भट्टिकाव्यम् (रावणवधः) — सप्तदशः सर्गः | bhaṭṭikāvyam (rāvaṇavadhaḥ)

आशासत ततः शान्तिमस्नुरग्नीनहावयन् ।
विप्रानवाचयन्योधाः प्राक्कुर्वन्मङ्गलानि च ॥

Karandikar Then the warriors solicited peace, bathed, offered oblations in the (sacred) fires, made brahmins utter (blessings) and performed auspicious rites.

१७.२

अपूजयन्कुल-ज्येष्ठानुपागूहन्त बालकान् ।
स्त्रीः समावर्धयन्साऽस्राः कार्याणि प्रादिशंस्तथा ॥

Karandikar They honoured the elders of the family, embraced the children, reassured the women who were full of tears, (and) so also instructed (them) about (their) tasks.

१७.३

आच्छादयन्व्यलिम्पंश्च प्राश्नन्नथ सुराऽऽमिषम् ।
प्रापिबन्मधुमाध्वीकं भक्ष्यांश्चाऽऽदन्यथेप्सितान् ॥

Karandikar They dressed, anointed (themselves), consumed wine with meat, drank the madhvika wine to their content and ate food as (they) desired.

१७.४

न्यश्यन्शस्त्राण्यभीष्टानि समनह्यंश्च वर्मभिः ।
अध्यासत सुयागानि द्विषद्भ्यश्चाऽशपंस्तथा ॥

Karandikar They sharpened their favourite weapons and braced themselves with coats of mail, mounted good vehicles and cursed (their) enemies.

१७.५

अपूजयंश्चतुर्वक्त्रं विप्रानार्चंस्तथाऽस्तुवन् ।
समालिपत शक्राऽरिर्यानं चाऽभ्यलषद्वरम् ॥

Karandikar They worshipped the four-faced (Brahma), honoured the brahmins and also praised (one another). Indrajit smeared (himself) and desired an excellent chariot.

१७.६

आमुञ्चद्वर्म रत्नाऽऽढ्यमबध्नात्खड्गमुज्ज्ल्वलम् ।
अध्यास्त स्यन्दनं घोरं प्रावर्तत ततः पुरः ॥

Karandikar He donned an armour rich with jewels, tied a blazing sword, mounted a terrific chariot and then marched forth.

१७.७

आघ्नन्भेरीर्महास्वानाः कम्बूंश्चाऽप्यधमन्शुभान् ।
अताडयन्मृदङ्गांश्च पेराश्चाऽपूरयन्कलाः ॥

Karandikar They beat loud-sounding drums , so also blew auspicious conchs, mydangas and blew sweet peras.

१७.८

अस्तुवन्बन्दिनः शब्दानन्योन्यं चोदभावयन् ।
अनदन्सिंहनादांश्च प्राद्रेकत हयद्विपम् ॥

Karandikar The bards sang praises ; (the warriors) gave out calls to one another and roared like lions.

१७.९

अनिमित्तान्यथाऽपश्यन्नस्फुटद्रविमण्डलम् ।
औक्षन्शोणितमम्भोदा वायवोऽवान्सुदुःसहाः ॥

Karandikar Now they saw evil omens ; the sun's orb burst; the clouds showered blood (and) extremely unbearable hurricanes blew.

१७.१०

आर्च्छन्वामं मृगाः कृष्णाः शस्त्राणां व्यस्मरन्भटाः ।
रक्तं न्यष्ठीवदक्लाम्य दखिद्यद्वाजिकुञ्जरम् ॥

Karandikar Black antelopes passed by the left; warriors forgot (their) weapons ; the troop of horses and elephants vomitted blood, got exhusted and depressed.

१७.११

न तानगणयन्सर्वानास्कन्दंश्च रिपून्द्विषः ।
अच्छिन्दन्नसिभिस्तीक्ष्णैरभिन्दंस्तोमरैस्तथा ॥

Karandikar The enemies disregarded all of them and attacked their enemies, cut (them) with sharp swords, so also pierced (them) with javelins.

१७.१२

न्यकृन्तंश्चक्रधाराभिरतुदन्शक्तिभिर्दृढम् ।
भल्लैरविध्यन्नुग्राऽग्रैरतृंहंस्तोमरैरलम् ॥

Karandikar They severed with the sharp edges of discs, injured firmly (deeply) with missiles, wounded with sharp-tipped spears (and) battered amply with javelins.

१७.१३

आस्यन्प्लवङ्गमा वृक्षानधुन्वन्भूधरैर्भृशम् ।
अहिंसन्मुष्टिभिः क्रोघाददशन्दशनैरपि ॥

Karandikar The monkeys hurled trees, killed excessively with mountains, struck with fists and bit in anger with teeth too .

१७.१४

प्रादुन्वन्जानुभिस्तूर्णमतुदंस्तलकूर्परैः ।
प्राहिण्वन्नरिमुक्तानि शस्त्राणि विविधानि च ॥

Karandikar They speedily tortured with knees, mauled with palms and elbows and tossed back the various weapons discharged by the enemies .

१७.१५

अतृणेट्शक्रजिच्छत्रूनभ्राम्यच्च समन्ततः ।
अध्वनच्च महाघोरं न च कंचन नाऽदुनोत् ॥

Karandikar Indrajit killed his enemies and stalked all around; and he thundered most frighteningly, not that he did not frighten one and all.

१७.१६

नाऽजानन्सन्दधानं तं धनुर्नैक्षन्त बिभ्रतम् ।
नेषूनचेतन्नस्यन्तं हतास्तेनाऽविदुर्द्विषः ॥

Karandikar They did not see him fixing the arrow (to the bow), did not perceive him wielding the bow, did not notice him. discharging the arrow ; the enemies struck by him realised (only his valour).

१७.१७

अशृण्वन्नन्यतः शब्दं प्रपलायन्त चाऽन्यतः ।
आक्रन्दमन्यतोऽकुर्वंस्तेनाऽहन्यन्त चाऽन्यतः ॥

Karandikar They heard the sound from one place and quickly fled elsewhere; (they) gave out a yell from another place and by him they were killed from elsewhere.

१७.१८

प्रालोठन्त व्यभिद्यन्त परितो रक्तमस्रवन् ।
पर्यश्राम्यन्नतृप्यंश्च क्षतास्तेनाऽम्रियन्त च ॥

Karandikar Hit by him, they rolled, got separated (or severely injured), oozed blood all around, got exhausted and thirsty, and died.

१७.१९

सौमित्रिराकुलस्तस्मिन्ब्रह्माऽस्त्रं सर्वरक्षसाम् ।
निधनायाऽऽजुहूषत्तं व्य्ष्टभ्नाद्रघुनन्दनः ॥

Karandikar Distressed at him, the son of Sumitra (Laksmana) wished to invoke the missile of Brahma for the massacre of all demons; Rama restrained him.

१७.२०

ततो मायामयीं सीतां घ्नन्खड्गेन वियद्गतः ।
अदृश्यतेन्द्रजिद्वाक्यमवदत्तं मरुत्सुतः ॥

Karandikar Then Indrajit was seen rising up in the sky and killing a phantom of Sita with a sword; the Son of the Wind addressed him (these) words :

१७.२१

माऽपराध्नोदियं किंचिदभ्रश्यत्पत्युरन्तिकात् ।
सीतां राक्षस मा स्मैनां निगृह्णाः पाप दुःखिताम् ॥

Karandikar This one, Oh demon, has committed no crime; she stayed away from the vicinity of her husband. Oh sinner, do not kill her who is grieved.''

१७.२२

पीडाकरममित्राणां कर्तव्यमिति शक्रजित् ।
अब्रवीत्खड्गकृष्टश्च तस्या मूर्धानमच्छिनत् ॥

Karandikar Whatever is troublesome to the enemies has to be done, " thus spoke Indrajit, and, having drawn his sword, severed her head .

१७.२३

यत्कृतेऽरीन्व्यगृह्णीम समुद्रमतराम च ।
सा हतेति वदन्राममुपातिष्ठन्मरुत्सुतः ॥

Karandikar ''She for whom we fought the enemies and crossed the ocean is slain. So saying Maruti went to Rama .

१७.२४

ततः प्रामुह्यतां वीरौ राघवावरुतां तथा ।
उष्णं च प्राणतां दीर्घमुच्चैर्व्याक्रोशतां तथा ॥

Karandikar Then the brave Raghu Princes fainted and lamented and heaved long hot sighs and called out loudly.

१७.२५

तावभाषत पौलस्त्यो मा स्म प्ररुदितं युवाम् ।
ध्रुवं स मोहयित्वाऽस्मान्पापोऽगच्छन्निकुम्भिलाम् ॥

Karandikar The Son of Pulastya (Vibhisana) told them, ''You two do not weep. Definitely, that sinner, having beguiled us, has gone to Nikumbhila.

१७.२६

मा स्म तिष्ठत तत्रस्थो वध्योऽस्मावहुताऽनलः ।
अस्त्रे ब्रह्मशिरस्युग्रे स्यन्दने चाऽनुपार्जिते ॥

Karandikar Do not wait; he ought to be killed (while he) is staying there and has not sacrificed into the Fire, and while the terrific Brahmasiras missile and chariot have not been secured (by him).

१७.२७

ब्रह्माऽदधाद्वधं तस्य तस्मिन्कर्मण्यसंस्थिते ।
प्रायच्छदाज्ञां सौमित्रेर्युथपानां च राघवः ॥

Karandikar Brahma decreed his slaying while that ritual is incomplete.” Rama gave the command to Sumitra's son and the troop-leaders.

१७.२८

तां प्रत्यैच्छन्सुसंप्रितास्ततस्ते सविभीषणाः ।
निकुम्भिलां समभ्यायन्न्यरुध्यन्त च राक्षसैः ॥

Karandikar Then, highly pleased, they accepted it, proceeded to Nikumbhila along with Vibhisapa (but) were prevented by the demons (who were).

१७.२९

दिक्पालैः कदनं तत्र सेने प्राकुरुतां महत् ।
ऐतां रक्षांसि निर्जित्य द्रुतं पौलस्त्यलक्ष्मणौ ॥

Karandikar –the protectors of the quarters. There, both the armies fought a terrible battle. Having subdued the demons, Laksmana and Vibhisana quickly went (ahead).

१७.३०

तत्रेन्द्रजितमैक्षेतां कृत-धिष्ण्यं समाहितम् ।
सोऽजुहोत्कृष्णवर्त्मानमामनन्मन्त्रमुत्तमम् ॥

Karandikar There they saw seated in concentration, Indrajit who had arranged the altars ; repeatedly reciting the most powerful incantation, he sacrificed into the Fire.

१७.३१

अध्यायच्छक्रजिद्ब्रह्म समाधेरचलन्न च ।
तमाह्वयत सौमित्रिरगर्जच्च भयंकरम् ॥

Karandikar Indrajit meditated upon Brahman (the Eternal Soul) and did not stir from concentration. Laksmapa challenged him and roared fearfully.

१७.३२

अकुप्यदिन्द्रजित्तत्र पितृव्यं चाऽगदद्वचः ।
त्वमत्राऽजायथा देह इहाऽपुष्यत्सुराऽमिषैः ॥

Karandikar At that, Indrajit got wild and said (these) words to his (paternal) uncle : ''You took birth here and (your) body got fat here on wine and flesh.

१७.३३

इहाऽजीव इहैव त्वं क्रूरमारभथाः कथम् ।
नाऽपश्यः पाणिमार्द्रं त्वं बन्धुत्वं नाऽप्यपैक्षथाः ॥

Karandikar Here only you lived; how did you undertake (this)

१७.३४

अधर्मान्नाऽत्रसः पाप लोकवादान्न चाऽबिभेः ।
धर्मदुषण नूनं त्वं नाऽजाना नाऽशृणोरिदम् ॥

Karandikar ''Oh sinner, you did not fear irreligiosity and you were not afraid of public censure. Oh violator of duty, indeed, you have neither known nor heard this.

१७.३५

निराकृत्य यथा बन्धून्लघु-त्वं यात्य-संशयम् ।
" ।
पितृव्येण ततो वाक्यमभ्यधीयत शक्रजित् ॥

Karandikar —as to how one having repudiated his kinsmen, doubtlessly gets debased." Then Indrajit was addressed (these) words by his uncle :

१७.३६

मिथ्या मा स्म व्यतिक्रामो मच्छीलं मा न बध्यथाह् ।
सत्यं समभवं वंशे पापानां रक्षसामहम् ॥

Karandikar Do not overstep falsely; not that you do not know my character. True, I took birth in the race of sinful demons.

१७.३७

न त्वजायत मे शीलं तादृक्यादृक्पितुस्तव ।
क्षयाऽऽवहेषु दोषेषु वार्यमाणो मयाऽरमत् ॥

Karandikar My character, however, did not become like that of your father. Though being dissuaded by me, he revelled in vices wrought with ruin.

१७.३८

दश-ग्रीवंऽहमेतस्मादत्यजं न तु विद्विषन् ।
पर-स्वान्यार्जयन्नारीरन्यदीयाः परामृशत् ॥

Karandikar “On this account did I leave Ravana, but not feeling inimical. He got the riches of others looted and touched the wives of others.

१७.३९

व्यजिघृक्षत्सुरान्नित्यं प्रामाद्यद्गुणिनां हिते ।
आशङ्कत सुहृद्बन्धूनवृद्धान्बह्वमन्यत ॥

Karandikar ''He always wished to fight the gods, erred in (following the beneficial (advice) of the virtuous, suspected friends and kinsmen (and) highly respected the immature.

१७.४०

दोषैररमतैभिस्ते पिताऽत्यज्यत यैर्मया ।
ततो-रुष्यदनर्दच्च द्वि-विंशतिभिरेव च ॥

Karandikar Your father revelled in these vices, wherefore he was abandoned by me" Thereby Indrajit got angry and thundered and also with forty-

१७.४१

शरैरताडयद्बन्धुं पञ्चविंशतिभिर्नृपम् ।
रावणिस्तस्य सौमित्रिरमथ्नाच्चतुरो हयान् ॥

Karandikar arrows, (that) son of Ravana struck (his) relative (and) with a hundred the King (Laksmana). Laksmana killed his four horses (of the chariot).

१७.४२

सागरथिं चाऽलुनाद्बाणैरभनक्स्यन्दनं तथा ।
सौमित्रिमकिरद्बाणैः परितो रावणिस्ततः ॥

Karandikar And (his) charioteer, (he) cut down with arrows, so also shattered his chariot. Then the Son of Ravana enveloped the Son of Sumitra all around with arrows.

१७.४३

तावस्फावयतां शाक्तिं बाणांश्चाऽकिरतां मुहुः ।
वारुणं लक्ष्मणोऽक्षिप्यदक्षिपद्रौद्रमिन्द्रजित् ॥

Karandikar The two enhanced their strength and repeatedly discharged arrows. Laksmana discharged Varuna's missile and Indrajit hurled Rudra's.

१७.४४

ते परस्परमासाद्य शस्त्रे नाशमगच्छताम् ।
आसुरं राक्षसः शस्त्रं ततो घोरं व्यसर्जयत् ॥

Karandikar The two missiles, having contacted each other

१७.४५

तस्मान्निरपतद्भूरि शिला-शूलेष्टि-मुद्गरम् ।
माहेश्वरेण सौमित्रिरस्तभ्नात्तत्सुदुर्जयम् ॥

Karandikar Therefrom fell down copious boulders, spikes, swords and mallets. The son of Sumitra halted that highly invincible (missile) with (the missile) of Mahesvara.

१७.४६

ततो रौद्रसमायुक्तं माहेन्द्रं लक्ष्मणोऽस्मरत् ।
तेनाऽऽगम्यत घोरेण शिरश्चाऽह्रियत द्विषः ॥

Karandikar Then Laksmana remembered the Mahendra missile in conjunction with the Raudra. That terrific missile shot forth and the enemy's head was shorn off.

१७.४७

अतुष्यन्नमराः सर्वे प्राहृष्यन्कपियूथपाः ।
पर्यष्वजत सौमित्रिं मूर्ध्न्यजिघ्रच्च राघवः ॥

Karandikar All the gods rejoiced; the chiefs of monkey troops were highly delighted; Rama embraced and smelt Lasmana on the head.

१७.४८

अरोदीद्राक्षसाऽनीकमरोदन्नृभुजां पतिः ।
मैथिल्यै चाऽशपद्धन्तुं तां प्राक्रमत चाऽऽतुरः ॥

Karandikar The army of the demons wept ; the lord of cannibals wailed and swore at the Mithila Princess, and, distressed, (he) walked up to kill her.

१७.४९

अयुक्तमिदम् त्यन्ये तमाप्ताः प्रत्यवारयन् ।
न्यरुन्धंश्चाऽस्य पन्थानं बन्धुता शुचमारुणत् ॥

Karandikar Other well-meaning kinsmen dissuaded him saying, ''This is improper, and blocked his way; the multitude of kinsmen dispelled his grief,

१७.५०

आस्फायताऽस्य वीरत्वममर्षश्चाऽप्यतायत ।
रावणस्य ततः सैन्यं समस्तमयुयुत्सयत् ॥

Karandikar Ravana's valour swelled up and anger expanded; then he made his whole army wish for fighting.

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