---
title: "Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 41"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/yuddha-kanda/sarga-41"
lang: "en"
---

# Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 41

> अथ तस्मिन् निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।  
> सुग्रीवं सम्परिष्वज्य रामो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ १॥

Observing the marks of a conflict on the person of Sugrīva, and closely embracing him, Śrī Rāma, the eldest brother of Lakṣmaṇa, forthwith spoke as follows to Sugrīva: (1)

> असम्मन्त्र्य मया सार्धं तदिदं साहसं कृतम्।  
> एवं साहसयुक्तानि न कुर्वन्ति जनेश्वराः॥ २॥

Without duly holding consultation with me this aforesaid precipitate act has been done by you. Sovereigns do not undertake such daring acts. (2)

> संशये स्थाप्य मां चेदं बलं चेमं विभीषणम्।  
> कष्टं कृतमिदं वीर साहसं साहसप्रिय॥ ३॥

“Exposing to risk me as well as this army as also Vibhīṣaṇa standing here, O hero fond of daring acts, this precipitate action causing agony has been done by you. (3)

> इदानीं मा कृथा वीर एवंविधमरिंदम।  
> त्वयि किंचित्समापन्ने किं कार्यं सीतया मम॥ ४॥  
> भरतेन महाबाहो लक्ष्मणेन यवीयसा।  
> शत्रुघ्नेन च शत्रुघ्न स्वशरीरेण वा पुनः॥ ५॥

“Never repeat such an act any more, O tamer of foes! Had anything happened to you, I would have had nothing to do with Sītā, Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa and the still younger Śatrughna or even with my own person, O mighty-armed destroyer of your foes! (4-5)

> त्वयि चानागते पूर्वमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः।  
> जानतश्चापि ते वीर्यं महेन्द्रवरुणोपम॥ ६॥  
> हत्वाहं रावणं युद्धे सपुत्रबलवाहनम्।  
> अभिषिच्य च लङ्कायां विभीषणमथापि च॥ ७॥  
> भरते राज्यमारोप्य त्यक्ष्ये देहं महाबल।  
> तमेवं वादिनं रामं सुग्रीवः प्रत्यभाषत॥ ८॥

“Even though I knew your valour, O compeer of the mighty Indra and Varuṇa, (the god of water), I had firmly resolved earlier, while you had not yet returned, that after making short work of Rāvaṇa, his sons, army, chariots and all in combat, nay, consecrating Vibhīṣaṇa as the king of Laṅkā and also installing Bharata on the throne of Ayodhyā, I should give up the ghost, O monkey! endowed with extraordinary might!” To Śrī Rāma, who was speaking in this strain, Sugrīva replied as follows: (6—8)

> तव भार्यापहर्तारं दृष्ट्वा राघव रावणम्।  
> मर्षयामि कथं वीर जानन् विक्रममात्मनः॥ ९॥

“Perceiving, as I did, Rāvaṇa, who had borne away your consort, and knowing (as I did) my own prowess, O gallant scion of Raghu, how could I leave him just like that?” (9)

> इत्येवं वादिनं वीरमभिनन्द्य च राघवः।  
> लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिसम्पन्नमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ १०॥

Applauding the hero, who had submitted as aforesaid, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) spoke as follows to Lakṣmaṇa, who was richly endowed with loveliness: (10)

> परिगृह्योदकं शीतं वनानि फलवन्ति च।  
> बलौघं संविभज्येमं व्यूह्य तिष्ठाम लक्ष्मण॥ ११॥

“Occupying a region provided with fresh water and woods, rich in fruit, nay, duly dividing this multitude of troops into battalions and drawing it up in battle array, we should remain alert, O Lakṣmaṅa! (11)

> लोकक्षयकरं भीमं भयं पश्याम्युपस्थितम्।  
> निबर्हणं प्रवीराणामृक्षवानररक्षसाम्॥ १२॥

“I perceive a formidable danger imminent, which bodes destruction to the world and the extermination of eminent heroes among the bears, monkeys and ogres. (12)

> वाता हि परुषं वान्ति कम्पते च वसुंधरा।  
> पर्वताग्राणि वेपन्ते नदन्ति धरणीधराः॥ १३॥

“Winds are actually blowing severely and the earth is quaking. Mountain-peaks are shaking and the elephants bearing the earth (in the four quarters and the four intermediate points) are trumpeting. (13)

> मेघाः क्रव्यादसंकाशाः परुषाः परुषस्वराः।  
> क्रूराः क्रूरं प्रवर्षन्ते मिश्रं शोणितबिन्दुभिः॥ १४॥

“Fierce and unkind clouds closely resembling carnivorous animals and emitting a harsh sound are cruelly letting loose showers mingled with drops of blood. (14)

> रक्तचन्दनसंकाशा संध्या परमदारुणा।  
> ज्वलच्च निपतत्येतदादित्यादग्निमण्डलम्॥ १५॥

“The evening twilight, resembling red sandalwood in colour, appears most lurid. And from the sun is falling this blazing mass of fire. (15)

> आदित्यमभिवाश्यन्ति जनयन्तो महद्भयम्।  
> दीना दीनस्वरा घोरा अप्रशस्ता मृगद्विजाः॥ १६॥

“Wretched-looking, dreadful and ominous beasts and birds are crying in pitiful tones facing the sun, inspiring great fear. (16)

> रजन्यामप्रकाशश्च संतापयति चन्द्रमाः।  
> कृष्णरक्तांशुपर्यन्तो यथा लोकस्य संक्षये॥ १७॥

“Nay, bereft of radiance even at night the moon is radiating heat contrary to its nature. It is invested with a black and red halo even as at the time of universal dissolution. (17)

> ह्रस्वो रूक्षोऽप्रशस्तश्च परिवेषः सुलोहितः।  
> आदित्यमण्डले नीलं लक्ष्म लक्ष्मण दृश्यते॥ १८॥

“A short, dreary, inauspicious and crimson halo as also a blue spot are seen in the solar orb, O Lakṣmaṇa! (18)

> दृश्यन्ते न यथावच्च नक्षत्राण्यभिवर्तते।  
> युगान्तमिव लोकस्य पश्य लक्ष्मण शंसति॥ १९॥

“The stars are not clearly seen as before. Lo! This phenomenon, O Lakṣmaṇa, forebodes to the living creation the dissolution of the world, as it were. (19)

> काकाः श्येनास्तथा गृध्रा नीचैः परिपतन्ति च।  
> शिवाश्चाप्यशुभा वाचः प्रवदन्ति महास्वनाः॥ २०॥

“Crows, hawks and vultures too are descending to the ground, nay, crying aloud; she-jackals also are emitting portentous howls. (20)

> शैलैः शूलैश्च खड्गैश्च विमुक्तैः कपिराक्षसैः।  
> भविष्यत्यावृता भूमिर्मांसशोणितकर्दमा॥ २१॥

“The earth it appears will be covered with rocks, darts and swords hurled by monkeys and ogres and will be thick with a morass of flesh and blood. (21)

> क्षिप्रमद्य दुराधर्षां पुरीं रावणपालिताम्।  
> अभियाम जवेनैव सर्वतो हरिभिर्वृताः॥ २२॥

“Surrounded by the monkeys on all sides, we should without delay march with all speed today towards the city of Laṅkā, ruled over by Rāvaṇa, which is difficult to storm.” (22)

> इत्येवं तु वदन् वीरो लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः।  
> तस्मादवातरच्छीघ्रं पर्वताग्रान्महाबलः॥ २३॥

While speaking as aforesaid to Lakṣmaṇa, the heroic Śrī Rāma, the eldest brother of Lakṣmaṇa for his part, who was endowed with extraordinary might, rapidly descended from that mountain-peak. (23)

> अवतीर्य तु धर्मात्मा तस्माच्छैलात् स राघवः।  
> परैः परमदुर्धर्षं ददर्श बलमात्मनः॥ २४॥

Climbing down from that mountain, the celebrated Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) for his part, whose mind was set on virtue, held a review of his own army, which was supremely difficult to assail for the foes. (24)

> संनह्य तु ससुग्रीवः कपिराजबलं महत्।  
> कालज्ञो राघवः काले संयुगायाभ्यचोदयत्॥ २५॥

Having marshalled the huge army of Sugrīva (the ruler of monkeys) in co-operation with the latter, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) for his part, who knew the right moment to act, commanded the army to advance at a propitious hour for military operations. (25)

> ततः काले महाबाहुर्बलेन महता वृतः।  
> प्रस्थितः पुरतो धन्वी लङ्कामभिमुखः पुरीम्॥ २६॥

Surrounded by a large contingent and armed with a bow, the mighty-armed prince then marched ahead at an auspicious moment, facing the city of Laṅkā. (26)

> तं विभीषणसुग्रीवौ हनूमाञ्जाम्बवान् नलः।  
> ऋक्षराजस्तथा नीलो लक्ष्मणश्चान्वयुस्तदा॥ २७॥

Vibhīṣaṇa and Sugrīva, Hanūmān, Jāmbavān, the king of bears, Nala and Nīla, as well as Lakṣmaṇa followed him at that moment. (27)

> ततः पश्चात् सुमहती पृतनर्क्षवनौकसाम्।  
> प्रच्छाद्य महतीं भूमिमनुयाति स्म राघवम्॥ २८॥

Fully covering a vast stretch of land, the huge army of bears and monkeys (lit., the denizens of the forest) then followed in the wake of Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu). (28)

> शैलशृङ्गाणि शतशः प्रवृद्धांश्च महीरुहान्।  
> जगृहुः कुञ्जरप्रख्या वानराः परवारणाः॥ २९॥

The monkeys, who were capable of warding off the enemy and resembled elephants in size, bore in their hands mountain-peaks and fully grown up trees in hundreds. (29)

> तौ त्वदीर्घेण कालेन भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।  
> रावणस्य पुरीं लङ्कामासेदतुररिंदमौ॥ ३०॥  
> पताकामालिनीं रम्यामुद्यानवनशोभिताम्।  
> चित्रवप्रां सुदुष्प्रापामुच्चैः प्राकारतोरणाम्॥ ३१॥

In a short while, those two brothers, Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the tamers of their foes, for their part reached Laṅkā, the lovely city of Rāvaṇa, which was dressed with rows of flags, embellished with gardens and groves, enclosed with a wonderful defensive wall and provided with high walls and archways and as such exceedingly difficult of access. (30-31)

> तां सुरैरपि दुर्धर्षां रामवाक्यप्रचोदिताः।  
> यथानिदेशं सम्पीड्य न्यविशन्त वनौकसः॥ ३२॥

Besieging the aforesaid city—which was difficult to assail even for gods—as spurred by the command of Śrī Rāma, sticking to their posts (while doing so), the monkeys (lit., the denizens of the forest) entered it. (32)

> लङ्कायास्तूत्तरद्वारं शैलशृङ्गमिवोन्नतम्।  
> रामः सहानुजो धन्वी जुगोप च रुरोध च॥ ३३॥

Accompanied by his younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, and armed with a bow, Śrī Rāma for his part blocked the northern gate of Laṅkā, which was lofty as a mountain-peak, and also gave succour to the besieging army. (33)

> लङ्कामुपनिविष्टस्तु रामो दशरथात्मजः।  
> लक्ष्मणानुचरो वीरः पुरीं रावणपालिताम्॥ ३४॥  
> उत्तरद्वारमासाद्य यत्र तिष्ठति रावणः।  
> नान्यो रामाद्धि तद् द्वारं समर्थः परिरक्षितुम्॥ ३५॥  
> रावणाधिष्ठितं भीमं वरुणेनेव सागरम्।  
> सायुधै राक्षसैर्भीमैरभिगुप्तं समन्ततः॥ ३६॥  
> लघूनां त्रासजननं पातालमिव दानवैः।  
> विन्यस्तानि च योधानां बहूनि विविधानि च॥ ३७॥  
> ददर्शायुधजालानि तथैव कवचानि च।  
> पूर्वं तु द्वारमासाद्य नीलो हरिचमूपतिः॥ ३८॥  
> अतिष्ठत् सह मैन्देन द्विविदेन च वीर्यवान्।  
> अङ्गदो दक्षिणद्वारं जग्राह सुमहाबलः॥ ३९॥  
> ऋषभेण गवाक्षेण गजेन गवयेन च।  
> हनूमान् पश्चिमद्वारं ररक्ष बलवान् कपिः॥ ४०॥

Having reached the northern gate, at which Rāvaṇa himself had taken up his position, the valiant Śrī Rāma, an offspring of Emperor Daśaratha, for his part, who had Lakṣmaṇa for his follower, encamped near the city of Laṅkā, which was protected by Rāvaṇa. In fact, none other than Śrī Rāma was capable of protecting the army besieging that formidable gate, which was controlled by Rāvaṇa as the ocean is by Varuṇa (the god presiding over water), was guarded on all sides by terrible ogres equipped with arms even as Pātāla, the nethermost subterranean region, is by the Dānavas, and caused terror to the weak. Nay, Śrī Rāma saw properly arranged there numerous sets of weapons of every description and even so pieces of armour for the use of combatants. Reaching the eastern gate, Nīla, the valiant Commander-in-Chief of the simian forces, for his part took up his position there with Mainda and Dwivida, Aṅgada, who was endowed with extraordinary might, occupied the southern gate with Ṛṣabha, Gavākṣa, Gaja and Gavaya. United with Pramāthī and Praghasa as well as with other heroes, the mighty monkey, Hanumān, blocked the western gate. (34—40)

> प्रमाथिप्रघसाभ्यां च वीरैरन्यैश्च संगतः।  
> मध्यमे च स्वयं गुल्मे सुग्रीवः समतिष्ठत॥ ४१॥  
> सह सर्वैर्हरिश्रेष्ठैः सुपर्णपवनोपमैः।  
> वानराणां तु षट्त्रिंशत्कोट्यः प्रख्यातयूथपाः॥ ४२॥  
> निपीड्योपनिविष्टाश्च सुग्रीवो यत्र वानरः।  
> शासनेन तु रामस्य लक्ष्मणः सविभीषणः॥ ४३॥  
> द्वारे द्वारे हरीणां तु कोटिं कोटीर्न्यवेशयत्।  
> पश्चिमेन तु रामस्य सुषेणः सहजाम्बवान्॥ ४४॥  
> अदूरान्मध्यमे गुल्मे तस्थौ बहुबलानुगः।  
> ते तु वानरशार्दूलाः शार्दूला इव दंष्ट्रिणः।  
> गृहीत्वा द्रुमशैलाग्रान् हृष्टा युद्धाय तस्थिरे॥ ४५॥

Nay, alongwith all the monkey chiefs, who vied with Garuḍa of beautiful wings and the wind-god in speed, Sugrīva himself took up his position at the intermediate military post between the northern and western gates. Having exerted pressure on the ogres occupying that post, thirty six crores of monkeys, all highly renowned generals, for their part stood encamped where the monkey king, Sugrīva, was (viz., near the intermediate military post). Accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, Lakṣmaṇa for his part posted under order of Śrī Rāma a crore or crores of monkeys at each gate, as necessary. Accompanied by Jāmbavān and followed by a vast army, Suṣeṇa for his part took up his position at the intermediate post at the back of Śrī Rāma not far from him. Seizing trees and peaks of mountains, the aforesaid tigers among monkeys, who were endowed with sharp teeth like tigers, stood gladly waiting for an encounter. (41—45)

> सर्वे विकृतलाङ्गूलाः सर्वे दंष्ट्रानखायुधाः।  
> सर्वे विकृतचित्राङ्गाः सर्वे च विकृताननाः॥ ४६॥

All had their tails lifted up in an unnatural way (on account of fury), all had teeth and nails for their weapons, their eyes etc., were distorted and looked strange, suffused as they were with blood, and their faces too were distorted through anger. (46)

> दशनागबलाः केचित् केचिद् दशगुणोत्तराः।  
> केचिन्नागसहस्रस्य बभूवुस्तुल्यविक्रमाः॥ ४७॥

Some monkeys were endowed with the strength of ten elephants, while others were ten times as strong as the latter; while still others were equal in prowess to a thousand elephants. (47)

> सन्ति चौघबलाः केचित् केचिच्छतगुणोत्तराः।  
> अप्रमेयबलाश्चान्ये तत्रासन् हरियूथपाः॥ ४८॥

Some commanders of monkey troops were endowed with the strength of an Ogha* of elephants, while others were a hundred times stronger than the latter. Still others possessed immeasurable strength. (48)

> अद्भुतश्च विचित्रश्च तेषामासीत् समागमः।  
> तत्र वानरसैन्यानां शलभानामिवोद्गमः॥ ४९॥

Marvellous and astonishing too was the gathering in that area of those monkey troops, which resembled a flight of locusts. (49)

> परिपूर्णमिवाकाशं सम्पूर्णेव च मेदिनी।  
> लङ्कामुपनिविष्टैश्च सम्पतद्भिश्च वानरैः॥ ५०॥

The air was completely filled, as it were, with the monkeys bounding towards Laṅkā and the land round about Laṅkā was fully covered as it were with those that were already stationed beneath its walls. (50)

> शतं शतसहस्राणां पृतनर्क्षवनौकसाम्।  
> लङ्काद्वाराण्युपाजग्मुरन्ये योद्धुं समन्ततः॥ ५१॥

A hundred divisions of one lakh bears and monkeys each marched to the four gates of Laṅkā to reinforce those already posted there; while others proceeded to fight on every side. (51)

> आवृतः स गिरिः सर्वैस्तैः समन्तात् प्लवङ्गमैः।  
> अयुतानां सहस्रं च पुरीं तामभ्यवर्तत॥ ५२॥

The said mountain (the Trikūṭa mountain, on which Laṅkā had been built) was surrounded on all sides by all the aforesaid monkeys; while a crore of them ranged round that city in order to collect information about the monkeys assembled at the gates. (52)

> वानरैर्बलवद्भिश्च बभूव द्रुमपाणिभिः।  
> सर्वतः संवृता लङ्का दुष्प्रवेशापि वायुना॥ ५३॥

Nay, surrounded on all sides by mighty monkeys with uprooted trees in their hands, Laṅkā was difficult to penetrate even for the wind. (53)

> राक्षसा विस्मयं जग्मुः सहसाभिनिपीडिताः।  
> वानरैर्मेघसंकाशैः शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमैः॥ ५४॥

Besieged all of a sudden by monkeys, who resembled clouds in colour and equalled Indra (the ruler of gods) in prowess, the ogres gave way to wonder. (54)

> महाञ्छब्दोऽभवत् तत्र बलौघस्याभिवर्ततः।  
> सागरस्येव भिन्नस्य यथा स्यात् सलिलस्वनः॥ ५५॥

Even as the stream in the form of the monkey troops was advancing towards Laṅkā, there arose from it on the summit of Mount Trikūṭa a noise just like a roar in the water when an ocean transgresses its bounds. (55)

> तेन शब्देन महता सप्राकारा सतोरणा।  
> लङ्का प्रचलिता सर्वा सशैलवनकानना॥ ५६॥

At this tumult, the entire Laṅkā with its defensive walls, archways, mountains, woods and forests violently shook. (56)

> रामलक्ष्मणगुप्ता सा सुग्रीवेण च वाहिनी।  
> बभूव दुर्धर्षतरा सर्वैरपि सुरासुरैः॥ ५७॥

Protected by Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and directed by Sugrīva, the aforesaid army of monkeys was exceedingly difficult to assail even for all the gods and the demons combined. (57)

> राघवः संनिवेश्यैवं स्वसैन्यं रक्षसां वधे।  
> सम्मन्त्र्य मन्त्रिभिः सार्धं निश्चित्य च पुनः पुनः॥ ५८॥  
> आनन्तर्यमभिप्रेप्सुः क्रमयोगार्थतत्त्ववित्।  
> विभीषणस्यानुमते राजधर्ममनुस्मरन्॥ ५९॥  
> अङ्गदं वालितनयं समाहूयेदमब्रवीत्।  
> गत्वा सौम्य दशग्रीवं ब्रूहि मद्वचनात् कपे॥ ६०॥  
> लङ्घयित्वा पुरीं लङ्कां भयं त्यक्त्वा गतव्यथः।  
> भ्रष्टश्रीकं गतैश्वर्यं मुमूर्षानष्टचेतनम्॥ ६१॥

Having thus drawn up his army in battle array with a view to the destruction of ogres, repeatedly deliberated at length with his counsellors and arrived at a decision, nay, calling to mind the duty of kings and duly summoning Aṅgada, the son of Vālī. Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, who was eager to undertake what was to be done next, nay, who knew the truth about the consequences of the four expedients to be used against an enemy in the shape of conciliation, gift, sowing dissension and punishment, employed in succession, and who acted in concurrence with Vibhīṣaṇa, spoke as follows: “Crossing over the walls to the city of Laṅkā, and approaching Rāvaṇa (the ten-headed monster), who has fallen from fortune, has lost his sovereignty and has been deprived of his wit because of his inclination to die, nay, shaking off fear and free from perturbation, admonish him on my behalf, O gentle monkey, in the following words: (58—61)

> ऋषीणां देवतानां च गन्धर्वाप्सरसां तथा।  
> नागानामथ यक्षाणां राज्ञां च रजनीचर॥ ६२॥  
> यच्च पापं कृतं मोहादवलिप्तेन राक्षस।  
> नूनं ते विगतो दर्पः स्वयंभूवरदानजः।  
> तस्य पापस्य सम्प्राप्ता व्युष्टिरद्य दुरासदा॥ ६३॥

“The period of retribution, which is dangerous to approach, has now duly arrived for the sins that have been committed by you through ignorance against Ṛṣis (seers of Vedic Mantras) and gods as well as against Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and celestial nymphs, as also against Nāgas (a class of semi-divine beings credited with a human face and serpent-like lower extremities ), Yakṣas (a species of demigods) and human kings, conceited as you were, O ranger of the night! Surely your arrogance begotten of the boon that was conferred on you by Brahmā (the self-born creator) has gone asunder, O ogre! (62-63)

> यस्य दण्डधरस्तेऽहं दाराहरणकर्शितः।  
> दण्डं धारयमाणस्तु लङ्काद्वारे व्यवस्थितः॥ ६४॥

“Wielding the rod of punishment, I, your chastiser, for my part have taken up my position firmly at the gates of Laṅkā, emaciated as I am due to the abduction of my consort. (64)

> पदवीं देवतानां च महर्षीणां च राक्षस।  
> राजर्षीणां च सर्वेषां गमिष्यसि युधि स्थिरः॥ ६५॥

“Remaining firm in combat and giving up the ghost while fighting, you shall reach the destiny of gods and eminent Ṛṣis (seers of Vedic Mantras) as well as of all royal sages, O ogre! (65)

> बलेन येन वै सीतां मायया राक्षसाधम।  
> मामतिक्रमयित्वा त्वं हृतवांस्तन्निदर्शय॥ ६६॥

“Display, O the vilest of ogres, the strength by virtue of which you actually bore away Sītā after putting me off the scent by recourse to deception. (66)

> अराक्षसमिमं लोकं कर्तास्मि निशितैः शरैः।  
> न चेच्छरणमभ्येषि तामादाय तु मैथिलीम्॥ ६७॥

“I shall rid this world of ogres with my sharp arrows if you, for your part, do not seek me as a protector taking with you the aforesaid princess of Mithilā. (67)

> धर्मात्मा राक्षसश्रेष्ठः सम्प्राप्तोऽयं विभीषणः।  
> लङ्कैश्वर्यमिदं श्रीमान् ध्रुवं प्राप्नोत्यकण्टकम्॥ ६८॥

“Vibhīṣaṇa, the foremost of ogres, whose mind is set on virtue, has also arrived with me here. The glorious ogre shall undoubtedly attain the sovereignty of Laṅkā without opposition. (68)

> नहि राज्यमधर्मेण भोक्तुं क्षणमपि त्वया।  
> शक्यं मूर्खसहायेन पापेनाविदितात्मना॥ ६९॥

“Surely sovereignty cannot be enjoyed even a moment longer through unrighteousness by you, a sinner, with fools as your helpmates and by whom the Self has not been realized. (69)

> युध्यस्व मा धृतिं कृत्वा शौर्यमालम्ब्य राक्षस।  
> मच्छरैस्त्वं रणे शान्तस्ततः पूतो भविष्यसि॥ ७०॥

“Taking recourse to firmness and embracing gallantry, meet me in combat, O ogre! Getting extinct on the field of battle through my arrows, you will be purified thereby. (70)

> यद्याविशसि लोकांस्त्रीन् पक्षीभूतो निशाचर।  
> मम चक्षुःपथं प्राप्य न जीवन् प्रतियास्यसि॥ ७१॥

“Entering the range of my sight, you shall never return alive even if you range all the three worlds in the form of a bird, O prowler of the night! (71)

> ब्रवीमि त्वां हितं वाक्यं क्रियतामौर्ध्वदेहिकम्।  
> सुदृष्टा क्रियतां लङ्का जीवितं ते मयि स्थितम्॥ ७२॥

“I tender this salutary advice to you: let obsequies be performed by yourself for the benefit of your soul in advance; for no ogre will be letft in the world to perform obsequies for your departed soul, and let Laṅkā be adequately seen by you for the last time; for your life is now dependent on me!” (72)

> इत्युक्तः स तु तारेयो रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा।  
> जगामाकाशमाविश्य मूर्तिमानिव हव्यवाट्॥ ७३॥

Ascending in the air when counselled in these words by Śrī Rāma, who was unwearied in action, Aṅgada (son of Tārā) for his part, who resembled fire-incarnate, left for Laṅkā. (73)

> सोऽतिपत्य मुहूर्तेन श्रीमान् रावणमन्दिरम्।  
> ददर्शासीनमव्यग्रं रावणं सचिवैः सह॥ ७४॥

Crossing over the walls to the palace of Rāvaṇa in a moment, the glorious Aṅgada saw Rāvaṇa sitting unperturbed in the company of his ministers. (74)

> ततस्तस्याविदूरेण निपत्य हरिपुंगवः।  
> दीप्ताग्निसदृशस्तस्थावङ्गदः कनकाङ्गदः॥ ७५॥

Descending at a short distance from him, Aṅgada, a veritable bull among the monkeys, who was adorned with armlets of gold, now stood like a blazing fire. (75)

> तद् रामवचनं सर्वमन्यूनाधिकमुत्तमम्।  
> सामात्यं श्रावयामास निवेद्यात्मानमात्मना॥ ७६॥

Having made himself known through himself, he delivered to Rāvaṇa with his ministers in toto the excellent message of Śrī Rāma, neither subtracting nor adding anything of his own. (76)

> दूतोऽहं कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः।  
> वालिपुत्रोऽङ्गदो नाम यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः॥ ७७॥

He spoke as follows: “I am an envoy of Śrī Rāma, the king of Kosala, who is unwearied in action, Aṅgada by name, son of Vālī—I wonder if my name has ever reached your ears. (77)

> आह त्वां राघवो रामः कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः।  
> निष्पत्य प्रतियुध्यस्व नृशंस पुरुषो भव॥ ७८॥

“Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, who enhances the joy of his mother, Kausalyā, speaks to you as follows: ‘Prove to be a man, O ruthless ogre, and, sallying forth, give battle to me. (78)

> हन्तास्मि त्वां सहामात्यं सपुत्रज्ञातिबान्धवम्।  
> निरुद्विग्नास्त्रयो लोका भविष्यन्ति हते त्वयि॥ ७९॥

“ ‘I shall make short work of you with your ministers, sons, relations and kinsfolk. All the three worlds will be rid of fear on your being killed. (79)

> देवदानवयक्षाणां गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम्।  
> शत्रुमद्योद्धरिष्यामि त्वामृषीणां च कण्टकम्॥ ८०॥

“ ‘I shall presently uproot you, an enemy of gods, demons and Yakṣas (a class of demigods), Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Nāgas (a class of semi-divine beings credited with the head of a man and the lower extremities of a serpent) and ogres and a virtual thorn in the side of Ṛṣis (the seers of Vedic Mantras). (80)

> विभीषणस्य चैश्वर्यं भविष्यति हते त्वयि।  
> न चेत् सत्कृत्य वैदेहीं प्रणिपत्य प्रदास्यसि॥ ८१॥

“ ‘Nay, unless you return Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) after paying homage to her and bowing down respectfully to me, the royal fortune will descend to Vibhīṣaṇa on your being killed.’ ” (81)

> इत्येवं परुषं वाक्यं ब्रुवाणे हरिपुङ्गवे।  
> अमर्षवशमापन्नो निशाचरगणेश्वरः॥ ८२॥

While Aṅgada, a bull among the monkeys, was making the foregoing harsh speech, Rāvaṇa, the ruler of hordes of ogres, was seized with fury. (82)

> ततः स रोषमापन्नः शशास सचिवांस्तदा।  
> गृह्यतामिति दुर्मेधा वध्यतामिति चासकृत्॥ ८३॥

Swayed by passion, Rāvaṇa, thereupon repeatedly commanded his ministers in the following words at that moment: “Let this evil-minded monkey be seized and put to death.” (83)

> रावणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दीप्ताग्निमिव तेजसा।  
> जगृहुस्तं ततो घोराश्चत्वारो रजनीचराः॥ ८४॥

Hearing the command of Rāvaṇa, four terrible rangers of the night presently seized Aṅgada, who resembled a blazing fire in brilliance. (84)

> ग्राहयामास तारेयः स्वयमात्मानमात्मवान्।  
> बलं दर्शयितुं वीरो यातुधानगणे तदा॥ ८५॥

In order to exhibit his strength before the host of ogres on that occasion, the resolute and valiant Aṅgada (son of Tārā) voluntarily allowed himself to be seized by the ogres. (85)

> स तान् बाहुद्वयासक्तानादाय पतगानिव।  
> प्रासादं शैलसंकाशमुत्पपाताङ्गदस्तदा॥ ८६॥

Taking with him the four ogres clung to his arms like so many birds, the aforesaid Aṅgada then leapt on to the roof of the palace, which stood like a mountain. (86)

> तस्योत्पतनवेगेन निर्धूतास्तत्र राक्षसाः।  
> भूमौ निपतिताः सर्वे राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पश्यतः॥ ८७॥

Violently shaken by the impetuosity of his bound, all the four ogres fell to the ground, while Rāvaṇa (the ruler of ogres) stood looking on. (87)

> ततः प्रासादशिखरं शैलशृङ्गमिवोन्नतम्।  
> चक्राम राक्षसेन्द्रस्य वालिपुत्रः प्रतापवान्॥ ८८॥

Thereupon the glorious Aṅgada, son of Vālī, set his feet on the top of the palace of Rāvaṇa (the ruler of ogres), which was lofty as a mountain-peak. (88)

> पफाल च तदाक्रान्तं दशग्रीवस्य पश्यतः।  
> पुरा हिमवतः शृङ्गं वज्रेणेव विदारितम्॥ ८९॥

Nay, trampled by Aṅgada, the top of the palace cleft asunder—even as a peak of the Himalayan range did of yore when riven by the thunderbolt—while Rāvaṅa, the ten-headed monster, stood gazing on.(89)

> भङ्क्त्वा प्रासादशिखरं नाम विश्राव्य चात्मनः।  
> विनद्य सुमहानादमुत्पपात विहायसा॥ ९०॥

Having shattered the top of the palace, nay, proclaiming his own name, and emitting a terrible roar, Aṅgada rose into the air. (90)

> व्यथयन् राक्षसान् सर्वान् हर्षयंश्चापि वानरान्।  
> स वानराणां मध्ये तु रामपार्श्वमुपागतः॥ ९१॥

Causing pain to all the ogres and delighting the monkeys at the same time, Aṅgada for his part returned to the presence of Śrī Rāma in the midst of the monkeys. (91)

> रावणस्तु परं चक्रे क्रोधं प्रासादधर्षणात्।  
> विनाशं चात्मनः पश्यन् निःश्वासपरमोऽभवत्॥ ९२॥

Rāvaṇa, on the other hand, exhibited great anger at the assault on his palace. Nay, foreseeing his own destruction, he gave himself up to sighing. (92)

> रामस्तु बहुभिर्हृष्टैर्विनदद्भिः प्लवङ्गमैः।  
> वृतो रिपुवधाकाङ् क्षी युद्धायैवाभ्यवर्तत॥ ९३॥

Surrounded by numerous monkeys, who were roaring jubilantly, Śrī Rāma for his part, who was keen to destroy his enemy, pressed on for war alone. (93)

> सुषेणस्तु महावीर्यो गिरिकूटोपमो हरिः।  
> बहुभिः संवृतस्तत्र वानरैः कामरूपिभिः॥ ९४॥

The monkey, Suṣeṇa, for his part, who was endowed with extraordinary virility and looked like a mountain-peak in size, stood close to Laṅkā, surrounded by numerous monkeys who were able to change their form at will. (94)

> स तु द्वाराणि संयम्य सुग्रीववचनात् कपिः।  
> पर्यक्रामत दुर्धर्षो नक्षत्राणीव चन्द्रमाः॥ ९५॥

Controlling all the four gates of Laṅkā, the monkey for his part, who was hard to overcome, patrolled under orders of Sugrīva all the entrances even as the moon moves amidst the lunar mansions. (95)

> तेषामक्षौहिणिशतं समवेक्ष्य वनौकसाम्।  
> लङ्कामुपनिविष्टानां सागरं चाभिवर्तताम्॥ ९६॥  
> राक्षसा विस्मयं जग्मुस्त्रासं जग्मुस्तथापरे।  
> अपरे समरे हर्षाद्धर्षमेवोपपेदिरे॥ ९७॥

The ogres were wonderstruck to observe a hundred Akṣauhiṇīs of the aforesaid monkeys, stationed round about Laṅkā, laying siege to it, and extending up to the sea; nay, others gay way to alarm; while still others, recalling the joys of war, experienced joy alone at the prospect of fighting. (96-97)

> कृत्स्नं हि कपिभिर्व्याप्तं प्राकारपरिखान्तरम्।  
> ददृशू राक्षसा दीनाः प्राकारं वानरीकृतम्।  
> हाहाकारमकुर्वन्त राक्षसा भयमागताः॥ ९८॥

The entire space between the defensive walls and the surrounding moat was actually filled with monkeys. The downcast ogres saw the defensive walls converted, as it were, into monkeys themselves. Overwhelmed with fear, they raised an outcry of distress. (98)

> तस्मिन् महाभीषणके प्रवृत्ते  
> कोलाहले राक्षसराजयोधाः।  
> प्रगृह्य रक्षांसि महायुधानि  
> युगान्तवाता इव संविचेरुः॥ ९९॥

Seizing hold of mighty weapons, when that most appalling tumult had set in, the soldiers of Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, rushed like the winds raging at the dissolution of the worlds. (99)

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