Summary
Ravana sends Aksha, his own son, to fight against Hanuma. Aksha, along with his army elephants and horses, approach Hanuma and incites him to battle by discharging three sharp arrows. As Aksha discharges his arrows, Hanuma bounces quickly to the sky and smashes Aksha, his chariot and the horses with blows. After killing Aksha, Hanuma returns again to the same archy door-way.
Chapter [Sarga] 47 in Detail
senaa patiin panca sa tu pramaapitaan |
hanuumataa saanucaraan savaahanaan |
samiikshya raajaa samara uddhata unmukham |
kumaaram aksham prasamaikshata akshatam || 5-47-1
Hearing and sustaining that the five army-generals along with their followers and vehicles were disposed off by Hanuma, Ravana looked at Aksha, his son, violent in combat and who was inclined to fighting as well as sitting in front of him.
sa tasya drishti arpana sampracoditah |
prataapavaan kaancana citra kaarmukah |
samutpapaata atha sadasi udiirito |
dvijaati mukhyaih havishaa iva paavakah || 5-47-2
Goaded by the looks of Ravana, the energetic Aksha, wielding a golden dotted bow, quickly sprang up, like a fire switched up by the foremost of Brahmins in a sacrificial fire, by offering oblations to it.
tato mahat baala divaa kara prabham |
pratapta jaambuu nada jaala samtatam |
rathaam samaasthaaya yayau sa viiryavaan |
mahaaharim tam prati nairrita rishabhah || 5-47-3
Mounting a great chariot, having a splendor of a newly risen sun and overlaid with a protective amour of highly refined gold, that valiant chief of demons sallied forth towards that mighty monkey.
tatah tapah samgraha samcaya arjitam |
pratapta jaambuu nada jaala shobhitam |
pataakinam ratna vibhuushita dhvajam |
mano java ashta ashva varaih suyojitam || 5-47-4
Aksha's chariot was earned through many kinds of his penances. It was shining with a protective amour of highly refined gold, adorned with a flag on a flag-staff studded with gems and yoked well with eight excellent horses, having speed equal to that of a mind.
sura asura adhrishyam asamga caarinam |
ravi prabham vyoma caram samaahitam |
satuunam ashta asi nibaddha bandhuram |
yathaa krama aaveshita shakti tomaram || 5-47-5
That chariot was unassailable by celestials or demons. It moved without hindrance to any place. It shone like a sun and could move within the sky. It was well-conceived with a quiver, eight swords and tied with bells. It was orderly arranged with spears and lances in their respective places.
viraajamaanam pratipuurna vastunaa |
sahema daamnaa shashi suurya varvasaa |
divaa kara aabham ratham aasthitah tatah |
sa nirjagaama amara tulya vikramah || 5-47-6
Then, Aksha having a prowess equal to that of celestials, came forth, mounting that chariot decorated with golden wreaths, having a brilliance of moon and sun, filled with every right thing and shining like rays of sun.
sa puurayan kham ca mahiim ca saacalaam |
turamga matanga mahaaratha svanaih |
balaih sametaih sa hi torana sthitam |
samartham aasiinam upaagamat kapim || 5-47-7
Aksha, filling the sky earth and its mountains with sounds of horses’ elephants and chariots, together with his army, approached the efficient Hanuma the great monkey, standing at the archy door-way.
sa tam samaasaadya harim hari iikshano |
yuga anta kaala agnim iva prajaa kshaye |
avasthitam vismita jaata sambhramah |
samaikshata aksho bahu maana cakshushaa || 5-47-8
Approaching that Hanuma, standing there readily to destroy mortals, similar to a fire that is to destroy the world, the yellow-eyed Aksha was bewildered, born of a surprise and looked to him with a great esteem.
sa tasya vegam ca kapeh mahaatmanah |
paraakramam caarishu paarhtiva aatmajah |
vicaarayan kham ca balam mahaabalo |
hima kshaye suurya iva abhivardhate || 5-47-9
That Aksha, the mighty prince, assessing the swiftness of that high-souled Hanuma and his prowess with regard to his adversaries as also his own strength, increased his body more and more like the sun when the frost is faded away.
sa jaata manyuh prasamiikshya vikramam |
sthirah sthitah samyati durnivaaranam |
samaahita aatmaa hanumantam aahave |
pracodayaamaasa sharaih tribhih shitaih || 5-47-10
Understanding Hanuma's prowess [extraordinary ability] not to be captured and stable in battle, that Aksha, exhibiting anger initially, became stable and mentally composed and incited Hanuma to battle by discharging three sharp arrows towards him.
tatah kapim tam prasamiikshya garvitam |
jita shramam shatru paraajayoh jitam |
avaikshata akshah samudiirna maanasah |
sabaana paanih pragrihiita kaarmukah || 5-47-11
Recognizing that Hanuma, as a haughty monkey, after having gallantly conquered his adversaries and accustomed to fatigue, that Aksha, grasping the bow and arrows his hand, saw him with an excited mind.
sa hema nishka angada caaru kundalah |
samaasasaada aashu paraakramah kapim |
tayoh babhuuva apratimah samaagamah |
sura asuraanaam api sambhrama pradah || 5-47-12
Having a golden chain, a pair of armlets and charming ear-rings, Aksha of a swift prowess, approached Hanuma. Their unmatched get-together in combat became a baffle to even the celestials and demons.
raraasa bhuumih na tataapa bhaanumaan |
vavau na vaayuh pracacaala ca acalah |
kapeh kumaarasya ca viikshya samyugam |
nanaada ca dyauh udadhih ca cukshubhe || 5-47-13
Seeing that battle between Hanuma and Aksha, the earth thundered. The sun did not shine brightly. The wind ceased to blow. The mountain shook. The sky made a reverberant sound. The ocean too was agitated.
tatah sa viirah sumukhaan patatrinah |
suvarna punkhaan savishaan iva uragaan |
samaadhi samyoga vimoksha tattvavit |
sharaan atha triin kapi muurdhni apaatayat || 5-47-14
Then, that eminent demon, who correctly knew how to fix his gaze on the target, to fit an arrow to the bow and to discharge it, hurled on Hanuma's head, three arrows which were well-painted, having golden shafts and feathers and which resembled venomous serpents.
sa taih sharaih muurdhni samam nipaatitaih |
ksharann asrig digdha vivritta locanah |
nava udita aaditya nibhah shara amshumaan |
vyaraajata aaditya iva amshu maalikah || 5-47-15
Oozing the blood from his wound caused by those arrows descended into his head (by Aksha), looking like the newly risen sun, his eyes bathed in blood rolling rapidly, Hanuma shone brightly like the sun surrounded by a circle of rays, having the arrows as its rays.
tatah sa pinga adhipa mantri sattamah |
samiikshya tam raaja vara aatmajam rane |
udagra citra aayudha citra kaarmukam |
jaharsha ca aapuuryata ca aahava unmukhah || 5-47-16
Seeing in the battle that Aksha the prince, with his marvelous weapons and picturesque bow, that Hanuma the excellent one among Sugreeva's counselors, was rejoiced and with an inclination to fight, grew in size.
sa mandara agrastha iva amshu maalii |
vivriddha kopo bala viirya samyutah |
kumaaram aksham sabalam savaahanam |
dadaaha netra agni mariicibhih tadaa || 5-47-17
That Hanuma, endowed with strength and prowess, resembling the sun appearing on a peak of Mandara mountain and whose anger was increased, then burnt the prince Aksha along with his army and vehicles, by the rays of fire emanating from his eyes.
tatah sa baana aasana shakra kaarmukah |
shara pravarsho yudhi raakshasa ambudah |
sharaan mumoca aashu hari iishvara acale |
balaahako vrishtim iva acala uttame || 5-47-18
That demon in the form of a cloud, raining down arrows, and then wielding a bow in the form of a rain-bow, soon discharged arrows on Hanuma standing in the form of a mountain, like a cloud showering rain on a high mountain.
tatah kapih tam rana canda vikramam |
vivriddha tejo bala viirya saayakam |
kumaaram aksham prasamiikshya samyuge |
nanaada harshaat ghana tulya vikramah || 5-47-19
Seeing that Aksha the prince, possessing an impetuous valor, endowed with enhanced splendor strength and vigor with a capacity to move within the sky like a cloud, coming to the battle, Hanuma roared with joy.
sa baala bhaavaat yudhi viirya darpitah |
pravriddha manyuh kshataja upama iikshanah |
samaasasaada apratimam rane kapim |
gajo mahaakuupam iva aavritam trinaih || 5-47-20
Boastful of his valor in battle because of his childish attitude, Aksha wit an enhanced fury and red-blood eyes, approached Hanuma who was incomparable in battle, as an elephant approaching a well covered with heaps of straw.
sa tena baanaih prasabham nipaatitaih |
cakaara naadam ghana naada nihsvanah |
samutpapaata aashu nabhah sa maarutih |
bhuja uuru vikshepana ghora darshanah || 5-47-21
As Aksha forcefully discharged his arrows, Hanuma roared a sound of thunder and bounced quickly to the sky assuming a terrible sight, stretching out his arms and thighs.
samutpatantam samabhidravat balii |
sa raakshasaanaam pravarah prataapavaan |
rathii ratha shreshthatamah kiran sharaih |
payo dharah shailam iva ashma vrishtibhih || 5-47-22
That strong and valiant Aksha, the foremost among the demons, and the best among car warriors, went chasing Hanuma who was flying upwards, diffusing arrows like a cloud showering hail-stones on a mountain.
sa taan sharaan tasya vimokshayan kapih |
cacaara viirah pathi vaayu sevite |
shara antare maarutavat vinishpatan |
mano javah samyati canda vikramah || 5-47-23
That valiant Hanuma, whose swiftness was equal to the mind and possessing impetuous valor in battle, rushing forth like wind in the space between one arrow and another and thus escaping Aksha's arrows, moved in the path visited by wind (the sky).
tam aatta baana aasanam aahava unmukham |
kham aastrinantam vividhaih shara uttamaih |
avaikshata aksham bahu maana cakshushaa |
jagaama cintaam ca sa maaruta aatmajah || 5-47-24
With a respectful faculty of sight, Hanuma saw that Aksha who was wielding his bow and readily inclined to fight, covering the entire sky with excellent arrows with various types of tops and became thoughtful.
tatah sharaih bhinna bhuja antarah kapih |
kumaara varyena mahaatmanaa nadan |
mahaabhujah karma vishesha tattvavit |
vicintayaamaasa rane paraakramam || 5-47-25
Then, the mighty armed Hanuma, who knew how to act under particular circumstances, roaring when pierced in the breast with shafts by the high souled heroic, Aksha, reflected on the prowess of his adversary in battle.
abaalavat baala divaa kara prabhah |
karoti ayam karma mahan mahaabalah |
na ca asya sarva aahava karma shobhinah |
pramaapane me matih atra jaayate || 5-47-26
"The mighty Aksha, possessing the luster of a rising sun, is performing a great act, as a mature youth. My mind is not conceding here to kill him, who is distinguished in all acts of war-fare."
ayam mahaatmaa ca mahaan ca viiryatah |
samaahitah ca atisahah ca samyuge |
asamshayam karma guna udayaat ayam |
sanaaga yakshaih munibhih ca puujitah || 5-47-27
"He possesses a great intellect and is also prominent by his valour. He is well-composed and highly tolerant in battle. Due to his eminent deeds and virtues, he is undoubtedly adored by saints, Nagas the serpent-demons and Yakshas the semi-divine being."
paraakrama utsaaha vivriddha maanasah |
samiikshate maam pramukha aagatah sthitah |
paraakramo hi asya manaamsi kampayet |
sura asuraanaam api shiighra kaarinah || 5-47-28
"He is standing very much before me and looks me straight in the eyes, reassured as he is, by his prowess and enthusiasm. His swift-moving prowess trembles even the minds of celestials and demons."
na khalv ayam na abhibhavet upekshitah |
paraakramo hi asya rane vivardhate |
pramaapanam tu eva mama asya rocate |
na vardhamaano agnih upekshitum kshamah || 5-47-29
'If neglected, he would undoubtedly overpower me. His prowess is getting augmented in battle. The only option left out for me is to kill him now. It is not proper to neglect a spreading fire."
iti pravegam tu parasya tarkayan |
sva karma yogam ca vidhaaya viiryavaan |
cakaara vegam tu mahaabalah tadaa |
matim ca cakre asya vadhe mahaakapih || 5-47-30
The valiant and the mighty Hanuma, reflecting thus about the swiftness of the adversary [enemy] and determining his own course of action, then acquired a course of action, then acquired a momentum and also made up his mind to kill him.
sa tasya taan ashta hayaan mahaajavaan |
samaahitaan bhaara sahaan vivartane |
jaghaana viirah pathi vaayu sevite |
tala prahaalaih pavana aatmajah kapih || 5-47-31
That Hanuma, the heroic son of wind, killed using the blows of his palm, those eight horses possessing a great speed in the path of sky with alertness as also having a capacity to bear burden while turning to different directions.
tatah talena abhihato mahaarathah |
sa tasya pinga adhipa mantri nirjitah |
sa bhagna niidah parimukta kuubarah |
papaata bhuumau hata vaajih ambaraat || 5-47-32
Then, the great chariot of Aksha, thus struck by the palm and subdued by Hanuma the counselor of Sugreeva, had its interior broken, its carriage pole loosened and its horses dead and fallen from the sky to the ground.
sa tam parityajya mahaaratho ratham |
sakaarmukah khadga dharah kham utpatat |
tapo abhiyogaat rishih ugra viiryavaan |
vihaaya deham marutaam iva aalayam || 5-47-33
Leaving the chariot, wielding the bow and sword, that Aksha the chariot-warrior leapt to the sky. Having a terrible power of penance and leaving his body like a sage, he then was seen departing to heaven because of his Yogic penance.
tatah kapih tam vicarantam ambare |
patatri raajaa anila siddha sevite |
sametya tam maaruta vega vikramah |
kramena jagraaha ca paadayoh dridham || 5-47-34
Thereafter, Hanuma with his prowess equal to that of wind, approaching Aksha moving in the sky, which is often frequented by Garuda the eagle, the wind and Siddhas the ascetics endowed with supernatural powers, slowly grasped his feet firmly.
sa tam samaavidhya sahasrashah kapih |
mahaauragam grihya iva andaja iishvarah |
mumoca vegaat pitri tulya vikramo |
mahii tale samyati vaanara uttamah || 5-47-35
That Hanuma, with a prowess equal to that of wind-god, his father, and the excellent one among monkeys, spinning round Aksha like grasping a great serpent an eagle for a thousand times in the battle, hurled him down to the floor rapidly.
sa bhagna baahu uuru katii shiro dharah |
ksharann asrin nirmathita asthi locanah |
sa bhinna samdhih pravikiirna bandhano |
hatah kshitau vaayu sutena raakshasah || 5-47-36
With his arms, thighs, hips and neck broken, blood dripping, his bones and eyes crushed, his joints displaced and his sinews shattered, that demon was killed by Hanuma.
mahaakapih bhuumi tale nipiidya tam |
cakaara raksho adhipateh mahat bhayam |
maharshibhih cakra caraih mahaavrataih |
sametya bhuutaih ca sayaaksha pannagaih |
suraih ca sa indraih bhrisha jaata vismayaih |
hate kumaare sa kapih niriikshitah || 5-47-37
Hanuma, having crushed him on the ground, created a great fear to Ravana. Aksha, thus having been killed, Hanuma was gazed on with excessive astonishment by great sages who move everywhere without obstruction and having great vows as also by spirits Yakshas the semi-divine beings, Pannagas the serpent-demons and by celestials with Indra the lord of celestials.
nihatya tam vajra suta upama prabham |
kumaaram aksham kshataja upama iikshanam |
tat eva viiro abhijagaama toranam |
krita kshanah kaala iva prajaa kshaye || 5-47-38
Killing that Aksha, possessing a luster equal to that of Jayanta the son of Indra the lord of celestials and having his eyes resembling blood, the heroic Hanuma reached the same archy door way again, like Yama the lord of death expecting in a moment any mortal getting destroyed by him.
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye sundarakaande saptachatvaarimshah sargah
Thus completes 47th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate