Sarga 61

Verse 6.61.1

ततोरामोमहातेजाधनुरादायवीर्यवान् ।किरीटिनंमहाकायंकुम्भकर्णंददर्श ह ।।6.61.1।।

Then Rāma—mighty in valor and blazing in splendor—took up his bow and beheld Kumbhakarṇa, crowned and of immense body.

Verse 6.61.2

तंदृष्टवाराक्षसश्रेष्ठंपर्वताकारदर्शनम् ।क्रममाणमिवाकाशंपुरानारायणंप्रभुम् ।।6.61.2।।

To Prajāpati (Brahmā) they reported Kumbhakarṇa’s depravity: that he devoured the peoples, violated the dwellers of heaven, destroyed hermitages (āśramas), and violently abducted the wives of others.

Verse 6.61.3

सतोयाम्बुदसङ्काशंकाञ्चनाङ्गदभूषणम् ।दृष्टवापुनःप्रदुद्रवावानराणांमहाचमूः ।।6.61.3।।

Seeing that rākṣasa—dark like a rain-cloud heavy with water and adorned with golden armlets—the great vānara host once again broke into a run in alarm.

Verse 6.61.4

विद्रुतांवाहिनींदृष्टवावर्धमानं च राक्षसम् ।सविस्मयमिदंरामोविभीषणमुवाच ह ।।6.61.4।।

“Who is that hero, mountain-like in form—crowned, tawny-eyed—seen there in Laṅkā, like a rain-cloud lit by lightning?”

Verse 6.61.5

कोऽसौपर्वतसङ्काशःकिरीटीहरिलोचनः ।लङ्कायांदृश्यतेवीरःसविद्युदिवतोयदः ।।6.61.5।।

“Tell me—who is that exceedingly huge being? Is he a rākṣasa, or perhaps an asura? Never before have I seen a creature like this.”

Verse 6.61.6

पृथिव्यांकेतुभूतोऽसौमहानेकोऽत्रदृश्यते ।यंदृष्टवावानरास्सर्वेविद्रवन्तिततस्ततः ।।6.61.6।।

Thus questioned by the prince Rāma—untiring in action—the highly wise Vibhīṣaṇa spoke this reply to Kakutstha.

Verse 6.61.7

आचक्षवसुमहान् कोऽसौरक्षोवायदिवाऽसुरः ।न मयैवंविधंभूतंदृष्टपूर्वंकदाचन ।।6.61.7।।

“It was by him that Vaivasvata (Yama) in battle, and even Vāsava (Indra), were defeated. This is Kumbhakarṇa, the mighty son of Viśravas; among rākṣasas none other is known to equal him in sheer size.”

Verse 6.61.8

संपृष्टोराजपुत्रेणरामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा ।विभीषणोमहाप्राज्ञःकाकुत्थ्समिदमब्रवीत् ।।6.61.8।।

Hearing Rāma’s command, the monkey-warriors—eager for victory—began to crush the enemy host, striking it with trees.

Verse 6.61.9

येनवैवस्वतोयुद्धेवासवश्चपराजितः ।सैषविश्रवसःपुत्रःकुम्भकर्णःप्रतापवान् ।।6.61.9।।अस्यप्रमाणसदृशोराक्षसाऽन्यो न विद्यते ।

Then that fierce vānara host shone forth—its hands blazing as they lifted rocks and trees—massed close together like a terrible bank of great storm-clouds clinging to a mountain’s side.

Verse 6.61.10

एतेनदेवायुधिदानवाश्चयक्षाभुजङ्गाःपिशिताशनाश्च ।गन्धर्वविद्याधरकिन्नरैश्चसहस्रशोराघवसम्प्रभग्नाः ।।6.61.10।।

“By him, O Rāghava, in battle the devas and dānavas, yakṣas, serpents, flesh-eaters, and also gandharvas, vidyādharas, and kinnaras—by the thousands—have been utterly routed.”

Verse 6.61.11

शूलपाणिंविरूपाक्षंकुम्भकर्णंमहाबलम् ।हन्तुं न शेकुस्त्रिदशाःकालोऽयमितिमोहिताः ।।6.61.11।।

Seeing that foremost of Rākṣasas, mountain-like in form, he appeared like the Lord Nārāyaṇa of old, striding as though up into the sky.

Verse 6.61.12

प्रकृत्याह्येषतेजस्वीकुम्भकर्णोमहाबलः ।अन्येषांराक्षसेन्द्राणांवरदानकृतंबलम् ।।6.61.12।।

Kumbhakarṇa—trident in hand, with dreadful eyes, and of immense strength—could not be slain even by the gods, for they were bewildered, thinking, “This is Death itself.”

Verse 6.61.13

एतेनजातमात्रेणक्षुधार्तेनमहात्मना ।भक्षितानिसहस्राणिसत्त्वानांसुबहून्यपि ।।6.61.13।।

For Kumbhakarṇa is radiant and immensely strong by his very nature; whereas the strength of other lordly Rākṣasas is fashioned through the boons they have received.

Verse 6.61.14

तेषुसंभक्षयमाणेषुप्रजाभयनिपीडिताः ।यान्तिस्मशरणंशक्रंतमप्यर्थंन्यवेदयन् ।।6.61.14।।

Even at the very moment of his birth, tormented by hunger, that great being devoured thousands upon thousands of living creatures.

Verse 6.61.15

सकुन्भकर्णंकुपितोमहेन्द्रोजघानवज्रेणशितेनवज्री ।सशक्रवज्राभिहतोमहात्माचचालकोपाच्चभृशंननाद ।।6.61.15।।

As he kept devouring them, the people—crushed by fear—went for refuge to Śakra (Indra) and reported the matter to him.

Verse 6.61.16

तस्यनानद्यमानस्यकुम्भकर्णस्यरक्षसः ।श्रुत्वानिनादंवित्रस्ताःभूमिभूयोवितत्रसे ।।6.61.16।।

Then Mahendra, enraged, struck Kumbhakarṇa with his sharp thunderbolt; and that mighty one, struck by Śakra’s bolt, reeled—and in fury roared aloud.

Verse 6.61.17

तत्रकोपान्महेन्द्रस्यकुम्भकर्णोमहाबलः ।विकृष्यैरावताद्धन्तंजघानोरसिवासवम् ।।6.61.17।।

Hearing the roar of that Rākṣasa Kumbhakarṇa as he bellowed, the frightened beings were shaken still more, again and again, upon the earth.

Verse 6.61.18

कुम्भकर्णप्रहारार्तोविजज्वाल स वासवः ।ततोविषेदुस्सहसादेवाब्रह्मर्षिदानवाः ।।6.61.18।।प्रजाभिस्सहशक्रश्चययौस्थानंस्वयम्भुवः ।

Then the mighty Kumbhakarṇa, in wrath, tore a tusk from Airāvata and struck Vāsava (Indra) upon the chest.

Verse 6.61.19

कुम्भकर्णस्यदौरात्म्यंशशंसुस्तेप्रजापतेः ।।6.61.19।।प्रजानांभक्षणंचापिधर्षणं च दिवौकसाम् ।आश्रमध्वंसनंचापिपरस्त्रीहरणंभृशम् ।।6.61.20।।

Struck and pained by Kumbhakarṇa’s blow, Vāsava (Indra) blazed with anguish. Then the Devas, the Brahmarṣis, and the Dānavas suddenly fell into despair; and Śakra, together with the beings, went to the abode of Svayambhū (Brahmā).

Verse 6.61.20

कुम्भकर्णस्यदौरात्म्यंशशंसुस्तेप्रजापतेः ।।6.61.19।।प्रजानांभक्षणंचापिधर्षणं च दिवौकसाम् ।आश्रमध्वंसनंचापिपरस्त्रीहरणंभृशम् ।।6.61.20।।

They reported (to Brahmā) Kumbhakarṇa’s crimes—devouring living beings, assaulting even the Devas, destroying the sages’ hermitages (āśramas), and violently abducting other men’s wives.

Verse 6.61.21

एवंप्रजायदित्वेषभक्षयिष्यतिनित्यशः ।अचिरेणैवकालेनशून्योलोकोभविष्यति ।।6.61.21।।

If he keeps consuming living beings like this day after day, then before long, as time goes on, the world will become empty of beings.

Verse 6.61.22

वासवस्यवचश्श्रुत्वासर्वलोकपितामहः ।रक्षांस्यावाहयामासकुम्भकर्णंददर्श ह ।।6.61.22।।

Hearing Indra’s words, Brahmā—the Pitāmaha, grandsire of all worlds—summoned the rākṣasas and beheld Kumbhakarṇa among them.

Verse 6.61.23

कुम्भकर्णंसमीक्ष्यैववितत्रासप्रजापतिः ।दृष्टवाविश्वास्यचैवैनंस्वयम्भूरिदमब्रवीत् ।।6.61.23।।

On beholding Kumbhakarṇa, Prajāpati was struck with fear; and the Self-born Brahmā, seeking to steady him, spoke these words.

Verse 6.61.24

ध्रुवंलोकविनाशायपौलस्त्येनासिनिर्मितः ।तस्मात्त्वमद्यप्रभृतिमृतकल्पःशयिष्यसे ।।6.61.24।।

Surely you have been brought forth by Paulastya for the ruin of the world. Therefore, from this day onward, you shall lie sleeping as though dead.

Verse 6.61.25

ब्रह्मशापाभिभूतोऽथनिपपाताग्रतःप्रभोः ।ततःपरमसम्भ्रान्तोरावणोवाक्यमब्रवीत् ।।6.61.25।।

Then, overwhelmed by Brahmā’s curse, he fell down before the Lord. Thereupon Rāvaṇa, greatly agitated, spoke these words.

Verse 6.61.26

विवृद्धःकाञ्चनोवृक्षःफलकालेनिकृत्यते ।न नप्तारंस्वकंन्यायंशप्तुमेवंप्रजापते ।।6.61.26।।

A golden tree, once fully grown, should not be cut down at the time of fruiting. O Prajāpati, it is not right to curse your own great-grandson in this way.

Verse 6.61.27

न मिथ्यावचनश्चत्वंस्वप्स्यत्येष न संशयः ।कालस्तुक्रियतामस्यशयनेजागरेतथा ।।6.61.27।।

Your word will not prove false—of that there is no doubt; he must sleep. Yet let a time be fixed for him, both for sleeping and for waking.

Verse 6.61.28

रावणस्यवचश्श्रुत्वास्वयम्भूरिदमब्रवीत् ।शयिताह्येषषण्मासानेकाहंजागरिष्यति ।।6.61.28।।

Hearing Rāvaṇa’s words, the Self-born Brahmā said: “He will sleep for six months, and he will be awake for one day.”

Verse 6.61.29

एकेनाह्नात्वसौवीरश्चरन् भूमिंबुभुक्षितः ।व्यात्तास्योभक्षयेल्लोकान् सङ्कृद्धइवपावकः ।।6.61.29।।

And on that single day, that warrior—ravenous—will roam the earth with gaping mouth and devour beings like a blazing, surging fire.

Verse 6.61.30

सोऽसौव्यसमापन्नःकुम्भकर्णमबोधयत् ।त्वत्पराक्रमभीतश्चराजासम्प्रतिरावणः ।।6.61.30।।

Overwhelmed by distress, King Rāvaṇa—afraid of your prowess—has now awakened Kumbhakarṇa from sleep.

Verse 6.61.31

स एषनिर्गतोवीरःशिबिराद्भीमविक्रमः ।वानरान्भृशसङ्कृद्धोभक्षयन्परिधावति ।।6.61.31।।

That heroic warrior of dreadful might has come out from his camp; raging with intense anger, he rushes about intending to devour the vānara troops.

Verse 6.61.32

कुम्भकर्णंसमीक्ष्यैवहरयोऽद्यप्रविद्रुतुः ।कथमेनंरणेक्रुद्धंवारयिष्यन्तिवानराः ।।6.61.32।।

At the very sight of Kumbhakarṇa, the vānara heroes have fled today. How will the vānara warriors restrain him in battle, when he is aflame with wrath?

Verse 6.61.33

उच्यन्तांवानराःसर्वेयन्त्रमेतत्समुच्छ्रितम् ।इतिविज्ञायहरयोभविष्यन्तीहनिर्भयाः ।।6.61.33।।

Let all the vānara warriors be told: “This towering form is only a contrivance, a device.” Knowing this, the vānara here will become fearless.

Verse 6.61.34

विभीषणवचश्श्रुत्वाहेतुमत्सुमुखेरितम् ।उवाचराघवोवाक्यंनीलंसेनापतिंतदा ।।6.61.34।।

Having heard Vibhīṣaṇa’s well-reasoned words, spoken for their benefit, Rāghava then addressed Nīla, the commander of the army.

Verse 6.61.35

गच्छसैन्यानिसर्वाणिव्यूह्यतिष्ठस्वपावके ।द्वाराण्यादायलङ्कायाश्चर्याश्चाप्यथसङ्क्रमान् ।।6.61.35।।

“Go, Pavaka: array all the troops in battle order and take your position—securing the gates of Laṅkā, its thoroughfares, and the crossings.”

Verse 6.61.36

शैलशृङ्गाणिवृक्षांश्चशिलाश्चाप्युपसंहर ।तिष्ठन्तुसायुधास्सर्वेसायुधाश्शैलपाणयः ।।6.61.36।।

“Bring together mountain-peaks, trees, and rocks as well. Let all stand ready, armed—weapon-bearing, with rocks in their hands.”

Verse 6.61.37

राघवेणसमादिष्टोनीलोहरिचमूपतिः ।शशासवानरानीकंयथावत्कपिकुञ्जरः ।।6.61.37।।

Thus commanded by Rāghava, Nīla—the lord of the vānara host, an “elephant among monkeys”—directed the monkey battalions exactly as ordered.

Verse 6.61.38

ततोगवाक्षश्शरभोहनूमानङ्गदस्तथा ।शैलशृङ्गाणिशैलाभागृहीत्वाद्वारमभ्ययुः ।।6.61.38।।

Then Gavākṣa, Śarabha, Hanūmān, and likewise Aṅgada—taking mountain-peaks and boulders—advanced toward the gate.

Verse 6.61.39

रामवाक्यमुपश्रुत्य हरयो जितकाशिनः ।पादपैरर्दयवनीरावानराःपरवाहिनीम् ।।6.61.39।।

Seeing the host thrown into flight and a rākṣasa swelling into an enormous form, Rāma—astonished—spoke these words to Vibhīṣaṇa.

Verse 6.61.40

ततोहरीणांतदनीकमुग्रंरराजशैलोद्यतदीप्तहस्तम् ।गिरेःसमीपानुगतंयथैवहन्महाम्भोधरजालमुग्रम् ।।6.61.40।।

“He appears here, great and solitary—like a comet upon the earth; seeing him, all the vānaras flee in every direction.”