रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)
युद्धकाण्ड
This sarga opens with an ornate, kinetic description of Rāvaṇa’s chariot—Gandharva-city-like in form, heavy with flags and standards, yoked to horses adorned with gold chains, and engineered for maximum battlefield intimidation. As the duel intensifies, Rāma observes the enemy chariot’s aggressive approach and warns Mātali (Indra’s charioteer) that Rāvaṇa’s reversed, reckless movement signals self-destruction. Rāma issues precise operational instructions: remain alert, drive straight toward the enemy, keep the mind unconfused, and control the reins with steady vision—an applied ethics of disciplined action in combat. Mātali, pleased, maneuvers expertly, turning to unsettle Rāvaṇa with wheel-raised dust. Rāvaṇa strikes Rāma with arrows; Rāma responds by taking up the powerful Indra-like bow, and the two face each other like lions, each intent on the other’s death. Celestial beings gather to witness the duel. A sequence of ominous portents concentrates around Rāvaṇa—blood-rain, circling winds, vultures and jackals, dust-darkened directions, meteors, thunderbolts without clouds—while auspicious victory-signs arise for Rāma. Reading these nimittas, Rāma becomes confident of victory and advances with heightened prowess to conclude the enemy’s end.
Verse 6.108.1
स रथंसारथिःहृष्टंपरसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ।गन्धर्वनगराकारंसमुच्छ्रितपाताकिनम् ।।।।युक्तंपरमसम्पन्नैर्वजिभिर्हेममालिभिः ।युद्धोपकरणैःपूर्णंपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।।।।ग्रसन्तमिवचाकाशंनादयन्तंवसुन्धराम् ।प्रणाशंपरनैन्यानांस्वनैन्यस्यप्रहर्षणम् ।।।।रावणस्यरथंक्षिप्रंचोदयामाससारथिः ।
His delighted charioteer swiftly urged on Rāvaṇa’s chariot—terrible to the enemy host, shaped like a city of Gandharvas, and bristling with lofty banners. Yoked to superb horses adorned with golden garlands, it was filled with every implement of war; with its flags and standards it seemed to swallow the sky and make the earth resound—ruin to the opposing ranks, and exhilaration to its own.
Verse 6.108.2
स रथंसारथिःहृष्टंपरसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ।गन्धर्वनगराकारंसमुच्छ्रितपाताकिनम् ।।6.108.1।।युक्तंपरमसम्पन्नैर्वजिभिर्हेममालिभिः ।युद्धोपकरणैःपूर्णंपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।।6.108.2।।ग्रसन्तमिवचाकाशंनादयन्तंवसुन्धराम् ।प्रणाशंपरनैन्यानांस्वनैन्यस्यप्रहर्षणम् ।।6.108.3।।रावणस्यरथंक्षिप्रंचोदयामाससारथिः ।
Rāma, stung by the outrage and letting righteous wrath sharpen his steadfast resolve, took up in battle Indra’s bow, endowed with tremendous speed and force.
Verse 6.108.3
स रथंसारथिःहृष्टंपरसैन्यप्रधर्षणम् ।गन्धर्वनगराकारंसमुच्छ्रितपाताकिनम् ।।6.108.1।।युक्तंपरमसम्पन्नैर्वजिभिर्हेममालिभिः ।युद्धोपकरणैःपूर्णंपताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ।।6.108.2।।ग्रसन्तमिवचाकाशंनादयन्तंवसुन्धराम् ।प्रणाशंपरनैन्यानांस्वनैन्यस्यप्रहर्षणम् ।।6.108.3।।रावणस्यरथंक्षिप्रंचोदयामाससारथिः ।
As though swallowing the sky and making the earth resound—bringing ruin to the enemy host and exhilaration to his own—the charioteer swiftly urged forward Rāvaṇa’s chariot.
Verse 6.108.4
समापतन्तंसहसास्वनवन्तंमहाध्वजम् ।।।।रथंराक्षसराजस्यनरराजोददर्श ह ।कृष्णवाजिसमायुक्तंयुक्तंरौद्रेणवर्चसा ।।।।दीप्यमानमिवाकाशेविमानंसूर्यवर्चसं ।तडित्पताकागहनंदर्शितेन्द्रायुधप्रभम् ।।।।
Blazing in the sky like a celestial vimāna, it shone with the brilliance of the sun—dense with lightning-like pennants, displaying a radiance like Indra’s bow.
Verse 6.108.5
समापतन्तंसहसास्वनवन्तंमहाध्वजम् ।।6.108.4।।रथंराक्षसराजस्यनरराजोददर्श ह ।कृष्णवाजिसमायुक्तंयुक्तंरौद्रेणवर्चसा ।।6.108.5।।दीप्यमानमिवाकाशेविमानंसूर्यवर्चसं ।तडित्पताकागहनंदर्शितेन्द्रायुधप्रभम् ।।6.108.6।।
Rāma saw the enemy’s chariot rushing in, releasing streams of arrows like a rain-cloud pouring down sheets of water—cloudlike in its mass and onrush.
Verse 6.108.6
समापतन्तंसहसास्वनवन्तंमहाध्वजम् ।।6.108.4।।रथंराक्षसराजस्यनरराजोददर्श ह ।कृष्णवाजिसमायुक्तंयुक्तंरौद्रेणवर्चसा ।।6.108.5।।दीप्यमानमिवाकाशेविमानंसूर्यवर्चसं ।तडित्पताकागहनंदर्शितेन्द्रायुधप्रभम् ।।6.108.6।।
Drawing his bow swiftly into a crescent like the young moon, Rāma made a sound like a mountain splitting when struck by a thunderbolt; then he spoke to Mātali, the charioteer of the thousand-eyed Indra.
Verse 6.108.7
शराधाराविमुञ्चन्तंधारासारमिवाम्बुदम् ।तंदृष्टवामेघसङ्काशमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।।।गिरेर्वज्राभिमृष्टस्यदीर्यतस्सदृशस्वनम् ।विस्पारयन्वैवेगेनबालचन्द्रानतंधनुः ।।।।उवाचसारथिंरामंसहस्राक्षस्यमातलिम् ।
“Mātali, look—how the enemy’s chariot rushes forward in reckless haste, turning back again in a contrary course with great speed. It seems to me his resolve is set on destroying himself in this battle.”
Verse 6.108.8
शराधाराविमुञ्चन्तंधारासारमिवाम्बुदम् ।तंदृष्टवामेघसङ्काशमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।6.108.7।।गिरेर्वज्राभिमृष्टस्यदीर्यतस्सदृशस्वनम् ।विस्पारयन्वैवेगेनबालचन्द्रानतंधनुः ।।6.108.8।।उवाचसारथिंरामंसहस्राक्षस्यमातलिम् ।
Seeing auspicious omens that signaled his own victory, Rāghava became exceedingly glad and deemed Rāvaṇa as already slain.
Verse 6.108.9
मातलेपश्यसम्रद्धमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।।।यथापसव्यंपततावेगेनमहतापुनः ।समरेहन्तुमात्मानंतथानेनकृतामतिः ।।।।
Then Rāghava—skilled in reading the signs of battle—observed the portents arising within himself, attained joy and deep assurance, and in the fight displayed still greater valor to bring the foe to an end.
Verse 6.108.10
मातलेपश्यसम्रद्धमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।6.108.9।।यथापसव्यंपततावेगेनमहतापुनः ।समरेहन्तुमात्मानंतथानेनकृतामतिः ।।6.108.10।।
Mātali, look—the enemy’s splendid chariot rushes in; turning back the wrong way, he charges again with tremendous speed. To me it seems his resolve is such that, in battle, he is bent upon his own destruction.
Verse 6.108.11
तदप्रमादमातिष्ठन्प्रत्युद्गच्छरथंरिपोः ।विध्वंसयितुमिच्छामिवायुर्मेघमिवोत्थितम् ।।।।
Therefore, standing firm in vigilance, drive forth to meet the enemy’s chariot. I wish to destroy him, as the rising wind scatters a cloud.
Verse 6.108.12
अविक्लबमसम्भ्रान्तमव्यग्रहृदयेक्षणम् ।रमशिसञ्चारनियंप्रचोदयरथंद्रुतम् ।।।।
Drive the chariot swiftly—without faltering, without confusion—steady in heart and in sight, keeping firm control over the course of the reins.
Verse 6.108.13
कामं न त्वंसमाधेयःपुरन्दररथोचितः ।युयुत्सुरहमेकाग्रःस्मारयेत्वां न शिक्ष्ये ।।।।
Truly, you need no instruction—you are worthy to drive Purandara’s (Indra’s) chariot. I, single-pointedly intent on battle, only remind you from time to time; I do not presume to teach you.
Verse 6.108.14
परितुष्टः स रामस्यतेनवाक्येनमातलिः ।प्रचोदयामासरथंसुरसारथिरुत्तमः ।।।।
Pleased by Rāma’s words, Mātali—the finest charioteer of the gods—urged the chariot onward.
Verse 6.108.15
अपसव्यंततःकुर्वन् रावणस्यमहारथम् ।चक्रसम्भूतरसारावणंव्यवदूनयन् ।।।।
Then, making Rāvaṇa’s mighty chariot wheel about in a reverse course, Mātali shook Rāvaṇa with the dust raised by the rolling wheels.
Verse 6.108.16
ततःक्रुद्धोदशग्रीवस्ताम्रविस्फारितेक्षणः ।रथप्रतिमुखंरामंसायकैरवधूनयत् ।।।।
Then Daśagrīva, enraged, his coppery eyes flaring wide, assailed Rāma who faced him at the chariot-front, shaking him with a volley of arrows.
Verse 6.108.17
धर्षणामर्षितोरामोधैर्यंरोषेणलम्भयन् ।जग्राहसुमहावेगमैन्द्रंयुधिशरासनम् ।।।।
Delighted, Rāvaṇa’s charioteer urged on that chariot—terrifying to the enemy host—shaped like a celestial city of the Gandharvas and crowned with lofty banners.
Verse 6.108.18
शरांश्चसुमहावेगान्सूर्यरश्मिसमप्रभान् ।तदुपोढुंमहद्युद्धमन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणोः ।।।।परस्पराभिमुखयोर्दृप्तयोरिवसिंहयोः ।
It was yoked to superb horses adorned with golden garlands, filled with the implements of war, and festooned with flags and standards.
Verse 6.108.19
ततोदेवास्सगन्धर्वास्सिद्धाश्चपरमर्षयः ।।।।समीयुर्द्वैरथंद्रष्टुंरावणक्षयकाङ्क्षिणः ।
Seeming to swallow the sky and making the earth resound—ruin to the opposing host and delight to its own—Rāvaṇa’s charioteer swiftly drove that chariot onward.
Verse 6.108.20
वर्षरुधिरंदेवोरावणस्यरधोपरि ।।।।वातामण्डलिनस्त्रीव्राह्यपसव्यंप्रचक्रमुः ।
And arrows of immense speed, radiant like the sun’s rays, were readied as that great battle drew near—two foes facing one another, each yearning for the other’s death, like proud lions confronting lions.
Verse 6.108.21
महत् गृध्रकुलंचास्यभ्रममाणंनभस्तले ।।।।येनयेनरथोयातितेनतेनप्रधावति
Then the Devas with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, and the great seers assembled to witness the chariot-duel, longing for Rāvaṇa’s destruction.
Verse 6.108.22
सन्ध्ययाचावृतालङ्काजपापुष्पनिकाशया ।।।।दृश्यतेसम्प्रदीप्तेवदिवसेऽपिवसुन्धरा ।
Blood rained down from the heavens upon Rāvaṇa’s chariot, and fierce winds whirled in circles, blowing inauspiciously from left to right.
Verse 6.108.23
सनिर्घातामहोल्काश्चसम्प्रपेतुर्महास्वनाः ।।।।विषादयंस्तेरक्षांसिरावणस्यतदाहिताः ।
A vast flock of vultures wheeled in the sky above him; wherever his chariot went, there they hurried after it.
Verse 6.108.24
सनिर्घातामहोल्काश्चसम्प्रपेतुर्महास्वनाः ।।6.108.23।।विषादयंस्तेरक्षांसिरावणस्यतदाहिताः ।
Laṅkā appeared as though veiled by twilight, reddened like hibiscus blossoms; even in daylight the earth looked as if it were aflame.
Verse 6.108.25
रावणश्चयतस्तत्रप्रचचालवसुन्धरा ।।।।रक्षसां च प्रहरतांगृहीताइवबाहवः ।
Meteors fell with thunderous crashes and mighty roaring sounds, and the Rākṣasas grew despondent, taking them as signs of Rāvaṇa’s impending ruin.
Verse 6.108.26
ताम्राःपीतास्सिताश्वेताःपतितास्सूर्यरश्मयः ।।।।दृश्यन्तेरावणस्याग्रेपर्वतस्येवधातवः ।
Before Rāvaṇa, the sun’s rays fell in hues of red, yellow, pale, and white—appearing like mineral veins upon a mountain.
Verse 6.108.27
गृध्रैरनुगताश्चास्यवमन्त्योज्वलनंमुखैः ।।।।प्रणेदुर्मुखमीक्षन्त्यःसम्रद्धमशिवंशिवाः ।
Followed by vultures, the she-jackals faced him and spewed blazing fire from their mouths; staring on, they cried out—an omen heavy with inauspiciousness.
Verse 6.108.28
प्रतिकूलंववेवायूरणेपांसून् समुकतिरन् ।।।।तस्यराक्षसराजस्यकुर्वन्दृष्टिविलोपनम् ।
An adverse wind blew across the battle, flinging up dust and obscuring the sight of that king of Rākṣasas.
Verse 6.108.29
निपेतुरिन्द्राशनयस्सैन्येचाप्यसमन्ततः ।।।।दुर्विषह्यस्वनाघोरंविनाजलधरोदयम् ।
Indra’s thunderbolts fell upon the army on every side—terrifying and deafening—though no clouds had risen.
Verse 6.108.30
दिशश्चप्रदिशस्सर्वाबभूवुस्तिमिरावृताः ।।।।पांसुवर्षेणमहतादुर्दर्शं च नभोऽभवत् ।
All directions and intermediate quarters became shrouded in darkness; by a great rain of dust, the sky itself turned hard to see.
Verse 6.108.31
कुर्वन्त: कलहंघोरंशारिकास्तद्रथंप्रति ।।।।निपेतुश्शतशस्तत्रदारुणादारुणारुताः ।
Uttering dreadful cries and making a fierce clamor, the śārikā birds fell there upon that chariot in their hundreds—frightful in their harsh calls.
Verse 6.108.32
जघनेभ्यःस्फुलिङ्गांश्चनेत्रेभ्योऽश्रूणिसन्ततम् ।।।।मुमुचुस्तस्यतुरगास्तुल्यमग्नि च वारि च ।
His horses continually let fall sparks from their hindquarters, and from their eyes unceasing tears—releasing, as it were, fire and water together in equal measure.
Verse 6.108.33
एवंप्रकाराबहवस्समुत्पाताभयापहाः ।।।।रावणस्यविनाशायदारुणाःसम्प्रजज्ञिरे ।
Thus, many dreadful and fearsome portents arose—terrible in form—proclaiming the destruction of Rāvaṇa.
Verse 6.108.34
रामस्यापिनिमित्तानिसौम्यानि च शिवानि च ।।।।बभूवुर्जयशंसीनिप्रादुर्भूतानिसर्वशः ।
For Rāma as well, auspicious and gentle signs appeared on every side—portents that proclaimed victory.
Verse 6.108.35
निमित्तानि च सौम्यानिराघवःस्वजयायवै ।।।।दृष्टवापरमसम्हृष्टोहतंमेने च रावणम् ।
Then the king among men beheld the rākṣasa-king’s chariot rushing in violently—resounding with its bells and crowned with a great standard.
Verse 6.108.36
ततोनिरीक्ष्यात्मगतानिराघवोरणेनिमित्तानिनिमित्तकोविदः ।जगामहर्षं च परां च निर्वृतिंचकारयुद्धेह्यधिक च विक्रमम् ।।।।
It was yoked to dark horses and was harnessed with a fierce, wrathful radiance.