Hearing that Akampana had been killed, the lord of Rakshasas,
overwhelmed with anger, with his face somewhat fallen, cast his eyes on
his counsellors. And then pondering and reflecting for a while, in the
forenoon he went round the city of Lanka for inspecting the barracks.
And the king surveyed the city guarded by the Rakshasas, covered with
innumerable barracks, and crowned with ensigns and standards. And seeing
the city beseiged, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--seasonably spoke words
of welfare unto Prahasta skilled in fight,--"Save battle, deliverance
find I none for the city suddenly beleaguered and put to straits. And
this strain must be borne by these versed in warfare--me or Kumbhakarna
or thee--my general--or Indrajit or Nikumbha.[175] And therefore do thou
from this place, speedily taking this force, march to where the monkeys
are, for securing victory (in the encounter). And as soon as thou
settest out, the monkey-forces, hearing the roars of the foremost
Rakshasas--speedily setting themselves in motion,--shall flee away. And
volatile and haughty and of fickle minds, the monkeys will not be able
to bear thy shouts; even as elephants are incapable of bearing the
roaring of a lion. And on that monkey-army running away, Rama in company
with Sumitra's son, deprived of his power and shorn of support, shall, O
Prahasta, come under thy subjection. In this matter, thy being slain is
uncertain, but victory is certain. Now do thou, as thou weighest our
welfare, declare thyself for or against this course". Thus addressed by
Ravana, Prahasta--general of the forces--said unto the Rakshasa-chief;
like _Ucanas_ addressing the lord of Asuras,--"O, king, before this we
had deliberated together with wise counsellors, and then we disputed
with each other in our respective views. And I had declared myself for
giving up Sita as fraught with our welfare; and we saw war involved in
witholding her. I have ever been honored by thee variously with gifts
and regard and soft speech. And what is thy good for which I shall not
be at the pains? My life I do not care to keep,--nor yet my sons or my
wife. Behold! for thee will I offer up my life into the sacrificial fire
of conflict". Having said this unto his master--Ravana--the general,
Prahasta, addressed his generals staying before him, saying,--"At once
bring up the mighty host of Rakshasas. To-day in the field of fight will
I entertain the flesh-feeding fowls of the forest with the bodies of the
foes slain with my resistless shafts". Hearing his speech, the highly
powerful leaders arrayed the army in that abode of the Rakshasa. And in
a moment Lanka swarmed with heroic and terrific Rakshasas equipped with
various arms,--as if with elephants,--as well as with people worshipping
Fire and bowing down unto Brahmanas. And the perfumed breeze blew, laden
with the incense of sacrificial offerings. And the Rakshasas, inspired
with martial ardour, put on diverse garlands, consecrated with
scriptural formulae; and donned on their armour. And furnished with
their bows and wearing their armour, the Rakshasas, on seeing king
Ravana, leaving (their vehicles), stood, surrounding Prahasta. Then
greeting the monarch, Prahasta, furnished (with all appliances of
battle),--winding his dreadful trumpet, ascended his car; having all
sorts of weapons; yoked with wondrous fleet steeds; driven by a
competent charioteer,--excellently furnished; sending up sounds
resembling the rumbling of mighty masses of cloud,--appearing like the
very Sun or Moon; invincible with a serpent-standard; having a defence
as well as a portion exceedingly handsome; netted with gold all round;
and seeming to be laughing in grace. And then, ascending this car,
Prahasta, whom Ravana had entrusted with authority, surrounded by a vast
host, swiftly went out of Lanka. And then there were heard the sounds of
kettle-drums, resembling the roars of Parjanya,--and the sounds of
musical instruments, as if filling the Earth. And on that general of the
forces marching, sounds of conchs were heard (all around); and the
Rakshasas of dreadful forms and huge bodies, going before Prahasta,
advanced, emitting tremendous roars. And Narantaka,[176] Kambhahanu,
Mahanada,[177] and Samunnata,[178]--Prahasta's counsellors all of
them--went on, surrounding him. And he went out by the Eastern entrance,
environed by this exceedingly dreadful array, resembling troops of
elephants. And resembling the Destroyer--Yama himself--Prahasta in rage
went out surrounded by that mighty host resembling the sea. And at the
tumult raised by their exodus, as well as the roars of the Rakshasas,
all creatures in Lanka began to cry in preternatural tones. And swarming
under the cloudless welkin, birds feasting on flesh and gore began to
gyrate at the right hand of the car. And dreadful jackals, emitting live
flames from their mouths, set up cries. And stars began to shoot from
the firmament; and the winds to ruffle. And enraged at each other, the
planetary bodies were shorn of their brightness. And clouds emitting
sharp sounds showered down blood upon the car, and those marching in
front were washed therewith. And alighting at the top of the standard, a
vulture set up cries, facing the south, and began to prick both its
sides,--thereby depriving (Prahasta) of his grace. And from the hands of
his charioteer and his driver conducting the steeds, never given to
turning away from the field, the goad began to drop again and again. And
the auspiciousness that was bright and rare when the army set out, was
clean gone in a moment,--and the steeds began to stumble on even ground.
And as Prahasta of renowned worth and valor marched, the monkey-army
equipped with various arms, presented themselves before him. And loud
was the tumult that was raised by the monkeys. And mighty was the din
that was heard of those, uprooting trees and taking up ponderous crags
of the Rakshasas roaring and the monkeys storming in both the
exhilarated armies of Rakshas and wood-rangers,--of vehement and able
(warriors) eager for slaying each other, and challenging each other to
fight. And like an insect falling into a flame, the wicked-minded
Prahasta, for obtaining victory, increasing his impetuosity entered into
that host of the monkey-king.
[175] Grammatically faulty such is the sentence in the original.--T.
[176] Lit. _destroyer of men_. Almost all the names of the Rakshasas are
thus significant names. This assigning of names, embosoming some
harmonising image, has by Sir Francis Palgrave, justly been
considered as betokening a high poetical faculty.
[177] Lit.--_loud-throated_.
[178] Lit.--_lofty_.