The Slaying of Atikaya

Shloka 1 (yuddha.71.1)

स्वबलम् व्यथितम् दृष्ट्वा तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । भ्रातॄंश्च निहतान्दृष्ट्वा शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमान् ॥ 71.1 ॥

svabalam vyathitam dṛṣṭvā tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam | bhrātṝṃśca nihatāndṛṣṭvā śakratulyaparākramān || 71.1 ||

Seeing his own army in distress, amid tumult that made every hair stand on end, and seeing his brothers of Indra-like valour lying slain,

Shloka 2 (yuddha.71.2)

पितृव्यौ चापि सन्दृश्य समरे संनिषूदितौ । युद्धोन्मत्तम् च मत्तम् च भ्रातरौ राक्षसर्षभौ ॥ 71.2 ॥

pitṛvyau cāpi sandṛśya samare saṃniṣūditau | yuddhonmattam ca mattam ca bhrātarau rākṣasarṣabhau || 71.2 ||

and seeing his two paternal uncles, Yuddhonmatta and Matta, those foremost of rakshasas, struck down in the fighting,

Shloka 3 (yuddha.71.3)

चुकोप च महातेजा ब्रह्मदत्तवरो युधि । अतिकायोऽद्रिसङ्काशो देवदानवदर्पहा ॥ 71.3 ॥

cukopa ca mahātejā brahmadattavaro yudhi | atikāyo'drisaṅkāśo devadānavadarpahā || 71.3 ||

Atikaya — of great splendour, blessed with a boon from Brahma, huge as a mountain, the humbler of the pride of gods and demons alike — blazed with fury in that battle.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.71.4)

स भास्करसहस्रस्य सङ्घातमिव भास्वरम् । रथमास्थाय शक्रारिरभिदुद्राव वानरान् ॥ 71.4 ॥

sa bhāskarasahasrasya saṅghātamiva bhāsvaram | rathamāsthāya śakrārirabhidudrāva vānarān || 71.4 ||

Mounting a chariot as radiant as a mass of a thousand suns, that foe of Indra charged upon the monkeys.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.71.5)

स विस्फार्य तदा चापम् किरीटी मृष्टकुण्डलः । नाम संश्रावयामास ननाद च महास्वनम् ॥ 71.5 ॥

sa visphārya tadā cāpam kirīṭī mṛṣṭakuṇḍalaḥ | nāma saṃśrāvayāmāsa nanāda ca mahāsvanam || 71.5 ||

Wearing a crown and burnished ear-rings, drawing his bow, he made his name resound and roared with a mighty sound.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.71.6)

तेन सिम्हप्रणादेन नामविश्रावणेन च । ज्याशब्देन च भीमेन त्रासयामास वानरान् ॥ 71.6 ॥

tena simhapraṇādena nāmaviśrāvaṇena ca | jyāśabdena ca bhīmena trāsayāmāsa vānarān || 71.6 ||

By that lion-like roar, by the proclaiming of his name, and by the terrible twang of his bowstring, he struck terror into the monkeys.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.71.7)

ते दृष्ट्वा देहमाहात्म्यम् कुम्भकर्णोऽयमुत्थितः । भयार्ता वानराः सर्वे संश्रयन्ते परस्परम् ॥ 71.7 ॥

te dṛṣṭvā dehamāhātmyam kumbhakarṇo'yamutthitaḥ | bhayārtā vānarāḥ sarve saṃśrayante parasparam || 71.7 ||

Seeing the majesty of his frame, thinking 'this is Kumbhakarna risen again,' all the monkeys, stricken with fear, huddled together.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.71.8)

ते तस्य रूपमालोक्य यथा विष्णोस्त्रिविक्रमे । भयाद्वानरयोधास्ते विद्रवन्ति ततस्ततः ॥ 71.8 ॥

te tasya rūpamālokya yathā viṣṇostrivikrame | bhayādvānarayodhāste vidravanti tatastataḥ || 71.8 ||

Beholding his form, like Vishnu's in the three strides, those monkey-warriors fled in fear, this way and that.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.71.9)

तेऽतिकायम् समासाद्य वानरा मूढचेतसः । शरण्यम् शरणम् जग्मुर्लक्ष्मणाग्रजमाहवे ॥ 71.9 ॥

te'tikāyam samāsādya vānarā mūḍhacetasaḥ | śaraṇyam śaraṇam jagmurlakṣmaṇāgrajamāhave || 71.9 ||

Confronted by Atikaya, the bewildered monkeys, in that battle, sought refuge with Rama, the giver of refuge, the elder brother of Lakshmana.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.71.10)

ततोऽतिकायम् काकुत्स्थो रथस्थं पर्वतोपमम् । ददर्श धन्विनम् दूराद्गर्जन्तं कालमेघवत् ॥ 71.10 ॥

tato'tikāyam kākutstho rathasthaṃ parvatopamam | dadarśa dhanvinam dūrādgarjantaṃ kālameghavat || 71.10 ||

Then Rama saw from afar Atikaya, mountain-like, standing in his chariot, bow in hand, roaring like a cloud of doomsday.

Shloka 11 (yuddha.71.11)

स तम् दृष्ट्वा महाकायम् राघवस्तु सुविस्मितः । वानरान्सान्त्वयित्वा च विभीषणमुवाच ह ॥ 71.11 ॥

sa tam dṛṣṭvā mahākāyam rāghavastu suvismitaḥ | vānarānsāntvayitvā ca vibhīṣaṇamuvāca ha || 71.11 ||

Seeing that giant form, Rama was greatly astonished, and after consoling the monkeys, spoke to Vibhishana:

Shloka 12 (yuddha.71.12)

कोऽसौ पर्वतसङ्काशो धनुष्मान्हरिलोचनः । युक्ते हयसहस्रेण विशाले स्यन्दने स्थितः ॥ 71.12 ॥

ko'sau parvatasaṅkāśo dhanuṣmānharilocanaḥ | yukte hayasahasreṇa viśāle syandane sthitaḥ || 71.12 ||

'Who is that, mountain-like, bow in hand, tawny-eyed, standing in a vast chariot yoked with a thousand horses?

Shloka 13 (yuddha.71.13)

य एष निशितैः शूलैः सुतीक्ष्णैः प्रासतोमरैः । अर्चिष्मद्भिर्वृतो भाति भूतैरिव महेश्वरः ॥ 71.13 ॥

ya eṣa niśitaiḥ śūlaiḥ sutīkṣṇaiḥ prāsatomaraiḥ | arciṣmadbhirvṛto bhāti bhūtairiva maheśvaraḥ || 71.13 ||

he who, surrounded by sharp tridents, keen javelins and lances all ablaze, shines like Maheshvara amid his hosts,

Shloka 14 (yuddha.71.14)

कालजिह्वाप्रकाशाभिर्य एषोऽभिविराजते । आवृतो रथशक्तीभिर्विद्युद्भिरिव तोयदः ॥ 71.14 ॥

kālajihvāprakāśābhirya eṣo'bhivirājate | āvṛto rathaśaktībhirvidyudbhiriva toyadaḥ || 71.14 ||

who shines, surrounded by chariot-spears bright as the tongues of Death, as a rain-cloud girt with lightning-flashes —

Shloka 15 (yuddha.71.15)

धनूंसि चास्य सज्यानि हेमपृष्ठानि सर्वशः । शोभयन्ति रथश्रेष्ठम् शक्रपातमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 71.15 ॥

dhanūṃsi cāsya sajyāni hemapṛṣṭhāni sarvaśaḥ | śobhayanti rathaśreṣṭham śakrapātamivāmbaram || 71.15 ||

his strung bows, golden-backed on every side, adorn his splendid chariot as a rainbow adorns the sky.

Shloka 16 (yuddha.71.16)

य एष रक्षः शार्दूलो रणभूमिम् विराजयन् । अभ्येति रथिनाम् श्रेष्ठो रथेनादित्यतेजसा ॥ 71.16 ॥

ya eṣa rakṣaḥ śārdūlo raṇabhūmim virājayan | abhyeti rathinām śreṣṭho rathenādityatejasā || 71.16 ||

That tiger among rakshasas, gracing the battlefield, foremost of charioteers, advances in a chariot with the splendour of the sun,

Shloka 17 (yuddha.71.17)

ध्वजशृङ्गप्रतिष्ठेन राहुणाभिविराजते । सूर्यरश्मिप्रभैर्बाणैर्दिशो दश विराजयन् ॥ 71.17 ॥

dhvajaśṛṅgapratiṣṭhena rāhuṇābhivirājate | sūryaraśmiprabhairbāṇairdiśo daśa virājayan || 71.17 ||

resplendent with a Rahu-emblem fixed atop his standard, lighting up the ten directions with arrows bright as sunbeams.'

Shloka 18 (yuddha.71.18)

त्रिणतं मेघनिर्ह्रादम् हेमपृष्ठमलङ्कृतम् । शतक्रतुधनुःप्रख्यम् धनुश्चास्य विराजते ॥ 71.18 ॥

triṇataṃ meghanirhrādam hemapṛṣṭhamalaṅkṛtam | śatakratudhanuḥprakhyam dhanuścāsya virājate || 71.18 ||

'His bow, triple-curved, thundering like a cloud, adorned with a golden back, shines like the bow of Indra of a hundred sacrifices.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.71.19)

सध्वजः सपताकश्च सानुकर्षो महारथः । चतुःसादिसमायुक्तो मेघस्तनितनिस्वनः ॥ 71.19 ॥

sadhvajaḥ sapatākaśca sānukarṣo mahārathaḥ | catuḥsādisamāyukto meghastanitanisvanaḥ || 71.19 ||

'That great chariot, with its banner and flag, fitted with its axle-frame, attended by four charioteers, rumbles like thunder-clouds.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.71.20)

विंशतिर्दश चाष्टौ च तूणीररथमास्थिताः । कार्मुकाणि च भीमानि ज्याश्च काञ्चनपिङ्गलाः ॥ 71.20 ॥

viṃśatirdaśa cāṣṭau ca tūṇīrarathamāsthitāḥ | kārmukāṇi ca bhīmāni jyāśca kāñcanapiṅgalāḥ || 71.20 ||

'Twenty quivers, ten fearsome bows, and eight bowstrings, tawny-gold in hue, rest upon that chariot.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.71.21)

द्वौ च खड्गौ रथगतौ पार्श्वस्थौ पार्श्वशोभिनौ । चतुर्हस्तत्सरुचितौ व्यक्तहस्तदशायतौ ॥ 71.21 ॥

dvau ca khaḍgau rathagatau pārśvasthau pārśvaśobhinau | caturhastatsarucitau vyaktahastadaśāyatau || 71.21 ||

'Two swords too rest upon that chariot, at either side, gracing its flanks — their hilts four cubits long, their blades a clear ten cubits in length.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.71.22)

रक्तकण्ठगुणो धीरो महापर्वतसंनिभः । कालः कालमहावक्त्रो मेघस्थ इव भास्करः ॥ 71.22 ॥

raktakaṇṭhaguṇo dhīro mahāparvatasaṃnibhaḥ | kālaḥ kālamahāvaktro meghastha iva bhāskaraḥ || 71.22 ||

'That resolute warrior, dark like a great mountain, with a red garland at his throat, his vast face like that of Death himself, looks like the sun veiled in cloud.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.71.23)

काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाभ्यां भुजाभ्यामेष शोभते । शृङ्गाभ्यामिव तुङ्गाभ्याम् हिमवान्पर्वतोत्तमः ॥ 71.23 ॥

kāñcanāṅgadanaddhābhyāṃ bhujābhyāmeṣa śobhate | śṛṅgābhyāmiva tuṅgābhyām himavānparvatottamaḥ || 71.23 ||

'With his two arms bound in golden armlets he shines, as the great Himalaya shines with its two towering peaks.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.71.24)

कुण्डलाभ्याम् तु यस्यैतद्भाति वक्त्रम् शुभेक्षणम् । पुनर्वस्वन्तरगतं पूर्णबिम्बमिवैन्दवम् ॥ 71.24 ॥

kuṇḍalābhyām tu yasyaitadbhāti vaktram śubhekṣaṇam | punarvasvantaragataṃ pūrṇabimbamivaindavam || 71.24 ||

'whose auspicious face, with its two ear-rings, shines like the full orb of the moon passing between the twin stars of Punarvasu.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.71.25)

आचक्ष्व मे महाबाहो त्वमेनम् राक्षसोत्तमम् । यम् दृष्ट्वा वानराः सर्वे भयार्ता विद्रूता दिशः ॥ 71.25 ॥

ācakṣva me mahābāho tvamenam rākṣasottamam | yam dṛṣṭvā vānarāḥ sarve bhayārtā vidrūtā diśaḥ || 71.25 ||

'Tell me, O mighty-armed one, who is this foremost of rakshasas, at the sight of whom all the monkeys, stricken with fear, have scattered in every direction?'

Shloka 26 (yuddha.71.26)

स पृष्ठो राजपुत्रेण रामेणामिततेजसा । आचचक्षे महातेजा राघवाय विभीषणः ॥ 71.26 ॥

sa pṛṣṭho rājaputreṇa rāmeṇāmitatejasā | ācacakṣe mahātejā rāghavāya vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 71.26 ||

Thus asked by Rama the prince, of boundless splendour, Vibhishana of great brilliance answered Raghava as follows:

Shloka 27 (yuddha.71.27)

दशग्रीवो महातेजा राजा वैश्रवणानुजः । भीमकर्मा महोत्साहो रावणो राक्षसाधिपः ॥ 71.27 ॥

daśagrīvo mahātejā rājā vaiśravaṇānujaḥ | bhīmakarmā mahotsāho rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ || 71.27 ||

'The ten-necked king, of great splendour, younger brother of Vaishravana, of terrible deeds and mighty vigour, Ravana, is the lord of the rakshasas.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.71.28)

तस्यासीद्वीर्यवान्पुत्रो रावणप्रतिमो रणे । वृद्धसेवी श्रुतधरः सर्वास्त्रविदुषाम् वरः ॥ 71.28 ॥

tasyāsīdvīryavānputro rāvaṇapratimo raṇe | vṛddhasevī śrutadharaḥ sarvāstraviduṣām varaḥ || 71.28 ||

'To him is born a valiant son, Ravana's equal in battle, a server of elders, a retainer of what he has heard, foremost among those versed in every weapon,

Shloka 29 (yuddha.71.29)

अश्वपृष्ठे रथे नागे खड्गे धनुषि कर्षणे । भेदे सान्त्वे च दाने च नये मन्त्रे च संमतः ॥ 71.29 ॥

aśvapṛṣṭhe rathe nāge khaḍge dhanuṣi karṣaṇe | bhede sāntve ca dāne ca naye mantre ca saṃmataḥ || 71.29 ||

'esteemed in horsemanship, in chariotry, in riding elephants, in swordsmanship, in archery; esteemed too in sowing discord, in conciliation, in giving, in policy, and in counsel.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.71.30)

यस्य बाहुम् समाश्रित्य लङ्का भवति निर्भया । तनयम् धान्यमालिन्या अतिकायमिमम् विदुः ॥ 71.30 ॥

yasya bāhum samāśritya laṅkā bhavati nirbhayā | tanayam dhānyamālinyā atikāyamimam viduḥ || 71.30 ||

'Resting upon whose arm Lanka feels free from fear — know him as Atikaya, the son of Dhanyamalini.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.71.31)

एतेनाराधितो ब्रह्मा तपसा भावितात्मना । अस्त्राणि चाप्यवाप्तानि रिपवश्च पराजिताः ॥ 71.31 ॥

etenārādhito brahmā tapasā bhāvitātmanā | astrāṇi cāpyavāptāni ripavaśca parājitāḥ || 71.31 ||

'By him, his soul refined through austerity, Brahma was propitiated; by him weapons were obtained, and enemies vanquished.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.71.32)

सुरासुरैरवध्यत्वम् दत्तमस्मै स्वयम्भुवा । एतच्च कवचम् दिव्यम् रथश्चैषोऽर्कभास्करः ॥ 71.32 ॥

surāsurairavadhyatvam dattamasmai svayambhuvā | etacca kavacam divyam rathaścaiṣo'rkabhāskaraḥ || 71.32 ||

'Invulnerability to gods and demons alike was granted him by the Self-born; and this divine armour too, and this chariot bright as the sun.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.71.33)

एतेन शतशो देवा दानवाश्च पराजिताः । रक्षितानि च रक्षामि यक्षाश्चापि निषूदिताः ॥ 71.33 ॥

etena śataśo devā dānavāśca parājitāḥ | rakṣitāni ca rakṣāmi yakṣāścāpi niṣūditāḥ || 71.33 ||

'By him hundreds of gods and danavas have been vanquished; by him the rakshasas have been protected, and yakshas too struck down.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.71.34)

वज्रम् विष्टम्भितं येन बाणैरिन्द्रस्य धीमतः । पाशः सलिलराजस्य युद्धे प्रतिहतस्तथा ॥ 71.34 ॥

vajram viṣṭambhitaṃ yena bāṇairindrasya dhīmataḥ | pāśaḥ salilarājasya yuddhe pratihatastathā || 71.34 ||

'By whose arrows the thunderbolt of wise Indra was checked, and likewise the noose of the ocean-king was struck down in battle —

Shloka 35 (yuddha.71.35)

एषोऽतिकायो बलवान् राक्षसानामथर्षभः । स रावणस्य सुतो धीमान् देवदानव दर्पहा ॥ 71.35 ॥

eṣo'tikāyo balavān rākṣasānāmatharṣabhaḥ | sa rāvaṇasya suto dhīmān devadānava darpahā || 71.35 ||

this is that mighty Atikaya, foremost among rakshasas, the wise son of Ravana, humbler of the pride of gods and demons.'

Shloka 36 (yuddha.71.36)

तदस्मिन् क्रियताम् यत्नः क्षिप्रं पुरुषपुङ्गव । पुरा वानरसैन्यानि क्षयं नयति सायकैः ॥ 71.36 ॥

tadasmin kriyatām yatnaḥ kṣipraṃ puruṣapuṅgava | purā vānarasainyāni kṣayaṃ nayati sāyakaiḥ || 71.36 ||

'Therefore, O foremost of men, let effort be made against him swiftly, before he brings our monkey-army to ruin with his arrows.'

Shloka 37 (yuddha.71.37)

ततोऽतिकायो बलवान्प्रविश्य हरिवाहिनीम् । विस्फारयामास धनुर्ननाद च पुनः पुनः ॥ 71.37 ॥

tato'tikāyo balavānpraviśya harivāhinīm | visphārayāmāsa dhanurnanāda ca punaḥ punaḥ || 71.37 ||

Then the mighty Atikaya, entering the ranks of the monkey army, stretched his bow and roared again and again.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.71.38)

तं भीमवपुषम् दृष्ट्वा रथस्थम् रथिनां वरम् । अभिपेतुर्महात्मानो ये प्रधानाः ये वनौकसः ॥ 71.38 ॥

taṃ bhīmavapuṣam dṛṣṭvā rathastham rathināṃ varam | abhipeturmahātmāno ye pradhānāḥ ye vanaukasaḥ || 71.38 ||

Seeing him, of terrible frame, stationed in his chariot, foremost among charioteers, the leading great monkey-chiefs rushed at him.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.71.39)

कुमुदो द्विविदो मैन्दो नीलः शरभ एव च । पादपैर्गिरिशृङ्गैश् च युगपत्समभिद्रवन् ॥ 71.39 ॥

kumudo dvivido maindo nīlaḥ śarabha eva ca | pādapairgiriśṛṅgaiś ca yugapatsamabhidravan || 71.39 ||

Kumuda, Dvivida, Mainda, Nila, and Sharabha, all at once charged at him with trees and mountain-peaks.

Shloka 40 (yuddha.71.40)

तेषाम् वृक्षांश्च शैलांश्च शरैः काञ्चनभूषणैः । अतिकायो महातेजाश्चिच्छेदास्त्रविदाम् वरः ॥ 71.40 ॥

teṣām vṛkṣāṃśca śailāṃśca śaraiḥ kāñcanabhūṣaṇaiḥ | atikāyo mahātejāścicchedāstravidām varaḥ || 71.40 ||

Atikaya, of great splendour, foremost among the weapon-wise, cut down their trees and boulders with his gold-adorned arrows.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.71.41)

तांश्चैव सरान्स हरीञ्शरैः सर्वायसैर्बली । विव्याधाभिमुखः सङ्ख्ये भीमकायो निशाचरः ॥ 71.41 ॥

tāṃścaiva sarānsa harīñśaraiḥ sarvāyasairbalī | vivyādhābhimukhaḥ saṅkhye bhīmakāyo niśācaraḥ || 71.41 ||

That strong, terrible-bodied rakshasa then pierced those very monkeys, facing him in the battle, with arrows made wholly of iron.

Shloka 42 (yuddha.71.42)

तेऽर्दिता बाणबर्षेण भिन्नगात्राः प्लवङ्गमाः । न शेकुरतिकायस्य प्रतिकर्तुं महारणे ॥ 71.42 ॥

te'rditā bāṇabarṣeṇa bhinnagātrāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ | na śekuratikāyasya pratikartuṃ mahāraṇe || 71.42 ||

Tormented by that shower of arrows, their limbs pierced, those monkeys could not retaliate against Atikaya in that great battle.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.71.43)

तत्सैन्यम् हरिवीराणाम् त्रासयामास राक्षसः । मृगयूथमिव क्रुद्धो हरिर्यौवनमास्थितः ॥ 71.43 ॥

tatsainyam harivīrāṇām trāsayāmāsa rākṣasaḥ | mṛgayūthamiva kruddho hariryauvanamāsthitaḥ || 71.43 ||

That rakshasa terrorized the army of monkey-heroes, as a lion in the pride of its youth, enraged, terrorizes a herd of deer.

Shloka 44 (yuddha.71.44)

स राषसेन्द्रो हरिसैन्यमध्ये । नायुध्यमानं निजघान कम् चित् । उपेत्य रामम् सधनुः कलापी । सगर्वितम् वाक्यमिदं बभाषे ॥ 71.44 ॥

sa rāṣasendro harisainyamadhye | nāyudhyamānaṃ nijaghāna kam cit | upetya rāmam sadhanuḥ kalāpī | sagarvitam vākyamidaṃ babhāṣe || 71.44 ||

That lord of rakshasas, amid the monkey army, struck down none who was not fighting; then, going up to Rama, bow and quiver in hand, he spoke these haughty words:

Shloka 45 (yuddha.71.45)

रथे स्थितोऽहम् शरचापपाणि । न प्राकृतम् कं चन योधयामि । यस्यास्ति शक्तिर्व्यवसाय युक्ता । ददातुं मे क्षिप्रमिहाद्य युद्धम् ॥ 71.45 ॥

rathe sthito'ham śaracāpapāṇi | na prākṛtam kaṃ cana yodhayāmi | yasyāsti śaktirvyavasāya yuktā | dadātuṃ me kṣipramihādya yuddham || 71.45 ||

'Standing in my chariot, arrows and bow in hand, I do not fight with any common warrior. Let him who has the strength and resolve give me battle here, swiftly, this very day.'

Shloka 46 (yuddha.71.46)

तत्तस्य वाक्यं ब्रुवतो निशम्य । चुकोप सौमित्रिरमित्रहन्ता । अमृष्यमाणश्च समुत्पपात । जग्राह चापम् च ततः स्मयित्वा ॥ 71.46 ॥

tattasya vākyaṃ bruvato niśamya | cukopa saumitriramitrahantā | amṛṣyamāṇaśca samutpapāta | jagrāha cāpam ca tataḥ smayitvā || 71.46 ||

Hearing those words that he spoke, Lakshmana the slayer of foes grew angry; unable to bear it, he sprang up, and smiling, took up his bow.

Shloka 47 (yuddha.71.47)

क्रुद्धः सौमित्रिरुत्पत्य तूणादाक्षिप्य सायकम् । पुरस्तादतिकायस्य विचकर्ष महद्धनुः ॥ 71.47 ॥

kruddhaḥ saumitrirutpatya tūṇādākṣipya sāyakam | purastādatikāyasya vicakarṣa mahaddhanuḥ || 71.47 ||

The enraged Lakshmana leapt up, drew an arrow from his quiver, and before Atikaya, bent his great bow.

Shloka 48 (yuddha.71.48)

पूरयन्स महीम् शैलानाकाशं सागरम् दिशः । ज्याशब्दो लक्ष्मणस्योग्रस्त्रासयन्रजनीचरान् ॥ 71.48 ॥

pūrayansa mahīm śailānākāśaṃ sāgaram diśaḥ | jyāśabdo lakṣmaṇasyograstrāsayanrajanīcarān || 71.48 ||

The fierce twang of Lakshmana's bowstring, filling earth, mountains, sky, ocean and every quarter, struck terror into the night-rangers.

Shloka 49 (yuddha.71.49)

सौमित्रेश्चापनिर्घोषम् श्रुत्वा प्रतिभयम् तदा । विसिष्मिये महातेजा राक्षसेन्द्रात्मजो बली ॥ 71.49 ॥

saumitreścāpanirghoṣam śrutvā pratibhayam tadā | visiṣmiye mahātejā rākṣasendrātmajo balī || 71.49 ||

Hearing that dreadful roar of Lakshmana's bow, the strong and splendid son of the rakshasa-king was astonished.

Shloka 50 (yuddha.71.50)

तदातिकायः कुपितो दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणमुत्थितम् । आदाय निशितं बाणमिदम् वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 71.50 ॥

tadātikāyaḥ kupito dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇamutthitam | ādāya niśitaṃ bāṇamidam vacanamabravīt || 71.50 ||

Then, seeing Lakshmana risen for battle, Atikaya, enraged, took up a sharp arrow and spoke these words:

Shloka 51 (yuddha.71.51)

बालस्त्वमसि सौमित्रे विक्रमेष्वविचक्षणः । गच्छ किम् कालसदृशं माम् योधयितुमिच्छसि ॥ 71.51 ॥

bālastvamasi saumitre vikrameṣvavicakṣaṇaḥ | gaccha kim kālasadṛśaṃ mām yodhayitumicchasi || 71.51 ||

'You are but a boy, Lakshmana, unversed in feats of valour. Go — why do you wish to fight me, who am like Death itself?'

Shloka 52 (yuddha.71.52)

न हि मद्बाहुसृष्टानामस्त्राणाम् हिमवानपि । सोढुमुत्सहते वेगमन्तरिक्षमथो मही ॥ 71.52 ॥

na hi madbāhusṛṣṭānāmastrāṇām himavānapi | soḍhumutsahate vegamantarikṣamatho mahī || 71.52 ||

'Not even the Himalaya, nor the sky, nor the earth, can bear the force of the weapons loosed by my arms.'

Shloka 53 (yuddha.71.53)

सुखप्रसुप्तम् कालाग्निं प्रबोधयितुमिच्छसि । न्यस्य चापं निवर्तस्व मा प्राणाञ्जहि मद्गतः ॥ 71.53 ॥

sukhaprasuptam kālāgniṃ prabodhayitumicchasi | nyasya cāpaṃ nivartasva mā prāṇāñjahi madgataḥ || 71.53 ||

'You wish to rouse the fire of doomsday, sweetly sleeping. Set down your bow and go back — do not lose your life by coming against me.'

Shloka 54 (yuddha.71.54)

अथ वा त्वं प्रतिष्टब्धो न निवर्तितुमिच्छसि । तिष्ठ प्राणान्परित्यज्य गमिष्यसि यमक्षयम् ॥ 71.54 ॥

atha vā tvaṃ pratiṣṭabdho na nivartitumicchasi | tiṣṭha prāṇānparityajya gamiṣyasi yamakṣayam || 71.54 ||

'Or, if in your obstinacy you refuse to turn back, then stand — abandoning your life, you shall go to Yama's abode.'

Shloka 55 (yuddha.71.55)

पश्य मे निशितान् बाणान रिदर्पनिषूदनान् । ईश्वरायुधसङ्काशांस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणान् ॥ 71.55 ॥

paśya me niśitān bāṇāna ridarpaniṣūdanān | īśvarāyudhasaṅkāśāṃstaptakāñcanabhūṣaṇān || 71.55 ||

'Behold my sharp arrows, quellers of the enemy's pride, resembling the weapons of Ishvara, adorned with molten gold.'

Shloka 56 (yuddha.71.56)

एष ते सर्पसङ्काशो बाणः पास्यति शोणितम् । मृगराज इव क्रुद्धो नागराजस्य शोणितम् ॥ 71.56 ॥

eṣa te sarpasaṅkāśo bāṇaḥ pāsyati śoṇitam | mṛgarāja iva kruddho nāgarājasya śoṇitam || 71.56 ||

'This serpent-like arrow of mine shall drink your blood, as an enraged lion drinks the blood of a great elephant.'

Shloka 57 (yuddha.71.57)

श्रुत्वातिकायस्य वचः सरोषं । सगर्वितम् सम्यति राजपुत्रः । स सञ्चुकोपातिबलो मस्वी । उवाच वाक्यम् च ततो महार्थम् ॥ 71.57 ॥

śrutvātikāyasya vacaḥ saroṣaṃ | sagarvitam samyati rājaputraḥ | sa sañcukopātibalo masvī | uvāca vākyam ca tato mahārtham || 71.57 ||

Hearing Atikaya's words, angry and haughty, in that battle, the prince, mighty and wise, grew enraged, and then spoke words of deep import:

Shloka 58 (yuddha.71.58)

न वाक्यमात्रेण भवान्प्रधानो । न कत्थनात्सत्पुरुषा भवन्ति । मयि स्थिते धन्विनि बाणपाणौ । विदर्शयस्वात्मबलम् दुरात्मन् ॥ 71.58 ॥

na vākyamātreṇa bhavānpradhāno | na katthanātsatpuruṣā bhavanti | mayi sthite dhanvini bāṇapāṇau | vidarśayasvātmabalam durātman || 71.58 ||

'Not by mere words does one become eminent; not by boasting does one become a good man. With me standing here, bow in hand and arrow ready, O evil-minded one, show your own strength.'

Shloka 59 (yuddha.71.59)

कर्मणा सूचयात्मानं न विकत्थितुमर्हसि । पौरुषेण तु यो युक्तः स तु शूर इति स्मृतः ॥ 71.59 ॥

karmaṇā sūcayātmānaṃ na vikatthitumarhasi | pauruṣeṇa tu yo yuktaḥ sa tu śūra iti smṛtaḥ || 71.59 ||

'Prove yourself by deeds; you have no right to boast. He alone who is endowed with valour is called a hero.'

Shloka 60 (yuddha.71.60)

सर्वायुधसमायुक्तो धन्वी त्वम् रथमास्थितः । शरैर्वा यदि वाप्यस्त्रैर्दर्शयस्व पराक्रमम् ॥ 71.60 ॥

sarvāyudhasamāyukto dhanvī tvam rathamāsthitaḥ | śarairvā yadi vāpyastrairdarśayasva parākramam || 71.60 ||

'You, armed with every weapon and seated with your bow in your chariot — show your prowess, whether with arrows or with missiles.'

Shloka 61 (yuddha.71.61)

ततः शिरस्ते निशितैः पातयिष्याम्यहम् शरैः । मारुतः कालसम्पक्वम् वृन्तात्तालफलं यथा ॥ 71.61 ॥

tataḥ śiraste niśitaiḥ pātayiṣyāmyaham śaraiḥ | mārutaḥ kālasampakvam vṛntāttālaphalaṃ yathā || 71.61 ||

'Then, with my sharp arrows, I shall bring down your head, as the wind brings down a ripened palm-fruit from its stalk.'

Shloka 62 (yuddha.71.62)

अद्य ते मामका बाणास्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणाः । पास्यन्ति रुधिरम् गात्राद्बाणशल्यान्तरोत्थितम् ॥ 71.62 ॥

adya te māmakā bāṇāstaptakāñcanabhūṣaṇāḥ | pāsyanti rudhiram gātrādbāṇaśalyāntarotthitam || 71.62 ||

'Today my arrows, adorned with molten gold, shall drink the blood that rises from the wounds their points make in your body.'

Shloka 63 (yuddha.71.63)

बालोऽयमिति विज्ञाय न मावज्ञातुमर्हसि । बालो वा यदि वा वृद्धो मृत्युम् जानीहि सम्युगे ॥ बालेन विष्णुना लोकास्त्रयः क्रान्तास्त्रिविक्रमैः ॥ 71.63 ॥

bālo'yamiti vijñāya na māvajñātumarhasi | bālo vā yadi vā vṛddho mṛtyum jānīhi samyuge || bālena viṣṇunā lokāstrayaḥ krāntāstrivikramaiḥ || 71.63 ||

'Knowing me to be a boy, you should not disdain me. Whether boy or old man, know me for Death itself in this battle. Did not Vishnu, as a boy, stride over the three worlds with his three steps?'

Shloka 64 (yuddha.71.64)

लक्ष्मणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुमत्परमार्थवत् ॥ अतिकायः प्रचुक्रोध बाणम् चोत्तममाददे ॥ 71.64 ॥

lakṣmaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā hetumatparamārthavat || atikāyaḥ pracukrodha bāṇam cottamamādade || 71.64 ||

Hearing Lakshmana's words, reasoned and full of deep meaning, Atikaya grew furious and took up an excellent arrow.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.71.65)

ततो विद्याधरा भूता देवा दैत्या महर्षयः ॥ गुह्यकाश्च महात्मानस्तद्युद्धम् ददृशुस्तदा ॥ 71.65 ॥

tato vidyādharā bhūtā devā daityā maharṣayaḥ || guhyakāśca mahātmānastadyuddham dadṛśustadā || 71.65 ||

Then the Vidyadharas, Bhutas, gods, daityas, great sages, and the noble Guhyakas all watched that battle.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.71.66)

ततोऽतिकायः कुपितश्चापमारोप्य सायकम् ॥ लक्ष्मणस्य प्रचिक्षेप सङ्क्षिपन्निव चाम्बरम् ॥ 71.66 ॥

tato'tikāyaḥ kupitaścāpamāropya sāyakam || lakṣmaṇasya pracikṣepa saṅkṣipanniva cāmbaram || 71.66 ||

Then the enraged Atikaya, fitting an arrow to his bow, loosed it at Lakshmana, as if to fold up the very sky.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.71.67)

तमापतन्तं निशितम् शरमाशीविषोपमम् ॥ अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा ॥ 71.67 ॥

tamāpatantaṃ niśitam śaramāśīviṣopamam || ardhacandreṇa ciccheda lakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā || 71.67 ||

That sharp arrow, like a venomous serpent, hurtling toward him — Lakshmana, the slayer of enemy heroes, cut it apart with a crescent-headed shaft.

Shloka 68 (yuddha.71.68)

तं निकृत्तम् शरम् दृष्ट्वा कृत्तभोगमिवोरगम् ॥ अतिकायो भृशम् क्रुद्धः पञ्चबाणान्समाददे ॥ 71.68 ॥

taṃ nikṛttam śaram dṛṣṭvā kṛttabhogamivoragam || atikāyo bhṛśam kruddhaḥ pañcabāṇānsamādade || 71.68 ||

Seeing that arrow severed, like a serpent with its hood cut off, Atikaya, greatly enraged, took up five arrows.

Shloka 69 (yuddha.71.69)

ताञ्शरान्सम्प्रचिक्षेप लक्ष्मणाय निशाचरः ॥ तानप्राप्ताञ्शरैस्तीक्ष्णैश्चिच्छेद भरतानुजः ॥ 71.69 ॥

tāñśarānsampracikṣepa lakṣmaṇāya niśācaraḥ || tānaprāptāñśaraistīkṣṇaiściccheda bharatānujaḥ || 71.69 ||

That night-ranger loosed those arrows at Lakshmana; before they could reach him, Bharata's younger brother cut them down with his own sharp arrows.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.71.70)

स तांश्छित्त्वा शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा ॥ आददे निशितं बाणम् ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा ॥ 71.70 ॥

sa tāṃśchittvā śaraistīkṣṇairlakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā || ādade niśitaṃ bāṇam jvalantamiva tejasā || 71.70 ||

Having cut them down with his sharp arrows, Lakshmana, the slayer of enemy heroes, took up a keen arrow that blazed as if with fire.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.71.71)

तमादाय धनुः श्रेष्ठे योजयामास लक्ष्मणः ॥ विचकर्ष च वेगेन विससर्ज च सायकम् ॥ 71.71 ॥

tamādāya dhanuḥ śreṣṭhe yojayāmāsa lakṣmaṇaḥ || vicakarṣa ca vegena visasarja ca sāyakam || 71.71 ||

Taking it, Lakshmana fitted it to his splendid bow, drew it back with force, and let the arrow fly.

Shloka 72 (yuddha.71.72)

पूर्णायतविसृष्टेन शरेणानत पर्वणा ॥ ललाटे राक्षसश्रेष्ठमाजघान स वीर्यवान् ॥ 71.72 ॥

pūrṇāyatavisṛṣṭena śareṇānata parvaṇā || lalāṭe rākṣasaśreṣṭhamājaghāna sa vīryavān || 71.72 ||

With that arrow, drawn fully back and released, its joints bent smooth, the valiant Lakshmana struck that foremost of rakshasas on the forehead.

Shloka 73 (yuddha.71.73)

स ललाटे शरो मग्नस्तस्य भीमस्य रक्षसः ॥ ददृशे शोणितेनाक्तः पन्नगेन्द्र इवाहवे ॥ 71.73 ॥

sa lalāṭe śaro magnastasya bhīmasya rakṣasaḥ || dadṛśe śoṇitenāktaḥ pannagendra ivāhave || 71.73 ||

That arrow, sunk into the forehead of that terrible rakshasa and smeared with blood, appeared in the battle like a great serpent-lord.

Shloka 74 (yuddha.71.74)

राक्षसः प्रचकम्पे च लक्ष्मणेषु प्रकम्पितः ॥ रुद्रबाणहतं भीमम् यथा त्रिपुरगोपुरम् ॥ 71.74 ॥

rākṣasaḥ pracakampe ca lakṣmaṇeṣu prakampitaḥ || rudrabāṇahataṃ bhīmam yathā tripuragopuram || 71.74 ||

The rakshasa reeled, shaken by Lakshmana's arrow, like the dreadful gate-tower of Tripura struck down by Rudra's shaft.

Shloka 75 (yuddha.71.75)

चिन्तयामास चाश्वस्य विमृश्य च महाबलः ॥ साधु बाणनिपातेन श्वाघनीयोऽसि मे रिपुः ॥ 71.75 ॥

cintayāmāsa cāśvasya vimṛśya ca mahābalaḥ || sādhu bāṇanipātena śvāghanīyo'si me ripuḥ || 71.75 ||

Recovering his breath, that mighty one reflected and thought: 'Well struck! By the fall of that arrow you have become a foe worthy of my praise.'

Shloka 76 (yuddha.71.76)

विचार्यैवम् विनम्यास्यं विनम्य च भुजावुभौ ॥ स रथोपस्थमास्थाय रथेन प्रचचार ह ॥ 71.76 ॥

vicāryaivam vinamyāsyaṃ vinamya ca bhujāvubhau || sa rathopasthamāsthāya rathena pracacāra ha || 71.76 ||

So reflecting, bowing his face and both his arms, he mounted the platform of his chariot and drove about in it.

Shloka 77 (yuddha.71.77)

एकम् त्रीन्पञ्च सप्तेति सायकान्राक्षसर्षभः ॥ आददे सन्दधे चापि विचकर्षोत्ससर्ज च ॥ 71.77 ॥

ekam trīnpañca sapteti sāyakānrākṣasarṣabhaḥ || ādade sandadhe cāpi vicakarṣotsasarja ca || 71.77 ||

That bull among rakshasas took up arrows, one, then three, then five, then seven, fitted them, drew, and loosed them.

Shloka 78 (yuddha.71.78)

ते बाणाः कालसङ्काशा राक्षसेन्द्रधनुश्च्युताः ॥ हेमपुङ्खा रविप्रख्याश्चक्रुर्दीप्तमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 71.78 ॥

te bāṇāḥ kālasaṅkāśā rākṣasendradhanuścyutāḥ || hemapuṅkhā raviprakhyāścakrurdīptamivāmbaram || 71.78 ||

Those arrows, dark as death, loosed from the bow of the rakshasa-king, golden-shafted and bright as the sun, made the sky seem ablaze.

Shloka 79 (yuddha.71.79)

ततस्तान्राक्षसोत्सृष्टाञ्शरौघान्राघवानुजः ॥ असम्भ्रान्तः प्रचिच्छेद निशितैर्बहुभिः शरैः ॥ 71.79 ॥

tatastānrākṣasotsṛṣṭāñśaraughānrāghavānujaḥ || asambhrāntaḥ praciccheda niśitairbahubhiḥ śaraiḥ || 71.79 ||

Then, unshaken, Raghava's younger brother [Lakshmana] cut down that flood of arrows loosed by the rakshasa with a multitude of his own sharp shafts.

Shloka 80 (yuddha.71.80)

ताञ्शरान्युधि सम्प्रेक्ष्य निकृत्तान्रावणात्मजः ॥ चुकोप त्रिदशेन्द्रारिर्जग्राह निशितम् शरम् ॥ 71.80 ॥

tāñśarānyudhi samprekṣya nikṛttānrāvaṇātmajaḥ || cukopa tridaśendrārirjagrāha niśitam śaram || 71.80 ||

Seeing those arrows of his cut down in battle, Ravana's son, that foe of the lord of the thirty gods, grew furious and seized a sharp arrow.

Shloka 81 (yuddha.71.81)

स सन्धाय महातेजास्तं बाणम् सहसोत्सृजत् ॥ ततः सौमित्रिमायान्तमाजघान स्तनान्तरे ॥ 71.81 ॥

sa sandhāya mahātejāstaṃ bāṇam sahasotsṛjat || tataḥ saumitrimāyāntamājaghāna stanāntare || 71.81 ||

That one of great splendour fitted the arrow and swiftly loosed it; then it struck the advancing son of Sumitra between the breasts.

Shloka 82 (yuddha.71.82)

अतिकायेन सौमित्रिस्ताडितो युधि वक्षसि ॥ सुस्राव रुधिरम् तीव्रं मदं मत्त इव द्विपः ॥ 71.82 ॥

atikāyena saumitristāḍito yudhi vakṣasi || susrāva rudhiram tīvraṃ madaṃ matta iva dvipaḥ || 71.82 ||

Struck on the chest in battle by Atikaya, Lakshmana bled profusely, like a rutting elephant streaming its ichor.

Shloka 83 (yuddha.71.83)

स चकार तदात्मानम् विशल्यं सहसा विभुः ॥ जग्राह च शरम् तीष्णमस्त्रेणापि समादधे ॥ 71.83 ॥

sa cakāra tadātmānam viśalyaṃ sahasā vibhuḥ || jagrāha ca śaram tīṣṇamastreṇāpi samādadhe || 71.83 ||

That mighty one at once made himself free of the arrow-shaft, took up a sharp arrow, and charged it with a missile.

Shloka 84 (yuddha.71.84)

आग्नेयेन तदास्त्रेण योजयामास सायकम् ॥ स जज्वाल तदा बाणो धनुश्चास्य महात्मनः ॥ 71.84 ॥

āgneyena tadāstreṇa yojayāmāsa sāyakam || sa jajvāla tadā bāṇo dhanuścāsya mahātmanaḥ || 71.84 ||

He charged that arrow with the missile of Agni; then that great one's arrow, and his bow too, blazed up in flame.

Shloka 85 (yuddha.71.85)

अतिकायोऽतितेजस्वी सौरमस्त्रम् समाददे ॥ तेन बाणं भुजङ्गाभम् हेमपुङ्खमयोजयत् ॥ 71.85 ॥

atikāyo'titejasvī sauramastram samādade || tena bāṇaṃ bhujaṅgābham hemapuṅkhamayojayat || 71.85 ||

Atikaya, of surpassing splendour, took up the solar missile, and charged with it a golden-shafted arrow that gleamed like a serpent.

Shloka 86 (yuddha.71.86)

ततस्तम् ज्वलितं घोरम् लक्ष्मणः शरमाहितम् ॥ अतिकायाय चिक्षेप कालदण्डमिवान्तकः ॥ 71.86 ॥

tatastam jvalitaṃ ghoram lakṣmaṇaḥ śaramāhitam || atikāyāya cikṣepa kāladaṇḍamivāntakaḥ || 71.86 ||

Then Lakshmana hurled that blazing, terrible, missile-charged arrow at Atikaya, as Death hurls his rod of doom.

Shloka 87 (yuddha.71.87)

आग्नेयेनाभिसम्युक्तम् दृष्ट्वा बाणं निशाचरः ॥ उत्ससर्ज तदा बाणम् दीप्तम् सूर्यास्त्रयोजितम् ॥ 71.87 ॥

āgneyenābhisamyuktam dṛṣṭvā bāṇaṃ niśācaraḥ || utsasarja tadā bāṇam dīptam sūryāstrayojitam || 71.87 ||

Seeing that arrow charged with the fire-missile, the night-ranger then loosed his own blazing arrow, charged with the missile of the sun.

Shloka 88 (yuddha.71.88)

तावुभावम्बरे बाणावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः ॥ तेजसा सम्प्रदीप्ताग्रौ क्रुद्धाविव भुजम् गमौ ॥ 71.88 ॥

tāvubhāvambare bāṇāvanyonyamabhijaghnatuḥ || tejasā sampradīptāgrau kruddhāviva bhujam gamau || 71.88 ||

Those two arrows, their points ablaze with splendour, struck each other in the sky, like two enraged serpents.

Shloka 89 (yuddha.71.89)

तावन्योन्यम् विनिर्दह्य पेततुर्धरणीतले ॥ 71.89 ॥

tāvanyonyam vinirdahya petaturdharaṇītale || 71.89 ||

Consuming one another, they both fell down upon the earth,

Shloka 90 (yuddha.71.90)

निरर्चिषौ भस्मकृतौ न भ्राजेते शरोत्तमौ । तावुभरु दीप्यमानौ स्म न भ्राजेते महीतले ॥ 71.90 ॥

nirarciṣau bhasmakṛtau na bhrājete śarottamau | tāvubharu dīpyamānau sma na bhrājete mahītale || 71.90 ||

those two splendid arrows, now flameless and reduced to ash, no longer shone; though they had blazed before, they gleamed no more upon the ground.

Shloka 91 (yuddha.71.91)

ततोऽतिकायः सङ्क्रुद्धस्त्वस्त्रमैषीकमुत्सृजत् । तत्प्रचिच्छेद सौमित्रिरस्त्रमैन्द्रेण वीर्यवान् ॥ 71.91 ॥

tato'tikāyaḥ saṅkruddhastvastramaiṣīkamutsṛjat | tatpraciccheda saumitrirastramaindreṇa vīryavān || 71.91 ||

Then the enraged Atikaya loosed the Aishika missile; the valiant Lakshmana cut it down with the missile of Indra.

Shloka 92 (yuddha.71.92)

ऐषीकं निहतम् दृष्ट्वा कुमारो रावणात्मजः । याम्येनास्त्रेण सङ्क्रुद्धो योजयामास सायकम् ॥ 71.92 ॥

aiṣīkaṃ nihatam dṛṣṭvā kumāro rāvaṇātmajaḥ | yāmyenāstreṇa saṅkruddho yojayāmāsa sāyakam || 71.92 ||

Seeing the Aishika struck down, the young son of Ravana, enraged, charged an arrow with the missile of Yama.

Shloka 93 (yuddha.71.93)

ततस्तदस्त्रम् चिक्षेप लक्ष्मणाय निशाचरः । वायव्येन तदस्त्रम् तु निजघान स लक्ष्मणः ॥ 71.93 ॥

tatastadastram cikṣepa lakṣmaṇāya niśācaraḥ | vāyavyena tadastram tu nijaghāna sa lakṣmaṇaḥ || 71.93 ||

Then the night-ranger hurled that missile at Lakshmana; but Lakshmana struck it down with the missile of Vayu.

Shloka 94 (yuddha.71.94)

अथैनम् शरधाराभिर्धाराभिरिव तोयदः । अभ्यवर्षत सङ्क्रुद्धो लक्ष्मणो रावणात्मजम् ॥ 71.94 ॥

athainam śaradhārābhirdhārābhiriva toyadaḥ | abhyavarṣata saṅkruddho lakṣmaṇo rāvaṇātmajam || 71.94 ||

Then the enraged Lakshmana rained down streams of arrows upon Ravana's son, as a cloud rains down streams of water.

Shloka 95 (yuddha.71.95)

तेऽतिकायम् समासाद्य कवचे वज्रभूषिते । भग्नाग्रशल्याः सहसा पेतुर्बाणा महीतले ॥ 71.95 ॥

te'tikāyam samāsādya kavace vajrabhūṣite | bhagnāgraśalyāḥ sahasā peturbāṇā mahītale || 71.95 ||

Those arrows, reaching Atikaya, shattered their points on his diamond-studded armour and fell at once to the ground.

Shloka 96 (yuddha.71.96)

तान्मोघानभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा । अभ्यवर्षत बाणानाम् सहस्रेण महायशाः ॥ 71.96 ॥

tānmoghānabhisamprekṣya lakṣmaṇaḥ paravīrahā | abhyavarṣata bāṇānām sahasreṇa mahāyaśāḥ || 71.96 ||

Seeing those arrows go in vain, Lakshmana, the slayer of enemy heroes, of great renown, rained down a thousand arrows more.

Shloka 97 (yuddha.71.97)

स वर्ष्यमाणो बाणौघैरतिकायो महाबलः । अवध्यकवचः सङ्ख्ये राक्षसो नैव विव्यथे ॥ 71.97 ॥

sa varṣyamāṇo bāṇaughairatikāyo mahābalaḥ | avadhyakavacaḥ saṅkhye rākṣaso naiva vivyathe || 71.97 ||

Though deluged by that flood of arrows, the mighty Atikaya, his armour invulnerable, was not distressed in that battle.

Shloka 98 (yuddha.71.98)

शरं चाशीविषाकारं लक्ष्मणाय व्यपासृजत् । स तेन विद्धः सौमित्रिर्मर्मदेशे शरेण ह ॥ मुहूर्तमात्रं निःसंज्ञो ह्यभवच्छत्रुतापनः ॥ 71.98 ॥

śaraṃ cāśīviṣākāraṃ lakṣmaṇāya vyapāsṛjat | sa tena viddhaḥ saumitrirmarmadeśe śareṇa ha || muhūrtamātraṃ niḥsaṃjño hyabhavacchatrutāpanaḥ || 71.98 ||

He loosed at Lakshmana an arrow shaped like a venomous serpent; struck by that arrow in a vital spot, Lakshmana, the tormentor of his foes, lost consciousness for a moment.

Shloka 99 (yuddha.71.99)

ततः सम्ज्ञामुपालभ्य चतुर्भिः सायकोत्तमैः ॥ 71.99 ॥

tataḥ samjñāmupālabhya caturbhiḥ sāyakottamaiḥ || 71.99 ||

Then, regaining consciousness, with four excellent arrows

Shloka 100 (yuddha.71.100)

निजघान हयान् संख्ये सारथिम् च महाबलः । ध्वजस्योन्मथनम् कृत्वा शरवर्षै ररिंदमः ॥ 71.100 ॥

nijaghāna hayān saṃkhye sārathim ca mahābalaḥ | dhvajasyonmathanam kṛtvā śaravarṣai rariṃdamaḥ || 71.100 ||

the mighty tamer of foes struck down the horses and the charioteer in that battle, and with a shower of arrows tore down the standard.

Shloka 101 (yuddha.71.101)

असंभ्रान्तः स सौमित्रिस्तान् शरानभिलक्षितान् । मुमोच लक्ष्मणो बाणान् वधार्थं तस्य रक्षसः ॥ 71.101 ॥

asaṃbhrāntaḥ sa saumitristān śarānabhilakṣitān | mumoca lakṣmaṇo bāṇān vadhārthaṃ tasya rakṣasaḥ || 71.101 ||

Undismayed, that son of Sumitra, Lakshmana, released well-aimed arrows for the purpose of slaying that rakshasa.

Shloka 102 (yuddha.71.102)

न शशाक रुजम् कर्तुम् युधि तस्य नरोत्तमः । अथैनमभ्युपागम्य वायुर्वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥ 71.102 ॥

na śaśāka rujam kartum yudhi tasya narottamaḥ | athainamabhyupāgamya vāyurvākyamuvāca ha || 71.102 ||

Yet that foremost of men could not inflict injury on him in battle. Then the wind-god approached him and spoke these words:

Shloka 103 (yuddha.71.103)

ब्रह्मदत्तवरो ह्येष अवध्य कवचावृतः । ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेण भिन्ध्येनमेष वध्यो हि नान्यथा ॥ अवध्य एष ह्यन्येषामस्त्राणाम् कवची बली ॥ 71.103 ॥

brahmadattavaro hyeṣa avadhya kavacāvṛtaḥ | brāhmeṇāstreṇa bhindhyenameṣa vadhyo hi nānyathā || avadhya eṣa hyanyeṣāmastrāṇām kavacī balī || 71.103 ||

'This one has received a boon from Brahma and is clad in invulnerable armour. Pierce him with the missile of Brahma — only thus can he be slain. Strong and armoured as he is, he cannot be killed by any other weapon.'

Shloka 104 (yuddha.71.104)

ततः स वायोर्वचनं निशम्य । सौमित्रिरिन्द्रप्रतिमानवीर्यः । समाददे बाणममोघवेगं । तद्ब्राह्ममस्त्रम् सहसा नियोज्य ॥ 71.104 ॥

tataḥ sa vāyorvacanaṃ niśamya | saumitririndrapratimānavīryaḥ | samādade bāṇamamoghavegaṃ | tadbrāhmamastram sahasā niyojya || 71.104 ||

Then, hearing the wind-god's words, Lakshmana, whose valour rivalled Indra's, took up an arrow of unfailing force, and swiftly charged it with the missile of Brahma.

Shloka 105 (yuddha.71.105)

तस्मिन्वरास्त्रे तु नियुज्यमाने । सौमित्रिणा बाणवरे शिताग्रे । दिशः सचन्द्रार्कमहाग्रहाश् च । नभश्च तत्रास ररास चोर्वी ॥ 71.105 ॥

tasminvarāstre tu niyujyamāne | saumitriṇā bāṇavare śitāgre | diśaḥ sacandrārkamahāgrahāś ca | nabhaśca tatrāsa rarāsa corvī || 71.105 ||

As Lakshmana charged that excellent sharp-pointed arrow with that supreme missile, the quarters, the moon and sun and great planets, and the sky itself trembled, and the earth resounded.

Shloka 106 (yuddha.71.106)

तं ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण नियुज्य चापे । शरम् सुपुङ्खं यमदूतकल्पम् । सौमित्रिरिन्द्रारिसुतस्य तस्य । ससर्ज बाणम् युधि वज्रकल्पम् ॥ 71.106 ॥

taṃ brahmaṇo'streṇa niyujya cāpe | śaram supuṅkhaṃ yamadūtakalpam | saumitririndrārisutasya tasya | sasarja bāṇam yudhi vajrakalpam || 71.106 ||

Charging on his bow that fair-feathered arrow, like a messenger of Yama, with the missile of Brahma, Lakshmana loosed at the son of Indra's foe that arrow, thunderbolt-like, in battle.

Shloka 107 (yuddha.71.107)

तम् लक्ष्मणोत्सृष्टममोघवेगं । समापतन्तम् ज्वलनप्रकाशम् । सुवर्णवज्रोत्तमचित्रपुङ्खं । तदातिकायः समरे ददर्श ॥ 71.107 ॥

tam lakṣmaṇotsṛṣṭamamoghavegaṃ | samāpatantam jvalanaprakāśam | suvarṇavajrottamacitrapuṅkhaṃ | tadātikāyaḥ samare dadarśa || 71.107 ||

Then Atikaya saw, in that battle, that arrow released by Lakshmana, of unfailing force, blazing like fire, coming toward him, with wondrous shafts of gold and diamond.

Shloka 108 (yuddha.71.108)

तं प्रेक्षमाणः सहसातिकायो । जघान बाणैर्निशितैरनेकैः । स सायकस्तस्य सुपर्णवेगस् । तदातिवेगेन जगाम पार्श्वम् ॥ 71.108 ॥

taṃ prekṣamāṇaḥ sahasātikāyo | jaghāna bāṇairniśitairanekaiḥ | sa sāyakastasya suparṇavegas | tadātivegena jagāma pārśvam || 71.108 ||

Seeing it, Atikaya at once struck at it with many sharp arrows; but that shaft, swift as Garuda, sped on past him with even greater speed.

Shloka 109 (yuddha.71.109)

तमागतं प्रेक्ष्य तदातिकायो बाणं प्रदीप्तान्तककालकल्पम् । जघान शक्त्यृष्टिगदाकुठारैः शूलैर्हलैश्चाप्यविपन्नचेष्टः ॥ 71.109 ॥

tamāgataṃ prekṣya tadātikāyo bāṇaṃ pradīptāntakakālakalpam | jaghāna śaktyṛṣṭigadākuṭhāraiḥ śūlairhalaiścāpyavipannaceṣṭaḥ || 71.109 ||

Seeing that arrow approaching, blazing like death at the world's end, Atikaya, undaunted, struck at it with spear, lance, mace, axe, trident and plough-blade.

Shloka 110 (yuddha.71.110)

तान्यायुधान्यद्भुतविग्रहाणि । मोघानि कृत्वा स शरोऽग्निदीप्तः । प्रसह्य तस्यैव किरीटजुष्टं । तदातिकायस्य शिरो जहार ॥ 71.110 ॥

tānyāyudhānyadbhutavigrahāṇi | moghāni kṛtvā sa śaro'gnidīptaḥ | prasahya tasyaiva kirīṭajuṣṭaṃ | tadātikāyasya śiro jahāra || 71.110 ||

Rendering all those weapons of wondrous form useless, that arrow, blazing like fire, forcibly carried away the crowned head of Atikaya.

Shloka 111 (yuddha.71.111)

तच्छिरः सशिरस्त्राणम् लक्ष्मणेषुप्रपीडितम् । पपात सहसा भूमौ शृङ्गम् हिमवतो यथा ॥ 71.111 ॥

tacchiraḥ saśirastrāṇam lakṣmaṇeṣuprapīḍitam | papāta sahasā bhūmau śṛṅgam himavato yathā || 71.111 ||

That head, with its helmet, struck down by Lakshmana's arrow, fell suddenly to the ground, like a peak of the Himalaya.

Shloka 112 (yuddha.71.112)

तं भूमौ पतितं दृष्ट्वा विक्षिप्ताम्बरभूषणम् । बभूवुर्व्यथिताः सर्वे हरशेषा निशाचराः ॥ 71.112 ॥

taṃ bhūmau patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā vikṣiptāmbarabhūṣaṇam | babhūvurvyathitāḥ sarve haraśeṣā niśācarāḥ || 71.112 ||

Seeing him fallen to the ground, his garments and ornaments scattered, all the surviving night-rangers were struck with anguish.

Shloka 113 (yuddha.71.113)

ते विषण्णमुखा दीनाः प्रहारजनितश्रमाः । विनेदुरुच्चैर्बहवः सहसा विस्वरैः स्वरैः ॥ 71.113 ॥

te viṣaṇṇamukhā dīnāḥ prahārajanitaśramāḥ | vineduruccairbahavaḥ sahasā visvaraiḥ svaraiḥ || 71.113 ||

Downcast of face, wretched, worn out from the fighting, many of them suddenly cried out loudly with discordant voices.

Shloka 114 (yuddha.71.114)

ततस्तत्परितो याता निरपेक्षा निशाचराः । पुरीमभिमुखा भीता द्रवन्तो नायके हते ॥ 71.114 ॥

tatastatparito yātā nirapekṣā niśācarāḥ | purīmabhimukhā bhītā dravanto nāyake hate || 71.114 ||

Then, with their leader slain, the night-rangers, careless of everything, fled in fear on every side, running toward the city.

Shloka 115 (yuddha.71.115)

प्रहर्षयुक्ता बहवस्तु वानरा । प्रबुद्धपद्मप्रतिमाननास्तदा । अपूजयम्ल्लक्ष्मणमिष्टभागिनं । हते रिपौ भीमबले दुरासदे ॥ 71.115 ॥

praharṣayuktā bahavastu vānarā | prabuddhapadmapratimānanāstadā | apūjayamllakṣmaṇamiṣṭabhāginaṃ | hate ripau bhīmabale durāsade || 71.115 ||

Then many of the monkeys, filled with delight, their faces like blossoming lotuses, honoured Lakshmana, who had won his desire, now that the terrible and unassailable foe was slain.

Shloka 116 (yuddha.71.116)

अतिबल मतिकायमभ्रकल्पं । युधि विनिपात्य स लक्ष्मणः प्रहृष्टः । त्वरितमथ तदा स रामपार्श्वं । कपिनिवहैश्च सुपूजितो जगाम ॥ 71.116 ॥

atibala matikāyamabhrakalpaṃ | yudhi vinipātya sa lakṣmaṇaḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ | tvaritamatha tadā sa rāmapārśvaṃ | kapinivahaiśca supūjito jagāma || 71.116 ||

Having struck down in battle that exceedingly mighty Atikaya, huge as a storm-cloud, Lakshmana, filled with joy, then swiftly went to Rama's side, honoured all the way by the throngs of monkeys.