Chapter XX: Section XXI

Seeing Surpanakha again lying on the ground, Khara in anger spake out unto that one, who had come to bring on evil, saying, "I had but recently commissioned for thy behoof those heroic Rakshasas living on flesh. Why then dost thou again weep? Bearing regard and attached unto me, and ever engaged in my welfare, they, assailed by others, are incapable of being slain; nor do they not obey my orders. What can it be? I would hear of the occasion owing to which again, crying 'Ah lord,' thou rollest on the earth like a serpent. Why dost thou beweep like one forlorn, while I thy lord, am living? Arise! Arise! Do not fear, cast off thy stupor." Thus addressed, and consoled by Khara, that irrepressible one, wiping her eyes, spoke unto Khara, "Having had my nose and ears cut off, I had come hither, covered with blood; and thou hadst consoled me. And thou also hadst despatched fourteen heroic Rakshasas, for my behoof, for slaying the terrific Raghava along with Lakshmana. But all those, bearing ill will (towards Rama), bearing darts and _pathsas_ in their haads, have been slain in conflict by means of weapons penetrating into the vitals. Seeing those possessed of great speed, in a moment laid low on the ground,--as well as (witnessing) Rama's mighty deed, great fear hath taken possession of me. O ranger of the night, I am afraid, and agitated, and cast down. I have (at length) found in thee a refuge, seeing fear on all sides. Wilt thou not rescue me who am sinking in this ocean of grief, having sorrow for its alligators and affright for billows? And these Rakshasas, living on flesh who had arrived at that place, have been slain by Rama with sharpened shafts. If thou hast any kindness for me as well as those sons of Rakshasas and, O ranger of mght, if thou hast strength and energy to cope with Rama, do thou kill this thorn of the Rakshasas, who hath set up his dwelling in the forest of Dandaka. If thou do not to-day slay that destroyer of foes,[26] Rama, I shall banishing shame, give up my life in thy very presence. Meseems, thou backed by thy forces[27] art incapable of staying in battle before Rama in high encounter. Thou plumest thyself on being a hero; but art really none such. Prowess hath been falsely attributed unto thee. Go off from Janasthana without delay, along with thy friends. O Stainer of thy line, do thou in battle slay those fool-hardy ones. But if thou fail in slaying those human beings, Rama and Lakshmana, then how canst thou void of strength and of slender prowess, stay here? Overcome by the energy of Rama thou shalt speedily meet with destruction. Dacaratha's son Rama, is endued with energy. His brother is possessed of high vigour by whom I have come to be deformed." Having thus bewailed long, that Rakshasi, possessed of a spacious abdomen, through sorrow, became bereft of her senses before her brother, and excercised with great grief cried, striking her abdomen with her hands.

[26] Another reading is _that enemy of mine.--T._

[27] Some texts--(Rama) _equipped with the bow.--T._