Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 42
Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

The demons break the news to Ravana about Lanka. Ravana having been laid siege to by the monkeys. Ravana then ascends his mansion and surveys the innumerable troops of monkeys, occupying the entire city of Lanka. Meanwhile, Rama issues a command to the monkeys to destroy the enemies forthwith. The monkeys start demolishing various important defensive structures of the city of Lanka and besiege all the city-gates. Ravana also commands his army to commence combat. Sounds of couches blown by the army and terrible roars on both sides re-echoes the air, earth and sea. Demons begin to strike the monkeys with their weapons and the monkeys respond the strike with trees, mountain-tops, nails and teeth.

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tatas te rākṣasās tatra gatvā rāvaṇa mandiram |
nyavedayan purīm ruddhām rāmeṇa saha vānaraiḥ || 6-42-1

1. tataH = then; raakSasaaH = the demons; tatra = there; gatvaa = having gone; raavaNamandiram = to the house of Ravana; nyavedayan = informed (that); puriim = the city of Lanka; ruddhaam = has been besieged; raameNa = by Rama; vaanaraiH saha = along with his monkeys.

Then, the demons there, approached Ravana and informed him that the city had been besieged by Rama along with his monkeys.

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ruddhām tu nagarīm zrutvā jāta krodho nizā caraḥ |
vidhānam dviguṇam zrutvā prāsādam so adhyarohata || 6-42-2

2. shrutvaa = hearing; nagariim = that the city; ruddhaam = has been attacked; nishaacharaH = Ravana; jaatakrodhaH = exhibiting his anger; dviguNam = doubly; kR^itvaa = made; vidhaanam = his arrangements; aarohatacha = and ascended; praasaadam = his mansion.

Hearing that the city has been attacked, Ravana exhibiting his anger, doubly made the necessary arrangements for the war and ascended his mansion.

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sa dadarza āvṛtām lankām sazaila vana kānanām |
asamkhyeyair hari gaṇaiḥ sarvato yuddha kānkṣibhiḥ || 6-42-3

3. saH = that Ravana; dadarsha = saw; laN^kaam = the city of Lanka; sashailavanakaananaam = with its mountains; grooves and forests; vR^itaam = being covered; sarvataH = on all sides; asamkhyeyaiH = by innumerable; harigaNaiH = troops of monkeys; yuddha kaaNkSibhiH = looking for war.

That Ravana caught a glimpse of the city of Lanka, with its mountains, groves and forests all being covered by innumerable troops of monkeys, waiting for war.

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sa dṛṣṭvā vānaraih sarvām vasudhām kavalī kṛtām |
katham kṣapayitavyāh syur iti cintā paro abhavat || 6-42-4

4. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; vasudhaam = the earth; kapiliikR^itaam = made brown in colour; sarvaiH = with all; vanaraaH = monkeys; saH = Ravana; abhavat = became; chintaaparaH = lost in thought; iti = as to; katham = how; syuH = (they) can be; kSapayitavyaa = exterminated.

Seeing the earth made all brown with innumerable monkeys, Ravana in great perplexity reflected: "How can they be exterminated?"

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sa cintayitvā suciram dhairyam ālambya rāvaṇaḥ |
rāghavam hari yūthāmz ca dadarza āyata locanaḥ || 6-42-5

5. chintayitvaa = having pondered; suchiram = for long; aalambya = regaining; dhairyam = his confidence; aayata lochanaH = and with his eyes widened by surprise; saH = that Ravana; dadarsha = saw; raaghavam = Rama; hariyuuthaamshcha = and his troops of monkeys.

Having pondered for long, regaining his confidence and with his eyes widened by surprise, Ravana gazed on Rama and his troops of monkeys.

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rāghavaḥ sahasainyena mudito nāma pupluve |
laṅkām dadarśa guptām vai sarvato rākṣasairvṛtām || 6-42-6

6. raaghavaH = Rama; muditaH = delightful; saha sainyena = along with the army; pupluve naama = pressed forward (on the back of a monkey); dadarsha = and saw; laN^Kaam = Lanka; guptaam = being guarded; sarvataH = on all sides; vR^itaam = and thronged; raakSasaiH = with demons.

Full of delight, Rama passed forward (on the back of a monkey) along with his army and saw Lanka being guarded on all sides and thronged with demons.

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dṛṣṭvā dāśarathirlaṅkām citradhvajapatākinīm |
jagāma manasā sītām dūyamānena cetasā || 6-42-7

7. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; laN^kaam = Lanka; chitra dhvaja pataakiniim = decorated with banners and flags; daasharathiH = Rama; jagaama = recollected; manasaa = in his mind; siitaam = about Seetha; duuyamaanena = with a distressed chetasaa = heart.

Seeing that city of Lanka duly decorated with banners and flags, Rama remembered Seetha with a distressed heart.

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atra sā mṛgaśābākṣī matkṛte janakātmajā |
pīḍyate śokasaṃtaptā kṛśā sthaṇḍilaśāyinī || 6-42-8

8. (He said to himself); saa jankaatmajaa = here is that Seetha; mR^iga shaabaakSii = whose eyes resemble those of a fawn; shoka samtaptaa = tormented with grief; kR^ishaa = emaciated; sthaNDila shaayinii = with a bare ground as her bed; piiDyate = and suffereing matkR^ite = on my account; atra = here.

He said to himself, "Here is that daughter of Janaka, whose eyes resemble those of a fawn, tormented with grief, emacitated, with a bare ground as her bed and suffering here on my account."

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nipīḍyamānāṃ dharmātmā vaidehīmanucintayan |
kṣipramājñāpayadrāmo vānarān dviṣatām vadhe || 6-42-9

9. anuchintayan = reflecting on; vaidehiim = Seetha; nipiiDyamaanaam = being troubled; dharmaatmaa = the virtuous; raamaH = Rama; kSipram = speedily; aajJNaapayat = issued a command; vaanaraam = to the monkeys; vadhe = to destroy; dviSataam = the enemies.

Reflecting on Seetha being troubled, the virtuous Rama speedily issued a command to the monkeys to destroy the enemies forthwith.

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evamukte tu vacasi rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā |
saṃgharṣamāṇāḥ plavagāḥ simhanādai rapūryan || 6-42-10

10. vachasi = (While) the aforesaid words; uktesati = were spoken; evam = thus; rameNa = by Rama; akliSTakarmaNaa = who was unwearied in action; plavagaaH = the monkeys; samgharSamaaNaaH = vying with one another; aapuurayan = filled the air; simhanaadaiH = with their roaring; resembling those of a lion.

Hearing those words of Rama, who was unwearied in action, the monkeys vying with one another filled the air with their roaring resembling those of lion.

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śikharairvikirāmaitāṃ laṅkām muṣṭibhireva vā |
iti sma dadhire sarve manāṃsi hariyūthapāḥ || 6-42-11

11. vikiraama = we shall tear asunder; etaam laNkaam = this Lanka; shikharaiH = with mountain = peaks; muSTibhireva vaa = or with fists alone; iti = thus; dadhire manaamsi = resolved ; sarve = all; hariyuuthapaaH = the monkey- generals.

"We shall tear asunder this Lanka with mountain-peaks or with fists alone." - thus resolved all the monkey- generals.

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udyamya giriśṛṅgāṇi mahānti śikharāṇi ca |
tarūṃścotpāṭya vividhāṃstiṣṭhanti hariyūthapāḥ || 6-42-12

12. hariyuuthapaaH = the monkey- generals; udyamya = having lifted; girishR^iNgaaNi = the mountain-peaks; mahaanti = and huge; shikharaaNi = rocks; utpaaTya = and having plucked up; vividhaan = varius kinds; taruumshcha = of trees; tiSThanti = stood prepared (for the attack).

Lifting up mountain peaks and huge rocks and plucking up various kinds of trees, the monkey-generals stood prepared (for the attack).

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prekṣato rākṣasa indrasya tāny anīkāni bhāgazaḥ |
rāghava priya kāma artham lankām āruruhus tadā || 6-43-13

13. tadaa = then; taani aniikaai = those troops; bhaagashaH = forming into columns aaruruhuH = began to scale the heights; laN^kaam = of Lanka; raakSasendrasya = (while) Ravana; prekSataH = stood gazing; raaghava priya kaamaartham = in order to fulfill Rama's cherished desire.

In order to fulfill Rama's cherished desire, those troops, forming themselves into columns, began to scale the heights of Lanka, while Ravana stood gazing.

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te tāmra vaktrā hema ābhā rāma arthe tyakta jīvitāḥ |
lankām eva ahyavartanta sāla tāla zilā āyudhāḥ || 6-42-14

14. te = those monkeys; hemaabhaaH = of golden hue; taamra vaktraaH = with coppery countenance; saala bhuudhara yodhinaH = fighting with sala trees and mountain- peaks; abhyavartanta = marched ahead; laN^kam = towards Lanka; tyakta jiivitaaH = ready to lay down their lives; raamaarthe = in Rama's sevice.

Those monkeys, of golden hue with coppery countenance, fighting with Sala trees and mountain-peaks, marched ahead towards the city of Lanka, ready as they were to lay down their lives in Rama's service.

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te drumaiḥ parvata agraiz ca muṣṭibhiz ca plavam gamāḥ |
prāsāda agrāṇi ca uccāni mamantus toraṇāni ca || 6-42-15

15. te plavaN^gamaaH = those monkeys; mamanthuH = demolished; asamkhyaani = innumerable; praakaaraaNi = defensive walls; toraNaanicha = and arches; drumaiH = (with blows) from trees; parvataagraiH = mountain-tops; muSTibhishcha = an fists.

Those monkeys demolished innumerable defensive walls and arches with blows from trees, mountain-tops and fists.

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pārikhāḥ pūrayanti sma prasanna salila āyutāḥ |
pāṃsubhih parvata agraiz ca tṛṇaiḥ kāṣṭhaiz ca vānarāḥ || 6-42-16

16. vaanaraaH = the monkeys; puurayantisma = filled; parikhaiH = the moats; prasanna salilaayutaaH = containing clear water; paamsubhiH = with sands; parvataagraiH = mountain-tops; tR^iNaiH = grasses; kaaSThaishcha = and logs of woods.

The monkeys filled the moats containing clear water with sands, mountain-tops, grasses and logs of wood.

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tataḥ sahasra yūthāz ca koṭi yūthāz ca yūthapāḥ |
koṭī zata yutāz ca anye lankām āruruhus tadā || 6-42-17

17. tataH = thereafter; yuuthapaaH = the commanders; aaruruhuH = scaled (the walls); laN^kaam = of Lanka; (taking with them); sahasrayuuthaashcha = battalions of monkeys in thousands; koTiyuuthaashcha = in crores; koTiyuutha shataashcha = (and even) hundreds of crores; anye cha = along with other.

The commanders scaled the walls of Lanks, taking with them battalions of monkeys in thousands, in crores and even hundreds of crores.

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kāncanāni pramRdnantas toraṇāni plavam gamāḥ |
kailāsa zikhara ābhāni gopurāṇi pramathya ca || 6-42-18

18. pramardantaH = tearing up; kaaNchanaani = the golden; toraNaani = arches; pramathyacha = and breaking down; gopuraaNi = the gates; kailaasa shikharaabhaaNi = that equaled the peak of Kailasa the mountainous abode of Shiva the god of destruction; plavaNgamaaH = the monkeys (attacked Lanka).

The monkeys stood tearing up the golden arches and breaking down the gates that equaled the peak of Kailasa the mountainous abode of Shiva the Lord of Destruction.

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āplavantaḥ plavantaz ca garjantaz ca plavam gamāḥ |
lankām tām abhyavartanta mahā vāraṇa samnibhāḥ || 6-42-19

19. plavaNgamaaH = the monkeys; mahaa vaaraNa samnibhaaH = who resembled great elephants; abhidhaavanti = rushed; taam laN^kaam = towards that Lanka; aaplavanta = sprining; plavantashcha = leaping; garjantashcha = and roaring.

The monkeys who resembled great elephants hurled themselves towards that Lanka, springing, leaping and roaring.

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jayaty atibalo rāmo lakṣmaṇaz ca mahā balaḥ |
rājā jayati sugrīvo rāghaveṇa abhipālitaḥ || 6-42-20
ity evam ghoṣayantaz ca garjantaz ca plavam gamāḥ |
abhyadhāvanta lankāyāh prākāram kāma rūpiṇaḥ || 6-42-21

20; 21. plavaNgamaaH = the monkeys; kaama ruupiNaH = who were able to change their form at will; ghoSayantascha = shouting thus; jayati = victory; urubalaH = to the mighty; raamaH = Rma; mahaabalaH = and the valiant; lakSmaNashca = Lakshmana; jayati = victory; raajaa = to the king; sugriivaH = Sugreeva; abhipaalitaH = protected; raaghaveNa = by Rama; garjantashcha = and roaring; abhyadhaavanta = rushed; praakaaram = towards the defensive walls; laN^kaayaaH = of Lanka.

The monkeys, who were able to change their form at will, shouting - "Victory to the mighty Rama and the valiant Lakshmana!" "Victory of Sugreeva protected by Raghava!" and roaring, rushed towards the defensive walls of Lanka.

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vīra bāhuḥ subāhuz ca nalaz ca vana gocaraḥ |
nipīḍya upaniviṣṭās te prākāram hari yūthapāḥ || 6-42-22
etasminn antare cakruh skandha āvāra nivezanam |

22. te = those; hariyuuthapaaH = monkey-generals; viirabaahuH = Virabhabu; subaashcha = Subahu; nalashcha = Nala; tathaa = and panasaH = Panasa; nipiiDya = having stormed; praakaaram = the defensive walls; upaniviSTaaH = took up position on them; etasmin antare = meanwhile; chakre = (they); formed; skandhaavaaraniveshanam = an encampment of a multitude of military divisions.

Those monkey-generals Virabahu, Subahu, Nala and Panasa, having position on them. Meanwhile, they formed an encampment of a multitude of military divisions there.

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pūrva dvāram tu kumudah koṭibhir dazabhir vṛtaḥ || 6-42-23
āvṛtya balavāṃs tasthau haribhir jita kāzibhiḥ |

23. balavaan = the mighty; kumudaH = Kumuda; vR^itaH = surrounded; koTibhiH = by a crore; haribhiH = of monkeys; jita kaashibhiH = who behaved like conquerors; tasthau = stood; aavR^itya = beseizing; puurva dvaaram = the eastern gate (while remaining stationed in north-east).

The mighty Kumuda, surrounded by a crore of monkeys, who behaved like conquerors, stood besieging the eastern gate (while remaining stationed in north-east).

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sahāyārthe tu tasyeva niviṣṭaḥ prasabho hariḥ || 6-42-24
panasaśca mahābāhurvānarai rabhisamvṛtaḥ |

24. prasabhaH hariH = A monkey called Prasabha; mahaabaahuH = and the mighty armed; panasashcha = panasa; niviSTaH- took up their position; abhisamvR^itaH = surrounded; vaanaraiH = by (other) monkeys; sahaayaarthe = in order toa ssist; tasyaiva = Kumuda himself.

Surrounded by other monkeys, a monkey called Prasabha and the mighty armed Panasa too up their position, in order to assist Kumuda himself.

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dakṣiṇa dvāram āgamya vīrah zata balih kapiḥ || 6-42-25
āvṛtya balavāṃs tasthau vimzatyā koṭibhir vṛtaḥ |

25. balavaan = the strong; viiraH = and valiant; shatabaliH kapiH = monkey; Shatabali; vR^itaH = surrounded; vimshatyaa koTibhiH = by twenty crores (of monkeys); aasaadya = approached; dakSiNa dvaaram = the southern gate (while remaining stationed in south-east); tasthau = and stood; aavR^itya = surrounding it.

The strong and valiant monkey, Shatabali accompanied by twenty crores of monkeys, approached the southern gate (while remaining stationed in south-east) and stood there, to obstruct the exit.

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suṣeṇah pazcima dvāram gatas tārā pitā hariḥ || 6-42-26
āvṛtya balavāṃs tasthau ṣaṣṭi koṭibhir āvṛtaḥ |

26. balavaan = the mighty; suSeNaH = Sushena; taarapitaa = the father of Tara; hariH = and a monkey; gatvaa = going; pashchima dvaaram = to the western gate (while remaining stationed in the south-west); aavR^itaH = surrounded; koTi koTibhiH = by crores and crores of monkeys; tasthau = stood; aavR^itya = besieging; (that gate).

The mighty monkey named Sushena, the father of Tara (Vali's wife), going to the western gate (while remaining stationed in the south-west) surrounded by crores and croes of monkeys, stood besieging that gate.

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uttara dvāram āsādya rāmah saumitriṇā saha || 6-42-27
āvṛtya balavāṃs tasthau sugrīvaz ca hari īzvaraḥ |

27. raamaH = Rama; saumitreNaa saha = along with Lakshmana; sugreevashcha = and Sugreeva; balavaan = the mighty; hariishvaraH = lord of the monkeys; aagamya = seeking uttara dvaaram = the northern gate (while remaining stationed in the north-west); tasthau = stood; aavR^itya = besieging (that gate)

Rama along with Lakshmana and Sugreeva the mighty lord of the monkeys, seeking the northern gate (while remaining stationed in the north west) stood besieging that gate.

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ṛṣkāṇām bhīma vegānām dhūmrah zatru nibarhaṇaḥ || 6-42-28
vṛtah koṭyā mahā vīryas tasthau rāmasya pārzvataḥ |

28. dhuumraH = Dhumra; mahaaviiryaH = of great prowess; shatrunibarhaNaH = and annihilator of enemies; vR^itaH = accompanied; koTyaa = R^ikSaaNaam = by a crore of bears; bhiima kopaanaam = having terrific rage; tasthau = stood; paarshvataH = by the side; raamsya = of Rama.

Accompanied by a crore of bears having terrific rage, Dhumra (brother of Jambavan, the king of bears) of great prowess and the annihilator of enemies, took up his position by the side of Rama.

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samnaddhas tu mahā vīryo gadā pāṇir vibhīṣaṇaḥ || 6-42-29
vṛto yas tais tu sacivais tasthau tatra mahā balaḥ |

29. vibhiSaNaH = Vibhishana; mahaaviiryaH = of great energy; gadaa paaNiH = with mace in hand; samnaddhaH = clad in defensive armour; vR^itaH = and accompanied; yattaiH = by his watchful; sachivaiH = ministers; tasthau = took his position; yatra = where; mahaabalaH = the mighty Rama (was stationed).

Vibhishana of great energy with mace in hand, clad in defensive armour and accompanied by his watchful ministers, took his position where the mighty Rama is stationed.

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gajo gava akṣo gavayah zarabho gandha mādanaḥ || 6-42-30
samantāt parighāvanto rarakṣur hari vāhinīm |

30. gajaH = Gaja; gavaakSaH = Gavaksha; gavayaH = GavayaH = Gavaya; sharabhaH = sharabha; gandhamaadanaH = and Gadhamdana; paridhaavantaH = galloping; samantaat = on every side; rarakSuH = defended; hari vaahiniim = the army of monkeys.

Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadana, galloping on all sides, defended the army of monkeys.

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tataḥ kopa parīta ātmā rāvaṇo rākṣasa īzvaraḥ || 6-42-31
niryāṇam sarva sainyānām drutam ājnāpayat tadā |

31. tataH = then; raavaNaH = Ravana; raakSashvaraH = the lord of demons; kopa pariitaatmaa = with his mind filled in anger; tadaa = then; aajJNaapayat = commanded; niryaaNam- for the decamping; sarva seinyaanaam = of all the army; drutam = immediately.

Ravana the lord of demons with his mind filled in anger, then commanded for the decamping of the entire army immediately.

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etaccrutvā tadā vākyaṃ rāvaṇasya mukheritam || 6-42-32
sahasā bhīmanirghoṣamudghuṣṭaṃ rajanīcaraiḥ |

32. shrutvaa = hearing; etat = vaakyam = these words; mukheritam = uttered from the mouth; raavaNasya = of Ravana; udghuSTam = a sound; bhiima nirghoSam = rattling terribly; (was made); rajani charaiH = by the demons; sahasaa = immediately; tadaa = then.

At this command coming from Ravana lips, a tremendous clamour arose among the demons.

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tataḥ prabodhitā bheryaścandrapāṇḍurapuṣkarāḥ || 6-42-33
hemakoṇairabhihatā rākṣasānāṃ samantataḥ |

33. bheryaH = kettle-drums; Chandra paaNDu puSkaraaH = their discs white as the moon; abhihataaH = on which are beaten; raakSasaanaam = by the demons; hemakoNaiH = with sticks of gold; samantataH = on all sides; prabodhitaaH = were stirred up.

By beating with sticks of gold, the demons stirred up on every side, kettle drums whose discs were white as the moon.

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vineduśca mahāghoṣāḥ śaṅkhaḥ śatasahasraśaḥ || 6-42-34
rākṣasānāṃ sughorāṇāṃ mukhamārutapūritāḥ |

34. shata sahasrashaH = hundres and thousands; shaNkhaaH = of couches; mahaaghoSaaH = with great noise; vinedushcha = blared for the; mukha maaruta puuritaaH = blown with their cheeks extended to the full; raakSasaanaam = by the demons; sughoraaNaam = the most ghastly ones.

Hundreds and thousands of sonorous couches blared forth, blown with their cheeks extended to the full, by the most ghastly demons.

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te babhuḥ śubhanīlāṅgāḥ saśaṅkhā rajanīcarāḥ || 6-42-35
vidhyunmaṇḍalasaṃnaddhāḥ sabalākā ivāmbudāḥ |

35. shubhaniilaaNgaaH = with their handsome dark limbs; sa shaNkhaaH = equipped with couches; rajaniicharaaH = those rangers of the night; babhuuH ambudaaH iva = shone like clouds; vidynmaNDala samnaddhaaH = bored with lightning; sabalaakaaH = accompanied by rows of cranes.

With their handsome limbs equipped with couches, those rangers of night shone like clouds bordered with lightning accompanied by rows of cranes.

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niṣpatanti tataḥ sainyā hṛṣṭā rāvaṇa coditāḥ || 6-42-36
samaye pūryamāṇasya vegā;iva mahā udadheḥ |

36. niSpatanti = rushed forth; sainyaaH = the battalions; hR^iSTaaH = gaily; tataH = thereafter; raavaNa choditaaH = under Ravana's directions; sanuye iva = as; at the time of Pralaya (dissolution of the world); vegaa = the rushing forth; mahodadhaH = of the ocean; puuryamaaNasya = which is swollen (by clouds).

The battalions rushed forth under Ravana's instructions like the rushing forth of the ocean, which is swollen by the clouds, at the time of universal dissolution.

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tato vānarasainyena mukto nādaḥ samantataḥ || 6-42-37
malayaḥ pūrito yena sasānuprasthakandaraḥ |

37. tataH = then; samantataH = from every side; naadaH = a clamour; muktaH = arose; vaanara sainyena = from the army of monkeys; puuritaH = which filled; malayaH = Malaya mountain; sa saanu prastha kandaraH = with its ridger plains and caves.

Then, from every side a clamour, arose from the army of monkeys, which filled Malaya mountain with its ridges, plains and caves.

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śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaḥ simhanādastarasvinām || 6-42-38
pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣam ca sāgaraṃ cābhyanādayat |

38. shaNkha du ndubhi nirghoSaH = the sound of couches and drums; simhanaadaH = and the lionine roars; tarasvinaam = of those warriors; abhyanaadayat = reechoed; pR^ithiviim = over the earth; antarikSamcha = sky; saagaramcha = and sea.

The sound of couches and drums made by the demons and the leouine roars of those monkey- warriors re-echoed over the earth, sky and sea.

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gajānāṃ bṛṃhitaiḥ sārdhaṃ hayānāṃ heṣitairapi || 6-42-39
rathānāṃ neminirghoṣai rakṣasām padaniḥsvanaiḥ |

39. bR^ihitaiH saartham = with the trumpeting; gajaanaam = of elephants; heSitairapi = the neighing; hayaanaam = of the horses; nemi nirghoSaiH = the clatters of wheels; rathaanaam = of the chariots; pada niHsvanaiH = and the sounds of the couches re-echoed over the earth; sky and sea).

With the trumpeting of elephants, the neighing of the horses, the clattering of the chariot-wheels and the sounds of the foot-steps, the sound of the couches reechoed over the earth, sky and sea.

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etasminn antare ghorah samgrāmah samapadyata || 6-42-40
rakṣasām vānarāṇām ca yathā deva asure purā |

40. etasmin antare = in the meantime; ghoraH = a terrible; samgraamaH = struggle; samapadyata = ensued; rakSasaam = between the demons; vaanaraaNaam = and the monkeys; puraa yathaa = as; in former times; devaasure = between celestials and demons.

In the meantime, a terrible struggle ensued between the demons and the monkeys, as in the former times between celestials and demons.

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te gadābhih pradīptābhih zakti zūla parazvadhaiḥ || 6-42-41
nijaghnur vānarān ghorāh kathayantah sva vikramān |

41. kathayantaH = exhibiting; svavikramaan = their native prowess; te = those demons; nijaghnuH = struck; sarvaan = all; vaanaraan = the monkeys; gadaabhiH = with their maces; shaktishuula parasvadhaiH = spears; harpoons and axes; pradiiptaabhiH = which were flaming.

Exhibiting their native prowess, the demons began to strike all the monkeys with their flaming maces, spears, harpoons and axes.

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tatho vṛkṣair mahā kāyāḥ parvata agraiz ca vānarāḥ || 6-42-42
nijaghnastāni rakṣāṃsi nagairdanaiśca veginaḥ |
rājā jayati sugrīva iti śabdo mahānabhūt || 6-42-43

42; 43. tataH = then; vaanaraaH = the monkeys; mahaakaayaaH = with huge bodies; veginaH = swiftly; nijaghnuH = struck; taani rakSaamsi = those demons; vR^ikSaiH = with trees; parvataagraishcha = mountain-tops; nakhaiH = nails; dantaishcha = and teeth; jayati = victorious; raajaa = is king; sugriivaH = Sugreeva; iti = thus; abhuut = arose; mahaan = a loud; shabdaH = war-cry.

Then, the gigantic monkeys swiftly struck those demons with trees, mountain-tops, nails and teeth "Victorious is king Sugreeva" - thus arose a loud war-cry.

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rājan jaya jayetyuktvā svasvanāmakathāṃ tataḥ |
rākṣasāstvapare bhīmāḥ prākārasthāmahīṃ gatān || 6-42-44
vānarān bhindipālaiśca śūlai ścaiva vyadārayan |

44. tataH = then; apre = some other; bhiimaaH = terrifying; raakSasaastu = demons on their part; uktvaa = uttering; iti = thus; jaya jaya = "Be winsome! Be victorious" sva sva naama kathaam = proclaimed their own respective names; praakaarasthaaH = (while some) standing on walls; vyadaarayan = hacked; vaanaraan = at the monkeys; gataan mahiim = standing on the ground (below); bhindi palaaishcha = with hooks and harpoons.

Then, some other terrifying demons on their part, shouting "Be winsome! Be victorious!", proclaimed their own respective names. While some demons standing on walls hacked at the monkeys standing on the ground (below) with hooks and harpoons.

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vānarācāpi samkruddhāh prākārasthān mahī gatāḥ || 6-42-45
rākṣasān pātayām āsuh samāplutya plavam gamāḥ |

45. samkruddhaaH = the enraged; vaanaraashchaapi = monkeys too; mahiim gataaH = who were standing on the ground; aaplutya = leapt; kham = into the air; paatayaamaasuH = and dragged down; raakSasaan = those demons; praakaarastaaH = stationed on the walls; svabaahubhiH = (by seizing them) with their arms.

The enraged monkeys, who wee standing on the ground, leapt into the air and dragged down the demons stationed on the walls by seizing them with their arms.

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sa samprahāras tumulo māṃsa zoṇita kardamaḥ || 6-42-46
rakṣasām vānarāṇām ca sambabhūva adbhuta upamāḥ |

46. saH = that; tumulaH = tumultuous; samprahaaraH = combat; rakSasaam = between demons; vaanaraaNaam cha = and monkeys; sambadhuuvaH = became; adbhutopamaH = resembling a wonder; maamsa shoNita kardamaH = leaving a mire of flesh and blood.

That tumultuous combat between demons and monkeys transformed into a wonder, leaving a mire of flesh and blood.

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ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvyeyuddhakāṇḍe dvicatvāriṃśaḥ

Thus completes 42nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Verse Locator for Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War : Chapter 42

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© March 2005, K. M. K. Murthy