Chapter XXVI: Section XXVI

Hearing those bold words of the ascetic, the son of that foremost of men, Raghava firm in his vows, with clasped hands answered,--"In accordance with the desire of my sire, and in order to glorify it, I ought fearlessly to do even as Kucika's son sayeth. And havingbeen desired to that end while at Ayodhya by that high-souled one, my father Dacaratha, in the midst of the spiritual guides, I ought not to pass by thy words. Therefore, commanded by that upholder of the Veda, I, agreeably to my father's mandate, will, without doubt, bring about that welcome event--the death of Taraka. And in the interests of Brahmanas, kine, and celestials, I am ready to act as desired by thee of immeasurable energy." Having said this, that repressor of foes, with clenched fist, twanged his bow-string, filling the ten cardinal points with the sounds. And at those sounds, the dwellers in Taraka's forest were filled with perturbation,--and Taraka also amazed at those sounds, became exceedingly wroth. And, rendered almost insensible by anger, that Rakshasi furiously rushed in amain towards the spot whence had come the report. And beholding that frightful one of hideous visage and colossal proportions, transported with rage, Raghu's descendant spake unto Lakshmana,--"Behold, O Lakshmana, the terrible and hideous body of yonder Yakshini! The sight of her striketh terror into the hearts of even the brave. Mark! - This irrepressible one, possessing all the resources of illusion, will I oppose, and deprive her of ears and nose. But I dare not slay her, she being protected by virtue of her fcminineness. I intend only to oppose her course, and de- prive her of her prowess." As Rama was speaking thus, Taraka, deprived of sense through ire, uttering roars, with uplifted arms rushed against him. And thereat the Brahmarshi, Vicwamitra, uttering a roar, upbraided her, and said,-- "_Swasti!_"[46] May victory attend the descendants of Raghu!" And raising thick clouds of dust, Taraka instantly bewildered both the descendants of Raghu. And then by help of illusion, she began to pour upon them a mighty shower of crags. And thereat Raghu's descendant was wroth. And resisting that mighty shower of crags by vollies of shafts, Raghava with arrows cut off her hands. And with the fore-parts of her arms lopped off, as she was roaring before them, Sumitra's son waxing worth deprived her of her ears and nose. Therupon that one capable of assuming forms at will, began to assume various shapes; and to vanish from sight, bewildering her antagonists with her illusory displays. And terribly ranging the field, the Yakshi showered crags upon her antagonists. And beholding them enveloped on all sides by that craggy down-pour, the auspicious son of Gadhi spake these words,--"O Rama, renounce thy antipathy. This one of wicked ways is exceedingly impious. And this sacrifice-disturbing Yakshi will, by virtue of her power of illusion, come to increase more and more in energy. Do thou, therefore, against the arrival of dusk, slay her! The Rakshasas are incapable of being controlled when evening sets in." Thus addressed, Rama, displaying his skill in aiming by sounds, enveloped with arrows that Yakshi showering crags. Being thus hemmed in with a network cf shafts, she possessed of the powers of illusion, rushed against Kakutstha and Lakshmana, uttering terrible roars. And as that Yakshi, in prowess like unto a thunder-bolt, was rushing on, Rama pierced her chest with arrows,--and thereat she dropped down and died. And upon seeing that grim-visaged one slain, the lord of the celestials together with the celestials themselves honoring Kakutstha, exclaimed "Well!", "Well!" And exceedingly pleased, the thousand -eyed Purandara, together with the delighted deities,said unto Vicwamitra,--"O ascetic, O Kucika's son, good betide thee! all the Maruts with Indra at their head, have been gratified with this act (of Rama's). Do thou therefore show affection unto Raghava! Do thou, O Brahmana, confer upon Raghu's descendant the sons of Prajapati Kricacwa, of true prowess, and charged with ascetic energy. And ever following thee, he, O Brahmana, is fit to receive them of thee. And this son of the king is to accomplish a mighty task in the interest of the celestials." Saying this, the deities, having paid homage unto Vicwamitra, joyfully entered the celestial regions.

And now came evening on, when that best of ascetics, gratified at the destruction of Taraki, smelt Rami's crown and said these words,--"Here O Rama of gracious presence, shall we pass the night; and morrow morning wend unto that hermitage of mine." Hearing Vicwamitra's words, Dacatatha's son, glad at heart, happily passed that night in the forest of Taraka. And being thus freed from all disturbances from that day forth that forest appeared charming, even like unto the forest of Chaitraratha. Having thus slain the Yaksha's daughter, Rama, eulogized by celestials and Siddhas spent there that night with the saint, being awakened by the latter at the break of day.

[46] A particle of benediction, indeclinable.--T.