Rāvana’s march to the field of battle; Śrī Rāma’s victory-chariot and an encounter between the monkeys and the demons
Dohas
tāhi ki saṃpati saguna subha sapanēhu mana biśrāma.
bhūta drōha rata mōhabasa rāma bimukha rati kāma..78.. [6-78]
Can he ever expect prosperity and good omens and attain peace of mind even in dream, who is actively malevolent to the living creation, is hostile to Śrī Rāma and is steeped in the enjoyment of the senses, all under a spell of delusion?
Chaupais
calēu nisācara kaṭaku apārā. caturaṃginī anī bahu dhārā..
bibidha bhāomti bāhana ratha jānā. bipula barana patāka dhvaja nānā.. [6-78-1]
calē matta gaja jūtha ghanērē. prābiṭa jalada maruta janu prērē..
barana barada biradaita nikāyā. samara sūra jānahiṃ bahu māyā.. [6-78-2]
ati bicitra bāhinī birājī. bīra basaṃta sēna janu sājī..
calata kaṭaka digasidhuṃra ḍagahīṃ. chubhita payōdhi kudhara ḍagamagahīṃ.. [6-78-3]
uṭhī rēnu rabi gayau chapāī. maruta thakita basudhā akulāī..
panava nisāna ghōra rava bājahiṃ. pralaya samaya kē ghana janu gājahiṃ.. [6-78-4]
bhēri naphīri bāja sahanāī. mārū rāga subhaṭa sukhadāī..
kēhari nāda bīra saba karahīṃ. nija nija bala pauruṣa uccarahīṃ.. [6-78-5]
kahai dasānana sunahu subhaṭṭā. mardahu bhālu kapinha kē ṭhaṭṭā..
hauṃ mārihau bhūpa dvau bhāī. asa kahi sanmukha phauja rēṃgāī.. [6-78-6]
yaha sudhi sakala kapinha jaba pāī. dhāē kari raghubīra dōhāī.. [6-78-7]
The demon host, which defied all calculation, marched. Complete in all its four limbs, viz., elephants and chariots, horse and foot, it was divided into many regiments and was equipped with mounts, cars and other conveyances of every description as well as with numerous banners and standards of diverse colour. Numberless troops of infuriated elephants marched like rainy clouds driven by the wind. There were multitudes of distinguished warriors wearing uniforms of various colours, all heroic in battle and conversant with many illusive devices. Thus the army was magnificent in every way and looked like the mustered array of the gallant deity presiding over the vernal season. Even as the host marched, the elephants guarding the eight quarters tottered, the ocean was stirred to its very depth and the mountains rocked. The dust rose in clouds that obscured the sun, the air became still and the earth was troubled. Drums and kettledrums made an awful din like the thundering of clouds at the time of universal destruction. Tabors, clarionettes and hautboys sounded the martial strain that gladdens the heart of champions. All the heroes roared like lions, each extolling his own might and valour. Rāvaṇa exclaimed; “Listen, my valiant warriors: wipe out the hordes of these bears and monkeys, while I shall slay the two brother princes.” So saying he ordered his army to march forward. When the monkeys received this news, they all rushed forth invoking the help of Śrī Rāma.
Chhands
dhāē bisāla karāla markaṭa bhālu kāla samāna tē.
mānahu sapaccha uḍaāhiṃ bhūdhara bṛṃda nānā bāna tē..
nakha dasana saila mahādrumāyudha sabala saṃka na mānahīṃ.
jaya rāma rāvana matta gaja mṛgarāja sujasu bakhānahīṃ..
The gigantic monkeys and bears, who were terrible as death, rushed forward like hosts of winged mountains of diverse colour. With claws and teeth, rocks and huge trees for their weapons they were all very powerful and knew no fear. They shouted “Glory to Śrī Rāma, a veritable lion for the wild elephant in the shape of Rāvaṇa” and sang His praises.
Dohas
duhu disi jaya jayakāra kari nija nija jōrī jāni.
bhirē bīra ita rāmahi uta rāvanahi bakhāni..79.. [6-79]
With a shout of “Victory! victory!!” on both sides and each finding his own match, the heroes came to a close combat, the monkeys singing the glory of Śrī Rāma and the demons extolling Rāvaṇa.
Chaupais
rāvanu rathī biratha raghubīrā. dēkhi bibhīṣana bhayau adhīrā..
adhika prīti mana bhā saṃdēhā. baṃdi carana kaha sahita sanēhā.. [6-79-1]
nātha na ratha nahiṃ tana pada trānā. kēhi bidhi jitaba bīra balavānā..
sunahu sakhā kaha kṛpānidhānā. jēhiṃ jaya hōi sō syaṃdana ānā.. [6-79-2]
sauraja dhīraja tēhi ratha cākā. satya sīla dṛḍha dhvajā patākā..
bala bibēka dama parahita ghōrē. chamā kṛpā samatā raju jōrē.. [6-79-3]
īsa bhajanu sārathī sujānā. birati carma saṃtōṣa kṛpānā..
dāna parasu budhi sakti pracaṃḍaā. bara bigyāna kaṭhina kōdaṃḍā.. [6-79-4]
amala acala mana trōna samānā. sama jama niyama silīmukha nānā..
kavaca abhēda bipra gura pūjā. ēhi sama bijaya upāya na dūjā.. [6-79-5]
sakhā dharmamaya asa ratha jākēṃ. jītana kahaom na katahu ripu tākēṃ.. [6-79-6]
Vibhīṣaṇa was disconcerted when he saw Rāvaṇa mounted on a chariot and the Hero of Raghu’s line without any. His great fondness for the Lord filled his mind with diffidence; and bowing to His feet he spoke with a tender heart: “My lord, You have no chariot nor any protection either for Your body (in the shape of armour) or for Your feet (in the shape of shoes). How, then, can You expect to conquer this mighty hero?” “Listen, friend:” replied the All-merciful, “the chariot which leads one to victory is quite another. Valour and fortitude are the wheels of that chariot, while truthfulness and good conduct are its enduring banner and standard. Even so strength, discretion, self-control and benevolence are its four horses, that have been joined to the chariot with the cords of forgiveness, compassion and evenness of mind. Adoration of God is the expert driver; dispassion, the shield and contentment, the sword. Again, charity is the axe; reason, the fierce lance and the highest wisdom, the relentless bow. A pure and steady mind is like a quiver; while quietude and the various forms of abstinence (Yamas) and religious observances (Niyamas) are a sheaf of arrows. Homage to the Brāhmaṇas and to one’s own preceptor is an impenetrable coat of mail; there is no other equipment for victory as efficacious as this. My friend, he who owns such a chariot of piety shall have no enemy to conquer anywhere.”
Dohas
mahā ajaya saṃsāra ripu jīti sakai sō bīra.
jākēṃ asa ratha hōi dṛḍha sunahu sakhā matidhīra..80ka.. [6-80(A)]
suni prabhu bacana bibhīṣana haraṣi gahē pada kaṃja.
ēhi misa mōhi upadēsēhu rāma kṛpā sukha puṃja..80kha.. [6-80(B)]
uta pacāra dasakaṃdhara ita aṃgada hanumāna.
larata nisācara bhālu kapi kari nija nija prabhu āna..80ga.. [6-80(C)]
“Listen, O friend of resolute mind: the hero who happens to be in possession of such a strong chariot can conquer even that mighty and invincible foe, attachment to the world.” Hearing the Lord’s words, Vibhīṣaṇa clasped His lotus feet in joy. “You have utilized this opportunity to exhort me, O Rāma, an embodiment of grace and bliss that You are.” On that side the ten-headed Rāvaṇa threw his challenge, while on this side Aṅgada and Hanumān invited him to a contest. The demons, on the one hand, and the bears and monkeys, on the other, steadily fought, each side swearing by its lord.
Chaupais
sura brahmādi siddha muni nānā. dēkhata rana nabha caḍhaē bimānā..
hamahū umā rahē tēhi saṃgā. dēkhata rāma carita rana raṃgā.. [6-80(C)-1]
subhaṭa samara rasa duhu disi mātē. kapi jayasīla rāma bala tātē..
ēka ēka sana bhirahiṃ pacārahiṃ. ēkanha ēka mardi mahi pārahiṃ.. [6-80(C)-2]
mārahiṃ kāṭahiṃ dharahiṃ pachārahiṃ. sīsa tōri sīsanha sana mārahiṃ..
udara bidārahiṃ bhujā upārahiṃ. gahi pada avani paṭaki bhaṭa ḍārahiṃ.. [6-80(C)-3]
nisicara bhaṭa mahi gāḍahi bhālū. ūpara ḍhāri dēhiṃ bahu bālū..
bīra balimukha juddha biruddhē. dēkhiata bipula kāla janu kruddhē.. [6-80(C)-4]
Brahmā and the other gods, as well as a number of Siddhas and sages mounted their aerial cars and watched the contest from the heavens. I too, Umā (continues Lord Śiva,) happened to be in that company and witnessed Śrī Rāma’s exploits replete with martial zeal. The champions of both sides were maddened with a passion for war; the monkeys, however, led the field through the might of Śrī Rāma. With shouts of defiance they closed in single combat, each crushing his adversary and throwing him to the ground. They smote the enemy, hacked him to pieces, clutched him and dashed him to the ground; nay, they tore, his head off and pelted another with the same. They ripped up bellies, plucked up arms and, seizing the opponent by the foot, dashed him to the ground. The bears buried the demon warriors underground and piled over them large heaps of sand. The gallant monkeys on the battlefield looked like so many infuriated forms of Death as they desperately fought against the enemy.
Chhands
kruddhē kṛtāṃta samāna kapi tana stravata sōnita rājahīṃ.
mardahiṃ nisācara kaṭaka bhaṭa balavaṃta ghana jimi gājahīṃ..
mārahiṃ capēṭanhi ḍāṭi dātanha kāṭi lātanha mījahīṃ.
cikkarahiṃ markaṭa bhālu chala bala karahiṃ jēhiṃ khala chījahīṃ.. [6-80(C)-1]
dhari gāla phārahiṃ ura bidārahiṃ gala aomtāvari mēlahīṃ.
prahalādapati janu bibidha tanu dhari samara aṃgana khēlahīṃ..
dharu māru kāṭu pachāru ghōra girā gagana mahi bhari rahī.
jaya rāma jō tṛna tē kulisa kara kulisa tē kara tṛna sahī.. [6-80(C)-2]
Their bodies streaming with blood, the powerful monkey warriors looked like the god of death in fury. Crushing the champions of the demon host they roared like thunder- clouds. They slapped and browbeat their opponents, bit them and trampled them under foot. The monkeys and bears sent out a shrill cry and employed every stratagem to annihilate the miscreant host. They seized and tore open the cheeks, ripped up the bellies and hung the entrails round their necks, as though the lord of Prahlāda (Bhagavān Nṛsiṁha) had assumed a multiplicity of forms and sported on the field of death. The savage cries of “Seize, smite, cut to pieces and knock down!” filled both heaven and earth. Glory to Śrī Rāma, who can actually convert a blade of grass into a thunderbolt and vice versa.
Dohas
nija dala bicalata dēkhēsi bīsa bhujāom dasa cāpa.
ratha caḍhai calēu dasānana phirahu phirahu kari dāpa..81.. [6-81]
When the ten-headed Rāvaṇa saw his troops breaking, he mounted his chariot and drawing ten bows in his twenty arms turned round, shouting in great fury “Turn back, turn back.”
Chaupais
dhāyau parama kruddha dasakaṃdhara. sanmukha calē hūha dai baṃdara..
gahi kara pādapa upala pahārā. ḍārēnhi tā para ēkahiṃ bārā.. [6-81-1]
lāgahiṃ saila bajra tana tāsū. khaṃḍa khaṃḍa hōi phūṭahiṃ āsū..
calā na acala rahā ratha rōpī. rana durmada rāvana ati kōpī.. [6-81-2]
ita uta jhapaṭi dapaṭi kapi jōdhā. mardai lāga bhayau ati krōdhā..
calē parāi bhālu kapi nānā. trāhi trāhi aṃgada hanumānā.. [6-81-3]
pāhi pāhi raghubīra gōsāī. yaha khala khāi kāla kī nāī..
tēhi dēkhē kapi sakala parānē. dasahu cāpa sāyaka saṃdhānē.. [6-81-4]
The wrath of the ten-headed monster knew no bound as he darted forward. But the monkeys also hurried to confront him shouting with glee. Taking in their hands trees, stones and rocks, they hurled them upon him all at once. The rocks broke to pieces the moment they struck his adamantine frame. Rāvaṇa, who was maddened with the lust for war and most furious by temperament, flinched not but remained firm as a rock, planting his chariot where it stood. Burning all over with rage he darted and bullied hither and thither and started crushing the monkey warriors. Many a bear and monkey took to his heel, crying: “Help, help, Aṅgada and Hanumān! Save, save, O Lord Raghuvira (Hero of Raghu’s line)! This wretch is devouring us like Death.” When the monster saw that all the monkeys had fled, he fitted an arrow to each of his ten bows.
Chhands
saṃdhāni dhanu sara nikara chāḍaēsi uraga jimi uḍai lāgahīṃ.
rahē pūri sara dharanī gagana disi bidasi kahaom kapi bhāgahīṃ..
bhayō ati kōlāhala bikala kapi dala bhālu bōlahiṃ āturē.
raghubīra karunā siṃdhu ārata baṃdhu jana racchaka harē..
Fitting an arrow to each of his bows, he shot a volley of arrows, which flew and lodged like winged serpents. The shafts filled all available space on earth as well as in the heavens including the eight quarters, so that the monkeys knew not where to go. There was a wild uproar in the ranks of the monkeys and bears, who were all sore distressed and cried in anguish: “O Hero of Raghu’s line, O Ocean of mercy, O Befriender of the distressed, O Hari, O Saviour of mankind!”