The Ramayana Part 96

Canto x.x.xI. Ravan.

But of the host of giants one, Akampan, from the field had run And sped to Lanka(480) to relate In Rava?'s ear the demons' fate:

"King, many a giant from the shade Of Janasthan in death is laid: Khara the chief is slain, and I Could scarcely from the battle fly."

Fierce anger, as the monarch heard, Inflamed his look, his bosom stirred, And while with scorching glance he eyed The messenger, he thus replied:

"What fool has dared, already dead, Strike Janasthan, the general dread?

Who is the wretch shall vainly try In earth, heaven, h.e.l.l, from me to fly?

Vaisrava?,(481) Indra, Vish?u, He Who rules the dead, must reverence me; For not the mightiest lord of these Can brave my will and live at ease.

Fate finds in me a mightier fate To burn the fires that devastate.

With unresisted influence I Can force e'en Death himself to die, With all-surpa.s.sing might restrain The fury of the hurricane, And burn in my tremendous ire The glory of the sun and fire."

As thus the fiend's hot fury blazed, His trembling hands Akampan raised, And with a voice which fear made weak, Permission craved his tale to speak.

King Rava? gave the leave he sought, And bade him tell the news he brought.

His courage rose, his voice grew bold, And thus his mournful tale he told:

"A prince with mighty shoulders, sprung From Dasaratha, brave and young, With arms well moulded, bears the name Of Rama with a lion's frame.

Renowned, successful, dark of limb, Earth has no warrior equals him.

He fought in Janasthan and slew Dusha? the fierce and Khara too."

Rava? the giants' royal chief.

Received Akampan's tale of grief.

Then, panting like an angry snake, These words in turn the monarch spake:

"Say quick, did Rama seek the shade Of Janasthan with Indra's aid, And all the dwellers in the skies To back his hardy enterprise?"

Akampan heard, and straight obeyed His master, and his answer made.

Then thus the power and might he told Of Raghu's son the lofty-souled:

"Best is that chief of all who know With deftest art to draw the bow.

His are strange arms of heavenly might, And none can match him in the fight.

His brother Lakshma? brave as he, Fair as the rounded moon to see, With eyes like night and voice that comes Deep as the roll of beaten drums, By Rama's side stands ever near, Like wind that aids the flame's career.

That glorious chief, that prince of kings, On Janasthan this ruin brings.

No G.o.ds were there,-dismiss the thought No heavenly legions came and fought.

His swift-winged arrows Rama sent, Each bright with gold and ornament.

To serpents many-faced they turned: The giant hosts they ate and burned.

Where'er these fled in wild dismay Rama was there to strike and slay.

By him O King of high estate, Is Janasthan left desolate."

Akampan ceased: in angry pride The giant monarch thus replied: "To Janasthan myself will go And lay these daring brothers low."

Thus spoke the king in furious mood: Akampan then his speech renewed: "O listen while I tell at length The terror of the hero's strength.

No power can check, no might can tame Rama, a chief of n.o.blest fame.

He with resistless shafts can stay The torrent foaming on its way.

Sky, stars, and constellations, all To his fierce might would yield and fall.

His power could earth itself uphold Down sinking as it sank of old.(482) Or all its plains and cities drown, Breaking the wild sea's barrier down; Crush the great deep's impetuous will, Or bid the furious wind be still.

He glorious in his high estate The triple world could devastate, And there, supreme of men, could place His creatures of a new-born race.

Never can mighty Rama be O'ercome in fight, my King, by thee.

Thy giant host the day might win From him, if heaven were gained by sin.

If G.o.ds were joined with demons, they Could ne'er, I ween, that hero slay, But guile may kill the wondrous man; Attend while I disclose the plan.

His wife, above all women graced, Is Sita of the dainty waist, With limbs to fair proportion true, And a soft skin of l.u.s.trous hue, Round neck and arm rich gems are twined: She is the gem of womankind.

With her no bright Gandharvi vies, No nymph or G.o.ddess in the skies; And none to rival her would dare 'Mid dames who part the long black hair.

That hero in the wood beguile, And steal his lovely spouse the while.

Reft of his darling wife, be sure, Brief days the mourner will endure."

With flattering hope of triumph moved The giant king that plan approved, Pondered the counsel in his breast, And then Akampan thus addressed: "Forth in my car I go at morn, None but the driver with me borne, And this fair Sita will I bring Back to my city triumphing."

Forth in his car by a.s.ses drawn The giant monarch sped at dawn, Bright as the sun, the chariot cast Light through the sky as on it pa.s.sed.

Then high in air that best of cars Traversed the path of lunar stars, Sending a fitful radiance pale As moonbeams shot through cloudy veil.

Far on his airy way he flew: Near Ta?akeya's(483) grove he drew.

Maricha welcomed him, and placed Before him food which giants taste, With honour led him to a seat, And brought him water for his feet; And then with timely words addressed Such question to his royal guest:

"Speak, is it well with thee whose sway The giant mult.i.tudes obey?

I know not all, and ask in fear The cause, O King, why thou art here."

Rava, the giants' mighty king, Heard wise Maricha's questioning, And told with ready answer, taught In eloquence, the cause he sought: "My guards, the bravest of my band, Are slain by Rama's vigorous hand, And Janasthan, that feared no hate Of foes, is rendered desolate.

Come, aid me in the plan I lay To steal the conqueror's wife away."

Maricha heard the king's request, And thus the giant chief addressed:

"What foe in friendly guise is he Who spoke of Sita's name to thee?

Who is the wretch whose thought would bring Destruction on the giants' king?

Whose is the evil counsel, say, That bids thee bear his wife away, And careless of thy life provoke Earth's loftiest with threatening stroke?

A foe is he who dared suggest This hopeless folly to thy breast, Whose ill advice would bid thee draw The venomed fang from serpent's jaw.

By whose unwise suggestion led Wilt thou the path of ruin tread?

Whence falls the blow that would destroy Thy gentle sleep of ease and joy?

Like some wild elephant is he That rears his trunk on high, Lord of an ancient pedigree, Huge tusks, and furious eye.

Rava?, no rover of the night With bravest heart can brook, Met in the front of deadly fight, On Raghu's son to look.

The giant hosts were brave and strong, Good at the bow and spear: But Rama slew the routed throng, A lion 'mid the deer.

No lion's tooth can match his sword, Or arrows fiercely shot: He sleeps, he sleeps-the lion lord; Be wise and rouse him not.

O Monarch of the giants, well Upon my counsel think, Lest thou for ever in the h.e.l.l Of Rama's vengeance sink: A h.e.l.l, where deadly shafts are sent From his tremendous-bow, While his great arms all flight prevent, Like deepest mire below: Where the wild floods of battle rave Above the foeman's head, And each with many a feathery wave Of shafts is garlanded.

O, quench the flames that in thy breast With raging fury burn; And pacified and self-possessed To Lanka's town return.

Rest thou in her imperial bowers With thine own wives content, And in the wood let Rama's hours With Sita still be spent."

The lord of Lanka's isle obeyed The counsel, and his purpose stayed.

Borne on his car he parted thence And gained his royal residence.

Canto x.x.xII. Ravan Roused.

But Surpa?akha saw the plain Spread with the fourteen thousand slain, Doers of cruel deeds o'erthrown By Rama's mighty arm alone, Add Trisiras and Dusha? dead, And Khara, with the hosts they led.

Their death she saw, and mad with pain, Roared like a cloud that brings the rain, And fled in anger and dismay To Lanka, seat of Rava?'s sway.