Part 14

Then out spake the highly energetic and exceedingly mighty king of monkeys,--"Why is this host agitated like a bark driven hither and thither by the wind?" Hearing Sugriva's speech, Vali's son said,--"Dost thou not see both those heroes--sons of Dacaratha:--Rama and that mighty car-warrior--Lakshmana--covered with arrows? And (dost thou not see) those high-souled ones lying in the field of battle, covered with blood?" Thereat, the lord of monkeys, Sugriva, spake unto his son,[156] Angada--"I do not deem it without cause. This may have come to pass through sheer fear. These monkeys with sad faces, leaving their arms behind them, are flying in all directions, their eyes distended in affright. And they are not ashamed of each other, and they do not cast their looks back. And they hug each other, and go leaping over the fallen". In the meanwhile, that hero, Bibhishana, bearing a mace in his hand, (approaching), greeted Sugriva as well as Raghava with blessings of victory. And Sugriva, seeing Bibhishana, capable of inspiring fear in the monkeys, spoke unto the high-souled sovereign of bears, who stood by,--"This is Bibhishana that hath come hither, seeing whom the foremost among the monkeys, from fear of Ravana's son who, they apprehend, he is,--are fleeing away, seized with a panic. Do thou at once stay these agitated with fear and scampering all around; and proclaim,--'This is _Bibhishana_, who hath come here.'" Thus directed, Jambavan--king of bears--restraining those that were flying, composed the monkeys. Hearing the bear-king's words, and seeing Bibhishana, the monkeys, renouncing fear, desisted (from their flight). Then the righteous Bibhishana, viewing Rama's as well as Lakshmana's body pierced with arrows, was exceedingly aggrieved. And washing their eyes with water, he, with his mind overpowered with grief, began to weep and broke out into lamentation,--"The Rakshasas, fighting in wily ways, have brought to this pass these ones endowed with prowess and possessed of every perfection and gifted with might (of arm). And with his guileful mind, that brother's son of mine, wicked-souled and an evil son (unto me),--hath deceived these ones of straight prowess. Pierced with innumerable shafts, and covered with blood, these are lying on the ground like Salyakas[157]. Those depending on whose prowess, I had sought eminence, those foremost of men, sleep here soundly for renouncing their bodies. Living, today I am in distress: and my desire of dominion is annihilated; and my foe, Ravana, hath his promise fulfilled and his aim crowned with success". As Bibhishana was thus lamenting, the lord of monkeys--Sugriva--endowed with strength, embracing him, spoke unto him,--"O thou cognisant of righteousness, thou wilt herein Lanka obtain empire: no doubt of this; and Ravana along with his sons will be disappointed in their expectations. Both these--Rama and Lakshmana--are under the _aegis_ of Garuda; and, casting off their stupor: they will in battle slay Ravana along with his adherents". Having thus soothed and comforted the Rakshasa, Sugriva addressed his father-in-law, who was at his side, saying,--"Do thou along with numbers of heroic monkeys, taking those repressors of foes, the brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--when they shall have regained their consciousness, repair to Kishkindha. And I, slaying Ravana along with his sons and friends, shall bring back Mithila's daughter, even as Sakra recovered the lost Sri". Hearing the words of the monkey-king, Sushena said,--"I had witnessed the war of yore between the gods and the Asuras. Then the Danavas, enveloping themselves, momentarily destroyed the deities, albeit versed in arms and accomplished in weapons. And they, their senses lost, and their lives departed, Vrihashpati treated by means of his knowledge of _mantras_, as well with medicines. Let Sampati, Panaca, and other monkeys speedily hie to the Milky Ocean for the purpose of bringing those medicines. And the monkeys well know that mighty mountainous medicine--divine and capable of reviving the dead,--and made by the deities themselves--_vicalya_. There are (the mountains) named Chandra and Drona: where the ambrosia was churned, there is that supreme drug. And those mountains have been placed by the deities in the mighty deep. And, O king, let the son of the Wind-god go thither". In the meanwhile, the wind arose, and masses of clouds appeared along with lightning. And the wind blew, agitating the waters of the deep, and shaking the mountains. And mighty trees of the ocean-islands, broken down by the terrible wing-raised wind, began to topple headlong into the salt waters. And the serpents dwelling there were seized with affright; and speedily all the aquatic animals dived deep into the salt sea. And then in a moment the monkeys saw Vinata's son, possessed of terrific strength,--like unto a flaming fire. And seeing him come, the serpents began to dart away,--those exceedingly powerful ones that, turning into shafts, had bound those persons.[158] Then, touching the Kakutsthas and saluting them, Suparna rubbed with his hands their countenances furnished with the splendour of the Moon. And their wounds, on being touched by Vinata's son, were (immediately) healed; and the bodies of both speedily became cool and shone with an excellent complexion. And they attained immense energy and prowess; and a double share of strength, and of rational and perceptive powers, and of memory. And then raising them up, the exceedingly energetic Garuda, resembling Vasava himself, embraced both joyfully. And then Rama addressed (Garuda), saying,--"By thy grace we have through means survived the mighty calamity that had sprung from Ravana's son; and we have also speedily been rendered strong. And my heart is delighted on having thee, like unto my father, Dacaratha, or my grand sire, Aja. Who art thou, furnished with beauty, and bearing wreaths and unguents (on thy person); clad in stainless attire; and adorned in noble ornaments?" Unto him spake the exceedingly energetic son of Vinata endowed with great strength,--the lord of birds, with a pleased heart, and his eyes wild with glee,--"O Kakutstha, I am thy friend--thy life ranging externally--Garutman. I am come hither for aiding you. Neither the highly powerful Asuras, nor the exceedingly strong monkeys, nor the celestials along with the Gandharbas, having him of an hundred sacrifices at their head are,--capable of delivering (any one) from these dreadful arrowy bonds, which had been forged by Indrajit of tortuous deeds by help of illusion. These serpents--offspring of Kadru--are sharp-fanged and venomous; and had bound thee as arrows through the potency of illusion. O Rama having truth for prowess, thou art fortunate,--along with that destroyer of foe in fight, Lakshmana. Hearing this, I, summoning energy, have come hither swiftly. And I, doing by thee as a friend, have from affection at once set you free from these dreadful arrowy bonds. But thou shouldst always be on thy guard. By nature the Rakshasas have cunning shifts in fight and thou, who art heroic and of a pure spirit, canst but rely on thy simplicity alone for strength. Therefore thou must not trust the Rakshasas in the field of battle. By this one instance (thou must know; that Rakshasas are ever deceitful in fight". Having said this, the wondrous mighty Suparna, embracing Rama) tenderly (again), said,--"My friend Raghava, O thou who even cherishest affection for thy foes, permit me thou. I shall go at pleasure. And, O Raghava, entertain no curiosity as to our friendship.[159] When, O hero, thou shalt have achieved success in battle, thou shalt know all about this friendship of ours. And with the surges of thy shafts, making Lanka contain only children and aged, and slaying thy foe, Ravana, thou shalt recover Sita". Having spoken thus, Suparna, endowed with fleet vigor, having rendered Rama hale in the midst of the monkeys,--having gone round them and embraced them also,--that one possessed of prowess,--set out, covering up the sky, like unto the wind. And seeing Raghu's sons rendered hale, the monkey-leaders set up leonine roars, and began to flourish their tails. And then beat the kettle-drums and the drums struck up. And conchs were cheerfully blown; and shouts were sent. And others struck at their arms with their hands. And the monkeys, accustomed to battle with trees, uprooting them, stood by hundreds and thousands. And emitting tremendous roars and thereby frightening the night-rangers, the monkeys, eager for encounter, approached the gate of Lanka. And that mighty and dreadful din raised by the monkeys, resembled the terrible rumbling of the clouds at midnight about the end of Summer.

[156] His _step-son_, for Sugriva had married Angada's father's wife, after Rama had slain Vali in Kishkindha.--T.

[157] A tree.

[158] Rama and Lakshmana.

[159] i.e. _how it happened._

SECTION LI.

Then Ravana heard the tumult raised by the highly energetic monkeys roaring in company with the Rakshasas. And hearing that low and solemn noise--that prodigious uproar--Ravana said in the midst of his counsellors,--"From mighty roars that are heard of in innumerous delighted monkeys,--resembling the roar of clouds,--it is evident, beyond a doubt, that there is great rejoicing there. And the salt Ocean is vexed with these thundering noises. The brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--have been fast bound with sharp shafts; and here this uproar is exciting my alarm". Having spoken thus unto his ministers, the lord of the Rakshasas addressed the Nairitas present there, saying,--"Do you speedily acquaint yourselves with the cause of rejoicing that hath arisen of these monkeys on this mournful occasion". Thus accosted, they hurriedly mounting up on the wall, surveyed the forces maintained by the high-souled Sugriva as well as those exalted ones--Raghu's sons-- emancipated from their terrific arrowy fetters and arisen (now)". Thereat, with their hearts wrought up, grim-visaged Rakshasas descending from the wall, appeared before the Rakshasa-lord with pale faces. And then with woe-begone faces, those Rakshasas, skilled in speech, faithfully informed Ravana in full of that unfortunate circumstance. "Those brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--who had in battle been bound up in arrowy fetters by Indrajit,--and whose arms lay moveless,--having been emancipated from the arrowy bonds, are seen in the field of battle; and those ones like unto the foremost of elephants in strength, seem like elephants that have snapped their fetters". Hearing those words of theirs, the exeedingly powerful lord of the Rakshasas was wrought up with anxiety and anger, and his countenance lost its complexion. "Indrajit, having routed them in conflict, had bound them by means of irrisistible and terrible arrows, resembling venomous serpents, and like unto the Sun himself,--which had been conferred on (Indrajit) as boons. But if my enemy, having actually been bound by the weapons, can have been liberated, all this strength of mine I see placed in peril. And those shafts resembling Fire in fierceness, which had in battle deprived my foes of their lives,--have forsooth been rendered fruitless". Having said this in high rage, Ravana, sighing like a serpent, addressed a Rakshasa, named Dhumraksha, seated in the midst of the Rakshasas,--"O thou of dreadful prowess, surrounded by a mighty force, do thou march forth to compass the destruction of Rama along with the monkeys". Thus accosted by the intelligent lord of the Rakshasas, Dhumraksha, turning about, issued out of the abode of the king. And speedily sallying forth from the gate of (Ravana's) residence, he said unto the general of the forces,--"Do thou speedily move off thy forces. Why should a warrior linger?" Hearing Dhumraksha's words, the general of the forces, following them, at the command of Ravana forthwith made the army ready. And those powerful and dreadful night-rangers, bursting with high spirits,--with bells tied to their arms,--set up shouts, and surrounded Dhumraksha. And bearing various weapons in their hands, and wielding darts and clubs, and equipped with maces and bearded darts and rods and iron bludgeons and _parighas_ and _bhindipalas_ and lances and nooses and axes,--those terrific Rakshasas sallied out, roaring like unto clouds. And others, accoutred in armour, with cars; adorned with banners; furnished with golden networks, and mules having various faces, and extremely swift steeds, and lusty elephants in rut,--tiger-like Nairitas incapable of being subdued, even as tigers--sallied out (thereafter). And then Dhumraksha himself ascended a superb car, bearing faces of deer and lions decked with gold,--and sending forth a loud clatter. And the highly powerful Dhumraksha, surrounded by Rakshasas, cheerfully issued out of the Western Entrance, where Hanuman was posted. And thereat, fell fowls of the air forbade that exceedingly dreadful Rakshasa of a fearful form, as he went out ascending an excellent car, yoked with mules, and sending sharp sounds. And an exceedingly terrific vulture alighted at the crest of the car; and forming themselves into lines, vultures began to drop down about the top of the banner. And emitting a frightful cry, (a headless trunk) dropped down before Dhumraksha. And that god[160] showered down blood; and the earth shook. And the wind blew awry with a sound resembling thunder. And every side, covered with darkness, appeared dim. And witnessing those dreadful inauspicious omens at the outset, fraught with fear unto the Rakshasas, Dhumraksha was greatly aggrieved; and the Rakshasas marching before him, were stupified. And then as that strong and fearful one, eager for encounter, surrounded, by innumerable night rangers, issued out (of the city), he beheld that monkey-host, protected by the arm of Raghava,--resembling the deep at the time of the universal dissolution.

[160] Indra--cloud-compeller.

SECTION LII.

Seeing the Rakshasa--Dhumraksha of dreadful prowess--issue out, the monkeys, rejoicing greatly, eager for encounter, set up roars. And then there took place a terrific conflict between the monkeys and the Rakshasas, charging each other with fearful trees, and darts, and maces. And the Rakshasas began to scatter the dreadful monkeys on all sides; and the monkeys (on their part) felled the Rakshasas with trees. And the Rakshasas, growing enraged, began to pierce the monkeys with straight speeding sharp shafts winged with Kanka plumes. And riven by the Rakshas with dreadful clubs and bearded darts, daggers and maces and terrible and curious bludgeons and grasped javelins,--the exceedingly powerful (monkeys), their anger aroused, began with alacrity to perform deeds of intrepid valour. And those monkey-leaders, their bodies pierced with shafts and their persons riven with darts, took up trees and crags. And those monkeys, endowed with terrific vehemence, sending up shouts, and proclaiming their respective names, set about tossing the brave Rakshasa ranks. And that conflict between the Rakshasas and the monkeys, waged with diverse rocks and innumerable trees, waxed exceedingly furious. And some among the Rakshasas feeding on gore--on being agitated by the monkeys burning for victory,--began to vomit blood. And some were severed along their flanks; and, some, slain with trees, were heaped up; and some were crushed with crags; and some were torn with teeth. And some being broken down by means of broken standards, and some by means of fallen swords, and some crushed down by cars,--the rangers of the night suffered sorely. And (anon) the earth was covered with huge elephants measuring mountains, and mountain-tops, and steeds crushed, and the riders thereof,--all borne down by the monkeys. And bounding again and again, the vehement monkeys endowed with terrific prowess, with their finger-nails tore up the Rakshasas by the mouths. And with woe-begone faces, and with hair dishevelled, (the Rakshasas), stupified with the smell of blood, saught the earth. And other Rakshasas endowed with dreadful vigor, waxing wondrous wroth, dealt the monkeys slaps with hands having the touch of the thunder-bolt. And, gifted with greater impetuosity, the monkeys felled the impetuous (Rakshasas) with blows, and feet and teeth; and some were slain with trees. And seeing the forces fleeing away, that foremost of Rakshasas--Dhumraksha--flying into fury, began a terrific conflict with the monkeys desirous of encounter. And some of the monkeys, sore assailed with _pracas_, began to bleed; and some, wounded with maces, dropped down to the ground. And some were beaten hard with bludgeons; and some were cleft with _bhindipalas_. And some, on being assailed with bearded darts, became insensible and lost their lives. And some among the monkeys lay slain on the ground, drenched in blood. And some, fleeing away from the field, were slaughtered by the infuriated Rakshasas. And some, having their breasts pierced, lay on their sides. And some were riven with tridents; and the entrails of some had come out. And that mighty and dreadful encounter of the Rakshasas and the monkeys, was waged with countless weapons and rocks and trees. And that battle became a musical entertainment[161] mellifluous with bow-string for _Vina_,[162] having the neighing of chargers for its measure, and with the cries of _Maindas_[163] for its strains. Then in the field, Dhumraksha bow in hand, laughing, pursued the monkeys in all directions with showers of shafts. And seeing the forces hard beset by Dhumraksha and distressed thereat, the Wind-god's offspring, waxing enraged, seizing a huge crag, approached (the Rakshasa). And with his eyes doubly reddened in wrath, that one, like unto his sire himself in prowess, brought down the crag upon Dhumraksha's car. And seeing the crag, (Dhumraksha) upraising his mace hurriedly, leapt down in vehemence, and stood on the ground. And having shattered his car, that crag fell down to the earth. And thereat letting go the car furnished with wheels, _Kuvaras_ and a face, as well as a banner; in which Dhumraksha had left his bow,--Hanuman--son unto the Wind-god--laid about him right lustily for destroying the Rakshasas, with trees having branches long and short. And thereat some Rakshasas with their heads shattered, lay drenched in blood; and others, struck with trees, dropped down to the earth. And then Hanuman--son unto the Wind-god--charged in full career against the Rakshasa army; and, taking a mountain-peak, he rushed against Dhumraksha. And as Hanuman was descending, the powerful Dhumraksha, upraising a mace, and giving out a shout, made towards him speedily. And then Dhumraksha enraged, brought down that mace studded with innumerable pricks, on the head of Hanuman fired with wrath. And thus assailed with the mace of fearful impetuosity! the monkey endowed with the strength of the wind, without at all heeding that blow, let fall a mountain-top right against Dhumraksha's head. And on being assailed with the mountain-peak, Dhumraksha, having his entire body mangled, suddenly fell to the earth, like unto a toppling hill. And seeing Dhumraksha slain, those night-rangers that survived the carnage, in extreme agitation began to pour into Lanka, attacked by the monkeys. And that high-souled offspring of the Wind-god, having slain his foes, and come under the influence of fatigue incident to his slaughtering his enemies,--having caused rivers of gore to flow (in the field),--experienced the excess of joy on being honored of the monkeys.

[161] The reader has already perceived that the carrying out of a simile to a number of details is a characteristic as much of Valmiki as of his rival in the epic sphere--Vyasa. But the comparisons are never on all fours, as in the case before us.--T.

[162] A classical Hindu musical instrument, having metallic strings, with a pair of gourds at one end for the sounding-board. _Vide Yantra-Koca_ by Sir Saurindra Mohan Tagore, _Mus-Doc._--T.

[163] A species of elephants.

SECTION LIII.