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XXIX
THE CAPTURE OF VARUN
Even while Ravan's preparations for the war were going on. Hanuman arrived at Lanka with his large army. Seeing Hanuman from a distance Ravan was greatly delighted and elated. He went forward to receive Hanuman. Seeing Ravan coming forward Hanuman alighted from his chariot and accompanied by Prahasit, went forward to meet Ravan. Hanuman bowed to Ravan, the King of Lanka. Ravan, the King of Lanka, embraced Hanuman affectionately. Ravan felt that Hanuman's arrival was like the arrival of the goddess of fortune, to bestow upon him a splendid victory. Ravan observed Hanuman's face which was resplendent and his body which was beautiful, symmetrical, and adamantine and at once realized that he was an extraordinary hero.
The court-priest recited some auspicious shloka. The bugles sounded and in response to the sounds of the bugles all the armies got ready to set off. The sky resounded with the cries of victory made by the countless warriors. Ravan's chariot set off ahead. Hanuman's chariot was just behind Ravan's chariot. Prahasit had undertaken the responsibility of driving Hanuman's chariot. Indrajit's chariot was speeding abreast of Hanuman's chariot, and behind them the chariots of Kumbhakarna, Meghavahan and Sugriv followed. The chariots were speeding ahead in the form of a garland. At the rear, there were the chariots of Khar and Dhushana.
They were followed by countless Vidyadhar kings, heroes and warriors on horses and elephants. There were also millions
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