महाभारतम् — ३.२६८

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।

प्रभूतान्नोदके तस्मिन्बहुमूलफले वने ।
सेनां निवेश्य काकुत्स्थो विधिवत्पर्यरक्षत ॥

M N Dutt Markandeya said : The descendant of Kakustha having encamped his troops in those woods and abounding with plenty of food and drink and various (sorts of) fruits and roots, began to watch over them carefully.

३.२६८.२

रावणश्च विधिं चक्रे लङ्कायां शास्त्रनिर्मितम् ।
प्रकृत्यैव दुराधर्षा दृढप्राकारतोरणा ॥

M N Dutt (On the other hand) Ravana set up, in Lanka, engines constructed in accordance with (the rules of the science on war). And the seven moats, (which encircled the city), protected by strong walls and gates, full of deep waters and abounding with fishes and alligators, though naturally unassailable, were rendered more so by being surrounded with pointed stakes of Khadira wood.

३.२६८.३

अगाधतोयाः परिखा मीननक्रसमाकुलाः ।
बभूवुः सप्त दुर्धर्षाः खादिरैः शङ्कुभिश्चिताः ॥

M N Dutt (On the other hand) Ravana set up, in Lanka, engines constructed in accordance with (the rules of the science on war). And the seven moats, (which encircled the city), protected by strong walls and gates, full of deep waters and abounding with fishes and alligators, though naturally unassailable, were rendered more so by being surrounded with pointed stakes of Khadira wood.

३.२६८.४

कर्णाट्टयन्त्रदुर्धर्षा बभूवुः सहुडोपलाः ।
साशीविषघटायोधाः ससर्जरसपांसवः ॥

M N Dutt And the ramparts furnished with rounded stones and iron clubs were made unassailable by means of ballistas. The warriors (who mounted guard on the gates) had with them earthen jars full of poisonous snakes, resinous powders.

३.२६८.५

मुसलालातनाराचतोमरासिपरश्वधैः ।
अन्विताश्च शतघ्नीभिः समधूच्छिष्टमुद्गराः ॥

M N Dutt And were armed with maces, fire-brands, Narichas, Tomaras, swords, axes, Shataghnis and clubs saturated with wax.

३.२६८.६

पुरद्वारेषु सर्वेषु गुल्माः स्थावरजङ्गमाः ।
बभूवुः पत्तिबहुलाः प्रभूतगजवाजिनः ॥

M N Dutt And all the city gates were guarded by permanent and temporary encampments containing large numbers of infantry and by innumerable elephants and horses.

३.२६८.७

अङ्गदस्त्वथ लङ्काया द्वारदेशमुपागतः ।
विदितो राक्षसेन्द्रस्य प्रविवेश गतव्यथः ॥

M N Dutt Angada having reached one of the gates of Lanka and being made known to the Rakshasa king entered (the city) fearlessly.

३.२६८.८

मध्ये राक्षसकोटीनां बह्वीनां सुमहाबलः ।
शुशुभे मेघमालाभिरादित्य इव संवृतः ॥

M N Dutt And that highly-powerful one surrounded by innumerable crores of Rakshasas shone like the sun in the midst of masses of clouds.

३.२६८.९

स समासाद्य पौलस्त्यममात्यैरभिसंवृतम् ।
रामसंदेशमामन्त्र्य वाग्मी वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ॥

M N Dutt And that eloquent (monkey) having approached and saluted the descendant of Pulastya who was surrounded by (his) ministers, began to deliver Rama's message (in the following words).

३.२६८.१०

आह त्वां राघवो राजन्कोसलेन्द्रो महायशाः ।
प्राप्तकालमिदं वाक्यं तदादत्स्व कुरुष्व च ॥

M N Dutt "O king, the highly-renowned lord of Kosala, the descendant of Raghu says to you (through me) these words appropriate to the occasion. Accept that (message) and act in obedience to it.

३.२६८.११

अकृतात्मानमासाद्य राजानमनये रतम् ।
विनश्यन्त्यनयाविष्टा देशाश्च नगराणि च ॥

M N Dutt (Those) countries and cities whose kings are addicted to immoral acts and are incapable of controlling their minds, are themselves covered with sin and destroyed.

३.२६८.१२

त्वयैकेनापराद्धं मे सीतामाहरता बलात् ।
वधायानपराद्धानामन्येषां तद्भविष्यति ॥

M N Dutt You alone are guilty of forcibly carrying off Sita; but your guilt will lead many innocent persons to death.

३.२६८.१३

ये त्वया बलदर्पाभ्यामाविष्टेन वनेचराः ।
ऋषयो हिंसिताः पूर्वं देवाश्चाप्यवमानिताः ॥

M N Dutt Elated with power and pride, you who formerly killed many Rishis living in the forests, insulted the gods, slew many royal sages and carried off weeping damsels, are about to be visited with retributive justice for your those vicious deeds.

३.२६८.१४

राजर्षयश्च निहता रुदन्त्यश्चाहृताः स्त्रियः ।
तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं फलं तस्यानयस्य ते ॥

M N Dutt Elated with power and pride, you who formerly killed many Rishis living in the forests, insulted the gods, slew many royal sages and carried off weeping damsels, are about to be visited with retributive justice for your those vicious deeds.

३.२६८.१५

हन्तास्मि त्वां सहामात्यं युध्यस्व पुरुषो भव ।
पश्य मे धनुषो वीर्यं मानुषस्य निशाचर ॥

M N Dutt I will kill you together with your advisers. Give battle and play the hero. O night-ranger, behold the strength of my bow though I ar only a mortal.

३.२६८.१६

मुच्यतां जानकी सीता न मे मोक्ष्यसि कर्हिचित् ।
अराक्षसमिमं लोकं कर्तास्मि निशितैः शरैः ॥

M N Dutt Liberate Sita, the daughter of Janaka. But if you persist in not releasing her I will make this earth bare of all the Rakshasas with sharpened arrows."

३.२६८.१७

इति तस्य ब्रुवाणस्य दूतस्य परुषं वचः ।
श्रुत्वा न ममृषे राजा रावणः क्रोधमूर्छितः ॥

M N Dutt Hearing these harsh words of the messenger, king Ravana could not brook them and became senseless with rage.

३.२६८.१८

इङ्गितज्ञास्ततो भर्तुश्चत्वारो रजनीचराः ।
चतुर्ष्वङ्गेषु जगृहुः शार्दूलमिव पक्षिणः ॥

M N Dutt Thereupon four night-wanderers who understood (well) the signs of their lord seized Angada by his four limbs like birds seizing a tiger.

३.२६८.१९

तांस्तथाङ्गेषु संसक्तानङ्गदो रजनीचरान् ।
आदायैव खमुत्पत्य प्रासादतलमाविशत् ॥

M N Dutt And along with those wanderers of the night who held him fast by his limbs Angada took a leap upwards and alighted on the roof of the palace.

३.२६८.२०

वेगेनोत्पततस्तस्य पेतुस्ते रजनीचराः ।
भुवि संभिन्नहृदयाः प्रहारपरिपीडिताः ॥

M N Dutt Those Rakshasa raised up with great force fell down on the ground with their ribs shattered and sorely afflicted by the violence of the fall.

३.२६८.२१

स मुक्तो हर्म्यशिखरात्तस्मात्पुनरवापतत् ।
लङ्घयित्वा पुरीं लङ्कां स्वबलस्य समीपतः ॥

M N Dutt And he again took a leap from the roof of the palace whereon he descended and clearing the city of Lanka, come down to his comrades.

३.२६८.२२

कोसलेन्द्रमथाभ्येत्य सर्वमावेद्य चाङ्गदः ।
विशश्राम स तेजस्वी राघवेणाभिनन्दितः ॥

M N Dutt Then that monkey, approaching the lord of Kosala told him everything; and being highly praised by the descendant of Raghu, the energetic monkey went away to take rest.

३.२६८.२३

ततः सर्वाभिसारेण हरीणां वातरंहसाम् ।
भेदयामास लङ्कायाः प्राकारं रघुनन्दनः ॥

M N Dutt Then the descendant of Raghu by the simultaneous exertions of all monkeys, fleet as the wind, caused the walls of Lanka to be broken down.

३.२६८.२४

विभीषणर्क्षाधिपती पुरस्कृत्याथ लक्ष्मणः ।
दक्षिणं नगरद्वारमवामृद्नाद्दुरासदम् ॥

M N Dutt Then Lakshmana with Vibhishana and the lord of the bears (Jambuvana) marching ahead, demolished the impregnable southern gate of the city.

३.२६८.२५

करभारुणगात्राणां हरीणां युद्धशालिनाम् ।
कोटीशतसहस्रेण लङ्कामभ्यपतत्तदा ॥

M N Dutt Rama then invaded Lanka with a hundred thousand crores of monkeys skilled in battle and resembling young camels in the reddish complexion which they had.

३.२६८.२६

उत्पतद्भिः पतद्भिश्च निपतद्भिश्च वानरैः ।
नादृश्यत तदा सूर्यो रजसा नाशितप्रभः ॥

M N Dutt And the sun, with his rays shadowed by the dust raised by the monkeys leaping up an down and crosswise, could not be seen.

३.२६८.२७

शालिप्रसूनसदृशैः शिरीषकुसुमप्रभैः ।
तरुणादित्यसदृशैः शरगौरैश्च वानरैः ॥

M N Dutt And the walls (of Lanka) covered all over with monkeys endued with complexions (yellow) as the ears of paddy, (grey) as shirisha flowers (crimson) as the morning sun and white as flax, assumed a tawny hue. And O king, the Rakshasas together with their wives and elders were wonder-struck (at this unusual sight).

३.२६८.२८

प्राकारं ददृशुस्ते तु समन्तात्कपिलीकृतम् ।
राक्षसा विस्मिता राजन्सस्त्रीवृद्धाः समन्ततः ॥

M N Dutt And the walls (of Lanka) covered all over with monkeys endued with complexions (yellow) as the ears of paddy, (grey) as shirisha flowers (crimson) as the morning sun and white as flax, assumed a tawny hue. And O king, the Rakshasas together with their wives and elders were wonder-struck (at this unusual sight).

३.२६८.२९

बिभिदुस्ते मणिस्तम्भान्कर्णाट्टशिखराणि च ।
भग्नोन्मथितवेगानि यन्त्राणि च विचिक्षिपुः ॥

M N Dutt And they (the monkeys and the bears) broke down pillars made of gems and the terraces of spires of the palaces. Pulling down and breaking to pieces the engines and their propellers they threw them away.

३.२६८.३०

परिगृह्य शतघ्नीश्च सचक्राः सहुडोपलाः ।
चिक्षिपुर्भुजवेगेन लङ्कामध्ये महाबलाः ॥

M N Dutt And seizing the Shataghnis together with discs, clubs and stones, they threw them violently into Lanka uttering load yells.

३.२६८.३१

प्राकारस्थाश्च ये केचिन्निशाचरगणास्तदा ।
प्रदुद्रुवुस्ते शतशः कपिभिः समभिद्रुताः ॥

M N Dutt The night-wanderers that were stationed on the walls, attacked by the monkeys fled hurriedly by hundreds.

३.२६८.३२

ततस्तु राजवचनाद्राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः ।
निर्ययुर्विकृताकाराः सहस्रशतसंघशः ॥

M N Dutt Then, at the command of the king, hundreds and thousands of Rakshasas of unnatural shapes and who could assume any form they liked, issued out (of the city to meet the enemy).

३.२६८.३३

शस्त्रवर्षाणि वर्षन्तो द्रावयन्तो वनौकसः ।
प्राकारं शोधयन्तस्ते परं विक्रममास्थिताः ॥

M N Dutt Discharging a (perfect) deluge of arrows and displaying great prowess, they graced the walls on driving away the dwellers of forests.

३.२६८.३४

स माषराशिसदृशैर्बभूव क्षणदाचरैः ।
कृतो निर्वानरो भूयः प्राकारो भीमदर्शनैः ॥

M N Dutt And those terrible-looking night-rangers resembling heaps of flesh made the walls clear of monkeys.

३.२६८.३५

पेतुः शूलविभिन्नाङ्गा बहवो वानरर्षभाः ।
स्तम्भतोरणभग्नाश्च पेतुस्तत्र निशाचराः ॥

M N Dutt And there with their bodies pierced by lances many foremost of monkeys fell (dead) and several night-rangers also crushed by pillars broken in the course of battle breathed their last.

३.२६८.३६

केशाकेश्यभवद्युद्धं रक्षसां वानरैः सह ।
नखैर्दन्तैश्च वीराणां खादतां वै परस्परम् ॥

M N Dutt And the battle raged on between the heroic Rakshasas who fell to devouring (the monkeys) and the monkeys both parties dragging one another by the hair of the head and mangling one another with nails and teeth.

३.२६८.३७

निष्टनन्तो ह्युभयतस्तत्र वानरराक्षसाः ।
हता निपतिता भूमौ न मुञ्चन्ति परस्परम् ॥

M N Dutt The Rakshasas and the monkeys with terrific yells and roars killed and struck down one another on the ground but (still) they did not give up the fight.

३.२६८.३८

रामस्तु शरजालानि ववर्ष जलदो यथा ।
तानि लङ्कां समासाद्य जघ्नुस्तान्रजनीचरान् ॥

M N Dutt Rama too, then, poured down showers of arrows like the very clouds. And those arrows reaching Lanka killed many night-rangers.

३.२६८.३९

सौमित्रिरपि नाराचैर्दृढधन्वा जितक्लमः ।
आदिश्यादिश्य दुर्गस्थान्पातयामास राक्षसान् ॥

M N Dutt And that mighty bowman, the indefatiguable son of Sumitra also, naming (particular) Rakshasas who were stationed in the forts killed them with Narachas.

३.२६८.४०

ततः प्रत्यवहारोऽभूत्सैन्यानां राघवाज्ञया ।
कृते विमर्दे लङ्कायां लब्धलक्षो जयोत्तरः ॥

M N Dutt Then by order of Rama the forces retired (from the battle field) after having achieved success (in battle) and demolished (the defences of) Lanka and thereby making all the objects (of the city) easy of being aimed at.

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