The Burning of Lanka and the Sending of Kumbha and Nikumbha

Shloka 1 (yuddha.75.1)

ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजाः सुग्रीवो वानरेश्वरः । अर्थ्यम् विज्ञापयंश्चापि हनूमन्तमिदं वचः ॥ 75.1 ॥

tato'bravīnmahātejāḥ sugrīvo vānareśvaraḥ | arthyam vijñāpayaṃścāpi hanūmantamidaṃ vacaḥ || 75.1 ||

Then Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, of great splendour, spoke this weighty counsel to Hanuman, informing him of what was needed:

Shloka 2 (yuddha.75.2)

यतो हतः कुम्भकर्णः कुमाराश्च निषूदिताः । नेदानीमुपनिर्हारम् रावनो दातुमर्हति ॥ 75.2 ॥

yato hataḥ kumbhakarṇaḥ kumārāśca niṣūditāḥ | nedānīmupanirhāram rāvano dātumarhati || 75.2 ||

'Since Kumbhakarna is slain and his sons destroyed, Ravana can no longer offer any defense.'

Shloka 3 (yuddha.75.3)

ये ये महाबलाः सन्ति लघवश्च प्लवंगमाः । लङ्कामभिपतन्त्वाशु गृह्योल्काः प्लवगर्षभाः ॥ हरयो हरिसंकाशाः प्रदग्धुम् रावणालयम् ॥ 75.3 ॥

ye ye mahābalāḥ santi laghavaśca plavaṃgamāḥ | laṅkāmabhipatantvāśu gṛhyolkāḥ plavagarṣabhāḥ || harayo harisaṃkāśāḥ pradagdhum rāvaṇālayam || 75.3 ||

'Let whatever monkeys are mighty and swift, let those bulls among monkeys, taking up torches, rush at once upon Lanka -- those monkeys, lion-like, to set Ravana's dwelling ablaze.'

Shloka 4 (yuddha.75.4)

ततोऽस्तं गत आदित्ये रौद्रे तस्मिन्निशामुखे ॥ लङ्कामभिमुखाः सोल्का जग्मुस्ते प्लवगर्षभाः ॥ 75.4 ॥

tato'staṃ gata āditye raudre tasminniśāmukhe || laṅkāmabhimukhāḥ solkā jagmuste plavagarṣabhāḥ || 75.4 ||

Then, when the sun had set, at that dread onset of night, those bulls among monkeys, torches in hand, went forth toward Lanka.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.75.5)

उल्काहस्तैर्हरिगणैः सर्वतः समभिद्रुताः ॥ आरक्षस्था विरूपाक्षाः सहसा विप्रदुद्रुवुः ॥ 75.5 ॥

ulkāhastairharigaṇaiḥ sarvataḥ samabhidrutāḥ || ārakṣasthā virūpākṣāḥ sahasā vipradudruvuḥ || 75.5 ||

Attacked on every side by the monkey-hosts with torches in hand, the misshapen-eyed demons stationed as guards fled at once.

Shloka 6 (yuddha.75.6)

गोपुराट्टप्रतोलीषु चर्यासु विविधासु च ॥ प्रासादेषु च संहृष्टाः ससृजुस्ते हुताशनम् ॥ 75.6 ॥

gopurāṭṭapratolīṣu caryāsu vividhāsu ca || prāsādeṣu ca saṃhṛṣṭāḥ sasṛjuste hutāśanam || 75.6 ||

Delighted, they set fire to the gate-towers and turrets, to the many thoroughfares, and to the palaces.

Shloka 7 (yuddha.75.7)

तेषां गृहसहस्राणि ददाह हुतभुक्तदा ॥ प्रासादाः पर्वताकाराः पतन्ति धरणीतले ॥ 75.7 ॥

teṣāṃ gṛhasahasrāṇi dadāha hutabhuktadā || prāsādāḥ parvatākārāḥ patanti dharaṇītale || 75.7 ||

Then the fire consumed thousands of their houses; mountain-sized mansions came crashing down upon the earth.

Shloka 8 (yuddha.75.8)

अगुरुर्दह्यते तत्र परं चैव सुचन्दनम् ॥ मौक्तिका मणयः स्निग्धा वज्रं चापि प्रवालकम् ॥ 75.8 ॥

agururdahyate tatra paraṃ caiva sucandanam || mauktikā maṇayaḥ snigdhā vajraṃ cāpi pravālakam || 75.8 ||

There aloe-wood burned, and precious sandalwood; pearls and lustrous gems, diamonds, and coral too.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.75.9)

क्षौमम् च दह्यते तत्र कौशेयं चापि शोभनम् ॥ आविकं विविधं चौर्णं काञ्चनं भाण्डमायुधम् ॥ 75.9 ॥

kṣaumam ca dahyate tatra kauśeyaṃ cāpi śobhanam || āvikaṃ vividhaṃ caurṇaṃ kāñcanaṃ bhāṇḍamāyudham || 75.9 ||

There linen burned, and beautiful silk as well; woollen goods of every kind, gold vessels, and weapons.

Shloka 10 (yuddha.75.10)

नानाविकृतसंस्थानम् वाजिभाण्डपरिच्छदम् ॥ गजग्रैवेयकक्ष्याश्च रथभाण्डाश्च संस्कृताः ॥ 75.10 ॥

nānāvikṛtasaṃsthānam vājibhāṇḍaparicchadam || gajagraiveyakakṣyāśca rathabhāṇḍāśca saṃskṛtāḥ || 75.10 ||

Trappings of horses, of varied and unusual design, the neck-chains and girths of elephants, and the fine fittings of chariots --

Shloka 11 (yuddha.75.11)

तनुत्राणि च योधानां हस्त्यश्वानाम् च चर्म च ॥ खड्गा धनूंषि ज्याबाणास्तोमराङ्कुशशक्तयः ॥ 75.11 ॥

tanutrāṇi ca yodhānāṃ hastyaśvānām ca carma ca || khaḍgā dhanūṃṣi jyābāṇāstomarāṅkuśaśaktayaḥ || 75.11 ||

the armour of the warriors, the hide-covering of elephants and horses, swords, bows, bowstrings, arrows, lances, goads, and spears --

Shloka 12 (yuddha.75.12)

रोमजं वालजं चर्म व्याघ्रजं चाण्डजं बहु ॥ 75.12 ॥

romajaṃ vālajaṃ carma vyāghrajaṃ cāṇḍajaṃ bahu || 75.12 ||

hair-woven goods, tail-hair rugs, tiger-skins, and countless things of feather --

Shloka 13 (yuddha.75.13)

मुक्तामणिविचित्रांश्च प्रासादांश्च समन्ततः । विविधानस्त्रसंघातानग्निर्दहति तत्र वै ॥ 75.13 ॥

muktāmaṇivicitrāṃśca prāsādāṃśca samantataḥ | vividhānastrasaṃghātānagnirdahati tatra vai || 75.13 ||

and, on every side, palaces wondrous with pearls and gems, and stores of every kind of weapon -- the fire consumed them all there.

Shloka 14 (yuddha.75.14)

नानाविधान् गृहांश्चित्रान् ददाह हुतभुक्तदा । आवासान् राक्षसानां च सर्वेषां गृहगृद्नुनाम् ॥ 75.14 ॥

nānāvidhān gṛhāṃścitrān dadāha hutabhuktadā | āvāsān rākṣasānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ gṛhagṛdnunām || 75.14 ||

Then the fire burned the many-coloured houses of every kind, the dwellings of all those rakshasas so attached to their homes,

Shloka 15 (yuddha.75.15)

हेमचित्रतनुत्राणाम् स्रग्भाण्डाम्बरधारिणाम् । सीधुपानचलाक्षाणां मदविह्वलगामिनाम् ॥ 75.15 ॥

hemacitratanutrāṇām sragbhāṇḍāmbaradhāriṇām | sīdhupānacalākṣāṇāṃ madavihvalagāminām || 75.15 ||

of those clad in gold-worked armour, wearing garlands, ornaments and fine robes, their eyes rolling from drinking wine, their gait unsteady with intoxication,

Shloka 16 (yuddha.75.16)

कान्तालम्बितवस्त्राणाम् शत्रुसंजातमन्युनाम् । गदाशूलासिहस्तानां खादतां पिबतामपि ॥ 75.16 ॥

kāntālambitavastrāṇām śatrusaṃjātamanyunām | gadāśūlāsihastānāṃ khādatāṃ pibatāmapi || 75.16 ||

of those with their fine garments hanging loose, still burning with anger at their foes, maces and tridents and swords in hand, of those still eating and drinking,

Shloka 17 (yuddha.75.17)

शयनेषु महार्हेषु प्रसुप्तानां प्रियैः सह । त्रस्तानां गच्छतां तूर्णम् पुत्रानादाय सर्वतः ॥ 75.17 ॥

śayaneṣu mahārheṣu prasuptānāṃ priyaiḥ saha | trastānāṃ gacchatāṃ tūrṇam putrānādāya sarvataḥ || 75.17 ||

of those asleep with their beloveds upon costly beds, of those, terrified, hurrying away from every side, snatching up their children --

Shloka 18 (yuddha.75.18)

तेषां शतसहस्राणि तदा लङ्कानिवासिनाम् । अदहत्पावकस्तत्र जज्वाल च पुनः पुनः ॥ 75.18 ॥

teṣāṃ śatasahasrāṇi tadā laṅkānivāsinām | adahatpāvakastatra jajvāla ca punaḥ punaḥ || 75.18 ||

hundreds and thousands of those dwellers of Lanka the fire then burned, and it blazed up there again and again.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.75.19)

सारवन्ति महार्हाणि गम्भीरगुणवन्ति च । हेमचन्द्रार्धचन्द्राणि चन्द्रशालोत्तमानि च ॥ 75.19 ॥

sāravanti mahārhāṇi gambhīraguṇavanti ca | hemacandrārdhacandrāṇi candraśālottamāni ca || 75.19 ||

Sturdy mansions, of great worth, of deep-set excellence, adorned with golden crescents and full-moon shapes, their finest upper chambers --

Shloka 20 (yuddha.75.20)

तत्र चित्रगवाक्षाणि साधिष्टानानि सर्वशः । मणिविद्रुमचित्रानि स्पृशन्तीव दिवाकरम् ॥ 75.20 ॥

tatra citragavākṣāṇi sādhiṣṭānāni sarvaśaḥ | maṇividrumacitrāni spṛśantīva divākaram || 75.20 ||

with their beautiful lattice-windows everywhere, on their fine foundations, adorned with gems and coral, seeming almost to touch the sun --

Shloka 21 (yuddha.75.21)

क्रौञ्चबर्हिणानां भूषणानां च निःस्वनैः । नादितान्यचलाभानि वेश्मान्यग्निर्ददाह ह ॥ 75.21 ॥

krauñcabarhiṇānāṃ bhūṣaṇānāṃ ca niḥsvanaiḥ | nāditānyacalābhāni veśmānyagnirdadāha ha || 75.21 ||

those mountain-like dwellings, resounding with the cries of curlews and peacocks and with the tinkling of ornaments -- the fire burned them all.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.75.22)

ज्वलनेन परीतानि तोरणानि चकाशिरे । विद्युद्भिरिव नद्धानि मेघजालानि घर्मगे ॥ 75.22 ॥

jvalanena parītāni toraṇāni cakāśire | vidyudbhiriva naddhāni meghajālāni gharmage || 75.22 ||

The gateways, engulfed in flame, shone like clouds bound about with lightning at the height of summer.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.75.23)

ज्वलनेन परीतानि गृहाणि प्रचकाशिरे । दावाग्निदीप्तानि यथा शिखराणि महागिरेः ॥ 75.23 ॥

jvalanena parītāni gṛhāṇi pracakāśire | dāvāgnidīptāni yathā śikharāṇi mahāgireḥ || 75.23 ||

The houses, wrapped in flame, blazed forth like the peaks of a great mountain lit by a forest fire.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.75.24)

विमानेषु प्रसुप्ताश्च दह्यमाना वराङ्गनाः । त्यक्ताभरणसर्वाङ्ग हा हेत्युच्चैर्विचुक्रुशुः ॥ 75.24 ॥

vimāneṣu prasuptāśca dahyamānā varāṅganāḥ | tyaktābharaṇasarvāṅga hā hetyuccairvicukruśuḥ || 75.24 ||

Lovely women, asleep in their high mansions, now burning, their ornaments and every limb abandoned to the flame, cried out aloud, 'Ah! Alas!'

Shloka 25 (yuddha.75.25)

तत्र चाग्निपरीतानि निपेतुर्भवनान्यपि । वज्रिवज्रहतानीव शिखराणि महागिरेः ॥ 75.25 ॥

tatra cāgniparītāni nipeturbhavanānyapi | vajrivajrahatānīva śikharāṇi mahāgireḥ || 75.25 ||

And there too the mansions, wrapped in fire, came crashing down, like the peaks of a great mountain struck by Indra's thunderbolt.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.75.26)

तानि निर्दह्यमानानि दूरतः प्रचकाशिरे । हिमवच्छिखराणीव दह्यमानानि सर्वशः ॥ 75.26 ॥

tāni nirdahyamānāni dūrataḥ pracakāśire | himavacchikharāṇīva dahyamānāni sarvaśaḥ || 75.26 ||

Those buildings, as they burned, shone from afar, like the peaks of the Himalaya ablaze on every side.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.75.27)

हर्म्याग्रैर्दह्यमानैश्च ज्वालाप्रज्वलितैरपि । रात्रौ सा दृश्यते लङ्का पुष्पितैरिव किंशुकैः ॥ 75.27 ॥

harmyāgrairdahyamānaiśca jvālāprajvalitairapi | rātrau sā dṛśyate laṅkā puṣpitairiva kiṃśukaiḥ || 75.27 ||

With its mansion-tops burning, ablaze with flame, Lanka that night appeared as though covered with Kimshuka trees in full bloom.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.75.28)

हस्त्यध्यक्षैर्गजैर्मुकैर्मुकैश्च तुरगैरपि । बभूव लङ्का लोकान्ते भ्रान्तग्राह इवार्णवः ॥ 75.28 ॥

hastyadhyakṣairgajairmukairmukaiśca turagairapi | babhūva laṅkā lokānte bhrāntagrāha ivārṇavaḥ || 75.28 ||

With elephants let loose by their keepers and horses set free as well, Lanka became like an ocean, at the end of the world, with crocodiles roaming wild.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.75.29)

अश्वं मुक्तं गजो दृष्ट्वा क्वचिद्भीतोऽपसर्पति । भीतो भीतं गजं दृष्ट्वा क्वचिदश्वो निवर्तते ॥ 75.29 ॥

aśvaṃ muktaṃ gajo dṛṣṭvā kvacidbhīto'pasarpati | bhīto bhītaṃ gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā kvacidaśvo nivartate || 75.29 ||

Here, an elephant, seeing a loosed horse, drew back in fear; there, a frightened horse, seeing a frightened elephant, turned and fled.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.75.30)

लङ्कायाम् दह्यमानायाम् शुशुभे च महोदधिः । चायासंसक्तसलिलो लोहितोद इवार्णवः ॥ 75.30 ॥

laṅkāyām dahyamānāyām śuśubhe ca mahodadhiḥ | cāyāsaṃsaktasalilo lohitoda ivārṇavaḥ || 75.30 ||

As Lanka burned, the great ocean too took on splendour, its waters, tinged with that glow, appearing like a sea of blood.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.75.31)

सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन हरिभिर्दीपिता पुरी । लोकस्यास्य क्षये घोरे प्रदीप्तेव वसुंधरा ॥ 75.31 ॥

sā babhūva muhūrtena haribhirdīpitā purī | lokasyāsya kṣaye ghore pradīpteva vasuṃdharā || 75.31 ||

That city, set ablaze by the monkeys, became within a moment like the earth itself ablaze at the dread dissolution of this world.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.75.32)

नारीजनस्य धूमेन व्याप्तस्योच्चैर्विनेदुषः । स्वनो ज्वलनतप्तस्य शुश्रुवे शतयोजनम् ॥ 75.32 ॥

nārījanasya dhūmena vyāptasyoccairvineduṣaḥ | svano jvalanataptasya śuśruve śatayojanam || 75.32 ||

The clamour of the women, wrapped in smoke, scorched by the flame, crying out loudly, was heard a hundred leagues away.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.75.33)

प्रदग्धकायानपरान् राक्षसान्निर्गतान् बहिः । सहसा ह्युत्पतन्ति स्म हरयोऽथ युयुत्सवः ॥ 75.33 ॥

pradagdhakāyānaparān rākṣasānnirgatān bahiḥ | sahasā hyutpatanti sma harayo'tha yuyutsavaḥ || 75.33 ||

Then the monkeys, eager for battle, fell suddenly upon the other rakshasas, their bodies scorched, who had rushed outside.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.75.34)

उद्घुष्टं वानराणां च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनः । दिशो दश समुद्रं च पृथिवीम् च व्यनादयत् ॥ 75.34 ॥

udghuṣṭaṃ vānarāṇāṃ ca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanaḥ | diśo daśa samudraṃ ca pṛthivīm ca vyanādayat || 75.34 ||

The roar of the monkeys and the outcry of the rakshasas resounded through the ten directions, the ocean, and the earth.

Shloka 35 (yuddha.75.35)

विशल्यौ च महात्मानौ तावुभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ । असम्भ्रान्तौ जगृहतुस्ते उभे धनुषी वरे ॥ 75.35 ॥

viśalyau ca mahātmānau tāvubhau rāmalakṣmaṇau | asambhrāntau jagṛhatuste ubhe dhanuṣī vare || 75.35 ||

Then those two noble ones, Rama and Lakshmana, healed of their wounds and unshaken, took up their two excellent bows.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.75.36)

ततो विस्फारयामास रामश्च धनुरुत्तमम् । बभूव तुमुलः शब्दो राक्षसानाम् भयावहः ॥ 75.36 ॥

tato visphārayāmāsa rāmaśca dhanuruttamam | babhūva tumulaḥ śabdo rākṣasānām bhayāvahaḥ || 75.36 ||

Then Rama drew his excellent bow, and there arose a tumultuous sound, striking terror into the rakshasas.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.75.37)

अशोभत तदा रामो धनुर्विस्फारयन् महत् । भगवानिव सम्क्रुद्धो भवो वेदमयं धनुः ॥ 75.37 ॥

aśobhata tadā rāmo dhanurvisphārayan mahat | bhagavāniva samkruddho bhavo vedamayaṃ dhanuḥ || 75.37 ||

Then Rama, drawing that great bow, shone as splendidly as the enraged Lord Shiva drawing his bow woven of the Vedas.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.75.38)

उद्गुष्टं वानराणां च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनम् । ज्याशब्दस्तावुभौ शब्दावति रामस्य शुश्रुवे ॥ 75.38 ॥

udguṣṭaṃ vānarāṇāṃ ca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanam | jyāśabdastāvubhau śabdāvati rāmasya śuśruve || 75.38 ||

The twang of Rama's bowstring was heard rising above both those sounds -- the shout of the monkeys and the outcry of the rakshasas.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.75.39)

वानरोद्घुष्टशब्दश्च राक्षसानां च निःस्वनः । ज्याशब्दश्चापि रामस्य त्रयं व्याप दिशो दसः ॥ 75.39 ॥

vānarodghuṣṭaśabdaśca rākṣasānāṃ ca niḥsvanaḥ | jyāśabdaścāpi rāmasya trayaṃ vyāpa diśo dasaḥ || 75.39 ||

The raised shout of the monkeys, the outcry of the rakshasas, and the twang of Rama's bowstring -- these three sounds together pervaded the ten directions.

Shloka 40 (yuddha.75.40)

तस्य कार्मुकनिर्मुक्तैः शरैस्तत्पुरगोपुरम् । कैलासशृङ्गप्रतिमं विशीर्णमपतद्भुवि ॥ 75.40 ॥

tasya kārmukanirmuktaiḥ śaraistatpuragopuram | kailāsaśṛṅgapratimaṃ viśīrṇamapatadbhuvi || 75.40 ||

By the arrows loosed from his bow, that city's gate-tower, like a peak of Kailasa, was shattered and fell to the ground.

Shloka 41 (yuddha.75.41)

ततो रामशरान् दृष्ट्वा विमानेषु गृहेषु च । संनाहो राक्षसेन्द्राणां तुमुलः समपद्यत ॥ 75.41 ॥

tato rāmaśarān dṛṣṭvā vimāneṣu gṛheṣu ca | saṃnāho rākṣasendrāṇāṃ tumulaḥ samapadyata || 75.41 ||

Then, seeing Rama's arrows falling upon the mansions and houses, there arose a tumultuous arming among the lords of the rakshasas.

Shloka 42 (yuddha.75.42)

तेषां सम्नह्यमानानाम् सिम्हनादं च कुर्वताम् । शर्वरी राक्षसेन्द्राणाम् द्रौद्रीव समपद्यत ॥ 75.42 ॥

teṣāṃ samnahyamānānām simhanādaṃ ca kurvatām | śarvarī rākṣasendrāṇām draudrīva samapadyata || 75.42 ||

As they armed themselves, roaring like lions, that night became, for the lords of the rakshasas, like the terrible night of Rudra himself.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.75.43)

आदिष्टा वानरेन्द्रास्ते सुग्रीवेण महात्मना । असन्नम् द्वारमासाद्य युध्यध्वं च प्लवंगमाः ॥ 75.43 ॥

ādiṣṭā vānarendrāste sugrīveṇa mahātmanā | asannam dvāramāsādya yudhyadhvaṃ ca plavaṃgamāḥ || 75.43 ||

Commanded by the noble Sugriva, those monkey-chiefs were told: 'Approach the nearest gate, O monkeys, and fight there.'

Shloka 44 (yuddha.75.44)

यश्च वो वितथं कुर्यात्तत्र तत्राप्युपस्थितः । स हन्तव्योऽभिसम्प्लुत्य राजशासनदूषकः ॥ 75.44 ॥

yaśca vo vitathaṃ kuryāttatra tatrāpyupasthitaḥ | sa hantavyo'bhisamplutya rājaśāsanadūṣakaḥ || 75.44 ||

'And whoever among you shall fail, though present there, that violator of the king's command must be seized and slain.'

Shloka 45 (yuddha.75.45)

तेषु वानरमुख्येषु दीप्तोल्कोज्ज्वलपाणिषु । स्थितेषु द्वारमाश्रित्य रावणं क्रोध आविशत् ॥ 75.45 ॥

teṣu vānaramukhyeṣu dīptolkojjvalapāṇiṣu | sthiteṣu dvāramāśritya rāvaṇaṃ krodha āviśat || 75.45 ||

Seeing those chief monkeys stationed at the gate, blazing torches ablaze in their hands, wrath overcame Ravana.

Shloka 46 (yuddha.75.46)

तस्य जृम्भितविक्षेपाद्व्यामिश्रा वै दिशो दश । रूपवानिव रुद्रस्य मन्युर्गात्रेष्वदृश्यत ॥ 75.46 ॥

tasya jṛmbhitavikṣepādvyāmiśrā vai diśo daśa | rūpavāniva rudrasya manyurgātreṣvadṛśyata || 75.46 ||

From the violent stretching of his limbs the ten directions grew confused; upon his body appeared, as it were, the very form of Rudra's wrath.

Shloka 47 (yuddha.75.47)

स कुम्भं च निकुम्भं च कुम्भकर्णात्मजावुभौ । प्रेषयामास संक्रुद्धो राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सह ॥ 75.47 ॥

sa kumbhaṃ ca nikumbhaṃ ca kumbhakarṇātmajāvubhau | preṣayāmāsa saṃkruddho rākṣasairbahubhiḥ saha || 75.47 ||

Enraged, he sent forth both Kumbha and Nikumbha, the two sons of Kumbhakarna, together with many rakshasas.

Shloka 48 (yuddha.75.48)

यूपाक्षः शोणिताक्षश्च प्रजङ्घः कम्पनस्तथा । निर्ययुः कौम्भकर्णिभ्यां सह रावणशासनात् ॥ 75.48 ॥

yūpākṣaḥ śoṇitākṣaśca prajaṅghaḥ kampanastathā | niryayuḥ kaumbhakarṇibhyāṃ saha rāvaṇaśāsanāt || 75.48 ||

Yupaksha and Shonitaksha, Prajangha and Kampana too, went forth together with the two sons of Kumbhakarna, at Ravana's command.

Shloka 49 (yuddha.75.49)

शशास चैव तान् सर्वान् राक्षसान् स महाबलान् । राक्षसा गच्छताद्यैव सिम्हनादं च नादयन् ॥ 75.49 ॥

śaśāsa caiva tān sarvān rākṣasān sa mahābalān | rākṣasā gacchatādyaiva simhanādaṃ ca nādayan || 75.49 ||

And he commanded all those mighty rakshasas: 'Go now, O rakshasas,' roaring a lion's roar as he spoke.

Shloka 50 (yuddha.75.50)

ततस्तु चोदितास्तेन राक्षसा ज्वलितायुधाः । लङ्काया निर्ययूर्वीराः प्रणदन्तः पुनः पुनः ॥ 75.50 ॥

tatastu coditāstena rākṣasā jvalitāyudhāḥ | laṅkāyā niryayūrvīrāḥ praṇadantaḥ punaḥ punaḥ || 75.50 ||

Then, urged on by him, those valiant rakshasas, their weapons ablaze, marched out from Lanka, roaring again and again.

Shloka 51 (yuddha.75.51)

रक्षसां भूषणस्थाभिर्भाभिः स्वाभिश्च सर्वशः । चक्रुस्ते सप्रभं व्योम हरयश्चाग्निभिः सह ॥ 75.51 ॥

rakṣasāṃ bhūṣaṇasthābhirbhābhiḥ svābhiśca sarvaśaḥ | cakruste saprabhaṃ vyoma harayaścāgnibhiḥ saha || 75.51 ||

With the glow of the rakshasas' own ornaments shining on every side, and with the fires of the monkeys, the sky was made radiant.

Shloka 52 (yuddha.75.52)

तत्र ताराधिपस्याभा ताराणाम् भा तथैव च । तयोराभरणाभा च ज्वलिता द्यामभासयत् ॥ 75.52 ॥

tatra tārādhipasyābhā tārāṇām bhā tathaiva ca | tayorābharaṇābhā ca jvalitā dyāmabhāsayat || 75.52 ||

There the radiance of the moon, the light of the stars, and the blazing splendour of the ornaments of both armies together lit up the sky.

Shloka 53 (yuddha.75.53)

चन्द्राभा भूषणाभा च ग्रहाणाम् ज्वलिता च भा । हरिराक्षससैन्यानि भ्राजयामास सर्वतः ॥ 75.53 ॥

candrābhā bhūṣaṇābhā ca grahāṇām jvalitā ca bhā | harirākṣasasainyāni bhrājayāmāsa sarvataḥ || 75.53 ||

The moon's radiance, the glow of ornaments, and the blazing light of the planets made the armies of monkeys and rakshasas gleam on every side.

Shloka 54 (yuddha.75.54)

तत्र चार्धप्रदीप्तानां गृहाणाम् सागरः पुनः । भाभिः संसक्तसलिलश्चलोर्मिः शुशुभेऽधिकम् ॥ 75.54 ॥

tatra cārdhapradīptānāṃ gṛhāṇām sāgaraḥ punaḥ | bhābhiḥ saṃsaktasalilaścalormiḥ śuśubhe'dhikam || 75.54 ||

There too the ocean, its rippling waters caught up in the glow of the half-burning houses, shone all the more.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.75.55)

पताकाध्वजसम्युक्तमुत्तमासिपरश्वधम् । भीमाश्वरथमातङ्गं नानापत्तिसमाकुलम् ॥ 75.55 ॥

patākādhvajasamyuktamuttamāsiparaśvadham | bhīmāśvarathamātaṅgaṃ nānāpattisamākulam || 75.55 ||

Adorned with flags and banners, armed with fine swords and axes, thronged with fearsome horses, chariots and elephants, crowded with foot-soldiers of every kind,

Shloka 56 (yuddha.75.56)

दीप्तशूलगदाखड्गप्रासतोमरकार्मुकम् । तद्राक्षसं बलं भीमम् घोरविक्रमपौरुषम् ॥ 75.56 ॥

dīptaśūlagadākhaḍgaprāsatomarakārmukam | tadrākṣasaṃ balaṃ bhīmam ghoravikramapauruṣam || 75.56 ||

gleaming with tridents, maces, swords, lances, spears and bows -- that fearsome army of rakshasas, terrible in its valour and prowess,

Shloka 57 (yuddha.75.57)

ददृशे ज्वलितप्रसं किङ्किणीशतनादितम् । हेमजालाचितभुजं व्यावेष्टितपरश्वधम् ॥ 75.57 ॥

dadṛśe jvalitaprasaṃ kiṅkiṇīśatanāditam | hemajālācitabhujaṃ vyāveṣṭitaparaśvadham || 75.57 ||

appeared blazing bright, ringing with hundreds of little bells, its arms thick with golden chains, its axes bound fast about,

Shloka 58 (yuddha.75.58)

व्याघूर्णितमहाशस्त्रं बाणसंयुक्तकार्मुकम् । गन्धमाल्यमधूत्सेकसंमोदितमहानिलम् ॥ 75.58 ॥

vyāghūrṇitamahāśastraṃ bāṇasaṃyuktakārmukam | gandhamālyamadhūtsekasaṃmoditamahānilam || 75.58 ||

its great weapons brandished about, its bows fitted with arrows, the mighty wind about it rich with the scent of perfumes, garlands and honey.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.75.59)

घोरं शूरजनाकीर्णम् महाम्बुधरनिःस्वनम् । तद्दृष्ट्वा बलमायातं राक्षसानां दुरासदम् ॥ संचचाल प्लवंगानां बलमुच्चैर्ननाद च ॥ 75.59 ॥

ghoraṃ śūrajanākīrṇam mahāmbudharaniḥsvanam | taddṛṣṭvā balamāyātaṃ rākṣasānāṃ durāsadam || saṃcacāla plavaṃgānāṃ balamuccairnanāda ca || 75.59 ||

Seeing that terrible, unassailable army of the rakshasas, crowded with valiant warriors, thundering like a great rain-cloud, arriving, the army of the monkeys stirred, and roared aloud.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.75.60)

जवेनाप्लुत्य च पुनस्तद्बलं रक्षसां महत् ॥ अभ्ययात्प्रत्यरिबलं पतम्गा इव पावकम् ॥ 75.60 ॥

javenāplutya ca punastadbalaṃ rakṣasāṃ mahat || abhyayātpratyaribalaṃ patamgā iva pāvakam || 75.60 ||

And that great army of the rakshasas, leaping forward with speed, rushed upon the opposing army, as moths rush upon a flame.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.75.61)

तेषां भुजपरामर्शव्यामृष्टपरिघाशनि ॥ राक्षसानां बलम् श्रेष्ठं भूयः परमशोभत ॥ 75.61 ॥

teṣāṃ bhujaparāmarśavyāmṛṣṭaparighāśani || rākṣasānāṃ balam śreṣṭhaṃ bhūyaḥ paramaśobhata || 75.61 ||

That excellent army of the rakshasas, its iron bars and missiles brandished and whirled by their arms, shone forth all the more.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.75.62)

तत्रोन्मत्ता इवोत्पेतुर्हरयोऽथ युयुत्सवः ॥ तरुशैलैरभिघ्नन्तो मुष्टिभिश्च निशाचरान् ॥ 75.62 ॥

tatronmattā ivotpeturharayo'tha yuyutsavaḥ || taruśailairabhighnanto muṣṭibhiśca niśācarān || 75.62 ||

Then the monkeys, eager for battle, leapt forward there as if maddened, striking the night-rangers with trees, rocks, and their fists.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.75.63)

तथैवापततां तेषां हरीणाम् निशितैः शरैः ॥ शिरांसि सहसा जह्रू राक्षसा भीमविक्रमाः ॥ 75.63 ॥

tathaivāpatatāṃ teṣāṃ harīṇām niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ || śirāṃsi sahasā jahrū rākṣasā bhīmavikramāḥ || 75.63 ||

Likewise, those rakshasas of fearsome prowess, with their sharp arrows, at once tore off the heads of the monkeys as they charged.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.75.64)

दशनैर्हतकर्णाश्च मुष्टिभिर्भिन्नमस्तकाः ॥ शिलाप्रहारभग्नाङ्ग विचेरुस्तत्र राक्षसाः ॥ 75.64 ॥

daśanairhatakarṇāśca muṣṭibhirbhinnamastakāḥ || śilāprahārabhagnāṅga vicerustatra rākṣasāḥ || 75.64 ||

Their ears bitten off by teeth, their heads cracked open by fists, their limbs broken by blows of stone, the rakshasas wandered about there.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.75.65)

तथैवाप्यपरे तेषां कपीनामसिभिः शितैः ॥ प्रवरानभितो जघ्नुर्घोररूपा निशाचराः ॥ 75.65 ॥

tathaivāpyapare teṣāṃ kapīnāmasibhiḥ śitaiḥ || pravarānabhito jaghnurghorarūpā niśācarāḥ || 75.65 ||

Likewise, other night-rangers of terrible aspect struck down the foremost of those monkeys on every side with their sharp swords.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.75.66)

घ्नन्तमन्यं जघानान्यः पातयन्तमपातयत् ॥ गर्हमाणम् जगर्हन्यो दशन्तमपरोऽदशत् ॥ 75.66 ॥

ghnantamanyaṃ jaghānānyaḥ pātayantamapātayat || garhamāṇam jagarhanyo daśantamaparo'daśat || 75.66 ||

One struck down another who was striking a third; one felled another who was felling yet another; one reviled another who was reviling; another bit one who was biting.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.75.67)

देहीत्यन्यो ददात्यन्यो ददामीत्यपरः पुनः ॥ किं क्लेशयसि तिष्ठेति तत्रान्योन्यम् बभाषिरे ॥ 75.67 ॥

dehītyanyo dadātyanyo dadāmītyaparaḥ punaḥ || kiṃ kleśayasi tiṣṭheti tatrānyonyam babhāṣire || 75.67 ||

One cried 'Give it here!', another 'I'm giving it', yet another 'I give it!' -- and they said to one another, 'Why do you struggle so? Stand still!'

Shloka 68 (yuddha.75.68)

विप्रलम्भित शस्त्रं च विमुक्तकवचायुधम् ॥ 75.68 ॥

vipralambhita śastraṃ ca vimuktakavacāyudham || 75.68 ||

weapons knocked from hand to hand, armour and arms flung loose,

Shloka 69 (yuddha.75.69)

समुद्यतमहाप्रासं यष्टिशूलासिंसम्कुलम् । प्रावर्त महा रौद्रं युद्धम् वानररक्षसाम् ॥ 75.69 ॥

samudyatamahāprāsaṃ yaṣṭiśūlāsiṃsamkulam | prāvarta mahā raudraṃ yuddham vānararakṣasām || 75.69 ||

great lances raised aloft, staves, tridents and swords all in confusion -- so raged that most terrible battle of monkeys and rakshasas.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.75.70)

वानरान् दश सप्तेति राक्षसा जघ्नराहवे । राक्षसान् दश सप्तेति वानराश्चाभ्यपातयन् ॥ 75.70 ॥

vānarān daśa sapteti rākṣasā jaghnarāhave | rākṣasān daśa sapteti vānarāścābhyapātayan || 75.70 ||

The rakshasas struck down the monkeys, tens and sevens at a time, in that battle; the monkeys too struck down the rakshasas, tens and sevens at a time.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.75.71)

विस्रस्तकेशवसनम् विमुक्तकवचध्वजम् । बलम् राक्षसमालम्ब्य वानराः पर्यवारयन् ॥ 75.71 ॥

visrastakeśavasanam vimuktakavacadhvajam | balam rākṣasamālambya vānarāḥ paryavārayan || 75.71 ||

Laying hold of the army of the rakshasas, its hair and garments in disarray, its armour and standards flung down, the monkeys surrounded them on every side.