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82
Puranas
The sky was filled with the sounds of drums, the melodious notes of the veena and the flute, the jingling of cymbals, the roar of conch shells, the thunderous rumble of clouds, the deep resonant sound of the duṇḍubhi, and the enchanting music of celestial maidens. Seeing the light of the approaching army in the darkness, and hearing the sound of the drums, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were initially apprehensive, but upon learning the truth, they were filled with joy. The army of the monkeys and the demons were in such a frenzy that it seemed as if the ocean itself was churning. Then, driven by devotion, the celestial beings, including Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and the demons, including Bhānukaṛṇa, Indrajit, and Meghavāhana, set out to meet the sage. Some rode on elephants, some on chariots, and some on horses. They were adorned with white umbrellas, banners, and yak-tail whisks, and they filled the sky as they approached.
Just as Indra enters his pleasure garden, surrounded by a throng of Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and Apsaras, so too did all the beings descend from their vehicles, leaving behind their banners and umbrellas, and enter the Kusumāyudha garden of Lanka. Approaching the sage, they paid their respects, bowing down to his lotus feet, and praising him with hymns and mantras. Then, with a desire to hear the Dharma, they sat down on the ground, their minds focused, and listened intently to the words of the sage.
He said, "There are four paths in this world: hell, animal life, human life, and the life of the gods. All beings, bound by the eight karmas, wander endlessly on the wheel of suffering, creating both good and bad karma. They are always consumed by anger and greed, and their minds are clouded by delusion. These beings engage in killing, lying, stealing, adultery, and the accumulation of wealth, driven by the passion of greed.