22 – Khara’s army marches to Rama.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Khara, the brother of Shuurpanakha starts out to wage war with Rama with fourteen thousand demons and with their unusual arsenal. This is the first major move of demons towards Rama that leads to the ultimate battle at the end of epic.

Verse 1

एवम् आधर्षितः शूरः शूर्पणख्या खरः ततः |
उवाच रक्षसाम् मध्ये खरः खरतरम् वचः || ३-२२-१

Thus when Shuurpanakha disparaged that valiant Khara amidst demons he is infuriated and spoke these highly hurtful words. [3-22-1]

1. tataH = then; shuurpaNakhyaa = by Shuurpanakha; evam rakSasaam madhye aadharSitaH = this way, demons, among, disparaged; shuuraH kharaH = valiant, Khara; kharaH = infuriated one; khara taram vacaH = hurtful, highly, words; uvaaca = spoke.

Verse 2

तव अपमान प्रभवः क्रोधो अयम् अतुलो मम |
न शक्यते धारयितुम् लवण अंभ इव उल्बणम् || ३-२२-२

“This fury of mine originating from the disgrace brought on you is like the highly bitter salt water that is impossible to contain when ingested. [3-22-2]

2. tava apamaana prabhavaH = your, disgrace, originating from; mama atulaH ayam krodhaH = my, limitless, this, fury; ulbaNam lavaNa ambha iva = highly [bitter,] salt, water, like; dhaarayitum na shakyate = to contain, not, possible.

Verse 3

न रामम् गणये वीर्यान् मानुषम् क्षीण जीवितम् |
आत्म दुश्चरितैः प्राणान् हतो यो अद्य विमोक्ष्यति || ३-२२-३

“I do not care the valour of that Rama for he is a human with dwindled lifetime, now going to give up his life slain by his own misdoings. [3-22-3]

3. maanuSam kSiiNa jiivitam raamam = human, one with dwindled, lifetime, Rama will be; viiryaat na gaNaye = by [his] valour, not, I do not reckon – I do not care; yaH = which Rama; aatma duH caritaiH = by his own, bad, doings; hataH = slain; adya praaNaan vi mokSyati = now, lives, is going to give up.

Verse 4

बाष्पः संधार्यताम् एष संभ्रमः च विमुच्यताम् |
अहम् रामम् सह भ्रात्रा नयामि यम सादनम् || ३-२२-४

“Control your tears and cast off your despair too, for I will send Rama to the abode of the Terminator along with his brother. [3-22-4]

4. eSa baaSpaH = these, tears, hold back; samdhaaryataam = hold back; sambhramaH ca vimucyataam = despair, too, cast of; aham raamam bhraatraa saha = I, Rama, brother, along with; nayaami yama saadanam = send, to Terminator’s, abode.

Verse 5

परश्वध हतस्य अद्य मन्द प्राणस्य भू तले |
रामस्य रुधिरम् रक्तम् उष्णम् पास्यसि राक्षसि || ३-२२-५

“Now, you demoness, you will swill that Rama’s red hot blood when that short-lived one is hewed down to earth with an axe.” So Khara assured Shuurpanakha. [3-22-5]

5. raakSasii = oh, demoness; adya = now; bhuu tale = to earth’s, surface; parashvadha hatasya = by axe, hew down; manda praaNasya = one who is with slowed down, lives – short-lived Rama; raamasya raktam uSNam rudhiram = Rama’s, red, hot, blood; paasyasi = you will swill.

Verse 6

सा प्रहृष्ट्वा वचः श्रुत्वा खरस्य वदनात् च्युतम् |
प्रशशंस पुनर् मौर्ख्यात् भ्रातरम् रक्षसाम् वरम् || ३-२२-६

On hearing the words plunged from the mouth of Khara she is very much gladdened and in all her stupidity she further praised her brother highly saying, “you are the best among all the demons…” [3-22-6]

6. saa kharasya vadanaat cyutam = she, frm Khara’s, face – mouth, fallen; vacaH shrutvaa = words, on hearing; pra hR^iSTvaa = very, gladdened; maurkhyaat = by stupidity; bhraataram = about brother; rakSasaam varam = among demons, [you are] the best; punaH pra shashamsa = again – further, highly praised.

Verse 7

तया परुषितः पूर्वम् पुनर् एव प्रशंसितः |
अब्रवीत् दूषणम् नाम खरः सेना पतिम् तदा || ३-२२-७

Though she denounced him earlier she alone praised him now for which Khara is overjoyed, and then he ordered his army commander, namely Duushana. [3-22-7]

7. tayaa puurvam paruSitaH = by her, earlier, denounced; punaH eva prashamsitaH = again, thus, praised; kharaH = Khara [is overjoyed]; tadaa = then; duuSaNam naama senaa patim = Duushana, named, to army, commander; abraviit = said – ordered.

Verse 8

चतुर्दश सहस्राणि मम चित्त अनुवर्तिनाम् |
रक्षसाम् भीम वेगानाम् समरेषु अनिवर्तिनाम् || ३-२२-८

“Those who are the followers of my will, whose hustle will be frightful and who will be unretreating in combats, such of those demons are there in fourteen thousand numbers, aren’t they. [3-22-8]

8. mama citta anuvartinaam = my, will, followers of; bhiima vegaanaam = of frightful, hustle; samareSu = in combats; a+ni vartinaam = not, return, coming [unretreating]; such of those; rakSasaam = demons; catur dasha sahasraaNi = four, ten, thousand [fourteen thousand]; are there.

Verse 9

नील जीमूत वर्णानाम् लोक हिंसा विहाराणाम् |
सर्व उद्योगम् उदीर्णानाम् रक्षसाम् सौम्य कारय || ३-२२-९

“And oh, gentle Duushana, those domineering demons are with dark-clouds like complexions, and they are the pamperers of genocide, as such, cause them for a belligerency, all at once. [3-22-9]

Verse 10

उपस्थापय मे क्षिप्रम् रथम् सौम्य धनूंषि च |
शरान् च चित्रान् खड्गां च शक्ती च विविधाः शिताः || ३-२२-१०

“For me, oh, gentle one, promptly position my chariot before me along with bows and arrows, amazing swords and diverse sharp power bolts. [3-22-10]

10. saumya = oh, gentle one; me = for me; ratham = chariot; dhanuumSi sharaan ca = bows, arrows, also; citraan khaDgaam ca = amazing, swords, also; vi vidhaaH shitaaH shaktii ca = diverse, sharp, power bolts, also; kSipram upa sthaapaya = promptly, before me, be positioned.

Verse 11

अग्रे निर्यातुम् इच्छ्हामि पौलस्त्यानाम् महात्मनाम् |
वधार्थम् दुर्विनीतस्य रामस्य रण कोविद || ३-२२-११

“Oh, war pert Duushana, I wish to start ahead of all the demons of ours, who are the clans-demons of the great souled Paulastya, for the purpose of elimination of that evil-minded Rama.” So said Khara to Duushana. [3-22-11]

11. raNa kovida = oh, war, expert Duushana; dur viniitasya = of evil, minded one; raamasya vadha artham = Rama’s, for elimination, purpose of; mahaatmanaam paulastyaanaam great-souled ones, of all Paulastya clansmen [demon race]; agre = ahead of; niryaatum icChaami = to start, I wish to.

Verse 12

इति तस्य ब्रुवाणस्य सूर्य वर्णम् महारथम् |
सत् अश्वैः शबलैः युक्तम् आचचक्षे अथ दूषणः || ३-२२-१२

While Khara is saying thus Duushana heralded saying, “Here comes the great chariot with sun’s dazzle, yoked with very good horses of variegated colours.” [3-22-12]

12. tasya = his, Khara’s; iti bruvaaNasya = thus, while saying; atha duuSaNaH = then, Duushana; suurya varNam mahaa ratham = sun, coloured [dazzle,] great, chariot; shabalaiH = variegated in colours; sat ashvaiH yuktam = very good, horses, along with [yoked]; aacacakSe = informed – heralded.

Verse 13, 14 & 15

तम् मेरु शिखर आकारम् तप्त कांचन भूषणम् |
हेम चक्रम् असंबाधम् वैदूर्यमय कूबरम् || ३-२२-१३
मत्स्यैः पुष्पैः द्रुमैः शैलैः चन्द्र सूर्यैः च कांचनैः |
मा.ंगल्यैः पक्षि सम्घैः च ताराभिः च समावृतम् || ३-२२-१४
ध्वज निस्त्रिंश संपन्नम् किंकिणी वर भूषितम् |
सत् अश्व युक्तम् सः अमर्षात् आरुरोह खरः तदा || ३-२२-१५

That chariot which has a roomy cabin with its rooftop like that of the ridge of Mt. Meru, body embellished in gold, wheels golden, gem-studded yoke-to-carriage shaft, all around encompassed with golden artefacts like fishes, flowers, trees, mountains, sun, moon, and auspicious birds flocks and stars, and even decorated with jingle-bells, endowed with flags, swords, and best horses, and such as it is, Khara embarked on it with all his rancour. [3-22-13, 14, 15]

13, 14, 15. saH kharaH = he, that Khara; meru shikhara aakaaram = like Mt. Meru’s, ridge, in shape; tapta kaancana bhuuSaNam = molten, gold, embellished in; hema cakram = golden, wheeled; a sam baadham = not, verily, inconvenient [not congested, having enough room, seating capacity]; vaiduuryamaya kuubaram = with studded-gems, shaft of yoke; kaancanaiH = with golden [with artefacts of gold, like]; matsyaiH puSpaiH drumaiH shailaiH = with fishes, flowers, trees, mountains; candra suuryaiH ca = moon, sun, also; maangalyaiH pakSi samghaiH ca = auspicious one, bird, flocks; taaraabhiH ca = with stars, also; sam aa vR^itam = all over, encompassed; dhvaja nistrinsha sampannam = flags, swords, endowed with; kinkiNii vara bhuuSitam = jingle-bells, best ones, decorated with; sat ashva yuktam = best, horses, yoked with; [ratham = chariot] tadaa = then; amarSaat aaruroha = with rancour, mounted.

Verse 16

खरः तु तान् महत् सैन्याम् रथ चर्म आयुध ध्वजान् |
निर्यात इति अब्रवीत् प्रेक्ष्य दूषणः सर्व राक्षसान् || ३-२२-१६

On overseeing that great army with chariots, skins shields, weaponry and flags, and even at Duushana too, Khara charged all those demons saying “proceed.” [3-22-16]

16. kharaH tu = Khara, but; mahat sainyaam = great, army; ratha carma [varma] aayudha dhvajaan = which has – chariots, skins, [shields,] weaponry, flags; taan sarva raakSasaan = them, all, demons; prekshya duuSaNaH = on seeing – on overseeing, Duushana; niryaata iti = proceed, thus as; abraviit = said – charged.

Verse 18,19 & 20

मुद्गरैः पट्टिशैः शूलैः सुतीक्ष्णैः च परश्वधैः |
खड्गैः चक्रैः च हस्तस्थैः भ्राजमानैः स तोमरैः || ३-२२-१८
शक्तिभिः परिघैः घोरैः अतिमात्रैः च कार्मुकैः |
गदा असि मुसलैः वज्रैः गृहीतैः भीम दर्शनैः || ३-२२-१९
राक्षसानाम् सुघोराणाम् सहस्राणि चतुर्दश |
निर्यातानि जन स्थानात् खर चित्त अनुवर्तिनाम् || ३-२२-२०

Wielding maces, dart-bolts, and spears, and also razor-sharp axes, swords and discs, and dreadful power-darts and power-bolts that are flashing, iron maces, unusual bows, clubs, scimitars and pounding-shafts, and even thunderbolt like weapons that are calamitous in look, that army which comprises fourteen thousand fiendish demons that are the followers of Khara’s whim, has started from Janasthaana. [3-22-18, 19, 20]

18. gR^ihiitaiH = taken; hasta sthaiH = in hands, carrying [wielding]; mudgaraiH paTTishaiH shuulaiH = maces, dart-bolts, spears; su tiikSNaiH ca = very, [razor-] sharp ones, also; parashvadhaiH khaDgaiH cakraiH ca = axes, swords, discs, also; bhraajamaanaiH tomaraiH shaktibhiH = flashing ones, power-darts, with power-bolts; ghoraiH parighaiH = dreadful ones, iron-maces; ati maatraiH kaarmukaiH = un, usual ones, bows; gadaa asi musalaiH = clubs, scimitars, pounding-shafts; bhiima darshanaiH = that are calamitous, in look; vajraiH = with thunderbolt [like weapons]; khara citta anuvartinaam = Khara’s, whim, followers; su ghoraaNaam = very, fiendish one; raakSasaanaam = of demons; catur dasha sahasraaNi = four, ten, thousand, [army of fourteen thousand]; janasthaanaat niryaataani = from Janasthaana, started out.

Verse 21

तान् तु निर्धावतो दृष्ट्वा राक्षसान् भीम दर्शनम् |
खरस्य अथ रथः किंचित् जगाम तत् अनन्तरम् || ३-२२-२१

On seeing the outrush of those demons of diabolic appearance, then Khara’s chariot also proceeded a little later at their behind. [3-22-21]

21. nir dhaavataH = out, rushing; bhiima darshanam = of diabolic, appearance; taan raakSasaan dR^iSTvaa = thgem, demons, on seeing; kimcit tat anantaram = = a little, that, after – at their behind; atha = then; kharasya rathaH jagaama = Khara’s, chariot, proceeded.

Verse 22

ततः तान् शबलान् अश्वान् तप्त कांचन भूषितान् |
खरस्य मतम् आज्ञाय सारथिः पर्यचोदयत् || ३-२२-२२

Then the charioteer set spurs on those colourful horses that are adorned in polished gold according to the notions of Khara. [3-22-22]

22. tataH = then; saarathiH = charioteer; tapta kaancana bhuuSitaan = molten [polished] golden, adorned with; shabalaan taan ashvaan = colourful, them, horses; kharasya matam aaj~naaya = Khara’s, notion, knowing [according to]; pari acodayat = set spurs to horses – speedily charioted.

Verse 24

प्रवृद्ध मन्युः तु खरः खर स्वरे
रिपोः वध अर्थम् त्वरितो यथा अंतकः |
अचूचुदत् सारथिम् उन्नदन् पुनर्
महाबलो मेघ इव अश्म वर्षवान् || ३-२२-२४

He whose voice is thunderous and whose rancour escalated speedily, and who is hastening forward like the Terminator intending to destroy his enemy, that Khara repeatedly hurried the charioteer shouting at him loudly like a overwhelming cloud that is going to storm stones. [3-22-24]

24. pra vR^iddha manyuH = speedily, escalating, rancour; khara svare = having harsh – thunderous, voice; kharaH = Khara; ripoH vadha artham = enemy, killing, intending to; antakaH yathaa = Terminator, as with; tvaritaH = hastening; ashma varSavaan = having stones, storm; mahaa balaH = overwhelming; megha iva = a cloud, like; saarathim = at charioteer; punaH = again – repeatedly; ut nadan = loudly, shouting at; acuucudat [a cuu cudat] = hurried up.

Verse 23

संचोदितो रथः शीघ्रम् खरस्य रिपु घातिनः |
शब्देन आपूरयामास दिशः स प्रदिशः तथा || ३-२२-२३

When the chariot of enemy destroyer Khara is driven that impetuously, it has started to swell earth’s four cardinal quarters and inter-quarters with turbulence. [3-22-23]

23. tathaa = that way; ripu ghaatinaH = enemy, destroyer; kharasya = of Khara; shiighram coditaH = quickly – impetuously, driven; saH rathaH = that, chariot; dishaH = quarters, sa pra dishaH = with, inter, quarters; shabdena aapuurayaamaasa = with noise, started to swell.