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169
80. The cluster of Ravana's heads, massive with the necks undivided, looked terrible, even though severed from the body, as if they had grown again from the cuts while he emerged from below the earth.43
SETUBANDHA
81. The soul of the lord of the demons, slain as he confronted the enemy in battle, departed through his ten mouths at the same moment, as if it were fire bursting into a blaze.
82. When Rāvana was slain, and the three worlds heaved a sigh of relief all around, the frown disappeared from Rama's brow, and his bow was unstrung.
83. Royal Fortune, distressed on account of her cruel friend,44 did not forsake Rāvana even when killed, regarding his death as an illusion, because she knew the might of the lord of the demons.45
84. At that moment, even in the presence of Rama, tears welled up in Vibhiṣana's eyes, because of the affection for his brother46 in the inmost recesses of his heart.
85. When Ravana was slain, Vibhisana began to lament, decrying his immortality,47 being racked by anguish greater than death.
86. 'In common with all other beings, how wilt thou now, o king, visit the selfsame realm of Yama that thou hadst visited at will by conquering the latter?48
87. 'Lord of the demons, having fallen with thee in battle, Kumbhakarna alone hath requited his obligation to thee, even though thou hadst despised his counsel before?49
43. Trans. follows Ramadasa's reading. Acc. to Kulanatha's reading: looked terrible, even though severed, as they lay on the ground along the line of the cut, as if he had emerged etc. See Extracts.
44. i.e., Ravana, because he left her suddenly.
45. i.e., Ravana looked majestic in his death.
46. Lit. kinsman,
47. A boon granted to Vibhiṣaṇa by Brahmā, now appearing to be burdensome as it prevented death from ending his sorrow.
48. i.e., the conqueror of the god of death will now visit the latter's kingdom like all other mortals.
49. Kumbhakarna had advised Ravana to return Sītā to Rāma, S. 22
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