Aranya Kandam

14. Rama Meets Jatayu

[On the way to Panchavati Rama meets Jatayu who is the friend of Dasaratha and son of Aruna, Jatayu tells Rama about the origin of different type of animals and beings in this world. Since he lived near Panchavati, he undertakes to protect Sita when both of them are absent.]

While the son of the Raghu clan was going to Panchavati, in the mid-way he saw an eagle with a big body and who was greatly valorous. 14.1

Those great Rama and Lakshmana on seeing it in the forest, suspecting it as a Rakshasa asked him, "Who are you?" 14.2

He replied them sweetly and in a soft tone, as if to please them "Oh lad, I am a friend of your father." 14.3

Rama knowing him as his father's friend respected him and Rama asked him about his clan as well as his name." 14.4

Hearing Rama's word asking about his clan and about him, that bird told him about the genesis of all beings. 14.5

"Oh Rama hear, In the olden times there existed lords of the people and please hear me about all of them." 14.6

"The first among them was Kardhama Prajapathi, who was followed by Vikrutha and later Sesha and still later Samsarya who had many valorous sons. He was followed in that order by Sthanu, Marichi, Athri, The very strong Krathu, Pulasthya, Aangeera, Prachetha, Pulaha, Daksha, Vivaswan and Arishtanemi. Oh Rama, after him the greatly lustrous Kashyapa was born at the end". 14.7-14.9

"Oh very famous Rama, we hear that Daksha Prajapathi had sixty very famous daughters. "14.10

"Kashyapa accepted eight of those daughters who had slender waist. They were Adithi, Dithi, Dhanu, Kaalaka, Thaamra, Krodhavasaa, Manu and Anala." 14.11

"Kashyapa who was in love with those eight maids told in turn to them, "please give birth to sons who are lords of the three world similar to me.." 14.12

"Oh intelligent Rama, Adhithi, Dithi, Kaalaaka and Dhanu agreed with his proposal while others did not give heed to it." 14.13

"Oh destroyer of the enemies, Adithi gave birth to devas called Aadhithyas [12], Vasus [8], Rudras [11] and Aswins [2], a total of 33 of them. 14.14

"Oh lad, Dithi gave birth to the famous Daithyas and this earth with its forests, oceans, belonged to them earlier." 14.15

"Oh destroyer of enemies, Dhanu gave birth to Aswagreeva [Hayagreeva] Kaalaaka gave birth to Kalaka and Naraka." 14.16

"But Thaamraa gave birth to five world famous girls Krounchi, Bhaasi, Sayeani, Drutharashtri and Sukhee." 14.17

"Krounchi gave birth to owls, Bhaasi gave birth to Vultures, Sayeani gave birth to greatly shining eagles and Vulcans, Drutharashtri gave birth to swans and also other water birds." 14.18-14.19

"Drutharashtri also gave birth to Chakravaka birds; let them be safe, Shuki gave birth to Nata and her daughter was Kadru." 14.20

"Oh, Rama, Krodhavasa gave birth to ten of her self-same daughters namely Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramanda, Maatangii, Sharduulii, Shweta, Surabhii, and like that to Surasa, who is embodied with all giftedness, and even to Kadruva." 14.21-14.22

"The children of Mrugee were all the types of deer, Mrigamandhas children were bears and Srimaras and Yaak and oxen." 14.23

"Bhadramanda gave birth to Iravathi and she gave birth to the elephant Iravatha, who is the elephant which is the lord of the earth." 14.24

"Hari's offspring are lions and mighty as well as monkeys and Sarduli gave birth to baboons and tigers." 14.25

"Oh Rama Mathangi's children were elephants and Shwetha gave birth to eight elephants which are guardians of eight directions." 14.26

"Oh Rama then Surabhi gave birth to two daughters, the very famous Rohini and Gndharwi, May you be safe." 14.27

"Rohini produced cows, Gandharwi gave birth to sons who were horses, Surasr gave birth to serpents and Kadru gave birth to ordinary snakes." 14.28

"For the great soul Kashyapa lady Manu produced Manushyas [Men] consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras." 14.29

"From the Vedas we hear that Brahmins were born out of face, Kshatriyas from the chest, Vaisyas from the two thighs And Shudras from the two feet." 14.30

"Anala gave birth to trres bearing all fruits and I will tell you about Vinatha, the daughter's daughter of Shuki and about Kadru, the sister of Surasa." 14.31

"Kadru gave birth to a thousand headed serpent who bears the earth, and Vinatha gave birth to Garuda and Aruna." 14.32

"Oh destroyer of enemies, I was born out of Aruna and Sampathi is my elder brother and so know me as Jatayu son of Syeni." 14.33

"If you wish I can help you out during your stay here, for this impassable forest is full of wild animals and Rakshasas and I can protect Sita, when you or Lakshmana go out." 14.34

Raghava honoured Jatayu by gladly hugging him and bowing to him and that kind hearted Rama recognizing Jatayu's friendship with his father, Rama spoke again and again to Jatayu. 14.35

Then Rama taking Sita, the princess of Mithila along with the very powerful bird went to Panchavati in the company of Lakshmana with a view to destroy the enemies like fire destroys the butterflies. 14.36

This is the end of Fourteenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

15. Lakshmana Builds Hermitage in Panchavati

[After Rama chose the proper place for living, Lakshmana built a strong hermitage there, in Panchavati.]

After reaching Panchavati filled with various types of animals and snakes, Rama told Lakshmana who was shining like fire. 15.1

"Oh good natured one, as directed by the sage we have come to this place called Panchavati full of flowering trees." 15.2

"You being an expert on building hermitages, please see all the directions of this forest and decide on the place very suitable for our hermitage." 15.3

"Oh Lakshmana, look for a place where Maithili can entertain herself along with you and me, where you can see a water source nearby, where the forest beauty enhances the beauty of the location, and where plenty to sticks for sacrifice and flowers for worship are available." 15.4-15.5

When Rama told him like this Lakshmana with folded hands in salute in front of Sita, told the son of Kakustha clan. 15.6

"Oh son of Kakustha clan, even I live for one hundred years, I would be dependent on you, so you only choose the place and I would act as per your wish." 15.7

That great Rama was greatly pleased by the words of Lakshmana and he thought and checked all aspects and chose a place which has all the good aspects. 15.8

After choosing a very pretty place to build the hermitage, Rama held the hands of son of Sumithra and told. 15.9

"Oh gentle one, surrounded by trees which are fully bloomed and without any ups and downs, this place is very suitable to build a hermitage." 15.10

"This place with a tank nearby with fully opened lotus flowers of great fragrance shining like Sun is pretty." 15.11

"As indicated by the supreme soul sage Agasthya, the river Godavari which is surrounded by flowering trees with swans, ducks, and Chakravaka birds." 15.12

"Oh pleasing one, not far from here, you can hear deer making love and peacocks making sound while eating grains and you can also see innumerable caves and sandy beaches." 15.13-15.14

"These mountains which look like huge mountains have ores of gold, silver and copper, and they look like windows on the mountains." 15.15

"The place is full of Sala and palm trees growing densely and not allowing light inside. There are also Thamala trees, date palms, Jack fruit trees, plants of wild rice, Thimisa trees, Pongamia trees, mango trees which make the place shine, Asoka trees, Thilaka trees Champaka trees, Kethaka trees, climbing plants on trees with flowers emitting fragrance, Sandalwood trees, Kadamba trees, leafy plants which creep and cover the ground, Aswakarna and Khadira plants and Sami and Kimsuka and Patala trees which provide fire wood." 15.16-15.18

"This is holy. This is sacred. This has many types of animals and oh son of Sumithra we will stay with the bird Jatayu." 15.19

When Rama told like this to Lakshmana, who is the destroyer of his enemies, that powerful one built a hermitage for his brother speedily." 15.20

Lakshmana built a very spacious cottage made of grass after leveling and raising the earth for raised floor for the cottage. He built strong pillars with long bamboos and on those pillars he made excellent rafters, and the branches of Shamli trees were spread out, twined firmly with twines of grass strands, and with the cross-laid bamboos for thatching, and over that blades of Kusha grass and leaves of Kaasha are spread and well over-covered for the roof, and thus that very great mighty Lakshmana made that best and very spacious leaf-cottage with a level surface for residence of Raghava and that worthy residence was a feast to the eye. 15.21-15.23

Immediately that Lakshmana went to the river Godavari, took bath and after finishing the good task of picking lotus flowers came back. 15.24

After making the offering of flowers, he invoked peace as per ritualistic rules, he showed Rama the hermitage constructed by him. 15.25

After seeing that peaceful hermitage along with Sita, expressed happiness with the hermitage with roof of leaves. 15.26

With great happiness Rama hugged Lakshmana with his hands tightly and very affectionately and told him. 15.27

"Oh Lord, by your great act, I am very much pleased and I have given this hug, for the sake of what you have done." 15.28

"My righteous father was not aware of your capacity to understand feelings of others, your feelings of gratefulness, your expertise in Dharma of you who were his son. 15.29

That Rama who was increaser of auspiciousness, after saying like this to Lakshmana resided in that place prosperously. 15.30

That Soul of Dharma along with Sita and served by Lakshmana lived there for some time, like Devas living in heaven. 15.31

This is the end of Fifteenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

16. Winter Description

[This is a clear and detail description of the climate crops and rituals of the winter season. During the talk when Lakshmana criticizes Kaikeyi Rama is not able to tolerate it.]

When the great Rama was living happily, when the winter season came to an end, the winter season which he liked set in. 16.1

During a day the son of Raghu clan had gone to bathe in the pretty Godavari river at night. 16.2

Along with Sita, the valorous son of Sumithra holding the water pot went slightly bent and he told.16.3

Lakshmana said to the pleasantly speaking Rama, "the season which is dear to you has arrived, and it appears to be decorated well in this auspicious year." 16.4

"The world is harsh with fog but it will blessed with vegetation and it is difficult to drink water and nice to sit near fire altars." 16.5

"The saints after appeasing the manes by worship during Utharayana [Northern Solstice] and after offering oblations at the proper time and performing solstice rituals become free of evils." 16.6

"In this season, the people of rural areas who would be expecting a good crop would get abundant milk from their cows and kings would be thinking of going to conquer other." 16.7

"The sun after serving the direction ruled by God of death steadily, is going to the north inspirited, like a woman without Tilak [red mark on forehead] on her forehead." 16.8

"With the Sun far away, the Snow gets settled hard would make the name of Himalayas as the mountain of snow appropriate." 16.9

"It is pleasant to move about in the afternoon in this season as during day time the sun's rays are very comfortable and during this time, the shade and water are uncomfortable." 16.10

"The sun's rays would be soft during this season with very cold breeze blowing all the time and due to being destroyed by the frost, the forest would be lonely and peaceful." 16.11

"During this time, people do not sleep outside and due to the month of Pushya approaching, due to frost the early mornings are filled with frost, and the duration of night with three Yaama increases." 16.12

"With Moon's radiance covered by sun, all round the moon there is a red Aura and like a mirror on which a mouthful of air is blown, the moon is not shining well." 16.13

"Even on a full moon day the moon does not shine as usual due to its being covered by frost, Like Sita not appearing bright, when she is exposed to torrid sun light." 16.14

"The season by nature is cold because of it being hit by snow and the wind blowing from the westerly direction is doubly cold." 16.15

"The forest is covered by the dew drops and the forest has plenty of crops of barley and wheat and when the sun starts shining the Krouncha birds and swans sing sweetly." 16.16

"The rice crop with fully filled up rice and bent with the weight of grain is bent like the flowers of date palms and shines like gold." 16.17

"The extended rays of the sun covered by snow and frost make it look like the moon, when it rises up in the morning." 16.18

"Due to the Sun not fully picking up its strength in the forenoon, it is very pleasant during the afternoon when it shines splendidly on earth being reddish white colour." 16.19

"Due the drop of the dew the grassland is slightly moistened but the forests shine due to the mild heat of the sun settled on it." 16.20

"In the forest the very thirst elephants, after they touch the cold and pure water by their black trunk, withdraw it speedily not able to bear the cold." 16.21

"Like the inefficient army not entering the battle field, the aquatic birds sit on the shore, not plunging in to the water due to fear." 16.22

"Enveloped by the darkness of the forest as well as the darkness of snow, the forest without any flowers appeared to be sleeping with closed eyes." 16.23

"In the waters covered by the tear like dews the existence of swans could be found out only by their sounds and the river banks were completely covered with snow." 16.24

"Due to the fall of snow, due to sun being dim due the cold, the water flowing from the top of the mountain is generally tasty." 16.25

"Lotus flowers in the tanks faded due to their long life with only stalks remaining due to their withered filaments and pericarp having falling down are not good to look at." 16.26

"At this time, oh tiger among men that soul of dharma Bharatha full of sorrow, due to his great devotion to you, is performing penance." 16.27

"Giving up kingdom, self-respect and different type of pleasures, like an ascetic, he takes limited food and sleeps on the floor in this cold." 16.28

"He also, at this time may be going to river Sarayu for taking his bath as usual surrounded by his subjects." 16.29

"How can Bharatha, having been brought up with a pleasure filled life, he who is delicate and deserves comfort, take bath in this latter part of night in river Sarayu." 16.30

"That Bharatha having likes lotus petal, who is heroic, who is black, who has a narrow waist, who is great, who is the speaker of truth, who maintains a low profile, who has control over his sense organs, who speaks lovingly, who is sweet, who has long arms and who is the destroyer of his enemies, after giving up all pleasures is completely dependent only on you." 16.31-16.32

"Our Brother Bharatha who is great is living in the forest and does penance there is following you loyally and has even restrained his wish to go to heaven." 16.33

"He follows his father and proved as false the saying in the world that human beings follow their mother." 16.34

"How did it happen that Kaikeyi who is seen as one with cruel conduct had a husband like Dasaratha and a well behaved son like Bharatha?" 16.35

When Lakshmana was saying like this due to his love towards Rama, unable to tolerate the fault finding of his revered mother, Rama told. 16.36

"Oh lad, do not criticize our middle mother like this but you can speak about Bharatha, the lord of the Ikshuvaku clan." 16.37

"Though my mind has taken a firm decision of penance in the forest, due to my being in great love with Bharatha, I waver like a child when I hear things like this." 16.38

"I remember his sweet words soothing my heart, which are equal to the nectar of immortality and they please me." 16.39

"When will I be able to again meet Bharatha who is a great soul and the valorous Shatrugna along with you." 16.40

After wailing like this, they both reach the river Godavari and there that son of Kakustha clan, took bath along with his younger brother along with Sita. 16.41

Then they offered water oblations to their manes as well as God and then they prayed to God Surya and sung about that God. 16.42

Accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana Rama completed his bath and Rama looked like Lord Shiva along with the daughter of the mountain and Nandi. 16.43

This is the end of Sixteenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

17. Soorpankha Meets Rama

[Soorpanakha, the sister of Ravana happens to meet Rama and is attracted towards him. She tells Rama that she would like to get married to him.]

After taking bath Rama, Sita and son of Sumithra went back to their hermitage in the banks of river Godavari. 17.1

After reaching their hermitage Rama and Lakshmana did the rituals to be done before noon and went inside the hermitage. 17.2

Rama who was worshipped by sages there stayed happily there and discussed with Lakshmana regarding diverse matters. 17.3

The long armed Rama sitting inside the hermitage along with Sita, shined like moon good sitting along with Chitra. 17.4

When Rama was sitting there curious to know about several matters, by an accident a Rakshasi came over to that place. 17.5

She was a Rakshasi named Soorpanakha, who was a sister of a ten necked Rakshasa and she approached near Rama who was like thirty devas. 17.6

She resembled a strong armed man, had a chest like that of lion, eyes resembling lotus petals, with arms hanging up to her thigh, having a glowing face, was pleasant to look at, walked like a mighty elephant, had matted hair, was pretty, looked like a strong man having royal traits, had a skin of the colour of blue lotus, glowed like God of love and as glorious as Indra and seeing Rama that Rakshasi was attracted with great passion towards him. 17.7-17.9

While Rama had a pretty face, she had a horrible face, while Rama had a slender waist, she had a big belly, while Rama had broad eyes, she had ugly eyes, while he had black pretty hair, she had copper red coloured hair, When Rama had an attractive form she had an ugly form, while he had a good voice she had voice like dog, while he was young she was old, she talks to the right and she talks to the left, While he was well behaved, she had a bad behaviour and when he was nice to look at, she had an undesirable form And that Rakshasi caught in the throes of passion told as follows. 17.10-17.12

"Oh Rama you have matted hair, look like a saint and is with your wife and are also holding a bow and arrow and with all this you look like a Kshatriya. Why have you come? Please tell me truth." 17.13

The destroyer of enemies after hearing these words of Soorpanakha, being honest in his thinking started to tell her everything. 17.14

Untruth was not acceptable to Rama especially in a hermitage that too in the presence of women. 17.15

"There was a king called Dasaratha who was valorous like Devas and I am eldest son and I am famous among the people with the name of Rama." 17.16

"He is my younger brother whose name is Lakshmana and he always follows me and she is my wife who is the princess of Videha and she is called Sita." 17.17

"By the order of the king who is my father and my mother and bound by Dharma and with a view to establish Dharma, I have come to reside in forest." 17.18

"I wish to know about you. Please tell me who you are as well as where from are you. You do not look like a Rakshasi to me as you have pretty limbs." 17.19

"Please tell me truly as to what purpose you have come here." Hearing these words but overtaken by passion that Rakshasi said. 17.20

"Oh Rama, be pleased to hear my words. I am a Rakshasi called Soorpanakha, who can take any form that I like. I terrorize everyone and move about in this part of the forest." 17.21-17.22

"My brother Ravana who is strong is the king of all Rakshasas. He is valorous and son of Visravas and I hope you have heard about him." 17.23

"My brothers are the very strong Kumbhakarna, the soul of Dharma Vibheeshana who is a Rakshasa and the very famous heroes in war called Khara and Dhooshana." 17.24

"I came leaving all of them and as soon as I saw you, I have approached you as my husband." 17.25

"I am having great powers and can move about where I like with my strength,. Be my husband for a long time. What do you intend to do with Sita?" 17.26

"Being ugly and deformed, she is not suitable to be your wife, and since I am having a form like yours, you make me your wife." 17.27

"I will eat this deformed, unchaste, frightful fat bellied woman along with your brother also." 17.28

"After that seeing the peaks of mountains and forests along with me, you darling can roam about this Dandakaranya." 17.29

When told like this Rama laughed at that lady who had bewitching eyes and that expert in conversation started telling these words. 17.30

This is the end of Seventeenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

18. Lakshmana Disfigures Soorpanakha

[Rama directs her to Lakshmana who redirects her to Rama. When Soorpanakha tries to catch hold of Sita, Lakshmana cuts of her nose and ears. She goes to Khara who is her brother and who lives in Janasthana.]

Then Rama told in clear and lucid manner to Soorpanakha who was tied up in the throes of passion, smilingly. 18.1

"Oh lady, I was married to this woman and she is my dear wife and to people like you becoming a co-wife would be painful." 18.2

"There is my younger brother who is of good character and also good looking. He is a gentleman who is valorous and without a wife." 18.3

"Though he is a youth, he has not been accompanied by his wife. He being good looking and very much matching to you, would be a proper husband to you." 18.4

"And so broad eyed lady, serve my brother as his wife. You being with having this lips, without any rival wife, both of you would shine like Sun on mount Meru." 18.5

That Rakshasi who was in the throes of passion thus egged by Rama like this left Rama, approached Lakshmana and told. 18.6

"With a blessed complexion and form I would be a suitable wife to you.. You can have pleasure with me and wander all over Dandaka." 18.7

The son of Sumithra, who is an expert in conversation, after hearing this from the Rakshasi, with a smile cleverly told Soorpanakha. 18.8

"Why do you want to become a maid servant to a servant by becoming my wife, for lotus eyed lady, I am a servant of my brother." 18.9

"Oh Broad eyed one, oh woman of pure complexion, Oh happy lady, you are pure and sinless, it would be better if you become younger wife of that gentleman," 18.10

"He will leave out that ugly looking, unchaste, frightful woman, whose belly is hanging and would only be devoted you." 18.11

"How will he, who is having discrete tastes, leave you, who has a very pretty form and a blessed colour and possess as wife a mere human being." 18.12

When Lakshmana told her like this that horrible one with a drooping belly, without understanding that those were meant to tease her, thought them to be true. 18.13

Then she who was passionate, approached the destroyer of foes and who was difficult to be faced by enemies, seated in the hermitage with Sita and told him. 18.14

"You are holding to your wife, who is an ugly horrible lady with a flat belly and also an old hag; not properly honouring me." 18.15

"While you are watching I would eat away this human wife of yours and I would be able to move about very happily with you without any rival." 18.16

After saying this that woman with amber colures fiery eyes, angrily leapt upon Sita who was fawn eyed like a giant meteor hurling itself on the star Rohini. 18.17

Rama who was very strong reprimanded her and after stopping from trying to fall in the noose of death told Lakshmana. 18.18

"Oh gentle Lakshmana, somehow teasing seems to be inappropriate to deal with this cruel woman. Please see that Sita survives." 18.19

"Oh tiger among men, you should deform this cruel, unchaste and intoxicated Rakshasi with a big belly." 18.20

Instructed like this the very strong and angry Lakshmana, took the sword which was by the side of Rama lifted it and cut off her nose and ears. 18.21

That dreadful Soorpanakha, with her ears and nose cut off, made an ugly horrifying noise and ran away by the way that she came. 18.22

That bad looking very terrifying Rakshasi, being drenched in blood, thundered like a cloud in rainy season and made various types of sounds. 18.23

That dreadful looking woman with blood dripping from various places, held her arms high, when she was shouting and entered the great forest. 18.24

That disfigured one went to Janasthana where Khara lived surrounded by many Rakshasas and fell down before him like a thunderbolt from the sky. 18.25

"Rama has come to the forest along with his wife and along with Lakshmana and he has disfigured me ", said the sister of Khara from whom blood was flowing. 18.26

This is the end of Eighteenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

19. Khara sends Soldiers to Capture Rama

[Soorpanakha complains to her brother about Rama, and he sends fourteen army chiefs with her so that they all can be captured so that Soorpanakha can drink their blood.]

Seeing his sister fallen there disfigured and coated with blood, That Rakshasa Khara became very angry and enquired. 19.1

"Get up, tell me about your delusion and confusion and tell me clearly about who reduced you to this ugly form." 19.2

"Who would hurt with his finger tip, the black innocent snake, with fangs full of poison sitting nearby playfully?" 19.3

"Who would tie the rope of death on his neck out of ignorance or who would dare to trouble you and drink the good quality poison?" 19.4

"You are bold, strong, do according to your whims and take any form as you like. Who lead you to this plight so that his death is imminent?" 19.5

"Which person among Devas, Gandharwas, Bhoothas and the great sages have reduced you to this ugly form?" 19.6

"I do not see anyone in this world who dares to offend me, even among devas, including the thousand eyed Indra who controls Pakasura." 19.7

"Now I will take away his life from his body by fatal arrows like the swan taking milk from a mix of milk and water." 19.8

"When my arrows contact his vital parts, he would be killed and his blood like foam will drench this earth." 19.9

"Which flock of birds are going to eat his flesh, after biting and pulling it from his body, after I kill him in a battle ?" 19.10

"Whether he is deva, Gandharwa, devil or a Rakshasa, when that helpless man is dragged by me in the battle, nobody would be in a position to save him." 19.11

"When you regain your consciousness, you can tell me slowly about that rude man, who defeated in the forest and made advances to you." 19.12

Hearing these especially angry words from her brother, That Soorpanakha spoke these words while shedding tears. 19.13

"They are two very handsome young men called Rama and Lakshmana, who are very strong, having broad lotus like eyes, wearing bark and hide of a black deer, who live on fruits and roots, who are self-restrained ascetics, who are followers of Dharma and the sons of king Dasaratha." 19.14-19.15

"They like kings of Gandharwas and are with auspicious marks and I am not able to guess whether they are gods or men." 19.16

"In between them is a young pretty lady who is decorated by ornaments and who is seen to have a slender waist." 19.17

"I have been made like this by both of them and brought to the state of an orphan for the sake of that woman." 19.18

"We should think of killing that woman in a battle as I want to drink her foaming blood as she is a crooked lady." 19.19

"But my wish which is going to be fulfilled by you is that I should be able to drink the blood of those brothers as well." 19.20

When she was talking like this Khara became angry and he ordered fourteen very strong ones, each of them equal to the God of death. 19.21

"Two men, blessed with various weapons and dressed in bark and deer skin along with a young lady has entered this Dandaka forest." 19.22

"You should go and kill them both as well as the lady of bad behaviour and my sister would drink the blood of all of them." 19.23

"Oh Rakshasas, it is the dear wish of my sister that and by your own power imprison them both so that her wish is fulfilled." 19.24

Having been ordered this way those fourteen Rakshasas along with Soorpanakha went to that place like a cloud in the sky. 19.25

But then those nocturnal Rakshasas with sharp arrows were not able to face the lustrous Rama, like a wild elephant is not able to face the forest fire.

This is the end of Nineteenth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

20. Rama Kills Khara's Soldiers

[Rama chooses to fight with the fourteen Rakshasas sent by Khara and kills all of them easily. Soorpanakha reports about it to her brother Khara.]

Then that horrible Soorpanakha came to the hermitage of Rama and showed those brothers as well as Sita to those Rakshasas. 20.1

They saw the very strong Rama sitting in the leaf thatched hut and also saw Sita, the princess of Videha along with Lakshmana. 20.2

Then that gentleman Rama seeing those who have come along with the Rakshasi told his brother Lakshmana blazing like fire. 20.3

"Oh son of Sumithra, for a short time stay with Sita inside the hermitage and I shall kill those Rakshasas who have come in her way." 20.4

After hearing those words of wise Rama, Lakshmana in turn honoured those words of Rama. 20.5

Rama lifted that great bow which was decorated with gold and tied that bow and told the Rakshasas as follows. 20.6

"We are the sons of Dasaratha and known as Rama and Lakshmana and we have entered this inaccessible forest Dandakaranya along with my wife Sita." 20.7

"We are self restrained ascetics eating only fruits and roots and are the followers of Dharma and are living in Dandakaranya. Why are you troubling us?" 20.8

"For killing the sinners and offenders like you in a great war who are troubling the sages, I came well equipped with all weapons." 20.9

"Stay here happily, if you are not interested in returning back alive or else if you want to be alive, you may return." 20.10

Those fourteen Rakshasas, who were killers of Brahmins and who were armed with a spear, hearing these words became extremely angry. 20.11

"You have made our great lord Khara angry and you would fight with us and would be killed in that fight." 20.12

"Alone how you can have the strength to face many people in the war? You cannot even face us and where is the question of war." 20.13

"When we send against you many spears with triple edge and iron bars, you will give up your life as well as the bow held in your hand." 20.14

After saying those fourteen Rakshasas became very angry and threw those spears at him, who cannot be defeated. 20.15

That son of Kakustha clan cut off all those fourteen spears by sending individual arrows decorated by gold and broke them in to pieces. 20.16

Then that greatly lustrous one who was an angry man took fourteen arrows sharpened on stone and which were shining like a sun. 20.17

Then he took the bow stretched it and aiming at those Rakshasas and released those arrows comparable to the Vajrayudha of Indra. 20.18

Those arrows decorated in gold and having feathers attached to them were shining speedily went and fell on their bodies and shattered those Rakshasas on their chest and drenched them with blood like the Vajrayudha of Indra going to the earth. 20.19

With their chest cut in to pieces and bodies drenched in blood, they fell dead on the ground like trees whose roots have been cut. 20.20

Seeing them falling dead on the ground, the Rakshasi got very angry and being frightened released a huge wailing sound. 20.21

With the little blood getting dried like the exuding gum of the Sallaki tree which is cut, she became frightened and after coming in front of Khara, fell down. 20.22-20.23

Then becoming mad with sorrow, in front of her brother, that lady with a sad face, made great noise and shed tears. 20.24

Having seen the Rakshasa falling in battle, that sister ran round her brother and told Khara in detail about the killing of those Rakshasas. 20.25

This is the end of Twentieth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

21. Soorphanaka Berates Khara

[When again Soorpanakha goes to Khara, he jeers at her and Soorpanakha who is angry, calls him a coward and a weak person and tells that he cannot defeat Rama.]

Seeing her fall down again Khara who got very angry and told Soorpanakha, spoke in clear words about her unfortunate situation. 21.1

"Just now, to please you, I had sent those valorous Rakshasas, who feed on blood as per your wish. Why are you crying again now?" 21.2

"They are my devotees and are always fond of me and are my well-wishers. Even being attacked, they are not killed by others and they never fail to carry out my orders." 21.3

"I want to know why are you doing this again? Why are you shouting "Oh Lord" and rolling on the ground like a serpent?" 21.4

"When I am standing her as a lord, why are you crying like an orphan? Do not fear; Get up and leave out that worry." 21.5

When that invincible lady was addressed like this by Khara, wiping out her tearful eyes, she told Khara. 21.6

"Since my ears and nose were chopped off, I came before you drenched in blood and you also pacified me. 21.7

"You sent along with me fourteen valorous Rakshasas to kill Rama, along with Lakshmana so as to please me." 21.8

"Those spirited ones went before Rama armed with spears and iron rods and they were all killed in the war by sharp arrows which split their vitals." 21.9

"When I saw those very strong ones fall on earth within a second, the great act of Rama greatly frightened me." 21.10

"Oh mover at night, I am scared as well as sad and again I had come to seek your protection, as I am always afraid." 21.11

"Who will save me from this sea of sorrow, populated by crocodiles of distress and filled everywhere with waves of fear." 21.12

"Those Rakshasas, who live on flesh, who accompanied me, were killed by sharp arrows of Rama and fell on the ground." 21.13

"Oh wanderer at night, if you have any pity on me and you want to protect me, if there is any Rakshasa who has equal luster like Rama, go and kill that thorn for Rakshasas by going to Dandakaranya." 21.14

"If you do not kill my enemy Rama now itself, oh shameless one, in front of you itself, I will give up my life." 21.15

"Thinking with my brain, I presume that you cannot stand in war against the great Rama, even along with your army." 21.16

"If you claim to be a hero and do not have the strength to kill Rama, a mere human being, then your claim of hero is a myth." 21.17

"Oh Rakshasa, oh blot to our clan living in Dandakaranya, if you have power and brilliance like that of Rama, kill him." 21.18

"You are a weakling, you have very little valour and you should quickly go away with your people from Janasthana. For what type of position are you occupying here? 21.19

"You would be defeated by the brilliance of Rama and surely you would be destroyed soon, for that son of Dasaratha, Rama is endowed with great brilliance and also his brother is greatly valorous as he was the one who disfigured me." 21.0-21.21

That Rakshasi with a big belly wailed in several different ways and she cried beating her belly as she was very sad. 21.22

This is the end of Twenty First Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

22. Khara Goes to War Against Rama

[After getting angry at Soorpanakha and promising that he will kill Rama, Khara marches along with Dhooshana, his commander and other fourteen thousand Rakshasas to kill Rama].

When Khara was put to shame by Soorpanakha in this way, standing in the middle of Rakshasas, Khara replied harshly. 22.1

"By the insults you have heaped on me, my anger has become matchless and like excessive flow of salt water it is unbearable to me." 22.2

"I do not bother about Rama who is a valorous man of short span of life due to his own bad conduct and now he will leave this world." 22.3

"So control your tears, get rid of your excitement, I will lead Rama and his brother to the country of God of death." 22.4

"Oh Rakshasi, I will kill Rama with a short span of life, today by my axe and you can drink his blood today." 22.5

"Hearing the words that fell from the mouth of Khara, she was happy and due to her foolishness, she again started praising her great brother." 22.6

Hearing from her earlier berating him and now praising him, he started talking to Dhooshana his commander. 22.7

"Please get ready fourteen thousand Rakshasas who are under my control, who act according to my thoughts and who have great speed in war." 22.8

"They are also of the colour of blue black clouds, dreadful, performers of cruel acts, Torturers of other people, strong and powerful." 22.9

"Oh soft one, get all those Rakshasas who are arrogant like tigers, having big mouths, powerful, drunk with pride and make them ready quickly." 22.10

"Oh gentle one, quickly get ready my chariot, bows, arrows, different type of swords and Sharp Shakthi missiles." 22.11

"I would like to go in the front of these members of Paulasthya clan, who are experts in warfare to kill that Rama, who has indiscipline." 22.12

When Khara was telling like this, at that time Dhooshana got ready a huge chariot of the colour of sun pulled by horses of variegated colours. 22.13

Then that Khara who looked patient, mounted that chariot which looked like the Peak of Meru Mountain, decorated with the pure gold, with gold wheels, studded with costly gems. The carriage of the chariot was engraved with figures made of gold, like fish, flowers, trees, Sun, stars, flocks of auspicious birds, flags and swords, shining with small bells, yoked to good horses. 22.14-22.16

When that Rakshasa mounted his chariot, other Rakshasas of great valour along with Dhooshana stood prepared to go. 22.17

Khara seeing those great warriors who were holding great weapons and possessing dreadful shields and also holding other weapons and flag ordered them to start. 22.18

Then that Rakshasa army who were wearing dreadful shields, weapons and flag started from Janasthana making great noise. 22.19

Those fourteen thousand Rakshasas who acted according to the wishes of Khara, took in their hand maces, piercing weapons, tridents, sharp axes used in battle, swords, wheels, splinters, iron clubs, powerful spears, dreadful iron bars of giant size, bows made of bamboo, clubs and knives which were frightening to look at like the Vajrayudha of Indra and departed from Janasthana, 22.20-22.22

Those Rakshasas of great valour who were going speedily to attack marched forward and Khara's chariot also went slightly behind. 22.23

Thereafter the charioteer of Khara driving a chariot decorated in gold and drawn by horses of variety of colours, knowing the mind of Khara drove fast. 22.24

That Chariot of Khara, who was the killer of enemies, went speedily filling all major and intermediate directions with great sound. 22.25

Khara whose anger was progressively increasing made horrible sound like the cloud producing rain of hail stones and went speedily, like the god of death and impelled the charioteer to go still faster." 22.26

This is the end of Twenty Second Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

23. Khara's March

[Right from beginning Khara's army saw very bad omens. Though they were bad omens, Khara decided on the war. Sages and Devas assembled in the sky to see the war.]

A fierce dark cloud of the colour of donkey, rained dreadful inauspicious water of red colour on the marching army. 23.1

Those great horses which can move with high speed which were yoked to the chariot, when they were travelling in the royal path on which flowers were spread stumbled and fell down. 23.2

When the Sun took its position on the sky, its middle part was dark and the edges were of colour of blood and it moved like a fire brand created ring. 23.3

On the flag flying on the golden staff, a very frightening vulture with a huge body settled down. 23.4

Beasts and birds, that live on flesh collected in Janasthana, in a harsh voice produced different wrong signals and screamed. 23.5

The fearsome jackals running towards light, giving out very frightful sound indicated inauspiciousness to the Rakshasas. 23.6

The clouds looking like scattered mountains poured rain of the blood red colour was fearsome and the sky looked different from normal sky. 23.7

A terrible darkness spread all over and was frightening and produced horripilation, even the four directions and the intermediate directions were not bright. 23.8

Even before the time for sun set, the twilight was red appearing like a raw wound and the wild animals and birds like Kanka birds, Jackals and eagles produced horrifying sounds facing Khara indicating their great fear. 23.9

Jackals which appeared scared ran towards Khara screeching as if fire was produced from their mouth. These ill omens indicate inauspiciousness and provided dreadful evidence of what is likely to happen. 23.10

The Kethu planet was seen at the end of Sun appearing like a rod of iron and that great planet sun appeared to be eclipsed on days other than new moon by Rahu and it appeared it speedily lead the sun to darkness. 23.11-23.12

Even before night fall the stars shined like fire flies, which lead to disappearance of fishes and birds. The lotus in the ponds dried up and fruits and flowers started falling from the trees. 23.13

Without any strong wind, a brownish cloud of dust rose up and the Saarika birds thoughtlessly started singing, "Vichi Kuchi." 23.14

The thunderstorm accompanied by falling of the meteors gave a sight of dreadfulness and mountains and forests were shaken up. 23.15

The left shoulder of Khara who was sitting shouting in the chariot, throbbed excessively and being shaken violently his throat throttled. 23.16

While he was examining all over, his eyes were filled with tears and his forehead started to have pains but in spite of all this he did not return back. 23.17

Seeing that great disturbance causing horripilation, Khara laughingly addressed all his Rakshasas and told. 23.18

"Though I see terrifying events boding calamity like a strong and valorous man dealing with the weak, I do not take them seriously." 23.19

"Using my sharp arrows I can even bring down the stars from the sky and if I am angry I can even make the death die." 23.20

"I do not want to return back without killing Rama who is proud of his strength and his brother Lakshmana, using my sharp arrows." 23.21

"Let my sister become contented by drinking the blood of Rama and Lakshmana, due to whom this great conflict arose." 23.22

"I have never faced defeat in any war and all of you are aware of it and you all know that I am not telling a lie." 23.23

"I can even kill the angry Indra, the king of devas riding on intoxicated divine elephant Iravatha and armed with Vajrayudha and what of these petty human beings." 23.24

Hearing that great roar of Khara, the Rakshasas of the great army became incomparably happy though they were falling in to the trap of death. 23.25

Sages, devas, Gandharwas, Sidhas, Charanas and other great people assembled on the sky with a desire to see the war. 23.26

Those blessed people who were assembled there spoke among themselves "Let the cows and Brahmins associated with good people be safe." 23.27

"Let Rama win over the clan of Paulasthya like Vishnu, the holder of wheel won earlier over the Rakshasas." 23.28

When those great sages were talking with each other on many more aspects and devas riding on their planes were eagerly waiting, they saw the Rakshasas who were nearing the end of their life.23.29-23.30

Khara driving in a chariot went fast along with his great army and seeing that the Rakshasas also travelled with great speed. 23.31

Syenagami, Pruthugreeva, Yagnasatru, Vihangama, Durjaya, Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmukha, Methmali, Mahamali, Sarpasya, Rudhirasana and Mahaveerya - all twelve of them walked along with Khara. 23.32-23.33

That army of Rakshasas, who had high speed, who were desirous of war and who were very strong marched with speed towards the sons of the king, like the garland of planets march towards Sun and moon. 23.34

This is the end of Twenty Third Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

24. Rama's Preparation for War Against Khara

[Rama asks Lakshmana and Sita to hide in a cave and decided to fight alone. He also sees the bad omens which greet Khara's army. He sees good omens. The army of Khara arrives and Rama is ready for the battle.]

Observing the arrival of Khara who was coming with his evil valour, Rama also saw the omens of danger accompanying Khara. 24.1

Rama seeing those dreadful events which were harmful to the people and which creating horripilation due to fear and which indicated mass destruction Rama told Lakshmana. 24.2

"Oh greatly strong one, please notice this greatly disturbing events, which indicate disturbance and destruction of all beings including Rakshasas." 24.3

"The sky is covered with disturbing clouds of the red colour of donkey, which are harsh sounding and which gives rise to rains of the colour of blood." 24.4

"The arrows which emit smoke are congratulating me for a successful war and the bows decorated by gold are moving circularly." 24.5

"We are also seeing the birds moving in the forest with chirping, warning about the danger in front of us and the uncertainty of our lives." 24.6

"Without any doubt, great loss of life would take place. Oh valorous one, I find my shoulder is throbbing again and again indicating that victory is nearby and that our enemies would face defeat. also your face looks bright and lustrous indicating our success." 24.7-24.8

"Oh Lakshmana, while one prepares for the war, if one loses the shine of his this is indicative of the fact that his life span would be reduced." 24.9

"A great sound of the loud shouting of the Rakshasas is being heard and also we hear the beating of war drums by those Rakshasas who do cruel deeds." 24.10

"When dangerous events are anticipated by a learned man, he plans his activities in such a way that the danger is avoided." 24.11

"And so completely armed with bows and arrows, take Vaidehi to an inaccessible cave covered by trees on the mountains." 24.12

"I do not desire you to disobey these words of mine as this is the word based on the honour of my feet. Please keep going without any delay." 24.13

"Without any doubt you are valiant and very strong and can kill all the Rakshasas yourself but I desire to kill these night farers myself." 24.14

When Rama told like Lakshmana armed with bows and arrows, took Sita with him and hid himself in an inaccessible cave. 24.15

When Sita and Lakshmana entered the cave to hide themselves Rama said, "Great, a job is accomplished" and wore an armour. 24.16

When he wore that armour he was looking like a blazing fire and in that darkness he shined like a smokeless fire. 24.17

That valorous one lifted up his great bow and created a very great sound by the twangs of his bow and filled all directions with that sound. 24.18

Then Devas, Gandharwas, Sidhas and Charanas assembled there with a desire of seeing the war of that great man. 24.19

Sages, great persons and the great Brahmarishis who have performed great deeds, assembled there and started discussing among themselves. 24.20

"Let the cows and Brahmins who are the well-wishers of the world be safe. Let Rama gain victory in the war over Rakshasas of the Paulasthya clan like Lord Vishnu won over all the Rakshasas." 24.21

After saying this. they again started discussing among themselves. How will the war result when Rama who is fighting alone faces the fourteen thousand powerful Rakshasas." 24.22-24.23

Royal sages along with their followers, Sidhas, great Brahmins along with great curiosity as well as Devas on the air planes eagerly awaited there. 24.24

Then Seeing Rama with great luster waiting to fight the war, all beings were alarmed with great fear. 24.25

The form of Rama who acts without any stress was incomparable and his angry form was similar to Rudra holding his Pinakini bow. 24.26

Then the army of Rakshasas raining majestic sound as well as dreadful shrieks carrying weapons and banners appeared near to that place. 24.27

That forest was filled by the roar of a lions made by some, twangs of bow raised by some, the shouting of soldiers with each other, the sound of advancing army, the sound of proclamation, the sound raised from big drums and the tumultuous sound of the forest. 24.28-24.29

Being scared by that sound the wild animals from that forest got scared and ran away to a silent spot without even looking back. 24.30

The terrifying army carrying different types of weapons and which looked like the majestic sea came near Rama. 24.31

The expert in warfare Rama turned his eyes all over to see that army of Rakshasas which had come ready for the war. 24.32

With great anger Rama stretched his great bow and took out arrows from his quiver intending to kill all the Rakshasas. 24.33

It was difficult to even look at the angry Rama burning like the fire at the time of final deluge and seeing the luster emanating from him all the forest deities ran away from there. 24.34

When we see at the very angry face of Rama, it was like the face of Lord Shiva, who had come to kill Daksha. 24.35

Seeing the lustrous Rama standing at the top of the battle ground, all beings, became scared and ran away from there. 24.36

The army of the Rakshasas with their weapons, ornaments and flags and with armours which shined like fire looked like a mass of blue clouds at time of sun rise. 24.37

This is the end of Twenty Fourth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

25. Rama and Khara's Army War

[Though the war was started by Khara, it was mainly his soldiers who fought against Rama. He killed and wounded most of them. Dhooshana encouraged them and the war continued.]

Khara who came to the hermitage along with hiss soldiers saw Rama, the killer of enemies standing there angry and holding the bow and arrow. 25.1

Seeing him, Khara after lifting the bow and arrow made a terrible sound and ordered his charioteer to go in front of him. 25.2

As per the orders of Khara, the charioteer drove the horses and made them stand in front of the mighty armed Rama standing alone armed with a bow and arrow. 25.3

Seeing him rush there, all those Rakshasas roared and creating a big sound and his ministers surrounded him. 25.4

Khara who stood on the chariot in the middle of the Rakshasas, looked like the planet mars in between the bevy of stars. 25.5

Then Khara took one thousand arrows and sent them against Rama of matchless power and after assaulting him he raised a big sound. 25.6

Then all the Rakshasas in great anger sent many type of weapons at Rama, who was holding a huge bow and who cannot be defeated. 25.7

Those Rakshasas bent upon vengeance threw at him, hammers, spears with sharp edge, tridents, barbed missiles, swords and battle axes continuously. 25.8

Those very powerful Rakshasas resembling a huge cloud created huge sound came with eagerness on chariots, horses, elephants looking like mountains and ran forward. 25.9

That group of Rakshasas inundated Rama with their arrows, like the king of mountains is drowned by the rains from the great clouds. 25.10

Rama surrounded by those horrible group of Rakshasas looked like Lord Shiva being surrounded by large number of Attendants during dusk. 25.11

Rama received the arrows sent by those Rakshasas, like the sea receiving waters being showered by several rivers. 25.12

Though being hit on various parts of the body by those terrible arrows, Rama was not pained just like the mountain is not hurt even if it is hit by many thunderbolts. 25.13

Rama being wounded all over and bleeding through all his wounds looked like Sun surrounded by clouds at the time of dusk. 25.14

Devas, Gandharwas, Sidhas and great sages seeing that Rama left alone was surrounded by many thousands of Rakshasas became sad. 25.15

Then Rama became extremely angry bending his great bow and released hundreds of thousands of arrows continuously. 25.16

Rama sent those unstoppable and unbearable arrows decorated with heron's fathers, which looked like the staff of Yama, going straight to the aim without missing it. 25.17

Those arrows shot playfully by Rama easily pulled out the life of the Rakshasas who were enemy warriors like the noose of God of death. 25.18

Those arrows broke the bodies of the Rakshasas in to pieces and made them drenched in their blood and shined forth in the sky like, they looked like the red flames of the burning fire. 25.19

Countless excessively ferocious Rakshasas died from the fatal arrows emanating from the bow of Rama. 25.20

In the war the arrows sent by Rama's bow cut off hundreds of thousands of bows, tips of flags, armours, heads, shoulders as well as thighs of Rakshasas, and also the thighs and trunks of the elephant. 25.21

He also killed horses yoked to the chariots decorated with gold along with the charioteers and killed Rakshasas riding on elephants as well as elephants, those who ride on horses along with horses, soldiers in the infantry, and sent them all to the abode of death." 25.22-25.23

After that, the terrible and pitiable cries of Rakshasas, who were torn and pulled apart by the iron arrows, was heard. 25.24

The army whose vital parts were torn apart by those sharp arrows did not get any relief just like the dried up forest attacked by fire. 25.25

Some very strong valorous soldiers armed with trident, sword and battle axe faced Rama in the front and threw those divine weapons at him. 25.26

The strong armed Rama prevented all those weapons from falling on him and took out their lives by cutting of their neck. 25.27

Their broken heads, armours and bows were thrown down on the earth like just as trees fell by the blows of the divine Garuda. 25.28

Then all those Rakshasas suffering intense pain due to being hit by the arrows of Rama ran towards Khara for taking refuge. 25.29

Dhooshana after pacifying all of them, again brought them together and like the God of death approaching Lord Shiva, approached Rama with great wrath. 25.30

Becoming dependent on Dhooshana all of them became fearless and returned to attack Rama carrying Sala trees, palm trees as well as stones. 25.31

Some strong Rakshasas holding tridents, hammers in their hands and some others holding bows together sent arrows and other weapons on Rama, while continuously raining stones at him. 25.32

Again a fierce war which was dreadful, wonderful as well as thrilling started between Rama and those Rakshasas. 25.33

They who were angry advanced on Rama from all directions and they completely surrounded him in four directions and four sub directions and started showering him with arrows and sending other missiles on Rama and Rama made a frightful great sound and released the very powerful Gandharwa arrow at them. 25.34-25.36

And then Rama released thousands of arrows from the curvature of his bow and they went on filling all the directions. 25.37

Those Rakshasas who were hurt by those terrible arrows could not see due to the speed, Rama taking them out nor his sending but only saw him drawing them. 25.38

The darkness created by the arrows completely covered the sky including the Sun and it looked to the Rakshasas that Rama was not sending those arrows by spewing them out. 25.39

The earth was by those who were falling at the same time, by those who were being killed at the same time and those who fell were lying scattered all over the ground. 25.40

Those Rakshasas numbering in thousands who were killed had fallen all over the place being cut in to pieces and being pierced all over. 25.41

In that war Rakshasas having been killed by Rama's arrows, the entire land was filled with their limbs which were cut off, heads with head dresses, shoulders dressed with ornaments of different kinds and cut off thighs and knees; different chariots with horses decorated with streamers used as an insignia of royalty, best of elephants, different flags and garbs; with different types of weapons like tridents, swords, darts, battle axes scattered all over; with crushed pieces of broken stones and arrows dispersed over the ground was frightening to see. 25.42-25.45

This is the end of Twenty Fifth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

26. Rama Kills Dhooshana

[Rama killed the valorous Dhooshana and all his army. He also killed the army chiefs sent by Khara.]

When Dhooshana saw that his army is being shattered, he ordered five thousand powerful Rakshasas with great speed and who never retreated to attack Rama. 26.1

They started showering tridents, iron rods, swords, rain of stones and trees, continuously on Rama from all directions. 26.2

After stopping the shower of those stones and trees which would be greatly fatal, that soul of Dharma sent very sharp arrows at them. 26.3

Receiving that shower of weapons like a bull with closed eyes, Rama with great anger, started killing those Rakshasas. 26.4

The very infuriated Rama endowed with great luster, with arrows made Dhooshana and his army as ineffective. 26.5

Dhooshana the commander in chief who was the spoiler of enemies became angry sent arrows which were like thunderbolts at Rama and virtually countered the attack of Rama. 26.6

Then That Rama with great anger using his bent and great bow cut off the bow of that valorous one and also killed his four horses. 26.7

After killing those horses with his sharp arrows, with crescent moon shaped arrow, he cut off the head of the charioteer and with three other arrows pierced the chest of that asura. 26.8

With broken bow, with no chariot with horses and charioteer dead, Dhooshana grabbed a mountain like mace, which was ornamented in gold, which was hair rising, which had been used to beat the army of devas, which had sharp spikes attached to it, which was saturated with enemy fat, which was equal to Vajrayudha to touch and which was used to destroy the towers of the enemy. 26.9-26.11

Dhooshana who was a cruel Rakshasa rushed towards Rama holding that mace which was like a great serpent. 26.12

That Rama seeing that Dhooshana rushing towards him, using two arrows cut off both his hands, which were ornamented. 26.13

When his hands of his were cut off that great mace fell in the battle field and he with his cut off hands looked like the cut off flag of Indra. 26.14

With both his hands strewn round him, the Dhooshana fell on the earth like a haughty gigantic elephant falling down when his tusks are broken. 26.15

Seeing Dhooshana who was killed in battle falling on the ground, all beings praised the son of Kakustha clan saying "great, great." 26.16

When this was happening, three very angry chiefs of the army called Mahakapala, Sthoolaksha and the very strong Pramadhi ran towards Rama not understanding that they are running towards death. 26.17

The Rakshasa Mahakapala carrying a huge trident, Sthoolaksha with an iron crowbar and Pramadhi with an axe came towards Rama. 26.18

After noting those Rakshasas rushing towards him with sharp edged weapons, Rama quickly received them with sharp arrows as if one receives a guest. 26.19

Mahakala's head was cut off by divine arrows and using innumerable arrows he also killed Pramadhi and both of them fell on the ground like a very big tree with its branches. 26.20-26.21

Rama filled both the eyes of Sthoolaksha with many arrows and with a flow of five thousand arrows, in a moment five thousand followers of Dhooshana were sent to the place of God of death. 26.22

Seeing that Dhooshana and his army followers were killed, the very angry Khara ordered his very strong chiefs of army this way. 26.23

"Now you see that Dhooshana and his great army have been killed. So now taking the very great army, you all fight with that bad human being and use all sort of weapons and kill him." 26.24

After angry Khara spoke like this his twelve army chiefs, Syenagami, Pruthugriva, Yajna satru, Vihanga, Durjaya, Karaveeraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Meghamali, Mahamali, Sarpasya, Rudhirasana who were very valorous along with their army men advanced towards Rama releasing excellent arrows at him. 26.26-26.28

Then using his arrows decorated by gold and shining like a raging fire, that Rama who had great luster killed the remaining army. 26.29

Those gold tipped arrows looked as if they were fires covered with smoke and completely destroyed all the Rakshasas like a thunderbolt destroys mighty trees. 26.30

With a single stroke he killed one hundred Rakshasas with one hundred arrows and similarly killed one thousand Rakshasas with one thousand arrows. 26.31

They fell down cut and broken and stained with blood with shattered shields and ornaments which were broken to pieces by the arrows. 26.32

The entire battle field strewn with those by those who have fallen with spread out hair, by those who were drenched in blood and by those who were cut in to pieces made it look like a sacrificial alter spread with Kusa grass. 26.33

Within a moment, that dreadful forest with the Rakshasas, who have been killed, looked like hell whose soil has been soaked with flesh and blood. 26.34

Those very powerful fourteen thousand Rakshasas were killed by Rama, a single human being standing on the ground. 26.35

Among the huge army only the great hero Khara, a Rakshasa called Trisiras and Rama only were left remaining alive. 26.36

All the other greatly powerful, dreadful and unbearable Rakshasas were killed in that battle by the elder brother of Lakshmana. 26.37

Seeing that he has lost his army with great power in the battle by the mighty Rama who was alone, Khara got in to his great chariot and went forward like Indra who has raised his Vajrayudha. 26.38

This is the end of Twenty Sixth Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

27. Rama Kills Trisiras

[Trisiras, the army commander of Khara who had three heads was killed by Rama in a tough battle.]

When Khara was going to face Rama, Trisiras, the Rakshasa commander of his army went near him and told him. 27.1

"Oh valorous one, leave out this needless adventure and assign the job to me and See the very strong Rama falling down in the battle." 27.2

"By touching my weapons, I take an oath that I would kill Rama who deserves to die for killing all Rakshasas." 27.3

"For a moment, restrain yourself from fighting in this battle and be a witness for my killing Rama in the battle or my being killed by him,." 27.4

"If Rama is killed by me, become happy and go back to Janasthana, otherwise if I die, you can then face him in battle." 27.5

Thus Khara was requested by Trisiras who was anxious to meet with death and Khara gave him permission to fight with Rama and told, "You may go." 27.6

Trisiras who was a like a mountain with three peaks got in to a shining chariot yoked with horses and went to attack Rama. 27.7

That Trisiras unleashed multitude of arrows like a very huge cloud and produced fatal roar like a dampened drum. 27.8

Raghava seeing that Rakshasa with three heads coming to him shook his bow and released very sharp arrows as retaliation. 27.9

Between the great Rama and Trisiras a tumultuous war took place and they shot arrows at each other and fought like a strong lion and an elephant. 27.10

Hit by three arrows of Trisiras on his forehead Rama became angry and intolerant, and in a very agitated way told. 27.11

"Oh this Rakshasa who is greatly valorous has sufficient amount of strength that by his flower like arrows my forehead is only scratched." 27.12

Saying that, "You may now receive arrows from me", the agitated and angry Rama released from the string of his bow, poison like fourteen arrows and hit the chest of Trisiras. 27.13

Then the lustrous one sent four arrows which were well jointed and hit the four swift horses and killed them. 27.14

He hit the charioteer with eight arrows and the very lofty flag on the top of the chariot with one arrow and cut it off. 27.15

Then Rama hit that Rakshasa who was running away from the destroyed chariot with arrows on his chest and that Rakshasa became numb. 27.16

That man of boundless strength Rama with great ire with swift and sharp arrows cut off the heads of that Rakshasa. 27.17

Attacked by the arrows of Rama that one who travels during night vomited blood and when his three heads were cut off fell down. 27.18

Those Rakshasas who were remaining and who were under protection of Khara got greatly scared by the tiger like Rama and retreated and sped off like a deer. 27.19

That Khara seeing his retreating army became angry, personally made them turn back and leaped on Rama like Rahu and Kethu try to leap on the moon. 27.20

This is the end of Twenty Seventh Sarga of Aranya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.