“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46

Indrajit Returns to , Believing Dead

Summary

The monkeys along with and begin to grieve, on beholding the plight of Rama and who were entwined in a net work of arrows. Indrajit informs demons about his adventure of captivating both Rama and Lakshmana by his net work of serpentine arrows. Indrajit strikes the other monkey-chiefs like . , Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman, Gavaaksha and Angada as also . When Sugreeva looks depressed on seeing the plight of Rama and Lakshmana, consoles him, saying that Rama is not going to die. He also reassures the disheartened monkeys and infuses confidence in them. Indrajit, in the meanwhile, informs that both Rama and Lakshmana have been killed. Ravana applauds his son for his daring act.

Chapter [Sarga] 46 in Detail

tato dyaam prithiviim caiva viiksamaanaa vana okasah |

dadrishuh samtatau baanair bhraatarau raama laksmanau || 6-46-1

Thereafter, surveying the earth and the sky, the monkeys beheld the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, covered with arrows.

vristvaa iva uparate deve krita karmani raaksase |

aajagaama atha tam desham sasugriivo vibhiisanah || 6-46-2

Then, along with Sugreeva, Vibhishana came to that place, after Indrajit finished his work and retired; even as would, after raining.

niila dvivida maindaash ca susena sumukha angadaah |

tuurnam hanumataa saardham anvashocanta raaghavau || 6-46-3

Nila, Dvivida, Mainda, Sushena, Kumuda, Angada along with Hanuman forthwith began to grieve for Rama and Lakshmana.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 acestau manda nihshvaasau shonita ogha pariplutau |

shara jaala aacitau stabdhau shayaanau shara talpayoh || 6-46-4

nihshvasantau yathaa sarpau nishcestau manda vikramau |

rudhira sraava digdha angau taapaniiyaav iva dhvajau || 6-46-5

tau viira shayane viirau shayaanau manda cestitau |

yuuthapais taih parivritau baaspa vyaakula locanaih || 6-46-6

raaghavau patitau dristvaa shara jaala samaavritau |

babhuuvur vyathitaah sarve vaanaraah savibhiisanaah || 6-46-7

Breathing but faintly, bathed in blood; riddled with innumerable arrows, motionless and lying inactive, they lay stretched on a bed of arrows, sighing like serpents, helpless, having little prowess, their limbs smeared with a stream of blood, resembling two golden standards, and lying on heroes’ couch, those warriors with tardy movement of their limbs, were surrounded by their monkey-leaders, whose eyes were suffused with tears. Seeing the two Raghava’s, pierced by a multitude of arrows, all the monkeys along with Vibhishana became perturbed.

antariksam niriiksanto dishah sarvaash ca vaanaraah |

na ca enam maayayaa channam dadrishuu raavanim rane || 6-46-8

The monkeys surveyed all the quarters in the sky, without being able to discover Indrajit (the son of Ravana), who was veiled by his magic powers in the fight.

tam tu maayaa praticchinnam maayayaa eva vibhiisanah |

viiksamaano dadarsha atha bhraatuh putram avasthitam || 6-46-9

Vibhishana, beholding by his magic arts, saw that nephew, standing nearby, duly hidden by his occult power.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 tam apratima karmaanam apratidvandvam aahave |

dadarsha antarhitam viiram vara daanaad vibhiisanah || 6-46-10

tejasaa yashasaa chaiva vikramena cha samyutah |

Although that warrior who had no peer in the field and who had unique exploits, had made himself invisible by virtue of the boon he had received, he was recognized by Vibhishana, who was full of energy, glory and prowess.

indrajit tv aatmanah karma tau shayaanau samiiksya ca || 6-46-11

uvaaca parama priito harsayan sarva nairritaan |

Contemplating his own feat, Indrajit gazed on those two warriors, stretched on the earth and in excess of joy, wishing to share it with all the demons, said.

duusanasya ca hantaarau kharasya ca mahaa balau || 6-46-12

saaditau maamakair baanair bhraatarau raama laksmanau |

“The exceedingly strong brothers Rama and Lakshmana, the killers of Khara and Duushana have been killed by my arrows.”

na imau moksayitum shakyaav etasmaad isu bandhanaat |

sarvair api samaagamya sarsi sanghaih sura asuraih || 6-46-13

“Even were they aided by the gods and demons with the host of sages, these two brothers would never be able to release themselves from those arrows that paralyze them.”

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 yat krite cintayaanasya shoka aartasya pitur mama || 6-46-14

aspristvaa shayanam gaatrais tri yaamaa yaati sharvatii |

kritsnaa iyam yat krite lankaa nadii varsaasv iva aakulaa || 6-46-15

so ayam muula haro anarthah sarvesaam nihato mayaa |

“This non-sense pest, which was wearing away the very roots of us all, on whose account, the three watches of the night slipped past my father, who is unable even to touch his couch with his limbs, who remains absorbed in thought and stricken with grief and because of whom, the entire city of Lanka remains agitated, like a river during the rains, has ban destroyed by me.”

raamasya laksmanasya eva sarvesaam ca vana okasaam || 6-46-16

vikramaa nisphalaah sarve yathaa sharadi toyadaah |

“As clouds are useless in the autumn, so are all the exploits of Rama, Lakshmana and all the monkeys.”

evam uktvaa tu taan sarvaan raaksasaan paripaarshvagaan || 6-46-17

yuuthapaan api taan sarvaams taadayaam aasa raavanih |

Thus speaking to all those demons, Indrajit the son of Ravana (by his arrows struck the monkey chief).

niilam navabhiraahatya maindam sadvividam tathaa || 6-46-18

tribhistribhiramitraghnastataaa paramesubhih |

Striking Nila with nine arrows, Indrajit the destroyer of foes tormented Mainda and Dvivida with three superb arrows on each.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 jaambavantam mahesvaaso viddhvaa baanena vaksasi || 6-46-19

hanuumato vegavato visasarja sharaandasha |

Indrajit the wielder of a great bow smacked the chest-region of Jambavan with an arrow and released ten arrows towards Hanuman, the swift monkey.

gavaaksam sharabham chaiva taavapyamitavikramau || 6-46-20

dvaabhyaam dvaabhyaam mahaavego vivyaadha yudhi raavanih |

Indrajit the son of Ravana of great swiftness, struck both Gavaksha and Sharabha of unbounded valor with two arrows on each of them, in that battle.

golaanguuleshvaram chaiva vaaliputramathaangadam || 6-46-21

vivyaadha bahubhirbaanaistvaramaano.atha raavanih |

Thereafter, Indrajit the son of Ravana swiftly with his various arrows struck Gavaaksha (the ruler of Golangulas) and then Angada the son of too.

taanvaanaravaraan bhittvaa sharairagnishikhopamaih || 6-46-22

nanaada balavaamstatra mahaasattvah sa raavanih |

Indrajit, that strong and highly courageous demon, pierced those jewels among the monkeys there with his arrows which resembled flames of fire and began to shout in triumph.

taan ardayitvaa baana oghais traasayitvaa ca vaanaraan || 6-46-23

prajahaasa mahaa baahur vacanam ca idam abraviit |

Tormenting them with a multitude of arrows and frightening the monkeys, the mighty armed Indrajit heartily laughed and spoke (as follows).

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 shara bandhena ghorena mayaa baddhau camuu mukhe || 6-46-24

sahitau bhraataraav etau nishaamayata raaksasaah |

“O, demons! At the forefront of the army, behold those two brothers (Rama and Lakshmana) bound together by me by a terrible net work of my arrows.”

evam uktaas tu te sarve raaksasaah kuuta yodhinah || 6-46-25

param vismayam aajagmuh karmanaa tena tositaah |

All those demons, the treacherous fighters on their part, after hearing the words of Indrajit, were seized with a great wonder and were overjoyed.

vinedush ca mahaa naadaan sarve te jalada upamaah || 6-46-26

hato raama;iti jnaatvaa raavanim samapuujayan |

All of them cheered Indrajit unanimously with a roar like unto thunder, crying “Rama is dead”.

nispandau tu tadaa dristvaa taav ubhau raama laksmanau || 6-46-27

vasudhaayaam nirucchvaasau hataav ity anvamanyata |

Seeing the two brothers – Rama and Lakshmana lying motionless and breathless on the floor, Indrajit thought they were dead.

harsena tu samaavista;indrajit samitim jayah || 6-46-28

pravivesha puriim lankaam harsayan sarva nairritaan |

Indrajit, full of joy and victorious in conflict, returned to Lanka, spreading happiness among the demons.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 raama laksmanayor dristvaa shariire saayakaish cite || 6-46-29

sarvaani ca anga upaangaani sugriivam bhayam aavishat |

Seeing Rama and Lakshmana riddle with arrows and pierced in every limb and bone of their bodies, a great fear had taken possession of Sugreeva.

tam uvaaca paritrastam vaanara indram vibhiisanah || 6-46-30

sabaaspa vadanam diinam shoka vyaakula locanam |

Vibhishana then spoke to that Sugreeva, who was frightened, whose eyes were filled with tears, looking helpless and whose eyes were agitated in grief.

alam traasena sugriiva baaspa vego nigrihyataam || 6-46-31

evam praayaani yuddhaani vijayo na asti naisthikah |

“Have no fear, O Sugreeva! Stay this rush of tears. Wars are like this. Victory is not certain.”

sashesa bhaagyataa asmaakam yadi viira bhavisyati || 6-46-32

moham etau prahaasyete bhraatarau raama laksmanau |

“O, warrior! If a remanence of luck is there with us, the highly-souled and the exceedingly strong Rama and Lakshmana will drive off this loss of consciousness.”

paryavasthaapaya aatmaanam anaatham maam ca vaanara || 6-46-33

satya dharma anuraktaanaam na asti mrityu kritam bhayam |

“O, Sugreeva! Be courageous and bring about courage in me, having no protector. For those who are devoted to truth and righteousness, there is no fear of death.”

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 evam uktvaa tatas tasya jala klinnena paaninaa || 6-46-34

sugriivasya shubhe netre pramamaarja vibhiisanah |

Thus speaking, Vibhishana then wiped the charming eyes of Sugreeva with his hand moistened in water.

tatah salilamaadaaya vidyayaa parijapya cha || 6-46-35

sugriivanetre dharmaatmaa pramamaarja vibhiisanah |

Then, the pious minded Vibhishana took water, enchanted it with an incantation and wiped the eyes of Sugreeva.

vimrijya vadanam tasya kapi raajasya dhiimatah || 6-46-36

abraviit kaala sampraatam asambhraantam idam vacah |

Having dried the face of the wise Sugreeva Vibhishana spoke the following words full of good sense and comfort.

na kaalah kapi raaja indra vaiklavyam anuvartitum || 6-46-37

atisneho apy akaale asmin maranaaya upapadyate |

“O, Sugreeva the king of monkeys! This is not the time to cling to despondency. At this hour, even too much attachment leads to death.”

tasmaad utsrijya vaiklavyam sarva kaarya vinaashanam || 6-46-38

hitam raama purogaanaam sainyaanaam anucintyataam |

“Therefore, abandoning your despair, which ruins all actions, focus now on how best to serve the troops which have Rama going before them.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 atha vaa raksyataam raamo yaavat samjnaa viparyayah || 6-46-39

labdha samjnau tu kaakutsthau bhayam no vyapanesyatah |

“Or else, let Rama be protected till he regains consciousness. Having regained consciousness, Rama and Lakshmana can indeed drive away the fear of both of us.”

na etat kimcana raamasya na ca raamo mumuursati || 6-46-40

na hy enam haasyate laksmiir durlabhaa yaa gata aayusaam |

“This is nothing to Rama nor Rama is going to die. The bodily splendor, which is difficult to be found in those whose longevity of life has run out; is not abandoning him.”

tasmaad aashvaasaya atmaanam balam ca aashvaasaya svakam || 6-46-41

yaavat sarvaani sainyaani punah samsthaapayaamy aham |

"Therefore console yourself and call on your prowess, till I restore confidence in the entire ranks."

ete hi utphulla nayanaas traasaad aagata saadhvasaah || 6-46-42

karne karne prakathitaa harayo hari pumgava |

“O, the foremost of monkeys! These monkeys, having their eyes dilated due to fear, are signaling some words into each other’s ear, terrified as they were.”

maam tu dristvaa pradhaavantam aniikam sampraharsitum || 6-46-43

tyajantu harayas traasam bhukta puurvaam iva srajam |

“Let the monkeys cast off their fear, even as one would discard a used garland, on seeing me running about to activate the troops.”

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 samaashvaasya tu sugriivam raaksasa indro vibhiisanah || 6-46-44

vidrutam vaanara aniikam tat samaashvaasayat punah |

Having emboldened Sugreeva, Vibhishana the foremost of demons once again reassured that army of monkeys, who were pushing away.

indrajit tu mahaa maayah sarva sainya samaavritah || 6-46-45

vivesha nagariim lankaam pitaram ca abhyupaagamat |

Indrajit, the great conjurer, surrounded by all his forces, re-entered the city of Lanka.

tatra raavanam aasiinam abhivaadya krita anjalih || 6-46-46

aacacakse priyam pitre nihatau raama laksmanau |

Approaching Ravana there and saluting with joined palms, Indrajit informed his father in pleasing words that both Rama and Lakshmana had been slain.

utpapaata tato hristah putram ca parisasvaje || 6-46-47

raavano raksasaam madhye shrutvaa shatruu nipaatitau |

Hearing in the midst of demons, the news that both the enemies having been killed, Ravana forthwith sprang on his feet in joy and embraced his son.

upaaghraaya sa muurdhny enam papraccha priita maanasah || 6-46-48

pricchate ca yathaa vrittam pitre sarvam nyavedayat |

yathaa tau sharabandhena nishchestau nisprabhau kritau || 6-46-49

Smelling on his head, Ravana delighted at heard, made enquiries in the matter. Indrajit reported the matter as it happened, to his enquiring father, as to how both Rama and Lakshmana were made motion-less and luster-less by entwining them with arrows.

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Valmiki Ramayana – Yuddha Kanda – Chapter 46 sa harsa vega anugata antara aatmaa |

shrutvaa vacas tasya mahaa rathasya |

jahau jvaram daasharatheh samutthitam |

prahrisya vaacaa abhinananda putram || 6-46-50

Hearing the words of Indrajit the great charioteer, Ravana with his heart filled with a gush of joy, relinquished his anguish, caused on account of Rama and applauded his son with pleasing words.

ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye yuddhakaande satchatvaarimshah sargah

Thus completes 46th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate

References

K. M. K. Murthy. (2002). Yuddha Kanda - Book Of War.

Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.

Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.

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