"Having thus given the command of a huge and dreadful army to Khara and
consoled his sister the Ten-necked demon was satisfied and freed from
anxiety. Thereupon that highly powerful lord of Rākshasas with his
followers entered an excellent garden in Lankā named Nikumbhilā. And
there, he saw, filled with hundreds of sacrificial posts and altars, a
sacrifice being celebrated, as if burning in its lustre. And he beheld
his fearful son Meghnāda too, clad in an antelope skin and holding
_Sikhā_ and _Kamandalu_. Having seen him (there) and embraced him by his
arms the lord of Lankā said:—’What are you after, O my child? Tell me
the truth.’ Thereupon that foremost of twice-born ones Usanas⁸⁴ of
austere penances, wishing the prosperity of the sacrifice, said to
Rāvana—the Rākshasa chief:—’Hear, I shall relate to thee everything, O
king; thy son hath met with the fruits of many a sacrifice—Agnistoma,⁸⁵
Asvamedha,⁸⁶ Bahusubarnaka,⁸⁷ Rajsuya,⁸⁸ Goinedha,⁸⁹ and Baisnaba.⁹⁰ And
being engaged in this Mahesvvara sacrifice, which is incapable of being
celebrated by men, thy son hath obtained boon from Pasupati⁹¹ himself.
"’He has also obtained illusory powers—which create darkness or
ignorance—namely of ranging in the sky, of being eternal, of ascending a
celestial car which courses at will and of creating darkness. O lord of
Rākshasas, these illusory powers being used in a conflict, even the
celestials and Asuras shall not be able to perceive his course. Besides
he has obtained a quiver, the arrows whereof shall never be exhausted, a
bow, which is hard of being got by and a dreadful weapon which destroys
enemies in a conflict. Having obtained these boons thy son, O thou
having ten faces, and myself, the sacrifice being finished, have been
waiting to behold thee.’ Whereto the Ten-necked demon replied—’You have
not done well as you have worshipped, with diverse articles my
enemies—Indra and others. However, what is done is done; there is virtue
in this—no doubt; come, O gentle one, we shall go to our house.’
Thereupon going there with his son and Bibhishana, the Ten-necked demon
got down all those damsels, speechless with tears, gifted with
auspicious marks, the precious females of the celestials, Dānavas and
Raskshasas. Perceiving his vicious desire for those damsels, the
virtuous-souled (Bibhishana) said:—’Thou dost (still) follow thy own
whims, knowing that people are injured by these actions which destroy
piety, wealth and fame. Having slain their kinsmen thou hast brought
these beautiful damsels hither, but disregarding thee, O king, Madhu
hath carried away Kumbhanasi.’ Rāvana said:—’I do not understand all
this. Who is that Madhu, who has been named by thee?’ Worked up with ire
Bibhishana said to his brother:—’Hear, the fruit of thy vicious actions
hath arrived. There was an old Rākshasa, celebrated for his wisdom,
named Malyavān, the elder brother of Sumālin, our maternal grandfather.
His grand-daughter is Kumbhanashi and is born of our maternal aunt
Analā; so she is virtually our sister. Thy son being engaged in the
sacrifice and myself being under waters she was stolen away, O king, by
the powerful Rākshasa Madhu. Kumbhakarna, O great king, was then asleep.
Having slain all the powerful Rākshasas and thy councillors, he had
stolen her away, O king, who was in thy inner apartments. Hearing this
even, O great king, we have pardoned and not slain him: an unmarried
girl should be given away to her husband by her brothers, but that has
not been the case—this is merely the result of thy vicious
actions—wicked-minded as thou art, And this thou hast met with
instantly—so the people say.’ Hearing the words of Bibhishana, Rāvana,
the lord of Rākshasas, became agitated like an ocean, by the
recollection of his vicious deeds. And enraged, with blood-red eyes the
ten-necked demon said—’Get my chariot ready soon and let all the heroes
of our party be prepared. Let my brother Kumbhakarna and other leading
night-rangers, armed with various weapons, ascend their conveyances.
Having slain today in the encounter that Madhu, who is not afraid of
Rāvana, I shall, encircled by my friends, and desirous of battle,
proceed to the region of the celestials.’ Thereupon issued out for
battle leading Rākshasas four thousand Akshauhini strong taking various
weapons. Commanding them Indrajit preceded the army, Rāvana went in the
middle and Kumbhakarna was in the rear; the virtuous-souled Bibhisana
remained in Lankā, being engaged in pious observances. And the rest of
the leading Rākshasas proceeded towards the city of Madhu. And all the
Rākshasas went covering the sky, some on asses, some on camels, some on
horses, some on quick-coursing porpoises and some on huge serpents. And
beholding Rāvana proceed, hundreds of Daityas, inimical to the
celestials, followed him. Having arrived at the city Of Madhu and
entered there the ten-necked demon did not behold Madhu but espied his
sister. Thereupon being afraid of the king of Rākshasas, Kumbheenashi,
with folded palms, touched his feet with her crown. Having raised her up
the Rākshasa-chief Rāvana said ’No fear, what can I do for you?’ Whereto
she replied—’O king, O thou having long arms,—if thou art pleased with
me, do not slay my husband to-day, O conferrer of honours. It is said
there is no other fear like this for damsels of high pedigree. The
greatest of fears is that of being a widow. Be thou truthful, O king of
kings—do thou look towards me, who am thus begging; Thou hast thyself
said, O king; "No fear."’ Being thus addressed Rāvana said to his sister
there:—’Do thou tell me speedily where is thy husband. I shall go with
him for conquests to the region of the celestials. Out of pity and love
for thee I refrain from slaying Madhu.’ Being thus accosted; that
Rākshasi, being pleased, got her sleeping husband, the night-ranger, up
and said:—’Here is my brother, the highly power Daçagriva. Being
desirous of conquering the region of the celestials he prays for thy
help. Do thou therefore proceed to his help, O Rākshasa, with all they
friends; It behoves thee to help him, who out of affection for me, hath
prayed for thy help.’ Hearing those words Madhu said:—’So be it.’ And
approaching a little he beheld that foremost of Rākshasas and duly
welcomed Rāvana. Being thus honoured the highly power Daçagriva spent
one night in Madhu’s house and then, addressed himself for departure.
Thereupon reaching the hill Kailāça, the abode of Baisravan, the lord of
Rākshasas, resembling Mahendra, encamped his army."
⁸⁴ Another name of Sukra. Indrajit took the vow of silence so he
thought it improper to disturb him.
⁸⁵ A sacrifice or rather a series of offerings to fire for five days
to be celebrated in the spring.
⁸⁶ The actual or emblematic sacrifice of a horse, this sacrifice is
one of the highest order, and performed a hundred times, entitles
the sacrificer to the dominion of Swarga or _paradise_.
⁸⁷ A sacrifice in which profuse gifts of gold are made.
⁸⁸ A sacrifice in which all the tributary chiefs pay homage to the
Lord Paramount.
⁸⁹ The offering or sacrifice of a cow.
⁹⁰ A sacrifice relating to Vishnu.
⁹¹ A name of Siva.