"Thereupon meditating for sometime the lord of Lankā went to the region
of the sun and spent the night upon the picturesque summit of the mount
Meru. And ascending the car Pushpaka having the velocity of the sun’s
steeds, he, by various courses, went on and beheld the glorious sun,
gifted with all radiance, purifying all, wearing golden _Keyuras_ and
clothes crested with jewels. His beautiful countenance was adorned with
a pair of excellent _Kundalas_; and his person was embellished with
_Keyuras_, _Nishkas_ and garlands of red lotuses. His body was annointed
with red sandal and was radiant with a thousand rays. And beholding that
foremost of gods—the sun—that primeval deity, without end or middle,
having Uchaisravas as his carrier, the witness of the world and the lord
of the universe, the foremost of Rākshasas, being overwhelmed with his
rays, said to Prahasta—’O minister, do thou proceed at my behest and
communicate unto him my orders—"Rāvana hath arrived here for battle—do
thou offer him fight." Or say "I have been defeated." Do thou follow one
of these extremes.’ Hearing those words that Rākshasa proceeded towards
the sun and beheld two gate-keepers—Pingala and Dandi by name. And
communicating unto them the resolution of Rāvana he stood there silent,
being over-powered with the rays of the sun. And approaching the sun,
Dandi communicated unto him all this. Hearing of Rāvana’s intention from
Dandi the intelligent sun—the enemy of night—wisely said to him—’Do thou
proceed, O Dandi; either defeat Rāvana or tell him "I have been
defeated." Do whatever thou wishest.’ Hearing those words he approached
the high-souled Rākshasa and communicated unto him what the sun had
said. Hearing the words of Dandi the lord of Rākshasas trumpeted his own
victory and went away."