Part 28

Thereupon, saying, 'So be it,' that king of bears, surrounded by his forces, approached the Western gate, where the monkey, Hanuman, was stationed. And then the lord of bears saw Hanuman approach, surrounded by monkeys sighing hard, who had faught the fight. And seeing on the way that host of bears dreadful and resembling dark clouds, on the march, Hanuman made them desist. And that illustrious one along with that force, speedily presented himself (before Rama), and with a heavy heart addressed him, saying--"As we were fighting in the field, Ravana's son, Indrajit in our very sight slew Sita, crying (in distress). O subduer of enemies, seeing her (in this plight) I, with my senses bewildered, have been overwhelmed with grief. Therefore I have come unto thee to inform thee of what hath befallen". Hearing these words of his, Raghava, overwhelmed with grief, dropped down to the earth, like a tree whose roots have been severed. Seeing the god-like Raghava down on the earth, the foremost monkeys from all sides rushed forward and came to where (he was). And with water scented with lotuses,[340] they fell to sprinkling that one resembling a furious fire[341] that hath suddenly arisen. Thereat Lakshmana overcome with sorrow, embracing Rama, spoke unto him words fraught with reason and import,--"Profitless[342] virtue is incapable, O noble one, of delivering from calamaties thee, who hast subdued thy senses, and who ever abidest in the good path. Beings and the mobile as well as the immobile cannot have that direct perception of virtue which they have of happiness. Therefore, I ween, virtue is a non-entity. Inasmuch as the mobile (albeit devoid of any regard for virtue) are nevertheless happy, and as the mobile also are so, this virtue cannot lead to happiness. (If it were so), one like thee would have not been placed in peril. If unrighteousness would bring unhappiness on creatures, Ravana should hence to hell, and thou possessed of virtue, shouldst not come by misfortune. And seeing that he is free from danger, and thou art in it, righteousness and its opposite are found to have tendencies the very reverse of those assigned to them respectively (by the Vedas). And if by means of virtue, one attaineth the felicity attached to it, and by means of unrighteouness, one reapeth its proper fruit, then let those that are unrighteous reap the fruit of their impiety,--nor let those that set their face against sin, be deprived of the fruit of their righteousness; and let those that walk in the way of virtue reap the fruit of their piety. But as prosperity attendeth those that are established in un-righteousness, and as those regardful of righteousness fare lamentably,--these[343] have not the senses assigned to them (by the scriptures). If, O Raghava, (it is contended that) unrighteousness cutteth off the wicked, then whom shall unrighteousness, himself slain by the act of slaughter of the destroyer,--slay in his turn? Or if it is said that one is slain or slayeth another by ordinance, then it is Destiny, which is touched by the sinful act and not he. O chastiser of foes, incapable of meting out retribution,[344]--unmanifest itself, and non-existent, how can virtue, even if we grant its existence, find out the person that should be slain? If, O foremost of the good, it had existed, thou wouldst not have come by any misfortune. But inasmuch as thou hast fallen into this plight, there is no such thing as virtue. Or itself feeble and impotent, it taketh refuge in manliness. And being powerless and bereft of dignity, it should, I deem, by no means be followed. And if virtue is a property of manliness, then carefully forsaking virtue, do thou follow strength as thou hast hitherto followed virtue. But, O subduer of enemies, if truthfulness be virtue, art thou not bound by that departing from which the king lost his life?[345] And, O chastiser of foes, if virtue must be practised above all, or if prowess must have precedence,--then the thunder-handed Satakratu would not have celebrated his sacrifice, slaying the ascetic.[346] O Raghava, virtue aided by prowess, destroyeth enemies. Therefore, O Kakutstha, people, for compassing their ends, resort to both virtue and prowess. This, sire, is my opinion: this, O Raghava, is virtue. But thou, having then renounced the kingdom, hast laid the axe at the root[347] of righteousness. Like streams issuing out mountains, all acts spring from wealth flowing from various regions and attaining magnitude. Like a shrunken stream in summer, all the acts of that foolish person who hath been divorced by wealth, are annihilated.--He that renouncing riches within his reach,[348] hankers after enjoyment,--being carried away by his overmastering desire, taketh to getting at wealth by sinful acts; and then he incurreth guilt. Unto him that hath wealth are friends, unto him that hath wealth are acquaintances,--he that hath wealth is an individuality in this world, and he that hath wealth is a learned person. He that hath wealth is powerful; he that hath wealth is intelligent; he that hath wealth is mighty-armed; and he that hath wealth is full of all graces. All these that I have ennumerated are the evils of forsaking fortune. (I cannot divine) what made thee, renouncing the monarchy, to adopt such a course.--He that hath riches, hath virtue and desire attending on him, and hath everything auspicious. That one without wealth, that seeketh it, cannot secure the wealth of prowess, without riches and desire. And, O lord of men, cheerfulness, and desire, and pride, and piety, and anger, and self-restraint, and self-control--all these come from wealth. As the planets are not discovered on a stormy day, that wealth, the want of which renders this world naught even unto the ascetics practising righteousness,--is not visible in thee. O hero, thou having abode by the words of thy superior and having come (to the forest), thy wife dearer then life itself hath been ravished by Rakshas. But, O hero, to-day, O Raghava, by my acts will I remove this huge sorrow that hath been heaped upon us by Indrajit. Therefore, rise thou up. Rise up, O foremost of men, O long-armed one, O thou who observest vows. Why dost thou not understand thyself as the Supreme Soul?[349] And, O sinless one, urged on behalf of thy welfare, I, waxing wroth on hearing of the slaughter of Janaka's daughter, shall with my shafts entirely raze to the ground Lanka with cars and elephants and steeds and the foremost Rakshas".

[340] _Padmatpalasugandhibhih_--water scented with _padmas_--_lotuses proper_, and _utpalas_--_blue lotuses--(Nymphea cerulea).--T._

[341] 'Rama,' remarks the commentator, 'was a fire lighted by his grierf for Sita.'--T.

[342] 'Profitless,' although apparently an epithet of virtue, is really the predicate of the sentence. 'Virtue, incapable of delivering thee.....is _profitless.'--T._

[343] Virtue and vice.

[344] 'In consequence,' remarks Ramanuja, 'of their being devoid of consciousness.'

[345] Explains the commentator,--'King Dacaratha lost his life, because he did not observe his word of installing thee in the kingdom. Art thou not bound by his word as well?'--T.

[346] The Logic is all in a jumble; but such is the text. The ascetic was Vicwarupa. The meaning, according to the commentator, is that, prowess is first and virtue next. Indra first used force, and then acquired merit.--T.

[347] 'Root', remarks Ramanuja,--'which is interest!'

[348] The commentator would have '_gotten_ riches.'

[349] Rama is conceived as an incarnation of Vishnu.--T.

SECTION LXXXIV.

As Lakshmana devoted to his brother was comforting Rama, Bibhishana, posting his forces at their proper quarters, came there, surrounded by four heroes accoutred in various arms, resembling masses of collyrium or leaders of elephant-herds. And approaching the high-souled Raghava, overwhelmed with grief, he saw the monkeys with tears in their eyes. And he saw that joy of the Ikshwaku race--the high-souled Raghava--stupified with grief, lying on the lap of Lakshmana. And seeing Rama cast down and inflamed with grief, Bibhishana, inly pained, said,--'What is this?' Thereat, gazing at Bibhishana's countenance as well as all those monkeys, Lakshmana, with his eyes flooded with tears, said these words pregnant with dire import,--"O placid one, hearing from Hanuman's lips that Sita hath been slain by Indrajit, Raghava hath been overcome with stupor". As Sumitra's son was speaking thus, Bibhishana, preventing him, addressed the stupified Rama in these pregnant words,--"O king, all that Hanuman in distressful guise had communicated unto thee I deem as improbable, like unto the drying of the deep. I know the intent of the impious Ravana with reference to Sita, O mighty-armed one. Her he will not slay. I, seeking his welfare, had besought him much, saying,--'Let go Vaidehi',--but he did not act up to my speech. Neither by conciliation, nor by gift, nor by dissension,--and where is war?--nor by any other means is one capable of obtaining the very sight of Sita. Having bewildered the monkeys, the Rakshasa hath gone back; and, O mighty-armed one, know her to be the illusory daughter of Janaka. To-day, going to the sacrificial ground (called) Nikumbhila, he will offer oblations into fire; and there the deity of fire will present himself along with Vasava and the (other) divinities. And then Ravana's son shall be invincible in battle. Indubitably that illusion hath been wrought by him, to deceive (the monkeys), so that they might not through their prowess disturb him there. Thither will we go before he hath furnished his (sacrifice). O foremost of men, shake off this vain sorrow that hath overcome thee! Seeing thee smitten with grief, this entire host is dispirited. Here, with thy heart composed, do thou stay, summoning thy strength. Send Lakshmana along with us and the flower of the forces. This foremost of men by means of sharpened shafts will make Ravana's son give up his rites; and then shall he be capable of being slain by us. These keen and sharpened shafts of his, attaining access of velocity through the feathers of birds, and themselves resembling fierce fowls, will drink his[350] blood. Therefore, O mighty-armed one, do thou in order to the destruction of the Rakshasa, commission Lakshmana, even as the wielder of the thunder-bolt commandeth the same. And as to-day no time should be lost, therefore do thou send Lakshmana for compassing the destruction of the foe, even as Mahendra sendeth the thunder-bolt for bringing about the destruction of the enemies of the immortals. If that foremost of Rakshasas can finish his rites, he shall be invisible to both celestials and Asuras; and, he fighting after finishing his sacrifice, the celestials themselves shall be placed in great jeopardy".

[350] Indrajit's.

SECTION LXXXV.

Hearing his speech, Raghava, overwhelmed with grief, could not perfectly comprehend what was said by the Rakshasa. Then, summoning up patience, Rama--captor of hostile capitals--spoke unto Bibhishana, seated near the monkeys,--"O lord of Nairitas, I once more wish to hear what, O Bibhishana, thou hast said". Hearing Raghava's words, Bibhishana, skilled in speech, again spoke these words, saying,--"O mighty-armed one, I have stationed the forces, O hero, agreeably to thy directions. The entire force hath been divided around; and the leaders have also been placed properly. Further, O mighty master, listen to what I have to say. On thy having been causelessly aggrieved, we all of us were seized with grief. If this anxiety of thine conduceth to the joy of the enemy, do thou cast it off. And, O hero, bestir thyself,--and summon up spirits. If thou art to have Sita, and if the night-rangers are to be slain by thee, do thou, O Raghu's son, listen to my profitable speech. Let Sumitra's son go forth, environed by a mighty force, for slaying in battle the son of Ravana, who hath gone to Nikumbhila; with shafts resembling venomous serpents, discharged from the round[351] of his bow. By virtue of his austerities, that hero, from a boon conferred by the Self-sprung, hath obtained the Brahmaciras weapon, together with steeds coursing at their will. Now he with his army hath gone to Nikumbhila; and when, having finished his rites, he gets up, know that all of us are slain. 'When not reaching Nikumbhila, and not having finished thy offerings unto fire, thou, equipped with arms, art slain by a foe,--O enemy of Indra, that is thy death.'--Thus, O mighty-armed one, did the lord of all creatures confer a boon (on Indrajit), and, O king, thus was the death of this intelligent one ordained. O Rama, for compassing the destruction of Indrajit, do thou commission a mighty force. On his being slain, know that Ravana along with his retainers are slain".--Hearing Bibhishana's words, Rama said,--"O thou having truth for prowess, I know the illusion of that fierce one. Without doubt, he is skilled in the Brahma weapon, is potent in illusion and, is possessed of exceeding strength. In conflict, he depriveth of consciousness even the celestials with Varuna (at their head). And as that illustrious (one) goeth about in the welkin on his chariot, none, O hero, can perceive his course, like the course of the Sun when the sky is covered with clouds". And Raghava, being well acquainted with the illusive energy of his wicked-minded foe, addressed the renowned Lakshmana, saying,--"Environed by the entire host of the lord of monkeys,--accompanied by the leaders, O Lakshmana, headed by Hanuman,--with Jambavan~king of bears--and girt round by the forces,--do thou slay this son of the Rakshasa, possessed of the strength of illusion. And accompanied by his counsellors, this high-souled night-ranger shall follow at thy back, in this engagement with that one skilled in illusion". Hearing Raghava's words, Lakshmana endowed with dreadful prowess, with Bibhishana,--took up another excellent bow. And donning on his mail, and putting on his armour and his sword, and furnished with arrows, and a bow in his left hand,--Sumitra's son, touching Rama's feet, feeling elated, addressed Rama, saying,--"To-day the shafts discharged from my bow, piercing Ravana's son, shall fall into Lanka, even as swans drop into a tank. This very day shall my arrows, shot from my redoubtable bow-string, rive the body of that terrific one". Having spoken thus, the effulgent Lakshmana, eager to slay Ravana's son, went before his brother. And having saluted at the feet of his superior and went round him, Lakshmana set out for the sacrificial ground (named) Nikumbhila, protected by the son of Ravana. And accompanied by Bibhishana, that powerful son of the king--Lakshmana--after his brother had offered up prayers in his behalf,--set off with all speed. And surrounded by thousands of monkeys, Hanuman as well as Bibhishana together with his counsellors--speedily went in the wake of Lakshmana. And strongly encompassed by that mighty monkey-host, (Lakshmana) saw the forces of the bear-king stationed on the way. And having proceeded far, Sumitra's son--enhancer of the delight of friends--from a distance discovered the forces of the Rakshasa-monarch, drawn up in battle-array. And that subduer of enemies--Raghu's son--bearing his bow in his hand, coming upon him whoso martial might lay in illusion,--stopped (there) for conquering his foe agreeably to the ordinance[352] of Brahma. And accompanied by Bibhislnna, the heroic Angada, and the Wind-god's offspring, the powerful son of the king dived into the forces of the foe, various, blazing with burnished arms, dense with standards; And thronging with mighty cars,[353] capable of striking terror (into the hearts of the spectators), instinct with immeasurable energy, and resembling darkness.

[351] The bow drawn to its full stretch, becomes circular.--T.

[352] The ordinance was that Indrajit should be slain while remaining outside Nikumbhila, his rites not yet finished.--T.

[353] _Maharathai (ab.)_ may also mean with mighty car-warriors.--T.

SECTION LXXXVI.

When things were in this condition, Ravana's younger brother addressed Lakshmana in words fraught with evil to foes and conducing to the welfare (of his own party), saying,--"Do thou without delay bring on an engagement between this cloud-black Rakshasa army, which thou beholdest, and the monkeys having rocks for their arms. O Lakshmana, do thou exert thyself to break through his[354] mighty army; and when the ranks are broken, the son of the Rakshasa-lord shall be visible. And scattering among the foes shafts resembling Indra's thunder-bolt, charge him while he hath not yet finished this ceremony. Slay, O hero, this wicked one, this son of Ravana, given to illusion, and of terrific feats,--the fear of all the worlds". Hearing Bibhishana's words, Lakshmana graced with auspicious marks began to shower arrows on the son of the Rakshasa-chief. And bears and monkeys, given to fighting excellently with trees, in a body rushed towards that army (of Rakshas) drawn up there. And the Rakshasas (on their part) burning to slaughter the monkey-forces, rushed in the encounter with sharpened shafts and darts and _tomaras_. And there took place a tremendous onslaught of the monkeys and the Rakshasas. And Lanka resounded all around with that mighty tumult; and the sky was covered with weapons of various shapes, and whetted arrows and trees and dreadful upraised mountain-tops. And Rakshasas having frightful faces and arms, plying their arms among the foremost monkeys, began to spread terror (there). And in the same way the monkeys in the conflict fell to slaying and wounding the Rakshasas with trees and hill-tops. And great was the terror that was spread among the warring Rakshasas by the flower of the bears and monkeys, possessed of gigantic persons and endowed with prodigious strength.

Hearing his own army hard beset by the enemies, and drooping,--the unconquerable one, ere yet he had finished his rites, rose up. And issuing from the gloom of the trees, Ravana's son, fired with wrath, ascended his car, which had already been well yoked (with steeds). And accoutred in a dreadful bow and arrows,--that one resembling a mass of collyrium, having a red face and eyes, looked dreadful like the Reaper--Death. And soon as they saw him mounted on his car, that host of Rakshas possessed of dreadful impetuosity, eager to engage with Lakshmana, stood on their ground. At this time that subduer of enemies--Hanuman--resembling a mountain, uprooted a giant tree incapable of being bandied. And in that encounter, the monkey, consuming (the forces) like the fire risen at Doomsday, made that army of Rakshasas insensible with innumerable trees. And finding the Wind-god's son, Hanuman, suddenly spreading devastation among the Rakshasas by thousands, (they) showered (shafts) on him. And approaching on all sides that one resembling a hill, those bearing whetted darts attacked him with darts; those bearing swords in their hands, with swords; those bearing javelins in their hands, with javelins; with _patticas_, those equipped with _patticas_; and with bludgeons, and maces and graceful _kuntas_; and with hundreds of _sataghnis_, and iron clubs; and with terrific axes; and with _bhindipalas_; and with boxes like unto thunder-bolts; and slaps resembling the _acani_. And fired with fury, he (on his part) spread a huge havoc among them. And Indrajit saw that foremost of monkeys, resembling a hill, the offspring of the Wind-god--possessing himself in calmness, while destroying his foes. And thereat, he[355] addressed his charioteer, saying,--"Go where the monkey is. Being disregarded by the Ratkshasas, he makes havoc among us". Thus accosted by him, the charioteer went where the Wind-god's offspring was, carrying the exceedingly invincible Indrajit seated on the car. And rushing forward, that irrepressible one--the Rakshasa--began to shower on the monkey's head arrows and swords and _patticas_ and scimitars and axes. And bearing all those dreadful arms, the Wind-god's offspring, overcome with a mighty rage said,--"O wicked-minded son of Ravana, if thou art a hero, fight on. Combat with me with thy arms. If in the encounter, thou bearest my impetus, then, O thou of perverse sense, thou indeed art the foremost of Rakshasas". Then Bibhishana pointed out unto Lakshmana the son of Ravana, who with his bow upraised, was eager to slay Hanuman. "This one that, mounted on his car, is eager to slay Hanuman, is the son of Ravana that hath vanquished Vasava himself (in battle). Do thou, O son of Sumitra, with peerless shafts capable of resisting enemies,--dreadful, and competent to finish the lives (of foes),--slay the son of Ravana". Thus accosted by Bibhishana terrific unto foes, that high-souled one saw (Indrajit) of dreadful prowess, difficult to get at, and resembling a hill,--stationed on his car.

[354] Indrajit's, that is.

[355] Indrajit.

SECTION LXXXVI