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CHAPTER TWO
hansas at thunder.118 When Tāraka saw his own soldiers terrified, after he had put them to shame and turned them back, he himself got into his chariot and went to meet Dvipsstha. Accompanied by Vijaya carrying Lăngala and Ayoghna, Sārngin strung Sārga, like Sutrāman stringing Rjurohita.114 Next Tāraka, whose bow was strung, drew an arrow from the quiver and adjusted it like a powerful finger of Death. Tāraka discharged the arrow and Hari destroyed it with an arrow. Such a discharge and destruction of arrows took place repeatedly between the two. Whatever weapons-club, hammer, staff, et cetera, or other weapons-Târaka threw, Hari destroyed these by counter-weapons.
Then Tāraka took the cakra, a cruel crocodile in the ocean of battle and said to Dviprstha, his lip trembling from anger and astonishment: "Even if you are very badly behaved, still I will not kill you from compassion, because you are the son of an old servitor and just a boy."
The younger brother of Vijaya said, his lips blossoming with a smile: “You are not ashamed, showing compassion to men Sarngapāņi. Even if you are an enemy, nevertheless you are pardoned. Who will needlessly slaughter you to whom death from old age is near ? If you have hope from the cakra, then throw it, sir. When this has been done, your purpose being unaccomplished, nevertheless, you may go free.'
Inflamed by this speech, like a fire of sesame 115 by water, Tāraka whirled the cakra around his head. After whirling it in the air, he hurled it blazing at Dviprstha, like a cloud at the end of the world discharging lightning. It fell on Hari's heart, striking him with the tip of the hub, resembling the beauty of the kaustubha 116 changed into another form. He was instantly dazed by the blow and
118 253. Hansas do not like rain. See I, n. 47. 114 255. Indra's bow. 115 264. The sesame has very abundant oil. 116 266. Name of the jewel worn on the breast by Kļşņa or Vişņu.
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