आर्तानां राक्षसीनां तु लङ्कायां वै कुले कुले। रावणः करुणं शब्दं शुश्राव परिदेवितम्॥
Thereupon Rāvana heard in every house of Lankā the piteous cries of the she-demons possessed by sorrow.
स तु दीर्घ विनिःश्वस्य मुहूर्तं ध्यानमास्थितः। बभूव परमक्रुद्धो रावणो भीमदर्शनः॥
And sighing hard he engaged in mediations for some time. And terrible-looking as he was greatly worked up with ire.
संदश्य दशनैरोष्ठं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः। राक्षसैरपि दुर्दर्शः कालाग्निरिव मूर्तिमान् ॥
Having his eyes reddened with anger and gnashing his teeth and biting the lips, that one, irrepressible by other Raksasas, looked like the fire of dissolution incarnate.
उवाच च समीपस्थानराक्षसान्राक्षसेश्वरः। क्रोधाव्यक्तकथस्तत्र निर्दहत्रिव चक्षुषा ॥
There upon the lord of Rākşasas, in anger as if burning down everything with his look addressed the Rākşasas who were near him.
महोदरं महापार्श्व विरूपाक्षं च राक्षसम्। शीघ्रं वदत सैन्यानि निर्यातेति ममाज्ञया॥
Mahodara, Mahāpārsva, Virāpāksa "Do you speedily speak to the soldiers that they should sally out for battle at my command.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसास्ते भयार्दिताः। चोदयामासुरव्यग्रान्राक्षसांस्तानृपाज्ञया ॥
Hearing his speech-those Raksasa, possessed by fear, asked by the command of the king, the Rākşasa soldiers to be ready.
ते तु सर्वे तथेत्युक्त्वा राक्षसा भीमदर्शनाः। कृतस्वस्त्ययनाः सर्वे ते रणाभिमुखा ययुः॥
Thereat all those grim-visaged Rākṣasas saying 'so be it' and performing benedictory ceremonies proceeded to the battle-field.
प्रतिपूज्य यथान्यायं रावणं ते महारथाः। तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे भर्तुर्विजयकाङ्गिणः॥
Those mighty car-warrior, worshipping Rāvana, and desiring the victory of their lord, stood before them with folded hands.
ततोवाच प्रहस्यैतान्रावणः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः। महोदरमहापार्टी विरूपाक्षं च राक्षसम्॥
Thereupon Ravana, beside himself with anger, laughing, addressed those Raksasas, Mahodara, Mahāpārsva, and Virūpākşa, saying.
अद्य बाणैर्धनुर्मुक्तैर्युगान्तादित्यसंनिभैः। राघवं लक्ष्मणं चैव नेष्यामि यमसादनम्॥
Today shall I despatch both Rāma and Lakşmaņa to the abode of Death with arrows resembling the sun at the time of dissolution, discharged off my bow.
खरस्य कुम्भकर्णस्य प्रहस्तेन्द्रजितोस्तथा। करिष्यामि प्रतीकारमद्य शत्रुवधादहम्॥
And slaying the enemies I shall repair the loss of Khara, Kumbhakarna, Prahasta and Indrajit.
नैवान्तरिक्षं न दिशो न च द्यौर्नापि सागराः। प्रकाशत्वं गमिष्यन्ति मद्वाणजलदावृताः॥
The atmosphere, the quarters the sky and the deep being enveloped with the cloud of arrows shall become invisible.
अद्य वानरमुख्यानां तानि यूथानि भागशः। धनुषा शरजालेन वधिष्यामि पतत्रिणा॥
I shall slay today all the heroic monkeys with my winged arrows.
अद्य वानरसैन्यानि रथेन पवनौजसा। धनुःसमुद्रादुद्भूतैर्मथिष्यामि शरोमिभिः ॥
Ascending my car gifted with the velocity of the wind shall I churn today the monkey host with arrow-like waves coming from the oceanlike bow.
व्याकोशपद्मवक्राणि पद्मकेसरवर्चसाम्। अद्य यूथतटाकानि गजवत्प्रमथाम्यहम्॥
I shall like an elephant distress today the monkey-like pools having their countenances for the blown lotuses, and the lustre of their bodies for the filaments.
सशरैरद्य वदनैः संख्ये वानरयूथपाः। मण्डयिष्यन्ति वसुधां सनालैरिव पङ्कजैः॥
To-day in the encounter, the leaders of the monkey hosts, with their heads transfixed with arrows, shall cover the earth, like to Ictuses with their stalks.
अद्य यूथप्रचण्डानां हरीणां दुमयोधिनाम्। मुक्तेनैकेषुणा युद्धे भेत्स्यामि च शतं शतम्॥
I shall today with a single arrow, cleave hundreds of heroic monkeys fighting with trees in their hands.
हतो भ्राता च येषां वै येषां च तनयो हतः। वधेनाद्य रिपोस्तेषां करोम्यश्रुप्रमार्जनम्॥
I shall wipe today the tears of those whose brother or son has been slain by destroying their goe.
अद्य महद्वाणनिर्भिन्नः प्रस्तीर्णैर्गतचेतनैः। करोमि वानरैयुद्धे यत्नावेक्ष्यतलां महीम्॥
In the encounter today I shall, with the monkeys deprived of their breath and clept with my arrows, so cover the earth that it may not be seen by any.
अद्य काकाश्च गृध्राश्च ये च मांसाशिनोऽपरे। सर्वांस्तांस्तर्पयिष्यामि शत्रुमांसैः शराहतैः॥
I shall satisfy today with the flesh of the enemies slain by my shafts, the crows, vultures and others who live upon flesh.
कल्प्यतां मे रथः शीघ्रं क्षिप्रमानीयतां धनुः। अनुप्रयान्तु मां युद्धे येऽत्र शिष्टा निशाचराः॥
Get ready soon my car and bring my bow. And let the remaining night-rangers follow me in battle.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा महापार्योऽब्रवीद्वचः। बलाध्यक्षान्स्थितांस्तत्र बलं संत्वर्यतामिति॥
Hearing his words Mahāpārsva addressed the leaders of the army who were near him, saying, "Get your soldiers ready."
बलाध्यक्षास्तु संयुक्ता राक्षसांस्तानगृहे गृहे। चोदयन्तः परिययुर्लङ्कां लघुपराक्रमाः॥
The commanders too quickly went round all the houses in Lankā and asked the Rākşasas to be ready soun.
ततो मुहूर्तानिष्पेतू राक्षसा भीमदर्शनाः। नदन्तो भीमवदना नानाप्रहरणैर्भुजैः॥ असिभिः पट्टिशैः शूलैर्गदाभिर्मुसलैर्हलैः। शक्तिभिस्तीक्ष्णधाराभिर्महद्भिः कूटमुद्गरैः॥ यष्टिभिर्विविधैश्च निशितैश्च परश्वधैः। भिन्दिपालैः शतघ्नीभिरन्यैश्चापि वरायुधैः॥
Thereupon began to issue out in a moment terrible-looking Raksasas, emitting roars, having dreadful faces and with various weapons in their hands-daggers, Pattisas, maces, clubs, furrows, sharpened Śaktis, traps, various rods, sharpened Cakra, Parasvadhas, Bhindipālas, Sataghnis and various other excellent weapons.
अथानयन्बलाध्यक्षाश्चत्वारो रावणाज्ञया। रथानां नियुतं साग्रं नागानां नियुतत्रयम्॥ अश्वानां षष्टिकोट्यस्तु खरोष्ट्राणां तथैव च। पदातयस्त्वसंख्याता जग्मुस्ते राजशासनात्।।२८
Thereupon at the command of Råvaņa the commanders brought one Niyuta (a hundred thousand) cars, three Niyuta elephants, sixty million horses, asses and camels and numberless infantry.
बलाध्यक्षाश्च संस्थाप्य राज्ञः सेनां पुरस्थिताम्। एतस्मिनन्तरे सूतः स्थापयामास तं रथम्॥ दिव्यास्त्रवरसंपन्नं नानालंकारभूषितम्। नानायुधसमाकीर्णं किङ्किणीजालसंयुतम्॥ नानारत्नपरिक्षिप्तं रत्नस्तम्भैर्विराजितम्। जाम्बूनदमयैश्चैव सहस्रकलशैर्वृतम् ॥
They arranged the soldiers before the king and in the interval the charioteer brought the carfilled with excellent celestial weapons-richly adorned, containing many an armour, girt with a network of tinkling ornaments crested with various jewels. Having jewelled pillars and a thousand golden jars.
तं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसाः सर्वे विस्मयं परमं गताः। तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः॥ कोटिसूर्यप्रतीकाशं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्। द्रुतं सूतसमायुक्तं युक्ताष्टतुरगं रथम्।। आरुरोह तदा भीमं दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा ॥
Beholding the car the Rākşasas were greatly astonished. And Ravana, the lord of Raksasas, rising up all on a sudden, ascended that car, brilliant like the flaming fire and the aggregate rays of a million sun, quick-coursing, having a charioteer, drawn by eight horses, huge and shining in its native lustre.
ततः प्रयातः सहसा राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृतः। रावणः सत्त्वगाम्भीर्याद्दारयन्निव मेदिनीम्॥
Thereupon proceeded Råvana, encircled by many a Raksasa as if rending the earth with the excess of his prowess. arose was
ततश्चासीन्महानादस्तूर्याणां च ततस्ततः। मृदङ्गैः पटहैः शङ्खः कहलैः सह रक्षसाम्॥
There a huge sound of bugles accompanied with that of Mrdangas, drums, conchs, and kalapas.
आगतो रक्षसां राजा छत्रचामरसंयुतः। सीतापहारी दुर्वृत्तो ब्रह्मघ्नो देवकण्टकः।। योद्धं रघुवरेणेति शुश्रुवे कलहध्वनिः॥
The lord of the Rākṣasa-wicked, the slayer of the Brahmins-the thorn of the celestials, and who has brought away Sītā by stealth, has come with his umbrellas and chowries to fight with the foremost of Raghus-this cry heard everywhere.
तेन नादेन महता पृथिवी समकम्पत। तं शब्दं सहसा श्रुत्वा वानरा दुद्रुवुर्भयात्॥
With his tremendous roar the earth shook. And hearing all on a sudden that sound, the monkeys fled away in fear.
रावणस्तु महाबाहुः सचिवैः परिवारितः। आजगाम महातेजा जयाय विजयं प्रति॥
The highly effulgent Råvaņa, having huge arms and surrounded by his ministers, came there being certain of gaining victory.
रावणेनाभ्यनुज्ञातौ महापार्श्वमहोदरौ। विरूपाक्षश्च दुर्धर्षो रथानारुरुहुस्तदा॥
Being commanded by Ravana, Mahāparrsha, Mahodara and the irrepressible Virupaksa ascended the car.
ते तु हृष्टाभिनर्दन्तो भिन्दन्त इव मेदिनीम्। नादं घोरं विमुञ्चन्तो निर्ययुर्जयकाङ्गिणः॥
They, desirous of winning victory, issued out emitting dreadful roars in delight and as if rending the earth therewith.
ततो युद्धाय तेजस्वी रक्षोगणबलैर्वृतः। निर्ययावुद्यतधनुः कालान्तकयमोपमः॥
Thereupon the highly effulgent (Ravana) resembling Death, with uplifted bow, sallied out for battle along with the army of Rākşasa.
ततः प्रजविताश्वेन रथेन स महारथः। द्वारेण निर्ययौ तेन यत्र तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।॥
That mighty car-warrior, went out in his chariot drawn by quick coursing steeds by that gate which led to where Rāma and Lakşmaņa were.
ततो नष्टप्रभः सूर्यो दिशश्च तिमिरावृताः। द्विजाश्च नेदुर्घोराश्च संचचाल च मेदिनी॥
Thereat the sun lost its brilliance the quarters were enshrouded with darkness; the birds sent forth dreadful cried and the earth shook.
ववर्ष रुधिरं देवश्चस्खलुश्च तुरंगमाः। ध्वजाग्रे न्यपतद्गृध्रो विनेदुश्चाशिवाः शिवाः॥
The celestial poured down bloody rains-the course of the horses was slackened-the vultures sat on the banners and jackals emitted inauspicious cries.
नयनं चास्फुरद्वामं वामो बाहुरकम्पत। विवर्णवदनश्चासीत्किचिदभ्रश्यत स्वनः॥
His left eye and the left arm began to shakehis countenance became pale and his voice grew harsher.
ततो निष्पपतो युद्धे दशग्रीवस्य रक्षसः। रणे निधनशंसीनि रूपाण्येतानि जज्ञिरे।४।।
The Ten-necked Rākşasa thus going out for battle there appeared many bad omens indicating his destruction.
अन्तरिक्षात्पपातोल्का निर्घातसमनि:स्वना। विनेदुरशिवा गृध्रा वायसैरभिमिश्रिताः॥
From the sky fell a fire-brand accompanied with the sound of thunder; vultures and crows emitted inauspicious cries.
एतानचिन्तयन्घोरानुत्पातान्समवस्थितान्। निर्ययौ रावणो मोहाद्वधार्थ कालचोदितः।०८।।
Disregarding these dreadful omens which appeared then, Ravana, incited by death, foolishly went out to slay his (enemies).
तेषां तु रथघोषेण राक्षसानां महात्मनाम्। वानराणामपि चमूर्युद्धायैवाभ्यवर्तत।।
By the wheel-sound of the chariots of the great Raksasas the host of monkeys calling each other, excited with anger and willing to gain victory, addressed themselves for fight.
अन्योन्याह्वयानानां कृद्धानां जयमिच्छताम्॥ ततः कृतो दशग्रीवः शरैः काञ्चनभूषणैः। वानराणामनीकेषु चकर कदनं महत्॥
Thereupon the Ten-necked one, enraged, with his arrows feathered in gold, made a dreadful slaughter of the army of monkeys.
निकृत्तशिरसः केचिद्रावणेन वलीमुखाः। केचिद्विच्छत्रहृदयाः केचिच्छ्रोत्रविवर्जिताः॥
And some of those heroic monkeys were bebeaded by Ravana-some had their hearts rent and others were shorn of their ears.
निरुच्छासा हताः केचित्केचित्पार्श्वेषु दारिताः। केचिद्विभिन्नशिरसः केचिच्चक्षुर्विनाकृताः॥
Some had their breath choked, some were killed and others had their sides broken. Some had their hands cut off and others had their eyes put out.
दशाननः क्रोधविवृत्तनेत्रो यतो यतोऽभ्येति रथेन संख्ये। ततस्ततस्तस्य शरप्रवेगं सोढुं न शेकुर्हरियूथपास्ते॥
Wherever in the encounter, the Ten-headed Räksasa, whirling his eyes in ire, went in his car the monkey leaders could not stand the vehemence of his arrows.