वीरमणिरुवाच। सेनानीः पटहस्याज्ञां देहि मे शोभने पुरे । तच्छ्रुत्वा मे सुसन्नद्धाः शत्रुघ्नं प्रति यांतु ते
Vīramaṇi said: Commander, issue the order for the drum in my splendid city; upon hearing it, let my well-armed men proceed against Śatrughna.
इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य राज्ञो वीरमणेस्तदा । कारयामास पटहं महारवनिनादितम्
Hearing these words of King Vīramaṇi, the commander then had the drum sounded with a great, resounding roar.
गेहे गेहे च रथ्यायां श्रूयते पटहध्वनिः । शत्रुघ्नं यांतु ये सर्वे वीरा राजपुरे स्थिताः
In every house and in the streets, the sound of the drum was heard; let all the heroes residing in the royal city go forth against Śatrughna.
ये वै राज्ञः समुल्लंघ्य शासनं वीरमानिनः । पुत्रा वा भ्रातरो वापि ते वध्याः स्युर्नृपाज्ञया
Those who, out of pride, disregard the king's command—whether sons or brothers—shall be put to death by royal decree.
शृण्वंतु वीराः पुनरप्याह ते पटहे रवम् । श्रुत्वा विधीयतामाशु कर्तव्यं मा विलंबितम्
Let the heroes listen again to the drum's sound; upon hearing it, let the task be done swiftly, without delay.
शेष उवाच। इति पटहरवं स्वकर्णगोचरं । नरवरवीरवरा ययुर्नृपोत्तमम् । कनककवचभूषितस्वदेहाः । समरमहोत्सव हृष्टचित्तकोशाः
Śeṣa said: Thus, as the drum's sound reached their ears, the foremost among men and heroes went to the eminent king, their bodies adorned with golden armor, their hearts exhilarated for the great festival of battle.
केचिद्ययुः शिरस्त्राणं धृत्वा शिरसि शोभनम् । कवचेन सुशोभाढ्याः शतकोटिसुशोभिताः
Some went wearing splendid helmets upon their heads, richly adorned with armor, shining among countless others.
रथेन हययुग्मेन मणिकांचनशोभिना । ययुस्ते राजसंदेशान्नृवरालयमुन्मदाः
With chariots yoked to horses, adorned with jewels and gold, they proceeded, intoxicated by the royal command, to the abode of the king.
केचिन्मतंगजैर्मत्तैः केचिद्वाहैः सुशोभनैः । ययुर्नपगृहं सर्वे राजसंदेशकारकाः
Some went on elephants in rut, others on splendid mounts; all went to the palace, carrying out the king's command.
विविक्तस्वर्णकवचशिरस्त्राणसुशोभितः । रुक्मांगदोऽपि च निजे रथे तिष्ठन्मनोजवे
Rukmāṅgada, resplendent in distinct golden armor and a shining helmet, stood upon his own swift chariot.
शुभांगदोऽनुजस्तस्य महारत्नमयं दधत् । कवचं वपुषि श्रेष्ठं निजं प्रायाद्रणोत्सवे
His younger brother Śubhāṅgada, bearing a magnificent gem-studded armor upon his excellent body, went forth to the festival of battle.
राजभ्राता वीरसिंहः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदः । ययौ नृपाज्ञया तत्र शासनं भूमिपस्य हि
The king's brother Vīrasiṃha, skilled in all weapons and missiles, went there by the king's command, carrying out the ruler's order.
जामेयस्तस्य राज्ञोऽपि बलमित्र इति स्मृतः । सन्नद्धः कवची खड्गी जगाम नृपमंदिरम्
The king's nephew, known as Balamitra, fully armed with armor and sword, proceeded to the royal palace.
सेनानी रिपुवारोऽपि सेनां तां चतुरंगिणीम् । सज्जां विधाय भूपाय न्यवेदयदथो महान्
The commander, a mighty foe of enemies, prepared the fourfold army and then reported it, ready, to the king.
अथ राजा वीरमणिः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपूरितम् । मणिसृष्टोच्चचक्रोच्चमारोहत्स्यंदनोत्तमम्
Then King Vīramaṇi, surrounded by all weapons and missiles, ascended the excellent chariot, adorned with gems and towering wheels.
ततो वीरार्णवे शंखनिनादश्च समंततः । श्रूयते कातरान्वीरान्प्रेरयन्निव संगरे
Then, in the ocean of heroes, the sound of conches was heard all around, as if urging the fearful and the brave alike into battle.
भेर्यः समंततो जघ्नुः शुभवादकवादिताः । अनीकान्यत्र तस्यासन्संग्रामाय प्रतस्थुषः
All around, drums resounded, accompanied by auspicious trumpets and other instruments; the armies there prepared to advance for battle.
सर्वे कृतस्वस्त्ययनाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रसंपूर्णा ययुः समरमण्डलम्
All, having performed rites for good fortune and adorned with every ornament, fully equipped with all weapons and missiles, entered the field of battle.
भेरीशंखनिनादेन पूरिताश्च नगा गुहाः । आकारितुं गतः किं नु तद्रवः स्वर्गसंस्थितान्
The sound of drums and conches filled the mountains and caves; did that tumult reach even those dwelling in heaven?
तस्मिन्कोलाहले वृत्ते राजा वीरमणिर्महान् । रणोत्साहेन संयुक्तो ययौ प्रधनमंडलम्
Amidst that uproar, the great king Vīramaṇi, filled with the zeal for battle, advanced into the main arena.
आगत्य संस्थितस्तावद्रथपत्तिसमाकुलम् । समुद्र इव तत्स्थानात्प्लावितुं पुरुषानयात्
Arriving there, he stood amidst the throng of chariots and infantry, like the ocean poised to flood the men standing before him.
तदागतं बलं दृष्ट्वा रथिभिः शस्त्रकोविदैः । कोलाहलीकृतं सर्वमुवाच सुमतिं नृपः
Seeing that army arrive, with charioteers skilled in weapons making all tumultuous, the king addressed Sumati.
शत्रुघ्न उवाच। समागतो वीरमणिर्मम वाजिधरो बली । योद्धुं मां महता भूयः सैन्येन चतुरंगिणा
Śatrughna said: Vīramaṇi, mighty and mounted on his steed, has come to fight me with a great fourfold army.
कथं युद्धं प्रकर्तव्यं के योत्स्यंति बलोत्कटाः । तान्सर्वान्दिश मे वीरान्यथा स्याज्जय ईप्सितः
How should this battle be conducted, and who among the mighty warriors will fight? Tell me of all these heroes, so that the desired victory may be attained.
सुमतिरुवाच। स्वामिन्नसौ महाराजो महासैन्यपरीवृतः । समागतः स युद्धार्थं शिवभक्तिसमन्वितः
Sumati said: Lord, that great king has arrived, surrounded by a vast army, intent on battle and devoted to Śiva.
सांप्रतं युद्ध्यतां वीरः पुष्कलः परमास्त्रवित् । अन्येपि नीलरत्नाद्या योद्धारो युद्धकोविदाः
Now, let Puṣkala, the valiant and master of supreme weapons, engage in battle; and others, such as Nīla and Ratna, skilled in warfare, as well.
शिवेन सह योद्धव्यं राज्ञा वा भवतानघ । द्वंद्वयुद्धेन जेतव्यो महाबलपराक्रमः
You must fight either with Śiva or the king, O sinless one; he of great strength and valor must be overcome in single combat.
अनेन विधिना राजञ्जयस्तेऽत्र भविष्यति । पश्चाद्यद्रोचते स्वामिंस्तत्कुरुष्व महामते
By this method, O king, you will achieve victory here; afterward, do as you see fit, O wise lord.
शेष उवाच। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य शत्रुघ्नः परवीरहा । सुभटानादिदेशाथ युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः
Śeṣa said: Hearing these words, Śatrughna, destroyer of enemy heroes, resolved on battle, then commanded his brave warriors.
सर्वैः ससैन्यैर्युद्धार्थं राजभिः शस्त्रकोविदैः । यथा स्यान्मे जयः क्षिप्रं यतितव्यं तथा पुनः
With all the kings and their armies, skilled in weapons, strive again so that victory may quickly be mine.