"Thereupon Pulastya heard from the celestials of the capture of Rāvana
like unto the holding of the wind.⁹⁵ And having been moved by the love
for his son, the highly effulgent, great ascetic, proceeded to see the
king of Mahishmati. Proceeding by the aerial way, that twice-born one,
gifted with the velocity of wind and the flight of mind, reached the
city of Mahishmati. Like unto Brahmā entering Indra’s Amaravati, he
entered the city resembling the capital of Indra and filled with
delighted and plump citizens. And beholding that dreadful Rishi approach
like unto Adityā walking on foot, the warders communicated the
intelligence unto the king Arjuna. Understanding from their words that
Pulastya was coming, the king of _Haihayas_, placing his folded palms on
his crown, proceeded to welcome him. Like, unto Vrihaspati preceeding
Purandara, the royal priests went before him carrying _Maduparka_ and
water to wash feet. And beholding the ascetic resembling the rising sun
arrived, the king Arjuna bowed unto him reverentially like Indra
saluting Mahideva. Thereupon offering him Maduparka, cow and water to
wash feet, the king of _Haihayas_ in accents obstructed with delight,
addressed the ascetic saying:—’Reverend Sir, thine visit, it is hard to
obtain. On beholding thee my city Mahishmati hath been turned into
Amaravati. To-day have I obtained all auspiciousness, O lord; to-day
hath my religious observance been fruitful; to-day hath my birth proved
blessed and to-day hath my devout penance been crowned with success, for
I bow unto thy feet, which have been worshipped by the celestials. This
my kingdom, these my sons, this my wife and myself are all at thy
disposal—do thou order me, O Brahman, what I may do for thee.’ Thereupon
having enquired of the king about his piety, offerings and the
well-being of his sons, Pulastya said to Arjuna, the king of
Haihayas:—’O foremost of kings, O thou having eyes like lotus-petals! O
thou having a countenance like the full moon! When thou hast vanquished
Rāvana, thy prowess is matchless in the triple world. Thou hast bound up
my invincible son in the conflict at whose fear the wind and the ocean
stand still. Having drunk up the glories of my son thou hast announced
thine own; so I do say, O my son, do thou release Daçānana.’ Hearing
this command of Pulastya, the king Arjuna did not utter a single word
and set, most delightedly the king of Rākshasas, free. Having released
that foe of the celestials, worshipped him with celestial ornaments and
garlands and established friendship removing all enmities with Rāvana
before fire, and bowed unto Pulastya, the son of Brahmā, he repaired to
his own house. And being released by the influence of Pulastya, the
highly powerful Daçānana, the king of Rākshasas, accepted his
hospitality and being embraced by him, returned home ashamed. And having
set Daçagriva at liberty Pulastya, the son of Brahmā and the foremost of
Munis repaired to the celestial region. O Rāma, in this wise, the highly
powerful Rāvana was defeated by Arjuna and released by Pulastya. Observe
therefore, O descendant of Raghu, there is a mightier man than the
mighty; therefore, one, desirous of his own well-being, should not
disregard another. Having acquired friendship with the thousand-armed
Arjuna, Dacānana, the king of Rākshasas, began again to journey over the
world distressing the kings."
⁹⁵ As it is impossible to hold the wind in a short compass so it was
impossible to bind Rāvana and lead him captive.