[240] _Evameva--forsooth_, as I render it. The commentator, however, says it means _such as thou hast described him_.--T.
[241] The rain-bow is sometimes called _Indra's bow_ and at others _Rama's bow._--T.
[242] The mountain Mandara which served as the the churning stick.--T.
[244] _Sangramante_, I presume, means _rear of the forces_; although literally it means, _at the conclusion of the conflict_,--because this interpretation would not be proper, the battle being now at its hottest.--T.
[245] Probably, _at his own prowess_.--T.
[246] The text has _Angada_, avoided for euphony.
[251] Elephants of the cardinal points.--T.
Seeing in sore straits his own mighty forces capable of making people's down stand on end,--and seeing his brothers resembling Sakra in prowess, routed; and seeing also his uncles brought down in battle, as well as his brothers--Yudhyonmatta and Matta--foremost of Rakshasas, that crusher of the pride of deities and Danavas--the exceedingly energetic Atikaya--resembling a hill, who had obtained from Brahma a boon in battle, was fired with wrath. Ascending a car effulgent like a thousand suns mingling their rays into a burst of brilliance, that enemy of Sakra, charged the monkeys. And stretching his bow, (Atikaya) decked with a diadem and wearing polished ear-rings, proclaimed his name (among the monkey-ranks) and shouted in lofty tones. And with his leonine roars and the proclamation of his name, and the tremendous twang of his bow-string, he struck terror into the monkeys. Seeing the magnitude of his person, the monkeys thinking that it was Kumbhakarna who had come,--and affrighted thereat, sought the shelter of each other. And seeing his form like unto that of Vishnu when he displayed his threefold energy, the monkey-warriors seized with fear, began to scour on all sides. And on Atikaya appearing before them, the monkeys, stupified in that conflict, saught the shelter of Lakshmana's elder brother. And from a distance Kakutstha saw the mountain like Atikaya mounted on the car and equipped with his bow, like unto roaring clouds (seen) on the occasion of the universal disruption. And seeing that huge-bodied one, Raghava struck with surprise, comforting the monkeys, addressed Bibhishana, saying,--"Who is this one resembling a mountain, furnished with a bow and having leonine eyes, that is stationed on a large car yoked with a thousand steeds,--he that with effulgent sharpened darts and keen _praças_ and _tomaras_, shineth like Maheçwara environed by spectres--he that displaying his fatal tongue, appeareth splendid, surrounded with darts in his car; like a mass of clouds graced with lightning. And his bows adorned and backed with gold all over, beautify his car even as Indra's bow beautifyeth the firmament. And who is this foremost of Rakshasas and best of bowmen that embellishing the field of battle, approacheth on a car glorious as the sun; who, displaying the ten cardinal points with his shafts resembling the rays of the sun, appeareth handsome with his peak of a banner bearing the figure of Rahu--whose bow bent in three places, emitting roars resembling the rumbling of clouds, and plated with gold, looketh like the bow itself of Satakratu? And his mighty car furnished with a banner and ensign and bottom, and having clatter resembling the roaring of clouds, hath four horsemen (attached to it). And there are on the car eight and thirty quivers and dreadful bows and yellow-golden bow-strings. And there are (in that car) two effulgent swords at his side, illumining it,--their hafts measuring four hands and their blades ten each. And that calm (warrior) wears red garlands about his neck, and resembles a mighty mountain. And a very Destroyer, he hath a mighty mouth, appearing like that of the Destroyer himself; and he looketh like the sun stationed on clouds. And with his arms adorned with golden _angadas_, he appeareth splendid like that best of mountains--the Himavan with its towering summits. And with his pair of ear-rings, his charming yet terrific countenance shineth like the full Moon entering into Punarvaçu.[255] O mighty-armed one, tell me all about this foremost of Rakshasas, seeing whom the monkeys, overwhelmed with fear, fly away in all directions". Asked by the king's son--Rama of immeasurable prowess--the exceedingly energetic Bibhishana spoke unto Rama, informing him,--"The highly powerful king, Vaisravana's younger brother of dreadful deeds, the high-souled Ravana--is the sovereign of the Rakshasas. This one is his mighty son, like unto Ravana himself in strength. He serveth the aged, is of wide celebrity and is the prime of those versed in all branches of knowledge.