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Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War

Chapter [Sarga] 24

Introduction

Seeing Lanka and describing it, Rama instructs Lakshmana to draw up his army in battle-array. Rama orders for release of Shuka who was captured by the army earlier. Shuka approached Ravana and describes the strength of Rama's side of the army. Ravana boasts himself of his own army strength.

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vérasamité räjïä viraräja vyavasthitä |

çaçinä çubhanakçaträ paurëamäséva çäradé || 6-24-1

1. saa= that; viira samitiH= assemblage of valiant monkeys; raaJNaa= along with the King Sugreeva; viraraaja= looked charmingly; paurNamaasiiva= like a full moon night; shaaradii= in autumn; shashivaa= along with moon; shubha nakShatraa= and bright stars.

That army of valiant monkeys along with the King Sugreeva looked charming like a full-moon night in atumn presided over by the moon and illuminated by bright stars.

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pracacäla ca vegena trastä caiva vasundharä |

péòyamänä balaughena tena sägaravarcasä || 6-24-2

2.vasundharaa= the earth; piiDyamaanaa= pressed under foot; tena= by that; balaughena= multitude of army; saagara varchasaa= which was energetic like a sea; prachchaala= was trembled; trastaa= with fear; vegena= by the rapid movement of the army.

The earth pressed under foot by that multitude of army, which was energetic like a sea, was trembled with fear by the rapid movement of that army.

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tataù çuçruvuräkruñöaà laìkäyäù känanaukasaù |

bherémådaìgasaìghuñöaà tumulaà romaharñaëam || 6-24-3

3. tataH= then; kaananaukasaH= the monkeys; shushruvuH= heard; aakruShTam= a great tumult; laN^kaayaaH= arising in Lanka; tumulam= and noisy; bheriimR^idaN^ga samghuShTam= sounds of kettle drums and tabours; roma harShaNam= which caused their hair to stand on end.

Then, the monkeys heard a great tumult arising in Lanka and noisy sounds of kettle drums and tabours which caused their hair to stand on end.

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babhüvustena ghoñeëa saàhåñöä hariyüthapäù |

amåñyamäëästaà ghoñaà vinedurghoñavattaram || 6-24-4

4. hariyuuthapaaH= the leaders of monkeys; samhR^iShTaaH= were rejoiced; tena ghoSheNa= by that sound; amR^iShyamaaNaaH= Not tolerating; tam= that; ghoSham= sound; vineduH= they emitted shouts; ghoShavattaram= that surpassed that uproar.

The leaders of monkeys were rejoiced by that sound. But by not tolerating that sound, they emitted shouts which surpassed that uproar.

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räkñasästaà plavaìgänäà çuçruvuste'pi garjitam |

nardatämiva dåptänäà meghänämambare svanam || 6-24-5

5. te= those; raakShasaaH api= demons too; shushruvuH= heard; garjitam= the roaring; dR^iptaanaam= of the wildly delighted the roaring; plavaN^gaanaam= monkeys; svanam iva= which was like the sound; nardataam meghaanaam= of thundering clouds; ambare= in the sky.

Those demons too heard the roaring of the wildly delighted monkeys, which roar sounded like thundering of clouds in the sky.

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dåñövä däçarathirlaìkäà citradhvajapatäkiném |

jagäma manasä sétäà düyamänena cetasä || 6-24-6

6. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; laN^kaam= Lanka; chitradhvaja pataakiniim= dressed with multi-coloured flags and buntings; daasharathiH= Rama; manasaa= by his mind; jagaama= went; siitaam= to Seetha; chetasaa= and his heart; duuyamaanena= was filled with grief.

Seeing Lanka dressed with multi coloured flags and buntings, Rama bethought himself of Seetha and his heart was filled with grief.

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atra sä mågaçäbäkñé rävaëenoparudhyate |

abhibhütä graheëeva lohitäìgena rohiëé || 6-24-7

7. saa= that Seetha; mR^igashabaakShii= whose eyes resemble those of a young deer; uparudhyate= was detained; raavaNena= by Ravana; atra= there; rohiNiiva= as Rohini star; abhibhuutaa= is oversadowed; lohitaaN^gena= by red-boded; graheNa= planet (Mars).

'Seetha whose eyes resemble those of a young deer, was detained by Ravana there as Rohini star is overshadowed by the red bodied planet (Mars)'.

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dérghamuñëaà ca niùçvasya samudvékñya ca lakñmaëam |

uväca vacanaà vérastatkälahitamätmanaù || 6-24-8

8. niHShvasya= sighing; uShNamcha= warmly; diirgham= and deeply; samudviikShyacha= and seeing; lakShmaNam= Lakshmana; viiraH= the heroic Rama; uvaacha= spoke; vachanam= (the following) words; tatkaala hitam= beneficial at that time; aatmanaH= for him.

Seeing Lakshmana after a warm and deep sigh, the heroic Rama spoke the following words which were benefical for him at that time.

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älikhantémiväkäçamutthitäà paçya lakñmaëa |

manaseva kåtäà laìkäà nagägre viçvakarmaëä || 6-24-9

9. lakShmaNa= O, lakshmana!; pashya= look; laN^kaam= at Lanka; kR^itaam iva= which appears as though constructed; nagaagre= on a hill-top; vishvakarmaNaa= by Visvakarma; manasaa= with his imagination; utthitaam= so elevated; aalikhantiim= scraping; aakaasham= the sky."

"O, Lakshmana! Look at this Lanka, which appears as though constructed on a hill-top by Visvakarma with his imagination and so elevated scraping the sky."

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vimänairbahubhirlaìkä saìkérëä racitä purä |

viñëoù padamiväkäçaà cäditaà päëòubhirghanaiù || 6-24-10

10. laN^kaa= the City of Lanka; puraa= was formerly; rachitaa= constructed; kiirNaa= and filled with; bahubhiH= many; vimaanaiH= seven storied buildings; chhaaditam iva= as though covered; paaNDubhiH= with white; ghanaiH= clouds; aakaasham= the sky; padam= the abode; viShNoH= of Vishnu the all-pervader.’

"The City of Lanka was constructed thick with many seven-storied building and appears like a sky the abode of Vishnu (the All-pervader) covered with white clouds."

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puñpitaiù çobhitä laìkä vanaiçcitrarathopamaiù |

nänäpatagasaìghuñöaphalapuñpopagaiù çubhaiù || 6-24-11

11. laN^kaa= Lanka; shobhitaa= is made beautiful; vanaiH= by the gardens; chaitraathopamaiH= vying with chaitraratha; naanaa pataga samghuShTaphala puShpopagaiH= with various sounds of birds, fruit-bearing flowers; shubhaiH= and charms; puShpitaiH= in bloom.

"Lanka is made beautiful by the garden vying with Chaitraratha (garden of Kubera the god of riches), with songs of birds of various species, with fruit-bearing flowers and charms in bloom."

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paçya mattavihaìgani pralénabhramaräëi ca |

kokiläkulakhaëòäni dodhavéti çivo'nilaù || 6-24-12

12. pashya= see; (how); shivaH= a gentle; anilaH= breeze; dodhaviiti= sways; kokilaakula khaN^Daani= the branches where the Cuckoos abound; praliina bhraamaraamicha= where bees swarm; matta vihaN^gaani= and where the birds are excited with joy..

"See how a gentle breeze sways the branches where the Cuckoos abound, where bees swarm and wehre the birds are excited with joy."

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iti däçarathé rämo lalñmaëaà samabhäñata |

balaà ca tatra vibhajacchästradåñöena karmaëä || 6-24-13

13. raamaH= Rama; daasharathiH= son of Dasaratha; samabhaaShata= spoke; iti= thus; lakShmaNam= to lakshmana; tatra= there; balam= the army; vibhajachcha= was dvivided into battalions; karmaNaa= according to the methods; shaastra dR^iShTena= found in the scriptures.

Rama the son of Dasaratha spoke as aforesaid to Lakshmana. The army there was divided into battalions according to the procedure found in scriptures.

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çaçäsa kapisenäà täà balädädäya véryavän |

aìgadaù saha nélena tiñöhedurasi durjayaù || 6-24-14

14. aadaaya= taking; taam= these; kapisenaam= troops of monkeys; balaat= from the army; (let); viiryavaan= the valiant; durjayaH= and the invincible; aN^gadah= Angada; tiShThaat= take up his position; niilena saha= with nila; urapi= at the centre of the formation.

"Taking these troops of monkeys from the army, let the valiant and the invincible Angada take up his position with Nila at the centre of the formation."

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tiñöhedvänaravähinyä vänaraughasamävåtaù |

äçrito dakñiëaà pärçvamåñabho näma vänaraù || 6-24-15

15. vaanaraH= (Let) the monkey; R^iShabhonaama= named Rishabha; vaanaraugha samavR^itaH= along with the multitude of monkeys; tiShThet= take up his position; aashritaH= having recourse to; dakShiNam= to the right; paarshvam= side; vaanara vaahinyaaH= of the monkey-troops."

"Let Rishabha along with the multitude of monkeys take up his position, having recourse to the right side of the army."

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gandhahastéva durdharñastarasvé gandhamädanaù |

tiñöhedvänaravähinyäù savyaà pakñamadhiñöhitaù || 6-24-16

16. gandhamaadanaH= "(Let) Gandhamadana; tarasvii= the strong; durdarShaH= and the unconquerable; gandhahastiiva= like an elephant in rut; tiShTet= take his position; adhiShThitah= superintending; svayam pa, take his kSham= the left side; vaanara vaahinyaaH= of the monkey-troops."

"Let Gandhamadana, the strong and unconquerable, resembling an elephant in rut, take his position, superintending the left side of the monkeys-troops."

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mürdhni sthäsyamyahaà yatto lakñmaëena samanvitaù |

jämbaväàçca suñeëaçca vegadarçé ca vänaraù || 6-24-17

åkñamukhyä mahätmänaù kukñià rakñantu te trayaù |

17. aham= "I; sthaasyaami= shall stand; yattaH= alert; muurdhni= in the forefront (of the army); samanvitaH= along with; lakShmaNena= Lakshmana; jambavaashcha= and Jambavan; suSheNashcha= Sushena; vegadarShii cha= and Vegadarshi; vaanarah= the monkey; te= those; trayaH= three; mahaatmaanaH= exceedingly wise persons; R^ikShamukhyaaH= the leaders of the bears; rakShantu= protect; kukShim= the belly."

"I shall stand alert in the forefront of the army along with Lakshmana and let Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi the monkey those three exceedingly wise persons and the leaders of bears-protect the belly-portion of the army."

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jaghanaà kapisenäyäù kapiräjo'bhirakñatu || 6-24-18

paçcärdhamiva lokasya pracetästejasä våtaù |

18 (Let) kapiraajaH= Sugreeva, the King of monkeys; abhirakShantu= protect; jaghanam= hips and loins; kapisenaayaaH= o.f the monkey-troups; the god of water); vR^itaH= who remains encircled; tejasaa= with splendour; (protects); pashchaardhamiva= the western quarter; lokasya= of the earth.

"Let Sugreeva the king of monkeys protect the rear-guard of the army, resembling Varuna (the god of water) who remains encircled with splendour and protects the western quarter of the earth."

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suvibhaktamahävyühä mahävänararakñitä || 6-24-19

anékiné sä vibabhau yathä dyauù säbhrasamplavä |

19. saa aniikinii= that army; suvibhakta mahaavyuuhaa= with innumerable divitions being skilfully distributed; mahaa vaanara rakShitaa= led by the foremost of monkeys; vibabhau= shone; yathaa dyouH= like heavens; saabhra samplavaa= with mass of clouds.

That army with innumerable divisble being skilfully distributed, led by the foremost of monkeys, resembled heavens with their mass of clouds.

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pragåhya giriçåìgäëi mahataçca mahéruhän || 6-24-20

äsedurvänarä laìkäà mimardayiñavo raëe |

20. mimardayiShavaH= with a desire to crush (the demons); raNe= in battle; vaanaraaH= the monkeys; pragR^ihya= seizing; girishR^iNgaaNi= peaks of mountains; mahataH= and gigantic; mahiiruhaan= trees; aaseduH= reached; laN^kaam= Lanka.

With a desire to crush the demons in battle, the monkeys, seizing peaks of mountains and gigantic trees, reached Lanka.

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çikharairvikirämainäà laìkäà muñöibhireva vä || 6-24-21

iti sma dadhire sarve manäàsi haripuìgaväù |

21. sarve= all; haripuN^gavaaH= the heroic monkeys; dadhire= held, manaamsi= in their minds; iti= the following (resolve): "shikharaiH= with the peaks of mountains; muShTibhireva vaa= or with one bare fists; vikiraama= we shall shatter into pieces; enaam= this; laN^kaam= Lanka."

All the heroic monkeys held the following resolve in their minds, "It is with peak of mountains or with our bare fists even, we shall shatter this Lanka into pieces."

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tato rämo mahätejäù sugréva midamabravét || 6-24-22

suvibhaktäni sainyäni çuka eña vimucyatäm |

22. tataH= then; raamaaH= Rama; mahaatejaaH= with great splendour; abraviit= spoke; idam= these words; sugriivam= to Sugreeva; "sainyaani= our forces; suvibhaktaani= are properly marshalled; eShaH shukaH= Let this Shuka; vimuchyataam= be released."

Then, Rama with great splendour, spoke the following words to Sugreeva, "Our forces are properly marshalled. Let this Shuka be released."

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rämasya tu vacaù çrutvä vänarendro mahäbalaù || 6-24-23

mocayämäsa taà dütaà çukaà rämasya çäsanät |

23. shrutvaa= hearing; vachanam= the words; raamasya= of Rama; vaanarendraH= Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys; mochayaamaasa= released; shukam= Shuka; tam duutam= that messenger; shaasanaat= by the order; raamasya= of Rama.

Hearing the words of Rama, Sugreeva the lord of monkeys released Shuka the messenger, as per the order of Rama.

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mocito rämaväkyena vänaraiçca nipéòitaù || 6-24-24

çukaù paramasantrasto rakñodhipamupägamat |

24. shukaH= Shuka; nipiiDitah= who was herassed; vaanaraiH= by monkeys; mochitaH= and released; raama vaakyena= through the words of Rama; parama samtrastaH= was trembling with great fear; upaagamat= and reached; rakShodhipam= Ravana.

Shuka, who was herassed by the monkeys before and released then as per the words of Rama, was trembling with great fear and reached Ravana.

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räväëaù prahasanneva çukaà väkyamuväca ha || 6-24-25

kimimau te sitau pakñau lünapakñaçca dåçyase |

kaccannänekacittänäà teñäà tvaà vaçamägataù || 6-24-26

25, 26. raavaNaH= Ravana; prahasanneva= even while laughing; uvaacha ha= enquired; shukam= Shuka; vaakyam= (with the following) words; kim= why; imau= these; te= your; pakShau= wings; sitau= were tied up?; dR^ishyase= you are appearing; luuna pakShashcha= with your wings plucked up; tvam na aagataH kachchit= have you not fallen; teShaam= into their; aneka chittaanaam= various (fickled) minds?

Ravana even while laughing, enquired Shuka with the following words; "Why were your wings tied up? You appear with your wings plucked up. Have you not fallen as a victim to their various fickled minds?"

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tatassa bhayasaàvigna stadä räjïäbhicoditaù |

vacanaà pratyuväcedaà räkñasädhipamuttamam || 6-24-27

sägarasyottare tére'bravaà te vacanaà tathä |

yathäsandeçamakñliñöaà säntvayan çlakñëayä girä || 6-24-28

27, 28. tataH= then; saH= that Shuka; bhaya samvignaH= agitated with fear; tadaa= then; abhichoditaH= prompted; raaj^Naa= by the king Ravana; pratyuvaacha= replied; idam= with these; uttamam= excellent; rachanam words; raakShasaadhipam= to Ravana; 'uttare tiire= on the northern shore; saagarasya= of the ocean; abravam= I spoke; tathaa= as; te= your; vachanam= words; shalkShNayaa= with a smooth; giraa= voice; saantvayan= conciliatingly; yathaa sandesham= as per your instructions; akliShTam= without any ambiguity.

Asked as aforesaid by the King Ravana, Shuka agitated as he was with fear, gave him the following excellent reply: "On the northern shore of the ocean, i conveyed your message in a smooth tone, conciliatingly and without any ambignity exactly as per your instructions."

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kruddhaisairahamutplutya dåñöamätraù plavaìgamaiù |

gåhéto'smyapi cärabdho hantuà ca muñöibhiù || 6-24-29

29. aham= I; dR^iShTamaatrah= on just being seen; gR^ihiitaH asmi= was seized; utplutya= jumpingly; taiH plavaN^gamaiH= by those monkeys; kruddhaiH= in rage; apicha= and; aarabdhah= started; hantum= beating; aarabdhaH= sarted; hantum= beating; loptumcha= and plucking; muShTibhiH= with their fists."

"Just on seeing me, the enraged monkeys jumped on me and seized me. They soon started beating and plucking me with their fists."

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na te sambhäñituà çakyäù sampraçno'tra na vidyate |

prakåtyä kopanästékñaëä vänarä räkñasädhipa || 6-24-30

30. raakShasaadhipa= "O, lord of demons!; te= those monkeys; na shakyaaH= are not capabale of being; sambhaaShitum= spoken to; na vidyate= nor possible; samprashnaH= of being questioned; atra= in this matter; vaanaraaH= monkeys; prakR^ityaaH= by their nature; kopanaaH= are angry; tiikShaNaaH= and ferocious."

"O, Lord of demons! Those monkeys are not capable of being spoken to, nor possible of being questioned in this matter. Monkeys, by their very nature, are angry and ferocious."

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sa ca hantä virädhasya kabandhasya kharasya ca |

sugrévasahito rämah sétäyäù padamägataù || 6-24-31

31. sah raamaH= that Rama; hantaa= the killer; viraadhasya= of Viradha; kabandhasya= kabandha; kharasya cha= and Khara; aagataH= came; sugriiva sahitaH= along with Sugreeva; padam= to the place; siitaayaah= of Seetha.

"That Rama the killer of Viraadha, Kabandha and Khara came along with Sugreeva to the place of Seetha."

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sa kåtvä sägare setuà tértvä ca lavaëodadhim |

eña rakñäàsi nirdhüya dhanvé tiñöhati räghavaù || 6-24-32

32. kR^itvaa= Having constructed; setum= a bridge; saagare= across the sea; tiirtvaa= and having crossed; lavaNodadhim= the salty ocean; nirdhuuya= and expelling; rakShaamsi= the demons; raaghavaH= Rama; eShaH= as such; tiShThati= stands; dhanvii= wielding a bow."

"Having constructed a bridge across the sea and crossed the salty ocean and expelling the demons, here stands Rama wielding a bow."

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åkñavänarasaìghänämanékäni sahasraçaù |

girimeghanikäçänäà cädayanti vasundharäm || 6-24-33

33. sahasrashaH= "Thousands; aniikaani= of divisions; R^ikSha vaanara samghaanaam= of crowds of bears and monkeys; girimegha nikashaanaam= resembling mountains and clouds; chhaadayanti= cover; vasundharaam= the earth."

"Thousands of divisions of hordes of bears and monkeys resembling mountains and clouds, cover the earth."

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räkñasänäà balaughasya vänarendrabalasya ca |

naitayorvidyate sandhirdevadänavayoriva || 6-24-34

34. na vidyate= there is no more possiblity; samdhiH= of an alliance; etayoH= between these two armies; balaughasya= the army; raakShasaanaam= of demons; vaanarendra balasya= and the army of Sugreeva, the lord of monkeys; deva daanavayoriva= than between a god and a demon.

"There is no more possibility of an alliance between these two armies - the army of demons and the army of monkeys than between a God and a demon."

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purä präkäramäyänti kñipramekataraà kuru |

sétäà väsmai prayacchäçu yuddhaà väpi pradéyatäm || 6-24-35

35. puraa aayanti= very soon, (they) can come; praakaaram= to the rampart; kuru= do; ekataram= any one of the two acts; kShipram= immediately; prayachchha vaa= either to restore; siitaam= Seetha; yuddham vaapi= or combat; pradiiyataam= may be offered; asmai= to him; aashu= soon.”

"Very soon, they can come to our rampart. immediately, do any one of these two acts, either to restore Seetha or to offer a combat to him."

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çukasya vacanaà çrutvä rävaëo väkya mabravét |

roñasaàraktanayano nirdahanniva cakñuñä || 6-24-36

36. shrutvaa= hearing; vachanam= the words; shukasya= of Shuka; raavaNaH= Ravana; roShasamrakta nayanaH= with his eyes becoming blood-red in anger; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (these) words; nirdahanniva= as if he would consume him; chakShusaa= with his glance.

Hearing the words of Shuka, Ravana with his eyes becoming blood-red in anger, as if he would consume him with his glance, said as follows:

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yadi mäà pratiyudhyeran devagandharvadänaväù |

naiva sétäà prädäsyämi sarvalokabhayädapi || 6-24-37

37. sarva loka bhayaadapi= even if I were frightened by all the worlds; maam pratiyuddhye= frightened by all the worlds; maam pratiyuddhyerannapi= or even if I were to face a battle; deva gandharva daanavaaH= with celestials; Gandharvas (celestial singers); or demons; naiva pradaasyaami= I would not give back; siitaam= Seetha.

"Even if I were frightened by all the worlds or even if I were to face a battle with celestials; Gandharvas (celestial singers) or demons, I would not give back Seetha."

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kadä samabhidhävanti mämakä räghavaà çaräù |

vasante puñpitaà mattä bhramarä iva pädapam || 6-24-38

38. tadaa= when; maamakaaH= will my; sharaaH arrows; samabhidhaavanti= soon fall; raaghavam= upon Rama; bhramaraaH iva= as large black bees; mattaaH= excited with joy; (fall upon); paadapam= a tree; puShpitam= in bloom; vasante= at spring-time?

"When will my arrows soon fall upon Rama, as large black bees excited with joy fall upon a tree a bloom at a spring-time?"

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kadä çoëitadigdhäìgaà dépaiù kärmukavicyutaiù |

çarairädépayiñyämi ulkäbhiriva kuïjaram || 6-24-39

39. kadaa= when; aadiipayishyaami= shall I consume; diiptaiH= by the blazing; sharaiH= arrows; kaarmuka vichyutaiH= released from my bow; shoNita digdhaaN^gam= his body flowing with blood; ulkaabhiriva= as flaming torches; (destroy); kuN^jaram= an elephant?

"When shall I consume his body flowing with blood, by the blazing arrows released from my bow, as flaming torches destroy an elephant?"

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taccäsya balamädäsye balena mahatä våtaù |

jyotiñämiva sarveñäà prabhämudyandiväkaraù || 6-24-40

40. vR^itaH= endowed with; mahataa= a huge; balena= army; aadaasya= I shall eclipse; tat= the aforesaid; balam= army; asya= of Rama; prabhaamiva= as the brilliance; sarveShaam jyotiShaam= of all stars; udyan= at the rising; divaakaraH= of the sun.

" Endowed with a huge army, I shall eclipse the aforesaid army of Rama, as the brilliance all-stars is obscured at the rising of the sun."

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sägarasyeva me vego märutasyeva me balam |

na ca däçarathirveda tena mäà yoddhumicchati || 6-24-41

41. me= My; vegaH= rashness; saagarasyeva= is like that of the sea; me= my; balam= strength; maarutasyeva= is like that of the wind; daasharathiH= Rama; na cha veda= is not aware 9of it); tena= that is why; ichchhat he desires; maam yoddhum= to meet me in combat."

"My rashness is like that of the sea and my strength is like that of the wind. Rama is not aware of it. That is why, he is desirous of meeting me in a combat."

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na me tüëéçayän bäëän saviñäniva pannagän |

rämaù pasyati saìgräme tena mäm yoddhumicchati || 6-24-42

42. raamaH= Rama; na pashyati= has not seen; me baaNaan= my arrows; saviShaan pannagaaniva= resembling venomous serpants; tuuniishayaan= in my quiver; tena= that is why; ichchhati= he desires; yoddhum= to fight; maam= with me..

"Rama has not seen my arrows resembling venomous serpants lying in my quiver. That is why, he desires to fight with me."

Verse Locator

na jänäti purä véryaà mama yuddhe sa räghavaù |

mama cäpamayéà véëäà çarakoëaiù praväditäm || 6-24-43

jyäçabdatumuläà ghorämärtagétamahäsvanäm |

näräcatalasannädäà täà mamähitavähiném || 6-24-44

avagähya mahäraìgaà vädayiñyämyahaà raëe |

43, 44. saH raaghavaH= that Rama; puraa= formerly; na jaanaati= was not aware; mama= of my; viiryam= prowess; yuddhe= in battle; vaadayiShyaami= I shall cause to resound; viiNaam= Vina; mama chaapamayiim= in the form of my bow; naaraachatala samvaadaam= which is played on, with the heads of my arrows; jyaashabda tumulaam the bow-string producing a tumultuous sound; aartagiita mahaasvanaam= the huge cries of the wounded; ghoraam= its terrible accompaniment; sharakoNaiH= the darts; pravaaditaam= sounding its innumerable notes; (when); aham= I; avagaahya= enter; mahaaraN^gam a vast stage; maam ahita vaahiniim= in the form of my enemy ranks; taam= in that; raNe= battle.

"That Rama formerly was not aware of my prowess in battle. I shall cause to resound Vina (a musical instrument) in the form of my bow, which is played on with the heads of my arrows, the bow-string producing a tumultuous sound, the huge cries of the wounded its terrible accompaniment, the darts soundiing its innumerable notes, when I enter a vast stage in the form of my enemy-ranks in that battle."

Verse Locator

na väsavenäpi sahasracakñuñä |

yuddhe'smi çakyo varuëena vä svayam |

yamena vä dharñayituà çarägninä |

mahähave vaiçravaëena vä svayam || 6-24-45

45. vaasavenaapi= neither by Devendra, the god of celestials; sahasra chakShuShaa= the thousand eyed; varuNenaapi= nor by Varuna, the god of svayam= in person' dharShayitum= to be attacked; mahaahave= in a great battle.

"Neither by the thousand-eyed Indra the god of celestials nor by Varuna the god of waters in person in a combat, nor by Yama the god of death with the fire of his arrows, nor by Kubera the lord of riches in person, can I be able to be attacked in a great battle."

 

ityaarshhe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye yudhakaaNDe chaturviMshaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 24th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

 

Verse Locator for Book VI : Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War : Chapter 24

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Sarga 24 in English Prose

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© 1999, K. M. K. Murthy