Part 29

Having spoken thus unto Sumitra's son, Bibhishana experienced delight, and taking (Lakshmana) bearing a bow in his hand, hurriedly went off. And proceeding some way and entering the mighty wood, Bibhishana pointed out unto Lakshmana the (place of) sacrifice. And the energetic brother of Ravana showed unto Lakshmana the Nyagrodha, dreadful to behold and resembling a mass of sable clouds. "Here offering presents unto the ghosts, the powerful son of Ravana afterwards engages in conflict. Then the Rakshasa becomes invisible to all beings; and he slayeth his enemies in battle and fastens them with excellent shafts. Do thou, ere he hath passed beyond the Nyagrodha, with flaming arrows destroy the powerful son of Ravana along with his car and steeds and charioteer". Thereupon saying,--'So be it,' the exceedingly energetic son of Sumitra--that delight of his friends--took up his post there, stretching his variegated bow. And Ravana's son Indrajit, endowed with strength, mailed, and armed with a sword, and furnished with a banner, was seen mounted on a fire-hued chariot. And the highly powerful Lakshmana addressed Pulastya's son, never knowing defeat, saying,--"I challenge thee to the encounter. Do thou give me battle, exerting thy utmost". Thus addressed, the exceedingly energetic and intelligent son of Ravana, seeing Bibhishana there, spoke anto him harshly, thus,--"Born and bred in this (Rakshasa race), thou art the very brother of my father. Why, O Rakshasa, being my uncle, dost thou range thyself against thy son? But neither kinship, nor emity, nor race, O wicked-minded one, nor co-birth, can, O destroyer of righteousness, avail to make thee discern thy duty. O thou of perverse understanding, thou art indeed to be pitied; as thou art worthy of being reproached by the virtuous; since, renouncing thine own, thou hast espoused servitude under another. Neither by thy character nor yet thy understanding dost thou perceive the mighty difference that lieth between living with one's own kindred, and taking refuge with the base. If one that is not our own, be furnished with every grace, and if one's own be void of all merit,--one's kindred, albeit unworthy, is preferable; and he that is not ours, is even always such. He that, forsaking his own party, serveth that of another, is destroyed even by the latter, when his own party is destroyed. O night-ranger, such is this thy relentlessness, that, O Ravana's younger brother, thou being a kindred, art capable of displaying thy manliness (as no other person can do so)". Thus addressed by his brother's son, Bibhishana answered,--"O Rakshasa, why dost thou speak as if in ignorance of my character? O impious son of the Rakshasa-chief, do thou forego the roughness which thou assumest on behalf of my dignity.[356] Albeit born in the race of Rakshas of cruel deeds, yet having regard to the first of principles pertaining to men, my character is not that of a Rakshasa. I do not take pleasure in the terrible; nor do I revel in unrighteousness. But how can a brother, although differing from his brother in character, be renounced by the latter?[357] One renouncing a person, lapsing from virtue and bent on sinful acts, attaineth happiness, even as one doth by shaking off a venomous snake from his hand. The wise have called that impious one given to stealing others' goods and violating others' wives,--as worthy of being forsaken, even like a house that is aflame.--Robbing others' property, outraging the wives of others, and inspiring fear among friends,--these three vices lead to destruction. The dreadful slaughter of sages, rebellion against all ihe gods, overweening conceit, anger, long-continued enmity, and running amuck of counsel,--these sins are sapping the life and fortune of my brother; and they have hidden his virtues even as clouds cover a mountain. It is on account of these vices that my brother, thy sire, hath been deserted by me. And this city of Lanka will not be, nor thou, nor thy father. Thou art proud, and haughty, and a boy, O Rakshasa. Thou art fettered by the noose of Fate. Do thou say unto me whatever thou likest. To-day thou hast addressed harshly me, who have fallen on evil days; but, O worst of Rakshasas, thou canst not pass this Nyagrodha. Having smitten the Kakutstha, thou canst not live. Fight with that man-god, Lakshmana, in encounter. Being slain, thou shalt serve the deities in the abode of Yama. Displaying thy own prowess, do thou spend all thy weapons and all thy shafts. But coming within the ken of Lakshmana's arrows, thou wilt not to-day go hence, living, with thy forces".

[356] Or, on account of thy heroism.

[357] Some read _Vishamacilana_. Then the sense would be: 'How else could a brother bearing a difference in character, renounce his brother?' meaning Ravana.--T.

SECTION LXXXVIII.

Hearing Bibhishana's words, the son of Ravana, deprived of his senses by passion, spoke harshly, and rushed forward in wrath. And with upraised weapons and scimitars, he, resembling the Destroyer himself, was mounted on a mighty car yoked with black steeds, and ornamented (on all sides). And that one endowed with terrific strength up-raised a huge, gigantic, strong and powerful bow, and shafts capable of destroying foes. And that mighty bowman and slayer of foes--the powerful son of Ravana--adorned (with ornaments) and mounted on his chariot, saw him dight (with his own splendour). And fired with wrath, (Indrajit) addressed Sumitra's son, who, mounted on Hanuman's back, like unto the risen sun in splendour--accompanied Bibhishana; and he also addressed all those principal monkeys, saying,--"Do ye behold my prowess! To-day do ye in the conflict bear my arrowy shower shot from my bow, incapable of being approached, and resembling the down-pour in the sky. To-day my shafts discharged from my mighty bow shall mangle your limbs, even as fire burneth up a heap of cotton. To-day with your persons pierced with sharp shafts, with darts, and javelins, and _rishtis_ and arrows, shall I despatch you all to the abode of Yama. Who shall stay before me, fleet-handed, creating an arrowy shower in the field, and roaring like unto clouds? Formerly in a night-engagement, with my shafts resembling the thunder-bolt and _vajra_, ye two along with your foremost adherents, were rendered insensible and laid down on the earth by me. But, perhaps, thou hast forgotten it. As thou hast presented thyself for battle before me, fired with wrath and resembling a venomous serpent, it is evident thou wilt go to the region of Yama". Hearing the vaunt of the Rakshasa-chief, Raghu's son, inflamed with rage, with an undaunted countenance, spoke unto Ravana's son,--"O Rakshasa, hard is the achievement of the task that thou hast mentioned. He that compasseth business by act is alone intelligent.--But thou, O wicked-minded one, incompetent as thou art to bring about thy end, attaining thy arduous aim by words only, deemest thyself as crowned with success. That thou hadst rendered thyself invisible in the field of conflict, was the work of a thief,--and not the way of a hero. Coming within the range of thy shafts, I stay here,--do thou display thy prowess. What dost thou say in words?" Thus addressed, the mighty Indrajit--conquerer of enemies--stretching his dreadful bow, showered sharpened shafts. And discharged by him, those exceedingly impetuous arrows, resembling the venom of serpents, hitting Lakshmana, fell down like unto hissing snakes. And in that encounter, Ravana's son--Indrajit--possessed of eminent impetuosity, pierced Lakshmana, graced with auspicious marks, with vehement shafts. And pierced with those arrows and bathed in blood, the graceful Lakshmana appeared like a smokeless fire. And seeing his own feat, Indrajit, coming forward, and setting up a tremendous cry, said,--"O son of Sumitra, my feathered and sharp-edged shafts shot from my bow, capable of destroying life, will to-day finish thee up. To-day, O Lakshmana, swarms of jackals and hosts of hawks and vultures shall alight on thee lying lifeless, having been slain by me. This very day shall the exceedingly wicked Rama behold thee, who art the friend of Kshatriyas and devoted unto thy brother,--and who ever bearest thyself ignobly,--slain by me; to-day see thee, O Sumitra's son, slain by me, with thy armour fallen off thy person, thy bow broken, and thy head severed". As Ravana's son was speaking thus harshly, Lakshmana conversant with the import of words, replied in a reasonable speech, saying,--"Leave off thy strength of tongue, O thou of perverse sense, O Rakshasa, O thou of crooked ways! Wherefore dost thou speak thus? Bring all this to pass in worthy deed. Why, O Rakshasa, without doing (what thou sayest), dost thou simply say it? Do the deed,--so that I may have regard for thy utterances. Mark! without speaking anything harsh, without censuring thee in the least, without venting any brag, shall, I, O cannibal, slay thee". Saying this, Lakshmana drawing his bow to its full bent, hit at the Rakshasa's chest five _narachas_--wondrous impetuous arrows. And those arrows resembling flaming serpents, with their velocity accelerated by the feathers (with which they were furnished), blazed on the Nairita's breast like the rays of the Sun. And wounded with those shafts, Ravana's son, fired with wrath, pierced Lakshmana with three arrows discharged (from his bow). And exceedingly dreadful was the encounter that took place between those leonine man and Rakshasa, each eager to conquer the other. And both powerful, and both endowed with strength and possessed of prowess,--and both exceedingly invincible; and both having unparalleled might and energy,--those heroes faught like two planets in the welkin; or like Bala and Vrita, irresistible in conflict; and those high-souled ones faught like two lions. And showering countless shafts and displaying many maneuvers, that foremost of men and that of Rakshasas, fought on cheerfully.

SECTION LXXXIX.

Then sighing like an enraged serpent, that chastiser of foes, Dacaratha's son, setting shafts (on his bow-string) showered them on the Rakshasa-chief. And hearing the twang of his bow-string the lord of Rakshasas, with his countenance fallen, gazed at Lakshmana. And then Bibhishana spoke unto Sumitra's son as he was fighting, "I find (inauspicious) signs in Ravana's son. Do therefore hasten on,--broken he is, without doubt". Then fixing arrows (on his bow) resembling venomous snakes, he let go those keen shafts, like unto serpents furnished with poison. And smit by Lakshmana with arrows having the touch of the levin, (Indrajit) for a while was stupified and had his senses overwhelmed. And eying that hero--son unto Dacaratha--present in the encounter, (Indrajit) with his eyes crimsoned in choler, drew near Sumitra's son. And coming up to him (Lakshmana), he again addressed (that hero) in a harsh speech, saying,--"Dost thou not remember my prowess at that first encounter, when thou along with thy brother was bound up,--that now thou art discharging arms (at me)? Forsooth ye two in mighty encounter, with shafts resembling the thunder-bolt and _vajra_, by me were first laid down on the ground, deprived of your lives, along with your principal adherents. Either this hath escaped thy memory or I fancy, thou plainly wishest to go to the abode of Yama,--inasmuch as thou hast set thy heart on beating me. If at the first encounter thou hast not witnessed my prowess, to-day shall I show it unto thee. Do thou now stay, summoning thy attention". Seeing this, he pierced Lakshmana with seven shafts, and Hanuman with ten keen-edged excellent shafts. And then, fired with double fury, that powerful one pierced Bibhishana with an hundred arrows, powerfully discharged (from his weapons). Seeing this act of Indrajit, that foremost of men, Rama's younger brother, Lakshmana, with an undaunted countenance, fired with wrath without minding the same,--and saying with a laugh,--'This is nothing',--taking dreadful arrows, in the conflict, discharged them at the son of Ravana. "O night-rangers, heroes, coming to the field never discharge (such shafts as these). These arrows of thine are light and of slight strength, and they conduce to my comfort. Heroic warriors, eager for encounter, do not fight thus". Speaking thus, (Lakshmana) accoutred with his bow showered vollies of shafts (on his adversary). And at his arrows (hitting), (Indrajit's) mighty golden mail fell off his person, and dropped to the platform of his car like a cluster of stars dropping from the welkin. And with his armour dropping off, that hero--Indrajit--was wounded with _narachas_, like the Sun at dawn. That hero--Ravana's son--endowed with dreadful prowess, in that conflict, pierced Lakshmana with a thousand shafts. And thereat Lakshmana's gorgeous and mighty mail was rent in pieces. And each rushing forward was engaged in dealing blows and harrying them. And sighing again and again, they fought furiously. And with their persons cut all over, and laved in blood, for a long while the heroes kept cleaving each other with sharpened shafts. And those high-souled ones versed in warfare, and endowed with terrific prowess exerted their utmost in securing victory. And covered with vollies of shafts, with their armour and banners rent, they drew each other's warm blood flowing like water from a fountain. And they discharged dreadful showers attended with tremendous sounds, like the sounds of black clouds at Dooms-day[358] pouring torrents in the sky. And a long time went by as they faught. Nor did they turn away from the encounter, or know fatigue. And those foremost of those acquainted with weapons repeatedly displayed their weapons; and their long and short shafts enveloped the welkin. And the skill that they displayed was perfect, and showed lightness, variety and grace; and both man and the Rakshasa carried on fearful and terrible conflict. And the dreadful and tremendous roars of each were audible (at that place); and terrific like the levin, they made the hearts of hearers tremble (in terror). And as they faught with might and main, the sounds that they sent resembled the deep rumbling of clouds in the sky. And pierced with _narachas_ knobbed with gold, those powerful and illustrious (warriors) with their hearts set on celebrity, bled profusely. And in that engagement gold-knobbed shafts hitting each other's person, pierced the same and covered with gore, entered the earth. And other shafts were resisted in the sky by sharpened weapons; and some were snapped, and thousands of their arrows were cleft (in the sky). And in that field, the vollies of their shafts were dreadful to behold like unto a heap of Kuca aflame in a sacrifice. And the wounded frames of those high-souled ones appeared beautiful like a leafless, flowering Kincuka and Salmali in a wood. And each eager to vanquish the other, Indrajit and Lakshmana momentarily discharged tremendous and terrific showers (of arms). And Lakshmana smiting Ravana's son, and Ravana's son smiting Lakshmana,--they did not experience any fatigue. And with net-works of arrows deeply entering their persons, those vehement and exceedingly powerful ones resembled mountains topped (with trees). And all their limbs, drenched in blood and covered with arrows, looked like a blazing fire. And a great while did they fight; yet they neither turned away (from the fight), nor did they experience any exhaustion. Then to remove (Lakshmana's) fatigue from fight, the high-souled Bibhishana, working the weal of Lakshmana staying in front of the field, came forward in the encounter and took up his post.

[358] _Kalamaghuyo (gen)_. The commentator says the word means (black) clouds; but I prefer the sense given.--T.

SECTION LXL.

Seeing the man and the Rakshasa engaged in battle, with their whole soul, each eager to beat the other,--like unto elephants with the temporal juice trickling from their temples,--desirous of beholding their encounter, Ravana's mighty and heroic brother, bearing an excellent bow, stood in front of the arena. And taking up his post, he stretched his great bow and shot terrific sharp-pointed shafts at the Rakshasas. And even like thunder-bolt cleaving mighty mountains, those shafts furnished with peacock's plumes falling powerfully (upon the foe), rent the Rakshasas. And those foremost of Rakshasas, Bibhishana's followers, also, in the encounter discharged darts and scimitars and _patticas_ at heroic Rakshasas. And surrounded by those Rakshasas, Bibhishana, then in the midst of his followers, appeared like an elephant in the midst of young ones. Then inciting the monkeys, whose dear object was to slay Ravana, that one versed in time, the foremost of Rakshasas, spoke seasonably thus,--"This one that stayeth (in the field) is the sole and mighty support of the Rakshasa-chief; and this is his remaining force. Why then do the monkey-chiefs remain inactive? On this wicked Rakshasa being slain on the edge of battle, the remnant of his army, with the single exception of Ravana, is destroyed. That hero--Prahasta--hath been slain, and Nikumbha possessed of wondrous strength, and Kumbhakarna, and Kumbha, and the night-ranger Dhumraksha, and Jamvumali, and Mahamali, and Tikshnavega and Hemaprabha, and Suptaghna, and Jajnakopa, and the Rakshasa Vajradanstra, Sankradi, and Vikata, and Arighna, and Tapana, and Manda, and Praghasa, and Prajangha, and Jangha, and Agniketu, and Durdharsha, and the powerful Racmiketus and Viddujjibha, and Dwijibha, and the Rakshasa--Suryyacatru, and Akampana, and Suparcwa, and the Rakshasas--Chakramali, and Kampana and Satwavanta, and Devantaka and Narantaka.--Having slain these many powerful Rakshasas endowed with excess of might,--having crossed the sea with your arms, do ye cross this foot print of a cow. This is the remaining force which you monkeys must conquer; all those Rakshasas, that had come forward, elated with the pride of strength, have all been slain. It is not meet for me to slay the son of my brother, yet, casting off compassion will I for Rama slay him.[359] Tears surcharge the eyes of me who seeketh to slay him. Let therefore Lakshmana administer him his quietus. Ye monkeys, do ye in a body (first) slaughter those that are beside him (Indrajit.)" Thus exhorted by that illustrious Rakshasa, the monkey-chiefs were exhilarated and began to flourish their tails. And then those mighty monkeys roared again and again, and sent up various shouts, even as peacocks cry on seeing clouds. And then Jambavan surrounded by his own forces, assailed the Rakshasas with rocks and with their nails and teeth. Thereat Rakshasas, endowed with exceeding strength, equipped with various weapons reproaching the lord of bears, as he was engaged in smiting (the foe),--and renouncing fear, with shafts and sharp axes and _patticas_ and _yashtis_, and _tomaras_, in the encounter assailed Jambavan, who was engaged in beating the Rakshasa forces. And that conflict between the monkeys and the Rakshas, waxed furious, like unto the tumultuous encounter of the immortals and the Asuras fired with wrath. And the magnanimous Hanuman incapable of being approached growing wroth,--uprooting a mountain, and putting down Lakshmana from his back, began a great carnage among the Rakshasas by thousands. And fighting a furious fight with his uncle, the powerful Indrajit--slayer of hostile heroes--again rushed against Lakshmana. And then there took place an encounter between those heroes in the field,--Lakshmana and the Rakshasa--discharging vollies of shafts and smiting each other; and those mighty and impetuous ones repeatedly covered each other with networks of arrows; like unto the sun and the moon covered by clouds at the expiration of Summer. And on account of their light-handedness, neither discharge of arrows, nor the drawing of the bow; nor the setting of the shaft on the bow-string; nor the taking of the bow; nor the selection of shafts; nor the clenching fast of their fists; nor the hitting of aims,--could be perceived as they fought on. And in consequence of the sky being covered with networks of arrows all around, discharged powerfully from their bows, the forms (of objects) could not be discovered. And Lakshmana having at Ravana's son, and Ravana's son having at Lakshmana, critical was the huggermugger that ensued[360] in the encounter between each other. And they both kept ceaselessly showering feathered and sharpened shafts, the firmament was engulphed with a deep darkness. And in consequence of countless keen arrows alighting in hundreds, all sides and all the cardinal quarters were swarming with shafts. And all being over-spread with gloom, a mighty fright took possession (of creatures) when the Sun having ascended the setting-hill, and darkness environing all objects. And that day[361] mighty torrents of blood flowed in thousands of streams; and fierce beasts of prey set up terrific yells (all around). And at that hour the wind did not blow, and fire did not blaze; and the Maharshis said,--'Fair befell creatures.' And the Gandharvas along with the Charanas grew exceedingly agitated. Then Sumitra's son pierced the four black steeds of the leonine Rakshasa, caparisoned in gold. And then he hit at (Indrajit's) charioteer with another yellow and sharpened javelin splendid, furnished with feathers; and resembling the thunder-bolt of the great Indra. And through his fleet handedness the graceful son of Raghu with the thunder-bolt of his shaft, resonant with the sound of his palm, separated the (charioteer's head) from his trunk. And on his charioteer having been slain the exceedingly energetic son of Mandodari, himself began to perform the function of a charioteer, and took up his bow. And this in the encounter was wonderful to behold. And then as (Indrajit) was eagerly engaged in managing the steeds, (Lakshmana) pierced him with sharpened shafts; and when (Indrajit) was eagerly wielding his bow, (Lakshmana) discharged shafts at his steeds. And on his steeds having been torn with shafts, Sumitra's--foremost of fleet-handed--in the encounter assailed (Indrajit) doubtlessly ranging the field. Seeing his charioteer slain in the contest, Ravana's son forewent his martial ardour, and was cast down. And seeing the Rakshasa with his face fallen, the leaders of monkey-bands, were exceedingly delighted and rendered homage unto Lakshmana. And then those monkey-chiefs--Pramathi, Rabhasa, Sarabha and Gandamadana, not brooking (their foe) summoned their impetuosity. And suddenly springing up, those highly powerful monkeys endowed with terrific prowess descended upon those four best of steeds. And on those chargers being assailed by those monkeys resembling mountains, blood gushed out of their mouths. And then the steeds were smashed and sent to the ground. And having slain the steeds, and smitten the mighty car-warrior[362] again by a vehement bound, came to the side of Lakshmana. And springing down from his car whose steeds had been slain, Ravana's son, his charioteer having been pounded, charged the son of Sumitra with arrows. And then Lakshmana resembling the great Indra, on (Indrajit's) best of chargers having been despatched, in the encounter began to terribly rive with arrows discharged (his foe) footing on the earth and showering excellent sharpened shafts.

[359] The text has 'brother's son.'

[360] i.e. in consequence of all sides being covered with arrows, neither the Rakshas nor the monkeys could distinguish their several parties in the encounter, and the blows that each dealt were misdirected in consequence.--T.

[361] _Aiya to-day_ in the text.