Hanuman and Prince Aksha

सेनापतीन् पञ्च स तु प्रमापितान्

senāpatīn pañca sa tu pramāpitān

Hearing that his five commanders had been killed,

हनूमता सानुचरान् सवाहनान् ।

hanūmatā sānucarān savāhanān |

together with their followers and vehicles, by Hanuman,

निशम्य राजा समरोद्धतोन्मुखं

niśamya rājā samaroddhatonmukhaṃ

the king turned his eyes towards Prince Aksha,

कुमारमक्षं प्रसमैक्षताक्षम् ॥

kumāramakṣaṃ prasamaikṣatākṣam ||

whose spirit was eager for battle.

स तस्य दृष्ट्यर्पणसम्प्रचोदितः

sa tasya dṛṣṭyarpaṇasampracoditaḥ

Prompted by that look from his father,

प्रतापवान् काञ्चनचित्रकार्मुकः ।

pratāpavān kāñcanacitrakārmukaḥ |

the splendid prince, bearing a gold-decorated bow,

समुत्पपाताथ सदस्युदीरितो

samutpapātātha sadasyudīrito

sprang up in the assembly when called upon,

द्विजातिमुख्यैर्हविषेव पावकः ॥

dvijātimukhyairhaviṣeva pāvakaḥ ||

like fire rising at an offering made by leading priests.

ततो महान् बालदिवाकरप्रभं

tato mahān bāladivākaraprabhaṃ

Then that mighty foremost rakshasa

प्रतप्तजाम्बूनदजालसंततम् ।

prataptajāmbūnadajālasaṃtatam |

mounted a chariot bright as the young sun,

रथं समास्थाय ययौ स वीर्यवान्

rathaṃ samāsthāya yayau sa vīryavān

covered with a network of refined gold,

महाहरिं तं प्रति नैर्ऋतर्षभः ॥

mahāhariṃ taṃ prati nairṛtarṣabhaḥ ||

and went out against the great vanara.

ततस्तपःसंग्रहसंचयार्जितं

tatastapaḥsaṃgrahasaṃcayārjitaṃ

It had been gained through accumulated austerities,

प्रतप्तजाम्बूनदजालचित्रितम् ।

prataptajāmbūnadajālacitritam |

and was decorated with a lattice of burnished gold,

पताकिनं रत्नविभूषितध्वजं

patākinaṃ ratnavibhūṣitadhvajaṃ

with pennants and a jewel-adorned standard,

मनोजवाष्टाश्ववरैः सुयोजितम् ॥

manojavāṣṭāśvavaraiḥ suyojitam ||

drawn by eight excellent horses swift as thought.

सुरासुराधृष्यमसङ्गचारिणं

surāsurādhṛṣyamasaṅgacāriṇaṃ

Gods and asuras could not assail it; it moved unhindered,

तडित्प्रभं व्योमचरं समाहितम् ।

taḍitprabhaṃ vyomacaraṃ samāhitam |

flashed like lightning, and travelled through the sky.

सतूणमष्टासिनिबद्धबन्धुरं

satūṇamaṣṭāsinibaddhabandhuraṃ

It bore quivers and eight swords fastened in place,

यथाक्रमावेशितशक्तितोमरम् ॥

yathākramāveśitaśaktitomaram ||

with spears and javelins arranged in proper order.

विराजमानं प्रतिपूर्णवस्तुना

virājamānaṃ pratipūrṇavastunā

Fully equipped and magnificently adorned

सहेमदाम्ना शशिसूर्यवर्चसा ।

sahemadāmnā śaśisūryavarcasā |

with golden garlands, it shone like sun and moon.

दिवाकराभं रथमास्थितस्ततः

divākarābhaṃ rathamāsthitastataḥ

Having mounted this sunlike chariot,

स निर्जगामामरतुल्यविक्रमः ॥

sa nirjagāmāmaratulyavikramaḥ ||

the prince of godlike prowess set out.

स पूरयन् खं च महीं च साचलां

sa pūrayan khaṃ ca mahīṃ ca sācalāṃ

Filling sky, earth and mountains

तुरङ्गमातङ्गमहारथस्वनैः ।

turaṅgamātaṅgamahārathasvanaiḥ |

with the sounds of horses, elephants and great chariots,

बलैः समेतैः सहतोरणस्थितं

balaiḥ sametaiḥ sahatoraṇasthitaṃ

he approached with assembled forces

समर्थमासीनमुपागमत् कपिम् ॥

samarthamāsīnamupāgamat kapim ||

the capable vanara seated at the gateway.

स तं समासाद्य हरिं हरीक्षणो

sa taṃ samāsādya hariṃ harīkṣaṇo

The golden-eyed Aksha came upon that vanara,

युगान्तकालाग्निमिव प्रजाक्षये ।

yugāntakālāgnimiva prajākṣaye |

who stood like the fire ending an age,

अवस्थितं विस्मितजातसम्भ्रमं

avasthitaṃ vismitajātasambhramaṃ

and, surprised into awe and agitation,

समैक्षताक्षो बहुमानचक्षुषा ॥

samaikṣatākṣo bahumānacakṣuṣā ||

looked at him with respect.

स तस्य वेगं च कपेर्महात्मनः

sa tasya vegaṃ ca kapermahātmanaḥ

Considering the great vanara's speed

पराक्रमं चारिषु रावणात्मजः ।

parākramaṃ cāriṣu rāvaṇātmajaḥ |

and prowess against enemies, Ravana's mighty son

विचारयन् स्वं च बलं महाबलो

vicārayan svaṃ ca balaṃ mahābalo

also measured his own strength

युगक्षये सूर्य इवाभिवर्धत ॥

yugakṣaye sūrya ivābhivardhata ||

and grew in splendour like the sun at an age's end.

स जातमन्युः प्रसमीक्ष्य विक्रमं

sa jātamanyuḥ prasamīkṣya vikramaṃ

Angered as he observed that irresistible prowess,

स्थितः स्थिरः संयति दुर्निवारणम् ।

sthitaḥ sthiraḥ saṃyati durnivāraṇam |

the prince stood firm in battle.

समाहितात्मा हनुमन्तमाहवे

samāhitātmā hanumantamāhave

With his attention collected,

प्रचोदयामास शितैः शरैस्त्रिभिः ॥

pracodayāmāsa śitaiḥ śaraistribhiḥ ||

he challenged Hanuman with three sharp arrows.

ततः कपिं तं प्रसमीक्ष्य गर्वितं

tataḥ kapiṃ taṃ prasamīkṣya garvitaṃ

Observing the proud vanara,

जितश्रमं शत्रुपराजयोचितम् ।

jitaśramaṃ śatruparājayocitam |

unwearied and accustomed to defeating foes,

अवैक्षताक्षः समुदीर्णमानसं

avaikṣatākṣaḥ samudīrṇamānasaṃ

Aksha looked at his greatly excited opponent

सबाणपाणिः प्रगृहीतकार्मुकः ॥

sabāṇapāṇiḥ pragṛhītakārmukaḥ ||

while gripping his bow and arrows.

स हेमनिष्काङ्गदचारुकुण्डलः

sa hemaniṣkāṅgadacārukuṇḍalaḥ

Wearing golden necklaces, armlets and lovely earrings,

समाससादाशुपराक्रमः कपिम् ।

samāsasādāśuparākramaḥ kapim |

the swiftly acting prince closed upon the vanara.

तयोर्बभूवाप्रतिमः समागमः

tayorbabhūvāpratimaḥ samāgamaḥ

Their encounter became extraordinary,

सुरासुराणामपि सम्भ्रमप्रदः ॥

surāsurāṇāmapi sambhramapradaḥ ||

striking even gods and asuras with alarm.

ररास भूमिर्न तताप भानुमान्

rarāsa bhūmirna tatāpa bhānumān

Earth roared, the sun withheld its heat,

ववौ न वायुः प्रचचाल चाचलः ।

vavau na vāyuḥ pracacāla cācalaḥ |

wind ceased, and mountains shook.

कपेः कुमारस्य च वीर्यसंयुगं

kapeḥ kumārasya ca vīryasaṃyugaṃ

At the meeting of the vanara's and prince's strength,

ननाद च द्यौरुदधिश्च चुक्षुभे ॥

nanāda ca dyaurudadhiśca cukṣubhe ||

the sky thundered and the ocean grew troubled.

स तस्य वीरः सुमुखान् पतत्रिणः

sa tasya vīraḥ sumukhān patatriṇaḥ

That warrior sent fine-feathered arrows,

सुवर्णपुङ्खान् सविषानिवोरगान् ।

suvarṇapuṅkhān saviṣānivoragān |

gold-fletched and like venomous serpents.

समाधिसंयोगविमोक्षतत्त्ववि-

samādhisaṃyogavimokṣatattvavi-

Skilled in aiming, drawing and release,

च्छरानथ त्रीन् कपिमूर्ध्न्यताडयत् ॥

ccharānatha trīn kapimūrdhnyatāḍayat ||

he struck Hanuman's head with three shafts.

स तैः शरैर्मूर्ध्नि समं निपातितैः

sa taiḥ śarairmūrdhni samaṃ nipātitaiḥ

With those arrows planted together in his head,

क्षरन्नसृग्दिग्धविवृत्तनेत्रः ।

kṣarannasṛgdigdhavivṛttanetraḥ |

his widened eyes and streaming blood glowing,

नवोदितादित्यनिभः शरांशुमान्

navoditādityanibhaḥ śarāṃśumān

Hanuman resembled the newly risen sun,

व्यराजतादित्य इवांशुमालिकः ॥

vyarājatāditya ivāṃśumālikaḥ ||

the arrows appearing like rays around him.

ततः प्लवङ्गाधिपमन्त्रिसत्तमः

tataḥ plavaṅgādhipamantrisattamaḥ

The foremost counsellor of the vanara king

समीक्ष्य तं राजवरात्मजं रणे ।

samīkṣya taṃ rājavarātmajaṃ raṇe |

looked at that noble king's son in battle,

उदग्रचित्रायुधचित्रकार्मुकं

udagracitrāyudhacitrakārmukaṃ

with his splendid weapons and decorated bow,

जहर्ष चापूर्यत चाहवोन्मुखः ॥

jaharṣa cāpūryata cāhavonmukhaḥ ||

and felt joy and renewed eagerness for combat.

स मन्दराग्रस्थ इवांशुमाली

sa mandarāgrastha ivāṃśumālī

Like the sun resting upon Mandara's summit,

विवृद्धकोपो बलवीर्यसंवृतः ।

vivṛddhakopo balavīryasaṃvṛtaḥ |

growing angry and filled with strength,

कुमारमक्षं सबलं सवाहनं

kumāramakṣaṃ sabalaṃ savāhanaṃ

he seemed to burn Aksha, his troops and chariot

ददाह नेत्राग्निमरीचिभिस्तदा ॥

dadāha netrāgnimarīcibhistadā ||

with the fiery rays of his eyes.

ततः स बाणासनशक्रकार्मुकः

tataḥ sa bāṇāsanaśakrakārmukaḥ

Then that rakshasa cloud, his bow a rainbow,

शरप्रवर्षो युधि राक्षसाम्बुदः ।

śarapravarṣo yudhi rākṣasāmbudaḥ |

poured a shower of arrows in battle.

शरान् मुमोचाशु हरीश्वराचले

śarān mumocāśu harīśvarācale

He rapidly loosed shafts upon the mountainlike vanara,

बलाहको वृष्टिमिवाचलोत्तमे ॥

balāhako vṛṣṭimivācalottame ||

as a rain cloud showers a mighty mountain.

कपिस्ततस्तं रणचण्डविक्रमं

kapistatastaṃ raṇacaṇḍavikramaṃ

Seeing Aksha's fierce prowess in battle

प्रवृद्धतेजोबलवीर्यसायकम् ।

pravṛddhatejobalavīryasāyakam |

and his growing brilliance, strength and arrows,

कुमारमक्षं प्रसमीक्ष्य संयुगे

kumāramakṣaṃ prasamīkṣya saṃyuge

Hanuman faced the prince in combat

ननाद हर्षाद् घनतुल्यनिःस्वनः ॥

nanāda harṣād ghanatulyaniḥsvanaḥ ||

and roared joyfully like a thundercloud.

स बालभावाद् युधि वीर्यदर्पितः

sa bālabhāvād yudhi vīryadarpitaḥ

Young and proud of his prowess,

प्रवृद्धमन्युः क्षतजोपमेक्षणः ।

pravṛddhamanyuḥ kṣatajopamekṣaṇaḥ |

his anger rising and his eyes blood-red,

समाससादाप्रतिमं रणे कपिं

samāsasādāpratimaṃ raṇe kapiṃ

Aksha approached the unequalled vanara

गजो महाकूपमिवावृतं तृणैः ॥

gajo mahākūpamivāvṛtaṃ tṛṇaiḥ ||

like an elephant approaching a deep pit concealed by grass.

स तेन बाणैः प्रसभं निपातितै-

sa tena bāṇaiḥ prasabhaṃ nipātitai-

Struck forcefully by Aksha's arrows,

श्चकार नादं घननादनिःस्वनः ।

ścakāra nādaṃ ghananādaniḥsvanaḥ |

Hanuman roared with the sound of thunder.

समुत्सहेनाशु नभः समारुजन्

samutsahenāśu nabhaḥ samārujan

With sudden energy he sprang into the sky,

भुजोरुविक्षेपणघोरदर्शनः ॥

bhujoruvikṣepaṇaghoradarśanaḥ ||

terrible to behold as he flung out arms and thighs.

तमुत्पतन्तं समभिद्रवद् बली

tamutpatantaṃ samabhidravad balī

The mighty and splendid rakshasa prince

स राक्षसानां प्रवरः प्रतापवान् ।

sa rākṣasānāṃ pravaraḥ pratāpavān |

pursued him as he rose.

रथी रथश्रेष्ठतरः किरन् शरैः

rathī rathaśreṣṭhataraḥ kiran śaraiḥ

From his excellent chariot he showered arrows,

पयोधरः शैलमिवाश्मवृष्टिभिः ॥

payodharaḥ śailamivāśmavṛṣṭibhiḥ ||

like a cloud pelting a mountain with hail.

स ताञ्छरांस्तस्य हरिर्विमोक्षयं-

sa tāñcharāṃstasya harirvimokṣayaṃ-

Evading those arrows, the brave vanara

श्चचार वीरः पथि वायुसेविते ।

ścacāra vīraḥ pathi vāyusevite |

moved along the path travelled by the wind.

शरान्तरे मारुतवद् विनिष्पतन्

śarāntare mārutavad viniṣpatan

He darted between shafts like a breeze,

मनोजवः संयति भीमविक्रमः ॥

manojavaḥ saṃyati bhīmavikramaḥ ||

swift as thought and formidable in battle.

तमात्तबाणासनमाहवोन्मुखं

tamāttabāṇāsanamāhavonmukhaṃ

Aksha held his bow ready for battle

खमास्तृणन्तं विविधैः शरोत्तमैः ।

khamāstṛṇantaṃ vividhaiḥ śarottamaiḥ |

and covered the sky with excellent arrows.

अवैक्षताक्षं बहुमानचक्षुषा

avaikṣatākṣaṃ bahumānacakṣuṣā

The Wind's son regarded him respectfully

जगाम चिन्तां स च मारुतात्मजः ॥

jagāma cintāṃ sa ca mārutātmajaḥ ||

and began to consider what to do.

ततः शरैर्भिन्नभुजान्तरः कपिः

tataḥ śarairbhinnabhujāntaraḥ kapiḥ

Arrows from that noble prince pierced his chest;

कुमारवर्येण महात्मना नदन् ।

kumāravaryeṇa mahātmanā nadan |

the vanara roared.

महाभुजः कर्मविशेषतत्त्वविद्

mahābhujaḥ karmaviśeṣatattvavid

Strong-armed and skilled in judging action,

विचिन्तयामास रणे पराक्रमम् ॥

vicintayāmāsa raṇe parākramam ||

he considered the prince's prowess in battle.

अबालवद् बालदिवाकरप्रभः

abālavad bāladivākaraprabhaḥ

'Though young and bright as the rising sun,

करोत्ययं कर्म महन्महाबलः ।

karotyayaṃ karma mahanmahābalaḥ |

this powerful one performs deeds beyond his years.

न चास्य सर्वाहवकर्मशालिनः

na cāsya sarvāhavakarmaśālinaḥ

Yet, skilled as he is in every work of war,

प्रमापणे मे मतिरत्र जायते ॥

pramāpaṇe me matiratra jāyate ||

I have not felt inclined to kill him.

अयं महात्मा च महांश्च वीर्यतः

ayaṃ mahātmā ca mahāṃśca vīryataḥ

He is noble and very powerful,

समाहितश्चातिसहश्च संयुगे ।

samāhitaścātisahaśca saṃyuge |

collected and exceptionally enduring in battle.

असंशयं कर्मगुणोदयादयं

asaṃśayaṃ karmaguṇodayādayaṃ

Surely, for the excellence of his deeds,

सनागयक्षैर्मुनिभिश्च पूजितः ॥

sanāgayakṣairmunibhiśca pūjitaḥ ||

nagas, yakshas and sages honour him.

पराक्रमोत्साहविवृद्धमानसः-

parākramotsāhavivṛddhamānasaḥ-

His spirit enlarged by courage and enthusiasm,

समीक्षते मां प्रमुखोऽग्रतः स्थितः ।

samīkṣate māṃ pramukho’grataḥ sthitaḥ |

he stands foremost and looks directly at me.

पराक्रमो ह्यस्य मनांसि कम्पयेत्

parākramo hyasya manāṃsi kampayet

This swift warrior's prowess could shake

सुरासुराणामपि शीघ्रकारिणः ॥

surāsurāṇāmapi śīghrakāriṇaḥ ||

the hearts even of gods and asuras.

न खल्वयं नाभिभवेदुपेक्षितः

na khalvayaṃ nābhibhavedupekṣitaḥ

If neglected, he could certainly overcome me;

पराक्रमो ह्यस्य रणे विवर्धते ।

parākramo hyasya raṇe vivardhate |

his strength in battle continues to grow.

प्रमापणं ह्यस्य ममाद्य रोचते

pramāpaṇaṃ hyasya mamādya rocate

Now I judge that he must be killed:

न वर्धमानोऽग्निरुपेक्षितुं क्षमः ॥

na vardhamāno’gnirupekṣituṃ kṣamaḥ ||

a spreading fire cannot safely be ignored.'

इति प्रवेगं तु परस्य तर्कयन्

iti pravegaṃ tu parasya tarkayan

Having assessed his enemy's force

स्वकर्मयोगं च विधाय वीर्यवान् ।

svakarmayogaṃ ca vidhāya vīryavān |

and settled the course of his own action,

चकार वेगं तु महाबलस्तदा

cakāra vegaṃ tu mahābalastadā

that mighty hero gathered speed,

मतिं च चक्रेऽस्य वधे तदानीम् ॥

matiṃ ca cakre’sya vadhe tadānīm ||

resolved at that moment to kill him.

स तस्य तानष्ट वरान् महाहयान्

sa tasya tānaṣṭa varān mahāhayān

The Wind's son struck Aksha's eight excellent horses,

समाहितान् भारसहान् विवर्तने ।

samāhitān bhārasahān vivartane |

well trained to bear their burden and turn in battle,

जघान वीरः पथि वायुसेविते

jaghāna vīraḥ pathi vāyusevite

with blows of his hands

तलप्रहारैः पवनात्मजः कपिः ॥

talaprahāraiḥ pavanātmajaḥ kapiḥ ||

upon the wind-travelled path of the sky.

ततस्तलेनाभिहतो महारथः

tatastalenābhihato mahārathaḥ

Struck by his palm, that great chariot

स तस्य पिङ्गाधिपमन्त्रिनिर्जितः ।

sa tasya piṅgādhipamantrinirjitaḥ |

was overcome by the vanara king's counsellor.

स भग्ननीडः परिवृत्तकूबरः

sa bhagnanīḍaḥ parivṛttakūbaraḥ

Its platform shattered and pole overturned,

पपात भूमौ हतवाजिरम्बरात् ॥

papāta bhūmau hatavājirambarāt ||

it fell from the sky with its horses slain.

स तं परित्यज्य महारथो रथं

sa taṃ parityajya mahāratho rathaṃ

Abandoning his chariot, that great warrior

सकार्मुकः खड्गधरः खमुत्पतन् ।

sakārmukaḥ khaḍgadharaḥ khamutpatan |

sprang into the air with bow and sword,

ततोऽभियोगादृषिरुग्रवीर्यवान्

tato’bhiyogādṛṣirugravīryavān

like a powerful sage, through spiritual effort,

विहाय देहं मरुतामिवालयम् ॥

vihāya dehaṃ marutāmivālayam ||

leaving the body to reach the realm of the winds.

कपिस्ततस्तं विचरन्तमम्बरे

kapistatastaṃ vicarantamambare

As Aksha moved through the sky

पतत्त्रिराजानिलसिद्धसेविते ।

patattrirājānilasiddhasevite |

frequented by Garuda, wind and perfected beings,

समेत्य तं मारुतवेगविक्रमः

sametya taṃ mārutavegavikramaḥ

the vanara, swift and strong as the wind,

क्रमेण जग्राह च पादयोर्दृढम् ॥

krameṇa jagrāha ca pādayordṛḍham ||

approached and firmly seized both his feet.

स तं समाविध्य सहस्रशः कपि-

sa taṃ samāvidhya sahasraśaḥ kapi-

The vanara whirled him round a thousand times,

र्महोरगं गृह्य इवाण्डजेश्वरः ।

rmahoragaṃ gṛhya ivāṇḍajeśvaraḥ |

like the king of birds grasping a great serpent.

मुमोच वेगात् पितृतुल्यविक्रमो

mumoca vegāt pitṛtulyavikramo

Matching his father the Wind in force,

महीतले संयति वानरोत्तमः ॥

mahītale saṃyati vānarottamaḥ ||

that foremost vanara hurled him violently to the ground.

स भग्नबाहूरुकटीपयोधरः

sa bhagnabāhūrukaṭīpayodharaḥ

His arms, thighs, waist and chest broken,

क्षरन्नसृङ्‍‍‍‍निर्मथितास्थिलोचनः ।

kṣarannasṛṅnirmathitāsthilocanaḥ |

bleeding, with bones and eyes crushed,

सम्भिन्नसंधिः प्रविकीर्णबन्धनो

sambhinnasaṃdhiḥ pravikīrṇabandhano

his joints shattered and limbs torn apart,

हतः क्षितौ वायुसुतेन राक्षसः ॥

hataḥ kṣitau vāyusutena rākṣasaḥ ||

the rakshasa lay dead, killed by the Wind's son.

महाकपिर्भूमितले निपीड्य तं

mahākapirbhūmitale nipīḍya taṃ

Crushing him upon the earth, the great vanara

चकार रक्षोऽधिपतेर्महद्भयम् ।

cakāra rakṣo’dhipatermahadbhayam |

brought terrible fear to the rakshasa king.

महर्षिभिश्चक्रचरैः समागतैः

maharṣibhiścakracaraiḥ samāgataiḥ

Great sages and beings who roamed the celestial circles,

समेत्य भूतैश्च सयक्षपन्नगैः ।

sametya bhūtaiśca sayakṣapannagaiḥ |

together with spirits, yakshas and serpents,

सुरैश्च सेन्द्रैर्भृशजातविस्मयै-

suraiśca sendrairbhṛśajātavismayai-

and the gods with Indra, looked on in profound amazement

र्हते कुमारे स कपिर्निरीक्षितः ॥

rhate kumāre sa kapirnirīkṣitaḥ ||

at the vanara after the prince's death.

निहत्य तं वज्रिसुतोपमं रणे

nihatya taṃ vajrisutopamaṃ raṇe

Having killed the red-eyed Prince Aksha,

कुमारमक्षं क्षतजोपमेक्षणम् ।

kumāramakṣaṃ kṣatajopamekṣaṇam |

who was like Indra's son in battle,

तदेव वीरोऽभिजगाम तोरणं

tadeva vīro’bhijagāma toraṇaṃ

the hero returned to the same gateway,

कृतक्षणः काल इव प्रजाक्षये ॥

kṛtakṣaṇaḥ kāla iva prajākṣaye ||

awaiting the next moment like Time at the world's destruction.