Part 33

Beholding Mahodara, Mahaparsha and the highly powerful Birupaksha slain in the encounter Ravana attained to an excess of ire. And ordering his charioteer to hurry on he gave vent to the following words--"All my courtiers have been slain and my city is shut up--I shall remove my grief consequent on all these by slaying Rama and Lakshmana. I shall destroy Rama-like tree in the conflict whose flower is Sita and whose branches are Sugriva, Jambavan, Kumuda, Nala, Divida, Mainda, Angada, Gandhamadana, Hanuman and all other leading monkeys". And resounding the ten quarters with the sound of his chariot wheels that mighty car-warrior proceeded quickly towards Raghava. With that sound all quarters were filled, and the earth, with rivers, mountains and forests shook and all the lions, deer and birds were terrified. He created a dreadful darkness with the discharge of his sharp weapons and burnt down the monkeys who fled away to different directions. Dust was raised on the ground by those monkeys assailed and flying to various directions. They were unable to withstand the power of that weapon made by Brahma himself. Beholding his own army, assailed and cut into hundred pieces by the excellent weapons of Ravana, Raghava dashed forward. And assailing the monkey-host, that foremost of Rakshasas espied Rama, unconquered, at a distance with his brother Lakshmana like unto Basava with Vishnu, holding a huge bow like one painted on the sky, having expansive eyes like lotus-petals, long arms, and always subduing the enemies. Beholding the monkeys slain in the encounter and Ravana approach, the heroic and highly powerful Rama, with Sumitra's son in his company, delightedly set arrows on his bow. And as if rending the whole earth with that dreadful sound he began to draw the string of his excellent bow. With the sound of Ravana's arrows and the twang of Rama's bow hundreds of Rakshasas fell down on earth. And coming within the range of the arrows of those two princes, Ravana appeared like Rahu in presence of the sun and the moon. And desiring to fight with him first Lakshmana setting sharp arrows on his bow, discharged shafts at him resembling the flame of fire. And the highly powerful Ravana too with his arrows stopped the course of those shafts in the sky as soon as they were discharged by Lakshmana, skilled in archery. And displaying his light-handedness, he, with one arrow, severed Lakshmana's one, with three his three and with ten his ten. Surpassing thus the son of Sumitra, Ravana, ever victorious in battle, confronted Rama in the encounter, standing like another hill. And approaching Raghava, Ravana the lord of Rakshasas, with his eyes reddened in ire, began to make a shower of arrows. Thereupon beholding the arrows shot off Ravana's bow fall on all sides, Rama speedily took up a _valla_.[386] And Raghava sundered with his sharp _valla_ his dreadful arrows flaming and resembling poisonous serpents. With various sharpened arrows Raghava assailed Ravana, and he again assailed Rama in return. And forming a circle, they passed each other by the right side. Uprooting the earth with the vehemence of their arrows, irrepressible by each other, fighting equally discharging arrows, they looked dreadful like Death himself--and created terror in all creatures. The sky was filled with their various weapons, like unto clouds in the rainy season accompanied with lightning. And the welkin appeared full of windows with that shower of arrows, sharpened, shot with great vehemence and winged like vultures. The earth was stricken with darkness caused by these arrows like unto clouds appearing after sunset. There took place a dreadful conflict between them, desiring to slay each other, having their prowess unknown and fighting like Vitra and Vasava. Both of them were proficient in archery, skilled in the art of conflict and foremost of those conversant with the use of weapons. And they began to veer round the battle-field. And wherever they went, there appeared arrows like unto waves of the deep roused by the winds. Then that destroyer of creatures--Ravana--with his hand engaged in discharging shafts, shot at Rama's forehead a network of arrows. And thereat Rama on his head bore that shower of shafts shot from his terrific bow, having the lustre of the petals of blue lotuses; nor did he experience any pain, And then reciting a formula, the exceedingly energetic Rama endowed with prowess, wrought up with wrath, engaged in incessantly shooting his shafts, taking his Raudra weapon and again seizing his arrows, discharged them at that lord of Rakshasas. And alighting at the impenetrable hail of the Kakshasa-chief, resembling a mass of mighty clouds, those arrows did not then occasion him any pain. Again Rama skilled in all weapons, from a powerful weapon discharged arrows at the sovereign of the Rakshasas mounted on his car. And piercing Ravana, those like unto five-hooded serpents, resisted by him, entered the earth, hissing. Having baffled Raghava's weapon, Ravana, transported with passion, took up a dreadful Asura weapon; and discharged sharpened shafts having the faces of lions and tigers, and the faces of _kankas_ and _kokas_[387] and the faces of vultures and hawks, and the faces of jackals, and the faces of wolves,--with gaping mouths,--and terrific of aspect; five-mouthed and red-hued. And that highly powerful one, enraged, sighing like a snake, by his power of illusion shot at Rama other keen arrows having the faces of mules and the faces of bears, and the faces of dogs and cocks, and the faces of _makaras_[388] and venomous serpents,--these as well as others. Covered with that Asura weapon, that foremost of the Raghus, himself resembling fire, discharged an exceedingly vigorous weapon informed with fire; and shot various shafts having faces filled with live flames, and faces like unto suns,--and hued like unto planets and stars,--and furnished with faces resembling mighty meteors, or resembling tongues of lightning. And those terrific shafts of Ravana, resisted by Raghava's weapon, were annihilated in the sky, and destroyed (monkeys) by thousands. And seeing that weapon (of Ravana) destroyed by Rama of untiring deeds, all those heroes, the monkeys--headed by Sugriva, capable of wearing forms at will, shouted, surrounding Raghava. And the high-souled son of Dacaratha--Raghava--having by his might destroyed that weapon discharged by Ravana's arms, was delighted; and the monkey-chiefs, filled with glee, began to emit shouts.

[386] An arrow with a crescent shaped head.

[387] _Koka_--a ruddy goose. It may also mean a lizard, a chameleon, a wolf.

[388] A marine monster, generally confounded with the alligator and the shark; but really a fabulous animal.--T.

SECTION CI.

On that weapon of his having been baffled, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--was fired with double fury, and the highly effulgent Ravana from wrath set about discharging at Raghava a dreadful Raudra weapon, which had been conferred on him by Maya. And from his bow began to issue forth in large numbers darts and maces and clubs, flaming and having the might of thunder; and various kinds of sharp clubs and daggers and nooses and flaming thunderbolts began to descend like unto the winds at the universal tumbling. And thereupon the graceful and exceedingly effulgent Raghava--foremost of those accomplished in noble arms--resisted that weapon with a powerful Gandharva weapon. On that weapon being baffled by the high-souled Raghava, Ravana, with his eyes rendered coppery with passion, took up a Solar weapon. Thereupon from the bow of the wondrous vehement and intelligent Ten-necked one rushed out discuses flaming and mighty. And the firmament all round blazed up with those impendent (arms), as blaze up the cardinal quarters on the Sun and the Moon and the planets dropping down. Thereat Raghava in the van of that army by means of vollies of shafts cut off Ravana's wonderful weapons and discuses. And seeing that weapon destroyed, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--with ten arrows pierced Rama all through his vitals. And pierced by Ravana with those ten shafts discharged from his mighty bow, the exceedingly powerful Raghava did not so much shake. Then Raghava--victor in fight--waxing wondrous wroth, with countless shafts pierced Ravana all over his person. In the meanwhile Raghava's younger brother, the mighty Lakshmana--destroyer of foes--growing enraged, took up seven arrows. And with those highly impetuous arrows that exceedingly effulgent one severed the human-headed standard of Ravana. And the mighty and graceful Lakshmana with a shaft cut off the head of the Nairita's charioteer, illumined with ear-rings. And then with five sharpened arrows Lakshmana severed the bow of the Rakshasa-chief, resembling the trunk of an elephant. And Bibhishana, bounding up, with his mace despatched Ravana's excellent steeds, resembling hills or dark-blue clouds. Thereat, leaping down from his mighty car, whose horses had been slain, Ravana was fired with high wrath against his brother. And the powerful lord of Rakshasas endowed with immense strength, hurled at Bibhishana a dart resembling the flaming thunder-bolt. And ere the dart had reached its destination, Lakshmana severed it with three shafts; and thereat in that mighty conflict there arose a mighty uproar from the monkeys. And the dart dight with networks of gold fell down in three fragments, as droppeth a mighty meteor from the firmament, flaming and shooting out scintillations. Then (Ravana) took up a huge dart, glowing in its own energy, celebrated as being irrisistible, and incapable of being borne by the Destroyer himself. On being whirled by the impious and strong Ravana, the dart possessed of exceeding energy, flamed up. In the meanwhile the heroic Lakshmana swiftly came to the side of Bibhishana,[389] whose life was placed in peril. And in order to save him, that hero--Lakshmana--drawing his bow, covered the dart-handed Ravana with showers of shafts. On being covered with arrows shot by that high souled one, Ravana, with his prowess baffled, made up his mind to let (his brother) go. And seeing his brother delivered by Lakshmana, Ravana, facing Lakshmana, spoke these words,--"O thou proud of thy prowess! as Bibhishana hath this wise been delivered by thee, passing by the Rakshasa, this dart, discharged from my bludgeon of an arm, will depart, depriving thee of thy life". Having said this, Ravana, waxing furiously enraged, discharged at Lakshmana that dart forged by Maya with his power of illusion, furnished with eight bells, having mighty sounds,--incapable of being resisted,--competent to finish foes; and flaming in energy,--and shouted simultaneously. And hurled with terrific force, the dart sending sounds resembling that of Vajra or the thunder-bolt, vehemently alighted at Lakshmana in that encounter. Thereat, as the dart descended, Raghava addressed[390] it, saying,--"Peace be to Lakshmana! Be thou frustrated; and let thy energy go out of thee". But the dart discharged in the encounter by the enraged Ravana, resembling a venomous serpent, dived into the dauntless and heroic Lakshmana; and (the dart) exceedingly splendid and blazing, possessed of dreadful impetuosity; and resembling the tongue of the king of serpents, smote Lakshmana in his mighty chest. And with his breast riven by the dart, driving deep through the force of Ravana, Lakshmana fell down to the earth. And Raghava, standing by, seeing Lakshmana in that plight, had his heart overspread with sorrow. But reflecting only for a while, he, with his eyes surcharged with tears, was filled with greater martial ardour, and resembled the fire risen at the universal dissolution. Then thinking,--'This is not the time to indulge in grief;' he, gazing at Lakshmana, entered into a terrific encounter, resolved upon slaying Ravana, laying under contribution his dearest energies. And Rama saw Lakshmana with his chest riven by the dart in the mighty conflict, lying drenched in blood, and resembling a hill with serpents present in it--And in spite of all their efforts, the foremost monkeys failed to extract the dart which had been hurled by the powerful Ravana.--And, further, they were (all the while) sore assailed with showers of shafts by the foremost Rakshasa of them all. The dart, having pierced Sumitra's son, had entered the earth. In the encounter the mighty Rama, grasping the dreadful dart with his hands, extracted the same and wrathfully snapped it.[391] As he (Rama) was engaged in pulling the dart out, the mighty Ravana kept pouring marrow-piercing shafts all over his person. Thinking nothing of those arrows, Rama, embracing Lakshmana, spoke unto Hanuman and the mighty monkey, Sugriva,--"Ye foremost of monkeys, do ye stay here, surrounding Lakshmana. The opportunity for putting forth my prowess which I had sought, is present. I shall slay this wicked-minded Ten-necked one, who is resolved to pursue the course of unrighteousness. Even as on the expiry of summer the Chataka is eager for the sight of clouds, I had long been eager to obtain a sight of (Ravana.) Ye monkeys, this, I swear unto you,--this very hour not long after ye will see this world without Ravana or Rama. To-day having slain Ravana in battle, I shall renounce all sorrow arising from the loss of my kingdom, from my sojourn in the woods, from my wandering in Dandaka, from the ravishment of Vaidehi, from encounter with the Rakshas,--all the terrible evils that I have suffered, and all the troubles resembling hell. He for whom I have brought over the monkey-forces, made Sugriva king, slaying Vali in battle, for whom I have crossed the ocean and constructed a bridge over the deep--the same hath been come at by me in conflict, and the same hath come within the range of my vision.--And having come within my ken, Ravana will not live, even as one coming within ken of a serpent of poisonous sight, doth not live; or even as a serpent doth not live, coming within ken of Vinata's[392] son. Do ye, ye irrepressible ones, ye foremost of monkeys, seated at the brow of the mountain, behold the battle between me and Ravana. To day let the three worlds with the Gandharvas, and the Siddhas, and the Chiranas, see that for which Rama is Rama. To-day I shall do a deed of which the worlds with the mobile and the immobile and the gods, shall speak as long as the Earth sustaineth (creatures.)" Having delivered himself thus, Rama, concentrating his attention, began to charge the Ten-necked one in encounter with whetted arrows decked with burnished gold. And in the same way Ravana showered on Rama great _narachas_ and clubs, even as clouds pour down showers. And there arose a tremendous uproar of mighty arrows discharged by Rama and Ravana, smiting one another. And the shafts shot by Rama and Ravana, severed and scattered, with flaming heads dropped to the Earth. And the mighty twangs of the bow-strings of both, terrifying all creatures, were wonderful to behold.[393] And then even as clouds disperse on being trampled by the Winds, Ravana, covered with showers of arrowy networks by that high souled one and reduced to sore straits by that one (Rama) of a glowing bow, fled away in fear.

[389] The commentator explains: "Himself coming before the dart, Lakshmana saved Bibhishana".--T.

[390] _i.e._ as Ramanuya remarks, addressed the deity presiding over it.--T.

[391] The commentator has a characteristic note. 'This dart, having pierced the foe, used always to return to Ravana. But Rama, who was the Lord himself, having spoken to it as he did, it could not this time go back; and Rama snapped it, which none else could do.'!--T.

[392] Garuda.

[393] _Adbhutadarcana--wonderful to behold_,--wonderful to witness is the sense.--T.

SECTION CII.

Seeing the heroic Lakshmana brought down by the dart discharged by the powerful Ravana, and lying drenched in blood, he (Rama) after having fought furiously with the wicked-minded Ravana,--and having showered vollies of shafts, addressed Sushena, saying,--"This heroic Lakshmana brought down to the earth by the prowess of Ravana, lieth like a serpent, enhancing my sorrow. Seeing this hero, dearer to me than life, what power have I, with my soul overwhelmed with dole, to fight? If this brother of mine graced with auspicious marks, delighting in battle, breathe his last, what shall life avail me or happiness? My prowess is ashamed; my bow falleth off from my hand; my arrows droop; my sight is dimmed with tears; my limbs weaken as do those of men in a dream; thought racks me; and I even desire death". Seeing his brother wounded by the wicked-minded Ravana, crying in preternatural accents, and sore stricken in his vitals, (Rama) overcome by a mighty sorrow, lamented with his senses wildered. "Seeing my brother, Lakshmana, wounded, and lying over the dust of the field, even victory, O hero, doth not seem to me sweet. If the Moon is hid from the sight, whom doth he then delight? What have I to do with battle? What have I to do with life? I have no more to do anything with fighting, seeing that this Lakshmana wounded, lieth in the field of battle. As this highly effulgent one had followed me into the forest, so will I in the same way follow him to the abode of Yama. Ever seeking my welfare and ever devoted to me, he hath been reduced to this pass by Rakshasas fighting in crooked ways. In land after land one meets with wives, in land after land one meets with friends, but country find I none where a uterine brother may be met with. What, O irrepressible one, shall I do with the kingdom without my Lakshmana? And what shall I say unto mother Sumitra, fond of her son? And I shall never be able to bear the reproach Sumitra shall cast upon me. And what shall I say unto Kaucalya, and what unto mother Kaikeyi? And what shall I say unto Bharata, and what unto the exceedingly powerful Satrughna? 'Thou hadst gone to the woods with him. Why then dost thou come (back) without him?' 'Tis better (for me) to renounce my life here, instead of bearing the censure of friends. What a sin had I committed in another birth, seeing that my virtuous brother, staying before me, hath been slain? Ah, my brother! Thou best of men! O master, who wert the foremost of heroes! Why, forsaking me, dost thou repair to the other regions. Wherefore, brother, dost thou not speak to me, who am lamenting? Get up. See! Why dost thou lie down? Look on me with thine eyes. O mighty-armed one, in the woods and mountains thou didst ever use to cheer me, tried by grief and pining in despondency, with my mind overwhelmed (with woe)". As Rama was speaking thus with his senses overwhelmed with emotion, Sushena, soothing him, spoke these pregnant words,--"O foremost of men, cast off this train of thought tending to overwhelm thy understanding,--this anxiety giving birth to grief, and resembling the shafts of foes in the van of the embattled forces. Lakshmana enhancer of auspiciousness is not dead. His face is not distorted or blackened. Do thou look at his countenance, which is beautifully bright and cheerful. His hands have palms resembling lotus-petals, and his eyes are pleasant. O king, one dead doth not look thus. (Therefore), O hero, do not grieve. O subduer of enemies, this one is instinct with life. As he is lying down on the ground, stretched at length, his heart, O hero, trembling momentarily, testifieth to his respiration". Having spoken thus unto Raghava, the highly wise Sushena thus addressed the mighty monkey, Hanuman, saying,--"O placid one, hieing hence to the mountain, Mahodaya, which, O hero, had formerly been mentioned unto thee by Jambavan, bring hither the mighty drug sprung at its right summit--Vicalyakarani by name, and Savarnyakarani,[394] and Sanjivakarani, O hero, and the potent medicine--Sandhani. Do thou bring (these) in order that the hero--Lakshmana--may be revived". Having been thus instructed, Hanuman, repairing to the Medicinal mountain, was wrought up with anxiety, not knowing the drugs. And then the thought sprang up in the mind of the Wind-god's offspring of immeasurable prowess,--"I shall go, even taking this (entire) summit of the mountain. In this very summit must that delightful drug have sprung. This I infer, inasmuch as Sushena had forsooth said so. If I fail to take Vicalyakarani, I shall come by disgrace,--and if I spend much time (in thought), that would be fraught with evil".[395] Having reflected thus, the exceedingly powerful Hanuman, foremost of monkeys,--swiftly drawing up to that best of mountains, and giving three shakes to the mountain filled with various flowering trees,--raised it up with his hands. And taking that summit of the mountain resembling dark-blue clouds charged with rain, Hanuman from the earth bounded up into the sky. And arriving (at his quarters), that wondrous vehement one, putting down the mountain-peak, and reposing for a while, spoke unto Sushena,--"I did not find the drug, O best of monkeys; and therefore have I brought this entire summit of the mountain". When the Wind-god's offspring had spoken thus, that foremost of monkeys--Sushena--praising him, uprooted the herb and secured it. Seeing Hanuman's feat, incapable of being done by even the celestials, the choicest of the monkeys were amazed. Then crushing the healing herb, that best of monkeys--the exceedingly effulgent Sushena, made Lakshmana smell the same. And thereupon the wounded Lakshmana,--slayer of hostile heroes--smelling it, cured of his wound and ailments, speedily rose up from the ground. Seeing Lakshmana rise up from the earth, the monkeys, exceedingly rejoiced, honoring Lakshmana, exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!" "Come!" said that slayer of hostile heroes--Rama--and with his eyes filled with tears, he deeply embraced Lakshmana. And having embraced Sumitra's son, Raghava then addressed him, saying--"By good fortune it is that, O hero, I see thee returned from (the mansion of) Death.--Verily my life, or Sita, or Victory is worthless (without thee). And thou being dead, what is my life worth?" When the high-souled Raghava had spoken thus, Lakshmana, aggrieved on account of the words (of Raghava) expressive of infirmity of purpose, said,--"Having bound thyself by that vow, it doth not, O thou having truth for prowess, behove thee to speak like one fickle and feeble. Those speaking the truth, never falsify their promise: the mark of a great one is even observance of vow. O sinless one, do not suffer thyself to be overcome by despair on my account. Do thou to-day by slaying Ravana, make thy promise good. Thy foe coming within the sway of thy shafts, will not hence, living, even like a mighty elephant coming before a sharp-toothed roaring lion. I wish the speedy destruction of this impious one, ere the maker of day, having performed his work, has ascended the Setting-hill.[396] If thou wishest to slay Ravana in battle, if thou desirest to recover the princess, then, O noble one, O hero, to-day speedily set about what I say".

[394] _Lit._--that which restores the former complexion.--T.

[395] Explains the commentator: 'If I take any other medicine by mistake, I shall make a fool of myself; if I spend much time in thought, Lakshmana may die.'--T.

[396] This conversation between Rama and Lakshmana took place, says the commentator, on the first day of the lighted fortnight.--T.

SECTION CIII.