p. 547

Win a smile, Rama jestingly addressed Surpanakh& z who had been ensnared in the noose of love, in soft words, 2: saying, “Gentle oné, Iam already wedded; this is my be- 8 loved wife. To females like unto thee co-wife-hood is w exceedingly miserable. This young brother of mine is good- ‘1 looking, and is of an excellent character; he is graceful, and 3; is still unwived. The powerful one is named Lakshmana. * He hath not yet tested the pleasures of a wife’s company, and 1 is desirous of having a spouse. And he is youthful and of . an inviting presence. He will become a fit husband for thee, considering this thy beauty. O thou of expansive eyes, . seek this brother of mine as thy husband, even as the solar i beam seeks Meru. (By doing so), thou O supremely beautiful 1 damsel, wilt not have to fear a co-wife.” Having been thus - addressed by Rama, the Rakshasi intoxicated with lust, at once leaving Rama, spake unto Lakshmana, saying, “I am fit tobe thy wife possessed of transcendental grace, having regard to this beauty of thine. And with me thou wilt happily range these Dandakas.” Thus accosted by the Rakshasi, Sumitra’s son, Lakshmana versed in speech, with a smile appropriately observed unto Surpanakha, ‘Why wishest thou to be the servant of me who am a servant myself ?* O lotushued one, I am dependant on my noble brother, O thou of expansive eyes, be thou securing the summum bonum, with a joyful heart, become, O superbly beautiful wench, the younger wife ofthe noble one of great good fortune. Renouncing this frightful,unchaste,hideous,old wife possessed of a lean abdomen ; he will devote himself unto thee. O paragon amoup damsels, O supremely charming lady, what man possessed of discernment, passing by such grace, would bear * The text is difficult to render literally :—Why wishest thou to be the female servant of me who am myself a male servant.—T,

p. 548

affection to a human female?” Thus accosted by Lakshmana, that hideous one having a lean abdomen being incapable of understanding jest, took his words as true. Thereupon as that subduer of enemies, the irrepressible Rama, was seated in the cottage in company with Sita, the Rakshasi, transported. with lust, said unto him, ‘‘Forsaking this deformed, unchaste, horrible old wife of thine possessed of a lean abdomen, thou dost not regard me. To-day, thou looking on, I shall eat up this human female. And! shall, rid of a co-wife, happily range with thee.” Having said this, even as a mighty meteor striketh Rohini, that one having eyes resembling live coals, waxing exceedingly enraged, rushed towards that (damsel) with the eyes of adoe. Thereupon, hindering the R&kshasi resembling the noose of death, as she was rushing on, the mighty Rama, growing wroth, said unto Lakshmana, “O Saumitrit, what is the good of jesting with a base and wicked one? No use of doing it. Look, O amiable one, Vaidehif is well nigh dead. It behoves thee, O foremost of men, to deform this frightful, unchaste R&kshasi of a huge abdomen, transported with lust.” Thus desired the exceedingly strong Lakshmana, fired with wrath, taking out his sword, in the sight of Rama, cut off her nose and ears. Her ears and nose cut off, the terrible Surpanakhi, uttering frightful cries, fled amain into the forest whence she had come. And being deformed, and covered with gore, the dreadful Rikshasi sent up many a roar, like clouds rumbling in the rains. And bleeding profusely, the grimvisaged Rakshasi, lifting up her arms, and roaring, entered the mighty forest. Then, having been deformed, (the Rakshasi) approaching, her brother of firece energy, Khara, come to Janasth4na, (seated surrounded by numbers of Rakshasas), fell down to the t+ We are obliged to use this epithet asit is in order to prevent the too frequent recurrence of Sumitra’s son.—T. t Videha's daughter. We retain this epithet also for the reason assigned above.—T.

p. 549

earth, even as the thunder-bolt bursts from the sky. Then that sister of Khara, bathed in blood, and deprived of her senses. through fright, related all about Rama’s arrival at the forest along with Lakshmana and his own wife, as well as the circumstances connected with her being deformed.