Indian Myth and LegendMackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
History
Indian Myth and Legend
Mackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
Hindu mythology; Legends -- India
At length Kumbha-karna went against Rama and a fierce conflict ensued,
but in the end Rama discharged flaming arrows and severed his head from
his body. The monster staggered backward and fell into the ocean, and
great billows arose and tossed angrily in the midst of the swollen deep.
Indrajit thereafter offered up another sacrifice and secured fresh
weapons. Rendering himself invisible, he rose high in the air and
showered arrows like rain until Rama and Lakshmana, who were
grievously wounded, fell down and pretended to be dead.
When darkness came on, Hanuman and Bibhishana surveyed the battlefield
with torches and found that many apes had been wounded and slain.
Great was their sorrow, but Sushena, the ape physician, bade Hanuman
to hasten to a certain Himalayan mountain to obtain healing herbs.
The wind god's son assumed tremendous bulk, and, leaping aloft, went
speedily through the air until he reached the place where the herbs
grew. He searched for them in vain; then he tore up the mountain,
and carrying it in his hand returned again to the battlefield. The
physician soon discovered the herbs; then he gave healing to Rama and
Lakshmana and the wounded apes, who rose up at once ready and eager to
fight as before. Hanuman returned with the mountain and restored it to
its place.
When the sun rose, Ravana sent forth young heroes to battle against the
apes and bears, but they were all slain. Then Indrajit came to avenge
the fallen, but Lakshmana drew his bow and shot an arrow which Indra
had given to him. Unerring was his aim, and Indrajit was struck down;
his body rolled headless upon the plain.
Ravana lamented for the death of his son, crying: “He was the mightiest
of my heroes and the dearest to my heart. All the gods feared him, yet
by a mortal was he laid low.... O my son, thy widow wails for thee
and thy mother weeps in sore distress. Fondly I deemed that when the
frailties of old age afflicted me thou wouldst close mine eyelids in
death, but youth is taken first and I am left alone to battle against
mine enemies.”
For a time the mighty demon wept; then he arose in wrath to wreak
vengeance. First of all he hastened towards the Asoka grove to slay
Sita. But the Rakshasa dames concealed the wife of Rama, and prevailed
upon Ravana not to pollute his fame by slaying a woman. One cried to
him: “Auspicious is the last day of the waning moon. The hour of thy
vengeance is nigh. Turn thee towards the battlefield and great glory
will be thine.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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