Chapter XXXVI: Section XXXVI

The Ten-necked one, come under the control of Time, did not brook the beneficial speech spoken by Malyavan. Contracting his face into a frown, he, coming under the masterdom of passion, with his eyes rolling in wrath, addressed Malyavan, saying,--"The words which, deeming the strength of the enemy as superior, thou hast harshly spoken, considering it as beneficial, had never before entered my ears. A (mere) man, and feeble, and alone, and having monkeys for his support, why dost thou deem Rama, who hath (further) been cast off by his sire, and hath in consequence taken refuge in the woods,--as competent (to cope with me)? And why dost thou consider me, who am the lord of the Rakshas, and feared even by the immortals,--as weak and reft of all power? Thou, I suspect, speakest (thus) roughly either from jealousy of my heroism, or for inciting me. And who that is wise and learned, ever addresseth him roughly that is at once puissant and of (high) station, if not to spur him on? Why, having brought Sita like a Sri shorn of her lotus, shall I give her up, from fear of Raghava? Behold Raghava, environed by Kotis of monkeys, with Sugriva and Lakshmana, slain one of these days! He before whom even the gods cannot stay in the field,--how can that Ravana ever come by fear? Better that I should be riven in twain,--but bend I never will. This is my native fault; and nature is incapable of being overcome. And if Rama hath at his pleasure constructed a bridge over the ocean, what is the wonder in this that thou hast conceived such a fear? And although Rama hath crossed the ocean along with the monkey-army, yet I swear unto thee truly, living, he shall not back hence". When Ravana, wrought up with passion, had spoken thus, Malyavan, knowing him wroth, did not return a reply. And, duly tendering blessings unto the king, Malyavan, taking his permission, went to his own abode. And the Rakshasa, Ravana, along with his courtiers, having consulted together as to what was fit to be done, set about the defence of Lanka. And he commanded the Rakshasa Prahasta (to guard) the Eastern gate; and the exceedingly powerful Mahaparcwa and Mahodara (to guard) the Southern gate; and he ordered his son Indrajit, possessing mighty powers of illusion, girt by innumerable Rakshasas, to guard the Western gate. And he commanded Suka and Sarana to defend the Northern gate. But he said unto the counsellors,--"I will myself go thither".[97] And he posted in the middle in the garrison the Rakshasa, Virupaksha, endowed with exceeding prowess and energy, backed by countless Rakshasas. Having taken these measures in Lanka, the Rakshasa-chief, urged by Fate, deemed himself as having achieved success. Having thus completely provided for the defence of the city, he dismissed the ministers; and, honored by the counsellors with blessings of victory, (then) entered his magnificent and splendid inner apartment.

[97] _i.e._ to defend the Northern gate.--T.