Valmiki Ramayana - January 31

January 31 - Sargas 108 and 109 of Yuddha Kanda.

Sri Rama uses the Brahmastra and kills Ravana.

Vibhishana is in distress, but Sri Rama's words help him.

***

अथ स्मारयामास मातली राघवं तदा 

विनाशकालः कथितो यः सुरैः सोऽद्यवर्तते 

"Matali then reminded Sri Rama that he had forgotten to use the Brahmastra which was very much in his quiver. The time for Ravana's end as foretold and desired by all the gods had arrived."

यं तस्मै प्रथमं प्रादादगस्त्यो भगवान्ऋषिः ।

ब्रह्मदत्तं महद्बाणममोघं युधि वीर्यवान्      ॥

"Sri Rama, endowed with incomparable valour, then readily picked up the sacred Brahmastra from his quiver which had been bestowed on him by the great sage Agastya before, which was created originally by Brahma himself to be infallible and supreme as a weapon in any battle." 

Valmiki describes how Lord Brahma had created this ultimate Astra for Indra in order to ensure that Dharma prospers and wins over Adharma in all decisive battles. The Brahmastra was like the Wind-god in speed, bore in its tip the fire of the sun, its body being the subtle and unavertable Akasha (ether) and its gravitational momentum endowed by Meru and Mandara peaks. It could penetrate through any fortress, destroy any mountain, and was most dangerous looking, displaying the bloodstains of its victims from history. It throbbed and hissed like a mighty serpent and was veritably the Lord of Death, Yama, when used in battle. Garuda's feathers adorned it. 

अभिमन्त्र्य ततो रामस्तं महेषुं महाबलः ।

वेदप्रोक्तेन विधिना सन्दधे कार्मुके बली ॥

"Sri Rama, the supreme warrior, then invoked Veda mantras as ordained and used the prescribed method to set that glorious Brahmastra to his mighty bow."

All creatures trembled in fright and the earth shook up in anticipation of its launch. Sri Rama pulled the bowstring to its limit with his mighty arm and released the infallible Brahmastra.

"Launched by the one endowed with arms as strong as Indra's thunderbolts, the Brahmastra which was radiant like lightning went like the God of Death and pierced Ravana in his chest and shattered it. Destroying the life force in Ravana, the Astra then struck the earth.

कृतकर्मा निभृतवत् स तूणीं पुनराविशत् "Having accomplished its intended task, the Brahmastra quietly returned and settled in Sri Rama's quiver."

Ravana was shattered, covered with blood, and his body slumped from his chariot to earth.

All the rakshasas dropped their weapons and rushed back into Lanka,  करुणैर्बाष्पप्रस्रवणैैर्मुखैः "looking pitiable with all their faces covered in tears."

Dropping all their missiles as no longer needed, the vanaras celebrated in great delight and raised a lot of noise.   

The celebrations by the gods and celestials assembled in the skies were impressive, with divine drums beating, a glorious and auspicious fragrance filling the air, and an unprecedented shower of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers covering Sri Rama from above.

One heard the congratulatory benedictions from the gods, साधु साधु "Bravo! Well done, Sri Rama!"

Sri Rama was also immensely pleased that he had fulfilled the promise he had made to Sugriva, Angada, and Vibhishana. 

There was an instant looking up of all the elements, a sense of great peace, and the sun shone in his familiar glory.

Sugriva, Vibhishana, Angada, and Lakshmana went to Sri Rama and worshipped him as he stood looking his most handsome and benedictory self.

Valmiki says Sri Rama was looking like Indra himself, surrounded by all the gods.

***

Vibhishana now burst out in grief, looking at his brother fallen dead in battle. He poured out his filial feelings and long-standing reverence for Ravana as the undisputed monarch of all the rakshasas. 

वीरविक्रान्त विख्यात प्रवीण नयकोविद ।

महार्हशयनोपेत किं शेषेद्य निहतो भुवि  ॥

तदिदं वीर सम्प्राप्तं यन्मया पूर्वमीरितम् ।

काममोहपरीतस्य यत् तन्न रुचितं वचः ॥

"Oh glorious hero of famous victories, supreme as a lord and expert in all diplomacy and decorum, why do you, used to the best of royal beds, now lie like this on the bare earth!?

"Alas! My words then found no favour with you as you were besotted in lust. Whatever I predicted has now come true, and you have reaped the harvest I warned you about."

"Arrogant Prahasta, Indrajit, even Kumbhakarna, and Atikaya discarded my advice just as you did, full of a misplaced sense of self-assurance."

Suddenly Vibhishana bursts out, "Oh, the world has come to an end! Its hero who was an embodiment of righteousness is gone. True valour is dead. No heroes are left. The sun has dashed to earth, the moon is dark and a blazing fire has been quenched.  The world has neither purpose nor meaning."

Vibhishana says the stormy wind called Raghava has felled a mighty tree called Ravana, with his courage being his leaves, his stubbornness his flowers, his tapas his strong trunk and his bravery his roots. Ravana, the tusker in musth has been torn asunder by the lion called Sri Rama. Sri Rama the thundercloud has quenched the blazing forest fire called Ravana. Ravana, the raging bull with the mighty rakshasa army being his tail, hooves, and horns, has been killed by the tiger called Sri Rama.

***

Sri Rama now addressed Vibhishana. 

नायं विनष्टो निश्चेष्टः समरे चण्डविक्रमः ।

नैवं विनष्टाः शोच्यन्ते क्षत्रधर्मव्यवस्थिताः ॥

"Say not such words! Ravana was a supreme hero who did not die cheaply. He was bravery personified and struck terror in his adversaries in battle. Such heroes who die in battle thus shall never be grieved for thus. It simply augurs for their glory and they have their place reserved in the higher world for heroes. Remember Ravana had terrorized the three worlds including Indra himself. Is it not the nature of battles that one hero wins and the other dies? Vibhishana, make peace with reality and focus on what urgently needs to be done next."

Vibhishana again described to Sri Rama that the one who was a raging ocean had been quietened today by Sri Rama and Ravana had been the epitome of grace, generosity, and Vedic knowledge, devoted to scripturally prescribed sacrifices. He requested Sri Rama that he be allowed to perform Ravana's last rites.

आज्ञापयामास नरेन्द्रसूनुः स्वर्गीयमाधानमदीनसत्त्वः 

"Prince Sri Rama instructed that Vibhishana carry out the last rites with resolute dedication to the one departed to heaven."

मरणान्तकानि वैराणि निर्वृत्तं नः प्रयोजनम् ।

क्रियतामस्य संस्कारो ममाप्येष यथा तव  ॥

"All animosities end with death. The enmity with Ravana serves no further purpose. Now he is as much to me as he is to you, and I urge you perform his rites well."

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - January 30

January 30 - Sarga 107 of Yuddha Kanda.

***

Then the final battle between Sri Rama and Ravana.

ततः प्रवृत्तं सक्रूरं युद्धं सर्वलोकभयावहम् - "Then began a most violent battle between the two great foes that shook the three worlds with fright."

The rakshasas and vanaras, arrayed with deadly weapons and missiles, were stupefied watching that battle. Neither side thought of doing anything except watching the two heroes battle.

रक्षसां रावणं चापि वानराणां च राघवम् ।

पश्यतां विस्मिताक्षाणां सैन्यं चित्रमिवाबभौ ॥

तौ तु तत्र निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा रावणराघवौ ।

कृतबुद्धी स्थिरामर्षौ युयुधाते ह्यभीतवत् ॥

"The rakshasas, watching their lord Ravana battle it out, held their breath, just as did the vanaras, looking on the incredible prowess of Sri Rama, their lord. In the process, all the onlookers were frozen into a tableau."

"Sri Rama and Ravana, meanwhile, fully realizing the portent of the evident omens on their respective prospects of victory and defeat, were determined to fight it out to the last, displaying extreme hatred towards each other, displaying absolutely no fear."

जेत्वयमिति काकुत्स्थो मर्तव्यमिति रावणः ।

धृतौ स्ववीर्यसर्वस्वं युद्धेऽदर्शयतां तदा      ॥

"Committed to victory was Sri Rama, and committed to martyrdom was Ravana, respectively. They both fought with every ounce of their might, and it was on full display in the battle."

Ravana shot arrows to destroy the flag aloft Indra's chariot. Even before his arrows reached their target, a force field of the chariot felled them. Seeing Ravana's intent, Sri Rama avenged the act by shooting a serpentine arrow, unbearable in its fierce splendour, that went straight and broke down the flag of Ravana's chariot and dashed it to the ground.

Ravana started attacking Sri Rama's horses. But they were unflustered. Ravana went on launching varied weapons like gada, parigha, shula, axe, pestle, and so on relentlessly at Sri Rama. These weapons raised a huge noise. It appeared Ravana was fighting his last battle as his arrows went everywhere into the sky and attacked the vanaras too. Sri Rama looked on with a smile as he countered them with his own rain of arrows.

तदा शरवर्षेण द्वितीयं भास्वदम्बरम्  - "The sky filled with all those arrows and missiles appeared to be a different one, metamorphosed in its strangeness."

Valmiki says that the arrows shot from either side never failed to find their target and strike. They were being countered also very effectively. So finally all the arrows were being neutralized and falling to earth.

Valmiki says that each hurt the other's horses, each struck the other, and this went on and on without any let-up, causing extreme wonderment in all the spectators including the celestials in the sky.

The chariots were also being driven at great speed in all directions and going back and forth too, causing even more wonder. 

At one stage, it appeared that the two chariots merged into one.

Sri Rama suddenly struck Ravana's horses with four arrows that pushed them back. Ravana chose to respond by hurting Sri Rama all over. But Sri Rama appeared not in the least bothered. Ravana then struck Matali with thunderbolt-like arrows. But Matali was totally unfazed. Sri Rama was now provoked like never before seeing Ravana attacking Matali. He immediately launched thousands of arrows at Ravana. Ravana too responded.

The battle stirred up the oceans so much that the beings living under the sea were distressed. Similarly, all the terrestrial creatures and even mountains and forests experienced deep agitation.

ततो देवा सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ।

चिन्तामापेदिरे सर्वे सकिन्नरमहोरगाः।  ॥

स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु लोकास्तिष्ठन्तु शाश्वताः ।

जयतां राघवः सङ्ख्ये रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम् ॥

"The gods along with gandharvas, rishis, kinnaras, and the great serpents, prayed fervently that the world should flourish forever with the well-being of Brahmanas and good people everywhere. Sri Rama should defeat Ravana, the lord of rakshasas."

All had only one thought. Just as the sky and the ocean each has no parallel, this battle had no parallel.

रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव ।

एवं ब्रुवन्तो ददृशुस्तद्युद्धं रामरावणम् ॥

"Unblinkingly, they all witnessed the battle between Sri Rama and Ravana, saying that the only comparison for the Rama-Ravana- yuddha was the Rama-Ravana-yuddha itself."

Then Sri Rama set terrific arrows to his bow and sent them to cut off Ravana's head.

तच्छिरः पतितं भूमौ दृष्टं लोकैस्त्रिभिस्तदा 

तस्यैव सदृशं चान्यद्रावणस्योत्थितं शिरः 

क्षिप्रहस्तेन रामेण शिरश्छिन्नं संयति सायकैः छिन्नमात्रं तच्छीर्षं पुनरेव प्रदर्श्यते 

"Sri Rama's arrow went and cut off Ravana's head that dropped to earth at once. This was seen by all in the three worlds. But at once, an identical head sprang up on Ravana. Again Sri Rama cut off another head of Ravana. That too sprang up again, identical to the one cut down."

Thus did Sri Rama cut off one hundred heads of Ravana, all of which sprang up back with identical replacements. 

Sri Rama, the master of all the weapons in the world, now fell into thought. 

"My arrows destroyed Mareecha, Khara, Dushana, Viradha, Kamabdha. They struck down seven sala trees in a row. They destroyed Vali. I had absolute confidence in my arrows in all my battles. How come they are ineffectual today against Ravana!? What could be the reason?"

Even as he thought thus, Sri Rama struck Ravana repeatedly in his chest.  Ravana was replying in equal measure with maces and axes and so on. This battle went on, sometimes in the sky, sometimes on mountain peaks, sometimes on the bare ground. This went on day and night as the gods witnessed in amazement. 

Just then, seeing Sri Rama's efforts being unsuccessful, the charioteer Matali spoke to Sri Rama.

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

 

 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - January 29

January 29 - Sargas 105 and 106 of Yuddha Kanda. 

The celebrated sage Agastya comes and gives Aditya Hridayam to Sri Rama for his victory. 

Several ill-portents indicate to Ravana his imminent defeat. 

 *** 

Given the sanctity of Aditya Hridayam, I have decided to share the entire stotram here as an embedded PDF. I have taken the text and translation from Indiadivine.org

The key words of benediction from the sage Agastya are:

राम राम महाबाहो शृणु गुह्यं सनातनम् ।

येन सर्वानरीन् वत्स समरे विजयिष्यसे  ॥

आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं.......

सर्वमङ्गलमान्गल्यम् ।

पूजयस्व विवस्वन्तं भास्करं भुवनेश्वरम्    ॥

"Oh dear Sri Rama! The mighty warrior with broad shoulders! Listen to this instruction from me of the sacred, esoteric, ancient, Aditya Hridayam. With this, you shall conquer all enemies. It is auspicious and brings welfare to all. Worship the glorious lord Sun! He is the primordial source of all life on earth, he is the nourisher, protector, and illuminator of body, mind, and soul."

Remember that Sri Rama belongs to the Solar Dynasty, descended through the Sun from Brahma himself. Even Hanuman is the blessed disciple of the Sun-god. At every step, the Sun-god has guided Sri Rama's steps.

Praying to the most obvious, all-time, manifestation of Godhood in the form of the Sun-god is the most direct, intuitive, empowering worship one can undertake before any great task. Surya is the manifestation of Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, all in one.

It is a great poetic moment in the Ramayana that the glorious sage Agastya, revered as one of the most benevolent divine masters to have blessed India (especially south India), who had long ago blessed Sri Rama in the Dandaka forest and given him divine weapons, should come in person into the battlefield, witnessed by all the gods and rishis and celestials showering their blessings on Sri Rama. 

Sage Agastya does not give Sri Rama any new weapons. He simply teaches him to pray to Aditya or Surya or Bhaskara. This is one of the best examples of how a guru helps his disciple. Not by giving any magical bullets but by giving spiritual instruction.

***

The concluding verse of Aditya Hridayam is

अथ रविरवदन्निरीक्ष्य रामं मुदितमनाः परमं प्रहृष्यमाणः ।

निशिचरपतिसंक्षयं विदित्वा सुरागाणामाध्यागातो वचस्त्वरेति ॥

"Then, the Sun-god, surrounded by all the gods and celestials and sages, beamed on Sri Rama, full of delight at the way Sri Rama had been instructed by the sage and accordingly propitiated him. He foresaw clearly that Sri Rama was going to end the menace called Ravana, the lord of rakshasas. Smilingly he spoke, giving only one pointed advice to Sri Rama, "Oh, dear Sri Rama! Make haste!""

***

Ravana's able charioteer now brought him into the battle in a grand way. The chariot was weaving a mesmerizing web in its movement, speed, and splendour. It gave much confidence to the rakshasas and pretty much shook up all the directions. Its rumble was loud enough to shatter mountains. Ravana's bow was radiant like a divine rainbow, showering a great deluge of arrows.

Sri Rama gave a terrific twang to his bow. He addressed Matali, his divine charioteer:

"Oh, Matali! Witness how rapidly Ravana is advancing on the left flank. He seems to be in a hurry to die. Therefore you should advance in a counter direction. You shall see me destroy the enemy like a whirlwind dispels clouds.

अविक्लवमसंभ्रान्तमव्यग्रहृदयेक्षणम् ।

रश्मिसञ्चारनियतं प्रचोदय रथं द्रुतम् ॥

युयुत्सुरहमेकाग्रः स्मारये त्वां न शिक्षये ॥

"Oh Matali! You are a most capable charioteer, having served Indra himself in great battles. I do not have to tell you anything. I am simply reminding you that you may steer the chariot holding the reins tightly, without any fear, confusion, or indecisiveness. Move at the speed of light, and carry me strategically. I am going to concentrate all my attention on the fighting, and I shall not give you any more instructions."

Matali was most delighted at Sri Rama's confidence in him and his motivating words. He now spun the chariot in counter moves circling Ravana's chariot in such a way that he raised a dust storm that completely clouded Ravana's vision and bearings.

Ravana was enraged and attacked Sri Rama. Sri Rama picked up the special bow from Indra in Matali's chariot and, using powerful arrows, struck Ravana fiercely. The sight of the two great warriors engaged thus was most gripping.

Many gods, celestials, ascetics, other divine beings, had all assembled to witness the destruction of their inglorious tormentor Ravana. They were all praying for his defeat.

***

Valmiki describes how several terrifying portents of Ravana's destruction and Lanka's fall manifested now. The sky darkened into a red colour, many scarifying showers from the sky bathed Ravana's chariot, scavenger eagles circled menacingly in the sky, and many fiery objects plunged to earth from above.

एवं प्रकारा बहवः समुत्पाता भयावहाः ।

रावणस्य विनाशाय दारुणा संप्रजज्ञिरे ॥

रामस्यापि निमित्तानि सौम्यानि च शिवानि च ।

बभूवुर्जयशंसीनि प्रादुर्भूतानि सर्वशः           ॥

"Thus did several obvious omens of ill-boding manifest frighteningly for Ravana, signifying his death in a terrible way.  

At the same time, all around Sri Rama were omens auguring success and prosperity and good. They all signified his impending victory."

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्        ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - January 28

January 28 - Sargas 103 and 104 of Yuddha Kanda.

The fierce battle continues between Ravana and Sri Rama. Each covers the other ferociously with a skyful of arrows, and each responds in equal measure.

***

ततः क्रोधसमाविष्टो रामो दशरथात्मजः ।

उवाच रावणं वीरः प्रहस्य परुषं वचः    ॥

मम भार्या जनस्थानादज्ञानाद्राक्षसाधम    ।

हृता ते विवशा यस्मात्त्वं नाऽसि वीर्यवान् ॥

मया विरहितां दीनां वर्तमानां महावने    ।

वैदेहीं प्रसभं हृत्वा शूरोऽहमिति मन्यसे  ॥

"Then Sri Rama, son of Dasharatha, full of anger, addressed Ravana with a sardonic smile and put him in his place.

"Oh, you scum of the rakshasas! My wife Sita was helpless and ignorant of who you were when she was abducted by you from Janasthana. It shows you for what you are - surely not valorous.

"When I was not around, in that great forest,  you forcibly lifted off my wife Sita, daughter of Videha, even though you could see she was helpless and desperate. Then how can you consider yourself brave!?"

Sri Rama continued: "How can someone who steals others' wives when they are unprotected and helpless be considered worthy in any way?" 

भिन्नमर्याद निर्लज्ज चारित्रेष्वनवस्थित । दर्पान्मृत्युमुपादाय शूरोऽहमिति मन्यसे  ॥

कर्मणः प्राप्नुहीदानीं तस्याद्य सुमहत् फलम् । यदि मत्सन्निधौ सीता धर्षिता भ्रातरं तु खरं पश्येस्तदा मत्सायकैर्हतः ॥

'Oh shameless one, you have transgressed all limits of decency, and you have no shred of character. By your arrogance, you have now courted death, thinking even now that you are fighting a brave battle. Know that all your misdeeds are going to bear fruit in a big way now. Indeed, if you had dared to go near Sita when I was around, you would have been despatched by my arrows then and there to go and join your dead brother Khara."

"Oh Ravana, I shall kill you. Your crowned head with earrings will roll and feed scavenger birds. "

Sri Rama then attacked Ravana ferociously with a deluge of arrows. Sri Rama's power and dexterity increased visibly. He was dazzling like the sun. All divine weapons were presenting themselves on their own in front of him for him to attack Ravana with. 

Ravana was disoriented and distressed. He was unable to lift his bow and respond. Seeing his precarious condition, his charioteer deftly maneuvered to steer the chariot away quietly from the eye of the battle storm. This saved Ravana.

***

When Ravana was revived, he burst out in a most unstatesmanly way at his charioteer. One could readily see that Ravana was under the spell of Death as he abused the charioteer.

"What, you evil one! What made you think I was without my powers or weapons? Just to humiliate me, you have brought me away from the battle. You have shamed me in front of my enemy. You have thrown cold water on my reputation, when I was so keen to fight with all my valour against such a worthy enemy."

सत्योऽयं प्रतितर्को मे परेण त्वमुपस्कृतः "Oh, mean one! I am certain you have been bribed by my enemy to betray my interests!"

Ravana told the charioteer that since he had been long in Ravana's service, he would understand his master and should better take him back into the battle right away.

अब्रवीद्रावणं सूतो हितं सानुनयं वचः "The charioteer then replied politely with well-meant words to Ravana."

"Your majesty, I am not afraid or confused. The enemy has also not enticed me. I have not lost my loyalty or gratitude towards you. "

कश्चिल्लघुरिवानार्यो दोषितो न गन्तुमर्हसि  "Therefore you should not accuse me, speaking like a cheap and uncivil man."

"Just as the ocean waves recede when the moon rises, I withdrew. You were obviously fatigued and I saw that you were not able to counter the enemy. A good charioteer should know when to take you closer to the enemy during the battle, when to stay still, when to move, and when to withdraw. I only wanted to give some respite to you and the horses. I did this entirely as my bounden duty."

"Please instruct me now. I shall do exactly as you order me, full of gratitude to you as always. "

Ravana was placated. He made up to his charioteer by gifting him a gold bracelet. Full of the fighting spirit, he now commanded his charioteer to take the chariot right into the battle. In an instant, the charioteer drove the chariot to the exact position to resume the fight.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - January 27

January 27 - Sarga 102 of Yuddha Kanda.

Sri Rama resumes the battle, from the chariot sent by Indra.

***

लक्ष्मणेन तु तद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा स राघवः सन्दधे धनुरादाय वीर्यवान् - "The formidable Raghava picked up his bow to fight, on being convinced by Lakshmana's words of motivation."

Ravana had arrived in a new chariot. He now received a rain of arrows from Sri Rama. He replied in kind. Seeing their fierce battle, the gods, gandharvas, kinnaras, all assembled in the skies to witness the battle, demurred that it was not an equal fight as Sri Rama was standing on the bare ground and facing the ten-headed, twenty-armed Ravana in his splendid chariot. It should be known that fighting from a well-navigated, rapidly moving, well-stocked chariot offers a considerable advantage.

Hearing these murmurs from the gods, Indra, the lord of gods, sent for a celestial chariot, driven by the godly charioteer Matali. He ordered that Matali should go and drive Sri Rama in his chariot. Matali was glad to go at once, with his divine chariot.

रुक्मवेणुध्वजः श्रीमान् देवराजरथो वरः - The gorgeous, ornamented, divine chariot of Indra, carrying a golden fluted flag, with special horses and fortifications, was driven by Matali to where the battle was taking place.

Paying his respects to Sri Rama, Matali offered to drive him in the divine chariot which was also stocked with special weapons - Indra's massive bow, dazzling armour, sun-like arrows, and a most auspicious Shakti weapon, too. 

आरुह्येमं रथं वीर राक्षसं जहि रावणम् ।

मया सारथिना देव महेन्द्र  इव दानवान् ॥

"Lord Sri Rama, kindly board this divine chariot of Indra, and accept me as your charioteer. Just as Indra vanquished the danavas once from this very chariot, please kill Ravana."

इत्युक्तः संपरिक्रम्य रथं समभिवाद्य च ।

आरुरोह तदा रामो लोकाँल्लक्ष्म्या विराजयन् ॥

Valmiki puns here beautifully. "Having thus been invited, Sri Rama graciously thanked Matali, circumambulated the chariot in obeisance, and climbed on to it, brilliant as the supreme lord and master of the universe and conferring prosperity on all (as Narayana whose consort is Devi Lakshmi herself!)"

Sri Rama countered Ravana's each special weapon with its equal, Gandharva meeting Gandharva, Daiva with Daiva, and so on. Ravana launched in utter rage the Rakshasastra which took the form of most venous serpents attacking Sri Rama in a formation. They looked extremely deadly and seemed to consume the target as they dazzled all the directions. Sri Rama coolly took up the Garutmastra (Garuda) and destroyed them all.

Ravana intensified his attack with more arrows. He now struck Matali himself and hurt him. He cut down the divine flag on the chariot, and injured the horses too. 

This dismayed Sri Rama, and his low mood was not received well by all the celestials watching this battle and rooting for his victory. The constellations responded ominously, with Budha ominously closing in on Rohini just as The Rahu called Ravana had covered the Sun called Sri Rama.

The ocean rose in ominous waves almost reaching to the skies. Mars occupied the Vishakha star that was venerated by Ikshwakus as their star.

Ravana meanwhile was looking glorious like the Mainaka peak, with his ten crowned heads, twenty arms, all with weapons held aloft.

स कृत्वा भ्रुकुटि कृद्धः किञ्चित्संरक्तलोचनः ।

जगाम सुमहान्क्रोधं निर्दहन्निव राक्षसान्     ॥

"Sri Rama knitted his brows in cataclysmic rage, determined to burn down and  exterminate rakshasas. "

The animals and even the mountains responded in fear and awe.

Ravana also felt a strange fear.

नानाप्रहरणैः भीमैः शूरयोः सम्प्रयुद्ध्यतोः "The gods watched in awe the two glorious warriors launching a variety of deadly weapons at each other." While the rakshasas were filling Ravana with spirit, invoking victory to him, the celestials were loudly invoking Sri Rama's victory for universal good.

Ravana now picked up a nemesis of a weapon, called Shula. It was as good as the thunderbolt and spelt universal destruction. It had an elaborate construction and looked like the fire of dissolution.

Roaring mightily, causing much exuberance among rakshasas, causing consernation and foreboding in all creation, Ravana told Sri Rama: "Look, this Vajra-like Shula will now consume you as well as your brother. I will send you to go and join all the rakshasas slain so far in this battle." Ravana launched the Shula at Sri Rama.

The Shula lit up the sky and its bells tinkled loudly. Sri Rama shot many arrows to extinguish the Shula. But the Shula merely consumed all those arrows as it blazed on. Sri Rama was full of anger and consternation. But he did not relent. He now impetuously picked up that Shakti weapon brought by Matali.

सा क्षिप्ता राक्षसेन्द्रस्य तस्मिन् शूले पपात ह।

भिन्नः शक्त्या महान्शूलो निपपात गतद्युतिः  ॥

"The divine Shakti brought in Indra's chariot was launched by Sri Rama and proceeded to dash fiercely against that Shula launched by Ravana. Struck by the Shakti, the Shula was broken into bits and fell to earth tamely."

Sri Rama now quickly aimed his arrows at Ravana's horses and hurt them. He struck Ravana's breast with three fierce arrows and Ravana's forehead with three more. Ravana was visibly hurt and was livid, looking at his own condition.

***

॥     श्रीरामजयम्     ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - January 26

January 26 - Sargas 100 and 101 of Yuddha Kanda.

Ravana renders Lakshmana unconscious and nearly dead. Much to Sri Rama's relief, Hanuman again brings the Sanjivani with which Sushena revives Lakshmana.

***

मयेन विहितं रौद्रमन्यदस्त्रं महाद्युतिः ।

उत्स्रष्टुं रावणो भीमं राघवाय प्रचक्रमे ॥

"Seeing his weapon rendered null and void by Sri Rama, Ravana was extremely provoked and decided to launch a terrible weapon fashioned by Mayasura for him and strike Sri Rama."

Ravana's launch of that weapon resulted in several terrific weapons emerging simultaneously from his bow. Sri Rama nullified all of them with the supreme Gandharvastra.

Ravana now launched Saurastra, which created circles of deadly weapons illumining the sky as they advanced. Sri Rama's arrows targeted them and destroyed them midair.

Ravana attacked and hurt Sri Rama in ten vital places at once. Unmindful of his own injuries, Sri Rama in turn attacked Ravana all over his body. Lakshmana now entered the fray. He methodically destroyed Ravana's flag (on which figured a human head as a sign of his conquest of all humans) as well as his charioteer. Five arrows from Lakshmana went and destroyed Ravana's huge bow that resembled an elephant trunk.

Vibhishana attacked the horses of Ravana's chariot and destroyed them with his mace.

Ravana leaped off his chariot, and attacked Vibhishana, burning with rage. He launched a terrific weapon Shakti that was bound to kill Vibhishana. Lakshmana interceded just in time and with three arrows destroyed that Shakti before it went and hit Vibhishana. This drew great applause from the vanaras.

Ravana was uncontrollable in his fury now. He picked up an expansive Shakti weapon that had been created by his ascetic penance power. Realizing that Vibhishana would need protection from that lustrous Shakti, Lakshmana shielded him just in time and attacked Ravana with such a rain of arrows that Ravana stopped. 

Ravana now screamed at Lakshmana, "Now that you shielded the despicable Vibhishana from my Shakti, I am now going to launch a special weapon directly at you. It goes and cleaves the life out of my enemy. It shall tear you down and then return to me."

The Mahashakti weapon, created by Mayasura, was looking magnificent and sported eight big bells. When Ravana launched it, it lit up the sky and rushed towards Lakshmana. It made a terrific noise as it smashed into Lakshmana and felled him, just as Sri Rama uttered a fervent prayer to that Shakti to spare Lakshmana and extinguish itself.

The Shakti penetrated into Lakshmana. It was as if a deadly serpent had entered his being. Seeing Lakshmana fall down plunged Sri Rama into great grief.

Sri Rama took some time to recover his bearings. He decided that the time was opportune to act and not be lost in mourning. Sri Rama started fighting ferociously. 

After some time, Sri Rama again looked at the fallen Lakshmana. That Shakti had pierced through him and into the earth. The vanaras were struggling to pull it out. Sri Rama went and applying all his might, pulled out the Shakti with a roar and broke it down with his hands. Throwing it down, Sri Rama now called out to Hanuman and Sugriva. Valmiki mentions how in the meanwhile Sri Rama had received many arrows from Ravana that had pierced his body. But he was unmindful. He said to them, "Oh vanaras, please stand guard around Lakshmana. I shall vent my rage pent up all these days and unleash my prowess on the enemy."

"Just as the Chataka bird awaits rain after the summer season, I have been biding my time. Now is the time to kill this evil Ravana. Hear my oath, oh vanaras! Soon the earth will be rid of either Ravana or Rama.

राज्यनाशं वने वासं दण्डके परिधावनम् ।

वैदेह्याश्च परामर्शो रक्षोभिश्च समागमम्   ॥

प्राप्तं दुःखं महाघोरं क्लेशश्च निरयोपमः ।

अद्य सर्वमहं त्यक्ष्ये निहत्वा रावणं रणे ॥

"The loss of my kingdom, banishment into the forest, wandering there, the abduction of my wife Vaidehi Sita, encounters with so many rakshasas, endless misery, terrible grief over loss, and incomparable hardships - all these have I suffered thus far. Today I shall vent my rage by killing this evil Ravana in battle.

"The series of my actions including friendship with Sugriva, installing him on the Kishkindha throne, building the bridge over the ocean, all this is brought to fruition today in the form of this enemy Ravana in front of me. He does not deserve to live any longer."

अद्य पश्यन्तु रामस्य रामत्वं मम संयुगे ।

त्रयो लोकाः सगन्धर्वाः स देवाः सर्षिचारणाः ॥

"Let the Ramatva of Rama be now witnessed in this battle by the three worlds of celestials, gandharvas, siddhas, rishis, and charanas. 

" My deeds of valour in this battle shall be spoken of as long as this earth lasts by all living beings."

शितैर्बाणैर्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणैः - "Saying this, Sri Rama attacked and hurt Ravana with a deluge of extremely sharp, golden arrows. Ravana responded too. The fierce battle between them with a rain of arrows was lighting up the sky and raising a terrific noise that shook all creatures."

But soon, Ravana was unable to withstand Sri Rama's attack and beat a quick retreat from battle.

***

Sri Rama now addressed Sushena. "It grieves me no end to see Lakshmana fallen in battle like this, struck by Ravana's Shakti. Lakshmana is dearer to me than my own life. 

अयं तु समरश्लाघी भ्राता मे शुभलक्षणः ।

यदि पञ्चमापन्नः प्राणैर्मे किं सुखेन वा   ॥

लज्जतीव हि मे वीर्यं भ्रष्यतीव कराद्धनुः ।

सायका व्यवसीदन्ति दृष्टिर्बाष्पवशं गता  ॥

"If this great warrior and my dearest brother, full of auspicious qualities, Lakshmana, has lost his life to the five elements, neither my life nor any worldly pleasure has any significance. My valour will hide in shame and my bow will slip from my hand. My arrows will perish and my sight will be blinded by my tears.

"My body is withering as in a dream and seeing my brother's precarious condition, I feel like dying. "

Sri Rama was plunged into terrible distress seeing his alter ego Lakshmana fallen thus. He muttered how winning the war had lost meaning just like moonlight would make no sense to a blind man. He would follow Lakshmana to the next world. Alas, Lakshmana had been felled by the enemy who fought with illusionist tricks. One would readily find wives and friends and relatives everywhere but not a brother like Lakshmana.

How would Sri Rama now go and face Sumitra? Or Kaikeyi and Kausalya and Bharata?

Sri Rama's grief and sorrowful words increased in intensity as he recalled all that Lakshmana had meant to him. Now Sushena approached Sri Rama. 

"Look, Sri Rama, Lakshmana is not dead. There is still lustre in his face, his body has not darkened, and signs of life-breath are still present. We can revive him."

Calling to Hanuman, Sushena requested him to again go to the Himalayas, and bring those four precious herbs he had been told about before by Jambavan. Losing no time, Hanuman flew to the Himalayas. Again unable to identify for himself the four medicinal life-giving herbs, he again decided to lift that mountain Mahodayagiri and bring it to Sushena.

सुषेणो वानरश्रेष्ठो जग्राहोत्पाट्य चौषधीः "Praising Hanuman, Sushena quickly retrieved those four herbs from the mountain. "

विस्मितास्तु बभूवुस्ते रणे वानरपुङ्गवाः ।

दृष्ट्वा तु हनुमत्कर्म सुरैरपि सुदुष्करम्    ॥

"All the vanara chiefs were simply astonished by Hanuman's incredible feat of bringing the Sanjivani mountain, a deed impossible even for the gods."

After Sushena crushed the herbs and administered the potion to Lakshmana through the nasal route, Lakshmana was magically revived, healed of injuries, and free from the embedded arrows.  Lakshmana stood up and went to Sri Rama who was unable to control his relief and joy as he embraced Lakshmana again and again, saying how Lakshmana's demise would have erased for him any hope or interest in life. 

Lakshmana replied with much feeling, making it clear to all of us how wonderful was his own personality.

तां प्रतिज्ञां प्रतिज्ञाय पुरा सत्यपराक्रम ।

लघुः कश्चिद्विवासत्त्वो नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥

वधेन रावणस्याद्य प्रतिज्ञाम् अनुपालय ॥

"Dear Sri Rama, having promised before that you shall kill Ravana and establish Vibhishana on the throne, how can you risk your famed adherence to truth and your upholding your word always!? You shall not speak these weak words. Incomparable men like you do not make promises lightly. They always carry out their commitments. You should never feel so distressed on my account that you will swerve from your promise. Today, please carry out your vow and kill Ravana."

Lakshmana concludes by telling Sri Rama that he is sure that Sri Rama will successfully achieve whatever he desires.

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - January 25

January 25 - Sarga 99 of Yuddha Kanda. 

The beginning of the end game. Ravana and Sri Rama engage directly with each other.

***

Ravana is visibly agitated that Mahodara, Mahaparshva, and Virupaksha have all died in battle.

He vows to to his charioteer:

निहतानाममात्यानां रुद्धस्य नगरस्य च।

दःखमेवापनेष्यामि हत्वातौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥

"Hear me! I shall avenge the death of my ministers and the siege of Lanka by the enemy, and the consequent grief that we have all been put through, by killing Rama and Lakshmana!"

रामवृक्षं रणे हन्मि सीतापुष्पफलप्रदम् ।

प्रशाखा यस्य सुग्रीवो जाम्बवान् कुमुदो नलः ॥

मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव अङ्गदो गन्धमादनः।

हनूमांश्च सुषेणश्च सर्वे च हरियूथपाः ॥

"I shall cut down the tree called Sri Rama in battle, the tree that gives beautiful flowers and fruits called Sita, whose branches are Sugriva, Jambavan, Kumuda, Nila, Mainda, Dvivida, Angada, Gandhamadana, Hanuman and Sushena, the vanara chiefs!"

The implication is that once the tree is cut, its branches will die. But its fruits and flowers are ready for plucking. In other words, Sri Rama's death will destroy the enemy and give Ravana the bounty of Sita. This statement is an eloquent description of Ravana's mindset!

***

Ravana drove in his chariot with a terrific rumble towards Sri Rama. The noise scared all creatures as well as the earth, and Ravana launched an astra called Tamasa that killed and burnt vanaras in large numbers. 

Sri Rama was ready for battle. Lakshmana was by his side. Ravana was confronting the two, who looked like Indra and Vishnu (younger brother Upendra) when confronted by Vrittrasura (Ravana here). Valmiki says that Rahu (the evil planet that causes eclipses in our Puranic stories) seemed to be approaching the Sun and the Moon.

Valmiki describes now Sri Rama in Ravana's eyes- Sri Rama held the mighty bow that seemed to be a lightning streak in the sky. His broad shoulders and long arms showed him to be a formidable archer. 

As Sri Rama twanged his bowstring, there was such a terrific sound that, when combined with Ravana's arrows shooting off with a hiss, had an overall effect that was most scarifying for all around.

Lakshmana engaged Ravana with powerful arrows which were all easily annulled by Ravana. He passed Lakshmana and went directly to Sri Rama. 

There was a hail of arrows from Ravana. Sri Rama used arrows called bhallas and countered all of them.

चेरतुश्च चिरं चित्रं मण्डलं सव्यदक्षिणम् ।

बाणवेगात् समुत्क्षिप्तावन्योन्यमपराजितौ ॥

"The two glorious warriors, Sri Rama and Ravana, moved in circular patterns clockwise and anticlockwise, shooting deadly arrows at each other with such speed and dexterity that neither seemed to be conquerable in battle."

The skies darkened with their incessant fusillade of arrows. 

Ravana, whose name literally means "one who makes others cry", shot arrows now directly at Sri Rama's forehead. They went and stuck into his head, but Sri Rama was unmindful of them. He invoked and launched the Raudrastra which went and pierced Ravana's chest armour but ineffectually. Now Sri Rama shot fierce arrows that went and struck Ravana on his head. The arrows mimicked hissing serpents as they went down after striking Ravana.

Ravana now launched a strange astra called Asura, which multiplied into several missiles with heads of wild animals like tiger, lion, snake and so on. Sri Rama replied with Agneyastra, which multiplied and took the form of fire, sun, moon, comet, star, fire column, and so on. Eventhough the Asurastra was taking its toll of the vanaras, it was no match for the Agneyastra from Sri Rama and was soon destroyed. This caused a roar of delight and victory from the vanaras and indeed Sri Rama himself appeared very pleased.

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्             ॥

  

Valmiki Ramayana - January 24

January 24 - Sargas 97 and 98 of Yuddha Kanda.

It is inconceivable how an arrogant and brutish dictator like Ravana, certain of his own invincibility, is brought down to his knees by Fate. 

प्रक्षीणं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा वध्यमानं वलीमुखैः ।

बभूवास्य व्यथा युद्धे दृष्ट्वा दैवविपर्ययम्   ॥

"Seeing Virupaksha dead, and seeing his own rakshasa forces depleted by the vanara army, Ravana was deeply aggrieved and considered the cruelty of Fate."

Ravana approached Mahodara.

जहि शत्रुचमूं वीर दर्शयाद्य पराक्रमम्।

भर्तृपिण्डस्य कालोऽयं निर्देष्टुं साधु युध्यताम् ॥

"Oh, brave Mahodara! Please go and defeat the enemy. Show your prowess now. The time has come for you to pay back in gratitude to me, your lord and master, for all the good life you have enjoyed under me thus far. It is time for you to fight well."

Mahodara entered the battlefield and fought fiercely, using his archery skills and killing and maiming many vanaras. They either fled or finally sought refuge under Sugriva. Sugriva came and attacked Mahodara.

Mahodara was able to pulverize with his arrows the huge rock coming at him from Sugriva.  He cut down easily the next missile which was a sala tree.  Just then Sugriva saw a parigha lying on the battlefield and picked it up and struck to death Mahodara's horses. Mahodara leapt down and attacked with his mace. There was a terrific duel between them. 

Sugriva was able to destroy the gada (mace) with his parigha. He then picked up an iron musala and attacked Mahodara who warded it off with his new mace. 

Soon the two warriors were exchanging blows with their fists. When they tired of it, Mahodara picked up a sword and shield lying nearby and attacked Sugriva, who also found for himself a sword and a shield. Valmiki says the two warriors fought expertly and relentlessly.

Mahodara managed just then to strike Sugriva's armour fixed on his chest with his sword. But the sword got stuck in the armour. Mahodara was trying to pull it out when Sugriva with extreme speed was able to strike and cut off the head of Mahodara including his headgear and ear ornaments.

That was the end of Mahodara. The rakshasa army scattered. Just as everyone was celebrating Sugriva's valour, Mahaparshva who was looking on came and attacked the vanaras.

It was Angada's turn to tackle Mahaparshva. The rakshasa was causing severe damage to the vanara forces when Angada picked up a lustrous parigha and attacked Mahaparshva. That one blow felled Mahaparshva as well as his charioteer. Jambavan then came and destroyed Mahaparshva's chariot and horses. 

But Mahaparshva recovered enough to strike both Angada and Jambavan with his arrows. He also badly hurt Gavaksha. Angada now came and struck Mahaparshva with his parigha. The rakshasa lost both his bow and arrows as well as his crown helmet. 

When Angada gave a terrific blow to his cheek, Mahaparshva was provoked and picked up an axe. That axe was cast in a special iron alloy, was very sharp and tempered. His attempted strike at Angada with the axe was sidestepped by Angada. Angada then struck a fatal blow to Mahaparshva's chest with his thunderbolt of a fist. The rakshasa's chest burst open and he died.

The usual celebrations from vanaras followed just as the rakshasas scattered in dismay.

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - January 23

January 23 - sargas 95 and 96 of Yuddha Kanda.

Whatever we may accuse Ravana of, we cannot level the charge of inconsistency.

Ravana applies the balm of military vengeance to the wounds of distress and bereavement all-around.

ततोऽवाच प्रहस्यैतान् रावणः क्रोधमूर्छितः ।

महोदरमाहापार्श्वाै विरूपाक्षं च राक्षसम्     ॥  

खरस्य कुम्भकर्णस्य प्रहस्तस्येन्द्रजितोस्तथा ।

करिष्यामि प्रतीकारमद्य शत्रुवधादहम्        ॥

प्रकाशत्वं गमिष्यन्ति मद्बाणजलदावृताः ।

धनुः समुद्भूतैर्मथिष्यामिशरोर्मिभिः          ॥

"Ravana sent orders that from every house every able-bodied rakshasa should be summoned, especially some warriors like Mahodara, Mahaparshva and Virupaksha (these are different from the heroes of the same names already mentioned who have been slain) and proclaimed, smilingly, to all:

"I shall more than avenge the deaths of Khara, Kumbhakarna, Prahasta and Indrajit today. I shall destroy the enemy. The skies and oceans will light up from the deluge of my arrows. From my bow will arise deadly oceanic waves of destruction and consume the enemy.""

Soon, an extremely impressive chariot was got ready with all the famed weapons of Ravana in readiness. He proceeded in his chariot in a most impressive display of pageantry, along with the military chiefs and armies. All around Lanka could be heard murmurs distinctly, 

आगतो राक्षसां राजा छत्रचामरसम्युतः। सीतापहारी दुर्वृत्तो ब्रह्मघ्नो देवकण्टकः॥ योद्धुं रघुवरेणेति शुश्रुवे कलहध्वनिः ॥

"Look, here comes the king of rakshasas, with all the regalia like his white umbrella and fans. He is the wicked one who abducted Sita, killed rishis, and who is a permanent thorn in the flesh of all good people, including gods. He has proclaimed that he is going to fight the virtuous and glorious Sri Rama himself!"

Many terrible omens were witnessed, but Ravana and his army ignored them as they marched into battle.

The vanaras were ready with their weapons. Soon a terrific battle ensued. I shall give no prizes for guessing that many soon lay dead from both sides.

***

Seeing the terrible toll that Ravana was taking of vanaras, King Sugriva decided to enter the battle. He asked the extremely capable Sushena to take care of the vanara army's defences and proceeded in the direction of the most intense action.

Sugriva was letting out terrible roars as he pounded the rakshasas with huge rocks and trees and caused much damage. Seeing the rakshasa casualties, Virupaksha got down from his chariot and mounted an elephant. He proceeded to confront Sugriva. 

Sugriva was struck by a wide array of arrows from Virupaksha's bow. He decided to kill the rakshasa. He picked up a huge tree and struck Virupaksha's elephant really hard. The elephant was badly hurt and reeled back some steps, trumpeting in distress. Virupaksha jumped down with his sword and shield and attacked. 

Sugriva roared and launched a big rock that looked like a dark cloud. Virupaksha stepped aside in time and saved himself, while simultaneously striking Sugriva with his sword. Sugriva tottered and was unconscious for some time. 

He recovered and struck a terrific blow with his fist on Virupaksha's chest. Virupaksha was provoked and struck and broke Sugriva's armour with his sword. Sugriva recovered and dealt a huge blow with his fist but Virupaksha escaped. He in turn gave a blow to Sugriva on the chest. 

Surgiva was highly provoked by his relative lack of success. He bided his time and suddenly gave a mighty blow directly on the head of Virupaksha. That thunderbolt of a  strike on his head was unbearable for Virupaksha. He fell down, shedding a cascade of blood. The ugly rakshasa was a terrible spectacle, screaming in pain. Spewing foamy blood, Virupaksha met his end. The two armies let out a huge tumult of noise, full of contrasting sentiments.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्        ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - January 22

January 22 - Sargas 93 and 94 of Yuddha Kanda.

दीनः परमदुःखितः अब्रवीत् रावणः प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं पुत्रव्यसनकर्षितः

सर्वे भवन्तः एकं रामं परिक्षिप्य समरे हन्तुमर्हथ 

"Ravana, much distressed on account of the loss of his son, looking wretched and pitiable, pleaded with his chiefs in the court: All of you should go now with all your weapons and forces and attack Rama. Strike him and kill him. "

अथवाहं शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्भिन्नगात्रं महाहवे भवद्भिश्वो निहन्तास्मि रामं लोकस्य पश्यतः 

"Otherwise, I shall go myself tomorrow with you, and while being witnessed by the whole world, I will kill Rama with my sharp arrows."

The chiefs at once readied themselves with all their armamentarium. They took the rakshasa forces and went to battle with the vanaras.

Valmiki says that the dust on the battlefield quickly soaked up the river of blood from casualties on both sides and settled down.

After much action, unable to counter the terrific weapons that the rakshasas were hitting them with, the vanaras went and supplicated to Sri Rama to protect them.

We are now treated to a glorious narrative of Sri Rama's prowess on display in the battle that he fought alone against all the rakshasas, giving a break to all the vanaras and bears who were happy to witness the extraordinary spectacle.

ततो रामो महातेजा धनुरादाय वीर्यवान् ।

प्रविश्य राक्षसं सैन्यं शरवर्षं ववर्ष च ॥

कृतान्येव सुघोराणि रामेण रजनीचराः ।

रणे रामस्य ददृशुः कार्याण्यसुकराणि ते ॥

छिन्नं भिन्नं शरैर्दग्धं प्रभग्नं शस्त्रपीडितम् ।

बलं रामेण ददृशुर्न रामं शीघ्रकारिणम्  ॥   

न ते ददृशिरे रामं दहन्तमपि वाहिनीम् ।

मोहितां परमास्त्रेण गान्धर्वेण महात्मना ॥

ते तु रामसहस्राणि रणे पश्यन्ति राक्षसाः ।

पुनः पश्यन्ति काकुत्स्थमेकमेव महाहवे  ॥

भ्रमन्तीं काञ्चनीं कोटिं कार्मुकस्य महात्मनः ।

अलातचक्रप्रतिमां ददृशुस्ते न राघवम् ॥

ददृशू रामचक्रं तत् कालचक्रमिव प्रजाः ॥

ते हताश्वा हतरथाः शान्ता विमथितध्वजाः ।

अभिपेतुः पुरीं लङ्कां हतशेषा निशाचराः    ॥

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ।

साधु साध्विति रामस्य तत्कर्म समपूजयन् ॥

अब्रवीच्च तदा रामो सुग्रीवं प्रत्यनन्तरम् ।

विभीषणं च धर्मात्मा हनूमन्तं च वानरम् ॥

जाम्बवन्तं हरिश्रेष्ठं मैदं द्विविदमेव च ।

एतदस्त्रबलं दिव्यं मम वा त्र्यम्बकस्य वा  ॥

"Sri Rama now entered the battle, raining a deluge of arrows on the rakshasas from his bow.

"The rakshasas witnessed an unprecedented onslaught from Sri Rama, not being able to actually see him shoot the arrows but seeing all the time the havoc the arrows unleashed in their effects.

"All they saw was the cleaved, cut, broken, dismembered, burnt and smashed bits of the rakshasa forces, but not the actual deployment of arrows by Sri Rama, because he was that quick.

"Sri Rama was as it were burning down the rakshasa army, but they could not even comprehend his actions, as they were all under the spell of his Gandharvastra.

"They sometimes saw a thousand Ramas. Then they saw one. But nobody could understand what force they had come up against, it was something they could not comprehend.

"They saw a million streaks of golden light emanating from a ring of fire that was Sri Rama's bow. But they did not see Sri Rama himself.

"They perceived the circle of destruction that Sri Rama's bow became, and saw in it the great wheel of destruction called Kala.

"Having lost their horses, elephants, chariots and their war flags, having lost an incredible number of their warriors who had died at Sri Rama's hands, the remaining rakshasas withdrew silently into Lanka.

"The gods, gandharvas, siddhas and great rishis all proclaimed, "Hail Sri Rama! What a battle he has fought and won today! Glory to Sri Rama!"

Sri Rama then quietly said to Sugriva, Vibhishana, Jambavan, Hanuman, Mainda, and Dvivida, 'what divine prowess you just witnessed is something only two beings are capable of. Me, and Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka."

***

The rakshasi women of Lanka now assembled in large numbers. None among them had been spared. They had lost their husbands, sons, brothers, relatives, everywhere in the battle so far. Everything in Lanka was desolate and destroyed.  रावणेन प्रयुक्तानि - The rakshasas had been ordered into battle by Ravana, and had succumbed to Sri Rama.

कथं शूर्पणखा वृद्धा कराला निर्णतोदरी ।

अससाद वने रामं कन्दर्पमिवरूपिणम्    ॥

सुकुमारं महासत्त्वं सर्वभुतहितेरतम् ।

तं दृष्ट्वा लोकवध्या सा हीनरूपा प्रकामिता ॥

अकार्यं अपहास्यं च सर्वलोकविगर्हितम् ।

राक्षसानां विनाशाय चकाराप्रतिरूपा चा राघवस्य प्रधर्षणम् ॥

तन्निमित्तमिदं वैरं रावणेन कृतं महत् ।

वधाय सीता साऽनीता दशग्रीवेण रक्षसा ॥

न च सीतां दशग्रीवः प्राप्नोति जनकात्मजाम् ।

बद्धं बलवता वैरमक्षय्य राघवेण च ॥

"Alas! What a terrible result are we reaping from the despicable act of Shurpanakha! She is old, terribly ugly, with sagging stomach and revolting looks. She went and offered herself to Sri Rama, who seems to be Cupid himself in human form! The tender, youthful, and handsome Sri Rama, who was always engaged himself in helping all mankind! Shurpanakha went and pressed her amorous advances on Sri Rama, not realizing how ugly and replusive she was. What she did was an unthinkable and unpardonable act, and she started the chain of destruction of all rakshasas from a good and virtuous Sri Rama. It was she alone who told Khara and everyone else to go and attack Sri Rama! They result is in front of all of us today. 

"Ravana went and abducted Sita, expressly to cause the destruction of the entire rakshasa race. Sita will never be his, and our animosity with Sri Rama is now ineradicable.

"Who does not know how Sri Rama single-handedly killed fourteen thousand rakshasas including Khara Dushana and Trishira in Janasthana? Who does not know how he saved Sita from Viradha, a formidable demon? Who does not know how Sri Rama got rid of Kabamdha!? How Sri Rama killed Vali and installed Sugriva in Kishkindha!? Do we need more proof that our end is near!?

" The endless battle here between rakshasas and vanaras is going according to a set pattern. Ravana is unable to think what is good. Look at the way he banished the good Vibhishana with his sagely advice! Now the war has taken a toll of so many - Kumbhakarna, Atikaya, Indrajit..."

रावणो नावबुध्यते - "And yet Ravana does not understand!"

रुद्रो वा यदि वा विष्णोर्महेन्द्रो वा शतक्रतुः ।

हन्ति नो रामरूपेण  यदि वा स्वयमन्तकः     ॥

उत्पाताश्चापि दृश्यन्ते रावणस्य रणे रणे ।

कथयन्ति हि रामेण रावणस्य निबर्हणम्  ॥

पितामहेन प्रीतेन देवदानवराक्षसैः ।

रावणस्याभयं दत्तं मनुष्येभ्यो न याचितम् ॥

"This is Rudra Lord Shiva himself, or Lord Mahavishnu himself, or Indra himself, who has come in the guise of Sri Rama. It could even be the God of Death!

"We see before every battle of Ravana these days so many ill-omens, all portending the imminent death of Ravana at the hands of Sri Rama.

"Ravana asked and got boons of protection from Lord Brahma as far as gods, asuras and rakshasas are concerned. But he did not ask for protection from humans! And Sri Rama is therefore his nemesis for sure!"

"Alas, we are losing everyone dear to us. We are smelling and tasting death all the time. And our fate is that we have no one to turn to, no one to pray to for help! We are ruined!"

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्         ॥