Chapter VII: Section VII

Being thus accosted by their lord, the highly powerful Rakshasas, devoid of good sense and ignorant of sound counsel, replied with folded palms, saying,--"Thou hast, O king, enough of soldiers and weapons. Why art thou smitten with sorrow then? Repairing to Bhagavati, thou didst discomfit the serpents in battle. The God of Death, living on mount Kailaca, encircled by _Yakshas_, was subjugated by thee in a great battle. And that mighty lord of men, proud of his friendship with Siva, was defeated by thee wrathfully in battle. Discomfitting and slaying the band of Yakshas, thou didst bring this flowery car from the mount Kailaca. O lord of Rakshasas, desiring thy friendship out of fear, Maya, the king of Danavas, offered thee his daughter[20] for thy spouse. O thou of mighty arms, thou didst bring under thy subjection the powerful and irrepressible Danava[21] for the pleasure of _Kumbhinasi_.[22] And entering the region under the earth, thou didst defeat the serpents--and thus bring under thy subjection Vasuki, Takshaka, Sankha, and Jati. Those heroic Danavas, the _Kalakeyas_, were greatly powerful, irrepressible, and proud of the boons conferred on them. And fighting with them perpetually for a year, thou didst bring them under thy control, O lord, O slayer of foes, and learn from them the science of varied illusions, O king of the Rakshasas. O great hero, by thee were defeated in battle, the heroic and powerful sons of Varuna, followed by a fourfold division of their army. The dominion of Death is like the mighty main, having his rod for aquatic animals, agonies for the trees that cover its islands, the noose for the billows, his attendants for the serpents and his terrible fever for the dreadful attitude of the deep. And diving into this terrible deep, thou didst, O king, discomfit Death himself and win glorious victory. And every one was pleased there with thy successful fight. The Earth was filled with various heroic Kshetriyas, resembling Sakra in prowess as she is adorned now with various trees. Raghava is not their equal either in strength or prowess. And all those heroes, hard to repress in battle, were slain by thee, O king. Do thou wait here, O great king; thou needst not take any trouble. Indrajit alone shall slay all these monkeys. And this one, O mighty monarch, having celebrated the Mahecwara[23] sacrifice, hath obtained a noble boon, rarely (attained by persons). Having agitated the ocean of celestial hosts, having darts and lances for its fishes, showering arms for its moss, elephants for its tortoises, steeds for its frogs, Rudra and Aditya for its ferocious animals, the Maruts and Vasus for its mighty serpents, cars, horses, and elephants for its volume of waters, and infantry for its spacious shore, this one (Indrajit), taking captive the lord of the celestials himself, had brought him into Lanka. Then, O king, liberated agreeably to the injunction of the Great-father, the slayer of Samvara and Vritra, worshipped of all the celestials, went (back) to heaven. Do thou, O great king, entrust Indrajit with this business,--until he bringeth to destruction the monkey-host along with Rama. O king, thou must not think that this calamity, coming from an ignoble person is not insignificant. Thou shalt slay Raghava".

[20] This refers to Mandodari, Ravana's favourite queen.--T.

[21] This refers to Madhu.--T.

[22] Ravana's sister, who was married to Madhu.--T.

[23] Relating to Mahacwara--the great Lord, a designation of Siva.--T.