--- title: "Uttara Kanda, Sarga 27" canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/uttara-kanda/sarga-27" lang: "en" --- # Uttara Kanda, Sarga 27 > कैलासं लङ्घयित्वा तु ससैन्यबलवाहनः। > आससाद महातेजा इन्द्रलोकं दशाननः॥ १॥ Getting beyond Kailāsa, accompanied by the might of his army and vehicles, Rāvana (the ten-headed monster) for his part, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, reached the realm of Indra, the ruler of gods. (1) > तस्य राक्षससैन्यस्य समन्तादुपयास्यतः। > देवलोके बभौ शब्दो भिद्यमानार्णवोपमः॥ २॥ The tumult of the army of the ogres advancing on all sides resounded in the realm of gods like the roar of the sea while it was being churned. (2) > श्रुत्वा तु रावणं प्राप्तमिन्द्रश्चलित आसनात्। > देवानथाब्रवीत् तत्र सर्वानेव समागतान्॥ ३॥ > आदित्यांश्च वसून् रुद्रान् साध्यांश्च समरुद्गणान्। > सज्जा भवत युद्धार्थं रावणस्य दुरात्मनः॥ ४॥ Shaken from his royal seat on hearing of Rāvaṇa having arrived, Indra, the ruler of gods, for his part forthwith said to all the gods assembled there—the twelve sons of Aditi and the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras and the Sādhyas including the forty-nine Maruts, wind-gods, “Get ready to give battle to the evil-minded Rāvaṇa.” (3-4) > एवमुक्तास्तु शक्रेण देवाः शक्रसमा युधि। > संनह्य सुमहासत्त्वा युद्धश्रद्धासमन्विताः॥ ५॥ > स तु दीनः परित्रस्तो महेन्द्रो रावणं प्रति। > विष्णोः समीपमागत्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह॥ ६॥ Putting on armour when commanded thus by Indra, the gods, who were equals of Indra in war, and were endowed with exceptional valour, were seized with martial fervour. Seeking the presence of Lord Viṣṇu, the mighty Indra for his part; who was greatly afraid of Rāvaṇa and felt dejected, submitted as follows, they say: (5–6) > विष्णो कथं करिष्यामि रावणं राक्षसं प्रति। > अहोऽतिबलवद् रक्षो युद्धार्थमभिवर्तते॥ ७॥ “How shall I deal with the ogre, Rāvaṇa, O Lord Viṣṇu? Alas, the very mighty ogre stands at my door seeking an encounter. (7) > वरप्रदानाद् बलवान् न खल्वन्येन हेतुना। > तत् तु सत्यं वचः कार्यं यदुक्तं पद्मयोनिना॥ ८॥ “Indeed he has grown mighty by virtue of the bestowal of boons and for no other reason. That word, which has been uttered by Brahmā (the lotus-born), has, however, to be carried into effect. (8) > तद् यथा नमुचिर्वृत्रो बलिर्नरकशम्बरौ। > त्वद्बलं समवष्टभ्य मया दग्धास्तथा कुरु॥ ९॥ “Therefore, even as leaning on Your might I exterminated the demons, Namuci, Vṛtra, Bali, Naraka and Śambara, lend me Your strength likewise. (9) > नह्यन्यो देवदेवेश त्वदृते मधुसूदन। > गतिः परायणं चापि त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे॥ १०॥ “Indeed, there is no refuge, no ultimate resort either, other than You, O Ruler of the adored of gods, in all the three worlds comprising the mobile and the immobile creation, O Destroyer of the demon Madhu! (10) > त्वं हि नारायणः श्रीमान् पद्मनाभः सनातनः। > त्वयेमे स्थापिता लोकाः शक्रश्चाहं सुरेश्वरः॥ ११॥ “Indeed, You are the glorious and eternal Nārāyaṇa, who has a lotus sprung from His navel. By You were these worlds set up as well as I, Indra, as the ruler of gods. (11) > त्वया सृष्टमिदं सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। > त्वामेव भगवन् सर्वे प्रविशन्ति युगक्षये॥ १२॥ “By You were evolved all these three worlds including the animate and inanimate creation. In You alone, O Lord, enter all at the end of the world-cycle. (12) > तदाचक्ष्व यथातत्त्वं देवदेव मम स्वयम्। > असिचक्रसहायस्त्वं योत्स्यसे रावणं प्रति॥ १३॥ “Therefore, tell me Yourself, O God of gods, the way in which victory may woo me or whether, equipped with Your sword and discus, You will wage war against Rāvaṇa.” (13) > एवमुक्तः स शक्रेण देवो नारायणः प्रभुः। > अब्रवीन्न परित्रासः कर्तव्यः श्रूयतां च मे॥ १४॥ Spoken to in these words by Indra, the said almighty Lord Nārāyaṇa replied as follows: “No apprehension need be entertained by you. And let My advice be heard by you. (14) > न तावदेष दुष्टात्मा शक्यो जेतुं सुरासुरैः। > हन्तुं चापि समासाद्य वरदानेन दुर्जयः॥ १५॥ “This wicked soul can in no case be conquered by gods and demons, combined, much less can he be killed on encountering him, hard to conquer as he is by virtue of the boon conferred on him by Brahmā. (15) > सर्वथा तु महत् कर्म करिष्यति बलोत्कटः। > राक्षसः पुत्रसहितो दृष्टमेतन्निसर्गतः॥ १६॥ “Accompanied by his son, the ogre for his part, intoxicated as he is with power, will perform feats which will be mighty in every way: this has been intuitively perceived by Me. (16) > यत् तु मां त्वमभाषिष्ठा युध्यस्वेति सुरेश्वर। > नाहं तं प्रतियोत्स्यामि रावणं राक्षसं युधि॥ १७॥ “As regards what you have said to Me, viz., ‘Fight’, O ruler of gods, I will not encounter the ogre Rāvaṇa in combat. (17) > नाहत्वा समरे शत्रुं विष्णुः प्रतिनिवर्तते। > दुर्लभश्चैव कामोऽद्य वरगुप्ताद्धि रावणात्॥ १८॥ “Viṣṇu does not, as a rule, retreat without killing His enemy in combat. And the ambition of scoring a victory is difficult to realize against Rāvaṇa, who stands protected by a boon today. (18) > प्रतिजाने च देवेन्द्र त्वत्समीपे शतक्रतो। > भवितास्मि यथास्याहं रक्षसो मृत्युकारणम्॥ १९॥ “I, however, O ruler of gods, solemnly declare in your presence, O Indra (who is presupposed to have performed in his previous lives a hundred Aśwamedha sacrifices as a condition precedent for attaining that office), that I shall prove to be the cause of the death of this ogre when the time comes for it. (19) > अहमेव निहन्तास्मि रावणं सपुरःसरम्। > देवता नन्दयिष्यामि ज्ञात्वा कालमुपागतम्॥ २०॥ “I Myself shall kill Rāvaṇa including those marching ahead of him on coming to know of his end having arrived and thereby bring joy to gods. (20) > एतत् ते कथितं तत्त्वं देवराज शचीपते। > युद्ध्यस्व विगतत्रासः सुरैः सार्धं महाबल॥ २१॥ “Thus truth has been revealed to you, O king of gods and husband of Śacī! Completely rid of fear, fight alongwith gods, O very mighty god!” (21) > ततो रुद्राः सहादित्या वसवो मरुतोऽश्विनौ। > संनद्धा निर्ययुस्तूर्णं राक्षसानभितः पुरात्॥ २२॥ Clad in armour, the Rudras accompanied by the sons of Aditi, the Vasus, the wind-gods, the two Aświns (the twin-born physicians of gods) thereupon sallied forth from the city of gods with all speed to meet the ogres. (22) > एतस्मिन्नन्तरे नादः शुश्रुवे रजनीक्षये। > तस्य रावणसैन्यस्य प्रयुद्धस्य समन्ततः॥ २३॥ In the meantime at the close of the night was heard on all sides the tumult of the Rākṣasa army, whose method of fighting was superior to that of the gods. (23) > ते प्रबुद्धा महावीर्या अन्योन्यमभिवीक्ष्य वै। > संग्राममेवाभिमुखा अभ्यवर्तन्त हृष्टवत्॥ २४॥ Perceiving one another when fully awakened, the ogres, who were endowed with extraordinary valour, advanced, full of joy with their faces turned towards the battlefield alone. (24) > ततो दैवतसैन्यानां संक्षोभः समजायत। > तदक्षयं महासैन्यं दृष्ट्वा समरमूर्धनि॥ २५॥ On seeing that huge and imperishable army in the forefront of battle, a great confusion was sown among the ranks of the gods. (25) > ततो युद्धं समभवद् देवदानवरक्षसाम्। > घोरं तुमुलनिर्ह्रादं नानाप्रहरणोद्यतम्॥ २६॥ Then ensued a grim fight between the gods, on the one hand, and the Dānavas and ogres, on the other, amidst a tumultuous roar and a flourish of weapons of every kind. (26) > एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शूरा राक्षसा घोरदर्शनाः। > युद्धार्थं समवर्तन्त सचिवा रावणस्य ते॥ २७॥ > मारीचश्च प्रहस्तश्च महापार्श्वमहोदरौ। > अकम्पनो निकुम्भश्च शुकः सारण एव च॥ २८॥ > संह्रादो धूमकेतुश्च महादंष्ट्रो घटोदरः। > जम्बुमाली महाह्रादो विरूपाक्षश्च राक्षसः॥ २९॥ > सुप्तघ्नो यज्ञकोपश्च दुर्मुखो दूषणः खरः। > त्रिशिराः करवीराक्षः सूर्यशत्रुश्च राक्षसः॥ ३०॥ > महाकायोऽतिकायश्च देवान्तकनरान्तकौ। > एतैः सर्वैः परिवृतो महावीर्यैर्महाबलः॥ ३१॥ > रावणस्यार्यकः सैन्यं सुमाली प्रविवेश ह। > स दैवतगणान् सर्वान् नानाप्रहरणैः शितैः॥ ३२॥ > व्यध्वंसयत् समं क्रुद्धो वायुर्जलधरानिव। > तद् दैवतबलं राम हन्यमानं निशाचरैः॥ ३३॥ > प्रणुन्नं सर्वतो दिग्भ्यः सिंहनुन्ना मृगा इव। > एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शूरो वसूनामष्टमो वसुः॥ ३४॥ > सावित्र इति विख्यातः प्रविवेश रणाजिरम्। > सैन्यैः परिवृतो हृष्टैर्नानाप्रहरणोद्यतैः॥ ३५॥ > त्रासयन् शत्रुसैन्यानि प्रविवेश रणाजिरम्। > तथादित्यौ महावीर्यौ त्वष्टा पूषा च तौ समम्॥ ३६॥ > निर्भयौ सह सैन्येन तदा प्राविशतां रणे। > ततो युद्धं समभवत् सुराणां सह राक्षसैः॥ ३७॥ > क्रुद्धानां रक्षसां कीर्तिं समरेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्। > ततस्ते राक्षसाः सर्वे विबुधान् समरे स्थितान्॥ ३८॥ > नानाप्रहरणैर्घोरैर्जघ्नुः शतसहस्रशः। > देवाश्च राक्षसान् घोरान् महाबलपराक्रमान्॥ ३९॥ > समरे विमलैः शस्त्रैरुपनिन्युर्यमक्षयम्। > एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राम सुमाली नाम राक्षसः॥ ४०॥ > नानाप्रहरणैः क्रुद्धस्तत्सैन्यं सोऽभ्यवर्तत। > स दैवतबलं सर्वं नानाप्रहरणैः शितैः॥ ४१॥ > व्यध्वंसयत संक्रुद्धो वायुर्जलधरं यथा। > ते महाबाणवर्षैश्च शूलप्रासैः सुदारुणैः॥ ४२॥ > हन्यमानाः सुराः सर्वे न व्यतिष्ठन्त संहताः। > ततो विद्राव्यमाणेषु दैवतेषु सुमालिना॥ ४३॥ > वसूनामष्टमः क्रुद्धः सावित्रो वै व्यवस्थितः। > संवृतः स्वैरथानीकैः प्रहरन्तं निशाचरम्॥ ४४॥ > विक्रमेण महातेजा वारयामास संयुगे। > ततस्तयोर्महद् युद्धमभवल्लोमहर्षणम्॥ ४५॥ > सुमालिनो वसोश्चैव समरेष्वनिवर्तिनोः। > ततस्तस्य महाबाणैर्वसुना सुमहात्मना॥ ४६॥ > निहतः पन्नगरथः क्षणेन विनिपातितः। > हत्वा तु संयुगे तस्य रथं बाणशतैश्चितम्॥ ४७॥ > गदां तस्य वधार्थाय वसुर्जग्राह पाणिना। > ततः प्रगृह्य दीप्ताग्रां कालदण्डोपमां गदाम्॥ ४८॥ > तां मूर्ध्नि पातयामास सावित्रो वै सुमालिनः। > सा तस्योपरि चोल्काभा पतन्ती विबभौ गदा॥ ४९॥ > इन्द्रप्रमुक्ता गर्जन्ती गिराविव महाशनिः। > तस्य नैवास्थि न शिरो न मांसं ददृशे तदा॥ ५०॥ > गदया भस्मतां नीतं निहतस्य रणाजिरे। > तं दृष्ट्वा निहतं संख्ये राक्षसास्ते समन्ततः॥ ५१॥ > व्यद्रवन् सहिताः सर्वे क्रोशमानाः परस्परम्। > विद्राव्यमाणा वसुना राक्षसा नावतस्थिरे॥ ५२॥ In the meantime turned up for an encounter the notorious ministers of Rāvaṇa, valiant ogres of grim aspect—Mārīca and Prahasta as well as Mahāpārśwa and Mahodara, Akampana and Nikumbha, Śuka and Sāraṇa, Saṁhrāda and Dhūmaketu, Mahādaṁṣṭra, Ghaṭodara, Jambumālī, Mahāhrāda and the ogre Virūpākṣa, Suptaghna and Yajñakopa, Durmukha, Dūṣaṇa, Khara, Triśirā, Karavīrākṣa and the ogre Sūryaśatru, Mahākāya and Atikāya, Devāntaka and Narāntaka. Surrounded by all these ogres of extraordinary valour, the very mighty Sumālī, Rāvaṇa’s maternal grandfather, they say, duly entered the field of battle. Provoked to anger, he drove away all at once with his various sharp weapons all the celestial hosts even as a tempest scatters clouds. Being hit, O Rāma, by the rangers of the night, that army of gods fled in all directions like the deer chased by a lion. In the meantime a heroic Vasu, the eighth among the Vasus, widely known by the name of Sāvitra, duly entered the field of battle. Surrounded by exultant troops, equipped with every kind of weapon, he duly entered the battlefield, inspiring terror in the enemy ranks. Two highly valiant and intrepid sons of Aditi, Twaṣṭā and Pūṣā, likewise entered together the field of battle with their army at that very moment. Then ensued the conflict with ogres and the gods, who were jealous of the glory of the ogres, who never retreated in battles. Then all the ogres began to hit in hundreds of thousands the gods present on the battlefield with their formidable weapons of various kinds. The gods too with their stainless weapons dispatched to the abode of Death the terrible ogres who were endowed with extraordinary might and prowess. Provoked to anger, in the meantime, O Rāma, the notorious ogre, Sumālī by name, equipped with every kind of weapon, rushed upon the army of gods. Full of rage, he with his whetted weapons of various kinds exterminated the entire army of the gods even as a hurricane would disperse the clouds. Being lashed with hails of mighty arrows, as well as with pikes and spears, none of the aforesaid gods could stand united. Provoked to anger while the gods were being put to flight by Sumālī, Sāvitra, the eighth among the Vasus, however, stood firm. Nay, surrounded by his own troops, the god, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, stayed by dint of his prowess the ranger of the night, who was acting on the offensive in the battle. Then followed a great conflict, which caused one’s hair to stand on end, between the two warriors, Sumālī and the Vasu, who never retreated in battles. Hit with mighty arrows, the chariot of Sumālī, which was drawn by serpents, was overthrown in an instant by the exceptionally high-souled Vasu. Having destroyed in the course of the struggle the chariot of Sumālī, which was covered with hundreds of arrows, the Vasu picked up a mace in his hand to make short work of the ogre. Grasping tightly the mace, which with its flaming had resembled the rod of Death, Sāvitra actually brought it down on the head of Sumālī. Descending on the ogre, the mace in question which shone like a meteor, flashed like a mighty thunderbolt hurled with a crash by Indra (the ruler of gods) on a mountain. Having been reduced to ashes by the mace, neither the bones nor the head nor the flesh of the ogre who was killed could be seen on the field of battle. Seeing him killed in battle, all the ogres in a body fled in every direction calling out one another. Being put to flight by the Vasu, the ogres could not stand. (27—52) Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana --- Source: Gita Press, Gorakhpur editions. Buy the book: https://gitapress.org/product/sri-ramcharitmanas-special-edition Ramayana.com, a free, ad-free project of Ved Vyas Foundation.