Sloka & Translation

[Khara gets his brother Dusana and the army ready to fight Rama -- proceeds with fourteen thousand demons.]

ēvamādharṣitaśśūraśśūrpaṇakhyā kharastataḥ.

uvāca rakṣasāṅ madhyē kharaḥ kharataraṅ vacaḥ৷৷3.22.1৷৷


tataḥ then, śūrpaṇakhyā by Surpanakha, ēvam in that way, rakṣasām of demons, madhyē in the midst, ādharṣitaḥ put to shame, śūraḥ hero, kharaḥ Khara, kharataram harsher, vacaḥ words, uvāca spoke.

Ashamed and accused thus in the presence of the demons, the valiant Khara spoke to Surpanakha in harsh words:
tavāvamānaprabhavaḥ krōdhō.yamatulō mama.

na śakyatē dhārayituṅ lavaṇāmbha ivōlbaṇam৷৷3.22.2৷৷


tava your, avamānaprabhavaḥ arising out of insult, mama mine, atulaḥ incomparable, ayaṅ krōdhaḥ this anger, ulbaṇam excessive, lavaṇāmbhaḥ salt water, iva like, dhārayitum to bear, na śakyatē is not possible for me.

Like the overslowing salt sea water, I am unable to contain this my excessive anger arising out of your insult.
na rāmaṅ gaṇayē vīryānmānuṣaṅ kṣīṇajīvitam.

ātmaduścaritaiḥ prāṇānhatōyō.dya vimōkṣyatē৷৷3.22.3৷৷


mānuṣam human being, kṣīṇajīvitam short-lived, rāmam Rama, vīryāt due to valour, na gaṇayē I do not count, yaḥ he who has, ātmaduścaritaiḥ by his own bad conduct, hataḥ be killed, adya now, prāṇān life, vimōkṣyatē will leave.

Rama is a short-lived human. I do not care for his valour. His life span will be shortened (he will be killed) now for his own misdeeds.
bāṣpassaṅhriyatāmēṣa sambhramaśca vimucyatām.

ahaṅ rāmaṅ saha bhrātrā nayāmi yamasādanam৷৷3.22.4৷৷


ēṣaḥ this, bāṣpaḥ tears, saṅhriyātām may be controlled, sambhramaśca anxiety also, vimucyatām give up, aham I, rāmam Rama, bhrātrā saha along with his brother, yamasādanam to the abode of Yama, nayāmi l will send.

Restrain your tears and your anxieties I will send Rama along with his brother to the abode of Yama.
paraśvathahatasyādya mandaprāṇasya saṅyugē.

rāmasya rudhiraṅ raktamuṣṇaṅ pāsyasi rākṣasi৷৷3.22.5৷৷


rākṣasi O demoness, adya now, saṅyugē in the fight, paraśvathahatasya of one killed by an axe, mandaprāṇasya whose life has gone slow, rāmasya Rama's, raktam red, uṣṇam hot, rudhiram blood, pāsyasi you can drink.

With his life ebbing out, killed by my axe in the fight, you will drink today, O demoness, Rama's red, hot blood.
sā prahṛṣṭā vacaśśrutvā kharasya vadanāccyutam.

praśaśaṅsa punarmaurkhyādbhrātaraṅ rakṣasāṅ varam৷৷3.22.6৷৷


sā she, kharasya Khara's, vadanāt from the mouth, cyutam that came out, vacaḥ the words, śrutvā on hearing, prahṛṣṭā she was pleased, maurkhyāt due to stupidity, bhrātaram to the brother, rakṣasām among demons, varam great, punaḥ again, praśaśaṅsa she praised.

On hearing the words that came out of Khara's mouth, she was pleased. And in stupidity began praising her brother once again as the best of demons.
tayā paruṣitaḥ pūrvaṅ punarēva praśaṅsitaḥ.

abravīddūṣaṇaṅ nāma kharassēnāpatiṅ tadā৷৷3.22.7৷৷


tayā by her, pūrvam earlier, paruṣitaḥ been acused, punarēva again, praśaṅsitaḥ was praised, kharaḥ Khara, tadā then, dūṣaṇaṅ nāma Dooshana by name, sēnāpatim army chief, abravīt said.

Khara, accused by her earlier and admired again, said to Dusana, chief of army:
caturdaśa sahasrāṇi mama cittānuvartinām.

rakṣasāṅ bhīmavēgānāṅ samarēṣvanivartinām৷৷3.22.8৷৷


mama my, cittānuvartinām acting according to will, bhīmavēgānām of terrific speed, samarēṣu in war, anivartinām never turn back, rakṣasām of demons, caturdaśa fourteen, sahasrāṇi thousand.

There are fourteen thousand demons at my command ready to act according to my will. They are warriors of terrific speed and will not retreat from the fight.
nīlajīmūtavarṇānāṅ ghōrāṇāṅ krūrakarmaṇām.

lōkahiṅsāvihārāṇāṅ balināmugratējasām৷৷3.22.9৷৷


nīlajīmūtavarṇānām of the colour of the dark blue cloud, ghōrāṇāṅ of dreadful, kṛrakarmaṇām those who commit cruel acts lōkahiṅsāvihārāṇāṅ those who roam about torturing people, balinām of the strong, ugratējasām very powerful people.

They are of the colour of the dark blue cloud, dreadful and merciless, strong and powerful fighters who roam about forturing people.
tēṣāṅ śārdūladarpāṇāṅ mahāsyānāṅ mahaujasām.

sarvōdyōga mudīrṇānāṅ rakṣasāṅ saumya kāraya৷৷3.22.10৷৷


saumyaḥ handsome, śārdūladarpāṇāṅ powerful like tigers, mahāsyānāṅ having large countenances, mahaujasām mighty, udīrṇānām of the arrogant, tēṣāṅ of all such, rakṣasāṅ demons, sarvōdyōgaṅ kāraya get ready.

O handsome one, get them all, powerful like tigers, demons with large countenances, mighty and arragant, ready (for the fight).
upasthāpaya mē kṣipraṅ rathaṅ saumya dhanūṅṣi ca.

śarāṅścitrāṅśca khaṅgāṅśca śaktīśca vividhāśśitāḥ৷৷3.22.11৷৷


saumya O good natured one, mē my, ratham chariot, dhanūṅṣi ca bows too, śarān arrows, citrān wonderful, khaṅgāṅśca swords, vividhāḥ of different kinds, śitāḥ sharp, śaktīśca missiles, kṣipram quickly, upasthāpaya get them ready.

O good-natured one, get my chariot, bows and arrows, wonderful swords of different kinds and sharp missiles ready quickly.
agrē niryātumicchāmi paulastyānāṅ mahātmanām.

vadhārthaṅ durvinītasya rāmasya raṇakōvidaḥ৷৷3.22.12৷৷


raṇakōvidaḥ expert in warfare, durvinītasya of the immodest, rāmasya Rama's, vadhārtham to kill, mahātmanām great self, paulastyānām those of Paulasthya family, agrē in front, niryātum to go, icchāmi I desire.

O expert in warfare, I wish to lead those great warriors of Paulasthya family, to kill that immodest Rama.
iti tasya bruvāṇasya sūryavarṇaṅ mahāratham.

sadaśvaiśśabalairyuktamācacakṣē.tha dūṣaṇaḥ৷৷3.22.13৷৷


tasya his (Khara's), iti this, bruvāṇasya while (Khara was) telling, atha at that time, dūṣaṇaḥ
Dusana, sūryavarṇam colour of the Sun, mahāratham huge chariot, śabalaiḥ variegated colours, sadaśvaiḥ good horses, yuktam fit, ācacakṣē indicated.

While Khara was speaking thus, Dusana reported that a huge chariot of the colour of the Sun yoked with good horses of variegated hues stood ready.
taṅ mēruśikharākāraṅ taptakāñcanabhūṣaṇam.

hēmacakramasambādhaṅ vaidūryamayakūbaram৷৷3.22.14৷৷

matsyaiḥ puṣpairdrumaiśśailaiścandrasūryaiśca kāñcanaiḥ.

maṅgalaiḥ pakṣisaṅghaiśca tārābhirabhisaṅvṛtam৷৷3.22.15৷৷

dhvajanistriṅśasampannaṅ kiṅkiṇīkavirājitam.

sadaśvayuktaṅ sō.marṣādārurōha kharō ratham৷৷3.22.16৷৷


saḥ kharaḥ that Khara, mēruśikharākāram looking like the peak of the mount Meru, taptakāñcanabhūṣaṇam decorated with best of gold, hēmacakram having golden wheels, asambādham well-built, vaidūryamayakūbaram carriage pole studded with vaiduryas, kāñcanaiḥ gold, matsyaiḥ with fishes, puṣpaiḥ with flowers, drumaiḥ trees, śailaiḥ mountains, sūryaiśca Sun, maṅgalaiḥ with auspicious ones, pakṣisaṅghaiśca flocks of birds, tārābhiḥ with stars, abhisaṅvṛtam all surrounded by, dhvajanistriṅśasampannam equipped with flags and swords, kiṅkiṇīkavirājitam with small bells, sadaśvayuktam yoked to fine horses, ratham chariot, amarṣāt with impatience, arurōha mounted.

Then the impatient Khara mounted the chariot that looked like the peak of mount Meru. It was decorated with pure gold, had golden wheels, poles studded with vaidurya. The carriage of the chariot was engraved with golden figures of fishes, flowers, trees, the Sun, stars, flocks of auspicious birds, flags and swords. Shining with small bells, it was yoked to fine horses.
niśāmya tu rathasthaṅ taṅ rākṣasā bhīmavikramāḥ.

tasthussaṅparivāryainaṅ dūṣaṇaṅ ca mahābalam৷৷3.22.17৷৷


bhīmavikramāḥ warriors of terrific prowess, rākṣasāḥ demons, rathastham seated on the chariot, tam him, niśāmya seeing, ēnam him, mahābalam very strong one, dūṣaṇaṅ ca Dusana too, samparivārya after surrounding, tasthuḥ stood by.

The demons of terrific prowess surounded Khara and Dusana and stood by, when they saw both of them mounting the chariot.
kharastu tānmahēṣvāsānghōravarmāyudhadhvajān.

niryātētyabravīddṛṣṭvā rathasthassarvarākṣasān৷৷3.22.18৷৷


rathasthaḥ from the chariot, kharastu Khara on his part, mahēṣvāsān those holding great weapons, ghōravarmāyudhadhvajān those wearing dreadful shields, bearing weapons and holding flags, tān sarvarākṣasān all the demons, dṛṣṭvā after seeing, niryāta march on, iti thus, abravīt ordered.

Khara mounted the chariot, saw the demons holding great weapons, wearing dreadful shields and holding flags, and ordered them to march.
tatastadrākṣāsaṅ sainyaṅ ghōravarmāyudhadhvajam.

nirjagāma janasthānānmahānādaṅ mahājavam৷৷3.22.19৷৷


tataḥ then, ghōravarmāyudhadhvajam wearing dreadful shields, holding weapons and banners, tat that, rākṣasaṅ sainyam army of demons, mahānādam a loud noise, mahājavam in great speed, janasthānāt from Janasthana, nirjagāma started.

Then the army of the demons wearing dreadful shields, holding weapons and flags, and making a loud noise started in great speed from Janasthanam.
mudgaraiḥ paṭṭisaiśśūlaissutīkṣṇaiśca paraśvadhaiḥ.

khaṅgaiścakraiśca hastasthairbhrājamānaiśca tōmaraiḥ৷৷3.22.20৷৷

śaktibhiḥ parighairghōrairatimātraiśca kārmukaiḥ.

gadāsimusalairvajrairgṛhītairbhīmadarśanaiḥ৷৷3.22.21৷৷

rākṣasānāṅ sughōrāṇāṅ sahasrāṇi caturdaśa.

niryātāni janasthānātkharacittānuvartinām৷৷3.22.22৷৷


gṛhītaiḥ took, hastasthaiḥ by those held in the hand, mudgaraiḥ maces, paṭṭisaiḥ piercing weapons, śūlaiḥ spears, sutīkṣṇaiḥ sharp, paraśvadhaiḥ axes used in battle, khaṅgai swords, cakraiśca wheels, bhrājamānaiḥ shining splinters, tōmaraiḥ iron clubs, śaktibhiḥ powerful missiles, ghōraiḥ dreadful, parighaiḥ iron bars, atimātraiḥ of giant size, kārmukaiḥ bows made of bamboo, gadāsimusalaiḥ pounding pestles, bhīmadarśanaiḥ frightening to look at, vajraiḥ weapons like thunderbolt, kharacittānuvartinām of those acting according to the wishes of Khara, sughōrāṇām very fierce, rākṣasānām of demons, caturdaya sahasrāṇi fourteen thousand, jananthānāt from Janasthana, niryātāni departed.

The fourteen thousand demons loyal to the wishes of Khara, took in their hands, maces, piercing weapons, spears, sharp axes used in battle, swords, wheels, splinters, iron clubs, powerful missiles, dreadful iron bars of giant size, bows made of bamboo, clubs and frightening weapons like thunderbolt (of Indra) and departed from Janasthana.
tāṅstvabhidravatō dṛṣṭvā rākṣasān bhīmavikramān.

kharasyāpi rathaḥ kiñcijjagāma tadanantaram৷৷3.22.23৷৷


abhidravataḥ going speedily to attack, bhīmavikramān of frightening prowess, tān rākṣasān those demons, dṛṣṭvā after seeing, kiñcit a little, tadanantaram behind, kharasya Khara's, rathaḥ chariot, api too, jagāma went.

Khara's chariot moved a bit behind the army of demons of frightening prowess who rushed forward to attack (Rama).
tatastāñchabalānaśvāstaptakāñcanabhūṣitān.

kharasya matimājñāya sārathissamacōdayat৷৷3.22.24৷৷


tataḥ thereafter, sārathiḥ charioteer, taptakāñcanabhūṣitān decorated with pure gold, śabalān colourful, tān them, aśvān horses, kharasya of Khara's, matim mind, ājñāya knowing, samacōdayat hastened.

Knowing the mind of Khara, the charioteer hastened the horses of the colourful chariot decorated with pure gold.
sa cōditō rathaśśīghraṅ kharasya ripughātinaḥ.

śabdēnāpūrayāmāsa diśaśca pradiśastadā৷৷3.22.25৷৷


tadā then, ripughātinaḥ killers of enemy, kharasya Khara's, śīghram speedily, cōditaḥ spurred, saḥ rathaḥ that chariot, diśaśca the four directions, pradiśaśca intermediate directions, śabdēna by the sound, āpūrayāmāsa filled.

Spurred by the charioteer, the chariot of Khara, the slayer of enemies, produced a rattle that filled all four quarters and the intermediate directions.
pravṛddhamanyustu kharaḥ kharasvanō ripōrvadhārthaṅ tvaritō yathāntakaḥ.

acūcudatsārathimunnadanghanaṅ mahābalō mēgha ivāśmavarṣavān৷৷3.22.26৷৷


pravṛddhamanyuḥ whose anger increased, kharasvanaḥ with harsh tone, kharaḥ Khara, ripōḥ enemy's, vadhārtham to kill, tvaritaḥ at quick pace, antakaḥ yathā like Yama, the god of death, aśmavarṣavān like hail stones, mahābalaḥ powerful, mēghaḥ iva like the cloud, ghanam heavy, unnadan sārathim roaring charioteer, acūcudat impelled him to drive.

Khara in extreme anger hastened, like Yama, to slay his enemy. He roared loudly like a cloud raining hail stones and impelled his charioteer to speed up.
ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālalmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē dvāviṅśassargaḥ৷৷
Thus ends the twentysecond sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.