Chapter CLX: Section XVIII

And beholding the forest filled with flowery trees and desiring to have a full view of her, he, well-nigh, spent the night. And at that late hour of the night, he heard the chantings of the Vedas by the Rakshasas, conversant with the six supplementary parts of the Vedas,[320] engaged in the performance of sacrificial rites and knowing Brahma. And thereupon the mighty Ten-headed Rakshasa, having huge arms, awoke with the sounds of those auspicious instruments pleasant unto ears. And awaking, that great and powerful lord of Rakshasas, having his cloth and garlands loosened, began to think of Vaidehi. And that Rakshasa, puffed up with pride, was passionately attached unto her and so he could not restrain his amour in him. And so adorned with all ornaments, he, casting his looks on the roads containing jewelled and golden gates and appearing in grace, entered the forest of Asoka, filled with various trees containing fruits and flowers of all seasons and with ponds; beautified with various flowers; variegated with inebriete and wondrous birds; filled with various beautiful wolves; thronged with various deer and covered with fruits fallen on the earth. And one hundred damsels followed in the train of the son of Pulastya[321] like unto the damsels of the celestials and Gandharvas following Mahendra. And among those fair ones, some carried _chowries_ and some fans. And some carrying water in golden jars headed the train while others carrying the golden throne covered with a coverlet followed it. And a favourite damsel carried in her right hand a jewelled drinking bowl filled with wine. And another carrying the white umbrella having golden ribs resembling the full moon and goose, followed in the train. And in this wise the excellent wives, of Ravana, having their eyes rendered sleepy with sleep and wine, followed their heroic husband like unto lightnings following the cloud. Their necklaces and _keyuras_ were displaced, paste faded, hair dishevelled and they had drops of sweat on their faces. With sleep and intoxication, were reeling those fair ones of beautiful countenances, having their hairs with garlands disbanded and their persons wet with perspiration. And in this way those beloved wives, (of Ravana) having inebriete eyes, followed, out of amour and reverence, their husband. And their mighty husband, brought under the control of amour and having his mind firmly attached unto Sita, proceeded slowly. And that monkey, son of Maruta, heard the sound of _kanchees_ and _nupuras_ of those excellent damsels. And the monkey Hanuman also beheld Ravana, of extraordinary deeds and of inconceivable prowess and strength, at the gate. His whole body was seen on all sides by the light of the lamps lighted with perfumed oil and carried by the Rakshasees before. He was inflamed with amour, pride and haughtiness and his expansive eyes were coppery and idle. And he appeared like Cupid himself just appearing in view, leaving behind his bow and arrows. And holding his excellent robe, covered with flowers, washed, set with jewels and white as the foam of the churned nectar, he placed it in its proper place. And Hanuman, hiding himself on the tree, in the midst of many leaves and flowers, tried to recognise him as he approached. And beholding him, that foremost of monkeys saw that highly famous king Ravana, surrounded by his excellently beautiful and youthful wives, enter that forest of enjoyment filled with birds and animals. There was a warder by name Sankukarna in that forest--highly powerful, wearing various ornaments and addicted to drinking. And by him was seen that lord of Rakshasas--the son of _Visravasa_. And that highly energetic monkey beheld that effulgent (Ravana) surrounded by excellent damsels like unto moon encircled by stars. And beholding him the monkey reflected--"This must be Ravana--for he is the person whom I saw sleeping in an excellent apartment in that city." Thinking this, that highly effulgent son of Maruta--Hanuman leaped (high upon another branch). And effulgent as he was, that highly intelligent monkey hid himself on a branch covered with leaves, being unable to stand before the effulgence of that Rakshasa. And Ravana proceeded in that way, being anxious to behold the blue-eyed Sita, having spacious breast, excellent hips and a lock of black hair.

[320] Grammar, Prosody, astronomy, pronounciation, the meaning of the
unusual terms and the ritual of the Hindu religion.--T.

[321] Refers to Ravana, Pulastya being his father--T.