The Valmiki Ramayana

by Amish Tripathi

  Chapter 7(28)

  ‘Sumali was killed, reduced to ashes by the Vasu. In the battle, Ravana’s son saw this and also saw that his own soldiers had been driven away, afflicted by the arrows. The powerful one became angry. Meghanada remained there and made all the rakshasas return. His chariot possessed the complexion of the fire. His giant chariot could go anywhere at will. Like a blazing conflagration in the forest, he attacked all those soldiers. He entered, wielding many kinds of weapons. On seeing him, all the gods fled in different directions. There was no one who was capable of remaining in front of him and fighting. Seeing that all of them were pierced and terrified, Shakra spoke to them. “You should not be frightened. Nor should you run away. Return to the field of battle. This son of mine has never been vanquished. He is advancing to fight.” Shakra’s son was the god known as Jayanta. On a chariot that had been wonderfully crafted, he advanced into the battle. All the gods surrounded Shachi’s son. They remained there and clashed against Ravana’s son in the battle. The great clash between the god, the son of the great Indra, and the rakshasa, the son of the Indra among the rakshasas, was one between two equals. The rakshasa’s son used arrows that were embellished with gold to bring down the charioteer, Matali’s son, from his seat.596 In the field of battle, Shachi’s son, Jayanta, also angrily pierced back the charioteer of Ravana’s son. Enraged, the extremely energetic rakshasa dilated his eyes. Ravana’s son repulsed Shakra’s son with showers of arrows. Ravana’s son seized and brought down large and firm weapons—shataghnis, spears, javelins, clubs, swords, battleaxes and extremely large summits of mountains. The worlds were distressed and a great darkness was generated. Ravana’s son continued to strike the enemy. Shachi’s son was surrounded by the forces of the gods on all sides. However, they suffered in many kinds of ways and fled. They were incapable of differentiating each other, distinguishing the enemy from the gods. Here and there, in every direction, they were routed and ran away.

  ‘There was a brave and valiant daitya named Puloma. At this time, he seized Shachi’s son and ran away. He seized his grandson and entered the great ocean. This noble Puloma was Shachi’s father and his597 maternal grandfather. The gods witnessed this extremely terrible sight of Jayanta being destroyed. They were cheerless and distressed and fled in different directions. Ravana’s son was delighted and surrounded himself with his own forces. Emitting a loud roar, he rushed against the gods. On seeing that his son had been destroyed and witnessing the valour of Ravana’s son, Indra of the gods asked Matali to bring him his chariot. Matali readied that divine, extremely terrible and large chariot. It was borne along at the speed of thought. Clouds that thundered loudly and lightning were attached to the chariot. As it proceeded, turbulent and noisy winds preceded it. As Vasava headed for the battle, many musical instruments were sounded and there were controlled sounds of praise. Large numbers of apsaras danced. The Rudras, Vasus, Adityas, Sadhyas and large numbers of Maruts armed themselves with diverse weapons, surrounded the lord of the gods and emerged. As Shakra emerged, a harsh wind started to blow. The sun lost its radiance and giant meteors started to fall down.

  ‘At this time, the brave and powerful Dashagriva mounted a divine chariot that had been constructed by Vishvakarma. It made the body hair stand up and was yoked to extremely large serpents. The wind generated from their breathing ignited the field of battle. Brave daityas and roamers in the night surrounded the divine chariot and advanced against the great Indra in the battle. He restrained his son598 and himself advanced into the battle. Ravana’s son sat down.599 A battle commenced between the gods and the rakshasas. Terrible weapons that resembled clouds were showered down in the battle. The evil-souled Kumbhakarna raised many kinds of weapons. However, in the encounter, he did not know whom he should fight against. He used his teeth, arms, feet, spears, javelins, arrows and anything to angrily strike the gods. The roamer in the night approached the immensely fortunate Rudras and Adityas and started to fight against them, incessantly showering down weapons. In that battle, using many kinds of sharp weapons, the gods and the large number of Maruts drove away all the rakshasa soldiers. Some were killed by weapons. Others writhed around on the ground. Others remained in the battle, clinging to their mounts—chariots, donkeys, camels, serpents, horses, dolphins, boars and others with faces like pishachas. Some clung to these with their arms. Others were stupefied and uprooted. The roamers in the night were pierced by the weapons of the gods and died. The field of battle seemed to be a painting. Dead and crazy rakshasas were strewn around on the ground. A river of blood started to flow. The place was full of herons and vultures. A river began to flow in the field of battle and the weapons were like crocodiles. Meanwhile, the powerful Dashagriva became angry. He saw that his entire army had been brought down by the gods. He swiftly submerged himself in the army, which resembled a waxing ocean. He slew the gods in the encounter and approached Shakra. Shakra stretched his large bow, which emitted an extremely large sound. The sound of it being twanged resounded in the ten directions. Indra stretched that great bow and brought down arrows that were as radiant as the sun on Ravana’s head. However, the mighty-armed Dashagriva remained there. He showered down arrows and dislodged Shakra’s bow. They fought against each other and showered down arrows in every direction. Nothing could be discerned then. Everything was covered in darkness.’

  Chapter 7(29)

  ‘When that darkness was generated, the rakshasas and the gods, intoxicated by their strength, fought and killed each other. Out of the large armies of the gods and the rakshasas, only one-tenth remained in the battle. This is all that was left. The rest had been conveyed to Yama’s abode. Submerged in that darkness, all the gods and the rakshasas could not distinguish each other, but fought against each other. However, three were not confused, despite being immersed in that net of darkness—Indra, Ravana and Ravana’s immensely strong son. Ravana saw that all those forces had been slain in the battle. He was suffused with a fierce anger and emitted a loud roar. Filled with rage, the invincible one spoke to his son, who was astride his chariot.600 “Take me to the midst of the enemy soldiers. Today, I will myself use my valour against all the gods. I will strike them with extremely firm weapons, destroy them and dislodge them from the firmament. I will slay Indra, Varuna, Dhanada and Yama. I will myself kill all the gods and establish myself above them. This is not the time for sorrow. Convey my chariot quickly. I have already told you twice. Take me right up to the end. Any place that we are in is like Nandana. Take me now to the spot where Mount Udaya is.” Hearing his words, the charioteer urged the horses, which possessed the speed of thought, and took him to the midst of the enemy. Ascertaining his intention, Shakra, the lord of the gods, stationed in the battle on his chariot, addressed the gods in these words. “O gods! Listen to my words. This is what appeals to me. It is best that we seize the rakshasa Dashagriva while he is alive. Because of these soldiers, he is exceedingly strong and he is on a chariot that is as energetic as the wind. He is waxing, like the waves of the ocean during the full moon. He is fearless because of the boon he has obtained and it is impossible to kill him now. Therefore, in this battle, we must endeavour to capture him. When Bali was seized, I enjoyed the three worlds. In that way, the idea of capturing this wicked one appeals to me.” After this, Shakra abandoned Ravana and went to a different spot. The immensely energetic one fought against the rakshasas and destroyed them in the battle. Dashagriva did not retreat and penetrated from the north. Shatakratu penetrated from the southern flank. The lord of the rakshasas penetrated one hundred yojanas. He showered down arrows and countered the entire army of the gods. Shakra saw that his own forces had been penetrated. He did not retreat and fearlessly approached Dashanana. At this time, on discerning that Ravana was being devoured by Shakra, the danavas and the rakshasas emitted roars of, “Alas! He will be killed.” At this, senseless with rage, Ravana’s son ascended his chariot. Enraged, he penetrated that extremely terrible army. He entered, using the maya that had been given to him
by Gopati601 earlier. Invisible to all creatures, he countered those soldiers. After this, abandoning the gods, he swiftly rushed towards Shakra. The immensely energetic and great Indra saw his enemy’s son. He afflicted Matali and the horses with excellent arrows. Using the dexterity of his hands, he then countered the great Indra with showers of arrows. Shakra abandoned the chariot and Matali. Ascending Airavata, he started to look around for Ravana’s son. However, because of the strength of his maya, the rakshasa could not be seen in the battle. He enveloped the infinitely energetic and great Indra with torrents of arrows. Ravana’s son thought that Indra was exhausted. He used his maya to bind him up and took him amidst his own soldiers. Using the strength of his maya, he seized the great Indra in the battle. On seeing this, all the gods exclaimed, “Who has taken him away? The learned one cannot be seen. Someone has used maya to take him away.” Meanwhile, all the large numbers of angry gods attacked Ravana and showered down weapons on him. In the battle, Ravana clashed against the Vasus, the Adityas and the Maruts. Afflicted by weapons, he was incapable of remaining there and fighting. He was exhausted and his form was of one suffering from those blows. Remaining invisible in the battle, Ravana’s son spoke to his father. “O father! Come. Let us leave and withdraw from this fight. Our victory is evident. Assure yourself and be devoid of any anxiety. Shakra, the lord of the three worlds and of the soldiers of the gods, has been captured by me. The gods have been routed. With the energetic enemy captured, enjoy the three worlds as you wish. Why unnecessarily exert yourself in this battle? It is futile.” The army of the gods also retreated from the field of battle. Hearing the words of Ravana’s son, Dashanana also assured himself. The master and lord of roamers in the night thus lost anxiety in the battle and was victorious. He cheerfully left for his own residence and addressed his son in these words. “Your valour is like that of an extremely strong person and you have extended the respect towards my lineage. Your valour is like that of the immortals and you have vanquished the lord of the gods and the gods. Quickly fetch Vasava. Surrounding yourself with the soldiers, head for the city.602 With the advisers following me, I will also quickly leave for that place.” Thus, Ravana’s son captured the lord of the gods. Surrounded by his forces and his mounts, the rakshasa reached his own residence. Thereafter, cheerful in his mind, he gave the rakshasas permission to leave.’

  Chapter 7(30)

  ‘Ravana’s extremely strong son vanquished the great Indra. With Prajapati at the forefront, all the gods went to Lanka. They approached Ravana, who was surrounded by his sons and brothers. Remaining stationed in the sky, Prajapati addressed him in a conciliatory tone. “O child! O Ravana! I am pleased with your son in the battle. His valour and generosity are amazing. They are like yours, or superior to yours. With your own energy, you have conquered all the three worlds. You have made your pledge come true. I am pleased with my own son.603 O Ravana! Your son, Ravana’s son, is extremely strong. He will be famous in the world as Indrajit.604 This rakshasa will vanquish strong enemies. O king! With his support, you have brought the gods under your subjugation. You should release the mighty-armed and great Indra, the chastiser of Paka. In return for setting him free, what should the gods give you?” At this, the immensely energetic Indrajit, the victor in assemblies, said, “O god! In return for setting him free, I desire immortality.” The god who was born from the lotus replied to Ravana’s son. “There is no creature on earth who can be immortal.” Thereupon, Indrajit replied to the one who was born from the lotus. “Then hear about the kind of success I want for setting Shatakratu free. O god! Whenever I worship the fire and render oblations into it, prior to advancing into battle, desiring to defeat the enemy, if I fight before completing the rituals and before offering oblations into the fire, let it be possible for me to be killed only then. All men seek the boon of immortality through austerities. Let immortality be conferred on me through my valour.” The god Prajapati replied in words signifying his assent. Having been freed by Indrajit, Shakra and the gods went to heaven.

  ‘Meanwhile, Shakra was distressed. His garments and garlands were dislodged. O Rama! He was overcome by thoughts and was immersed in deep reflection. On seeing him in that state, the god Prajapati spoke to him. “O Shatakratu! Why are you suffering from this anxiety? Remember the wicked deed you committed earlier. O Indra of the immortals! O lord! In earlier times, I created many subjects. Their complexion was identical. Their languages were the same. All of them were identical in form. There was no distinction between them, in appearance or in signs. With single-minded attention, I thought about these subjects. To create some kind of distinction between them, I fashioned a woman. From the existing subjects, I used the best of their limbs to create her. I constructed a woman without blemish, with beauty and qualities.605 Because she was without blemish, her name became Ahalya. O Indra of the gods! O bull among the gods! Having created the woman, a thought then occurred to me. Whom would she belong to? O Shakra! O lord! O Purandara! You got to know about the woman and because of your sense of superiority, you thought that she would be your wife. However, I bestowed her on the great-souled Goutama. After she had been with him for many years, she was oppressed by you.606 At that time, I got to know about the great sage’s fortitude. Through the fruits of his austerities, he got to know that his wife had been touched by you. Even then, the great sage, with dharma in his soul, continued to find pleasure with her. When I bestowed her on Goutama, the gods lost all hope of obtaining her. However, you were angry and overcome by desire, you went to the sage’s hermitage. You saw that woman, who blazed like the flame of a fire. O Shakra! You were full of desire and intolerance and oppressed her. The supreme rishi saw you in the hermitage then. Supremely energetic, he cursed you in his rage. ‘O Indra of the gods! You will face catastrophe and misfortune. O Vasava! Without any fear, you oppressed my wife. O king! Therefore, in a battle, you will be captured by the enemy’s hand. O evil-minded one! There is no doubt that the sentiments you have brought into currency will also be prevalent among humans. If an extremely strong person perpetrates this great act of adharma, half of that will therefore devolve on you and half will be borne by the perpetrator. O Purandara! Since you have started this practice of adharma, your status will not be permanent. No one who becomes Indra of the gods will ever be permanent. This is the curse I pronounce.’ This is what he told you. The extremely great ascetic also reprimanded his wife. ‘O one who has not been modest! You will remain near my hermitage, but will be disfigured. You are the one who possesses youth and beauty. However, in this world, you will no longer be the only one who is beautiful in this way. Your beauty was extremely difficult to obtain and all the subjects approached you. This confusion resulted because it only existed in you.’ Since then, all the subjects started possessing beauty. All this, including the new kind of creation, occurred because of that sage’s curse. O mighty-armed one! Remember the evil deed that you committed. O Vasava! You have been seized by the enemy because of that and not because of any other reason. Control yourself and quickly perform a vaishnava sacrifice. You will go to heaven after you have purified yourself through that sacrifice. O Indra of the gods! Your son has not been destroyed in the great battle. His grandfather has taken him and hidden him inside the great ocean.” Hearing this, the great Indra performed a vaishnava sacrifice. The gods again went to heaven and brought it under their control. O Rama! I have recounted the kind of strength Indrajit possessed. He defeated Indra of the gods and other creatures. What next?’

  Chapter 7(31)

  At this, the immensely energetic Rama was astounded. He bowed down and again addressed Agastya, supreme among sages, in these words. ‘O illustrious one! O supreme among brahmanas! Was the world empty then? Was Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, not rebuffed by anyone? Or perhaps all the lords of the earth were deprived of valour. Since the kings were deprived of excellent weapons, many of them were vanquished.’

  Hearing Raghava’s words, the illustrious rishi, Agastya, smiled and spoke to Rama, as if
the grandfather was speaking to Ishvara.607 ‘O bull among kings! In this way, he obstructed the kings. O Rama! O lord of the earth! Ravana roamed around the earth. There was a city named Mahishmati608 and it was as resplendent as the city in heaven. He reached the place inhabited by the supreme Vasuretas.609 In his powers, the king who was there was the equal of Vasuretas. His name was Arjuna and he was like a fire kindled on a bed of reeds. The lord Arjuna, the powerful king of the Haihayas went to the Narmada, to sport with the women. Ravana, the Indra among the rakshasas, reached the region on that very day. He asked the advisers, “Where is King Arjuna? You should quickly tell me that. I am Ravana and I have come here today to fight against the best among men. Without any hesitation, you should go and tell him about my arrival.” The learned advisers were addressed by Ravana in this way. They told the lord of the rakshasas, “The king is not here.” Vishrava’s son heard from the citizens that Arjuna had left. He withdrew and went to the Vindhyas, the mountains that were like the Himalayas. It was covered with clouds and seemed to have sprouted out of the ground. Ravana saw the Vindhyas, etched like a painting in the sky. It possessed one thousand peaks and its caverns were full of lions. Waterfalls with cool water descended and they seemed to be laughing. The lofty peaks rose up towards heaven. Gods, danavas, gandharvas and kinnaras sported there with their wives and there were large numbers of apsaras. Unmatched sparkling water flowed along the rivers. It was as if serpents with flickering tongues were in the waters. With radiant caverns, the mountain was like the Himalayas. Having seen the Vindhyas, Ravana proceeded towards the Narmada. The river flowed downwards towards the western ocean and its sacred waters moved continuously. Buffaloes, srimaras, lions, tigers, bears and excellent elephants suffered from the heat. Becoming thirsty, they agitated that store of waters. Chakravakas, karandavas, swans, waterfowls and cranes were always crazy and called everywhere. The river was stretched out like a woman. The flowering trees were like ornaments, the chakravakas were like her two breasts, the extensive banks were like hips and the flocks of swans were like a girdle. Her limbs were smeared with pollen from the flowers, the foam from the water was like a garment. Bathing there was like touching her and the blooming lotuses were like her auspicious eyes. Reaching the Narmada, supreme among rivers, Dashanana quickly descended from Pushpaka and bathed there, like approaching a desirable and beautiful woman. He sported along its banks, adorned with many kinds of flowers. With his advisers, the bull among the rakshasas sat down. Having reached and seen Narmada, the lord of the rakshasas was delighted.