---
title: "Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 88"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/yuddha-kanda/sarga-88"
lang: "en"
---

# Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 88

> विभीषणवचः श्रुत्वा रावणिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः।  
> अब्रवीत् परुषं वाक्यं क्रोधेनाभ्युत्पपात च॥ १॥

Filled with anger on hearing the reply of Vibhīṣaṇa, Indrajit (son of Rāvaṇa) spoke harsh words again in fury. (1)

> उद्यतायुधनिस्त्रिंशो रथे सुसमलंकृते।  
> कालाश्वयुक्ते महति स्थितः कालान्तकोपमः॥ २॥  
> महाप्रमाणमुद्यम्य विपुलं वेगवद् दृढम्।  
> धनुर्भीमबलो भीमं शरांश्चामित्रनाशनान्॥ ३॥

Lifting his enormous, strong and terrible bow of considerable length, which was endowed with great momentum, and arrows which were capable of destroying the enemy, the ogre, who was endowed with terrible might and was seated in a huge chariot artistically decorated and drawn by black horses with his sword and other weapons upraised, looked like Death, the destroyer of all. (2-3)

> तं ददर्श महेष्वासो रथस्थः समलंकृतः।  
> अलंकृतममित्रघ्नो रावणस्यात्मजो बली॥ ४॥  
> हनूमत्पृष्ठमारूढमुदयस्थरविप्रभम्।  
> उवाचैनं सुसंरब्धः सौमित्रिं सविभीषणम्॥ ५॥  
> तांश्च वानरशार्दूलान् पश्यध्वं मे पराक्रमम्।  
> अद्य मत्कार्मुकोत्सृष्टं शरवर्षं दुरासदम्॥ ६॥  
> मुक्तवर्षमिवाकाशे धारयिष्यथ संयुगे।  
> अद्य वो मामका बाणा महाकार्मुकनिःसृताः।  
> विधमिष्यन्ति गात्राणि तूलराशिमिवानलः॥ ७॥

The mighty Indrajit (son of Rāvaṇa), the destroyer of his enemies, who was armed with a large bow and was seated in a chariot and fully adorned, beheld Lakṣmaṇa, who, mounted on the shoulders of Hanumān and embellished by his own splendour, shone like the sun appearing on the eastern hill. Highly enraged, he spoke as follows to Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā), accompanied by Vibhīṣaṇa, as well as to those tigers among the monkeys: “Behold my prowess. You will forthwith sustain on the battlefield today a hail of shafts discharged from my bow, which will be difficult to approach like a shower poured by clouds in the air. Today my arrows shot from this mighty bow will consume your bodies as fire would consume a pile of cotton. (4—7)

> तीक्ष्णसायकनिर्भिन्नान् शूलशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः।  
> अद्य वो गमयिष्यामि सर्वानेव यमक्षयम्॥ ८॥

“Armed with pikes, javelins and lances, I shall dispatch you all, once you are pierced with my sharp arrows, to the abode of Yama (the god of retribution) today. (8)

> सृजतः शरवर्षाणि क्षिप्रहस्तस्य संयुगे।  
> जीमूतस्येव नदतः कः स्थास्यति ममाग्रतः॥ ९॥

“Who dare stand before me as I shot hails of shafts on the battlefield with a swift hand, thundering like a cloud? (9)

> रात्रियुद्धे तदा पूर्वं वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः।  
> शायितौ तौ मया भूयो विसंज्ञौ सपुरःसरौ॥ १०॥

“Formerly in the course of a night engagement on that day you two celebrated princes were laid low by me with my shafts, which were equal to the thunderbolt and the weapon Aśani, and then lay unconscious with your leading warriors, Sugrīva and others. (10)

> स्मृतिर्नतेऽस्ति वा मन्ये व्यक्तं यातो यमक्षयम्।  
> आशीविषसमं क्रुद्धं यन्मां योद्धुमुपस्थितः॥ ११॥

“Since, however, you are here to give battle to me, enraged as I am like a venomous serpent, I presume the thought of it no longer exists in your mind or evidently you are on the road to the abode of Yama.” (11)

> तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य गर्जितं राघवस्तदा।  
> अभीतवदनः क्रुद्धो रावणिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ १२॥

Enraged to hear the foregoing braggadocio of Indrajit, a ruler of the ogres, Lakṣmaṇa, a scion of Raghu, replied as follows to the son of Rāvaṇa with an intrepid mien. (12)

> उक्तश्च दुर्गमः पारः कार्याणां राक्षस त्वया।  
> कार्याणां कर्मणा पारं यो गच्छति स बुद्धिमान्॥ १३॥

“The successful conclusion of your undertakings has been proclaimed by you, O ogre, even though it is difficult to achieve. He alone is clever, who carries through his undertakings indeed, and not in words alone. (13)

> स त्वमर्थस्य हीनार्थो दुरवापस्य केनचित्।  
> वाचा व्याहृत्य जानीषे कृतार्थोऽस्मीति दुर्मते॥ १४॥

“Proclaiming through words alone the achievement of your end in the shape of worsting me, which is difficult to attain for anyone; though lacking in the capacity to achieve your purpose, you think that you have accomplished your end, O evil-minded one! (14)

> अन्तर्धानगतेनाजौ यत्त्वया चरितस्तदा।  
> तस्कराचरितो मार्गो नैष वीरनिषेवितः॥ १५॥

“The path which was adopted by you, viz., remaining invisible on the battlefield, is the one trodden by thieves; it is not the path chosen by heroes. (15)

> यथा बाणपथं प्राप्य स्थितोऽस्मि तव राक्षस।  
> दर्शयस्वाद्य तत्तेजो वाचा त्वं किं विकत्थसे॥ १६॥

“Having reached the range of your shafts, I duly stand before you, O ogre! Exhibit your well-known prowess today. Why should you brag with your tongue?” (16)

> एवमुक्तो धनुर्भीमं परामृश्य महाबलः।  
> ससर्ज निशितान् बाणानिन्द्रजित् समितिंजयः॥ १७॥

Seizing hold of his dreaded bow when challenged thus by Lakṣmaṇa, Indrajit, who was endowed with extraordinary might and was ever victorious in combat, discharged whetted arrows on his adversary. (17)

> तेन सृष्टा महावेगाः शराः सर्पविषोपमाः।  
> सम्प्राप्य लक्ष्मणं पेतुः श्वसन्त इव पन्नगाः॥ १८॥

Duly reaching Lakṣmaṇa, the arrows discharged by Indrajit, which flew with great velocity and were deadly as the venom of snakes, hit Lakṣmaṇa, hissing like serpents. (18)

> शरैरतिमहावेगैर्वेगवान् रावणात्मजः।  
> सौमित्रिमिन्द्रजिद् युद्धे विव्याध शुभलक्षणम्॥ १९॥

With the aforesaid arrows of extreme velocity the impetuous Indrajit, sprung from the loins of Rāvaṇa, pierced in combat Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā), who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks. (19)

> स शरैरतिविद्धाङ्गो रुधिरेण समुक्षितः।  
> शुशुभे लक्ष्मणः श्रीमान् विधूम इव पावकः॥ २०॥

Bathed in blood, his limbs cruelly pierced with arrows, the said glorious Lakṣmaṇa shone like a smokeless flame. (20)

> इन्द्रजित् त्वात्मनः कर्म प्रसमीक्ष्याभिगम्य च।  
> विनद्य सुमहानादमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ २१॥

Contemplating his own feat, nay, approaching Lakṣmaṇa and emitting an exceedingly loud cry, Indrajit for his part spoke to him as follows: (21)

> पत्रिणः शितधारास्ते शरा मत्कार्मुकच्युताः।  
> आदास्यन्तेऽद्य सौमित्रे जीवितं जीवितान्तकाः॥ २२॥

“The sharp-pointed and deadly arrows discharged from my bow provided as they are with feathers will take your life today, O son of Sumitrā! (22)

> अद्य गोमायुसङ्घाश्च श्येनसङ्घाश्च लक्ष्मण।  
> गृध्राश्च निपतन्तु त्वां गतासुं निहतं मया॥ २३॥

“Let packs of jackals and hawks as well as vultures descend upon you when, struck by me, you have fallen dead. (23)

> क्षत्रबन्धुं सदानार्यं रामः परमदुर्मतिः।  
> भक्तं भ्रातरमद्यैव त्वां द्रक्ष्यति हतं मया॥ २४॥

“The extremely stupid Rāma will see you, his devoted younger brother, a Kṣatriya in name only, ever ignoble, killed by me this very day. (24)

> विस्रस्तकवचं भूमौ व्यपविद्धशरासनम्।  
> हृतोत्तमाङ्गं सौमित्रे त्वामद्य निहतं मया॥ २५॥

“He will find you with your armour fallen on the ground, your bow thrown about and your head severed when struck down by me today, O son of Sumitrā!” (25)

> इति ब्रुवाणं संक्रुद्धः परुषं रावणात्मजम्।  
> हेतुमद् वाक्यमर्थज्ञो लक्ष्मणः प्रत्युवाच ह॥ २६॥

To Indrajit (sprung from the loins of Rāvaṇa), who was speaking harshly as aforesaid, Lakṣmaṇa, who knew his purpose and felt highly enraged, gave the following logical answer: so the tradition goes: (26)

> वाग्बलं त्यज दुर्बुद्धे क्रूरकर्मन् हि राक्षस।  
> अथ कस्माद् वदस्येतत् सम्पादय सुकर्मणा॥ २७॥

“Give up strength of speech in the shape of empty words, O evil-minded ogre of cruel deeds! Now why do you indulge in such idle talk? Accomplish what you say in well-executed action. (27)

> अकृत्वा कत्थसे कर्म किमर्थमिह राक्षस।  
> कुरु तत् कर्म येनाहं श्रद्धेयं तव कत्थनम्॥ २८॥

“Wherefore do you brag without accomplishing a feat, O ogre? Accomplish that deed of which you boast so that I may believe your braggadocio. (28)

> अनुक्त्वा परुषं वाक्यं किंचिदप्यनवक्षिपन्।  
> अविकत्थन् वधिष्यामि त्वां पश्य पुरुषादन॥ २९॥

“Lo! I shall kill you, O devourer of human beings, without offering a harsh remark against you, reviling you in the least or playing the braggart.” (29)

> इत्युक्त्वा पञ्च नाराचानाकर्णापूरितान् शरान्।  
> विजघान महावेगाल्लक्ष्मणो राक्षसोरसि॥ ३०॥

Saying so, Lakṣmaṇa dug into the ogre’s breast with great impetuosity five steel arrows drawn with the bowstring up to the ear. (30)

> सुपत्रवाजिता बाणा ज्वलिता इव पन्नगाः।  
> नैर्ऋतोरस्यभासन्त सवितू रश्मयो यथा॥ ३१॥

The arrows shot by Lakṣmaṇa, which had been rendered swift by beautiful feathers fixed at their end and looked like flaming serpents, shone in the ogre’s breast like the rays of the sun. (31)

> स शरैराहतस्तेन सरोषो रावणात्मजः।  
> सुप्रयुक्तैस्त्रिभिर्बाणैः प्रतिविव्याध लक्ष्मणम्॥ ३२॥

Roused to anger when struck with arrows by Lakṣmaṇa, Indrajit, sprung from the loins of Rāvaṇa, pierced Lakṣmaṇa in return with three well-aimed arrows. (32)

> स बभूव महाभीमो नरराक्षससिंहयोः।  
> विमर्दस्तुमुलो युद्धे परस्परजयैषिणोः॥ ३३॥

The aforesaid struggle between Lakṣmaṇa, a lion among men, and Indrajit, a lion among ogres, who sought to gain a victory over the other in combat, was most dreadful and tumultuous. (33)

> विक्रान्तौ बलसम्पन्नावुभौ विक्रमशालिनौ।  
> उभौ परमदुर्जेयावतुल्यबलतेजसौ॥ ३४॥

Valiant and richly endowed with strength, both were distinguished for their prowess. Nay, peerless in might and courage, both were exceedingly difficult to conquer. (34)

> युयुधाते तदा वीरौ ग्रहाविव नभोगतौ।  
> बलवृत्राविव हि तौ युधि वै दुष्प्रधर्षणौ॥ ३५॥

The two heroes strove at that moment like two planets figuring in the heavens. Indeed, the two were actually difficult to overcome in combat like Indra and the demon Vṛtra. (35)

> युयुधाते महात्मानौ तदा केसरिणाविव।  
> बहूनवसृजन्तौ हि मार्गणौघानवस्थितौ।  
> नरराक्षसमुख्यौ तौ प्रहृष्टावभ्ययुध्यताम्॥ ३६॥

The two warriors, who were endowed with extraordinary courage, fought at that time like two lions. Standing firmly while discharging numerous streams of arrows, the aforesaid jewels among human beings and ogres, respectively, actually strove with extreme ardour. (36)

> ततः शरान् दाशरथिः संधायामित्रकर्षणः।  
> ससर्ज राक्षसेन्द्राय क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन्॥ ३७॥

Putting arrows to his bow, nay hissing like an enraged serpent, Lakṣmaṇa (son of Daśaratha), the scourge of his enemies, thereupon shot arrows aiming at Indrajit, a ruler of the ogres. (37)

> तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं स श्रुत्वा राक्षसाधिपः।  
> विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा लक्ष्मणं समुदैक्षत॥ ३८॥

Growing pale-faced on hearing the twang of the bowstring of Lakṣmaṇa produced by the action of his palm, Indrajit, the aforesaid ruler of ogres, fixed his gaze on Lakṣmaṇa. (38)

> विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं रावणात्मजम्।  
> सौमित्रिं युद्धसंयुक्तं प्रत्युवाच विभीषणः॥ ३९॥

Seeing the ogre sprung from the loins of Rāvaṇa pale-faced, Vibhīṣaṇa spoke as follows to Sumitrā’s son, fully engaged in combat: (39)

> निमित्तान्युपपश्यामि यान्यस्मिन् रावणात्मजे।  
> त्वर तेन महाबाहो भग्न एष न संशयः॥ ४०॥

“I conclude on the strength of the indications, such as pallor on the face, which I perceive in this offspring of Rāvaṇa that he is already reduced to despair: there is no doubt about it. Therefore, make haste to dispatch him, O mighty-armed prince!” (40)

> ततः संधाय सौमित्रिः शरानाशीविषोपमान्।  
> मुमोच विशिखांस्तस्मिन् सर्पानिव विषोल्बणान्॥ ४१॥

Fitting to his bow arrows resembling venomous snakes, the son of Sumitrā thereupon shot those shafts, which resembled serpents full of venom, aiming at Indrajit. (41)

> शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शैर्लक्ष्मणेनाहतः शरैः।  
> मुहूर्तमभवन्मूढः सर्वसंक्षुभितेन्द्रियः॥ ४२॥

Struck by Lakṣmaṇa with arrows, which impinged on the body like Indra’s thunderbolt, Indrajit stood stupefied awhile, all his senses fully excited. (42)

> उपलभ्य मुहूर्तेन संज्ञां प्रत्यागतेन्द्रियः।  
> ददर्शावस्थितं वीरमाजौ दशरथात्मजम्।  
> सोऽभिचक्राम सौमित्रिं रोषात् संरक्तलोचनः॥ ४३॥

Regaining his consciousness after a while, his senses having returned to normalcy, Indrajit beheld the valiant Lakṣmaṇa (sprung from the loins of Daśaratha) standing immovable on the field of battle and advanced towards the son of Sumitrā, his eyes having turned crimson with anger. (43)

> अब्रवीच्चैनमासाद्य पुनः स परुषं वचः।  
> किं न स्मरसि तद् युद्धे प्रथमे मत्पराक्रमम्।  
> निबद्धस्त्वं सह भ्रात्रा यदा युधि विचेष्टसे॥ ४४॥

Nay, approaching Lakṣmaṇa, he spoke harsh words to him again as follows: “Don’t you remember my prowess in that first encounter with me, when I bound you with your brother and you writhed on the battlefield? (44)

> युवां खलु महायुद्धे वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः।  
> शायितौ प्रथमं भूमौ विसंज्ञौ सपुरःसरौ॥ ४५॥

“Formerly in the course of a major conflict you two brothers were laid low with my arrows, which were equal to thunderbolts and the weapon Aśani, and lay unconscious on the ground with your foremost warriors. (45)

> स्मृतिर्वा नास्ति ते मन्ये व्यक्तं वा यमसादनम्।  
> गन्तुमिच्छसि यन्मां त्वमाधर्षयितुमिच्छसि॥ ४६॥

“Or, I presume the thought of it no longer exists in your mind or you evidently desire to proceed to the abode of Yama, the god of retribution, since you seek to overpower me. (46)

> यदि ते प्रथमे युद्धे न दृष्टो मत्पराक्रमः।  
> अद्य त्वां दर्शयिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं व्यवस्थितः॥ ४७॥

“If my prowess was not witnessed by you at our first encounter, I will demonstrate it to you today. Remain immovably fixed on this spot now.” (47)

> इत्युक्त्वा सप्तभिर्बाणैरभिविव्याध लक्ष्मणम्।  
> दशभिस्तु हनूमन्तं तीक्ष्णधारैः शरोत्तमैः॥ ४८॥

Saying so, Indrajit pierced Lakṣmaṇa with seven shafts and Hanumān with ten excellent sharp-edged arrows. (48)

> ततः शरशतेनैव सुप्रयुक्तेन वीर्यवान्।  
> क्रोधाद् द्विगुणसंरब्धो निर्बिभेद विभीषणम्॥ ४९॥

Doubly enraged, the valiant ogre then pierced Vibhīṣaṇa in fury with a hundred well-aimed arrows. (49)

> तद् दृष्ट्वेन्द्रजिता कर्म कृतं रामानुजस्तदा।  
> अचिन्तयित्वा प्रहसन्नैतत् किंचिदिति ब्रुवन्॥ ५०॥  
> मुमोच च शरान् घोरान् संगृह्य नरपुंगवः।  
> अभीतवदनः क्रुद्धो रावणिं लक्ष्मणो युधि॥ ५१॥

Seeing the aforesaid feat accomplished by Indrajit, yet not minding it, nay, laughing heartily and saying: “This is nothing!”, and taking up dreadful shafts, Lakṣmaṇa, a younger brother of Śrī Rāma and a bull among men, then shot them in anger at the son of Rāvaṇa on the field of battle with an intrepid mien. (50-51)

> नैवं रणगताः शूराः प्रहरन्ति निशाचर।  
> लघवश्चाल्पवीर्याश्च शरा हीमे सुखास्तव॥ ५२॥

“He said, “Heroes on the battlefield do not strike like this, O ranger of the night! Light and of little strength, these arrows of yours are indeed conducive to my delight. (52)

> नैवं शूरास्तु युध्यन्ते समरे युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः।  
> इत्येवं तं ब्रुवन् धन्वी शरैरभिववर्ष ह॥ ५३॥

“Champions seeking an encounter on the battlefield for their part do not fight in this way.” Speaking thus, the archer, Lakṣmaṇa, covered Indrajit with arrows, they say. (53)

> तस्य बाणैः सुविध्वस्तं कवचं काञ्चनं महत्।  
> व्यशीर्यत रथोपस्थे ताराजालमिवाम्बरात्॥ ५४॥

Completely shattered by the aforesaid shafts, the heavy golden armour of Indrajit fell to pieces in the interior of the chariot like a mass of stars from the heavens. (54)

> विधूतवर्मा नाराचैर्बभूव स कृतव्रणः।  
> इन्द्रजित् समरे वीरः प्रत्यूषे भानुमानिव॥ ५५॥

His coat of mail shattered by the steel arrows of Lakṣmaṇa, the aforesaid champion, Indrajit, was wounded in combat and bathed in blood looked like the morning sun. (55)

> ततः शरसहस्रेण संक्रुद्धो रावणात्मजः।  
> बिभेद समरे वीरो लक्ष्मणं भीमविक्रमः॥ ५६॥

Fully roused to anger, the heroic Indrajit (sprung from the loins of Rāvaṇa) of redoubtable prowess, pierced Lakṣmaṇa with a thousand arrows on the battlefield. (56)

> व्यशीर्यत महद्दिव्यं कवचं लक्ष्मणस्य तु।  
> कृतप्रतिकृतान्योन्यं बभूवतुररिंदमौ॥ ५७॥

The mighty and celestial armour of Lakṣmaṇa too got shattered. The two warriors, the tamers of their enemies, took the offensive and also retaliated. (57)

> अभीक्ष्णं निःश्वसन्तौ तौ युध्येतां तुमुलं युधि।  
> शरसंकृत्तसर्वाङ्गौ सर्वतो रुधिरोक्षितौ॥ ५८॥

Breathing heavily again and again, they fought vehemently on the battlefield, their limbs got lacerated by arrows and they were bathed all over in blood. (58)

> सुदीर्घकालं तौ वीरावन्योन्यं निशितैः शरैः।  
> ततक्षतुर्महात्मानौ रणकर्मविशारदौ।  
> बभूवतुश्चात्मजये यत्तौ भीमपराक्रमौ॥ ५९॥

For a pretty long time the two heroes of redoubtable prowess, who were endowed with extraordinary courage and were skilled in fighting, tore each other with whetted shafts and were strenuously engaged in securing victory each for himself. (59)

> तौ शरौघैस्तथाकीर्णौ निकृत्तकवचध्वजौ।  
> सृजन्तौ रुधिरं चोष्णं जलं प्रस्रवणाविव॥ ६०॥

Covered all over with arrows, which had stuck to their bodies, their armour and standards torn to pieces, they stood emitting hot blood as two waterfalls gushing hot water. (60)

> शरवर्षं ततो घोरं मुञ्चतोर्भीमनिःस्वनम्।  
> सासारयोरिवाकाशे नीलयोः कालमेघयोः॥ ६१॥  
> तयोरथ महान् कालो व्यतीयाद् युध्यमानयोः।  
> न च तौ युद्धवैमुख्यं क्लमं चाप्युपजग्मतुः॥ ६२॥

A considerable time slipped by while the two warriors fought, shooting a formidable hail of shafts with a dreadful clamour like two dark destructive clouds pouring a hard shower from the heavens. They, however, neither turned their back on the battlefield nor experienced any fatigue. (61-62)

> अस्त्राण्यस्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठौ दर्शयन्तौ पुनः पुनः।  
> शरानुच्चावचाकारानन्तरिक्षे बबन्धतुः॥ ६३॥

Displaying their missiles time and again, the two warriors, who were the foremost among those skilled in the use of missiles, set up as network of arrows, both large and small, in the airspace. (63)

> व्यपेतदोषमस्यन्तौ लघु चित्रं च सुष्ठु च।  
> उभौ तु तुमुलं घोरं चक्रतुर्नरराक्षसौ॥ ६४॥

Shooting their arrows with agility and grace in a wonderful way, which was entirely free from reproach, both the man and the ogre for their part carried on a vehement and formidable struggle. (64)

> तयोः पृथक् पृथग् भीमः शुश्रुवे तलनिस्वनः।  
> स कम्पं जनयामास निर्घात इव दारुणः॥ ६५॥

The appalling sound produced by the impact of the palms of the two warriors on their bowstrings could be heard apart. Like a violent thunderstorm it made people tremble. (65)

> तयोः स भ्राजते शब्दस्तथा समरमत्तयोः।  
> सुघोरयोर्निष्टनतोर्गगने मेघयोरिव॥ ६६॥

The aforementioned clamour of those two warriors, who were engaged in action, as aforesaid, resembled the rumbling of two dreadful thundering clouds in the sky. (66)

> सुवर्णपुंखैर्नाराचैर्बलवन्तौ कृतव्रणौ।  
> प्रसुस्रुवाते रुधिरं कीर्तिमन्तौ जये धृतौ॥ ६७॥

Wounded with golden-shafted steel arrows, the two mighty and glorious warriors, who were determined to gain victory over one another, were profusely giving out blood.(67)

> ते गात्रयोर्निपतिता रुक्मपुंखाः शरा युधि।  
> असृग्दिग्धा विनिष्पेतुर्विविशुर्धरणीतलम्॥ ६८॥

Struck on the bodies of each other, the golden-shafted arrows shot by the two warriors, dropped (through their bodies) on the field of battle, covered with blood, and penetrated into the earth’s surface. (68)

> अन्ये सुनिशितैः शस्त्रैराकाशे संजघट्टिरे।  
> बभञ्जुश्चिच्छिदुश्चैव तयोर्बाणाः सहस्रशः॥ ६९॥

Other arrows of the two warriors clashed in thousands in the air with duly whetted weapons of the adversary and shattered and tore them. (69)

> स बभूव रणो घोरस्तयोर्बाणमयश्चयः।  
> अग्निभ्यामिव दीप्ताभ्यां सत्रे कुशमयश्चयः॥ ७०॥

That struggle between the two warriors turned out to be formidable. The mass of arrows strewn over the battlefield in that struggle appeared like a mass of the sacred Kuśa grass spread on the altar by the side of two flaming fires viz., Gārhapatya and Āhavanīya fire at a sacrifice. (70)

> तयोः कृतव्रणौ देहौ शुशुभाते महात्मनोः।  
> सुपुष्पाविव निष्पत्रौ वने किंशुकशाल्मली॥ ७१॥

The wounded bodies of those two warriors, endowed with extraordinary courage, shone like Kiṁśuka flowers and Śālmalī (silk-cotton) trees in full blossom and shorn of their leaves in a forest. (71)

> चक्रतुस्तुमुलं घोरं संनिपातं मुहुर्मुहुः।  
> इन्द्रजिल्लक्ष्मणश्चैव परस्परजयैषिणौ॥ ७२॥

Eager to conquer each other, Indrajit and Lakṣmaṇa too carried on a tumultuous and formidable struggle again and again. (72)

> लक्ष्मणो रावणिं युद्धे रावणिश्चापि लक्ष्मणम्।  
> अन्योन्यं तावभिघ्नन्तौ न श्रमं प्रतिपद्यताम्॥ ७३॥

Striking each other—Lakṣmaṇa striking Indrajit (son of Rāvaṇa) and Indrajit too striking Lakṣmaṇa in combat (in his turn)—the two warriors did not experience any fatigue. (73)

> बाणजालैः शरीरस्थैरवगाढैस्तरस्विनौ।  
> शुशुभाते महावीर्यौ प्ररूढाविव पर्वतौ॥ ७४॥

With multitudes of arrows dug deep into their bodies the two mighty heroes,who were endowed with extraordinary prowess, shone like two mountains overgrown with trees. (74)

> तयो रुधिरसिक्तानि संवृतानि शरैर्भृशम्।  
> बभ्राजुः सर्वगात्राणि ज्वलन्त इव पावकाः॥ ७५॥

Bathed in blood and thickly covered with arrows, all the limbs of the aforesaid two warriors shone like blazing fires. (75)

> तयोरथ महान् कालो व्यतीयाद् युध्यमानयोः।  
> न च तौ युद्धवैमुख्यं श्रमं चाप्यभिजग्मतुः॥ ७६॥

A considerable time elapsed in the meanwhile past the two warriors even as they fought with each other. They, however, neither turned their face away from the combat nor gave way to exhaustion. (76)

> अथ समरपरिश्रमं निहन्तुं  
> समरमुखेष्वजितस्य लक्ष्मणस्य।  
> प्रियहितमुपपादयन् महात्मा  
> समरमुपेत्य विभीषणोऽवतस्थे॥ ७७॥

Reaching the battlefield in the meantime, the high-souled Vibhīṣaṇa took up his position there in order to relieve the fatigue, occasioned by the combat, of Lakṣmaṇa, who was invincible in the forefront of battle, thereby affording him pleasure and doing a good turn to him. (77)

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.