Kāṇḍa 7

7.1.1 After Rāma had obtained his kingdom and the slaughter of the rākṣasas had been accomplished, all the sages came to pay homage to the Rāghava.

7.1.2 Kauśika, Yavakrīta, Raibhya, Cyavana, and Kaṇva the son of Medhātithi — those who dwelt in the eastern quarter came.

7.1.3 The venerable Svastyātreya, Namuci, Pramucu, and those who dwelt in the southern quarter came together with Agastya.

7.1.4 Pṛṣadgu, Kavaṣa, Dhaumya, and the great sage Raudreya — those who dwelt in the western quarter also came with their disciples.

7.1.5 Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Atri, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadvāja — these seven great seers also came.

7.1.6 These great-souled ones, blazing like sacrificial fire, arrived at the dwelling of the Rāghava and stationed themselves at the gate, awaiting admission.

7.1.7 Then the gatekeeper, at Agastya's word, quickly entered the presence of the great-souled Rāghava.

7.1.8 Seeing Rāma, whose radiance was like the full moon, he announced to him the arrival of Agastya together with the sages.

7.1.9 Hearing that those sages, whose brilliance was like the rising sun, had arrived, the king said to the doorkeeper: "Admit them at their ease."

7.1.10 Seeing those sages who had come, Rāma rose to receive them with joined palms, greeted them reverently, and with a purified mind directed them to seats.

7.1.11 Those foremost sages seated themselves appropriately upon the well-spread, comfortable, gold-ornamented thrones.

7.1.12 Asked after their welfare by Rāma, those great sages, knowers of the Vedas, together with their disciples and attendants, spoke these words to Rāma.

7.1.13 "We are well in all respects, O mighty-armed one, O delight of the Raghus. By good fortune we see you well, with your enemies slain."

7.1.14 "For Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, was no burden to you, O Rāma; armed with your bow you could conquer the three worlds — of this there is no doubt."

7.1.15 "By good fortune, O Rāma, you have slain Rāvaṇa together with his sons and grandsons. By good fortune we see you today victorious together with your wife."

7.1.16 "By good fortune, Prahasta, Vikaṭa, Virūpākṣa, Mahodara, and the formidable Akampana — those night-roaming rākṣasas have been slain by you."

7.1.17 "He of whose vast measure there is none mightier in this world — by good fortune, O Rāma, Kumbhakarṇa has been felled by you in battle."

7.1.18 "By good fortune you engaged the lord of rākṣasas in single combat and have won victory over one who was unkillable by the gods."

7.1.19 "The defeat of Rāvaṇa in battle was nothing; it was when single combat came that the feat mattered — by good fortune Rāvaṇa's son Indrajit has been slain by you."

7.1.20 "By good fortune, O mighty-armed hero, you were freed from that foe of the gods who rushed at you like Death himself, and victory has been attained by you."

7.1.21 "Yet this is our wonder, O gentle one, upon hearing that Indrajit has been slain — he who was unkillable by all living beings and who wielded great illusion in battle."

7.1.22 "Having bestowed this auspicious and gracious gift of fearlessness, by good fortune you prosper, O Kākutstha, O crusher of foes, through your victory."

7.1.23 Having heard the words of those purified-souled sages, Rāma was filled with the greatest wonder and, with joined palms, spoke.

7.1.24 "Why do you, sirs, passing over Kumbhakarṇa and Rāvaṇa the night-wanderer, both of tremendous might, praise Rāvaṇa's son?"

7.1.25 "Passing over Mahodara, Prahasta, and the rākṣasa Virūpākṣa — all of tremendous might — why do you praise Rāvaṇa's son?"

7.1.26 "What was his power, what his strength, what his valor? And for what reason did he surpass Rāvaṇa himself?"

7.1.27 "If it is possible for me to hear this, I do not command you — if it is not a secret, then tell it, for I desire to hear. How was Indra conquered by him, and how did he obtain his boons?"

7.2.1 Having heard these words of the great-souled Rāghava, Kumbhayoni — Agastya, of great brilliance — spoke these words.

7.2.2 "Hear, O king, the full account of him whose fiery power was great, who slew his enemies in battle, and how he was unkillable by his foes."

7.2.3 "I shall tell you, O Rāghava, Rāvaṇa's lineage and birth, and likewise the grant of boons that was given to him."

7.2.4 "In former times, in the Kṛta age, O Rāma, there was a lord who was the son of Prajāpati — the brahmarṣi named Pulastya, like Brahmā himself made manifest."

7.2.5 "His virtues in respect of righteousness and conduct cannot be enumerated; he can only be described by name as 'son of Prajāpati.'"

7.2.6 "That foremost of sages, drawn by religious engagement, went to the hermitage of Tṛṇabindu on the slope of the great mountain Meru and dwelt there."

7.2.7 "That righteous-souled sage practiced austerities with his senses restrained through recitation of the Vedas; yet maidens coming to his hermitage created disturbances."

7.2.8 "Daughters of gods and nāgas, daughters of royal sages, and apsarases at play — all these came to that region."

7.2.9 "Because the forest was enjoyable in every season and delightful, those maidens went to that region constantly to sport."

7.2.10 "Then the great sage, blazing with might, became angered and proclaimed: 'Whatever woman comes into my sight shall bear a child.'"

7.2.11 "All of them, having heard the word of the great-souled one, turned back; fearing a brahmin's curse, they did not approach that region."

7.2.12 "But the daughter of the royal sage Tṛṇabindu did not hear this; she went to his hermitage and wandered there quite without fear."

7.2.13 "At that very time that great sage, son of Prajāpati, was performing his Vedic recitation there, his brilliance blazing with ascetic power."

7.2.14 "She, hearing the sound of the Vedas and seeing that treasury of austerities, became pale in her body, though she was a woman of well-formed limbs."

7.2.15 "Seeing her own form in such a state, she was greatly agitated; thinking 'What is this that has happened to me?' she went and stood before her father."

7.2.16 "Tṛṇabindu, seeing her in that condition, then said: 'Why do you bear this form so unlike your own?'"

7.2.17 "She, distressed, joined her palms and said to that treasury of austerities: 'I do not know the cause, father, by which my form has become like this.'"

7.2.18 "'But earlier I had gone alone to the divine hermitage of the great sage Pulastya, whose soul was purified, in search of my own companions.'"

7.2.19 "'I did not see any companion who had come there; and seeing the transformation of my form, I have come back here.'"

7.2.20 "The royal sage Tṛṇabindu, his brilliance blazing with austerity, entered into meditation and saw therein what had come about through the sage's act."

7.2.21 "Having understood that curse of the great purified-souled sage, he took his daughter and went to Pulastya and said this."

7.2.22 "'Venerable one, accept this daughter of mine, herself adorned with her own virtues, as a gift, O great sage — she offers herself willingly.'"

7.2.23 "'She will always be devoted to your service as you practice your austerities and fatigue your senses — of this there is no doubt.'"

7.2.24 "As the righteous royal sage spoke those words, the brahmin, wishing to accept the maiden, said simply 'So be it.'"

7.2.25 "Having given her, the king departed to his own hermitage; and the maiden dwelt there, pleasing her husband with her virtues. Delighted, that blazing sage spoke these words."

7.2.26 "'I am thoroughly pleased; may good come to you through the abundance of your virtues. Therefore I shall now produce for you a son equal to me in qualities, who shall perpetuate the lineage of us both, renowned as a son of Pulastya.'"

7.2.27 "'Since the Veda has become famous through being recited by you here in my presence, therefore the son shall be named Viśravas — of this there is no doubt.'"

7.2.28 "Thus addressed, the maiden, with a joyful heart, in no long time gave birth to a son, Viśravas."

7.2.29 "He, renowned through the three worlds, endowed with purity and righteousness, yoked to austerity like his father — Viśravas, that foremost of sages."

7.3.1 Now Pulastya's son Viśravas, that foremost of sages, in no long time was established in austerity just like his father.

7.3.2 He was truthful, virtuous, capable, devoted to Vedic recitation, pure, unattached to all pleasures, and ever intent on righteousness.

7.3.3 The great sage Bharadvāja, knowing his conduct and character, gave his own daughter to Viśravas as a wife — a woman of divine beauty.

7.3.4 Accepting Bharadvāja's daughter in accordance with dharma, Viśravas, that foremost of sages, was filled with the greatest joy.

7.3.5 That righteous-souled one begot upon her a most wondrous offspring endowed with valor and possessed of all the qualities of a brahmin.

7.3.6 At his birth, the Grandfather Brahmā was greatly delighted, and in joy he gave the child his name together with the divine sages at that time.

7.3.7 "Since this is the offspring of Viśravas and resembles Viśravas himself, therefore shall he be renowned by the name Vaiśravaṇa."

7.3.8 And Vaiśravaṇa, having gone to the forest of austerities, grew there blazing with great splendor like fire fed with oblations.

7.3.9 Dwelling at his hermitage, this thought arose in the great-souled one's mind: "I shall follow dharma with self-restraint, for dharma is the highest path."

7.3.10 He practiced austerities in the great forest for thousands of years, and at the completion of each thousand years he observed the prescribed rites in their succession.

7.3.11 Living on water alone, then subsisting on air alone, then taking no sustenance at all — in this manner those thousands of years passed as though they were so many rainy seasons.

7.3.12 Then Brahmā, greatly pleased, went together with the host of gods led by Indra to his hermitage and spoke these words.

7.3.13 "I am thoroughly pleased with this conduct of yours, O dear child, O one of good vows. Choose a boon — may good come to you, for you are worthy of a boon in my estimation."

7.3.14 Then Vaiśravaṇa addressed the Grandfather who stood before him: "Venerable one, I desire the guardianship of a world and the protection of wealth."

7.3.15 Then Brahmā, with a thoroughly pleased heart, said to Vaiśravaṇa together with the host of gods, joyfully: "So be it."

7.3.16 "I am indeed prepared to create a fourth guardian of the worlds, for the position alongside Yama, Indra, and Varuṇa is precisely what you desire."

7.3.17 "So it is done — go, O knower of dharma, and obtain lordship over wealth; you shall henceforth be the fourth alongside Yama, Indra, and Varuṇa."

7.3.18 "And accept this celestial vehicle named Puṣpaka, brilliant as the sun, for your conveyance; proceed to equality with the thirty gods."

7.3.19 "May all go well with you; we shall all depart as we came, our purpose fulfilled, dear child, having bestowed upon you this great boon."

7.3.20 When Brahmā and the gods before him had departed to the sky, the lord of wealth humbly bowed and spoke these words to his father.

7.3.21 "Venerable father, I have received a boon from the lotus-born Brahmā, but that Prajāpati has not ordained a dwelling place for me."

7.3.22 "Therefore, venerable lord, look out some region for our dwelling — one where no living creature of any kind would be distressed."

7.3.23 Thus addressed by his son, Viśravas, that foremost of sages and knower of dharma, said: "O knower of dharma, hear these words."

7.3.24 "There is a beautiful city named Laṅkā, built by Viśvakarman for the dwelling of the rākṣasas, like Amarāvatī for Indra."

7.3.25 "That delightful city has archways of gold and vaidūrya; it was abandoned long ago by the rākṣasas who were tormented by fear of Viṣṇu, left empty of all the hosts of rākṣasas who had gone down to the depths of the underworld."

7.3.26 "Direct your own mind toward dwelling there; your residence there shall be without fault, and no one shall be harmed."

7.3.27 Hearing his father's most righteous counsel, that righteous-souled one then established himself in Laṅkā on the mountain summit.

7.3.28 By his command, that city was speedily filled with thousands of joyful and ever-rejoicing nairṛtas — the rākṣasa folk.

7.3.29 And there dwelt with delight that righteous-souled lord of the nairṛtas, the son of Viśravas, in Laṅkā girdled by the ocean.

7.3.30 Season after season, humble in spirit, the lord of wealth joyfully came on the Puṣpaka vehicle to visit both his father and his mother.

7.3.31 Praised by hosts of gods and gandharvas, and likewise by siddhas along with cāraṇas, surrounded by his own radiance like the sun encircled by his rays, he proceeded to his father's presence attended by all prosperity.

7.4.1 Hearing the words spoken by Agastya, Rāma was filled with wonder: "So Laṅkā was formerly the birthplace of the rākṣasas."

7.4.2 Then, shaking his head and gazing again and again at Agastya, whose form blazed like the three sacred fires, Rāma smiled and addressed him.

7.4.3 "Venerable one, hearing from you that this Laṅkā was formerly also inhabited by flesh-eaters, wonder has arisen in me."

7.4.4 "We had heard that the rākṣasas arose from the lineage of Pulastya; but now you have also recounted yet another origin for them."

7.4.5 "Were those earlier rākṣasas more powerful than Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarṇa, Prahasta, Vikaṭa, and the sons of Rāvaṇa?"

7.4.6 "Who was their foremost ancestor, O brāhmaṇa? What was his name, and what was the power of his austerities? And having committed what transgression were they driven away by Viṣṇu in the past?"

7.4.7 "Please recount all of this to me in full detail, O sinless one. Dispel the great curiosity that has arisen in me, as the sun dispels darkness."

7.4.8 Hearing those words of Rāghava, adorned with the refinement of learning, Agastya was somewhat astonished, and then addressed Rāghava thus.

7.4.9 "In ancient times, Prajāpati, the lotus-born, having first created the primordial waters, then created living beings for the purpose of protecting those waters."

7.4.10 "Those beings, tormented by hunger, thirst, and fear, approached their maker humbly, saying: 'What shall we do?'"

7.4.11 "Prajāpati, the bestower of honor, addressed those beings as if laughing, saying to them with care: 'Guard and protect these waters.'"

7.4.12 "Some said 'We will guard (rakṣāma)' and others said 'We will worship (yakṣāma),' while yet others said 'We will eat (bhuṅkṣitā)' or 'We will not eat.' Then the creator of beings spoke to them."

7.4.13 "'Those of you who said "We will guard" — let them become rākṣasas; those who said "We will worship" — let them indeed become yakṣas.'"

7.4.14 "Among them, two bulls among rākṣasas were Heti and Praheti, brothers, resembling Madhu and Kaiṭabha in stature, both subduing their enemies."

7.4.15 "Praheti was righteous and had no desire for a wife; but Heti strove with great effort to obtain a wife."

7.4.16 "He of immeasurable soul and great intelligence himself wed Bhayā ('Fear') by name, a maiden who was the sister of Kāla ('Time') and inspiring of fear."

7.4.17 "That bull among rākṣasas, Heti, the foremost among those who have sons, fathered on her a son known as Vidyutkeśa."

7.4.18 "Vidyutkeśa, son of Heti, blazing like a kindled fire, grew up in great splendor, like a lotus in the midst of water."

7.4.19 "When that night-wanderer had reached the prime of youth, his father resolved to arrange his marriage."

7.4.20 "Then Heti, that bull among rākṣasas, for the sake of his son, wooed as a bride the daughter of Saṃdhyā ('Twilight'), who was equal to Saṃdhyā herself in splendor."

7.4.21 "Saṃdhyā reflected: 'A daughter must inevitably be given to another,' and so, O Rāghava, her daughter was given to Vidyutkeśa."

7.4.22 "Having obtained the daughter of Saṃdhyā, the night-wanderer Vidyutkeśa sported with her just as Maghavan (Indra) sports with Paulomī (Śacī)."

7.4.23 "After some time, O Rāma, Sālakaṭaṃkaṭā conceived a child by Vidyutkeśa, just as a line of clouds receives rain from the ocean."

7.4.24 "Then that rākṣasī went to Mount Mandara and gave birth to her child, who shone like the core of a thundercloud, just as the Gaṅgā brought forth Agni's offspring."

7.4.25 "Abandoning that child, she who was desirous of love with Vidyutkeśa sported with her husband, forgetting her own son."

7.4.26 "The infant, abandoned by her, shining like the autumnal sun, placed his hand in his mouth and wept, like a king of clouds thundering."

7.4.27 "Then the lord Hara, riding his bull and traveling in the sky with Umā, looked down and saw the weeping son of the rākṣasa."

7.4.28 "Out of compassion, at the urging of Pārvatī, Bhava, the destroyer of the triple city, then made that son of the rākṣasa equal in age to his own mother."

7.4.29 "And to please Pārvatī, the undecaying, inexhaustible Mahādeva made him immortal and gave him a city that travels through the sky."

7.4.30 "Umā also granted a boon to rākṣasī women, O son of a king: that conception of the womb would be immediate, delivery immediate, and attainment of full age immediate — equal to the age of the mother."

7.4.31 "Then Sukeśa, proud of the boons received and having obtained the glory of the lord from Hara's side, that great-minded one traveled everywhere through the sky, having gained a sky-city, like Purandara (Indra)."

7.5.1 "Seeing that righteous rākṣasa Sukeśa, who had obtained the boons, a gandharva named Grāmaṇī, equal in splendor to Viśvāvasu —"

7.5.2 "— he had a daughter named Devavatī, a second Śrī herself; Dakṣa gave her to Sukeśa rightfully, as one gives Śrī."

7.5.3 "Having obtained that beloved husband whose sovereignty was established by the boon, Devavatī was content, like a pauper who has obtained wealth."

7.5.4 "United with her, that night-wanderer shone forth like a great elephant issuing from its tether with its cow-elephant."

7.5.5 "Sukeśa, lord of rākṣasas, fathered on Devavatī, O Rāghava, three rākṣasa sons equal to three-eyed Śiva: Mālyavān, Sumālī, and Māli, foremost among the strong."

7.5.6 "Like the three worlds, steadfast and undisturbed; like the three sacred fires; like three mantras supremely potent; like three terrible diseases."

7.5.7 "These three sons of Sukeśa, blazing like the three sacred fires, grew to full maturity there, like diseases left unchecked."

7.5.8 "Knowing the great sovereignty their father had gained through the receipt of boons, the brothers resolved and went to Mount Meru to perform severe austerities."

7.5.9 "Taking up terrible vows, those rākṣasas, O best of kings, practiced dreadful austerities that inspired fear in all living beings."

7.5.10 "Through austerities on earth that were difficult to perform, combined with truthfulness, uprightness, and self-restraint, they scorched the three worlds along with the gods, asuras, and humans."

7.5.11 "Then the all-pervading, four-faced one, mounting his excellent aerial vehicle, addressed the sons of Sukeśa and said: 'I am the granter of boons.'"

7.5.12 "Knowing Brahmā to be the granter of boons, all of them with Indra and the hosts of gods standing by, they joined their palms and spoke, trembling like trees in a storm."

7.5.13 "'O god, propitiated by our austerities, if you will grant us a boon, let us be unconquerable, slayers of enemies, long-lived, and supremely powerful' — thus they vowed together with one another."

7.5.14 "Having said 'So shall it be' to the sons of Sukeśa, Brahmā the lord, fond of brāhmaṇas, departed to Brahmaloka."

7.5.15 "Having obtained the boon, then all those night-wanderers, O Rāma, began to afflict the gods and asuras, utterly fearless by virtue of the boon granted."

7.5.16 "The gods along with companies of sages and cāraṇas, being slaughtered by them, found no protector, like men consigned to hell."

7.5.17 "Then those rākṣasas, O best of the Raghu line, assembled with great joy and addressed Viśvakarman, the inexhaustible foremost among craftsmen."

7.5.18 "'You are the builder of the gods' heart-desired homes; so now build a home for us as well, O great-minded one.'"

7.5.19 "'On the Himālayas, or on Meru, or Mandara itself, build for us a great dwelling resembling the abode of Maheśvara.'"

7.5.20 "Then Viśvakarman, mighty-armed, described to those rākṣasas a dwelling place like Indra's Amarāvatī."

7.5.21 "'On the southern shore of the ocean there is a mountain named Trikūṭa; on its middle peak, resembling a cloud, inaccessible even to birds, with all four sides cleft as if by a chisel —'"

7.5.22 "'— a city named Laṅkā, thirty yojanas in extent, with golden walls and gateways, was built by me at Indra's command.'"

7.5.23 "'Dwell in that city, O unconquerable, foremost rākṣasas, just as the celestials led by Indra dwell in Amarāvatī.'"

7.5.24 "'Having gained the fortress of Laṅkā, surrounded by many rākṣasas, you will become invincible, slayers of your enemies.'"

7.5.25 "Hearing Viśvakarman's words, then those rākṣasas, O Rāma, with thousands of attendants, went and inhabited that city of Laṅkā."

7.5.26 "Having obtained Laṅkā with its firm walls and moat, surrounded by hundreds of golden mansions, those night-wanderers sported joyfully."

7.5.27 "There was a gandharvī named Narmadā, enriched by many virtues; she had three daughters, equal in radiance to Intelligence, Śrī, and Fame."

7.5.28 "That gandharvī, no rākṣasī herself, joyfully gave those daughters, their faces like the full moon, to those rākṣasas in order of seniority."

7.5.29 "Three gandharva maidens of great fortune were given by their mother to the three lords of rākṣasas under the auspicious nakṣatra presided over by Bhaga."

7.5.30 "Having thus taken wives, O Rāma, O lord, the sons of Sukeśa sported with their wives just as the immortals sport with apsarases."

7.5.31 "There, the wife of Mālyavān was Sundarī, beautiful by name and nature; learn now what offspring he fathered upon her."

7.5.32 "Vajramuṣṭi, Virūpākṣa, the rākṣasa Durmukha, Suptaghna, Yajñakopa, Matta, Unmatta, and a daughter named Analā — these were born of Sundarī, O Rāma."

7.5.33 "Sumālī's wife also had a face like the full moon; her name was Ketumatī, dearer to him than life itself."

7.5.34 "Learn in order, O great king, what offspring the night-wanderer Sumālī fathered upon Ketumatī."

7.5.35 "Prahasta, Akampana, Vikaṭa, Kālakārmuka, Dhūmrākṣa, Daṇḍa, and the mighty Supārśva —"

7.5.36 "— Saṃhrādi, Praghasa, the rākṣasa Bhāsakarṇa, and daughters Rākā, Puṣpotkaṭā, Kaikasī of pure smile, and Kumbhīnasī — these are remembered as the progeny of Sumālī."

7.5.37 "Māli's wife was a gandharvī named Vasudā, beautiful in form, lotus-petal-eyed, fine-eyed, comparable to the most beautiful of yakṣī women."

7.5.38 "Hear from me, O Rāghava, what offspring Māli, the younger brother of Sumālī, fathered upon her, as I shall now recount."

7.5.39 "Anala, Anila, Hara, and Saṃpāti — these night-wanderers, sons of Māli, became the ministers of Vibhīṣaṇa."

7.5.40 "Then those three bulls among rākṣasas, surrounded by night-wanderers and hundreds of sons, proud in their strength and valor, harassed the gods along with Indra, the sages, serpents, and dānavas."

7.5.41 "Roaming the world like the wind, unapproachable in battle, like death itself, resolute, exceedingly arrogant through the gift of boons, they were ever suppressors of the performance of sacrifices."

7.6.1 "The gods and the sages, rich in austerities, being slaughtered by them, fled in fear and sought refuge in Maheśvara, the god of gods."

7.6.2 "Meeting together with Kāmāri, the foe of Tripura, the three-eyed one, the gods with joined palms spoke in voices choked with fear."

7.6.3 "'O blessed one, O guardian of all creatures, O slayer of enemies, all living beings are being afflicted by the sons of Sukeśa, arrogant with the boon granted by Pitāmaha.'"

7.6.4 "'Our hermitages, which were places of refuge, have been made refugeless; Śakra has been expelled from heaven, while they sport in heaven as though they were Śakra.'"

7.6.5 "'"I am Viṣṇu, I am Rudra, I am Brahmā, I am the king of gods, I am Yama, I am Varuṇa, I am the Moon, I am the Sun" — thus those rākṣasas boast.'"

7.6.6 "'Thus those rākṣasas, O god, arrogant through the boon they received, exhilarated by battle, afflict us and those who march at our head.'"

7.6.7 "'Therefore, deign to grant us fearful gods freedom from fear; taking on a terrible form, destroy those thorns of the gods.'"

7.6.8 "Addressed thus by all the gods, Kapardī, the blue-and-red one, with a regard for Sukeśa, the lord addressed the hosts of gods."

7.6.9 "'I will not slay them — those asuras are not to be killed by me. But I will give you a counsel which will indeed bring about their death.'"

7.6.10 "'With this same resolve as your guide, O bulls among gods, go and take refuge in Viṣṇu; the lord will slay them.'"

7.6.11 "Then they cheered Maheśvara with shouts of victory and went to Viṣṇu's presence, tormented by fear of the night-wanderers."

7.6.12 "Bowing to and greatly honoring the god bearing the conch and discus, they spoke hurriedly, afflicted by the sons of Sukeśa."

7.6.13 "'By the three sons of Sukeśa, blazing like the three sacred fires, relying on the strength of their boon, our stations have been seized and taken from us.'"

7.6.14 "'Established in the impregnable city named Laṅkā, situated on the peak of Trikūṭa, those night-wanderers afflict all of us from there.'"

7.6.15 "'Therefore, O Madhusūdana, for our sake slay them; cut their lotus-like faces with your discus and dispatch them to Yama.'"

7.6.16 "'You are our giver of fearlessness in fears — there is none equal to you; dispel our fear, O god, as the sun dispels mist.'"

7.6.17 "Addressed thus by the gods, Janārdana, the god of gods, who grants fear to enemies, having granted fearlessness, spoke to the gods."

7.6.18 "'I know the rākṣasa Sukeśa, arrogant with the boon of the Lord (Śiva); and I know his sons, the eldest of whom is Mālyavān.'"

7.6.19 "'Those vilest of rākṣasas who have transgressed all bounds — I will destroy them in battle; O gods, be free from anxiety.'"

7.6.20 "Addressed thus by the all-powerful Viṣṇu, all those gods went joyfully to their respective abodes, praising Janārdana."

7.6.21 "That night-wanderer Mālyavān, having heard of the mobilization of the gods, spoke these words to his two heroic brothers."

7.6.22 "'The immortals and the sages, having combined their efforts, sought our death and addressed thus the three-eyed Śaṃkara:'"

7.6.23 "'"The sons of Sukeśa, O god, swollen with the power of the boon they received, attack us at every step in terrible forms.""

7.6.24 "'"Overwhelmed by the rākṣasas, we are unable, O lord of Umā, to remain in our own abodes out of fear of those evil-souled ones.""

7.6.25 "'"Therefore for our benefit, O three-eyed one, destroy those rākṣasas; burn them with a mere 'huṃ,' O best among those who burn!""

7.6.26 "Addressed thus by the thirty gods, the slayer of Andhaka, shaking his head and hand, spoke these words:"

7.6.27 "'Those sons of Sukeśa are not to be slain by me in battle, O gods; but I will give you a counsel which will indeed bring about their death.'"

7.6.28 "'He who bears the discus and mace, Janārdana of the yellow garment — he will slay them in battle; take refuge in him.'"

7.6.29 "Not obtaining their wish from Hara (Śiva), they honored Kāmāri (Śiva) and then reached the abode of Nārāyaṇa, to whom they reported everything."

7.6.30 "Then the gods led by Indra were addressed by Nārāyaṇa: 'I will destroy the enemies of the gods; be free from anxiety, O gods.'"

7.6.31 "'The death of us two bulls among rākṣasas has been pledged by Hari to the fear-stricken gods; consider now what course is fitting.'"

7.6.32 "'It was Nārāyaṇa who was the death of Hiraṇyakaśipu and other enemies of the gods; it is impossible to conquer Nārāyaṇa, who now desires to slay us.'"

7.6.33 "Then Sumālī and Māli, having heard Mālyavān's words, addressed their eldest brother like two shares of fortune addressing Vāsava (Indra)."

7.6.34 "'We have studied the scriptures, given gifts, performed sacrifices, guarded our sovereignty, attained long and healthy life, and established our own dharma.'"

7.6.35 "'Plunging into the unperturbed ocean of the gods with floods of weapons, we have always conquered the gods in battle; we have no fear caused by death.'"

7.6.36 "'Even Nārāyaṇa, Rudra, Śakra, and Yama — all of them are afraid to stand before us.'"

7.6.37 "'There is no fault in Viṣṇu here, O lord of rākṣasas; it is by the fault of the gods that Viṣṇu's mind has been stirred to action.'"

7.6.38 "'Therefore today, fully mobilized and surrounded by all our forces, let us seek to destroy the very gods from whom this offence arose.'"

7.6.39 "Thus Māli, Sumālī, and their elder brother Mālyavān the lord, having proclaimed their mobilization, all those rākṣasas marched out for battle, furious as the armies of Jambha and Vṛtra."

7.6.40 "With chariots, lordly elephants, and horses resembling mountains; with donkeys, cows, camels, porpoises, and serpents —"

7.6.41 "— with sea-monsters, tortoises, fish, birds resembling Garuḍa, lions, tigers, boars, sṛmaras, and yaks —"

7.6.42 "— abandoning Laṅkā, all those rākṣasas, proud in their might, enemies of the gods, marched forth to the realm of the gods to fight."

7.6.43 "Seeing the dire upheaval of Laṅkā, the beings that dwelt in Laṅkā, beholding terror, were everywhere dispirited."

7.6.44 "Portents on earth and in the sky, appointed by Time and inspiring fear, swiftly arose to presage the destruction of the lords of rākṣasas."

7.6.45 "Clouds rained bones and hot blood; the ocean overflowed its shores; the greatest of mountains trembled."

7.6.46 "Spirits by the thousands flew about emitting loud laughter equal in sound to the rumbling of thunderclouds, dancing as they went."

7.6.47 "A great wheel of vultures with fire-vomiting beaks circled over the rākṣasas like the wheel of time."

7.6.48 "Those inconceivable and terrible omens — the rākṣasas, proud in their strength, bound by the noose of death, marched on and did not turn back."

7.6.49 "Mālyavān, Sumālī, and Māli, those night-wanderers, marched at the head of their forces, like the fires at the head of sacrificial rituals."

7.6.50 "All those night-wanderers rallied around Mālyavān as if around a mountain, as embodied beings rally around the Creator."

7.6.51 "That army of the lords of rākṣasas, rumbling like a great cloud, obedient to Māli's command, marched toward the realm of the gods, desirous of victory."

7.6.52 "The lord Nārāyaṇa, having learned through the divine messenger of that mobilization of the rākṣasas, then set his mind on battle."

7.6.53 "He, bearing the foremost of weapons — discus, sword, and plough — praised by gods, siddhas, sages, great serpents, chiefs of gandharvas, and apsarases, came face to face with the army of the enemies of immortals."

7.6.54 "That army of the rākṣasa king, its banners whirling, its weapons scattered abroad, its wings driven upward by the wind of Garuḍa's wings, was shaken as the blue lord of mountains when a trembling boulder rolls."

7.6.55 "And then the night-wanderers, whose forms were like the fire of cosmic dissolution, smeared with blood and flesh, surrounding Mādhava from all sides, pierced him by the thousands with their excellent weapons."

7.7.1 Those demon-clouds, roaring, rained down a shower of arrows upon the mountain that was Nārāyaṇa, as storm-clouds rain upon a mountain.

7.7.2 Viṣṇu, dark-complexioned, encircled by those dark-hued foremost night-wanderers as they poured down their shafts, stood like the Añjana mountain wreathed in rain-bearing clouds.

7.7.3 As locusts descend upon a field, as gnats upon a mountain, as souls upon a jar of nectar, as sea-monsters upon the ocean —

7.7.4 — so did the arrows discharged from the bows of the rākṣasas, swift as lightning and wind, enter into Hari as the worlds enter into the sun at the end of an age.

7.7.5 Warriors mounted on chariots drove forward in chariots; those at the fronts of elephants came on elephants; cavalrymen on swift horses; and the foot-soldiers moved through the air.

7.7.6 The rākṣasa lords, mountain-like in size, assailed Hari with arrows, śaktis, ṛṣṭis, and tomaras, leaving him breathless, as breath-control exercises leave a twice-born man breathless.

7.7.7 Tormented by the night-wanderers as a great sea-monster is tormented by fish, he drew the Śārṅga bow and aimed at the bodies of the rākṣasas in that great battle.

7.7.8 With arrows fully drawn and released, bearing tips like thunderbolts and swift as thought, Viṣṇu cut them to pieces, by the hundred, by the thousand.

7.7.9 Having dispersed that shower of arrows as the wind disperses a rain-cloud, the Puruṣottama blew his great conch Pāñcajanya.

7.7.10 That lotus-born conch-king, blown by Hari with full breath, resounded with a terrifying roar like a thundercloud at the end of an age.

7.7.11 That sound of the conch-king then struck terror into the rākṣasas as a lion in the forest terrifies rutting elephants.

7.7.12 The horses could not stand still; the elephants lost their rut; warriors fell from their chariots, debilitated by the overwhelming sound of the conch.

7.7.13 The arrows discharged from the Śārṅga bow, their faces like thunderbolts, well-feathered, tore through those rākṣasas and buried themselves in the earth.

7.7.14 Others, the fearsome rākṣasas, split asunder by the arrows released from Nārāyaṇa's bow, fell like mountains struck by the thunderbolt.

7.7.15 With wounds made by the arrows of Adhokṣaja the wound-causer, they streamed blood in rivulets like mountains streaming golden veins of ore.

7.7.16 The sound of the conch-king, and the twang of the Śārṅga bow, and even the clamour of the rākṣasas — all were swallowed by the Vaiṣṇava roar.

7.7.17 As terrible rays stream from the sun, as waves from the ocean, as torrents of serpent-lords from a mountain, as floods of water from a rain-cloud —

7.7.18 — so did the arrows loosed from the Śārṅga and sped by Nārāyaṇa stream forth swiftly, by hundreds and by thousands.

7.7.19 As lions flee before a śarabha, as elephants before a lion, as tigers before an elephant, as leopards before a tiger —

7.7.20 — as dogs before a leopard, as cats before a dog, as serpents before a cat, as mice before a serpent —

7.7.21 — so did those rākṣasas in battle flee before Viṣṇu the all-powerful, routed and laid low upon the earth.

7.7.22 Having slain thousands of rākṣasas, Madhusūdana sounded his lotus-born conch like the king of gods sounds a thundercloud.

7.7.23 The rākṣasa army, struck by Nārāyaṇa's arrows and utterly bewildered by the conch's blast, fled in utter rout toward Laṅkā.

7.7.24 When the rākṣasa force was thus routed and struck down by Nārāyaṇa's arrows, Sumālin checked Hari in battle with a rain of shafts.

7.7.25 Raising his gold-ornamented arm like an elephant raising its trunk, the rākṣasa roared with joy like a thundercloud with lightning.

7.7.26 Even as Sumālin was roaring thus, Hari severed his head with its blazing earrings, and the rākṣasa's charioteer and his horses were thrown into confusion.

7.7.27 Sumālin, lord of rākṣasas, was whirled about by those bewildered horses as a man without self-control is whirled about by his bewildered senses.

7.7.28 Mālin also rushed forward in battle, seizing his arrow-fitted bow; the arrows decorated with gold that flew from Mālin's bow reached Hari and entered him as birds enter the Krauñca mountain.

7.7.29 Though tormented by thousands of arrows released by Mālin, Viṣṇu did not waver in battle, as a man of conquered senses is not shaken by afflictions.

7.7.30 Then the Bhagavān, the nurturer of all beings, wielder of sword and mace, twanged his bowstring and let loose floods of arrows upon Mālin.

7.7.31 Those arrows, gleaming like thunderbolts and lightning, reached Mālin's body and drank his blood as serpents of old drank nectar.

7.7.32 Having turned Mālin to flight, Hari forcibly struck down Mālin's crest, his chariot with its banner, his bow, and his horses.

7.7.33 The foremost night-wanderer Mālin, deprived of his chariot, seized his mace and leapt forward, mace in hand, like a lion leaping from a mountain peak.

7.7.34 With that mace he struck Garuḍa on the forehead in battle as Death strikes Śiva, as Indra strikes a mountain with his thunderbolt.

7.7.35 Garuḍa, sorely struck by Mālin's mace, turned the god away from the battle, overwhelmed by pain.

7.7.36 When the god was turned away by Mālin and Garuḍa, a great tumultuous shout arose from the exulting rākṣasas.

7.7.37 Hearing the clamour of the roaring rākṣasas, the younger brother of Indra's steed — even as he turned away — let fly his discus with the intent to slay Mālin.

7.7.38 That discus, blazing like the solar orb, illuminating the sky with its own radiance, resembling the wheel of Time, severed Mālin's head.

7.7.39 The severed, horrifying head of that rākṣasa lord, cut off by the discus, spouting blood, fell as Rāhu's head fell of old.

7.7.40 Then the gods, greatly rejoiced, uttered with full voice a lion's roar of triumph, crying "Excellent! Excellent, O god!"

7.7.41 Seeing Mālin slain, Sumālin and Mālyavān too, both tormented by grief, fled together with their forces toward Laṅkā.

7.7.42 Garuḍa, great-souled, recovering himself, wheeled back and, enraged, scattered the rākṣasas with the gale of his wings.

7.7.43 Nārāyaṇa too tore apart the night-wanderers with arrow-thunderbolts released from his bow — their hair dishevelled as they fled — as the great Indra tears apart with his lightning-laden thunderbolts.

7.7.44 With parasols shattered, weapons falling, bodies rent and mangled by arrows, entrails streaming out, eyes rolling in terror, that army resembled a host of madmen.

7.7.45 The cries and the speeds of those night-wanderers together with their elephants were like those of elephants crushed by the ancient lion, tormented by a lion.

7.7.46 Covered over by Hari's net of arrows yet discharging their own nets of arrows, the dark-cloud-like night-wanderers fled as dark clouds driven by the wind.

7.7.47 Their heads severed by blows of the discus, their limbs crushed by mace-blows, their bodies split apart in many ways by sword-blows, the rākṣasa lords fell like mountains.

7.7.48 Their lotus-faces cut off by the discus, their chests pounded to pieces by the mace, their necks wrung by the plough-weapon, their skulls shattered by the pestle —

7.7.49 — and some cut down by the sword, others struck by arrows, the rākṣasas fell swiftly from the sky into the waters of the ocean.

7.7.50 The sky at that time, with night-wanderers resembling dark storm-clouds falling continuously — their garlands and earrings streaming loose — appeared as though blue mountains were falling without cease.

7.8.1 While that army was being slaughtered from behind by Padmanābha, Mālyavān turned back like an ocean overflowing its shore.

7.8.2 With eyes reddened with rage, his crest quivering, the night-wanderer then spoke these harsh words to Padmanābha:

7.8.3 "O Nārāyaṇa, you do not know the eternal code of the warrior — you who slay us, who have no will to fight and are already broken, as if we were ordinary foes.

7.8.4 O lord of gods, the slayer who kills those turned in flight commits a sin; such a killer does not attain the heaven won by those of righteous deeds.

7.8.5 Or if you have any relish for battle, O bearer of conch, discus, and mace, I stand before you — I am watching. Show whatever strength is yours."

7.8.6 The mighty younger brother of the king of gods answered that lord of rākṣasas: "I have pledged freedom from fear to the gods who are terror-stricken because of you; the extermination of the rākṣasas is the pledge I am upholding.

7.8.7 The welfare of the gods is ever dearer to me than my own life. I shall slay you even if you have gone down to the netherworld."

7.8.8 As the god was speaking thus — his eyes red as blood-red lotuses — the infuriated rākṣasa lord pierced him with a śakti weapon and roared.

7.8.9 The śakti released from Mālyavān's arm, sounding like a bell, blazed upon Hari's chest like a hundred-streaked lightning bolt within a cloud.

7.8.10 Then the lotus-eyed god, beloved of Śakti's bearer Skanda, pulled out that very śakti and hurled it back at Mālyavān.

7.8.11 That śakti, released from Govinda's hand as if hurled by Skanda himself, sped toward the rākṣasa like a great meteor toward the Añjana mountain.

7.8.12 It fell upon the broad chest of the rākṣasa lord, gleaming with the radiance of his necklaces, like a thunderbolt upon a mountain peak.

7.8.13 His armour pierced by it, he entered into vast darkness; but Mālyavān recovered himself and stood immovable as a mountain.

7.8.14 Then seizing a black-iron trident studded with many spikes, he struck the god firmly between the breasts.

7.8.15 Flushed with battle-lust, he further struck the younger brother of Vāsava with his fist and then retreated a bowshot's distance.

7.8.16 Then a great cry arose in the sky: "Excellent! Excellent!" — for the rākṣasa had struck both Viṣṇu and Garuḍa.

7.8.17 Then the son of Vinatā, Garuḍa, enraged, swept the rākṣasa away with the gale of his wings as a powerful wind sweeps away a heap of dry leaves.

7.8.18 Seeing his elder brother routed by the wing-wind of the king of birds, Sumālin turned toward Laṅkā together with his own forces.

7.8.19 Mālyavān the rākṣasa, blown aloft by the force of the wing-wind, gathered his forces and also went to Laṅkā, wrapped in shame.

7.8.20 Thus, O Rāma, those rākṣasas were many times routed in battle by Hari of the lotus eyes, their foremost commanders slain.

7.8.21 Unable to withstand Viṣṇu, tormented by fear, they abandoned Laṅkā and went to dwell in Pātāla together with their wives.

7.8.22 Those renowned for their valour, O joy of the Raghu line, took refuge with the rākṣasa Sumālin and remained in the lineage of Sālakaṭaṅkaṭa.

7.8.23 Those rākṣasas called Paulastyas whom you slew — Sumālin, Mālyavān, Mālin, and those who were their forerunners — all of them, O illustrious one, were mightier than Rāvaṇa.

7.8.24 There is no other slayer of those rākṣasas, even among the gods, O conqueror of citadels, save the god Nārāyaṇa, bearer of conch, discus, and mace.

7.8.25 You yourself are the god Nārāyaṇa, four-armed, eternal — born to slay the rākṣasas, unconquerable, the imperishable Lord.

7.9.1 Then, after some time, the rākṣasa named Sumālin wandered all through the mortal world, having come up from Rasātala.

7.9.2 Dark as a blue thundercloud, with earrings of refined gold, he was taking his daughter — like Śrī without her lotus — when he caught sight of the lord of wealth travelling in the Puṣpaka.

7.9.3 Seeing him pass by, resplendent as an immortal, blazing like fire, the rākṣasa then spoke to his daughter Kaikasī by name:

7.9.4 "Daughter, the time for your bestowal has come; your youth is passing. For your sake we are all restrained, dharma-minded in our thoughts.

7.9.5 You, my dear, are endowed with every virtue, like Śrī with her lotus; yet through fear of rejection you have not been accepted by suitors.

7.9.6 The lot of a girl's father is indeed difficult for all who seek honour; for one never knows, my daughter, who will seek a maiden's hand.

7.9.7 A maiden always places in uncertainty these three lineages: her mother's line, her father's line, and the line into which she is given.

7.9.8 Therefore go, my daughter, and choose for yourself Viśravas, the foremost of the best of sages, born of the Prajāpati lineage, of the Paulastya family.

7.9.9 Sons such as that lord of wealth — equal to the sun in splendour — will be yours without doubt, my daughter."

7.9.10 At that very moment, O Rāma, the twice-born son of Pulastya — Viśravas — was tending his sacred fire, blazing like a fourth flame.

7.9.11 Without considering the inauspicious hour, out of reverence for her father, she approached him and stood before him with her face downcast at his feet.

7.9.12 He, blazing with splendour, most magnanimous, looked at her — her face like the full moon, her hips lovely — and spoke:

7.9.13 "Auspicious one, whose daughter are you? Whence have you come here? What is your purpose, and for what reason? Tell me truly, O radiant one."

7.9.14 Thus addressed, the maiden joined her palms and said: "By your own power, O sage, you are able to know my intention.

7.9.15 Yet know this, O brahman: I have come by my father's command. I am named Kaikasī — the rest you are worthy to divine."

7.9.16 The sage entered into meditation and then spoke these words: "I have understood, O auspicious one, the purpose that is in your heart.

7.9.17 But because you have come to me at a dreadful hour, hear, O auspicious one, what manner of sons you shall beget.

7.9.18 You shall bear, O fair-hipped one, rākṣasas who are fierce, fierce in form, beloved of the fierce — cruel in their deeds."

7.9.19 Hearing those words she prostrated herself and said: "O Bhagavān, sons such as these are not fitting from you who are born of Brahmā's line."

7.9.20 Then the sage said: "The last-born of your sons shall be in keeping with my lineage and shall be righteous in spirit."

7.9.21 Thus spoken to, that maiden, O Rāma, after some time brought forth a hideous, most fearsome form of a rākṣasa.

7.9.22 Ten-headed, great-fanged, resembling a heap of dark collyrium, copper-lipped, twenty-armed, vast-mouthed, with blazing hair —

7.9.23 The moment he was born, jackals with blazing mouths and carnivorous birds began circling in the inauspicious direction.

7.9.24 The sky rained blood; the clouds brayed harshly; the sun did not shine in the sky; great meteors fell upon the earth.

7.9.25 Then his father, equal to the Grandfather Brahmā, gave him his name: "Born ten-headed, this one shall be Daśagrīva — the ten-necked."

7.9.26 After him was born Kumbhakarṇa, of immense strength — his measure is not found anywhere in this world.

7.9.27 Then was born one named Śūrpaṇakhā, of hideous face; and Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, was the last son of Kaikasī.

7.9.28 They grew up there in the great forest, endowed with immense energy. Among them Daśagrīva was fierce, a cause of terror to the worlds.

7.9.29 Kumbhakarṇa, reckless and depraved, wandered about devouring the great sages who were given to dharma, terrorising the three worlds.

7.9.30 But Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, was ever established on the path of dharma — devoted to study, regulated in his diet, with his senses restrained.

7.9.31 Then, after some time, the god Vitteśvara — the lord of wealth — came there in his Puṣpaka chariot, of great splendour, to visit his father.

7.9.32 Seeing him blazing with splendour, Kaikasī there took on a rākṣasa mind and spoke to Daśagrīva:

7.9.33 "My son, see Vaiśravaṇa, your brother, invested with splendour — and though you stand equal to him as a brother, see what you yourself are.

7.9.34 O Daśagrīva, O you of immeasurable valour, make such effort so that you, my son, may quickly become the equal of Vaiśravaṇa."

7.9.35 Hearing his mother's words, the illustrious Daśagrīva was seized by unequalled indignation and made a vow:

7.9.36 "I promise you truly: I shall soon become the equal of my brother — or even his superior. Mother, cast away the sorrow in your heart."

7.9.37 Then, impelled by that very wrath, Daśagrīva together with his younger brothers, having resolved "I shall attain my desire through austerity," came to the auspicious hermitage of Gokarṇa for the accomplishment of his purpose.

7.10.1 Then Rāma spoke to the twice-born sage: "How did your brothers practice austerities in the forest, O Brahman? What manner of great vows did they undertake there?"

7.10.2 Then Agastya spoke to Rāma, whose mind was pure and attentive: "Those brothers of his engaged in various ordained rules of dharma there."

7.10.3 Kumbhakarṇa, then ever diligent and devoted to dharma, performed austerities in the summer season seated amid five fires.

7.10.4 In the rainy season, drenched by cloud-waters, he practiced the hero's posture; and in the winter season he constantly dwelt submerged in water.

7.10.5 Thus ten thousand years passed for him as he strove in dharma, fixed upon the straight path.

7.10.6 But Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, ever devoted to dharma and pure, stood on one foot for five thousand years.

7.10.7 When his vow was completed, the troops of apsarases danced, a rain of flowers fell, and the gods were stirred with joy.

7.10.8 For five thousand years he followed the course of the sun, standing with arms raised and head uplifted, his mind sustained by recitation of the Vedas.

7.10.9 Thus for Vibhīṣaṇa too, whose self was disciplined, ten thousand years passed as if he were in heaven's Nandana grove.

7.10.10 For ten thousand years Daśānana (Rāvaṇa) went without food; and at the completion of each thousand years he offered one of his heads into the fire.

7.10.11 Thus nine thousand years passed for him, and nine of his heads had entered the fire.

7.10.12 Then, at the tenth thousand-year period, just as he was about to sever the tenth head, the Grandsire (Brahmā) arrived there.

7.10.13 The Grandsire, greatly pleased and accompanied by the gods, addressed him: "O child, O child, Daśagrīva — I am pleased with you."

7.10.14 "Ask quickly, O knower of dharma, whatever boon you desire; what wish shall I fulfil for you today? Your toil has not been in vain."

7.10.15 Then Daśagrīva spoke, his inner self filled with delight, bowing his head to the god, his voice choking with joy:

7.10.16 "O blessed one, for living beings there is always no fear other than death; there is no enemy equal to death — therefore I choose immortality."

7.10.17 "May I be forever invincible by Suparṇas (Garuḍas), Nāgas, Yakṣas, Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas, and the gods, O Lord of creatures."

7.10.18 "I have no concern with other living beings, O you who are worshipped by the immortals — all creatures such as humans are as grass to me."

7.10.19 Thus addressed by Daśagrīva the Rākṣasa, O Rāma, the righteous Grandsire spoke together with the gods:

7.10.20 "It shall be exactly so for you, O foremost of Rākṣasas; and hear further my auspicious and gracious words here."

7.10.21 "Those heads you previously offered into the fire, O sinless one, shall be restored to you just as before, O Rākṣasa."

7.10.22 Thus, as the Grandsire spoke to Daśagrīva the Rākṣasa, those heads that had been offered into the fire rose up again.

7.10.23 Having spoken thus to Daśagrīva, O Rāma, Prajāpati — the Grandsire of the worlds — then spoke to Vibhīṣaṇa:

7.10.24 "Vibhīṣaṇa, O child, by you whose intellect is grounded in dharma, I am fully satisfied; ask a boon, O knower of dharma, O one of good vows."

7.10.25 Then Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, spoke with joined palms, endowed always with all virtues as the moon is with its rays:

7.10.26 "O blessed one, I am already fulfilled in that the teacher of the worlds is himself pleased with me; yet if a boon is to be given me, hear my wish, O one of good vows."

7.10.27 "Whatever understanding arises in me in whatever circumstances here, may that understanding always be directed toward dharma, and may I uphold that dharma."

7.10.28 "This is the highest and most noble boon I have in mind; for those devoted to dharma, nothing in the world is unattainable."

7.10.29 Then Prajāpati, greatly pleased, said to Vibhīṣaṇa: "As you are most devoted to dharma, O child, so it shall be."

7.10.30 "Since, though born in a Rākṣasa womb, O crusher of enemies, your understanding does not turn toward unrighteousness — immortality I grant you."

7.10.31 But as Prajāpati was about to grant a boon to Kumbhakarṇa, O subduer of enemies, all the gods with joined palms spoke:

7.10.32 "A boon should not be granted to Kumbhakarṇa by you; for you know how this evil-minded one terrifies the worlds."

7.10.33 "Seven apsarases in the Nandana grove, ten attendants of great Indra, O Brahman, and sages and humans — all have been devoured by him."

7.10.34 "Under the guise of a boon, let delusion be granted to him, O one of immeasurable radiance; thus the worlds will prosper and he will be subdued."

7.10.35 Thus spoken to by the gods, Brahmā — born from the lotus — reflected; and as he reflected, the goddess Sarasvatī drew near to his side.

7.10.36 Standing at his side with joined palms, Sarasvatī spoke: "Here I have come, O god — what service shall I render?"

7.10.37 To Sarasvatī thus arrived, Prajāpati spoke: "O Vāṇī (speech personified), enter into the lord of Rākṣasas as that which the gods desire."

7.10.38 Saying "So be it," she entered him; then Prajāpati said: "O Kumbhakarṇa, O mighty-armed one, ask the boon you have in mind."

7.10.39 Hearing those words, Kumbhakarṇa spoke: "To sleep for many years — O god of gods, this is what I desire."

7.10.40 Saying "So be it," the Grandsire together with the gods — and the goddess Sarasvatī having released him — departed to heaven.

7.10.41 But Kumbhakarṇa of evil soul reflected in distress: "What manner of words indeed have now fallen from my mouth?"

7.10.42 Thus all the brothers, having obtained their boons and blazing with splendour, went to the Śleṣmātaka forest and dwelt there in comfort.

7.11.1 Sumālī, learning that those night-rangers had obtained their boons, rose up from Rasātala (the netherworld) together with his followers, having cast off fear.

7.11.2 Mārīca, Prahasta, Virūpākṣa, and Mahodara — the ministers of that Rākṣasa — rose up with great eagerness.

7.11.3 Sumālī, surrounded by all those foremost Rākṣasas, approached Daśagrīva, embraced him, and spoke:

7.11.4 "By good fortune this long-cherished wish of mine for a son has been fulfilled, that you have obtained such a boon, surpassing the three worlds."

7.11.5 "For whose sake we abandoned Laṅkā and went to the netherworld — that great fear created by Viṣṇu which beset us has now passed, O mighty-armed one."

7.11.6 "Time and again shattered by him, we all fled together, abandoning our own abode, and entered the netherworld."

7.11.7 "This city of Laṅkā, formerly inhabited by us Rākṣasas, has been settled by your wise brother, the lord of wealth (Kubera)."

7.11.8 "If it were possible, O sinless one, to reclaim it — whether by conciliation, by gifts, or by force, O mighty-armed one — that would be well done."

7.11.9 "You shall become lord of Laṅkā, my child — there is no doubt; and you shall indeed become the master of all of us, O greatly powerful one."

7.11.10 Then Daśagrīva spoke to his grandfather who stood before him: "The lord of wealth (Kubera) is our elder — you should not speak thus."

7.11.11 To Daśagrīva who had spoken thus, the night-ranger Prahasta spoke this humble yet reasoned speech:

7.11.12 "O Daśagrīva, O mighty-armed one, you should not speak like this; among heroes there is no brotherhood — hear these words of mine."

7.11.13 "Aditi and Diti were sisters, it is said, two supremely beautiful wives of Kaśyapa Prajāpati."

7.11.14 "Aditi gave birth to the gods, the lords of the three worlds; Diti, however, bore the Daityas born of Kaśyapa."

7.11.15 "Of the Daityas, O knower of dharma, it is said this city, this earth with its ocean-shores and its mountains — all belonged to them, O hero; they were supremely powerful."

7.11.16 "But having slain them in battle, Viṣṇu the supremely powerful brought this imperishable triple world under the dominion of the gods."

7.11.17 "You alone are not the only one who will reverse this; what the gods themselves did previously — do that; follow these words of mine."

7.11.18 Thus addressed by Prahasta, the evil-souled one, Daśagrīva reflected for a moment and then said simply: "Very well."

7.11.19 With that same joy, on that very day, the valiant Daśagrīva set out for the forest together with those night-rangers.

7.11.20 Stationed at Trikūṭa, the night-ranger Daśagrīva then dispatched Prahasta, skilled in speech, as his emissary.

7.11.21 "Prahasta, go quickly and speak to that foremost of Nairṛtas (Rākṣasas), the lord of wealth, these conciliatory words on my behalf:"

7.11.22 "'This city of Laṅkā, O king, belonging to the great-souled Rākṣasas, has been occupied by you, O gentle one; this is not fitting for you, O sinless one.'"

7.11.23 "'If you were to yield it through conciliation, O one of incomparable prowess, my gratification would be secured and dharma upheld.'"

7.11.24 Thus instructed, Prahasta, skilled in speech, went and reported all the words of Daśagrīva to the lord of wealth.

7.11.25 The god Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), having heard these words from Prahasta, replied to that Prahasta — himself expert in speech:

7.11.26 "Go, tell Daśagrīva: 'This city and this kingdom of mine — O mighty-armed one, it is yours as well; enjoy it; the enemy has been destroyed.'"

7.11.27 "'I shall do all that is good for you, O lord of Rākṣasas, without delay; but meanwhile, wait until I inform my father.'"

7.11.28 Having spoken thus, the lord of wealth went to his father's presence; bowing to that elder, he reported what Rāvaṇa desired.

7.11.29 "O father, this Daśagrīva has dispatched a messenger to me: 'Let the city of Laṅkā, formerly inhabited by the host of Rākṣasas, be given over.' Tell me what I should do here, O one of good vows."

7.11.30 The brahmarṣi Viśravā, that foremost of sages, thus addressed, spoke to the wealth-giver: "Listen, my son, to my words."

7.11.31 "The mighty-armed Daśagrīva spoke in my presence; I repeatedly rebuked him, and that utterly evil-minded one was repeatedly spoken to by me."

7.11.32 "In anger I repeatedly told him to be destroyed; now hear my words, O son, which are directed toward what is best and in accordance with dharma."

7.11.33 "Deluded by the granting of boons, that utterly evil-minded one does not know what is worthy of respect and what is not; and through my curse he has attained a dreadful nature."

7.11.34 "Therefore go, O mighty-armed one, to mount Kailāsa, the bearer of the earth; settle there as your abode, and abandon Laṅkā together with your retinue."

7.11.35 "There is the lovely Mandākinī, the foremost of rivers, her waters covered with golden lotuses bright as the sun."

7.11.36 "Indeed it is not fitting for you to make enmity with that Rākṣasa (Rāvaṇa) who has obtained wealth — for you know what supreme boon he has obtained."

7.11.37 Thus counselled, and accepting that advice out of reverence for his father, Kubera departed with his wives, his citizens, his ministers, his mounts, and his treasury.

7.11.38 Prahasta, going to Daśagrīva, reported everything: "That city of Laṅkā, thirty yojanas in extent, is empty. Enter it with us and uphold your duty there."

7.11.39 Thus addressed by Prahasta, Rāvaṇa the Rākṣasa then entered the city of Laṅkā together with his brothers and his army of followers.

7.11.40 Anointed by the night-rangers, Daśānana then peopled the city; and that city became filled to satisfaction with night-rangers resembling dark stormclouds.

7.11.41 The lord of wealth, out of reverence for his father's words, then settled a city on that mountain bright as the moon — adorned with beautiful, well-decorated mansions, like Amarāvatī of Purandara (Indra).

7.12.1 The lord of Rākṣasas, having been anointed, then together with his brothers thought about arranging the marriage of his Rākṣasa sister.

7.12.2 He gave that Rākṣasī, his sister Śūrpaṇakhā by name, to Kālakeya, a lord of Dānavas, who bore the name Vidyujjihvā.

7.12.3 Then, having given his sister away, that king while roaming on a hunt saw there, O Rāma, one named Maya, a son of Diti.

7.12.4 Seeing him accompanied by a maiden, the night-ranger Daśagrīva asked: "Who are you, alone in this uninhabited forest wilderness?"

7.12.5 Then Maya, O Rāma, spoke to that night-ranger who had inquired: "Hear — I shall relate to you the full truth of my circumstances."

7.12.6 "An apsaras named Hemā — if you have heard of her, O friend — was given to me by the gods, even as Paulomī was given to Śatakratu (Indra)."

7.12.7 "With mind attached to her, O friend, I spent five hundred years with her; then she, on account of some divine business, departed for fourteen years."

7.12.8 "For her sake, for Hemā, I constructed an entire golden city, variegated with vajra and vaidūrya gems, by my māyā power."

7.12.9 "Finding no peace there, bereft of her, deeply sorrowful, I took my daughter and came from that city to the forest."

7.12.10 "This is my daughter, O king, who grew in her womb; I have come seeking a husband to be with her."

7.12.11 "For being the father of a daughter is sorrow for men who aspire to honour; a daughter constantly keeps two families in a state of anxious uncertainty."

7.12.12 "By this wife of mine, however, two sons were born to me: Māyāvī was the first, O friend, and Dundubhi after him."

7.12.13 "All this has been truthfully told to you who asked; how should I now know you, O friend — who are you?"

7.12.14 Thus addressed, the lord of Rākṣasas spoke humbly: "I am a son of Paulastya (Pulastya's lineage), and Daśagrīva is my name."

7.12.15 Knowing him to be the son of a brahmarṣi, Maya was filled with joy and resolved there to give him his daughter.

7.12.16 Smiling, the lord of Daityas spoke these words to the lord of Rākṣasas: "This, O king, is my daughter, carried by the apsaras Hemā — the maiden Mandodarī by name; accept her as your wife."

7.12.17 O Rāma, Daśagrīva said simply "Yes" to him, kindled a fire there, and performed the rite of taking her hand in marriage.

7.12.18 For Maya, O Rāma, knowing the curse of the one rich in austerities, gave her to him knowing his ancestral lineage.

7.12.19 And he gave him his unfailing and supremely wondrous weapon — obtained through the highest austerities — with which Lakṣmaṇa was later struck down.

7.12.20 Thus having taken a wife, that lord and master went to the city of Laṅkā and arranged wives for his brothers as well.

7.12.21 Rāvaṇa arranged as wife for Kumbhakarṇa the granddaughter of Virocana, named Vajrajvālā.

7.12.22 Vibhīṣaṇa, the knower of dharma, obtained as wife Saramā by name, daughter of Śailūṣa, the great-souled king of Gandharvas.

7.12.23 She was born on the shore of the Mānasa lake, and that Mānasa lake, O friend, swelled at the coming of the rains.

7.12.24 Her mother spoke words choked with affection to that girl-child: "O lake, do not swell" — and from that she became Saramā.

7.12.25 Thus those Rākṣasas, having taken wives, sported there delightfully, each with his own wife, like Gandharvas in the Nandana grove.

7.12.26 Then Mandodarī gave birth to a son, Meghanāda — he who is called Indrajit by you.

7.12.27 For the very moment that Rākṣasa's son was born, he cried out and released a mighty roar resembling that of a thundercloud.

7.12.28 When Laṅkā was stupefied by that roar of his, his father himself gave him the name Meghanāda ("Thunder-Roar").

7.12.29 He grew up then, O Rāma, in the auspicious inner apartments of Rāvaṇa, guarded by noble women, concealed like fire within wood.

7.13.1 Then, in the course of time, Sleep in embodied form — sent by Lokeśvara himself — came upon Kumbhakarṇa with great intensity.

7.13.2 Then Kumbhakarṇa spoke to his brother who was seated: "Sleep overpowers me, O king; have a dwelling built for me."

7.13.3 Thereupon craftsmen appointed by the king, skilled as Viśvakarman himself, constructed for Kumbhakarṇa a dwelling equal to Kailāsa.

7.13.4 A yojana in breadth, twice that in length, beautiful to behold and free from any hindrance — such was the dwelling they made for Kumbhakarṇa.

7.13.5 Adorned throughout with variegated columns of crystal and gold, radiant with vaidūrya gems, and hung with networks of tiny bells —

7.13.6 — fitted with gateways of ivory, its terraces of diamond and crystal, pleasant in every season, it was like the sacred cave of Mount Meru.

7.13.7 There the night-roaming Kumbhakarṇa, overtaken by sleep, lay slumbering for many thousands of years without awakening.

7.13.8 While Kumbhakarṇa lay thus overwhelmed by sleep, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa perpetually harassed gods, seers, yakṣas, and gandharvas.

7.13.9 The ten-headed one, filled with fierce anger, would go to the variegated pleasure-groves — Nandana and the rest — and ravage them.

7.13.10 Like an elephant sporting in a river, like the wind scattering trees, like a thunderbolt hurled against mountains, he continually laid waste to all.

7.13.11 Having learned of the conduct of the ten-headed one, O knower of dharma, the lord of wealth Kubera recalled the conduct befitting his own lineage —

7.13.12 — and for the sake of fraternal guidance, and for Rāvaṇa's own welfare, Vaiśravaṇa dispatched a messenger to Laṅkā.

7.13.13 He went to the city of Laṅkā and met Vibhīṣaṇa; honored by him with due courtesy and asked about the purpose of his coming,

7.13.14 — he inquired after the welfare of the king and of kinsmen and relatives, and then had himself presented in the assembly before the seated ten-headed Rāvaṇa.

7.13.15 Seeing the king there blazing with his own splendor, the messenger honored him with words of victory and then remained silent for a moment.

7.13.16 Seated upon a couch that was brought forward, covered with a choice spread, the messenger then spoke these words to the ten-headed one:

7.13.17 "O king, I convey to you everything your brother said — words befitting both of you, O gentle one, in terms of conduct and lineage.

7.13.18 'Enough of this — you have had sufficient sport and made your display of conduct. It is good to establish oneself in dharma, if that be possible.

7.13.19 'I have seen Nandana broken; I hear that seers have been slain. And I have heard of the gods' mobilization against you, O king.

7.13.20 'I have been dismissed by you many times, O lord of rākṣasas. Yet one must protect one's own kinsmen even when they offend, for it is the nature of kinship.

7.13.21 'I, for my part, went to the slopes of the Himālaya to practice dharma, undertaking the severe vrata of Rudra, disciplined and with senses restrained.

7.13.22 'There I beheld the god, the Lord, together with the goddess Umā. And my left eye fell upon the goddess —

7.13.23 '— with the thought "who might this auspicious one be?" and for no other reason, for Pārvatī was playing there having taken on a form of incomparable beauty.

7.13.24 'By the power of the goddess, my left eye was then scorched — its light extinguished as by dust, it became tawny in color.

7.13.25 'Then I went to another vast slope of that mountain, and performed the great vrata there for eight full hundreds of years.

7.13.26 'When that observance was complete, the great god Maheśvara, the Lord, pleased, with a glad heart spoke these words:

7.13.27 '"I am pleased with you, O knower of dharma, O one of excellent vow, through this austerity. This vrata has been performed both by me and by you, O lord of wealth.

7.13.28 '"There is no third person who has performed such a vrata; this vrata, most difficult to undertake, was originated by me alone in former times.

7.13.29 '"Therefore, be pleased to accept friendship with me, O lord of wealth. By your austerity you have overcome all — be my friend, O sinless one.

7.13.30 '"And that left eye of yours which was scorched by the power of the goddess — you shall be called for eternity Ekākṣipiṅgala, 'the tawny one-eyed.'"

7.13.31 'Having thus obtained friendship and leave from Śaṃkara, and upon returning, I have heard of your wicked resolve.'

7.13.32 'Therefore, turn back from these most unrighteous associations, O defiler of your lineage — for the gods together with hosts of seers are devising the means of your destruction.'

7.13.33 Addressed thus, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa, enraged with red-suffused eyes, grinding his hands and teeth together, spoke these words:

7.13.34 "I have understood the words you are speaking, O messenger. You are not what you appear, nor is he truly my brother who has sent you.

7.13.35 "The guardian of wealth does not speak this for my benefit. And you, fool, presume to make me hear of his friendship with Maheśvara!

7.13.36 "He thinks: 'this elder, this senior, must not be slain by me.' But now, having heard my response, this is the resolve I have formed regarding him:

7.13.37 "I shall conquer all three worlds relying on the strength of my arms! And this very moment, solely on his account, I shall lead the four Lokapālas to the realm of Yama."

7.13.38 Having spoken thus, the lord of Laṅkā struck the messenger with his sword and gave him over to his wicked rākṣasas to be devoured.

7.13.39 Then Rāvaṇa, having had auspicious rites performed, mounted his chariot desiring the conquest of the three worlds, and set forth toward Kubera, the lord of wealth.

7.14.1 Then he set out with his six ministers, ever mighty in their strength — Mahodara, Prahasta, Mārīca, Śuka, and Sāraṇa —

7.14.2 — and the valiant Dhūmrākṣa, ever eager for battle; accompanied thus, the glorious one marched forth, burning the worlds as it were with his wrath.

7.14.3 Passing over cities, rivers, mountains, forests, and groves in but a moment, he entered Mount Kailāsa.

7.14.4 On hearing that the lord of rākṣasas had encamped on that mountain, the guards said "this is the king's brother" and went to where the lord of wealth Kubera was.

7.14.5 Having gone, they reported to him the entire resolve of his brother; and being authorized by Kubera, they went forth to battle.

7.14.6 Then the stirring of the Nairṛta king's army grew like the swelling of the ocean, shaking the mountain as it were.

7.14.7 Then a battle broke out, thick with yakṣas and rākṣasas; and the ministers of that rākṣasa lord were hard pressed there.

7.14.8 Seeing his army in such a state, the night-roaming Rāvaṇa let out a shout of exhilaration and advanced in fury.

7.14.9 Those ministers of the lord of rākṣasas, terrible in their valor, each fought a thousand thousands of the enemy.

7.14.10 Then Rāvaṇa, even while being struck down with clubs, iron bars, swords, spears, and tomaras, plunged into that army.

7.14.11 The ten-headed one, being battered there as though breathless, was hemmed in on all sides by the lords of yakṣas who rained blows upon him like storm-clouds.

7.14.12 That evil one then raised his mace, equal to the rod of Kāla, and plunged into the army, sending yakṣas to the realm of Yama.

7.14.13 Like fire driven by the wind burning a vast expanse of dry kindling, he burned that army most terribly.

7.14.14 By those ministers of his in battle — Mahodara, Śuka, and the rest — the yakṣas were reduced to a remnant, like clouds scattered by the wind.

7.14.15 Some, their limbs broken by weapons, fell in the field of battle, biting their lips with their own sharp teeth as they were cast to the ground.

7.14.16 Overcome by fear, their weapons fallen away, those yakṣas then sat upon the battleground embracing one another, like river banks battered by water.

7.14.17 For those slain and established in heaven, for those still fighting on earth, for the hosts of seers watching from above — there was no distinction between heaven and earth.

7.14.18 At that moment, O Rāma, a very mighty yakṣa named Saṃyodhakaṇṭaka came forward, commanding vast forces and conveyances.

7.14.19 Struck by that yakṣa as though by Viṣṇu himself, Mārīca fell and touched the earth, like one whose merit is exhausted falling from the sky.

7.14.20 Having regained his senses after a moment and rested, the night-roamer again engaged that yakṣa in combat; and the yakṣa, routed, fled.

7.14.21 Then he entered the gateway that marked the boundary of the gatekeepers — ornamented with gold, dappled with vaidūrya and silver.

7.14.22 Then, O Rāma, as the night-roaming Rāvaṇa was entering, a gatekeeper known as Sūryabhānu barred his way.

7.14.23 Then, having torn out the gateway, the rākṣasa was struck by that yakṣa with the gateway he had hurled — yet he did not fall to the ground, O Rāma, by virtue of the boon granted by the one born of waters.

7.14.24 But Rāvaṇa struck that yakṣa with that same gateway; the yakṣa was no longer seen — he had been reduced to ashes by it.

7.14.25 Then all the yakṣas fled upon seeing this feat of valor, and tormented by fear they took refuge in rivers and caves.

7.15.1 Then, seeing those yakṣas fleeing in their hundreds of thousands, the superintendent of wealth Kubera himself came forth to battle.

7.15.2 There a yakṣa named Māṇicāra, supremely difficult to conquer, encircled by four thousand yakṣas, gave battle.

7.15.3 Those yakṣas, striking with clubs, pestles, javelins, śaktis, tomaras, and iron hammers in battle, rushed upon the rākṣasas.

7.15.4 Then Prahasta slew a thousand in battle, and Mahodara with his mace slew another thousand.

7.15.5 And the wicked Mārīca in his rage, O Rāma, felled two thousand in merely the interval of a blink.

7.15.6 Engaging Dhūmrākṣa in the great battle, Maṇibhadra struck him on the chest with a pestle in fury — yet he did not waver.

7.15.7 Then Maṇibhadra, swinging his mace, struck the rākṣasa Dhūmrākṣa on the head; overcome, he fell.

7.15.8 Seeing Dhūmrākṣa struck down and fallen, drenched in blood, the ten-headed Rāvaṇa charged at Maṇibhadra in great fury.

7.15.9 That foremost of yakṣas struck him — charging in fury like the fire at the world's end — with three śaktis.

7.15.10 But then struck by the king of rākṣasas with his mace in battle, that blow caused his crown to fall to his side; from that time forward that yakṣa was remembered as Pārśvamauli, 'he whose crown is at his side.'

7.15.11 With that great-souled yakṣa Maṇibhadra having turned back, O Rāma, a tremendous uproar grew on that mountain.

7.15.12 Then from afar appeared the lord of wealth, mace in hand, accompanied by Śukra and Proṣṭhapada, surrounded by the treasure-keepers Śaṅkha and Padma.

7.15.13 Seeing his brother in battle — his dignity forfeited by the curse — the wise one spoke words befitting the lineage of their grandsire Brahmā:

7.15.14 "Though you are restrained by me, you do not understand, O wicked one. Having experienced the fruit of this hereafter, you will come to know it when you are gone to hell.

7.15.15 "Indeed, the man who out of delusion drinks poison and does not understand — that fool comes to know the fruit of his action only at the end.

7.15.16 "The gods rejoice in one who is endowed with dharma; it is by that dharma that you have been brought to this state — yet this you do not comprehend.

7.15.17 "Indeed, he who disrespects mothers, fathers, brothers, and teachers — the fruit of that is seen when he has come under the power of the king of the dead.

7.15.18 "In this transient body, he who does not accumulate austerity — that fool suffers afterward, having seen his own destination after death.

7.15.19 "For no one of corrupt intelligence gains good understanding by his own will; whatever action one performs, such is the fruit one reaps.

7.15.20 "Men obtain all things — intelligence, beauty, strength, wealth, sons, and greatness — through their own past deeds and prior actions.

7.15.21 "Thus you are bound for hell, one whose mind is such as this. I shall speak with you no more — this is the verdict for one of wicked conduct."

7.15.22 Having spoken thus, Kubera struck down Rāvaṇa's ministers; all of them, with Mārīca at their head, turned back and fled in all directions.

7.15.23 Then the ten-headed Rāvaṇa was struck on the head by that great-souled lord of yakṣas with his mace — yet he did not flinch from his position.

7.15.24 Then those two, O Rāma, striking each other in the supreme battle, were neither overcome nor wearied, both consumed with indignation.

7.15.25 Then Kubera, the lord of wealth, released the Āgneya weapon in battle; the ten-headed Rāvaṇa countered that weapon with the Varuṇa weapon.

7.15.26 Then the lord of rākṣasas, having entered into his rākṣasa illusion, whirled his great mace and struck Kubera on the head.

7.15.27 Thus struck by him, overcome and drenched in blood, the lord of wealth fell like an aśoka tree with its roots severed.

7.15.28 Then the lord of wealth was revived there by the treasure-keepers — Padma and the rest — who bore Kubera to the Nandana forest.

7.15.29 Then, having conquered Kubera the lord of wealth, O Rāma, the lord of rākṣasas seized his Puṣpaka aerial chariot, the token of victory.

7.15.30 Encircled with golden pillars, its gateways set with vaidūrya gems, covered with networks of pearls, adorned with trees granting every wish —

7.15.31 — that chariot, swift as desire and won by valor: the king mounted it and, having conquered the divine Vaiśravaṇa, descended from Kailāsa.

7.16.1 Having conquered his brother Kubera, O Rāma, the lord of rākṣasas proceeded thence to the Śaravaṇa forest, birthplace of great armies.

7.16.2 Then Daśagrīva beheld that golden Śaravaṇa, wrapped in a network of rays, gleaming like a second sun.

7.16.3 Approaching the mountain, amid a charming grove, he saw there the Puṣpaka chariot, O Rāma, held motionless in the sky.

7.16.4 Seeing the Puṣpaka — that wish-propelled vehicle now rendered motionless — the rākṣasa reflected upon it, surrounded by his ministers.

7.16.5 "What is this? Why does the Puṣpaka not move for me? Hovering above this mountain — whose deed can this be?"

7.16.6 Then Mārīca, wise in understanding, said to Daśagrīva: "It is not without cause, O king, that this Puṣpaka does not move."

7.16.7 Then Nandiśvara, the mighty attendant of the Lord, drawing near to his side, fearlessly addressed the king of rākṣasas thus:

7.16.8 "Turn back, Daśagrīva — Śaṃkara is at sport upon this mountain."

7.16.9 "This mountain has been made inaccessible to suparṇas, nāgas, yakṣas, daityas, dānavas, rākṣasas — to all living beings."

7.16.10 He, his eyes reddened with anger, descended from the Puṣpaka and, saying "Who is this Śaṃkara?", strode to the base of the mountain.

7.16.11 Then he beheld Nandiśvara standing not far away, his lord — gripping a blazing trident, like a second Śaṃkara.

7.16.12 The rākṣasa, seeing his monkey-face and despising him, broke into derisive laughter from sheer foolishness, like a rain-cloud releasing its waters.

7.16.13 The blessed Nandī, wrathful — that other form of Śaṃkara himself — spoke to the rākṣasa Daśagrīva who stood before him:

7.16.14 "Because you, O wicked-minded rākṣasa, seeing me in the form of a monkey, have out of foolishness despised me and let loose your mockery —

7.16.15 "— therefore monkeys bearing my form, equal to me in might and energy, shall be born for the destruction of your lineage."

7.16.16 "Yet what can I do to you now, O night-wanderer? You are not to be slain by me — you are already slain, indeed, by your own deeds."

7.16.17 Paying no heed to Nandī's words, the night-wanderer approached the mountain and spoke these words:

7.16.18 "For the sake of that which has cut off my Puṣpaka's flight as it traveled, I shall uproot this very mountain, O lord of cattle!"

7.16.19 "By what power does he sport there like a king? You should know — you do not know — that a danger stands before you."

7.16.20 Having spoken thus, O king, he thrust his arms beneath the mountain and began to lift that peak, replete with deer, serpents, and trees.

7.16.21 Then, O Rāma, the great god Mahādeva, smiling and glancing at what had been done, pressed down upon that mountain with the tip of his toe — as if in play.

7.16.22 Then his arms, thrust beneath the mountain, were crushed, and his ministers who stood there were struck with astonishment.

7.16.23 From the rākṣasa's anger and from the anguish of his crushed arms there burst forth an enormous roar by which the three worlds were filled.

7.16.24 Human beings, terror-struck by the sound, believed it to be the dissolution of the world; the gods too were shaken and disturbed in their several duties.

7.16.25 Then Mahādeva, pleased and standing on the summit of the mountain, released his arms, O king, and addressed Daśānana in these words:

7.16.26 "I am pleased with your valor and your martial spirit, O night-wanderer; the cry released in your pain — that voice — was exceedingly terrible."

7.16.27 "Since all three worlds were made to resound and were seized with fear, therefore you shall henceforth be called Rāvaṇa by name."

7.16.28 "Gods, humans, yakṣas, and all others who dwell on the earth's surface shall call you Rāvaṇa — he who makes the world cry out."

7.16.29 "Go, O son of Pulastya, at ease, by whatever path you wish — you are granted leave by me; depart, O lord of rākṣasas."

7.16.30 Thus named in person by Maheśvara, that Rāvaṇa paid homage to Mahādeva and mounted that celestial chariot.

7.16.31 Thereafter, O Rāma, Rāvaṇa roamed across the earth, harassing mighty kṣatriyas here and there.

7.17.1 Then, O king, the long-armed one, wandering over the earth, reached the Himālayan forest and roamed through it — Rāvaṇa.

7.17.2 There he saw a maiden clad in a rough antelope-skin and matted locks, engaged in austerity according to the sage's prescribed rite, like a goddess performing her penance.

7.17.3 Seeing that maiden endowed with beauty and of exceedingly great vows, his mind overpowered by the intoxication of desire, he questioned her as if with a smile:

7.17.4 "Why do you practice this, O fortunate one, which is contrary to your youth? This mode of conduct is not fitting for one of your beauty."

7.17.5 "Whose daughter are you, O fortunate one? Who is your husband, O sinless one? Tell me quickly, as I ask — what is the reason for your pursuit of austerity?"

7.17.6 Thus addressed by that ignoble rākṣasa, the maiden, rich in ascetic power, offered him guest-honor according to the proper rite and spoke:

7.17.7 "My father was named Kuśadhvaja, a brahmarṣi, righteous, the son of Bṛhaspati, glorious, equal to Bṛhaspati in wisdom."

7.17.8 "I was born of that great soul as he constantly practiced study of the Vedas — born as a maiden made of speech itself, known by the name Vedavatī."

7.17.9 "Then gods together with gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and serpents — they too went to my father and proposed me as their bride."

7.17.10 "But my father did not give me to any of them, O lord of rākṣasas. I shall tell you the reason — hear it, O great-armed one."

7.17.11 "My father's intended son-in-law was Viṣṇu himself, the best of gods, the lord of the three worlds — to none other would my father give me."

7.17.12 "Learning that the righteous-souled one wished to give me thus, a daitya king named Śambhu, arrogant with power, grew enraged — and that wicked one slew my sleeping father in the night."

7.17.13 "Then my mother, wretched, embracing my father's body, that most noble one entered the fire along with him."

7.17.14 "Then the wish to fulfill my father's true longing regarding Nārāyaṇa settled firmly in my heart: 'I shall accomplish it.'"

7.17.15 "Even for my father who has gone to the realm of the dead I will fulfill his desire — having taken this vow, I practice extensive austerity."

7.17.16 "All this has been told to you by me, O foremost of rākṣasas. Know me to be one who has taken refuge in dharma, with the desire to have Nārāyaṇa as my lord."

7.17.17 "I know who you are, O king. Go, O son of Paulastya's lineage. Through my austerity I know all that transpires in the three worlds."

7.17.18 Then Rāvaṇa, wounded by the arrows of Kandarpа, descended from the prow of his chariot and addressed that maiden of exceedingly great vows:

7.17.19 "You are conceited, O lovely-hipped one, whose mind runs in such a direction — it is old people, O doe-eyed maiden, in whom the accumulation of dharma shines."

7.17.20 "You are endowed with every virtue and do not deserve to do this. You are the most beautiful in all three worlds, O timid one — to follow the ways of old age in youth!"

7.17.21 "And who then is that one whom you speak of as Viṣṇu? In valor, in austerity, in enjoyment, and in strength, he is not my equal, O fortunate one — he whom you desire, O slender-waisted maiden."

7.17.22 "No, do not — do not speak thus!" — so the maiden said to that night-wanderer. But the rākṣasa touched her hair with the tip of his hand.

7.17.23 Then Vedavatī, enraged, cut off her own hair with her hand, kindled a fire, and, resolved upon death, spoke:

7.17.24 "Violated by you, O ignoble one, life is no longer mine, O rākṣasa. Therefore I shall enter the fire as you watch."

7.17.25 "And since I, though without sin, have been violated as if unprotected, therefore I shall be born again for the sake of your destruction."

7.17.26 "For you, O wicked one, cannot be slain by a woman — certainly not by me. And if a curse were cast on you, my austerity would be diminished."

7.17.27 "But if there is any deed done, gift given, or oblation offered by me, by that merit may I — virtuous one, not born of a womb — become the daughter of a righteous man."

7.17.28 Having spoken thus, she entered the blazing fire; and from the sky a divine rain of flowers fell all around.

7.17.29 "The enemy struck down by your wrath of old — he who was slain by you when he had taken refuge relying on your mountain-like, superhuman valor —"

7.17.30 "— thus this most blessed one is born again among mortals, drawn forth by a plowshare's tip from the field, upon the sacrificial altar, like a flame of fire."

7.17.31 "This one who was formerly named Vedavatī in the Kṛta age — having reached the Tretā age, born for the slaying of that rākṣasa, she arose as Sītā; she is this Sītā, called again by humans."

7.18.1 When Vedavatī had entered the fire, Rāvaṇa mounted that Puṣpaka chariot and continued to roam the earth.

7.18.2 Then, reaching Uśīrabīja, that rākṣasa saw king Marutta performing a sacrifice together with the gods.

7.18.3 A brahmarṣi named Saṃvarta, the very brother of Bṛhaspati, versed in dharma, was officiating at the sacrifice, surrounded by all the hosts of brahmin priests.

7.18.4 The gods, seeing that rākṣasa who was unconquerable by reason of boons received, assumed various animal forms, fearful of being harassed by him.

7.18.5 Indra became a peacock; the king of dharma became a crow; the lord of wealth became a lizard; Varuṇa indeed became a swan.

7.18.6 Approaching that king, Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas, said: "Give me battle — or else say 'I am defeated.'"

7.18.7 Then king Marutta said to him "Who are you?" — whereupon the rākṣasa, letting out a laugh of contempt, spoke these words:

7.18.8 "I am pleased by your nonchalant manner, O king — you who do not recognize me as Rāvaṇa, the younger brother of Kubera."

7.18.9 "Who is there in the three worlds that does not know my might — I who, having conquered my own brother, seized this chariot?"

7.18.10 Then king Marutta addressed that rākṣasa: "Fortunate indeed are you, by whom your elder brother was conquered in battle!"

7.18.11 "What is accompanied by adharma is not praiseworthy; what is contrary to the world's good is not praiseworthy. Having done a deed of wickedness, you boast of having defeated your own brother."

7.18.12 "Did you first practice dharma alone and then obtain the boon? For I have not heard before of the kind of thing you now proclaim yourself."

7.18.13 Then that king, seizing his bow and arrows, set forth furiously for battle — but Saṃvarta blocked his path.

7.18.14 The great ṛṣi spoke to Marutta with affection: "If my word is to be heeded, engagement in combat is not appropriate for you."

7.18.15 "This sacrifice to Maheśvara, if left incomplete, would burn up your lineage. How can one who is consecrated engage in war? How can there be cruelty in one who is consecrated?"

7.18.16 "And in battle there is always uncertainty, and this rākṣasa is hard to conquer." Thereupon king Marutta, lord of the earth, turned back at his guru's word, laid aside his arrow-strung bow, composed himself, and faced the sacrifice.

7.18.17 Then Śuka, considering him defeated, proclaimed it aloud — "Rāvaṇa has won!" — and out of joy let loose a shout.

7.18.18 Having devoured the great ṛṣis who were present there, gathered for the sacrifice, and satiated with their blood, he set forth again across the earth.

7.18.19 When Rāvaṇa had departed, the gods, together with Indra, the dwellers in heaven, resumed their own forms; and then they addressed those creatures thus:

7.18.20 Then Indra, out of joy, addressed the peacock with blue plumage: "I am pleased with you for your service, O wise-in-dharma, O bird."

7.18.21 "The thousand eyes that are mine — those shall appear upon your tail-feathers; and when I rain, you shall experience delight — this is the mark of my favor."

7.18.22 "The tail-feathers of peacocks were formerly all blue, O lord of men; having received the boon from the lord of gods, they all took on their variegated splendor."

7.18.23 The king of dharma, O Rāma, addressed the crow perched in the eastern hall: "O bird, I am most pleased with you; hear the word of one who is pleased."

7.18.24 "The various diseases by which other living beings are afflicted at my hand — those shall have no power over you, now that I am pleased — of this there is no doubt."

7.18.25 "You have no fear of death from my boons, O bird — until men slay you, you shall endure."

7.18.26 "And those humans dwelling in my domain who are tormented by hunger — when you have eaten, they too shall be satisfied along with their kinsmen."

7.18.27 Varuṇa then addressed the swan that moves upon the waters of the Gaṅgā: "Hear these words spoken with affection, O lord among winged ones."

7.18.28 "A color enchanting and beautiful, resembling the disk of the moon — it shall arise in you, lofty and gleaming like white foam."

7.18.29 "Having attained likeness to my body, you shall always be beautiful, and you shall obtain incomparable delight — this is the mark of my favor."

7.18.30 "For formerly, O Rāma, the color of swans was not entirely white — their wings were tipped with blue at the ends, their breasts were pure as fresh grass-tips."

7.18.31 Then Vaiśravaṇa addressed the lizard standing on the mountain: "I bestow upon you a golden color — this too is my affection for you."

7.18.32 "Your head shall always bear wealth upon it, imperishable; this golden hue shall be yours by my favor."

7.18.33 Having thus bestowed boons upon them at that sacrificial festival, the gods, when it was concluded together with the king, returned each to their own abode.

7.19.1 Having vanquished Marutta, the lord of rākṣasas, the ten-faced Daśānana, ever eager for battle, then marched against the cities of other kings.

7.19.2 Approaching those royal lords, who were comparable to Mahendra and Varuṇa, the king of rākṣasas declared: "Give me battle."

7.19.3 "Or else say, 'We are conquered' — that is my firm resolve. For those who do otherwise, there shall be no escape."

7.19.4 Thereupon many wise kings, firm in righteousness, declared "We are conquered," recognizing the superior power of their foe.

7.19.5 Duṣyanta, Suratha, Gādhi, King Gaya, and Purūravas — all these kings declared, O friend, "We are conquered."

7.19.6 Then Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas, approached Ayodhyā, well-guarded by Anaraṇya as Amarāvatī is guarded by Śakra.

7.19.7 He addressed the king: "Give me battle, or else say 'I am conquered' — such is my command here."

7.19.8 Then Anaraṇya, greatly enraged, replied to the lord of rākṣasas: "I grant you single combat, O lord of rākṣasas."

7.19.9 Then that great army of the king, which had been assembled in advance upon hearing the purpose and was prepared, sallied forth intent on slaying the rākṣasas.

7.19.10 Many thousands of elephants and ten thousand horses, together with infantry and chariots, poured forth instantly, covering the earth.

7.19.11 Upon meeting Rāvaṇa's force, the army of that lord of the earth was annihilated, O king, like an oblation cast into fire.

7.19.12 The king watched his great army being destroyed, as five rivers are swallowed up when they reach the great ocean.

7.19.13 Then that king, overwhelmed with rage, himself drawing his bow — brilliant as the bow of Indra — advanced against Rāvaṇa.

7.19.14 The joy of the Ikṣvāku line let fly eight hundred arrows at the head of that king of rākṣasas.

7.19.15 But those arrows, as they fell, made no wound anywhere upon him — like streams of water falling from clouds upon the summit of a mountain.

7.19.16 Then the enraged king of rākṣasas struck the king with his palm upon the head, and the king fell from his chariot.

7.19.17 That king fell to the ground, his limbs convulsed and trembling, like a great sāla tree felled in the forest by a thunderbolt.

7.19.18 Laughing, the rākṣasa addressed that Ikṣvāku lord of the earth: "What fruit have you now obtained by fighting against me?"

7.19.19 "There is none in the three worlds who could give me single combat, O king. I think that, heedless in your pleasures, you have not heard of my might."

7.19.20 As he spoke thus, the king, his breath fading, replied: "What can be done here, when time is insurmountable?"

7.19.21 "I have not been conquered by you, O rākṣasa, self-lauding one — I have been undone by time. You are merely the instrument of my fall."

7.19.22 "Yet what can I now do when my life is ebbing away? Because of the dishonor done to the Ikṣvākus, I shall speak these words, O rākṣasa:"

7.19.23 "If I have given gifts, if I have made oblations, if I have performed austerities rightly, if I have protected my subjects well — then let my words be true:"

7.19.24 "In this very line of the great-souled Ikṣvākus shall be born a king of supreme splendor who will take your life."

7.19.25 Then, when that curse had been uttered, the divine kettledrums resounded like towering rain-clouds being struck, and a rain of flowers fell from the sky.

7.19.26 Then that king, O king of kings, went to his place in the heavenly realm; and when the king had gone to heaven, O Rāma, the rākṣasa turned away.

7.20.1 Then, as he terrorized mortals upon the earth, the lord of rākṣasas encountered in that thick region the foremost of sages, Nārada.

7.20.2 Nārada, the divine sage of great splendor and boundless radiance, standing upon a cloud, addressed Rāvaṇa, who was seated in the Puṣpaka.

7.20.3 "O lord of rākṣasas, gentle one, halt, O son of Viśravas. I am pleased with your mighty exploits and your noble lineage."

7.20.4 "By Viṣṇu with his slaughter of daityas, by Tārkṣya with his routing of serpents, and by you with your crushing of foes in battle — I am greatly gratified."

7.20.5 "I shall say something that deserves to be heard — will you hear it? And having heard it, you should act accordingly, O bull among rākṣasas."

7.20.6 "Why do you slay this world, you who cannot be slain by the gods? This world is already slain when it has fallen under the power of death."

7.20.7 "Behold first, O mighty-armed lord of rākṣasas, this human world, wondrous in its purposes, whose course cannot be known."

7.20.8 "In one place, music and dancing are enjoyed by people full of joy; elsewhere others weep in grief, their faces streaming with tears."

7.20.9 "Bound by the affections of mother, father, son, wife, and cherished kinsmen, this people is ruined by delusion and does not perceive its own suffering."

7.20.10 "Why then afflict this world already undone by delusion? The mortal world is conquered by you already, O gentle one — of this there is no doubt."

7.20.11 Thus addressed, the lord of Laṅkā, blazing as it were with energy, laughed aloud and, saluting Nārada, spoke to him there.

7.20.12 "O great sage, you who roam among gods and gandharvas, you who love battle — I am indeed setting out to descend to the netherworld in quest of victory."

7.20.13 "Having conquered the three worlds and brought nāgas and gods under my sway, I shall then churn the ocean, that abode of nectar, for the sake of amṛta."

7.20.14 Then the blessed sage Nārada addressed the ten-necked one: "By which route now are you going?"

7.20.15 "This route to the city of the king of the dead is exceedingly hard to traverse, O crusher of foes — it leads to Yama's domain and is most formidable."

7.20.16 But Daśānana released a laugh like an autumnal cloud and, saying "Very well," spoke these words.

7.20.17 "Therefore, O great brahmin, I am proceeding in the southern direction, intent on slaying Vaivasvata, where the son of the Sun holds sway as king."

7.20.18 "For I have vowed in anger, O blessed one, seeking battle, that I will vanquish the four guardians of the worlds, O lord."

7.20.19 "For that reason I am now proceeding to the city of the king of the ancestors — I shall join with death that one who brings affliction to all living beings."

7.20.20 Having spoken thus and saluting the sage, Daśagrīva departed toward the southern quarter together with his exultant ministers.

7.20.21 Then Nārada, the foremost of seers, of great splendor, entered into meditation for a moment and reflected, like fire without smoke.

7.20.22 "He by whom the three worlds, with Indra, with all moving and unmoving beings, are afflicted — and when life-span and dharma are diminished — how is that time-force itself to be destroyed?"

7.20.23 "He from whom the three worlds always flee in terror — how is it that this lord of rākṣasas goes of his own accord toward him?"

7.20.24 "He who is both ordainer and arranger for merit and demerit alike, by whom the three worlds are already conquered — how indeed shall he conquer him?"

7.20.25 "What arrangement will be made differently from this? Stirred by curiosity, I shall go to the abode of Yama."

7.21.1 Having thus reflected, the foremost of seers, swift in valor, went toward the abode of Yama to report what had transpired.

7.21.2 There he saw the god Yama, attended by fire, presiding over the ordained fate of each living being according to its kind.

7.21.3 Seeing the great sage Nārada arrived there, Yama offered him arghya according to the rites and, when the sage was comfortably seated, addressed him.

7.21.4 "Is all well, O divine sage? Is dharma not perishing? What is the purpose of your coming, O one honored by gods and gandharvas?"

7.21.5 Then the blessed sage Nārada spoke: "Hear what I shall say, and let the proper arrangement be made."

7.21.6 "This night-wanderer, named Daśagrīva, O king of the ancestors, is coming by force to bring you, most difficult to conquer, under his sway."

7.21.7 "For this reason I have come hastily, O lord. What will he now do against your rod of punishment?"

7.21.8 In that very interval, from afar the divine aerial vehicle of that rākṣasa was seen approaching — blazing like the risen sun.

7.21.9 That mighty one, with the radiance of the Puṣpaka, having dispelled all darkness from that region, drew near.

7.21.10 The mighty-armed Daśagrīva looked about here and there and saw living beings reaping the fruits of their good deeds and of their evil deeds.

7.21.11 Then Rāvaṇa, the powerful one, by his own valor forcibly released those who were being tormented by their own evil deeds.

7.21.12 As the dead were being freed by that most powerful rākṣasa, the guardians of the dead, greatly enraged, rushed toward the lord of rākṣasas.

7.21.13 Those warriors, hundreds of thousands in number, showered the Puṣpaka with javelins, iron clubs, spears, mallets, śaktis, and tomaras.

7.21.14 They swiftly shattered the seats, pavilions, balustrades, and coverings of the Puṣpaka, like bees swarming upon it.

7.21.15 Yet that celestial craft, the Puṣpaka — though shattered in battle — remained indestructible nonetheless, by virtue of Brahmā's divine power.

7.21.16 Then Rāvaṇa's ministers, those of great valor, fought with all their will and all their strength, and so too did the king Daśānana himself.

7.21.17 Those ministers of the lord of rākṣasas, their limbs smeared with blood and battered by every weapon, waged a mighty battle.

7.21.18 The great ones struck one another in battle with their weapons; the great army of Yama and the ministers of the rākṣasa lord smote each other.

7.21.19 Leaving aside those ministers of the mighty rākṣasa, they charged toward Daśānana himself, raining spears upon him.

7.21.20 Then the foremost of rākṣasas, his limbs smeared with blood and riddled with blows, shone upon his aerial vehicle like a blossoming aśoka tree.

7.21.21 That powerful one released by force of arms spears, maces, javelins, śaktis, tomaras, arrows, pestles, rocks, and trees.

7.21.22 But gathering up all those missiles and neutralizing those weapons, they — a hundred thousand against one — struck that terrible rākṣasa.

7.21.23 Surrounding him on all sides like massed clouds around a mountain, they left him breathless with stone-hurling slings and spears.

7.21.24 His armor stripped away, enraged, drenched with streams of blood, he abandoned the Puṣpaka and stood upon the earth.

7.21.25 Then the lord of rākṣasas, bow in hand, his arrows readied, having regained his senses after a moment, stood on the earth in fury like Death himself.

7.21.26 Then he fitted the divine Pāśupata weapon to his bow and, calling out to them "Stand! Stand!" drew that bow to its full extent.

7.21.27 That arrow, wreathed in flames and followed by flesh-eating beings in battle, once released, reduced thickets and trees to ash as it blazed forth.

7.21.28 The soldiers of Vaivasvata, scorched by its blazing power, fell upon that battlefield like trees burned down by a forest fire.

7.21.29 Then the rākṣasa of terrible valor, together with his ministers, let out a tremendous roar, shaking the earth as it were.

7.22.1 Hearing that great roar, Yama Vaivasvata reckoned his enemy to be victorious and perceived the decimation of his own army.

7.22.2 Seeing his warriors slain, his eyes blazing with fury, he quickly commanded his charioteer: "Bring up the chariot at once."

7.22.3 His charioteer drew up the divine chariot, whose thunder was tremendous; and that one of great splendour mounted the great car.

7.22.4 Death, noose and club in hand — by whom all three worlds, moving and unmoving, are brought to their end — stood before him.

7.22.5 The staff of Time, embodied and blazing as though with divine lustre — Yama's celestial weapon — stood at his side upon the chariot.

7.22.6 Then the three worlds trembled in terror and the dwellers in heaven shook, beholding Time in wrath, dread to all the three worlds.

7.22.7 The ministers of the lord of rākṣasas, beholding that terrible chariot attended by Death, terrifying to every world—

7.22.8 —all, their senses lost in the lightness of their nature, overcome with fear, cried out "We cannot fight here!" and fled in all directions.

7.22.9 But the rākṣasa, seeing that chariot so terrifying to the worlds, was not agitated; no distress arose in him at all.

7.22.10 Yama, closing on Rāvaṇa and hurling javelins and iron clubs, struck with great fury at the vital points of the rākṣasa.

7.22.11 Rāvaṇa, standing composed, poured a shower of arrows onto Vaivasvata's chariot as a cloud pours a rain of water.

7.22.12 Then, with hundreds of great javelins raining upon his broad chest, the rākṣasa, tormented by those shafts, could no longer retaliate.

7.22.13 Thus assailed with diverse weapons by Yama the crusher of foes, throughout seven nights of battle, he was neither routed nor vanquished.

7.22.14 Then the battle between Yama and the rākṣasa was renewed — both craving victory, neither retreating from the combat.

7.22.15 Then the gods together with gandharvas, the siddhas and the great seers, with Prajāpati at their head, beheld that field of battle.

7.22.16 As those two fought — the foremost of rākṣasas and the lord of the departed — it was as though the dissolution of the worlds had come.

7.22.17 Then the lord of rākṣasas, enraged, drew his bow in the combat and released arrows that filled the sky without interval.

7.22.18 He afflicted Death with four sharp-pointed arrows, the charioteer with seven, and swiftly struck Yama at the vital points with a thousand shafts.

7.22.19 Then, suddenly, from the face of the enraged Yama issued his breath, a garland of flames, the fire of his wrath.

7.22.20 Then the gods, dānavas and rākṣasas beheld that wonder — the blazing fire born of wrath, seeking to burn the enemy's forces.

7.22.21 Death, utterly enraged, then said to Vaivasvata: "Release me at once, O god; I shall slay the enemy in battle."

7.22.22 "Naraka, Śambara, Vṛtra, Śambhu, Kārtasvara, Balī, Namuci, Virocana, and both Madhu and Kaiṭabha—

7.22.23 —these and many other mighty ones, difficult to assail, I have seen laid low by me. What concern is this night-roamer?"

7.22.24 "Release me rightly, O knower of dharma, until I slay him — for no one I have set eyes upon lives even for a moment."

7.22.25 "This is not merely my power; it is the law of nature — the certainty that whoever I touch does not live."

7.22.26 Hearing those words, the illustrious Dharmarāja replied: "Stay — I myself shall slay this embodiment of death."

7.22.27 Then Vaivasvata the lord, red-eyed in rage, raised in his hand that infallible staff of Time, weighing it.

7.22.28 Along its flanks, unbroken nooses of Time were fixed, and a club embodied stood there, resembling the touch of fire.

7.22.29 By its very sight the vital breaths of living beings are stopped — what then of its striking or pressing upon an embodied soul?

7.22.30 That dreadful staff, encircled in flames, as though drinking up the night-roamer, seized by the powerful hand, blazed terribly in fury.

7.22.31 Then all beings fled from that field of battle, and the gods were shaken beholding Yama with the staff of Time upraised.

7.22.32 But as Yama was about to strike, staff raised against Rāvaṇa, Pitāmaha himself appeared visibly and spoke thus:

7.22.33 "O Vaivasvata, O mighty-armed one of matchless valour, this night-roamer must not be struck by you with this staff.

7.22.34 A boon was indeed granted by me to him, O foremost of the thirty gods; my spoken word must not be made false by you.

7.22.35 For this staff of Time, infallible in felling all creatures, was created by me of old, with Death as its foremost power.

7.22.36 Therefore this must not be hurled by you, O gentle one, upon the rākṣasa's head — for once it falls, none can live even a moment.

7.22.37 For if, once it falls, this rākṣasa does not die — or if Daśagrīva does die — in either case my word would be made untrue.

7.22.38 Restrain this staff upraised for killing from the lord of rākṣasas; uphold my truth, and consider the worlds as well."

7.22.39 Thus addressed, the righteous-souled Yama replied: "This staff is withdrawn; you are our sovereign and master."

7.22.40 "But what can I now do, stationed in this battle, when the rākṣasa who must not be slain by me is puffed up by a boon?"

7.22.41 "Therefore I shall disappear from the sight of this rākṣasa." So saying, with chariot and horses, he vanished on the spot.

7.22.42 Daśagrīva, having conquered him and proclaiming his own name aloud, departed from Yama's abode, exultant, in the Puṣpaka.

7.22.43 Then Vaivasvata, together with the gods led by Brahmā, and the great sage Nārada, went to the third heaven, joyful.

7.23.1 Daśagrīva, having conquered Yama the foremost of the thirty gods, Rāvaṇa, boasting of his victory, surveyed his own companions.

7.23.2 Having celebrated with them in the joy of victory, all of them — Mārīca and the rest — soothed by Rāvaṇa, ascended the Puṣpaka.

7.23.3 Then, exultant, he entered the nether world and the ocean — that abode thronged with hosts of daityas and serpents, well guarded by Varuṇa.

7.23.4 He went to Bhogavatī, the city guarded by Vāsuki, brought the nāgas under his control, and then proceeded to the city of Maṇimatī.

7.23.5 There the daityas known as Nivātakavacas — who had obtained boons — dwelt; the rākṣasa came before them and challenged them to battle.

7.23.6 They, all those mighty daityas, powerful, with diverse weapons, maddened with the pride of battle, engaged him in combat.

7.23.7 As they fought, a full year passed by, and neither side had gained victory or suffered defeat.

7.23.8 Then Pitāmaha, the imperishable lord who traverses the three worlds, came swiftly, mounted on his excellent aerial vehicle.

7.23.9 Restraining the Nivātakavacas from their act of war, the ancient Pitāmaha spoke these words, knowing the truth of the matter:

7.23.10 "For this Rāvaṇa cannot be conquered in battle by gods and asuras alike; nor can you be brought to destruction by gods and asuras with Indra at their head.

7.23.11 Friendship with this rākṣasa is suitable for you; all affairs are undivided among true friends — of this there is no doubt."

7.23.12 Then Rāvaṇa made friendship with the Nivātakavacas there, with fire as witness, and was filled with affection for them.

7.23.13 Honoured by them in proper fashion, Daśānana dwelt happily for a year, receiving worship indistinguishable from that in his own city.

7.23.14 He, self-possessed, having learned ninety-nine forms of illusion, wandered through the nether world in search of the abode of the lord of waters.

7.23.15 Then he conquered the city called Aśmanagara, guarded by the Kāleyas, in a moment, and slew four hundred daityas.

7.23.16 Then the lord of rākṣasas beheld the divine abode of Varuṇa, resembling a white cloud, standing like Mount Kailāsa.

7.23.17 He saw there the cow Surabhī standing, ever streaming with milk — from whose flowing milk the ocean named Kṣīroda was born.

7.23.18 From that ocean arose the cool-rayed moon, benefactor of creatures; approaching it, the great seers who live on foam sustain themselves; from it arose amṛta and also the wine of the gods.

7.23.19 Circumambulating that most wondrous cow whom people in the world call Surabhī by name, Rāvaṇa entered the great and terrible place guarded by forces of many kinds.

7.23.20 Then he beheld the excellent palace of Varuṇa, streaming with a hundred cascades, resembling an autumnal cloud, perpetually rejoicing.

7.23.21 Then, having slain the commanders of the army in battle while being struck by them in return, he cried: "Where has your king gone? Announce me at once."

7.23.22 "Rāvaṇa has come seeking battle; let battle be given to him — or else say with folded hands: 'I am conquered; I have no fear from you.'"

7.23.23 In that interval the sons and grandsons of the great-souled Varuṇa — Gauḥ and Puṣkara as well — came forth in fury.

7.23.24 They, endowed with heroic qualities, surrounded by their own forces, yoked their swift-moving chariots that blazed like the rising sun.

7.23.25 Then a terrible, hair-raising battle arose between the sons of the lord of waters and the rākṣasa Rāvaṇa.

7.23.26 By the ministers of great valour belonging to the rākṣasa Daśagrīva, that entire force of Varuṇa was struck down in an instant.

7.23.27 Seeing their own force in battle, Varuṇa's sons, tormented by the net of arrows, then withdrew from the act of combat.

7.23.28 Driven to the ground and seeing Rāvaṇa in the Puṣpaka, they swiftly entered the sky in their swift-moving chariots.

7.23.29 Then, having attained to an equal position with him, there ensued a great tumultuous aerial battle between them, as between gods and dānavas.

7.23.30 Then they, having turned Rāvaṇa back in battle with arrows resembling fire, shouted various war-cries in exultation.

7.23.31 Then Mahodara, the hero, seeing his king thus assailed, abandoned fear of death and looked about, eager for battle.

7.23.32 Those horses of theirs — swift-moving, swift as the wind — struck by Mahodara with his mace, fell to the earth.

7.23.33 Having slain the warriors and horses of those sons of Varuṇa, he quickly let out a great roar, seeing them standing there deprived of their chariots.

7.23.34 Those chariots of theirs, with their horses and together with their excellent charioteers, struck down by Mahodara, fell to the surface of the earth.

7.23.35 The sons of the great-souled Varuṇa, those heroes, abandoning their chariots and standing in the sky, did not waver in their own power.

7.23.36 Stringing their bows, piercing Mahodara through, they charged Rāvaṇa together in the battle, enraged.

7.23.37 Then Daśagrīva, enraged, standing like the fire of universal destruction, rained a great swift shower of arrows upon their vital points.

7.23.38 That irresistible one hurled down upon them as he stood above them: diverse clubs, hundreds of broad-headed arrows, swords, javelins, śataghnīs and tomaras.

7.23.39 Then those heroes, pierced and wounded, fell down as foot-soldiers.

7.23.40 Then the rākṣasa, releasing a great roar, slaughtered the followers of Varuṇa with terrible diverse weapons, like a cloud pouring down sheets of rain.

7.23.41 Then all of them, turned back and fallen to the ground, were quickly brought inside their homes by their own men, away from the battle.

7.23.42 Then the rākṣasa commanded: "Let this be reported to Varuṇa." And a minister of Varuṇa named Prabhāsa addressed Rāvaṇa:

7.23.43 "The great-splendoured lord of waters has indeed gone to the world of Brahmā — Varuṇa has gone to hear the gāndharva music — him whom you challenge to battle."

7.23.44 "Then why exhaust yourself in vain, O hero, when the king is gone? The princes who were present here, those heroes, have been defeated by you."

7.23.45 The lord of rākṣasas, hearing that, proclaimed his own name aloud and, releasing a shout of joy, departed from the abode of Varuṇa.

7.23.46 Returning by the very path by which he had come, the rākṣasa turned back and went through the vault of the sky, making for Laṅkā.

7.24.1 Returning in great exultation, that evil-souled Rāvaṇa seized along the way the daughters of kings, seers, gods, and gandharvas.

7.24.2 Whatever lovely maiden or woman the rākṣasa beheld, he slew her kinsmen and placed her in the aerial vehicle.

7.24.3 There Rāvaṇa seized maidens of nāgas, yakṣas, humans, rākṣasas, daityas, and dānavas alike.

7.24.4 Long-haired, fair-limbed, moon-faced, all young women bowed down with grief, their breasts bent in sorrow.

7.24.5 Equal to the flickering of fire, trembling, tormented with grief, born of the fire of sorrow and fear, they shed the water of their tears.

7.24.6 With their sighing, the Puṣpaka with its fire suppressed blazed like a fire-sacrifice, ignited by the sighs of those grieving women.

7.24.7 One, deeply tormented, thought: "He will even kill me." Remembering mothers, fathers, brothers, sons, and fathers-in-law, those women overwhelmed by grief and sorrow wept together.

7.24.8 "How will my son fare without me? How my mother, how my brother — all plunged into an ocean of sorrow?"

7.24.9 "Alas, how shall I live without my husband, my deity? O Death, be gracious — I beg you, take me to the abode of Yama."

7.24.10 "What evil deed did I commit in a former body, that I have been thus violated by him and cast into an ocean of sorrow?"

7.24.11 "I see no end to my suffering in this life. Alas, shame upon the world of humans — there is truly no worse state than this."

7.24.12 "My kinsmen, who were weak, were destroyed by the powerful Rāvaṇa like stars by the risen sun."

7.24.13 "Alas, this rākṣasa, though very powerful, delights in means of slaughter; alas, he does not understand of himself his own evil conduct."

7.24.14 "In every way the valour of this evil-souled one is fitting for him; but this act of violating another's wife is unbecoming."

7.24.15 "Because this evil-minded one lusts after the wives of others, therefore this beast shall meet his death by a cause relating to a woman."

7.24.16 Thus cursed by those women, those devoted wives, faithful and treading the right path, he became stripped of his lustre and brilliance.

7.24.17 While they lamented thus, Rāvaṇa the lord of rākṣasas entered the city of Laṅkā, honoured by the night-roamers.

7.24.18 Then the sister of the king of rākṣasas, deeply distressed, fell at his feet and began to speak.

7.24.19 Then Rāvaṇa, raising up his sister and consoling her, said: "What is this, dear one? Speak to me quickly."

7.24.20 She, the rākṣasī, her eyes choked with tears, spoke these words: "I am ruined, O king; you in your power have made me a widow."

7.24.21 "These daityas slain by you in battle through your might, O king, known as the Kāleyas — they were of great strength and valour."

7.24.22 "There my husband was slain — dearer to me than life itself — killed by you there, O brother, as though you were his enemy."

7.24.23 "I who have been slain by you yourself, O king — by my own kinsman — shall suffer the pain and the name of widowhood given to me by you."

7.24.24 "Surely a son-in-law is to be protected by you even in battles; having slain him in combat, O king, are you not ashamed of yourself?"

7.24.25 Thus addressed by his sister who was crying out, the rākṣasa comforted her and spoke these conciliatory words:

7.24.26 "Enough of grief, my dear; you need have no fear at all. I shall satisfy you always with special gifts of honour."

7.24.27 "Engrossed and distracted in battle, eager for victory, loosing arrows, I do not distinguish in combat friend from foe, O fair one — it was thus that your husband, your brother-in-law, was slain by me in the battle."

7.24.28 "Whatever is appropriate now, I shall do for your benefit. Stay beside your brother Khara, established in lordship."

7.24.29 "He shall be your brother and lord of fourteen thousand mighty rākṣasas in marching and in giving command."

7.24.30 "There your brother Khara, son of your mother's sister, shall be your lord, always acting on whatever you yourself will say."

7.24.31 "Let this hero go swiftly to protect the Daṇḍakas; the mighty Dūṣaṇa shall be his commander of forces."

7.24.32 "For that forest region was cursed long ago by the wrathful Uśanas — it shall become the dwelling of rākṣasas, without doubt."

7.24.33 Having spoken thus, Daśagrīva assigned to him an army: fourteen thousand rākṣasas who could assume any form at will.

7.24.34 Surrounded by all those rākṣasas of terrible appearance, Khara swiftly set out for the Daṇḍakas, fearless on every side.

7.24.35 There he established his rule, free of thorns, and Śūrpaṇakhā dwelt in the Daṇḍaka forest, content.

7.25.1 Having given that dreadful forest to Khara and having comforted his sister, the ten-necked one grew cheerful and yet more at ease.

7.25.2 Then the great-souled lord of the Rākṣasas entered together with his retinue that great grove of Laṅkā called Nikumbhilā.

7.25.3 There he saw a sacrifice in progress, strewn with hundreds of sacrificial posts and adorned with graceful altars, blazing as it were with sacred splendour.

7.25.4 There he saw his own son Meghanāda, the subduer of enemies, wearing a black antelope-skin and bearing the water-pot and sacrificial fire as his banner.

7.25.5 The lord of the Rākṣasas approached him, embraced him with his arms, and said: "What is this that is going on, my son? Tell me."

7.25.6 Then Uśanas, the preceptor, that foremost of twice-born sages possessed of great austerity, spoke to Rāvaṇa, the foremost of Rākṣasas, for the sake of the success of the sacrifice:

7.25.7 "I shall tell you, O king — hear everything in full. Your son has accomplished seven sacrifices of great extent and detail.

7.25.8 The Agniṣṭoma, the Aśvamedha — the sacrifice rich in gold — the Rājasūya, the Gomedha, and the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice as well —

7.25.9 — and during the performance of the Māheśvara sacrifice, so difficult for men to accomplish, your son has obtained boons here directly from the Lord of creatures Paśupati himself.

7.25.10 A divine chariot that goes wherever one wishes, moving through the sky unfailingly, and the illusion named Tāmasī by which darkness is brought about —

7.25.11 — by this illusion, O lord of Rākṣasas, the movements of one fighting in battle cannot be discerned even by gods and Asuras.

7.25.12 Two inexhaustible quivers, arrows, and a bow most difficult to overcome, and a powerful weapon that destroys enemies in battle —

7.25.13 — having obtained all these boons, this your son, O ten-faced one, has completed the sacrifice today, and I have remained here awaiting you."

7.25.14 Then the ten-necked one said: "This has not been done well, for the enemies headed by Indra have been honoured with offerings.

7.25.15 Come now — what has been done cannot be undone. Come, my gentle one; let us go to our own palace."

7.25.16 Then Daśagrīva, together with his son and Vibhīṣaṇa, went and caused all those women — all of them distressed with tears — to descend from their conveyances.

7.25.17 Auspicious and jewel-like women of gods, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas, adorned with varied ornaments, blazing with their own radiance —

7.25.18 Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, seeing those women overcome with grief and knowing the mind of his brother, spoke these words:

7.25.19 "With such conduct as this — destructive of honour, purpose, and family — you act according to your own will, causing outrage to living beings.

7.25.20 Having violated the kinswomen and brought these beautiful women here, Kumbhīnasī has been abducted by Madhu, transgressing against you, O king.

7.25.21 Rāvaṇa then said: "I do not understand — what is this? Who is this one whom you have named as Madhu?"

7.25.22 Vibhīṣaṇa, deeply angered, spoke to his brother: "Hear — the fruit of this sinful act has now arrived.

7.25.23 The eldest brother of our maternal grandfather Sumālin, the night-wanderer known as Mālyavān, wise and aged —

7.25.24 — he was the eldest, the noble ancestor on our mother's and father's side; his daughter's daughter was named Kumbhīnasī.

7.25.25 That maiden born of fire is our mother's sister's child; she is thus by dharma a sister to us brothers.

7.25.26 She has been abducted by Madhu, that powerful Rākṣasa, O king, while your son was engaged in the sacrifice and I too was preoccupied within the waters.

7.25.27 Having slain the foremost Rākṣasas who were your trusted ministers, having violated her, he abducted her, O king — she who was under protection in your inner apartments.

7.25.28 "Having heard this, O great king, I endured — and he was not slain — because a maiden must inevitably be given by her givers to a husband. Let this be known and understood by you in respect of what has now come to pass."

7.25.29 Then Daśagrīva, enraged, his eyes red, said: "Let my chariot be made ready at once, and let the warriors equip themselves.

7.25.30 My brother Kumbhakarṇa and the principal night-wanderers — let them mount their vehicles, armed with weapons of every kind.

7.25.31 Having slain that Madhu in battle today — Madhu who fears nothing before Rāvaṇa — I shall proceed to the world of Indra, eager for battle, surrounded by friends.

7.25.32 Then, having conquered the triple heaven and brought Purandara under my sway, I shall roam in contentment, glorified by sovereignty over the three worlds.

7.25.33 Four thousand Akṣauhiṇī armies of fierce Rākṣasas bearing weapons of every kind quickly marched out, eager for battle.

7.25.34 Indrajit led the army at the vanguard marshalling the soldiers; the valiant Rāvaṇa was in the middle; and Kumbhakarṇa brought up the rear.

7.25.35 Vibhīṣaṇa, righteous in soul, remained in Laṅkā practising dharma, while all those great and illustrious ones marched toward the city of Madhu.

7.25.36 The Rākṣasas all advanced on chariots, elephants, donkeys, camels, swift horses, and great serpents, making the sky unbroken with their masses.

7.25.37 Hundreds of Daityas who had made enmity with the gods, seeing Rāvaṇa setting out, followed behind him.

7.25.38 But having gone and entered the city of Madhu, the ten-faced one did not find Madhu there; he found only his sister.

7.25.39 Trembling, Kumbhīnasī, the sister of that king of Rākṣasas, bowed with folded hands and cast herself at his feet with her head.

7.25.40 Rāvaṇa, foremost of Rākṣasas, raised her up saying "Fear not", and added: "What shall I do for you?"

7.25.41 She said: "If you are pleased with me, O king of great strength, O bestower of honour, then do not slay my husband here today.

7.25.42 Be true to your word, O lord of kings — regard me as I beseech you; for you yourself said with your own lips, O mighty-armed one, 'Fear not.'"

7.25.43 Rāvaṇa then spoke boldly to his sister standing there: "Where is your husband? Let him be brought before me at once."

7.25.44 "I shall go with him to the world of the gods for conquest. Out of compassion and affection for you, I have turned back from slaying Madhu."

7.25.45 Thus addressed, she, the Rākṣasī, woke the sleeping night-wanderer and spoke these wise words as if with joy:

7.25.46 "My brother, the ten-necked night-wanderer, has arrived, desiring to conquer the world of the gods; he chooses you for his ally.

7.25.47 Therefore go together with your kinsmen to serve as his ally, O Rākṣasa — it is fitting to serve the purpose of one who is devoted and affectionate."

7.25.48 Hearing her words, Madhu said "So be it" and, approaching in due form, met the foremost of Rākṣasas.

7.25.49 He honoured Rāvaṇa, the lord of Rākṣasas, according to the rites of hospitality; the valiant ten-necked one, having received due honour in the dwelling of Madhu and having spent one night there, set out once more on his journey.

7.25.50 Then the lord of Rākṣasas, resplendent as Mahendra, reached Mount Kailāsa, the abode of Vaiśravaṇa, and encamped his army.

7.26.1 The valiant Daśagrīva, having arrived there with his army, chose a camp as the sun was setting.

7.26.2 When the pure moon rose, equal in splendour to a great mountain, he beheld in that place virtues and beauties illuminated by the moon's beams.

7.26.3 Divine groves of Karṇikāra trees and dense clusters of Kadamba, lotus-ponds in full bloom, and the waters of the Mandākinī —

7.26.4 — a sweet sound like the ringing of bells was heard — the mingled voices of throngs of Apsarasas singing in the abode of Dhanada.

7.26.5 Trees shaken by the wind poured showers of flowers, as if perfuming that mountain with the fragrance of honey and spring blossoms.

7.26.6 The pleasant breeze blew, carrying an abundant fragrance mingled with the pollen of honey-flowers, kindling desire in Rāvaṇa.

7.26.7 By the abundance of song and blossoms, by the coolness of the breeze, by the virtues of the mountain, by the advancing night, and by the rising of the moon —

7.26.8 — Rāvaṇa of very great prowess came under the sway of Kāma's arrows and, sighing again and again, gazed upon the moon.

7.26.9 At that moment there appeared Rambhā, the foremost of all Apsarasas, adorned with divine flowers, her face like the full moon —

7.26.10 — wearing fresh beauty-marks and garlands of blossoms from the festival of all six seasons, wrapped in a garment dark as a rain-bearing cloud —

7.26.11 — whose face was like the moon, whose beautiful brows were like bows, whose thighs were like the trunks of elephants, and whose hands were soft as young leaves — she was noticed by Rāvaṇa as she walked through the midst of the army.

7.26.12 The lord of Rākṣasas rose and, overpowered by the force of Kāma's arrow, seized her by the hand as she passed, and smiling, spoke to her:

7.26.13 "Where do you go, O lovely one? What fulfilment do you seek of your own will? Whose auspicious hour is this — he who will enjoy you?

7.26.14 Today, of the juice of your face — fragrant with lotus and blue water-lily, like the taste of nectar and immortal elixir — who today will drink his fill?

7.26.15 Your two breasts, round and auspicious as golden jars, set close together, O timid one — on whose chest will they bestow their touch?

7.26.16 Who today will mount your broad hips, like heaven in form, resembling a golden wheel and wreathed with a golden girdle?

7.26.17 What man is there superior to me — Śakra, Viṣṇu, or the Aśvins? It is not fitting, O timid one, that you pass me by to go to anyone.

7.26.18 Rest yourself, O broad-hipped one, on this auspicious stone floor. There is no sovereign in all three worlds who is my equal.

7.26.19 Therefore this Daśagrīva, who is the lord and master of the three worlds, with folded hands and bowed head, implores you — accept me."

7.26.20 Thus addressed, Rambhā, trembling, spoke with folded hands: "Be gracious. You ought not to speak thus — you are my elder and guardian.

7.26.21 I should be protected by you even from others; were I to suffer violation, I tell you in truth that by dharma I am your daughter-in-law.

7.26.22 Daśagrīva spoke to her as she stood looking downward at his feet: "If you are the wife of my son, then you would be my daughter-in-law.

7.26.23 Rambhā replied to Rāvaṇa: "Truly so — by dharma I am the wife of your son, O foremost of Rākṣasas.

7.26.24 He is a son more dear than life to your brother Vaiśravaṇa — he who is renowned in all three worlds as Nalakūbara.

7.26.25 He who is a Brāhmaṇa by virtue of dharma, a Kṣatriya by virtue of valour, who is like fire in wrath and like the earth in patience —

7.26.26 — of him, the son of the world-guardian, I have made a tryst; for him alone all this adornment of mine has been made.

7.26.27 His love and no other's rests upon me — by that truth, O king, O subduer of enemies, you ought to release me.

7.26.28 He, the righteous-souled one, is now waiting in longing for me — therefore you ought not to create an obstacle here for your son's beloved. Release me."

7.26.29 "Follow the path trodden by the virtuous, O foremost of Rākṣasas; you are to be honoured by me, and I am to be cherished by you."

7.26.30 Though Rambhā spoke these words full of dharma and reason, the powerful Rākṣasa, scorning them, and overcome by the infatuation of lust, seized her by force and proceeded to violate her.

7.26.31 Rambhā, thus freed, her garlands and ornaments fallen away, was thrown into confusion like a river disturbed by a bull elephant at play.

7.26.32 Trembling, filled with shame and fear, she came to Nalakūbara with joined hands and fell at his feet.

7.26.33 Seeing her in that condition, the great-souled Nalakūbara said: "What is this, dear one? Why have you fallen at my feet?"

7.26.34 She, sighing and trembling, her hands joined, proceeded to tell him everything exactly as it had happened.

7.26.35 "This Daśagrīva, O god, has come intending to go to heaven; the night here is being passed with the help of his army.

7.26.36 As I was coming toward you, I was seen by him, O subduer of enemies; that Rākṣasa seized me and asked me 'Whose are you?'

7.26.37 I told him the whole truth, but his mind overwhelmed by the delusion of desire did not heed those words of mine.

7.26.38 Though I implored him saying 'I am your daughter-in-law, O lord,' he cast all that aside and violated me by force.

7.26.39 Thus you should forgive this transgression against me, O bestower of honour; for the strength of a woman is in no way equal to that of a man, O gentle one."

7.26.40 Hearing this, the son of Vaiśravaṇa became deeply enraged; having heard of that great outrage, he fell into meditation.

7.26.41 Understanding that deed fully, the son of Vaiśravaṇa, his eyes red with wrath after a moment, took water in his hand.

7.26.42 Taking that divine water and touching it in the prescribed manner, he then pronounced a dreadful curse upon the lord of Rākṣasas:

7.26.43 "Because he has violated you, dear one, by force when you were unwilling, therefore he shall never approach another young woman who is unwilling.

7.26.44 When, overcome by desire, he shall violate a woman who is unwilling, his head shall then split into seven pieces."

7.26.45 When that curse blazing like a lit fire was pronounced, the divine kettledrums resounded and a rain of flowers fell from the sky.

7.26.46 All the gods with Prajāpati at their head rejoiced greatly, knowing the entire course of the worlds and the death of that Rākṣasa.

7.26.47 Hearing that hair-raising curse, Daśagrīva no longer delighted in the thought of sexual union with women who were unwilling.

7.27.1 Having crossed Kailāsa, the ten-necked night-wanderer of great splendour advanced with his Rākṣasas and reached the world of Indra.

7.27.2 As his Rākṣasa army advanced on all sides toward the world of the gods, a sound arose like the crashing of the ocean at dissolution.

7.27.3 Hearing that Rāvaṇa had arrived, Indra rose from his seat and addressed all the gods who had assembled there:

7.27.4 "Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Viśvas, Sādhyas, and the hosts of Maruts — equip yourselves for battle against the wicked Rāvaṇa."

7.27.5 Thus addressed by Śakra, the gods, equal to Śakra in battle, great-souled, filled with eagerness for the fight, armed themselves.

7.27.6 But Mahendra, distressed and frightened before Rāvaṇa, came to Viṣṇu and spoke these words:

7.27.7 "O Viṣṇu of great prowess and valour, what shall we do? That Rākṣasa is powerful and advances intent on battle.

7.27.8 He is powerful by virtue of boons granted — not for any other reason. And the word of Prajāpati must indeed be honoured, O god.

7.27.9 Therefore, as Namuci, Vṛtra, Bali, Naraka, and Śambara were burnt by relying on your intent, so act now.

7.27.10 For in calamities, O god of great strength, the gods have no other recourse or refuge apart from you, O Puruṣottama.

7.27.11 You are Nārāyaṇa the glorious, Padmanābha the eternal; it was by you that I was established in the eternal kingship of the gods.

7.27.12 Therefore tell me in truth yourself, O god of gods — do you, aided by your sword and discus, fight the enemy in battle?"

7.27.13 Thus addressed by Śakra, the lord god Nārāyaṇa replied: "No fear need be entertained by you. Hear my words.

7.27.14 This miscreant cannot be slain in battle by gods or Dānavas, being unconquerable by virtue of the boons he has received.

7.27.15 Yet this Rākṣasa of excessive strength, aided by his son, will in any case accomplish great deeds — this is seen by natural fate.

7.27.16 As for what you say to me — 'Will you fight in battle?' — I shall not fight that Rāvaṇa, the lord of Rākṣasas.

7.27.17 Viṣṇu does not turn back without slaying the enemy; yet today this wish is difficult to fulfil while the Rākṣasa possesses his boon.

7.27.18 I promise you, O Devendra, O Śatakratu — I alone will be the cause of the death of this Rākṣasa.

7.27.19 I will slay Rāvaṇa together with his sons in battle and satisfy the gods, knowing the appointed time has arrived."

7.27.20 In that interval, at the close of night, a mighty roar was heard on all sides from the army of Rāvaṇa as it engaged in battle.

7.27.21 Then a battle broke out between the gods and the Rākṣasas — dreadful, with a tumultuous uproar and weapons of every kind.

7.27.22 Meanwhile the valiant, fearsome-looking Rākṣasa ministers rushed forward for battle at Rāvaṇa's command.

7.27.23 Mārīca, Prahasta, Mahāpārśva, Mahodara, Akampana, Nikumbha, Śuka, and Sāraṇa —

7.27.24 — Saṃhrādi, Dhūmaketu, Mahādaṃṣṭra, Mahāmukha, Jambumālī, Mahāmālī, and the Rākṣasa Virūpākṣa —

7.27.25 — surrounded by all these warriors of great valour, Sumālī, the noble ancestor of Rāvaṇa, the foremost Rākṣasa, entered the army.

7.27.26 He, enraged, together with those night-wanderers, scattered all the hosts of gods with sharp weapons of every kind.

7.27.27 At that moment the valiant eighth of the Vasus, known as Sāvitra, entered the great battle.

7.27.28 Then a battle broke out between the gods and the Rākṣasas — those Rākṣasas of renown, never retreating in combat.

7.27.29 Then those valiant Rākṣasas struck down the gods standing in battle by hundreds of thousands with dreadful weapons of every kind.

7.27.30 But the gods in turn dispatched the fearsome, mighty Rākṣasas to the abode of Yama in battle with their own valour and various weapons.

7.27.31 At that moment the valiant Rākṣasa named Sumālī, enraged, advanced upon the battlefield with weapons of every kind.

7.27.32 Enraged, he scattered the entire force of the gods with sharp weapons of every kind, as the wind scatters rain-clouds.

7.27.33 Afflicted by great showers of arrows, by dreadful spears and javelins, all the gods could not stand firm, however resolute.

7.27.34 Then, as the thirty gods were being routed by Sumālī, the eighth of the Vasus, the god Sāvitra, stood his ground.

7.27.35 Covered by his own troops, the great-souled one checked by his valour the night-wanderer who was striking in battle.

7.27.36 Between those two warriors, each of great valour — Sumālī and the Vasu — who never retreated in combat, a most dreadful battle took place in the world.

7.27.37 Then the great-souled Vasu brought down in an instant that great serpent-chariot of Sumālī with his mighty arrows.

7.27.38 Having destroyed his chariot in battle with hundreds of sharp arrows, the Vasu seized a mace in his hand for the purpose of slaying him.

7.27.39 Sāvitra quickly seized that blazing, auspicious mace resembling the staff of Death and brought it down upon Sumālī's head.

7.27.40 As it fell upon his head blazing like a meteor, it shone like a great thunderbolt hurled by the thousand-eyed Indra upon a mountain.

7.27.41 Neither his bones nor his body nor his flesh could be seen thereafter — struck down in that battle, he was reduced to ashes by the mace.

7.27.42 Seeing him slain in battle, all those Rākṣasas fled on all sides together, wailing with a great cry.

7.28.1 Seeing Sumālin slain and reduced to ashes by the divine weapon, and beholding his own army scattered and tormented by arrows,

7.28.2 then that mighty and wrathful son of Rāvaṇa, Meghanāda, turned all the rākṣasas back and took his stand in battle.

7.28.3 That great chariot-warrior charged against that army in a fire-coloured, wish-swift chariot, blazing like a fire consuming forests.

7.28.4 As he entered bearing all manner of weapons, the gods fled in every direction at the mere sight of him.

7.28.5 None remained to face him in battle as he came thirsting to fight; seeing all of them frightened and reeling, Indra spoke.

7.28.6 "Do not be afraid, do not flee — turn back to the battle. My own son goes forth to fight against this unvanquished one."

7.28.7 Then the divine son of Indra, renowned as Jayanta, advanced toward the battle in a chariot of wondrous make.

7.28.8 Then all the thirty gods surrounded the son of Śacī and drew up in array to engage the son of Rāvaṇa in battle.

7.28.9 A great battle ensued, fitting between gods and rākṣasas, centred on the son of Mahendra and the son of the rākṣasa lord.

7.28.10 Then the rākṣasa's son rained gold-adorned arrows upon Gomukha, the son of Mātali, who was serving as charioteer.

7.28.11 But Jayanta, son of Śacī, equally enraged, pierced his charioteer and Rāvaṇi himself on the battlefield.

7.28.12 Then that great-spirited rākṣasa Rāvaṇi, enraged and eyes blazing wide, overwhelmed Indra's son with a torrent of arrows.

7.28.13 Then Rāvaṇi seized mighty, potent weapons — śataghnīs, lances, javelins, maces, swords, axes — and hurled enormous mountain peaks as well.

7.28.14 Then the worlds were overwhelmed with anguish and a great darkness arose as Rāvaṇa's son struck down his foes.

7.28.15 Then the host of gods, distressed in many ways, ran hither and thither surrounding Śacī's son.

7.28.16 They could not distinguish one another — neither foe from god — as all was confusion everywhere, with all running about on every side.

7.28.17 Meanwhile a mighty Daitya named Pulomā, powerful and heroic, seized him and carried Śacī's son away from battle.

7.28.18 Taking his grandson, he entered the great ocean — he was the maternal grandfather Āryaka, from whose line came Paulomī, the Śacī.

7.28.19 Seeing the exceedingly terrible disappearance of Jayanta, the gods, afflicted and joyless, fled in all directions.

7.28.20 Rāvaṇi, greatly elated and surrounded by his own forces, charged at those gods and let out a tremendous roar.

7.28.21 Seeing his son's disappearance and Rāvaṇa's valour, the lord of gods said to Mātali: "Bring the chariot here."

7.28.22 That divine, most formidable great chariot, swift as thought, was at the ready, brought forward by Mātali.

7.28.23 Then clouds with lightning and great thunder moved before that chariot, fickle as the wind, resounding as they went.

7.28.24 Various instruments were played, hymns of praise were intoned with concentration, and hosts of apsarases danced as Vāsava set forth to battle.

7.28.25 Attended by Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, Sādhyas, and the Marud hosts bearing manifold weapons, the lord of the thirty gods issued forth.

7.28.26 As Indra went forth, a harsh wind blew, the sun grew dim, and great meteors fell.

7.28.27 Meanwhile the heroic and splendid Daśagrīva, full of power, mounted the divine chariot fashioned by Viśvakarmā.

7.28.28 It was entwined with great-bodied serpents whose very breath made the battle seem ablaze, causing the hair to stand on end.

7.28.29 That divine chariot, surrounded by heroic Daityas and night-wanderers, faced the battlefield and advanced toward Mahendra.

7.28.30 Restraining his son, Rāvaṇa himself took position; and Rāvaṇi, withdrawing from battle, sat down to rest.

7.28.31 Then began the battle of gods against rākṣasas, a terrible downpour of weapons in combat, like clouds in the monsoon.

7.28.32 But Kumbhakarṇa, that evil-souled one, wielding all manner of weapons, was not recognized in battle as he fought with any and all.

7.28.33 With teeth, arms, feet, lances, javelins, and arrows, enraged against anyone at all, he battered the gods.

7.28.34 Then that night-roamer fought together with the great and glorious Rudras and Ādityas, and was cut without cease by their weapons in the battle.

7.28.35 Then that entire rākṣasa army was routed in battle by the thirty gods together with the Marud troops, with sharp and manifold weapons.

7.28.36 Some, struck down by weapons, writhed on the ground; others, still clinging to their mounts, stood in battle.

7.28.37 Chariots, elephants, donkeys, camels, serpents, horses, dolphins, boars, and those with piśāca-faces —

7.28.38 — some night-wanderers, struck through by the gods' weapons, died clinging to them with their arms, raised up stiffly.

7.28.39 That tumult of battle among those rākṣasas slain and fallen senseless on the earth appeared like a vivid painting.

7.28.40 A river flowing at the van of battle ran thick with blood, filled with herons and vultures, bearing away the weapons.

7.28.41 Meanwhile the wrathful and mighty Daśagrīva, beholding his entire army cast down by the gods,

7.28.42 plunging swiftly into that swelling ocean of armies, slaying the thirty gods in battle, advanced directly against Indra.

7.28.43 Then Indra drew his great bow with an immense twang, whose resounding vibration made the ten directions ring.

7.28.44 Drawing that great bow fully, Indra rained down upon Rāvaṇa's head arrows blazing with the brilliance of fire and sun.

7.28.45 And likewise the long-armed Daśagrīva, firmly planted, overwhelmed Indra with torrents of arrows released from his bow.

7.28.46 As the two of them fought, raining arrows on every side, nothing could be distinguished — all was enveloped in darkness.

7.29.1 Then, in that darkness that arose, the rākṣasas and gods together fought, intoxicated with power, slaughtering one another.

7.29.2 Then the divine army left a tenth of the rākṣasa host standing in the battle; the remainder was sent to Yama's realm.

7.29.3 Bound in that darkness, all those gods and rākṣasas could not recognise one another as they fought each other.

7.29.4 Indra, Rāvaṇa, and the immensely powerful Rāvaṇi — these three alone did not fall into confusion, even enveloped in the net of darkness.

7.29.5 Seeing his entire army slain in battle, Rāvaṇa was seized with intense rage and let out a great roar.

7.29.6 In his rage, that formidable one spoke to his charioteer seated in the car: "Drive me to the very end, straight through the enemy's army."

7.29.7 "Today by my own valour in battle I shall destroy from the sky all these thirty gods with great, manifold weapons."

7.29.8 "I will slay Indra, Varuṇa, Dhana-da, and Yama; having swiftly destroyed the thirty gods, I myself shall stand above."

7.29.9 "There is no room for despondency — drive my chariot quickly. I say it to you twice: drive me to the very end today."

7.29.10 "This region where we now stand is the Nandana grove; drive me today to where Mount Udaya lies."

7.29.11 Hearing those words, the charioteer directed the mind-swift horses and drove right through the midst of the enemies.

7.29.12 Understanding his resolve, Indra, lord of the gods, then standing in his chariot, spoke these words to the gods arrayed in battle.

7.29.13 "Gods, hear my words — this is what pleases me: let the rākṣasa Daśagrīva be subdued while still alive."

7.29.14 "For this one of surpassing strength will move through the army with the speed of the wind in his chariot, like a swelling ocean at full tide."

7.29.15 "This one cannot be slain today, being utterly fearless by boon of a blessing; therefore we shall seize the rākṣasa — be alert in combat."

7.29.16 "Just as I enjoy the three worlds by subduing Bali, so it pleases me to subdue this wicked one."

7.29.17 Then Indra, of great splendour, abandoning Rāvaṇa, took position elsewhere and fought on, destroying rākṣasas in battle.

7.29.18 Daśagrīva entered from the north, advancing without turning back; Indra of a hundred sacrifices entered from the southern flank.

7.29.19 Then the lord of rākṣasas, having advanced a hundred yojanas, overwhelmed the entire divine army with torrents of arrows.

7.29.20 Then Indra, observing his own army penetrated, unperturbed, turned it back, surrounding the ten-faced one.

7.29.21 Meanwhile a cry went up from the Dānava and rākṣasa troops: "Alas, we are slain!" — seeing Rāvaṇa encircled by Indra.

7.29.22 Then Rāvaṇi, swooning with rage, mounted his chariot and, most furiously angry, entered that terrible army.

7.29.23 Having entered and employing the māyā formerly bestowed by Gopati, invisible to all beings, he rained missiles upon that army.

7.29.24 Then he abandoned the gods and rushed swiftly against Indra alone; and Mahendra of great splendour could not see the enemy's son.

7.29.25 That swift-handed one struck Mātali and the horses with excellent arrows and overwhelmed Mahendra with a flood of shafts.

7.29.26 Then Indra, abandoning the chariot and releasing Mātali, mounted Airāvata and sought out Rāvaṇi.

7.29.27 But that rākṣasa, by the power of māyā, was not visible in battle, pouring streams of arrows upon Mahendra, whose energy is unbounded.

7.29.28 When Rāvaṇi judged Indra to be exhausted, he bound him by māyā and brought him right to his own army.

7.29.29 Seeing Mahendra thus forcibly seized in battle and carried off by māyā, all the immortals cried out: "What is this?" — for the wielder of māyā by whom he was being led could not be seen.

7.29.30 Meanwhile all the hosts of gods, utterly enraged, rushed upon Rāvaṇa with showers of weapons.

7.29.31 But Rāvaṇa, encountering the Vasus, Ādityas, and Marud hosts, could neither stand in battle nor fight, tormented by their weapons.

7.29.32 Seeing his father exhausted, his body broken by blows, Rāvaṇi, standing invisible in battle, spoke these words to him:

7.29.33 "Come, father, let us go — the work of battle is done. Know that you have conquered; be at ease, be free from distress."

7.29.34 "For I have seized Indra, the master of the divine army and of the three worlds; the gods have been broken in spirit."

7.29.35 "Enjoy the three worlds at your pleasure, having subdued the foe by might. Why exhaust yourself to no purpose? Your battle is fruitless now."

7.29.36 Hearing Rāvaṇi's words, Daśagrīva was composed in mind and withdrew from the work of battle against the divine army.

7.29.37 Then the lord, the master of night-roamers, free of battle's anguish and having won victory, departed joyfully for his palace; and meeting his own son, he spoke:

7.29.38 "By those feats of prowess worthy of supreme strength, the honour of my lineage has been exalted; for you, whose valour rivals the immortals', have defeated the lord of the thirty gods and the thirty gods themselves."

7.29.39 "Bring Vāsava here quickly — go to the city, surrounded by your army; I too shall follow swiftly behind you with my ministers as you proceed."

7.29.40 Then that rākṣasa Rāvaṇi, surrounded by his army and bearing the lord of the thirty gods, went to his own abode; joyful in mind, he dismissed the rākṣasas.

7.30.1 When mighty Mahendra had been conquered by Rāvaṇa's son, the gods, placing Prajāpati at their head, went to Laṅkā.

7.30.2 Approaching Rāvaṇa, surrounded by his sons and brothers, Prajāpati stood in the sky and spoke with words of conciliation:

7.30.3 "My dear Rāvaṇa, I am pleased by your son's conduct in battle. How great is his valour and nobility — equal to you, perhaps exceeding you."

7.30.4 "For all three worlds have been conquered by your energy; the vow has borne fruit; I am pleased by my own son indeed."

7.30.5 "And this immensely powerful son of yours, Rāvaṇa's Rāvaṇi — he shall be renowned throughout the world as Indrajit, the Conqueror of Indra."

7.30.6 "This rākṣasa shall be mighty, a conqueror of enemies; relying on him, O king, you have brought the thirty gods under your dominion."

7.30.7 "Therefore let Mahendra, the chastiser of Pāka, be released, O mighty-armed one. And what will the heaven-dwellers give for his release?"

7.30.8 Then great-spirited Indrajit, victorious in battle, spoke: "O god, I choose immortality in exchange for his release."

7.30.9 The lotus-born god then said to Rāvaṇi: "Complete immortality does not exist for any living being on earth."

7.30.10 Then Indrajit spoke to the lotus-born god present there: "Hear what attainment shall be mine in exchange for releasing the lord of a hundred sacrifices."

7.30.11 "What I desire, O god, is that whenever I descend into battle seeking to conquer enemies, I may first duly propitiate Agni with oblations;"

7.30.12 "and if I should enter battle, O god, with the japa-oblation to Vibhāvasu incomplete, then let that be the occasion of my destruction."

7.30.13 "For every man wins immortality through austerity; but I have established this immortality through valour."

7.30.14 "So be it," said the god Prajāpati to him; and Indra was released by Indrajit, and the gods departed to the heavens.

7.30.15 Meanwhile Indra, dejected, his garments and garlands dishevelled, fell deep into meditation, his mind entirely absorbed in thoughts of Rāma.

7.30.16 Seeing him in this state, the god Prajāpati said: "O Indra of a hundred sacrifices, why do you grieve? Recall the wrong you committed."

7.30.17 "O lord of immortals, in the beginning I created many creatures — all of one colour, all speaking alike, all of one form in every respect."

7.30.18 "There was no distinction among them in appearance or in marks; thereupon I, with focused mind, reflected on those creatures."

7.30.19 "To create a distinction among them, I fashioned one woman, extracting whatever was the finest feature of each and every creature."

7.30.20 "Thus I fashioned the woman Ahalyā from beauties and virtues; and indeed it was I who gave her the name Ahalyā."

7.30.21 "Having fashioned that woman, O lord of gods, O bull among immortals, I then fell to wondering: whose shall she be?"

7.30.22 "But you, Indra, O lord, O Purandara, claimed that woman in your heart, thinking 'She shall be my wife' on account of your superior station."

7.30.23 "She was placed by me in trust with the great-souled Gautama, entrusted for many years; and she was eventually surrendered to him by me."

7.30.24 "Then, having recognised the steadfastness of that great sage and knowing his perfection in austerity, I bestowed her on him as his wife."

7.30.25 "That righteous great sage dwelt joyfully with her; when she was given to Gautama, the gods lost hope."

7.30.26 "But you, angry and ruled by lust, went to the hermitage of that sage and saw that woman then blazing like a flame of fire."

7.30.27 "She was violated by you, Indra, overcome with desire and consumed by passion; and you were then seen by that supreme sage in his hermitage."

7.30.28 "Then that one of supreme splendour, enraged, cursed you; by that curse, O lord of gods, you underwent a reversal in a tenth part of your body."

7.30.29 "'Because you have recklessly violated my wife, O Vāsava, therefore, O king, you shall fall into an enemy's hands in battle.'"

7.30.30 "'And this tendency you have set in motion here, O wicked-minded one, will without doubt spread among all human beings as well.'"

7.30.31 "'A great and most powerful adharma will arise there; half of that shall fall upon whoever commits it, and half upon you.'"

7.30.32 "'And you shall have no stable station, O Purandara, by reason of this bond of adharma which you have set in motion here.'"

7.30.33 "'And whoever becomes a supreme Indra shall not remain permanent in that station.' So saying, he released this curse upon you at that time."

7.30.34 "And rebuking his wife severely, that one of immense austerity said: 'O undisciplined woman, vanish from the vicinity of my hermitage!'"

7.30.35 "'Since you, endowed with beauty and youth, were not constant, therefore in the world you shall not be the only beautiful woman.'"

7.30.36 "'And all creatures shall acquire that beauty — so exceedingly rare — which was the occasion of this transgression of yours.'"

7.30.37 "From that time on creatures were abundantly endowed with beauty; all this came about through the release of that sage's curse."

7.30.38 "Remember, O mighty-armed Vāsava, the wrong that you committed — by that, not by anything else, you have fallen into an enemy's grasp."

7.30.39 "Perform the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice quickly, with focused mind; purified by that sacrifice, you will then ascend to the heavens."

7.30.40 "And your son, O lord of gods, has not perished in the great battle; he was carried away and is safely present with Āryaka in the great ocean."

7.30.41 Hearing this, Mahendra performed the Vaiṣṇava sacrifice and once again ascended to the heavens, ruling over the gods.

7.30.42 "This, O Rāma, is the might of Indrajit that I have recounted to you; by him the lord of gods himself was conquered — what then of other living beings?"

7.31.1 Then Rāma of great splendor, filled with wonder once again, bowed and spoke these words to Agastya, the foremost of sages.

7.31.2 "Revered one, O best of twice-born men, were the worlds then empty of any realm where Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas, had not come to wreak his ravages?"

7.31.3 "Or were those rulers of the earth lacking in valour? Were many kings excluded by superior weapons and overcome in battle?"

7.31.4 Having heard the words of Rāghava, the venerable sage Agastya smiled and spoke to Rāma as the Grandfather Brahmā himself might address the Lord.

7.31.5 "Thus oppressing kings in this fashion, O bull among kings, O lord of the earth, Rāvaṇa, O Rāma, ranged across the earth.

7.31.6 Then he arrived at a city named Māhiṣmatī, radiant as the city of heaven, where the supreme presence of Vasuretās dwelt.

7.31.7 A king equal in might to Vasuretās himself ruled there — Arjuna by name — in whose quiver fire ever lay sleeping.

7.31.8 On that very day the mighty Arjuna, lord of the Haihayas, had gone to sport on the Narmadā river, accompanied by his wives, like a great lord.

7.31.9 Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, questioned his ministers: "Where is your king Arjuna today? You ought to tell me quickly."

7.31.10 "I am Rāvaṇa, come here desiring battle with that best of men. You must without delay inform him of my arrival."

7.31.11 Thus addressed by Rāvaṇa, those wise ministers replied to the lord of the rākṣasas that the king was not present.

7.31.12 Hearing from the citizens that Arjuna had gone elsewhere, the son of Viśravā turned away and came to the Vindhya mountain, which resembles the Himālaya.

7.31.13 Rāvaṇa beheld the Vindhya mountain — as if filling the sky, as if churning the earth, as if scratching the heavens with its peaks.

7.31.14 Adorned with a thousand peaks, its caverns haunted by lions, it seemed to burst into loud laughter as its cascading cold waterfalls fell.

7.31.15 Where gods, dānavas, gandharvas, hosts of apsarases, kiṃnaras, and their women played together, it towered to a great height, become like heaven itself.

7.31.16 With rivers flowing freely through it, its waters seeming motionless like something at rest, with quivering-tongued lightning-flashes, it appeared to be vomiting forth its standing waters.

7.31.17 Gazing at the Vindhya mountain — flaring with meteors, riddled with caverns, resembling the Himālaya — Rāvaṇa then proceeded to the Narmadā.

7.31.18 The holy Narmadā, flowing westward to the ocean, her waters stirred by rolling stones — her pools churned by buffaloes, spotted deer, lions, tigers, bears, and the finest elephants, all parched and thirsting under the heat.

7.31.19 Crowded with cakravāka birds and kāraṇḍava ducks, with swans and water-fowl, with sārasa cranes ever intoxicated with joy, and with the cries of kokila birds.

7.31.20 Adorned with blossoming trees as her crown, her bosom formed by pairs of cakravāka birds, her hips the broad sandbanks, her girdle the line of swans.

7.31.21 Her body anointed with pollen of flowers, her garment the pure foam of her waters, pleasant to touch when wading into her current, her eyes the beautiful blossoming blue lotuses.

7.31.22 Quickly descending from the Puṣpaka chariot, the ten-headed one plunged into the Narmadā, best of rivers, as one plunges into a cherished and beautiful woman.

7.31.23 That foremost of rākṣasas, the lord of the rākṣasas, sat down on her beautiful sandbank adorned with many kinds of flowers, together with his ministers, and obtained the joy that comes from beholding the Narmadā.

7.31.24 Then with a playful laugh, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, spoke there to his ministers Mārīca, Śuka, and Sāraṇa.

7.31.25 "The sun, with his thousand rays, having made the world as if golden, fierce in his heat, has taken his stand at the middle of the sky. Knowing that I am seated here, the day-maker now moves toward the moon."

7.31.26 "The wind that blows from the Narmadā is cool, fragrant, and dispels fatigue — it blows thus steadily out of fear of me."

7.31.27 "And this best of rivers, the Narmadā who augments delight, her waves holding fish and birds within them, stands like a woman filled with fear."

7.31.28 "Therefore you, wounded by the weapons of kings equal to Indra in battle, anointed with blood as if with sandal paste —"

7.31.29 "— you all shall plunge into the Narmadā, giver of happiness to men, like great bull-elephants with lotus-like faces, drunk with excitement, entering the Gaṅgā."

7.31.30 "Having bathed in this great river, you shall be released from sin."

7.31.31 "I too shall here, on this sandbank radiant as the autumn moon, slowly offer a floral offering to the lord of Umā."

7.31.32 Thus addressed by Rāvaṇa, Mārīca, Śuka, Sāraṇa, Mahodara, and Dhūmrākṣa plunged into the Narmadā.

7.31.33 The river Narmadā was churned by those elephant-like lords among the rākṣasas, just as the Gaṅgā is churned by great elephants named Vāmana, Añjana, Padma, and others.

7.31.34 Then those rākṣasas, having bathed in the excellent waters of the Narmadā and emerged therefrom, gathered flowers for Rāvaṇa's offering.

7.31.35 On the beautiful sandbank of the Narmadā, radiant as a white cloud, the lords of the rākṣasas piled up in a moment a mountain of flowers.

7.31.36 Even as the flowers were being brought, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, descended into the river to bathe, like the elephant Añjana descending into the waters of the Gaṅgā.

7.31.37 Having bathed there according to the prescribed rites and having muttered the most excellent of prayers, Rāvaṇa emerged from those waters of the Narmadā.

7.31.38 Seven rākṣasas followed Rāvaṇa as he proceeded with joined palms. Wherever Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, went, a liṅga made of gold was carried thither.

7.31.39 Rāvaṇa installed that liṅga in the midst of a sand altar and worshipped it with fragrant substances and with flowers that smelled like nectar.

7.31.40 Then, having worshipped Hara the supreme — remover of the distress of the good, the granter of boons, adorned with the rays of the moon — that night-wanderer sang aloud and danced, stretching his arms wide.

7.32.1 Not far from that spot on the Narmadā sandbank where Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, was making his floral offering —

7.32.2 — Arjuna, the foremost among the victorious, lord and master of Māhiṣmatī, was at play with his women in the waters of the Narmadā.

7.32.3 King Arjuna, standing in the midst of those women, shone forth like a bull elephant standing in the midst of a thousand she-elephants.

7.32.4 Wishing to test the supreme strength of his thousand arms, Arjuna at that time dammed the current of the Narmadā with those arms.

7.32.5 The pure water, meeting the dam of Kārtavīrya's arms, ran backward in reverse current, eroding the banks.

7.32.6 Filled with fish, crocodiles, and tortoises, scattered with flowers and kuśa grass, that surge of the Narmadā's waters appeared like the onset of the rainy season.

7.32.7 That surge of the water, as if dispatched by Kārtavīrya, swept away entirely all of Rāvaṇa's floral offering.

7.32.8 Rāvaṇa, abandoning the rite half-completed, then looked at the Narmadā as one looks at a beloved woman who has turned contrary.

7.32.9 Seeing from the west the surge of the water growing, resembling the roaring of the ocean, then entering the eastern direction —

7.32.10 — Rāvaṇa then saw the river with her birds no longer startled, abiding in her natural supreme state, appearing like a woman without perturbation.

7.32.11 The ten-faced one, snapping his fingers on his right hand with a loud sound, dispatched Śuka and Sāraṇa to discover the source of the current.

7.32.12 Those two brothers Śuka and Sāraṇa, directed by Rāvaṇa, those two heroes who could travel through the sky, set out facing westward.

7.32.13 Having traveled only half a yojana, those two night-wanderers saw a man at play in the water together with his women.

7.32.14 He was like a great sāla tree in form, his hair disheveled by the water, his eyes red at the corners from intoxication, his radiance like that of the god of love.

7.32.15 He was blocking the river with his thousand arms, that crusher of enemies, like a mountain blocking the earth with a thousand feet.

7.32.16 He was surrounded by a thousand young and beautiful women, like a bull elephant surrounded by a thousand she-elephants in full rut.

7.32.17 Having seen that most wondrous being, the two rākṣasas Śuka and Sāraṇa turned back, approached Rāvaṇa, and spoke to him.

7.32.18 "Who is that being, O lord of the rākṣasas, resembling a great sāla tree, who, having dammed the Narmadā completely, makes the women play?"

7.32.19 "The river, her waters blocked by those thousand arms, repeatedly sends forth surges resembling the roaring of the ocean."

7.32.20 Hearing those two Śuka and Sāraṇa speaking thus, Rāvaṇa exclaimed "It is Arjuna!" and rose up, eager for battle.

7.32.21 As that lord of the rākṣasas set out facing toward Arjuna, a single thunderous roar with a crimson hue was sent forth by the clouds.

7.32.22 Surrounded by Mahodara, Mahāpārśva, Dhūmrākṣa, Śuka, and Sāraṇa, the lord of the rākṣasas came to where that Arjuna was.

7.32.23 In no great length of time that mighty rākṣasa, dark as the elephant Añjana, arrived at that terrible pool of the Narmadā.

7.32.24 There the king of the rākṣasas saw Arjuna, that lord of men, surrounded by women just as a bull elephant is surrounded by she-elephants in rut.

7.32.25 The lord of the rākṣasas, his eyes red with rage, swollen with pride in his strength, spoke these words to the ministers of Arjuna in a deep voice.

7.32.26 "Ministers, quickly inform the king of the Haihayas that one named Rāvaṇa has arrived seeking battle."

7.32.27 Hearing Rāvaṇa's words, the ministers of Arjuna rose up armed and spoke these words to Rāvaṇa.

7.32.28 "Well and good, well and good, O Rāvaṇa, your understanding of the right time for battle! You who wish to fight our king when he is intoxicated and surrounded by women — like a tiger wishing to fight a maddened elephant in the midst of she-elephants."

7.32.29 "Forgive us today, O ten-necked one, let the night be spent by you here; if you have determination for battle, then tomorrow, good sir, fight Arjuna in the field."

7.32.30 "Or if you are seized with urgent thirst for battle, then slay us first, and after that you shall engage Arjuna in combat."

7.32.31 Then those ministers of the king were struck down in battle by the ministers of Rāvaṇa, and were devoured by the famished ones.

7.32.32 Then a tumultuous uproar arose along the bank of the Narmadā from the retinue of Arjuna and the ministers of Rāvaṇa.

7.32.33 With arrows, javelin-spears, lances, and thunderbolt-like weapons along with plowshare-clubs, they charged from all sides, afflicting all of Rāvaṇa's host.

7.32.34 The onslaught of the warriors of the Haihaya lord was terrifyingly fierce, like the sound of an ocean filled with fish, crocodiles, and great sea-monsters.

7.32.35 But the ministers of Rāvaṇa — Prahasta, Śuka, and Sāraṇa — blazing with the energy of fire, enraged, burned through the army of Kārtavīrya.

7.32.36 The deed of Rāvaṇa with his ministers was reported to Arjuna, who was still at play, by the men guarding the gates.

7.32.37 Telling the women "Do not be afraid," Arjuna then emerged from those waters, like the elephant Añjana emerging from the waters of the Gaṅgā.

7.32.38 His eyes inflamed by anger, Arjuna then blazed up like fire, most terrifying, like the fire at the end of an age.

7.32.39 Swiftly taking up his mace adorned with excellent golden armlets, he rushed upon the rākṣasas as the sun rushes upon darkness.

7.32.40 Lifting high the great mace for a sweeping arm-blow, and assuming the speed of Garuḍa, Arjuna swooped down.

7.32.41 Blocking his path as the Vindhya mountain blocks the path of the sun, Prahasta stood immovable as the Vindhya itself, armed with his club.

7.32.42 Then Prahasta, swollen with pride and enraged, hurling his terrible iron-bound club, roared like a thundercloud.

7.32.43 At the tip of that club, as it left Prahasta's hand, fire appeared like a garland of aśoka blossoms, as if burning everything.

7.32.44 Kārtavīrya Arjuna, of the valour of an elephant and armed with his mace, skillfully dodged that charging club.

7.32.45 Then the lord of the Haihayas charged at Prahasta, whirling his heavy mace, as tall as five hundred arms.

7.32.46 Struck by it with extreme force, Prahasta fell where he stood, like a mountain struck by Indra's thunderbolt.

7.32.47 Seeing Prahasta fallen, Mārīca, Śuka, Sāraṇa, Mahodara, and Dhūmrākṣa withdrew from the battlefield.

7.32.48 With his ministers retreated and Prahasta felled, Rāvaṇa quickly rushed upon Arjuna, that best of kings.

7.32.49 The dreadful battle between the thousand-armed and the twenty-armed, between the king and the rākṣasa, began there — hair-raising to witness.

7.32.50 Like two agitated oceans, like two mountains with quaking roots, like two suns blazing with energy, like two fires burning everything.

7.32.51 Like two elephants maddened by pride, like two bulls fighting over a cow in heat, like two thunderclouds roaring, like two lions supremely powerful.

7.32.52 Like two wrathful Rudras at the time of dissolution, the rākṣasa and Arjuna struck each other again and again fiercely with their maces.

7.32.53 As mountains endure the terrible blows of Indra's thunderbolt, so those two, man and rākṣasa, endured the blows of each other's maces.

7.32.54 As an echo arises from thunderclaps among the clouds, so all directions resounded with the fall of their maces.

7.32.55 The mace of Arjuna, falling upon the enemy's chest, made the sky shine like gold, like the lightning of a storm-cloud.

7.32.56 Likewise the mace wielded by Rāvaṇa, falling again and again upon Arjuna's chest, shone like a blazing meteor upon a great mountain.

7.32.57 Neither Arjuna grew weary nor the lord of the rākṣasa hosts; their battle was equal, as the battle of Bali and Indra once was.

7.32.58 Like two great bulls striking each other with their horns, like two elephants striking each other with the tips of their tusks, those foremost of man and rākṣasa struck each other mutually.

7.32.59 Then by the enraged Arjuna, with all his might, the mace was released in the great battle against the space between Rāvaṇa's breasts.

7.32.60 On Rāvaṇa's chest, protected by the boon he had received, that mace broke in two as it fell to the ground, like a weak army.

7.32.61 Rāvaṇa, struck by the mace hurled by Arjuna, stumbled back the distance of a bowshot and sat down, groaning.

7.32.62 Perceiving the ten-necked one to be overcome, Arjuna suddenly seized him as Garuḍa seizes a serpent.

7.32.63 That powerful king, seizing the ten-faced one with force by his thousand arms, bound him, as Nārāyaṇa bound Bali.

7.32.64 As the ten-necked one was being bound, siddhas, cāraṇas, and gods, exclaiming "Well done!", showered flowers upon Arjuna's head.

7.32.65 The Haihaya king, like a tiger carrying off a deer, like the lord of lions carrying an elephant, roared repeatedly with joy like a thundercloud.

7.32.66 But Prahasta, having recovered, seeing the ten-faced one bound, enraged, charged at the king together with those rākṣasas.

7.32.67 The onslaught of those night-wanderers as they charged was like the wondrous swelling of the oceans when summer's heat has passed.

7.32.68 Shouting "Release him! Release him!" and repeatedly "Stand fast! Stand fast!", they hurled clubs and lances at Arjuna.

7.32.69 Even before those weapons reached him, Arjuna, unagitated, that destroyer of enemies, swiftly caught all the weapons of those foes of the immortals.

7.32.70 Then with those very irresistible and superior weapons, he shattered and scattered the rākṣasas as the wind scatters clouds.

7.32.71 Having terrified the rākṣasas, Kārtavīrya Arjuna then, taking Rāvaṇa captive, entered his city surrounded by his friends.

7.32.72 Showered with heaps of flowers and unhusked grain by the twice-born and the citizens, Arjuna, resembling Puruhūta — like thousand-eyed Indra — then entered that city, having indeed subdued Bali.

7.33.1 The sage Pulastya heard of the capture of Rāvaṇa — a capture like the seizing of the wind — as it was being narrated by the gods in heaven.

7.33.2 Then, moved by affection for his son's son and of great steadfastness, the great sage came to see the lord of Māhiṣmatī.

7.33.3 That twice-born one, taking the path of the wind, moving with a speed equal to the wind, driven by the anguish of his mind, arrived at the city of Māhiṣmatī.

7.33.4 He entered that city resembling Amarāvatī, filled with joyful and prosperous people, as Brahmā might enter Indra's Amarāvatī.

7.33.5 Recognizing him as he came on foot, dazzling to look upon like the sun at its rising, they announced him to Arjuna.

7.33.6 Hearing that word "Pulastya," the lord of the Haihayas raised his joined palms to his head and went forward to meet that best of twice-born men.

7.33.7 His purohita, taking the ceremonial water-offering and the honey-mixture, proceeded in front of the king, as Bṛhaspati before Indra.

7.33.8 Then seeing that sage arriving like the rising sun, Arjuna, beholding his coming, bowed as Indra bows before the Lord.

7.33.9 Causing to be offered to him the honey-mixture, water for the feet, and the arghya gift, that lord of kings spoke to Pulastya with a voice choked with joy.

7.33.10 "Today Māhiṣmatī has been made equal to Amarāvatī; today am I indeed blessed, O lord among twice-born, O Indra among sages, because I behold what is so hard to behold."

7.33.11 "Today is my well-being assured, O divine one; today is my lineage exalted — for I bow to those feet of yours which the hosts of gods themselves bow before."

7.33.12 "This kingdom, these sons, these wives, we ourselves — O Brahman, what shall we do? What is to be done? Let your honor command us."

7.33.13 Having then auspiciously inquired of that king about his welfare in matters of dharma, sacred fires, and servants, Pulastya spoke to Arjuna, that king of the Haihayas.

7.33.14 "O king of kings, you of spotless lotus eyes, of a face resembling the full moon — unequalled is your strength, by which the ten-necked one has been conquered by you."

7.33.15 "He of whom the ocean and the wind stand motionless out of fear — that same grandson of mine, most exceedingly difficult to conquer, has today been bound by you."

7.33.16 "Therefore, my son, your fame and name have been made renowned by you — now being besought at my word, dear child, release the ten-faced one today."

7.33.17 Receiving the command of Pulastya without hesitation, that Indra among the lords of the earth, Arjuna, gladly released the lord of the rākṣasas.

7.33.18 Having released that enemy of the thirty gods, Arjuna honored him with divine ornaments, garlands, and garments, entered into a non-aggression friendship with him with fire as witness, bowed to that son of Brahmā, and went home.

7.33.19 The mighty lord of the rākṣasas too, having met with Pulastya, was dismissed by him with an embrace as his act of hospitality, Rāvaṇa feeling ashamed.

7.33.20 And Pulastya, that best of sages, son of the Grandfather Brahmā, having caused the ten-necked one to be freed, went to Brahmaloka.

7.33.21 Thus did Rāvaṇa, having been subjected to humiliation by Kārtavīrya, again obtain his release through the words of Pulastya.

7.33.22 "Thus, O joy of the Raghu line, there are those more powerful than the powerful. One who desires his own welfare should never show contempt for another."

7.33.23 Then that king of the flesh-eaters, having obtained the friendship of the thousand-armed one, once again wrought slaughter among men and roamed the entire earth with pride.

7.34.1 Released by Arjuna, Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, roamed the whole earth thus humiliated, yet unbroken in spirit.

7.34.2 Whoever Rāvaṇa heard of — rākṣasa or human — who excelled in strength, him he would approach in arrogance and challenge to battle.

7.34.3 Then one day he went to Kiṣkindhā, the city governed by Vālin, and challenged to battle Vālin of the golden garland.

7.34.4 Then Tāra, the monkey minister, father of Tārā, that lord, spoke these words to Rāvaṇa who had come eager for battle.

7.34.5 "O lord of rākṣasas, Vālin has gone — he who would be your match in strength. No other monkey is capable of standing before you.

7.34.6 Rāvaṇa, he worships the twilight at all four oceans and will return in a moment. Wait but a moment.

7.34.7 "See these heaps of bones, white as conch shells — these, O king, belong to those who came seeking battle and were consumed by the power of the monkey-lord.

7.34.8 "Whatever nectar you have drunk, O Rāvaṇa the rākṣasa, once you encounter Vālin your life will end at that moment.

7.34.9 "Or if you are in haste to die, go to the southern ocean — you will see Vālin there, standing on the earth like the sun itself."

7.34.10 Rebuking Tāra, Rāvaṇa, that lord of rākṣasas, mounted Puṣpaka and flew to the southern ocean.

7.34.11 There Rāvaṇa saw Vālin, whose face glowed like the rising sun, resembling a mountain of gold, absorbed in twilight worship.

7.34.12 Rāvaṇa, dark as collyrium, descended from Puṣpaka and stealthily rushed forward to seize Vālin.

7.34.13 Vālin, who happened to open his eyes, also saw that Rāvaṇa, intent on evil, but did not grow alarmed.

7.34.14 As a lion does not concern itself with a rabbit, or Garuḍa with a serpent, so Vālin gave no thought to Rāvaṇa of evil resolve.

7.34.15 "I will take this Rāvaṇa of wicked mind who seeks to seize me, tuck him under my arm, and travel the great oceans.

7.34.16 "They shall see my enemy seated in my lap, his garments slipping from his thighs, the ten-necked one dangling like a serpent in Garuḍa's grasp."

7.34.17 Having thus resolved, Vālin, muttering Vedic mantras under his breath, remained still as the king of mountains.

7.34.18 Both that monkey-king and the king of rākṣasas, each intent on seizing the other, proud of their strength, exerted themselves toward that deed.

7.34.19 Judging him close enough to grasp by hand, Vālin, even with his back turned, caught Rāvaṇa by the sound of his footstep, as a bird catches a serpent.

7.34.20 Seizing that lord of rākṣasas who had come to seize him, the monkey leapt skyward with speed, having tucked him under his arm.

7.34.21 Though Rāvaṇa was piercing him again and again with his nails, Vālin, oppressed by him, carried Rāvaṇa as the wind carries a rain-cloud.

7.34.22 Then those terrible rākṣasa ministers, seeing the ten-headed one being carried away and wishing to free him, came rushing and roaring.

7.34.23 Pursued by them, Vālin blazed in the midst of the sky — like the sun in the sky pursued by masses of clouds.

7.34.24 Those foremost rākṣasas, unable to overtake Vālin, exhausted by the force of his arms and legs, fell to the ground.

7.34.25 The mountain lords drew back from Vālin's path as he flew past.

7.34.26 The monkey-lord, of immense speed, outstripping flocks of birds, paid homage to the twilight in succession at all the oceans.

7.34.27 Honoured by sky-dwelling beings, the sky-ranging monkey Vālin reached the western ocean together with Rāvaṇa.

7.34.28 There the monkey worshipped the twilight, bathed, and recited his prayers; then he proceeded to the northern ocean, still bearing the ten-headed one.

7.34.29 Having worshipped the twilight at the northern ocean, Vālin went, bearing the ten-headed one, to the great treasure of eastern waters.

7.34.30 There too, having observed the twilight worship, that lord of monkeys, son of Vāsava, turned toward Kiṣkindhā, grasping Rāvaṇa, and came back.

7.34.31 The monkey, having worshipped the twilight at all four oceans, weary from carrying Rāvaṇa, alighted in the forest of Kiṣkindhā.

7.34.32 Then that best of monkeys released Rāvaṇa from his arm and, laughing, asked Rāvaṇa: "Where do you come from?"

7.34.33 Seized by great amazement, looking about with exhausted eyes, the lord of rākṣasas spoke these words to that lord of monkeys:

7.34.34 "O lord of monkeys, radiant as great Indra, I am Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas. I came here eager for battle, and today I have indeed encountered you.

7.34.35 "Ah, what strength! Ah, what heroism! Ah, what composure you possess — by which, seizing me like an animal, you have carried me around the four oceans!

7.34.36 "O hero, O monkey, bearing me thus as if untiring and with such speed — what other hero could traverse thus?

7.34.37 "This speed belongs to only three beings, O leaping one: the mind, the wind, and Suparṇa — or you; of this there is no doubt.

7.34.38 "I, who have now seen your strength, O foremost of monkeys, desire a lasting and deeply affectionate friendship with you, before the sacred fire.

7.34.39 "Wives, sons, city, kingdom, pleasures, garments, food — all of this shall be undivided between us two, O lord of monkeys."

7.34.40 Then the two — monkey and rākṣasa — kindled a fire, attained brotherhood, and embraced one another.

7.34.41 Clasping each other's hands, those two — monkey and rākṣasa — joyfully entered Kiṣkindhā, like two lions entering a mountain cave.

7.34.42 Rāvaṇa dwelt there for a month, like Sugrīva, when his ministers arrived to fetch him — that low one who sought to destroy the three worlds.

7.34.43 "Thus was this event of the past, O lord: Rāvaṇa was humbled by Vālin and then also made a brother in the presence of fire.

7.34.44 "The strength of Vālin, O Rāma, was matchless and supreme; yet even he was consumed by that fate, like a moth by fire."

7.35.1 Then Rāma questioned the sage who dwelt in the southern hall; standing with joined palms, endowed with humility, he spoke this meaningful speech:

7.35.2 "The strength of these two — Vālin and Rāvaṇa — was incomparable; yet my view is that neither of them was equal to Hanūmān in valour.

7.35.3 "Courage, dexterity, strength, steadiness, wisdom, mastery of policy, heroism, and power — all these have their home in Hanūmān.

7.35.4 "When the army of monkeys was despondent at the sight of the ocean, he alone reassured the monkeys and then leapt a hundred yojanas.

7.35.5 "He assaulted the city of Laṅkā and the inner apartments of Rāvaṇa; he found Sītā, spoke with her, and reassured her.

7.35.6 "The vanguard of the army, the sons of ministers, the servants, the sons of Rāvaṇa — all these were felled there by Hanūmān alone.

7.35.7 "Released again from captivity, having spoken with the ten-headed one, he reduced Laṅkā to ashes as fire reduces the earth.

7.35.8 "Neither of Kāla, nor of Śakra, nor of Viṣṇu, nor of Kubera are such deeds as Hanūmān's in battle heard of.

7.35.9 "By the arm-strength of this one, I obtained Laṅkā, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa, victory, the kingdom, friends, and kinsmen.

7.35.10 "If Hanūmān, friend of the monkey-lord, were not with me, who would have been capable of obtaining even news of Jānakī?

7.35.11 "Why did Hanūmān, desiring the welfare of Sugrīva, not burn Vālin like a creeper when that enmity arose?

7.35.12 "I believe Hanūmān did not know his own strength, since he merely witnessed the monkey-lord, dear to him, being tormented.

7.35.13 "All of this concerning Hanūmān, O Blessed One, O great sage, O you worshipped by the immortals — tell me in full detail and in truth."

7.35.14 Having heard Rāghava's reasoned speech, the sage then spoke these words in the presence of Hanūmān himself:

7.35.15 "This is true, O foremost of the Raghu line, what you say of Hanūmān. In strength there is none equal to him, nor in speed, nor in intelligence.

7.35.16 "But a curse was placed upon him in the past by sages whose curses never fail — that he, though mighty, the crusher of enemies, would not know his own strength.

7.35.17 "Even the deeds performed by him in childhood, O Rāma of great strength, cannot be adequately described on account of his extreme youth at the time.

7.35.18 "But if, O Rāghava, you have desire to hear it, collect your mind, O Rāma, and listen — I shall tell it.

7.35.19 "There is a mountain named Sumeru, of gold granted as a boon by the Sun; there his father — Kesarī by name — governs a kingdom.

7.35.20 "His beloved wife was known as Añjanā. In her, Vāyu begot a most excellent son.

7.35.21 "Having given birth to this one, bright as a śāli-grain husk, Añjanā had gone out roaming the forest, desiring to gather fruits.

7.35.22 "This infant, greatly afflicted by the absence of its mother and by hunger, wept intensely, like the young of the king of śarabhas.

7.35.23 "Then, seeing the rising Vivasvat, resembling a cluster of hibiscus flowers, and tempted by it as a fruit, he leapt upward toward the sun.

7.35.24 "The child, facing the morning sun, himself like the morning sun made manifest, desiring to seize the morning sun, flew through the middle of the sky.

7.35.25 "While Hanūmān was thus flying in his infant state, a very great astonishment arose among the gods, dānavas, and siddhas.

7.35.26 "Neither the wind is so swift, nor Garuḍa, nor the mind — as this son of Vāyu traverses the high sky.

7.35.27 "If even as an infant his speed and stride are like this, what will his swiftness be when he attains the strength of youth?

7.35.28 "Vāyu flew after his own son as he flew, protecting him out of fear of the sun's burning rays, cooling him with masses of frost-cold air.

7.35.29 "Traversing many thousands of yojanas through the sky, he reached the proximity of the sun, by the strength of his father and by the recklessness of childhood.

7.35.30 "The day-maker, thinking 'this is a child, unknowing of fault,' and knowing too that a purpose was bound up in this, did not burn him.

7.35.31 "On the very same day that he leapt to seize the sun, Rāhu also was seeking to swallow the day-maker.

7.35.32 "Rāhu, the devourer of moon and sun, touched by this child on top of the sun's chariot, fled in fear.

7.35.33 "The son of Siṃhikā, incensed, went to Indra's palace and, furrowing his brow, spoke to the god surrounded by the host of gods:

7.35.34 "'You gave me moon and sun for appeasing my hunger, O Vāsava — what is this you have now given them to another, O mighty slayer of Vṛtra?

7.35.35 "'Today I came at the conjunction time, wishing to seize the sun; but some other Rāhu, having arrived there, suddenly seized the sun!'"

7.35.36 "Hearing Rāhu's words, Vāsava was seized with agitation; he leapt up from his seat, lifting his golden garland.

7.35.37 "Then the great Airāvata, white as the peak of Kailāsa, with four tusks, streaming with rut-fluid, causing delight, tall, laughing loudly with its golden bell —

7.35.38 "— Indra mounted that king of elephants and, placing Rāhu in front, went to where the sun was, together with Hanūmān.

7.35.39 "Then Rāhu, having rushed forward in great haste and left Vāsava behind, was seen by Hanūmān, who rushed at him like a mountain peak.

7.35.40 "Then, releasing the sun and seeing Rāhu thus, Hanūmān leapt again into the sky to seize the son of Siṃhikā.

7.35.41 "O Rāma, seeing the leaping one rush toward him having released the sun, Rāhu, that one who is nothing but a mouth, turned his face and fled.

7.35.42 "Hoping for Indra as protector, the son of Siṃhikā cried out again and again in terror: 'Indra! Indra!'

7.35.43 "Indra had already noticed the voice of the screaming Rāhu; having heard it, Indra said: 'Do not fear — I shall kill this one.'

7.35.44 "Then, seeing the great Airāvata, thinking 'this too is a fruit,' the son of the wind rushed toward that king of elephants.

7.35.45 "Then, as he rushed to seize Airāvata, his form for a moment became terrible, blazing like Indra and Agni combined.

7.35.46 "The husband of Śacī, not excessively angered, struck with the thunderbolt released from the tip of his hand the one who was rushing thus.

7.35.47 "Then, struck by Indra's thunderbolt, Hanūmān fell upon a mountain; as he fell, his left jaw was broken.

7.35.48 "When the child fell, reeling from the blow of the thunderbolt — to the misfortune of all creatures — Pavana grew furious at Indra.

7.35.49 "That lord entered all living beings, stopping up the cavities of waste and urine, and withheld all creatures, as Vāsava withholds the rains.

7.35.50 "By reason of Vāyu's wrath, all beings everywhere, bereft of breath, with their joints cracking, became like blocks of wood.

7.35.51 "By Vāyu's wrath, the three worlds, devoid of svadha-offerings, devoid of vaṣaṭ-calls, devoid of activity, bereft of dharma, appeared like those fallen to hell.

7.35.52 "Then all creatures — together with gandharvas, gods, asuras, and humans — rushed to Prajāpati, suffering in their misery, seeking happiness.

7.35.53 "The gods, with joined palms and bellies shrunken with fear, said: 'By you, O Blessed Lord, we four kinds of creatures have been created, O lord of creatures.

7.35.54 "'By you, Vāyu was given to us as the lord of life-breath. Having become our lord of prāṇa, why is he today, O best of beings —

7.35.55 "'— blocking and causing suffering, like women shut within the inner apartments? Therefore, afflicted by Vāyu, we have come to you for refuge, O mighty one.

7.35.56 "'Remove this suffering of ours born from the obstruction of Vāyu, O slayer of enemies!'

7.35.57 "Hearing this from the creatures, Prajāpati, the lord of creatures, saying 'I know the reason,' spoke again to them:

7.35.58 "'The reason for which Vāyu grew wrathful and obstructed — hear all of that, O creatures, and what is fitting for you yourselves to bear.

7.35.59 "'His son has been struck down today by Indra, king of the immortals, who acted on Rāhu's word — this is why Anila is angry with you all.'

7.35.60 "'Vāyu, bodiless himself, moves through bodies sustaining them; for a body without Vāyu becomes equal to dust.

7.35.61 "'Vāyu is the life-breath, Vāyu is happiness, Vāyu is all this world; a world abandoned by Vāyu finds no happiness.'

7.35.62 "'Today the world has been abandoned by Vāyu, who is life itself; today these beings stand breathless, like wood and walls.'

7.35.63 "'Therefore let us go to where Māruta dwells — for he is the source of your affliction. Lest we perish, let us not fail to propitiate the son of Aditi's co-wife.'

7.35.64 "Then Prajāpati, together with the creatures and with gods, gandharvas, serpents, and guhyakas, went to where Māruta sat, holding his son who had been struck down by the lord of the immortals.

7.35.65 "Then the four-faced one, seeing the son of ever-moving Vāyu in his lap, glowing like sun and fire and gold, was moved to compassion, together with the gods, siddhas, sages, serpents, and rākṣasas.

7.36.1 Then Vāyu, afflicted by the wounding of his son, took up the infant and rose to stand before the Fashioner, the Grandfather.

7.36.2 With earrings, crown, and red-water ornaments trembling, Vāyu fell at the feet of the Creator, composing himself in the three-fold posture of reverence.

7.36.3 That foremost knower of the Vedas, radiant with pendant ornaments, raising Vāyu up by the hand, touched the infant gently.

7.36.4 Merely touched by him who was born from the lotus, the child gracefully regained life, like a crop revived by water.

7.36.5 Seeing this one restored to life, Prāṇa, the sweet-bearing wind, joyfully moved through all beings as before, unobstructed.

7.36.6 Freed from the disease of the wind's restraint, all creatures became joyful, like lotus-ponds freed from cold winds, bearing their flowers again.

7.36.7 Then Brahmā, the triple-aged, three-peaked, three-aboded, worshipped by the thirty gods, spoke to the gods, desiring to please Māruta:

7.36.8 "O Mahendra, Agni, Varuṇa, Lord of wealth, and Maheśvara — I shall speak what is beneficial; though you know it, let it be heard.

7.36.9 "There is a great task for you all to be accomplished by this child. Let all of you give boons to him, the boons that please this Māruta."

7.36.10 Then the thousand-eyed one, his face flushed with joy and beautiful, raising the kuśa-grass garland on which he lay, spoke thus:

7.36.11 "As his jaw (hanu) was injured by the thunderbolt released from my hand, by that name this tiger among monkeys shall be known as Hanūmān.

7.36.12 "I myself shall give him the highest and best boon: from this day forward he shall be invulnerable to my thunderbolt."

7.36.13 "Then the Blessed Lord Mārtāṇḍa, dispeller of darkness, spoke there: 'I give him one-hundredth part of my own radiance.

7.36.14 "'When he shall have the capacity to study the sciences, I shall give him the knowledge of śāstras by which he will become eloquent.'"

7.36.15 Varuṇa also granted a boon: "He shall not die — not for ten million years, and not from my noose, not from water."

7.36.16 Yama too, pleased, granted his boon — immunity from the staff of death, perpetual freedom from disease, and cheerfulness in battle.

7.36.17 "My own mace shall not slay him in battles" — thus spoke the boon-granting one, he of the single tawny eye, Kubera.

7.36.18 "He shall not be slain by me nor by the weapons of those intoxicated with power" — thus the supreme boon was also given by Śaṃkara.

7.36.19 "He shall be invulnerable to all of Brahmā's weapons, long-lived and great-souled" — thus spoke Brahmā.

7.36.20 Viśvakarmā, seeing this infant resembling the infant sun, the foremost of craftsmen, of great wisdom, proclaimed his boon:

7.36.21 "Among all the weapons fashioned by me for the gods, he shall be invulnerable to any of them in the time of battle."

7.36.22 Then, seeing him adorned with the boons of the gods, the four-faced one, the teacher of the world, with a pleased countenance, spoke to Vāyu:

7.36.23 "Your son, son of Māruta, shall be the cause of fear to enemies and the giver of fearlessness to friends — unconquerable here.

7.36.24 "He shall accomplish in battle deeds that shall overthrow Rāvaṇa, that shall bring joy to Rāma, and that shall make the hair stand on end."

7.36.25 Having spoken thus and bidding farewell to Māruta, all of them — with the Grandfather at the head — departed with the immortals as they had come.

7.36.26 And Vāyu, the sweet-bearing wind, took his son, brought him home, told Añjanā of the boon that had been granted, and departed.

7.36.27 Having received these boons, O Rāma, he was filled with the power of the granted boons, with strength abiding in himself, as an ocean is filled.

7.36.28 This foremost of monkeys, being filled with strength, fearlessly committed offenses in the hermitages of the great sages.

7.36.29 He would break the ladles and vessels, destroy the agnihotra fires, and scatter the piles of bark garments of the tranquil sages, leaving them broken, torn, and ruined.

7.36.30 The sages, knowing that Brahmā had made him invulnerable to all of Brahmā's weapons, always bore with him.

7.36.31 When even though restrained by Kesarī and by Vāyu and by Añjanā, this monkey continues to transgress all bounds —

7.36.32 — then the great sages, of the lineage of Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras, O foremost of the Raghu line, cursed him — not with excessive anger or extreme wrath:

7.36.33 "'O leaping one, you harass us relying on that strength — bewildered by our curse, you shall not know it for a long time.'

7.36.34 Then, with his radiance and power taken away by the power of the great sages' words, he roamed without exceeding his bounds, having attained a gentle nature.

7.36.35 Now there was one named Ṛkṣarājā, father of Vālin and Sugrīva, king of all the monkeys, blazing in splendour like the sun.

7.36.36 That lord of monkeys, having long governed the kingdom of the monkeys, passed away in the course of time — that one named Ṛkṣarājā met his death by the law of Time.

7.36.37 When he had set, Vālin was made king in his father's place by ministers skilled in counsel, and Sugrīva in Vālin's place.

7.36.38 With Sugrīva, his friendship was undivided, without flaw, unshakeable — like that of Anila with fire.

7.36.39 It is only by the power of the curse that he did not know his own strength — when the enmity between Vālin and Sugrīva arose, O Rāma.

7.36.40 "For, O Rāma, Sugrīva, even while being tormented by Vālin, did not know it, and Māruti did not know the strength within himself.

7.36.41 "In valour, energy, intellect, and splendour, in virtue, sweetness, policy and its opposite, in gravity, cleverness, heroism, and steadfastness — who in this world surpasses Hanūmān?

7.36.42 "Long ago, to learn grammar, this immeasurable king of monkeys, facing the sun, moving backward, went from the rising mountain to the setting mountain, bearing that great text.

7.36.43 "Who shall stand before Hanūmān — like the ocean that seeks to flood the worlds, like fire that seeks to burn them, like Antaka at the time of the world's destruction?

7.36.44 "He and the other great monkey-lords — Sugrīva, Mainda, Dvivida, together with Nīla, together with Tāra, Tāreya, Nala — all of these, O Rāma, were created by the gods for your sake.

7.36.45 "All of this has been told — what you asked of me. The deeds of Hanūmān in his childhood have been narrated by me.

7.36.46 "You have been seen, O Rāma, and spoken with. We shall go." Having spoken thus, all those sages departed as they had come.

7.37.1 Then Rāma, having deliberated, embraced his fearless friend Pratardana, lord of Kāśī, and spoke these words.

7.37.2 "Affection has been shown by you, supreme friendship has been shown, and great effort has been made, O king, by you together with Bharata."

7.37.3 "Therefore let Your Honour now go to Vārāṇasī, the city of the Kāśīs, that beautiful city protected by you, with its fine ramparts and splendid gateways."

7.37.4 Having said so much, the righteous-souled Kākutstha rose from his exalted seat and embraced that friend, pressing him close to his chest.

7.37.5 Having dismissed that companion, Rāghava, smiling, addressed the kings who had come as guests with words of sweet syllables.

7.37.6 "Your unwavering affection has been guarded by your valour; dharma has ever been constant for you, and so has truth, always."

7.37.7 "Through your might and through the valour of your great selves, Rāvaṇa the wicked-souled, evil-minded lord of rākṣasas has been slain."

7.37.8 "I was merely the instrument there; by your collective splendour, Rāvaṇa with his horde in battle, with his sons and all his kinsmen, was destroyed."

7.37.9 "And you were all assembled by the great-souled Bharata upon hearing that the daughter of the king of Janaka had been abducted in the forest."

7.37.10 "A very long time has passed for all the striving great-souled kings in this undertaking; let your minds be inclined toward departure."

7.37.11 The kings, filled with great joy, replied to him: "By good fortune you are victorious, Rāma, and your kingdom too is firmly established."

7.37.12 "By good fortune Sītā has been recovered; by good fortune the enemy has been defeated. This is our highest desire; this is our supreme glory."

7.37.13 "That we behold you victorious, Rāma, your enemies slain — and it is fitting, O Kākutstha, that you should praise us."

7.37.14 "For those worthy of praise know how to speak such praise. We take our leave; we shall depart. You dwell in our hearts always."

7.37.15 "And may your affection for us, O great king, endure eternally."

7.38.1 Those great-souled kings, those heroes, departed in all directions, making the earth tremble, heading joyfully to their own cities.

7.38.2 Gathered with thousands of akṣauhiṇī armies in manifold ways, all those who had assembled for Rāghava's sake returned home, rejoicing.

7.38.3 And the rulers of the earth, proud of their strength, declared: "We never even got to see Rāvaṇa standing before us in battle!"

7.38.4 "We were assembled afterwards by Bharata to no purpose at all — the rākṣasas there would surely have been slain by the kings, of that there is no doubt."

7.38.5 "Protected by the arm-strength of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, we could have fought with ease on the far shore of the ocean, free from anxiety."

7.38.6 Speaking these and thousands of other such stories, those great chariot-warriors entered their respective kingdoms.

7.38.7 Arriving at their own cities, those kings, desiring to please Rāma, presented various gems as offerings to him.

7.38.8 Horses, gems, garments, elephants overflowing with rut, divine sandalwood, and divine ornaments.

7.38.9 Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, and the great chariot-warrior Śatrughna took those gems and returned again to Ayodhyā.

7.38.10 Having arrived at the beautiful city of Ayodhyā, those bulls among men presented all the gems to the great-souled Rāghava.

7.38.11 Receiving all that with joy, Rāghava distributed all of it to the great-souled Sugrīva.

7.38.12 He gave also to Vibhīṣaṇa, and to those other bears and vānaras headed by Hanūmat — those heroes — and to the mighty rākṣasas.

7.38.13 All of them, joyful of heart, then bore those gifts given by Rāma upon their heads and in their arms, those of great strength.

7.38.14 They drank fragrant mead of various kinds, and savoured well-prepared meats and fruits.

7.38.15 As they resided thus, more than a month passed — all of it seemed but a moment, sustained as they were by devotion to Rāma.

7.38.16 Rāma took pleasure with those vānaras of wish-assuming form, with those kings of great valour, and with those mighty rākṣasas.

7.38.17 Thus a second winter month passed happily for all those rejoicing vānaras and rākṣasas alike.

7.39.1 As those bears, vānaras, and rākṣasas were dwelling there in that manner, the great-resplendent Rāghava said this to Sugrīva:

7.39.2 "Go, dear friend, to Kiṣkindhā, impregnable to gods and asuras. Rule your kingdom together with your ministers, now that its thorns have been removed."

7.39.3 "And, O mighty-armed one, look with the greatest affection upon Aṅgada, upon Hanūmat, and upon the supremely powerful Nala."

7.39.4 "Upon Suṣeṇa your heroic father-in-law, upon Tāra the best among the strong, upon the irresistible Kumuda, and upon the supremely powerful Nīla."

7.39.5 "Upon the heroic Śatabali, upon Mainda and Dvivida, upon Gaja, Gavākṣa, Gavaya, and the mighty Śarabha."

7.39.6 "Look with affection upon the irresistible king of bears, the mighty Jāmbavān, and upon Gandhamādana as well."

7.39.7 "And those other great souls who laid down their lives for my sake — look upon them with affection, and do nothing that would displease them."

7.39.8 Having spoken thus and having praised Sugrīva again and again, Rāma then addressed Vibhīṣaṇa with sweet speech:

7.39.9 "Rule Laṅkā righteously — for you are the acknowledged king, O lord of the earth, of the city of the rākṣasas, equal to your brother Vaiśravaṇa."

7.39.10 "And never, O king, under any circumstance, turn your mind to unrighteousness. For the wise among kings do surely inherit the earth."

7.39.11 "And, O king, remember me always together with Sugrīva, with the highest affection. Go now, free from anxiety."

7.39.12 Hearing the words of Rāma, the bears, vānaras, and rākṣasas praised Kākutstha saying "Well done! Well done!" again and again.

7.39.13 "Your wisdom, O mighty-armed one, your wondrous valour, and your supreme sweetness of nature, Rāma, are ever like those of the Self-born Brahmā."

7.39.14 While the vānaras and rākṣasas were speaking thus, Hanūmat bowed down and addressed Rāghava with these words:

7.39.15 "My highest love, O king, is permanently established in you; my devotion is constant, O hero — my heart goes nowhere else."

7.39.16 "As long as I shall hear the story of Rāma upon this earth, O hero, so long shall my life-breaths dwell within my body — of this there is no doubt."

7.39.17 Hearing Hanūmat speak thus, the lord of kings rose from his seat, embraced him, and then spoke these words:

7.39.18 "So shall it be, O best of monkeys — of this there is no doubt. As long as the worlds shall endure, so long shall my story endure."

7.39.19 "As long as this story of mine shall travel through the worlds, so long shall your life-breaths dwell in your body — of this there is no doubt."

7.39.20 Then Rāghava removed from his own neck a garland bright as the moon, trembling with vaidūrya gems, and fastened it with affection upon Hanūmat.

7.39.21 With that garland bound upon his chest, that great monkey shone like the lord of golden mountains with the moon crowning his summit.

7.39.22 Hearing this from Rāghava, the vānaras rose up one after another, bowed their heads to his feet, and those mighty ones departed.

7.39.23 The mighty-armed Sugrīva was embraced by Rāma, and the righteous-souled Vibhīṣaṇa was held close to his chest.

7.39.24 And all of them, their voices choked with tears, their eyes filled with tears, bewildered, as if stupefied by grief, departed from Rāghava then.

7.40.1 Having dismissed the bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, the mighty-armed Rāma, together with his brothers, rejoiced in perfect happiness.

7.40.2 Then, in the afternoon, Rāghava along with his brothers heard a sweet voice speaking down from the sky.

7.40.3 "Gentle Rāma, look upon me with your gracious countenance. Know me, O lord, as Puṣpaka, arrived from the peak of Kailāsa.

7.40.4 "Following your command, O best of men, I went to wait upon Dhanada, the lord of wealth, and he spoke to me thus.

7.40.5 "'You have been won back by the king of men, the great-souled Rāghava, who slew in battle the terrible Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas.

7.40.6 "'My own supreme delight, O gentle one, is in the slaying of that wicked Rāvaṇa together with his troops, his sons, ministers, and kinsmen.

7.40.7 "'You who were won in Laṅkā by the supremely noble Rāma — O gentle one, serve him alone: this I command you.

7.40.8 "'This is my highest wish: that you carry Rāghava, the joy of the world, wherever he desires. Go now, free from all care."

7.40.9 "Having learnt this command of the great-souled lord of wealth, I have come again to your presence. Accept me thus, O lord."

7.40.10 "So be it" — with these words the scion of Kākutstha duly honoured Puṣpaka with fried grain, unbroken rice, flowers, and fragrant perfumes.

7.40.11 "Go wherever you please, and return when I recall you" — thus dismissed by Rāma, Puṣpaka departed once more, adorned with blossoms, in the direction of its desire.

7.40.12 When that wondrous Puṣpaka had disappeared from sight, Bharata, with joined palms, spoke these words to the delight of the Raghus.

7.40.13 "Exceedingly marvellous things appear while you govern the kingdom — the utterances of non-human beings are heard again and again.

7.40.14 "And from freedom from disease among mortals — this full month has now passed, O Rāghava, and even old creatures have not met with death.

7.40.15 "Women give birth to fine sons, and men are handsome of form; and the joy of the city-dwelling people is extraordinarily great, O king.

7.40.16 "Indra showers rain in season, rain akin to nectar, and breezes blow that are pleasant to the touch and bestow comfort.

7.40.17 "'May such a king be ours for long' — so speak the citizens in the city, O lord of men, and the people in the countryside.

7.40.18 Having heard these exceedingly sweet words uttered by Bharata, Rāma, filled with joy, rejoiced in utter happiness.

7.41.1 Then Rāma, the mighty-armed, having dismissed the gold-adorned Puṣpaka, entered the Aśoka grove.

7.41.2 It was beautified on all sides with sandalwood, agaru, mango, tall kāleyaka, and forests of devadāru trees.

7.41.3 It was covered with priyaṅgu, kadamba, kurabaka, jambū, pāṭalī, and kovidāra trees.

7.41.4 At all times it was lovely with beautiful flowers, laden with fruits, delightful, rich with charming shoots and blossoms, and thronged with maddened bees.

7.41.5 It was adorned with cuckoos, bhṛṅgarājas, birds of many colours, and hundreds of variegated mango trees as its ornaments.

7.41.6 There the trees shone — some resembling refined gold, some like tongues of fire, and others like blue collyrium.

7.41.7 There were ponds of various forms, filled with the finest water, with steps of precious gems and floors inlaid with crystal.

7.41.8 They were adorned with groves of blooming lotuses and blue water-lilies, graced by cakravāka birds, and beautified by enclosures of various forms and stone pavements.

7.41.9 Here and there in the woodland's expanse were lawns resembling vaidūrya gems, adorned most excellently, set about with flowering trees.

7.41.10 Rāma's grove had been laid out to resemble Indra's Nandana, and likewise Brahmā's Caitraratha garden.

7.41.11 Entering that flourishing Aśoka grove — abounding in pavilions and arbours, enveloped with bowers of creepers — the delight of the Raghus took his seat.

7.41.12 Rāma seated himself upon a fine-formed seat adorned with clusters of flowers and spread with a woollen coverlet.

7.41.13 Taking Sītā into his arms, the scion of Kākutstha gave her the finest sweet wine to drink, as Indra gives nectar to Śacī.

7.41.14 Attendants quickly brought diverse kinds of meat and various fruits for Rāma's enjoyment.

7.41.15 Young and beautiful women skilled in dance and song danced before the king, yielding to the sway of wine.

7.41.16 Thus Rāma, filled with joy, delighted Vaidehī — the daughter of Videha, whose face was most lovely — day after day, in the manner of a god.

7.41.17 While the great-souled king of men, Rāghava, was thus taking his pleasure, the lovely cool season passed by.

7.41.18 In the forenoon, having discharged his civic duties righteously, the knower of dharma would spend the remaining half of the day's portion within the inner apartments.

7.41.19 And Sītā, having performed her morning religious observances, would stand with joined palms before all her mothers-in-law without distinction.

7.41.20 Then she would come to Rāma adorned with varied and manifold ornaments, as Śacī comes to the thousand-eyed Indra seated in heaven.

7.41.21 Seeing his wife endowed with every auspicious quality, Rāghava was filled with incomparable delight and said, "Well done, well done."

7.41.22 "O Vaidehī, the gaining of offspring is now at hand for me. Tell me what you desire — what is your wish? Let it be done for you."

7.41.23 Then Vaidehī, smiling gently, spoke these words to Rāma: "I desire to see the holy forest hermitages, O Rāghava.

7.41.24 "Those that are established on the banks of the Gaṅgā, belonging to the sages who perform meritorious deeds and live on fruits and roots — O hero, to dwell at the feet of such sages.

7.41.25 "This is my supreme desire — O scion of Kākutstha, that I might dwell even for a single night among those meritorious ones who live on roots and fruits."

7.41.26 "So be it" — this was promised by Rāma of untiring deeds. "Be assured, O Vaidehī — you will go tomorrow, without doubt."

7.41.27 Having spoken thus to Maithilī, the daughter of Janaka, Rāma, the scion of Kākutstha, went out into the middle courtyard surrounded by his friends.

7.42.1 There, skilled raconteurs of many kinds of stories — men who provoke laughter — attended upon the king as he sat, on all sides.

7.42.2 Vijaya, Madhumatta, Kāśyapa, Piṅgala, Kuśa, Surāji, Kāliya, Bhadra, Dantavakra, and Samāgadha —

7.42.3 — these men joyfully narrated to the great-souled Rāghava stories of many kinds, full of jests and amusing tales.

7.42.4 Then, in the course of some conversation, Rāghava asked: "What stories, O Bhadra, are circulating in the city and in the countryside?

7.42.5 "What do the townspeople and country folk say regarding me? And what regarding Sītā, and what regarding Bharata, and what of Lakṣmaṇa?

7.42.6 "And what regarding Śatrughna, and my mother Kaikeyī? For kings in a new reign do become subjects of public speech."

7.42.7 Thus addressed by Rāma, Bhadra, with joined palms, replied: "Auspicious stories, O king, circulate among the city-dwellers —

7.42.8 "— but this victory of yours, O gentle one, pertaining to the slaying of the ten-necked one, is what is talked of most by the citizens in the city, O bull among men.

7.42.9 Thus addressed by Bhadra, Rāghava spoke: "Tell me everything truthfully and completely, holding nothing back.

7.42.10 "The words — both good and ill — that the city-dwellers speak: having heard them now, I shall act on what is good and refrain from what is ill.

7.42.11 "Speak openly, without fear, free from all anxiety, exactly as the citizens speak, and as the people speak in the countryside."

7.42.12 Thus spoken to by Rāghava, Bhadra, standing with joined palms and fully composed, replied to the mighty-armed king with these well-chosen words:

7.42.13 "Hear, O king, how the citizens speak — both good and ill — at crossroads, in markets, on the streets, in forests and in gardens.

7.42.14 "'Rāma accomplished the formidable feat of building a bridge across the ocean — something never done before by any predecessors, not even by gods or dānavas.

7.42.15 "'And the terrible Rāvaṇa was slain together with his army and forces; monkeys were brought to submission, and bears together with rākṣasas.

7.42.16 "'Having slain Rāvaṇa in battle and recovered Sītā, Rāghava set his anger aside and brought her back to his own home.

7.42.17 "'What kind of pleasure in his heart can there be from enjoying Sītā — she who was formerly seized by force and placed in Rāvaṇa's lap?

7.42.18 "'She who was carried away again to Laṅkā, who went to the Aśoka grove, who fell under the power of the rākṣasas — how is it that Rāma does not reject her?

7.42.19 "'This will become something to be tolerated in our own wives as well — for as the king does, so the subjects follow.'

7.42.20 "Thus do the city-dwellers speak in many ways, O king, in all the cities and throughout the countryside."

7.42.21 Hearing these words of his, Rāghava, in the deepest anguish, said to all his friends: "How shall this be conveyed?"

7.42.22 But all of them, bowing low to the ground with their heads and prostrating themselves, replied to the grief-stricken Rāghava: "It is even so, without doubt."

7.42.23 Having heard the words uttered by all of them, the scion of Kākutstha, the tormentor of enemies, then dismissed them all.

7.43.1 Having dismissed the company of friends and resolved in his mind, Rāghava spoke these words to the doorkeeper who was seated nearby.

7.43.2 "Quickly bring Saumitri Lakṣmaṇa of auspicious marks, and the long-armed Bharata, and the unconquered Śatrughna."

7.43.3 Having heard Rāma's command, the doorkeeper placed his joined palms upon his head and went to Lakṣmaṇa's house, entering without obstruction.

7.43.4 And then he spoke with joined palms raised in salutation: "The king desires to see you; go there without delay."

7.43.5 "Indeed, so be it" — hearing Rāghava's command, Saumitri mounted his chariot and hastened to Rāghava's dwelling.

7.43.6 Seeing Lakṣmaṇa depart, the doorkeeper approached Bharata nearby and said with joined palms: "The king desires to see you."

7.43.7 But Bharata, hearing the word of Rāma conveyed by the doorkeeper, leapt up swiftly from his seat and went there on foot.

7.43.8 Seeing Bharata departing, the doorkeeper hastened with joined palms to Śatrughna's residence and spoke these words.

7.43.9 "Come, O best of the Raghus, the king desires to see you; for Lakṣmaṇa has already gone, and so has the greatly renowned Bharata."

7.43.10 Hearing that message — the command of Rāma — Śatrughna bowed his head to the ground in reverence and went to where Rāghava was.

7.43.11 Hearing that the princes had arrived, with his faculties disturbed by anguish, his head bowed low and his mind dejected, Rāma spoke to the doorkeeper.

7.43.12 "Bring the princes quickly to my presence; my life resides in them — they are my vital breaths that walk abroad."

7.43.13 Thus directed by the lord of men, the princes, clad in white garments, entered humbly with joined palms, composed and attentive.

7.43.14 But they, seeing his face like the moon in eclipse, like the sun at dusk stripped of its radiance,

7.43.15 and beholding the tear-filled eyes of wise Rāma, and seeing his face like a lotus bereft of its beauty —

7.43.16 — they then quickly bowed their heads to Rāma's feet in obeisance and all stood composed, while Rāma shed tears.

7.43.17 The mighty-armed one embraced them with both arms, raised them up, said "Be seated," and then spoke these words.

7.43.18 "You are my all, you are my life; it is by you that this kingdom has been made, and I now protect it, O lords of men.

7.43.19 "You are well-versed in the meaning of the śāstras and thoroughly grounded in discernment; together you must seek out this matter that concerns me, O lords of men."

7.44.1 When they had all sat down, their hearts full of sorrow, Kākutstha spoke with a parched face.

7.44.2 "All of you listen, blessings upon you; do not turn your minds otherwise. Regarding Sītā, such is the report that circulates among the citizens toward me:

7.44.3 "A very great reproach from the townspeople and likewise from the countryside is directed at me — a hateful reproach that cuts into my very vitals.

7.44.4 "'He is born in the lineage of the great-souled Ikṣvākus — how could he bring back to his city a Sītā of wicked conduct?'

7.44.5 "For you know, dear Saumitri, how Sītā was abducted by Rāvaṇa in the desolate forest of Daṇḍaka, and how he was destroyed by me.

7.44.6 "Before your very eyes, O Saumitri, Havyavāhana — the fire of the gods — and Vāyu who moves through the sky declared that Maithilī was without sin.

7.44.7 "And Candra and Āditya too testified in the presence of all the gods and all the seers, long ago, that the daughter of Janaka was blameless.

7.44.8 "She thus certified as pure in conduct was placed into my hand by great Indra on the island of Laṅkā, in the presence of gods and gandharvas.

7.44.9 "And my inner soul knows Sītā to be pure and illustrious. Having taken Vaidehī back, I came to Ayodhyā.

7.44.10 "Yet this great dispute and grief remains in my heart — the very great reproach of the citizens and of the countryside alike.

7.44.11 "Any being in this world of whom infamy is sung falls into the lowest realms for as long as that report is remembered.

7.44.12 "Infamy is condemned by the divine ones; glory is honoured among the gods; and every undertaking of great-souled persons is for the sake of glory.

7.44.13 "I would even abandon my life, or abandon you, O bulls among men, out of fear of disgrace — how much more then the daughter of Janaka.

7.44.14 "Therefore let all of you behold me fallen into an ocean of grief; for I see no sorrow greater than this.

7.44.15 "Tomorrow at dawn, O Saumitri, mount the chariot driven by Sumantra, take Sītā aboard, and abandon her at the border of the realm.

7.44.16 "On the far bank of the Gaṅgā, the hermitage of the greatly noble Vālmīki, divine in its appearance, is situated on the bank of the Tamasā river.

7.44.17 "There, in a lonely forest thicket, abandon her, O Raghunandana, and return quickly, O Saumitri — carry out my command.

7.44.18 "And I am not to be spoken to in any manner concerning Sītā; my displeasure would be extreme if I were opposed in this.

7.44.19 "And I adjure you by my arms and my life: whoever would speak to dissuade me or seek to placate me in any manner —

7.44.20 "— let them show me honour only if they abide by my command. From here today let Sītā be taken; carry out my command.

7.44.21 "She had formerly expressed to me a wish to visit the great hermitages along the Gaṅgā's bank; let this desire of hers also be fulfilled."

7.44.22 Having spoken thus, Kākutstha — that righteous soul — with eyes closed by tears, withdrew and entered, surrounded by his brothers.

7.45.1 Then, when the night had passed, Lakṣmaṇa, his heart dejected, spoke to Sumantra with a parched face.

7.45.2 "O charioteer, quickly yoke the horses to the finest chariot, well-spread with cushions, and bring also a beautiful seat from the royal palace for Sītā."

7.45.3 "For Sītā must be taken by me from the royal palace to the hermitage of the holy-actioned great seers; let the chariot be brought quickly."

7.45.4 Sumantra, saying "So be it," brought the chariot yoked with the finest horses — a chariot gleaming most beautifully, its floor spread soft for comfort.

7.45.5 Having brought it, he said to Saumitri — the increaser of joy among friends — "The chariot stands ready, my lord; let whatever must be done be done."

7.45.6 Addressed thus by Sumantra, that bull among men, Lakṣmaṇa, entered the royal palace, approached Sītā, and spoke.

7.45.7 "O goddess, you must be brought quickly to the auspicious hermitage of the sages on the bank of the Gaṅgā by me — by command of our lord the king."

7.45.8 Thus addressed by the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, Vaidehī experienced incomparable delight and consented gladly to the journey.

7.45.9 Taking precious garments and various jewels, Vaidehī made ready for departure.

7.45.10 "These ornaments I shall give to the wives of the sages." Saumitri said "So be it," and having helped Maithilī mount the chariot, set forth with swift horses, bearing in mind Rāma's command.

7.45.11 And then Sītā said to Lakṣmaṇa, the increaser of prosperity: "I see many ill omens today, O Raghunandana.

7.45.12 "My eye throbs today, trembling arises throughout my limbs, and my heart, O Saumitri, I perceive to be unwell.

7.45.13 "And my anxiety is extreme, my restlessness profound; the earth itself, O wide-eyed one, I see as though it were empty.

7.45.14 "May all be well with that brother of yours together with his brothers, and likewise with all of my mothers-in-law without exception, O hero.

7.45.15 "And may all living beings in city and countryside likewise be well." So praying, Sītā made the añjali gesture toward the deities.

7.45.16 Lakṣmaṇa, hearing that meaning, bowed his head in reverence to Maithilī and said "All will be auspicious" — outwardly composed but with his heart drying up within.

7.45.17 Then, having halted for the night at a hermitage on the bank of the Gomatī, Saumitri rose again at dawn and addressed the charioteer.

7.45.18 "Yoke the chariot quickly; today I shall bear the waters of the Bhāgīrathī upon my head, as the Three-Eyed Lord bears the river on the mountain."

7.45.19 Having quickly seen to the horses and yoked those swift-as-thought steeds to the chariot, the charioteer said to Vaidehī with joined palms: "Please mount."

7.45.20 At the charioteer's words, Sītā mounted the finest chariot together with Saumitri and the wise Sumantra.

7.45.21 Then, having traveled half a day and glimpsing the waters of the Bhāgīrathī, Lakṣmaṇa, overcome with grief, broke into loud weeping.

7.45.22 Sītā, utterly devoted, seeing Lakṣmaṇa distressed, addressed him: "O knower of dharma, why do you weep like this?"

7.45.23 "Having arrived at the bank of the Jāhnavī — long desired by me — why do you cause me distress at a moment of joy, O Lakṣmaṇa?

7.45.24 "You always abide at Rāma's feet, O bull among men — have you perhaps come to grief at being separated from him for two nights?

7.45.25 "Rāma is dear to me too, even more than life, O Lakṣmaṇa — yet I do not grieve so; do not be so childish.

7.45.26 "Take me across the Gaṅgā and show me the ascetics; then I shall give them wealth, garments, and ornaments.

7.45.27 "Then, having paid appropriate homage to the great seers, spending one night there, we shall return to that city."

7.45.28 Having heard her words, wiping her beautiful eyes, Lakṣmaṇa, wishing to cross the blessed Gaṅgā, brought a boat.

7.46.1 Then Rāghava's younger brother, having first helped Maithilī board, himself boarded the well-appointed, spacious Niṣāda boat.

7.46.2 Lakṣmaṇa, burning with grief, said to Sumantra together with his chariot, "Stay here," and said to the boatman, "Row on."

7.46.3 Then, having reached the bank of the Bhāgīrathī, Lakṣmaṇa spoke these words to Maithilī, his palms joined in reverence, his voice choked with tears.

7.46.4 "There is a great thorn lodged in my heart, O Vaidehī, that I have been made an instrument of public reproach by the noble and wise one on this account."

7.46.5 "Death today, or whatever lies beyond death, would be better for me. I should not have been employed in such a task as this, which is condemned by all the world."

7.46.6 "Be gracious to me; you ought not to be angry with me, O lady of excellent vows." Saying so, with joined palms, Lakṣmaṇa fell to the ground.

7.46.7 Seeing him weeping, his palms joined, desiring his own death, Maithilī was seized with great distress and spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa.

7.46.8 "I do not understand this at all — tell me the truth, Lakṣmaṇa. I see that you yourself are not at ease. Is the king well?"

7.46.9 "Were you cursed by the king, that you are afflicting yourself with such grief? Tell me in my presence. I command you."

7.46.10 Thus urged by Vaidehī, Lakṣmaṇa, his heart broken, face cast downward, his throat thick with tears, spoke these words.

7.46.11 "Having heard a most terrible reproach spoken in the midst of the assembly, and likewise throughout the city and the countryside, on account of you, O daughter of Janaka —"

7.46.12 "— those words which the king laid to heart, casting indignation behind him, are not to be spoken by me before you, my lady."

7.46.13 "You, who are blameless, have been abandoned by the king through fear of the citizens' censure — it cannot be otherwise, my lady — and I am the one entrusted with this."

7.46.14 "I am to leave you at the edge of the hermitages, having received the king's command — such, indeed, is the cruel wrong done to you."

7.46.15 "But this is the sacred and beautiful forest of austerity of the brahmarṣis on the bank of the Jāhnavī — do not give way to despair, O auspicious one."

7.46.16 "This foremost of sages, the supremely renowned brāhmaṇa Vālmīki, is the dear friend of King Daśaratha, my father."

7.46.17 "Come to the shelter of this great soul's feet and dwell there happily, O daughter of Janaka, intent on fasting and spiritual practice."

7.46.18 "By abiding in the vow of devotion to your husband, and keeping Rāma ever in your heart, your highest good, O lady, will come about by doing thus."

7.47.1 Having heard Lakṣmaṇa's terrible words, the daughter of Janaka, Vaidehī, fell to the ground overcome by the deepest anguish.

7.47.2 She lay as if unconscious for a moment, her eyes clouded with tears; then the daughter of Janaka spoke to Lakṣmaṇa in a faint voice.

7.47.3 "This body of mine was surely created for sorrow by the Creator, Lakṣmaṇa, since the very form of suffering is so manifest in me today."

7.47.4 "What sin was committed in a former life, or what husband was I separated from, that I, a chaste woman of pure conduct, have been abandoned by a king?"

7.47.5 "Before, O Saumitre, I lived in the hermitage following at the feet of Rāma, and yet even while attending upon him I was plunged in sorrow."

7.47.6 "How, O gentle one, shall I dwell in a hermitage forsaken and alone? And to whom shall I tell my grief, I who am wholly immersed in sorrow?"

7.47.7 "What shall I say among the sages? What wrong have I done the king? For what reason have I been abandoned by the great-souled Rāghava?"

7.47.8 "Indeed I would relinquish my life today in the waters of the Jāhnavī, O Saumitre, but the royal lineage of my husband would become an object of ridicule."

7.47.9 "Do as commanded, O Saumitre; leave me, who am the companion of sorrow. Let the king's command be obeyed — but hear this word of mine."

7.47.10 "Bow your head and, with joined palms upraised, reverently salute the feet of all my mothers-in-law without distinction, and convey my good wishes to the king."

7.47.11 "As you conduct yourself toward your brothers, so conduct yourself always toward the citizens — this is the highest dharma, and this would be matchless glory."

7.47.12 "Whatever you may win from the citizens through righteousness — O bull among men, O joy of the Raghus — I do not grieve for my own body as I do for the censure of your citizens."

7.47.13 While Sītā was speaking thus, Lakṣmaṇa, his heart broken, bowed his head to the earth and was unable to utter a single word.

7.47.14 Having made a reverential circumambulation of her, he boarded the boat again, weeping loudly, and urged the boatman on.

7.47.15 Having crossed to the northern bank, weighed down with the burden of grief, dazed as it were by sorrow, he swiftly mounted the chariot.

7.47.16 Turning back again and again to look at Sītā standing helpless on the far bank, wringing her hands, Lakṣmaṇa then departed.

7.47.17 As Sītā, distressed, gazed again and again at the chariot growing distant and at Lakṣmaṇa, grief entered into her deeply.

7.47.18 That ascetic woman, bearer of glory, bowed down by the burden of sorrow, seeing no lord at her side, wept with a great cry of anguish in that forest resounding with the cries of peacocks, she the chaste one wholly consumed by grief.

7.48.1 Seeing Sītā weeping there, the young disciples of the sages ran to where the blessed Vālmīki, foremost in wisdom, was seated.

7.48.2 The sons of sages, having saluted the sage's feet, all reported to the great seer the sound of her weeping.

7.48.3 "Blessed one, a woman never seen here before, the wife of some great soul, is crying out in distress like Śrī bewildered, her voice broken."

7.48.4 "Blessed one, kindly look upon her — she is like a goddess fallen from the sky; we do not know her to be a mortal woman. Let proper honor be rendered to her."

7.48.5 Hearing their words, the knower of dharma, his inner sight acquired through austerity, having ascertained the truth with his wisdom, hurried to where Maithilī was.

7.48.6 The great sage, having gone a little way on foot toward that place and taken his welcoming offering, reached the lovely bank of the Jāhnavī, and there he saw Sītā, the beloved wife of Rāghava, standing helpless.

7.48.7 Vālmīki, foremost of sages, spoke gentle words to Sītā, afflicted by the weight of grief, as if refreshing her with his radiance.

7.48.8 "You are the daughter-in-law of Daśaratha, the faithful queen-consort of Rāma, the daughter of King Janaka — welcome to you, O lady devoted to your husband."

7.48.9 "Even as you were coming, you were known to me through my absorption in dharma; and the entire cause of this has been perceived in my heart."

7.48.10 "I know you to be sinless, Sītā, through the sight gained by austerity. You are of pure heart, O Vaidehī — now you are under my care."

7.48.11 "The female ascetics established in penance not far from my hermitage will care for you always, dear child, as a calf is cared for."

7.48.12 "Accept this welcoming gift; be at ease, freed from anxiety. Come as if arriving at your own home, and do not give way to grief."

7.48.13 Having heard the sage's words, most wonderful indeed, Sītā saluted his feet with bowed head and said "So be it," with joined palms.

7.48.14 Sītā, with joined palms, followed behind the departing sage; she followed to where the female ascetics, ever constant in dharma, dwelt in composure.

7.48.15 Seeing the sage arriving with Vaidehī following him, they came forward filled with joy and spoke these words.

7.48.16 "Welcome to you, O foremost of sages; long has it been since you came, O master. We all salute you — speak, what shall we do?"

7.48.17 Hearing their words, Vālmīki said to them: "This Sītā has come — she is the wife of the wise Rāma."

7.48.18 "She is the daughter-in-law of Daśaratha, the virtuous daughter of Janaka, sinless, abandoned by her husband — she is to be protected by me always."

7.48.19 "You all look upon her with the deepest affection. Out of respect for my word, let her be honored by you especially."

7.48.20 Having consoled Vaidehī again and again, the greatly renowned sage of great austerity returned to his own hermitage, accompanied by his disciples.

7.49.1 Having seen Sītā, daughter of Mithilā, led into the hermitage, Lakṣmaṇa, his heart afflicted, was seized with dreadful anguish.

7.49.2 And that great-spirited one spoke to Sumantra, the charioteer who was also a counsellor: "Behold the grief born of Sītā's suffering that afflicts the wise Rāma."

7.49.3 "What greater sorrow could befall Rāghava than this — that he has abandoned the daughter of Janaka, his wife of pure conduct?"

7.49.4 "Clearly I think it is fate that causes Rāghava's separation from Vaidehī, O charioteer; for fate is indeed impossible to transgress."

7.49.5 "He who, when angered, could slay gods together with gandharvas, asuras and rākṣasas — that Rāghava now follows the dictates of fate."

7.49.6 "Formerly, by the command of my father, he dwelt in the dreadful desolate Daṇḍaka forest for nine years and five."

7.49.7 "Yet even more grievous than that seems to me the exile of Sītā, upon hearing the cruel words of the townspeople."

7.49.8 "What support of righteousness, O charioteer, can be found in this honour-destroying act toward Maithilī, carried out on account of the lowly words of the townspeople?"

7.49.9 Having heard these many words spoken by Lakṣmaṇa, Sumantra joined his palms in reverence and spoke these words:

7.49.10 "You should not grieve, O Saumitri, concerning Maithilī; this was foreseen before by the brāhmaṇas in the presence of your father, O Lakṣmaṇa."

7.49.11 "Rāma will surely be one whose lot is mostly sorrow and little happiness; the righteous great one will abandon you and Maithilī, and likewise Śatrughna and Bharata, after a great span of time."

7.49.12 "But this should not be told to you, O Saumitri, nor to Bharata — for what Durvāsas once said was not spoken by the king as a communication to you."

7.49.13 "Those words were spoken by the sage in the presence of the great king, of myself, O bull among men, and in the presence of Vasiṣṭha."

7.49.14 "Having heard the sage's words, that bull among men said to me: 'O charioteer, this must never be told by you in any gathering of people.'"

7.49.15 "I, with concentrated mind, accepted those words of that guardian of the world; I would never act falsely toward them — such is my conviction, O gentle one."

7.49.16 "There is nothing at all that I ought not speak before you, O gentle one; if you have faith in hearing it, let it be heard, O delight of the Raghu line."

7.49.17 "Even though I was formerly made to hear this secret by the king of men, I shall nonetheless recount it — for fate is impossible to transgress."

7.49.18 Having heard his speech, profound in meaning and weighty, Saumitri then spoke these words to the charioteer: "Speak the truth."

7.50.1 Thus urged by the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, the charioteer began to relate the words that had been spoken by the sage.

7.50.2 "Long ago, the great sage Durvāsas, son of Atri, dwelt through the rainy season in the holy hermitage of Vasiṣṭha."

7.50.3 "Your father, of great splendour and most exalted fame, went there himself, wishing to see that great-souled priest."

7.50.4 "Seeing the great sage seated at the left side of Vasiṣṭha, blazing with energy like the sun, he reverently saluted those two sages, foremost among ascetics."

7.50.5 "The king, honoured by them with a welcome, a seat, water for the feet, and fruits and roots, sat there with the sages."

7.50.6 "As they sat there, those most noble sages exchanged many sweet conversations while the sun passed its midday course."

7.50.7 "Then, in the midst of a certain conversation, the king, with joined palms and restrained manner, addressed that great-souled son of Atri, rich in austerity."

7.50.8 "'Revered one, how extensive will my lineage be? What will be the lifespan of my Rāma, and what the lifespans of my other sons?'"

7.50.9 "'What lifespan will the sons of Rāma have? Out of devotion, revered one, tell me the course of this my lineage.'"

7.50.10 "Hearing the words spoken by King Daśaratha, Durvāsas of immense energy began to speak."

7.50.11 "'Rāma will be lord of Ayodhyā for a long time; his younger brothers too will be prosperous and happy.'"

7.50.12 "'For a certain reason the righteous one will abandon you and the glorious Maithilī after a great span of time.'"

7.50.13 "'Having attended to his kingship for ten thousand years and ten hundred years, Rāma will depart to the world of Brahmā.'"

7.50.14 "'Having worshipped with prosperous aśvamedha sacrifices, the conqueror of enemy cities, the scion of Kākutstha, will establish many royal lineages.'"

7.50.15 "Having narrated in full all the comings and goings of this royal lineage, that sage of immense energy and great brilliance fell silent."

7.50.16 "When the sage had fallen silent, King Daśaratha then saluted those two great souls and returned to the finest of cities."

7.50.17 "These words spoken by the sage there long ago were heard by me and laid up in my heart; it shall not be otherwise than this."

7.50.18 "Things being so, you ought not fall into grief, O Rāghava — whether for Sītā's sake or for Rāghava's sake; be resolute, O best of men."

7.50.19 Hearing the most wonderful words spoken by the charioteer, he was seized with incomparable joy and said: "Well spoken, well spoken!"

7.50.20 As the charioteer and Lakṣmaṇa conversed thus along the road, the sun went to its setting; and those two then spent the night at the Gomatī river.

7.51.1 Having passed that night there at the Gomatī, the delight of the Raghu line, Lakṣmaṇa, rose again at dawn and then set forth.

7.51.2 Then, when midday arrived, that great warrior entered Ayodhyā, filled with jewels and thronged with joyful and prosperous people.

7.51.3 But Saumitri, that most great-minded one, was overcome with the deepest wretchedness: "What shall I say when I stand before the feet of Rāma — 'I have gone and done it'?"

7.51.4 As he brooded thus, before him appeared the most magnificent palace of Rāma, resembling the moon.

7.51.5 That best of men descended at the gate of the king's palace, and entered with downcast face and grieving heart, unhindered.

7.51.6 He saw Rāghava, sorrowful and seated upon the high seat; with eyes full of tears he beheld his elder brother before him.

7.51.7 Lakṣmaṇa, his heart afflicted, clasped his feet, and spoke with a despondent voice, with joined palms, composed in manner:

7.51.8 "Having placed foremost the command of the noble one, and having abandoned the daughter of Janaka at the auspicious hermitage of Vālmīki on the bank of the Gaṅgā as directed, I have come again, O hero, to attend at your feet."

7.51.9 "Do not grieve, O tiger among men; such is the way of time. Men of your kind — those possessed of courage and wisdom — do not grieve.

7.51.10 "All accumulations end in diminishment; all that rises ends in falling; all unions end in separation; and life ends in death."

7.51.11 "You are capable of conquering yourself — and indeed all worlds — by the mind alone, O scion of Kākutstha; how much more then a sorrow such as this?"

7.51.12 "Bulls among men of your kind are not bewildered by such things as that for which Maithilī was abandoned — out of fear of censure, O king."

7.51.13 "Therefore you, O tiger among men, steadfast in fortitude, abandon this weakness of mind; do not allow yourself to be consumed by anguish."

7.51.14 Thus addressed by the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, the scion of Kākutstha spoke with the highest affection to Saumitri, who was devoted as a friend:

7.51.15 "It is exactly as you say, O best of men, O Lakṣmaṇa; and I am satisfied, O hero, by your guidance in my duty."

7.51.16 "Contentment has been made, O gentle one, and anguish has been dispelled; by your very sweet words I have been consoled, O Lakṣmaṇa."

7.52.1 Then Sumantra, having come, said to Rāghava: "These ascetics, O king, have been stopped and stand at the gate."

7.52.2 "The great seers, placing the Bhārgava named Cyavana at their head, are urgently requesting an audience with you, O great king — they are eager and pleased, O tiger among men, they who dwell on the banks of the Yamunā."

7.52.3 Hearing those words of his, Rāma, the knower of dharma, said: "Let those great-souled twice-born ones, with the Bhārgava at their head, be admitted."

7.52.4 The doorkeeper, honouring the king's command, with joined palms raised to his head, then admitted the many revered ascetics.

7.52.5 More than a hundred of those great-souled ascetics, blazing with their own inner radiance, then entered the royal palace.

7.52.6 Those twice-born ones brought in abundance to Rāma full water-pots honoured with water from all sacred fords, and also fruits and roots.

7.52.7 Rāma, filled with affection, received all of it — all the sacred-ford waters and the various fruits.

7.52.8 And the mighty-armed one addressed all those great sages: "Pray be seated, each according to his rank, on these finest of seats."

7.52.9 Hearing Rāma's words, all those great seers sat down on the beautiful golden cushioned seats.

7.52.10 Seeing the seers seated there, the conqueror of enemy cities, Rāghava, with a pure heart and joined palms, spoke these words.

7.52.11 "What is the purpose of your coming? What may I do for you, O wealth-of-austerity ones? I am at the command of the great seers, the glad fulfiller of every wish."

7.52.12 "This entire kingdom and the life dear to my heart — all of this is for the sake of the twice-born. I speak this truth to you."

7.52.13 Hearing his words, there arose a great cry of "well said!" from those fierce-austerity seers dwelling on the bank of the Yamunā.

7.52.14 And those great-souled ones, filled with great joy, said: "This is fitting for you alone in this world, O best of men, and no other."

7.52.15 "Many mighty kings have passed away, O king, who, not heeding the gravity of duty, did not deign to make such a pledge."

7.52.16 "But you, out of reverence for the brāhmaṇas, have made this pledge without looking for reasons — now fulfil it. You are capable of it, there is no doubt. You ought to protect the seers from this great terror."

7.53.1 While the seers were speaking thus, Kākutstha said: "Tell me what the task is. I shall destroy the fear that afflicts you."

7.53.2 As Kākutstha spoke thus, the Bhārgava said: "Hear, O lord of men, the root-cause of our fear and of this land's fear."

7.53.3 "In former times, in the Kṛta age, O Rāma, there was a Daiteya of immense power, the eldest son of Lolā, a great asura named Madhu."

7.53.4 "He was devoted to the brāhmaṇas, a provider of refuge, accomplished in wisdom, and the most supremely noble gods held incomparable affection for him."

7.53.5 "That Madhu, endowed with valour and deeply established in dharma, was given by Rudra, out of great esteem, a wondrous boon."

7.53.6 "The great-souled one, greatly pleased, drew from his own trident the mighty, exceedingly radiant spear and gave it, and spoke these words:"

7.53.7 "'This matchless and auspicious dharma has been practised by you through my grace. Filled with supreme affection, I give you this supreme weapon.'"

7.53.8 "'So long as you do not quarrel with the gods or the brāhmaṇas, O great asura, this trident shall be yours; otherwise it will be destroyed.'"

7.53.9 "'Whoever challenges you to battle without fear — the trident, having reduced him to ashes, will return to your hand.'"

7.53.10 "Having thus received the boon from Rudra, the great asura again prostrated before Mahādeva and spoke these words:"

7.53.11 "'O Blessed One, may this supreme trident remain perpetually in my lineage, O god — for you are the lord of the gods.'"

7.53.12 "To Madhu speaking thus, the god, Śiva, lord of all beings, Mahādeva, replied: 'It shall not be so in this manner.'"

7.53.13 "'Let not your auspicious words, made by my grace, be fruitless. This trident shall pass to one son of yours.'"

7.53.14 "'As long as this trident remains in the hand of your son, he shall be invincible by all beings, the trident-bearer.'"

7.53.15 "Thus Madhu, having received from the god this most wondrous great boon, the foremost among asuras had a splendid abode built."

7.53.16 "His beloved wife, the highly fortunate Kumbhīnasī, was the offspring of Viśvāvasu, born of Analā, of great radiance."

7.53.17 "Her son, of great valour, named Lavaṇa, was ferocious; from childhood his soul was wicked and he committed only evil deeds."

7.53.18 "Seeing that undisciplined son, Madhu was filled with grief and fell into sorrow, yet he said nothing to him."

7.53.19 "He, leaving this world, entered the abode of Varuṇa; having placed the trident in Lavaṇa's care, he conveyed to him the boon."

7.53.20 "He, by the power of the trident and likewise by the wickedness of his own nature, torments the three worlds, and the ascetics in particular."

7.53.21 "Such is the might of Lavaṇa, and such is the nature of that trident — knowing this authority, O Kākutstha, you are our highest refuge."

7.53.22 "Many kings, O Rāma, were in former times beseeched by fear-stricken seers for refuge, O hero, yet we found no protector."

7.53.23 "We, having heard that Rāvaṇa together with his forces and army has been slain, acknowledge you, O Rāma, as our protector and no other king on earth. Thus we, tormented by fear, desire to be rescued from Lavaṇa."

7.54.1 When they had spoken thus, Rāma, with joined palms, replied to those seers: "What does Lavaṇa eat? What are his habits? And where does he dwell?"

7.54.2 Hearing Rāghava's words, all those seers then reported to him how Lavaṇa had grown powerful.

7.54.3 "His food is all living creatures, the ascetics in particular. His conduct is perpetual ferocity. His abode is always in the Madhuvana forest."

7.54.4 "Slaying ten thousand lions, tigers, deer, and elephants, as well as human beings, he makes his daily meal each day."

7.54.5 "Then that mighty one devours still other creatures — like Death at the time of universal dissolution, with gaping mouth."

7.54.6 Hearing that account, Rāghava said to those great sages: "I shall slay that rākṣasa. Let your fear depart."

7.54.7 Having thus given his pledge to those fierce-lustred sages, the joy of the Raghu-line then addressed all his brothers assembled together.

7.54.8 "Who among you heroes shall be the slayer of Lavaṇa? To whom shall that assignment be given — to the mighty-armed Bharata, or again to Śatrughna?"

7.54.9 Thus addressed by Rāghava, Bharata spoke: "I shall slay him. Let that assignment be given to me."

7.54.10 Hearing the words of Bharata, full of courage and valour, the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa — Śatrughna — rose from his golden seat.

7.54.11 And Śatrughna, prostrating before the king, spoke — the mighty-armed middle son among the Raghu-joys who had already accomplished great deeds:

7.54.12 "Indeed, in former times the noble one guarded the empty city of Ayodhyā, bearing anguish in his heart in anticipation of the noble one's return."

7.54.13 "And many sorrows have been endured here, O king — the great-souled one lying on beds of sorrow in Nandigrāma."

7.54.14 "Subsisting on fruit and roots, wearing matted locks and bark garments, this son of Raghu endured such suffering. With me, your servant, now present, O king, he should not suffer any more hardship."

7.54.15 As Śatrughna spoke thus, Rāghava replied again: "So be it, O Kākutstha — let my command be carried out."

7.54.16 "I shall consecrate you as king in the beautiful city of Madhu; establish Bharata there, O mighty-armed one, if you regard my word."

7.54.17 "You are a hero, accomplished in learning, and capable of establishing that city frequented by Madhu, as well as the fair provinces."

7.54.18 "For he who uproots a royal lineage and at its extinction does not install a king there — that man goes to hell."

7.54.19 "Therefore you, having slain Lavaṇa, the son of Madhu, that one of evil resolve, rule the kingdom by dharma — if you regard my word."

7.54.20 "And do not speak in return, O hero, interrupting my words. The command of an elder brother must be carried out by a younger — there is no doubt in this matter."

7.54.21 "And accept, O Kākutstha, the consecration prepared by me, preceded by rites and mantras performed by Vasiṣṭha and the other brāhmaṇas."

7.55.1 Thus addressed by Rāma, Śatrughna—endowed with heroic valour—was overcome by deep embarrassment and spoke slowly, word by word.

7.55.2 "O bull among men, your command must certainly be carried out; O greatly blessed one, your command is impossible to transgress. I am your willing servant, O king, O bull among men."

7.55.3 When the heroic and great-souled Śatrughna had spoken thus, the delighted Rāma addressed Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata.

7.55.4 "Bring with careful attention the materials for the consecration; today itself I shall consecrate this tiger among men, this invincible hero."

7.55.5 "O ye two of Kākutstha's line, by my command summon the chief priest, the city elders, the officiating priests, and all my ministers."

7.55.6 Knowing the king's command, the great chariot-warriors acted accordingly; placing the chief priest at their head and setting the consecration rites in motion, they entered the royal palace, which resembled the abode of Indra.

7.55.7 Then the auspicious consecration of the great-souled Śatrughna grew in grandeur, bringing great rejoicing to Rāghava's city.

7.55.8 Then, seating the consecrated Śatrughna upon his lap, Rāghava spoke sweet words to him, filling him with radiant energy.

7.55.9 "This arrow of yours is unfailing and divine, the conqueror of enemy citadels; with this, O gentle one, O delight of Raghu's line, you shall slay Lavaṇa."

7.55.10 "This arrow, O Kākutstha, was fashioned when the self-born, unconquered god lay upon the great ocean—he whom neither gods nor asuras could behold."

7.55.11 "Invisible to all creatures, he—when overcome by wrath for the destruction of those two evil-souled ones, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, who were engaged in wreaking havoc—fashioned this supreme arrow, O hero."

7.55.12 "Desiring to create the three worlds, he slew those two in battle with this weapon; with this foremost of arrows, he then brought the worlds into being."

7.55.13 "This arrow was not released by me earlier when I sought to slay Rāvaṇa, O Śatrughna, lest great terror befall all creatures."

7.55.14 "And there is that great trident given by the mighty three-eyed god for the destruction of enemies—Madhu's supreme weapon."

7.55.15 "Having stored that weapon in his dwelling, worshipping it again and again, he ranges in all directions, surveying them, and thereby obtains food for himself."

7.55.16 "But when someone challenges him, desiring battle, then the rākṣasa seizes that trident and reduces the challenger to ashes."

7.55.17 "Therefore, O tiger among men, before he re-enters his citadel and while he is without his weapon, stand at the gateway bearing your arms."

7.55.18 "And when he has not yet entered his dwelling, O bull among men, O mighty-armed one, challenge him to battle; then you shall slay the rākṣasa."

7.55.19 "If it is done otherwise, he will be invincible; but if it is done in this manner, O hero, he will meet his destruction."

7.55.20 "All this has been explained to you, including the counter to the trident; for the deed of the glorious blue-throated one is impossible to transgress."

7.56.1 Having spoken thus to Kākutstha and praised him again and again, the delight of Raghu's line spoke yet further words.

7.56.2 "O bull among men, four thousand horses, two thousand chariots, and a hundred elephants—"

7.56.3 "—and market convoys adorned with goods of every kind, and likewise entertainers and dancers, let them accompany you, Śatrughna."

7.56.4 "Taking ten thousand pieces of silver and gold, go forth, O Śatrughna, O bull among men, abundantly supplied with wealth and conveyances."

7.56.5 "And the army, well-maintained, joyful, and well-fed, unsurpassed—O foremost of men, please and gratify them with kind words and generous gifts."

7.56.6 "For wealth does not abide there, nor wife, nor kinsmen—O Rāghava, only the corps of well-gratified servants endures."

7.56.7 "Therefore, having dispatched that great army thronging with rejoicing men, go you alone, bow in hand, to the forest of Madhu."

7.56.8 "So that Lavaṇa, son of Madhu, does not recognise you as you approach, seeking battle, go without arousing suspicion."

7.56.9 "For no other death exists for him, O bull among men; whoever comes to face him is surely slain by Lavaṇa."

7.56.10 "When the summer has passed and the rainy season is at hand, then slay Lavaṇa, O gentle one; for that is the time of this evil-minded one's vulnerability."

7.56.11 "Let your soldiers march with great sages at their head, so that with what remains of the summer season they may cross the waters of the Jāhnavī."

7.56.12 "Then, having stationed all the forces on the riverbank with composure, go forward yourself with bow in hand, O swift-striding one."

7.56.13 Thus instructed by Rāma, Śatrughna summoned those mighty commanders of the army and then addressed them with these words.

7.56.14 "These are your designated halting places, wherever you shall encamp; you must conduct yourselves without causing obstruction, so that no one is harassed."

7.56.15 Having given them such instruction and sent the great army forth, he paid his respects to Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī.

7.56.16 Having circumambulated Rāma with reverential right-hand salutation and bowed his head to him, and having been given leave by his lord, Śatrughna the afflicitor of enemies—

7.56.17 —Śatrughna, of disciplined spirit and mighty strength, prostrated himself with joined palms before Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata, and then, having circumambulated the chief priest Vasiṣṭha, departed.

7.57.1 Having dispatched that entire army and himself halting only a month along the road, Śatrughna then went forward swiftly and alone with haste.

7.57.2 After halting for two nights along the way, the hero and delight of Raghu's line came to the holy hermitage of Vālmīki, that most excellent of abodes.

7.57.3 He greeted the great-souled Vālmīki, that foremost of sages, and then, standing with joined palms, spoke these words.

7.57.4 "O venerable one, I wish to stay here tonight; I have come hither on a task for my lord, and at dawn tomorrow I shall proceed toward the western quarter, the domain of Varuṇa."

7.57.5 Hearing Śatrughna's words, that bull among sages smiled and replied to the great-souled one: "Welcome to you, O greatly renowned one."

7.57.6 "This hermitage is verily the home of the Rāghava lineage, O gentle one; accept without hesitation the seat, the water for feet, and the guest-offering that I extend."

7.57.7 Then Kākutstha accepted the honour and ate the food of fruits and roots, and was filled with utmost satisfaction.

7.57.8 Having eaten, the mighty-armed one then asked the great sage: "In former times, to whose hermitage near here did the splendour of the sacrifice belong?"

7.57.9 Hearing that question of his, Vālmīki spoke these words: "O Śatrughna, listen—learn to whom this sacred precinct formerly belonged."

7.57.10 "An ancestor of your line, the son of the great-souled Sudāsa, named Mitrasaha—valiant and supremely righteous—"

7.57.11 "—this Saudāsa, even as a youth, took to the hunt; and the hero beheld a pair of rākṣasas prowling about."

7.57.12 "Terrible in the form of tigers, they were devouring many thousands of deer and yet were not satisfied, never reaching fullness."

7.57.13 "Seeing those two rākṣasas and finding the forest stripped of deer, he was seized by great wrath and slew one of them with a mighty arrow."

7.57.14 "Having struck down that one, Saudāsa the bull among men, his fever of rage spent and his fury gone, looked upon the slain rākṣasa."

7.57.15 "Seeing him gazing thus, the companion of that rākṣasa was filled with terrible anguish and spoke these words to Saudāsa:"

7.57.16 "'Because you have slain my companion who had committed no offence, therefore, O most wicked one, I shall repay you in kind.'"

7.57.17 "Having spoken thus, that rākṣasa vanished on the spot; and in the course of time King Mitrasaha came to reign."

7.57.18 "The king too performed a sacrifice—the great Aśvamedha sacrifice—near that hermitage; Vasiṣṭha supervised that ritual."

7.57.19 "There the great sacrifice lasting for many years and groups of years prospered with the highest splendour and was the equal of a sacrifice of the gods."

7.57.20 "Then, at the close of the sacrifice, remembering his former enmity, the rākṣasa assumed the form of Vasiṣṭha and thus addressed the king:"

7.57.21 "'At the conclusion of the sacrifice today, let food containing meat be given to me quickly—there is to be no deliberation in this matter.'"

7.57.22 "Hearing those words spoken by the rākṣasa who could take any form at will, the lord of the earth—skilled in the preparation of food—addressed his cook:"

7.57.23 "'Prepare quickly a dish of oblation-food containing meat so as to be tasty, in such a way that the guru may be well pleased.'"

7.57.24 "At the command of the lord of kings, the cook—his mind agitated—went about his task; and that rākṣasa there again took on the disguise of the cook."

7.57.25 "He then presented human flesh to the king, announcing: 'This tasty oblation-food with meat has been brought.'"

7.57.26 "He brought that food—tampered with by the rākṣasa, O tiger among men—to present to Vasiṣṭha together with his wife Madayantī."

7.57.27 "The brahmin, knowing that the food brought was human flesh, was seized by great wrath and began to utter a curse."

7.57.28 "'Because you, O king, wish to give me this as food, therefore this food shall be yours—there is no doubt of this.'"

7.57.29 "That king, together with his wife, prostrated himself again and again and then explained to Vasiṣṭha what had been said by one who had assumed the form of a brahmin."

7.57.30 "Having heard the account of the lord of kings and that the matter had been distorted by the rākṣasa, Vasiṣṭha again addressed the king, that bull among men:"

7.57.31 "'This word I have uttered in the grip of rage cannot be made void; yet I shall grant you a boon:"

7.57.32 "'The duration of this curse shall be twelve years; and by my grace, O lord of kings, you shall not remember what has passed.'"

7.57.33 "Thus that king, the crusher of enemies, having endured that curse, regained his kingdom and thereafter protected his subjects."

7.57.34 "This auspicious precinct of the sacrifice of that Kalmāṣapāda is the one near this hermitage about which you ask, O Rāghava."

7.57.35 "Having heard that most terrible story of that lord of kings, and having paid his respects to the great sage, he entered the leaf-hut."

7.58.1 That very same night on which Śatrughna entered the leaf-hut, that very same night Sītā too gave birth to a pair of boys.

7.58.2 Then, at the middle of the night, the young disciples of the sage joyfully announced to Vālmīki the auspicious birth of Sītā's children: "O mighty one, perform for them the protective rite that dispels evil spirits."

7.58.3 Hearing those words of theirs, the sage was filled with joy; and he performed for those two a protective rite with the demon-slaying, demon-destroying charm.

7.58.4 Taking a handful of kuśa grass and a blade of lava grass as well, the twice-born Vālmīki bestowed upon the two of them the protection that destroys evil spirits.

7.58.5 The one of the two born first was to be cleansed with kuśa grass consecrated by sacred mantras; and from this, his name shall be Kuśa.

7.58.6 And the other of the two, to be carefully cleansed by the elder women with a blade of lava grass — he shall bear the name Lava.

7.58.7 Thus those two, born as twins, shall be known by the names Kuśa and Lava — the two names bestowed by me — and they shall attain great renown.

7.58.8 Those pure-souled ones, composed and reverent, received the protective ritual from the sage's hand, and then those blameless ones duly performed the protective rite for the two infants.

7.58.9 Even as that protective rite was being performed, along with the recitation of lineage and name, and the glorification of Rāma's name, came the auspicious birth-sons of Sītā.

7.58.10 At midnight, Śatrughna, who had gone to the leaf-hut that night, heard the most welcome of tidings; he exclaimed, "How fortunate! How fortunate!"

7.58.11 And for that great-souled, overjoyed Śatrughna, the rainy-season night of Śrāvaṇa, light of step, quickly passed.

7.58.12 At dawn, the mighty hero completed his morning rituals, took leave of the sage with joined palms, and set out again, turning back westward.

7.58.13 Having journeyed to the bank of the Yamunā, he spent seven nights along the way, taking lodging in the hermitages of sages of holy renown.

7.58.14 There, together with the sages headed by Cyavana of the Bhārgava lineage, that greatly glorious king passed his time in many kinds of conversation.

7.59.1 When night had come, Śatrughna asked the brāhmaṇa Cyavana, joy of the Bhṛgu lineage, about the strength and weakness of Lavaṇa.

7.59.2 "What is the power of his trident, O brāhmaṇa? Who before now have been slain — who came to single combat at the point of this trident?"

7.59.3 Having heard those words of the great-souled Śatrughna, the mighty Cyavana replied to that scion of the Raghu line.

7.59.4 "His deeds are beyond counting, O bull among men. Hear from me what transpired at the rise of the Ikṣvāku dynasty."

7.59.5 "In Ayodhyā of old there was a mighty king, son of Yuvanāśva, renowned throughout the three worlds for his valor — known as Māndhātā."

7.59.6 "Having brought the entire earth under his dominion, that lord of the earth, the king, undertook a campaign to conquer the world of the gods."

7.59.7 "When Māndhātā set out with desire to conquer the celestial world, Indra and all the great-souled gods were seized with intense fear."

7.59.8 "Honored by the host of gods with half of Indra's throne and half of his kingdom, that king of earth mounted a solemn pledge."

7.59.9 "Knowing his sinful intention, the chastiser of Pāka, Indra, spoke these appeasing words to the son of Yuvanāśva."

7.59.10 "'You are a king in the human world, O bull among men — you desire the kingdom of the gods here without yet having made the entire earth obedient to you.'"

7.59.11 "'If, O hero, the entire earth, whole and complete, is truly under your sway, then rule over the kingdom of the gods here, together with your troops, forces, and conveyances.'"

7.59.12 "Then Māndhātā spoke these words to Indra as he spoke thus: 'Where on the face of the earth has my command been repelled, O Śakra?'"

7.59.13 "To him, the thousand-eyed one replied: 'Lavaṇa — a rākṣasa, son of Madhu, dwelling in the Madhu forest — does not observe your command, O sinless king.'"

7.59.14 "Hearing those harsh and unwelcome words spoken by Indra, the king was ashamed, bowed his head downward, and was unable to speak."

7.59.15 "Taking leave of the thousand-eyed Indra, the glorious lord of men returned somewhat shame-faced to this world below."

7.59.16 "Harboring indignation in his heart, that blameless one came with his troops, forces, and conveyances to bring the son of Madhu under his power."

7.59.17 "Desiring to fight Lavaṇa, that bull among men dispatched a messenger to Lavaṇa's presence."

7.59.18 "The messenger went and spoke many harsh and unwelcome words to the son of Madhu; while speaking thus, that messenger was devoured by the rākṣasa."

7.59.19 "When the messenger was long delayed, the king, filled with wrath, assailed that rākṣasa on all sides with a shower of arrows."

7.59.20 "Then Lavaṇa laughed aloud, took his trident in hand, and hurled that supreme weapon to slay the king along with all his followers."

7.59.21 "That blazing trident reduced the king, together with his troops, forces, and conveyances, to ashes, and then returned once more to the hand of Lavaṇa."

7.59.22 "In this manner that great king was slain together with his forces and conveyances. The power of the trident, O hero, is immeasurable and unsurpassed."

7.59.23 "Tomorrow at dawn you shall without doubt slay Lavaṇa — catch him quickly before he takes up his weapon; victory is then certain for you."

7.60.1 As they conversed and eagerly awaited auspicious victory, the night passed quickly for that great-souled Śatrughna.

7.60.2 Then, at that bright and clear dawn, the rākṣasa warrior went out from the city, driven by hunger in search of prey.

7.60.3 Meanwhile, the heroic Śatrughna crossed the river Yamunā and stood at the gate of Madhupura, bow in hand.

7.60.4 Then, when midday had arrived, that cruel-deeded rākṣasa came back, bearing the weight of many thousands of living creatures.

7.60.5 Then he saw Śatrughna standing at the gate, holding his weapon. The rākṣasa then said to him: "What will you do with this?"

7.60.6 "Thousands like you, armed as you are, O basest of men, have been devoured by me in fury. Are you awaiting your appointed time?"

7.60.7 "My meal today is also not yet complete, O most despicable of men. How have you, having come on your own, walked into my very mouth, O fool?"

7.60.8 As he spoke thus and laughed again and again, Śatrughna, full of valor, shed tears of rage.

7.60.9 From that great-souled Śatrughna, overcome by rage, rays of fiery energy blazed forth from every limb of his body.

7.60.10 And Śatrughna, deeply enraged, said to that night-wanderer: "I wish to fight you in single combat, O evil-minded one."

7.60.11 "I am the son of Daśaratha, the brother of the wise Rāma. My name is Śatrughna — Śatrughna, come here desiring your death."

7.60.12 "Let single combat be granted to me who desire battle. You are the enemy of all living beings — you shall not escape me alive."

7.60.13 While he spoke thus, the rākṣasa laughed aloud and replied to that foremost of men: "By good fortune you have come, O fool."

7.60.14 "My mother's sister's brother — the rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa — was slain by Rāma, O evil-minded one, for the sake of a woman, O basest of men."

7.60.15 "All of that — the destruction of Rāvaṇa's clan — I have endured, keeping contempt before me, especially toward you and your kind."

7.60.16 "All of you have not been slain — you are despised like blades of grass — those who exist, those who shall exist, and you too, O basest of men."

7.60.17 "To you who desire battle I shall give battle, O fool — the kind you desire — wait while I make ready my weapon."

7.60.18 Then Śatrughna said to him: "Where will you go from me alive? Even a weakened enemy who has come must not be released by a man of steadfast soul."

7.60.19 "For he who, with a confused mind, gives an enemy room to maneuver is destroyed by his own weak-mindedness, like a coward."

7.61.1 Hearing those words of the great-souled Śatrughna, Lavaṇa roused fierce anger and cried out repeatedly, "Stand! Stand!"

7.61.2 Slapping palm against palm and grinding his teeth, Lavaṇa challenged the tiger of the Raghu line again and again.

7.61.3 To Lavaṇa of terrible valour who spoke thus, Śatrughna, destroyer of enemies, spoke these words.

7.61.4 "Śatrughna was not yet born when others were conquered by you; but today, struck by my arrow, go to the abode of Yama."

7.61.5 "Today, O evil-souled one, let the sages, the learned brāhmaṇas, and the gods witness you slain in battle by me, even as they witnessed Rāvaṇa."

7.61.6 "When you, O night-roamer, are scorched by my arrow and fallen today, this city and the countryside will be at peace."

7.61.7 "Today the arrow released from my arm, its face like a thunderbolt, will enter your lotus-heart as a ray enters that of the sun's son."

7.61.8 Addressed thus, Lavaṇa, swooning with rage, hurled a great tree at the chest of Śatrughna; the hero cut it to a hundred pieces.

7.61.9 Seeing that act rendered fruitless, the powerful rākṣasa seized a great many trees and hurled them again at Śatrughna.

7.61.10 The brilliant Śatrughna severed those many oncoming trees one by one with three or four arrows whose joints were smooth.

7.61.11 Then Śatrughna, endowed with valour, discharged a rain of arrows at the rākṣasa's body, yet the rākṣasa was not distressed.

7.61.12 Then Lavaṇa laughed and, uprooting a tree with ease, struck the hero on the head; his limbs went limp and he fell into a swoon.

7.61.13 When that hero fell, a great cry of "Ah! Ah!" arose from the hosts of sages, gods, Gandharvas, and Apsarases.

7.61.14 Disdaining Śatrughna, though struck down and prostrate on the earth, the rākṣasa, even with the opportunity secured, did not enter his own dwelling.

7.61.15 Nor did he take up his trident, seeing him fallen on the ground; thinking him slain, he then went off to gather his food.

7.61.16 But within a moment Śatrughna recovered consciousness and stood again, weapon in hand, at the rākṣasa's gate, honoured by the sages.

7.61.17 Then he took up that supreme, infallible, divine arrow — blazing with energy, terrible, filling all ten directions.

7.61.18 Its face was like a thunderbolt, its speed like a thunderbolt, its weight equal to Meru and Mandara; smooth at every joint, unconquered in all battles.

7.61.19 Its body smeared with blood-red sandalwood, with beautiful feathering; dreadful to lords of Dānavas, lords of mountains, and Asuras.

7.61.20 Seeing it blazing like the fire of Time arrived at the end of an age, all beings were overcome with terror.

7.61.21 The entire world — with gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, sages, and hosts of Apsarases — was uneasy and approached the Grandsire.

7.61.22 And they said to the god of gods, the boon-granting great-grandsire: "Has the dissolution of the worlds come, O god, or the conflagration of the age?"

7.61.23 "Such a thing has never been seen or heard before, O great-grandsire — the terror and bewilderment of the gods, the destruction of the worlds, O lord."

7.61.24 Hearing those words, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, who dispels fear, declared to the gods the cause of their terror.

7.61.25 "For the slaying of Lavaṇa in battle, the arrow held by Śatrughna — by whose radiance all you best of gods have been bewildered —"

7.61.26 "— this is the primordial, eternal, radiant arrow of the god who created the worlds, dear ones, by which this fear has come upon you."

7.61.27 "This great arrow was created by that great-souled one for the sake of slaying Kaiṭabha and Madhu — for the destruction of those two Daityas."

7.61.28 "Know this to be the radiant arrow of Viṣṇu; and this Śatrughna is likewise the former body of that great-souled Viṣṇu."

7.61.29 "Go from here and witness the foremost of rākṣasas, Lavaṇa, being slain by the great-souled hero, the younger brother of Rāma."

7.61.30 Hearing those sweet words of the god of gods, they went to the place where Śatrughna and Lavaṇa were both fighting.

7.61.31 All beings saw that arrow, divine in appearance, held in Śatrughna's hand, risen like the conflagration at the end of an age.

7.61.32 Seeing the sky filled with gods, the son of Raghu's line roared repeatedly with the roar of a lion and beheld Lavaṇa once more.

7.61.33 Challenged by the great-souled Śatrughna, Lavaṇa, filled with rage, presented himself for battle.

7.61.34 Drawing that bow to his ear, that best of archers released the great arrow at Lavaṇa's broad chest; cleaving his chest swiftly, it entered the netherworld.

7.61.35 Having gone to the divine netherworld, that arrow, worshipped by the gods, swiftly returned again to the delight of the Ikṣvāku lineage.

7.61.36 Pierced through by Śatrughna's arrow, that night-roaming Lavaṇa fell suddenly to the ground like a mountain struck by the thunderbolt.

7.61.37 And that great divine trident, when the rākṣasa Lavaṇa was slain, in the sight of all beings, returned to the power of Rudra.

7.61.38 Having slain with a single arrow the terror of all three worlds, the foremost hero of Raghu's line shone forth with bow and arrow raised, even as the thousand-rayed sun dispels darkness.

7.62.1 When Lavaṇa was slain, the gods — with Indra at their head and Agni foremost among them — spoke sweet words to Śatrughna, scorcher of enemies.

7.62.2 "By good fortune is your victory, dear one; by good fortune the rākṣasa Lavaṇa is slain. O best among tigers of men, O Rāghava, ask a boon."

7.62.3 "We are all gathered here as granters of boons, O mighty-armed one, desiring your victory; indeed our vision is never without fruit."

7.62.4 Hearing the words of the gods, the valiant, great-armed Śatrughna, with hands joined above his head, replied with a disciplined mind.

7.62.5 "Let me quickly establish settlement in this lovely Madhupurī, sweet Madhurā, created by the gods — this let my boon be, so I think."

7.62.6 The gods, with hearts full of joy, said "So be it" to the Rāghava: "A lovely city it shall be — Śūrasenā, without doubt."

7.62.7 Having spoken thus, those great-souled ones ascended to heaven; and the greatly radiant Śatrughna brought up his army.

7.62.8 That army came quickly on hearing Śatrughna's command, and Śatrughna began the founding of the settlement by his decree.

7.62.9 That city, divine in appearance, auspicious, was established in the twelfth year, and the territory of the Śūrasenas became free from all fear.

7.62.10 The fields were full of crops, Indra rained in season, the people were free of disease and vigorous, protected by the arms of Śatrughna.

7.62.11 Shaped like a half-moon, graced by the bank of the Yamunā, adorned with foremost mansions, adorned with market squares and bazaars.

7.62.12 Whatever great emptiness had been made by Lavaṇa formerly, the hero beautified that with abundance of various commodities.

7.62.13 Śatrughna, the younger brother of Bharata, himself prosperous in wealth, surveyed that prosperous city and was supremely pleased, overcome with supreme joy.

7.62.14 The thought arose in his mind: having established the city of Madhurā, "I should behold the feet of Rāma in this auspicious twelfth year."

7.63.1 Then, in the twelfth year, Śatrughna desired to go to Ayodhyā, protected by Rāma, accompanied by a small retinue and force.

7.63.2 Having dismissed his ministers, the chiefs of the army, and the chaplain, he went in a splendid chariot harnessed with horses.

7.63.3 Traversing seven or eight calculated stages of travel, the son of Raghu's line quickly reached Ayodhyā, eager to behold the Rāghava.

7.63.4 Entering the lovely city, that glorious, great-armed delight of the Ikṣvāku line went to where the greatly resplendent Rāma was.

7.63.5 He saluted the great-souled one blazing as it were with energy, and standing with palms joined, spoke to Rāma of true valour.

7.63.6 "Whatever was commanded, O great king, all of that I have done: that wicked Lavaṇa is slain, and that city has been established."

7.63.7 "Twelve years have passed without you, O delight of Raghu's line; I could not bear to dwell separated from you, O king."

7.63.8 "Grant me your favour, O Kākutstha, O you of boundless valour; without you I wander abroad like a calf bereft of its mother."

7.63.9 Embracing Śatrughna who spoke thus, Rāma said: "Do not grieve, O hero; this is not the conduct befitting a kṣatriya."

7.63.10 "Kings do not despair during sojourns abroad, O Rāghava; and subjects must be protected through the dharma of the kṣatriya, O Rāghava."

7.63.11 "Come to Ayodhyā to see me from time to time, O hero, O best of men, and then return to your own city."

7.63.12 "You are dearer to me even than life itself, without doubt; yet the protection of the kingdom must inevitably be carried out."

7.63.13 "Therefore, O Kākutstha, dwell with me for five nights; after that you shall go to Madhurā with your servants, army, and conveyances."

7.63.14 Hearing these words of Rāma, righteous and pleasing to the mind, Śatrughna said with a sorrowful voice, "So be it."

7.63.15 That mighty archer, the Kākutstha, having dwelt there five nights by the Rāghava's command, made ready for departure.

7.63.16 Having taken leave of the great-souled Rāma of true valour, and of Bharata and Lakṣmaṇa as well, he mounted his great chariot.

7.63.17 Accompanied for a long distance by the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa and by Bharata, Śatrughna then quickly went to his city.

7.64.1 Having dispatched Śatrughna along with his brothers, Rāghava rejoiced contentedly, governing the kingdom by righteousness.

7.64.2 Then, after a few days, an aged brahmin of the land came to the royal gate, bearing the corpse of a child.

7.64.3 Weeping, he uttered manifold words filled with tears of affection, crying out again and again, "My son, my son!"

7.64.4 "What evil deed did I commit in a former body in a previous life, that I now see you, my only son, gone to death?"

7.64.5 "A child who had not yet reached youth, only five years of age — you have met death untimely, for my grief, O my dear son."

7.64.6 "Without doubt, within a few days I and your mother shall both go to death, slain by grief for you, O my son."

7.64.7 "I do not recall having spoken falsehood, nor do I recall having done harm — by what evil deed of mine has my son, while yet a child, been carried to the abode of Vaivasvata without having performed the rites due to his forefathers?"

7.64.8 "Never before have I seen or heard of so dreadful a sight — the death of those who have not yet reached their time, in Rāma's kingdom."

7.64.9 "Without doubt some great sin has been committed by Rāma. O king, restore this child to life who has fallen under the sway of death."

7.64.10 "O king of great might, may you attain long life together with your brothers. We have lived happily in your kingdom."

7.64.11 "Now the realm of the great-souled Ikṣvākus is left without a protector, having found in Rāma a king who brings about the death of children."

7.64.12 "The subjects perish through the faults of a king when they are not protected according to proper law; and when a king is of wicked conduct, people die before their time."

7.64.13 "When people in cities and in the countryside commit unlawful acts and there is no protection, then comes the calamity wrought by untimely death."

7.64.14 "This killing of a child — whether in the city or in the country — shall without doubt plainly prove to be the king's fault."

7.64.15 Thus, with many such words, again and again blaming the king, tormented by grief, he embraced his son.

7.65.1 Rāghava heard all of that pitiful lamentation of the brahmin, filled with pain and grief.

7.65.2 Deeply afflicted by sorrow, he summoned his ministers, Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, his brothers, and the guild leaders together.

7.65.3 Then eight brahmins were ushered in together with Vasiṣṭha; they said to the king, who was resplendent as a god, "May you be well."

7.65.4 They were Mārkaṇḍeya, Maudgalya, Vāmadeva, Kāśyapa, Kātyāyana, Jābāli, Gautama, and likewise Nārada.

7.65.5 All these foremost among the twice-born were seated in the assembly fires, and the ministers and guild leaders likewise took their places as was fitting.

7.65.6 When all of them, blazing with splendor, had taken their seats, Rāghava related everything — the reason why the brahmin was weeping.

7.65.7 Hearing that speech of the distressed king, Nārada replied with an auspicious word to the king in the presence of the sages.

7.65.8 "Hear, O king, how this destruction of a child has come about in this age. Having heard, O hero, O delight of the Raghu line, do what must be done."

7.65.9 "In the Kṛta age of old, O Rāma, only brahmins were ascetics; in that age, O king, no one who was not a brahmin was an ascetic under any circumstances."

7.65.10 In that age, blazing with brahmic power, unclouded, all were immortal and far-sighted in birth.

7.65.11 Then came the age known as the Tretā, of embodied human beings, wherein kṣatriyas are born, endowed with the austerity of a prior birth.

7.65.12 Those great-souled humans who excelled by valor and austerity in a previous birth — it was they who lived in that Tretā age.

7.65.13 All that brahmin and kṣatriya order — whatever existed in both the earlier and the latter of those two ages — was of equal power and endowed with equal might.

7.65.14 Yet seeing no further special distinction therein, they then established everywhere the institution of the four varṇas.

7.65.15 Then adharma cast one foot upon the earth; and because the twice-born became associated with adharma, they grew dull.

7.65.16 Then a limit was established for the span of life, and people, devoted to truth and righteousness, practiced only virtuous deeds.

7.65.17 In the Tretā age, while brahmins and kṣatriyas practiced austerity, the remaining people rendered service.

7.65.18 That supreme dharma then came down to the vaiśya and śūdra; and śūdras especially performed worship on behalf of all the varṇas.

7.65.19 Then adharma set down its second foot, and thereupon arose that age reckoned as the Dvāpara.

7.65.20 In that age numbered as the Dvāpara, as the yuga drew toward its end, adharma and untruth both increased, O bull among men.

7.65.21 In that same Dvāpara age, austerity entered into the vaiśyas; a śūdra does not attain the fierce austerity of dharma, O bull among men.

7.65.22 One born in a lower varṇa, O best of men, will practice very great austerity — for the practice of austerity by those born in a śūdra womb shall come in the Kali age."

7.65.23 "Supreme adharma in the Dvāpara, O Rāma, rests upon a śūdra. Indeed, O king, at the border of your realm there is a śūdra of wicked mind practicing great austerity — it is because of him that this death of a child has come about."

7.65.24 "For whatever wicked-minded man commits adharma or an unlawful act in the realm of a king, whether in the city — that man quickly goes to hell, as does the king himself, without doubt."

7.65.25 "Therefore, O tiger among men, search your own realm; wherever you find wrongdoing, there make every effort to act."

7.65.26 "Thus there shall be for you an increase of dharma, a lengthening of people's lifespan, O best of men, and the restoration of life to this child."

7.66.1 Having heard Nārada's words, which were as if full of nectar, he felt incomparable joy, and spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa.

7.66.2 "Go, dear Lakṣmaṇa, comfort the foremost brahmin, and place that child's body in a vessel of oil."

7.66.3 "With the most excellent fragrant substances and with sweet-smelling oils, let it be arranged, dear one, so that the child does not deteriorate."

7.66.4 "Act in such a way that no decay or decomposition comes to the body of the child who is thus preserved, O one of unblemished deeds."

7.66.5 Having so instructed Lakṣmaṇa of auspicious marks, the great-famed Kākutstha, the scion of Kākutstha's line, mentally called upon the Puṣpaka, thinking, "Come."

7.66.6 Understanding that sign, the golden-adorned Puṣpaka came within a moment to the presence of Rāghava.

7.66.7 Bowing down, it said: "Here I am, O lord of men. I, your obedient servant, am present, O mighty-armed one."

7.66.8 Hearing the pleasant words of Puṣpaka, the lord of men saluted those great sages and boarded the celestial chariot.

7.66.9 Taking his bow, his quiver, and his sword of brilliant radiance, having left in the city both heroes — Saumitri and Bharata —

7.66.10 — he set out toward the west, searching the desert regions on all sides, and then the glorious one went to the northern direction, girt by the Himālayas.

7.66.11 Finding not even the slightest wrongdoing there either, the lord of men then surveyed the entire eastern direction as well.

7.66.12 Then that son of a royal sage advanced toward the southern direction, and on the northern slope of mount Śaivala he saw a very great lake.

7.66.13 In that lake, the glorious Rāghava saw an ascetic performing very great austerity, hanging with his face downward.

7.66.14 Approaching him as he practiced the highest austerity, Rāghava spoke these words: "You are blessed, O observer of good vows."

7.66.15 "In what womb were you born, O firm and courageous one, that you advance in austerity? I ask you out of curiosity — I am Rāma, son of Daśaratha."

7.66.16 "What is the desired object you have in mind — the attainment of heaven, or the obtaining of a boon? What purpose have you taken refuge in, for which this austerity has been performed? I wish to hear, O ascetic."

7.66.17 "Are you a brahmin — blessings to you — or an invincible kṣatriya? Are you a vaiśya, or are you a śūdra? Tell me the truth of this."

7.67.1 Hearing that speech of Rāma, whose deeds are effortless, the one who had been standing with bowed head in that same posture now spoke these words.

7.67.2 "I was born in the womb of a Śūdra woman, and I have undertaken fierce austerity. O Rāma of great renown, I seek to attain divinity in this very body."

7.67.3 "I speak no falsehood, O king, in my desire to conquer the world of gods. Know me to be a Śūdra, O Kākutstha; by name I am called Śambūka."

7.67.4 While that Śūdra was still speaking, Rāghava drew his sword of beautiful brilliance, bright and pure from its scabbard, and severed his head.

7.67.5 At that very moment, the boy was reunited with life.

7.67.6 Then Rāma, lotus-eyed, went to the hermitage of Agastya, and having bowed to him with proper reverence, rejoiced happily.

7.67.7 Having saluted the great-souled sage who blazed as if with splendor, that lord of men received the highest hospitality and sat down.

7.67.8 The greatly resplendent Kumbhayoni, of great austerity, said to him: "Welcome to you, O best of men; by good fortune you have come, O Rāghava."

7.67.9 "You are held in great esteem by me, O Rāma, for your many excellent virtues; you are a guest worthy of honor, O king, and you dwell in my heart."

7.67.10 "The gods indeed speak of you as having arrived as the slayer of the Śūdra; and in accordance with the duty owed to a Brāhmaṇa, you have restored his son to life."

7.67.11 "Let one night be spent here in my presence, O Rāghava; at dawn you shall go to your own city in the Puṣpaka."

7.67.12 "And this ornament, O gentle one, fashioned by Viśvakarmā, divine, blazing with its own brilliance in divine form — accept it, O Kākutstha; do what is dear to me, O Rāghava."

7.67.13 "For the gift of something already given is said to yield very great fruit; therefore I shall present it according to due rite — receive it, O bull among men."

7.67.14 Then Rāma accepted from that great-souled sage the divine and wondrous ornament, blazing like the sun.

7.67.15 Having received that excellent ornament, Rāma then proceeded to ask about the origin of that divine object.

7.67.16 "This is most wondrous, O Brahman, endowed with an excellent form — how did the revered one come to possess it, and whence, and by whom was it brought?"

7.67.17 "Out of curiosity I ask you, O Brahman of great renown; for you are indeed the supreme treasury of many marvels."

7.67.18 When Kākutstha spoke thus, the sage then replied: "Hear, O Rāma, the full account of what happened long ago in the Tretā age that has passed."

7.68.1 "Long ago in the Tretā age there was a forest of great extent, one hundred yojanas in every direction, devoid of beasts and free of birds."

7.68.2 "While performing supreme austerity in that uninhabited forest, O gentle Rāma, I came to traverse that wilderness."

7.68.3 "The appearance of that forest was impossible to describe: it had fruits and roots of delicious taste, and trees of many varieties."

7.68.4 "In the middle of that forest was a lake extending a yojana, filled with lotuses and blue water-lilies, and completely free of algae."

7.68.5 "It was as if a supreme wonder, of incomparable delightfulness, free of dust, likewise undisturbed, adorned with flocks of beautiful birds."

7.68.6 "Near that lake was a great and wondrous hermitage, ancient, exceedingly holy, and utterly devoid of any ascetics."

7.68.7 "There I spent a night of the hot season, O bull among men; rising early at dawn I approached that lake."

7.68.8 "Then I beheld a corpse there, plump and ageless, standing somewhere at that body of water in great splendor, O king."

7.68.9 "Pondering that matter, O Rāghava, I stood for a moment on the bank of the lake thinking: 'What can this be?' O lord."

7.68.10 "Then after a moment I saw a divine and wonderful sight: an aerial chariot of supreme magnificence, yoked with swans, swift as thought."

7.68.11 "In that chariot, O joy of the Raghu line, O hero, a heavenly being of great distinction was attended by a thousand celestial nymphs adorned with divine ornaments; some sang charming songs while others played instruments."

7.68.12 "As I watched, O Rāma, O joy of the Raghu line, that heavenly being descended from the aerial chariot and began to eat that corpse."

7.68.13 "Then, having eaten as much flesh as he desired, in abundance and with full satisfaction, the heavenly being descended and proceeded to touch the water of the lake."

7.68.14 "Having performed his ablutions in the proper manner, that heavenly being, O bull among men, proceeded to ascend his excellent and supreme aerial chariot."

7.68.15 "Seeing him who resembled a god ascending, O bull among men, I then spoke these words to him."

7.68.16 "'Who are you, O one who resembles a god? And why do you partake of this reprehensible food, O gentle one? You ought to explain the purpose of this.'"

7.68.17 "'It is a wonder that one of such nature — resplendent, honored among the gods — should take reprehensible food, O gentle one; I wish to hear the truth of this.'"

7.69.1 "Having eaten and hearing my auspicious words, O Rāma, O joy of the Raghu line, that heavenly being replied with joined palms:"

7.69.2 "'Hear, O Brahman, the full account of this matter of my joy and sorrow, which is indeed difficult to transcend, since you ask me, O twice-born one.'"

7.69.3 "'In former times there was a king of the Vidarbha country, my father of great renown, known as Sudeva, mighty in the three worlds.'"

7.69.4 "'He had two sons born of two wives, O Brahman; I am known as Śveta, while the younger was Suratha.'"

7.69.5 "'When my father had gone to heaven, the citizens consecrated me; there I governed the kingdom with righteousness and complete composure.'"

7.69.6 "'Thus thousands of years passed, O one of excellent vows, O Brahman, as I administered the kingdom and protected the subjects with righteousness.'"

7.69.7 "'When for some reason I came to know my lifespan, O best of twice-born ones, I placed the law of Time in my heart and then went to the forest.'"

7.69.8 "'I entered this difficult forest, devoid of beasts and birds, to practice austerity near the blessed lake.'"

7.69.9 "'Having consecrated my brother Suratha as lord of men over the kingdom, I reached this lake and performed austerity for a long time.'"

7.69.10 "'After performing three thousands of years of most arduous austerity, O great sage, I attained the unsurpassed world of Brahmā.'"

7.69.11 "'Then, while I was dwelling in heaven, O best of twice-born ones, O supremely noble one, hunger and thirst tormented me; and so my senses were afflicted.'"

7.69.12 "'Going to the Grandfather, best of the three worlds, I said: "O revered one, is not this Brahmaloka free from hunger and thirst?"'"

7.69.13 "'"By what deed is this attained? I am subject to hunger and thirst — what is my food, O god? Tell me that, O Grandfather."'"

7.69.14 "'Then the Grandfather said to me: "O son of Sudeva, your food is the sweet flesh of your own body — eat of that perpetually."'"

7.69.15 "'"The body nourished by you while performing supreme austerity grows back without ever having been planted, O Śveta of great mind — it never fails to regenerate."'"

7.69.16 "'"You made not even the smallest gift in that forest inhabited by living creatures; therefore, O dear child, even having gone to heaven you are tormented by hunger and thirst."'"

7.69.17 "'"Therefore eat your own excellent body, well nourished by your austerities, whose essence is like ambrosia — that will bring you satisfaction."'"

7.69.18 "'"When, O Śveta, the great and invincible sage Agastya comes to traverse that forest, then you will be released from this ordeal."'"

7.69.19 "'"For he is capable of rescuing even the hosts of gods, O gentle one — how much more so you, O mighty-armed one, who have fallen under the sway of hunger and thirst!"'"

7.69.20 "'Thus I, having heard the determination of the revered god of gods, take my reprehensible food — my own body — O best of twice-born ones.'"

7.69.21 "'For many groups of years, O Brahman, O brahmarṣi, this body that I eat does not diminish, and my satisfaction is also complete.'"

7.69.22 "'Release me, who am in this distressful plight, from this ordeal; for there is no refuge for others here except the twice-born Kumbhayoni.'"

7.69.23 "'Accept this ornament, O gentle one, O best of twice-born ones, for the purpose of my deliverance; O brahmarṣi, you ought to show grace.'"

7.69.24 "I, having heard those words of that heavenly being filled with sorrow, accepted that excellent ornament for the purpose of his deliverance."

7.69.25 "When that auspicious ornament was accepted by me, the former human body of that royal sage perished then and there."

7.69.26 "When that body had perished, that royal sage — satisfied and filled with great joy, the king delighted — departed once more to the triple heaven."

7.69.27 "That divine and wondrous ornament was given to me, for that reason, by him who is equal to Indra, O Kākutstha."

7.70.1 Having heard that most wondrous speech of Agastya, the Rāghava, out of both reverence and amazement, began to inquire further.

7.70.2 "Blessed one, that dreadful forest where Śveta, the king of Vidarbha, practises austerities — how did it come to be devoid of deer and birds?

7.70.3 That forest has become utterly lifeless, empty, and abandoned by men; yet he entered it to perform ascetic practice. I desire to hear the truth of this."

7.70.4 Having heard Rāma's words filled with curiosity, that supremely resplendent one began to speak.

7.70.5 "Long ago, Rāma, in the Kṛta age, there was the lord Manu, wielder of the rod of punishment. His great son was Ikṣvāku, the increaser of the lineage.

7.70.6 Placing that son in the ancestral kingdom on earth, that unconquerable realm, he said: 'Be the founder of royal lineages upon the earth.'

7.70.7 And that was assented to by the son, pledging 'so be it' to his father, O Rāghava. Then Manu, greatly delighted, spoke again.

7.70.8 'I am pleased; you are a doer of the most excellent deeds — of this there is no doubt. Protect the subjects by the rod of chastisement, but do not apply the rod without cause.'

7.70.9 'The punishment that is inflicted upon erring men, when it is administered lawfully and duly, leads the king to heaven.'

7.70.10 'Therefore, O mighty-armed one, be diligent in the matter of the rod of punishment, my son; for in so doing the highest dharma in the world will accrue to you.'

7.70.11 Having thus instructed his son at length with composure, Manu departed joyfully to the triple heaven, to the unsurpassed world of Brahmā.

7.70.12 After Manu had departed to heaven, the boundlessly radiant Ikṣvāku became absorbed in the thought: 'How shall I beget sons?'

7.70.13 By various and manifold acts, that son of Manu, righteous in soul, begot one hundred sons resembling the sons of gods.

7.70.14 Of all of them the youngest, dear child, O Delight of the Raghu line, was foolish, unlearned, and did not serve his elders obediently.

7.70.15 His father gave him the name Daṇḍa, that one of little lustre, saying: 'Surely the falling of the rod of punishment upon his body will come to pass.'

7.70.16 Seeing that dreadful fault in his son, O Rāghava, O Subduer of Foes, Ikṣvāku gave him a kingdom between the Vindhya and the Śaivala mountains.

7.70.17 Daṇḍa became king there on that beautiful mountain terrain, and he founded a matchless, superb city, O Rāma.

7.70.18 He gave the city the name Madhumanta, O lord, and he chose the virtuous Uśanas as his royal chaplain.

7.70.19 Thus that king governed his kingdom together with his chaplain, thronged with joyful people, like the kingdom of the gods in heaven.

7.71.1 Having narrated this to Rāma, the great seer born of the water-jar proceeded in this same tale to speak another word.

7.71.2 Then that Daṇḍa, O descendant of Kākutstha, that dull-minded one, ruled his kingdom there for many thousands of years, with its enemies subdued.

7.71.3 Then at a certain time, the king approached the charming hermitage of Bhārgava in the pleasant month of Caitra.

7.71.4 There Daṇḍa saw the daughter of Bhārgava, incomparable in beauty upon the earth, wandering in a secluded part of the forest, that most excellent one.

7.71.5 That one of very dull wit, seeing her and smitten by the arrow of the bodiless god of love, approached her in great agitation and spoke these words to the maiden.

7.71.6 'From where are you, O fair-hipped one? Whose daughter are you, O auspicious one? Tormented by the bodiless god, I ask you, O slender-waisted one.'

7.71.7 To him speaking thus, that lustful one maddened by delusion, the daughter of Bhārgava replied to the king with these gentle, conciliatory words.

7.71.8 'Know me as the daughter of Bhārgava, that divine one of unwearied actions; I am the eldest, called Arajā, dwelling in the hermitage, O king of kings.'

7.71.9 'My father is your elder and teacher, O king of kings, and you are a pupil of that great-souled one; he is a great ascetic who, when angered, would bring very great calamity upon you.'

7.71.10 'If anything is to be done with me in a righteous manner, on the proper path, then, O best of kings, seek my father's consent — that one of great radiance.'

7.71.11 'Otherwise a dreadful consequence would befall you; for my father in his wrath could burn up even the three worlds.'

7.71.12 Thus addressed by Arajā, Daṇḍa, pierced by the arrow of desire, intoxicated with passion, replied, placing his joined hands upon his head.

7.71.13 'Show me favour, O fair-hipped one; you should not waste the moment. On your account my very life is being torn asunder, O one of auspicious face.'

7.71.14 'Even death or dreadful sin upon obtaining you — honour me who am devoted, O timid one, devoted and utterly overwhelmed.'

7.71.15 Having spoken thus to the maiden, that mighty one seized her by force with his arms, and as she struggled, he proceeded to violate her according to his desire.

7.71.16 Having committed that great outrage, most terrible and cruel, Daṇḍa quickly went back to his superb city of Madhumanta.

7.71.17 And Arajā too, weeping, waited in great terror not far from the hermitage for her father, that one resembling a god.

7.72.1 After a short while the divine seer of boundless radiance, accompanied by his disciples, hungry and afflicted, returned to his own hermitage.

7.72.2 He saw Arajā, dejected, covered with dust, like moonlight obscured by the red glow of dawn, no longer shining.

7.72.3 Wrath arose in him, especially since he was afflicted with hunger, as if burning up the three worlds, and he spoke these words to his disciples.

7.72.4 'Behold the calamity of the perverted Daṇḍa who has not known his own self — terrible to behold, like an enraged tongue of fire.'

7.72.5 'Destruction has come upon this evil-minded, wicked-souled one together with his retinue — he who desires to touch the blazing flame of the sacred fire.'

7.72.6 'Because he has committed such a dreadful-to-behold sin, therefore that dull-minded one shall reap the fruit of his sinful deed.'

7.72.7 'Within seven nights that king, that evil-minded one, doer of sinful deeds, together with his servants, army, and conveyances, shall meet his death.'

7.72.8 'The kingdom of this evil-minded one, a hundred yojanas in every direction, shall be burnt up by the great rain of dust sent by the Chastiser of Pāka.'

7.72.9 'All beings here, both the stationary and the moving, shall entirely perish by the great rain of dust.'

7.72.10 'The entirety of Daṇḍa's kingdom shall become invisible as if turned to dust within seven nights.'

7.72.11 Having spoken thus, burning with wrath, he said to the people dwelling in that hermitage: 'Let them remain at the borders of the realm.'

7.72.12 Having heard the word of Uśanas, those people dwelling in the hermitage departed from his kingdom and took up residence outside it.

7.72.13 Having spoken thus to the assembly of sages, he said to Arajā: 'Remain here, O one of lovely limbs, in the hermitage, with a composed mind.'

7.72.14 'This lake, extending a yojana in compass, of most lovely radiance, enjoy it, O Arajā, free from grief, and let the time be awaited here.'

7.72.15 'And whatever beings come to dwell near you on that night, they shall be forever exempt from destruction by the rain of dust.'

7.72.16 Having spoken thus, Bhārgava went to take up residence elsewhere. Within seven days it was reduced to ashes, as had been declared by that speaker of sacred truth.

7.72.17 That kingdom of Daṇḍa on the ridges of the Vindhya and Śaivala mountains was cursed long ago by that brahmarṣi when that transgression of dharma was committed.

7.72.18 'From that time forward, O descendant of Kākutstha, it is called the Daṇḍaka forest; where ascetics dwelt, and where there was Janasthāna.'

7.72.19 'All that you asked of me, O Rāghava, has been told. The time for performing the twilight devotion passes, O hero; it must not be neglected.'

7.72.20 'All these great seers with their water vessels filled stand on all sides; having performed the water rite, they attend upon the sun, O tiger among men.'

7.72.21 'Attended upon by those seers together, those best of brahman-knowers, the sun has set, O Rāma; go and touch the water.'"

7.73.1 Heeding the sage's word, Rāma set out to perform the twilight rite at the sacred lake frequented by the apsarases.

7.73.2 Having touched the water there and performed the evening twilight observance, Rāma entered the hermitage of the great-souled Kumbhayoni — Agastya, born of a jar.

7.73.3 For him Agastya prepared abundantly rich fruits, roots, medicinal herbs, and pure pot-herbs for the evening meal.

7.73.4 That foremost of men ate of that food resembling nectar, and, gratified and fully content, spent that night there.

7.73.5 Rising early at dawn, having performed his daily morning duties, the best of the Raghu line — the subduer of foes — approached the sage to take his leave.

7.73.6 Saluting the great sage born of the kumbha — the jar — Rāma said: "I take my leave of you; I shall depart. Be pleased to give me your permission."

7.73.7 "I am blessed, I have been favoured by the sight of the great-souled one. And I shall come here again to behold you, for the purification of my own self."

7.73.8 As the descendant of Kākutstha spoke these words, wondrous to behold, the sage rich in austerities, whose eye is dharma, answered in utmost delight:

7.73.9 "This speech of yours, O Rāma, is altogether wonderful, auspicious in every syllable. You yourself, O joy of the Raghu line, are the purifier of all worlds."

7.73.10 "Those beings who behold you even for a single moment, O Rāma, are purified and become as heaven itself; they are worshipped by the gods in the celestial realm."

7.73.11 "But those living beings on earth who gaze upon you with hostile eyes are struck down forthwith by the rod of Yama and go directly to hell."

7.73.12 "Go then, untroubled, upon a path free from all peril. Rule your kingdom by dharma, for you are the very refuge of the world."

7.73.13 Thus addressed by the sage, the wise king, composed and with palms joined in reverence, paid obeisance to that sage of holy conduct.

7.73.14 After reverencing the foremost among sages and all those who were rich in austerities, the unperturbed hero ascended that Puṣpaka chariot adorned with gold.

7.73.15 As he departed, the hosts of sages honoured him on all sides with blessings, as the immortals honour thousand-eyed Indra blazing like Mahendra.

7.73.16 Serene, Rāma was a sight to behold upon the gold-adorned Puṣpaka, like the moon stationed near a cloud in the season of rain.

7.73.17 Then, when midday had arrived, honoured from every quarter, the descendant of Kākutstha reached Ayodhyā and descended from the aerial car.

7.73.18 Then, having dismissed the beautiful Puṣpaka that travels at will, Rāma addressed a doorkeeper stationed in the inner courtyard:

7.73.19 "Go to Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata — both of swift step — inform them of my arrival and then announce me for a long while."

7.74.1 Hearing that speech of Rāma — whose deeds cause no affliction — the doorkeeper summoned the two princes and reported it to the descendant of Raghu.

7.74.2 Seeing the beloved Bharata and Lakṣmaṇa arrive, the descendant of Raghu — Rāma — embraced them and then spoke these words:

7.74.3 "I have duly performed the most excellent duty owed to the twice-born; yet I wish to build the bridge of dharma still further, O descendants of Raghu."

7.74.4 "Together with you two, who are as my own selves, I desire to perform the most excellent Rājasūya sacrifice — for therein eternal dharma resides."

7.74.5 "Mitra, the destroyer of foes, having sacrificed at the Rājasūya with well-offered oblations and a well-conducted rite, attained the sovereignty of Varuṇa."

7.74.6 "And Soma too, knower of dharma, having sacrificed rightly by the Rājasūya, attained everlasting glory among all worlds and an eternal station."

7.74.7 "Whatever is most beneficial on this day — let it be deliberated together with me; what is wholesome, what is fitting — you should speak freely, with care."

7.74.8 Having heard these words of the descendant of Raghu, Bharata — skilled in the art of speech — joined his palms together and spoke these words:

7.74.9 "In you, O virtuous one, dharma supreme resides; in you the entire earth is established, O mighty-armed one; and in you rests glory, O you of immeasurable valour."

7.74.10 "All the great-souled guardians of the earth look to you as the immortals look to Prajāpati — as the lord of worlds — just as we do."

7.74.11 "And the subjects regard you as a father, O great-powered king; you are the refuge on this earth for all living beings, O descendant of Raghu."

7.74.12 "How can you, O king, perform such a sacrifice in which the destruction of royal lineages throughout the earth is foreseen?"

7.74.13 "Those men of prowess upon the earth, O king — for all of them there will be destruction there, like the universal dissolution at the end of all things."

7.74.14 "You, O tiger among men, of matchless valour and virtue — you should not destroy the earth, for it stands already under your sway."

7.74.15 Hearing those words of Bharata, sweet as nectar, Rāma of true valour was filled with incomparable joy.

7.74.16 And he spoke an auspicious word to the one who increased Kaikeyī's delight: "I am pleased, I am fully content by your speech today."

7.74.17 "This word spoken by you, O tiger among men, is without feebleness, grounded in dharma, and is truly the protection of the earth."

7.74.18 "From that intention, O knower of dharma, I now desist from the Rājasūya, that best of sacrifices, indeed by virtue of your well-spoken words."

7.74.19 "The protection of subjects is the dharma of kings, equal in worth to sacrifice. Therefore I heed your word, well and wisely spoken."

7.75.1 While Rāma was speaking thus and Bharata, the great-souled one, had spoken, Lakṣmaṇa too spoke an auspicious word to the joy of the Raghu line:

7.75.2 "The Aśvamedha — the great sacrifice, purifier of all sins — let that foremost of rites find favour with you, O invincible one; it shall purify you too."

7.75.3 "For it is heard in the tradition of former times that the great-souled Vāsava — Śakra — when enveloped by the sin of brahmanicide, was purified by the Aśvamedha."

7.75.4 "In ancient times, O mighty-armed one, there was in the great gathering of gods and asuras a great Daitya named Vṛtra, revered by all the worlds."

7.75.5 "A hundred yojanas in breadth and three times that in height, he regarded the three worlds with affection and looked upon all with tender love."

7.75.6 "Knowing dharma and knowing gratitude, perfected in intellect, he ruled all the earth steadily by dharma."

7.75.7 "While he was reigning, the earth yielded all desires; roots and fruits were produced full of nourishment."

7.75.8 "The earth ripened without tilling, abundantly rich; that great-souled one enjoyed a kingdom so prosperous and wondrous to behold."

7.75.9 "Then a resolve arose in his mind: I shall practise the most excellent austerity, for austerity is the highest good, austerity is the highest bliss."

7.75.10 "Entrusting his eldest son as supreme lord over the citizens, he undertook fierce austerity, scorching all the gods with its heat."

7.75.11 "While Vṛtra was performing austerities, Vāsava, exceedingly troubled, approached Viṣṇu and spoke these words:"

7.75.12 "'By his austerities, O mighty-armed one, the worlds have been conquered by Vṛtra; he is powerful and virtuous in soul — I am not able to vanquish him."

7.75.13 "'If he continues his austerities still further, O lord of gods, then as long as the worlds endure they will be subject to his sway."

7.75.14 "'And you, of immense power, hold this most magnanimous one in disregard — yet Vṛtra would not last even a moment were you wrathful, O lord of gods."

7.75.15 "'For ever since I entered into the bond of friendship with you, O Viṣṇu, I have obtained from that time forward the lordship over all the worlds."

7.75.16 "'You then, O one of surpassing glory, extend your grace to the worlds; for by your action the entire universe would become at peace and free from decay."

7.75.17 "'All these dwellers in heaven look to you, O Viṣṇu; by the great slaying of Vṛtra render them your aid."

7.75.18 "'For you have always rendered aid to these great-souled ones; this burden is unbearable for others — you are the refuge of those who have no other refuge.'"

7.76.1 Having heard those words of Lakṣmaṇa, the destroyer of enemies [Rāma] said to Lakṣmaṇa: "Recount to me in full the slaying of Vṛtra."

7.76.2 Thus addressed by Rāghava, Lakṣmaṇa — the increaser of Sumitrā's joy — once again narrated the divine tale.

7.76.3 Having heard the words of the thousand-eyed Indra and of all the celestials, Viṣṇu addressed all the gods, with Indra at their head, saying:

7.76.4 "I was formerly bound in friendship with the great-souled Vṛtra; therefore, for the sake of your welfare, I will not myself slay the great asura.

7.76.5 Yet the highest good of all of you must certainly be accomplished; therefore I shall declare the means by which you shall slay Vṛtra.

7.76.6 I shall divide myself into three parts, O best of gods; by that means the thousand-eyed one shall slay Vṛtra — of this there is no doubt.

7.76.7 One portion shall enter Vāsava [Indra], the second shall enter the thunderbolt itself, and the third shall enter the earth; thus Śakra shall slay Vṛtra."

7.76.8 When the lord of the gods spoke thus, the gods then replied: "It shall be exactly as you say — there is no doubt — O slayer of the daityas."

7.76.9 "May it be well with you; we shall go, intent on slaying the asura Vṛtra. Do you bestow your own energy upon the supremely noble Vāsava."

7.76.10 Then all those great-souled ones, with the thousand-eyed Indra at their head, advanced into that forest where the great asura Vṛtra dwelled.

7.76.11 They beheld that foremost of asuras blazing with his own radiance, as though drinking up the three worlds and burning the very sky.

7.76.12 At the very sight of that foremost asura the gods were seized with terror, [wondering:] "How shall we slay him? How shall we avoid defeat?"

7.76.13 While they stood there deliberating, Sahasrākṣa Purandara grasped the thunderbolt with both arms and hurled it at the head of Vṛtra.

7.76.14 As though scorched by the dreadful fire of cosmic dissolution blazing with great flames, the world was terrified when [the thunderbolt] struck Vṛtra's head.

7.76.15 Contemplating that inconceivable slaying of Vṛtra, the lord of the wise gods — the greatly renowned one — quickly fled to the far end of the world.

7.76.16 The sin of Brahmin-slaughter [brahmahatyā] followed swiftly after that fleeing Indra and fell upon his limbs; grief entered into that Indra.

7.76.17 The gods, their foe slain but their Indra vanished, with Agni at their head, praised Viṣṇu — the best of the three worlds — again and again.

7.76.18 "You are the supreme refuge, O god; you are the primordial lord of the universe; you have attained the state of Viṣṇu for the benefit and sustenance of all beings."

7.76.19 "And this Vṛtra has been slain by you; yet the sin of Brahmin-slaughter afflicts Vāsava. O tiger among gods, prescribe the means of his liberation."

7.76.20 Hearing those words of the gods, Viṣṇu said: "Let Śakra worship me alone; I shall purify the wielder of the thunderbolt."

7.76.21 "Having worshipped me with the meritorious horse-sacrifice, Pākaśāsana [Indra] shall regain the sovereignty over the gods, free from fear from any quarter."

7.76.22 Having thus instructed the gods with those nectar-like words, Viṣṇu, the lord of the gods, departed to the highest heaven while being hymned with praises.

7.77.1 Having thus fully narrated the entire slaying of Vṛtra, that best of men, Lakṣmaṇa, proceeded to take up the remainder of the tale.

7.77.2 Then, with the mighty Vṛtra — who had been the terror of the gods — slain, Śakra, the slayer of Vṛtra, was enveloped in the sin of Brahmin-slaughter and could not recover his senses.

7.77.3 Having sought refuge at the end of the worlds, bereft of awareness and consciousness, he dwelt there for some time, writhing like a serpent.

7.77.4 Then, with Sahasrākṣa [Indra] disappeared, the world became filled with distress; the earth appeared devastated, without moisture, with dried-up forests.

7.77.5 The clouds shed no water, the lakes and rivers alike ran dry, and there was upheaval among all creatures, caused by the absence of rain.

7.77.6 While this world was wasting away, the gods, their minds agitated, set about performing that sacrifice which Viṣṇu had previously prescribed.

7.77.7 Then all the hosts of gods, together with their preceptors and the sages, went in a body to that place where Indra lay stupefied by terror.

7.77.8 Seeing Sahasrākṣa stupefied by the sin of Brahmin-slaughter, they placed him at their head and performed the horse-sacrifice on behalf of the lord of the gods.

7.77.9 Then that great horse-sacrifice of the great-souled Mahendra grew and flourished for the purpose of purifying him from the sin of Brahmin-slaughter, O lord of men.

7.77.10 Then, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the Brahmin-slaughter [brahmahatyā] of the great-souled one approached [the gods] and said: "Where shall you assign me a dwelling place?"

7.77.11 Then the gods, satisfied and filled with delight, said to her: "Divide yourself into four parts of your own accord, O formidable one."

7.77.12 Having heard the words of the great-souled gods, Brahmin-slaughter, the dreadful one, sought to choose a different abode in their presence.

7.77.13 "With one portion I shall dwell in rivers swollen with water; with a second portion in trees — I tell you this as truth."

7.77.14 "This third portion of mine shall dwell in women in the flush of youth, for the three nights [of their monthly season] when they are intoxicated with pride — I, the destroyer of pride."

7.77.15 "Those who deliberately slay Brahmins that are blameless — with that fourth portion shall I take refuge in them, O bulls among gods."

7.77.16 The gods then replied to her: "Let it all be exactly as you say, O terrible one; accomplish what you desire."

7.77.17 Then the gods, filled with joy, paid homage to Sahasrākṣa; and Vāsava became free from fever and purified of sin.

7.77.18 And when Sahasrākṣa was reinstated, the entire world became calm; then Śakra duly honored that wondrous sacrifice.

7.77.19 "Such indeed is the power of the horse-sacrifice, O joy of the Raghu lineage; do you, O greatly blessed sovereign, perform the horse-sacrifice."

7.78.1 Having heard those words spoken by Lakṣmaṇa, the greatly resplendent Rāghava, skilled in speech, replied with a smile.

7.78.2 "It is exactly so, O best of men, just as you say, Lakṣmaṇa — [you have narrated] the full account of the slaying of Vṛtra and whatever is the fruit of the horse-sacrifice."

7.78.3 "For it is heard, O gentle one, that in former times there was a son of Kardama Prajāpati — Ila by name, the lord of the Bāhlīkas, glorious and supremely righteous."

7.78.4 "That greatly renowned king, having brought the entire earth under his sway, governed his kingdom like a father cares for his son, O tiger among men."

7.78.5 "By the supremely noble gods, by the daityas and the great asuras, by the nāgas, rākṣasas, gandharvas, and the great-souled yakṣas —"

7.78.6 "— he was constantly honored by them all, stricken with fear, O gentle one, O joy of the Raghu lineage; and the three worlds trembled before that great-souled one when he was wrathful."

7.78.7 "Such was that king — steadfast in righteousness and valor, supremely noble in intellect, the greatly renowned lord of the Bāhlīkas."

7.78.8 "That long-armed one set out on a hunt in a beautiful forest during the delightful month of Caitra, together with his retinue, army, and elephants."

7.78.9 "That king slew deer in the forest by the hundreds of thousands; yet even having slain so many, that great-souled king felt no satisfaction."

7.78.10 "While ten thousand beasts of various kinds were being slain by that great-souled one, he came upon the region where great Skanda [Mahāsena] was born."

7.78.11 "In that place, Hara — the lord of the lords of gods — was sporting with Pārvatī [the daughter of the mountain king] together with all his formidable attendants."

7.78.12 "The lord of Umā, he whose banner bears the bull, having transformed himself into a woman, desiring to please the goddess, [dwelt] in that mountain cascade."

7.78.13 "And whatever creatures there were in that region of the forest that were called male, and whatever else existed there — all of it became feminine in nature."

7.78.14 "Meanwhile, the king Ila, son of Kardama, slaying thousands of deer, arrived at that very region."

7.78.15 "He saw that everything there — serpents, deer, and birds — had been made feminine, and that he himself along with his retinue had likewise become female, O joy of the Raghu lineage."

7.78.16 "He was seized with great grief on seeing himself reduced to such a state, and knowing it to be the act of Umāpati [Śiva], he was overcome with terror."

7.78.17 "Then the king, together with his retinue, army, and elephants, took refuge with that great-souled god — the blue-throated one, Kapardī [Śiva with matted locks]."

7.78.18 "Then the boon-granting one, greatly renowned, smiling and together with the goddess, himself spoke these words to the son of Prajāpati:"

7.78.19 "'Arise, arise, O royal seer, O son of Kardama, O greatly powerful one! Choose a boon, O gentle one of good vows — any boon except manhood [itself].'"

7.78.20 "Then that king, afflicted with grief, having been refused by the great-souled one, did not accept any other boon from that best of gods, while remaining in female form."

7.78.21 "Then, with great grief, the king prostrated himself before Mahādevī — the daughter of the king of mountains — with his whole inner self."

7.78.22 "'You are the sovereign and bestower of boons upon the worlds, O beautiful one; O goddess of unerring vision, O gentle one, I adore you — homage be to you!'"

7.78.23 "Knowing what was in the heart of that royal seer, the goddess — honored by Rudra — spoke these auspicious words in the presence of Hara:"

7.78.24 "'The god grants boons of one half, and I likewise grant boons of the other half; therefore take the half boon [available from me] — alternating between womanhood and manhood for as long as you wish.'"

7.78.25 "Having heard that most wondrous and unsurpassed boon from the goddess, the king, his mind filled with great delight, then spoke:"

7.78.26 "'If you, O goddess — peerless in beauty on earth — are pleased with me, then [may I] having passed one month in womanhood, again become a man for one month.'"

7.78.27 "Knowing his desire, the goddess of lovely countenance spoke these auspicious words: 'So shall it be.'"

7.78.28 "'O king, when you are in the form of a man you shall not remember your female existence, and when you are in the form of a woman for the other month you shall not remember your manhood.'"

7.78.29 "Thus that king, the son of Kardama, having been a man for one month, became for one month a woman beautiful as the three worlds — she became Ilā."

7.79.1 Having heard that tale connected with Ilā, as narrated by Rāma, both Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata were filled with the utmost wonder.

7.79.2 With folded hands they asked Rāma once more to tell them in full detail about the nature of that great-souled king's condition.

7.79.3 How did that king endure his wretched state when he had become a woman? And when he became a man again, how did he conduct himself?

7.79.4 Hearing their words, filled as they were with eager curiosity, Kākutstha narrated the full course of that king's story just as it had unfolded.

7.79.5 During that very first month, having become a woman of surpassing beauty, she wandered surrounded by those followers of hers who had likewise become women.

7.79.6 The woman of incomparable beauty, her eyes like lotus petals, plunged swiftly into that forest thick with trees, shrubs, and creepers, and roamed it on foot.

7.79.7 Having abandoned all her mounts on every side, Ilā took her pleasure in the hollow of that mountain's broad flank.

7.79.8 Then, in that woodland region not far from the mountain, she beheld a lake of wondrous beauty, thronged with flocks of birds of every kind —

7.79.9 — and there in that lake Ilā saw Budha, the son of Soma, blazing with his own radiance like the full moon when it rises.

7.79.10 He was performing fierce austerities within the water, unapproachable, moving at will, standing in the full bloom of his youth.

7.79.11 Astonished, she stirred the entire lake into commotion together with those former men who had become women, O joy of the Raghu lineage.

7.79.12 But Budha, gazing upon her and pierced by the arrows of desire, lost command of himself at that moment and trembled in the water.

7.79.13 Gazing upon the radiant Ilā, who surpassed in beauty even the goddesses of the three worlds, he fell into deep thought: "Who is this being who exceeds even the divine?"

7.79.14 "I have never before seen anyone — not among the goddesses, not among the Nāgī women, not among the Asura women, not even among the Apsarases — adorned with this beauty."

7.79.15 "She would be a fitting match for me, if she belongs to no other." Settling his mind on this resolve, he came up from the water onto the bank.

7.79.16 Having come to the hermitage, the righteous-souled one called out to four of the women; they, in turn, paid homage to him.

7.79.17 The righteous one asked them: "Whose is this woman of incomparable beauty? For what purpose has she come here? Tell me the truth without delay."

7.79.18 Hearing those words of his, auspicious and sweet, with syllables gentle as honey, all those women replied in equally sweet voices.

7.79.19 "This fair-hipped one is always our mistress and our lord. She has no husband; she roams the forest glades with us."

7.79.20 Hearing those words of the women, whose meaning was unclear, that twice-born one mentally recited the holy recollective spell called Āvartanī.

7.79.21 Having thereby learned the full truth of the king's story just as it had come about, the foremost of sages addressed all those women.

7.79.22 "Were men, O fortunate ones, dwelling on the slope of this mountain? You shall remain on this mountain; let a dwelling be prepared."

7.79.23 "You shall all live always on roots, fruit, and bulbs; and you women shall obtain as husbands beings known as Kiṃpuruṣas."

7.79.24 Hearing the words of the son of Soma, those many women, transformed into Kiṃpuruṣī females, thenceforth attended upon that mountain in many different ways.

7.80.1 Having heard the origin of the Kiṃpuruṣas, both Lakṣmaṇa and Bharata exclaimed "How wonderful!" to Rāma, lord of the people.

7.80.2 Then Rāma of great renown, righteous of soul, once more narrated this tale about the son of Prajāpati.

7.80.3 Seeing all those women flee, that best of sages addressed the woman endowed with incomparable beauty, almost as if smiling.

7.80.4 "I am the beloved son of Soma, O fair-faced one; worship me, O beautiful-limbed woman, with devoted and tender eyes."

7.80.5 Hearing his words, abandoned by her own people and alone in that wilderness, Ilā answered that great luminary of wondrous splendor.

7.80.6 "I am free to act as I will, O gentle one; I am under your power. Command me, O son of Soma; do with me as you desire."

7.80.7 Hearing those words of hers, so wondrous in their tenor, the son of the Moon, filled with joy and consumed by love, sported with her.

7.80.8 For Budha the month of Mādhava passed like an instant, as he delighted exceedingly with that bright-faced Ilā, so great was his passion.

7.80.9 Then, when the month was complete, the glorious son of Prajāpati, his face like the full moon, awoke upon his bed.

7.80.10 He saw Budha, the son of Soma, there performing austerities in the lake, arms raised, unsupported; and the king addressed him.

7.80.11 "Revered one, I entered a difficult mountain together with my retinue, but I cannot see that army. Where have those who belong to me gone?"

7.80.12 Hearing those words of that royal seer who had lost his memory, Budha replied with gentle, reassuring speech.

7.80.13 "Your retainers were struck down by a great shower of stones, and you fell asleep in this hermitage, afflicted by fear of the wind and rain."

7.80.14 "Be reassured; good fortune to you — be without fear, free of grief. Live here, O hero, eating fruit and roots, at your ease."

7.80.15 Reassured by those words, that king of great renown replied with gentle words, yet grieved at the loss of his retainers.

7.80.16 "I shall abandon my own kingdom; I cannot endure even a moment without my retainers. O Brahmin, you should permit me to depart."

7.80.17 "My eldest son, devoted to righteousness and of great renown, O Brahmin, known as Śaśabindu — let him receive my kingdom."

7.80.18 "For I could not bear to go and speak any ill word to my retainers' wives who live in comfort, O great and radiant one."

7.80.19 While the lord of kings spoke thus, Budha said something most wondrous by way of consolation: "Let your dwelling here be pleasing to you."

7.80.20 "You must not grieve, O son of Kardama, O great and mighty one. After you have dwelt here a full year, I will accomplish what is beneficial for you."

7.80.21 Hearing those words of Budha of untiring deeds, the king resolved to remain, as the expounder of sacred knowledge had said.

7.80.22 For one month he would become a beautiful woman and take pleasure without cease; for one month he would take on the form of a man and turn his mind to dharma.

7.80.23 Then, in the ninth month, the fair-hipped Ilā gave birth to a son — Purūravas — begotten by the son of Soma.

7.80.24 No sooner was he born than the fair-hipped one placed him in his father's hands — that mighty son of Ilā, equal in complexion to Budha.

7.80.25 Budha, self-possessed, also comforted the king when he had resumed his male form, entertaining him with stories full of righteousness.

7.81.1 While Rāma spoke thus of that wondrous birth, Lakṣmaṇa and the greatly renowned Bharata spoke up again.

7.81.2 "Having dwelt a full year as the beloved of the son of Soma, what did she do, O best of men? You should relate that to us."

7.81.3 Listening to the sweetness of those words from the two who questioned him, Rāma then narrated this story about the daughter of Prajāpati.

7.81.4 When the hero had passed into the state of manhood, Budha of supreme intelligence and great renown summoned the supremely noble Saṃvarta.

7.81.5 And also Cyavana, the son of Bhṛgu, and the sage Āriṣṭanemi, and Pramodana the gladdener, and then the sage Durvāsas.

7.81.6 Having assembled all of them — skilled in speech and seers of truth — he addressed all his friends with composure and steadiness of mind.

7.81.7 "This great-armed king is Ila, the son of Kardama. Know his true situation and let what is beneficial for him be arranged."

7.81.8 Even as they were conversing, Kardama of immense splendor came to that hermitage together with great-souled twice-born sages.

7.81.9 Pulastya, Kratu, Vaṣaṭkāra, and the greatly splendid Oṃkāra also came to that hermitage.

7.81.10 All of them, their minds gladdened at meeting one another, well-wishers of the lord of Bāhli, then each spoke separately.

7.81.11 But Kardama spoke words supremely beneficial for the sake of his son: "O twice-born ones, hear my words, for they are what is best for the king."

7.81.12 "I see no remedy except the Lord whose banner bears the bull; and no sacrifice is higher than the Aśvamedha, which is also dear to that great-souled one."

7.81.13 "Therefore let us all perform that most formidable sacrifice for the sake of the king." Thus addressed by Kardama, all the foremost of the twice-born approved of that sacrifice as a means of propitiating Rudra.

7.81.14 The royal seer Marutta, conqueror of enemy citadels, the disciple of Saṃvarta and renowned by that name, then brought forward the materials for that sacrifice.

7.81.15 Then a great sacrifice was performed near the hermitage of Budha, and Rudra of great renown came, filled with supreme satisfaction.

7.81.16 Then, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, the lord of Umā, pleased and filled with the greatest joy, spoke thus to all the twice-born regarding Ilā.

7.81.17 "I am delighted by the Hayamedha and by your devotion, O best of the twice-born. What good and pleasing thing shall I do for this lord of Bāhli?"

7.81.18 While the lord of the gods spoke thus, those twice-born with concentrated minds propitiated the lord of the gods so that Ilā might become a man.

7.81.19 Then Rudra, his heart delighted, of immense splendor, bestowed manhood once more upon Ilā, and having given this boon, vanished from sight.

7.81.20 When the Hayamedha was concluded and Hara had disappeared, all those far-sighted twice-born returned whence they had come.

7.81.21 The king, abandoning Bāhli, established a city renowned for its glory, Pratiṣṭhāna, in the most excellent Madhyadeśa.

7.81.22 Śaśabindu, conqueror of enemy citadels, became king in Bāhli, while the mighty Ila, son of Prajāpati, became king at Pratiṣṭhāna.

7.81.23 Ila in due time attained the unsurpassed world of Brahmā, and the king Purūravas, son of Ila, obtained Pratiṣṭhāna.

7.81.24 "Such indeed is the power of the Aśvamedha, O you two bulls among men: one who had become a woman thereby regained manhood — and other boons difficult to obtain besides."

7.82.1 Having related all this, Kākutstha of immeasurable splendour then spoke again to Lakṣmaṇa among his brothers, these words rooted in righteousness.

7.82.2 "Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva, and Jābāli, and likewise Kaśyapa, and all the foremost of the twice-born who are to be honoured at the Aśvamedha—

7.82.3 having summoned all of them and taken counsel, O Lakṣmaṇa, I shall release the horse, auspiciously appointed, with full concentration of mind."

7.82.4 Hearing those words spoken by Rāghava, Lakṣmaṇa of swift valour summoned all the twice-born and presented them before Rāghava.

7.82.5 Beholding Rāghava, who shone like a god and was utterly unapproachable, they who had reverenced his feet honoured him with blessings.

7.82.6 Then, with palms joined in reverence, Rāghava addressed those most excellent of twice-born with words pertaining to righteousness and bearing on the Aśvamedha.

7.82.7 Having heard the wondrous and illuminating counsel of those foremost twice-born regarding the Aśvamedha, he became greatly pleased.

7.82.8 Understanding their considered opinion, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa: "O mighty-armed one, dispatch a message to the great-souled Sugrīva:

7.82.9 "'Come swiftly with many great monkeys and their attendants, for your welfare, to partake in this most excellent sacrifice.'

7.82.10 "And let the mighty-armed Vibhīṣaṇa of swift valour, surrounded by many rākṣasas who move at will, come to attend the Aśvamedha."

7.82.11 "And the kings, O tiger among men, who desire to do what is dear to me—let them come promptly with their retinues to that unsurpassed sacrificial ground."

7.82.12 "And those twice-born devoted to righteousness who have gone to other lands—invite all of them, O Lakṣmaṇa, to the Aśvamedha."

7.82.13 "And the sages, O mighty-armed one, the ascetics whose wealth is their austerity—those who have gone to other lands, and the great seers with their wives—let them be summoned."

7.82.14 "And a very great sacrificial enclosure on the Gomatī in the Naimiṣa forest—let it be ordered, O mighty-armed one; that place is sacred and unsurpassed."

7.82.15 "A hundred thousand cart-loads of choice rice, and ten thousand loads of sesame and lentils—let these proceed in advance, O mighty one."

7.82.16 "Many crores of gold coins and hundreds more of silver—let the great-minded Bharata go in front, placing all these before him."

7.82.17 "The rows of shops along the streets, all the actors and dancers, the townspeople, children and the elderly, and the twice-born who are well composed in mind—"

7.82.18 "and the skilled artisans and craftsmen learned in their arts, and all my mothers, and the princes and the inner apartments—"

7.82.19 "and my golden wife, worthy of initiation into the sacrificial rite—let the great-minded Bharata go forth placing all of them before him."

7.83.1 Having promptly dispatched all of that in its entirety, the elder brother of Bharata released the auspicious dark-spotted horse.

7.83.2 Having appointed Lakṣmaṇa together with the officiating priests in charge of the horse, Kākutstha then set out with his army toward Naimiṣa.

7.83.3 Beholding the sacrificial enclosure, which was supremely wondrous, the mighty-armed and glorious king felt incomparable joy and exclaimed thus.

7.83.4 While he was residing at Naimiṣa, all the kings came from every kingdom, and Rāma duly honoured them in return.

7.83.5 The foremost of men, blazing with great splendour, assigned suitable and richly appointed quarters to those great-souled kings together with their retinues.

7.83.6 Food and drink and garments for those great-souled ones with their retinues—Bharata, together with Śatrughna, swiftly distributed these.

7.83.7 And the great-souled monkeys, together with Sugrīva, all bowing humbly to the brāhmaṇas, performed the service of distributing food.

7.83.8 And Vibhīṣaṇa, surrounded by many garlanded rākṣasas, placed himself as a servant in attendance upon the sages of fierce austerity.

7.83.9 Thus well arranged, the horse-sacrifice proceeded; and the course of the horse, guarded by Lakṣmaṇa, was set in motion.

7.83.10 No other sound was to be heard at that horse-sacrifice of the great-souled king but "Give as you please, give freely"—and as far as the supplicants were satisfied, so far was the giving by monkeys and rākṣasas to be seen.

7.83.11 There was no one there who was impure, wretched, or emaciated at that best of sacrifices of the king, which was filled with joyful and well-nourished people.

7.83.12 And the great-souled sages of long life who were present there could not recall any such sacrifice, adorned with torrents of gifts.

7.83.13 Of silver, gold, gems, and garments being given ceaselessly—no end of them was to be perceived.

7.83.14 "Not of Śakra, nor of Soma, nor of Yama, nor of Varuṇa has such a sacrifice been seen before"—thus spoke the ascetics of great austerity.

7.83.15 Everywhere the monkeys stood, and everywhere the rākṣasas too, their hands filled, giving garments and riches abundantly to those who desired them.

7.83.16 Such was the sacrifice of that lion among kings, endowed with every virtue; it continued for a full year and more, and did not diminish.

7.84.1 While such a supremely wondrous sacrifice was in progress, the foremost of sages, Vālmīki, came swiftly with his disciples.

7.84.2 Beholding the sacrifice that appeared divine and wonderful to behold, he had auspicious leaf-huts made in a secluded spot among the hermitages of the sages.

7.84.3 Joyfully he spoke to his two disciples: "Go, the two of you, composed and attentive, and sing the complete Rāmāyaṇa poem with the greatest delight."

7.84.4 "In the sacred hermitages of the sages, in the dwelling-places of brāhmaṇas, in the lanes and royal roads, in the houses of kings—"

7.84.5 "at the gate of Rāma's palace, wherever the ritual acts are being performed, and especially before the officiating priests—there it should be sung in particular."

7.84.6 "And these sweet and varied fruits that grow here on the mountaintops—eating and tasting them, you shall sing."

7.84.7 "You shall not come to fatigue, my dear ones, having eaten the fruits and choice roots; you shall accept nothing from the city."

7.84.8 "If Rāma, the lord of the earth, should summon you to sing before him as the sages are seated, then let the singing begin."

7.84.9 "Twenty cantos are to be sung each day with the greatest joy, with the many metres there, as was taught by me previously."

7.84.10 "And no greed whatsoever is to be entertained, not even a little, out of desire for wealth. What use is wealth to those who dwell in hermitages and subsist on fruits and roots?"

7.84.11 "If Kākutstha should ask you, 'Children, of whom are you?', say to the lord of men: 'We are disciples of Vālmīki.'"

7.84.12 "Having attuned these strings to the sweetest pitch, or the mode shown before, sing with utmost sweetness, free from anxiety."

7.84.13 "The singing should proceed from the beginning, and without disrespecting the king; for the king is by right the father of all beings."

7.84.14 "Therefore, the two of you, with joyful hearts, sing tomorrow at dawn with full concentration the sweet song accompanied by the melody of the lute."

7.84.15 Having instructed them thus many times, the sage Prācetasa, Vālmīki of surpassing generosity and great renown, then fell silent.

7.84.16 The two princes, having placed that wondrous and auspicious instruction of the sage within their hearts, passed the night happily and with eager anticipation, even as the two Aśvins refined by the teaching of Bhārgava.

7.85.1 Those two, at the dawning of the night into day, having bathed and offered oblations into fire as previously instructed by the sage, sang [the poem] here and there [throughout the grounds].

7.85.2 Kākutstha [Rāma] heard from various places that earlier narrative — a recitation genre unprecedented [in its kind], adorned with melody.

7.85.3 Hearing it composed in many metres and accompanied by the rhythm of the lute, Rāghava [Rāma] became wholly absorbed in wonder.

7.85.4 Then, in a pause between ritual acts, the king — that tiger among men — assembled the great sages, the kings, the learned scholars, and the Vedic experts,

7.85.5 the Purāṇa specialists, the grammarians, and the elder twice-born — having gathered all of them together, he had the two singers take their seats [before the assembly].

7.85.6 The groups of sages there, and the kings of great splendour, were filled with delight — drinking in, as it were, with their eyes both the king and those two singers.

7.85.7 Then all of them spoke to one another at once: "Both of these resemble Rāma — as if one image were drawn from another image."

7.85.8 "Were they not wearing matted locks, were they not clad in bark garments, we could find no difference between these two singers and Rāghava [himself]."

7.85.9 While the listeners conversed in this way, growing in joy, those two sons of the sage commenced their song there, increasing [the audience's] delight.

7.85.10 Then there arose a sweet celestial music surpassing the human — and none of the listeners reached satiation with the wealth of that song.

7.85.11 Beginning from the very beginning — from the cantos opened by the vision of Nārada — they sang forward from there, up to twenty cantos.

7.85.12 Then in the late afternoon, having heard those twenty cantos, Rāghava — who was affectionate toward his brothers — spoke to Bharata:

7.85.13 "Give quickly eighteen thousand [coins] of gold to these two noble souls, O Kākutstha — let the effort of these boys not go unrewarded."

7.85.14 But those two bards [Kuśa and Lava] did not accept the gold being offered, and the noble-souled pair spoke in astonishment: "What is this to us?"

7.85.15 "We are forest-dwellers fully content with wild fruits and roots. What use have we for gold or precious metal in the forest?"

7.85.16 As the two spoke thus, the listeners and Rāma alike — all of them — filled with curiosity and were greatly astonished.

7.85.17 And Rāma, the greatly resplendent, eager to hear the full extent of that poem, asked those two sons of the sage:

7.85.18 "What is the measure of this poem? What is the foundation [topic] of this great noble work? Who is he — that foremost sage who is the author of this great poem?"

7.85.19 The two sons of the sage replied to Rāghava's questioning words: "The venerable Vālmīki is the author — he who has come to be near the sacrifice — and it is he who has revealed this entire story to you in full."

7.85.20 "From the very beginning, O lord of kings, [it extends through] five hundred cantos. Its subject, O king, is whatever is auspicious and inauspicious throughout [your] life."

7.85.21 "If your mind is resolved to hear [it], O king, O great warrior — being called to a moment's pause between ritual acts — then listen to it together with your younger brothers."

7.85.22 Rāma said "So be it," and those two, having received permission from Rāghava, went joyfully to the dwelling where that foremost sage resided.

7.85.23 And Rāma too, having savoured the sweetness of that song, returned to the ritual hall together with the sages and the great-souled kings.

7.86.1 For many days together Rāma listened to that supremely wondrous song — in the company of the sages, the kings, and the monkeys.

7.86.2 Then, recognising Kuśa and Lava as Sītā's sons from that song, Rāma spoke words in the midst of that assembly:

7.86.3 "Convey my words and go into the presence of the venerable [Vālmīki]:"

7.86.4 "'If [Sītā] is pure in conduct, if she is indeed free of all stain, let her establish her own purity here, having gained the great sage's sanction.'"

7.86.5 "'Having ascertained the sage's pleasure and the inner intent of Sītā — who is willing to give proof — then report to me promptly.'"

7.86.6 "'Tomorrow morning, let Maithilī, the daughter of Janaka, take her oath in the midst of the assembly — for the purpose of [her] vindication and of mine here as well.'"

7.86.7 Having heard this supremely wondrous speech of Rāghava, the messengers hastened to the grove where that foremost sage dwelt.

7.86.8 They bowed before the great-souled one blazing with boundless radiance and spoke to him Rāma's words — gentle and sweet.

7.86.9 Having heard their report and understood the inner intention of Rāma, the sage of very great splendour then spoke:

7.86.10 "May it be so — blessings upon you. As Rāghava wishes, so shall Sītā act; for the husband is the deity of a woman."

7.86.11 Thus addressed by the sage, all of Rāma's messengers — those of great strength — returned and reported the sage's words to Rāghava.

7.86.12 Then Kākutstha, greatly delighted upon hearing the words of the great-souled sage, addressed the sages assembled there and the kings as well:

7.86.13 "Let the venerable sages together with their disciples, and the lords of men with their retinues, witness the oath of Sītā — and whoever else desires to.

7.86.14 On hearing those words of the great-souled Rāghava, there arose a great cry of "bravo!" from all the foremost sages.

7.86.15 The great-souled kings too praised Rāghava: "This befits you alone, O best of men — nowhere else on earth."

7.86.16 Having thus made this decision — "It shall be tomorrow" — Rāghava, the slayer of enemies, then dismissed all of them.

7.87.1 When that night had passed, the king Rāghava — greatly resplendent — having gone to the sacrificial arena, summoned all the sages.

7.87.2 Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, and then Kaśyapa; Viśvāmitra of long austerities, and Durvāsas of great ascetic power;

7.87.3 Agastya, and likewise Āśakti, the Bhārgava Vāmana, Mārkaṇḍeya of long life, and Maudgalya of great austerities;

7.87.4 The Bhārgava Cyavana, Śatānanda who is learned in dharma, the radiant Bharadvāja, and Agniputra of great lustre —

7.87.5 these and many other sages of sharpened vows, and kings — those tigers among men — all assembled together.

7.87.6 Rākṣasas of great valour and monkeys of great strength — all those noble souls — came together out of eager curiosity.

7.87.7 Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras by the thousands — all of them assembled together for the purpose of witnessing Sītā's oath.

7.87.8 Hearing that all had thus assembled — still as a motionless mountain — the foremost sage quickly approached together with Sītā.

7.87.9 Sītā followed behind that sage with downcast face, hands folded in reverence, tears flowing, having placed Rāma in her heart.

7.87.10 Seeing Sītā approaching behind Vālmīki like Śrī following Brahmā, there arose a great acclamation [from the assembly].

7.87.11 Then a tumultuous clamour arose from all — those whose hearts were agitated by a vast grief born of sorrow [for her].

7.87.12 Some cried "Well done, Sītā!", others cried "Well done, Rāma!" — while yet others there said "Well done, well done!" [meaning both].

7.87.13 Then, entering the midst of the throng of people, that foremost sage Vālmīki — with Sītā beside him — thus spoke to Rāghava:

7.87.14 "O son of Daśaratha, this Sītā — of excellent vows and virtuous conduct — sinless, was abandoned by you near my hermitage.

7.87.15 "O Rāma, O upholder of great vows — out of fear of public censure you [cast her out]; Sītā shall now give proof [of her purity]. You should grant her permission to do so.

7.87.16 "These two sons of Jānakī, born as twins — they are your sons indeed, O unconquerable one. I speak this truth to you.

7.87.17 "I am the tenth son of Pracetas [Varuṇa], O joy of the Rāghava clan — I do not recall ever speaking a falsehood; and likewise, these two are your sons.

7.87.18 "For many thousands of years I have performed austerities — may I reap the fruit of that [penance] insofar as Maithilī is sinless.

7.87.19 "Having contemplated, O Rāghava, through [my knowledge of] the five elements together with the mind as sixth, that Sītā is pure — it was thus that I took her in at the forest stream.

7.87.20 "This woman of pure conduct, sinless, who holds her husband as her deity — she shall give you proof, who feared the censure of the world."

7.88.1 Thus addressed by Vālmīki, Rāghava replied with palms joined in the midst of the assembly, having beheld that one of divine complexion.

7.88.2 "So it is, O highly blessed one, O knower of dharma, exactly as you declare. I am convinced, O Brahman, by your words that are without blemish."

7.88.3 "Proof was indeed given formerly by Vaidehī in the presence of the gods. Yet knowing her to be without sin, I abandoned Sītā out of fear of what the world would say, O Brahman — may you forgive that."

7.88.4 "And I know these two sons of mine, Kuśa and Lava, born as twins; may I now have the joy of being reunited with Maithilī, whose purity has been proclaimed in the midst of the world."

7.88.5 Understanding the intention of Rāma, the foremost of the gods, all of them assembled together with the Grandfather Brahmā at their head.

7.88.6 The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Viśvedeva, troops of Maruts, the two Aśvins, the seers, the Gandharvas, the hosts of Apsarases, the Sādhya gods — all of them — and all the great seers came.

7.88.7 Then an auspicious, holy, divinely fragrant, and delightful wind, the best of the celestials, gladdened that multitude of people on every side.

7.88.8 The people assembled from all the realms gazed upon that wondrous, inconceivable event with concentrated minds, as in the Kṛtayuga of old.

7.88.9 Sītā, clad in an ochre robe, beholding all who had gathered, spoke words with palms joined, her gaze lowered and her face cast downward.

7.88.10 "As I have never even in mind thought of any man other than Rāghava, so may the goddess Mādhavī — the Earth — grant me an opening."

7.88.11 As Vaidehī was thus taking this oath, that wonder appeared: from the surface of the earth rose a divine, incomparable throne.

7.88.12 It was borne on the heads of serpents of immeasurable might, divine in its divine form, adorned with all kinds of jewels.

7.88.13 And upon it the goddess Earth, taking Maithilī in her arms, welcomed her with a greeting and caused her to be seated on that throne.

7.88.14 Beholding her seated on the throne and descending into the netherworld, an unceasing shower of divine flowers rained down upon Sītā.

7.88.15 A very great cry of "bravo!" arose at once from the gods: "Bravo, bravo, O Sītā, whose virtue is of such a nature!"

7.88.16 In this manner the gods who were stationed in the sky uttered many such words with joyful minds, having witnessed the descent of Sītā.

7.88.17 And the sages who had gathered at the sacrificial enclosure, as well as the kings, those tigers among men, could not cease from their amazement.

7.88.18 In the sky and on the earth, all beings, both stationary and moving, the great-bodied Dānavas, the lords of serpents in the underworld —

7.88.19 — some cried out in great joy, some were absorbed in meditation, some gazed at Rāma, some were rendered senseless gazing at Sītā.

7.88.20 At the sight of Sītā's descent, there was a great gathering of those beings; and at that moment the entire world was utterly overwhelmed.

7.89.1 At the conclusion of that sacrifice, Rāma, deeply grief-stricken, seeing Vaidehī no more, considered this world empty. Overcome utterly by sorrow, he could find no peace of mind.

7.89.2 He dismissed all the kings, the bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, and sent away the assembled throng of Brahman-led seers, richly laden with gifts.

7.89.3 Having dismissed them all, Rāma, the lotus-eyed, then entered Ayodhyā carrying Sītā in his heart.

7.89.4 That scion of Raghu took no other wife beyond Sītā; at every sacrifice a golden image of Jānakī served as the ritual consort.

7.89.5 For ten thousand years he performed the Aśvamedha sacrifice, and Vājapeya sacrifices ten times that number, together with many sacrifices endowed with great gold.

7.89.6 That glorious one performed also the Agniṣṭoma, the Atirātra, the Gosava with great wealth, and other rites in which the sacrificial fees were duly rendered.

7.89.7 In this manner a very great span of time passed for Rāghava, the great-souled one, who was established in his kingdom and who strove ever in the path of dharma.

7.89.8 The bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas remained under Rāma's authority; the kings were attached to Rāghava day by day.

7.89.9 Rain fell in season, abundance prevailed, the directions were clear; the city and the countryside were filled with people who were joyful and well-nourished.

7.89.10 No one died before his time, no disease afflicted living beings, and there was no adharma whatsoever while Rāma was governing the kingdom.

7.89.11 Then, after a long time, Rāma's illustrious mother, surrounded by her sons and grandsons, attained the fate decreed by time — she died.

7.89.12 Sumitrā also followed, and the illustrious Kaikeyī; having performed dharma in its many forms, they were established in the three heavens.

7.89.13 All of them were established in heaven and were reunited with King Daśaratha, those highly blessed ones together attained dharma.

7.89.14 Rāma made great offerings for them in due seasons, for his mothers without distinction, among Brāhmaṇas and ascetics.

7.89.15 Rāma, whose soul was established in dharma, performed ancestral rites with many jewels and sacrifices of the utmost magnificence, thereby honoring the ancestors and the gods.

7.90.1 Now after some time, Yudhājit, king of the Kekayas, sent his own preceptor to the great-souled Rāghava.

7.90.2 He sent the brahmarṣi Gārgya, son of Aṅgiras, of immeasurable splendor, and ten thousand horses as an incomparable gift of affection.

7.90.3 The king presented to Rāma also blankets, jewels, choice embroidered garments, and many ornaments.

7.90.4 Hearing that the great seer Gārgya had arrived — the beloved envoy of his maternal uncle Aśvapati —

7.90.5 — Kākutstha went out to meet him, accompanied by his retinue, to a distance of a krośa, and honored Gārgya, receiving that wealth.

7.90.6 Having asked in a pleasing manner after the welfare of his maternal uncle, Rāma began to question the highly blessed one when he was seated.

7.90.7 "What message does my maternal uncle convey? For what purpose has the blessed one come here, O best among those versed in speech, like Bṛhaspati himself in person?"

7.90.8 Hearing the words of Rāma, the brahmarṣi, wondrous in appearance, began to narrate to Rāghava the full details of the matter.

7.90.9 "Your maternal uncle Yudhājit speaks this message, O mighty-armed one, O bull among men — may it please you to hear it, full of affection."

7.90.10 "This Gandharva territory, adorned with fruits and roots, a most beautiful region on both banks of the Sindhu —"

7.90.11 "— it is guarded by Gandharvas, armed and skilled in battle, sons of Śailūṣa, thirty million heroes of great might."

7.90.12 "Having conquered them, O Kākutstha, O mighty-armed one, please establish two well-ordered cities in that auspicious Gandharva territory."

7.90.13 "No other man's path leads there; that region is supremely beautiful. May it please you, O mighty-armed one — I do not speak falsely to you."

7.90.14 Hearing this, Rāghava was pleased with the great seer and with his maternal uncle's message, and said "So be it," glancing then toward Bharata.

7.90.15 The pleased Rāghava, with folded hands, said to the twice-born sage: "These two princes will conquer that territory, O brahmarṣi."

7.90.16 "The two heroic sons of Bharata — Takṣa and Puṣkala — well protected by their maternal uncle, and both intent on dharma."

7.90.17 "With Bharata going in front, the two princes, accompanied by their forces and retinue, will slay the sons of the Gandharvas and then divide between them the two cities."

7.90.18 "Having established those two excellent cities and settled his own sons there, the most righteous Bharata will return once more to my side."

7.90.19 Having spoken thus to the brahmarṣi, he then commanded Bharata along with his army and retinue, and consecrated the two princes.

7.90.20 Under an auspicious lunar asterism, placing the son of Aṅgiras at their head, Bharata set forth with his army and with the two princes.

7.90.21 That army, like Indra's own forces, marched out through the city gates, escorted far by Rāghava, and was formidable to gods and asuras alike.

7.90.22 Flesh-eating creatures and very great rākṣasas also followed Bharata, thirsting for blood.

7.90.23 And many hosts of spirits, flesh-eating, exceedingly fierce, numbering in the thousands, desirous of feasting on the flesh of the Gandharva's sons, followed along.

7.90.24 Many thousands of lions, tigers, and jackals, as well as birds of the air, went in front of the army.

7.90.25 The army, healthy and unimpeded, having spent a month and a half on the road, arrived at Kekaya, filled with men who were cheerful and well-provisioned.

7.91.1 Hearing that Bharata, the commander of the army, had arrived together with Yudhājit of the Gārgya lineage, the lord of the Kekayas felt surpassing delight.

7.91.2 That lord of the Kekayas sallied forth with a great host of people, advancing swiftly against the Gandharvas who resembled the gods in form.

7.91.3 Bharata and Yudhājit, united and swift of stride, arrived at the Gandharva city together with their armies and retinues of foot-soldiers.

7.91.4 Hearing that Bharata had arrived, those Gandharvas of great valor assembled together, eager for battle, crying out on all sides.

7.91.5 Then a tumultuous, hair-raising battle ensued — terrible and lasting seven nights — and neither side gained victory.

7.91.6 Then Bharata, the younger brother of Rāma, enraged, discharged against the Gandharvas the dreadful weapon of Kāla called Saṃvarta.

7.91.7 Bound by the noose of Kāla and torn apart by the Saṃvarta weapon, thirty million of them were struck down in an instant by that great-souled one.

7.91.8 That slaughter, terrible to behold — such a deed of great-souled men accomplished in merely the twinkling of an eye — the dwellers of heaven do not recall its like.

7.91.9 When those warriors had been slain, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyī, then established two most excellent and prosperous cities: Takṣa in Takṣaśilā and Puṣkara in Puṣkarāvatī.

7.91.10 That beautiful Gandharva country, the Gāndhāra territory, was filled within five years with provinces and urban settlements.

7.91.11 Filled with floods of wealth and jewels, adorned with groves, the two cities rivaled each other in every excellence, vying with one another to excel in virtues.

7.91.12 Both were renowned for their great beauty, distinguished by spotless commerce, thronged with throngs of gardens and vehicles, with marketplaces well laid out in their quarters.

7.91.13 Both were splendid foremost cities, lovely and adorned with wide expanses, graced with principal mansions of great beauty and palatial structures of matching splendor.

7.91.14 Adorned too with the splendid expanse of shrines to the gods — having settled the land in five years, Bharata the younger brother of Rāghava, the mighty-armed son of Kaikeyī, returned to Ayodhyā.

7.91.15 The illustrious Bharata paid homage to the great-souled Rāghava — who was like Dharma incarnate — even as Vāsava pays homage to Brahmā.

7.91.16 And he reported in full detail the great slaughter of the Gandharvas and the settlement of the country. Hearing this, Rāghava was well pleased with him.

7.92.1 Hearing that, Rāghava was filled with joy together with his brothers, and Rāghava spoke to his brothers words that were wonderful to behold.

7.92.2 "O Saumitri, these two princes of yours, Aṅgada and Candraketu, accomplished in dharma and firm-bowed, are worthy of kingdoms."

7.92.3 "I shall consecrate these two to kingdoms — let a suitable territory be arranged — one that is pleasant and uncrowded, where the two archers may dwell in happiness."

7.92.4 "A territory should be found, dear one, where there would be no injury to kings and no destruction of hermitages — so that we commit no offense."

7.92.5 When Rāma had spoken thus, Bharata replied: "This territory along the Kārāpatha road is exceedingly beautiful and free from affliction."

7.92.6 "Let a city be established there for the great-souled Aṅgada, and likewise a beautiful, wholesome city called Candrakānta for Candraketu."

7.92.7 Rāghava accepted the words spoken by Bharata, and having brought that territory under control, he settled it for Aṅgada.

7.92.8 The lovely city known as Āṅgadīyā was founded for Aṅgada — beautiful and well-protected — by Rāma of tireless deeds.

7.92.9 And Candraketu was settled in the wrestling-ground of Malla, in the Malla country — the city famed as Candrakānta, divine like a city of heaven.

7.92.10 Then Rāma, Bharata, and Lakṣmaṇa — those invincible ones in battle — were filled with great joy and performed the consecration rites.

7.92.11 Having consecrated the two princes and dispatched them with their armies and retinues — Aṅgada toward the western land and Candraketu toward the north —

7.92.12 Lakṣmaṇa, the son of Sumitrā, followed after Aṅgada, while Bharata became the rear-guard for Candraketu.

7.92.13 Lakṣmaṇa dwelt in Āṅgadīyā for a full year; once that invincible prince was established, he returned again to Ayodhyā.

7.92.14 Bharata likewise dwelt there for a year and more, and then returning to Ayodhyā, he came to the feet of Rāma.

7.92.15 Both Saumitri and Bharata, devoted to the feet of Rāma and supremely righteous, did not notice time passing, so great was their love.

7.92.16 Thus ten thousand years passed for them as they strove constantly in dharma and in the affairs of the city every day.

7.92.17 Having enjoyed the world with minds fully content and encompassed by glory, those three stood firm upon the highest path of dharma — like three blazing sacrificial fires of brilliant splendor kindled well at a great sacrifice.

7.93.1 Then, after some time had passed, while Rāma stood firm upon the path of dharma, Kāla — Time personified — came to the royal gate in the form of an ascetic.

7.93.2 He spoke to the steadfast and illustrious Lakṣmaṇa: "Announce me to Rāma — I have come on a matter of great importance."

7.93.3 "For I am the messenger of a most powerful great seer of immeasurable might. O mighty one, I have come desiring to see Rāma on a matter of urgency."

7.93.4 Hearing those words, Saumitri hastened and reported to Rāma what the ascetic wished to say.

7.93.5 "Be victorious by dharma in both worlds, O king of great splendor. An ascetic bright as the sun has come as a messenger wishing to see you."

7.93.6 Hearing the words spoken by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma said: "Dear one, let the sage of great power, the bearer of his message, be admitted."

7.93.7 Saumitri said "So be it" and ushered in that sage who blazed as if with flames and scorched with his very radiance.

7.93.8 Approaching the foremost of the Raghu line who blazed with his own effulgence, the seer spoke to Rāghava with sweet voice: "May you flourish!"

7.93.9 The great-resplendent Rāma offered him worship preceded by the arghya libation, and then calmly proceeded to inquire of his welfare.

7.93.10 Asked of his welfare by Rāma, the best among speakers and greatly renowned, he took his seat upon the divine golden throne.

7.93.11 Then Rāma spoke to him: "Welcome, great sage. Now deliver the words on account of which you have come as a messenger."

7.93.12 Prompted by that lion among kings, the sage began to speak: "What is to be said must be said in a private meeting — and the spoken word must not be wounded by any eye."

7.93.13 "Whoever listens or looks upon this, O Rāghava, shall be worthy of death — if, that is, you value the word of this foremost of sages."

7.93.14 Having pledged "So be it," Rāma spoke to Lakṣmaṇa: "O mighty-armed one, stand at the door and dismiss the door-keeper."

7.93.15 "For he shall truly deserve death, O Saumitri, who sees or hears this private discourse between the sage and me."

7.93.16 Then, having stationed Lakṣmaṇa, the scion of Kākutstha, at the keeping of the door, Rāghava said to the sage: "Speak."

7.93.17 "Whatever words are in your mind, on account of which you have come with such focused resolve — speak them without hesitation; they dwell in my heart as well."

7.94.1 Listen, O Rāma, mighty-armed one, great in strength — for what purpose I have been commissioned and sent here by the god Pitāmaha.

7.94.2 I am your son from your prior existence, O conqueror of enemy cities; O hero, brought forth through māyā — I am Kāla, the all-consumer.

7.94.3 And the blessed Pitāmaha, lord of worlds and sovereign, said: 'The time has come for you, O mighty-armed one, to protect the celestial realms.'

7.94.4 Having once contracted the worlds through māyā yourself, lying upon the great ocean on the waters, you formerly brought me forth.

7.94.5 Then, having created through māyā Ananta, the mighty serpent lying in the water, and also two mighty beings —

7.94.6 — Madhu and Kaiṭabha, by whose heaped bones this earth, crowded with mountains, came to be formed —

7.94.7 — producing me from your navel upon the divine lotus blazing like the sun, you entrusted to me all the creative work of Prajāpati.

7.94.8 Thus I, having laid down my burden, worship you, lord of the universe; grant protection to beings — you are the source of my splendor.

7.94.9 And you, the invincible one, from that eternal state assumed the nature of Viṣṇu for the protection of all beings.

7.94.10 Born of Aditi as a mighty son, you who increase the joy of your brothers — whenever deeds arise, you stand ready to aid the world.

7.94.11 You, the best of the worlds, with your subjects in terror, desiring the slaying of Rāvaṇa, turned your mind toward birth among humans.

7.94.12 You yourself ordained for yourself, of old, the measure of your sojourn — ten thousand years and ten hundred years.

7.94.13 You, whose son is mind-born, having fulfilled your allotted lifespan among men here — the time has come to approach, O best of best men.

7.94.14 If, O great king, you wish to tend your subjects yet longer, then dwell on — O hero, may it be well with you; thus spoke Pitāmaha.

7.94.15 Or if you have the desire to conquer the realm of the gods, O Rāghava, let the gods be protected by Viṣṇu and freed from affliction.

7.94.16 Having heard the words spoken by Pitāmaha and conveyed by Kāla, Rāghava, smiling, spoke to Kāla, the all-withdrawer.

7.94.17 "I have heard the supremely wondrous words of the god of gods; great delight has arisen in me from your coming."

7.94.18 "May it be well with you. I shall go to that very place whence I have come — for you have truly entered my heart now that you have arrived; I have no hesitation in this."

7.94.19 "For in all the affairs of the gods who are subject to me, I must stand firm at the final withdrawal of all — just as Pitāmaha has declared."

7.95.1 While those two were thus conversing, the blessed sage Durvāsas, desirous of an audience with Rāma, approached the gate of the palace.

7.95.2 Approaching Saumitri, that foremost of sages said: "Show me Rāma at once — my purpose will lapse if delayed."

7.95.3 Hearing the sage's words, Lakṣmaṇa, slayer of enemy heroes, saluted the great-souled one and spoke these words.

7.95.4 "Tell me, revered one, what is the matter — what is the purpose, what should I do? Rāghava is occupied, O brahmin; please wait but a moment."

7.95.5 Hearing this, that tiger among sages, inflamed with anger, spoke to Lakṣmaṇa with words that seemed to burn him with a glance.

7.95.6 "This very instant, O Saumitri, announce me to Rāma — otherwise I shall curse you, your realm, your city, and Rāghava as well."

7.95.7 "And Bharata, O Saumitri, and all your posterity — for I am no longer able to hold back my anger in my heart."

7.95.8 Hearing those fearsome-seeming words of that great-souled one, Lakṣmaṇa reflected in his mind on the import of those words.

7.95.9 "Let death be mine alone; let there be no destruction of all" — having resolved this in his understanding, he announced it to Rāghava.

7.95.10 Hearing Lakṣmaṇa's words, Rāma dismissed Kāla and, stepping out swiftly, the king beheld the son of Atri.

7.95.11 Bowing to that great-souled one blazing as it were with splendor, Kākutstha, with hands folded in reverence, asked: "What is the purpose?"

7.95.12 Hearing those words spoken by Rāghava, the great sage and lord Durvāsas replied to Rāma: "Hear me, O you who cherish righteousness."

7.95.13 "Today marks the completion of my thousand-year vow, O Rāghava; I, O sinless one, desire food — whatever is prepared in your household."

7.95.14 Hearing those words, Rāma, filled with great delight, offered to the foremost of sages the food that had been prepared.

7.95.15 That best of sages, having eaten that food comparable to nectar, addressed Rāma with "Well done, Rāma" and returned to his own hermitage.

7.95.16 When he had departed, the greatly resplendent Rāghava, whose mind had been glad, recalled the words of Kāla and was then overcome with sorrow.

7.95.17 Deeply tormented by grief, recalling that terrible encounter, he stood with downcast face, dejected in mind, unable to speak.

7.95.18 Then Rāghava of great renown, having resolved in his mind the words of Kāla, said only "This is not to be" — and sat in silence.

7.96.1 Then Lakṣmaṇa, seeing Rāghava downcast and wretched like the moon overcome by eclipse, joyfully spoke sweet words.

7.96.2 "You ought not to grieve on my account, O mighty-armed one — for such is the course of Kāla, bound by the ordinance laid down of old."

7.96.3 "Slay me, O gentle one, without hesitation, and uphold your vow — for men who fail in their vows descend to hell, O Kākutstha."

7.96.4 "If there is love in you, O great king, if I am worthy of your favor — slay me without hesitation, O Rāghava, and let righteousness flourish."

7.96.5 Thus addressed by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma, with agitated senses, summoned his ministers and likewise the chief priest.

7.96.6 And the lord of men recounted to them, in their midst, all that had happened — both the arrival of Durvāsas and the vow that had been made with the ascetic.

7.96.7 Hearing this, all the ministers together with the preceptors sat in assembly; then Vasiṣṭha of great splendor spoke these words.

7.96.8 "This has been foreseen, O mighty-armed Rāma of great renown — your end, which causes the hair to stand on end, and your separation from Lakṣmaṇa."

7.96.9 "Abandon him — Kāla is powerful; do not render your vow futile, for when a vow is destroyed, righteousness goes to ruin."

7.96.10 "And when righteousness is destroyed, all that is movable and immovable in the three worlds, together with the hosts of gods and sages, would perish — of this there is no doubt."

7.96.11 "Therefore you, tiger among men, who are the protector of the three worlds — render the world whole today by the death of Lakṣmaṇa."

7.96.12 Hearing that counsel of those assembled — fraught with righteousness and purpose — Rāma, in the midst of the assembly, addressed Lakṣmaṇa.

7.96.13 "I release you, O Saumitri — let there be no inversion of righteousness; for the righteous, renunciation and death are equally ordained, and both are the same."

7.96.14 When Rāma had spoken those words, Lakṣmaṇa, his eyes blurred with tears, departed in haste — but he did not enter his house.

7.96.15 He went to the bank of the Sarayū, sipped its waters, and with hands folded in reverence, restrained all his vital channels and breathed not a breath.

7.96.16 As he stood thus absorbed, not breathing — all the gods together with Śakra and the troops of apsarasas, together with the hosts of sages, showered him with flowers.

7.96.17 As he became invisible to all his younger brothers, Śakra took up Lakṣmaṇa — mighty in strength and still in his body — and entered heaven.

7.96.18 Then the best of gods, all rejoicing and delighted, together with the sages, honored the fourth part of Viṣṇu that had returned.

7.97.1 Having dismissed Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma, filled with grief and sorrow, addressed the chaplain, the ministers, and the citizens thus:

7.97.2 "Today I shall consecrate Bharata, devoted to dharma, the heroic lord of Ayodhyā, to the kingdom; thereafter I myself shall depart to the forest."

7.97.3 "Bring in the consecration materials so that no time be lost — today itself I shall go the way that Lakṣmaṇa has gone."

7.97.4 Hearing what Rāghava had spoken, all the subjects bowed their heads deeply to the ground and became as though bereft of life.

7.97.5 Bharata too lost consciousness upon hearing Rāma's words; he denounced the kingdom and spoke thus to Rāghava:

7.97.6 "By truth I swear, O king — not even in the heavenly world do I desire the kingdom without you, O joy of the Raghu lineage."

7.97.7 "Anoint these two bards, Kuśa and Lava, O king, lord of men — the heroic Kuśa over the Kosalas, and Lava over the northern realm."

7.97.8 "Let swift-striding messengers go to Śatrughna and without delay announce to him this departure of ours to heaven."

7.97.9 Hearing what Bharata had said, and seeing the citizens downcast and burning with sorrow, Vasiṣṭha spoke these words:

7.97.10 "Dear Rāma, behold — all these subjects have prostrated themselves on the earth. Knowing what they desire and require, do not act contrary to their wishes."

7.97.11 At Vasiṣṭha's words, Kākutstha raised up the assembled subjects and addressed them all, asking: "What shall I do?"

7.97.12 Then all the subjects spoke to Rāma: "We shall follow you wherever you go, O Rāma."

7.97.13 "This is our supreme joy; this is deemed our highest dharma; the satisfaction dwelling in our hearts is always firm in following you."

7.97.14 "If you have love and unsurpassed affection for your citizens, then, O Kākutstha, lead us along the true path together with our sons and wives."

7.97.15 "Whether to a forest of austerities, or a stronghold, or a river, or the ocean — if we are not to be abandoned by you, lead us all, O Lord."

7.97.16 He, knowing their resolve, and perceiving the decree of fate as well as the citizens' unwavering devotion, said simply: "So be it."

7.97.17 Having made this decision, on that very day Rāghava consecrated the heroic Kuśa over the Kosalas and Lava over the northern realm —

7.97.18 — anointing both those great-souled princes, Kuśa and Lava; and he gave to each three thousand chariots, ten thousand elephants,

7.97.19 and ten thousand horses as gift to each — endowing both with abundant jewels and great wealth, surrounded by joyful and prosperous people.

7.97.20 Having consecrated those two heroes and dispatched them to their own cities, he then sent swift messengers to the great-souled Śatrughna.

7.98.1 Those messengers, urged by Rāma's command and swift of stride, proceeded quickly to Madhurā and did not halt on the way.

7.98.2 Then, arriving at Madhurā within three days and nights, they reported to Śatrughna everything exactly as it had occurred:

7.98.3 — the abandonment of Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava's resolve, the consecration of his two sons, and likewise the citizens' intention to follow him.

7.98.4 The charming city of Kuśa, established on the slopes of the Vindhya mountains by the wise Rāma, was named Kuśāvatī.

7.98.5 And the beautiful city of Lava was proclaimed Śrāvatī; and Ayodhyā was left deserted, with Bharata following Rāghava.

7.98.6 Having thus swiftly reported everything to the great-souled Śatrughna, those messengers then fell silent, saying: "Hasten, O king."

7.98.7 Hearing of this dreadful-seeming dissolution of the lineage now at hand, he assembled his subjects and his chaplain Kāñcana,

7.98.8 and, as a joy of the Raghu line, he narrated to them everything that had taken place and the reversal of his own fortune that was to come, along with his brothers.

7.98.9 Then that heroic lord of men consecrated his two sons: Subāhu received Madhurā, and Śatrughnātī received Vaidiśā.

7.98.10 Dividing that army from Madhurā between his two sons, he established both princes well-stocked with wealth and grain.

7.98.11 Then, having bade farewell to the king Śatrughnātī at Vaidiśā, that Rāghava hastened to Ayodhyā in a single chariot.

7.98.12 He saw the great-souled Rāma blazing like fire, clad in fine linen garments, accompanied by imperishable sages.

7.98.13 He then saluted Rāma with palms joined and senses controlled, and spoke these words — he who knew dharma, meditating on dharma alone:

7.98.14 "Having duly consecrated both the sons of the Rāghava line with proper gifts, know me, O king, as fully resolved to accompany you."

7.98.15 "There is nothing more to be said in this matter — your command is irresistible. You should not abandon me, O hero, especially as I am devoted to you."

7.98.16 Understanding his resolute and unfaltering mind, Rāma, the joy of the Raghus, said to Śatrughna simply: "So be it."

7.98.17 At the conclusion of his speech, monkeys assuming any form at will, and multitudes of bears and rākṣasas, converged there in great numbers.

7.98.18 Sons of gods, sons of sages, and sons of Gandharvas — all of them, knowing Rāma's dissolution was at hand, had all gathered together.

7.98.19 All assembled, they saluted Rāma and said: "We have come, O king of great renown, desiring to accompany you."

7.98.20 "If you were to depart without us, O bull among men, it would be as though you had struck us down with the rod of Yama himself."

7.98.21 Hearing those words of the bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, he then spoke to Vibhīṣaṇa in gentle and sweet tones:

7.98.22 "As long as people endure, so long shall you, Vibhīṣaṇa, O lord of rākṣasas, great in valour, abide in Laṅkā and rule your realm."

7.98.23 "Protect your subjects according to dharma; you need say nothing further."

7.98.24 Having spoken thus to him, Kākutstha then said to Hanūmat: "You have resolved to live on — do not break the vow you have taken."

7.98.25 "As long as my stories circulate in the world, O lord of monkeys, so long shall you sustain your life and honour your pledge."

7.98.26 Having spoken thus, Kākutstha then said to all those bears and monkeys: "Come, travel with me" — so did Rāghava address them then.

7.99.1 When night had given way to dawn, broad-chested Rāma of great renown, lotus-eyed, then addressed the chaplain:

7.99.2 "Let the sacred fire of the agnihotra, blazing with clarified butter, proceed ahead, along with the royal parasol of the Vājapeya sacrifice, adorning the great path."

7.99.3 Then the radiant Vasiṣṭha performed the entire rite of the Great Departure — the mahāprāsthānika — completely and according to proper injunction.

7.99.4 Then, clad in linen garments and silently reciting the supreme Brahman within, Rāma took kuśa grass in both hands and, inclining forward, set out.

7.99.5 Speaking not a word, making no gesture anywhere, beyond pleasure on the path, he went forth from that house blazing like the sun.

7.99.6 On Rāma's left side walked Padmā Śrī, calm and composed; on his right walked Hrī of wide eyes; and Vyavasāya walked ahead of him.

7.99.7 His arrows of various kinds and his bow of elongated form followed Kākutstha, all of them bearing human shapes.

7.99.8 The Vedas in the form of brāhmaṇas, Sāvitrī the all-protecting, Oṃkāra, and Vaṣaṭkāra — all of them followed Rāma in devotion.

7.99.9 The great-souled sages and all the gods of the earth followed Kākutstha as he approached the gate of heaven.

7.99.10 The women of the inner palace followed him as he went, along with the elderly, children, and maidservants, and attendants of all ranks and servants bearing tribute.

7.99.11 And Bharata with his inner household, accompanied by Śatrughna, went forth — having embraced Rāma's vow, they followed Rāghava in complete devotion.

7.99.12 Then the great-souled brāhmaṇas, bearing their sacred fires and composed in mind, followed the highly-minded Kākutstha with their sons and wives.

7.99.13 The ministers and the ranks of servants, with their sons, kinsmen, and retinues, all followed Rāghava joyfully.

7.99.14 Then all the subjects, surrounded by joyful and prosperous people, followed Rāghava as he went forward, their hearts enraptured by his virtues.

7.99.15 All had bathed and were joyful, bearing splendid garlands of flowers, proud and resounding with joyful shouts, all following Rāma in devotion.

7.99.16 No one there was wretched, or ashamed, or sorrowful; all were joyful and elated — it was supremely wondrous.

7.99.17 Country folk who had come wishing to see the king's departure — they too, upon merely seeing it, followed along together with all the others.

7.99.18 The bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, and the citizens of the city, followed behind with supreme devotion, fully composed in mind.

7.100.1 Having travelled a yojana and a half, the delight of the Raghu line beheld the river whose waters are sacred — the Sarayū, flowing toward the west.

7.100.2 At that very moment Brahmā, the grandfather of all worlds, surrounded by all the gods and by great-souled sages,

7.100.3 came to the place where Kākutstha stood ready to ascend to heaven — attended by hundreds of millions of divine celestial chariots.

7.100.4 A great torrential shower of flowers fell, released by the wind like a vast flood.

7.100.5 While hundreds of instruments resounded and the place was thronged with Gandharvas and Apsarases, Rāma stepped on foot into the waters of the Sarayū.

7.100.6 Then the grandfather spoke from the sky: "Come, O Viṣṇu — may good befall you! By good fortune have you arrived, O Rāghava."

7.100.7 "Together with your brothers who are equal to gods, O great-radiant one, enter your own form — that eternal Vaiṣṇava body and that everlasting sky."

7.100.8 "For you, O lord, are the refuge of all worlds. None know you truly, O wide-eyed one, except through that primal Māyā which you previously assumed."

7.100.9 "You are the inconceivable great being, imperishable, the totality of all. O greatly radiant one, of your own will enter whatever form you desire."

7.100.10 Having heard the grandfather's words and having resolved upon it, the great-minded one, together with his brothers and still in his bodily form, merged into the radiance of Viṣṇu.

7.100.11 Then the gods worshipped the divine one who had entered Viṣṇu — the Sādhyas, the host of Maruts, Indra and the others, with Agni at their head.

7.100.12 The divine companies of sages, the Gandharvas and Apsarases, Garuḍas, Nāgas, Yakṣas, and the Daityas, Dānavas and Rākṣasas —

7.100.13 — all were rejoicing, all were delighted, all had their heart's desire fulfilled. "Well done! Well done!" cried all of them, free of sin, as they rose to the triple heaven.

7.100.14 Then Viṣṇu, of great splendour, spoke to the grandfather: "O faithful one, you should grant worlds to these multitudes of people."

7.100.15 "For all these noble ones have followed me out of love; they are devoted and deserve a fitting reward, having surrendered themselves for my sake."

7.100.16 Hearing the words of Viṣṇu, Brahmā, the lord and preceptor of all worlds, declared: "These assembled ones shall go to the worlds called Sāntānika."

7.100.17 "And whatever being, even among the lower creatures, meditating on Rāma alone, shall give up its life in devotion — it shall dwell in the offspring, endowed with all virtues, in the realm next to Brahmaloka."

7.100.18 The Vānaras and the bears likewise returned to their own respective origins.

7.100.19 Those who had been born from gods and others, from sages, Nāgas and Yakṣas — each returned to those very origins from which they had come forth.

7.100.20 When the lord of gods had spoken thus, all of them came to the ford called Gopratāra and entered the Sarayū, their eyes swimming with tears of joy.

7.100.21 Every living being that plunged into the waters, filled with great delight, cast off its human body and ascended a celestial chariot.

7.100.22 Even those born in lower wombs, upon reaching the waters of the Sarayū, became divine; with celestial forms they shone like gods ablaze with light.

7.100.23 The stationary and the mobile — all, upon reaching the waters of the Sarayū and being immersed in that sacred flood, attained the world of the gods.

7.100.24 Whatever divine origin the Vānaras, bears and Rākṣasas had — each one of them entered back into that very origin, having cast off their bodies in the waters.

7.100.25 Having thus sent all to heaven, the great-minded preceptor of the worlds, himself rejoicing, departed to the sky together with the rejoicing gods.

7.100.26 This alone is the narrative, together with the Uttara-kāṇḍa, honoured by Brahmā, known as the Rāmāyaṇa — the foremost work composed by Vālmīki.