Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
The Seventh Chapter
157
Having said this, Ravana, holding his pride, went out with his two younger brothers. He was kissed on the head by his parents and offered salutations to the Siddhas. ||255|| He received the auspicious rites, his mind firm in his resolve. He left the house joyfully, his steps light and his head bowed in reverence. ||256|| In a moment, he reached and entered the great forest called Bhima, filled with the roars of cruel creatures with fearsome fangs. ||257|| The great trees were shaken by the breaths of sleeping serpents, and the earth trembled under the steps of dancing Vyantaras. ||258|| The dense darkness, impenetrable even to a needle, filled the great caves of that land. Time itself seemed to dwell in that fearsome forest. ||259|| Even the gods, afraid, did not go above it, and it was famous throughout the three worlds for its terror. ||260|| The mountains there were inaccessible, their caves filled with darkness, and the strong trees seemed ready to swallow the world. ||261|| With unwavering minds, they took up the supreme peace, their souls free from greed, clad in white garments. ||262|| Their faces were as beautiful as the full moon, adorned with jeweled tiaras. The three brothers began their great penance. ||263|| They mastered the eight-syllabled Vidya called Sarva-Kama-Annada, completing a lakh of repetitions in half a day. ||264|| This Vidya brought them whatever food they desired, so they were free from the suffering of hunger. ||265|| Then, with pure hearts, they began to chant the sixteen-syllabled mantra, whose ten thousand crore repetitions are mentioned in the scriptures. ||266|| Then, the king of Jambudvipa, the Yaksha called Anaavrita, surrounded by his wives, came to that forest, desiring to play. ||267|| The three brothers, their souls absorbed in penance, came into the sight of the Yaksha's wives, who were playing with abandon. ||268||