The Great Archery Duel of Lakshmana and Indrajit

Shloka 1 (yuddha.88.1)

विभीषणवचः श्रुत्वा रावणिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। अब्रवीत् परुषं वाक्यं क्रोधेनाभ्युत्पपात च ॥ 88.1 ॥

vibhīṣaṇavacaḥ śrutvā rāvaṇiḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ| abravīt paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ krodhenābhyutpapāta ca || 88.1 ||

Hearing Vibhishana's words, Indrajit, overcome with rage, spoke harsh words and sprang up in fury.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.88.2)

उद्यतायुधनिस्त्रिंशो रथे सुसमलंकृते। कालाश्वयुक्ते महति स्थितः कालान्तकोपमः ॥ 88.2 ॥

udyatāyudhanistriṃśo rathe susamalaṃkṛte| kālāśvayukte mahati sthitaḥ kālāntakopamaḥ || 88.2 ||

Standing in his richly adorned great chariot, yoked with black horses, sword and weapon raised, he looked like Death himself at the hour of dissolution,

Shloka 3 (yuddha.88.3)

महाप्रमाणमुद्यम्य विपुलं वेगवद् दृढम्। धनुर्भीमबलो भीमं शरांश्चामित्रनाशनान् ॥ 88.3 ॥

mahāpramāṇamudyamya vipulaṃ vegavad dṛḍham| dhanurbhīmabalo bhīmaṃ śarāṃścāmitranāśanān || 88.3 ||

as, mighty in strength, he raised his vast, terrible, swift and sturdy bow, and his dreadful shafts that spelled the enemy's destruction.

Shloka 4 (yuddha.88.4)

तं ददर्श महेष्वासो रथस्थः समलंकृतः। अलंकृतममित्रघ्नो रावणस्यात्मजो बली ॥ 88.4 ॥

taṃ dadarśa maheṣvāso rathasthaḥ samalaṃkṛtaḥ| alaṃkṛtamamitraghno rāvaṇasyātmajo balī || 88.4 ||

The mighty son of Ravana, the destroyer of foes, that great bowman seated in his adorned chariot, beheld well-adorned Lakshmana.

Shloka 5 (yuddha.88.5)

हनूमत्पृष्ठमारूढमुदयस्थरविप्रभम्। उवाचैनं सुसंरब्धः सौमित्रिं सविभीषणम् ॥ 88.5 ॥

hanūmatpṛṣṭhamārūḍhamudayastharaviprabham| uvācainaṃ susaṃrabdhaḥ saumitriṃ savibhīṣaṇam || 88.5 ||

In great agitation he spoke to that Lakshmana, radiant as the sun risen over Mount Udaya, mounted upon Hanuman's back, and to Vibhishana with him:

Shloka 6 (yuddha.88.6)

तांश्च वानरशार्दूलान् पश्यध्वं मे पराक्रमम्। अद्य मत्कार्मुकोत्सृष्टं शरवर्षं दुरासदम् ॥ 88.6 ॥

tāṃśca vānaraśārdūlān paśyadhvaṃ me parākramam| adya matkārmukotsṛṣṭaṃ śaravarṣaṃ durāsadam || 88.6 ||

"Behold, you and those foremost tigers among monkeys, my prowess! Today you shall face an unbearable rain of arrows loosed from my bow."

Shloka 7 (yuddha.88.7)

मुक्तवर्षमिवाकाशे धारयिष्यथ संयुगे। अद्य वो मामका बाणा महाकार्मुकनिःसृताः। विधमिष्यन्ति गात्राणि तूलराशिमिवानलः ॥ 88.7 ॥

muktavarṣamivākāśe dhārayiṣyatha saṃyuge| adya vo māmakā bāṇā mahākārmukaniḥsṛtāḥ| vidhamiṣyanti gātrāṇi tūlarāśimivānalaḥ || 88.7 ||

"In this battle you shall endure it as one endures a downpour let loose from the sky. Today my arrows, shot from my mighty bow, will consume your bodies as fire consumes a heap of cotton-wool."

Shloka 8 (yuddha.88.8)

तीक्ष्णसायकनिर्भिन्नान् शूलशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः। अद्य वो गमयिष्यामि सर्वानेव यमक्षयम् ॥ 88.8 ॥

tīkṣṇasāyakanirbhinnān śūlaśaktyṛṣṭitomaraiḥ| adya vo gamayiṣyāmi sarvāneva yamakṣayam || 88.8 ||

"Today I shall send every one of you, pierced by my sharp arrows and by tridents, javelins, lances and pikes, to the abode of Yama."

Shloka 9 (yuddha.88.9)

सृजतः शरवर्षाणि क्षिप्रहस्तस्य संयुगे। जीमूतस्येव नदतः कः स्थास्यति ममाग्रतः ॥ 88.9 ॥

sṛjataḥ śaravarṣāṇi kṣiprahastasya saṃyuge| jīmūtasyeva nadataḥ kaḥ sthāsyati mamāgrataḥ || 88.9 ||

"Who can stand before me, as, swift of hand, I loose showers of arrows in battle, roaring like a thundercloud?"

Shloka 10 (yuddha.88.10)

रात्रियुद्धे तदा पूर्वं वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः। शायितौ तौ मया भूयो विसंज्ञौ सपुरःसरौ ॥ 88.10 ॥

rātriyuddhe tadā pūrvaṃ vajrāśanisamaiḥ śaraiḥ| śāyitau tau mayā bhūyo visaṃjñau sapuraḥsarau || 88.10 ||

"Earlier, in the battle by night, both of you along with your foremost followers were laid low, senseless, by my arrows that struck like the thunderbolt."

Shloka 11 (yuddha.88.11)

स्मृतिर्न तेऽस्ति वा मन्ये व्यक्तं यातो यमक्षयम्। आशीविषसमं क्रुद्धं यन्मां योद्धुमुपस्थितः ॥ 88.11 ॥

smṛtirna te'sti vā manye vyaktaṃ yāto yamakṣayam| āśīviṣasamaṃ kruddhaṃ yanmāṃ yoddhumupasthitaḥ || 88.11 ||

"Either you have no memory of that, or, I think, you have plainly resolved to go to the abode of Yama, since you now stand ready to fight me, enraged as I am, like a venomous serpent."

Shloka 12 (yuddha.88.12)

तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य गर्जितं राघवस्तदा। अभीतवदनः क्रुद्धो रावणिं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 88.12 ॥

tacchrutvā rākṣasendrasya garjitaṃ rāghavastadā| abhītavadanaḥ kruddho rāvaṇiṃ vākyamabravīt || 88.12 ||

Hearing that boast of Indrajit, Lakshmana, his face showing no fear, spoke these enraged words to him in reply.

Shloka 13 (yuddha.88.13)

उक्तश्च दुर्गमः पारः कार्याणां राक्षस त्वया। कार्याणां कर्मणा पारं यो गच्छति स बुद्धिमान् ॥ 88.13 ॥

uktaśca durgamaḥ pāraḥ kāryāṇāṃ rākṣasa tvayā| kāryāṇāṃ karmaṇā pāraṃ yo gacchati sa buddhimān || 88.13 ||

"O demon, you have spoken of tasks whose completion is hard to reach. But it is he alone who is wise who carries his undertakings through to their end by action."

Shloka 14 (yuddha.88.14)

स त्वमर्थस्य हीनार्थो दुरवापस्य केनचित्। वाचा व्याहृत्य जानीषे कृतार्थोऽस्मीति दुर्मते ॥ 88.14 ॥

sa tvamarthasya hīnārtho duravāpasya kenacit| vācā vyāhṛtya jānīṣe kṛtārtho'smīti durmate || 88.14 ||

"O foolish one, you, who lack the very capacity to achieve a goal that is hard for anyone to attain, imagine yourself accomplished merely by proclaiming it in words."

Shloka 15 (yuddha.88.15)

अन्तर्धानगतेनाजौ यत्त्वया चरितस्तदा। तस्कराचरितो मार्गो नैष वीरनिषेवितः ॥ 88.15 ॥

antardhānagatenājau yattvayā caritastadā| taskarācarito mārgo naiṣa vīraniṣevitaḥ || 88.15 ||

"The path you followed that day, becoming invisible in battle, is the path trodden by thieves, not the path followed by the valiant."

Shloka 16 (yuddha.88.16)

यथा बाणपथं प्राप्य स्थितोऽस्मि तव राक्षस। दर्शयस्वाद्य तत्तेजो वाचा त्वं किं विकत्थसे ॥ 88.16 ॥

yathā bāṇapathaṃ prāpya sthito'smi tava rākṣasa| darśayasvādya tattejo vācā tvaṃ kiṃ vikatthase || 88.16 ||

"O demon, here I stand now, within the range of your arrows. Show me that prowess today -- why boast of it in mere words?"

Shloka 17 (yuddha.88.17)

एवमुक्तो धनुर्भीमं परामृश्य महाबलः। ससर्ज निशितान् बाणानिन्द्रजित् समितिंजयः ॥ 88.17 ॥

evamukto dhanurbhīmaṃ parāmṛśya mahābalaḥ| sasarja niśitān bāṇānindrajit samitiṃjayaḥ || 88.17 ||

Thus addressed, the mighty Indrajit, victorious in battle, grasped his terrible bow and let fly his sharp arrows.

Shloka 18 (yuddha.88.18)

तेन सृष्टा महावेगाः शराः सर्पविषोपमाः। सम्प्राप्य लक्ष्मणं पेतुः श्वसन्त इव पन्नगाः ॥ 88.18 ॥

tena sṛṣṭā mahāvegāḥ śarāḥ sarpaviṣopamāḥ| samprāpya lakṣmaṇaṃ petuḥ śvasanta iva pannagāḥ || 88.18 ||

Those arrows he loosed, swift as lightning and deadly as serpent's venom, reached Lakshmana and struck him like hissing snakes.

Shloka 19 (yuddha.88.19)

शरैरतिमहावेगैर्वेगवान् रावणात्मजः। सौमित्रिमिन्द्रजिद् युद्धे विव्याध शुभलक्षणम् ॥ 88.19 ॥

śarairatimahāvegairvegavān rāvaṇātmajaḥ| saumitrimindrajid yuddhe vivyādha śubhalakṣaṇam || 88.19 ||

With his arrows of tremendous speed, the swift son of Ravana, Indrajit, struck Lakshmana of the auspicious marks in that battle.

Shloka 20 (yuddha.88.20)

स शरैरतिविद्धाङ्गो रुधिरेण समुक्षितः। शुशुभे लक्ष्मणः श्रीमान् विधूम इव पावकः ॥ 88.20 ॥

sa śarairatividdhāṅgo rudhireṇa samukṣitaḥ| śuśubhe lakṣmaṇaḥ śrīmān vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ || 88.20 ||

His body pierced through with arrows and drenched in blood, glorious Lakshmana yet shone like a flame without smoke.

Shloka 21 (yuddha.88.21)

इन्द्रजित् त्वात्मनः कर्म प्रसमीक्ष्याभिगम्य च। विनद्य सुमहानादमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 88.21 ॥

indrajit tvātmanaḥ karma prasamīkṣyābhigamya ca| vinadya sumahānādamidaṃ vacanamabravīt || 88.21 ||

Indrajit, surveying his own handiwork and drawing near, let out a mighty roar and spoke these words:

Shloka 22 (yuddha.88.22)

पत्रिणः शितधारास्ते शरा मत्कार्मुकच्युताः। आदास्यन्तेऽद्य सौमित्रे जीवितं जीवितान्तकाः ॥ 88.22 ॥

patriṇaḥ śitadhārāste śarā matkārmukacyutāḥ| ādāsyante'dya saumitre jīvitaṃ jīvitāntakāḥ || 88.22 ||

"O Lakshmana, these winged, sharp-edged shafts, loosed from my bow, life-enders that they are, shall now take your life."

Shloka 23 (yuddha.88.23)

अद्य गोमायुसङ्घाश्च श्येनसङ्घाश्च लक्ष्मण। गृध्राश्च निपतन्तु त्वां गतासुं निहतं मया ॥ 88.23 ॥

adya gomāyusaṅghāśca śyenasaṅghāśca lakṣmaṇa| gṛdhrāśca nipatantu tvāṃ gatāsuṃ nihataṃ mayā || 88.23 ||

"O Lakshmana, today, once I have killed you, may packs of jackals, flocks of hawks and vultures descend upon your lifeless body."

Shloka 24 (yuddha.88.24)

क्षत्रबन्धुं सदानार्यं रामः परमदुर्मतिः। भक्तं भ्रातरमद्यैव त्वां द्रक्ष्यति हतं मया ॥ 88.24 ॥

kṣatrabandhuṃ sadānāryaṃ rāmaḥ paramadurmatiḥ| bhaktaṃ bhrātaramadyaiva tvāṃ drakṣyati hataṃ mayā || 88.24 ||

"Rama, that most foolish of men, shall this very day see you, a mere pretender to Kshatriya birth, ever base, his devoted brother, slain by me."

Shloka 25 (yuddha.88.25)

विस्रस्तकवचं भूमौ व्यपविद्धशरासनम्। हृतोत्तमाङ्गं सौमित्रे त्वामद्य निहतं मया ॥ 88.25 ॥

visrastakavacaṃ bhūmau vyapaviddhaśarāsanam| hṛtottamāṅgaṃ saumitre tvāmadya nihataṃ mayā || 88.25 ||

"O Lakshmana, today, slain by me, your armour fallen loose upon the ground, your bow flung aside, and your head severed --"

Shloka 26 (yuddha.88.26)

इति ब्रुवाणं संक्रुद्धः परुषं रावणात्मजम्। हेतुमद् वाक्यमर्थज्ञो लक्ष्मणः प्रत्युवाच ह ॥ 88.26 ॥

iti bruvāṇaṃ saṃkruddhaḥ paruṣaṃ rāvaṇātmajam| hetumad vākyamarthajño lakṣmaṇaḥ pratyuvāca ha || 88.26 ||

To the enraged son of Ravana speaking thus harshly, Lakshmana, who understood the true sense of things, replied with these reasoned words:

Shloka 27 (yuddha.88.27)

वाग्बलं त्यज दुर्बुद्धे क्रूरकर्मन् हि राक्षस। अथ कस्माद् वदस्येतत् सम्पादय सुकर्मणा ॥ 88.27 ॥

vāgbalaṃ tyaja durbuddhe krūrakarman hi rākṣasa| atha kasmād vadasyetat sampādaya sukarmaṇā || 88.27 ||

"O foolish, cruel-deeded demon, give up this strength of speech. Why do you keep talking on? Accomplish it, rather, through good deeds."

Shloka 28 (yuddha.88.28)

अकृत्वा कत्थसे कर्म किमर्थमिह राक्षस। कुरु तत् कर्म येनाहं श्रद्धेयं तव कत्थनम् ॥ 88.28 ॥

akṛtvā katthase karma kimarthamiha rākṣasa| kuru tat karma yenāhaṃ śraddheyaṃ tava katthanam || 88.28 ||

"O demon, why do you boast here of a deed not yet done? Do that deed, so that I may believe your boasting."

Shloka 29 (yuddha.88.29)

अनुक्त्वा परुषं वाक्यं किंचिदप्यनवक्षिपन्। अविकत्थन् वधिष्यामि त्वां पश्य पुरुषादन ॥ 88.29 ॥

anuktvā paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ kiṃcidapyanavakṣipan| avikatthan vadhiṣyāmi tvāṃ paśya puruṣādana || 88.29 ||

"O eater of men, without a single harsh word, without reviling you, without any boast of my own, watch -- I shall slay you."

Shloka 30 (yuddha.88.30)

इत्युक्त्वा पञ्च नाराचानाकर्णापूरितान् शरान्। विजघान महावेगाल्लक्ष्मणो राक्षसोरसि ॥ 88.30 ॥

ityuktvā pañca nārācānākarṇāpūritān śarān| vijaghāna mahāvegāllakṣmaṇo rākṣasorasi || 88.30 ||

So saying, Lakshmana drew five steel arrows back to his ear and, with tremendous force, drove them into the demon's chest.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.88.31)

सुपत्रवाजिता बाणा ज्वलिता इव पन्नगाः। नैर्ऋतोरस्यभासन्त सवितू रश्मयो यथा ॥ 88.31 ॥

supatravājitā bāṇā jvalitā iva pannagāḥ| nairṛtorasyabhāsanta savitū raśmayo yathā || 88.31 ||

Those fine-feathered arrows, blazing like serpents, shone upon the demon's chest like rays of the sun.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.88.32)

स शरैराहतस्तेन सरोषो रावणात्मजः। सुप्रयुक्तैस्त्रिभिर्बाणैः प्रतिविव्याध लक्ष्मणम् ॥ 88.32 ॥

sa śarairāhatastena saroṣo rāvaṇātmajaḥ| suprayuktaistribhirbāṇaiḥ prativivyādha lakṣmaṇam || 88.32 ||

Struck by those arrows, the enraged son of Ravana pierced Lakshmana in return with three well-aimed shafts.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.88.33)

स बभूव महाभीमो नरराक्षससिंहयोः। विमर्दस्तुमुलो युद्धे परस्परजयैषिणोः ॥ 88.33 ॥

sa babhūva mahābhīmo nararākṣasasiṃhayoḥ| vimardastumulo yuddhe parasparajayaiṣiṇoḥ || 88.33 ||

Terrible and tumultuous grew the clash between that lion among men and that lion among demons, each bent on the other's defeat.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.88.34)

विक्रान्तौ बलसम्पन्नावुभौ विक्रमशालिनौ। उभौ परमदुर्जेयावतुल्यबलतेजसौ ॥ 88.34 ॥

vikrāntau balasampannāvubhau vikramaśālinau| ubhau paramadurjeyāvatulyabalatejasau || 88.34 ||

Both were valiant, both endowed with strength, both resplendent in prowess; both were exceedingly hard to conquer, unmatched in strength and splendour.

Shloka 35 (yuddha.88.35)

युयुधाते तदा वीरौ ग्रहाविव नभोगतौ। बलवृत्राविव हि तौ युधि वै दुष्प्रधर्षणौ ॥ 88.35 ॥

yuyudhāte tadā vīrau grahāviva nabhogatau| balavṛtrāviva hi tau yudhi vai duṣpradharṣaṇau || 88.35 ||

Those two heroes, unassailable in battle, fought then like two planets colliding in the sky, like Indra and Vritra of old.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.88.36)

युयुधाते महात्मानौ तदा केसरिणाविव। बहूनवसृजन्तौ हि मार्गणौघानवस्थितौ। नरराक्षसमुख्यौ तौ प्रहृष्टावभ्ययुध्यताम् ॥ 88.36 ॥

yuyudhāte mahātmānau tadā kesariṇāviva| bahūnavasṛjantau hi mārgaṇaughānavasthitau| nararākṣasamukhyau tau prahṛṣṭāvabhyayudhyatām || 88.36 ||

Those two great-souled ones fought then like two lions, standing their ground as they loosed volley after volley of arrows; that foremost of men and that foremost of demons battled on, exultant.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.88.37)

ततः शरान् दाशरथिः संधायामित्रकर्षणः। ससर्ज राक्षसेन्द्राय क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन् ॥ 88.37 ॥

tataḥ śarān dāśarathiḥ saṃdhāyāmitrakarṣaṇaḥ| sasarja rākṣasendrāya kruddhaḥ sarpa iva śvasan || 88.37 ||

Then Lakshmana, the tormentor of foes, fitting his arrows to his bow, hissing like an angered serpent, let them fly at the lord of the demons.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.88.38)

तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं स श्रुत्वा राक्षसाधिपः। विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा लक्ष्मणं समुदैक्षत ॥ 88.38 ॥

tasya jyātalanirghoṣaṃ sa śrutvā rākṣasādhipaḥ| vivarṇavadano bhūtvā lakṣmaṇaṃ samudaikṣata || 88.38 ||

Hearing the twang of Lakshmana's bowstring against his palm, the lord of the demons, his face turning pale, fixed his gaze upon him.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.88.39)

विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं रावणात्मजम्। सौमित्रिं युद्धसंयुक्तं प्रत्युवाच विभीषणः ॥ 88.39 ॥

vivarṇavadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṃ rāvaṇātmajam| saumitriṃ yuddhasaṃyuktaṃ pratyuvāca vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 88.39 ||

Seeing the son of Ravana's face grown pale, Vibhishana spoke to Lakshmana, still locked in that battle:

Shloka 40 (yuddha.88.40)

निमित्तान्युपपश्यामि यान्यस्मिन् रावणात्मजे। त्वर तेन महाबाहो भग्न एष न संशयः ॥ 88.40 ॥

nimittānyupapaśyāmi yānyasmin rāvaṇātmaje| tvara tena mahābāho bhagna eṣa na saṃśayaḥ || 88.40 ||

"O mighty-armed one, from the signs I see in Indrajit, he is broken -- there is no doubt of it. Make haste."

Shloka 41 (yuddha.88.41)

ततः संधाय सौमित्रिः शरानाशीविषोपमान्। मुमोच विशिखांस्तस्मिन् सर्पानिव विषोल्बणान् ॥ 88.41 ॥

tataḥ saṃdhāya saumitriḥ śarānāśīviṣopamān| mumoca viśikhāṃstasmin sarpāniva viṣolbaṇān || 88.41 ||

Then Lakshmana, fitting arrows like venomous serpents to his bow, loosed those shafts at him, deadly as snakes brimming with poison.

Shloka 42 (yuddha.88.42)

शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शैर्लक्ष्मणेनाहतः शरैः। मुहूर्तमभवन्मूढः सर्वसंक्षुभितेन्द्रियः ॥ 88.42 ॥

śakrāśanisamasparśairlakṣmaṇenāhataḥ śaraiḥ| muhūrtamabhavanmūḍhaḥ sarvasaṃkṣubhitendriyaḥ || 88.42 ||

Struck by Lakshmana with those arrows whose touch was like Indra's thunderbolt, all his senses reeled, and for a moment he stood stunned.

Shloka 43 (yuddha.88.43)

उपलभ्य मुहूर्तेन संज्ञां प्रत्यागतेन्द्रियः। ददर्शावस्थितं वीरमाजौ दशरथात्मजम्। सोऽभिचक्राम सौमित्रिं रोषात् संरक्तलोचनः ॥ 88.43 ॥

upalabhya muhūrtena saṃjñāṃ pratyāgatendriyaḥ| dadarśāvasthitaṃ vīramājau daśarathātmajam| so'bhicakrāma saumitriṃ roṣāt saṃraktalocanaḥ || 88.43 ||

Regaining his senses within a moment, he saw brave Lakshmana, Dasharatha's son, still standing firm in the fray; and, his eyes red with fury, he advanced upon him.

Shloka 44 (yuddha.88.44)

अब्रवीच्चैनमासाद्य पुनः स परुषं वचः। किं न स्मरसि तद् युद्धे प्रथमे मत्पराक्रमम्। निबद्धस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा यदा युधि विचेष्टसे ॥ 88.44 ॥

abravīccainamāsādya punaḥ sa paruṣaṃ vacaḥ| kiṃ na smarasi tad yuddhe prathame matparākramam| nibaddhastvaṃ saha bhrātrā yadā yudhi viceṣṭase || 88.44 ||

Drawing near, he spoke to him once more with harsh words: "Do you not remember my prowess in our first encounter, when, bound fast, you writhed on the ground with your brother?"

Shloka 45 (yuddha.88.45)

युवां खलु महायुद्धे वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः। शायितौ प्रथमं भूमौ विसंज्ञौ सपुरःसरौ ॥ 88.45 ॥

yuvāṃ khalu mahāyuddhe vajrāśanisamaiḥ śaraiḥ| śāyitau prathamaṃ bhūmau visaṃjñau sapuraḥsarau || 88.45 ||

"Indeed, in that great battle, both of you, together with your foremost followers, were first laid senseless on the ground by my arrows like Indra's thunderbolt."

Shloka 46 (yuddha.88.46)

स्मृतिर्वा नास्ति ते मन्ये व्यक्तं वा यमसादनम्। गन्तुमिच्छसि यन्मां त्वमाधर्षयितुमिच्छसि ॥ 88.46 ॥

smṛtirvā nāsti te manye vyaktaṃ vā yamasādanam| gantumicchasi yanmāṃ tvamādharṣayitumicchasi || 88.46 ||

"Either, I think, you have no memory of that, or you plainly wish to go to the abode of Yama, in that you now desire to assail me."

Shloka 47 (yuddha.88.47)

यदि ते प्रथमे युद्धे न दृष्टो मत्पराक्रमः। अद्य त्वां दर्शयिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं व्यवस्थितः ॥ 88.47 ॥

yadi te prathame yuddhe na dṛṣṭo matparākramaḥ| adya tvāṃ darśayiṣyāmi tiṣṭhedānīṃ vyavasthitaḥ || 88.47 ||

"If my prowess was not seen by you in that first battle, I shall show it to you today -- stand firm and ready now."

Shloka 48 (yuddha.88.48)

इत्युक्त्वा सप्तभिर्बाणैरभिविव्याध लक्ष्मणम्। दशभिस्तु हनूमन्तं तीक्ष्णधारैः शरोत्तमैः ॥ 88.48 ॥

ityuktvā saptabhirbāṇairabhivivyādha lakṣmaṇam| daśabhistu hanūmantaṃ tīkṣṇadhāraiḥ śarottamaiḥ || 88.48 ||

So saying, he struck Lakshmana with seven arrows, and Hanuman with ten of his finest, sharp-edged shafts.

Shloka 49 (yuddha.88.49)

ततः शरशतेनैव सुप्रयुक्तेन वीर्यवान्। क्रोधाद् द्विगुणसंरब्धो निर्बिभेद विभीषणम् ॥ 88.49 ॥

tataḥ śaraśatenaiva suprayuktena vīryavān| krodhād dviguṇasaṃrabdho nirbibheda vibhīṣaṇam || 88.49 ||

Then that mighty warrior, his fury doubled, pierced Vibhishana with a hundred well-aimed arrows.

Shloka 50 (yuddha.88.50)

तद् दृष्ट्वेन्द्रजिता कर्म कृतं रामानुजस्तदा। अचिन्तयित्वा प्रहसन्नैतत् किंचिदिति ब्रुवन् ॥ 88.50 ॥

tad dṛṣṭvendrajitā karma kṛtaṃ rāmānujastadā| acintayitvā prahasannaitat kiṃciditi bruvan || 88.50 ||

Seeing that feat performed by Indrajit, Rama's brother paid it no heed, laughing and saying, "This is nothing,"

Shloka 51 (yuddha.88.51)

मुमोच च शरान् घोरान् संगृह्य नरपुंगवः। अभीतवदनः क्रुद्धो रावणिं लक्ष्मणो युधि ॥ 88.51 ॥

mumoca ca śarān ghorān saṃgṛhya narapuṃgavaḥ| abhītavadanaḥ kruddho rāvaṇiṃ lakṣmaṇo yudhi || 88.51 ||

and, foremost among men, his face unafraid though filled with rage, Lakshmana gathered dreadful arrows and loosed them at Indrajit in that battle.

Shloka 52 (yuddha.88.52)

नैवं रणगताः शूराः प्रहरन्ति निशाचर। लघवश्चाल्पवीर्याश्च शरा हीमे सुखास्तव ॥ 88.52 ॥

naivaṃ raṇagatāḥ śūrāḥ praharanti niśācara| laghavaścālpavīryāśca śarā hīme sukhāstava || 88.52 ||

"O night-roamer, heroes who go to war do not strike thus. These arrows of yours are light, feeble, and indeed harmless."

Shloka 53 (yuddha.88.53)

नैवं शूरास्तु युध्यन्ते समरे युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः। इत्येवं तं ब्रुवन् धन्वी शरैरभिववर्ष ह ॥ 88.53 ॥

naivaṃ śūrāstu yudhyante samare yuddhakāṅkṣiṇaḥ| ityevaṃ taṃ bruvan dhanvī śarairabhivavarṣa ha || 88.53 ||

"Warriors who truly desire victory in battle do not fight thus." So speaking, the bowman rained down his arrows upon him.

Shloka 54 (yuddha.88.54)

तस्य बाणैः सुविध्वस्तं कवचं काञ्चनं महत्। व्यशीर्यत रथोपस्थे ताराजालमिवाम्बरात् ॥ 88.54 ॥

tasya bāṇaiḥ suvidhvastaṃ kavacaṃ kāñcanaṃ mahat| vyaśīryata rathopasthe tārājālamivāmbarāt || 88.54 ||

His great golden armour, shattered by those arrows, fell scattered upon his chariot floor like a net of stars falling from the sky.

Shloka 55 (yuddha.88.55)

विधूतवर्मा नाराचैर्बभूव स कृतव्रणः। इन्द्रजित् समरे वीरः प्रत्यूषे भानुमानिव ॥ 88.55 ॥

vidhūtavarmā nārācairbabhūva sa kṛtavraṇaḥ| indrajit samare vīraḥ pratyūṣe bhānumāniva || 88.55 ||

His armour torn away by those steel shafts and his body wounded, valiant Indrajit shone in that battle like the sun at daybreak.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.88.56)

ततः शरसहस्रेण संक्रुद्धो रावणात्मजः। बिभेद समरे वीरो लक्ष्मणं भीमविक्रमः ॥ 88.56 ॥

tataḥ śarasahasreṇa saṃkruddho rāvaṇātmajaḥ| bibheda samare vīro lakṣmaṇaṃ bhīmavikramaḥ || 88.56 ||

Then that valiant son of Ravana, of terrific prowess, enraged, pierced Lakshmana in that battle with a thousand arrows.

Shloka 57 (yuddha.88.57)

व्यशीर्यत महद्दिव्यं कवचं लक्ष्मणस्य तु। कृतप्रतिकृतान्योन्यं बभूवतुररिंदमौ ॥ 88.57 ॥

vyaśīryata mahaddivyaṃ kavacaṃ lakṣmaṇasya tu| kṛtapratikṛtānyonyaṃ babhūvaturariṃdamau || 88.57 ||

Lakshmana's great celestial armour too broke to pieces; and those two destroyers of foes fell to trading blow for blow, each upon the other.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.88.58)

अभीक्ष्णं निःश्वसन्तौ तौ युध्येतां तुमुलं युधि। शरसंकृत्तसर्वाङ्गौ सर्वतो रुधिरोक्षितौ ॥ 88.58 ॥

abhīkṣṇaṃ niḥśvasantau tau yudhyetāṃ tumulaṃ yudhi| śarasaṃkṛttasarvāṅgau sarvato rudhirokṣitau || 88.58 ||

Breathing hard again and again, their limbs all torn by arrows and drenched with blood on every side, the two of them fought on tumultuously.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.88.59)

सुदीर्घकालं तौ वीरावन्योन्यं निशितैः शरैः। ततक्षतुर्महात्मानौ रणकर्मविशारदौ। बभूवतुश्चात्मजये यत्तौ भीमपराक्रमौ ॥ 88.59 ॥

sudīrghakālaṃ tau vīrāvanyonyaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ| tatakṣaturmahātmānau raṇakarmaviśāradau| babhūvatuścātmajaye yattau bhīmaparākramau || 88.59 ||

For a very long time those two great-souled heroes, skilled in the ways of war, gashed at each other with sharp arrows; those two of terrible prowess strove ever harder each for his own victory.

Shloka 60 (yuddha.88.60)

तौ शरौघैस्तथाकीर्णौ निकृत्तकवचध्वजौ। सृजन्तौ रुधिरं चोष्णं जलं प्रस्रवणाविव ॥ 88.60 ॥

tau śaraughaistathākīrṇau nikṛttakavacadhvajau| sṛjantau rudhiraṃ coṣṇaṃ jalaṃ prasravaṇāviva || 88.60 ||

Covered all over with masses of arrows, their armour and standards cut to shreds, the two of them poured forth hot blood like two mountain-springs gushing warm water.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.88.61)

शरवर्षं ततो घोरं मुञ्चतोर्भीमनिःस्वनम्। सासारयोरिवाकाशे नीलयोः कालमेघयोः ॥ 88.61 ॥

śaravarṣaṃ tato ghoraṃ muñcatorbhīmaniḥsvanam| sāsārayorivākāśe nīlayoḥ kālameghayoḥ || 88.61 ||

As they loosed their terrible, thunderous showers of arrows, they seemed like two dark storm-clouds pouring rain in the sky.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.88.62)

तयोरथ महान् कालो व्यतीयाद् युध्यमानयोः। न च तौ युद्धवैमुख्यं क्लमं चाप्युपजग्मतुः ॥ 88.62 ॥

tayoratha mahān kālo vyatīyād yudhyamānayoḥ| na ca tau yuddhavaimukhyaṃ klamaṃ cāpyupajagmatuḥ || 88.62 ||

A long time passed thus as the two of them fought on; yet neither turned his face from the battle, nor did either grow weary.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.88.63)

अस्त्राण्यस्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठौ दर्शयन्तौ पुनः पुनः। शरानुच्चावचाकारानन्तरिक्षे बबन्धतुः ॥ 88.63 ॥

astrāṇyastravidāṃ śreṣṭhau darśayantau punaḥ punaḥ| śarānuccāvacākārānantarikṣe babandhatuḥ || 88.63 ||

Those two, foremost among masters of celestial weapons, displaying their missiles again and again, wove a web of arrows of every shape across the sky.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.88.64)

व्यपेतदोषमस्यन्तौ लघु चित्रं च सुष्ठु च। उभौ तु तुमुलं घोरं चक्रतुर्नरराक्षसौ ॥ 88.64 ॥

vyapetadoṣamasyantau laghu citraṃ ca suṣṭhu ca| ubhau tu tumulaṃ ghoraṃ cakraturnararākṣasau || 88.64 ||

Loosing their shafts flawlessly, swiftly, wondrously and with perfect skill, that man and that demon waged a battle both tumultuous and terrible.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.88.65)

तयोः पृथक् पृथग् भीमः शुश्रुवे तलनिस्वनः। स कम्पं जनयामास निर्घात इव दारुणः ॥ 88.65 ॥

tayoḥ pṛthak pṛthag bhīmaḥ śuśruve talanisvanaḥ| sa kampaṃ janayāmāsa nirghāta iva dāruṇaḥ || 88.65 ||

The dreadful slap of their palms on their bowstrings could be heard again and again, one after the other, and it set everything trembling like a terrible thunderclap.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.88.66)

तयोः स भ्राजते शब्दस्तथा समरमत्तयोः। सुघोरयोर्निष्टनतोर्गगने मेघयोरिव ॥ 88.66 ॥

tayoḥ sa bhrājate śabdastathā samaramattayoḥ| sughorayorniṣṭanatorgagane meghayoriva || 88.66 ||

The clamour of those two, thus intoxicated with battle, resounded like the roar of two terrible thunderclouds crashing in the sky.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.88.67)

सुवर्णपुंखैर्नाराचैर्बलवन्तौ कृतव्रणौ। प्रसुस्रुवाते रुधिरं कीर्तिमन्तौ जये धृतौ ॥ 88.67 ॥

suvarṇapuṃkhairnārācairbalavantau kṛtavraṇau| prasusruvāte rudhiraṃ kīrtimantau jaye dhṛtau || 88.67 ||

Wounded by golden-shafted steel arrows, those two mighty and glorious warriors, each set upon victory, streamed with blood.

Shloka 68 (yuddha.88.68)

ते गात्रयोर्निपतिता रुक्मपुंखाः शरा युधि। असृग्दिग्धा विनिष्पेतुर्विविशुर्धरणीतलम् ॥ 88.68 ॥

te gātrayornipatitā rukmapuṃkhāḥ śarā yudhi| asṛgdigdhā viniṣpeturviviśurdharaṇītalam || 88.68 ||

Those golden-shafted arrows, falling from their bodies in that battle, smeared with blood, dropped out and buried themselves in the earth.

Shloka 69 (yuddha.88.69)

अन्ये सुनिशितैः शस्त्रैराकाशे संजघट्टिरे। बभञ्जुश्चिच्छिदुश्चैव तयोर्बाणाः सहस्रशः ॥ 88.69 ॥

anye suniśitaiḥ śastrairākāśe saṃjaghaṭṭire| babhañjuścicchiduścaiva tayorbāṇāḥ sahasraśaḥ || 88.69 ||

Others of their sharp-edged shafts clashed together in the sky by the thousand, shattering and splitting one another.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.88.70)

स बभूव रणो घोरस्तयोर्बाणमयश्चयः। अग्निभ्यामिव दीप्ताभ्यां सत्रे कुशमयश्चयः ॥ 88.70 ॥

sa babhūva raṇo ghorastayorbāṇamayaścayaḥ| agnibhyāmiva dīptābhyāṃ satre kuśamayaścayaḥ || 88.70 ||

That dreadful mass of arrows in the battle looked like a heap of kusha grass piled between two blazing sacrificial fires.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.88.71)

तयोः कृतव्रणौ देहौ शुशुभाते महात्मनोः। सुपुष्पाविव निष्पत्रौ वने किंशुकशाल्मली ॥ 88.71 ॥

tayoḥ kṛtavraṇau dehau śuśubhāte mahātmanoḥ| supuṣpāviva niṣpatrau vane kiṃśukaśālmalī || 88.71 ||

The wounded bodies of those two great-souled ones shone like a leafless Kimshuka and Shalmali tree in full bloom in the forest.

Shloka 72 (yuddha.88.72)

चक्रतुस्तुमुलं घोरं संनिपातं मुहुर्मुहुः। इन्द्रजिल्लक्ष्मणश्चैव परस्परजयैषिणौ ॥ 88.72 ॥

cakratustumulaṃ ghoraṃ saṃnipātaṃ muhurmuhuḥ| indrajillakṣmaṇaścaiva parasparajayaiṣiṇau || 88.72 ||

Indrajit and Lakshmana, each desiring victory over the other, again and again brought about a tumultuous and terrible clash.

Shloka 73 (yuddha.88.73)

लक्ष्मणो रावणिं युद्धे रावणिश्चापि लक्ष्मणम्। अन्योन्यं तावभिघ्नन्तौ न श्रमं प्रतिपद्यताम् ॥ 88.73 ॥

lakṣmaṇo rāvaṇiṃ yuddhe rāvaṇiścāpi lakṣmaṇam| anyonyaṃ tāvabhighnantau na śramaṃ pratipadyatām || 88.73 ||

Lakshmana struck at Indrajit in that battle, and Indrajit struck likewise at Lakshmana; striking each other so, neither felt any weariness.

Shloka 74 (yuddha.88.74)

बाणजालैः शरीरस्थैरवगाढैस्तरस्विनौ। शुशुभाते महावीर्यौ प्ररूढाविव पर्वतौ ॥ 88.74 ॥

bāṇajālaiḥ śarīrasthairavagāḍhaistarasvinau| śuśubhāte mahāvīryau prarūḍhāviva parvatau || 88.74 ||

With nets of arrows sunk deep into their bodies, those two swift and mighty warriors shone like two mountains covered over with new growth.

Shloka 75 (yuddha.88.75)

तयो रुधिरसिक्तानि संवृतानि शरैर्भृशम्। बभ्राजुः सर्वगात्राणि ज्वलन्त इव पावकाः ॥ 88.75 ॥

tayo rudhirasiktāni saṃvṛtāni śarairbhṛśam| babhrājuḥ sarvagātrāṇi jvalanta iva pāvakāḥ || 88.75 ||

All their limbs, drenched in blood and thickly covered with arrows, blazed like flaming fires.

Shloka 76 (yuddha.88.76)

तयोरथ महान् कालो व्यतीयाद् युध्यमानयोः। न च तौ युद्धवैमुख्यं श्रमं चाप्यभिजग्मतुः ॥ 88.76 ॥

tayoratha mahān kālo vyatīyād yudhyamānayoḥ| na ca tau yuddhavaimukhyaṃ śramaṃ cāpyabhijagmatuḥ || 88.76 ||

A long time thus passed as they fought; still, neither turned away from the battle, nor did either grow weary.

Shloka 77 (yuddha.88.77)

अथ समरपरिश्रमं निहन्तुं समरमुखेष्वजितस्य लक्ष्मणस्य। प्रियहितमुपपादयन् महात्मा समरमुपेत्य विभीषणोऽवतस्थे ॥ 88.77 ॥

atha samarapariśramaṃ nihantuṃ samaramukheṣvajitasya lakṣmaṇasya| priyahitamupapādayan mahātmā samaramupetya vibhīṣaṇo'vatasthe || 88.77 ||

Then, to dispel the weariness of battle in Lakshmana, who had never known defeat in any field of war, the great-souled Vibhishana came to the battlefield and took his stand there, offering him words both pleasing and wholesome.