Rāmāyana | Yuddha Kaṇḍa | Chapter 106

106. Rāvaṇa Sees Bad Omens

[Rāma instructs Mātali as to what he wants to be done. Rāvaṇa on his way sees only bad omens and Rāma on his way sees only good omens. Rāma feels happy.]

Thrilling with great joy the charioteer of Rāvaṇa, drove forward quickly, his chariot which was capable of attacking the army of enemies, a wonderful piece of art like Gandharva-city, mounted with flags, yoked with horses of excellent quality adorned with golden necklaces, filled with war-implements, adorned with rows of flags and banners, which was devouring the sky as it were, making earth resound, which was the destroyer of army of adversaries and caused delight to its own. 106.1-106.3

The king of men saw the chariot of the king of Rākṣasas having a huge flag coming towards him with a great noise, yoked with black horses, with terrific lustre like an aero plane, brightening the sky with its lustre equal to Sun, having lightning like flags and the appearance of rain bow. 106.4-106.6

Seeing that chariot which was releasing streams like a cloud releasing rain accompanied by the sound similar to the bursting of a mountain which was broken by Vajra, Rāma after stretching his bow in a crescent shape spoke to Mātali, the charioteer of the thousand eyed one. 106, 7-106.8

"Oh Mātali see that chariot of the enemy coming forward coming from left to right in great speed again. It appears that he has decided to destroy himself fighting this war. 106.9-106.10

"And so take care of yourself and march forward and go opposite to the chariot of the enemy as I wish to destroy it like a wind blowing away the cloud." 106.11

"Without any fear and without any nervousness with steady eyes and heart, controlling the rains properly drive the chariot with speed." 106.12

"Though you need not be instructed by me, you being the charioteer of Indra, as I desire to fight with one track mind, I am just reminding you and not attempting to teach you." 106.13

Mātali after becoming extremely happy by the words of Rāma, that best of the charioteers of devas further drove the chariot. 106.14

After passing the huge chariot of Rāvaṇa on his right, that charioteer left Rāvaṇa shaking by the dust rising from the wheels of his chariot. 106.15

Then that angry ten necked one with his copper coloured eyes wide open shook with his arrows Rāma who stood facing his chariot. 106.16

Meeting that courage with anger and being provoked to fight, Rāma took hold of Indra's arrow which had of great speed in the battle field. 106.17

Then he took greatly lustrous arrows which shined like Sun and that great war between two great heroes desirous of killing each other and facing each other like lions began. 106.18

Then Devas, Gandharvas, Sidhas and great sages who desired the death of Rāvaṇa arrived there to witness the war. 106.19

Then dreadful omens which made one hair to stand erect appeared which indicated the destruction of Rāvaṇa and victory of Rāma. 106.20

The gods poured a rain of blood on Rāvaṇa's chariot and horrible winds blew from right to left, forming circles. 106.21

A huge flock of vultures which were occupying the sky travelled in the same direction as chariot of Rāvaṇa. 106.22

During that dusk, the city of Lanka was of the red colour of the Japa flowers and the earth in city of Lanka appeared as if it was blazing. 106.23

Large meteors along with flashes of lightning fell on that town with great noise. These negative omens to Rāvaṇa made the Rākṣasas sad. 106.24

The land where Rāvaṇa was standing began to shake and the Rākṣasas who were fighting felt something was tying them. 106.25

The rays of the sun that fell before Rāvaṇa appeared of copper colour, yellow, white and dark like mineral ores. 106.26

The she foxes followed the vultures speedily uttering inauspicious howls on seeing the face of Rāvaṇa and also vomited from their mouths. 106.27

The wind scattered the dust upwards in an opposite direction clouding the vision of the king of the Rākṣasas. 106.28

Even without any clouds on the sky thunderbolts fell on the army of Rāvaṇa from all sides with sound which was difficult to tolerate. 106.29

Al the directions and their intermediate points became dark due to the outpouring of dust and it was difficult to see the sky. 106.30

Hundreds of scaring Sarika birds wailing in an awful manner fought with each other and fell on the chariot of Rāvaṇa. 106.31

Rāvaṇa's horses discharged sparks of fire from their hips and loins as also tears from their eyes, releasing out fire and water at the same time continuously. 106.32

Scary omens in large numbers were seen in this way causing fear to Rāvaṇa and indicating his destruction. 106.33

Pleasant and auspicious omens appeared before Rāma from all directions, indicating his victory. 106.34

Rāghava seeing those auspicious omens indicating his own victory became happy and decided that he would be able to kill Rāvaṇa. 106.35

Then Rāma who was an expert in judging omens having seen those omens on his way to the battle field was extremely happy and exhibited enhanced heroism in the battle. 106.36

This is the end of One Hundred and Sixth Sarga of Yuddha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Valmīka as the First Epic.