Part 1

Produced by James Simmons.

This file was produced from page images at the Internet Archive.

Transcriber's Note

This book was transcribed from scans of several different copies of the original found at the Internet Archive. The typesetters of the original book represented the letter a (with a macron above) as a (with circumflex above) when italicized, but this etext uses the macron throughout. Words in italics in this etext were italicized in the original book. I have corrected obvious misspellings but I've left variant spellings alone. Some words and names, like _yojana_ and _Garuda_, were spelled two different ways in the same text. I have spelled them consistently to avoid confusion.

THE RAMAYANA

Translated into English Prose from the original Sanskrit of Valmiki

YUDDHA KANDAM.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY

MANMATHA NATH DUTT, M. A.

Rector, Keshub Academy.

Printed By Girish Chandra Chackravarti, Deva Press, 65/2, Beadon Street. CALCUTTA. 1893

[All rights reserved.]

YUDDHAKANDAM. ..................................................... SECTION I. ...................................................... SECTION II. ..................................................... SECTION III. .................................................... SECTION IV. ..................................................... SECTION V. ...................................................... SECTION VI. ..................................................... SECTION VII. .................................................... SECTION VIII. ................................................... SECTION IX. ..................................................... SECTION X. ...................................................... SECTION XI. ..................................................... SECTION XII. .................................................... SECTION XIII. ................................................... SECTION XIV. .................................................... SECTION XV. ..................................................... SECTION XVI. .................................................... SECTION XVII. ................................................... SECTION XVIII. .................................................. SECTION XIX. .................................................... SECTION XX. ..................................................... SECTION XXI. .................................................... SECTION XXII. ................................................... SECTION XXIII. .................................................. SECTION XXIV. ................................................... SECTION XXV. .................................................... SECTION XXXI. ................................................... SECTION XXVII. .................................................. SECTION XXVIII. ................................................. SECTION XXIX. ................................................... SECTION XXX. .................................................... SECTION XXXI. ................................................... SECTION XXXII. .................................................. SECTION XXXIII. ................................................. SECTION XXXIV. .................................................. SECTION XXXV. ................................................... SECTION XXXVI. .................................................. SECTION XXXVII. ................................................. SECTION XXXVIII. ................................................ SECTION XXXIX. .................................................. SECTION XL. ..................................................... SECTION XLI. .................................................... SECTION XLII. ................................................... SECTION XLIII. .................................................. SECTION XLIV. ................................................... SECTION XLV. .................................................... SECTION XLVI. ................................................... SECTION XLVII. .................................................. SECTION XLVIII. ................................................. SECTION XLIX. ................................................... SECTION L. ...................................................... SECTION LI. ..................................................... SECTION LII. .................................................... SECTION LIII. ................................................... SECTION LIV. .................................................... SECTION LV. ..................................................... SECTION LVI. .................................................... SECTION LVII. ................................................... SECTION LVIII. .................................................. SECTION LIX. .................................................... SECTION LX. ..................................................... SECTION LXI. .................................................... SECTION LXII. ................................................... SECTION LXIII. .................................................. SECTION LXIV. ................................................... SECTION LXV. .................................................... SECTION LXVI. ................................................... SECTION LXVII. .................................................. SECTION LXVIII. ................................................. SECTION LXIX. ................................................... SECTION LXXI. ................................................... SECTION LXIXII. ................................................. SECTION LXXIII. ................................................. SECTION LXXIV. .................................................. SECTION LXXV. ................................................... SECTION LXXVI. .................................................. SECTION LXXVII. ................................................. SECTION LXXVIII. ................................................ SECTION LXXIX. .................................................. SECTION LXXX. ................................................... SECTION LXXXI. .................................................. SECTION LXXXII. ................................................. SECTION LXXXIII. ................................................ SECTION LXXXIV. ................................................. SECTION LXXXV. .................................................. SECTION LXXXVI. ................................................. SECTION LXXXVI .................................................. SECTION LXXXVIII. ............................................... SECTION LXXXIX. ................................................. SECTION LXL. .................................................... SECTION LXLI. ................................................... SECTION LXLII. .................................................. SECTION LXLIII. ................................................. SECTION LXLIV. .................................................. SECTION LXLV. ................................................... SECTION LXLVI. .................................................. SECTION LXLVII. ................................................. SECTION LXLVIII. ................................................ SECTION LXLIX. .................................................. SECTION C. ...................................................... SECTION CI. ..................................................... SECTION CII. .................................................... SECTION CIII. ................................................... SECTION CIV. .................................................... SECTION CV. ..................................................... SECTION CVI. .................................................... SECTION CVII. ................................................... SECTION CVIII. .................................................. SECTION CIX. .................................................... SECTION CX. ..................................................... SECTION CXI. .................................................... SECTION CXII. ................................................... SECTION CXIII. .................................................. SECTION CXIV. ................................................... SECTION CXV. .................................................... SECTION CXVI. ................................................... SECTION CXVII. .................................................. SECTION CXVIII. ................................................. SECTION CXIX. ................................................... SECTION CXX. .................................................... SECTION CXXI. ................................................... SECTION CXXII. .................................................. SECTION CXXIII. ................................................. SECTION CXXIV. .................................................. SECTION CXXV. ................................................... SECTION CXXVI. .................................................. SECTION CXXVII. ................................................. SECTION CXXVIII. ................................................ SECTION CXXIX. .................................................. SECTION CXXX. ...................................................

YUDDHAKANDAM.

SECTION I.

Hearing the words of Hanuman rehearsed properly, Rama, exceedingly delighted, said,--"By Hanuman hath been performed a very great deed, rare on earth, and one incapable of being even conceived by any other in the world. Save Garuda and the Wind-god, and save also Hanuman, him find I not who crosseth the wide ocean. Entering by main force the city of Lanka, incapable of being subjugated by the gods and Danavas and Yakshas, the Gandharbas, serpents or Rakhas, and well protected by Ravana,--who, living, cometh out (of it)? And who that is not the compeer of Hanuman in strength and prowess, even entereth into (Lanka), hard to subdue, and carefully guarded by the Rakshasas? And having so put forth his strength commensurate with his prowess, Hanuman hath also performed a great act befitting a servant on behalf of Sugriva.[1] That servant who, being entrusted with a hard task,--after having accomplished it, doeth another work in pursuance of (the prescribed business), is the best of men. That servant is middling, who, deputed to any task,[2] doth not, albeit capable, perform any other work which may be dear to the king. And that servant who, entrusted with any work the king, doth not, although competent, heedfully accomplish the same, hath been called the worst. Anent the order (which he had received), Hanuman hath done the work (and more). He hath not been humbled,[3]--and, further, hath pleased Sugriva. And by seeing Vaidehi, (Hanuman hath), while reaping righteousness, saved me, the Raghu race, and the highly powerful Lakshmana. And this pained my mind sore, that I cannot do a like benefit, returning this dear office of his. Embrace expresseth the all (of the Deity),[4] and, finding this occasion, I extend my embrace unto the high-souled Hanuman". Having said this, Rama, with his down standing on end in joy, embraced the self-controlled Hanuman, who was present after having finished his speech. Then reflecting for a while, the best of the Raghus again spoke in the presence of Sugriva, lord of monkeys. "Complete success hath been attained anent the search for Sita. But when I think of the ocean, my mind is again sunk in dejection. How can the assembled monkeys go over to the southern shore of the vasty deep, difficult to cross? This tidings thou hast related unto me touching Vadehi, but what are the monkeys to do next about crossing the sea?" Having said this unto Hanuman, that slayer of foes, mighty-armed Rama, agitated by anxiety, was then plunged in thought.

[1] Having seen Sita--which was all that he had been commissioned to do by Sugriva, Hanuman has destroyed Rakshasas and burnt Lanka; and this he did of himself like a good servant.--T.

[2] i.e. _performing the entrusted work.--T._

[3] _By the Rakskasas.--T._

[4] The commentator explains this obscure passage after his own orthodox fashion. The gist is this. Delight is the essence of the Deity, and all His incarnations body forth this. Embrace is typical of this emotion.--T.

SECTION II.

Then the graceful Sugriva spake words capable of soothing sorrow, unto Dacaratha's son, Rama, who was wrought up with grief,--"Why, O hero, dost thou grieve, like one that is base? Let not this be so. Chase away thy grief, even as an ingrate resigneth amity. Nor, O Raghava, when the whereabouts of Sita hath been discovered, and when too the abode itself of the foe hath been known, do I perceive the reason of thy sorrow. Thou, O Raghava, art intelligent, conversant with learning, wise, and judicious. Do thou cast away this sorry way of thinking, even as a self-controlled (ascetic) casteth away any course of thought interfering with the attainment of his purpose. Crossing over the ocean swarming with gigantic alligators, we shall enter Lanka and slay thy enemy. Of a person that is dispirited and poor in pluck and that hath his soul overwhelmed with grief, every interest droopeth, and he cometh by misfortunes (one after another). All these heroes, these leaders of monkey-hordes, who are ardent for thy welfare, are competent to enter into fire itself. From their cheerful attitude I know this, and firm is my faith. It behoveth thee so to arrange things that, slaying the foe, Ravana of impious acts, we may bring hither Sita by our own prowess. Do thou, O Raghava, so order matters that a bridge may be constructed (over the main), and that we may behold the palace of the Rakshasa monarch. We having seen the city of Lanka, established on the summit of Trikuta, do thou for certain conclude Ravana as slain in battle immediately after (we see her). Without throwing a bridge over the ocean--the dread abode of Varuna--even the Asuras and celestials with Indra (at their head) are unequal to subduing Lanka. When the bridge over the ocean hath been constructed up to near Lanka, and when my forces have crossed (over the sea), consider victory as secured. As these monkeys are heroic in fight, and able to wear forms at will, O king, do not let thy intellect get stupified and thus mar all interests. In this world, sorrow berefts people of their prowess. Do thou do even what should be done by a man--summon thy manliness; for what an actor doeth promptly, conduceth to his success. At this time, O eminently wise one, do thou realise goodness through thy energy.[5] Of heroic, high-souled, men like thyself, on their sustaining an entire or a partial loss, grief undoeth every interest. Therefore, the foremost of intelligent persons, and conversant with every lore, thou shouldst along with councilors like me, strive to beat thy foe. Find I none in the three worlds, O Raghava, who can stay in fight before thee equipped with thy bow. Thy business entrusted to these monkeys shall not (anyway) suffer. And soon, crossing over the boundless main, thou shalt behold Sita. Therefore, O king, renounce thy sorrow, and call up wrath. Those Kshatriyas that conceive no anger in respect of their enemies, have their activity annulled; and all fear furious persons. Drawing nigh unto us, do thou, gifted with acute intelligence, cast about for crossing over the dreadful deep--lord of streams--along with us. On these forces getting beyond the ocean, do thou take it for certain that we have won; and when my whole host hath reached the further shore, do thou indubitably conclude that we have obtained victory. These monkeys, heroic and capable of assuming in fight forms at will, shall slaughter those foes by showering rocks and trees. If I see any means of crossing the ocean, Varuna's abode, I shall, O destroyer of foes, deem him as slain in battle. And what is the use of dilating? Every way thou shalt prove victorious. And I see omens, and my mind is filled with delight".

[5] _i.e._ as I understand this rather obscure passage, _prove thou good through thy vigor--secure victory to the cause of goodness through thy might._--T

SECTION III.

Hearing Sugriva's speech, reasonable and fraught with high sense, Kakutstha accorded his assent to it and spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--"By asceticism, or constructing a a bridge, or drying up the ocean,--competent every way am I for crossing over this ocean. Of impracticable places, tell me how many there are in (Lanka), which are incapable of being come at. O monkey, as thou hast seen personally, I wish to get acquainted with all this. And thou hast at thy leisure duly noticed in Lanka the number of the army, the inaccessibility (or otherwise) of the gates, the defence of Lanka, and the dwellings of the Rakshasas. Do thou faithfully relate this unto me, for thou art observant". Hearing Rama's speech, Hanuman, offspring of the Wind-god, foremost of those conversant with speech, again spake unto Rama,--"Hearken! I will describe unto thee by what method is the city of Lanka guarded and protected by the Rakshasas, how loyal the Rakshasas are, the surpassing prosperity of Lanka, the dreadfulness of the deep, the divisions of the forces, and the number of the elephants, horses, cars, etc". Having said this, that best of monkeys, knowing the nature of things, went on,--"Lanka, filled with mad elephants, ever rejoiceth. She is great, thronging with cars and inhabited by Rakshasas. Her doors are firmly established and furnished with massy bolts. And she hath four wide and giant gates. (At those gates) are powerful and large arms, stones, and engines, whereby a hostile host approaching, is opposed. At the entrances are arrayed and set in order by bands of heroic Rakshasas, hundreds of dreadful sharp iron _sataghnis_.[6] She hath a mighty impassable golden wall, having its side emblazoned in the centre with costly stones, coral, lapises and pearls. Round about is a moat, exceedingly dreadful, with cool water, eminently grand, fathomless, containing ferocious aquatic animals, and inhabited by fishes. At the gates are four broad bridges, furnished with machines and many rows of grand structures. On the approach of hostile forces, their attack is repulsed by these machines, and they are thrown into the ditch. One among these bridges is immovable, strong and fast established; adorned with golden pillars and daises. O Rama, albeit Ravana hungereth for fight, yet is he calm; and he is vigilant and ever engaged in superintending his army. And dreadful and resembling a celestial citadel, Lanka cannot be ascended by means of any support. She hath fortresses composed of streams, those of hills, and artificial ones of four kinds. And, O Raghava, she is situated on the other shore of the ocean having its limit far away. And way there is none even for barks,--and all sides are destitute of division. And that citadel is built on the mountain's brow; and, resembling the metropolis of the immortals, the exceedingly invincible Lanka is filled with horses and elephants. And a moat and _sataghnis_ and various engines adorn the city of Lanka, belonging to the wicked Ravana. And an _ayuta_ of Rakshasas, dart-handed, hard to subdue,--and all fighting at the front with their swords--protect the Eastern gate. And a _niyuta_ of Rakshasas with a fourfold force, and with the flower of the soldiery--protect the Southern gate. And a _prayuta_ of Rakshasas, bearing swords and shields, and skilled in all arms, protect the Western gate. And an _arvuda_ of Rakhas protect the Northern gate. And car-warriors and horsemen--persons honored and sprung from noble lines--by hundreds and thousands,--and irrepressible goblins and _kotis_ of Rakshasas, protect the garrison. I have broken down the bridges and filled up the entrenchment. I have burnt the city of Lanka and laid the wall low. Let us by any way whatever cross over Varuna's abode. Do thou take it for certain that the city of Lanka is subdued by the monkeys. What is the use of thy reckoning the rest? Angada, Dwivida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Nala, and the general, Nila, bounding and reaching Ravana's abode, and riving the same consisting of woods and hills, moat and gateway, walls and dwellings, shall, O Raghava, bring (hither) Sita. If this be so,[7] do thou order the entire body of the army to be brought; and do thou set out at the proper hour".

[6] A kind of fire-arms, or ancient Hindu rocket; or a stone set round with sharp iron spikes.--According to Ramanuya, a sort of mace about two yards in length, with spikes.--T.

SECTION IV.