The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 1 (of 4)Valmiki
Religion
The Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 1 (of 4)
Valmiki
Hinduism -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800; Religious life -- Hinduism -- Early works to 1800
14. There were the Siddhas, Cháranas, Gandharvas, Vidyádharas, Súras,
celestials and Apsarás in large bodies.
15. There were also the goblins of Bhútas and Pisáchas, and Rákshasa
cannibals; while the Vidyádhara females were flinging handfuls of
flowers like showers of rain on the combatants.
16. The Vetálas, Yakshas and Kushmánds, that were looking at the affray
with pleasure, took themselves to the shelter of hills, to avoid the
flying darts and weapons.
17. The imps were flying from the air, to keep themselves from the way
of the flying weapons; and the spectators were excited by sound of the
war-whoop of the combatants.
18. Lílá who was standing by with a flapper (or fan) in her hand, was
frightened at the imminent dreadful conflict, and smiled to scorn their
mutual vauntings.
SECTION II.
SIGHT OF A BATTLE ARRAY IN EARTH AND AIR.
19. Virtuous people who were unable to endure the horrid sight, betook
themselves to prayers, with the chief priests for averting the calamity.
20. The messengers of Indra, were ready with their decorated elephants
(called _loka-pálas_), for bearing the souls of mighty heroes to grace
the seats of heaven.
21. The cháranas and Gandharvas, were singing praises of the advancing
heroes; and heavenly nymphs that liked heroism, were glancing at the
best combatants.
22. Voluptuous women were wishing to embrace the arms of the brave;
and the fair fame of the heroes, had turned the hot sunshine to cool
moonlight.
23. Ráma asked:—Tell me, sir, what sort of a warrior is called a hero,
that becomes a jewel in heaven, and who is an insurgent.
24. Vasishtha answered:—He who engages in a lawful warfare, and fights
for his king, and whether he dies or becomes victorious in the field,
is called a hero, and goes to heaven.
25. Whoever kills men otherwise in war and dies afterwards, in an
unjust cause, is called an insurgent, and goes to hell at last.
26. Whoever fights for unlawful property, and dies in battle, becomes
subject to everlasting hell fire.
27. Whoso wages a just warfare, that is justified by law and usage,
that warrior is called both loyal as well as heroic in deed.
28. Whoever dies in war, for the preservation of kine, Bráhmans and
friends with a willing mind, and whoso protects his guest and refugee
with all diligence, he verily becomes an ornament in heaven after his
death.
29. The king who is steadfast in protecting his subjects and his own
country, is called the just, and those that die in his cause are called
the brave.
30. They that die fighting on the side of riotous subjects, or in the
cause of rebellious princes or chiefs, are doomed to fire.
31. They that die fighting unjustly against their kings, lawgivers and
rulers, are subjected to the torments of hell.
32. A war which is just, serves to establish order; but the giddy that
are fearless of the future, destroy all order (by their unjust warfare).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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