Yuddha Kanda 62

Rávan’s Request.

1 Along bright Lanká’s royal road

The giant, roused from slumber, strode,

While from the houses on his head

A rain of fragrant flowers was shed.

He reached the monarch’s gate whereon

Rich gems and golden fretwork shone.

Through court and corridor that shook

Beneath his tread his way he took,

And stood within the chamber where

His brother sat in dark despair.

But sudden, at the grateful sight

The monarch’s eye again grew bright.

He started up, forgot his fear,

And drew his giant brother near.

The younger pressed the elder’s feet

And paid the King observance meet,

Then cried: “O Monarch, speak thy will,

And let my care thy word fulfil.

What sudden terror and dismay

Have burst the bonds in which I lay?”

2 Fierce flashed the flame from Rávaṇ’s eye,

As thus in wrath he made reply:

“Fair time, I ween, for sleep is this,

To lull thy soul in tranquil bliss,

Unheeding, in oblivion drowned,

The dangers that our lives surround.

Brave Ráma, Daśaratha’s son,

A passage o’er the sea has won,

And, with the Vánar monarch’s aid,

Round Lanká’s walls his hosts arrayed.

Though never in the deadly field

My Rákshas troops were known to yield,

The bravest of the giant train

Have fallen by the Vánars slain.

Hence comes my fear. O fierce and brave,

Go forth, our threatened Lanká save.

Go forth, a dreadful vengeance take:

For this, O chief, I bade thee wake.

The Gods and trembling fiends have felt

The furious blows thine arm has dealt.

Earth has no warrior, heaven has none

To match thy might, Paulastya’s son.”