Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa · Sarga 6.57
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6.57.1
अकम्पनवधं श्रुत्वा क्रुद्धो वै राक्षसेश्वरः।
किंचिद् दीनमुखश्चापि सचिवांस्तानुदैक्षत ॥ ६.५७.१ ॥
Hearing of Akampana's slaying, the lord of the rakshasas was enraged, and his face grew somewhat downcast; he looked at his counsellors.
6.57.2
स तु ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं तु मन्त्रिभिः संविचार्य च।
ततस्तु रावणः पूर्वदिवसे राक्षसाधिपः।
पुरीं परिययौ लङ्कां सर्वान् गुल्मानवेक्षितुम् ॥ ६.५७.२ ॥
After pondering for a moment and deliberating with his ministers, the lord of the rakshasas Rāvaṇa, on the previous day, went around the city of Laṅkā to inspect all the garrisons.
6.57.3
तां राक्षसगणैर्गुप्तां गुल्मैर्बहुभिरावृताम्।
ददर्श नगरीं राजा पताकाध्वजमालिनीम् ॥ ६.५७.३ ॥
The king saw that city, guarded by hosts of rakshasas, surrounded by many garrisons, and adorned with garlands of banners and flags.
6.57.4
रुद्धां तु नगरीं दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः।
उवाचात्महितं काले प्रहस्तं युद्धकोविदम् ॥ ६.५७.४ ॥
Seeing the city besieged, the lord of the rakshasas Rāvaṇa spoke at the proper time, to Prahasta, skilled in war, words for his own good.
6.57.5
पुरस्योपनिविष्टस्य सहसा पीडितस्य ह।
नान्ययुद्धात् प्रपश्यामि मोक्षं युद्धविशारद ॥ ६.५७.५ ॥
O expert in war, for us, besieged here and suddenly oppressed, I see no escape except through another battle.
6.57.6
अहं वा कुम्भकर्णो वा त्वं वा सेनापतिर्मम।
इन्द्रजिद् वा निकुम्भो वा वहेयुर्भारमीदृशम् ॥ ६.५७.६ ॥
Let me, or Kumbhakarṇa, or you, or my commander Indrajit, or Nikumbha, bear such a burden.
6.57.7
स त्वं बलमतः शीघ्रमादाय परिगृह्य च।
विजयायाभिनिर्याहि यत्र सर्वे वनौकसः ॥ ६.५७.७ ॥
Go at once, taking up and gathering the army, set out for victory to where all the forest-dwellers are.
6.57.8
निर्याणादेव तूर्णं च चलिता हरिवाहिनी।
नर्दतां राक्षसेन्द्राणां श्रुत्वा नादं द्रविष्यति ॥ ६.५७.८ ॥
Upon setting out, the monkey army will swiftly stir; hearing the roar of the rākṣasa lords, it will flee.
6.57.9
चपला ह्यविनीताश्च चलचित्ताश्च वानराः।
न सहिष्यन्ति ते नादं सिंहनादमिव द्विपाः ॥ ६.५७.९ ॥
The monkeys are restless, undisciplined, and fickle-minded; they will not endure that sound, as elephants cannot endure the roar of a lion.
6.57.10
विद्रुते च बले तस्मिन् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह।
अवशस्ते निरालम्बः प्रहस्त वशमेष्यति ॥ ६.५७.१० ॥
When that army has fled, Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, helpless and without support, will come under your power, O Prahasta.
6.57.11
आपत्संशयिता श्रेयो नात्र निःसंशयीकृता।
प्रतिलोमानुलोमं वा यत् तु नो मन्यसे हितम् ॥ ६.५७.११ ॥
Danger is always uncertain; here the uncertainty has not been resolved. Whether reversed or direct, speak whatever you think beneficial to us.
6.57.12
रावणेनैवमुक्तस्तु प्रहस्तो वाहिनीपतिः।
राक्षसेन्द्रमुवाचेदमसुरेन्द्रमिवोशना ॥ ६.५७.१२ ॥
Thus addressed by Rāvaṇa, Prahasta, the commander of the army, spoke these words to the lord of the rākṣasas, as Uśanas spoke to the lord of the asuras.
6.57.13
राजन् मन्त्रितपूर्वं नः कुशलैः सह मन्त्रिभिः।
विवादश्चापि नो वृत्तः समवेक्ष्य परस्परम् ॥ ६.५७.१३ ॥
O king, we deliberated earlier together with skilled counselors, yet when we considered the matter among ourselves, a dispute has arisen between us.
6.57.14
प्रदानेन तु सीतायाः श्रेयो व्यवसितं मया।
अप्रदाने पुनर्युद्धं दृष्टमेव तथैव नः ॥ ६.५७.१४ ॥
I have resolved that returning Sītā is the better course; if she is not returned, we clearly see that war will come again.
6.57.15
सोऽहं दानैश्च मानैश्च सततं पूजितस्त्वया।
सान्त्वैश्च विविधैः काले किं न कुर्यां हितं तव ॥ ६.५७.१५ ॥
Having been continually honored by you with gifts, marks of esteem, and various words of comfort, why should I not do what is good for you at the proper time?
6.57.16
नहि मे जीवितं रक्ष्यं पुत्रदारधनानि च।
त्वं पश्य मां जुहूषन्तं त्वदर्थे जीवितं युधि ॥ ६.५७.१६ ॥
My life, sons, wives, and wealth are not worth protecting. Look at me, offering my life in battle for your sake.
6.57.17
एवमुक्त्वा तु भर्तारं रावणं वाहिनीपतिः।
उवाचेदं बलाध्यक्षान् प्रहस्तः पुरतः स्थितान् ॥ ६.५७.१७ ॥
Having spoken thus to his lord Rāvaṇa, the commander of the army Prahasta said this to the army leaders standing before him.
6.57.18
समानयत मे शीघ्रं राक्षसानां महाबलम्।
मद्बाणानां तु वेगेन हतानां च रणाजिरे ॥ ६.५७.१८ ॥
Bring to me quickly the great strength of the rākṣasas, and bring also those slain on the battlefield by the speed of my arrows.
6.57.19
अद्य तृप्यन्तु मांसादाः पक्षिणः काननौकसाम्।
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा बलाध्यक्षा महाबलाः ॥ ६.५७.१९ ॥
"Today let the flesh-eating birds be satisfied with the flesh of the forest-dwellers." Hearing his words, the mighty commanders of the army...
6.57.20
बलमुद्योजयामासुस्तस्मिन् राक्षसमन्दिरे।
सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन भीमैर्नानाविधायुधैः ॥ ६.५७.२० ॥
They set the army in motion in that abode of the rakshasas, and in a moment it was filled with fearsome weapons of many kinds.
6.57.21
लङ्का राक्षसवीरैस्तैर्गजैरिव समाकुला।
हुताशनं तर्पयतां ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यताम् ॥ ६.५७.२१ ॥
Laṅkā was crowded with those rakshasa heroes as with elephants, while they satisfied the sacred fire and paid homage to the brahmins...
6.57.22
आज्यगन्धप्रतिवहः सुरभिर्मारुतो ववौ।
स्रजश्च विविधाकारा जगृहुस्त्वभिमन्त्रिताः ॥ ६.५७.२२ ॥
A fragrant wind bearing the scent of clarified butter blew, and they took up garlands of many shapes, consecrated with mantras.
6.57.23
संग्रामसज्जाः संहृष्टा धारयन् राक्षसास्तदा।
सधनुष्काः कवचिनो वेगादाप्लुत्य राक्षसाः ॥ ६.५७.२३ ॥
The rakshasas, ready for battle and exultant, then bore their bows and armor and leapt forth swiftly.
6.57.24
रावणं प्रेक्ष्य राजानं प्रहस्तं पर्यवारयन्।
अथामन्त्र्य तु राजानं भेरीमाहत्य भैरवाम् ॥ ६.५७.२४ ॥
Seeing King Rāvaṇa, they surrounded Prahasta. Then, taking leave of the king, they struck the terrifying war-drum.
6.57.25
आरुरोह रथं युक्तः प्रहस्तः सज्जकल्पितम्।
हयैर्महाजवैर्युक्तं सम्यक्सूतं सुसंयतम् ॥ ६.५७.२५ ॥
Prahasta mounted the chariot made ready, yoked to swift horses, with a skilled charioteer, well controlled.
6.57.26
महाजलदनिर्घोषं साक्षाच्चन्द्रार्कभास्वरम्।
उरगध्वजदुर्धर्षं सुवरूथं स्वपस्करम् ॥ ६.५७.२६ ॥
That chariot roared like a great thundercloud, shone like the very moon and sun, was unassailable with its serpent banner, and had a fine canopy and well-fitted gear.
6.57.27
सुवर्णजालसंयुक्तं प्रहसन्तमिव श्रिया।
ततस्तं रथमास्थाय रावणार्पितशासनः ॥ ६.५७.२७ ॥
It was adorned with golden latticework, as if laughing with its splendor. Then Prahasta, bearing the command entrusted to him by Rāvaṇa, mounted that chariot.
6.57.28
लङ्काया निर्ययौ तूर्णं बलेन महता वृतः।
ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः पर्जन्यनिनदोपमः।
वादित्राणां च निनदः पूरयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥ ६.५७.२८ ॥
Surrounded by a great army, he swiftly set out from Laṅkā. Then the roar of the kettledrums, like the thunder of a rain-cloud, and the sound of the instruments, as if filling the earth.
6.57.29
शुश्रुवे शङ्खशब्दश्च प्रयाते वाहिनीपतौ।
निनदन्तः स्वरान् घोरान् राक्षसा जग्मुरग्रतः ॥ ६.५७.२९ ॥
As the commander of the army set out, the sound of conch shells was heard. Roaring with terrible cries, the rākṣasas went forward in front.
6.57.30
भीमरूपा महाकायाः प्रहस्तस्य पुरःसराः।
नरान्तकः कुम्भहनुर्महानादः समुन्नतः।
प्रहस्तसचिवा ह्येते निर्ययुः परिवार्य तम् ॥ ६.५७.३० ॥
Terrifying in form and huge of body, going before Prahasta were Naraantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahānāda and Samunnata; these ministers of Prahasta went forth, surrounding him.
6.57.31
व्यूढेनैव सुघोरेण पूर्वद्वारात् स निर्ययौ।
गजयूथनिकाशेन बलेन महता वृतः ॥ ६.५७.३१ ॥
Arrayed in a most dreadful formation, he went out through the eastern gate, surrounded by a great army resembling a herd of elephants.
6.57.32
सागरप्रतिमौघेन वृतस्तेन बलेन सः।
प्रहस्तो निर्ययौ क्रुद्धः कालान्तकयमोपमः ॥ ६.५७.३२ ॥
Surrounded by that army like a surging ocean, the enraged Prahasta went out, like Kāla, Antaka and Yama.
6.57.33
तस्य निर्याणघोषेण राक्षसानां च नर्दताम्।
लङ्कायां सर्वभूतानि विनेदुर्विकृतैः स्वरैः ॥ ६.५७.३३ ॥
At the sound of his departure and the roaring of the rākṣasas, all creatures in Laṅkā cried out in distorted voices.
6.57.34
व्यभ्रमाकाशमाविश्य मांसशोणितभोजनाः।
मण्डलान्यपसव्यानि खगाश्चक्रू रथं प्रति ॥ ६.५७.३४ ॥
Birds feeding on flesh and blood entered the cloudless sky and wheeled in inauspicious leftward circles towards the chariot.
6.57.35
वमन्त्यः पावकज्वालाः शिवा घोरा ववाशिरे।
अन्तरिक्षात् पपातोल्का वायुश्च परुषं ववौ ॥ ६.५७.३५ ॥
Terrible jackals vomiting flames of fire howled. A meteor fell from the sky, and a harsh wind blew.
6.57.36
अन्योन्यमभिसंरब्धा ग्रहाश्च न चकाशिरे।
मेघाश्च खरनिर्घोषा रथस्योपरि रक्षसः ॥ ६.५७.३६ ॥
The planets, clashing with one another, did not shine; and clouds with harsh thunder gathered above the rākṣasa's chariot.
6.57.37
ववर्षू रुधिरं चास्य सिषिचुश्च पुरःसरान्।
केतुमूर्धनि गृध्रस्तु विलीनो दक्षिणामुखः ॥ ६.५७.३७ ॥
Blood rained down upon him and drenched those who marched ahead. On the crest of the banner a vulture settled, facing south.
6.57.38
नदन्नुभयतः पार्श्वं समग्रां श्रियमाहरत्।
सारथेर्बहुशश्चास्य संग्राममवगाहतः ॥ ६.५७.३८ ॥
Roaring on both sides, it snatched away his full splendor, and many times over the splendor of his charioteer, who plunged again and again into the fight.
6.57.39
प्रतोदो न्यपतद्धस्तात् सूतस्य हयसादिनः।
निर्याणश्रीश्च या च स्याद् भास्वरा च सुदुर्लभा ॥ ६.५७.३९ ॥
The goad slipped from the hand of the charioteer who drove the horses. The splendor of departure, which would have been radiant and very rare, also perished.
6.57.40
सा ननाश मुहूर्तेन समे च स्खलिता हयाः।
प्रहस्तं तं हि निर्यान्तं प्रख्यातगुणपौरुषम्।
युधि नानाप्रहरणा कपिसेनाभ्यवर्तत ॥ ६.५७.४० ॥
That splendor perished in a moment, and even on level ground the horses stumbled. When Prahasta, renowned for his virtue and valor, went forth to battle, the monkey army advanced against him with many kinds of weapons.
6.57.41
अथ घोषः सुतुमुलो हरीणां समजायत।
वृक्षानारुजतां चैव गुर्वीर्वै गृह्णतां शिलाः ॥ ६.५७.४१ ॥
Then a tremendous uproar arose among the monkeys, as they broke trees and seized great heavy boulders.
6.57.42
नदतां राक्षसानां च वानराणां च गर्जताम्।
उभे प्रमुदिते सैन्ये रक्षोगणवनौकसाम् ॥ ६.५७.४२ ॥
Amid the roaring of the rākṣasas and the thundering of the monkeys, both armies were stirred with delight: the hosts of rākṣasas and the forest-dwelling monkeys.
6.57.43
वेगितानां समर्थानामन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणाम्।
परस्परं चाह्वयतां निनादः श्रूयते महान् ॥ ६.५७.४३ ॥
The great uproar of the swift and capable warriors, desiring each other's death and challenging one another, is heard.
6.57.44
ततः प्रहस्तः कपिराजवाहिनी-
मभिप्रतस्थे विजयाय दुर्मतिः।
विवृद्धवेगां च विवेश तां चमूं
यथा मुमूर्षुः शलभो विभावसुम् ॥ ६.५७.४४ ॥
Then Prahasta, the ill-minded, advanced against the army of the monkey king for victory, and entered that army, swollen with speed, as a moth desiring death plunges into fire.