Rama Vijaya

RAMAVIJAYA
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RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................3
RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................. 11
Ram Vijaya-Chapter 8 ................................................................................................ 15
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 9 ............................................................................................... 17
RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 10 ............................................................................................... 18
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 13 ............................................................................................. 22
RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 22 * ............................................................................................ 35
RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 56 ............................................................................................ 101
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 57 .......................................................................................... 102
RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 58 ............................................................................................ 105
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 59 .......................................................................................... 107
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 1
Powlasti, a son of Bramhadev* was married to Deva- varni, and he

had a son called Vaishrava. A daughter of Bharadwaja, a rishi, was
given away in marriage to Vaishrava; and she had a son called
Kuber. Bramhadev had created Lanka and given it to Kuber.
While Kuber was ruling there, a demon came from Pathal in the form
of a Brahman and became very jealous of him. The demon said to
himself, " Lanka is my country and this man has no right to rule
here. " So saying to himself he gave away his daughter, Kakesi, in
marriage to Vishrava with a view to drive out Kuber of his country,
Lanka, with the help of the sons who would be born to her by him.
Vaishrava had got by Kakesi three demons, Ravana, Kumbha-karna,
and Vibhishana and two demonesses, Tataka and Surpanakha.
Ravana and his brothers went to Gokarna, where they performed
severe penances. Siva was propitiated by Ravana, Bramhadev by
Kumbhakarna, and Vishnu by Vibhishana. Bramhadev was pleased
with them and called upon them to ask him for blessings.
Ravana was blessed with a power to imprison all gods and also with
wealth and learning. Kumbhakarna wanted such a blessing from
Bramhadev as would enable him to devour heaven and earth. All the
gods were, therefore, alarmed and prayed to the goddess, Saraswati,
who induced the demon to ask the god for sleep. Bramhadev blessed
him with sleep, saying that the demon would rise every six months to
eat his meals and indulge in all other luxuries. Vibhishana,
was blessed with a power to pray always to Vishnu.
Ravana and Kumbhakarana then collected all demons including
Kharadushana and Trishira and march ed against Kuber to conquer
Lanka. They fought with Kuber with bravery, but the latter repulsed
them with heavy loss.
Ravana then went to Vaishrava and brought his letter to Kuber
asking him to give Lanka to the demon without any resistance. On
reading the letter from his father he gave the country to Ravana and
proceeded to heaven by a Viman*.[* A conveynance or a chariot
serving as a throne through the skies, self -directed and self moving.]
Mayasur, a demon, gave away his daughter, Mandodari, in marriage
to Ravana. Pirghajwala, a grand-daughter of Bali, was married to
Kumbhakarna, and Sharma, a daughter of a Gandharva[A demigod.] to Vibhishana.
Ravana conquered all countries and devoured a large number of
Brahmans and cows. He robbed Kuber of his treasure and oppressed
all other people. He had eight thousand wives, one lac of sons and
one lac and twenty thousand grand-sons. He had eighteen
kshoyanis^ [One kshoyani consists of 21,870 chariots, 21,870
elephants, 1^09,350 foot, and 65,610 horses.] of musicians, who
entertained him with music.
All kings were his slaves, and eight thousand torches lighted his
sabha [A court.] every night.
All mountains for fear of Indra^[The king of the gods.]prayed to
Ravana for protection, who told them to become elephants. They
accordingly became elephants whom he engaged as his servants. He
then marched against Indra with his eldest son, Meghanand. A
severe battle took place between the gods and the demons, but the
former were defeated by the latter. In that battle Meghanand flung
down Indra with his hairawati[Indras elephant] and hence he was
called India jit, the conquerer of Indra.
All the gods were seized by Ravana and released on the condition that
they should serve him in his household in different capacities. All the
gods became his slaves ; Indra served him as his butler, Chandra held
a chatra*[* A large and lofty parasol,]over him, Kuber and Anil cleaned
and washed all the things in his house. Agni served him as his
washerman, and Gabhasti as his page. Brahaspati was his pleader,
Bramhadev his priest, and Narada always entertained him with singing.
Ravana became a great favourite of Siva ; and by his blessing he
had got ten faces and twenty hands. One day he, proud of his
prosperity, went by his viman to Kailasa, the place of Siva, when
Nandi^[The bull on which Siva rides.] who was guarding the door of
the abode in which the god lived, prevented him from entering it.
The demon was greatly insulted at the conduct of Nandi, and said " I
do not care a fig of thee and thy master." So saying he began to
force his way in, when Siva cursed him and said to him, " A human
being and monkeys will kill thee in a battle."
Enraged at this curse he tried to pull off the mountain on which the
abode of Siva stood with a view to carry it to Lanka, when the god
pressed it in such a manner that the domon-king was confined to it for
one thousand years. He always cried and prayed to Siva during the
time for his release. One day the god pitied him and set him free.
Thence he went to Sahasrarjun and praised his own strength there,

when the latter caught hold of him and put him in his arms. He was
ashamed and went to the kingdom of Bali, who possessed prodigious
strength.
He entered the palace of the king and 1 praised his valour and
bravery, when the latter said in order to test his strength, " There lie
the kundalas [Ear -ornaments.] of the demon, Hiranyakashapu,
whom "Vishnu had killed to protect Prahlada. Just go and get the
ornaments here." Ravana went to bring them but he could not lift
them up, when Bali said to him, "If thou canst bring the kundalas,
just get that die which fell down there, while my wife and I were
playing together. Ravana accordingly went to bring the die but, to
his great surprise, he could not remove it, when both Bali and his
wife heartily laughed at him.
Ravana, humbled as he was, set out for Lanka; but on the road he
was robbed of his clothes and ornaments and let off with soot being
applied to his ten faces and with his hands tied up behind like a
prisoner. He was much troubled by the people on the road. Some
threw dust at him, some slapped him in the face, some pulled him
by the beard and others made him sit down on a dung-hill. A maidservant of Bali caught him so forcibly that he implored her to spare
his life.
Vaishrava then came there and begged of Bali to make a present of the
demon to him. His request was granted and Ravana was let off. The
demon-king returned to Lanka with shame and confusion.
A few days after his return to Lanka he went to catch Vali, who
carried him away in his arms to his house and tied him up to the
cradle in which his son, Angada, was fast asleep. Vishrava came and
requested Vali to set him free. Vali granted his request and, applying
soot to all the faces of Ravana, allowed him to go to Lanka.
One day he asked Bramhadev to inform him by whose hands he
would die, when the god told him that he would die by the hands of
Rama, a son of Dasharatha and grand-son of Ajapal. Ravana got
very indignant and said that he would kill Dasharatha and his wife by
any means.
Soon after, Ajapal made preparations for celebrating the marriage of
his son with Kausalya, when Narada told him to watch his son and
daughter-in-law, because Ravana would kill them under any
circumstances. Where upon Ajapal took Dasharatha and Kausalya on
board a ship in the sea far off and was about to tell his priest to
perform their marriage, when Ravana attacked the ship at night with
a large army of demons and broke her in the sea. All perished except
Dasharatha and Kausalya.
Ravana put Kausalya into a box and handed it over to a fish, which
carried it to a desolate island and deposited it there for safety.
Dasharatha struggled much with the waves of the sea but at last he
got into a broken vessel, which was carried by the waves to the
island, where the box was deposited by the fish.
Dasharatha landed on the sea-shore ; and seeing the box there he
seated himself up on it for rest. Having got refreshed, he opened the
box out of curiosity but, to his great surprise, he found Kausalya in
it. Narada came there in the meantime and, having performed their
marriage, blessed them, saying that the god, Rama, would be born
to them.
In Lanka Ravana asked the god, Bramhadev, about his prediction.
He said to the god, " Where is Dasharatha? You know, he has
already perished in the sea." Bramhadev replied, "Long since
Dasharatha has been married to Kausalya; and you will see that
Rama will be shortly born to them."
Ravana said, "Well then, get them here." Bramhadev replied, " If I
get them here, what will you give me ?" Ravana said, "I promise to
give you whatever you will ask from me." Bramhadev then went and
brought the box from the island and, having opened it, he showed
the bride and bride- groom to the demon. As soon as he saw them,
he got exceedingly enraged and was about to cut off their heads,
when Bramhadev stepped forward and said to him, " You promised
me that you would give me whatever I would ask from you.
I, therefore, ask you not to kill Dasharatha and Kausalya. Ravana replied,
" You may ask me for any other thing but I cannot spare the lives of
those wretched beings." Bramhadev said, " I do not want any other
things from you but I want you to spare their lives." Ravana could not
break his promise and accordingly spared their lives. Bramhadey then
brought them to Ayodya, and placed Dasharatha on the throne of the
country.
One day while Ravana was going by his viman,[flying vehicle] he

observed on the road a beautiful woman, who was the wife of a god
and sought to outrage her modesty. She complained to Bramhadev
against the conduct of the demon, when the god cursed him and
said that if he would outrage the modesty of any woman, he would
be cut into one hundred pieces. For fear of the curse he let her go.
Then he began to devour the Brahmans and cows that came in his
way. The earth trembled and went in the form of a cow to
Bramhadev with all the gods and Rishis and applied to him for
protection, when a voice said, " I will be born in the family of
Dasharatha and called Rama ; and killing Ravana and all other
demons, I will make all the gods and good people happy. For the
purpose of helping me the Shesha *[1000 headed serpant ] on
which I lie, will be my second brother, who will be named
Lakshuman, the shankhaj [conch], which is in my hand, will be my
third brother, who will be called Bharata and the sudarshan [ wheel,
chakra] my weapon, will be my fourth brother, who will be named
Shatrughana; and ye, all the gods, will be monkeys.- Siva will be
Maruti; Bramhadev, Janbuvant; Dhanavantari, Sushen; Biahasapati,
Angada ; the sun, Sugriva; Agni, Nala; and Yama, Rashabha.
Listening to the voice of Vishnu all the gods and Rishis were glad and
returned to their respective places.
At Ayodya Dasharatha married more wives, Sumitra and Kayakayi.
He was an accomplished prince and very dexterous in the use of
dhanushabans.[Bows and arrows]. One day he dreamt a dream in
which he found that he had killed an innocent man and woman.
Where upon he asked his guru*[ Vashista, a Rishi, to interprete the
dream, when the latter said to him, " This dream indicates bad
omens. I, therefore, advise you to kill a few stags and perform a
penance, so that nothing bad may happen to you." Listening to the
advice of the guru Dasharatha went to a forest for hunting stags ;
and though he worked hard the whole day, he did not come across
any stag.
At the sun-set he lay in wait at a lake anxious ly expecting a stag
there. But, in the meantime, a man called Shravan came there with
a kavada [A bamboo lath provided with slings at each end for the
conveyance across the shoulder of pitcher,] across his shoulders in
which his helpless old mother and father were seated by him. His
parents, being thirsty, asked their son to fetch some water for them.
Whereupon Shravan placed the kavada on the ground, and taking a
goblet in his hand, went to the lake ; but whilst he was taking the
water, the king took him for a stag and discharged an arrow at him,
which passed through his heart. Dasharatha came where he was
lying and became extremely sorry for the accident.
Then Shravan said to him, " I shall not now live. Please, therefore,
take some water in this goblet and give it to my parents, as they are
very thirsty ; and as soon as I hear that they have quenched their
thirst, I shall instantly die. They are very old and cannot walk I carry
them in a kavada across my shoulder. Oh, my good king, take care
of these poor creatures. There is no one to look after them."
Dasharatha sighed and wept but the loss was irreparable. The king
then took some water in the goblet and stood where the kavada was
placed without speaking a word. The old woman and the man, who
were blind, taking him for Shravan, said, "Child, why doest thou not
speak ? Art thou angry with us, because we sent thee to the lake at
this hour ? Child, thou art always obedient to us and what has
irritated thee to day ?"
These words made Dasharatha shed tears, and at last he broke the
sad news to the old parents of Shravan, when they cried violently
and said, " Shravan, none can get a son like thee in this world. We
feel much for thee and die with thee. Oh, we cannot bear this grief.
You, the murderer of our child, we curse you and say that you will
also die of grief for your son in the same way we do." So saying they
instantly expired.
Dasharatha grieved much for Shravan and his old parents whom he
had killed by his own hands, and performed their funeral eremonies.
The king then returned to Ayodya and informed Vashista of what had
happened.
10
At this time there was a great famine in the country, as there was no
rain for twelve years; and consequently the subjects of the king died
of thirst and hunger one after another. The rain was stopped,
because Vrashaparva, a powerful demon, fought with the gods in
heaven with the assistance of his guru, Shukra. Indra, therefore,
sent a chariot to Dasharatha and requested him to come up to
heaven and kill the demon, informing him at the same time, that the
rain was stopped on account of the battle with the gods.
Whereupon Dasharatha went by the chariot to Indra with his favourit
wife, Kayakayi.Immediately on his arrival there Dasharatha fought
with the demons and killed a large number of them, when
Vrashaparva made an attack upon the king but he was also repulsed.
His guru, Shukra, then took the field and discharged arrows at the
king, when the chariot of the king was about to give way but his
wife, Kayakayi, supported it by one of her hands, of which the king
knew nothing. Dasharatha bravely continued the fight and cut off the
guru s horse and mugut.[ A Tiara,]. Shukra fled in alarm with the
other demons.
When every thing was over, the king was informed that the victory
he had gained in the battle with the demons, was due to his wife,
Kayakayi. The king was pleased with her, and asked her what
reward she wanted from him. Kayakayi replied, " Kindly give me
your promise that you will give me whatever I will ask from you; and
I shall ask you for it whenever I like." The king generously gave the
promise she required.
The victory, gained by Dasharatha in the battle with the demons,
was due to Kaikeyi, because when she was young, a Tapaswi [a
sage] came to her parents and stayed with them for a day. At the
time of his bathing her mother told her to go and rub his body with
scents. She accordingly went to him with the scents ; but finding
that the Tapaswi was absorbed in meditation, she applied soot to his
face instead of the scents.
Having found that the soot had been applied to his face, he got
indignant and cursed the doer of the mischeif and said. " Whoever
has applied this soot to my face, will always be looked upon by all
people with contempt." Her mother was afraid of this curse; and
finding that it was her daughter s doing, she threw herself at the feet
of the Tapaswi and implored him to make the curse a little milder.
Whereupon the Tapaswi said, " The hand with which your daughter
11
has applied the soot to my face, will give success to her husband in
a battle which he will fight with demons and for which only she will
be praised by all."
After the battle was over, Brahasapti asked the king whether he had
any issue. Dasharatha replied, " I am very sorry that I have no
issue." The god blessed him and said, " Vishnu, the protecting god of
the universe, will be born to you." Indra said, " There is a Rishi
called Shringa Rishi, who has not yet seen a human face. He lives
with his father in a forest ; and if he is induced and brought to
Ayodya, his father, who is a great Tapaswi, will come there in search
of his son; and by his blessing you will get children. I shall,
therefore, send a devangana [Celestial woman]to the forest to
charm him with her beauty and singing, so that he may easily follow
her." Dasharatha thanked Indra and returned to Ayodya with
Kayakayi.
Indra accordingly sent a devangana to the forest. The young Rishi
was placed by his father, Vibhandak, on a mala [mountain] in order
that he might not be devoured by lions and tigers. The young boy,
having seen the woman, was at first frightened; but soon after, he
was charmed with her beauty and singing. As his father was absent,
she brought him to Ayodya.
Dasharatha cordially received him; and shortly after, he gave away
his foster-daughter in marriage to him. Vibhandak knew by his
yoga[A union with Bramhan through abstract meditation.] that his
son was taken to Ayodya in his absence, and got so much enraged
that he immediately went to that city to curse the woman to death.
Dasharatha treated him with respect ; and on finding that his son
was married to the foster-daughter of the king, he was pleased with
him and blessed him, saying that four mighty sons would be born to
him.
The Rishi then made a havan [A large hole made in the ground for
receiving and preserving consecrated fire.] The god, Agni,[Fire God]
came out of it and entrusted to Vashista a thali [cooking pot] full of
payas [A dish composed of rice, sugar, milk; sweet pudding] and
told him to divide it equally among the three wives of the king, so
that they might get sons, as soon as they partook of it.
12
Vashista made three pindas [Lumps] of the payas and gave the
largest of them to Kausalya, the eldest wife of Dasharatha, and the
other two to Sumitra and Kayakayi. Kayakayi, the third wife of the
king, became jealous and said that ,she was entitled to the largest
pinda, because she supported the chariot of the king by her own
hands, which was about to give way during the battle with the
demons. While she was thus quarreling about it, a ghar [eagle,
kite]from above snatched the pinda from her hands and flew in the
with it. She became exceedingly sorry and began to weep, when
Dasharatha prevailed upon Kausalya to divide her pinda into two
halves and give one to Kayakayi and keep the other for herself.
Kausalya accordingly did
it; and Sumitra also did the same thing in compliance with the
wishes of the king. Thus Kayakayi got one full pinda for herself,
which she ate heartily. Kausalya and Sumitra ate their own halves.
Soon after, the three ladies became pregnant.
13
The pinda which was snatched by the ghar [eagle]from the hands of
Kayakayi, fell by a blast of wind into the hands of Anjani, the wife of
a monkey called Kesari. She also swallowed up the pinda and
became pregnant.
The story of the child born to Anjani is as follows:
Anjani, the wife of Kesari, performed a severe penance for seven
years on the hills called Rishiparvat, in order that the god, Siva,
might be pleased to bless her with an immortal son. Siva was
pleased with her and said, " An immortal son will be born to thee as
thou wishest. He will be a part of my body. I, there fore, tell thee to
sit here in meditation and swallow up any thing that falls into thy
hands, so that thy wish may be fulfilled." So saying Siva disappeared. The pinda from the bill of the ghar fell into the hands of
Anjani, and she swallowed it up as directed by Siva.
The ghar was a devangana who had become a bird by the curse of
Indra. This god was displeased with her, because she did not dance
properly; and it was appointed by Bramhadev that she would be
released from the curse, as soon as the pinda fell into the hands of
Anjani. The devangana was accordingly released from the curse; and
after her release she went to Indra.
Anjani, after a period of nine months, was delivered of a powerful on
called Maruti He was a monkey and had a long tail. When he saw the
light, he was hungry; and when
he did not get any thing to eat, he went to devour the sun, taking
him for a fruit. At that time Rahu also came there to devour the sun,
when Maruti said to him " Who art thou ? I have come here first to
devour the fruit." So saying he broke the head of Rahu with his tail
and, catching him by his feet, flung him down, Ketu then came to
help him, but he was also severely beaten by the monkey. In the
mean-time, Maruti was brought down by his father, the wind.
14
Ram Vijaya-Chapter 8
After nine months Kausalya, Sumitra and Kayakayi were delivered of

sons. Rama was bora to Kausalya Lakshuman to Sumitra ; and the
twins, Bharat and Shatrughana to Kayakayi. They grew up, and the
ceremonies of investing them with sacred threads were performed.
They were taught by Vashista the Vedas [Sacred writings of the
Hindus, and mantras.]
On his return from a pilgrimage Viswamitra, a Rishi, came to
Ayodya. Dasharatha received him cordially and worshipped him with
devotion. The Rishi blessed him and said to him, " Dasharatha, I
want you to give me a promise [Incantations] that you will give me
whatever I will ask from you." The king gave him the promise the
Rishi required, when the latter said to the former, " We all the Rishis
are very much troubled by the demons, Maricha, Subhahu, and
others. They have often destroyed our havans; and consequently we
are not able to perform our yagnya[A sacrifice.]successfully. No one
can kill them except Rama. I therefore, wish you to send Rama with
me to kill the demons."
Dasharatha was startled and replied, " Rishi, how can I send my
tender child with you ? How can he kill the mountain-like demons ?
You may ask me for any other thing but not Rama."
Vishwamitra became very indignant and said, " You ought to have
considered well, before you gave me the promise. At any rate I must
now take Rama with me." In the mean-time Vashista came there
and advised the king to send Rama with the Rishi, saying that if he
did not listen to him, he would curse him and his sons, as he was
obstinate and of a choleric disposition. Dasharatha,then brought
Rama and Lakshuinan before his sabha and gave them in charge of
the Rishi.
Vishwamitra then accompanied by two young boys, set out for the
forest, where the Rishis were performing their yadnya. But on the road
they were encountered by Tatika, a hideous and frightful demoness.
She had the strength of ten thousand elephants, her chest was as large
as a mountain, her hair and dress were saturated with blood, the
strings of dead-bodies were put round her neck, and her head was
besmeared with sliindur[Keil powders.] As soon as she saw them, she
opened her mouth and went with other demonesses to devour them,
when Rama instantly killed her with one arrow. Twenty crores[Ten
15
millions] of demons, headed by Banasur, a very powerful demon, then

came upon Rama to revenge the killing of the demoness; but they all
were repulsed by him with heavy loss. After the defeat of the demons
they proceeded on their journey ; and when they came near a shila,[A
flat stone] it began to tremble as soon as the dust from the feet of
Rama fell upon it ; and no sooner did he touch it with his feet, than it
became a beautiful woman who, bowing to Rama, returned to her
husband.
16
Bramhadev had a very beautiful daughter, named Ahilya. Many gods

and kings requested her father to give her away in marriage to
them. But Bramhadev had made a condition that whoever would go
round the earth and return within six hours, should marry her
without loss of time. Whereupon all the kings and gods, including
Indra, went round the earth, but none could return within six hours
except Gowtam, a Rishi, to whom Ahilya was married agreeably to
the condition.
Indra became very jealous of the Rishi and sought to outrage her
modesty. Some time after his marriage he and his wife went to a
river with Rishis for ablutions on the day of an eclipse. After their
ablutions were over, Gowtam sat there with other Rishis for
meditation ; and his wife returned home. While she was alone in her
abode, Indra went there in the form of her husband and outraged
her modesty. In the mean-time, Gowtam returned home; and
finding Indra in the abode he cursed him and Ahilya, saying that
there would be one thousand ulcers on the body of the god and that
his wife would be a shila and remain in that state for sixty thousand
years ; but that as there was no fault on her part, she would be
released from the curse, when Rama would touch her with his feet.
Ahilya accordingly became a shila and Indra a peacock with one
thousand ulcers on his body. While the god in the form of a peacock
was flying about in forests, the other gods prayed to Gowtam for
him, who, having been pleased with them, restored Indra to his
former state and turned all the ulcers on his body int eyes.
After the release of Ahilya from the curse, Vishwainitra proceeded on
his journey with Rama and Lakshuman. Shatanand, a son of Ahilya
and the priest of the king, Janak, also accompanied him. They all
arrived at the city of Mathila and put up at a garden there. At the
request of Rama Vfshwawitra related the story of the birth of Sita, a
daughter of Janak, which is as follows:
17
" There was a king called Padamaksha. One day he said to Lakshmi,
wife of Vishnu, I wish you would be born in my family and become
my daughter. She replied, If I be born in your family and I become
your daughter, you will be miserable. I have however no objection to
become your daughter, if my husband tell me to do so. Whereupon
the king performed a severe penance to gain the favour of Vishnu,
who was pleased with him and gave him a fruit, which the king took
at home and kept with him. After nine months were over, the fruit
bore a female child, the same Lakshmi.
The king, having got a daughter, became exceedingly glad and
named the child Padmakshi. She grew up aad became marriageable.
Many kiags, demi-gods and Rishis requested her father to give her
away ia marriage to them, but he refused to comply with their
request, saying that he would marry her to a man whose body was
dark blue. At this refusal they all got enraged and killed the king on
the spot. Whereupon his daughter threw herself into a havan in
which the consecrated fire was burning. At that time Ravan
happened to look at her, and was captivated with her charms. He
immediately extinguished the fire with a view to catch her, but she
disappeared.
He found in the havan five ratnas [precious stones; gems] which he
gave to his wife, Mandodari. The five ratnas were placed by Ravana
and his wife in a box and soon after, they found, to their great
surprise, that a female child played in it with pleasure. Ravana lifted
the child, but Mandodari said, 'If you keep this child here, the whole
of Lanka will be set on fire. The kingdom of Padmaksha was
annihilated on account of this child, and the poor king was killed by
the kings and demi gods who had gone there to marry her. I,
therefore, propose that the box should be thrown somewhere else.'
Ravana was alarmed, and ordered his minister to bury the box in the
kingdom of Janak, who was the bitterest enemy of the demon-king.
The minister accordingly ordered his men to carry the box and bury
it as directed by Ravana. The men lifted up the box, when the child
said, ' I shall again come here and extirpate all the demons. Ravana
got enraged and was about to kill the child, when Mandodari
prevented him from doing so.
The box was then carried at night and buried in the field presented
by Janak to a Brahmin. One day while the Brahmin was ploughing
his field, he found the box and carried it to the king. The box was
18
opened and, to the great astonishment of all, a girl of the age of five
years was found in it. As soon as the king saw her, he was moved
with affection, and brought her up as his daughter.
One day Purusharam, having killed all the Kshatriyas [Warriors] on

earth, came to the kingdom of Janak. He went into the palace with
the king to take dinner ; and when he came out after dinner, he
found that some one had removed the dhanusha [bow ] placed by
him at the court of the king. He was greatly enraged and said, 'Who
has taken my dhanusha !
It is so heavy that it can not be removed even by thousands of
elephants.' So saying lie came out of the court with the king to look
for it but, to his great surprise, he saw the girl riding on it. No
sooner did she behold her father than she left the dhanusha there
and ran away.
Seeing this, Purusharam said to the king, 'My incarnation is now
over. Let the dhanusha be here. I now advise you to hold a
suyamwar [The choosing from amongst a public assembly, of a
spouse by a female.] and marry your daughter to any man who will
lift up the bow and break it off. So saying Purusharam left for his
abode. Soon after, the king held a suyamwar and invited to it all the
kings and rishis on earth. We too are going there only' concluded
Viswamithra.
All attended the suyamwar including Ravana, who came there
without invitation. The king told the assembly that Sita would be
married to any man who would lift up the dhanusha and break it off.
Many kings* attempted to lift it up but they all failed in their
attempt.
Ravana then stepped forward and loudly said with pride and vanity,
'This bow is a trifling thing to me. I shall break it off in a second. I
know, ye, weak kings and Rishis, will not be able to lift it up. It is I
who would lift up the dhanusha and break it off. Sita will be my wife,
and 1 shall be her husband. So saying, he began to lift up the
dhannsha with all his strength and force.
While he was lifting it up, it fell heavily on his breast, and
consequently he panted for breath and implored others to help him,
when Rama immediately removed it, at the suggestion of
Viswamitra, and broke it into two pieces. Sita, who was seated all
19
the time on the back of an elephant, put the garland in her hands
round the neck of Rama, when Ravana returned to Lanka with
shame and confusion.
Janak informed Dasharatha of the suyamwar and requested him to
come to Mithila to celebrate the marriage of his son with Sita.
Dasharatha, full of joy, went to Mithila with his wives, sons, and
courtiers. Soon after, Rama was married to Sita, and Varmila, Maliti
and Shrutakirti, the other daughters of Janak, to Lakshuman,
Bharat, and Shatrughna respectively.
20
Rama knew that Purusharam would come and fight with him on
account of the dhanusha he had broken ; and, therefore, he did not
like to stay any longer at Mithila. But at the request of his father-inlaw he stayed there for a few days more. In the meantime, Narada
went to Purusharam and told him that a man called Rama had
broken his dhanusha.
He was greatly enraged at this news ; and having come to MithiJa,
he kicked up a great row about the dhanusha.
To foment the quarrel Narada told him that Rama had broken the
bow and that he was so proud that he did not even come down to
receive him. Purusharam got indignant and let off arrows at Rama,
which melted away, as soon as the latter saw them. Puru
sharam, knowing that his incarnation was over, laid down his arms
and weapons, when Rama came down and embraced him heartily.
Soon after, Dasharatha, accompanied by his wives and sons,
returned to Ayodya with exultation and joy. The king had invited to
the marriage of Rama his brother-inlaw, Sangramajit, who
requested the former to send Bharat and Shatrughana to spend a
few days with" him. Dasaratha bade his sons go with him, though
they were unwilling to part with his brothers, Rama and Lakshuman
even for a single moment. Kayakayi pressed her sons to go with her
brother ; and they accordingly went with him. Rama and Lakshuman
were very obedient to their parents and served them with all their
heart and soul.
One day the king looking to his old age, made up his mind to install
Rama in the throne of Ayodya. He made every preparation to
perform the ceremony of installation and invited to it all the kings
and Rishis on earth. All the gods and Brahmans were afraid that if
Rama was installed in the throne of Ayodya, he would not go to
Lanka and relieve them from the oppression of the demons.
21
Viranchi,[Lord Brahma] one of the gods, therefore, sent one Vikalpa

to go to Ayodya and prejudice Kayakayi and all the subjects of the
king against Rama and put an obstacle in the performance of the
ceremony, so that the prince might go to the forest of the demons
and kill them all.
Vikalpa tried his utmost to prejudice them against Rama; but they
were all so good and pious that they remained faithful to the prince.
There was only one wicked woman, Mantra, a favourite maid-servant
of Kayakayi, whom he prejudiced against Rama.
She hated the prince ; and with a view to deprive him of the throne
of Ayodya, she went into the room of Kayakayi and, throwing herself
on the ground, began to beat her breast with tears in her eyes, when
Kayakayi asked her what the cause of her grief was. Mantra replied,
"You, unfortunate woman! Your husband is going to install Rama in
the throne of Ayodya, and as soon as he is placed on the throne, he
will kill your both the sons. I shall be very glad, if your Bharat is
installed in the throne.
Kayakayi said, " I have no objection to the installation of Rama
whom I love. as my son, Bharat." Mantra got exceedingly enraged
and began to cry violently. Kayakayi went to quiet her when Vikalpa
also prejudiced her against Rama.
Mantra, seeing a sudden change in her mistress, was mightily
pleased with her and kissed her. Kayakayi said, "My dearest, just tell
me what I should do to get rid of Rama."
" Any how," replied Mantra, " we must send him away and have our
Bharat placed on the throne of Ayodya. I, therefore, tell you with
pleasure that if the king come to see you, ask him to fulfil the
promise given by him to you during the battle he had fought with the
demons in heaven . Do you remember the promise given by him to
you. He promised you that he would give you whatever you would
ask from him as a reward for helping him in the battle. You should,
therefore, ask the king to send Rama to the forest of the demons for
fourteen years and place Bharat on the throne of Ayodya. And
another thing is that if the prince goes to the forest, the king will
22
soon die of grief for his son ; and it will be then a very good thing for
you and your sons to pass your days in happiness."
Kayakayi liked the advice of Mantra j and before the king came into
her room at night, she had taken off her ornaments and thrown
herself on the ground with her hair in disorder.
In the meantime, the king entered her room and asked her what the
matter was, when she replied, " Thou, wicked king. Be gone. I know
your heart. You are going to banish my sons to a forest and give the
kingdom to Rama."
Dasharatha replied, " What you say is untrue, because I love Bharat
and Shatrughana as much as I love Rama and Lakshuman."
Kayakayi replied, " Be gone. I do not want you in my room." The
king felt it bad, when Kayakayi spoke those words; and in order to
pacify her he asked her what she wanted from him,
Kayakayi replied, " The promise given to me by you during the battle
with the demons, must be now fulfilled. What I want from you is that
you should banish Rama to the forest of the demons for fourteen
years and install my son Bharat in the throne of Ayodya."
The king was thunder-struck, when Kayakayi made the cruel
demand, and persuaded her much to ask him for something else;
bat she would not mind him. In the meantime, his faithful minister,
Sumntra came and informed the king, who was lying on the ground
in disorder, that everything was ready for performing the ceremony
of installation, when the latter told the former what had happened in
the room of Kayakayi. The minister, being exceedingly sorry, went
and called Rama in the room of Kayakayi.
The prince came and implored his father to tell him the cause of his
grief, when Kayakayi replied "The king had given me a promise at
the battle with the demons that he would give me whatever I would
ask from him. I have asked him to fulfil that promise, and since then
he has been very sorry." Rama said, " I think, he is not able enongh
to comply with your demand." Kayakayi repled, " I should think so."
Well" said Rama, " if my father cannot give you what you want from
23
him, I promise to give it to you." Kayakayi replied, "Then go to the

forest of the demons for fourteen years with Lakshuman and let my
son, Bharat, rule in Ayodya. " Rama said, " Most willingly. I have no
objection to do so. It is just the same thing to me, because Bharat
and I are one."
Rama then, taking his leave of Kayakayi went to his mother,

Kausalya, and told her what had happened. Kausalya became very
sorry and said, Thou shalt not leave me. Hide thyself in my room for
fourteen years, and I shall keep the secrecy.
I cannot remain without thee." Rama replied, "Mother, excuse me. I
am now bound by my promise to go to the forest." So saying he
threw himself at her feet and obtained her permission to go to the
forest."
He then went to Lakshuman and told him all that had taken place,
when the latter said, "I shall accompany you. I cannot live here
without you, and if you leave me here alone and go to the forest, I
shall commit suicide." Rama, having consented to take Lakshnman
with him, went to his wife, Sita, and said, " I am going to the forest
of the demons for fourteen years; and until I return to Ayodya, I ask
you to live with my mother Kausalya. I cannot take you with me to
the forest, as you are delicate and will not be able to bear hardship
with me." " I shall follow you, " replied Sita, "and share any
misfortune that may befall you. I, therefore, go down on my knees
and implore you not to leave me here alone. " Whereupon Rama
consulted Vashista and promised Sita that he would also take her
with him.
Lastly he went to take his leave of Dasharatha, when the king said
with tears in his eyes, " I feel much for thee. The wicked and
wretched woman has done this all, and I do not think that I shall live
until tliou returnest to Ayodya. I shall die of grief for thee. As I
cannot tell thee to break the promise given by thee to Kayakayi, I
give thee my consent to go to the forest. Child, take with thee all
necessary things and pass thy days in happiness. "
"Father, replied Rama, "I do not want any thing. I shall dress myself
in valkalyas [barks of a tree] and pass my days in meditation." As
24
soon as Rama spoke these words, Kayakayi brought valkalyas and

placed them before Rama, Sita and Lakshuman, who dressed
themselves in them and set out for the forest with the minister,
Sumant.
They arrived at Ganga teera, where Rama sat down for rest on the
grass under the shade of a tree near a beautiful river and, having
refreshed himself there, requested a fisherman called Guhaka, who
was his devotee, to convey him with Sita and Lakshuman to the
other side of the river. Guha asked him who he was, when he
informed him that he was Rama, the eldest son of Dasharatha.
Whereupon the fisherman, having embraced him, conveyed him with
Sita and Lakshuman to the other side of the river, when Sumant
took his leave of the prince and returned to Ayodya.
Rama then went to the abode of Bharadwaj, a Rishi, who worshipped
him and requested him to stay with him for about fifteen days, when
the prince said, "I cannot stay with you any longer, because the
people of Ayodya will often come here and entreat me to return to
the kingdom. I shall, therefore, go to the Dandakaranya"[A forest
called Dandakaranya].
At the request of Rama, Bharadwaj showed him the way that led to
tbe hills called Chitrakuta, where many learned Rishis lived. He went
up to the hills and saw Valmika, a Rishi, and worshipped him with
respect and reverence. Lakshuman built a parnakutika [A small hut]
there, and they all lived in it.
On the return of Surnant to Ayodya Dasharatha died of grief for
Rama. It was a pity that none of his sons was present at the time of
his death. His wives, Kausalya and Sumitra, much mourned for the
king but Kayakayi did not shed a tear for him. To perform the funeral
ceremony of the king his sons, Bharat and Shatrughana, were sent
for, and until they returned to Ayodya, his body was preserved in a
Kadayi,[A large vessel made of iron.] full of oil.
Soon after, Bharat and Shatrughana returned to the city ; and,
25
having seen the lifeless body of their father, they violently cried and
much lamented for him. Vashishta said, " The body of the king
cannot be burnt,unless some one is placed on the throne of Ayodya.
Rama and Lakshuman have gone to the forest and I, therefore, ask
Bharat to occupy the throne, as Kayakayi has got them banished to
the forest to secure the throne for him. "
At this information Bharat was startled, and said to Vashishta with
tears in his eyes, "0 !how can I bear this grief ? I do not want the
kingdom. I want nothing from this city. I go down on my knees and
beseech you not to install me in the throne, as my beloved Rama is
a rightful claimant of it. I will go wherever Rama is, and pass my
days with him."
Having known the Having known the heart of Bh-irat Vashishta
placed the padukas* of Rama on the throne and proclaimed him as
the king of Ayodya. Shortly after, the body of Dasharatha was
carried to the funeral ground, and burnt with all his wives, except
Kausalya, Sumitra and Kayakayi. Kausalya and Sumitra were ready
to burn themselves with their husband, but Vashishta prevented
them from doing so, as they had sons.
After the funeral ceremony of Dasharatha was over, Bharat went and
saw his mother, Kayakayi, when she said, "Son! I have caused Rama
and Lakshuman to be banished to a forest and secured the kingdom
for you with the greatest difficulty. Now without delay take charge of
the kingdom, and you will be very happy. We have now no enemies ;
and it is a very good sign that the king has also died."
Bharat got very much enraged at what he had heard from Kayakayi
and replied, "You are a murderess of your husband and an enemy of
Rama. It is most sinful, wicked and disgraceful on your part to cause
the death of my father and the banishment of my dear brother to the
forest. Rama is the rightful claimant of the throne, let him come and
take his kingdom.
I want nothing except Rama and shall pass my days with him in the
forest." So saying he dressed himself in valkalyas and set out for
Chitrakuta to join his brothers. He was followed by Vashista,
Kausalya, Sumitra, Shatrughana, Sumant, and all the people of
Ayodya, who were very anxious to see Rama. They all arrived at the
river, where, Guha had his hut ; and at the request of Bharat the
fisherman conveyed all the people to the other side of the river.
26
Lakshuman having seen the people,thought that Kayakayi had sent

them to kill Rama and began to let off arrows at them. But Rama
stopped him, saying that they were not his enemies. Shortly after,
they all reached the paranakutika of Rama, when the prince
embraced them very affectionately and asked his mother how the
king was doing.
Kausalya, overwhelmed with grief, could not utter a word, when
Vashista broke the sad news to him. He deeply mourned for his
father and remained mute for a while. Vashishta condoled him to
perform the last ceremony of his father. Whereupon he went to the
river, Gaya, and performed the ceremony.
Kausalya, Sumitra, Vashishta, and all the people persuaded Rama to
return to Ayoclya and take charge of the kingdom, when lie said, " I
am always true to my promise, faithful to my wife, and of a firm
resolution. I cannot, therofore, break the promise given by me to my
mother, Kayakayi, in fulfilment of the promise given by my father to
her and return to Ayodya under any circumstances."
Bharat said, 'If you do not corne to Ayodya, I will go somewhere else
and pass my days there until you return to the city." Rama stroking
his head, replied, "Bharat do not be disheartened. I shall return to
Ayodya in fourteen years and fourteen days. I, therefore, wish you
to go back to the city and rule there on my behalf."
Bharat said, " I am very glad to obey you, but I shall not feel there
well without your company. I therefore, beg that you will kindly let
me go to Nandigram and stay there for fourteen years and fourteen
days." Rama replied, " If you will not be happy in Ayodya in my
absence, I shall let you go to Nandigram."
" But " said Bharat, "if you do not return from the forest within
fourteen years and fourteen days, I shall commit .suicide. " Rauia,
having been pleased with his brotherly feelings, gave him his
padukas and sent him to Nandigram where he lived as a Joyi [an
ascetic] for fourteen years and fourteen days. Rama also gave his
padukas [wooden shoes] to Shatrughana and made him go to
Ayodya and rule there on his behalf. Shatrughana returned to
Ayodya with Kausalya, Sumitra, and all the people who had
27
accompanied him.
A few days after he had left for Ayodya, the Brahmans, who lived at
Chitrakuta, said, " Rama, your wife is very beautiful and attractive. If
you stay here with us any longer, the demons will come here and
devour us all. We are informed that the demons, Trishira, Khur, and
Dushan, will shortly come here to carry off your Sita. We, therefore,
request you to leave this place at once."
Rama replied, " You need not be afraid. Let all the demons on earth
come here, I shall kill them all and defend you. The Brahmans,
having no faith in what Rama had said, left the hills with their wives
and children. Soon after, Rama removed to the Dandakaranya ; and
on his way to the forest, he killed a demon called Viradha.
Viradha was a gandharv called Tumbar. One day Kuber, having
called him in his presence to sing for him, the demi-god got tipsy
and went before him. Kuber got enraged at his conduct and cursed
him, saying that he would be a demon and would wander in the
forest for ten thousand years but that he would be released from the
curse, when he would be killed by the hands of Rama. As appointed,
the gandharv was killed by Rama and released from the curse.
Rama spent thirteen years with Sita and Lakshuman in visiting holy
places. And during his pilgrimage he visited the abode of Atri, a
Brahman, where he worshipped the three headed god, Datatraya.
Thence he went and visited Agasti, a very powerful Rishi. The story
of the power of the Rishi is as follows :
" There lived three demons called Atapi, Vatapi, and Alva. They were
blessed by the god, Siva, with the art of enchantment, by means of
which they devoured the innocent Brahmans. Vatapi became food
and Alva water. Atapi became a benefactor and invited every
Brahman to partake of the food and water. The Brahman came; and
as soon as he ate the food arid drank the water, Atapi cried aloud
the names of Vatapi and Alva, who, having responded to the call of
their brother, tore off the body of the Brahman and came out. Thus
they killed every Brahman and ate his flesh.
28
One day Agasti was invited by Atapi to partake of the food and water
The Rishi complied with his invitation ; and as soon as he ate the
food and drank the water, Atapi cried aloud as usual the names of
his brothers but to his great surprise, they did not respond to his
call, as the Rishi burnt Vatapi in his stomach. Alva, who had escaped
from the belly of the Rishi, and his brother, Atapi, assumed different
forms and began to run away, when the Rishi cut off the head of
Atapi. Alva escaped and mixed himself with the ocean, when Agasti
drank off the whole ocean and killed the demon."
29
Rama stayed with Agasti for a month ; and during his stay there he
presented him with an arrow to kill Ravana. From the Dandakaranya
Rama set out for Panchavati. On the road he saw a huge bird called
Jatayu, who asked Rama who he was. " I belong to
the solar race," replied Rama," and am son of the king, Dasharatha.
I am called Rama." " I am son of Kasha," said Jatayu, " and the
name of my uncle is Suparna, and I am called Jatayu. Your father
was my great friend. I helped him during the battle which he had
fought with Shukra and, therefore, he called me his brother."
Having embraced Jatayu, Rama proceeded on his journey and
reached Panchawati, where he lived with Sita in a parnakutika built
by Lakshuman. Lakshuman gathered
fruits and kandamuls for Sita and Rama, which they ate and passed
their days there. He guarded the hut every night for fear of the
demons and he himself remained without food.
One day Lakshuman went near a thicket to collect fruits and
kandamuls[Esculent roots], where he saw a deadly sword
descending from above. The weapon fell where he was standing; and
it having looked sharp and powerful, he tried it on the thicket, but,
to his great astonishment,the thicket was cut into two parts, and
there flowed a large quantity of blood. Lakshuman was afraid that he
killed some ascetic, while meditating in the thicket; and in order to
satisfy himself about it he immediately
went to Rama with the khadag and informed him of what had
happened.
Rama said, " Brother, do not be afraid. The blood which flows
through the thicket is of a demon called Shabari. This demon is the
son of Surpanakha, a sister of Ravana. He was meditating in the
thicket unobserved with a view to get the weapon from Siva. The
god had sent the weapon for him. If the weapon had gone to the
hands of the demon, he would have annihilated the whole of the
universe with it. Thank God that you have got it; and I tell you to
take a particular care of it." Lakshuman was glad at this information
and cheerfully attended to his duties.
On the day Shabari was killed by Lakshuman, Surpanakha found in
her dream that some calamity had be fallen her son; and having
been awakened, she, accompanied by four demonesses, immediately
started for the forest to look for her son. She wandered in the forest
30
and at last came to the thicket ; and seeing the blood there she
searched the whole wood and at last found that her son was cut into
two pieces. As soon as she saw her son, she fainted and cried
violently for him. The other four demonesses condoled with her ; and
immediately after, they burnt the body of Shabari and went in
search of the enemy who had killed the demon.
31
They traced Lakshuman from his foot-prints ; and in order to

revenge the killing of her son, Surpanakha formed herself into a
beautiful damsel ; and taking with her the four demonesses, who
had also formed themselves into very good maid-servants, she went
to Lakshuman.
She said, " I have travelled all over the earth in search of a husband
; but I have not found a young man as beautiful as yourself. I have
become mad after you, and unless you consent to marry me, I shall
not live. 1, therefore, implore you to take me for your wife. Do not
you see how I look ? Can you get elsewhere a quite young girl like
me ?"
Lakshuman was not at all captivated with her charms, but she
having much insisted upon his giving her an answer, he replied, * I
have got my brother and sister-in-law. There they live in a hut. I
cannot do any thing without their consent." " I shall go to your
brother," said the demoness, 'and get a letter from him consenting
to our match'
So saying she went to Panchawati with her maid-servants and said
to Rama, " I like your brother from the bottom of my heart. I have
made up my mind to marry him, and he has also promised me to
take me for his wife subject to your approval of the match. I,
therefore, pray that you will kindly pity me and give me your letter
or any other sign signifying your consent to our marriage." Sita was
moved with her manner of address, and requested Rama to comply
with her request.
Rama surveyed her from head to foot ; and finding her eye- balls
upside down, he knew that she was Surpanakha in the form of a
human being. Rama, therefore, said, " I have no objection to give
you my consent but I shall write it on your back." " How can you do
it," replied she, " I feel bashful to show you my back." "It does not
matter, continued Rama. " There is no one here." At last Surpanakha
told Rama to write his consent on her back, which the latter wrote
and sent her away.
The demoness hastened to the place where Lakshuman was standing
and said, " You see, your brother has consented to our marriage with
much pleasure. If you like, you may go and ask him about it. I am
not a liar, you know. He has given me no letter or any sign but he
32
has simply told you to marry me."

" That will -not do," replied Lakshuman, " I must have a letter or
sign from my brother signifying his consent to our marriage."
Surpanakha, having known his mind, showed the letter written by
Rama on her back.
The letter stated that 'as soon as Lakshuman read it, he should at
once cut off the nose and ears of the demoness.' Lakshuman read
the letter and having seized her by her hair, flung her down and cut
off her nose and ears as directed by Rama . When her nose and ears
were thus cut off, she and her maid-servants as sumed their original
forms and fled for fear of losing their lives, screaming hideously.
33
Listening to her yells Trishira , Khur and Dushan came to help her
witn fourteen thousand demons. " Look at my nose and ears," she
said to them, " There live three human beings, two males and one
female. The man, who called himself Lakshuman, has disfigured me
at the instigation of his brother and sister-in-law. You must now go
there and cut off their heads and guts, so that I may drink their
blood and refresh myself with it.
Trishira, Khur and Dushan, having thought it below their dignity to
go and fight with those human beings, selected fourteen powerful
demons and sent them to Panchawati with Surpanakha, but Rama
cut off their heads with one arrow. Surpanakha fled in alarm and
informed Trishira, Khur and Dushan of what had happened.
Whereupon they marched against Rama with an army of demons but
they were also killed by the prince with his arrow in a moment.
Surpanakha fled to Lanka in consternation and, showing her nose
and ears to her brother, Ravana, informed him that Trishira, Khur
and Dushan had been killed by Rama with fourteen thousand
demons.
Ravana was greatly alarmed at the sad news and, having called upon
his uncle, Maricha, said to him, " You see, Rama has killed Trishira,
Khur and Dushan and disfigured Surpanakha. If this enemy is
allowed to go unnoticed, he will even kill me one day or other. I
have, therefore, made up my mind to carry off Sita, his wife, to
Lanka and kill Rama and Lakshuman. Please, therefore, be a
beautiful haran* and frolic at the paranakutika of Rama ; and when
he comes with his dhanushaban f to kill you, rim to the heart of the
forest. Rama will pursue you ; and as soon as he is separated from
Sita, I shall carry her off to Lanka."
"It is sinful to covet one s wife," replied Maricha," and if you carry
her off, you will lose your life and everything. I, therefore, advise
you to change your mind and attend to your affairs."
At this advice Ravana got enraged and said, " It is a bad thing to
advise me that way. It is your duty to help me on such occasions. I,
therefore, command you to come with me and do what I tell you to
do."
34
Whereupon Maricha accompanied Ravana to Panchawati

with the greatest reluctance.
RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 22 *
*Note :In Original book Chapters 22 and 23 are the same . This chapter 22 has
been taken from the website http://www.shirdisaibabakripa.org
On their arrival there, Ravana stood behind a thicket near the abode
of Rama, and his uncle, forming himself into a stag, played tricks in
front of it. Sita saw the stag and said to Rama," Dearest, look at that
stag. What a beautiful creature it is.
I wish I would get its skin for my waistcoat. Please take this
dhanushaban [bow&arrow]and kill it for me, so that I may have its
skin for my waistcoat. To comply with the wishes of his wife Rama
took up his dhanushaban and aimed at the stag. The animal began
to run, and Rama went after it.
When he went far off from the paranakutika, Ravana who was
standing behind the thicket unobserved, imitated the voice of Rama
and cried out with a view to separate Lakshuman from Sita, "
Lakshuman help me. Lakshuman help me. I am in distress. * Sita
heard this voice and said to Lakshuman in alarm, ^Rama is in
distress. I have just heard him cry out for help." " You need not be
afraid," said Lakshuman. " None can hurt Rama. I am sure some
demon has done the mischief with some bad motive." " Is this your
affection towards your brother?" exclaimed Sita.
" While Rama is actually in distress, you refuse to help him. Me
thinks you wish your brother s death and marry me after him." At
this accusation Lakshuman shed tears and, having drawn a line
around the parnakutika with his dhanushaban, said to her, " I am
now going to help Rama. Look at this line. I beg you not to go
behind it, and if you go, you will be in distress." So saying
Lakshuman left the parnakutika with his dhanushaban. When he
went far off, Ravana disguised himself as a Fakir,[Mendicant],
peeped at Sita through the door of the hut and cried out in a
plaintive tone, " Is there anybody in? I am a fakir here and dying of
hunger.
35
It will be a great meritorious act, if some one comes out and gives
me something to eat." Sita, who was full of kindness, came out and
said, " Please sit down there. Rama will be presently here; and as
soon as he comes, he will attend to your wants. " I shall not live
until Rama comes here. If you now give me something to eat, I shall
bless you." So saying he threw himself on the ground and pretended
to be worse. Sita was alarmed and left the line to give him succor,
when Ravana immediately caught hold of her and said, " Do not be
alarmed.
I am Ravana, the king of Lanka. I am now going to take you to my

kingdom-. Quietly follow me." Sita rolled on the ground and violently
cried, imploring him to leave her where she was. Her tears and
entreaties did not move him in the least. He seated her in a chariot
and set out for Lanka.
36
Sita all the time cried aloud the name of Rama, which Jatayu [a huge
eagle; bird] heard and went to her rescuse. " Ravana," said Jatayu, "
I command you to set Sita at liberty; and if you disobey me, I shall
instantly kill you." " Who art thou," replied Ravana. " What thou hast
to do with this lady ? Thou fool. Go and mind thy business." Jatayu
insisted and Ravana let off arrows at him.
The bird cut off with his bill all the arrows of the demon-king, broke
the head of his charioteer and killed his horses. Ravana alighted,
when the bird pounced upon him and pulled off his hair. He was
alarmed and stood there bewildered, not knowing what to do. The
bird broke his chariot, when the demon-king said, " Speak the truth.
Just tell me how you will die. I shall also tell you how I shall die."
Jatayu, who was a simpleton, replied " If you pull off my wings, I
shall die instantly."
" Now just tell me, continued Jatayu, " how you will die." " If you
break my toes," said Ravana, I shall die in no time." As soon as this
secret was disclosed by Jatayu, Ravana went to catch him. The bird
broke one of the toes of his enemy, when the latter pulled off his
wings.
Jatayu, saturated with blood, fell there rolling; and the demon-king,
taking Sita on his shoulders, proceeded towards Lanka. When he
reached the hills, called Matang, five powerful monkeys, Sugriva,
Nala, Nila, Jambuvant and Maruti, who lived there, found the
ornaments thrown by Sita on the ground. Looking at the ornaments
Maruti said, "Pity, some wicked demon must have been carrying off
a poor woman. I shall kill the demon and rescue her. So saying he
jumped in the sky but, in the meantime, Ravana entered Lanka with
his prize and despatched eighteen huge demons to search and kill
Rama.
A few days after his return to Lanka the demon-king said to Sita, " I
beseech you to marry me. I am very powerful and have made all the
37
gods my slaves. There is not a single soul on earith who can equal
me in wealth, strength and valour. If you be my wife, you will be
very happy." "Thou art wicked and a villain," replied Sita. " Thou wilt
soon die. I shall never be thy wife. I loathe thee. Begone, thou fool.
Having heard these words of Sita, Ravana said to himself, " Sita is
very much excited; and unless she becomes calm, I shall not be able
to win her heart." So saying to himself he placed her in the Asoka
forest and posted five crores of demonesses with his sister,. Trijata,
at their head to watch her there with instructions to frighten her and
make her marry him at any rate.
The demonesses often showed their teeth and opened their hideous
mouths as if they were going to devour her, but Sita was calm and
did not heed them. Trijata, who was kind, encouraged her and told
her not to frighten herself.
38
Lakshuman joined Rama in the forest and informed him of what had
passed between Sita and himself. Lakshuman wept and Rama
pacified him. They then returned to panchawati ; and finding that
Sita was not in the parnakutika, they were alarmed and went in
search of her. They could not find her. They then went to the Rishi,
Agasti, who informed them that Sita was carried off by Ravana. They
returned to their abode and saw the footprints of the demon and
Sita.
They immediately set out in search of Sita in the forest. On the road
they met Jatayu, who informed them of what had happened. " I,"
said Jatayu, mustered up all my strength and courage to rescue her
from the wicked demon, but as soon as he cunningly knew my
secret, he pulled off my wings and left me here in a dying state." So
saying Jatayu breathed his last. Rama grieved for him and
performed the funeral ceremony of his death . The princes
proceeded on their journey.
On the road Parwati, the wife of Siva, took the form of Sita and
stood before him; but he did not receive her, as he knew that she
was Parwati. A little further on, a huge demon called Kaband,
stretching his arms for some eighteen yojans [A yojan measures
nine miles] and with his head separated from his trunk, sat in the
forest. Rama having found that he was a demon, cut off his arms
and killed the monster on the spot. Kaband was the son of
Kashyapa, a Rishi. One day he got drunk and frightened another
Rishi, Stulashira, who cursed him, saying that he would be a demon
but that he would be released from the curse when Rama would kill
him.
As soon as he was killed by Rama, he assumed his original form and
stood before him. He said that his head was separated by Indra from
his body with his vajra [A [thunder]weapon], as he was performing a
severe penance to enable him to take the kingdom of the god. On
the road Rama killed the eighteen demons whom Ravana had sent,
and came to the Pampa sarovar [ A river] where Rama and and
Lakshuman sat down for rest under the shade of a banian tree.
From the hills, called Rishimukha, the five monkeys saw them.
Sugriva was afraid and said, " I think, Vali, my brother, has sent
39
those two warriors to kill me. So saying he was to flee, when Maruti
said, " Do not be afraid. I will ascertain who those warriors are. So
saying Maruti jumped upon the tree and, having plucked off the
branches of it, threw them at Rama. Rama cut them off with his
dhanushabans. Maruti then threw large stones and mountains at him
but he broke them in a minute, and hurted the monkey in tho air.
His father, the wind, supported him, while he was falling down, and
bade him worship Rama. He came down and, having thrown him self
at the feet of the prince, implored his pardon, which was readily
granted by him.
He became a great devotee of Rama ; and one day while he was
shampooing the feet of the prince he said to him, " I shall be very
glad to introduce you to Sugriva, brother of the king of this place, if
you promise me that you will protect him." "Just tell me who that
Sugriva is," replied Rama. Whereupon Maruti related the story of the
life of Sugriva, which is as follows : ...to be continued....
One day while Bramhadev was performing a penance, a drop of his

tears fell on his hand ; and it bore a king, called Raksharaj. He was a
monkey. While he was going from forest to forest, he came to a river
in Kayalasa, the kingdom of Siva. He bathed in the river ; but
immediately after, he became a very beautiful female. It was
appointed by Parwati, wife of Siva, that any man, who would bathe
in the river, would be a female. Indra and the Sun were enamoured
of the woman.
By Indra she got Vali, and Sugriva by the sun. Having heard that
Kaksharaj became a female. Brahmadev came to the river, and
prayed to Parwati to restore his son to his former form. Parwati
listened to his prayer and made Raksharaj a man again. The god
then created a country called Kiskinda and gave it to him. Raksharaj
ruled in the country for some time and, having placed his eldest son,
Vali, on the throne, proceeded to heaven.
Vali and Sugriva lived together and loved each other. Vali was very
powerful and invincible, as he was presented by Indra with
Vijayamala. [A garland which, if put round the neck of a warrior,
always gives him success in a war.] After some time both the
brothers became mortal enemies, and Vali carried off his beautiful
wife, Ruma. For fear of his brother, Sugriva made his abode on the
hills called Rishyamukha Parvat. They both fought together every six
months." Rama bade Maruti tell Sugriva that he would kill Vali and
restore his wife to him. Maruti immediately went to Sugriva and said
40
to him, " You are in grief for your wife, so also Rama for his wife,
Sita.
Rama has promised to help you in recovering your wife and you will
have to help him also in recovering his wife, Sita." Sugriva was glad
at what Maruti had told him and set out with his army of monkeys to
see Rama. On his arrival the prince cordially received Sugriva and
told him all about Sita. Sugriva said that yesterday he heard
screams of a woman and showed the ornaments found by the
monkeys to Rama.
The prince identified the ornaments as belonging to his wife and
shed tears, when Sugriva said, " Do not be afraid. I shall help you
with my able ministers, Nala, Nila and Jambuvant in recovering Sita
from Ravana. Let us kill Vali first and then we shall sot out in search
of Sita." As soon as Sugriva spoke these words, Rama assumed his
arrow, when the former stopped him and said, Vali is my mortal
enemy and will fight with us to his last gap.
Whereupon Rama asked him the cause of the enmity with his
brother and Sugriva started narrating:
41
Dudhumbi, son of the demon, Maishasur," continued Sugriva, " was

very powerful, and oppressed the gods in heaven and the people on
earth. Nobody could fight with him. At last the demon went to Yama
and challenged him to fight with him. Yama said, "I cannot fight with
you. I, therefore, tell you to go to Vali at Kiskinda and he will fight
with you to your satisfaction.*
The demon immediately came to Kiskinda and challenged Vali to
fight with him, when the latter killed the former and hurled his body
in the air which fell on the hills called Rishyamukha Parwat. All the
Rishis on the hills were killed by the weight of the corpse, when a
Rishi called Matang cursed Vali, saying that if the latter touched the
hills, he would in stantly die. Mayasur, son of Dudhumbi, came to
avenge the death of his father but he fled to patal through a cave,
when Vali gave him blows. Vali pursued him, having posted me at
the mouth of it.
For many months he did not return, though I was at the cave all the
time watching it. During this time demi-gods entered Kiskinda and
sought to take possession of it. I, therefore, placed a mountain at
the mouth of the cave and drove all the demi-gods from the
kingdom. Vali did not return to Kiskinda for twenty months, and from
this fact all concluded that he was no more. Whereupon the people
of Kiskinda proclaimed me as their king against my wishes.
In the meantime, Vali returned to the cave with the head of
Mayasur and, having seen the mouth of it blocked up, he was
alarmed on account of me. He immediately reireived the mountain
and directly came to Kiskinda. As soon as he saw me on the throne,
he, boiled with rage, said," You blocked up the mouth of the cave
with a view to kill me and take my kingdom. So saying he attacked
me. But, with the assistance of Nala, Nila, Jambuvant and Maruti I
escaped and made my abode on these hills, because he would not
come here for fear of the curse." Sugriva then showed the body of
Dudhumbi to Rama, who flung it at a distance with his toe. "Now do
one thing," said Rama, Just go and challenge Vali to fight with you."
Sugriva accordingly went to Kiskinda and challenged him to fight
with him, when Tara said to her husband, " I implore you not to
meet Sugriva today.
He comes to fight with you every six months but he has now come
to combat with you three days after the battle you have fought with
42
him. I think, Kama and Lakslminan have promised to help him. I,

therefore, pray that you will not go to fight with Sugriva today."
"That will not do" replied vali, " I must fight with him and cut off his
head. If I am killed in the fight, Angada will protect you." So saying
Vali went and attacked Sugriva, when Rama killed the former with
one arrow.
Tara, his wife, violently cried for her husband, when Rama consoled
her and advised her to marry Sugriva. At first she hesitated; but
soon after, she married him. Sugriva began to rule and forgot all
about Rama in his luxury.[with his two wives, Tara and Ruma].
43
Rama sent Lakshuman to Kiskinda. Marati said to Sugriva, " It is a

bad thing that you have forgot Rama and left him alone in the forest.
There stands Lakshuman at the door of your palace. Take care he
will kill us all." Sugriva was alarmed and, having thrown himself at
his feet with his wives and other monkeys, implored the pardon of
Rama.
He then came with all his monkeys to Rama to help him in
recovering his wife, Sita. Rama put his ring on one of the fingers of
Maruti as a mark from him. All the monkeys set out in search of Sita.
On their way they came across a forest and could not proceed
further, as they were bewildered there. This forest was cursed by a
Rishi, called Dandaka, saying that those who entered it,would
remain there bewildered. The Rishi cursed the forest, because his
infant son, was devoured by the goddess of the forest. The infant
son became a demon and devoured all the persons and creatures
that went into the forest.
Angada, son of Vali, killed the demon; and as soon as he was killed,
he was restored to his former form. All the monkeys escaped unhurt,
as they were repeating the name of Rama all the time in the forest.
They left the forest and, having searched Sita at several places in
vain, at last came to a very large cave. The monkeys entered the
cave but they all fainted owing to suffocation. Maruti lifted them up
with his tail and came out of the cave to a place where there was a
beautiful garden.
All the monkeys climbed up the trees in the garden, laden with
fruits, but they could not get a single fruit to eat. A mare, called
Suprabha, came where the monkeys were standing. Maruti asked
her who had created the garden The mare replied, " Brahmadev was
pleased with Mayasur, a demon, and, having created the cave for
him,said,"I have created this cave for you. I require you to be
always in it and not to leave it under any circumstances; and if you
coine out of the cave, you will instantly die". While in the cave the
demon always prayed to Vishnu for the protection of the demons on
earth. Indra was alarmed and implored Bramhadev to get the demon
oat of the cave.
To get him out of the care the god created a very beautiful damsel
called Hema and sent her m the cave. The demon looked at her and
44
was captivated with her charms. Finding that the demon was very
much taken with her, she came out of the cave, and he followed her,
forgetting what Bramhadev had told him. As soon as he came out oT
the cave, he instantly died.
After the death of the demon, Hema was in the possession of the
cave and garden, and soon left for the kingdom of Vishnu, placing
me here in this form to watch it. Hema told me that when monkeys
would come into this garden, I would be restored to my former
form." said Suprabha. Maruti said to her, " We have eaten fruits to
our hearts content and "we must now leave this place as soon as
possible. We cannot see the way to the cave through which we have
come here.
Will you, therefore, be kind enough to show it to us ?" Whereupon
Suprabha told all the monkeys to shut their eyes; and in a second
they were all on a seashore. She was restored to her former form
and, visiting Rama, went to her husband.
45
The monkeys were very anxious to cross the sea and go to Lanka,
but they were unable to do so. However, Maruti, repeating the name
of Rama, crossed the sea; but on the way he met with several
accidents. The gods [in order to test his valour], sent a huge woman
to devour him. She opened her mouth and stood in his way. He
passed through her mouth and proceeded further. In the meantime,
the sea sent a mountain to block up his way.
The mountain said to him, " Good creature ! Why are you not going
to take rest on my bosom ?" At these words Maruti got enraged and
pressed down the mountain. A little further on, a frightful demoness,
Simhika, who was mother of Rahu and Ketu, swallowed him up; but
he tore off her belly and came out. At last he arrived at upper Lanka,
when the goddess of the place caught hold of his legs and knocked
him down. He got up and gave her mortal blows, when she implored
him to spare her life. He having granted her request, she blessed
him, saying that he would be successful in his undertaking. He then
came to lower Lanka, called Pudalanka.
Krocha, the youngest sister of Havana, whose husband, Gargar, was
killed by Indra, lived there. As soon as she was informed of his
arrival there, she went with a number of demons and demonesses to
catch him, when he became a small and beautiful animal. Krccha
said to the demons and demonesses, " This is a very good and pretty
animal. Let me have it for my breakfast, Just kill it and cook it for
ine." " My body, replied he, " is full of water, and if you order me to
be cooked for your breakfast, you will get nothing. I, therefore, tell
you to swallow me up, so that you may have a delicious taste."
Krocha accordingly swallowed up Maruti, who entered her heart and
pulled off her flesh.
The demoness tossed about with pain. Her companions gave her
medicine mixed with the clung of a hog, but the monkey was so
disgusted with the dirt that he let out his tail through her nose and
eats. All the demons and demonesses believed that the tail was a
disease, and began to pull it out, when Maruti, having torn off her
belly, came out and threw all the demons and demonesses into the
sea. From lower Lanka he went again to upper Lanka; and at sunset
he entered Nikumbala, a county in Lankn, where Indrajit the eldest
son of Ravana, lived with his family.
46
He went into the palace of the demon- prince and saw him with his
beautiful wife, Sulochana, there. Maruti said to him self, " No doubt
this is Sita, and she has fallen in love with this wicked demon. So
saying to himself he was about to kill both of them.
But in the meantime, she said to her husband, " Just think for a
moment. Is it not a bad thing that your father has unjustly brought
Sita here? If she is not restored to her husband, a great calamity will
befall him." Having heard this conversation, Maruti was convinced
that she was not Sita.
47
From there he went to the palace of Vibhishan, the youngest brother

of Ravana, where he was much pleased, because the demon was the
devotee of Rama, and every thing there was clean.He also saw there
an idol of Rama,[Vishnu], which Vibhishan worshipped every day.
Thence he went to the palace of Kumbhakarna, where he was in
deep sleep snorting all the time. Maruti was disgusted with the sight
of the heaps of bones and the flesh of human beings and animals
scattered around his palace. When he failed to find Sita there and at
other places, he was enraged; and, assuming an invisible form, he
began to trouble the demons and demonesses of Lanka in various
ways.
When they carried water in their pots, he broke them with his tail.
He dashed to pieces the chariots of the princes who happened to
drive in the streets. One day a barber began to shave the beard of
Ravana, when Maruti stood behind him in an invisible form and
thrust his tail into the hose of the former. The barber was startled;
and in confusion he shaved the mustaches of Ravana.
Ravana got angry and slapped the barber in the face, when the
monkey also gave a slap to the demon-king. Maruti pulled down the
houses of the demons with his tail, while their families were asleep.
One day in a minute he extinguished all the lamps in Lanka, and
consequently all of a sudden, were in confusion and alarm. The
inhabitants of Lanka said to themselves, " Sita, whom Ravana has
brought here, has created the devil to annoy and trouble us." Maruti
then entered the palace of Ravana, where he and his wife,
Mandodari were fast asleep.
On beholding Mandodari, Maruti thought that she was Sita and that
she fell in love with the demon-king. He got much enraged, and was
about to carry them where Rama was staying with Lakshman. But, in
the meantime, Mandodari was awakened in alarm and said to her
husband, " I have dreamt a dream which indicates that Indrajit and
you will be killed, that the Asoka forest will be destroyed, and that
Lanka will be burnt, because you have unjustly brought Sita here.
I, therefore, implore you to restore her to her husband." " You need
not be afraid of it in the least" replied Ravana. " I have posted five
48
crores of the demons and demonesses to watch the Asoka forest and
they will not allow Rama to kill us and destroy the forest." So saying
Ravana despatched his servant to the Asoka forest to see whether
Sita was there.
Maruti accompanied the servant in an invisible form. He saw Sita
sitting under the shade of a tree. The servant returned to Ravana
and Maruti remained in the Asoka forest.
49
The monkey was exceedingly glad when he found Sita, and threw
before her the ring which Rama had put on his finger. She looked at
the ring and asked it with, tears in her eyes, " Ring ? Where have
you come from ?. How is my Rama ? Is he safe ?" While Sita was
thus asking the ring, the demonesses came there and told her to
keep quiet, saying that if she did not listen to them, they would
devour her, when Maruti, with his tail, tied up all of them together
and flung them down.
Some of them died and some fled. He then began to sing, which
was so pleasing to her ears that she was very anxious to see who
that creature was. She called the creature several times but nobody
responded to her call. She was disappointed, and prepared herself to
commit suicide, when the monkey came and stood before her. She
asked him, " Who are you ? What is your name and where have you
come from ?"
" I am a servant of Rama,and have come here in search of you,"
replied Maruti. " Your Rama is well and has come to Kiskinda for you.
He will shortly take you from this place. You need not be afraid of
me. I am not a demon. I am son of the wind, and my name is
Maruti." " Besides that ring," continued Sita, Se have you got any
other proof from Rama that you are his servant ?" Whereupon he
recapitulated all the calamaties that had befallen her; and she was
thereby convinced that he was her husband's servant. " I should
have annihilated Lanka in a moment and taken you to Kigkinda,"
said Maruti, " but Rarna did not order me to do so. I am very
hungry.
Will you, therefore, allow me to take fruits from the trees in the
forest for my breakfast ?" " It is not in my power to allow you to take
fruits from this place," replied Sita, " and if you forcibly take them,
the demons and 1 demonesses will kill you. I however tell you to
gather for your breakfast the fruits that have fallen on the ground
and not to take them from the trees with your hands and feet" "I
swear that I shall not take any fruits from the trees with my hands
and feet," said Maruti, " I shall take the fruits which have fallen onthe around." So saying he lengthened his tail and plucked all fruits
with it; and after a few minutes he destroyed the whole of the Asoka
forest.
50
The sixty crores of the demons, who were watching the forest, at
once came upon him; but he tied them up with his tail and flung
them down. Some died and some fled. Hearing this news Ravana
sent eight thousand demons to catch the monkey but the latter tied
them up with his tail and killed them all. Ravana was greatly
enraged, and sent one lac of warriors whom the monkey threw into
the sea with his tail.
The demon-king then sent his son, Akshaya, with a large army; but
he was also killed with his other sons. Immediately after, he
despatched a frightful demoness, called Asali, who had the strength
of ten thousand elephants. She opened her hideous mouth one yojan
in length and breadth and devoured, the monkey, but the latter tore
her belly off and came out. At last Ravana seat his son, Indrajit, with
a large army of demons. He let off his arrows at Maruti, which the
latter broke off with his hands in no time.
The monkey pulled off his rnngut with his tail broke his chariot and
killed his horse. He took up an iron bar and went killing the demons
with it, when Indrajit attempted to catch him in a snare but the
monkey became as small as an atom and escaped through it every
time the prince put it upon him.
Whereupon Indrajit made a snare with a small noose and put it upon
him, when he assumed a large form and broke the snare. When the
prince failed in catching him in the snare, he combated with the
monkey, but the latter flung him down on the ground. The Prince
was alarmed and said to himself that if he was seized by the monkey
and carried to Rama, he would be cruelly treated.
So saying, he hid himself in a cave, when Maruti blocked up the
mouth of it with a mountain. Indrajit cried and wept.
51
Ravana, having been acquainted with this news imploringly. said to

Bramhadev, " You see, Indrajit is in difficulty. If you personally go
there, you will be able to ensnare the monkey. I, therefore, beseech
you to do the Work for me." Whereupon Bramhadev went near the
cfive, when Indrajit hung his head down with shame and said, "
Unless you catch hold of the monkey, I can not venture to come out
of the cave, Whereupon Bramhadev put upon Maruti the Brarhha
pasa.[A complicated snare.]
Maruti could have broken in a minute, but he allowed himself to be
caught in it and carried to the court of Ravana. Indrajit went and
vainly told his father that it was he who had caught the monkey.
Maruti made a coil of his tail higher than the throne of Ravana and
sat upon it. The demon-king; indignantly, asked, " Who are you and
what is the name of your master ?" " You are," replied Maruti,
rogue,. . Do you know who I am? I am a servant of that prince who
had saved your life at the court of Janak and cut off the nose of your
sister. Yon are a great villain.
You have carried off his wife, Sita. I am sent by my master to
ascertain whether she is here. My master will shortly invade Lanka
and, cutting off your ten faces, will return to Ayodya with Sita." At
these words Ravana was greatly insulted and ordered the demons to
cut off the tongue, nose, ears and tail of the monkey. In obedience
to the order of the king all the demons brought weapons of various
sorts and began to pierce him with them but nothing could be done
to him, as his body was made of vajara [diamond]. Ravana was
alarmed and did not know what to do.
At last he asked the monkey by what means he would die. " I am
immortal," replied Maruti, " but if you cover my tail with cloth soaked
in oil and set fire to it, I shall be immediately burnt to death. Do not
leave any part of my tail uncovered, and if you do so, nothing can be
done to me." Whereupon Ravana ordered his servants to cover his
tail with cloth. All the demons accordingly brought innumerable
heaps of cloth soaked in oil and began to cover the tail of the
monkey with them, but the more they covered the tail with them,
the more he lengthened it; and consequently a part of it remained
uncovered. All the cloth in Lanka was finished and oil exhausted.
52
At last Ravana ordered his servants to go to the Asoka forest and get
the dress of Sita, when Maruti shortened his tail and allowed it to be
entirely covered. The demons then began to set fire to the tail but
they failed to light it. Maruti said, " If Ravana will blow the fire
himself, it will catch my tail; and I shall be immediately burnt to
death." Ravana accordingly blew the fire and the tail of the monkey
was lighted.
Whilst he was blowing the fire, it caught his beard; and his
mustaches on one side were entirely burnt. He covered bis face with
his handkerchief and retired to his chamber.
53
Maruti rolled on the ground and burnt the beards and mustaches of
the demons and the hairs of the demonesses with his tail in flames. He
burnt many of them to death, and in a short time one-third part of
Lanka was on fire. After burning Lanka the monkey went to the Asoka
forest and assured Sita that her husband would take her very soon.
Thence he returned to Rama at the Pampa Sarovar with her ornament
as a mark from her and a letter from Bramhadev to the prince stating
what the monkey had done in Lanka and that one-third of the country
burnt by him had become gold. Rama and Lakshuman were very glad
to read the contents of the letter and expressed their thanks to Maruti
for the trouble he had taken for them.
The story of how Lanka had become gold is as follows: Two
Brahmans, who were brothers, always quarrelled about the
dakshana[A present in hard cash] they had got from their patrons.
Their father became Indignant at their conduct and cursed them,
saying that they would be animals, but that the god, Krishna, would
release them from the curse. One brother was transformed into a
nakra[Crocodile] and another into a gajandra[Elephant]. The nakra
lived in water and the gajandra on a mountain.
One day the gajandra accident ally came to the lake in which the
nakra lived; and whilst drinking the water, the latter dragged the
former in the lake. A severe fighting took place between them. The
nakra severely wounded the gajandra and was about to kill him, when
the latter prayed to Krishna for help. The god, listening to his prayer,
rode on Garuda [An eagle called Garuda on which Krishna always
rode.] and hastened to the lake. Finding that his devotee, the
gajandra, was wounded by the nakra, Krishna killed the crocodile and
released him and the elephant from the curse.
After releasing them from the curse, Krishna prepared himself to
return to Dwarka, when Garuda said to him, "I am very hungry.
Please, there fore, give me something to eat." "I shall postpone my
departure for an hour or so," replied Krishna, "and in the meantime,
you can eat the corpses of the nakra and gajandra. Whereupon
Garuda went and picked up the corpses with his bill and sat on a tree
called Jambuvraksha for the purpose of eating them.
54
But the branch of the tree on which he had sat, was broken by his
weight, when he observed that millions of Rishis sat in meditation on
the leaves of the branch. In order that the branch might not fall on the
ground and kill the Rishis, he firmly held the branch by his bill. Not
knowing where to keep it, he went to his father, Kasyapa, a Rishi, and
informed him of his difficulty.. Whereupon Kasyapa requested the
Rishis to come down, and they complied with his request.
He then told Garuda to leave the branch on a mountain at Lanka.
Garuda accordingly did it and went away. The branch remained on the
mountain and was converted into gold; and when Maruti burnt
Lanka,it was melted by the heat of the fire and the liquid over flowed
the part of Lanka which was burnt by the monkey."
55
Soon after, Rama and Lakshuman made preparations for march

against Ravana; and on the day of Dasara* [" This festival is held on
the 10th of Aswin Shud. It is called Durga Puja. On this day, in
commemoration of the victory of Devi, the wife of Siva, over the
buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasur, her image, after having been
worshipped for nine days is thown into the water.
On this day Marathas and Kshatryas or those who consider
themselves of the military race, worshipthe implements of war and
ask protection of them throughout the year, under a conception that
to the propitiousness of the sword they owe every prosperity]they
set out with eigheighteen padmas^ [Ten billions are equal to one
padma.]of monkeys, seventy two kotis[One koti is equal to ten
millions.] of warriors under the command of an old monkey,
Jambuvant, and fifty-six kotis of other monkeys. When they arrived
at the sea which Maruti had first crossed, they were encamped
there, there being no way to proceed farther.
This news having spread through out Lanka, Vibhishan, the
youngest brother of the demon-king, entreated him to restore Sita
to her husband,and set all the gods at liberty. He said, " If you do
not listen to me, the whole of Lanka will be annihilated and all the
demons destroyed." Ravan and his son, Indrajit, replied, " We do not
care at all about it. Let Rama and all the monkeys come upon us, we
shall kill them all in a second." Having failed to persuade the demon
-king to restore Sita to Rama, Vibhishan, accompanied by four
demons, came where the monkeys had been encamped and sought
to visit the prince.
The monkeys were about to kill the demons, when Vibhishan said, "
I am the youugest brother of Ravana and have come here to see
Rama. I hear that he killed Vali and gave his kingdom to Sugriva. In
like manner, I want him to kill Ravana and give his Lanka to me. He
is wicked, and has oppressed both the gods and Brahmans." The
monkeys looked up on him with suspicion and did not believe at first
what he had said. But Maruti said, " Vibhishan is not a wicked
demon. He is a devotee of Rama, and has come here with some
good object." Whereupon Rama desired the monkeys to allow
Vibhishan to see him. Sugriva went and brought him to Rama.
The demon fell at the feet of the prince, when the latter blessed the
56
former saying that he would be the king of Lanka and would reign
there as long as the sun and the moon last. Rama asked him what
he should do to cross the sea with his large army of monkeys, when
Vibhishan replied, " Pray to the sea, and he may make way for you
and your army. Rama went to pray to the sea and Vibhishan left for
Lanka. Ravana was informed by a demon called Shardula, that a
large army of monkeys under the command of Sugriva had been
encamped near the shore of the sea and that they would invade
Lanka in a day or two.
Whereupon a demon called Shuka came to Sugriva on behalf of
Ravana and said to him, " Rama is a wicked man, and why do you
help him ? What have you to do with Sita ? Quietly return home with
your army. If you do not listen to me, the heads of all your monkeys
will be cut off ; and Rama,Lakshuman and you will be killed." The
monkeys were enraged at what the demon had said and beat him
severely, when Lakshuman interfered and let him go.
The demon again said, " You are all stupid donkeys and will be
shortly sacrificed here." Rashabha, a monkey, replied, " Just tell
Ravana to restore Sita to Rama; and if he refuses to do so, his neck
will be cut off with his ten heads." " Hold your tongue" said Shuka, "
Sita will never be restored to Rama. I again tell you to leave the
prince alone here; and if you do not listen to me, your days are
numbered." The monkeys again caught him by his neck and, having
belabored him; bound him with a cord.
57
Rama prayed to the sea for three days without eating a morsel of
food; but the sea was so impertinent that he did not listen to his
prayer, when the prince got indignant and aimed his dhanushaban to
dry up the sea. The sea was alarmed and said, " Kindly forgive me
and do not dry me up. I am ready to do what you bid me do." " Very
well," replied Rama, " but what shall I do with this dhanushaban ? It
must be at any rate let off according to my solemn resolution which
cannot be changed under any circumstances."
" There lives in the west a demon" called Maru, continued the sea. "
He devours all creatures in the water. Please, therefore, let off the
arrow at him and ent off his head." Baroa accordingly discharged the
arrow at him and cut off his head. When the head fell on the ground,
it drank off a sheet of the sea-water in the west and thereby a tract
of land, which is now called Marwad, was formed. The sea regarded
Rama as his son-in-law and presented him with a dress and
ornaments, whieh he accepted at the request of the monkeys; and
when he wore them, he looked very beautiful.
Rama asked the sea what means he-should adopt to cross the water
with so many monkeys, when he said, "You can have a shetu [A
bridge or pool] built over me. Let it be built by Nala with stones and
mountains, which will float on the surface of the water only by his
hands. When Nala was young, he always worshipped shaligrams [A
black stone found in the river Gadanki, and worshipped as sacred to
Vishnu.] and threw them into the sea-water. A Rishi was pleased
with him and blessed him, saying that by his hands, stones and
mountain would float on the water, So saying to Rama, the sea
disappeared. Immediately after, Rama called Nala and said to him, "
To cross the sea, a shetu must be built by you of stones and
mountains, which will float on the water by your liands only.
I, therefore, beg you to order all the monkeys, to procure stones
and mountains and lay them by your hands in the water. Nala was
puffed up with pride and said to himself that the shetu could not be
built without him. So saying Nala ordered the monkeys to get stones
and mountains which the latter brought and gave in charge of the
former. Nala built a portion of the shetu, but the fishes in the sea ate
it. He again built it but the fishes again ate it. He was at a loss to
58
know what to do.

Maruti said to him, " Pride goeth before destruction. You thought
that the bridge could not be built without you. What do you say now
? Leave off your pride and be humble. Now write the name of Rama
on each stone aiid lay it in the water; and if you do this, you will be
able to build the shetu within a short time. Nala did it as directed by
Maruti; and the shetu was built one hundred yojans in length and
breadth so far as Suvela without any difficulty. After the shetu was
completed, Rama crossed it with his army and came to Suvela,
where he encamped his army.
59
Rama set Shuka at liberty, who went to Ravana and informed him of
what had happened to him and how they had built the shetu. He
requested the demon-king to submit to the prince and restore Sita to
him. Ravana got very indignant and said, ** You are alarmed,
because they beat you. If you advise me that way again, I shall at
once cut off your head." Soon after, Ravana sent two demons, Shuka
and Surna, to Suvela to ascertain the position of the army of Rama.
The two demons in the forms of monkeys mixed themselves with the
monkeys belonging to the army of the prince. Vibhishan informed
Raina that the demons had come to Suvela in the forms of monkeys
to ascertain the position of his army. Whereupon Rama ordered the
monkeys to allow the demons to count their numbers. The two
demons were accordingly taken round the whole army. They, having
seen it, returned to Lanka and said to the demon-king, " Rama has
got a large army of monkeys, and it will be very difficult for you to
defeat it.
We, therefore, implore you to submit to Rama and restore Sita to
him." Ravana was enraged and threatened them that he would cut
off their heads, if they advised him that way. He then, accompanied
by the two demons, went to the top of his tower to see the army of
Rama. Vibhishan came and informed the prince that the demon-king
had gone to his tower to have a look at his army, arid while he was
there, Sugriva jumped from Suvela, which was at a distance of
hundreds of miles from Lanka, and returned to his camp with the
mug at of Ravan.
The demon-king was alarmed, and immediately came down from
upstairs. A few days after, he said to his courtiers, "I nave now no
patience. I must marry Sita as soon as possible. If any of you make
her love me and marry me, I shall be ever grateful to him."
Whereupon his minister, Vidynjiva, who was well versed in magic
and sorcery, replied, "I shall create, by means of sorcery, a head
well cut and similar to that of Rama and also a dhanushaban and
show them to Sita, so that she may be convinced that her husband
has been killed.
If she is convinced of it, she will become hopless and easily love you
and marry you. "I am very much thankful to you for your excellent
scheme," replied Ravana. " There is no doubt you will succeed in it,"
Vidynjiva accordingly created the head of Rama and his
60
dhanushaban. Ravana then came to the Asoka forest and said to

Sita, "I am very sorry to inform you that your darling husband is
killed and that his brother, Lakshuman, has fled to Ayodya. Maruti,
Sugriva, Nala, Nila, Angada and all other warriors are also killed. You
are alone here, what can you do now ? You are helpless.
I, therefore, beseech you to marry me. You shall be my first wife
and Mandodari will be your maid-servant. Alas ! Sita, Rama is no
more, Believe me. If you want any proof of what I say, here is the
head of your Rama cut off by a demon, and here is his
dhanushaban."
As soon as Sita beheld the head of Rama and his dhanushaban, she
fainted. In her grief she said to Ravana. " I look upon you as my
father and I implore you to order a pile of wood to be arranged, so
that I may set fire to it and burn myself in it. I do not wish to live
any longer in this world." As soon as he heard these words, he
returned to his court, leaving Sita alone there.
61
In the mean-time, Sharma, wife of Vibhishan, came to the Asoka

forest and informed her that Rama was doing well and that the head
which was shown to her, was created by the demons by means of
sorcery to make her give her no hope of Rama and marry Ravana.
No sooner did Sharma inform Sita of this than the created head and
dhanushaban which were left there, disappeared.
Soon after, the demon-king said to his wife, " Mandodari, you are
my faithful wife and love me much. I have a great passion for Sita ;
and if you do not help me, I shall die. If you really love me, go to
Sita in the Asoka forest and persuade her to marry me." Whereupon
Mandodari went to Sita and, having communicated her husband's
wishes to her, returned home.
She said to her husband, " Dearest, Sita is not a woman who will
comply with your wishes. She is a paragon of virtue. She will
sacrifice her life rather than yield to your passion. There is no use of
your being after her. I, therefore, beseech you to restore her to
Rama. Why do you covet another s wife ?"
"My love," replied Ravana, " What you say is true, but I shall never
submit to Rama and humiliate myself in the eyes of all nations. I
shall fight with him and die but I shall never restore Sita to him."
Having failed to persuade her husband, she returned to her palace.
Ravana again went to the top of his tower with his courtiers and
began to look at the army of Rama. Rama also went to the top of a
hill with Sugriva and other monkeys and began to look at Ravan and
his courtiers. Whilst Ravana was looking at the army of the prince,
Sugriva jumped from the hill and knocked down the mukuts put by
him on his ten heads.
The demon-king was surprised and combated with the monkey but
the latter, having administered to him severe blows, returned to
Rama with joy. Ravana was alarmed, and immediately came down
with shame and confusion. After all preparations for the war were
completed on both the sides, Vibhishan said to Rama, " Before an
attack is made on Ravana, it is advisable to negotiate with him for
peace.
62
You should, therefore, send an ambassador to his court and request

him to restore Sita to you." Rama accordingly sent Angada to the
court of Ravana But nobody noticed him there. The monkey was,
therefore, irritated and said to the demon-king, " Ravana, do you
know who I am? "Who are you and what is your name," Ravana
indignantly asked. " I am a servant of Rama," continued Angada,
and my name is Angada. I am son of Vali. I have come here to
negotiate with you for peace." "I shall never make peace with
Rama," replied Ravana, " I tell you once more to make peace with
Rama," said Angada, " and restore Sita to him.
If you refuse to listen to-me, you will lose your life and every thing
in Lanka. He is very powerful, and you can do nothing to him." "You
are a shameless creature," Ravana indignantly replied, " You know
very well that Rama has killed your father and, instead of revenging
yourself upon the enemy you have now come to help him.
You are a great monkey. " No doubt, Rama killed my father," said
Angada, " but by his arrow he has gone to heaven where he now
enjoy ever-lasting happiness." Ravana was furious,, and ordered four
demons to bind Angada. Whereupon the demons firmly held him by
his arms, when the monkey struck the chest of Ravana with his tail
and jumped from Lanka with his mukuts, chatra and mandap* and
returned to Suvela.
The four demons, with whom, the monkey had jumped, hung upon
his shoulders with their heads down wards, and were killed by a fall
on the ground.
63
The negotiations for peace having fallen, through, Susen marched

against Lanka with twenty kotis of monkey-soldiers and fought with
the troops of Ravana under the command of Dhamaraksha. Susen
routed and defeated them all, and their commander was killed by
Maruti with blows.
The news of the defeat having spread throughout Lanka, the demonking, boiled with rage, sent the demons, called Vazra Dausti and
Sukpana, with a number of demon-soldiers, but they were also
defeated with heavy loss. Ravana was alarmed and did not know
what to do. But, in the mean-time, his son, Indrajit, kept the field
with the warriors,Jambumali and Vidyaman and let off arrows at the
army of Rama which the latter cut off and killed the two warriors.
Whereupon Indrajit immediately jumped with his chariot into the
sky, where he hid himself in the clouds and let off serpent-weapons
at the army of Rama, which produced innumerable serpents. These
serpents stung Rama and Lakshuman and all their soldiers; and
consequently they all fell lifeless in the field, except Maruti and
Vibhishan, who were immortal. Indrajit, having thus defeated Rama,
returned to Lanka with a great success.
The demon-king was very glad at the success of his son and- said to
his sister, Trijata, " Sister ? Look at the valor of our Indrajit. How
has he fought and how has he defeated the army of Rama ? You
know, nobody on earth can conquer us. Now what I want you to do
is that you should now go to Sita and inform her of all that had
happened. Show her Rama, Lakshuman and their soldiers lying
lifeless in the field and tell her that she is now helpless and I am the
only one who can support her.
Tell her all this and persuade her to marry me. ! sister, I like her
much." Trijata accordingly showed to Sita, Rama, Lakshuman and
the monkey soldiers lying lifeless in the field and told her all that
Ravana had said. Sita, having seen her beloved Rama and
Lakshuman, violently cried and became hopeless. Maruti and
Vibhishan consulted together as to what they should do to
resuscitate the princes and their army, but before they arrived at a
certain conclusion, the Wind had come and whispered to Rama a
garuda mantra which produced garudas or eagles.
64
These garudas killed all the serpents and resuscitaed Lakshuman

and their army. The fighting was again renewed by the monkeys.
Pravasta, the minister of Ravana, bravely fought with them and
killed many of them. Whereupon Nala threw at the minister one lac
of mountains which the latter broke in no time and continued the
fighting. But after a hot battle Pravasta was killed by Nala with a tree
called Tada, a hundred yojans in length.
65
At this defeat, Ravana was greatly enraged and prepared himself to

fight with the enemies, when his wife, Mandodari, said to him, " My
dearest, you should now give up the idea of your fighting with Rama
any longer. Why do you want another's wife ? My love, just restore
her to her husband, so that every thing may end in peace and
tranquillity." " My darling," Ravana laughingly replied, " I am ready
to do any thing for you but please do not tell me to restore Sita to
Rama.
I am prepared to fight with him and kill him with all his army."
Ravana having refused to listen to her, she returned to her palace.
Immediately after, the demon king kept the field with his sons,
grand-sons, great grandsons and a large number of warriors and
soldiers and commenced operations, when Sugriva threw a large
mountain at him, which the latter broke with his arrows. Whereupon
all the monkeys rushed upon him with mountains, large trees, rocks
and other weapons but he also broke them with his arrows. Maruti
then threw a very large rock at the demon-king which the latter
broke with his arrows and gave blows to the former. Maruti fainted
for some time and, having soon come to himself, returned the blows
to him and knocked down his mukuts and the chatras held over his
ten heads. Ravana was not in the least alarmed and continued the
fighting.
Whereupon Nala produced by a mantra innumerable Nalas like
himself and employed them to throw mountains, trees and rocks at
the demon-king, when the latter let off a Bramhasra* and made
them all disappear in a second. Lakshuman then let off a
Bramhaskti* at Ravana, which was cut off by the latter into two
parts. One part of it fell on the ground and with another Lakshuman
was struck; and consequently he fainted. Maruti was greatly enraged
and gave Ravana blows, which made him vomit blood and return to
Lanka.
When the demon-king was thus defeated, he sent his demonsubjects to arouse his brother, Kumbhakarna, from his fast sleep.
The demons went and shook him but he was not awakened.
Whereupon they threw rocks and mountains at him, pierced him with
sharp weapons, and scratched him with their nails, but nothing could
arouse him from his sleep. He was snorting with a great noise and
drew in and sent out with his inspiration and respiration the demons,
66
bullocks, cows, elephants and other animals that had come before
him. At last the demons brought two nymphs and made them sing
before him. By their melodious voice he was aroused.
As he was hungry for six months, he at once devoured billions of
bullocks, she-buffaloes, Brahmaris, cows and even demons, and
drank off gallons of liquor and ghee. After his hunger was appeased,
the demons informed him of what had happened to his brother,
Ravana, his kingdom and subjects.
Whereupon Kumbhakarna immediately stood on his legs and began
to walk towards the palace of his brother. The monkeys, looking at
the huge size of the demon, were greatly disheartened but Maruti
went to him and lifted him up thrice in order that they might not be
afraid of him.
67
Kumbhakarna reached the palace of Ravana and stood before him,

when the latter said to him, " Brother ? I am now in difficulty. I have
brought Sita, the wife of Rama, as I wish to marry her. In order to
recover her from me Rama has come here with a great number of
monkey-soldiers. They have killed good many demons and destroyed
nearly the whole of Lanka. It is now your duty to help me.
" It is not good that you have deprived the help less woman, Sita, of
her husband," replied Kumbhakarna. "It is a great sin that one
should covet another s wife. You ought to have restored her to her
husband. But as you have brought her here at the risk of your life,
have you fulfilled your wishes ? If not, transform yourself into Rama
and go to her.
" That cannot be done," replied Ravana, " because if I become
Rama, all his virtues will reign iu ine and prevent me from doing any
wicked act. Unless you kill Rurna, I shall not be able to fulfill my
wishes."
" As you are my brother," said Kumbhakarna, " it is my duty to help
you. Have courage. I shall devour all the monkeys in a moment and
kill Rama and Lakshuman.
Taking his leave of Ravana, Kumbhakarna attacked the army of
Rama, when four monkeys, including Sharab and Govaksha flnng
mountains and rocks at the demon which the latter broke with blows
and threw them into the sky. Kumbhakarna devoured a great
number of the monkeys but a few of them escaped through his ears
and nostrils.
Sugriva then threw a mountain at him which the latter broke with
one blow and, having held him by his feet, turned him round like a
reel. He was about to dash the monkey to pieces, when the latter
escaped from his clutches and jumped into the sky. But he, having
stretched out his hands in the sky, brought him down and put him
into his anus.
68
Sugriva was disgusted at the stink of his arms and, having cut off his
nose and ears, once more escaped and jumped into the sky of which
Kumbhakarna knew nothing. He was profusely bled and altogether
disfigured. Having thought that he was successful in the war, he
walked towards the palace of his brother, Ravana.
The demon-king was ashamed to behold him in that state ; and in
order to avoid an interview with him he ordered his barber to show
him a mirror. The barber accordingly held a mirror before the demon
in which he beheld his disfigured face and immediately returned in a
great rage to renew the fight with the monkeys. Desperate as he
was, he devoured many of the monkeys and attempted to rush upon
Rama, when Lakshuman let off arrows at him, which he broke with
his hands.
69
In the mean-time, Vibhishan went to fight with his brother, when

the latter said, " You are a great scoundrel. Do you know who I am ?
I am your brother. You are treacherous, and have joined our
enemies. I should have just killed you on this spot, but as there will
be no one left be hind us to perform our funeral ceremonies, I spare
your life and command you to leave this place immediately.
Do not show me your face again." Having heard these words from
the mouth of Kumbhakarna, Vibhishan immediately disappeared.
Kumbhakarna then rushed upon Rama, when the latter let off arrows
at him, but they all were devoured by the demon. Lastly the prince
discharged a deadly arrow at him and cut off his hands with it, and,
with other arrows, his feet, trunk, and head.
On receiving the news of the fall of Kumbhakarna in the field Ravana
much grieved for him, when Indrajit came and consoled his father .
Immediately after, Atikaya, the second son of Ravana, with other
warriors, abravely attacked the army of Rama and shot a great
number of the monkeys ; but at last Lakshuman killed him with his
arrow. Ravana much lamented for him, when Indrajit consoled his
father and, having washed his body with the blood of human beings
and cows, performed a penance. His goddess was pleased with him
and presented him with a chariot, horses and weapons. He seated
himself in that chariot and jumped into the sky j and having hid
himself in the clouds, he let off arrows at the monkeys and killed
them all. Even Rama and Lakshuman were struck with his arrows.
The demon- prince again returned to Lanka with success.
To resuscitate the monkeys, Maruti went to get a mountain called
Dronagiri, which was full of medicinal plants. For some time he stood
at the foot of the mountain entreating him to accompany him to
Suvela, the place of the war, and resuscitate the monkeys with his
medicinal plants. The mountain said " Be gone. You, fool. I am not
expected to accompany you to Suvela. Depart from this place.
Maruti got indignant at the insolence of the mountain and, having
70
lifted him up with his tail, brought him to Suvela. By the odour of the
medicinal plants on the mountain all the monkeys with Rama and
Lakshuman were resuscitated.
And soon after, they entered Lanka and set fire to it. Whereupon
Ravana sent the demons, Jang Prachang, Krochen, Nikuinbha and
others to oppose them and quench the fire. The demons let off a
rain-weapon, which produced water and quenched the fire.
By his mantra Indrajit then created a female called Kritya and
jumped with her into the sky; and hiding him self behind her back he
let off arrows at the monkeys and killed many of them, when Rama,
at the suggestion of the wind, let off the weapon called Angirastra,
which cut off the female. Whereupon Indrajit immediately came
down and, having defeated the army of Rama with heavy loss,
returned to Lanka with success. The monkeys were alarmed, when
Maruti immediately kept the field.
71
At this time Indrajit created by his mantras a woman exactly like

Sita and, having seated her in his chariot, came to the field and
loudly said in the hearing of all the monkeys, " You see, on account
of this wretched woman my father has suffered much. If her head is
cut off, every thing will end in peace, and there will be no war-" So
saying he cut off the head of the woman.
And immediately he went to his county, Nikumbala, to perform a
penance with a view to get from the deity of fire a divyaratha*[ A
beautiful, fine and charming chariot,] with horses and weapons. He
entered a solitary place and, posting deions to watch it, began to
perform the penance. Indrajit killed for the purpose many
Brahmanas and cows and, polishing his body with their blood, seated
himself upon corpses and carcasses, made a liavan^[Oblation by fire
to a deity.] and offered the deity of fire the heads of Brahmans and
cows. The deity having been pleased with him, half of the divyaratha
came out of the havan.
Maruti believed that the woman, whose head had been cut off, was
Sita and communicated the sad news to Rama and Lakshuman,
which disheartened and disappointed all. In the meantime, Vibhishan
came and informed Rama and the monkeys that Sita was safe in the
Asoka forest and that the Sita, whose head was cut off by Indrajit,
was created by him with his mantras.
He also informed them of the penance and said, " Half of the
divyaratha has come out of the fire ; and if the whole chariot come
out, you will not be able to conquer Indrajit. I, therefore, advise you
to go to Nikumbala as soon as possible and destroy the havan, so
that the chariot may disappear and not come to the hands of the
demon-prince. I also tell you that as soon as you destroy the havan,
he will be desperate and fight with you ; but no one will be able to
kill him, unless he has observed fast for 12 years. *
Listening to what Vibhishan had said Rama made a sign to
Lakshuman, who had observed fast for 14 years, and bade him go
with Maruti, Sugriva, and the other monkeys to Nikumbala to Jostroy
the havan and kill Indrajit.
Lakshuman accordingly went with them to Nikumbala and destroyed
72
the chariot and havan. The noise of the monkeys aroused Indrajit
who was in deep meditation ; and finding that the ha van was
destroyed, he was so furious that Ije let off at them a tain-weapon,
which produced the rain and flodded the army of Lakshuman.
The prince discharged a wind-weapon, which produced the wind and
dispersed, the rain.
Indrajit stopped the wind by a mountain-weapon, which produced
innumerable mountains, when Lakshuman let off a diamond-weapon,
which produced diamonds, and broke the mountains.
Indrajit let off a fire-weapon, which produced fire and began to burn
the army of Lakshuman, when the latter discharged a sea-weapon,
which produced volumes of water and extinguished the
fire.
Indrajit lastly let off five arrows and struck Lakshuman with thorn,
when Vibhishan threw his gada* at the demon-prince, who cut it off
and struck his uncle with five arrows.
At last Lakshuman let off a deadly arrow and broke his head with it,
and his chariot was broken and horses killed by Jambuvant.
Indrajit however fought alone on the ground, when all the monkeys
threw at him innumerable mountains, rocks, and trees at one and
the same time, but he broke them with his arrows in no time. He
then jumped into the sky and, hiding himself in the clouds, let off
arrows at Lakshuman.
Then, Maruti placed the latter on the palm of his hand and lifted him
up in the sky where he fought with Indrajit, Whereupon the demonprince came down, when Maruti brought Lakshuman on the ground.
They fought for some time on the ground.
But at last Lakshuman cut off with his arrows the thighs, arms and
the head of his enemy.
73
One of the arms of the demon-prince, when cut off, fell down in the
compound of the palace of his wife, Sulochana, a daughter of
Shesha, and the monkeys carried off the head to their camp with
exultation. Rama rejoiced at the success and told the monkeys to
preserve the head and hand it over to a woman, who would come
hither to ask for if.
Sulochana came out of her room, and as soon as she identified her
husband s arm, she took it up in her hands and lamented over it.
She said to the arm with tears in her eyes, " My love, just let me
know how you were killed. If I am faithful to you, let this your arm
write a short account of the battle you had fought with Rama." So
saying she placed a piece of paper, pen and inkstand before the arm.
The arm wrote the full account of the battle and informed her that
the monkeys carried off his head to Suvela. As soon as Sulochana
read the account, she grieved much and placed the arm and paper
before her father-in-law, Ravana. Ravana read the letter and fainted
away, when Mandodari came out of her room and, hearing the sad
news of the fall of her brave son, violently cried and wept.
Sulochana said, " I am going to burn myself with my beloved
Indrajit. I, therefore, implore you to get his head back from the
monkeys. At the entreaties of his daughter-in-law the demon-king
was saddened and pitied her ; and at the same time, he was boiled
with rage at the monkeys, and exclaimed, "Daughter, I shall get the
head back. Rest assured. I will now fight with Rama and never
return, unless I kill him." So exclaiming he ordered his courtiers to
make prepartions for march against the prince.
Then Mandodari said to Sulochana, " There is no necessity for
fighting with Rama. If you go to him alone, he will give the head to
you, as he is very kind." Ravana said, " She is helpless, what if any
body commit outrage upon her. " There is not a single monkey with
Rama, replied Mandodari, " who will covet another s wife. * As soon
as Mandodari said these words, he hid his face with shame and
confusion and allowed Sulochana to go alone to Suvela.
74
Sulochana came to the camp of the moakeys, when the latter took
her to Rama. She said to the prince, " I am wife of Indrajit and have
come hither to carry the head of my husband, as I am going to burn
myself with him. I, therefore, implore you to give it to me." " How
did you know that the head of your nusband was carried off by us,"
asked the monkeys. Sulochana told them what had happened but
the monkeys said to her, " We can not believe what you say. It is
impossible that a lifeless arm can write. Here is the head of your
husband ; and if you were faithful to him, just make it laugh ; and
then we will be convinced of, what you say."
Whereupon Sulochana, embracing the head, said, " My love, I am
now in difficulty. These monkeys have met here together to judge of
my fidelity towards you ; and if your head does not laugh, they will
look upon me as a vile woman." Sulochana tried her utmost to make
the head laugh but it did not listen to her.
At last she said, " I made a great mistake. If I had called my father,
Shesha, to help you, nothing could have been done to you." As soon
as she uttered these words, the head heartily laughed. The monkeys
said, " Though Sulochana spoke to the head in so many pathetic
words, it did not laugh but as soon as she took the name of Shesha,
it heartily laughed.
" What is this mystery?" asked the monkeys.
" Sulochana is the daughter of Shesha," replied Rama, " and
Lakshuman is an incarnation of Shesha. The head laughed, because
his father-in-law killed his own son-in-law." No sooner did Rama
inform the monkeys of this than Lakshuman much grieved for his
son-in-law, Indrajit, when the former pacified and consoled him,
saying that he would resuscitate the demon-prince, if he wished him
to do so. But at the entreaties of the monkeys Rama did not
resuscitate Indrajit.
The monkeys then handed the head over to Sulochana, which she
took and brought on the sea-shore near Lanka, where she arranged
a pile of wood and, having set fire to it, burnt herself with the head.
Ravana,who was present there with his family according to the
custom, was deeply affected at the sight, and returned home overwiielined with grief.
75
Ravana was in a confused state of mind, and did not know what to
do, when his minister, Vidya, advised him to write a letter to his
uncles, Ahiravana and Mahiravana, in Patal. Whereupon the demonking wrote to them, called them to see him at his palace and
informed them of his misfortune and distress, when they encouraged
him and said, " You need not be alarmed. We shall carry off Rama
and Lakshuman to Patal today at midnight and sacrifice them to our
goddess."
The ministers of Vibhishan overheard what had passed between
Ravana and the demons and communicated it to their master.
Whereupon Vibhishan told Maruti, Nala, Nila, Sugriva and other
monkeys to guard Rama and Lakshuman during the night. All the
monkeys, therefore, made a fortification of their tails and, placing in
it the princes on a cot, guarded them.
At midnight Ahiravana and Mahiravana came there and were
greatly surprised at the curious fortification. But there being no way
to get in, they excavated the earth ; and through that excavation
they carried off the princes with the cot to Mahikavati in Patal,
where they put them in trance and confined them in a house. They
had posted twenty kotis of demons under the command of
Makardwaja to watch the mouth of the excavation which was near
the sea in Patal.
At the dawn of the day all the monkeys at Suvela went to visit
Rama,when they found, to their great surprise, that the cot
disappeared with Rama and Lakshuman. They saw the excavation
and the footprints of the demons, from which they concluded that
the demons had carried off the princes through that hollow. All the
monkeys were greatly alarmed, and did not know what to do, but, in
the mean time, Vibhishan came and told them not to make a noise
about it, because if Ravana knew of their position, he would attack
them and kill them all in no time.
The monkeys with Vibhishan met together and asked Maruti whether
he could go through the excavation and trace the whereabouts of
76
Rama and Lakshuman. " Even at the risk of my life I will get Rama
and Lakshuinan back," replied Maruti. Having thus spoken Maruti
entered the excavation with Nala, Nila, Angada, and Jambuvant and
went through it to the sea -shore half dead, where they refreshed
themselves with a fresh breeze. Looking at the large numbers of the
demons they disguised themselves as Fakirs*[mendicants] and
asked the monsters to show them the way that led to Mahikavati.
77
The demons did not listen to them and prevented them from
proceeding further, when Maruti got indignant and threw them into the
sea with his tail. Makardwaja was greatly incensed, and combated with
Maruti but the latter flung him down and sat on his chest.
Makardwaja was alarmed, when Maruti called upon him to name the
espouser of his cause. " If my father, Maruti, were here," said
Makardwaja, "he would kill you and save my life."
As soon as the demon mentioned the name of Maruti, the latter
wa startled, and, getting up from his chest, said, " My name is Maruti.
I am a Bramhachari [A Brahman that religiously abstains from all
sexual commerce with woman ; either for a time or through life] and
how do you say that I am your father ? Just give me an account of
how you were born to me."
" When you burnt Lanka," replied Makardwaja, " you threw into the
sea your sweat, which my mother, a Magari,[[An alligator] swallowed
up ; and of that sweat I was born to you." Maruti was astonished at
the account given by Makardwaja, and blessed him when, the Magari
came to see the monkey and said to him, " When you came here last
time, you had a large size ; but I now find that your form is very
small. I doubt whether you are that Maruti whom I had seen."
Whereupon Maruti assumed his former form and removed her doubt.
He then acquainted her with what had happened to Rama, when she
said, " Ahiravana and Mahiravana are two brothers. They are wicked
and treacherous demons. I know that they have carried off Rama and
Lakshuman to Mahikavati, and they will sacrifice them to their
goddess tomorrow. I, therefore, advise you to go and hide yourself in
the temple of the goddess, where you will find both the princes."
"Have patience" replied Maruti, " I will kill all the demons and
give Mahikavati to your son."
" Mahikavati," continued the Magari, " is at a distance of 13
yojans, and to reach there you will have to cross a vast sea, which you
will not be able to do. I, therefore, beg you to sit with your
companions
in my mouth, and I will convey you to that place." Nala, Nila,
Angad, and Jambuvant were afraid, as they thought that the Magari
might swallow them up on their way to Mahikavati. They, therefore,
78
refused her kind offer and stayed on the sea-shore, while Maruti alone
jumped over the sea and immediately reached Mahikavati.
There he became as small as an atom and entered the temple of

the goddess. As soon as he saw the goddess, he put her into a drain
and, assuming her form, sat in her place. The goddess was
frightened, and did not speak a word for fear of life.
The demons as usual made offerings to the goddess consisting of
boiled rice, milk, butter and other things which Maruti swallowed up
to his heart s content and loudly said to the demons, " I am very
much pleased with you, because you have brought today Rama and
Lakshuman for my tiffin. Let me have them. Do not open the doors
of the temple,because you will not be able to bear my power and
lustre. I, therefore, command you to make an opening to one of the
walls of the temple and push them in through it, so that I may
devour them with a great relish. Do not kill them."
Believing that the goddess was much pleased with them, Ahiravana
and Mahiravana removed the trance from Rama and Lakshuman and
brought them to the temple. As directed by the goddess, they made
an opening to one of the walls of the temple and pushed them in
through it. Rama and Lakshuman were frightened at the sight of the
goddess, who opened her mouth and said to them, "I shall now
devour you, as I am very hungry;but before I do that, name the
espouser of your cause."
Whereupon the princes replied, " If Maruti were here, he would come
to our rescue. We are now helpless, and throw ourselves on your
mercy.Maruti was moved with pity at the princes, and immediately
discovered himself to them. " I am now without weapons," said
Rama, " and how can
I kill the demons without them?" " You need not be afraid,"
continued Maruti, " I shall get your weapons here." So saying he
brought the weapons and dhanushabans from Suvela. As princes
were hungry, Maruti gave them to eat the butter and other things
which he had preserved
for them.
After they had appeased their hunger he sat in the place of
the goddess, hiding them behind his back, and loudly exclaimed, " I
79
am now ready to bless all my beloved demons one by one. Let

Ahiravana come in
first." Ahiravana was extremely glad, as the goddess wanted him
first; and without loss of time lie went in and stood before the deity,
who trampled him under his foot and instantly killed him. As the
demon did not come out for some time, the other demons outside
the temple apprehended that there was some mischief in the temple,
and began to make enquiries about him, when Maruti broke open the
doors of the
temple and killed a great number of the demons with his tail.
Having been informed that his brother was killed by Maruti, Rama
and Lakshuman, Mahiravana commenced to fight with them. He let
off arrows after arrows at his enemies but they cut them off and let
off an arrow and killed the demon with it; but, to their great
surprise, they found that every drop of the blood of the demon
produced one Mahiravana, and when Rama killed all the Mahiravanas
produced by all the drops of the first Mahiravana the drops of so
many Mahiravanas produced innumerable Mahiravanas and thus the
more Kama killed the Mahiravanas, the more they were produced.
80
At last Rama was confused; and did not know what to do. Maruti
went and asked the Magari to acquaint him with the cause of the
phenomenon. The Magari referred him to Chandraseni, wife of
Ahiravana, and told him that she would toll him all about it.
Whereupon Maruti called upon Chandraseni and implored her to tell
him the cause of the phenomenon.
Chandraseni said, * I shall be very glad to tell you the cause of
the phenomenon, but unless Rama marries me, I shall not tell you
the cause. I am charmed with the prince, and if you promise me that
you
will make him marry me, I shall tell you the cause." " Oh, yes. I
can do it very easily, replied Maruti. " Then give me your
promise," continued Chandraseni. Maruti gave his promise to her.
Then she said, " Ahiravana performed a severe penance on account
of which the god, Siva, was pleased, and blessed him, saying that
every drop of the nectar in the kundas [Holes in the ground] in Patal
[underground world], if mixed,with every drop of the blood of
Mahiravana, it would produce one Mahiravana and that the drops of
the blood of the Mahiravanas produced by such drops would multiply
the Mahiravanas. So saying he presented the demon with a string of
^Bramahras [Big black flies; Honey-bees] and told him that the
Bramahras would supply his brother with the nectar at the time of a
war. Now you see, these Bramahras, who are as big as mountains,
go to Patal and sprinkle the nectar over the blood of the Mahiravanas
and consequently there is no end to them. 1, therefore, tell you to
go to Patal and kill all the Bramahras, so that the nectar may not be
sprinkled over the blood of the Mahiravanas killed by Rama."
As soon as Maruti knew the secret, he immediately went to Patal and
killed the Bramahras except their chief whose life was spared,
because he promised, the monkey that he would be useful to him on
some occasion. Having killed the Bramahras, Maruti returned to
Rama and told him to let off arrows at the Mahiravanas. The prince
accordingly did it and killed all the Mahiravanas.
Immediately after this success Maruti remembered the promise
given by him to Chandraseni and said to him self, " I do not know
what I should do now. If I tell Rama to marry Chandraseni, he will
never do so, because he has sworn that he will be faithful to his wife,
81
Sita. If I fail to fulfil the promise given by me to her, she will curse
me to death." Maruti however made bold and told Rama all about
the promise given by him to Chandraseni.
" I will not at all violate my oath." replied Rama, " If you like, I can
come to the place of Chandraseni and bless her." Oh Yes," continued
Maruti, " you can do so." Thence Maruti first came alone to
Chandraseni and said to her, " Rama will come to-night. Keep your
*manchaka [A bed-stead] ready for him, but I tell you one thing that
if the manchaka is broken by the weight of Rama, he will never
marry you and will go directly home. I therefore, tell you to order a
strong manchaka to be made."
Chandraseni got a strong and beautiful manchaka ready for Rama
and sat there expecting the prince. Maruti sent the chief of the
Bramahras without her knowledge to hollow the bed-stead in such a
manner that as soon as Rama sat on it, it would be broken to pieces.
The Bramahra skilfully hollowed the whole of the manchaka with his
sting and went away.
In the evening Maruti, accompanied by Rama, came to Chandraseni,
who received him and made him sit on the manchaka; but no sooner
did Rama sit on it than it was broken to pieces. Whereupon Rama
immediately got up and began to walk towards his place,
accompanied by Maruti, when Chandraseni indignantly exclaimed, "
Ah, monkey, Thou art a great scoundreL ! This is thy dodge. I will
now curse thee to death." Maruti was alarmed, when Rama went and
pacified her, saying that he would marry her during his another
incarnation and that she would be called Satyabhama. After all the
demons were killed, Rama gave Mahikavati to Makardwaja and
returned to Suvela with Maruti and the other monkeys.
82
On the return of Rama to Suvela Ravan said to his courtiers, " There
is no use of my living in this world without my beloved son, ludrajit.
I must now either kill Rama or kill myself."So saying he commenced
to let off arrows at Rama which the latter cut off. But the prince was
struck with one arrow, when Vibhishan let off arrows at the demonking, who boiled with rage, discharged at his brother a weapon
called Bramahshakti.
Lakshuman immediately cut it off, when Ravana discharged another
powerful weapon at the prince but Maruti caught hold of it before it
struck him.
To the great surprise of all, the weapon became a female in the
hands of Maruti and said to him, " Well, Maruti, you say that you are
a Brahmachari and how do you touch a female? You will be sinful, if
you do not let me go."
Maruti was greatly astonished at the female in hie hands; and as
soon as she uttered the word, he placed her on the ground, when
she immediately became a weapon and, rushing upon Lakshuman,
struck his head and chest ; and consequently he fell down lifeless.
Rama and all the monkeys were alarmed, and much lamented for
him. Ravana, elated with the success, returned to Lanka with
exultation. Rama and the monkeys were in confusion, and did not
know what to do. All were discouraged, and thought of leaving
Suvela.
Shortly after, Ravana again came to fight, when Rama, boiled with
rage, let off arrows at him and the other demons and killed many of
them. The demon-king, being unable to overcome him, trembled
from head to foot. He became mad and the picture of Rama
presented itself before
him wherever he went.
Having been frightened, he immediately returned to Lanka and told
his wife, Mandodari, about it, when she said, " My love, my dearest,
even now restore Sita to Rama and be his friend."
" No, no," Ravana indignantly replied, " that can never be done. I
will either kill myself or kill Kama." Immediately after Mandodari had
83
returned to her palace, he ordered the demons to dig an excavation

in the ground. The excavation was accordingly dug; and in that
excavation he performed a penance to get a divya ratha from the
god of fire and sat there in deep meditation.
Rama grieved for his brother, and all the monkeys were alarmed. In
the meantime, their physician, Susena, felt the pulse of Lakshuman
and said, " Lakshuman has still life in him and he will be no more, as
soon as the sun rises in the morning. If the plant of nectar is brought
here from Dronagiri in the course of the night, Lakshuman can be
restored to life. Is there any warrior who can go forty millions of
yojans from this place and get the plant here in the course of the
night ?" As soon as the physician put the question, Maruti said, "I
will just go and bring Dronagiri here in three hours." So saying he
took his leave of Rama and jumped from Suvela.
84
He came to a hill called Madaranchela which was close to Dronagiri.

Maruti was very thirsty ; and to refresh himself he went to the abode
of an old Brahman and requested him for a cup of water. This
Brahman, who had a number of disciples with him, blessed Maruti
and said, " I am very glad to see you here. Kindly spend this night
with us here and go in the morning." "I can not wait here for a
minute," replied Maruti. "I must do my business as soon as
possible"When the Brahman found that Maruti did not comply with
his wishes, he showed him a river.
Maruti went there and stooped to take water, when a vivasi*[A
goddess] as big as a mountain came out to devour the monkey, who
at once seized her by her legs and instantly killed her. When she was
killed, a beautiful devangana [A courtesan of heaven.] came out of
her belly and threw herself at the feet of Maruti. She said, " I was
very beautiful; and, being proud of my beauty, I laughed at a sage,
who got indignant and cursed me, saying that I would be a vivasi. I
implored him to look upon me with mercy and make the curse a little
milder, when he said that I would be released from the curse by
your hands. I also inform you that the Brahman, who lives in that
abode, is a demon called Kalnemi. He has been here for many days
with his companions, who are also demons. Ravana has sent this
demon to detain you here, and when you refused to comply with his
wishes, he told you to go to that river in order that I might devour
you."
No sooner did the devangana inform Maruti of this than he came
back to the abode of the Brahman, when the latter said to the
monkey, " You ought to give me some presents, as I have pointed
out the river to you." " I shall be very glad to give you presents,"
replied Maruti. The demon stared at the monkey, when the latter
gave him blows as precious presents from him. The demon
immediately assumed his original form which was five yojans in
length and breadth, and combated with Maruti but the latter
instantly killed him; and his companions fled to Lanka to inform
Havana of it.
Maruti then went to Dronagiri and implored him to accompany him
to Suvela, when the mountain said, " Thou art a troublesome
creature. Go away. Thou, fool. I will never come with thee." Maruti
got enraged and. having lifted up the mountain with his tail, set out
85
for Suvela.
But on the road Bharat, the third brother of Rama, who was living at
Nandigram with the Rishi, Vashista, having looked at the bright and
glittering mountain and, having thought that it was something to
entrap Rama and Lakshuman, let off an arrow at it, which passed
through the mountain and pierced an arm of Maruti. The monkey,
having boen wounded, immediately came down with the mountain,
repeating, all the time, the name of Rama. Bharat heard the
repetition of the name of Rama and asked him who he was, when
the monkey informed him of what had happened to Lakshuman and
said, " What should I do now I How can I go to Suvela before the
sunrise. If I do not reach Suvela with tin s mountain in the course of
the night, Lakshuman will be no more."
" You need not be afraid," replied Bharat. " I shall send you and the
mountain to Suvela, in a minute, though it is at a distance of
thousands of yojans from this place. Just sit on the top of my arrow,
which will carry you and the mountain there in a minute " Maruti was
surprised at the valour and power of Bharat, and continued, " You
need not take so much trouble. I can do it myself." So saying he
took his leave of the prince and jumped from Nandigram with the
mountain and came to Suvela.
The physician immediately came and, taking out the juice of the
plant of nectar, applied it to Lakshuman and brought him to life. In
like manner he applied the juice to all the monkeys killed by Ravana
and restored them to life. This having been done, Maruti took the
mountain and placed it where it formerly stood. Ravana however
despatched one hundred demons to snatch Dronagiri from the hands
of Maruti but the latter, holding the mountain in his one hand, killed
them all with his other hand.
86
Rama, Lakshuman, and the monkeys again prepared themselves to

fight with.Ravana but the demon-king did not come out of Lanka for
some time. In the meantime Vibhishan came and said to Rama,
Ravana is performing a penance like that which was done by Indrajit
and half of the divyaratha has come
out of fire. Unless you send some monkey-warriors there and
destroy the havan [Sacred fire] made by him, you will not be able to
overcome him." No sooner did Vibhishan inform Rama of this than
the latter
despatched Maruti, Nala, Neela, Sugriva, and other monkeys to
Lanka.
They all went and searched the place where the demon -king
was performing the penance ; but they could not find out the place.
But, in the mean-time, Sharma, wife of Vibhishan, showed the place
to them. Whereupon they went to the mouth of the excavation and,
having removed the stone which was placed upon it, rushed into it.
When they went in, Ravana was in deep meditation. The monkeys,
having destroyed the havan and the ratha, tried their utmost to
arouse him from his meditation but they failed to do so. They struck
him with
their weapons, they threw rock and trees upon him, they gave blows
to him but all was in vain.
At last Sugriva caught hold of Mandodari and brought her in
the excavation. She was frightened, and violently cried. Her yell
aroused the demon-king from meditation; and as soon as he saw his
wife there, and having found that the havan was destroyed by the
monkeys, he was greatly enraged and beat
them all dawn. The monkeys immediately returned to Suvela
leaving Ravana and his wife in the excavation.
The demon-king said to Mandodari " My dearest, do not grieve for
what has happened to you. Pain and pleasure are made for us mortal
beings and we must experience them according to their turns. Now I
am going to fight with Rama. I will either kill myself or kill Rama. If
I return to you, it is all right; and if I be killed, these are the
last words I address to you. So saying the demon-king took the
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remaining demons with him and commenced operations.'

All the monkeys threw at him innumerable mountains, rocks, and
trees but Ravana cut them off in no time and beat them all down.
Finding that Ravana could not be overcome by the monkeys, Rama
immediately attacked him, when the demon-king let off a serpentweapon, which produced innumerable serpents and stung the
monkeys.
Rama let off a Garuda- weapon, which produced garudas and killed
all the serpents.
Rama let off a rain-weapon, which produced the rain and flowed
the demons, when Ravana let off a wind- weapon, which produced
the wind and dispersed the rain.
Rama let off a mountain-weapon, which produced mountains and
stopped the wind.Ravana let off a diamond- weapon, which produced
diamonds and broke all the mountains.
Ravana let off innumerable arrows at Rama at one and the same
time but the latter cut them off with one arrow.
Ravana then let off a very powerful arrow,which struck Rama and
passed through his left foot, when all the monkeys got enraged and
began to throw arrows, rocks, and trees at Ravana but the latter
bravely broke them with his weapons.
Ravana fought from his chariot and Rama from the ground. Finding
that the prince was in a bad position, Indra, the chief of the gods
in heaven, sent his chariot for him, which he mounted and began to
fight
with his enemy.
They both were very powerful and fought with each other for seven
days and seven nights without cessation. Rama then let off four
arrows and killed the horses of Ravana.
The demon-king then immediately put other horses to his chariot,
when Rama let off an arrow of the size of the half moon, which
Ravana cut off with the like arrow.
Whereupon Rama let off a sharp weapon, which struck the chest of
the demon-king and cut off his ten heads but, to the surprise of all,
the heads again fixed themselves to him. Rama again cut them off
but they again fixed themselves to Ravana.
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Rama having failed to separate the heads from Ravana, all the
monkeys were alarmed, when the chari oteer, Matuli, said to Rama,
" Ravana has got a phial full of nectar in his breast. Just let off an
arrow at his breast and break the phial, so that the heads will not fix
themselves to the demon-king over and over again."
Hearing this from Matuli, Rama discharged a powerful weapon
called Agasti Data and broke the phial in his breast; and immediately
after, he cut off his ten heads and killed him on the spot.
Vibhishan lamented for his brother the demon-king, when Rama
consoled and pacified him. Mandodari and his other wives came and
violently cried for their husband. Vibhishan consoled them and sent
them to their palaces. The funeral ceremony of Ravana was then
performed by his brother; and soon after, Rama installed him in the
throne of Lanka. All the demons acknowledged him as their king and
paid homage to him. All the gods and kings imprisoned by Ravana,
were released from the prison there. Rama visited them all and
heartily embraced them.
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Rama then asked Maruti and Vibhishan to bring Sita from the Asoka
forest. Whereupon they immediately went to the forest and informed
her of what had happened to Ravana and said to her, " We are
desired by Rama to bring you to Suvela. Please, therefore, prepare
yourself to accompany us." Sita having prepared herself to
accompany them, Vibhishan seated her in a *sibika [A planquin] and
brought her to Suvela.
She went to embrace Rama affectionately, when the latter said to
her, " Do not come near me. I have set you at liberty in order that
the people may not call me cruel. You have been for so many years
in Lanka, and I do not know what you hava done during that time. I
can not now admit you into my house; you can go wherever you
like. I have no objection to it whatsoever."
Hearing these words from Rama Sita was over-whelmed with grief,
and replied, " I am unfortunate. For nothing you have taken trouble
for me. For nothing you have given trouble to all the monkeys. If
you do not like to admit me into your house, take your sword and
cut off my head. I have led a pious and moral life, and I shall
presently satisfy you about it." Having addressed these words to
Rama, she requested all the monkeys to arrange a pile of wood and
set fire to it, All the monkeys accordingly arranged a pile and set fire
to it.
Sita went near it and loudly exclaimed in the presence of all the
monkeys and demons, " All know that I was carried off and detained
by Ravana. I say that I led a pious and moral life during the time I
was in the kingdom of the demon. There is the fire ready to receive
me. I shall now throw myself into it; and if what I say is false, I shall
be burnt in it. And if what I say is true, I shall come out of the fire
unhurt. So saying Sita threw herself into the fire and disappeared for
about three hours.
Rama, Lakshuman, and all the monkeys grieved for her and stood
near the pile bewildered. But, in the meantime, the god of fire
brought her out of it, well decorated with ornaments, and gave her
in charge of Rama, who heartily embraced her.
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Shortly after, Kama set out for Ayodya in a beautiful viman.[A

chariot of the gods serving as a throne or 3,3 a conveyance through
the skies, self-directed and self-moving.] Sugriva, Vibhishan, all the
monkeys, and demons were seated in it. On the road Rama visited
the Rishis and his other friends, who had supported him in the
forest, and directly came to Nandigram, where he alighted from the
viman and saw his brother, Bharat, who heartily embraced him with
tears of joy. Rama then sent the viman back and stayed in the forest
of Nandigram, with Sugriva, Yibhishan, all the monkeys and demons.
In the meantime, Shatrughna and Sumant came to the forest with
all their army and saw Rama, Lakshuman, and Sita. Kausalya,
Suruitra, and Kayakayi also came there and affectionately embraced
their sons. Kayakayi remembered her past conduct towards Rama
and repented of what she had done to ruin him. They all then seated
themselves in chariots and came to Ayodya with the acclamation of
joy.
On the return of Rama from Suvela all the kings on earth including
his father-in-law, Janaka, saw him. All the people of Ayodya were
exceedingly glad to see Rama, Lakshuman, and Sita. Kama
entertained all the kings, Rishis, demons, and monkeys for some
days. Sita affectionately embraced her sister and her all relations.
Soon after, Rama was installed by the Rishi, Vashista, in the throne
of Ayodya, when all the kings paid tribute to him.
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Immediately after the ceremony of installation was over, Rama gave

presents to Sugriva, Vibhishan and all other kings. But Maruti did not
accept any of the presents, as the other monkeys did. The monkeys
asked Maruti why he refused the presents from Rama. Why do I want
the presents from Rama ? replied Maruti. " Rama is always in my
heart.* Whereupon the monkeys continued, ** If what you say is
true, show us Rama in your heart.* As soon as the monkeys uttered
these words, Maruti ripped his heart and showed Rama to them from
within. The monkeys were greatly surprised, and threw themselves at
the feet of Maruti.
When Rama was on the throne, Kayakayi peeped at him through a
window and said, " My son is unfortunate. Look at Rama, how he is
happy. I tried my utmost to get the throne for him but he did not
listen to me. And at last he has become a slave of his brother, Rama."
Vashista overheard what she had said and replied, " I told you many
things but you would never mind me. It was owing to your own folly
and jealousy that Rama was sent to the forest, and it was you who
killed your husband, Dasharatha. I now still advise you to be a good
woman and trust, you will love Rama and Lakshuman as your sons,
Bharat and Shairughna."
Soon after, Rama, Sugriva, Vibhishan, and all other kings returned to
their respective armies. Only Maruti always remained with Rama.
Rama reigned in Ayodya for eleven thousand years and all his subjects
were happy under his reign and led a very pious life.
Sita was in the farmily way for the first time, and when she passed six
months, Rama took her to his pleasant garden, where they spent
some time in pleasure. While they were there, Rama said to Sita, " My
sweet heart, you have now passed six months of your pregnancy. Just
let me know what you like to enjoy. I am ready to gratify any of your
desires." " My love, what I want to enjoy is this," replied Sita, " that
you and I should go to a forest where Rishis live, and eat kandamuls
there, and sleep on the bed of Trana [grass][ on the ground." When
Sita expressed her desire, he said to himself, "Lo, she suffered so
much in the forest and yet she likes to go to a forest." So saying to
himself he returned home with her.
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A few days before Rama went to the garden he had ordered his
officers to go round the city at night and hear whether his subjects
spoke ill of him. The officers, who had gone round the city, came to
Rama and said to him, " We went to every door successively for
some days and found that all your subjects spoke well of you except
one washerman called, Rajaka, who scandalized you. One day this
Rajaka beat his wife, and consequently she ran to her parents house
without his knowledge.
Her father intervened and came to the house of his son-in-law with
his daughter and requested him to admit her into his house, when
Rajaka said, I will never admit her into my house. I am not that
Rama, who shamelessly admitted Sita into his house, though she
lived under the roof of Ravana for many years. I am a pure
washerman. I am the man who clean and remove the dirt and spots
on the dresses and clothes of the people and do you mean to say
that I will admit your unclean daughter again into my house ? You
can take her back. I do not wish to see her face. This is the only man
who has scandalized you."
As soon as Rama heard these words from the officers, he became
exceedingly sorry and, having called Lakshuman, said to him, " You
see, my brother, that Rajaka has scandalized me, though Sita is
faithful and as pious as any thing. That wicked washerman has
scandalized me, because I have admitted her into my house. I
cannot bear this at all. I, therefore, bade you take Sita to the yonder
forest and, leaving her there alone, return to me as soon as
possible."
" You need not take to your heart what Rajaka has said about yon,"
replied Lakshuman. " There are many wicked persons who are in the
habit of scandalizing others. As a wise and prudent man you should
not mind it. Let the people say whatever they like. Why do you mind
that stupid man ? I shall cut off his tongue."
" What you say is right," continued Rama, u but if you cut off the
tongue of that man the people will say that we are guilty. It is,
therefore far better, if we get rid of Sita, so that nobody may speak
ill of us." Lakshuman hesitated to comply with his wishes, when
Rama exclaimed, " If you do not obey me, I shall kill myself on this
spot."
Finding that Rama was serious, Lakshuman immediately got up and
entered the room of Sita, who kindly received him and made him sit
with her. Lakshuman said to her, " Rama has told me to take you to
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the yonder forest as soon as possible.

So, kindly prepare yourself and accompany me there." " Has Rama
told you to take me to the forest ?" replied she. " Ah! I am very
fortunate. Some days ago he asked me what I wanted to enjoy, and
I told him that I liked to pass four or five days in a forest, eat
kandamuls there and sleep on the bed of trana. I think, for the same
purpose he is going to send me with you. Let us start. I am quite
ready." Listening to what Sita had said Lakshuman felt much and
shed tears for her.
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Soon after, Lakshuman seated her in a chariot near the river, Janavi,
and began to drive it, when she observed bad omens and asked him
what those omens indicated. Lakshuman, overwhelmed with grief,
could not utter a syllable and quietly drove the chariot. When she
found him qniet and in grief, she said to him, " Why are you so sorry
? Why don't you speak with me ?"
Lakshuman still kept quiet and, crossing the river in a boat, landed
her in the forest, where there was no human being and it was
inhabited by lions, serpents, tigers, and other animals. She asked
Lakshuman, " Where are the abodes of Rishis ?" Lakshuman did not
reply ; but, making a bed of grass, he seated her on it.
He then fell at her feet and said with tears in his eyes, " Mother,
Rama has left you alone in this forest. I have brought you here, as I
could not disobey him." No sooner did Lakshuman speak these words
than she fainted. While she was insensible, Lakshuman prayed to the
goddess of the forest and every creature in it to protect her and
started for Ayodya.
When he went some paces off, Sita came to herself and, standing on
her legs, loudly exclaimed, * ! Lakshuman, kindly return and take
me back. Why do you leave me here without any faults on my part ?
Kill me and tell Rama of it. Where shall I go in this dreary forest." So
saying she violently cried so much so that even trees and stones
shed tears for her. Lakshuman returned to Ayodya and told Rama all
about Sita.
Sita wandered in the forest barefooted. She had no shelter there.
She often fainted. She said to herself, " It is now useless to live in
this world. I should have killed myself but I can not do so. If I kill
myself, I shall be guilty of suicide and murder, because the infant
child in my womb will also be killed with me." So saying to herself
she abandoned the idea of killing herself.
In the meantime, the Rishi, Valmika, having heard the yells of Sita,
came up to her and said, " Who are you ? What has brought you
here ?" " I am a daughter of Janak and wife of Rama," replied Sita.
"Lakshuman left me alone in this dreary forest without any faults on
my part. I am quite a stranger here. So I implore you to be my
father". " My name is Valmika," replied Valmika." Rama knows me
95
well. Your father, Janak, is my friend ; and therefore, I look upon

you as my daughter. Two sons will be born to you. They will be more
powerful than their father, and will revenge themselves upon those
who have left you alone in this forest without any faults on your
part."
Valmika then led Sita to his abode, when all the Rishis gathered
around him and asked him, " Who is this woman ?" " This is Sita,"
replied Valmika, " Why have you brought her here ? Surely you will
get into difficulties on account of her," continued the Rishis. One of
the Rishis said, "If she is Sita, tell her to bring that river here." Sita
prayed to the river, and it flowed where she was standing. The Rishis
were alarmed, and prayed to her for protection. She again prayed to
the river and sent her back.
96
Valmika brought Sita to his abode and took every care of her. After
the expiration of nine months, she was delivered of twin sons at
midday as bright as the sun, when the wives of the Rishis came and
helped her in her confinement. The first born son was the younger
and the second born was the eldest. The disciples of Valmika went
and informed the Rishi of the birth of the two sons. Whereupon
Valmika immediately came to his abode and performed the
necessary ceremony.
He sprinkled water over the younger son with a cusha [Grass] and
named him Kusha after it. The eldest son having been placed on
lavas,[A rush-like grass.} the Rishi, in like manner, sprinkled the
water over him and called him Lahu.
When the two sons became eight years old, the Rishi performed
their Vrataband [The ceremony of invesiting a boy with a thread]
and entertained the Rishis for four days. A kamdhenu or a cow
supplied them with whatever they wanted. The Rishi taught them
the Vedas, mantras, Ramayan, the Purans and dhanurvidya. They
thoroughly mastered all sciences and arts and always played with
the sons of the Rishis. When they became ten years old, they went
on hunting excursions and brought home the animals killed by them.
One day Kusha killed a sage on the top of a mountain, who was a
brother of Valmika. He was meditating there in the form of a deer.
They dragged the corpse of the sage towards the abode of Valmika,
when the latter asked them on the road what they were doing. " We
have brought a deer for you" replied they, " and shall make a seat of
its skins for you. Valamika, having looked at the corpse, found that it
was his brother and said to himself " Now both the boys have
become very brave. They have even killed a Brahman." So saying to
himself Valmika performed the funeral ceremony of his brother and
informed Sita of the valour of her sons, when she said, " What do I
know ? It is you who have taught them dhanurvidya, mantras, arts,
and all sciences. I implore you, Papa, to free them from the sin.
" Unless they bring one thousand Brahma Kamals"[Lotuses] replied
Valmika, " and worship the god, Siva, with all their heart and soul,
they will not be freed from the sin." u Papa, will you kindly tell us
where those kamals can be had ?" enquired the boys. " We will
immediately bring them here." " There is a lake called
Brahmasarovar near Ayodya," continued Valmika, " but a number of
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warriors are posted by Rama to watch it. Those kamals are used by
Rama for the worship of Siva." " Pooh!" said the boys, " We shall
immediately bring those kamals. Let there be hundreds of brave
warriors to watch the lake, we shall punish them and even capture
Rama." So saying they hastened to the lake.
Kusha went and plucked all the kamals, when the warriors came
upon him; but Lahu killed many of them. Those who had escaped,
went and informed Rama of what the boys had done. Rama was
greatly surprised, and praised the valour of the
boys. Lahu and Kusha brought the kamals and worshipped Siva as
directed by Valmika, and thus they were freed from the sin they had
committed in killing the Brahman.
98
One day, while both the boys were shampooing the feet of their
mother, Kusha asked her, " In what country we were born ? What is
the name of the country and what is our race and who is our father ?
"Rama, Lakshuman, Bharat and Shatrnghna" replied Sita, " are sons
of Dasaratha, who was the king of Ayodya and belonged to the solar
race. Rama, the eldest son of the king, is your father. I am left in
this forest alone, bacause a washerman scandalized your father on
my account. So saying she shed tears, when both the boys got much
enraged at Rama and consoled their mother.
Owing to the injustice done by Rama to Sita there was a terrible
famine in Ayodya for twelve years. The people and animals suffered
much. The rain fell in torrents. Rama was alarmed and asked the
Rishi, Vashista, what the cause of the famine was, when the latter
replied, " You havo unjustly left Sita in the forest, although she is a
paragon of virtue ; and this is the cause of the famine. In order to
put it down you must celebrate an Ashwamedha sacrifice.[monarch
would let a horse loose with a patrika or letter on its fore-head
stating that any monarch whose dominion the animal entered,
should either catch it and fight with its master or submit to him and
give him tribute. Wherever this animal entered, it was accompanied
by the monarch with large armies.
Monarchs read the patrika and fought with the invading monarch, if
they were powerful to do so ; and if not, they gave him tribute. After
all the monarchg were subdued, the horse was either killed or let go
alive, and hence it is called ashwamedha or horse-sacrifice With a
view to be an emperor or to free himself from sin]
Whereupon Rama erected a mandap [a shade or hall] on the bank of
the river, Sharayu one yojan in length, and invited all kings to that
ceremony including Vibhishan, Sugriva, Nala, Niila, Maruti, Sharab,
Govaksha, and all other monkeys. Rama, having performed the
necessary ceremony, brought the best horse called shamakarna
from his stable and made it stand in the mandap.
Yashista tied up to- its forehead a golden Patrika [a letter written in
a brass plate] and wrote on it the following words: " Rama, the king
of Ayodya, son of Dasharatha, has let the shamakarna loose. It is
guarded by six billions of warriors under the command of
99
Shatrughna,, and any king, who is powerful and mighty, is required

to capture the horse and fight with its owner, but if he is unable to
do so, he must submit to Rama and pay tribute to him."
Rama worshipped the shamakarna and appointed Shatrughna as
commander-in-chief of the six billions of the warriors who followed
the horse. Rama performed the necessary yagna [Sacrifice] for
many days in the mandap strongly guarded by Sugriva, Vibhishan,
and Maruti. Lakshuman, Bharat, and Sumant supplied him with all
the necessary things for the purpose.
Shatrughna conquered fifty six kings of very large countries, who
submitted to him and, having paid tribute to Rama, followed the
prince. The shamakarna of Rama began to gallop on the road on
which the abode of Valmika stood. The Rishi, Valmika, had gone to
Patal[Under-world] to be present at the yagna performed by Varun.
Before he left for Patal, he had told the boys to watch his abode in
his absence.
Both the small boys were playing together with other playmates near
the abode at the time the shamakarna galloped, when Lava showed
the animal to his playmates and, having pulled off the patrika from
the head of the horse, read the contents of it. He laughed at what he
had read, and said, " Is Rama only a mighty king on earth ?
Pooh! I shall capture this horse, and let me see who will fight with
me and recover the horse." So saying he tied up the animal to a
plantain-tree. All the children of the Rishis were alarmed and said, "
No doubt this horse belongs to a king. How dare you capture the
animal ? If the king come here and ask us who has detained the
horse, I will surely give your name.
100
In the meantime, some of the warriors came there and, looking at

the children of the Rishis, said, " Who are you ? Who has tied up the
horse to the plaatain-tree ?" "We do not know anything about it,"
replied the children. " There stands the boy who has tied up the
horse to the tree and he will tell you why he has done so." In the
meantime, Shatraghna and all other warriors reached there.
Looking at the tenderness of Lahu they coaxed him and went to
untie the horse, when the former loudly exclaimed, " I did capture
the horse. I stand here to fight with you. Who is your Rama ? Go and
tell him that I am ready to fight with him. You say that I am a child
but I will kill you. all and put down your pride."
The warriors said to them selves, " It is unbecoming on our part to
fight with these tender boys. All the kings will laugh at us,, if we
fight with them. It is far better to untie the horse and walk quietly."
So saying all the warriors went to untie the animal, when Lahu let off
arrows and cut off the hands of those who went to untie the horse.
All the six billions of warriors at once rushed upon the boy, who let
off arrows and defeated them with heavy loss.
Then Shatrughna drove his chariot but there was no room to move
it, as there were heaps of the corpses of the warriors killed by Lahu.
He however pushed aside the corpses and went where the boy was
standing. Finding him just like Rama, he asked him, " Whose child
you are ? You have killed all my warriors. I shall now severely punish
you."
" Very well, I shall see how you will save your life now, replied Lahu.
Shatrughna got enraged and let off an arrow at the boy, who cut it
off in no time. He then let off many arrows which Lahu cut off and
struck the for mer with his arrows. At last he threw at Lahu the
deadly arrow given by Kama to him for use in difficulty, when Lahu
said, " I do not know how to cut off this, arrow. Kusha has a
knowledge of it. If he had not gone to the forest for kandamuls, he
would have cut it off. Lahu however let off a fiery arrow and cut off a
part of the deadly arrow but the remaining half of it struck the boy ;
and consequently he fell insensible on the ground.
Shatrughna was moved, and having gone near the boy, looked at
him attentively. He resembled Rama, Shatrughna applied water to
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his eyes and brought to his senses ; and in order to show him to
Kama he put him into his chariot and proceeded further with the
shamakarna.
The children ran and informed Sitaof the fate of her son, Lahu, when
she fainted and, coining to herself, violently cried. She exclaimed
with grief, " I am helpless and very unfortunate. Which heartless
man has seized my child ? ! My son, thou art tender. Thou must
have been wounded. Thy eyes must have been broken by the arrows
of the enemy. My children are too young. They live upon kandamuls
and how will they be strong enough to fight with warriors ? Those
who raise a weapon against a child, are not Kshatriyas. How is it that
nobody felt pity at the child ? Who has carried off the little wealth I
had ? Who has carried off the stick of a blind and lame woman ? If
my father, Valmika, were here, he would go to his rescue, but
unfortunately he has gone to patal. Kusha has also gone to the
forest, what shall I do now ? Who will get my son back."
102
In the meantime, Kusha returned from the forest and asked his
mother where his brother was, when she, with tears in her eyes,
informed him of what had happened to Lahu. As soon as he was
informed of the fate of his brother, he took up his bow and arrow
and ran after Shatrughna and the other warriors. Kusha called out
and said, " Who are you, thieves. Where are you going to take the
stolen thing ?" So saying he let off arrows at the army of
Shatrughna,
The latter [Shatrugna] turned round and loudly said, " Child, I shall
immediately seize and carry you off with us. So saying Shatrughna
let off ten arrows at Kusha, which the latter cut off and broke the
chariot and killed the four horses of the former with nine arrows ;
and with three arrows his helmet and chap * were broken.
Shatrughna fell on the ground and combated with Kusha, when the
latter let off two arrows and cut off his two hands ; and at the same
time his head was cut off with another arrow.
On the fall of Shatrughna his brother, ]S T agendranath, let off
twenty arrows at the boy but the latter broke off the arrows with one
arrow and cut off the head of Nagendranath with an arrow of the
size of the half moon. Having done this, he continued the letting off
arrows at the warriors, who could not overcome Kusha. The boy
killed many billions of warriors and all the kings who had submitted
to Rama. Kusha then went and searched his brother, whom he found
in the chariot of Shatrughna. He was insensible. Kusha brought him
to senses and embraced him affectionately.
Lahu said, " Let us now go home with the shamakarna." " I am sure,
many other warriors will come here to fight with us," replied Kusha.
" It is not safe to return home. Let us kill all who will come here to
take the horse, and then return home."
A few wounded warriors went and informed Rama that Shatrughna
and six billions of the warriors were killed by two small boys of a
Rishi. Rama was alarmed at the news and immediately despatched
Lakshuman with a large army to the seat of the war. He, looking at
the beautiful boys of the age of twelve years, was greatly surprised
at their bravery. The warriors said, " Capture, capture the boys.
Where will they go now ?"
The boys prayed to the sun, who was pleased with them and
presented them with a successful weapon, which Lahu took up and
attacked the warriors of Lakshuman and killed a large number of
them, when Lakshuman said to Kalajit, " As long as the two boys
stand, together, nobody can overcome them. Let us, therefore,
separate them both and seize them." So saying Lakshuman
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separated the boys with the assistance of all his warriors but Lahn
let off one arrow, which produced kotis of arrows and killed the
warriors.
Finding Lakshuman in a bad position a demon called Rudhi, a great
friend of Rama, jumping into the air, came down where Lahu was
standing, and snatched the weapon from his hands and flew like a
bird, when Lahu also flew with him and, seizing the demon by his
hair and turning him like a wheel, flung him down and instantly killed
him.
Lakshuman, got enraged and let off at the two boys five arrows as
powerful as lightning, which Lahu cut off in a minute. Lahu said to
Lakshuman, " You formerly killed Indrajit. Let me see your valour
now. You fasted for fourteen years. No doubt you must have now
rest and I shall just give it to you."
104
" What is the name of your father ? asked Lakshuman. " Why do you
want to know it ?" replied Lahu. " Come on, let us now fight." So
saying he let of one arrow and threw Lakshuman with his chariot into
the sky, which turned in the air and came down on the ground.
Lakshuman mounted another chariot and continued letting off
arrows at Lahu, which the latter cut off one after another in the
twinkle of an eye.
Lakshuman then let off an arrow, which produced kotis of gadas,
when Lahu made use of the mantra given hy Valmika, which
produced koits of f chakras and out off the gadas. Lakshuman then
let off a mountain-weapon, which produced mountains but Lahu
broke them with the diamonds produced by a diamond-weapon.
Thus Lakshuman tried his utmost to kill Lahu with his arrows but he
could not overcome the boy, when the latter said to him, " Why have
you stopped now ? If your arrows are finished, go back and call your
Rama."
Lakshuman did not reply to what Lahu had said, and indignantly let
off arrows at Lahu, when the latter let off a melody-weapon, which
produced melodious sounds and charmed Lakshuman, who was an
incarnation of the serpent, Shesha. Lakshuman,. having been
charmed with the melodious sounds, ceased to fight And began to
nod his head with mirth.
Kalajit surrounded Kusha with his troops but the latter killed them all
and joined his brother. Rama was about to send Bharat with more
troops to re-enforce the army of Lakshuman with instructions to
Lakshuman that they should put upon the boys a fascination-weapon
and, seizing the two boys, bring them to him alive, so that their
mother might not cry for them. But in the mean time, a few
wounded warriors went and informed Rama that Lakshuman had
fallen in the field of war with Kalajit and all the warriors commanded
by him. Rama, hearing this, grieved much for Lakshuman and
immediately despatch
ed Maruti and Bharat with more warriors.
When Bharat saw the boys just like Rama, he said to Maruti, " There
is no doubt that the boys are sons of Rama." "I should think so",
replied Maruti. Lahu and Kusha saw them whisper to each other and
105
said, " No doubt they will engage us in conversation and take the
shamakarna from us."
Kusha told Lahu to watch the horse and he himself came up to
Bharat and asked him, " You are, I suppose, elder than Lakshuman.
Are you not ? You seem to be a brave soldier." " Just tell me what is
your name, who your parents are, and tell me with whom you fought
before ?" said Bharat.
" My name is Kusha," replied the child.
" Depart from this place," continued Bharat, " and tell your mother
that I have spared your life." " I think, Rama has sent you here to
capture us," said Kusha. " I now tell you; either fight with me or
depart from this place as soon as you can. 1 do not pursue you. Just
go and get your Rama here."
Bharat got enraged and let off various arrows and weapons at
Kusha, which the latter cut off very easily. At last he let off a
diamond-weapon at Maruti, and made him insensible.
106
This news having been communicated to Rama, the latter mounted

his chariot and personally came to the field of the war with the army
of the monkeys. The monkeys threw at the boys mountains, rocks
and trees which they broke with their weapons and killed many
monkey-warriors, and some monkeys fled for fear of life.
At this time Maruti jumped into the air to lift up the boys with his tail
but Kusha, perceiving his intention, let off a power ful arrow at him,
which struck the monkey and brought him down. Kusha loudly said "
Oh ! ugly monkey. You destroyed the Asoka forest but here you
cannot do any thing. The throwing of stones and mountains at
demons was not a war. There is no Dronagiri here. You jumped over
the sea and burnt Lanka. There is nothing like that here."
In the meantime, Sugriva threw trees at the boys but Laliu cut them
off, and made Sngriva, Nila,- Jambuyant,- Angad and Maruti and
other monkeys insensible.
Looking at this defeat Rama let off arows at the two boys which the
latter cut off and let off innumerable arrows, which scattered
throughout the sky without hurting Rama. Looking at the bravery of
the boys Rama asked, "Children of the Rishis, listen to me, I shall
give you what you want. I shall give you a cow, which will give you
milk. I am pleased with you and will give you whatever you want."
" We want nothing from you," replied the boys, " but on the contrary
we will give you whatever you want. You can enjoy your own wealth.
We have heard enough of you. You are such a heartless and cruel
man that no one like you can be found on this earth. Sita, an
innocent woman of virtue, you left alone in the forest. This is most
wicked on yonr part "
Listening to what they had said, Rama was moved with affection for
them and thought of stroking their heads with tenderness. But the
boys told him to continue fighting with them. " Just tell me," said
Rama, " Who you are, who your parents are, which guru gave, you
education, who taught you dhanur-vidya, science, arts and
mantras?"
107
The boys heartily laughed and said, " This man does not feel for his
brothers. He wants us to tell him stories. Sir, first fight with us and
then ask us stories. You have killed Havana and done many brave
acts. Now let us see a little of it. We shall never allow you to depart
from this place without fighting with us. If you cannot fight with us,
return home quietly or be a sanyasi [Ascetic], because you have
neither wife, nor children."
Rama asked, " Tell me who you are, and then 1 shall fight with you.
In the meantime, a voice in the sky said, " Rama, do not fight. The
boys are your sons." As soon as Rama heard what the voice had
said,
he fell down insensible. Kusha came up to him and, taking off his
mugut, put it on his own head. Lahu stripped Lakshuman of his
ornaments and wore them himself. Having done this, they mounted
the chariot of Rama and tying up Maruti, Sugriva, Angad, Jambuvant
and other monkeys to the chariot for the amusement of their
mother, drove to their abode.
They told Sita that they had made Rama and his brothers insensible
in the field of war and killed all their warriors. " Here are the
monkeys," said they, " we have brought for your amusement." Sita
knew them and did not come out, because they might feel ashamed
of their state. She said to her sons, " Let the monkeys go away. We
shall never keep them here." The boys then went arid untied them.
The monkeys came and informed Rama of what they had seen.
In the meantime, Valmika returned from Patal ; and, having been
informed of what had happened, he went and brought all the
warriors to life by sprinkling water over them from his Kamandalu
[The water pot used by an ascetic and religious student]. The Rishi
then gave the two boys and Sita in charge of Rama, who heartily
embraced them. Shortly after, Rama took leave of Valmika and
returned to Ayodya with his sons and completed the ashwamedha.
THE END.
Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!
108

Rama Vijaya

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RAMAVIJAYA

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................3

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 2 ....................................................................................................6

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 3 ....................................................................................................7

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 4 ....................................................................................................9

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................. 11

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 6 ................................................................................................. 12

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 7 ................................................................................................. 14

Ram Vijaya-Chapter 8 ................................................................................................ 15

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 9 ............................................................................................... 17

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 10 ............................................................................................... 18

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 11 ............................................................................................... 19

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 12 ............................................................................................... 21

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 13 ............................................................................................. 22

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 14 ............................................................................................... 23

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 15 ............................................................................................... 24

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 16 ............................................................................................... 25

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 17 ............................................................................................. 27

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 18 ............................................................................................... 28

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 19 ............................................................................................. 30

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 20 ............................................................................................... 32

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 21 ............................................................................................. 34

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 22 * ............................................................................................ 35

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 23 ............................................................................................... 37

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 24 ............................................................................................. 39

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 25 ............................................................................................... 40

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 26 ............................................................................................. 42

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 27 ............................................................................................. 44

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 28 ............................................................................................... 46

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 29 ............................................................................................. 48

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 30 ............................................................................................... 50

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 31 ............................................................................................. 52

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 32 ............................................................................................... 54

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 33 ............................................................................................. 56

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 34 ............................................................................................... 58

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 35 ............................................................................................. 60

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 36 ............................................................................................... 62

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 37 ............................................................................................. 64

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 38 ............................................................................................... 66

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 39 ............................................................................................. 68

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 40 ............................................................................................... 70

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 41 ............................................................................................. 72

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 42 ............................................................................................... 74

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 43 ............................................................................................... 76

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 44 ............................................................................................. 78

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 45 ............................................................................................. 79

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 46 ............................................................................................... 81

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 47 ............................................................................................. 83

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 48 ............................................................................................... 85

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 49 ............................................................................................. 87

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 50 ............................................................................................... 90

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 51 ............................................................................................. 92

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 52 ............................................................................................... 93

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 53 ............................................................................................. 95

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 54 ............................................................................................... 97

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 55 ............................................................................................. 99

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 56 ............................................................................................ 101

RAM VIJAYA-CHAPTER 57 .......................................................................................... 102

RAM VIJAYA -CHAPTER 58 ............................................................................................ 105