Aranya Kanda, Sarga 23

तस्मिन्याते बले घोरमशिवं शोणितोदकम्। अभ्यवर्षन्महामेघस्तुमुलो गर्दभारुणः।।3.23.1।।

tasminyāte bale ghoramaśivaṃ śoṇitodakam| abhyavarṣanmahāmeghastumulo gardabhāruṇaḥ

As the army marched from there (Janasthana) a huge dark cloud of the colour of an ass rained dreadful inauspicious water, red as blood.

निपेतुस्तुरगास्तस्य रथयुक्ता महाजवाः। समे पुष्पचिते देशे राजमार्गे यदृच्छया।।3.23.2।।

nipetusturagāstasya rathayuktā mahājavāḥ| same puṣpacite deśe rājamārge yadṛcchayā

The swift horses yoked to the chariot stumbled casually while galloping on the plane highway sprinkled with flowers.

श्यामं रुधिरपर्यन्तं बभूव परिवेषणम्। अलातचक्रप्रतिमं परिगृह्य दिवाकरम्।।3.23.3।।

śyāmaṃ rudhiraparyantaṃ babhūva pariveṣaṇam| alātacakrapratimaṃ parigṛhya divākaram

A dark ring, bloodred in colour appeared on the border of the Sun's orb, dark in the middle. This phenomenon of the Sun appeared like a ring of moving charcoal covering the Sun.

ततो ध्वजमुपागम्य हेमदण्डं समुच्छ्रितम्। समाक्रम्य महाकायस्तस्थौ गृध्रस्सुदारुणः।।3.23.4।।

tato dhvajamupāgamya hemadaṇḍaṃ samucchritam| samākramya mahākāyastasthau gṛdhrassudāruṇaḥ

A huge vulture, frightening to look at flew up and sat on top of the flag on the staff of gold.

जनस्थानसमीपे तु समागम्य खरस्वनाः। विस्वरान्विविधांश्चक्रुर्मांसादा मृगपक्षिणः।।3.23.5।।

janasthānasamīpe tu samāgamya kharasvanāḥ| visvarānvividhāṃścakrurmāṃsādā mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ

Flesheating beasts and birds flocked at Janasthana producing a cacophony.

व्याजह्रुश्च प्रदीप्तायां दिशि वै भैरवस्वनम्। अशिवं यातुधानानां शिवा घोरा महास्वनाः।।3.23.6।।

vyājahruśca pradīptāyāṃ diśi vai bhairavasvanam| aśivaṃ yātudhānānāṃ śivā ghorā mahāsvanāḥ

The dreadful jackals making ghastly howls turning towards the illuminated direction and produced frightening sounds indicating inauspicious time for the demons.

प्रभिन्नगिरिसङ्काशास्तोयशोणितधारिणः। आकाशं तदनाकाशं चक्रुर्भीमा वलाहकाः।।3.23.7।।

prabhinnagirisaṅkāśāstoyaśoṇitadhāriṇaḥ| ākāśaṃ tadanākāśaṃ cakrurbhīmā valāhakāḥ

The clouds looked like shattered mountains pouring down bloodlike rain which filled the sky and made it appear frighteningly different.

बभूव तिमिरं घोरमुद्धतं रोमहर्षणम्। दिशो वा विदिशो वापि न च व्यक्तं चकाशिरे।।3.23.8।।

babhūva timiraṃ ghoramuddhataṃ romaharṣaṇam| diśo vā vidiśo vāpi na ca vyaktaṃ cakāśire

A terrific darkness, spread all over, produced frightening horripilation. Even the four quarters and the intermediary zones were not discernible.

क्षतजार्द्रसवर्णाभा सन्ध्याकालं विना बभौ। खरस्याभिमुखा नेदुस्तदा घोरमृगाः खगाः।।3.23.9।। कङ्कगोमायुगृध्राश्च चुक्रुशुर्भयशंसिनः।

kṣatajārdrasavarṇābhā sandhyākālaṃ vinā babhau| kharasyābhimukhā nedustadā ghoramṛgāḥ khagāḥ kaṅkagomāyugṛdhrāśca cukruśurbhayaśaṃsinaḥ|

Even before Sunset the twilight looked like a fresh wound. Then wild animals, birds, kankas, jackals and vultures facing towards Khara screeched, indicating danger.

नित्याशुभकरा युद्धे शिवा घोरनिदर्शनाः।।3.23.10।। नेदुर्बलस्याभिमुखं ज्वालोद्गारिभिराननैः।

nityāśubhakarā yuddhe śivā ghoranidarśanāḥ nedurbalasyābhimukhaṃ jvālodgāribhirānanaiḥ|

Bad omens that always bring inauspiciousness were a dreadful evidence of what is going to happen. Jackals howled, facing Khara's army with their mouths emitting fire.

कबन्धः परिघाभासो दृश्यते भास्करान्तिके।।3.23.11।। जग्राह सूर्यं स्वर्भानुरपर्वणि महाग्रहः। प्रवाति मारुतश्शीघ्रं निष्प्रभोऽभूद्दिवाकरः।।3.23.12।।

kabandhaḥ parighābhāso dṛśyate bhāskarāntike jagrāha sūryaṃ svarbhānuraparvaṇi mahāgrahaḥ| pravāti mārutaśśīghraṃ niṣprabho'bhūddivākaraḥ

The planet Ketu appeared like an iron beam near the Sun. Although it was not the fullmoon or newmoon day, Rahu eclipsed the Sun. Wind blew hard and the Sun was lustreless.

कबन्धः परिघाभासो दृश्यते भास्करान्तिके।।3.23.11।। जग्राह सूर्यं स्वर्भानुरपर्वणि महाग्रहः। प्रवाति मारुतश्शीघ्रं निष्प्रभोऽभूद्दिवाकरः।।3.23.12।।

kabandhaḥ parighābhāso dṛśyate bhāskarāntike jagrāha sūryaṃ svarbhānuraparvaṇi mahāgrahaḥ| pravāti mārutaśśīghraṃ niṣprabho'bhūddivākaraḥ

The planet Ketu appeared like an iron beam near the Sun. Although it was not the fullmoon or newmoon day, Rahu eclipsed the Sun. Wind blew hard and the Sun was lustreless.

उत्पेतुश्च विना रात्रिं ताराः खद्योतसप्रभाः। संलीनमीनविहगा नलिन्यश्शुष्कपङ्कजाः।।3.23.13।। तस्मिन् क्षणे बभूवुश्च विना पुष्पफलैर्द्रुमाः।

utpetuśca vinā rātriṃ tārāḥ khadyotasaprabhāḥ| saṃlīnamīnavihagā nalinyaśśuṣkapaṅkajāḥ tasmin kṣaṇe babhūvuśca vinā puṣpaphalairdrumāḥ|

The stars rose in the sky and glittered like fireflies even before night arrived. The fishes and the aquatic birds in the lotusponds hid themselves under water. Lotuses dried up in tanks and the trees stood bereft of flowers and fruits.

उद्धूतश्च विना वातं रेणुर्जलधरारुणः।।3.23.14।। वीचीकूचीति वाश्यन्त्यो बभूवुस्तत्र शारिकाः।

uddhūtaśca vinā vātaṃ reṇurjaladharāruṇaḥ vīcīkūcīti vāśyantyo babhūvustatra śārikāḥ|

Although there was no wind, dust rose like a brown cloud and the sarika birds sang (vichi kuchi) thoughtlessly.

उल्काश्चापि सनिर्घाता निपेतुर्घोरदर्शनाः।।3.23.15।। प्रचचाल मही सर्वा सशैलवनकानना।

ulkāścāpi sanirghātā nipeturghoradarśanāḥ pracacāla mahī sarvā saśailavanakānanā|

Dreadful to watch were the thunderstorms and the meteors that dropped down from the sky. The earth trembled all over with mountains, groves and forests.

खरस्य च रथस्थस्य नर्दमानस्य धीमतः।।3.23.16।। प्राकम्पत भुजस्सव्यस्स्वरश्चास्यावसज्जत।

kharasya ca rathasthasya nardamānasya dhīmataḥ prākampata bhujassavyassvaraścāsyāvasajjata|

While the intelligent and courageous Khara was seated on the chariot and shouting, his left shoulder shook violently and throat throttled.

सास्रा सम्पद्यते दृष्टिः पश्यमानस्य सर्वतः।।3.23.17।। ललाटे च रुजा जाता न च मोहान्यवर्तत।

sāsrā sampadyate dṛṣṭiḥ paśyamānasya sarvataḥ lalāṭe ca rujā jātā na ca mohānyavartata|

While watching all this, his eyes brimmed with tears. His forehead ached. Yet he was too deluded to beat a retreat.

तान्समीक्षय महोत्पातानुत्थितान्रोमहर्षणान्।।3.23.18।। अब्रवीद्राक्षसान्सर्वान्प्रहसन्सखरस्तदा।

tānsamīkṣaya mahotpātānutthitānromaharṣaṇān abravīdrākṣasānsarvānprahasansakharastadā|

Looking at these dreadful, horripilating occurrences Khara laughed and said to the demons:

महोत्पातानिमान्सर्वानुत्थितान्घोरदर्शनान्।।3.23.19।। न चिन्तयाम्यहं वीर्याद्बलवान्दुर्बलानिव।

mahotpātānimānsarvānutthitānghoradarśanān na cintayāmyahaṃ vīryādbalavāndurbalāniva|

Valiant and strong, I do not take seriously these terrifying omens boding calamity just as a strong man does not care for the weak.

तारा अपि शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः पातयामि नभस्स्थलात्।।3.23.20।। मृत्युं मरणधर्मेण सङ्क्रुद्धो योजयाम्यहम्।

tārā api śaraistīkṣṇaiḥ pātayāmi nabhassthalāt mṛtyuṃ maraṇadharmeṇa saṅkruddho yojayāmyaham|

With my sharp arrows I can even bring down the stars from the sky. If angered, I can cause mortality to the god of death.

राघवं तं बलोत्सिक्तं भ्रातरं चास्य लक्ष्मणम्।।3.23.21।। अहत्वा सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैर्नोपावर्तितुमुत्सहे।

rāghavaṃ taṃ balotsiktaṃ bhrātaraṃ cāsya lakṣmaṇam ahatvā sāyakaistīkṣṇairnopāvartitumutsahe|

I do not wish to return, without killing with my sharp arrows that Rama who is proud of his strength and his brother Lakshmana.

सकामा भगिनी मेऽस्तु पीत्वा तु रुधिरं तयोः।।3.23.22।। यन्निमित्तस्तु रामस्य लक्ष्मणस्य विपर्ययः।

sakāmā bhaginī me'stu pītvā tu rudhiraṃ tayoḥ yannimittastu rāmasya lakṣmaṇasya viparyayaḥ|

Let my sister be satisfied by drinking the blood of both Rama and Lakshmana on whose account this adversity has come.

न क्वचित्प्राप्तपूर्वो मे संयुगेषु पराजयः।।3.23.23।। युष्माकमेतत्प्रत्यक्षं नानृतं कथयाम्यहम्।

na kvacitprāptapūrvo me saṃyugeṣu parājayaḥ yuṣmākametatpratyakṣaṃ nānṛtaṃ kathayāmyaham|

I have never faced defeat in wars, and all of you have seen it with your eyes. I am not telling you a lie.

देवराजमपि क्रुद्धो मत्तैरावतयायिनम्।।3.23.24।। वज्रहस्तं रणे हन्यां किं पुनस्तौ कुमानुषौ।

devarājamapi kruddho mattairāvatayāyinam vajrahastaṃ raṇe hanyāṃ kiṃ punastau kumānuṣau|

When angry, I can kill even (Indra) the wielder of the thunderbolt, rider of the intoxicated Airavata and lord of the gods. What to speak of these two petty humans?

सा तस्य गर्जितं श्रुत्वा राक्षसस्य महाचमूः।।3.23.25।। प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे मृत्युपाशावपाशिता।

sā tasya garjitaṃ śrutvā rākṣasasya mahācamūḥ praharṣamatulaṃ lebhe mṛtyupāśāvapāśitā|

Fallen into the deathtrap, the great army of the demon, felt very happy on hearing Khara roaring.

समीयुश्च महात्मानो युद्धदर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः।।3.23.26।। ऋषयो देवगन्दर्वास्सिद्धाश्च सहचारणैः।

samīyuśca mahātmāno yuddhadarśanakāṅkṣiṇaḥ ṛṣayo devagandarvāssiddhāśca sahacāraṇaiḥ|

Great souls like sages, gods, gandharvas, and siddhas including celestial bards assembled to see the battle.

समेत्य चोचुस्सहितास्तेऽन्योन्यं पुण्यकर्मणः। स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणेभ्योऽस्तु लोकानां येऽभिसङ्गताः।।3.23.27।।

sametya cocussahitāste'nyonyaṃ puṇyakarmaṇaḥ| svasti gobrāhmaṇebhyo'stu lokānāṃ ye'bhisaṅgatāḥ

Holy men assembled and uttered benedictions, saying, 'let there be wellbeing for the cows and brahmins associated with men of pious deeds in all the (three) worlds.

जयतां राघवस्संख्ये पौलस्त्यान् रजनीचरान्।।3.23.28।। चक्रहस्तो यथा युद्धे सर्वानसुरपुङ्गवान्।

jayatāṃ rāghavassaṃkhye paulastyān rajanīcarān cakrahasto yathā yuddhe sarvānasurapuṅgavān|

'Let Rama conquer the descendants of Paulasthya in the war like Visnu, the wielder of the wheel had defeated great demons'.

एतच्चान्यच्च बहुशो ब्रुवाणाः परमर्षयः।।3.23.29।। जातकौतूहलास्तत्र विमानस्थाश्च देवताः। ददृशुर्वाहिनीं तेषां राक्षसानां गतायुषाम्।।3.23.30।।

etaccānyacca bahuśo bruvāṇāḥ paramarṣayaḥ jātakautūhalāstatra vimānasthāśca devatāḥ| dadṛśurvāhinīṃ teṣāṃ rākṣasānāṃ gatāyuṣām

The great ascetics were talking thus and more. The gods waiting eagerly on heavenly chariots saw the army of the demons whose life span was shortened (who were doomed to death).

एतच्चान्यच्च बहुशो ब्रुवाणाः परमर्षयः।।3.23.29।। जातकौतूहलास्तत्र विमानस्थाश्च देवताः। ददृशुर्वाहिनीं तेषां राक्षसानां गतायुषाम्।।3.23.30।।

etaccānyacca bahuśo bruvāṇāḥ paramarṣayaḥ jātakautūhalāstatra vimānasthāśca devatāḥ| dadṛśurvāhinīṃ teṣāṃ rākṣasānāṃ gatāyuṣām

The great ascetics were talking thus and more. The gods waiting eagerly on heavenly chariots saw the army of the demons whose life span was shortened (who were doomed to death).

रथेन तु खरो वेगादुग्रसैन्यो विनिस्सृतः। तं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं भूयो राक्षसाश्च विनिस्सृताः।।3.23.31।।

rathena tu kharo vegādugrasainyo vinissṛtaḥ| taṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṃ bhūyo rākṣasāśca vinissṛtāḥ

Seeing Khara, their chief on the chariot driving fast, the army of demons too marched forward.

श्येनगामी पृथुग्रीवो यज्ञशत्रुर्विहङ्गमः। दुर्जयः करवीराक्षः परुषः कालकार्मुकः।।3.23.32।। मेघमाली महामाली सर्वास्यो रुधिराशनः। द्वादशैते महावीर्याः प्रतस्थुरभितः खरम्।।3.23.33।।

śyenagāmī pṛthugrīvo yajñaśatrurvihaṅgamaḥ| durjayaḥ karavīrākṣaḥ paruṣaḥ kālakārmukaḥ meghamālī mahāmālī sarvāsyo rudhirāśanaḥ| dvādaśaite mahāvīryāḥ pratasthurabhitaḥ kharam

Surrounded by twelve valiant warriors like Syenagami, Pruthugreeva, Yagnasatru, Vihangama, Durjaya, Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Meghmali, Mahamali, Sarpasya and Rudhirasana, Khara proceeded.

श्येनगामी पृथुग्रीवो यज्ञशत्रुर्विहङ्गमः। दुर्जयः करवीराक्षः परुषः कालकार्मुकः।।3.23.32।। मेघमाली महामाली सर्वास्यो रुधिराशनः। द्वादशैते महावीर्याः प्रतस्थुरभितः खरम्।।3.23.33।।

śyenagāmī pṛthugrīvo yajñaśatrurvihaṅgamaḥ| durjayaḥ karavīrākṣaḥ paruṣaḥ kālakārmukaḥ meghamālī mahāmālī sarvāsyo rudhirāśanaḥ| dvādaśaite mahāvīryāḥ pratasthurabhitaḥ kharam

Surrounded by twelve valiant warriors like Syenagami, Pruthugreeva, Yagnasatru, Vihangama, Durjaya, Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Meghmali, Mahamali, Sarpasya and Rudhirasana, Khara proceeded.

महाकपालिस्स्थूलाक्षः प्रमाथी त्रिशिरास्तथा। चत्वार एते सेनान्यो दूषणं पृष्ठतो ययुः।।3.23.34।।

mahākapālissthūlākṣaḥ pramāthī triśirāstathā| catvāra ete senānyo dūṣaṇaṃ pṛṣṭhato yayuḥ

Similarly Dusana proceeded with four Mahakapali, Sthulaksha, Pramathi and Trisira around him.

सा भीमवेगा समराभिकामा महाबला राक्षसवीरसेना। तौ राजपुत्रौ सहसाभ्युपेता माला ग्रहाणामिव चन्द्रसूर्यौ।।3.23.35।।

sā bhīmavegā samarābhikāmā mahābalā rākṣasavīrasenā| tau rājaputrau sahasābhyupetā mālā grahāṇāmiva candrasūryau

The mighty, swiftfooted army of valiant demons surrounded the princes (Rama and Lakshmana) all on a sudden like the planets around the Sun and the Moon. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अरण्यकाण्डे त्रयोविंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twentythird sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.