Chapter XLVI: Section XLVI

And the rangers of woods, gazing at the earth and the sky, at length cast their eyes on the brothers--Rama and Lakshmana, covered all over with arrows. And after that Rakshasa had gone away having performed his work, like the God[148] going away, after having showered,--there came to that place Bibhishana with Sugriva. And, mourning Raghu's sons, there also came in all haste Nila and Dwivida and Mainda and Sushena and Kumuda and Angada in company with Hanuman. And moveless; breathing low,--covered with blood,--pierced all over with net-works of shafts; dumb; they[149] were lying on the field. And they were sighing like serpents; and were inert; and deprived of prowess; and washed in blood; and looking like unto golden standards. And as they lay moveless, as become heroes, the leaders of monkeys environed them with tear-charged eyes. And seeing the sons of Raghu lying, covered with showers of shafts, the monkeys, with Bibhishana, were pained (exceedingly). And the monkeys, surveying the sky as well as all directions, could not see Ravana's son in battle enveloped with illusion. And then Bibhishana by means of illusion saw his brother's son staying before, hidden by illusion. And Bibhishana saw that hero of incomparable deeds, who had no compeer in the field and who had energy, fame and prowess,--as he remained invisible in consequence of the Boon received from Brahma. And Indrajit, seeing his own feat and them lying at length, spake in excess of joy, gladdening all the Rakshasas,--"The brothers--Rama and Lakshmana, possessed of great strength, who had slain Khara and Dushana, are themselves slain with my shafts. And all the celestials and Asuras assembled together with the saints, are incompetent to emancipate these from the fetters of my shafts. He for whom my father was exercised with anxiety and tormented by grief, for whom my sire used to spend nights without pressing his bed,--for whom this entire Lanka had resembled a river turbulent in the rainy reason,--that same evil sticking by the root of all, hath been dispensed his quietus by me. And like clouds of autumn, the prowess of Rama and Lakshmana as well as that of all the rangers of the woods, hath been rendered useless". Saying this in the presence of all the Rakshasas, Ravana's son--destroyer of foes--menacing the monkey-leaders, hit Nila with nine arrows, and hurt Mainda and Dwivida each with three powerful shafts. And piercing Jambavan with an arrow in the chest, that mighty bowman discharged ten at Hanuman. And Ravana's son possessed of exceeding impetuosity, pierced in the conflict with two shafts each Gavaksha and Sarabha of immeasurable vigor. And Ravana's son, summoning celerity, pierced the king of Golangulas and Vali's son, Angada, with innumerable arrows. And the powerful son of Ravana, endowed with might, piercing the foremost monkeys with shafts resembling tongues of flames, set up shouts in the field of battle. And tormenting the monkeys with volleys of shafts and striking terror into them, that mighty-armed one, bursting out into a laugh, said,--"Let the Rakshasas behold these brothers, lying fast bound with dreadful arrows, in front of the forces". Thus addressed, those Rakshasas--wily warriors all--resembling masses of clouds, witnessing that deed (of Indrajit), struck with wonder and rejoicing (greatly), set up tremendous roars. And thinking that Rama was slain, they honored Ravana's son. And seeing the brothers--Rama and Lakshmana--motionless, and lying inert on the ground,--they took them for slain. And, experiencing excess of joy, Indrajit--conquerer in conflict--entered the city of Lanka, rejoicing all the Nairitas. Seeing the bodies as well as the limbs of Rama and Lakshmana, covered entirely with arrows, fear took possession of Sugriva. Thereat Bibhishana said unto that lord of monkeys, staying in woe begone guise, with a tearful countenance, and his eyes wild with wrath,--"Do not give way to fear, O Sugriva. Restrain thy rising tears! This is the way of warfare: victory is not (always) sure. But, O hero, if Fortune ultimately smile upon us, this stupor shall go off from these high-souled and exceedingly powerful ones. Therefore, O monkey, do thou cheer me, who am forlorn". Saying this, with his hand Bibhishana washed Sugriva's graceful eyes with water. And taking water, the righteous Bibhishana by means of his knowledge, washed Sugriva's eyes therewith. And washing the face of the intelligent monkey-monarch, Bibhishana spoke these words, seasonable and sedate,--"O foremost of monkey-kings, this is no time for being overcome with stupor. At this hour, even immoderate affection may lead to destruction. Therefore, casting off stupor, which tends to mar all work, do thou bethink thee how thou mayst serve this army headed by Rama. Or do thou protect Rama so long as he doth not regain consciousness; and when the Kakutsthas shall have regained consciousness, all our apprehension shall vanish. This is nothing to Rama, and Rama is not dying. And Lakshmi,[150] who is incapable of being attained by those that are doomed, shall not forsake this one. Therefore do thou comfort thyself, do thou also cheer up thy own forces,--while I am engaged in composing all the troops. O best of monkeys, these with distended eyes, come under the governance of terror, are, stricken with panic, whispering into each other's ears. But seeing me, let the forces rushing about, cheered up,--as well as the monkeys,--cast off all fear, like a wreath that hath been used before". Thus comforting Sugriva, Bibhishana--lord of Rakshasas--again instilled spirits into the flying forces of monkeys. And Indrajit--worker of mighty illusions--accompanied by his troops, entered the city of Lanka and presented himself before his father. And approaching Ravana and saluting him with joined hands, he informed his sire of the welcome tidings that Rama and Lakshmana had been slain. And hearing that his foe had fallen, Ravana springing up in the midst of the Rakshasas, with great joy embraced his son. And scenting the crown of his head, (Ravana) with a delighted heart, asked (Indrajit as to all that had taken place). And on being asked, he (Indrajit) truly related unto his sire how (Rama and Lakshmana) had been rendered senseless and lack-lustre by being fastened with shafts. Thereat, with rapture surcharging his inmost soul, Ravana, hearing the speech of the mighty car-warrior, banished his fear of Dacaratha's son,--and rising up, honored his son with glad words.

[148] Indra.

[149] Rama and Lakshmana.

[150] The goddess of prosperity.