{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rama/ry481.htm","path":"hin/rama/ry481.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry481.htm","text":"Then M\u00e1tali to R\u00e1ma cried:\n 'Let other arms the day decide.\n Why wilt thou strive with useless toil\n And see his might thy efforts foil?\n Launch at the foe thy dart whose fire\n Was kindled by the Almighty Sire.'\n He ceased: and Raghu's son obeyed:\n Upon his string the hero laid\n An arrow, like a snake that hissed.\n Whose fiery flight had never missed:\n The arrow Saint Agastya gave\n And blessed the chieftain's life to save\n That dart the Eternal Father made\n The Monarch of the Gods to aid;\n By Brahm\u00e1's self on him bestowed\n When forth to fight Lord Indra rode.\n 'Twas feathered with the rushing wind;\n The glowing sun and fire combined\n To the keen point their splendour lent;\n The shaft, ethereal element,\n By Meru's hill and Mandar, pride\n Of mountains, had its weight supplied.\n He laid it on the twisted cord,\n He turned the point at Lank\u00e1's lord,\n And swift the limb-dividing dart\n Pierced the huge chest and cleft the heart,\n And dead he fell upon the plain\n Like Vritra by the Thunderer slain.\n The R\u00e1kahas host when R\u00e1van fell\n Sent forth a wild terrific yell,\n Then turned and fled, all hope resigned,\n Through Lank\u00e1's gates, nor looked behind\n His voice each joyous V\u00e1nar raised,\n And R\u00e1ma, conquering R\u00e1ma, praised.\n Soft from celestial minstrels came\n The sound of music and acclaim.\n Soft, fresh, and cool, a rising breeze\n Brought odours from the heavenly trees,\n And ravishing the sight and smell\n A wondrous rain of blossoms fell:\n And voices breathed round Raghu's son:\n 'Champion of Gods, well done, well done.'","title":"BOOK VI: Canto CX.: R\u00e1van's Death.","type":"page"}