Sarga 38
p. 1683
"Tuerevron Pulastya heard from the celestials of the capture of Ravana like unto the holding of the wind.* And having been moved by the love for his son, the highly effulgent, great ascetic, proceeded to see the king of Mahishmati. Proceeding by the erial way, that twice-born one, gifted with the velocity of wind and the flight of mind, reached the city of Mahishmati. Like unto Brahma entering Indra’s Amaravati, he entered the city resembling the capital of Indra and filled with delighted and plump citizens. “And beholding that dreadful Rishi approach like unto Aditya walking on foot, the warders communicated the intelligence unto the king Arjuna. Understanding from their words that Pulastya was coming, the king of Hazhayas, placing his folded palms on his crown, proceeded to welcome him. Like, unto Vrihaspati preceeding Purandara, the royal prests went before him carrying, Maduparka and water to wash feet. And beholding the ascetic resembling the rising sun arrived, the king Arjuna bowed unto him reverentially like Indra saluting Mahadeva. Thereupon offering him Maduparka, cow and water to wash feet, the king of Hazhayas, in accents obstructed with delight, addressed the ascetic saying :— “ Reverend Sir, thine visit, it ishard to obtain. On beholding thee my city Mahishmati hath been turned into Amaravati. To-day have I obtained all auspiciousness,O lord ; to-day hath my religious observance been fruitful ; to-day hath my birth proved blessed and to-day hath my devout penance been crowned with success, for I bow unto thy feet, which have been worshipped by the celestials. This my kingdom, these * As itis impossible to hold the windina short compass so it was impossible to bind Ravana aud lead him captive.
Sarga 38
p. 1684
my sons, this my wife.and myself are all at thy disposal— do thou order me, O Brahman, what I may do for thee.” Thereupon having enquired of the king about his piety, offerings and the well-being of his sons, Pulastya said to Arjuna, the king of Hazhayas :—“O foremost of kings, O thou having eyes like lotus-petals! O thou having a countenanee like the full moon! When thou hast vanquished Ravana, thy prowess is matchless in the triple world. Thou hast bound up my invincible son in the conflict at whose fear the wind and the ocean stand still. Having drunk up the glories of my son thou hast announced thine own ; sol do say,O my son, do thou release Dacanana.” Hearing this command of Pulastya, the king Arjuna did not utter a single . world and set, most delightedly the king of Rakshasas, free. Having released that foe of the celestials,worshipped him with celestial ornaments and garlands and established friendship removing all enmities with Ravana before fire, and bowed unto Pulastya, the son of Brahmi, he repaired to his own house. And being released by the influence of Pulastya, the highly powerful Dagcanana, the king of Rakshasas, accepted his hospitality and being embraced by him, returned home ashamed. And having set Dagagriva at liberty. Pulastya, the son of Brahma and the foremost of Munis repaired to the celestial region. O Rama, in this wise, the highly powerful Ravana was defeated by Arjuna and released by Pulastya. Observe therefore, O descendant of Raghu, there is a mightier man than the mighty; therefore, one, desirous of his own well-being, should not disregard ancther. Having acquired friendship with the thousand-armed Arjuna, DagAnana, the king of Rakshasas,began again to journey over the world distressing the kings.