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SETUBANDHA
32. 'What we might do for Rama might or might not be equal to what he first did for us, manifesting the way of a man of noble character; but should it remain undone?
22
33. 'Assailed by Rama, how long will Ravana be seen to hold his head high? He must be seen quickly (before he is destroyed), like a forest tree, with dreadful thunder crashing down on the top.
34. "The demons, like the massive darkness of the night, are not bold enough even to behold the army of apes, advancing like the rays of the morning sun, and glistening like the sparks thrown off by a glowing fire-brand when it is waved about.
35. 'Even when the adversary is powerful, warriors become exceedingly restive, when restrained from fighting, even like spirited elephants, excited by the smell of their rivals, when their heads are held tight by the upright goad.23
36. 'One that is capable of a task can alone achieve it, undaunted even in peril. Does the moon ever become the support of the day when there is an eclipse of the sun?
37. "The clouds that have released the rains, and the trees that have given away their fresh fruit, and the arms that have wielded the sword in the forefront of the battle are worthy of esteem, even though they have diminished in weight.24
38. 'Your arms (still) retain their pride.25 Mountains for use as weapons are readily found. Wide is the path of the sky.26
Why do ye overrate the enemy's might?
39. "The brave alone can achieve a task, even though arduous, by maintaining their fortitude. The rays of the sun scorch the entire universe by abiding in27 their customary place.28
23. i.e., to prevent them from charging.
24. The apparent literal meaning is: are heavy, even though they become light. The loss of weight in the case of the arms is the feeling of lightness after exertion.
25. Acc. to Ramadasa's reading: Your arms do not brook (the enemy's) pride.
26. The apes are described in the poem as capable of flying through the
air.
27. Lit. without leaving....
28.
i.e., the orb of the sun to which fortitude is likened.
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