Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
288
Padma Purana
Again and again, the king, embracing him, asked for the news, and he, overwhelmed with joy, spoke the news again and again. ||18||
Then, filled with great curiosity, Rama asked quickly, "O celestial beings, tell me, how far is Lanka?" ||99||
Thus addressed, they were freed from their delusion, their bodies became motionless, they became speechless, their radiance gone, devoid of words. ||100||
Knowing their intention, Rama looked at them with a disdainful gaze, their hearts filled with fear. ||101||
Then, terrified, they were ashamed, knowing that they had been seen by Rama. With trembling minds, they clasped their hands and bowed their heads. ||102||
"O Lord, even the mere utterance of his name brings fear and fever. How can we speak before you?" ||103||
"We are but beings of small power, and he is the lord of Lanka. Abandon this insistence now that you know the truth." ||104||
"But, O Lord, this matter must be heard. Please listen. What harm is there in speaking before you? Can anything be said?" ||105||
"In this salt ocean, filled with cruel crocodiles, there is a famous island of the Rakshasas, full of wonders." ||106||
"It is seven hundred yojanas wide on all sides, and its circumference is twenty-one yojanas more." ||107||
"In its midst is a mountain called Trikuta, like Mount Mandara, nine yojanas high and fifty yojanas wide." ||108||
"It is adorned with gold and various gems, and covered with a network of rocks. It was given by the Rakshasa king to Meghavahana as a dwelling place." ||109||
"On the peak of Trikuta, adorned with various beautiful trees, lies the city of Lanka, shining with the rays of gems and jewels, with beautiful palaces like celestial chariots, and delightful places suitable for play and other activities." ||110-111||
"It is thirty yojanas wide on all sides, surrounded by a great rampart and a moat, and a second earth." ||112||