Doha - 51
The evil-minded demon desplyed his demoniac powers before Him whose powerful Maya (deluding potency) holds sway over all, both great and small, Siva and Viranci (the Creator) not excepted.
Chaupala
Mounting up into the air rained down a shower of firebrands, and spouts of water issued forth form the earth. Fiends and fiendesses of diverse form deanced with cries of "Maim and kill?" Now be would rain down showers of faeces, pus, blood, hair and bones; and now he would hurl a volley of stones. By discharging dust all round he made it so dark that if you held out your own hand you would not see it. The monkeys lost their nerve when they saw these supernatural phenomena. "At this rate we are all doomed," they thought. Sri Rama smiled when he saw this fun; at the same time He understood that the monkeys were all alrmed. With a single arrow He broke the illusive web, even as the sun removes the thick veil of darkness. He cast a gracious look on the monkeys and bears, and lo! they grew too stong to be restrained from fighting.
Doha - 52
Asking leave of Sri Rama and accompanied by Angada and other monkey chiefs, Laksmana marched forth in fury, bow and arrow in hand.
Chaupala
With bloodshot eyes. a broad chest and long arms, his white form shone like the snow-clad Himalaya with a slight admixture of red. At the other end the ten-headed monster sent out champions. who rushed forth equipped with missiles. and other weapons of every description. With mountains, claws and trees for weapons, the monkeys hastened to meet the demons, shouting "Victory to Rama." They all closed in the fray, match with match, both the sides equally agog to win. The monkeys, who had now the upper hand battered the demons with their fists and feet and bit them with their teeth. They struck them down and browbeat them. "Kill, Kill, seize, seize, seize, slay, break his head, seize his arm and tear it up!" such were the cries that filled the air throught all the nine divisions of the globe. Headless bodies sprinted furiously hither and thither. Hosts of celestials witnessed the speactacle from heaven, now with joy and now in dismay.
Doha - 53
Blood had collected in the hollows of the earth and dried up there and clouds of dust hung over it like ashes over heaps of live coal.
Chaupala
The wounded warriors shone like so many Kimsuka trees in flower, The two champions Laksmana and Meghnada, grappled with each other in mounting fury. Neither could get the better of the other. The demon, however, resorted to wily tricks and unfair means Laksmana, who was no other than Ananta (the serpent-god Sesa, whose wrath brings about the dissolution of the universe), then waxed furious and in a trice smashed the chariot and tore its driver to pieces. Sesa (Laksmana) smote him in so many ways that the demon (Meghanada) was all but dead. The son of Ravana thought within himself that he was in straits and the enemy would surely take his life. He threw a javelin which was notorious for killing warriors and was all brilliance; and lo! it struck Laksmana in the breast. The blow was so samrt that the prince swooned and Meghanada now went near him shedding all fear.
Doha - 54
A vast number of champions as powerful as Meghanda strove to lift him; but how could Sea, the support of the entire globe, be thus lifted? Hence they returned smarting with shame.
Chaupala
Listen Parvati (continues Lord Sankara,) none can conquer him in battle, the fire of whose wrath speedily consumes all the fourteen spheres (at the time of universal dissolution) and whom gods and human beings, nay, all animate and aninimate beings adore. He alone can understand this mystery, on whom descends Sri Rama's grace. Now that it was evening, both the armies retired and the commandders of the different units began taking count of their troops. The All-merciful and invincible Lord of the universe, the all-perading supreme Spirit, asked: "Where is Laksmana?" Meanwhile Hanuman brought him; seeing His younger brother (in a swoon) the Lord felt sore distressed. Jambavan said, "Susena, the physician, lives in Lanka; someone should be sent to fetch him here." Assuming a minute (indiscernible) form Hanuman went and immediately brought him, house and all.
Doha - 55
Susena came bowed his head at Sri Rama's lotus-feet. He mentioned the name of the herb as well as of the mountain where it could be had, and said, "Proceed, O son of the wind-god, to bring it."
Chaupala
Enshrining Sri Rama's lotus-feet in his heart and assuring the Lord of his own might, the son of the wind-god departed. At the other end a spy disclosed the secret to Ravana, who called at the house of Kalanemi (a demon ally of Ravana). The ten-headed monster told him all that he had to say, hearing which Kalanemi beat his head again and again. "Nobody can obstruct him who burnt your capital before your very eyes. Therefore. adore the Lord of the Raghus in your own interest and desist, my lord from all vain prattle. Hold in your heart that lovely form, swarthy as the blue lotus, the delight of all eyes. Dismiss the foolish idea of `I' and `You' mine and thine and awake from slumber in the night of gross infatution. Can anyone even dream of conquering Him in battle, who devours even the serpent of Time (which in its turn devours the entire creation)?"
Doha -56
The ten-headed monster flew into a tearing rage when he heard this. Thereupon Kalaneme reasoned to himself:"I should rather die at the hands of Sri Rama's servant; for this wretch revels in his load of sins!"
Chaupala
So, saying to himself he departed and resorted to his black art; he produced by the path a lake, a temple and a lovely garden. The son of the wind-god saw the good hermitage and thought to himself:"Let me ask leave of the hermit over there and drink ensconced himself there in the deceitful garb of a hermit and sought to delude the messenger even of the Lord of Maya. The son of the wind-god went and bowed his head before him; and the demon in his turn began to recite Sri Rama's praises. "A fierce war is raging between Sri Rama and Ravana, of which Rama will undoubtedly emergy victorious. I behold everything my brother, even from here; for my great strength lies in my intuition. "On his asking for water, the demon gave Hanuman his own waterpot; but the monkey chief said, "My thirst will not be quenched by a small quantity of water. " Then take a plunge in the lake and speedily come back. After that I will initiate you and you will have spiritual insight."
Doha - 57
No sooner had Hanuman stepped into the lake than a she-alligator seized him by the foot in great excitement. having been slain by Hanuman, she assumed a celestial form and, mounting an aerial car, soared into the heavens.
Chaupala
"By your very sight, O dear monkey, I have been absoleved of all sins and the curse of the great sage (which accounted for my birth in an alligator's womb) has come to an end. This fellow O monkey chief, is no hermit but a terrible demon: believe my words to be true."So saying, the celestial nymph left for her abode in heaven and Hanuman immediately returned to the demon. Said the monkey: "First receive, holy sir,your fee as my spirtual preceptor and after that impart to me the sacred formula." Hanuman then twosted his tail round the hermit's head and knowcked him down, and he appeared in his natural (demoniac)form at the moment of his death and gave up the ghoest while muttering ``Rama, Rama" Hanuman was delighted at heart to heart this name and proceeded on his journey. He found the mountain but failed to single out the herb (prescribed by Susena); he, hterefore, lost no time in uprooting the mount itself. Holding up the mountain in his hand, Hanuman darted back through the air while it was yet night and happend to pass over the city of Ayodhya.
Doha - 58
Bharata (who kept vigil at night ever since his return from Citrakuta) espied a colossal figure coursing through the air and thinking it to be some demon drew his bow to the ear and struck him with a headless shaft.
Chaupala
Struck by the dart, Hanuman dropped unconscious to the ground, crying ``Rama, Rama, O Lord of the Raghus!" The moment Bharata heard these pleasing words he rushed and came posthaste by the side of the monkey. Seeing the monkey in swoon, the prince clasped him to his bosom and tried every means to bring him back to consciousness but in vain. With a sad look in his face and much distressed at heart and his eyes full of tears, he spoke the following words; "The selfsame Providence who alienated me from Sri Rama has also inflicted this terrible suffering on me. If in thought, word and deed I cherish sincere devotion to Sri Rama's lotus feet, and if the Lord of the Raghus is kindly disposed towards me, may this monkey be relieved of all exhaustion and pain." As soon as these words entered his ears the monkey chief arose and sat up crying "Glory, all glory to the Lord of Kosala!"
Doha -59
A thrill of joy through his body and tears rushed to his eyes as Bharata took and clasped the monkey to his bosom. His heart overflowed with love at the very thoght of Sri Rama, the glory of Raghu's race.
Chaupala
"Tell me, dear friend if all is well with Sri Rama, the Fountain of Joy, as well as with His younger brother (Laksman) and my mother Janaki (Janaki's Daughter).' The monkey chief told him in brief all that had happened and Bharata felt much distressed to hear it and his heart was filled with remorse. "Ah me, good heavns, why should I have been born into this world at all, if I could not be of any service to the Lord?" But realizing the adverse circumstances the gallant and mighty prince recollected himself and addressed Hanuman again. "You will be delayed in your journey and nothing will avail after daybreak Therefore, ascend my arrow, mountain and all and I will send you straight into the presence of the All-merciful." Hanuman's pride was tickled when he heard these words. "How will the arrow fly with my weight?" he thought Then, ecalling Sri Rama's glory. he bowed at Bharata's feet and spoke with joined palms:-
Doha - 60
"Cherishing the thought of your majesty, my lord, I will go swiftly." So saying and obtaining leave of Bharata, Hanuman bowed at his feet and sped on. As he journeyed forth, the son of the wind-god extolled to himself again and again Bharata's strength of arm, amiability and goodness as well as his boundless devotion to the Lord's feet.
Chaupala
Now, there on Suvela Sri Rama uttered words befitting a mortal as He looked at Laksmana, "Although it is now past midnight, Hanuman has not yet turned up!" Sri Rama raised His younger brother and clasped him to His bosom. "Brother, you could never bear to see me in distress, since your disposition has always been so tender. On my account you left both father and mother and exposed yourself to the cold, the heat and the winds of the forest. Where is that old love now, brother, that yu refuse to get up even on hearing my lamenht? Had I known that I would lose my brother in the forest. I would never have obeyed even my father's command. Sons, riches, wives, houses and kindfolk in this world repeatedly come and go; but a real brother cannot be had again in this world Ponder this in your mind and arise, dear brother. As a bird is utterly miserable without wings, a serpent without its head-jewel and a noble elephant without its trunk, so is my life without you, brother, in case stupid fate compels me to survive. With what face shall I return to Ayodhya after sacrificing a beloved brother for the sake of my wife. I would rather have suffered obloquy in the world (for my inability to recovel my wife); for after all the loss of a wife is not a serious loss. Now, however, my unfeeing and stony heart will endure both that obloguy and the deep anguish of your loss, my son. Your mother's only son, you are the sole prop of her life. Yet she took you by the hand and entrusted you to me, knowing that I would make you happy in everyway and that I am your greatest well wisher. What answer shall I give her when I go back? Why should you not get up and advise me, brother?" Thus lamented the Dispeller of sorrow in diverse ways; and tears flowed from His eyes which resembled the petals of a lotus. Uma, (continues Lord Siva,) the Lord of the Raghus is one(without a second) and indivisible; He exhibited the ways of human being only because He is so compassionate to His devotees.