Chapter CLXV: Section XXIII

Having spoken thus unto Maithilee and commanded the host of the Rakshasees, Ravana, a terror unto his enemies, went away. And after that lord of Rakshasas had gone away and entered his inner apartment, the hideous Rakshasees drew near Sita. And approaching Sita that terrible host, almost faint with ire, addressed Vaidehi with the following harsh words--"Thou dost not regard it highly, Sita, that thou shalt become the chosen wife of that high-souled, and great Ravana, the Ten-necked son of Pulastya." Thereupon another Rakshasee name4 Ekjata, with eyes rendered coppery with ire, addressing Sita, having a small navel, said,--"Pulastya is the fourth of the six Prajapatis,[328] a mind-born son of Brahma and celebrated in the world. And the glorious ascetic, by name Bishrava. was the mind-born son unto Pulastya, effulgent like unto Prajapatis. O large-eyed damsel! Of Visrava came Ravana terrible unto his enemies. And it behoveth thee to become the consort of that lord of Rakshasas. Scorn not the words I say unto thee, O thou of comely presence." Thereupon another Rakshasee named Harijata, having the eyes of a cat, and whirling them with ire, said--"It becometh thee to be the wife of that lord of Rakshasas who smote the thirty three celestials and their lord in battle. Dost thou not desire to be his wife, who is heroic, of indomitable prowess and who doth not turn back in battle? And turning away in scorn from his beloved wife, highly esteemed, the mighty king Ravana, desireth for thee. And leaving his inner apartment enriched with thousand of females and adorned with various jewels, Ravana shall adore thee." And then followed another Rakshasee by name Bikata--"The king, who by his terrible prowess subdued the Gandharbas[329] and Nagas[330] in battle, hath stood by thee. O foolish damsel, why dost thou not wish to be the consort of that high-souled lord of Rakshasas--Ravana, gifted with wealth and riches." And then followed another Rakshasee named Durmukhee.-- "Why dost thou not approach him, O thou having expansive eyes, by whose fear, the sun doth not shine, and the wind doth not blow. O dame, why dost thou not wish to be the consort of Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, at whose command the trees shower blossoms and the hills and clouds pour down water. Why dost thou not make up thy mind to be the wife of Ravana? O damsel, O worshipful dame, we have spoken thus for thy welfare. Do thou comply with our request or thou shalt surely die,"

[328] Prajapitis are the lords of the created beings first created by
Brahma.--T.

[329] Heavenly singers and musicians who belong to the heaven of
Indra.--T.

[330] Serpent-gods who dwell in the regions under the earth.