Sarga 30: Maricha and Subahu
Maricha Subahu Vadha
Rama and Lakshmana guard Vishvamitra's six-day sacrifice; when Maricha and Subahu swoop down with their demon horde to defile it with blood, Rama blasts Maricha out to sea with the Manava missile and kills Subahu with the Agneya, completing the sacrifice unhindered.
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अथ तौ देशकालज्ञौ राजापुत्रावरिन्दमौ। देशे काले च वाक्यज्ञावब्रूतां कौशिकं वच:।।1.30.1।।
Meaning
Then the two foe-taming princes, knowing what was fitting to time and place and skilled in speech, addressed these words to Kaushika.
भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छावो यस्मिन् काले निशाचरौ। संरक्षणीयौ तौ ब्रह्मन्नातिवर्तेत तत्क्षणम्।।1.30.2।।
Meaning
Blessed one, we wish to know at what hour the night-wanderers come, so that moment does not slip past us unguarded.
एवं ब्रुवाणौ काकुत्स्थौ त्वरमाणौ युयुत्सया। सर्वे ते मुनय: प्रीता: प्रशशंसुर्नृपात्मजौ।।1.30.3।।
Meaning
As the two princes spoke thus, eager for battle, all the sages there were delighted and praised them.
अद्यप्रभृति षड्रात्रं रक्षतं राघवौ युवाम्। दीक्षां गतो ह्येष मुनिर्मौनित्वं च गमिष्यति।।1.30.4।।
Meaning
From today, Raghavas, guard for six nights; this sage has entered his vow and will now observe silence.
तौ तु तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजपुत्रौ यशस्विनौ। अनिद्रौ षडहोरात्रं तपोवनमरक्षताम्।।1.30.5।।
Meaning
Hearing those words, the two renowned princes, sleepless, guarded the ascetic grove for six days and nights.
उपासाञ्चक्रतुर्वीरौ यत्तौ परमधन्विनौ। ररक्षतुर्मुनिवरं विश्वामित्रमरिन्दमौ।।1.30.6।।
Meaning
The two heroes, mighty archers, kept watch attentively, guarding the eminent sage Vishvamitra, foe-subduers that they were.
अथ काले गते तस्मिन् षष्ठेऽहनि समागते। सौमित्रिमब्रवीद्रामो यत्तो भव समाहित:।।1.30.7।।
Meaning
When that time had passed and the sixth day arrived, Rama said to Saumitri: be alert and attentive.
रामस्यैवं ब्रुवाणस्य त्वरितस्य युयुत्सया। प्रजज्वाल ततो वेदिस्सोपाध्यायपुरोहिता।।1.30.8।।
Meaning
As Rama spoke thus, hastening in eagerness for battle, the altar, with its officiants and priests, suddenly blazed up.
सदर्भचमसस्रुक्का ससमित्कुसुमोच्चया। विश्वामित्रेण सहिता वेदिर्जज्वाल सर्त्विजा।।1.30.9।।
Meaning
The altar, set with sacred grass, vessels, ladles, firewood, and heaps of flowers, blazed together with Vishvamitra and the officiating priests.
मन्त्रवच्च यथान्यायं यज्ञोऽसौ सम्प्रवर्तते। आकाशे च महान् शब्द: प्रादुरासीद्भयानक:।।1.30.10।।
Meaning
As the sacrifice proceeded duly with its hymns, a great and terrifying sound arose in the sky.