Summary
The combat of Jataayu and Ravana ensues now, as Ravana was adamantine to the righteous sermons of Jataayu. In combating with Ravana, Jataayu shatters Ravana's bows, arrows, and chariot and kills the mules of the chariot and plucks off the head of the charioteer with his beak. Further Jataayu attacks on the body of Ravana lacerating severally. Enraged at the bird-hits Ravana severs that eagle's wings, feet, and sides. Then seeing that fallen eagle Seetha weeps over, as if Jataayu is her own relative.
Chapter [Sarga] 51 in Detail
iti uktah krodha taamraakshah tapta kaa.ncana kundalah |
raakshasendro abhidudraava patagendram amarsanah || 3-51-1
When Ravana is spoken to by Jataayu with judicious words, Ravana's eyes reddened infuriately, and his burnished golden ear-knobs flickered injuriously, and that lord of demons dashed towards the lord of birds, intolerantly. [3-51-1]
sa samprahaarah tumulah tayoh tasmin mahaa mridhe |
babhuuva vaata uddhatayoh meghayoh gagane yathaa || 3-51-2
As with two gigantic clouds up-heaved by the tornadic gusts will be hard hitting each other tempestuously in sky, the combat between those two, Ravana and Jataayu became tempestuous in the sky. [3-51-2]
tat babhuuva adbhutam yuddham gridhra raaksasayoh tadaa |
sapaksayoh maalyavatoh mahaa parvatayoh iva || 3-51-3
As with a startling combat between two gigantic and winged mountains, called Mt. Maalyavanta-s, that combat between the eagle and demon then became a startling one. [3-51-3]
tato naaliika naaraacaih tiiksna agraih ca vikar.hnibhih |
abhyavarsat mahaaghoraih gridhra raajam mahaabalah || 3-51-4
Then the great-mighty Ravana incessantly stormed the lord of eagles Jataayu, with arrows that have excruciating and highly dreadful arrowheads, like tubular arrows, iron arrows, and with arrows that have crescentic [the figure of the moon at such a stage defined by a convex and a concave edge] arrowheads. [3-51-4]
sa taani shara jaalaani gridhrah patraratha iishvarah |
jataayuh pratijagraaha raavana astraani sa.nyuge || 3-51-5
That eagle Jataayu who is the lord of winged-chariots, namely birds, in turn sustained those arrays of Ravana's arrows in that combat. [3-51-5]
tasya tiiksna nakhaabhyaam tu caranaabhyaam mahaabalah |
cakaara bahudhaa gaatre vranaan pataga sattamah || 3-51-6
But that great-mighty Jataayu severally made gashes on the body of Ravana with his two feet that have gashing claws for that bird is with best stamina. [3-51-6]
atha krodhaat dashagriivah jagraaha dasha maarganaan |
mrityu danda nibhaan ghoraan shatror nidhana kaanksayaa || 3-51-7
Now the Decahedral demon Ravana infuriately took up ten deadly arrows that are similar in their shine to the Shafts of the Terminator, wishful of the elimination of his enemy. [3-51-7]
sa taih baanaih mahaaviiryah puurna muktaih ajihma gaih |
bibheda nishitaih tiiksnaih gridhram ghoraih shilii mukhaih || 3-51-8
That highly energetic Ravana released and impaled the eagle with straight shooting arrows on fully stretching the bowstring up to his ear, whose steel-pointed arrowheads are sharp, hurtful, and deadly. [3-51-8]
sa raaksasa rathe pashyan jaanakiim baaspa locanaam |
aci.ntayitvaa baanaam taan raaksasam samabhidravat || 3-51-9
That Jataayu on seeing teary-eyed Janaki in the chariot of the demon forcefully lunged towards that demon heedless of arrows that are lunging at him. [3-51-9]
tato asya sasharam caapam muktaa mani vibhuusitam |
caranaabhyaam mahaatejaa babha.nja patagottamah || 3-51-10
That unexcelled bird of high refulgence then shattered Ravana's bow which is decorated with pearls and gemstones, and on which an arrow is admitted targeting the eagle, just by the pair of his bare feet. [3-51-10]
tato anyat dhanuh aadaaya raavanah krodha muurcchitah |
vavarsa shara var.hsaani shatasho atha sahasrashah || 3-51-11
Ravana convulsed in anger then took up another bow and stormed hundreds and thousands of arrow storms. [3-51-11]
sharaih aavaaritah tasya sa.nyuge patageshvarah |
kulaayam abhisampraaptah pakshih iva babhau tadaa || 3-51-12
Nested in the arrows shot by Ravana that lordly bird Jataayu then shone forth in that combat like a bird that obtains a readymade nest. [3-51-12]
sa taani shara jaalaani pakshaabhyaam tu vidhuuya ha |
caranaabhyaam mahaatejaa babha.nja asya mahat dhanuh || 3-51-13
On winnowing those arrays of arrows with both of his wings, he that highly refulgent Jataayu shattered the mighty bow of Ravana with both of his feet. [3-51-13]
tat ca agni sadrisham diiptam raavanasya sharaavaram |
paksaabhyaam ca mahaatejaa vyadhunot patageshvarah || 3-51-14
That highly resplendent lord of birds also blasted off the armor of Ravana, which is glowing and flame like in its flare, with both of his feet. [3-51-14]
kaa.ncana urah chadaan divyaan pishaaca vadanaan kharaan |
taan ca asya java sampannaan jaghaana samare balii || 3-51-15
Mighty Jataayu also knocked off the ghost-faced mules yoked to the chariot of Ravana which are covered in golden armors and tantivy [at a gallop] in fastness. [3-51-15]
atha trivenu sa.mpannam kaamagam paavaka arcisam |
mani sopaana citra a.ngam babha.nja ca mahaaratham || 3-51-16
Then that great-chariot which is flourishing with three bamboos from chassis to yoke, and which traverses just by its steersman's wish, and which is crafted fantastically with gem-studded body and stairs, or, whose wheels are crafted with gold and gemstones, and which in its flare is like a Ritual-fire, Jataayu splintered down even that chariot of Ravana. [3-51-16]
puurna candra pratiikaasham chatram ca vyajanaih saha |
paatayaamaasa vegena graahibhii raakshasaih saha || 3-51-17
Jataayu swiftly collapsed the parasol of Ravana which in shine is mirroring the full moon, along with the regalia of white-royal-fur-fans, together with the demons handling them for fanning Ravana. [3-51-17]
saaratheh ca asya vegena tundena ca mahat shirah |
punah vyapaaharat shriimaan pakshiraajo mahaabalah || 3-51-18
Again that highly energetic and imposing king of birds pecked off the robust head of the charioteer of Ravana with beak. [3-51-18]
sa bhagna dhanvaa viratho hata ashvo hata saarathih |
a.nkena aadaaya vaidehiim papaata bhuvi raavanah || 3-51-19
Now Ravana who is with his devastated bow, devoid of chariot, dispatched are his horses and departed is his charioteer, and such as he is, he on grabbing Vaidehi by her torso, or, placing her on the lower end of his torso, jumped to earth. [3-51-19]
dristvaa nipatitam bhuumau raavanam bhagna vaahanam |
saadhu saadhu iti bhuutaani gridhra raajam apuujayan || 3-51-20
On seeing Ravana who is foundered onto earth from his crumbled vehicle, all beings like sylvan deities, Caarana-s, Siddha-s and suchlike, reverenced that lordly eagle Jataayu. [3-51-20]
parishraantam tu tam dristvaa jarayaa paksi yuuthapam |
utpapaata punar hristo maithiliim grihya raavanah || 3-51-21
But on seeing the commandant of birds Jataayu is fatigued owing to his senescence, Ravana is gladdened and he again rose up to skies taking Maithili. [3-51-21]
tam prahristam nidhaaya a.nke raavanam janaka aatmajaam |
gaccha.ntam khadga shesam ca pranasta hata saadhanam || 3-51-22
gridhra raajah samutpatya raavanam samabhidravat |
samaavaaryam mahaatejaa jataayuh idam abraviit || 3-51-23
The highly resplendent king of eagles Jataayu swiftly rose to sky dashing practically to forestall Ravana, which demon's assault devices are all demolished by now save for a single sword, but who is cheerful to spirit away the daughter of Janaka, and actually spiriting away holding her onto his flank, and Jataayu spoke this to such Ravana. [3-51-22, 23]
varja samsparsha baanasya bhaaryaam raamasya raavana |
alpa buddhe harasi enaam vadhaaya khalu raksasaam || 3-51-24
"You mean-minded Ravana, you abduct her whose husband wields arrows that touch off like the Thunderbolt of Indra, and this spite of yours is definitely for the destruction of all the demons. [3-51-24]
sa mitra bandhuh sa amaatyah sa balah sa paricchadah |
visa paanam pibasi etat pipaasita iva udakam || 3-51-25
"As one thirsty drink water, you drink venomous drink along with your friends, relatives, ministers, armies, and with your accomplices, as this abduction of Seetha itself is squirreling away dangerous poison. [3-51-25]
anubandham ajaana.ntah karmanaam avicaksanaah |
shiighram eva vinashyanti yathaa tvam vinashisyasi || 3-51-26
"As with the mindless adventurers quickly getting ruination for they undertake self-ruinous exploits, unknowing the backlashes thereof, so also you too will ruin that quickly with this mindless adventure. [3-51-26]
baddhah tvam kaala paashena kva gatah tasya moksyase |
vadhaaya badisham grihya sa amisam jalajo yathaa || 3-51-27
"You are tethered [fastened] for termination with the lasso of the Terminator, as with a fish that can go nowhere on its biting fishhook with a piece of flesh. How do you free yourself from that lasso of the terminator, even if you go anywhere? [3-51-27]
na hi jaatu duraadharsau kaakutsthau tava raavana |
dharsanam ca aashramasya asya ksamisyete tu raaghavau || 3-51-28
"But, oh Ravana, the unassailable Raghava-s of Kakutstha dynasty will nevermore condone your assailing this hermitage. [3-51-28]
yathaa tvayaa kritam karma bhiirunaa loka garhitam |
taskara aacarito maarhgo na esa viira nisevitah || 3-51-29
"Like a dastard you are committing a crime of thieving Seetha when none at home in the footsteps of thieves, this thieving is contemptible to society and condemnable by valiant ones. [3-51-29]
yudhyasva yadi shuuro asi muhuurtam tistha raavana |
shayisyase hato bhuumau yathaa bhraataa kharah tathaa || 3-51-30
"Stay for a moment, oh, Ravana, if you are valiant enough you can combat with Rama who will return right away, and at his hand you will be slain and sprawling on earth in the same way as Khara sprawled earlier. [3-50-23]
pareta kaale puruso yat karma pratipadyate |
vinaashaaya aatmano adharmyam pratipanno asi karma tat || 3-51-31
"A person undertakes such an unrighteous and fateful activity if only death looms large on him. You too have undertaken this unrighteous fateful activity only for your self-ruination. [3-51-31]
paapa anuba.ndho vai yasya karmanah ko nu tat pumaan |
kur.hviita loka adhipatih svaya.mbhuuh bhagavaan api || 3-51-32
"If sin is consequential to any given activity who will undertake it? Even if that person vies with the Self-Born God and Lord of the Universe, namely Brahma, will he undertake it?" Thus Jataayu advised Ravana. [3-51-32]
evam uktvaa shubham vaakyam jataayuh tasya raksasah |
nipapaata bhrisham pristhe dashagriivasya viiryavaan || 3-51-33
Even on speaking those commonsensical words to Ravana, Jataayu found him carrying off Seetha heedlessly, then that valorous Jataayu descended on the hind-side of that Decahedral demon Ravana, devastatingly. [3-51-33]
tam grihiitvaa nakhaih tiiksnaih vidadaara sama.ntatah |
adhiruudho gaja aaroho yathaa syaat dusta vaaranam || 3-51-34
On clasping Ravana with incisive claws Jataayu lacerated deeply and rampantly, as a mahout, an elephant-trainer-controller, sitting astride on it will try to control an uncontrollable elephant that is running amok with an incisive goad. [3-51-34]
vidadaara nakhaih asya tundam pristhe samarpayan |
keshaan ca utpaatayaamaasa nakha paksa mukha aayudhah || 3-51-35
Weaponed only with his claws, wings, and beak, Jataayu not only tore the back of Ravana asunder applying his beak and claws, but started to tweeze even his hair. [3-51-35]
sa tathaa gridhra raajena klishyamaano muhur muhuh |
amarsa sphurita osthah san praaka.mpata sa raaksasah || 3-51-36
His lips becoming intolerantly quivery when Ravana is exasperated by that king of eagles repetitiously, that demon staggered on to his right targeting the hovering eagle at his hind-side to fell it down. [3-51-36]
samparisvajya vaidehiim vaamena a.nkena raavanah |
talena abhijaghaana aarto jataayum krodha muurchitah || 3-51-37
Ravana who is aggrieved and convulsed in fury hit back Jataayu with his palm while firmly clutching Vaidehi onto his left flank. [3-51-37]
jataayuh tam atikramya tundena asya khaga adhipah |
vaama baahuun dasha tadaa vyapaaharat arindamah || 3-51-38
Jataayu, the lord of birds, being a vanquisher of enemies outstripped Ravana and ripped off ten left-arms of Ravana with his beak, with which left arms Ravana is clutching Vaidehi, in order to release her from his clutches. [3-51-38]
samcchinna baahoh sadyo vai baahavah sahasaa abhavan |
visa jvaalaavalii yuktaa valmiikat iva pannagaah || 3-51-39
Though his arms are mutilated thus, they instantaneously ricocheted from his body like snakes possessing a series of venomous blazes sprawling out from a snake pit. [3-51-39]
tatah kroddhaat dashagriivah siitaam utsrijya viiryavaan |
mustibhyaam caranaabhyaam ca gridhra raajam apothayat || 3-51-40
The valorous Decahedron Ravana then threw off Seetha, and out of fury he scuffled with the king of eagles with fisticuffs and kicks, by both his feet and fists. [3-51-40]
tato muhuurtam sa.ngraamo babhuuva atula viiryayoh |
raaksasaanaam ca mukhyasya paksinaam pravarasya ca || 3-51-41
Then there chanced an encounter for some time between those two valorous ones with mutually outweighing capabilities, namely the chieftain of demons and the chief of the birds. [3-51-41]
tasya vyaayacchamaanasya raamasya arthe atha raavanah |
paksau paadau ca paarshvau ca khadgam uddhritya so acchinat || 3-51-42
Ravana brandishing his sword at Jataayu, who is revolting for the sake of Rama, hewed off both of his wings, sides, and feet. [3-51-42]
sa chinna paksah sahasaa raksasaa raudra karmanaa |
nipapaata mahaa gridhro dharanyaam alpa jiivitah || 3-51-43
When that demon of cruel actions has ruptured his wings that colossal eagle Jataayu immediately fell down to earth with a lessened life. [3-51-43]
tam dristvaa patitam bhuumau ksataja aardram jataayusam |
abhyadhaavata vaidehii sva ba.ndhum iva duhkhitaa || 3-51-44
On seeing Jataayu fallen on earth and dampened with blood Vaidehi fell into a fit of weeping and ran towards him as if he is her own relative. [3-51-44]
tam niila jiimuuta nikaasha kalpam
supaandura uraskam udaara viiryam |
dadarsha la.nkaa adhipatih prithivyaam
jataayusam shaantam iva agni daavam || 3-51-45
Ravana, the monarch of Lanka, gazed at that worthily valorous Jataayu, who in his shine is like a blue-black cloud with a whitely white chest and who by now is like a quiescent fire-storm flattened onto ground. [3-51-45]
tatah tu tam patraratham mahii tale
nipaatitam raavana vega marditam |
punah ca sa.mgrihya shashi prabha aananaa
ruroda siitaa janaka aatmajaa tadaa || 3-51-43
But then Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, whose face vies with moonshine hugged eagle Jataayu, whom Ravana has subjugated with his forcefulness and felled down onto the surface of earth, and she wept over incessantly. [3-51-46]
iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye aranya kaande eka pa.ncaashah sargah
Thus, this is the 51st chapter in Aranya Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate