Rama. And he saw Rama with Lakshmana, living on
the mountains of Chitrakuta with bow in hand and decked
with the ornaments of ascetics. Bharata, however,
was dismissed by Rama, who was determined to act according
to the words, of his father. And returning, Bharata
ruled at Nandigrama, keeping before him, his brother’s
wooden sandals. And Rama fearing a repetition
of intrusion by the people of Ayodhya, entered into
the great forest towards the asylum of Sarabhanga.
And having paid his respects to Sarabhanga, he entered
the forest of Dandaka and took up his abode on the
banks of beautiful river Godavari. And while
living there, Rama was inveigled into hostilities with
Khara, then dwelling in Janasthana, on account of
Surpanakha. And for the protection of the ascetics
the virtuous scion of Raghu’s race slew fourteen
thousand Rakshasas on earth, and having slain those
mighty Rakshasas, Khara and Dushana, the wise descendant
of Raghu once more made that sacred forest free from
danger.’
“And after these Rakshasas had been slain, Surpanakha
with mutilated nose and lips, repaired to Lanka—the
abode of her brother (Ravana). And when that
Rakshasa woman, senseless with grief and with dry blood-stains
on her face, appeared before Ravana, she fell down
at his feet. And beholding her so horribly mutilated,
Ravana became senseless with wrath and grinding his
teeth sprung up from his seat. And dismissing
his ministers, he enquired of her in private, saying,
’Blessed sister, who hath made thee so, forgetting
and disregarding me? Who is he that having got
a sharp-pointed spear hath rubbed his body with it?
Who is he that sleepeth in happiness and security,
after placing a fire close to his head? Who is
he that hath trodden upon a revengeful snake of virulent
poison? Who indeed, is that person who standeth
with his hand thrust into the mouth of the maned lion!’
Then flames of wrath burst forth from his body, like
those that are emitted at night from the hollows of
a tree on fire. His sister then related unto
him the prowess of Rama and the defeat of the Rakshasas
with Khara and Dushana at their head. Informed
of the slaughter of his relatives, Ravana, impelled
by Fate, remembered Maricha for slaying Rama.
And resolving upon the course he was to follow and
having made arrangements for the government of his
capital, he consoled his sister, and set out on an
aerial voyage. And crossing the Trikuta and the
Kala mountains, he beheld the vast receptacle of deep
waters—the abode of the Makaras. Then
crossing the Ocean, the Ten headed Ravana reached
Gokarna—the favourite resort of the illustrious
god armed with the trident. And there Ravana
met with his old friend Maricha who, from fear of
Rama himself, had adopted an ascetic mode of life.’”
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