1. tataH= then; tadaa= and there; sukruuram= a very cruel; sumahat= and a very great; dvairatham= chariot-duel; yuddham= in battle; sarva loka bhayaavaham= which was frightful to all the worlds; pravR^ittam= occurred; raama raavaNayoH= between Rama and Ravana.

2. tataH= then; raakShasa sainyam cha= the army of demons; mahatt balamcha= and the huge army; hariiNaam= of monkeys; pragR^ihiita praharaNam= having taken hold fast of their weapons; samavartata= stood; nishcheShTam= motionless.

3. vyaakShipitahR^idayaH= having their hearts captivated; dR^iShTvaa= in seeing; tau= those two warriors; nara raakShasau= a human being and a demon; balavat= both in full strength; samprayuddhau= engaged in a fight; sarve= all for their part; aagataaH= experienced; param= a great; vismayam= wonder.

4. naanaapraharaNaiH vyagraiH bhujaiH= having their hands occupied with various kinds of weapons; te sarve= all those warriors; tasthuH vismita buddhayaH= stood amazed in mind; prekShya= in beholding (the duel); na abhijagmuH= they did not go for war; parasparam= on each other.

5. rakShasaam= the demons; vismitaakShaaNaam= with their eyes in amazement; pashyataam= beholding; raavaNam= Ravana; sainyam vaanaraaNaam cha= and the army of demons; raaghavam= (seeing) Rama; aababhau= appeared; chitramiva= as though they were paintings.

6. kR^ita buddhii= having made up their minds; sthiraamarShau= and firm in their anger; tau tu= those two warriors for their part; raaghava raavaNau= Rama and Ravana; yuyudhaate= fought; abhiitavat= fearlessly; dR^iShTvaa= on seeing; nimittaani= the portents; tatra= there (in the battle).

7. kaakutsthaH= Rama; jetavyam iti= who was convinced that he was going to win; raavaNaH= and Ravana; dhR^itau martavyam iti= who was firmly persuaded that he would die; tadaa= then; adarshayataam= demonstrated svaviirya sarvasvam= the entire wealth of their prowess; yuddhe= in that battle.

8. tataH= thereupon; viiryavaan= the valiant; dashagriivaH= Ravana; samdhaaya= fitting; sharaan= his arrows; krodhaat= with anger; mumocha= released (them); uddishya= directing; dhvajam= towards the flag-staff; sthitam= fixed; rathe= on the chariot; raaghavasya= of Rama.

9. anaasaadya= without even reaching; tam= that; purandara rathadhvajam= standard of Indra's chariot; te= those; sharaaH= arrows; paraamR^ishya= on touching; rathashaktim= the staff which supported the banner of the chariot; nipetuH= fell; dharaNiitale= on the ground.

10. tataH= thereafter; viiryavaan= the valiant; ramo.api= Rama too; samkruddhaH= in great anger; aakR^iShya= stretching; chaapam= his bow; samprachakrame= proceeded; manasaa= with his mind; kartum kR^ita pratikR^itam= to return blow for blow.

11. mumocha= (Rama) released; nishitam= a sharp; sharam= arrow; mahaasarpamiva= looking like a huge serpent; asahyam= which was unbearable; jvalantam iva= as though blazing; svena tejasaa= with its own splendour; uddishya= directing towards; raavaNa dhvajam= Ravana's flag-staff.

12. tejasvii= the brilliant; raamaH= Rama; chikShepa= released; saayakam= the arrow; uddishya= directing towards; ketum= the flag-staff; saH sharaH= that arrow; chhittvaa= having torn asunder; dashagriiva dhvajam= Ravana's flag-staff; jagaama= went; mahiim= towards the earth.

13, 14. saH= that; raavaNasyandana dhwajaH= standard mounted on Ravana's chariot; nikR^ittaH= having been torn off; apatat= fell; bhuumau= on the ground; dR^iShTvaa= seeing; unmathanam= the thrown-down piece; dhvajasya= of his flag-staff; saH mahaabalaH= that mighty; raavaNaH= Ravana; abhavat= appeared; prahasanniva= as though he was laughing; amarShaat= with intolerance; sampradiiptaH= flaming up; krodhaat= with anger; vavarSha ha= (he) showered; sharavarSham= a stream of arrows; aapannaH= afflicted as he was; roShavasham= with the power of wrath.

15. raavaNaH= Ravana; vivyaadha= struck; raamasya turagaan= Rama's horses; diiptaiH sharaiH= with blazing arrows; te= those; divyaaH= divine; turagaaH= horses; naaskhalan= were neither shaken; na babhramuH= nor stumbled; tatra= there; babhuuvuH= (They) were; svastha hR^idayaaH= healthy at heart; aahataaH iva= and felt as though they were struck; padmanaalaiH= with lotus-stalks.

16. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; teShaam= those; vaajinaam= horses; asambhramam= unstumbled; raavaNaH= Ravana; tadaa= then; bhuuyaH= was very much; susamkruddhaH= enraged; muocha ha= and released; shara varSham= showers of arrows.

17. (He also hurled) gadaashcha= maces; parighaamshcha= iron bludgeous; chakraaNi= discs; musalaani= iron clubs; girishR^iNgaaNi= mountain-tops; vR^iskShaaNi= trees; tathaa= and; shuulaparishvadhaan= spikes and axes.

18. ashraanta hR^idayodyamaH= unwearied in heart and in effort; tadaa= (Ravana) then; apaayat= employed; shastra varSham= streams of missiles; etat maaya vihitam= created out of his magic; sahasrashaH= and thousands of; baaNaan= arrows.

19. yuddhe= in that battle; mahat= abundant; varSham= rain; tat naikashastramayam= of those many missiles; tumulam= which were tumultuous; traasajananam= generating fear; bhiimam= terrific; bhiima pratisvanam= attended with a terrible echo; abhavat= descended.

20. vimuchya= leaving alone; raaghava ratham= Rama's chariot; saayakaiH= (he released) arrows; vaanare bale= on the army of monkeys; samantaat= on all sides sunirantaram chakaara= wholly covering; antarikSham= the sky.

21, 22. dashagriivaH= Ravana; mumocha= released (arrows); antaraatmanaa= with a mind; niH saN^gena= which had given up all hope of survival; dR^iShTvaa= seeing; tam raavaNam= that Ravana; raNe tatparam= who was interested in battle; vyaayachachhamaanam= putting forth his great effort; kaakutsthaH= Rama; samdadhe= fitted; nishitaan sharaan= sharp arrows to his bow; prahasanniva= as though laughing; tataH= and thereupon; saH= he; mumocha= loosed; baaNaan= the arrows; shatashaH= in hundreds; sahasrashaH= and thousands.

23-24.dR^iShTvaa= seeing; taan= those; taan= arrows; raavaNaH= Ravana; chakre nirantaram= completely covered; kham= the sky; svasharaiH= with his own arrows; bhaasvataa sharavarSheNa= due to that dazzling shower of arrows; niyuktena= employed; tadaa= then; taabhyaam= by the two warriors; bhaasvat= the shining; ambaram= sky; aabhaati dvitiiyam iva= looked like a second sky; sharabaddham= built with arrows.

25. raama raavaNayoH= while Rama and Ravana; visR^ijatoH= were discharging; baaNaan= the arrows; tathaa= thus; mR^idhe= in the battle; na baaNaH abhavat= no arrow was; animittaH= without a target; na anirbhettaa= nor one which failed to pierce its target; na niShphalaH= nor gone in vain; abhisamhatya= colliding; anyonyam= with each other; nipetuH= (they) fell; dharaNiitale= on the earth's surface.

26. asyantau= releasing the arrows; savya dakShiNam= left and right; avichchhinnam= continually; praayudhyaitaam= they fought (at each other); ghoraiH sharaiH= with their terrific arrows; chakratuH cha= they made; ambaram= the sky; niruchchhvaasamiva= bereft of even a breathing space.

27. raamaH= Rama; raavaNasa hayaan= (struck) Ravana's horses; raavaNaH= Ravana; raamasya hayaan= (struck) Rama's horses; tau= both the warriors; tadaa= then; jaghnatuH= struck at; anyonyam= each other; kR^itaanukR^ita kaariNau= doing anything before and after.

28. susamkruddhau tau= those two extremely enraged warriors; evam= in this way; chakratuH= carried out; uttamam= an excellent; yuddham= battle; tumulam= a tumultuous; yuddham= battle; abhavat= occured; muhuurtam= for an hour or so; romaharShaNam= causing the hair to stand erect.

29. mahaa balau= the mighty; raavaNa lakShma Naagrajau= Ravana and Rama; prayudhyamaanau= carried out the fight well; shitaiH= with sharp; sharaiH= arrows; samare= in the battle-field; saH raakShasaadhipaH=that Ravana; tadaa= at that time; bhR^isham prachukrodha= was very much enraged; raghuuttame= with Rama; dhvajaa vapaatena= as his flag-staff was thrown down.

30. sarva bhuutaani= all the created beings; dadR^ishuH= gazed; vismitena antaraatmanaa= with an astonished mind; raama raavaNau= on Rama and Ravana; tathaa= who were thus; yudhyamaanau= fighting; samare= in the battle-field.

31. abhikruddhau= furiously; ardayantau= attacking; parasparam= each other; (in the battle-field); tayoH syandanottamau= those excellent chariots of the two warriors; abhidrutau= ran towards; parasparam= each other.

32. yuktau= intent on; paraspara vadhe= destroying each other; (those chariots);darshayantau= displaying; bahuvidhaam gatim= various types of movements; maN^Dalaani= (such as) moving in circles; viithiishcha= moving straight; gata pratyaagataani= and darting forward as also receding forthwith; suutasaamarthyajaam= created from the capabilities of the charioteers; babhuuvatuH- assumed; ghoraruupaa= a terrible aspect.

33. raamaH= Rama; ardayan= wounding; raavaNam= Ravana; raavaNaH chaapi= and Ravana too; raaghavam= (wounding) Rama; (both of them); samaapannau= had recourse to; gativegam= speed in movement; prativega pravartane= in their forward and backward motion.

34. syandanottamaiH= those excellent chariot; kShipatoH= casting; sharajaalaami= streams of arrows; cheratuH= strolled; samyugamahiim= in the battle-field; jalaan iva= like two clouds; saasaarau= pouring showers.

35. darshayitvaa= showing; bahuvidhaam= various kinds; gatim= of movement; raNe= in the battle-field; tau= those chariots; tadaa= then; punareva= again; tasthatuH= stood; abhimukhau= facing; parasparasya= each other.

36. dhuram= the shafts; rathayoH= of the two chariots; sthitayoH= even as they stood; tadaa= at that moment; samiiyuH= met; dhureNa= (one) with the other shaft; vaktram= the muzzle; vaktreNa vaajinaam= of the horses (met) the one with the other; pataakaaH= and the flags; pataakaabhiH cha= met the one with the other flags.

37. tataH= then; raamaH= Rama; chaturbhiH shitaiH sharaiH= with his four sharp arrows; dhanurmuktaiH= discharged from his bow; pratya pasarpayat= drove back; chaturaH= the four; diiptaan= splendid; hayaan= horses; raavaNasya= of Ravana.

38. saH dashaananaH= that Ravana; aapannaH krodha vasham= falling a prey to anger; apasarpaNe= for retreating; hayaanaam= his horses; mumocha= discharged; nishitaan sharaan= sharp arrows; raaghavaaya= on Rama.

39. raaghavaH= Rama; atividdhaH= severely struck; balavataa dashagriiveNa= by the mighty Ravana; na jagaama= did not get; vikaaram= upset; na abhavat= nor was vyathitaH cha api= even tottered.

40. uddishya= directing towards; saarathim= the charioteer; vajrahastasya= of Indra; dashagriivaH= Ravana; punaH= again; chikShepa= hurled; baaNaan= arrows; vajrapaata sama svanaan= with a sound similar to that of a thunder-bolt.

41. sharaaH= arrows; mahaavegaaH= of great speed; patitaaH= fallen; maataleH shariire= on Matali's body; na pradaduH= did not cause; susuukShmam api= even a pretty little; sammoham= of bewilderment; vyathaam vaa= or hurt (on him); yudhi= in the battle.

42. raaghavaH= Rama; kruddhaH= was enraged; tayaa dharShaNayaa= at that daring; attack; maataleH= on Matali; na= not; tathaa= in the same way; aatmanaH= (at an attack) on himself; chakaare= (He) made; ripum= the enemy; vimukham= turn away; sharajaalena= by his net work of arrows (on him).

43. viiraH= the valiant; raaghavaH= Rama; mumocha= discharged; vishatim= twenty; trimshatim= thirty; ShaSTim= sixty; atha= and; shatashaH= hundreds; sahasrashaH= and thousands; saayakaan= of arrows; ripoH syandane= on the enemy's chariot.

44. tataH= thereupon; raavaNaH.api= even Ravana; kruddhaH raakShaseshvaraH= the enraged king of demons; rathasthaH= who was seated in the chariot; pratyardayat= tormented; raamam= Rama; gadaamusala varSheNa= by showering maces and mallets (on him); raNe= in the battle.

45-46. yuddham= the battle; punaH= again; tatprayuktam= started by them; tumulam= was tumultuous; roma harShaNam= causing one's hair to stand erect; niH svanaiH= with the sounds; gadaanaam= of maces; musalaanaamcha= mallets; parishaaNaam cha= and iron rods; puNkhavaataishcha sharaaNaam= and with the gusts raised; sapta saagaraaH= the seven ocean; kShubhitaaH= became agitated.

47. sahasrashaH= thousands of; sarve= all; daanavaaH= the demons; pannagaashcha= and serpents; paataala vaasinaH= inhabiting in the nethermost subterranean region; kShubdhaanaam saagaraaNaam= of the agitated oceans; vyathitaaH= felt disturbed.

48. kR^isnaa= the entire; medinii= earth; sa shailavanakaananaa= including mountains, groves and forests; chakampe= trembled; bhaaskarashcha= the sun too; aasiit= became; niShprabha= gloomy; maarutashchaapi= even the wind too; na vavau= did not blow.

49. tataH= then; devaaH= the gods; sagandharvaaH= along with Gandharvas the celestial musicians; siddhaascha= Siddhas the semi-divine beings; paramarShayaH= great sages; sarve= and all; sakimnaramahoragaaH= including kinnaras the mythical beings and great serpents aapedire= obtained; chintaam= anxiety.

50-51. tadaa= at that time; te devaaH= those gods; sarShigaNaaH= along with troops of sages; japantaH= saying; evam= thus; svasti astu= "May all be well; gobraahmaNebhyaH= with the cows and Brahmanas; lokaaH= May all the worlds; tiShThantu= endure; shaashvataaH= forever; raaghavaH= May Rama; jayataam= conquer; raavaNam= Ravana!" apashyan= saw; ghoram= a terrific; yuddham= battle; raamaraavaNayoH= between Rama and Ravana; romaharShaNam= which caused one's hair to stand on end.

52-53. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; anuupamam= that matchless; yuddham= struggle; gaganaakaaram= (and observing) that the sky is its own compeer; saagaraH= and the ocena; saagaropamaH= is its own analogue; raama raavaNayoH yuddham= the battle between Rama and Ravana; raama raavaNayoH iva= can be likened only to the battle between Rama and Ravana; gandharva apsarasaam= the hosts of Gandharvas the celestial musicians and Apsaras, the heavenly nymphs; dadR^ishuH= looked on; tat yuddham= that battle; raama raavaNaam= between Rama and Ravana.

54-55. tataH= thereupon; raamaH= Rama; mahaabaahuH= the great-armed; kiirtivardhanaH= and who augmented the fame; raaghuuNaam= of the kings born in Raghu dynasty; krodhaat= with anger; samdhaaya= stretching; aashiiviShopamam= the serpent-like; sharam= arrow; dhanuShaa= with his bow; achchhindat= chopped off; raavaNasya= shiraH= the head of Ravana; jvalita kuN^Dalam= which was graced with blazing ear-rings; tadaa= then; tat= that; shriimat= glorious; shiraH= head; dR^iShTam= was seen; patitam= fallen; bhuumau= on the ground; tribhiH lokaiH= by the three worlds.

56. anyat= another; shiraH= head; sadR^isham= similar; tasyaiva= exactl to that head; utthitam= cropped up; raavaNasya= (on the shoulders) of Ravana; tat= that (second head); kShiptam= was chopped off; raameNa= by Rama kShiprahatena= having swift hand; kShiprakaariNaa= and who performs his act swiftly.

57. dvitiiyam= that second; raavaNaH shiraH= head of Ravana; chhinnam= was cut off; saayakaiH= by arrows; samyati= in the battle; tat shiirSham chhinnamaatram= soon after that head was chopped off; punareva= (it) again; dR^ishyate= rose into view.

58. tadapi= that head too; chhinnam= was chopped off; raama saayakaiH= by Rama's arrows; ashanisamkaashaiH= which were looking like thunder-bolt; evemeva= in the same way; shatam= a hundred; shirasaam= of heads; tulyavarchasaam= of equal splendour; chhinnam= were chopped off.

59. na antaH chaiva= yet no certainty; jiivita kShaye= about the death raavaNasya= of Ravana; dR^ishgate= could be seen; tataH= then; viiraH= the valiant; raamaH= Rama; kausalyaanandavardhanaH= the augmentor of the joy of Kausalya yuktaH= and endowed with; bahubhiH baaNaiH= many arrows; sarva astravit= and the knower of all missiles; chintayaamaasa= became thoughtful (said to himself as follows:)

60-61. kim= what; tat kaaraNam= is that reason te ime saayakaaH= these arrows; yaiH= by which maariichaH= Mareecha; nihataH= was killed; yaiH= by which; kharaH= Khara; saduuShaNaH= along with Dushana; kabandhaH= kabandha; krounchavane= in Krouncha forest; viraadhuH tu= Viradha; daN^Dakaavane= in the forest of Dandaka (were killed); yaiH= by which; saalaaH= Sala trees; girayaH= and mountains; bhagnaaH= were broken; vaaliicha= Vali too was killed; ambudhiH= the ocean; kShubhitaH= was skaken up; sarve= all these arrows; praatyayikaaH= kShubhitaH= was shaken up; sarve= all these arrows; praatyayikaaH= which provided immediate help; mama= to me; yuddhe= in battle; manda tejasaH= have proved of little efficacy; raavane= in the case of Ravana.

62. iti= thus; chintaaparaH= absorbed in thought; raaghavaH= Rama; aasiit= remained; apramattashcha= vigilant; samyuge= in the battle-filed; vavarSha= (He) showered; sharavarShaaNi= streams of arrows; raavaNorasi= in Ravana's chest.

63. tataH= thereupon; raavaNaH.api= even Ravana; kruddhaH raakShaseshvaraH= the enraged king of demons; rathasthaH= who was seated in the chariot; pratyardayat= tormented; raamam= Rama; gadaa musale varSheNa= by showeing maces and mallets (on him); raNe= in the combat.

64. tat= that; mahat= great; tumulam= tumultuous; yuddham= battle; romaharShaNam= which caused one's hair to stand on end; pravR^ittam= took place; antarikShe cha= in the sky; bhuumau cha= on the ground; punashcha= and furthermore; girimuurdhani= on the mountain.

65. devadaanava yakShaaNaam= (while) the gods, the demons, Yakshas the supernatural beings pishaachoragarakShasaam= the devils, the serpents and the ogres; pashyataam= were witnessing; tat= that; mahaayuddham= great battle; avartata= occurred; saptaraatram= for seven days.

66. na viraamam= there was no respite; raatrim upagachchhati= occurred in the night; na= nor; divasam= in the day; na= nor; muhuurtam= for an hour; na kShaNan= nor for an instant; yuddhan= in the battle; raama raavaNayoH= between Rama and Ravana.

67. anavekSya= not beholding; dasharathasuta raakShasendrayoH= between Rama and Ravana; saH= that; mahaatmaa= great souled; suravarasaarathiH= Matali the charioteer of Indra; aashu= quickly; uvaacha= spoke; vaakyam= the following words; raNarataraamam= to Rama, who was still engaged in fighting.