conflict actually begins

Dohas

jayati rāma jaya lachimana jaya kapīsa sugrīva.

garjahiṃ siṃghanāda kapi bhālu mahā bala sīṃva..39.. [6-39]

Glory to Rāma, glory to Lakṣmaṇa and glory to Sugrīva (the lord of the monkeys), thus roared the monkeys and bears, unsurpassed in their great might, like so many lions.”

Chaupais

laṃkāom bhayau kōlāhala bhārī. sunā dasānana ati ahaomkārī..

dēkhahu banaranha kēri ḍhiṭhāī. bihaomsi nisācara sēna bōlāī.. [6-39-1]

āē kīsa kāla kē prērē. chudhāvaṃta saba nisicara mērē..

asa kahi aṭṭahāsa saṭha kīnhā. gṛha baiṭhē ahāra bidhi dīnhā.. [6-39-2]

subhaṭa sakala cārihu disi jāhū. dhari dhari bhālu kīsa saba khāhū..

umā rāvanahi asa abhimānā. jimi ṭiṭṭibha khaga sūta utānā.. [6-39-3]

calē nisācara āyasu māgī. gahi kara bhiṃḍipāla bara sāomgī..

tōmara mugdara parasu pracaṃḍā. sula kṛpāna parigha girikhaṃḍā.. [6-39-4]

jimi arunōpala nikara nihārī. dhāvahiṃ saṭha khaga māṃsa ahārī..

cōṃca bhaṃga dukha tinhahi na sūjhā. timi dhāē manujāda abūjhā.. [6-39-5]

Laṅkā became a scene of great uproar. When the highly conceited Rāvaṇa heard it, he with a smile said, “Look at the insolence of these monkeys!” and summoned the demon host. “The monkeys have crossed over here driven by fate, and my demons are all hungry. God has provided them with a meal even at their home.” So saying the idiot burst into a horselaugh. “Sally forth in every direction, champions all; and wherever you find the bears and monkeys seize and devour them all.” Umā, Rāvaṇa’s conceit was as great as that of the sandpiper, which goes to sleep with its legs in the air (and thinks that it will support the heavens in case they fall). Taking his orders, the demons sallied forth, armed with excellent slings, javelins, iron clubs and maces, fierce axes, pikes, swords, bludgeons and masses of rock in their hands. As foolish carnivorous birds swoop down upon a heap of rubies the moment they see it, and have no idea of the pain they would have on breaking their beaks against it, so did the man-eating monsters rush forth in their folly.

Dohas

nānāyudha sara cāpa dhara jātudhāna bala bīra.

kōṭa kaomgūranhi caḍhai gaē kōṭi kōṭi ranadhīra..40.. [6-40]

Armed with bows and arrows as well as with other weapons of various kinds, a vast cloud of mighty and valiant demons, staunch in battle, climbed up the battlements of the fort.

Chaupais

kōṭa kaomgūranhi sōhahiṃ kaisē. mēru kē sṛṃgani janu ghana baisē..

bājahiṃ ḍhōla nisāna jujhāū. suni dhuni hōi bhaṭanhi mana cāū.. [6-40-1]

bājahiṃ bhēri naphīri apārā. suni kādara ura jāhiṃ darārā..

dēkhinha jāi kapinha kē ṭhaṭṭā. ati bisāla tanu bhālu subhaṭṭā.. [6-40-2]

dhāvahiṃ ganahiṃ na avaghaṭa ghāṭā. parbata phōri karahiṃ gahi bāṭā..

kaṭakaṭāhiṃ kōṭinha bhaṭa garjahiṃ. dasana ōṭha kāṭahiṃ ati tarjahiṃ.. [6-40-3]

uta rāvana ita rāma dōhāī. jayati jayati jaya parī larāī..

nisicara sikhara samūha ḍhahāvahiṃ. kūdi dharahiṃ kapi phēri calāvahiṃ.. [6-40-4]

On the gold battlements they looked like dark clouds hanging on the heights of Mount Meru. Martial drums and tabors sounded; the soul of the warriors was stirred by their crash. Numberless kettledrums and clarionets were also playing; their music cracked the heart of cowards. Advancing further, the demons saw the hosts of monkey and bear champions, exceptionally huge in size, who in their onrush would make no account of rugged valleys and catching hold of mountains would cleave them asunder and make passage through them. Gnashing their teeth and biting their lips, myriads of warriors on both sides roared and bullied, calling here on Rāma and there on Rāvaṇa. With shouts of victory on both sides the fight actually commenced. The demons cast down volleys of mountain-peaks, which the monkeys would seize with a bound and hurl them back.

Chhands

dhari kudhara khaṃḍa pracaṃḍa karkaṭa bhālu gaḍha para ḍārahīṃ.

jhapaṭahiṃ carana gahi paṭaki mahi bhaji calata bahuri pacārahīṃ..

ati tarala taruna pratāpa tarapahiṃ tamaki gaḍha caḍhai caḍhai gaē.

kapi bhālu caḍhai maṃdiranha jahaom tahaom rāma jasu gāvata bhaē..

The fierce monkeys and bears would lay hold of masses of rock and hurl them against the fort. Darting against their adversary they would seize him by the leg and dash him to the ground; and in the event of his taking to flight they would challenge him to a duel again. The most agile and redoubtable monkeys and bears lightly sprang and climbed up the fort and penetrating the palaces sang Śrī Rāma’s praises wherever they pleased.

Dohas

ēku ēku nisicara gahi puni kapi calē parāi.

ūpara āpu hēṭha bhaṭa girahiṃ dharani para āi..41.. [6-41]

Catching hold of a demon each the monkeys rushed back and jumped down to the ground with the demons beneath themselves on the top.

Chaupais

rāma pratāpa prabala kapijūthā. mardahiṃ nisicara subhaṭa barūthā..

caḍhaē durga puni jahaom tahaom bānara. jaya raghubīra pratāpa divākara.. [6-41-1]

calē nisācara nikara parāī. prabala pavana jimi ghana samudāī..

hāhākāra bhayau pura bhārī. rōvahiṃ bālaka ātura nārī.. [6-41-2]

saba mili dēhiṃ rāvanahi gārī. rāja karata ēhiṃ mṛtyu haomkārī..

nija dala bicala sunī tēhiṃ kānā. phēri subhaṭa laṃkēsa risānā.. [6-41-3]

jō rana bimukha sunā maiṃ kānā. sō maiṃ hataba karāla kṛpānā..

sarbasu khāi bhōga kari nānā. samara bhūmi bhaē ballabha prānā.. [6-41-4]

ugra bacana suni sakala ḍērānē. calē krōdha kari subhaṭa lajānē..

sanmukha marana bīra kai sōbhā. taba tinha tajā prāna kara lōbhā.. [6-41-5]

Strengthened by Śrī Rāma’s might, the monkey host crushed the ranks of the demon warriors. They then climbed up the fort here and there and shouted glory to the Hero of Raghu’s line, who was majestic as the sun. The demon host fled before them like a mass of clouds driven by a strong blast. The city now burst into wails and howls; children, invalids and women in particular wept aloud. All joined in calling Rāvaṇa names; he, they said, had invited death while enjoying sovereignty. When he heard that his troops had beaten a retreat, the king of Laṅkā rallied his champions and then exclaimed in fury: “If I hear of anyone turning his back on the battlefield, I will behead him with my own terrible sword. You consumed my all and enjoyed all sorts of luxuries till now and lo ! life has become so dear to you on the field of battle.” The champions were all alarmed and put to shame to hear this stern rebuke, and marched against the enemy in great fury. To die in open combat is the glory of a warrior, they thought; and they loved their life no more.

Dohas

bahu āyudha dhara subhaṭa saba bhirahiṃ pacāri pacāri.

byākula kiē bhālu kapi parigha trisūlanhi mārī..42.. [6-42]

Armed with weapons of various kinds, all the champions grappled with their antagonists, challenging them again and again. Striking the bears and monkeys with iron bludgeons and tridents, they deprived them of their nerve.

Chaupais

bhaya ātura kapi bhāgana lāgē. jadyapi umā jītihahiṃ āgē..

kōu kaha kahaom aṃgada hanumaṃtā. kahaom nala nīla dubida balavaṃtā.. [6-42-1]

nija dala bikala sunā hanumānā. pacchima dvāra rahā balavānā..

mēghanāda tahaom karai larāī. ṭūṭa na dvāra parama kaṭhināī.. [6-42-2]

pavanatanaya mana bhā ati krōdhā. garjēu prabala kāla sama jōdhā..

kūdi laṃka gaḍha ūpara āvā. gahi giri mēghanāda kahu dhāvā.. [6-42-3]

bhaṃjēu ratha sārathī nipātā. tāhi hṛdaya mahu mārēsi lātā..

dusarēṃ sūta bikala tēhi jānā. syaṃdana ghāli turata gṛha ānā.. [6-42-4]

Struck with terror (continues Lord Śiva) the monkeys turned tail, although Umā, they would come out victorious in the end. One exclaimed, “Where are Aṅgada and Hanumān? Where are the mighty Nala, Nīla and Dvivida?” At the time Hanumān heard that his troops were breaking, that mighty warrior held his position at the western gate of Laṅkā, where Meghanāda led the defence. The gate, however, would not give way and Hanumān was faced with a mighty impediment. The son of the wind-god grew terribly furious at heart and the warrior, who was formidable as death, gave a loud roar. He sprang and reached the fort of Laṅkā; and seizing a rock he rushed at Meghanāda, shattered his chariot, overthrew the charioteer and kicked Meghanāda himself at his chest. Another charioteer, who perceived the distress of the prince, picked him up in his own chariot and speedily brought him home.

Dohas

aṃgada sunā pavanasuta gaḍha para gayau akēla.

rana bāomkurā bālisuta taraki caḍhaēu kapi khēla..43.. [6-43]

When Aṅgada heard that the son of the wind-god had gone to the fort singlehanded, the son of Vāli, who was so valiant in battle, reached the fort in a single bound as a monkey would do out of sheer fun.

Chaupais

juddha biruddha kruddha dvau baṃdara. rāma pratāpa sumiri ura aṃtara..

rāvana bhavana caḍhaē dvau dhāī. karahi kōsalādhīsa dōhāī.. [6-43-1]

kalasa sahita gahi bhavanu ḍhahāvā. dēkhi nisācarapati bhaya pāvā..

nāri bṛṃda kara pīṭahiṃ chātī. aba dui kapi āē utapātī.. [6-43-2]

kapilīlā kari tinhahi ḍērāvahiṃ. rāmacaṃdra kara sujasu sunāvahiṃ..

puni kara gahi kaṃcana kē khaṃbhā. kahēnhi karia utapāta araṃbhā.. [6-43-3]

garji parē ripu kaṭaka majhārī. lāgē mardai bhuja bala bhārī..

kāhuhi lāta capēṭanhi kēhū. bhajahu na rāmahi sō phala lēhū.. [6-43-4]

The two monkeys let loose their fury against the enemy on the battlefield. Invoking in their heart the might of Śrī Rāma, both ran up to Rāvaṇa’s own palace and proclaimed the victory of Kosala’s lord. Holding the edifice in their hands they overthrew it with every pinnacle. The demon king was dismayed when he saw this. The women beat their breast with their hands crying: “This time the two pestilent monkeys have come!” Aṅgada and Hanumān frightened them with their monkey-like pranks and proclaimed to them the glories of Śrī Rāmacandra. Then, grasping each a gold pillar in their hands, the two champions exclaimed, “Let us now begin upon our ravaging job!” Presently they roared and fell on the enemy’s ranks and began to crush them with their mighty strength of arms, striking some with their foot and slapping another on the face and crying: “Take the consequences of not adoring Śrī Rāma!”

Dohas

ēka ēka sōṃ mardahiṃ tōri calāvahiṃ muṃḍa.

rāvana āgēṃ parahiṃ tē janu phūṭahiṃ dadhi kuṃḍa..44.. [6-44]

The two heroes crushed their adversaries one against another and pulling off the victim’s heads, hurled them with such precision that they dropped in front of Rāvaṇa and burst like so many earthen vases full of curds.

Chaupais

mahā mahā mukhiā jē pāvahiṃ. tē pada gahi prabhu pāsa calāvahiṃ..

kahai bibhīṣanu tinha kē nāmā. dēhiṃ rāma tinhahū nija dhāmā.. [6-44-1]

khala manujāda dvijāmiṣa bhōgī. pāvahiṃ gati jō jācata jōgī..

umā rāma mṛducita karunākara. bayara bhāva sumirata mōhi nisicara.. [6-44-2]

dēhiṃ parama gati sō jiyaom jānī. asa kṛpāla kō kahahu bhavānī..

asa prabhu suni na bhajahiṃ bhrama tyāgī. nara matimaṃda tē parama abhāgī.. [6-44-3]

aṃgada aru hanumaṃta prabēsā. kīnha durga asa kaha avadhēsā..

laṃkāom dvau kapi sōhahiṃ kaisēṃ. mathahi siṃdhu dui maṃdara jaisēṃ.. [6-44-4]

host, they would seize him by the leg and send him flying to their lord (Śrī Rāma). Vibhīṣaṇa would mention their name and Śrī Rāma assigned even them a quarter in His own abode. Man-eating monsters who feasted on the flesh of holy Brāhmaṇas thus attained a destiny which is solicited even by Yogīs (ascetics given to contemplation on God). Umā, (continues Lord Śiva,) Śrī Rāma is so tender-hearted and such a storehouse of compassion that He bestows the highest state (final beatitude) even on the demons, remembering that they think of Him even though in a spirit of hostility! Tell me, Bhavānī, who else is so benignant? Most dull-witted and utterly wretched are the men who, even on hearing of such a lord, worship Him not, disabusing themselves of all delusion. “Aṅgada and Hanumān have evidently forced their way into the fort of Laṅkā,” thus observed Ayodhyā’s lord. Rampaging in Laṅkā, the two monkeys looked like a pair of Mandaras churning the ocean.

Dohas

bhuja bala ripu dala dalamali dēkhi divasa kara aṃta.

kūdē jugala bigata śrama āē jahaom bhagavaṃta..45.. [6-45]

Having crushed and battered the enemy’s ranks by the might of their arm and perceiving that it was now the close of day, the two champions jumped down without any exertion and came where the Lord was.

Chaupais

prabhu pada kamala sīsa tinha nāē. dēkhi subhaṭa raghupati mana bhāē..

rāma kṛpā kari jugala nihārē. bhaē bigataśrama parama sukhārē.. [6-45-1]

gaē jāni aṃgada hanumānā. phirē bhālu markaṭa bhaṭa nānā..

jātudhāna pradōṣa bala pāī. dhāē kari dasasīsa dōhāī.. [6-45-2]

nisicara anī dēkhi kapi phirē. jahaom tahaom kaṭakaṭāi bhaṭa bhirē..

dvau dala prabala pacāri pacārī. larata subhaṭa nahiṃ mānahiṃ hārī.. [6-45-3]

mahābīra nisicara saba kārē. nānā barana balīmukha bhārē..

sabala jugala dala samabala jōdhā. kautuka karata larata kari krōdhā.. [6-45-4]

prābiṭa sarada payōda ghanērē. larata manahu māruta kē prērē..

anipa akaṃpana aru atikāyā. bicalata sēna kīnhi inha māyā.. [6-45-5]

bhayau nimiṣa mahaom ati aomdhiyārā. bṛṣṭi hōi rudhirōpala chārā.. [6-45-6]

They bowed their head at the lotus-feet of their Master, and the Lord of the Raghus was glad at heart to see the valiant warriors. Śrī Rāma graciously regarded them both and presently their fatigue was gone and they felt supremely happy. On learning that Aṅgada and Hanumān had left, the numerous monkey and bear warriors retired from the field; while the demons, recovering their strength at nightfall, sallied forth, calling on their ten-headed lord. At the sight of the demon host the monkeys turned again; and gnashing their teeth in fury the champions closed with their opponents here and there. The two armies stood formidable; their champion’s challenging one another every time, came to a grim fight without giving in. The demons were all great warriors and dark in complexion; while the monkeys were stupendous in size and of numerous colours. The two armies were equally strong and the warriors too equally matched; displaying their martial feats they fought with fury and looked like masses of rainy and autumnal clouds driven against one another by a strong wind. The generals Akampana and Atikāya (sons of Rāvaṇa), when they perceived their troops losing ground, employed Māyā (illusive devices); in an instant it grew pitch dark and there was a downpour of blood, stone and ashes.

Dohas

dēkhi nibiḍa tama dasahu disi kapidala bhayau khabhāra.

ēkahi ēka na dēkhaī jahaom tahaom karahiṃ pukāra..46.. [6-46]

Seeing the dense darkness all round, the monkey host was thrown into disorder. They could not see one another and there was an outcry everywhere.

Chaupais

sakala maramu raghunāyaka jānā. liē bōli aṃgada hanumānā..

samācāra saba kahi samujhāē. sunata kōpi kapikuṃjara dhāē.. [6-46-1]

puni kṛpāla haomsi cāpa caḍhaāvā. pāvaka sāyaka sapadi calāvā..

bhayau prakāsa katahu tama nāhīṃ. gyāna udayaom jimi saṃsaya jāhīṃ.. [6-46-2]

bhālu balīmukha pāi prakāsā. dhāē haraṣa bigata śrama trāsā..

hanūmāna aṃgada rana gājē. hāomka sunata rajanīcara bhājē.. [6-46-3]

bhāgata paṭa paṭakahiṃ dhari dharanī. karahiṃ bhālu kapi adbhuta karanī..

gahi pada ḍārahiṃ sāgara māhīṃ. makara uraga jhaṣa dhari dhari khāhīṃ.. [6-46-4]

The Lord of the Raghus understood the secret of it all and summoned Aṅgada and Hanumān. He apprised them of all that was going on and issued necessary instructions to them. The two monkey chiefs rushed forth in a fury as soon as they heard the instructions. The All-merciful then drew His bow with a smile and forthwith let fly a flery dart. Lo! there was light all round and no trace of darkness left anywhere, even as doubts disappear with the dawn of spiritual enlightenment. The bear and monkeys were relieved of their fatigue and rid of all fear when they saw light again, and pressed on exultingly. Hanumān and Aṅgada thundered on the field of battle and the demons fled at their menacing roar. But the bears and monkeys seized the demon warriors in their flight and dashed them to the ground, performing marvellous feats of strength even as they did so, or catching them by the leg, hurled them into the ocean, where alligators, serpents and fish snapped them up and devoured them.