13. “ How shalt thou bo abLe to bear the misery of seeing a co-wile, 0 beautiful woman. Here outside is my brother Lakshmara who is of a very handsome appearance.
14. “ He is worthy of being thy husband, do thou roam about with him/' Thus addressed she said fo La kblunana, ** Do thou, O handsome man, be my husband.
15. “ Taking thy brother's permission we shall unite, do not barry/' Thus did that terrible Rdksbasa woman overpowered with love say to Laksh- mana.
16. Unto her Lakshraana said “ Well, 1 am the slave of that wise man (R&ma). Thou shalt also be a slave, whab greater misery than this can there be for thee.
17. " Do thou go bo him, may good betide thee. He is the king, the lord of all/* Hearing this she again came to Raghava with a troubled mind.
18. Angrily, she said, " O RfLma, why art thou sending me from place to Diace. Just now in thy presence 1 shall eat up this Slt&/* 19 — 20. Thus saying, with a terrible form, she ran towards JAnakf. Then by the order of R&raa taking hold of a dagger and seizing her Laksbmana of great strength cut off her nose and ears.
21. Then uttering a terrible roar with her body drenched with blood, she threw herself weeping before Khara, who said to her harshly. " What is this?
22. “ Who has disfigured thee thus, desirous of rushing into the mouth of death. Do thou tell me, I shall this very instant kill him even though he be equal to the king of death himself/* 23. To him the R&skhasa woman said, Rama together with Slti and Lakshraana is living on the banks of the Qod&vari, driving away the fears of the residents of the Dandaka forest.
24. “ His brother has, by his command, done me this. If thou art born in the family of the R&kshasas and art a brave man, dost thou kill those two enemies.
25. u I shall drink their blood and eat those two men proud of their strength. Otherwise I shall give up my life breath and go to the regions of the king of the dead/* 26. Hearing this, Khara furious with rage speedily went forth with fourteen thousand Rdkshasas of terrible strength.
27. He urged them on towards R&ina desirous of killing him. Khara, Trishiras, and Dushanas all speedily went forth towards Rtirua armed with diverse weapons.
28 — 29. Hearing the uproar, R&ma said to Lakshmana: u I hear a great uproar, surely Rdkhshasas are coming up. To day there will be a great fight with me, 30—31. %i Do thou take Sftd into a cave and remain there, O thou v»f great strength. 1 wish to kill all these terrible Rdkshasas, Do thou uot say anything against this. I conjure thee upon myself. ” * Very well," said Lakshmana and taking ttltd went into the cave.
32. The Lord Rdma also girded up his loin and taking up a strong bow with a quivar full of inexhaustible arrows got ready to meet them.
33. Then havirg come up the Rdkshasas hurled at Rdma various weapons, stones and trees.
34 — 35. Rdma cut them to pieces of the size of HI seed in a rsoment. Theu having with a thousand arrows killed those Rakshasas that best of Raghus killed Khara, Triahiraa and Dushanas in halfapra^ar, <36. Lakshmana then came out of the cave with 8ft a and having made her over to Rdma, became astonished at seeing all those Rakshasas killed, 37. Sltd having embraced Rdma with her lotus like faoe beaming with joy, wiped off his wounds caused by the weapons of the Rdkshasas, 38—39. The Rdkshasa woman, seeing those brave Rakshasas killed, ran off towards Lanka and going into the audience hall of Havana, whose sister she was, fell crying at his feet.
40 — 41. Seoing his sister thus agitated with fear, Rdvana said to her: u Rise up, rise up, my child, hast thou been disfigured by Indra or Varuna or Yama, O good woman, or by Kuvera? I shall bum him up in a moment.”
42. Unto him the Rdkshasa woman said, " Thou art a heedless fool, addicted to drink, conquered by woman, eflfiminate thou appeared every- where. Without having spies for thy eyes how canst thou be a king?
43 — 44. 44 Khara together with Trishiras and Dushanas has been killed in battle, as also fourteen thousand of high-souled Rdkshasas in a moment by Rdma, the enemy of the Aaurot. He has made the whole of the Jaoasthdna devoid of fear for the Munis, Thou ai t a fool and dost not know. Hence I tell thee.”
45. Rdvana said, *' Who is Rama, why and how has he killed the Aaurois, do thou tell me truly. I shall destroy them by root.”
46 — 47. Surpanakhd said: “Once upon a time I went to the banks of the Gautami from Janasthdna. There in Panchavati, which was formerly the abode of Munis, I saw Rdma of great splendour, having eyes like the lotus, in an dshrama with bow and arrow iu hand and wearing matted locks and barks of trees.
48. “ His younger brother Lakshmana is like him. His wife of large eyes is another goddess of love.
4H. “Neither amongst the gods nor amongst the Gandhdrvas nor amongst the Ndgas nor amongst men, have I see u or heard of one like her illuminating all the forest.
50 — 51. "0 thou sinless one, I attempted to bring her in order to make her thy wife, when Lakshmana his brother cut off my nose and eArs at the command of Rdma. Then crying with great pain 1 went to Khara.
52 — 53. 4t He went out bo fight with Rdma accompanied with hosts of Rdkshasas. Those Rakshasas of great strength were destroyed in a moment by Rdma that mau of valour.
54. “ If Rdma wishes he can reduce the three worlds to ashes in half the twinkling of the eye. Of this there is no doubt, so I think, O Lord.
55. “ If Sftd, the one beautiful woman in the world, of eyes like the lotus, becomes thy wife, fruitful shall be thy life on earth. Do thou strive to make her thy wife.
10 58. *' Thou arb incapable of standing before Rdma. Therefore by beguiling that best of Raghus, thou shalfc be able to obtain her, O Lord."
57. Having heard that beautiful speech of his sister the.Stirpanakhd the kiug honoured her with gifts, etc., and having comforted her, entered his inner apartments.
58. There troubled with anxiety he did not get sleep in the night. How could RtUna, who is alone, who is merley a man, have destroyed iny brother Khaia, who was proud of his strength together with his army.
59 Or R&raa is not a man, but the supreme Lord who has come here with his hosts of beings to kill me and my army At the solicitation of Brahma in days of yore he has assumed u human form and incarnated in tha family of Kaghus.
60. If I am killed by the Supreme Lord I shall enjoy the kingdom of heaven. Otherwise I shall enjoy this sovereignty of the Rdkshasas, I shall, therefore, approach Rdraa.
CHAPTER VI.
(77 to illusive dter.)
I. The wise RAvana, having in the night thought over what was to be done, went on his car in the morning to the place of Maricha across the ocean, determined to carry out his object.
2—8. There Maricha wearing like a Muni matted locks and barks, was absorbed in contemplation meditating in his heart on the Supreme self, who though illumiualing all the attributes of t!>e PrAkriti is himself above all attributes. Ou the completion of lus Samddhi he saw RAvana in his house.
4. Speedily rising up, embracing and worshipping him, aocording to rites and having done him all the honours of a guest, as he was sitting at ease, Marietta said to him.
5. ** Thy coming alone with only a car, O Rdvana, shows that thou art apparently troubled with anxiety, thinking of something to be done.
6. “ If it is not a secret tell me. I shall do all that is good for thee. If it is according to the dictates of virtue, tell me, O king of kings, so that no sin may attach to me.”
7. RAvana said: — There was a king named Dasratba of Ayodhyd. His eldest son is called RAma of unfailing prowess.
8 — 9. “He sent his son away to the forest which is dear to the resi- dents thereof. There together with his wife and his brother Lakshmana he lives in the dense forest in the beautiful hermitage of Panchavaii. His wife SitA of large eyes bewitches the world.
10. “ RAma has killed my RAkshasas even though they did him no wrong. Having killed Khara he lives in the forest very fearlessly.
II, “That vile wretch has, without any fault of hers, cut off the nose and ears of my sister Surpanakhd and lives in the forest void of fear.
12. “ Therefore with thy assistance having gone there. I shall, during his absence in the forest, take away his wife dearer to him than life itself.
13. ** Becoming an illusive deer thou shalt take away RAina and Lakshmana from the Ashrama. 1 shall then bring SitA.
14. Having helped me thou Bhalt live here as before.” As he was saying so, Maricha looking at Ravana with eyes of wonder said — 15. “ Who has advised thee to do whatdestroys thee by the very root? He is thy enemy planning thy destruction; he should be killed.
16 — 18. “ I lcmember the prowess of Rdma when he was a child, how he came to protect the sacrifice of Viahwdmitra and how by one shot of arrow, he hurled me bo the distance of a hundred yojanas into the ocean. Troubled with that first fear remembering him, I see him everywhere.
19 20. u In the Dandaka forest) also remembering the former enmity 1 assumed the form of a deer with sharp horns and went about surrounded with others like myself. There 1 ran speedily in order to kill K&ma together with Sitd. and Lnkshmana. Seeing me coming up to kill him Ire aimed an arrow at me.
21. K Pierced by that arrow in the heart I became giddy and fell into the ocean. Since then I have taken refuge in this place which is free from the fear of Kama.
22. * I am always meditating upon R&ma afraid of even what conduces to my enjoyment, so terrified am I. Even the words Rdjd (king), Rutna (jewel), Rat ha (car) which commence with the letter R terrify me, because they carry the initial letter of Rama's name.
23. “ Kama has come here, thus fearing I give up even outside work. When overpowered with sleep 1 dream only of Ktima.
24. “ Then seeing R&ma in my dream I w.tke up aud sit. Do you give up your (hostile) intentions against Rama and go home. Do you save the family of the Rakshasas which has risen in prosperity. Should you consider him as an enemy all that is yours shall verily be destroyed.
25. “ My advice is for thy good, accept it. Leave off enmity towards Kdma the Supreme self, serve him with devotion. The scion of the Raghus is very merciful.
26. “ I heard all this from the Muni (NArada) in the first Yuga. When Brahma solicited him, the Lord Hari said to him * what shall I do for thee/ 27. " Brahma said to him ' O thou of eyes like the lotus, do thou go to the earth taking a human form. Becoming the son of Dasratha, do thou forthwith kill the enemy of the gods the ten headed Rdvana * 28 — 29. “ Therefore Rama is no human being. He is the undecaying N&r&yana himself, for lightening the load of the earth he has come into the world under a human form through M&yd and is fearless. Do thou, my dear, return home/' Hearing these words of Maricha, Rdvana said — 30 — 31. “ R&ma is the Supreme lord, and has heedfully at the solicitation of Brahma come upon earth under a human form in order to kill me — then he will surely do this ere long, being the Lord of true resolve. Therefore 1 shall surely contrive means of bringing away Sitd from Rama.
32. “ Killed in battle, O thou brave man, I shall attain to the supreme condition. Otherwise having killed R&ma in battle 1 shall have Sitd without fear.
33 — 34. u Therefore. 0 thoa of great fortune, get up and becoming a deer of wonderful shape entice R&ma **nd Lakshmana a long way off from the hermitage. Go forth speedily aud return and live iiere happily as before.
35. “If thou speakest anything more to terrify me, I shall surely kill thee this instant with this sword/*..
36. Hearing that speech of R&vnna, Maricha thought in his mind.
** If Rama kills me I shall be released from this ocean of worldly life. If this vile wretch kills me, I shall surely go to hell/* 37. Having thus resolved to die at the hands of R&ma, Maricha got up speedily and said to Ravana, “ I shall, O Lord, do thy bidding/ 38—40. Having said so they both mounted the car and went to the Ashrama of RAitm. Marichu Mien became a deer of the colour of pure gold, with silver spots, liis horns we re made of jewels and his feet of costly gems \ his eye9 were of blue stoue and his lustre wan like that of lightning. Thus he roamed about in the forest close to the Ashrama of Rama within the sight of SftA. Now running, now standing, again coining up, agitated with lear, in this way that vile RAkshasa assuming the lorm of a deer under the influence of IVlAyA allured SHA, CHAPTER VII.
( The ttbiludion of Sxtd.)
1. Now RAma having known all that RAvana intended to do, 8aid<,o SllA as she was alone, “ Hear, O JAnnki, what I say.
2. “ RAvana shall come to thee in the guise of a mendicant. Do thou enter the cottage having pluc»d a shadow of thyself outside.
3. “ Do thou live, in the tire unseen, by my order for a year. On RAvana having been killed thou shalb, O good lady, come to me nc before/' Notp.. — I n the Valmiki Ramayana there is no 9uch direction »>f Ram* to 8ita. 8ho merely sees tire deer, is attracted by its appearance and tolls Kama to bring it and be goe* after it.
4. Hearing this speech of RAma, SitA did as she was told and, having placed an illusive SitA outside, entered the fire.
5. The illusive SitA, having seen the illusive deer, smilingly ap- proached Ruma and humbly said to him.
6. u See RAma, this variegated golden deer, adorned with gems, spotted with wonderful hues, and roaming about fearlessly.
7. “ Having secured it, do thou give it to me, let this beautiful deer be my plaything/' “ Very good/' so sayiug, Rfima took up his bow and said to Lakshmana.
8. “ Do thoii carefully protect SffcA, who is dearer to me than life itself. There are in this forest many Rakshasas of terrific shapes.
9. u Therefore do thou carefully protect SitA who is good and free from faults/' Then Lakshmana said to Rama, *' O Lord, this deer is Maricha in the shape of a doer. There is no doubt in this. Otherwise how could there be a deer like ibis."
10. RAma said if it is Marfcha, I shall undoubtedly kill him. If it is a deer I shnll bring him in order to please SitA.
11. I shall go and binding this deer shall soon briDg him. Do than stand heed fully protecting SitA.
12 — 13. So saying RAma went after the illusive deer. That MAyA upon which the world rests, which appears in the shape of the world and which deludes all, under its influence RAma, though he was the intelli- gent self and perfect, yet ran alter the deer. The Lord is merciful toward# his devotees, and to make this saying true Hari ran after Maricha.
14 — 15. In order to please SitA even though he knew what the deer was, the Lord went after it. Otherwise what has RAraa, who is without desire, who knows his own self, who is the Supreme self, to do with* woman or a deer?
16. Now miming near the cottage, now running aw»»y from it, now- hiding himself, thus the deer did carry the Lord Rama a long way off the cottage.
17. Then RAma having known that he wa9 a RAkshasa pierced him who had appeared under the guise of a deer, with an arrow. Then Maricha having assumed his usual form fell on the ground bleeding from the mouth.
18 O I am killed, do thou O Lakshmana of long arms protect me," So uttering words simulating those of RAma, he fell bleeding from the mouth.
19. By reciting whose name at the time of death even one who is ignoranb attains to peace, what is to be said of him who sees Hari before him and meets his death at his hand.
20. Emerging from his body a light entered RAma in the sight of all the world. Seeing this the gods were struck with wonder.
21. What good actions did that sinful being the killer of Munis do to achieve such a happy end? Or it is the greutness of RAina, of.this there is no doubt.
22 Pierced by the arrow of RAma, he ever remembered him from fear, having relinquished all in the shape of home, wealth and the rest.
23 Always meditating upon RAina in his heart with all his impur- ities destroyed, when killed by Kama he saw him standing before himself, and therefore attained to him.
24. Whether he be a Brahmana or a sinful being, a RAkshasa or a vicious person, if he remembers RAma when leaving the body, he attains to the supreme abode.
25. fc$o saying to each other the gods went to heaven.
Note. — In the Valmiki there is no Allusion to any light emnnating from MAricha’s body and entering Rama. Chap. U4, A r any a Kanda, merely records his death at Rama’s hand.”
25 — 26. RAma then thought “ how that vile RAkshasa when dying imitated my voice uttering “I am dying O Lakshmana.” On hearing this voice like mine, what shall SifcA think and how shall it fare with her?
27 — 28. Thus troubled with anxiety, RAma returned from afar. SltA on hearing that cry of the vile Maricha, g<>t terrified and in great pain said to Lakshmon*. "Go ab once, O Lakshmana, thy brother is troubled by the Uakshusa.
29 “ Dost thou not hear his cry of, *0 Lakshmana.’ ” To her Lakshmana said “ 0 Queen, this cannot be the cry of RAina. Jt was the cry of the RAkshasa as he was dying.
30 — 33 “ When angry KAma can destroy in a moment the three worlds, how can he who is worshipped by the gods cry piteously. Angrily look- ing at Lakshmana with tears in her eyes SltA said: — “Wretch, dost thou wish evil to thy brother. Thou hast been sent by Blmrata wishing for the death of RAma and on his departure from the world to carry me off. Thou shall not have me as I shall give up life this moment.
34. “ Rama does not know thee to be like this, intent upon abducting his wife. I shall not touch thee or Bharata or any one else save RAma.”
35—36. Thus saying she struck her body with, her hands and wept. Hearing this Lakshmana shutting off his ears Baid in great pain, “ Thou tellest me this, 0 angry lady, fie upon thee, ihou shalt meet with ruin.”
37. So saying and having made over Sit A to the goddesses of the woods, in great pain he slowly went towards RAma.
38. Then finding this opportunity, Ravnna in the guise of a mendi- cant went to SltA with his staff and bowl hanging on his side.
39. Seeing him SitA forthwith bowed to him and reverently giving him fruits, roots and the like, said to him, “ Welcome, O Muni, eat these fruits, and comforiably rest here.
40. “ My husband will be here just now and will do thee further service, stop here if it pleases thee.”
41. The mendicant said, "Who art thou, of eyes like the lotus, who is thy husband, O sinless one, with what object is thy residence here in this forest, the haunt of the UAkshasas? Teil me all this, 0 good woman, and I shall tell thee my own story.”
42. Sftd said, ° The great Lord of Ayodhya, Rdjd Dasrafcha of good fortune, had tor his eldest son Rama endowed with all good qualities.
43. “Iam his lawful wife and am called Sita. the daughter of Janak, His younger brother Lakshmana is attached to him with brotherly love.
44. 44 With his fathers permission he h is come to live in this Dandaka forest for 14 years. I wish to know thee, do thou tell me about thyself/* 45. The mendicant replied, “I am Ravana, the son- of Paulastya, the lord of the Kdkshaaas burning with bve for thee I have come here to carry thee off to my city.
46. 44 What shalt th«»u do with Rdma who is living like a Muni? Do thou accept me and enjoy the pleasures of life with me and leave otf thi* sorrowful life in the juugle.”
47. Hearing Rdvan* speak thus, Sita said to him somewhat terrified. tl If thou sayestthia to me, thou shalt meet with death from Rdma.
48. u It&ma shall soon be here with his bruHier, Who can insult me like a tiny deer wishing to touch the consort of a lion?
49 — 50. 41 Pierced by tbe arrows of Rdma thou 9halt fall down upon the earth.” Hearing these words of Sita, R&vana wild with anger allowed his true form like a huge mountain with its ten faces, twenty arms and appearance like that of black cloud.
51 — 52. Seeing that lorm the goddesses of the woods and the other beings get terrified Then tearing the earth with his nails and lifting {Sita up in his arms and balancing her. ho threw her ioto his car ana speedily went towards the welkin 53. 14 Oh Udma, Oh Lakshmana/* thus crying, weeping, terri6ec and humbled Sita looked down towards the earth.
54 — 55. Hearing Sitd's cry of pain the vulture Jabdyusha of sharp beah soon rose up from the mountain side and said to liiivana 44 tarry, tarry, when I am here, who can go away cirrying off the wife of the lord of the world from his lonely home in the forest, like a dog carrying otf the liba- tions prepared for a sacrifice with the aid of the mantras?
66. So saying, with his sharp beak he tore Rdvnna's car to pieces, and with his feet he pierced his horses and broke his bow, 67. Then releasing Sitd, Rdvana took up a dagger and cut off the wings of the wise king of the birds.
58—59. That king of the birds fell on the ground with some life- breaths remaining. Then having takeu up another car speedily carrying off Sitd who was crying Rdma, Rdma, and found no protector, Havana went away.
60— 61 44 Oh Lord of the world, O Rdma, thou dost not see me in this distress, Do thou release thy wife as she is being carried away by the Rdkshasa. Oh Lakshmana of great fortune do thou protect m 3 who has sinned against thee. My brother-in-law pierced with my Wordy shafts thou shouldst pardon me/* As she was crying thus, Rdvana fearing the advent ofRdraa went off with the speed of wind carrying Sitd away.
62 — 63. As she was being carried through the sky and bad her head downwards that lotus faced Indy saw five monkeys sitting on a hill.
64. Taking off half of her upper garment and her jewels and tying them in a bundle she threw it on the hill, saying let them tell Rdma of it.
65. Then having crossed the ocean and reaching Lankd, Rdvana placed Situ, in the inside of his palace in the Asoknvdna sorrouuded by Rdkshasa women and looked after her like his own mother.
66. Lean, greatly humbled, bereft of decorations, with her face burn- ing with sorrow, greatly agitated, always crying Oh Rdma, Rdma, thus did Sitd live in the midst of tl»e Rdkshasa women.
Not*.— This Keeping Sita like bis mother is clearly Purnnic invention. In the Valmiki, Havana having entered Lanka with Sita like death in his arms placed her in the midst of Pisacha women and commanded them on pain of death not to do or say anything disagreeable to her. The words MAya, A'ayamiva, Surim ( HT3T HHIT ) in Acanya Kanda, Valmiki, Chap. 54, verse 14, scarcely justify the interpretation of the commentator that the Sita who was brought to Lanka was an illusive Sita and that the real Sita had entered fire. They only mean that just as.Maya the chief of the Asuras placed.his Aaurie euergy in a place, Ruvaua did the same with Sita.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
1—2. Having killed that Rdkshasa who could illusively assume va- rious forms Rdma returned to his Ashrama and saw Lakshmana coming up from afar with a downcast and dry face. Then Raghava of great soul anxiously thought.
3. Lakshmana does not know that 1 have created an illusive Sitd. Even though I know this, yet I shall delude him and grieve like an ordinary person.
4. If having relinquished all action, I sit silently in my temple, then how shall the death of millions of Rdkshasas be brought about.
5 — 7. If I grieve over Sitd burning with sorrow like an ordinary person then by gradually searching for her I shall reach the abode of the Asuras. There having killed Rdvana with his family, I shall bring out Si tA who was placed by me in the tire and carefully go to Ayodhyd. I have become born as man at the prayer of Brahma. Having assumed a human form I shall for some time live upon the earth. Therefore do you listen to my actions done under the influence of Mdyd. Thereby you will easily attain to emancipation by following the path of devotion.
8 — 9. Having resolved in this manner, Rdma seeing Lakshmana coming up said to him: 44 Why hast thou come leaving off Slid, who is dearer to me than life itself. The daughter of Janaka has been carried away or eaten by Rdkshasas.
10 — 11. With folded hands and weeping Lakshmana repeated the harsh words of Sita. “ ‘Oh Lakshmana/ these words of the Rdkshasa were heard by her. Hearing these words like thine, she told me to go forthwiih. I told her Oh Goddess, this is the cry of the Rdkshasa. It is not the cry of Rdma, do thou, of sweet smiles, be easy.
12. 41 Thus. pacified by me that good woman said to me, words which can not be repeated in thy presence.
13 “Shutting my ears and coming out of the hermitage I have come to see thee/’ Rdma said to Lakshmana thou hast yet acted unwisely, 14 Thou hast taken the words of a woman to be true and leaving off that fair-faced lady hast come here. She has been carried away or eaten by Rdkshasas. Of this there is no doubt.
16. Thus troubled with anxiety Rdma speedily went towards his Ashrama. There not finding Jdnaki he wept in great sorrow.
16. 41 Oh my beloved! where hast thou gone, thou art not seen in the Ashrdma as before. Or art thou hiding somewhere playfully in order to deceive me.”
17. Thus searching throughout the forest he did not see Jdnaki and asked £he goddess of the woods as to where his dear wife Sitd was.
18. 44 Let the deer, the birds ar,d the trees show me my beloved." Thus weeping Rama did not find Sitd anywhere.
19. Although omniscient and capable of seeing everything yet he, fche Lord of the Rag h us, did not see.Slui. Though bliss itself, yet ho grieved over her. Though Ui\moving yet lie ran about- 20. Though without the sense of f or mine and the embodiment of unbroken bliss, yet he grieved over l$£td, crying, ** my wife, ray ISitA, “ in grief.
21. Thus acting under the influence of. MAyA, though unattached, that best ot Raghus appeared to be attached to things of the world to those of foolish understanding but not to those who knew the truth.
22 — 23. Thus searching through all the forest, RAma together with Lakshmuna saw lying on the ground a broken car, bow and the pole of the car. Seeing these he said to Lakshinaim, “See Lakshmana, someone was carrying off the daughter of Janaka, when another conquered him and took her away.”
24. Then having gone some way off he saw a creature lying like a mountain with body drenched with blood. Seeing him Rami said.
25. *'Thi-$ creature undoubtedly devoured Janaki of auspicious appearance and is now sleeping having gorged himself. See, I shall kill this KAkshosa.
26. “Do thou, 0 Raghunandana, soon bring my bow and arrow.” Hearing these words of Rama, JatAyusha said as if terrified.
27 — 28. “Do not kill me, may good betide thee. Iam myself dying on account of my own karma. I am JatAyusha who pursued RAvana, the kidnapper of thy wife. Then, O thou destroyer of enemies, there was a fight between us, I broke his horses and this is his car. I was then killed by him.
29. “ O master of the world I have fallen and shall give up my life- breath, see me ” Hearing this painful cry of the bird, Rama saw his life- breath struggling through his throat.
30. He touched him with his hand and with tears in his eyes said: 31. “Say, O JatAyusha, who has carried off my wife of auspicious features. Thou hast beeu killed for uiy sake, therefore thou art my dear friend.** 32. — 33. In painful accents, with blood coming out of his mouth, Jatayusha said, “Ravana, the RAkshasa of terrible strength, has, O Rama, carried away SitA and went towards the south. Further than this I have not the strength to say. I shall give up life in thy presence.
34. It is good that I have seen thee, O tllou sinless one, in my last moments. Thou art the Supreme sell, Vishnu who hast taken a human form through MAyA.
35. In my last moments having seen thee, 0 best of Raghus, I am emancipated. Do thou touch me with thy bauds and I shall attain to thy abode/* 38. “ Very well/* so saying Rama smiled and touched his body with his hand. Then having given up life JatAyusha fell on the ground.
37. Rama grieved over him as if he were his own kinsman with tears in his eyes and having collected wood along with Lakshmana cremated him.
38 — 39. Having bathed, RAtna together with Lakshmana killed a deer of the forest, threw pieces of its flesh in several places on the grass saying let all the birds eat this. Let the king of the birds be gratified.
40. Having said so, Rama said to JatAyusha. “Do thou, O JatAyusha, go to my abode. Do thou attaiu to & condition like mine in the sight of all the world/* 41 — 43. Then having taken a heavenly Form, the good Jatdyusha mounted a car resplendent like the sun. Carrying the conch, the discus, the mace, the lotus and wearing a crown and costly gems and a robe of yellow silk, illuminating all the quarters with his light, worshipped by lour of the companions of Vishnu dressed like him and praised by hosts of yuyin8, he came to Rdma and with folded hands sang this hymn of praise.
44. Jatdyusha said: — “ Ever do I bow to that Rdmchandra who is possessed of innumerable attributes, who is measureless, who is the beginning of all and the cause of the preservation and destruction of the world. Whose esseuce is peace and who is the Supreme self of all.
45. '* I bow to that Rdma who is bliss immeasurable, who is eyed askance by Lakshmi, who destroys the troubles of the gods Brahma and the rest, who is the best of men, who carries the bow and the arrow. Unto Him I bow day and night.
46. ‘‘Day and night I take refuge in the scion of the Raghus who is the handsomest of men in the three worlds, who is worshipped by all, whose splendour is like that of the sun, who gives his devotees their desired object, who affords shelter to all and who lives in the hearts of those who love him.
47. “I goto that Hari whose name is the fire which bum 9 this forest of the Sansdra, who is the god of gods of the world, who is merciful, who destroys millions of Rdkshasas, whose body is like the blue waters of the daughter of the sun (Jumnd).
48. ** I go to that Raghunandan who is far away from those who are attached to the world, who is always seen by Munis who are unattached to the world, whose lot is feet are the easy boat to cross the oceau of life.
49. “ I go to that chief of the Raghus who lives in the heart of the Lord of the mountains (Mahadeva), and the daughter of the mountain (Pdrvati), who supports the mountain, whose actions are ever good, whose feet are ever worshipped by the gods and kings of the Danavas.
50. *‘1 go to that chief of the Raghus whose eyes are like the lotus, who is within easy reach of those who shnn other people’s wealth and other people’s wives, whose hearts are pleased on hearing of the prosper- ity and praise of others, and who are always devoted to the good of others.
51. I go to that chief of the Raghus whose lotus face is always graced with a smile, who is always easy of access, who is of the colour of lapus lazuli, wh;>se eyes are like the black lotus, and who is the lord of even the preceptor of Shiva, 52. “I praise that Lord who under the various forms of FTari, Brahma and Shiva appears as if invested with the three qualities of Sacava, Rajas and Tanias, like the sun reflected in vessels full of water, and who is an object of worship to the king of the gods.
63. “ I go to that chief of the Raghus whose form is beautiful like a million lord of Rati (Kdmadeva, the god of love>, who is not far off from the devotion of the followers of the Satpathasakha of the Vedas, who is always manifest in the hearts of those who have subjugated their senses and who destroys all sorrows.”
54. Thus hymned by Jatdyusha, the best of Raghus became highly pleaeed and said “ Do thou go to my supreme abode of Vishnu, may good betide thee.
65. “ Whoever hears this hymn reoited or writes it or regularly reads it, goes to my abode and at the time of death gets recollection of me.”
11 50. Thug thab bird heard with joy the speech of Raghunandao, attained to Rrima’s nature and went to the place worshipped by Brahma, CHAPTER IX.
1. Then Rdma together with Lakshmana went to another forest, again greatly pained and bent upon searching for Sifcd.
2. There was seen there a wonderful Rdkshasa of a wonderful shapo with a face on the breast and bereft of eyes and the rest.
8. The arms of that kiug of the Kakshasa extended for one yojana. He was called Kabandha, the killer of all creatures.
4. As Rdma and Lakshmana were going along the forest they fell into his arms and saw the huge creature iu whose arras they were enveloped.
6. Rdma said to Lakshmana smiiing 44 See Lakshmana this Kakshasa devoid of head and feet with bis mouth on his chest.
6 — 7. “ Whatever ho gets into his arms him he surely devours. We are also enveloped into his arms. There is no way to get out of them, O Raghunandan. What should be done next by us. He shall eat us up/* 8. Lakshmana said: — “ 0 Raghava what need is there of thinking. Leb each of us surely cut off one of his arms.** 9. 44 Very well,” so saying Rdma cut off his right arm with his dagger and Lakshmana did the same forthwith with his left.
10. Then greatly surprised, the Daitya said, 44 Who are you chief of the gods, the loppers of my arms. Are you the gods in the heavens.”
11. Then Rdma of eyes like the lotus said with a smile 44 The Lord of Ayodhyd was Rdjd Dasratha the great.
12. ” I am Rdma his son. Lakshmana the wise is my brother. My wife is Sltd, the daughter of Janaka, famed for her beauty throughout the world.
13. “ As wo had gone a-hunting some Rdkshasa carried away Sifcd. Searching for her we hu,ve come to the dire forest. Enveloped in thy arms we have cut them off in order to protect our life. Who art thou having assumed this dire appearance/* 14. Kabandha said: — “ Blessed am I, if thou art Rdma who hast come near me. Formerly I was the king of the Gandhdrvas proud of my youth and beauty.
15. “I was roaming about the world surrounded with beautiful women and was beautiful to behold. Through ascetism I had obtained from Brahma the boon of indestructibility, O best of Raghus.
16. “ Once upon a time in days of yore I laughed out on seeing the Muni Ashtavakra. Angrily he said 4 O vile wretch, do thou become a Rdkshasa/ 17. “ When beseeched by me Ashtavakra, who was full cf mercy, told me throagh the power of his ascetism of the end of the curse.
18. 44 4 In theTretayuga Kdrdyana himself incarnating as the son of Dasratha will himself come and thy arms which extend to a yojana will be lopped off by him.
19. 44 4 Then released of this curse thou shalb be as before/ Thus cursed by tbe Muni I saw my body transformed into that of a Rdkshasa.
20. 44 At one time I ran after the king of the gods and he also, O Rdma, struck me off on the heed.
21. 44 Then my head fell cn my chesb and my feet also went into my sides, bub on account of the boon given by Brahma I did not meet with death even though struck by a thunderbolt.
22. 44 4 How shall he live without a mouth/ Thus said all the go ds possessed of pity on seeing me bereft of a mouth, 23. (< Then the king of bhe gods said * Thy mouth shall be in thy belly, thy arms shall extend for a yojana, do thou go away from here.’
24. “ Thus directed I live here and always seize creatures of the forest by my arms and eat them. Now my arms have been lopped off by thee, O Ragbunandana.
25—26. “ Now having collected fire-wood at the mouth of a pit and lighted it do thou throw my body unto it. Burnt by the fire by thee, O best of Raghus, I shall attain to my former shape and shall tell thee of the path thy wife ha3 been taken by."