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Havine thus given the command of a huge and dreadful army to Khara and consoled his sister the Ten-necked demon was satisfied and freed from anxiety. Thereupon that highly powerful lord of Rakshasas with his followers entered an excellent garden in Lanka named Nikumbhila. And there, he saw, filled with -hundreds of sacrificial posts and altars, a sacrifice being celebrated, as if burning in its ‘lustre. And he beheld his fearful son Meghnada too, clad in an antelope skin and holding S7#hé and Kamandalu. Having seen him (there) and embraced him by his arms the lord of Lanka said :—‘“What are you after, O my child? Tell me the truth.’ Thereupon that foremost of twice-born ones Usanas* of austere penances, wishing the prosperity of the sacrifice, said to Ravana—the Rakshasa chief :—‘Hear,I shall relate to thee everything, O king ; thy son hath met with * Another name of Sykra. Indrajit took the vow of silence so he thought it improper to disturb him.

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the fruits of many a sacrifice—Agnistoma,* Asvamedha,t Bahusubarnaka,t Rajsuya,$ Gomedhal| and Baisnaba.§ And being engaged in this Maheswara sacrifice, which is incapable of being celebrated by men, thy son hath obtained boon from Pasupati$ himself. He has also obtained illusory powers—which create darkness or ignorance—namely of ranging in the sky, of being eternal, of ascending a celestial car which curses at will and of creating darkness. O lord of Rakshasas, these illusory powers being usued in a conflict, even the celestials and Asuras shall not be able to perceive his course. Besides he has obtained a quiver, the arrows whereof shall never be exhausted, a bow, which is hard of being got by anda dreadful weapon which destroys enemies in a conflict. Having obtained these boons thy son, O thou having ten faces, and myself, the sacrifice being finished, have been waiting to behold thee.” Whereto the Ten-necked demon replied—‘ You have not done well as you have worshipped, with diverse articles my enemies— Indra and others. However, what is done is done; there is virtue in this—no doubt ; come,O gentle one,we shall go to our house.” Thereupon going there with his son and Bibhishana, the Ten-necked demon got down all those damsels,speechless with tears, gifted with auspicious marks,the precious females of the celestials, Danavas and Raskshasas. Perceiving his vicious desire for those damsels, the virtuous-souled (Bibhishana) * A sacrifice or rather a series of offerings to fire for five days to be celebrated in the spring. + The actual or emblematic sacrifice of a horse, this sacrifice is one of the highest order, and performed a hundred times, entitles the sacrificer to the dominion of Swarga or paradise. {A sacrifice in which profuse gifts of gold are made. § A sacrifice in which all the tributary chiefs pay homage to the Lord Paramount. | The offering or sacrifice of a cow. q A sacrifice relating to Vishnu. $ A name of Siva

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said :—‘Thou dost (still) follow thy own whims, knowing that people are injured by these actions which destroy piety, wealth and fame. Having slain their kinsmen thou hast brought these beautiful damsels hither, but disregarding thee, O king, Madhu hath’ carried away Kumbhanasi.” Ravana said:—‘I donot understand all this. Who is that Madhu, who has been named by thee?” Worked up with ire Bibhishana said to his brother :—“Hear, the fruit of thy vicious actions hath arrived. There was an old Rakshasa, celebrated for his wisdom, named Malyavan,the elder brother of Sumilin, our maternal grand.father. His grand-daughter is Kumbhanashi and is born of our maternal aunt Anala ; so she is virtually our sister. Thy son being engaged in the sacrifice and myself being under waters she was stolen away, O king, by the powerful Rikshasa Madhu. Kumbhakarna, O great king, was then asleep. Having slain all the powerful Rakshasas and thy councillors, he had stolen her away, O king, who was in thy inner apartments. Hearing this even, O great king, we have pardoned and not slain him; an unmarried girl should be given away to her husband by her brothers, but that has not been the case—this is merely the result of thy vicious actions—wicked-minded as thou art. And this thou hast met with instantly—so the people say.” Hearing the words of Bibhishana, Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, became agitated like an ocean, by the recollection of his vicious . deeds. And engaged, with blood-red eyes the ten-necked demon said—“Get my chariot ready soon and let all the heroes of our party be prepared. Let my brother Kumbhakarna and other leading night-rangers, armed with various weapons, ascend their conveyances. Having slain today in the encounter that Madhu, who is not afraid of Ravana, I shall, encircled by my friends, and desirous of battle, proceed to the region of the celestiais.” Thereupon issued out for battle leading Rakshasas four thousand Akshauhini strong _ taking various weapons. Commanding them Indrajit preceded

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the army, Ravana went in the middle and Kumbhakrna was in the rear; the virtuous-souled Bibhisana remained in Lanka, being engaged in pious observances. And the rest of the leading Rakshasas proceeded towards the city of Madhu. And all the Rakshasas went covering the sky, some on asses, some on camels, some on horses, some on quick-coursing porpoises and some on huge serpents. And beholding Ravana proceed, hundreds of Daityas, inimical to the celestials, followed him. Having arrived at the city of Madhu and entered there the ten-necked demon did not behold Madhu but espied his sister. Thereupon being afraid of the king of Rakshasas, Kumbheenashi, with folded palms, touched his feet with her crown. Having raised her up the Rakshasa-chief Ravana said ‘No fear, what can I do for you?” Whereto she replied—“O king, O thou having long arms, if thou art pleased with me, do not slay my husband to-day, O conferrer of honours. It is said there is no other fear like this for damsels of high pedigree. The greatest of fears is that of being a widow. Be thou truthful, O king of kings—do thou look towards me, who am thus begging. Thou hast thyself said, O king, “no fear.” Being thus addressed Ravana said to his sister there :— “Do thou tell me speedily where is thy husband. I shall go with him for conquests to the region of the celestials. Out of pity and love for thee I refrain from slaying Madhu.” Being thus accosted, that Rakshasi, being pleased, got her sleeping husband, the night-ranger, up and said :—‘ Here is my brother, the highly power Dagagriva. Being desirous of conquering the region of the “celestials he prays for thy help. Do thou therefore proceed to his help, O Rakshasa, with all they friends. It behoves thee to help him, who out of affection for me, hath prayed for thy help.” Hearing those words Madhu said:—‘So be it.” And approaching a little he beheld that foremost of Rakshasas and duly weleomed Ravana. Being thus honoured the highly power Dagagriva 208

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spent one night in Madhu’s house and then, addressed himself for departure. Thereupon reaching the hill Kailaca, the abode of Baisravan, the lord of Rakshasas, resembling Mahendra, encamped his army.