Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 57
Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

Ravana asks Prahasta to go to the battle. Prahasta sets out for the combat along with a huge army and enters the eastern gate. Bad omens appeared, as Prahasta enters the battle-field. The army of monkeys seized hold of trees and rocks, to attack the demons.

Verse Locator

akampana vadham śrutvā kruddho vai rākṣasa īśvaraḥ |
kiṃcid dīna mukhaś ca api sacivāṃs tān udaikṣata || 6-57-1

1. shrutvaa = hearing; akampana vadham = about the killing of Akampana; raakSaseshvaraH = Ravana the Lord of demons; kruddhaH = was enraged; kimchit diinamukhaH cha api = had a little depressed face; udaikSata = and looked; taan sachivaan = towards those ministers.

Hearing of Akampana's killing, Ravana the Lord of demons, with a little depressed face, was enraged and looked towards his ministers.

Verse Locator

sa tu dhyātvā muhūrtam tu mantribhih samvicārya ca |
tatastu rāvaṇaḥ pūrvadivase rākṣasādhipaḥ || 6-57-2
purīm pariyayau lankām sarvān gulmān avekṣitum |

2. dhyaatvaa = having reflected; muhuurtam = a while; samvichaarya = and deliberated; mantribhiH = with his ministers; saH raavaNaH = that Ravana; raakSasaadhipaH = the king of Demons; tataH = then; yayau = went; laN^kaam puriim = to the City of Lanka; avekSitum = to inspect; sarvagulmaan = all his defenses; puurvadivasa = in the forenoon.

Having reflected awhile and deliberated with his ministers, Ravana the king of Demons then passed that forenoon in inspecting his defenses in the City of Lanka.

Verse Locator

tām rākṣasa gaṇair guptām gulmair bahubhir āvṛtām || 6-57-3
dadarśa nagarīm lankām patākā dhvaja mālinīm |

3. raajaa = the king Ravana; dadarsha = saw; taam nagariim = that city; guptaam = protected; taam raakSasagaNaiH = by those groups of demons; aavR^itaam = and surrounded; bahubhiH = by many; gulmaiH = bodies of troops; pataaka dhvajamaaliniim = decorated with banners and flags.

The king Ravana saw that City, guarded by groups of demons, filled with innumerable troops and decorated with banners and flags.

Verse Locator

ruddhām tu nagarīm dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇo rākṣasa īśvaraḥ || 6-57-4
uvāca amarṣitah kāle prahastam yuddha kovidam |

4. dR^iSTvaa = seeing; nagariim = the City; ruddhaam = besieged; raavaNaH = Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH = the Lord of Demons; uvaacha = spoke; (as follows); prahastam = to Prahasta; yuddha kovidam = who was skilled in war-fare; aatmahitam = and who wished well of him; kaale = even at a critical time.

Seeing Lanka besieged, Ravana the Lord of Demons spoke as follows to Prahasta who was skilled in war-fare and who wished well of him even at a critical time.

Verse Locator

purasya upaniviṣṭasya sahasā pīḍitasya ha || 6-57-5
na anyam yuddhāt prapaśyāmi mokṣam yuddha viśārada |

5. yuddha vishaarada = O; the proficient one in war-free!; na prapashyaami = I do not see; anyam = any other; mokSam = deliverance; yuddhaat = than a battle; purasya = for this City; upaniviSTasya = which is beseiged; sahasaa = suddenly; piiDitasya = and being devastated.

"O, Prahasta the proficient in war-free! I do not see any other deliverance than a battle for this city, which is besieged suddenly and being devastated."

Verse Locator

aham vā kumbha karṇo vā tvam vā senā patir mama || 6-57-6
indrajid vā nikumbho vā vaheyur bhāram īdṛśam |

6. aham vaa = either I; kumbhakarNovaa = or Kumbhakarna; tvam vaa = or you; mama = my; senaapatiH = army-chief; indrajit vaa = or Indrajit; nikumbho vaa = or Nikumbha; vaheyuH = can bear; iidR^isham = such; bhaaram = a burden.

"Either myself or Kumbhakarna or yourself my army-chief or Indrajit or Nikumbha and none else could undertake such a task!"

Verse Locator

sa tvam balam itah śīghram ādāya parigṛhya ca || 6-57-7
vijayāya abhiniryāhi yatra sarve vana okasaḥ |

7. ataH = for that reason; saH tvam = you as such; aadaaya = taking; balam = the army; shiighram = quickly; parigR^ihyacha = and placing yourself in their midst; abhiniryaahi = set forth; vijayaaya = for victory; yatra = to the place where; sarve = all; vanaukasaH = the monkeys (are stationed)

"For that reason, taking a company of warriors, you quickly place yourself in their midst and set forth in order to triumph over all those monkeys."

Verse Locator

niryāṇād eva te nūnam capalā hari vāhinī || 6-57-8
nardatām rākṣasa indrāṇām śrutvā nādam draviṣyati |

8. harivaahinii = the army of monkeys; chalitaa = becoming disturbed; tuurNam = soon; nirNayaadeva = on (knowing) your decision (to go for the battle); draviSyati = will run away; shrutvaa = on hearing; naadam = the sound; raakSasendraaNaam = of the leaders of demons; nardataam = roaring.

"Unsettled in no time on knowing your decision to enter the battle-field, the army of monkeys will run away on hearing the raring sound of the leaders of demons."

Verse Locator

capalā hy avinītāś ca cala cittāś ca vānarāḥ || 6-57-9
na sahiṣyanti te nādam simha nādam iva dvipāḥ |

9. vaanaraaH = the monkeys; chapalaaH = are unsteady; aviniitaashcha = mis-behaved; chalachittashcha = and fickle-minded; na sahiSyanti = (They) do not tolerate; te = your; naadam = sound; dvipaaH iva = as elephants; simhanaadani = the lion's roar.

"The monkeys are unsteady, mis-behaved and fickle-minded. They do not tolerate your sound, as elephants the lion's roar."

Verse Locator

vidrute ca bale tasmin rāmah saumitriṇā saha || 6-57-10
avaśaste nirālambah prahasta vaśam eṣyati |

10. prahasta = O; Prahsta! tasmin bale = (As) that army; vidrude = takes to its heels; raamaH = Rama; saumitriNaa saha = along with Lakshmana; niraalambaH = without any support; avashaH = unwillingly; eSyati = will fall; vasham = into your power.

"O, Prahasta! As that army takes to its heels, Rama along with Lakshmana being supportless, will fall into your power though unwillingly."

Verse Locator

āpat saṃśayitā śreyo na atra nihsaṃśayī kṛtā || 6-57-11
pratiloma anulomam vā yad vā no manyase hitam |

11. samshayitaa = A skeptical; aapat = misfortune; shreyaH = is preferable; na = and not; niH samshayiikR^itaa = that which is certain; atra = here; tu = but; pratilomaanu lomam vaa = whether it is unpleasing to hear or no; (say what); manyase = you consider; yat = that which; hitam = is advantageous; naH = for us.

"A skeptical misfortune is preferable to one that is certain! Whether it is unpleasing to hear or not, say what you consider as an advantage to us."

Verse Locator

rāvaṇena evam uktas tu prahasto vāhinī patiḥ || 6-57-12
rākṣasa indram uvāca idam asura indram iva uśanā |

12. vaahiniipatiH = the army-general; prahastaH = Prahasta; evam = thus; uktaH = spoken; raavaNena = by Ravana; uvaacha = spoke; idam = these words; raakSasendram = to Ravana; ushanaa = like Ushanaa = like Ushana (the preceptor of demons) asurendramiva = to Bali the king of Asuras.

Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta the Army-General spoke the following words to Ravana, like Ushana the preceptor of demons would speak to Bali, the king of demons.

Verse Locator

rājan mantrita pūrvam nah kuśalaih saha mantribhiḥ || 6-57-13
vivādasḥ ca api no vṛttah samavekṣya parasparam |

13. raajan = O; king!; mantrita puurvam = formerly it was deliberated; naH = by us; mantribhiH saha = along with ministers; kushalaiH = who were skilful; samavekSya = having observed attentively; parasparam = with one another; vivaadashcha = a disagreement; vR^ittaH = arose; naH = between us.

O, king! Formerly, we deliberated this matter with our wise ministers and, after having a good dialogue with each other, a disagreement arose between us."

Verse Locator

pradānena tu sītāyāh śreyo vyavasitam mayā || 6-57-14
apradāne punar yuddham dṛṣṭam etat tathaiva naḥ |

14. pradaanena = to return; siitaayaaH = Seetha; vyavasitam = was resolved; mayaa = by me; shreyaH = as preferable; apradaane punaH = not to return Seetha; yuddham = (meant) war; tathaiva = dR^iSTameva = we foresaw this.

"To return Seetha was what I considered preferable. Not to do so meant war; we foresaw this."

Verse Locator

so aham dānaiś ca mānaiś ca satatam pūjitas tvayā || 6-57-15
sāntvaisḥ ca vividhaih kāle kim na kuryām priyam tava |

15. satatam = ever; puujitaH = honoured; tvayaa = by you; kaale = at appropriate time; daanaishcha = by gifts; maanaishcha = by felicitations; vividhaiH = by various; saanaishcha = nice words; kim = what; saH aham = I as such; na kuryaam = cannot do; hitam = benefit; tava = to you?

"I have ever been honoured by you at appropriate times by gifts, felicitations and nice words. When the opportunity arises, is it not for me to render you a service?"

Verse Locator

na hi me jīvitam rakṣyam putra dāra dhanāni vā || 6-57-16
tvam paśya mām juhūṣantam tvad arthe jīvitam yudhi |

16. me = to me; jiivitam = life; na hi = is indeed not; rakSyam = to be spared; putra daara dhanaanicha = (nor) sons; wives or riches; tvam = you; pashya = see; maam = me; juhuuSantam = who wish to sacrifice; jiivitam = my life; tvadarthe = for your sake; yudhi = in the battle.

"Neither wives nor sons nor riches are going to be spared by me. See you me, intending to sacrifice my life for your sake in the battle."

Verse Locator

evam uktvā tu bhartāram rāvaṇam vāhinī patiḥ || 6-57-17
uvācedam balādhyakṣān prahastah purataḥ sthitān |

17. uktvaa = having spoken; evam = thus; raavaNam = to Ravana; bhartaaram = the lord; prahastaH = Prahasta; vaahiniipatiH = the Army-general; uvaacha = spoke; idam = those words; balaadhyakSaan = to his leading officers; sthitaan = stationed; purataH = in front.

Having spoken thus to Lord Ravana, the General Prahasta said to his leading officers who stood before him as follows:

Verse Locator

samānayata me śīghram rākṣasānām mahad balam || 6-57-18
mad bāṇa aśani vegena hatānām tu raṇa ajire |
adya tṛpyantu māṃsena pakṣiṇah kānana okasām || 6-57-19

18; 19. samaanayata = gather; mahaabalam = a large army; raakSasaanaam = of demons; me = for me; madbaaNaanaam = With my arrows; vegena = by their swiftness; raaNaajire = on the battle field; maamsaadaaH = the flesh-eating; pakSiNaH = birds; kaanakausaH = and beasts; tR^ipyantu = shall feed; hataanaam = on the enemy that I stroke down; adya = today.

"Gather a large army of demons together for me. Today, the flesh-eating birds and beasts shall feed on the enemy that I strike down on the battle-field with my swift arrows."

Verse Locator

tasya tadvacanam śrutvā balādhyakṣā mahābalāḥ |
balam udyojayām āsus tasmin rākṣasa mandire || 6-57-20

20. shrutvaa = hearing; tat = that; vachanam = command; tasya = of Prahasta; mahaabalaah = the mighty; balaadhyakSaaH = leaders of the army; udyojayaamaasuH = assembled; balam = the forces; tasmin raakSasa mandire = in the abode of that demon.

Hearing that command of Prahasta, the mighty leaders of the army assembled the forces in the abode of that demon.

Verse Locator

sā babhūva muhūrtena tigma nānā vidha āyudhaiḥ |
lankā rākṣasa vīrais tair gajair iva samākulā || 6-57-21

21. muhuurtena = within a short while; saa laN^kaa = that City of Lanka; babhuuva = became; samaakulaa = filled; tai = with those; bhiimaiH = terrific; raakSasa viiraiH = demon-warriors; gajairiva = resembling elephants; naanaa vidhaayudhaiH = wielding various types of weaponry.

Within a short while, that City of Lanka was filled with those terrific demon-warriors, resembling elephants and wielding various types of weaponry.

Verse Locator

huta aśanam tarpayatām brāhmaṇāṃś ca namasyatām |
ājya gandha prativahah surabhir māruto vavau || 6-57-22

22. (While some demons); tarpayataam = propitiated; hutaashanam = the fire-god; (with their offerings); namasyataam = and paid homage; braahmaNaamshcha = to Brahmanas; surabhiH = a fragrant; maarutaH = freeze; aajyagandha prativahaH = bearing the scent of clarified butter vavou = began to blow.

While some demons propitiated the fire-god with their offerings and paid homage to Brahmanas, a fragrant freeze bearing the scent of clarified butter, began to blow.

Verse Locator

srajasḥ ca vividha ākārā jagṛhus tv abhimantritāḥ |
samgrāma sajjāḥ samhṛṣṭā dhārayan rākṣasās tadā || 6-57-23

23. tadaa = then; raakSasaaH = the demons; samgraama sajjaaH = ready for the battle; samhR^iSTaaH = delightedly; jagR^ihuH = wore; srajashcha = garlands; vividhaakaaraaH = of different shapes; abhimantritaaH = consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas).

Then, the demons who were ready for the battle, delightedly wore garlands of different shapes, consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas).

Verse Locator

sadhanuṣkāh kavacino vegād āplutya rākṣasāḥ |
rāvaṇam prekṣya rājānam prahastam paryavārayan || 6-57-24

24. raakSasaaH = the demons; sadhanuSkaaH = with their bows; kavachinaH = and armours; prekSya = seeing; raajaanam = the king; raavaNam = Ravana; aaplutya = and jumping; vegaat = swiftly; paryavaarayan = ranged themselves towards; prahastam = Prahasta.

Thereafter, armed with bows and armours, the demons with their eyes turned towards their king Ravana, marched at a brisk pace and ranged themselves round Prahasta.

Verse Locator

atha āmantrya ca rājānam bherīm āhatya bhairavām |
āruroha ratham divyam prahastah sajja kalpitam || 6-57-25
hayair mahā javair yuktam samyak sūta susamyutam |
mahā jalada nirghoṣam sākṣāc candra arka bhāsvaram || 6-57-26
uraga dhvaja durdharṣam suvarūtham svapaskaram |
suvarṇa jāla samyuktam prahasantam iva śriyā || 6-57-27

25; 26; 27. atha = then; prahastaH = Prahasta; yuktaH = who got ready with his weapons and armour; aamantrya = taking leave; raajaanam = of the king; aahatya = striking; bhairavaam = the terrible; bherniim = kettle-drum; aaruroha = mounted; ratham = his chariot; sajjakalpitam = which was kept ready; yuktam = yoked; mahaajavaiH = an extremely swift; hayaiH = horses; samyak suuta susamyatam = well-controlled by a charioteer; mahaajalada ninghoSam = with a noise resembling that of a large cloud; saakSaat = actually; chandraarka bhaasvaram = shining like moon-light; uraga dhvaja durdharSam = inviolable; with a flag bearing an ensign of snake; suvaruutham = with a good collision-guard; svavaskaram = having good wheels; suvarNajaala samyuktam = decorated with a net of pure gold; prahastamiva = smiling as it were; shriyaa = in its magnificence.

Then, Prahasta who got ready with his weapons and armour, after bidding obeisance to the king and striking a terrible kettle-drum, mounted his chariot, which was kept ready, yoked to an extremely swift horses, well controlled by a charioteer, emanating a noise resembling that of a large cloud, actually shining like moon-light, inviolable with a flag bearing an ensign of snake, with a good collision-guard, with nice wheels and decorated with a net of pure gold smiling as it were in its magnificence.

Verse Locator

tatas tam ratham āsthāya rāvaṇa arpita śāsanaḥ |
lankāyā niryayau tūrṇam balena mahatā vṛtaḥ || 6-57-28

28. tataH = then; raavaNaarpita shaasanaH = Prahasta; to whom command was given by Ravana; aasthaaya = mounted; ratham = his chariot; niryayau = set out; laN^kaayaaH = from Lanka; tuurnam = quickly; vR^itaH = along with; mahataa = a huge; balena = army.

Then, Prahasta the one who was commanded by Ravana, ascended his chariot and set out from Lanka soon along with a huge army.

Verse Locator

tato duṃdubhi nirghoṣah parjanya ninada upamaḥ || 6-57-29
śuśruve śankha śabdaś ca prayāte vāhinī patau |

29. vaahiniipatau = (While) Prahasta the General; prayaate = sallied forth; tataH = then; dundubhi nirghoSaH = the sound of a kettle-drum; ninadaH cha = the sound; vaaditraaNaam = of musical instruments; shN^kha shabdashcha = and the sound of couches; shushruve = were heard; puurayanniva = as though filling; mediniim = the earth; parjanya; ninadopamaH = resembling the roar of a cloud.

While Prahasta the general sallied forth, the sound of a kettle-drum, the resonance of musical instruments and the sound of conches were heard, as though filling the earth like the roar of a cloud.

Verse Locator

ninadantaḥ svarān ghorān rākṣasā jagmur agrataḥ || 6-57-30
bhīma rūpā mahā kāyāh prahastasya purah sarāḥ |

30. raakSasaaH = the demons; bhiimaruupaaH = having terrific forms; mahaakaayaaH = and bulky bodies; ninadantaH = shouting; ghoraan = with terrible; svaraan = voices; jagmuH = went; agrataH = in front; puraH saraaH = as forerunners; prahastasya = of Prahasta.

The demons with terrific forms and bulky bodies, shouting with dreadful voices, went in front, as forerunners of Prahasta.

Verse Locator

narāntakaḥ kumbhahanurmahānādaḥ samunnataḥ | 6-57-31
prahastasacivā hyete niryayuḥ parivārya tam |

31. naraantakaH = Narantaka; kumbhahanuH = Kumbhahanu; mahaanaadaH = Mahanada; samunnataH = Samunnata; prahasta sachivaaH = attendants of Prahasta; ete = they; niryayuH = sallied forth; parivaarya = surrounding; tam = him.

Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata, attendants of Prahasta sallied forth, surrounding him on all sides.

Verse Locator

vyūḍhena eva sughoreṇa pūrva dvārāt sa niryayau || 6-57-32
gaja yūtha nikāśena balena mahatā vṛtaḥ |

32. saH = He; niryayau = emerged; puurva dvaaraat = from the eastern gate; vR^itaH = in the midst; mahataa = of an immense; sughoSeNa = formidable; vyuuDheneva = and orderly arranged; balena = army; gaja yuutha nikaashena = resembling a herd of elephants.

He emerged from the eastern gate in the midst of an immense, formidable and orderly arranged army, resembling a herd of elephants.

Verse Locator

sāgara pratima oghena vṛtas tena balena saḥ || 6-57-33
prahasto niryayau tūrṇam kruddhah kāla antaka upamaḥ |

33. vR^itaH = In the centre; tena = of that; balena = army; saagara prati maughena = vast as the sea; saH prahastaH = that Prahasta; kruddhaH = in his fury; niryayau = came forth; kaalaantakayamopamaH = appearing like Death at the end of the world.

In the centre of that army, vast as the sea, that Prahasta in his fury, came forth appearing like Death at the end of the world.

Verse Locator

tasya niryāṇa ghoṣeṇa rākṣasānām ca nardatām || 6-57-34
lankāyām sarva bhūtāni vinedur vikṛtaih svaraiḥ |

34. tasya niryaaNaghoSeNa = the uproar that arose on his setting forth; raakSasaanaam cha = with his demons; nardataam = raising their war cries; vineduH = sounded forth; vikR^itaiH = sinister; svaraiH = answering calls; sarvabhuutaani = from all creatures; laN^kaayaam = in Lanka.

The uproar that arose on his setting forth with his demons raising the war-cries drew sinister answering calls from all creatures in Lanka.

Verse Locator

vyabhram ākāśam āviśya māṃsa śoṇita bhojanāḥ || 6-57-35
maṇḍalāny apasavyāni khagāś cakrū ratham prati |

35. khagaaH = birds; maamsashoNitabhojanaaH = eating flesh and blood; aavishya = entering; nyabhram = cloudless; aakaasham = sky; chakruH = flew; maN^Dalaani = in circles; apasvyaani = from left to right; rathamprati = towards the chariot.

In a cloudless sky, birds of prey eating flesh and blood, flew in circles from left to right towards the chariot.

Verse Locator

vamantyah pāvaka jvālāh śivā ghorā vavāśire || 6-57-36
antarikṣāt papāta ulkā vāyuś ca paruṣo vavau |

36. ghoraaH = fearful; shivaaH = jackals; vamantyaH = vomited forth; paavaka jvaalaaH = fire and flames; vavaashire = howling repeatedly; ulkaa = a meteor; papaata = fell; antarikSaat = from the sky; vaayushcha = and the wind; vavau = blew; paruSam = harshly.

Fearful jackals vomited forth fire and flames, howling repeatedly. A meteor fell from the sky and the wind blew harshly.

Verse Locator

anyonyam abhisamrabdhā grahāś ca na cakāśire || 6-57-37
meghāśca kharanirghoṣā rathasyopari rakṣasaḥ |
vavarṣū rudhiram ca asya siṣicuś ca purah sarān || 6-57-38

37; 38. grahaashcha = the planets; abhisamrabdhaaH = were in opposition; anyonyam = to each other; na cha prakaashire = and lost their brilliance; meghaashcha = the clouds; kharanirghoSaaH = made harsh sounds; vavarSuH = and rained; rudhiram = blood; upari = above; raakSasaH = the demons; rathasya = chariot; siSichushcha = and dampened; puraH saraan = those who were walking in front.

The plants, in opposition to each other, lost their brilliance. The clouds, with their raucous sound, showered blood on Prahasta's chariot and dampened those who were walking in front of it.

Verse Locator

ketu mūrdhani gṛdhro asya vilīno dakṣiṇā mukhaḥ |
nadannubhayataḥ pārśvaṃ samagrāmaharatprabhām || 6-57-39

39. gR^idhraH = A vulture; dakSiNaamukhaH = facing the south; viliinaH = alighted; muurdhani = on the top; ketoH = of the standard; nadan = croaking; ubhayataH paarshvam = on its both the sides; aharat = and deprived; (the demon); samagraam = of his entire; prabhaam = lustre.

A vulture facing the south alighted on the top of the standard, croaking towards both of its sides and deprived the demon of his entire lustre.

Verse Locator

sārather bahuśasḥ ca asya samgrāmam avagāhataḥ |
pratodo nyapatadd hastāt sūtasya haya sādinaḥ || 6-57-40

40. pratodaH = the goad; nyapata = fell; bahushaH = several times; atra = then; hastaat = from the hand; saarathaH = of the charioteer; suutasya = a Suta (the son of a Kshastriya by a Brahmana woman); hayasaadinaH eventhough skilled in controlling the horses; avagaahataH = as he entered; samgraamam = the battle-field.

The goad fell several times then from the hand of the charioteer, himself a Suta (the son of a Kshatriya by a Brahamana woman) eventhough skilled in controlling the horses, as he entered the battle-field.

Verse Locator

niryāṇa śrīś ca yā asya āsīd bhāsvarā ca sudurlabhā |
sā nanāśa muhūrtena same ca skhalitā hayāḥ || 6-57-41

41. sudurlabhaa = that rarely; bhaasvaraa = splendour; yaa = which (clothed); niryaaNashriiH = (Prahasta) at the time of his exit; saa = that one; nanaasha = vanished; muhuurtena = in an instant; hayaashcha = and horses; sthalitaaH = stumbled; same = on the even ground.

That rarely splendour which clothed Prahasta at the time of his exit vanished in an instant and horses stumbled on the even ground.

Verse Locator

prahastam tv abhiniryāntam prakhyāta bala pauruṣam |
yudhi nānā praharaṇā kapi senā abhyavartata || 6-57-42

42. tam prahastam = (Beholding) that Prahasta; prakhyaata guNa pauruSam = renowned for his excellences and martial valour; niryaantam = as he advanced to give battle; kapisenaa = the army of monkeys; naana praharaNaa = furnished with weapons of every kind; abhyavartata = turned towards; yudii = the battle.

Beholding that Prahasta, renowned for his excellences and martial valour; as he advanced to give battle, the army of monkeys went forward to attack him.

Verse Locator

atha ghoṣah sutumulo harīṇām samajāyata |
vṛkṣān ārujatām caiva gurvīś ca agṛhṇatām śilāḥ || 6-57-43

43. atha = thereafter; sutumulaH = an exceedingly tumultuous; ghoSaH = clamour; samajayata = arose; hariiNaam = among the monkeys; aarujataam chaiva = as they tore up; vR^ikSaan = the trees; gR^ihNataam = seized hold of; gurviiH = of huge; shilaaH = rocks.

Thereafter, an exceedingly tumultuous clamour arose among the monkeys as they tore up the trees and seized hold of huge rocks.

Verse Locator

nadatām rākṣasānāṃ ca vānarāṇām ca garjatām |
ubhe pramudite sainye rakṣo gaṇa vana okasām || 6-57-44
vegitānām samarthānām anyonya vadha kānkṣiṇām |
parasparam ca āhvayatām ninādah śrūyate mahān || 6-57-45

44; 45. nadataam = the yelling; raakSasaanaamcha = demons; garjataam = and the roaring; vaanaraaNaamcha = monkeys; ubhau = both; sainye = the armies; pramudite = were delighted; vegitaanaam = impetuous; samarthaanaam = and powerful; anyonya vadhakaaNkSiNaam = with impatience to slay each other; aahvayataam = challenging parasparam = each other; mahaan = and tremendous; ninaadaH = shouts; rakSogaNa vanaukasaam = of troops of demons and monkeys; shruuyati = were heard.

Both the armies of the yelling demons and the roaring monkeys were delighted, impetuous and powerful with impatience to slay each other and challenging each other with great shouts.

Verse Locator

tataḥ prahastaḥ kapi rāja vāhinīm |
abhi pratasthe vijayāya durmatiḥ |
vivṛddha vegām ca viveśa tām camūm |
yathā mumūrṣuh śalabho vibhāvasum || 6-57-46

46. tataH = thereafter; durmatiH = the evil-minded; prahastaH = Prahasta; pratasthe = sallied forth; vijayaaya = for victor; kapiraaja vaahiniim = towards the army of Sugreeva; mumurSuH = whom in his folly imagined he would destroy vivR^iddha vegaH cha = with an accelerated speed; shalabhaH iva = as a grasshopper; vibhaavasum = falls into a flame.

Thereafter, the evil-minded Prahasta sallied forth for victory towards the army of Sugreeva, whom in his folly, imagined he would destroy, with an accelerated speed as a grass-hopper rushes towards a flame.

- - - -

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye yuddhakāṇḍe saptapañcāśaḥ sargaḥ

Thus completes 57th 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 57

Top of Page 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29
30 31 32 33 34
35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42 43 44
45 46

© April 2006, K. M. K. Murthy