Uttara Kanda, Sarga 69

Meaning

Then as the night appeared, Śatrughna asked the Brāhmaṇa, Cyavana, son of Bhṛgu the exact might of Lavaṇa, and the power of the trident also. He enquired, ‘O Brāhmaṇa, who were killed by this special trident having entered into a duel with Lavaṇa.’ (1-2)

Meaning

Hearing these words of the noble Śatrughna, the mighty Cyavana said in reply to the scion of the Raghus: (3)

Meaning

‘Among the innumerable doings of this Lavaṇa listen to me that which took place in the context of the originator of the family of Ikṣvāku (Māndhātā). (4)

Meaning

‘In the old days, there was a powerful king, the son of Yuvanāśva, known as Māndhātā, noted for his might in the three worlds. (5)

Meaning

‘Having ruled over the entire earth, that king, lord of the earth, embarked on a conquest of the world of the gods from here, the earth. (6)

Meaning

‘Great fear overcame Indra and other mighty gods, when Māndhātā prepared to fight with a desire to conquer the world of gods. (7)

Meaning

Propitiated by the host of gods, Māndhātā, the king, having vowed to take one half of Indra’s kingdom and the other half of earthly sovereignty, went up to raid heaven. (8)

Meaning

‘Indra, the conqueror of Pāka Daitya, having known his evil intentions, uttered these conciliatory words to the progeny of Yuvanāśva. (9)

Meaning

‘O bull among men, Māndhātā, you are still not established as a king in the mortal worlds, and you desire the kingdom of the gods here without subjugating the earth. (10)

Meaning

‘O brave one, if the entire earth is indeed under your sway then you may rule over the kingdom of the gods together with your attendants, army and carriers. (11)

Meaning

Māndhātā said to Indra: ‘O Indra, where does my rule over the earth is obstructed’? (12)

Meaning

The thousand-eyed Indra told him, ‘O sinless one, the son of Madhu, the Rākṣasa Lavaṇa by name, does not obey your orders.’ (13)

Meaning

Having heard the dreadful unpleasant words, conveyed by Indra, the King put to shame with face downcast, could not speak. (14)

Meaning

Taking leave of the thousand-eyed god, with his face turned somewhat downwards, the lord of the mortals proceeded and came back again to this world. (15)

Meaning

That king, the destroyer of foes, with anger in his heart and together with his attendants and carriers came to bring the son of Madhu, Lavaṇa, under his sway. (16)

Meaning

Desirous to fight with Lavaṇa, the bull among men, Māndhātā, sent a messenger to Lavaṇa. (17)

Meaning

He, the messenger, having approached the son of Madhu, said many unpleasant words; the Rākṣasa devoured that messenger while he was speaking thus. (18)

Meaning

The messenger, on being late in returning, the King possessed of anger, inflicted injury on the Rākṣasa by shower of arrows on all sides. (19)

Meaning

Then that Rākṣasa laughed and took the trident in his hand and released the best among weapons, the trident, for the purpose of slaying Māndhātā with all his followers. (20)

Meaning

That enflamed trident on its part, having rendered to ashes the king together with his attendant, army and carriers—came back to the hand of Lavaṇa. (21)

Meaning

Thus that great King was killed together with his army and carriers, O gracious one, the power of the trident is impossible to fathom. (22)

Meaning

Tomorrow morning, you shall soon kill Lavaṇa while he is without the weapon, there is no doubt that your victory is certain. (23)

Meaning

By you performing this deed the welfare of the worlds will be achieved. Thus all has been narrated to you, O bull among men, about the might of the wicked Lavaṇa and the unfathomable dreadful power of the trident, O king Māndhātā; Lavaṇa perished due to his own misdeeds. (24-25)

Meaning

Tomorrow morning you will slay Lavaṇa I have no doubt, O noble one, when he will proceed for flesh, having not the trident with him, victory shall be yours, O king of men. (26)