Part 27

Beholding Makaraksha out for battle, those foremost monkeys, leaping on a sudden, addressed themselves for fight. Thereupon ensued a terrible conflict, capable of making one's down stand on end, between the night-rangers and the monkeys like unto one between the celestials and Danavas. And those monkeys and night-rangers crushed each other down with trees, darts, maces and _parighas_. And those night-rangers began to assail those foremost of monkeys with _sakti_,[329] swords, maces, _kuntas_, _tomaras_, _patticas_, _Vindipalas_,[330] arrows, nooses and clubs. Being thus assailed with fearful arrows by Khara's son, those monkeys, stricken with fear, fled away. And beholding the monkeys fly away, the victorious Rakshasas began to roar like excited lions. The monkeys thus flying away to all quarters, Rama with a downpour of shafts assailed the Rakshasas. And beholding the Rakshasas thus overpowered, the night ranger Makaraksha, excited with the flame of ire, said,--"Stay, O Rama, let us both fight with each other; I shall take thy life with sharp arrows discharged off my bow. Thou didst slay my father in the forest of Dandaka. Remembering thy action and finding thee before, my ire is excited. O Raghava! Vicious souled one! My limbs are being burnt (with wrath) for I did not see thee then in that mighty forest. O Rama, by my good luck, I have got thee to-day, like unto a hungry lion desiring to have other animals. Being despatched by my arrows to the world of devils, thou shalt live with those heroes, who had been killed by thee before. What is the use of speaking more, O Rama, do thou hear my words. Let all the people behold thy as well as my prowess in the battlefield. Either with weapon or with clubs, in whatever thou art expert, do thou fight with me in the battle-field, O Rama". Hearing the words of Makaraksha, Rama, Dacaratha's son, smiling, replied to the words of the babbler. "O Raksha, what is the use of idle prating? None can achieve success in battle with idle words--but with fighting. I slew in the forest of Dandaka thy father with fourteen thousand Rakshasas, Tricira and Dushana. O vile one, thou being slain to day, with thy flesh, vultures and crows, having sharp beaks and nails, and jackals shall be satisfied.[331] Being thus addressed by Raghava, the mighty Makaraksha, began to dart sharp arrows towards him in the battle-field. And Rama, with his shafts, sundered into several pieces, those arrows. And being thus rendered useless those arrows, feathered in gold, fell down on the earth. Then there arose a terrible conflict between the Rakshasa Khara's son and Dacaratha's son. And there were audible in that battle-field, the outcry of the heroes and the twang of the bows stretched by their hands, like unto the muttering of the clouds in the sky. And to beheld that wondrous conflict, the celestials, Danavas, Gandharbas, Kinnaras and the mighty serpents stationed themselves in the sky. They were wounded with the arrows discharged by each other and their strength was doubled. And they began to fight in that battle-field one attacking and the other withstanding the attack. And in that conflict the Rakshasa sundered the shafts discharged by Rama. And likewise Rama severed into several pieces the arrows shot by the Rakshasa. All the quarters were covered with arrows and nothing on earth or in the sky was visible. Thereupon being excited with ire, Raghava of long arms sundered his (Rakshasa's) bow in conflict and with eight _Narachas_ pierced the charioteer. And with arrows Rama sundered the chariot and killing the horses brought them down. And the night-ranger Makaraksha was brought down on the earth from the chariot. He then again rose up with a dart in his hand creating terror unto all creatures and resembling the Fire of Dissolution in resplendence. It was a terribly huge dart conferred on him by Siva, shining in the sky in its native brilliance and like unto another weapon of destruction.[332] And beholding which dart even the celestials fly away in fear to different quarters. And taking up that huge flaming dart, the night-ranger, being excited with ire, hurled it at the high-souled Raghava. And Raghava, with four shafts, sundered that dart, in the sky, flaming and hurled at him by the son of Khara. And that flaming dart, feathered in gold, being splintered into several pieces by Rama's arrows fell down on earth like a huge fire-brand. And beholding that dart baffled thus by Rama of unwearied actions all those, stationed in the welkin began to shout, "Well done! Well done!!" And beholding his dart thus sundered, the night-ranger Makaraksha clenching his fist spoke unto Kakutstha, saying, "Stay! Stay!" And seeing him advance thus, the descendant of Raghu, smiling, fixed a fiery arrow on his bow. And with that arrow the Raksha was slain by Kakutstha in battle. And having his heart pierced he fell down and died. And beholding Makaraksha thus slain all the Rakshasas, being afraid of Rama's arrows, proceeded towards Lanka. And seeing that night-ranger, the son of Khara, slain by Rama's arrows, like unto a mountain clept by a thunder-bolt, the celestials were greatly delighted.

[329] A short arrow thrown from the hand or shot through a tube.--T.

[330] An Iron spear or dart.--T.

[331] Here is another sloka, which is to be found in all N. W. P. texts and in one or two texts published in Bengal--but it has been omitted by many for it conveys the same meaning as the previous sloka; the meaning is:--And the birds drinking thy blood shall fly away to various quarters.--T.

[332] This refers to the weapon used by Siva for destruction--for Siva, according to the Hindu Mythology is the God of destruction.--T.

SECTION LXXX.

Hearing of the destruction of Makaraksha, the heroic Ravana, being excited with ire, began to grind his teeth. Being thus angered, and thinking within himself what steps to take, he ordered his son Indrajit to proceed to the battle-field. "O hero, gifted with great prowess as thou art, do thou, hidden (in clouds) or appearing before them, slay the two heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana. Thou didst defeat in conflict Indra of unequalled prowess. Shalt thou then neglect to slay men as they are?" Being thus addressed by the lord of the Rakshasas and obeying his father's command, Indrajit proceeded towards the sacrificial ground to satisfy Fire (with oblations). There came some she-demons with crimson turbans and waited respectfully where Ravana's son was offering oblations unto Fire. In that sacrifice the weapons were the leaves of _sara_,[333] _bibhutaks_[334] were fuels, and there were brought crimson clothes and _sruvas_[335] made of black iron. And spreading fire on all sides with _sara_ leaves and _tomaras_, (Indrajit) caught a living goat, all black, by the neck. And the fire, with oblations of _sara_, became greatly blazed and devoid of smoke. And there were visible many good omens indicating victory. The flame of the fire was like unto gold, and moving Southwards began to receive offerings of clarified butter. And thus offering oblations unto fire and unto celestials, Danavas and Rakshasas, he ascended an excellent car and soon disappeared. It was drawn by four horses and a huge bow, set with sharp arrows, appeared beautiful on that excellent car. The chariot was brilliant with its own native resplendence, adorned with gold and painted with the figures of deer and a cresent. It was encircled on all sides with golden bracelets, adorned with flags made of _vaidurja_ and was like unto the flaming fire. And being thus well protected with Brahma weapons resembling the Sun in brilliance, the mighty son of Ravana became invincible. And offering oblations unto Fire in accordance with demonaic incantations and thus obtaining the power of hiding himself, that hero, ever victorious in battle, issued out of the city and said,--"Slaying these two brothers in battle, who have uselessly wandered away into the forest, shall I crown my father Ravana with victory. Destroying Rama and Lakshmana, and clearing the monkeys off the earth, shall I satisfy my sire greatly". Saying this, he disappeared from their view. Thereupon that fearful foe of the lord of celestials appeared in the battle-field, excited with wrath, armed with bow and sharp Narachas and commissioned thus by the Ten-necked one. He beheld there those two heroes discharging flaming arrows and surrounded by the monkeys like unto the fearful three-hooded serpent in the midst of other serpents. And thinking "these must be Rama and Lakshmana," and stretching his bow he began showering arrows like unto clouds. He was seated in a car in the welkin and hidden from the human gaze and began to assail Rama and Lakshmana with sharp shafts. And being hurt with the arrows, Rama and Lakshmana, fixing arrows on their bows, began to discharge celestial shafts. And those two highly powerful heroes could not even touch his person with their arrows resembling the Sun albeit they covered the whole welkin therewith. And clouding the whole sky with smoke that effulgent one, enveloped in frost, hid himself from their gaze. There was not audible the twang of his bow, the sound of the wheels, or the noise of the steeds. Nor was he seen by any. In that terrible darkness of clouds that one of mighty arms began to make a downpour of Narachas and arrows like hail storms. And in that encounter, Ravana's son, inflamed with ire, wounded Rama, with shafts, resembling the Sun and obtained by him as a boon. And being hurt with Narachas, like unto mountains wet with rain, those two foremost of men, began to discharge shafts feathered in gold. And reaching the son of Ravana in the sky and soaked in blood those golden arrows, fell down on earth. And those two best of men, hurt with his arrows, became more effulgent and baffled the shafts discharged by the Rakshasa. Thereupon Rama and Lakshmana began to aim their sharp shafts to the direction whence the arrows came down. And stationed in his chariot that mighty car-warrior disturbed all quarters with his arrows and pierced Dacaratha's sons with sharp shafts won by him. And being greatly hurt with those sharp-pointed and terrible arrows Rama and Lakshmana appeared like blossoming _kingsukas_. Like unto the sun hidden in clouds they could see neither his countenance and motion, nor his bow and arrows. And being wounded with those arrows hundreds of monkeys died and fell down on the earth. Thereupon Lakshmana, being excited with wrath, spoke unto his brother, saying--"To slay all the Rakshasas shall I discharge to-day Brahma weapon". Thereupon Rama spoke unto Lakshmana, gifted with auspicious marks, saying--"It doth not behove thee to clear all the Rakshasas off the earth for the folly of one individual. Thou shouldst not slay him, who hath retired from battle, hath hidden himself, hath sought thy shelter, hath stood before thee with joined palms, hath fled away or who is bewildered. O thou of mighty-arms, let us try to slay him (Indrajit). And to accomplish it I shall use the weapons gifted with great impetuosity and resembling the serpents. He is hidden from the public gaze so we must slay him--had he been fighting openly the leaders of the monkey hosts could have slain that Rakshasa. Truly he shall be burnt to death with my shafts and fall down on the earth albeit he entereth the regions under the earth or the abode of the celestials". Having said these words pregnant with a high significance, the high-souled and heroic descendant of Raghu, being surrounded by monkeys, began to concert various plans for the destruction of that terrible Rakshasa of wicked deeds.

[333] Saccharum--a reed or grass,

[334] Beleric myrobalan.

[335] A ladle with a double extremety or two oval collateral excavations made of wood to pour _ghee_ upon the sacrificial Fire.--T.

SECTION LXXXI.

Having read the intention of that high-souled Raghava, he retired from the battle-field and entered into the city of Lanka. And remembering the destruction of many a quick-paced Rakshasa, his eyes were rendered coppery with ire; and that hero, the son of Ravana, issued out of the city again. And that highly powerful, Indrajit, a descendant of Pulasta and an enemy of the celestials, issued out, encircled by the Rakshasas, by the western gate. And beholding the heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana prepared for fight, Indrajit spread illusions. And placing an illusory figure of Sita on the car, encircled by a huge army he began to make arrangements for her destruction. And desiring to charm all with his illusions, that one of wicked intent, preparing himself to slay Sita, proceeded towards the monkeys. And beholding him thus proceed, the monkeys, inflamed with ire, desirous of fighting and with crags in their hands, moved on, And preceded them all, Hanuman, the foremost of the monkeys, with a huge mountain-top in his hand. He beheld there, on Indrajit's car, Sita, deprived of all joy, poorly, greatly reduced with fasts and wearing a single braid. And Raghava's beloved spouse wore a piece of soiled cloth, and though highly beautiful, the grace of her person was greatly spoiled with dirt. That daughter of Janaka, was not seen by him for a long time. And beholding her and deciding instantly that she is the daughter of Mithila, (he became greatly sorry). And seeing her on the car, innocent, poor, deprived of joy and brought under the influence of the son of the lord of Rakshasas that great monkey thought within himself--'What must be the intention of Indrajit?' and accompanied by heroic monkeys advanced towards the son of Ravana. And beholding that monkey host, Ravana's son became beside himself with ire and unsheathing his weapon _Nistrinsha_, caught her by the hair. And that Rakshasa addressed himself to strike her in the presence of all those monkeys, and that illusory figure of Sita began to bewail saying, "O Rama! O Rama!" And seeing her thus caught by the head, Hanuman, the son of Maruta, greatly sorry, began to shed tears. And beholding that beloved spouse of Rama, having a tender and beautiful person, he addressed angrily the son of the lord of Rakshasas with harsh words. "It is for thy destruction, O Vicious-souled one! that thou hast touched her hair. Being descended from that great Brahma ascetic thou art born as a Rakshasa. O! cursed art thou, since thou hast cherished such a desire and engaged in such a vicious deed. O vile! O wicked! O cruel and dishonorable wight! O thou having vice for thy prowess! O shameless! Art thou not ashamed of perpetrating such an inhuman deed. What hath Maithili done by thee, O cruel one! that thou art ready to slay her--She hath been banished from her home, territory and hath been separated from her lord. O thou worthy of being slain, destroying Sita, thou shalt not live long as thou hast been brought under me. Thou shalt after the death reach the place which is occupied by those who murder women--a place which is avoided even by those who commit every sort of crime punishable by law". Saying this Hanuman, accompanied by monkeys armed with weapons, and excited with ire, proceeded towards the son of the lord of Rakshasas. Beholding the highly powerful monkeys advance thus the Rakshasas, inflamed with wrath, obstructed them. And assailing the monkey-hosts with thousands of arrows, Indrajit spoke unto that foremost of monkeys, Hanuman, saying,--"To-day I shall slay before you all Vaidehi, for whom thou, Sugriva and Rama have come. Slaying her, O monkey, I shall afterwards kill thee, Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva and the dishonorable Bibhisana. And, O monkey, about not destroying women, of which thou wert speaking (I might say) that we must always do what pains our enemies".[336] Saying this, Indrajit with a sharp sword, himself killed the illusory Sita thus bewailing. And being sundered by him obliquely in a way in which a sacred thread lies on one's own person, the innocent (Sita) having a beautiful countenance fell down on the earth. And slaying her Indrajit spoke unto Hanuman, saying,--"Behold I have slain (before thee) with my sword Rama's beloved. And Vaidehi being thus slain, all your labours have been rendered useless". And destroying her with his own hand by means of a huge sword, Indrajit, greatly pleased ascended his car and began to emit dreadful roars. And the monkeys stationed near heard that terrible roar and saw him enter the castle.[337] And slaying Sita[338] that wicked-minded son of Ravana became greatly pleased. And beholding him thus delighted the monkeys being greatly sorry fled away.

[336] There is one sloka intervening according to some texts--but it has been omitted by many. The reasons for this omission are best known to them. The purport is:--"Why did Rama slay Taraka before? And I shall therefore slay his spouse the daughter of king Janaka". Hearin Indrajit attempts to justify himself and wants to prove that Rama is equally blameable for this.--T.

[337] The castle built by Indrajit by means of his illusory power in the air.--T.

[338] This refers to the figure of Sita made by illusion.--T.

SECTION LXXXII.

Hearing that dreadful uproar resembling the sound of Indra's thunder-bolt, the monkeys, casting their looks on all sides fled away. Thereupon Hanuman, the son of Maruta, spoke unto them, poorly, terrified and of a sorrowful countenance, saying,--"O monkeys, why do ye look so melancholy and why are you flying away? Why have ye renounced your earnest desire for fight? And where is your heroism gone? Do ye remain behind me, I shall go first in the battle". Being thus addressed by that highly intelligent son of the Wind-god, they were greatly excited with wrath and being pleased took up trees and crags in their hands. And roaring thus the leading monkeys advanced towards the Rakshasas and stood encircling Hanuman in the battle-field. And being surrounded on all sides by leading monkeys, Hanuman began to burn down enemy's host like unto fire spreading its flames. And being encircled by monkey-hosts that mighty monkey resembling Death himself began to grind the Rakshasas. And being overwhelmed with grief and wrought up with ire, that monkey Hanuman, threw a huge crag on the car of that son of Ravana. Beholding that crag about to fall down on the car, the charioteer moved his horses and it was speedily brought at some distance. And not reaching Indrajit stationed on the car and the charioteer, that crag, uselessly hurled, fell down on the earth. And that crag falling down many of the Rakshasas were crushed. Thereupon hundreds of huge-bodied monkeys, emitting cries and taking up crags and trees proceeded towards him (Indrajit) and hurled them at him. And the monkeys gifted with dreadful prowess began to make a down-pour of crags and trees. They thus assailed the enemies and frequently emitted cries. And the grim-visaged night-rangers were thus assailed with trees in that field by the terrible monkeys. Beholding his army thus distressed by the monkeys, Indrajit, excited with wrath, and taking up his dart, proceeded towards the enemies, and encircled by his soldiers showered terrible shafts upon them. And that one of dreadful prowess slew many a leading monkey by means of darts, Acanis, swords, _patticas_ and clubs. And the highly powerful monkeys destroyed his retinue, with crags, stones and trees having strong trunks. And Hanuman thus crushed many a Rakshasa of terrible deeds. Obstructing the Rakshasas (for some time) Hanuman spoke unto monkeys, saying,--"Stay, we should not fight now. That daughter of Janaka hath been slain, for whom we have engaged in fight, renouncing all hope of life and desiring to accomplish Rama's satisfaction. Let us now go and inform Rama and Sugriva of it. And we shall do as we shall be commanded by them. Saying this and desisting all the monkeys from encounter that foremost of monkeys proceeded undaunted and heroically. And beholding Hanuman proceed thus where Raghava was that wicked-minded one (Indrajit) with a view to offer oblations unto Fire entered the sacrificial altar _Nikumbhila_. And reaching there Indrajit lighted up fire and began to pour oblations therein. And the Fire blazed up receiving oblations of blood, and being satisfied assumed the appearance of the setting sun. And Indrajit conversant with all ceremonials, offered oblations in due form for the welfare of the Rakshasas. And they all stood there watching the result and desirous of ascertaining the success of the battle.[339]

[339] This sloka hath been left off in some editions.--T.

SECTION LXXXIII.

Hearing the terrible war-cry of the Rakshasas and monkeys Raghava spoke unto Jambavan, saying:--"O gentle one, forsooth hath Hanuman performed some mighty act--for I hear the dreadful sound of the weapons. Do thou therefore proceed speedily, O lord of bears, with all thy soldiers to assist that foremost of monkeys.