Chapter XXI: Section XXII

On being thus taunted by Surpanakha, Khara spoke these sharp words in the midst of the Rakshasas, "Arising from this thy humiliating censure, my wrath is beyond compare. I can not bear it, like salt-water cast on a sore. From my prowess I count not Rama who is a human being possessed of a frail life--him who slain by me shall to-day in consequence of his misdeed give up existence. Restrain thy tears, and remove thy fear. I shall despatch Rama along with his brother to the abode of Yama. Thou shalt, O Rakshasi, quaff on the ground the hot blood of Rama of evil life, slain by my axe." Overjoyed on hearing the words that dropped from Khara's mouth, she again through fickleness extolled that foremost of Rakshasas, her brother. At first reprimanded by her and then praised, Khara spoke unto his general, named Dushana, saying, "Do thou, O gentle one, array fourteen thousand of those Rakshasas, gifted with furious vehemence, ever following my wish, who never turn away from the field; who are hued like unto purple clouds, who revel in cruelty,[28] and who are elated (in consequence of their prowess). And thou gentle one, do thou at once bring my car as well as my bows, and pasty colored arrows and scimitars, and darts, and various whetted javelins. O thou versed in warfare, for slaying this haughty Rama, I go in the very fore-front of the high-souled Paulastyas.[29] As he said this, Dushana brought his great car hued like the sun, yoked with excellent steeds of various colors. And thereupon in a passion Khara ascended that car resembling a peak of Meru, embellished with burnished-gold, furnished with golden wheels, open; having its pole studded with lapises; surrounded with fishes and flowers and trees and stones, and the sun and the moon and gold, and auspicious articles; and swarms of birds, and stars; having streamers and swords; garnished with bells; and yoked with superb coursers. And beholding that mighty army consisting of cars and arms and pennons, Khara as well as Dushana, said unto that multitude of Rakshasas, "March forth!" And then uttering tremendous roars, rushed out with great vehemence four and ten thousands of those terrible Rakshasas equipped with clubs and _pattisas_ and darts and sharpened axes, and scimitars and discuses,--shining beautifully in their hands and saktis and dreadful _parighas_ and innumerable bows, and maces, and _mushalas_ and _vajras_ fearful to behold, griped fast. And those following the will of Khara issued out of JanasthSna. Seeing those Rakshasas of dreadful forms rushing out, Khara's car remaining a little away (from the press), proceeded after a short space. Then taking the permission of Khara, the charioteer drove at speed those powerful steeds decked in shining gold. And driven with speed, the car of Khara--slayer of foes--filled all directions with its rattle. And Khara, fired with wrath, and having piercing voice, hastening to destroy his enemy like the Destroyer himself, again urged his charioteer with roars, like a mighty cloud showering down stones.

[28] The North-West Province's text has some additional
_sloka_:--_Dreadful, wearing forms at will, possessing the pride
of the lion, having large mouth, high-souled, revelling in
cruelty, endeued with strength, of fierce energy.--T_.

[29] _Lit.--Pulastya's sons_. The Rakshasas were commonly descended
from _Pulastya.--T._