Ravana Marches to War and Rama's Chariot of Victory
Ravana himself sets out for battle, while the glory of Rama's chariot of victory is revealed. The war between Vanaras and Rakshasas grows even more intense.
Lanka Kand · Episode 21 / 37
Episode Text
चलेउ निसाचर कटकु अपारा। चतुरंगिनी अनी बहु धारा॥ बिबिधि भाँति बाहन रथ जाना। बिपुल बरन पताक ध्वज नाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
caleu nisācara kaṭaku apārā। caturaṃginī anī bahu dhārā॥ bibidhi bhāṃti bāhana ratha jānā। bipula barana patāka dhvaja nānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The countless army of the Rakshasas marched forth. Its fourfold divisions were vast and numerous. There were many kinds of vehicles, chariots, and mounted troops, along with banners and flags of many colors.
चले मत्त गज जूथ घनेरे। प्राबिट जलद मरुत जनु प्रेरे॥ बरन बरन बिरदैत निकाया। समर सूर जानहिं बहु माया॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
cale matta gaja jūtha ghanere। prābiṭa jalada maruta janu prere॥ barana barana biradaita nikāyā। samara sūra jānahiṃ bahu māyā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Many herds of maddened elephants moved out, as if they were monsoon clouds driven by the wind. There were colorful bands of valiant warriors, heroes in battle who knew many kinds of sorcery.
अति बिचित्र बाहिनी बिराजी। बीर बसंत सेन जनु साजी॥ चलत कटक दिगसिंधुर डगहीं। छुभित पयोधि कुधर डगमगहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ati bichitra bāhinī birājī। bīra vasaṃta sena janu sājī॥ calata kaṭaka digasiṃdhura ḍagahīṃ। chubhita payodhi kudhara ḍagamagahīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
A most extraordinary army shone forth, as though the heroic Spring itself had adorned it as a force. As the army advanced, the elephants of the directions trembled, the oceans were churned into agitation, and the mountains began to sway.
उठी रेनु रबि गयउ छपाई। मरुत थकित बसुधा अकुलाई॥ पनव निसान घोर रव बाजहिं। प्रलय समय के घन जनु गाजहिं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
uṭhī renu rabi gayau chapāī। maruta thakita basudhā akāulī॥ panava nisāna ghora rava bājahiṃ। pralaya samaya ke ghana janu gājahiṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
So much dust rose that the sun became hidden. Then suddenly the wind seemed to stop, and the earth grew restless. Drums and war-timbrels thundered with a fearsome sound, like clouds roaring at the time of dissolution.
भेरि नफीरि बाज सहनाई। मारू राग सुभट सुखदाई॥ केहरि नाद बीर सब करहीं। निज निज बल पौरुष उच्चरहीं॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bheri naphīri bāja sahanāī। mārū rāga subhaṭa sukhadāī॥ kehari nāda bīra saba karahīṃ। nija nija bala pauruṣa uccarahīṃ॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
The war-drums, trumpets, and shehnais resounded with the Maru melody, pleasing to warriors. All the heroes roared like lions and proclaimed their own strength and valor.
कहइ दसानन सुनहु सुभट्टा। मर्दहु भालु कपिन्ह के ठट्टा॥ हौं मारिहउँ भूप द्वौ भाई। अस कहि सन्मुख फौज रेंगाई॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahai dasānana sunahu subhaṭṭā। mardahu bhālu kapinha ke ṭhaṭṭā॥ hauṃ mārihauṃ bhūpa dvau bhāī। asa kahi sanmukha fauja reṃgāī॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Ravana said, 'Listen, O valiant warriors! Crush the rabble of bears and monkeys. I shall kill the two princes myself.' Having said this, he led his army forward.
धाए बिसाल कराल मर्कट भालु काल समान ते। मानहुँ सपच्छ उड़ाहिं भूधर बृंद नाना बान ते॥ नख दसन सैल महाद्रुमायुध सबल संक न मानहीं। जय राम रावन मत्त गज मृगराज सुजसु बखानहीं॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhāe bisāla karāla markaṭa bhālu kāla samāna te। mānahuṃ sapaccha uṛāhiṃ bhūdhara bṛnda nānā bāna te॥ nakha dasana saila mahādrumāyudha sabala saṃka na mānahīṃ। jaya rāma rāvana matta gaja mṛgarāja sujasu bakhānahiṃ॥
Meaning:
The huge and fierce monkeys and bears rushed forward, terrible as death itself. It was as if winged mountain-ranges were flying, of many colors and forms. Their nails, teeth, rocks, and great trees were their weapons; mighty as they were, they feared no one. With cries of 'Victory to Rama,' they praised the beautiful glory of the lion-like Lord who would subdue the maddened elephant Ravana.
दुहु दिसि जय जयकार करि निज निज जोरी जानि। भिरे बीर इत रामहि उत रावनहि बखानि॥ ७९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
duhu disi jaya jayakāra kari nija nija jorī jāni। bhire bīra ita rāmahi uta rāvanahi bakhāni॥ 79 ॥
Meaning:
On both sides the warriors raised cries of victory, each recognizing his own side, and, praising Rama on one side and Ravana on the other, they clashed in combat.
रावनु रथी बिरथ रघुबीरा। देखि बिभीषन भयउ अधीरा॥ अधिक प्रीति मन भा संदेहा। बंदि चरन कह सहित सनेहा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāvanu rathī biratha raghubīrā। dekhi bibhīṣana bhayau adhīrā॥ adhika prīti mana bhā sandehā। bandi carana kaha sahita snehā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing Ravan on his chariot and Lord Raghubir without a chariot, Vibhishana became restless. Because his love was so deep, a doubt arose in his mind [how could Rama conquer Ravan without a chariot?]. Bowing to Rama's feet, he began to speak affectionately.
नाथ न रथ नहिं तन पद त्राना। केहि बिधि जितब बीर बलवाना॥ सुनहु सखा कह कृपानिधाना। जेहिं जय होइ सो स्यंदन आना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nātha na ratha nahiṃ tana pada trānā। kehi bidhi jitaba bīra balavānā॥ sunahu sakhā kaha kṛpānidhānā। jehiṃ jaya hoi so syandana ānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, you have no chariot, no armor to protect the body, and no shoes either. How can the mighty warrior Ravan be conquered? Lord Rama, the treasure of mercy, said: O friend, listen. The chariot by which victory is won is a different one.
सौरज धीरज तेहि रथ चाका। सत्य सील दृढ़ ध्वजा पताका॥ बल बिबेक दम परहित घोरे। छमा कृपा समता रजु जोरे॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sauraja dhīraja tehi ratha cākā। satya sīla dṛḍha dhvajā patākā॥ bala bibeka dama parahita ghore। chamā kṛpā samatā raju jore॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Valor and fortitude are the wheels of that chariot. Truth and virtue are its strong banner and pennant. Strength, discernment, self-restraint, and selfless service are its four horses, yoked to the chariot by the reins of forgiveness, compassion, and equanimity.
ईस भजनु सारथी सुजाना। बिरति चर्म संतोष कृपाना॥ दान परसु बुधि सक्ति प्रचंडा। बर बिग्यान कठिन कोदंडा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
īsa bhajanu sārathī sujānā। birati carma saṃtoṣa kṛpānā॥ dāna parasu budhi sakti pracaṃḍā। bara bigyāna kaṭhina kodaṃḍā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Devotion to God is the skilled charioteer [who drives that chariot]. Detachment is the shield, and contentment the sword. Charity is the axe, wisdom the mighty power, and true knowledge the hard bow.
अमल अचल मन त्रोन समाना। सम जम नियम सिलीमुख नाना॥ कवच अभेद बिप्र गुर पूजा। एहि सम बिजय उपाय न दूजा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
amala acala mana trona samānā। sama jama niyama silīmukha nānā॥ kavaca abheda bipra guru pūjā। ehi sama bijaya upāya na dūjā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
A pure and steadfast mind is like a quiver. Self-control, the moral restraints, and observances are the many arrows within it. Worship of the Brahmins and the guru is an impenetrable armor. There is no other path to victory like this.
महा अजय संसार रिपु जीति सकइ सो बीर। जाकें अस रथ होइ दृढ़ सुनहु सखा मतिधीर॥ ८० (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mahā ajaya saṃsāra ripu jīti sakai so bīra। jākeṃ asa ratha hoi dṛḍha sunahu sakhā matidhīra॥ 80 (a) ॥
Meaning:
O friend of steady intellect, listen: the warrior who has such a firm chariot can conquer even the great, invincible enemy that is the world [birth and death]. Ravan is not even worth mentioning.
सुनि प्रभु बचन बिभीषन हरषि गहे पद कंज। एहि मिस मोहि उपदेसेहु राम कृपा सुख पुंज॥ ८० (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni prabhu bacana bibhīṣana haraṣi gahe pada kañja। ehi misa mohi upadesehu rāma kṛpā sukha puṃja॥ 80 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the Lord's words, Vibhishana rejoiced and clasped His lotus feet. He said: O Rama, treasure of mercy and bliss, you have taught me greatly through this very occasion.
उत पचार दसकंधर इत अंगद हनुमान। लरत निसाचर भालु कपि करि निज निज प्रभु आन॥ ८० (ग) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
uta pacāra dasakaṃdhara ita aṃgada hanumāna। larata nisācara bhālu kapi kari nija nija prabhu āna॥ 80 (c) ॥
Meaning:
On one side Ravan is challenging, and on the other stand Angada and Hanuman. The demons and the bears-monkeys are fighting, each calling out to his own lord.
सुर ब्रह्मादि सिद्ध मुनि नाना। देखत रन नभ चढ़े बिमाना॥ हमहू उमा रहे तेहिं संगा। देखत राम चरित रन रंगा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sura brahmādi siddha muni nānā। dekhata rana nabha caḍhe bimānā॥ hamahū umā rahe tehiṃ saṃgā। dekhata rāma carita rana raṃgā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Brahma and the other gods, along with many siddhas and sages, were watching the battle from the sky in their aerial chariots. [Shiva says:] O Uma, I too was there with them, watching the dramatic play of Rama's battle.
सुभट समर रस दुहु दिसि माते। कपि जयसील राम बल ताते॥ एक एक सन भिरहिं पचारहिं। एकन्ह एक मर्दि महि पारहिं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
subhaṭa samara rasa duhu disi māte। kapi jayasīla rāma bala tāte॥ eka eka sana bhirahiṃ pacārahiṃ। ekanha eka mardi mahi pārahiṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The warriors on both sides are intoxicated with the joy of battle. The monkeys are victorious because of Lord Rama's power. They clash with one another and challenge each other, and then crush one another and hurl them to the ground.
मारहिं काटहिं धरहिं पछारहिं। सीस तोरि सीसन्ह सन मारहिं॥ उदर बिदारहिं भुजा उपारहिं। गहि पद अवनि पटकि भट डारहिं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mārahiṃ kāṭahiṃ dharahiṃ pachārahiṃ। sīsanhaṃ tori sīsanhaṃ sana mārahiṃ॥ udara bidārahiṃ bhujā upārahiṃ। gahi pada avani paṭaki bhaṭa ḍārahiṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
They strike, cut, seize, and throw down their foes, and break heads to strike with those very heads. They rip open bellies, tear off arms, and seize warriors by the feet to slam them onto the earth.
निसिचर भट महि गाड़हिं भालू। ऊपर ढारि देहिं बहु बालू॥ बीर बलीमुख जुद्ध बिरुद्धे। देखिअत बिपुल काल जनु क्रुद्धे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nisicara bhaṭa mahi gāḍhahiṃ bhālū। upara ḍhāri dehiṃ bahu bālū॥ bīra balīmukha juddha biruddhe। dekhiyata bipula kāla janu kruddhe॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The demon warriors are buried in the ground by the bears, who pile great heaps of sand over them. In battle, the heroic monkeys opposing their enemies appear like many raging forms of Death itself.
क्रुद्धे कृतांत समान कपि तन स्रवत सोनित राजहीं। मर्दहिं निसाचर कटक भट बलवंत घन जिमि गाजहीं॥ मारहिं चपेटन्हि डाटि दातन्ह काटि लातन्ह मीजहीं। चिक्करहिं मर्कट भालु छल बल करहिं जेहिं खल छीजहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kruddhe kṛtāṃta samāna kapi tana sravata sonita rājahīṃ। mardahiṃ nisācara kaṭaka bhaṭa balavanta ghana jimi gājahīṃ॥ mārahiṃ capeṭanhi ḍāṭi dātanhaṃ kāṭi lātanhaṃ mījahīṃ। cikkarahiṃ markaṭa bhālu chala bala karahiṃ jehiṃ khala chījahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Like Death in fury, those monkeys are radiant with blood streaming from their bodies. They crush the warriors of the demon host and roar like mighty clouds. They strike with slaps, bite with their teeth, kick, and grind down their foes. The monkeys and bears shriek, using such cunning and force that the wicked are destroyed.
धरि गाल फारहिं उर बिदारहिं गल अँतावरि मेलहीं। प्रह्लादपति जनु बिबिध तनु धरि समर अंगन खेलहीं॥ धरु मारु काटु पछारु घोर गिरा गगन महि भरि रही। जय राम जो तृन ते कुलिस कर कुलिस ते कर तृन सही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhari gāla phārahiṃ ura bidārahiṃ gala aṃtāvari melahīṃ। prahlādapati janu bibidha tanu dhari samara aṃgana khelahīṃ॥ dharu māru kāṭu pachāru ghora girā gagana mahi bhari rahī। jaya rāma jo tṛna te kulisa kara kulisa te kara tṛna sahī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
They grab the demons by the cheeks and tear them apart, split open their chests, and pull out their entrails. The monkeys seem as though the Lord of Prahlada, Nrisimha, were sporting in the battlefield in many forms. The fierce cries of Catch! Strike! Cut! Throw down! fill the sky and earth. Victory to Rama, who makes a blade of grass into a thunderbolt and a thunderbolt into a blade of grass.
निज दल बिचलत देखेसि बीस भुजाँ दस चाप। रथ चढ़ि चलेउ दसानन फिरहु फिरहु करि दाप॥ ८१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nija dala bicalata dekhesi bīsa bhujāṃ dasa cāpa। ratha caḍhi caleu dasānana phirahu phirahu kari dāpa॥ 81 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing his own army in turmoil, Lakshmana tightened his quiver at the waist, took his bow in hand, bowed his head at the feet of Lord Raghunath, and set out in anger.
धायउ परम क्रुद्ध दसकंधर। सन्मुख चले हूह दै बंदर॥ गहि कर पादप उपल पहारा। डारेन्हि ता पर एकहिं बारा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhāyau parama kruddha dasakaṃdhara। sanmukha cale hūha dai bandara॥ gahi kara pādapa upala pahārā। ḍārenhi tā para ekahiṃ bārā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Ravan rushed forward in great fury. The monkeys advanced before him, roaring. They took trees, stones, and mountains in their hands and hurled them all at Ravan at once.
लागहिं सैल बज्र तन तासू। खंड खंड होइ फूटहिं आसू॥ चला न अचल रहा रथ रोपी। रन दुर्मद रावन अति कोपी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lāgahiṃ saila bajra tana tāsū। khaṇḍa khaṇḍa hoi phūṭahiṃ āsū॥ calā na acala rahā ratha ropī। rana durmada rāvana ati kopī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
As soon as the mountains struck his thunderbolt-like body, they burst into pieces. The fiercely enraged, battle-mad Ravan stopped his chariot and stood immovable, not moving even slightly from his place.
इत उत झपटि दपटि कपि जोधा। मर्दै लाग भयउ अति क्रोधा॥ चले पराइ भालु कपि नाना। त्राहि त्राहि अंगद हनुमाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ita uta jhapaṭi ḍapaṭi kapi jodhā। mardai lāga bhayau ati krodhā॥ cale parāi bhālu kapi nānā। trāhi trāhi aṃgada hanumānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
He became extremely furious. Lashing and lunging in all directions, he began to crush the monkey warriors. Many monkeys and bears fled, crying, 'O Angada! O Hanuman! Save us, save us!'
पाहि पाहि रघुबीर गोसाईं। यह खल खाइ काल की नाईं॥ तेहिं देखे कपि सकल पराने। दसहुँ चाप सायक संधाने॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pāhi pāhi raghubīra gosāīṃ। yaha khala khāi kāla kī nāīṃ॥ tehiṃ dekhe kapi sakala parāne। dasahuṃ cāpa sāyaka sandhāne॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O Raghubir! O Lord! Save us, save us. This villain is devouring us like Death itself. Seeing that all the monkeys had fled, [Ravan] then fitted arrows to all ten of his bows.
संधानि धनु सर निकर छाड़ेसि उरग जिमि उड़ि लागहीं। रहे पूरि सर धरनी गगन दिसि बिदिसि कहँ कपि भागहीं॥ भयो अति कोलाहल बिकल कपि दल भालु बोलहिं आतुरे। रघुबीर करुना सिंधु आरत बंधु जन रच्छक हरे॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sandhāni dhanu sara nikara chhāḍhesi uraga jimi uḍi lāgahīṃ। rahe pūri sara dharanī gagana disi bidisi kahaṃ kapi bhāgahīṃ॥ bhayo ati kolāhala bīkala kapi dala bhālu bolahiṃ āture। raghubīra karuṇā sindhu ārata bandhu jana racchaka hare॥
Meaning:
He drew his bow and loosed a shower of arrows. The arrows flew like serpents and struck their targets. Arrows filled the earth, the sky, and every direction. Where could the monkeys flee? There was terrible commotion. The monkey and bear army, distressed, cried out: O Raghubir! O ocean of compassion! O friend of the afflicted! O protector of all people, Hari!
निज दल बिकल देखि कटि कसि निषंग धनु हाथ। लछिमन चले क्रुद्ध होइ नाइ राम पद माथ॥ ८२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nija dala bikala dekhi kaṭi kasi niṣaṃga dhanu hātha। lachimana cale kruddha hoi nāi rāma pada mātha॥ 82 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing his own army in distress, Lakshmana tightened his quiver at the waist, took his bow in hand, bowed his head at Lord Rama's feet, and set out in anger.