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SETUBANDHA
141
30. The apes, seized and bitten on the head by the demons, thrust their teeth half into their chest; while the dust settled on the battlefield, being moistened and made heavy by the spray of the cascades on the mountains held aloft by the apes.
31. The horses drew the chariots as they fell headlong and rose up, struck by the drivers with the hands; while the streams of blood were absorbed by the mountains crumbling to dust under the impact of the arrows of the demons. 19
32. The armies, 20 intolerant (of each other's advance), suffered losses, with the foremost ranks annihilated, sections of the troops worsted and repulsed, and the opposing forces dwindling and taking to flight.
33. Reeling under the blows of the apes, and striking at undetermined targets with their swords, with the eyes closed as in a swoon, the demons drew near, even though they were in a daze.
34. A warrior ape, who crushed a powerful adversary, but was staggered by a blow dealt by a demon standing at a distance, quivered as he dropped out of the ranks, with his efforts brought to nought.
35. Power was maintained with manly effort, and prestige by striking hard; while one's followers were protected with valour. Honour was preserved at the cost of life, and the valued fame at the expense of the body.
36. The bosom of the warriors was pierced, but not their resolute heart. The chariots were broken by the mountains, 21 but not the will. Heads were cut off, but not the high resolve to fight.
37. The dust as it rose and spread was laid in the sky by the cascades of the mountains (held aloft by the apes), on the battlefield by the scattered spray of blood, and amidst the elephants in battle array by the flow of their ichor.
19. Verses 20-31 form a Kulaka. 20. Those of the demons and the apes. 21. Those used by the apes as missiles.
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