Sarga 85

Verse 6.85.1

त्तस्यतद्वचनंश्रुत्वाराघवश्शोककर्शितः ।नोपधारयतेव्यक्तंयदुक्तंतेनरक्षसा ।।6.85.1।।

Having heard those words, Rāghava—worn down by grief—could not clearly comprehend what was spoken by that Rākṣasa.

Verse 6.85.2

ततोधैर्यमवष्टभ्यरामःपरपुरञ्जयः ।विभीषणमुपासीनमुवाचकपिसन्निधौ ।।6.85.2।।

O hero, as he moves through the sky with his chariot, his course cannot be discerned—like the sun when it passes amid a surge of clouds.

Verse 6.85.3

नैरृताधिपतेवाक्यंयदुक्तंतेविभीषण ।भूयस्तच्छ्रोतुमिच्छामिब्रूहियत्तेविवक्षितम् ।।6.85.3।।

O Vibhīṣaṇa, lord of the Rākṣasas, what you have spoken I wish to hear again. Speak once more what you intend to convey.

Verse 6.85.4

राघवस्यवचःश्रुत्वावाक्यंवाक्यविशारद. ।यत्तत्पुनरिदंवाक्यंबभाषे स विभीषणः ।।6.85.4।।

O mighty-armed hero, exactly as you commanded regarding the stationing of the troops, so it has been carried out immediately upon your word.

Verse 6.85.5

यथाज्ञप्तंमहाबाहोत्वयागुल्मनिवेशनम् ।तत्तथाऽनुष्ठितंवीरत्वद्वाक्यसमनन्तरम् ।।6.85.5।।

All those divisions of the army have been separated and arranged on every side; and the troop-leaders too have been stationed, each in proper order, according to their respective assignments.

Verse 6.85.6

तान्यनीकानिसर्वाणिविभग्नानिसमन्ततः ।विन्यस्तायूथपाश्चैवयथान्यायंविभागशः ।।6.85.6।।

Yet I have more to submit—listen, O greatly renowned one. Seeing you distressed without cause, we too are anguished at heart.

Verse 6.85.7

भूयस्तुममविज्ञाप्यंतच्छ्रुणुष्वमहायश: ।त्वय्यकारणसन्तप्तेसन्तप्तहृदयावयम् ।।6.85.7।।

O king, abandon this grief—this needless torment that has arisen. Let this anxiety be cast off, for it only increases the enemy’s delight.

Verse 6.85.8

त्यजराजन्निमंशोकंमिथ्यासन्तापमागतम् ।तदियंत्यज्यतांचिन्ताशत्रुहर्षविवर्धिनी ।।6.85.8।।

O hero, let effort be undertaken and courage renewed. If Sītā is to be regained by you, then the night-roaming rākṣasas must also be struck down.

Verse 6.85.9

उद्यमःक्रियतांवीरहर्षःसमुपसेव्यताम् ।प्राप्तव्यायदितेसीताहन्तव्याश्चनिशाचराः ।।6.85.9।।

Then, in that situation, Rāvaṇa’s younger brother addressed Lakṣmaṇa with words that would accomplish the purpose—words harmful to the enemy.

Verse 6.85.10

रघुनन्दनवक्ष्यामिश्रूयतांमेहितंवचः ।साध्वयंयातुसौमित्रिर्बलेनमहतावृतः ।।6.85.10।।निकुम्भिलायांसम्प्राप्यहन्तुंरावणिमाहवे ।धनुर्मण्डलनिर्मुक्तैराशीविषविषोपमैः ।।6.85.11।।

O delight of the Raghu line, hear my beneficial counsel. Let Saumitrī set out at once, surrounded by a great force; and, reaching Nikumbhilā, let him slay Rāvaṇa’s son in battle with arrows released from the bow in sweeping circles—deadly as the poison of venomous serpents.

Verse 6.85.11

रघुनन्दनवक्ष्यामिश्रूयतांमेहितंवचः ।साध्वयंयातुसौमित्रिर्बलेनमहतावृतः ।।6.85.10।।निकुम्भिलायांसम्प्राप्यहन्तुंरावणिमाहवे ।धनुर्मण्डलनिर्मुक्तैराशीविषविषोपमैः ।।6.85.11।।

That heroic one, through austerity and by a boon from the Self-born Creator, obtained the Brahmaśiras weapon—and also steeds that move at will.

Verse 6.85.12

तेनवीरेणतपसावरदानात्स्वयम्भुवः ।अस्त्रंब्रह्मशिरःप्राप्तंकामगाश्चतुरङ्गमाः ।।6.85.12।।

He has indeed reached Nikumbhilā together with his forces. If he should rise up after completing that rite, know that all of us are as good as slain.

Verse 6.85.13

स एषसहसैन्येनप्राप्तःकिलनिकुम्भिलाम् ।यद्युततिष्ठेत्कृतंकर्महतान्सर्वांश्चविद्धिनः ।।6.85.13।।

So long as you have not reached Nikumbhilā and the fire-offering has not been made, that enemy—Indra’s foe—can strike you down. Such a boon, O mighty-armed king, was indeed granted to him by the Lord of all worlds; thus has the manner of that wise one’s slaying been ordained.

Verse 6.85.14

निकुम्भिलामसम्प्राप्तमहुताग्निं च योरिपुः ।त्वामातायिनंहन्यादिन्द्रशत्रोस्सतेवधः ।।6.85.14।।वरोदत्तोमहाबाहो सर्वलोकेश्वरेणवै ।इत्येवंविहितोराजन्वधस्तस्यैषधीमतः ।।6.85.15।।

O Rāma of great might, give the command for Indrajit’s destruction. Know that when he is slain, Rāvaṇa too—together with his supporters—stands as good as slain.

Verse 6.85.15

निकुम्भिलामसम्प्राप्तमहुताग्निं च योरिपुः ।त्वामातायिनंहन्यादिन्द्रशत्रोस्सतेवधः ।।6.85.14।।वरोदत्तोमहाबाहो सर्वलोकेश्वरेणवै ।इत्येवंविहितोराजन्वधस्तस्यैषधीमतः ।।6.85.15।।

Having heard Vibhīṣaṇa’s words, Rāma then replied: “I know the māyā of that fierce one”—Rāma, whose valor is founded on truth.

Verse 6.85.16

वधायेन्द्रजितोरामसन्दिशस्वमहाबल ।हतेतस्मिन्हतंविद्धिरावणंससुहृज्जनम् ।।6.85.16।।

O Rama, of extraordinary might! Command the destruction of Indrajit. Know that when he is slain, Ravana too—along with his kinsmen and allies—is as good as dead.

Verse 6.85.17

विभीषणवच्श्रुत्वारामोवाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ।जानामितस्यरौद्रस्यमायांसत्यपराक्रमः ।।6.85.17।।

Hearing Vibhishana’s words, Rama, whose valor is grounded in truth, spoke: “I know the illusory powers of that fierce one.”

Verse 6.85.18

स हिब्रह्मास्त्रवित्प्राज्ञोमहामायोमहाबल. ।करोत्यसंज्ञान् सङ्ग्रामेदेवान्सवरुणानपि ।।6.85.18।।

Then Rama, conqueror of hostile strongholds, steadying his courage, addressed Vibhishana seated nearby, in the presence of the Vanara leaders.

Verse 6.85.19

तस्यान्तरिक्षेचरतःसरथस्यमहायशः ।न गतिर्ज्ञायतेवीरसूर्यस्येवाभ्रसम्ल्पवे ।।6.85.19।।

For he is skilled in the Brahmā-weapon, wise, mighty in māyā, and of great strength; in battle he can even render unconscious the gods—Varuṇa and the rest.

Verse 6.85.20

राघवस्तुरिपोर्ज्ञात्वामायावीर्यंदुरात्मनः ।लक्ष्मणंकीर्तिसम्पन्नमिदंवचनमब्रवीत् ।।6.85.20।।

But Rāghava, knowing the wicked foe’s might in illusion, spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa, renowned for fame and noble deeds.

Verse 6.85.21

यद्वानरेन्द्रस्यबलंतेनसर्वेणसम्वृतः ।हनूमत्प्रमुखैश्चवयूथपैस्सहलक्ष्मण ।।6.85.21।।जाम्बवेनार्क्षपतिनासहसैन्येनसम्वृतः ।जहितंराक्षससुतंमायाबलविशारदम् ।।6.85.22।।

O Lakṣmaṇa, encompassed by the full strength of the Vānara king, with Hanumān and the troop-leaders at your fore, and guarded with the host by Jāmbavān, lord of the bears—slay that rākṣasa prince, skilled in the power of māyā.

Verse 6.85.22

यद्वानरेन्द्रस्यबलंतेनसर्वेणसम्वृतः ।हनूमत्प्रमुखैश्चवयूथपैस्सहलक्ष्मण ।।6.85.21।।जाम्बवेनार्क्षपतिनासहसैन्येनसम्वृतः ।जहितंराक्षससुतंमायाबलविशारदम् ।।6.85.22।।

This noble night-roamer, together with his ministers, well acquainted with his māyās, will follow behind you.

Verse 6.85.23

अयंत्वांसचिवैःसार्थंमहात्मारजनीचरः ।अभिज्ञस्तस्यमायानांपृष्ठतोऽनुगमिष्यति ।।6.85.23।।

Hearing Rāghava’s words, Lakṣmaṇa—accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, of truly wondrous valor—took up the finest bow.

Verse 6.85.24

राघवस्यवच्श्रुत्वालक्ष्मणस्सविभीषणः ।जग्राहकार्मुकश्रेष्ठमत्यद्भुतपराक्रमः ।।6.85.24।।

Fully equipped—armored, sword-bearing, furnished with arrows, and holding his bow—Saumitri joyfully touched Rāma’s feet in reverence and spoke.

Verse 6.85.25

सन्नद्धःकवचीखङ्गीसशरोवामचापभृत् ।रामपादावुपस्पृश्यहृष्टःसौमित्रिरब्रवीत् ।।6.85.25।।

Today, the arrows released from my bow will pierce Rāvaṇi and descend upon Laṅkā—like swans alighting upon a lotus-pond.

Verse 6.85.26

अद्यमत्कार्मुकोन्मुक्ताश्शरानिर्भिद्यरावणिम् ।लङ्कामभितिष्यन्तिहंसाःपुष्करिणीमिव ।।6.85.26।।

Today, the arrows released from my bow, having pierced Rāvaṇa’s son, will descend upon Laṅkā just as swans dive into a lotus pond.

Verse 6.85.27

अद्यैवतस्यरौद्रस्यशरीरंमामकाश्शराः ।विधमिष्यन्तिभित्त्वातंमहाचापगुणच्युताः ।।6.85.27।।

This very day, my arrows—released from the string of my mighty bow—will cleave that fierce one’s body, pierce him through, and strike him down.

Verse 6.85.28

एवमुक्त्वा स द्युतिमान् वचनंभ्रातुरग्रतः ।स रावणिवधाकाङ्क्षीलक्ष्मणस्त्वरितोययौ ।।6.85.28।।

Having spoken these words before his brother, radiant Lakṣmaṇa—intent on slaying Rāvaṇa’s son—set out at once in haste.

Verse 6.85.29

सोऽभिवाद्यगुरोःपादौकृत्वाचापिप्रदक्षिणम् ।निकुम्भिलामभिययौचैत्यंरावणिपालितम् ।।6.85.29।।

After saluting the feet of his revered elder and circumambulating him in respect, he proceeded toward Nikumbhilā—the sanctuary associated with and guarded by Rāvaṇa’s son.

Verse 6.85.30

विभीषणेनसहितोराजपुत्रःप्रतापवान् ।कृतस्वस्त्ययनोभ्रात्रालक्ष्मणस्त्वरितोययौ ।।6.85.30।।

Valiant prince Lakṣmaṇa, accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, having received auspicious blessings from his brother, set out swiftly.

Verse 6.85.31

वानराणांसहस्रैस्तुहनूमान् बहुभिर्वृतः ।विभीषणश्चसामात्योतदालक्ष्मणमन्वगात् ।।6.85.31।।

Then Hanumān, surrounded by many thousands of Vānaras, and Vibhīṣaṇa together with his ministers, followed after Lakṣmaṇa.

Verse 6.85.32

महताहरिसैन्येनसवेगमभिसंवृतः ।ऋक्षराजबलंचैवददर्शपथिविष्ठितम् ।।6.85.32।।

Moving swiftly while surrounded by a great Vānara host, he also saw the forces of the Bear-king stationed along the route.

Verse 6.85.33

स गत्वादूरमध्वानंसौमित्रिर्मित्रनन्दनः ।राक्षसेन्द्रबलंदूरादपश्यद्व्यूहमाश्रितम् ।।6.85.33।।

After traveling a long distance, Saumitrī—delight of his friends—saw from afar the Rākṣasa host drawn up in battle formation.

Verse 6.85.34

स तंप्राप्यधनुष्पाणिर्मायायोगमरिन्दमः ।तस्थौब्रह्मविधानेनविजेतुंरघुनन्दनः ।।6.85.34।।

Reaching the master of illusion, the tamer of foes—Raghu’s delight—Rāghava stood firm with bow in hand, resolved to conquer him by the sacredly ordained order and right strategy.

Verse 6.85.35

भीषणेनसहितोराजपुत्रःप्रतापवान् ।अङ्गदेन च वीरेणतथानिलसुतेन च ।।6.85.35।।

The valiant prince stood accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, by the hero Aṅgada, and likewise by Nīla’s son—Hanumān, the son of the Wind.

Verse 6.85.36

Having heard Rāghava’s words, Vibhīṣaṇa—skilled in well-chosen speech—again spoke these words in reply.