अकम्पन वधम् श्रुत्वा क्रुद्धो वै राक्षस ईश्वरः | किंचिद् दीन मुखश् च अपि सचिवांस् तान् उदैक्षत || ६-५७-१
akampana vadham shrutvaa kruddho vai raakShasa iishvaraH | ki.ncid diina mukhash ca api sacivaa.ns taan udaikShata || 6-57-1
Hearing of Akampana's killing, Ravana the Lord of demons, with a little depressed face, was enraged and looked towards his ministers.
स तु ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तम् तु मन्त्रिभिह् सम्विचार्य च | ततस्तु रावणः पूर्वदिवसे राक्षसाधिपः || ६-५७-२ पुरीम् परिययौ लन्काम् सर्वान् गुल्मान् अवेक्षितुम् |
sa tu dhyaatvaa muhuurtam tu mantribhih samvicaarya ca | tatastu raavaNaH puurvadivase raakShasaadhipaH || 6-57-2 puriim pariyayau lankaam sarvaan gulmaan avekShitum |
Having reflected awhile and deliberated with his ministers, Ravana the king of Demons then passed that forenoon in inspecting his defenses in the City of Lanka.
ताम् राक्षस गणैर् गुप्ताम् गुल्मैर् बहुभिर् आवृताम् || ६-५७-३ ददर्श नगरीम् लन्काम् पताका ध्वज मालिनीम् |
taam raakShasa gaNair guptaam gulmair bahubhir aavR^itaam || 6-57-3 dadarsha nagariim lankaam pataakaa dhvaja maaliniim |
The king Ravana saw that City, guarded by groups of demons, filled with innumerable troops and decorated with banners and flags.
रुद्धाम् तु नगरीम् दृष्ट्वा रावणो राक्षस ईश्वरः || ६-५७-४ उवाच अमर्षितह् काले प्रहस्तम् युद्ध कोविदम् |
ruddhaam tu nagariim dR^iShTvaa raavaNo raakShasa iishvaraH || 6-57-4 uvaaca amarShitah kaale prahastam yuddha kovidam |
Seeing Lanka besieged, Ravana the Lord of Demons spoke as follows to Prahasta who was skilled in war-fare and who wished well of him even at a critical time.
पुरस्य उपनिविष्टस्य सहसा पीडितस्य ह || ६-५७-५ न अन्यम् युद्धात् प्रपश्यामि मोक्षम् युद्ध विशारद |
purasya upaniviShTasya sahasaa piiDitasya ha || 6-57-5 na anyam yuddhaat prapashyaami mokSham yuddha vishaarada |
"O, Prahasta the proficient in war-free! I do not see any other deliverance than a battle for this city, which is besieged suddenly and being devastated."
अहम् वा कुम्भ कर्णो वा त्वम् वा सेना पतिर् मम || ६-५७-६ इन्द्रजिद् वा निकुम्भो वा वहेयुर् भारम् ईदृशम् |
aham vaa kumbha karNo vaa tvam vaa senaa patir mama || 6-57-6 indrajid vaa nikumbho vaa vaheyur bhaaram iidR^isham |
"Either myself or Kumbhakarna or yourself my army-chief or Indrajit or Nikumbha and none else could undertake such a task!"
स त्वम् बलम् इतह् शीघ्रम् आदाय परिगृह्य च || ६-५७-७ विजयाय अभिनिर्याहि यत्र सर्वे वन ओकसः |
sa tvam balam itah shiighram aadaaya parigR^ihya ca || 6-57-7 vijayaaya abhiniryaahi yatra sarve vana okasaH |
"For that reason, taking a company of warriors, you quickly place yourself in their midst and set forth in order to triumph over all those monkeys."
निर्याणाद् एव ते नूनम् चपला हरि वाहिनी || ६-५७-८ नर्दताम् राक्षस इन्द्राणाम् श्रुत्वा नादम् द्रविष्यति |
niryaaNaad eva te nuunam capalaa hari vaahinii || 6-57-8 nardataam raakShasa indraaNaam shrutvaa naadam draviShyati |
"Unsettled in no time on knowing your decision to enter the battle-field, the army of monkeys will run away on hearing the raring sound of the leaders of demons."
चपला ह्य् अविनीताश् च चल चित्ताश् च वानराः || ६-५७-९ न सहिष्यन्ति ते नादम् सिम्ह नादम् इव द्विपाः |
capalaa hy aviniitaash ca cala cittaash ca vaanaraaH || 6-57-9 na sahiShyanti te naadam simha naadam iva dvipaaH |
"The monkeys are unsteady, mis-behaved and fickle-minded. They do not tolerate your sound, as elephants the lion's roar."
विद्रुते च बले तस्मिन् रामह् सौमित्रिणा सह || ६-५७-१० अवशस्ते निरालम्बह् प्रहस्त वशम् एष्यति |
vidrute ca bale tasmin raamah saumitriNaa saha || 6-57-10 avashaste niraalambah prahasta vasham eShyati |
"O, Prahasta! As that army takes to its heels, Rama along with Lakshmana being supportless, will fall into your power though unwillingly."
आपत् संशयिता श्रेयो न अत्र निह्संशयी कृता || ६-५७-११ प्रतिलोम अनुलोमम् वा यद् वा नो मन्यसे हितम् |
aapat sa.nshayitaa shreyo na atra nihsa.nshayii kR^itaa || 6-57-11 pratiloma anulomam vaa yad vaa no manyase hitam |
"A skeptical misfortune is preferable to one that is certain! Whether it is unpleasing to hear or not, say what you consider as an advantage to us."
रावणेन एवम् उक्तस् तु प्रहस्तो वाहिनी पतिः || ६-५७-१२ राक्षस इन्द्रम् उवाच इदम् असुर इन्द्रम् इव उशना |
raavaNena evam uktas tu prahasto vaahinii patiH || 6-57-12 raakShasa indram uvaaca idam asura indram iva ushanaa |
Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta the Army-General spoke the following words to Ravana, like Ushana the preceptor of demons would speak to Bali, the king of demons.
राजन् मन्त्रित पूर्वम् नह् कुशलैह् सह मन्त्रिभिः || ६-५७-१३ विवादसः च अपि नो वृत्तह् समवेक्ष्य परस्परम् |
raajan mantrita puurvam nah kushalaih saha mantribhiH || 6-57-13 vivaadasH ca api no vR^ittah samavekShya parasparam |
O, king! Formerly, we deliberated this matter with our wise ministers and, after having a good dialogue with each other, a disagreement arose between us."
प्रदानेन तु सीतायाह् श्रेयो व्यवसितम् मया || ६-५७-१४ अप्रदाने पुनर् युद्धम् दृष्टम् एतत् तथैव नः |
pradaanena tu siitaayaah shreyo vyavasitam mayaa || 6-57-14 apradaane punar yuddham dR^iShTam etat tathaiva naH |
"To return Seetha was what I considered preferable. Not to do so meant war; we foresaw this."
सो अहम् दानैश् च मानैश् च सततम् पूजितस् त्वया || ६-५७-१५ सान्त्वैसः च विविधैह् काले किम् न कुर्याम् प्रियम् तव |
so aham daanaish ca maanaish ca satatam puujitas tvayaa || 6-57-15 saantvaisH ca vividhaih kaale kim na kuryaam priyam tava |
"I have ever been honoured by you at appropriate times by gifts, felicitations and nice words. When the opportunity arises, is it not for me to render you a service?"
न हि मे जीवितम् रक्ष्यम् पुत्र दार धनानि वा || ६-५७-१६ त्वम् पश्य माम् जुहूषन्तम् त्वद् अर्थे जीवितम् युधि |
na hi me jiivitam rakShyam putra daara dhanaani vaa || 6-57-16 tvam pashya maam juhuuShantam tvad arthe jiivitam yudhi |
"Neither wives nor sons nor riches are going to be spared by me. See you me, intending to sacrifice my life for your sake in the battle."
एवम् उक्त्वा तु भर्तारम् रावणम् वाहिनी पतिः || ६-५७-१७ उवाचेदम् बलाध्यक्षान् प्रहस्तह् पुरतः स्थितान् |
evam uktvaa tu bhartaaram raavaNam vaahinii patiH || 6-57-17 uvaachedam balaadhyakShaan prahastah purataH sthitaan |
Having spoken thus to Lord Ravana, the General Prahasta said to his leading officers who stood before him as follows:
समानयत मे शीघ्रम् राक्षसानाम् महद् बलम् || ६-५७-१८ मद् बाण अशनि वेगेन हतानाम् तु रण अजिरे | अद्य तृप्यन्तु मांसेन पक्षिणह् कानन ओकसाम् || ६-५७-१९
samaanayata me shiighram raakShasaanaam mahad balam || 6-57-18 mad baaNa ashani vegena hataanaam tu raNa ajire | adya tR^ipyantu maa.nsena pakShiNah kaanana okasaam || 6-57-19
"Gather a large army of demons together for me. Today, the flesh-eating birds and beasts shall feed on the enemy that I strike down on the battle-field with my swift arrows."
तस्य तद्वचनम् श्रुत्वा बलाध्यक्षा महाबलाः | बलम् उद्योजयाम् आसुस् तस्मिन् राक्षस मन्दिरे || ६-५७-२०
saa babhuuva muhuurtena tigma naanaa vidha aayudhaiH | lankaa raakShasa viirais tair gajair iva samaakulaa || 6-57-21
Hearing that command of Prahasta, the mighty leaders of the army assembled the forces in the abode of that demon.
सा बभूव मुहूर्तेन तिग्म नाना विध आयुधैः | लन्का राक्षस वीरैस् तैर् गजैर् इव समाकुला || ६-५७-२१
huta ashanam tarpayataam braahmaNaa.nsh ca namasyataam | aajya gandha prativahah surabhir maaruto vavau || 6-57-22
Within a short while, that City of Lanka was filled with those terrific demon-warriors, resembling elephants and wielding various types of weaponry.
हुत अशनम् तर्पयताम् ब्राह्मणांश् च नमस्यताम् | आज्य गन्ध प्रतिवहह् सुरभिर् मारुतो ववौ || ६-५७-२२
srajasH ca vividha aakaaraa jagR^ihus tv abhimantritaaH | samgraama sajjaaH samhR^iShTaa dhaarayan raakShasaas tadaa || 6-57-23
While some demons propitiated the fire-god with their offerings and paid homage to Brahmanas, a fragrant freeze bearing the scent of clarified butter, began to blow.
स्रजसः च विविध आकारा जगृहुस् त्व् अभिमन्त्रिताः | सम्ग्राम सज्जाः सम्हृष्टा धारयन् राक्षसास् तदा || ६-५७-२३
sadhanuShkaah kavacino vegaad aaplutya raakShasaaH | raavaNam prekShya raajaanam prahastam paryavaarayan || 6-57-24
Then, the demons who were ready for the battle, delightedly wore garlands of different shapes, consecrated by certain Mantras (sacred formulas).
सधनुष्काह् कवचिनो वेगाद् आप्लुत्य राक्षसाः | रावणम् प्रेक्ष्य राजानम् प्रहस्तम् पर्यवारयन् || ६-५७-२४
atha aamantrya ca raajaanam bheriim aahatya bhairavaam | aaruroha ratham divyam prahastah sajja kalpitam || 6-57-25 hayair mahaa javair yuktam samyak suuta susamyutam | mahaa jalada nirghoSham saakShaac candra arka bhaasvaram || 6-57-26 uraga dhvaja durdharSham suvaruutham svapaskaram | suvarNa jaala samyuktam prahasantam iva shriyaa || 6-57-27
Thereafter, armed with bows and armours, the demons with their eyes turned towards their king Ravana, marched at a brisk pace and ranged themselves round Prahasta.
अथ आमन्त्र्य च राजानम् भेरीम् आहत्य भैरवाम् | आरुरोह रथम् दिव्यम् प्रहस्तह् सज्ज कल्पितम् || ६-५७-२५ हयैर् महा जवैर् युक्तम् सम्यक् सूत सुसम्युतम् | महा जलद निर्घोषम् साक्षाच् चन्द्र अर्क भास्वरम् || ६-५७-२६ उरग ध्वज दुर्धर्षम् सुवरूथम् स्वपस्करम् | सुवर्ण जाल सम्युक्तम् प्रहसन्तम् इव श्रिया || ६-५७-२७
tatas tam ratham aasthaaya raavaNa arpita shaasanaH | lankaayaa niryayau tuurNam balena mahataa vR^itaH || 6-57-28
Then, Prahasta who got ready with his weapons and armour, after bidding obeisance to the king and striking a terrible kettle-drum, mounted his chariot, which was kept ready, yoked to an extremely swift horses, well controlled by a charioteer, emanating a noise resembling that of a large cloud, actually shining like moon-light, inviolable with a flag bearing an ensign of snake, with a good collision-guard, with nice wheels and decorated with a net of pure gold smiling as it were in its magnificence.
ततस् तम् रथम् आस्थाय रावण अर्पित शासनः | लन्काया निर्ययौ तूर्णम् बलेन महता वृतः || ६-५७-२८
naraantakaH kumbhahanurmahaanaadaH samunnataH | 6-57-31 prahastasachivaa hyete niryayuH parivaarya tam |
Then, Prahasta the one who was commanded by Ravana, ascended his chariot and set out from Lanka soon along with a huge army.
ततो दुंदुभि निर्घोषह् पर्जन्य निनद उपमः || ६-५७-२९ शुश्रुवे शन्ख शब्दश् च प्रयाते वाहिनी पतौ |
vyuuDhena eva sughoreNa puurva dvaaraat sa niryayau || 6-57-32 gaja yuutha nikaashena balena mahataa vR^itaH |
While Prahasta the general sallied forth, the sound of a kettle-drum, the resonance of musical instruments and the sound of conches were heard, as though filling the earth like the roar of a cloud.
निनदन्तः स्वरान् घोरान् राक्षसा जग्मुर् अग्रतः || ६-५७-३० भीम रूपा महा कायाह् प्रहस्तस्य पुरह् सराः |
saagara pratima oghena vR^itas tena balena saH || 6-57-33 prahasto niryayau tuurNam kruddhah kaala antaka upamaH |
The demons with terrific forms and bulky bodies, shouting with dreadful voices, went in front, as forerunners of Prahasta.
नरान्तकः कुम्भहनुर्महानादः समुन्नतः | ६-५७-३१ प्रहस्तसचिवा ह्येते निर्ययुः परिवार्य तम् |
tasya niryaaNa ghoSheNa raakShasaanaam ca nardataam || 6-57-34 lankaayaam sarva bhuutaani vinedur vikR^itaih svaraiH |
Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunnata, attendants of Prahasta sallied forth, surrounding him on all sides.
व्यूढेन एव सुघोरेण पूर्व द्वारात् स निर्ययौ || ६-५७-३२ गज यूथ निकाशेन बलेन महता वृतः |
vyabhram aakaasham aavishya maa.nsa shoNita bhojanaaH || 6-57-35 maNDalaany apasavyaani khagaash cakruu ratham prati |
He emerged from the eastern gate in the midst of an immense, formidable and orderly arranged army, resembling a herd of elephants.
सागर प्रतिम ओघेन वृतस् तेन बलेन सः || ६-५७-३३ प्रहस्तो निर्ययौ तूर्णम् क्रुद्धह् काल अन्तक उपमः |
vamantyah paavaka jvaalaah shivaa ghoraa vavaashire || 6-57-36 antarikShaat papaata ulkaa vaayush ca paruSho vavau |
In the centre of that army, vast as the sea, that Prahasta in his fury, came forth appearing like Death at the end of the world.
तस्य निर्याण घोषेण राक्षसानाम् च नर्दताम् || ६-५७-३४ लन्कायाम् सर्व भूतानि विनेदुर् विकृतैह् स्वरैः |
anyonyam abhisamrabdhaa grahaash ca na cakaashire || 6-57-37 meghaashcha kharanirghoShaa rathasyopari rakShasaH | vavarShuu rudhiram ca asya siShicush ca purah saraan || 6-57-38
The uproar that arose on his setting forth with his demons raising the war-cries drew sinister answering calls from all creatures in Lanka.
व्यभ्रम् आकाशम् आविश्य मांस शोणित भोजनाः || ६-५७-३५ मण्डलान्य् अपसव्यानि खगाश् चक्रू रथम् प्रति |
ketu muurdhani gR^idhro asya viliino dakShiNaa mukhaH | nadannubhayataH paarshvaM samagraamaharatprabhaam || 6-57-39
In a cloudless sky, birds of prey eating flesh and blood, flew in circles from left to right towards the chariot.
वमन्त्यह् पावक ज्वालाह् शिवा घोरा ववाशिरे || ६-५७-३६ अन्तरिक्षात् पपात उल्का वायुश् च परुषो ववौ |
saarather bahushasH ca asya samgraamam avagaahataH | pratodo nyapatadd hastaat suutasya haya saadinaH || 6-57-40
Fearful jackals vomited forth fire and flames, howling repeatedly. A meteor fell from the sky and the wind blew harshly.
अन्योन्यम् अभिसम्रब्धा ग्रहाश् च न चकाशिरे || ६-५७-३७ मेघाश्च खरनिर्घोषा रथस्योपरि रक्षसः | ववर्षू रुधिरम् च अस्य सिषिचुश् च पुरह् सरान् || ६-५७-३८
niryaaNa shriish ca yaa asya aasiid bhaasvaraa ca sudurlabhaa | saa nanaasha muhuurtena same ca skhalitaa hayaaH || 6-57-41
The plants, in opposition to each other, lost their brilliance. The clouds, with their raucous sound, showered blood on Prahasta's chariot and dampened those who were walking in front of it.
केतु मूर्धनि गृध्रो अस्य विलीनो दक्षिणा मुखः | नदन्नुभयतः पार्श्वं समग्रामहरत्प्रभाम् || ६-५७-३९
atha ghoShah sutumulo hariiNaam samajaayata | vR^ikShaan aarujataam caiva gurviish ca agR^ihNataam shilaaH || 6-57-43
A vulture facing the south alighted on the top of the standard, croaking towards both of its sides and deprived the demon of his entire lustre.
सारथेर् बहुशसः च अस्य सम्ग्रामम् अवगाहतः | प्रतोदो न्यपतद्द् हस्तात् सूतस्य हय सादिनः || ६-५७-४०
nadataam raakShasaanaaM cha vaanaraaNaam cha garjataam | ubhe pramudite sainye rakSho gaNa vana okasaam || 6-57-44 vegitaanaam samarthaanaam anyonya vadha kaankShiNaam | parasparam ca aahvayataam ninaadah shruuyate mahaan || 6-57-45
The goad fell several times then from the hand of the charioteer, himself a Suta (the son of a Kshatriya by a Brahamana woman) eventhough skilled in controlling the horses, as he entered the battle-field.
निर्याण श्रीश् च या अस्य आसीद् भास्वरा च सुदुर्लभा | सा ननाश मुहूर्तेन समे च स्खलिता हयाः || ६-५७-४१
tataH prahastaH kapi raaja vaahiniim | abhi pratasthe vijayaaya durmatiH | vivR^iddha vegaam ca vivesha taam camuum | yathaa mumuurShuh shalabho vibhaavasum || 6-57-46
That rarely splendour which clothed Prahasta at the time of his exit vanished in an instant and horses stumbled on the even ground.
प्रहस्तम् त्व् अभिनिर्यान्तम् प्रख्यात बल पौरुषम् | युधि नाना प्रहरणा कपि सेना अभ्यवर्तत || ६-५७-४२
Beholding that Prahasta, renowned for his excellences and martial valour; as he advanced to give battle, the army of monkeys went forward to attack him.
अथ घोषह् सुतुमुलो हरीणाम् समजायत | वृक्षान् आरुजताम् चैव गुर्वीश् च अगृह्णताम् शिलाः || ६-५७-४३
Thereafter, an exceedingly tumultuous clamour arose among the monkeys as they tore up the trees and seized hold of huge rocks.
नदताम् राक्षसानां च वानराणाम् च गर्जताम् | उभे प्रमुदिते सैन्ये रक्षो गण वन ओकसाम् || ६-५७-४४ वेगितानाम् समर्थानाम् अन्योन्य वध कान्क्षिणाम् | परस्परम् च आह्वयताम् निनादह् श्रूयते महान् || ६-५७-४५
Both the armies of the yelling demons and the roaring monkeys were delighted, impetuous and powerful with impatience to slay each other and challenging each other with great shouts.
ततः प्रहस्तः कपि राज वाहिनीम् | अभि प्रतस्थे विजयाय दुर्मतिः | विवृद्ध वेगाम् च विवेश ताम् चमूम् | यथा मुमूर्षुह् शलभो विभावसुम् || ६-५७-४६
Thereafter, the evil-minded Prahasta sallied forth for victory towards the army of Sugreeva, whom in his folly, imagined he would destroy, with an accelerated speed as a grass-hopper rushes towards a flame.
