Summary
Rama explains to Lakshmana the various portents, he observes around him, that signal a destructive war fare. He orders for formation of battalions in the army and surges forth together with the battalions towards Lanka.
Chapter [Sarga] 23 in Detail
nimittaani nimittajjno dristvaa lakshmanapuurvajah |
saumitrim samparisvajya idam vacanambraviit || 6-21-1
Rama, who was well acquainted with portents, on seeing the portents around, embraced Lakshmana and spoke as follows:
parigrihyodakam shiitam vanaani phalavanti ca |
balau gham samvibhajyemam vyuuhya tisthema lakshmana || 6-21-2
“O, Lakshmana! Acquiring this region endowed with cold water and woods abounding in fruits, let us speedily divide this multitude of forces into battalions and drawing it up in battle array, we shall stand attentive."
lokakshayakaram bhiimam bhayam pashyaamyupasthitam |
prabarhanam praviiraanaamrikshavaanararakshasaam || 6-21-3
“I perceive an impending danger which will be terrific, causing destruction to the world, and torture to the eminent heroes among bears monkeys and demons."
vaataashca kalusaa vaanti kampate ca vasundharaa |
parvataagraani vepante patanti ca mahiiruhaah || 6-21-4
“Winds are blowing with dust and earth is trembling. Mountain- tops are quivering and trees are falling down."
meghaah kravyaadasamkaashaah parusaah parusasvanaah |
kruuraah kruuram pravarsanti mishram shonitabindubhih || 6-21-5
“Ferocious clouds resembling wild beasts were dirty colored and emit a terrific roaring and let loose dreadful showers mingled with drops of blood.”
raktacandanasamkaashaa samdhyaa paramadaarunaa |
jvalatah prapatatyetadaadityaadagnimandalam || 6-21-6
“Evening twilight resembling red sandal wood is very much dreadful. From the blazing sun, balls of fire fall.”
diinaa diinasvaraah kruuraah sarvato mrigapakshinah |
pratyaadityam vinardanti janayanto mahadbhayam || 6-21-7
“Wild animals and birds from all sides are roaring pitiably with melancholic sound, facing towards the sun in great fear.”
rajanyaamaprakaashastu samtaapayati candramaah |
krisnaraktaamshuparyanto lokakshaya ivoditah || 6-21-8
“The splendorous moon as though rising at the time of universal dissolution, invested with a black and red halo is tormenting the mind this night.”
hrasvo ruuksho.aprashastashca parivesastu lohitah |
aaditye vimale viilam lakshma lakshmana drishyate || 6-21-9
“O, Lakshmana! A dark stain appears on the cloudless solar disc, which is diminished, dreary, inauspicious and coppery.”
rajasaa mahataa caapi nakshatraani hataani ca |
yugaantamiva lokaanaam pashya shasanti lakshmana || 6-21-10
“O, Lakshmana! Look! Stars enveloped in enormous dust, appear to announce dissolution [death] of the world.”
kaakaah shyenaastathaa niicaa gridhraah paripatanti ca |
shivaashcaapyashubhaannaadaannadanti sumahaabhayaan || 6-21-11
“Crows, eagles and vultures are flying low. Jackals too are howling very dreadful and inauspicious sounds.”
shailaih shuulaishcha khadgaishca vimukaih kapiraakshasaih |
bhavisyatyaavritaa bhuumirmaamsashonitakardamaa || 6-21-12
“Earth will become a quagmire of flesh and blood, covered with rocks spears and swords hurled by monkeys and demons.”
kshipramadyaiva durdharsaam puriim raavanapaalitaam |
abhiyaama javenaiva sarvairharibhiraavritaah || 6-21-13
“Abounding with all the monkeys we shall attack the city ruled by Ravana, now itself at a quick pace.”
ityevamuktvaa dhanvii sa raamah samgraamadharsanah |
pratasthe purato raamo lankaamabhimukho vibhuh || 6-21-14
Rama the lord, the conqueror of enemies and a charming man thus speaking, wielded a bow and sallied forth in front, facing towards Lanka.
savibhiisanasugriivaah sarve te vaanararsabhaah |
pratasthire vinardanto dhritaanaam dvisataam vadhe || 6-21-15
All those excellent monkeys, together with Vibhishana and Sugreeva making roaring sounds surged forth for the destruction of the audacious enemies.
raaghavasya priyaartham tu sutaraam viiryashaalinaam |
hariinaam karmacestaabhistutosa raghunandanah || 6-21-16
Rama on his part was pleased by the act and gestures of those very strong monkeys, with their intention to gratify him.
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye yuddhakaande trayovimshah sargah
Thus completes 23rd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate