And the rangers of woods, gazing at the earth and the sky, at length
cast their eyes on the brothers--Rama and Lakshmana, covered all over
with arrows. And after that Rakshasa had gone away having performed his
work, like the God[148] going away, after having showered,--there came
to that place Bibhishana with Sugriva. And, mourning Raghu's sons, there
also came in all haste Nila and Dwivida and Mainda and Sushena and
Kumuda and Angada in company with Hanuman. And moveless; breathing
low,--covered with blood,--pierced all over with net-works of shafts;
dumb; they[149] were lying on the field. And they were sighing like
serpents; and were inert; and deprived of prowess; and washed in blood;
and looking like unto golden standards. And as they lay moveless, as
become heroes, the leaders of monkeys environed them with tear-charged
eyes. And seeing the sons of Raghu lying, covered with showers of
shafts, the monkeys, with Bibhishana, were pained (exceedingly). And the
monkeys, surveying the sky as well as all directions, could not see
Ravana's son in battle enveloped with illusion. And then Bibhishana by
means of illusion saw his brother's son staying before, hidden by
illusion. And Bibhishana saw that hero of incomparable deeds, who had no
compeer in the field and who had energy, fame and prowess,--as he
remained invisible in consequence of the Boon received from Brahma. And
Indrajit, seeing his own feat and them lying at length, spake in excess
of joy, gladdening all the Rakshasas,--"The brothers--Rama and
Lakshmana, possessed of great strength, who had slain Khara and Dushana,
are themselves slain with my shafts. And all the celestials and Asuras
assembled together with the saints, are incompetent to emancipate these
from the fetters of my shafts. He for whom my father was exercised with
anxiety and tormented by grief, for whom my sire used to spend nights
without pressing his bed,--for whom this entire Lanka had resembled a
river turbulent in the rainy reason,--that same evil sticking by the
root of all, hath been dispensed his quietus by me. And like clouds of
autumn, the prowess of Rama and Lakshmana as well as that of all the
rangers of the woods, hath been rendered useless". Saying this in the
presence of all the Rakshasas, Ravana's son--destroyer of foes--menacing
the monkey-leaders, hit Nila with nine arrows, and hurt Mainda and
Dwivida each with three powerful shafts. And piercing Jambavan with an
arrow in the chest, that mighty bowman discharged ten at Hanuman. And
Ravana's son possessed of exceeding impetuosity, pierced in the conflict
with two shafts each Gavaksha and Sarabha of immeasurable vigor. And
Ravana's son, summoning celerity, pierced the king of Golangulas and
Vali's son, Angada, with innumerable arrows. And the powerful son of
Ravana, endowed with might, piercing the foremost monkeys with shafts
resembling tongues of flames, set up shouts in the field of battle. And
tormenting the monkeys with volleys of shafts and striking terror into
them, that mighty-armed one, bursting out into a laugh, said,--"Let the
Rakshasas behold these brothers, lying fast bound with dreadful arrows,
in front of the forces". Thus addressed, those Rakshasas--wily warriors
all--resembling masses of clouds, witnessing that deed (of Indrajit),
struck with wonder and rejoicing (greatly), set up tremendous roars. And
thinking that Rama was slain, they honored Ravana's son. And seeing the
brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--motionless, and lying inert on the
ground,--they took them for slain. And, experiencing excess of joy,
Indrajit--conquerer in conflict--entered the city of Lanka, rejoicing
all the Nairitas. Seeing the bodies as well as the limbs of Rama and
Lakshmana, covered entirely with arrows, fear took possession of
Sugriva. Thereat Bibhishana said unto that lord of monkeys, staying in
woe begone guise, with a tearful countenance, and his eyes wild with
wrath,--"Do not give way to fear, O Sugriva. Restrain thy rising tears!
This is the way of warfare: victory is not (always) sure. But, O hero,
if Fortune ultimately smile upon us, this stupor shall go off from these
high-souled and exceedingly powerful ones. Therefore, O monkey, do thou
cheer me, who am forlorn". Saying this, with his hand Bibhishana washed
Sugriva's graceful eyes with water. And taking water, the righteous
Bibhishana by means of his knowledge, washed Sugriva's eyes therewith.
And washing the face of the intelligent monkey-monarch, Bibhishana spoke
these words, seasonable and sedate,--"O foremost of monkey-kings, this
is no time for being overcome with stupor. At this hour, even immoderate
affection may lead to destruction. Therefore, casting off stupor, which
tends to mar all work, do thou bethink thee how thou mayst serve this
army headed by Rama. Or do thou protect Rama so long as he doth not
regain consciousness; and when the Kakutsthas shall have regained
consciousness, all our apprehension shall vanish. This is nothing to
Rama, and Rama is not dying. And Lakshmi,[150] who is incapable of being
attained by those that are doomed, shall not forsake this one. Therefore
do thou comfort thyself, do thou also cheer up thy own forces,--while I
am engaged in composing all the troops. O best of monkeys, these with
distended eyes, come under the governance of terror, are, stricken with
panic, whispering into each other's ears. But seeing me, let the forces
rushing about, cheered up,--as well as the monkeys,--cast off all fear,
like a wreath that hath been used before". Thus comforting Sugriva,
Bibhishana--lord of Rakshasas--again instilled spirits into the flying
forces of monkeys. And Indrajit--worker of mighty illusions--accompanied
by his troops, entered the city of Lanka and presented himself before
his father. And approaching Ravana and saluting him with joined hands,
he informed his sire of the welcome tidings that Rama and Lakshmana had
been slain. And hearing that his foe had fallen, Ravana springing up in
the midst of the Rakshasas, with great joy embraced his son. And
scenting the crown of his head, (Ravana) with a delighted heart, asked
(Indrajit as to all that had taken place). And on being asked, he
(Indrajit) truly related unto his sire how (Rama and Lakshmana) had been
rendered senseless and lack-lustre by being fastened with shafts.
Thereat, with rapture surcharging his inmost soul, Ravana, hearing the
speech of the mighty car-warrior, banished his fear of Dacaratha's
son,--and rising up, honored his son with glad words.
[148] Indra.
[149] Rama and Lakshmana.
[150] The goddess of prosperity.