Chapter XXIII: Section XXIII

Having seen omens, that one, Lakshmana's elder brother, conversant with them, embracing the son of Sumitra, said these words,--"O Lakshmana, occupying (this tract) of cool waters and woods affluent with fruits, will we, dividing and arranging our forces, stay here. Mighty is the fear that I see at hand,--boding destruction to people and the slaughter of the foremost heroes of bears, monkeys and Rakshasas. The wind bloweth darkly, and the Earth shaketh. The tops of the mountains tremble, and trees topple down. And the clouds are ashen and roistering, and roar roughly. And lowering, they shower portentous drops of blood. And the twilight is terrible and looketh like the red sandal. And a fiery circle droppeth from the flaming sun. And on all sides birds and beasts, distressed, uttering woe-begone notes, and grim-visaged, set up crying against the sun, arousing great fear. And the Moon, although not appearing[61] in the night, burneth, and with dark and red rays riseth, as if it intended to exterminate people. And the aspect (of the sun) is slight, rough, and not good;[62] and, O Lakshmana, a blue mark is visible on the unclouded Sun. And the stars seem erased by a mighty volume of dust. O Lakshmana, behold this sight disastrous to people like unto the universal dissolution. Crows, and hawks, and the inferior vultures, wheel all round. And jackals are sending inauspicious yells, exciting great fear. The earth shall be covered with darts and javelins, and swords discharged by monkeys and Rakshasas, and then turned into mire with flesh and gore. Surrounded by all these monkeys, will we, using speed, this very day rapidly enter into the city ruled by Ravana, incapable of being subdued. Having said this, that subduer in conflict, that lord, the enchanter of men, Rama,[63] equipped with his bow, proceeds in the direction of Lanka. And all the principal monkeys-- Sugriva with Bibhishana--went on, setting up roars, for the destruction of foes, who were determined to battle with them. And consequently Raghu's son was well pleased with the fortitude and exertions of the powerful monkeys, for bringing about what was dear unto Raghava.

[61] The moon, it seems, _doth_ appear, but does not look out
clearly.--T.

[62] _Pracasta_--I do not see the propriety of this epithet in this
connection. This may be a mistake.--T.

[63] The word _Rama_ occurs twice, one being the cognomen of the solar
line. The other means, _the enchanter of men.--T._