Sarga 40

Verse 6.40.1

ततोरामस्सुवेलाग्रंयोजनद्वयमण्डलम् ।अरुरोहससुग्रीवोहरियूधपसम्वृतः ।।।।

Thereupon Rāma, surrounded by the leaders of the Vānara hosts and accompanied by Sugrīva, ascended the peak of Suvelā, whose expanse measured two yojanas.

Verse 6.40.2

स्थित्वामुहूर्तंतत्रैवदिशोदशविलोकयन् ।त्रिकूटशिखरेरम्येनिर्मितांविश्वकर्मणा ।।।।ददर्शलङ्कांसुन्यस्तांरम्यकाननशोभिताम् ।

Like a tiger and a lion roused by pride, like two young lordly elephants locked together, the pair closed in and crushed chest to chest, and both fell to the earth at the same instant.

Verse 6.40.3

तस्यांगोपुरशृङ्गस्थंराक्षसेन्द्रंदुरासदम् ।।।।श्वेतचामरपर्यन्तंविजयच्छत्रशोभितम् ।रक्तचन्दनसंलिप्तंरत्नाभरणभूषितम् ।।।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशंहेमसञ्छादिताम्बरम् ।ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरुत्कृष्टकिणवक्षसम् ।।।।शशलोहितरागेणसंवीतंरक्तवाससा ।सन्ध्यातपेनसंवीतंमेघराशिमिवाम्बरे ।।।।

Driven by the surge of anger—yet also by courage and strength—he rose from the mountain-top and leapt onto the palace-gateway platform.

Verse 6.40.4

तस्यांगोपुरशृङ्गस्थंराक्षसेन्द्रंदुरासदम् ।।6.40.3।।श्वेतचामरपर्यन्तंविजयच्छत्रशोभितम् ।रक्तचन्दनसंलिप्तंरत्नाभरणभूषितम् ।।6.40.4।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशंहेमसञ्छादिताम्बरम् ।ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरुत्कृष्टकिणवक्षसम् ।।6.40.5।।शशलोहितरागेणसंवीतंरक्तवाससा ।सन्ध्यातपेनसंवीतंमेघराशिमिवाम्बरे ।।6.40.6।।

Then, wearing the air of victory and unwearied, Rāvaṇa sprang up into the sky; yet he remained there, as though outwitted by the vānara king.

Verse 6.40.5

तस्यांगोपुरशृङ्गस्थंराक्षसेन्द्रंदुरासदम् ।।6.40.3।।श्वेतचामरपर्यन्तंविजयच्छत्रशोभितम् ।रक्तचन्दनसंलिप्तंरत्नाभरणभूषितम् ।।6.40.4।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशंहेमसञ्छादिताम्बरम् ।ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरुत्कृष्टकिणवक्षसम् ।।6.40.5।।शशलोहितरागेणसंवीतंरक्तवाससा ।सन्ध्यातपेनसंवीतंमेघराशिमिवाम्बरे ।।6.40.6।।

Then Sugrīva—the lord among the vānara chiefs, the Sun’s son—having won renown in battle by wearing down the lord of the night-rangers in combat, crossed the vast sky and went to Rāma, who stood amid the vānara hosts.

Verse 6.40.6

तस्यांगोपुरशृङ्गस्थंराक्षसेन्द्रंदुरासदम् ।।6.40.3।।श्वेतचामरपर्यन्तंविजयच्छत्रशोभितम् ।रक्तचन्दनसंलिप्तंरत्नाभरणभूषितम् ।।6.40.4।।नीलजीमूतसङ्काशंहेमसञ्छादिताम्बरम् ।ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरुत्कृष्टकिणवक्षसम् ।।6.40.5।।शशलोहितरागेणसंवीतंरक्तवाससा ।सन्ध्यातपेनसंवीतंमेघराशिमिवाम्बरे ।।6.40.6।।

Thus Sugrīva, the Sun’s son—swift as the wind—having accomplished that deed, entered the vānara host in high delight, increasing the battle-joy of Rāma, the princely scion of the Raghu line, while being honored by the foremost leaders among the tree-dwelling troops.

Verse 6.40.7

पश्यतांवानरेन्द्राणांराघवस्यापिपश्यतः ।दर्शनाद्राक्षसेन्द्रस्यसुग्रीवस्सहसोत्थितः ।।।।

While the leaders of the vānara looked on, and even as Rāghava watched, Sugrīva rose up suddenly upon catching sight of the King of the rākṣasas.

Verse 6.40.8

क्रोधवेगेनसंयुक्तस्सत्त्वेनचबलेनच ।अचलाग्रादथोत्थायपुप्लुवेगोपुरस्थले ।।।।

Driven by a surge of wrath, and endowed with courage and strength, he rose from the mountain peak and leapt onto the terrace of the gate-tower.

Verse 6.40.9

स्थित्वामुहूर्तंसम्प्रेक्ष्यनिर्भयेनान्तरात्मना ।तृणीकृत्यचतद्रक्षस्सोऽब्रवीत्परुषंवचः ।।।।

Standing for a moment and watching him with a fearless heart within, treating that rākṣasa as mere straw, he spoke harsh words.

Verse 6.40.10

लोकनाथस्यरामस्यसखादासोऽस्मिराक्षस ।नमयामोक्ष्यसेऽद्यत्वंपार्थिवेन्द्रस्यतेजसा ।।।।

“O Rākṣasa! I am both friend and servant of Rāma, the lord of the world. By the might of that king among kings, you shall not escape from me today!” said Sugrīva.

Verse 6.40.11

इत्युक्त्वासहसोत्पत्यपुप्लुवेतस्यचोपरि ।आकृष्यमुकुटंचित्रंपातयित्वाऽपतद्भुवि ।।।।

Having spoken thus, Sugrīva sprang up at once, leapt upon him, seized that splendid diadem, and dashed it down so that it fell to the ground.

Verse 6.40.12

समीक्ष्यतूर्णमायान्तमबभाषेनिशाचरः ।सुग्रीवस्त्वपरोक्षम् मेहीनग्रीवोभविष्यसि ।।।।

Seeing Sugrīva rushing toward him, the night-roaming Rākṣasa spoke: “Sugrīva, now that you stand before my very eyes, you shall be made neckless.”

Verse 6.40.13

इत्युक्त्वोत्थायतंक्षिप्रंबाहुभ्यामाक्षिपत्तले ।कन्तुवत्तंसमुत्थायबाहुभ्यामाक्षिपद्धरि ।।।।

So saying, he rose and swiftly hurled him down with his arms. But the Vānara sprang up again like a ball and, with both arms, flung him down in return.

Verse 6.40.14

परस्परंस्वेदविदग्धगात्रौपरस्परंशोणितदिग्धदेहौ ।परस्परंलशिष्टनिरुद्धचेष्टौपरस्परंशाल्मलिकिंशुकौयधा ।।।।मुष्टिप्रहारैश्चतलप्रहारैररत्निघातैश्चकराग्रघातैः ।तौचक्रतुर्युद्धमसह्यरूपंमहाबलौराक्षसवानरेन्द्रौ ।।।।

Locked against one another—limbs scorched with sweat, bodies smeared with blood—the two mighty kings, the Rākṣasa and the Vānara lord, stood entwined and momentarily checked in movement, like the red śālmali and kiṃśuka trees. Then they waged a dreadful struggle with fists, open palms, forearm blows, and slashing strikes of the fingertips.

Verse 6.40.15

परस्परंस्वेदविदग्धगात्रौपरस्परंशोणितदिग्धदेहौ ।परस्परंलशिष्टनिरुद्धचेष्टौपरस्परंशाल्मलिकिंशुकौयधा ।।6.40.14।।मुष्टिप्रहारैश्चतलप्रहारैररत्निघातैश्चकराग्रघातैः ।तौचक्रतुर्युद्धमसह्यरूपंमहाबलौराक्षसवानरेन्द्रौ ।।6.40.15।।

After engaging in fierce wrestling for a long time in the midst of the gate-tower terrace, the two, with violent momentum, repeatedly heaved and hurled each other, bending their bodies and shifting their footing, yet holding their ground upon the tower-platform.

Verse 6.40.16

कृत्वानियुद्धंभृशमुग्रवेगौकालंचिर, गोपुरवेदिमध्ये ।उत्क्षिप्यचोत्क्षिप्यविनम्यदेहौपादक्रमाद्गोपुरवेदिलग्नौ ।।।।

Striking and wrenching one another while still clinging to the tower-terrace, the two fell into the space between the palisade and the moat. For a moment they stood there, bodies still pressed close, panting heavily; then they sprang up again without touching the ground.

Verse 6.40.17

अन्योन्यमाविध्यवेदिलग्नौतौपेततुस्सालनिखातमध्ये ।उत्पेततुर्भूतलमस्पृशन्तौस्थित्वामुहूर्तंत्वभिनिश्श्वसन्तौ ।।।।

Embracing and re‑embracing, pressing chest to chest by the force of their arms, the two again and again locked together in battle. Driven by fury, training, and strength, they moved through the many ways of close combat.

Verse 6.40.18

आलिङ् ग्यचालिङ् ग्यचबाहुयोक्स्रैस्संयोजयामासतुराहवेतौ ।सम्रम्भशिक्षाबलसम्प्रयुक्तौसंचेरतुस्सम्प्रतियुद्धमार्गैः ।।।।

Then, in the thick of battle, the two again and again clasped and locked one another, their arms tight across the chest. Matched in fierce resolve, training, and strength, they pressed on, employing the various ways of combat.

Verse 6.40.19

शार्दूरसिंहाविवजातदर्पौगजेन्द्रपोताविवसम्प्रयुक्तौ ।संहत्यचापीड्यचतावुरोभ्यांनिपेततुर्वैयुगपद्धरण्याम् ।।।।

Pausing there a moment and gazing into all ten directions, Rāma beheld Laṅkā—built by Viśvakarman upon the lovely summit of Trikūṭa—strongly fortified and beautified by delightful groves.

Verse 6.40.20

उद्यम्यचान्योन्यमधिक्षिपन्तौसञ्चक्रमातेबहुयुद्धमार्गे: ।व्यायामशिक्षाबलसम्प्रयुक्तौक्लमंनतौजग्मतुराशुवीरौ ।।।।

Gripping each other and taunting one another, the two heroes moved through many modes of combat. Trained and strengthened by rigorous practice, they were not quickly overcome by fatigue.

Verse 6.40.21

बाहूत्तमैर्वारणवारणाभैर्निवारयन्तौवरवारणाभौ ।चिरेणकालेनतुसम्प्रयुक्तौसञ्चेरतुर्मण्डलमार्गमाशु ।।।।

With superb arms, the two—like rival elephants—kept checking and holding each other back. Locked in combat for a long time, they swiftly circled in a ring-like course.

Verse 6.40.22

तौपरस्परमासाद्ययत्तावन्योन्यसूदने ।मार्जाराविवभक्ष्यार्थेऽवितस्थातेमुहुर्मुहुः ।।।।

Closing in upon each other, eager to destroy the other, the two kept darting back and forth again and again—like cats circling over prey for food.

Verse 6.40.23

मण्डलानिविचित्राणिस्थानानिविविधानिच ।मूत्रकाणिचित्राणिगतप्रत्यागतानिच ।।।।तिरच्शीनगतान्येवतथावक्रगतानिच ।परिमोक्षंप्रहाराणांवर्जनंपरिधावनम् ।।।।अभिद्रवणमाप्लावमावस्थानंसविग्रहम् ।परावृत्तमपावृत्तमपद्रुतमवप्लुतम् ।।।।उपन्यस्तपमन्यस्तंयुद्धमार्गविशारदौ ।तौसञ्चेचेरतुरन्योन्यंवानरेन्द्रश्चरावणः ।।।।

Skilled in the ways of combat, Rāvaṇa and the lord of Vānaras displayed wondrous circles and varied stances—winding patterns, advances and retreats, sideways and crooked movements; the releasing and the avoiding of blows; rushing about and striking; charging and leaping; standing firm in stillness; turning away and turning back; withdrawing and springing aside; setting and unsetting their holds—thus the two ranged against each other, exhibiting their mastery of battle.

Verse 6.40.24

मण्डलानिविचित्राणिस्थानानिविविधानिच ।मूत्रकाणिचित्राणिगतप्रत्यागतानिच ।।6.40.23।।तिरच्शीनगतान्येवतथावक्रगतानिच ।परिमोक्षंप्रहाराणांवर्जनंपरिधावनम् ।।6.40.24।।अभिद्रवणमाप्लावमावस्थानंसविग्रहम् ।परावृत्तमपावृत्तमपद्रुतमवप्लुतम् ।।6.40.25।।उपन्यस्तपमन्यस्तंयुद्धमार्गविशारदौ ।तौसञ्चेचेरतुरन्योन्यंवानरेन्द्रश्चरावणः ।।6.40.26।।

In that interval, the rākṣasa sought to set in motion the power of his own māyā. Perceiving this, the lord of Vānaras—wearing the air of victory and free from weariness—leapt up into the sky. Rāvaṇa remained there, as though outwitted by the monkey-king.

Verse 6.40.25

मण्डलानिविचित्राणिस्थानानिविविधानिच ।मूत्रकाणिचित्राणिगतप्रत्यागतानिच ।।6.40.23।।तिरच्शीनगतान्येवतथावक्रगतानिच ।परिमोक्षंप्रहाराणांवर्जनंपरिधावनम् ।।6.40.24।।अभिद्रवणमाप्लावमावस्थानंसविग्रहम् ।परावृत्तमपावृत्तमपद्रुतमवप्लुतम् ।।6.40.25।।उपन्यस्तपमन्यस्तंयुद्धमार्गविशारदौ ।तौसञ्चेचेरतुरन्योन्यंवानरेन्द्रश्चरावणः ।।6.40.26।।

They displayed the maneuvers of battle—charging and leaping, standing firm with controlled poise; wheeling about and circling away, retreating and springing aside—each seeking advantage over the other in that righteous contest of arms.

Verse 6.40.26

मण्डलानिविचित्राणिस्थानानिविविधानिच ।मूत्रकाणिचित्राणिगतप्रत्यागतानिच ।।6.40.23।।तिरच्शीनगतान्येवतथावक्रगतानिच ।परिमोक्षंप्रहाराणांवर्जनंपरिधावनम् ।।6.40.24।।अभिद्रवणमाप्लावमावस्थानंसविग्रहम् ।परावृत्तमपावृत्तमपद्रुतमवप्लुतम् ।।6.40.25।।उपन्यस्तपमन्यस्तंयुद्धमार्गविशारदौ ।तौसञ्चेचेरतुरन्योन्यंवानरेन्द्रश्चरावणः ।।6.40.26।।

Skilled in the ways of battle, Rāvaṇa and the lord of the Vānaras circled one another in wondrous patterns—forming rings and spirals like the “cow’s-urine” whirl—taking many striking stances. They advanced and withdrew, moved sideways and at angles, feinted and curved away; they launched and avoided blows, chased and checked each other; they rushed, leapt, held firm without yielding, turned away and turned back, retreated and sprang aside—now setting their hands to strike, now drawing them back—each displaying mastery of combat against the other.

Verse 6.40.27

एतस्मिन्नन्तरेरक्षोमायाबलमथात्मनः ।आरब्धुमुपसंपेदेज्ञात्वातंवानराधिपः ।।।।उत्पपाततदाकाशंजितकाशीजितक्लमः ।रावणःस्थितएवात्रहरिराजेववञ्चितः ।।।।

Meanwhile, that rākṣasa resolved to display the power of his own māyā. But the lord of the Vānaras, understanding his intent, leapt up into the sky—wearing the look of victory and unwearied. Rāvaṇa, however, remained there on the spot, as though outwitted by the monkey-king.

Verse 6.40.28

एतस्मिन्नन्तरेरक्षोमायाबलमथात्मनः ।आरब्धुमुपसंपेदेज्ञात्वातंवानराधिपः ।।6.40.27।।उत्पपाततदाकाशंजितकाशीजितक्लमः ।रावणःस्थितएवात्रहरिराजेववञ्चितः ।।6.40.28।।

Rāma beheld the lord of the rākṣasas standing upon the summit of the palace-gateway—hard to approach—attended by white fly-whisks and shaded by a triumphal parasol. Smeared with red sandal and adorned with jeweled ornaments, clad in a garment embroidered with gold, he looked like a dark mass of cloud. His chest bore raised scars, as if scored by the tips of Airāvata’s tusks; wrapped in crimson cloth, he shone like a cloud-bank in the sky lit by the ruddy glow of sunset.

Verse 6.40.29

अथहरिवरनाथःप्राप्यसङ्ग्रामकीर्तिंनिशिचरपतिमाजौयोजयित्वाश्रमेण ।गगनमतिविशालंलङ्घयित्वार्कसूनुर्हरिगणमध्येरामपार्श्वंजगाम ।।।।

While the vānara chiefs looked on—and Rāghava himself watched—Sugrīva sprang up at the very sight of the rākṣasa king.

Verse 6.40.30

इतिससवितृसूनुस्तत्रतत्कर्मकृत्वापवनगतिरनीकंप्राविशत्ससम्प्रहृष्टः ।रघुवरनृपसूनोद्वर्धयन्युद्धहर्षंतरुमृगगणमुख्यैःपूज्यमानोहरीन्द्रः ।।।।

Pausing for a moment and surveying him with a fearless heart, he made light of that rākṣasa and spoke harsh words.