Introduction
The fourteen demons arrive at Rama’s cottage guided by Shuurpanakha and they wage a war with Rama in which Rama destructs all their weaponry and eliminates them all. Seeing this defeat Shuurpanakha rushes back to her brother to report the defeat.
Verse 1
ततः शूर्पणखा घोरा राघव आश्रमम् आगता |
रक्षसान् आचचक्षे तौ भ्रातरौ सह सीतया || ३-२०-१
Then on arriving at Raghava’s hermitage that ghastly Shuurpanakha has shown the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, along with Seetha to the fourteen demons. [3-20-1]
1. tataH ghoraa shuurpaNakhaa = then, ghastly, Shuurpanakha; raaghava aashramam aagataa = Raghava’s, hermitage, on arriving; rakSasaan = to [fourteen] demons; saha siitayaa = with, Seetha; bhraatarau tau aacacakSe = brothers, them two, said – has shown.
Verse 2
ते रामम् पर्ण शालायाम् उपविष्टम् महाबलम् |
ददृशुः सीतया सार्धम् लक्ष्मणेन अपि सेवितम् || ३-२०-२
They have seen the great-mighty Rama seated in the thatched cottage along with Seetha and Lakshmana attending to him. [3-20-2]
2. te = they the demons; siitayaa saardham = with Seetha, along; lakSmaNena api sevitam = by Lakshmana, even, attended by; parNa shaalaayaam = in thatched leaf, cottage; upaviSTam mahaabalam = sitting, great mighty; raamam dadR^ishuH = Rama , they saw.
Verse 3
ताम् दृष्ट्वा राघवः श्रीमान् आगताम् ताम् च राक्षसीम् |
अब्रवीत् भ्रातरम् रामो लक्ष्मणम् दीप्त तेजसम् || ३-२०-३
On seeing the arrival of the demons, and the demoness Shuurpanakha too, that magnificent Rama of Raghava dynasty said to the radiantly brilliant Lakshmana. [3-20-3]
3. shriimaan raaghavaH = magnificent one, of Raghava dynasty; aagataam taam = those demons, who arrived, them; taam raakSasiim ca = her, the demoness, also; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; diipta tejasam bhraataram lakSmaNam = to radiantly, brilliant, brother, to Lakshmana; raamaH abraviit = Rama , said.
Verse 4
मुहूर्तम् भव सौमित्रे सीतायाः प्रत्यनंतरः |
इमान् अस्या वधिष्यामि पदवीम् आगतान् इह || ३-२०-४
“Oh, Soumitri, briefly tarry at the close of Seetha as I wish to eliminate these demons who have trailed the path of that demoness to here. [3-20-4]
4. saumitre = oh, Soumitri; muhuurtam = for a moment; siitaayaaH = with Seetha; prati anantaraH = towards, non-distantly [close by]; bhava = you be; asyaaH = her [Shuurpanakha’s]; padaviim = way – trailing her path; iha aagataan = here, those that have come; imaan vadhiSyaami = these [demons,] I wish to eliminate.
Verse 5
वाक्यम् एतत् ततः श्रुत्वा रामस्य विदित आत्मनः |
तथा इति लक्ष्मणो वाक्यम् रामस्य प्रत्यपूजयत् || ३-२०-५
On hearing that word of Rama, then the nimble-souled Lakshmana honoured the word of Rama saying “so be it.” [3-20-5]
5. tataH lakSmaNaH = then, Lakshmana; vidita aatmanaH = clearly knowing, souled – nimble-souled; raamasya etat vaakyam shrutvaa = Rama ‘s, that, word, on hearing; tathaa iti = so be it, thus; raamasya vaakyam prati apuujayat = Rama ‘s, sentence, in turn, adored – honoured.
Verse 6
राघवो अपि महत् चापम् चामीकर विभूषितम् |
चकार सज्यम् धर्मात्मा तानि रक्षांसि च अब्रवीत् || ३-२०-६
On taking up his awful bow that is decorated with gold Raghava stringed it with bowstring and even spoke the demons as a forewarning. [3-20-6]
6. dharmaatmaa raaghavaH api = virtue-souled, Raghava, even; caamiikara vibhuuSitam = gold, decorated with; mahat caapam = awful, bow; sa jyam cakaara = with, bowstring, made [stringed bowstring]; taani rakSaamsi abraviit ca = them, to demons, spoke [as forewarning,] even.
Verse 7
पुत्रौ दशरथस्य आवाम् भ्रातरौ राम लक्ष्मणौ |
प्रविष्टौ सीतया सार्धम् दुश्चरम् दण्डका वनम् || ३-२०-७
“We the sons of Dasharatha are brothers named Rama and Lakshmana, and we entered the impenetrable forests Dandaka along with Seetha. [3-20-7]
7. aavaam putrau dasharathasya = we are, sons, of Dasharatha; bhraatarau raama lakSmaNau = brothers, Rama, Lakshmana; siitayaa saardham = Seetha, along with; duH caram daNDakaa vanam praviSTa = not, passable, Dandaka, forest, we entered.
Verse 8
फल मूल अशनौ दांतौ तापसौ धर्म चारिणौ |
वसन्तौ दण्डकारण्ये किम् अर्थम् उपहिंसथ || ३-२०-८
“We the dispassionate subsist on fruits and tubers treading in the path of virtue, and we being the sages resident in Dandaka forest what for you outrage us. [3-20-8]
8. phala muula ashanau = fruits, tubers, eaters; daantau = dispassionate; dharma caariNau = virtue, treaders in; daNDaka araNye vasantau = in Dandaka, forest, residents; taapasau = being sages; kim artham = what, for; upa himsatha = you outrage us.
Verse 9
युष्मान् पाप आत्मकान् हंतुम् विप्रकारान् महाहवे |
ऋषीणाम् तु नियोगेन प्राप्तो अहम् सशर आसनः || ३-२०-९
“As assigned by the sages I chanced here with bow and arrows to decimate you evil-souled and unrighteous beings in a crucial clash. [3-20-9]
9. paapa aatmakaan = evil, souled ones; vi prakaaraan = not, righteous ones; yuSmaan mahaa ahave hantum = you, in a crucial clash, to eliminate; sa shara aasanaH = with, arrows, bow; R^iSiiNaam tu niyogena = by sages, but, assigned; aham = I; praaptaH = chanced [here.]
Verse 10
तिष्ठत एव अत्र संतुष्टा न उपवरितितुम् अर्हथ |
यदि प्राणैः इह अर्थो वो निवर्तध्वम् निशा चराः || ३-२०-१०
“Stay there obligingly or you should not be able to return, else if you desire your lives, oh, nightwalkers, you may return now. [3-20-10]
10. nishaa caraaH = oh, night, walkers; santuSTaaH [samduSTaaH] atra eva tiSThata = be satisfied [very abominable ones,] there, only, stay; upaavarititum na arhatha = to return, not, fit – impossible to return; vaa yadi = else, if; praaNaiH arthaH = with lives, purpose [if you desire your lives]; iha nivartadhvam = now, return.
Verse 11 & 12
तस्य तद् वचनम् श्रुत्वा राक्षसाः ते चतुर्दश |
ऊचुर् वाचम् सुसंक्रुद्धा ब्रह्मघ्नः शूल पाणयः || ३-२०-११
संरक्त नयना घोरा रामम् रक्तांत लोचनम् |
परुषा मधुर आभाषम् हृष्टाः अदृष्ट पराक्रमम् || ३-२०-१२
On hearing that sentence of Rama they the fourteen ghoulish demons who are the slayers of Brahmans and handlers of spears have become highly infuriated, and they with their bloodshot eyes and with harsh words said these words to Rama, whose eyes are with blood streaks at their ends, and who also is a sweet talker, and whose valour is yet unseen by those fourteen demons. [3-20-11, 12]
11, 12. tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa = his [Rama’s,] that, sentence, on hearing; brahma ghnaH = Brahman, slayers; shuula paaNayaH = spears, handlers; te catur dasha raakSasaaH = those, fourteen, demons; ghoraa = ghoulish ones; sam rakta nayanaa = highly, bloodshot, eyed; su sam kruddhaa = very, highly, infuriated; paruSaa = with harsh [words]; raamam rakta anta locanam = to Rama, blood streaks, at ends, eyed; madhura aabhaaSam = to sweet, talker; a dR^iSTa paraakramam = un, seen, [whose] valour [is, of Rama]; hR^iSTaH = happily [self-confidently, demons]; vaacam uucuH = words, said.
Verse 13
क्रोधम् उत्पाद्य नो भर्तुः खरस्य सुमहात्मनः |
त्वम् एव हास्यसे प्राणान् अद्य अस्माभिर् हतो युधि || ३-२०-१३
“Killed in conflict by us you alone will set your lives loose as an inciter of fury in our highly great souled lord Khara. [3-20-13]
13. naH bhartuH = to our, lord; su maha aatmanaH kharasya = a very, highly, souled one, to Khara; krodham utpaadya = fury, on inciting; adya asmaabhiH yudhi hataH = now, by us, in war, when dead; tvam eva = you, alone; haasyase praaNaan = release, lives.
Verse 14
का हि ते शक्तिर् एकस्य बहूनाम् रण मूर्धनि |
अस्माकम् अग्रतः स्थातुम् किम् पुनर् योद्धुम् आहवे || ३-२०-१४
“Indeed, what capability you have as a lone one to stand against many of us in the forefront of war, and why tell again about your battling ability in a given battle. [3-20-14]
14. bahuunaam asmaakam agrataH = many, of us, before; raNa muurdhani sthaatum = in forefront, of war, to stay; ekasya te kaa shaktiH hi = for lone one, to you, what, capability, indeed; aahave yoddhum kim punaH = in battle, [ability] to battle against, why, again.
Verse 15
एभिः बाहु प्रयुक्तैः नः परिघैः शूल पट्टिशैः |
प्राणाम् त्यक्ष्यसि वीर्यम् च धनुः च कर पीडितम् || ३-२०-१५
“When we launch maces, spears and swords by our might you will forgo your lives, mettle, and even the bow now clasped in your hand.” So said the demons to Rama. [3-20-15]
15. ebhiH naH baahu prayuktaiH = by these, by our, arms, projected – launched by our might; parighaiH shuula paTTishaiH = by maces, spears, broad blade swords; praaNaam viiryam ca = lives, mettle, also; kara piiDitam dhanuH ca = by hand, clasped, bow, also; tyakSyasi = you will forgo.
Verse 16 & 17a
इति एवम् उक्त्वा संरब्धा राक्षसाः ते चतुर्दश |
उद्यत आयुध निस्त्रिंशा रामम् एव अभिदुद्रुवुः || ३-२०-१६
चिक्षिपुः तानि शूलानि राघवम् प्रति दुर्जयम् |
Thus saying that way clamorously they the fourteen demons, upraising their weapons they unhesitatingly rushed towards Rama alone, and they hurled lances towards that unconquerable Raghava. [3-20-16, 17a]
16, 17a. samrabdhaa te caturdasha raakSasaaH = clamorously, they, fourteen, demons; iti evam uktvaa = thus, that way, saying; nistrimshaa aayudha udyata = unhesitatingly, weapons, on upraising; raamam eva abhi dudruvuH = to, Rama, alone, towards, rushed; taani shuulaani = them, the spears; dur jayam = un, conquerable; raaghavam prati = Raghava, towards; cikSipuH = they hurled.
Verse 17b & 18a
तानि शूलानि काकुत्स्थः समस्तानि चतुर्दश || ३-२०-१७
तावद्भिः एव चिच्छ्हेद शरैः कांचन भूषितैः |
Rama in turn shredded all of those fourteen lances only with as many arrows that are adorned in gold. [3-20-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. kaakutsthaH = Rama; caturdasha taani shuulaani = fourteen, those, lances; samastaani = all of them; taavadbhiH eva = as many of them, only; kaancana bhuuSitaiH = in gold, adorned; sharaiH = with arrows; cicCheda = shredded.
Verse 18b & 19a
ततः पश्चात् महातेजा नाराचान् सूर्य संनिभान् || ३-२०-१८
जग्राह परम क्रुद्धः चतुर्दश शिल अशितान् |
Next that great resplendent Rama in high wrath took up fourteen iron bolt like arrows that are whetted on whetstone and equalling the sun in their dazzle. [3-20-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. tataH pashcaat = there after; mahaatejaa = great resplendent Rama; parama kruddhaH = highly, wrathfully one; shila ashitaan = on stone, sharpened ones; suurya samnibhaan = sun, equalling in dazzle; caturdasha naaraacaan jagraaha = fourteen, iron bolts [like arrows,] took up.
Verse 19b & 20a
गृहीत्वा धनुः आयम्य लक्ष्यान् उद्दिश्य राक्षसान् || ३-२०-१९
मुमोच राघवो बाणान् वज्रान् इव शतक्रतुः |
Then Raghava took up his bow, arched it, and aiming at the targeted demons released arrows as Indra would release his Thunderbolts. [3-20-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. raaghavaH dhanuH gR^ihiitvaa = Raghava, bow, on taking; aayamya = arched [the bow]; lakSyaan raakSasaan uddishya = targets, demons, aiming at; shatakratuH vajraan iva = Indra [releasing,] thunderbolt, like; baaNaan mumoca = arrows, released.
Verse 20b & 21a
ते भित्त्वा रक्षसाम् वेगात् वक्षांसि रुधिर आप्लुताः || ३-२०-२०
विनिष्पेतुः तदा भूमौ वल्मीकात् इव पन्नगाः |
And by the force of their speed those arrows gored the chests of those demons, and then on coming out bedaubed with blood they swiftly penetrated into earth like snakes into snake pit. [3-20-20b, 21a]
20b, 21a. te vegaat = they, by the [force of] speed; rakSasaam vakSaamsi bhittvaa = demons, in chests, on goring; rudhira aaplutaaH = with blood, bedaubed; tadaa = then; viniSpetuH [vi niS petuH] = swiftly coming out; bhuumau = into earth [nyamajjanta = subsided, penetrated into earth]; pannagaaH valmiikaat iva = snakes, from snake pit, as with.
Verse 21b & 22a
तैः भग्न हृदया बूमौ छ्हिन्न मूला इव द्रुमाः || ३-२०-२१
निपेतुः शोणित स्नाता विकृता विगत असवः |
Those arrows bursting their hearts they are blood bathed, mangled, and utterly dead, and like the uprooted trees they fell onto the ground. [3-20-21b, 22a]
21b, 22a. taiH bhagna hR^idayaa = with them [arrows,] burst, hearts; shoNita snaataa = in blood, bathed; vi kR^itaa = verily, mangled; vi gata asavaH = verily, gone, lives; Chinna muulaa drumaaH iva = cut down, at base [rooted out], trees, like; buumau nipetuH = on earth, fell.
Verse 22 & 23
तान् भूमौ पतितान् दृष्ट्वा राक्षसी क्रोध मूर्च्छ्हिता || ३-२०-२२
उपगम्य खरम् सा तु किंचित् संशुष्क शोणिता |
पपात पुनः एव आर्ता सनिर्यासा इव वल्लरी || ३-२०-२३
On seeing the demons falling onto ground that demoness Shuurpanakha is convulsed in rage, and she with a blanched aspect returned to the near of Khara in an agonising manner like a creeper exuding resin on incision, and fell before him as before. [3-20-22b, 23]
22. bhuumau patitaan taan dR^iSTvaa = on ground, fallen, them, on seeing; raakshasii krodha muurcChitaa = demoness, in rage, convulsed; kimcit sam shuSka shoNitaa = a little, well, dried out, blood [blanched aspect]; sa niryaasaa = with, exuded – with resin; vallarii iva = creeper, like; saa tu = she, but; aartaa = agonised; kharam upagamya = to Khara, going nearby; punaH eva papaata = again, like that, fell [as before.]
Verse 24
भ्रातुः समीपे शोक आर्ता ससर्ज निनदम् महत् |
सस्वरम् मुमोच बाष्पम् विवर्ण वदना तदा || ३-२०-२४
Then she in the presence of her brother Khara discharged a great outcry, and with a bloodless face she spilled tears attuning the strains of a whiner. [3-20-24]
24. tadaa shoka aartaa = then, by anguish, afflicted; bhraatuH samiipe = brother’s, presence; sasarja ninadam mahat = discharged, outcry, great [outcry]; vi varNa vadanaa = without, colour, faced [bloodless face]; sa svaram = with, tune [attuning with the strains of a whiner]; baaSpam mumoca = tears, released.
Verse 25
निपातितान् प्रेक्ष्य रणे तु राक्षसान्
प्रधाविता शूर्पणखा पुनः ततः |
वधम् च तेषाम् निखिलेन रक्षसाम्
शशंस सर्वम् भगिनी खरस्य सा || ३-२०-२५
Shuurpanakha having seen the fall of demons quickly fled from Panchavati of Rama to trikanTaka, the capital of Khara, and she being the sister of Khara she reported to Khara all about the destruction of those demons, in its entirety. [3-20-25]
25. shuurpaNakhaa raNe ni paatitaan = Shuurpanakha, in war, felled down; raakSasaan prekSya = demons, having seen; punaH tataH = again, from there; pra dhaavitaa = quickly, fled; bhaginii saa = sister, she [she being]; teSaam rakSasaam vadham = those, of demons, destruction; sarvam nikhilena = all about, in entirety; kharasya shashamsa = to Khara, reported.
