Chapter 10 - Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Rāma (part 6)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. Being asked by Rāma, Aṅgada went to Rāvaṇa (and) said, “Let Jānakī be returned to Rāghava immediately, otherwise you will die.”

2. Rāvaṇa was intent on killing (Aṅgada). The ten-headed demon who was ready to fight sent words to Rāma that war was the only way thought of.

3- 5. After hearing these words, Rāma came to Laṅkā with the monkeys for the sake of battle. The monkeys were Hanūmat, Mainda, Dvivida, Jāmbavat, Nala, Nīla, Tāra, Aṅgada, Dhūmra, Suṣeṇa, Keśarī, Gaya, Panasa, Vinata, Rambha, Śarabha, Krathana the strong, Gavākṣa, Dadhivaktra, Gandhamādana and others and Sugrīva. With these and other innumerable monkeys (Rāma came to Laṅkā).

6. There was a disorderly battle between the demons and monkeys. The demons killed the monkeys with arrows, spears and mace”.

7. The monkeys killed demons with nails, teeth and stones. The force of the demons consisting of elepḥants cavalry, chariots and infantry was destroyed.

8. Hanūmat killed the enemy Dhūmrākṣa with a big rock. Nīla killed the fighting Akampana and Prahasta.

9. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fainted on account of the arrow discharged by Indrajit. Regaining their consciousness after perceiving Tārkṣya (the chief of the eagles), they killed the forces of demons.

10. Rāma made Rāvaṇa shattered in the battle by means of arrows. And the grief-stricken Rāvaṇa woke up Kumbhakarṇa.

11-12. Then being awakened, Kumbhakarṇa, drinking thousands of pots of wine, and having eaten buffaloes and other (animals), said to Rāvaṇa, “You have done the sin of abducting Sītā and because (you are) my master, I shall go now for the war and kill Rāma along with the monkeys.”

13. So saying, Kumbhakarṇa crushed all the monkeys. Being seized by him, Sugrīva cut off his ears and nose.

14. Having lost ears and nose he was eating the monkeys. then Rāma cut off the arms of Kumbhakarṇa with the arrows.

15- 17. Then having cut off the feet, (Rāma) made (his) head fall on the earth. And then the demons Kumbha, Nikumbha, Makarākṣa, Mahodara and Mahāpārśva, the arrogant, Praghasa, Bhāsakarṇa, Virūpākṣa, Devāntaka, Narāntaka, Triśiras, Atikāya (were killed) in battle by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and the monkeys in the company of Vibhīṣaṇa.

18-21. And other demons, as they were fighting were made to fall down. Fighting by conceit, Indrajit bound Rāma and others with the Nāgāstra got as a gift. After they were made secure and free from wounds when Māruti had brought the mountain. Hanūmat bore him (Lakṣmaṇa) to that place where (Indrajit) was doing homa and offering āhuti-s unto the fire at Nikumbilā Lakṣmaṇa killed the valiant Indrajit in battle. Being burnt by grief, Rāvaṇa was intent on killing Sītā.

22. The king although obstructed by the women, went (to fight) seated on a chariot and accompanied by the army. Being directed by Indra, Mātali^[1] made Rāma seated on a chariot.

23. The fight between Rama and Rāvaṇa was none the second. Rāvaṇa attacked monkeys and Māruti and others attacked Rāvaṇa.

24-26. Just as a cloud, Rāma showered on him (Rāvaṇa) arrows and weapons. He cut off his flagstaff along with his chariot, horses and charioteer as well as the bow, arms and heads. The cut-off heads grew again (on his body). Rāvaṇa was made to fall down to the ground by Rāma by piercing (his) heart with the Brahmāstra (weapon of the Pitāmaha). The (rākṣasa) women wept along with other demons. After consoling them, Vibhīṣaṇa cremated him as directed by Rāma.

27-28. Rāma made the pure Sītā to be brought (to him) by Hanūmat. He accepted her who was (declared) pure by her entry into the fire and (he) was praised by Indra, Brahmā, Daśaratha and others as, “You are Viṣṇu, the killer of the demon.” Indra being propitiated, revived the monkeys by a shower of nectar.

29-30. They all (Brahmā and o hers) being worshipped by Rāma returned to heavens after witnessing the battle. Rāma entrusted Laṅkā to Vibhīṣaṇa. Having, honoured the monkeys, being seated in the (aerial chariot) Puṣpaka in the company of Sītā, Rāma returned by the same route by which he had gone (to Laṅkā) showing the forests and mountains to Sītā and having a happy mind.

31. Having paid obeisance to Bharadvāja, he reached Nandigrāma. Being revered by Bharata there, he reached Ayodhyā and settled there.

32. Having saluted Vasiṣṭha and other sages, Kauśalyā, Kaikeyī and Sumitrā and having obtained the kingdom he honoured the twice-born.

33. He worshipped Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu), his own self, with the Aśvamedha (sacrifice). He conferred gifts on the deserving men). He protected (the welfare) of his subjects.

34. (He protected) dharma (righteousness), kāma (desire for worldly enjoyments) etc. just as his sons. (He) was bent on subduing the wicked. The world was abound with all righteous activities. The earth was abound with all grains. As Rāma was ruling, there was no premature death.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Mātali is the charioteer of Indra.