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## Chapter Twelve
275
Thus, having given this message, Indra, his mind filled with devotion to worship, went to the Pandu forest, not taking the enemy army seriously. ||85||
Meanwhile, Nalakubara, ever-ready to act according to the situation, along with all his trusted advisors, diligently planned the defense of the city. ||86||
He had a fortress built, known as Vajrasala, a hundred yojanas high, with a circumference three times its width, using the power of his knowledge. ||87||
Knowing that the city was under the control of the enemy, Ravana sent his commander, Prahasta, to collect tribute. ||88||
Returning to Ravana, Prahasta said, "O Lord! The enemy city is surrounded by a very high fortress, making it impossible to capture." ||89||
"Look, you can see the terrifying fortress from here, extending in all directions. It is very high, with deep moats, and its mouth resembles that of a fearsome dragon with sharp fangs." ||90||
"It is filled with a multitude of flames, whose sparks are difficult to look at, resembling a dense, burning forest of bamboo. ||91||
"There are huge machines, resembling fearsome Vetalas with sharp fangs, attached to the fortress, which can capture many men within a yojana's distance." ||92||
"Those who fall into the mouths of these machines, their bodies will only reunite in another birth." ||93||
"Knowing this, you should devise a skillful strategy to capture the city. Only a farsighted person can truly be a conqueror." ||94||
"It seems best to flee from this place quickly, as there is a great and insurmountable danger here." ||95||
Then, the wise ministers of the ten-headed Ravana, who resided in the caves of Kailasa, began to think of a solution. ||96||
Meanwhile, Nalakubara's famous wife, Uparambha, whose beauty and form were like that of the celestial nymph Rambha, heard that Ravana was nearby. ||97||
She had been attracted to Ravana's qualities from the beginning, and just as a cluster of moonflowers yearns for the moon, she went to him. ||98||