Part 9

Then the spies of the king informed him of the forces of Raghava, incapable of being agitated, which had stationed themselves on mount Suvela. Hearing the arrival of Rama's mighty army from the spies, Ravana was a little agitated, and he spoke unto the ministers,--"Let the ministers speedily present themselves, having their wits about them,--the time forsooth hath come for counsel". Hearing his mandate, those Rakshasas, his counselors, swiftly presented themselves. And then he consulted with his Rakshasa counselors. Having deliberated duly, that resistless one, dismissing his ministers, entered his own abode. Then, taking with him the highly strong Vidyujjibha, huge-bodied and gifted with the powers of illusion, he entered where Mithila's daughter was. And the lord of Rakshasas said unto Vidyujjibha, skilled in illusion,--"Do thou bring Janakas daughter under the sway of illusion. And, O ranger of the night, do thou, taking an illusory head of Raghava, as well as a mighty bow with the shaft (set), present thyself before me". Thus accosted, the night-ranger, Vidyujjibha, saying, "So be it," displayed that desired illusion unto Ravana. Thereat, the king, eager to meet with Sita in the Acoka woods, well-pleased, conferred an excellent ornament on him. Then the exceedingly powerful lord of the Nairitas, the younger brother of the Dispenser of riches, entered (into that place) and saw (there Sita) distressed, albeit unworthy of distress,--with her head hung down, overwhelmed with woe,--sitting on the ground, staying at the _acoka_ woods, engaged in the contemplation of her lord, conciliated by dreadful Rakshasis remaining near. Then, drawing near Sita, Ravana, proclaiming his exultation, said these haughty words unto the daughter of Janaka,--"O gentle one, he depending on whom thou, being soothed by (me), slightest me--that slayer of Khara, thy husband, Raghava, hath fallen in battle. Thy roots have been competely severed, and thy pride hath been destroyed by me. In consequence of this calamity, O Sita, thou shalt become my wife. O foolish (girl), renounce this idea. What wilt thou do with him that is dead? O meek (wench), be thou the mistress of all my wives. O thou of slender religious merit! O thou whose object hath been defeated! O thou that presumest to be wise! Hearken unto the destruction of thy lord, like the dreadful destruction of Vritra! Surrounded by a vast army gathered by the sovereign of the monkeys, Raghava had presented himself on the shore of the sea, for compassing my destruction. And on the sun having set, Rama stationed himself with his mighty army, oppressing the northern shore (of the sea). Then at midnight (my) spies coming to that host, thus stationed, fatigued from travel, and sleeping soundly (in consequence),--first ranged it. Then my mighty forces led by Prahasta slew his host overnight, where was present Rama along with Lakshmana. And repeatedly upraising _patticas_ and bludgeons, swords, rods and other mighty weapons; and (discharging) showers of arrows, and darts, and daggers and maces and sticks and crows and bearded darts and discuses and clubs;--the Rakshasas discharged these among the monkeys. And while Rama was sleeping, the furious Prahasta by means of a mighty falchion, with speed cut off his head clean. Bibhishana, who was flying at his will, was taken captive. And Lakshmana along with the monkey-army hath departed somewhere. And, O Sita, Sugriva--lord of monkeys--hath his neck broken; and, O Sita, with his jaw fractured, Hanuman hath been slaughtered by the Rakshasas.--And Jambavan, endeavouring to spring up with his thighs, was slain in the conflict; being severed by bearded darts, even as a tree cut off. And the stalwart Mainda and Dwivida--those foremost of monkeys--sighing and lamenting, bathed in blood,--destroyers of foes--were cut off with a sword. And Panaca is rolling on the earth like a (veritable) Panaca.[86] And mangled by many iron arrows, Darimukha lieth in a cave. And the exceedingly energetic Kumuda, dumb, is slain by shafts. And torn by innumerable (arrows) discharged on all sides by Rakshasas, Angada, vomitting blood, lieth on the ground.[87] And the monkeys, hard pressed by elephants, and others by networks of cars, lie low in the field, having been agitated like clouds by winds. And others afflicted with affright, flee, attacked (by the enemy) in the rear, and followed by the Rakshasas, like mighty elephants pursued by lions. And some have fallen into the sea, and some have taken refuge in the sky; and the bears have mounted up trees along with the monkeys. And on the shore of the sea, and in mountains and woods many are the tawny-hued monkeys that have been slain by Rakshasas of frightful forms. Thus hath thy lord been slain by my forces, along with his army; and I have his head, washed in blood and besmeared with dust". Thereat, the exceedingly irrepressible lord of Rakshasas, Ravana, spake unto a Rakshasi, in the hearing of Sita,--"Bring (hither) the Rakshasa, Vidyujjibha of cruel deeds, who hath personally brought Raghava's head from the field". Thereat, Vidyujjibha, taking the head along with the bow, bowing down the head (unto Ravana), stood before him. Then spake king; Ravana unto the Rakshasa, Vidyujjibha of the long tongue, who was staying by,--"Do thou at once hold before Sita the head of Dacaratha's son. Let her clearly behold the ultimate sad plight of her lord". Thus addressed, that Raksha, throwing that graceful head before Sita, swiftly vanished. And Ravana cast down the mighty blazing bow, famed through the three worlds, saying,--"This is Rama's. This is the bow of thy Rama with the string fixed. Slaying that man over night, Prahasta brought it hither".

[86] The tree of that name.--T.

[87] This _sloka_ has 'Angada' twice. One, of course, is left out.--T.

SECTION XXXII.

Seeing that head and that excellent bow, and (remembering) the union of (Rama) and Sugriva related by Hanuman,--and (seeing) those eyes, and the complexion of that face, and that countenance like unto that of her lord,--and that hair and that forehead; and that beautiful jewel forming the crest; and recognizing (Rama) by all these tokens combined,-- (Sita), exceedingly aggrieved, rebuked Kaikeyi, lamenting like a female osprey,--"O Kaikeyi, have thy wishes attained. Slain hath been the son of the race; and the entire race is exterminated by thee, partial to dissension. And what evil had been done unto Kaikeyi by the revered Rama, that along with me, he hadst been banished into the woods, with rags given him (for his covering)?" Having said this, Vaidehi, forlorn and trembling (all over), dropped to the earth, like a plantain cut off. Then, recovering after a while, and having regained her consciousness, the large-eyed one, placing the head in her front, gave way to grief. "Ah! I am undone, O mighty-armed one! O thou that didst follow stern vows! From thy (death), I have come by this final plight, having been rendered a widow. The greatest calamity (that can befall a woman), is said to be the death of her husband. And, possessor of an excellent character, thou hast departed before me, who have ever trod the path of the righteous; but who have come by a mighty grief and am plunged in a sea of sorrow. And thou, who was engaged in delivering me, hast thyself fallen! And my mother-in-law, Kaucalya, attached (to thee), through the death of thee, her son, at the hands of Rakshasas, hath been reduced to the condition of a cow that hath been deprived of her calf. O Raghava, even the astrologers had predicted long life for thee. But their words are false,--thou, O Raghava, wast short-lived. Or didst thy wisdom, wise and good as thou wert, come to naught? For God, who is the origin of all beings, maketh (every one) reap the fruit of his own acts. And why, versed in polity as thou wast, didst thou come by death, unforeseen? Thou wast acquainted with the means of warding off misfortune, and skilled in doing so. And having been brought hither by me, representing the Fatal Night, fierce and fell,--after (being) embraced, and by force,--the lotus-eyed one hath met with his death. Here liest thou, O long-armed one, leaving me lone,--and embracing the Earth like thy beloved fair. Ever carefully worshipped with perfumed wreaths, this bow of thine, O hero, embellished with gold, is dear unto me. O sinless one, thou hast surely gone to heaven, and (art there) in the company of thy sire and my father-in-law, Dacaratha, and all thy ancestors. Thou hast become a star of the firmament as the fruit of thy great act.[88] Thou hast disregarded thy righteous race of Rajarshis. O king, why dost thou not look at me? And why is it that thou dost not answer me, who am a girl, hardly arrived at youth,--and who am thy wife and companion? That thou at the time of thy espousing my hand hadst vowed--I will practise (righteousness) with thee--do thou, O Kakutstha, recollect the same, and take me, who am overwhelmed with distress. Why, O best of goers, hast thou gone from this world to that other, leaving behind me, overwhelmed with distress? That person of thine which, decked out with auspicious things, I used to embrace, beasts of prey will for certain tear the same. Having performed the Agnishtoma and other sacrifices with _Dakshinas_ (dispensed),--why hadst not thou attained purity by means of the sacrificial fire? Kaucalya, overwhelmed with sorrow, shall only behold one of the three that had gone away to distant lands,--come (back)--Lakshmana. And, on being asked by her, he shall relate thine as well as the deaths of thy friend's troops over night at the hands of the Rakshasas. And, O Raghava, hearing thee slain while asleep, and me staying in the abode of the Raksha, she with her heart cleft (in twain), shall cease to exist. And for the sake of me, abject that I am, that sinless son of the king, Rama, possessed of prowess, having crossed the ocean, hath been slain in the footprint of a cow. I, the befouler of my line, who had been wedded by Dacaratha's son through want of discretion, becoming the wife of the revered Rama, was (in reality) his Death. Without doubt, in another birth I had abstained from choice gifts,--and therefore it is that I sorrow to-day, albeit being the wife of one that was (ever dear) unto guests. Do thou, O Ravana, speedily slay me upon Rama; and, bringing the wife to the husband, compass my best benefit. Do thou join my head to his and my body to his body. I will, O Ravana, follow the way of my high-souled lord". Thus, burning in grief, did that large-eyed one indulge in lamentations; and Janaka's daughter kept fast gazing at the head and bow of her lord. And as the Rakshasa was by while Sita was thus bewailing, there appeared before his lord, with joined hands, the warder, saying,--"May the worshipful one be victorious!" And saluting and propitiating him, (Ravana), he told him that Prahasta, general of the forces, had arrived. "Prahasta hath come to thee, surrounded by all the courtiers. And, O lord, I was despatched by him, desirous of seeing thee. O mighty monarch, surely there is--and thou art forgiving from thy regal sentiment[89]--some work which is momentous; and do thou see them". Hearing these words of the Rakshasa, the Ten-necked one, leaving the acoka wood, went to see the counselors. And, having decided his entire course of action in consultation with his competent advisers, (Ravana), entering his court,--well knowing Rama's prowess, set about his work. And as soon as Ravana left that place, that head and that bow vanished. And in company with the councilors of dreadful power, (Ravana) decided his course with reference to Rama. And then the lord of Rakshasas, Ravana, resembling the day of doom, addressed his generals,--all well-wishers--staying hard by, saying,--"Do ye speedily summon my forces with the beat of drums--nor do ye give out the reason (of the summons)". Then assenting to his speech with "So be it," the envoys immediately summoned that mighty force; and, when it had arrived, they informed their master, eager for conflict, of its arrival.

[88] _The carrying out the command of thy sire.--T._

[89] This dislocated period insinuates that Ravana, possessed of royal nature, should forgive this untimely intrusion.--T.

SECTION XXXIII.

Seeing Sita overwhelmed with grief, a Rakshasi, named Sarama, who was the beloved companion (of Sita), drew near to her dear (friend), Vaidehi. And the mild-speeched Sarama comforted the exceedingly distressed Sita, who had been bereft of her senses by the lord of Rakshasas. Sita, who was protected there (by Sarama), had been made a friend by her. And, protecting her at the command of Ravana, that kind-hearted companion, firm in vows, saw Sita, deprived of her consciousness. And she[90] comforted with a friend's affection that one of fair vows, who was rolling in the dust and rising up from it like a mare.[91] "Having come to the solitary wood for protecting thee, I, renouncing all fear of Ravana, have, remaining hid, heard everything that he addressed unto thee, as well as what thou hadst replied unto him. For thee, O thou of expansive eyes, I have no fear of Ravana. And, O Maithili, I, coming out, have also learnt well as to why the lord of Rakshasas hath gone out hence hurriedly. Rama, acquainted with self, is incapable of being surprised in sleep; nor doth the slaying of that tiger-like one commend itself to me as probable. And the monkeys fighting with trees, well protected by Raghava, like the gods protected by the foremost of the celestials, are incapable of being slain. And, possessed of arms long and rounded; graceful; broad-breasted; powerful; accoutred with the bow; and mailed; righteous; and famous over the earth; endowed with energy; and along with his brother, Lakshmana, ever protecting himself and others; of noble descent; and versed in polity; the destroyer of the hostile ranks; and of inconceivable strength and manhood,--the graceful Raghava, O Sita, slayer of foes, is not slain. This illusion hath been spread around thee by that fierce, illusion-creating one, whose mind ever runs upon improper acts and who opposeth himself to all creatures.--All thy sorrow hath departed, and thy good day hath dawned. Certainly Lakshmi seeketh thee. And, O lady, hearken unto what is dear to thee! Having crossed over the ocean, along with the monkey-host, Rama hath encamped himself on the southern shore of the sea. By me hath been seen the complete Kakutstha along with Lakshmana, accompanied by the forces, stationed on the marge of the main,--protected (by his native might). Those Rakshasas of fleet vigor who had been despatched by this one, have brought the news that Raghava hath crossed.--And, O large-eyed lady, having learnt this news, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--is consulting with all his counselors". As the Rakshasi, Sarama, was relating this unto Sita, she heard the leonine roars of the army, emitted with the greatest energy. And, hearing the mighty sounds of kettledrums produced by sticks struck (thereon), the honey-tongued Sarama spoke thus unto Sita,--"These dreadful sounds of the kettledrum, O mother, call to arms. And hark to the solemn notes of the kettledrums, resembling the rumbling of clouds! The mad elephants are caparisoned and the car-horses are yoked; and thousands (of warriors) are seen, mounted on steeds, with bearded darts in their hands. And, as waters fill up the ocean, mailed warriors of wonderful forms, vehement and roaring, by thousands rush out on all sides and fill the highways. And mark the splendour spread around by the polished arms and bucklers and mail,--and by the cars, horses and elephants of the followers of the Rakshasa-chief,--consisting of many hues shooting up,--like unto the appearance of a fire in summer, burning a forest,--and also mark the excitement of ihe high-spirited and fast-coursing Rakshas![92] And hear the sounds of bells and the rattling of the car-wheels! And hear the neighing of the steeds and the reports of the drums And fierce is the excitement of these Rakshasas--followers of the Raksha-chief,--with their hands hearing upraised arms,--capable of making people's hair stand on end. The sorrow removing Sree espouseth thee; and the fear of the Rakshas is come. And as Vasava did unto the Daityas, the lotus-eyed Rama, thy lord--of controlled anger, and of inconceivable prowess, slaying Ravana in battle and thus delivering thee, shall approach thee. And, as Vasava put forth his prowess among his foes, in company with the foe-destroying Vishnu, thy lord, along with Lakshmana, shall display his prowess among the Rakshas. On the enemy having fallen, I shall behold thee, devoted to thy lord, with thy desire attained, soon lying on the lap of Rama. And, O Janaki, embracing (thy lord), thou shalt shed tears of joy on his mighty breast. And, O Sita, soon shall the highly powerful Rama loosen this braid of thine reaching unto thy hips, which thou hast been wearing for many a month. And, O exalted one, seeing his face like the full moon risen, thou shalt shed water begot of ruth, even as a she-serpent casts off her slough. And, O Mithila's daughter, speedily slaying Ravana in battle, that one worthy of happiness shall reap felicity in the company of thee, his beloved. And, loved by the high-souled Rama, thou shalt be happy, even as the Earth furnished with crops brought forth by plenteous showers. Do thou, O exalted one, take refuge with him, who, going round the foremost of mountains, speedily assumeth a steed-like circular movement; for even the maker of day is the source of people's joy and grief".

[90] Sarama.--T.

[91] The commentator intelligently remarks: _As a mare does, to remove fatigue.--T._

[92] This line of verse defies all attempts to make it fall into syntactical order with the rest of the sentence. It is a hideous hiatus in the passage.--T.

SECTION XXXIV.

Burning with grief on account of those words,[93] Sarama gladdened and cheered her, even as masses of clouds (cheer up) the burning Earth. And then, desirous of doing her good, (Sita's) friend, conversant with season, and ever preluding her speech with a smile, spoke unto her seasonably,--"O thou having dark eyes, I can, secretly going to Rama and communicating to him thy auspicious words, come back clandestinely. Nor, when I course the supportless sky, can even the Wind or Garuda follow me". As she said this, Sita with her grief a little lightened, said unto Sarama in sweet and smooth words,--"Thou art capable of even going to the nethermost regions. But do thou on my behalf that which is fit to be done by thee. If thou intend doing me a good turn, and if thy sense be steady, I would know what Ravana is doing after having left this place. That guileful and wicked-minded one, Ravana, destroyer of enemies, having powers of illusion, overwhelms me even as the Varuni just drunk. Confining me here for ever and a day, (Ravana) sets on dreadful Rakshasas to alike threaten and scold me constantly. And I am agitated and alarmed, and my mind is (always) uneasy. And I, dwelling in the _acoka_ wood, is ever agitated. If there is any talk (of delivering me), or keeping me confined,--thou shouldst communicate unto me the decision arrived at. This is the highest favor that I seek (at thy hands)". Thereat, the mild-speeched Sarama, wiping (Sita's) face washed in tears, spake unto her, as she said this,--"If this is thy wish, I will go, O Janaki. O Mithila's daughter, having possessed myself of the intent of the enemy, I shall come back". Having said this, (Sarama), repairing to the Raksha, heard Ravana's converse with his counselors. And having heard of the decision of that wicked-minded one, she, understanding decisions, swiftly retraced her steps to the fair _acoka_ forest. And then, entering there, she saw Janaka's daughter, expecting (her) like a very Sri, bereft of her lotus. And, the fair-spoken Sarama, on getting back (near her), Sita, embracing her affectionately, herself gave her a seat. "Sitting down here at ease, do thou relate to me faithfully all about the determination of the wicked-minded and guileful Ravana". Thus accosted by the trembling Sita, Sarama related everything that had been said by Ravana and his counselors. "O Vaidehi, the Raksha lord was advised by his mother and the aged counselors in pregnant words informed with affection, having thy deliverance for their object. 'Do thou make over Maithili unto the king of men, paying him homage due. Thou hast, in Janasthana profusely witnessed wonderful instances (of his prowess). The crossing of the ocean, Hanuman's sight (of Sita),--and the slaughter of the Rakshas in fight,--what person is capable of doing all this in battle?' Thus long exhorted by his counselors as well as his mother, Ravana doth not make up his mind to emancipate thee, even as a covetuous person is loath to part with wealth (appropriated). And, O Maithili, without renouncing his life in battle, he doth not intend to liberate thee. Even this is the determination which that cruel one hath arrived at along with his advisers. This intent is in consequence of their coveting surcease. He can not yield thee up from sheer fear; nor is he backward in battle, or shirketh his own destruction or that of all the Rakshasas. O dark-eyed lady, slaying Ravana in battle with sharp shafts, Rama shall take thee back to Ayodhya". In the meanwhile there was heard a mighty uproar occasioned by the whole host, and drums and conchs,--which shook the earth. Hearing that hubbub of the monkey-army, the servants of the Rakshasa monarch, ran who were in Lanka,--growing dispirited and bereft of energy, with weakness overcoming their powers,--did not see any good, in consequence of the fault of the ruler.

[93] _i.e._ the words of Ravana.

SECTION XXXV.