Rāmāyana | Āraṇya Kaṇḍa | Chapter 3

3. Fight with Virādha

[Virādha tells Rāma that he cannot be harmed by any weapon due to the boon of Brahma. Though Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fight with him using arrows they are not able to harm him. Virādha caught hold of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and carries them inside the forest.]

Afterwards Virādha completely filling up the forest asked, "Please tell me who you, young people, are and where are you going?" 3.1

Then That Virādha echoing his voice in the forest said, "I am asking both of you, young men? Why are you not speaking? Where are you going?" 3.2

Then the greatly lustrous one told that Rākṣasa with a burning face, "we belong to the Ikshvāku clan." 3.3

"We are the people observing the Dharma of Kshatriyas and have now come to the forest and we wish to know about you and to know why you are wandering in the Dandaka forest?" 3.4

To Rāma who was shining due to truth that Virādha said, "Great, Oh king, I would tell and understand that well, Oh Rāghava." 3.5

"I am the son of Java and my mother is Sathahrudha and I am called Virādha by all the Rākṣasas on earth." 3.6

"By pleasing Lord Brahma by great penance I got a boon that I cannot be killed or cut or slit by any weapon." 3.7

"Leave this lady here and without any requirements go away from here with speed, then both your lives would not be taken." 3.8

Rāma replied with a blood shot eyes due to anger to that Rākṣasa Virādha with an ugly body and who had evil intentions. 3.9

"Fie upon you, oh knave, you are in the quest of death due to evil acts and surely you would get it in this fight. Stay there, as your life would not be spared." 3.10

Then after getting ready his bow, Rāma shot at him very sharp arrows with great speed aiming properly at the Rākṣasa," 3.11

From that bow seven arrows of with a sting which were ornamented in gold and which had very great speed were released and they had speed of Garuda and the wind God. Those arrows, which were equal to hell along with feathers of peacock, pierced the body of Virādha but fell on the ground coated with blood. 3.12- 3.13

When the arrows stuck that Rākṣasa, he kept Sītā down, took a spear and rushed towards Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.. 3.14

Then that Rākṣasa making a very loud horrible sound, taking a spear which was similar to the flag of Indra, appeared with his mouth open like the God of death. 3.15

And these two brothers showered arrows with great lustre on the Rākṣasa called Virādha who looked like a god of death who destroys other beings. 3.16

Then that Rākṣasa laughed loudly and yawned and as he was yawning all those arrows which were coming swiftly at him fell down. 3.17

That Rākṣasa due to the boon that he has obtained just by mere touch regulated the five airs of his body, took the spear and ran after Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. 3.18

That spear which was like the Vajrayudha shined in the sky was cut by use of two arrows by Rāma who was one who scared his enemies. 3.19

That spear which was broken by Rāma's arrow fell on the ground like mount Meru being broken in to two pieces by Vajrayudha. 3.20

Then both of them lifted their sword which looked like a black serpent and at once fell upon him and struck with that weapon. 3.21

Being struck that angry Rākṣasa intended to set out after catching those tiger among men who cannot be shaken. 3.22

Having understood his intention Rāma told Lakṣmaṇa "Let him carry us through this path and there is no need to stop him." 3.23

"Oh son of Sumitrā, let the Rākṣasa carry us, for the direction by the nocturnal one is the proper direction." 3.24

Puffed up with great pride due to his great strength that one who moves at night held them on his shoulders and started moving. 3.25

Carrying them on his shoulders that Virādha who moves in darkness with loud screaming proceeded to the forest. 3.26

He entered the forest which was like a great cloud and which was filled with trees of various shapes and also filled various type of wonderful birds, foxes and various wild animals. 3.27

This is the end of Third Sarga of Āraṇya Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.