धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)
युद्धकाण्ड
Sarga 51 records a strategic and psychological pivot in Laṅkā’s command. Rāvaṇa hears the tumultuous, celebratory roar of the Vanaras and infers an unexpected reversal. He orders reconnaissance; distressed rākṣasas climb the ramparts, observe Sugrīva’s protected forces, and confirm the critical intelligence: Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—previously bound by Indrajit’s formidable arrow-bondage—are now visibly freed, likened to elephants snapping ropes. The messengers report in controlled speech despite fear, prompting Rāvaṇa’s anxious anger and doubt about the security of his army and the efficacy of his weapons. He then summons Dhūmrākṣa and commands an immediate sortie to strike Rāma and the Vanaras. Mobilization follows: the army assembles with a catalogue of weapons, chariots, horses, and elephants; Dhūmrākṣa mounts a gold-adorned donkey-yoked chariot and moves toward the western gate where Hanumān stands. En route, ominous portents—vultures, blood imagery, adverse winds, darkness, and earth-tremors—signal impending catastrophe, yet the sortie advances until Dhūmrākṣa beholds the vast Vanara host guarded by Rāghava.
Verse 6.51.1
तेषांसुतुमुलंशब्दंवानराणांतरस्विनाम् ।नर्दतांराक्षसैस्सार्धंतदाशुश्रावरावणः ।।6.51.1।।
Then Rāvaṇa, together with his Rākṣasas, heard the ever-rising, highly tumultuous roar of those powerful Vānaras.
Verse 6.51.2
स्निग्धगम्भीरनिर्घोषंश्रुत्वासनिनदंभृशम् ।सचिवानांततस्तेषांमध्येवचनमब्रवीत् ।।6.51.2।।
“You of dreadful prowess—go forth, supported by a great host of rākṣasas, to slay Rāma together with his vānaras.”
Verse 6.51.3
यथाऽसौसम्प्रहृष्टानांवानराणांसमुत्थितः ।बहूनांसुमहान्नादोमेघनामिवगर्जिताम् ।।6.51.3।।व्यक्तंसुमहतीप्रीतिरेतेषांनात्रसंशयः ।तथाहिविपुलैर्नादैश्चुक्षुभेवरुणालयः ।।6.51.4।।
Thus, from those vānaras, exceedingly delighted, there arose a very great roar—of many voices—like the thunder of rumbling clouds. Clearly, their joy was immense; of this there is no doubt. Indeed, by those vast clamors even the ocean, Varuṇa’s abode, was stirred and churned.
Verse 6.51.4
यथाऽसौसम्प्रहृष्टानांवानराणांसमुत्थितः ।बहूनांसुमहान्नादोमेघनामिवगर्जिताम् ।।6.51.3।।व्यक्तंसुमहतीप्रीतिरेतेषांनात्रसंशयः ।तथाहिविपुलैर्नादैश्चुक्षुभेवरुणालयः ।।6.51.4।।
Plainly their joy is immense—there is no doubt of it; for with their broad and mighty roars, even the ocean, Varuṇa’s abode, seemed to heave in agitation.
Verse 6.51.5
तौतुबद्धौशरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्भ्रातरौरामलक्ष्मणौ ।अयंचसुमहान्नादशङ्कांजनयतीवमे ।।6.51.5।।
Though the two brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are bound fast by sharp arrows, this tremendous roar still raises doubt in my mind—what has happened that they rejoice so?
Verse 6.51.6
एतत्तुवचनंचोक्त्वामन्त्रिणोराक्षसेश्वरः ।उवाचनैरृतांस्तत्रसमीपपरिवर्तिनः ।।6.51.6।।
Having spoken these words to his ministers, the lord of the rākṣasas then addressed the rākṣasa warriors standing nearby in attendance.
Verse 6.51.7
ज्ञायतांतूर्णमेतेषांसर्वेषांचवनचारिणाम् ।शोककालेसमुत्पन्नहर्षकारणमुत्थितम् ।।6.51.7।।
Find out at once what has arisen as the cause of joy among all these forest-ranging vānaras—joy appearing in a time meant for grief.
Verse 6.51.8
तथोक्तास्तेनसम्भ्रान्ताःप्राकारमधिरुह्यच ।ददृशुःपालितांसेनांसुग्रीवेणमहात्मना ।।6.51.8।।तौचमुक्तौसुघोरेणशरबन्धेनराघवौ ।समुत्थितौमहाभागौविषेदुःप्रेक्ष्यराक्षसाः ।।6.51.9।।
Thus addressed by him, the bewildered rākṣasas climbed onto the ramparts and saw the army, well protected under the great-souled Sugrīva.
Verse 6.51.9
तथोक्तास्तेनसम्भ्रान्ताःप्राकारमधिरुह्यच ।ददृशुःपालितांसेनांसुग्रीवेणमहात्मना ।।6.51.8।।तौचमुक्तौसुघोरेणशरबन्धेनराघवौ ।समुत्थितौमहाभागौविषेदुःप्रेक्ष्यराक्षसाः ।।6.51.9।।
And seeing the two Rāghavas freed from that most dreadful net of arrows, risen again in their full strength, the rākṣasas fell into anxious dismay.
Verse 6.51.10
सन्त्रस्तहृदयाःसर्वेप्राकारात् वरुह्यते ।विषण्णवदनाघोराराक्षसेन्द्रमुपस्थिता ।।6.51.10।।
All those dreadful Rākṣasas, their hearts shaken with fear, climbed down from the ramparts and approached the lord of the Rākṣasas with dejected faces.
Verse 6.51.11
तदप्रियंदीनमुखारावणस्यनिशाचराः ।कृत्स्नंनिवेदयामासुर्यथावद्वाक्यकोविदाः ।।6.51.11।।
Those night-roaming Rākṣasas, though downcast, reported to Rāvaṇa the entire unwelcome matter exactly as it had occurred, for they were skilled in delivering their message.
Verse 6.51.12
यौताविन्द्रजितायुद्धेभ्रातरौरामलक्ष्मणौ ।निबद्धौशरबन्धेननिष्प्रकम्पभुजौकृतौ ।।6.51.12।।विमुक्तौशरबन्धेनदृश्येतेतौरणाजिरे ।पाशानिवगजौछित्वागजेन्द्रसमविक्रमौ ।।6.51.13।।
“Those two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—whom Indrajit bound in battle with a snare of arrows, rendering their arms immobile—are now seen freed upon the battlefield. Like elephants that have snapped their ropes, they stand with the might of lordly tuskers.”
Verse 6.51.13
यौताविन्द्रजितायुद्धेभ्रातरौरामलक्ष्मणौ ।निबद्धौशरबन्धेननिष्प्रकम्पभुजौकृतौ ।।6.51.12।।विमुक्तौशरबन्धेनदृश्येतेतौरणाजिरे ।पाशानिवगजौछित्वागजेन्द्रसमविक्रमौ ।।6.51.13।।
Those two brothers—Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa—were bound in battle by Indrajit with a bondage of arrows, their arms rendered motionless and unshaken.
Verse 6.51.14
तच्छ्रुत्वावचनंतेषांराक्षसेन्द्रोमहाबलः ।चिन्तारोषसमाक्रान्तोविषण्णवदनोऽभवत् ।।6.51.14।।
Now freed from that arrow-bond, the two were seen upon the battlefield—like elephants that have snapped their ropes—possessing the might of lordly tuskers.
Verse 6.51.15
घोरैर्दत्तवरैर्भद्धौशरैराशीविषोपमैः ।अमोघैस्सूर्यसङ्काशैःप्रमथ्येन्द्रजितायुधि ।।6.51.15।।तदस्त्रबन्धमासाद्ययदिमुक्तौरिपूमम ।संशयस्थमिदंसर्वमनुपश्याम्यहंबलम् ।।6.51.16।।
Hearing those words, the mighty lord of the Rākṣasas was overwhelmed by anxious thought and anger, and his face fell into dejection.
Verse 6.51.16
घोरैर्दत्तवरैर्भद्धौशरैराशीविषोपमैः ।अमोघैस्सूर्यसङ्काशैःप्रमथ्येन्द्रजितायुधि ।।6.51.15।।तदस्त्रबन्धमासाद्ययदिमुक्तौरिपूमम ।संशयस्थमिदंसर्वमनुपश्याम्यहंबलम् ।।6.51.16।।
In battle Indrajit bound them with dreadful arrows, empowered by boons—like venomous serpents, unfailing and radiant as the sun—and thus they were violently subdued.
Verse 6.51.17
निष्फलाःखलुसम्वृत्ताश्शराःवासुकितेजसः ।अदत्तंयैस्तुसङ्ग्रामेरिपूणांजीवितंमम ।।6.51.17।।
If my enemies have been freed even after encountering that weapon-bond, then I behold my entire host standing in uncertainty—its fate now in doubt.
Verse 6.51.18
एवमुक्त्वातुसङ्क्रुद्धोनिश्श्वसन्नुरगोयथा ।अब्रवीद्रक्षसांमध्येधूम्राक्षंनामराक्षसम् ।।6.51.18।।
Truly, those arrows—brilliant as Vāsuki—have proved fruitless; for by them, in battle, the lives of my enemies should have been taken.
Verse 6.51.19
बलेनमहतायुक्तोराक्षसैर्भीमविक्रमः ।त्वंवधायाभिनिर्याहिरामस्यसहवानरैः ।।6.51.19।।
Having spoken thus, enraged and hissing like a serpent, he addressed, in the midst of the rākṣasas, a demon named Dhūmrākṣa.
Verse 6.51.20
एवमुक्तस्तुधूम्राक्षोराक्षसेन्द्रेणधीमता ।कृत्वाप्रणामंसम्हृष्टोनिर्जगामनृपालयत् ।।6.51.20।।
Hearing that fierce roar—deep and resonant—he spoke words in the midst of his ministers.
Verse 6.51.21
अभिनिष्क्रम्यतदद्वारंबलाध्यक्षमुवाचह ।त्वरयस्वबलंतूर्णंकिंचिरेणयुयुत्सतः ।।6.51.21।।
Thus addressed by the wise lord of the rākṣasas, Dhūmrākṣa paid homage and, delighted, departed from the royal residence.
Verse 6.51.22
धूम्राक्षवचनंश्रुत्वाबलाध्यक्षोबलानुगः ।बलमुद्योजयामासरावणस्याज्ञयाद्रुतम् ।।6.51.22।।
Hearing Dhūmrākṣa’s words, the commander of the host swiftly readied the army, acting on Rāvaṇa’s command.
Verse 6.51.23
तेबद्धघण्टाबलिनोघोररूपानिशाचराः ।विगर्जमानास्सम्हृष्टाधूम्राक्षंपर्यवारयन् ।।6.51.23।।
Those mighty, night-roaming rākṣasas—terrible in form, wearing belts of bells—roared in exhilaration and gathered around Dhūmrākṣa.
Verse 6.51.24
विविधायुधहस्ताश्चशूलमुद्गरपाणयः ।गदाभिःपट्टसैर्दण्डैरायसैर्मुसलैर्भृशम् ।।6.51.24।।परिघैर्भिण्डिवालैश्चभल्लैप्रासै: परश्वथै: ।निर्ययूराक्षसादिभ्योनर्धन्तोजलदायथा ।।6.51.25।।
With many kinds of weapons in hand—tridents and hammers, maces, swords, staffs, iron clubs and heavy cudgels; also iron bars, stone-hurlers, arrows, spears, and axes—the rākṣasas surged forth, roaring like thunderous rain-clouds.
Verse 6.51.25
विविधायुधहस्ताश्चशूलमुद्गरपाणयः ।गदाभिःपट्टसैर्दण्डैरायसैर्मुसलैर्भृशम् ।।6.51.24।।परिघैर्भिण्डिवालैश्चभल्लैप्रासै: परश्वथै: ।निर्ययूराक्षसादिभ्योनर्धन्तोजलदायथा ।।6.51.25।।
Others—armored and bearing banners—rode out on splendid chariots drawn by donkeys of strange visage, wrought with nets of gold; with horses of utmost speed and elephants maddened in rut, those “tigers among the rākṣasas” advanced, hard to approach like true tigers.
Verse 6.51.26
रथैःकवचिनस्त्वन्येध्वजैश्चसमलङ्कृतैः ।सुवर्णजालविहितैःखरैश्चविविधाननैः ।।6.51.26।।हयैःपरमशीघ्रैश्चगजैश्चैवमदोत्कटैः ।निर्ययुर्नैरृतव्याघ्राव्याघ्राइवदुरासदाः ।।6.51.27।।
Dhūmrākṣa, whose voice was harsh as a donkey’s bray, mounted a splendid chariot yoked to donkeys adorned with gold and fashioned with wolf- and lion-like faces.
Verse 6.51.27
रथैःकवचिनस्त्वन्येध्वजैश्चसमलङ्कृतैः ।सुवर्णजालविहितैःखरैश्चविविधाननैः ।।6.51.26।।हयैःपरमशीघ्रैश्चगजैश्चैवमदोत्कटैः ।निर्ययुर्नैरृतव्याघ्राव्याघ्राइवदुरासदाः ।।6.51.27।।
Then the great warrior Dhūmrākṣa set out, surrounded by rākṣasas, laughing as he advanced toward the western gate—where Hanumān, leader of the vānaras, stood posted.
Verse 6.51.28
वृकसिंहमुखैर्युक्तंखरैःकनकभूषणै: ।आरुरोहरथंदिव्यंधूम्राक्षःखरनिस्स्वनः ।।6.51.28।।
Just as an immense roar rose from the many vānaras, brimming with joy, like the thunder of rumbling clouds, so it was plain beyond doubt that their delight was great; indeed, by those vast shouts even the ocean—Varuṇa’s abode—was stirred.
Verse 6.51.29
सनिर्यातोमहावीर्योधूम्राक्षोराक्षसैर्वृतः ।प्रहसन्पश्चिमद्वारंहनुमान्यत्रयूथपः ।।6.51.29।।
As that most dreadful rākṣasa, fearsome to behold, rode forth on his excellent chariot yoked to donkeys and resounding with their bray, fierce birds appeared in the sky as ominous portents, barring his way.
Verse 6.51.30
रथप्रवरमास्थायखरयुक्तंखरस्वनम् ।प्रयान्तंतुमहाघोरंराक्षसंभीमदर्शनम् ।।6.51.30।।अन्तरिक्षगताःघोराशकुनाःप्रत्यषेधयन् ।
Mounting an excellent chariot yoked to donkeys and resounding with their braying, that exceedingly dreadful rākṣasa of fearsome appearance set forth. Then fierce birds flying in the sky obstructed him—an ominous check upon his advance.
Verse 6.51.31
रथशीर्षेमहान्भीमोगृध्रश्चनिपपातह ।।6.51.31।।ध्वजाग्रेग्रथिताश्चैवनिपेतुःकुणपाशनाः ।
A huge and terrifying vulture swooped down onto the very head of the chariot; and foul carrion-eaters, entangled upon the tip of the banner, fell down—an ominous sign for the rākṣasas.
Verse 6.51.32
रुधिरार्द्रोमहान् श्वेतःकबन्धःपतितोभुवि ।।6.51.32।।विस्वरंचोत्सृजन्नादंधूम्राक्षस्यसमीपतः ।ववर्षरुधिरंदेवस्सञ्चचालचमेदिनी ।।6.51.33।।
A great white headless trunk, drenched in blood, fell to the ground near Dhūmrākṣa, giving out a harsh and discordant cry—another dreadful portent.
Verse 6.51.33
रुधिरार्द्रोमहान् श्वेतःकबन्धःपतितोभुवि ।।6.51.32।।विस्वरंचोत्सृजन्नादंधूम्राक्षस्यसमीपतः ।ववर्षरुधिरंदेवस्सञ्चचालचमेदिनी ।।6.51.33।।
It was as though the very heavens rained blood, and the earth itself trembled—portents declaring the collapse that follows adharma.
Verse 6.51.34
प्रतिलोमंवनौवायुर्निर्घातसमनिस्वनः ।तिमिरौघवृतास्तत्रदिशश्चनचकाशिरे ।।6.51.34।।
A contrary wind blew, roaring like thunder; masses of darkness covered the quarters, and the directions could no longer be discerned.
Verse 6.51.35
सतूत्पातांस्तदादृष्टवाराक्षसानांभयावहान् ।प्रादुर्भूतान्सुघोरांश्चधूम्राक्षोव्यथितोऽभवत् ।।6.51.35।।मुमुहूराक्षसाःसर्वेधूम्राक्षस्यपुरस्सराः ।
Seeing those dreadful portents that brought fear upon the rākṣasas, Dhūmrākṣa was shaken; and all the rākṣasas marching before him swooned.
Verse 6.51.36
ततःसुभीमोबहुभिर्निशाचरैर्वृतोऽभिनिष्क्रम्यरणोत्सुकोबली ।ददर्शतांराघवबाहुपालितांमहौघकल्पांबहुवानरींचमूम् ।।6.51.36।।
Then that mighty and formidable one, surrounded by many night-rangers and eager for battle, advanced and beheld the vast army of many vānaras—guarded by Rāghava’s arms and resembling a great flood at the world’s end.