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ad @) Maricha, hearken unto me, my child, as I relate everything unto thee). I am distressed ; and in this distress of mine, thou art certainly my great refuge. Thou knowest JanashhSna, where lives my brother Khara, and the mighty-armed Dushana, and my sister, Surpanakha; as also that Rakshasa subsisting on (human) flesh, the long armed Trigira, and many other heroic night-rangers besides, of high enthusiasm n_ tattles—Rakshasas, who had been living there at my sommand, troubling in the mighty forest the ascetics carrymg on their pious offices. And fourteen thousands of Rakshasas of dreadful deeds, heroic, high-spirited— Rakshasas possessed of exceeding prowess; while residing im Janasthana of late,—clad in mail and equipped with various weapons, headed by Khara, met with Rama in the field. Getting enraged, Rama in conflict without returning any harsh speech, by means of his shafts shot from his bow, — hath, a human being, and fighting on foot, with his flaming arrows slaughtered fourteen thousand Rakshasas of fierce energy. And Khara hath been slain in battle, and Dushana also hath been brought down. And having slain Trigira too, (Rama) kath rid the Dandaka of all fear. Having been expelled by his enraged sire, that disgrace of Kshatriyas, the weak Rama, living in company with his wife hath effected the destruction of this army. He is of a vile character, crabbed, foolish, covetuous, of uncontrolled senses, bereft of morality, sinful, and ever engaged in the evil of all creatures,—by whom, violently without hostility my sister hath been deformed in the forest by having her nose and ears cut off. Of him will I carry off by force from Janasthina, his wife, Sita, resembling the daughter of a celestial. Be thou my help in it. For certain, O exceedingly strong one, if thou help me at my side, if my brothers also back me, I do not

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think much ofall the celestials. Therefore, be thou my help; for, thou art capable, O Rakshasa. In prowess in battle, and in indomitableness, there is none like thee. Thou art a mighty hero commanding resources, and conversant with potentillusory displays. Taking this to my heart, I have come to thee, O ranger of the night. Do thou listen as to the business in which by’my command thou art to help me. Becoming a golden deer, marked with silver spots, do thou range about in R4ma’s asylum in presence of Sita. Seeing thee helpless, in the shape of adeer, Sit& will say unto her lord and Lakshmana also,—“Do ye catch it.” And when they shall have departed, I shall carry off from the empty asylum, Sit& without let, like R&hu depriving the Moon of his splendour. Then when R&ma shall be sore afflicted because of the carrying off of his wife, I shall easily, crowning my soul with success, safely bear away Sita. Hearing Rama’s words, the face of the high-souled M4richa became blank and he was seized with apprehension. And licking up his dried lips, with winkless eyes, (M4richa) as if dead, and exceedingly distressed, eyed Ravana, steadily. And alarmed because of Ravana, with his mind depressed, Mi&richa who well knew R&ma’s prowess in the forest, with joined hands in agitation spoke words lending to his own as well as Ravana’s welfare.