सा भीमवेगा समराभिकांक्षिणी सुदारुणा राक्षसवीरसेना। तौ राजपुत्रौ सहसाभ्युपेता माला ग्रहाणामिव चन्द्रसूर्यौ
That army of fierce speed, eager for battle, dreadful and filled with Rākṣasa heroes, suddenly confronted the two princes, like the sun and moon approached by garlanded planets.
thumb|चतुर्विंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अरण्यकाण्डे चतुर्विंशः सर्गः ॥३-
Hear now the twenty-fourth sarga. Thus ends the twenty-fourth sarga in the Araṇya Kāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.
आश्रमं प्रतियाते तु खरे खरपराक्रमे। तानेवौत्पातिकान् रामः सह भ्रात्रा ददर्श ह
When Khara, mighty in valor, had departed for the hermitage, Rāma, together with his brother, beheld those same ominous portents.
तानुत्पातान् महाघोरान् रामो दृष्ट्वात्यमर्षणः। प्रजानामहितान् दृष्ट्वा वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्
Seeing those terrible and dreadful omens, Rāma, deeply disturbed for the welfare of the people, spoke to Lakṣmaṇa these words:
इमान् पश्य महाबाहो सर्वभूतापहारिणः। समुत्थितान् महोत्पातान् संहर्तुं सर्वराक्षसान्
"Behold, O mighty-armed one, these great and destructive omens that have arisen to bring about the destruction of all the Rākṣasas.
अमी रुधिरधारास्तु विसृजन्ते खरस्वनाः। व्योम्नि मेघा निवर्तन्ते परुषा गर्दभारुणाः
These streams of blood, resounding with harsh cries, are being poured forth; in the sky, clouds turn back, rough and the color of donkey's blood.
सधूमाश्च शराः सर्वे मम युद्धाभिनन्दिताः। रुक्मपृष्ठानि चापानि विचेष्टन्ते विचक्षण
All my arrows, wreathed in smoke and golden-backed, move restlessly, eager for battle, O discerning one.
यादृशा इह कूजन्ति पक्षिणो वनचारिणः। अग्रतो नोऽभयं प्राप्तं संशयो जीवितस्य च
The forest-dwelling birds are calling in strange ways; safety does not lie ahead for us, and there is doubt regarding our very lives.
सम्प्रहारस्तु सुमहान् भविष्यति न संशयः। अयमाख्याति मे बाहुः स्फुरमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः
A tremendous battle will surely take place—of this there is no doubt; my arm, trembling again and again, foretells it to me.
संनिकर्षे तु नः शूर जयं शत्रोः पराजयम्। सुप्रभं च प्रसन्नं च तव वक्त्रं हि लक्ष्यते
But, O hero, when we draw near, victory for us and defeat for the enemy are certain; for your face shines bright and clear.
उद्यतानां हि युद्धार्थं येषां भवति लक्ष्मण। निष्प्रभं वदनं तेषां भवत्यायुः परिक्षयः
For those who are about to fight, O Lakshmana, when their faces lose their luster, it is a sign that their life is nearing its end.
रक्षसां नर्दतां घोरः श्रूयतेऽयं महाध्वनिः। आहतानां च भेरीणां राक्षसैः क्रूरकर्मभिः
A terrible roar is heard from the howling of the rākṣasas, and the drums struck by those cruel-doing demons.
अनागतविधानं तु कर्तव्यं शुभमिच्छता। आपदं शङ्कमानेन पुरुषेण विपश्चिता
One who desires good must make preparations for what is yet to come, being wise and anticipating possible danger.
तस्माद् गृहीत्वा वैदेहीं शरपाणिर्धनुर्धरः। गुहामाश्रय शैलस्य दुर्गां पादपसंकुलाम्
Therefore, take Vaidehī with you, armed with bow and arrows, and seek refuge in a cave on the mountain, one that is fortified and thick with trees.
प्रतिकूलितुमिच्छामि न हि वाक्यमिदं त्वया। शापितो मम पादाभ्यां गम्यतां वत्स मा चिरम्
I wish to oppose them myself; do not argue with me about this. Go, my child, as I command you—do not delay.
त्वं हि शूरश्च बलवान् हन्या एतान् न संशयः। स्वयं निहन्तुमिच्छामि सर्वानेव निशाचरान्
You are indeed brave and strong, and could certainly slay these foes; but I wish to destroy all these night-wanderers myself.
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः सह सीतया। शरानादाय चापं च गुहां दुर्गां समाश्रयत्
Thus addressed by Rāma, Lakshmana, together with Sītā, took up his arrows and bow and sought shelter in the fortified cave.
तस्मिन् प्रविष्टे तु गुहां लक्ष्मणे सह सीतया। हन्त निर्युक्तमित्युक्त्वा रामः कवचमाविशत्
When Lakshmana had entered the cave with Sītā, Rāma said, 'Now, let them come!' and put on his armor.
स तेनाग्निनिकाशेन कवचेन विभूषितः। बभूव रामस्तिमिरे महानग्निरिवोत्थितः
Adorned with that armor, shining like fire, Rāma appeared in the darkness like a great blazing fire arisen.
स चापमुद्यम्य महच्छरानादाय वीर्यवान्। सम्बभूवास्थितस्तत्र ज्यास्वनैः पूरयन् दिशः
Raising his bow and taking his great arrows, the valiant one stood there, filling the quarters with the twang of the bowstring.
ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च सह चारणैः। समेयुश्च महात्मानो युद्धदर्शनकांक्षया
Then the gods, along with the gandharvas, siddhas, and cāraṇas, those great souls, came together, eager to witness the battle.
ऋषयश्च महात्मानो लोके ब्रह्मर्षिसत्तमाः। समेत्य चोचुः सहितास्तेऽन्योन्यं पुण्यकर्मणः
And the great sages, foremost among the brahmarṣis, assembled together and spoke among themselves, those doers of virtuous deeds.
स्वस्ति गोब्राह्मणानां च लोकानां चेति संस्थिताः। जयतां राघवो युद्धे पौलस्त्यान् रजनीचरान्
May there be welfare for cows, brāhmaṇas, and for all the worlds! May Rāghava conquer in battle the Paulastyas, the night-wanderers!
चक्रहस्तो यथा युद्धे सर्वानसुरपुंगवान्। एवमुक्त्वा पुनः प्रोचुरालोक्य च परस्परम्
Just as the wielder of the discus destroys all the foremost asuras in battle—so saying, they again spoke, looking at one another.
चतुर्दश सहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्। एकश्च रामो धर्मात्मा कथं युद्धं भविष्यति
Fourteen thousand rākṣasas of terrible deeds, and Rāma alone, righteous—how will this battle be?
आविष्टं तेजसा रामं संग्रामशिरसि स्थितम्। दृष्ट्वा सर्वाणि भूतानि भयाद् विव्यथिरे तदा
Seeing Rāma, blazing with energy and standing at the forefront of battle, all beings then were seized with fear.
रूपमप्रतिमं तस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः। बभूव रूपं क्रुद्धस्य रुद्रस्येव महात्मनः
The form of Rama, whose deeds are unwearied, became incomparable; it was like the appearance of the great-souled Rudra when enraged.
इति सम्भाष्यमाणे तु देवगन्धर्वचारणैः। ततो गम्भीरनिर्ह्रादं घोरचर्मायुधध्वजम्
While the gods, Gandharvas, and Caranas spoke thus, then arose a host with deep, terrifying roars, clad in dreadful skins, bearing weapons and banners.
अनीकं यातुधानानां समन्तात् प्रत्यपद्यत। वीरालापान् विसृजतामन्योन्यमभिगच्छताम्
The array of the night-demons assembled all around, uttering the shouts of warriors, advancing toward one another.
चापानि विस्फारयतां जृम्भतां चाप्यभीक्ष्णशः। विप्रघुष्टस्वनानां च दुन्दुभींश्चापि निघ्नताम्
They drew their bows, stretching them repeatedly, and yawned again and again; the tumult of their voices and the beating of drums resounded.