Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 57
Prahasta Marches to War
Shloka 1 (yuddha.57.1)
अकम्पनवधं श्रुत्वा क्रुद्धो वै राक्षसेश्वरः। किंचिद् दीनमुखश्चापि सचिवांस्तानुदैक्षत ॥ 57.1 ॥
akampanavadhaṃ śrutvā kruddho vai rākṣaseśvaraḥ| kiṃcid dīnamukhaścāpi sacivāṃstānudaikṣata || 57.1 ||
Hearing of Akampana's death, the lord of the rakshasas grew furious, and, his face somewhat downcast, looked toward his ministers.
Shloka 2 (yuddha.57.2)
स तु ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं तु मन्त्रिभिः संविचार्य च। ततस्तु रावणः पूर्वदिवसे राक्षसाधिपः। ॥ 57.2 ॥
sa tu dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ tu mantribhiḥ saṃvicārya ca| tatastu rāvaṇaḥ pūrvadivase rākṣasādhipaḥ| || 57.2 ||
Having reflected a moment and deliberated with his ministers, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, on the previous day --
Shloka 3 (yuddha.57.3)
पुरीं परिययौ लङ्कां सर्वान् गुल्मानवेक्षितुम् तां राक्षसगणैर्गुप्तां गुल्मैर्बहुभिरावृताम्। ॥ 57.3 ॥
purīṃ pariyayau laṅkāṃ sarvān gulmānavekṣitum tāṃ rākṣasagaṇairguptāṃ gulmairbahubhirāvṛtām| || 57.3 ||
-- went about the city of Lanka to inspect all its garrisons, that city guarded by hosts of rakshasas and surrounded by many watch-posts.
Shloka 4 (yuddha.57.4)
ददर्श नगरीं राजा पताकाध्वजमालिनीम् रुद्धां तु नगरीं दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः। ॥ 57.4 ॥
dadarśa nagarīṃ rājā patākādhvajamālinīm ruddhāṃ tu nagarīṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ| || 57.4 ||
The king saw the city adorned with rows of banners and flags; and seeing the city thus fortified, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas --
Shloka 5 (yuddha.57.5)
उवाचात्महितं काले प्रहस्तं युद्धकोविदम् पुरस्योपनिविष्टस्य सहसा पीडितस्य ह। ॥ 57.5 ॥
uvācātmahitaṃ kāle prahastaṃ yuddhakovidam purasyopaniviṣṭasya sahasā pīḍitasya ha| || 57.5 ||
-- spoke, at that critical time, to Prahasta, skilled in warfare and devoted to his welfare: "Since our city has been suddenly besieged and is being hard-pressed --"
Shloka 6 (yuddha.57.6)
नान्ययुद्धात् प्रपश्यामि मोक्षं युद्धविशारद अहं वा कुम्भकर्णो वा त्वं वा सेनापतिर्मम। ॥ 57.6 ॥
nānyayuddhāt prapaśyāmi mokṣaṃ yuddhaviśārada ahaṃ vā kumbhakarṇo vā tvaṃ vā senāpatirmama| || 57.6 ||
"-- O expert in war, I see no escape from this except through battle. Either I myself, or Kumbhakarna, or you, my army-chief --"
Shloka 7 (yuddha.57.7)
इन्द्रजिद् वा निकुम्भो वा वहेयुर्भारमीदृशम् स त्वं बलमतः शीघ्रमादाय परिगृह्य च। ॥ 57.7 ॥
indrajid vā nikumbho vā vaheyurbhāramīdṛśam sa tvaṃ balamataḥ śīghramādāya parigṛhya ca| || 57.7 ||
"-- or Indrajit, or Nikumbha, could bear such a burden. Therefore, taking the army swiftly and placing yourself at its head --"
Shloka 8 (yuddha.57.8)
विजयायाभिनिर्याहि यत्र सर्वे वनौकसः निर्याणादेव तूर्णं च चलिता हरिवाहिनी। ॥ 57.8 ॥
vijayāyābhiniryāhi yatra sarve vanaukasaḥ niryāṇādeva tūrṇaṃ ca calitā harivāhinī| || 57.8 ||
"-- march forth for victory to where all the forest-dwelling monkeys are. The very moment you set out, this monkey army will scatter --"
Shloka 9 (yuddha.57.9)
नर्दतां राक्षसेन्द्राणां श्रुत्वा नादं द्रविष्यति चपला ह्यविनीताश्च चलचित्ताश्च वानराः। ॥ 57.9 ॥
nardatāṃ rākṣasendrāṇāṃ śrutvā nādaṃ draviṣyati capalā hyavinītāśca calacittāśca vānarāḥ| || 57.9 ||
"-- hearing the roar of the roaring rakshasa lords, and will flee; for the monkeys are fickle, unruly, and inconstant of mind."
Shloka 10 (yuddha.57.10)
न सहिष्यन्ति ते नादं सिंहनादमिव द्विपाः विद्रुते च बले तस्मिन् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह। ॥ 57.10 ॥
na sahiṣyanti te nādaṃ siṃhanādamiva dvipāḥ vidrute ca bale tasmin rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha| || 57.10 ||
"They will not endure that roar, as elephants cannot bear a lion's roar. And when that army is routed, Rama together with Lakshmana --"
Shloka 11 (yuddha.57.11)
अवशस्ते निरालम्बः प्रहस्त वशमेष्यति आपत्संशयिता श्रेयो नात्र निःसंशयीकृता। ॥ 57.11 ॥
avaśaste nirālambaḥ prahasta vaśameṣyati āpatsaṃśayitā śreyo nātra niḥsaṃśayīkṛtā| || 57.11 ||
"-- helpless and without support, O Prahasta, will fall into your power. In a time of danger welfare remains uncertain; here too it is not free of doubt --"
Shloka 12 (yuddha.57.12)
प्रतिलोमानुलोमं वा यत् तु नो मन्यसे हितम् रावणेनैवमुक्तस्तु प्रहस्तो वाहिनीपतिः। ॥ 57.12 ॥
pratilomānulomaṃ vā yat tu no manyase hitam rāvaṇenaivamuktastu prahasto vāhinīpatiḥ| || 57.12 ||
"-- whether by an adverse or a favorable course, do whatever you judge best for us." Thus addressed by Ravana, Prahasta, the commander of the army --
Shloka 13 (yuddha.57.13)
राक्षसेन्द्रमुवाचेदमसुरेन्द्रमिवोशना राजन् मन्त्रितपूर्वं नः कुशलैः सह मन्त्रिभिः। ॥ 57.13 ॥
rākṣasendramuvācedamasurendramivośanā rājan mantritapūrvaṃ naḥ kuśalaiḥ saha mantribhiḥ| || 57.13 ||
-- spoke thus to the lord of the rakshasas, as Ushanas once spoke to the lord of the asuras: "O king, we have already deliberated together with our wise counsellors --"
Shloka 14 (yuddha.57.14)
विवादश्चापि नो वृत्तः समवेक्ष्य परस्परम् प्रदानेन तु सीतायाः श्रेयो व्यवसितं मया। ॥ 57.14 ॥
vivādaścāpi no vṛttaḥ samavekṣya parasparam pradānena tu sītāyāḥ śreyo vyavasitaṃ mayā| || 57.14 ||
"-- and among ourselves there has even been debate, weighing every side. I have concluded that our welfare lies in restoring Sita --"
Shloka 15 (yuddha.57.15)
अप्रदाने पुनर्युद्धं दृष्टमेव तथैव नः सोऽहं दानैश्च मानैश्च सततं पूजितस्त्वया। ॥ 57.15 ॥
apradāne punaryuddhaṃ dṛṣṭameva tathaiva naḥ so'haṃ dānaiśca mānaiśca satataṃ pūjitastvayā| || 57.15 ||
"-- while if she is not given back, war alone remains our course, as we clearly see. I, who have always been honored by you with gifts and regard --"
Shloka 16 (yuddha.57.16)
सान्त्वैश्च विविधैः काले किं न कुर्यां हितं तव नहि मे जीवितं रक्ष्यं पुत्रदारधनानि च। ॥ 57.16 ॥
sāntvaiśca vividhaiḥ kāle kiṃ na kuryāṃ hitaṃ tava nahi me jīvitaṃ rakṣyaṃ putradāradhanāni ca| || 57.16 ||
"-- and with many kind words, in this hour, why should I not do what is good for you? Neither my life, nor my sons, wife, or wealth need I preserve --"
Shloka 17 (yuddha.57.17)
त्वं पश्य मां जुहूषन्तं त्वदर्थे जीवितं युधि एवमुक्त्वा तु भर्तारं रावणं वाहिनीपतिः। ॥ 57.17 ॥
tvaṃ paśya māṃ juhūṣantaṃ tvadarthe jīvitaṃ yudhi evamuktvā tu bhartāraṃ rāvaṇaṃ vāhinīpatiḥ| || 57.17 ||
"-- behold me ready to offer up my very life for your sake in battle." Having thus addressed his lord Ravana, the commander of the army --
Shloka 18 (yuddha.57.18)
उवाचेदं बलाध्यक्षान् प्रहस्तः पुरतः स्थितान् समानयत मे शीघ्रं राक्षसानां महाबलम्। ॥ 57.18 ॥
uvācedaṃ balādhyakṣān prahastaḥ purataḥ sthitān samānayata me śīghraṃ rākṣasānāṃ mahābalam| || 57.18 ||
-- Prahasta then spoke thus to the army-commanders standing before him: "Quickly assemble for me the mighty host of the rakshasas --"
Shloka 19 (yuddha.57.19)
मद्बाणानां तु वेगेन हतानां च रणाजिरे अद्य तृप्यन्तु मांसादाः पक्षिणः काननौकसाम्। ॥ 57.19 ॥
madabāṇānāṃ tu vegena hatānāṃ ca raṇājire adya tṛpyantu māṃsādāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ kānanaukasām| || 57.19 ||
"-- so that, slain today by the force of my arrows on the battlefield, the forest's flesh-eating birds may be satisfied with the flesh of those monkeys."
Shloka 20 (yuddha.57.20)
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा बलाध्यक्षा महाबलाः बलमुद्योजयामासुस्तस्मिन् राक्षसमन्दिरे। ॥ 57.20 ॥
tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā balādhyakṣā mahābalāḥ balamudyojayāmāsustasmin rākṣasamandire| || 57.20 ||
Hearing his words, the mighty commanders roused the army within that abode of the rakshasas.
Shloka 21 (yuddha.57.21)
सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन भीमैर्नानाविधायुधैः लङ्का राक्षसवीरैस्तैर्गजैरिव समाकुला। ॥ 57.21 ॥
sā babhūva muhūrtena bhīmairnānāvidhāyudhaiḥ laṅkā rākṣasavīraistairgajairiva samākulā| || 57.21 ||
In a moment Lanka became thronged, like massing elephants, with those terrible rakshasa warriors bearing weapons of every kind.
Shloka 22 (yuddha.57.22)
हुताशनं तर्पयतां ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यताम् आज्यगन्धप्रतिवहः सुरभिर्मारुतो ववौ। ॥ 57.22 ॥
hutāśanaṃ tarpayatāṃ brāhmaṇāṃśca namasyatām ājyagandhaprativahaḥ surabhirmāruto vavau| || 57.22 ||
As the demons made offerings to the sacred fire and paid homage to brahmins, a fragrant breeze blew, carrying the scent of clarified butter.
Shloka 23 (yuddha.57.23)
स्रजश्च विविधाकारा जगृहुस्त्वभिमन्त्रिताः संग्रामसज्जाः संहृष्टा धारयन् राक्षसास्तदा। ॥ 57.23 ॥
srajaśca vividhākārā jagṛhustvabhimantritāḥ saṃgrāmasajjāḥ saṃhṛṣṭā dhārayan rākṣasāstadā| || 57.23 ||
Then, ready for battle and full of joy, the rakshasas took up and wore garlands of various forms that had been consecrated with mantras.
Shloka 24 (yuddha.57.24)
सधनुष्काः कवचिनो वेगादाप्लुत्य राक्षसाः रावणं प्रेक्ष्य राजानं प्रहस्तं पर्यवारयन्। ॥ 57.24 ॥
sadhanuṣkāḥ kavacino vegādāplutya rākṣasāḥ rāvaṇaṃ prekṣya rājānaṃ prahastaṃ paryavārayan| || 57.24 ||
The rakshasas, bows in hand and clad in armor, sprang forward swiftly; and having looked upon King Ravana, they surrounded Prahasta.
Shloka 25 (yuddha.57.25)
अथामन्त्र्य तु राजानं भेरीमाहत्य भैरवाम् आरुरोह रथं युक्तः प्रहस्तः सज्जकल्पितम्। ॥ 57.25 ॥
athāmantrya tu rājānaṃ bherīmāhatya bhairavām āruroha rathaṃ yuktaḥ prahastaḥ sajjakalpitam| || 57.25 ||
Then, having taken leave of the king and sounded the fearsome war-drum, Prahasta mounted his chariot, which stood yoked and fully equipped.
Shloka 26 (yuddha.57.26)
हयैर्महाजवैर्युक्तं सम्यक्सूतं सुसंयतम् महाजलदनिर्घोषं साक्षाच्चन्द्रार्कभास्वरम्। ॥ 57.26 ॥
hayairmahājavairyuktaṃ samyaksūtaṃ susaṃyatam mahājaladanirghoṣaṃ sākṣāccandrārkabhāsvaram| || 57.26 ||
-- that chariot, yoked to swift horses, well-driven and well-controlled, rumbling like a great thundercloud, radiant as the sun and moon themselves --
Shloka 27 (yuddha.57.27)
उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षं सुवरूथं स्वपस्करम् सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तं प्रहसन्तमिव श्रिया। ॥ 57.27 ॥
uragadhvajadurdharṣaṃ suvarūthaṃ svapaskaram suvarṇajālasaṃyuktaṃ prahasantamiva śriyā| || 57.27 ||
"-- unassailable, bearing a serpent-banner, well-wheeled, well-equipped, adorned with a net of gold, seeming almost to laugh with splendor."
Shloka 28 (yuddha.57.28)
ततस्तं रथमास्थाय रावणार्पितशासनः लङ्काया निर्ययौ तूर्णं बलेन महता वृतः। ॥ 57.28 ॥
tatastaṃ rathamāsthāya rāvaṇārpitaśāsanaḥ laṅkāyā niryayau tūrṇaṃ balena mahatā vṛtaḥ| || 57.28 ||
Then, mounting that chariot, entrusted with Ravana's command, he swiftly set out from Lanka, surrounded by a mighty army.
Shloka 29 (yuddha.57.29)
ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पर्जन्यनिनदोपमः। वादित्राणां च निनदः पूरयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥ 57.29 ॥
tato dundubhinirghoṣaḥ parjanyaninadopamaḥ| vāditrāṇāṃ ca ninadaḥ pūrayanniva medinīm || 57.29 ||
Then arose the roar of war-drums, like the roll of thunderclouds, and the sound of musical instruments, as if filling the very earth.
Shloka 30 (yuddha.57.30)
शुश्रुवे शङ्खशब्दश्च प्रयाते वाहिनीपतौ। निनदन्तः स्वरान् घोरान् राक्षसा जग्मुरग्रतः ॥ 57.30 ॥
śuśruve śaṅkhaśabdaśca prayāte vāhinīpatau| ninadantaḥ svarān ghorān rākṣasā jagmuragrataḥ || 57.30 ||
The blare of conches was heard as the army's commander marched forth; and the rakshasas advanced ahead, roaring terrible cries.
Shloka 31 (yuddha.57.31)
भीमरूपा महाकायाः प्रहस्तस्य पुरःसराः। नरान्तकः कुम्भहनुर्महानादः समुन्नतः। ॥ 57.31 ॥
bhīmarūpā mahākāyāḥ prahastasya puraḥsarāḥ| narāntakaḥ kumbhahanurmahānādaḥ samunnataḥ| || 57.31 ||
Terrible in form and huge of body were the vanguard of Prahasta: Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, and lofty Mahanada --
Shloka 32 (yuddha.57.32)
प्रहस्तसचिवा ह्येते निर्ययुः परिवार्य तम् व्यूढेनैव सुघोरेण पूर्वद्वारात् स निर्ययौ। ॥ 57.32 ॥
prahastasacivā hyete niryayuḥ parivārya tam vyūḍhenaiva sughoreṇa pūrvadvārāt sa niryayau| || 57.32 ||
"-- these companions of Prahasta marched out, surrounding him. He himself went forth by the eastern gate, with a most terrible battle-array --"
Shloka 33 (yuddha.57.33)
गजयूथनिकाशेन बलेन महता वृतः सागरप्रतिमौघेन वृतस्तेन बलेन सः। ॥ 57.33 ॥
gajayūthanikāśena balena mahatā vṛtaḥ sāgarapratimaughena vṛtastena balena saḥ| || 57.33 ||
"-- surrounded by a mighty force resembling a herd of elephants; surrounded by that army, vast as the ocean's flood --"
Shloka 34 (yuddha.57.34)
प्रहस्तो निर्ययौ क्रुद्धः कालान्तकयमोपमः तस्य निर्याणघोषेण राक्षसानां च नर्दताम्। ॥ 57.34 ॥
prahasto niryayau kruddhaḥ kālāntakayamopamaḥ tasya niryāṇaghoṣeṇa rākṣasānāṃ ca nardatām| || 57.34 ||
-- Prahasta went forth in fury, resembling Yama, the ender of time itself. At the sound of his marching forth, and the roaring of the rakshasas --
Shloka 35 (yuddha.57.35)
लङ्कायां सर्वभूतानि विनेदुर्विकृतैः स्वरैः व्यभ्रमाकाशमाविश्य मांसशोणितभोजनाः। ॥ 57.35 ॥
laṅkāyāṃ sarvabhūtāni vinedurvikṛtaiḥ svaraiḥ vyabhramākāśamāviśya māṃsaśoṇitabhojanāḥ| || 57.35 ||
"-- all creatures in Lanka cried out with unnatural sounds; and flesh-and-blood-eating birds, wheeling through the cloudless sky --"
Shloka 36 (yuddha.57.36)
मण्डलान्यपसव्यानि खगाश्चक्रू रथं प्रति वमन्त्यः पावकज्वालाः शिवा घोरा ववाशिरे। ॥ 57.36 ॥
maṇḍalānyapasavyāni khagāścakrū rathaṃ prati vamantyaḥ pāvakajvālāḥ śivā ghorā vavāśire| || 57.36 ||
"-- wheeled in circles counter-clockwise around the chariot; and terrible jackals, vomiting flames of fire, howled fearfully."
Shloka 37 (yuddha.57.37)
अन्तरिक्षात् पपातोल्का वायुश्च परुषं ववौ अन्योन्यमभिसंरब्धा ग्रहाश्च न चकाशिरे। ॥ 57.37 ॥
antarikṣāt papātolkā vāyuśca paruṣaṃ vavau anyonyamabhisaṃrabdhā grahāśca na cakāśire| || 57.37 ||
A meteor fell from the sky, and a harsh wind blew; the planets, as if enraged against one another, ceased to shine.
Shloka 38 (yuddha.57.38)
मेघाश्च खरनिर्घोषा रथस्योपरि रक्षसः ववर्षू रुधिरं चास्य सिषिचुश्च पुरःसरान्। ॥ 57.38 ॥
meghāśca kharanirghoṣā rathasyopari rakṣasaḥ vavarṣū rudhiraṃ cāsya siṣicuśca puraḥsarān| || 57.38 ||
Harsh-thundering clouds rained blood over that demon's chariot and drenched those who marched before him.
Shloka 39 (yuddha.57.39)
केतुमूर्धनि गृध्रस्तु विलीनो दक्षिणामुखः नदन्नुभयतः पार्श्वं समग्रां श्रियमाहरत्। ॥ 57.39 ॥
ketumūrdhani gṛdhrastu vilīno dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ nadannubhayataḥ pārśvaṃ samagrāṃ śriyamāharat| || 57.39 ||
A vulture perched motionless atop his standard, facing south; and, screeching on either side, it seemed to strip away all his glory.
Shloka 40 (yuddha.57.40)
सारथेर्बहुशश्चास्य संग्राममवगाहतः प्रतोदो न्यपतद्धस्तात् सूतस्य हयसादिनः। ॥ 57.40 ॥
sāratherbahuśaścāsya saṃgrāmamavagāhataḥ pratodo nyapataddhastāt sūtasya hayasādinaḥ| || 57.40 ||
As he plunged again and again into the fray, the whip repeatedly fell from the hand of his charioteer, skilled though he was in driving the horses.
Shloka 41 (yuddha.57.41)
निर्याणश्रीश्च या च स्याद् भास्वरा च सुदुर्लभा सा ननाश मुहूर्तेन समे च स्खलिता हयाः। ॥ 57.41 ॥
niryāṇaśrīśca yā ca syād bhāsvarā ca sudurlabhā sā nanāśa muhūrtena same ca skhalitā hayāḥ| || 57.41 ||
The brilliant and rare splendor that had marked his setting-forth vanished in a moment, and even on level ground his horses stumbled.
Shloka 42 (yuddha.57.42)
प्रहस्तं तं हि निर्यान्तं प्रख्यातगुणपौरुषम्। युधि नानाप्रहरणा कपिसेनाभ्यवर्तत ॥ 57.42 ॥
prahastaṃ taṃ hi niryāntaṃ prakhyātaguṇapauruṣam| yudhi nānāpraharaṇā kapisenābhyavartata || 57.42 ||
As Prahasta, renowned for his valor and virtues, marched forth, the monkey army, armed with weapons of every kind, advanced to meet him in battle.
Shloka 43 (yuddha.57.43)
अथ घोषः सुतुमुलो हरीणां समजायत। वृक्षानारुजतां चैव गुर्वीर्वै गृह्णतां शिलाः ॥ 57.43 ॥
atha ghoṣaḥ sutumulo harīṇāṃ samajāyata| vṛkṣānārujatāṃ caiva gurvīrvai gṛhṇatāṃ śilāḥ || 57.43 ||
Then a tremendous roar arose from the monkeys, as they tore up trees and seized massive boulders.
Shloka 44 (yuddha.57.44)
नदतां राक्षसानां च वानराणां च गर्जताम्। उभे प्रमुदिते सैन्ये रक्षोगणवनौकसाम् ॥ 57.44 ॥
nadatāṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca vānarāṇāṃ ca garjatām| ubhe pramudite sainye rakṣogaṇavanaukasām || 57.44 ||
Both armies -- the roaring rakshasas and the bellowing monkey hosts -- were delighted, each eager for the fray.
Shloka 45 (yuddha.57.45)
वेगितानां समर्थानामन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणाम्। परस्परं चाह्वयतां निनादः श्रूयते महान् ॥ 57.45 ॥
vegitānāṃ samarthānāmanyonyavadhakāṅkṣiṇām| parasparaṃ cāhvayatāṃ ninādaḥ śrūyate mahān || 57.45 ||
A tremendous roar was heard as those swift and mighty warriors, each eager to slay the other, called out to one another in challenge.
Shloka 46 (yuddha.57.46)
ततः प्रहस्तः कपिराजवाहिनी- मभिप्रतस्थे विजयाय दुर्मतिः। विवृद्धवेगां च विवेश तां चमूं यथा मुमूर्षुः शलभो विभावसुम् ॥ 57.46 ॥
tataḥ prahastaḥ kapirājavāhinī- mabhipratasthe vijayāya durmatiḥ| vivṛddhavegāṃ ca viveśa tāṃ camūṃ yathā mumūrṣuḥ śalabho vibhāvasum || 57.46 ||
Then evil-minded Prahasta advanced for victory against the monkey-king's army, and plunged into that surging host, as a moth, bent on its own death, plunges into a flame.