p. 595

— Pee ™ - I was however somehow saved by Rama in that conMict. Listen what happened afterwards. I was not humbled weven by the danger of my life. Once again I entered the ‘forest of Dandaka accompanied by two Rakshasas assuming ‘the shape of deer. I had a flaming tongue, huge teeth, sharpened horns and lived on the flesh of ascetics. Assuming such a terrible appearance I began to traverse with ‘great vehemence the Tirtha, Agnthotri and the place of worship ; eating the flesh and drinking the bloed of the ascetics after killing them I began to hinder all religious services. I had a most ugly figure and was maddened with drinking blood, and all the animals of the forest were exceedingly frightened at me. While I was thus traversing the forest of Dandaka throwing obstacles in the way of religious services Isaw the pious ascetic Rama living on a restricted fare, the honored Sita and the mighty Lakshmana, taking recourse to asceticism, moderate in eating and ever engaged in the welfare of created beings. Remembering his former enmity and aggrandisement, I, being extremely wrathful, in my deer shape and with my sharpened horns, darted towards him with a view to kill him, considering through my ignorance the effulgent Rama as. none other but an ascetic living in the forest. Then stringing his huge bow he darted three sharpened arrows at me. Those three terrible arrows with bent knots resembling thunder-bolts, killing enemies and drinking blood and having the motion of Garura and air, coalescing with each other came before us. Wicked as I am, I was fully aware of his prowess having heen frightend by him on a former occasion, and so I saved myself by escaping, but those two Rakshasas were killed. O Ravana, any how saved from the arrows of Rama and having got my life back I have resorted to the life of an ascetic and.

p. 596

have been carrying on asceticism here being absorbed: Yoga. From that very day I see Rama wearing bark and de skin even in the very trees before me like unto Death i the noose in his hands. Terrified as I am I always thousands of Rima around me. Me seems the entire forest: inhabited by Rama only. O king of Rakshasas, I see Ria even in the quarter where there is no R&ma. Seea him in my dreams even I look around like one awake O R&vana what more shall I speak unto thee, I z# so much afraid of Rama that such words as Ratna (jewd Ratha (chariot) which begin with the letter Ra adminisu consternation unto me. Iam fully apprised.of the prowe of that descendant of Raghu; it doth not behove theet enter into conflict with him; he can destroy V&li a Namuchi. O Ravana, whether dost thou fight with Rima: not, do not mention him unto me if dost thou wish tos me. Many persons pious and devoted to asceticism on th earth have met with destruction for another’s misdeeds. At I shall meet with a similar fate for thy sins. O thou the rang of night do whatever thou likest, I shall not follow the Truely is that highly intelligent and effulgent Rima of mighi prowess, like death itself unto the rangers of night. Thoy the wicked Khara of Janasthana hath been slain by him « Surpanakha's account, yet how is he to blame for it do th truly speak. Thou art my friend; it is for this and for tl welfare that I speak this truth unto thee. If dost thou a follow my words, thyself with all thy kinsmen, shall be sla in battle by Rama.