Uttara Kanda, Sarga 19

अथ जित्वा मरुत्तं स प्रययौ राक्षसाधिपः । नगराणि नरेन्द्राणां युद्धकाङ्क्षी दशाननः ।। 7.19.1 ।।

atha jitvā maruttaṃ sa prayayau rākṣasādhipaḥ | nagarāṇi narendrāṇāṃ yuddhakāṅkṣī daśānanaḥ || 7.19.1 ||

After conquering Marutta, Daśānana, the lord of Rākṣasas, being desirous of battle, then proceeded to the cities of other kings.

समासाद्य तु राजेन्द्रान्महेन्द्रवरुणोपमान् । अब्रवीद्राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु युद्धं मे दीयतामिति ।। 7.19.2 ।।

samāsādya tu rājendrānmahendravaruṇopamān | abravīdrākṣasendrastu yuddhaṃ me dīyatāmiti || 7.19.2 ||

Having approached those great kings who were comparable to Mahendra and Varuṇa, the lord of Rākṣasas then demanded, "Let battle be given to me."

निर्जिताः स्मेति वा ब्रूत एष मे हि सुनिश्चयः । अन्यथा कुर्वतामेवं मोक्षो नैवोपपद्यते ।। 7.19.3 ।।

nirjitāḥ smeti vā brūta eṣa me hi suniścayaḥ | anyathā kurvatāmevaṃ mokṣo naivopapadyate || 7.19.3 ||

He declared, "Either say 'we are conquered,' for this is my firm resolve; otherwise, for those who act differently, there is no escape."

ततस्त्वभीरवः प्राज्ञाः पार्थिवा धर्मनिश्चयाः । मन्त्रयित्वा ततो ऽन्योन्यं राजानः सुमहाबलाः । निर्जिताः स्मेत्यभाषन्त ज्ञात्वा वरबलं रिपोः ।। 7.19.4 ।।

tatastvabhīravaḥ prājñāḥ pārthivā dharmaniścayāḥ | mantrayitvā tato 'nyonyaṃ rājānaḥ sumahābalāḥ | nirjitāḥ smetyabhāṣanta jñātvā varabalaṃ ripoḥ || 7.19.4 ||

Then, those fearless, wise, and righteous kings, though exceedingly powerful, consulted among themselves and, recognizing the enemy's strength derived from boons, declared, "We are conquered."

दुष्यन्तः सुरथो गाधिर्गयो राजा पुरूरवाः । एते सर्वे ऽब्रुवंस्तात निर्जिताः स्मेति पार्थिवाः ।। 7.19.5 ।।

duṣyantaḥ suratho gādhirgayo rājā purūravāḥ | ete sarve 'bruvaṃstāta nirjitāḥ smeti pārthivāḥ || 7.19.5 ||

Kings like Dushyanta, Suratha, Gadhi, Gaya, and Pururava all declared themselves conquered, saying, "O dear one, we are vanquished."

अथायोध्यां समासाद्य रावणो राक्षसाधिपः ।। 7.19.6 ।।

athāyodhyāṃ samāsādya rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ || 7.19.6 ||

Then, Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, having reached Ayodhya...

सुगुप्तामनरण्येन शक्रेणेवामरावतीम् । स तं पुरुषशार्दूलं पुरन्दरसमं बले ।। 7.19.7 ।।

suguptāmanaraṇyena śakreṇevāmarāvatīm | sa taṃ puruṣaśārdūlaṃ purandarasamaṃ bale || 7.19.7 ||

...(Ravana reached Ayodhya) which was well-protected by Anaranya, just as Amaravati is protected by Indra; he (Ravana) then approached that tiger among men, Anaranya, who was equal to Indra in strength.

प्राह राजानमासाद्य युद्धं देहीति रावणः । निर्जितो ऽस्मीति वा ब्रूहि त्वमेवं मम शासनम् ।। 7.19.8 ।।

prāha rājānamāsādya yuddhaṃ dehīti rāvaṇaḥ | nirjito 'smīti vā brūhi tvamevaṃ mama śāsanam || 7.19.8 ||

Having approached the king, Ravana said, "Give me battle, or else declare 'I am conquered' – this is my command to you."

अयोध्याधिपतिस्तस्य श्रुत्वा पापात्मनो वचः । अनरण्यस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धो राक्षसेन्द्रमथाब्रवीत् ।। 7.19.9 ।।

ayodhyādhipatistasya śrutvā pāpātmano vacaḥ | anaraṇyastu saṅkruddho rākṣasendramathābravīt || 7.19.9 ||

Having heard the words of that evil-minded Ravana, Anaranya, the lord of Ayodhya, became greatly enraged and then spoke to the lord of Rakshasas.

दीयते द्वन्द्वयुद्धं ते राक्षसाधिपते मया । सन्तिष्ठ क्षिप्रमायत्तो भव चैवं भवाम्यहम् ।। 7.19.10 ।।

dīyate dvandvayuddhaṃ te rākṣasādhipate mayā | santiṣṭha kṣipramāyatto bhava caivaṃ bhavāmyaham || 7.19.10 ||

O lord of Rākṣasas, I offer you a duel; prepare yourself quickly, and I too shall be ready in the same manner.

अथ पूर्वं श्रुतार्थेन निर्जितं सुमहद्बलम् । निष्क्रामत्तन्नरेन्द्रस्य बलं रक्षोवधोद्यतम् ।। 7.19.11 ।।

atha pūrvaṃ śrutārthena nirjitaṃ sumahadbalam | niṣkrāmattannarendrasya balaṃ rakṣovadhodyatam || 7.19.11 ||

Then, that very great army of the king, which was previously destined to be defeated by the heard prophecy and was intent on killing Rākṣasas, marched out.

नागानां दशसाहस्रं वाजिनां नियुतं तथा । रथानां बहुसाहस्रं पत्तीनां च नरोत्तम ।। 7.19.12 ।।

nāgānāṃ daśasāhasraṃ vājināṃ niyutaṃ tathā | rathānāṃ bahusāhasraṃ pattīnāṃ ca narottama || 7.19.12 ||

O best among men, that army consisted of ten thousand elephants, a hundred thousand horses, many thousands of chariots, and foot soldiers.

महीं सञ्छाद्य निष्क्रान्तं सपदातिरथं रणे । ततः प्रवृत्तं सुमहद्युद्धं युद्धविशारद ।। 7.19.13 ।।

mahīṃ sañchādya niṣkrāntaṃ sapadātirathaṃ raṇe | tataḥ pravṛttaṃ sumahadyuddhaṃ yuddhaviśārada || 7.19.13 ||

O expert in warfare, that army, covering the earth with its foot soldiers and chariots, marched out for battle, and then a very great battle commenced.

अनरण्यस्य नृपते राक्षसेन्द्रस्य चाद्भुतम् । तद्रावणबलं प्राप्य बलं तस्य महीपतेः ।। 7.19.14 ।।

anaraṇyasya nṛpate rākṣasendrasya cādbhutam | tadrāvaṇabalaṃ prāpya balaṃ tasya mahīpateḥ || 7.19.14 ||

That amazing battle between King Anaraṇya and the lord of Rākṣasas commenced when the king's army encountered Ravana's army.

प्राणश्यत तदा सर्वं हव्यं हुतमिवानले । युद्ध्वा च सुचिरं कालं कृत्वा विक्रममुत्तमम् ।। 7.19.15 ।।

prāṇaśyata tadā sarvaṃ havyaṃ hutamivānale | yuddhvā ca suciraṃ kālaṃ kṛtvā vikramamuttamam || 7.19.15 ||

Then, all (the army) perished like an oblation offered into fire, even after fighting for a very long time and displaying excellent valor.

प्रज्वलन्तं तमासाद्य क्षिप्रमेवावशेषितम् । प्राविशत्सङ्कुलं तत्र शलभा इव पावकम् । नश्यति स्म बलं तत्र हव्यं हुतमिवानले ।। 7.19.16 ।।

prajvalantaṃ tamāsādya kṣipramevāvaśeṣitam | prāviśatsaṅkulaṃ tatra śalabhā iva pāvakam | naśyati sma balaṃ tatra havyaṃ hutamivānale || 7.19.16 ||

Having approached that blazing (Anaranya), the multitude of soldiers quickly perished, entering him like moths into a fire; the army there was destroyed like an oblation offered into fire.

सो ऽपश्यत्तन्नरेन्द्रस्तु नश्यमानं महाबलम् । महार्णवं समासाद्य वनापगशतं यथा ।। 7.19.17 ।।

so 'paśyattannarendrastu naśyamānaṃ mahābalam | mahārṇavaṃ samāsādya vanāpagaśataṃ yathā || 7.19.17 ||

That king (Anaranya) indeed saw his great army perishing, just as hundreds of forest rivers disappear upon reaching the great ocean.

ततः शक्रधनुःप्रख्यं धनुर्विस्फारयन्स्वयम् । आससाद नरेन्द्रस्तं रावणं क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ।। 7.19.18 ।।

tataḥ śakradhanuḥprakhyaṃ dhanurvisphārayansvayam | āsasāda narendrastaṃ rāvaṇaṃ krodhamūrcchitaḥ || 7.19.18 ||

Then, the king (Anaranya), himself stretching his bow which resembled Indra's rainbow, approached Ravana, overcome with rage.

अनरण्येन ते ऽमात्या मारीचशुकसारणाः । प्रहस्तसहिता भग्ना व्यद्रवन्त मृगा इव ।। 7.19.19 ।।

anaraṇyena te 'mātyā mārīcaśukasāraṇāḥ | prahastasahitā bhagnā vyadravanta mṛgā iva || 7.19.19 ||

Those ministers of Ravana, namely Maricha, Shuka, Sarana, along with Prahasta, were defeated by Anaranya and fled like deer.

ततो बाणशतान्यष्टौ पातयामास मूर्धनि । तस्य राक्षसराजस्य इक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दनः ।। 7.19.20 ।।

tato bāṇaśatānyaṣṭau pātayāmāsa mūrdhani | tasya rākṣasarājasya ikṣvākukulanandanaḥ || 7.19.20 ||

Then, the delight of the Ikshvaku family (King Anaranya) shot eight hundred arrows onto the head of that king of Rakshasas (Ravana).

तस्य बाणाः पतन्तस्ते चक्रिरे न क्षतं क्वचित् । वारिधारा इवाभ्रेभ्यः पतन्त्यो गिरिमूर्धनि ।। 7.19.21 ।।

tasya bāṇāḥ patantaste cakrire na kṣataṃ kvacit | vāridhārā ivābhrebhyaḥ patantyo girimūrdhani || 7.19.21 ||

Those falling arrows of his caused no injury anywhere, just like streams of water falling from clouds onto a mountain peak.

ततो राक्षसराजेन क्रुद्धेन नृपतिस्तदा । तलेनाभिहतो मूर्ध्नि स रथान्निपपात ह ।। 7.19.22 ।।

tato rākṣasarājena kruddhena nṛpatistadā | talenābhihato mūrdhni sa rathānnipapāta ha || 7.19.22 ||

Then, the enraged king of Rakshasas struck the king on the head with his palm, and he indeed fell down from his chariot.

स राजा पतितो भूमौ विह्वलाङ्गः प्रवेपितः । वज्रदग्ध इवारण्ये सालो निपतितो यथा ।। 7.19.23 ।।

sa rājā patito bhūmau vihvalāṅgaḥ pravepitaḥ | vajradagdha ivāraṇye sālo nipatito yathā || 7.19.23 ||

That king, fallen on the ground with trembling and bewildered limbs, was greatly trembling, just like a Sala tree struck down by a thunderbolt in the forest.

तं प्रहस्याब्रवीद्द्रक्ष इक्ष्वाकुं पृथिवीपतिम् । किमिदानीं फलं प्राप्तं त्वया मां प्रति युद्ध्यता ।। 7.19.24 ।।

taṃ prahasyābravīddrakṣa ikṣvākuṃ pṛthivīpatim | kimidānīṃ phalaṃ prāptaṃ tvayā māṃ prati yuddhyatā || 7.19.24 ||

Laughing loudly, the Rakshasa (Ravana) then said to that Ikshvaku king, "What result have you now obtained by fighting against me?"

त्रैलोक्ये नास्ति यो द्वन्द्वं मम दद्यान्नराधिप । शङ्के प्रसक्तो भोगेषु न शृणोषि बलं मम ।। 7.19.25 ।।

trailokye nāsti yo dvandvaṃ mama dadyānnarādhipa | śaṅke prasakto bhogeṣu na śṛṇoṣi balaṃ mama || 7.19.25 ||

O king of men, there is no one in the three worlds who can challenge me; I suspect you are too engrossed in pleasures to know my strength.

तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो राजा मन्दासुर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् । किं शक्यमिह कर्तुं वै कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः ।। 7.19.26 ।।

tasyaivaṃ bruvato rājā mandāsurvākyamabravīt | kiṃ śakyamiha kartuṃ vai kālo hi duratikramaḥ || 7.19.26 ||

To him who spoke thus, the king, with his life ebbing away, replied, "What can be done now, for time is indeed insurmountable?"

नह्यहं निर्जितो रक्षस्त्वया चात्मप्रशंसिना । कालेनैव विपन्नो ऽहं हेतुभूतस्तु मे भवान् ।। 7.19.27 ।।

nahyahaṃ nirjito rakṣastvayā cātmapraśaṃsinā | kālenaiva vipanno 'haṃ hetubhūtastu me bhavān || 7.19.27 ||

O self-praising demon, I am not conquered by you; I am destroyed by time itself, and you are merely the instrument of my demise.

किं त्विदानीं मया शक्यं कर्तुं प्राणपरिक्षये । नह्यहं विमुखी रक्षो युध्यमानस्त्वया हतः ।। 7.19.28 ।।

kiṃ tvidānīṃ mayā śakyaṃ kartuṃ prāṇaparikṣaye | nahyahaṃ vimukhī rakṣo yudhyamānastvayā hataḥ || 7.19.28 ||

What can I possibly do now, with my life force depleted? O demon, I was not killed by you while turning away, but while fighting.

इक्ष्वाकुपरिभावित्वाद्वचो वक्ष्यामि राक्षस । यदि दत्तं यदि हुतं यदि मे सुकृतं तपः ।। यदि गुप्ताः प्रजाः सम्यक्तदा सत्यं वचो ऽस्तु मे ।। 7.19.29 ।।

ikṣvākuparibhāvitvādvaco vakṣyāmi rākṣasa | yadi dattaṃ yadi hutaṃ yadi me sukṛtaṃ tapaḥ || yadi guptāḥ prajāḥ samyaktadā satyaṃ vaco 'stu me || 7.19.29 ||

O demon, by virtue of my birth in the Ikshvaku lineage, I will speak these words: if I have given charity, offered sacrifices, performed penance well, and protected my subjects properly, then let my words be true.

उत्पत्स्यते कुले ह्यस्मिन्निक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम् । रामो दाशरथिर्नाम यस्ते प्राणान्हरिष्यति ।। 7.19.30 ।।

utpatsyate kule hyasminnikṣvākūṇāṃ mahātmanām | rāmo dāśarathirnāma yaste prāṇānhariṣyati || 7.19.30 ||

Indeed, in this family of the great-souled Ikshvakus, a son named Rama, the son of Dasharatha, will be born, who will take away your life.

ततो जलधरोदग्रस्ताडितो देवदुन्दुभिः । तस्मिन्नुदाहृते शापे पुष्पवृष्टिश्च खाच्च्युता ।। 7.19.31 ।।

tato jaladharodagrastāḍito devadundubhiḥ | tasminnudāhṛte śāpe puṣpavṛṣṭiśca khāccyutā || 7.19.31 ||

Then, as that curse was uttered, a divine drum, struck with a sound mighty as a cloud, resounded, and a shower of flowers fell from the sky.

ततः स राजा राजेन्द्र गतः स्थानं त्रिविष्टपम् । स्वर्गते च नृपे तस्मिन्राक्षसः सो ऽपसर्पत ।। 7.19.32 ।।

tataḥ sa rājā rājendra gataḥ sthānaṃ triviṣṭapam | svargate ca nṛpe tasminrākṣasaḥ so 'pasarpata || 7.19.32 ||

Then, O king of kings, that king went to the abode of heaven, and when that king had ascended to heaven, the demon departed. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे एकोनविंशः सर्गः ।। 19 ।। Thus ends the nineteenth sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.