Sarga 101

Verse 1

तस्मिन्प्रतिहतेऽस्त्रेतुरावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।क्रोधं च द्विगुणंचक्रेक्रोधाच्चास्त्रमनन्तरम् ।।।।

When that weapon was repelled, Rāvaṇa—the lord of the rākṣasas—doubled his wrath, and in anger prepared yet another missile.

Verse 2

मयेनविहितंरौद्रमन्यदस्त्रंमहाद्युतिः ।उत्सृष्टुंरावणोभीमंराघवायप्रचक्रमे ।।।।

The highly resplendent Rāvaṇa then prepared to discharge against Rāghava another terrible missile—fierce and Rudra-governed—fashioned by Māyā.

Verse 3

ततःशूलानिनिश्चेरुर्गदाश्चमुसलानि च ।कार्मुकाद्दीप्यमानानिवज्रसाराणिसर्वशः ।।।।

Then, from the bow there burst forth on every side blazing tridents, maces, and iron clubs—hard as a thunderbolt.

Verse 4

मुद्गराःकूटपाशाश्चदीप्ताश्चाशनयस्तथा ।निष्पेतुर्विविधास्तीक्ष्णावाताइवयुगक्षये ।।।।

Clubs, barbed nooses, and blazing thunderbolt-like missiles of many sharp kinds flew forth—like gales unleashed at the end of an age.

Verse 5

तदस्त्रंराघव्श्रीमानुत्तमास्त्रविदांवरः ।जघानपरमास्त्रणगान्धर्वेणमहाद्युतिः ।।।।

Glorious Rāghava—foremost among masters of weapons and radiant with great splendor—neutralized that missile by means of the supreme Gandharva-weapon.

Verse 6

तस्मिन्प्रतिहतेऽतुराघवेणमहात्मना ।रावणःक्रोधाताम्राक्षस्सौरमस्त्रमुदैरयत् ।।।।

When that missile was neutralized by the great-souled Rāghava, Rāvaṇa—his eyes reddened with anger—then unleashed the solar weapon (Saurāstra).

Verse 7

ततश्चक्राणिनिष्पेतुर्भास्वराणिमहान्ति च ।कार्मुकाद्भीमवेगस्यदशग्रीवस्यधीमतः ।।।।

Thereupon, great radiant discus-weapons shot forth from the bow of the wise Daśagrīva, driven with terrifying speed.

Verse 8

तैरासीद्गगनंदीप्तंसन्ततद्भिःरितस्ततः ।पतद्भिश्चदिशोदीप्ताश्चन्द्रसूर्यग्रहैरिव ।।।।

With those weapons streaming and falling everywhere, the sky blazed, and the directions shone as though lit by the moon, the sun, and the planets.

Verse 9

तानिचिच्छेदबाणौघैश्चक्राणितु स राघवः ।आयुधानि च चित्राणिरावणस्यचमूमुखे ।।।।

Rāghava, with volleys of arrows, shattered those discus-weapons and the various arms of Rāvaṇa, right in the forefront of the army.

Verse 10

तदस्त्रंतुहतंदृष्टवारावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।विव्याथदशभिर्बाणैरामंसर्वेषुमर्मसु ।।।।

Seeing that his weapon had been thwarted, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, struck Rāma with ten arrows, piercing him at vital points.

Verse 11

स विद्धोदशभिर्बाणैर्महाकार्मुकनिस्सृतैः ।रावणेनमहातेजा न प्राकम्पतराघवः ।।।।

Though pierced by Rāvaṇa with ten arrows shot from a mighty bow, the great-souled Rāghava did not even tremble.

Verse 12

ततोविव्याथगात्रेषुसर्वेषुसमितिञ्जयः ।राघवस्तुसुसङ्क्रुद्धोरावणंबहुभिश्शरैः ।।।।

Then the battle-conqueror Rāghava, fiercely enraged, pierced Rāvaṇa with many arrows in all his limbs.

Verse 13

एतस्मिन्नन्तरेक्रुद्धोराघवस्यानुजोबली ।लक्ष्मणःसायकान्सप्तजग्राहपरवीरहा ।।।।

Meanwhile, the mighty Lakṣmaṇa—Rāghava’s younger brother, slayer of enemy-champions—angered, seized seven arrows.

Verse 14

तै: स्सायकैर्महावेगैरावणस्यमहाद्युति ।ध्वजंमनुष्यशीर्षंतुतस्यचिच्छेदनैकधा ।।।।

With those swift, forceful arrows, the radiant Lakṣmaṇa shattered into many pieces Rāvaṇa’s banner—adorned with a human head.

Verse 15

सारदथेश्चापिबाणेनशिरोज्वलितकुण्डलम् ।जहारलक्ष्मणःश्रीमान्नैरृतस्यमहाबलः ।।।।

Glorious, mighty Lakṣmaṇa also, with an arrow, struck down the head of that rākṣasa’s charioteer—its earrings flashing brightly.

Verse 16

तस्यबाणैश्चचिच्छेदधनुर्गजकरोपमम् ।लक्ष्मणोराक्षसेन्द्रस्यपञ्चभिर्निशितैस्तदा ।।।।

Then Lakṣmaṇa, with five sharpened arrows, cut apart the bow of the rākṣasa-lord—like an elephant’s trunk in form.

Verse 17

नीलमेघनिभांश्चास्यसदश्वान् पर्वतोपमान् ।जघानाप्लुत्यगदयारावणस्यविभीषणः ।।।।

Vibhīṣaṇa, leaping forward, struck down Rāvaṇa’s horses with his mace—horses dark as blue clouds and huge as mountains.

Verse 18

हताश्वात्त्तुस्वोवेगादवप्लुत्यमहारथात् ।कोपमाहारत्तीव्रंभ्रातरंप्रतिरावणः ।।।।

But when his horses were slain, Rāvaṇa sprang down from his great chariot and, toward his brother, displayed a fierce and violent rage.

Verse 19

ततश्शक्तिंमहाशक्तिर्दीप्तार्दीप्ताशनीमिव ।विभीषणस्यचिक्षेपराक्षसेन्द्रःप्रतापवान् ।।।।

Then the mighty, valiant lord of rākṣasas hurled at Vibhīṣaṇa a blazing spear, like a flashing thunderbolt.

Verse 20

अप्राप्तामेवतांबाणैस्त्रिभिश्चिच्छेदलक्ष्मणः ।अथोदतिष्ठत्सन्नादोवानराणांमहारणे ।।।।

Before it could even reach its target, Lakṣmaṇa shattered that spear with three arrows; and then, amid the great battle, a loud roar of triumph rose from the Vānaras.

Verse 21

स पपातत्रिधाछिन्नाशक्तिःकाञ्चनमालिनी ।सविस्फुलिङ्गाज्वलितामहोल्केवदिवश्च्युता ।।।।

That golden-adorned spear, split into three pieces, fell blazing and scattering sparks—like a great meteor dropped from the sky.

Verse 22

ततःसम्भाविततरांकालेनापिदुरासदाम् ।जग्राहविपुलांशक्तिंदीप्यमानांस्वतेजसा ।।।।

Then Rāvaṇa seized a massive spear, radiant with its own brilliance—so formidable that even Death himself would find it hard to withstand.

Verse 23

सावेगिताबलवतारावणेनदुरात्मना ।जज्वालसुमहातेजादीप्ताशनिसमप्रभा ।।।।

Whirled by the mighty yet wicked-souled Rāvaṇa, that spear—charged with speed—blazed with tremendous energy, shining like a flaming thunderbolt.

Verse 24

एतस्मिन्नन्तरेवीरोलक्ष्मणस्तंविभीषणम् ।प्राणसंशयमापन्नंतूर्णमभ्यवपद्यत ।।।।

Just then, the heroic Lakṣmaṇa, seeing Vibhīṣaṇa fallen into peril of life, rushed to him at once to shield him.

Verse 25

तंविमोक्षयितुंवीरश्चापमायम्यलक्ष्मणः ।रावणंशक्तिहस्तंवैशरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ।।।।

To free him from that danger, the valiant Lakṣmaṇa drew his bow and drenched Rāvaṇa—spear in hand—with a rain of arrows.

Verse 26

कीर्यमाणश्शरौघेणविसृष्टेनमहात्मना ।न प्रहर्तुंमनश्चक्रेविमुखीकृतविक्रमः ।।।।

Battered by the torrent of arrows released by that great-souled warrior, Rāvaṇa—his momentum checked—could not even set his mind to strike.

Verse 27

मोक्षितंभ्रातरंदृष्टवालक्ष्मणेन स रावणः ।लक्ष्मणाभिमुखस्तिष्ठन्निदंवचनमब्रवीत् ।।।।

Seeing his brother Vibhīṣaṇa rescued by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāvaṇa stood facing Lakṣmaṇa and spoke these words.

Verse 28

मोक्षितस्तेबलश्लाघिन्यस्मादेवंविभीषणः ।विमुच्यराक्षसंशक्तिस्त्वयीयंविनिपात्यते ।।।।

“Since you—boaster of strength—have thus rescued Vibhīṣaṇa, this spear, released by me, shall now fall upon you!”

Verse 29

एषातेहृदयंभित्त्वाशक्तिर्लोहितलक्षणा ।मद्भाहुपरिघोत्सृष्टाप्राणानादाययास्यति ।।।।

“This red-marked spear, hurled forth by my club-like arm, will pierce your heart and depart carrying away your life.”

Verse 30

इत्येवमुक्तातांशक्तिमष्टघण्टांमहास्वनाम् ।मयेनमायाविहिताममोघंशत्रुघातिनीम् ।।।।लक्ष्मणायसमुद्धिश्यज्वलन्तीमिवतेजसा ।रावणःपरमक्रुद्धश्चिक्षेप च ननाद च ।।।।

Having spoken thus, the utterly enraged Rāvaṇa hurled that unfailing spear—fashioned by Māyā (Maya), fitted with eight bells and roaring loudly—aiming it at Lakṣmaṇa; it blazed as though with fire, and he roared as he cast it.

Verse 31

इत्येवमुक्तातांशक्तिमष्टघण्टांमहास्वनाम् ।मयेनमायाविहिताममोघंशत्रुघातिनीम् ।।6.101.30।।लक्ष्मणायसमुद्धिश्यज्वलन्तीमिवतेजसा ।रावणःपरमक्रुद्धश्चिक्षेप च ननाद च ।।6.101.31।।

Hurled with terrifying speed, that spear—sounding like a thunderbolt—rushed swiftly toward Lakṣmaṇa at the very front of the battle.

Verse 32

साक्षिप्ताभीमवेगेनवज्राशनिसमस्वना ।शक्तिरभ्यपतद्वेगाल्लक्ष्मणंरणमूर्धनि ।।।।

Hurled with terrifying speed, that spear—sounding like a thunderbolt—rushed swiftly toward Lakṣmaṇa at the very front of the battle.

Verse 33

तामनुव्याहरच्छक्तिमापतन्तीं स राघवः ।स्वस्त्यस्तुलक्ष्मणआयेतिमोघाभवहतोद्यमा ।।।।

As the spear came hurtling in, Rāghava spoke: “May auspiciousness attend Lakṣmaṇa; may your effort to strike him down become futile.”

Verse 34

रावणेनरणेशक्तिःक्रुद्धेनाशीविषोपमाः ।मुक्ताशूरस्यभीतस्यलक्ष्मणस्यममज्जसा ।।।।

In battle, the spear released by the enraged Rāvaṇa—like the venom of a deadly serpent—sank into Lakṣmaṇa, who stood unafraid.

Verse 35

न्यपतत्सामहावेगालक्ष्मणस्यमहोरसि ।जिह्वेवोरगराजस्यदीप्यमानामहाद्युतिः ।।।।

That blazing, brilliantly radiant spear fell with great speed upon Lakṣmaṇa’s broad chest, like the flaming tongue of the king of serpents.

Verse 36

ततोरावणवेगेनसुदूरमवगाढया ।शक्त्याविभिन्नहृदयःपपातभुविलक्ष्मणः ।।।।

Then Lakṣmaṇa fell to the ground, his heart grievously pierced by that spear driven deep with the force of Rāvaṇa.

Verse 37

तदवस्थंसमीपस्थोलक्ष्मणंप्रेक्ष्यराघवः ।भ्रातृस्नेहान्महातेजाविषण्णहृदयोऽभवत् ।।।।

Seeing Lakṣmaṇa lying in that condition nearby, the mighty Rāghava—out of brotherly love—became heavy with grief in his heart.

Verse 38

स मुहूर्तमिवध्यात्वाबाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः ।बभूवसम्रब्धतरोयुगान्तइवपावकः ।।।।

For a brief moment he stood absorbed in thought, his eyes clouded with tears; then he became fiercer—like the fire at the end of an age.

Verse 39

न विषादस्यकालोऽयमितिसञ्चिन्त्यराघवः ।चक्रेसुतुमुलंयुद्धंरावणस्यवधेधृतः ।।।।सर्वयत्नेनमहतालक्ष्मणंपरिवीक्ष्य च ।

Reflecting, “This is no time for despair,” Rāghava—resolved upon Rāvaṇa’s death—plunged into a most tumultuous battle, even as he carefully attended to Lakṣmaṇa with every great effort.

Verse 40

सददर्शततोरामःशक्त्याभिन्नंमहाहवे ।।।।लक्ष्मणंरुधिरादिग्धंसपन्नगमिवाचलम् ।

Then, in that great battle, Rāma saw Lakṣmaṇa pierced by the śakti—smeared with blood, like a mountain with a serpent embedded in it.

Verse 41

तामपिप्रहितांशक्तिंरावणेनबलीयसा ।।।।यत्नतस्तेहरिश्रेष्ठा न शेकुरवमर्दितुम् ।अर्दिताश्चैवबाणौघैस्तेक्षिप्रहस्तेनरक्षसा ।। ।

Even with great effort, the foremost of the Vānaras could not wrench out that śakti hurled by the mighty Rāvaṇa—harried as they were by volleys of arrows from the swift-handed rākṣasa.

Verse 42

तामपिप्रहितांशक्तिंरावणेनबलीयसा ।।6.101.41।।यत्नतस्तेहरिश्रेष्ठा न शेकुरवमर्दितुम् ।अर्दिताश्चैवबाणौघैस्तेक्षिप्रहस्तेनरक्षसा ।।6.101.42 ।

That śakti, having pierced through Saumitri, had entered the earth. Then Rāma—mighty and enraged in battle—grasped the fearsome weapon with both hands, wrenched it free, and broke it.

Verse 43

सौमित्रिंसाविनिर्भिद्यप्रविष्टाधरणीतलम् ।तांकराभ्यांपरामृश्यरामःशक्तिंभयावहाम् ।।।।बभञ्जसमरेक्रुद्धोबलवान्विचकर्ष च ।

That śakti, having pierced through Saumitri, had entered the earth. Then Rāma—mighty and enraged in battle—grasped the fearsome weapon with both hands, wrenched it free, and broke it.

Verse 44

तस्यनिष्कर्षतःशक्तिंरावणेनबलीयसा ।।।।शराःसर्वेषुगात्रेषुपातितामर्मभेदिनः ।

As he was drawing out the śakti, the mighty Rāvaṇa struck him with arrows—piercing vital points—across all his limbs.

Verse 45

अचिन्तयित्वातान्बाणान्समालशिष्य च लक्ष्मणम् ।।।।अब्रवीच्चहनूमन्तंसुग्रीवं च महाकपिम् ।

Giving no heed to those arrows, he embraced Lakṣmaṇa and spoke to Hanūmān and to Sugrīva, the great lord of the Vānaras.

Verse 46

क्ष्मणंपरिवार्यैवतिष्ठध्वंवानरोत्तमाः ।।।।पराक्रमस्यकालोऽयंसम्प्राप्तोमेचिरेप्सितः ।पापात्मायंदशग्रीवोवध्यतांपापनिश्चयः ।।।।काङ्क्षितस्स्तोककस्येवघर्मान्तेमेघदर्शनम् ।

“Foremost of Vānaras, stand guarding Lakṣmaṇa all around. The long-awaited hour for my valor has come. Let this sinful Daśagrīva—of evil resolve—be slain. As clouds appear at summer’s end to the long-yearning cātaka, so has this moment come to me.”

Verse 47

क्ष्मणंपरिवार्यैवतिष्ठध्वंवानरोत्तमाः ।।6.101.46।।पराक्रमस्यकालोऽयंसम्प्राप्तोमेचिरेप्सितः ।पापात्मायंदशग्रीवोवध्यतांपापनिश्चयः ।।6.101.47।।काङ्क्षितस्स्तोककस्येवघर्मान्तेमेघदर्शनम् ।

“O best of the Vānaras, stand firm, surrounding Lakṣmaṇa. The long-awaited time for my display of valor has now arrived. Let this sinful Daśagrīva—fixed in evil—be slain. For me, it is like the sight of clouds at the end of summer, long desired by the chataka bird.”

Verse 48

अस्मिन् मुहूर्तेनचिरात्सत्यंप्रतिशृणोमिवः ।।।।अरावणमरामंवाजगद्ध्रक्ष्यथवानराः ।

O Vānaras, at this very moment I make you a truthful vow: before long you will see the world either without Rāvaṇa—or without Rāma.

Verse 49

राज्यनाशंवनेवासंदण्डकेपरिधावनम् ।।।।वैदेह्याश्चपरामर्शंरक्षोभिश्चसमागमम् ।

The loss of my kingdom, my life in the forest, the humiliations endured in Daṇḍaka—and Vaidehī’s violation and her encounter with the Rākṣasas: all this suffering stands before me now.

Verse 50

प्राप्तंदुःखंमहद्घोरंक्लेशश्चनिरयोपमः ।।।।अद्यसर्वमहंत्यक्ष्येनिहत्वारावणंरणे ।

The terrible sorrow that has come upon me—agonizing like hell itself—shall end today: for, having slain Rāvaṇa in battle, I will cast it all away.

Verse 51

यदर्थंवानरंसैन्यंसमानीतमिदंमया ।।।।सुग्रीवश्चकृतोराज्येनिहत्वावालिनंरणे ।यदर्थम् सगरःक्रान्तःसेतुःराब्धश्चसागरे ।सोऽयमद्यरणेपापश्चक्षुर्विषमागतः ।।।।

For whose sake I gathered this Vānara host; for whose sake Sugrīva was established in kingship after Vālin was slain in battle; for whose sake the ocean was crossed and a bridge was undertaken upon the sea—today that very sinful one has come within the range of my sight in this battle.

Verse 52

यदर्थंवानरंसैन्यंसमानीतमिदंमया ।।6.101.51।।सुग्रीवश्चकृतोराज्येनिहत्वावालिनंरणे ।यदर्थम् सगरःक्रान्तःसेतुःराब्धश्चसागरे ।सोऽयमद्यरणेपापश्चक्षुर्विषमागतः ।।6.101.52।।

Having come within the range of my sight, this Rāvaṇa does not deserve to live—like a serpent whose gaze is venomous, once it comes within the sight of Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Verse 53

चक्षुर्विषयमागत्यनायंजीवितुमर्हति ।।।।दृष्टिंदृष्टिविषस्येवसर्पस्यममरावणः ।यथावावैनतेयस्यदृष्टिंप्राप्तोभुजङ्गमः ।।।।

Having come within the range of my sight, this Rāvaṇa does not deserve to live—like a serpent whose gaze is venomous, once it comes within the sight of Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Verse 54

चक्षुर्विषयमागत्यनायंजीवितुमर्हति ।।6.101.53।।दृष्टिंदृष्टिविषस्येवसर्पस्यममरावणः ।यथावावैनतेयस्यदृष्टिंप्राप्तोभुजङ्गमः ।।6.101.54।।

Today, in my battle, let them behold the true ‘Rāma-ness’ of Rāma: the three worlds—together with Gandharvas, Devas, and the Ṛṣis and Cāraṇas—shall witness it.

Verse 55

स्वस्थापश्यतदुर्धर्षायुद्धंवानरपुङ्गवाः ।असीनाःपर्वताग्रेषुममेदंरावणस्य च ।।।।

O foremost Vānara leaders, remain steady and watch—seated upon the mountain peaks—this fierce combat between me and Rāvaṇa.

Verse 56

अद्यरामस्यरामत्वंपश्यन्तुममसंयुगे ।त्रयोलोकास्सगन्धर्वास्सदेवास्सर्षिचारणाः ।।।।

Today, in my battle, let them behold the true ‘Rāma-ness’ of Rāma: the three worlds—together with Gandharvas, Devas, and the Ṛṣis and Cāraṇas—shall witness it.

Verse 57

अद्यकर्मकरिष्यामियल्लोकाःसचराचराः ।सदेवाःकथयिष्यन्तियावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति ।।।।समागम्यसदालोकेयथायुद्धंप्रवर्तितम् ।

Today I shall perform such a deed that all the worlds—moving and unmoving beings alike—together with the gods, will speak of it for as long as the earth endures: how this battle was waged here, before the assembled world.

Verse 58

एवमुक्त्वाशितैर्बाणैस्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणैः ।।।।आजघानरणेरामोदशग्रीवंसमाहितः ।

Having spoken thus, Rāma—fully composed—struck Daśagrīva in battle with sharp arrows adorned with gleaming gold.

Verse 59

अथप्रदीप्तैर्नाराचैर्मुसलैश्चापिरावणः ।।।।अभ्यवर्षत्तदारामंधाराभिरिवतोयदः ।

Then Rāvaṇa showered Rāma with blazing iron arrows and with clubs, like a rain-cloud pouring down its streams.

Verse 60

रामरावणमुक्तानामन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नताम् ।।।।शराणां च शराणां च बभूवतुमुलःस्वनः ।

As the arrows released by Rāma and Rāvaṇa struck one another in mid-air, a tremendous roar of impact arose.

Verse 61

तेभिन्नाश्चविकीर्णाश्चरामरावणयोःशराः ।।।।अन्तरिक्षात्प्रदीप्ताग्रानिपेतुर्धरणीतले ।

Shattered and scattered, the arrows of both Rāma and Rāvaṇa—flaming at their tips—fell from the sky down upon the earth.

Verse 62

तयोर्ज्यातलनिर्घोषारामरावणयोर्महान् ।।।।त्रासनःसर्वभूतानांबभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः ।

The mighty twang and crash of the bow-strings of Rāma and Rāvaṇa arose—terrifying to all beings and astonishing to behold.

Verse 63

सकीर्यमाणश्शरजालवृष्टिभिर्महात्मनादीप्तधनुष्मतार्दितः ।भयात्प्रदुद्रावसमेत्यरावणोयथाविलेनाभिहतोबलाहकः ।।।।

Battered by the great-souled archer with his blazing bow, as showers of arrow-nets scattered around, Rāvaṇa fled in fear together with his attendants—like a cloud driven and struck by the wind.