Introduction
Trishira, the demon, supersedes Khara to fight Rama at his turn. He hits Rama with arrows for which Rama says that it is no more than the patting with flowers. Then a combat ensues and Rama becoming infuriated eliminates Trishira in the battle
Verse 1
खरम् तु राम अभिमुखम् प्रयांतम् वाहिनी पतिः |
राक्षसः त्रिशिरा नाम संनिपत्य इदम् अब्रवीत् || ३-२७-१
But when Khara is about to lunge to the forefront of Rama, nearing him the commander of demonic forces named Trishira spoke this to him. [3-27-1]
1. raama abhimukham pra yaantam = towards Rama’s, forefront, verily, journeying – lunging at; kharam tu = to Khara, but; vaahinii patiH = forces, commander; trishiraa naama raakSasaH = Trishira, named demons; sam nipatya = on nearing / on saluting; idam abraviit = this, said.
Verse 2
माम् नियोजय विक्रांतम् त्वम् निवर्तस्व साहसात् |
पश्य रामम् महाबाहुम् संयुगे विनिपातितम् || ३-२७-२
“Desisting from your personal adventure you enjoin me for I am an invader, and then you are certain to see me felling that mighty-armed Rama in combat. [3-27-2]
2. vikraantam maam niyojaya = invader [such as I am,] me, enjoin; saahasaat tvam ni vartasva = from adventure, you, return – desist from; samyuge = in combat; vi ni paatitam = verily, down, felled; mahaabaahum raamam pashya = mighty-armed, Rama, you [are certain to] see.
Verse 3
प्रतिजानामि ते सत्यम् आयुधम् च अहम् आलभे |
यथा रामम् वधिष्यामि वधार्हम् सर्व रक्षसाम् || ३-२७-३
“Taking oath on my weapon I promise to you that I truly wish to kill this Rama, as he deserves ill of all the demons by killing. [3-27-3]
3. aham te = I, to you; satyam prati jaanaami = truly, promising; aayudham ca aalabhe = weapon, I am, on touching – oath on my weapon, too; yathaa = as to how; sarva rakSasaam = for all, demons; vadha arham = kill, meant to – deserves to be killed, killable by all demons; such; raamam vadhiSyaami = Rama, I wish to kill.
Verse 4
अहम् वा अस्य रणे मृत्युः एष वा समरे मम |
विनिवर्त्य रण उत्साहम् मुहूर्तम् प्राश्निको भव || ३-२७-४
“Hold back your combative-adventurism and become an examiner to decide whether I am going to become his god of death in this combat, or he becomes mine. [3-27-4]
4. raNa utsaaham vinivartya [vi ni vartya] = combat, adventurism, hold back; raNe aham asya mR^ityuH vaa = in conflict, I [will become,] his, death, whether; samare eSa mama vaa = in combat, he, mine, or; muhuurtam praashnikaH bhava = for a while, examiner, you become.
Verse 5
प्रहृष्टो वा हते रामे जनस्थानम् प्रयास्यसि |
मयि वा निहते रामम् संयुगाय प्रयास्यसि || ३-२७-५
“If I were to kill Rama you may gladly proceed to Janasthaana, else if Rama kills me then you can adventurously proceed against him for a combat.” Thus Trishira spoke to Khara. [3-27-5]
5. raame hate = while Rama, is killed; pra hR^iSTaH janasthaanam pra yaasyasi = very gladly, to Janasthaana, you may proceed; vaa = else if; mayi nihate = when I am, killed; samyugaaya raamam prayaasyasi [upa yaasyasi] = to combat, towards Rama, you can proceed.
Verse 6
खरः त्रिशिरसा तेन मृत्यु लोभात् प्रसादितः |
गच्छ्ह युध्य इति अनुज्ञातो राघव अभिमुखो ययौ || ३-२७-६
By that death-greedy demon Trishira, Khara is manoeuvred and Khara to him said ‘begone… combat…’ and thus permitted, Trishira proceeded to the forefront of Rama. [3-27-6]
6. kharaH = Khara; tena trishirasaa = by him, that Trishira; mR^ityu lobhaat = death, greedy demon; prasaaditaH = manoeuvred; gacCha yudhya = go, combat; iti anuj~naataH = thus, when permitted; raaghava abhimukhaH yayau = to Raghava’s, forefront, proceeded.
Verse 7
त्रिशिराः तु रथेन एव वाजि युक्तेन भास्वता |
अभ्यद्रवत् रणे रामम् त्रि शृंग इव पर्वतः || ३-२७-७
Trishira with a lustrous chariot that is yoked with equally lustrous horses hurried towards Rama in that war, like a tri-peaked mountain, for they say, he is a tri-headed demon. [3-27-7]
7. trishiraaH tu = Trishira, on his part; vaaji yuktena = horses, yoked; bhaasvataa rathena eva = with lustrous, chariot, thus; tri shR^inga parvataH iva = tri, peaked, mountain, as if; raNe raamam abhyadravat = in war, to Rama, hurried.
Verse 8
शर धारा समूहान् स महामेघ इव उत्सृजन् |
व्यसृजत् सदृशम् नादम् जल आर्द्रस्य इव दुन्दुभेः || ३-२७-८
Discharging hosts of arrow-torrents like a hefty-arrow-cloud, he readily discharged a noise similar to the thudding drumbeat when a water-wet war-drum is beaten, rather than a blast from a heated drum. [3-27-8]
8. saH mahaa megha iva = he, hefty, cloud, as with; shara dhaaraa samuuhaan = arrow, torrents, hosts of; utsR^ijan = while discharging; jala aardrasya dundubheH sadR^isham iva = with water, wet, war-drum, in similarity, like; naadam vyasR^ijat [vi ava sR^ijat] = sound, readily discharged.
Verse 9
आगच्छ्हंतम् त्रिशिरसम् राक्षसम् प्रेक्ष्य राघवः |
धनुषा प्रतिजग्राह विधुन्वन् सायकान् शितान् || ३-२७-९
On seeing the oncoming of that demon Trishira, Raghava welcomed him by speedily winnowing smarting arrows from his bow. [3-27-9]
9. raaghavaH = Raghava; aagacChantam raakSasam trishirasam = oncoming, demon, of Trishira; prekSya = on seeing; shitaan saayakaan = smarting, arrows; dhanuSaa vi dhunvan = with bow, speedily, shoving – winnowing; prati jagraaha = in turn received -welcomed him.
Verse 10
स संप्रहारः तुमुलो राम त्रिशिरसोः तदा |
संबभूव अतीव बलिनोः सिंह कुं~जरयोः इव || ३-२७-१०
That grave and tumultuous encounter chanced between Rama and Trishira is like the extremely forceful encounter between a loin and an elephant. [3-27-10]
10. raama trishirasoH = of Rama, of Trishira; tumulaH = tumultuous one; saH sam prahaaraH = that, grave, encounter; atiiva balinoH = extremely, forceful ones; simha kun~jarayoH iva = lion, elephant, like that of; tadaa = then; sam babhuuva = chanced.
Verse 11
ततः त्रिशिरसा बाणैः ललाटे ताडितः त्रिभिः |
अमर्षी कुपितो रामः संरब्धम् इदम् अब्रवीत् || ३-२७-११
Later when Trishira smote on the forehead of highly enraged Rama with three arrows, Rama’s ire is intensified and he franticly said this to that demon. [3-27-11]
11. tataH = later; a + marSii raamaH = not, happy – highly, enraged, Rama is; trishirasaa = by Trishira; tribhiH baaNaiH = with three, arrows; lalaaTe = on forehead [of Rama]; taaDitaH = when smote; Rama; kupitaH = is [further] ireful – ire intensified; samrabdham idam abraviit = franticly, this, [Rama] said.
Verse 12
अहो विक्रम शूरस्य राक्षसस्य ईदृशम् बलम् |
पुष्पैः इव शरैः यस्य ललाटे अस्मि परिक्षतः || ३-२७-१२
“Oho! What an energy of a triumphing adventurer is this! A demon with this sort of energy is adventuring me, whose arrows rap my forehead peripherally, like flowers! [3-27-12]
12. aho = oho; vikrama shuurasya = triumphing, of adventurer; raakSasasya balam = demon’s, energy; iidR^isham! = just this?; yasya sharaiH = whose, with arrows; puSpaiH iva lalaaTe = with flowers, as if, on forehead; pari kSataH asmi = peripherally, struck – rap, I am.
Verse 13 & 14a
मम अपि प्रतिगृह्णीष्व शरान् चाप गुण च्युतान् |
एवम् उक्त्वा सुसंरब्धः शरान् आशीविष उपमान् || ३-२७-१३
त्रिशिरो वक्षसि क्रुद्धो निजघान चतुर् दश |
“Now you accept arrows plunging from the string of my bow…” saying thus, that infuriated Rama with his alacritous swiftness hit the chest of Trishira with fourteen arrows similar to venomous snakes. [3-27-13, 14a]
13, 14a. mama caapa guNa cyutaan = mine, bow’s, from bowstring, falling – plunging; sharaan api = arrows, even; prati gR^ihNiiSva = in return, you acknowledge – accept – withstand; evam uktvaa = thus, saying; su sam rabdhaH = one who has very, high – alacritous, swiftness; kruddhaH = infuriated; aashiiviSa upamaan = with venomous snakes, like; catur dasha sharaan four, ten [fourteen,] arrows; trishiraH vakSasi = Trishira’s, on chest; nijaghaana = hit; [nicakhaana = staved in.]
Verse 14b & 15a
चतुर्भिः तुरगान् अस्य शरैः संनत पर्वाभिः || ३-२७-१४
न्यपातयत तेजस्वी चतुरः तस्य वाजिनः |
With four of his straight shooting arrows that have hook-like barbs, that resplendent Rama hewed down four of the speedy horses of Trishira’s chariot. [3-27-14b, 15a]
14b, 15a. tejasvii = resplendent [Rama]; sam nata parvaabhiH = hook, barbed, straight-shooting ones; caturbhiH sharaiH = with four, arrows; tasya = such [kind of arrows]; asya = his [Trishira’s]; turagaan = speedy going; caturaH vaajinaH = four, horses – of chariot; nyapaatayata = fell down – hewed down.
Verse 15b & 16a
अष्टभिः सायकैः सूतम् रथ उपस्थे न्यपातयत् || ३-२७-१५
रामः चिच्छ्हेद बाणेन ध्वजम् च अस्य समुच्छ्ह्रितम् |
With eight arrows Rama felled the charioteer from his settle on the chariot, and with one arrow ripped off the high flying flag on that chariot. [3-27-15b, 16a]
15b, 16a. raamaH aSTabhiH saayakaiH = Rama, with eight, arrows; suutam = charioteer is; ratha upasthe nyapaatayat = from chariot’s, seat, fell down; baaNena = with one arrow; asya = his [Trishira’s]; sam ucChritam = hoisted high; dhvajam ca = flag, also; cicCheda = ripped off.
Verse 16b & 17a
ततो हत रथात् तस्मात् उत्पतंतम् निशाचरम् || ३-२७-१६
चिच्छ्हेद रामः तम् बाणैः हृदये सो अभवत् जडः |
When that nightwalker is vaulting from that smashed chariot Rama with his arrows tore his chest to shreds and he that Trishira became inert. [3-27-16b, 17a]
16b, 17a. tataH = then; raamaH = Rama; tasmaat hata rathaat = from that, smashed, chariot; ut patantam = up, falling – vaulting; tam nishaacaram = that, nightwalker is; baaNaiH hR^idaye cicCheda = with arrows, at heart’s place, tore to shreds; saH jaDaH abhavat = he [Trishira,] became, inert.
Verse 17b & 18a
सायकैः च अप्रमेय आत्मा सामर्षः तस्य रक्षसः || ३-२७-१७
शिरांसि अपातयत् त्रीणि वेगवद्भिः त्रिभिः शतैः |
And with three sharp and rapid arrows, and even with his own exasperation, Rama of inestimable aptitude rolled the three heads that demon. [3-27-17b, 18a]
17b, 18a. a prameya aatmaa = not, estimable, with aptitude – Rama; sa amarSaH = with, exasperation; vegavadbhiH tribhiH = rapid ones, wit three; sharaiH = arrows; as in other mms – shitaiH = sharp ones; saayakaiH = with arrows; tasya rakSasaH = of that, demon; triiNi shiraamsi apaatayat = three, heads, made to fall – rolled.
Verse 18b & 19a
स धूम शोणित उद्गारी राम बाण अभिपीडितः || ३-२७-१८
न्यपतत् पतितैः पूर्वम् समरस्थो निशाचरः |
When that nightwalker is highly tortured with Rama’s arrows he collapsed spewing blood with fumes, whereat he is standing in war, at where his three heads rolled just now. [3-27-18b, 19a]
18b, 19a. raama baaNa abhi piiDitaH = Rama’s, arrow, highly, tortured; saH nishaacaraH = that, nightwalker; dhuuma shoNita udgaarii = fumes, blood, spewing; puurvam patitaiH = earlier – just now, fallen; samara sthaH = in war, standing; nyapatat = fell down.
Verse 20b & c
तान् खरो द्रवतो दृष्ट्वा निवर्त्य रुषितः त्वरन् |
रामम् एव अभिदुद्राव राहुः चन्द्रमसम् यथा || ३-२७-२०
On seeing at those deserters Khara is piqued and quickly brought them back to his control, and then as with the scampering of eclipsing planet Rahu towards moon during lunar-eclipse, he scurried towards Rama alone. [3-27-20b, c]
20b, c. ruSitaH kharaH = piqued Khara; dravataH taan dR^iSTvaa = runners – deserters, them, on seeing; tvaran nivartya = quickly, bringing them back; raahuH candramasam yathaa = planet Rahu, to Moon, as with; raamam eva abhi dudraava = to Rama, alone, towards, scurried.
Verse 19b & 20a
हत शेषाः ततो भग्ना राक्षसाः खर संश्रयाः || ३-२७-१९
द्रवन्ति स्म न तिष्ठन्ति व्याघ्र त्रस्ता मृगा इव |
As with the fleeing of deer alarmed by a tiger, the demons remaining after liquidation, whom Khara has protected so far and whose confidence is now shattered, are running away, and they gave Khara the run-around. [3-27-19b, 20a]
19b, 20a. tataH = then; khara samshrayaaH = by Khara, so far protected; hata sheSaaH raakSasaaH = on killing – liquidation, remaining ones, demons; bhagnaa = with shattered [confidence]; vyaaghra trastaa mR^igaaH iva = by tiger, alarmed, deer, as with; dravanti sma = running away; na tiSThanti = they are, not, standing – defecting Khara.
