Chapter LXXXIV: Section LXXXV

Hearing his speech, Raghava, overwhelmed with grief, could not perfectly comprehend what was said by the Rakshasa. Then, summoning up patience, Rama--captor of hostile capitals--spoke unto Bibhishana, seated near the monkeys,--"O lord of Nairitas, I once more wish to hear what, O Bibhishana, thou hast said". Hearing Raghava's words, Bibhishana, skilled in speech, again spoke these words, saying,--"O mighty-armed one, I have stationed the forces, O hero, agreeably to thy directions. The entire force hath been divided around; and the leaders have also been placed properly. Further, O mighty master, listen to what I have to say. On thy having been causelessly aggrieved, we all of us were seized with grief. If this anxiety of thine conduceth to the joy of the enemy, do thou cast it off. And, O hero, bestir thyself,--and summon up spirits. If thou art to have Sita, and if the night-rangers are to be slain by thee, do thou, O Raghu's son, listen to my profitable speech. Let Sumitra's son go forth, environed by a mighty force, for slaying in battle the son of Ravana, who hath gone to Nikumbhila; with shafts resembling venomous serpents, discharged from the round[351] of his bow. By virtue of his austerities, that hero, from a boon conferred by the Self-sprung, hath obtained the Brahmaciras weapon, together with steeds coursing at their will. Now he with his army hath gone to Nikumbhila; and when, having finished his rites, he gets up, know that all of us are slain. 'When not reaching Nikumbhila, and not having finished thy offerings unto fire, thou, equipped with arms, art slain by a foe,--O enemy of Indra, that is thy death.'--Thus, O mighty-armed one, did the lord of all creatures confer a boon (on Indrajit), and, O king, thus was the death of this intelligent one ordained. O Rama, for compassing the destruction of Indrajit, do thou commission a mighty force. On his being slain, know that Ravana along with his retainers are slain".--Hearing Bibhishana's words, Rama said,--"O thou having truth for prowess, I know the illusion of that fierce one. Without doubt, he is skilled in the Brahma weapon, is potent in illusion and, is possessed of exceeding strength. In conflict, he depriveth of consciousness even the celestials with Varuna (at their head). And as that illustrious (one) goeth about in the welkin on his chariot, none, O hero, can perceive his course, like the course of the Sun when the sky is covered with clouds". And Raghava, being well acquainted with the illusive energy of his wicked-minded foe, addressed the renowned Lakshmana, saying,--"Environed by the entire host of the lord of monkeys,--accompanied by the leaders, O Lakshmana, headed by Hanuman,--with Jambavan~king of bears--and girt round by the forces,--do thou slay this son of the Rakshasa, possessed of the strength of illusion. And accompanied by his counsellors, this high-souled night-ranger shall follow at thy back, in this engagement with that one skilled in illusion". Hearing Raghava's words, Lakshmana endowed with dreadful prowess, with Bibhishana,--took up another excellent bow. And donning on his mail, and putting on his armour and his sword, and furnished with arrows, and a bow in his left hand,--Sumitra's son, touching Rama's feet, feeling elated, addressed Rama, saying,--"To-day the shafts discharged from my bow, piercing Ravana's son, shall fall into Lanka, even as swans drop into a tank. This very day shall my arrows, shot from my redoubtable bow-string, rive the body of that terrific one". Having spoken thus, the effulgent Lakshmana, eager to slay Ravana's son, went before his brother. And having saluted at the feet of his superior and went round him, Lakshmana set out for the sacrificial ground (named) Nikumbhila, protected by the son of Ravana. And accompanied by Bibhishana, that powerful son of the king--Lakshmana--after his brother had offered up prayers in his behalf,--set off with all speed. And surrounded by thousands of monkeys, Hanuman as well as Bibhishana together with his counsellors--speedily went in the wake of Lakshmana. And strongly encompassed by that mighty monkey-host, (Lakshmana) saw the forces of the bear-king stationed on the way. And having proceeded far, Sumitra's son--enhancer of the delight of friends--from a distance discovered the forces of the Rakshasa-monarch, drawn up in battle-array. And that subduer of enemies--Raghu's son--bearing his bow in his hand, coming upon him whoso martial might lay in illusion,--stopped (there) for conquering his foe agreeably to the ordinance[352] of Brahma. And accompanied by Bibhislnna, the heroic Angada, and the Wind-god's offspring, the powerful son of the king dived into the forces of the foe, various, blazing with burnished arms, dense with standards; And thronging with mighty cars,[353] capable of striking terror (into the hearts of the spectators), instinct with immeasurable energy, and resembling darkness.

[351] The bow drawn to its full stretch, becomes circular.--T.

[352] The ordinance was that Indrajit should be slain while remaining
outside Nikumbhila, his rites not yet finished.--T.

[353] _Maharathai (ab.)_ may also mean with mighty car-warriors.--T.