युद्ध-काण्ड > श्री राम और रावण का घोर युद्ध



Loosing arrows at each other, Rama and Ravana perform a fierce battle. Ravana's flag-staff is thrown down by Rama's arrows. When Rama begins to cut off Ravana's head, another head starts to crop up in its place. The fierce encounter continues thus for seven days.
ततः प्रवृत्तं सुक्रूरं रामरावणयोस्तदा |
सुमहद्द्वैरथं युद्धं सर्वलोकभयावहम् ||६-१०७-१
Then ensued a fierce and a prolonged chariot-duel between Rama and Ravana, which was frightful to all the worlds."
ततो राक्षससैन्यं च हरीणां च महद्बलम् |
प्रगृहीतप्रहरणं निश्चेष्टं समतिष्ठत ||६-१०७-२
Then, the army of demons and the huge army of mokeys, stood motionless with their weapons held fast in their hands."
सम्प्रयुद्धौ ततो दृष्ट्वा बलवन्नरराक्षसौ |
व्याक्षिप्तहृदयाः सर्वे परं विस्मयमागताः ||६-१०७-३
Having their hearts captivated in seeing those two warriors, a human being and a demon, both in full strength engaged in a fight, all for their part experienced a great wonder."
नानाप्रहरणैर्व्यग्रैर्भुजैर्विस्मितबुद्धयः |
तस्थुः प्रेक्ष्य च सङ्ग्रामं नाभिजघ्नुः परस्परम् ||६-१०७-४
Having their hands occupied with various kinds of weapons, all those warriors stood amazed in mind in beholding that duel. They did not go for war on each other."
रक्षसां रावणं चापि वानराणां च राघवम् |
पश्यतां विस्मिताक्षाणां सैन्यं चित्रमिवाबभौ ||६-१०७-५
The demons beholding Ravana and the army of monkeys seeing Rama with their eyes in amazement appeared as though they were paintings."
ते तु तत्र निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा राघवरावणौ |
कृतबुद्धी स्थिरामर्षौ युयुधाते अभीतवत् ||६-१०७-६
Having made up their minds and being firm in their anger, those two warriors for their part, Rama and Ravana fought fearlessly, as it were, on seeing the portents in the battle."
जेतव्यमिति काकुत्स्थो मर्तव्यमिति रावणः |
धृतौ स्ववीर्यसर्वस्वं युद्धेऽदर्शयतां तदा ||६-१०७-७
Rama, who was convinced that he was going to win and Ravana who was firmly persuaded that he would die, then demonstrated the entire wealth of their prowess in battle on that occasion."
ततः क्रोधाद्दशग्रीवः शरान्सन्धाय वीर्यवान् |
मुमोच ध्वजमुद्दिश्य राघवस्य रथे स्थितम् ||६-१०७-८
Thereupon, the valiant Ravana, fitting his arrows with anger, released them, directing them towards the flag-staff fixed on Rama's chariot."
ते शरास्तमनासाद्य पुरन्दररथध्वजम् |
रक्तशक्तिं परामृश्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले ||६-१०७-९
Without even reaching the ensign on Indra's chariot and touching off the staff which supported the banner of the chariot, the arrows fell on the ground."
ततो रामोऽभिसङ्क्रुद्धश्चापमायम्य वीर्यवान् |
कृतप्रतिकृतं कर्तुं मनसा सम्प्रचक्रमे ||६-१०७-१०
Thereafter, the valiant Rama too, in great anger, stretching his bow, proceeded with his mind, to return blow for blow."
रावणध्वजमुद्दिश्य मुमोच निशितं शरम् |
महासर्पमिवासह्यं ज्वलन्तं स्वेन तेजसा ||६-१०७-११
Rama released a sharp arrow, looking like a huge serpent and which was unbearable, as though blazing with its own splendour, directing towards Ravana's flag-staff."
रामश्चिक्षेप तेजस्वी केतुमुद्दिश्य सायकम् |
जगाम स महीं भित्त्वा दशग्रीवध्वजं शरः ||६-१०७-१२
As the brilliant Rama released the arrow towards the flag-staff, that arrow, tearing asunder Ravana's flag-staf, entered the earth."
स निकृत्तोऽपतद्भूमौ रावणस्य रथध्वजः |
ध्वजस्योन्मथनं दृष्ट्वा रावणः सुमहाबलः ||६-१०७-१३
क्रोधजेनाग्निना सङ्ख्ये प्रदीप्त इव चाभवत् |
स रोषवशमापन्नः शरवर्षं महद्वमन् ||६-१०७-१४
That standard, mounted on Ravana's chariot, having been torn off, fell on the ground. Seeing the thrown-down piece of his flag-staff, that mighty Ravana stood blazing as though he was laughing with intolerance. Flaming up with anger, he showered a stream of arrows afflicted as he was, with the power of wrath."
रामस्य तुरगान्दिव्याञ्शरैर्विव्याध रावणः |
ते विद्धा हरयस्तस्य नास्खलन्नापि बभ्रमुः ||६-१०७-१५
बभूवुः स्वस्थहृदयाः पद्मनालैरिवाहताः |
Ravana struck Rama's horses with blazing arrows. Those divine horses were neither shaken nor stumbled in the battle-field. They were indeed healthy at heart and felt as though they were just struck with lotus-stalks."
तेषामसम्भ्रमं दृष्ट्वा वाजिनां रावणस्तदा ||६-१०७-१६
भूय एव सुसङ्क्रुद्धः शरवर्षं मुमोच ह |
Seeing those horses unstumbled, Ravana then was very much enraged and released showers of arrows."
गदाश्च परिघांश्चैव चक्राणि मुसलानि च ||६-१०७-१७
गिरिशृङ्गाणि वृक्षांश्च तथा शूलपरश्वधान् |
He also hurled maces, iron bludgeons, discs, iron clubs, mountain-tops, trees, spikes and axes."
माया विहितमेतत्तु शस्त्रवर्षमपातयत् ||६-१०७-१८
सहस्रशस्ततो बाणानश्रान्तहृदयोद्यमः |
Unwearied as he was in his heart and in effort, Ravana then employed streams of missiles as a creation of magic and also thousands of arrows."
तुमुलं त्रासजननं भीमं भीमप्रतिस्वनम् ||६-१०७-१९
दुर्धर्षमभवद्युद्धे नैकशस्त्रमयं महत् |
In that battle, abundant rain of various missiles, which were tumultuous, generating fear, terrific and attended with a terrible echo, descended."
विमुच्य राघवरथं समन्ताद्वानरे बले ||६-१०७-२०
सायकैरन्तरिक्षं च चकाराशु निरन्तरम् |
Leaving alone Rama's chariot, Ravana released arrows on the army of monkeys on all sides, thus wholly covering the sky."
मुमोच च दशग्रीवो निःसङ्गेनान्तरात्मना || ६-१०७-२१
व्यायच्छमानं तं दृष्ट्वा तत्परं रावणं रणे |
प्रहसन्निव काकुत्स्थः सन्दधे निशितान् शरान् ||६-१०७-२२
स मुमोच ततो बाणान्रणे शतसहस्रशः |
Ravana released arrows with a mind, which had given up all hope of survival. Seeing that Ravana, who was interested in the battle, putting forth his great effort, Rama fitted Sharp arrows to his bow, as though laughing and thereupon he loosed the arrows in hundreds and thousands."
तान् दृष्ट्वा रावणश्चक्रे स्वशरैः खं निरन्तरम् ||६-१०७-२३
ततस्ताभ्यां प्रयुक्तेन शरवर्षेण भास्वता |
शरबद्धमिवाभाति द्वितीयं भास्वदम्बरम् ||६-१०७-२४
Seeing those arrows, Ravana completely covered the sky with his own arrows. Due to that dazzling shower of arrows then employed by the two warriors, the shining sky looked like a second sky built with arrows."
नानिमित्तोऽभवद्बाणो नातिभेत्ता न निष्फलः |
अन्योन्यमभिसंहत्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले ||६-१०७-२५
तथा विसृजतोर्बाणान्रामरावणयोर्मृधे |
While Rama and Ravana were discharging the arrows thus in the battle0field, no arrow missed the target, no one failed to pierce the target and none had gone in vain. Colliding with each other, they fell on the ground."
प्रायुध्येतामविच्छिन्नमस्यन्तौ सव्यदक्षिणम् ||६-१०७-२६
चक्रतुस्तौ शरौघैस्तु निरुच्छ्वासमिवाम्बरम् |
Releasing the arrows left and right continually, they fought at each other. With their terrific arrows, they made the sky, bereft of even a breathing space."
रावणस्य हयान्रामो हयान्रामस्य रावणः ||६-१०७-२७
जघ्नतुस्तौ तदान्योन्यं कृतानुकृतकारिणौ |
Rama struck Ravana's horses. Ravana struck Rama's horses. Both the warriors then struck at each other, doing anything before and after."
एवं तु तौ सुसंक्रुद्धौ चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम् ||६-१०७-२८
मुहूर्तमभवद्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम् |
Those two extremely enraged warriors in this way, carried out are excellent combat. A tumultuous battle ensued for an hour or so, causing the hair to stand erect."
प्रयुध्यमानौ समरे महाबलौ |
शितैः शरै रावणलक्ष्मणाग्रजौ |
ध्वजावपातेन स राक्षसाधिपो |
भृशं प्रचुक्रोध तदा रघूत्तमे ||६-१०७-२९
The mighty Ravana and Rama carried out the fight well with sharp arrows in the battle-field. That Ravana at that time was very much enraged with Rama, as his flag-staff was thrown down."
तौ तथा युध्यमानौ तु समरे रामरावणौ |
ददृशुः सर्वभूतान्नि विस्मितेनान्तरात्मना ||६-१०७-३०
All the created beings for their part gazed with an astonished mind on Rama and Ravana, who thus were fighting at each other in the battle-field."
अर्दयन्तौ तु समरे तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ |
परस्परमभिक्रुद्धौ परस्परमभिद्रुतौ ||६-१०७-३१
Furiously attacking each other in the battle-field, those excellent chariots of the two warriors ran towards each other."
परस्परवधे युक्तौ घोररूपौ बभूवतुः |
मण्डलानि च वीथीश्च गतप्रत्यागतानि च ||६-१०७-३२
दर्शयन्तौ बहुविधां सूतसामर्थ्यजां गतिम् |
Intent on destroying each other, those chariots, displaying various types of movements such as, moving in circles, moving straight and darting forward as also receding forthwith, originated from the capabilities of those charioteers, assumed a terrible aspect."
अर्दयन् रावणं रामो राघवं चापि रावणः ||६-१०७-३३
गतिवेगं समापन्नौ प्रतिवेगप्रवर्तने |
Rama wounding Ravana and Ravana too wounding Rama, both of them had recourse to speed in movement in their forward and backward motions."
क्षिपतोः शरजालानि तयोस्तौ स्यन्दनोत्तमौ ||६-१०७-३४
चेरतुह् संयुगमहीं सासारौ जलदाविव |
Those excellent chariots, casting streams of arrows, strolled in the battle-field, like two clouds pouring showers."
दर्शयित्वा तदा तौ तु गतिं बहुविधां रणे ||६-१०७-३५
परस्परस्याभिमुखौ पुनरेव च तस्थतुः |
Showing various kinds of movement in the battle-field, those chariots then again stood facing each other."
धुरं धुरेण रथयोर्वक्त्रं वक्त्रेण वाजिनाम् ||६-१०७-३६
पताकाश्च पताकाभिः समीयुः स्थितयोस्तद |
The shaft of the two chariots even as they stood at that moment, met one with the other shaft the muzzle of the horses met the one with the other and the flags met the one with the other flags."
रावणस्य ततो रामो धनुर्मुकैः शितैः शरैः ||६-१०७-३७
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो दीप्तान् हयान् प्रत्यपसर्पयत् |
Then Rama, with his four sharp arrows discharged from his bow, drove back the four splendid horses of Ravana."
स क्रोधवशमापन्नो हयानामपसर्पणे ||६-१०७-३८
मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् राघवाय दशाननः |
That Ravana, falling a prey to anger for retreating his horses, discharged sharp arrows on Rama."
सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता दशग्रीवेण राघवः ||६-१०७-३९
जगाम न विकारम् च न चापि व्यथितोऽभवत् |
Rama, who was severely struck by the mighty Ravana, did not get upset nor was even tottered."
चिक्षेप च पुनर्बाणान् वज्रपातसमस्वनान् ||६-१०७-४०
सारथिं वज्रहस्तस्य समुद्दिश्य दशाननः |
Directing towards Matali, Indra's charioteer, Ravana hurled arrows with a sound similar to that of a thunder-bolt."
मातलेस्तु महावेगाः सरीरे पतिताः शराः ||६-१०७-४१
न सूक्ष्ममपि संमोहं व्यथां वा प्रददुर्युधि |
Arrows of great speed, fallen on Matali's body, did not cause even a pretty little of bewilderment or hurt on him in that battle."
तया धर्षणया क्रुद्धो मातलेर्न तथात्मनः ||६-१०७-४२
चकार शरजालेन राघवो विमुखं रिपुम् |
Enraged at that daring attack on Matali, Rama who for his part did not feel provoked by the attack on himself, made his enemy turn away by hurling a net work of arrows on him."
विंशतिं त्रिंशतिं षष्टिं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ||६-१०७-४३
मुमोच राघवो वीरः सायकान् स्यन्दने रपोः |
The valiant Rama discharged twenty, thirty, sixty and hundreds and thousands of arrows on the enemy's chariot."
रावणोऽपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः ||६-१०७-४४
गदामुसलवर्षेण रामं प्रत्यर्दयरणे |
Thereupon, even Ravana, the enraged king of demons, who was seated in the chariot, tormented Rama, by showering maces and mallets on him in the battle."
तत्प्रयुक्तं पुनर्युद्धं तु मुलं रोमहर्षणम् ||६-१०७-४५
गदानां मुसलानां च परिघाणां च निःस्वनैः |
शरणां पुङ्खवातैश्च क्षुभिताः सप्त सागराः ||६-१०७-४६
The battle thus started again by then, was tumultuous, causing one's hair to stand erect. With the sounds of maces, mallets and iron rods and with the gusts raised by the plumes adorning the flying arrows, the seven agitated oceans felt disquieted."
क्षुब्धानां सागराणां च पातालतलवासिनः |
व्यथिता दानवाः सर्वे पन्नगाश्च सहस्रशः ||६-१०७-४७
Thousands of all the demons and serpents, inhabiting in the nethermost subterranean region of the agitated oceans, felt disturbed."
चकम्पे मेदिनी कृत्स्ना सशैलवनकानना |
भास्करो निष्प्रभश्चासीन्न ववौ चापि मारुतः ||६-१०७-४८
The entire earth, including mountains, groves and forests trembled. The sun too became gloomy even the wind did not blow."
ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः |
चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे सकिंनरमहोरगाः ||६-१०७-४९
Then, the gods along with Gandharvas the celestial musicians, Siddhas the semi-divine beings, great sages and all including Kinnaras the mythical beings and great serpents became disquieted."
स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणेभ्योऽस्तु लोकास्तिष्ठन्तु शाश्वताः |
जयतां राघवः संख्ये रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम् ||६-१०७-५०
एवं जपन्तोऽपश्यंस्ते देवाः सर्षिगणास्तदा |
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं सुघोरं रोमहर्षणम् ||६-१०७-५१
At that time, those gods along with troops of sages, saying "May all be well with the cows and Brahmanas, May all the worlds endure forever, May Rama conquer Ravana!", saw a terrific battle between Rama and Ravana, which caused one's hair to stand on end."
गन्धर्वाप्सरसां संघा दृष्ट्वा युद्धमनूपमम् |
गगनं गगनाकारं सागरः सागरोपमः ||६-१०७-५२
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव |
एवं ब्रुवन्तो ददृशुस्तद्युद्धं रामरावणम् ||६-१०७-५३
Seeing that matchless struggle and observing that the sky is its own compeer and the ocean is its own analogue, the battle between Rama and Ravana can be likened only to the battle between Rama and Ravana, the hosts of Gandharvas the celestial musicians and Apsaras, the heavenly lymphs, looked on that battle between Rama and Ravana."
ततः क्रोधान्महाबाहू रघूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः |
संधाय धनुषा रामः शरमाशीविषोपमम् ||६-१०७-५४
रावणस्य शोरोऽच्छिन्दच्छ्रीमज्ज्वलितकुण्डलम् |
तच्छिरः पतितं भूमौ दृष्टं लोकैस्त्रिभिस्तदा ||६-१०७-५५
Thereupon, the great-armed Rama who augmented the fame of the kings born in Raghu dynasty, stretching with anger, the serpent-like arrow with his bow, chopped off the glorious head of Ravana, which was graced with blazing ear-rings. Then, all the three worlds saw that head, fallen on the ground."
तस्यैव सदृशं चान्यद्रावणस्योत्थितं शिरः |
तत् क्षिप्तं क्षिप्रहस्तेन रामेण क्षिप्रकारिणा ||६-१०७-५६
Another head, exactly similar to that head, cropped up on the shoulders of Ravana. That second head was again chopped off by Rama, possessing a swift hand and who was swift in his act."
द्वितीयं रावणशिरश्चिन्नं संयति सायकैः |
चिन्नमात्रं च तच्छीर्षं पुनरेव प्रद्श्यते ||६-१०७-५७
The second head of Ravana was cut off by arrows in that battle. Soon after that head was chopped off, it again rose into view."
तदप्यशनिसंकाशैश्छिन्नं रामस्य सायकैः |
एवमेव शतं चिन्नं शिरसां तुल्यवर्चसाम् ||६-१०७-५८
Rama chopped off that head too with his arrows looking like thunderbolts. In the same manner, a hundred of Ravana's heads of equal splendour were chopped off by Rama."
न चैव रावणस्यान्तो दृश्यते जीवितक्षये |
ततः सर्वास्त्रविद्वीरः करुसल्यानन्दवर्धनः ||६-१०७-५९
मार्गणैर्बहुभिर्युक्तश्चिन्तयामास राघवः |
Yet, no certainty about Ravana's death could be seen. Thought equipped with many arrows and well-versed with all kinds of missiles, the valiant Rama, the augmentor of Kausalya's joy, then became thoughtful (said to himself as follows):
मारीचो निहतो यैस्तु खरो यैस्तु सदूषणः |
क्रौञ्चावने विराधस्तु कबन्दो दण्डके वने |
यैः साला गिरयो भग्ना वाली च क्षुभितोऽम्बुधिः ||६-१०७-६०
त इमे सायकाः सर्वे युद्धे प्रात्ययिका मम |
किं नु तत्कारणं येन रावणे मन्दतेजसः ||६-१०७-६१
"What is the reason, these arrows by which Mareecha, Khara, Dushana, Kabandha in Kroucha-forest, and Viradha in Dandaka-forest were killed, by which seven Sala trees and the mountains were burst, by which Vali was killed and the ocean shaken up all these arrows which provided immediate succour to me in battle, have proved of little efficacy in the case of Ravana."
इति चिन्तापरश्चासी दप्रमत्तश्च संयुगे |
ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि राघवो रावणोरसि ||६-१०७-६२
Thus absorbed in thought, Rama remained vigilant in the battle-field. He showered streams of arrows in Ravana's chest."
रावणोऽपि ततः क्रुद्धो रथस्थो राक्षसेश्वरः |
गदामुसलवर्षेण रामं प्रत्यर्दयद्रणे ||६-१०७-६३
Thereupon, even Ravana, the enraged king of demons, who was seated in his chariot, tormented Rama by showering maces and mallets on him in the combat."
तत्प्रवृत्तं महद्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम् |
अन्तरिक्षे च भूमौ च पुनश्च गिरिमूर्धनि ||६-१०७-६४
That great tumultuous battle, which caused one's hair to stand on end, took place in the sky, on the ground and furthermore on the mountain."
देवदानवयक्षाणां पिशाचोरगरक्षसाम् |
पश्यतां तन्महायुद्धं सप्तरात्रमवर्तत ||६-१०७-६५
While the gods, the demons, Yakshas the super-natural beings, the devils, the serpents and the ogres were witnessing, that great battle occurred for seven days."
नैव रात्रिं न दिवसं न मुहूर्तं न च क्षणम् |
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं विराममुपगच्छति ||६-१०७-६६
There was no respite in battle between Rama and Ravana, either in the might or in the day-time or for an hour or even for a instant."
दशरथसुतराक्षसेन्द्रयो |
र्जयमनवेक्ष्य रणे स राघवस्य |
सुरवररथसारथिर्महात्मा |
रणरतराममुवाच वाक्यमाशु ||६-१०७-६७
Not beholding the victory of Rama in the combat between Rama and Ravana that great-souled Matali, the charioteer of Indra quickly spoke the following words to Rama, who was still engaged in fighting."
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये युद्धकाण्डे सप्तोत्तरशततमः सर्गः