________________
SETUBANDHA
151 the foeman's hand as he drew his sword, or on his bosom as he resolved to attack, or on his face as he yelled.
10. His arrows dropped wherever the enemy was seen, wherever his firm voice was heard, and wherever he betook himself,
11. The long chain of Rāma's arrows that killed elephants, horses and troops was seen amidst the army of the demons as they entered through the front ranks and went out, piercing through the rear.
12. The troops of the demons were seen to fall, hit by Rāma's arrows, even as they were on the point of fleeing affrighted all at once.
13. In this wise Rāma destroyed in an instant the army of demons with his arrows, the falling heads seen all at once, with Suka and Sarana5 as the sole survivors.
14. Meanwhile the day, with the evening twilight resembling the host of demons red with blood, came to an end, as if for ever in reality, with all danger from the demons gone.?
15. Thereupon Meghanāda, flying aloft from his chariot broken by Angada, and holding up his bow, moved about alone in the sky, the darkness blending with the lustre of his body.
16. The invisible Indrajit, like. Fate unseen, fixed his eyes at the same moment on both the sons of Dasaratha,9 who had destroyed the demons, and were at the root of the deep animosity against them. .. .
17. As they stood, with both arms hanging down, free from care, because all the demons had been slain, Indrajit let fly at them the arrows, granted by Brahmā, which had serpents for tips, with the fiery tongues shooting out.
the approachhe day alomance of returninus Canto.
5. Ministers of Ravana.
6. The dark colour of the demons streaming with blood is likened to the approaching darkness blending with the glow of the sky at sunset.
7. i.e., the day along with the danger from the demons seemed to pass for ever without any chance of returning.
8. See the last verse of the previous Canto. 9. i.e., Rama and Lakşmaņa.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
