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BRINGING NEWS OF SITĀ
253 mans for food. Shaking the earth by their steps in battle hard to bear, both fought like mad forest-elephants. When Råma saw them with the same appearance, he remained for a moment, as if indifferent, in doubt, "Which is ours and which is the enemy?" Then reflecting, "So be it," the chief of the Raghus twanged his bow named Vajrăvarta. At that twanging of the bow, Sāhasagati's vidyā, which made his second form, fled like a doe. Rāma abused him, "Hey, villain, string your bow, you who wish to dally with other men's wives, bewildering every one by magic.” The descendant of Raghu took away his life with one arrow. There is no second blow of the lion in killing a deer. Rāma established. Sugrīva, like Virādha, on his throne and Sugriva was honored by his people as before.
His hands joined, the lord of the Vānaras offered. to give Rāmabhadra his thirteen daughters who were exceedingly beautiful. Rāma said to Sugrīva, “Exert yourself in the search of Sītā. Enough about these maidens or anything else." With these words Raghūdvaha went to the garden outside (the city) and remained there. Sugriva entered his own city at his command.
Attempts to seduce Sītā (119–172) Now, in the city Lankā Mandodarī and the other women of Råvana's palace lamented at the news of the killing of Khara and others. His sister, Candraņakhā, weeping, beating her breast with her hands, entered Răvaņa's house with Sunda. Seeing Rāvana, she clung to his neck and, weeping very loud, said: "Alas! I am destroyed by fate. My son is killed, my husband is killed, my two brothers-in-law are killed, and fourteen thousand of the family-soldiers are killed. The capital, Pătălalankā, which was turned over to you, is destroyed by insolent enemies, while you are alive, brother. Fleeing to save my life, I took refuge with you with my son Sunda, having come here. Where shall I stay? Tell me."
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