सुन्दर-काण्ड > रावणपुत्र अक्ष कुमार का वध



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.

सेना पतीन् पन्च स तु प्रमापितान् |
हनूमता सानुचरान् सवाहनान् |
समीक्ष्य राजा समर उद्धत उन्मुखम् |
कुमारम् अक्षम् प्रसमैक्षत अक्षतम् || ५-४७-१
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.
स तस्य दृष्टि अर्पण सम्प्रचोदितः |
प्रतापवान् कान्चन चित्र कार्मुकः |
समुत्पपात अथ सदसि उदीरितो |
द्विजाति मुख्यैः हविषा इव पावकः || ५-४७-२
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.
ततो महत् बाल दिवा कर प्रभम् |
प्रतप्त जाम्बू नद जाल सम्ततम् |
रथाम् समास्थाय ययौ स वीर्यवान् |
महाहरिम् तम् प्रति नैरृत ऋषभः || ५-४७-३
Mounting a great chariot, having a splendour of a newly risen sun and overlaid with a protective armour of highly refined gold, that valiant cheif of demons sallied forth towards that mighty monkey.
ततः तपः सम्ग्रह संचय अर्जितम् |
प्रतप्त जाम्बू नद जाल शोभितम् |
पताकिनम् रत्न विभूषित ध्वजम् |
मनो जव अष्ट अश्व वरैः सुयोजितम् || ५-४७-४
Aksha's chariot was earned through many kinds of his penances. It was shining with a protective armour 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.
सुर असुर अधृष्यम् असम्ग चारिणम् |
रवि प्रभम् व्योम चरम् समाहितम् |
सतूणम् अष्ट असि निबद्ध बन्धुरम् |
यथा क्रम आवेशित शक्ति तोमरम् || ५-४७-५
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.
विराजमानम् प्रतिपूर्ण वस्तुना |
सहेम दाम्ना शशि सूर्य वर्वसा |
दिवा कर आभम् रथम् आस्थितः ततः |
स निर्जगाम अमर तुल्य विक्रमः || ५-४७-६
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.
स पूरयन् खम् च महीम् च साचलाम् |
तुरम्ग मतन्ग महारथ स्वनैः |
बलैः समेतैः स हि तोरण स्थितम् |
समर्थम् आसीनम् उपागमत् कपिम् || ५-४७-७
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.
स तम् समासाद्य हरिम् हरि ईक्षणो |
युग अन्त काल अग्निम् इव प्रजा क्षये |
अवस्थितम् विस्मित जात सम्भ्रमः |
समैक्षत अक्षो बहु मान चक्षुषा || ५-४७-८
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.
स तस्य वेगम् च कपेः महात्मनः |
पराक्रमम् चारिषु पार्ह्तिव आत्मजः |
विचारयन् खम् च बलम् महाबलो |
हिम क्षये सूर्य इव अभिवर्धते || ५-४७-९
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.
स जात मन्युः प्रसमीक्ष्य विक्रमम् |
स्थिरः स्थितः सम्यति दुर्निवारणम् |
समाहित आत्मा हनुमन्तम् आहवे |
प्रचोदयामास शरैः त्रिभिः शितैः || ५-४७-१०
Understanding Hanuma's prowess to be unrestrainable 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.
ततः कपिम् तम् प्रसमीक्ष्य गर्वितम् |
जित श्रमम् शत्रु पराजयोः जितम् |
अवैक्षत अक्षः समुदीर्ण मानसः |
सबाण पाणिः प्रगृहीत कार्मुकः || ५-४७-११
Recognizing that Hanuma, as a haughty monkey, after having gallantly conquered his adversaries and accustomed to fatigue, that Aksha, graspign the bow and arrows his hand, saw him with an excited mind.
स हेम निष्क अन्गद चारु कुण्डलः |
समाससाद आशु पराक्रमः कपिम् |
तयोः बभूव अप्रतिमः समागमः |
सुर असुराणाम् अपि सम्भ्रम प्रदः || ५-४७-१२
Having a glden 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.
ररास भूमिः न तताप भानुमान् |
ववौ न वायुः प्रचचाल च अचलः |
कपेः कुमारस्य च वीक्ष्य सम्युगम् |
ननाद च द्यौः उदधिः च चुक्षुभे || ५-४७-१३
Seeing that battle between Hanuma and Aksha, the earth uproared. 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.
ततः स वीरः सुमुखान् पतत्रिणः |
सुवर्ण पुन्खान् सविषान् इव उरगान् |
समाधि सम्योग विमोक्ष तत्त्ववित् |
शरान् अथ त्रीन् कपि मूर्ध्नि अपातयत् || ५-४७-१४
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 serpants.
स तैः शरैः मूर्ध्नि समम् निपातितैः |
क्षरन्न् असृग् दिग्ध विवृत्त लोचनः |
नव उदित आदित्य निभः शर अंशुमान् |
व्यराजत आदित्य इव अंशु मालिकः || ५-४७-१५
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.
ततः स पिन्ग अधिप मन्त्रि सत्तमः |
समीक्ष्य तम् राज वर आत्मजम् रणे |
उदग्र चित्र आयुध चित्र कार्मुकम् |
जहर्ष च आपूर्यत च आहव उन्मुखः || ५-४७-१६
Seeing in the battle that Aksha the prince, with his marvellous weapons and picturesque bow, that Hanuma the excellent one among Sugree's counsellors, was rejoiced and with an inclination to fight, grew in size.
स मन्दर अग्रस्थ इव अंशु माली |
विवृद्ध कोपो बल वीर्य सम्युतः |
कुमारम् अक्षम् सबलम् सवाहनम् |
ददाह नेत्र अग्नि मरीचिभिः तदा || ५-४७-१७
That Hanuma, endowed with strength and prowess, resembling the sun appearing on a peak of Mandara muntain and whose anger was increased, then burnt the prince Aksha along with his army and vehicles, by the rays of fire emnating from his eyes.
ततः स बाण आसन शक्र कार्मुकः |
शर प्रवर्षो युधि राक्षस अम्बुदः |
शरान् मुमोच आशु हरि ईश्वर अचले |
बलाहको वृष्टिम् इव अचल उत्तमे || ५-४७-१८
That demon in the form of a cloud, raining down arrows, 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.
ततः कपिः तम् रण चण्ड विक्रमम् |
विवृद्ध तेजो बल वीर्य सायकम् |
कुमारम् अक्षम् प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्युगे |
ननाद हर्षात् घन तुल्य विक्रमः || ५-४७-१९
Seeing that Aksha the prince, possessing an impetuous valour, endowed with enhanced splendour strength and vigour with a capacity to move within the sky like a cloud, coming to the battle, Hanuma roared with joy.
स बाल भावात् युधि वीर्य दर्पितः |
प्रवृद्ध मन्युः क्षतज उपम ईक्षणः |
समाससाद अप्रतिमम् रणे कपिम् |
गजो महाकूपम् इव आवृतम् तृणैः || ५-४७-२०
Boastful of his valour 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.
स तेन बाणैः प्रसभम् निपातितैः |
चकार नादम् घन नाद निह्स्वनः |
समुत्पपात आशु नभः स मारुतिः |
भुज ऊरु विक्षेपण घोर दर्शनः || ५-४७-२१
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.
समुत्पतन्तम् समभिद्रवत् बली |
स राक्षसानाम् प्रवरः प्रतापवान् |
रथी रथ श्रेष्ठतमः किरन् शरैः |
पयो धरः शैलम् इव अश्म वृष्टिभिः || ५-४७-२२
That strong and valiant Aksha, the foremost among the demons, and the best among car warriors, went chasing Hanuma who was flying upwards, difusing arrows like a cloud showering hail-stones on a mountian.
स तान् शरान् तस्य विमोक्षयन् कपिः |
चचार वीरः पथि वायु सेविते |
शर अन्तरे मारुतवत् विनिष्पतन् |
मनो जवः सम्यति चण्ड विक्रमः || ५-४७-२३
That valiant Hanuma, whose swiftness was equal to the mind and possessing impetuous valour 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).
तम् आत्त बाण आसनम् आहव उन्मुखम् |
खम् आस्तृणन्तम् विविधैः शर उत्तमैः |
अवैक्षत अक्षम् बहु मान चक्षुषा |
जगाम चिन्ताम् च स मारुत आत्मजः || ५-४७-२४
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 thoughful.
ततः शरैः भिन्न भुज अन्तरः कपिः |
कुमार वर्येण महात्मना नदन् |
महाभुजः कर्म विशेष तत्त्ववित् |
विचिन्तयामास रणे पराक्रमम् || ५-४७-२५
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.
अबालवत् बाल दिवा कर प्रभः |
करोति अयम् कर्म महन् महाबलः |
न च अस्य सर्व आहव कर्म शोभिनः |
प्रमापणे मे मतिः अत्र जायते || ५-४७-२६
"The mighty Aksha, possessing the lustre 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."
अयम् महात्मा च महान् च वीर्यतः |
समाहितः च अतिसहः च सम्युगे |
असंशयम् कर्म गुण उदयात् अयम् |
सनाग यक्षैः मुनिभिः च पूजितः || ५-४७-२७
"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-dviine being."
पराक्रम उत्साह विवृद्ध मानसः |
समीक्षते माम् प्रमुख आगतः स्थितः |
पराक्रमो हि अस्य मनांसि कम्पयेत् |
सुर असुराणाम् अपि शीघ्र कारिणः || ५-४७-२८
"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."
न खल्व् अयम् न अभिभवेत् उपेक्षितः |
पराक्रमो हि अस्य रणे विवर्धते |
प्रमापणम् तु एव मम अस्य रोचते |
न वर्धमानो अग्निः उपेक्षितुम् क्षमः || ५-४७-२९
'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 spreadin fire."
इति प्रवेगम् तु परस्य तर्कयन् |
स्व कर्म योगम् च विधाय वीर्यवान् |
चकार वेगम् तु महाबलः तदा |
मतिम् च चक्रे अस्य वधे महाकपिः || ५-४७-३०
The valiant and te mighty Hanuma, reflecting thus about the swiftness of the adersary and determining his own couse of action, then acquired a course of action, then acquired a momentum and also made up his mind to kill him.
स तस्य तान् अष्ट हयान् महाजवान् |
समाहितान् भार सहान् विवर्तने |
जघान वीरः पथि वायु सेविते |
तल प्रहालैः पवन आत्मजः कपिः || ५-४७-३१
That Hanuma, the heroic son of wind, killed using the blows of his palm, those eight horses posessing a great speed in the path of sky with alertness as also having a capacity to bear burden while turning to different directions.
ततः तलेन अभिहतो महारथः |
स तस्य पिन्ग अधिप मन्त्रि निर्जितः |
स भग्न नीडः परिमुक्त कूबरः |
पपात भूमौ हत वाजिः अम्बरात् || ५-४७-३२
Then, the great chariot of Aksha, thus struck by the palm and subdued by Hanuma the counsellor of Sugreeva, had its interior broken, its carriage pole loosened and its horses dead and fallen from the sky to the ground.
स तम् परित्यज्य महारथो रथम् |
सकार्मुकः खड्ग धरः खम् उत्पतत् |
तपो अभियोगात् ऋषिः उग्र वीर्यवान् |
विहाय देहम् मरुताम् इव आलयम् || ५-४७-३३
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.
ततः कपिः तम् विचरन्तम् अम्बरे |
पतत्रि राजा अनिल सिद्ध सेविते |
समेत्य तम् मारुत वेग विक्रमः |
क्रमेण जग्राह च पादयोः दृढम् || ५-४७-३४
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.
स तम् समाविध्य सहस्रशः कपिः |
महाउरगम् गृह्य इव अण्डज ईश्वरः |
मुमोच वेगात् पितृ तुल्य विक्रमो |
मही तले सम्यति वानर उत्तमः || ५-४७-३५
That Hanuma, with a prowess equal to that of wind-god, his father, and the excellent one among monkeys, spigning round Aksha like grasping a great serpent an eagle for a thousand times in the battle, hurled him down to the floor rapidly.
स भग्न बाहु ऊरु कटी शिरो धरः |
क्षरन्न् असृन् निर्मथित अस्थि लोचनः |
स भिन्न संधिः प्रविकीर्ण बन्धनो |
हतः क्षितौ वायु सुतेन राक्षसः || ५-४७-३६
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.
महाकपिः भूमि तले निपीड्य तम् |
चकार रक्षो अधिपतेः महत् भयम् |
महर्षिभिः चक्र चरैः महाव्रतैः |
समेत्य भूतैः च सयाक्ष पन्नगैः |
सुरैः च स इन्द्रैः भृश जात विस्मयैः |
हते कुमारे स कपिः निरीक्षितः || ५-४७-३७
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 voes as also by spirits Yakshas the semidivine beings, Pannagas the serpent-demons and by celestials with Indra the lord of celestials.
निहत्य तम् वज्र सुत उपम प्रभम् |
कुमारम् अक्षम् क्षतज उपम ईक्षणम् |
तत् एव वीरो अभिजगाम तोरणम् |
कृत क्षणः काल इव प्रजा क्षये || ५-४७-३८
Killing that Aksha, possessing a lustre 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.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे सप्तचत्वारिंशः सर्गः