The Ramayana Part 171

With anxious looks the walls they eyed: And sage Vibhisha? thus replied: "These lords of mine(946) can answer: they Within the walls have found their way, The foeman's plan and order learned, And hither to my side returned.

Now, Rama, let my tongue declare How Rava?'s hosts are stationed there.

Prahasta heads, in warlike state, His legions at the eastern gate.

To guard the southern portal stands Mahodar, girt by Rakshas bands, Where mighty Mahaparsva, sent By Rava?'s hest, his aid has lent.

Guard of the gate that fronts the west Is valiant Indrajit, the best Of warriors, Rava?'s joy and pride; And by the youthful chieftain's side Are giants, armed for fierce attacks With sword and mace and battle-axe.

North, where approach is dreaded most, The king, encompa.s.sed with a host Of giants trained in war, whose hands Wield maces, swords and lances, stands.

All these are chiefs whom Rava? chose As mightiest to resist his foes; And each a countless army(947) leads With elephants and cars and steeds."

Then Rama, while his spirit burned For battle, words like these returned: "The eastern gate be Nila's care, Opponent of Prahasta there.

The southern gate, with troops arrayed Let Angad, Bali's son, invade.

The gate that fronts the falling sun Shall be by brave Hanuman won; Soon through its portals shall he lead His myriads of Vanar breed.

The gate that fronts the north shall be a.s.sailed by Lakshma? and by me, For I myself have sworn to kill The tyrant who delights in ill.

Armed with the boon which Brahma gave, The G.o.ds of heaven he loves to brave, And through the trembling worlds he flies, Oppressor of the just and wise.

Thou, Jambavan, and thou, O King Of Vanars, all your bravest bring, And with your hosts in dense array Straight to the centre force your way.

But let no Vanar in the storm Disguise him in a human form, Ye chiefs who change your shapes at will, Retain your Vanar semblance still.

Thus, when we battle with the foe, Both men and Vanars will ye know, In human form will seven appear; Myself, my brother Lakshma? here; Vibhisha?, and the four he led From Lanka's city when he fled."

Thus Raghu's son the chiefs addressed: Then, gazing on Suvela's crest, Transported by the lovely sight, He longed to climb the mountain height.

Canto x.x.xVIII. The Ascent Of Suvela.

"Come let us scale," the hero cried, "This hill with various metals dyed.

This night upon the breezy crest Sugriva, Lakshma?, I, will rest, With sage Vibhisha?, faithful friend, His counsel and his lore to lend.

From those tall peaks each eager eye The foeman's city shall espy, Who from the wood my darling stole And brought long anguish on my soul."

Thus spake the lord of men, and bent His footsteps to the steep ascent, And Lakshma?, true in weal and woe, Next followed with his shafts and bow.

Vibhisha? followed, next in place, The sovereign of the Vanar race, And hundreds of the forest kind Thronged with impetuous feet, behind.

The chiefs in woods and mountains bred Fast followed to Suvela's head, And gazed on Lanka bright and fair As some gay city in the air.

On glittering gates, on ramparts raised By giant hands, the chieftains gazed.

They saw the mighty hosts that, skilled In arts of war, the city filled, And ramparts with new ramparts lined, The swarthy hosts that stood behind.

With spirits burning for the fight They saw the giants from the height, And from a hundred throats rang out Defiance and the battle shout.

Then sank the sun with dying flame, And soft the shades of twilight came, And the full moon's delicious light Was shed upon the tranquil night.

Canto x.x.xIX. Lanka.

They slept secure: the sun arose And called the chieftains from repose.

Before the wondering Vanars, gay With grove and garden, Lanka lay, Where golden buds the Champak showed, And bright with bloom Asoka glowed, And palm and Sal and many a tree With leaf and flower were fair to see.

They looked on wood and lawn and glade, On emerald gra.s.s and dusky shade, Where creepers filled the air with scent, And luscious fruit the branches bent, Where bees inebriate loved to throng, And each sweet bird was loud in song.

The wondering Vanars pa.s.sed the bound That circled that enchanting ground, And as they came a sweet breeze through The odorous alleys softly blew.

Some Vanars, at their king's behest, Onward to bannered Lanka pressed, While, startled by the strangers' tread, The birds and deer before them fled.

Earth trembled at each step they took, And Lanka at their shouting shook.

Bright rose before their wondering eyes Triku?a's peak that kissed the skies, And, clothed with flowers of every hue, Afar its golden radiance threw.

Most fair to see the mountain's head A hundred leagues in length was spread.

There Rava?'s town, securely placed, The summit of Triku?a graced.

O'er leagues of land she stretched in pride, A hundred long and twenty wide.

They saw a lofty wall enfold The city, built of blocks of gold, They saw the beams of morning fall On dome and fane within the wall, Bright with the s.h.i.+ne that mansion gives Where Vish?u in his glory lives.

White-crested like the Lord of Snows Before them Rava?'s palace rose.

High on a thousand pillars raised With gold and precious stone it blazed, Guarded by giant warders, crown And ornament of Lanka's town.

Canto XL. Ravan Attacked.

Still stood the son of Raghu where Suvela's peak rose high in air, And with Sugriva turned his eye To scan each quarter of the sky.

There on Triku?a, n.o.bly planned And built by Visvakarma's hand, He saw the lovely Lanka, dressed In all her varied beauty, rest.

High on a tower above the gate The tyrant stood in kingly state.

The royal canopy displayed Above him lent its grateful shade, And servants, from the giant band, His cheek with jewelled chowries fanned.

Red sandal o'er his breast was spread, His ornaments and robe were red: Thus shows a cloud of darksome hue With golden sunbeams flas.h.i.+ng through.

While Rama and the chiefs intent Upon the king their glances bent, Up sprang Sugriva from the ground And reached the turret at a bound.

Unterrified the Vanar stood, And wroth, with wondrous hardihood, The king in bitter words addressed, And thus his scorn and hate expressed:

"King of the giant race, in me The friend and slave of Rama see.

Lord of the world, he gives me power To smite thee in thy fenced tower."

While through the air his challenge rang, At Rava?'s face the Vanar sprang.

s.n.a.t.c.hed from his head the kingly crown And dashed it in his fury down.

Straight at his foe the giant flew, His mighty arms about him threw.

With strength resistless swung him round And dashed him panting to the ground.

Unharmed amid the storm of blows Swift to his feet Sugriva rose.

Again in furious fight they met: With streams of blood their limbs were wet, Each grasping his opponent's waist.

Thus with their branches interlaced, Which, crimson with the flowers of spring, From side to side the breezes swing, In furious wrestle you may see The Kinsuk and the Seemal tree.(948) They fought with fists and hands, alike Prepared to parry and to strike.

Long time the doubtful combat, waged With matchless strength and fury, raged.

Each fiercely struck, each guarded well, Till, closing, from the tower they fell, And, grasping each the other's throat, Lay for an instant in the moat.

They rose, and each in fiercer mood The sanguinary strife renewed.

Well matched in size and strength and skill They fought the dubious battle still.

While sweat and blood their limbs bedewed They met, retreated, and pursued: Each stratagem and art they tried, Stood front to front and swerved aside.

His hand a while the giant stayed And called his magic to his aid.

But brave Sugriva, swift to know The guileful purpose of the foe, Gained with light leap the upper air, And breath and strength and spirit there; Then, joyous as for victory won, Returned to Raghu's royal son.

Canto XLI. Rama's Envoy.

When Rama saw each b.l.o.o.d.y trace On King Sugriva's limbs and face, He cried, while, sorrowing at the view, His arms about his friend he threw: "Too venturous chieftain, kings like us Bring not their lives in peril thus; Nor, save when counsel shows the need, Attempt so bold, so rash a deed.

Remember, I, Vibhisha? all Have sorrowed fearing for thy fall.

O do not-for us all I speak- These desperate adventures seek."

"I could not," cried Sugriva, "brook Upon the giant king to look, Nor challenge to the deadly strife The fiend who robbed thee of thy wife."

"Now Lakshma?, marshal," Rama cried, "Our legions where the woods are wide, And stand we ready to oppose The fury of our giant foes.

This day our armies shall ascend The walls which Rava?'s powers defend, And floods of Rakshas blood shall stain The streets enc.u.mbered with the slain."