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CHAPTER VIII THE ABANDONMENT OF SITĀ
Rāvana's funeral (1-16) Then Bibhisana, overcome by affection for his relatives, encouraged the fugitive Rākşasas: "These two, Padma and Nārāyaṇa, the eighth Bala and Sārngin, yield protection. Unhesitatingly resort to them for protection." They all went to Padma and Saumitri and they showed them favor. For heroes are impartial toward subjects.
When Bibhīşaņa saw that his brother had been killed, in a paroxysm of grief he wished to die himself and drew his knife. Rāma seized Bibhīşaņa as he was striking his belly with it and weeping piteously, "Oh, brother ! brother!” Padmanābha and Lakşmaņa enlightened him weeping with Mandodarī and others near Rävaņa: "Daśānana, who had such strength, must not be grieved for, at whose battles even the gods trembled at a distance. He has died with heroic conduct, the receptacle of fame. Therefore, perform his last rites. Enough of weeping."
With these words, Padmanābha, noble-minded, released Kumbhakarņa, Indrajit, Meghavāhana, and others who had been captured. Bibhīşaņa, Kumbhakarņa, Sakrajit, Meghavāhana, Mandodarī and others, shedding tears, at once cremated Daśagrīva’s body with a blazing fire from gośīrşa-sandal mixed with camphor and aloes. Padma and they went to a lotus-pool, bathed, and gave Daśamauli the handful of water 186 together with warm tears. Rāma with Lakşmaņa said in a charming voice, as if pouring out nectar, to Kumbhakarna and the others : "Administer your respective kingdoms now as before. We are not concerned about your royal power. O heroes, peace be with you.” So addressed by Padmanābha, feeling grief and
186 12. Of the funeral rites.
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