Part 2

Then Viradha again spoke filling the forest, "Do ye tell me who ask you,--who are ye and whither are ye going?" Thereupon, the highly energetic Rama answered the Rakshasa with a flaming face, when he had thus asked (Rama)-- that he belonged to the Ikshwaku race. "Know us that are in ihe forest, for Kshatriyas of respectable character. I also am anxious of knowing who thou art, that goest about the Dandakas." Viradha answered Rama having truth for his prowess, "Ah! I will tell thee, O king. Do thou, O Raghava understand! I am son unto Java, and my mother is Satarhada. All the Rakshasas of the earth have called me Viradha. Having gratified Brahma by my asceticism, I received (this boon) that none in the world would be able lo slay me by mangling my body with weapons. Forsaking this fair one, do ye renouncing all hope (of either recovering her or vanquishing me), speedily flee away to that place whence ye had come;--else I shall deprive you of your lives." Thereat, Rama with his eyes reddened through wrath replied unto that Rakshasa of a deformed shape, the wicked Viradha--saying, "Little! shame on thee of base purposes! Thou surely seekest thy own death; and (death) thou shall get in battle. Stay! Thou escapest me not with life." Then stringing his bow, Rama, speedily aiming at the Rakshasa, pierced him with sharpened shafts; and (then) from his bow-string let go seven shafts, having their feathered parts plaited with gold, furnished with great velocity, and coursing like Suparna or the wind. Thereat, resembling flames, those arrows furnished with peacocks' feathers, pierced Viradha's body, and fell to the earth, covered with blood. On being thus pierced, the Rakshasa set Vaidehi down, and, upraising a dart, rushed in wrath towards Rama and Lakshmana. And sending forth a mighty roar, he took up a dart resembling the banner of Sakra; and he then appeared like the Destroyer[3] with opening mouth. Then the brothers showered a blazing volley of shafts on the Rakshasa, resembling the Destroyer himself. And stationing himself at a spot, the Rakshasa, laughing terribly, yawned, and as he yawned the flest-coursing shafts fell off from his person. And by virtue of the bestowal of the boon (by Brahma), the Rakshasa Viradha drew up his vital energies, and, lifting up a pike, darted at the descendants of Raghu. That best of those bearing arms cut off with two arrows that dart resembling the thunder-bolt and flaming in the sky. And the dart severed by the shafts of Rama, fell to the earth, as falls a crag severed by the thunderbolt. Thereat, swiftly raising up a sword, resembling a black snake, each (of the Raghavas) approached his antagonist, and began to assail him hastily. Thus hard beset, that terrible one, seizing them both with his arms, attempted to make away with those foremost of men, who, however, retained their calmness. Reading his purpose, Rama spake unto Lakshmana, "Let the Rakshasa bear us by this way. Not use of letting him. Sumatra's son, let the Rakshasa bear us wherever he likes. Even this, by which the ranger of the night is proceeding, is our way." And lifting up (Rama and Lakshmana) by his might and prowess, as if they were striplings, that haughty ranger of the night laid them on his shoulders. And having deposited the Raghavas on his ihoulders, Viradha--ranger[4] of night--sending up dreadful shouts, directed his course towards the forest. And he at length entered the forest resembling a mighty mass of clouds, furnished with various kinds of trees, picturesque with diverse species of birds, and abounding in jackals, serpents and beasts.

[3] The North-West Province text has an additional _Sloka_:--Having said this the graceful Lakshmana spoke unto Viradha as if jestingly, "Who art thou that going to the forest, art ranging it so pleasantly?"--T.

[4] The text has _Kalantakoyamopame_--_abl._--resembling _Kala_, _Antaka_, or _Yama_. The commentator cites a _sloka_, which assigns three several functions to the three,--_Kala_ executes his office on the occasion of the separation of life from the body; _Antaka_ compasses the end; and _Yama_ finally sits in judgment upon the departed soul. But this strikes me as misplaced erudition. I, however, give the commonsense rendering.--T.

[5] Another reading is:--_That ranger of the night laid on his shoulders, those ones, who were puffed up with their exceeding prowess._--T.

SECTION IV.

Seeing those foremost of Raghus, the Kakutsthas, carried away, Sita cried in a loud voice, raising up her arms,[5] "Rama, the son of Dacaratha, the strong, the truthful and the pure, is, along with Lakshmana, being carried away by you, Rakshasa of a terrible appearance. Me bears will devour and tigers and panthers. Renouncing the Kakutsthas, do thou carry me away. I bow unto thee, O best of Rakshasas." Hearing these words of Vaidehi, Rama and Lakshmana bestirred themselves for compassing the death of that wicked one. And Sumitra's son broke his left arm; while Rama at once broke the Rakshasa's right one. On his arms being broken, the Rakshasa resembling a mass of clouds, growing weak, sank down on the ground in a swoon, like a hill riven by the thunderbolt. Thereupon, they assailed the Rakshasa with their fists, arms and feet; and lifting him up once and again, and pressing him, they trod on him over the ground. Although he was sore pierced by full many an arrow and cut sorryly by scimitars, and pressed down on the earth in various ways, yet the Rakshasa expired not. Seeing him utterly incapable of being killed, and resembling a hill, that inspirer of hope in times of peril, the graceful (Rama), said, "O foremost of men, in consequence of his austerities, yon Rakshasa cannot be vanquished with weapons in conflict. Therefore, let us cast him into a pit. O Lakshmana, dig a capacious pit in this forest[6] for this Rakshasa resembling an elephant, terible, and of a grim presence." Having said this unto Lakshmana,--"Do thou dig a pit," the powerful Rama remained planting his foot on Viradha's throat. Having heard Raghava's words, the Rakshasa spake gently, "Slain am I, O chief of men, by thee possessed of strength equal to that of Sakra. Through ignorance, O foremost of men, I could not before know thee. Now I know thee that art Rama, the worthy Son of Kaucalya, my child; as well as the highly virtuous Vaidehi and the renowned Lakshmana. By virtue of a curse, I entered this dreadful Rakshasi form, I a Gandharba, having been cursed by Vaicravana. Being propitiated by me, that greatly famous one said,--'When Rama the son of Dacaratha, shall slay thee in encounter, thou, attaining thy natural condition, shalt repair to the celestial regions.' Getting wroth, he cursed me, who had been absent; and thus did king Vaicravana address me, who had conceived love for Rambha. Through thy grace have I been freed from this fearful curse, I shall (now) repair to heaven. Hail, O repressor of foes! Half a Yoyana hence, my child, dwells the righteous and potent Maharshi, Sarabhanga, resembling the Sun. Seek him speedily: he will bring about thy good. Casting me (into this pit) in the wood, do thou, O Rama, peacefully go thy way. Even this is the eternal usage of the Rakshasas. hose that die in the forest, attain eternal regions." Having said this unto Kakutstha, the mighty Viradha, afflicted with arrows, having his body deposited (in the pit), attained heaven. Having heard that speech of Viradha, Righava ordered Lakshmana, saying, "O Lakshmana, do thou in this forest dig a capacious pit for this Rakshasa resembling an elephant, dreadful, and of terrible acts." Having said unto Lakshmana, "Dig a pit,"--Rama possessed of prowess remained fixing his foot on Viradha' s throat. Then taking a hoe, Lakshmana dug a spacious pit by the side of the huge-bodied[7] Viradha. Then when his throat had been freed, (Lakshmana) cast into the pit Viradha having ears resembling javelins, sending loud and dreadful sounds. Having vanquished him in fight, Rama and Lakshmana possessed of activity and steady in fight, being exceedingly delighted, raising up the dreadful Rakshasa by main force, cast him howling (into the pit). Reflecting that he was incapable of being slain (by sharpened weapons), those foremost of men, exceedingly well versed (in arms), compassed the death of that mighty Asura, Viradha, in the pit, after they had dug it. Viradha had himself sincerely wished for his death at the hands of Rama; and that ranger of the woods had accordingly told (Rama),--"My death cannot be effected by means of weapons." Having heard these words, Rama decided upon casting him into a pit. And when the excessively strong Rakshasa entered the cavity, he made the forest resound with his cries. Having thrown him into the hole, Rama and Lakshmana, their fears removed, appeared with joyful looks, and rejoiced in that forest like the sun and the moon seated in the heavens.[8]

[6] Another reading is _Subhuyabhuyan--That one of elegant arms (raising) them up._--T.

[7] The reading slightly varies in some texts.--T.

[8] Another reading of this line is:--_And buried him under stones._ The North-West Provinces text has four additional lines:--_Having, slain the Rakshasa and taken Mithtla's daughter, those ones having bows decked in gold, being delighted, rejoiced in that mighty forest, like the sun and the moon seated in the sky._--T.

SECTION V.

Having in the forest slain the Rakshasa Viradha possessed of tremendous strength, Rama endeued with prowess, embracing and cheering Sita, spoke unto his brother Lakshmana of flaming energy, saying, "This dense forest is hard to live in; nor are we acquainted with the ways of the wood. Therefore will we speedily repair to the ascetic Sarabhanga." Thereupon Raghava set out for the hermitage of Sarabhanga. And Rama beheld a mighty wonder near that one of celestial virtue, who had purified his soul through asceticism. He saw the lord of the celestials, possessed of a resplendent person, resembling in effulgence the sun or Vaicwanara--mounted on a superb car--(saw) him that is followed by all the celestials, stationed in the sky, not touching the earth, adorned in luminous ornaments--the god dressed in a clean apparel; worshipped by many a high-souled personage dressed in the same way. And from a distance, (Rama) saw the car stationed in the sky yoked with green steeds--resembling the infant sun; and he saw the spotless umbrella possessing the beauty of a mass of white clouds, resembling the lunar disc,--and graced with variegated wreaths. And his (Indra's) head was being fanned by two chowris, costly and furnished with golden handles, held by two magnificent damsels; and innumerable Gandharbas and Siddhas and prime sages were hymning the celestial stationed in the welkin. And seeing Sarabhanga engaged in converse with Satakratu, Rama said unto Lakshmana (the following words). And pointing out the car, Rama showed the wonder unto his brother. "Behold, O Lakshmana, yonder car stationed in the sky, splendid, furnished with exceeding grace, wonderful, and seeming as if the sun had fallen from the heavens. The steeds standing in the sky are for certain those of which we had formerly heard as belonging unto Sakra of many sacrifices. And, thou foremost of men, these youths environing (the celestial) by hundreds, wearing earrings, and bearing swords in their hands, are broad of chest, have arms resembling bludgeons in size,and are clad in crimson vesture, like unto tigers incapable of being approached. Over the breasts of all appear chains of blazing sheen; and, O son of Sumitra, their beauty appears that of five and twenty. And even this is the ever-enduring age of the celestials, as these foremost of men of sweet looks appear. O Lakshmana, stay here awhile with Vaidehi, so long as I do not gather who it is that is in the effulgent car." Saying unto Sumitras son, "Stay here," Kakutstha bent his steps towards Sarabhanga's aslylum. And seeing Rama approach, Sachi's lord, taking Sarabhanga's permission, addressed the celestials, saying, "Rama is coming hither. Do ye set out for another place, ere he yet addresses me. He is not fit to behold me (now.) When he shall have vanquished (his foe in fight), and won success, shall I readily show myself unto him. He shall have to achieve an act incapable of being achieved by others." Then rendering homage unto that anchoret and conversing with him, the weilder of the thunderbolt--subduer of enemies--repaired to heaven in a car yoked with steeds. When the thousand-eyed one had gone away, Raghava accompanied by his companions appeared before Sarabhanga in the _Agni-hotra_ chamber. Taking his feet, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana sat down with the permission of the ascetic, who received them and set apart quarters for them. Then Raghava questioned (the sage) concerning the visit of Sakra; and Sarabhanga related everything unto Raghava. "O Rama, this bestower of boons wishes to take me to the regions of Brahma. I have conquered them, incapable of being attained by persons that have not schooled themselves,--by virtue of fierce austerities. O chief of men, knowing that thou wert near, I became anxious to go to the minor celestial regions and this supreme heaven (of Brahma), after I had seen thee, righteous and high-souled, who art my dear guest now. O foremost of men, I have for aye attained the excellent regions of Brahma. and Nakaprishtha. Do thou receive them as pertaining to me." Thus addressed by the sage, Sarabhanga, that best of men, Raghava, versed in every branch of learning, said, "O mighty anchoret, I shall acquire all those regions myself. I now wish that thou mayst direct me as to my abode in this forest." Thus accosted by Raghava resembling Sakra in strength, the eminently wise Sarabhanga again said, "O Rama, here in this forest lives a pious and self-restrained ascetic of mighty energy, named Sutikshna. He will bring about thy good. O Rama, follow this Mandakini flowing among flowers, which (here) runs in an opposite direction to her usual course; and then wilt thou reach there. This is thy course, thou best of men. Do thou now, my child, for a space look at me; while I leave off my limbs, even as a serpent renounces its slough." Then preparing a fire and with Mantras offering oblations into it, the exceedingly energetic Sarabhanga entered into the fire. The fire consumed the down, hair, old skin, bones, flesh and blood of that high-souled one. (Anon) Sarabhanga became a youth resembling fire; and rising from the flame, he appeared splendid. And proceeding past the regions of high-souled sages sacrificing with fire, as well as of the celestials, he ascended those of Brahma. And that one of pious acts done on earth--that best of the twice-born race--saw the grand-father, in company with his followers. And the grand-father also, beholding that Brahmana, rejoiced greatly, and said,-- "Hail!"

SECTI0N VI.

After Sarabhanga had ascended heaven, ascetics in bodies, assembled together, presented themselves before Kakutstha; Rama of flaming energy. And Vaikhanasas, and ValakhilyaS, and Sanprakhalas, Marichipas, Acmwakuttas in numbers, and those ascetics, Patraharas, and Dantolukhalas, Unmajjakas next, and Gatracayyas, and Acayyas and Anavakacikas, those ascetics, Salilaharas, Vayubhaksbas after them, Akacanilayas, Sthandilacayis, Urddhavasis of controlled senses, and Ardrapattavasas given to _Japa_, practising penances, and engaged in performing the five kinds of austerities--all furnished with the grace that comes of spiritual energy, and all firmly concentrated in Yoga--these ascetics presented themselves before Rama in the asyhim of Sarabhanga. And coming before Rama, the foremost of those practising righteousness, those sages conversant with morality,--met in a body, said unto that pre-eminently virtuous one, "A mighty car-warrior, thou art the foremost person of the Ikshwaku race and the world; as well as their lord,--even as Maghavan is the lord of the celestials. Famous over the three worlds in high worth and prowess, in thee are found truth and virtue in profusion and obedience unto the mandate of thy sire. O lord, it behoves thee cognizant of virtue and attached unto it, to forgive us for what we as suiters say unto thee. The sin, O lord, of that monarch is mighty that taketh a sixth part of the subjects' incomes, but doth not protect them as sons. But he that, setting his heart on protecting the people, doth ever carefully protect all the inhabitants of his dominions, like his own life or like his son dearer unto him than life itself, reapeth, O Rama, enduring renown extending over many years, and (at length) attaining the regions of Brahma, is glorified there. The king that protects his subjects righteously, is entitled to a fourth part of the great religious merit that is reaped by an ascetic subsisting on fruits and roots. O Rama, this many Brahmanas--this great body of men that have assumed the Vanaprastha mode of life, although having thee for their lord, are being sorely troubled by Rakshasas, as if they had none. Come and behold the bodies of innumerable ascetics of pure hearts that have in various ways been slaughtered by Rakshasas in the forest. And great is the worry that is experienced by the dwellers on the river Pampi and the Mandakini as well as those that reside in Chitrakuta. We cannot bear the terrible affliction of the ascetics in the forest at the hands of Rakshasas of dreadful deeds. Therefore, for obtaining refuge, have we come before thee who art the refuge (of all). Do thou, O Rama, deliver us all, who are being exceedingly afflicted by the rangers of the night. O hero, we have no greater refuge on earth than thyself. Do thou, O king's son, rescue us all from Rakshasas." Hearing these words of the sages and ascetics, that righteous-souled one addressed them, saying, "It doth not behove you to speak thus. I should be commanded by the anchorets. I have entered the forest solely with a view to my own purpose. I have entered this forest in obedience to the mandate of my father, with the object (at the same time) of putting an end to these ravages of the Rakshasas on you. I have at my own will come hither for securing your interest. Then shall my stay in the woods be crowned with mighty fruit. I wish to slay in battle the enemies of the ascetics. Let the sages and ascetics behold my prowess as well as that of my brother." Having been conferred a boon by the ascetics, that hero entered upon a noble undertaking, and accompanied by the ascetics, in company with Lakshmana directed his course to (the hermitage of) Sutikshna.

SECTION VII.

Rama accompanied by his brother as well as Sita went to the asylum of Sutikshna in company with the twice-born ones. And having proceeded far, and crossed many a stream of copious waters, Rama saw a holy peak towering high like the mighty Meru. Then those worthy scions of the Ikshwaku race--descendants of Raghu--with Sita entered the forest ever furnished with various kinds of trees. And having entered the dense forest abounding in blossoms and fruits and trees, Rama saw in a recess an asylum glittering with bark and garlands. There Rama duly addressed an ascetic seated in the lotus-attitude[9] for warding off evil, even Sutikshna, "O thou conversant with righteousness, speak to me, O Maharshi, O thou that hast truth for thy prowess." Thereupon, eying Rama keenly, that calm (ascetic)--the foremost of those practising righteousness, embracing him with his arms, said, "Welcome, thou foremost of the Raghus, O Rama, thou the best of those practising righteousness. This asylum now hath been furnished with its master in consequence of thy visit. O illustrious one, O hero, expecting thee, I have not yet ascended heaven, renouncing on earth this body of mine. I had (already) heard that, coming to Chitrakuta, (thou hadst been staying there), having been deprived of the kingdom. Here came, O Kakutstha, the Sovereign of the celestials of an hundred sacrifices. Coming to me, that mighty deity, the Sovereign of the celestials, said that I had acquired all the worlds by my pious acts. Do thou, by my grace, in company with thy wife and Lakshmana, dwell delightfully in those regions won by my asceticism, containing Devarshis." Thereupon the self-possessed Rama answered that blazing and truth-telling Brahmana of fiery austerities, like Vasava answering Brahma, saying, "O mighty ascetic, I myself will win those regions. I wish to be directed to a dwelling in this forest. Thou art possessed of ability in respect of everything, and art (at the same time) engaged in the welfare of all beings,--this hath been told unto me by the high-souled Sarabhanga of the Gautama race." Thus addressed by Rama, that Maharshi known over all the worlds, spoke sweet words ia great joy, "O meritorious Rama, even this is the asylum (for thee). Do thou live here pleasantly. It is inhabited by numbers of saints and is always provided with fruits and roots. This forest is haunted by herds of deer that range here without doing harm to any one, although they possess great energy; and go away, having bewitched people (by their beauty). Save what comes from these deer, there is no other evil to be encountered here." Hearing those words of the Maharshi, the placid elder brother of Lakshmana, taking up his bow with the arrow set, said "O exalted one, if by means of sharpened shafts blazing like lightning, I slay those herds of deer when they come, it shall impart pain unto thee,--and what can be more unfortunate than this? Therefore I shall not be able to dwell long in this asylum." Having said this, Rama ceased and became engaged in his evening adorations, and, having finished them, along with Sita and Lakshmana fixed his quarters in the asylum of Sutikshna. Then, when the evening had passed away and night fell, Sutikshna, having done homage unto those chiefs of men, offered them excellent fare, suitable to ascetics.

[9] The _yoga_ system has many positions for concentrating thought.--T.

SECTION VIII.