Having spoken thus unto Maithilee and commanded the host of the
Rakshasees, Ravana, a terror unto his enemies, went away. And after that
lord of Rakshasas had gone away and entered his inner apartment, the
hideous Rakshasees drew near Sita. And approaching Sita that terrible
host, almost faint with ire, addressed Vaidehi with the following harsh
words--"Thou dost not regard it highly, Sita, that thou shalt become the
chosen wife of that high-souled, and great Ravana, the Ten-necked son of
Pulastya." Thereupon another Rakshasee name4 Ekjata, with eyes rendered
coppery with ire, addressing Sita, having a small navel,
said,--"Pulastya is the fourth of the six Prajapatis,[328] a mind-born
son of Brahma and celebrated in the world. And the glorious ascetic, by
name Bishrava. was the mind-born son unto Pulastya, effulgent like unto
Prajapatis. O large-eyed damsel! Of Visrava came Ravana terrible unto
his enemies. And it behoveth thee to become the consort of that lord of
Rakshasas. Scorn not the words I say unto thee, O thou of comely
presence." Thereupon another Rakshasee named Harijata, having the eyes
of a cat, and whirling them with ire, said--"It becometh thee to be the
wife of that lord of Rakshasas who smote the thirty three celestials and
their lord in battle. Dost thou not desire to be his wife, who is
heroic, of indomitable prowess and who doth not turn back in battle? And
turning away in scorn from his beloved wife, highly esteemed, the mighty
king Ravana, desireth for thee. And leaving his inner apartment enriched
with thousand of females and adorned with various jewels, Ravana shall
adore thee." And then followed another Rakshasee by name Bikata--"The
king, who by his terrible prowess subdued the Gandharbas[329] and
Nagas[330] in battle, hath stood by thee. O foolish damsel, why dost
thou not wish to be the consort of that high-souled lord of
Rakshasas--Ravana, gifted with wealth and riches." And then followed
another Rakshasee named Durmukhee.-- "Why dost thou not approach him, O
thou having expansive eyes, by whose fear, the sun doth not shine, and
the wind doth not blow. O dame, why dost thou not wish to be the consort
of Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, at whose command the trees shower
blossoms and the hills and clouds pour down water. Why dost thou not
make up thy mind to be the wife of Ravana? O damsel, O worshipful dame,
we have spoken thus for thy welfare. Do thou comply with our request or
thou shalt surely die,"
[328] Prajapitis are the lords of the created beings first created by
Brahma.--T.
[329] Heavenly singers and musicians who belong to the heaven of
Indra.--T.
[330] Serpent-gods who dwell in the regions under the earth.