vakṣaḥ-sthala—chestsparśa—touched byrugna—brokenmahā-indra—the King of heavenvāha—the conveyordantaiḥ—by the trunkviḍambita—illuminatedkakup-juṣaḥ—all directions thus being servedūḍha-hāsam—overtaken by laughtersadyaḥ—within no timeasubhiḥ—by the lifesaha—along withvineṣyati—was killeddāra-hartuḥ—of the one who kidnapped the wifevisphūrjitaiḥ—by the tingling of the bowdhanuṣaḥ—bowuccarataḥ—strolling fastadhisainye—in the midst of the fighting soldiers of both sides.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
vakṣaḥ-sthala-sparśa-rugna-mahendra-vāha-
vakṣaḥ-sthala
chest
sparśa
touched by
rugna
broken
mahā-indra
the King of heaven
vāha
the conveyor
dantair viḍambita-kakubjuṣa ūḍha-hāsam
dantaiḥ
by the trunk
viḍambita
illuminated
kakup-juṣaḥ
all directions thus being served
ūḍha-hāsam
overtaken by laughter
sadyaḥ
within no time
asubhiḥ
by the life
sadyo ’subhiḥ saha vineṣyati dāra-hartur
saha
along with
vineṣyati
was killed
dāra-hartuḥ
of the one who kidnapped the wife
visphūrjitair dhanuṣa uccarato ’dhisainye
visphūrjitaiḥ
by the tingling of the bow
dhanuṣaḥ
bow
uccarataḥ
strolling fast
adhisainye
in the midst of the fighting soldiers of both sides.
When Rāvaṇa was engaged in the battle, the trunk of the elephant which carried the King of heaven, Indra, broke in pieces, having collided with the chest of Rāvaṇa, and the scattered broken parts illuminated all directions. Rāvaṇa therefore felt proud of his prowess and began to loiter in the midst of the fighting soldiers, thinking himself the conqueror of all directions. But his laughter, overtaken by joy, along with his very air of life, suddenly ceased with the tingling sound of the bow of Rāmacandra, the Personality of Godhead.
Purport
However powerful a living being may be, when he is condemned by God no one can save him, and, similarly, however weak one may be, if he is protected by the Lord no one can annihilate him.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Rāma would immediately remove the loud laugh of Rāvaṇa, who turned the directions white with the fragments of Airāvata’s tusk which broke when it collided with his chest, just by the twang of his bow which moved wonderfully through the battlefield.
Commentary
Rāvaṇa had turned the directions white with the tusks of Indra’s elephant, which broke on contacting his chest. The pieces of broken tusk fled in all directions or served all directions (kakub juṣaḥ). Rāvaṇa, who stole his wife (dāra-hartuḥ), gave a loud laugh. Rāma would immediately remove the pride of Rāvaṇa, who thought “There is no one equal to me” along with his life airs, by the twang of his bow, which moved wonderfully among the troops of both sides. There is another version with kakub-jaya-rūḍha-hāsam: pride which increased his victory in all directions.
His Holiness Prahladananada Swami· 2001-03-29· English
Personal Guidance
Rāvaṇa, after one apparent victory, paraded as conqueror of all directions. When the Lord condemns, no power can save; when He protects, no weakness can be crushed. Outer victory means nothing without His sanction.
Reflection Questions
What recent 'victory' have I been parading that lacks His sanction?
Where am I forgetting that protection, not strength, is what actually keeps me safe?