Ramakien — Thai Book 116 · Tianmu Anglican Church

Good Works Translation from Thai

This is the one-hundred-sixteenth สมุดไทย unit of the Rama I Ramakien as published by the Vajirayana Digital Library. It follows Kaiyaket's message reaching Ayutthaya, Rama sending Bharata, Shatrughna, Mongkut, Lop, Hanuman, Sukhrip, and the allied human, monkey, and yaksha armies, Chomphuvarat confronting Thao Khonthan as envoy, Khonthan and Wirunphat mustering for battle, Lop killing Wirunphat, and Mongkut killing Thao Khonthan.

Translation

Mongkut and Lop Defeat Wirunphat and Thao Khonthan

[2 words]

Now the story speaks of the brave horse officer. He drove his horse in haste and hurried to victorious Ayutthaya.

[2 words]

When he arrived, he dismounted and went in to the senior ministers. He reported the matter according to the order he had received, then handed over the royal letter.

[2 words]

Then honored Sumanthan heard the burning news in his very soul, and he and the others went into the royal audience hall.

[6 words]

Each bowed his head before the lord of the three worlds. They reported: "The asura-gandharva has raised his demon armies and is camped on the border, ready to plunder Kaiyaket's royal city. Your wise grandfather has ordered the horse officer to carry this royal letter to the lotus feet of the bow-bearing lord." When they had spoken, they unfolded the fine letter, bowed, and read it at once.

[10 words]

The royal letter was well formed: "The radiant royal grandfather, keeper of the people and realm in great Kaiyaket city, sends blessing to the mighty king whose power shakes sky and earth, refuge of the distressed and cooling comfort through all three worlds. Now a violent royal danger has come. A yaksha demon named Khonthan has raised his fourfold army and comes killing, fighting, and forcing his way to seize the city. Your grandfather is very old and cannot break the yaksha by his own force. All ministers, subjects, and people are shaken and disheartened. May the power of the avatar come to destroy this brutal giant, so great Kaiyaket may have peace through his grandson."

[14 words]

Then Phra Harirak, lord Narai, heard his grandfather's letter and grew angry like poisoned flame. "Ha. Look at that gandharva. He is coarse, deluded, and wicked. It has been long since my powerful arrow drank asura blood." Speaking thus, he commanded the two noble brothers, Phra Phrot and radiant Phra Satrut: "In this war I will send my beloved nephews to win the field. You two brothers shall be chiefs of the great fourfold army. Let wise Phra Mongkut command the strong main division. Let young Phra Lop lead the warrior host as vanguard. Go and clear away those rough evildoers, so the honor of the splendid Solar Line will be known. And let mighty Phraya Anuchit, lord of the monkeys, go quickly to Khitkhin and Chomphu, levying all brave warriors, with yaksha forces and armies from every royal city."

[2 words]

Then the brave son of Wind received the command, bowed farewell, and left the royal audience hall.

[2 words]

He displayed his power until all ten directions shook, sprang through the sky with speed, and went straight to the city of Khitkhin.

[2 words; dialogue]

When he arrived, he bowed at the lotus feet of glorious monkey Sukhrip and reported Phra Chakri's command completely in every detail.

[4 words]

Then the son of the Sun learned the avatar's command and levied soldiers from every great city, with yakshas and monkey lords who could walk on water or go beneath the earth. Their number filled the sea, and they moved to Ayutthaya city.

[2 words]

When they arrived, they halted the warrior host outside the walls along the water, then went up to attend Phra Chakri in the jeweled audience hall.

[2 words]

Each reported his troops and offered himself for service, asking to destroy the evildoers so that the powerful lord's feet would not be troubled.

[4 words]

Then Phra Harirak, lord of the discus, heard them and rejoiced that all was as he intended. He gave command: "Son of the Sun, arrange the troops in full battle order according to the victorious manuals. We will march before dawn."

[2 words]

Then Phraya Waiwongsa, glorious monkey, received the command of Phra Chakri, bowed with joined hands, and went out.

[8 words]

He arranged the fighting hosts into Lop's vanguard: all were troops from Chomphu city, bold, fierce, and skilled in war. The Khitkhin forces stood in Phra Mongkut's division. The royal army was made of human troops, each wearing amulets and hardened battle-gear. The yakshas of Lanka and Maliwan were inspected in noisy ranks. Powerful Phra Satrut was commander over the rear guard. All carried weapons: spears, swords, guns, powder, and bows. The marching battle formation stood layered along the streets.

[2 words]

Then the four Solar-Line princes, when the army had been arranged, entered the bathing place.

[10 words]

They opened the channels of heavenly water and poured shining streams. The four princes bathed, anointed themselves with fragrance mixed with gold dust, and put on three-layer jeweled trousers. The two uncles wore imperial cloth with swan-scroll gold borders; the two boys wore purple and green-gold waistcloths with fluttering side-panels and jeweled edges. Each put on a small-sleeved jacket of floating-pattern brocade, three-strand chains, red jeweled chest ornaments, bracelets, armlets, and blood-red gem rings. The uncles wore radiant crowns; the boys wore flower crowns set with jewels at the quarters. Each girded on a sword, took a bow in hand, and walked with swanlike grace, beautiful in splendor, to attend at Phra Chakri's lotus feet.

[6 words]

Then glorious Phra Krishnurak sat on the bright jeweled throne with the three beautiful royal mothers. They embraced the two boys, kissed their faces, received their living spirits, and together gave the victory blessing: "May all four of you have mighty power as you go to fight these dangers. Let no one withstand your sacred arrows. May your honor grow and be known through the world."

[2 words]

Then the four radiant princes bowed their crowned heads and received the blessing with joy.

[6 words]

Then Phra Lakshmi, beloved young queen, felt tender worry for the children and spoke: "Phra Phrot, Phra Satrut, powers before whom the earth shakes, these two heart-beloved nephews have never won a battle against enemies. They are still young and light in thought, yet they will contend with yakshas. I entrust these two boys beneath your dust; let both fathers show them mercy."

[6 words]

Then Phra Phrot and his younger brother Satrut heard the noble lady's words, bowed at her feet, and answered: "Mother of the three worlds, do not let your heart burn with worry. These two victorious princes are entrusted to the work of us younger brothers." Having spoken, they took leave of the six radiant Solar-Line royals. The four walked out and mounted their jeweled chariots.

[10 words]

The four royal chariots shone at hubs and wheels, bright with carved patterns all around the floating thrones. Gold scrollwork and mirror-glass flashed in the spaces, jewel panels and leaf-scrolls glittering. Their pavilions were set with gems, with golden spires and hanging ornaments. Four spirited horses drew each chariot, fierce as great lions. The charioteers urged them forward. Royal insignia rose in rows. Pipes, gongs, conches, and drums sounded together until the forest thundered. Dust thickened like smoke; wheels roared deep. Yakshas and monkeys divided by troop and rank, leaping and proud in battle. The escorting warriors shouted in excitement and hurried on.

[4 words]

When they reached the Kaiyaket border, they met the city's people, great and small, and learned that the city had been lost and that the royal grandfather had fled from the capital. Their hearts were pierced with sorrow as if struck by burning arrows. Without resting the army, they hurried into the forest.

[2 words]

When one horse-stage of road remained before the fair city, they halted the warrior host on a great, favorable camping ground.

[2 words; dialogue]

Then honored Sukhrip ordered the pavilion set up by the landing at the edge of the forest.

[4 words]

Now the gandharva soldiers, fierce in war, were coming out of the city each day to search for food. They seized pigs, chickens, cattle, and buffaloes. Commoners and officers shouted loudly, tying and carrying the prey on poles, laughing and enjoying themselves as they walked.

[4 words]

Then the monkey scouts of the vanguard looked along the road and saw the common asuras. Each gnashed his teeth, itching to kill. They rushed, sprang, and leapt forward, chasing and attacking in confusion.

[4 words]

Then the gandharva-yaksha troops were caught unready and lost the field. They fled scattered in all directions. Some dropped knives, machetes, carrying-poles, and weapons from their hands. Some were wounded, some hurt, some dead; commoners and officers ran in disorder.

[2 words]

When they had escaped the monkeys, they rested, exhausted, panting deeply. Having looked back and learned that a royal army had come, they went into the capital.

[4 words]

When they arrived, they bowed at the lotus feet of Thao Khonthan the yaksha and reported: "A royal enemy has come and set up camp in the forest. The commanders are humans, and the fighting troops are monkeys and yakshas, too many to count. They have fought with your servants."

[10 words]

Then fierce-hearted Thao Khonthan heard that war had come against him, clapped his hands loudly, and said: "Since we raised our army and came to this city, no one has stood against my power. I have had no delight. Now we will see. My power has flattened all worlds up to heaven. What are humans, no larger than flies? Why should I fear their skill?" Speaking so, he mocked the beautiful captive women: "Your husbands have raised an army against me. Their power must be terrible indeed." Having spoken, he entered the sleeping chamber for pleasure. The palace women served the demon lord against their will.

[2 words]

When the sun rose bright with golden light, he left the jeweled chamber and came out among the soldiers.

[6 words]

Then Phra Phrot, radiant lord, had lain in the golden pavilion through the night but could not sleep. He considered how to kill the gandharva-yaksha and avenge the harm. He thought of his grandfather, not knowing where he had gone. "If I, his grandson, am here beneath his feet, can the race of evildoers look down on him? I will destroy them with the victorious arrow and end the whole army."

[2 words]

He kept rising and sitting, unable to sleep, until the sun lifted over the mountain top. Then he bathed, put on heavenly ornaments, and walked out before the pavilion.

[8 words]

With countless skilled soldiers filling left and right, he gave royal command and took counsel for battle: "This gandharva lord of yakshas is arrogant, harsh, and coarse. He raised a great army to plunder Kaiyaket city. Glorious Phra Hari has sent the two royal sons to destroy the asuras and make their fame endure in the world. Shall we raise the warrior hosts and pursue, attack, and kill the asuras, or what is your counsel?"

[2 words]

Then the monkey kings, great and small, heard the lord's command, bowed, and consulted together.

[6 words]

Having reached agreement, they reported to the lotus feet of the younger brother of Phra Hari: "If we raise the army and attack, killing them will be as you command. But that will not make your glory known in time to come. Send a mighty soldier to speak according to righteous custom. If the demon remains obstinate and hard against your feet, then raise the army, fight, and crush the asuras to ruin."

[4 words]

Then wise and brave Phra Phrot heard this and approved in every way. The lord gave command: "Chomphuvarat, powerful and bold, go as envoy to the asura and see what he will say."

[2 words]

Then mighty Phraya Chomphuvarat bowed his head, received the king's command, made obeisance, and went out at once.

[2 words]

He sprang through the air so that heaven's radiance trembled. In his right hand he swung a trident, and by his power he flew toward the city.

[10 words]

When he reached the moon-palace, he saw the gandharva-yaksha coming out among the asura soldiers into the great palace court. The monkey lord hovered in the air, displaying power until sky and earth shook, and proclaimed in a lion-voice: "Hey, demon lord, what is this? Why have you arrogantly raised troops to plunder Kaiyaket's royal city? Now the lord avatar has commanded two younger brothers, named Phra Phrot and Phra Satrut, together with his royal sons Phra Mongkut and Phra Lop. These four, bearing mighty bows, have raised a great army. He has sent me, his soldier, to speak with the yaksha. If you love yourself and fear death, go attend at the royal lord's dust."

[12 words]

Then battle-brave Thao Khonthan looked up into the sky and saw the monkey floating before his face. Furious, he stamped his foot and made a noise like thunder. "Ha, arrogant monkey, coarse and proud. I am a mighty crown king, unequaled in all ten directions. I came roaming in the forest and did not intend to fight. I summoned Thao Kaiyaket, lord of the city, but he dared oppose my royal speech, though I possess power. Therefore I raised the fourfold army and attacked in battle. What is your name, and who sent you, that you speak so crudely without bowing? You boast of mighty force, not knowing that your life will end. Your masters and servants alike will become food for the asuras."

[12 words]

Then the victorious monkey lord answered: "I am Chomphuvarat, terrible in power, soldier of the lord who rides Garuda, who descended as avatar to clear away unrighteous asuras. Ten-faced Thotsakan, lord of Lanka with ten heads and twenty arms; Cakkrawat, ruler of Maliwan; and the Solar-Line descendants of Brahma: all were powerful with arrows and spells, brave in counsel, yet they died in ruin beyond counting. You, ill-fated wretch, do not know death when it stands before you. You have come in arrogance and will perish by the four-armed lord's line. You and all your troops will be destroyed; heads will fall and roll under the arrows. Stop boasting of your power. A monkey will trample you for sport."

[8 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha heard this and grew even angrier; the asura gnashed his teeth, stamped, and spoke by royal command: "You deluded beast, stop lying and puffing yourself up. I am not afraid. The troops you have brought are only like deer, ready to be crushed to powder by a mighty lion. Get away and tell them quickly. I will raise the army and come out to kill, destroy, and slaughter them within this very moment."

[10 words]

Then glorious Phraya Chomphuvarat heard him and burned with anger. He descended from the sky and stood before the gandharva, swinging his jeweled sword so its light flashed through the whole city. "Look, evil-hearted one. You are a firefly with little light, unfit to compete with the sun. I am only the avatar's servant; if I destroyed you, you would die. But I fear going beyond the command of the conch-bearing lord's brother. Otherwise your head would leave your body this instant." Speaking so, he clapped his hands, laughed, mocked the yaksha to his face in the middle of the asura army, and flew back to the royal camp.

[2 words]

When he arrived at the pavilion, he came up to attend, bowed with joined hands, and reported everything from beginning to end, as he had answered the demon lord.

[6 words]

Then wise and brave Phra Phrot heard the whole account and was delighted as if he had gained a priceless treasure. He removed a city-worth ring shining with emerald and gave it to the honored monkey. Then he spoke fine words: "You do not fail as a soldier of the bow-bearing avatar." Having spoken, he walked into the golden pavilion.

[6 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha, after the monkey had come arrogantly, spoken coarse words, and returned, felt disgrace before the ministers, great and small. Anger and resentment pressed his heart like the fire at the end of the age. He gave royal command to diligent ministers: "Prepare the giant troops. I will go fight the enemy."

[2 words]

Then Phatkan the yaksha received the command of the mighty lord, bowed with joined hands, and went out.

[6 words]

He arranged a fourfold battle formation with the royal son as vanguard. All the fighting troops were powerful, bold, proud, and fierce. Each could plunder enemies, break necks, and suck blood. They endured hardship beyond thought and could create and transform their bodies by many devices. The royal army was filled with skillful fighters, weapons swinging in confusion. Elephants, horses, jeweled chariots, and soldiers were set in ranks along the road.

[6 words]

Then Kaiyaket's ministers on left and right, palace women, men and women, and common people saw the powerful monkey boldly answer the yaksha. They rejoiced and whispered to one another: "This time those gandharvas will surely die and none remain." Some people fled from the city to the army pavilion.

[4 words]

When they arrived, they bowed at the jeweled feet of the two royal lords and reported the whole history of the battle from the beginning until the king fled from the city. "Tomorrow at dawn the gandharvas will raise their army for battle." Speaking so, they wept as if their lives were leaving them.

[4 words]

Then wise and brave Phra Phrot heard this and grew even more angry in his soul. He spoke: "What are these gandharvas? We will surely avenge this harm upon them. Do not grieve, suffer, or burn with worry. I will kill every asura."

[6 words]

Having spoken, he commanded Phra Mongkut: "Mighty radiant son, be commander of the army and go fight to clear away the asuras. Let young Phra Lop raise the troops as vanguard. I will support my nephew according to the four-armed lord's command. Sukhrip and Nilaphat, arrange the warriors, yakshas, and monkeys. We will march to attack the asuras."

[2 words]

Then Sukhrip and glorious monkey Nilaphat received the command of Phra Chakri's younger brother, bowed with joined hands, and went out.

[8 words]

They arranged Phra Lop's army. In the vanguard, Matchanu was chief; mighty Asuraphat formed the assault support. Nil-ek, Nilrat, and Nilanon were the wings and strong divisions. In Phra Mongkut's vanguard stood Kummitan, Kiakkai, and Keson Thamala. Surasen and Surakan were assigned as left and right wings. The armies of the two powerful brothers of Narai were made of human and yaksha troops. All four armies were crowded thickly, pressing the earth until it rang, as if they would pluck down the stars, moon, and sun. They stood ready, waiting for the princes to move.

[2 words]

Then Phra Phrot, radiant Phra Satrut, and the two young royal nephews entered the bathing place.

[10 words]

The four princes bathed in water whose scent spread like flowers. They put on fine trousers with curled serpent patterns and different colored robes, each with swan-vine gold borders, fluttering side-panels, jeweled armor, ruby-set plates, coral chest ornaments, three-strand chains, diamond-shining rings, and dragon-shaped armlets. Phra Phrot and Phra Satrut wore great fluttering crowns; the two boys wore flower circlets with crest-jewels. Each put on shining ear ornaments, girded on a glittering sword, took a bow, and walked in radiant beauty to mount the chariots.

[10 words]

The four royal chariots shone with jeweled hubs and decorated wheels. The curved yokes were graceful; the descending thrones were pierced with jewel patterns. Three tiers of scrollwork flashed with light; pavilions and goldwork glittered with bird ornaments. Five spires rose high toward the sky, every golden detail set with gems, shining like Indra's palace. Horses of different colors were harnessed. Charioteers drove swiftly like wind, wheels shaking the earth. Sun-colored royal insignia rose in rows. Victory drums thundered. Warriors shouted until all three worlds trembled. Front banners waved to lead the army, and the soldiers hurried forward.

[2 words]

When they reached the open field and saw the city wall, he ordered the warrior host to halt and set a firm battle-camp, waiting to fight the asuras.

[6 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha lay on his jeweled couch, thinking how he would go out to battle, until golden light brightened the sky, the sun rose above the mountain ridge, the stars and moon faded, and cocks crowed together. Elephants and horses cried in excitement; the busy army thundered. Music sounded in uproar as the sun topped the mountain.

[2 words]

He left the golden chamber, invited his beloved royal son, and walked with royal grace to the bathing place.

[10 words]

The two kings cleansed themselves and bathed in fragrant water. They wore swan-patterned trousers with shining crimson cuffs, purple and green-gold robes, golden perforated mirror-work, jewel-and-gold armor, breast straps, moonstone plates, coral chest pieces, nine-gem armlets, graceful bracelets, great Garuda-set rings, and crowns blazing like heaven. The father shone like Vessuwan; the powerful son seemed made by divine craft. Taking terrible bows like end-time fire, they walked out and mounted the royal chariots.

[8 words]

The two war-chariots were deep and beautiful, with jeweled yokes, wheels, hubs, thrones, and scrollwork. Figures of praying deities, Garudas clutching nagas, and golden gables adorned them; their pavilions were lovely like jeweled palaces. Four thousand lions drew them. Lothan held a spear, swinging it as he urged them on swiftly as the wind. Royal parasols and victory flags stood in rows. Pipes, gongs, and drums sounded together; the army shouted until the earth shook. Dust darkened the dawn as the great troops hurried.

[10 words]

Then Wirunphat the yaksha drove his chariot into the middle of the army as vanguard before his father. Fierce and proud like a lion's royal cub, he saw the monkey troops set in layered ranks, together with asura and human forces too many to count, and four commanders riding victory chariots, all of splendid form. The two young princes seemed like gods descending from heaven: graceful, tender, lovely, faces and bodies shining. "These must be Lop and Mongkut, with Phra Phrot and Phra Satrut." So he had his jeweled chariot driven through the army and forward.

[4 words]

When he reached them, he declared: "Hey, arrogant children, coarse and small, no larger than little insects, why do you not fear death? Send elders to fight. You should watch for sport. If you do not listen, your lives will end by my power this instant."

[6 words]

Then radiant Phra Lop heard him and answered: "Hey, evil-hearted asura. You raised troops to plunder Kaiyaket and boast of might and power. Do not be proud before the avatar's younger brother. I am only his grandson, yet I will win this battle. You and your father will die, and not one soldier will remain, by the strength of the powerful sacred arrow in a blink."

[8 words]

Then Wirunphat the yaksha heard this and burned in anger, his two eyes like the fire at the end of the age. He stamped and roared with a voice like thunder: "Ha, little child no larger than a fly, deluded and crude in speech. I am mighty in splendor; gods fear my power in every quarter. Do not boast that you are brave. I will clear away your life and destroy you." Having spoken, he ordered the commanders, great and small: "Attack the monkey troops. Kill every one who has come."

[4 words]

Then Ranawut, commander of the vanguard, mighty Kumbhasun of the strong division, Trikan on the victorious right wing, and Trichak on the left wing each drove his forces forward. All the asura demons surged in to attack.

[2 words]

Some swung weapons in tumult, shouting loudly; they ran, leapt, stabbed, and slashed in confusion, with asuras pressing on behind them.

[4 words]

Then the monkey soldiers, great and small, spun in quickly to receive them, contending with the asuras. Group against group, rank against rank, they seized one another, stabbed, and fought face to face. Giants died in heaps and fell shattered, senseless.

[4 words]

Then the four demon commanders saw the monkeys killing the asuras and grew angry like consuming fire. They stamped, swung their maces, displayed terrible power like thunder, and sprang into the fight, rushing to beat back the monkeys.

[4 words]

Then brave Matchanu, Asuraphat, mighty Nil-ek, and Nilrat saw the four yakshas striking the great army. All shook with anger, roared until the world trembled, swung clubs and swords, and charged to meet the asuras.

[4 words; lament]

Asuraphat grappled in battle with Ranawut the yaksha. Powerful Matchanu attacked Kumbhasun. Nil-ek stepped on Trikan's shoulder. Nilrat fought Trichak. The four soldiers of Phra Harirak each destroyed one yaksha, and all four died.

[2 words]

Then they pressed and attacked, striking the giant soldiers, great and small. Horses, chariots, and elephants fell dead in ruin and could not stand.

[4 words]

Then Wirunphat the yaksha saw his four soldiers dead and grew angry like the fire at the end of the age. He stamped, drove his royal chariot until the wheel-rims shook and thundered, seized a bright jeweled discus, swung it, and hurled it forth.

[2 words]

It blazed like the sun. Earth and sky shook in terror. Hot and fierce like flame, it circled to chase the monkey army.

[4 words]

Then radiant Phra Lop saw the yaksha hurl the discus in a display of power and confusion. He drew his sacred arrow to the string, intending to destroy the yaksha weapon, bent the bow, and shot with force until the sound rang through the three worlds.

[2 words]

The victorious arrow destroyed the sharp discus, breaking it utterly so it could not withstand the force, and then struck the yaksha chariot and shattered it by mighty power.

[4 words]

Then powerful Wirunphat, his chariot broken, fell to the ground. The demon lord sprang up furious, swinging his bow and gnashing his teeth to kill. He leapt and lunged forward and seized the chariot-yoke at once.

[2 words]

Then radiant Phra Lop descended from the jeweled chariot and charged to attack the giant.

[2 words]

He set his right foot on the yaksha's left shoulder, moved gracefully, and swung the bow like a turning discus. It struck the unrighteous asura and made him reel under the prince's power.

[2 words]

Then mighty Wirunphat the yaksha felt pain through every hair of his body. Angry, he seized his bow and shot.

[2 words]

The sound was like Garuda's wings. Countless weapons fell and struck the monkey soldiers by the giant's great power.

[4 words]

Then Phra Lop, born of the Solar Line, saw the yaksha weapons coming against his monkey troops. He drew his bow, beautiful as Narai testing the string, bent it with warrior strength, aimed at the enemy, and shot.

[2 words; lament]

The arrow became a cutting wind that destroyed all the weapons, leaving none. Then it struck Wirunphat and killed him; he fell to the face of the earth.

[8 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha rode in his shining chariot amid the demon army and saw his asura son struck by the arrow, his life ended. His soul sank as if his own head had been severed from his body. Tears poured along his eyes; grief, sorrow, and loss filled him, and anger flared like fire through the sky. He gnashed his teeth, stamped, ordered Lothan to drive the royal chariot faster, swung his powerful bow, and raised the army to attack.

[4 words]

Then Phra Mongkut, born of the Solar Line, saw Wirunphat dead and Khonthan maddened by grief, driving troops, chariots, and elephants until the sound shook sky and earth. He ordered his bright jeweled chariot driven forward to meet the asura army.

[10 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha saw the prince in the jeweled chariot raising the monkey army against him. Rage and grief darkened both his eyes; he gnashed his teeth, stamped, and proclaimed: "Ha, child of misfortune. You seem to have been born today. Tiny, no larger than a mite, still not free of your mother's milk-scent, like a low-born fawn, you dare fight a lion. Humans, gods, and vidyadharas through all three worlds I have fought and flattened. Even your grandfather, your elder, feared me and did not stand against me. You are dust beneath my feet, and you will bring them all to death now."

[6 words]

Then radiant Phra Mongkut heard this and answered the asura: "Do not speak beyond your face. My royal grandfather knows every way of war with keen wisdom. Only because he is very old did you overpower his city. Though I am small, my birth is like a serpent; I am fierce and brave as Death. I will destroy your evil life and make you die after your son this very day."

[6 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha heard this, and his fury doubled, burning like end-time fire. "Ha, little child, these words are coarse and deluded. Your flesh and blood will not even be enough to trouble the mouths of vultures and crows." Having spoken, he ordered the commanders on left and right: "Quickly raise the army. Strike, capture, and kill to satisfy my heart."

[2 words]

Then the commanders, great and small, received the command and drove the great army in to attack with force.

[2 words]

Some shot crossbows and bows; some fired guns with thunderous sound. They stabbed and cut in close combat, attacking from both sides and shouting in confusion.

[4 words]

Then the monkey forces on left and right split out like crow's wings and moved to meet them, charging into battle. They kicked, slapped, bit, grappled, and struck. Arms and legs were torn off beyond counting. The monkeys gained the advantage and pressed forward; the yakshas broke in chaos.

[4 words]

Then the asura support divisions and strong wings, left and right together, saw the vanguard break. Each drove his troops forward to meet the fight. They struck one another in confusion, each side brave and unyielding.

[4 words]

Then Surasen and Surakan, brave in war, burned with anger and swung their powerful swords into the battle. They stabbed, slashed, turned, and cut, killing the yaksha troops until bodies lay in heaps, then sprang to seize four asuras.

[4 words]

Then the four yaksha commanders each swung a mace and leapt forward to meet the monkeys. They struck left and right in turmoil, enduring the middle of battle, each striking and cutting at close quarters.

[6 words]

Then the two soldiers of Phra Narai, Surasen and Surakan, seized the fight. Surasen stepped upon two giants and raised his sword to strike. Mighty Surakan stepped on the shoulders of the other two. Six fighters tangled in confusion, striking and cutting swiftly. The two brave soldiers overpowered the four yakshas; the monkeys cut off their heads, threw them away, and shouted mockery at the asuras.

[4 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha saw the monkeys mock him and grew furious. His eyes bulged; he gnashed his teeth, stamped, and drove the lion-elephant chariot until the earth seemed to sink. He drew his bow to the string and shot.

[2 words]

The sound was like a rainstorm of battle. Arrows beyond counting filled the air and struck the monkey army; the soldiers died and rolled everywhere.

[4 words]

Then Phra Mongkut, lord of the Solar Line, saw Khonthan shoot arrows into the monkey army, killing and wounding them in heaps. The righteous prince drew his bow, set the string, bent it with power, and the son of the four-armed lord shot.

[2 words]

The sound was like a cutting wind. It struck the chariot, breaking it apart beyond endurance. The demon troops lost their lives, and the dead monkey soldiers returned to life.

[4 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha fell from the chariot, bruised all over his body. Angry, he sprang up at once, eyes red like sunlight, gnashed his teeth, swung his bow, and charged up to attack on the prince's chariot.

[4 words]

Then brave-hearted Phra Mongkut swung his bow to meet him, struck the demon lord, and sent him flying. He descended from the royal chariot and charged boldly after him, beautiful like his mighty father fighting Ramasun the asura.

[4 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha parried with his hands and fought. Each chased and fled in confusion; each grappled, turned, raised to strike, changed posture swiftly like a turning wheel, and fought bravely at close quarters.

[4 words]

Then young Phra Mongkut, brave in war, swung the victorious bow like fire and moved in to grapple and attack the asura. He leapt up, stepped on the yaksha's shoulder, seized his head, twisted and changed position, and struck with the mighty bow. The asura staggered at once.

[2 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha, hurt and angrier than before, drove his troops forward to fight.

[2 words]

Then the demon soldiers, great and small, terrified of royal punishment, rushed in to battle against their will.

[4 words]

Then Phra Mongkut, born of the Solar Line, saw the gandharva-asura driving his troops in. He drew the arrow to the string, aiming to kill, bent the bow, and shot with power until the sound rang through the three worlds.

[6 words]

It struck the whole fourfold army. All were destroyed without remainder; heads and bodies lay cut apart, blood reddening the earth. Then the arrow changed into women, radiant like heavenly apsaras. Four lovely women danced in many postures, smiling and laughing. They clapped their hands, pointed at the asura together, and mocked him.

[12 words]

Then Thao Khonthan the yaksha had fought and driven battle until he had lost the field, lost his son dear as his heart, lost the jeweled chariot, horses, elephants, and all his soldiers, and stood alone with no one left as companion in war. The prince's arrow had become four women dancing in mockery before him. Struck with sorrow, he stood still and thought: "Perhaps these are truly scions of victorious Narai, born as avatar. Their power, weapons, and arrows are so great. Since the battle has reached this point, why should I know retreat? I will fight to the death and not regret my life, so my honor may be spoken of through the three worlds." Having thought this, he displayed power: darkness covered and swallowed the sun. Then the demon lord seized a shining jeweled discus and hurled it with force.

[2 words]

The discus flew in swarms, sounding like thunderbolts striking mountains. It circled around the prince, hot and fierce like fire.

[2 words]

Then radiant Phra Mongkut saw the demon lord hurl the discus against him. He took up his shining bow and shot.

[2 words; lament]

The sound thundered to the sixteenth heaven. The arrow destroyed the discus, breaking it completely so it could not stand. Then it struck Khonthan, killing him, and he fell to the face of the earth.

Colophon

This Good Works translation was made from the Thai source text of บทละครเรื่องรามเกียรติ์, สมุดไทยเล่มที่ ๑๑๖, in the Vajirayana Digital Library edition. The translation keeps Thai royal and mythic names in a light English transliteration while preserving familiar Sanskritic identities in the source colophon and cross-traditional names where applicable: Phra Rama / Phra Chakri / Phra Harirak / Phra Narai, Sita / Phra Lakshmi, Phra Phrot / Bharata, Phra Satrut / Shatrughna, Phra Mongkut, Phra Lop / Lava, Hanuman / Phraya Anuchit / son of Wind, Sukhrip / Sugriva, Chomphuvarat, Thao Khonthan / Gandharva Yaksha, Wirunphat, Thao Kaiyaket / Kaikeya, Sumanthan / Sumantra, Matchanu, Asuraphat, Nil-ek, Nilrat, Nilanon, Kummitan, Kiakkai, Keson Thamala, Surasen, Surakan, Ranawut, Kumbhasun, Trikan, Trichak, Phatkan, Ditsrisin, Kaiyaket, Ayutthaya, Khitkhin, Chomphu, Lanka, and Maliwan.

The English is a complete prose rendering of this source unit. The stage/meter cues are preserved as bracketed cues rather than treated as narrative speech.

[ฯ ๒ คำ ฯ]

Stanza 225

๏ เมื่อนั้น / พระมงกุฎทรงสวัสดิ์รัศมี
เห็นขุนยักษ์ขว้างจักรมาราวี / ก็ทรงศรศรีแผลงไป ฯ

Meter 226

[ฯ ๒ คำ ฯ]

Stanza 227

๏ เสียงสนั่นครั่นครื้นถึงโสฬส / ล้างจักรหักหมดไม่ทนได้
แล้วต้องคนธรรพ์บรรลัย / ล้มในพ่างพื้นพระสุธา ฯ

Meter 228

[ฯ ๒ คำ ฯ โอด]

Source Colophon

Source: Vajirayana Digital Library, บทละครเรื่องรามเกียรติ์, สมุดไทยเล่มที่ ๑๑๖.

Canonical source URL: https://vajirayana.org/บทละครเรื่องรามเกียรติ์/สมุดไทยเล่มที่-๑๑๖

The source page metadata gives the page title as สมุดไทยเล่มที่ ๑๑๖, text type as Text, and page description beginning ๏ บัดนั้น ฝ่ายขุนอาชาชาญสมร. The source unit extracted here contains 0 proems, 114 stanza blocks, 532 stanza rows, 0 cue blocks, and 114 meter or word-count notes.