३.२३.१
आश्रमं प्रति याते तु खरे खरपराक्रमे । तानेवौत्पातिकान्रामः सह भ्रात्रा ददर्श ह ॥
M N Dutt
When Khara of fierce prowess had come to the asylum Rāma in company with his brother saw all those evil prognostics.३.२३.२
तानुत्पातान्महाघोरानुत्थितान्रोमहर्षणान् । प्रजानामहितान्दृष्ट्वा वाक्यं लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥
M N Dutt
And beholding those dreadful portents, Rāma exceedingly distressed, apprehending some calamity to the Rākşasas, observed to Lakşmaņa.३.२३.३
इमान्पश्य महाबाहो सर्वभूतापहारिणः । समुत्थितान्महोत्पातान्संहर्तुं सर्वराक्षसान् ॥
M N Dutt
O mighty armed one, behold these great presages that have taken place, capable of annihilating all beings, and which have taken place, capable of annihilating all beings, and which have for their object the utter extermination of the Raksasas!३.२३.४
अमी रुधिरधारास्तु विसृजन्तः खरस्वनान् । व्योम्नि मेघा विवर्तन्ते परुषा गर्दभारुणाः ॥
M N Dutt
Yonder threatening clouds of asinine sable, showering down blood and uttering loud sounds are ranging the welkin.३.२३.५
सधूमाश्च शराः सर्वे मम युद्धाभिनन्दिनः । रुक्मपृष्ठानि चापानि विवेष्टन्ते च लक्ष्मण ॥
M N Dutt
And, O discerning one, rejoicing at the prospect of my fight, all these arrows emit smoke, and my bows plaited on the back with gold, are restless.३.२३.६
यादृशा इह कूजन्ति पक्षिणो वनचारिणः । अग्रतो नो भयं प्राप्तं संशयो जीवितस्य च ॥
M N Dutt
Meseems from the noise of the wild birds that impending on us is danger and uncertainty to life.३.२३.७
संप्रहारस्तु सुमहान्भविष्यति न संशयः । अयमाख्याति मे बाहुः स्फुरमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥
M N Dutt
Without doubt, there shall take place a mighty conflict. At this critical time, my arin shaking momentarily, betokens, O hero, victory to us, and defeat to the enemy. And your face appear pleasant with a delightful lustre.३.२३.८
संनिकर्षे तु नः शूर जयं शत्रोः पराजयम् । सुप्रभं च प्रसन्नं च तव वक्त्रं हि लक्ष्यते ॥
M N Dutt
Without doubt, there shall take place a mighty conflict. At this critical time, my arin shaking momentarily, betokens, O hero, victory to us, and defeat to the enemy. And your face appear pleasant with a delightful lustre.३.२३.९
उद्यतानां हि युद्धार्थं येषां भवति लक्ष्मणः । निष्प्रभं वदनं तेषां भवत्यायुः परिक्षयः ॥
M N Dutt
O Lakşmaņa, the pallid face of those that prepare for conflict, auger shortening of life.३.२३.१०
अनागतविधानं तु कर्तव्यं शुभमिच्छता । आपदं शङ्कमानेन पुरुषेण विपश्चिता ॥
M N Dutt
A considerate person that wishes for his welfare, apprehending peril, should prevent disaster ere it arrives.३.२३.११
तस्माद्गृहीत्वा वैदेहीं शरपाणिर्धनुर्धरः । गुहामाश्रयशैलस्य दुर्गां पादपसंकुलाम् ॥
M N Dutt
Therefore bearing arrows in your hand, and equipped with your bow, do you, taking Videha's daughter, take refuge in the mountain cavern, covered with trees and difficult of access.३.२३.१२
प्रतिकूलितुमिच्छामि न हि वाक्यमिदं त्वया । शापितो मम पादाभ्यां गम्यतां वत्स माचिरम् ॥
M N Dutt
That you should act contrary to my words, is what I do not wish. Swearing by my feet, go you without delay, my brother.३.२३.१३
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणः सह सीतया । शरानादाय चापं च गुहां दुर्गां समाश्रयत् ॥
M N Dutt
Thus accosted by Rama, Laksmana, taking arrows and a bow, took refuge in an inaccessible cave along with Sītā.३.२३.१४
तस्मिन्प्रविष्टे तु गुहां लक्ष्मणे सह सीतया । हन्त निर्युक्तमित्युक्त्वा रामः कवचमाविशत् ॥
M N Dutt
Thereupon, saying, Ah! we have spoken it sharp, Rāma put on his mail. And adorned with that mail resembling fire Rāma appeared in the dark like a mighty flame streaming up.३.२३.१६
स चापमुद्यम्य महच्छरानादाय वीर्यवान् । बभूवावस्थितस्तत्र ज्यास्वनैः पूरयन्दिशः ॥
M N Dutt
And uplifting his bow, and taking his arrows, that powerful one stood there, feeling all directions with the twangs of his bow-string.३.२३.१८
चतुर्दश सहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम् । एकश्च रामो धर्मात्मा कथं युद्धं भविष्यति ॥
M N Dutt
Having said this, they again spoke, eyeing one another, There are fourteen thousand of the Rākşasas of dreadful deed while the righteous Rāma is single. How can fight take place (between two such parties)?३.२३.२२
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ताः श्वापदा वनचारिणः । दुद्रुवुर्यत्र निःशब्दं पृष्ठतो नावलोकयन् ॥
M N Dutt
The universal uproar filled that (entire) forest. Scared and terrified at the hubbub the rangers of the wood fle: to quarters free from noise; nor did they cast their eyes backward.३.२३.२३
तत्त्वनीकं महावेगं रामं समुपसर्पत । घृतनानाप्रहरणं गम्भीरं सागरोपमम् ॥
M N Dutt
And that army resembling the ocean, and rife with sounds, equipped with various weapons, with furious speed came towards Rāma.३.२३.२४
रामोऽपि चारयंश्चक्षुः सर्वतो रणपण्डितः । ददर्श खरसैन्यं तद्युद्धाभिमुखमुद्यतम् ॥
M N Dutt
And Rāma also versed in warfare, casting his eyes around, found the forces of Khara ready for fight. Another text:-The holder of Pinaka.३.२३.२५
वितत्य च धनुर्भीमं तूण्याश्चोद्धृत्य सायकान् । क्रोधमाहारयत्तीव्रं वधार्थं सर्वरक्षसाम् ॥
M N Dutt
Then stretching his dreadful bow, and swiftly taking out shafts, (Rāma) for compassing the destruction of the entire body of the Rākşasas, waxed furiously enraged. And like to the flaming fire at the universal dissolution, he, growing wroth, was incapable of being looked i at.३.२३.२७
तस्य क्रुद्धस्य रूपं तु रामस्य ददृशे तदा । दक्षस्येव क्रतुं हन्तुमुद्यतस्य पिनाकिनः ॥
M N Dutt
And seeing him filled with energy, the sylvan deities were extremely pained*. And the aspect of the enraged Rāma appeared like that of the holder of Pināka, intent upon destroying Dakşa's sacrifice. Another reading is:-The sylvan deities fled away.
॥ इति रामायणम् — ३.२३ ॥