रामोपाख्यान पर्व — इन्द्रजित्को वध

Markandeya said : Seeing those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana drop down on earth, the son of Ravana tied them in a net-work of arrows, granted to him as boons.

Those heroes, those valiant of men, thus covered by that net-work of arrows on the field of battle looked like a couple of birds confined in a cage.

Seeing those two (brothers) lying stretched on the ground, pierced with hundreds of arrows, Sugriva, the king of the monkeys together with Sushena, Mainda, Dvivida, Kumuda, Angada, Hanuman, Nila, Tara, Nala and (other) monkeys stood surrounding them.

Then, the successful Vibhishana arriving at that place and restoring those two heroes to consciousness by means of the weapon (named) Prajna brought them back to senses.

Then Sugriva soon drew out the arrows (from their bodies). And by that highly-potent medicine, Vishalya, applied with the celestials mantras,

Those two foremost of men recovered their senses. (And) the arrows being extracted from their bodies, those mighty car-warriors sat up and became, in a moment free from pain and fatigue.

O Partha, seeing Rama, the descendant of Ikshvaku perfectly free from pain. Vibhishana, with joined hands said these words,

"O tormentor of foes, at the command of the king of kings, a Guhyaka has come (to you) from the Shveta mountains, with this water.

O chastiser of foes, Kubera, the king of kings has sent you this water in order that you may behold all invisible beings.

If you wash your eyes with this you and any man whom you may give this will be able to see all invisible creatures."

Saying “be it so" Rama took that water and minded Lakshmana, Sugriva, Jambuvana, Hanuman, Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila and almost all the foremost of monkeys did the same.

(Thereupon) what Vibhishana had said, (exactly) came about. And, O Yudhishthira, soon their eyes became capable of perceiving objects beyond the reach of the senses.

On the other hand, the successful Indrajita, having informed his father of what he had done, soon returned to the field of battle.

(And) as he (Indrajita) desirous of battle, was advancing wrathfully, the son of Sumitra, at the advice of Vibhishana rushed at him.

And desirous of slaying Indrajita, who was elated with success and who had not yet completed his daily sacrifice, Lakshmana, at a hint (from Vibhishana) assailed him wrathfully with arrows.

Then between those (warriors) each desirous of vanquishing the other, there took place an exceedingly wonderful battle like that (which had taken place) between Shakra and Pralhada.

Then Indrajita pierced the son of Sumitra by sharpened arrows capable of penetrating into the vital parts. And the son of Sumitra too wounded the son of Ravana with arrows having the touch of fire.

Pierced by the arrows of the son of Sumitra, Indrajita, being senseless with rage, discharged at him eight darts (fierce) as poisonous snakes.

Listen, attentively as I tell you, how the heroic son of Sumitra killed (Indrajita) by means of three arrow of fiery energy.

By one of these (arrows), he severed from his body that arm which wielded the bow; by the second, he cut down to the ground that arm which wielded the arrows and by the third arrow of keen edge and bright lustre he cut off his head having a beautiful nose and decked with earrings.

Deprived of head and arms, the trunk looked terrible. Having slain him (Indrajita), the strongest of the strong, (Lakshmana) killed his charioteer with weapons.

Then the horses dragged away the car into Lanka and Ravana then saw that his son was not on the car. Knowing (from this) that his son was killed, Ravana, his mind being agitated with fear and afflicted with grief and sorrow was actuated with the desire of killing the daughter of the king of Mithila.

And that evil-minded one, taking his sword, furiously rushed at Sita, who was living in the Ashoka gardens longing for the sight of Rama.

Now hear how Avindhya, seeing the evilminded one bent on this reprehensible act, softened down his wrath by showing these reasons.

(He said) "Placed as you are on the throne of this renowned and mighty empire, you should not kill a woman. This woman (to all intents and purposes) is already slain in as much as she is a prisoner in your power.

In my opinion, she would not be killed if her body were destroyed. Kill her husband and then she will be killed too.

Even the very lord of a hundred sacrifices is no match for you in prowess. You have several times struck terror into the hearts of Indra together with the celestials in battle."

With these and similar other words, Avindhya pacified the wrath of Ravana who accepted his advice.

Then resolving to set out (for the field of battle himself) that night-ranger put his sword into sheath and ordered his attendants) to prepare his car.