{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_60188/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_60188","id":"gutenberg_60188","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60188","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Epic poetry, Sanskrit -- Translations into English","Folklore -- India","Rama (Hindu deity) -- Fiction","Valmiki -- Adaptations"],"text":"Produced by James Simmons.\n\nThis file was produced from page images at the Internet Archive.\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber's Note\n\n\nThis book was transcribed from scans of several different copies of the\noriginal found at the Internet Archive. The typesetters of the original\nbook represented the letter a (with a macron above) as a (with\ncircumflex above) when italicized, but this etext uses the macron\nthroughout. Words in italics in this etext were italicized in the\noriginal book. I have corrected obvious misspellings but I've left\nvariant spellings alone. Some words and names, like _yojana_ and\n_Garuda_, were spelled two different ways in the same text. I have\nspelled them consistently to avoid confusion.\n\n\n\n\n THE RAMAYANA\n\n\n Translated into English Prose from the original Sanskrit of Valmiki\n\n\n YUDDHA KANDAM.\n\n\n EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY\n\n MANMATHA NATH DUTT, M. A.\n\n Rector, Keshub Academy.\n\n\n\n\nPrinted By Girish Chandra Chackravarti, Deva Press, 65/2, Beadon Street.\n CALCUTTA. 1893\n\n [All rights reserved.]\n\n\n\n\n YUDDHAKANDAM. .....................................................\n SECTION I. ......................................................\n SECTION II. .....................................................\n SECTION III. ....................................................\n SECTION IV. .....................................................\n SECTION V. ......................................................\n SECTION VI. .....................................................\n SECTION VII. ....................................................\n SECTION VIII. ...................................................\n SECTION IX. .....................................................\n SECTION X. ......................................................\n SECTION XI. .....................................................\n SECTION XII. ....................................................\n SECTION XIII. ...................................................\n SECTION XIV. ....................................................\n SECTION XV. .....................................................\n SECTION XVI. ....................................................\n SECTION XVII. ...................................................\n SECTION XVIII. ..................................................\n SECTION XIX. ....................................................\n SECTION XX. .....................................................\n SECTION XXI. ....................................................\n SECTION XXII. ...................................................\n SECTION XXIII. ..................................................\n SECTION XXIV. ...................................................\n SECTION XXV. ....................................................\n SECTION XXXI. ...................................................\n SECTION XXVII. ..................................................\n SECTION XXVIII. .................................................\n SECTION XXIX. ...................................................\n SECTION XXX. ....................................................\n SECTION XXXI. ...................................................\n SECTION XXXII. ..................................................\n SECTION XXXIII. .................................................\n SECTION XXXIV. ..................................................\n SECTION XXXV. ...................................................\n SECTION XXXVI. ..................................................\n SECTION XXXVII. .................................................\n SECTION XXXVIII. ................................................\n SECTION XXXIX. ..................................................\n SECTION XL. .....................................................\n SECTION XLI. ....................................................\n SECTION XLII. ...................................................\n SECTION XLIII. ..................................................\n SECTION XLIV. ...................................................\n SECTION XLV. ....................................................\n SECTION XLVI. ...................................................\n SECTION XLVII. ..................................................\n SECTION XLVIII. .................................................\n SECTION XLIX. ...................................................\n SECTION L. ......................................................\n SECTION LI. .....................................................\n SECTION LII. ....................................................\n SECTION LIII. ...................................................\n SECTION LIV. ....................................................\n SECTION LV. .....................................................\n SECTION LVI. ....................................................\n SECTION LVII. ...................................................\n SECTION LVIII. ..................................................\n SECTION LIX. ....................................................\n SECTION LX. .....................................................\n SECTION LXI. ....................................................\n SECTION LXII. ...................................................\n SECTION LXIII. ..................................................\n SECTION LXIV. ...................................................\n SECTION LXV. ....................................................\n SECTION LXVI. ...................................................\n SECTION LXVII. ..................................................\n SECTION LXVIII. .................................................\n SECTION LXIX. ...................................................\n SECTION LXXI. ...................................................\n SECTION LXIXII. .................................................\n SECTION LXXIII. .................................................\n SECTION LXXIV. ..................................................\n SECTION LXXV. ...................................................\n SECTION LXXVI. ..................................................\n SECTION LXXVII. .................................................\n SECTION LXXVIII. ................................................\n SECTION LXXIX. ..................................................\n SECTION LXXX. ...................................................\n SECTION LXXXI. ..................................................\n SECTION LXXXII. .................................................\n SECTION LXXXIII. ................................................\n SECTION LXXXIV. .................................................\n SECTION LXXXV. ..................................................\n SECTION LXXXVI. .................................................\n SECTION LXXXVI ..................................................\n SECTION LXXXVIII. ...............................................\n SECTION LXXXIX. .................................................\n SECTION LXL. ....................................................\n SECTION LXLI. ...................................................\n SECTION LXLII. ..................................................\n SECTION LXLIII. .................................................\n SECTION LXLIV. ..................................................\n SECTION LXLV. ...................................................\n SECTION LXLVI. ..................................................\n SECTION LXLVII. .................................................\n SECTION LXLVIII. ................................................\n SECTION LXLIX. ..................................................\n SECTION C. ......................................................\n SECTION CI. .....................................................\n SECTION CII. ....................................................\n SECTION CIII. ...................................................\n SECTION CIV. ....................................................\n SECTION CV. .....................................................\n SECTION CVI. ....................................................\n SECTION CVII. ...................................................\n SECTION CVIII. ..................................................\n SECTION CIX. ....................................................\n SECTION CX. .....................................................\n SECTION CXI. ....................................................\n SECTION CXII. ...................................................\n SECTION CXIII. ..................................................\n SECTION CXIV. ...................................................\n SECTION CXV. ....................................................\n SECTION CXVI. ...................................................\n SECTION CXVII. ..................................................\n SECTION CXVIII. .................................................\n SECTION CXIX. ...................................................\n SECTION CXX. ....................................................\n SECTION CXXI. ...................................................\n SECTION CXXII. ..................................................\n SECTION CXXIII. .................................................\n SECTION CXXIV. ..................................................\n SECTION CXXV. ...................................................\n SECTION CXXVI. ..................................................\n SECTION CXXVII. .................................................\n SECTION CXXVIII. ................................................\n SECTION CXXIX. ..................................................\n SECTION CXXX. ...................................................\n\n\n\n\nYUDDHAKANDAM.\n\n\n\nSECTION I.\n\n\nHearing the words of Hanuman rehearsed properly, Rama, exceedingly\ndelighted, said,--\"By Hanuman hath been performed a very great deed,\nrare on earth, and one incapable of being even conceived by any other in\nthe world. Save Garuda and the Wind-god, and save also Hanuman, him find\nI not who crosseth the wide ocean. Entering by main force the city of\nLanka, incapable of being subjugated by the gods and Danavas and\nYakshas, the Gandharbas, serpents or Rakhas, and well protected by\nRavana,--who, living, cometh out (of it)? And who that is not the\ncompeer of Hanuman in strength and prowess, even entereth into (Lanka),\nhard to subdue, and carefully guarded by the Rakshasas? And having so\nput forth his strength commensurate with his prowess, Hanuman hath also\nperformed a great act befitting a servant on behalf of Sugriva.[1] That\nservant who, being entrusted with a hard task,--after having\naccomplished it, doeth another work in pursuance of (the prescribed\nbusiness), is the best of men. That servant is middling, who, deputed to\nany task,[2] doth not, albeit capable, perform any other work which may\nbe dear to the king. And that servant who, entrusted with any work the\nking, doth not, although competent, heedfully accomplish the same, hath\nbeen called the worst. Anent the order (which he had received), Hanuman\nhath done the work (and more). He hath not been humbled,[3]--and,\nfurther, hath pleased Sugriva. And by seeing Vaidehi, (Hanuman hath),\nwhile reaping righteousness, saved me, the Raghu race, and the highly\npowerful Lakshmana. And this pained my mind sore, that I cannot do a\nlike benefit, returning this dear office of his. Embrace expresseth the\nall (of the Deity),[4] and, finding this occasion, I extend my embrace\nunto the high-souled Hanuman\". Having said this, Rama, with his down\nstanding on end in joy, embraced the self-controlled Hanuman, who was\npresent after having finished his speech. Then reflecting for a while,\nthe best of the Raghus again spoke in the presence of Sugriva, lord of\nmonkeys. \"Complete success hath been attained anent the search for Sita.\nBut when I think of the ocean, my mind is again sunk in dejection. How\ncan the assembled monkeys go over to the southern shore of the vasty\ndeep, difficult to cross? This tidings thou hast related unto me\ntouching Vadehi, but what are the monkeys to do next about crossing the\nsea?\" Having said this unto Hanuman, that slayer of foes, mighty-armed\nRama, agitated by anxiety, was then plunged in thought.\n\n [1] Having seen Sita--which was all that he had been commissioned to\n do by Sugriva, Hanuman has destroyed Rakshasas and burnt Lanka;\n and this he did of himself like a good servant.--T.\n\n [2] i.e. _performing the entrusted work.--T._\n\n [3] _By the Rakskasas.--T._\n\n [4] The commentator explains this obscure passage after his own\n orthodox fashion. The gist is this. Delight is the essence of the\n Deity, and all His incarnations body forth this. Embrace is\n typical of this emotion.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION II.\n\n\nThen the graceful Sugriva spake words capable of soothing sorrow, unto\nDacaratha's son, Rama, who was wrought up with grief,--\"Why, O hero,\ndost thou grieve, like one that is base? Let not this be so. Chase away\nthy grief, even as an ingrate resigneth amity. Nor, O Raghava, when the\nwhereabouts of Sita hath been discovered, and when too the abode itself\nof the foe hath been known, do I perceive the reason of thy sorrow.\nThou, O Raghava, art intelligent, conversant with learning, wise, and\njudicious. Do thou cast away this sorry way of thinking, even as a\nself-controlled (ascetic) casteth away any course of thought interfering\nwith the attainment of his purpose. Crossing over the ocean swarming\nwith gigantic alligators, we shall enter Lanka and slay thy enemy. Of a\nperson that is dispirited and poor in pluck and that hath his soul\noverwhelmed with grief, every interest droopeth, and he cometh by\nmisfortunes (one after another). All these heroes, these leaders of\nmonkey-hordes, who are ardent for thy welfare, are competent to enter\ninto fire itself. From their cheerful attitude I know this, and firm is\nmy faith. It behoveth thee so to arrange things that, slaying the foe,\nRavana of impious acts, we may bring hither Sita by our own prowess. Do\nthou, O Raghava, so order matters that a bridge may be constructed (over\nthe main), and that we may behold the palace of the Rakshasa monarch. We\nhaving seen the city of Lanka, established on the summit of Trikuta, do\nthou for certain conclude Ravana as slain in battle immediately after\n(we see her). Without throwing a bridge over the ocean--the dread abode\nof Varuna--even the Asuras and celestials with Indra (at their head) are\nunequal to subduing Lanka. When the bridge over the ocean hath been\nconstructed up to near Lanka, and when my forces have crossed (over the\nsea), consider victory as secured. As these monkeys are heroic in fight,\nand able to wear forms at will, O king, do not let thy intellect get\nstupified and thus mar all interests. In this world, sorrow berefts\npeople of their prowess. Do thou do even what should be done by a\nman--summon thy manliness; for what an actor doeth promptly, conduceth\nto his success. At this time, O eminently wise one, do thou realise\ngoodness through thy energy.[5] Of heroic, high-souled, men like\nthyself, on their sustaining an entire or a partial loss, grief undoeth\nevery interest. Therefore, the foremost of intelligent persons, and\nconversant with every lore, thou shouldst along with councilors like me,\nstrive to beat thy foe. Find I none in the three worlds, O Raghava, who\ncan stay in fight before thee equipped with thy bow. Thy business\nentrusted to these monkeys shall not (anyway) suffer. And soon, crossing\nover the boundless main, thou shalt behold Sita. Therefore, O king,\nrenounce thy sorrow, and call up wrath. Those Kshatriyas that conceive\nno anger in respect of their enemies, have their activity annulled; and\nall fear furious persons. Drawing nigh unto us, do thou, gifted with\nacute intelligence, cast about for crossing over the dreadful deep--lord\nof streams--along with us. On these forces getting beyond the ocean, do\nthou take it for certain that we have won; and when my whole host hath\nreached the further shore, do thou indubitably conclude that we have\nobtained victory. These monkeys, heroic and capable of assuming in fight\nforms at will, shall slaughter those foes by showering rocks and trees.\nIf I see any means of crossing the ocean, Varuna's abode, I shall, O\ndestroyer of foes, deem him as slain in battle. And what is the use of\ndilating? Every way thou shalt prove victorious. And I see omens, and my\nmind is filled with delight\".\n\n [5] _i.e._ as I understand this rather obscure passage, _prove thou\n good through thy vigor--secure victory to the cause of goodness\n through thy might._--T\n\n\n\nSECTION III.\n\n\nHearing Sugriva's speech, reasonable and fraught with high sense,\nKakutstha accorded his assent to it and spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--\"By\nasceticism, or constructing a a bridge, or drying up the\nocean,--competent every way am I for crossing over this ocean. Of\nimpracticable places, tell me how many there are in (Lanka), which are\nincapable of being come at. O monkey, as thou hast seen personally, I\nwish to get acquainted with all this. And thou hast at thy leisure duly\nnoticed in Lanka the number of the army, the inaccessibility (or\notherwise) of the gates, the defence of Lanka, and the dwellings of the\nRakshasas. Do thou faithfully relate this unto me, for thou art\nobservant\". Hearing Rama's speech, Hanuman, offspring of the Wind-god,\nforemost of those conversant with speech, again spake unto\nRama,--\"Hearken! I will describe unto thee by what method is the city of\nLanka guarded and protected by the Rakshasas, how loyal the Rakshasas\nare, the surpassing prosperity of Lanka, the dreadfulness of the deep,\nthe divisions of the forces, and the number of the elephants, horses,\ncars, etc\". Having said this, that best of monkeys, knowing the nature\nof things, went on,--\"Lanka, filled with mad elephants, ever rejoiceth.\nShe is great, thronging with cars and inhabited by Rakshasas. Her doors\nare firmly established and furnished with massy bolts. And she hath four\nwide and giant gates. (At those gates) are powerful and large arms,\nstones, and engines, whereby a hostile host approaching, is opposed. At\nthe entrances are arrayed and set in order by bands of heroic Rakshasas,\nhundreds of dreadful sharp iron _sataghnis_.[6] She hath a mighty\nimpassable golden wall, having its side emblazoned in the centre with\ncostly stones, coral, lapises and pearls. Round about is a moat,\nexceedingly dreadful, with cool water, eminently grand, fathomless,\ncontaining ferocious aquatic animals, and inhabited by fishes. At the\ngates are four broad bridges, furnished with machines and many rows of\ngrand structures. On the approach of hostile forces, their attack is\nrepulsed by these machines, and they are thrown into the ditch. One\namong these bridges is immovable, strong and fast established; adorned\nwith golden pillars and daises. O Rama, albeit Ravana hungereth for\nfight, yet is he calm; and he is vigilant and ever engaged in\nsuperintending his army. And dreadful and resembling a celestial\ncitadel, Lanka cannot be ascended by means of any support. She hath\nfortresses composed of streams, those of hills, and artificial ones of\nfour kinds. And, O Raghava, she is situated on the other shore of the\nocean having its limit far away. And way there is none even for\nbarks,--and all sides are destitute of division. And that citadel is\nbuilt on the mountain's brow; and, resembling the metropolis of the\nimmortals, the exceedingly invincible Lanka is filled with horses and\nelephants. And a moat and _sataghnis_ and various engines adorn the city\nof Lanka, belonging to the wicked Ravana. And an _ayuta_ of Rakshasas,\ndart-handed, hard to subdue,--and all fighting at the front with their\nswords--protect the Eastern gate. And a _niyuta_ of Rakshasas with a\nfourfold force, and with the flower of the soldiery--protect the\nSouthern gate. And a _prayuta_ of Rakshasas, bearing swords and shields,\nand skilled in all arms, protect the Western gate. And an _arvuda_ of\nRakhas protect the Northern gate. And car-warriors and horsemen--persons\nhonored and sprung from noble lines--by hundreds and thousands,--and\nirrepressible goblins and _kotis_ of Rakshasas, protect the garrison. I\nhave broken down the bridges and filled up the entrenchment. I have\nburnt the city of Lanka and laid the wall low. Let us by any way\nwhatever cross over Varuna's abode. Do thou take it for certain that the\ncity of Lanka is subdued by the monkeys. What is the use of thy\nreckoning the rest? Angada, Dwivida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Nala, and\nthe general, Nila, bounding and reaching Ravana's abode, and riving the\nsame consisting of woods and hills, moat and gateway, walls and\ndwellings, shall, O Raghava, bring (hither) Sita. If this be so,[7] do\nthou order the entire body of the army to be brought; and do thou set\nout at the proper hour\".\n\n [6] A kind of fire-arms, or ancient Hindu rocket; or a stone set round\n with sharp iron spikes.--According to Ramanuya, a sort of mace\n about two yards in length, with spikes.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION IV.\n\n\nHearing Hanuman's speech duly from the beginning, the exceedingly\nenergetic Rama having truth for his prowess, said,--\"What thou\nsayest--'I shall speedily destroy the city of this dreadful Raksha,'--is\ntrue, I tell thee. Therefore, at this very moment arrange for Sugriva's\nmarch. The Sun hath attained his meridian at this proper moment, capable\nof conferring victory.[8] Let Ravana carry away Sita (to his own\ncountry),--whither shall Ravana, living, repair? Like a dying person who\nhath taken a death-dispelling drug and drunk ambrosia, Sita, hearing of\nmy preparations for war, shall inspire hope of life. To-day the Northern\nPhalguni (is in the ascendant); and to-morrow the moon shall be in\nconjunction with Hasta.[9] O Sugriva, shall we set out, surrounded by\nthe entire host? The omens I witness, augur, that, having slain Ravana,\nI shall bring back Janaki. The upper lid of my eye throbbeth; and it\nbetokeneth that my desire hath indeed been had\". Then, honored by the\nmonkey-king as well as Lakshmana, the righteous Rama, understanding the\nimport of things, again said,--\"Surrounded by hundreds and thousands of\nfast-speeding monkeys, let Nila go ahead of this force, for surveying\nthe route. O Nila, do thou, O general, expeditiously take the army by a\npath furnished with fruits and roots, having cool waters of the woods,\nand replenished with honey. The wicked Rakshasas vitiate[10] fruits,\nroots and water along the way. Thou, ever on the alert, shouldst\npreserve these from the Rakshas. And, bounding down into hollow places,\nmountain-fastnesses, and woods, let the rangers of the wilds, spy the\nposted detachments of the enemy. Let those that are incompetent, stay\nhere. This business is dreadful, and we should apply our best strength\nin conducting the same. Therefore let the foremost monkeys gifted with\nprodigious prowess lead forth the choice portion of the army, numbering\nhundreds and thousands. And let Gaja resembling a hill, and the\nexceedingly powerful Gavaya, and that monkey, Gavaksha, master of the\nleaping ones,[11] like a haughty bull among kine, go in the van of the\nmonkey-host. And let that foremost of monkeys, Rishava, go, protecting\nthe right wing (of the army); and let Gandha, irrisistible like an\nelephant with the fragrant temporal juice trickling down, and the\nvehement Gandhamadana, go,[12] protecting the left wing (of the\nmonkey-army). And, cheering the army, I myself, mounted on Hanuman, like\nthe Lord (mounted) on Airavata, shall march in the midst of the forces.\nAnd like the lord of wealth and master of riches, mounted on\nSarvabhauma, let Lakshmana resembling the Destroyer, march forth,\nmounted on Angada. And let that king of bears, the long-armed Jambavan,\nSushena, and the monkey, Vegadarci, protect the rear (of the forces)\".\nHearing Raghava's words, that foremost of monkeys and lord of the army,\nthe exceedingly energetic Sugriva, issued his orders. And anon those\nhighly powerful monkeys issuing up from caves and mountain-summits,\nbegan to bound (on all sides). Thereafter, honored by the king of\nmonkeys and also Lakshmana, the righteous Rama, accompanied by his\nforces, set out in a southerly direction. And he marched, surrounded by\nhundreds and thousands, Kotis and Ayutas of monkeys resembling\nelephants. And he marching was followed by the mighty host of monkeys;\nand all those maintained by Sugriva were filled with joy and betrayed\ndemonstrations of delight. And bounding by way of guarding the flanks of\nthe forces, and leaping in front of the army for pioneering, blustering,\nemitting leonine roars, and uttering cries, the monkeys made towards the\nsouth. And some partook of perfumed honey and fruits, and some bore\nmighty trees, holding the sprouts. And some in pride (of strength)\nsuddenly raised others and threw them down. And some fell and were anon\nup, and some brought others down. 'We shall slay Ravana, as also all the\nrangers of the night'; thus did the monkeys roar out in the presence of\nRaghava. Before (the army), Rhrishabha, the heroic Nila, and Kumuda,\nalong with many monkeys, went on clearing the route. In the middle were\nking Sugriva, Rama and Lakshamana, environed by innumerable powerful and\nterrible monkeys. And the heroic monkey, Satavali, surrounded by ten\nKotis (of troops), alone on all sides protected that monkey host. And\naccompanied by an hundred Kotis, Kesari, Panasa, Gaja[13] and Arka, by\nmeans of many protected that host on every side. And taking Sugriva\nbefore them, Sushena, and Jambavan, surrounded by innumerable bears,\nprotected the rear (of the army.) And that foremost of rangers possessed\nof excellence, and of restrained senses, the heroic Nila, general (of\nthe army), kept going round the ranks. And Valimukha, and Prajangha,\nJambha and the monkey Rabhasa, went everywhere, urging on the monkeys.\nWhile thus marching, breathing pride of strength, those tiger-like\nmonkeys saw that foremost of mountains _Sahya_ crowned with hundreds of\ntrees, and watery expanses laughing with flowers, and beautiful tanks.\nAnd knowing the order of Rama of dreadful wrath, that terrible and\nmighty host, exceedingly terrific and resembling the bosom of the deep,\ncowed down through fear, leaving behind cities and villages and\nprovinces, went like the deep-sounding sea. And at the side of\nDacaratha's son those heroic monkeys resembling elephants, proceeded by\nbounds, like noble horses, spurred on. And those foremost of men,\nmounted on the monkeys, looked beautiful like the Sun and the Moon half\neclipsed by the two mighty planets, _viz_., Rahu and Ketu. And (thus)\ndid the righteous Rama proceed towards the South, accompanied by his\narmy. Then Lakshmana, furnished with consummate sense and promptitude,\nwho was mounted on Angada, spoke unto Rama, inviting words, fraught with\nimport. \"Speedily recovering Vaidehi, who hath been carried away, and\nslaying Ravana, thou wilt, thy end attained, return to Ayodhya, who\nshall also have her desire. O Raghava, I see all the great auspicious\nomens on earth and in the sky, signifying success unto thee. Mildly and\ngrateful doth the blessed breeze blow behind the army, inspiring\npleasure. And the birds and beasts are crying in sonorous voices. And\nall the points (of the compass) appear pleasant; and the lord of day is\ncloudless. Bhrigu's son, Ucanas, also weareth for thee an auspicious\naspect, and Dhruva is without blemish. And all the _rishis_, pure and\nfurnished with lustre, go round Dhruva. And before us shineth the\ngrandfather of the high-souled Ikshwakus; the spotless Rajarshi\nTricanku, with his priest.--And stainless and free from disturbances\nappeareth Visakha. This is the racial star of us, the high-souled\nIkshwakus. And Nairita, the racial star of the Nairitas, is sore\nafflicted and, touched by the rod-bearing Dhumketu is in trouble. All\nthis is for the destruction of the Rakshasas. At the fated time, those\nthat are in the clutches of Death, have their stars afflicted by the\nplanets. And the water is dear and tastes sweet; and the woods are\nstocked with fruit. And the odorous gale doth not blow strongly; and the\ntrees are furnished with all blossoms of of the season. And, O lord,\nthis host of monkeys appeareth splendid to the height, as did the\ncelestial host on the occasion of the destruction of Taraka. Seeing all\nthis, thou shouldst, O noble one, feel delighted\". Having thus consoled\nhis brother, Sumitra's son, feeling enlivened, said this. The\nmonkey-host went on, covering the earth. And the mighty dust raised by\nbears, monkeys, and tigers, having for their weapons nails and\nteeth,--with the foreparts of their feet and hands, enveloped the world,\nand the splendour of the sun was obscured. And as clouds envelope the\nsky, the mighty monkey-host went on, covering up the Southern quarter\nwith its mountains, woods, and sky. And as they marched covering many a\n_yojana_, the streams seemed as if they flowed in an opposite\ndirection.[14] And they, while proceeding, took rest by pools of clear\nwater, on mountains covered with trees, on plains and in forests teeming\nwith fruits. Some moving straight, some moving askance, and some moving\non the earth, that enormous monkey-host went on covering the entire\nearth. And they were all of delighted countenances and gifted with the\nvelocity of the wind. And these monkeys devoted all their energy to the\naccomplishment of Raghava's work. And they were displaying unto each\nother their joy, prowess and energy. And influenced with the vanity of\nyouth they set up diverse cries. Some proceeded with speed, some leaped,\nsome set up cries expressing joy, some were uplifting their tails, and\nsome were striking the ground with their feet. Some, stretching forth\ntheir arms, were breaking the hills, and others the trees. And others\nwere ascending the tops of the hills. Some began to make terrible\nsounds, and others made a tingling noise. And many others blasted the\ncreepers with the velocity of their thighs. And some were engaged in\nsporting with trees and rocks. And thus was the earth enveloped with\nmillions and _kotis_ of fearful monkeys. And thus the enormous monkey\nhost went on day and night. And all those monkeys, delighted, guided by\nSugriva, and taking delight in battle, went on speedily. And they did\nnot take rest even for a moment, desirous of rescuing Sita. Thereupon,\ngetting at the mount _Sahya_ covered with various trees and forests,\nthose monkeys ascended it. And Rama went on beholding the variegated\nforest, rivers and fountains of the mount _Sahya_ and _Malaya_. And\nthose monkeys broke down various trees--_Champakas_, _Tilakas, mangos,\n*Prasekas_, _Sindubarakas_, _Tinicas_ and _Karaviras_, _Asokas_,\n_Karanjas_, _Plakshas_, _Nyagrodhas_, _Jambukas_ and _Amalakas_. And\nseated on picturesque rocks, various forest trees, shaken by the wind,\nshowered flowers on them. And there blew in those forests filled with\nthe smell of honey, a wind of pleasant touch, cool as the Moon,\naccompanied by the hummings of the bees. And that mount was richly\nembellished with diverse metals. And dust issuing from these metals and\nthickened by the air, enveloped on all sides the huge monkey-host. There\nblossomed in that picturesque mountain-vale _Ketakas_, _Sindubaras_,\nbeautiful _Vasantees_, _Madhabis_, _Gandhapurnas_, _Kandas_,\n_Chiravilyas_, _Mahikas_, _Vanjulas_, _Vakulas_, _Ranjakas_, _Tilakas_,\n_Nagas_, _Chutas_, _Patalikas_, _Kobidaras_, _Muchlindas_, _Arjunas_,\n_Singsapas_, _Kutajas_, _Pintalas_, _Tinicas_, _Churnkas_, _Neepakas_,\n_Neela-Sokas_, _Saralas_, _Ankolas_ and lotuses. And all these trees\nwere greatly disturbed by those monkeys, delighted with their view.\nThere were in that mountain many a picturesque lake and pond filled with\n_Chakravakas_ and _Karandavas_, ducks, _Chraunchas_ and the mount\nabounded on all sides with boars, deer, and terrible bears, lions and\ntigers and various other fearful animals, and it was beautified with\nfull blown lotuses, lilies, _Utpalas_ and various other fragrant trees\ngrowing in the water. And various birds set up their musical choir on\nthe summit of that mount. And bathing and drinking, these monkeys\nsported in the water. And ascending the mount these monkeys continually\nbounded. And excited with drink, they crumbled into pieces the\nambrosia-smelling fruits, roots and flowers of the trees. And those\nmonkeys yellow as honey, delighted, feasted on mangoes, long and\nmeasuring a _drona_. Breaking down the trees, blasting the creepers,\nbounding from one tree to another and making the mount _Sahya_ echo,\nthose leading monkeys went on delighted and excited with drink. Some\nascending the trees, and others drinking, the whole earth was enveloped\nwith those monkeys, and seemed as if beautified with ripe paddy crops.\nAnd reaching the mount Mahendra, the large-armed Rama, having eyes like\nlotuses, ascended the summit adorned with diverse trees. And getting at\nthe top, Dacaratha's son espied the vast deep filled with tortoises and\nfishes. Thereupon, passing by the mounts _Sahya_ and _Malaya_ and\narranging their enormous host, they[15] by and by reached the roaring\ndeep. And descending therefrom, Rama, the foremost of those who minister\nhappiness unto all, accompanied by Lakshmana and Sugriva, entered the\nforest situate on the banks of the ocean. And reaching the expansive\nbanks having rocks thereon and continually washed by the rising billows,\nRama spoke saying,--\"O Sugriva we have arrived at the abode of Varuna.\nNow hath arisen in my mind what I had not thought of before. And this\nocean, the lord of the streams, whose other side is not seen, cannot be\ncrossed over without some excellent measure. Let the monkey-host be\nencamped here therefore, and then concert a plan by means of which they\nmight get at the other side. And reaching the shores of the ocean, the\nlarge-armed Rama, stricken with grief for Sita, ordered their\nencampment, saying,--\"O foremost of monkeys, do thou encamp thy host on\nthe brink of the ocean. Now hath arrived the hour for counsel, when we\nshould devise some plan for crossing over the main. I fear the Rakshasas\nat every step, for they are greatly illusion creating--let the leaders\ntherefore go to their own hosts and let them not proceed anywhere else,\nrenouncing them\". Hearing the words of Rama, Sugriva along with\nLakshmana, encamped the army on the brink of the ocean covered with\ntrees. And stationed near the main, the monkey-host in consequence of\ntheir resemblance in colour with the blue contents of the deep, looked\nlike a second ocean. Thereupon, reaching the shore, those leading\nmonkeys engaged in concerting a plan to cross over the vasty deep. And\nthe tumult, of that monkey-host encamped there, was heard above the\nroaring of the deep. And that huge army of the monkeys commanded by\nSugriva, and set up in three divisions, were deeply concerned with the\naccomplishment of Rama's work. And reaching the shore of the vasty deep,\nthat monkey host, delighted, beheld the ocean moved by the Wind. And\nthey waited there beholding the deep of unimpeded expanse, having its\ndistant shore inhabited by the demons, and thronged with various aquatic\nanimals. While upheaving its foam on the approach of eve, it appeared\nlaughing and setting up its surges, it appeared to dance. It increased\nwith the rising of the Moon and he reflected himself on its breast. That\nabode of Varuna was infested with gigantic sharks, whales and\n_Timingalas_[16], disturbed with the fury of the Wind, filled with\nserpents having flaming frames, and various aquatic animals and rocks\nand was fathomless deep. It had picturesque fortresses on its marge and\nits other shore was hard to get at. And the _Makaras_[17] and serpents\nliving therein were moved by the Wind. The waters, as if delighted, were\nrising and falling. And having serpents of flaming frames underneath, it\nappeared as if sprinkled with scintillations of fire. And that terrible\nabode of the demons extended down to the regions inhabited by the\n_Nagas_ or serpents. The deep resembled the welkin and the welkin the\ndeep, and there appeared no difference between them. The sky crested\nwith stars and the deep filled with gems resembled each other. The sky\nenveloped with clouds and the ocean overflowing with surges presented no\ncontrast whatsoever. The waves of the mighty deep beating at each other\ncontinually, set up a sound resembling that of a trumpet in the sky. It\nwas filled with diverse gems and its water was poisoned by means of the\nair. It was filled with various aquatic animals, and upheaving its\nbillows, it appeared as if excited with ire. And there beheld those\nhigh-souled monkeys the mighty main agitated by the Wind and muttering\nas if with the upheaval of the waves. Thereupon, overwhelmed with\nsurprise, those monkeys, stationed there, espied the main brimming with\nrolling waters and moving as if (off its place).\n\n [7] _Ebam ajnapaya_: Ramanuja reads sense into this passage. _If thou\n wishest the principal monkeys to go, bring them; if thou wish the\n whole host to march, call it hither, and march at the auspicious\n moment.--T._\n\n [8] The moment is named _abhijit.--T._\n\n [9] Hasta sprung from Punarvasu is the star of doom, portending death\n to Ravana. The Northern Phalguni is Sita's natal star. The\n expedition begun during the influence of this star, augurs\n deliverance to Vaidehi.--T.\n\n [10] By means of poison, _etc.--T._\n\n [11] _i.e._ monkeys.--T.\n\n [12] The verb is singular, instead of dual, as also the qualifying\n epithet, _Parcamadishthita_. But the sense is clear.--T.\n\n [13] Some other than the first-mentioned Gaja.--T.\n\n [14] Kataka remarks:--\"As when clouds drift past, the Moon it is that\n seems to scud across the sky, as the monkey-army marched on, the\n rivers seemed to flow in an opposite direction\". Ramanuya says\n that the waters of the streams dashed by the monkeys, held an\n opposite course. The former interpretation is hardly satisfactory,\n and Ramanuya seems to be right.--T.\n\n [15] The monkey leaders.--T.\n\n [16] A large fabulous fish.--T.\n\n [17] A marine monster confounded usually with the crocodile and\n shark.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION V.\n\n\nThere on the northern shore of the ocean the army was encamped and\narranged in order by Nila. And the two leading monkeys Mainda and Divida\npatrolled about on all sides to protect the monkey host. And the army\nbeing encamped on the shore of the lord of streams and rivers, Rama,\nbeholding Lakshmana by his side, spoke, saying--\"I know that grief\nabates as time passes by, but my sorrow arising from the separation of\nmy spouse, is increasing day by day. I am not sorry that she hath been\nstealthily taken away by the demon--but my sorrow is that her end is\ndrawing nigh. O Wind, do thou go there where my dear spouse is, and\ntouching her person, do thou touch me, for I shall then be happy\nstationing my looks in the Moon and being touched by thee. Alas! my dear\none cried 'O lord, O lord' when she was taken away. Those words,\nrevolving burn me like poison. I am now being burnt down day and night\nby the fire of desire, having separation from her for its fuel and her\nthoughts for its flame. Leaving thee, O Son of Sumitra, I shall jump\ninto the deep and then shall not this fire burn me any more. This is my\nonly consolation, for which I draw my vital breath--that myself and she\nbreathe on the same earth. Like unto a dry land drawing water from a\nwatered ground, I do live, hearing that Janaki still survives. When\nshall I, discomfitting my enemies, behold Sita, having a beautiful waist\nand eyes resembling lotus-petals, as a victorious hero beholdeth the\nroyal Grace. Like unto the sick drinking the _elixir_ of life, when\nshall I, raising a little her lotus-like countenance having graceful\nteeth and lips, imprint kisses thereon? And when shall she, laughing,\nembrace me with her rising breast resembling the palm fruit? Alas that\nchaste dime having scarlet corners of the eye, being encircled by the\ndemons, is wishing for a protector like unto one having no husband,\nalbeit having a husband in me. How fareth in the midst of the\nshe-demons, that daughter of the king Janaka, my beloved spouse, and the\ndaughter-in-law of king Dacaratha? And having those Rakshasas, hard to\nrepress, slain by me, truly shall she appear like unto the rays of the\nMoon extricated from sable autumnal clouds. Sita is constitutionally\nslender, and forsooth, she has been greatly reduced by sorrow, fasting\nand calamities touching time and place. When shall I, piercing with my\nshafts the breast of the lord of Rakshasas, renounce my mind's grief?\nAnd when shall my devoted Sita resembling the daughter of a celestial,\nfling herself anxiously around my neck and shed tears of joy? And when\nshall I renounce this my sorrow arising out of Maithili's separation,\nlike unto one casting off his soiled clothes?\" The highly intelligent\nRama bewailing thus, the day passed away and the Sun, decreasing\ngradually, disappeared at last. And consoled by Lakshmana, Rama,\nstricken with thought touching Sita having eyes like lotus-petals,\nengaged in rites relating to the worship of Eve.\n\n\n\nSECTION VI.\n\n\nBeholding in Lanka that dreadful and awe-inspiring work performed by\nHanuman like unto the high-souled Sakra, the lord of Rakshasas, looking\ndown with shame, addressed them all, saying--\"That monkey alone hath\ninvaded and entered the city of Lanka hard to reach and hath espied\nSita, the daughter of king Janaka. He hath shattered the palace, and the\naltar of sacrifice, slain the leading Rakshasas, and, in short, agitated\nthe whole city of Lanka. What shall I do now? And what should you all do\non this occasion? It behoveth you all to give me such counsel as\nbecometh me and will conduce to my glory\". 'Victory is the outcome of\nconsultation'--this do the sages[18] say. Let us, therefore, O mighty\nones, engage in counsel, relating to the measures we should adopt\ntowards Rama. There are three orders of men on this earth--the superior\nthe middling and the inferior. This distinction cannot be perceived\nwithout a knowledge of the signs, and so I shall relate unto you their\nmerits and demerits. He is said to belong to the superior order, whose\ncounsel contains the three signs (mentioned below), or who engages in\nworks after consulting duly with friends capable or with persons having\nthe same end in view, and some times with others, and who serveth\nProvidence. He belongs to the middle order who consults his own self\nonly, depends on the Providence, and engages alone in works. And he\nbelongs to the inferior order who engageth in works without ascertaining\ntheir merits or demerits, disregarding the will of the Providence and\nsaying, 'I will do this', and is inactive (at last). And counsels are\nalso divided into three divisions like unto the three orders of men\n(mentioned). That counsel belongs to the superior order in which the\ncounsellors with their judgment reinforced by a knowledge of political\nethics, are unanimous. That one belongs to the middle order in which the\ncounsellors after varied discussion, arrive at unanimity in the long\nrun. And that one is the worst in which the counsellors differ from each\nother and agree a little in the long run, with no good result. You are\nall gifted with good intellects: do you all unanimously settle as to\nwhat becometh me and conduceth to my well-being. Environed by a thousand\nof patient monkeys, Rama, with a view to capture our city, is\napproaching towards Lanka. Forsooth, shall he cross over the main along\nwith his younger brother and a mighty host. He can by his prowess dry up\nthe ocean and do the other.[19] Rama approaching thus with a hostile\nintention along with the monkeys, it behoveth you to devise such means\nas might protect my city and army.\n\n [18] _Manaswina_, according to Ramanuya, means, hero.--T.\n\n [19] _i.e._ bridge over the ocean.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION VII.\n\n\nBeing thus accosted by their lord, the highly powerful Rakshasas, devoid\nof good sense and ignorant of sound counsel, replied with folded palms,\nsaying,--\"Thou hast, O king, enough of soldiers and weapons. Why art\nthou smitten with sorrow then? Repairing to Bhagavati, thou didst\ndiscomfit the serpents in battle. The God of Death, living on mount\nKailaca, encircled by _Yakshas_, was subjugated by thee in a great\nbattle. And that mighty lord of men, proud of his friendship with Siva,\nwas defeated by thee wrathfully in battle. Discomfitting and slaying the\nband of Yakshas, thou didst bring this flowery car from the mount\nKailaca. O lord of Rakshasas, desiring thy friendship out of fear, Maya,\nthe king of Danavas, offered thee his daughter[20] for thy spouse. O\nthou of mighty arms, thou didst bring under thy subjection the powerful\nand irrepressible Danava[21] for the pleasure of _Kumbhinasi_.[22] And\nentering the region under the earth, thou didst defeat the serpents--and\nthus bring under thy subjection Vasuki, Takshaka, Sankha, and Jati.\nThose heroic Danavas, the _Kalakeyas_, were greatly powerful,\nirrepressible, and proud of the boons conferred on them. And fighting\nwith them perpetually for a year, thou didst bring them under thy\ncontrol, O lord, O slayer of foes, and learn from them the science of\nvaried illusions, O king of the Rakshasas. O great hero, by thee were\ndefeated in battle, the heroic and powerful sons of Varuna, followed by\na fourfold division of their army. The dominion of Death is like the\nmighty main, having his rod for aquatic animals, agonies for the trees\nthat cover its islands, the noose for the billows, his attendants for\nthe serpents and his terrible fever for the dreadful attitude of the\ndeep. And diving into this terrible deep, thou didst, O king, discomfit\nDeath himself and win glorious victory. And every one was pleased there\nwith thy successful fight. The Earth was filled with various heroic\nKshetriyas, resembling Sakra in prowess as she is adorned now with\nvarious trees. Raghava is not their equal either in strength or prowess.\nAnd all those heroes, hard to repress in battle, were slain by thee, O\nking. Do thou wait here, O great king; thou needst not take any trouble.\nIndrajit alone shall slay all these monkeys. And this one, O mighty\nmonarch, having celebrated the Mahecwara[23] sacrifice, hath obtained a\nnoble boon, rarely (attained by persons). Having agitated the ocean of\ncelestial hosts, having darts and lances for its fishes, showering arms\nfor its moss, elephants for its tortoises, steeds for its frogs, Rudra\nand Aditya for its ferocious animals, the Maruts and Vasus for its\nmighty serpents, cars, horses, and elephants for its volume of waters,\nand infantry for its spacious shore, this one (Indrajit), taking captive\nthe lord of the celestials himself, had brought him into Lanka. Then, O\nking, liberated agreeably to the injunction of the Great-father, the\nslayer of Samvara and Vritra, worshipped of all the celestials, went\n(back) to heaven. Do thou, O great king, entrust Indrajit with this\nbusiness,--until he bringeth to destruction the monkey-host along with\nRama. O king, thou must not think that this calamity, coming from an\nignoble person is not insignificant. Thou shalt slay Raghava\".\n\n [20] This refers to Mandodari, Ravana's favourite queen.--T.\n\n [21] This refers to Madhu.--T.\n\n [22] Ravana's sister, who was married to Madhu.--T.\n\n [23] Relating to Mahacwara--the great Lord, a designation of Siva.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION VIII.\n\n\nThen that heroic general, the Rakshasa named Prahasta, possessing the\nsplendour of sable clouds, submitted with joined hands,--\"I am competent\nto baffle in battle gods and Danavas and Gandharbas, ghosts, birds and\nserpents,--what then is a couple of human beings? Having been negligent\nand confident (in our power), we have all been deceived by Hanuman. But,\nI living, that ranger of woods shall not (again) go hence with his life.\nAll the earth down to the ocean, containing hills, forests and woods,\nshall be rendered free from monkeys. Do thou command me. And, O ranger\nof the night, I shall deliver (the Rakshasas) from the monkeys; and thou\nshalt not have to suffer in the least in consequence of thy\ntransgression\".[24] Then the Rakshasa named Durmukha, growing enraged,\nsaid,--\"This overpowering of all of us must not be forgiven--this\nflagrant discomfiture of the metropolis of the auspicious lord of the\nRakshasas as well as of his inner appartment by the foremost of monkeys.\nThis moment marching alone (from hence) will I exterminate the monkeys,\neven if they shall have entered the dreadful deep, or the sky, or the\nsubterranean regions\". Then the exceedingly powerful Vajradanshtra,\nweilding up a terrific bludgeon, stained with flesh and gore, wrathfully\nobserved,--\"Rama the irrepressible existing, and also Sugriva with\nLakshmana, what have we to do with the weak and wretched Hanuman? This\nvery day, slaying single-handed Rama with Sugriva and with Lakshmana,\nwith this bludgeon, shall I return, after having sorely troubled the\nmonkey-host. And, O monarch, if thou art minded, hear this other word of\nmine! Verily he that is fertile in resources and ever ready, compasseth\nsuccess. Let thousands of Rakshasas, heroic, terrible, fearful to\nbehold, and wearing forms at will, appointed by the lord of Rakshasas,\npresenting themselves before Kakutstha in palpably human shapes, calmly\nsay unto that foremost of the Raghus,--'Despatched have we been by thy\nyounger brother.' Hearing this, he (Rama), summoning his forces without\ndelay, shall come hither. Then, equipped with darts, javelins and maces,\nand bearing bows, arrows and scimitars in our hands, we shall swiftly\nand summoning speed[25] set out (from hence); and stationing ourselves\nin the sky in bands, and slaughtering the monkey-army with mighty\nshowers of rocks and weapons, we shall lead it to Death's door. Let us\nin this wise decoy Rama and Lakshmana; and if they fall into our design,\nthey shall, without doubt, lose their lives\". Then that hero,\nKumbhakarna's son, named Nikumbha, endowed with exceeding prowess, in\nhigh wrath remarked unto Ravana, destroyer of worlds,--\"Do ye, all of\nyou, stay here along with the great king. I alone shall slay Raghava\ntogether with Lakshmana, and Sugriva with Hanuman, and all the monkeys\".\nThen a Rakshasa, named Vajrahanu, resembling a hill, in wrath lapping\nthe corners of his mouth with his tongue, said,--\"Do ye, casting off\nanxiety, engage yourself as ye list. I alone shall swallow up that\nentire monkey-host. Do ye, remaining at ease and without anxiety, drink\n_Varuna_[26] wine. I single-handed shall slay Sugriva with Lakshmana, as\nwell as Hanuman with Angada,--and all the monkeys.\n\n [24] _i.e._ the ravishment of Sita.--T.\n\n [25] _Twarita_--summoning speed--redundant.--T.\n\n [26] _Varuna_ wine, otherwise named _Varuni_ is prepared from hog-weed,\n ground with the juice of the date or palm, and then distilled.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION IX.\n\n\nThen, in fierce wrath seizing bludgeons, and _patticas_, lances and\nbearded darts and javelins, and axes, bows and excellent shafts and\nswords, resembling crystelline water, sprung up the Rakshasas, Rabhasa,\nand the mighty Suryyacatru, and Saptaghna, and Yajnakopa, and Mahaparcwa\nand Mahodara, Agniketu the irrepressible, and the Rakshasa Racmiketu,\nand the lusty Indracatru, son unto Ravana--and Prahasta, Virupaksha, and\nthe exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,--and Dhumraksha, and Nikumbha, and\nthe Raksha Durmukha. And, flaming in energy, they all addressed Ravana,\nsaying,--\"To-day shall we slay Rama, and Sugriva along with Lakshmana,\nand the helpless Hanuman, who hath damaged Lanka. Then, preventing them,\nwho had (thus) equipped themselves with all kinds of weapons, and making\nthem sit down, Vibhishana, with joined hands, again spoke unto them,\nsaying,--\"The wise have asserted that an appeal to prowess should be\nresorted to anent a business _then_ only when the end sought cannot be\nattained through the three (other) means.[27] Prowess produceth fruit\nonly in respect of well-advised action directed while carefully watching\n(enemies) that are negligent, or captive,[28] or under Divine\naffliction. But why do ye intend to discomfit (Rama), who is vigilant,\nwho desireth victory, who is strong in the Divine strength, who hath\nsubdued passion, and who is hard to subdue? Who had in this world ever\nthought of or reasoned about Hanuman's career over the dreadful deep,\nthe lord of streams and rivers? O rangers of the night, the strength and\nprowess (of the foe) being immeasurable, ye should by no means\nrecklessly disregard him. And what was the wrong that formerly had been\ndone by Rama unto the king of the Rakshasas, that he hath carried off\nfrom Janasthana the spouse of that illustrious one? If Khara, who had\ntrespassed into regions not his own, hath been slain in battle by Rama,\nsurely a creature should to the best of his might preserve his life. It\nis for this great fear that exerciseth us on the score of Vaidehi owing\nits existence to this,[29] that she, having been ravished, should (now)\nbe given up. What is the use of acting so that quarrel may be the\nconsequence? And (Rama), possessed of prowess, yet ever abiding by\nmorality, is incapable of initiating hostilities for no purpose.\nTherefore, do ye give him his Maithili. And before, he by means of his\nshafts riveth this city together with her elephants and steeds,\noverflowing with countless gems, do ye give him his Maithili. And before\nthe dreadful, irrepressible and mighty monkey-host blocketh up this\nLanka of ours, do ye give (back) Sita. This city of Lanka shall perish\nas also all the heroic Rakshasas, if thou dost not thyself make over\nRama's spouse unto him. I exert myself to pleasure thee, because of the\nfraternity (that subsisteth between us). Do what I say. I say what is\ntruth and what also is for thy good. Do thou render (back) Rama's\nMaithili. Ere yet the king's son, for compassing thy destruction,\nshowereth sure shafts resembling the rays of the autumnal Sun, having\nshining heads and feathered parts, and exceedingly hard, do thou render\nMaithili unto Dacarathi. Forsake thy wrath at once, which destroyeth\nhappiness and virtue; and follow righteousness, which enhanceth\nenjoyment and fame. Be thou propitious,--so that we may live (at ease)\nalong with our sons and relatives! Render (back) Maithili unto\nDacaratha's son\". Having heard Vibhishana's speech, Ravana--lord of\nRakshasas--I leaving all of them, entered his own chamber.\n\n [27] _Viz_., conciliation, gift, and creating division.--T.\n\n [28] In the hands of other enemies.--T.\n\n [29] The feeling of revenge for the slaughter of Khara and the\n rest.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION X.\n\n\nThen early in the morning, like the fiery and refulgent sun entering a\nmighty mass of clouds, Vibhishana, fast to virtue and interest, heroic\nand possessed of exceeding splendour, playing a perilous part,[30]\nentered the apartment of his elder brother, resembling an assemblage of\nmountain-summits and elevated like the peak of a mountain, orderly,\ndivided into spacious rooms,--the resort of the great--inhabited by\naugust and intelligent persons attached (to Ravana); guarded around by\nlusty Rakshasas in limited numbers; having the air agitated by the\nbreath of mad elephants; with loud blares of conchs, and resounding with\ntrumpets; embosoming numbers of beautiful damsels, with its high-ways\n(overflowing with talk); furnished with doors of polished gold;\nembellished with excellent ornaments; resembling the abode of the\nGandharbas, or the mansion of the Maruts; containing heaps of gems; like\nunto the dwelling of serpents. And that one of exceeding energy heard\nsacred and holy sounds uttered by Veda-versed Brahmanas celebrating the\nvictory of his brother; and that highly powerful (hero) acquainted with\nMantras and the Vedas saw Vipras worshipped with vessels of curds,\nclarified butter, flowers and fried paddy. And the mighty-armed\n(Vibhishana) saluted the younger brother of the bestower of riches,[31]\nseated there. And that one acquainted with manners, after proper\ncourtesy, sat him down on a seat decked in gold, which was pointed out\n(by a royal glance). And in retirement as also in presence only of his\ncounsellors, Vibhishana spoke unto the high souled Ravana words backed\nby reason, and greatly fraught with his welfare. And having, with\nsoothing speech, pacified his elder brother and extended towards him the\ndue civilities, that one, who through height of sentiment had noted\nexcellence and the want of it, addressed (Vibhishana) in words befitting\nthe occasion and the place,--\"Ever since, O subduer of enemies, Vaidehi\nhath come hither, are seen inauspicious omens. Fire, enveloped in smoke\nat the time of its being ignited, and thereafter throwing out\nscintillations, with its brightness obscured by vapour, doth not\nincrease adequately even on oblations being poured into it with Mantras.\nReptiles are discovered in kitchens, sacrificial fire-chambers, and the\nplaces of Vaidika recitations; and ants (are found) in clarified butter.\nThe milk of the kine hath been dried up; and the nobler elephants are\nwithout the temporal juice. And horses, albiet they have feasted on\nfresh grass, neigh distressfully.[32] And asses, camels and mules, O\nking, with their hair standing erect, shed tears; and although they are\nministered unto medically, they do not return to nature. And crows in\nnumbers emit harsh cries on all sides, and are seen in swarms at the\ntops of edifices. Vultures sit sadly and distressed upon the roofs of\nhouses. During the two twilights, the jackals, coming in sight, utter\nominous howls. And wolves and other (ferocious) animals, as well as\ndeer, approaching the gate of the palace in swarms, are heard to set up\nloud roars resembling the thunder. Things having come to this pass, even\nthis expiation, I fancy, is capable of removing the evil omens. Do thou\nrender back Vaidehi unto Raghava. If I have said this through ignorance\nor covetuousness, thou ought not, O mighty monarch, criminate me. All\nRakshasas and Rakshasis, as well as those belonging to palace and the\ninner apartment--shall have to experience the evil consequence (of this\nact of thine). All the counsellors have retrained from tendering this\ncounsel unto thee; but surely I must tell thee what I have seen or\nheard; and adopting proper measures, it behoveth thee to act so\".[33]\n(Ravana's) brother, Bibhishana, thus spoke, unto his brother, the chief\nof Rakshas, in the midst of counsellors, these words fraught with his\ngood. Hearing this beneficial, mild and pregnant speech, fortified by\nreasons and capable of compassing (his welfare) for the present, past\nand the future, (Ravana) who had conceived a passion (for Sita), getting\ninto a rage, replied,--\"Fear find I none whatever. Raghava never shall\nhave Mithila's daughter. Even if Lakshmana's elder brother should be\nsupported in battle by the celestials with Indra (at their head), how\ncan he stay before me (in the field)?\" Having said this, that destroyer\nof celestial hosts, the Ten-necked one, possessed of mighty strength and\nof terrific prowess in battle, then dismissed his brother Vibhishana,\nwho had spoken truth.\n\n [30] The project he had conceived, via., converting Ravana to his own\n policy of pacification, was fraught with peril to himself,\n considering his brother's fierce temperament.--T.\n\n [31] Kuvera.--Ravana was Kuvera's younger brother.--T.\n\n [32] The commentator remarks, evidently with justice--\"That is, the\n horses, having eaten their fill, still hunger\".--T.\n\n [33] In accordance with my suggestion.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XI.\n\n\nThe unrighteous king, overmastered by his passion (for Sita), in\nconsequence of his sinful act as well as the loss of honor he sustained\nat the hands of his friends, became reduced. And the occasion for war\nwas wanting. Ravana, possessed by lust, and continually thinking of\nVaidehi, conceived along with his counsellors that the time for entering\ninto hostilities had arrived. And sallying forth, he ascended a mighty\ncar furnished with golden network, adorned with pearls and coral, and\nyoked with trained steeds. And having ascended that excellent vehicle,\nhaving sounds resembling those of mighty clouds, that foremost of\nRakshas, the Ten necked one, drove towards the court. And as he coursed\non, Rakshasas, bearing swords and shields, and carrying all kinds of\nweapons, went before the lord of the Rakshasas. And (some of) these,\nwearing various frightful suits, and decked with diverse ornaments,\nwent, surrounding his rear and flanks. And _atirathas_ went with cars,\nand superb mad elephants, and sportive steeds; and bearing in their\nhands maces and bludgeons; and darts and clubs. And as Ravana marched\ntowards the court, there arose the loud blares of thousand trumpet, and\nthe uproarious sounds of conches. And that redoubtable and mighty\ncar-warrior held his course, suddenly making sides resound, and\nbeautifying the highways. And the spotless white umbrella of the lord of\nRakshasas, being raised up, looked beautiful like the Moon at her full.\nOn his right and left graced two crystal white chowris furnished with\nthreads of gold. And all the Rakshasas standing on the ground with\njoined hands, bow down their heads to the foremost of Rakshasas who was\nseated on his car. Hymned by the Rakshasas with blessings for victory,\nthat exceedingly energetic chastiser of enemies arrived at the court\nconstructed (by Vicwakarma). And that highly energetic one in person\nentered that court paved with silver and gold, having its heart\ndecorated with crystal, and gracefully covered with silk, embroidered\nwith gold; excellently constructed by Vicwakarma, and guarded by six\nhundred ghosts. And Ravana sat down on a superior and august seat\nconsisting of lapises, furnished with a pillow; and covered with a soft\ndear-skin. And lord-like, he commanded the envoys possessed of fleet\nvigor, saying, \"Do ye speedily summon hither the Rakshasas. I fan some\nmighty effort hath to be put forth against our foes. Hearing his words,\nthe envoys began to range Lanka; and going to every house, they\nfearlessly collected the Rakshas from places of sport, bed-rooms, and\ngardens. Then some set out, mounting cars, and some mounting proud\ncoursers, and some on foot. And like the welkin filled with fowls, the\ncity thronged with approaching cars, elephants and steeds. And leaving\ntheir various vehicles and cars behind, they entered the court on foot,\nlike lions entering mountain caverns. And taking the feet of the\nsovereign, and honored by him (in turn), they sat them down, some on\nraised seats, some on cushions of Kuca, and some on the floor. And\npresenting themselves agreeably to the command of the monarch, they sat\nthem down each according to his position, before the lord of Rakshasas,\nRavana. And there came also the learned and competent to arrive at\ninfallible decisions, and they sat them down in order of merit. And\nthere also came courtiers endowed with virtues, versed in every thing,\nand having intelligence for their eye-sight,--and innumerable heroes by\nhundreds also (arrived) at that court for ascertaining the course that\nwould prove beneficial. And then mounting a large, noble and splendid\ncar, having its parts decked with gold, and yoked with horses, the\nmagnanimous and renowned Vibhishana went to the court of his elder\nbrother. And that younger brother (of Ravana), announcing his name,\nbowed down at the feet of his elder brother. And Suka and Prahasta were\nemployed in giving to each a separate seat befitting his rank. And from\nall sides in the court there began to spread the odour of excellent\n_agura_ and sandal and wreaths belonging to the Rakshasas, decked in\ngold and various gems, and clad in costly attires. And no one among\nthese present at court uttered any thing, or spoke any falsehood, or\nconversed in loud accents. And having completely attained their desire,\nall of fierce prowess, gazed at the face of their lord. And in the\nassembly of those intelligent, and exceedingly powerful persons,\nequipped with arms, the intelligent Ravana appeared splendid like the\nVajra-handed Indra among the Vasus.\n\n\n\nSECTION XII.\n\n\nThen surveying that entire assembly, that conqueror in battle delivered\nhimself unto Prahasta,--general of the forces, saying,--\"O general, it\nbehoveth thee so to order disciplined fourfold forces that they may\nsuccessfully protect the city\". Thereat, Prahasta, carefully carrying\nout the royal behest, stationed all the forces within and without the\ncity. And having posted the army for the defence of the city, Prahasta\nsitting down before the king, said,--\"I have stationed the forces\nbelonging to thee who art possessed of strength, inside as well as\noutside. (Now), without suffering thy mind to be agitated with anxiety,\nspeedily, do what is in thy heart. Hearing the speech of Prahasta\nseeking the welfare of the kingdom, Ravana craving for enjoyment spoke\nin the midst of his aderents,--\"When virtue, or happiness, or interest\nis in straits, it behoveth you to (know your course) in relation to\npleasant and unpleasant, happiness and misery, profitable and\nunprofitable, and good and evil. No business of mine which ye have set\nabout after taking counsel, hath ever miscarried. And like Vasava\nenvironed by the moon, stars and planets, and the Maruts, I surrounded\nby you, have attained to plenitude of prosperity. I am, for certain,\ngoing to employ you all. In consequence of sleep, I could not inform him\nof this matter. After having slept for six months that one of prodigious\nstrength--foremost of those bearing arms--hath just risen. Janaka's\ndaughter and Rama's beloved wife hath been brought hither from the\nforest of Dandaka, the region ranged by Rakshas. That indolent damsel\nwisheth not to ascend my bed; nor is there any in the three spheres,\nthat to me is like unto Sita. She is slender waisted, and high-hipped,\nand her face is as the autumnal Moon resembling a golden image. She is\nmeek and looketh like the hand work of Maya himself gifted with an\ninfinite variety of fascinations.[34] And beholding her dainty and\ntender feet with roseate soles, and having coppery nails, my mind\nburneth (with desire). And seeing her resembling the flame of a\nsacrificial fire and the splendour of the Sun himself; and her fair face\nfurnished with a prominent nose and elegant eyes, I, having lost control\nover self, have come under the sway of desire. And my passion,\nuninfluenced by anger and joy, capable of producing pallor, and\nconstantly causing anguish and sorrow, hath rendered me pale. Expecting\nher lord, Rama, the beautiful one having expansive eyes, hath solicited\nfor a year's space; and I have pledged my fair woods to her of graceful\neyes. But tired am I on account of my passion,--like a horse spent on\nthe way. How can the rangers of the woods, or the sons of Dacaratha\ncross over the sea ungovernable and swarming with countless creatures\nand fishes? On the other hand, a single month hath troubled us\ngrievously. Hard it is therefore to understand the course of events. Do\nye act, each as he thinks proper. And although no fear can come from\nmortals, yet ye should deliberate (as to what ye should do). Formerly I\nhad gained victory with the help given by you; do ye in the same way\nstand by me now. The king's son, having learnt that Sita is on the other\nshore of the ocean, taking before them monkeys headed by Sugriva,\nreached Varuna's abode. Do ye so counsel that Sita may be with-holden by\nme and the sons of Dacaratha may be slain; but ye must prefer certain\ncounsel. No other[35] person in this world hath the power to cross the\nsea along with the monkeys,--victory, therefore, is undubitably mine\".\nHearing the sorrowful speech of (Ravana) afflicted with lust,\nKumbhakarna greatly enraged, and said,--\"When just on seeing (Sita) of\nRama along with Lakshmana, thou didst by main force carry her away, it\nplainly appeareth that thy mind, like the Yamuna filling her bed, hath\nbeen possessed (by her).[36] O great king, all this (that thou hast\ndone) is not worthy of thee. If thou hadst at the outset consulted us in\nthis matter, we would have done what was proper.[37] O ten-faced one,\nthe king that arriving at certain conclusions, carrieth on his regal\naffairs agreeably to justice, hath not to repent afterwards. But those\nactions that are done without deliberation, like unto clarified butter\npoured in an impure sacrifice, conduces only to harm. He doth not know\nwhat is proper and what not, that performs prior actions afterwards, and\nposterior actions first. Others spy holes in the actions of the\nvolatile; the latter may be possessed of great power,--like swans\npassing Krauncha through the hole.[38] By luck it is that Rama hath not\nyet slain thee, who hath done this tremendous thing, without reflection,\nresembling food mixed with poison. But as thou hast entered upon a\ncourse of action which is improper even in respect of foes, I will, O\nsinless one, perform thy work by slaying thy enemies. And, O ranger of\nthe night, I will exterminate thy foe. Even if Sakra and the sun-god,\neven if fire and the War-god, even if Kuvera and Varuna should range\nthemselves against me, I will fight them. Purandara himself shall be\nafflicted with fright when I have my body measuring a mountain, and\nfurnished with sharp teeth, shall, setting up roars, fight with my huge\nbludgeon. Before Rama shooteth a second shaft, to slay me, I shall drink\nhis life-blood. Be thou comforted by slaying Dacaratha's son, I will\nexert to secure blessed victory for thee. Having killed Rama along with\nLakshmana, I shall devour all the principal monkeys. Do thou make merry\nat thy will, drink the Varuni, and, with thy mind set at rest, conduct\naffairs fraught with thy welfare. On Rama being despatched to the\nmansion of Yama, Sita shall come under thy subjection for ever and a\nday\".\n\n [34] This reminds one irrisistibly of Cleopatra's. The Bengali\n translators evidently failing to understand _Mayava Mayanirmita_,\n have conveniently transferred the phrase intact to their\n versions.--T.\n\n [35] I fail to understand _anyasya_, \"_no other_ person\";--nor does the\n commentator help me in any way.--T.\n\n [36] This passage is very obscure, and the commentator's gloss does not\n anything serve.--T.\n\n [37] i.e. _we would have prevented thee.--T._\n\n [38] The hole made by the dart of Kumara.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XIII.\n\n\nSeeing Ravana wrought up with wrath, the exceedingly strong Mahaparcwa,\nreflecting for a moment, observed with joined hands,--\"The man that,\nentering the forest, abounding with deer and ferocious animals, doth not\ndrink honey, maketh a fool of himself. O destroyer of foes, who is the\nlord of thee, that art lord thyself? Enjoy with Vaidehi, taking thy\nenemy by the hand. And, O thou endowed with prodigious power, do thou\nexerting thy might lead thy life, after the manner of hens, and invading\nSita again and again, do thou enjoy her and derive pleasure (therefrom).\nAnd when thou hast attained thy purpose; what fear can succeed? Alike\nwhen on thy guard, and off it, thou shalt provide against all\nexigencies. Kumbhakarna along with us, as well the exceedingly powerful\nIndrajit, are competent to chastise the thunder-bearing (Deity) equipped\nwith his thunder. Passing by gift, conciliation, and dissension, which\nhave been assigned by the wise as the means of success, I relish the\nsuccess in business which is attained through chastisement. O highly\npowerful one, we shall, without doubt, by the prowess of our arms,\nsubdue all these enemies of thine that have come hither\". Thus addressed\nby Mahaparcwa, king Ravana, honoring his speech, said,--\"O Mahaparcwa, I\nwill relate unto thee, who hast spoken (thus) a secret matter relating\nto myself, which befell me to since I saw Panjikasthala, like a flame in\nthe sky, coursing to the Great-father's mansion. Her pace slackened, as\nsoon as she saw me, (turn) I feasted on her and deprived her of her\nattire. Then she went to the Great-father's place like a crumpled lotus.\nThat high-souled one received information of all that I had done; and\nthereat, waxed enraged, the Deity spoke unto me,--\"If from this day,\nthou ravish a female by force, thy head certainly shall be riven in an\nhundred pieces. It is for this, that with my mind afflicted with fear, I\ndo not violently force, Videha's daughter Sita, anent lying with her\nfair self. My rush is like that of the sea, and my motion that of the\nwind. Dacaratha's son doth not know this, and therefore doth he approach\nsea. Who wisheth to address a lion that is lying asleep in a cave\nresembling Death wrought up by wrath? Rama hath not seen shafts shot by\nme, resembling two-tongued serpents and therefore, it is that he\napproacheth me. Like a met burning an elephant, I shall, with shafts\nshot from bows by hundreds, resembling the thunder-bolt, consume Rama.\nAnd as at the proper hour the risen Sun defeateth the splendor of the\nstars, will I, surrounded by a mighty army, overpower his strength.\nNeither the thousand eyed Vasava, nor Varuna, is capable of fighting me.\nBy the might of this army did I formerly conquer this city, governed by\nVaicravana\".\n\n\n\nSECTION XIV.\n\n\nHearing the words of the lord of Rakshasas, as well as the thundering of\nKumbhakarna, Vibhishana addressed the Rakshasa chief, in a pregnant\nspeech, fraught with his welfare,--\"Thou hast been bound about thy neck\nby the mighty and huge serpent, Sita, having her breast for its body\nanxiety for its venom, smile for its sharp fangs, and her five fingers\nfor its hood. Therefore before the monkeys, resembling mountain-peaks,\nhaving teeth for their arms and nails for their weapons,--subjugate\nLanka, do thou render Maithili unto Dacaratha's son. And before the\nshafts shot by Rama, resembling the thunder-bolt and having impetuosity\nof the wind, cut off the heads of the foremost of the Rakshasas, do thou\nrender Mithila's daughter unto the son of Dacaratha. Neither Kumbhakarna\nnor Indrajit, neither Mahaparcwa nor Mahodara, neither Nikumbha nor\nKumbha nor yet Atikaya, O king, can stay in the field against Raghava.\nLiving, thou, whether thou art protected by the Sun or the winds, or\nthrowest thyself into the lap itself of Vasava, or enterest the sky or\nthe nether spheres, shall not escape death\". Hearing Vibhishana's words,\nPrahasta said,--\"Fear know we none whatever from the celestials, or\nDanavas, or Yakshas, or Gandharbas, or huge snakes; fear know we none in\nbattle with birds and serpents. How can fear at all afflict us\nproceeding from the king's son, Rama? Hearing Prahasta's speech,\nVibhishana, seeking the welfare of the king, and having his intellect\ngrounded in virtue, interest and profit, said words enfolding high\nsense,--\"O Prahasta, like a sinful person being unable to ascend heaven,\nwhat the king, Mahodara, thou, and Kumbhakarna, are saying with\nreference to Rama, shall not prove true. As one without a raft cannot\ncross over the mighty main, how can I, or thou, or all the Rakshas\ncombined, cause death unto Rama, who, O Prahasta, is versed in the sense\nof things. Even the gods become stolid before the sovereign of the\nIkshwaku race, having righteousness for his principle quality, and being\na mighty car-warrior and of such a character, and who is competent in\naction. As yet the Kanka-feathered, terrible and sharp shafts shot by\nRaghava, have not pierced into thy body; and therefore thou dost speak\nso. And, O Prahasta, as yet the sharpened shafts, capable of destroying\nlife and having the impetuosity of the thunder-bolt, have not entered\ninto thy body, and therefore thou dost speak thus, neither Ravana, nor\nthe exceedingly powerful Tricirsha. Neither Kumbhakarna's son Nikumbha\nnor Indrajit, is capable of bearing in battle the son of Dacaratha,\nresembling Sakra himself. And neither Devantaka[39] nor Narantaka,[40]\nneither Atikaya,[41] nor the magnanimous Atiratha, nor the equally\nstrong Akampana, is competent to stay Raghava in fight. And the king,\nnaturally of fierce temper and thoughtless, through the instrumentality\nof ye who appearing to be his friends are in reality his foes, seeketh\nto destroy the Rakshasas. Do ye take out and deliver the monarch, who\nhath through force become subject to a dreadful and mighty, and\nthousand-headed serpent bursting with immeasurable prowess. As a person\npossessed by fearfully strong ghosts, is saved by his friends pulling\nhim by his hair, attaining your desire ye should, assembling together,\nrescue the king. This one is sunk in the Raghava sea having excellent\nwaters. Do ye speedily coming together deliver him. He (the king) hath\nfallen into the Kakutstha nether regions, I tell thee my full\nmind,--fraught with the welfare of this city together with the\nRakshasas, as well of the king with his adherents. Do thou make over\nMaithili unto the son of the king. He is a true counsellor who adviseth\nhis master, after duly ascertaining the strength, position, increase or\ndestruction of the enemies as well as of their own party.\n\n [39] _Lit._--destroyer of the Deity.--T.\n\n [40] _Lit._--destroyer of men.--T.\n\n [41] _Lit._--huge-bodied.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XV.\n\n\nHearing carefully the words of Bibhisana, gifted with the intelligence\nof the lord of speech, the high-souled Indrajit, the leader of demons,\nspake, saying,--\"Why art thou, O uncle, speaking these useless words\nlike one terrified? He even, who is not born in this race, cannot speak\nor act in this wise. Only one man in this family, my uncle Bibhisana, is\nweak in energy, strength, prowess, patience, heroism and vigor. Why art\nthou O timid one, afraid of them since any one of these Rakshasas is\ncapable of slaying those two princes, human beings as they are? The\nmaster of the three worlds, the lord of the celestials, has been brought\ndown by me as captive on this earth. And all the celestials smitten with\nfear fled to different quarters. I brought down on earth the\nloud-roaring celestial elephant Airavata and uprooted by force its\ntusks. And all the celestials were terrified at this. Am I not, who have\nshattered the pride of the celestials, afflicted the leading Daityas,\nand am gifted with excellent prowess, capable of discomfitting these two\nprincess--very ordinary mortals as they are?\" Hearing the words of\n(Indrajit) gifted with high energy, irrepressible and resembling the\nlord of celestials, Bibhisana, the foremost of those using weapons,\naddressed him with words, fraught with high import,--\"O my son, thou art\na mere child and of unripe intellect and hence thou art not capable of\nascertaining the propriety and impropriety of counsels. Thou art\ntherefore speaking thus like a maniac for thy own destruction. Thou art\nknown as a son unto Ravana, O Indrajit, but in sooth, thou art his foe\nin disguise, since knowing of his destruction from Raghava, thou dost\nnot prevent him. Thou art brave, childish and hast been impelled by thy\nsilly understanding. Thou shalt be slain along with him who hath brought\nthee in this counsel chamber. Thou art, O Indrajit, foolish, imprudent,\ndevoid of humility, of an irritable temper, of feeble sense,\nvicious-minded and of a silly understanding. And thou dost speak so,\nbeing impelled by childishness. Who shall withstand in battle, the\nshafts, shot by Raghava, resembling the rod of Death, the stick of\nBrahman, flaming like the Fire of Dissolution. Do thou render back Sita,\nking, unto Rama, with riches, jewels, excellent ornaments, clothes and\njems and we shall then be able to live here void of grief\".\n\n\n\nSECTION XVI.\n\n\nBibhishana addressing him with these excellent and auspicious words,\nfraught with high sense, Ravana, impelled by Death, again spake in harsh\naccents.--\"It is better to live with open enemies or enraged serpents\nthan with those who pass for friends but are in reality foes. I know\nwell the nature of kinsmen, in all the worlds, O Rakhasa,--one takes\ndelight in another's misfortune. The kinsmen, O Rakshasa, generally\ndisregard him who is their king,[42] protecteth the kingdom, educated\nand pious--and they always try to discomfit him, if he be a hero. These\nterrible enemies--the kinsmen, hypocrite as they are, always take\ndelight in one another's calamity. Hear, I shall relate what the\nelephants, in yore, spoke beholding some persons with noose in hand--\"We\ndo not fear, fire, weapons, or even the terrible noose--we fear only the\ndreadful kinsmen, blinded with selfishness. They alone unfold the means\nof our destruction--there is not the least doubt about it. Fear from\nkinsmen is therefore known as the worst of all fears. In kine there is\nmilk, in kinsmen, there is fear, in women there is fickleness, and in\nBrahmanas, there is asceticism. It doth not please thee, I fancy, O\ngentle one, that I am honored of the three worlds, the lord of riches,\nand the subduer of my foes. As the drops of water do not last long on\nthe leaves of lotuses, so is the friendship with unworthy persons. As\nthe autumnal clouds, albeit muttering, do not pour forth water, so is\nthe friendship with unworthy persons. As a bee flies away after sucking\nup the honey so is the friendship with unworthy persons. As a bee, after\nfeeding upon the Kaca flowers, doth not get honey so is (fruitless) the\nfriendship with unworthy persons. As an elephant, after being bathed,\ncovers its body again with dust, taking it with its trunk, so is the\nfriendship with unworthy persons.[43] Fie thee, O monkey, O thou that\nbringest disgrace on the family. Had any one else spoken thus he would\nhave ceased to live by this time\". Being thus accosted harshly,\nBibhisana, speaking truth, rose up along with four Rakshasas having\nmaces in their hands. Thereupon, rising up in the welkin, the graceful\nbrother Bibhisana, worked up with ire, addressed the lord of\nRakshasas--\"Thou art mistaken, O king. Do thou speak what thou\nwishest--thou art my elder brother, adorable like unto father--thou dost\nnot follow the track of virtue. I cannot tolerate the harsh accents of\nthine, my elder brother.--For thy welfare I spoke those well-meaning\nwords, O Ten-necked one, but thou didst not pay heed to them being\nbrought under the control of Death. O king, many are the persons who\nspeak sweet words, but rare are they who can speak and hear unpalatable\nbut well-meaning words. How can I disregard thy death like unto a\nburning house bound as thou art by the noose of Death, the destroyer of\nall creatures. I do not wish to behold thee slain by the well-sharpened\nshafts of Rama, feathered in gold and resembling the flaming fire. Even\nthe heroic and powerful persons, well versed in the use of weapons, wear\naway like sands in battle, being attracted by Death. Thou art worshipful\nunto me, do thou forgive me for what I have said for thy welfare. Do\nthou protect thyself and this city, abounding in Rakshasas. May good\nbetide thee! I am going away and do thou be happy without me. What, I\nspoke unto thee, O ranger of the night, to prevent thee, for thy\nwelfare, did not please thee. Persons, whose lease of life is well-nigh\nexpired, do not pay heed to the well-meaning words of their friends\".\n\n [42] On account of the priority of his birth--T.\n\n [43] They afterwards forsake their former friends.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XVII.\n\n\nHaving addressed Ravana with these harsh words, his younger brother,\nreached in no time, where Rama along with Lakshmana was. The leading\nmonkeys, stationed on earth, espied him on the welkin, resembling in\nsize the summit of the mount Meru, and burning like lightning in the\neffulgence of his own person. And his four attendants of terrible\nprowess were adorned with excellent ornaments and armed with armours and\nmaces. He was like unto a collection of clouds, powerful as the\nthunder-bolt, holding an excellent mace, heroic and embellished with\nexcellent ornaments. And beholding him along with four counsellors, the\nhighly intelligent Sugriva, the lord of monkeys, engaged in meditation\nalong with them. And meditating for a while, he spoke unto the monkeys\nheaded by Hanuman the following excellent words--\"Behold, there comes a\nRakshasa, armed with various weapons and followed by four demons to slay\nus and there is not the least doubt about it\". And hearing the words of\nSugriva, the excellent monkeys, taking up huge trees and crags, bespoke\nhim,--\"Do thou order us, O king, to destroy these vicious-souleri\ndemons. These shall crush them to death, limited as is the tenure of\ntheir life\". They addressing each other in this wise, Bibhisana\ndescended from the sky on the northern shore. And beholding Sugriva and\nall others stationed near him, the highly intelligent Bibhisana accosted\nthem, at the highest pitch of his voice, saying,--\"Liveth there the\nRakshasa, Ravana, the lord of demons, and perpetrator of many iniquitous\ndeeds. I am his younger brother known as Bibhisana. By him, slaying the\nvulture Yatayu, was carried away Sita from Janasthana. She is\nimprisoned, brought under his sway, poorly, and being well guarded by\nthe Rakshasees. With various well meaning words and reasonings I pointed\nout unto him, the necessity of rendering back Sita unto Rama. And\nRavana, possessed by Death, paid no heed to my well-meaning words, like\nunto one, lying on the brink of death, neglecting the administration of\nmedicine. Being reviled by him and treated harshly like a menial, I have\ncome to seek Raghava's shelter, renouncing my children and wives. Do ye\nsoon mention unto the high-souled Raghava, the refuge of all creatures,\nthat Bibhisana hath arrived\". Hearing those words the quick-paced\nSugriva, excited with ire, spake unto Rama, before Lakshinana,\nsaying,--\"Forsooth hath an enemy entered secretly in our midst and he\nshall slay us getting an opportunity like unto an owl killing the crows.\nO slayer of foes, it now behoveth thee to be particularly careful about\nthe counsels, arrangement of soldiers, polity--civil and military and\nspies of our own party as well as those of the enemies. These Rakshasas\nare heroic; they assume shapes at will, always lie in ambush and\nsecretly bring about others' ruin--we should not therefore place\nconfidence in them. This must be the emissary of Ravana--the lord of\nRakshasas. Entering in our midst, he shall, in sooth, sow dissensions in\nour camp, or he shall slay us when we are careless, confiding in them.\nAvoiding the enemies, we should now collect the forest-rangers our\nfriends and servants. O lord, this man is a Rakshasa by birth and the\nbrother of our foe and so is he our enemy, how can we trust him?\nRavana's younger brother, known as Bibhishana, hath come here with four\nRakshasas, to seek thy shelter. O thou the foremost of forgiving\npersons, I consider this Bibhishana, who hath been despatched by Ravana,\nworthy of being slain. Being impelled by his wicked intention and\ncommissioned by Ravana, this Rakshasa hath come here and secretly by\nvirtue of his illussive powers he shall slay thee, O innocent one, when\nthou shalt place confidence in him\". Having thus accosted Rama, skilled\nin the art of speech, that lord of the army, Sugriva, well versed in\nspeech, became silent. And hearing the words of Sugriva, the mighty Rama\nspake unto the monkeys, near him, headed by Hanuman, saying,--\"Ye have\nall heard, the words well grounded in reason, the lord of monkeys hath\nsaid, regarding Ravana's younger brother. It behoveth him, who desireth\nfor perpetual wealth, and is intelligent and capable of giving sound\ncounsels, to advise his friends in difficult matters\". Being thus\naddressed by Rama (to minister unto him best counsels) all those\nmonkeys, intent upon encompassing his well-being, gave out their\nrespective opinions. \"O Raghava, there is nothing beyond thy knowledge\nin the three worlds. It is only to show thy respect towards us, O Rama,\nthat thou dost accost us in this wise. Thou art of truthful vows,\nheroic, pious, of firm prowess, discriminating, recollecting and having\nimplicit confidence in thy friends. Let the intelligent and capable\ncounsellors deliver their reasonable opinions unto thee\". They speaking\nthus unto Raghava, the intelligent monkey Angada, spoke as follows for\nsounding the intention of Bibhishana,--\"We should always suspect him\nsince he has come from the side of our enemies, and should not, all on a\nsudden, place confidence in him. The wicked-minded always move about\nhiding their real self, and bring about peoples' calamity, taking\nadvantage of their weak points. And great is the disaster thereof. It is\nalways proper to engage in actions, considering what is right and what\nis wrong. Virtues should always be gathered and vices abandoned. Do thou\nrenounce him unhesitatingly, if dost thou find in him a source of a\ngreat calamity and do thou embrace him if dost thou find him crowned\nwith many virtues\". Thereupon followed Sarava with words fraught with\nhigh import,--\"O best of men, do thou speedily despatch emissaries to\nsound Bibhishana. If dost thou, sounding him well through the\ninstrumentality of sharp spies, find him friendly, do thou win him over\nto thy side\". Thereupon the wise Jambavan, arriving at conclusions by\nvirtue of his knowledge of _Sastras_, began with words, void of\ndefects,--\"Surely doth Bibhishana come from the vicious lord of\nRakshasas, dead set against us and hath arrived at such a bad place and\nin such a bad hour. We should always fear him\". And thereupon followed\nMainda, conversant with what is right and wrong, after due deliberation,\nwith words pregnant with reason,--\"He is Ravana's younger brother, by\nname Bibhishana. Let the lord of men ask him every thing at first in\nsweet words. Do thou first ascertain, O foremost of men, with what\nintention he hath come--evil or good--and then settle what course to\nadopt\". Thereupon spake Hanuman, the foremost of the counsellors and\nwell versed in _Sastras_, in accents sweet, glorious and fraught with a\nhigh value,--\"Even Vrihaspati, (the lord of speech) cannot excell thee,\ncapable,[44] gifted with the best of intellect and foremost of those\nskilled in the art of speech, as thou art. And what I know I speak, O\nking. I do so, in the interest of Rama's work and not impelled by my\nskill in the art of speech, by the pride of being a counsellor, by the\nvanity of being gifted with a high intellect or by the desire of\nspeaking for its own sake. What thy counsellors have said for\nascertaining the good or evil intention of Bibhishana appeareth to me as\nmost defective and productive of no consequence whatever. It is\nimpossible to sound him without any command.[45] And even to command him\nnow for the same appears to me as improper. And as regards the despatch\nof spies, anent what thou hast been advised by thy ministers, I do not\nobserve any utility. And what little I have thought of, I have something\nto say (regarding Jambavan's proposal) that Bibhishana hath arrived at\nsuch a bad place and in such an evil hour. He has really come to a very\ngood place and in a very good hour. And truly has he performed a\nbecoming and sensible action by coming here after duly ascertaining that\nRavana is a vicious wight and thou art a pious person--he is full of\nvices--thou art gifted with many virtues--he is tyrranical and thou art\npowerful. And what they hate said, O king, as regards sounding him\nthrough secret spies, appears to me as one requiring great wisdom. An\nintelligent man, when questioned by any suddenly, suspects many things.\nAnd if the new-comer be a friend and has come here for his own\nhappiness, how greatly shall his mind be changed by such a course?\nBesides by a sudden questioning it is impossible to ascertain the\nintention of a foreigner. Do thou therefore thyself accost him and\ndetermine, by his voice, his secret motive. I did not however mark\nanything of his wickedness while he spoke; rather I did observe signs of\ngladness on his countenance. So I do not suspect him. The wily can never\ncome fearless and undisturbed. Nor were his words cunning. So I do not\nsuspect him. It is not very easy to hide one's real nature. It manifests\nitself by force. So this action of Bibhishana is not out of place or\nseason. When accomplished it shall redound to his own interest.\nConsidering well thy preparations for war and Ravana's vain conduct,\nhearing of Vali's destruction and Sugriva's installation on the throne,\nhe hath, impelled by his good sense, come here, desirous of gaining the\nkingdom. Taking these into account, it seems prudent to take him to our\nside. O thou the foremost of the intelligent, I have spoken thus\nconsidering him sincere. It now behoveth thee to perform what thou\nthinkest proper\".\n\n [44] Capable to ascertain the truth of all Sastras.--T.\n\n [45] To command to relate for what he has come.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XVIII.\n\n\nHearing those words of the Wind-god's son, the irrepressible Rama,\nconversant with all the Sastras, replied, with words expressing his own\nopinion--\"I have also thought of some thing regarding Bibhishana. I wish\nyou all, interested in my well-being, to hear that. (Bibhishana) hath\ncome here as a friend so I cannot forsake him by any means. And even if\nhe has come with any evil intent it is not culpable for the pious to\nafford him shelter\". Thereupon hearing his words and considering them\nwell, Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys, replied in more auspicious[46]\nwords,--\"Whether this ranger of the night is sincere or wicked, he\nshould never be offered any shelter, since he hath forsaken his brother\nin the midst of these calamities. What reason is there to believe that\nhe shall not renounce us in our difficulty?\" Hearing the words of the\nlord of monkeys and casting his looks towards them, Kakutstha, having\ntruth for his prowess, smiling a little, spake, unto Lakshmana, crowned\nwith all the marks of piety, saying--\"Without being conversant with\n_Sastras_, and living in the company of old men, none can speak such\nwords as have been uttered by the king of the monkeys. There appear unto\nme, however two subtler reasons anent the difference between brothers,\namongst the kings--one is evident and another mundane. There are two\nclasses of foes--one consisting of the members of the same line the\nother of the neighbours. And these generally bring about our misfortune\nwhenever any opportunity presents itself. And it is for this that he\nhath come here. Those kinsmen, who do not think of one another's\nmischief, generally long for their respective well-being. But even such\nwell-meaning relatives are feared by the kings. And hear, I shall\nrelate, what the _Sastras_ say regarding the weak points thou hast\nmentioned as to the advisability of taking the enemies to our side. We\nare not his kinsmen and this Rakshasa hath come here with a view to gain\nthe kingdom. Even the Rakshasas are wise enough to ascertain the proper\ncourse--so we must take Bibhishana. If the brothers are confident and\nsatisfied with each other they generally live together, or else they\nfear each other and ultimately engage in a tumultuous war. And there\nhath sprung up some difference with Ravana and therefore Bibhishana hath\ncome here. Nor are, O friend, all brothers like Bharata, all sons like\nme unto their father, all friends like thee\". Being thus addressed by\nRama, the highly wise Sugriva, along with Lakshmana, rose up and bending\nlow his head, said--\"O thou the best of all forgiving persons, this\nnight-ranger hath been despatched by Ravana. I therefore think it better\nto kill him. Being impelled by his vicious sense that Rakshasa hath come\nhere to slay us, O innocent one, when myself, thou and Lakshmana shall\nconsider ourselves secure. Therefore the large-armed Bibhisana, the\nyounger brother of the ruthless Ravana, deserves to be slain along with\nhis counsellors\". Having thus addressed (Rama) the foremost of Raghu's\nrace, skilled in art of speech, Sugriva, the lord of monkey host,\nequally versed in the art of speech, became silent. And hearing the\nwords of Sugriva, and weighing them, Rama again addressed the foremost\nof monkeys with more reasonable accents--\"Wicked or otherwise, whatever\nthis night-ranger may be, he shall not be able to do me the least\nmischief. Pisachas, Danavas, Yakshas or all the Rakshasas on earth,--I\ncan slay them all, if I like, with the tips of my fingers, O thou the\nlord of monkeys. I have heard of a pigeon adoring and entertaining with\nits own flesh, an enemy who took its shelter. While a pigeon received so\nfriendly its enemy, the slayer of its mate, how can I then act\notherwise, O foremost of the monkeys? Do thou hear, I shall relate, a\nsacred story, narrated by the great ascetic, the truthful Kandu, son of\nthe ascetic Kanya. O slayer of foes, even a wicked-minded enemy, if he,\nwith folded palms and a poor heart, craveth for thy shelter, should not\nbe slain. If an enemy, proud or terrified, seeketh shelter in affright,\nhe should be saved by a great man even at the risk of his own life. One,\nwho from fear, ignorance or wilfully doth not protect him who seeketh\nhis shelter, perpetrateth a mighty iniquity, blamed of all. When a\nperson is slain before him whose shelter he hath taken he taketh away\nall the virtues of his protector. So great is the sin in not affording\nshelter unto those who seek for it; it standeth in the way of going to\nheaven, bringeth in calumny and destroyeth the strength and prowess. I\nshall therefore follow the excellent words of Kandu--leading to piety,\nfame and the attainment of the abode of the celestials. I always declare\n'no fear' unto all creatures, whenever any, approaching me, says, 'I am\nthine' and seeketh my shelter. Even this is my pious observance. O\nSugriva, O foremost of monkeys, do thou soon bring him here, whether he\nbe Ravana or Bibhishana and I shall declare unto him 'no fear'. Hearing\nthe words of Rama, Sugriva, the lords of those who go bounding,\nover-flowing with friendliness, bespake Kakutstha.--\"What wonder is\nthere that thou wouldst speak these auspicious words, O thou the\nforemost of kings, conversant with morality, gifted with prowess and\never treading the pious track as thou art. Truly doth my inner self\nregard Bibhisana as devoid of any wicked intention. He has been well\nsounded by signs and gestures. And let the greatly wise Bibhisana,\nRaghava, be placed on an equal footing with us and gain our friendship\".\nHearing the words of Sugriva, the lord of monkeys, the king of men\n(Rama) made instantly friends with Bibhisana, like unto the conqueror of\nenemies' cities making friends with the king of birds.\n\n [46] More reasonable words.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XIX.\n\n\nRaghava thus declaring unto him 'no fear', Ravana's younger brother, the\ngreatly wise Bibhisana, bending low his head, cast his looks on the\nearth. And descending from the welkin with his devoted attendants the\nvirtuous-souled Bibhisana, delighted, bowed unto Rama. And thereupon\ntouching his feet along with four Rakshasas, Bibhisana addressed\nRama,--with words, fraught with piety, befitting the occasion and\nconducing to pleasure. \"I am Ravana's younger brother and have been\ngreatly insulted by him, I have therefore come to seek thy shelter, the\nrefuge of all creatures, abandoning Lanka, and renouncing my friends and\nriches. My kingdom, life and happiness are all at thy disposal\". Hearing\nhis words Rama replied,--comforting him with words and favouring him as\nif with looks. \"Do thou relate unto me truly the strength and weakness\nof the enemies\". Being thus accosted by Rama of unwearied actions, the\nRaksha, began to describe the strength of Ravana. \"O prince, by virtue\nof the boon acquired from the Self-Create, the Ten-necked one is\nincapable of being slain by all creatures--Gandharbas, serpents, or\nbirds. My elder brother--the one next to Ravana--is the heroic and\nhighly effulgent _Kumbharkarna_--Sakra's equal in battle. Thou mayst\nhave heard, O Rama, his commander is Prahasta, by whom was defeated\nManibhadra on the mount Kailaca. (His son) Indrajit, equipped with\ninvincible armour, bow and finger-protector made of the skin of iguana,\nbecomes invisible in fight. And, worshipping Fire and becoming\ninvisible, that graceful hero, O Raghava, slayeth the enemies in\nconflict, having the contending parties vast and well arranged.\nMahodara, Mahaparcwa and the Rakshasa, Akampana, are his lieutenants,\nwho equal the Lokapalas[47] in battle. His army consists of ten thousand\n_kotis_ of Rakshasas, wearing shapes at will, inhabiting the city of\nLanka, and living on flesh and gore. And with the _Lokapalas_ and the\ncelestials, they were all defeated by the vicious-souled Ravana\".\nHearing the words of Bibhisana and weighing them in his mind, that\nforemost of Raghu's race said--\"I understand well the strength and\nprowess of Ravana, which thou hast depicted truly, O Bibhisana. Do thou\nhear truly that I shall slay the Ten-necked one together with Prahasta\nand his sons, and I shall make thee king. Whether he entereth the\n_Rasatala_[48] or the regions under the earth, or seeketh shelter of the\nGrand-father of the celestials, he shall not be able to save his life\nfrom me. I do swear by my three brethern that I shall enter the city of\nAyodhya, after slaying in battle Ravana with his sons, kinsmen and\nfriends\". Hearing these words of Rama of unwearied action, the\nvirtuous-souled (Bibhisana), bowing his head unto him, began--\"I shall\nlend thee my might in slaying the Rakshasas and devastating the city of\nLanka, and shall be in the midst of Ravana's army\". Thereupon, embracing\nBibhisana, who spoke thus, Rama, delighted, said unto Lakshmana,--\"O my\nbrother, do thou bring water from the ocean. Sprinkling the greatly wise\nBibhisana, I shall make him at once the king of the Rakshasas, O\nconferer of honor; for I am greatly pleased with him\". Being thus\naddressed, Saumitri, at the command of the king, annointed Bibhisana and\nmade him the king of the Rakshasas in the presence of the monkey-host.\nBeholding Rama's kindness (towards Bibhisana), the monkeys eulogized the\nhigh-souled one, exclaiming \"Excellent! Excellent!\" Thereupon, Hanuman\nand Sugriva addressed Bibhisana, saying, \"Do thou tell us how we shall\ncross over the main--the abode of Varuna, along with the host of the\nhighly powerful monkeys. Do thou inform us of the means by which we may\ncross over, along with our army, the lord of rivers and streams--the\nabode of Varuna\". Being thus addressed, the virtuous-souled Bibhisana\nreplied,--\"It behoveth the king, Raghava, to seek refuge from the Ocean.\nThis measureless deep was dug out by (the king) Sagara.[49] And the\ngreat Ocean shall surely help Rama belonging to Sagara's race\". Being\nthus accosted by the wise Rakshasa, Bibhishana. Sugriva reached where\nRama with Lakshmana was. Thereupon, the broad-necked Sugriva began to\nexplain the well-meaning words of Bibhishana, requesting Rama to seek\nthe shelter of the Ocean. And those words pleased Rama, pious by nature.\nAnd the highly eflulgent (hero) requested, smiling, the active Lakshmana\nand the monkey-chief Sugriva to collect necessaries for his adoration.\n\"O Lakshmana, this counsel of Bibhisana appeareth to me as most sound.\nSugriva is always greatly wise, and thou art greatly proficient in\ncounsel. Do ye, holding a conference, intimate to me what you think\nbecoming\". Thus addressed, those two heroes--Lakshmana and Sugriva,\nspoke respectfully the following words fraught with propriety,--\"Why\nshall not the well-meaning words of Bibhisana expressed now, please us,\nO Raghava, O thou best of men? Without constructing a bridge over the\ndeep, the terrible abode of Varuna, even the celestials and their lord\n(Indra) cannot get at the city of Lanka. Do thou act on the genuine\ncounsel of the heroic Bibhisana, and without losing time, do thou engage\nthe Ocean for this work, so that we may with our army proceed to the\ncity of Ravana\". Being thus addressed Rama reached the shore of the lord\nof rivers and streams, covered with Kuca, like unto fire getting into\nthe sacrificial dais.\n\n [47] Divinities who protect the regions, or the Sun, Moon, Fire, Wind,\n Indra, Yama, Varuna and Kuvera.--T.\n\n [48] The seven infernal regions under the earth and the residence of\n the _Nagas_, _Asuras_ and _Daityas_. This is the lowest of the\n seven divisions of Patala.--T.\n\n [49] _Sagara_ was a sovereign of Ayodhya belonging to the same family\n with Rama.\n\n\n\nSECTION XX.\n\n\nThereupon the greatly powerful Rakshasa, by name _Sardula_, beheld the\narmy of Sugriva arranged on the shore of the ocean. And, beholding the\narmy all busy, the emissary of the vicious-souled Rakshasa--Ravana,\nentered the city of Lanka and, approaching his lord, said,--\"The army of\nmonkeys and bears hath approached Lanka. It is immeasurably deep as the\nocean. And those two sons of the king Dacaratha--the brothers Rama and\nLakshmana, gifted with great beauty, coming to rescue Sita, have\nstationed themselves on the shore of the ocean, O thou of great\neffulgence. The army of Rama extends over the sky and ten _yojanas_. I\nhave come, O great king, to acquaint thee with the real truth. And,\nknowing everything, it behoveth thy emissaries, O king, to settle\nwhether to render back Sita, to adopt measures of conciliation, or to\nsow dissensions in the enemy's camp\". Hearing the words of _Sardula_,\nRavana, the lord of Rakshasas, being anxious to ascertain his duty,\naddressed a Rakshasa by name Suka, the most sensible of his counsellors,\nwith the following pregnant words,--\"Do thou go and communicate unto\nking Sugriva my behest, in becoming and excellent accents. 'Thou art\nborn of a great family and art the mighty son of the king of bears. I\nhave no dissension with thee. In fact I consider thee as my brother, O\nking of monkeys. Though I have stolen the spouse of the high-souled\nprince (Rama), yet what is that to thee, O Sugriva? Do thou return to\nKishkindha. The monkeys shall not by any means be able to attack the\ncity of Lanka. Even the celestials and Gandharbas could not--what of\nthese men and monkeys?'\" And being thus commissioned by the lord of\nRakshasas, that night-ranger assumed the shape of a bird and, bounding,\nspeedily reached the sky. And, proceeding far over the deep and\nstationing himself at the welkin, he spoke unto Sugriva all the words\nwith which he was addressed by the vicious-souled Ravana. Hearing him\nspeak thus, the monkeys leaped up quickly and reached there with a view\nto chop off his wings or to slay him with their clenched fists. On being\nseized vehemently by all these monkeys, that night-ranger was brought\ndown speedily from the sky to the earth. And being assailed by the\nmonkeys, Suka said,--\"O Kakutstha, it doth not behove (people) to slay\nan emissary. Do thou therefore prevent the monkeys. He who passing by\nhis master's behest, giveth out his own intention, is not faithful; and\nhe therefore deserveth to be slain\". Hearing the piteous accents of\nSuka, Rama spake unto the monkeys, who were about to kill him, saying,\n\"Do not kill him\". And again stationing himself on the welkin, that\nnight-ranger said,--\"O Sugriva, O thou gifted with great energy, O thou\nof great prowess, what shall I speak unto Ravana, dreaded by all\npeople?\" Being thus addressed, that mighty king of monkeys, the bull\namong them, of unwearied energy, spake unto that emissary--the\nnight-ranger, Suka, saying--\"O Ravana, thou art not my friend or an\nobject of pity. Thou art not my benefactor, nor art liked by me. Thou\nart Rama's enemy, and thou dost therefore deserve to be slain by him\nlike Vali along with thy friends and relatives. I shall therefore slay\nthee, O king of night-rangers, together with thy sons, friends and\nrelatives. And I shall have the whole city of Lanka reduced to ashes by\nmy mighty force. Thou shalt not be able to escape Raghava, O Ravana, O\nthou who hast lost thy sense, even if thou art protected by the\ncelestials. And thou shalt with thy brother be slain by Rama, even if\nthou dost fly into the sky, enter into the regions under the earth, or\nseek shelter of Mahadeva. I do not behold any in these three\nworlds--Pisacha, Rakshasa, Gandharba, or Asura, who can protect thee.\nThou hast slain the monarch of vultures, who had grown decrepit through\nage.[50] Thou hast carried off the large-eyed Sita from the vicinity of\nRama and the neighbourhood of Lakshmana; but, having captured her, thou\nunderstandest not (thy native strength). Nor dost thou understand that\nforemost of Raghus, high-souled, possessed of great strength, and\nincapable of being repressed even by the celestials,--who shall take thy\nlife\". Then spake that best of monkeys, Angada, son of Vali,--\"O highly\nwise one, this is no emissary. This one clearly appeareth to me as a\nspy. He hath come to form an estimate of thy entire army. Take him. Let\nhim not go (back) to Lanka. This is indeed what I would\". Thereat,\ncommanded by the king, the monkeys, springing up, seized (Suka) and\nbound him, as he burst out bewailing like one forlorn. On being sorely\nhandled by the relentless monkeys, Suka cried unto tho high-souled Rama,\nson of Dacaratha,--\"They by main force sever my wings, and they pierce\nmy eyes. If I lose my life, may all the evil deeds that I have committed\nbetween the night when I was born and the night when I shall die, be\nthine!\" Hearing this pitiful cry, Rama prevented (the monkeys); and he\nsaid unto them,--\"Let go this envoy, who hath come here\".\n\n [50] The commentator has a queer and characteristic note on\n _Jaravriddha--decrepit through age. One that is old, may stave off\n decrepitude through some drug, while a youthful person may come by\n the same in consequence of some curse.--T._\n\n\n\nSECTION XXI.\n\n\nThen on the shore of the sea, Raghava, spreading _darbha_, with his\nhands joined towards the great deep, laid him down, with his face to the\nEast. And that slayer of foes (lay down), making his pillow his arm\nresembling the shining form of a serpent; always dight with golden\nornaments; full many a time pressed with the palms of beauteous\ndamsels,[51] decked with jewelled golden _Keyuras_ and superb ornaments\nstudded with pearls; smeared from above with sandal and _aguru_; (his\narm) which formerly had been graced in bed with the head of Sita; like\nunto the body of Takshaka under the waters of the Ganga; resembling a\nyoke; in battle increasing the sorrow of foes and enhancing for long the\ndelight of friends;--his left arm having its skin destroyed by the\nstrokes of the bow-string; which was the refuge of the entire\nearth;--his right arm resembling a mighty bludgeon,--the donor of\nthousands of kine,--making this great arm his pillow (he laid him down).\n\"To-day either I shall die, or shall the Ocean\".--Having thus formed his\nresolution in respect of the great deep, Rama, restraining his speech,\nwith a concentrated mind lay down there agreeably to rule. And as Rama\nslept on the earth on Kuca spread over, without ever swerving from the\nrule, three nights passed away. And while spending three nights, Rama,\nlearned in polity and attached to virtue, prayed unto that lord of\nstreams--the Ocean. Yet the wicked Ocean, albeit adored according to his\ndeserts by Rama with his mind concentrated, did not show himself.\nThereat Rama grew enraged and had the corners of his eyes crimsoned; and\nhe spake unto Lakshmana of auspicious marks, saying,--\"Behold the\nhauteur of the Ocean in not presenting himself before me. Calmness,\nforbearance, candour, and soft speech--these virtues of the good are by\nthe insolent taken for the effects of incompetency. The person[52] that\nis self-laudatory, wicked, and badly-bold, publisheth his own praise,\nand meteth out chastisement every where,[53] is honored in the world. By\nmoderation one cannot attain celebrity, by moderation one cannot attain\nfame,--and, O Lakshmana, in this world by moderation one cannot attain\nvictory on 'the edge of battle.'[54] See, O Sumitra's son, the abode of\nMakaras, with his waters obstructed all around with Makaras destroyed by\nmy shafts. And, O Lakshmana, see the bodies here of serpents, and the\nhuge bodies of mighty fishes, and the trunks of elephants,--torn by my\narrows. And to-day in terrible battle will I dry up the Ocean with\nconchs and oysters, and fishes and Makaras. This abode of Makaras taketh\nme, who is forbearing, to be incompetent. Fie on forbearance towards\nsuch as he! In consequence of my moderation, Ocean showeth not his own\nform. O Saumitri, bring thou my bow, my arrows resembling venomous\nsnakes. I will dry up the Ocean, and the monkeys shall go over on foot.\nAnd, being angered, to-day, albeit incapable of being agitated, will I\nagitate the deep. And by means of my shafts will I make Varuna's abode,\nsurging with a thousand billows and having his dignity maintained by his\nshores,--overleap his continents. And I will agitate the deep harbouring\nnumbers of mighty Danavas\". Having spoken thus, Rama, equipped with his\nbow, with his eyes dilated in wrath, became exceedingly irrepressible,\nlike unto the flaming fire at the final dissolution. And straining his\ndreadful bow, making the earth shake, tremulously, he let fly fierce\nshafts like him of an hundred sacrifices hurling his thunder-bolt.\nThereat, flaming up, those vehement choice shafts surcharged with\nenergy, enter into the waters of the sea, with its serpents afflicted\nwith fear. And then great and exceedingly dreadful was the motion of the\nsea, with fishes and Makaras, and with the roar of the winds (blowing\nthere). And on a sudden the mighty deep was heaving with mighty surges,\nwith conchs scattered about, and a smoke (enveloped) the ocean; and the\nbillows became visible on all sides. And the serpents were distressed,\nwith their faces flaming and their eyes aglow; as well as the Danavas of\nterrific energy, and the dwellers of the nether spheres. And billows of\nthe sovran Ocean, resembling Vindhya or Mandara, containing crocodiles\nand Makaras sprang up by thousands. And Varuna's abode had its surges\nwhirling, its serpents and Rakshasas seized with affright, and its\nferocious aquatic animals borne all around; and it sent forth sounds.\nThen Sumitra's son, springing up, said unto Raghava of fiery vehemence,\nas he sighed and kept stretching his matchless bow.--\"This must not be\".\nAnd he took away his (Rama's) bow. \"Without doing this unto the Ocean,\nthou, supreme of heroes, mayst have thy work accomplished. Personages\nlike thee do not come under the influence of passion. Do thou\ndeliberately look about for some worthy means (for compassing thy end)\".\nThen remaining invisible in the sky, Brahmarshis and Surarshis[55]\nexclaiming,--\"Well-a-day!\" and \"Don't,\" in loud accents\nejaculated,--(Oh! and alas!)\n\n [51] The commentator appropriately remarks: _As Rama was wedded to a\n single wife, these damsels must mean nurses attending on him_.--T.\n\n [52] The word, however, is _naram (ac.), man_.--T.\n\n [53] i.e. _indiscriminately.--T._\n\n [54] _Rana murddhani_,--'The perilous edge of battle when it raged.'\n _Paradise Lost_ Book I\n\n [55] Celestial saints.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXII.\n\n\nThen the foremost of Raghus addressed Ocean in stern words,\nsaying,--\"To-day will I dry up the Ocean along with the nether regions.\nAnd, O Ocean, thy waters being burnt up by my shafts, and thou being\ndried up, with thy (aquatic) animals slaughtered, a mighty volume of\ndust shall arise (from thy bed). And, O Ocean, in consequence of the\narrowy shower discharged from my bow, the monkeys shall go over to the\nfurther shore on foot. Having attained dimensions in consequence of\naccess of waters, thou knowest not my manliness or my prowess But, O\nabode of Danavas, grief shalt thou reap at my hands\". Then fixing an\narrow resembling the rod of Brahma with a Brahma Mantra, on the best of\nbows, that exceedingly strong one drew it. And as Raghava suddenly\nstretched his bow, heaven and earth seemed to be riven, and the\nmountains trembled. And darkness covered the world, and the cardinal\npoints became invisible. And at once the watery expanses and rivers were\nagitated. And the stars appeared simultaneously with the Sun and\nMoon.[56] And the sky was illumined with the rays of the Sun, and yet it\nwas overspread with darkness; and it burned with an hundred meteors. And\nthunder-bolts sending forth sounds surpassing all others, dropped from\nthe firmament. And the winds began to blow violently; breaking down\ntrees and momentarily scattering clouds; damaging mountain-tops and\nshattering summits. And then the dread and mighty thunders possessing\nimpetuous speed and emitting tremendous roars,--coming together,\nproduced lightning flashes. And those creatures that could be seen,\nuttered sounds resembling the thunder; and those that were invisible\ngave forth frightful cries. And overwhelmed with fright, and quaking\n(for fear), the creatures began to measure their lengths,--and they were\nsore afflicted, and bereft of motion through terror. And then the mighty\ndeep with its animals, and with its waters and waves, and with its\nserpents and Rakshasas, was suddenly wrought up with a violent motion.\nAnd albeit it was not the occasion of the universal dissolution, the\nOcean passed beyond his shores for a full hundred _yojanas_. And seeing\nthe elated Ocean--lord of streams and rivers--thus overpass his bounds,\nthat destroyer of enemies, Raghu's son, Rama, was not moved.[57] Then\nfrom forth the mid-sea arose Ocean himself, even as the maker of day\nriseth from the mighty ascending-hill, Meru. And accompanied by\nPannagas[58] of flaming faces, the Ocean showed himself, appearing like\ncool lapises, adorned with golden ornaments,--wearing a wreath of gems\nand a jewelled vesture, with his eyes resembling lotus-leaves, bearing\non his head a noble garland containing all flowers; decked with\nornaments of polished gold; as well with excellent ornaments of gems\noriginating in himself, like the mountain Himavan embellished with\nmetals (sprung in himself),--(the Ocean arose) with wave on wave\nwhirling around, and rife with winds blowing among clouds,--surrounded\nby streams, Ganga, Sindhu (and others). And approaching the\narrow-showering Rama, and greeting him fair, Ocean spoke unto him with\njoined hands,--\"O Raghava, earth, air, sky, water and light,--these, O\nmild one, retaining their eternal course, maintain their (respective)\nnatures. Mine also is that nature whereby I am fathomless and incapable\nof being crossed. The reverse of this is the having a bottom. And for\nthis reason I speak to thee (concerning the means). O king's son, not\nfrom desire, or covetuousness, or fear, or anger, can I anywise deprive\nmy waters abounding in alligators of their (perpetual) motion. I will\ntell thee how thou wilt pass (over me); and I will bear it. And no\nferocious aquatic animals shall do wrong so long as thy forces have not\ncrossed. And, O Rama, I will make as it were firm land for the crossing\nover of the monkeys\". Then Rama said,--\"O Varuna's abode, listen to me!\nThis arrow (of mine) must accomplish the end (intended). Where shall I\nlet it light?\" Hearing Rama's speech, and looking at the mighty arrow,\nthat exceedingly energetic one, the great Deep, addressed Raghava,\nsaying,--\"There is a certain spot of mine in the North, which is more\nsacred (than the rest). It is famed as Drumakulya, even as thou art\nfamed in the world. There are there many robbers of ferocious forms and\nactions,--wicked wights, headed by cow-herds,--who drink of my water.\nThese persons of unrighteous acts touch me, and I cannot bear this sin.\nO Rama, do thou at that place render this best of arrows successful\".\nHearing the words of the high-souled Ocean, (Rama) immediately\nafter,[59] let fly that flaming shaft. And the place where the arrow\nresembling the thunder-bolt and _vajra_ in splendour, alighted, hath\nbeen celebrated on earth as Marukantara. And hurt with the dart, the\nEarth emitted roars; and in consequence of this, water began to gush out\nat the mouth of the wound from the subterranean regions. And this then\nbecame well-known as Vrana; and there are seen the waters of the Ocean\nspring up. And there arose a terrific report of riving. And owing to\nthis,[60] as well as the incident of the arrow, the water that existed\nin the tanks, was dried up. Having dried up Marukantara famous\nthroughout the three regions, as well as the reservoirs of water, Rama\nthe son of Dacaratha, learned and of god-like prowess, conferred a boon\non the desert, saying,--\"This place shall be filled with food nourishing\nbeasts; and ailments shall be rare here. And the fruits and roots shall\nbe replete with relish; and it shall abound in oil and overflow with\nmilk; and it shall contain various odorous drugs\". Thus did the desert\ncome to possess these attributes; and from Rama's bestowal of a boon, it\nattained a pleasant aspect. On that place being burnt up, that lord of\nstreams, the Ocean, thus spake unto Raghava, versed in every branch of\nlearning,--\"O mild one, this one is named Nala, son unto Vicwakarma. He\nhath received a boon from his sire. Vicwakarma's son is well pleased\nwith thee. Let this monkey, surcharged with exhuberant spirits, build a\nbridge over me. I will hold that up. This one is as his sire\". Having\ndelivered himself thus, Ocean disappeared. Then that foremost of\nmonkeys, Nala, arising, spoke unto the mighty Rama,--\"Resorting to my\nsire's skill, I will build a bridge over the spacious abode of Makaras.\nThe mighty Ocean hath spoken justly. In respect of the ingrate even\nchastisement is supreme in this world,--this is my conviction. Down with\nforbearance, or moderation, or gift! This dreadful Ocean, this mighty\ndeep, expecting to see a bridge (thrown over him), hath granted depth\nunto Raghava.--(Formerly) is Mandara, Vicwakarma had conferred a boon on\nmy mother: 'O exalted one, thy son shall be like me.' I am a son of his,\nsprung from his loins, and I am like unto Vicwakarma. Not having been\nasked by thee, I had not unfolded my qualifications. I also am capable\nof constructing a bridge over Varuna's abode. Therefore this very day\nlet the foremost monkeys construct the bridge\". Then directed by Rama,\nthe principal monkeys with alacrity entered the mighty forest in\nhundrerds and thousands. And themselves resembling mountains, the\nforemost of the monkeys began to break down and draw them towards the\nOcean. And the monkeys filled the Ocean with _salas_, and _acwakarnas_,\n_dhavas_, bamboos _kutajas_, _arjunas_, palms, _tilakas_, _tinicas_,\n_billakas_, _aparnas_, and blossoming _karnikaras_, mangoes, and a\ntrees. And those monkeys--the foremost of their species--began to gather\nthe trees, some with their roots, some without them,--carrying them like\nIndra's ensign. And those huge-bodied monkeys possessed of prodigious\nstrength, procured palms and pomegranates, cocoanuts and itakas,\nKariras, Vakulas, and Nimbas,--as well as rocks. Measuring elephants'\ndimensions; and uprooting crags, they tossed them by means of machines.\nAnd on rocks being plunged into the waters, the latter, suddenly\nswelling up, mounted to the welkin, and again subsided.--And (the trees)\ndropping (into the deep), vexed it all around. And some made lines (for\ninsuring straightness unto the bridge). And in the middle of the lord of\nrivers and streams, Nala made a grand bridge measuring an hundred\n_yojanas_. And then he went about constructing the bridge with the\nassistance of monkeys of dreadful deeds. And some took the measuring and\nothers bore (timber to the sea). And by help of hundreds of monkeys\nfollowing Rama's mandate, hued like woods or mountains, (they)\nconstructed a bridge with grass, and wood. And the monkeys made the\nbridge of trees with blossoming tops. And (monkeys) resembling Danavas\nwere rushing all around with rocks resembling hills, and\nmountain-summits. And tremendous was the tumult that came of crags\nthrown and rocks toppled down into the mighty deep. And on the first day\nthe elephant-like monkeys of spirits and exerting themselves vigorously,\nfinished fifteen _yojanas_. And the exceedingly strong and huge-bodied\nmonkeys on the second day speedily disposed of twenty _yojanas_. And on\nthe third day the huge-bodied active monkeys did one and twenty\n_yojanas_ on the sea. And on the fourth day the exceedingly impetuous\nmonkeys, bestirring themselves vigorously, did two and twenty _yojanas_.\nAnd On the fifth day the fast-speeding monkeys accomplished three and\ntwenty _yojanas_ reaching unto the fair shore. And resembling his sire,\nthat best of monkeys, the lusty and graceful offspring of Vicwakarma,\n(thus) constructed the bridge over the sea. And that bridge built by\nforce over the abode of _makaras_, looked graceful and splendid like the\nMilky way in the firmament. And then the deities and Gandharbas, the\nSiddhas and the prime saints, appearing in the heavens, stood there,\neager to behold this wonder. And the gods and Gandharbas saw that bridge\nof Nala, difficult of being made, having an area of ten _yojanas_ and\nmeasuring an hundred in length. And the monkeys, leaping and bounding\nand roaring, as well as all creatures, beheld that building of the\nbridge on the ocean, inconceivable, and marvellous, displaying skill\npast thought and capable of making one's hair stand on end. And those\nthousands of Kotis of exceeding vigor, having constructed the bridge\nover the ocean, went over to the other shore of the mighty main. And\nspacious, skillfully constructed, graceful, well-paved and nicely\nfinished, the great bridge appeared like the line where the hair hath\nbeen parted on the Ocean's head. Then on the other shore of the ocean,\nBibhishana, with the view of opposing foes (that might advance),\nstationed himself mace in hand, along with some councilors. Then Sugriva\nspoke unto Rama, having truth for his prowess,--\"Do thou get upon\nHanuman, and let Laskhmana get upon Angada. O hero, vast is this\nOcean--abode of Makaras. These monkeys, rangers of the sky, shall hold\nyou up both\". Thereat the graceful and righteous Rama along with\nLakshmana, equipped with his bow, set out in the van of the army in\ncompany with Sugriva. And some monkeys proceeded along the middle, and\nsome plunged into the deep, and some went by the road. And some coursed\nthrough the air, bounding up bird-like. And that dreadful array of\nmonkeys crossing over, with its mighty uproar drowned the dreadful roar\nof the deep, which had been arising. On the monkey-host having crossed\nby the bridge of Nala, the king stationed it on the shore abounding in\nfruits, roots and water. Beholding that work of Raghava incapable of\nbeing performed, the deities together with the Siddhas and Charanas, and\nthe Maharshis, suddenly presenting themselves before Rama, sprinkled him\none by one with sacred water, and said,--\"Mayst thou be victorious, O\nhuman-divine one! Rule thou the Earth eternally!\" Thus in various\nauspicious words, did they pay homage unto that one honored by the\nBrahmanas, Rama.\n\n [56] The phenomenon, remarks the commentator, was owing to the heavenly\n bodies obstructing each other's orbit.--T.\n\n [57] _Natichakrama_ may also mean, (_Rama_) did not discharge any more\n arrows.--T.\n\n [58] Semi-divine serpents.--T.\n\n [59] _Sagaradarcanat_--may also mean, agreeably to the Ocean's\n instruction.--T.\n\n [60] i.e. _the sound._\n\n\n\nSECTION XXIII.\n\n\nHaving seen omens, that one, Lakshmana's elder brother, conversant with\nthem, embracing the son of Sumitra, said these words,--\"O Lakshmana,\noccupying (this tract) of cool waters and woods affluent with fruits,\nwill we, dividing and arranging our forces, stay here. Mighty is the\nfear that I see at hand,--boding destruction to people and the slaughter\nof the foremost heroes of bears, monkeys and Rakshasas. The wind bloweth\ndarkly, and the Earth shaketh. The tops of the mountains tremble, and\ntrees topple down. And the clouds are ashen and roistering, and roar\nroughly. And lowering, they shower portentous drops of blood. And the\ntwilight is terrible and looketh like the red sandal. And a fiery circle\ndroppeth from the flaming sun. And on all sides birds and beasts,\ndistressed, uttering woe-begone notes, and grim-visaged, set up crying\nagainst the sun, arousing great fear. And the Moon, although not\nappearing[61] in the night, burneth, and with dark and red rays riseth,\nas if it intended to exterminate people. And the aspect (of the sun) is\nslight, rough, and not good;[62] and, O Lakshmana, a blue mark is\nvisible on the unclouded Sun. And the stars seem erased by a mighty\nvolume of dust. O Lakshmana, behold this sight disastrous to people like\nunto the universal dissolution. Crows, and hawks, and the inferior\nvultures, wheel all round. And jackals are sending inauspicious yells,\nexciting great fear. The earth shall be covered with darts and javelins,\nand swords discharged by monkeys and Rakshasas, and then turned into\nmire with flesh and gore. Surrounded by all these monkeys, will we,\nusing speed, this very day rapidly enter into the city ruled by Ravana,\nincapable of being subdued. Having said this, that subduer in conflict,\nthat lord, the enchanter of men, Rama,[63] equipped with his bow,\nproceeds in the direction of Lanka. And all the principal monkeys--\nSugriva with Bibhishana--went on, setting up roars, for the destruction\nof foes, who were determined to battle with them. And consequently\nRaghu's son was well pleased with the fortitude and exertions of the\npowerful monkeys, for bringing about what was dear unto Raghava.\n\n [61] The moon, it seems, _doth_ appear, but does not look out\n clearly.--T.\n\n [62] _Pracasta_--I do not see the propriety of this epithet in this\n connection. This may be a mistake.--T.\n\n [63] The word _Rama_ occurs twice, one being the cognomen of the solar\n line. The other means, _the enchanter of men.--T._\n\n\n\nSECTION XXIV.\n\n\nAnd with the presence of the king[64] that assembly of heroes looked\nbeautiful, as doth the autumnal night, garnished with beauteous stars,\nwith the Moon. And oppressed with the bursting energy of the host\nresembling the ocean, the Earth trembled. And then the rangers of the\nforest heard a hubbub in Lanka, as well as the sounds of trumpets and\nMridangas, mighty and capable of making people's down stand on end. And\nat those sounds, the leaders of monkey-bands were delighted beyond\nmeasure, and, resenting the same, set up cries louder than those sounds.\nAnd the Rakshasas also heard the roars of the monkeys, resembling the\nrumbling of haughty clouds in the sky. Beholding Lanka with variegated\nstandards, and streamers, Dacaratha's son went[65] to Sita with an\naggrieved heart. \"Here that one having eyes resembling those of a young\ndeer, is confined by Ravana, like unto Rohini overpowered by the\nred-bodied planet\".[66] And, sighing hot and long, and looking at\nLakshmana, that hero spoke words fraught with his good at that\ntime--\"Behold, O Lakshmana, Lanka towering up as if piercing the\nheavens; and, built by Vicwakarma on the brow of the mountain, she seems\nto have been made by the Mind. Constructed in time past with edifices\nthronging her, Lanka looks like the all-encasing air, covered with pale\nclouds. Lanka is embellished with groves resembling Chitraratha, fair,\nand eloquent with the notes of various birds, and fraught with fruits\nand flowers. Behold the intoxicated birds, and the black bees blending\n(with the blossoms). And the blessed breeze swayeth the trees vocal with\nthe coels\". Having divided his forces there agreeably to the directions\nof the scriptures, Dacaratha's son, Rama, thus spoke unto Lakshmana. And\nhe ordered that monkey-army, saying,--\"Taking his own forces, let the\npuissant and invincible Angada along with Nila, station himself in the\ncentre of the forces. And let the monkey, named Rishabha, surrounded by\nnumbers of monkeys, post himself at the right of the monkey-army. And\nlet the active and irrepressible Gandhamadana, resembling an elephant\nfragrant with the temporal exudation, stay, occupying the left of the\nforces. I myself along with Lakshmana, shall needfully stay in the\nfore-front. And the monkeys, Jambavan, Sushena and Vagadarci, the three\nhigh-souled, foremost bears,[67]--shall protect the interior (of the\nforces). And as the Sun, surcharged with energy, protects the hind half\nof the globe, let the monkey-monarch protect the rear of the\nmonkey-army\". And that army being skilfully divided into parts and\nprotected by great monkeys, resembled the welkin covered with clouds.\nThen, taking up mountain-peaks and mighty trees, the monkeys began to\nproceed towards Lanka burning to crush Lanka in battle. \"We shall\ndemolish Lanka by hurling mountain-peaks, or with our clenched fists\".\nThus did the foremost of monkeys think in their minds. Then the\nexceedingly energetic Rama addressed Sugriva, saying,--\"Our forces have\nbeen rightly marshalled,--let go (now) Suka\". Hearing Rama's words, the\nlord of monkeys possessed of great strength, liberated the envoy, Suka,\nat the command of Rama. Liberated at the word of Rama, Suka, who had\nbeen sore tormented by the monkeys, oppressed with exceeding great fear,\nwent to the lord of Rakshasas. Thereat, Ravana, laughing, said unto\nSuka,--\"Are thy wings fettered? And thou seemst as if thy wings had been\nsevered. Why? Didst thou come under the control of the volatile\n(monkeys)?\" Thereat, exercised with fear, Suka, commanded by the\nmonarch, answered the lord of Rakshasas in this excellent speech,\nsaying,--\"Repairing to the northern shore of the sea, I, pacifying (the\nmonkeys) with mild speech, communicated thy tidings clearly (unto\nSugriva). Thereat, as soon as they saw me, the monkeys flying into a\nwrath, captured me, and attempted to clip my wings and slay me with\ntheir clenched fists. They are insuseptible of being spoken to. No doubt\nwhatever can exist that, O lord of Rakshasas, the monkeys are by nature\nwrathful and fierce. The same Rama that hath slain Viradha and Kavandha\nand Khara, hath arrived (here) along with Sugriva, searching for the\nwhereabouts of Sita. Having thrown a bridge across the brine and crossed\nthe salt sea, Raghava, equipped with his bow, stayeth here, setting the\nRakshas at naught. And the hosts consisting of thousands of bears and\nmonkeys, resembling hills and clouds, envelope the Earth. And peace\nthere can be none between the forces of the Rakshasas and the hosts of\nthe sovereign of monkeys, like unto the deities and the Danavas. And\nthey advance before the wall. Speedily do one of these things--make over\nSita without delay, or give (him) battle\". Hearing Suka's speech, Ravana\nwith his eyes reddened in wrath, spoke, as if burning (Suka) with\nthem,--\"Even if gods, and Gandharbas, and Danavas should array\nthemselves against me, I will not from fear of all creatures, render\n(back) Sita. When shall my shafts pursue Raghava, like maddened\nBhramaras making towards blossomy trees in spring? When by means of\nflaming shafts shot from my bow shall I burn (Raghava) with his body\nbathed in blood, even as a meteor (burneth) an elephant? And when,\nsurrounded by a mighty host, shall I confound his ranks, even as the Sun\narising, (vanquisheth) the light of the stellar spheres? My impetuosity\nlike the Ocean's, my strength like the Wind's, Dacarathi doth not\nknow,--and therefore it is that he desireth to fight with me. Rama hath\nnot seen my shafts resting in the quiver, resembling venomous\nserpents,--and therefore it is that he seeketh to fight with me. Raghava\nhath not in conflict formerly known my bow representing my Vina sounded\nwith my shafts; having tremendous sounds proceeding from the strings;\ndreadful; with the cries of distressed people for its mighty strains of\nmusic; and resonant with the reports of Narachas and palms. And, having\nbathed in the great field of battle representing the river of hostile\nforces, I will in the encounter strike (this Vina). Neither the\nthousand-eyed Vasava, nor Varuna himself, can (cope) with me in battle;\nnor can Yama, or Vaicravana's self vanquish me in mighty conflict with\nthe fire of arrows\".\n\n [64] Rama.--T.\n\n [65] _i.e._ mentally.--T.\n\n [66] Angaraka.--T.\n\n [67] The epithet 'bears' coming after 'monkeys' may look incongruous;\n but, I fancy, 'monkeys' is used in the general sense of _being\n connected with the monkey-host.--T._\n\n\n\nSECTION XXV.\n\n\nOn Dacaratha's son, Rama, having crossed the Ocean with his forces, the\ngraceful Ravana addressed his two counsellors, Suka and Sarana,\nsaying,--\"The crossing the entire ocean incapable of being crossed, by\nthe monkey-forces, and the building over the sea of the bridge by Rama--\nall this had never happened before. The construction of a bridge over\nthe ocean cannot at all command credence. But (however it be), I must\nenumerate the monkey-hosts. Entering the monkey-army unobserved, it\nbehoveth you to ascertain the magnitude thereof, its strength, who are\nthe foremost monkeys, who are the councilors assembled there of Rama,\nand who of Sugriva, who range at the head, who among the monkeys are\nheroic; how they have constructed the bridge over the water of the\nocean; how the high-souled monkeys stay there; Rama's, as well as\nLakshmana's purpose, prowess and the arms (they fight with). And who is\nthe commander of those magnanimous monkeys? Having learnt all this\ntruly, ye ought to return speedily\". Being thus commissioned, these\nheroes, the Rakshasas, Suka and Sarana, assuming monkey-shapes, entered\ninto the hosts of monkeys. But Suka and Sarana could not number that\narmy of monkeys, incomprehensible and capable of making people's hair\nstand on end. The forces were on mountain-tops, by fountains and in\ncaves. And those rangers of the night beheld those forces, some having\nalready crossed, and some crossing, and some intent on doing so; and\nsome having sat down and some sitting--that mighty army sending terrific\nroars,--that ocean of hosts incapable of being disturbed. As they\nremained thus disguised, they were discovered by Vibhishana. Thereat,\ntaking them captive, he unfolded (the fact) unto Rama, saying,--\"These\nare the counsellors of the lord of Rakshasas--Suka and Sarana. O captor\nof hostile capitals, they have come as spies from Lanka\". Seeing Rama,\nthey were greatly afflicted, and, despairing of their lives and\nexercised with fear, with joined hands, said,--\"O placid one, commanded\nby Ravana, we have come here, O son of Raghu, for the purpose of\ngathering information concerning this army\". Hearing their speech,\nRama--son unto Dacaratha--ever engaged in the welfare of all beings,\nlaughing, remarked,--\"If you have heedfully noted this entire array, or\nif you have done what ye had been commanded to do, return in peace. If\naught remaineth unseen, do ye see it anew. Or Vibhishana will again\nfully show it unto you. Having been taken, ye need not fear on the score\nof your lives. Even if envoys happen to be taken who are equipped with\nweapons, they should not be slain. And albeit these night-rangers have\ncome as spies in disguise, with the view of creating division among\ntheir foes, yet, O Vibhishana, let them off. Entering the extensive\nLanka, ye should say unto the king--younger brother unto the Dispenser\nof riches--the words which I utter,--'That force relying on which thou\nhast carried away my Sita, do thou as thou wishest, along with thy\nforces and friends, display the same. On the morning of the morrow\nbehold the city of Lanka with her wall and gates, as well as the hosts\nof Rakshasas, destroyed by me with my shafts. And as Vasava equipped\nwith the thunder-bolt hurleth the same amidst the Danavas, will I, O\nRavana, on the morning of the morrow pour down my dreadful ire upon thee\nalong with thy forces.'\" Thus directed (by Rama), those Rakshasas, Suka\nand Sarana, having saluted the righteous Raghava with 'Victory!,' came\n(back) to Lanka and spoke unto the lord of Rakshasas, saying,--\"O lord\nof Rakshasas, having been taken by Vibhishana for the purpose of being\nslain, we came to be seen by the righteoua-souled Rama of immeasurable\nenergy, and (finally) were liberated (by him). As these four persons\nhave combined--like unto the Lokapalas, heroic, accomplished in arms,\nand of steady prowess--viz., Dacaratha's son, Rama, the graceful\nLakshmana, Vibhishana, and the highly powerful Sugriva, resembling the\ngreat Indra, these are capable of uprooting the city of Lanka--walls and\ngateways--and replacing her (on her former site),--leave thou the\nmonkeys aside. Such is Rama's figure and arms that he shall alone\ndemolish Lanka,--leave the other three alone. And that host protected by\nRama, Lakshmana and Sugriva, shall become exceedingly hard to combat\neven by the Asuras and gods.--And the army of the high-souled rangers of\nthe woods, eager for encounter, contains warriors bursting with high\nspirits. No use of dispute. Be thou intent on pacification. Do thou\nrender back Maithili unto Dacaratha's son\".\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXI.\n\n\nHearing Sarana's words, pregnant and truthful, king Ravana addressed\nhim, saying,--\"Even if the gods, Gandharvas and Danavas should attack\nme, Sita will I not part with from fear of all creatures. O amiable one,\nthou, having been hard handled by the monkeys and distressed in\nconsequence, deemst it fit that Sita should be rendered back this very\nday. What foe of mine is there who is competent to conquer me in\nbattle?\" Having uttered this rough speech, the graceful Ravana--lord of\nthe Rakshasas--desirous of surveying (the monkey-hosts), ascended an\nedifice white like snow, and elevated like many palms (placed one upon\nanother). And transported with passion, Ravana in company with those\nspies, saw the sea, mountains and forests. And they beheld the Earth\nenveloped with monkeys, and the mighty host of monkeys, boundless and\nirresistible. And having seen this, king Ravana asked Sarana,--\"Who\namong these monkeys are the foremost, who are the heroes, and who\npossessed of great strength? Who, bursting with spirits, stay all about\nthe fore? Whom doth Sugriva listen to? And who are the leaders of the\nmonkey-leaders? O Sarana, relate thou all this unto me. And what is the\nprowess of the monkeys?\" Thereat, Sarana, knowing the chiefs (of the\nmonkey-army), spoke unto the sovereign of Rakshasas, who had asked\n(him), as to who were the heads of the rangers of the woods. \"This\nmonkey, that, setting up roars, stayeth in front of Lanka, surrounded by\nhundreds and thousands of monkey-leaders, by whose tremendous shouts\nLanka trembleth with her wall, gateways, hills, woods and forests, and\nwho is posted in front of the forces of the high-souled Sugriva--master\nof all the monkeys--is the heroic leader of monkey-bands named Nila. And\nthat one, possessed of prowess, who, folding up his arms, paceth the\ngound on foot, who, facing Lanka, from wrath is frequently yawning, who\nresembles a mountain-peak and is like the filaments of a lotus, who,\nenraged again and again soundeth his tail, and the ten cardinal points\nresound with the sounds of whose tail,--is he who hath been sprinkled by\nSugriva--king of monkeys--the heir apparent, named Angada. He\nchallengeth thee to the fight. The worthy son of Vali and ever dear unto\nSugriva, he putteth forth his prowess, as Varuna doth for Sakra. That\nthat well-wisher of Raghava, the vehement Hanuman, hath seen Janaka's\ndaughter, was owing to the advice of this one. That powerful (hero) is\nproceeding, taking innumerable bands belonging to the lord of monkeys,\nfor the purpose of beating thee by means of his soldiery. Following\nVali's son, and surrounded by a mighty force, stayeth in the field the\nheroic Nala, the builder of the bridge. Those that with their limbs\nlying inactive, and setting up roars and ululations, are following this\none,[68] are heroes dwelling in _Chandana_.[69] With his own army alone,\nthe silver-hued Sweta of dreadful prowess hopes to subdue Lanka.\nMarshalling his monkey-forces and cheering up his soldiers, that\nintelligent monkey, famed over the three regions, having speedily met\nwith Sugriva, is retracing his steps. From days of yore on the banks of\nthe Gomati there is a mountain, (named) Ramya, (otherwise) called\nSanrochana. The mount abounds with various trees. There that leader of\nbands, named Kumuda, governs his kingdom. And he that cheerfully draweth\nafter his hundreds and thousands of monkeys, and the long grim hairs of\nwhose tail, coppery, yellow, sable and white, are cast about, is the\nenergetic monkey, Chanda, eager for encounter. And he hopes to conquer\nLanka by help of his own forces. And this one, resembling a lion, tawny\nand furnished with a long mane, who, remaining apart, vieweth all Lanka\nas if consuming her with his eyes, dwelleth for ever and a day in\nVindhya, the mountain Krisha, Sahya, and the mount Sudarcana, and, a\nleader of bands, is named Rambha. Three hundred Kotis of the foremost of\nmonkeys, dreadful and fierce and possessed of terrific prowess,\nsurrounding (him) go in his wake for the purpose of demolishing Lanka by\ntheir (native) might. And he that expandeth his ears and yawneth again\nand again, who defieth the fear of death and doth not move his forces,\nwho trembleth for wrath and eyeth frequently askance,--and behold the\nlashing of his tail!--and who setteth up leonine shouts, O king, with\ngreat energy and with fear cast off,--resideth in the romantic mount,\nSalweya, and, a leader of companies, is named Sarabha. To him, O king,\nbelong forty hundred thousands of powerful leaders. And he that stayeth,\nlike unto a mighty mass of clouds covering up the sky, in the midst of\nthe monkey-heroes, as doth Vasava in the centre of the celestials, whose\nlofty shout is heard (mingled with) the uproar set up by the foremost\nmonkeys, burning for battle, dwelleth in the excellent hill Parijatra;\nand, ever irrepressible in fight, is named Panaca, a leader of\n(monkey)-bands. Fifty _lacs_ of leaders with their forces arranged,\nenviron this commander of monkeys. He that stayeth gracing the dreadful\narray overflowing with talk, stationed on the shore of the\nocean,--resembling a second sea and like unto Durdara[70]--is the leader\nnamed Vitata. And he rangeth, drinking of (the waters of) the\nVena,--best among streams--and his forces are sixty lacs of monkeys. And\nthe monkey, named Krathana, challengeth thee to conflict. He hath (under\nhim) powerful and vigorous generals, and forces well divided. And the\nmonkey owning that person of the hue of red chalk, and, who, elated with\nstrength, disregardeth all the monkeys,--is named Gavaya, who\napproacheth thee wrathfully. Several lacs (of troops) girt him round;\nand by their means he has to bring down Lanka. These are the heroes,\nincapable of being borne, whose numbers cannot be enumerated. These are\nthe leaders and the heads thereof, as well as the forces set in order of\nbattle\".\n\n [68] The reference is prospective. It means the monkey, Sweta, in the\n next _sloka.--T._\n\n [69] This may mean some _wood of sandals_; but the commentator is\n silent over it.--T.\n\n [70] Name of a celebrated monkey-leader.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXVII.\n\n\nAs thou lookest on, I shall describe unto thee the leaders who shall put\nforth their prowess for Raghava, lay down their lives (in his behalf.)\nThat one of dread deeds the long hairs on whose long tail, coppery, and\nyellow, and black, and white, thrown up, look like the rays of Sun, and\nare trailing over the ground, is the monkey, named Hara; whom follow\nhundreds and thousands (of monkeys) desperately upraising trees, intent\nupon (scaling) Lanka--leaders of the monkey-king and his servants\npresent (in that conflict.) And these whom thou beholdest present,\nresembling mighty masses of sable clouds, like unto black collyrium, of\ngenuine prowess, countless and incapable of enumeration dwelling in\nmountains, provinces, and rivers,--terrible beings--approach thee, O\nking. In their amidst is their king, gray eyed and of fierce appearance,\nlike unto Parjanya[71] encompassed by clouds,--who dwelleth in that best\nof mountains, Rikkhavan, drinking of the Narmada.--Behold this one\nresembling a hill--younger brother of Dhumra, lord of the bears. He is\nequal to his brother in beauty, and of superior prowess. This leader of\nredoubtable leaders named Jambavan. He is mild, obedient to his\nsuperiors and fierce in fight. The intelligent Jambavan assisted Sakra\nsignally in the war of the gods and Asuras, and he hath won many boons\n(in consequence). Ascending the tops of mountains, these hurl down\ngigantic crags huge as colossal clouds, nor doth (the fear of) death\n(ever) disquiet them. And their bodies covered with hair, they resemble\nRakshasas and ghosts (in their conduct). This one of immeasurable energy\nhath innumerable troops going about, who behold this leader of leaders\nunder unusual excitement leaping and resting (by turns). This lord of\nmonkeys dwelleth near the thousand-eyed Deity; and this leader of bands,\ngifted with strength, is named Rambha. And he that going, toucheth with\nhis side a mountain situated at the distance of a Yojana, and, rising\nup, measureth the same length,--and whose beauty is surpassed by none\namong quadrupeds,--is known under the name of Sannadana, the\ngrand-father of the monkeys;--this intelligent one battled with\nSakra,[72]--nor did he meet with discomfiture. This is that general of\nthe forces. And he whose prowess is like that of Sakra, is this one\nbegot by Fire on a Gandharva's daughter, for assisting the celestials on\nthe occasion of the war of the gods and the Asuras. And this graceful\nand powerful one--best of monkeys--disporteth in that sovereign of\nmountains inhabited by numbers of Kinnaras, where king Vaicavana eateth\nrose apples, and which, O lord of Rakshas, ever conduceth to the\npleasure of thy brother. And this one who never extolleth himself in\nbattle, is named Krathana--leader of hosts. Surrounded by a thousand\nKoti (of troops), and stationed in the midst of the monkeys, he hopeth\nto subjugate Lanka with his own troops alone. And he that roameth about\nthe Ganga, terrifying leaders of elephant-herds, remembering the former\nhostility of the monkeys and the elephants, is this leader of bands,\nwho, roaring, opposeth wild elephants in mountain-caverns and crusheth\ntrees,--and foremost of monkeys, and chief of the monkey-forces--like\nSakra himself in heaven, sporteth, resorting to Uciravija pertaining to\nMandara, best of mountains, on the golden river.[73] A thousand lacs of\nmonkeys, elated with vigor and prowess, setting up roars and furnished\nwith (long) arms follow him; and this one is the leader of those high\nsouled monkeys. And, O king, he whom thou seest resembling clouds\nuplifted by the winds, is a leader named Pramathi. And his\nfleet-coursing soldiery are fiery, and volumes of red-hued dust are\nscattered about him profusely on all sides. And these wondrous strong\nand dreadful Golangulas[74] numbering hundreds and hundred thousands,\nseeing the building of the bridge, surrounding, O mighty monarch, the\nleader named Gavaksha--a Golangula--set up shouts, intending to demolish\nLanka with their prowess. Where the trees bring forth fruits of every\nseason and the black bees resort,--in the mountain furnished with solar\nsplendour, which the Sun circumambulates, by whose radiance ever beam\nbeasts and birds with a like hue,--whose table-lands are never forsaken\nby magnanimous Maharshis; where the trees yield every object of desire\nand all are fraught with fruits; in which best of mountains excellent\nhoney is found,--there in the charming Golden hill, O king, sporteth\nthis one--the foremost of the principal monkeys, Kacari by name, a\nleader of bands. There are sixty thousand charming Golden hills. In\ntheir midst is that best of mountains,[75] even as thou, O sinless one,\nart among the Rakshas. There in the inmost hill dwell (monkeys)\ntawny-hued; and white,--with coppery faces; yellowish like honey;\nsharp-toothed; having nails for their weapons; and four teeth like\nlions; irresistible like tigers all equal to Vaicwanara, and resembling\nflaming venomous snakes; furnished with long tails; like unto mad\nelephants; seeming like gigantic hills; roaring like mighty clouds; with\neyes tawny and round; of terrific mein; and emitting sounds,--and these\nare gazing at Lanka, as if devastating her. And this powerful one\nstaying in their midst, is their leader, eager for victory; and the\npuissant (monkey) always looketh like the Sun himself; and this one, O\nking, is famed on earth by the name of Satavali. And this heroic one,\npowerful and mighty, established in his own prowess, hopeth to devastate\nLanka with his own forces. And for compassing Rama's desire, the monkey\ndoth not cherish any kindness for his life. Gaya, Gavaksha, Nala, and\nthe monkey Nila--each of these is encompassed by ten _kotis_ of\nwarriors. (Besides these) there are other choice monkeys dwelling in the\nVindhya mountain, but I cannot enumerate these (monkeys) possessed of\nfleet vigor, in consequence of their vast number. All these, O mighty\nmonarch, are of exceeding prowess,--all possess persons resembling\nmighty mountains; and all are competent in a moment to remove mountains\nand scatter the Earth with them\".\n\n [71] Indra.\n\n [72] There is a word--_rane, in battle_ in this line, left out on the\n ground of pleonasm.--T.\n\n [73] Ganga.--T.\n\n [74] _Vide ante_.\n\n [75] Savarni Meru.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXVIII.\n\n\nHaving heard the words of Sarana, who had described the forces (of the\nmonkeys), Suka, addressed Ravana, lord of Rakshasas, saying,--\"Those, O\nking, whom thou seest stationed, resembling mad elephants, like unto\n_nyagrodhas_[76] belonging to the Ganga,--like unto Saias in the\nHimavan,--are incapable of being borne,--they are possessed of strength,\nand able to wear forms at will; resembling deities and Danavas, and like\nthe gods in conflict. These, numbering nine, five, and seven thousand\n_kotis_ and thousand _sankus_ and an hundred _vrindas_, are the\nministers of Sugriva, residing in Kishkindha--monkeys begot by gods and\nGandharvas, capable of assuming shapes at will. And those two whom thou\nbeholdest, staying there, of equal proportions and endowed with god-like\nshapes, are Mainda and Dwivida,--who have no equals in fight. Permitted\nby Brahma, they had partaken of ambrosia. They hope to humble Lanka by\ntheir prowess. And he whom thou seest staying like a mad elephant, the\nmonkey who, being enraged, can by his strength agitate the deep itself,\nwho, searching for Vaidehi, had presented himself before thee,\nlord,--behold this monkey come again!--whom thou hadst seen\nbefore![77]--is the eldest son of Kacari, known as the offspring of the\nWind-god--celebrated as Hanuman, who had bounded over the deep. Capable\nof wearing forms at pleasure, that first of monkeys is endeued with\ngrace and strength,--and is of irresistible impetuosity even as that\nlord, the Wind. Seeing the Sun risen, (he) while a boy, resolving in his\nmind,--'Coursing a way measuring three thousand _yojanas_, I will bring\nthe Sun,--my hunger is not appeased;' and he sprang up, elated with\nstrength. And, not getting that god, incapable of being subdued by the\ndeities, saints and Rakshasas, he dropped down on the Ascending-hill.\nAnd thereat a jaw of that strong-jawed one was a little fractured on the\nrock,--and he is called Hanuman in consequence. I know this monkey and\nall his previous history. I cannot describe his strength, beauty or\nprowess. And this one alone hopes to lay Lanka low by his energy. And\nwhy dost thou today forget the monkey, who had flung flaming fire into\nLanka? And next to him is the hero of dark-blue hue, having eyes like\nlotuses, the Atiratha among the Ikshwakus--of prowess celebrated in the\nworld--in whom virtue never wavereth and who never swerveth from\nrighteousness; who knoweth the Brahma Mantra and the Vedas,--the best of\nthose versed in them--who pierceth the sky with his shafts and cleaveth\nthe Earth, whose ire is like death, and whose prowess is like that of\nSakra,--whose wife, Sita, hath been carried away by thee from\nJanasthana. And this is Rama, who, O king, advanceth to encounter thee\nin conflict. And on his right side is one of the splendour of pure gold,\nbroad-breasted, having dark curled hair--this one is named Lakshmana,\never mindful of his brother's welfare. He is versed in polity as well as\nwarfare--the foremost of those learned in all the branches of knowledge;\nwrathful, invincible, victorious, powerful, conquering and strong,--the\nright arm of Rama and his own life going about. For Raghava he careth\nnot for his life. He hopeth to exterminate all the Rakshasas in battle.\nHe that stayeth occupying the left side of Rama, and surrounded by\nRakshasas, is the king, Bibhishana, sprinkled as the king of Lanka by\nthe auspicious king of kings,--he, filled with wrath, approacheth thee\n(for battle). And he whom thou seest staying in the middle like a\nfirm-based mountain, the lord of all monkeys, of immeasurable\nprowess,--and who in energy fame, intelligence, strength, and lineage,\nis as superior to the monkeys as the mountain Himavan overtoppeth all\nthe mountains, who in company with the principal monkey-leaders dwelleth\nin inaccessible Kishkindha hard to penetrate, and dense with trees, and\ndifficult of access, and denying approach on account of rocks; and whose\ngolden garland consisting of an hundred lotuses looks exceedingly\nelegant, which is the desire of men and gods, and where is established\nLakshmi--(is Sugriva). And Rama, having slain Vali, hath conferred this\ngarland, Tara, and the eternal monkey-kingdom on Sugriva. An hundred of\nan hundred thousand is called a _koti_ by the wise. An hundred of a\nthousand _koti_ is called a Sanku. An hundred of a thousand Sanku is\nknown as a Mahacanku. An hundred of a thousand Mahacanku is here termed\na Vrinda. An hundred of a thousand Vrinda is known as a Mahavrinda. A\nthousand Mahavrinda is called here a Padma. An hundred of a thousand\nPadma is known as a Mahapadma. An hundred of a thousand Mahapadma is\ntermed a Kharva. An hundred of a thousand Khara is termed a Samudra. An\nhundred of a thousand Samudra is known as a Mahaugha. Thus backed by a\nthousand _koti_, and a hundred Sanku, and a thousand Mahacanku, and an\nhundred Vrinda, and a thousand Mahavrinda, and an hundred Padma, and a\nthousand Mahapadma and an hundred _kharva_, and an equal Samaudra and an\nequal Mahaugha,--by _kotis_ of Mahaughas--resembling the sea,--and\nsurrounded by the heroic Bibhishana as well as his counsellors,--that\nLord of monkeys, always engirthed by a mighty force, and possessed of\nexceeding strength and prowess, will encounter thee in battle. Observing\nthis host, that hath presented itself, resembling a flaming planet, do\nthou, O mighty monarch, prepare thyself to the uttermost,--so that\nvictory may be thine, and that thou mayst not come by discomfiture at\nthe hands of the foe\".\n\n [76] Banians.\n\n [77] This dislocation occurs in the original. These descriptions\n generally are hardly amenable to a sound syntax.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXIX.\n\n\nSeeing the leaders of monkeys as pointed out by Suka,--the exceedingly\npuissant Lakshmana--Rama's right arm--and his[78] brother Bibhishana\nstaying near Rama, and Sugriva of dreadful prowess--sovereign of all the\nmonkeys,--and the strong Angada, grandson unto the thunder-handed\none,[79] and the powerful Hanuman; and the unconquerable Jambavan; and\nSushena; and Nila; and Nala--best of monkeys,--and Gaya; and Gavaksha;\nand Sarabha; and Mainda; and Dwivida,--Ravana, with his heart agitated a\nlittle, and his wrath aroused,--when their talk had ended, rebuked those\nheroes, Suka and Sarana. And he wrathfully spoke unto them, standing in\nhumble guise with their heads hung down, harsh words faltering with\npassion,--\"That counsellors subsisting (on the wealth of their master\nand sovereign), should say aught disagreeable to him, whether they meet\nwith his favor or disfavor--is not meet. Without being questioned, it is\n(proper) for you both to hymn the praises of a foe that is opposed and\nthat hath advanced for encounter! Ye have in vain worshipped your\npreceptors, aged people, and spiritual guides, for ye have failed to\nappropriate the cream of Political Science, which should be availed of.\nOr if ye had appropriated the same, you have forgotten it afterwards;\nand ye bear the burden of ignorance. And it is owing to my good fortune\nthat, having such stupid counsellors, I have as yet held my kingdom.\nHave ye no fear of death that ye use harsh speech towards me, who am the\nruler and whose tongue dispenseth good and evil? Even trees may exist in\nthe forest, coming in contact with burning fire; but transgressors\ncannot exist, visited with the chastisement of the monarch. I shall slay\nthese wicked wights, who praise the side of the enemy, if my anger be\nnot moderated, remembering their former good offices. Avaunt! Go hence\nfrom near me! I do not wish to slay you, remembering your good acts.\nSlain ye (already) are, who are ingrate and cherish no affection for\nme\". Thus accosted, Suka and Sarana, seeing (how things stood), covered\nwith bashfulness, went out, saluting Ravana by uttering 'Victory!' Then\nthat ranger of night, the Ten-necked one, said unto Mahodara, who was\npresent, to summon some spies. Thus accosted, Mahodara speedily ordered\nsome spies (to present themselves). Thereat, the spies, hurriedly\narriving there at the mandate of the monarch, and, presenting\nthemselves, stood with joined hands, uttering blessings of victory. Then\nthe lord of Rakshasas, Ravana, addressed the spies, who were heroic,\nfaithful, calm, and courageous,--\"Go hence, and acquaint yourselves with\nthe exertions of Rama; as well as with those who, being the custodians\nof Rama's closest counsels, have gladly joined him (here). How he\nsleepeth and how he waketh, and what he engageth himself in,--having\ndeftly acquainted yourselves with all this thoroughly, do you come (back\nhere). The wise king that gathers (a knowledge of) his enemy through\nspies, can, putting forth a modicum of effort in conflict, neutralise\n(his exertions)\". Thereat the spies, saying,--\"So it is\", taking Sardula\nto the fore, with delighted hearts went round the sovereign of the\nRakshasas. And, having gone round the high-souled Rakshasa-chief, the\nspies set out for where Rama with Lakshmana was. And repairing secretly\nto the vicinity of the mountain bordering on the fair shore,[80] they\nsaw Rama and Lakshmana with Sugriva and Bibhishana. And seeing that\nhost, they were overwhelmed with fear. And, while staying there, they,\ndiscovered by the righteous lord of Rakshasas, Bibhisana, were sore\nharassed (by the monkeys). And that wicked Rakshasa, Sardula, alone was\ntaken (before Rama). But Rama liberated him, who was assailed by the\nmonkeys. And Rama also, entertaining no enmity against them, also\nliberated the others, (who accompanied Sardula). And, on having been put\nto straits by the powerful monkeys of fleet vigor, they,[81] breathing\nhard, and with their consciousness lost, again arrived at Lanka. Then\nthose exceedingly strong spies, always ranging outside, presenting\nthemselves before the Ten-necked one, informed him of the forces of\nRama, stationed near mount Suvela.\n\n [78] _i.e._ Ravana's\n\n [79] Indra.--T.\n\n [80] _Suvelasya Sailasya_--may also mean, of the mount _Suvela_.--T.\n\n [81] The spies, that is.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXX.\n\n\nThen the spies communicated unto Lanka's lord news concerning Raghava\nand his host stationed at the mount Suvela. Hearing the words of the\nspies, that Rama, accompanied by a mighty army, had arrived (there),\nRavana was a little agitated and spoke unto Sardula,--\"Thy color hath\nchanged its natural aspect, and, O ranger of the night, thou lookest\npoorly. Didst not come under the control of the wrathful foes?\" Thus\nordered by him, then (Sardula), bewildered by fear, addressed that tiger\nof a Rakshasa, saying,--\"Those powerful monkeys, O king, puissant,\nstrong, and protected by Raghava, are incapable of being ranged (by us).\nAnd they cannot be conversed with or interrogated. All around, the\ncourses are kept by monkeys resembling hills. As soon as I entered, and\nwas scanning that host, I was discovered. And forcibly taken by the\nRakshas, I was pulled by them hither and thither. And furiously assailed\nby the monkeys with thighs, clenched fists, teeth, and palms, I was\ndragged in the midst of the army by the enraged monkeys. And, after\nhaving been taken all about, I was (at length) taken before Rama,\nbleeding, with my limbs showing sorry work, and my senses swimming and\nparalysed. And, having been belabored by the monkeys, I, on craving his\nkindness with joined hands, was, at his pleasure, rescued by Raghava,\nwith, \"Don't, don't\"! Having filled up the deep with rocks and crags,\nRama equipped with weapons, stayeth, occupying the gate of Lanka. And,\nletting me off, that one of suspasstng vigor, surrounded by monkeys,\nand, arranging his forces in the Garuda fashion, advanceth upon Lanka.\nAnd he draweth nigh to the wall. Therefore, do one of these things in\npreference to the other,--either render back Sita, or give him battle\".\nHearing this, Ravana, lord of Rakshasas, then reflecting in his mind,\nspoke unto Sardula these pregnant words,--'Even if the gods, Gandharvas,\nand Danavas should array themselves against me, Sita I shall not give,\nfrom fear of all creatures\". Having said this, that exceedingly\nenergetic one again said,--\"Thou hast ranged this army. Who here among\nthe monkeys are heroic? And, amiable one, what is their potency? And\nwhat are those monkeys that are hard to approach, like? And, O thou of\nfair vows, whose sons and grandsons are they? Truly relate all this (to\nme). Having ascertained their strength and weakness, I shall in this\nmatter adopt my course. Those who wish for fight, certainly take account\nof all this\". Thus addressed by Ravana, Sardula--best of spies--thus\nbegin to speak in the presence of Ravana,--\"O king, that unconquerable\none in fight, Jambavan, is well known as the son Gadgada, king of bears.\nThe other son of Gadgada is the son of Sakra's preceptor. By which son,\nsingle-handed, was done immense oppression to the Rakshas. And the\nrighteous and puissant Sushena is the son of Dharma.[82] And the mild\nmonkey, Dadhimukha, O king, is the son of Soma.[83] And Sumukha,\nDurmukha and the monkey, Vegadarcin (resembling) Death himself, were for\ncertain begot by the Self-create in the shape of a monkey.[84] And Nila\nhimself is the son of the bearer of sacrificial oblations;[85] and\nHanuman is famed as the son of the Wind-god. And the irrepressible and\nyouthful Angada is the grandson of Sakra. And the lusty Mainda and\nDwivida are sprung from Acwi. And five are the sons of Vaivaswata,\nresembling the Reaper himself--Gaya, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sarabha and\nGandhamadana. But I can not enumerate the rest, ten _kotis_ of heroic\nmonkeys--all sons of deities--burning for battle. And this is\nDacaratha's son--this youth resembling a lion, who slew Dushana and\nKhara and _Triciras_. There breathes none on Earth that is like unto\nRama in prowess, by whom was slain Viradha and Kavandha, resembling the\nDestroyer. No person can on earth describe the virtues of Rama; by whom\nhave been slain all those Rakshasas that had gone to Janasthana. And\nhere also is the virtuous Lakshmana, like unto the foremost of\nelephants, coming in the way of whose shafts, even Vasava doth not live.\nAnd here are Sweta and Jyotirmukha, sprung from Vatskara's self; and the\nmonkey Hemakuta is the son of Varuna. And the heroic Nala--best of\nmonkeys, is the son of Vicwakarma. And powerful and impetuous, Durdhara\nis the son of Vasu. And that foremost of Rakshasas, Bibhishana, thy\nbrother, engaged in the welfare of Raghava, hath laid seige to Lanka.\nThus have I described unto thee the entire monkey host stationed in\nmount Suvela. As for what remaineth to be done, thou art the master\".\n\n [82] Righteousness.\n\n [83] Moon.\n\n [84] Another meaning is,--_\"The monkey, Vegadarci--who is Death himself\n in the shape of a monkey\"._ But I give the more acceptable sense.\n T.\n\n [85] Fire.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXI.\n\n\nThen the spies of the king informed him of the forces of Raghava,\nincapable of being agitated, which had stationed themselves on mount\nSuvela. Hearing the arrival of Rama's mighty army from the spies, Ravana\nwas a little agitated, and he spoke unto the ministers,--\"Let the\nministers speedily present themselves, having their wits about\nthem,--the time forsooth hath come for counsel\". Hearing his mandate,\nthose Rakshasas, his counselors, swiftly presented themselves. And then\nhe consulted with his Rakshasa counselors. Having deliberated duly, that\nresistless one, dismissing his ministers, entered his own abode. Then,\ntaking with him the highly strong Vidyujjibha, huge-bodied and gifted\nwith the powers of illusion, he entered where Mithila's daughter was.\nAnd the lord of Rakshasas said unto Vidyujjibha, skilled in\nillusion,--\"Do thou bring Janakas daughter under the sway of illusion.\nAnd, O ranger of the night, do thou, taking an illusory head of Raghava,\nas well as a mighty bow with the shaft (set), present thyself before\nme\". Thus accosted, the night-ranger, Vidyujjibha, saying, \"So be it,\"\ndisplayed that desired illusion unto Ravana. Thereat, the king, eager to\nmeet with Sita in the Acoka woods, well-pleased, conferred an excellent\nornament on him. Then the exceedingly powerful lord of the Nairitas, the\nyounger brother of the Dispenser of riches, entered (into that place)\nand saw (there Sita) distressed, albeit unworthy of distress,--with her\nhead hung down, overwhelmed with woe,--sitting on the ground, staying at\nthe _acoka_ woods, engaged in the contemplation of her lord, conciliated\nby dreadful Rakshasis remaining near. Then, drawing near Sita, Ravana,\nproclaiming his exultation, said these haughty words unto the daughter\nof Janaka,--\"O gentle one, he depending on whom thou, being soothed by\n(me), slightest me--that slayer of Khara, thy husband, Raghava, hath\nfallen in battle. Thy roots have been competely severed, and thy pride\nhath been destroyed by me. In consequence of this calamity, O Sita, thou\nshalt become my wife. O foolish (girl), renounce this idea. What wilt\nthou do with him that is dead? O meek (wench), be thou the mistress of\nall my wives. O thou of slender religious merit! O thou whose object\nhath been defeated! O thou that presumest to be wise! Hearken unto the\ndestruction of thy lord, like the dreadful destruction of Vritra!\nSurrounded by a vast army gathered by the sovereign of the monkeys,\nRaghava had presented himself on the shore of the sea, for compassing my\ndestruction. And on the sun having set, Rama stationed himself with his\nmighty army, oppressing the northern shore (of the sea). Then at\nmidnight (my) spies coming to that host, thus stationed, fatigued from\ntravel, and sleeping soundly (in consequence),--first ranged it. Then my\nmighty forces led by Prahasta slew his host overnight, where was present\nRama along with Lakshmana. And repeatedly upraising _patticas_ and\nbludgeons, swords, rods and other mighty weapons; and (discharging)\nshowers of arrows, and darts, and daggers and maces and sticks and crows\nand bearded darts and discuses and clubs;--the Rakshasas discharged\nthese among the monkeys. And while Rama was sleeping, the furious\nPrahasta by means of a mighty falchion, with speed cut off his head\nclean. Bibhishana, who was flying at his will, was taken captive. And\nLakshmana along with the monkey-army hath departed somewhere. And, O\nSita, Sugriva--lord of monkeys--hath his neck broken; and, O Sita, with\nhis jaw fractured, Hanuman hath been slaughtered by the Rakshasas.--And\nJambavan, endeavouring to spring up with his thighs, was slain in the\nconflict; being severed by bearded darts, even as a tree cut off. And\nthe stalwart Mainda and Dwivida--those foremost of monkeys--sighing and\nlamenting, bathed in blood,--destroyers of foes--were cut off with a\nsword. And Panaca is rolling on the earth like a (veritable) Panaca.[86]\nAnd mangled by many iron arrows, Darimukha lieth in a cave. And the\nexceedingly energetic Kumuda, dumb, is slain by shafts. And torn by\ninnumerable (arrows) discharged on all sides by Rakshasas, Angada,\nvomitting blood, lieth on the ground.[87] And the monkeys, hard pressed\nby elephants, and others by networks of cars, lie low in the field,\nhaving been agitated like clouds by winds. And others afflicted with\naffright, flee, attacked (by the enemy) in the rear, and followed by the\nRakshasas, like mighty elephants pursued by lions. And some have fallen\ninto the sea, and some have taken refuge in the sky; and the bears have\nmounted up trees along with the monkeys. And on the shore of the sea,\nand in mountains and woods many are the tawny-hued monkeys that have\nbeen slain by Rakshasas of frightful forms. Thus hath thy lord been\nslain by my forces, along with his army; and I have his head, washed in\nblood and besmeared with dust\". Thereat, the exceedingly irrepressible\nlord of Rakshasas, Ravana, spake unto a Rakshasi, in the hearing of\nSita,--\"Bring (hither) the Rakshasa, Vidyujjibha of cruel deeds, who\nhath personally brought Raghava's head from the field\". Thereat,\nVidyujjibha, taking the head along with the bow, bowing down the head\n(unto Ravana), stood before him. Then spake king; Ravana unto the\nRakshasa, Vidyujjibha of the long tongue, who was staying by,--\"Do thou\nat once hold before Sita the head of Dacaratha's son. Let her clearly\nbehold the ultimate sad plight of her lord\". Thus addressed, that\nRaksha, throwing that graceful head before Sita, swiftly vanished. And\nRavana cast down the mighty blazing bow, famed through the three worlds,\nsaying,--\"This is Rama's. This is the bow of thy Rama with the string\nfixed. Slaying that man over night, Prahasta brought it hither\".\n\n [86] The tree of that name.--T.\n\n [87] This _sloka_ has 'Angada' twice. One, of course, is left out.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXII.\n\n\nSeeing that head and that excellent bow, and (remembering) the union of\n(Rama) and Sugriva related by Hanuman,--and (seeing) those eyes, and the\ncomplexion of that face, and that countenance like unto that of her\nlord,--and that hair and that forehead; and that beautiful jewel forming\nthe crest; and recognizing (Rama) by all these tokens combined,--\n(Sita), exceedingly aggrieved, rebuked Kaikeyi, lamenting like a female\nosprey,--\"O Kaikeyi, have thy wishes attained. Slain hath been the son\nof the race; and the entire race is exterminated by thee, partial to\ndissension. And what evil had been done unto Kaikeyi by the revered\nRama, that along with me, he hadst been banished into the woods, with\nrags given him (for his covering)?\" Having said this, Vaidehi, forlorn\nand trembling (all over), dropped to the earth, like a plantain cut off.\nThen, recovering after a while, and having regained her consciousness,\nthe large-eyed one, placing the head in her front, gave way to grief.\n\"Ah! I am undone, O mighty-armed one! O thou that didst follow stern\nvows! From thy (death), I have come by this final plight, having been\nrendered a widow. The greatest calamity (that can befall a woman), is\nsaid to be the death of her husband. And, possessor of an excellent\ncharacter, thou hast departed before me, who have ever trod the path of\nthe righteous; but who have come by a mighty grief and am plunged in a\nsea of sorrow. And thou, who was engaged in delivering me, hast thyself\nfallen! And my mother-in-law, Kaucalya, attached (to thee), through the\ndeath of thee, her son, at the hands of Rakshasas, hath been reduced to\nthe condition of a cow that hath been deprived of her calf. O Raghava,\neven the astrologers had predicted long life for thee. But their words\nare false,--thou, O Raghava, wast short-lived. Or didst thy wisdom, wise\nand good as thou wert, come to naught? For God, who is the origin of all\nbeings, maketh (every one) reap the fruit of his own acts. And why,\nversed in polity as thou wast, didst thou come by death, unforeseen?\nThou wast acquainted with the means of warding off misfortune, and\nskilled in doing so. And having been brought hither by me, representing\nthe Fatal Night, fierce and fell,--after (being) embraced, and by\nforce,--the lotus-eyed one hath met with his death. Here liest thou, O\nlong-armed one, leaving me lone,--and embracing the Earth like thy\nbeloved fair. Ever carefully worshipped with perfumed wreaths, this bow\nof thine, O hero, embellished with gold, is dear unto me. O sinless one,\nthou hast surely gone to heaven, and (art there) in the company of thy\nsire and my father-in-law, Dacaratha, and all thy ancestors. Thou hast\nbecome a star of the firmament as the fruit of thy great act.[88] Thou\nhast disregarded thy righteous race of Rajarshis. O king, why dost thou\nnot look at me? And why is it that thou dost not answer me, who am a\ngirl, hardly arrived at youth,--and who am thy wife and companion? That\nthou at the time of thy espousing my hand hadst vowed--I will practise\n(righteousness) with thee--do thou, O Kakutstha, recollect the same, and\ntake me, who am overwhelmed with distress. Why, O best of goers, hast\nthou gone from this world to that other, leaving behind me, overwhelmed\nwith distress? That person of thine which, decked out with auspicious\nthings, I used to embrace, beasts of prey will for certain tear the\nsame. Having performed the Agnishtoma and other sacrifices with\n_Dakshinas_ (dispensed),--why hadst not thou attained purity by means of\nthe sacrificial fire? Kaucalya, overwhelmed with sorrow, shall only\nbehold one of the three that had gone away to distant lands,--come\n(back)--Lakshmana. And, on being asked by her, he shall relate thine as\nwell as the deaths of thy friend's troops over night at the hands of the\nRakshasas. And, O Raghava, hearing thee slain while asleep, and me\nstaying in the abode of the Raksha, she with her heart cleft (in twain),\nshall cease to exist. And for the sake of me, abject that I am, that\nsinless son of the king, Rama, possessed of prowess, having crossed the\nocean, hath been slain in the footprint of a cow. I, the befouler of my\nline, who had been wedded by Dacaratha's son through want of discretion,\nbecoming the wife of the revered Rama, was (in reality) his Death.\nWithout doubt, in another birth I had abstained from choice gifts,--and\ntherefore it is that I sorrow to-day, albeit being the wife of one that\nwas (ever dear) unto guests. Do thou, O Ravana, speedily slay me upon\nRama; and, bringing the wife to the husband, compass my best benefit. Do\nthou join my head to his and my body to his body. I will, O Ravana,\nfollow the way of my high-souled lord\". Thus, burning in grief, did that\nlarge-eyed one indulge in lamentations; and Janaka's daughter kept fast\ngazing at the head and bow of her lord. And as the Rakshasa was by while\nSita was thus bewailing, there appeared before his lord, with joined\nhands, the warder, saying,--\"May the worshipful one be victorious!\" And\nsaluting and propitiating him, (Ravana), he told him that Prahasta,\ngeneral of the forces, had arrived. \"Prahasta hath come to thee,\nsurrounded by all the courtiers. And, O lord, I was despatched by him,\ndesirous of seeing thee. O mighty monarch, surely there is--and thou art\nforgiving from thy regal sentiment[89]--some work which is momentous;\nand do thou see them\". Hearing these words of the Rakshasa, the\nTen-necked one, leaving the acoka wood, went to see the counselors. And,\nhaving decided his entire course of action in consultation with his\ncompetent advisers, (Ravana), entering his court,--well knowing Rama's\nprowess, set about his work. And as soon as Ravana left that place, that\nhead and that bow vanished. And in company with the councilors of\ndreadful power, (Ravana) decided his course with reference to Rama. And\nthen the lord of Rakshasas, Ravana, resembling the day of doom,\naddressed his generals,--all well-wishers--staying hard by, saying,--\"Do\nye speedily summon my forces with the beat of drums--nor do ye give out\nthe reason (of the summons)\". Then assenting to his speech with \"So be\nit,\" the envoys immediately summoned that mighty force; and, when it had\narrived, they informed their master, eager for conflict, of its arrival.\n\n [88] _The carrying out the command of thy sire.--T._\n\n [89] This dislocated period insinuates that Ravana, possessed of royal\n nature, should forgive this untimely intrusion.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXIII.\n\n\nSeeing Sita overwhelmed with grief, a Rakshasi, named Sarama, who was\nthe beloved companion (of Sita), drew near to her dear (friend),\nVaidehi. And the mild-speeched Sarama comforted the exceedingly\ndistressed Sita, who had been bereft of her senses by the lord of\nRakshasas. Sita, who was protected there (by Sarama), had been made a\nfriend by her. And, protecting her at the command of Ravana, that\nkind-hearted companion, firm in vows, saw Sita, deprived of her\nconsciousness. And she[90] comforted with a friend's affection that one\nof fair vows, who was rolling in the dust and rising up from it like a\nmare.[91] \"Having come to the solitary wood for protecting thee, I,\nrenouncing all fear of Ravana, have, remaining hid, heard everything\nthat he addressed unto thee, as well as what thou hadst replied unto\nhim. For thee, O thou of expansive eyes, I have no fear of Ravana. And,\nO Maithili, I, coming out, have also learnt well as to why the lord of\nRakshasas hath gone out hence hurriedly. Rama, acquainted with self, is\nincapable of being surprised in sleep; nor doth the slaying of that\ntiger-like one commend itself to me as probable. And the monkeys\nfighting with trees, well protected by Raghava, like the gods protected\nby the foremost of the celestials, are incapable of being slain. And,\npossessed of arms long and rounded; graceful; broad-breasted; powerful;\naccoutred with the bow; and mailed; righteous; and famous over the\nearth; endowed with energy; and along with his brother, Lakshmana, ever\nprotecting himself and others; of noble descent; and versed in polity;\nthe destroyer of the hostile ranks; and of inconceivable strength and\nmanhood,--the graceful Raghava, O Sita, slayer of foes, is not slain.\nThis illusion hath been spread around thee by that fierce,\nillusion-creating one, whose mind ever runs upon improper acts and who\nopposeth himself to all creatures.--All thy sorrow hath departed, and\nthy good day hath dawned. Certainly Lakshmi seeketh thee. And, O lady,\nhearken unto what is dear to thee! Having crossed over the ocean, along\nwith the monkey-host, Rama hath encamped himself on the southern shore\nof the sea. By me hath been seen the complete Kakutstha along with\nLakshmana, accompanied by the forces, stationed on the marge of the\nmain,--protected (by his native might). Those Rakshasas of fleet vigor\nwho had been despatched by this one, have brought the news that Raghava\nhath crossed.--And, O large-eyed lady, having learnt this news,\nRavana--lord of Rakshasas--is consulting with all his counselors\". As\nthe Rakshasi, Sarama, was relating this unto Sita, she heard the leonine\nroars of the army, emitted with the greatest energy. And, hearing the\nmighty sounds of kettledrums produced by sticks struck (thereon), the\nhoney-tongued Sarama spoke thus unto Sita,--\"These dreadful sounds of\nthe kettledrum, O mother, call to arms. And hark to the solemn notes of\nthe kettledrums, resembling the rumbling of clouds! The mad elephants\nare caparisoned and the car-horses are yoked; and thousands (of\nwarriors) are seen, mounted on steeds, with bearded darts in their\nhands. And, as waters fill up the ocean, mailed warriors of wonderful\nforms, vehement and roaring, by thousands rush out on all sides and fill\nthe highways. And mark the splendour spread around by the polished arms\nand bucklers and mail,--and by the cars, horses and elephants of the\nfollowers of the Rakshasa-chief,--consisting of many hues shooting\nup,--like unto the appearance of a fire in summer, burning a\nforest,--and also mark the excitement of ihe high-spirited and\nfast-coursing Rakshas![92] And hear the sounds of bells and the rattling\nof the car-wheels! And hear the neighing of the steeds and the reports\nof the drums And fierce is the excitement of these Rakshasas--followers\nof the Raksha-chief,--with their hands hearing upraised arms,--capable\nof making people's hair stand on end. The sorrow removing Sree espouseth\nthee; and the fear of the Rakshas is come. And as Vasava did unto the\nDaityas, the lotus-eyed Rama, thy lord--of controlled anger, and of\ninconceivable prowess, slaying Ravana in battle and thus delivering\nthee, shall approach thee. And, as Vasava put forth his prowess among\nhis foes, in company with the foe-destroying Vishnu, thy lord, along\nwith Lakshmana, shall display his prowess among the Rakshas. On the\nenemy having fallen, I shall behold thee, devoted to thy lord, with thy\ndesire attained, soon lying on the lap of Rama. And, O Janaki, embracing\n(thy lord), thou shalt shed tears of joy on his mighty breast. And, O\nSita, soon shall the highly powerful Rama loosen this braid of thine\nreaching unto thy hips, which thou hast been wearing for many a month.\nAnd, O exalted one, seeing his face like the full moon risen, thou shalt\nshed water begot of ruth, even as a she-serpent casts off her slough.\nAnd, O Mithila's daughter, speedily slaying Ravana in battle, that one\nworthy of happiness shall reap felicity in the company of thee, his\nbeloved. And, loved by the high-souled Rama, thou shalt be happy, even\nas the Earth furnished with crops brought forth by plenteous showers. Do\nthou, O exalted one, take refuge with him, who, going round the foremost\nof mountains, speedily assumeth a steed-like circular movement; for even\nthe maker of day is the source of people's joy and grief\".\n\n [90] Sarama.--T.\n\n [91] The commentator intelligently remarks: _As a mare does, to remove\n fatigue.--T._\n\n [92] This line of verse defies all attempts to make it fall into\n syntactical order with the rest of the sentence. It is a hideous\n hiatus in the passage.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXIV.\n\n\nBurning with grief on account of those words,[93] Sarama gladdened and\ncheered her, even as masses of clouds (cheer up) the burning Earth. And\nthen, desirous of doing her good, (Sita's) friend, conversant with\nseason, and ever preluding her speech with a smile, spoke unto her\nseasonably,--\"O thou having dark eyes, I can, secretly going to Rama and\ncommunicating to him thy auspicious words, come back clandestinely. Nor,\nwhen I course the supportless sky, can even the Wind or Garuda follow\nme\". As she said this, Sita with her grief a little lightened, said unto\nSarama in sweet and smooth words,--\"Thou art capable of even going to\nthe nethermost regions. But do thou on my behalf that which is fit to be\ndone by thee. If thou intend doing me a good turn, and if thy sense be\nsteady, I would know what Ravana is doing after having left this place.\nThat guileful and wicked-minded one, Ravana, destroyer of enemies,\nhaving powers of illusion, overwhelms me even as the Varuni just drunk.\nConfining me here for ever and a day, (Ravana) sets on dreadful\nRakshasas to alike threaten and scold me constantly. And I am agitated\nand alarmed, and my mind is (always) uneasy. And I, dwelling in the\n_acoka_ wood, is ever agitated. If there is any talk (of delivering me),\nor keeping me confined,--thou shouldst communicate unto me the decision\narrived at. This is the highest favor that I seek (at thy hands)\".\nThereat, the mild-speeched Sarama, wiping (Sita's) face washed in tears,\nspake unto her, as she said this,--\"If this is thy wish, I will go, O\nJanaki. O Mithila's daughter, having possessed myself of the intent of\nthe enemy, I shall come back\". Having said this, (Sarama), repairing to\nthe Raksha, heard Ravana's converse with his counselors. And having\nheard of the decision of that wicked-minded one, she, understanding\ndecisions, swiftly retraced her steps to the fair _acoka_ forest. And\nthen, entering there, she saw Janaka's daughter, expecting (her) like a\nvery Sri, bereft of her lotus. And, the fair-spoken Sarama, on getting\nback (near her), Sita, embracing her affectionately, herself gave her a\nseat. \"Sitting down here at ease, do thou relate to me faithfully all\nabout the determination of the wicked-minded and guileful Ravana\". Thus\naccosted by the trembling Sita, Sarama related everything that had been\nsaid by Ravana and his counselors. \"O Vaidehi, the Raksha lord was\nadvised by his mother and the aged counselors in pregnant words informed\nwith affection, having thy deliverance for their object. 'Do thou make\nover Maithili unto the king of men, paying him homage due. Thou hast, in\nJanasthana profusely witnessed wonderful instances (of his prowess). The\ncrossing of the ocean, Hanuman's sight (of Sita),--and the slaughter of\nthe Rakshas in fight,--what person is capable of doing all this in\nbattle?' Thus long exhorted by his counselors as well as his mother,\nRavana doth not make up his mind to emancipate thee, even as a covetuous\nperson is loath to part with wealth (appropriated). And, O Maithili,\nwithout renouncing his life in battle, he doth not intend to liberate\nthee. Even this is the determination which that cruel one hath arrived\nat along with his advisers. This intent is in consequence of their\ncoveting surcease. He can not yield thee up from sheer fear; nor is he\nbackward in battle, or shirketh his own destruction or that of all the\nRakshasas. O dark-eyed lady, slaying Ravana in battle with sharp shafts,\nRama shall take thee back to Ayodhya\". In the meanwhile there was heard\na mighty uproar occasioned by the whole host, and drums and\nconchs,--which shook the earth. Hearing that hubbub of the monkey-army,\nthe servants of the Rakshasa monarch, ran who were in Lanka,--growing\ndispirited and bereft of energy, with weakness overcoming their\npowers,--did not see any good, in consequence of the fault of the ruler.\n\n [93] _i.e._ the words of Ravana.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXV.\n\n\nAnd that captor of hostile capitals, the mighty-armed Rama, was\nadvancing (upon Lanka) with the sounds of drums mixed with the blares of\nconchs. Hearing this noise, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--reflecting for a\nwhile, cast his eyes upon his counselors. And addressing there all those\ncounsellors, that afflictor of the world--the crooked and highly\npowerful lord of the Rakshasas, Ravana, making his court\nresound,--running down (Rama's) crossing the main, as well as his vigor,\nstrength and manhood,--said to them,--\"What ye have said touching Rama's\n(prowess), hath been heard by me. And I also know ye to be of sterling\nvalor in the field. Yet why, knowing Rama's prowess, do ye silently look\nat each other?\" Then the maternal grand sire (of Ravana), possessed of\nexceeding wisdom, named Malyavan, hearing his words, said,--\"The king\nthat is accomplished in the various kinds of learning,[94] and that\nfolloweth polity, ever commandeth affluence and bringeth his enemies\nunder his subjection. He that seasonably concludes peace and carries on\nwar with his enemies,--and who advances his own party, attaineth great\naffluence. A king should enter into peace, if he be an equal or inferior\nof his adversary, and engage in war, if be more powerful,--but an enemy\nshould never be disregarded. Therefore, O Ravana, peace with Rama is\nwhat commends itself to me; and do thou render unto him that for which\nthou hast been invaded (by him), _viz._, Sita. All the Devarshis and\nGandharvas wish for (Rama's) victory. Therefore, do not enter into\nhostilities with him; but do thou bend thy mind to ther conclusion of\npeace with him. That possessor of the six attributes, the Great-father,\nhath appointed two courses, (respectively) for the Asuras and the\ncelestials, having for their proper objects righteousness and\nunrighteousness. Righteousness, we hear, is the course of the\nhigh-souled celestials, as, O Rakshasa, unrighteousness is that of\nRakshas and Asuras. During the Krita Yuga, righteousness swalloweth up\nsin; and during Tishya,[95] unrigheousness swalloweth up virtue. Thou,\nranging the three worlds, hadst extinguished pregnant piety, and reaped\nunrighteousness; and it is for this that thy foes have waxed potent.[96]\nAnd, having grown through thy neglect, unrighteousness devoureth us, and\nthat protector of the gods, (righteousness), is strengthening the side\nof the celestials. Thou, addicted to carnal pleasures and acting in\ndefiance of duty, hadst aroused the high wrath of the saints resembling\nfire. The power of these possessed of souls sanctified through\nasceticism, and ever engaged in invoking the aid of righteousness, is\nincapable of being resisted and is like flaming fire. The twice-born\nones engage in contemplation with intent minds, and loudly recite the\nVedas. They overpower the Rakshas, uttering the Vedas; and thereat they\nfly in all directions like clouds scattered in summer. And the smoke\nthat ariseth from the Agnihotra sacrifices of saints resembling fire,\nenveloping the energy of the Rakshasas, spreads over the ten cardinal\nquarters. And ther fierce austerities of vow-observing saints, performed\nat particular sacred spots, try the Rakshasas sore. Thou hast obtained a\nboon, conferring immunity at the hands of deities, Danavas and Yakshas.\nBut men and monkeys, bears and Golangulas, possessed of enormous\nstrength and endowed with vigor, and of indomitable prowess,--coming\nhere, are setting up roars. Witnessing various and many dire portents, I\nperceive the destruction of all the Rakshasas. Dreadful and terrific\nclouds, uttering harsh sounds, are showering blood all around Lanka. And\n(live) vehicles are dropping profuse tears. And all sides, covered with\ndust, do not appear bright as formerly. And beasts of prey, jackals and\nvultures, are emitting frightful cries, and, entering into the garden of\nLanka, form themselves into bands. And in dreams mighty dark-hued women\nin front of dwellings, seizing at (the furniture ) thereof, and speaking\ninauspiciously, laugh displaying their sable teeth. And in houses dogs\nare feasting on the articles of worship. And cows bring forth asses, and\nmongooses, mice. And cats are pairing with leopards, and swine with\ndogs, and Kinnaras with Rakshasas and human beings. And red-footed white\nsky-coursing pigeons, urged on by Doom, are going about for the\ndestruction of the Rakshasas. And female-parrots in houses, wounded and\nworsted by other birds delighting in discord, are dropping down,\nemitting indistinct notes. And all the birds and beasts are crying\n(distressfully) with their faces turned towards the sun. And at dusk a\nfrightful, withered, tawny-hued male figure, looking like Death himself,\nwith his head shaven, peereth into the houses (of people). These and\nother evil omens occur. Rama I deem as Vishnu assuming the form of a\nman. Raghava of steady prowess, for certain, is no human being,--he that\nhath built a bridge over the deep, must be an exceedingly wonderful\nperson. Therefore, O Ravana, conclude peace with Rama--king of men.\nHaving ascertained fit course, do thou act properly\". Having said this\nunto that vile one, and knowing the intention of the lord of Rakshas,\nthat strong Malyavan, of exceeding prowess, became silent, eying Ravana.\n\n [94] The commentator says there are four and ten kinds of learning: but\n unfortunately he does not enumerate them.--T\n\n [95] The Kali Yuga.--T\n\n [96] While ranging the three worlds on a career of conquest, thou\n didst, disturbing sacrifices, _etc._, wrong righteousness.--T\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXVI.\n\n\nThe Ten-necked one, come under the control of Time, did not brook the\nbeneficial speech spoken by Malyavan. Contracting his face into a frown,\nhe, coming under the masterdom of passion, with his eyes rolling in\nwrath, addressed Malyavan, saying,--\"The words which, deeming the\nstrength of the enemy as superior, thou hast harshly spoken, considering\nit as beneficial, had never before entered my ears. A (mere) man, and\nfeeble, and alone, and having monkeys for his support, why dost thou\ndeem Rama, who hath (further) been cast off by his sire, and hath in\nconsequence taken refuge in the woods,--as competent (to cope with me)?\nAnd why dost thou consider me, who am the lord of the Rakshas, and\nfeared even by the immortals,--as weak and reft of all power? Thou, I\nsuspect, speakest (thus) roughly either from jealousy of my heroism, or\nfor inciting me. And who that is wise and learned, ever addresseth him\nroughly that is at once puissant and of (high) station, if not to spur\nhim on? Why, having brought Sita like a Sri shorn of her lotus, shall I\ngive her up, from fear of Raghava? Behold Raghava, environed by Kotis of\nmonkeys, with Sugriva and Lakshmana, slain one of these days! He before\nwhom even the gods cannot stay in the field,--how can that Ravana ever\ncome by fear? Better that I should be riven in twain,--but bend I never\nwill. This is my native fault; and nature is incapable of being\novercome. And if Rama hath at his pleasure constructed a bridge over the\nocean, what is the wonder in this that thou hast conceived such a fear?\nAnd although Rama hath crossed the ocean along with the monkey-army, yet\nI swear unto thee truly, living, he shall not back hence\". When Ravana,\nwrought up with passion, had spoken thus, Malyavan, knowing him wroth,\ndid not return a reply. And, duly tendering blessings unto the king,\nMalyavan, taking his permission, went to his own abode. And the\nRakshasa, Ravana, along with his courtiers, having consulted together as\nto what was fit to be done, set about the defence of Lanka. And he\ncommanded the Rakshasa Prahasta (to guard) the Eastern gate; and the\nexceedingly powerful Mahaparcwa and Mahodara (to guard) the Southern\ngate; and he ordered his son Indrajit, possessing mighty powers of\nillusion, girt by innumerable Rakshasas, to guard the Western gate. And\nhe commanded Suka and Sarana to defend the Northern gate. But he said\nunto the counsellors,--\"I will myself go thither\".[97] And he posted in\nthe middle in the garrison the Rakshasa, Virupaksha, endowed with\nexceeding prowess and energy, backed by countless Rakshasas. Having\ntaken these measures in Lanka, the Rakshasa-chief, urged by Fate, deemed\nhimself as having achieved success. Having thus completely provided for\nthe defence of the city, he dismissed the ministers; and, honored by the\ncounsellors with blessings of victory, (then) entered his magnificent\nand splendid inner apartment.\n\n [97] _i.e._ to defend the Northern gate.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXVII.\n\n\nThose kings, man and monkey, that monkey the Wind-god's son,\nJambavan--sovereign of bears--the Rakshasa, Bibhishana, the son of Vali,\nAngada, Sumitra's son, the monkey, Sarabha, Sushena along with his\nfriends, Kumuda, Nala, and Panaca, arriving at the dominions of the\nenemy, assembled together, began to deliberate. \"Yonder is that Lanka\nruled by Ravana, invincible even unto the celestials, serpents and\nGandharvas. Let us, keeping before us success in the enterprise, consult\ntogether for the purpose of arriving at a decision. We are here daily\nnearing Ravana, lord of Rakshasas\". As they were speaking thus, Ravana's\nyounger brother, Bibhishana, said in a pregnant speech free from\nprovincialism,--\"Anala, Panaca, Sampati and Pramati--all courtiers of\nmine--having gone up to Lanka, have come back here. Wearing the forms of\nbirds, they entered into the hostile forces; and, having seen the\nmeasures that had been adopted (by them), have come (back). O Rama,\nhearken to me as I tell thee truly anent the provisions which they have\nrelated, made by the wicked-minded Ravana. In the Eastern gate stayeth\nPrahasta along with his forces; in the Southern, the exceedingly\npowerful Mahaparcwa and Mahodara; and in the Western, Ravana's son,\nIndrajit, supported by innumerable Rakshasas, equipped with _patticas_,\nswords and bows, and bearing darts and maces in their hands,--surrounded\nby heroes carrying various weapons. And, backed by many thousands of\nRakshasas weilding weapons, and accompanied by Rakshasas conversant with\ncounsel, Ravana himself, his heart agitated to the height, guardeth the\nNorthern gate of the city. And Virupaksha with a powerful force\naccoutred in javelins, clubs and bows, protects the garrison in the\ncentre. Having seen these hosts thus disposed in Lanka, my counsellors\nhave speedily come back here. There are ten thousand elephants, an Ayuta\ncars, two of horses, and about a _koti_ of Rakshasas, powerful and\nstrong, and equipped with arms in conflict.[98] These night-rangers are\never the favorites of the Rakshasa ruler. And, O king, a _koti_ of\nforces accompany each of these Rakshasas in battle\". Having conveyed\nthis information concerning Lanka, which had been communicated by his\ncounsellors, the mighty-armed Bibhishana showed (unto Rama) those\nRakshasas themselves. And in company with his counsellors, Ravana's\ngraceful younger brother, ever striving for the welfare of Rama, by way\nof answer communicated everything that was going forward in Lanka unto\nRama, having eyes resembling lotus-leaves,--\"O Rama, when Ravana battled\nwith Kuvera, sixty lacs of Rakshasas marched forth (to meet him). In\nprowess, energy, vigor, exceeding fortitude, and hauteur, they resembled\nthe wicked-minded Ravana himself. In this matter, thou ought not to grow\nwroth,--I only arouse thy wrath, and do not endeavour to frighten\nthee.[99] Thou canst subdue even the celestials by thy prowess.\nTherefore thou, environed by a mighty army, having arrayed the\nmonkey-forces in order of battle, shalt thrash Ravana (in battle)\". When\nRavana's younger brother had spoken thus, Raghava, said these words with\nreference to his beating the foe,--\"Let that foremost of monkeys, Nila,\nsurrounded by an immense number of monkeys, cope with Prahasta at the\nEastern gate of Lanka. And, engirt by a mighty force, let Angada, son of\nVali, resist Mahaparcwa and Mahodara at the Southern gate (thereof). And\nlet that son of the Wind-god, Hanuman, backed by innumerable monkeys,\n(beating the host stationed) at the Western gate, find entrance (into\nthe city). I myself, determined to compass the destruction of the lord\nof Rakshasas, who, waxing powerful in consequence of the boon he hath\nreceived, hath brought about the destruction of high-souled saints\nresembling gods and Danavas,--and who goeth round all regions,\noppressing people,--will, along with Sumitra's son, smiting (the foe),\noccupy the Northern entrance, where Ravana with his army is stationed.\nAnd let the powerful king of monkeys, and the puissant sovereign of\nbears, and the younger brother of the Rakshasa-chief, manage the\nsoldiery posted in the centre. And in this battle, the monkeys need not\nassume the forms of human being. And let this serve for a sign that the\nmonkeys, in order to the recognition of our own forces, appear with\ntheir proper monkey-marks. We seven only shall battle with the foe in\nhuman shapes,--_viz_., I along with my brother, the exceedingly\nenergetic Lakshmana, and my friend Bibhishana counting for the fifth in\ncompany with his own following\". Having said this unto Bibhishana, for\nattaining success in the enterprise, that lord, the intelligent Rama,\nseeing the sides of Suvela more beautiful (than other places), intended\nto ascend it. Then, environed by a mighty host, the high-souled and\nmagnanimous Rama, his features mirroring forth high\nexultation,--overshadowing the entire Earth (with his forces), set out\nfor Lanka, determined upon destroying the enemy.\n\n [98] These are, remarks the commentator, the leaders.--T.\n\n [99] _i.e._ \"Thou ought not to be angry with _me_; for I do not\n frighten thee, but rouse thy _wrath against Ravana\".--T._\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXVIII.\n\n\nHaving been bent upon mounting Suvela, Rama, followed by Lakshmana,\naddressed in sweet and excellent words, Sugriva, and that righteous\nnight-ranger, Bibhishana, versed in counsel and conversant with\nprecepts, who was devoted to him,--saying,--\"We shall all ascend this\nmount Suvela, bedight with metals; and pass this night even here. And\n(from here) will we view the abode of that Rakshasa who, foul of soul,\nhath carried off my spouse, to bring destruction down on himself,--who\nknoweth nor morality nor good conduct nor behaviour (conducive to the\ndignity of his descent),--and who, in consequence of his base\npropensity, hath committed himself to so heinous a course of action\".\nHaving decided thus, Rama, filled with wrath at Ravana, coming to\nSuvela, ascended its variegated plateau. And Lakshmana, collected, went\nin his wake. And, upraising bow and arrow, Sugriva, (ever) engaged in\nvalorous acts, accompanied with Bibhishana as well as his counselors,\nfollowing him, also ascended (the mountain). And all those rangers of\nmountains, gifted with the vehemence of the Wind in hundreds ascended\nmount Suvela, where Raghava was stationed. And ascending the mountain in\na short time, they all beheld from its summit the city, appearing to be\nbuilt on the air. And the monkey-leaders beheld Lanka, exceedingly\nsplendid with noble gateways; gracefully enclosed with a wall; thronging\nwith Rakshasas; and defended by sable Rakshasas. And the foremost of\nmonkeys saw these appearing like another wall (overtopping the one\nbeneath). And on seeing the Rakshasas, the monkeys burning for battle\nset up various roars in the presence of Rama. Then the Sun, crimsoned\nwith Eve, ascended the Setting-hill and Night came, illumined by the\nMoon at his full. Then the master of the monkey-army, Rama, saluted and\nhonored by Bibhishana, accompanied by Lakshmana as well as the leaders\nof the monkeys, sojourned happily on the breast of Suvela.\n\n\n\nSECTION XXXIX.\n\n\nHaving passed the night in Suvela, the heroic monkey-leaders surveyed\nwoods and forests in Lanka. And seeing those extensive (woods and\nforests), mild, and charming, and beautiful to behold, they were seized\nwith wonderment. Abounding in _champakas_, _acokas_, _vakulas_, _calas_,\nand palms; covered with _tamalas_ and _panacas_,--and environed all\naround with trees,--and surrounded with Hintalas, Aryunas, blossoming\nSaptaparnas, Tilakas, Karnikaras, and Patalas,--trees with flowering\ntops, en tert wined with creepers,--Lanka looked exceedingly lovely,\nwith various sights,--resembling the Amaravati herself of Indra. And\ntrees there, furnished with variegated flowers having tender rosy\nleaves,--and blue lawns, and rows of woods; and bearing odourous and\ncharming blossoms and fruits,--looked like men adorned with ornaments.\nAnd there a delightful and pleasant wood resembling Chaitraratha, and\nlike unto Nandana itself--having all the seasons present,--appeared\nbeauteous to the view, with black bees all around. And it had Datyuhas,\nand Koyasthivas, and peacocks dancing; and the strains of the coels were\nheard at the woodland rills. And the heroic and exhilarated monkeys,\ncapable of wearing forms at pleasure, entered those woods and groves\nfrequented by maddened birds and ranged by Bhramaras,--tracts\noverflowing with the lays of coels, and ringing with the voices of\nsongsters,--resonant with the notes of Bhramaras--sovereigns of their\nspecies--and eloquent with the cries of ospreys. And as the exceedingly\nenergetic monkeys entered, there blew upon them the breeze--like unto\nlife--redolent of perfume obtained from contact with the blossoms. And\nothers of the leaders among the heroic monkeys, coming out from the\nbands, ordered by Sugriva, made in the direction of Lanka crowned with\nensigns. And, terrifying the fowls and dispiriting beasts and birds and\nshaking Lanka with their roars, those foremost monkeys set up shouts.\nAnd they, endowed with great impetuosity, went on, oppressing the earth\nwith their battle-array; and clouds of dust suddenly arose from the the\nmarch of the soldiery. And bears, and lions, and buffaloes, and\nelephants, and deer, and birds, overwhelmed with affright, made for the\nten cardinal points. The graceful and lovely summit of Trikuta was\nentire, elevated, sky-piercing, of golden splendour, measuring an\nhundred yojanas, clear-shining, level, inaccessible even to fowls, and\nincapable of being ascended even in thought--not to say of actual\nascension by people. Lanka, ruled by Ravana, was situated on its[100]\ntop,--ten yojanas in width and twenty in length. And that city was\ngraced with lofty ornamented gateways resembling pale clouds, and golden\nand silvern walls; and Lanka was adorned with palaces and piles; like\nthe sky[101] graced with clouds on the approach of the rainy season. And\nthat palace, which was adorned with thousands of pillars, and which, as\nif piercing the heavens, looked like a peak of Kailaca--was the\nresidence of the Sovereign of the Rakshasas--the ornament of the city,\n(ever guarded by full hundreds of Rakshasas). And Lakshmana's auspicious\nand puissant elder brother, beholding that flourishing and wealthy city\nresembling the celestial regions,--charming to the mind, made of gold,\ngraced with mountains, and decked out with mountains containing various\nmetals,--resonant with the notes of various birds; abounding in various\nbeasts,--furnished with various kinds of flowers,--and inhabited by\nvarious orders of Rakshasas,--was struck with astonishment. And Rama,\nsurrounded by his mighty forces, saw that palace, filled with diverse\nkinds of gems, adorned with rows of edifices, and having huge engines\nand gateways.\n\n[100] Trikuta's.--T.\n\n[101] _Madhyamam Vaishnavam padam_--the middle foot of Vishnu. When\n Vishnu in his Dwarf-form took the conceit out of Vali, the\n renowned Asura king,--he covered the earth with one pace, the sky\n with another and heaven with the last.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XL.\n\n\nThen Rama, accompanied by the monkey-leaders, along with Sugriva,\nascended the top of Suvela, measuring a circumference of two _yojanas_.\nAnd staying there for a while and looking at the ten cardinal points, he\nsaw Lanka finely placed on the charming summit of Trikuta,--graced with\nelegant groves; and (he also saw) the unconquerable lord of Rakshasas,\nstationed at the top of the gateway, fanned with white _chamaras_;\ngraced with the umbrella betokening victory; smeared with red sandal;\nadorned in red ornaments; resembling masses of sable clouds; and\napparelled in golden attire,--his breast bearing scars from the\ntusk-ends of Airavata; covered with a sheet hued like the blood of\nhares; and appearing like clouds lighted up by the evening sun. And on\nseeing the Rakshasa-chief, Sugriva suddenly rose up in the sight of the\nlords of monkeys as well as Raghava. And influenced by wrath, he,\nmustering strength and vigor, rising from the brow of the mountain,\nbounded to the gateway. And pausing for a while and eying the Rakshasa\nintrepidly, he, slighting the Raksha, addressed him in harsh speech,\nsaying,--\"O Rakshasa, I am the friend as well as the slave of Rama--lord\nof men. Me, backed by the energy of that king of the Earth, shalt thou\nnot escape to-day\". Saying this, he, suddenly springing up, descended on\nhim; and snatching away his variegated crown, let it fall on the earth.\nAnd seeing him come abruptly, the night-ranger spoke to him thus,--\"Thou\nthat wert Sugriva beyond my ken, shalt be neckless[102] near me\". Having\nsaid this, he rose up swiftly and dragged him[103] down to the earth.\nThereat springing like pith, the monkey pushed down his antagonist with\nhis arms. And each having his body bathed in sweat and his person\ncovered with blood, each choking and annuling the efforts of the\nother,--and resembling a _Salmali_ or a _Kincuka_, and dealing blows and\nslaps, and hitting with his arms and hands,--those exceedingly strong\nones, the lord of the Rakshasas and that of the monkeys, fought\nwonderfully. And having for a long time encountered each other in combat\non the dais belonging to the gate,--they, now lifting up their persons\nand now lowering them, went down, each felling the other with his legs.\nAnd smiting each other, they, their bodies fastened together, went down\nbetween the wall and the moat,--and again stood upon the ground. And\nheaving breath, they, resting for a space, grappled with each other; and\nthey fast bound each other with their arms serving for ropes. And each\nfired with wrath, and each having both strength and skill, they now bore\nthemselves in the lists like a tiger and a lion, furnished with teeth;\nor like the young of the foremost elephants engaged in encounter,--and\nrestraining and pushing each other with their arms, they simultaneously\nboth came down to the ground. Then starting again to their feet, they,\nvituperating each other, ranged the lists, displaying feats expressive\nof skill and strength. Nor did those heroes speedily come by fatigue.\nAnd resembling mighty elephants, they, resisting each other by means of\ntheir powerful arms like unto the trunks of elephants, fought for a long\nwhile, swiftly wheeling about the arena. And approaching each other,\nthey strove to slay each other, like unto two cats seated, momentarily\nencountering each other over some food. And the lord of monkeys and\nRavana, accomplished in fight, coursed the arena, displaying wonderful\nmandalas,[104] various _sthanas_[105] curious _gomatrakas_[106]\n_gatapratyagatas_, _tiraschi-nagatas_, _vakragatas_, _parimokshas_,\n_varjanas_, _paridhavanas_, _abhidravanas_,[107] _aplavanas_,[108]\n_savigrahavasthanas_,[109] _paravrittas_,[110] _apavrittas_,[111]\n_apadrutas_[112] _avaplutas_,[113] _apanyastas_,[114] and\n_upanyastas_.[115] In the meanwhile the Raksha attempted to put forth\nhis power of illusion. Knowing this, the king of monkeys shot into the\nsky. And Ravana, overpowered by fatigue and out of breath, thus baffled\nby the monkey-king, stood where he was. Thus the master of the foremost\nmonkeys, securing fame in fight, beat the night-ranger, causing him to\nexperience fatigue. And bounding beyond the spacious sky, the offspring\nof the Sun came to the side of Rama in the midst of the monkey-forces.\nAnd having done that deed, the son of the Sun,--lord of monkeys--with\nhis heart surcharged with rejoicing, entered that host having the speed\nof the wind; enhancing the martial ardour of the son of the foremost of\nthe Raghus, and honored by the monkeys.\n\n[102] The text has _hinagriva--neckless_. There is a pun here, turning\n on the word _griva_--neck. Ravana says: \"Thou wert Sugriva\n (good-necked) in my absence,--but now thou shalt be\n _hinagriva_--neckless\".--T.\n\n[103] Sugriva.\n\n[104] A _mandala_ is of four kinds, _viz., chari, karana, khanda and\n mahamandala._ Proceeding with one leg advanced is _chari_, with\n two alternately advanced is _karana_; proceeding after the manner\n of _karana_, with some special movements, is _khanda_; and two or\n three _khandas_ combined is a _mahamandala_.--T.\n\n[105] A particular adjustment of the steps successively; awry, etc.--It\n is of six kinds, _viz._, _Vaishnava, Sampada, Vaicakka, Mandala,\n Pratyalirha_ and _Analirha.--T._\n\n[106] A kind of motion resembling cow's urine flowing, as its name\n signifies.\n\n[107] Swiftly fronting the antagonist.\n\n[108] Proceeding 'like a summer's cloud.'\n\n[109] Standing before the adversary, after making others engage in\n combat. What this means in the passage under notice is hard to\n divine.\n\n[110] Turning away from a foe.\n\n[111] Moving off from the side of the enemy.\n\n[112] Movement with low posture for seizing at the thighs of the\n adversary.\n\n[113] Going for a kick at the adversary.\n\n[114] Distending the chest, so that the antagonist may not catch the\n arms.\n\n[115] Stretching forth the arms for seizing those of the enemy.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLI.\n\n\nSeeing those ominous signs, Lakshmana's elder brother, Rama, embracing\nSugriva, said,--\"Without consulting with me, thou hast acted thus\nrashly. But kings should not act in such a rash way. Placing in\nsuspense, me, this army and Bibhishana, thou, O hero, enamoured of\ndaring deeds, hast put thyself to all this trouble. But, O hero,\nhenceforth, do not act so. O subduer of enemies, if thou come by any\nmischance, what shall Sita avail me; or Bharata; or my younger\nbrother--Lakshmana; or Satrughna, O slayer of enemies; or, again, my own\nperson? Ere thou hadst come, I had arrived at this determination;\nalbeit, O thou that art equal to the mighty Indra or Varuna, I knew thy\nprowess full well. Slaying Ravana in battle along with his sons, forces\nand vehicles, and installing Bibhishana in Lanka, and placing the\nkingdom in the hands of Bharata, I shall renounce my body, O exceedingly\npowerful one!\" When Rama had said this, Sugriva answered,--\"Knowing my\nown strength, how, O Raghava, viewing Ravana, who had ravished away thy\nwife, could I forbear, O hero?\" As that hero was speaking thus, Raghava\naddressed Lakshmana having auspiciousness, thus,--\"O Lakshmana,\noccupying some tract furnished with cool water and woods bearing fruits,\nwe shall sojourn, dividing and marshalling our forces. I see a mighty\nfear present, destructive of people,--and boding destruction unto the\nforemost heroes among the bears, monkeys and Rakshasas. The winds\nruffle; and the earth is tremulous. And the tops of mountains tremble,\nand the mountains themselves send up loud sounds. And the clouds are\ngoblinish; and fierce; and harsh-sounding. And wearing terrific looks,\nthey fiercely pour down showers mixed with drops of blood. And the\nEvening resembles the red sandal, and is fearful. And a flaming circle\ndroppeth from the Sun. And exciting great fear, inauspicious birds and\nbeasts, wearing cruel looks, and in distressful guise,--cry in piteous\naccents, facing the Sun. And at night, the ominous Moon with a black-red\nbrim as at the time of universal wreck, burneth. And, O Lakshmana, there\nis a crimson, rough, slight, and graceful rim round the Sun; and a blue\nmark is visible on his disc. And the stars do not course as formerly.\nBehold, O Lakshmana, all these, prefiguring the Doom. And crows and\nhawks and vultures drop down. And jackals yell with loud inauspicious\nnotes. The Earth, converted into mud with flesh and gore, shall be\ncovered with darts and javelins and swords, discharged by Rakshasas and\nmonkeys. This very day with all expedition shall we, surrounded on all\nsides by the monkeys, march towards the city governed by Ravana\". Having\nsaid this unto Lakshmana, Lakshmana's elder brother possessed of\nexceeding strength, hastily descended from the top of the mountain. And\ndescending from the mountain, the righteous Raghava surveyed his troops,\nincapable of being beaten by enemies. And after making the mighty host\nof the monkey-king equip itself, Raghava versed in season, along with\nSugriva, at the proper hour, issued orders for battle. Then in due time\nthat one, accoutred with his bow, surrounded by a mighty army, set out,\nwith the intention of entering the city of Lanka. And those\ntwo--Bibhishana and Sugriva--and Hanuman, and Jambavan, and Nala, and\nthe bear-king Nila, and Lakshmana, followed (Rama). Behind them, the\nmighty array of bears and monkeys followed Raghava, covering a wide\nsurface of land. The monkeys, resembling elephants, capable of resisting\nfoes, took mountain-peaks and tall trees by hundreds. And in a short\ntime those repressors of foes--the brothers Rama and Lakshmana--arrived\nat the city of Ravana; with pennons streaming over her; charming;\ngarnished with groves and woods; having variegated gateways;\ninaccessible; and having walls and gates. And urged on by Rama's\ncommand, the wood-rangers,[116] as commanded, blocking up (Lanka)\nincapable of being subdued even by the gods, stationed themselves.\nComing to Lanka ruled by Ravana, that hero, Rama, son unto Dacaratha,\nalong with Lakshmana, remained stationed at the Northern gate, where\nRavana used to reside. None save Rama was competent to protect that\ndreadful gate, where Ravana used to reside. None save Rama was competent\nto protect that dreadful gate, guarded by Ravana himself, like the Ocean\nguarded by Varuna,--and protected on all sides by terrible Rakshasas\nequipped with weapons; capable of striking terror into the weak; like\nunto the nether regions guarded by Danavas. And (Rama) saw there many\nand various arms and mail of the warriors, ranged together. And coming\nto the Eastern gate, that leader of the monkey-army, the powerful Nila,\nalong with Mainda and Dwivida,--took up his post there. And the\nexceedingly strong Angada, accompanied by Rishava, Gavaksha, Gaya, and\nGavaya, occupied the Southern gate. And the mighty monkey Hanuman\nprotected the Western entrance. And Sugriva himself, with Prajangha,\nTarasa and other heroes, was quartered near the garrision in the centre.\nAnd accompanied by all the foremost monkeys resembling Suparna or the\nWind, twenty _kotis_ of renowned monkey-leaders, blocking up all sides,\nstationed themselves near the monkey, Sugriva. And at Rama's command,\nLakshmana along with Bibhishana, went from door to door, issuing\ninstructions to _kotis_ of monkeys. On the west of Rama, Jambavan along\nwith Sushena, followed by innumerable troops, remained hard by at the\ngarrison in the middle. And those tiger-like monkeys, furnished with\nteeth like unto tigers, weilding trees and mountain-tops, stood ready\nfor fight. And all had their tails curled up, and all were armed with\nteeth and nails, and all had chequered bodies, and all had frightful\nfaces. And some had the strength of ten elephants; and some had strength\nten times as much; and some of the monkey-leaders there had the strength\nof a thousand elephants,--and some had the strength of numbers (of\nelephants); and some had strength hundred times as much. And others had\nimmeasurable might. And wonderful and astonishing was their meeting. And\nthe concourse at that place of the monkey-forces was like the concourse\nof locusts. And the air was filled up, and the earth was covered quite\nwith the monkeys coursing towards Lanka and dropping down into it. And\nhundreds and thousands making up the army of monkeys, arrived at the\ngate of Lanka; while others were pouring in from all sides for\nencounter. And that mount was covered with monkeys. And a thousand\n_ayutas_ were going round the city. And Lanka, blocked up everywhere\nwith powerful monkeys bearing trees in their hands, was incapable of\nbeing entered even by the Wind. And the Rakshasas, sore pressed by\nthousands of monkeys resembling masses of clouds, and like unto Sakra\nhimself in battle, were seized with amazement. And like unto the roar of\nwater on the ocean being riven, there arose a mighty tumult in\nconsequence of the forces surging hither and thither. And with that\nsound the entire Lanka, with her wall and gateways, her mountains,\nwoods, and forests, began to shake. And that army, protected by Rama and\nLakshmana as well as Sugriva, became all the more invincible even by the\nAsuras and celestials. And having arranged his forces with the view of\ndestroying the Rakshas, Raghava, versed in the resources of war,[117]\ntaking counsel of the counsellors, and deciding again and again his\ncourse of action,--intending to adopt further measures,--resolved to\nabide by the advice of Bibhishana[118], remembering the morality\nregulating monarchs[119]. And then, calling Vali's son, Angada, (Rama)\nsaid,--\"O mild one, going to the Ten-necked one, tell him in my\nwords,--'Bounding over the deep and casting off fear and dejection, I\nhave laid seige to the city of Lanka; and have reft thee of thy\nprosperity and thy wealth; and rendered thee moribund and senseless.\nThou hast, O night-ranger, through delusion and pride injured saints and\ncelestials, and Gandharvas and Apsaras, and Serpents, and Yakshas, and\ncrowned heads. But, O Rakshasa, thy pride begot of the boon received\nfrom the Self-create hath gone from thee, whose destroyer,[120] I,\nafflicted in consequence of my wife having been carried off,--weilding\nthe rod, have sat down at the door of Lanka. O Rakshasa, thou shalt,\nremaining steady in fight, attain the state of celestials and Maharshis\nand Rajarshis. And, O worst of Rakshasas, do thou display that prowess\nof thine by which, aided by thy power of illusion, thou hast forcibly\ncarried off Sita, disregarding me. I shall with my sharpened shafts\nrender this world free from Rakshasas, unless rendering back Mithila's\ndaughter, thou throw thyself on my mercy. And, for certain, that\nforemost of Rakshasas, the righteous and graceful Bibhishana, who hath\njoined us, shall obtain, without having a thorn in his side, all this\nwealth of Lanka. For thou, foolish, wicked, ignorant of self-knowledge,\nand having dolts for counsellors, art not competent to unrighteously\nexercise kingship for a moment. Fight thou, O Rakshasa, summoning\nfortitude and heroism. On being slain with my shafts, thou shalt attain\npeace.[121] O night-ranger, if thou shouldst range the three worlds in\nthe shape of a bird, thou, coming in my ken, shalt not be able to\npreserve thy life. It is all this for thy good; do thou perform acts for\nthe good of thy body surviving death; and do thou see Lanka well; for\nthy life is in my keeping.'\" Thus addressed by Rama of untiring deeds,\nTara's son went through the welkin like the embodied bearer of\nsacrificial offerings.[122] And arriving near that subduer of enemies,\nRavana, in a moment, that graceful one saw Ravana, sitting calmly in the\nmidst of his ministers. And dropping down in his vicinity like a flaming\nfire, that best of monkeys, Angada, resembling a golden bracelet,[123]\nstood there. And then introducing himself, Angada delivered unto Ravana\nalong with his ministers all that Rama had excellently spoken unto him,\nneither extenuating nor setting down aught of himself,--\"I am the envoy\nof the king of Kocala--Rama of untiring deeds; and I am the son of\nVali.--I do not know whether thou hast heard of me. And Raghu's son,\nRama--enhancer of Kaucalya's joy--hath said unto thee,--'Do thou, O fell\none, coming out, give me battle and prove thy prowess. Thee shall I slay\ntogether with thy ministers, and with thy sons and relations and\nfriends. And thou being slain, the three worlds shall attain peace. And\nto-day shall I destroy the enemy of the gods and Danavas, and Yakshas,\nof the Gandharvas, serpents and Rakshasas,--and the thorn (in the side\nof) the saints. And on thee being slain, all the wealth shall be\nBibhishana's; unless, bowing down (unto me) and paying me homage, thou\nrender back Maithili.'\" When that monkey-chief had spoken thus, the lord\nof the night-rangers was wrought up with wrath. And coming under the\nsway of passion, he commanded his counsellors, saying,--\"Take this one\nof perverse understanding, and slay him at once\".\n\nHearing Ravana's speech, four grim-visaged night-rangers seized (Angada)\nflaming in energy like fire itself. And Tara's son suffered himself to\nbe taken, in order that the hero might then display his prowess before\nthe Yatudhanas.[124] Then Angada, taking them up, who were pressed\nagainst his arms, like insects,--leapt up on a palace resembling a hill.\nThereat, in consequence of the impetuosity of his bound, the Rakshasas,\nslipping off, fell on to the ground in the very sight of the Rakshasa\nking. Then the powerful son of Vali with his legs attacked the top of\nthat palace, elevated like a hill,[125] of the lord of Rakshasas. And\nthereat, as formerly the summit of the Himavan had been cleft by the\nthunderbolt, the palace, thus assailed, was split in the very presence\nof the Ten-necked one. Having reft the top of the edifice, and\nproclaimed his name, Angada, setting up a mighty roar, sprang into the\nsky. And, aggrieving the Rakshasas and rejoicing all the monkeys, he\ncame back to the side of Rama in the midst of the monkeys. Ravana was\ntransported with wrath in consequence of the breaking down of the\npalace. And, finding his destruction (at hand), he began to heave sighs.\nAnd Rama, surrounded by innumerable delighted monkeys setting up\nshouts,--anxious for slaying his foe, prepared for battle. And at the\ncommand of Sugriva, the exceedingly powerful monkey--Sushena--resembling\na mountain-summit, surrounded by a large number of monkeys capable of\nassuming shapes at pleasure, began to range from door to door;[126] like\nthe Moon ranging the stars. Seeing the hundred _akshauhinis_ of the\nwood-rangers, stationed in Lanka, extending down to the sea, some of the\nRakshasas were struck with astonishment, while some came under the\ninfluence of fear; and some experienced delight from the (anticipated)\ndelight of battle. And the space between the well and the moat all was\nflooded with monkeys. And the distressed Rakshasas saw the wall\nthronging with monkeys;[127] and thereat exclaiming \"Alas\" \"Alas,\" the\nRakshasas were extremely terrified. And on that frightful uproar\narising, the warriors of the Rakshasa monarch,--Rakshasas--seizing\nmighty arms, began to patrol about, like unto winds blowing at the time\nof the universal dissolution.\n\n[116] Monkeys.\n\n[117] conciliation, &c.\n\n[118] Which was,--\"If Ravana should seek thy succour, thou shouldst\n confer on him his kingdom\".--T.\n\n[119] In this connection, the principle referred to is: \"If a king can\n accomplish his purpose by conciliation, he should not employ\n punishment\".--T.\n\n[120] _Dandadhara_--lit.--rod-bearing, a name of Yama,--who is described\n as weilding a rod for chastising wrong-doers.--T.\n\n[121] i.e. _attain heaven_.--T.\n\n[122] Fire.\n\n[123] This simile is hardly happy; but the lure was even the name of the\n monkey, _Angada_ suggested _kanakangada_--golden bracelet. This\n typifies the tendency prevailing to this day of Hindu authors to\n exercise their ingenuity in _puns_.--T.\n\n[124] Rakshasas.\n\n[125] The commentator, however, would make _dadarca--saw_--understood.\n \"_Angada saw that_ the palace was high like a hill, etc\". This is\n unnecessary.--T.\n\n[126] For protecting the entire army, as well as for procuring\n information of the movements of the enemy.--T.\n\n[127] A translator cannot help a feeling of disappointment at the\n difference--to the disadvantage of English--between Sanskrit and\n English. The original for 'thronging with monkeys' is a verbal\n attributive--_vanarikrita_--lit. _monkeyed_.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLII.\n\n\nThen those Rakshasas, going to that subduer of enemies, Ravana, informed\nhim that Rama along with the monkeys had laid seige unto the city.\nHearing the city beseiged, the night-ranger was enraged. And, hearing\nthat double arrangements had been made (by Rama) in guarding the\ngateways, (Ravana) ascended the palace. He saw Lanka with her hills,\nwoods, and forests, covered everywhere with innumerable monkeys eager\nfor encounter. And he saw the entire Earth tawneyed with the monkeys;\nand he reflected within himself how he could destroy these. And\nreflecting for long, Ravana having expansive eyes, assuming patience,\ngazed at Raghava and the leader of monkeys. Raghava with his host was\nfast approaching (the wall); and Ravana saw Lanka defended on all sides\nby Rakshasas. And Dacaratha's son, seeing Lanka crowned with variegated\nensigns and standards, mentally went to Sita, with a sad heart. \"For my\nsake, here that one, Janaka's daughter, having eyes resembling those of\na young deer,--is undergoing affliction; and lieth down on the ground\".\nAnd aggrieved at the thought of Vaidehi, the righteous Rama speedily\ncommanded the monkeys to compass the destruction of the enemies. As Rama\nof untiring deeds said this, the monkeys, filling (the air) with leonine\nroars, began to press forward furiously. \"We shall cleave Lanka with\nmountain-peaks, or with our blows\"--thus thought the leaders within\nthemselves. And the monkey-leaders stood, raising up gigantic\nmountain-peaks and tops of mountains, and rooting up various trees. And\nfor doing what was dear unto Rama, that army, divided into separate\nparties, in the presence of the Rakshasa-chief commenced scaling Lanka.\nAnd those copper-faced ones of golden sheen, who had consecrated their\nlives to the service of Rama, equipped with trees and rocks, began to\nthrong upon Lanka. And the monkeys with trees and hill-tops and blows\ncrushed countless gates and tops of walls; and they filled the moat\ncontaining crystal water with dust, tops of crags, straw, and wood. Then\nleaders of thousands and _kotis_ and hundreds of _kotis_ began to scale\nLanka. And the monkeys crushed golden gateways; and, breaking down gates\nresembling the tops of the summits of Kailaca, bounded roaring, some\ntowards the wall and some all around. And resembling gigantic elephants,\nthey rushed towards Lanka. \"Victory to the mighty Rama, and Victory to\nthe exceedingly powerful Lakshmana, and Victory to king Sugriva, who is\nprotected by Raghava\". Thus shouting, those monkeys, wearing forms at\nwill, sending up roars, rushed amain towards the wall of Lanka. And\nViravahu, Suvahu, Nala and Panaca--leader of monkeys--breaking (a\nportion of) the wall, took up their post there. In the meantime, (they)\narranged the forces in order of battle. And the strong Kumuda,\nsurrounded by ten _kotis_ of victorious monkeys, stood obstructing the\nEastern gate. And for backing him, there remained the monkey, Prasabha,\nas also the long-armed Panaca, surrounded by monkeys. And obstructing\nthe Southern entrance stood the strong and gallant monkey, Satavali,\nsurrounded by twenty _kotis_. And the strong sire of Tara, the powerful\nSushena, obstructed the Western gate, backed by _kotis_ upon _kotis_ (of\nmonkeys). And obstructing the Northern gate, remained the puissant Rama\nhimself along with Sumitra's son, as well as the king of\nmonkeys--Sugriva. And that huge-bodied and dreadful Golangula--the\nmighty and powerful Gavaksha--surrounded by a _koti_, remained by the\nside of Rama. And that destroyer of foes--the exceedingly mighty Dhumra\nof the bears of terrific wrath, remained by the side of Rama--where,\nsurrounded by vigilant counsellors, and bearing a mace in his hand,\nstood the exceedingly strong Bibhishana, endowed with wonderful powers,\nin complete panoply. And Gaya, and Gavaksha, and Gavaya, and Sarabha,\nand Gandhamadana, protected the monkey-army, coursing all around. And\nthen, his soul wrought up with wrath, Ravana--lord of\nRakshasas--speedily ordered the whole host to sally out. Hearing those\nwords, which came out from Ravana's mouth, all of a sudden the\nnight-rangers sent up a dreadful yell. Then awoke the kettle-drums,\nhaving moon-like pale faces,--sounded by means of golden sticks. And\nconchs by hundreds and by thousands, capable of producing loud blares,\nfilled with air proceeding from the mouths of dreadful Rakshasas,--were\nwinded. And with conchs placed in their mouths, those night-rangers,\nhaving bodies blue like those of _Cukas_, resembled masses of clouds,\nwith lightning and cranes. And, commanded by Ravana, the troops\ncheerfully issued forth like the onrushing of the mighty main filling\nall at the time of the universal dissolution. And then the monkey-army\ngave a roar, spreading all around; and it seemed as if the sound filled\nall Malaya with its sides and caves. And sounds of conchs, and drums, as\nwell as the leonine shouts of the impetuous (warriors); made the earth,\nair, and ocean, resound; and these mixed with the roars of elephants,\nthe neighing of steeds, the rattle of the car-wheels, and the tread of\nthe Rakshasas' feet. And in the meantime there commenced a mighty\nencounter between the Rakshasas and the monkeys, like that which took\nplace of yore between the gods and the Asuras. And displaying their\nprowess, they[128] began to slaughter monkeys with maces, and darts, and\nadzes. And the vehement monkeys (on their side) slaughtered Rakshasas\nwith trees and tops of crags as well as with their nails and teeth. And\na mighty sound arose of 'Victory unto king Sugriva!' and 'Victory unto\nthee, O king,'--each army taking the name of its king. And then other\ndreadful Rakshasas that were stationed upon the wall, dropping down,\npierced the monkeys with darts and _bhindipalas_. And (thereat) the\nmonkeys, flying into fury, descending to the earth and bounding, brought\ndown the Rakshasas with their arms. And that encounter of the Rakshasas\nand the monkeys was mighty and wonderful, and the ground became wet with\nflesh and gore.\n\n[128] Rakshasas.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLIII.\n\n\nAnd as the high-souled monkeys and Rakshasas fought on, their wrath\nvastly increased at sight of each other's forces. And furnished with\nsteeds in golden trappings; and elephants resembling flames of fire; and\ncars appearing like (so many) suns; and shining armour,--the valiant\nRakshasas issued, making the ten cardinal points resound. The Rakshasas\nof terrific exploits were burning for victory on behalf of Ravana.--And\nthe mighty monkey-army also, eager for victory, darted against the host\nof the Rakshas of dreadful deeds. And in the meanwhile, as either party\nassailed the other, there took place single combats between the\nRakshasas and the monkeys. And as Andhaka had combated with the\nThree-eyed (deity)[129] that Rakshasa, the exceedingly energetic\nIndrajit, fought with Angada, son unto Vali. Sampati, hard to bear,\nengaged with Prajangha; and the monkey, Hanuman, entered into conflict\nwith Jambumali. And Ravana's younger brother, Bibhishana, fired with\nwrath, encountered Satrughna, endowed with exceeding impetuosity. And\nthe highly powerful Nila engaged with Nikumbha. And Sugriva--lord of\nmonkeys--undertook Praghasa, and the graceful Lakshmana was engaged with\nVirupaksha. And the exceedingly irrepressible Agniketu and the\nRakshasa--Racmiketu--and Mitraghna and Yajnakopa, were engaged with\nRama. And Vajramubhthi encountered Mainda, and Acaniprabha, Dwivida. And\nthose foremost of monkeys fought with those dreadful Rakshasas,--the\nheroic and terrible Pratapana, incapable of being overcome in battle,\nwas combating with Nala of terrific force; and that lusty son of\nRighteousness, well-known as Sushena,--a mighty monkey--battled with\nVidyunmali. And other fearful monkeys encountered other Rakshasas; and\nmany were the encounters that took place. And great and fierce was the\nengagement that took place between the heroic Rakshasas and monkeys\nburning for victory, capable of making people's hair stand on end. And\nfrom the persons of the Rakshasas and the monkeys there flowed a river\nof gore, having hair for grass (growing on its banks), and the bodies of\nthe warriors for pieces of planks floating (adown the current).\nIndrajit, growing enraged, with his mace dealt a blow at that tearer of\nhostile ranks, Angada,--like him of an hundred sacrifices striking with\nhis thunderbolt. Thereat, that graceful monkey, Angada, gifted with\nvehemence, with his mace crushed his car decked in gold, together with\nthe steeds and the charioteer. Sampati was pierced with three arrows by\nPrajangha; and the former (in his turn) slew Prajangha on the edge of\nbattle with an Acwakarna.[130] And Jambumali, mounted on a car,\npossessed of prodigious strength, fired with wrath, with all the access\nof force derived from his car, wounded Hanuman between his paps.\nThereat, getting at his car, Hanuman--son unto the Wind-god--with a slap\nspeedily crushed his adversary's vehicle along with the Raksha. Then the\nterrific Pratapana, roaring, rushed at Nala; and thereat Nala, with his\nbody pierced with sharp shafts by that swift-handed Raksha, plucked out\nPratapana's eyes, and cast them to the earth. And that lord of monkeys,\nSugriva, with a _Saptaparna_[131] swiftly slew Praghasa, who appeared to\nbe devouring up the troops. And, tormenting the Rakshasa of dreadful\nform with a shower of shafts, Lakshmana slew Virupaksha with a single\narrow. And the irrepressible Agniketu, the Rakshasa Ragmiketu, Mitraghna\nand Yajnakopa, with their arrows rendered Rama aflame. Thereat, Rama,\ngrowing wroth, in battle severed the heads of those four by means of\nfour shafts, dreadful, and resembling the tongues of a flame. And\nVajramushti was slain in conflict by Mainda with a clenched fist; and\ndown came he to the ground along with his car and horses, like a turret\ntoppling (headlong). And Nikumbha in fight wounded Nila resembling a\nmass of blue collyrium, with sharpened shafts,--as the Sun pierceth\nclouds with his rays. Again with an hundred arrows, that light-handed\nnight-ranger pierced Nila in the field; and Nikumbha laughed thereat. At\nthis, even as Vishnu did in battle, Nila with a wheel of his[132] car,\ncut off in conflict Nikumbha's head together with that of his\ncharioteer. And Dwivida, possessed of the touch of the Vajra and\nthunder-bolt, in the presence of the entire Rakshasa host hurled a\nmountain-peak at him that was endowed with the splendour of the\nthunder-bolt. And Acaniprabha in encounter pierced that foremost of\nmonkeys, Dwivida, with shafts resembling thunder-bolts. Thereat, beside\nhimself with wrath, with his entire body wounded with arrows, Dwivida\nwith a _sala_ destroyed Acaniprabha along with his car and horses. And\nVidyunmali, mounted on a car, assailed Sushena with shafts decked with\ngold, and began to shout momentarily. Seeing him mounted on his car,\nSushena--best of monkeys--taking up a huge crag, swiftly brought his car\ndown to the ground. Thereat, endowed with lightness, that night-ranger,\nVidyunmali, at once extricating himself from his car, stood on the\nground with a mace in his hand. Thereupon, that foremost of monkeys,\nSushena, growing furious, taking up a gigantic crag, rushed at the\nnight-ranger. And as he was descending, the night-ranger, Vidyunmali,\nwith his mace swiftly hit at the breast of Sushena--greatest of monkeys.\nThereat, without thinking at all of the terrific hit of the mace, that\nbest of monkeys in mighty conflict brought down that[133] upon his[134]\nhead. And, assailed with the crag, the night-ranger, Vidyunmali, having\nhis chest crushed, fell down to the earth, deprived of life. And, like\nthe celestials warring against the Daityas, the heroic monkeys warred on\nand confounded the valiant rangers of the night. And frightful was the\nfield of battle, with darts, and other arms; and clubs, and javelins,\nand lances, and other weapons; and with broken cars, and war-horses, and\nmad horses slain, and monkeys and Rakshasas; and wheels and\n_akshas_,[135] and yokes and standards,--broken and scattered over the\nground; and swarms of jackals began to range on all sides of the monkeys\nand the Rakshasas; and _Kavandhas_[136] began to rise in that terrific\nencounter, resembling the encounter of the gods and the Asuras. Thus\ndestroyed by the foremost of monkeys, the rangers of night, beyond\nthemselves with the smell of blood,--eagerly wishing for the setting of\nthe Sun,[137] again made active preparations for a renewal of the fight.\n\n[129] Siva, fabled to have three eyes.--T.\n\n[130] A kind of tree.\n\n[131] A tree.\n\n[132] _Nikumbha's._\n\n[133] The crag, which he had at first hit.--T.\n\n[134] _Vidyunmali's._\n\n[135] A part of a wheel.\n\n[136] Spectres having bodies without heads.\n\n[137] This was because, as intelligently remarks Ramanuja, night-rangers\n grow powerful _at night_.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLIV.\n\n\nAs the monkeys and the Rakshasas thus fought on, the sun set, and the\nfatal Night came. And then commenced a night-engagement between the\ndreadful Rakshasas and the monkeys of fixed hostility, each party\nburning for victory. And in that profound darknesss, the monkeys and the\nRakshasas began to slay each other, exclaiming,--'Thou art a Rakshasa,'\nand 'Thou art a monkey.' And in that army there was heard a mighty\nuproar of 'slain,' 'rive!' 'come!' 'why fliest?' And, dark-hued, the\nRakshasas, equipped in golden mail, in that deep darkness appeared like\nelevated hills clad with woods of flaming medicinal herbs. And in that\nlimitless gloom, the Rakshasas, transported with wrath, advanced with\nimpetuous speed, devouring monkeys. And, fired with terrible wrath,\nthey,[138] bounding up, with their sharp teeth tore up steeds\ncaparisoned in gold, and standards resembling venomous serpents. And the\nlusty monkeys in battle agitated the Rakshasa host,--and, waxing\nfurious, with their teeth pulled and bit elephants and the riders\nthereof, and cars furnished with flags and standards. And Rama and\nLakshmana with shafts resembling venomous serpents, slaughtered the\nforemost among the Rakshasas--both those that were seen and those that\nwere not.--And the dust of the earth arising from warring combatants,\nand from the hoofs of horses and the wheels of cars, choked up eye and\near. And as the mighty encounter, capable of making people's hair stand\non end, went on, there flowed a fearful river of gore. And the sounds of\nkettle-drums and _Mridangas_ and _Panavas_, mingled with those of conchs\nand car-wheels,--were wonderful (to hear). And the sounds of steeds\nneighing, and Rakshasas (roaring), and monkeys, rejoicing,--were\nsomething tremendous. And, with able monkeys slain; and darts and\njavelins and axes; and slaughtered Rakshasas wearing forms at pleasure,\nlying mountain-like,--the field of battle, seeming to have offerings of\narms representing flowers,--became difficult to recognise, and\ninaccessible; and the earth was drenched with streams of blood. And that\nNight, destructive to monkeys and Rakshasas,--was dreadful, and\ndifficult of being out-sped by all,--like unto the Fatal Night of\nbeings. And in that profound darkness, the Rakshasas with great vivacity\nattacked Rama with a shower of shafts. And the roars of those beings as\nthey advanced, sending up shouts in anger, resembled the dashing of the\nOcean at the time of the universal dissolution. And in the twinkling of\nan eye, Rama by means of six shafts resembling tongues of flames, struck\nsix of the night-rangers; _viz_., Yajnacatru, irrepressible (in\nfight),--and Mahaparcwa, and Mahodara, and the huge-bodied\nVajradanashtra,--and those two--Suka and Sarana. And, pierced in their\nvitals with Rama's shafts, they, having only their lives left to them,\ndisappeared from the field. Then in the twinkling of an eye, that\nMaharatha rendered all sides clear (of all gloom) by means of arrows\nresembling tongues of fire; and those other heroic Rakshasas that were\nin front of Rama, were destroyed on approaching the place, like insects\napproaching a fire. And with shafts plated with gold lying in all\ndirections, the night resembled one in autumn decked with fireflies. And\nin consequence of the uproar occasioned by the Rakshasas, and the sounds\nof drums, that night, already dreadful (in itself), became all the more\nso. And on that sound attaining dimensions on all sides, it seemed as if\nthe mount Trikuta, containing numerous caverns, had been speaking. And\nhuge-bodied Goangulas of equal lustre with darkness itself,[139] binding\nfast the night-rangers with their arms, began to swallow them up. And\nAngada was present in the encounter, for slaying foes, And Indrajit,\nfairing sadly at the hands of Angada, abandoning his vehicle, and having\nhis horses as well as his charioteer slain, vanished then and there. And\nthat feat of Vali's son, worthy of being honored, all the celestials\nwith the saints and both Rama and Lakshmana lauded to the eight. All\nbeings were acquainted with the might of Indrajit in battle; and,\ntherefore, witnessing his discomfiture, and seeing that high-souled one,\nthey rejoiced exceedingly, and, seeing the enemy vanquished, all the\nmonkeys with Sugriva and Bibhishana, experiencing high delight,\nexclaimed,--\"Excellent!\" \"Excellent!\" And, beaten by Vali's son of\ndreadful deeds, Indrajit was fired with a mighty wrath. And, being\nhandled hard in battle, and having vanished from the field, the heroic\nand wicked son of Ravana, who had received a boon from Brahma,\ntransported with passion,--remaining invisible, began to discharge\nsharpened shafts of the splendour of the thunder-bolt. And worked up\ninto rage, he in the conflict pierced Raghu's sons, Rama and Lakshmana\nall over their bodies, with terrific arrows consisting of serpents. And\nhimself engirt with illusion, that night-ranger, given to fighting in\ncrooked ways,--remaining invisible to all creatures,--stupified the\ndescendants of Raghu in battle; and by means of his shafts bound the\nbrothers, Rama and Lakshmana. And then in the sight of the monkeys,\nthose heroes and foremost of men were suddenly overpowered with shafts\nby the enraged (Indrajit). And when the son of the Rakshasa monarch felt\nhimself incompetent to cope with them[140] openly, then that impious\none, resorting to illusion, bound those princes (by that means).\n\n[138] _i.e._ the monkeys, as appears from the context.--T.\n\n[139] Irony.\n\n[140] Rama and Lakshmana.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLV.\n\n\nThen, anxious to ascertain his[141] course, the kings son possessed of\nprowess, and endowed with exceeding strength, Rama, ordered ten of the\nmonkey-leaders. And that repressor of foes ordered Vali's son--Angada,\nthe vigorous Sarabha, Dwivida, Hanuman, the mighty Sanuprastha, Rishabha\nand Rishabhaskandha. Thereat with alacrity those monkeys, weilding\nmighty trees, shot up into the sky, and began to scour the ten cardinal\npoints. And Ravana's son, skilled in arms, resisted the impetuous march\nof those vehement ones by means of a powerful weapon as well as arms\nmore forceful (than the force of their rush). And the exceedingly\nvehement monkeys, cut and mangled with _narachas_, saw him in the dark\nlike the sun enveloped in clouds. And that conquerer in battle, Ravana's\nson, with shafts sorely pierced the persons of Rama and Lakshmana. And\nboth Rama and Lakshmana had their bodies entirely covered by the angry\nIndrajit with shafts turned into serpents. And from their wounds blood\nbegan to gush out in streams; and they looked like flower-crowned\n_Kincukas_. Then that one having red corners unto his eyes and\nresembling a mass of crushed collyrium, Ravana's son, said unto the\nbrothers, as he vanished,--\"When I fight remaining invisible, even\nSakra--the lord of the celestials--cannot see or approach me,--and who\nare ye? And I, with my soul surcharged with wrath, shall, assailing them\nwith showers of weapons furnished with Kanka feathers, send Raghu's sons\nto the abode of Yama\". Having spoken thus unto the brothers--Rama and\nLakshmana, cognizant of righteousness--(Indrajit)--pierced them with\nsharpened shafts, and shouted in joy. And stretching his large bow, that\none sable like unto a mass of crushed collyrium again discharged\nterrific shafts in battle. And that one versed in the inner sense of\nthings, with whetted arrows pierced the vitals of Rama and Lakshmana and\nshouted momentarily. And fast bound by the shackles of shafts on the\nedge of battle, they[142] could not attain respite for a moment. Then\nwith their persons pierced with shafts and darts, and resembling the\nflags of the Great Indra let loose from the cords and trembling (in the\nair),--and with their bodies bristling with arrows,--those heroes and\nmighty bowmen--lords of the earth--tormented in consequence of their\nvitals having been pierced, dropped down to the earth. And those heroes,\nbathed in blood, and their persons covered with arrows,--pained and\nsuffering terribly, lay down as became heroes. And there was not so much\nroom unpierced in their persons as could be measured by a finger; and\nthey were wounded with arrows up to the fore-parts of their hands.[143]\nAnd they being wounded by that fell one capable of assuming shapes at\nwill, blood violently gushed out of their bodies like water from a\nspring. And Rama fell first, pierced in the vitals with the shafts. And\nthe same Indrajit who had formerly wrathfully routed Sakra.(now) pierced\n(Rama) with _narachas_ knotted with gold, and having polished heads;\nswift-speeding; and resembling dust carried about by the wind; and\nhalf-_narachas_; and darts resembling _anjalis_;[144] and\n_vatsadantas_;[145] and _sinhadanshtras_;[146] and razors; and,\nresigning his stringless bow decked in gold and curved in three\nplaces,--with its part for grasping shattered--he[147] lay down like a\nhero. And seeing Rama--foremost of men--down within arrow-range,\nLakshmana despaired of his life. And seeing his brother, Rama, having\neyes resembling lotus-petals and ever delighting in battle, himself the\nrefuge of others,--lying down in the field; (Lakshmana) began to weep.\nAnd the monkeys also, seeing him, were plunged in sorrow; and they,\ntheir eyes flooded with tears, began to cry in grief of heart. And when\nthey had been bound and had laid themselves down as become heroes, the\nmonkeys stood around them,--and, conversing with one another, they,\nheaded by the son of the Wind, were seized with extreme sorrow.\n\n[141] Indrajit's.\n\n[142] _i.e._ Rama and Lakshmana.\n\n[143] This _sloka_ is rather obscure, and the Bengali translators have\n conveniently passed it by!--T.\n\n[144] The hands joined at the lower sides, with the palms hollowed.--T.\n\n[145] Weapons resembling the teeth of a calf.\n\n[146] Weapons resembling the lion's teeth\n\n[147] Rama.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLVI.\n\n\nAnd the rangers of woods, gazing at the earth and the sky, at length\ncast their eyes on the brothers--Rama and Lakshmana, covered all over\nwith arrows. And after that Rakshasa had gone away having performed his\nwork, like the God[148] going away, after having showered,--there came\nto that place Bibhishana with Sugriva. And, mourning Raghu's sons, there\nalso came in all haste Nila and Dwivida and Mainda and Sushena and\nKumuda and Angada in company with Hanuman. And moveless; breathing\nlow,--covered with blood,--pierced all over with net-works of shafts;\ndumb; they[149] were lying on the field. And they were sighing like\nserpents; and were inert; and deprived of prowess; and washed in blood;\nand looking like unto golden standards. And as they lay moveless, as\nbecome heroes, the leaders of monkeys environed them with tear-charged\neyes. And seeing the sons of Raghu lying, covered with showers of\nshafts, the monkeys, with Bibhishana, were pained (exceedingly). And the\nmonkeys, surveying the sky as well as all directions, could not see\nRavana's son in battle enveloped with illusion. And then Bibhishana by\nmeans of illusion saw his brother's son staying before, hidden by\nillusion. And Bibhishana saw that hero of incomparable deeds, who had no\ncompeer in the field and who had energy, fame and prowess,--as he\nremained invisible in consequence of the Boon received from Brahma. And\nIndrajit, seeing his own feat and them lying at length, spake in excess\nof joy, gladdening all the Rakshasas,--\"The brothers--Rama and\nLakshmana, possessed of great strength, who had slain Khara and Dushana,\nare themselves slain with my shafts. And all the celestials and Asuras\nassembled together with the saints, are incompetent to emancipate these\nfrom the fetters of my shafts. He for whom my father was exercised with\nanxiety and tormented by grief, for whom my sire used to spend nights\nwithout pressing his bed,--for whom this entire Lanka had resembled a\nriver turbulent in the rainy reason,--that same evil sticking by the\nroot of all, hath been dispensed his quietus by me. And like clouds of\nautumn, the prowess of Rama and Lakshmana as well as that of all the\nrangers of the woods, hath been rendered useless\". Saying this in the\npresence of all the Rakshasas, Ravana's son--destroyer of foes--menacing\nthe monkey-leaders, hit Nila with nine arrows, and hurt Mainda and\nDwivida each with three powerful shafts. And piercing Jambavan with an\narrow in the chest, that mighty bowman discharged ten at Hanuman. And\nRavana's son possessed of exceeding impetuosity, pierced in the conflict\nwith two shafts each Gavaksha and Sarabha of immeasurable vigor. And\nRavana's son, summoning celerity, pierced the king of Golangulas and\nVali's son, Angada, with innumerable arrows. And the powerful son of\nRavana, endowed with might, piercing the foremost monkeys with shafts\nresembling tongues of flames, set up shouts in the field of battle. And\ntormenting the monkeys with volleys of shafts and striking terror into\nthem, that mighty-armed one, bursting out into a laugh, said,--\"Let the\nRakshasas behold these brothers, lying fast bound with dreadful arrows,\nin front of the forces\". Thus addressed, those Rakshasas--wily warriors\nall--resembling masses of clouds, witnessing that deed (of Indrajit),\nstruck with wonder and rejoicing (greatly), set up tremendous roars. And\nthinking that Rama was slain, they honored Ravana's son. And seeing the\nbrothers--Rama and Lakshmana--motionless, and lying inert on the\nground,--they took them for slain. And, experiencing excess of joy,\nIndrajit--conquerer in conflict--entered the city of Lanka, rejoicing\nall the Nairitas. Seeing the bodies as well as the limbs of Rama and\nLakshmana, covered entirely with arrows, fear took possession of\nSugriva. Thereat Bibhishana said unto that lord of monkeys, staying in\nwoe begone guise, with a tearful countenance, and his eyes wild with\nwrath,--\"Do not give way to fear, O Sugriva. Restrain thy rising tears!\nThis is the way of warfare: victory is not (always) sure. But, O hero,\nif Fortune ultimately smile upon us, this stupor shall go off from these\nhigh-souled and exceedingly powerful ones. Therefore, O monkey, do thou\ncheer me, who am forlorn\". Saying this, with his hand Bibhishana washed\nSugriva's graceful eyes with water. And taking water, the righteous\nBibhishana by means of his knowledge, washed Sugriva's eyes therewith.\nAnd washing the face of the intelligent monkey-monarch, Bibhishana spoke\nthese words, seasonable and sedate,--\"O foremost of monkey-kings, this\nis no time for being overcome with stupor. At this hour, even immoderate\naffection may lead to destruction. Therefore, casting off stupor, which\ntends to mar all work, do thou bethink thee how thou mayst serve this\narmy headed by Rama. Or do thou protect Rama so long as he doth not\nregain consciousness; and when the Kakutsthas shall have regained\nconsciousness, all our apprehension shall vanish. This is nothing to\nRama, and Rama is not dying. And Lakshmi,[150] who is incapable of being\nattained by those that are doomed, shall not forsake this one. Therefore\ndo thou comfort thyself, do thou also cheer up thy own forces,--while I\nam engaged in composing all the troops. O best of monkeys, these with\ndistended eyes, come under the governance of terror, are, stricken with\npanic, whispering into each other's ears. But seeing me, let the forces\nrushing about, cheered up,--as well as the monkeys,--cast off all fear,\nlike a wreath that hath been used before\". Thus comforting Sugriva,\nBibhishana--lord of Rakshasas--again instilled spirits into the flying\nforces of monkeys. And Indrajit--worker of mighty illusions--accompanied\nby his troops, entered the city of Lanka and presented himself before\nhis father. And approaching Ravana and saluting him with joined hands,\nhe informed his sire of the welcome tidings that Rama and Lakshmana had\nbeen slain. And hearing that his foe had fallen, Ravana springing up in\nthe midst of the Rakshasas, with great joy embraced his son. And\nscenting the crown of his head, (Ravana) with a delighted heart, asked\n(Indrajit as to all that had taken place). And on being asked, he\n(Indrajit) truly related unto his sire how (Rama and Lakshmana) had been\nrendered senseless and lack-lustre by being fastened with shafts.\nThereat, with rapture surcharging his inmost soul, Ravana, hearing the\nspeech of the mighty car-warrior, banished his fear of Dacaratha's\nson,--and rising up, honored his son with glad words.\n\n[148] Indra.\n\n[149] Rama and Lakshmana.\n\n[150] The goddess of prosperity.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLVII.\n\n\nWhen Ravana's son entered Lanka, after having accomplished his purpose,\nthe foremost monkeys protected Raghava, surrounding him on all sides.\nAnd Hanuman, and Angada, and Nila, and Sushena, and Kumuda, and Nala,\nand Gaya, and Gavaksha, and Panasa, and Samprastha--a mighty monkey--and\nJambavan, and Rishava, and Sunda, and Rambha, and Satavali, and\nPrithu,--all forming themselves into array, and equipped with trees on\nall sides, and remaining vigilant,--the monkeys kept gazing at all\nsides, awry and upwards; and even when a straw stirred, they thought it\nto be a Rakshasa. And Ravana, on his part, experiencing the height of\nexaltation, summoned the Rakshasis engaged in guarding Sita.--And\nthereat the Rakshasis--Trijata and others--presented themselves at his\ncommand. And then the lord of Rakshasas, delighted, addressed then the\nRakshasis, saying,--\"Tell Vaidehi that Rama and Lakshmana have been\nslain in battle by Indrajit. And taking her on Pushaka, show her (Rama\nand Lakshmana) lying slain on the field of battle. That one depending on\nwhom she had proudly set her face against me,--that husband of hers,\nalong with his brother, hath been slain in conflict. And then Mithila's\ndaughter, her fear gone off with her anxiety, and herself losing all\nsupport,--Sita--daughter unto Mithila--decked out in all ornaments,\nshall seek me. And today beholding Rama with Lakshmana, come under the\nsway of Time, she, finding no other way, shall desist from her present\ncourse. And seeing no other resourse, that one of expansive eyes shall\nof herself seek me\". Hearing those words of the wicked-minded Ravana,\nthe Rakshasis, saying,--\"So be it,\"--went to where Pushpaka was. Then\ntaking Pushpaka, the Rakshasis at Ravana's command went to Maithili\nstaying in the _acoka_ wood. Then, taking Sita, who was overcome with\ngrief for her lord, the Rakshasis, placed her on the car, Pushpaka. And\nplacing Sita on Pushpaka along with Trijata, Ravana took her all around\n(Lanka) crowded with ensigns and standards. And the lord of Rakshasas\njubilantly proclaimed in Lanka,--\"Raghava as well as Lakshmana have been\nslain by Indrajit in battle\". And going about with Trijata, Sita saw all\nthe monkey-troops slain. And she found the flesh-eaters elated in\nspirits, and the monkeys afflicted with extreme grief at the side of\nRama and Lakshmana. Then Sita beheld both Lakshmana and Rama lying in\nthe field, senseless and bound with arrows. And those heroes were lying\non the earth, their mail torn, their bows cast off, their bodies mangled\nall over and thickly pierced with shafts. And seeing those\nbrothers,--foremost of heroes and best of men--having eyes resembling\nwhite lotuses, and themselves like unto Kumaras,--lying in the\nfield,[151]--the fire-sprung one, Sita, striken with grief, began to\nweep piteously. And that black-eyed one of an excellent person, Janaka's\ndaughter--seeing them roll in the dust, broke out into lamentation. And\nwith her eyes shedding plentiful tears, she seeing those brothers,\nendowed with god-like prowess, concluded them to be dead $ and\noverwhelmed with grief, spoke as follows.\n\n[151] _Viran nararshabkan--heroes and best of men_--occurs again,--left\n out on the score of redundancy.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLVIII.\n\n\nAnd seeing her husband, as well as the exceedingly powerful\nLakshmana,--slain, Sita, afflicted with grief, burst into bitter\nlamentation. \"The soothsayers had said that I should have sons, and\nshould never be a widow. But on Rama being slain, it seems now that\nthose ones, possessed of knowledge, had spoken untruthfully. And those\nalso, who having celebrated sacrifices and rites, had said that I should\nbecome the queen (of Rama),--on Rama being slain, seems to-day to have\nspoken a falsehood, although they are possessed of knowledge. And they\nalso asserted that I should be honored of the wives of heroic kings as\nwell as of my lord,--but on Rama being slain, they seem to have uttered\na falsehood, although possessed of knowledge. And those twice-born ones\nthat in my hearing had said auspicious words, on Rama being slain, seem\nto-day to have spoken a falsehood, although they were possessed of\nknowledge. These lotus-marks on the feet, betokening unto gentlewomen\npossessing them, that they are to be installed in the kingdom in company\nwith their husbands--who are kings,--are on me. And those marks find I\nnone on me by which women of rare fortune come by widowhood,--but I find\nthat in me these good tokens are nullified. Those marks that are\npronounced infallible by those versed in such knowledge, on Rama being\nslain, are nullified in me. My hairs are fine, equal, and blue; my\neye-brows touch each other; my hips are devoid of down and round; and my\nteeth are close. My temples, and eyes, hands, feet, ankles, and thighs\nare equal. And my fingers are furnished with round nails, and are plump\nand even in the middle. And my breasts are close and firm and developed,\nand have their nipples sunk. And my navel is depressed, with high sides.\nAnd my chest is swelling. And my complexion is like the hue of\ngems,--and my down soft. And they said that I was furnished with twelve\nauspicious signs. And my hands in the middle parts of my fingers contain\nwheat-marks; and in the spaces between the fingers, have no uneven\ncorners. And my feet also partake of the general complexion. And my\nlaugh is a gentle smile. And those versed in marks of women knew that I\nwas possessed of such marks. And those Brahmanas skilled in telling\nfortune said that I should be installed in the kingdom along with my\nhusband; but all that hath been falsified. Having purified Janasthana\n(of Rakshasas), obtained tidings of me, and crossed the Ocean[152]\nincapable of being Agitated, those brothers have been slain in the\nfootprint of a cow! The descendants of Raghu had obtained Varuua and\nAgneya and Aindra and Vayava and _Brahmaciras_ weapons.[153] Through\nillusion have those lords of me, who am forlorn--Rama and Lakshmana,\nresembling Vasava himself in battle,--been slain. Coming in battle\nwithin ken of Raghava, a foe, even if he be endowed with the fleetness\nof thought,--doth not go back, living. There is nothing which is too\nhard for Time; and the Destroyer is incapable of being overcome;\ninasmuch as Rama along with his brother Lakshmana hath fallen in fight.\nAnd I do not so much mourn Rama or the mighty\ncar-warrior--Lakshmana--or, for that matter, self,--as I do the wretched\nMother-in-law of mine. She ever thinketh of the period of the promise.\n'When shall I behold Sita and Lakshmana with Raghava?'\" As she was thus\nlamenting, the Rakshasi, Trijata, said,--\"O exalted lady, do not weep\nthus. Thy lord liveth. And, O dignified one, I shall unfold unto thee\npotent and probable reasons why the brothers Rama and Lakshmana live.\nWhen their leader falleth, the countenances of the warriors in battle\nare not overspread with passion, or display cheerfulness and vivacity.\nAnd, O Vaidehi, if those had lost their lives, this celestial chariot,\nnamed Pushpaka, would not have held thee. An army that hath its heroes\nand chiefs slain--becoming dispirited and drooping, rangeth the field,\nlike a vessel on water that hath lost its helmsman. But, O lorn one,\nthese troops, betraying neither agitation nor anxiety, are guarding the\nKakutsthas. This I tell thee of them out of affection. Do thou, at this\nconclusion bringing in joy, take comfort; and behold the Kakutsthas\nunslain. This I tell thee from affection. I never told thee untruths\nheretofore; nor, O Mithila's daughter, will I tell them unto thee now.\nThou by virtue of thy character conducive to delight, hast found an\naccess into my heart. These even the celestials and Asuras with Indra\n(at their head) are incompetent to quell. Seeing such sight, I speak to\nthee as to their being alive. And behold, O Maithili, this mighty\nwonder! These are lying insensible with arrows; but of those Grace hath\nnot taken leave. It generally happens that the faces of persons dead and\ngone, are unsightly to a degree. Therefore, O Janaka's daughter, leave\noff grief and sorrow and stupor. For the sake of Rama and Lakshmana thou\ncanst not today put a period to thy existence\". Hearing her words,\nMithila's daughter--Sita--resembling the daughter of a celestial, with\nhands joined, said,--\"May this be so!\" Then turning away the car\nPushpaka fleet as the mind, the distressed Sita entered Lanka along with\nTrijata. Then in company with Trijata, alighting from Pushpaka, she\nalong with the Rakshasis entered the _acoka_ wood. And entering that\nsporting-ground of the Rakshasa lord abounding in woody tracts, Sita,\nhaving beheld those princes and reflected on them, became subject to a\nmighty grief.\n\n[152] The commentator assigns a metaphorical sense to ocean,--but this\n is hardly necessary.\n\n[153] _'And did they not remember this now?'_ completes the sense.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION XLIX.\n\n\nBound up terribly with shafts, Dacaratha's sons, lying down bathed in\nblood, sighed hard like unto serpents. And all those foremost monkeys,\nalong with Sugriva, possessed of exceeding strength,--overwhelmed with\nsorrow, remained surrounding those high-souled ones. In the meanwhile,\nthe powerful Rama, albeit fast bound by the shafts, awoke by virtue of\nthe exceeding toughness of his person, as well as his might. Then,\nseeing his brother, having a distressful countenance, covered with\nblood, feeble, and fast bound by the shafts,--Rama, greatly aggrieved,\nbegan to mourn. \"Of what use unto me is the recovery of Sita, or life\neither, when to-day I see my brother vanquished in fight and lying down\nin the field? Seeking in the world (of men), I may light upon a woman\nlike Sita; but never on a brother, or a helper, or a warrior like unto\nLakshmana. If that enhancer of Sumitra's joy have met with his end, my\nlife I must renounce in the sight of the monkeys. What shall I say unto\nKaucalya: and what shall I say unto Kaikeyi? And what shall I say unto\nmother Sumitra, eager for a sight of her son? And if I go (back) without\nhim, how shall I soothe her, like unto a cow reft of her calf; and\ntrembling; and resembling a mourning Kurari? And how shall I say unto\nSatrughana and the illustrious Bharata,--'He went with me to the forest;\nbut I come (back) here without him?' I shall not be able to bear the\nrebuke of mother Sumitra. Therefore even here shall I renounce my\nperson; for certainly I dare not live. Fie on me, who am wicked and\nbase; for me this Lakshmana, brought down, lieth in the field of battle,\nlike one that is without life. O Lakshmana, thou ever comfortest me when\nI am dispirited. But to day, having lost thy life, thou canst not speak\nto me, who am afflicted. Thou, O hero, who hadst in battle slain\ninnumerable Rakshasas lying around, hast (at length) thyself been slain\nin the field with shafts. And lying down in the battle-field, bleeding,\nand covered with arrows, thou appearest like the Sun when he hath gone\nup the Setting-hill. And in consequence of shafts piercing thy vitals,\nthou canst not speak; but thy visible expression, albeit thou art dumb,\nbetokens pain. O thou endowed with exceeding splendour, even as thou\ndidst follow me into the forest, will I follow thee unto the mansion of\nYama. Thou, having dear friends, and ever following me, hast come by\nthis plight in consequence of my reprehensible conduct. I do not\nremember having heard any harsh speech from the heroic Lakshmana, even\nwhen he had happened to be exceedingly wroth. He that could discharge at\none shot five hundred shafts,--that Lakshmana is superior to\nKarttaviryya himself in that weapon--the bow. He that with his arms\ncould resist the arms of Sakra himself,--that one worthy of a costly\ncouch--lieth down on the ground, slain. And that false babble shall now,\nwithout doubt, consume me; for by me hath not Bibhishana been made\nmonarch of the Rakshasas. Do thou, O Sugriva, this very moment retrace\nthy steps. Bereft of thy strength through me, thou wilt be worsted by\nRavana. And, O Sugriva, placing Angada to the fore, do thou, taking thy\nhost as well as the equipage, in company with Nila and Nala, cross over\nthe Ocean. By thee hath been achieved a mighty feat incapable of being\ndone by another in battle. And pleased am I with the king of bears, and\nthe lord of Golangulas; and Angada hath quit himself nobly, as also\nMainda and Dwivida. And Kecarin and Sampati have both fought terribly.\nAnd Gavaya, and Gavaksha, and Sarabha, and Gaja,--and other monkeys have\nfought as others are incapable of fighting,--determined to lay down\ntheir lives (for me). But, O Sugriva, man cannot overrule Destiny. Thou,\nmy friend, fearing righteousness,[154] hast done what lay in thy power.\nAnd, Ye foremost of monkeys, ye also have acted as becometh friends.\nNow, with my permission, go ye whithersoever ye are minded\". Hearing\nRama's lament, the monkeys--those dark-eyed and others--began to shed\ntears from their eyes. Then Bibhishana, quieting the army, taking a mace\nin his hand, swiftly went to where Raghava was. And seeing him fast\nmaking his way, resembling a mass of dark collyrium, the monkeys taking\nhim to be Ravana's son,[155] began to run away.\n\n[154] _Dharma-bhiru--fearing righteousness_--is the epithet generally\n applied to persons fearing not in fact _righteousness_, but\n unrighteousness. This may be taken as an _idiotism_ in\n Sanskrit.--T.\n\n[155] Indrajit. Such was the fear he had spread by his redoubtable\n deeds!--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION L.\n\n\nThen out spake the highly energetic and exceedingly mighty king of\nmonkeys,--\"Why is this host agitated like a bark driven hither and\nthither by the wind?\" Hearing Sugriva's speech, Vali's son said,--\"Dost\nthou not see both those heroes--sons of Dacaratha:--Rama and that mighty\ncar-warrior--Lakshmana--covered with arrows? And (dost thou not see)\nthose high-souled ones lying in the field of battle, covered with\nblood?\" Thereat, the lord of monkeys, Sugriva, spake unto his son,[156]\nAngada--\"I do not deem it without cause. This may have come to pass\nthrough sheer fear. These monkeys with sad faces, leaving their arms\nbehind them, are flying in all directions, their eyes distended in\naffright. And they are not ashamed of each other, and they do not cast\ntheir looks back. And they hug each other, and go leaping over the\nfallen\". In the meanwhile, that hero, Bibhishana, bearing a mace in his\nhand, (approaching), greeted Sugriva as well as Raghava with blessings\nof victory. And Sugriva, seeing Bibhishana, capable of inspiring fear in\nthe monkeys, spoke unto the high-souled sovereign of bears, who stood\nby,--\"This is Bibhishana that hath come hither, seeing whom the foremost\namong the monkeys, from fear of Ravana's son who, they apprehend, he\nis,--are fleeing away, seized with a panic. Do thou at once stay these\nagitated with fear and scampering all around; and proclaim,--'This is\n_Bibhishana_, who hath come here.'\" Thus directed, Jambavan--king of\nbears--restraining those that were flying, composed the monkeys. Hearing\nthe bear-king's words, and seeing Bibhishana, the monkeys, renouncing\nfear, desisted (from their flight). Then the righteous Bibhishana,\nviewing Rama's as well as Lakshmana's body pierced with arrows, was\nexceedingly aggrieved. And washing their eyes with water, he, with his\nmind overpowered with grief, began to weep and broke out into\nlamentation,--\"The Rakshasas, fighting in wily ways, have brought to\nthis pass these ones endowed with prowess and possessed of every\nperfection and gifted with might (of arm). And with his guileful mind,\nthat brother's son of mine, wicked-souled and an evil son (unto\nme),--hath deceived these ones of straight prowess. Pierced with\ninnumerable shafts, and covered with blood, these are lying on the\nground like Salyakas[157]. Those depending on whose prowess, I had\nsought eminence, those foremost of men, sleep here soundly for\nrenouncing their bodies. Living, today I am in distress: and my desire\nof dominion is annihilated; and my foe, Ravana, hath his promise\nfulfilled and his aim crowned with success\". As Bibhishana was thus\nlamenting, the lord of monkeys--Sugriva--endowed with strength,\nembracing him, spoke unto him,--\"O thou cognisant of righteousness, thou\nwilt herein Lanka obtain empire: no doubt of this; and Ravana along with\nhis sons will be disappointed in their expectations. Both these--Rama\nand Lakshmana--are under the _aegis_ of Garuda; and, casting off their\nstupor: they will in battle slay Ravana along with his adherents\".\nHaving thus soothed and comforted the Rakshasa, Sugriva addressed his\nfather-in-law, who was at his side, saying,--\"Do thou along with numbers\nof heroic monkeys, taking those repressors of foes, the brothers--Rama\nand Lakshmana--when they shall have regained their consciousness, repair\nto Kishkindha. And I, slaying Ravana along with his sons and friends,\nshall bring back Mithila's daughter, even as Sakra recovered the lost\nSri\". Hearing the words of the monkey-king, Sushena said,--\"I had\nwitnessed the war of yore between the gods and the Asuras. Then the\nDanavas, enveloping themselves, momentarily destroyed the deities,\nalbeit versed in arms and accomplished in weapons. And they, their\nsenses lost, and their lives departed, Vrihashpati treated by means of\nhis knowledge of _mantras_, as well with medicines. Let Sampati, Panaca,\nand other monkeys speedily hie to the Milky Ocean for the purpose of\nbringing those medicines. And the monkeys well know that mighty\nmountainous medicine--divine and capable of reviving the dead,--and made\nby the deities themselves--_vicalya_. There are (the mountains) named\nChandra and Drona: where the ambrosia was churned, there is that supreme\ndrug. And those mountains have been placed by the deities in the mighty\ndeep. And, O king, let the son of the Wind-god go thither\". In the\nmeanwhile, the wind arose, and masses of clouds appeared along with\nlightning. And the wind blew, agitating the waters of the deep, and\nshaking the mountains. And mighty trees of the ocean-islands, broken\ndown by the terrible wing-raised wind, began to topple headlong into the\nsalt waters. And the serpents dwelling there were seized with affright;\nand speedily all the aquatic animals dived deep into the salt sea. And\nthen in a moment the monkeys saw Vinata's son, possessed of terrific\nstrength,--like unto a flaming fire. And seeing him come, the serpents\nbegan to dart away,--those exceedingly powerful ones that, turning into\nshafts, had bound those persons.[158] Then, touching the Kakutsthas and\nsaluting them, Suparna rubbed with his hands their countenances\nfurnished with the splendour of the Moon. And their wounds, on being\ntouched by Vinata's son, were (immediately) healed; and the bodies of\nboth speedily became cool and shone with an excellent complexion. And\nthey attained immense energy and prowess; and a double share of\nstrength, and of rational and perceptive powers, and of memory. And then\nraising them up, the exceedingly energetic Garuda, resembling Vasava\nhimself, embraced both joyfully. And then Rama addressed (Garuda),\nsaying,--\"By thy grace we have through means survived the mighty\ncalamity that had sprung from Ravana's son; and we have also speedily\nbeen rendered strong. And my heart is delighted on having thee, like\nunto my father, Dacaratha, or my grand sire, Aja. Who art thou,\nfurnished with beauty, and bearing wreaths and unguents (on thy person);\nclad in stainless attire; and adorned in noble ornaments?\" Unto him\nspake the exceedingly energetic son of Vinata endowed with great\nstrength,--the lord of birds, with a pleased heart, and his eyes wild\nwith glee,--\"O Kakutstha, I am thy friend--thy life ranging\nexternally--Garutman. I am come hither for aiding you. Neither the\nhighly powerful Asuras, nor the exceedingly strong monkeys, nor the\ncelestials along with the Gandharbas, having him of an hundred\nsacrifices at their head are,--capable of delivering (any one) from\nthese dreadful arrowy bonds, which had been forged by Indrajit of\ntortuous deeds by help of illusion. These serpents--offspring of\nKadru--are sharp-fanged and venomous; and had bound thee as arrows\nthrough the potency of illusion. O Rama having truth for prowess, thou\nart fortunate,--along with that destroyer of foe in fight, Lakshmana.\nHearing this, I, summoning energy, have come hither swiftly. And I,\ndoing by thee as a friend, have from affection at once set you free from\nthese dreadful arrowy bonds. But thou shouldst always be on thy guard.\nBy nature the Rakshasas have cunning shifts in fight and thou, who art\nheroic and of a pure spirit, canst but rely on thy simplicity alone for\nstrength. Therefore thou must not trust the Rakshasas in the field of\nbattle. By this one instance (thou must know; that Rakshasas are ever\ndeceitful in fight\". Having said this, the wondrous mighty Suparna,\nembracing Rama) tenderly (again), said,--\"My friend Raghava, O thou who\neven cherishest affection for thy foes, permit me thou. I shall go at\npleasure. And, O Raghava, entertain no curiosity as to our\nfriendship.[159] When, O hero, thou shalt have achieved success in\nbattle, thou shalt know all about this friendship of ours. And with the\nsurges of thy shafts, making Lanka contain only children and aged, and\nslaying thy foe, Ravana, thou shalt recover Sita\". Having spoken thus,\nSuparna, endowed with fleet vigor, having rendered Rama hale in the\nmidst of the monkeys,--having gone round them and embraced them\nalso,--that one possessed of prowess,--set out, covering up the sky,\nlike unto the wind. And seeing Raghu's sons rendered hale, the\nmonkey-leaders set up leonine roars, and began to flourish their tails.\nAnd then beat the kettle-drums and the drums struck up. And conchs were\ncheerfully blown; and shouts were sent. And others struck at their arms\nwith their hands. And the monkeys, accustomed to battle with trees,\nuprooting them, stood by hundreds and thousands. And emitting tremendous\nroars and thereby frightening the night-rangers, the monkeys, eager for\nencounter, approached the gate of Lanka. And that mighty and dreadful\ndin raised by the monkeys, resembled the terrible rumbling of the clouds\nat midnight about the end of Summer.\n\n[156] His _step-son_, for Sugriva had married Angada's father's wife,\n after Rama had slain Vali in Kishkindha.--T.\n\n[157] A tree.\n\n[158] Rama and Lakshmana.\n\n[159] i.e. _how it happened._\n\n\n\nSECTION LI.\n\n\nThen Ravana heard the tumult raised by the highly energetic monkeys\nroaring in company with the Rakshasas. And hearing that low and solemn\nnoise--that prodigious uproar--Ravana said in the midst of his\ncounsellors,--\"From mighty roars that are heard of in innumerous\ndelighted monkeys,--resembling the roar of clouds,--it is evident,\nbeyond a doubt, that there is great rejoicing there. And the salt Ocean\nis vexed with these thundering noises. The brothers--Rama and\nLakshmana--have been fast bound with sharp shafts; and here this uproar\nis exciting my alarm\". Having spoken thus unto his ministers, the lord\nof the Rakshasas addressed the Nairitas present there, saying,--\"Do you\nspeedily acquaint yourselves with the cause of rejoicing that hath\narisen of these monkeys on this mournful occasion\". Thus accosted, they\nhurriedly mounting up on the wall, surveyed the forces maintained by the\nhigh-souled Sugriva as well as those exalted ones--Raghu's sons--\nemancipated from their terrific arrowy fetters and arisen (now)\".\nThereat, with their hearts wrought up, grim-visaged Rakshasas descending\nfrom the wall, appeared before the Rakshasa-lord with pale faces. And\nthen with woe-begone faces, those Rakshasas, skilled in speech,\nfaithfully informed Ravana in full of that unfortunate circumstance.\n\"Those brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--who had in battle been bound up in\narrowy fetters by Indrajit,--and whose arms lay moveless,--having been\nemancipated from the arrowy bonds, are seen in the field of battle; and\nthose ones like unto the foremost of elephants in strength, seem like\nelephants that have snapped their fetters\". Hearing those words of\ntheirs, the exeedingly powerful lord of the Rakshasas was wrought up\nwith anxiety and anger, and his countenance lost its complexion.\n\"Indrajit, having routed them in conflict, had bound them by means of\nirrisistible and terrible arrows, resembling venomous serpents, and like\nunto the Sun himself,--which had been conferred on (Indrajit) as boons.\nBut if my enemy, having actually been bound by the weapons, can have\nbeen liberated, all this strength of mine I see placed in peril. And\nthose shafts resembling Fire in fierceness, which had in battle deprived\nmy foes of their lives,--have forsooth been rendered fruitless\". Having\nsaid this in high rage, Ravana, sighing like a serpent, addressed a\nRakshasa, named Dhumraksha, seated in the midst of the Rakshasas,--\"O\nthou of dreadful prowess, surrounded by a mighty force, do thou march\nforth to compass the destruction of Rama along with the monkeys\". Thus\naccosted by the intelligent lord of the Rakshasas, Dhumraksha, turning\nabout, issued out of the abode of the king. And speedily sallying forth\nfrom the gate of (Ravana's) residence, he said unto the general of the\nforces,--\"Do thou speedily move off thy forces. Why should a warrior\nlinger?\" Hearing Dhumraksha's words, the general of the forces,\nfollowing them, at the command of Ravana forthwith made the army ready.\nAnd those powerful and dreadful night-rangers, bursting with high\nspirits,--with bells tied to their arms,--set up shouts, and surrounded\nDhumraksha. And bearing various weapons in their hands, and wielding\ndarts and clubs, and equipped with maces and bearded darts and rods and\niron bludgeons and _parighas_ and _bhindipalas_ and lances and nooses\nand axes,--those terrific Rakshasas sallied out, roaring like unto\nclouds. And others, accoutred in armour, with cars; adorned with\nbanners; furnished with golden networks, and mules having various faces,\nand extremely swift steeds, and lusty elephants in rut,--tiger-like\nNairitas incapable of being subdued, even as tigers--sallied out\n(thereafter). And then Dhumraksha himself ascended a superb car, bearing\nfaces of deer and lions decked with gold,--and sending forth a loud\nclatter. And the highly powerful Dhumraksha, surrounded by Rakshasas,\ncheerfully issued out of the Western Entrance, where Hanuman was posted.\nAnd thereat, fell fowls of the air forbade that exceedingly dreadful\nRakshasa of a fearful form, as he went out ascending an excellent car,\nyoked with mules, and sending sharp sounds. And an exceedingly terrific\nvulture alighted at the crest of the car; and forming themselves into\nlines, vultures began to drop down about the top of the banner. And\nemitting a frightful cry, (a headless trunk) dropped down before\nDhumraksha. And that god[160] showered down blood; and the earth shook.\nAnd the wind blew awry with a sound resembling thunder. And every side,\ncovered with darkness, appeared dim. And witnessing those dreadful\ninauspicious omens at the outset, fraught with fear unto the Rakshasas,\nDhumraksha was greatly aggrieved; and the Rakshasas marching before him,\nwere stupified. And then as that strong and fearful one, eager for\nencounter, surrounded, by innumerable night rangers, issued out (of the\ncity), he beheld that monkey-host, protected by the arm of\nRaghava,--resembling the deep at the time of the universal dissolution.\n\n[160] Indra--cloud-compeller.\n\n\n\nSECTION LII.\n\n\nSeeing the Rakshasa--Dhumraksha of dreadful prowess--issue out, the\nmonkeys, rejoicing greatly, eager for encounter, set up roars. And then\nthere took place a terrific conflict between the monkeys and the\nRakshasas, charging each other with fearful trees, and darts, and maces.\nAnd the Rakshasas began to scatter the dreadful monkeys on all sides;\nand the monkeys (on their part) felled the Rakshasas with trees. And the\nRakshasas, growing enraged, began to pierce the monkeys with straight\nspeeding sharp shafts winged with Kanka plumes. And riven by the Rakshas\nwith dreadful clubs and bearded darts, daggers and maces and terrible\nand curious bludgeons and grasped javelins,--the exceedingly powerful\n(monkeys), their anger aroused, began with alacrity to perform deeds of\nintrepid valour. And those monkey-leaders, their bodies pierced with\nshafts and their persons riven with darts, took up trees and crags. And\nthose monkeys, endowed with terrific vehemence, sending up shouts, and\nproclaiming their respective names, set about tossing the brave Rakshasa\nranks. And that conflict between the Rakshasas and the monkeys, waged\nwith diverse rocks and innumerable trees, waxed exceedingly furious. And\nsome among the Rakshasas feeding on gore--on being agitated by the\nmonkeys burning for victory,--began to vomit blood. And some were\nsevered along their flanks; and, some, slain with trees, were heaped up;\nand some were crushed with crags; and some were torn with teeth. And\nsome being broken down by means of broken standards, and some by means\nof fallen swords, and some crushed down by cars,--the rangers of the\nnight suffered sorely. And (anon) the earth was covered with huge\nelephants measuring mountains, and mountain-tops, and steeds crushed,\nand the riders thereof,--all borne down by the monkeys. And bounding\nagain and again, the vehement monkeys endowed with terrific prowess,\nwith their finger-nails tore up the Rakshasas by the mouths. And with\nwoe-begone faces, and with hair dishevelled, (the Rakshasas), stupified\nwith the smell of blood, saught the earth. And other Rakshasas endowed\nwith dreadful vigor, waxing wondrous wroth, dealt the monkeys slaps with\nhands having the touch of the thunder-bolt. And, gifted with greater\nimpetuosity, the monkeys felled the impetuous (Rakshasas) with blows,\nand feet and teeth; and some were slain with trees. And seeing the\nforces fleeing away, that foremost of Rakshasas--Dhumraksha--flying into\nfury, began a terrific conflict with the monkeys desirous of encounter.\nAnd some of the monkeys, sore assailed with _pracas_, began to bleed;\nand some, wounded with maces, dropped down to the ground. And some were\nbeaten hard with bludgeons; and some were cleft with _bhindipalas_. And\nsome, on being assailed with bearded darts, became insensible and lost\ntheir lives. And some among the monkeys lay slain on the ground,\ndrenched in blood. And some, fleeing away from the field, were\nslaughtered by the infuriated Rakshasas. And some, having their breasts\npierced, lay on their sides. And some were riven with tridents; and the\nentrails of some had come out. And that mighty and dreadful encounter of\nthe Rakshasas and the monkeys, was waged with countless weapons and\nrocks and trees. And that battle became a musical entertainment[161]\nmellifluous with bow-string for _Vina_,[162] having the neighing of\nchargers for its measure, and with the cries of _Maindas_[163] for its\nstrains. Then in the field, Dhumraksha bow in hand, laughing, pursued\nthe monkeys in all directions with showers of shafts. And seeing the\nforces hard beset by Dhumraksha and distressed thereat, the Wind-god's\noffspring, waxing enraged, seizing a huge crag, approached (the\nRakshasa). And with his eyes doubly reddened in wrath, that one, like\nunto his sire himself in prowess, brought down the crag upon\nDhumraksha's car. And seeing the crag, (Dhumraksha) upraising his mace\nhurriedly, leapt down in vehemence, and stood on the ground. And having\nshattered his car, that crag fell down to the earth. And thereat letting\ngo the car furnished with wheels, _Kuvaras_ and a face, as well as a\nbanner; in which Dhumraksha had left his bow,--Hanuman--son unto the\nWind-god--laid about him right lustily for destroying the Rakshasas,\nwith trees having branches long and short. And thereat some Rakshasas\nwith their heads shattered, lay drenched in blood; and others, struck\nwith trees, dropped down to the earth. And then Hanuman--son unto the\nWind-god--charged in full career against the Rakshasa army; and, taking\na mountain-peak, he rushed against Dhumraksha. And as Hanuman was\ndescending, the powerful Dhumraksha, upraising a mace, and giving out a\nshout, made towards him speedily. And then Dhumraksha enraged, brought\ndown that mace studded with innumerable pricks, on the head of Hanuman\nfired with wrath. And thus assailed with the mace of fearful\nimpetuosity! the monkey endowed with the strength of the wind, without\nat all heeding that blow, let fall a mountain-top right against\nDhumraksha's head. And on being assailed with the mountain-peak,\nDhumraksha, having his entire body mangled, suddenly fell to the earth,\nlike unto a toppling hill. And seeing Dhumraksha slain, those\nnight-rangers that survived the carnage, in extreme agitation began to\npour into Lanka, attacked by the monkeys. And that high-souled offspring\nof the Wind-god, having slain his foes, and come under the influence of\nfatigue incident to his slaughtering his enemies,--having caused rivers\nof gore to flow (in the field),--experienced the excess of joy on being\nhonored of the monkeys.\n\n[161] The reader has already perceived that the carrying out of a simile\n to a number of details is a characteristic as much of Valmiki as\n of his rival in the epic sphere--Vyasa. But the comparisons are\n never on all fours, as in the case before us.--T.\n\n[162] A classical Hindu musical instrument, having metallic strings,\n with a pair of gourds at one end for the sounding-board. _Vide\n Yantra-Koca_ by Sir Saurindra Mohan Tagore, _Mus-Doc._--T.\n\n[163] A species of elephants.\n\n\n\nSECTION LIII.\n\n\nHearing Dhumraksha slain, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--overwhelmed\nwith a mighty rage, began to sigh like a serpent. And collied with\npassion, and sighing hot for a long time, he addressed a cruel\nRakshasa--the exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,[164]--\"Go thou, O hero.\nGo out, environed by the Rakshasas. Slay Dacaratha's son--Rama--and\nSugriva along with the monkeys\". Thereupon hastily answering \"So be it,\"\nthat foremost of the Rakshasas skilled in illusion, marched forth\nsurrounded by many a leader[165] of armies, furnished with elephants and\nsteeds, mules and camels,--with his mind concentrated; and adorned with\ninnumerable variegated flags and banners. And then decked out with\ncurious _keyuras_ and a tiara, and wearing armour, he rushed out with\nhis bow in his hand. And then going round his flaming vehicle, adorned\nwith pennons and garnished with gold, the king[166] ascended the same.\nAnd equipped with slender swords and curious _tomaras_ and smooth maces\nand _bhindipalas_ and bows and darts and _patticas_ and scimitars and\ndiscuses and clubs and sharpened axes, the multiform infantry march\nbearing arms in their hands. And all those powerful and flaming\nRakshasas wore variegated raiments. And heroic elephants in rut\nresembling mountains in motion, marched, being led by those well-skilled\nin battle carrying _tomaras_ and hooks in their hands. And mighty steeds\nbearing auspicious marks, marched, ridden by heroes. And that entire\nRakshasa army, as it marched forth, resembled clouds in summer roaring\nwith lightning. And (the Rakshasas) sallied forth through the Southern\nEntrance, where that leader of herds--Angada--was stationed. And as they\nwent out, evil omens appeared. From the cloudless yet fierce sky meteors\nbegan to shoot. And throwing up flames from their mouths, dreadful\njackals began to emit cries. And frightened beasts betokened the\ndestruction of the Rakshasas in battle, And warriors began to tumble\ndown in an ominous way. Witnessing these evil omens, the exceedingly\npowerful and energetic Vajradanshtra, assuming patience, set out, eager\nfor encounter. And seeing them flee away, the monkeys, yearning for\nvictory, set up tremendous shouts, filling all the cardinal points. And\nthen there came on a terrific encounter of the monkeys and the\nRakshasas, dreadful, of terrific deeds, and wishing for each other's\ndeath. And warriors fraught with high spirits, springing up, dropped\ndown to the earth, their bodies and hands riven, and all their persons\nbathed in blood. And some approaching each other, with bludgeons in\ntheir hands, without turning away from the field, discharged various\nweapons at each other. And there were heard sounds of trees and rocks\nand weapons,--mighty and dreadful and capable of striking terror into\nthe heart. And dreadful and mighty were the sounds of car-wheels, and\nconchs and trumpets and drums. And some, casting off weapons, engaged in\na hand to hand combat by means of slaps, and kicks, and bones, and\ntrees. And some Rakshasas, having their bodies broken, were killed by\nmeans of thighs, and some were crushed with crags by Danavas invincible\nin battle. And Vajradanshtra, resembling the noose-handed destroyer,\nfrightening the monkeys, ranged in that field fatal to people. And\nRakshasas, possessed of strength; equipped with various weapons,\ntransported with passion, slew the monkey-forces. And then in the\nconflict the proud Wind-god's son, influenced by twofold wrath, spread\nhavoc among the Rakshasa ranks, like the Fire at the universal\ndissolution. And the energetic Angada possessed of the prowess of a\nlion, with his eyes coppery with wrath, upraising a tree, began to\nspread terrible destruction among the Rakshasas, even as a lion\ndestroyeth tiny deer. And attacked by Angada there, the Rakshasas of\ndreadful vigor, with their heads riven, fell down like unto trees that\nhave been uprooted. And the earth became frightful (to behold), being\ncovered with variegated cars and standards and steeds and the bodies of\nmonkeys and of Rakshasas and streams of blood. And adorned with chains,\nand _Keyuras_, and attires, and umbrellas, the field of battle looked\nlike an autumnal night. And agitated by Angada's impetuosity, that\nmighty army of Rakshasas began to shake, even as water trembleth, moved\nby the wind.\n\n[164] Lit.--the thunder-toothed.\n\n[165] _Valai_--forces--is interpreted _leaders_ by the commentator.\n\n[166] Vajradanshtra.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LIV.\n\n\nFinding his own army destroyed by the might of Angada, the exceedingly\npowerful Rakshasa--Vajradanshtra--was overcome with rage. And stretching\nhis dreadful bow of the splendour of Sakra's thunder-bolt, he began to\nshower shafts among the monkey-ranks. And the foremost among the heroic\nRakshasas also, stationed on cars, furnished with various arms, warred\non in the encounter. And the heroic monkeys also--foremost of their\nkind--with rocks in their hands, fought around in united strength. And\nin that conflict, the Rakshasas began to incessantly shower _ayutas_\namong the flower of the monkey-army. And the monkeys,--pre-eminently\nvaliant, and resembling mad elephants, kept showering over the Rakshasas\nmountain-trees and mighty rocks. And then took place a hot contest among\nheroic warring monkeys and Rakshasas, eager for encounter. And some,\nwith their heads unbroken, had their arms and legs torn; and their\nbodies pierced with weapons, and laved with blood. And monkeys and\nRakshasas lay down in the dirt,--thronged with numbers of Kankas, and\nvultures; and swarming with flocks of jackals. And striking affright to\nthe timid, on the earth started up (spectral) headless trunks,--with\ntheir arms and heads torn, and their bodies torn all over. And monkeys\nand Rakshasas began to drop down to the earth. And the army of\nnight-rangers, being brutally handled by the monkey-hosts, broke up at\nevery point at the very sight of Vajradanshtra. And seeing the\nRakshasas, distressed with fright and harassed by the monkeys, the\npowerful Vajradanshtra, with his eyes crimson-hued with choler, entered\nthe arena, bow in hand,--frightening the monkey-forces. And he began to\npierce the monkeys with straight-speeding shafts winged with Kanka\nfeathers; And he pierced simultaneously seven, eight, nine, five,\nmonkeys (in the field). And the exceedingly powerful Vajradanshtra,\nsported into a towering passion, began to cleave the docile ranks. And\nthereat terrified, the monkeys, with their bodies cut with arrows,\nrushed towards Angada, like vultures resorting to the Creator. And\nfinding the monkey-ranks disordered, Vali's son in a rage cast his eyes\non Vajradanshtra, who also was eying him. And Vajradanshtra and Angada\nfought fiercely with each other over and over again; ranging the field\nlike a tiger and a mad elephant[167]. Then (Vajradanshtra) with hundreds\nand thousands (of shafts) resembling tongues of flames, pierced the\npowerful son of the monkey in the vitals. Thereupon Vali's son of mighty\nstrength and tremendous prowess, with his body covered all over with\nblood, hurled a tree at Vajradanshtra. And seeing the tree in full\ncareer, the Rakshasa without betraying any agitation, severed it in\npieces; and the tree, thus assailed, fell to the earth. And seeing that\nfeat of Vajradanshtra, that foremost of monkeys, taking up a huge crag,\nhurled it (at his foe) and sent up shouts. And seeing this descend upon\nhim, that powerful one, calmly leaping down from his vehicle, stood on\nhis feet on the ground. And the crag discharged by Angada, coursing on\nin the field, dashed to pieces the car along with the wheels and the\n_Kuvara_ as well as the horses. And then the monkey, taking up another\nprodigious peak crowned with trees, let it alight on Vajradanshtra's\nhead. Thereat vomitting blood, Vajradanshtra, deprived of his senses,\nfor a moment overcome with stupor, stood embracing his mace, sighing.\nAnd then the night-ranger, recovering his senses, with his mace, in high\nrage hit at the breast Vali's son staying in the field. And thereupon,\ngiving up his mace, he entered into a boxing encounter (with Angada).\nAnd hitting each other there, they both--the monkey and the\nRakshasa,--began to vomit blood, and were overcome with fatigue\nconsequent on the thrashing each sustained; and they endowed richly with\nprowess, appeared like Angaraka and Budha.[168] Then the exceedingly\nenergetic Angada--best of monkeys--uprooting a tree, stood there,\ncovered with flowers and leaves. And (Vajradanshtra) took a shield\ncomposed of ass's hide,[169] and a sword broad and sightly, covered with\nbells, and graced with a leathern sheath. And the monkey and the\nRakshasa displayed curious and graceful movements. And attacking each\nother, they gave shouts, eager for victory. And with blood flowing from\ntheir wounds, they looked beautiful like blossoming Kincukas. And\nwarring, both, overcome with fatigue, went to the ground on their knees.\nAnon in the twinkling of an eye, that powerful monkey--Angada--started\nup, with his eyes glowing,--like unto a serpent that hath been smitten\nwith a rod. And (at length) with his stainless and sharpened sword,\nVali's son, endeued with exceeding strength severed Vajradanshtra's huge\nhead. And the graceful head of that one having his body covered with\nblood, cut off by the sword, falling to the ground with its eyes\nrolling, was severed in twain. Seeing Vajradanshtra slain, the\nRakshasas, overwhelmed with fear and exceedingly agitated, in pitiful\nplight, with woe-begone faces and heads hung in shame,--fled towards\nLanka, attacked (all the while) by the monkeys. Having compassed\nVajradanshtra's destruction, the powerful son of Vali, endowed with\nexceeding strength, in the midst of the monkey-army experienced great\njoy on being honored by the monkeys, like the wielder of the\nthunder-bolt--the thousand-eyed (Deity)--surrounded by the celestials.\n\n[167] _Harimattagajaviva--lit_, like a lion and a mad elephant. The\n commentator however, remarks, that the contest of a lion with an\n elephant is incompatible in the nature of things, for even an\n elephant _dreaming_ of a lion, gives up the ghost!--T.\n\n[168] The asterisms so called.\n\n[169] What could this weapon be like?--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LV.\n\n\nHearing Vajradanshtra slain by the son of Vali, Ravana said unto the\ngeneral of his forces, standing before him with joined hands,--\"Let\ninvincible Rakshasas of dreadful prowess, march forth, placing before\nthem Akampana, skilled in all weapons and arms. He is capable of\nchastising foes as well as of protecting his own and leading them; and\nhe is excellent in warfare. And he is always desirous of my prosperity,\nand always loveth warfare. He will conquer the Kakutsthas, as well as\nSugriva endowed with exceeding strength, and, without doubt, slay all\nthe other dreadful monkeys\". Taking Ravana's command, that highly\npowerful one endowed with fleet vigor, marshalled those forces. Then\nequipped with various arms, the foremost of Rakshasas, having dreadful\neyes (in their heads), and of dreadful forms, marched forth, urged on by\ntheir general. And, ascending a large car, adorned with burnished gold,\nAkampana, possessed of the splendour of clouds,[170] and cloud-hued, and\nfurnished with a voice resembling the roar of clouds, went out,\nenvironed by Rakshasas of terrific forms. And Akampana, resembling the\nsun in power, was incapable[171] of being shaken in fight by the very\ngods, and of being beheld by them.[172] And as, burning for battle, he\nrushed out in wrath, the steeds drawing his car suddenly lost their\nenergy. And the left eye of that one delighting in encounter, began to\nthrob. And his countenance grew pale, and his voice faltered. And in a\nfair day, it looked foul with the wind breathing roughly. And fierce and\nfrightful beasts and birds began to emit cries. And that lion-shouldered\none like a tiger in prowess, without heeding these ominous occurences,\nmarched forth into the field. And as that Rakshasa was setting out along\nwith the Rakshasas, he set up mighty roars as if agitating the deep. And\nthe mighty army of monkeys was seized with trepidation at that sound.\nAnd then there took place a mighty encounter of the Rakshasas and the\nmonkeys equipped staying in fight with trees and rocks; who had given up\nall concern for their selves in behalf of Rama and Ravana. And each side\ndesirous of slaying the other, the monkeys and the Rakshasas were\nexceedingly strong and heroic and like unto mountains. And each party\nstorming at the other, in that conflict were heard loud cries emitted by\nthose swift-speeding ones in anger. And fearful was the dust red-hued\nthat was raised incessantly by the monkeys and the Rakshas; and it\nenveloped the ten cardinal points. And in the field of battle, each\nenveloped with that dust raised, pale as silk, could not be discovered\nby the other. And in consequence of that dust arising, neither standard,\nnor ensign, nor shield, nor steed, nor weapon, nor car could be seen.\nAnd the fierce cries alone of those roaring and rushing were heard in\nthat dreadful battle; but their forms were not visible to the sight. And\nin that conflict in the dark then monkeys enraged slew monkeys, and\nRakshasas Rakshsasas. And monkeys and Rakshasas slaying\n(indiscriminately) friends and foes, made the earth wet with blood, and\nmiry. And then with showers of blood the dust was layed; and the earth\nwas covered with corpses. And Rakshasas and monkeys fast slew each other\nvigorously with trees and darts, maces and _pracas_, rocks, bludgeons\nand _tomaras_, and by means of their arms resembling bludgeons, coped\nwith their adversaries appearing like hills. And in the encounter\nmonkeys slew Rakshasas of dreadful deeds. And in their turn Rakshasas,\nwrought up with passion, bearing in their hands _pracas_ and _tomaras_\ndestroyed monkeys wielding dire arms. And that leader of the\nforce--Akampana--growing wroth, inspired with cheerfulness all the\nRakshasas endowed with dreadful vigor. And the monkeys forcibly\nsnatching away the weapons (of the Rakshasas), began to rive the\nRakshasas with mighty trees and giant crags. In the meanwhile those\nheroes among the monkeys--Kumuda, Nila and the exceedingly exasperated\nMainda, summoned the utmost impetuosity they were masters of. And those\nforemost of monkeys and redoubtable able warriors without much ado began\nto spread quite a carnage in the van of the Rakshasa army, and by means\nof various arms terribly beat the Rakshasas.\n\n[170] There is a pun here on the word _Akampana_--lit.--_one incapable\n of being shaken_.--T.\n\n[171] Possessed of a person measuring, according to the commentator, a\n mass of clouds. I give the apparent sense, which answers.--T.\n\n[172] Monkeys.\n\n\n\nSECTION LVI.\n\n\nAnd witnessing that mighty exploit of the foremost of the monkeys,\nAkampana waxed furious with wrath. And transported with passion, he,\ntwanging his mighty bow, seeing that feat of his foe, addressed his\ncharioteer saying,--\"O charioteer, swiftly conduct thou the car to that\nsame place. These powerful ones are slaying innumerable Rakshasas in\nfight. And all those vigorous monkeys of dreadful deeds stay before me,\narmed with trees and rocks. Those, pluming themselves overmuch on their\nmartial worth, I intended to slay in battle. And all this Rakshasa force\nappeared to be harassed by these\". Then on a car drawn by moving steeds,\nAkampana from a distance attacked the monkeys with showers of arrows.\nAnd thereat the monkeys could not so much as maintain their ground in\nthe field,--and how could they fight? And broken by the arrows of\nAkampana, they began to fly. And the exceedingly strong Hanuman, seeing\nhis kindred come under the masterdom of Death and follow the course\npursued by the shafts of Akampana, advanced (to the conflict). And\nseeing that mighty monkey, all those heroic prime monkeys together\nsurrounded (Hanuman) in the field. And those best of monkeys, seeing\nHanuman stay, grew strong by relying on that strong one. And even as the\ngreat Indra showereth down rain, Akampana showered shafts on Hanuman\nresembling a mountain-summit in grandeur. And without casting a thought\non the showers of arrows poured on his person, that monkey gifted with\nexceeding strength, set his heart on compassing the death of Akampana.\nAnd laughing, that exceedingly energetic offspring of the Wind-god\nrushed after that Raksha, as if making the Earth herself tremble. And\nthe form of that one roaring and flaming up in energy, was irresistible,\nlike unto the appearance of a flaming fire. And thinking that he was\nunfurnished with any arms, that foremost of monkeys, waxing wroth,\nvehemently rooted up a hill. And taking that huge hill, the Wind-god's\nson endowed with prowess, sending up a tremendous roar, began to whirl\nit with a single arm. And as of yore Purandara had in encounter pursued\nNamuchi with the thunder-bolt, (Hanuman) pursued that best of\nRakshasas--Akampana. And Akampana, seeing that uplifted crag, from a\ndistance cut it off with mighty crescent-shaped shafts. And finding that\nmountain-top severed by the shafts of the Raksha and scattered in\npieces, Hanuman was seized with a mighty wrath. And that monkey, wrought\nup with rage and pride, grasping an Acwakarna elevated like unto a hill,\nat once uprooted it. And taking that broad-shouldered Acwakarna, that\none furnished with high splendour, with great glee whirled it above the\nground. And thereat rushing amain vehemently, (Akampana) speedily broke\nthe trees.[173] And (seeing this), Hanuman, transported with passion,\nrived the earth with his kicks. And Hanuman slaughtered elephants, and\nthe riders thereof, and cars with their riders, and dreadful Rakshasas,\nand footmen. And seeing the enraged Hanuman resembling the Finisher\narmed with trees and destructive, the Rakshasas began to fly fast. And\nseeing that one enraged, terrific unto the Rakshasas, the heroic\nAkampana was agitated greatly and sent up shouts. And Akampana pierced\nHanuman endowed with exceeding prowess with four and ten shafts,\nsharpened and capable of cleaving the bodies of people. And thus covered\nwith iron arrows and whetted darts, that hero--Hanuman--looked like a\nhill covered with trees. And that huge-bodied one endowed with wondrous\nprowess and great strength, appeared like a flowering Acoka or a fire\nwithout smoke. And then uprooting another tree, (Hanuman) summoning up\nhis best impetuosity, swiftly hit Akampana--foremost of Rakshasas--on\nthe head. And slain with that tree by that high-souled monkey-chief\nwrought up with passion, that Rakshasa fell down and died.[174] And\nseeing that foremost of Rakshasas--Akampana--slain (and lying) on the\nground,--the Rakshasas were extremely aggrieved, and (appeared) like\ntrees in an earthquake. And those Rakshasas defeated, leaving their arms\nbehind, made for Lanka in fear, pursued by the monkeys. And with their\nhair flowing loosely, (the Rakshasas), afflicted with affright, and\ndespirited and beaten, fled fast, with the water of fatigue running down\ntheir persons. And crushing down each other, they entered the city in a\npanic, momentarily casting their looks behind them. When the Rakshasas\nhad entered Lanka, the exceedingly mighty monkeys, assembled together,\npaid homage unto Hanuman. And Hanuman, gifted with strength, honored the\nseniors each as he deserved in consideration of his lineage. And the\nmonkeys eager for victory shouted with might and main, and began to drag\nthe Rakshasas with the view of taking their lives. And that mighty\nmonkey--son unto the Wind god--having destroyed the Rakshasas and\narrived (in the midst of the host), attained heroic glory,--even as did\nVishnu, having slain that destroyer of enemies--the mighty and dreadful\nAsura possessed of exceeding strength,--stationed in the van of the\nforces. And then the deities and Rama himself and the highly powerful\nLakshmana, and also the monkeys headed by Sugriva, and Bibhishana\nendowed with great strength, honored that monkey.\n\n[173] Why plural? So it is, however, in the text.--T.\n\n[174] This sentence, \"And slain......and died\" reads foolish. But the\n original is answerable for--in logical parlance--this identical\n proposition.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LVII.\n\n\nHearing that Akampana had been killed, the lord of Rakshasas,\noverwhelmed with anger, with his face somewhat fallen, cast his eyes on\nhis counsellors. And then pondering and reflecting for a while, in the\nforenoon he went round the city of Lanka for inspecting the barracks.\nAnd the king surveyed the city guarded by the Rakshasas, covered with\ninnumerable barracks, and crowned with ensigns and standards. And seeing\nthe city beseiged, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--seasonably spoke words\nof welfare unto Prahasta skilled in fight,--\"Save battle, deliverance\nfind I none for the city suddenly beleaguered and put to straits. And\nthis strain must be borne by these versed in warfare--me or Kumbhakarna\nor thee--my general--or Indrajit or Nikumbha.[175] And therefore do thou\nfrom this place, speedily taking this force, march to where the monkeys\nare, for securing victory (in the encounter). And as soon as thou\nsettest out, the monkey-forces, hearing the roars of the foremost\nRakshasas--speedily setting themselves in motion,--shall flee away. And\nvolatile and haughty and of fickle minds, the monkeys will not be able\nto bear thy shouts; even as elephants are incapable of bearing the\nroaring of a lion. And on that monkey-army running away, Rama in company\nwith Sumitra's son, deprived of his power and shorn of support, shall, O\nPrahasta, come under thy subjection. In this matter, thy being slain is\nuncertain, but victory is certain. Now do thou, as thou weighest our\nwelfare, declare thyself for or against this course\". Thus addressed by\nRavana, Prahasta--general of the forces--said unto the Rakshasa-chief;\nlike _Ucanas_ addressing the lord of Asuras,--\"O, king, before this we\nhad deliberated together with wise counsellors, and then we disputed\nwith each other in our respective views. And I had declared myself for\ngiving up Sita as fraught with our welfare; and we saw war involved in\nwitholding her. I have ever been honored by thee variously with gifts\nand regard and soft speech. And what is thy good for which I shall not\nbe at the pains? My life I do not care to keep,--nor yet my sons or my\nwife. Behold! for thee will I offer up my life into the sacrificial fire\nof conflict\". Having said this unto his master--Ravana--the general,\nPrahasta, addressed his generals staying before him, saying,--\"At once\nbring up the mighty host of Rakshasas. To-day in the field of fight will\nI entertain the flesh-feeding fowls of the forest with the bodies of the\nfoes slain with my resistless shafts\". Hearing his speech, the highly\npowerful leaders arrayed the army in that abode of the Rakshasa. And in\na moment Lanka swarmed with heroic and terrific Rakshasas equipped with\nvarious arms,--as if with elephants,--as well as with people worshipping\nFire and bowing down unto Brahmanas. And the perfumed breeze blew, laden\nwith the incense of sacrificial offerings. And the Rakshasas, inspired\nwith martial ardour, put on diverse garlands, consecrated with\nscriptural formulae; and donned on their armour. And furnished with\ntheir bows and wearing their armour, the Rakshasas, on seeing king\nRavana, leaving (their vehicles), stood, surrounding Prahasta. Then\ngreeting the monarch, Prahasta, furnished (with all appliances of\nbattle),--winding his dreadful trumpet, ascended his car; having all\nsorts of weapons; yoked with wondrous fleet steeds; driven by a\ncompetent charioteer,--excellently furnished; sending up sounds\nresembling the rumbling of mighty masses of cloud,--appearing like the\nvery Sun or Moon; invincible with a serpent-standard; having a defence\nas well as a portion exceedingly handsome; netted with gold all round;\nand seeming to be laughing in grace. And then, ascending this car,\nPrahasta, whom Ravana had entrusted with authority, surrounded by a vast\nhost, swiftly went out of Lanka. And then there were heard the sounds of\nkettle-drums, resembling the roars of Parjanya,--and the sounds of\nmusical instruments, as if filling the Earth. And on that general of the\nforces marching, sounds of conchs were heard (all around); and the\nRakshasas of dreadful forms and huge bodies, going before Prahasta,\nadvanced, emitting tremendous roars. And Narantaka,[176] Kambhahanu,\nMahanada,[177] and Samunnata,[178]--Prahasta's counsellors all of\nthem--went on, surrounding him. And he went out by the Eastern entrance,\nenvironed by this exceedingly dreadful array, resembling troops of\nelephants. And resembling the Destroyer--Yama himself--Prahasta in rage\nwent out surrounded by that mighty host resembling the sea. And at the\ntumult raised by their exodus, as well as the roars of the Rakshasas,\nall creatures in Lanka began to cry in preternatural tones. And swarming\nunder the cloudless welkin, birds feasting on flesh and gore began to\ngyrate at the right hand of the car. And dreadful jackals, emitting live\nflames from their mouths, set up cries. And stars began to shoot from\nthe firmament; and the winds to ruffle. And enraged at each other, the\nplanetary bodies were shorn of their brightness. And clouds emitting\nsharp sounds showered down blood upon the car, and those marching in\nfront were washed therewith. And alighting at the top of the standard, a\nvulture set up cries, facing the south, and began to prick both its\nsides,--thereby depriving (Prahasta) of his grace. And from the hands of\nhis charioteer and his driver conducting the steeds, never given to\nturning away from the field, the goad began to drop again and again. And\nthe auspiciousness that was bright and rare when the army set out, was\nclean gone in a moment,--and the steeds began to stumble on even ground.\nAnd as Prahasta of renowned worth and valor marched, the monkey-army\nequipped with various arms, presented themselves before him. And loud\nwas the tumult that was raised by the monkeys. And mighty was the din\nthat was heard of those, uprooting trees and taking up ponderous crags\nof the Rakshasas roaring and the monkeys storming in both the\nexhilarated armies of Rakshas and wood-rangers,--of vehement and able\n(warriors) eager for slaying each other, and challenging each other to\nfight. And like an insect falling into a flame, the wicked-minded\nPrahasta, for obtaining victory, increasing his impetuosity entered into\nthat host of the monkey-king.\n\n[175] Grammatically faulty such is the sentence in the original.--T.\n\n[176] Lit. _destroyer of men_. Almost all the names of the Rakshasas are\n thus significant names. This assigning of names, embosoming some\n harmonising image, has by Sir Francis Palgrave, justly been\n considered as betokening a high poetical faculty.\n\n[177] Lit.--_loud-throated_.\n\n[178] Lit.--_lofty_.\n\n\n\nSECTION LVIII.\n\n\nSeeing Prahasta sally, ready for encounter, that chastiser of\nfoes--Rama--with a smile said unto Bibhishana,--\"Who is this huge-bodied\none that armed with impetuosity, advanceth to the encounter? And what is\nhis power and prowess like? O mighty-armed one, tell me this concerning\nthis powerful night-ranger\". Hearing Raghava's words, Bibhishana\nanswered,--\"In Lanka this is the general of the lord of Rakshasas--the\nRakshasa named Prahasta, surrounded by a third of the forces. He is\npossessed of prowess and is of distinguished gallantry. And that mighty\narmy of strong monkeys, wrought up with wrath, and roaring at Prahasta,\nsaw him dreadful and of terrific prowess and huge-bodied,--surrounded on\nall sides by the Rakshasas,--and setting up roars, marching. And the\nRakshasas, eagerly desirous of victory, pursued the monkeys, wielding\nswords and darts and _rishtis_, and javelins and shafts and maces and\nclubs and bludgeons and _pracas_ and various axes and curious bows. And\nthe monkeys on their part, eager for encounter, took up flowering trees\nand hills and huge and broad crags. And each party approaching the\nother, great was the encounter that took place. And innumerable (monkeys\nand Rakshasas) kept showering rocks and arrows. And many Rakshasas in\nconflict slew many a powerful monkey, and the monkeys on their part\nslaughtered many a Rakshasa. And some were pierced with darts and with\n(other) powerful weapons; and some were wounded with bludgeons; and some\nwere hewn with axes. And some rendered senseless, dropped down to the\nearth; and some hit with weapons, had their breasts riven. And some,\nsevered in twain with swords, dropped to the earth lifeless. And monkeys\nwere hewn in their sides by heroic Rakshasas. And numbers of Rakshasas\nall around were beaten to the ground by infuriated monkeys with trees\nand mountain-peaks. And some smitten sore with slaps having the touch of\nthe thunder-bolt, began to vomit blood from their mouths, with faces and\neyes turned pale. And great was the uproar that arose in consequence of\nRakshasas and monkeys emitting distressful cries and sending forth\nleonine roars. And monkeys and Rakshasas wrought up with wrath, engaged\nin treading the path of heroes,--looking terrific with their faces\nmoving about,--performed deeds of intrepid courage. And Narantaka and\nKambhahanu and Mahanada and Samunnata--all counsellors of Prahasta--set\nabout slaughtering the rangers of the woods. Of these doing swift\nexecution among the monkeys, Dwivida, taking up a mountain-peak, slew\none--namely Narantaka. And then the monkey, Durmukha, rising up afresh,\narmed with a mighty tree, killed the light-handed Rakshasa--Samunnata.\nAnd Jambavan endowed with energy, waxing enraged, uplifting a giant crag\nbrought the same down on Mahanada's breast. And there speedily assailed\nby Tara, with a mighty tree, the powerful Kumbhahanu gave up the ghost\nin the conflict. And not brooking that feat, Prahasta, mounted on a car,\ntaking a bow in his hand, fell to spreading a dreadful havoc among the\nrangers of the woods. And then there the two hosts mingled into almost a\nvortex; and the sounds that arose from those infuriated ones of\nimmeasurable might, resembled the roar of the ocean. And in terrific\nencounter the enraged Rakshasa irresistible in battle drove the monkeys\nto sore straits with showers of arrows. And the earth was covered quite\nwith the terrible bodies of monkeys and Rakshasas; and it looked as if\ncovered with mountains. And the earth drenched with streams of gore\nlooked as if swarming with blossoming _palacas_ in the month of spring.\nAnd as leaders of elephant-herds cross a lotus-tank covered with\nlotus-dust, those Rakshasas and choice monkeys crossed that river\nflowing in the field of conflict incapable of being crossed; having for\nher banks hosts of heroic warriors slain; for her mighty trees broken\narms; for her volume of waters showers of blood; coursing to Yama\nresembling the Ocean; with livers and spleens for her vast slime; with\nscattered entrails for her moss; with riven bodies and heads for her\nfish; limbs for her lawns; swarming with vultures for her swans; with\nKankas for her cranes; filled with fat representing her foam; with the\nroars (of warriors) for her sounds,--incapable of being crossed by\ncravens,--and resembling a real river swarming at the end of the rains\nwith cranes and swans. Then all of a sudden Nila saw Prahasta stationed\non his car, discharging vollies of shafts and harassing the monkeys\ntherewith. And mounted on a sun-bright vehicle, that leader of the\narmy--Prahasta--seeing Nila advance towards him amain in the encounter,\nlike the wind in the sky scattering a mighty mass of clouds,--rushed\ntowards Nila. And that leader of forces--Prahasta--foremost of bowmen,\nstretching his bow, began to shower arrows on Nila. And having pierced\nNila sore and wounded him, those shafts sought the earth like enraged\nserpents. And that mighty monkey--Nila--endowed with energy, struck with\nthose sharpened shafts resembling flames,--uprooting a tree, assailed\ntherewith the irrepressible Prahasta--who was rushing against him. And\nthereat, that foremost of Rakshasas, on being attacked, flaming up into\nfury and uttering roars,--poured showers of arrows on the monkey-leader.\nAnd not being able to resist the arrowy vollies of that wicked-minded\nRakshasa, (Nila) bore them, even as a bull beareth with closed eyes a\nfast-descending autumnal shower. And in the very same way did Nila with\nhis eyes closed suddenly stand the mighty arrowy buffet of Prahasta\nincapable of being withstood. And wrought up with rage, the exceedingly\nstrong and mighty Nila with a giant _Sala_ slew the steeds of Prahasta.\nAnd then his soul surcharged with wrath, Nila swiftly shattered the bow\nof that wicked-minded one, and then shouted again and again. On being\nbereft of his bow, Prahasta, general of forces, taking a terrible mace,\nleapt down from his car. And the redoubtable leaders endowed with\nactivity, bearing hostility to each other, their persons bathed in\nblood, stood (on the ground) like two elephants (with their temples)\nriven. And they kept tearing each other with their teeth like a lion and\na tiger, and also striving like a lion and a tiger. And endowed with\nvictorious vigor, those heroes, never knowing to desist from fight, were\neager for fame, even like Vritra and Vasava (fighting). And then\nPrahasta putting forth his dearest effort, hit Nila on the temples with\na mace; and the blood began to flow. And then the mighty monkey, with\nhis person drenched in blood,--wrought up with passion, discharged a\ntall tree at Prahasta's breast. And without caring for that hit, he,\ntaking up a mighty mace, furiously rushed against the monkey--Nila. And\nwitnessing that enraged (hero) rushing against him with exceeding\nimpetuosity, that redoubted monkey endowed with vehemence, took up a\ntremendous crag. And in the encounter Nila at once let that crag alight\nright on the head of Prahasta, eager for encounter and fighting with the\nmace. And hurled by that foremost of monkeys, that huge and terrific\ncrag then shattered Prahasta's head in pieces. And then bereft of life\nand shorn of nerve and devoid of sense, he suddenly dropped down to the\nearth like a tree whose roots have been severed. And even as fountains\nflow from the sides of a hill, blood flowed profusely from the person of\nthat one, whose head had been riven. On Prahasta being slain by Nila,\nthat mighty army of Rakshasas, never trembling (from fear),--retreated\ntowards Lanka. And like waters rushing (through a breach in) a dyke, the\nRakshasas could not stand their ground, on their leader being slain. And\non that head of the hosts being killed, the Rakshasas, growing\ndispirited, repairing to the residence of the lord of Rakshas, remained\nplunged in thought, without speaking anything. And plunged in that sea\nof sorrow, they seemed as if they had been bereft of their senses. And\nthen the highly powerful and victorious Nila, leader of forces, on being\nextolled with gracious offices, and on being joined by Rama and\nLakshmana, looked exceedingly exhilarated.\n\n\n\nSECTION LIX.\n\n\nAnd on the leader of the Rakshasa host being slain in battle by the\nforemost of monkeys, that army of the Rakshasa monarch, resembling the\nocean in violence,--furnished with dreadful weapons, began to scamper\naway. And going to the lord of the Rakshasas, they apprised him of the\ndeath of his general at the hands of the Fire-god's offspring. And\nhearing those words of theirs, the Rakshasa lord was overcome with rage.\nAnd hearing that Prahasta had been killed in battle, (he), exercised\nwith passion, with his heart influenced with grief, addressed those\nforemost of the Rakshasa hosts, even as Indra addresses the chiefs among\nthe celestials, saying,--\"That foe should no longer be disregarded that\nhath slain along with his followers and elephants that leader of my\nhosts that had destroyed the forces of Indra himself. Therefore, without\ntaking thought, will I, for compassing the destruction of the foe,\nmyself march to that marvellous field of fight. And to-day, even as a\nflaming fire burneth down a forest, will I with showers of shafts burn\nup that monkey-army, and Rama and Lakshmana\". Saying this, that enemy of\nthe sovereign of the immortals ascended a flaming vehicle of dazzling\nsheen yoked to rows of excellent steeds,--displaying itself gloriously\nand having a glowing body. And eulogized with sacred hymns, the\nsovereign of the Rakshasa rulers then set out to the sounds of conchs\nand trumpets and _panavas_; and in the midst of those produced by\npersons striking at their arms, with their hands, and of the sounds\ndefiance, and leonine roars. And like that lord of the\nimmortals--Rudra--surrounded by ghosts, the foremost of the Rakshsa\nmonarchs was surrounded by bands of flesh-feeding (Rakshas) resembling\ncliffs and clouds,--with eyes glowing like fire. And at once issuing\nfrom the city, that one endowed with high energy saw that fierce array\nof monkeys, extended as the ocean or a mighty mass of clouds,--with arms\nupraised with rocks and stones. And seeing that terrific host of\nRakshasas, that eminently auspicious one, followed by the forces, having\narms resembling the lord of serpents--Rama--spoke unto Bibhishana,\nforemost of those bearing arms,--\"Whose is this force furnished with\nvarious ensigns and standards--and equipped with _pracas_ and swords and\ndarts and other arms,--consisting of intrepid (Rakshasas), and having\nelephants resembling Mahendra[179] itself\". Then hearing Rama's speech,\nBibhishana, possessed of the prowess of Sakra himself, informed Rama\nanent that foremost of hosts consisting of that flower of high-souled\nRakshasas, saying,--\"O king, him do thou know to be Akampana, who,\npossessed of a high soul, is on the back of that elephant,--whose face\nlooks like the sun new risen, and who approacheth making the head of his\nelephant tremble (with the splendour of his person).[180] And that one\nis named Indrajit--foremost by virtue of the boon (that he hath\nobtained), who ascending a car and having a lion for his\nensign,--twangeth his bow like the very bow of Sakra displayed,--and who\nwith his terrific round teeth appeareth like an elephant. And that one\nof a gigantic person is named Atikaya, that, like unto the Setting-hill\nof Vindhya, furnished with the bow and stationed on a car,--highly\nheroic, stretcheth his bow of unparalleled proportions. And that\nhigh-souled hero is named Mahodara that, furnished with right coppery\neyes resembling the sun new risen, and ascending a car resonant with the\nsound of bells, shouteth shrill. And that one having the vehemence of\nthe thunder-bolt is Picacha, that, mounted on a steed in variegated\ngolden trappings, and having the aspect of a mass of evening clouds, or\na mountain,--(appeareth) with a _praca_ furnished with effulgence. And\nthat one is the famed Triciras,[181] that, grasping a whetted dart\nendowed with the splendour of lightning and having the speed of the\nthunder for its minister, approacheth, riding a bull--the best of his\nspecies--and having the appearance of the Moon himself. And that one\nlooking like a mass of clouds, that, having a broad and beautiful breast\nand a banner surmounted with the king of serpents, goeth in collected\ncarriage, stretching his bow is Kumbha. And that one is Nikumbha of\nwondrous valorous deeds (in battle) that, grasping a flaming and\nsmoky[182] bludgeon embellished with gold and diamonds, cometh--a very\nbanner of the entire Raksha host. And that one is Narantaka, fighting\nwith mountain-peaks,--that appeareth before us, mounted on a car flaming\nlike fire, furnished with pennons and equipped with bows and swords and\nshafts. And that crusher of the hauteur of even the celestials,--that\nsurrounded by various spectres of dreadful forms having faces of tigers,\nor camels, or powerful elephants, or deer, or horses,--and with their\neyes rolling,--where the white umbrella resembling the Moon,--shineth,\ngraced with slender ribs--the high-souled sovereign of Rakshas appeareth\nlike Rudra himself environed by spectres,--the sovereign of the Rakshas\ndecked with a diadem, with his countenance graced with pendulous\near-rings,--with a person resembling that monarch of mountains--even\nVindhya himself,--that humbler of the pride of Indra the Great and\nYama,--shineth like the Sun\". Then Rama--repressor of foes--answered\nBibhishana, saying,--\"Alas! Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--is of\nexceeding glowing splendour; and Ravana shineth in glory, and is\nincapable of being gazed at like the Sun himself. And his grace, being\nenshrouded in his own splendour, I cannot view plainly. And the persons\nof celestials appear splendid as doth the person of the Rakshasa-chief.\nAnd all the warriors of that high-souled one are like mountains and\nfight with crags; and all are equipped with flaming weapons. And\nenvironed by glowing ghosts of dreadful forms and fierce-looking and\nfurnished with material tenements,[183]--the king of Rakshasas appeareth\nimposing like the Destroyer himself. And by luck it is that to-day the\nwicked-minded one hath come within the range of my vision; and to-day\nwill I vent my wrath incident to the ravishment of Sita\". Having said\nthis, Rama endowed with prowess, ever followed by Lakshmana, stood,\ntaking up his bow and pulling out a powerful shaft. And then that\nhigh-souled lord of Rakshasas addressed that mighty host, saying,--\"Do\nye casting off fear stay at ease, at the gateways, high ways, and the\nedifices (in Lanka). Taking note of this lapse,--_viz_., that ye have\nall come hither with me, the wood-rangers in a body, subduing the empty\ncity incapable of being withstood,--shall suddenly put (all) to\nstraits\". Then leaving those counsellors, (Ravana) on the Rakshas having\ndeparted agreeably to his injunction, dived into that ocean of monkeys,\nlike a mighty fish diving into the waves of over brimming deep. And\nseeing the lord of Rakshasas, furnished with flaming a bow and\narrows,--suddenly rushing,--the king of monkeys, uprooting a mighty\nmountain-top, darted against the sovereign of the Rakshas. And taking up\nthat mountain-peak having its sides covered with innumerable trees, he\nhurled it at the night ranger. And seeing it descend swiftly, (Ravana)\nin battle severed the same by means of gold-knobbed shafts. And on that\ngigantic peak furnished with fair sides filled with trees, falling to\nthe earth, severed in pieces,--the lord of Rakshasas took up an arrow,\nresembling a mighty serpent and having the splendour of the Destroyer\nhimself. And taking that shaft endowed with the vehemence of the wind,\nflaming like a fire aglow, and having the impetuosity of the great\nIndra's thunder-bolt, (Ravana) hurled it in rage to compass the\ndestruction of Sugriva. And even as the fierce dart discharged by\nGuha[184] had pierced Krauncha,[185] that shaft shot by Ravana, rushing\nin violence at Sugriva possessed of a person having the touch of Sakra's\nthunder-bolt, pierced it. Thereat, agonised by the shaft, that hero,\nwith his senses bewildered, dropped down to the ground with shrieks. And\nseeing him down on the earth bereft of his senses, the Yatudhanas were\nfilled with rejoicing. And then Gavaksha and Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha,\nJyotimukha and Nala, uprooting crags and magnifying their bodies, rushed\nagainst the lord of Rakshasas. And the lord of Rakshasas with hundreds\nof shafts having sharpened heads, rendered their strokes fruitless. And\nthen he rived those foremost of monkeys with showers of arrows having\nvariegated golden knobs, and covered those fierce monkey-ranks with\nnetworks of arrows. And on being sore assailed and falling in\nconsequence, those heroes, the monkeys, pierced with terrific arrows,\nand distressed with the shafts of Ravana, emitting cries, sought the\nshelter of Rama worthy of being sought. Then the high-souled and\nexcellent bowman--Rama,--taking his bow, at once sallied forth. And\nthereat, Lakshmana, approaching Rama, with joined hands addressed him\nwords couching prime import. \"O noble one, I alone am fit to compass the\ndestruction of this wicked-minded one. I will slay him. Do thou, O\nmaster, permit me\". To him replied Rama of exceeding energy, having\ntruth for his prowess,--\"Go then, O Lakshmana, and put forth thy utmost\nexertions in the encounter. Ravana is forsooth endowed with mighty\nenergy, and his prowess in battle is wonderful. Without doubt, when\nenraged, he is incapable of being borne by this triple world. Do thou\nkeep an eye on his shortcomings as thou shouldst watch thine own\nfailings. Being always on the alert, thou must with thy eyes as much as\nthy bow protect thyself\". Hearing Raghava's speech, Sumitra's son,\nembracing Rama, and saluting him and paying him his respects, went forth\nto battle. And (going unto the field), he found Ravana, endowed with\narms resembling the trunks of elephants,--wielding his dreadful and\nflaming bow, and covering with showers of arrows those monkeys, whose\nbodies had been swarming with shafts. And seeing Ravana, the exceedingly\npowerful Hanuman--son unto the Wind-god--resisting that downpour of\narrows, charged him vehemently. And coming at his car, the intelligent\nHanuman, uplifting his right arm and terrifying Ravana,\nsaid,--\"Incapable of being slain by gods, Danavas or Gandharvas, Yakshas\nor Rakshasas,--Fear hath (at last) found thee, coming even from monkeys.\nThis my upraised right arm furnished with five fingers, shall rob thee\nof thy soul long resident (in thy body)\". Hearing Hanuman's speech,\nRavana possessed of dreadful prowess, with his eyes reddened in wrath,\nsaid these words,--\"Strike thou swift maugre fear; and acquire lasting\nrenown. And, O monkey, having (at first) taken the measure of thy might,\nwill I finish thee\". Hearing Ravana's words, the offspring of the\nWind-god said,--\"(First) remember thou thy son--Aksha--slaughtered by\nme!\" Thus addressed, the exceedingly energetic lord of the Rakshasas\npossessed of prowess dealt a slap unto the offspring of the Wind-god.\nAnd struck with his slap, he shook momentarily. And staying for a moment\nand calling up fortitude, that magnanimous one administered a slap unto\nthe foe of the immortals. And hit by the highsouled monkey, the\nTen-necked one trembled, as trembleth a mountain during an earthquake.\nAnd witnessing Ravana struck with a slap (by Hanuman) saints and Siddhas\nand celestials and the Asuras shouted in glee. Then attaining a little\nrespite, Ravana said,--\"Well done, O monkey. In prowess thou art a foe I\npride in\". Thus addressed by Ravana, the Wind-god's son said,--\"Fie on\nmy prowess, seeing that thou breathest yet, O Ravana. Strike at the same\ntime, O perverse one. Why dost thou bluster? And then my blow shall\ndespatch thee to the mansions of Yama\". And at the speech of the\nWind-god's son, his ire flamed up. And then that one endowed with\nprowess, clenching his right fist carefully, let it alight amain on the\nmonkey's chest. And hit at his spacious chest, Hanuman shook over and\nover again. And seeing the mighty Hanuman overwhelmed, that powerful\ncar-warrior ascended on his car, approached Nila. And the powerful lord\nof Rakshasas--the Ten-necked one--made that general of\nforces--Nila--aflame with dreadful shafts entering into the vitals,\nresembling snakes. And assailed with shafts, Nila--leader of\nmonkeys--with one arm took up a mountain-top and hurled it at the lord\nof Rakshas. And the energetic and high-minded Hanuman, attaining\nrespite, eager for encounter, seeing (the fight between the Rakshasa and\nthe monkey), wrought up with rage, said,--\"It is not meet for me to\nattack Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--engaged with Nila\". And the highly\npowerful Ravana, by means of seven shafts with sharpened points, hit at\nthe mountain-top; and shivered in pieces, it fell (to the earth). And\nseeing that mountain peak shattered, that general of the\nmonkey-forces--slayer of hostile heroes--flamed up in wrath like the\nfire at the universal wreck. And in that encounter Nila discharged\nAcwakarna trees, and _Salas_, and mangoes in full flower, and various\nother trees. And Ravana, getting at the trees, severed them (by means of\nhis arrows), and poured on the Fire-god's son terrific showers of\nshafts. And assailed with fearful showers of arrows as with a mass of\nclouds, that one endowed with eminent strength, decreasing his\ndimensions, dropped on the top of Ravana's banner. And seeing the son of\nthe Fire-god descend on the top of his banner. Ravana was fired with\nire, and Nila shouted (thereat). And seeing the monkey (now) at the top\nof the banner, and (now) at the end of his bow, and (now) at the crest\nof his tiara, Lakshmana and Hanuman and Rama were struck with\nastonishment. And also Ravana endowed with exceeding energy, astonished\nat the lightness of the monkey, took up a wonderful flaming fiery\nweapon. And the monkeys seeing Ravana bewildered, and delighted thereat,\nset up shouts. And Ravana encaged at the shouts of the monkeys, with his\nheart overwhelmed with agitation, could not address himself to any\neffort. And then taking a fiery shaft and setting the same on his bow,\nthe night-ranger gazed at Nila. And the exceedingly energetic lord of\nthe Rakshasas said,--\"O monkey, by virtue of thy skill in illusion, thou\nart furnished with lightness. But, O monkey, if thou canst, preserve thy\nlife. Thou transformest thyself into many shapes. Yet this shaft of mine\ndischarged from my weapon, shall deprive of thy life thee that art\npreserving it\". Having said this, the mighty-armed Ravana--lord of the\nRakshasas--fixing his shaft on his bow, shot it at the general. And\nNila, struck at the chest with that arrow, which had been shot (by\nRavana), burning, suddenly fell down to the earth. And by virtue of the\ngreatness of his sire and also of his own energy, he went to the earth\non his knees, but was not utterly deprived of life. And seeing the\nmonkey deprived of his senses, the Ten-necked one, eager for encounter,\nriding a car emitting a rattle resembling the rumbling of clouds, darted\nagainst Sumitra's son. And entering into the arena of fight and posted\nthere flaming, the powerful lord of the Rakshasas, baffling (the foe),\nkept stretching his bow. And as that one of immeasurable prowess kept\nstretching his bow, Sumitra's son of unflagging mettle, addressed him,\nsaying,--\"O lord of night-rangers, do thou to-day try me in encounter.\nThou ought not to strive with the monkeys\". And hearing Saumitri's\nspeech uttered in a full voice, as well as the terrific twangs of his.\nbow-string, that Raksha--the king--approaching Sumitra's son staying in\nthe field, spoke unto him wrathfully,--\"O Raghu's son, by my luck hast\nthou of perverse sense, finding thy fate come within the range of my\nken. This very instant, tormented with the springes of my shafts, thou\nwilt repair to the regions of Death\". Thereat, Sumitra's son, without\nbeing overwhelmed with wonder (on witnessing Ravana's prowess),\naddressed that one furnished with large and sharp teeth,--setting up\nroars,--\"O king, those who are (really) endowed with prowess, do not\nstorm. O prince of sinners, in vain thou vauntest. O lord of Rakshasas,\nI know thy prowess and strength and energy and vigor. Here am I\nstationed, bow and shafts in hand. Come thou. What is the use of\nvain-glorious self-laudation?\" Thus accosted, the Raksha monarch,\ngrowing wroth, discharged seven shafts furnished with knobs. Thereupon\nLakshmana split them up with sharp-pointed arrows having variegated\ngolden knobs. And they suddenly severed like powerful serpents cut off,\nLanka's lord came under the sway of passion, and discharged other\nwhetted arrows. And Rama's younger brother poured showers of arrows from\nhis bow; and, planting himself at his post, cut off those arrows (of his\nadversary) by means of razors, and crescents, and excellent _karnas_ and\ndarts. And seeing his arrowy net-works rendered ineffectual, that enemy\nof the celestials--the king--was seized with wonderment, and again shot\nsharpened arrows. And Lakshmana also, resembling Indra the Great,\nsetting on his bow sharpened, sharp-pointed, flaming, and luminous\nshafts, endowed with the dreadful vehement impetus of the thunder-bolt,\ndischarged (them), to compass the destruction of the lord of Rakshas.\nAnd thereat the Rakshasa sovereign cut off those whetted arrows; and\nsmote Lakshmana in the forehead with an arrow resembling the Fire of\nDooms-day in energy,--which had been conferred on him by the\nSelf-create. And Lakshmana, tortured with Ravana's arrow, shook, loosely\nholding his bow; and then recovering his consciousness after undergoing\nextreme agony, he severed the bow of the foe of the foremost of\ncelestials. And having cut off Ravana's bow, Dacarathas son hit (him)\nwith three sharp-pointed arrows. And the king smarting under the shafts,\nwith much ado regained his consciousness. And the enemy of the immortals\nof terrific power with his bow severed, and himself hit with shafts, and\nhis body covered with fat, and himself washed in blood, took up a dart\nconferred on him by the Self-create. And the sovereign of the Rakshasas\nand their lord in that encounter hurled at Sumitra's son the dart\nresembling smoking fire, sending up living flames, and striking terror\ninto the monkeys. And as it coursed on, Bharata's younger brother\nresisted it with arrows resembling a sacrificial flame. Yet the dart\npierced into the broad arm[186] of Dacaratha's son. And smit with the\ndart, that hero of the Raghu race, although possessed of strength, was\naglow. And the king at once with his arms seized that one, who had been\ndeprived of his senses. But he that could with his arms wield Himavan or\nMandara or Meru or the triple world itself along with the immortals,\ncould not (for all his strength) lift up Bharata's younger brother. And\nhit at his chest by the dart of Brahma, Sumitra's son remembered that he\nwas verily a portion of Vishnu himself. And pressing hard Sumitra's\nson--that humbler of the hauteur of the Daityas, that thorn in the sides\nof the celestials--could not move him (from his place). And then the\nWind-god's offspring waxing wroth rushed at Ravana, and overwhelmed with\nrage smote at his chest with his clenched fist resembling the\nthunder-bolt. And boxed (by Hanumana), Ravana--lord of the\nRakshasas--went down to the ground on his knees, and shook and dropped\nto the earth. And blood gushed out in streams from his mouths and eyes\nand arms; and staggered and senseless, he sat down on the platform of\nhis car. And he was rendered insensible with his senses lost; and he\nknew not where he was. And seeing Ravana endued with terrific prowess,\nrendered insensible in the encounter, saints and monkeys and gods with\nthe Asuras set up shouts. And then the energetic Hanuman taking\nLakshmana racked by Ravana, with his arms brought him before Raghava.\nAnd albeit incapable of being moved by the foes, (Lakshmana), on account\nof the friendship of the Wind-god's offspring as well as the high\nreverence in which he was held by Hanuman, became extremely light to the\nmonkey. And then that dart, renouncing Sumitra's son vanquished in\nfight, again sought its place in Ravana's car. And the exceedingly\npowerful Ravana, recovering his consciousness in that dread encounter,\ntook up whetted shafts and seized a mighty bow. And that finisher of\nfoes--Lakshmana--recovered the exercise of his senses, and had his\nentire person perfectly healed,--on his recalling that he verily was a\npart and parcel of Vishnu himself. And witnessing the mighty army of the\nmonkeys and the redoubted heroes brought down in the conflict, Raghava\nrushed at Ravana. Thereat drawing near to him, Hanuman said unto\nhim,--\"It behoveth thee to chastise the foe ascending my back, even as\nVishnu chastiseth the enemies of the immortals, riding Garutman\".\nHearing the words spoken by Hanuman, Raghava at once got up on that\ngigantic monkey; and that master of men beheld Ravana in battle. And\nseeing him, that highly powerful one darted against Ravana, even as the\nenraged Vishnu had rushed against Virochana's son,[187] upraising his\nweapons. And he sharply twanged his bow-string sounding like the\nterrific crash of thunder; and then in solemn tones, Rama addressed the\nlord of Rakshasas, saying,--\"Stay, stay, having done me such wrong.\nRepairing whither, shalt thou, O powerful Rakshasa, attain respite? Even\nif thou shouldst seek Yama or Indra or the Sun--son unto Vivacwan--or\nthe Self-sprung or the Fire-god or Sankara himself,--or go to the ten\ncardinal points in ten portions,--yet shalt thou not, so resorting,\nattain deliverance. And (Lakshmana), going forth to the fight, hath been\nwounded with the dart and hath suddenly been stupified. But, O king of\nthe Rakshas, to-day in conflict Death shall claim for his own thee and\nthy sons and grandsons. By me with my shafts have been slaughtered four\nand ten thousand Rakshas residing in Janasthana, wielding excellent\nweapons\". Hearing Raghava's words, the exceedingly strong lord of the\nRakshasas, overwhelmed with a mighty wrath, recalling enmity agone, with\nburning shafts resembling the fire of Doom hit in encounter the\nexceedingly impetuous offspring of the Wind-god, who was bearing\nRaghava. And although struck and resisted by the Rakshasa with arrows,\nthe energy of that one, endowed by nature with prowess--increased\ngreatly. And the exceedingly energetic Rama, on seeing that foremost of\nthe monkeys wounded by Ravana, was mastered by wrath. And Rama, closing\nwith his enemy, by means of whetted arrow-points severed in pieces his\ncar together with the wheels and the steeds, the banner, the umbrella,\nand the majestic streamer, as well as with the charioteer and the\nthunder-bolts and darts and swords. And then as the reverend Indra\ncleaveth Meru with his thunder-bolt, (Raghava) swiftly smote on Ravana's\nspacious and shapely chest with a shaft resembling Vajra and the thunder\nholt. And--that the king hero--who had not smarted nor shaken under the\nimpetus of Vajra and the thunder-bolt,--assailed with the arrow of Rama\nand agonised in consequence, shook and lost hold of his bow. And seeing\nhim overwhelmed, Rama took up a flaming half-moon, and with the same at\nonce severed the sun-bright tiara of the high-souled sovereign of the\nRakshasas. And Rama in the encounter addressed the lord of Rakshasas,\nresembling a serpent bereft of venom, shorn of his splendour, like unto\nthe sun shrouded (in mist),--without his wonted grace, and having his\nentire tiara riven--saying,--\"Thou hast (in battle) performed high and\ndreadful deeds,--and hast also (in the conflict) slain my foremost\nheroes. And therefore I know thou art fatigued. And for this reason it\nis that I will not with my shafts bring thee to the door of Death. Go\nthou. I know[188] that thou art worn out with fight. Therefore, O king\nof night-rangers, enter Lanka. Having a little respite, do thou depart\non thy car along with thy bowmen. Afterwards, mounted on thy car, shalt\nthou behold my power\". And thus addressed, the king, with his pride and\njoy defeated, with his bow severed, and his steeds and charioteer\nkilled, himself smarting under shafts,--and having his crown\nsplintered,--speedily entered Lanka. And on that foe of the deities and\nthe Danavas--the puissant lord of the night-rangers--entering (into\nLanka), Rama rendered the monkeys along with Lakshmana hale in that\nfierce conflict. And at the break-down of that foe of the immortals, the\ncelestials and the Asuras, the ghosts and the Cardinal points, and all\nthe mighty serpents together with the oceans and the creatures\ninhabiting earth and water, felt exceedingly delighted.\n\n[179] The mountain so named.\n\n[180] This meaning is the commentator's.\n\n[181] Some other than the celebrated hero slain by Rama at the very\n outset of his sojourn in Dandaka.--T.\n\n[182] On account of lapises set on it.\n\n[183] Having, according to the commentator, _goodly_ persons. But\n _dehavadvi_ is literally _having bodies_; and this sense, with\n reference to spirits, I fancy, fits in with the context.--T.\n\n[184] The generallissimo of the celestials.\n\n[185] The mountain so named.\n\n[186] _Bhujantaram_ is vague. It may also mean _the chest_.--T.\n\n[187] The Asura--Vali.\n\n[188] _Janami_--lit. _I know_. The commentator says that here this word\n means _I permit_. But the literal sense answers.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LX.\n\n\nAnd entering the city of Lanka, the king afflicted with the fear of\nRama's arrows, with his pride humbled, was undergoing great torments.\nAnd overpowered by the high-souled Raghava, the king resembled an\nelephant defeated by a lion or a serpent defeated by Garuda. And\nremembering Raghava's arrows resembling a comet risen at the universal\nwreck, and of the splendour of live lightning, the Rakshasa-chief was\naggrieved. And seated on a superb golden seat, Rama, eying the\nRakshasas, spoke,--\"Forsooth all the austere asceticism I have performed\ngoeth for nothing, for although resembling the redoubtable Indra, I have\nbeen overcome by a mortal. And this dire speech of Brahma also reverts\nto my remembrance,--'Know thou that thy fear cometh from a human being.\nThou art incapable of being slain by deities and Danavas, Gandharvas,\nYakshas, Rakshasas and serpents. But thou hast not asked for immunity\nfrom men.' And I deem even this son of Dacaratha as the occasion of my\nfear. And I was formerly cursed by that lord of the Ikshwaku\nline--Anaranya--saying,--'O worst of Rakshasas, a person shall spring in\nmy race, who, O wicked-minded one, shall slay thee in battle along with\nthy sons and courtiers and forces and horses and charioteers.' And I was\nalso cursed by Vedavati, who was formerly outraged by me. And she is\n(perchance) born as the exalted daughter of Janaka. And what had also\nbeen uttered by Uma and Nandicwara and Rambha and Varuna's\ndaughter,[189] hath come to pass.[190] And taking note of this, ye\nshould strive (to the uttermost.) And let the Rakshasas be posted at the\ngateways, highways, and the walls. And do ye wake up that destroyer of\nthe pride of the deities and the Danavas--Kumbhakarna, endowed with\nunparalleled gravity, overwhelmed with the curse of Brahma\". And seeing\nhimself worsted and Prahasta also slain, that Raksha endowed with\ndreadful power issued his orders to that fearful force. \"Do ye\nvigilantly guard the gates and mount the wall. And do ye wake up\nKumbhakarna come under the sway of slumber. And deprived of his senses\nthrough lust, he sleepeth secure. And the Rakshasa sometimes sleepeth\nnine, seven, ten, or eight months away. Of measureless might he hath\nslept for nine months. And foremost of all the Rakshasas in fight, that\nlong-armed one shall speedily slay the monkeys as well as the princes.\nHe is a very banner in battle, and the crown of all the Rakshas. But\nintent on common pleasure, Kubhakarna, with his senses stupified,\nsleepeth ever. I have been worsted in fierce fight by Rama; but on\nKumbhakarna being awakened, my grief shall go. If he doth not help me in\nsuch high peril, what shall I do with his strength resembling the\nstrength of Sakra himself?\" Hearing the speech of the lord of the\nRakshasas, the Rakshasas, bestirring themselves, went to the abode of\nKumbhakarna. And desired by Ravana, those feeding on flesh and blood\nwent off hurriedly, taking perfumes and wreaths and a mass of food. And\nentering Kumbhakarna's charming cave having a wide gateway, measuring a\n_yojana_ breathing around perfumes of flowers,--those highly powerful\nones, pushed off by Kumbhakarna's breath, with the utmost energy they\ncould summon up stood their ground and entered the cave. And then\nentering that charming cave having floors paved with gold and gems,\nthose Nairitas endowed with great strength, saw that one of dreadful\nprowess, lying down. And then they together set about waking up the\nslumbering Kumbhakarna looking like a hill extended,--and sunk in\nprofound slumber; with his body having its down standing on end; lying\ndown; like a sighing serpent; rolling people[191] with his powerful\nbreath,--reposing; possessed of dreadful prowess; having a huge nose; of\na person vast as the nether sphere; lying stretched at length; smelling\nof fat and blood; decked with golden _angadas_; and waring a diadem\nendowed with the splendour of the Sun. And (they) saw that subduer of\nenemies and foremost of Nairitas--Kumbhakarna. And then they piled up\nMeru-like animals for conferring rare gratification, and heaps of deer\nand buffaloes and boars. And the Rakshasas made an astounding heap of\nrice. And then the enemies of the immortals put up before Kumbhakarna\njars of blood and various kinds of food, and smeared that repressor of\nfoes with excellent sandal, and made him inhale perfumes and the aroma\nof wreaths. And they made (the place) rife with the incense of _dhupa_,\nand extolled that smiter of enemies. And then the Yatudhanas roared\naround here and there like clouds. And they winded conchs beaming\nmoon-like. And they incapable of being beaten shouted in full chorus.\nAnd the night-rangers shouted and struck at their arms with their hands\nand began to pull him. And for rousing Kumbhakarna, mighty was the din\nthat they raised. And hearing those loud sounds of conchs and drums and\n_panavas_; and those proceeding from persons striking at their arms with\ntheir hands; and leonine roars,--rushing on all sides and riving the\nvery heavens,--birds suddenly dropped down. And when the high-souled\nKumbhakarna sleeping soundly did not awake at that terrific tumult, the\nRakshasas took up _Bhushandis_[192] and maces. And then the Rakshasas,\ndrawing near, smote Kumbhakarna sleeping sweetly in the chest with\nmountain-peaks, maces and clubs. But the Rakshasas could not stay before\nKumbhakarna owing to the hurricane heaving at his breath. Then\ntightening their cloth[193] (about their waist), those Rakshasas of\ndreadful prowess sounded _mridangas_ and _panavas_, conchs and kumbhas.\nAnd ten thousand Rakshasas together surrounded that one resembling a\nheap of dark-blue collyrium and fell to rousing him. But albeit assailed\nwith shouts and smit with weapons, he did not wake up. And when they\nsucceeded not in rousing him, they more than ever exerted themselves.\nAnd then they smote him with horses and camels, and mules and snakes,\nrods and lashes and hooks, and with might and main sounded kettledrums\nand conchs and _mridangas_. And they struck his body with innumerable\nhuge blocks of wood. And summoning up their dearest energy, they dealt\nhim blows with maces and clubs. And at that mighty uproar, entire Lanka\nwas filled with her woods and hills; yet he did not wake up. And then\nthey simultaneously sounded a thousand kettle-drums beaten with sticks\nof polished gold. And coming under the sway of the curse,[194] when that\none sunk in slumber did not wake up, the night-rangers were wrought up\nwith wrath. And overcome with choler, they endowed with dreadful prowess\naddressed themselves vigorously to awakening him; and others put forth\ntheir energy. And others smote the kettle-drums, and others set up loud\ncries. And others cut off his hair, and others bit his ears. And others\npoured into his ears a thousand vessels of water. But Kumbhakarna come\nunder the spell of a mighty slumber did not wink. And others--strong\nones--armed with poniards (_kutas_) and maces, made their poniards and\nmaces alight on his person. And struck with _sataghnis_ bound with\ncords,[195] that huge-bodied one did not wake up. And then when a\nthousand elephants rushed against his body, recovering his\nconsciousness, he awoke. And assailed with mountain-peaks and trees\ndescending on his body, he, without minding those tremendous blows,--on\nsleep having been dispelled, suddenly got up, yawning,--suffering the\npangs of hunger. And then that night-ranger resembling an elephant or a\nserpent or a mountain-peak, casting about his arms superior in force to\nthe thunder-bolt itself, and opening his deformed mouth like unto that\nof a mule, yawned (again and again). And as he yawned, his mouth\nresembling the subterraneous regions, looked like the Sun stationed at\nthe summit of Meru. And that night-ranger possessed of unwieldly\nstrength woke up, yawning. And the breath that he breathed resembled a\nstorm raging in a mountain. And then as he sat up, Kumbhakarna's form\nappeared like that of the Destroyer himself at the universal\nwreck,--intent upon consuming all creatures. And the large eyes of that\none, resembling a live flame and endowed with the splendour of\nlightning, appeared like a pair of glowing planets. And then they\npointed unto him all those heaps of edibles, various and profuse,--bears\nand buffaloes,--and that powerful (Rakshasa) fell to. And hungering, he\nfed on flesh and athirst, drank blood. And then that enemy of Sakra\ndrank vesselfuls of fat and blood. And concluding that he was replete,\nthe night rangers came up; and bowing down their heads, stood circling\nhim on all sides. And then with his eyes discolored and drooping from\ndrowsiness, he casting his eyes around, addressed those night-rangers.\nAnd that foremost of Nairitas cheered all those Nairitas; and surprised\nat his having been roused,--spoke unto the Rakshasas,--\"Why, being\nhonored, have I been awakened by you? Is it well with the king? Or hath\nany fear sprung up here? Or hath a mighty fear presented itself forsooth\nfrom among others; for which I have been speedily awakened by you? This\nvery day will I uproot quite the fear of the sovereign of the Rakshasas.\nI will split up the great Indra himself,--or make Fire himself give up\nhis heat. One doth not awaken my like for a light cause. Therefore do ye\ngive the real truth of the cause of your awakening me\". Thereat a\nminister of the king, named Yupaksha, with joined hands said unto that\nhumbler of foes--Kumbhakarna--wrought up with wrath, who was thus\nspeaking,--\"No fear anywise springs to us from the Deities. But, O king,\na great fear doth cross us, coming from a mortal. And never fear so\ncometh unto us anywise from Daityas or Danavas, as it hath arrived from\na man, O king. This Lanka hath been hemmed in by monkeys resembling\nmountains. And terrific is the terror that cometh even from Rama\nscorched with fire springing from the ravishment of Sita. Ere this by a\nsingle monkey was this splendid city burnt down. And the prince Aksha\nhath been slain along with his following and elephants. And that thorn\nin the sides of deities, that lord of the Rakshasas--Pulasta's son\nhimself--hath been set free in conflict by Raghava endowed with the\nsplendour of the Sun,--saying---'Go thou.' And what had been done unto\nthe king by neither the gods nor the Daityas nor yet the Danavas, hath\nbeen done by Rama; and he hath been set free, having come to a pass\nimperilling his life\". Hearing Yupaksha's speech and hearing of the\ndefeat of his brother, Kumbhakarna, with his eyes whirling, spoke unto\nhim, saying,--\"To day, O Yupaksha, after vanquishing in battle the\nmonkey-army together with Lakshmana and Raghava, shall I see Ravana. And\nI shall regale the Rakshasas with the flesh and blood of the monkeys,\nand myself drink the blood of Rama and Lakshmana\". Hearing his words as\nhe haughtily spoke thus with his spirit of insolence magnified by much,\nthat foremost of the Nairita soldiers, Mahodara, with joined hands\nobserved,--\"O long-armed one, having at first heard Ravana's words and\nconsidered their justice or otherwise, thou wilt afterwards defeat the\nfoe in fight\". Hearing Mahodara's words, the exceedingly energetic and\nmighty (Kumbhakarna) surrounded by the Rakshasas, prepared to depart.\nAnd having roused from his slumbers that one of terrific prowess having\ndreadful eyes,--the Rakshasas speedily arrived at the residence of the\nTen-necked one. And presenting themselves before the Ten-necked one\nseated on a superb seat, all the night-rangers spoke with joined\nhands,--\"O lord of the Rakshasas, thy brother, Kumbhakarna, hath been\nroused. Shall he march from there; or wilt thou see him come here?\"\nThereat, Ravana, pleased, spoke unto those Rakshasas who had presented\nthemselves,--\"I wish to see him here, and do ye honor him fittingly\".\nThereat, saying 'So be it', the Rakshasas, directed by Ravana, going\nback, spoke unto Kumbhakarna,--\"That foremost of all the Rakshasas--the\nking--wisheth to see thee. So mind thou going, and gladden thy brother\".\nAnd the irrepressible Kumbhakarna possessed of prodigious prowess,\nlearning the mandate of his brother, saying,--'So be it,'--rose up from\nhis bed. And washing his face, and having bathed, that one, feeling\nrefreshed and enjoying exceeding exhilaration of spirit,--wishing to\ndrink, urged (the Rakshasas) to bring the nerve-conferring draught. And\nthen the Rakshasas, at the command of Ravana speedily procured wine and\nvarious kinds of viands. And having drunk two thousand vessels (of\nwine), he prepared to go. And slightly swolen and flushed, Kumbhakarna,\nattaining access of strength and fire, waxed wroth, and resembled the\nDoom and Destroyer--Yama himself. And striding to the residence of his\nbrother backed by the Raksha force, Kumbhakarna shook the earth with his\ntread. And illuming the highway with the splendour of his person, like\nthe thousand-rayed (Sun) discovering the earth with his rays,\n(Kumbhakarna) went on, engirt around by joined hands resembling\nwreaths,--like Satakratu[196] going to the abode of the Self-sprung. And\nsuddenly seeing that slayer of foes of immeasurable prowess, resembling\na mountain-summit,--walking along the highways, the wood-rangers\nstationed outside (the monkey-camp), along with the leaders of bands,\nwere seized with affright. And then some sought the shelter of Rama,\nworthy of being so sought; and some, stricken (with panic), dropped to\nthe earth; and some, suffering (from fear), lied to the cardinal points;\nand some through stress (of apprehension) lay down on the ground. And\nseeing that one resembling a very mountain-peak, decked with a diadem,\nseeming to touch the Sun himself with his energy, of colossal altitude,\nand wonderful to behold,--the wood-rangers, tormented with fright, began\nto scamper on all sides.\n\n[189] Punjikasthala.\n\n[190] Punjikasthala cursed Ravana that he should come by death if he\n should use violence on a woman against her inclination. Ravana had\n _not_ been cursed by Rambha herself, but by Nala Kuvera in _her_\n interest. 'Thy head shall be sundered in seven when thou forcest a\n female against her will.' Uma had cursed Ravana that for a woman\n he should meet with death on the shaking of the peak of\n Kailaca.--Nandicwara had cursed him that as he had slighted and\n scoffed at him, he should find his fate at the hands of the\n monkeys, being emanations of himself.--T.\n\n[191] An instance of the material sublime unsurpassed in all literature.\n Kumbhakarna himself is the emblem of the material as contrasted\n with the spiritual typified by Rama.--T.\n\n[192] A variety of the mace.\n\n[193] Another reading is, _Tatah prapuritah garham_--then densely\n filling the cave--T.\n\n[194] Brahma had cursed him, as will appear afterwards.--T.\n\n[195] What does this mean?\n\n[196] Lit. _him of an hundred sacrifices_--an appellation of Indra.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXI.\n\n\nAnd then the exceedingly energetic Rama possessed of prowess, taking his\nbow, saw Kumbhakarna, having a huge body and decked with a diadem. And\nseeing that foremost of Rakshasas looking like a mountain; filling all\nthe heavens as formerly Narayana had done; resembling clouds charged\nwith rain; and adorned with golden _angadas_,--the mighty army of\nmonkeys began to run away at the top of its speed. Seeing the army\nscamper and the Rakshasa swelling, Rama struck with surprise, said unto\nBibhishana,--\"Who is that tawney-eyed one, decked with a diadem, and\nlooking like a hill? And in Lanka the hero appeareth like a mass of\nclouds embosoming lightning. And alone he seemeth like an ensign of the\nEarth; and seeing him the monkeys dart away hither and thither. Tell me\nwho he is,--whether a Raksha or an Asura. The like of him mine eyes had\nnever before lighted on\". Accosted by the king's son--Rama of untiring\ndeeds--the exceedingly wise Bibhishana said unto Kakutstha,--\"By whom in\nbattle Vivascwata's offspring[197] and Vasava himself had been\nvanquished, this is he--the wondrous powerful Kumbhakarna--son unto\nVicravan. No Rakshasa is there that equalleth this one in size. O\nRaghava, this one in battle hath brought down Danavas and Yakshas and\nSerpents[198] and flesh-feeders and Gandharvas and Vidyadharas and\nPannagas[199] by thousands. The immortals themselves thinking the\ndart-handed and fierce-eyed Kumbhakarna possessed of great strength, as\nthe Destroyer himself,--were overwhelmed with stupor and were foiled in\ntheir exertions to slay him. The exceedingly powerful Kumbhakarna is\nmighty by nature: the strength of other redoubtable Rakshasas is owing\nto boons obtained by them. As soon as this high-souled one was born and\nwas a babe, he began to devour up countless creatures by the thousand.\nAnd on these having been devoured, creatures, afflicted with affright\nconsequent on those having been eaten up, sought the shelter of Sakra\nand told him what had happened. And thereat the great Indra, waxing\nwroth, smote Kumbhakarna with the whetted levin. And hit at with Sakra's\nthunderbolt, that high-souled (hero) shook, and in wrath set up roars.\nAnd hearing the roars of the Rakshasa--Kumbhakarna--as he kept crying,\ncreatures, seized with fear, were greatly agitated. And thereat, enraged\nwith the great Indra, the mighty Kumbhakarna plucking a tusk of\nAiravata, hurled it at Vasava's chest. And with blood overflowing his\nperson, Vasava looked as if aflame. And thereat, all of a sudden the\ngods and the Brahmarshis and the Danavas were dispirited. And then they\ninformed the lord of creatures touching the ravages of Kumbhakarna, and\ninformed the gods about Kumbhakarna's devouring up creatures, destroying\nasylums and outraging others' wives. \"If this one devour creatures\nconstantly, in a short space the world would be empty of any\". Hearing\nVasava's speech, the Great-father of all called up[200] the Rakshasas\nand saw Kumbhakarna (before him). And seeing Kumbhakarna, Prajapati[201]\nwas seized with exceeding great fear. And then, pacifying Kumbhakarna,\nthe Self-sprung addressed him, saying,--\"Forsooth for compassing the\ndestruction of creatures, hast thou been begot by Paulasta.[202]\nTherefore from this day forth, thou shalt lie down as one dead\".\nStricken with the curse of Brahma, Kumbhakarna fell down before the\nLord. Then, extremely agitated, Ravana said,--\"Thou hewest down a golden\ntree when about to bear fruit. O lord of creatures, thou ought not to\ncurse thus thine own grandson. Thy words will never go for naught; sleep\nhe will, without doubt. But do thou appoint a time for his sleeping and\none for his awaking\". Hearing Ravana's speech, the Self-sprung\nsaid,--\"Having slept for six months, he shall wake for one day. And for\na single day, that hero, coming under the influence of hunger, shall\nrange the earth, opening his mouth wide open, and devouring people like\na fire that hath spread far and wide. And now king Ravana struck with\nterror at thy prowess, encompassed with peril, hath waked up\nKumbhakarna. And that hero possessed of dreadful prowess, wrought up\nwith high wrath, sallying forth from his camp, rusheth about, eating up\nmonkeys. And soon as the monkeys see Kumbhakarna, they fly away. And How\ncan they resist in battle the enraged Kumbhakarna? Do thou tell the\nmonkeys this is an uplifted engine. Thus assured, the monkeys shall take\nheart\". Hearing Bibhishana's words informed with reason and tending to\nthe good (of the monkeys), Raghava then addressed general Nila;\nsaying,--\"Let you, monkeys, equipped with weapons and holding hill-tops\nin your hands,--and furnished with mountain-summits and trees and rocks,\nstay, occupying the highways and the bridges\". Thus instructed by\nRaghava, that powerful monkey, Nila--general of the forces--accordingly\nissued his orders to the monkey-hosts. And then Givaksha and Sarabha and\nHanuman and Angada, themselves endowed with the splendour of\nmountain-summits, taking up mountain-tops, drew towards the gateway. And\nhearing Rama's words,[203] the heroic monkeys inspired with intrepidity,\nfiercely fell on the foe with trees. And then that dreadful army of\nmonkeys, upraising crags and holding trees in their hands, appeared like\nmighty masses of scowling clouds bordering a mountain.[204]\n\n[197] Yama--son of Vivacwata or the Sun.\n\n[198] _Bhujangah_:--semi-divine serpents.\n\n[199] Semi-divine serpents.\n\n[200] _By reciting a certain scriptural formula_.\n\n[201] _Lit._--lord of creatures.\n\n[202] Vicrava.\n\n[203] Namely, \"that is an uplifted engine\".\n\n[204] This is apt, seeing that Lanka was situated on a hill.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXII.\n\n\nAnd that tiger-like Rakshasa possessed of prowess, (still) under the\ninfluence of slumber, strode along the picturesque highway. And that\nexceedingly unconquerable one, surrounded by thousands of Rakshasas,\nwent on, showered with blossoms from the houses (standing by). And then\nhe saw the grand and graceful residence of the lord of the Rakshasas,\nhaving golden networks and sun-bright to behold. And entering the\nmansion of the Rakshasa sovereign, like the sun entering into a mass of\nclouds, he saw his elder brother seated at a distance; even as Sakra\nsees the Self-sprung seated. And Kumbhakarna surrounded by numbers of\nRakshasas, entered his brother's abode, making the very earth tremble\nwith his tread. And arriving at the abode and passing the entrance, he\nsaw his superior anxiously seated on the car, Pusphaka. Seeing\nKumbhakarna come, the Ten-necked one, exceedingly rejoiced, raised him\nup and drew him near himself. And then the exceedingly mighty\nKumbhakarna saluted the feet of his brother and said,--\"What dost thou\nsay?\" Thereat, delighted, Ravana, springing up, again embraced (his\nbrother). And embraced (by his brother), and duly greeted by him, that\nbrother (of Ravana)--Kumbhakarna seated himself on a shining and superb\nseat. And seating himself on that seat, the wondrous powerful\nKumbhakarna, with his eyes reddened in wrath, addressed Ravana,\nsaying,--\"O king, why, honoring me, hast thou awaked me? Tell me, whence\nspringeth thy fear? And who shall be a ghost?\"[205] Thereat, Ravana,\nwaxing wroth, and with his eyes rolling in rage, said unto Kumbhakarna,\nseated,--\"O highly powerful one, thou hast slept away a long space of\ntime. And having been asleep, thou dost not know the great fear of mine\nspringing from Rama. This graceful son unto Dacaratha possessed of\nstrength, along with Sugriva, having crossed the ocean, is destroying\nour race. Alack! see in own Lanka, woods and forests have been flooded\nwith an ocean of monkeys coming without any ado by the bridge (which\nthey have constructed). Those Rakshasas that were prime, have been slain\nin battle by the monkeys; but I find no destruction of the monkeys in\nfight. Nay, the monkeys have never been before even vanquished (by the\nRakshasas) in battle. And therefore hath this fear sprung up (in my\nheart). Save me from this, O exceedingly powerful one. Do thou now\ndestroy these. It is for this that I have roused thee. Do thou, favoring\nme, whose exchequer is empty, save this city of Lanka, having only young\nfolks and the aged left. And, O long-armed one, do thou perform thy\ndearest acts in behalf of thy brother. And, O subduer of enemies, I had\nnever before said so unto my brother. In thee is my affection and great\nis the probability of thy succeeding. In the wars of the celestials and\nAsuras, O foremost of Rakshasas, countless were the celestials that thou\nas an antagonist hadst beaten. Therefore, O thou of dreadful strength,\nsummon thy entire energy. Him find I not among all beings, who is thy\npeer in prowess. And, O lover of battle! O dear unto friends, as thou\nlikest, do this beloved good office, this prime benefit, unto me. By thy\nown energy, smite the hostile hosts, even as a mighty and strong wind\n(scattereth away) autumnal clouds.\n\n[205] _Having been slain by me._\n\n\n\nSECTION LXIII.\n\n\nHearing the lament of the king of Rakshasas, Kumbhakarna, laughing,\nsaid,--\"That evil which on the occasion of the conclave we had seen,\nhath befallen thee, who hast passed by what was fraught with thy good.\nEven as a sinner reapeth perdition, verily hath the fruit of thine\nunrighteous act found thee. At first, O mighty king, thou didst not\nponder over this course of conduct; nor, from pride of prowess, didst\nthou at all take note of the evil thereof. He that doeth last what\nshould be done first, and first what should be done last, is ignorant of\nwhat is prudence and what not. Acts not performed in harmony with season\nand place, like unto acts performed counter to season and place, are the\noccasions of misery, and resemble clarified butter poured into fire that\nhath not been sanctified. He stayeth well in the path that, in\nconsultation with his counsellors, ascertained the five ways touching\nthe three kinds of action.[206] The king that aided by his own\nintelligence as well as his counsellors acteth after reflection in\nconsonance with the science of polity, that distinguished his friends\n(from his foes), and, lord of the Rakshasas, that seasonably[207]\npursueth righteousness, or profit, or desire,--or any two, or all these\ncombined,--truly hath understanding.[208] But the king or the\nheir-apparent, that, having heard what is prime among the three, doth\nnot understand, hath spent his time in vain on his erudition. He that,\ncontrolling his own self, consulteth with his counsellors seasonably\ntouching gift, forbearance, difference and prowess, as well as virtue,\nprofit and desire,--doth not in this world come by calamity. Perceiving\nthe fair fruit (of a line of action) accruing to him here, a king should\nact in consultation with counsellors endowed with intelligence and\nversed in the import of things. Not understanding the sense of the\nscriptures, persons possessed of beastly intelligence,--entering into\nthe heart of their counsellors,--are inspired with a desire of speaking\nout of sheer volubility.[209] Albeit uttered needfully, the speech of\nthose that are ignorant of learning and the knowledge of the sense of\nthings,--and who are intent upon attaining abounding affluence,--should\nnot be acted upon. And those--spoilers of business--who from\nrecklessness talk of pernicious as if profitable,--should certainly be\nrejected as counsellors. Some counsellors--destroyers of their\nmasters--joining intelligent enemies (of their lords), act in a way\nopposed to their interests in this world. Their lords, at the hour of\nconsultation, by their behaviour should know these counsellors--enemies\nin the guise of friends--who have been won over (by the opposite party).\nEven as the fowls of the air enter the hole in the Krauncha,[210]\nenemies find an easy entrance into the shortcomings of him that is\nfickle[211] and that rusheth into act without heed. He that disregarding\nhis foe, omitteth to guard himself, cometh by disasters and loseth his\nplace. Even what had been advanced by thy beloved[212] and my younger\nbrother, is fraught with our welfare. Do thou now what thou wishest\".\nHearing Kumbhakarna's words, the Ten-necked one knit up his brows, and,\nwrought up with wrath, said unto him,--\"I am worthy of being honored by\nthee, like thy superior. What needs this verbal travail? Do thou what is\nfit. Vain is the mention now of what I did either through stupor or\ndelusion or pride of prowess. Now bethink thee of what is proper. Do\nthou through thy prowess assuage the sorrow of mine springing from my\nimpolitic conduct, if thou cherishest any feeling for me, if thy\nstrength stayeth, and if thou deemest this business of mine as by far\nmore momentous unto thee. He is a friend that succoureth one fallen in\ndistress and is undergoing affliction; and he acts friendly that helpeth\na person lapsing from the path of morality\". As he was speaking thus in\nwords sedate yet severe, Kumbhakarna, concluding that Ravana was\ndelighted, made his remarks mildly. And seeing his brother extremely\nsorry, Kumbhakarna, pacifying him, gently said,--\"O king, intently hear\nmy words, O repressor of foes! O lord of Rakshasas, banish this sorrow,\nand casting away thy wrath, return thou to nature. And, O king, so long\nas I live, thou must not suffer thy heart to fare thus. Him will I slay\nfor whom thou grievest. But whatever condition thou mayst be in, I must\ntell what is for thy welfare; and therefore from sentiment of friendship\nas well as from fraternal affection I have spoken thus unto thee, O\nking. And what a friend from affection should do at a time like this, I\nshall do the same. See the havock I spread among the foes in fight. And,\nO long-armed one, behold, on Rama having been slain by me on the edge of\nbattle along with his brother, the monkey-army in headlong flight. And\nto-day seeing Rama's head brought by me from the field, be thou, O\nlong-armed one, happy; and let Sita be overwhelmed with woe. And let\nthose Rakshasas in Lanka who have had their kindred slain (in battle),\nsee that dear sight--Rama slain (in fight). And to-day shall I slaying\nthe enemies in battle, wipe the tears of those who mourn their friends\nslain and are overwhelmed with grief. To-day behold the lord of\nmonkeys--Sugriva--resembling a mountain or a mass of clouds lighted up\nby (the living) sun,--lying stretched on the field. But why, O sinless\none, albeit comforted by these Rakshasas eager for slaying Dacaratha's\nson, as well as by me,--dost thou persist in thy sorrow? Raghava\nforsooth shall slay thee after slaying me. But, O lord of Rakshasas, I\ncannot come by grief[213] (at Raghava's hands). O repressor of foes, do\nthou now command me, O thou of unparalleled prowess, thou needst not\nthyself face the foe in fight. I shall abolish thy foes endowed with\nredoubted might. If even Sakra himself, and Yama, and the god of Fire,\nand the god of Wind, and Kuvera, and Varuna--shall range themselves\nagainst me, them shall I encounter in fight. Purandara himself is seized\nwith fright at sight of me, having a body measuring a\nmountain,--equipped with sharpened spears,--furnished with sharp\nteeth,--and setting up shouts. And who wishing to save himself shall be\nable to stay before me as I casting away my weapons keep pounding my\nenemies with celerity? No need of the dart, or the mace, or the sword,\nor whetted arrows. I shall with my bare arms alone slay (Rama) along\nwith the thunderer himself. If Raghava bear the impetus of my blows,\nthen shall the vollies of my shafts drink his life-blood. Why, O king,\nwhile I remain, dost thou burn in anxiety? And I am ready to sally out\nfor compassing the destruction of thine enemies. Cast off all terror of\nRama. I shall slay in battle Raghava and Lakshmana and the exceedingly\npowerful Sugriva and the Raksha-destroying Hanuman, who made Lanka\nblaze. I shall eat up the monkeys present in the encounter. And signal\nis the celebrity that I shall confer on thee. And, O king, if thy fear\nsprings from Indra or the Self-create, even the immortals shall measure\ntheir lengths on the earth when I am wrought with rage. And I shall\nsubdue Yama himself and devour the God of Fire. And I shall bring down\nthe very welkin garnished with stars. And I shall slay Satakratu and\ndrink up the abode itself[214] of Varuna. And I shall crush the\nmountains and rive the earth. And to day let all creatures as they are\nbeing eaten up, witness the prowess of Kumbhakarna, after he hath slept\nfor a long time. Even the celestial regions do not suffice for me as my\nfare. I go for securing felicity ushuring in pleasures plenteous flowing\nfrom the destruction of Dacaratha's son. And slaying Rama along with\nLakshmana, I shall eat up all the foremost of monkey-bands. Make merry,\nmy king; to-day drink Varuni. Enjoy pleasures, banishing sorrow. And\nto-day on my having despatched Rama to the mansion of Yama, Sita shall\ncome under thy control for good\".\n\n[206] The five ways are (1) the means of commencing an act (2) person,\n thing and wealth, (3) division of season and place, (4) providing\n against mischance, (5) success. The three kinds of action are\n treaty, war, etc. All this is nebulous; and the commentator is\n sadly reticent over this extremely important passage.--T.\n\n[207] Religion is to be sought in the morning, profit in the afternoon,\n and desire at night,--so the commentator.--T.\n\n[208] One is at sea in the midst of these formless generalities. The\n tantalised intellect makes a desperate attempt to grasp the body\n of the shadow seeming substance, but the empty air mocks his\n pains. A translator, however, is fast bound to the oar and must\n pull on, will be, nil he.--T\n\n[209] The sense is obscure, and the commentator does not help me.--T.\n\n[210] The hole indented by Skanda the celestial generallissimo in the\n mountain named in the text.--T.\n\n[211] _Chapala--fickle_. The commentator, however, reads between the\n lines. According to him the epithet means--_he that is pleased\n with speech immediately agreeable_. But the received sense\n answers.--T.\n\n[212] Ravana's principal queen, Mandodari.\n\n[213] _Santapam gachchheyam--come by grief_. According to the\n commentator _santapa_ means _fear_; and the sense is: _I entertain\n no fear (on account of Rama).--T._\n\n[214] Ocean.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXIV.\n\n\nHearing the speech of the huge-bodied, long-armed and mighty\nKumbhakarna, Mahodara said,--\"O Kumbhakarna, although sprung in a noble\nline, thou art wondrous haughty and of a vulgar form; and thou art not\neverywhere competent to discern thy course. It certainly cannot well be\nthat the king cannot distinguish between proper and improper; but thou\nhast from thy youth upwards been insolent; and thy joy is in talking\nperenially. But the foremost of the Rakshasas is versed in place and\nincrease and injury,--and knoweth the duties touching season and\nplace,--and how to advance his own party and lower that of the foe. But\nwhat person ever acteth according to what is proposed feebly[215] by one\nhaving strength, yet of inferior intelligence, and who hath never\nrespected the aged? And thou art not naturally competent to understand\nwhat thou thyself sayest touching the opposed virtue, profit and desire.\nVerily action is the spring of all agencies of happiness or misery; and\nit is only those that act either well or ill that reap the results of\ntheir acts. Virtue,[216] and interest[217] bring about emancipation as\nwell as heaven and prosperity. But evil cometh from unrighteousness and\nharms spring therefrom.[218] People reap the fruit of their acts in this\nworld or the next; but the fruit of desire is reaped readily. Therefore\nshould a king set about attaining his desire. And this also had we\nadvised thee with our soul. And what is the harm that one should display\nhis prowess before a foe? Dost thou show the reasons for thy taking the\nfield alone? But I shall point thee out what is improper and\nunreasonable in this (proposed) course. How shalt thou alone vanquish\nthat Raghava who formerly routed in Janasthana innumerable Rakshasas\npossessed of exceeding strength? Dost thou not to-day in the palace\nbehold those powerful Rakshasas that had been beaten in\nJanasthana,--cowed down in fear? Alas! thou wishest to awake Rama,--son\nunto Dacaratha--knowing full well that he resembles an enraged lion or a\nsleeping serpent. But whom doth it behove to confront him ever flaming\nin energy, difficult of being approached when enraged,--and unbearable\neven like Death himself? On approaching the foe, this whole host itself\nshall be imperilled; and therefore, my child, thy marching alone doth\nnowise recommend itself to me. Who is there that, albeit weak bent on\nrenouncing his life, wisheth to bring under subjection a foe that is\npowerful,--as if he would act with reference to one that is inferior? O\nforemost of Rakshasas, why dost thou wish to fight with him whose peer\nthere is none among men, and who is equal to Indra and Vivacwata\nhimself?\" Having said this unto Kumbhakarna wrought up with wrath,\nMahodara addressed that destroyer of creatures--Ravana--in the midst of\nthe Rakshasas,--\"Having already obtained Vaidehi, why dost thou delay?\nIf thou wishest it, Sita shall come under thy control. I have perceived\na way as to how Sita may smile upon thee. Do thou listen; and should it\nplease thee, act thou accordingly. Do thou proclaim it about that I and\nDwijibha and Sanhradi, and Kumbhakarna and Vitardana--these five--are\nmarching for compassing the destruction of Rama. And we, marching out,\nshall battle with Rama, putting forth our uttermost. And if we succeed\nin securing victory, no expedient need we resort to (or bringing Sita\nround). But if our foe live after fight and we also having fought the\nfight, then shall we do what I conceive in my mind. We shall come hither\nfrom the field, bathed in blood, and having our bodies cleft with arrows\nmarked with the name of Rama. And we shall give out that both Rama and\nLakshmana have been eaten up by us. And then we shall hold thy feet,\nsaying,--'Do thou gratify us.' Then, king, do thou through Gajaskandha\npublish it all round that Rama hath been slain along with his brother\nand the army. And, O repressor of foes, (pretending to be) well pleased,\ndo thou dispense--viands, and servants, and objects of enjoyments, and\nwealth unto thy retainers; and unto the many heroes and warriors\ndistribute wreaths and attires and unguents. And do thou (simulating)\ndelight, drink. And on this report--name that Rama hath been eaten up by\nthe Rakshasas along with his friends,--having spread round and round and\nentering (the acoka wood), and soothing and pacifying Sita in solitude,\nallure her with corn and riches and gems. By this deceit, O king,\nworking powerfully through Sita's sorrow, she, albeit unwilling, shall,\nhaving lost her lord, come under thy control. Losing her charming\nhusband, she from despair and female frailty, shall come under thy sway.\nHaving formerly been brought up in happiness, she, although worthy of\nfelicity, (ultimately) had come by misfortune. And now finding happiness\nto be in thy custody, she shall unreservedly come over to thee. In my\nopinion this is the properest course to follow. As soon as thou seest\nRama, evil shall befall thee. Remain here. Do not wish (to go to the\nfield). By refraining from fight, thou shalt acquire great good. And, O\nlord of people, by conquering the foe without battle, thou without\nlosing thy forces and putting thyself to peril, thou, O lord of earth,\nshalt attain fame and high religious merit, and prosperity and renown\nfor ever and for ever.\n\n[215] _Vaktum acakyam--incapable of saying_. But what sense can be\n attached to--\"What man acteth according to what is _not_ advanced\n by one having strength......aged?\" I therefore venture to render\n the passage--_feebly proposed--i.e. proposed with vascillation or\n half-heartedly.--T._\n\n[216] The maxims enunciated by this counsellor are hardly all of a\n piece. The text may have been tampered with.--T.\n\n[217] Artha means sacrifices, gifts, &c., which are capable of being\n performed with wealth. 'Sacrifice, gift, and asceticism purify the\n pious.' _The Lord's word.--T._\n\n[218] _Dharma_, remarks Ramanuja, is here used for contemplation and\n recitation of scriptural formula performed without regard to\n happiness as the fruit of those actions. This is what hath been\n termed _nishkam dharma_--disinterested piety.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXV.\n\n\nThus addressed, Kumbhakarna rebuking Mahodara, said unto that foremost\nof Rakshasa--his brother--Ravana,--\"Even I shall remove thy great fear\nby slaying the wicked-minded Rama. On thy foe having been slain, attain\nthou ease. It is not for naught that the heroes roar, like unto clouds\ncontaining no rain.[219] Behold thou their roaring resulting in action\nin the field! Heroes do not vaunt; but without boasting of their prowess\nin speech, they perform feats difficult of being achieved. O Mahodara,\nwhat thou sayest is ever acceptable only to kings that are incompetent,\nand foolish, pluming themselves on their knowledge. All the affairs of\nthe monarch have been wrecked by you--cravens in\nfight,--sleek-tongued,--following the king (fawning) ye have made Lanka\ncontain only the king, the treasury is lean; and the forces have been\nslain. By the king ye have done like foes in the guise of friends. For\nrepairing in mighty conflict the wrong that ye have perpetrated, I am\nabout to set out for battle for routing the enemy\". Thus addressed by\nthe intelligent Kumbhakarna, the lord of Rakshasas, laughing\nanswered,--\"Sure this Mahodara is affrighted at Rama. And therefore, my\nchild, O thou versed in warfare, he doth not relish battle. Like thee\nhave I none either in friendship or strength. Therefore, O Kumbhakarna,\ngo for destroying the foe and securing celebrity. I have waked thee up\nthat wast lying down, in order that thou mightst destroy the enemy. O\nsubduer of foes, perilous is the time for the Rakshasas. Go forth,\ngrasping thy spear, like the noose-handed Destroyer himself. Do thou\ndevour up the monkeys as well as the princes possessed of the energy of\nthe Sun himself. On seeing thy form, the monkeys shall flee away; and\nthe breasts of Rama and Lakshmana shall be riven\". Having spoken thus\nunto Kumbhakarna endowed with prodigious might, that foremost of\nRakshasas--the exceedingly energetic Ravana--felt as if he had received\nlife over again. And well acquainted with Kumbhakarna's might, and\nknowing his prowess, the king felt delighted, like the cloudless Moon.\nHaving been thus accosted, that highly powerful one, went out\ncheerfully.[220] And hearing the king's speech, he made ready for fight.\nAnd he took a whetted dart, destructive to foes on account of its\nimpetuous vehemence; entirely made of black iron; flaming; decorated\nwith garniture, of shining gold; looking like Indra's _acani_; ponderous\nas the thunder-bolt; capable of destroying gods and Danavas, Gandharvas,\nYakshas and Pannagas; adorned with festoons of crimson flowers; and\nbelching forth flames. And taking that huge dart decked with the blood\nof foes; the wondrous energetic Kumbhakarna spoke unto Ravana,\nsaying,--\"I shall go alone: let this mighty host remain here. To-day\nhungry and enraged, I shall devour up the monkeys. Hearing Kumbhakarna's\nwords, Ravana said,--\"Go thou, surrounded by the forces bearing darts\nand maces in their hands. The monkeys are high-souled, heroic and\nwell-skilled in battle; and if they find thee alone or unwary, they may\nslay thee with their teeth. Therefore do thou exceedingly irrisistible,\ngo, environed by the forces; and destroy the entire party of the foes,\nwho are bent upon doing harm unto the Rakshas\". Then starting up from\nhis seat, the exceedingly energetic Ravana hung on Kumbhakarna's neck a\nwreath stringed with gems in the centre. And Ravana also decked that\nhigh-souled one with _angadas_, and finger-fences, and noble ornaments,\nand a chain resembling the Moon. And Ravana adorned his person with\ngarlands gorgeous and fragrant, and set ear-rings to his ears. And\nadorned with golden _angadas_ and Keyuras and other ornaments of gold,\nthe large-eared Kumbhakarna appeared like a fire fed full of sacrificial\nlibations. And with his great dark girdle he seemed like the Mandara\nfastened by the serpent on the occasion of the churning of the sea. And\ndonning on his impenetrable golden mail, splendid like lightning, and\nshining in its own brilliance, Kumbhakarna appeared like the monarch of\nmountains enveloped with evening clouds. Having all his limbs adorned\nwith ornaments and bearing a dart in his hand, the Rakshasa resembled\nNarayana in elation of spirits, when he covered heaven and earth and the\nnether regions with three paces. And then embracing his brother and\ngoing round him and bowing down the head unto him, that exceedingly\npowerful one went out. And Ravana sent him with choice\nbenedictions,--while he caused kettle-drums and conchs to be sounded and\nforces equipped with excellent weapons, to accompany Kumbhakarna. And\nhigh-souled mighty warriors followed that foremost of heroes with\nelephants and steeds and chariots sending out rattle resembling the\nrumbling of thunder. And mounting serpents and camels and asses and\nlions and leopards and deer and birds, (Rakshasas) followed the grim\nKumbhakarna endowed with tremendous strength. And strewn with blossoms,\nand, with an umbrella held over him, that exceedingly terrible enemy of\nthe Deities and the Danavas, wielding a dart in his hand,--went out,\nmaddened with the smell of blood. And countless footmen wondrous\npowerful and mighty and dreadful and fierce-sighted Rakshasas, carrying\nweapons in their hands, went in his wake. The Rakshas measuring each\nmany a _vyama_ and red-eyed, and resembling masses of dark-blue\ncollyrium,--went out upraising darts and swords and sharpened axes and\n_bhindipalas_ and _parighas_ and maces and huge _talaskandhas_ and\nirrisistible _Kshapanis_. And the exceedingly energetic Kumbhakarna\nendowed with prodigious strength sallied forth, assuming another form\nterrific and dreadful to behold. And the gigantic huge-faced and fierce\nKumbhakarna, measuring an hundred bows in breadth and six hundred in\naltitude, having eyes resembling car-wheels, and resembling a towering\nhill, or a mountain burnt,--marshalling the Rakshas, said with a\ncomplacent countenance,--\"Like fire consuming insects, shall I to-day,\nwrought up with wroth, burn up one by one the bands of the flower of the\nmonkey-forces. But the wood-ranging monkeys have not transgressed\nanywise unto the like of us. That species is the ornament of the gardens\nattached to our residences. The cause of the seige of the city is\nRaghava along with Lakshmana. He being slain, all are slain. Therefore\nshall I slay him in battle\". As the Raksha--Kumbhakarna--was speaking\nthus, the Rakshasas sent up terrific shouts, as if making the very sea\nshake. As the intelligent Kumbhakarna sallied out speedily, dreadful\nwere the omens that presented themselves on all sides. Clouds containing\nmeteors and lightning looked dark like asses. And the earth shook with\nher oceans and woods. And fierce jackals began to cry, opening their\nflaming mouths. And birds began to wheel at the left. And as he marched\na vulture alighted on his dart. And his left eye throbbed and his left\narm shook. And a meteor dropped down with a tremendous crash. And the\nsun was bedimmed, and the air did not blow, enhancing pleasure. But\nwithout heeding these mighty omens that took place, capabale of making\npeople's down stand on end, Kumbhakarna went out, urged on by the force\nof the Finisher. And leaping over the wall with his legs, that one\nresembling a mountain saw the wonderful array of the monkeys, resembling\nclouds. And seeing that foremost of Rakshasas resembling a hill, the\nmonkeys began to disperse in all the ten cardinal directions like clouds\ndriven by the wind. And seeing that terrific host of monkeys scattering\nin all directions, like clouds broken through (by winds), Kumbhakarna\npossessed of the splendour of clouds, from joy, emitted roars like\nclouds. Hearing those terrible shouts like unto the roaring of clouds in\nthe welkin, innumerable monkeys dropped to the earth even as _sala_\ntrees that have their roots severed. And issuing forth for destroying\nthe foe, the high-souled Kumbhakarna, equipped with a tremendous\nbludgeon, struck extreme terror into the monkey-ranks, like unto the\nLord armed with the Fatal rod at the Universal wreck.\n\n[219] _i.e._ autumnal clouds and which roar but do not pour.--T.\n\n[220] He did not, however go yet awhile.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXVI.\n\n\nHaving leapt over the wall, the exceedingly powerful and gigantic\nKumbhakarna resembling a mountain-summit, speedily went out of the city.\nAnd then he sent up a mighty shout making the sea resound, and as if\ndrowning the roar of the thunder and riving mountains. And seeing that\nfierce-eyed one, incapable of being vanquished by Maghavan or Varuna or\nYama, the monkeys began to fly away. And seeing them scamper, the king's\nson--Angada--said unto Nala and Nila and Gavaksha and the mighty\nKumuda,--\"Forgetting your lineage and prowess, whither do ye, exercised\nwith fear, fly,--like inferior monkeys? Ye amiable ones, desist. Why\nshould ye save yourselves? This Raksha doth not come to fight,--this is\nonly a great phenomenon to affright. We shall by our vigor destroy this\nfearful phenomenon of the Rakshasas that hath presented itself.\nTherefore, let the monkeys desist. Cheered with much ado, the monkeys\nrallying, took up trees and advanced to the field of fight. And ceasing\nfrom flight, the wood-rangers waxing enraged, began to assail\nKumbhakarna, like unto elephants in rut. And the exceedingly strong[221]\nKumbhakarna, attacked with towering mountain-peaks and crags and trees\nwith flowering top, did not shake. And countless crags descending on his\nperson, were shattered; and trees with flowering tops, being broken,\nfell down to the earth. And incapable of containing himself (through\nrage), Kumbhakarna on his part fell to agitating the ranks of the\npowerful monkeys, even as a fire breaking out burneth down a forest. And\nmany a prime monkey, crimsoned and drenched (with blood) lay down (on\nthe ground); and many, resisted dropped to the earth, like trees bearing\ncoppery flowers. And without looking before or after, the monkeys\nbounded and rushed. And on being attacked by the Rakshasa with ease some\nof those heroes dropped into the deep, and some entered the wilderness.\nAnd some ran by the same way by which they had crossed the ocean; and\nsome with pale faces darted into downs. And some of the bears ascended\nup trees, and some took shelter in mountains. And others dropped[222]\ndown; and some ran on. And some fell down to the earth, and some lay\ninsensible[223] as if dead. Seeing the monkeys break down, Angada\naddressed them, saying,--\"Stay we shall fight. Desist, ye monkeys. Going\nround this Earth place find I none where ye may rest. Stop ye all. What\nis the need of preserving your lives. Ye poltroons, if ye fly away\nleaving your arms behind, your wives shall deride you; and that is more\npainful to honorable persons than death itself. Born in long and noble\nlines, whither go ye, suffering from fear, like abject monkeys? When\nrenouncing your prowess, ye fly away in fear, forsooth ye are base.\nWhere now is gone that talk of yours anent your nobility and the welfare\n(of your king) which you had held in society. He that liveth, despised\n(of all), hear the reproach of being a craven. Therefore do ye follow\nthe way frequented by the worthy, and cast off fear. We will either lie\ndown on the earth, being slain in consequence of our shortness of days,\nand thus attain the region of Brahma incapable of being attained by\ndastards; or achieve renown by slaying the foe in fight and slain in\nbattle, we shall enjoy the wealth of the region of heroes. Like an\ninsect coming to a glowing and flaming fire, Kumbhakarna, seeing\nKakutstha, shall not away hence living. If we save our lives by flight,\nand if the many are brought down by one, we shall lose our fame\nutterly\". As Angada decked in golden _angadas_ was saying this, the\nmonkeys, flying away spake onto that hero words not worthy of being\nspoken unto an hero,--\"Great is the havoc that the\nRakshasa--Kumbhakarna--hath spread amongst us. 'Tis not the time to\nstay: life is dear unto us\". Having said this the monkey-bands darted to\nthe ten cardinal points; as they saw that dreadful and grim-eyed one\napproach. And as those flower of the forces were on the flight, those\nheroes were made to desist by Angada with words of comfort and hope\npointing to the future. On being cheered by the intelligent son of Vali,\nall the monkey-bands stood expecting his commands.\n\n[221] _Mahavalah--plu_--evidently a misprint for _mahavalah_--sing.--T.\n\n[222] _For fighting_, remarks the commentator.\n\n[223] _Suptah--sleeping_; but here, I presume, it means _senseless_.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXVII.\n\n\nAnd having desisted on hearing the words of Angada, those huge-bodied\nones, regaining calmness, became (again) intent on fight. And attaining\nenergy at the exhortation (of Angada), and summoning up their prowess,\nthey stayed in the field agreeably to the words of the powerful Angada.\nAnd inspired with spirits, the monkeys, determined to face their fate,\nrushed into the conflict, and, casting away all care for their lives,\nentered into a furious fight (with the foe). And speedily upraising\ntrees and gigantic crags, the huge-bodied monkeys charged Kumbhakarna.\nThereat the mighty Kumbhakarna possessed of a prodigious person waxing\nwroth, taking up his mace let the same alight on the enemies. And\nattacked by Kumbhakarna, seven, eight hundreds and thousands of monkeys\nmeasure their lengths on the earth. And casting about his arms, he\nrusheth on, devouring sixteen, eight, ten, twenty or thirty. And he\ndevoured (the monkeys) like Garuda swallowing up serpents. And then\ncheered up with much ado, the monkeys meeting together, and taking trees\nand rocks in their hands, stood their ground in the van of battle. Then\nuprooting a crag, Dwivida--foremost of monkeys--resembling an extended\nmass of clouds rushed against (Kumbhakarna) having the aspect of a\nmountain-summit. And uprooting it, the monkey hurled it at Kumbhakarna.\nAnd without descending on him, the crag fell down amidst the army, and\nsmashed steeds and elephants and cans and choice chargers. And then\ntaking another mountain top, Dwivida hurled it at other Rakshas. And\nsmit with the impetus of the peak, Kumbhakarna had his chargers and his\ncharioteers slain; and the terrific field overflowed with the blood of\nRakshas. And Rakshasa car-warriors by means of arrows resembling the\nDestroyer himself, cut off the heads of the foremost monkeys who had\nbeen setting up roars. And the high-souled monkeys also, uprooting\ngiants trees, destroyed cars and horses and elephants and camels and\nRakshasas.--And remaining in the sky, Hanuman discharged at\nKumbhakarna's head mountain-peaks and rocks and various trees. And all\nthose mountain-tops he cut off with his dart; and the mighty Kumbhakarna\nalso baffled the shower of trees.--Then grasping his sharpened spear,\nKumbhakarna darted against that terrific array of monkeys. And as he\ncharged them, Hanuman armed with a mountain-peak, stood before him. And\nwaxing enraged (Hanuman) vehemently smote Kumbhakarna with a gigantic\ncrag. And overpowered by that, Kumbhakarna experienced great torments,\nand his body was covered with fat and blood. And then as Guha had\npierced Krauncha with his fierce dart, Kumbhakarna the mountain-like\nsmote the Wind-god's son in the chest with his dart resembling lightning\nor like a glowing mountain-summit. And having his mighty chest pierced\nin the mighty encounter, Hanuman, overwhelmed, and vomitting\nblood,--transported with wrath, set up roars resembling the roaring of\nthe clouds at the universal disruption. And then, beholding him in\ntorments, the Rakshas suddenly rejoiced, emitted shouts; and the monkeys\naggrieved and overcome with fright, began to fly Kumbhakarna in battle.\nAnd then the powerful Nila, arranging his forces, discharged a\nmountain-peak at the intelligent Kumbhakarna. And seeing it descend, he\ndealt it a blow; and struck by the blow, the mountain-top was shattered\nin pieces; and dropped to the earth glowing and shooting living flames.\nAnd then Rishabha and Sarabha and Nila and Gavaksha and\nGandhamadana--these five terrific monkeys--rushed against Kumbhakarna.\nAnd in the encounter those mighty monkeys began to sorely assail the\nhuge-bodied Kumbhakarna with crags and trees and slaps and kicks and\nblows. But those blows seemed to him like touches[224] and did not at\nall pain him. Then he fastened the vehement Rishabha with his arms. And\nagonised on being fastened with Kumbhakarna's arms, that foremost of\nmonkeys, the dreadful Rishabha, fell down to the earth, vomitting blood\nby his mouth. And then the enemy of Indra smit, Sarabha with blow, and\nNila, in the conflict with his thigh, struck a slap at Gavaksha. And\nsuffering great pain in consequence of the blows (dealt by Kumbhakarna\nthose monkeys), deprived of their senses and bathed in blood, dropped\ndown to the earth like Kincukas that have been cut down. And on those\nhigh-souled and mighty monkeys falling down, thousands of monkeys rushed\nat Kumbhakarna. And ascending a mountain-summit, those foremost of\nmonkeys,[225] possessed of the splendour of a mountain-peak, sprang upon\nhim and tore him with their teeth. And those foremost of monkeys\nattacked the long-armed Kumbhakarna with their claws and teeth and blows\nand arms. And then with thousands of monkeys on him that extraordinary\none that fearful Rakshasa--resembling a hill,--looked like a mountain\nwith trees on it. And like Garuda eating up serpents, that wondrous\nstrong one, wrought up with rage, devoured those monkeys, seizing them\nwith his arms. And cast by Kumbhakarna into his mouth resembling the\nnether regions the monkeys emerged from his nose and ears. And eating up\nthe monkeys, that foremost of Rakshasas resembling a hill, growing\nwroth, and fired with rage,[226] began to break the monkeys down.--And\ntransported with passion, that Rakshasa, making the earth miry with\nflesh and blood, spread among the monkey-ranks like unto the fire at the\na time of the Universal dissolution. And in that encounter, Kumbhakarna\narmed with his dart in his hand, resembled the thunder-handed Sakra, or\nthe noose-handed Destroyer himself. And as a conflagration[227] burneth\nup a withered forest in the summer, Kumbhakarna burnt that host of the\nmonkeys. And thus beaten (by Kumbhakarna), those monkeys, with their\nranks destroyed, the monkeys,[228] racked with anxiety, began to cry in\nunnatural tones. And having innumerable monkeys slain by Kumbhakarna,\nthe monkeys, aggrieved and their hearts riven with sorrow, sought the\nshelter of Raghava. Seeing the monkeys broken in the terrific encounter,\nthe son of the thunder-handed,[229] darted impetuously against\nKumbhakarna. And taking up a mighty crag, he momentarily setting up\nroars, and thereby terrorizing all the Rakshasas--followers of\nKumbhakarna, he discharged the mountain-peak right against Kumbhakarna's\ncrown.--And struck with that mountain-peak, Indra's\nenemy--Kumbhakarna--flamed up in fierce wrath. And the loud-throated\nKumbhakarna, terrifying all the monkeys vehemently darted against the\nenraged son of Vali; and then that wondrous strong one hurled his dart\nat Angada. And as the dart descended, that foremost of monkeys endowed\nwith strength,[230] and skilled in battle, evaded the weapon from his\nfleetness. And then swiftly springing up, he slapped (his antagonist) in\nthe chest. And thereat that one resembling a hill, lost his senses. And\nrecovering his senses, that exceedingly strong Rakshasa, dealt a blow at\nAngada; and the latter dropped down senseless. And on that powerful\nmonkey falling down insensible, Kumbhakarna, taking his dart, rushed\nagainst Sugriva. And seeing the exceeding stout Kumbhakarna approach,\nthe heroic king of monkeys--Sugriva--sprang up; and taking a\nmountain-top that one possessed of great strength darted against the\nmighty Kumbhakarna. And seeing that monkey, Kumbhakarna, stretching his\nlimbs, stood before the lord of monkeys. And seeing Kumbhakarna, with\nhis body laved in the blood of monkeys; and eating up mighty monkeys,\nSugriva addressed him, saying,--\"Thou hast felled heroes done deeds\ndifficult of being performed, and hast devoured the warriors; and thou\nhast thus attained renown. But let go now the monkey-army. What shalt\nthou do with the ignoble? Do thou, O Rakshasa bear the descent of this\nmountain\". Hearing those words of the monkey-king instinct with strength\nand fortitude, that terrible Rakshasa--Kumbhakarna--said,--\"O monkey,\nthou stormest, because thou art the grandson of Prajapati[231] and the\nson of the king of bears; and because as such thou art endowed with\nfortitude and prowess\". Hearing Kumbhakarna's speech, Sugriva whirling\nthat mountain-peak, suddenly let it go; and with that rock resembling\n_Vajra_ or the thunder-bolt, smote Kumbhakarna in the chest. And on\ncoming in contact with his wide breast, that mountain-peak was at once\nshattered in shivers. And thereat the monkeys grew dispirited and the\nRakshasa's ranks shouted in joy. And struck with the mountain-summit,\nKumbhakarna was fired with wrath; and roared, expending his face. And\nthen, whirling his dart resembling lightning displayed, he hurled it for\ncompassing the destruction of the master of monkeys. Then swiftly\nbounding up, the Wind-god's son, resisting that whetted dart fastened\nwith golden chains,--with his hands violently snapped it in twain. And\nplacing the same on his thighs, (Hanuman) snapped that ponderous and\nterrible dart composed of black iron, and thereat the monkeys waxed\ndelighted. And seeing the dart severed by Hanuman, the monkey-army,\ngrowing delighted, set up countless shouts and rushed in all directions.\nAnd the Rakshasa was seized with fear and turned away (from the field.)\nAnd the monkeys excessively delighted, set up loud shouts, and finding\nthe dart broken, poured forth thanks to the Wind-god's son. Then the\nmighty-minded lord of Rakshasas seeing the dart thus severed, uprooted a\npeak from the Malaya and with it smote Sugriva. The king of monkeys\nstruck with the mountain-peak fell senseless upon the field, and the\ndemons finding him in this plight shouted out in great joy. Then\nKumbhakarna coming to the wonderfully mighty master of monkeys, took him\nup and stole away from the field, as a violent gust of wind stealeth\naway a patch of cloud. Kumbhakarna, who resembled a mountain in\nloftiness of stature, while taking him away like a mass of cloud\nappeared like Sumeru overtopped with lofty peaks. Thus the lord of\nRakshasas went on hearing thanks (from the Rakshasas) and shouts from\nthe lords of the heavens, wondered at the capture of the foremost of\nmonkeys. Thus taking him captive, that mighty one resembling Indra in\npuissance, thought his death would destroy the entire host of the\nopponents together with Raghava. Then Hanuman, the shrewd son of Maruta,\nfinding the whole host of monkeys scattered in all directions, as well\nas Sugriva captured by Kumbhakarna bethought himself--\"What ought to be\ndone by me now that our king has been captured? I will doubtless do as\nbefits me now--let me assume the shape of a mountain and kill the\nRakshasas. Let me kill the mighty Kumbhakarna, splitting his body with\nmy strong fist and thus relieve the master of monkeys--thus let the\nwhole host of monkeys become delighted. Or, even when captured by the\nwhole host of gods or Asuras or serpents he is mighty enough to\nextricate himself. Meseems, the lord of monkeys struck with dart in\nbattle by Kumbhakarna has not yet recovered his senses. Else in a moment\nhe would do the needful for himself as well as the monkeys. Should the\nrelief of the mighty-minded Sugriva come from me, I should be incurring\nhis displeasure and it would certainly lead to the loss of his\nreputation for ever; then I must wait a moment and see his own might\ndisplayed by himself when relieved. Meanwhile let me cheer up the\nmonkey-host\". Thinking thus within himself, Hanuman, that son of Maruta,\nbegan to stay the mighty host of monkeys. In the meantime Kumbhakarna\nentered Lanka with Sugrira trembling, being honored with the showering\nof beautiful flowers from the sky, the buildings on the main roads and\nthe town-gate. Then the mighty one (Sugriva) slowly recovered his senses\nwith the shower of fried paddy and sweet scent and the sprinkling of\nwater as well as with the coolness of the streets. Then that\nmighty-minded (Sugriva), caught in the arms of the powerful Rakshasa,\nhaving with difficulty come to his senses and surveying around him the\nstreets of the town bethought himself:--\"When thus within the grasp of\nthe enemy how can I take revenge? Or let me do what will be acceptable\nand advantageous to our army\". Then advancing all on a sudden, he with\nhis nails and sharp teeth cut off the ears and nose of that lord of the\nenemies of the gods and split both his sides with the blow of his feet.\nAnd Kumbhakarna losing his ears and nose and having his sides split with\nnails and teeth grew angry, and becoming all covered over with blood,\nthrew Sugriva to the ground and pressed him. Thus pressed upon the\nground with main force and severely struck by the enemies of gods, he\nflew to the skies like a ball-rolling, and once more joined Rama. The\nmighty Kumbhakarna having lost his nose and ears and drenched in blood,\nappeared like a mountain covered all over with streamlets. That\nhuge-bodied Rakshasa, younger brother of Ravana, terrible in appearance,\nresembling a mass of deep black collyrium, and covered all over with\nblood, appeared like an evening cloud; and (once more) made up his mind\nto appear in battle. Sugriva having thus escaped, that dreadful enemy of\nthe king of the celestials in wrath again rushed to battle; and finding\nhimself destitute of arms took up a fearful mace. And then that\nmighty-minded one, the Raksha Kumbhakarna, issuing out of the city began\nto devour the terrific host of monkeys, as doth the mighty fire eat up\npeople at the end of a Yuga. On entering the mighty host of monkeys, the\nhungry Kumbhakarna, hankering after flesh and blood, ate up the monkeys,\nand with them, devoured many a Rakshasa and Pisacha by mistake. Thus, as\nDeath devoureth creatures at the end of a Yuga, he destroyed the mighty\nmonkeys. And he in wrath, taking up with one hand the monkeys along with\nthe Rakshasas, hurriedly threw them into his mouth,--one, two three, or\nmany at a time. And blood and fat flowed copiously down his body; and\nthough struck by the monkeys with peaks of mountains, the mighty one\ndevoured all those monkeys. And the monkeys as they were being devoured,\nsaught the shelter of Rama. And Kumbhakarna wrought up with wrath,\nchased amain hundreds of monkeys, eating up seven, eight, twenty, or\nthirty. And fastening (the monkeys) with his arms, he, devouring them,\nrushed on. And resembling the Destroyer of prodigious dimensions at the\nend of a Yuga, that one furnished with extremely sharp teeth, having his\nbody covered with fat, marrow and blood, and coiling entrails about his\nears, began to discharge darts. And at this moment, that subduer of\nhostile hosts and captor of the capitals of foes--Sumitra's\nson--Lakshmana, growing enraged, entered on an encounter with the enemy.\nAnd Lakshmana endued with prowess shot seven shafts at Kumbhakarna's\nbody; and next, taking up other arrows also discharged them (at his\nantagonist). And thereat that Rakshasa, smarting under the wounds\ninflicted by that weapon,[232] cut it off (by means of a weapon).\nThereupon grew enraged the powerful Lakshmana--enhancer of Sumitra's\njoy. And then as the wind overspreadeth evening clouds, he with his\nshafts covered his[233] shining and graceful mail entirely made of gold.\nAnd smit with arrows dight with gold, that one resembling a mass of\ndark-blue collyrium appeared beautiful like the ray-furnished Sun\nsurrounded by clouds. Then that dreadful Rakshasa voiced like masses of\nclouds, scornfully addressed the enhancer of Sumitra's felicity,\nsaying,--\"By dauntlessly fighting with me, who have without ado brought\ndown the Destroyer himself in battle, thou hast established thy heroism.\nEven by staying before me, who am equipped with arms in this encounter,\nand who in mighty conflict resemble Death himself, thou deservest to be\nhonored. What shall I say of thy fighting? Not even that lord--Sakra\nhimself--mounted on his Airavata, and engirt by all the immortals,--had\never before stayed before me in the field. But to-day, O Sumitra's son,\nalbeit a boy, thou hast gratified me with thy prowess. Now taking thy\nleave, I wish to go to Raghava. And as I have been well pleased in\nbattle with thy vigour and strength and enthusiasm, I now wish to slay\nRama alone, who being slain, all are slain. On Rama being here slain by\nme, the rest remaining in the encounter--them shall I undertake with my\nall-crushing vigour\". When that Raksha had spoken thus, (Lakshmana);\nSumitra's son, present in that contest, answered him laughing in\nterrible words, saying,--\"That thy prowess is incapable of being borne\nby Sakra and other celestials,--is true. It is not otherwise, O hero.\nTo-day I myself have witnessed thy prowess. Yonder is Dacaratha's\nson--Rama--staying like a moveless mountain\". Hearing this, that\nnight-ranger--Kumhhakarna--possessed of immense might, disregarding\nLakshmana and passing beyond Sumitra's son, rushed against Rama, making\nthe earth tremble. Thereat Dacaratha's son, Rama, employing a terrific\nweapon, discharged sharpened shafts at Kumbhakarna's breast. Thereat\nflames mixed with live embers shot out from the mouth of that enraged\none suddenly rushing (against Rama),--as Rama pierced him (with his\narrows). And on being frightfully pierced by Rama's weapons, that\nforemost of Rakshasas, roaring wrathfully darted against Rama, and\npursued the monkeys in the conflict. And those shafts adorned with\npeacock's plumes, alighting on (Kumbhakarna's) chest, his mace, escaping\nhis hand, dropped to the earth; and all his (other) arms also were\nscattered on the ground. And when that exceedingly powerful one saw\nhimself deprived of all his arms, he began to spread a huge havoc by\nmeans of his clenched fists and hands. And with his body entirely\ncovered with arrows and bathed in blood, he began to bleed like a hill\noverflowing with fountains. And fired with wrath and maddened with\nblood,[234] he rusheth on, devouring monkeys and Rakshasas and bears.\nAnd that redoubtable one possessed of dreadful prowess, resembling the\nReaper himself, whirling a mighty mountain-peak, hurled it aiming at\nRama. Thereat Bharata's elder brother, the righteous Rama, ere that\nprodigious peak had alighted, severed the same by means of seven\nstraight-speeding shafts wrought with gold. Intent on finishing\nKumbhakarna, the virtuous Lakshmana, revolving many a means, (at last)\nspoke unto Rama,--\"O king, this one knoweth not monkeys and\nRakshasas,--maddened with the smell of blood, he eateth up his own as\nwell as his enemies. Now let the foremost monkeys, putting forth their\nbest, mount on him; and let the leaders of bands according to their\nrank, stand surrounding him. And then to-day this wicked-minded\nRakshasa, oppressed with a mighty weight, will no longer be able to eat\nup any more monkeys\". Hearing the words of the intelligent prince, those\nexceedingly powerful monkeys with alacrity ascended Kumbhakarna. And\nKumbhakarna mounted by those monkeys, waxing exceedingly enraged, shook\nthem vehemently, even as mad elephants shake the drivers thereof. And\nRaghava seeing them shaken, and concluding the Rakshasa to be wroth,\nfuriously sprang forward, taking his bow. And with his eyes crimsoned\nwith choler, the gentle Raghava, as if burning up the Rakshasa with his\neyes, rushed forth vehemently, summoning up all his impetuosity, thereby\ncheering up the leaders of bands that had been sore tried by the might\nof Kumbhakarna. And equipped with an excellent quiver and arrows, Rama\ncheering up the monkeys sprang forward, taking a bow, resembling a\nserpent; terrific; having a stout string; and embellished in gold. Then\nsurrounded by exceedingly invincible monkey-bands, that highly powerful\nhero, followed by Lakshmana, marched forth. And he saw the redoubtable\nand high-souled Kumbhakarna, with his body drenched in blood, and with\nblood-shot eyes; rushing against all, like unto an infuriated elephant\nof the cardinal points; pursuing the monkeys; wrought up with wrath;\nenvironed by Rakshasas; appearing like the Vindhya or the Mandara;\ndecked with golden _angadas_; bleeding from his mouth; like clouds\npouring showers; licking at the corners of his mouth laved with blood;\nsmashing the monkey-ranks; and resembling Yama the Destroyer. And that\nbest of persons, seeing that foremost of Rakshasas having the splendour\nof a living fire, stretched his bow to its full bent. And fired with\nwrath at the twang of his bow, that foremost of Rakshasas, inflamed with\nwrath,--not brooking that report, rushed against Raghava. Thereat, the\ngentle Rama, endowed with arms resembling the body of the sovereign of\nserpents, in that encounter addressed Kumbhakarna, like unto an elevated\ncloud and possessed of the splendour of a mountain,--as he darted\nforward, saying,--\"Come, O king of Rakshas! Let no grief be thine! Here\nI stay, taking my bow in my hand. Know me for the destroyer of the race\nof the Rakshasas--thou who in a moment shalt be deprived of thy senses\".\nKnowing that this was Rama, (Kumbhakarna) laughed in frightful accents;\nand then, wrought up with wrath, rushed against the monkeys in the\nencounter. And as if riving the breasts of all the monkeys (present),\nthe exceedingly energetic Kumbhakarna, laughing frightfully and in a\nterrific manner,--resembling the rumbling of clouds, addressed Raghava,\nsaying,--\"Take me not for Viradha, or for Kavandha, or yet for Khara. I\nam not Vali or Maricha. I am Kumbhakarna, that am come. Behold my\ndreadful and mighty mace entirely made of iron. By help of this I had\nformerly brought down deities and Danavas. It doth not behove thee to\nscorn me in that my nose hath been severed. I do not feel any the\nsmallest torment in consequence of my ears and nose having been cut off.\nO tiger of the Ikshwaku line, O sinless one, do thou witness the prowess\nthat is in my frame. And thereafter, when thou shalt have displayed thy\nprowess and power, shall I devour thee up\". Hearing Kumbhakarna's words,\nRama discharged (at him) shafts furnished with knobs. And smit with\nthese having the impetus of the thunder-bolt, the foe of the celestials\ndid not feel any pain or smart. And those shafts which had severed the\nseven stately _salas_, and, to boot, had slain Vali--best of\nmonkeys,--they resembling the thunder itself--could not impart any pain\nto Kumbhakarna's body. And drinking up in his body those arrows\nresembling a shower, the enemy of the great Indra whirling his mace\npossessed of fierce vehemence, put out the arrowy discharge of Rama.\nThen that Raksha whirling his mace washed in blood, capable of striking\nterror into the mighty hosts of gods and Danavas, and possessed of\nfierce impetus,--made the monkey-army take to its heels. Then Rama,\ntaking a mighty _Vayavya_ weapon, used the same against the\nnight-ranger; and cut off his arm with the mace. And having his arm cut\noff, he set up tremendous roars. And his arm with the mace, resembling a\nmountain-peak, cut off by Raghava's arrows, fell in the midst of the\narmy of the monkey-king, and destroyed that army.[235] Thereat the\nmonkeys remaining after those broken and slain,--dispirited, and having\ntheir limbs wounded,--moving aside, looked on the dreadful encounter\nbetween the Raksha and the lord of men. And then Kumbhakarna, having his\narm severed, resembling the foremost of mountains with its crest hewn\naway by a mighty sabre, tore up a tree with his (remaining) arm and in\nthe conflict rushed against the monarch of men. Thereupon with a shaft\nplated in gold, set upon a weapon of Indra, Rama cut off his uplifted\narm with a palm tree, looking like the body of a _pannaga_. And that arm\nof Kumbhakarna, being severed, dropped inert on the earth, like a hill,\nand crushed trees and rocks and crags and monkeys and Rakshasas. And\nRama, seeing that one shorn of his arms suddenly spring up,\nroaring,--took up two whetted crescents, and in the contest cut off the\nlegs of the Rakshasa. And thereupon those legs (of his), making all\nsides and quarters and rocks and caves and the mighty main and Lanka\nherself and the army of the monkeys and the\nRakshasas,--resound,--dropped down (on the ground). And having his arms\ncut off and his legs also severed, (Kumbhakarna), opening wide his mouth\nresembling in sheen the mouth of a mare, roaring swiftly darted against\nRaghava,--even as Rahu pursueth the Moon in the firmament. Then Rama\nstuffed his mouth full of sharpened shafts having their feathered parts\nfurnished with gold. And having his mouth filled; he could not\narticulate; but with extreme effort uttered indistinct accents and\nswooned away. Then Rama took an arrow of Indra,--whetted and knobbed,\nimpetuous as the wind, resembling the effulgence of the Sun, and like\nunto the very banner of Brahma, or the Destroyer himself; and fatal to\nfoes. And then Rama hurled it at the ranger of the night. And thereat\nthat weapon hurled by Rama's arm, resembling a smokeless flame, lighting\nup the ten cardinal points with its own glory,--saught him that was\npossessed of the dreadful energy of Sakra's thunder-bolt. And therewith\nhe (Rama) cut off the head of the lord of Rakshas resembling a\nmountain-summit, furnished with prominent teeth,--from which the\near-rings had fallen off,--even as formerly Purandara had cut off the\nhead of Vritra. And then Kumbhakarna's huge head deprived of the\near-rings appeared like the Moon seated in the midst (of the heavens) on\nthe rising of the Sun in the morning.[236] And struck with Rama's arrow,\nthe head of the Raksha resembling a hill fell down to the earth; and (in\nits fall) crushed edifices on the highways and gateways; and elevated\nwalls also it bore down to the ground. And then that Raksha of gigantic\nproportions and vast to the view plunged into the deep; and crushing\nhuge and mighty fishes and serpents, saught the depths. And on that\nenemy of the Brahmanas and gods, endowed with immense strength,--having\nbeen slain in battle, the earth shook and the mountains also; and from\nexcess of joy the celestials shouted aloud. And those deities and saints\nand Maharshis and Pannagas, and celestials and (other) beings and birds\nand Guhyakas, together with Yakshas and Gandharvas,--all these who had\nstationed themselves in the welkin,--were rejoiced at the prowess of\nRama. And at his (Kumbhakarna's) great destruction, the intelligent\nadherents of the king of Nairitas,--aggrieved exceedingly, began to cry\nat the sight of that best of the Raghus, even as mad elephants cry at\nsight of a lion. And like unto the Sun emerged from the mouth of Rahu,\nand destroying the darkness of the celestial fields,--shone Rama in the\nmidst of the monkey-army having slain Kumbhakarna in battle. And\ncountless monkeys experienced the very height of delight; and on (their)\nfoe of terrific strength having been slain, they with countenances\nresembling awaked lotuses paid homage unto the king's son--Raghava--the\nsharer of good fortune. And as the monarch of the immortals had rejoiced\non slaying the mighty Asura--Vritra--Bharata's elder brother rejoiced on\nhaving in battle slain that smiter of celestial hosts, Kumbhakarna in\nmighty conflict, never (before) vanquished in renowned encounters.\n\n[224] _Like the feel_, remarks Ramanuja, _of wreaths, unguents,\n etc._--T.\n\n[225] _Plavaganshavah_--foremost of the monkeys occurs twice--one is\n left out in the translation.--T.\n\n[226] _Sankrudha_--infuriated, and Krudha, _angered_--this pleonasm is\n in the text.--T.\n\n[227] The text has _pavaka_--fire.--T.\n\n[228] _Plavangamah_ and _vanarah_--both mean _monkeys_. One is left\n out.--T.\n\n[229] The _thunder-handed_ is Indra--his son is Vali; and Vali's son is\n Angada, who is meant in the text.--T.\n\n[230] _Valavan_--strong occurs twice.\n\n[231] _Rikskarajas_--the father of Sugriva, was produced from the\n yawning of Prajapati or Brahma.--T.\n\n[232] But Lakshmana had _not_ discharged a single weapon only against\n Kombhakarna.--T.\n\n[233] Kumbhakarna's.\n\n[234] Perhaps with the _smell_ of blood.--T.\n\n[235] This, of course, is not to be taken literally.--T.\n\n[236] This _sloka_ is wanting in many texts.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXVIII.\n\n\nSeeing Kumbhakarna slain by the high-souled Raghava, the Rakshasas\nconveyed the tidings to the lord of the Rakshasas--Ravana; (and\naddressed him, saying), \"O king, that one resembling the Destroyer\nhimself, urged on by Death,--having scoured the monkey-army and eaten up\nmonkeys,--and for a while displayed his prowess, hath met with his\nquietus at the hands of Rama exerting his energy. And with half his body\nimmersed in the dreadful deep, thy brother, Kumbhakarna, with his nose\nand ears cut off, and blood besmearing his body,--with his head and\nlimbs hewn away, and his body uncovered,--mountain-like blocketh up the\ngate of Lanka with his person,--and resembleth a tree that hath been\nconsumed by a forest-fire\". Hearing the mighty Kumbhakarna slain in\nbattle, Ravana burning in grief, swooned away and dropped to the earth.\nAnd hearing their uncle slain, Triciras[237] and Atikaya--destroyers of\ngods and men,--began to weep, oppressed with sorrow. And Mahodara[238]\nand Mahaparcwa[239] hearing of their uncle slain by Rama of untiring\ndeeds, were overcome with grief. Then regaining his senses with extreme\nexertion, that foremost of Rakshasas, distressed in consequence of the\ndestruction of Kumbhakarna, mourned with his senses overwhelmed,\nsaying,--\"O hero! O humbler of the pride of the foe! O mighty\nKumbhakarna! Leaving me, thou through Destiny, hast gone to the abode of\nYama. O exceedingly powerful one, leaving me (lone) whither dost thou\nwend, without extracting my dart as well as that of thy friends? Now\nreally I am not, inasmuch as my right arm hath dropped. Backed by this\none, I would not fear celestials and Asuras. How to-day forsooth hath\nsuch a hero--crusher of the hauteur of gods and Danavas--resembling the\nFire arisen at the hour of universal wreck,--been slain in fight by\nRaghava? He who could not be harmed by the concussion of the\nthunder-bolt itself--how can he, smitten with Rama's arrows, sleep\nsoundly on the earth? These gods stationed in the sky along with the\nsaints,--beholding thee slain in battle, are shouting in glee. Surely\nto-day the monkeys overjoyed,--finding occasion, will scale all the\ngateways and fortifications of Lanka. I have nothing to do with empire.\nAnd what shall I do with Sita? And deprived of Kumbhakarna, I do not\neven wish to live. If I do not slay in encounter that slayer of my\nbrother--Raghava,--certainly death is even that which is good for\nme,--otherwise, this life is useless. This very day will I repair to\nthat place where my younger brother is. Forsaking my brother, I forsooth\ndare not live for a moment; for the gods shall laugh on seeing me, who\nhad formerly wronged them. But, how, O Kumbhakarna, thou having been\nslain, shall I conquer Indra? Now the beneficial words of Bibhishana\nhave been verified. And as through blindness I did not accept the advice\nof that high-souled one, Kumbhakarna and of Prahasta, this disaster\narisen, shameth me sore. And as I had disgraced the virtuous and\ngraceful Bibhishana, this peril producing grief, hath been the\nconsequence of my conduct\". Having thus piteously and long lamented\nKumbhakarna, the Ten-necked one, with his inmost soul overwhelmed with\nsorrow, and sore distressed in consequence of grief,--fell down, knowing\nhis brother--the enemy of Indra--slain in battle.\n\n[237] Three-headed.--T.\n\n[238] Huge-bellied.--T.\n\n[239] Mighty-flanked.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXIX.\n\n\nHearing the lamentations of the wicked-minded Ravana, overwhelmed with\ngrief, Triciras addressed him, saying,--\"O Sire, this second uncle unto\nus possessed of mighty prowess hath[240] forsooth been slain in fight.\nBut, O king, heroes never indulge in grief as thou doest O lord, thou\ncertainly alone art competent to conquer the triple world. Wherefore\nthen dost thou vent such sorrow like an ignoble one? Thou hast thy dart\nconferred on thee by Brahma; and thy mail and thy weapon--the bow--and\nthy car yoked with a thousand asses, sending forth clatter resembling\nthe rumbling of clouds. The deities and the Danavas have by means of thy\narms been terrified over and over again. And furnished with all arms,\nthou ought to chastise Raghava. But stay at thy pleasure, O mighty\nsovereign, I will go out to battle; and even as Garuda captureth\nserpents, will I capture thine enemies. And as Samvara was vanquished by\nthe lord of the immortals, or Naraka by Vishnu, will I bringing down\nRama in battle make him sleep (in the field)\". Hearing Triciras' words,\nRavana--lord of Rakshasas--urged on by Fate, considered himself as\nhaving regained his life. And hearing the speech of Triciras, Devantaka,\nand Narantaka, and the energetic Atikaya also, were wrought up with\nmartial enthusiasm. And then those foremost of Nairitas--the heroic sons\nof Ravana--endowed with the prowess of Sakra himself--roared out, 'I\nwill go,' 'I will go.' And all could range the sky, and all were skilled\nin illusion, and all were crushers of the pride of the immortals; and\nall were irrisistible in encounter. And all of them were endowed with\nsuperior strength, and all had achieved wide celebrity. They had never\nbeen heard of as having been beaten in fight even by the gods along with\nthe Gandharvas, or the mighty serpents accompanied by the Kinnaras. And\nall were skilled in weapons and heroic; and all were versed in warfare.\nAnd all were possessed of the higher knowledge; and all had obtained\nboons. And then the king surrounded by those sons of his, appearing like\ncelestials,--capable of injuring the force and fortune of the\nfoe,--looked splendid like Maghavan environed by the immortals, humblers\nof the hauteur of mighty Danavas. And embracing his sons and adorning\nthem in ornaments,--he sent them to the field with his best\nbenedictions. And Ravana sent the brothers--Yudhyonmatta and Matta--for\nprotecting the princes in the field. And then, saluting the high-souled\nRavana--destroyer of creatures,--and going round him, those huge-bodied\nones marched forth. And furnished with every description of medicinal\nherbs and perfumes, these six Nairitas--foremost of their kind--endowed\nwith great strength--burning for battle, marched forth,--Triciras and\nAtikaya, and Devantaka and Narantaka, and Mahodara and Mahaparcwa went\nout, urged on by Fate. Then Mahodara mounted the\nelephant--Sudarcana--sprung in the race of Airavata, and resembling\ndark-blue clouds. And accoutred in every weapon, and decked with\nquivers, he looked splendid on his elephant like the Sun ascending the\ncrest of the Setting-hill. And Ravana's son--Triciras--ascended a car\nyoked with excellent steeds, and furnished with every variety of arms.\nAnd having ascended the car, Triciras bow in hand appeared beautiful\nlike a mass of burning clouds having lightning and meteors, and crowned\nwith Indra's bow.[241] And dight with three diadems, Triciras looked\nsplendid in that superb car, like the monarch of mountains Himavan--with\nthe three golden hills. And then that foremost of all bowmen--the\npowerful Atikaya--son unto the lord of Rakshasas--ascended the best of\ncars having excellent wheels and _akshas_, and yoked with excellent\nsteeds,--and furnished with bottoms and holes; flaming with quivers and\nbows; and bristling with _pracas_ and swords and blugdeons. And adorned\nwith a crown plated with wrought gold and (other) ornaments, he looked\nlike the Meru swimming in its own splendour And that powerful son of the\nking surrounded by the Nairitas looked lovely on that car like the\nthunder-handed (Deity) engirt by the immortals. And Narantaka mounted a\nwhite steed resembling Uchchaicrava, caparisoned in gold, having a large\nframe and endowed with the velocity of the Wind. And taking a _praca_,\nNarantaka appeared like the energetic Guha mounted on the peacock,\ngrasping his dart. And taking a bludgeon decked in golden ornaments,\nDevantaka resembled Vishnu at the time of the churning of the ocean,\nholding the Darbhya,[242] and staying burthening (the earth). And the\npowerful Mahaparcwa endowed with terrific energy, taking his mace,\nappeared like Kuvera holding in his hand a mace in the encounter. And\nlike immortals issuing out of Amaravati, they marched out with elephants\nand steeds and cars sending out clatter resembling the rumbling of\nclouds. And them followed high-souled Rakshasas equipped with\nmighty-arms. And those sun-bright high-souled princes decked with\ndiadems appeared splendid like burning planets in the firmament. And the\nvarious gorgeous attires which they had worn resembled rows of cranes in\nthe sky, looking like autumnal clouds. Resolved on dying or conquering\nthe foe in fight, those heroes sallied out seeking encounter. And those\nhigh-souled ones, incapable of being repressed in fight, roared and\nshouted and discharged shafts and held them. And the earth shook as they\nsent up leonine roars and struck at their arms with their hands; and the\nsky seemed riven with the leonine roars of the Rakshas. And issuing out\ncheerfully, those foremost of Rakshasas endowed with great strength\nbeheld that monkey-army staying with upraised rocks and stones. And the\nhigh souled monkeys also saw that mighty host of Rakshasas thronging\nwith elephants, horses and cars, and ringing with hundreds of bell-lets;\nresembling dark-blue clouds; upraising mighty arms; and environed on all\nsides by Nairitas resembling flaming fire. And seeing that force\nadvance, the monkeys, finding opportunity, upraising giant crags,\nmomentarily set up shouts. And thereat, the Rakshasas, incapable of\nbearing those shouts, shouted in reply unto the monkeys. And again the\nmonkeys shouted unto the Rakshas, who were unable to put up with that\ncry. And hearing that loud shout of the monkey-leaders, the mighty\nRakshas incapable of bearing that noise expressive of\nexhilaration,--shouted still more dreadfully. And then diving into that\ndreadful Rakshasa army, the monkey leaders began to range it with\nuplifted rocks,--like unto mountains. And equipped with trees and\nstones, the monkeys enraged, ranged the Raksha army, now rising into the\nsky. and now coming down to the earth. And some among the powerful\nmonkeys went about taking broad-shouldered trees. And the encounter that\ntook place between the thronging Rakshas and monkeys was something\nterrific. And (the monkeys) began to pour a wonderful shower of trees\nand rocks and cliffs. And the monkeys of dread prowess were resisted\nwith vollies of shafts. And in the contest the monkeys and Rakshasas\nemitted leonine roars. And monkeys crushed Yatudhanas with rocks, and,\nwrought with rage, (they) in the encounter slew (Rakshasas) covered with\narmour and ornaments; and some slew heroes mounted on cars and elephants\nand steeds. And the monkeys on a sudden slew heroic Yatudhanas. And smit\nwith mountain-peaks on their persons, and with their eyes falling off,\nthe foremost of Rakshasas moved, dropped down, or roared in the scene of\nconflict. And the Rakshasas (on their part) pierced the foremost of\nmonkeys with sharpened and keen darts and clubs and scimitars; and slew\nthem with darts and _pracas_. And, eager for bringing down each other,\nthe monkeys and the Rakshasas with their persons, washed with the blood\nof their antagonists felled each other. And in a moment the earth was\ncovered with crags and swords discharged by monkeys and Rakshasas,--and\nwas drenched in gore. And the field was blocked up with scattered\nmountain-like Rakshas influenced by martial ardour,--mangled by their\nenemies. And the monkeys thrown down and felled by means of broken crags\nand monkeys[243] and arms and legs,--waged a wonderful war. And those\nforemost of Nairitas slew monkeys with (the dead bodies of monkeys); and\nthe monkeys smote Rakshasas with (the dead bodies of) Rakshasas; and the\nRakshasas slew (the monkeys), hurling rocks and crags. And snatching\naway their own arms by main force, the monkeys finished Rakshas; and\nthey slaughtered them with mountain-peaks, and also wounded each other.\nAnd the monkeys and Rakshasas emitted leonine roars in the encounter.\nAnd the Rakshasas, slain by the monkeys, having their mail and defence\nfor the body rent, bled like unto trees exuding sap. And in that\nencounter, some among the monkeys destroyed cars with cars, elephants\nwith elephants, and steeds with steeds. And the Rakshasas rived the\ntrees and rocks of the foremost monkeys by means of _Kshurapras_ and\ncrescents and sharpened _Bhallas_ and arrows. And in that encounter, the\nearth became impassable, having been scattered with crags baffled and\nsevered trees and (warriors) slain by monkeys and Rakshas. And those\nmonkeys, equipped with various weapons, and with their vigor unworn,\nentering upon the conflict casting off fear,--cheerfully putting forth\nefforts springing from pride of spirit, warred on with the Rakshasas.\nAnd in that fearful conflict, which was being waged, on the monkeys\nhaving been exhilarated and the Rakshasas having been brought down, the\nMaharshis and the deities sent up shouts. Then mounted on a charger\nendued with the celerity of the Wind, and grasping a whetted dart,\nNarantaka entered into that fierce army of monkeys, like a fish diving\ninto the deep. And that hero by means of an effulgent bearded dart\npierced seven hundred monkeys; and at one time the high-souled enemy of\nIndra slew the army of the foremost of monkeys. And the Vidyadharas and\nMaharshis saw that high-souled one mounted on horseback, ranging the\nmonkey-ranks. And his course was discovered, miry with flesh and blood\nand blocked up with mountain-like monkeys fallen. And when the monkeys\nset their hearts on displaying their prowess, Narantaka, baffling them,\npierced them with shafts. And he consumed the monkey-army, like fire\nburning a forest. And when the wood-rangers uprooted trees and crags,\nthey slain by bearded darts dropped down like mountains riven by the\nthunder. And raising a glowing _praca_, the powerful Narantaka began to\nrange about in the rear[244] of the forces; dashing everywhere (against\nthe foe) in fight, like the wind in the rainy season. And the heroes\ncould not appear prominently, or keep their posts. And how could they\nthen move freely? And that one endued with prowess pierced everyone,\nwhether springing, or staying, or moving. And broken through by a single\n_praca_, resembling the Reaper, and furnished with solar effulgence, the\nmonkey-ranks began to roll on the earth. And the monkeys were ill fitted\nto bear the impetus of that _praca_ having the touch of thunder itself;\nand they raised a loud cry. And the appearances of those monkey-heroes\nfalling were like mountains toppling, having their summits riven with\nthe thunder-bolt. Those high-souled and powerful monkeys that formerly\nhad been brought down by Kumbhakarna,--having recovered, were present\nwith Sugriva in this encounter. And Sugriva, looking around, saw that\nmonkey-army flying in all directions, agitated with the fear of\nNarantaka. And after seeing the army in flight, he saw Narantaka\nhimself, advancing, wielding a _praca_, and mounted on a steed. And as\nsoon as he saw (that hero), the exceedingly energetic lord of\nmonkeys--Sugriva--addressed the heroic prince Angada, endowed with\nstrength equal to that of Indra, saying,--\"Go against this heroic\nRakshasas that is mounted on a steed; and speedily deprive of life that\none who is devouring up the ranks of his foes\". Hearing his master's\nspeech, Angada descended from that host resembling clouds, like the\npowerful Sun himself. And resembling a mass of crags, Angada--foremost\nof monkeys--adorned with _Angadas_, appeared beautiful like a mountain\nwith metals on it. And weaponless himself, and furnished only with nails\nand teeth, Vali's son attacking Narantaka, said,--\"Stay! What shalt thou\ndo with these interior monkeys? This _praca_, having the feel of the\nthunder-bolt, do thou hurl at my heart itself\". Hearing Angada's words,\nNarantaka was fired with wrath. And knawing his upper lip with his teeth\nand sighing like a serpent, Narantaka, wrought with wrath, approached\nVali's son. And then whirling his _praca_, he suddenly discharged that\nflaming (weapon) against Angada. And then it was snapped on the breast\nof Vali's son, resembling the thunder-bolt, and dropped to the earth.\nAnd seeing the _praca_ broken in pieces, like a powerful snake severed\nby Suparna, Vali's son, raising his hand, dealt a slap at the head of\nhis (Narantaka's) steed. Thereat, with his legs sinking down and his\neye-balls coming off and his tongue hanging down, and wearing the look\nof a mountain,--on being smit with that slap, Narantaka's steed fell\ndown to the ground, with its head lying at random. And Narantaka seeing\nhis charger slain and fallen, was seized with a furious wrath, and\nraising his clenched fist, that one endowed with exceeding great energy\nin that conflict hit Vali's son on the head. Thereat Angada having his\nhead wounded by that blow, warm blood gushed out plentifully. And\nmomentarily burning and momentarily swooning, he, regaining his senses,\nwas amazed. Then Vali's son, the high-souled Angada clenching his fist\ninto a blow resembling Death itself in energy, and like unto a\nmountain-peak, let it descend on the chest of Narantaka. Thereat, with\nhis breast riven and broken down, vomitting flames and having his body\nbathed in blood, Narantaka dropped down to the earth, like a hill\nshattered by the impetus of the thunder-bolt. And on Narantaka of\nexceeding prowess having been slain by Vali's son in battle, there arose\na tremendous uproar in the firmament from the wood-rangers and the\nforemost of celestials. And Angada having performed that difficult deed\nof prowess, capable of delighting the mind of Rama, was seized with\namazement;[245] and that one of terrific feats in fight was again\ninspired with delight in the encounter.\n\nAnd seeing Narantaka slain, the foremost of Nairitas--including the\nthree-headed Devantaka and Pulastya's descendant, Mahodara,--began to\ncry (in chorus). And then the vehement Mahodara, mounted (on horseback),\nrushed against Vali's son endued with energy. And aggrieved in\nconsequence of the calamity that had befallen his brother, the strong\nDevantaka grasping a dreadful bludgeon, darted against Angada. And\nascending a car resembling the Sun yoked with superb steeds, the heroic\nTriciras rushed against Vali's son. Then charged by those three powerful\nRakshasas--crushers of the hauteur of immortals, Angada uprooted a tree\nfurnished with gigantic branches. And as Sakra hurleth the mighty\nflaming thunderbolt, that hero--Angada--at once hurled against Devantaka\nthat mighty tree having giant branches. And Triciras cut off that tree\nin pieces by means of shafts resembling serpents. And seeing the tree\nsevered, Angada darted up; and[246] then that foremost of monkeys\nshowered crags and trees. And all those Triciras wrought with wrath cut\noff by means of whetted arrows; and Mahodara snapped those trees with\nthe end of his bludgeon. And then Triciras rushed against that\nhero--Vali's son--with shafts; and Mahodara chased him,[247] mounted on\nan elephant; and struck Angada in the chest with _tomaras_ resembling\nthe thunder-bolt. And Devantaka, enraged advancing, hit Angada with his\nbludgeon, and then, endowed with velocity, he swiftly turned away. And\nattacked simultaneonly by those three powerful Nairitas, the exceedingly\nenergetic son of Vali possessed of prowess, did not feel any pain. And\nthat impetuous one incapable of being conquered, summoning his utmost\nvehemence, rushing on, pealt a slap at his[248] mighty elephant. And\nthereat the elephant fell down in his very sight and expired. And then\npulling out his tusks, the highly powerful son of Vali, darting against\nDevantaka, dealt him a blow therewith in that encounter. And thereupon\nthat strong one overwhelmed like a tree buffetted by the wind, began to\ndischarge blood profusely, looking like the hue of lac. And then\ncheering him, the exceedingly energetic and powerful Narantaka,\nviolently whirling his bludgeon with might and main, hit Angada with it.\nAnd albeit struck with the bludgeon, the son of the lord of monkeys,\ngoing down on his knees, again darted up. And as he sprang up, Triciras\nhit at the temples of the son of the king of monkeys with three\nstraight-speeding terrific shafts. And seeing Angada assailed by the\nthree redoubtable Rakshasas, Hanuman and Nila proceeded (to his rescue).\nThen Nila hurled a mountain-top at Triciras; and thereat that son of\nRavana severed it with sharpened arrows. And that mountain-top on being\nriven, dropped down, aflame and shooting out sparks of fire. And seeing\nhim[249] yawning in joy, the stalwart Devantaka in that encounter\npursued the Wind-god's son with his bludgeon. And as he rushed on, that\nforemost of monkeys--Hanuman--dealt on the crown of his head, a blow\nresembling the thunder-bolt itself. And the mighty and heroic son of the\nWind-god hit (at his antagonist); and that redoubted monkey also with\nhis roars made the Rakshasas tremble (in fear). And thereat with his\nhead crushed and cleft, and his teeth and eyes falling out, and his\ntongue hanging down, that son unto the sovereign of the Rakshasas\nsuddenly dropped to the earth, deprived of life. On that fierce and\nmighty Rakshasa warrior--that foe of the immortals--having fallen in\nfight, the Three-headed one, waxing wondrous enraged began to shower\nterrific sharpened shafts on Nila's chest. And Mahodara, getting\nenraged, again swiftly mounted an elephant like the ray-furnished (Sun)\nmounting Mandara. Then even as a mass of roaring clouds poureth down\nshowers enwheeled with levin on a mountain, he showered arrows right on\nNila's breast. Thereat showered with those shafts, that leader of\nmonkeys Nila with his person pierced, had his body riven and was\nstupified by that exceedingly powerful one. Then that (monkey) possessed\nof tremendous vehemence, having regained his senses, uprooting a crag\nwith a whole tract of trees, struck it at Mahodara's head. And struck by\nthat mighty enemy, Mahodara, broken down by the impetus of that rock,\ndeprived of his senses, dropped down dead on the ground, like a cliff\nsmit with the thunder-bolt.\n\nSeeing his uncle slain, Triciras took up his bow; and inflamed with fury\npierced Hanuman with whetted arrows. And thereat the Wind-god's son,\nenraged, hurled a mountain-peak (at his adversary). And Triciras by\nmeans of keen arrows severed the same in shivers. And seeing the\nmountain-peak baffled, the monkey in the encounter began to shower trees\non Ravana's son. And Triciras endowed with prowess by means of sharpened\nshafts cut off that descending arrowy shower in the sky and shouted (in\ndelight). Then Hanuman flying into a fury, bounding to the welkin, with\nhis nails ripped the steed of Triciras, even as a lion cleaveth a\npowerful elephant. Then taking a dart even as the Destroyer employeth\nthe Fatal Night, Ravana's son--Triciras--discharged it at the offspring\nof the Wind-god. Thereat catching the dart of resistless course as it\ndescended from the sky, the powerful monkey snapped it and then shouted.\nAnd seeing that dreadful dart broken by Hanuman, the monkeys,\ntransported with delight, sent up shouts, even as clouds rumble. Than\nupraising his sword, that foremost of Rakshasas--Triciras--brought it\ndown on the breast of the monkey-chief. Overpowered with the sword-blow,\nHanuman--son unto the Wind-god,--endowed with energy, dealt the\nThree-headed one a slap on the head. And smitten with that slap, the\nhighly powerful Triciras, with his hands and attire dropping off, fell\ndown to the earth, deprived of consciousness. Then that mighty monkey\nresembling a hill broke his sword as he fell, and roared, terrifying all\nthe Rakshasas. But not brooking that uproar, that night-ranger sprang\nup; and springing up, he dealt a blow at Hanuman. And at that blow, the\nredoubtable monkey was wrought up with wrath; and inflamed with rage, he\nsmote that foremost of Rakshasas about his diadem. And then with a sharp\nsword the Wind-god's son cut off his heads decked with diadems and\nfurnished with ear-rings; even as Sakra had severed the heads of\nTashtri's son.[250] Thereat even as burning stars, loosened, drop down\nfrom the course of Indra, the large organs of sense, and eyes flaming\nlike glowing fire, and heads of that foe of Indra, dropped down to the\nground. On Triciras--enemy of the immortals--having been slain by\nHanuman endowed with the prowess itself of Sakra, the monkeys shouted,\nthe earth shook, and the Rakshas began to fly on all sides. And seeing\nTriciras and Yudhyonmatta slain and seeing also the irrepressible\nDevantaka and Narantaka slain (in the encounter), that highly irascible\nand powerful Rakshasa--Matta--was transported with passion, and then\ntook up a flaming mace entirely wrought with iron inlaid with gold;\nfrothy with flesh and gore; mighty to behold; gratified with the blood\nof foes; with its end flaming in splendour; decked with red wreaths; and\ncapable of striking terror into Airavata and Mahapadma and\nSarvabhauma.[251] And flaming up like the Fire arisen at the end of a\nYuga, that foremost of Rakshasas--Matta--wrought with fury,--rushed\nagainst the monkeys. Then the mighty and powerful\nmonkey--Rishabha--springing up before Ravana's son, stood before the\nhosts of Matta. And seeing that mountain-like monkey staying before\n(him), Matta, enraged, dealt him a blow on the breast. And smit with the\nmace, that foremost of monkeys, with his breast riven and trembling,\nbegan to bleed copiously. And regaining his senses after a long while,\nRishabha--lord of monkeys--inflamed with wrath, pouting out his upper\nlip, gazed at Mahaparcwa.[252] And then impetuously approaching the\nRakshasa, that foremost of heroic monkeys resembling a hill, endowed\nwith vehemence, clenching his fist, suddenly smote him with a blow on\nhis breast. Thereat like a tree whose roots have been severed, he\nsuddenly dropped on the ground, covered with blood. And thereupon,\n(Rishabha) swiftly snatched his dreadful mace resembling the rod of Yama\nhimself; and shouted. Only for a moment did he[253] remain like one\ndead. Recovering his senses, the enemy of the immortals, looking like\nevening clouds in hue, suddenly springing up, attacked the son of the\nking of waters.[254] And thereat, he dropped down to the earth,\nsenseless. In a moment regaining his consciousness, he again bounded\nup,--and whirling the mace resembling a peak of the foremost of\nmountains, in that encounter dealt (Matta) a blow therewith. And\ndescending on the body of that dreadful one--the enemy of deities,\nsacrifices and Vipras--that terrific mace rived his breast; and he began\nto bleed profusely, even as the lord of mountains discharges minerals\nand water. And taking the terrific mace of the high-souled (Matta) and\nswinging it again and again, (Rishabha) rushed (against the Rakshasas).\nAnd that high-souled one began to slaughter Matta's forces in the field.\nAnd broken down by his own mace, Matta dropped down like a hill, with\nhis teeth and eyes shrivelled up; and he dropped to the earth deprived\nof strength and life, with his eyes paling. And on that Rakshasa\nfalling, the Rakshasa forces began to fly. And on that brother of Ravana\nhaving been slain, that host of Nairitas appearing like the ocean in\ngrandeur, leaving its arms behind,--solely for life rushed away, like\nunto the deep riven (by the winds).\n\n[240] _Evameva--forsooth_, as I render it. The commentator, however,\n says it means _such as thou hast described him_.--T.\n\n[241] The rain-bow is sometimes called _Indra's bow_ and at others\n _Rama's bow._--T.\n\n[242] The mountain Mandara which served as the the churning stick.--T.\n\n[243] _i.e._ the carcasses thereof.\n\n[244] _Sangramante_, I presume, means _rear of the forces_; although\n literally it means, _at the conclusion of the conflict_,--because\n this interpretation would not be proper, the battle being now at\n its hottest.--T.\n\n[245] Probably, _at his own prowess_.--T.\n\n[246] The text has _Angada_, avoided for euphony.\n\n[247] The text has Vali's son.\n\n[248] Mahodara's.\n\n[249] Triciras.\n\n[250] Vicwarupa.\n\n[251] Elephants of the cardinal points.--T.\n\n[252] Otherwise called Matta.--T.\n\n[253] Matta.\n\n[254] Varuna.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXI.\n\n\nSeeing in sore straits his own mighty forces capable of making people's\ndown stand on end,--and seeing his brothers resembling Sakra in prowess,\nrouted; and seeing also his uncles brought down in battle, as well as\nhis brothers--Yudhyonmatta and Matta--foremost of Rakshasas, that\ncrusher of the pride of deities and Danavas--the exceedingly energetic\nAtikaya--resembling a hill, who had obtained from Brahma a boon in\nbattle, was fired with wrath. Ascending a car effulgent like a thousand\nsuns mingling their rays into a burst of brilliance, that enemy of\nSakra, charged the monkeys. And stretching his bow, (Atikaya) decked\nwith a diadem and wearing polished ear-rings, proclaimed his name (among\nthe monkey-ranks) and shouted in lofty tones. And with his leonine roars\nand the proclamation of his name, and the tremendous twang of his\nbow-string, he struck terror into the monkeys. Seeing the magnitude of\nhis person, the monkeys thinking that it was Kumbhakarna who had\ncome,--and affrighted thereat, sought the shelter of each other. And\nseeing his form like unto that of Vishnu when he displayed his threefold\nenergy, the monkey-warriors seized with fear, began to scour on all\nsides. And on Atikaya appearing before them, the monkeys, stupified in\nthat conflict, saught the shelter of Lakshmana's elder brother. And from\na distance Kakutstha saw the mountain like Atikaya mounted on the car\nand equipped with his bow, like unto roaring clouds (seen) on the\noccasion of the universal disruption. And seeing that huge-bodied one,\nRaghava struck with surprise, comforting the monkeys, addressed\nBibhishana, saying,--\"Who is this one resembling a mountain, furnished\nwith a bow and having leonine eyes, that is stationed on a large car\nyoked with a thousand steeds,--he that with effulgent sharpened darts\nand keen _pracas_ and _tomaras_, shineth like Mahecwara environed by\nspectres--he that displaying his fatal tongue, appeareth splendid,\nsurrounded with darts in his car; like a mass of clouds graced with\nlightning. And his bows adorned and backed with gold all over, beautify\nhis car even as Indra's bow beautifyeth the firmament. And who is this\nforemost of Rakshasas and best of bowmen that embellishing the field of\nbattle, approacheth on a car glorious as the sun; who, displaying the\nten cardinal points with his shafts resembling the rays of the sun,\nappeareth handsome with his peak of a banner bearing the figure of\nRahu--whose bow bent in three places, emitting roars resembling the\nrumbling of clouds, and plated with gold, looketh like the bow itself of\nSatakratu? And his mighty car furnished with a banner and ensign and\nbottom, and having clatter resembling the roaring of clouds, hath four\nhorsemen (attached to it). And there are on the car eight and thirty\nquivers and dreadful bows and yellow-golden bow-strings. And there are\n(in that car) two effulgent swords at his side, illumining it,--their\nhafts measuring four hands and their blades ten each. And that calm\n(warrior) wears red garlands about his neck, and resembles a mighty\nmountain. And a very Destroyer, he hath a mighty mouth, appearing like\nthat of the Destroyer himself; and he looketh like the sun stationed on\nclouds. And with his arms adorned with golden _angadas_, he appeareth\nsplendid like that best of mountains--the Himavan with its towering\nsummits. And with his pair of ear-rings, his charming yet terrific\ncountenance shineth like the full Moon entering into Punarvacu.[255] O\nmighty-armed one, tell me all about this foremost of Rakshasas, seeing\nwhom the monkeys, overwhelmed with fear, fly away in all directions\".\nAsked by the king's son--Rama of immeasurable prowess--the exceedingly\nenergetic Bibhishana spoke unto Rama, informing him,--\"The highly\npowerful king, Vaisravana's younger brother of dreadful deeds, the\nhigh-souled Ravana--is the sovereign of the Rakshasas. This one is his\nmighty son, like unto Ravana himself in strength. He serveth the aged,\nis of wide celebrity and is the prime of those versed in all branches of\nknowledge. And he is competent to ride horses and elephants, to wield\nthe sword or draw the bow,--or in sowing dissensions, or giving away, or\nin counsel,--he reposing in whose arm Lanka hath cast off fear. Know him\nto be Atikaya, son unto Dhanyamali. Having adored the pure-souled Brahma\nwith austerities, he hath obtained weapons, and hath defeated his foes\n(in fight)\". 'Thou shalt be incapable of being slain by celestials and\nAsuras'--was the boon conferred on him by the Self-sprung; and he also\ngave him this celestial mail and this car resembling the effulgent Sun\nhimself. He hath vanquished (in battle) hundreds of deities and Danavas;\nand he hath (always) protected the Rakshas, and destroyed Yakshas. And\nthis intelligent one resisted the thunder-bolt itself of Indra; and in\nencounter baffled the very noose of the king of waters. This one is\nAtikaya--foremost of Rakshasas; and that son of Ravana is the humbler of\nthe hauteur of deities and Danavas. Therefore, O best of persons, do\nthou endeavour thy best. This one with his shafts slaughtered the\nmonkey-hosts before (us)\". And then the powerful Atikaya entering that\nmonkey-force, stretched his bow and shouted again and again. And the\nhigh-souled principal monkeys, seeing that (hero) possessed of a\ndreadful person, that best of car-warriors--stationed on his car, rushed\nforward. And Kumuda and Dwivida and Mainda and Nila and Sabha dashed on\nat one time with trees and mountain-peaks. Thereupon that foremost of\nthose skilled in weapons, the exceedingly energetic Atikaya, severed\nthose trees and rocks by means of shafts dight with gold. And in that\nencounter that powerful one possessed of a gigantic person, skilled in\narms, pierced all those monkeys staying before him with arrows entirely\nmade of iron. And agonised, having their persons pierced in that mighty\nconflict by that arrowy shower, they were incapable of resisting the\nsame. And the Rakshasa terrified that host of monkey-heroes, even as an\nenraged lion priding in his youth terrifyeth a society of deer. And in\nthe midst of those bands of monkeys, that lord of Rakshasas did not slay\nanyone without battle. And then springing up before Rama, that one\nfurnished with his bow and quiver, addressed him in haughty words,\nsaying,--\"Stationed in this car holding the bow and arrows in my hands,\nI will not fight any that is ignoble. Him that hath strength, and that\nalso understandeth this business,--let him today speedily give me\nbattle\". Hearing his speech, that slayer of foes--Sumitra's son--was\nfired with wrath. And not bearing him, he sprang forward disregarding\nhis antagonist's words, and took up his bow. And flying unto fury,\nSumitra's son, darting up, took out arrows from his quiver, and\nstretched his mighty bow in front of Atikaya. And filling the entire\nearth and the sky and the ocean and all the cardinal quarters,--the\nterrific twang of Lakshmana's bow struck terror into the (hearts of the)\nnight-rangers. And hearing the dreadful twang of the bow of Sumitra's\nson, the exceedingly energetic and powerful son of the lord of Rakshasas\nwas struck with surprise. Then Atikaya, enraged, seeing Lakshmana\nadvance, taking sharpened shafts, spoke unto him,--\"Thou art a boy, O\nSumitra's son; and as such knowest not how to display prowess. Go thou.\nWhy wishest thou to fight with me resembling Death itself. Not Himalaya\nitself or the firmament or the earth is capable of bearing the\nimpetuosity of shafts shot by my arms. Thou wishest to rouse a fire\nslumbering sweetly. Leaving alone thy bow, do thou return. Do not lose\nthy life by coming in contact with me. Or it may be that thou art proud;\nand, therefore, hast no mind to return. Stay then. Renouncing thy life,\nthou shalt go to Yama's mansion. Behold my whetted arrows--crushers of\nthe insolence of foes--resembling the weapon itself of the\nLord,[256]--adorned with burnished gold. And even as a lion enraged\nsheddeth the blood of a mighty elephant, this arrow of mine resembling a\nserpent shall shed thy blood\". Having delivered himself thus, he fired\nwith wrath set his shaft on his bow. Hearing in that encounter Atikaya's\nwrathful speech fraught with hauteur, the highly powerful and\nintelligent son of the king possessed of exceeding grace, was\ntransported with passion; and he said,--\"Thou canst not attain\npre-eminence solely by virtue of thy speech. One cannot be a worthy\nperson simply by say. O wicked-minded one, do thou display thy strength\non me equipped with the bow and holding arrows in my hands. To-day shall\nmy shafts decked in gold, drink thy blood flowing from thy person and\nissuing out of wounds inflicted by my arrows resembling darts.--'This\none is a boy', thinking this, thou ought not to slight me. Whether I am\na boy or an old[257] man--death shalt thou know in the conflict. It was\nas a boy that Vishnu had overpowered the triune world with his prowess\".\nHearing Lakshmana's words, fraught with reason and high sense,\nVidyadharas and ghosts, deities, Daityas and Maharshis, and the\nhigh-souled Guhyakas then beheld that marvel.[258]\n\nThen Atikaya, enraged, setting his arrow on his bow, shot it at\nLakshmana, as if devouring up the welkin. Thereat, Lakshmana--slayer of\nhostile heroes--with a crescent severed that sharpened shaft resembling\na venomous serpent, as it was descending. And seeing the shaft severed,\nlike a serpent having its person cut off, Atikaya waxing exceedingly\nenraged, took up five arrows; and the night-ranger discharged them at\nLakshmana. Thereat Bharata's younger brother cut off the approaching\narrows with whetted shafts. And having severed them with sharpened\nshafts, Lakshmana--slayer of hostile heroes--took up a sharpened arrow,\nas if flaming in energy. And taking it, Lakshmana set it on his\nexcellent bow; and drawing the latter, vigorously discharged the shaft.\nAnd that hero endowed with prowess hit that foremost of Rakshasas in the\nforehead with that shaft having bent knots, discharged from his bow\ndrawn to its full bent.--And that arrow piercing the forehead of that\ndreadful Rakshasa, and smeared with blood, appeared like the lord of\nserpents in a mountain. And the Rakshasa, smarting under Lakshmana's\nshaft, showered, like the dreadful gateway of Tripuri battered by Rudra.\nThen recovering himself and reflecting, he said,[259]--\"Excellent well!\nBy this discharge of thy shaft, thou approvest thyself as a foe in whom\nI can well glory\". Having spoken thus candidly, he, folding his hands at\nease, and seated on the platform of his car, began to range in it. And\nthen that foremost of Rakshasas began to take up, set, and shoot one,\nthree, five, or seven shafts. And those shafts resembling Fate itself,\nplated with gold at the feathered parts,--and looking like the Sun\nhimself (in splendour),--discharged from the bow of the lord of\nRakshasas, lighted up the heavens. Thereat Raghava's younger brother by\nmeans of many a sharpened shaft calmly cut off all those vollies of\narrows shot by the Rakshasa. And finding all those arrows riven in the\nencounter, that enemy of the lord of the immortals, Ravana's son, was\nfired with wrath, and took up a whetted shaft. And then aiming that\narrow, that highly powerful one suddenly shot it; and with that, rushing\non, hit Sumitra's son in the chest. And struck in the encounter by\nAtikaya, the son of Sumitra began to bleed copiously, like a mad\nelephant discharging the temporal juice. And then that lord at once\nextricated the arrow; and then took up a keen shaft and fixed the same\non his weapon.[260] And then he set a shaft (on his bow-string) reciting\na formula for the Agneya[261] weapon; and thereat his arrow as well as\nbow flamed up. Then the highly powerful Atikaya took up a Raudra[262]\nweapon; and thereon fixed a shaft plated with gold at the feathered\npart, and resembling a serpent in sheen. And even as the Reaper hurleth\nhis rod, did Lakshmana hurl that weapon inspired with divine energy,\ndreadful and aflame,--at Atikaya. And seeing that shaft set upon an\nAgneya weapon, that night-ranger discharged a Raudra arrow set upon a\nSolar weapon. And there like a pair of infuriated serpents, those arrows\nwith their heads flaming in energy, baffled each other in the sky. And\nburning each other, the shafts fell on the earth; and those best of\narrows, shorn of brilliance and reduced to ashes, were deprived of their\nsplendour. And having blazed in the welkin, those two fell down to the\nearth reft of their lustre, Then Atikaya wrought up with wrath\ndischarged an arrow called Aishika dedicated to Tashtri. Thereat the\npowerful son of Sumitra severed that shaft by an Aindra[263] weapon.\nSeeing Aishika baffled, that Prince--son unto Ravana--fired with rage,\nfixed an arrow on a Yamya[264] weapon; and then the night-ranger shot\nthat weapon at Lakshmana. And Lakshmana resisted it by a Vayavya[265]\nweapon. And then as a mass of clouds poureth down showers, Lakshmana,\nenraged, poured volleys of shafts on Ravana's son. Thereupon, hitting\nAtikaya, those arrows coming in contact with his mail, had their barbs\nbroken, and fell down to the earth. And seeing them baffled, that slayer\nof hostile heroes--the renowned Lakshmana--began to shower shafts by\nthousands. And albeit showered with those arrows, that Rakshasa--the\nmighty Atikaya--in that encounter was not pierced by them on account of\nhis impenetrable mail; and that best of men failed to hurt him in the\ncontest. Then approaching him, the Wind-god spake unto him,\nsaying,--\"This one hath received a boon from Brahma, and is covered with\nan impenetrable mail. Pierce him with a Brahma[266] weapon. He cannot\notherwise be slain. This one clad in mail and endowed with prowess is\nforsooth incapable of being slain by others\". Hearing the words of the\nWind-god, Sumitra's son like unto Indra in prowess took an arrow endowed\nwith fierce impetuosity, and at once set it on a Brahma weapon. And on\nthat sharp-headed best of arrows being fixed on that foremost of\nweapons, the cardinal quarters and the Moon and the Sun and the mighty\nplanets and the sky were seized with affright; and the earth shook. And\ninspiring that arrow furnished with a feathered part and resembling an\nemissary of Yama himself, and fixing the same an his bow, Sumitra's son\nin that encounter discharged that shaft like unto the thunder-bolt at\nthe son of the enemy of Indra. And in that conflict Atikaya beheld that\nshaft fair-feathered and having its feathered part dight with splendid\ndiamonds, acquiring enhanced vehemence arising from its having been\ndischarged by Lakshmana,--and hissing and rushing on with tremendous\nimpetuosity. And seeing it, Atikaya swiftly resisted it with countless\nsharpened shafts. But endowed with the energy of Suparna himself, that\nshaft vehemently went to him. And seeing that shaft flaming and\nresembling the Fatal Destroyer himself,--coming, he, exerting himself to\nthe utmost resisted it with darts and _rishtis_ and maces and adzes and\njavelins and arrows. But beating down all those weapons of wonderful\nforms, that arrow alive with flames, coming to the diadem-decked head of\nAtikaya, severed the same (in twain) And that head furnished with a\ncorsalet, cut off by Lakshmana's arrow, suddenly dropped to the earth,\nlike a summit of Himavan toppling (to the ground). Seeing him rolling on\nthe earth, with his attire and ornaments scattered about, those\nnight-rangers that survived were overwhelmed with grief. And with pale\nforces and distressed, they, fatigued in consequence of the thrashing\nthey had undergone, suddenly began to cry in frightful accents. And on\ntheir leader having been slain, those night-rangers that were about\n(Atikaya), without waiting any longer,--overwhelmed with panic, rushed\ntowards the city. And on their foe endowed with terrific prowess and\nincapable of being confronted, having been slain, innumerable monkeys\nfilled with excess of joy, and displaying countenances resembling blown\nlotuses, paid homage unto Lakshmana working out their welfare.\n\n[255] The seventh lunar asterism.--T.\n\n[256] _Isvara--Siva_.--His weapon is the trident.--T.\n\n[257] The commentator says the passage means--\"Thou knowest (me) _for\n death_ itself. I prefer the sense given.--T.\n\n[258] The encounter that ensued between Lakshmana and Atikaya .--T.\n\n[259] _Chintayamasa--thought_, I apprehend, means _said_ in this\n connection.\n\n[260] _i.e._ the bow.\n\n[261] Belonging to the god of Fire.\n\n[262] Relative to Rudra.\n\n[263] Belonging to Indra.\n\n[264] What could this be like? The commentator is silent over this\n important point.--T.\n\n[265] Belonging to the Wind-god.\n\n[266] Belonging to Brahma.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXIXII.\n\n\nHearing Atikaya slain by the high-souled Lakshmana, the king was filled\nwith exceeding great anxiety and spoke thus,--\"Dhumraksha exceedingly\nwrathful,--best of those equipped with all arms--and Akampana and\nPrahasta and Kumbhakarna--all these exceedingly mighty heroes--Rakshasas\never seeking warfare, conquerers of the forces of foes, and never\ndefeated by antagonists, have together with their hosts been slain by\nRama of untiring feats. And other Rakshasas having gigantic bodies and\nskilled in various arms,--countless high-souled heroes--have also been\nbrought down. These brothers were formerly bound by my son Indrajit of\nrenowned strength and prowess with terrific shafts, obtained as boons.\nAnd I do not know by what power or superhuman virtue or stupifying\nenergy did those brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--liberate themselves from\nthose dreadful bonds, which could be loosed neither by celestials nor\nthe highly powerful Asuras combined nor Yakyas, Gandharbas and Pannagas.\nAnd all those heroic Rakshasa warriors that marched forth at my bidding,\nhave been destroyed by monkeys of marvellous might. Him see I not that\ncan now slay Rama with Lakshmana,--that hero together with his forces\nand Sugriva and Bibhishana. Alack! mighty must be Rama and wondrous is\nhis strength of weapon--he coming in contact with whose prowess, these\nRakshasas have met with their deaths. Now let this palace be everywhere\nguarded by a vigilant garrison,--as also the _acoka_ wood where Sita is\nbeing guarded. We should always be acquainted with the ingress and\negress (of every person). And do ye, surrounded by forces, remain where\nthere are garrisons. And the night-rangers should in the evening, at\nmidnight and in the morning always watch the movements of the monkeys.\nThe monkeys should by no means be slighted. And ye should know whether\nthe enemy putteth forth (fresh) efforts,--and whether they advance or\nremain stationed where they at present are\".--Thereupon those exceeding\nmighty Rakshasas did as they had been desired. And having directed them,\nRavana--lord of Rakshasas--bearing the dart of ire (in his heart), in\nforlorn guise entered his own mansion. And with the fire of his rage\nblazing up, the exceedingly powerful sovereign of the night-rangers,\nabsorbed with the danger that had befallen his son, began to sigh\nmomentarily.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXIII.\n\n\nThose Rakshas that remained after the others had been slain, swiftly\ninformed Ravana that all those foremost of Rakshasas--Devantaka and the\nrest, Triciras, Atikaya and others--had been slain. And suddenly hearing\nthem slain, the king with his eyes charged with brine, thinking of the\ndisastrous destruction of his sons and brothers, was extremely agonized.\nThereupon, seeing the king afflicted, and sunk in a sea of sorrow, that\nforemost of car-warriors--son unto the Rakshasa king--Indrajit,\naddressed (his sire), saying,--\"O father, it doth not behove thee to be\novercome with this excessive grief, inasmuch as, O lord of Nairitas,\nIndrajit yet breaths. Smit by the enemy of Indra, (Raghava) can by no\nmeans save his life in encounter. To-day behold Rama along with\nLakshmana with their bodies torn with my shafts,--lying down lifeless on\nthe ground, having their persons covered with my sharpened arrows! Hear\nthis vow of the foe of Indra, never swerving and instinct with prowess\nand divinity,--this very day will I with unfailing shafts slay Rama\nalong with Lakshmana. To-day let Indra and Vaivacwata and Vishnu and\nRudra and Sadhyas and Vaicwas and men and the Sun and the Moon, behold\nmy immeasurable prowess, terrific like that of Vishnu at the sacrificial\nground of Vali\". Having spoken thus, that foe of the lord of celestials\nendowed with exceeding energy, taking the king's permission, ascended a\ncar having the velocity of the wind itself, yoked with asses, and\nfurnished with every variety of weapons. And ascending the car,\nresembling the car of Hari himself, that exceedingly powerful repressor\nof enemies at once set out for the field of battle. And as that\nhigh-souled (hero) marched, he was followed by countless mighty\n(Rakshasas) breathing spirits; bearing bows in their strong hands. And\nsome of those, resembling mountains, were mounted on elephants, and some\non superb steeds, and some on bears, and some on beasts of prey, and\nsome on lions and jackals,--and some of the Rakshasas endowed with\ndreadful vigor were mounted on crows, and some on swans, and some on\npeacocks,--they were equipped with _pracas_ and maces and _nistrincas_\nand axes and clubs. And all sides were filled with the blares of conchs\nand the sounds of kettle-drums. And then that enemy of the lord of\ncelestials marched forth with impetuosity. And with an umbrella hued\nlike the Moon, that destroyer of enemies appeared like the full Moon\nstationed in the sky. And that hero garnished in golden ornaments--that\nforemost of all bowmen--was fanned by an excellent and graceful golden\n_chowri_. And with Indrajit furnished with the splendour of the Sun\nhimself, and possessed of peerless prowess, Lanka, looked beauteous even\nas the firmament graced with the glorious Sun.\n\nArriving at the scene of conflict, that highly powerful repressor of\nfoes arrayed his forces around the car. And then that foremost of\nRakshasas with choice mantras duly offered libations unto Fire.[267] And\nthat powerful lord of Rakshasas there worshipping Fire with fragrant\nwreaths and fried paddy, sacrificed unto it. And arms served for _Kaca_\nand _Bibhitakas_ for fuel; and there were red cloths and a ladle made of\nblack iron. And spreading Fire there, with _tomaras_ representing\n_Kaca_, he seized the neck of a living goat. And then the kindled\nsmokeless fire blazing up brilliantly, displayed signs betokening\nvictory. Thereat, with his right tongue whirling, the Deity of Fire\nhimself looking like one made of gold,--arising, accepted the offering.\nAnd then that (Rakshasa) skilled in weapons acquired a Brahma weapon\n(from that Deity), and inspired his bow and car with _mantras_. On that\nweapon having been invoked,[268] and on (the god of Fire) also having\nbeen worshipped, the firmament furnished with the suns and stars and\nplanets was afflicted with affright. Having worshipped (the god of\nFire), that one endowed with the splendour of Fire itself, that one\npossessed of the prowess of the great Indra and gifted with\ninconceivable vigor, accoutred in bows and arrows and swords and having\nsteeds and cars and darts,--disappeared in the sky. Then burning for\nbattle, setting up roars went out the Rakshasa ranks, thronging with\nsteeds and cars, and graced with pennons and standards. And they fell to\nslaughtering monkeys in the engagement with countless shafts, sharp,\nvariegated and decorated; as also with _tomaras_ and _hooks_. And\nRavana's son, fired with wrath, seeing those night-rangers, addressed\nthem, saying,--\"Do ye, burning with a desire to destroy the monkeys,\nfight cheerfully\". Thereat all those Rakshasas, eager for victory,\nsmitting roars, covered the dreadful monkeys with showers of shafts. And\nenvironed by Rakshas in that encounter, he[269] poured on the monkeys\n_nalikas_ and _narachas_ and maces and clubs. And trembling in the\nencounter, those monkeys armed with trees at once began to shower rocks\nand trees on Ravana's son. Then the exceedingly powerful Indrajit, son\nunto Ravana, endowed with wondrous energy, pierced the bodies of the\nmonkeys (with arrows). And fired with wrath, that (hero) rejoicing the\nRakshasas with a single shaft pierced nine and seven monkeys in that\nencounter. And that invincible hero in that conflict mangled the monkeys\nwith shafts resembling the Sun, decked with gold. And their persons\npierced in that contest, and themselves pained with those arrows, they\nbegan to fall down, giving up all intention of fight, like mighty Asuras\nsmit by the celestials. And then waxing highly enraged, those\nconsiderable monkeys in that conflict hotly pursued (Indrajit)\nresembling the Sun himself and having terrific arrows for his rays. And\nall the monkeys, with their bodies riven and deprived of their senses,\nand bathed in blood and writhing in torments,--pursued (Indrajit). And\nputting forth their prowess in behalf of Rama, those monkeys, equipped\nwith rocks in the encounter, who had set apart their very lives (for\nhim), paused, shouting up loudly. And they in that conflict showered\ntrees and crags and mountain-tops on Ravana's son. And that destroyer of\nfoes--the exceedingly energetic son unto Ravana--resisted that mighty\nshower of trees and stones capable of compassing destruction. Then that\nLord pierced the monkey-hosts in the encounter with shafts resembling\nfire or venomous serpents. And piercing Gandhamadana with eight and ten\nsharp arrows, he wounded Nila stationed at a distance with nine shafts.\nAnd that one endowed with redoubtable prowess pierced Mainda with seven\nshafts capable of piercing into the pith; and he pierced Gaja with five\nshafts in the encounter. And he pierced Jambavan with ten and Nila with\nthirty. And then with dreadful sharp shafts obtained as boons, he\nrendered Sugriva and Rishabha and Angada and Dwivida (almost) lifeless.\nAnd transported with passion, and resembling the Five arisen at\nDoomsday, Indrajit, harassed other principal monkeys with countless\narrows. And in that terrific conflict, he agitated the monkey-hosts with\nswift-speeding shafts, resembling the Sun himself, deftly discharged\n(from his bow). Then in that encounter, leaving his army, Indrajit\nbecame suddenly invisible unto the monkey-hosts,--and began to shower\nfierce arrows, like dark clouds pouring rain. And with their persons\ntorn by the arrows of the conqueror of Sakra,--slain by his power of\nillusion,--with their teeth uprooted, those mountain-like monkeys fell\ndown in the field, emitting frightful cries,--like a mountain smit with\nIndra's thunderbolt. And in the conflict they could only see sharp\npointed shafts among the monkey-ranks; but that foe of the celestial\nchief--the Rakshasa, hidden by virtue of illusion, they could not\ndiscover there. And then the high-souled lord of Rakshas covered all\nsides with sharp-pointed shafts resembling the rays of the Sun; and he\nrived the foremost monkeys. And whirling darts and _nistraicas_ and\naxes, flaming and having the effulgence of Fire,--and furnished with\nflames shooting forth sparks,--he discharged them furiously at the\nforces of the sovereign of monkeys. And the monkey-leaders struck with\nSakrajit's shafts resembling flames, appeared like laughing Kincukas.\nAnd some looking at the sky were struck at their eyes. And they\ngradually began to hide themselves in each other and drop to the earth.\nAnd that foremost of Rakshasas--Indrajit--with _pracas_ and darts and\nwhetted arrows, inspired with _mantras_, pierced all those powerful\nmonkeys,--Hanuman and Sugriva and Angada and Gandhamadana and Jambavan\nand Sushena and Vegadarcin, and Mainda and Dwivida and Nila and Gavaksha\nand Gavaya and Kesari and Hariloman and the monkey Vidyutdanshtra and\nSuryyanana and Jyotimukha and the monkey Dadhimukha and Pavakaksha and\nNala and the monkey Kumuda. And having pierced those foremost monkeys\nwith golden-hued maces, he showered on Rama and Lakshmana arrows\nresembling the rays of the Sun. And showered with those vollies of\narrows, Rama, without heeding that discharge resembling a very\ndownpour,--reflecting, spoke unto Lakshmana,--\"O Lakshmana, this lord of\nRakshasas, this foe of the lord of celestials, having obtained the\nBrahma weapon,--after having brought down the monkey-hosts, are\nassailing us with sharpened shafts. And that high-souled heedful one,\nhaving been given a boon by the Self-sprung, hath rendered his dreadful\nbody invisible. How can we slay him, who is fighting with upraised\nweapons, but who hath hid his body. The reverend Self-sprung, I deem, is\nincomprehensible. And this is his weapon, embodying his energy.\nTherefore, O intelligent one, do thou to-day along with me calmly bear\nthis. And let this foremost them all--this lord of Rakshasas--cover all\nsides with the showers of his shafts. And in consequence of this, the\narmy of the monkey-king with its greatest heroes fallen, doth not appear\nto advantage. And seeing us also fallen senseless, and desisting from\nfight with our joy and anger gone off from us, for certain will the\nenemy of the immortals, taking the Fortune of fight seek his home\". And\nassailed by Indra with networks of arrows, they were then sore\ndistressed the field. And having struck them with sadness, Indra from\njoy shouted in the encounter. And having thus worst in battle that\nmonkey-army and Rama along with Lakshmana he speedily entered the city\nruled by the hand of the Ten-necked one. And extolled by the Yatudhanas,\nhe, filled with delight, related everything unto his sire.\n\n[267] Hutabhoktaram--_eater of sacrificial offerings_--a designation of\n Fire.\n\n[268] _i.e._ on the deity presiding over that weapon, being invoked.\n\n[269] Indrajit.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXIV.\n\n\nAnd they[270] were rendered inert in the field; and the army of the\nmonkey-leaders was stupified, with Sugriva and Nila and Angada and\nJambavan,--and they did not show any signs of activity. Thereupon,\nseeing them dispirited, that foremost of intelligent\npersons--Bibhishana--cheering them up with his peerless speech,\nsaid,--\"Ye heroes of the king of monkeys, do not give way to fear. This\nis not the time to indulge in grief at this place; for the sons of the\nnoble one,[271]--inactive and depressed, and seeming to be wounded with\nthe showers of Indrajit's shafts,--are in reality in this plight, for\nshowing reverence unto the words[272] of the Self-sprung one.--On him\nthe Self-sprung hath conferred the mighty Brahma, weapon of unfailing\npower; and the king's sons are doing honour to it by lying down on the\nfield of battle. Why then do ye grieve now?\" Hearing the words of\nBibhishana and honoring the Brahma weapon, Hanuman spoke as\nfollows:--\"The host of the quick-paced monkeys hath been slain by this\nweapon. Let us go and console them who are still living\". And those two\ngreat heroes--Hanuman and that foremost of the Rakshasas, with\nfire-brands in their hands, began to range to and fro in the battle\nfield. And they beheld there the earth strewn on all sides with monkeys\nlying down like so many hills and various shining weapons. And some of\nthese monkeys were deprived of their tails, some of their hands, some of\ntheir thighs, some of their legs, some of their fingers, and some of\ntheir heads. And blood was gushing out from the persons of some, and\nothers were urinating out of fear. And Bibhishana and Hanuman beheld\nthere Sugriva, Angada, Nila, Gandhamldana, Jambavan, Sushena,\nVegadarshin, Mainda, Nala, Jyotimukha, and the monkey, Dwivida,--almost\nslain. And Bibhishana and Hanuman saw in the field seven and sixty kotis\nof fleet-footing monkeys slain (in battle) at the fifth part of the day\nby the darling of the Self-sprung. And surveying that host worsted,\ndreadful like the surges of the sea, Hanuman and Bibhishana began to\nsearch for Jambavan. And finding that heroic son of Prajapati, afflicted\nwith natural decrepitude, aged, and resembling smouldering\nfire,--wounded with hundreds of shafts, Pulastya's son said,--\"O noble\none, hath not thy life been destroyed with those sharp shafts?\" Hearing\nBibhishana's words, Jambavan--best of bears--evoking utterance with\nextreme effort, said,--\"O foremost of Nairitas, endowed with exceeding\nprowess, I know thee by thy voice. Having my person pierced with sharp\nshafts, I cannot see thee with my eyes. Doth he through whom Anjana as\nwell as Mataricwa[273] are blessed with fair offspring,--doth that\nprince of monkeys--Hanuman--live?\" Hearing Jambavan's speech, Bibhishaua\nsaid,--\"Why, passing by the son of the high and mighty,[274] dost thou\nenquire after the Wind-god's offspring? O noble one, thou dost not show\nthat overflowing affection either for king Sugriva or Raghava that thou\nshowest for the son of the Wind-god\". Hearing Bibhishana's words,\nJambavan said,--\"Hear, O foremost of Rakshasas, why I enquire after the\nWind-god's son. While this hero is alive, this force, albeit destroyed,\nliveth; but if Hanuman is reft of life, although living, we are\ndestroyed. O child, if the Wind-god's offspring, resembling his sire\nhimself or (the deity of) Fire in prowess, is alive, there is hope for\nour lives\". Then approaching that aged one, Hanuman--son unto the Wind\ngod--saluted him humbly, holding Jambavan's feet. Hearing Hanuman's\nvoice, that foremost of monkeys, with his senses sorely smarting, deemed\nhimself as having regained his life. Then that exceedingly energetic one\naddressed Hanuman, saying,--\"Come, O powerful monkey. It behoveth thee\nto rescue the monkeys. There is none else. Endowed with profuse prowess,\nthou art the greatest friend of these. This is the hour when thou\nshouldst display thy might. Any other see I not. Do thou cheer up this\nhost consisting of bears and monkeys; and do thou also heal the wounds\nof these two tormented by them. Bounding sheer over the main, thou, O\nHanuman, shouldst repair to the Himavan--foremost of mountains. There\nthou wilt see that best of mountains--the golden Rishabha of terrific\naspect, and, smiter of foes, the peak also of Kailaca. Lying in the Up\nof these two, thou, O hero, O powerful monkey, wilt see the mountain of\nmedicines, fraught with healing herbs of all kinds. On its summit thou\nwilt find four medicinal herbs flaming and illumining the ten cardinal\nquarters--_viz_., Mritasanjivani,[275] Vicalyakarani,[276]\nSuvarnakarani,[277] and the mighty medicine, Sandhani. O Hanuman,\nproviding thyself with these, thou shouldst come hither without delay.\nDo thou, O offspring of the Wind-god[278] bringing back lives unto these\nmonkeys, cheer them up\". Thereat Hanuman filled himself with energy,\neven as the Ocean heaveth with the force of the winds (blowing on its\nbreast). And ascending the summit of that mountain,[279] and hurting it\nwith his tread, that hero--Hanuman--appeared like a second mountain, And\ncrushed under the tread of that monkey, the mountain was dispirited; and\nsore distressed, it could hardly contain itself. And the trees on it\nbegan to topple to the earth; and on account of the vehemence of the\nmonkey, they flamed up. And smitten by Hanuman, its peaks were scattered\naround. And monkeys could no longer dwell on that foremost of mountains,\nwhich, being hard pressed (by Hanuman), was trembling all over, with its\nslopes covered with broken trees and rocks. And with her giant gateways\nshaking, and the doors of her edifices broken, that night Lanka,\noverwhelmed with fright, seemed to be dancing. And the offspring of the\nWind-god, resembling a mountain itself, bringing that mountain to sore\nstraits, agitated the entire earth with her Oceans. And hurting the\nmountain with his tread, he, opening wide his mouth resembling that of a\nmare, sent up loud shouts, terrifying the night-rangers. And hearing\nthose tremendous roars as he kept emitting cries, the powerful Rakshasas\nwere quite stupified. And bowing down unto the Ocean, that subduer of\nenemies, the Wind-god's son, endowed with dreadful prowess, began to\nponder over the mighty mission with which he had been entrusted in the\ninterests of Raghava.--And, then upraising his tail resembling a\nserpent, bending his back, contracting his ears, and opening his mouth\nlooking like that of a mare, that one possessed of terrific impetuosity,\nbounded into the sky. And with the vehemence of his rush,--he carried\naway in his wake whole tracts of trees, and rocks, and crags, and\ninferior monkeys;[280] and after having been carried away some distance\nby the vehemence of his arms and thighs, they, at length losing their\nvelocity, fell into the waters (of the Ocean.) And stretching his arms\nresembling serpents, the son of the Wind-god endowed with the prowess of\nGaruda[281] coursed on towards the monarch of mountains, as if making\nall the quarters tremble. And seeing the sea with its hosts of billows\nrolling furiously, and with the confederacies of aquatic animals\nbewildered by the angry waters, he coursed on rapidly, like the discus\ndischarged by the hand of Vishnu. And surveying hills and birds and\npools and rivers and tanks and splendid cities and flourishing\nprovinces, that one equal to his sire himself in celerity, held his way.\nAnd that hero--Hanuman--like unto his father in prowess, and incapable\nof being fatigued, vigorously proceeded along the orbit of the Sun. And\nthat powerful monkey possessed of the speed of the Wind itself, and\nhaving mighty impetuosity, careered, making all sides resound with his\nroars. And remembering Jambavan's words, that redoubtable monkey, son\nunto the Wind-god, possessed of terrific prowess, and resembling a\nmountain, suddenly saw (before him) the Himavan: furnished with\ncountless cascades and numerous caves and rivulets; with splendid\nsummits appearing like massess of pale clouds; and graced with various\ntrees. And arriving at that lord of mighty mountains, furnished with\nexcellent towering golden summits, he saw the great sacred asylums (of\nthe ascetics), inhabited by the flower of celestial saints. And he saw\nBrahmakoca[282] and Rajatalaya[283] and Sakralaya[284] and\nRudracarapramoksha[285] and Hayanana[286] and the flaming\nBrahmaciras,[287] and the servants of Vaivacwata.[288] And he saw the\nabode of the Fire-god, and the abode of Vaicravana and the effulgent\nSuryyanivandhana.[289] and the abode of Brahma,[290] and the bow of\nSankara, and the navel of the Earth.[291] And he saw Kailaca of terrific\naspect, and the stone[292] of Himavan, and that bull,[293] and the\ngolden mountain, and that foremost of mountains furnished with all\nmedicinal herbs, flaming, and illuminated with every kind of medicinal\nplants. And beholding that flaming mass of fire, the offspring of\nVasava's[294] emissary wondered. And bounding up to the lord of\nmedicinal mountains, he fell to searching for the drugs. And that mighty\nmonkey--the Wind-god's son--leaving behind a thousand _yojanas_, began\nto range the mountain containing the divine remedies in its entrails.\nAnd those potent medicines, in that foremost of mountains, knowing\n(before-hand) that one was coming seeking for them, rendered themselves\ninvisible. And not seeing them, the high-souled Hanuman was angered; and\nfrom wrath he set up roars. And not brooking that, (Hanuman) with eyes\nresembling glowing fire, addressed that foremost of mountains,\nsaying,--\"What is this that thou hast decided on, that thou showest no\ncompassion for Raghava? But, O lord of mountains, to-day witness\nthyself, overpowered by my arms and torn in pieces!\" And (anon) on a\nsudden, he violently rooted up its summit with trees and elephants and\ngold, and furnished with a thousand varieties of ore,--having its tops\ntorn and its slopes aflame. And uprooting it, he sprang into (the bosom\nof the air), terrifying the worlds containing celestials and the lords\nthereof. And hymned by countless rangers of the air, that one endowed\nwith the terrific impetuosity of Garuda himself, taking that summit\nfurnished with the splendour of the Sun, went along the orbit of the\nSun. And near the Sun, that Sun-like one seemed to be another Sun. And\nwith that mountain, the offspring of the bearer of perfumes appeared\nsurpassingly grand, like very Vishnu equipped with the flaming discus\nhaving a thousand edges. And seeing him, the monkeys shouted,--and he\nalso, seeing then, shouted in delight. And hearing their tremendous\ncheers, those residing in Lanka shouted still more dreadfully. And then\nthe high-souled one dropped on that best of mountains in the midst of\nthe monkey-forces; and, bowing down unto the principal monkeys there, he\nembraced Bibhishana. And then those sons of that king of men, smelling\nthe perfume of that mighty medicine, were then and there healed of their\nwounds; and the heroic monkeys also sat up. And all the heroic monkeys\nwere instantly healed and cured; and those also that were slain (in\nbattle), through the smell of that best of drugs, sat up, like persons\nrisen after sleep at break of day. Ever since the monkeys and Rakshasas\nhad begun to fight, for maintaining honor, all those Rakshasas that were\nslain there by the mighty monkeys, were thrown into the sea. Then that\nmonkey, the offspring of the bearer of fragrance, endowed with terrific\nspeed, took that medicinal mountain (back) unto Himavan and again\npresented himself before Rama.\n\n[270] _i.e._ Rama and Lakshmana.\n\n[271] Dacaratha.\n\n[272] Mantra.\n\n[273] The Wind-god.\n\n[274] _Vide Hamlet._\n\n[275] _Lit._ reviving the dead.\n\n[276] _Lit._ healing wounds inflicted by darts.\n\n[277] _Lit._ transmuting any thing to gold.\n\n[278] _Gandhabahatanaya_--lit., son unto the bearer of smell--a\n designation of the Wind in Sanskrit.--T.\n\n[279] Trikuta.\n\n[280] Residing in the Trikuta mountain.\n\n[281] The text has, _the Foe of serpents_--an appellation of Garuda\n\n[282] The place of Hiranyagarbha.\n\n[283] The place of Rajatanabha--_silver-naveled_--another form of\n Hiranyagarbha.\n\n[284] The abode of Sakra.\n\n[285] The place wherefrom Rudra discharged his arrow on the occasion of\n the destruction of Tripura.\n\n[286] The place of the Horse-necked.\n\n[287] The place of the deity presiding over the Brahma weapon.\n\n[288] An appellation of Yama.\n\n[289] The spot where the suns meet.\n\n[290] The place of the four-faced Brahma.\n\n[291] The spot of Prajapati.\n\n[292] On which Rudra sat when engaged in asceticism.\n\n[293] Which had been mentioned by Jambavan.\n\n[294] The emissary of Vasava in his cloud-form is the Wind driving the\n cloud; and the passage refers to Hanuman.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXV.\n\n\nThen the exceedingly energetic lord of monkeys, Sugriva, said unto\nHanuman these words fraught with import,--\"Inasmuch as Kumbhakarna hath\nbeen slain as also the princes,[295] Ravana can no longer defend the\ncity.[296] Now let those principal monkeys that are endowed with great\nstrength and that are furnished with fleetness, taking fire-brands (in\ntheir hands) rapidly rush towards Lanka\". Then when the Sun had set and\nat the terrific front of Night, those foremost of monkeys marched\ntowards Lanka, equipped with fire-brands. And charged at all points by\nnumbers of monkeys armed with fire-brands, those fierce-eyed (Rakshasas)\nthat guarded the gates[297] suddenly fled away. And thereat, (the\nmonkeys) delighted set fire to gates and upper apartments and spacious\nhigh-ways and various by-ways and edifices. And the fire[298] burnt\ntheir[299] mansions by thousands; and mountain-like superstructures\ntoppled headlong to the earth. And there burnt _aguru_, and sweet\nsandal, and pearls, and sheeny gems, and diamonds and corals. And there\nburnt linen and fine silk and _avikas_ and various kinds of woolen\ncloths; and vessels of gold, and weapons; divers kinds of furniture,\ntrappings and ornaments of steeds; cords for tying elephants; burnished\nornaments for cars; armour of warriors; and hides of horses and\nelephants. And swords and bows and bow-strings and arrows and\n_tomaras_[300] and _ankucas_[301] and darts. And blankets and _chowris_\nand tiger-skins and musk and other things. And pearls and excellent\ngems; and edifices all around. And there the fire burneth heaps of\nvarious kinds of arms. And then the fire burnt various kinds of curious\nstructures, and the dwellings of Rakshasas and all householders. And\nthere the fire flaming up again and again burnt down by hundreds and\nthousands the houses of the denizons of Lanka,--clad in curious golden\nmail; and wearing wreaths and ornaments and attires; having their eyes\nwildly moving in intoxication; reeling in drink; those whose paramours\nwere dressed in flowing apparels; or those wroth with their foes; or\nbearing maces and darts and swords in their hands; or engaged in eating\nor drinking; or asleep with their beloved on costly couches; or who,\nagitated with fright, were hastily going taking their sons with\nthem.--And that fire burnt down firm-based rich dwellings furnished with\ninnumerable apartments, and garnished with golden Moons and\ncrescents,--and mansions having graceful crests; and variegated windows\nand daises raised there, embellished with rubies and lapises, and\nseeming to touch the Sun; and piles resembling mountains in\ngrandeur,--and resonant with the cries of Kraunchas and peacocks and the\ntinklings of ornaments. And the flaming gateways all round appeared like\nclouds in the rainy season lighted up by lightning, or like the peaks of\na mighty mountain ablaze with a forest-conflagration. And superb damsels\nasleep in lofty edifices,[302] being burnt, cast away their ornaments\nand shrieked. And consumed by the fire, buildings began to drop down\nlike the summits of a mighty mountain smit with the thunder-bolt of the\nthunderer. And those burning, appeared from a distance like the peaks of\nHimalaya aglow. And in consequence of those tops of the edifices burning\nand of the living flames, that night Lanka looked as if swarming with\nflowering Kincukas. And with elephant-riders, and elephants, and steeds\nlet loose, Lanka appeared like the Ocean at the hour of Universal\ntumbling,--with its ferocious aquatic animals whirling in wild chaos.\nSometimes, an elephant seeing a steed let loose,--was flying away in\nfear; and sometimes a horse seeing a frightened elephant, was stopping,\nhimself seized with fear.--And on Lanka burning, the mighty main with\nthe reflection (of the conflagration) looked like an Ocean of red\nwaters. And in a short time that city set on fire by the monkeys, looked\nlike the earth glowing at the time of the Universal dissolution. And the\ncries of the females amidst the drift of smoke, heated by the flames,\ncould be heard from an hundred Yojanas. And as Rakshasas having their\nbodies burnt came out of houses, monkeys eager for encounter on a sudden\nsprung upon them. And the shouts of the monkeys and the cries of the\nRakshasas made the ten cardinal quarters and the ocean and the Earth\nresound.\n\nAnd on those high souled ones--both Rama and Lakshmana--having been\ncured of their wounds, possessing themselves in calmness, took up their\nexcellent bows. And Rama drew that best of bows. And thereat there was\nheard a tremendous twang striking terror into the Rakshasas. And drawing\nhis redoubtable bow, Rama appeared like the reverend enraged Bhava,\ndrawing his bow having sounds and instinct with Brahma energy. And the\ntwang of Rama's bow, drowning the roars of both the monkeys and the\nRakshasas,--was alone heard. And the ululations of the monkeys and the\ncries of the Rakshasas and the rattle of Rama's bow--these three filled\nthe ten cardinal quarters. And with the shafts discharged from his bow,\nthe gateway of the city resembling the summit of Kailaca was crushed in\npieces, scattered around on the ground. And seeing Rama's shafts in cars\nand dwellings, the preparations for conflict were pushed on with great\nvigor. And in consequence of the foremost Rakshasas preparing for fight,\nand emitting roars, that night appeared like the Fatal Night itself. And\nthe foremost monkeys were directed by the high-souled Sugriva,\nsaying,--\"Ye monkeys, do ye fight, approaching the gate lying at hand.\nBut he that flyeth from his ranks, should be slain by main force\". As\nthe principal monkeys stationed themselves at the gate, equipped with\nfire brands, wrath took possession of Ravana. And as he yawned, the wind\n(blowing from his mouth), filled the ten cardinal regions; and his wrath\nresembled that appearing in the person of Rudra. And wrought up with a\nmighty rage, he sent forth Kumbha and Nikumbha--both sons of\nKumbhakarna--in company with innumerable Rakshasas.--And in accordance\nwith Ravana's command, Yupaksha and Sonitaksha, and Prajangha, and\nKampana went with Kumbhakarna's sons. And, setting up leonine roars, he\ncommanded all those highly powerful Rakshasas, saying,--\"Do ye go this\nvery day for battle\". Thus directed, those heroic Rakshasas, equipped\nwith flaming weapons, went out, roaring again and again. And the\nfirmament was illuminated with the splendour of the ornaments of the\nRakshasas and the splendour of their persons and the fire kindled by the\nmonkeys. And there the light of the Moon and that of the stars and the\nbrilliance of their ornaments,--combined, lighted up the welkin.--And\nthe beams of the Moon and the brilliance of the ornaments and the\nflaming splendour of the planets emblazoned all round the forces of the\nmonkeys and Rakshasas. And the light of half-burnt houses, again,\nfalling on the restless ripples of the sea, made it wear an extremely\nbeautiful aspect. And those dreadful Rakshasa hosts, possessed of\ndreadful prowess and energy, were seen,--with ensigns and banners;\nexcellent swords and _paracwadhas_,[303] terrific steeds and cars and\nelephants rife with _paths_,[304] and flaming darts and clubs and\nscimitars and _yrasas_ and _tomaras_ and bows; bearing blazing _prasas_;\nringing with the tinklings of hundreds of balls; with their arms encased\nin golden networks; flourishing axes; whirling their mighty weapons;\nfixing shafts on their bows; making the air swoon away with the perfumes\nof their wreaths; extremely terrific; swarming with heroes; sending out\nsounds like those of the sea. And seeing the army of the Rakshasas\nincapable of being coped with advance, the monkey-forces began to move\nand send up loud cheers. And thereat that array of Rakshasas vehemently\nsprang forward before the force of the foe, like unto insects plunging\ninto aflame. And whirling with their arms bludgeons and _acanis_, that\narmy of Rakshasas appeared exceedingly grand. And the monkeys, eager for\nencounter, darted forward like maniacs; and began to despatch the\nnight-rangers with rocks and trees and clenched fist. And Rakshasas\npossessed of dreadful prowess with whetted arrows swiftly cut off the\nheads of falling monkeys. And the Rakshasas ranged there, with their\nears torn with teeth, or their heads broken by blows, or their limbs\ncrushed with the discharge of crags. And in the same way other\ngrim-visaged night-rangers slew with sharpened swords the foremost of\nmonkeys on all sides. And one about to slay another was himself slain by\nthe latter; and one, about to bring another down, was himself brought\ndown (by his adversary), and one that was railing at another, was in\nturn rebuked by his enemy; and one who was going to bite his foe, was\nhimself bitten by him. And one was crying 'Give,'[305] and his adversary\nanon giveth; and another, again said,--'I will give. Why puttest thyself\nto trouble? Stay.' Thus there did they accost each other. And there was\nwaged a terrific encounter between the monkeys and the Rakshasas,--in\nwhich arms lay scattered about; and armour and weapons strewn around;\nand mighty _pracas_[306] were upraised; and which was fought with blows\nand darts and swords and _Kuntalas_.[307] And in that conflict the\nRakshasas slaughtered monkeys by tens and sevens. And then the monkeys\nhemmed in the Rakshasa-forces, with their apparels falling off and with\ntheir mail and standards strewn around.\n\n[295] _Nishuditah--slain_, left out for euphony.\n\n[296] _Upanirharam_ is a contested term. Kataka gives the sense adopted\n by me. Tirtha says it means 'Ravana cannot give battle in the open\n field.' According to others, it means 'He cannot offer truce to\n us'.--T.\n\n[297] _Arakshah_--according to some means _gates_. According to others,\n a _gulma or division of an army_.--T.\n\n[298] _Hutabhuk--lit_. eater of sacrificial offsprings--a designation of\n Fire.\n\n[299] According to the commentator this refers to the fire lighted by\n the monkeys. I differ.--T.\n\n[300] An Iron club.--T.\n\n[301] The hook used to drive an elephant.--T.\n\n[302] _Vimana_, according to Ramanuya, is a seven-storied edifice.--T.\n\n[303] A platoon consisting of one chariot, one elephant, three horse and\n five foot.--T.\n\n[304] A kind of sword.\n\n[305] Battle.\n\n[306] A bearded dart.\n\n[307] What could this be like? The commentator is mute. Wilson has\n _Kuntalika_--butter-knife or scoop. _Kuntala_ may, however, mean a\n _plough_.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXVI.\n\n\nOn that furious and destructive carnage proceeding. Angada, eager for\nencounter, approached the heroic Kampana. Thereat, challenging Angada in\nwrath, he assailed him with impetuosity. And Kampana dealt a blow to\nAngada with his mace; and thereat, wounded with it, he reeled. Then\nregaining his senses, that energetic one hurled a mountain-top. Borne\ndown by the blow, Akampana dropped down to the earth. And seeing Kampana\nslain in the conflict, Sonitaksha mounted on a car, intrepidly rushed\nagainst Angada. And he then impetuosly pierced Angada with sharpened\nshafts, keen and capable of cleaving the body and resembling the Fatal\nFire itself in appearance,--with Kshuras[308] and Kshurapras[309] and\nNarachas[310] and Vatsadantas[311] and Siliumkhas[312] and Karnis[313]\nand Salas[314] and Vipatas,[315] and countless (other) whetted arrows.\nAnd the powerful son of Vali--Angada--endowed with prowess having his\nperson pierced with arrows suddenly smashed (his adversary's) car and\narrows and dreadful bow. And thereat, Sonitaksha swiftly took up his\nsword and shield; and without reflecting for a moment, that vigorous one\nsprang forward. And the powerful Angada, speedily bounding up, seized\nhis enemy's sword and holding the same with his hands shouted. And then\nhitting at (Akampana's) shoulder-blade, that powerful\nmonkey--Angada--hewed him in twain, his blow going obliquely down like\nthe sacred thread. And taking that terrific sword, and shouting again\nand again, in the field, Vali's son rushed against other enemies. And\nthen strong and heroic Yupaksha accompanied by Prajangha,--mounted on a\ncar, wrathfully approached the mighty son of Vali. And taking an iron\nmace, that hero, Sonitaksha, adorned with a golden _angada_,--attaining\na little respite, advanced against Angada. And that redoubtable hero,\nthe powerful Prajangha, also, accompanied by Yupaksha, fired with wrath,\nequipped with a mace, advanced towards the son of Vali endowed with\nexceeding prowess. And placed between those two--Sonitaksha and\nPrajangha--that foremost of monkeys appeared like the full Moon placed\nbetween the Visakhas.[316] And Mainda and Dwivida defending Angada,\nremained beside him, desirous of witnessing the encounter between those\ntwo (combatants). And fired with fury, those huge-bodied Rakshasas\nendowed with dreadful prowess, equipped with swords and shafts and\nmaces,--being on their guard, fell upon the monkeys. And the encounter\nthat took place between those three lords of monkeys combined (on one\nside), and the three redoubtable Rakshasis (on the other), was dreadful\nand capable of making people's down stand on end. And they,[317] taking\nup trees, hurled them in the conflict (against their antagonists); and\nthe powerful Prajangha resisted all those with his swords. And (the\nmonkeys) in the contest showered rocks and trees on the cars (of their\nenemies) and the exceedingly strong Yupaksha cut them off with vollies\nof arrows. And the powerful Sonitaksha, endowed with prowess, with his\nmace severed in the middle the trees which Dwivida and Mainda had\nuprooted and discharged. And summoning speed, Prajangha darted against\nVali's son, upraising a huge scimitar capable of piercing into the\nvitals of trees. And seeing him approach, that lord of monkeys possessed\nof exceeding strength and great prowess struck him with an Acwakarna\ntree; and with a blow smote his antagonist on his arm holding a\n_nistringa_. And seeing the sword resembling a mace dropped to the\nearth, that exceedingly mighty one clenched his fist into a blow like\nunto the levin; and that one, endowed with wondrous energy, smote in the\nforehead that foremost of monkeys possessed of redoubtable prowess. And\nthereat he for a moment was staggered. And then recovering his senses,\nthe energetic and powerful son of Vali by means of his clenched fist\nsevered Prajangha's head from his body. Thereat Yupaksha, seeing his\nuncle slain in battle, with his eyes filled with tears, finding his\nshafts exhausted, swiftly descended from his car and took a sword. And\nfinding Yupaksha charge, Dwivida, waxing wroth, speedily smote him on\nthe breast; and that powerful one also seized him. And finding his\nbrother taken, the highly energetic Sonitaksha then dealt the mighty\nDwivida a blow in the chest. And overcome by that blow, that one endowed\nwith great strength, shook; and Dwivida seized his antagonist's upraised\nmace. In the meanwhile Mainda came to the side of Dwivida. And\nSonitaksha and Yupaksha, bestirring themselves, began to vehemently and\nforcibly drag and pull those (two) monkeys. And Dwivida with his nail\ntore Sonhaksha's face; and that powerful one violently bringing him down\nto the earth, pressed him with might and main. And fired with wrath,\nMainda--foremost of monkeys--grasped Yupaksha with his arms; and that\none dropt down dead on the earth. And thereupon the force of the lord of\nthe Rakshasas, having its foremost heroes slain,--and aggrieved thereat,\nwent to where Kumbhakarna's son was. And then cheering up the flying\nforces, that best (of Rakshas),--the energetic Kumbha--seeing that\nRaksha host with its mighty heroes slain by highly powerful monkeys\ncrowned with success, began to perform difficult feats in the encounter.\nAnd needfully taking his bow, that first of bowmen discharged shafts\nresembling venomous serpents capable of piercing the body. And his\nexcellent bow with shafts shone resplendent like the very bow of Indra\nhimself affluent with the splendour of Airavata and lightning. And then\ndrawing his bow to its utmost bent, he hit Dwivida with a feathered\nshaft knobbed with gold. And suddenly wounded with it, that best of\nmonkeys having the splendour of Trikuta, fell down senseless to the\nearth, stretching his legs wide. And Mainda, seeing his brother, broken\nin mighty encounter, furiously rushed forward, taking a gigantic crag;\nand that one possessed of great strength, hurled it at the Rakshasa. And\nthereat Kumbha severed that crag with fire shafts discharged (from his\nbow). And then aiming other fair-headed arrows resembling venomous\nsnakes, that exceedingly energetic one smote Dwivida's elder brother in\nthe chest. And struck (with those arrows), that leader of monkey-bands,\nMainda, with his marrow pierced therewith, fell down to the earth,\ndeprived of his senses. And Angada seeing his uncles[318] endowed with\nexceeding prowess, overpowered, darted vehemently at Kumbha staying with\nbow upraised. And as he descended, Kumbha pierced him with fire shafts;\nand as one pierceth an elephant with _tomaras_, he also pierced (Angada)\nwith three other arrows. And the powerful Kumbha pierced Angada with a\ngreat many arrows, sharp-pointed, whetted, keen and ornamented with\ngold. And Vali's son Angada, albeit pierced all over in his person, did\nnot shake; and he kept showering on his[319] head stones and trees. And\nthe graceful son of Kumbhakarna cut off and cleft all those (stone and\ntrees) discharged by Vali's son. And seeing him spring up, Kumbha\npierced that monkey-leader on the ground with shafts, even as one\nassaileth an elephant with fire-brands. And blood gushed out of his\nclosed eyes. And then covering his eyes with his hand, Angada with\nanother took a _sala_ that was hard by. And placing on his breast the\n_sala_ furnished with shoulders, and pulling its branches and bending\nits top, he cleared it of its foliage, in that mighty encounter. And\nthen in the sight of all the Rakshas he violently discharged that tree\nresembling the very banner of Indra and appearing like Mandara itself.\nAnd thereat he[320] severed it with seven sharp shafts capable of\npiercing the body. And Angada experienced a sharp pang and fell down\ndeprived of his senses. And seeing the invincible Angada down like\nebbing sea, the foremost monkeys informed Raghava of it. And Rama,\nhearing that Vali's son had come to grief in terrific fight, directed\nthe principal monkeys, headed by Jambavan. And hearing Rama's command,\nthe monkeys, fired with wrath, charged Kumbha, staying with his bow\nupraised. And those powerful monkeys, with their eyes crimsoned with\ncholer and bearing rocks and trees in their hands, were engaged in\ndefending Angada. And Jambavan and Sushena and the monkey, Vegadarci,\nwrought with wrath, darted against that hero--son unto Kumbhakarna. And\nseeing them spring forward; he covered up those exceedingly mighty lords\nof monkey, with showers of shafts, even as a crag obstructeth the course\nof a current. And even the great deep cannot see his own shores, those\nhigh-souled lord of monkeys, coining within the range of his arrows,\ncould not even see. And seeing those monkeys sore distressed by the\nshafts, the king of the monkeys, Sugriva, in that conflict taking his\nbrother's son on his back, rushed against the son of Kumbhakarna, even\nas a powerful lion rusheth at an elephant ranging on the slopes of a\nmountain. And that mighty monkey, uprooting many an _acwakarna_ and\nother mighty trees of various kinds, discharged them (at the foe). And\nby means of his sharp arrows the graceful son of Kumbhakarna cut off\nthat down-pour of trees covering the welkin; and incapable of being\nresisted. And being baffled those trees looked like _cataghnis_. And\nseeing that shower of trees riven by Kumbha, the graceful lord of the\nmonkeys endowed with exceeding strength and prowess, did not feel any\nmortification. And suddenly attacked, he bearing those arrows, seized\nKumbha's bow resembling in resplendence the very bow of Indra. And\nswiftly bounding up and performing that feat difficult of being\nachieved, he, exceedingly enraged, addressed Kumbha resembling an\nelephant shorn of his tusks, saying,--\"O elder brother of Nikumbha,\nmarvellous are thy might and the force of thyself as well as the modesty\nand prowess that are thine and Ravana's. And, O thou equal unto Prahrada\nor Vali or the slayer of Vritra or Varuna or Kuvera! thou alone walkest\nin the wake of thy yet mightier father. As mental anguish doth not dog\none that hath controlled his senses,--the celestials cannot cope in\nconflict with thee alone, O repressor of foes, O of mighty arms, bearing\nthy dart in thy hand. O thou of high intelligence, put forth thy\nprowess! and do thou also witness my work. It is only by virtue of the\nboon he hath received, that thy uncle can bear the deities and the\nDanavas. But Kumbhakarna copeth with the immortals and Asuras by means\nof his native might. And in the bow equal to Indrajit himself and in\npower equal to Ravana, thou now in might and energy art the foremost of\nRakshasas. And to-day let all creatures witness the mighty and wonderful\nencounter in conflict between thee and me, like unto the meeting of\nSakra and Samvara. And unparalleled is the feat thou hast performed; and\nthou hast displayed thy skill in weapons. And heroic monkeys endowed\nwith dreadful vigor, have been brought down by thee. And, O hero it is\nonly because of the apprehension[321] of censure of the people that I do\nnot slay thee who art fatigued in consequence of the acts that thou hast\nperformed. And reposing from fight, do thou see my strength!\" And being\nthus honored (by Sugriva) with fair speech, (Kumbha) flamed up like a\nflame into which oblations have been poured. And then Kumbha seized\nSugriva by the arms. And like two elephants in rut, they sighing\nmomentarily, fastened on each other's person, and possessed each\nother,--and from fatigue emitting from their mouth flames mixed with\nvapour And with the stamping of their feet, the earth was rent into\nrivers, and the main was waxed, with its billows surging furiously. Then\nSugriva lifting up Kumbha clean, violently plunged him into the salt\nwash, making his eyes acquainted with the locality of the deep. And in\nconsequence of Kumbha's plunge, the waters heaving up, rolled on all\nsides like the Vindhya or Mandara. Then springing up, and bringing\nSugriva down, Kumbha, transported with wrath dealt a blow on his chest,\nlike unto the levin. And thereat his skin was rent, and blood began to\ngush out,--and the impetus of that blow broke Sugriva's bones. And the\nvehemence (of the blow) caused a great fire to blaze up at that spot;\neven as the thunder-bolt smiting the mountain Meru, maketh place blazed.\nAnd the mighty Sugriva--foremost of monkeys--sorely handled by him,\nfastened his fingers into a box resembling the thunder-bolt, and\nfurnished with all the effulgence of the solar disc having a thousand\nrays. And then that powerful one made that blow descend right on\nKumbha's breast. And agonised with that stroke, Kumbha reft of his\nsenses, dropped like unto a fire that hath lost its brightness. And\noverpowered by that blow, the Rakshasa anon dropped down, like unto the\nbright Lohitanga dropping from the firmament urged on by Destiny. And\nthe aspect of the falling Kumbha with his breast broken by the blow,\nappeared like that of the Sun routed by Rudra. And on his being slain,\nin encounter, by the foremost of monkeys endowed with terrific strength,\nthe earth with her hills and woods, shook; and a mighty fear took\npossession of the Rakshas.\n\n[308] Arrows having razor-like edges.\n\n[309] Crescent-shaped shafts.\n\n[310] Arrows made entirely of iron.\n\n[311] Arrows resembling the teeth of calves.\n\n[312] Arrows resembling the feathers of the Kanka.\n\n[313] Arrows furnished with two sides resembling _cars_.\n\n[314] Arrows with short leads.\n\n[315] Arrows resembling the tops of Karaviras--Tirtha.\n\n[316] The asterisks so named.\n\n[317] The monkeys.\n\n[318] Maternal uncles.\n\n[319] Kumbha's.\n\n[320] Kumbha.\n\n[321] _i e._ Lest people should censure me, saying,--'Sugriva slew\n Kumbha when he was fatigued in fight'.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXVII.\n\n\nSeeing his brother slain by Sugriva, Nikumbha, gazed at the lord of the\nmonkeys, as if consuming him with his passion. And then that one endowed\nwith calmness, grasped a bludgeon entwined with wreaths, and furnished\nwith an iron ring measuring five fingers, and resembling the top of the\nMahendra;[322] plated with gold and embellished with diamonds and\nlapises,--and looking like the rod of Yama himself; dreadful, and\ncapable of removing the fear of the Rakshas. And whirling this, that\nhighly powerful one, resembling the banner itself of Sakra in energy,\nNikumbha possessed of terrific strength, with his mouth wide open, set\nup shouts. And with gold adorning his breast, and _angadas_ placed on\nhis arms and a pair of curious and variegated earrings, Nikumbha, with\nhis ornaments and that same bludgeon, appeared beautiful like a mass of\nroaring clouds laughing with lightning and furnished with the iris. And\nthe head of that huge-bodied hero's _parigha_ undid the conjunction of\nthe Seven[323] Winds and appeared[324] like a noiseless and smokeless\nflame. Along with the gyration of Nikumbha's _parigha_ the whole welkin,\ntogether with the excellent city[325] of the Gandharbas, and the\nplanets, stars and the moon, began to whirl. And Nikumbha was hard to\napproach like unto the fire of dissolution, being resplendent with the\nbrilliance of _parigha_ and other ornaments and having his anger for its\nfuels. And the Rakshasas and monkeys did not dare stir even out of fear.\nAnd the heroic Hanuman, spreading his breast, stood before him. And\nthereat the powerful (Nikumbha) having long-arms[326] threw his\n_parigha_ resembling the Sun at the breast of that powerful one. And\nfalling on the firm and spacious breast of Hanuman it was broken into\nhundred pieces. And the broken portions, being scattered, appeared like\nhundreds of fire-brands in the sky. Like unto a mountain standing still\neven at the time of an earthquake that mighty monkey was not moved\nalbeit struck with the _parigha_. Being thus hurt that highly powerful\nHanuman, the foremost of the monkeys, with great velocity clenched his\nfist. And with this, the powerful (monkey) gifted with great\nimpetuosity, and resembling the wind in prowess, struck Nikumbha on his\nbreast. And with that fist, his (Nikumbha's) armour[327] was riven and\nblood gushed out. And a light rising out of his breast suddenly\ndisappeared like unto lightning disappearing in a mass of clouds. And\nbeing struck with his (Hanuman's) fist Nikumbha was greatly moved and\nrestoring himself attacked the mighty Hanuman and pulled him up. And\nbeholding in conflict the terrible and powerful Hanuman pulled up by\nNikumbha, the residents of Lanka began to shout with joy. Being thus put\nto shame by that Raksha, Hanuman the son of the Wind, struck him with\nhis iron fist. And releasing himself from the grasp of Nikumbha, Hanuman\nthe Wind-god's son instantly planted his foot on the earth. Inflamed\nwith ire, he, throwing down Nikumbha, began to crush him; and gifted\nwith vehemence, he, with great impetuosity, leaped up and sat on the\nbreast (of the Raksha). And holding his head with two hands, he,\nemitting loud roars, displaced his head. Nikumbha being thus slain in\nconflict by the Wind-god's son, there ensued a terrible conflict between\nthe highly enraged armies of the son of Dacaratha and the lord of\nRakshasas. And Nikumbha being deprived of his life, the monkeys began to\nshout--as if resounding all the quarters. And with it the whole earth\nmoved and the abode of the celestials dropped down. And the\nRakshasa-hosts were greatly terrified.\n\n[322] The mountain, so named.\n\n[323] This indicates the length of the Parigha.\n\n[324] This might refer to Kumbha as well.\n\n[325] Some say _Vitapabati_ and some say _Alaka_.\n\n[326] _Lit_. arms resembling _parighas_.\n\n[327] Some texts read _charma_ (skin) in the place of _Barma_--(armour)\n _i.e._ his skin was rent--This equally indicates Hanuman's\n strength.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXVIII.\n\n\nBeholding Kumbha and Nikumbha slain, Ravana was excited with ire like\nunto flaming fire. And being beside himself, simultaneously with wrath\nand grief Ravana[328] spoke unto Makaraksha, Khara's son, having\nspacious eyes, saying--\"O child, do thou proceed at my command with the\narmy and destroy Raghava and Lakshmana with all the monkeys\". Hearing\nthe words of Ravana, Khara's son, Makaraksha, proud of his own prowess,\ndelightedly spoke unto the night-ranger, saying, \"Be it so\". And\nsaluting and circumambulating the Ten-necked one, that hero, at Ravana's\nbehest, issued out of the house. And Khara's son spoke unto the\ncommander who was near him, saying,--\"Do thou speedily bring the chariot\nhere and all the soldiers\". And hearing his words, that commanding\nnight-ranger, soon led before him the army and the chariot. And going\nround the chariot and addressing the charioteer that night-ranger\n(Makaraksha) said,--\"O charioteer, do thou soon drive the chariot\". And\nMakaraksha addressed those Rakshasas, saying,--\"O Rakshasas! do ye all\nfight before me. I have been commanded by the high-souled Ravana, the\nlord of Rakshasas, to slay both Rama and Lakshmana in conflict. I shall\nslay to-day, O night-ranger, with my excellent arrows, Rama, Lakshmana,\nSugriva and all other monkeys. Like unto fire consuming dry fuel, shall\nI to-day slay the host of monkeys with my darts\". Hearing those words of\nMakaraksha, the mighty night-rangers, (addressed themselves for fight).\nThey were armed with various weapons, cautious; assuming shapes at will,\ncrooked, having fearful teeth, coppery eyes; roaring like elephants,\nhaving dishevelled hair and terrible. And encircling the huge-bodied son\nof Khara, those gigantic (Rakshasas) began to proceed, delighted and\nmoving the earth (with the weight of their persons). There arose a\nterrible noise on all sides from the sound of conches, and thousands of\nbugles, and from the moving of the arms of the heroes. And all on a\nsudden the reins slipped off (the hands of) the charioteer and the flag\nof the Rakshasas dropped down. And the course of the steeds was thus\nslackend and they began to move slowly and poorly with their heads\ndrooping down. There blew a terribly rough wind mixed with dust when the\nfearfully wicked-minded Makarakshas issued out for battle. Those\npowerful Rakshasas neglecting those bad omens proceeded towards where\nRama and Lakshmana were. They were all black like unto clouds, elephants\nand buffaloes, and had marks of swords and maces on their persons. And\nall those night rangers were skilled in the art of warfare and began to\nrange to and fro (in the battle field) saying, \"I shall go first\".\n\n[328] Nairita is another name of Ravana.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXIX.\n\n\nBeholding Makaraksha out for battle, those foremost monkeys, leaping on\na sudden, addressed themselves for fight. Thereupon ensued a terrible\nconflict, capable of making one's down stand on end, between the\nnight-rangers and the monkeys like unto one between the celestials and\nDanavas. And those monkeys and night-rangers crushed each other down\nwith trees, darts, maces and _parighas_. And those night-rangers began\nto assail those foremost of monkeys with _sakti_,[329] swords, maces,\n_kuntas_, _tomaras_, _patticas_, _Vindipalas_,[330] arrows, nooses and\nclubs. Being thus assailed with fearful arrows by Khara's son, those\nmonkeys, stricken with fear, fled away. And beholding the monkeys fly\naway, the victorious Rakshasas began to roar like excited lions. The\nmonkeys thus flying away to all quarters, Rama with a downpour of shafts\nassailed the Rakshasas. And beholding the Rakshasas thus overpowered,\nthe night ranger Makaraksha, excited with the flame of ire,\nsaid,--\"Stay, O Rama, let us both fight with each other; I shall take\nthy life with sharp arrows discharged off my bow. Thou didst slay my\nfather in the forest of Dandaka. Remembering thy action and finding thee\nbefore, my ire is excited. O Raghava! Vicious souled one! My limbs are\nbeing burnt (with wrath) for I did not see thee then in that mighty\nforest. O Rama, by my good luck, I have got thee to-day, like unto a\nhungry lion desiring to have other animals. Being despatched by my\narrows to the world of devils, thou shalt live with those heroes, who\nhad been killed by thee before. What is the use of speaking more, O\nRama, do thou hear my words. Let all the people behold thy as well as my\nprowess in the battlefield. Either with weapon or with clubs, in\nwhatever thou art expert, do thou fight with me in the battle-field, O\nRama\". Hearing the words of Makaraksha, Rama, Dacaratha's son, smiling,\nreplied to the words of the babbler. \"O Raksha, what is the use of idle\nprating? None can achieve success in battle with idle words--but with\nfighting. I slew in the forest of Dandaka thy father with fourteen\nthousand Rakshasas, Tricira and Dushana. O vile one, thou being slain to\nday, with thy flesh, vultures and crows, having sharp beaks and nails,\nand jackals shall be satisfied.[331] Being thus addressed by Raghava,\nthe mighty Makaraksha, began to dart sharp arrows towards him in the\nbattle-field. And Rama, with his shafts, sundered into several pieces,\nthose arrows. And being thus rendered useless those arrows, feathered in\ngold, fell down on the earth. Then there arose a terrible conflict\nbetween the Rakshasa Khara's son and Dacaratha's son. And there were\naudible in that battle-field, the outcry of the heroes and the twang of\nthe bows stretched by their hands, like unto the muttering of the clouds\nin the sky. And to beheld that wondrous conflict, the celestials,\nDanavas, Gandharbas, Kinnaras and the mighty serpents stationed\nthemselves in the sky. They were wounded with the arrows discharged by\neach other and their strength was doubled. And they began to fight in\nthat battle-field one attacking and the other withstanding the attack.\nAnd in that conflict the Rakshasa sundered the shafts discharged by\nRama. And likewise Rama severed into several pieces the arrows shot by\nthe Rakshasa. All the quarters were covered with arrows and nothing on\nearth or in the sky was visible. Thereupon being excited with ire,\nRaghava of long arms sundered his (Rakshasa's) bow in conflict and with\neight _Narachas_ pierced the charioteer. And with arrows Rama sundered\nthe chariot and killing the horses brought them down. And the\nnight-ranger Makaraksha was brought down on the earth from the chariot.\nHe then again rose up with a dart in his hand creating terror unto all\ncreatures and resembling the Fire of Dissolution in resplendence. It was\na terribly huge dart conferred on him by Siva, shining in the sky in its\nnative brilliance and like unto another weapon of destruction.[332] And\nbeholding which dart even the celestials fly away in fear to different\nquarters. And taking up that huge flaming dart, the night-ranger, being\nexcited with ire, hurled it at the high-souled Raghava. And Raghava,\nwith four shafts, sundered that dart, in the sky, flaming and hurled at\nhim by the son of Khara. And that flaming dart, feathered in gold, being\nsplintered into several pieces by Rama's arrows fell down on earth like\na huge fire-brand. And beholding that dart baffled thus by Rama of\nunwearied actions all those, stationed in the welkin began to shout,\n\"Well done! Well done!!\" And beholding his dart thus sundered, the\nnight-ranger Makaraksha clenching his fist spoke unto Kakutstha, saying,\n\"Stay! Stay!\" And seeing him advance thus, the descendant of Raghu,\nsmiling, fixed a fiery arrow on his bow. And with that arrow the Raksha\nwas slain by Kakutstha in battle. And having his heart pierced he fell\ndown and died. And beholding Makaraksha thus slain all the Rakshasas,\nbeing afraid of Rama's arrows, proceeded towards Lanka. And seeing that\nnight-ranger, the son of Khara, slain by Rama's arrows, like unto a\nmountain clept by a thunder-bolt, the celestials were greatly delighted.\n\n[329] A short arrow thrown from the hand or shot through a tube.--T.\n\n[330] An Iron spear or dart.--T.\n\n[331] Here is another sloka, which is to be found in all N. W. P. texts\n and in one or two texts published in Bengal--but it has been\n omitted by many for it conveys the same meaning as the previous\n sloka; the meaning is:--And the birds drinking thy blood shall fly\n away to various quarters.--T.\n\n[332] This refers to the weapon used by Siva for destruction--for Siva,\n according to the Hindu Mythology is the God of destruction.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXX.\n\n\nHearing of the destruction of Makaraksha, the heroic Ravana, being\nexcited with ire, began to grind his teeth. Being thus angered, and\nthinking within himself what steps to take, he ordered his son Indrajit\nto proceed to the battle-field. \"O hero, gifted with great prowess as\nthou art, do thou, hidden (in clouds) or appearing before them, slay the\ntwo heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana. Thou didst defeat in conflict\nIndra of unequalled prowess. Shalt thou then neglect to slay men as they\nare?\" Being thus addressed by the lord of the Rakshasas and obeying his\nfather's command, Indrajit proceeded towards the sacrificial ground to\nsatisfy Fire (with oblations). There came some she-demons with crimson\nturbans and waited respectfully where Ravana's son was offering\noblations unto Fire. In that sacrifice the weapons were the leaves of\n_sara_,[333] _bibhutaks_[334] were fuels, and there were brought crimson\nclothes and _sruvas_[335] made of black iron. And spreading fire on all\nsides with _sara_ leaves and _tomaras_, (Indrajit) caught a living goat,\nall black, by the neck. And the fire, with oblations of _sara_, became\ngreatly blazed and devoid of smoke. And there were visible many good\nomens indicating victory. The flame of the fire was like unto gold, and\nmoving Southwards began to receive offerings of clarified butter. And\nthus offering oblations unto fire and unto celestials, Danavas and\nRakshasas, he ascended an excellent car and soon disappeared. It was\ndrawn by four horses and a huge bow, set with sharp arrows, appeared\nbeautiful on that excellent car. The chariot was brilliant with its own\nnative resplendence, adorned with gold and painted with the figures of\ndeer and a cresent. It was encircled on all sides with golden bracelets,\nadorned with flags made of _vaidurja_ and was like unto the flaming\nfire. And being thus well protected with Brahma weapons resembling the\nSun in brilliance, the mighty son of Ravana became invincible. And\noffering oblations unto Fire in accordance with demonaic incantations\nand thus obtaining the power of hiding himself, that hero, ever\nvictorious in battle, issued out of the city and said,--\"Slaying these\ntwo brothers in battle, who have uselessly wandered away into the\nforest, shall I crown my father Ravana with victory. Destroying Rama and\nLakshmana, and clearing the monkeys off the earth, shall I satisfy my\nsire greatly\". Saying this, he disappeared from their view. Thereupon\nthat fearful foe of the lord of celestials appeared in the battle-field,\nexcited with wrath, armed with bow and sharp Narachas and commissioned\nthus by the Ten-necked one. He beheld there those two heroes discharging\nflaming arrows and surrounded by the monkeys like unto the fearful\nthree-hooded serpent in the midst of other serpents. And thinking \"these\nmust be Rama and Lakshmana,\" and stretching his bow he began showering\narrows like unto clouds. He was seated in a car in the welkin and hidden\nfrom the human gaze and began to assail Rama and Lakshmana with sharp\nshafts. And being hurt with the arrows, Rama and Lakshmana, fixing\narrows on their bows, began to discharge celestial shafts. And those two\nhighly powerful heroes could not even touch his person with their arrows\nresembling the Sun albeit they covered the whole welkin therewith. And\nclouding the whole sky with smoke that effulgent one, enveloped in\nfrost, hid himself from their gaze. There was not audible the twang of\nhis bow, the sound of the wheels, or the noise of the steeds. Nor was he\nseen by any. In that terrible darkness of clouds that one of mighty arms\nbegan to make a downpour of Narachas and arrows like hail storms. And in\nthat encounter, Ravana's son, inflamed with ire, wounded Rama, with\nshafts, resembling the Sun and obtained by him as a boon. And being hurt\nwith Narachas, like unto mountains wet with rain, those two foremost of\nmen, began to discharge shafts feathered in gold. And reaching the son\nof Ravana in the sky and soaked in blood those golden arrows, fell down\non earth. And those two best of men, hurt with his arrows, became more\neffulgent and baffled the shafts discharged by the Rakshasa. Thereupon\nRama and Lakshmana began to aim their sharp shafts to the direction\nwhence the arrows came down. And stationed in his chariot that mighty\ncar-warrior disturbed all quarters with his arrows and pierced\nDacaratha's sons with sharp shafts won by him. And being greatly hurt\nwith those sharp-pointed and terrible arrows Rama and Lakshmana appeared\nlike blossoming _kingsukas_. Like unto the sun hidden in clouds they\ncould see neither his countenance and motion, nor his bow and arrows.\nAnd being wounded with those arrows hundreds of monkeys died and fell\ndown on the earth. Thereupon Lakshmana, being excited with wrath, spoke\nunto his brother, saying--\"To slay all the Rakshasas shall I discharge\nto-day Brahma weapon\". Thereupon Rama spoke unto Lakshmana, gifted with\nauspicious marks, saying--\"It doth not behove thee to clear all the\nRakshasas off the earth for the folly of one individual. Thou shouldst\nnot slay him, who hath retired from battle, hath hidden himself, hath\nsought thy shelter, hath stood before thee with joined palms, hath fled\naway or who is bewildered. O thou of mighty-arms, let us try to slay him\n(Indrajit). And to accomplish it I shall use the weapons gifted with\ngreat impetuosity and resembling the serpents. He is hidden from the\npublic gaze so we must slay him--had he been fighting openly the leaders\nof the monkey hosts could have slain that Rakshasa. Truly he shall be\nburnt to death with my shafts and fall down on the earth albeit he\nentereth the regions under the earth or the abode of the celestials\".\nHaving said these words pregnant with a high significance, the\nhigh-souled and heroic descendant of Raghu, being surrounded by monkeys,\nbegan to concert various plans for the destruction of that terrible\nRakshasa of wicked deeds.\n\n[333] Saccharum--a reed or grass,\n\n[334] Beleric myrobalan.\n\n[335] A ladle with a double extremety or two oval collateral excavations\n made of wood to pour _ghee_ upon the sacrificial Fire.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXI.\n\n\nHaving read the intention of that high-souled Raghava, he retired from\nthe battle-field and entered into the city of Lanka. And remembering the\ndestruction of many a quick-paced Rakshasa, his eyes were rendered\ncoppery with ire; and that hero, the son of Ravana, issued out of the\ncity again. And that highly powerful, Indrajit, a descendant of Pulasta\nand an enemy of the celestials, issued out, encircled by the Rakshasas,\nby the western gate. And beholding the heroic brothers Rama and\nLakshmana prepared for fight, Indrajit spread illusions. And placing an\nillusory figure of Sita on the car, encircled by a huge army he began to\nmake arrangements for her destruction. And desiring to charm all with\nhis illusions, that one of wicked intent, preparing himself to slay\nSita, proceeded towards the monkeys. And beholding him thus proceed, the\nmonkeys, inflamed with ire, desirous of fighting and with crags in their\nhands, moved on, And preceded them all, Hanuman, the foremost of the\nmonkeys, with a huge mountain-top in his hand. He beheld there, on\nIndrajit's car, Sita, deprived of all joy, poorly, greatly reduced with\nfasts and wearing a single braid. And Raghava's beloved spouse wore a\npiece of soiled cloth, and though highly beautiful, the grace of her\nperson was greatly spoiled with dirt. That daughter of Janaka, was not\nseen by him for a long time. And beholding her and deciding instantly\nthat she is the daughter of Mithila, (he became greatly sorry). And\nseeing her on the car, innocent, poor, deprived of joy and brought under\nthe influence of the son of the lord of Rakshasas that great monkey\nthought within himself--'What must be the intention of Indrajit?' and\naccompanied by heroic monkeys advanced towards the son of Ravana. And\nbeholding that monkey host, Ravana's son became beside himself with ire\nand unsheathing his weapon _Nistrinsha_, caught her by the hair. And\nthat Rakshasa addressed himself to strike her in the presence of all\nthose monkeys, and that illusory figure of Sita began to bewail saying,\n\"O Rama! O Rama!\" And seeing her thus caught by the head, Hanuman, the\nson of Maruta, greatly sorry, began to shed tears. And beholding that\nbeloved spouse of Rama, having a tender and beautiful person, he\naddressed angrily the son of the lord of Rakshasas with harsh words. \"It\nis for thy destruction, O Vicious-souled one! that thou hast touched her\nhair. Being descended from that great Brahma ascetic thou art born as a\nRakshasa. O! cursed art thou, since thou hast cherished such a desire\nand engaged in such a vicious deed. O vile! O wicked! O cruel and\ndishonorable wight! O thou having vice for thy prowess! O shameless! Art\nthou not ashamed of perpetrating such an inhuman deed. What hath\nMaithili done by thee, O cruel one! that thou art ready to slay her--She\nhath been banished from her home, territory and hath been separated from\nher lord. O thou worthy of being slain, destroying Sita, thou shalt not\nlive long as thou hast been brought under me. Thou shalt after the death\nreach the place which is occupied by those who murder women--a place\nwhich is avoided even by those who commit every sort of crime punishable\nby law\". Saying this Hanuman, accompanied by monkeys armed with weapons,\nand excited with ire, proceeded towards the son of the lord of\nRakshasas. Beholding the highly powerful monkeys advance thus the\nRakshasas, inflamed with wrath, obstructed them. And assailing the\nmonkey-hosts with thousands of arrows, Indrajit spoke unto that foremost\nof monkeys, Hanuman, saying,--\"To-day I shall slay before you all\nVaidehi, for whom thou, Sugriva and Rama have come. Slaying her, O\nmonkey, I shall afterwards kill thee, Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva and\nthe dishonorable Bibhisana. And, O monkey, about not destroying women,\nof which thou wert speaking (I might say) that we must always do what\npains our enemies\".[336] Saying this, Indrajit with a sharp sword,\nhimself killed the illusory Sita thus bewailing. And being sundered by\nhim obliquely in a way in which a sacred thread lies on one's own\nperson, the innocent (Sita) having a beautiful countenance fell down on\nthe earth. And slaying her Indrajit spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--\"Behold\nI have slain (before thee) with my sword Rama's beloved. And Vaidehi\nbeing thus slain, all your labours have been rendered useless\". And\ndestroying her with his own hand by means of a huge sword, Indrajit,\ngreatly pleased ascended his car and began to emit dreadful roars. And\nthe monkeys stationed near heard that terrible roar and saw him enter\nthe castle.[337] And slaying Sita[338] that wicked-minded son of Ravana\nbecame greatly pleased. And beholding him thus delighted the monkeys\nbeing greatly sorry fled away.\n\n[336] There is one sloka intervening according to some texts--but it has\n been omitted by many. The reasons for this omission are best known\n to them. The purport is:--\"Why did Rama slay Taraka before? And I\n shall therefore slay his spouse the daughter of king Janaka\".\n Hearin Indrajit attempts to justify himself and wants to prove\n that Rama is equally blameable for this.--T.\n\n[337] The castle built by Indrajit by means of his illusory power in the\n air.--T.\n\n[338] This refers to the figure of Sita made by illusion.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXII.\n\n\nHearing that dreadful uproar resembling the sound of Indra's\nthunder-bolt, the monkeys, casting their looks on all sides fled away.\nThereupon Hanuman, the son of Maruta, spoke unto them, poorly, terrified\nand of a sorrowful countenance, saying,--\"O monkeys, why do ye look so\nmelancholy and why are you flying away? Why have ye renounced your\nearnest desire for fight? And where is your heroism gone? Do ye remain\nbehind me, I shall go first in the battle\". Being thus addressed by that\nhighly intelligent son of the Wind-god, they were greatly excited with\nwrath and being pleased took up trees and crags in their hands. And\nroaring thus the leading monkeys advanced towards the Rakshasas and\nstood encircling Hanuman in the battle-field. And being surrounded on\nall sides by leading monkeys, Hanuman began to burn down enemy's host\nlike unto fire spreading its flames. And being encircled by monkey-hosts\nthat mighty monkey resembling Death himself began to grind the\nRakshasas. And being overwhelmed with grief and wrought up with ire,\nthat monkey Hanuman, threw a huge crag on the car of that son of Ravana.\nBeholding that crag about to fall down on the car, the charioteer moved\nhis horses and it was speedily brought at some distance. And not\nreaching Indrajit stationed on the car and the charioteer, that crag,\nuselessly hurled, fell down on the earth. And that crag falling down\nmany of the Rakshasas were crushed. Thereupon hundreds of huge-bodied\nmonkeys, emitting cries and taking up crags and trees proceeded towards\nhim (Indrajit) and hurled them at him. And the monkeys gifted with\ndreadful prowess began to make a down-pour of crags and trees. They thus\nassailed the enemies and frequently emitted cries. And the grim-visaged\nnight-rangers were thus assailed with trees in that field by the\nterrible monkeys. Beholding his army thus distressed by the monkeys,\nIndrajit, excited with wrath, and taking up his dart, proceeded towards\nthe enemies, and encircled by his soldiers showered terrible shafts upon\nthem. And that one of dreadful prowess slew many a leading monkey by\nmeans of darts, Acanis, swords, _patticas_ and clubs. And the highly\npowerful monkeys destroyed his retinue, with crags, stones and trees\nhaving strong trunks. And Hanuman thus crushed many a Rakshasa of\nterrible deeds. Obstructing the Rakshasas (for some time) Hanuman spoke\nunto monkeys, saying,--\"Stay, we should not fight now. That daughter of\nJanaka hath been slain, for whom we have engaged in fight, renouncing\nall hope of life and desiring to accomplish Rama's satisfaction. Let us\nnow go and inform Rama and Sugriva of it. And we shall do as we shall be\ncommanded by them. Saying this and desisting all the monkeys from\nencounter that foremost of monkeys proceeded undaunted and heroically.\nAnd beholding Hanuman proceed thus where Raghava was that wicked-minded\none (Indrajit) with a view to offer oblations unto Fire entered the\nsacrificial altar _Nikumbhila_. And reaching there Indrajit lighted up\nfire and began to pour oblations therein. And the Fire blazed up\nreceiving oblations of blood, and being satisfied assumed the appearance\nof the setting sun. And Indrajit conversant with all ceremonials,\noffered oblations in due form for the welfare of the Rakshasas. And they\nall stood there watching the result and desirous of ascertaining the\nsuccess of the battle.[339]\n\n[339] This sloka hath been left off in some editions.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXIII.\n\n\nHearing the terrible war-cry of the Rakshasas and monkeys Raghava spoke\nunto Jambavan, saying:--\"O gentle one, forsooth hath Hanuman performed\nsome mighty act--for I hear the dreadful sound of the weapons. Do thou\ntherefore proceed speedily, O lord of bears, with all thy soldiers to\nassist that foremost of monkeys.\n\nThereupon, saying, 'So be it,' that king of bears, surrounded by his\nforces, approached the Western gate, where the monkey, Hanuman, was\nstationed. And then the lord of bears saw Hanuman approach, surrounded\nby monkeys sighing hard, who had faught the fight. And seeing on the way\nthat host of bears dreadful and resembling dark clouds, on the march,\nHanuman made them desist. And that illustrious one along with that\nforce, speedily presented himself (before Rama), and with a heavy heart\naddressed him, saying--\"As we were fighting in the field, Ravana's son,\nIndrajit in our very sight slew Sita, crying (in distress). O subduer of\nenemies, seeing her (in this plight) I, with my senses bewildered, have\nbeen overwhelmed with grief. Therefore I have come unto thee to inform\nthee of what hath befallen\". Hearing these words of his, Raghava,\noverwhelmed with grief, dropped down to the earth, like a tree whose\nroots have been severed. Seeing the god-like Raghava down on the earth,\nthe foremost monkeys from all sides rushed forward and came to where (he\nwas). And with water scented with lotuses,[340] they fell to sprinkling\nthat one resembling a furious fire[341] that hath suddenly arisen.\nThereat Lakshmana overcome with sorrow, embracing Rama, spoke unto him\nwords fraught with reason and import,--\"Profitless[342] virtue is\nincapable, O noble one, of delivering from calamaties thee, who hast\nsubdued thy senses, and who ever abidest in the good path. Beings and\nthe mobile as well as the immobile cannot have that direct perception of\nvirtue which they have of happiness. Therefore, I ween, virtue is a\nnon-entity. Inasmuch as the mobile (albeit devoid of any regard for\nvirtue) are nevertheless happy, and as the mobile also are so, this\nvirtue cannot lead to happiness. (If it were so), one like thee would\nhave not been placed in peril. If unrighteousness would bring\nunhappiness on creatures, Ravana should hence to hell, and thou\npossessed of virtue, shouldst not come by misfortune. And seeing that he\nis free from danger, and thou art in it, righteousness and its opposite\nare found to have tendencies the very reverse of those assigned to them\nrespectively (by the Vedas). And if by means of virtue, one attaineth\nthe felicity attached to it, and by means of unrighteouness, one reapeth\nits proper fruit, then let those that are unrighteous reap the fruit of\ntheir impiety,--nor let those that set their face against sin, be\ndeprived of the fruit of their righteousness; and let those that walk in\nthe way of virtue reap the fruit of their piety. But as prosperity\nattendeth those that are established in un-righteousness, and as those\nregardful of righteousness fare lamentably,--these[343] have not the\nsenses assigned to them (by the scriptures). If, O Raghava, (it is\ncontended that) unrighteousness cutteth off the wicked, then whom shall\nunrighteousness, himself slain by the act of slaughter of the\ndestroyer,--slay in his turn? Or if it is said that one is slain or\nslayeth another by ordinance, then it is Destiny, which is touched by\nthe sinful act and not he. O chastiser of foes, incapable of meting out\nretribution,[344]--unmanifest itself, and non-existent, how can virtue,\neven if we grant its existence, find out the person that should be\nslain? If, O foremost of the good, it had existed, thou wouldst not have\ncome by any misfortune. But inasmuch as thou hast fallen into this\nplight, there is no such thing as virtue. Or itself feeble and impotent,\nit taketh refuge in manliness. And being powerless and bereft of\ndignity, it should, I deem, by no means be followed. And if virtue is a\nproperty of manliness, then carefully forsaking virtue, do thou follow\nstrength as thou hast hitherto followed virtue. But, O subduer of\nenemies, if truthfulness be virtue, art thou not bound by that departing\nfrom which the king lost his life?[345] And, O chastiser of foes, if\nvirtue must be practised above all, or if prowess must have\nprecedence,--then the thunder-handed Satakratu would not have celebrated\nhis sacrifice, slaying the ascetic.[346] O Raghava, virtue aided by\nprowess, destroyeth enemies. Therefore, O Kakutstha, people, for\ncompassing their ends, resort to both virtue and prowess. This, sire, is\nmy opinion: this, O Raghava, is virtue. But thou, having then renounced\nthe kingdom, hast laid the axe at the root[347] of righteousness. Like\nstreams issuing out mountains, all acts spring from wealth flowing from\nvarious regions and attaining magnitude. Like a shrunken stream in\nsummer, all the acts of that foolish person who hath been divorced by\nwealth, are annihilated.--He that renouncing riches within his\nreach,[348] hankers after enjoyment,--being carried away by his\novermastering desire, taketh to getting at wealth by sinful acts; and\nthen he incurreth guilt. Unto him that hath wealth are friends, unto him\nthat hath wealth are acquaintances,--he that hath wealth is an\nindividuality in this world, and he that hath wealth is a learned\nperson. He that hath wealth is powerful; he that hath wealth is\nintelligent; he that hath wealth is mighty-armed; and he that hath\nwealth is full of all graces. All these that I have ennumerated are the\nevils of forsaking fortune. (I cannot divine) what made thee, renouncing\nthe monarchy, to adopt such a course.--He that hath riches, hath virtue\nand desire attending on him, and hath everything auspicious. That one\nwithout wealth, that seeketh it, cannot secure the wealth of prowess,\nwithout riches and desire. And, O lord of men, cheerfulness, and desire,\nand pride, and piety, and anger, and self-restraint, and\nself-control--all these come from wealth. As the planets are not\ndiscovered on a stormy day, that wealth, the want of which renders this\nworld naught even unto the ascetics practising righteousness,--is not\nvisible in thee. O hero, thou having abode by the words of thy superior\nand having come (to the forest), thy wife dearer then life itself hath\nbeen ravished by Rakshas. But, O hero, to-day, O Raghava, by my acts\nwill I remove this huge sorrow that hath been heaped upon us by\nIndrajit. Therefore, rise thou up. Rise up, O foremost of men, O\nlong-armed one, O thou who observest vows. Why dost thou not understand\nthyself as the Supreme Soul?[349] And, O sinless one, urged on behalf of\nthy welfare, I, waxing wroth on hearing of the slaughter of Janaka's\ndaughter, shall with my shafts entirely raze to the ground Lanka with\ncars and elephants and steeds and the foremost Rakshas\".\n\n[340] _Padmatpalasugandhibhih_--water scented with _padmas_--_lotuses\n proper_, and _utpalas_--_blue lotuses--(Nymphea cerulea).--T._\n\n[341] 'Rama,' remarks the commentator, 'was a fire lighted by his grierf\n for Sita.'--T.\n\n[342] 'Profitless,' although apparently an epithet of virtue, is really\n the predicate of the sentence. 'Virtue, incapable of delivering\n thee.....is _profitless.'--T._\n\n[343] Virtue and vice.\n\n[344] 'In consequence,' remarks Ramanuja, 'of their being devoid of\n consciousness.'\n\n[345] Explains the commentator,--'King Dacaratha lost his life, because\n he did not observe his word of installing thee in the kingdom. Art\n thou not bound by his word as well?'--T.\n\n[346] The Logic is all in a jumble; but such is the text. The ascetic\n was Vicwarupa. The meaning, according to the commentator, is that,\n prowess is first and virtue next. Indra first used force, and then\n acquired merit.--T.\n\n[347] 'Root', remarks Ramanuja,--'which is interest!'\n\n[348] The commentator would have '_gotten_ riches.'\n\n[349] Rama is conceived as an incarnation of Vishnu.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXIV.\n\n\nAs Lakshmana devoted to his brother was comforting Rama, Bibhishana,\nposting his forces at their proper quarters, came there, surrounded by\nfour heroes accoutred in various arms, resembling masses of collyrium or\nleaders of elephant-herds. And approaching the high-souled Raghava,\noverwhelmed with grief, he saw the monkeys with tears in their eyes. And\nhe saw that joy of the Ikshwaku race--the high-souled Raghava--stupified\nwith grief, lying on the lap of Lakshmana. And seeing Rama cast down and\ninflamed with grief, Bibhishana, inly pained, said,--'What is this?'\nThereat, gazing at Bibhishana's countenance as well as all those\nmonkeys, Lakshmana, with his eyes flooded with tears, said these words\npregnant with dire import,--\"O placid one, hearing from Hanuman's lips\nthat Sita hath been slain by Indrajit, Raghava hath been overcome with\nstupor\". As Sumitra's son was speaking thus, Bibhishana, preventing him,\naddressed the stupified Rama in these pregnant words,--\"O king, all that\nHanuman in distressful guise had communicated unto thee I deem as\nimprobable, like unto the drying of the deep. I know the intent of the\nimpious Ravana with reference to Sita, O mighty-armed one. Her he will\nnot slay. I, seeking his welfare, had besought him much, saying,--'Let\ngo Vaidehi',--but he did not act up to my speech. Neither by\nconciliation, nor by gift, nor by dissension,--and where is war?--nor by\nany other means is one capable of obtaining the very sight of Sita.\nHaving bewildered the monkeys, the Rakshasa hath gone back; and, O\nmighty-armed one, know her to be the illusory daughter of Janaka.\nTo-day, going to the sacrificial ground (called) Nikumbhila, he will\noffer oblations into fire; and there the deity of fire will present\nhimself along with Vasava and the (other) divinities. And then Ravana's\nson shall be invincible in battle. Indubitably that illusion hath been\nwrought by him, to deceive (the monkeys), so that they might not through\ntheir prowess disturb him there. Thither will we go before he hath\nfurnished his (sacrifice). O foremost of men, shake off this vain sorrow\nthat hath overcome thee! Seeing thee smitten with grief, this entire\nhost is dispirited. Here, with thy heart composed, do thou stay,\nsummoning thy strength. Send Lakshmana along with us and the flower of\nthe forces. This foremost of men by means of sharpened shafts will make\nRavana's son give up his rites; and then shall he be capable of being\nslain by us. These keen and sharpened shafts of his, attaining access of\nvelocity through the feathers of birds, and themselves resembling fierce\nfowls, will drink his[350] blood. Therefore, O mighty-armed one, do thou\nin order to the destruction of the Rakshasa, commission Lakshmana, even\nas the wielder of the thunder-bolt commandeth the same. And as to-day no\ntime should be lost, therefore do thou send Lakshmana for compassing the\ndestruction of the foe, even as Mahendra sendeth the thunder-bolt for\nbringing about the destruction of the enemies of the immortals. If that\nforemost of Rakshasas can finish his rites, he shall be invisible to\nboth celestials and Asuras; and, he fighting after finishing his\nsacrifice, the celestials themselves shall be placed in great jeopardy\".\n\n[350] Indrajit's.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXV.\n\n\nHearing his speech, Raghava, overwhelmed with grief, could not perfectly\ncomprehend what was said by the Rakshasa. Then, summoning up patience,\nRama--captor of hostile capitals--spoke unto Bibhishana, seated near the\nmonkeys,--\"O lord of Nairitas, I once more wish to hear what, O\nBibhishana, thou hast said\". Hearing Raghava's words, Bibhishana,\nskilled in speech, again spoke these words, saying,--\"O mighty-armed\none, I have stationed the forces, O hero, agreeably to thy directions.\nThe entire force hath been divided around; and the leaders have also\nbeen placed properly. Further, O mighty master, listen to what I have to\nsay. On thy having been causelessly aggrieved, we all of us were seized\nwith grief. If this anxiety of thine conduceth to the joy of the enemy,\ndo thou cast it off. And, O hero, bestir thyself,--and summon up\nspirits. If thou art to have Sita, and if the night-rangers are to be\nslain by thee, do thou, O Raghu's son, listen to my profitable speech.\nLet Sumitra's son go forth, environed by a mighty force, for slaying in\nbattle the son of Ravana, who hath gone to Nikumbhila; with shafts\nresembling venomous serpents, discharged from the round[351] of his bow.\nBy virtue of his austerities, that hero, from a boon conferred by the\nSelf-sprung, hath obtained the Brahmaciras weapon, together with steeds\ncoursing at their will. Now he with his army hath gone to Nikumbhila;\nand when, having finished his rites, he gets up, know that all of us are\nslain. 'When not reaching Nikumbhila, and not having finished thy\nofferings unto fire, thou, equipped with arms, art slain by a foe,--O\nenemy of Indra, that is thy death.'--Thus, O mighty-armed one, did the\nlord of all creatures confer a boon (on Indrajit), and, O king, thus was\nthe death of this intelligent one ordained. O Rama, for compassing the\ndestruction of Indrajit, do thou commission a mighty force. On his being\nslain, know that Ravana along with his retainers are slain\".--Hearing\nBibhishana's words, Rama said,--\"O thou having truth for prowess, I know\nthe illusion of that fierce one. Without doubt, he is skilled in the\nBrahma weapon, is potent in illusion and, is possessed of exceeding\nstrength. In conflict, he depriveth of consciousness even the celestials\nwith Varuna (at their head). And as that illustrious (one) goeth about\nin the welkin on his chariot, none, O hero, can perceive his course,\nlike the course of the Sun when the sky is covered with clouds\". And\nRaghava, being well acquainted with the illusive energy of his\nwicked-minded foe, addressed the renowned Lakshmana, saying,--\"Environed\nby the entire host of the lord of monkeys,--accompanied by the leaders,\nO Lakshmana, headed by Hanuman,--with Jambavan~king of bears--and girt\nround by the forces,--do thou slay this son of the Rakshasa, possessed\nof the strength of illusion. And accompanied by his counsellors, this\nhigh-souled night-ranger shall follow at thy back, in this engagement\nwith that one skilled in illusion\". Hearing Raghava's words, Lakshmana\nendowed with dreadful prowess, with Bibhishana,--took up another\nexcellent bow. And donning on his mail, and putting on his armour and\nhis sword, and furnished with arrows, and a bow in his left\nhand,--Sumitra's son, touching Rama's feet, feeling elated, addressed\nRama, saying,--\"To-day the shafts discharged from my bow, piercing\nRavana's son, shall fall into Lanka, even as swans drop into a tank.\nThis very day shall my arrows, shot from my redoubtable bow-string, rive\nthe body of that terrific one\". Having spoken thus, the effulgent\nLakshmana, eager to slay Ravana's son, went before his brother. And\nhaving saluted at the feet of his superior and went round him, Lakshmana\nset out for the sacrificial ground (named) Nikumbhila, protected by the\nson of Ravana. And accompanied by Bibhishana, that powerful son of the\nking--Lakshmana--after his brother had offered up prayers in his\nbehalf,--set off with all speed. And surrounded by thousands of monkeys,\nHanuman as well as Bibhishana together with his counsellors--speedily\nwent in the wake of Lakshmana. And strongly encompassed by that mighty\nmonkey-host, (Lakshmana) saw the forces of the bear-king stationed on\nthe way. And having proceeded far, Sumitra's son--enhancer of the\ndelight of friends--from a distance discovered the forces of the\nRakshasa-monarch, drawn up in battle-array. And that subduer of\nenemies--Raghu's son--bearing his bow in his hand, coming upon him whoso\nmartial might lay in illusion,--stopped (there) for conquering his foe\nagreeably to the ordinance[352] of Brahma. And accompanied by\nBibhislnna, the heroic Angada, and the Wind-god's offspring, the\npowerful son of the king dived into the forces of the foe, various,\nblazing with burnished arms, dense with standards; And thronging with\nmighty cars,[353] capable of striking terror (into the hearts of the\nspectators), instinct with immeasurable energy, and resembling darkness.\n\n[351] The bow drawn to its full stretch, becomes circular.--T.\n\n[352] The ordinance was that Indrajit should be slain while remaining\n outside Nikumbhila, his rites not yet finished.--T.\n\n[353] _Maharathai (ab.)_ may also mean with mighty car-warriors.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXVI.\n\n\nWhen things were in this condition, Ravana's younger brother addressed\nLakshmana in words fraught with evil to foes and conducing to the\nwelfare (of his own party), saying,--\"Do thou without delay bring on an\nengagement between this cloud-black Rakshasa army, which thou beholdest,\nand the monkeys having rocks for their arms. O Lakshmana, do thou exert\nthyself to break through his[354] mighty army; and when the ranks are\nbroken, the son of the Rakshasa-lord shall be visible. And scattering\namong the foes shafts resembling Indra's thunder-bolt, charge him while\nhe hath not yet finished this ceremony. Slay, O hero, this wicked one,\nthis son of Ravana, given to illusion, and of terrific feats,--the fear\nof all the worlds\". Hearing Bibhishana's words, Lakshmana graced with\nauspicious marks began to shower arrows on the son of the\nRakshasa-chief. And bears and monkeys, given to fighting excellently\nwith trees, in a body rushed towards that army (of Rakshas) drawn up\nthere. And the Rakshasas (on their part) burning to slaughter the\nmonkey-forces, rushed in the encounter with sharpened shafts and darts\nand _tomaras_. And there took place a tremendous onslaught of the\nmonkeys and the Rakshasas. And Lanka resounded all around with that\nmighty tumult; and the sky was covered with weapons of various shapes,\nand whetted arrows and trees and dreadful upraised mountain-tops. And\nRakshasas having frightful faces and arms, plying their arms among the\nforemost monkeys, began to spread terror (there). And in the same way\nthe monkeys in the conflict fell to slaying and wounding the Rakshasas\nwith trees and hill-tops. And great was the terror that was spread among\nthe warring Rakshasas by the flower of the bears and monkeys, possessed\nof gigantic persons and endowed with prodigious strength.\n\nHearing his own army hard beset by the enemies, and drooping,--the\nunconquerable one, ere yet he had finished his rites, rose up. And\nissuing from the gloom of the trees, Ravana's son, fired with wrath,\nascended his car, which had already been well yoked (with steeds). And\naccoutred in a dreadful bow and arrows,--that one resembling a mass of\ncollyrium, having a red face and eyes, looked dreadful like the\nReaper--Death. And soon as they saw him mounted on his car, that host of\nRakshas possessed of dreadful impetuosity, eager to engage with\nLakshmana, stood on their ground. At this time that subduer of\nenemies--Hanuman--resembling a mountain, uprooted a giant tree incapable\nof being bandied. And in that encounter, the monkey, consuming (the\nforces) like the fire risen at Doomsday, made that army of Rakshasas\ninsensible with innumerable trees. And finding the Wind-god's son,\nHanuman, suddenly spreading devastation among the Rakshasas by\nthousands, (they) showered (shafts) on him. And approaching on all sides\nthat one resembling a hill, those bearing whetted darts attacked him\nwith darts; those bearing swords in their hands, with swords; those\nbearing javelins in their hands, with javelins; with _patticas_, those\nequipped with _patticas_; and with bludgeons, and maces and graceful\n_kuntas_; and with hundreds of _sataghnis_, and iron clubs; and with\nterrific axes; and with _bhindipalas_; and with boxes like unto\nthunder-bolts; and slaps resembling the _acani_. And fired with fury, he\n(on his part) spread a huge havoc among them. And Indrajit saw that\nforemost of monkeys, resembling a hill, the offspring of the\nWind-god--possessing himself in calmness, while destroying his foes. And\nthereat, he[355] addressed his charioteer, saying,--\"Go where the monkey\nis. Being disregarded by the Ratkshasas, he makes havoc among us\". Thus\naccosted by him, the charioteer went where the Wind-god's offspring was,\ncarrying the exceedingly invincible Indrajit seated on the car. And\nrushing forward, that irrepressible one--the Rakshasa--began to shower\non the monkey's head arrows and swords and _patticas_ and scimitars and\naxes. And bearing all those dreadful arms, the Wind-god's offspring,\novercome with a mighty rage said,--\"O wicked-minded son of Ravana, if\nthou art a hero, fight on. Combat with me with thy arms. If in the\nencounter, thou bearest my impetus, then, O thou of perverse sense, thou\nindeed art the foremost of Rakshasas\". Then Bibhishana pointed out unto\nLakshmana the son of Ravana, who with his bow upraised, was eager to\nslay Hanuman. \"This one that, mounted on his car, is eager to slay\nHanuman, is the son of Ravana that hath vanquished Vasava himself (in\nbattle). Do thou, O son of Sumitra, with peerless shafts capable of\nresisting enemies,--dreadful, and competent to finish the lives (of\nfoes),--slay the son of Ravana\". Thus accosted by Bibhishana terrific\nunto foes, that high-souled one saw (Indrajit) of dreadful prowess,\ndifficult to get at, and resembling a hill,--stationed on his car.\n\n[354] Indrajit's, that is.\n\n[355] Indrajit.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXVI\n\n\nHaving spoken thus unto Sumitra's son, Bibhishana experienced delight,\nand taking (Lakshmana) bearing a bow in his hand, hurriedly went off.\nAnd proceeding some way and entering the mighty wood, Bibhishana pointed\nout unto Lakshmana the (place of) sacrifice. And the energetic brother\nof Ravana showed unto Lakshmana the Nyagrodha, dreadful to behold and\nresembling a mass of sable clouds. \"Here offering presents unto the\nghosts, the powerful son of Ravana afterwards engages in conflict. Then\nthe Rakshasa becomes invisible to all beings; and he slayeth his enemies\nin battle and fastens them with excellent shafts. Do thou, ere he hath\npassed beyond the Nyagrodha, with flaming arrows destroy the powerful\nson of Ravana along with his car and steeds and charioteer\". Thereupon\nsaying,--'So be it,' the exceedingly energetic son of Sumitra--that\ndelight of his friends--took up his post there, stretching his\nvariegated bow. And Ravana's son Indrajit, endowed with strength,\nmailed, and armed with a sword, and furnished with a banner, was seen\nmounted on a fire-hued chariot. And the highly powerful Lakshmana\naddressed Pulastya's son, never knowing defeat, saying,--\"I challenge\nthee to the encounter. Do thou give me battle, exerting thy utmost\".\nThus addressed, the exceedingly energetic and intelligent son of Ravana,\nseeing Bibhishana there, spoke anto him harshly, thus,--\"Born and bred\nin this (Rakshasa race), thou art the very brother of my father. Why, O\nRakshasa, being my uncle, dost thou range thyself against thy son? But\nneither kinship, nor emity, nor race, O wicked-minded one, nor co-birth,\ncan, O destroyer of righteousness, avail to make thee discern thy duty.\nO thou of perverse understanding, thou art indeed to be pitied; as thou\nart worthy of being reproached by the virtuous; since, renouncing thine\nown, thou hast espoused servitude under another. Neither by thy\ncharacter nor yet thy understanding dost thou perceive the mighty\ndifference that lieth between living with one's own kindred, and taking\nrefuge with the base. If one that is not our own, be furnished with\nevery grace, and if one's own be void of all merit,--one's kindred,\nalbeit unworthy, is preferable; and he that is not ours, is even always\nsuch. He that, forsaking his own party, serveth that of another, is\ndestroyed even by the latter, when his own party is destroyed. O\nnight-ranger, such is this thy relentlessness, that, O Ravana's younger\nbrother, thou being a kindred, art capable of displaying thy manliness\n(as no other person can do so)\". Thus addressed by his brother's son,\nBibhishana answered,--\"O Rakshasa, why dost thou speak as if in\nignorance of my character? O impious son of the Rakshasa-chief, do thou\nforego the roughness which thou assumest on behalf of my dignity.[356]\nAlbeit born in the race of Rakshas of cruel deeds, yet having regard to\nthe first of principles pertaining to men, my character is not that of a\nRakshasa. I do not take pleasure in the terrible; nor do I revel in\nunrighteousness. But how can a brother, although differing from his\nbrother in character, be renounced by the latter?[357] One renouncing a\nperson, lapsing from virtue and bent on sinful acts, attaineth\nhappiness, even as one doth by shaking off a venomous snake from his\nhand. The wise have called that impious one given to stealing others'\ngoods and violating others' wives,--as worthy of being forsaken, even\nlike a house that is aflame.--Robbing others' property, outraging the\nwives of others, and inspiring fear among friends,--these three vices\nlead to destruction. The dreadful slaughter of sages, rebellion against\nall ihe gods, overweening conceit, anger, long-continued enmity, and\nrunning amuck of counsel,--these sins are sapping the life and fortune\nof my brother; and they have hidden his virtues even as clouds cover a\nmountain. It is on account of these vices that my brother, thy sire,\nhath been deserted by me. And this city of Lanka will not be, nor thou,\nnor thy father. Thou art proud, and haughty, and a boy, O Rakshasa. Thou\nart fettered by the noose of Fate. Do thou say unto me whatever thou\nlikest. To-day thou hast addressed harshly me, who have fallen on evil\ndays; but, O worst of Rakshasas, thou canst not pass this Nyagrodha.\nHaving smitten the Kakutstha, thou canst not live. Fight with that\nman-god, Lakshmana, in encounter. Being slain, thou shalt serve the\ndeities in the abode of Yama. Displaying thy own prowess, do thou spend\nall thy weapons and all thy shafts. But coming within the ken of\nLakshmana's arrows, thou wilt not to-day go hence, living, with thy\nforces\".\n\n[356] Or, on account of thy heroism.\n\n[357] Some read _Vishamacilana_. Then the sense would be: 'How else\n could a brother bearing a difference in character, renounce his\n brother?' meaning Ravana.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXVIII.\n\n\nHearing Bibhishana's words, the son of Ravana, deprived of his senses by\npassion, spoke harshly, and rushed forward in wrath. And with upraised\nweapons and scimitars, he, resembling the Destroyer himself, was mounted\non a mighty car yoked with black steeds, and ornamented (on all sides).\nAnd that one endowed with terrific strength up-raised a huge, gigantic,\nstrong and powerful bow, and shafts capable of destroying foes. And that\nmighty bowman and slayer of foes--the powerful son of Ravana--adorned\n(with ornaments) and mounted on his chariot, saw him dight (with his own\nsplendour). And fired with wrath, (Indrajit) addressed Sumitra's son,\nwho, mounted on Hanuman's back, like unto the risen sun in\nsplendour--accompanied Bibhishana; and he also addressed all those\nprincipal monkeys, saying,--\"Do ye behold my prowess! To-day do ye in\nthe conflict bear my arrowy shower shot from my bow, incapable of being\napproached, and resembling the down-pour in the sky. To-day my shafts\ndischarged from my mighty bow shall mangle your limbs, even as fire\nburneth up a heap of cotton. To-day with your persons pierced with sharp\nshafts, with darts, and javelins, and _rishtis_ and arrows, shall I\ndespatch you all to the abode of Yama. Who shall stay before me,\nfleet-handed, creating an arrowy shower in the field, and roaring like\nunto clouds? Formerly in a night-engagement, with my shafts resembling\nthe thunder-bolt and _vajra_, ye two along with your foremost adherents,\nwere rendered insensible and laid down on the earth by me. But, perhaps,\nthou hast forgotten it. As thou hast presented thyself for battle before\nme, fired with wrath and resembling a venomous serpent, it is evident\nthou wilt go to the region of Yama\". Hearing the vaunt of the\nRakshasa-chief, Raghu's son, inflamed with rage, with an undaunted\ncountenance, spoke unto Ravana's son,--\"O Rakshasa, hard is the\nachievement of the task that thou hast mentioned. He that compasseth\nbusiness by act is alone intelligent.--But thou, O wicked-minded one,\nincompetent as thou art to bring about thy end, attaining thy arduous\naim by words only, deemest thyself as crowned with success. That thou\nhadst rendered thyself invisible in the field of conflict, was the work\nof a thief,--and not the way of a hero. Coming within the range of thy\nshafts, I stay here,--do thou display thy prowess. What dost thou say in\nwords?\" Thus addressed, the mighty Indrajit--conquerer of\nenemies--stretching his dreadful bow, showered sharpened shafts. And\ndischarged by him, those exceedingly impetuous arrows, resembling the\nvenom of serpents, hitting Lakshmana, fell down like unto hissing\nsnakes. And in that encounter, Ravana's son--Indrajit--possessed of\neminent impetuosity, pierced Lakshmana, graced with auspicious marks,\nwith vehement shafts. And pierced with those arrows and bathed in blood,\nthe graceful Lakshmana appeared like a smokeless fire. And seeing his\nown feat, Indrajit, coming forward, and setting up a tremendous cry,\nsaid,--\"O son of Sumitra, my feathered and sharp-edged shafts shot from\nmy bow, capable of destroying life, will to-day finish thee up. To-day,\nO Lakshmana, swarms of jackals and hosts of hawks and vultures shall\nalight on thee lying lifeless, having been slain by me. This very day\nshall the exceedingly wicked Rama behold thee, who art the friend of\nKshatriyas and devoted unto thy brother,--and who ever bearest thyself\nignobly,--slain by me; to-day see thee, O Sumitra's son, slain by me,\nwith thy armour fallen off thy person, thy bow broken, and thy head\nsevered\". As Ravana's son was speaking thus harshly, Lakshmana\nconversant with the import of words, replied in a reasonable speech,\nsaying,--\"Leave off thy strength of tongue, O thou of perverse sense, O\nRakshasa, O thou of crooked ways! Wherefore dost thou speak thus? Bring\nall this to pass in worthy deed. Why, O Rakshasa, without doing (what\nthou sayest), dost thou simply say it? Do the deed,--so that I may have\nregard for thy utterances. Mark! without speaking anything harsh,\nwithout censuring thee in the least, without venting any brag, shall, I,\nO cannibal, slay thee\". Saying this, Lakshmana drawing his bow to its\nfull bent, hit at the Rakshasa's chest five _narachas_--wondrous\nimpetuous arrows. And those arrows resembling flaming serpents, with\ntheir velocity accelerated by the feathers (with which they were\nfurnished), blazed on the Nairita's breast like the rays of the Sun. And\nwounded with those shafts, Ravana's son, fired with wrath, pierced\nLakshmana with three arrows discharged (from his bow). And exceedingly\ndreadful was the encounter that took place between those leonine man and\nRakshasa, each eager to conquer the other. And both powerful, and both\nendowed with strength and possessed of prowess,--and both exceedingly\ninvincible; and both having unparalleled might and energy,--those heroes\nfaught like two planets in the welkin; or like Bala and Vrita,\nirresistible in conflict; and those high-souled ones faught like two\nlions. And showering countless shafts and displaying many maneuvers,\nthat foremost of men and that of Rakshasas, fought on cheerfully.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXXXIX.\n\n\nThen sighing like an enraged serpent, that chastiser of foes,\nDacaratha's son, setting shafts (on his bow-string) showered them on the\nRakshasa-chief. And hearing the twang of his bow-string the lord of\nRakshasas, with his countenance fallen, gazed at Lakshmana. And then\nBibhishana spoke unto Sumitra's son as he was fighting, \"I find\n(inauspicious) signs in Ravana's son. Do therefore hasten on,--broken he\nis, without doubt\". Then fixing arrows (on his bow) resembling venomous\nsnakes, he let go those keen shafts, like unto serpents furnished with\npoison. And smit by Lakshmana with arrows having the touch of the levin,\n(Indrajit) for a while was stupified and had his senses overwhelmed. And\neying that hero--son unto Dacaratha--present in the encounter,\n(Indrajit) with his eyes crimsoned in choler, drew near Sumitra's son.\nAnd coming up to him (Lakshmana), he again addressed (that hero) in a\nharsh speech, saying,--\"Dost thou not remember my prowess at that first\nencounter, when thou along with thy brother was bound up,--that now thou\nart discharging arms (at me)? Forsooth ye two in mighty encounter, with\nshafts resembling the thunder-bolt and _vajra_, by me were first laid\ndown on the ground, deprived of your lives, along with your principal\nadherents. Either this hath escaped thy memory or I fancy, thou plainly\nwishest to go to the abode of Yama,--inasmuch as thou hast set thy heart\non beating me. If at the first encounter thou hast not witnessed my\nprowess, to-day shall I show it unto thee. Do thou now stay, summoning\nthy attention\". Seeing this, he pierced Lakshmana with seven shafts, and\nHanuman with ten keen-edged excellent shafts. And then, fired with\ndouble fury, that powerful one pierced Bibhishana with an hundred\narrows, powerfully discharged (from his weapons). Seeing this act of\nIndrajit, that foremost of men, Rama's younger brother, Lakshmana, with\nan undaunted countenance, fired with wrath without minding the\nsame,--and saying with a laugh,--'This is nothing',--taking dreadful\narrows, in the conflict, discharged them at the son of Ravana. \"O\nnight-rangers, heroes, coming to the field never discharge (such shafts\nas these). These arrows of thine are light and of slight strength, and\nthey conduce to my comfort. Heroic warriors, eager for encounter, do not\nfight thus\". Speaking thus, (Lakshmana) accoutred with his bow showered\nvollies of shafts (on his adversary). And at his arrows (hitting),\n(Indrajit's) mighty golden mail fell off his person, and dropped to the\nplatform of his car like a cluster of stars dropping from the welkin.\nAnd with his armour dropping off, that hero--Indrajit--was wounded with\n_narachas_, like the Sun at dawn. That hero--Ravana's son--endowed with\ndreadful prowess, in that conflict, pierced Lakshmana with a thousand\nshafts. And thereat Lakshmana's gorgeous and mighty mail was rent in\npieces. And each rushing forward was engaged in dealing blows and\nharrying them. And sighing again and again, they fought furiously. And\nwith their persons cut all over, and laved in blood, for a long while\nthe heroes kept cleaving each other with sharpened shafts. And those\nhigh-souled ones versed in warfare, and endowed with terrific prowess\nexerted their utmost in securing victory. And covered with vollies of\nshafts, with their armour and banners rent, they drew each other's warm\nblood flowing like water from a fountain. And they discharged dreadful\nshowers attended with tremendous sounds, like the sounds of black clouds\nat Dooms-day[358] pouring torrents in the sky. And a long time went by\nas they faught. Nor did they turn away from the encounter, or know\nfatigue. And those foremost of those acquainted with weapons repeatedly\ndisplayed their weapons; and their long and short shafts enveloped the\nwelkin. And the skill that they displayed was perfect, and showed\nlightness, variety and grace; and both man and the Rakshasa carried on\nfearful and terrible conflict. And the dreadful and tremendous roars of\neach were audible (at that place); and terrific like the levin, they\nmade the hearts of hearers tremble (in terror). And as they faught with\nmight and main, the sounds that they sent resembled the deep rumbling of\nclouds in the sky. And pierced with _narachas_ knobbed with gold, those\npowerful and illustrious (warriors) with their hearts set on celebrity,\nbled profusely. And in that engagement gold-knobbed shafts hitting each\nother's person, pierced the same and covered with gore, entered the\nearth. And other shafts were resisted in the sky by sharpened weapons;\nand some were snapped, and thousands of their arrows were cleft (in the\nsky). And in that field, the vollies of their shafts were dreadful to\nbehold like unto a heap of Kuca aflame in a sacrifice. And the wounded\nframes of those high-souled ones appeared beautiful like a leafless,\nflowering Kincuka and Salmali in a wood. And each eager to vanquish the\nother, Indrajit and Lakshmana momentarily discharged tremendous and\nterrific showers (of arms). And Lakshmana smiting Ravana's son, and\nRavana's son smiting Lakshmana,--they did not experience any fatigue.\nAnd with net-works of arrows deeply entering their persons, those\nvehement and exceedingly powerful ones resembled mountains topped (with\ntrees). And all their limbs, drenched in blood and covered with arrows,\nlooked like a blazing fire. And a great while did they fight; yet they\nneither turned away (from the fight), nor did they experience any\nexhaustion. Then to remove (Lakshmana's) fatigue from fight, the\nhigh-souled Bibhishana, working the weal of Lakshmana staying in front\nof the field, came forward in the encounter and took up his post.\n\n[358] _Kalamaghuyo (gen)_. The commentator says the word means (black)\n clouds; but I prefer the sense given.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXL.\n\n\nSeeing the man and the Rakshasa engaged in battle, with their whole\nsoul, each eager to beat the other,--like unto elephants with the\ntemporal juice trickling from their temples,--desirous of beholding\ntheir encounter, Ravana's mighty and heroic brother, bearing an\nexcellent bow, stood in front of the arena. And taking up his post, he\nstretched his great bow and shot terrific sharp-pointed shafts at the\nRakshasas. And even like thunder-bolt cleaving mighty mountains, those\nshafts furnished with peacock's plumes falling powerfully (upon the\nfoe), rent the Rakshasas. And those foremost of Rakshasas, Bibhishana's\nfollowers, also, in the encounter discharged darts and scimitars and\n_patticas_ at heroic Rakshasas. And surrounded by those Rakshasas,\nBibhishana, then in the midst of his followers, appeared like an\nelephant in the midst of young ones. Then inciting the monkeys, whose\ndear object was to slay Ravana, that one versed in time, the foremost of\nRakshasas, spoke seasonably thus,--\"This one that stayeth (in the field)\nis the sole and mighty support of the Rakshasa-chief; and this is his\nremaining force. Why then do the monkey-chiefs remain inactive? On this\nwicked Rakshasa being slain on the edge of battle, the remnant of his\narmy, with the single exception of Ravana, is destroyed. That\nhero--Prahasta--hath been slain, and Nikumbha possessed of wondrous\nstrength, and Kumbhakarna, and Kumbha, and the night-ranger Dhumraksha,\nand Jamvumali, and Mahamali, and Tikshnavega and Hemaprabha, and\nSuptaghna, and Jajnakopa, and the Rakshasa Vajradanstra, Sankradi, and\nVikata, and Arighna, and Tapana, and Manda, and Praghasa, and Prajangha,\nand Jangha, and Agniketu, and Durdharsha, and the powerful Racmiketus\nand Viddujjibha, and Dwijibha, and the Rakshasa--Suryyacatru, and\nAkampana, and Suparcwa, and the Rakshasas--Chakramali, and Kampana and\nSatwavanta, and Devantaka and Narantaka.--Having slain these many\npowerful Rakshasas endowed with excess of might,--having crossed the sea\nwith your arms, do ye cross this foot print of a cow. This is the\nremaining force which you monkeys must conquer; all those Rakshasas,\nthat had come forward, elated with the pride of strength, have all been\nslain. It is not meet for me to slay the son of my brother, yet, casting\noff compassion will I for Rama slay him.[359] Tears surcharge the eyes\nof me who seeketh to slay him. Let therefore Lakshmana administer him\nhis quietus. Ye monkeys, do ye in a body (first) slaughter those that\nare beside him (Indrajit.)\" Thus exhorted by that illustrious Rakshasa,\nthe monkey-chiefs were exhilarated and began to flourish their tails.\nAnd then those mighty monkeys roared again and again, and sent up\nvarious shouts, even as peacocks cry on seeing clouds. And then Jambavan\nsurrounded by his own forces, assailed the Rakshasas with rocks and with\ntheir nails and teeth. Thereat Rakshasas, endowed with exceeding\nstrength, equipped with various weapons reproaching the lord of bears,\nas he was engaged in smiting (the foe),--and renouncing fear, with\nshafts and sharp axes and _patticas_ and _yashtis_, and _tomaras_, in\nthe encounter assailed Jambavan, who was engaged in beating the Rakshasa\nforces. And that conflict between the monkeys and the Rakshas, waxed\nfurious, like unto the tumultuous encounter of the immortals and the\nAsuras fired with wrath. And the magnanimous Hanuman incapable of being\napproached growing wroth,--uprooting a mountain, and putting down\nLakshmana from his back, began a great carnage among the Rakshasas by\nthousands. And fighting a furious fight with his uncle, the powerful\nIndrajit--slayer of hostile heroes--again rushed against Lakshmana. And\nthen there took place an encounter between those heroes in the\nfield,--Lakshmana and the Rakshasa--discharging vollies of shafts and\nsmiting each other; and those mighty and impetuous ones repeatedly\ncovered each other with networks of arrows; like unto the sun and the\nmoon covered by clouds at the expiration of Summer. And on account of\ntheir light-handedness, neither discharge of arrows, nor the drawing of\nthe bow; nor the setting of the shaft on the bow-string; nor the taking\nof the bow; nor the selection of shafts; nor the clenching fast of their\nfists; nor the hitting of aims,--could be perceived as they fought on.\nAnd in consequence of the sky being covered with networks of arrows all\naround, discharged powerfully from their bows, the forms (of objects)\ncould not be discovered. And Lakshmana having at Ravana's son, and\nRavana's son having at Lakshmana, critical was the huggermugger that\nensued[360] in the encounter between each other. And they both kept\nceaselessly showering feathered and sharpened shafts, the firmament was\nengulphed with a deep darkness. And in consequence of countless keen\narrows alighting in hundreds, all sides and all the cardinal quarters\nwere swarming with shafts. And all being over-spread with gloom, a\nmighty fright took possession (of creatures) when the Sun having\nascended the setting-hill, and darkness environing all objects. And that\nday[361] mighty torrents of blood flowed in thousands of streams; and\nfierce beasts of prey set up terrific yells (all around). And at that\nhour the wind did not blow, and fire did not blaze; and the Maharshis\nsaid,--'Fair befell creatures.' And the Gandharvas along with the\nCharanas grew exceedingly agitated. Then Sumitra's son pierced the four\nblack steeds of the leonine Rakshasa, caparisoned in gold. And then he\nhit at (Indrajit's) charioteer with another yellow and sharpened javelin\nsplendid, furnished with feathers; and resembling the thunder-bolt of\nthe great Indra. And through his fleet handedness the graceful son of\nRaghu with the thunder-bolt of his shaft, resonant with the sound of his\npalm, separated the (charioteer's head) from his trunk. And on his\ncharioteer having been slain the exceedingly energetic son of Mandodari,\nhimself began to perform the function of a charioteer, and took up his\nbow. And this in the encounter was wonderful to behold. And then as\n(Indrajit) was eagerly engaged in managing the steeds, (Lakshmana)\npierced him with sharpened shafts; and when (Indrajit) was eagerly\nwielding his bow, (Lakshmana) discharged shafts at his steeds. And on\nhis steeds having been torn with shafts, Sumitra's--foremost of\nfleet-handed--in the encounter assailed (Indrajit) doubtlessly ranging\nthe field. Seeing his charioteer slain in the contest, Ravana's son\nforewent his martial ardour, and was cast down. And seeing the Rakshasa\nwith his face fallen, the leaders of monkey-bands, were exceedingly\ndelighted and rendered homage unto Lakshmana. And then those\nmonkey-chiefs--Pramathi, Rabhasa, Sarabha and Gandamadana, not brooking\n(their foe) summoned their impetuosity. And suddenly springing up, those\nhighly powerful monkeys endowed with terrific prowess descended upon\nthose four best of steeds. And on those chargers being assailed by those\nmonkeys resembling mountains, blood gushed out of their mouths. And then\nthe steeds were smashed and sent to the ground. And having slain the\nsteeds, and smitten the mighty car-warrior[362] again by a vehement\nbound, came to the side of Lakshmana. And springing down from his car\nwhose steeds had been slain, Ravana's son, his charioteer having been\npounded, charged the son of Sumitra with arrows. And then Lakshmana\nresembling the great Indra, on (Indrajit's) best of chargers having been\ndespatched, in the encounter began to terribly rive with arrows\ndischarged (his foe) footing on the earth and showering excellent\nsharpened shafts.\n\n[359] The text has 'brother's son.'\n\n[360] i.e. in consequence of all sides being covered with arrows,\n neither the Rakshas nor the monkeys could distinguish their\n several parties in the encounter, and the blows that each dealt\n were misdirected in consequence.--T.\n\n[361] _Aiya to-day_ in the text.\n\n[362] _Maharatham (ac)_ may also mean _mighty car_. By the way the\n _samasa_ or junction called _Tatpurusha_ is a frequent source of\n obscurity in Sanskrit, specially where the gender of the word\n without _samasa_ is the same with that of the thing signified by\n the _samasa_, as in this case.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLI.\n\n\nHaving his steeds slain, the night-ranger--Indrajit, standing on the\nground, waxing fiercely angered, flamed up in energy. And armed with\nbows, they, desirous of slaying each other with shafts resembled an\nelephant and a bull in a forest, came out for securing victory in\nencounter. And slaughtering owe another, the Rakshasas and the\nwood-rangers, rushing this way and that, did not (for a moment) leave\ntheir lords. Then Ravana's son, gladdening all the Rakshasas, and\nhimself feeling cheered, addressed them in words of praise,\nsaying,--\"All sides are entirely enveloped in this gloom,--so that, O\nforemost of Rakshasas, here we do not know who belongeth onto us and who\nnot.--Do ye fight fearlessly for stupifying the monkeys; and I too,\nmounted on a car, shall come hither into the conflict. Do ye so act that\nthe high-souled rangers of the woods may not attack me as I enter the\ncity\". Saying this, that slayer of foes--Ravana's son, deceiving the\nwood-rangers, entered the city of Lanka for providing himself with a\n(fresh) car. And embellishing a chariot, graceful and adorned with gold,\nfurnished with _pracas_ and swords and arrows, yoked with superb steeds,\nand driven by a charioteer, knowing horses and possessed of instructions\n(anent his art),--that victor in battle--the exceedingly energetic son\nof Ravana--ascended it. And that hero, Mandodari's son, urged on by the\nforce of the Finisher, went out of the city, surrounded by the foremost\nRakshasas; and drawn by fast-speeding steeds, he presented himself\nbefore Lakshmana along with Bibhishana. And seeing Ravana's son seated\non the car, the son of Sumitra and the exceedingly powerful monkeys and\nthe Rakshasa--Bibhishana---were highly amazed at the lighthandedness of\nthat intelligent one. And Ravana's son, waxing furious, in that contest\nbegan to bring down monkeys by hundreds and by thousands. And that\nvictor in battle--Ravana's son--fired with wrath, summoning all his\ncelerity, slaughtered monkeys, drawing his bow into a circle. And\nslaughtered by _narachas_ of terrific impetuosity, the monkeys saught\nthe shelter of Sumitra's son, like creatures seeking the refuge of their\nLord. Then the son of Raghu, flaming up in martial wrath, severed\nhis[363] bow, displaying his fleethandedness. Thereat, taking another\nbow, (Indrajit) hurriedly fastened the string to it. And this bow also\ndid Lakshmana cut off by means of a brace of arrows. And when (Indrajit)\nhad his bow severed, Sumitra's son pierced the son of Ravana with five\nshafts resembling the venom of a poisonous serpent. And the shafts\ndischarged from his[364] mighty bow, piercing his[365] person, dropped\nto the earth like unto powerful red serpents. And having his bow cut\noff, Ravana's son, vomitting blood by his mouth, took up a superior bow\npowerful to a degree and having a stout string. And then aiming at\nLakshmana, he, summoning his utmost celerity, showered arrows, as\nshowereth Purandara in the season of rains. Thereat Lakshmana, subduer\nof enemies, retaining his calmness, resisted that powerful arrowy shower\nshot by Indrajit. And then that exceedingly energetic one, Raghu's son,\npossessing himself in calmness, displayed (his prowess) unto the son of\nRavana; and this was wonderful (to behold). And then displaying his\nlightness in the use of weapons, Lakshmana, growing furious, pierced the\nRakshasas with three arrows each in that mighty encounter; and the lord\nof Rakshasas struck him with showers of shafts. And pierced sore by that\npowerful enemy--slayer of foes--he incessantly sent innumerable arrows\nafter Lakshmana. And ere they reached their destination, that slayer of\nhostile heroes severed them with whetted arrows; and in the encounter\nthat righteous one and foremost of car-warriors with a dart having bent\njoints, cut off the head of his charioteer mounted on the car. And\ndeprived of their driver, there the steeds, retaining their calmness,\nbegan to go in rounds,--and this was wonderful Then Sumitra's son of\nsteady prowess, fired with anger, in that contest, frightening all,\npierced his horses with arrows. And not brooking that act (of his\nadversary), Ravana's son in the encounter pierced with ten shafts\nSumitra's son capable of making people's down stand on end. And his\nshafts resembling thunderbolts, and like unto all varieties of venom,\ntouching (Lakshmana's) mail having a golden splendour, were reduced to\nnaught. Thereat considering Lakshmana as clad in an impenetrable armour,\nRavana's son--Indrajit--growing furiously enraged, displaying his\nlighthandedness in arms, pierced Lakshmana in the temples with three\nwell-knobbed shafts. And with those arrows lodged in his temples,\nRaghu's son, delighting in battle, appeared beautiful in the field like\na mountain furnished with three summits. Albeit thus smitten in the\ncontest by the Raksha with shafts, Lakshmana swiftly smote him in turn\nwith five arrows; and in the encounter Lakshmana drawing his bow,\npierced with shafts Indrajit's face graced with elegant ear-rings. And\nthose heroes--Lakshmana and Indrajit--equipped with exceedingly powerful\nbows, and endowed with heroism and dreadful prowess, wounded each other\nwith sharp arrows. And both Lakshmana and Indrajit, with their persons\nbathed in blood in that encounter, appeared like unto flowering\nKincukas. And approaching each other, those bowmen, each telling his\nheart on victory, wounded each other all over the body with terrific\nshafts. Then Ravana's son, carried away by martial rage, pierced\nBibhishana in his handsome face With three arrows. And piercing the lord\nof Rakshasas, Bibhishana, he with three iron-headed arrows, pierced the\nmonkey-leaders each with a shaft. Thereat, enraged at him more furiously\nthan ever, the exceedingly energetic Bibhishana with his mace despatched\nthe steeds of the wicked-minded son of Ravana. Then jumping down from\nhis chariot with its horses slain, (Indrajit), endowed with great\nenergy, who had his charioteer pounded, discharged a dart at his uncle.\nAnd seeing it descend, the enhancer of Sumitra's joy severed the same\nwith whetted arrows and brought it down in ten fragments to the ground.\nAnd Bibhishana of a tough bow, growing enraged, discharged at\n(Indrajit), who had his steeds slain, five speeding shafts having the\ntouch of the thunder-bolt.--And those arrows furnished with gold at the\nfeathered parts, riving his person, were bathed in blood, and resembled\nmighty red serpents. Thereat wroth with his uncle, Indrajit took op an\nexcellent shaft--bestowed on him by Yama himself--endowed with terrific\nforce,--the flower of shafts among all the Rakshas. And seeing that\nmighty shaft set by him (on the bow-string), the highly powerful\nLakshmana, possessed of dreadful prowess, (in his turn) took up another\narrow, bestowed by Kuvera himself of immeasurable soul in a\ndream,--unconquerable, and incapable of being borne even by the\ncelestials and Asuras with Indra at their head. And on their best of\nbows being powerfully drawn with their arms resembling bludgeons, they\nset up cries like unto Kraunchas. And on those foremost of shafts set on\nthose excellent bows of those heroes, being drawn, flamed up in\nexceeding splendour. And those flaming arrows, discharged from the bows,\nillumining the welkin, with vehemence struck at each other's head. And a\nconcussion took place of those arrows of terrific aspects; and a furious\nfire sprang up thereat, with embers shooting around. And dashing against\neach other like unto mighty planets, they, reduced to an hundred shivers\nin the encounter, saught the earth. Seeing their shafts baffled,\nIndrajit and Lakshmana, staying on the edge of the battle, were seized\nwith shame and wrath. Thereat Sumitra's son, flying into a fury, took up\na Varuna weapon. And the conquerer of the great Indra intent on battle,\nin the encounter discharged a terrific Raudra weapon; and the\nexceedingly wonderful Varuna weapon was baffled by him. Then, waxing\nwroth, that victor in battle--the wondrous energetic Indrajit--as if\nannihilating the world, discharged a flaming Agneya weapon. And the\nheroic Lakshmma resisted it with a Solar weapon. Seeing his weapon\nresisted, Ravana's son, transported with passion, took up an Asura\narrow, capable of rending foes. And from that weapon issued daggers and\nclubs and darts and _bhucundis_ and maces and swords and axes.[366] And\nin the conflict, seeing that dire and dreadful weapon, irrisistible to\nall creatures and capable of riving all arms, the effulgent Lakshmana\nbaffled it with a Mahecwara[367] weapon. And the encounter that took\nplace between them was wonderful and capable of making people's down\nstand on end. And beings stationed in the sky surrounded Lakshmana on\nall sides. And in that terrific encounter of the monkeys and the\nRakshasas resounding with dreadful roars, the welkin was covered with\ninnumerable beings seized with wonderment. And saints and _Pitris_ and\ndeities and Gandharbas and birds and serpents, placing Satakratu in\ntheir front, protected Lakshmana in the conflict. And then that hero,\nRaghava's younger brother, fixed (on his bow) another superior shaft,\nhaving the feel of fire itself, and capable of riving the son of Ravana;\nfurnished with fair feathers; tapering; having elegant joints;\nsymmetrical; and plated with gold,--an arrow capable of finishing the\nbody; irrisistible; dreadful; terrific unto Rakshasas; resembling the\nvenom of poisonous serpents; and worshipped by the celestial hosts; by\nwhich the exceedingly energetic and wonderful Lord riding the\nhorse[368]--Sakra--of old in the war between the celestials and the\nAsuras had defeated the Danavas. And Sumitra's son, Lakshmana; graced\nwith auspiciousness, drawing on his best of bows that foremost of\nshafts--the Aindra weapon--invincible in conflict, spoke these words,\ntending to bring about his success,[369]--\"If Dacaratha's son--Rama--is\nrighteous and truthful, and if in prowess he hath no rival, then slay\nthis son of Ravana\". Saying this, the heroic Lakshmana in that conflict,\ndrawing the straight-speeding arrow up to his ear,[370] discharged it at\nIndrajit. And shooting the Aindra weapon, that destroyer of hostile\nheroes--Lakshmana--severing from its trunk the head of Indrajit with its\ncorslet, graced with burning ear-rings, brought it down to the ground.\nAnd the mighty severed head of the Rakshasa's son, resembling one made\nof gold, was seen covered with blood. And slain, Ravana's son dropped to\nthe earth, with his armour and corslet on, and his bow fallen (from his\ngrasp). And then all the monkeys with Bibhishana set up cheers, even as\nthe immortals cheered at the destruction of Vritra. And in the sky there\narose the victorious shouts of all beings and high souled saints, and\nalso of Gandharbas and Apsaras. And knowing (Indrajit) fallen (in\nfight), the mighty army of Rakshasas; attacked by monkeys burning for\nvictory, fled in the ten cardinal directions. And assailed by the\nmonkeys, the Rakshasas, pursued (by their foes), with their senses lost,\nrushed towards Lanka, leaving their arms behind. And overwhelmed with\nfright, Rakshasas fled in an hundred directions, all renouncing their\narms--bearded darts, and swords, and axes. And harassed by the monkeys,\nsome hurriedly entered Lanka, and some plunged into the sea, and some\nsaught shelter in the mountains. And seeing Indrajit slain and lying\ndown on the field of battle, thousands of Rakshasas fled away. As when\nthe Sun sets, his rays remain no longer, on that Rakshasa having fallen,\nthe Rakshasas dispersed in the ten cardinal quarters, like unto the Sun\nwhen his rays have been rendered mild, or fire which hath been\nextinguished. And the mighty-armed (Indrajit) was utterly reft of life.\nAnd on the son of the Rakshasa-chief falling, the world, having its foe\nslain, with its huge affliction gone off, experienced the bright of joy.\nAnd on that unrighteous Rakshasa having been slain, the reverend Sakra\ntogether with the Maharshis was filled with delight. And sounds of\nkettle-drums were heard in the sky proceeding from the celestials. And\nblossoms were showered by dancing Apsaras and high-souled Gandharbas.\nAnd this was wonderful (to behold.) And on that Rakshasa of fell deeds\nhaving been slain, the dust was laid, the water became transparent, the\nsky looked bright, and the deities and Danavas were filled with\nrejoicings. And on that Dread of all creatures having been slain, the\ngods, Gandharbas and Danavas, assembled together in joy, said,--\"Now let\nthe Brahmanas who have their sins removed, with their anxiety gone off,\nrange about\". And then the monkey-leaders, seeing that foremost of\nNairitas of unparalleled prowess slain in battle, began to gladly pay\nhomage (unto Lakshmana). And Bibhishana and Hanuman and Jambavan--leader\nof bears--saluted and hymned Lakshmana on the score of his victory. And\nshouting and bounding and roaring, the monkeys at this hour of high joy\nstood surrounding Raghu's son.[371] And flourishing their tails and\nstriking the earth (with them), the monkeys shouted,--'Victory unto\nLakshmana!' And embracing each other, the monkeys with delighted spirits\nbegan to converse in various ways touching Raghava's welfare. And\nbeholding that deed, difficult of being done, performed by their beloved\nfriend--Lakshmana--and hearing their foe--Indrajit--slain (in battle),\nthe celestials attained the summit of joy.\n\n[363] Indrajit's.\n\n[364] Lakshmana's.\n\n[365] Indrajit's\n\n[366] This arrow resembled somewhat the bomb-shells in modern European\n warfare.--T.\n\n[367] _i.e._ belonging to Mahecwara or Siva.\n\n[368] The celestial steed, Uchchaicrava, sprung from the ocean on the\n occasion of the churning of the deep.--T.\n\n[369] Words addressed to the deity presiding over the weapon.\n\n[370] i.e. drawing the bow to its utmost stretch.\n\n[371] Descendant, that is.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLII.\n\n\nHaving in the conflict slain that conquerer of enemies, Lakshmana graced\nwith auspicious marks, with his body bathed in blood, experienced\ndelight. And then supporting himself on Bibhishana and Hanuman, the\nexceedingly powerful Lakshmana endowed with prowess, taking Jambavan,\nHanuman and all the monkeys with him, speedily went to the place where\nSugriva and Raghava were. And then going round Rama and saluted him,\nSumitra's son stood before his brother, like Indra's brother staying\nbefore Sakra. And approaching with a look which of itself was\nsignificant,[372] the heroic Bibhishana described unto the high-souled\nRaghava the dreadful destruction of Indrajit. And then the delighted\nBibhishana related unto Rama how the high-souled Lakshmana had cut off\nthe head of Ravana's son. And as soon as that exceedingly powerful one\nheard of the destruction of Indrajit by Lakshmana, he experienced a huge\naccession of joy, and thus delivered himself,--\"Excellent, O Lakshmana!\nPleased am I (with thee). Thou hast performed a difficult feat. The son\nof Ravana having been slain, know for certain that we have been\nvictorious\". And then smelling the head of the bashful Lakshmana,\nenhancer of fame, (Rama) endowed with prowess, from affection forcibly\nhugged him into his lap. And making him seat on his lap, and\noverpowering him with embraces,[373] (Rama) again and again tenderly\neyed his brother, Lakshmana. And moved with grief, that best of persons,\nRama, smelling the head of Lakshmana, wounded with darts and having his\nperson pierced (with arms), sighing and breathing hard--and nursing his\nbody with his hand, addressed Lakshmana, soothing him,--'To-day his son\nhaving been slain, I deem Ravana himself as slain in fight. On that\nwicked-minded enemy of mine having been destroyed, I am victorious (in\nencounter). By luck, O hero, hast thou in conflict severed the right arm\nof the fell Ravana. Verily he (Indrajit) was his stay. Both Bibhishana\nand Hanuman have done mighty deeds in battle. In three days and nights,\n(my enemy) hath been brought down. To-day have I been made foeless. Now\nRavana will for certain march forth,--backed by a mighty phalanx. Ravana\nwill for certain sally out, hearing his son brought down. That\nunconquerable lord of Rakshasas, aggrieved for the destruction of his\nson, marching out,--shall I slay, environed with a mighty force. O\nLakshmana, the conqueror of Sakra having in battle been slain by\nthee--who art my lord--Sita and the (entire) earth are not incapable of\nbeing obtained by me\". Having thus soothed and embraced his brother,\nRaghu's son--Rama--highly rejoiced, calling Sushena, said,--\"Do thou so\nact that this highly wise son of Sumitra, devoted to his friends, may be\nhealed and be eased. Do thou without delay heal Sumitra's son, attached\nto his friends, of his wounds. And do thou also carefully relieve all\nthose heroes in the army of bears and monkeys fighting with trees,--as\nwell as others, who have been wounded and have got sores (in\nconsequence)\". Thus addressed by Rama, the high-souled monkey-leader\nadministered a potent medicine to the nose of Lakshmana. And smelling\nthe same, he got healed; he was relieved of his pain and his outgoing\nvitality was shut up. And at the mandate of Raghava he likewise treated\nhis friends headed by Bibhishana and all the principal monkeys. And\nrestored to his natural condition, Sumitra's son, healed, and with his\nexhaustion removed, and his suffering gone off in a moment, experienced\nexhilaration of spirits. And Rama and the monkey-king and Bibhishana and\nthe powerful lord of bears along with their hosts, seeing Sumitra's son\nrisen hale, rejoiced greatly in delight. And the high-souled son of\nDacaratha honored exceedingly that exceedingly hard feat of Lakshamana;\nand the monkey-king, hearing that the conquerer of Sakra had fallen in\nfight, was filled with joy.\n\n[372] _i.e._ of the destruction of Indrajit.\n\n[373] _Avapiritam--(ac) pained_. Ramanuya says this epithet refers to\n Lakshmana's having been wounded in the encounter. I differ from\n him.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLIII.\n\n\nWhen the counsellors of Pulastya's son, hearing of Indrajit having been\nslain, speedily conveyed the tidings unto the Ten-necked one, who was\nignorant[374] of the same. \"O mighty monarch, in our very sight thy\nexceedingly effulgent son hath been slain by Lakshmana with the help of\nBibhishana. And that hero confronted by the (other) hero, hath been\nvanquished in fight. And the hero, thy son, the conquerer of the\ncelestial chief, hath also been slain by Lakshmana. And having gratified\nLakshmana with his shafts, he hath repaired to the supreme regions\".\nHearing of that mighty terror, _viz._, the rueful and dreadful\ndestruction of his son, Indrajit, in battle, he straightway swooned\naway. Then regaining his consciousness after a long while, that foremost\nof Rakshasas--the king--overwhelmed with grief for his son, and\ndistressed, burst into lamentations, with his senses\nwildered,--thus,--\"O foremost in the Rakshasa army! O my child endowed\nwith high might! Having conquered Indra himself, wherefore to-day hast\nthou come under the sway of Lakshmana? Doubtless, thou enraged could\npierce with thy arrows the Destroyer of Time himself, and the summit of\nMandara,--what shall I say of Lakshmana in encounter? To-day king\nViwacwata hath raised himself immensely in my estimation, for to-day he,\nO mighty-armed one, hath brought thee under the law of Time. But this is\nthe way of capable warriors as well as celestials. He that layeth down\nhis life for his lord, repaireth to heaven. To-day seeing Indrajit\nslain, the deities and the guardians of the worlds, and the mighty\nsaints, their fear gone off, shall sleep peacefully. This triple world\nand this entire earth with her woods, reft of one--Indrajit--appear to\nme as vacant. To-day shall I hear the cries of the daughters of the\nNairitas in my inner apartment, like unto the roars of she-elephants in\na mountain-cavern. Renouncing thy state of an heir-apparent, and Lanka\nand the Rakshas, O subduer of enemies, and thy mother, and me, and thy\nwife--whither hast thou gone, (leaving) us all? O hero, I having gone to\nthe region of Yama, thou ought to have performed my last rites, but thou\nstandest in a relation the very reverse of this.[375] And Sugriva living\nand Lakshmana and Raghava, without extracting my dart, whither hast thou\ngone, leaving us all? And then vising from the disaster that had\nbefallen his son, a mighty wrath overcame the lord of Rakshasas--Ravana,\nas he was thus indulging in lamentations. And even as in summer, the\n(Solar) rays flame up the Sun, the destruction of his son flamed up all\nthe fiercer, him, who was naturally irascible. And as he kept yawning in\npassion, a flaming fire with smoke darted from his mouth, even as it did\nfrom the mouth of Vritra. And burning in grief for the destruction of\nhis son, and coming under masterdom of passion, that\nhero--Ravana--reflecting (awhile) in his mind, resolved upon slaying\nVaidehi. And naturally red, and reddened (still more) by the fire of\nwrath, Ravana's glowing eyes were dreadful (to behold). And his form,\nterrific by nature, in consequence of the fire of his wrath having\npossessed it entirely, resembled the form of the enraged Rudra. And from\nthe eyes of that infuriated one fell drops of tears as drop from a\nflaming lamp drops of burning oil. And as he grinded his teeth, the\ngnashing resembled the sounds sent by the machine[376] drawn by the\nDanavas and churning the deep. The Rakshasas durst not approach that one\neying round and resembling the Destroyer himself, intent, on devouring\nboth mobile and immobile. Then exceedingly enraged, Ravana--lord of\nRakshasas--spoke in the midst of the Rakshasas, inciting them to\nbattle,--\"I practised severe austerities for thousands of years; and\ngratified the Self-sprung at times. Neither from Asuras nor from\ncelestials can any fear spring to me. My mail conferred on me by Brahma,\nwhich in effulgence resembles the Sun himself, was not broken by blows\nlike unto thunder-bolt at the war between the deities and demons. To-day\nwho will come forward against me in battle accoutred in that and mounted\non a car in the conflict? Not even Purandara himself. Do ye, beating\nhundreds of drums, to-day raise that mighty and dreadful bow of mine\nwhich, with arrows, had been bestowed on one by the gratified\nSelf-sprung at the war of the gods and Asuras,--so that I may therewith\ncompass the destruction of Rama and Lakshmana in mighty battle\". Burning\n(in grief) for the destruction of his son, the fell Ravana, coming under\nthe influence of anger, reflecting (in his mind), resolved to slay Sita.\nAnd eying round, that copper-eyed and dreadful one of a terrific aspect,\ndistressed, in a piteous voice addressed all the night-rangers,\nsaying,--\"By his power of illusion, my beloved child, for deceiving the\nwood-rangers, slaying something (else), had shown it unto them as Sita.\nNow will I do that good office myself,--Vaidehi will I slay--even her\nthat is devoted to that friend of Kshatriyas\". Having spoken thus unto\nhis counsellors, he swiftly took up a sword; and raising it, of\nexcellent temper and of cerulean hue, he rushed out vehemently,\nsurrounded by his wives and counsellors. From grief for his son. Ravana\nwith his consciousness wildered, taking up a sword, in rage, rushed\ntowards the place where Mithila's daughter was. Seeing the Rakshasa\nrising on, some, emitted leonine roars, and seeing the Rakshasa enraged,\nembracing each other, said,--\"To-day those two brothers, seeing this\none, will be exceedingly pained. By this one, influenced with passion\nwere the four guardians of the worlds conquered; and many other foes\nwere brought down in battle. Procuring gems from the three worlds,\nRavana enjoyeth them. Neither in strength nor in prowess is there any\none on earth who is his compeer\". As they were speaking thus, Ravana,\nreft of his senses by wrath, rushed against Vaidehi, who had taken up\nher abode in the Acoka wood. And dissuaded by his friends endowed with\ngood intelligence, he, wrought up with high wrath, darted (against\nSita), even as an enraged planet[377] rusheth against Rohini[378] in the\nfirmament. And the blameless daughter of Mithila protected by the\nRakshasis, saw the infuriated Ravana bearing that best of blades in his\nhand. Seeing (Ravana) approach, sword in hand, despite the earnest\nentreaties of his friends, Janaka's daughter, Sita, pained and overcome\nby grief, said, weeping,--\"From the way in which, wrought up with wrath,\nthis wicked-minded one is rushing on at me personally, it appears that\nhe will slay me, who have a lord, as one who hath not. He did urge me\nmuch ever devoted to my lord, saying 'Be thou my wife but forsooth I\ndisregarded him. And plainly in consequence of my refusal, he hath given\nway to despair. And overcome by anger and passion, he is ready to slay\nme. Or it may be that to-day for me those foremost of men, the\nbrothers--Rama and Lakshmana--have been slain in encounter by this\ninglorious one. I heard a furious and fearful uproar raised by countless\nRakshasas rejoicing, and expressing their delight.--Alas! O fie! For me\nthose princes have met with destruction. Or it may be that not without\nslaying Rama and Lakshmana, this terrific Rakshasa, having his heart set\non sin, from grief for his son, will slay me. Fool that I am, I did not\nthen act agreeably to Hanuman's words. If I had gone away seated on his\nback, without waiting for the victory (of my lord), I devoted to him,\nplaced on his lap, should not have come by this repentance. When\nKaucalya, having an only son, will hear of her son slain in battle, I\nfancy, her heart shall burst. And, weeping, she will remember that\nhigh-souled one's birth and boyhood, and youth and pious acts and\nloveliness. And that one bereft of her consciousness, filled with\ndespair, after having performed his _sraddha_[379] will doubtless enter\ninto fire or water. Shame on the unchaste and hump-backed Manthara,\nhaving her heart fixed in sin, for whose sake this grief shall exercise\nKaucalya!\" Seeing the distressed daughter of Mithila lament thus, like\nunto Rohini come under the sway of a planet in the absence of the Moon,\nin the meanwhile his[380] pure and good courtier, named Suparcwa,\nendowed with intelligence, albeit prevented by other courtiers, spoke\nunto Ravana, foremost of Rakshasas,--\"Wherefore, O Ten-necked one, O\nthou who art the very younger brother of Vaicravana himself, Dost thou\ndesire to slay Vaidehi, forsaking righteousness? Why, O hero! O lord of\nRakshasas! having led the Brahmacharyya mode of life, studied the Vedas,\nand returned from the house of thy spiritual guide, and ever engaged in\nreligious acts, to-day dost thou intend to slay a woman? Do thou, O\nking, now stay expecting Mithila's daughter[381] endowed with\nloveliness; and do thou along with us vent thy wrath on him.[382] To-day\nbeing the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, do thou this very day\nprepare for conflict; at _amavasya_,[383] environed with thy forces, do\nthou march for victory. Heroic, and intelligent, a mighty car-warrior\nand swordsman, thou, mounted on a car, slaying the redoubtable son of\nDacaratha, wilt obtain Mithila's daughter\". Thus exhorted by his friend,\nthe unrighteous Ravana accepted his virtuous speech; and then that\npowerful one went (back) to his house, and, surrounded by his friends,\nentered the court.\n\n[374] _Avajuaya_. Ramanuya says it means \"ignorant of the same\". Tirtha\n says it means, 'Seeing.' Then the sense would be, 'the\n counsellors, having first _seen_ Indrajit slain, informed Ravana\n of it.'--T.\n\n[375] I have to perform thy last rites, thou having fallen in fight\n while I am alive.--T.\n\n[376] Meaning the mountain Mandara.\n\n[377] Kuja, _etc_\n\n[378] Hesperus.\n\n[379] Funereal rites performed in accordance with the injunctions of the\n Hindu Scriptures.--T.\n\n[380] Ravana's.\n\n[381] Explains the commentator: \"till thou slayest Rama in battle\".--T.\n\n[382] Rama.\n\n[383] _i.e._ to-morrow.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLIV.\n\n\nEntering his court, the king, distressed, and exceedingly aggrieved, sat\nhim down on the foremost seat sighing like an enraged lion. And stricken\nwith grief in consequence of his son's death, that highly powerful\nRavana, with folded hands, addressed all the heroic Rakshasas,\nsaying:--\"Do ye all proceed to battle with elephants, horses and cars.\nAnd encircling Rama only and discharging shafts at him, delightedly,\nlike unto clouds, in the rainy season, pouring water, do ye slay him. Or\nI shall slay him to-morrow in the presence of all, wounded by you in the\nmighty encounter with sharpened arrows\". Hearing the speech of their\nlord the Rakshasas, with a huge army and a host of cars, speedily issued\nout for battle. And they all threw at the monkeys life-destroying\n_Parighas_, _Patticas_, arrows, daggers and _Paraskwadhas_. And the\nmonkeys too threw crags and trees at the Rakshasas. Thus on the eve of\nsun set there arose a terrible conflict between the Rakshasas and the\nmonkeys. And they struck each other in the conflict with clubs,\n_chitras_, _Prasas_, daggers and _Paraskwadhas_. The conflict being thus\ncarried on, there arose a mighty dust which was again destroyed by the\ncurrent of blood gushing out of the persons of the Rakshasas and the\nmonkeys. Elephants and cars were like the banks of that river of blood,\nthe arrows were like the fishes, and the flags were the trees on their\nbanks and the corpses were like planks afloat there. Being thus wounded\nand assailed by the Rakshasas, those heroic monkeys leaped and broke\ndown the flags, armours, cars, horses and other weapons. And with their\nsharp teeth and nails they scratched the hair, ears, foreheads and the\nnoses of the Rakshasas. Like unto vultures falling upon a felled tree,\nhundreds of monkeys fell upon one Rakshasa in that encounter. And the\nRakshasas resembling mountains, with huge clubs, _prasas_, daggers and\n_parashwadhas_, struck the monkeys (in their turn). Being thus assailed\nby the Rakshasas, the mighty host of monkeys took refuge of Rama, the\nson of Dacaratha, the worthy refuge of all creatures. Thereupon the\nhighly effulgent and powerful Rama, taking up his bow, entered the\nRakshasa host and began to make a downpour of arrows. And Rama entering\nthe field, those terrible Rakshasas, being burnt with the fire of his\narrows, could not stand before him like unto clouds disappearing before\nthe Sun in the welkin. And the night-rangers only espied the dreadful\nfeats performed by Rama and which were above the power of others. Except\nwhen guiding the huge army or driving the cars they could not see Rama\nlike unto the wind invisible in a forest. They all beheld the Rakshasa\nforce scattered, wounded, burnt down with arrows, broken and assailed\nwith weapons, by Rama, but none could see the quick-moving Rama. As\npeople cannot see the soul which governs all objects of sense so they\ncould not see Rama, who was thus inflicting wounds on them. \"It is he\nwho is destroying the soldiers riding the elephants, it is he who is\nbreaking down the mighty cars, and it is he who with sharp arrows is\nslaying the cavalry--rider and horse\". Thus saying those Rakshasas, in\nthat conflict and in the very presence of Rama, highly enraged, began to\nslay each other. They were all bewildered by the huge Gandharba weapon\ndischarged by the high-souled Rama and so they could not see Rama, who\nwas thus burning down their force. And the Rakshasas sometimes beheld\nthousands of Rama in the battle field and again saw one Rama only. They\nat times saw the quick-moving golden end of the bow of that high-souled\none, resembling a circular fire brand but they did not behold Raghava.\nAnd he looked like _kala chakra_, having his middle body as its navel,\nhis own strength as its lustre, the arrow for its radius or spoke, the\nbow for the circumference, the twang of the bow for its sound, his power\nand intelligence for its brightness, and the aim of the celestial\nweapons for its limit. And in the eighth division of the time by Rama\nalone with arrows resembling the flame of fire were destroyed ten\nthousands swift-coursing cars, eighteen thousand elephants fourteen\nthousands horses and riders and two million Rakshasa infantry assuming\nshapes at will. And those night-rangers, who were still left, having\ntheir horses killed, cars and flags broken, fled in fear of life to the\ncity of Lanka. And the battle field, filled with slain horses elephants\nand infantry, looked like the high-souled and enraged Rudra's arena of\nsports. Thereupon the celestials with Gandharbas, Siddhas and the great\nascetics glorified the wonderful feat of Rama. And the virtuous-souled\nRama addressed Sugriva, Bibhishana the monkey Hanuman, the leading\nmonkey Jambavan, Mainda and Divida who were near him, saying--\"This is\nthe power of my weapons and as well as that of Rudra\". The high-souled\nRama, equalling Sakra in prowess, thus slaying the huge host of the lord\nof Rakshasas and assailing them with shafts and weapons--the celestials,\ndelighted, sang his praises.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLV.\n\n\nBy Rama, of unwearied actions, with flaming arrows feathered in burning\ngold, were destroyed thousands of elephants--many horses with their\nriders, many a car crested with flaming banners; thousands of heroic\nRakshasas assuming shapes at will, engaged by Ravana, and armed with\nclubs and _parighas_; and golden pennons. Beholding and hearing of this\nthe remaining night-rangers assembled and were greatly bewildered,\npoorly and stricken with anxiety. The widows and those who had lost\ntheir children or kinsmen approached those Rakshasas and overwhelmed\nwith grief, bewailed piteously,--\"Alas! why did the aged and\ngrim-visaged Surpanakha, having her belly extending down-ward, behold in\nthe forest Rama graceful like Kandarpa. And beholding him of great\nbeauty and prowess, ever engaged in the welfare of all creatures, that\nugly one, worthy of being slain by people, was excited with lust. Why\ndid that ugly-faced she-demon, devoid of all qualities, address Rama,\nhaving a beautiful countenance, gifted with many virtues and great\neffulgence? Alas for the misfortune of the Rakshasas, the aged Rakshasee\nbrought before him such a vile proposal, hated of all and worthy of\ncreating laughter. For the destruction of Khara, Dushana and other\nRakshasas that ugly one approached Raghava with such a vile intention.\nIt was for her that Ravana created enmity (with Rama) and Sita was\ncarried away by the Ten-necked Rakshasa. But he could not spread his\ninfluence upon Sita the daughter of king Janaka and deep rooted and\neternal became the enmity with the highly powerful Raghava. And\nbeholding the Rakshasa Biradha slain by Rama alone--(Ravana) wishing\nVaidehi should have regarded that as a sufficient proof of his prowess.\nAnd fourteen thousand Rakshasas of terrible deeds were slain by him in\nJanasthana with shafts resembling the flame of fire. Khara, Dushana as\nwell as Tricira were slain by him in conflict with arrows resembling the\nSun--this was a sufficient proof (of his power). Yoyanabahu and\nKavandha, drinking blood, were slain by him, roaring with wrath--this\ntoo was a sufficient proof of his power. Rama slew the powerful Vali,\nthe son of the thousand eyed one, resembling the cloud--that too was the\nsufficient proof of his prowess. By him Sugriva, poorly and living in\nthe mount Rishyamukha, having all his desires frustrated, was placed on\nthe throne--that too even was the sufficient proof of his power. He\n(Ravana) from foolishness did not like the becoming speech of Bibhishana\nconducive to the acquirement of piety and wealth and securing the\nwelfare of the Rakshasas. Had the younger brother of the lord of wealth\n(Ravana) observed the words of Bibhishana, Lanka would not have been\noverwhelmed with grief and reduced to the state of a cremation ground.\nHearing of the destruction of the highly powerful Kumbhakarna by Rama.\nof the irrepressible Atikaya by Lakshmana as well as of his beloved son\nIndrajit, Ravana did not come to his senses.[384] There is audible in\nevery house of the Rakshasas, the cry,--'My son, my brother, my husband\nis slain in battle.' In conflict have been destroyed by the heroic Rama,\nthousand cars, horses, serpents and infantry. Perhaps Rudra, Vishnu,\nMahendra or the performer of hundred sacrifices, or even Death, in the\nshape of Rama, is slaying us. By Rama all the heroes have been\nslain--despair has taken possession of our minds--we do not behold the\nend of our terror and are bewailing being deprived of our lords. Does\nnot the Ten-necked hero, who has obtained boons (from Brahma) perceive\nthat a mighty disaster shall befall him from Rama? Neither the\ncelestials, Gandharbas, Picachas nor Rakshasas shall be able to save him\nfrom Rama in conflict. In every battle many an accident befalls\nRavana--this bespeaks of his destruction at the hands of Rama. The great\nPatriarch, being pleased, conferred upon Ravana the boon that no fear\nwould proceed unto him from the celestials, the Danavas or the\nRakshasas--but he did not beg of him, security from men. Forsooth, he is\nthat fearful man who shall slay Ravana and the Rakshasas. The\ncelestials, being thus oppressed by Ravana, who had obtained the boon,\nworshipped the great Patriarch with severe austerities. And being\npropitiated with them, the high-souled Patriarch, for their welfare,\naddressed the celestials, with the following pregnant speech. \"From\nto-day shall the Rakshasas and Danavas roam for ever, afraid of the\ncelestials\". Thereupon the celestials headed by Indra engaged in\npropitiating Mahadeva, the slayer of Tripura, and who rides upon a bull.\nAnd being pleased, Mahadeva addressed them, saying,--\"For your welfare\nthere will be born a woman who shall be the cause of the destruction of\nthe Rakshasas\". As hunger, being engaged by the celestials, did destroy\nin olden time, all the Danavas, so shall she (Sita) the root of the\nextinction of Rakshasa race destroy us all with Ravana. Alas! for the\nfoolishness of the vicious-minded and insolent Ravana destruction has\nfaced us and we are overwhelmed with grief. We do not see any such being\nin the world who can afford us shelter. Raghava has attacked us like\nunto the fire of dissolution. There is no refuge for us who have been\nstricken with fear as no help reaches the elephants in a forest beset\nwith fire. The high-souled Bibhishana did the just thing in proper\ntime--he took shelter of him from whom he expected danger\". Thus\nbewailed piteously and loudly--the she-demons holding each other by the\nneck and being stricken with fear and grief.\n\n[384] One _sloka_ has been omitted here by some of the editors, which\n when translated stands thus:--When one monkey only Hanuman killed\n the prince Akshaya and reduced the whole city to ashes with the\n fire of his tail. Ravana should have come to his senses.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLVI.\n\n\nWhereupon Ravana heard in every house of Lanka the piteous cries of the\nshe-demons possessed by sorrow. And sighing hard he engaged in\nmeditation for some time. And terrible-looking as he was, Ravana was\ngreatly worked up with ire. Having his eyes reddened with anger, and\ngnashing his teeth and biting the lips, that one, irrepressible by other\nRakshasas, looked like the fire of dissolution incarnate. Thereupon the\nlord of Rakshasas in anger as if burning down everything with his look,\naddressed the Rakshas who were near him--Mahodara, Mahaparsha,\nBirupaksha--\"Do ye speedily speak to the soldiers that they should sally\nout for battle at my command. Hearing his speech--those Rakshas,\npossessed by fear, asked by the command of the king, the Rakshasa\nsoldiers to be ready. And thereat all those grim-visaged Rakshasas\nsaying 'so be it' and performing benedictory ceremonies proceeded to the\nbattle-field. And those mighty car-warriors, worshipping Ravana, and\ndesiring the victory of their lord, stood before them with folded hands.\nThereupon Ravana, beside himself with anger, laughing, adddressed those\nRakshasas, Mahodara, Mahaparsha, and Birupaksha, saying--\"To-day shall I\ndespatch both Rama and Lakshmana to the abode of Death with arrows\nresembling the sun at the time of dissolution, discharged off my bow.\nAnd slaying the enemies I shall repair the loss of Khara, Kumbhakarna,\nPrahasta and Indrajit. The atmosphere, the quarters the sky and the deep\nbeing enveloped with the cloud of arrows shall become invisible. I shall\nslay to-day all the heroic monkeys with my winged arrows. Ascending my\ncar gifted with the velocity of the wind shall I churn to day the monkey\nhost with arrow-like waves coming from the ocean-like bow. I shall like\nan elephant distress to-day the monkey-like pools having their\ncountenances for the blown lotuses, and the lustre of their bodies for\nthe filaments. To-day in the encounter, the leaders of the monkey hosts,\nwith their heads transfixed with arrows, shall cover the earth, like\nunto lotuses with their stalks. I shall to-day with a single arrow,\ncleave hundreds of heroic monkeys fighting with trees in their hands. I\nshall wipe to-day the tears of those whose brother or son has been slain\nby destroying their foe. In the encounter to-day I shall, with the\nmonkeys deprived of their breath and clept with my arrows, so cover the\nearth that it may not be seen by any. I shall satisfy to-day with the\nflesh of the enemies slain by my shafts, the crows, vultures and others\nwho live upon flesh. Get ready soon my car and bring my bow. And let the\nremaining night-rangers follow me in battle\". Hearing his words\nMahaparsha addressed the leaders of the army who were near him,\nsaying,--\"Get your soldiers ready\". And the commanders too quickly went\nround all the houses in Lanka and asked the Rakshasas to be ready soon.\nThereupon began to issue out in a moment terrible-looking Rakshasas,\nemitting roars, having dreadful faces and with various weapons in their\nhands--daggers, _Patticas_, maces, clubs, furrows, sharpened _saktis_,\ntraps, various rods, sharpened _chakra_, _parashwadhas_, _vindipalas_,\n_sataghnis_ and various other excellent weapons. Thereupon at the\ncommand of Ravana the commanders brought one _Nijuta_ (a hundred\nthousand) cars, three _Nijuta_ elephants, sixty million horses, asses\nand camels and numberless infantry. They arranged the soldiers before\nthe king and in the interval the charioteer brought the car--filled with\nexcellent celestial weapons--richly adorned, containing many an armour,\ngirt with a network of tinkling ornaments, crested with various jewels,\nhaving jewelled pillars and a thousand golden jars. Beholding the car\nthe Rakshasas were greatly astonished. And Ravana, the lord of\nRakshasas, rising up all on a sudden, ascended that car, brilliant like\nthe flaming fire and the aggregate rays of a million sun,\nquick-coursing, having a charioteer, drawn by eight horses, huge and\nshining in its native lustre. Thereupon proceeded Ravana, encircled by\nmany a Rakshasa as if rending the earth with the excess of his prowess.\nThere arose a huge sound of bugles accompanied with that of Mridangas,\ndrums, conchs, and _kalapas_. The lord of the Rakshas--wicked, the\nslayer of the Brahmins--the thorn of the celestials, and who hath\nbrought away Sita by stealth, has come with his umbrellas and chowries\nto fight with the foremost of Raghus--this cry was heard everywhere. And\nwith his tremendous roar the earth shook. And hearing all on a sudden\nthat sound, the monkeys fled away in fear. And the highly effulgent\nRavana, having huge arms and surrounded by his ministers, came there\nbeing certain of gaining victory. Being commanded by Ravana, Mahaparsha,\nMahodara and the irrepresible Birupaksha ascended the car. They,\ndesirous of winning victory, issued out emitting dreadful roars in\ndelight and as if rending the earth therewith. Thereupon the highly\neffulgent (Ravana) resembling Death, with uplifted bow, sallied out for\nbattle along with the army of Rakshas. And that mighty car-warrior, went\nout in his chariot drawn by quick-coursing steeds by that gate which led\nto where Rama and Lakshmana were. Thereat the sun lost its\nbrilliance--the quarters were enshrouded with darkness; the birds sent\nforth dreadful cries and the earth shook. The celestials poured down\nbloody rains--the course of the horses was slackened--the vultures sat\non the banners and jackals emitted inauspicious cries, his left eye and\nthe left arm began to shake--his countenance became pale and his voice\ngrew harsher. The Ten-necked Rakshasa thus going out for battle there\nappeared many bad omens indicating his destruction. From the sky fell a\nfire-brand accompanied with the sound of thunder; vultures and crows\nemitted inauspicious cries. Disregarding these dreadful omens which\nappeared then, Ravana, incited by death, foolishly went out to slay his\n(enemies). And by the wheel-sound of the chariots of the great Rakshasas\nthe host of monkeys calling each other, excited with anger and willing\nto gain victory, addressed themselves for fight. Thereupon the\nTen-necked one, enraged, with his arrows feathered in gold, made a\ndreadful slaughter of the army of monkeys. And some of those heroic\nmonkeys were beheaded by Ravana--some had their hearts rent and others\nwere shorn of their ears. Some had their breath choked, some were killed\nand others had their sides broken. Some had their hands cut off and\nothers had their eyes put out. And wherever in the encounter, the\nTen-headed Rakshasa, whirling his eyes in ire, went in his car--the\nmonkey leaders could not stand the vehemence of his arrows.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLVII.\n\n\nThere the earth was covered with monkeys whose bodies were rent with the\narrows of the Ten-necked (Ravana). As the flies cannot stand before the\nflaming fire so they could not bear the vehemence of Ravana's shafts.\nBeing thus assailed with pointed arrows they fled away crying, like unto\nelephants being burnt by fire. And Ravana with his arrows pursued in\nconflict the course of clouds. Thus slaughtering the monkeys the lords\nof Rakshasas speedily reached in the encounter where Raghava was. And\nbeholding the monkeys assailed and afraid Sugriva placing Sushena in\ncharge of a _gulma_[385] addressed himself for the battle. And placing\nthat heroic monkey, his equal in prowess, in that command Sugriva\nsallied out with a tree in his hand to meet the enemy. And followed him\non all sides the leaders of the monkeys with huge crags and various\ntrees. The heroic Sugriva emitted terrible roars in the conflict and\nassailed the heroic Rakshasas and many others. The huge-bodied\nmonkey-chief crushed the Rakshasas like unto the wind uprooting the\ntrees at the time of dissolution. He began to make a downpour of crags\nat the Rakshasa host like unto the cloud pouring down hailstorms at the\nbirds in the forest. And being beheaded by the crags discharged by that\nmonkey chief the Rakshasas fell down like unto mountains cleft. The\nRakshasas being thus attacked and shattered by Sugriva and roaring and\nfalling down on all sides, an irrepressible Rakshasa, skilled in\narchery, by name Birupaksha, pronouncing his own name, got down from the\ncar and mounted an elephant. And mounted on the elephant that highly\npowerful Birupaksha sent forth leonine roars and dashed against the\nmonkeys. Exciting the joy of the Rakshasas and removing their anxiety he\ndischarged dreadful shafts at Sugriva and his army. And being assailed\nby the pointed arrows of that Rakshasa that lord of monkeys roared in\nanger and made up his mind to destroy him. Thereupon uprooting a tree\nthe heroic monkey, skilled in warfare, leaped and struck that huge\nelephant down in his presence. And being assailed greatly by Sugriva\nthat huge elephant proceeded a little within the range of the bow and\nroared and died. And being; greatly enraged on the destruction of that\nelephant the highly powerful Rakshasa dashed forward to face the enemy.\nThat one of quick movements took up his dagger and armour and viling,\napproached Sugriva. And beholding his movement Sugriva took up a huge\ncrag resembling a cloud and hurled it against Birupaksha. That highly\npowerful leading Rakshasa, finding the crag about to fall, turned a\nlittle away and struck the monkey with his dagger. And being assailed\nwith dagger by that powerful Rakshasa the monkey remained senseless for\nsometime on the ground. And rising up all on a sudden he, clenching his\nfist, struck that Rakshasa in the mighty encounter on his breast and got\nhim down. Being struck with the fist the night-ranger Birupaksha greatly\nenraged cut down with his dagger Sugriva's armour and tumbled him down\nwith his feet. And the monkey rising up again was about to deal him a\nblow, hard as a thunder-bolt, with a dreadful sound. And receding a\nlittle, he baffled its aim and returned one on Sugriva's breast. Finding\nhis aim baffled and himself struck in return by the Rakshasa, Sugriva,\nthe lord of monkeys, was excited with anger. And the monkey-chief was\nnow on the look-out for an opportunity to strike Birupaksha. And\nimmediately in anger he struck him down with a blow on his forehead. And\nbeing thus assailed with the fist resembling the thunder-bolt of\nMahendra, he fell down on the earth bathed in a pool of blood. And blood\ngushed out of the person of Birupaksha like unto water issuing out of a\nfountain. And the monkeys beheld their enemy (Birupaksha) with his eyes\ndisfigured in anger, bathed in a foam of blood, his whole body\ndiscoloured, trembling, rolling and crying piteously. Thereupon those\ntwo armies of the monkeys and Rakshasas, being ready to engage in the\nencounter, began to roar like unto two mighty oceans having their banks\nbroken. And observing that highly powerful Rakshasa, of discoloured\neyes, slain by the king of monkeys, the monkeys and Rakshasa forces\nengaged in fight and looked like the rising Ganges.\n\n[385] The division of an army; a body of troops consisting of nine\n platoons or nine elephants, nine chariots, twenty seven horses and\n forty-five foot.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLVIII.\n\n\nLike unto a pond in the summer both the armies became gradually reduced.\nBeholding his own army and Birupaksha slain, Ravana, the lord of\nRakshasas, was doubly excited with ire. And observing his army reduced\nand slain by the heroic (monkeys) he perceived ill omens in the fight\nand was accordingly pained at heart. And he addressed Mahodara, who was\nnear him, saying, \"O thou of great arms, all my hopes of success are now\ncentered in thee. Do thou slay the enemy's force, O hero, and display\nthy prowess. Now hath come the time of returning the favours of thy\nmaster. Do thou fight bravely\". Being thus accosted that Rakshasa-chief\nMahodara, saying \"so be it\" entered the enemy's army like unto a fly\nentering into a flame. Excited by his master's command and empowered by\nhis own prowess that (Rakshasa) gifted with great strength, began to\nassail the monkeys. And the highly powerful monkeys too taking up huge\ncrags dashed against the dreadful army of the enemies and crushed all\nthe Rakshasas. And Mahodara, greatly angered, severed in that mighty\nencounter, with his arrows feathered in gold, the hands, feet and thighs\nof the monkeys. Then the monkeys, in fear of the Rakshasas, fled away to\ndifferent quarters and some sought shelter of Sugriva. And beholding his\npowerful monkey force thus assailed in the conflict, Sugriva dashed\nforward and fronted Mahodara. And taking up a huge and dreadful crag\nresembling a mountain, the monkey-king hurled it with great vehemence to\nslay him. Thereupon finding that crag about to fall, Mahodara fearlessly\nsevered it with his arrows. And being sundered into a thousand pieces by\nthe arrow of that Rakshasa, it fell down on the earth like unto a band\nof vultures. And beholding that crag thus severed, Sugriva was beside\nhimself with ire; and uplifting a _sala_ tree hurled it: and the heroic\nRakshasa, the slayer of enemy's force, severed it into several pieces\nwith his arrows. Thereupon excited with wrath he saw a _parigha_ on the\nground. And hurling that flaming _parigha_ and displaying his\n(light-handedness) he struck his excellent horse therewith. And having\nhis horse slain, that hero--the Rakshasa Mahodara, ascended his car, and\nin great anger took up his club. Those two heroes, with club and\n_parigha_ in their hands, engaged in battle, roaring like two bulls or\nclouds accompanied with lightning. Thereupon the night-ranger Mahodara,\ninflamed with ire, hurled at Sugriva, the club flaming like the Sun. And\nbeholding that dreadful club about to fall the highly powerful\nSugriva--the lord of monkeys, uplifting his _parigha_ struck it\ntherewith. And the _parigha_, being sundered, fell quickly down on the\nearth. Thereupon the effulgent Sugriva picked up from the ground a\n_musala_ made of iron and ornamented with gold. Taking that _musala_ up\nhe hurled it at the Rakshasa and who again hurled a club; and both of\nthem being severed fell down on the earth. Having their weapons baffled\nthus, those two heroes, gifted with great prowess and effulgence and\nresembling the burning fire, were ready to interchange blows. They,\nemitting roars again and again, struck each other down on the earth with\ntheir clenched fists. And rising up speedily they again assailed each\nother. Thus those two heroes, unsubdued, struck each other with their\narms. Thereupon both of them, highly proficient in fighting with arms,\nwere greatly exhausted. Thereupon they took up daggers. And uplifting\nthem, (those two heroes) with their persons trembling in ire, proficient\nin fighting and skilled in the use of weapons, dashed on roaring. And\nboth of them enraged with each other and anxious to score success,\nmoving in a circle on each other's right side, addressed themselves for\naction. Thereupon the vicious-minded, heroic Mahodara, gifted with great\nvehemence and proud of his own heroism, flung his dagger at (the\nmonkey's) armour. And as he was about to extricate his dagger from the\narmour, that foremost of monkeys severed with his dagger that Rakshasa's\nhead with helmet and _kundalas_. And beholding the Rakshasa-chief fall\ndown on the earth with his head off, his forces fled away from the\nfield. And slaying him that monkey-chief, delighted, began to roar along\nwith other monkeys. There-upon the Ten-necked one became highly enraged\nand Raghava greatly delighted. And all the Rakshasas, with their hearts\nbroken and countenances rendered poorly and stricken with fear fled away\nto different quarters. Slaying and striking down on earth Mahodara like\nunto a portion of a mighty hill severed, that son of the Sun appeared\nresplendent in his own effulgence and became irrepressible like unto the\nSun. And winning victory in the action that lord of monkeys was espied\nby the celestials, Siddhas and Yakshas along with all creatures on\nearth, having their eyes flushed with joy.\n\n\n\nSECTION LXLIX.\n\n\nMahodara being thus slain by Sugriva, the highly powerful Mahaparshwa,\nhaving his eyes reddened with ire, looked towards him. And the Rakshasa,\nwith his weapons, assailed the dreadful army of Angada as well as the\nleading monkeys. The Rakshasa severed the heads from the bodies of the\nmonkeys like unto the wind throwing away the fruits from trees. And he\ncut off, with his arrows, the arms of some and some were deprived of\ntheir sides. The monkeys were thus assailed by Mahaparshwa with a shower\nof shafts. All the monkeys were thus stricken with grief and rendered\nsenseless. And hearing of the anxiety of his own army thus assailed by\nthe Rakshasa, Angada, gifted with great vehemence, taking his _parigha_\nmade of iron and resembling the rays of the sun, dashed on like the\nrising deep during the lunar half of a month. And that foremost of\nmonkeys encountered Mahaparshwa, who, thus struck by the monkey, became\ninsensible with his charioteer and fell down on the earth. Thereupon\nleaped on the battle-field the highly powerful and effulgent lord of\nbears, having the hue of red collyrium, with his army resembling the\ncloud. And excited with ire, he, taking up a huge crag resembling the\nsummit of a mountain, speedily struck down his horses and broke down his\ncar. And regaining his senses in a moment the highly powerful\nMahaparshwa, again assailed Angada with many arrows. He struck Jambavan,\nthe lord of bears, on his breast with three arrows and assailed Gabaksha\nwith many shafts. And beholding Jambavan and Gabaksha overwhelmed with\narrows, Angada, beside himself with ire, took up a dreadful _parigha_.\nAnd holding with two hands that _parigha_ made of iron and bright like\nthe rays of the sun, Angada, the son of Vali, with his eyes reddened in\nwrath, hurled it at Mahaparshwa who was stationed at a distance, to slay\nhim. And being hurled by the highly powerful (Angada) the _parigha_,\nstruck down from his hands the bow with arrows and the helmet of the\nRakshasa. And approaching him vehemently, Vali's son, gifted with great\nprowess, in anger, struck him, with clenched fist, on his ears having\nexcellent _kundalas_. There-upon Mahaparshwa gifted with great vehemence\nand effulgence, highly angered, took up in his hands a huge\n_parashivadha_, sharpened with oil, bright and hard as iron and\ndischarged it at Vali's son, and struck him therewith on his left\nshoulder. And Angada baffled that _parashwadha_. Thereupon that hero,\npowerful like his own father, clenching his fist, hard as thunder-bolt\nand resembling even Indra's _acani_, dealt it, in great anger, upon the\nRaksha's breast. And being struck with that fist the Rakshasa's breast\nwas shattered and lie fell down on earth. He falling down on earth\nslain, his soldiers were greatly sorry and Ravana attained to an excess\nof ire in the conflict. The noise set up by the delighted monkeys like\nunto a dreadful leonine roar, as if rending the city of Lanka abounding\nin edifices and gates, resembled the great roar of the celestials along\nwith Indra. And hearing the noise of the celestials and monkeys, the\nlord of Rakshasas, the enemy of the gods, in great anger, again\nproceeded towards the battle field.\n\n\n\nSECTION C.\n\n\nBeholding Mahodara, Mahaparsha and the highly powerful Birupaksha slain\nin the encounter Ravana attained to an excess of ire. And ordering his\ncharioteer to hurry on he gave vent to the following words--\"All my\ncourtiers have been slain and my city is shut up--I shall remove my\ngrief consequent on all these by slaying Rama and Lakshmana. I shall\ndestroy Rama-like tree in the conflict whose flower is Sita and whose\nbranches are Sugriva, Jambavan, Kumuda, Nala, Divida, Mainda, Angada,\nGandhamadana, Hanuman and all other leading monkeys\". And resounding the\nten quarters with the sound of his chariot wheels that mighty\ncar-warrior proceeded quickly towards Raghava. With that sound all\nquarters were filled, and the earth, with rivers, mountains and forests\nshook and all the lions, deer and birds were terrified. He created a\ndreadful darkness with the discharge of his sharp weapons and burnt down\nthe monkeys who fled away to different directions. Dust was raised on\nthe ground by those monkeys assailed and flying to various directions.\nThey were unable to withstand the power of that weapon made by Brahma\nhimself. Beholding his own army, assailed and cut into hundred pieces by\nthe excellent weapons of Ravana, Raghava dashed forward. And assailing\nthe monkey-host, that foremost of Rakshasas espied Rama, unconquered, at\na distance with his brother Lakshmana like unto Basava with Vishnu,\nholding a huge bow like one painted on the sky, having expansive eyes\nlike lotus-petals, long arms, and always subduing the enemies. Beholding\nthe monkeys slain in the encounter and Ravana approach, the heroic and\nhighly powerful Rama, with Sumitra's son in his company, delightedly set\narrows on his bow. And as if rending the whole earth with that dreadful\nsound he began to draw the string of his excellent bow. With the sound\nof Ravana's arrows and the twang of Rama's bow hundreds of Rakshasas\nfell down on earth. And coming within the range of the arrows of those\ntwo princes, Ravana appeared like Rahu in presence of the sun and the\nmoon. And desiring to fight with him first Lakshmana setting sharp\narrows on his bow, discharged shafts at him resembling the flame of\nfire. And the highly powerful Ravana too with his arrows stopped the\ncourse of those shafts in the sky as soon as they were discharged by\nLakshmana, skilled in archery. And displaying his light-handedness, he,\nwith one arrow, severed Lakshmana's one, with three his three and with\nten his ten. Surpassing thus the son of Sumitra, Ravana, ever victorious\nin battle, confronted Rama in the encounter, standing like another hill.\nAnd approaching Raghava, Ravana the lord of Rakshasas, with his eyes\nreddened in ire, began to make a shower of arrows. Thereupon beholding\nthe arrows shot off Ravana's bow fall on all sides, Rama speedily took\nup a _valla_.[386] And Raghava sundered with his sharp _valla_ his\ndreadful arrows flaming and resembling poisonous serpents. With various\nsharpened arrows Raghava assailed Ravana, and he again assailed Rama in\nreturn. And forming a circle, they passed each other by the right side.\nUprooting the earth with the vehemence of their arrows, irrepressible by\neach other, fighting equally discharging arrows, they looked dreadful\nlike Death himself--and created terror in all creatures. The sky was\nfilled with their various weapons, like unto clouds in the rainy season\naccompanied with lightning. And the welkin appeared full of windows with\nthat shower of arrows, sharpened, shot with great vehemence and winged\nlike vultures. The earth was stricken with darkness caused by these\narrows like unto clouds appearing after sunset. There took place a\ndreadful conflict between them, desiring to slay each other, having\ntheir prowess unknown and fighting like Vitra and Vasava. Both of them\nwere proficient in archery, skilled in the art of conflict and foremost\nof those conversant with the use of weapons. And they began to veer\nround the battle-field. And wherever they went, there appeared arrows\nlike unto waves of the deep roused by the winds. Then that destroyer of\ncreatures--Ravana--with his hand engaged in discharging shafts, shot at\nRama's forehead a network of arrows. And thereat Rama on his head bore\nthat shower of shafts shot from his terrific bow, having the lustre of\nthe petals of blue lotuses; nor did he experience any pain, And then\nreciting a formula, the exceedingly energetic Rama endowed with prowess,\nwrought up with wrath, engaged in incessantly shooting his shafts,\ntaking his Raudra weapon and again seizing his arrows, discharged them\nat that lord of Rakshasas. And alighting at the impenetrable hail of the\nKakshasa-chief, resembling a mass of mighty clouds, those arrows did not\nthen occasion him any pain. Again Rama skilled in all weapons, from a\npowerful weapon discharged arrows at the sovereign of the Rakshasas\nmounted on his car. And piercing Ravana, those like unto five-hooded\nserpents, resisted by him, entered the earth, hissing. Having baffled\nRaghava's weapon, Ravana, transported with passion, took up a dreadful\nAsura weapon; and discharged sharpened shafts having the faces of lions\nand tigers, and the faces of _kankas_ and _kokas_[387] and the faces of\nvultures and hawks, and the faces of jackals, and the faces of\nwolves,--with gaping mouths,--and terrific of aspect; five-mouthed and\nred-hued. And that highly powerful one, enraged, sighing like a snake,\nby his power of illusion shot at Rama other keen arrows having the faces\nof mules and the faces of bears, and the faces of dogs and cocks, and\nthe faces of _makaras_[388] and venomous serpents,--these as well as\nothers. Covered with that Asura weapon, that foremost of the Raghus,\nhimself resembling fire, discharged an exceedingly vigorous weapon\ninformed with fire; and shot various shafts having faces filled with\nlive flames, and faces like unto suns,--and hued like unto planets and\nstars,--and furnished with faces resembling mighty meteors, or\nresembling tongues of lightning. And those terrific shafts of Ravana,\nresisted by Raghava's weapon, were annihilated in the sky, and destroyed\n(monkeys) by thousands. And seeing that weapon (of Ravana) destroyed by\nRama of untiring deeds, all those heroes, the monkeys--headed by\nSugriva, capable of wearing forms at will, shouted, surrounding Raghava.\nAnd the high-souled son of Dacaratha--Raghava--having by his might\ndestroyed that weapon discharged by Ravana's arms, was delighted; and\nthe monkey-chiefs, filled with glee, began to emit shouts.\n\n[386] An arrow with a crescent shaped head.\n\n[387] _Koka_--a ruddy goose. It may also mean a lizard, a chameleon, a\n wolf.\n\n[388] A marine monster, generally confounded with the alligator and the\n shark; but really a fabulous animal.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CI.\n\n\nOn that weapon of his having been baffled, Ravana--lord of the\nRakshasas--was fired with double fury, and the highly effulgent Ravana\nfrom wrath set about discharging at Raghava a dreadful Raudra weapon,\nwhich had been conferred on him by Maya. And from his bow began to issue\nforth in large numbers darts and maces and clubs, flaming and having the\nmight of thunder; and various kinds of sharp clubs and daggers and\nnooses and flaming thunderbolts began to descend like unto the winds at\nthe universal tumbling. And thereupon the graceful and exceedingly\neffulgent Raghava--foremost of those accomplished in noble\narms--resisted that weapon with a powerful Gandharva weapon. On that\nweapon being baffled by the high-souled Raghava, Ravana, with his eyes\nrendered coppery with passion, took up a Solar weapon. Thereupon from\nthe bow of the wondrous vehement and intelligent Ten-necked one rushed\nout discuses flaming and mighty. And the firmament all round blazed up\nwith those impendent (arms), as blaze up the cardinal quarters on the\nSun and the Moon and the planets dropping down. Thereat Raghava in the\nvan of that army by means of vollies of shafts cut off Ravana's\nwonderful weapons and discuses. And seeing that weapon destroyed,\nRavana--lord of Rakshasas--with ten arrows pierced Rama all through his\nvitals. And pierced by Ravana with those ten shafts discharged from his\nmighty bow, the exceedingly powerful Raghava did not so much shake. Then\nRaghava--victor in fight--waxing wondrous wroth, with countless shafts\npierced Ravana all over his person. In the meanwhile Raghava's younger\nbrother, the mighty Lakshmana--destroyer of foes--growing enraged, took\nup seven arrows. And with those highly impetuous arrows that exceedingly\neffulgent one severed the human-headed standard of Ravana. And the\nmighty and graceful Lakshmana with a shaft cut off the head of the\nNairita's charioteer, illumined with ear-rings. And then with five\nsharpened arrows Lakshmana severed the bow of the Rakshasa-chief,\nresembling the trunk of an elephant. And Bibhishana, bounding up, with\nhis mace despatched Ravana's excellent steeds, resembling hills or\ndark-blue clouds. Thereat, leaping down from his mighty car, whose\nhorses had been slain, Ravana was fired with high wrath against his\nbrother. And the powerful lord of Rakshasas endowed with immense\nstrength, hurled at Bibhishana a dart resembling the flaming\nthunder-bolt. And ere the dart had reached its destination, Lakshmana\nsevered it with three shafts; and thereat in that mighty conflict there\narose a mighty uproar from the monkeys. And the dart dight with networks\nof gold fell down in three fragments, as droppeth a mighty meteor from\nthe firmament, flaming and shooting out scintillations. Then (Ravana)\ntook up a huge dart, glowing in its own energy, celebrated as being\nirrisistible, and incapable of being borne by the Destroyer himself. On\nbeing whirled by the impious and strong Ravana, the dart possessed of\nexceeding energy, flamed up. In the meanwhile the heroic Lakshmana\nswiftly came to the side of Bibhishana,[389] whose life was placed in\nperil. And in order to save him, that hero--Lakshmana--drawing his bow,\ncovered the dart-handed Ravana with showers of shafts. On being covered\nwith arrows shot by that high souled one, Ravana, with his prowess\nbaffled, made up his mind to let (his brother) go. And seeing his\nbrother delivered by Lakshmana, Ravana, facing Lakshmana, spoke these\nwords,--\"O thou proud of thy prowess! as Bibhishana hath this wise been\ndelivered by thee, passing by the Rakshasa, this dart, discharged from\nmy bludgeon of an arm, will depart, depriving thee of thy life\". Having\nsaid this, Ravana, waxing furiously enraged, discharged at Lakshmana\nthat dart forged by Maya with his power of illusion, furnished with\neight bells, having mighty sounds,--incapable of being\nresisted,--competent to finish foes; and flaming in energy,--and shouted\nsimultaneously. And hurled with terrific force, the dart sending sounds\nresembling that of Vajra or the thunder-bolt, vehemently alighted at\nLakshmana in that encounter. Thereat, as the dart descended, Raghava\naddressed[390] it, saying,--\"Peace be to Lakshmana! Be thou frustrated;\nand let thy energy go out of thee\". But the dart discharged in the\nencounter by the enraged Ravana, resembling a venomous serpent, dived\ninto the dauntless and heroic Lakshmana; and (the dart) exceedingly\nsplendid and blazing, possessed of dreadful impetuosity; and resembling\nthe tongue of the king of serpents, smote Lakshmana in his mighty chest.\nAnd with his breast riven by the dart, driving deep through the force of\nRavana, Lakshmana fell down to the earth. And Raghava, standing by,\nseeing Lakshmana in that plight, had his heart overspread with sorrow.\nBut reflecting only for a while, he, with his eyes surcharged with\ntears, was filled with greater martial ardour, and resembled the fire\nrisen at the universal dissolution. Then thinking,--'This is not the\ntime to indulge in grief;' he, gazing at Lakshmana, entered into a\nterrific encounter, resolved upon slaying Ravana, laying under\ncontribution his dearest energies. And Rama saw Lakshmana with his chest\nriven by the dart in the mighty conflict, lying drenched in blood, and\nresembling a hill with serpents present in it--And in spite of all their\nefforts, the foremost monkeys failed to extract the dart which had been\nhurled by the powerful Ravana.--And, further, they were (all the while)\nsore assailed with showers of shafts by the foremost Rakshasa of them\nall. The dart, having pierced Sumitra's son, had entered the earth. In\nthe encounter the mighty Rama, grasping the dreadful dart with his\nhands, extracted the same and wrathfully snapped it.[391] As he (Rama)\nwas engaged in pulling the dart out, the mighty Ravana kept pouring\nmarrow-piercing shafts all over his person. Thinking nothing of those\narrows, Rama, embracing Lakshmana, spoke unto Hanuman and the mighty\nmonkey, Sugriva,--\"Ye foremost of monkeys, do ye stay here, surrounding\nLakshmana. The opportunity for putting forth my prowess which I had\nsought, is present. I shall slay this wicked-minded Ten-necked one, who\nis resolved to pursue the course of unrighteousness. Even as on the\nexpiry of summer the Chataka is eager for the sight of clouds, I had\nlong been eager to obtain a sight of (Ravana.) Ye monkeys, this, I swear\nunto you,--this very hour not long after ye will see this world without\nRavana or Rama. To-day having slain Ravana in battle, I shall renounce\nall sorrow arising from the loss of my kingdom, from my sojourn in the\nwoods, from my wandering in Dandaka, from the ravishment of Vaidehi,\nfrom encounter with the Rakshas,--all the terrible evils that I have\nsuffered, and all the troubles resembling hell. He for whom I have\nbrought over the monkey-forces, made Sugriva king, slaying Vali in\nbattle, for whom I have crossed the ocean and constructed a bridge over\nthe deep--the same hath been come at by me in conflict, and the same\nhath come within the range of my vision.--And having come within my ken,\nRavana will not live, even as one coming within ken of a serpent of\npoisonous sight, doth not live; or even as a serpent doth not live,\ncoming within ken of Vinata's[392] son. Do ye, ye irrepressible ones, ye\nforemost of monkeys, seated at the brow of the mountain, behold the\nbattle between me and Ravana. To day let the three worlds with the\nGandharvas, and the Siddhas, and the Chiranas, see that for which Rama\nis Rama. To-day I shall do a deed of which the worlds with the mobile\nand the immobile and the gods, shall speak as long as the Earth\nsustaineth (creatures.)\" Having delivered himself thus, Rama,\nconcentrating his attention, began to charge the Ten-necked one in\nencounter with whetted arrows decked with burnished gold. And in the\nsame way Ravana showered on Rama great _narachas_ and clubs, even as\nclouds pour down showers. And there arose a tremendous uproar of mighty\narrows discharged by Rama and Ravana, smiting one another. And the\nshafts shot by Rama and Ravana, severed and scattered, with flaming\nheads dropped to the Earth. And the mighty twangs of the bow-strings of\nboth, terrifying all creatures, were wonderful to behold.[393] And then\neven as clouds disperse on being trampled by the Winds, Ravana, covered\nwith showers of arrowy networks by that high souled one and reduced to\nsore straits by that one (Rama) of a glowing bow, fled away in fear.\n\n[389] The commentator explains: \"Himself coming before the dart,\n Lakshmana saved Bibhishana\".--T.\n\n[390] _i.e._ as Ramanuya remarks, addressed the deity presiding over\n it.--T.\n\n[391] The commentator has a characteristic note. 'This dart, having\n pierced the foe, used always to return to Ravana. But Rama, who\n was the Lord himself, having spoken to it as he did, it could not\n this time go back; and Rama snapped it, which none else could\n do.'!--T.\n\n[392] Garuda.\n\n[393] _Adbhutadarcana--wonderful to behold_,--wonderful to witness is\n the sense.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CII.\n\n\nSeeing the heroic Lakshmana brought down by the dart discharged by the\npowerful Ravana, and lying drenched in blood, he (Rama) after having\nfought furiously with the wicked-minded Ravana,--and having showered\nvollies of shafts, addressed Sushena, saying,--\"This heroic Lakshmana\nbrought down to the earth by the prowess of Ravana, lieth like a\nserpent, enhancing my sorrow. Seeing this hero, dearer to me than life,\nwhat power have I, with my soul overwhelmed with dole, to fight? If this\nbrother of mine graced with auspicious marks, delighting in battle,\nbreathe his last, what shall life avail me or happiness? My prowess is\nashamed; my bow falleth off from my hand; my arrows droop; my sight is\ndimmed with tears; my limbs weaken as do those of men in a dream;\nthought racks me; and I even desire death\". Seeing his brother wounded\nby the wicked-minded Ravana, crying in preternatural accents, and sore\nstricken in his vitals, (Rama) overcome by a mighty sorrow, lamented\nwith his senses wildered. \"Seeing my brother, Lakshmana, wounded, and\nlying over the dust of the field, even victory, O hero, doth not seem to\nme sweet. If the Moon is hid from the sight, whom doth he then delight?\nWhat have I to do with battle? What have I to do with life? I have no\nmore to do anything with fighting, seeing that this Lakshmana wounded,\nlieth in the field of battle. As this highly effulgent one had followed\nme into the forest, so will I in the same way follow him to the abode of\nYama. Ever seeking my welfare and ever devoted to me, he hath been\nreduced to this pass by Rakshasas fighting in crooked ways. In land\nafter land one meets with wives, in land after land one meets with\nfriends, but country find I none where a uterine brother may be met\nwith. What, O irrepressible one, shall I do with the kingdom without my\nLakshmana? And what shall I say unto mother Sumitra, fond of her son?\nAnd I shall never be able to bear the reproach Sumitra shall cast upon\nme. And what shall I say unto Kaucalya, and what unto mother Kaikeyi?\nAnd what shall I say unto Bharata, and what unto the exceedingly\npowerful Satrughna? 'Thou hadst gone to the woods with him. Why then\ndost thou come (back) without him?' 'Tis better (for me) to renounce my\nlife here, instead of bearing the censure of friends. What a sin had I\ncommitted in another birth, seeing that my virtuous brother, staying\nbefore me, hath been slain? Ah, my brother! Thou best of men! O master,\nwho wert the foremost of heroes! Why, forsaking me, dost thou repair to\nthe other regions. Wherefore, brother, dost thou not speak to me, who am\nlamenting? Get up. See! Why dost thou lie down? Look on me with thine\neyes. O mighty-armed one, in the woods and mountains thou didst ever use\nto cheer me, tried by grief and pining in despondency, with my mind\noverwhelmed (with woe)\". As Rama was speaking thus with his senses\noverwhelmed with emotion, Sushena, soothing him, spoke these pregnant\nwords,--\"O foremost of men, cast off this train of thought tending to\noverwhelm thy understanding,--this anxiety giving birth to grief, and\nresembling the shafts of foes in the van of the embattled forces.\nLakshmana enhancer of auspiciousness is not dead. His face is not\ndistorted or blackened. Do thou look at his countenance, which is\nbeautifully bright and cheerful. His hands have palms resembling\nlotus-petals, and his eyes are pleasant. O king, one dead doth not look\nthus. (Therefore), O hero, do not grieve. O subduer of enemies, this one\nis instinct with life. As he is lying down on the ground, stretched at\nlength, his heart, O hero, trembling momentarily, testifieth to his\nrespiration\". Having spoken thus unto Raghava, the highly wise Sushena\nthus addressed the mighty monkey, Hanuman, saying,--\"O placid one,\nhieing hence to the mountain, Mahodaya, which, O hero, had formerly been\nmentioned unto thee by Jambavan, bring hither the mighty drug sprung at\nits right summit--Vicalyakarani by name, and Savarnyakarani,[394] and\nSanjivakarani, O hero, and the potent medicine--Sandhani. Do thou bring\n(these) in order that the hero--Lakshmana--may be revived\". Having been\nthus instructed, Hanuman, repairing to the Medicinal mountain, was\nwrought up with anxiety, not knowing the drugs. And then the thought\nsprang up in the mind of the Wind-god's offspring of immeasurable\nprowess,--\"I shall go, even taking this (entire) summit of the mountain.\nIn this very summit must that delightful drug have sprung. This I infer,\ninasmuch as Sushena had forsooth said so. If I fail to take\nVicalyakarani, I shall come by disgrace,--and if I spend much time (in\nthought), that would be fraught with evil\".[395] Having reflected thus,\nthe exceedingly powerful Hanuman, foremost of monkeys,--swiftly drawing\nup to that best of mountains, and giving three shakes to the mountain\nfilled with various flowering trees,--raised it up with his hands. And\ntaking that summit of the mountain resembling dark-blue clouds charged\nwith rain, Hanuman from the earth bounded up into the sky. And arriving\n(at his quarters), that wondrous vehement one, putting down the\nmountain-peak, and reposing for a while, spoke unto Sushena,--\"I did not\nfind the drug, O best of monkeys; and therefore have I brought this\nentire summit of the mountain\". When the Wind-god's offspring had spoken\nthus, that foremost of monkeys--Sushena--praising him, uprooted the herb\nand secured it. Seeing Hanuman's feat, incapable of being done by even\nthe celestials, the choicest of the monkeys were amazed. Then crushing\nthe healing herb, that best of monkeys--the exceedingly effulgent\nSushena, made Lakshmana smell the same. And thereupon the wounded\nLakshmana,--slayer of hostile heroes--smelling it, cured of his wound\nand ailments, speedily rose up from the ground. Seeing Lakshmana rise up\nfrom the earth, the monkeys, exceedingly rejoiced, honoring Lakshmana,\nexclaimed, \"Excellent! Excellent!\" \"Come!\" said that slayer of hostile\nheroes--Rama--and with his eyes filled with tears, he deeply embraced\nLakshmana. And having embraced Sumitra's son, Raghava then addressed\nhim, saying--\"By good fortune it is that, O hero, I see thee returned\nfrom (the mansion of) Death.--Verily my life, or Sita, or Victory is\nworthless (without thee). And thou being dead, what is my life worth?\"\nWhen the high-souled Raghava had spoken thus, Lakshmana, aggrieved on\naccount of the words (of Raghava) expressive of infirmity of purpose,\nsaid,--\"Having bound thyself by that vow, it doth not, O thou having\ntruth for prowess, behove thee to speak like one fickle and feeble.\nThose speaking the truth, never falsify their promise: the mark of a\ngreat one is even observance of vow. O sinless one, do not suffer\nthyself to be overcome by despair on my account. Do thou to-day by\nslaying Ravana, make thy promise good. Thy foe coming within the sway of\nthy shafts, will not hence, living, even like a mighty elephant coming\nbefore a sharp-toothed roaring lion. I wish the speedy destruction of\nthis impious one, ere the maker of day, having performed his work, has\nascended the Setting-hill.[396] If thou wishest to slay Ravana in\nbattle, if thou desirest to recover the princess, then, O noble one, O\nhero, to-day speedily set about what I say\".\n\n[394] _Lit._--that which restores the former complexion.--T.\n\n[395] Explains the commentator: 'If I take any other medicine by\n mistake, I shall make a fool of myself; if I spend much time in\n thought, Lakshmana may die.'--T.\n\n[396] This conversation between Rama and Lakshmana took place, says the\n commentator, on the first day of the lighted fortnight.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CIII.\n\n\nHearing the words uttered by Lakshmana, that slayer of hostile\nheroes--Raghava--endued with prowess, taking his bow, set shafts on it,\nand in the brunt of battle began to discharge dreadful arrows at Ravana.\nAnd mounted on another car, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--rushed against\nKakutstha, even as Swarbhanu rusheth against the Sun. And even as a mass\nof clouds poureth down torrents on a mighty mountain, the Ten-necked\none, mounted on his car, smote Rama with shafts resembling\nthunder-bolts. And in the encounter Rama, concentrating his thoughts,\nshowered on the Ten-necked one arrows embellished with gold and looking\nlike living fire. And celestials and Gandharvas and Kinnaras declared\nthat there had been no other battle like unto the encounter of Rama\nstationed on the ground and the Raksha mounted on his car. Then the\nforemost of celestials--Sakra--hearing their ambrosial speech, summoning\nMatali, said,--\"Taking my car, hie to the best of the Raghus. And\nreaching the earth, do thou, welcoming (him), bring about great good\nunto the gods\". Thus accosted by the sovereign of the celestials,\nMatali--celestial charioteer--bending down his head, addressed that\ncelestial, saying,--\"Speedily shall I go, O lord of the celestials; and\nI shall also do the office of a charioteer (unto Raghava)\". Then yoking\nwith steeds that best of cars, curiously wrought with gold; adorned with\nhundreds of small bells; resembling the Sun new risen; having its pole\nstudded with lapises; yoked with excellent horses caparisoned in gold;\nfurnished with white chowris,--drawn by steeds resembling the Sun;\ndecked with golden net-works,--and provided with a golden standard,--the\ngraceful car of the sovereign of the celestials,--Matali, commanded by\nthe king of the immortals, ascending the car, went out of the celestial\nregions and came to Kakutstha. And with his hand holding the reins, the\ncharioteer of the thousand-eyed (Deity) with joined hands addressed\nRama, saying,--\"O Kakutstha, in order that thou mayst obtain the\nvictory, the thousand-eyed (god) hath sent thee this car. And, O\nexceedingly powerful one! O graceful (hero)! thou that slayest thy foes!\nthis is the redoubtable bow of Indra,--and this is the mail resembling\nfire,--and these are the arrows looking like the very Sun; and this is\nthe dart shining and fraught with fair fortune. Ascend thou this car, O\nhero. Slay the Rakshasa--Ravana, with me as thy charioteer, even as the\nlord of the celestials slayeth Danavas\". Thus addressed, Rama, going\nround the car and saluting it, ascended the same, illumining the worlds\nwith his splendour. And the encounter that took place between the two\ncars with the mighty-armed Rama (on one side), and the\nRaksha--Ravana--(on the other), was wonderful to behold. And Raghava\nhighly proficient in weapons with a Gandharva weapon resisted the\nGandharva weapon of the Rakshasa king, and with a celestial weapon, his\ncelestial weapon. And then that lord of Rakshasas--the\nnight-ranger--fired with high rage, again discharged an exceedingly\ndreadful Rakshasa weapon. And the gold-decked shafts shot from Ravana's\nbow, becoming furiously venomous serpents, covered Kakutstha. And\nvomitting living flames, they of terrific aspect, having flaming faces,\nshowered over Rama with gaping mouths. And those flaming venomous\nserpents, having the feel of Vasuki himself, covered all sides and\nenveloped all quarters. And seeing those serpents descending in the\nencounter, Rama employed a dreadful Garuda weapon. And discharged from\nRaghava's bow, those arrows plated with gold at the feathered parts, and\nfurnished with the splendour of peacocks, becoming golden birds--began\nto range (the field of battle) as the enemies of the serpents. And the\nshafts of Rama capable of wearing forms at will, turned into birds,\ndestroyed all the exceedingly swift-coursing arrows having the forms of\nserpents. On his weapon having been baffled, Ravana--lord of\nRakshasas--waxing Wroth, poured tremendous showers of shafts on Rama.\nAnd smiting Rama of untiring deeds with thousands of shafts, (Ravana)\npierced Matali with vollies of arrows. And with an arrow, Ravana severed\nthe standard; and having brought down the golden standard on the floor\nof the car, Ravana wounded even Indra's steeds with a net-work of\narrows. And seeing Rama hard pressed, celestials and Gandharvas, and\nCharanas along with Danavas, and Siddhas, and the supreme saints were\novercome with sadness; and the foremost monkeys together with Bihhishana\nwere aggrieved. And seeing a Moon of Rama Chandra in the grasp of a Rahu\nof Ravana, that bringer of evil unto creatures--Budha--stood, assailing\nthe Prayapatya star--Rohini--beloved of the Moon. And the enraged Ocean,\nheaving with smoking surges, and flaming as it were, swelled up, seeming\nto the touch the Sun. And the Sun was blackened and assumed a stern\naspect, with his rays dimmed. And he was seen with a headless trunk on\nhis lap, and he was in conjunction with a comet. And that star of the\nKocalas, relating to the deities--Indra and Agni--Angaraka--stood in the\nsky, attacking Vicakha. And the Ten-necked one, having ten faces and\ntwenty arms, equipped with his bow, looked like the mountain--Mainaka.\nAnd Rama reduced to sore straits by the Ten-necked Raksha, could not\ndischarge his arrows in the conflict. And then the enraged Rama with his\neyes slightly red, flew into a tremendous passion, as if burning up the\nRakshasas. Seeing the face of the enraged Rama endued with\nunderstanding, all the creatures were overwhelmed with fear and the\nEarth herself shook. And mountains abounding with lions and tigers began\nto tremble, and trees to shiver. And even the deep--lord of streams--was\nwrought up wondrously. And rough and terrific clouds in the sky sent\nforth fierce roars. And stormy clouds rumbling went about the heavens.\nAnd seeing Rama wrought up with a mighty passion, and the fearful\ndisastrous omens, all creatures were possessed by fright and Ravana was\nstruck with dismay. And then stationed in the sky, celestials and\nGandharvas and mighty serpents and saints and Danavas and Daityas and\nthose related to Garuda--fowls--beheld that conflict like unto the\nuniversal tumbling, as the two heroes fought on with various dire arms.\nAnd as they looked on the mighty encounter, the celestials and the\nAsuras, who had come to the conflict, from feeling of regard[397]\ncheerfully spoke (these words). And the Asuras staying there said unto\nthe Ten-necked one, 'Be victorious!' and the celestials again and again\nsaid unto Rama, 'Be victorious!' In the meantime, the impious Ravana,\ndesirous of slaying Raghava, from wrath took up a mighty weapon, fraught\nwith the essence of the thunder-bolt; sending terrible sounds; capable\nof destroying all foes,--furnished with forks resembling mountain-peaks;\ntending to strike terror unto mind and sight; sharp-pointed, resembling\nthe smoking fire risen at the hour of universal dissolution; exceedingly\nterrible; irrisistible (in battle); unbearable even by the\nDestroyer,--the terror of all creatures--terrific; and competent to rive\n(all things). Flaming up with wrath, Ravana took this dart. And fired\nwith furious wrath, that powerful one took the dart in the encounter,\nsurrounded in that contest by many heroic Rakshasas. And uplifting (the\ndart), the huge-bodied Ravana, with his eyes reddened in passion,\nemitted mighty roars. And the shouts of the Rakshasa sovereign made the\nearth and the sky and the cardinal quarters and all sides tremble. And\nat the roars of that wicked-minded and huge-bodied one, all creatures\nwere struck with terror, and the sea was vexed.[398] And the exceedingly\nenergetic Ravana, taking that mighty dart, and sending up furious\nshouts, addressed Rama in a harsh speech, saying,--\"O Rama, I in wrath\nuplift this dart having the strength of the levin. This will utterly\ndeprive of life thee who art assisted by thy brother. O thou that\ndelightest in battle, to-day swiftly slaying thee, I shall make thee\neven with those heroic Rakshas slain in the van of the forces. Stay now.\nO Raghava, thee shall I slay with this dart\". Saying this, the lord of\nthe Rakshasas hurled the dart. And discharged from Ravana's hand, (the\ndart), surrounded with garlands of lightning, furnished with eight\nbells, sending mighty roars,--rising to the sky, looked exceedingly\nsplendid. Seeing the dart, flaming and of terrific aspect, Raghu's\nson--Rama--endowed with prowess, drawing his bow, discharged arrows. And\nwith vollies of shafts Raghava resisted the descending (dart), even as\nVasava extinguished the fire of doomsday with his showers. Then even as\na flame consumeth insects, the mighty dart of Ravana burnt up those\nshafts shot from the bow of Rama. Seeing those shafts reduced to ashes\nand crushed on coming in contact with the dart, as they were coursing in\nthe sky, Raghava was transported with passion. And then waxing wondrous\nwroth,--Raghu's son--Raghava--took up a javelin, liked by Vasava\nhimself, brought by Matali. And on being wielded by that strong one, the\njavelin, resonant with bells, made the welkin blaze up, like a burning\nmeteor on the occasion of universal rack. And when hurled, it alighted\non that same dart of the Rakshasa-chief. And thereat, with its splendour\nlost, the mighty dart, riven, dropped (to the earth.) Then Rama,\nshooting straight-speeding arrows, pierced his (Ravana's) exceedingly\nfleet steeds. And then he pierced Ravana in the chest with whetted\narrows. And the energetic Raghava hit (Ravana) in the temples with three\nfeathered shafts. And thereat with all his limbs pierced (with arrows),\nand his body laved in blood, the lord of Rakshasas furnished with many\nlimbs, looked like a flowering Acoka. And with his person pierced with\nthe shafts of Rama, the lord of night-rangers having his body drenched\nwith blood, was stricken with sadness in the midst of his forces,--and\nwas also overwhelmed with terrific wrath.\n\n[397] _i.e._ each party out of regard for the warrior to whom it wished\n well.--T.\n\n[398] 'The still-_vexed_ Bermoothes.'--_Tempest._\n\n\n\nSECTION CIV.\n\n\nOn being greatly harassed by Kakutstha in anger, Ravana, delighting in\nbattle, came under the sway of a towering passion. And with his eyes\naglow, that powerful one from wrath and fury assailed Raghava in mighty\nencounter. And even as clouds pour down from the sky on a pool, Ravana\nshowered thousands of arrows on Raghava. And covered with vollies of\nshafts discharged from (Ravana's) bow in the conflict, Kakutstha like\nunto a mighty mountain did not shake. And that one endowed with prowess\nstood in the field, resisting those networks of arrows, and took up\nshafts resembling the rays of the Sun. Then the fleet-handed\nnight-ranger, fired with rage, discharged a thousand arrows at the chest\nof the high-souled Raghava.--And thereat in that encounter Lakshmana's\nelder brother, with his body bathed in Mood, appeared like a mighty\nKincuka tree in a forest. And with his ire aroused by the blows he\nreceived, the exceedingly energetic Kakutstha took up arrows resembling\nthe Sun risen at the time of the universal dissolution. And in the\ndarkness spread by the arrows (discharged), Rama and Ravana both fired\nwith wrath could not be discovered of each other. Then that\nhero--Dacaratha's son--Rama, overcome with wrath, addressed Ravana,\nlaughing, in a harsh speech, saying,--\"Thou vilest of Rakshasas, in\nconsequence of having through lack of sense carried off my wife from\nJanasthana and brought her under thy subjection, thou hast been deprived\nof thy prowess. Having forcibly carried away Vaidehi staying in that\nmighty forest, forlorn and without me, thou thinkest--'I am a hero.'\nOutraging the helpless wives of others,--doing this craven deed, thou\nthinkest--'I am a hero.' O thou having thy dignity destroyed! shameless\nwight! O thou of volatile character, having through thy violence brought\ndestruction on thyself, thou thinkest,--'I am a hero.' A great and'\nfamous act hath been performed by thee,--a hero, and the brother of the\nBestower of riches, surrounded with thy forces! To-day receive the\nmighty fruit of that infamous act done through pride, productive of\nevil.[399] O wicked-minded one, thou thinkest of thyself--'I am a hero;'\nbut thou that hast taken away Sita like a thief, hast no feeling of\nshame. Hadst thou forcibly outraged Sita in my very presence, thou,\nslain by my shafts, wouldst have seen thy brother--Khara. By luck, O\nthou of an evil soul, thou hast come within the range of my vision.\nTo-day by means of sharp shafts shall I bring thee to death's door.\nTo-day beasts of pray will drag thy head having burning ear-rings,\nsevered by my shafts and covered with the dust of the battle-field. O\nRavana, vultures will alight on thy breast, as thou wilt lie low on the\nground; and, athirst, they will drink the blood gushing out from thy\nwounds. To-day fowls of the air will keep pulling at thee pierced with\nmy shafts, and lying lifeless, as birds do serpents\". Having spoken\nthus, that slayer of foes--Rama--showered arrows on the lord of\nRakshasas, staying before. And the prowess and strength and spirits and\nforce of arms of Rama burning for the destruction of his foe, were\ndoubled. And all the Weapons[400] presented themselves before that one\ncognisant of self; and the fleet-handedness of that exceedingly powerful\none increased immensely from exhilaration of spirits. Seeing all these\nauspicious omens coming of themselves, Rama, finisher of Rakshasas, set\nabout smiting his foe more energetically than ever. And assailed with\nstones by the monkeys and showers of shafts by Raghava, the Ten-necked\none felt his heart undergoing a revolution.[401] And when through the\nstupifaction of his inner self, he could not discharge any weapon, or\ndraw his bow, or put forth his prowess, (Rama) did not persist in\nsmiting him. And the shafts and various arms discharged by him betokened\nhis death; and his last moments were present. And his charioteer,\ndriving his car, perceiving this, calmly took the car away from the\nfield of fight. And then, seeing the king shorn of prowess, and dropt,\nhis charioteer, struck with fear, swiftly turned away his dreadful car\nhaving the clatter of clouds, and went away from the field of battle.\n\n[399] Remarks Ramanuya, 'here and in the next world.'\n\n[400] _i.e._ the presiding deities of them.\n\n[401] _Vighurnahridayah:_ had his heart paralysed, according to the\n commentator. I prefer the sense given as more graphic.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CV.\n\n\nAfter gradually regaining his senses, Ravana, urged on by the force of\nthe Finisher, getting into a furious passion, with his eyes reddened in\nwrath, addressed the charioteer, saying,--\"O thou of perverse sense,\ndisregarding me as devoid of prowess, and incompetent, and bereft of\nvigor,--as cowardly, light, nerveless and shorn of energy,--and as\ndivorced by the power of illusion and debarred by arms,--thou actest on\nthine own understanding. Wherefore disregarding me, and not minding my\npurpose, hast thou taken away my car from before the presence of the\nenemy? O abject one! by thee have my long-earned renown and energy and\nprowess and credit been brought to naught. In the very sight of an enemy\nof renowned prowess, and one capable of being gratified with valorous\ndeeds, hast thou made me, burning for battle, look as if I were a\ncoward. As, O wicked-minded one, thou dost not even through\nheedlessness, take the car to the field of battle, I infer for certain\nthat thou hast been bribed by the foe. The act that thou hast done, doth\nnot appear as that of a friend seeking our welfare; but to-day thou hast\nacted like an enemy. If thou hast been maintained by me, if thou\nrememberest my merit, do thou swiftly turn the car before my enemy has\ndeparted\". Thus admonished by him of slender sense, the charioteer\npossessed of intelligence, humbly spake onto Ravana words fraught with\ngood,--\"I am not afraid, nor stupified, nor have I been bribed by the\nfoe, nor am I negligent. And I have not forgotten thy affection or thy\ngood offices. And studious of thy welfare, I have saved thy fame; and\nwith a mind over-flowing with affection I have done (unto thee) this\nunpalatable good. O mighty monarch, for this, thou shouldst not, like a\nfrivolous and base one, criminate me that am ever engaged in what is\ngood and dear unto thee. Listen! I shall render thee reason why I turned\naway from the field the car, rushing like a river when the sea is\nswelled up.[402] I knew that thou hadst been fatigued in consequence of\nthy mighty exertions in the fight. And I could not perceive that thy\nprowess then stood superior (to that of the foe).[403] And the steeds of\nmy car were worn out by carrying it; and they were battered, and\nhelpless, and perspired like kine in a shower. And bad omens fast sprang\nup before us. And on these occurring, I perceived that things would go\nagainst us. O thou endowed with exceeding might, a charioteer should be\nconversant with season and place, with omens, and the expressions of\nemotions; as also with depression of spirits, exhilaration, and grief.\nAnd he should have a knowledge of low, level and uneven grounds, and the\ntime for conflict, and he should be able to perceive the shortcomings of\nthe enemy. And a charioteer mounted on a car, should know when to draw\nnear an enemy, when to turn away from him; when to stay; and when to\nturn round from before the foe--all these (he should know). What I, for\nbringing respite unto thee as well as the horses of the car, have done\nby way of removing the terrific exhaustion, is proper. I did not, O\nhero, turn away the car of my own sheer will. What I have done, O lord,\nhad been dictated by my affection for thee. Command me. What thou\nsayest, O destroyer of foes; I will do every way, O hero, with my whole\nsoul\". Thereat, well-pleased with the speech of the charioteer, Ravana,\neager for encounter, after praising him in various ways, said,--\"O\ncharioteer, do thou swiftly take the car towards Raghava. Without\nslaying his foe in fight; Ravana turneth not away (from the field)\".\nSpeaking thus, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--gave the charioteer on the car\nan excellent ornament for the hand. Hearing Ravana's words, the\ncharioteer drove the car. And urged on by the speech of Ravana, the\ncharioteer drove on the steeds,--and in a moment the mighty chariot of\nthe Rakshasa chief appeared before Rama in the field of battle.\n\n[402] On the ascension of the Moon.\n\n[403] Two negatives in this verse amounting to an affirmitive. This is\n the only instance of double negatives in Valmiki.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CVI.\n\n\nThen the revered Agastya, who, desirous of witnessing the fight, had\nalong with the deities come there,--seeing Ravana spent with the toil of\nconflict, staying in the field plunged in thought, and stationed before\nRama for engaging in encounter,--addressed Rama, drawing near to him,\nsaying,--\"Rama, Rama, O mighty-armed one, hearken to the eternal secret,\nwhereby, my child, thou wilt conquer all foes in\nfight,--_Aditya-hridaya,_[404] sacred, capable of destroying all foes,\nbringing victory--the recitation, enduring and indestructible,--and\nsupremely good; fraught with all welfare, removing every sin,--chasing\naway anxiety and grief, bringing length of days; and excellent. Do thou\nworship Vivacwata's offspring--the Sun--lord of the world, furnished\nwith rays,--who maketh people engage in work, and who is bowed down to\nby deities and Asuras. This effulgent one, producing rays is instinct\nwith the spirits of all the deities; and he with his rays ruleth all\ncreatures--and the hosts of celestials and Asuras. This Sun is Brahma\nand Vishnu and Siva and Skanda[405] and Prajapati,[406] and Mahendra and\nDhanada[407] and the Destroyer--Yama--and Soma[408] and the Lord of\nwaters; and the Pitris,[409] and the Vasus, and the Sadhyas[410] and the\ntwo Acwinis[411] and the Maruts and Manu,[412] and the Wind-god and the\nGod of fire and the creatures and the Creator of life and the seasons.\nAnd he is Aditya[413] and Savita[414] and Suryya[415] and Khaga[416] and\nPusha[417] and Gavastiman[418] and the Golden-looking and Bhanu[419] and\nHiranyareta[420] and Divakara.[421] And he is Haridacwa[422] and\nSaltasrarchi[423] and Saptasapti[424] and Marichiman.[425] And he\nsubdueth darkness, and he is Sambhu[426] and Tashta[427] and\nMartandaka[428] and Ancuman.[429] And he is Hiranyagarbha,[430]\nSicira,[431] and Tapana,[432] and Ahaskara[433] and Ravi,[434] and\nAgnigarbha,[435] and Aditi's son,[436] and Sankha,[437] and\nSiciranacana,[438] Byomanatha[439] and Tamabheda,[440] the one\nproficient in Rik, Yajus and Sama; and Ghanavrishti,[441] and the friend\nof the Apas,[442] and he that swiftly courseth in the Vindhya way. And\nhe is Atapi[443] and Mandali[444] and Mrityu.[445] And he is\nPingala,[446] and the destroyer of everything, and the Omniscient, and\nhe having the universe for his form,[447] and the exceedingly energetic\none, and the beloved of all, and that one lording it over all kinds of\nactions. And he is the lord[448] of stars and planets and\nconstallations, and the origin of everything, and the one powerful\npre-eminently of powerful things[449]--and the one having twelve\nforms.[450] I bow unto thee (having these forms and functions).\nSalutation unto the Eastern mount and the mount of the West. Salutation\nunto the lord of the stellar bodies and salutation also unto the lord of\nday. Salutation and salutation unto him that bringeth victory, and the\njoy that springeth up from victory; and unto him of yellow steeds.\nSalutation, salutation, O thousand-rayed one; Salutation and salutation\nunto Aditya. Salutation unto him that keepeth his senses under\nsubjection; Salutation and salutation unto the Hero,[451] and unto\nSaranga[452] and unto him that awakenest the Lotus.[453] And\n(salutation) unto thee, O fierce one. Salutation unto the Lord himself\nof Brahma, Icana[454] and Achchyuta,[455] and unto Sura[456] and unto\nhim that constitutes the knowledge of Aditya, and unto him that\nunfoldeth me and not-me; and unto the devourer of all, and unto the form\nof the destroyer of the darkness of ignorance, Salutation unto the\ndestroyer of darkness, and unto the destroyer of enemies, and unto him\nof immeasurable Soul, and unto the destroyer of the ingrate, and unto\nthe deity, and unto the lord of all stellar bodies. And salutation unto\nhim that boasteth of the splendour of burning gold, unto the destroyer\nof all mental obscurity,--and unto the maker of the universe. Salutation\nunto the remover of darkness; unto the illuminator of the Soul; unto the\nall-beholding one of all the worlds. The lord createth everything and\nverily destroyeth it. And with his rays he sucketh up, and destroyeth\nand createth (everything). When all are asleep, this one waketh, and he\nis resident in the hearts of all creatures. This one is both Agnihotra\nas well as the fruit reaped by the sacrifices thereof. And he\nconstitutes the gods and the sacrifices and the fruit also thereof; and\nhe is the lord of all acts that are performed by creatures. If a person\nrecites this (hymn), he, O Raghava, doth not come by misfortune, when he\nis in peril of his life, or is ill, or in a lonely place, or in fear. Do\nthou, with concentration, worship this god of gods, this lord of the\nuniverse. By reciting (this hymn) instinct with the three virtues, thou\nwilt obtain victory in battle. This very instant, O mighty-armed one,\nthou wilt conquer Ravana\". Having said this, Agastya went whither from\nhe had come. Hearing this, that exceedingly energetic one had his grief\ngone, Then, well pleased, Raghava, exerting himself, contemplated (the\nhymn). And reciting this, he beholding the Sun, attained excess of joy.\nAnd sipping water again and again, and becoming purified, that powerful\none, taking up his bow, and viewing Ravana, advanced with a delighted\nheart, to obtain victory. And he became intent on his death with his\ndearest energies. Then exceedingly delighted, and filled with\nrejoicings, the Sun, in the midst of the celestial hosts knowing that\nthe destruction of the Sovereign of the night-rangers was at\nhand,--spoke unto Rama \"Bestir thyself\".\n\n[404] _Lit_--The heart of the Sun.--the designation of a Vedic Hymn.\n\n[405] The celestial generallissimo. The commentator gives a spiritual\n interpretation. 'He that by means of his rays openeth up the five\n organs of perception.'\n\n[406] The lord of all creatures, by virtue of his bringing forth all\n beings through his energy.\n\n[407] Dispenser of riches, a name of Kuvera.\n\n[408] Furnished with splendour, a name of the Moon. According to some\n 'endowed with energy.'\n\n[409] _Lit._ the ancestral manes. Here the generator of everything.\n\n[410] An order of semi-divine beings. Here, 'He who is adored by the\n spiritual.'\n\n[411] In virtue of his omnipresence and his being the healer of all\n ailments.\n\n[412] All-knowing and being the primaeval sovereign.\n\n[413] 'He from whom all derive sustenance.'\n\n[414] 'The producer of heart and the spiritual faculties by heat, and\n corn, _etc._ by showers.'\n\n[415] 'Coursing alone, according to the commentator. It may also\n means--'He that sets people to work.'\n\n[416] 'Coursing the highest heavens,' or says the commentator 'the\n heavens of the heart.'\n\n[417] 'The maintainer.'\n\n[418] _Gavastiman_--'Ray-furnished, or having the all-permeating Spirit\n of Auspiciousness.'\n\n[419] _Bhanu_--'having brightness.'\n\n[420] _Hiranyareta_--'instinct with the cosmic energy.'\n\n[421] _Divakara_--'maker of day'\n\n[422] _Haridacwa_--'pervading all sides' or 'having black steeds.'\n\n[423] _Sahasrarchi_--'thousand-rayed. The commentator explains\n spiritually, He whose cognition points in infinite directions.'\n\n[424] 'He from whom proceed the seven organs of sense of people.' Or 'he\n who has seven steeds.'\n\n[425] 'Having rays.'\n\n[426] 'He from whom proceed the several sorts of happiness.'\n\n[427] 'He who removes the misfortunes of his votaries.'\n\n[428] 'He that infuses life into the lifeless mundane egg.'\n\n[429] 'Having rays.'\n\n[430] The cause of the creation, preservation and destruction of the\n Universe.\n\n[431] 'Good-natured.'\n\n[432] _Tapa_--means 'wealth.' _Tapana--the possessor of all riches._\n\n[433] _Ahas_--day and _Kara--maker._\n\n[434] _Rauti--teacheth_--Ravi--_he that teacheth._\n\n[435] _Lit. fire-wombed_. He that carries the fire of doom within\n himself.\n\n[436] Aditi--'without destruction'--means 'Brahma knowledge.'\n\n[437] Supreme happiness.\n\n[438] The remover of intellectual stupor or evil-mindedness.\n\n[439] Lord of the welkin.\n\n[440] Dispeller of darkness.\n\n[441] He from whom floweth the fruit of acts: or he from whom come\n downpours. The latter epithet is justified on grounds of Physical\n Geography, _rain being ultimately dependant on solar heat_.\n\n[442] Apas may mean either 'the good,' or 'water.' Vindhya way means\n either the way known as Brahmanari or the orbit of the San.\n\n[443] He that is intent on creating the cosmos.\n\n[444] Ray-crowned or adorned with gems.\n\n[445] The bringer of death.\n\n[446] The motive force of the blood-tube called Pingala.\n\n[447] Or the ornament of the Universe.\n\n[448] _i.e._ the controller of them, remarks Ramanuja.\n\n[449] Such as, observes the commentator, as fire.\n\n[450] _i.e._ the months of the year.\n\n[451] Him that leadeth the senses, and that is endowed with the prowess\n of slaying Tripura etc.\n\n[452] Him that deservest the _pranaba_, the holiest formula in all Hindu\n Scripture.\n\n[453] That awakenest the external lotus as well as the lotus of the\n heart.\n\n[454] Siva.\n\n[455] Vishnu.\n\n[456] The sun.\n\n\n\nSECTION CVII.\n\n\nThen the charioteer fully drove with speed Ravana's car, capable of\nbringing down the hosts of foes, resembling in form a city of the\nGandharvas, having elevated streamers, yoked with surpassingly superb\nsteeds, engarlanded in gold; stocked with war-like implements; furnished\nwith ensigns and standards; appearing to devour the welkin; making the\nearth herself resound; destructive to hostile hosts; and filling its own\nparty with delight. And as it speedily descended, the monarch of men\nbeheld that Rakshasa-king's resounding car, having huge standards, yoked\nwith black chargers, and endowed with fierce splendour; as if flaming in\nthe firmament; having the resplendance of the Sun himself; with\nthronging lightning pennons; displaying the glow of Indra's weapon;[457]\nshowering arms; and resembling rain-charged clouds. Seeing the enemy's\ncar resembling a mass of clouds having a chatter resembling the sounds\nsent by a cleaving mountain rived by the thunder, Rama, vehemently\ndrawing his bow curved like the infant moon, addressed\nMatali--charioteer unto the thousand-eyed (deity),[458] saying,--\"O\nMatali, behold the enraged chariot of my foe as it courseth on. From the\nfurious speed with which he is again wheeling at my right, it appeareth\nthat he hath set his heart on slaying me in encounter. Do thou therefore\nheedfully drive the car right against the vehicle of my foe. I wish to\ndestroy this one even as the wind scattereth clouds that have appeared.\nDo thou with all thy wits about thee, without trepidation, and holding\nthy heart as well as thy eye in calmness, swiftly drive the chariot\nruled by the reins. Worthy of Purandara's car, thou ought not to be\ntaught by me. Desirous of encounter and my whole soul bent on fight, I\nsimply remind thee--not teach thee\". Pleased with these words of Rama,\nthe excellent celestial charioteer--Matali--drove the car. Then leaving\nRavana's mighty car on the right, he enveloped Ravana with the dust\nraised by the wheels. Thereat the Ten-necked one, enraged, with his eyes\ncoppery and dilated (in passion), covered with arrows Rama staying in\nfront of his car. Enraged at the smiting, Rama, with his ire aroused,\nbut summoning up patience, took up in the encounter the bow of Indra\nendowed with exceeding vehemence; as well as highly impetuous shafts\nhaving the resplendance of the solar rays. And then there began a\nfurious encounter between those (two) eager for slaying each other;\nconfronting each other like unto flaming lions. And then desirous of\ndestruction of Ravana,--celestials with Gandharvas, and Siddhas and\nsupersaints assembled to go to behold the encounter taking place between\nthe two cars. And for the destruction of Ravana and the success of\nRaghava, there occurred round about the cars terrible bodements capable\nof making people's down stand on end. The god poured down showers of\nblood on the car of Ravana; and a violent tornado eddied on his right.\nAnd a mighty swarm of vultures, wheeling in the heavens, pursued the car\nwherever it moved. And Lanka was enveloped with evening resembling the\nred _java_ flowers and even in day appeared ablaze. Lightnings and\nfirebrands accompanied by a terrible sound began to fall down on all\nsides. And beholding these omens inauspicious unto Ravana all the\nRakshasas were greatly sorry. And wherever Ravana moved the earth shook\nand the hands of all the Rakshasas fighting were as if paralysed. The\ncopper coloured, the yellow, the red, and the white rays of the sun\nfalling before Ravana appeared like melted metals of a mountain. And the\njackals followed by vultures, vomitting forth fire and casting their\nlooks at him, began to emit inauspicious cries. And in that battle-field\nthe unfavourable wind began to blow raising dust and obstructing the\nvision of the king of Rakshasas. On the Rakshasa host on all sides\ndreadful lightnings were showered without the sound of the clouds. All\nthe quarters were enshrouded with darkness and the welkin became\ninvisible being covered with darkness. And setting up a dreadful quarrel\nhundreds of terrible _Sharikas_[459] began to fall down on his chariot.\nThe horses emitted forth sparks of fire from their hips and tears from\ntheir eyes. These and various other dreadful omens arose there\nannouncing the destruction of Ravana. And there appeared on all sides\nmany an auspicious and good sign intimating the approach of Rama's\nvictory. And beholding all those auspicious marks announcing Rama's\nsuccess, Lakshmana was greatly delighted and considered Ravana as slain.\nThereupon beholding all those auspicious signs, Raghava, well qualified\nto decipher them attained an excess of delight and became anxious to\ndisplay a greater prowess.\n\n[457] The rain-bow.\n\n[458] Indra.\n\n[459] A kind of bird (Turdus Salica, Buch).\n\n\n\nSECTION CVIII.\n\n\nThereupon there ensued a mighty and dreadful encounter of two cars\nbetween Rama and Ravana, creating terror unto all people. And the army\nof Rakshasas and the mighty host of the monkeys, although they had\nweapons in their hands, became stupified (for the time being). And\nbeholding them (Rama and Ravana) fight, all the Rakshasas and monkeys,\nhaving their minds agitated, were greatly surprised. With various\nweapons and hands uplifted for fight, they, greatly wondered, stood\nthere beholding them and did not address themselves to fight with each\nother. The Rakshasas beholding Ravana, and the monkeys beholding Rama\nwith wonder-stricken eyes, the whole army appeared like a picture. And\nespieing all omens Raghava and Ravana began to fight, undaunted, firm,\nresolute and unagitated by anger. And determining that Kakutstha would\nwin victory and Ravana would die, they began to display their own\nprowess. Thereupon the highly powerful Ravana, setting his arrows in\nanger, discharged them at the pennon stationed on Raghava's car. Those\narrows reaching the flag staff of the Purandara chariot and perceiving\nits might fell down on the earth. Thereupon the highly powerful Rama,\nwroth, stretching his bow, made up his mind to return the blow. And\naiming at Ravana's flag staff he discharged a sharpened shaft flaming\nunbearably by its own lustre like a huge serpent. And the effulgent Rama\ndischarged a shaft aiming at (Ravana's) banner which, piercing the\nTen-necked demon's flag fell, down on the earth. And beholding his flag\nstaff thus broken down the highly powerful Ravana became ablaze as if\nburning down every tiling with his unbearable ire And being possessed by\nwrath he began to make a downpour of shafts. Ravana then, with flaming\narrows, pierced Rama's steeds. The celestial horses were not bewildered\nthereby nor their course was slackened. And they remained thoroughly\nunagitated as if they were stricken with lotus stalks. Beholding the\nsteeds thus unmoved Ravana was again exercised with wrath and began to\ndischarge afresh his various weapons--_gadas_, _parighas_, _chakras_ and\n_musalas_, mountain tops, trees, darts and _parashus_ and thousands of\nother shafts by virtue of his illusive powers. And unmoved was his\nenergy. And that downpour of various weapons became huge and terrible in\nthe conflict creating terror and making a dreadful noise. Thereupon\nleaving aside Raghava's car he began to assail the monkey-host and\nenveloped the sky with a continual discharge of arrows. The Ten-necked\ndemon let loose many a weapon even at the risk of his own life. And\nbeholding Ravana in the encounter thus actively engaged in the discharge\nof arrows, Kakuthstha, smiling, set up pointed shafts, and discharged\nthem by hundreds and thousands. Beholding them Ravana again filled the\nwelkin with arrows--and thus with shafts discharged by them both another\nflaming sky was created. None (of the arrows) missed the aim, none of\nthem failed to pierce another and none of them was fruitless. And the\narrows discharged by Rama and Ravana stricking each other fell down on\nthe earth. And they standing on their right and left began to make a\ncontinued downpour of arrows and enveloped the sky entirely. And they\nopposing each other, Ravana slew Rama's steeds and Rama in his turn slew\nRavanan's. They, thus enraged fought with each other and for sometime\nthere ensued a terrible encounter capable of making ones down stand on\nend. And the highly powerful Ravana and Rama[460] righting with each\nother in the conflict by means of sharpened arrows, the lord of\nRakshasas beholding his flag staff broken down became enraged with the\nforemost of Raghus.\n\n[460] The epithet in the text is Lakshmana's elder brother.\n\n\n\nSECTION CIX.\n\n\nRama and Ravana thus opposing each other in battle, all the animals\nbeheld them, stricken with astonishment. And those two great heroes,\nhighly angered, began to dash towards and assail each other; and being\ndetermined to slay each other they looked greatly dreadful. And their\ncharioteers drove the cars on, displaying their skill by moving in\ncircles, in rows and diverse other ways. And those two excellent heroes,\ndischarging their shafts and influenced by illusions, assailed each\nother proceeding and receding, Rama attacking Ravana and Ravana\nwithstanding him. And these two cars coursed the earth for sometime like\nclouds accompanied by showers. And displaying many a movement in the\nconflict they again stood facing each other, the forepart of one car\ntouching that of the other and the heads of the steeds touching each\nother; and the pennons, stationed on one touched those of the other.\nRama, with four sharpened arrows, shot off his bow, removed the flaming\nhorses of Ravana to some distance. And finding his steeds thus removed\nhe was exercised with wrath. And the Ten-necked one discharged sharpened\narrows at Raghava. And he was pierced by those arrows coming from the\npowerful Ten-necked demon. He was neither overwhelmed nor pained\ntherewith and he again discharged arrows resembling the thunder-bolts.\nAnd the Ten-necked demon again discharged arrows at the charioteer,\nwhich fell with great vehemence on the person of Matali. Matali was not\nthe least pained or overwhelmed in that encounter. And beholding his\ncharioteer thus assailed Rama was excited with wrath and overwhelmed his\nfoe with a net of arrows. And the heroic Raghava showered on his enemy's\nchariot shafts by twentys, thirtys, sixtys, hundreds and thousands. And\nthe lord of Rakshasas, Ravana, who was stationed on the car, wroth,\nattacked Rama in the conflict with maces and _Musalas_. And there again\nensued a terrible conflict capable of making one's down stand on end.\nAnd the seven oceans were overwhelmed with the sound of maces,\n_musalas_, _Parighas_ and gold feathered arrows. And those inhabiting\nthe regions under the agitated oceans, all the Danavas and thousands of\n_Pannagas_ were greatly pained. And greatly shook the earth with her\nmountains, forests and gardens. The Sun was shorn of its resplendance\nand the wind blew very rough. Thereupon the celestials, with\n_Gandharbas_, _Siddhas_, great saints, _Kinnaras_ and serpents were all\nworked up with anxiety. And beholding the dreadful encounter between\nRama and Ravana capable of making people's down stand on end, the\ncelestials with ascetics began to pray,--\"May good betide the Brahmins\nand cows, may people live in peace and may Raghava defeat Ravana, the\nlord of Rakshasas, in the conflict\". And the crowd of _Gandharbas_ and\n_Apsaras_ beholding that wonderful battle between Rama and Ravana,\nsaid,--\"The ocean resembleth the sky and the sky resembleth the\nocean--forsooth this encounter between Rama and Ravana befits them\nonly\". Thereupon Rama of long-arms, the enhancer of the glory of Raghu's\nrace, enraged, set his arrow, resembling a serpent, on his bow, and cut\nassunder Ravana's head wearing shinning _Kundalas_. And that head in the\npresence of the inhabitants of the three regions fell down on the earth.\nInstantly there arose another head resembling the former; and it was\nspeedily cut off by the light-handed Rama. As soon as the second head\nwas chopped off in the encounter by means of shafts another appeared\nagain. And that was again severed by Rama's shafts resembling\nthunder-bolts. And thus were severed hundred heads all equal in\nbrilliance. But the end of Ravana's life was not seen by him. Thereupon\nthe heroic Raghava, conversant with the use of all weapons, the enhancer\nof Kaucalyi's joy, began to reason within himself in various\nWays,--\"Verily these are the arrows by which Maricha was killed, and\nKhara with Dushana was slain--Viradha was destroyed in the forest of\nKrauncha--the headless demon in the forest of Dandaka--Salas and\nmountains were broken--the ocean was agitated--and Vali was killed;--I\ndo not perceive the reason, why they are becoming fruitless when\ndischarged at Ravana\". Thinking thus Raghava made himself ready In the\nconflict and began to shower arrows on Ravana's breast. Thereupon Ravana\ntoo, the lord of Rakshasas, seated in a car and highly enraged, assailed\nRama in the conflict with a downpour of maces and _Musalas_. That\ndreadful and huge conflict, capable of making hairs stand on end,\ncontinued for seven nights before the eyes of the celestials, Danavas,\nYakshas, Pisachas, Uragas and serpents stationed in the sky, on the\nearth or on the mountain-tops. Neither for the night nor for the day,\nnor for a moment did the fight between Rama and Ravana cease. And\nbeholding the conflict between Dacaratha's son and the lord of\nRakshasas, and Raghava's victory, the high-souled charioteer of the lord\nof the celestials spake speedily unto Rama engaged in the conflict.\n\n\n\nSECTION CX.\n\n\nThereupon Matali, reminding him, spake unto Raghava--\"Why dost thou, O\nhero, as if not knowing, fear him? Do thou, O lord, discharge at him the\nweapon obtained from the great Patriarch. The time for (his)\ndestruction, as described by the celestials, hath arrived\". Being\nreminded by those words of Matali, Rama took up the flaming shaft,\nbreathing as if like a serpent. The great Rishi Agastya first conferred\nthis upon him. This is a huge and dreadful shaft given by Brahma, and\nhighly useful in battle. It was made by Brahma of undecaying prowess for\nIndra and conferred by him upon the Lord of celestials desirous of\nacquiring victory. In its wings there is wind, in its head there is fire\nand the Sun, in its body there is the sky and in its weight there are\nthe (hill) Meru and Mandara. It is resplendent by its own lustre, well\nfeathered and adorned with gold--made of the essence of all objects and\nbright as the rays of the Sun. It is like the fire of dissolution\nenveloped in smoke--like the flaming serpent, capable of piercing men,\nserpents and horses and was swift-coursing. (It can) rend the gateways,\n_Parighas_ and hills--is soaked in blood, dipped in marrow, and\nextremely dreadful. It is hard as the lightning--producing a dreadful\nsound, assailing various (divisions of the) army, creating terror unto\nall, dreadful and (as if) breathing like a serpent. It is terrible as\nthe Death in the conflict and provides food always for the herons,\nvultures, cranes, jackals and the Rakshasas. It is the enhancer of the\nmonkey-leaders' joy and the repressor of the Rakshasas and is feathered\nlike unto a bird with many a picturesque wing. And the highly powerful\nRama, consecrating in accordance with the _mantras_ laid down in the\nVedas, that huge shaft--the foremost of all in the world, removing the\nfear of the Ikshwaku race, destroying the fame of the enemies and\nconducing to the joy of its own party, set it on his bow. And that\nexcellent arrow being mounted on his bow by Raghava all the animals were\nstricken with fear and the earth shook. And (Rama) highly enraged, and\ngreatly wary, suppressing (his breath) discharged that shaft at\nRavana--piercing to the vitals. (That Brahma weapon) irrepressible as\nthe thunder, dreadful as the Death and discharged by Rama, fell down on\nRavana's breast. And that shaft, capable of bringing about death and\ngifted with velocity, when discharged, cleft the breast of the\nvicious-souled Ravana. And that body-ending arrow, bathed in blood,\nstealing away the life of Ravana, entered the earth. That shaft, slaying\nRavana, soaked in blood and successful, again entered the quiver[461]\nhumbly. And from his hand, who was deprived of his life, fell down\ninstantly on earth his shafts and bow. And fell down on the earth from\nthe chariot, the highly effulgent Ravana, gifted with dreadful velocity\nand shorn of his life. And beholding him thus fallen down, the remaining\nnight-rangers, deprived of their lord and stricken with terror fled away\nto various quarters. And beholding the destruction of the Ten-necked\n(demon) and the victory of Raghava, the monkeys, fighting with trees,\npursued them on all sides. And being assailed by the monkeys and having\ntheir countenances full of tears in consequence of their lord being\nslain they fled away to Lanka in fear. Thereupon the monkeys being\ngreatly delighted roared out the victory of Rama. The celestial bugle\nwas sounded in the sky and there blew the excellent air carrying the\ncelestial fragrance. Flowers were showered upon Rama's car which was\ncovered therewith. The celestials in the sky began to chaunt the glory\nof Rama and praise him. And Ravana, the dread of all people, being\nslain, the celestials with the _Charanas_ were greatly delighted. And\nslaying that foremost of the Rakshasas, Rama satisfied the desire of\nSugriva, Angada and Bibhishana. Thereupon the celestials attained their\npeace, the quarters were delighted, the atmosphere was clear, calm air\nbegan to prevail all over the earth, and the Sun appeared in its full\nrays. Thereupon Sugriva, Bibhishana and Lakshmana, welcomed Rama, of\nunmitigated prowess, singing his glory. And there appeared beautiful at\nthe battle-field Rama of firm promise, slaying his enemy and encircled\nby his army and friends, like unto the Lord of the celestials surrounded\nby the gods.\n\n[461] In some texts there is _\"napunarabishat\" i.e._ did not enter the\n quiver.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXI.\n\n\nBeholding his brother defeated, slain and lying down on the\nbattle-field, Bibhishana, overpowered with the weight of his grief,\nbegan to lament--\"O hero, well-known for thy prowess, wise and\nconversant with polity, thou wert used to excellent beds, why dost thou\nlie down on the earth, spreading (on the earth) thy long and actionless\narms, always adorned with _Angadas_ and being shorn of thy helmet having\nthe resplendance of the Sun? O hero, thou hast come by what I had\nanticipated and what did not please thee who wert possessed by\ndelusions. Prahasta, Indrajit, Kumbhakarna, Atikaya, Atiratha,\nNarantaka, yourself and others--none of you paid heed, out of\nhaughtines, to what I had said which hath now been brought about. Oh!\nthe bridge of the pious hath been broken, the figure of the virtue hath\nbeen spoiled, the refuge of the strong and powerful hath disappeared and\nthou hast attained to the state of the heroes! The sun hath fallen down\non the earth, the moon hath been shorn of its lustre, the fire hath been\nextinguished and virtue hath desisted from its action, this hero, the\nforemost of those using weapons, falling down on the earth. O thou the\nforemost of the Rakshasas lying down in the dust on the battle field\nlike one asleep, whom else have these remaining (Rakshasas) deprived of\ntheir power and energy, got? The huge tree, of the lord of Rakshasas,\nhaving patience for its leaves, velocity for its flowers, the power of\nasceticism and heroism for its firm roots, hath been uprooted by the\n_Raghava_ wind. Mad-elephant-like Ravana, having prowess for its tusk,\nfamily rank for its back bone, anger for its legs, and delightedness for\nits trunk, hath been laid low on the ground by the lion of the Ikshwaku\nrace. The powerful Rakshasa-fire, having prowess and energy for its\nrays, angry breath for its smoke, own strength for its power of burning,\nhath been extinguished in battle by _Rama-*like cloud. The Rakshasa bull\never defeating others and powerful as the wind, having Rakshasas for its\ntail, hump and horns, and fickleness for its ears and eyes, hath been\nslain to-day by *Rama_-tiger\". Hearing these words, pregnant with sound\nreasonings from Bibhishana and beholding him overwhelmed with grief Rama\nsaid,--\"(This lord of Rakshasas) of dreadful prowess hath not been slain\nin battle disabled. He is gifted with great prowess and energy and\ndevoid of the fear of death.[462] The heroes abiding by the virtues of\nthe Kshatriyas, who fall at the battle field for enhancing their glory,\nwhen dead, should not be mourned for. This is not the time to mourn for\nhim although possessed by death, by whom gifted with intellect, Indra\nwith the three worlds was terrified in conflict. Besides success in\nbattle is not perpetual; either one slays his enemy or meets with his\ndestruction at his hands in the conflict This procedure of the Kshatryas\nwas laid down by the ancient preceptors that a Kshatrya, when slain in\nbattle should not be mourned for. Beholding this to be certain and\nattaining calmness, do thou be freed from thy sorrow and think what\nshould be done now. Thereupon Bibhishana stricken with grief addressed\nthe powerful son of the king speaking thus with words tending to his\nbrother's well-being. \"Thou hast, like the ocean breaking down its\nbanks, broken him down, who had not been ere this even defeated by\nBasava and the celestials. By him were conferred many a gift on those\nwho wanted them, were enjoyed many a luxury, were maintained many a\nservant, distributed wealth unto friends and slain the enemies. He\npropitiated fire, performed great austerities, was conversant with the\nVedas and the great performer of sacrifices. I desire to perform, by thy\ninstructions, his becoming obsequies\". Being thus addressed by\nBibhishana with piteous accents, the high-souled son of the lord of men,\ngifted with great energy, ordered him to perform his obsequies and said.\n\"With death our enmity hath terminated and our object hath been\naccomplished: he is as dear unto me as unto thee: perform (therefore)\nhis funeral rites\".\n\n[462] _i.e._ he has accidentally met with death.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXII.\n\n\nBeholding Ravana slain by the high-souled Raghava Rakshasees, stricken\nwith grief, issued out of the inner appartments. Stricken with grief and\nwith dishevelled hairs they rolled in the dust albeit prevented again\nand again like unto cows separated from their calves. And coming out by\nthe northern gate along with the Rakshasas, entering the dreadful arena\nof battle and searching their slain lord the she-demons cried\npiteously--\"O lord, O husband, O our all\" and moved along the battle\nfield soaked in blood and filled with headless corpses. With eyes full\nof tears and overwhelmed with the grief of their husband they began to\nmove about like she-elephants without the lord of their herd. Thereupon\nthey beheld there on the earth the huge-bodied and the highly powerful\nand effulgent Ravana slain like red collyrium. And beholding their lord\nlying down on the battle-field they all fell on his body like creepers\ntorn assunder. Some wept embracing him respectfully--some holding his\nfeet and some placing themselves around his neck. And some taking up his\nhand rolled on the ground and some were beside themselves (with grief)\nbeholding the slain (Ravana's) countenance. And some placing her head on\nhis lap, and beholding his face, wept, bathing it with tears like a\nlotus enveloped with snow. Seeing their husband Ravana thus slain on the\nearth, they stricken with grief, bewailing again and again in sorrow,\nwept profusely. He by whom the king Vaisrabana was deprived of his\nflower car, who terrified the high-souled Gandharbas, ascetics and the\ncelestials in battle field, who did not know of any fear from the\nAsuras, celestials and the Pannagas, hath now been overpowered by a man.\nHe, whom the celestials, the Danavas and the Rakshas could not slay,\nhath been slain in conflict by a man walking on foot. He, who was\nincapable of being killed by the celestials, Yakshas and Asuras, hath\nmet with death like one devoid of prowess at the hands of a mortal\".\nSpeaking in this wise, the she-demons, over-powered with sorrow, wept\nand bewailed again and again (saying),--\"Not hearing (the counsels) of\nthy friends, always pointing out thy welfare, thou didst bring Sita for\nthy destruction as well as that of the Rakshasas. Although thy brother\nBibhishana addressed thee with words pregnant with thy welfare--thou,\nfor thy own destruction, out of thy misgivings, didst excite his anger\nand hast (now) seen (the result thereof). Hadst thou returned Sita the\ndaughter of the king of Mithila to Rama, this mighty and dreadful\ndisaster, destroying the very root, would not have befallen us. Rama's\ndesire would have been encompassed--his friends would have been\nsuccessful (through Bibhishana)--we would not been widowed and our\nenemies would not have got their desires fulfilled. By thee, Sita was\nkept by force in captivity in a ruthless manner, and the Rakshasas,\nourselves and thyself--all three equally have been slain. O foremost of\nthe Rakshasas, forsooth this is not thy own folly--it is Accident that\nuniteth all things and it is Accident again that bringeth about\ndestruction. O thou of huge arms--the destruction of the monkeys and the\nRakshasas as well as that of thyself hath been brought about by\nAccident. When the course of accident is about to bring about\nresult--wealth, desire, prowess or command--nothing is capable of\nwith-standing it\". Thus wept piteously the wives of the lord of\nRakshasas like unto so many she-elephants--rendered poorly, stricken\nwith grief and with tears in their eyes.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXIII.\n\n\nThe foremost of the wives of the Rakshasa (king) bewailing piteously\ncast her looks poorly towards her husband. And beholding her Ten-necked\nhusband slain by Rama of inconcievable actions Mandodari bewailed there\npiteously,--\"O thou of huge arms! O younger brother of Baishravana! Even\nPurandara feared to stand before thee when enraged. The great\nRishis--the far-famed Gandharbas and the _Charanas_, fled away to\ndifferent quarters in thy fear. And then (how) hast thou been\noverpowered in battle by Rama who is a mere man? Why is it that thou art\nnot ashamed of it, O king, O lord of the Rakshasas? Conquering the three\nworlds with thy prowess thou didst attain thy glory; and it is\nunbearable, that a man, ranging in the forest, hath slain thee. Thou,\nwho art capable of assuming shapes at will, hast been slain in conflict\nby Rama, in the city of Lanka unapproachable by men. I do not believe\nthat thy destruction,--who hadst always been crowned with success,\nbefore the forces, is work of Rama. (Methinks) Death (himself) came\nthere in the shape of Rama and spread illusions unconsciously for thy\ndestruction, O thou of great strength. Or thou hast been slain by\nVasava--(no) what power has he got to face thee in the conflict gifted\nwith great strength, prowess and energy and an enemy of the celestials\nas thou art? It is evident that the great ascetic Vishnu, having truth\nfor his prowess--the soul of all beings, ever existing, without\nbeginning, middle or end, greater than the great, the Preserver of the\nNature, holding conch, discus and club, having _Sribatsa_[463] on his\nbreast, always beautiful, incapable of being conquered, without\ndestruction, devoid of end, and the lord of all men, assuming this shape\nof a man and encircled by the celestials, assuming monkey shapes, hath\nfor the behoof of mankind, slain (thee) the dreadful enemy of the gods\nwith all (thy) family and Rakshasas. Subduing all thy passions, thou\ndidst conquer the three worlds--remembering their grudge they have now\nover-powered thee. Rama is not a man since he slew at Janasthana thy\nbrother Khara encircled by many a Rakshasa. We were sore-distressed when\nHanuman, by his own prowess, entered the city of Lanka, incapable of\nbeing approached even by the celestials. And I prevented thee from\ncreating enmity with Raghava, but thou didst not pay heed to my words\nand this is the result (thereof). O foremost of Rakshasas--thou of a\nvicious understanding, for the destruction of thy wealth, thyself and\nthy relatives, thou didst suddenly cherish amour for Sita, greater than\n(even) Arundhuti and Rohini. Forsooth thou didst perpetrate an\nunbecoming deed by distressing the adorable Sita ever devoted unto her\nlord, an earth[464] even unto Earth herself and a Sree[465] even unto\nSree herself. And having brought in a false guise from the solitary\nforest the sorrowful and chaste Sita, having a blameless person, thou\ndidst bring on the destruction of thy family. Thou didst fail to\nencompass thy desire for the company of Sita. But now, forsooth, O my\nlord, thou hast been burnt down by her devotion who is devoted unto her\nhusband.[466] Thou wert not burnt down when thou didst captivate that\nmiddle-statured (damsel) whom fear all the celestials headed by Indra\nand _Agni_.[467] O husband, (proper) time appearing the perpetrator gets\nthe result of his vicious deeds: there is not the least doubt in this.\nThe performer of the good receives good (result)--the perpetrator of the\nvicious (deeds) meets with bad (result). Bibhishana hath attained to\nhappiness and thou hast met with this thy end. There are damsels in your\nseraglio far more beautiful than she but thou possessed by cupid couldst\nnot perceive this. Maithilee is not my equal nor superior either in\nbirth, beauty or accomplishments, but thou didst not perceive this by\nthy misgivings. Death doth not always visit all men without any\ncause--and Maithilee is the cause of thy death. And death, in\nconsequence of Maithilee, hath taken thee far away. And she, shorn of\nall sorrow, shall enjoy in the company of Rama, and I, of limited piety,\nam now sunk in the the ocean of grief. Roaming at large with thee in a\ncar unequalled in beauty on the hill Kailaca, Mandara, Maru, in the\ngarden of Chaitraratha and ail other celestial gardens, beholding many a\ncountry, wearing variegated clothes and garlands, I have been deprived\nof all pleasures and enjoyments, O hero, by thy death. And I am a widow\nnow. O fie on fickle fortune! O king, in lustre of countenance thou art\nlike the Sun, in grace like the Moon, in beauty like the lotus; thou art\ngraceful, O thou having excellent brows; thou hast got excellent skin,\nhigh nose and thy countenance is graced with a brilliant crown and\n_Kundalas_. Oh how beautiful, thou didst look with various garlands when\nthy eye whirled with intoxication on the drinking ground and how\nbeautiful were thy smiles, O lord. Thy countenance doth not shine\nnow--being severed with Rama's shafts, bathed in a pool of blood, having\nthy back-bone and brain deranged and covered with the dust raised by the\nwheels of the chariots. Alas! by my ill-luck I have attained to that\nafter state making me a widow which I did never think of. My father is\nthe king of Danavas, my husband the lord of Rakshasas, and my son the\nsubduer of Sakra. I was greatly proud of this and always confident that\nmy protectors were undaunted, dreadful, repressors of the enemies and\nfamous for their strength and manliness. O ye foremost of the Rakshasas,\nhow could this fear from man overwhelm you all who were so powerful?\n(This thy body) is cool, green like _Indraneela_, high like a huge\nmountain, and adorned with _Keyura_, _Angada_, jewels and garlands of\nflowers. It was graceful in places of enjoyments and incapable of being\nlooked at in the field of battle. It was brilliant, being decked with\nornaments like unto clouds accompanied by lightnings. And this thy\nperson hath been pierced with shafts to-day; (and knowing) that it is\nnot easy of attainment for me I am incapable of embracing (it), covered\nwith shafts piercing through the very vitals. O king (this thy body)\ngreen-hued (but now) blood-red is now lying on the ground like unto a\nmountain shattered with thunder-bolts. That thou wouldst be slain by\nRama was like a dream, but it hath proved true! Thou wert like death\nunto Death himself, why hast thou been possessed by him then? Thou wert\nthe enjoyer of the three worlds' wealth and dread unto them; thou wert\nthe conqueror of the deities presiding over various quarters; thou didst\nshake Sankara (himself)--thou wert the subduer of the proud and thy\nprowess was well-known; thou didst repress the people and slay many a\npious man--thou didst, by thy prowess, use to give vent to haughty words\nbefore the enemies; thou wert the maintainer of thy kinsmen and servants\nand the slayer of many perpetrating dreadful deeds; thou wert the\ndestroyer of thousands of celestials, Danavas and Yakshas; thou wert the\nsubduer of _Nivata Kavachas_ in the encounter; thou didst hinder the\nperformance of many sacrifices and wert the protector of thy relatives;\nthou wert the obstructer of pious observances, creator of illusions in\nconflict and thou didst bring away from hither and thither the daughters\nof the celestials, demons and men; thou didst aggrieve the wives of thy\nenemies; thou wert the leader of thy own men, the protector of the\nisland of Lanka and the performer of many a dreadful deed; thou didst\nconfer upon us the enjoyment of many a pleasure--and wert the foremost\nof car-warriors. Beholding such a husband slain by Rama, I am, deprived\nof my dear lord, still maintaining my being; (forsooth) my heart is very\nhard. O lord of Rakshasas, used ere to many a valuable bed, why art thou\nsleeping on earth covered with dust? When my son Indrajit was slain by\nLakshmana in conflict I was greatly pained--but to-day I am slain.\nDeprived of my friends and relatives, separated from thee O my lord,\ndeprived from the enjoyment of many pleasures I shall lament for thee\nperpetually. Thou hast, O king, reached the way, long and hard to be\ntreaded--do thou take me, who am stricken with grief and who shall not\nbe able to live without thee. Why dost thou wish to go leaving me behind\nwho have been rendered poorly? Why dost thou not welcome me, unfortunate\nand poor, who am bewailing? Why art thou not angry, lord, beholding me,\nhaving put off my veil, walk out on foot by the city-gate? O beloved of\nthy wives, do thou behold thy wives--who have thrown off their veils.\nWhy art thou not angry seeing them all come out (of the city)? I was thy\ncompanion in sports, my lord; I long for having thee; why art thou not\nconsoling and welcoming me? O king, being imprecated by those damsels,\nnot one, devoted to their husbands, pious and ever engaged in attending\nupon their superiors, who had been widowed by thee, thou hast been\noverpowered by thy enemy. The carte, proceeding from them who had been\nill-treated by thee, hath borne fruit. O king, the saying, that the\ntears of chaste damsels do not uselessly fall on the ground, hath been\nverified (here) forsooth. O king, conquering the worlds with thy\nprowess, how couldst thou, always honored by the king, cherish the vile\ndesire of stealing away women? Taking away Rama and Lakshmana from the\nhermitage by an illusionary deer, thou didst steal away Rama's spouse. I\nremember to have never heard thee lament in battle. Forsooth, it is our\nmisfortune and the sign of impending death (that thou didst do this)\nconversant as thou art with the past, present and future. Beholding the\ndaughter of the king of Mithila brought (in the city of Lanka) what, thy\nyounger brother Bibhishana, thinking and sighing, said, hath now proved\ntrue, O thou of long-arms. This destruction of the leading Rakshasas\nhath proceeded from the disaster arising from thy anger and lust. For\nthy (vicious) deeds all our good fortune is lost--(and from them) hath\nproceeded the great disaster exterminating the race. And by thee all the\nRakshasa families have been deprived of their lords. Thou, well-known\nfor thy strength and manliness, art not worthy of being grieved by me.\nOn account of my effeminate nature my understanding is possessed by\nsorrow. Carrying thy pious and iniquitous deeds thou hast attained to\nthy own state--I am only lamenting for me who have been sorry for thy\ndestruction. O Ten-necked one, thou didst not bear the words of thy\nfriends and brothers, who spoke those well meaning words out of\naffection. Thou didst not obey the words uttered by Bibhisana, duly and\nmildly, pregnant with meaning and reasoning and tending to thy welfare.\nMaddened with thy own prowess thou didst not hear the words of Maricha,\nKumbhakarna as well as those of my father--and this is the result\nthereof. O thou resembling the red clouds, O thou wearing yellow cloth\nand excellent _Angada_, stretching thy person on the ground why art thou\nin the long run bathed in blood? Why dost thou not, like one asleep,\nwelcome me who am stricken with grief? I am the grand-daughter of the\nhighly powerful Rakshasa Sumali who never flies away from the field of\nbattle: why dost thou not welcome me? Rise up! rise up! why dost thou\nlie down (on this occasion of) new discomfiture? To-day have the rays of\nthe Sun entered fearlessly the city of Lanka. The Parigha, by which,\nbrilliant as the rays of the Sun, thou didst distress the enemies in\nconflict, which was always adored by thee like the thunder of the\nwielder of thunder-bolt, which slew many in battle, and which was\nadorned with golden nets, now lieth shattered into thousand pieces by\narrows. Why dost thou lie on the battle-field embracing her like your\nbeloved spouse? Why dost thou not wish to welcome me like one not\nbeloved unto thee? Oh fie on this heart of mine which is not sundered\ninto thousand (pieces) albeit distressed with the grief of thy death!\"\nBewailing thus, she, with profuse tears in her eyes, and with her heart\noverflowing with affection, became senseless. And being beside herself\nshe flung herself on Ravana's breast, like unto the bright lightning\nappearing on red evening clouds. Thereupon the other wives, of Ravana,\ngreatly distressed and weeping, and raising her up who was greatly\nweeping, began to console her saying:--\"Dost thou not know, O worshipful\ndame, that the life of beings is very uncertain, and with adverse\ncircumstances even the royal fortune becometh fickle?\" Being thus\naccosted she again wept aloud, bathing with tears her breast and\nbeautiful countenance. In the meantime Rama said to Bibhisana,--\"Do thou\nperform the funeral ceremonies of thy brother and console his wives\".\nWhereto the intelligent Bibhisana replied with the following\nwords--pointing out wealth and piety, and judging by his understanding\nwhat is proper. \"I do not think it proper to perform his cremation\nceremony who had renounced all pious deeds, was wicked, cruel, liar and\nwho had ravished others' wives. He is my enemy in the shape of a brother\never engaged in doing injury unto others--and Ravana is not worthy of my\nadoration albeit he is adorable by virtue of his being my elder brother.\nO Rama, perhaps people of this earth will call me cruel but they will\nagain recognise my act as good when they will hear of his vicious\ndeeds\". Hearing those words, Rama, the foremost of the pious and\nconversant with the skill of speech, greatly delighted, spoke unto\nBibhishana (equally) skilled in speech,--\"It behoveth me to encompass\nthy welfare since by thy help I have gained the victory. O lord of\nRakshasas, forsooth, thou shouldst hear my well-meaning words. Although\nthis night-ranger perpetrated many vicious and impious deeds, still he\nwas ever powerful, heroic and strong in warfare. I have heard that this\nhigh-souled Ravana, gifted with strength and a dread unto all people,\nwas not defeated (even) by the celestials headed by the performer of a\nhundred sacrifices. Enmity extendeth up to death--so it hath ended;\nthere is no necessity (of carrying it on). Do thou (therefore) perform\nhis cremation ceremony--he is unto thee as he is unto me. O thou of\nlong-arms it behoveth thee to perform, speedily with due rites and\nreligious ceremonies, his funeral ceremony--thou shalt be the object of\npraise (unto people)\". Hearing the words of Raghava, Bibhishana hastened\non and began to make arrangements for the cremation of his slain brother\nRavana. And entering the city of Lanka, Bibhishana, the lord of\nRakshasas, speedily got out Ravana's _Agnihotra_,[468] carts, brass\nutensils, fire, (and brought) _Jajakas_,[469] sandal-wood, other woods,\nessences, _Agura_, other fragrant substances, precious stones, pearls\nand corals. Thereupon arriving immediately accompanied by Rakshasas and\nMalyavana he engaged in the performance of cremation ceremony. Thereupon\nthe twice-born ones, with tears in their eyes, covered the Rakshasa-king\nRavana's body, with a silken cloth and placed it on a golden celestial\nlitter. With the sound of various bugles they began to chaunt his\npraise. And taking up this litter adorned with various charming\npaintings and flags and carrying fire woods, all the Rakshasas headed by\nBibhishana proceeded towards the South.[470] The Brahmins, versed in\n_Yayur Veda_ and with burning fire in their hands, proceeded and were\nfollowed by the attendants. And the damsels of the seraglio followed\nspeedily leaping (being ever unused to walking). And placing Ravana on\nthe cremation ground, they, greatly stricken with grief, prepared the\nfuneral pyre according to due rites with sandalwoods, _Padmakas_,[471]\n_Ushiras_[472] and sandal and spread an antelope-skin thereon. They\n(then) performed the excellent obsequies of the manes of the lord of\nRakshasas. And raising an altar at the south-east corner they placed\nfire at the proper place. They then poured curd and clarified butter\nupon (Ravana's) shoulders. And placing _Sakata_ on his legs,\n_Ulukhala_[473] on his thighs, and the brass untensils, Arunis and\nMusals in their proper places, they celebrated (the obsequies of his\nmanes). Thereupon slaying beasts according to the rites laid down in\n_Sastras_ and pointed out by the great saints, the Rakshasas (made a\ncoverlet dipped in their marrow and clarified butter) and placed it on\nthe face of the lord of Rakshasas. And decking Ravana with fragrant\ngarlands and various clothes, the friends, of Bibhishana, with depressed\nheart and tears in their eyes, showered dried paddy (on his person). And\nBibhishana according to due rites put fire to his (funeral pyre).\nBathing and with wetted cloth, offering duly linseed and sacrificial\ngrass mixed with water and consoling (Ravana's) wives again and again,\nhe entreated them to go back. They then entered the city. And those\ndamsels having entered the city, Bibhishana, the lord of Rakshasas,\napproaching Rama, stood by his side gently. And Rama too, along with his\narmy, Sugriva and Lakshmana, was greatly delighted after slaying his\nenemy like unto the wielder of thunder-bolt after slaying (the demon)\nVitra. Thereupon leaving aside his bow with arrows, and the huge armour\nconferred by Mahendra and renouncing ire after the destruction of his\nenemy Rama assumed gentle mein.\n\n[463] A particular mark usually said to be a curl of hair on the breast\n of _Vishnu_. The emblem of the tenth _jina_ or the mark above\n ascribed to _Vishnu_ or _Krishna_.\n\n[464] The Earth is an emblem of patience but Sita is more patient than\n the Earth.--T.\n\n[465] Sree is the goddess of wealth and good fortune--but Sita is more\n fortunate than fortune herself.--T.\n\n[466] _i.e._ that thou wert not burnt down there and then shows her\n greatness of mind.--T.\n\n[467] The god of Fire.\n\n[468] A pot for preserving sacred fire.\n\n[469] The Brahmins who perform obsequies.\n\n[470] Cremation-place.\n\n[471] A sort of drug commonly called _Padmakas_.\n\n[472] The root of a fragrant grass.\n\n[473] A wooden mortar used for cleaning rice.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXIV.\n\n\nBeholding the destruction of Ravana the celestials, Gandharbas and\nDanavas ascending their respective cars went away chanting this\nexcellent theme. And talking of Ravana's dreadful destruction, Raghava's\nprowess, the excellent warfare of the monkeys, the counsels of Sugriva,\nthe devotion and prowess of the Wind-God's son and Lakshmana and Sita's\ndevotion unto her husband, those high souled ones, delighted, repaired\nto their respective quarters. And Raghava, having long arms, permitting\nthe charioteer to take back the celestial car bright as the sky sent by\nIndra, honoured him greatly. And being commanded by Raghava Matali, the\ncharioteer of Sakra taking the celestial car, rose up in the welkin. And\nthat charioteer rising up into the celestial region, Raghava, the\nforemost of car-warriors, greatly delighted, embraced Sugriva. And\nembracing Sugriva, bowed unto by Lakshmana and worshipped by the monkey\nhe repaired to the camp of his soldiers. Thereupon Kakutstha spoke unto\nLakshmana--the son of Sumitra gifted with auspicious marks who was near\nhim--\"O gentle one, take this Bibhishana to the city of Lanka ever\ndevoted and attached unto us, and who had done us good. This is my great\ndesire that I may behold Bibhishana the younger brother of Ravana\ninstalled on the throne of Lanka\". Being thus addressed by the\nhigh-souled Raghava, the son of Sumitra, saying--\"So be it\" and greatly\ndelighted, brought a golden jar. And placing that jar at the hands of\nthe lord of monkeys, that one, gifted with great energy, ordered them to\nbring water from the Ocean. And repairing speedily those excellent\nmonkeys came back with water from the ocean. And taking that jar and\nplacing him on an excellent seat Saumitri with that water sprinkled\nBibhishana as king of Lanka in the presence of all the Rakshasas, at\nRama's command. And (Lakshmana) encircled by friends sprinkling him\naccording to rites laid down in the Vedas, all the Rakshasas, devoted\nunto him, his counsellors and the monkeys attaining incomparable\ndelight, sang the glory of Rama. And beholding Bibhishana the lord of\nRakshasas installed in the city of Lanka, Raghava along with Lakshmana\nattained to an excess of delight. And consoling his subjects he went to\nRama. And the monkey citizens, delighted, brought him curd, fried grain,\nsweetmeats, fried paddy and flowers. And taking all those things\nindicating auspiciousness, he, irrepressible and gifted with energy,\nconferred them upon Raghava and Lakshmana. And beholding Bibhisbana\ncrowned with prosperity and success, Rama accepted them, all for his\nsatisfaction. Thereupon Rama spoke unto the heroic monkey Hanuman,\nresembling a a mountain and standing before him humbly with folded\nhands, saying--\"O gentle one, obtaining permission from the king\nBibhishana, do thou enter the city of Lanka and enquire after Maithili's\nwelfare. Do thou, O foremost of monkeys, inform Vaidehi of the\ndestruction of Ravana in conflict after communicating unto her mine\nhealth as well as that of Lakshmana and Sugriva. O lord of monkeys, it\nbehoveth thee to return with the tidings of Vaidehi after informing her\nof this pleasant news.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXV.\n\n\nBeing thus commanded, Hanuman, the son of Maruta, worshipped of the\nnight-rangers, entered the city of Lanka. Entering the city with\nBibishana's permissiom, Hanuman, again permitted, entered the Briksha\nVatika.[474] And entering there duly, the monkey, who was already known\nto Sita, espied her, having her person not cleansed, like Rohini,\noppressed by Rahu, sitting at the foot of a tree, devoid of joy and\nencircled by she-demons. And approaching her and bowing unto her, he\nstood there humbly and unmoved. And beholding the highly powerful\nHanuman arrived there the worshipful dame stood silent for sometime and\nthen recognising him became greatly delighted. And beholding her gentle\ncountenance, Hanuman, the best of monkeys, began to relate unto her what\nRama had said--\"O Vaidehi, it is all well with Rama, Sugriva and\nLakshmana. He hath enquired after thy welfare. He hath accomplished his\nend subduing his enemies--and his enemy is slain. O worshipful dame, the\npowerful Ravana hath been slain by Rama, helped by Bibhishana and\naccompanied by the monkeys and Lakshmana. I do relate unto thee this\npleasant news, O worshipful dame; I do again delight thee; it is by thy\ngrace, O thou conversant with piety, O Sita, victory hath been gained.\nDo thou be consoled and relieved of thy anxiety. The enemy Ravana hath\nbeen slain and the city of Lanka, hath been brought under submission.\n(Rama said),--'For discomfitting thy enemy a bridge was constructed over\nthe sea by me who was determined and who did not sleep (for days) and\nthus my promise hath been fulfilled. Do thou not be afraid for living in\nRavana's abode for I have placed at Bibhishana's hands the sovereignty\nof Lanka. Do thou be consoled thinking as if that thou art living in thy\nown house. To behold thee, Bibhishana, delighted, shall soon proceed\".\nBeing thus accosted the worshipful Sita, having a moon-like countenance,\nand her voice choked in delight, could not utter any thing. And\nbeholding Sita incapable of replying the foremost of monkeys\nsaid,--\"What art thou thinking of, O worshipful dame? Why art thou not\nwelcoming me?\" Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, ever treading the\npaths of morality, greatly delighted, replied with words suppressed by\ntears. \"Hearing this pleasant news concerning the victory of my\nhusband--and being brought under the control of joy I am speechless for\nsometime. O monkey, I do not perceive any such thing which I can confer\nupon thee, in return, for this pleasant news. I do dot see any such\nthing on this earth which can match thy pleasant tidings and bestowing\nwhich upon thee I may be happy. Silver, gold, or diverse jewels or the\nkingdom of the three worlds--nothing is a becoming return for thy\nspeech\". Being thus addressed by Vaidehi the monkey replied--folding his\nhands with delight and stationed before Sita,--' O blameless damsel,\nforsooth this excellent speech becometh thee, who is ever engaged in the\nwelfare of thy husband and ever desirous of his victory. I do consider,\nO worshipful dame, these words of thine, far greater than the wealth,\njewels or even the sovereignty over the celestials. Forsooth I have\ngained the kingdom of the celestials and other things since I have\nbeheld Rama slay his enemy, victorious and peaceful. Hearing those words\nof (Hanuman) Maithili the daughter of king Janaka spoke unto the\nWind-god's son far more excellent words--\"Thou art capable of speaking\nwords, chaste, pleasant and significant of eight sorts of knowledge.\nThou art the praise-worthy son of the Wind-god and greatly virtuous;\nstrength, prowess, heroism, knowledge of _Sastras_, noble-mindedness,\nenergy, forgiveness, patience, endurance, humility and many other\nexcellent qualities crown thee\". Thereupon not being elated the least,\nhe again, humbly folding his hands with delight and stationed before\nSita, said--\"If dost thou permit me I may slay all these she-demons who\nhad tortured thee before, distressed thee in the forest of Acoka,\nstricken with grief of thy lord, and who are cruel, have grim eyes and\nwho perpetrate always dreadful deeds. O worshipful dame, I have heard\nthat these grim-visaged she-demons distressed thee greatly with harsh\nwords at the command of Ravana. I desire to slay all these dreadful,\ncrooked, ugly (she-demons) having fearful eyes, meting out unto them\nvarious punishments. I wish to slay all these she-demons, who had used\nharsh words and had always offended thee, stricking them with fists,\nfingers, arms, dreadful knee-joints, teeth, chopping off their ears and\nnoses, and pulling them by their hairs: do thou confer upon me this\npermission. O far famed lady, I shall slay them by these various means,\nby whom, dreadful as they are, thou hadst been distressed before\". Being\nthus addressed by Hanuman, she, ever kind unto the poor, thinking and\nmeditating, said to him--\"O foremost of monkeys, why art thou angry with\nthese she-slaves, who subject as they are to the command of their lord,\nhave done this in accordance with another's order. For my adverse\nfortune and vicious deeds perpetrated in another birth I have been\nsubject to such a plight and been suffering the consequence thereof. Do\nthou not speak thus, O thou of huge arms. Such is the course of Fortune.\nForsooth by my ill-luck I have met with (this misfortune). I forgive,\nout of pity, all these she-servants of Ravana; they used to torture me\nat the command of that Rakshasa. And he being slain they shall not\nrepress me any longer, O son of the Wind-god. Do thou, O monkey, hear of\na _Sloka_, related in a _Purana_ and pregnant with religious import,\nwhich was uttered by a boar to a tiger. 'No one taketh upon himself the\niniquity of a perpetrator of vicious deeds. So it behoveth the pious\ncrowned with an excellent character to observe the rules (of piety). So\nit is proper to show compassion even upon those who perpetrate crimes\nand are worthy of being slain. Who is there who doth not commit a crime?\nIt is not proper to act cruelly even by them who take delight in killing\nmen, although they commit various iniquitous deeds.'\" Being thus\naddressed by Sita, Hanuman, skilled in speech, spoke unto the blameless\nRama's spouse, saying--\"Thou art the worthy spouse of Rama, religiously\nwedded and crowned with many qualities. Permit me, O worshipful dame, to\nproceed where Raghava is\". Being thus accosted by Hanuman, Vaidehi, the\ndaughter of king Janaka, said,--\"I wish to see my lord, ever fond of\nthose who are devoted unto him\". Hearing these words, the high-minded\nHanuman, the son of Maruta, pleasing Maithili said--\"Thou shalt behold\nRama, having a countenance like the full moon, with Lakshmana,\nsurrounded by his friends and having his enemies slain as Sachi\nbeholdeth Indra the king of the celestials\". Addressing these words unto\nSita appearing like Sree herself the highly effulgent Hanuman returned\nwhere Raghava was. Thereupon Hanuman, the foremost of monkeys, related\nduly all what did the daughter of king Janaka say unto Raghava\nresembling the lord of the celestials.\n\n[474] A garden in the city of Lanka.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXVI.\n\n\nThereupon bowing unto Rama, the foremost of bow-men, having eyes\nresembling lotus-petals, the highly wise monkey said,--\"It behoveth thee\nnow to see Maithilee, stricken with grief for whom thou didst initiate\nall these works and the fruit whereof hath now been attained. Hearing of\nthy victory Maithilee, possessed by grief and having eyes full of tears,\nexpressed her desire to see thee. And I was told by her, confident of\nher previous trust, with profuse tears in her eyes,--\"I wish to see my\nhusband\". Being addressed by Hanuman, Rama the foremost of the pious\nbeing bathed in tears, engaged instantly in meditation. Thereupon\nsighing hard and casting his looks upon the ground he spoke unto\nBibhishana resembling clouds, who was near him. \"Do thou speedily bring\nSita here--the daughter of the king of Mithila--bathed, sprinkled with\ncelestial paste and adorned with celestial ornaments\". Being thus\naddressed by Rama, Bibhishana hastened on and entering the inner\nappartment sent information unto Sita through the female attendants. And\nbeholding the great Sita, the graceful lord of Rakshasas--Bibhishana,\nhumbly and placing his joined palms on his crown, said,--\"O Vaidehi, may\ngood betide thee; sprinkled with celestial paste and adorned with\ncelestials ornaments do thou ascend this car; thy husband wisheth to see\nthee\". Being thus addressed Vaidehi replied unto Bibhishana,--\"O lord of\nRakshasas, without bathing even I wish to see my husband\". Hearing those\nwords Bibhishana replied,--\"It behoveth thee to do what thy lord Rama\nhath said\". Whereto the chaste Maithilee, regarding her husband as God\nand filled with devotion unto her husband, replied saying \"So be it\".\nThereupon placing Sita, bathed, performing the due rites wearing\nvaluable clothes and adorned with valuable ornaments, on a palanquin,\ncarried by many a capable Rakshasa, brought her (unto Rama). Thereupon\napproaching the high-souled Rama, who, being informed of (Bibhishana's\napproach) was engaged in meditation, Bibhishana bowing down and\ndelighted communicated unto him the arrival of Sita. And hearing of her\narrival who had lived long in the abode of the Rakshasa Raghava, the\nslayer of enemies attained (simultaneously) to anger, delight and\ndepression. And considering Sita, who was in the patanquin, over-whelmed\nwith grief, Raghava delighted addressed Bibhishana with the following\nwords. \"O lord of Rakshasas, O gentle (king), O thou ever engaged in\nencompassing my success, do thou speedily bring Vaidehi nearer to me\".\nHearing these words of Raghava, Bibhishana, conversant with piety\nspeedily cleared (the people out of that place). And attendants with\narmours and head-dresses on and with cane and drums in their hands began\nto move about driving away the crowd thereform. And the crowds of bears,\nmonkeys and Rakshasas being driven on all sides began to fly at a\ndistance. And they being thus driven there arose a huge noise resembling\nthat of the ocean when agitated by the wind. Beholding the monkeys\ndriven on all sides and troubled, Raghava out of anger and compassion\nprevented him. And thereupon as if burning (every thing) with his angry\neyes Rama addressed the highly intelligent Bibhishana with the following\nangry words--\"Why dost thou insult me by destroying all these? Do thou\nremove their anxiety--they are all my own men. Neither the houses,\nclothes, walls nor reception like these are the veils of women. There is\nno sin consequent upon seeing women in danger, difficulty, war,\n_Svyambara_[475] sacrifice and marriage. She is now in great danger and\ndifficulty--there is no sin in seeing her specially in my presence.\nTherefore leaving behind the palanquin let her come here on foot and let\nthe monkeys behold Vaidehi in my presence\". Being thus addressed by\nRama, Bibbishana, being sorry, humbly brought Sita near him. There-upon\nbearing Rama's accents, Lakshmana, Sugriva and the monkey Hanuman were\ngreatly sorry. As if hiding herself in her own person in shame Maithili,\nfollowing Bibhishana, approached her husband. And she, having a gentle\ncountetiance and always regarding her husband as her god, fixed her\nlooks upon her lord's face out of surprise, joy and love. And beholding\nthe gentle countenance of her dearest lord, resembling the full moon she\nremoved her mental distress. Thereupon she appeared (beautiful) having\nthe countenance of the clear moon.\n\n[475] It is a form of marriage in which the bride selects a bridegroom\n for herself.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXVII.\n\n\nBeholding Maithili standing humbly by him, Rama began to give vent to\nhis pent-up feelings--\"O gentle one, destroying all the enemies in the\narena of battle I have subdued thy enemy--I have done all that can be\naccomplished by manliness. I have reached the other end of my anger,\nrubbed off (the insult) for my spouse being taken away by the enemy and\nhave killed simultaneously my disgrace and enemy. My manliness hath been\ndisplayed to-day, my labour hath been crowned with success and to-day I\nhave fulfilled my promise by my own prowess. That accidental misfortune,\nunder the influence whereof thou wert carried away by the fickle-minded\nRakshasa in my absence, hath been subdued to-day by me, a man. What is\nthe use of his manliness, who when insulted, cannot remove it? Even if\nhe be a great man he may be called mean. The praise-worthy works of\nHanuman--the crossing of the deep and the devastation of Lanka, have\nbeen crowned with success to-day. The labour of Sugriva with his army,\nwho displayed valour in the encounter and gave me good counsels, hath\nborne fruit to-day. To-day also the labour of Bibhishana hath borne\nfruit--who renouncing his brother, devoid of all good qualities, came to\nmy side\". Hearing those words of Rama, Sita began to look wistfully like\na hind, with eyes full of tears. And beholding his beloved spouse near\nhim and afraid of popular ignominy his heart was broken into two.\nThereupon he spoke unto the exquisitely beautiful Sita, in the midst of\nthe monkeys and Rakshasas, having eyes resembling lotus-petals and black\nand curling hairs, saying,--\"As the southern quarter, incapable of being\ngot at by the people, was conquered by the self-controlled great ascetic\nAgastya, so for thee slaying Ravana, I, (always) anxious to have honour,\nhave removed my insult--as is the duty of a man. May good betide\nthee--do thou know that all my labour, in the battle-field, backed by\nthe prowess of my friends, is for thee, To uphold the dignity of my\nwell-known family, to remove the ignominy consequent upon thy being\nstolen away as well as to wipe off my own insult I have encompassed\nthis. I have suspected thy character; thou, (therefore) standing before\nme, art distressing me like unto a lamp before one who is subject to an\neye-disease. Do thou therefore proceed, daughter of king Janaka,\nwherever thou likest to one of these ten quarters. I permit thee, O\ngentle one. I have nothing to do with thee. What powerful man, born in a\nhigh family, take back his wife considering her as friend out of lust,\nwho hath lived long in another's house? Thou wert taken by Ravana on his\nlap, beheld by him with sinful eyes; how can I, taking thee back, bring\ndisgrace upon my great family? The object, with which I have gained thee\nback, hath been accomplished. I have got no attachment for thee--do thou\ngo wherever thou wishest, gentle one. I speak these unto thee impelled\nby my sense of duty. If thou wishest thou mayest live with Lakshmana,\nBharata or Satrughna or with Sugriva or Rakshasa Bibhishana. Do thou\nsettle, O Sita, where you may find thy own pleasure. O Sita, (I do not\nthink) Ravana hath overlooked thee, who lived in his house, beholding\nthee so graceful and beautiful\". Thereupon hearing those unpleasant\nwords from her beloved (husband) Sita, always sensitive and who had\nnever heard such unpleasant words, trembling like a creeper torn by the\ntrunk of an elephant, began to weep shedding tears profusely.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXVIII.\n\n\nBeing this addressed by Raghava, enraged, with those harsh words Sita\nwas greatly pained. And hearing those words of her lord, unheard of,\nbefore the great assembly Maithili was greatly humiliated with shame. As\nif entering unto her own person (with shame) and greatly pained with\nthese arrow-like words the daughter of king Janaka began to shed tears.\nThereupon wiping the tears off her countenance, she with sorrowful\nwords, addressed her husband--\"Why dost thou, O hero, like a common man\naddressing an ordinary woman, make me hear these harsh and unbecoming\nwords painful unto ears? O thou of long arms, I am not what thou hast\ntaken me to be. Do thou believe me I do swear by my own character.\nSeeing the ordinary women thou art distrusting the whole sex. Do thou\nrenounce this suspicion since thou hast tried me. O lord, though my\nperson was touched by another--but it was not in my power; nor was it an\nwilful act (of mine); accident is to blame in this. My heart is under my\ncontrol and that is in thee;--and what could I do of my body which was\nsubject to another and of which I was not the mistress. O thou the\nconferrer of honour--our affection towards one another was increased by\nour living continually for a long time; even then if thou hast not been\nable to understand me I am ruined for ever. O king, when the great hero\nHanuman was despatched by thee to Lanka to see me why didst thou not\nrenounce me then? Hadst thou deputed the monkey with that message I\nwould have renounced my life there and then, O hero. Thou wouldst not\nhave been required to undergo this toil at the risk of thy own life and\ngiving unnecessary trouble to thy friends. O foremost of kings, being\nsubject to ire--thou dost not perceive anything but womanhood in me,\nlike an ordinary man. Although I am known to have a father but in fact I\nam born of the earth. Thou dost not sufficiently honour my character, O\nthou conversant with characters. Thy marriage with me in boyhood shall\nbe disproved and thou art not sufficiently considering all my devotion\nand good conduct unto thee\". Saying thus with accents choked in tears\nand weeping Sita spoke unto Lakshmana, poorly and engaged in meditation.\n\"Make a funeral pyre for me, O Saumitri, that is the only remedy for\nthis disaster. Being thus branded with an unfounded stigma I do not like\nto keep my life. To adopt the proper course for me who had been\nrenounced before this assembly by my disaffected husband I shall enter\nthis\". Being thus addressed by Vaidehi, Lakshmana, the slayer of\nenemies, being possessed by anger, looked towards Raghava. And\nunderstanding Rama's intention by gestures and at his command the\npowerful Saumitri prepared a funeral pyre. None dared there request,\nspeak with or even look at Rama like unto Death at the time of\ndissolution. Thereupon circumambulating Rama, standing with his head\ndown, Vaidehi approached the burning fire. And bowing unto the\ncelestials and Brahmanas, Maithili, with folded hands, spoke before the\nfire:--\"As my heart hath never gone away from Raghava, may thou protect\nme, O fire, the witness of the people. As Raghava considereth me vile,\nwho have got a pure character, may fire, the witness of the people,\nprotect me on all sides\". Saying this and going round the fire, Vaidehi,\nwith undaunted heart, entered the flaming fire. The great assembly\nthere, young and old, overwhelmed with grief, saw Maithili enter the\nflaming fire. And (Sita) resembling the burning gold entered the flaming\nfire in the presence of all people. All beheld Sita, having expansive\neyes, enter fire like unto a golden altar. The ascetics, celestials and\nGandharbas saw that great damsel enter fire like unto a full oblation in\nthe sacrifice. And beholding her fallen into the fire like unto\n_Vasudhara_, sanctified by Mantras in a sacrifice, all the females began\nto weep. And the three worlds--the celestials, Gandharbas and Danavas\nsaw her fallen like unto a celestial from the heaven when imprecited.\nShe having entered the fire, lamentations, unheard of before, rose from\nall sides from the Rakshasas and monkeys.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXIX.\n\n\nHearing the lamentations (of the Rakshasas and monkeys) the\nvirtuous-souled Rama, with a poor heart and having his eyes full of\ntears, engaged in meditation for some time. Thereupon the king\nVaisravana, Yama with his progenitors, the thousand-eyed lord of the\ncelestials, Varuna, the lord of water, the three-eyed graceful\nMahadeva--the rider of bull, Brahma the creator of the world and the\nforemost of those conversant with the knowledge of Brahma--all these\narriving at the city of Lanka in their cars bright as the rays of the\nsun, approached Raghava. Thereupon raising up their huge hands, decked\nwith various ornaments and folding them, those foremost of the\ncelestials said unto Raghava--\"O lord, thou art the preserver of all the\nworlds and the foremost of the wise, why dost thou neglect Sita entering\ninto fire? Why dost thou not understand thyself the foremost of the\ncelestials? Thou wert before the Patriarch of all _Vasus_,[476] by the\nname of Kratadhama. And thou art thyself, O lord, the creator of the\nthree worlds. Thou art the eighth of the _Rudras_[477] and the fifth of\nthe _Sadkyas_;[478] the Acwinis are thy two ears and the sun and the\nmoon are thy eyes. O slayer of enemies, thou appearest at the begining\nand the end of the creation. Why dost thou neglect Vaidehi like an\nordinary man?\" Being thus addressed by the deities presiding over\nquarters, Raghava, the lord of people and the foremost of the pious,\nspoke unto those leading celestials, saying:--\"I know myself to be\nman--Rama, the son of Dacaratha. Let the great Patriarch tell me, who I\nam and whence I have come\". Thereupon Brahma, the foremost of those\nconversant with the knowledge of Brahma, spoke unto Kakutstha, who had\nspoken thus, saying,--\"Do thou hear my true words, O thou having truth\nfor thy prowess. O lord, thou art the great and effulgent, Narayana\nholding discus and mace; thou art the boar having one tusk; thou hast\nconquered the past, present and future; thou art undecaying and without\nend, O Raghava; thou art the great virtue of the pious--thou art the\npropounder of all laws and art four-armed; thou art the holder of bow of\ntime--the subduer of senses--the excellent Purusha (person),\nunconquerable by sins; thou art Vishnu holding dagger, Krishna and of\nincomparable strength; thou art the army, the minister--the\nuniverse--the understanding, forgiveness and control of passions; thou\nart the creation and destruction; Upendra and the slayer of (demon)\nMadhu; thou art the creator of Indra; thou art Mahendra; thou hast a\nlotus-like navel and thou art the slayer of enemies. The celestials and\nthe great saints style thee as the refuge of those who seek for shelter.\nThou art the foremost of _Vedas_ with its thousand branches and hundred\nregulations. Thou art thyself the creator of the three worlds, O lord.\nThou art the refuge of the _Siddhas_[479] and _Sadhyas_, thou art the\n_Purvaja_,[480] the sacrifice, _Vashatkar_,[481] _Om_[482] and\n_Paratpara_.[483] No one is conversant with thy birth and\ndestruction--thou art manifest in all creatures--cows and Brahmins--in\nall quarters, in the sky, in the mountain, and in the river. Thou art\ngifted with thousand legs, thousand heads and thousand eyes. Thou dost\nuphold all creatures, the earth and all the mountains. Thou appearest\nlike the great serpent in the water underneath the earth. O Rama, thou\ndost uphold three creations--the celestials, the Gandharbas and the\nDanavas. O Rama--I am thy heart, the worshipful Swaraswati (Goddess of\nlearning) is thy tongue and all other celestials, lord, created by\nBrahma are thy down. The closing of thy eye is the night and the opening\nis the day. The _Vedas_ are significant of thy desire and the control\nthereof--none hath got independent existence but thee. The whole\nuniverse is thy body, the earth is thy patience, the fire is thy\nanger--the sun and the moon are thy delight; thou hast got _Sreebatsha_\n(a peculiar curl of hair); thou didst before tread the three worlds with\nthy three foot steps; thou didst get the dreadful Bali bound and make\nMahendra king; Sita is Lakshmi and thou art Krishna and Vishnu the\nPreserver of people. For Ravana's destruction thou hast assumed the\nhuman shape. Thou hast accomplished that work of ours, O thou the\nforemost of the pious. O Rama, Ravana hath been slain. Do thou go up to\nheaven delighted. Sure is thy godly energy and never goes for nothing\nthy prowess. O Rama, never is fruitless thy view and the chanting of thy\nglory. And always successful shall be these persons on earth who shall\nbe devoted unto thee. Those who shall be devoted unto thee at one with\n_Purana_[484] and the excellent _Purasha_,[485] shall attain all their\ndesires both in this world and the next. Those persons shall never be\nunsuccessful both in this world and the next who shall chant this\ntheme--excellent, instinct with the knowledge of Brahma and describing\nthe old history.\n\n[476] A kind of demi-god of whom eight are enumerated.\n\n[477] A demi-god--an inferior manifestation of Siva: they are eleven in\n number.\n\n[478] An inferior deity or demi-god, one of a class of twelve.\n\n[479] Saints of accomplished piety.\n\n[480] Produced or appearing before creation.\n\n[481] Burnt offering, oblation with fire--from the exclamation used on\n the occasion.\n\n[482] _Om_--the first term of the _Mantra_, _Om_ or _Omkara_ is\n well-known as a combination of letters invested by Hindu mysticism\n with peculiar sanctity.\n\n[483] Greatest of the great.\n\n[484] A class of writings considered sacred by the Hindus.\n\n[485] Great or supreme spirit--_Purasha_ meaning that which abides or is\n quiesent in body.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXX.\n\n\nHearing those excellent words uttered by the great Patriarch rose up\n_Bibhabasu_[486] with Vaidehi on his lap shaking the funeral pyre. With\nthe daughter of the king Janaka, the receiver[487] of sacrificial\nofferings, being incarnate, rose up. And carrying on his lap Vaidehi,\nwearing a red cloth, resembling the newly risen sun, adorned with\nornaments of burning gold--having black curling hairs and decked with\nfresh garments, _Bibhabasu_ gave her unto Rama. Thereupon the Deity of\nFire, the witness of the people, spoke unto Rama, saying--\"O Rama, here\nis thy Vaidehi--no sin hath visited her. Neither by words, mind,\nunderstanding nor eyes, she, good-natured and beautiful--hath deviated\nfrom thee who hath got a good character and is heroic. She was in the\nsolitary forest separated from thee, poorly and having no control over\nherself and hence she was carried away by the Rakshasa Ravana having\nenough prowess in him. Although shut up in the inner appartment--well\nprotected and guarded by the dreadful she-demons she had always her mind\nin thee and was devoted unto thee. Although tempted in many a way and\nremonstrated with she did not think of that Rakshasa in her inner mind.\nHer heart is pure and she is not spoiled with sin--do thou therefore\ntake back Maithili. Do thou not speak other-wise--I do command thee\".\nThereupon hearing those words--the virtuous-souled Rama, the foremost of\nthose skilled in speech, with his eyes agitated with delight, meditated\nfor sometime. Being thus addressed, the highly effulgent and intelligent\nRama, of unmitigated prowess--the foremost of the pious, spoke unto that\nbest of celestials saying--\"Beautiful (Sita) lived in the inner\nappartment of Ravana for a long time so she needs this purification in\nthe presence of all people. If I would take the daughter of Janaka\nwithout purifying her, people would say that Rama the son of king\nDacaratha is lustful and ignorant of the morality of the people. I know\nit full well that Maithili, the daughter of king Janaka, hath her mind\ndevoted unto me and hath not given it to anyone (else). As the ocean\ncannot go beyond its banks so Ravana could not approach her having\nexpansive eyes protected by virtue of her own chastity. The greatly\nvicious-souled one could not even by his mind get Maithili, who was\nbeyond his reach like unto the burning flame of fire. Her mind could not\nhave been moved although she lived in the inner appartment of\nRavana--she belongs to none else; Sita is mine as the rays belong to the\nSun. Maithili--the daughter of Janaka hath been purified before the\nthree worlds--So I am incapable of renouncing her as a self-controlled\nperson cannot forsake his (own) reputation. It behoveth me to carry out\nthe well-meaning words of you all--the lords of people who have spoken\nthem out of affection\". Saying this, the victorious, highly powerful,\nwell renowned Raghava, worthy of enjoying happiness, and having his\npraise chanted in consequence of his noble action, regaining his spouse,\nattained to happiness.\n\n[486] The Deity of Fire.\n\n[487] Fire.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXI.\n\n\nHearing those excellent words uttered by Raghava, Maheswara (Siva) spoke\nfar more important words--\"O thou having lotus-eyes, O thou having huge\narms and a spacious breast, O thou the slayer of enemies, O thou the\nfore most of the pious--it is a good fortune that this hath been done by\nthee. It is by good fortune, O Rama, the dreadful and increasing\ndarkness--the fear of all people--Ravana, hath been removed by thee in\nthe encounter. Consoling the poor Bharata and the famed Kaucalya,\nbeholding Kaikeyi and Sumitra the mother of Lakshmana, obtaining the\nkingdom of Ayodhya, pleasing all thy friends, establishing the prestige\nof thy family, thou of great strength, performing horse-sacrifices,\nattaining fair fame and conferring riches upon the Brahmins do thou\nrepair to heaven. This king Dacaratha stationed on the car is thy\nfather. He was thy superior on this earth, O Kakutstha. Obtaining thee\nas his son, that graceful (king) hath repaired to the region of Indra.\nDo thou bow unto him with thy brother Lakshmana\". Hearing the words of\nMahadeva, Raghava, along with Lakshmana, bowed unto their father who was\nseated on the top of the car. He with Lakshmana beheld their father\nshining in his own effulgence and wearing an unsullied cloth. Thereupon\nbeholding his son dearer than his life, attaining great delight (in\nconsequence thereof) placing him on his lap and embracing him with his\narms, the great king Dacaratha, having long arms and seated on an\nexcellent seat in the car, said--\"I am now in heaven and am equal with\nthe celestials, but without thee, O Rama, I do not like it--this is\ntrue--I do swear by thee. O thou the foremost of those skilled in\nspeech, I have still in my mind the words which were uttered by Kaikeyi\nfor sending thee away to the woods. Beholding thee all well and\nembracing thee with Lakshmana I am now shorn of grief like unto the sun,\ndevoid of dues. I have been emancipated, O my son, through thee--a good\nand high-souled son, as the virtuous-souled Brahmana Kapala was by\nAsthabakra. O gentle one, I have heard from the celestials, (that thou\nart) the excellent Purusha in the guise (of a man) for the destruction\nof Ravana. Blessed is Kaucalya, O Rama, who shall be greatly delighted,\non beholding thee, the slayer of enemies, gone home from the forest.\nBlessed are those men, O Rama, who shall behold thee installed in the\ncity as the king of the world. I wish to behold thee reconciled with\nBharata, devoted powerful, pure and performing pious observances. O\ngentle one, thou hast spent fourteen years in the forest with Sita and\nLakshmana. The term of thy exile is over--thy promise hath been\nfulfilled; and slaying Ravana, in the conflict thou hast pleased the\ncelestials. Thou hast performed a mighty deed and attained to excellent\nfame, O slayer of enemies; and placed in charge of thy kingdom do thou\nwith thy brothers attain a long life\". The king speaking thus Rama spoke\nunto him with folded hands saying,--\"O thou conversant with piety, do\nthou be propitiated with Bharata and Kaikeyi. Thou didst imprecate\nKaikeyi, saying,--\"I renounce thee with thy son\"--may not that dreadful\ncurse visit her and her son\". Saying \"so be it\" unto Rama with folded\nhands and embracing Lakshmana the great king said to him:--\"O thou\nconversant with piety and fame on this earth, thou shall attain to\nheaven and excellent state there. O thou the enhancer of Sumitra's\njoy--do thou attend upon Rama; may good betide thee; Rama is ever\nengaged in the welfare of all beings. All these celestials headed by\nIndra, Siddhas and Great saints, bowing unto this high-souled and\nexcellent Purusha, worship him. Rama, the subduer of foes, is the\nindescribable and undecaying letter _Brahma_, which has, been described\n(in the Vedas) as the heart and secret of the celestials. For serving\nhim along with Sita, the daughter of king of Videha, thou hast attained\npiety and excellent fame\". Addressing Lakshmana thus, the king spoke\nunto his daughter-in-law, who was standing before him with folded hands,\nsaying:--\"It doth not behove thee, O Vaidehi, to be enraged (with Rama)\nfor renouncing thee; for purifying thee this was done by him ever\nwishing thy welfare. What thou hast performed, O daughter, to establish\nthe purity of thy character, is hard to perform. What thou hast done,\nshall glorify all other females. Though there is no necessity for giving\nthee any instruction as regards thy duty towards thy husband-still I\nshould say that he is thy great god\". Having thus instructed his two\nsons and Sita, he repaired, in his car, to the region of Indra. Having\nadvised his two sons along with Sita, ascending the car, and shining in\nhis effulgence, that excellent king, greatly delighted, repaired to the\nregion of the king of celestials.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXII.\n\n\nDacaratha having repaired, Mahendra greatly delighted spoke unto\nRaghava, stationed there with folded hands, saying:--\"O Rama, O foremost\nof men, this our presence here, must not be fruitless, we are\npleased--do thou ask for what thou wishest\". Being thus accosted by the\nhigh-souled Mahendra--delighted, Raghava spoke, with a pleased heart--\"O\nlord of the celestials, O thou the foremost of those skilled in speech,\nif thou art propitiated with me, I shall pray for (my\nwished-for-object); do thou grant it. Let all these highly powerful\nmonkeys, who have been despatched to the abode of Death, on my account,\nregaining their life, stand up. O thou the conferror of honour, I wish\nto see all those delighted monkeys, who were separated from their wives\nand children on my account. O Purandara, do thou revive all these heroic\nand powerful (monkeys) who did not care for death, and who worked hard\nand were distressed (for me). May all those, by thy favour, who were\never devoted unto me and did not care for death (even) regain their\nlife--this is the boon I pray for. O conferror of honour, I wish to see\nall these monkeys, _Golangulas_ and bears, pale and hurt, unheart and\ngifted with strength and prowess like before. Let there be flowers,\nfruits and roots, even out of season wherever these monkeys shall\nlive--and let rivers there be full of clear water\". Hearing those words\nof the high-souled Raghava Mahendra replied with words instinct with\ndelight--\"O my boy, O foremost of the Raghus, mighty is the boon thou\nhast prayed for--my words shall never be falsified, so let them be be\nfulfilled. Let all those bears and Golangulas rise up who were slain in\nthe conflict by Rakshasas and had their heads and arms severed. Let the\nmonkeys gifted with their pristine strength and prowess rise up unhurt\nand healthy as if after the end of sleep. And being reconciled with\ntheir friends, relatives and kinsmen let them attain to excellent joy. O\nthou the wielder of a huge bow, all the trees shall be filled with\nflowers and fruits and all the rivers shall be filled with water even\nout of season (wherever they shall live)\". Thereupon all these leading\nmonkeys who had their persons wounded but now healed up, rose up like\nthose asleep. And all those monkeys were greatly wondered, saying, \"What\nis it?\" And beholding Kakutstha of accomplished, end and eulogizing Rama\nand Lakshmana, all the celestials, greatly delighted, said,--\"Do thou, O\nking, repair to Ayodhya--despatch all the monkeys--console the famed\nMaithilee, ever devoted unto thee--behold thy brother Bharata observing\nascetic vows in consequence of thy grief--and the high-souled Satrughna\nand all thy mothers, O slayer of foes. And being Installed on the throne\ndo thou conduce to the joy of all citizens\". Having thus addressed Rama\nalong with Lakshmana, the thousand-eyed Deity, delighted, went away\nalong with the celestials, in their cars resembling the Sun (in\nbrilliance). And saluting all the celestials, Kakutstha, with his\nbrother Lakshmana, ordered the encampment of the army. Thereupon that\nfamous and well-pleased huge army of the monkeys protected by Rama and\nLakshmana, appeared resplendant on all sides like unto a night\nbeautified with the rays of the Moon.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXIII.\n\n\nRama having spent that night happily and risen up the next morning,\nBibhishana, chanting his victory, spoke unto that slayer of foes, with\nfolded hands, saying:--\"Here are various articles for bathing, pastes,\nclothes, ornaments, sandal and various excellent garlands. And here are\npresent women having eyes like lotuses and conversant with the art of\ndecking. Let them perform their duty, O Raghava\". Being thus accosted\nKakutstha replied unto Bibhishana, saying:--\"Do thou invite all these\nmonkeys beaded by Sugriva to bathe. The virtuous-souled Bharata, having\nhuge arms and ever used to comforts, is greatly distressed on my\naccount. Without Bharata the son of Kaikeyi, ever performing pious\nrites, I do not value bathing or these clothes and ornaments. Do thou so\nmanage that we may go to the city of Ayodhya speedily. For difficult is\nthe way leading to Ayodhya\". Being thus accosted Bibhiskana relied unto\nKakutstha,--\"O son of the lord of earth, may good betide thee, I shall\nsoon take thee to that city. The car _Puskpaka_ resembling the Sun,\nbelonging to my brother Kuvera, was brought by the powerful Ravana. O\nthou of unequalled prowess, that celestial and excellent car, going\neverywhere at will, since the destruction of Ravana in battle, is ready\nfor thee. And that car resembling the cloud is in the city of Lanka, in\nwhich thou shalt, relieved of thy anxiety, repair to Ayodhya. If I am\nworthy of being favoured by thee, if dost thou remember any\naccomplishment of mine--if thou hast any friendship for me, do thou, O\nwise one, wait here with thy brother Lakshmana and spouse Vaidehi till I\naccomplish all my desires by worshipping thee. And then thou shalt go\n(to Ayodhya) O Rama. I shall worship thee with great delight and do\nthou, O Rama, with thy friends and army, accept that adoration. O Rama,\nout of love, honor, and brotherly feeling, I do crave thy permission. I\nam a servant I cannot command thee\". Being thus addressed, Rama replied\nunto Bibhishaua in the presence of all the Rakshasas and monkeys,\nsaying:--\"I have been worshipped by thee, O hero, with thy excellent\ncounsels, with thy earnest endeavours and with thy great friendship. Do\nnot think, O lord of Rakshasas, that I do not comply with thy\nrequest--my heart hastens me to behold my brother Bharata, who, to take\nme back, did come to the mount Chitrakuta, who laid low his crown at my\nfeet and whose words I did not keep. (I am anxious to see) Kaucalya,\nSumitra, Kaikeyi, with my friends, citizens and villagers. Do thou\nregard me, O Bibhishana, O gentle one, as worshipped. O friend do thou\nbe not angry--I request thee. Do thou speedily being the car for me, O\nlord of Rakshasas--my work is done--how can I wish to live here long\".\nBeing thus addressed by Rama, Bibhishana the lord of Rakshasas, speedily\nbrought the car resembling the Sun.\n\nThereupon arrived there the car adorned all over with gold paintings,\naltars crested with _Baidurja_ jewels, having upper rooms, silvered all\nover, adorned with white flags and flagstaffs, beautified with gilt\nlotuses, adorned with golden houses, covered with a network of girdles,\nhaving windows made of pearls and jems, girt on all sides with a net of\nbells, giving forth melodious sound, resembling the summit of the mount\nMeru, constructed by _Vicwakarma_ (the architect of the celestials)\nadorned with huge apartments beautified with silver and pearls--having\nits base crested with crystal, containing excellent seats made of\n_Baidurja_, abounding in valuable coverlets and immense wealth,\nincapable of being broken down and coursing at will. And communicating\nunto Rama (the arrival of that car) Bibhishana waited there. Beholding\nthat flowery car, coursing at will and resembling a huge mountain, Rama,\nof a generous spirit, along with Saumitri, attained to an excess of\nastonishment.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXIV.\n\n\nHaving brought that car Pushpaka, adorned with flowers and having\nstationed himself at a distance, Bibhishana the lord of Rakshasas, being\nincited to hurry on, humbly and with folded hands, spoke unto Rama,\nsaying, \"What shall I do, O Raghava?\" Hearing those words the highly\npowerful Raghava, in the presence of Lakshmana, gave vent to the\nfollowing accents out of affection--\"All these monkeys and bears have\nbrought about the accomplishment of my work with great care. Do thou,\nsatisfy them, O Bibhishana, with diverse jewels and riches. With these\nand thee, I conquered the city of Lanka, lord of Rakshasas. They all\nfought with a delighted heart, having renounced all fear of life and who\ndid never go away from the battle-field. Do thou, with a gift of riches\nand jewel, make good the work of these monkeys and bears who encompassed\nthe accomplishment (of my end). Being honoured and delighted by thee\ngrateful, all these leading monkeys shall repair (to their respective\nquarters). (If thou art found to be) sacrificing, self-controlled,\ncompassionate and (the just) collector of revenues, all shall be\nattached unto thee. For this I do address you (thus). O lord of men, the\nsoldiers, disgusted, renounce that king who is void of all royal\naccomplishments, and who uselessly slays soldiers in the conflict\".\nBeing thus accosted by Rama, Bibhishana, with a distribution of jewels\nand riches, honoured all those monkeys. And beholding all those leading\nmonkeys worshipped with jewels and riches Rama ascended that excellent\ncar, taking the bashful, and high-minded Vaidehi on his lap and\naccompanied, by his powerful brother Lakshmana, a skilled bowman. And\nbeing stationed on the car Kakutstha honouring all the monkeys, the\nhighly powerful Sugriva and Bibhishana, said--\"O foremost of monkeys, ye\nhave performed a friendly service--it hath been appreciated by me--do ye\nrepair to your wished-for quarters. O Sugriva, thou, ever afraid of\nimpiety, hast performed all that a loving and well-wishing friend should\ndo. Do thou, encircled by thy army, proceed towards Kishkindha. Do thou,\nO Bibhishana, live in thy kingdom, Lanka, conferred upon thee, by me.\nNot even the celestials, headed by Indra shall be able to assail thee. I\nwish to return to Ayodhya, the capital of my father's (kingdom). I wish\nto obtain your permission (and for this) I have invited you all\". Being\nthus addressed by Rama, all the leading monkeys bears as well as the\nRakshasa Bibhishana said with folded hands--\"We wish all to go to\nAyodhya. Do thou take us. We shall all range with delight at forests and\ngardens. Beholding thee installed and bowing unto Kaucalya, we shall\nsoon return to our respective homes, O foremost of kings\". Being thus\naccosted by the monkeys with Bibhishana, the virtuous-souled Rama, spoke\nunto them and Sugriva and Bibhishana, saying--\"Dearer than the dear, I\nshall attain to, when returning my city, along with you all, I shall\nenjoy in the company of all my friends and relatives. O Sugriva, do thou\nsoon ascend the car along with the monkeys. Do thou ascend too, O\nBibhishana, lord of Rakshasas, with all thy courtiers\". Thereupon\nascended that celestial car _Pushpaka_, Sugriva, greatly delighted with\nthe monkeys and Bibhishana, with his courtiers. And they all having got\nup, the excellent car, of Kuvera at the command of Raghava, rose up in\nthe welkin. And in that car coursing at will and drawn by effulgent\nganders, Rama greatly delighted appeared like Kuvera (himself). And all\nthe monkeys, bears and the highly powerful Rakshasas sat in that\ncelestial car unobstructed and at their pleasure.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXV.\n\n\nBeing commanded by Rama, that excellent car, drawn by ganders, with a\nhuge noise, rose high up in the welkin. And casting his looks on all\nsides, Rama, the descendant of Raghus, spake unto Sita, the daughter of\nthe king of Mithila, having a moon-like countenance, saying,--\"O\nVaidehi, do thou behold Lanka, situate on the summit of the mount\nChitrakuta, resembling that of Kailaca and constructed by _Vicwakarma_.\nAnd behold, O Sita, that huge arena of battle, bathed in the blood and\nflesh of the monkeys and Rakshasas. Do thou behold, O thou having\nexpansive eyes, Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, the repressor of people\nand who obtained a boon, lying there, slain by me on thy account.\nKumbhakarna was slain there, the night-ranger Prahasta, as well, and\nDumraksha, were slain by the monkey Hanuman. Bidyutmali was slain there\nby the high-souled Sushena--and Indrajit, the son of Ravana, was slain\nthere in the encounter, by Lakshmana. The Rakshasa named Bikata was\nslain there by Angadi--and Birupaksha, hard to look at and Mahaparsha\nand Mahodara. And the powerful Akampana was slain (there) and all other\nRakshasas--Trishira, Alikaya, Devantaka and Narantaka--and the two\nleading and powerful Rakshasas, mad after conflict--the sons of\nKumbhakarna--Nikumbha and Kumbha, Bajradanstra, Danstra and many other\nRakshasas were slain and the irrepressible Makaraksha was slain (there)\nby me in the conflict. Akampana was slain--and the powerful Sonitaksha.\nAnd Yupaksha and Prajangha were destroyed (there) in the great conflict.\nThe grim-visaged Rakshasa Viddutsjmha was slain there--and Yajnasatru\nand the highly powerful Suptaghna. (And there was slain) Suryasatru and\nBrahmasatru. (And there bewailed for Ravana) his spouse Mandodari,\nsurrounded by his thousand other wives. O thou having an excellent\ncountenance, do thou behold the descending place of the ocean, where I\nspent the night after crossing the deep for thee. O thou having\nexpansive eyes, for thee, this difficult construction of the bridge was\nmade by me over the deep by the help of Nala. Do thou, O Vaidehi, behold\nthe unagitated deep--the abode of Varuna, appearing as if without the\nother end, roaring and abounding in conchs and pearl oysters. O\nMaithili, do thou behold the golden mount, which rose above the deep for\naffording a resting place unto Hanuman. And on the bank of this ocean I\nhalted with my soldiers. And here Mahadeva, the lord of the celestials,\nwas propitiated with me. It behoveth thee to behold this descending\nplace of the high-souled Ocean, known as _Setubandha_,[488] worshipped\nof the three worlds, highly sacred and destroying even the worst sin.\nThere, Bibhishana, the king of Rakshasas first came to me. Do thou\nbehold, O Sita, Kishkindha, having beautiful gardens, the pleasant city\nof Sugriva, where Vali was slain by me\". And beholding the city of\nKishkindha, ruled over by Vali, Sita, incited by her love, addressed\nRama, with worthy words, saying--\"O king, I wish to repair to Ayodhya\nthy capital with thee, in the company of Tara, the dear wife of Sugriva,\nas well as of the wives of other leading monkeys\". Being thus addressed\nby Vaidehi Raghava replied--saying, \"this shall be done\" and getting at\nKishkindha he stopped the car. And having beheld the car stationed he\nspoke unto Sugriva, saying--\"O foremost of monkeys, do thou speak unto\nall the leading monkeys that they may go to Ayodhya accompanied by their\nwives. O thou of great strength--they may all go with Sita. Do thou\nhurry them on, O Sugriva. We shall (soon) go, O thou the lord of\nmonkeys\". Being thus addressed by Rama, of unmitigated prowess--the\nbeautiful lord of monkeys, encircled by them, entered speedily the inner\napartment and beholding Tara there, said--\"O dear, at the command of\nRaghava and the kind desire of Sita, do thou soon go, taking with thee\nthe wives of all the high-souled monkeys. We shall see Ayodhya and the\nwives of Dacaratha\". Hearing the words of Sugriva, Tara, having a\nperfectly beautiful person, assembling all the wives of the monkeys,\nsaid--\"You have been ordered by Sugriva to repair (to Ayodhya) with the\nmonkeys;--to behold Ayodhya, is also a dear object of mine. (I shall\nbehold) Rama enter the city with the citizens and villagers and the\nwealth and riches of the wives of Dacaratha\". Being thus commanded by\nTara, the wives of the monkeys, putting on all their ornaments and\ncircumambulating (her) ascended the car, with a view to behold Sita. And\nbeholding the car going up with them all, Raghava again spoke unto Sita,\nnear the mount Rishyamuka, saying,--\"Do thou behold there, O Sita, the\nhuge and foremost mount Rishyamuka abounding in gold and various metals,\nlike unto clouds accompanied with lightnings. There I was joined by\nSugriva, the lord of monkeys. And there I entered into an agreement, O\nSita, for the destruction of Vali. And there is (the lake) Pampa\nabounding in lilies and skirted by picturesque forest where separated\nfrom thee, I bewailed piteously. And on its bank I beheld the pious\n_Savari_. And there I slew _Kavandha_ and _Yoyanavahu_. Behold there, O\nSita, a beautiful tree, in Janasthana, where, O thou ever used to\nluxuries, for thee, the highly powerful and energetic Yatayu, the\nforemost of birds, was slain by Ravana. Do thou behold there, O thou of\na beautiful person, O thou of auspicious looks, our hermitage and the\nbeautiful cottage of leaves, wherefrom thou hadst been carried away by\nforce by the lord of Rakshasas. Do thou behold there the beautiful and\nsacred river Godaveri having clear water and the hermitage of Agastya,\nsurrounded by plantain trees. Do thou behold there, O Vaidehi, the great\nhermitage of _Sarabhanga_, where came the thousand-eyed, Sakra, the\nsubduer of enemies' cities. O worshipful dame, O thou having a middle\nstature--amongst all those ascetics, thou beholdest, there lived Atri,\nthe lord of our family--resembling the fire of the Sun. There was slain\nthe huge-bodied Biradha by me. There thou didst behold, O Sita, the\nfemale ascetic (the wife of Attri) ever performing pious observances.\nThere cometh in view, O thou having a beautiful person, the king of\nmountains, Chitrakuta, where to propitiate me, came the son of Sumitra.\nBehold the beautiful Yamuna, having picturesque forest on its bank and\nthe pleasant hermitage of Varadwaya. Behold there the sacred river\nGanges, dividing itself into three branches. Behold there the city of\nSringabera, where I made friendship with Guha. Behold there, O Sita, the\ncapital of my father. Do thou bow unto Ayodhya, O Vaidehi\". Thereupon\nall the monkeys and Rakshasas along with Bibhishana rose up delightedly\nand saw the city. Thereupon the monkeys and Rakshasas beheld the city\nabounding in white houses having spacious compartments, filled with\nelephants and horses and looking like Amaravati, the capital of\nMahendra.\n\n[488] This is still to be seen in the shape of a delapidated bridge near\n _Rameswar_ a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims go there Via Madura, a\n district in South Madras. The Raja of Ramnud in whose Zemindari it\n is situated is called Setupati.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXVI.\n\n\nHaving completed the fourteen years (of exile), the self-controlled\nelder brother of Lakshmana, arriving at the hermitage of Varadwaya on\nthe fifth day, saluted the ascetic. And bowing unto Varadwaya, having\nasceticism for his wealth, he said,--\"O thou gifted with six sorts of\nwealth, hast thou heard of the prosperity and well being (of my city)?\nIs Bharata still engaged (in guarding the people)? Are my mothers\nliving?\" Being thus addressed by Rama the great ascetic Varadwaya\nreplied, delighted, and smiling, unto that foremost of Raghus,--\"Abiding\nby thy command and with matted locks, Bharata is waiting for thee,\nalways honoring thy sandals. And all others are well in thy house. O\nsubduer of thy enemies, I was greatly pained, when I saw thee before\nentering the huge forest, wearing bark, three with thy wife,[489]\ndeprived of thy kingdom for piety only, walking on foot, renouncing\nevery thing, obeying the command of thy sire, deprived of all comforts,\nlike a celestial banished from heaven, deprived of thy kingdom at the\nwords of Kaikeyi, and living on wild roots and fruits; but beholding\nthee now of accomplished end, with all thy friends having vanquished the\nenemy, I have attained to highest delight. O Raghava, I am apprised of\nimmense griefs and happinesses which befell thee when thou didst live in\nJanasthana. Thy blameless spouse was carried away stealthily by Ravana\nengaged as thou wert in the behoof of the Brahmanas, and in the\nprotection of all the ascetics. The view of Maricha--the carrying away\nof Sita,--the beholding of the headless demon,--thy going to (the lake)\nPampa,--thy friendship with Sugriva, where Vali was slain by thee,--the\nenquiry of Vaidehi undertaken by the son of Wind-god,--the construction\nof the bridge by Nala after the whereabouts of Vaidehi had been\nknown--the conflagration of Lanka by the delighted and the leading\nmonkeys--the destruction, in the conflict, of Ravana proud of his own\nstrength, along with his sons, friends, courtiers, army and steeds--the\narrival of the celestials on the destruction of Ravana, the thorn of\ngods and the grant of boon by them--I have known all these by virtue of\nmy asceticism, O thou fond of virtue. My disciples used to go hence to\nthat city to bring tidings. I shall even now grant thee a boon, O\nforemost of those using weapons. Do thou accept my _Arghya_[490] and\nthen repair to Ayodhya to-morrow\". And respectfully abiding by his\nwords, that effulgent son of the king, delighted, begged of him the\nboon. \"O thou gifted with six qualities, on my way while proceeding to\nAyodhya, let all the trees, bearing fruits out of season, and producing\nhoney, bear many a nectar-smelling fruit\". No sooner he replied\nsaying,--\"Thy promise shall be fulfilled\" than all the trees there\nbecame like those of heaven. Trees without fruits were filled\ntherewithal and trees without flowers were covered with them. All the\ntrees, whose leaves were dried up, were enveloped with foliage and all\nof them began to pour honey. The way to Ayodhya for three _yojanas_ was\nthus filled all over (with trees). Thereupon thousands of monkeys,\nliving, at pleasure and delightedly, on various celestial fruits,\nthought as if they were in heaven.\n\n[489] _i.e._ thyself, Lakshmana and Sita.\n\n[490] A respectful oblation to gods or venerable men of rice, _durva_\n grass, flowers &c with water in a small boat-shaped vessel.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXVII.\n\n\nThereupon beholding Ayodhya, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, of light\nmovements and desirous of affording delight unto others, thought of\nwelcoming (them). Thinking thus the intelligent and effulgent (Rama)\ncast his looks towards the monkeys and spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--\"O\nforemost of monkeys, speedily reparing to Ayodhya do thou learn of the\nwelfare of all people in the palace of the king. Arriving at the city of\nSringavera, do thou communicate unto Guha, the king of _Nishadhas_[491]\nhaving the forest as his kingdon, my well-being, at my command. Hearing\nthat I am hale and hearty and relieved of all troubles, Guha, my friend\nlike my own self, shall attain to delight. And Guha, the lord of\n_Nishadhas_, delighted, shall inform thee of the way to Ayodhya and the\nwell being of Bharata. Do thou ask of Bharata his well-being at my\nwords, and communicate unto him my (arrival) with Lakshmana and my\nspouse after having made good the vow (of my sire)--the carrying away of\nSita by the powerful Ravana--the friendship with Sugriva and the\ndestruction of Vali in the conflict--the search of Maithili instituted\nby thee having got over the huge lord of rivers--the advance (of the\nmonkeys) to the banks of the deep--the view of the ocean, the\nconstruction of the bridge--the destruction of Ravana,--the grant of\nboon by Mahendra, Brahma and Varuna--my meeting with my father by the\nfavour of Mahadeva. Do thou, O gentle one, communicate unto Bharata, my\narrival here with the lord of Rakshasas and king of monkeys. (Tell him)\n'vanquishing his foes and attaining to excellent fame Rama hath arrived\nat the gate of the city with his valiant friends, having satisfied the\nvow (of his sire).' Thou shouldst read the signs expressive of joy or\nsorrow that Bharata shall display on hearing this and infer therefrom\nhis attitude towards me. Thou shouldst know, from the colour of his\ncountenance, his looks and his words, all the movements and actions of\nBharata. Whose mind doth not change obtaining such an ancestral kingdom,\nfilled with all prosperity and abounding in elephants, horses and\nchariots? If the effulgent Bharata, the descendant of Raghu, ruling over\nit, wisheth the kingdom for himself, let him lord over the entire earth.\nTherefore, O monkey, it behoveth thee to come back speedily apprised of\nhis intention and movements, before we proceed further\". Being thus\ncommanded, Hanuman, the son of Wind-god, assuming a human shape speedily\nproceeded towards Ayodhya. Hanuman the son of Maruta rose up in the\nwelkin with velocity like unto Garuda ready to fall upon a huge serpent.\nThen crossing the Wind-path and the abode of the birds, getting over the\nterrible confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna, reaching the city of\n_Sringavera_ and meeting Guha, the energetic Hanuman, delighted,\n(addressed him) with the following excellent words--\"Thy friend Rama,\nthe descendant of Kakutstha, having truth for his prowess, with Sita and\nson of Sumitra, hath enquired of thy welfare. Having spent five\nnights[492] till to-day, he, having obtained permission from the ascetic\n_Varadwaja_, shall proceed to-morrow\". Having said this the highly\nenergetic monkey, not caring for the exhaustion of travel, greatly\ndelighted and with hairs erect, rose up with great velocity. Beholding\nthe holy river sanctified with the name of Parasurama, the\nrivers--Balukini, Baruthi, Gomati, the huge forest of _Sala_ trees, the\nvarious countries populated with thousands of people, and proceeding a\ngreat distance speedily, that foremost of monkeys got at the trees near\n_Nandigram_[493] like unto those of Chaitraratha, the garden of the lord\nof celestials the flowers whereof were being plucked off by many a\ndamsel accompanied by their children decked in various ornaments. He saw\nat a distance of one _crosa_ from Ayodhya, Bharata wearing the skin of\nan antelope, poorly, greatly reduced, living in a hermitage, wearing\nmatted hairs, having his body covered with dirt, greatly pulled down in\nconsequence of his brother's disaster, living on roots and fruits,\nself-controlled; living the life of an ascetic, observing pious\nobservances, with a bundle of clotted hairs on his head, wearing bark\nand deer skin, having control over his passions and senses, effulgent\nlike _Brahmarshis_, ruling the earth always placing the sandals before\nhim, protecting people of four _Varnas_ against all fear, with\ncourtiers, priests leading a holy life and soldiers all wearing red\nclothes; around him. All those citizens, fond of piety, did not like to\nuse good clothes beholding the prince use bark and deer skin. Thereupon\nHanuman, the son of Maruta spake with folded hands unto him, conversant\nwith piety like virtue incarnate, saying--\"Kakutstha, living in the\nforest of Dandaka with bark and matted hairs, for whom thou art\nlamenting, hath enquired after thy welfare. Do thou, O worshipful sire,\nspeak out thy welfare and renounce the dreadful grief. Thou shalt in\nthis moment be reconciled to thy brother Rama. Slaying Ravana, and\nregaining Maithili, Rama, having accomplished his end, hath arrived here\nwith his valiant friends. The highly effulgent Lakshmana and the famed\nVaidehi (have also come). Sita fareth well with Rama like unto Sachi in\nthe company of Mahendra\". Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Bharata, the\nson of Kaikeyi, delighted, fell down all on a sudden in a swoon of joy.\nThereupon rising up in no time, and welcoming him, Bharata, the\ndescendant of Raghu, spake unto Hanuman communicating the pleasant\ntidings, the following words. And embracing the monkey respectfully the\ngraceful Bharata sprinkled him with profuse tears not out of grief but\nof joy. He said,--\"Art thou a man or god who hast kindly come here? O\ngentle one, I shall confer upon thee, who hast communicated unto me this\npleasant tidings, hundreds and thousands of kine, hundreds of prosperous\nvillages, sixteen young wives, pious, wearing excellent _Kundalas_,\ngolden-hued, having beautiful noses and breasts, having moon-like\ncountenances, decked with all ornaments and born of respectable\nfamilies\". And hearing from that leading monkey of that wonderful return\nof Rama, the son of the king, delighted became anxious to behold him and\nagain addressed joyously Hanuman with the following words.\n\n[491] A low caste aboriginal Hindu corresponding to our _Chandalas_\n always living in the forest. The Raja of Ramnud in the district of\n Madura in Madras traces his descent from this Guha.\n\n[492] Having spent five nights after the expiry of fourteen years of\n exile he is living at the hermitage of Varadwaja. He shall leave\n that place to-morrow.--T.\n\n[493] The country of Bharata's maternal uncle.--T.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXVIII.\n\n\n\"I hear the tidings of my brother affording me great delight who hath\nbeen living in the huge forest for many a year. The saying of the people\nappeareth to me as instinct with well meaning that a man, if alive, may\nattain to joy even after a century. Do thou relate truly unto me, how\nand in what country the union between Raghava and the monkeys was\nbrought about\". Being thus accosted by the prince and seated on Kuca,\nhe, thereupon, began to describe Rama's life in the forest. \"How Rama\nwas exiled, the two boons conferred upon thy mother, how king Dacaratha\ndied in consequence of (his) son's grief, how by emissaries, O lord,\nthou wert brought up from the house of thy maternal uncle, how thou\ndidst not wish for the kingdom having entered Ayodhya, how thy brother,\nthe repressor of enemies, was solicited by thee for accepting the\nkingdom, reparing to the mount Chitrakuta, who hast ever wended the\ntrack of the pious, the renouncement of kingdom (by him) abiding by the\nwords of the king, thy return after taking the sandals of thy revered\n(brother)--all these, O thou of long-arms, are known to thee. I shall\nrelate unto thee all that happened after thy return. Thyself having\nreturned thence, all the birds and animals were overwhelmed with terror\nand that forest appeared as if distressed. Thereupon he entered the\nsolitary and huge and dreadful forest Dandaka distressed by the\nelephants and abounding in lions, tigers and deer. And they entering the\ndense forest there appeared before them the powerful Biradha[494]\nemitting a dreadful sound. And taking him up roaring aloud like an\nelephant Rama threw him with his arms upwards and face downwards into a\npit. Having accomplished that difficult work the two brothers Rama and\nLakshmana, arrived in the evening at the pleasant hermitage of\n_Sarabhanga_. And _Sarabhanga_ having attained to heaven, Rama, having\ntruth for his prowess, saluting all the ascetics, repaired to\nJanasthana. And by the high-souled Raghava, living there, fourteen\nthousand inhabitants of Janasthana were slain. In the company of one\nperson only and at the commencement of the fight, by Rama, within the\none fourth part of a day, were exterminated all the highly powerful and\nvaliant inhabitants of the forest of Dandaka always putting obstructions\nin the way of the ascetics. All the Rakshasas were grinded (to death) by\nRaghava. Khara was slain in the conflict; Dushana being slain first\nTrishira was slain thereafter by him. Thereafter (a she-demon) named\nSurpanakha, came to the side of Rama. Thereupon being commanded by Rama,\nthe highly powerful Lakshmana rose up all on a sudden and taking a\ndagger chopped off her ears and nose. Being thus insulted by him that\nshe-demon came to Ravana. Thereupon a dreadful Rakshasa named\nMaricha--an attendant of Ravana, assuming the shape of a jewelled deer,\nallured Vaidehi. And beholding it, Vaidehi spake unto Rama, saying,--'Do\nthou catch it; with it when caught our hermitage shall be more\ncharming.' Thereupon Rama, with bow in his hand, pursued that deer and\nwith one shaft destroyed it. O gentle one, Raghava going out on hunting,\nand Lakshmana having issued out of the hermitage, the Ten-necked (demon)\nentered therein. And he speedily got hold of Sita, like unto Rohini\npossessed by the planet in the sky. Thereupon slaying the vulture Yatayu\nin the conflict desirous of rescuing her and getting hold of Sita that\nRakshasa speedily repaired (to his capital). Thereupon some monkeys\nresembling mountains, stationed on the summit of a mountain, stricken\nwith wondrous fear and astonishment, beheld Ravana, the lord of\nRakshasas proceed with Sita. Ascending the car _Puskpaka_, going at\nwill, with Vaidehi and hastening his course that highly powerful Ravana,\nthe lord of Rakshasas entered Lanka. And entering the huge and excellent\ngolden palace Ravana consoled Maithili with (diverse) words. But she\nregarded that foremost of Rakshasas and his words as straw. And Vaidehi\nwas placed in the forest of Asoka. Thereupon returned Rama after having\nslain the deer in the forest. Having returned and seen the vulture,\ndearer than his father, slain, Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha was\npained. And searching Vaidehi and ranging at the banks of Godaveri and\nforest-lands covered with flowers, Rama with Lakshmana, met in that huge\nforest a Rakshasa named Kavandha. Thereupon at the words of Kavandha,\nRama, having truth for his prowess, repairing to the mount Rishyamuka,\nwas united with Sugriva. There had grown mutual love in them before they\nwere known to each other. Sugriva was driven away by his angry brother\nVali. And informed of each other's affairs their friendship grew closer.\nThere-upon slaying the huge-bodied and highly powerful Vali in the\nconflict by virtue of the strength of his own arms Rama obtained (for\nSugriva) his own kingdom. And being placed on the throne with all the\nmonkeys, Sugriva promised unto Rama the enquiry of the Princess (Sita).\nBeing commanded by the high-souled Sugriva, the lord of monkeys, ten\n_kotis_ of monkeys repaired to (various) quarters. Among them some of us\nlost our way in a cavity of the Vindhya mountain, and were striken with\ngreat terror--and accordingly much time was lost. The powerful brother\nof the king of vultures named Sampati communicated unto us the residence\nof Sita in the palace of Ravana. Thereupon removing the grief of my\nrelatives stricken with sorrow and resorting to my own prowess, I jumped\nover a hundred _yojanas_ and beheld her placed in the forest of Asoka,\nwearing a red cloth, pale, deprived of all joy and observing strict\npenances. And then nearing her and beholding her of a perfectly\nblameless person I bestowed upon her an ensign a ring with Rama's name\nengraven on it. And obtaining a jewel as an ensign, I, with my object\naccomplished, returned. And having returned I presented Rama of\nunwearied actions with that ensign of a brilliant gem. And hearing (of\nthe news of Vaidehi) Rama regained his life like one on the verge of\ndeath regaining his being after drinking nectar. And exciting (his\nsoldiers) for making preparations like unto Fire about to destroy all\npeople he made up his mind for the devastation of Lanka. Thereupon\narriving at the banks of the ocean he had a bridge constructed by Nala\nby which the army of monkey-heroes crossed (the deep). Nala destroyed\nPrahasta, Raghava slew Kumbhakarna, Lakshmana killed the son of Ravana\nand Rama himself slew Ravana. He was then met by Sakra, Yama, Varuna,\nSiva, Brahma and Dacaratha. And that graceful descendant of Kakutstha,\nthe slayer of foes, obtained the boon from them as well as from the\nsaints assembled there--(celestial and otherwise). Having obtained the\nboon he, delighted, met the monkeys and in the car _Pushpaka_ reached\nKishkindha. Again reaching the Ganges he is living with the ascetic; it\nbecometh thee to behold him to-morrow under the auspices of of\nPushya,[495] without any hindrance\". Thereupon being delighted with the\nsweet accents of Hanuman, Bharata addressed him, with folded hands, with\nwords affording delight, saying,--\"After a long time my desire hath been\nfulfilled\".\n\n[494] A demon of that name.\n\n[495] The lunar asterism comprising three stars of which one is the\n Cancer.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXIX.\n\n\nHearing those words affording great delight, Bharata, the slayer of\nenemies, having truth for his prowess, delighted, ordered Satrughna,\n(saying),--\"Let all people being purified worship all the deities and\naltars of the city with fragrant garlands and diverse music. Let all the\nbards conversant with the chanting of the pedigree, the flatterers, all\nthose conversant with music, the dancing girls, the queens, the\ncourtiers, the soldiers with their wives, Brahmanas, Kshatryas, and\npeople of all other castes, issue out to behold the moon-like\ncountenance of Rama\". Hearing the words of Bharata, Satrughna, the\nslayer of enemies, divided the work amongst the servants, (saying),--\"Do\nye level the high and low ground from Nandigram to (Ayodhya). Do ye\nperfectly water the ground with cold water. Thereafter sprinkle all the\nplaces with flowers and dried paddy; hoist up flags all over the city;\ndecorate all the houses, before the rising of the moon with garlands,\njewels, flowers of gold and things of five other colours. Let hundreds\nof men watch the thorough-fares\". Hearing the command of Satrughna,\nissued out with delight Dhristi, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddartha,\nArthasadhaka, Asoka, Mantrapala and Sumantra. Thereupon issued out men\non horse back and in cars with thousands of mad elephants well-decked\nwith pennons and she-elephants with golden seats (on their backs). And\nsome heroes proceeded encircled by a thousand excellent steeds and\npersons carrying _Sakti_, _Risthi_, maces and pennons and thousands of\ninfantry. Thereupon proceeded Sumitra and all other wives of Dacaratha\nplacing Kaucalya before them and seated in excellent conveyances. And\nhearing of the return of his brother and attaining to delight, the\nhigh-souled and pious Bharata, reduced with fasting, poorly, wearing\nbark and skin of an antelope and conversant with religion, issued out to\nreceive back Rama in the company of his counsellors and encircled by the\ntwice-born ones, the people of diverse castes, his own relations and\nkinsmen and ministers with garlands and _Modaka_[496] in their hands,\neulogized by the bards, having his arrival announced with the sound of\nconchs and bugles and placing the sandals of his worshipful brother on\nhis head and taking white umbrella adorned with white garlands and white\n_Chowries_ decked with gold and worthy of being used by the kings.\nThereupon with the sound of the horses' hoofs and cars, conchs and\nbugles the earth shook. And the whole city went to Nandigram. And\nbeholding the Wind-god's son, Bharata said,--\"Didst thou not resort to\nthe usual fickleness of the monkeys? We do not behold the worshipful\nRama, the descendant of Kakutstha--the slayer of foes. Nor do we behold\nthe monkeys assuming shapes at will\". Having been addressed with those\nwords, Hanuman replied, communicating unto Bharata, having truth for his\nprowess, the truth,--\"Having reached the trees, covered by the favour of\nVaradwaja, with fruits and flowers and pouring honey, the monkeys are\nemitting noise like maddened black bees. O slayer of foes, this boon was\ngranted him (Rama) by Vasava. (Varadwaya) is treating him with his army\nwith all hospitality. Hear the dreadful noise of the delighted monkeys.\nMethinks the monkey host hath crossed the river Gomati. Behold the huge\nupheaval of dust towards the _Sala_ forest. Methinks the monkeys are\nagitating the graceful _Sala_ forest. Behold there at the distance the\ncar resembling the Sun. This celestial car _Pashpaka_, constructed by\nBrahma's mind, was obtained by the high-souled (Rama) after having slain\nRavana with his friends. This celestial car, resembling the newly risen\nSun, coursing at will and carrying Rama (was gained) by the favour of\nthe Giver of wealth. (There are) the two heroic brothers--the\ndescendants of Raghu with Yaidehi, the highly effulgent Sugriva and the\nRakshasa Bibhishana. Thereupon with the sound of \"there is Rama\" there\narose a joyous noise reaching the abode of the celestials from among\nwomen, children, the young and the old. Thereupon descending upon the\nearth from chariots, elephants and horses all people beheld him (Rama)\nstationed on the car like unto the moon in the sky. And facing Raghava\nand with folded hands Bharata delightedly worshipped him with agreeable\nwords, _Arghya_ and water to wash his feet. There appeared in the car\nconstructed by Brahma's mind the elder brother of Bharata having\nexpansive eyes like the immortal wielder of thunder-bolt. Thereupon\nBharata humbly saluted his brother Rama seated on the top of the car\nlike unto the Sun on the summit (of the mount Meru). And commanded by\nRama that excellent car drawn by ganders got down on the earth with\ngreat velocity. And ascending that car, Bharata, having truth for his\nprowess, reaching Rama, delighted, again bowed unto him. And raising\nBharata up who had been seen after a long time and placing him on his\nlap Kakutstha, delighted, embraced him. There-upon Bharata, the slayer\nof foes, bowed unto Vaidehi and welcomed Lakshmana. And the son of\nKaikeyi (then in turn) embraced Sugriva, Jambavana, Angada, Mainda,\nDwivida, Nila and Rishava. And he then embraced Sushena, Nala, Gabaksha,\nGandhamadana, Sarabha, and Panasa. And assuming human shapes, those\nmonkeys, assuming shapes at will, delightedly enquired after Bharata's\nwell-being. And embracing Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys, the highly\neffulgent prince Bharata, the foremost of the pious, said--\" O Sugriva,\nthou art our fifth brother. From brotherliness groweth friendship and\ndoing injury is the sign of an enemy\". And Bharata then addressed\nBibhishana with soothing words--\"It is by fortune that through your help\nhe hath accomplished such a difficult work\". Thereupon the heroic\nSatrughna saluting Rama and Lakshmana, respectfully bowed unto Sita. And\nhaving approached his mother, pale and pulled down with grief, Rama\nhumbly touched her feet and enhanced her delight. And thereupon saluting\nSumitra, famed Kaikeyi and all his mothers he approached the priests.\nThereupon all the citizens with folded hands welcomed him\nsaying--\"Welcome art thou, O thou of long arms! O thou the enhancer of\nKaucalya's joy!\" And the elder brother of Bharata observed the folded\nhands of the citizens like so many blown lotuses. And himself taking the\nsandals of Rama, Bharata, conversant with piety, placed them at the feet\nof that lord of men. Thereupon Bharata with folded hands spoke unto\nRama, saying--\"This all thy kingdom, which thou didst leave to my care,\nI return thee. Blessed is my birth to-day and accomplished is my desire,\nsince I behold thee again as king in Ayodhya after thy return. Do thou\nexamine thy wealth, treasury, palace and army. By thy favour I have\nincreased all these ten fold\". Hearing Bharata speak in that wise and\nbeholding him devoted to his brother all the monkeys and the Rakshasa\nBibhishana shed tears. Thereupon placing Bharata, in delight, on his\nlap, Raghava, with his army in that car, proceeded towards Bharata's\nabode. And reaching Bharata's palace Raghava with his army descended\nupon the earth. Thereupon Rama said to the excellent car--\"Do thou (now)\ngo to _Vaisravana_--I do permit thee\". Thereupon being thus commanded by\nRama, that excellent car, proceeding towards the north, reached the\nabode of the Giver of wealth. That celestial car _Pushpaka_ had been\ntaken away by the Rakshasa (Ravana); but now at the words of Rama it\nreached (again) the Giver of wealth. And touching the feet of his priest\nthe powerful Raghava sat on a separate and excellent seat like unto\nSakra, the lord of immortals (by the side of) _Vrihashpati_.\n\n[496] A kind of sweet meat.\n\n\n\nSECTION CXXX.\n\n\nThereupon having placed her palms on his head Bharata, the enhancer of\nKaikeyi's joy, spoke unto his elder brother Rama, having truth for his\nprowess, saying,--\"Abiding by my mother's request thou didst confer this\nkingdom upon me; I do return thee the kingdom thou didst give me. Like\nunto a young one unable to carry a heavy burden thrown off by a powerful\nbull I am unable to carry this huge burden (of the kingdom). I do\nconsider this kingdom infested with thieves, difficult to govern, as it\nis difficult to re-construct a bridge broken down by a powerful current\nof water. As an ass cannot follow the course of a horse and a crow\ncannot follow that of a gander, so I am unable, O hero, O slayer of\nfoes, to follow thy footsteps. If a tree planted in the inner appartment\nof a house, growing huge with a big trunk and many branches, is dried up\nas soon it blossoms without bearing fruits, his object for whom it is\nplanted, becomes fruitless. And this simili, O thou of long-arms, shall\nprove good in thee, if dost thou not, our master, govern us, O lord of\nmen, who are thy servants. Let the world, O Raghava, behold thee\ninstalled (to-day) like unto the powerful mid-day Sun burning in\neffulgence. Do thou sleep and rise up with the sound of stringed\ninstruments, womens' girdles and _Nupuras_ and charming songs. Do thou\ngovern the people as long as the solar system exists and as far as the\nearth extends\". Hearing the words of Bharata, Rama the conqueror of\nenemies' cities, saying,--\"So be it\" sat on an excellent seat. Thereupon\nat the command of Satrughna, expert, skilful and quick-handed barbers\ngathered round Raghava. At first, Bharata, the highly powerful\nLakshmana, Sugriva the lord of monkeys, and Bibhishana the lord of\nRakshasas bathed. Thereupon shorn of his matted hairs, bathed, with\npaste excellent garlands and precious clothes on, he appeared there\nshining in grace. The valiant and graceful Satrughna, the upholder of\nthe dignity of Ikshwaku race, himself got ready the dresses for Rama and\nLakshmana. And all the high-minded wives of Dacaratha with their own\nhands decked Sita with various charming (ornaments). Thereupon Kaucalya,\ndelighted and fond of her son, herself with great care, decorated the\nwives of monkeys. Thereupon at the words of Satrughna, the charioteer by\nname Sumantra got ready the perfectly beautiful car. And beholding that\ncelestial car, bright as the fire of the sun, stationed before him,\nRama, having long arms, the conqueror of enemies' cities, ascended it.\nSugriva and Hanuman, graceful like Mahendra, bathed, dressed in\ncelestial clothes and wearing excellent _Kundalas_, proceeded (to view\nthe city). And then went Sita and all the wives of Sugriva decorated\nwith all ornaments and wearing excellent _Kundalas_, anxious to behold\nthe city. All the ministers of king Dacaratha in Ayodhya began to hold\nconsultation respectfully with the priest. Asoka, Vijaya and Siddhartha,\nwith undivided mind, consulted with each other about the welfare of Rama\nas well as that of the city. (Thereupon they ordered the servants)\nsaying,--\"Do ye collect materials necessary for the auspicious\ninstallation of the high-souled (Rama) worthy of being crowned with\nvictory\". The priest and the ministers having ordered thus all speedily\nissued out of the city to behold Rama. Like unto the thousand-eyed Indra\nin his car drawn by horses the blameless Rama, seated in his car,\nproceeded towards the excellent city. Bharata took up the reins,\nSatrughna held the umbrella and Lakshmana began to fan him on the head\nwith _Chowries_. And Bibhishana, the lord of Rakshasas standing on one\nside, took up the white _Chowrie_ shining like the second moon. There\nwas audible the sweet encomium of Rama chanted by the crowd of ascetics\nin the sky, the celestials and the Marutas. Thereupon the highly\neffulgent Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys, got up upon an elephant\nnamed _Satrunyaya_ resembling a mountain. And riding nine thousand\nelephants proceeded the monkeys assuming human shapes and adorned with\nvarious ornaments. And with the music of conches and bugles that\nforemost of men entered the city abounding in houses. (And the citizens)\nbeheld Raghava enter the city with a graceful person and seated in the\ncar. And they having bowed unto that descendant of Kakutstha were\nwelcomed by him. And they followed that high-souled one encircled by his\nbrothers. And surrounded by his courtiers, Brahmanas and subjects Rama\nappeared beautiful like unto the Moon encircled by stars. And he went\nproceeded by men who play on stringed instruments, by people with\n_Karatal_ and Sustika in their hands and by men chanting delightedly\nauspicious songs. Persons with Akshata and gold in their hands, kine,\ngirls, Brahmanas and persons with _Modaka_ in their hands went before\nRama. Thereupon before the ministers Rama began to describe the\nfriendship of Sugriva, the prowess of the Wind-god's son and the works\naccomplished by the monkeys. And hearing of the works of the monkeys and\nthe prowess of the Rakshasas, the inhabitants of the city of Ayodhya\nattained to astonishment. Having related thus (the works of the monkeys)\nthe graceful Rama encircled by the monkeys entered (the city of) Ayodhya\nabounding in delighted and plump persons. Thereupon the citizens hoisted\nup flags upon every house and he reached the picturesque abode of his\nancestors inhabited by the descendants of Ikshwaku. And having reached\nand entered his ancestral palace and bowed unto Kaucalya, Sumitra and\nKaikeyi, the high-souled prince, the enhancer of the joy of the\ndescendants of Raghu, addressed Bharata the foremost of the pious, with\nsweet words instinct with meaning, saying,--\"Do thou set apart for\nSugriva my huge and excellent palace abounding in pearls and\n_Vaidurjas_\". Hearing those words, Bharata, having truth for his\nprowess, taking Sugriva by the hand, conducted him to the palace. And\ncommanded by Satrughna, (servants) speedily entered (that palace) with\noil, lamps, bedsteads and beddings. Thereupon the highly effulgent\nyounger brother of Raghava spoke unto Sugriva, saying,--\"Do thou, O\nlord, order some (to bring water) for Rama's installation\". And Sugriva\nconferred upon four leading monkeys four golden jars crested with\ndiverse jewels and said to them,--\"Do ye so conduct, O monkeys, that ye\nmay return by the dawn with the jars filled with the water of the four\noceans\". Being thus addressed by the high-souled (Sugriva) the monkeys\nresembling the elephants speedily rose up in the welkin like unto\nquick-coursing vultures. Jambavana, Hanuman, the monkey Vegadarshi and\nRishabha brought the jars filled with water from five hundred rivers.\nSushena, gifted with prowess, brought that jar crested with gems, filled\nwith water from the Eastern Ocean. And Rishabha speedily brought water\nfrom the Southern Ocean. And Gabaya brought, from the great Western\nOcean in that golden jar, water perfumed with the fragrance of red\nsandal and camphor. And the virtuous-souled Wind-god's son, gifted with\nall accomplishments and the prowess of Garuda and Wind-god, brought,\nspeedily from the Northern Ocean, water in that jewelled jar. And\nbeholding water thus brought by the leading monkeys for the installation\nof Rama, Satrughna, with his ministers, communicated that unto the\nleading priests and friends. Thereupon the self-controlled Vasishtha,\nstriken in years, along with other Brahmanas placed Rama with Sita on a\njewelled seat. Vasishtha, Vijaya, Javali, Katyayana, Goutama and\nBamadeva, sprinkled that foremost of men, with clear and fragrant water\nas Vasus did the thousand eyed Vasava. (He was then sprinkled by) the\n_Rittigas_, Brahmanas, maidens ministers, soldiers and the merchants all\ndelighted. (There-upon) with the juice of _Oshadhis_[497] (he was\nsprinkled by) the celestials stationed in the sky, the deities presiding\nover the four quarters and all other celestials collected. And having\nplaced him on a seat crested with various jewels in the arena decorated\nwith gold, various jewels and rich parapharnalia, (he placed on his\nhead) the jewelled crown made by Brahma, brilliant and with which in the\ndays of yore Manu and other kings, born in his race, were installed. And\nbeing decked by the high-souled Vasishtha with that crown, Raghava was\nafterwards dressed with the celestial garments by the _Rittigas_.[498]\nAnd Satrughna held the white and excellent umbrella and Sugriva the lord\nof monkeys took the white _Chowrie_. And Bibhishana the lord of\nRakshasas took up another _Chowrie_ resembling the moon. And the wind\ncommanded by Vasava conferred upon Raghava, a garland of a hundred\ngolden lotuses, shining in their native lustre. And the wind commanded\nby Sakra conferred upon that lord of men a jewelled garland crested with\ndiverse gems. The intelligent and worthy Rama being installed the\ncelestials and the Gandharvas sang and the Apsaras danced. The earth was\nfilled with crops, the trees with fruits and the flowers were fragrant\non the occassion of Raghava's installation. And that foremost of men\nconferred upon the twice-born ones one million of horses, a hundred\nthousand cows and a hundred thousand bulls. And Raghava again conferred\nupon the Brahmanas thirty _crores_ of golden coins and diverse costly\nornaments and clothes. Thereupon that lord of men conferred upon Sugriva\na celestial garland brilliant like the rays of the Sun and crested with\ngold and jewels. And he, gifted with intelligence, conferred upon\nAngada, Vali's son, two _Angadas_[499] brilliant as the rays of the moon\nand made of _Baidurja_. And Rama conferred upon Sita an excellent pearl\nnecklace crested with precious jems, celestial clothes and various\nexcellent ornaments. And taking off the necklace from her person\nVaidehi, the daughter of king Janaka, conferred it upon the Wind-god's\nson remembering the services (rendered by him) and cast her looks again\nand again upon her lord and the monkeys. And beholding that (Rama)\ncapable of reading the gestures, spoke unto the daughter of king Janaka,\nsaying--\"O fortunate and beautiful lady, do thou confer this necklace\nupon him with whom thou art pleased\". Thereupon the lotus-eyed (Sita)\nconferred that upon the Wind god's son. And Hanuman, the foremost of\nmonkeys, in whom perpetually exist, energy, forgiveness, fame,\nskillfullness, prowess, humility, tactics, manliness, valiance and\nintellect, appeared with that necklace like a mountain beautified with\nthe rays of the moon and white clouds. And all other elderly and leading\nmonkeys were respectively honoured with clothes and ornaments. And being\nhonoured by Rama of unwearied actions with enough of jewels and other\nwished-for objects, Bibhishana, Sugriva, Hanuman, Jambavan and other\nleading monkeys, delighted, returned to their respective habitations.\nThereupon, the lord of earth and the slayer of foes conferred, all\nwished-for things, upon Dwivida, Mainda and Nila. And beholding (the\ninstallation of Rama) the high-souled monkeys, taking leave of the lord\nof earth, went to Kishkindha. And beholding the inauguration of Rama,\nSugriva, the foremost of monkeys, honored by Rama, repaired to the city\nof Kishkindha. And having obtained his own kingdom, the greatly famous\nand virtuous-souled Bibhishana, with all the Rakshasas, repaired to the\ncity of Lanka. Having slain his foes, the highly generous and glorious\nRama, ruled in great delight, the kingdom extending all over the earth.\nAnd Rama, fond of the pious, spoke unto Lakshmana, conversant with\npiety; saying--\"O thou conversant with piety, do thou with me and\nfour-fold forces, govern this kingdom, ruled by our predecessors. Like\nunto our ancestors do thou now carry the burden of an associate in the\nthrone\". When the son of Sumitra did not accept the heir apparentship\nalbeit solicited earnestly again and again, the high-souled (Rama)\nconferred upon Bharata that dignity. And that son of king performed\nvarious sacrifices such as _Paundarika_,[500] _Aswamedha_,[501]\n_Bajimedha_ and others. And governing the kingdon for ten thousand years\nRaghava performed ten horse-sacrifices with excellent horses and profuse\npresents. And that highly powerful Rama, having his arms extended up to\nthe knee-joint, having a spacious breast and Lakshmana as his attendant,\nruled the earth (in this wise). And obtaining that excellent kingdom,\nthe virtuous-souled Raghava performed many sacrifices with his sons,\nbrothers and friends. And Rama governing the kingdom, the widows were\nnot distressed and there was no fear from voracious animals or from\ndiseases. The people were saved from the thieves and there was no other\ntrouble. And the old were not constrained to perform the funeral\nceremonies of the children. All were delighted and devoted to pious\nobservances. And beholding Rama they did not envy one another. And Rama\ngoverning the kingdom, (people) lived for a thousand years and had a\nthousand children,--they were freed from diseases and sorrow. And the\ntrees bore fruits and flowers perpetually--there were showers at will\nand the wind blew pleasant. And the people delighted engaged in their\nrespective works and the subjects grew pious and truthful, under Rama's\nregime, and were devoted to the observance of all pious works and gifted\nwith all auspicious marks. And Rama ruled the kingdom for ten thousand\nyears. And this sacred Epic, the first of its kind, affording piety,\nfame, and long life, and describing the conquest of the kings, was\ncomposed by Valmiki in the days of yore. He, who on this earth, shall\nhear (this story) shall be divested of sins. People, wishing for\nchildren, shall obtain the same and those, wishing for riches, shall get\nby them. Thus people on this earth shall attain to their wished-for\nobjects hearing of this Rama's installation--the king may conquer the\nearth and subdue his foes. Females may obtain sons (in the same way) as\nKaucalya gave birth to Rama, Sumitra to Lakshmana and Kaikeyi to\nBharata. Hearing the story of this work describing the victory of Rama\nof unwearied actions one may attain to a long life. He, who with\ndevotion and having his anger subdued, shall hear the story of this epic\nwritten by Valmiki in the days of yore shall get over all troubles. And\nhearing the story of the Epic composed by Valmiki in the days of yore,\none living in foreign countries, shall return home and enjoy in the\ncompany of his friends. Hearing this people shall secure all their\nwished-for objects from Raghava and the celestials shall be greatly\ndelighted. When this book is kept in a house it becomes free from the\ndisturbance of evil spirits. Hearing this a king may conquer the earth,\nand one living in a foreign country fareth well. If a female, during her\nmonthly course, hears the story, she shall give birth to an excellent\nson. By reading and worshipping this ancient history people are freed\nfrom all sins and attain to a long life. The Kshatryas, bending low\ntheir heads, should hear this daily from the Brahmanas. Hearing or\nreading the whole of Ramayana, forsooth shall people get sons and\nriches. Rama is ever pleased with him. He is the ever-existing\nVishnu--the first God, the huge-armed Hari, Narayana and Lord. This\nancient work produceth such fruits. May good betide ye. Do ye openly\ndeclare that Vishnu's prowess may increase. The celestials shall be\ngreatly delighted for reading or hearing this story of Rama and the\nprogenitors shall be always pleased. Those, who shall write this story\nof Rama first recorded by the Rishi (Valmiki) shall reach the region of\nBrahma. Hearing this people attain to, on this earth, multiplied\nrelations, increased wealth and crops, beautiful wives, excellent\nhappiness, and the accomplishment of all desires. They attain to long\nlife, health, fame, intellect, prowess, and good brothers. Therefore it\nbehoveth those good men, who wish for prosperity, to hear this story\nperpetually.\n\n[497] A domestic chaplain--a family priest.\n\n[498] An annual plant or herb--one that dies after becoming ripe.\n\n[499] A kind of ornament worn on upper arms.\n\n[500] A kind of sacrifice.\n\n[501] A kind of sacrifice in which a horse is slain.\n\nTHE END OF YUDDHAKANDAM.","title":"The R\u0101m\u0101yana, Volume 3. Yuddhak\u0101ndam","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":136143}