Meghnad's Battle and the Serpent Noose
Meghnad wages a battle of illusion and binds Rama in the serpent noose as part of the Lord's divine play. The sight brings brief sorrow to the gods and the Vanara army.
Lanka Kand · Episode 19 / 37
Episode Text
मेघनाद मायामय रथ चढ़ि गयउ अकास। गर्जेउ अट्टहास करि भइ कपि कटकहि त्रास॥ ७२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
meghanāda māyāmaya ratha caṛhi gayau akāsa। garjeu aṭṭahāsa kari bhai kapi kaṭakahi trāsa॥ 72 ॥
Meaning:
Meghnada mounted that illusory chariot and rose into the sky, then roared with a great laugh, causing fear to spread through the monkey army.
सक्ति सूल तरवारि कृपाना। अस्त्र सस्त्र कुलिसायुध नाना॥ डारइ परसु परिघ पाषाना। लागेउ बृष्टि करै बहु बाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saktī sūla taravāri kṛpānā। astra sastra kulisāyudha nānā॥ ḍārai parasu parigha pāṣānā। lāgeu bṛṣṭi karai bahu bānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
He began to wield shakti, trident, sword, dagger, and many other weapons, including thunderbolt-like arms; he hurled axes, clubs, and stones, and showered many arrows.
दस दिसि रहे बान नभ छाई। मानहुँ मघा मेघ झरि लाई॥ धरु धरु मारु सुनिअ धुनि काना। जो मारइ तेहि कोउ न जाना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dasa disa rahe bāna nabha chāī। mānahuṃ maghā megha jhari lāī॥ dharu dharu māru suni'a dhuni kānā। jo mārai tehi kou na jānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Arrows spread in all ten directions and covered the sky, as if the clouds of the Magha star had begun to pour down in a torrent. The cries 'Catch him, catch him, strike him' are heard in the ears. Yet no one can tell who is the one striking.
गहि गिरि तरु अकास कपि धावहिं। देखहिं तेहि न दुखित फिरि आवहिं॥ अवघट घाट बाट गिरि कंदर। माया बल कीन्हेसि सर पंजर॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gahi giri taru akāsa kapi dhāvahiṃ। dekhahiṃ tehi na dukhita phiri āvahiṃ॥ avaghaṭa ghāṭa bāṭa giri kaṃdara। māyā bala kīnhesi sara paṃjara॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The monkeys seize mountains and trees and rush through the sky. But they cannot see him, and so return in distress. By the power of illusion, Meghnada had turned the uneven passes, roads, hills, and mountain caverns into cages of arrows.
जाहिं कहाँ ब्याकुल भए बंदर। सुरपति बंदि परे जनु मंदर॥ मारुतसुत अंगद नल नीला। कीन्हेसि बिकल सकल बलसीला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāhiṃ kahāṃ byākula bhae bandar। surapati bandi pare janu mandara॥ mārutasuta aṃgada nala nīlā। kīnhesi bikhala sakala balasīlā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Wondering where to go now and finding no path, the monkeys became distressed, as if the mountains themselves were imprisoned by Indra. Meghnada threw Hanuman, Angada, Nala, Nila, and all the mighty ones into confusion.
पुनि लछिमन सुग्रीव बिभीषन। सरन्हि मारि कीन्हेसि जर्जर तन॥ पुनि रघुपति सैं जूझै लागा। सर छाँड़इ होइ लागहिं नागा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni lacchimana sugrīva bibhīṣana। saranhi māri kīnhesi jarjara tana॥ puni raghupati saiṃ jūjhai lāgā। sara chāṃṛai hoi lāgahiṃ nāgā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
Then he struck Lakshman, Sugriva, and Vibhishana with arrows and made their bodies like sieves. After that he began to fight with Shri Raghunathji. The arrows he released would strike like snakes.
ब्याल पास बस भए खरारी। स्वबस अनंत एक अबिकारी॥ नट इव कपट चरित कर नाना। सदा स्वतंत्र एक भगवाना॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
byāla pāsa basa bhae kharārī। svabasa anaṃta eka abikārī॥ naṭa iva kapaṭa carita kara nānā। sadā svatantra eka bhagavānā॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
He who is self-dependent, infinite, one, and changeless—Shri Ram, enemy of Khara—appeared to come under the control of the serpent noose. Shri Ramchandra is ever free, one, and the sole Lord; like an actor, He performs many varied seeming roles.
रन सोभा लगि प्रभुहिं बँधायो। नागपास देवन्ह भय पायो॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rana sobhā lagi prabhuhiṃ baṃdhāyo। nāgapāsa devanha bhaya pāyo॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
For the splendor of the battle, the Lord allowed Himself to be bound by the serpent-noose; but because of this, the gods were struck with great fear.
गिरिजा जासु नाम जपि मुनि काटहिं भव पास। सो कि बंध तर आवइ ब्यापक बिस्व निवास॥ ७३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
girijā jāsu nāma japi muni kāṭahiṃ bhava pāsa। so ki bandha tara āvai byāpaka bisva nivāsa॥ 73 ॥
Meaning:
[Shiva says:] O Girija, those whose name the sages chant to cut the noose of worldly existence—could such the all-pervading Lord, the abode of the universe, ever come under bondage?
चरित राम के सगुन भवानी। तर्कि न जाहिं बुद्धि बल बानी॥ अस बिचारि जे तग्य बिरागी। रामहि भजहिं तर्क सब त्यागी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
carita rāma ke saguna bhavānī। tarki na jāhiṃ buddhi bala bānī॥ asa bicāri je tagya birāgī। rāmahi bhajahiṃ tarka saba tyāgī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Bhavani, these manifested deeds of Rama cannot be judged by the strength of intellect, speech, or logic. Reflecting thus, those who are truly wise and detached worship Rama alone, abandoning all argument.
ब्याकुल कटकु कीन्ह घननादा। पुनि भा प्रगट कहइ दुर्बादा॥ जामवंत कह खल रहु ठाढ़ा। सुनि करि ताहि क्रोध अति बाढ़ा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
byākula kaṭaku kīnha ghananādā। puni bhā pragaṭa kahai durbādā॥ jāmavanta kaha khala rahu ṭhāṛhā। suni kari tāhi krodha ati bāṛhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Meghanada threw the army into confusion and then appeared in person, speaking insolently. On this, Jambavan said, “Stay, you wretch!” Hearing this, his anger flared greatly.
बूढ़ जानि सठ छाँड़ेउँ तोही। लागेसि अधम पचारै मोही॥ अस कहि तरल त्रिसूल चलायो। जामवंत कर गहि सोइ धायो॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
būṛh jāni saṭa chāṇḍeum̐ tohī। lāgesi adhama pacārai mohī॥ asa kahi tarala trisūla calāyo। jāmavanta kara gahi soi dhāyo॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
"You fool, I had spared you thinking you were old. O vile one, now you dare to challenge me?" Saying this, he hurled the flashing trident. Jambavan seized that trident with his hand and rushed on.
मारिसि मेघनाद कै छाती। परा भूमि घुर्मित सुरघाती॥ पुनि रिसान गहि चरन फिरायो। महि पछारि निज बल देखरायो॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mārisi meghanāda kai chātī। parā bhūmi ghurmita suraghātī॥ puni risāna gahi carana phirāyo। mahi pachāri nija bala dekharāyo॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
He struck Meghanada in the chest. That foe of the gods reeled and fell to the earth. Then, angered again, Jambavan seized his legs, whirled him around, and slammed him to the ground to show his own strength.
बर प्रसाद सो मरइ न मारा। तब गहि पद लंका पर डारा॥ इहाँ देवरिषि गरुड़ पठायो। राम समीप सपदि सो आयो॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bara prasāda so marai na mārā। taba gahi pada laṅkā para ḍārā॥ ihām̐ devar̥ṣi garuṛa paṭhāyo। rāma samīpa sapadi so āyo॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
By the power of the boon he does not die even when struck. So Jambavan seized his foot and threw him onto Lanka. Meanwhile the divine sage Garuda was sent, and he came at once into Rama's presence.
खगपति सब धरि खाए माया नाग बरूथ। माया बिगत भए सब हरषे बानर जूथ॥ ७४ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khagapati saba dhari khāe māyā nāga barūtha। māyā bigata bhae saba harṣe bānara jūtha॥ 74 (a) ॥
Meaning:
The lord of birds, Garuda, swallowed all the groups of illusory serpent-forms. Freed from Maya, all the bands of monkeys rejoiced.
गहि गिरि पादप उपल नख धाए कीस रिसाइ। चले तमीचर बिकलतर गढ़ पर चढ़े पराइ॥ ७४ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gahi giri pādapa upala nakha dhāe kīsa risāi। cale tamīcara bikalatara gaṛha para caṛhe parāi॥ 74 (b) ॥
Meaning:
The monkeys, carrying mountains, trees, stones, and their claws, rushed forward in anger. The demons were thrown into confusion, fled away, and climbed up onto the fortress.
मेघनाद कै मुरछा जागी। पितहि बिलोकि लाज अति लागी॥ तुरत गयउ गिरिबर कंदरा। करौं अजय मख अस मन धरा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
meghanāda kai murachā jāgī। pitahi biloki lāja ati lāgī॥ turata gayau giribara kandarā। karaum̐ ajaya makha asa mana dharā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Meghanada's coma ended. Seeing his father, he felt greatly ashamed. At once he went to the cave of the great mountain, having resolved in his mind, “I shall perform an invincible sacrifice.”
इहाँ बिभीषन मंत्र बिचारा। सुनहु नाथ बल अतुल उदारा॥ मेघनाद मख करइ अपावन। खल मायावी देव सतावन॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ihām̐ bibhīṣana mantra bicārā। sunahu nātha bala atula udārā॥ meghanāda makha karai apāvana। khala māyāvī deva satāvana॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Here Vibhishana considered a plan and said, “Listen, Lord of incomparable strength and generosity! The wicked, deceitful Meghanada is performing an impure sacrifice, oppressing the gods.”
जौं प्रभु सिद्ध होइ सो पाइहि। नाथ बेगि पुनि जीति न जाइहि॥ सुनि रघुपति अतिसय सुख माना। बोले अंगदादि कपि नाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaum̐ prabhu siddha hoi so pāihi। nātha begi puni jīti na jāihi॥ suni raghupati atisaya sukha mānā। bole aṅgadādi kapi nānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
"If it is successfully completed, then, my lord, he will not be conquered again soon." Hearing this, Raghupati was greatly pleased and spoke to many monkeys led by Angada.
लछिमन संग जाहु सब भाई। करहु बिधंस जग्य कर जाई॥ तुम्ह लछिमन मारेहु रन ओही। देखि सभय सुर दुख अति मोही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lachimana saṅga jāhu saba bhāī। karahu bidhansa jagya kara jāī॥ tumha lachimana mārehu rana ohī। dekhi sabhaya sura dukha ati mohī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
"All of you go with Lakshmana and destroy the sacrifice there. Lakshmana, you strike him in battle. Seeing the gods frightened pains me greatly."
मारेहु तेहि बल बुद्धि उपाई। जेहिं छीजै निसिचर सुनु भाई॥ जामवंत सुग्रीव बिभीषन। सेन समेत रहेहु तीनिउ जन॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mārehu tehi bala buddhi upāī। jehiṃ chījai nisicara sunu bhāī॥ jāmavanta sugrīva bibhīṣana। senā sameta rahehu tīniu jana॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
"Strike him down by such means of strength and skill that the demon may be finished, brother. Jambavan, Sugriva, and Vibhishana—remain there three with the army."
जब रघुबीर दीन्हि अनुसासन। कटि निषंग कसि साजि सरासन॥ प्रभु प्रताप उर धरि रनधीरा। बोले घन इव गिरा गँभीरा॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba raghubīra dīnhi anusāsana। kaṭi niṣaṅga kasi sāji sarāsana॥ prabhu pratāpa ura dhari ranadhīrā। bole ghana iva girā gambhīrā॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
When Lord Raghubir issued his command, Lakshmana—taking up his quiver, adjusting his bow, and carrying the Lord's glory in his heart—spoke with a voice deep as a cloud.
जौं तेहि आजु बधें बिनु आवौं। तौ रघुपति सेवक न कहावौं॥ जौं सत संकर करहिं सहाई। तदपि हतउँ रघुबीर दोहाई॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaum̐ tehi āju badheṃ binu āvaum̐। tau raghupati sevaka na kahāvaum̐॥ jaum̐ sata saṅkara karahiṃ sahāī। tadapi hataum̐ raghubīra dohāī॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
"If I return today without killing him, I shall not be called a servant of Raghupati. Even if a hundred Shankaras help him, by the name of Raghubir, I will surely kill him today."
रघुपति चरन नाइ सिरु चलेउ तुरंत अनंत। अंगद नील मयंद नल संग सुभट हनुमंत॥ ७५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
raghupati carana nāi siru caleu turanta ananta। aṅgada nīla mayanda nala saṅga subhaṭa hanumanta॥ 75 ॥
Meaning:
Bowing his head at the feet of Raghupati, he departed at once. With him were Angada, Nila, Mayanda, Nala, and the mighty Hanuman.