Setubandha

Author(s): Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 23

It is impossible. Rāma cannot be killed. The world will soon be without any demons. I say so because I have foreseen it clearly. Believe me. To whom is the destruction of his race dear ? v. 123
She is aggrieved at the change in Rāvana's character that makes him stoop to such meanness while Rāma is alive (v. 127); and reminds Sītā of his heroic achievements.
Think not that the power of Rāma's arms counts for little. Its efficacy was seen in the slaying of Valin. On account of it, the ocean, driven by his arrows, hath granted a pathway across its waters. On account of it, Lankā is besieged. v. 128
She relates her dreams presaging Sita's glory and the death of Rāvaņa; and asks her to take heart and cease from weeping. "Let the illusion vanish, ignored and futile, and empty because the truth is known'. v. 131
Sītā is not consoled by Trijatā's words until she hears the yelling of the Vānaras and Rāma's war-drum at dawn, heralding the preparations for the impending battle.
Canto XII. The canto opens with a description of the morning scenery (vo, 1-20). Rāma takes up his bow, and the Vānaras arm themselves with mountains and trees. The demons, awakened by the roll of Rāvana's war-drum, hastily take leave of their mistresses, and rise up in arms against the invaders. 'Even as their mistresses restrained the martial zeal of the warriors it grew more ardent because of the rancour harboured against the enemy, all the more because they were reminded of the possible humiliation of their master (v. 51).' The leaders of the demons equip themselves with armour, which is described in detail (vv. 54-63). Meanwbile, the Vanaras close in upon Lankā and completely encircle the city; they smash the moats and demolish the fortified gate.
The moats of Lankā looked like the brooks streaming down the damaged Suvela mountain and meandering on all sides, because their