Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 330

THE KILLING OF RĀVAŅA
295 weeping with the pathetic sound of an osprey. Rāvana, absorbed in meditation, did not even see her. The vidyā appeared, lighting up the sky. .
She said: "I am submissive to you. Tell what I can do, sir. I shall do everything according to your wish. Verily, the two Rāghavas are of little importance." Rāvaņa replied: "Everything is brought about by you. You ñust come at the proper time when you are recalled. Now go to your own home." Dismissed by him, the vidyā went far away, and the Vānaras went to their own camp, flying up like the wind.
Daśānana heard the news about Mandodari and Angada and at once made a loud exclamation of contempt filled with pride. After bathing and eating, the lord of Lańkā went to the garden Devaramaņa and said to Sītā: "For a long time I have shown you respect. Now, abandoning restraint, frustration, and timidity, I shall enjoy you by force after killing your husband and brother-in-law."
Janaka's daughter swooned at that speech resembling poison and fell to the ground, like Daśāsya's hope of hers instantly. Recovering consciousness with difficulty, she took a vow to this effect: "If the death of Rāma and Saumitri should take place, then may I perish also." Hearing that, Rävaņa thought: "Her affection for Rāma is inherent. Therefore my love for her is like planting a lotus in dry ground. I did not behave properly in that Bibhişaņa was scorned, the ministers were not respected, and my own family disgraced. If I should free her now, that would not be discerning, since it would be said, contrary to my fame, 'She was freed because he had been conquered by Rāma.' After capturing Rāma and Saumitri, I shall bring them here and then surrender her to them. For that would be in accordance with propriety and (my own) fame.
After making ithis resolution, the lord of Lankā passed the night and set out for battle, haughty, though