Part 48

On prince Aksha having been slain by Hanuman, the magnanimous monarch of the Rakshasas, wrought up by wrath, repressing his feelings, ordered Indrajit resembling a celestial, (to take the field against the foe.) "Thou art the foremost of those bearing arms; and thou hast afflicted even the gods and Asuras (in battle); thy deeds have been witnessed by the celestials with Indra; and thou hast procured a weapon[387] even from the Great-father. And coping (in conflict) with thy might of arms, all the celestials with the Maruts, headed by the lord of celestials himself, could not stay in the field. And there is none in these three worlds (save thyself), who doth not come under the influence of fatigue in battle. And thou art preserved by the prowess of thy arms, and protected also by thy ascetic merit; and being skilled in the knowledge of season and place, thou, methinks, art the foremost of them all in intelligence. And there is no deed which thou canst not perform in the field; and there is nothing in counsel capable of being arrived at by arguing on the lines prescribed by the scriptures, which thou art not equal to; and there is none in all the three worlds who doth not know thy strength and prowess in arms. And thy ascetic energy is like unto mine, as well as thy prowess and might in arms in battle. And having thee in the conflict, my mind assured (of victory), doth not experience sorrow. Slain have been all the servants, as also Jamvumali, and those five generals, the heroic sons of my councilors, and the swelling forces including steeds, elephants and cars. And low lieth Mahodara, and prince Aksha hath also been slain. O destroyer of foes, my mind did not feel the same confidence in them that I do in thee.[388] And seeing this mighty host slain, as well as the prowess and energy of the monkey, and the taking into consideration thine own strength, do thou put forth thy energy according to thy strength, And on nearing the scene (of conflict), do thou, O foremost of those bearing arms, seeing thine own strength and that of the foe, so exert thyself that the latter, (now) resting quietly in consequence of having created a carnage (on the hostile hosts), may wax enfeebled.[389] O hero, army can serve no purpose here; for hosts fly (before) Hanuman or are reduced to nothing. Neither can it avail to use arms of terrific power and resembling the thunderbolt. Nothing can resist the rush of the Wind-god's offspring; and this one like unto fire is incapable of being slain with weapons. Revolving well (in thy mind what I have remarked), do thou in order to the attainment of success, with an intent mind remember the divine virtue of this bow, and repairing (to battle) strive to vanquish the foe, baffling his attacks.[390] O foremost of intelligent ones, (that I send thee to battle) is certainly not proper; yet this course of action is endorsed by Kshatriyas and those following the morality of kings. O subduer of enemies, one should be versed in various branches of learning as well as be masterful in war.[391] He that craves victory in fight, should be acquainted with various branches of knowledge.[392]

Hearing the words of his father, (Indrajit) gifted with celestial prowess, determined to fight, instantly circumambulated him. Excited with a desire for fight and worked up with energy, Indrajit, eulogized by the friendly Rakshasas, set out for battle. And that highly effulgent and graceful son of the lord of the Rakshasas, having expansive eyes resembling lotus-petals,--issued out like unto the rising of the ocean during a _parva_.[393] Thereupon Indrajit of unbearable prowess, equal to the lord of the celestials, ascended a car drawn by four horses, having sharpened teeth and resembling Garuda in velocity. And that master of a car and foremost of bowmen, conversant with the use of all weapons --the best of those using swords--proceeded soon in his car where Hanuman was. And hearing the sound of his car and the twang of his bow, that heroic monkey attained an excess of delight. And taking up a bow and sharpened darts, Indrajit, versed in the rules of war, proceeded towards Hanuman. And as he issued out for battle, greatly delighted, with arrows in his hands, all the quarters became dark, and jackals began to set up terrible cries. And there arrived the _Nagas_, the _Yakshas_, the _Maharshis_, the planets, and the Siddhas, and the birds, covering the welkin, and, greatly delighted, began to make a noise. And beholding that car having a flag like that of Indra, approach very quickly, the monkey began to emit terrible roars and increase himself. And Indrajit too, seated on the celestial car and having a painted bow, began to stretch it, emitting a sound resembling that of thunder. Thereupon closed in conflict those two greatly powerful (heroes)--gifted with swift movements and fearless in battle--the monkey, and the son of the lord of Rakshasas, like unto the lords of celestials and Asuras. And baffling the shafts of that hero of a mighty car, an accomplished bowman and a finished warrior, the immeasurably powerful monkey increasing himself began to range in the welkin.[394] Thereupon the heroic (Indrajit)--slayer of foes--began to discharge incessantly shafts, large, sharp, well-feathered, painted in gold and swift-coursing like unto thunder. And hearing again the noise of his car, the sounds of drums, bugles, and war-drums, and the twangs of the bow, he again leaped up (in the sky). And baffling the aim of (Indrajit), who had always an eye on it, that great monkey ranged at a distance from those shafts. And again facing the arrows and stretching his hands, the Wind-god's son again leaped up. And those two heroes,gifted with swift movements and versed in the art of war, engaged in a combat, admired of all beings. And Hanuman could not find out the short-comings of the Rakshasa, nor could that high-souled one detect the weak points of the son of the Wind-god. And these two gifted with celestial prowess, engaged in conflict, became unbearable unto each other. And seeing him unhurt though aimed at with infallible arrows, the high-souled (Indrajit), controlling his senses, engaged in deep and devout meditation[395] (to realize the true identity of Hanuman). Thereupon, that son of the lord of Rakshasas pinned his thoughts upon that foremost of monkeys, and, finding him incapable of being slain, he began to devise plans how he could be bound. And that hero, foremost of those versed in the use of weapons, discharged at that best of monkeys the highly powerful weapon conferred on him by Brahma, the Great-father of the celestials. And knowing him incapable of being slain, Indrajit conversant with the use of weapons, bound that large-armed son of the Wind-god with that weapon. And being bound up by that Rakshasa with the weapon, the monkey became motionless and fell down on the earth. And thinking that he was bound up with a Brahma weapon, he did not feel the least pain in consequence of Brahma's blessing. And that heroic monkey began to think of the boons conferred on him by the Great-father of the celestials. And thinking that the weapon was conferred by the Self-create and consecrated by sacred Mantras, Hanuman began to think of boons conferred by the Great-father. "In consequence of the power of the Lord of creation I am incapable of extricating myself from these bonds." (Knowing this by means of devout meditation,he reflected again,)--"This has been ordained by Him, and I must put up with this pain for sometime." Revolving well the power of the weapon, the boon of the Great-father, and his own prowess to extricate himself from the bonds, the monkey followed the Great-father's behest,--"I do not fear though bound by this weapon, since I am being protected by Brahma, Indra and the Wind-god. It will be better if I am carried off by the Rakshasas, for I shall reap very great benefit by my conversation with the lord of Rakshasas. Therefore let the enemies carry me." Having resolved this, the considerate (monkey)--slayer of foes--remained motionless. And being ruthlessly bound by the foes and remonstrated with by them, he began to moan piteously. And beholding that slayer of foes motionless, the Rakshasas bound him up with cotton and bark. And he gladly allowed himself to be tied up and rebuked by his enemies, thinking that he might converse with the lord of the Rakshasas, if he, out of curiosity, should like to see him. Being bound with bark, that powerful (monkey) got himself freed from the binding of the weapon, for the binding force of a Brahma weapon becomes null when there is any other binding. And beholding that best of monkeys tied up with bark and liberated from the binding of the weapon, Indrajit reflected that the binding force of the Brahma weapon became powerless when there was any other binding. "Alas, (those Rakshas) have rendered my mighty deed fruitless. They know not the action of Mantras.[396] And on the Brahma weapon being baffled, any other weapon cannot effect anything; and thus we have all been placed in a critical predicament." On being released from the weapon, Hanuman did not betray any signs of his liberation, albeit he was pulled by the Rakshasas and pained by the bonds they had bound him with. And the monkey, Hanuman, was pulled by those cruel Rakshasas having fatal boxes, in the direction of the lord of Rakshasas. And seeing (Hanuman) freed from the (Brahma) weapon yet bound by the bark of trees, he (Indrajit) showed the exceedingly powerful and highly heroic monkey unto the king along with his adherents. And the Rakshasas related unto the ruler of Rakshas everything touching that foremost of choice monkeys, resembling a mad elephant who was in bonds. "Who is he? And whose son? And wherefrom? And what's his errand? And by whom is he backed?"--thus did the heroic Rakshasas converse on beholding Hanuman. And others said,--"Kill him," "Burn him"--"Eat him up." The Rakshasas, growing enraged, thus said unto each other.--Having passed some way, that magnanimous one saw there old servants sitting at the feet of the lord of Rakshasas,--as well as a mansion embellished with countless jewels. And the exceedingly energetic Ravana saw that foremost of monkeys dragged hither and thither by Rakshasas of frightful forms. And that best of monkeys too saw that lord of Rakshasas, endowed with strength and energy and resembling the resplendent son. And with his reddened eyes rolling, the ten-necked gazing at that monkey, ordered his principal counsellors, boasting of high pedigree and noble character, (to interrogate the incomer). And by turns questioned by them as to his mission and purpose, as well as the fundamental occasion (of his inroad), that foremost of monkeys replied,-- "A messenger, I come (from Sugriva.)"

[387] _viz._ the Brahma weapon.--T.

[388] According to another reading, the meaning would be:--"O best of warriors, do thou, considering thy own strength and that of the enemy, so exert thyself that he may no longer inflict terrible losses on our army." (Tirtha).--T.

[389] Another meaning is: _Looking on thyself, and (not on my forces), as constituting my main stay, put forth thy prowess.--T._

[390] One should know in what branches of knowledge one's enemy is proficient, and, understanding this, one should strive for victory.--T.

[391] According to a different reading,the meaning would be, "Thou art competent to fight agreeably to the rules."--T.

[392] The _Sloka_ is very difficult and incapable of interpretation withoet at places meanings being read into it.--T.

[393] A name given to certain days in the lunar month at the full and change of the moon, and the 8th and 14th of each half month.--T.

[394] Literally it means the passage of his father. Hanuman's father being the Wind, it means the sky.--T.

[395] According to Hindu philosophy, one by virtue of yoga and self-control can realize many great things which are beyond ordinary human conception. Beholding Hanuman unhurt though assailed incessantly with terrible shafts, Indrajit at once jumped at the conclusion that he must be a great spirit in a monkey-form. To realize who he in reality was, he engaged in _yoga_ or devout meditation.--T.

[396] That the action of a Brahma _mantra_ upon one is nullified if one is bound physically.--T.

SECTION XLIX.

And struck with his[397] deed, that one of dreadful vigor, Hanuman, his eyes reddened in wrath, steadily looked at the lord of Rakshas; flaming in gorgeous and precious gold, with a splendid diadem studded with pearls; (adorned with) excellent ornaments, containing diamonds and costly gems,--seeming to have been forged by the mind; appareled in costly linen; smeared with red sandal paste, and beautifully painted with various and variegated devices;[398] looking splendid with his sightly yet terrible eyes; having sheeny, sharp and long teeth,--with hanging lips;--and that hero (saw) that one of great energy, radient with ten heads; like unto Mandara with its summits containing serpents; resembling a mass of blue collyrium; with his breast graced by a chain; with his countenance possessed of the lustre of the moon; looking like a cloud beside the new-risen Sun; with his dreadful arms bound with _keyuras_, and graced with excellent sandal paste, brilliant with _angadas_, and resembling five-headed serpents; seated on a superb seat,--upon a spacious, variegated, and gay sheet embellished with crystals, and studded with gems; ministered on all sides by gorgeously adorned damsels, bearing hair-furnished fans,-- the strength-elated one surrounded by four Rakshas--his counsellors versed in the mystery of counsel,--viz., Durdhara, Prahasta, the Raksha Mahaparcwa, and the minister Nikumbha,--like the entire world girt round by the four seas,--and encouraged by other counselors, fair of forms and versed in counsel, even like the sovereign of celestials by the celestials. And Hanuman beheld the immensely energetic lord of Rakshasas surrounded (on all sides by his advisers), like a cloud containing water on a summit of Meru. And undergoing exceeding trouble at the hands of the Rakshas of dreadful prowess, (Hanuman) struck with mighty amaze, gazed at the lord of Rakshas. And seeing the sovereign of Rakshas, appearing splendid, Hanuman, bewildered by his effulgence, mentally reflected: "Ah! the form! Ah! the patience! Ah! the strength! Ah! the splendour! Ah! the entire auspiciousness of the king of Rakshasas! If the lord of Rakshasas were not impious unto the height, this one could well be the protector themselves of the celestial regions with Sakra. But in consequence of the fell and remorseless acts of this one, which are the aversion of every one, all the worlds with gods and demons hold him in fear. This one, being angered, dares to convert this earth into one entire ocean." Beholding the potency of the Rakshasa king of immeasurable prowess,the intelligent monkey thus indulged in a variety of thought.

[397] Indrajit's.--T.

[398] _e. g._ the three horizontal marks painted on the forehead by _Saivas_ and _Saktas_.--T.

SECTION L.

Seeing the tawney-eyed one staying before hiip, the mighty-armed Ravana, affrighter of (the worlds), was overwhelmed with fierce wrath. And gazing at that foremost of monkeys girt with power, and with his soul exercised with apprehension, he (thought),--"Is this the worshipful Nandi, come hither in person, by whom I, on my jeering at him, had formerly been cursed in Kailaca?[399] Or is this one wearing the shape of a monkey Vali's son, Vana?" And with his eyes coppery with rage, the king asked his foremost counselor, Prahasta, in words fraught with sense and suiting the season,--"Ask this wicked-minded one, whence is he? And what led him to ravage the grove, and what was his object in brow-beating the Rakshasas? And what hath been his purpose in entering my metropolis incapable of being subdued; and what for did he also fight (with my retainers?) Do thou ask the wicked-minded one about this." Hearing Ravana's speech, Prahasta said,--"Take heart! Fair fortune to thee! Thou needst not be alarmed, O monkey. If thou hast been sent to Ravana's residence by Indra, tell us truly everything. Let no fear, O monkey, be thine. Thou shalt be liberated. If thou belong to Vaicravana, or to Yama, or to Varuna, and hast entered into this city of ours disguising (thy proper shape),--or if thou hast been despatched by Vishnu burning for victory, (tell us this truly). Thy prowess is certainly not that of a monkey,--thy form alone is that of a monkey. Unfold this (unto us) faithfully,--O monkey, and thou shalt get (back) thy liberty. But if thou shouldst say aught untruthful, thy life shall pay dear for it. Or tell us wherfore thou hast entered into Ravana's mansion." Thus addressed then, that foremost of monkeys said unto the lord of Rakshasas,--"I am not Sakra's, nor Yama's, nor Varuna's. I have no friendship with Dhanada,[400] nor have I been despatched by Vishnu. This is my race; and I have come hither a monkey for obtaining a sight of the Rakshasa chief. And it is to attain a sight of the Rakshasa lord that I have destroyed his peerless grove; and it is for this that, the powerful Rakshasas seeking for fight, I for the preservation of my person have resisted them in conflict. I am incapable of being slain with weapons even by the celestials and the Asuras themselves. This boon I also[401] happen to have received from the Great-father. It is because I was desirous of seeing the king that I have suffered this weapon to restrain me. Although the Rakshasas have brought me (hither thus), yet I am free from any weapon (restraining me). I come near thee on a certain business of Rama. Knowing me for a messenger of Raghava endowed with measureless prowess, do thou, O lord, listen to my words, calculated to work thy profit."

[399] Ravana had formerly laughed at Nandi for his monkey-face.--T.

[400] Lit.--giver of wealth--a designation of Kuvera.--T.

[401] _like thyself._

SECTION LI.