद्धं रामरावणम्॥॥ 107.52 ॥

rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ rāmarāvaṇayoriva| evaṃ bruvanto dadṛśustad yuddhaṃ rāmarāvaṇam|||| 107.52 ||

so too the battle between Rama and Ravana can be likened only to itself" — saying this, they watched that battle between Rama and Ravana.

Shloka 53 (yuddha.107.53)

ततः क्रोधान्महाबाहू रघूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः। संधाय धनुषा रामः शरमाशीविषोपमम्॥॥ 107.53 ॥

tataḥ krodhānmahābāhū raghūṇāṃ kīrtivardhanaḥ| saṃdhāya dhanuṣā rāmaḥ śaramāśīviṣopamam|||| 107.53 ||

Then the great-armed Rama, he who exalts the fame of the Raghu line, in anger fitted to his bow an arrow like a venomous serpent,

Shloka 54 (yuddha.107.54)

रावणस्य शिरोऽच्छिन्दच्छ्रीमज्ज्वलितकुण्डलम्। तच्छिरः पतितं भूमौ दृष्टं लोकैस्त्रिभिस्तदा॥॥ 107.54 ॥

rāvaṇasya śiro'cchindacchrīmajjvalitakuṇḍalam| tacchiraḥ patitaṃ bhūmau dṛṣṭaṃ lokaistribhistadā|||| 107.54 ||

and cut off Ravana's glorious head, adorned with blazing earrings; and all three worlds beheld that head fall to the ground.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.107.55)

तस्यैव सदृशं चान्यद् रावणस्योत्थितं शिरः। तत् क्षिप्तं क्षिप्रहस्तेन रामेण क्षिप्रकारिणा॥॥ 107.55 ॥

tasyaiva sadṛśaṃ cānyad rāvaṇasyotthitaṃ śiraḥ| tat kṣiptaṃ kṣiprahastena rāmeṇa kṣiprakāriṇā|||| 107.55 ||

But another head, exactly like it, rose up in its place on Ravana's shoulders; that too was struck off by Rama, swift of hand and swift of action.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.107.56)

द्वितीयं रावणशिरश्छिन्नं संयति सायकैः। छिन्नमात्रं च तच्छीर्षं पुनरेव प्रदृश्यते॥॥ 107.56 ॥

dvitīyaṃ rāvaṇaśiraśchinnaṃ saṃyati sāyakaiḥ| chinnamātraṃ ca tacchīrṣaṃ punareva pradṛśyate|||| 107.56 ||

That second head of Ravana's, cut off by arrows in that combat — no sooner was it severed than it appeared once again.

Shloka 57 (yuddha.107.57)

तदप्यशनिसंकाशैश्छिन्नं रामस्य सायकैः। एवमेव शतं छिन्नं शिरसां तुल्यवर्चसाम्॥॥ 107.57 ॥

tadapyaśanisaṃkāśaiśchinnaṃ rāmasya sāyakaiḥ| evameva śataṃ chinnaṃ śirasāṃ tulyavarcasām|||| 107.57 ||

That head too was cut off by Rama's arrows, resembling thunderbolts; and in this very manner a hundred heads, all of equal splendour, were severed.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.107.58)

न चैव रावणस्यान्तो दृश्यते जीवितक्षये। ततः सर्वास्त्रविद् वीरः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः॥॥ 107.58 ॥

na caiva rāvaṇasyānto dṛśyate jīvitakṣaye| tataḥ sarvāstravid vīraḥ kausalyānandavardhanaḥ|||| 107.58 ||

Yet no end was to be seen to the destruction of Ravana's life; then the valiant Rama, versed in all missiles, the joy of Kausalya's heart —

Shloka 59 (yuddha.107.59)

मार्गणैर्बहुभिर्युक्तश्चिन्तयामास राघवः। मारीचो निहतो यैस्तु खरो यैस्तु सदूषणः॥॥ 107.59 ॥

mārgaṇairbahubhiryuktaścintayāmāsa rāghavaḥ| mārīco nihato yaistu kharo yaistu sadūṣaṇaḥ|||| 107.59 ||

equipped with many arrows, fell to thinking: "By these very arrows Mareecha was slain, by these Khara together with Dushana,

Shloka 60 (yuddha.107.60)

क्रौञ्चावने विराधस्तु कबन्धो दण्डकावने। यैः साला गिरयो भग्ना वाली च क्षुभितोऽम्बुधिः॥॥ 107.60 ॥

krauñcāvane virādhastu kabandho daṇḍakāvane| yaiḥ sālā girayo bhagnā vālī ca kṣubhito'mbudhiḥ|||| 107.60 ||

by these Viradha in the Krauncha forest, and Kabandha in the forest of Dandaka; by these the Sala trees and the mountains were shattered, Vali was slain, and the ocean itself was set in turmoil —

Shloka 61 (yuddha.107.61)

त इमे सायकाः सर्वे युद्धे प्रात्ययिका मम। किं नु तत् कारणं येन रावणे मन्दतेजसः॥॥ 107.61 ॥

ta ime sāyakāḥ sarve yuddhe prātyayikā mama| kiṃ nu tat kāraṇaṃ yena rāvaṇe mandatejasaḥ|||| 107.61 ||

these very arrows, all of them, have never failed me in battle — what, then, can be the reason that against Ravana they have proved so feeble in their power?"

Shloka 62 (yuddha.107.62)

इति चिन्तापरश्चासीदप्रमत्तश्च संयुगे। ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि राघवो रावणोरसि॥॥ 107.62 ॥

iti cintāparaścāsīdapramattaśca saṃyuge| vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi rāghavo rāvaṇorasi|||| 107.62 ||

Thus absorbed in thought, yet never careless in that combat, Raghava rained down showers of arrows upon Ravana's chest.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.107.63)

रावणोऽपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः। गदामुसलवर्षेण रामं प्रत्यर्दयद् रणे॥॥ 107.63 ॥

rāvaṇo'pi tataḥ kruddho rathastho rākṣaseśvaraḥ| gadāmusalavarṣeṇa rāmaṃ pratyardayad raṇe|||| 107.63 ||

Ravana too, enraged, that lord of demons seated in his chariot, tormented Rama in that battle with a shower of maces and clubs.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.107.64)

तत् प्रवृत्तं महद् युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्। अन्तरिक्षे च भूमौ च पुनश्च गिरिमूर्धनि॥॥ 107.64 ॥

tat pravṛttaṃ mahad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam| antarikṣe ca bhūmau ca punaśca girimūrdhani|||| 107.64 ||

Thus that great, tumultuous, hair-raising battle broke out again, in the sky, upon the ground, and even upon the mountain-tops.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.107.65)

देवदानवयक्षाणां पिशाचोरगरक्षसाम्। पश्यतां तन्महद् युद्धं सप्तरात्रमवर्तत॥॥ 107.65 ॥

devadānavayakṣāṇāṃ piśācoragarakṣasām| paśyatāṃ tanmahad yuddhaṃ saptarātramavartata|||| 107.65 ||

While gods, danavas and yakshas, and pishachas, serpents and demons all looked on, that great battle went on for seven days and nights.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.107.66)

नैव रात्रिं न दिवसं न मुहूर्तं न च क्षणम्। रामरावणयोर्युद्धं विराममुपगच्छति॥॥ 107.66 ॥

naiva rātriṃ na divasaṃ na muhūrtaṃ na ca kṣaṇam| rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ virāmamupagacchati|||| 107.66 ||

Neither by night nor by day, not for an hour, not even for an instant, did the battle between Rama and Ravana come to any pause.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.107.67)

दशरथसुतराक्षसेन्द्रयोस्तयो- र्जयमनवेक्ष्य रणे स राघवस्य। सुरवररथसारथिर्महात्मा रणरतराममुवाच वाक्यमाशु॥॥ 107.67 ॥

daśarathasutarākṣasendrayostayo- rjayamanavekṣya raṇe sa rāghavasya| suravararathasārathirmahātmā raṇaratarāmamuvāca vākyamāśu|||| 107.67 ||

Seeing no decisive victory in that combat between the son of Dasharatha and the lord of demons, that great-souled Matali, foremost of the charioteers of the gods, quickly spoke these words to Rama, who was still absorbed in the fight.