Uttara Kanda, Sarga 27

कैलासं लङ्घयित्वाथ दशग्रीवः स रावणः । आससाद महातेजा इन्द्रलोकं निशाचरः ।। 7.27.1 ।।

kailāsaṃ laṅghayitvātha daśagrīvaḥ sa rāvaṇaḥ | āsasāda mahātejā indralokaṃ niśācaraḥ || 7.27.1 ||

After crossing the Kailasa mountain, that greatly powerful ten-necked demon Ravana reached the world of Indra.

तस्य राक्षससैन्यस्य समन्तादुपयास्यतः । देवलोकं ययौ शब्दो मथ्यमानार्णवोपमः ।। 7.27.2 ।।

tasya rākṣasasainyasya samantādupayāsyataḥ | devalokaṃ yayau śabdo mathyamānārṇavopamaḥ || 7.27.2 ||

The sound of that demon army approaching from all sides reached the world of the gods, resembling the roar of a churning ocean.

श्रुत्वा तु रावणं प्राप्तमिन्द्रश्चलित आसनात् । अब्रवीत्तत्र तान् देवान् सर्वानेव समागतान् ।। 7.27.3 ।।

śrutvā tu rāvaṇaṃ prāptamindraścalita āsanāt | abravīttatra tān devān sarvāneva samāgatān || 7.27.3 ||

Having heard that Ravana had arrived, Indra moved from his seat and spoke to all the assembled gods there.

आदित्यान्सवसून्रुद्रान्विश्वान्साध्यान्मरुद्गणान् । सज्जीभवत युद्धार्थं रावणस्य दुरात्मनः ।। 7.27.4 ।।

ādityānsavasūnrudrānviśvānsādhyānmarudgaṇān | sajjībhavata yuddhārthaṃ rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ || 7.27.4 ||

He commanded the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Vishvas, Sadhyas, and Maruts to prepare for battle against the evil-minded Ravana.

एवमुक्तास्तु शक्रेण देवाः शक्रसमा युधि । सन्नह्य सुमहासत्त्वा युद्धश्रद्धासमन्विताः ।। 7.27.5 ।।

evamuktāstu śakreṇa devāḥ śakrasamā yudhi | sannahya sumahāsattvā yuddhaśraddhāsamanvitāḥ || 7.27.5 ||

Thus addressed by Indra, the gods, who were as mighty as Indra in battle and possessed great courage, armored themselves, filled with eagerness for the fight.

स तु दीनः परित्रस्तो महेन्द्रो रावणं प्रति । विष्णोः समीपमागत्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ।। 7.27.6 ।।

sa tu dīnaḥ paritrasto mahendro rāvaṇaṃ prati | viṣṇoḥ samīpamāgatya vākyametaduvāca ha || 7.27.6 ||

Distressed and greatly frightened by Ravana, Indra indeed approached Vishnu and spoke these words.

विष्णो कथं करिष्यामि महावीर्यपराक्रमः । असौ हि बलवद्रक्षो युद्धार्थमभिवर्तते ।। 7.27.7 ।।

viṣṇo kathaṃ kariṣyāmi mahāvīryaparākramaḥ | asau hi balavadrakṣo yuddhārthamabhivartate || 7.27.7 ||

O Vishnu, how shall I act, for this demon of great valor and might, this powerful Rakshasa, is indeed approaching for battle.

वरप्रदानाद्बलवान्न खल्वन्येन हेतुना । तत्तु सत्यवचः कार्यं यदुक्तं पद्मयोनिना ।। 7.27.8 ।।

varapradānādbalavānna khalvanyena hetunā | tattu satyavacaḥ kāryaṃ yaduktaṃ padmayoninā || 7.27.8 ||

He is powerful due to the boon granted, and not for any other reason; therefore, that true word spoken by Brahma must indeed be fulfilled.

तद्यथा नमुचिर्वृत्रो बलिर्नरकशम्बरौ । त्वद्बलं समवष्टभ्य मया दग्धास्तथा कुरु ।। 7.27.9 ।।

tadyathā namucirvṛtro balirnarakaśambarau | tvadbalaṃ samavaṣṭabhya mayā dagdhāstathā kuru || 7.27.9 ||

Therefore, just as Namuchi, Vritra, Bali, Naraka, and Shambara were destroyed by me with the support of your strength, so too act now.

नह्यन्यो देवदेवेश त्वामृते मधुसूदन । गतिः परायणं नास्ति त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ।। 7.27.10 ।।

nahyanyo devadeveśa tvāmṛte madhusūdana | gatiḥ parāyaṇaṃ nāsti trailokye sacarācare || 7.27.10 ||

Indeed, O Lord of gods, O Madhusudana, there is no other refuge or ultimate resort in the three worlds, with all their moving and non-moving beings, except for you.

त्वं हि नारायणः श्रीमान्पद्मनाभः सनातनः । त्वयेमे स्थापिता लोकाः शक्रश्चाहं सुरेश्वरः ।। 7.27.11 ।।

tvaṃ hi nārāyaṇaḥ śrīmānpadmanābhaḥ sanātanaḥ | tvayeme sthāpitā lokāḥ śakraścāhaṃ sureśvaraḥ || 7.27.11 ||

Indra acknowledges Rama as the glorious, eternal Narayana, the lotus-navelled one, by whom all these worlds, including Indra himself as the lord of gods, were established.

त्वया सृष्टमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । त्वामेव भगवन्सर्वे प्रविशन्ति युगक्षये ।। 7.27.12 ।।

tvayā sṛṣṭamidaṃ sarvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram | tvāmeva bhagavansarve praviśanti yugakṣaye || 7.27.12 ||

Indra further states that all these three worlds, with their moving and non-moving beings, were created by the Lord, and at the end of an age, all beings ultimately merge back into Him.

तदाचक्ष्व यथा तत्त्वं देवदेव मम स्वयम् । अपि चक्रसहायस्त्वं योत्स्यसे रावणं प्रभो ।। 7.27.13 ।।

tadācakṣva yathā tattvaṃ devadeva mama svayam | api cakrasahāyastvaṃ yotsyase rāvaṇaṃ prabho || 7.27.13 ||

Indra implores the Lord of gods to reveal truly how He, even with the aid of His discus, intends to fight Ravana.

एवमुक्तः स शक्रेण देवो नारायणः प्रभुः । अब्रवीन्न परित्रासः कर्तव्यः श्रूयतां च मे ।। 7.27.14 ।।

evamuktaḥ sa śakreṇa devo nārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ | abravīnna paritrāsaḥ kartavyaḥ śrūyatāṃ ca me || 7.27.14 ||

Thus addressed by Indra, the Lord Narayana replied that there was no need for such great fear, and asked Indra to listen to His words.

न तावदेष दुष्टात्मा शक्यो जेतुं सुरासुरैः । हन्तुं चापि समासाद्य वरदानेन दुर्जयः ।। 7.27.15 ।।

na tāvadeṣa duṣṭātmā śakyo jetuṃ surāsuraiḥ | hantuṃ cāpi samāsādya varadānena durjayaḥ || 7.27.15 ||

The Lord explained that this evil-souled Ravana is currently unconquerable by gods or asuras, and cannot be killed even if approached, due to the boon he has received.

सर्वथा तु महत्कर्म करिष्यति बलोत्कटः । राक्षसः पुत्रसहितो दृष्टमेतन्निसर्गतः ।। 7.27.16 ।।

sarvathā tu mahatkarma kariṣyati balotkaṭaḥ | rākṣasaḥ putrasahito dṛṣṭametannisargataḥ || 7.27.16 ||

It is inherently observed that this exceedingly powerful demon, along with his sons, will certainly perform a great deed.

यत्तु मां त्वमभाषिष्ठ युद्ध्यस्वेति सुरेश्वर । नाहं तं प्रतियोत्स्यामि रावणं राक्षसं युधि ।। 7.27.17 ।।

yattu māṃ tvamabhāṣiṣṭha yuddhyasveti sureśvara | nāhaṃ taṃ pratiyotsyāmi rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasaṃ yudhi || 7.27.17 ||

O lord of gods, regarding what you told me to fight, I will not fight against that demon Ravana in battle.

नाहत्वा समरे शत्रुं विष्णुः प्रतिनिवर्तते । दुर्लभश्चैव कामो ऽद्य वरगुप्ताद्धि रावणात् ।। 7.27.18 ।।

nāhatvā samare śatruṃ viṣṇuḥ pratinivartate | durlabhaścaiva kāmo 'dya varaguptāddhi rāvaṇāt || 7.27.18 ||

Vishnu does not return from battle without killing the enemy, and indeed, it is difficult to fulfill this desire now because Ravana is protected by boons.

प्रतिजाने च देवेन्द्र त्वत्समीपे शतक्रतो । भविता ऽस्मि यथा ऽस्याहं रक्षसो मृत्युकारणम् ।। 7.27.19 ।।

pratijāne ca devendra tvatsamīpe śatakrato | bhavitā 'smi yathā 'syāhaṃ rakṣaso mṛtyukāraṇam || 7.27.19 ||

And O king of gods, O Shatakratu, I promise in your presence that I shall indeed be the cause of this demon's death.

अहमेव निहन्ता ऽस्मि रावणं सपुरःसरम् । देवता नन्दयिष्यामि ज्ञात्वा कालमुपागतम् । एतत्ते कथितं तत्त्वं देवराज शचीपते ।। 7.27.20 ।।

ahameva nihantā 'smi rāvaṇaṃ sapuraḥsaram | devatā nandayiṣyāmi jñātvā kālamupāgatam | etatte kathitaṃ tattvaṃ devarāja śacīpate || 7.27.20 ||

I alone will be the killer of Ravana along with his followers, and I will gladden the gods, knowing that the time has come; this truth has been told to you, O king of gods, husband of Shachi.

युद्ध्यस्व विगतत्रासः सर्वैः सार्धं महाबल ।। 7.27.21 ।।

yuddhyasva vigatatrāsaḥ sarvaiḥ sārdhaṃ mahābala || 7.27.21 ||

O mighty one, fight fearlessly together with all.

यामि ज्ञात्वा कालमुपागतम् । ततो रुद्राः सहादित्या वसवो मरुतो ऽश्वनौ । सन्नद्धा निर्ययुस्तूर्णं राक्षसानभितः पुरात् ।। 7.27.22 ।।

yāmi jñātvā kālamupāgatam | tato rudrāḥ sahādityā vasavo maruto 'śvanau | sannaddhā niryayustūrṇaṃ rākṣasānabhitaḥ purāt || 7.27.22 ||

Knowing that the time had come, I depart; then, the Rudras along with the Adityas, Vasus, Maruts, and the two Ashvins, arrayed for battle, quickly sallied forth from the city towards the Rakshasas.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे नादः शुश्रुवे रजनीक्षये । तस्य रावणसैन्यस्य प्रयुद्धस्य समन्ततः ।। 7.27.23 ।।

etasminnantare nādaḥ śuśruve rajanīkṣaye | tasya rāvaṇasainyasya prayuddhasya samantataḥ || 7.27.23 ||

In the meantime, at the end of the night, a roar was heard from all sides from Ravana's army, which was engaged in battle.

ते प्रयुद्धा महावीर्या ह्यन्योन्यमभिवीक्ष्य वै । सङ्ग्राममेवाभिमुखा ह्यभवर्तन्त हृष्टवत् ।। 7.27.24 ।।

te prayuddhā mahāvīryā hyanyonyamabhivīkṣya vai | saṅgrāmamevābhimukhā hyabhavartanta hṛṣṭavat || 7.27.24 ||

Those mighty heroes, engaged in battle, looked at each other and advanced joyfully, intent only on the fight.

ततो दैवतसैन्यनां सङ्क्षोभः समजायत । तदक्षयं महासैन्यं दृष्ट्वा समरमूर्धनि ।। 7.27.25 ।।

tato daivatasainyanāṃ saṅkṣobhaḥ samajāyata | tadakṣayaṃ mahāsainyaṃ dṛṣṭvā samaramūrdhani || 7.27.25 ||

Then, seeing that immense and inexhaustible great army at the forefront of the battle, agitation arose among the armies of the gods.

ततो युद्धं समभवेद्देवदानवरक्षसाम् । घोरं तुमुलनिर्ह्रादं नानाप्रहरणोद्यतम् ।। 7.27.26 ।।

tato yuddhaṃ samabhaveddevadānavarakṣasām | ghoraṃ tumulanirhrādaṃ nānāpraharaṇodyatam || 7.27.26 ||

Then, a terrible battle ensued among the gods, demons, and rakshasas, marked by tumultuous roars and the brandishing of various weapons.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शूरा राक्षसा घोरदर्शनाः । युद्धार्थं समवर्तन्त सचिवा रावणस्य ते ।। 7.27.27 ।।

etasminnantare śūrā rākṣasā ghoradarśanāḥ | yuddhārthaṃ samavartanta sacivā rāvaṇasya te || 7.27.27 ||

In the meantime, Ravana's valiant ministers, the rakshasas of terrible appearance, assembled for battle.

मारीचश्च प्रहस्तश्च महापार्श्वमहोदरौ । अकम्पनो निकुम्भश्च शुकः सारण एव च ।। 7.27.28 ।।

mārīcaśca prahastaśca mahāpārśvamahodarau | akampano nikumbhaśca śukaḥ sāraṇa eva ca || 7.27.28 ||

Maricha, Prahasta, Mahaparshva, Mahodara, Akampana, Nikumbha, Shuka, and Sarana were among them.

संह्लादो धूमकेतुश्च महादंष्ट्रो घटोदरः । जम्बुमाली महाह्रादो विरूपाक्षश्च राक्षसः ।। 7.27.29 ।।

saṃhlādo dhūmaketuśca mahādaṃṣṭro ghaṭodaraḥ | jambumālī mahāhrādo virūpākṣaśca rākṣasaḥ || 7.27.29 ||

Also present were Samhlada, Dhumaketu, Mahadamshtra, Ghatodara, Jambumali, Mahahrada, and the rakshasa Virupaksha.

सुप्तघ्नो यज्ञकोपश्च दुर्मुखो दूषणः खरः । त्रिशिराः करवीराक्षः सूर्यशत्रुश्च राक्षसः ।। 7.27.30 ।।

suptaghno yajñakopaśca durmukho dūṣaṇaḥ kharaḥ | triśirāḥ karavīrākṣaḥ sūryaśatruśca rākṣasaḥ || 7.27.30 ||

Among the other rakshasas were Suptaghna, Yajnakopa, Durmukha, Dushana, Khara, Trishira, Karaviraksha, and Suryashatru.

महाकायो ऽतिकायश्च देवान्तकनरान्तकौ । एतैः सर्वैः परिवृतो महावीर्यो महाबलः ।। 7.27.31 ।।

mahākāyo 'tikāyaśca devāntakanarāntakau | etaiḥ sarvaiḥ parivṛto mahāvīryo mahābalaḥ || 7.27.31 ||

Surrounded by all these, namely Mahakaya, Atikaya, Devantaka, and Narantaka, was one of immense valor and strength.

रावणस्यार्यकः सैन्यं सुमाली प्रविवेश ह । स दैवतगणान्सर्वान्नानाप्रहरणैः शितैः । व्यध्वंसयत्सुसङ्क्रुद्धो वायुर्जलधरानिव ।। 7.27.32 ।।

rāvaṇasyāryakaḥ sainyaṃ sumālī praviveśa ha | sa daivatagaṇānsarvānnānāpraharaṇaiḥ śitaiḥ | vyadhvaṃsayatsusaṅkruddho vāyurjaladharāniva || 7.27.32 ||

Indeed, Sumali, Ravana's grandfather, entered the army and, greatly enraged, destroyed all the hosts of gods with sharp, various weapons, just as the wind scatters clouds.

तद्दैवतबलं राम हन्यमानं निशाचरैः । प्रणुन्नं सर्वतो दिग्भ्यः सिंहनुन्ना मृगा इव ।। 7.27.33 ।।

taddaivatabalaṃ rāma hanyamānaṃ niśācaraiḥ | praṇunnaṃ sarvato digbhyaḥ siṃhanunnā mṛgā iva || 7.27.33 ||

O Rama, that army of gods, being killed by the night-wanderers, was driven away from all directions, just like deer are scattered by lions.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शूरो वसूनामष्टमो वसुः । सावित्र इति विख्यातः प्रविवेश रणाजिरम् ।। 7.27.34 ।।

etasminnantare śūro vasūnāmaṣṭamo vasuḥ | sāvitra iti vikhyātaḥ praviveśa raṇājiram || 7.27.34 ||

In this interval, the brave eighth Vasu, renowned as Savitra, entered the battlefield.

तथा ऽ ऽदित्यौ महावीर्यौ त्वष्टा पूषा च दंशितौ । निंर्भयौ सह सैन्येन तदा प्राविशतां रणे ।। 7.27.35 ।।

tathā ' 'dityau mahāvīryau tvaṣṭā pūṣā ca daṃśitau | niṃrbhayau saha sainyena tadā prāviśatāṃ raṇe || 7.27.35 ||

Likewise, the two Adityas of great valor, Tvashta and Pushan, armored and fearless, then entered the battle with their army.

ततो युद्धं समभवत्सुराणां सह राक्षसैः । क्रुद्धानां रक्षसां कीर्तिं समरेष्वनिवर्तिनाम् ।। 7.27.36 ।।

tato yuddhaṃ samabhavatsurāṇāṃ saha rākṣasaiḥ | kruddhānāṃ rakṣasāṃ kīrtiṃ samareṣvanivartinām || 7.27.36 ||

Then a battle took place between the gods and the demons, who were enraged and renowned for never retreating from combat.

ततस्ते राक्षसाः सर्वे विबुधान्समरे स्थितान् । नानाप्रहरणैर्घोरैर्जघ्नुः शतसहस्रशः ।। 7.27.37 ।।

tataste rākṣasāḥ sarve vibudhānsamare sthitān | nānāpraharaṇairghorairjaghnuḥ śatasahasraśaḥ || 7.27.37 ||

Then all those demons, using dreadful and various weapons, struck down the gods arrayed in battle by hundreds of thousands.

देवाश्च राक्षसान्घोरान्महाबलपराक्रमान् । समरे विमलैः शस्त्रैरुपनिन्युर्यमक्षयम् ।। 7.27.38 ।।

devāśca rākṣasānghorānmahābalaparākramān | samare vimalaiḥ śastrairupaninyuryamakṣayam || 7.27.38 ||

And the gods, in battle, with their pure weapons, led the dreadful demons of great strength and valor to the abode of Yama.

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राम सुमाली नाम राक्षसः । नानाप्रहरणैः क्रुद्धस्तत्सैन्यं सो ऽभ्यवर्तत ।। 7.27.39 ।।

etasminnantare rāma sumālī nāma rākṣasaḥ | nānāpraharaṇaiḥ kruddhastatsainyaṃ so 'bhyavartata || 7.27.39 ||

O Rama, in the meantime, a demon named Sumali, enraged and wielding various weapons, attacked that army.

स दैवतबलं सर्वं नानाप्रहणैः शितैः । व्यध्वंसयत सङ्क्रुद्धो वायुर्जलधरं यथा ।। 7.27.40 ।।

sa daivatabalaṃ sarvaṃ nānāprahaṇaiḥ śitaiḥ | vyadhvaṃsayata saṅkruddho vāyurjaladharaṃ yathā || 7.27.40 ||

Greatly enraged, he destroyed the entire army of gods with his sharp, various weapons, just as the wind scatters a cloud.

ते महाबाणवर्षैश्च शूलप्रासैः सुदारुणैः । हन्यमानाः सुराः सर्वे न व्यतिष्ठन्त संहताः ।। 7.27.41 ।।

te mahābāṇavarṣaiśca śūlaprāsaiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ | hanyamānāḥ surāḥ sarve na vyatiṣṭhanta saṃhatāḥ || 7.27.41 ||

All the gods, being struck by the very terrible great showers of arrows and spears and javelins, could not stand firm together.

ततो विद्राव्यमाणेषु दैवतेषु सुमालिना । वसूनामष्टमः क्रुद्धः सावित्रो वै व्यवस्थितः ।। 7.27.42 ।।

tato vidrāvyamāṇeṣu daivateṣu sumālinā | vasūnāmaṣṭamaḥ kruddhaḥ sāvitro vai vyavasthitaḥ || 7.27.42 ||

Then, as the gods were being put to flight by Sumali, Savitra, the eighth among the Vasus, enraged, stood firm.

संवृतः स्वैरथानीकैः प्रहरन्तं निशाचरम् । विक्रमेण महातेजा वारयामास संयुगे ।। 7.27.43 ।।

saṃvṛtaḥ svairathānīkaiḥ praharantaṃ niśācaram | vikrameṇa mahātejā vārayāmāsa saṃyuge || 7.27.43 ||

The greatly effulgent Savitra, surrounded by his own chariot divisions, checked the attacking demon with his valor in battle.

ततस्तयोर्महायुद्धमभवद्रोमहर्षणम् ।। 7.27.44 ।।

tatastayormahāyuddhamabhavadromaharṣaṇam || 7.27.44 ||

Then, a great and hair-raising battle occurred between those two.

सुमालिनो वसोश्चैव समरेष्वनिवर्तिनोः । ततस्तस्य महाबाणैर्वसुना सुमहात्मना । निहतः पन्नगरथः क्षणेन विनिपातितः ।। 7.27.45 ।।

sumālino vasoścaiva samareṣvanivartinoḥ | tatastasya mahābāṇairvasunā sumahātmanā | nihataḥ pannagarathaḥ kṣaṇena vinipātitaḥ || 7.27.45 ||

Then, in a moment, the chariot of Sumali, who, along with Vasu, did not retreat in battles, was struck down and overthrown by the great arrows of the very great-souled Vasu.

हत्वा तु संयुगे तस्य रथं बाणशतैश्चितम् । गदां तस्य वधार्थाय वसुर्जग्राह पाणिना ।। 7.27.46 ।।

hatvā tu saṃyuge tasya rathaṃ bāṇaśataiścitam | gadāṃ tasya vadhārthāya vasurjagrāha pāṇinā || 7.27.46 ||

Vasu, having destroyed Sumali's chariot which was covered with hundreds of arrows in battle, then took up his mace with his hand for the purpose of killing him.

ततः प्रगृह्य दीप्ताग्रां कालदण्डोपमां गदाम् । तां मूर्ध्नि पातयामास सावित्रो वै सुमालिनः ।। 7.27.47 ।।

tataḥ pragṛhya dīptāgrāṃ kāladaṇḍopamāṃ gadām | tāṃ mūrdhni pātayāmāsa sāvitro vai sumālinaḥ || 7.27.47 ||

Then, Savitri's son Vasu, having firmly grasped that mace with its blazing tip resembling the staff of Yama, struck it down upon Sumali's head.

सा तस्योपरि चोल्काभा पतन्तीव बभौ गदा । इन्द्रप्रमुक्ता गर्जन्ती गिराविव महाशनिः ।। 7.27.48 ।।

sā tasyopari colkābhā patantīva babhau gadā | indrapramuktā garjantī girāviva mahāśaniḥ || 7.27.48 ||

That mace, resembling a falling meteor, shone as it descended upon him, like a great thunderbolt released by Indra roaring down upon a mountain.

तस्य नैवास्थि न शिरो न मांसं ददृशे तदा । गदया भस्मतां नीतं निहतस्य रणाजिरे ।। 7.27.49 ।।

tasya naivāsthi na śiro na māṃsaṃ dadṛśe tadā | gadayā bhasmatāṃ nītaṃ nihatasya raṇājire || 7.27.49 ||

Then, neither his bone, nor head, nor flesh was seen, as the mace had reduced the slain Sumali to ashes on the battlefield.

तं दृष्ट्वा निहतं सङ्ख्ये राक्षसास्ते समन्ततः । व्यद्रवन्सहिताः सर्वे क्रोशमानाः परस्परम् । विद्राव्यमाणा वसुना राक्षसा नावतस्थिरे ।। 7.27.50 ।।

taṃ dṛṣṭvā nihataṃ saṅkhye rākṣasāste samantataḥ | vyadravansahitāḥ sarve krośamānāḥ parasparam | vidrāvyamāṇā vasunā rākṣasā nāvatasthire || 7.27.50 ||

Having seen Sumali killed in battle, all those Rakshasas fled together from all sides, crying out to each other, and being driven away by Vasu, they could not stand firm.