DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0507
RAMA'S MISSION FULFILLED 421
Rama and Lakshmana, who were grievously wounded,
fell down and pretended to be dead.
When darkness came on, Hanuman and Bibhishana
surveyed the battlefield with torches and found that many
apes had been wounded and slain. Great was their
sorrow, but Sushena, the ape physician, bade Hanuman
to hasten to a certain Himalayan mountain to obtain heal-
ing herbs. The wind god's son assumed tremendous
bulk, and, leaping aloft, went speedily through the air
until he reached the place where the herbs grew. He
searched for them in vain; then he tore up the mountain,
and carrying it in his hand returned again to the battle-
field. The physician soon Discovered the herbs; then he
gave healing to Rama and Lakshmana and the wounded
apes, who rose up at once ready and eager to fight as
before. Hanuman returned with the mountain and re-
stored it to its place.
When the sun rose, Ravana sent forth young heroes
to battle against the apes and bears, but they were all
slain. Then Indrajit came to avenge the fallen, but
Lakshmana drew his bow and shot an arrow which Indra
had given to him. Unerring was his aim, and Indrajit
was struck down; his body rolled headless upon the plain.
Ravana lamented for the death of his son, crying:
" He was the mightiest of my heroes and the dearest to
my heart. All the gods feared him, yet by a mortal was
he laid low. . . . O my son, thy widow wails for thee
and thy mother weeps in sore distress. Fondly I deemed
that when the frailties of old age afflicted me thou wouldst
close mine eyelids in death, but youth is taken first and
I am left alone to battle against mine enemies."
For a time the mighty demon wept; then he arose
in wrath to wreak vengeance. First of all he hastened
towards the Asoka grove to slay Sita. But the Rakshasa
Rama and Lakshmana, who were grievously wounded,
fell down and pretended to be dead.
When darkness came on, Hanuman and Bibhishana
surveyed the battlefield with torches and found that many
apes had been wounded and slain. Great was their
sorrow, but Sushena, the ape physician, bade Hanuman
to hasten to a certain Himalayan mountain to obtain heal-
ing herbs. The wind god's son assumed tremendous
bulk, and, leaping aloft, went speedily through the air
until he reached the place where the herbs grew. He
searched for them in vain; then he tore up the mountain,
and carrying it in his hand returned again to the battle-
field. The physician soon Discovered the herbs; then he
gave healing to Rama and Lakshmana and the wounded
apes, who rose up at once ready and eager to fight as
before. Hanuman returned with the mountain and re-
stored it to its place.
When the sun rose, Ravana sent forth young heroes
to battle against the apes and bears, but they were all
slain. Then Indrajit came to avenge the fallen, but
Lakshmana drew his bow and shot an arrow which Indra
had given to him. Unerring was his aim, and Indrajit
was struck down; his body rolled headless upon the plain.
Ravana lamented for the death of his son, crying:
" He was the mightiest of my heroes and the dearest to
my heart. All the gods feared him, yet by a mortal was
he laid low. . . . O my son, thy widow wails for thee
and thy mother weeps in sore distress. Fondly I deemed
that when the frailties of old age afflicted me thou wouldst
close mine eyelids in death, but youth is taken first and
I am left alone to battle against mine enemies."
For a time the mighty demon wept; then he arose
in wrath to wreak vengeance. First of all he hastened
towards the Asoka grove to slay Sita. But the Rakshasa