Chapter LV: Section LVI

Having been thus addressed, Vaidehi unaffected by fear, although exercised with grief, placing a blade of grass between herself and Ravana, answered him, saying, "There was a king named Dacaratha, the bridge of righteousness, like unto a mountain, ever bearing regard towards the truth, and renowned among men, whose son is Raghava. He is named Rama, and is righteous-souled and celebrated over the three worlds. He is long-armed, of expansive eyes,--like unto a celestial--he is my husband. Born in the race of the Ikshwakus, he hath the shoulders of a lion and is possessed of exceeding effulgence--the same that along with his brother, Lakshmana, shall take thy life. If thou hadst wronged me forcibly in his presence, thou wouldst have lain in battle in Janasthana even as Khara." All the mighty Rakshasas of grim visages, whom thou hast extolled (before me) shall be deprived of their venom before Rama, as serpents are before Suparna. The shafts decorated with gold shot by the bow-string of Raghava, shall pierce their bodies, as the waves of the Ganga (beat against) her banks, Although, O Ravana, thou mayst be incapable of being slain either by the gods or the Asuras, yet having roused the high hostility of Raghava, thou wilt not be able to liberate thy life. The strong Raghava will compass the end of what remains of thy life. Like the life of a beast tied to the sacrificial stake, thy own is incapable of being reclaimed, Should Rama look at thee with eyes aglow with anger, thou, O Rakshasa, wouldst be consumed even as Manmatha was by Rudra. He who is able to bring down the Moon or destroy him, and to drink up the ocean dry, will surely liberate Sita from here. Thy days are numbered, and auspiciousness hath bidden thee adieu. Thou art shorn of strength, and thy senses have been dulled. And it is owing to thee that Lanka shall be subject to widowhood. That thou by force hast for naught carried me away from the side of my husband --this sinful act can never conduce to thy felicity. That exceedingly effulgent lord of mine along with my husband's younger brother, summoning up their energy, is fearlessly dwelling in the vacant Dandaka. By means of an arrowy shower in conflict, he will take thy prowess and strength, thy hauteur and wickedness out of thy person. When urged by the Destroyer, the destruction of creatures is perceptible, then, coming under the sway of the Destroyer, men become careless in their actions. Having outraged me, thou, O worst of Rakshasas, thy time come; for compassing thy own destruction as well as that of the Rakshasas and those dwelling in thy inner apartment. A Chandala cannot tread the dais reared in the midst of a sacrifice beauteous with ladles, and vessels, and sanctified by the twice-born ones. So I, the religiously wedded wife of that one, ever intent on virtue, and (always) firm in my vows, is incapable, thou vilest of Rakshasas, of being touched by thee, a sinner. How can the female that hath always sported with her mate amidst lotuses, cast her eyes on a shag staying among rushes. Do thou either bind or destroy this body deprived of sensation. This body will I not protect, nor yet this life, O Ravana; and I shall not be able to bring blame on myself in this world." Having said these harsh words in wrath, Videha's daughter, Janaki, did not there again say anything unto Ravana. Hearing Sita's words, harsh and calculated to make one's down stand on end, Ravana answered her in words tending to excite one's apprehension, "Hear, O Maithili, my words. O damsel if, O thou of sweet smiles, within this time thou do not turn thyself unto me, the cooks shall cut thee off in pieces to serve my morning meal." Having herself spoken thus, Ravana,--challenger of foes-- growing exceedingly wroth, addressed the Rakshasis in these words, "Ye frightful Rakshasis terrible to behold, subsisting on flesh and gore, do ye at once crush her pride." As soon as he had said this, those frightfnl and terrible Rakshasis with joined hands encircled Maithili. Then the grim-visaged king Ravana, as if riving the earth by his tread, proceeding a pace or two, said, "Do ye take Maithili to the wood of _Asokas_. There surrounding her, do ye secretly guard her; and there (sometimes) by storming, and (at others) by means of soft speech, do ye all strive to bring Mithila's daughter, like a wild female elephant, under your sway." Thus commanded by Ravana, those Rakshasis taking Maithili along with them, went to the _Asoka_ wood, abounding with trees granting every desire, and filled with various kinds of fruits and flowers; and frequented by fowls fraught with juices at all seasons. And as a doe comes under the subjection of tigresses, Janaka's daughter, Maithili, her frame worked up with grief, came under the sway of the Rakshasis. And like a female deer fast bound by a trap, Janaka's timid daughter Maithili, agitated by the mighty grief, did not attain respite. And greatly up-braided by the fierce eyes (of the Rakshasis), Maithili did not know repose; and, afflicted with grief and fear, she, remembering her beloved lord along with Lakshmana swooned away.