DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0509
RAMA'S MISSION FULFILLED 423
upon it the healing herbs; he pounded them and made
a paste which he placed under the nostrils of the un-
conscious warrior. Then Lakshmana rose up again
healed and hale and powerful. Rama rejoiced greatly,
and turned against his foes. ... A night attack was
made upon the Rakshasa capital, and the Apes intercepted
a sacrifice which Ravana sought to offer up to the gods
so as to compel their aid; many fair mansions were given
to the flames.
When day came Ravana went forth to battle. Surpa-
nakha, his sister who had caused the war, stood in his
way, and he thrust her aside impatiently, whereat she
cursed him, saying: "For this thou wilt never again
return to the city."
Ravana drove on in battle fury, his heart filled with
hatred for his foes and with sorrow for the fallen. Rama
went against him in the chariot of Indra, and for a time a
dubious conflict was waged. The earth trembled and the
ocean shook with fear.
Suddenly Rama darted forward. He drew his bow
and shot a swift arrow, which smote off one of Ravana's
ten heads, but immediately another appeared in its place.1
Then the hero seized the flaming weapon which Brahma
had created for the protection of the gods; with unerring
aim he discharged it in flaming splendour; it struck the
demon; it cleft in twain his heart of iron. Roaring in
his fierce agony Ravana fell ponderously upon the plain
and immediately expired. So was the enemy of gods
and men put to death by peerless Rama.
Celestial music was heard in heaven and flowers fell
upon the plain of victory: a voice came down the wind,
saying: " 0 victor of truth and righteousness, thy task is now
ended:1
1 Like Hydra against which Hercules fought.
upon it the healing herbs; he pounded them and made
a paste which he placed under the nostrils of the un-
conscious warrior. Then Lakshmana rose up again
healed and hale and powerful. Rama rejoiced greatly,
and turned against his foes. ... A night attack was
made upon the Rakshasa capital, and the Apes intercepted
a sacrifice which Ravana sought to offer up to the gods
so as to compel their aid; many fair mansions were given
to the flames.
When day came Ravana went forth to battle. Surpa-
nakha, his sister who had caused the war, stood in his
way, and he thrust her aside impatiently, whereat she
cursed him, saying: "For this thou wilt never again
return to the city."
Ravana drove on in battle fury, his heart filled with
hatred for his foes and with sorrow for the fallen. Rama
went against him in the chariot of Indra, and for a time a
dubious conflict was waged. The earth trembled and the
ocean shook with fear.
Suddenly Rama darted forward. He drew his bow
and shot a swift arrow, which smote off one of Ravana's
ten heads, but immediately another appeared in its place.1
Then the hero seized the flaming weapon which Brahma
had created for the protection of the gods; with unerring
aim he discharged it in flaming splendour; it struck the
demon; it cleft in twain his heart of iron. Roaring in
his fierce agony Ravana fell ponderously upon the plain
and immediately expired. So was the enemy of gods
and men put to death by peerless Rama.
Celestial music was heard in heaven and flowers fell
upon the plain of victory: a voice came down the wind,
saying: " 0 victor of truth and righteousness, thy task is now
ended:1
1 Like Hydra against which Hercules fought.