SECTION LXXXV.

When the sages had spoken thus, Kakutstha said: "O ascetics, tell me

what is the work which I shall have to accomplish in your behalf. Your

fear shall be removed." As Kākutstha was speaking thus, Bhargava

remarked: "O lord of men, do thou hear of the origin of the fear that

threatens our country. O king, formerly in the Krita age, there was a

magnanimous offspring of Diti, the mighty Asura, Madu, eldest son of

Lotā. He was well disposed towards Brāhmanas, kind to those seeking his

refuge, and gifted with high intelligence. The exceedingly generous

deities delighted in him greatly. And by way of honoring him, Rudra

conferred a wonderful boon upon Madhu endowed with prowess and ever

intent on religion. And extracting a dart from his own, possessed of

terrific energy, endowed with great force, and furnished with exceeding

splendour, that high-souled one, well pleased, made it over (to Madhu)

and spoke to him. Thou hast practised excellent and unrivalled

righteousness, which hath won my good graces, and (therefore), I, highly

gratified, bestow on thee this choice weapon. So long as thou, O mighty

Asura, dost not assail celestials and Vipras, so long shall this be

thine,—otherwise it shall come to naught. Reducing to cinders the person

that shall rashly enter upon conflict with thee, this dart shall return

to thy hand." Having thus obtained the boon from Rudra, the mighty

Asura, again bowing to Mahādeva, addressed him, saying: "O reverend one,

may this excellent dart be the possession of my family. O god, thou art

the lord of the immortals.’ Thereat the lord of all beings, the mighty

deity Siva, answered Madhu, when he had spoken thus: ’This will not be.

But in order that thy prayer may not go for nothing, I graciously say in

thy behalf that one of thy sons shall sway this dart. So long that

dart-handed one shall be incapable of being destroyed by any creature.’

Having obtained this wonderful boon from the god, Madhu—foremost of

Asuras—caused a splendid city to be constructed. His beloved wife the

exalted and majestic Kumbhinasi is the offspring of Viçwavasu by Analā.

Her son, the highly powerful wicked, and fierce Lavana, ever since his

boyhood, gave himself up to a sinful course of life. Seeing his son,

committed to an impious course Madhu was overcome with grief, but he did

not say anything to him. And forsaking this world, he entered the region

of Varuna; and making over the dart unto Lavana, communicated to him all

about the boon he had obtained. And by virtue of the power of the dart,

he oppresseth the three worlds in especial the ascetics; such is the

power of Lavana, and such is his dart. Hearing all this O Kākutstha,

thou art capable (of righting our wrong.) Thou art our chief resource. O

Rāma many a monarch hath been already sued by the sages, O hero, to

deliver them from this fear,—but we have not yet found a deliverer.

Hearing, O child, that Rāvana together with all his forces and vehicles

hath been destroyed (by thee), we know that there breathes not another

king on earth capable of delivering us. Therefore our prayer is that

thou mayst deliver us afflicted with the fear of Lavana. Thus, O Rāma,

have we acquainted thee with the occasion of fear that hath arisen. Thou

art capable of coping with the same. Do thou of undeteriorated prowess,

do the needful."

SECTION LXXVI.

Thus accosted (by the sages), Rāma answered them with joined hands:

"What doth he live on? What are his ways? And where doth Lavana live?"

Hearing Rāghava’s words, the sages informed him of the way in which

Lavana increased in power. "His food is every creature specially

ascetics; his manner of life is regulated by ferocity and his constant

home is Madhuvana. Slaying constantly thousands on thousands of lions

and tigers and deer, and birds and human beings, he provides his daily

food (with their flesh.) And like the Destroyer on the occasion of the

universal dissolution, that one possessed of gigantic strength feeds on

other creatures as well." Hearing this, Rāghava spoke to the mighty

ascetics: "I will slay that Raksha. Let your fright depart." Having thus

bound himself with that promise to the ascetics of fierce energy,

Raghu’s son along with his brothers spoke: "What hero shall slay Lavana?

Do you decide this. On whom shall devolve this duty? Whether the mighty

armed Bharata or the intelligent Satrughna shall (do this work?)" Thus

addressed by Rāghava Bharata remarked: "I will slay this. Let this task

be entrusted to me." Hearing Bharata’s speech instinct with fortitude

and valor, the younger brother of Lakshmana stood up, leaving his golden

seat. And Satrughna, saluting the king represented: "The mighty-armed

second son of Raghu hath already achieved a grand work: he formerly

governed Ayodhyā empty of the noble one,⁹⁶ bearing in his heart the

grief connected with his return. Undergoing many a hardship, king, that

illustrious one passed his days, lying down on a bed of sorrow, and

living on fruits and roots, and wearing rags. Having suffered such

misery, Raghu’s son should not be suffered to undergo trouble, while, O

king I his servant is by." On Satrughna saying this, Rāghava again said:

"Let this be so. Do thou do my bidding. I shall install thee on the

graceful city of Madhu; or if thou wish without and entrust Bharata with

this task, O long-armed one. Heroic, and accomplished, thou art

competent to found a city on the Yamunā as well as flourishing

provinces. He that, having people’s dominion, doth not furnish it with a

king, goeth to hell. So if thou accept my words, then slaying Madhu’s

son, the sinful Lavana, rule the kingdom righteously. O hero, thou must

say anything after what I have spoken. Without doubt, a youthful younger

brother must obey the injunctions of his elder brother. Do thou, O

Kākutstha, accept the installation which I confer on thee, preluded by

the prescribed religious formulae uttered by Vipras headed by

Vasishtha."

⁹⁶ Rāma.

SECTION LXXVII.

Thus accosted by Rāma, the exceedingly energetic Satrughna was

powerfully wrought up with bashfulness, and replied slowly: "O lord of

men, this doth not appear to be in consonance with morality. Wherefore,

an elder brother existing, wouldst thou install a younger one? I must, O

best of men, do thy behest; for, O exalted one, thy mandate can never be

passed by me. O hero, I have heard from thee as well as from the Sruti

(touching the morality concerned).⁹⁷ When my second brother had already

vowed (that he would slay Lavana), I ought not to have returned the

answer I actually have. I saying,—‘I will in battle slay the dreadful

Lavana,’ I have been guilty of an unrighteous speech. And it is for this

transgression that, O powerful one, I shall have to undergo this

improper process. But, albeit this course is unrighteous and entails

perdition, yet desired by my eldest brother, I certainly ought not to

make any answer. And, O Kākutstha, a second answer I would not return;

so that, O bestower of honor, I may not, by a second reply, render

myself liable to a fresh punishment. In this matter, O chief of men, I

will even do thy desire. Do thou, O descendant of Raghu, so order that

sin may not be mine (in having obeyed thy mandate.)" Thus addressed by

the heroic and high-souled Satrughna, Rāma, delighted, spoke unto

Bharata and Lakshmana,—"Do you carefully provide the things necessary

for the coronation: this very day shall I install that foremost of men,

the descendant of Raghu. And by my order do you summon the Purodhasas, O

Kākutstha, and the citizens and the Ritwijas, and the councillors."

Having received the royal behest, the mighty car-warriors did

accordingly. And the Kshatriyas and the Brāhmanas entered the royal

mansion with the priest as well as the requisite things for the

installation. And then commenced the auspicious sprinkling of the

high-souled Satrughna, gladdening (the hearts of all in) the palace of

Rāghava. And on being installed Kākutstha resembled the Sun; and he like

Skanda formerly installed by the celestials led by Indra. And when

Satrughna had been installed by Rāma of untiring deeds, the citizens as

well as the Brāhmanas of vast Vedic attainments experienced excess of

joy. And Kausalyā and Sumitra and Kaikeyi and the other wives of the

king set up festal salutation in the palace. And on Satrughna having

been installed the high-souled sages dwelling on the banks of the

Jamunā, thought that Lavana had been slain. Then placing the installed

Satrughna on his lap, Rāghava, extolling his prowess, addressed him

sweet words: "O captor of hostile capitals, this divine arrow never

missing is thine. With this, O son of Raghu, thou, O placid one, wilt

slay Lavana. O Kākutstha, this shaft was forged when invisible by

celestials and Asuras the divine self-sprung and invincible (deity)

reposed on the mighty main, and when creation was oppressed by Madhu and

Kaitabha as well as other Rākshasas. He, overwhelmed with rage desirous

of creating the three worlds, created this best of arrows invincible to

all beings, for the destruction of the wicked ones; and destroyed them

in battle by means of this very arrow. And having with this foremost of

shafts finished Madhu and Kaitabha, they set about creating the worlds.

When, O Satrughna, formerly I sought to slay Rāvana, I did not discharge

this arrow, thinking that if discharged, it would inflict great havoc on

creatures. Keeping in his abode that great and redoubted which had been

bestowed on Madhu by the high-souled Tryamvaka, for the destruction of

foes,—and worshipping the same ever, Lavana goeth about and secureth

excellent fare (for himself) when one challenged him, desirous of

reducing him (his antagonist) to ashes. Therefore, O foremost of men,

thou shouldst, before entering the city, stand at the gate obstructing

his course. O thou having long arms, thou shouldst invite him for battle

when he shall be weaponless and in that way wouldst be able to destroy

him. And by no other means he is to be slain. If thou canst encompass

this, he shall forsooth be slain. O my son, I have thus told thee the

way in which the dart should be thwarted. It is impossible to surpass

the prowess of the graceful Nilkantha."

⁹⁷ _i.e._ of being installed as a king during the life of my elder

brother.

SECTION LIXVIII.

Having thus addressed Satrughna, Rāma again and again praised him and

said:—"O foremost of men, let four thousand horses, two thousand

chariots, one hundred excellent elephants, shops with various articles

and songsters follow thee. O foremost of men, O Satrughna, do thou

proceed with _Nijuta_ gold and silver coins and necessary riches and

conveyances. Do thou so act, O hero, that soldiers might be well-fed and

delighted and be not annoyed with thee. Do thou please them with sweet

words, for the servants, when they face enemies, have not with them

friends or wives—and so they are pleased, O Rāghava when they receive

sufficient food and presents, O Satrughna, having sent before a huge and

well contented army do thou proceed afterwards to _Madhuvana_. Thou

shouldst proceed so fearlessly that Madhu’s son Lavana might not know

that thou wert going for encounter. O foremost of men, he shall not be

slain by any other expedient than that I have acquainted thyself with.

If he can perceive before, whoever that enemy might be, Lavana shall

forsooth destroy him. When rains shall set in after the expiration of

the present summer thou shouldst slay him for that is the proper time

for destroying that vicious-minded one. For he shall then fearlessly

move about leaving off his dart understanding that no one would come to

fight with him during rains. Let the soldiers only now proceed with

ascetics before them; the summer hath not as yet fully expired and this

is the time, when they shall, without any trouble, be able to cross the

Ganges. Afterwards having encamped thy army on the other side of the

Ganges thou shouldst alone proceed speedily with thy bow." Hearing those

words of Rāma and summoning his highly powerful and leading warriors

Satrughna said "Do ye all proceed and halt at those places which are

well known to you. Do not oppress any body." Having thus ordered the

powerful warriors the highly powerful Satrughna bowed unto Kauçalyā,

Sumitrā and Kaikeyi. Thereupon having circumambulated with folded hands

Rāma, Lakshmana and Bharata he reverentially saluted the feet of the

priests. And then with Rāma’s permission and having gone round him the

highly powerful Satrughna issued out. Having thus depatched before a

huge army consisting of selected elephants and horses, Satrughna, the

enhancer of the glory of Raghu’s race, took farewell from Rāma. And all

showed him proper respect.

SECTION LXXVIII.

Having thus despatched his army and waited at Ayodhyā for a month

Satrughna, the slayer of enemies, proceeded alone. Having spent two

nights on his way he arrived at the holy and picturesque hermitage of

the great ascetic Valmiki. And having bowed unto that high-souled Muni

he, with folded palms, said:—"O illustrious Sir, I wish to wait here

this day; I have come here for some business of our master Rāma.

To-morrow morning I shall proceed to the dreadful West." Hearing the

words of the high-souled Satrughna, Vālmiki, the foremost of ascetics,

replied saying:—"O thou of great renown, do thou wait here without any

hesitation. O gentle one, this hermitage belongs to the descendants of

the Raghu race. Do thou fearlessly take thy seat and water to wash thy

feet." Thereupon taking water to wash his feet and feeding upon fruits

and roots Satrughna attained to great delight. And afterwards he asked

the great ascetic Vālmiki saying:—"O great ascetic, to whom belong the

articles of sacrifice in the cast near this hermitage?" Whereto Vālmiki

replied "Satrughna, hear I shall tell thee, whose sacrificial ground was

this in the days of yore. There was a king by the name of Saudāsa—one of

thy ancestors. His son Virjashaha was a highly powerful and pious king.

The heroic Saudāsa was fond of hunting from his boyhood. Once on a time

while a-hunting, he espied two Rakshasas in the forest. He had heard

about them many times before; they were in the shape of tigers and of a

dreadful figure and were not satiated with devouring many thousand deer.

King Saudāsa saw those two Rākshasas and found the forest divested of

all creatures. And enraged in consequence thereof he slew one of them.

Having slain him and been at ease, Saudāsa, the foremost of men, began

to eye that Rākshasa. His mate, greatly aggrieved, said to him:—’O

vicious one, thou hast, without any fault, slain my companion—I shall

therefore mete out becoming punishment unto thee.’ Having said this the

Rākshasa vanished therefrom. Thereupon in time the prince Virjashaha

became king. Saudāsa engaged in celebrating a mighty horse-sacrifice in

the vicinity of this hermitage. Vasishtha officiated as a priest at that

sacrifice. It continued for many Ayuta years. For immense riches the

sacrifice appeared like one performed by the celestials. Thereupon when

the sacrifice was about to be finished the aforesaid Rākshasa,

remembering his former enmity, assumed the shape of Vasishtha and said

to the king Saudāsa:—’O king, to-day the sacrifice shall end; do

therefore, without any delay, feed me with meat.’ Hearing the words of

the Rākshasa in the guise of a Brahman, the king ordered his expert

cooks, saying:—’Do ye soon prepare such dishes of meat as may satisfy my

preceptor Vasishtha.’ Having been ordered by the king the cooks

reverentially went away and the Rākshasa assuming their shape brought

before the king dishes. The king and queen offered those dishes unto the

ascetic Vasishtha, who, after being treated to them, perceived that they

were of human flesh and, terribly enraged, said:—’O king, let this be

thy food which thou hast offered me; this shall not prove otherwise.’

Being enraged on hearing it the king Saudāsa took water in his palms and

was about to imprecate Vasishtha, when his queen, preventing him

said:—’O king, the illustrious great ascetic Vasishtha is our preceptor

and priest and so thou shouldst not imprecate him.’ Hearing those words

of his queen, the king Saudāsa, threw off that powerful water on his own

feet which at once became dark. From that time the illustrious king

Saudāsa became also known by the name of Kalasmpāda. Thereupon the king

with his spouse again and again bowed unto Vasishtha’s feet and informed

him of what the Rākshasa had done under the guise of a Brāhmana. Hearing

the words of the king and being apprised that this vile act had been

done by the Rākshasa, Vasishtha said, ’O king, even what I have said

angrily shall not prove futile. However I confer upon thee this boon

that after twelve years thou shalt be freed from this curse, and by my

favour thou shalt cherish no recollection of thy condition extending

over those twelve years.’ Having thus suffered the consequences of the

curse, Saudāsa, the slayer of enemies, again obtained his kingdom and

governed his subjects. O descendant of Rāghu, the sacrificial ground of

which thou hast asked me, belongs to the king Saudasa." Having thus

heard the dreadful story of the king Saudāsa and saluted the ascetic

Vālmiki, Satrughna entered a thatched cottage.

SECTION LXXIX.

On the same night Satrughna housed himself in a thatched cottage Sitā

gave birth to twin sons. In the midnight the Muni boys came to Vālmiki

and communicated unto him this auspicious intelligence, saying "O

illustrious Sir, the beloved spouse of Rāma hath given birth to two

sons; do thou so protect them that evil spirits might not injure them."

Hearing those words the highly effulgent Vālmiki went there and attained

to great delight on beholding those two highly effulgent sons,

resembling the newly risen sun and the celestials. Thereupon he made

arrangements against the oppression of ghosts and goblins. Thereupon

taking Kusa (the upper part of the grass) and Lava (the lower part) the

great ascetic Vālmiki made those arrangements. And giving Kusa

sanctified by Mantras unto the hands of elderly women he said, "Do ye

rub the person of the elder boy with these," and giving them Lava he

said "Do ye rub the person of the younger brother with this. And

according to this I shall name the first Son Kusa and the second Lava;

and by those names they shall be celebrated on earth." Thereupon

reverentially taking from the hands of Vālmiki and Kusa Lava, the means

of protection, the elderly ladies engaged in guarding them. Hearing that

Sitā without any trouble had given birth to two sons and elderly female

ascetics had been engaged in protecting them and hearing the chanting of

Rāma’s glories in the midnight, Satrughna thought within himself.

"Blessed it is that Sitā hath given birth to two sons." And with this

joy the live long night of Srābana passed away in no time. Having

performed the morning rites after the expiration of the night and taken

farewell from the ascetic Vālmiki, Lakshmana proceeded towards the west.

And having spent seven nights he at last arrived at the hermitage of the

pious Rishis living on the banks of the Yamunā. Taking shelter there he

engaged in pleasant conversation with Chābanya and other ascetics.

Having remained there for the night and talked with those ascetics the

high-souled, heroic Raghu prince Satrughna was greatly delighted.

SECTION LXXX.

Thereupon when the night set in Satrughna accosted Vrigu’s son Chābanya

saying, "O Brahman, how powerful is Lavana? And what is the strength of

his dart? What persons before had been destroyed by this dart in

conflict?" Hearing the words of the high-souled descendant of

Raghu,—Satrughna, the highly effulgent Chābanya replied saying.—"O

descendant of Raghu, Lavana hath accomplished many works by this dart;

amongst them, hear what Māndhāta, born in the race of Ikshwāku, did. The

early king of Ayodhyā was known over the three worlds under the name of

Māndhāta. He was the son of Yavanāshwa, highly powerful and strong.

Having brought the whole world under his subjection the king Māndhāta

engaged in the conquest of the celestial region. He having been engaged

in making preparations to conquer the world of gods—the celestial chief

Indra with other immortals was greatly terrified. With this promise, the

king Māndhāta went up into the celestial region that he would occupy the

half of Indra’s throne and kingdom and the celestials would adore him.

Being apprised of this vicious intention of his, Indra, the slayer of

Paka, consoled him in sweet words, saying;—’O foremost of men, even in

the land of men, thou hast not been able to become the real king.

Without perfectly subjugating the earth how dost thou wish to lord over

the celestial kingdom? If the whole world is under thy subjection, O

hero, be thou, with the whole host of thy servants and soldiers,

installed on the celestial throne.’ Indra having said this, the

high-souled Māndhāta replied:—’O Sakra, who on this earth, hath

disobeyed my commands?’ Whereto Indra replied ’O sinless one, the

night-ranger, Lavana, Madhu’s son, living in Madhuvana, is not under thy

control.’ Hearing those dreadful and unpleasant words from Indra, the

king lowered his head in shame and became silent. Thereupon, having

welcomed Indra in that way, he left there and returned to earth. O

slayer of enemies, with an angry heart, army and conveyance he went to

subjugate Madhu’s son Lavana and sent an emissary inviting him to

battle. The ambassador, having gone there, addressed many unpleasant

words unto Lavana and the night-ranger devoured him. On the other hand

finding the delay of his return the king Māndhāta, enraged, began to

assail the Rākshasa Lavana with arrows from all sides. Laughing wildly

Lavana took up the dart in his hand and discharged it to destroy the

king with his followers. Thereupon growing powerful the dart reduced the

king with his servants and army into ashes and returned to Lavana. In

this wise the high-souled king Māndhāta, with his huge army, was slain.

O gentle hero, incomparable and great is the strength of the dart.

Forsooth thou shalt slay Lavana next morning. Certain is thy victory if

Lavana cannot take up his dart. People shall be at ease if thou canst

bring about the destruction of Lavana. O foremost of men, I shall then

describe unto thee the incomparable and dreadful prowess of the

vicious-souled Lavana and his dart. O king, with great exertions did

Lavana slay Māndhāta and not easily. O high-minded one, next morning

thou shalt surely destroy Lavana. He shall issue out for flesh without

taking his dart. And at that time, O lord of men, thou shalt, for sooth,

be crowned will victory."

SECTION LXXXI.

They being thus engaged in conversation regarding his achieving victory

without any danger Satrughna in no time passed the night. The clear

morning having arrived, the heroic Lavana issued out of his city to

collect food. In the meantime having crossed the river Yamunā, the

heroic Satrughna, with bow in his hands, stood at the gate of Madhu’s

city. Thereupon returning in the noon with many thousand animals, the

night-ranger Lavana, of dreadful actions, espied Satrughna standing at

the gate with a weapon in his hand. Thereupon he said:—"What shall thou

do with this weapon? O vile wight, enraged I have devoured many thousand

persons holding weapons like thee. I now perceive thou hast also been

possessed by Kāla. O vile man, I am fully fed. How shall thou, of thy

own accord, enter into my mouth?" Lavana having said this again and

again laughing the great hero Satrughna shed tears in anger. The

high-minded Satrughna being beside himself with rage, from all his

person issued burning lustre. Greatly enraged he said to the

night-ranger "O thou of a vicious intellect, I wish to enter into a duel

encounter with thee. I am the son of the great king Daçaratha, brother

of the intelligent Rāma and my name is Satrughna. I slay all my enemies

and have come here to destroy thee. I wish now to fight with thee—do

thou enter into a duel conflict. Thou art the enemy of all animals. Thou

shall not be able to survive at my hands." He having said this, the

Rākshasa, laughing aloud, replied unto that foremost of men;—"Thy

understanding is bewildered. By the influence of destiny thou hast come

under my control. The Rākshasa Rāvana was the brother of my aunts, o

thou of vicious understanding, O vile wight, it is for his wife that

Rāma did slay him. It is out of hatred that I have tolerated the

destruction of Rāvana’s family and have pardoned you all. You are all

vile men; I have slain and defeated all of your family that have passed

away and shall destroy all that are living and shall come into

existence. O thou of vicious intellect, if thou wishest I shall fight

with thee. Do thou wait here so long I do not bring my weapon. Do thou

remain here as long as I with that shall not kill thee." Whereto

Satrughna immediately replied "Where shalt thou go while I am alive? The

practical men should never let off the enemies who come out of their own

accord. He, who inviteth an enemy into battle under the influence of

perverted understanding is slain like a coward. Do thou behold this

world of creatures to thy hearts’ content for I shall by various sharp

weapons despatch thee to Yama’s abode who is the enemy of the three

worlds and Rāghava."

SECTION LXXXII.

Hearing the words of the high-souled Satrughna Lavana was greatly

enraged and again and again asked him to wait. And clashing his hands

and grinding his teeth he invited that foremost of Raghus, Satrughna, to

fight. And Satrughna, the slayer of celestial’s enemies, said to the

dreadful Lavana, giving vent to those words:—"Satrughna was not born

when thou didst defeat other kings; do thou therefore proceed to Death’s

abode being assailed by shafts. O thou of a vicious soul, as did the

celestials behold Rāvana slain so shall the Rishis and learned Brahmans

behold thee, destroyed by me. O Rākshasa, forsooth shall good crown

cities and villages when thou shalt fall down burnt by my arrows. As the

rays of the sun enter into lotus so shall arrows, hard as lightning,

discharged by my hands, shall enter into thy heart." Being beside

himself with ire on hearing those words of Satrughna, Lavana threw a

huge tree against his breast. And Satrughna too sundered it into a

hundred pieces. Beholding his own action baffled the Rākshasa again took

up many trees and hurled them at Satrughna, who, with three or four

hundred bent arrows, cut them all, one by one, into pieces. Thereupon

when the powerful Satrughna assailed him with arrows the Rākshasa was

not the least pained. Rather laughing aloud the valiant Rākshasa

uprooted a tree and struck him with that on the head. With that stroke

he was wounded and slain. And that hero falling there arose a terrible

uproar amongst the Rishis, celestials, Gandharvas and Apsarās. Thereupon

considering Satrughna slain the night-ranger did not enter his house

albeit he got the opportunity; and moreover beholding him fallen and

destroyed he did not take up his dart. He then began to carry his

collected food. Regaining his sense within a moment, Satrughna, with a

weapon in his hand, stood at the city gate and the Rishis began to

praise him. Thereupon, he having taken up an excellent arrow of

unfailing aim the ten quarters were filled with its native brilliance.

Its face was like lightning and its velocity the same and it looked like

Meru and Mandara; its joints were all bent. None could defeat it in

battle. It was pasted with red sandal resembling blood and its feathers

were beautiful. Beholding that dart like unto the fire of dissolution,

and dreadful like unto the lords of Dānavas, mountains and Asuras, the

creatures were greatly terrified. What more, being disturbed, the

celestials, Asuras, Gandharvas, saints and Apsarās and all other

creatures of the world approached the Great Patriarch, the conferrer of

boons and said;—"The fear of the celestials and the destruction of the

creatures hath arrived." Hearing those words the Patriarch Brahma

replied "Although it is a source of great fear still it is not dreadful

unto the celestials." Thereupon with sweet accents he said:—"Hear, O ye

celestials, Satrughna hath taken up this arrow for the destruction of

Lavana. By the energy thereof we have all been overwhelmed. This

effulgent, ever-existing arrow was made by the Primeval Deity Vishnu—the

lord of creatures. My children, the burning arrow, of which you are

afraid, was made by the high-minded Vishnu for slaying the demons Madhu

and Kaitabha. And Vishnu alone is cognizant of its energy. This

Satrughna is the first portion of Vishnu’s person; do ye all go hence

and behold the destruction of the foremost Rākshasa, Lavana, by the

high-souled, heroic Satrughna, the younger brother of Rāma." Hearing the

words of the Patriarch Brahmā, the celestials arrived at the

battle-field of Satrughna and Lavana and saw that the arrow, held by

Satrughna’s hands, was burning like the fire of dissolution. Beholding

the welkin covered by the celestials, Satrughna, the descendant of

Raghu, emitting leonine roars, again and again looked towards Lavana.

And being again excited by the high-souled Satrughna and enraged Lavana

arrived for encounter. Thereupon expanding his bow up to ears,

Satrughna, the most accomplished archer, discharged his arrow against

the spacious breast of Lavana. And piercing his heart that arrow entered

speedily into Rasātala And having entered Rasātala that arrow, honored

by the celestials, again came to the descendant of Raghu. And being

pierced by that shaft the night-ranger Lavana fell down on earth like a

mountain clapped by a thunder-bolt. The Rākshasa being slain that

celestial, huge arrow came into the possession of Rudra before the gods.

Having removed the fear of the three worlds with one shaft, that heroic

Raghu, Satrughna—younger brother of Lakshmana, holding excellent bow and

arrow, appeared like the Sun of thousand rays removing darkness.

Thereupon chanting the glories of Satrughna, the celestials, Rishis,

Pannagas, Apsarās, said "O son of Daçaratha, it is really fortunate,

that thou, renouncing fear, hast acquired victory and that the Rākshasa

Lavana hath been vanquished like a serpent."

SECTION LXXXIII.

Lavana being slain the celestials headed by Agni and Indra said in sweet

accents to Satrughna the represser of enemies:—"O child, fortunate it is

that thou hast been crowned with success after slaying the Rākshasa

Lavana. Do thou, therefore, O foremost of men, O thou of firm vows,

accept boons. O thou having long arms, all those who can confer boons

have arrived here; they all wish for thy victory; seeing us doth not go

without fruits." Hearing the words of the celestials the large-armed and

self-controlled Satrughna placed his hands on his head and said.—"Let

this picturesque and charming city of Madhu, built by the celestials, be

my capital; this is the only excellent boon I can beg." The celestials,

with a delighted heart, said to the descendant of Raghu:—"Thy desire

shall be fulfilled and forsooth shall thy city be turned into a

picturesque capital under the name of Surashena." The high-souled

celestials having ascended the welkin saying this, the highly effulgent

Satrughna brought the soldiers there, that were encamped on the banks of

the Ganges. When the soldiers arrived there on hearing the commands of

Satrughna he engaged in making encampments in the month of Srāban. In

this wise the fearlessness of the celestial host, taking the shape of a

country, that beautiful and picturesque city was reared in the course of

twelve years. All the fields there were filled with crops and Indra

began to pour showers in due season. And being protected by the strength

of Satrughna’s arms all men there became valiant and were freed from

diseases. That city on the banks of Yamunā appeared beautiful like the

half moon and was filled with yards, shops, streets beautiful houses,

men of four orders and various articles of trade. Satrughna now engaged

in beautifying the spacious, white houses that were made by Lavana

before, with various ornamental works. Beholding the city interspersed

with various excellent gardens, pleasure grounds and prosperously filled

with celestials and men and diverse articles of trade and merchants

hailing from various countries, Satrughna, the younger brother of

Bharata, attained to the satisfaction of desire and excess of delight.

Having thus reared the beautiful city he resolved within himself "The

twelfth year has come. I shall now behold the feet of Rāma." Thereupon

having set up the city resembling the region of the celestials and

filled with various men, the king Satrughna, the enhancer of Raghu’s

race, determined on beholding Rāma’s feet.

SECTION LXXXIV.

Thereupon on the completion of the twelfth year, Satrughna, with few

servants, soldiers and followers, desired to proceed to Ayodhyā

protected by Rāma. Having prevented his minister and leading generals he

proceeded with one hundred chariots and cavalry. And having counted

seven halting stations on his way, the highly illustrious descendant of

Raghu—Satrughna, arrived at the hermitage of Vālmiki. And having bowed

unto the feet of the leading Muni, that foremost of men took from his

hands water to wash feet and _Arghya_ and accepted his hospitality. The

great ascetic Vālmiki addressed to the high-souled Satrughna many sweet

words. Having referred at first to Lavana’s destruction, he

said:—"Having slain Lavana thou hast performed a very hard work. O

gentle one, O foremost of men, Lavana had slain in conflict many hundred

highly powerful kings with their army and conveyances. And thou hast

easily slain that vicious-souled Rākshasa, Lavana. By thy prowess the

whole world hath been divested of fear. With great difficulty Rāma had

slain Rāvana—but without any trouble whatsoever thou hast accomplished

this mighty work. Lavana being slain, the celestials have been greatly

delighted—what more the well-being of the whole universe and all

creatures has been brought about. O Rāghava, O foremost of men, being

present in the assemblage of Vasava—I duly witnessed your combat. O

Satrughna, I too have been greatly delighted—I therefore smell thy crown

for this is the best expression of love." Saying this the high-minded

Vālmiki smelled his crown and made arrangements for his reception as

well as that of his followers. After meals, Satrughna, the foremost of

men, listened to themes relating to Rāma and set in musical notes. Those

themes were composed describing the early actions of Rāma. They were

composed in Sanskrit, set to the tune of a musical instrument, adorned

with all the marks of vocal music and arranged in accompaniment with

notes. Satrughna, the foremost of men, heard them from the beginning to

the end, pregnant with truth and composed of those words. And on hearing

it he was beside himself with joy and his eyes were full of tears. And

remaining stunned for some time and regaining his sense afterwards he

began to breathe hard out of excess of surprise. He heard, in that song,

of past events as things passing on. And hearing it, his followers, with

their heads down and sorrowfully said:—"Wonder," and saying this they

began to converse with one another:—"Alas! Where are we? Is this a

dream? We have been hearing at this hermitage what we had not seen

before. What wonder, that in a dream we hear such an excellent song."

Being in this wise greatly surprised they said to Satrughna:—"O foremost

of men, do thou ask particularly, about this, Vālmiki, the foremost of

ascetics." They being all thus struck with curiosity, Satrughna

said:—"It is not proper for us, O Ye soldiers, to question him in this

way. There are many such wonders in the hermitage of this ascetic. It is

not therefore becoming to ask him about this out of curiosity." Having

thus addressed the soldiers and bowed unto the ascetic, Satrughna, the

desendant of Raghu, entered his own quarter.

SECTION LXXXV.

Thereupon going to bed, Satrughna began to meditate upon that excellent

theme relating to Rāma and treating of diverse subjects and did not

enter into sleep. In sooth the high-minded Satrughna spent the night in

no time listening to that charming song set in musical notes. The night

being over, he first went through the morning rites and then with folded

hands addressed the foremost of ascetics, Vālmiki, saying:—"O

illustrious Sir, I am anxious to see Rāma, the enhancer of the delight

of the Raghu race. And my desire is that thou mayst with other

illustrious Rishis, grant me permission on this." Satrughna, the slayer

of enemies, having said this, the great ascetic Vālmiki embraced and

bade him farewell. He was greatly anxious to behold Rāma and saluting

the foremost of Munis he speedily proceeded to Ayodhyā. Thereupon having

entered the highly picturesque city Ayodhyā, the graceful descendant of

Ikshwākus, Satrughna reached where the long-armed and the highly

effulgent Rāma was waiting. He espied there Rāma in the midst of the

councillors like Indra amongst the immortals burning in his own

effulgence. And having bowed with folded hands unto Rāma, having truth

for his prowess, Satrughna said:—"O great king, I have carried out all

thine behests; I have slain the vicious Lavana and filled his city with

subjects. O descendant of Raghu, twelve years have passed away without

thee—I do not wish to live any longer separated from thee. Do thou

therefore, O Kākuthstha of unmitigated prowess, have compassion on me.

Without thee, I cannot live for ever in a foreign province like a

motherless child." He having said this, Rāma embraced him and said:—"Be

not sorry, O hero. This is not a becoming action for Kshatriyas. The

kings, O Rāghava, are never tired of living in a foreign land. According

to the morality of the Kshatriyas, their greatest duty consists in

governing the subjects. O heroic and foremost of men, do thou, at

intervals, come to Ayodhyā to see me and return to thy own city.

Forsooth thou art dearer than my life. But it is an incumbent duty to

govern the kingdom. Do thou therefore, O Kākutstha, live with me for

seven nights, and afterwards return to thy city with thy servants, army

and conveyances." Hearing those moral and charming words of Rāma,

Satrughna poorly replied, saying:—"Thy command shall be carried out."

Thereupon Satrughna, well-skilled in the use of bows, remained with Rāma

for seven nights and then addressed himself for departure. Thereupon

having invited Bharata and Lakshmana, the high-souled Rāma, having truth

for his prowess, speedily went for his city in a huge chariot. The

high-souled Lakshmana and Bharata followed him on foot for some

distance.

SECTION LXXXVI.

Having bade adieu unto Satrughna, Rāma, the descendant of Raghu, was

greatly delighted by governing his subjects piously in the company of

Bharata and Lakshmana. Some days having passed in this wise—a villager,

an old Brahman, arrived at the palace gate with a dead body. That

Brahman, stricken with affection, again and again bewailed in various

piteous accents, exclaiming "What heinous crime had I committed in my

pristine birth that I have been constrained to witness the death of my

son. My son, thou hast not as yet completed fourteen years. To my misery

thou hast met with untimely death. Forsooth, for thy grief, O my son,

myself and thy mother shall soon be snatched away by death. I do not

remember to have ever uttered a falsehood, or injured an animal or

perpetrated any other crime. Therefore for some other sinful action,

this boy, without performing the son’s duties towards his parents, has

gone to the abode of death. Save under the regime of Rāma, I have never

seen or heard of the dreadful death of such a boy who hath not attained

the age. Forsooth, Rāma hath perpetrated a mighty iniquity for which

boys, during his administration, have been meeting with untimely death.

In other governments boys have no fear of such an untimely death.

Therefore, O king confer life upon this dead child. Or else with my

spouse I shall renounce my life at this gate like one having no lord. O

Rāma, soiled by the sin consequent upon the destruction of a Brāhmana,

do thou live long happily with brothers. O thou of great prowess, up to

this time we have lived happily in thy kingdom. And now, O Rāma, under

thy subjection we are being troubled with the sorrow of our son’s death.

We have been brought under the influence of Kāla; so in thy kingdom

there is not the least happiness for us. Having attained Rāma as its

lord, the kingdom, of the high-souled Ikshwākus, hath attained to the

condition of one having no master, where during Rāma’s regime the death

of a boy hath been brought about. For being impiously governed by a

king, for his sin, the subjects meet with calamities. And a king

following evil tracks and not governing the subjects righteously people

meet with untimely death. Therefore, when a king doth not suppress the

crimes committed by people either in cities or provinces the fear, of

untimely death, comes in. Evident it is therefore that undoubtedly the

sin of the king hath appeared in cities and provinces. And for that

reason this boy hath met with death." Being overwhelmed with sorrow that

old Brahman again and again remonstrated with the king in these piteous

words and afterwards covered the death body (of his son).

SECTION LXXXVII.

Hearing those sorrowful words of the Brahman, Rāma was greatly sorry and

sent for Vasishtha, Bāmadeva, his brothers, citizens and councillors.

Thereupon having entered the apartment in the company of Vasishtha,

eight Brahmans blessed the king Rāma, resembling a celestial, saying

"May victory crown thee." Mārkandeya, Maudgalya, Bāmadeva, Kashyapa,

Kātyāyana, Javali, Gautama, and Narada—these eight leading Brāhmanas

having taken their seats, Rāma, with folded hands, saluted them. And he

showed due civilities towards his minister, citizens, Rishis and all

others. Thereupon all the highly effulgent Rishis being accomodated with

seats Rāma narrated duly before them the account of the Brāhmana and

said. "This Brahman is waiting at the Palace-gate." Hearing those words

of the poorly king, Nārada, in the presence of all other Rishis,

replied:—"Hear, king, why this boy hath met with untimely death. And

hearing this, O descendant of Raghu, do thou settle what thou thinkest

proper. O king, in the golden age, only the Brahmans used to engage in

asceticism. At that age, save the Brāhmanas no other caste used to lead

the life of an anchoret. And for this, the Brahmans were the highest

caste, effulgent in asceticism, shorn of ignorance, above death and

conversant with three ages. Thereupon at the end of the golden age,

Brāhmana’s understanding became loose and the Tretā Yuga set in. At this

age Kshatryas, gifted with the power acquired by pristine asceticism,

were born. And those men, intent upon austere penances, that were born

in the Tretā age, were more powerful and greater devotees than those in

the former age. In the golden age the Brāhmanas were more powerful than

the Kshatryas. But in the Tretā age the Brāhmanas and the Kshatryas were

equally powerful. Thus in the Tretā age, not beholding prominence of the

Brāhmanas greater than that of the Kshatryas, Manu and other religious

leaders of the time composed the Sastra describing and setting in the

four divisions of castes. In this wise the Tretā age was prolific with

virtues of the four Varnas, and many pious sacrifices and was shorn of

iniquities. But being attacked a little with iniquity, one portion of

sin appeared on earth. And growing impious people lost their strength.

And for houses and farms that were the property of the former age,

people of the Tretā Yuga were possessed by envy, the outcome of the

quality of darkness. And with the fading of impiety on earth during

Tretā, the soiled sin of untruth appeared. And this iniquity stretching

one footstep, the lease of people’s lives, for sins, became limited. And

the sin of untruth descending on earth, people, to avoid the extinction

of life in consequence thereof, became truthful and engaged in many

pious observances. During the Tretā age the Brāhmanas and Kshatryas

engaged in austere penances and the Vaisyas and Sudras engaged in

serving them. And the greatest piety of the Vaisyas and Sudras at that

time consisted of serving the Brāhmanas and Kshatryas and specially for

the Sudras the highest religion was to serve people of all Varnas. O

foremost of kings, at the end of the Tretā age, Vaisyas and Sudras being

fully overpowered by the sin of untruth, the Brāhmanas and the Kshatryas

also grew feeble. And the second foot of impiety being ushered into the

world the Dwāpara age set in. O foremost of men, during this age two

legs of piety being cut off, impiety and untruth multiplied. And in Yuga

named Dwāpara the Vaisyas engaged in devout penances. In this wise in

three ages the three Varnas gradually engaged in ascetic performances.

The piety of asceticism by Yugas gradually became established in three

Varnas. But, O foremost of men, in these three Yugas the Sudras were not

entitled to the virtues of devout penances. O foremost of men, the

degraded caste—the Sudras, during thy regime, have engaged in austere

penances. And in the Kali Yuga asceticism shall be established in the

Sudras. O king, even in the Dwāpara, devout penances for Sudras were

considered as impiety, what to speak of the Tretā age. O king, one

Sudra, under the influence of vicious understanding has begun devout

penances within thy kingdom. And for that reason this boy hath met with

death. Calamity sets in that kingdom where a vicious-minded person

commits an iniquity and that vicious wight and the king forsooth

speedily repair to hell. The king, who piously governeth his subjects,

receiveth the sixth portion of their study, asceticism and good actions.

While the king is entitled to the sixth portion of everything why should

he not fully protect his subjects? Therefore, O chief of men, do thou

bring all informations of thy kingdom. And be then studious to repress

vices wherever thou shalt find them. And by that, O foremost of men, the

piety of the subjects shall be increased, the lease of their life shall

be prolonged and this boy shall regain his life."

SECTION LXXXVIII.

Hearing the sweet words of the celestial saint Nārada Rāma was greatly

delighted and addressing Lakshmana said:—"O gentle one, do thou console

that foremost of twice-born ones and place the dead body of the boy in a

jar full of oil. Let this body be protected by sweet-scented oil so that

it might not be soiled by any means. See that it is not disfigured, its

joints are not loosened and the hairs do not fall off." The highly

illustrious Rāma, the descendant of Ikshwākus, thus commanded Lakshmana,

gifted with auspicious marks, and thought of his car and desired it to

come soon. Understanding his intention the golden car appeared before

him in no time and saluting him said:—"O thou of long arms, thine

chariot hath come." Hearing the sweet words of Pushpaka the king Rāma

saluted the great ascetics, ascended the car with his burning bow,

quiver and dagger and left Bharata and Lakshmana in charge of the city.

And searching that Sudra devotee here and there Rāghava proceeded

towards the west. And not beholding him there he went to the North

bounded by the Himalayas. And even there he did not espy the Sudra

ascetic and even the smallest iniquity was not seen there. Thereupon

returning from that quarter the king journeyed the whole of east. And

having sat on the Pushpaka car he saw that the eastern quarter was

transparent like a looking glass and there was not the best touch of

sin. From the east Rāghava proceeded towards the south and espied a big

tank by the side of the Saivala mountain. On the banks of that pond one

ascetic was performing the most austere penances with his legs upwards

and head downwards. Thereupon approaching him, Rāma said—"O thou of good

vows, blessed art thou; I do ask thee, now, O thou highly effulgent and

grown old old in asceticism, in what Varna thou art born. I put this

question out of curiosity. I am the son of king Daçaratha and my name is

Rāma. For what art thou going through such hard austerities? Is it

heaven or anything else that thou prayest for? O ascetic, I wish to hear

of the purpose for which thou art performing such hard penances. Art

thou a Brahman, or an irrepresible Kshatriya or the third caste Vaisya

or a Sudra? Do thou speak the truth and thou shaft be crowned with

auspiciousness." Hearing the words of Rāma, the ascetic, whose face was

downwards, gave out his degraded birth and communicated unto him for

what he was performing ascetic observances.

SECTION LXXXV.

Hearing the words of Rāma of unwearied actions, the ascetic, with his

face downwards, said:—"O highly illustrious Rāma, I am born in the race

of Sudras; and with a view to reach the region of the celestials with my

body I am going through these austere penances. O Kākuthstha, I shall

never utter a falsehood since I am willing to conquer the the region of

gods. I am a Sudra and my name is Sambuka." The Sudra ascetic having

said this, Rāma took out of scabbard a beautiful sharp sword and chopped

off his head therewith. And that Sudra being slain, Indra, Agni and

other celestials praised him again and again and showered flowers. And

being greatly delighted, the celestials said to Rāma, having truth for

his prowess:—"O thou of a great mind, thou hast nicely performed this

god-like work. O slayer of foes, do thou now crave a boon. O descendant

of Raghu, being slain by thee this Sudra hath been able to attain to the

abode of the celestials." Hearing the words of the deities, Rāma, having

truth for his prowess, said with folded hands to Purandara, of a

thousand eyes:—"If the celestials are pleased, I beg for this boon that

the son of the twice-born one may be restored to life. Do ye confer upon

me this boon; this is my wished-for object. It is for my iniquitous

conduct that this only son of the Brahman hath met with untimely death.

Do ye restore him to life. I have promised before that leading

twice-born one that I would restore his son to life—do ye therefore,

make not me a liar." Hearing the words of Rāma the leading celestials

delightedly said:—"Do thou return, O Kākutstha. The Brahmin boy shall

immediately gain back his life and be united with his father, mother and

friends. O Rāghava, with the death of the Sudra the boy has regained his

life. Be thou at ease; may good betide thee. O foremost of men, we, too,

return with delighted hearts. O Rāghava, we desire to behold the

hermitage of the great saint Agastya. Having been initiated, that highly

effulgent Brahman saint hath lived within waters for twelve years; his

vow hath now terminated. O Kākuthstha, we shall now go to welcome that

Muni. Do thou also follow us to see that saint." Saying "So be it!" to

the words of the celestials that descendant of Raghu ascended his golden

car Pushpaka. And having ascended spacious cars the celestials proceeded

to the hermitage of Agastya born of a _Kumbha_. Rāma too also followed

them. Thereupon beholding the celestials present the virtuous-souled

Agastya, the jewel of asceticism, welcomed them particularly. Having

accepted his worship and adored in return that great Muni, the

immortals, delighted, proceeded to their abodes with their followers.

The celestials having departed Rāma descended from Pushpaka and saluted

that effulgent and foremost of Rishis Agastya. And having received due

hospitality he sat there. Thereupon the highly effulgent and leading

ascetic Kumbhajoni said:—"O Rāghava, I have been greatly delighted with

thy coming. By my good fortune I have seen thee to-day. O Rāma, I love

thee because thou art gifted with many qualities. O king, thou art my

worshipful guest. I was thinking of thee. The celestials informed me

that thou wert coming having slain the Sudra ascetic. Thou hast observed

piety and hast given back life unto the dead child of the Brahman. Do

thou spend this night with me, O Rāghava. Thou art the graceful

Nārāyana. In thee the whole universe is established. Thou art the lord

of all creatures and the eternal Purusha. Thou shalt go to thy city next

morning in thy Pushpaka car. This ornament, O gentle one, hath been made

by the architect of the celestials; its make is very beautiful and it is

dazzling by its own lustre. By accepting this, O Kākutstha, do thou

satisfy my desire. It is said that one attains to best fruits if he

makes present unto his deity, of best articles he gets from another.

Thou art the only worthy person to use this ornament. Thou art alone

capable of conferring best fruits. Thou dost protect Indra and other

celestials. Therefore I do duly present thee with this ornament. O king,

do thou accept it." Thereupon meditating upon the duties of the

Kshatryas, the heroic Rāma, the foremost of the intelligent, said:—"O

illustrious Sir, the Brāhmanas only can accept presents—how can the

Kshatryas do? To take gifts is the function of the Brāhmanas—for

Kshatryas it is a source of censure. Besides, to receive presents from a

Brāhmana, is highly culpable. Do thou therefore tell me, how I may

accept this ornament." Hearing the words of Rāma, the great saint

Agastya replied saying:—"O Rāma, O son of Daçaratha, at the beginning of

the golden age, people had no king; but Vāsava was the ruler of the

celestials. Therefore to obtain a king, men approached Brahmā, the god

of gods and said ’O deity thou hast placed Indra as ruler over the

celestials; therefore, O lord of creatures, do thou also confer upon us

a king who shall be foremost among men; by worshipping him we shall be

freed from all sins. We shall not live without the king—even this is our

firm resolution.’ Thereupon the Patriarch Brahmā sent for Indra and

other deities and said:—’Do ye all give a portion of your respective

energies.’ Thereupon the deities gave each a portion of their own

energies. Thereupon Brahma made a _Khshupa_ or sound and therefrom

originated a king under the name of _Khshupa_. And in his person Brahmā

placed in equal proportions the energies of the deities. Thereafter he

made _Khshupa_ the foremost king of men. By virtue of the portion of

Indra’s energy the king _Khshupa_ brought the earth under his control;

by that of Varuna’s energy he fostered his own body; by Kuvera’s portion

he conferred riches upon his subjects; and by that of Yama he governed

them. Therefore, O Rāma, by virtue of Indra’s portion, do thou accept

this ornament and confer upon me the salvation." Hearing the words of

the Muni, Rāma took from him that brilliant celestial ornament burning

like the rays of the Sun. And having taken that excellent ornament,

Dāçarathi asked the great saint Kumbhayoni, saying:—"Whence hast thou

obtained this celestial ornament of a wondrous make? Who hast given thee

this? Brahman, I do accost thee thus out of curiosity. Thou art the mine

of many wonders." Whereto Agastya replied, saying "Hearken, O Rāma, how

I did obtain this ornament in the Tretā age."

SECTION XC.

"O Rāma, in Tretā age, there was a huge forest extending over a hundred

Yojanas divested of animals and men. In that forest I used to perform my

austere penances. Once on a time I began to roam all over the forest

being willing to see well every nook and corner of it. And I saw that it

was impossible to ascertain how very pleasant that forest was. In every

place there were trees with profuse sweet fruits and roots. In the

middle I espied a pond extending over a Yojana. There was no moss in

that deep, calm, clear and sweet water; there were lotuses and lilies

and swans, Kārandāvas, Chakravakas and many other water fowls were

playing in the waters. O lord of creatures, at no distance from that

pond I saw an old, holy hermitage but there was no creature or animal

around it. It was summer and I spent that night in that hermitage. Next

morning leaving my bed I arrived at the banks of the pond and saw a

plump dead body in the waters. None of its limbs was pale and its beauty

was not spoiled. Beholding it and standing on the banks I began to

meditate upon it. And thought I ’What is this?’ In a moment I espied a

beautiful car, swift-coursing like the mind and drawn by ganders. And I

saw in that chariot a celestial person. He was being attended by

Apasaras adorned with celestial ornaments and having lotus-eyes. Some of

them were singing, some dancing and some playing on Mridanga, Vina and

other musical instruments and some were fanning his lotus-like

countenance with valuable, golden chowries, dazzling like the rays of

the moon. O Rāma, the foremost of Raghu’s race, like unto the moon

renouncing the summit of the Sumeru mount that celestial wight got down

from his seat in the car and engaged in devouring the dead body. And

having taken enough flesh he got down into waters and duly performed

ablution. And thereafter that heavenly being again addressed himself for

ascending the car. O foremost of men, beholding that heavenly being

about to get up I accosted him, saying ‘Who art thou? I see, thou hast a

celestial form, then why hast thou taken such an abominable food? O thou

adored of the immortals, persons like thee should not take such meals. O

gentle one, I have been striken with great curiosity and wish to hear

all. Thine living upon dead body doth not appear agreeable unto me.’ O

king, plainly and out of curiosity I put to him these questions. And

hearing them, the celestial being related everything unto me."

SECTION CXI.

"O Rāma, hearing my words pregnant with sound reasoning, that heavenly

being, with folded hands, said ’Hear, O Brahman, from what unavoidable

cause hath proceeded this happy and again painful incident. There

flourished in the days of yore a highly illustrious and powerful

Vidarbha king under the name of Sudeva known over three worlds. He was

my father. His two queens gave birth to two sons. My name is Sweta and

the name of my youngest brother was Suratha. After the decease of my

sire the subjects installed me on the throne and I governed them piously

and carefully for a thousand years. By some reason I was informed of the

extent of my life. And when I perceived that the lease of my life had

well-nigh expired I entered into the life of Banaprasta. And having

placed my brother Suratha on the throne I entered into a dense forest

devoid of men and animals at no distance from this pond to perform

devout penances. And I performed austerities for a long time near this

pond. Having performed hard penances in this forest, for three thousand

years I at last attained to the region of Brahmā. And albeit I had

reached the Brahmā region I was still being assailed by hunger and

thirst. And gradually I grew tired therewith. Thereupon approaching the

patriarch Brahmā, the lord of three worlds, I said:—"O Brahmā, here

there is no hunger or thirst; still why have I been brought to their

control? Of what iniquity of mine is this fruit? O deity, tell me upon

what I shall live?" Whereto the patriarch replied;—"O son of Sudeva, do

thou live upon sweet savoured meat everyday? O Sweta, thou didst only

look to the growth of thy person when thou didst perform rigid penances.

O thou of a great mind, nothing grows, when nothing is sown. Thou didst

only perform ascetic penances, but thou didst not make any gift of

charity. It is for that reason, O my son, that thou art, even in heaven,

being assailed by hunger and thirst. Thereupon do thou now live upon

thine own dead body fostered by various food. By this thou shalt keep up

thy being. O Sweta, thou shalt be relieved from this affliction when the

irrepressible, great Saint Agastya shall reach that forest. O gentle

one, even unto the immortals he can give salvation; what wonder it is

that he shall relieve thee from the miseries of hunger and thirst." O

foremost of twice-born ones, from the time of hearing those words of the

great Brahmā, the god of gods, I have been engaged in this cursed work

of feeding upon my own dead body. O Brahman, for many long years I have

been living upon this corpse still I have not done with it. O Saint, I,

too, derive satisfaction from it; I now understand that thou art the

illustrious Agastya born of a Kumbha; for none else is capable of coming

here; do thou therefore save me from this pain, who am afflicted with

great miseries. O foremost of twice-born ones, O gentle one, do thou

take this ornament; may good betide thee. Do thou be propitiated with

me. O Brahman, I do confer upon thee, gold, riches various clothes,

eatables, excellent ornaments and diverse other objects of desire and

enjoyment. O foremost of Munis, do thou with compassion save me.’

Hearing those words of the heavenly being, exciting pity, I accepted

this ornament for saving him. And as soon as I took this ornament that

human body of the royal saint disappeared. And the body being dissolved,

the royal saint Sweta, greatly delighted, happily went to the land of

immortals. It is for this reason, O Kākutstha, that royal saint,

resembling Indra, conferred upon me this wondrous, celestial ornament."

SECTION CXII.

Hearing the wondrous words of the great saint Kumbhayoni, Rāma, out of

great curiosity and importance of the subject, again asked him,

saying:—"O Brahman, why was that dense forest, in which the king Sweta

used to perform hard penances, divested of birds and animals? And how

did he proceed to that forest devoid of men and animals for undergoing

penances? I wish to hear the truth." Hearing the words of Rāma stricken

with curiosity, the highly effulgent saint Agastya said:—"O Rāma,

formerly in the golden age, Manu was the king. His son was Ikshwāku.

Having installed the irrepressible Ikshwāku, Manu said: ’Be thou the

lord over creatures.’ Saying ’So be it’ Ikshwāku accepted the command.

Thereupon greatly delighted Manu said to his son:—’I have been highly

pleased with thee. For sooth thou shalt become a very liberal prince.

Thou shalt govern the subjects meting out proper punishment unto them,

but do not punish them without any fault. If the punishment, which a

king inflicts upon the guilty, be just it becomes the instrumental in

taking the giver to heaven. Therefore, O my son having large arms, be

particularly studious as regards punishment for thereby thou shalt

acquire great piety.’ Having in this wise advised Ikshwāku Manu

delightedly repaired to the region of Brahmā. After Manu’s departure,

the effulgent Ikshwāku thought of the means for creating progeny.

Thereupon performing many pious rites Manu’s son engendered a hundred

sons. O descendant of Raghu, the youngest of all those sons became

stupid and ignorant and did not respect his elder brothers. And thinking

that he should therefore be punished he named this son ’Danda.’

Thereupon finding no other province worthy of Danda he allotted the

region between Vindhya and Saivala to him. Danda became king of that

picturesque valley. And having reared a fine city there he named it as

Madhumanta and appointed Sukracharja of firm vows as his priest. Having

thus established his kingdom, Danda, with his priest, began to lord over

it filled with healthy and delighted people like unto the lord of

celestials in their region. O Rāma, like unto Mahendra governing his

kingdom of heaven under the guidance of Vrihaspati, the preceptor of

celestials, Danda, the grand-son of Manu, governed his own kingdom with

the help of Usanās."

SECTION XCIII.

Having related this story unto Rāma the great saint Agastya again

said:—"O Kākutstha, having subdued his passions, the king Danda, reigned

undisturbed in this wise for many long years. Thereupon during spring,

in the month of Chaitra the king arrived at the picturesque hermitage of

the preceptor Sukra. At that time, Sukra’s daughter, matchless in beauty

and grace, was walking in the forest. The king saw that jewel of a girl,

and being stricken with lust and growing restless he approached her and

said:—’O thou having a beautiful waist, O fair lady, whose daughter art

thou? O thou having a moonlike countenance, I have been assailed by the

arrows of Cupid and hence I do accost thee thus.’ Hearing the words of

the vicious-souled Danda, maddened with lust, Sukra’s daughter humbly

said:—’O king of kings I am the daughter of the preceptor Sukra of

unwearied actions and my name is Arajās. I am living in this

hermitage—king, do not touch me forcibly for I am a maid and hence under

the guardianship of my father. Besides my father is my preceptor, and

thou art also his disciple. Being enraged he shall imprecate thee with a

curse. O foremost of men, if thou dost cherish any desire for me, do

thou honestly and piously pray for it unto my sire. Or else thou shalt

suffer dreadful consequences in the long run. When worked up with ire,

my father can reduce even the three worlds to ashes. O thou of a

blameless person, if thou dost pray, my father may make me over unto thy

hands.’ Arajās having said this, the king Danda, maddened with lust,

placing folded palms on his head, said:—’Be thou propitiated with me, O

thou having a graceful person; do not tarry even for a moment. My heart

bursts out for thee, O thou having a moon-like countenance. For

acquiring thee I can even take upon myself my own destruction or

dreadful iniquity. Do thou seek me, O fair lady—I am beside myself for

thee.’ Having said this the king forcibly ravished her. Having

perpetrated such a mighty iniquity he speedily returned to his own city

Madhumanta. Arajās cried aloud in forest at no distance from the

hermitage and waited for her sire who had been away on visiting the

celestials."

SECTION XCIV.

"Thereupon having heard everything about Arajās from a disciple, he,

surrounded by his pupils, arrived at his own hermitage and beheld her

there poorly, soiled with dust and like unto the morning rays of the

moon possessed by a planet. He was stricken with hunger and was greatly

incensed on beholding his daughter in that wretched plight, as if

burning the three worlds with rage. Addressing his pupils he said:—’Do

ye witness today the dreadful calamity, arising out of my flaming ire,

of the vicious Danda treading the path of immorality. This vicious wight

hath placed his hands in the burning flame so he shall, along with

followers, meet with destruction. Since that vile being hath perpetrated

such a dreadful crime he shall forsooth suffer the consequence thereof.

Within seven nights, the wicked and vicious Danda, with his son,

soldiers and retinue, shall meet with death. Showering dust Indra shall

destroy, to the extent of a hundred Yojana, the territory of this

vicious king. And all creatures mobile and immobile, wherever they might

be, shall be destroyed with this downpour of dust. All animals as far as

this Dandas’ territory extends, shall be destroyed within seven nights.’

Having said this, with eyes reddened with ire, Usanās, Vrigu’s son, said

to the inmates of his hermitage:—’Do ye all go and wait outside this

kingdom.’ Hearing the words of the preceptor Sukra, the inmates left the

hermitage and lived at a place beyond the limit of Danda’s territories.

Having thus addressed the inmates of the hermitage the great saint, said

to Arajas. ’O unfortunate girl, with a devoted mind do thou wait at this

hermitage. Without any anxiety, O Arajās, do thou wait for the time at

the picturesque banks of this pond extending over a Yojana. Within seven

nights whoever shall approach thee, shall be destroyed with this

downpour of dust.’ Hearing the words of the Brāhmana saint and preceptor

Sukra, Arajās sorrowfully said to her father ’It shall be done.’

Thereupon Sukracharjya went away and lived elsewhere. According to the

words of the saint, the entire kingdom of Danda, with servants, army,

and conveyances, was destroyed within seven nights. Rāma, in the golden

age, the province between the mountains Vindhya and Saivala comprising

Danda’s territories, imprecated by the Brahman saint, in consequence of

the iniquity of the vicious souled, was reduced into a desert. From that

time it passes by the name of Dandaka forest. And it is otherwise called

Janasthāna because the ascetics used to perform austerities there. O

Rāghava, I have thus related unto thee, all thou didst ask of me. O

hero, the time for performing evening rites hath come. Behold foremost

of men, having performed ablution, the great saints, on all sides, with

jars full of water, are worshipping the sun. Having accepted adoration

in the shape of Vedic hymns chanted by Brahmans, well-versed in Vedas,

the illustrious Aditya is about to be set. Therefore, O Rāma, do thou

perform the ceremony."

SECTION XCV.

Hearing the words of the great saint, Rāma, to perform the evening

adoration, went to the pond filled with Apsarās; and having performed

the worship he again returned to the hermitage of the high-souled

Agastya. Thereupon the great ascetic offered him as food many

substantial Kanda, roots, Oshadis and the holy Sāli rice. And taking

that nectar-like cooked rice, Rāma, the foremost of men, was greatly

delighted and spent the night there. Having got up in the morning and

performed the necessary ceremonies he approached the ascetic to bid

farewell, and saluting him said:—"O great Rishi, I do crave for thy

permission to go to my own habitation. Do thou permit me. O high-souled

one, I have been highly favoured and blessed by beholding thee. I shall

come again some other time to free myself from sins." Hearing those

wondrous words of Rāma, Agastya having asceticism for his wealth,

delightedly said:—"O Rāma these words, set in charming letters, are

highly wonderful. O descendant of Raghu, thou art the purifier of all

creatures. O Rāma, one, who beholds thee, even for a moment, becomes

pure and worthy of repairing to heaven. Even the leading deities worship

him. Those on earth, who cast dreadful looks on thee, are immediately

brought under the control of Yama and are constrained to go to hell. O

foremost of Raghus, thou art the purifier of all creatures; people

become perfect even if they only chant thy glories. Kākutstha, do thou

now go with ease and fearlessly, and govern thy kingdom righteously. O

Rāma thou art the refuge of the world." Hearing the words of the great

and truthful Rishi the wise Rāma, with folded hands, saluted him and

other Rishis, and with serene air ascended the golden car Pushpaka. Like

unto the immortals welcoming the Chief of the deities, the Rishis

showered blessings, upon Rāma from all sides while he was proceeding.

And seated on car, he appeared like the moon, after the expiry of the

rainy season. Thereupon being welcomed by the villagers on his way he

reached Ayodhyā at noon and descended at the middle apartment. And

having permitted the charming chariot coursing at will to go away he

said:—"Do thou now go; may good betide thee." Thereupon he said to the

warder, "Do thou speedily go and having communicated my arrival unto

Lakshmana and Bharata bring them here."

SECTION CXVI.

According to the command of Rāma of unwearied actions, the warders went

to the princes and communicated unto them (the arrival). Beholding

Bharata and Lakshmana present, Rāma embraced them and said:—"I have, as

promised, performed the work of the excellent twice-born one. I wish now

to perform a Rajshuya sacrifice, the source of religious glory, the

destroyer of all sins, inexhaustible and un-ending. Therefore, with you

like my own self, I wish to engage in the most excellent and eternal

Rajshuya sacrifice. O slayer of foes, by celebrating Rajshuya, Mitra

attained to the dignity of Varuna. And having celebrated the same

sacrifice, Soma, conversant with piety, established eternal fame in the

three worlds. Do ye therefore consult with me even today as to what is

proper. Do ye consider carefully and tell me what is auspicious and

productive of well-being in the long run." Hearing the words of Rāghava,

Bharata, well-skilled in the art of speech, with folded hands, said "O

pious Sir in thee are established piety, earth and fame. O thou of

unmitigated prowess, as the deities honor the patriarch so other kings

hold thee in reverence. O king, all creatures mobile and immobile

consider thee as their father. O thou of great strength, thou art the

refuge of all animals and of the universe. Therefore of what use is such

a sacrifice unto thee? In such a sacrifice all the royal families meet

with ruin. All those kings, who are proud of manliness, being incensed

with great ire on the occasion of this sacrifice, shall bring ruin upon

all. O foremost of men, the whole earth has been brought under thy

subjection so it is not proper to devastate it." Hearing those sweet

accents of Bharata, Rāma, having truth for his prowess, attained to

incomparable delight, and addressed the enhancer of Kaikeyi’s delight

with kind words, saying:—"O thou freed from sins, I have been greatly

delighted with thee. O foremost of men, for the preservation of earth,

thou hast given vent to words, without any hesitation, pregnant with

manliness and piety. O thou conversant with piety, according to thy wise

counsels, I refrain from celebrating this Rajshuya sacrifice. The wise

should never undertake all those works which give affliction unto

people. O elder brother of Lakshmana, it is proper to take wise counsels

even from a boy."

SECTION CXVII.

After the conversation between Rāma and Bharata had been over,

Lakshmana, with reasonable words, said to the former:—"O worshipful Sir,

amongst sacrifices Aswamedha is the best and the remover of all sins; it

is my prayer therefore that thy desire might be turned towards this

great and highly purifying sacrifice. It is said in this Purānas, that

Purandara, sullied by the sin consequent upon slaying a Brāhmana, was

again purified by celebrating a horse sacrifice. O thou having long

arms, formerly, during the war between gods and demons there flourished

a highly honored Asura under the name of Vitra. The breadth of his body

was a hundred Yojanas and the height thereof was three hundred Yojanas.

Considering all under his subjection he used to regard them with

affection. He was pious, grateful and used to perform nothing without

proper deliberation. And treading pious tracks he used to govern his

subjects very carefully. During his administration earth produced all

wished-for objects; roots and fruits were tasteful and flowers were

fragrant. Without being cultivated earth used to yield crops. In this

wise for many long years he governed a prosperous and wonderful kingdom.

Thereupon he determined upon performing a hard penance. He considered

asceticism as the best of all and regarded all other things as mere

illusions. Having resolved thus and placed his son Madhureswara on the

throne Vitra engaged in austerities creating terror unto all deities. He

being thus engaged in asceticism, Indra, greatly terrified, approached

Vishnu and said:—’O thou having long arms, by virtue of his asceticism

Vitra is about to conquer all the worlds. He is pious, so I cannot

subdue him. O illustrious Sir, if his ascetic powers grow more we shall

be constrained to live under his control for ever from the creation. Do

thou therefore not neglect any longer this highly generous Asura.

Thyself being enraged, O lord of deities, Vitra shall not live even for

a moment. O Vishnu, from the time he succeeded in propitiating thee, he

hath obtained the sovereignty of the three worlds. Do thou, therefore,

be propitiated now; save thee none can free this world from thorns and

bring it at rest. O Vishnu, all the deities are waiting for thee; do

thou help them by slaying Vitra. O thou having a large mind, thou art

always the help of these high-souled deities. It is impossible for any

one else to accomplish the present work. Thou art the refuge of the

helpless.’"

SECTION XCVIII.