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SETUBANDHA
163 out the gem embedded in Ananta's hood, devastated the Nandana garden, and turned round the Kailasa mountain, 11
29. "Shall I kill Rāma in the forefront of the battle, who hath but dried up a single ocean with his arrows,12 or overwhelm even today all the seven oceans, with the submarine fire rolling in them?
30, 31. Having thus addressed Rāvana, Meghanāda, hasting to the battle as he heard the sound of Rāma's bow close at hand, mounted his chariot, after he had placed his helmet in the hand of the charioteer in the rear. The spacious back floor bent under his heavy footsteps as he entered the vehicle13 in full armour; while the rays of the sun were reflected in the flashes of lightning emitted by the clouds settling on the top of the banner.
32. Meghanāda who thus kept Rāvana back from fight, and accepted at his behest the burden imposed on him, went out in his chariot, surrounded by the demons.
33. As his chariot sped along his speed, throwing the enemy into confusion, was the same at the front door of Rāvana's palace and at the city portal as when he assailed the host of apes.
34. Meghanāda who hit the mark in battle had his troops destroyed by the apes that rushed forward first, and was confronted14 by Nila together with the chief warriors among the apes.
35. He pierced with his arrows the rock and the tree and the boulder and the section of a Malaya peak, all at once, which was hurled at him respectively by Nila, Dvivida, Hanūmat and Nala.
36. Thereupon counselled by Vibhīşaņa, Lakşmana checked Meghanāda who had routed the host of apes, and was seen to proceed to the shrine of Nikumbhilā.15
11. The serpent Ananta who supports the earth, the Nandana garden and the Kailasa mountain stand respectively for the nether regions, heaven and the earth.
12. A reference to the conflagration of the sea described in Canto V. 13. See verse 3. 14. Lit. chosen (as adversary). 15. To worship for victory.
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