Uttara Kanda, Sarga 32

नर्मदापुलिने यत्र राक्षसेन्द्रः सुदारुणः । पुष्पोपहारं कुरुते तस्माद्देशाददूरतः ।। 7.32.1 ।।

narmadāpuline yatra rākṣasendraḥ sudāruṇaḥ | puṣpopahāraṃ kurute tasmāddeśādadūrataḥ || 7.32.1 ||

Not far from the place on the Narmada's sandbank where the very fierce lord of Rakshasas (Ravana) was performing his flower offering, another event was unfolding.

अर्जुनो जयतां श्रेष्ठो माहिष्मत्याः पतिः प्रभुः । क्रीडते सह नारीभिर्नर्मदातोयमाश्रितः ।। 7.32.2 ।।

arjuno jayatāṃ śreṣṭho māhiṣmatyāḥ patiḥ prabhuḥ | krīḍate saha nārībhirnarmadātoyamāśritaḥ || 7.32.2 ||

Kartavirya Arjuna, the best among the victorious, the powerful lord of Mahishmati, was sporting with women near the waters of the Narmada.

तासां मध्यगतो राजा रराज च तदार्जुनः । करेणूनां सहस्रस्य मध्यस्थ इव कुञ्जरः ।। 7.32.3 ।।

tāsāṃ madhyagato rājā rarāja ca tadārjunaḥ | kareṇūnāṃ sahasrasya madhyastha iva kuñjaraḥ || 7.32.3 ||

King Kartavirya Arjuna, situated amidst those women, shone splendidly, just like a male elephant standing in the midst of a thousand female elephants.

जिज्ञासुः स तु बाहूनां सहस्रस्योत्तमं बलम् । रुरोध नर्मदावेगं बाहुभिर्बहुभिर्वृतः ।। 7.32.4 ।।

jijñāsuḥ sa tu bāhūnāṃ sahasrasyottamaṃ balam | rurodha narmadāvegaṃ bāhubhirbahubhirvṛtaḥ || 7.32.4 ||

Desirous of testing the supreme strength of his thousand arms, he indeed obstructed the flow of the Narmada river with his many arms.

कार्तवीर्यभुजासक्तं तज्जलं प्राप्य निर्मलम् । कूलोपहारं कुर्वाणं प्रतिस्रोतः प्रधावति ।। 7.32.5 ।।

kārtavīryabhujāsaktaṃ tajjalaṃ prāpya nirmalam | kūlopahāraṃ kurvāṇaṃ pratisrotaḥ pradhāvati || 7.32.5 ||

That pure water, held back by Kartavirya's arms, then rushed upstream, overflowing and making an offering to the river banks.

समीननक्रमकरः सपुष्पकुशसंस्तरः । स नर्मदाम्भसो वेगः प्रावृट्काल इवाबभौ ।। 7.32.6 ।।

samīnanakramakaraḥ sapuṣpakuśasaṃstaraḥ | sa narmadāmbhaso vegaḥ prāvṛṭkāla ivābabhau || 7.32.6 ||

That current of the Narmada's water, filled with fish, crocodiles, and alligators, and strewn with flowers and kusha grass, appeared like the rainy season itself.

स वेगः कार्तवीर्येण सम्प्रेषित इवाम्भसः । पुष्पोपहारं सकलं रावणस्य जहार ह ।। 7.32.7 ।।

sa vegaḥ kārtavīryeṇa sampreṣita ivāmbhasaḥ | puṣpopahāraṃ sakalaṃ rāvaṇasya jahāra ha || 7.32.7 ||

That current, as if propelled by Kartavirya's water, indeed carried away all of Ravana's flower offerings.

रावणो ऽर्धसमाप्तं तमुत्सृज्य नियमं तदा । नर्मदां पश्यते कान्तां प्रतिकूलां यथा प्रियाम् ।। 7.32.8 ।।

rāvaṇo 'rdhasamāptaṃ tamutsṛjya niyamaṃ tadā | narmadāṃ paśyate kāntāṃ pratikūlāṃ yathā priyām || 7.32.8 ||

Then Ravana, abandoning his half-finished worship, gazed upon the lovely Narmada flowing backward like a beloved turned away in displeasure.

पश्चिमेन तु तं दृष्ट्वा सागरोद्गारसन्निभम् । वर्धन्तमम्भसो वेगं पूर्वामाशां प्रविश्य तु ।। 7.32.9 ।।

paścimena tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā sāgarodgārasannibham | vardhantamambhaso vegaṃ pūrvāmāśāṃ praviśya tu || 7.32.9 ||

Having seen that increasing current of water, resembling the gushing forth of the ocean, entering the eastern direction from the west.

ततो ऽनुभ्रान्तशकुनां स्वभावोपरमे स्थिताम् । निर्विकाराङ्गनाभासामपश्यद्रावणो नदीम् ।। 7.32.10 ।।

tato 'nubhrāntaśakunāṃ svabhāvoparame sthitām | nirvikārāṅganābhāsāmapaśyadrāvaṇo nadīm || 7.32.10 ||

Then Ravana saw the river, where birds were flying around, situated in a state of cessation of its natural flow, appearing like an unperturbed woman.

सव्येतरकराङ्गुल्या सशब्दं च दशाननः । वेगप्रभावमन्वेष्टुं सो ऽदिशच्छुकसारणौ ।। 7.32.11 ।।

savyetarakarāṅgulyā saśabdaṃ ca daśānanaḥ | vegaprabhāvamanveṣṭuṃ so 'diśacchukasāraṇau || 7.32.11 ||

Ravana, with the finger of his right hand, loudly ordered Shuka and Sarana to investigate the effect of the current.

तौ तु रावणसन्दिष्टौ भ्रातरौ शुकसारणौ । व्योमान्तरगतौ वीरौ प्रस्थितौ पश्चिमामुखौ ।। 7.32.12 ।।

tau tu rāvaṇasandiṣṭau bhrātarau śukasāraṇau | vyomāntaragatau vīrau prasthitau paścimāmukhau || 7.32.12 ||

Those two heroes, the brothers Shuka and Sarana, ordered by Ravana, set out facing west, having ascended into the sky.

अर्धयोजनमात्रं तु गत्वा तौ रजनीचरौ । पश्येतां पुरुषं तोये क्रीडन्तं सहयोषितम् ।। 7.32.13 ।।

ardhayojanamātraṃ tu gatvā tau rajanīcarau | paśyetāṃ puruṣaṃ toye krīḍantaṃ sahayoṣitam || 7.32.13 ||

Having gone only half a Yojana, those two night-wanderers saw a man playing in the water with a woman.

बृहत्सालप्रतीकाशं तोयव्याकुलमूर्धजम् । मदरक्तान्तनयनं मदव्याकुलतेजसम् ।। 7.32.14 ।।

bṛhatsālapratīkāśaṃ toyavyākulamūrdhajam | madaraktāntanayanaṃ madavyākulatejasam || 7.32.14 ||

He was like a great sala tree, his hair dishevelled by water, his eyes red at the corners from intoxication, and his might disturbed by the same.

नदीं बाहुसहस्रेण रुन्धन्तमरिमर्दनम् । गिरिं पादसहस्रेण रुन्धन्तमिव मेदिनीम् ।। 7.32.15 ।।

nadīṃ bāhusahasreṇa rundhantamarimardanam | giriṃ pādasahasreṇa rundhantamiva medinīm || 7.32.15 ||

He was obstructing the river with his thousand arms, like a mountain with a thousand feet obstructing the earth, a true destroyer of enemies.

बालानां वरनारीणां सहस्रेण समावृतम् । समदानां करेणूनां सहस्रेणेव कुञ्जरम् ।। 7.32.16 ।।

bālānāṃ varanārīṇāṃ sahasreṇa samāvṛtam | samadānāṃ kareṇūnāṃ sahasreṇeva kuñjaram || 7.32.16 ||

He was surrounded by a thousand young, excellent women, just as a male elephant is surrounded by a thousand female elephants in rut.

तमद्भुततमं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ । सन्निवृत्तावुपागम्य रावणं तमथोचतुः ।। 7.32.17 ।।

tamadbhutatamaṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasau śukasāraṇau | sannivṛttāvupāgamya rāvaṇaṃ tamathocatuḥ || 7.32.17 ||

Having seen that most astonishing being, the two rakshasas, Shuka and Sarana, returned, approached Ravana, and then spoke to him.

बृहत्सालप्रतीकाशः को ऽप्यसौ राक्षसेश्वर । नर्मदां रोधवद्रुद्ध्वा क्रीडापयति योषितः ।। 7.32.18 ।।

bṛhatsālapratīkāśaḥ ko 'pyasau rākṣaseśvara | narmadāṃ rodhavadruddhvā krīḍāpayati yoṣitaḥ || 7.32.18 ||

They asked, "O lord of rakshasas, who is this being, resembling a great sala tree, who has obstructed the Narmada river like a dam and is sporting with women?"

तेन बाहुसहस्रेण सन्निरुद्धजला नदी । सागरोद्गारसङ्काशानुद्गारान्सृजते मुहुः ।। 7.32.19 ।।

tena bāhusahasreṇa sanniruddhajalā nadī | sāgarodgārasaṅkāśānudgārānsṛjate muhuḥ || 7.32.19 ||

Due to his thousand arms obstructing its waters, the river repeatedly emitted eruptions of water resembling the ocean's surges.

इत्येवं भाषमाणौ तौ निशाम्य शुकसारणौ । रावणो ऽर्जुन इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ युद्धलालसः ।। 7.32.20 ।।

ityevaṃ bhāṣamāṇau tau niśāmya śukasāraṇau | rāvaṇo 'rjuna ityuktvā prayayau yuddhalālasaḥ || 7.32.20 ||

Having heard Shuka and Sarana speaking thus, Ravana, eager for battle, declared "Arjuna!" and set forth.

अर्जुनाभिमुखे तस्मिन्रावणे राक्षसाधिपे । चण्डः प्रवाति पवनः सनादः सुरजास्तथा ।। 7.32.21 ।।

arjunābhimukhe tasminrāvaṇe rākṣasādhipe | caṇḍaḥ pravāti pavanaḥ sanādaḥ surajāstathā || 7.32.21 ||

As Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, faced Arjuna, a fierce, roaring wind blew, and divine dust arose, indicating ill omens.

सकृदेव कृतो रावः सरक्तः प्रेषितो घनैः । महोदरमहापार्श्वधूम्राक्षशुकसारणैः ।। 7.32.22 ।।

sakṛdeva kṛto rāvaḥ saraktaḥ preṣito ghanaiḥ | mahodaramahāpārśvadhūmrākṣaśukasāraṇaiḥ || 7.32.22 ||

A single bloody cry was emitted by the clouds as an omen, while Ravana was accompanied by Mahodara, Mahaparshva, Dhumraksha, Shuka, and Sarana.

संवृतो राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु तत्रागाद्यत्र चार्जुनः । अदीर्घेणैव कालेन स तदा राक्षसो बली । तं नर्मदाह्रदं भीममाजगामाञ्जनप्रभः ।। 7.32.23 ।।

saṃvṛto rākṣasendrastu tatrāgādyatra cārjunaḥ | adīrgheṇaiva kālena sa tadā rākṣaso balī | taṃ narmadāhradaṃ bhīmamājagāmāñjanaprabhaḥ || 7.32.23 ||

The lord of Rakshasas, surrounded by his retinue, quickly arrived at the terrible Narmada pool where Arjuna was, that powerful Rakshasa himself shining like collyrium.

स तत्र स्त्रीपरिवृतं वाशिताभिरिव द्विपम् । नरेन्द्रं पश्यते राजा राक्षसानां तदार्जुनम् ।। 7.32.24 ।।

sa tatra strīparivṛtaṃ vāśitābhiriva dvipam | narendraṃ paśyate rājā rākṣasānāṃ tadārjunam || 7.32.24 ||

The king of Rākṣasas, Ravana, there saw that King Arjuna, the king of men, surrounded by women, just like an elephant surrounded by female elephants.

स रोषाद्रक्तनयनो राक्षसेन्द्रो बलोद्धतः ।। 7.32.25 ।।

sa roṣādraktanayano rākṣasendro baloddhataḥ || 7.32.25 ||

He, the king of Rākṣasas, arrogant with his power, had his eyes red with anger.

इत्येवमर्जुनामात्यनाह गम्भीरया गिरा । अमात्याः क्षिप्रमाख्यात हैहयस्य नृपस्य वै ।। 7.32.26 ।।

ityevamarjunāmātyanāha gambhīrayā girā | amātyāḥ kṣipramākhyāta haihayasya nṛpasya vai || 7.32.26 ||

He thus spoke to Arjuna's ministers in a deep voice, saying, "O ministers, quickly inform the Haihaya king."

युद्धार्थी समनुप्राप्तो रावणो नाम राक्षसः । रावणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणो ऽथार्जुनस्य ते । उत्तस्थुः सायुधास्त्राश्च रावणं वाक्यमब्रुवन् ।। 7.32.27 ।।

yuddhārthī samanuprāpto rāvaṇo nāma rākṣasaḥ | rāvaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā mantriṇo 'thārjunasya te | uttasthuḥ sāyudhāstrāśca rāvaṇaṃ vākyamabruvan || 7.32.27 ||

Having heard Ravana's words, "A Rākṣasa named Ravana, desirous of battle, has arrived," those ministers of Arjuna then stood up with their weapons and missiles and spoke to Ravana.

युद्धस्य कालो विज्ञेयः साधु भोः साधु रावण ।। 7.32.28 ।।

yuddhasya kālo vijñeyaḥ sādhu bhoḥ sādhu rāvaṇa || 7.32.28 ||

The ministers said, "The time for battle should be known; well done, O Ravana, well done!"

चः श्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणो ऽथार्जुनस्य ते । यः क्षीबं स्त्रीवृतं चैव योद्धुमुत्सहते नृपम् । स्त्रीसमक्षं कथं यत्तद्योद्धुमुत्सहसे ऽर्जुनम् । वाशितामध्यगं मत्तं शार्दूल इव कुञ्जरम् ।। 7.32.29 ।।

caḥ śrutvā mantriṇo 'thārjunasya te | yaḥ kṣībaṃ strīvṛtaṃ caiva yoddhumutsahate nṛpam | strīsamakṣaṃ kathaṃ yattadyoddhumutsahase 'rjunam | vāśitāmadhyagaṃ mattaṃ śārdūla iva kuñjaram || 7.32.29 ||

Ravana's ministers, having heard Arjuna's ministers, questioned Ravana why he desired to fight an intoxicated king surrounded by women, comparing it to a tiger attacking an intoxicated elephant amidst female elephants.

क्षमस्वाद्य दशग्रीव चोष्यतां रजनी त्वया । युद्धे श्रद्धा च यद्यस्ति श्वस्तात समरे ऽर्जुनम् ।। 7.32.30 ।।

kṣamasvādya daśagrīva coṣyatāṃ rajanī tvayā | yuddhe śraddhā ca yadyasti śvastāta samare 'rjunam || 7.32.30 ||

Ravana's ministers advised him to forgive Arjuna for today and spend the night, suggesting that if he still desired battle, he could fight Arjuna tomorrow.

यद्यद्यास्ति मतिर्योद्धुं युद्धतृष्णासमावृता । निहत्यास्मांस्ततो युद्धमर्जुनेनोपयास्यसि ।। 7.32.31 ।।

yadyadyāsti matiryoddhuṃ yuddhatṛṣṇāsamāvṛtā | nihatyāsmāṃstato yuddhamarjunenopayāsyasi || 7.32.31 ||

The ministers further challenged Ravana, stating that if he was still consumed by the thirst for battle today, he would first have to defeat them before he could fight Arjuna.

ततस्ते रावणामात्यैरमात्याः पार्थिवस्य तु । सूदिताश्चापि ते युद्धे भक्षिताश्च बुभुक्षितैः ।। 7.32.32 ।।

tataste rāvaṇāmātyairamātyāḥ pārthivasya tu | sūditāścāpi te yuddhe bhakṣitāśca bubhukṣitaiḥ || 7.32.32 ||

Subsequently, Arjuna's ministers were killed and even devoured in battle by Ravana's hungry ministers.

ततो हलहलाशब्दो नर्मदातीर आबभौ । अर्जुनस्यानुयातऽणां रावणस्य च मन्त्रिणाम् ।। 7.32.33 ।।

tato halahalāśabdo narmadātīra ābabhau | arjunasyānuyāta'ṇāṃ rāvaṇasya ca mantriṇām || 7.32.33 ||

Then, a great tumultuous sound arose on the bank of the Narmada, emanating from the followers of Arjuna and the ministers of Ravana.

इषुभिस्तोमरैः शूलैस्त्रिशूलैर्वज्रकर्षणैः । सरावणानर्दयन्तः समन्तात्समभिद्रुताः ।। 7.32.34 ।।

iṣubhistomaraiḥ śūlaistriśūlairvajrakarṣaṇaiḥ | sarāvaṇānardayantaḥ samantātsamabhidrutāḥ || 7.32.34 ||

They attacked from all sides, tormenting Ravana and his forces with arrows, lances, spears, tridents, and thunderbolt-like weapons.

हैहयाधिपयोधानां वेग आसीत्सुदारुणः । सनक्रमीनमकरसमुद्रस्येव निःस्वनः ।। 7.32.35 ।।

haihayādhipayodhānāṃ vega āsītsudāruṇaḥ | sanakramīnamakarasamudrasyeva niḥsvanaḥ || 7.32.35 ||

The force of the Haihaya king's warriors was exceedingly terrible, like the roar of an ocean filled with crocodiles, fish, and alligators.

रावणस्य तु ते ऽमात्याः प्रहस्तशुकसारणाः । कार्तवीर्यबलं क्रुद्धा निर्दहन्ति स्म तेजसा ।। 7.32.36 ।।

rāvaṇasya tu te 'mātyāḥ prahastaśukasāraṇāḥ | kārtavīryabalaṃ kruddhā nirdahanti sma tejasā || 7.32.36 ||

Ravana's ministers, Prahasta, Shuka, and Sarana, enraged, were indeed destroying Kartavirya's army with their fierce might.

अर्जुनाय तु तत्कर्म रावणस्य समन्त्रिणः । क्रीडमानाय कथितं पुरुषैर्द्वाररक्षिभिः ।। 7.32.37 ।।

arjunāya tu tatkarma rāvaṇasya samantriṇaḥ | krīḍamānāya kathitaṃ puruṣairdvārarakṣibhiḥ || 7.32.37 ||

That deed of Ravana and his ministers was indeed reported to Arjuna, who was then engaged in sport, by the gatekeepers.

श्रुत्वा न भेतव्यमिति स्त्रीजनं तं ततो ऽर्जुनः । उत्ततार जलात्तस्माद्गङ्गातोयादिवाञ्जनः ।। 7.32.38 ।।

śrutvā na bhetavyamiti strījanaṃ taṃ tato 'rjunaḥ | uttatāra jalāttasmādgaṅgātoyādivāñjanaḥ || 7.32.38 ||

Having heard the news, Arjuna then reassured the womenfolk not to fear, and emerged from the water like the Anjana mountain rising from the waters of the Ganga.

क्रोधदूषितनेत्रस्तु स ततो ऽर्जुनपावकः । प्रजज्वाल महाघोरो युगान्त इव पावकः ।। 7.32.39 ।।

krodhadūṣitanetrastu sa tato 'rjunapāvakaḥ | prajajvāla mahāghoro yugānta iva pāvakaḥ || 7.32.39 ||

Then, Arjuna, whose eyes were red with anger and who was like a blazing fire, shone forth with terrible intensity, like the destructive fire at the end of an eon.

स तूर्णतरमादाय वरहेमाङ्गदो गदाम् । अभिदुद्राव रक्षांसि तमांसीव दिवाकरः ।। 7.32.40 ।।

sa tūrṇataramādāya varahemāṅgado gadām | abhidudrāva rakṣāṃsi tamāṃsīva divākaraḥ || 7.32.40 ||

Adorned with splendid golden armlets, he swiftly seized his mace and charged at the Rākṣasas, just as the sun dispels darkness.

बाहुविक्षेपकरणां समुद्यम्य महागदाम् । गारुडं वेगमास्थाय चापपातैव सो ऽर्जुनः ।। 7.32.41 ।।

bāhuvikṣepakaraṇāṃ samudyamya mahāgadām | gāruḍaṃ vegamāsthāya cāpapātaiva so 'rjunaḥ || 7.32.41 ||

Lifting his mighty mace, which caused his arms to swing, Arjuna rushed forward with the speed of Garuda.

तस्य मार्गं समारुद्ध्य विन्ध्यो ऽर्कस्येव पर्वतः । स्थितो विन्ध्य इवाकम्प्यः प्रहस्तो मुसलायुधः ।। 7.32.42 ।।

tasya mārgaṃ samāruddhya vindhyo 'rkasyeva parvataḥ | sthito vindhya ivākampyaḥ prahasto musalāyudhaḥ || 7.32.42 ||

Prahasta, armed with a mace, stood in Arjuna's path, obstructing him like the Vindhya mountain blocking the sun, and was as unshakable as the Vindhya itself.

ततो ऽस्य मुसलं घोरं लोहबद्धं महोद्धतः । प्रहस्तः प्रेषयन्क्रुद्धो ररास च यथाम्बुदः ।। 7.32.43 ।।

tato 'sya musalaṃ ghoraṃ lohabaddhaṃ mahoddhataḥ | prahastaḥ preṣayankruddho rarāsa ca yathāmbudaḥ || 7.32.43 ||

Then, the enraged and arrogant Prahasta hurled his terrible, iron-bound mace at Arjuna and roared like a thunderous cloud.

तस्याग्रे मुसलस्याग्निरशोकापीडसन्निभः । प्रहस्तकरमुक्तस्य बभूव प्रदहन्निव ।। 7.32.44 ।।

tasyāgre musalasyāgniraśokāpīḍasannibhaḥ | prahastakaramuktasya babhūva pradahanniva || 7.32.44 ||

In front of the mace released by Prahasta's hand, a fire, resembling a garland of Ashoka flowers, appeared as if burning.

अथायान्तं तु मुसलं कार्तवीर्यस्तदार्जुनः । निपुणं वञ्चयामास सगदो ऽगदविक्रमः ।। 7.32.45 ।।

athāyāntaṃ tu musalaṃ kārtavīryastadārjunaḥ | nipuṇaṃ vañcayāmāsa sagado 'gadavikramaḥ || 7.32.45 ||

Then, Kartavirya Arjuna, of unimpaired valor and holding his mace, skillfully dodged that incoming mace.

ततस्तमभिदुद्राव प्रहस्तं हैहयाधिपः । भ्रामयानो गदां गुर्वीं पञ्चबाहुशतोच्छ्रयाम् ।। 7.32.46 ।।

tatastamabhidudrāva prahastaṃ haihayādhipaḥ | bhrāmayāno gadāṃ gurvīṃ pañcabāhuśatocchrayām || 7.32.46 ||

Thereafter, the lord of Haihayas rushed towards Prahasta, whirling his heavy mace, which was as high as five hundred arms.

तथा हतो ऽतिवेगेन प्रहस्तो गदया तदा । निपपात स्थितः शैलो वज्रिवज्रहतो यथा ।। 7.32.47 ।।

tathā hato 'tivegena prahasto gadayā tadā | nipapāta sthitaḥ śailo vajrivajrahato yathā || 7.32.47 ||

Thus struck by the mace with great force, Prahasta then fell down, like a standing mountain struck by Indra's thunderbolt.

प्रहस्तं पतितं दृष्ट्वा मारीचशुकसारणाः । समहोदरधूम्राक्षा ह्यपसृष्टा रणाजिरात् ।। 7.32.48 ।।

prahastaṃ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā mārīcaśukasāraṇāḥ | samahodaradhūmrākṣā hyapasṛṣṭā raṇājirāt || 7.32.48 ||

Having seen Prahasta fallen, Maricha, Shuka, Sarana, along with Mahodara and Dhumraksha, indeed fled from the battlefield.

अपक्रान्तेष्वमात्येषु प्रहस्ते वै निपातिते । रावणो ऽभ्यद्रवत्तूर्णमर्जुनं नृपसत्तमम् ।। 7.32.49 ।।

apakrānteṣvamātyeṣu prahaste vai nipātite | rāvaṇo 'bhyadravattūrṇamarjunaṃ nṛpasattamam || 7.32.49 ||

After his ministers had retreated and Prahasta was killed, Ravana quickly rushed towards Kartavirya Arjuna, the best among kings.

सहस्रबाहोस्तद्युद्धं विंशद्बाहोश्च दारुणम् । नृपराक्षसयोस्तत्र चारब्धं रोमहर्षणम् ।। 7.32.50 ।।

sahasrabāhostadyuddhaṃ viṃśadbāhośca dāruṇam | nṛparākṣasayostatra cārabdhaṃ romaharṣaṇam || 7.32.50 ||

There, a terrible and hair-raising battle began between the king with a thousand arms (Arjuna) and the demon with twenty arms (Ravana).

सागराविव संरब्धौ चलन्मूलाविवाचलौ । तेजोयुक्ताविवादित्यौ प्रदहन्ताविवानलौ ।। 7.32.51 ।।

sāgarāviva saṃrabdhau calanmūlāvivācalau | tejoyuktāvivādityau pradahantāvivānalau || 7.32.51 ||

They were enraged like two oceans, like two mountains with their roots shaking, like two suns full of splendor, and like two burning fires.

बलोद्धतौ यथा नागौ वाशितार्थे यथा वृषौ । मेघाविव विनर्दन्तौ सिंहाविव बलोत्कटौ ।। 7.32.52 ।।

baloddhatau yathā nāgau vāśitārthe yathā vṛṣau | meghāviva vinardantau siṃhāviva balotkaṭau || 7.32.52 ||

They were like two elephants arrogant with strength, like two bulls fighting over a cow, like two roaring clouds, and like two exceedingly strong lions.

रुद्रकालाविव क्रुद्धौ तदा तौ राक्षसार्जुनौ । परस्परं गदाभ्यां तौ ताडयामासतुर्भृशम् ।। 7.32.53 ।।

rudrakālāviva kruddhau tadā tau rākṣasārjunau | parasparaṃ gadābhyāṃ tau tāḍayāmāsaturbhṛśam || 7.32.53 ||

Then, those two, the demon Ravana and Arjuna, enraged like Rudra and Kala, fiercely struck each other with their maces.

वज्रप्रहारानचला यथा घोरान्विषेहिरे । गदाप्रहारांस्तौ तत्र सेहाते नरराक्षसौ ।। 7.32.54 ।।

vajraprahārānacalā yathā ghorānviṣehire | gadāprahārāṃstau tatra sehāte nararākṣasau || 7.32.54 ||

Just as mountains endure terrible thunderbolt strikes, so too did the man (Arjuna) and the demon (Ravana) endure each other's mace strikes in that battle.

यथा ऽ शनिरवेभ्यस्तु जायते ऽथ प्रतिश्रुतिः । तथा तयोर्गदापोथैर्दिशः सर्वाः प्रतिश्रुताः ।। 7.32.55 ।।

yathā ' śaniravebhyastu jāyate 'tha pratiśrutiḥ | tathā tayorgadāpothairdiśaḥ sarvāḥ pratiśrutāḥ || 7.32.55 ||

Just as an echo arises from the sounds of thunder, similarly, all directions reverberated with the impacts of their maces.

अर्जुनस्य गदा सा तु पात्यमाना ऽहितोरसि । काञ्चनाभं नभश्चक्रे विद्युत्सौदामिनी यथा ।। 7.32.56 ।।

arjunasya gadā sā tu pātyamānā 'hitorasi | kāñcanābhaṃ nabhaścakre vidyutsaudāminī yathā || 7.32.56 ||

Arjuna's mace, when struck upon the enemy's (Ravana's) chest, made the sky appear golden-hued, just like a flash of lightning.

तथैव रावणेनापि पात्यमाना मुहुर्मुहुः । अर्जुनोरसि निर्भाति गदोल्केव महागिरौ ।। 7.32.57 ।।

tathaiva rāvaṇenāpi pātyamānā muhurmuhuḥ | arjunorasi nirbhāti gadolkeva mahāgirau || 7.32.57 ||

Similarly, Ravana's mace, struck repeatedly on Arjuna's chest, shone like a meteor striking a great mountain.

नार्जुनः खेदमायाति न राक्षसगणेश्वरः । इदमासीत्तयोर्युद्धं यथा पूर्वं बलीन्द्रयोः ।। 7.32.58 ।।

nārjunaḥ khedamāyāti na rākṣasagaṇeśvaraḥ | idamāsīttayoryuddhaṃ yathā pūrvaṃ balīndrayoḥ || 7.32.58 ||

Neither Arjuna nor the lord of the demon hosts (Ravana) showed any weariness, and their battle was like the ancient conflict between Bali and Indra.

शृङ्गैरिव वृषायुध्यन्दन्ताग्रैरिव कुञ्जरौ । परस्परं तौ निघ्नन्तौ नरराक्षससत्तमौ ।। 7.32.59 ।।

śṛṅgairiva vṛṣāyudhyandantāgrairiva kuñjarau | parasparaṃ tau nighnantau nararākṣasasattamau || 7.32.59 ||

The two, the best among humans and demons, struck each other like two bulls fighting with their horns or two elephants with the tips of their tusks.

ततो ऽर्जुनेन क्रुद्धेन सर्वप्राणेन सा गदा । स्तनयोरन्तरे मुक्ता रावणस्य महोरसि ।। 7.32.60 ।।

tato 'rjunena kruddhena sarvaprāṇena sā gadā | stanayorantare muktā rāvaṇasya mahorasi || 7.32.60 ||

Then, the enraged Arjuna, with all his might, hurled that mace at Ravana's broad chest, between his breasts.

वरदानकृतत्राणे सा गदा रावणोरसि । दुर्बलेव यथावेगं द्विधाभूत्वा ऽपतत्क्षितौ ।। 7.32.61 ।।

varadānakṛtatrāṇe sā gadā rāvaṇorasi | durbaleva yathāvegaṃ dvidhābhūtvā 'patatkṣitau || 7.32.61 ||

That mace, striking Ravana's chest which was protected by boons, split into two and fell to the ground as if it were weak, despite its full force.

स त्वर्जुनप्रमुक्तेन गदापातेन रावणः । अपासर्पद्धनुर्मात्रं निषसाद च निष्टनन् ।। 7.32.62 ।।

sa tvarjunapramuktena gadāpātena rāvaṇaḥ | apāsarpaddhanurmātraṃ niṣasāda ca niṣṭanan || 7.32.62 ||

But Ravana, struck by the mace released by Arjuna, recoiled a bow's length, sat down, and groaned.

स विह्वलं तदालक्ष्य दशग्रीवं ततो ऽर्जुनः । सहसोत्पत्य जग्राह गरुत्मानिव पन्नगम् ।। 7.32.63 ।।

sa vihvalaṃ tadālakṣya daśagrīvaṃ tato 'rjunaḥ | sahasotpatya jagrāha garutmāniva pannagam || 7.32.63 ||

Perceiving Dashagriva to be bewildered, Arjuna then suddenly leaped up and seized him, just as Garuda seizes a serpent.

स तु बाहुसहस्रेण बलाद्गृह्य दशाननम् । बबन्ध बलवान्राजा बलिं नारायणो यथा ।। 7.32.64 ।।

sa tu bāhusahasreṇa balādgṛhya daśānanam | babandha balavānrājā baliṃ nārāyaṇo yathā || 7.32.64 ||

The powerful King Kārtavīrya Arjuna, using his thousand arms, forcibly seized Daśānana (Rāvaṇa) and bound him, just as Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu) had bound Bali.

बध्यमाने दशग्रीवे सिद्धचारणदेवताः । साध्वीतिवादिनः पुष्पैः किरन्त्यर्जुनमूर्धनि ।। 7.32.65 ।।

badhyamāne daśagrīve siddhacāraṇadevatāḥ | sādhvītivādinaḥ puṣpaiḥ kirantyarjunamūrdhani || 7.32.65 ||

As Daśagrīva was being bound, the Siddhas, Chāraṇas, and deities, exclaiming "excellent!", scattered flowers upon Arjuna's head.

व्याघ्रो मृगमिवादाय मृगराडिव दन्तिनम् । ननाद हैहयो राजा हर्षादम्बुदवन्मुहुः ।। 7.32.66 ।।

vyāghro mṛgamivādāya mṛgarāḍiva dantinam | nanāda haihayo rājā harṣādambudavanmuhuḥ || 7.32.66 ||

The Haihaya king (Kārtavīrya Arjuna) roared repeatedly with joy, like a tiger seizing a deer or a lion capturing an elephant, and like a thundering cloud.

प्रहस्तस्तु समाश्वस्तो दृष्ट्वा बद्धं दशाननम् । सह तै राक्षसैः क्रुद्धश्चाभिदुद्राव पार्थिवम् ।। 7.32.67 ।।

prahastastu samāśvasto dṛṣṭvā baddhaṃ daśānanam | saha tai rākṣasaiḥ kruddhaścābhidudrāva pārthivam || 7.32.67 ||

But Prahasta, having recovered from his shock upon seeing Daśānana bound, became enraged and, along with those Rākṣasas, rushed towards the king.

नक्तञ्चराणां वेगस्तु तेषामापततां बभौ । उद्भूत आतपापाये पयोदानामिवाम्बुधौ ।। 7.32.68 ।।

naktañcarāṇāṃ vegastu teṣāmāpatatāṃ babhau | udbhūta ātapāpāye payodānāmivāmbudhau || 7.32.68 ||

The rush of those charging Rākṣasas appeared like the gathering of monsoon clouds over the ocean at the end of the hot season.

मुञ्च मुञ्चेति भाषन्तस्तिष्ठतिष्ठेति चासकृत् । मुसलानि सशूलानि सोत्ससर्ज तदार्जुने ।। 7.32.69 ।।

muñca muñceti bhāṣantastiṣṭhatiṣṭheti cāsakṛt | musalāni saśūlāni sotsasarja tadārjune || 7.32.69 ||

Then, Ravana's army repeatedly hurled maces and spears at Arjuna, shouting "release, release" and "stop, stop."

अप्राप्तान्येव तान्याशु असम्भ्रान्तस्तदार्जुनः । आयुधान्यमरारीणां जग्राहारिनिषूदनः ।। 7.32.70 ।।

aprāptānyeva tānyāśu asambhrāntastadārjunaḥ | āyudhānyamarārīṇāṃ jagrāhāriniṣūdanaḥ || 7.32.70 ||

Then, the undisturbed Arjuna, the destroyer of enemies, quickly caught those weapons of the Rakshasas even before they reached him.

ततस्तैरेव रक्षांसि दुर्धरैः प्रवरायुधैः । भित्त्वा विद्रावयामास वायुरम्बुधरानिव ।। 7.32.71 ।।

tatastaireva rakṣāṃsi durdharaiḥ pravarāyudhaiḥ | bhittvā vidrāvayāmāsa vāyurambudharāniva || 7.32.71 ||

Then, with those very formidable and excellent weapons, Arjuna pierced and dispersed the Rakshasas, just as the wind scatters clouds.

राक्षसांस्त्रासयित्वा तु कार्तवीर्यो ऽर्जुनस्तदा । रावणं गृह्य नगरं प्रविवेश सुहृद्वृतः ।। 7.32.72 ।।

rākṣasāṃstrāsayitvā tu kārtavīryo 'rjunastadā | rāvaṇaṃ gṛhya nagaraṃ praviveśa suhṛdvṛtaḥ || 7.32.72 ||

Then, after frightening the Rakshasas, Kartavirya Arjuna seized Ravana and entered the city, surrounded by his friends.

स कीर्यमाणः कुसुमाक्षतोत्करैर्द्विजैः सपौरैः पुरुहूतसन्निभः । तदा ऽर्जुनः सम्प्रविवेश तां पुरीं बलिं निगृह्येव सहस्रलोचनः ।। 7.32.73 ।।

sa kīryamāṇaḥ kusumākṣatotkarairdvijaiḥ sapauraiḥ puruhūtasannibhaḥ | tadā 'rjunaḥ sampraviveśa tāṃ purīṃ baliṃ nigṛhyeva sahasralocanaḥ || 7.32.73 ||

Then, Arjuna, resembling Indra, entered that city, being showered with heaps of flowers and unbroken rice grains by Brahmins and citizens, just as the thousand-eyed Indra entered after capturing Bali. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीये आदिकाव्ये श्रीमदुत्तरकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः ।। 32 ।। Thus ends the thirty-second sarga of Uttara Kanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.