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Tren those princes, repressors of foes, cognizant of place, and time, and words, thus spake unto Kucika’s son agreeably to time and place, saying,—"O adorable one do thou tell us as to the time when we should oppose those rangers of the night; Let not that hour pass away!” Upon the two Kakutsthas’ saying this, and finding them prompt for the en- * Skanda and Visakha.—T.

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counter, those ascetics well-pleased, fell to extolling the sons ofthe king. “For six nights from to-day, ye should protect us. This ascetic hath been initiated into the sacrifice, and must therefore, observe taciturnity.” Hearing these words of theirs, those illustrious princes, renouncing slecp, began to guard the hermitage six days and nights ; and those heroic and mighty archers with their armours on protected that best of ascetics and subduer of enemies. And when time had thus gone by and the sixth day had arrived, Rama said unto Sumitra’s son,—“Being well equipped, be thou vigilant !” When Rama, manifesting emotion, and being eager for encounter, had said this, the priests and spiritual guides lit up the altar. And along with Vigwamitra and the family priests, they lit up the altar furnished with Kuga, and Kaga, and ladles, and faggots, and flowers. And as reciting mantras, they were about to duly engage in that sacrifice, there arose a mighty and dreadful uproar inthesky. And asin the rains, masses of clouds appear enveloping the firmament,” the Rikshasas, displaying illusions in that wise, began to rush onward. And Miricha and Suvahu together with their followers coming in dreadful forms, began to shower down blood upon the altar. And on seeing the altar deluged with gore, Rama suddenly rushed forward, and beheld them in the sky. And suddenly seeing them rushing in amain, the lotus-eyed Rama fixing his gaze at Lakshmana, said,—“Behold, O Lakshmana, by means of a A/dnava weapon, I shall, without doubt, drive away the wicked, flesh-eating Rakshasas, even as the wind driveth away clouds before it. Surely I cannot bring myself to slay suchasthese.” Saying this, that descendant of Raghu, Rama, in vehemence fixing on his bow an exceedingly mighty and gloriously-dazzling Manava weapon, * The text reads, gamanam avaryya—obstructing passage. Evidently the reading is vicious—it should run gaganam avaryya—enveloping the firmament.—T.

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discharged it in great wrath at Maricha’s chest. And wounded by that foremost of Manava weapons, Miricha carried off a sheer hundred Yojanas, dropped in the midst of the ocean. And finding M§richa senseless, and whirling, and afflictcd by the might of the weapon, and overcome, Rama addressed Lakshmana, saying,—‘‘Behold, O Lakshmana, this Manava weapon first used by Manu, depriving him of his senses, hath carried him off,—and yet hath not taken his life! But thése shameless, wicked, and _ blood-drinking Riakshasas, addicted to wrong-doing, these disturbers of sacrifices, will I slaughter.’ Having said this, anon showing unto Lakshmana his lightness of hand, Raghu’s desceadant took out a mighty Agneya weapon, and discharged it at the breast of Suvahu. Thereat being pierced with that shaft, he fell down upon the ground. Then taking a Vayavaya weapon, the illustrious and exceedingly generous Raghava, bringing delight unto those ascetics, slew the rest. And having destroyed all those Rakshasas disturbing sacrifices, Raghu’s descendant was honored by the saints, even as Indra in days of yore,after having vanquished the Asuras. And when the sacrifice had been completed, the mighty ascetic Vigwamitra, beholding all sides cleared of Rakshasas, spake unto Kikutstha,saying,—"O mighty-armed one,I have obtained my desire; and thou hast executed thy preceptor’s mandate. And, O illustrious hero, thou hast truly made this a Siddha- ¢rama.” Having thus extolled Rama, he took Rama and Lakshmana, to perform his evening devotions.