Lava Defeats the Army and Kills the General

1-4. Seeing his soldiers with their arms cut off, Shatrughna getting very angry and biting his lower lip with anger, said to them: "O you, which hero has cut off your arms? I shall cut off both the arms of him, (even though he is) protected by gods, O soldiers. The great fool does not know (anything about) the great might of Ramachandra. Now through my valour I shall show (him) my might. Where is that hero? Where is the charming hero? Which fool, not knowing the valour, would seize sleeping serpents?" When the heroes were told (like this) they were amazed and much afflicted.

5-10a. They told (him) about the child that had the likeness of Ramachandra. He on hearing the seizure of the horse by the boy, had his eyes red due to anger and willing to fight he ordered his general Kalajit: "O general, by my order array the entire army. We have to encounter a very mighty and brave enemy. This is not a child who has seized the horse. He might be Vishnu or he might be Shiva. My horse could not have been taken away in any other way. Certainly a great destruction of the mighty army will take place. The boy with a fearless mind, is playing (doing) acts according to his own will. We difficult to be conquered by our enemies, should get ready and go there."

10b-14a. Hearing these words of Shatrughna, that general of the army made ready that army which was arranged in (such) a way that it would be hard (for the enemy to dislodge it) and which had four divisions. Shatrughna, having seen that excellent (complete) army with four divisions made ready, ordered it to go to that place where the boy who had seized the horse, stood. Then the army moved with the four divisions causing that part of the earth to quake and scaring by its might the enemies. The generl saw that boy having a form (like that) of Rama. Thinking (i.e. finding) him to be the likeness of Rama, he spoke to him beneficial words:

14b-21a. "O boy, leave the best horse of the powerful Rama. I am the ferocious general, named Kalajit, of the king. Seeing you resembling Rama, pity is produced in my heart. Otherwise, you will not live due to the suffering caused by me." Having heard these words of the warrior of shatrughna (i.e. of Kalajit), the boy laughed a little, and with a little wrath said (these) wonderful words: "Go, you are free; report to that Rama the seizure of the horse. O brave one, I am not afraid of you by means of (i.e. though you have uttered) words of political wisdom. I do not care (even) if crores like you (encounter me). Due to the grace of my mother's feet, they are to me (as light) as cotton. That your name which your beautiful mother gave to you, is only due to complexion and not due to valour, like the ripe bimba fruit (having red colour but no efficacy). Now, characterised by (i.e. on) the strength of your name (Kalajit), show me your valour. You will prove your name to be true vanquishing me who am your death." Shesha said:

21b-25a. He, the crest (i.e. the best) of excellent warriors, disturbed by the words like thunderbolt, got very angry in his mind, and again said (these) words: "O boy, in which family are you born? What is your name? I do not know your name, so also your family and your virtue. How can I, being in a chariot, conquer you who go on foot (i.e. are a foot-soldier), by following the prescribed course of conduct?" Then, he got very angry, and again said these words: ''O warrior, what is the use of (your knowing) my family, my virtue, or my name? I am Lava and will in a moment vanquish all the soldiers of my enemy. Now I shall even make a warrior like you (seated in a chariot) go on foot (i.e. a foot-soldier)."

25b-33. Speaking like this, that mighty Lava made ready his bow; he made the twang-sound (of the bow) and scared the soldiers at heart. Having recollected Valmiki first and (then) his mother Janaki, Lava discharged sharp arrows which instantly took away the life (of his enemies). Kalajit who was angry, made his bow ready and he who was quick and proficient in fighting, struck Lava. The younger brother of Kusha (i.e. Lava) in a moment quickly cut off his arrows into hundred (pieces) and deprived the general of his chariot by means of bright, excellent arrows. He who was deprived of his chariot, mounted upon an intoxicated, very speedy elephant which (i.e. whose ichor) was flowing in seven ways (i.e. streams) and which was brought by his soldiers. The victor (i.e. Lava), seeing him mounted upon an elephant, laughed, and pierced all the hosts of the enemies with ten arrows fixed on his bow. Kalajit, seeing his valour, and with his mind amazed, threw (at him) a big mace made of great (i.e. strong) iron. (Lava), the younger brother of Kusha, seeing the mace, made with (i.e. weighing) a myriad of bharas coming to him speedily, cut it off quickly into three pieces with arrows having sharp, horse-shoe-shaped heads.

34-40. He then discharged (at Lava) a sharp, fierce iron club, out to take away his life. Lava, full of speed, cut it off. Having cut off the fierce iron club, he, with his eyes red due to anger, observing him to have mounted upon the haunch of an elephant, became angry. At that moment (only) he cut off with his sword the trunk of that elephant. Supporting his feet with (i.e. standing on) the tusks of the elephant, he mounted on his head. Having cut off the general's crown into a hundred pieces, and his armour into a hundred pieces, and having dragged the general with (i.e. by seizing) his hair he knocked him down on the ground. The general knocked down from the haunch of the elephant, again got angry. He struck him on his chest with his thunderbolt-like fist; he, struck with fists, having bent his bow, quickly discharged arrows with sharp horse-shoe-shaped arrows at his chest. He who had bent his bow and who had put on a helmet and an armour unbreakable even by crores of arrows, shone on the battlefield. He pierced by sharp arrows, took a sword to kill him.

41-48a. Lava, gnawing his teeth through anger, and repeatedly heaving and breathing, cut off the centre of the arm of the general who was coming with a sword in his hand. He, with the sword in his hand fell down. The general, seeing that his (right) hand holding the sword was cut off, angrily went to strike him with a mace (held) with the left (hand). That arm of him along with the armlets was also cut off with sharp arrows. Then the hero, getting extremely angry struck Lava with his feet. Lava, (though) struck by his feet, did not move on the battlefield. He bore up the cutting off of the feet like an elephant struck with a garland. Even then he started striking him with his head. Then Lava, looking upon the general as having superior valour, took a sword resembling the destructive fire at the end of the world in his hand, and cut off his head adorned with a large crown. When the general was struck down, there was a great wailing. The angry soldiers came (forward) to kill Lava.

48b-57a. By striking them with his arrows, Lava made them intent on fleeing. Some were broken; some were pierced; some went (away) from the battlefield. Having warded off all soldiers, he gladly penetrated the army, as the hog, having heaved, plunges into the great ocean at the time of the deluge. The elephants were pierced and cut into two, and the earth was filled with pearls, and became inaccessible for the great warriors (when) it is covered with mountains. Horses, shining with power, having golden saddles, charming, and decorated with gems, fell into the pool wet (i.e. full) with blood. The warriors fighting from chariots, who looked lovely on account of the bows in their hands, fell into the interior of the chariots like gods going to heaven. Warriors skilled in fighting, who bit their lips, marked with charm revolving round their faces, were seen to have fallen there. A river of blood, with the tortoises in the form of horses' heads and charming due to its great stream and causing fear to the enemies, flew (there). The arms of some were cut off; the feet of some were chopped off. The ears and noses and armours and earrings of some were cut off. When the general fell in the battle, such (was the) destruction (that) took place. All heroes fell down. None survived then.

57b-67. Lava, having got victory in the battle and having vanquished the host of his enemies, thinking that someone else might come, looked (everywhere). Some who were spared from the battle, did not die on the battlefield. They went near Shatrughna to tell him (about) the wonderful account. Having gone (to him), they told him (the account) as it took place on the battlefield — the death of Kalajit from (i.e. at the hands of) the boy, and his wonderful effort in the battle. Hearing that,

Shatrughna who was amazed, laughed, and remembering the seizure of the horse by the boy, gnawed his teeth in anger, and said to them: -'O heroes, were you intoxicated, or were you cheating imps? How did incompetency overcome you? How did Kalajit die? How would a boy vanquish him who was fearful to the hosts of enemies in the battle, who was (always) victorious in a battle, and who was invincible even for Yama?" Hearing the words of Shatrughna, the warriors, wet with blood, said: "We were not under the influence of intoxication etc. There was no fraud, nor gambling. O king, know that Kalajit had his death from (i.e. at the hands of) Lava. The boy having matchless skill, shook the entire army. (Now you decide) what is to be done hereafter, or which excellent men should be sent (against Lava). Thinking him to be a child, you should not use your force rashly." Then Shatrughna, having heard these words of the warriors, spoke to Sumati, the best intellect, about the waging of the war.

1. O great minister, do you know who is the boy that took away the horse and who destroyed all my army like an ocean? Sumati said:

3-5. O lord, this is the great hermitage of the best sage Valmiki. O you who torment your enemies, ksatriyas do not at all live here. It might be that Indra became (i.e. took the form of) the great sage and snatched the horse, or it might be Shiva. Otherwise, who else would take away your horse? O great king, who else but Puskala can go to (i.e. march against) him who killed the very fearful Kalajit? O you destroyer of your enemies, go there surrounded by all your brave warriors, kings, and your great army.

6-8. Having gone there, having bound the hero, I shall show it to Rama, who has a curiosity. This is my careful (i.e. wellconsidered) view.

Hearing these words, he ordered all his warriors: "Go with a great army. I (shall) come after you." In a moment the soldiers went there where the mighty one (i.e. Lava), stretching his very strong bow furnished with a string, stood.

9-11. Having seen that very mighty army full of warriors, coming, the powerful Lava was not at all afraid in his mind. Lava, looking upon all the warriors as deer, angrily stretched his bow, and discharging arrows in thousands, stood up like a lion. They, being afflicted by the arrows, and full of great anger, looking upon the hero as a boy, then rushed to him.

12-14. Seeing thousands of warriors arrayed in a circular arrangement of the troops, Lava, full of anger, quickly fixed arrows (on his bow). The first circular arrangement had a thousand (soldiers). The second had ten thousand as the number (of soldiers). The third had twenty thousand; the fourth had fifty thousand; the fifth had a lakh of soldiers; the sixth had ten thousand more; and the seventh had a couple of lakhs. He was surrounded by seven (such) circular arrangements of the troops.

15-16. In the midst was Lava, surrounded by the circular arrangements of the troops; and moving like fire he burnt (i.e. destroyed) all the soldiers forming the circular arrangements. The noble one destroyed all the arrangement(s) — some with swords, some with arrows, some with barbed missiles, some with lances, (some) with spears having sharp edges, and some with clubs tipped with iron.

17-21. The younger brother of Kusha, freed from the seven circular arrangements of the troops, shone like the moon freed from the group of clouds at the advent of the autumn. He with his disc cut off many trunks of elephants and mighty heads of warriors, and completely struck (down) the warriors. Afflicted by Lava's arrows many fell and fainted on the battlefield; others, very timid, fled away. Seeing the army afflicted by Lava's arrows, intent on fleeing, the hero named Puskala went to the battlefield to fight. The mighty one, seated in his chariot, charming due to good horse, saying, 'Wait, wait' and with his eyes full of anger, went to (i.e. marched against) Lava.

22-23a. That Puskala knowing the (use of) great missiles, said to Lava: "Stand in the chariot adorned with good horses in the battle. How shall I fight with you — a foot-soldier — in the battle? Therefore, stand in the chariot, and then I shall fight with you."

23b-26. Hearing these words, Lava said to Puskala: "If I standing in your chariot, fight in the battle, then my victory would be doubtful. O hero, we are not brahmanas given to receiving (gifts), but we are ksatriyas, always engaged in acts of charity. Now, through anger I shall break your chariot. Then you will (also) be fighting on foot. Then you will fight (with me)."

27-29. Puskala having heard these words full of righteousness and courage, was amazed in heart for a long time and made ready his bow. Lava seeing him having taken a bow, got angry and cut off the bow in his hand, and took an aim with his arrow. The powerful one, laughed and being excited broke his chariot in the battlefield, while he was stringing his bow.

30-35. Seeing his chariot broken and his bow cut off by the noble one, he regarded him as a great hero, and the fighter on foot ran away in the battlefield. Both heroes were heroes; both had raised their arrows; both were wet with blood; both had their armours cut off. Both were seen to have their bodies shattered with the strokes of arrows of each other; both desired victory; both desired to kill each other like Jayanta and Kartikeya or

Shiva and Indra. In this way they fought with each other on the battlefield. Puskala said to the boy: "O crest-jewel of the brave, I have not seen a crest-jewel (i.e. best) of the brave like you. Today I shall knock down your head with arrows having sharp, fine joints. Do not run from the battlefield. Being restrained, protect your life."

36-39. Saying so he put brave Lava in the cage of (i.e. formed by) arrows. Puskala's arrows settled on the ground after having pervaded the sky. Lava, being in the cage of (i.e. formed by) arrows, said to Puskala: "O hero, you have done a great feat that you harassed me with arrows". Saying so, the hero skilled in taking aim with an arrow and cutting off the volley of arrows, said to Puskala: "Take care of yourself (while) standing in the battle. Afflicted by the strokes of my arrows, you will fall covered with blood, on the earth."

40-45. Having heard these words, Puskala, full of anger, fought with the very strong hero in the battle. Lava, getting angry in a moment angrily took out a sharp arrow (capable of) killing the enemy and resembling a serpent from the quiver. That blazing arrow discharged from Lava's bow and ready to pierce his chest was quickly cut off by Bharata's son (Puskala). When Bharata's son cut off with his fatal arrow (the arrow of Lava), he got very angry and took another fierce arrow. The sharp arrow discharged from the bow drawn up to the ear, pierced the chest of that Puskala in the great battle. The crest-jewel of the very brave, pierced in the chest by that fast going arrow, fell on the ground.

46-54. Seeing Puskala fallen, the son of Wind (i.e. Hanumat) took him who was unconscious and handed him over to (Shatrughna) brother of Raghava. Seeing him unconscious, he, with his mind overcome with grief and full of anger, ordered Hanumat to kill Lava. Hanumat, burning with rage, uprooted a salmali tree and quickly went (i.e. rushed) to vanquish in the battle the very powerful Lava. The mighty Hanumat struck on Lava's head with the tree. Lava, seeing it falling upon (him), quickly cut it off into hundred (pieces). When the tree was cut off, the very mighty one again angrily uprooted trees from the root and struck them on his chest and head. The mighty one speedily cut off with his arrows of sharp joints those trees which Wind's son (i.e. Hanumat) took, and with which he struck him. Then the monkey, Wind's son, having uprooted rocks like high rocks thrown down by an earthquake, speedily threw them on the head (of Lava). Struck by those multitudes of rocks in the battle, he raised his bow and powdered them with his arrows as particles with turners' wheels.

55-62. Then, in the battle the angry blessed Hanumat encircled the mighty Lava with his tail. Seeing himself tied up with his tail, he the powerful one, remembering his mother in his heart, struck with his fist Haniimat's tail. Distressed by the strokes of the fist, Hanumat freed him. He the powerful one, freed from the tail, discharged arrows in the battle. The monkey with his body afflicted by the unavoidable strokes of arrows, looking upon the shower of arrows as very unbearable thought: 'What should we do here? If I run away then it is shameful for my lord; (If I stay here), the boy would strike me. Due to the boon given to me by Brahmadatta, I had neither a swoon, nor did I die. The affliction caused by the arrows is unbearable. Let Shatrughna go to (i.e. march against) Lava in the battle and get victory over the boy. I desiring victory, shall lie in false swoon!' Thinking like this in his mind, he fell on the battlefield, fraudulently unconscious when all the heroes were seeing (i.e. in the presence of all the heroes). He, skilled in discharging arrows, knowing that the very mighty Hanum at was unconscious, struck all the kings (with arrows).

1-14. Hearing that Hanumat was unconscious, Shatrughna was distressed: 'What should I do in the battle? This boy is very powerful.' Himself seated in a golden chariot along with excellent heroes he went where Lava, skilled in fighting in a wonderful way, stood. He saw Lava, as if Rama reduced to childhood had come on the earth, having a bow and arrows in his hand and discharging (arrows) in the battle. At that time he thought: 'Who is this having Rama's form and having a charming body dark like the petals of a blue lotus? This must be the son of (Sita) the daughter of (the king of) Videha; not otherwise (i.e. none else), (who) having vanquished us in the battle, will go like the lord of beasts. There is no possibility of the victory of us who are void of power. What shall we, (though) proficient in fighting, (yet) being weak, do?' He, having thought like this, said (these) words to the boy who fought with vehemence, knocking down crores of heroes: "O boy, who are you that are knocking down our heroes on the ground? You do not know the power of Rama who killed the demons. Who is your mother? Who is your father? Being very lucky, you got victory. O you very mighty one, what is your name well-known in the world? Release (the horse); how (i.e. why) have you caught the horse? (Since it is) due to your being a child, I forgive you. Come, see Rama, he will give you large (wealth)." The boy who was addressed like this, said (these) words to Shatrughna: ''What have you to do with my name, or my father, or my family, or my age? O hero, if you are endowed with power, then fight (with me) in the battle; otherwise, salute the hero Kusha (by falling) at his feet; otherwise you cannot go. You are the brave brother of Rama; (but) for us you are not the best among the mighty. If you have power, then forcibly release the horse." Saying so, the mighty warrior, taking aim with his arrow, struck him on his chest, head and arms on the battlefield.

15-27. Then the king (Shatrughna) got angry, and making a grave sound like that of the clouds, and as it were scaring the boy (i.e. in order to scare the boy) made his bow ready. The best among the mighty discharged innumerable arrows. The boy powerfully cut off all those volleys of arrows. The surface of the earth was pervaded by the arrows discharged by Lava in many ways. They became inexhaustible (i.e. did not fail) like gifts given on a day of a great portentous calamity. Those arrows fixed (on his bow) by Lava pervaded the entire sky. Having reached the sun's orb, they proceeded uninterruptedly everywhere. Even the wind did (i.e. could) not enter the cage of his arrows. Then what can be said about human beings said to live for a moment? Seeing these arrows spreading on, Shatrughna was amazed. Skilled in discharging arrows he cut off a hundred thousand (arrows). Seeing all his arrows cut off, the younger brother of Kusha (i.e. Lava) quickly cut off the bow of king Shatrughna. When, having taken another bow, he discharged his arrows, he shattered the chariot with arrows having sharp joints. He cut off, the very strong bow in his hand, that had a string. The heroes remaining on the battlefield, appreciated that feat. He, with his bow cut off, deprived of his chariot, with his horses killed, with his charioteer killed, resorted to another chariot, went to fight forcibly with Lava. Pierced with many arrows, with blood flowing from his body, he shone in the battle like a kimsuka tree with flowers. Struck by the arrows of Shatrughna, he, skilled in aiming with an arrow, and having bent his bow became very angry. He made Shatrughna's body such that its armour was shattered, that the head was bereft of the crown and wet with the flowing blood.

28-38. Then Rama's younger brother (Shatrughna) got angry; and he who was extremely angry discharged ten fatal arrows having sharp tips. Having reduced them to very small pieces like the Sheshamum seeds with his arrows having sharp joints, he struck on Shatrughna's chest with eight arrows. Very much afflicted with (the strokes of) the arrows and thinking of the mighty Lava and regarding him to be invincible, he discharged arrows at that time. Then Lava pierced him in his> large chest with an arrow resembling the crescent moon and looking charming in the joints. Pierced in the chest, he received a terrible affliction. He, having a bow in his hands and well-adorned, fell into the interior of the chariot. Seeing Shatrughna unconscious, Suratha and other kings, eager to get victory in the battle ran to Lava. Suratha, the brave Vimala, so also king Viramani, Sumada, Riputapa and others surrounded him in the battle. Certain kings struck him all round with arrows having sharp horse-shoe-shaped heads, pestles; some with very fierce arrows; some with darts and hatchets. The crest-jewel among the fighting heroes, seeing them eager to fight unjustly, struck them (each) with ten arrows in the battle. They, struck with showers of arrows in the battle, were very angry. Some fled away and some fainted on the battlefield. Just then, king Shatrughna, full of might, gave up his unconsciousness (i.e. regained consciousness) and went to fight with the great warrior Lava.

39-47. Having come (to him), he said to that Lava: "You who are like a boy, are lucky. You are not a boy; you are a god; you have come to outwit (us). I was never vanquished by any hero in battle. You have made me unconscious, when I am seeing (i.e. under my very nose). Now see my valour. I shall knock you down in the battle; put up with (at least) one arrow; Oboy, do not run away." Saying so, he who had destroyed Lavana, fierce like Yama's face, took an arrow in the battle. (Then) he fixed a blazing arrow and decided to strike on the chest of Lava who was like fire burning everything, all the heroes. Seeing that blazing arrow illumining the ten quarters, he remembered Kusha who knocked down his enemies, 'If at this time my strong, brave brother were here, I would not have been humbled by Shatrughna, and there would not have been excessive fear.' When the noble Lava was thinking like this, a mighty, fierce arrow resembling the destructive fire at the end of the world, stuck to (i.e. struck) his chest. At that time the hero, struck by the king's arrow became unconscious in the battle adorned with the heads of all heroes.

1-3. Seeing Lava, the destroyer of his enemies, unconscious, Shatrughna, the very mighty one, obtained victory in the battle. Putting Lava, the boy adorned with a helmet etc. and the likeness of Rama in form, in the chariot he desired to go from there. Seeing that their friend was arrested by the enemy, the boys who were full of grief, quickly reported it to his mother, Sita. The boys said:

4-9. O mother Janaki, your son forcibly snatched the horse of some proud king endowed with power. Then, O Janaki, the great brave boy vanquished all the army. Later also he got victory. Having made that king unconscious, he obtained victory in the battle. Then the very fearful king, having given up the swoon (i.e. having regained consciousness), got angry and knocked down your son on the battlefield. We had in the beginning warded him off (saying): "Do not seize this excellent horse." Despising all of us, the brahmanas who have mastered the Vedas, (he seized him)." Hearing these very terrible words of the boys, she fell on the ground and full of grief she wept. Sit a said:

10-20. How is the cruel king fighting with the boy? He who has vanquished my son, has a wicked mind as a result of impious deeds. O hero Lava, where are you, full of great power? How (is it that) you seized the excellent horse of the unkind king? You are a boy, they are invincible and proficient in (the use of) all weapons. They were in their chariots, (while) you were without a chariot? How can the fight (be said to) be (between two) equal (parties)? With you (i.e. in your company) I gave up (i.e. did not mind) the unhappiness due to Rama's having abandoned me. Now without you, how shall I live in the forest? Come to me; release the sarcificial horse; let this king go. You who wash away (i.e. remove) my sorrow, do not realise my sorrow. Had Kusha, the crest-jewel of the brave, been here today, he would have (by) now freed you from the vicinity of the king. Due to my (bad) luck he too is not nearby. Now what shall I do? It is just my fate that is the cause for the rise of (this) sorrow. The glorious one scratching the earth with the toe of her foot and with tears in both her eyes, wept much like this. She said to the boys: "This one (i.e. Lava) is a child, and he (i.e. Shatrughna) is a king. How and where will he go on having vanquished my son in the battle?" When this Janaki who looked upon her husband as her god was speaking like this, Kusha along with great sages came (back) from Ujjayini. After having worshipped Mahakala on the fourteenth day of the dark half of Magha and after having secured many boons from him, he came in the vicinity of (i.e. to) his mother.

21-28a. Seeing Janaki afflicted and overcome with fear and with tears produced in her eyes, and helpless due to being overcome with grief, he, being anxious, said. At that time, his (right) arm, throbbing and indicating fight, said (to him). In the heart of the mighty warrior there was great enthusiasm to fight. He spoke to his mother, speaking piteously in a faltering voice: "When I, your son, have stood by you, your affliction has gone. When I am alive, tears should not fall from (your) eyes." He, of a courageous mind, said to his mother who was sad with tears, who was speaking in a piteous and faltering voice, who was instantly unhappy due to Lava's being bounded by grief. "Where is my brother, the destroyer of his enemies, who having come to have known that I have arrived, would always come near me?

How (is it that) the hero is not seen? Where has the hero gone to play? Or with whom has he, due to his being a child, gone to see (i.e. look for) me? O my mother, why do you weep? Where is that Lava (now)? Tell me all that is the cause of your grief."

28b-32. Hearing those words of her son, she who was afflicted, said to Kusha: "Some king, protecting a horse, has seized Lava. My boy bound here the horse fit for the sacrificial rite. The mighty one. all alone vanquished many guards (of the horse). The king, having made him unconscious, bound him in the battle. The boys who had gone with him, told me like this. Then having heard that Lava was arrested, I became distressed. (Now) you who have come in time (should) forcibly release him from the excellent king." Having heard his mother's words, Kusha, full of anger, biting his lips and gnawing his teeth, said to her: Kusha said:

33-38. O mother, know that Lava is (surely) freed from the binding by the noose. With my arrows T (shall) now kill him with his entire army and horses (and elephants). Even if a god or a deity comes, or even

Shiva comes, I shall free him with arrows having sharp joints. O mother, do not weep; vigourous fight here (i.e. in this world) leads to fame; (but) running away leads to infamy. O mother, give me a divine armour, and a bow with a string, so also a helmet and a sharp sword. Now I shall go to the battlefield; I shall vanquish the mighty army; I shall free my brother fainted on the battlefield. If, O mother, I do not today release your son from the great battle, then let your feet be angry with me on the earth. Shesha said:

39-44a. With these words Janaki, of auspicious characteristics, endowed him with blessings and gave him all the multitude of missiles: "O (my) son, go to fight, and free the unconscious Lava": Thus ordered, Kusha who had put on an armour, who was decorated with ear-rings, who was powerful, who had worn a crown, who had a sword, who had a shield, who held a bow after putting the inexhaustible quiver on his shoulders powerful

1908 like those of the lion, and who was the best among the warriors, saluted his mother's feet, and quickly went (to fight). When he speedily and quickly went to fight, he saw his (brother) Lava, the destroyer of hosts of enemies. The very great warriors saw Kusha coming like Yama approaching to destrory the entire universe.

44b-51. Lava, seeing his very mighty brother Kusha resembling wind, coming, shone very much like fire. Having freed himself from the chariot, he went out to fight. Kusha threw all the heroes on the battlefield into the eastern direction. Lava, through anger, urged on (i.e. made flee) all of them into the western direction. O sage, the men in the army, pervaded by affliction caused by Kusha's arrows and troubled by Lava's arrows resembled the eddies in the ocean with the waves rising. The entire army, troubled by the volleys of the arrows of Kusha and Lava, did not get happiness. The frightened army repeatedly scattered here and there. No one endowed with might remained anywhere on the battlefield and desired to fight. At this time Shatrughna who tormented his enemies went to fight with the hero Kusha resembling Lava. The killer of the heroes of his enemy seated in a golden chariot, seeing Kusha full of power and resembling Rama's form, said: Shatrughna said:

52-56. Who are you, very mighty one, and resembling your brother Lava? O great hero, what is your name? Who is your father? Who is your mother? O best of men, how (is it that) you are staying in the forest resorted to by brahmanas? O very powerful one, tell me everything so that I shall fight with you. Hearing these words, Kusha, filling with noise the battlefield with his voice grave like that of the clouds, spoke to the king: "(I know) only (that) Sita, devoted to her husband, gave me birth. Devoted to worshipping the feet of Valmiki, we two live in the forest. O sinless king, we are engaged in serving our mother, are proficient in all lores (sciences and arts); we are known as Kusha and Lava.

57-65. Who are you, the hero, desiring to fight? Why is the excellent horse let loose? Today in the fight, you, possessing power, are the victor. O king, if you are a warrior, fight with me. Now I shall knock you down in the battle." Shatrughna, knowing him to be the son of Sita from Rama, was amazed in his heart and angrily took his bow. Seeing him having taken a bow, Kus"a, full of anger, stretched his own very strong and excellent bow. Shatrughna who knew (the use of) all weapons discharged sharp arrows. Kusha, laughing, easily cut them off in the battle. O sage, hundreds and thousands of arrows of (i.e. discharged by) Kusha and the king (i.e. Shatrughna) pervaded the entire world. It was a wonder. The mighty Kusha quickly burnt all of them with the missile presided ovey by the Fire. The brave king quelled it with the missile presided over by Rain. The king who was very brave, put it down with the missile presided over by Vayu. Then everywhere on the battlefield strong wind blew. He covered the wind that disturbed (everything) with the missile presided over by Mountain. The king cut off the mountainstones with a thunderbolt-like missile. Then that very great warrior Kusha discharged the missile presided over by Narayana (i.e. Vishnu). That missile presided over by Narayana, was not able to hurt the king.

66-79. Then Kusha got very angry. He, given to anger, spoke to Shatrughna having great might and valour: "I think you are a great hero, getting victory in the battle, as my fearful missile presided over by Narayana, did not hurt you. O king, today with three arrows I shall knock you down on the ground. If I do not do this, hear my solemn declaration. I shall have in this world the sin of the man who, having obtained human body (i.e. birth) due to crores of religious deeds, does not honour it through delusion. On this battlefield you should be attentive. I shall instantly knock you down on the ground." Saying so, he fixed on his bow a fierce arrow resembling the destructive fire at the end of the world after aiming it at the great expansive, hard chest of the enemy. Seeing that arrow fixed, Shatrughna, full of anger, discharged sharp arrows piercing the skin of Kus"a. The arrow of a terrible form, resembling fire, and hissing like a serpent, went forth to pierce his chest. The best king, remembering Rama, quickly noticed the arrow. He cut off that arrow having sharp joints and discharged by Kusha. Then, Kusha who was very angry due to his arrow being cut off, fixed on his bow an1910 PadmaPurana other arrow with sharp joints. While he, full of power decided to pierce his chest (with an arrow), he cut off his arrow resembling the destructive fire at the end of the world. Then Kusha, full of anger, remembered his mother's feet, and fixed on his arrow a third wonderful arrow. Shatrughna too, quickly took an arrow to cut it off. Just then, he, pierced by the arrow fell on the ground. When Shatrughna fell, there was a great wailing. Kusha proud of his might, obtained victory then.

1-5. Seeing Shatrughna fallen, the excellent king Suratha getting into his very wonderful chariot fashioned with jewels went (to fight). Realising that Puskala was formerly defeated in battle, he went to fight with Lava, the crest-jewel (i.e. the best) of the great heroes. Suratha, the crest-jewel (i.e. the best) of the great heroes, having reached Kusha and discharging arrows in various ways, troubled him. With ten arrows with rising flames he deprived Suratha of his chariot. He speedily cut off his bow, strong and strung. The battle between the two heroes (fought with) destruction of missiles and counter-missiles and throwing and counter-throwing of missiles was fierce and thrilling.

6-11. When the invincible king Suratha was very much exerting in the battle, Kusha thought: 'What should I do (now) in the battle?' He, possessing great power, having thought, took a sharp, fierce arrow to kill the king. Seeing the arrow resembling the destructive fire at the end of the world, coming (towards him), he decided to cut it off. Just then the great arrow struck him. Then the very brave hero fainted in the battle, and fell in the interior of his chariot. The charioteer took him (away). Seeing on the fall of Suratha Kusha getting victory and scaring the hosts of heroes, (Hanumat), the son of Wind, went (to fight with him).

Seeing the powerful monkey, the son of Wind, coming (to fight), he grinned, as it were provoking him to become wrathful.

12-17a. He said to Hanumat: "Come face to face with me. I shall pierce (you) with a thousand arrows. You will go to (i.e. fall on) the ground dead." Hanumat, who was addressed like this, realising that Rama's son was very powerful and that the duty for the master should be done, ran (to him). The very powerful one, having quickly uprooted a lofty sala-tree having a hundred branches and aiming at Kusha's chest, went to fight with him. The mighty one, seeing Hanumat with a sala-tree in his hand coming (to him), pierced him on his chest with three arrows having sharp horse-shoe-shaped heads and resembling the (crescent) moon. The son of Wind (i.e. Hanumat), being quickly pierced by the powerful Kusha. gnawing his teeth struck him on his chest with the sala-tree. The bov (though) struck with the sala did not shake a bit.

17b-22. Then the heroes through amazement (i.e. being amazed) praised him on account of his being a child. That hero Kusha, knowing (the use of) great missiles (and) being struck with the sala-tree, took through anger a destructive missile to kill his enemy. Seeing the invincible destructive missile discharged by Kusha, (Hanumat) mentally meditated upon Rama, the destroyer of the difficulties of his devotees. Then that missile causing great pain, which was discharged by Kusha, stuck to (i.e. struck) the chest of Maruti and he again swooned. Seeing the monkey (fallen) unconscious, the powerful one (i.e. Kusha) pierced with sharp arrows that entire huge army. That entire army consisting of four divisions, shattered with myriads of arrows of (i.e. discharged by) him on the battlefield took to fleeing.

23-28. Then Sugrlva. the lord of monkeys and a great protector uprooted many trees and ran to the great warriorKusha. Kusha, laughing, easily cut off all (those) trees. The mighty one again speedily cut off the trees that came to him. Afflicted by many arrows on the battlefield, Sugriva took a fearful mountain (to hit it) on the head of Kusha. Seeing the mountain coming (to him) Kusha pounded it with arrows (discharged) in many ways and quickly rendered it fit for Maharudra's body (i.e. converted it into ashes). Seeing that great feat performed by the boy, Sugriva was averse to the hope of (i.e. was disappointed towards) victory on the battlefield. Seeing in the battle invincible Kusha striking (Hanumat's tail) and becoming very impatient and overpowered with anger, he took a mountain to strike him (with).

29-36. Seeing Sugriva eager to strike him, he carefully struck him with many arrows with sharp joints. He, struck with arrows of different kinds, and being afflicted, was exasperated to kill Kusha, (and) went, (and) took a sala-tree. Then also that hero Kusha took a missile presided over by Varuna and he, the elder brother of Lava, bound him with that strong noose. He being (thus) bound with soft nooses by the powerful Kusha, fell on the battlefield adorned by great heroes. Seeing Sugriva fallen, the warriors fled everywhere. Lava's brother, the crestjewel (i.e. the best) of great heroes, got victory. Just then, Lava, having vanquished warriors, also Puskala, Angada, Pratapagrya, VIramani, and also other kings, got victory in the battle, and came to his brother who got victory in the battle and who destroyed crores of enemies. O sage, pleased with each other, they embraced each other. They obtained victory. Then, being elated they talked (to each other). Lava said:

37-42. O brother, because of your grace, the ocean of the battle has been crossed (by me). Now we shall cleanse the welladorned battlefield. Saying so the heroes, Kusha and Lava, went (to the battlefield). (Lava) took the beautiful crest-jewel of the king which was decked with gold; so also the hero Lava took the auspicious crown of Puskala. He also took the very costly armlets of Shatrughna, and of someone else. Seizing the heap of weapons and also Hanumat, the lord of monkeys, they went near Sugriva and tied both (Hanumat and Sugriva). The younger brother of Kusha held the tail of the son of Wind and said to his brother: "1 shall take (him) to my (i.e. our) abode holding him by his tail, to please our mother, for the sages'sons to play (with) and for (satisfying) my curiosity."

43-49. Hearing these words, Kusha then spoke to Lava: "I shall seize thi;> strong, powerful monkey." Speaking like this, the two, best among the mighty, having bound the two at their tails and holding the two powerful ones, went to their hermitage. The two best monkeys (i.e. Hanumat and Sugriva) seeing them going to their hermitage, trembled and said to each other in frightened words (i.e. words full of fear). Hanumat, with his mind soft through fear, said to the lord of monkeys: "These two sons of Rama will take us to their hermitage. Formerly I who had gone to Janaki, had done a (good) act for Janaki. At that time the lovely queen Janaki was (well) disposed to me. That Vaidehi will see me bound with a noose by my enemy. The excellent one will then laugh (and) I shall be ashamed. What should I do now? My life will end. A great misery has befallen. What will that Rama do.'"

50-52. Hearing his words (Sugriva said): "O great monkey, my (condition) is the same. If he will take me like this, I shall die." When the two who were very much frightened, were telling like this to each other, Kusha and Lava energetically reached the house of their mother. Seeing them to have come, their mother was delighted. With great affection she embraced her two sons, one by one.

53-57. Janaki, having seen the two monkeys, Hanumat and Sugiiva, the best among the heroes and the lord of monkeys, held by the two (i.e. by Kusha and Lava) by their tails, laughed. The excellent lady, seeing them tied with nooses, speaking for their release, said these excellent words: "O my (two) sons, free these very brave and very powerful monkeys. If the two big ones see me, they will cast their life. This is the hero Hanumat, who burnt the city of (the son of) Danu (i.e. the demon Ravana). This also is the lord of bears, the king of all monkeys. Why have you, and where have you arrested them? What have you done (to them) through disrespect? That (you) two young ones have seized them by their tails makes me wonder."

58-66a. Hearing these soft words of the mother, the two sons, best in politeness and possessing great power, then said: "Mother, there is a strong king (named) Rama, the son of Dasaratha. He has released a horse, well-adorned and having a golden note on his forehead. O mother, this is what is written there: 'My mother has given birth to one brave (son only).

Those who are (i.e. call themselves) ksatriyas, may seize (the horse); otherwise, they should worship the soles of (my) feet.' Then, O you chaste lady, T thought in my heart: 'Are you not a ksatriya lady? Would you not be the mother of heroes? (i.e. Have you not given birth to heroes?) Seeing the arrogance of the king, I have forcibly seized the horse. (Our) hero Kusha has conquered and destroyed his army in the battle. O you who look upon your husband as a deity, know this to be the crown of the king. This also is the crown of another hero, the noble Puskala. Know this to be another crown, adorned with gems and pearls. O excellent one, know this to be the king's attractive horse, going at will, which is for my strong brother to ride upon. I have brought these two monkeys, the best among the strong, to play (with). They, who fight, are (brought here) for (i.e. to satisfy) your curiosity?"

66b-67a. Hearing these words. Janaki, who looked upon her husband as a deity, repeatedly said to her brave sons: "Release them". Sit a said:

67b-69a. You have done injustice. You have snatched Rama's great horse. You have knocked down many soldiers. You have bound these lords of monkeys. The brave horse of your father is let loose by him for a sacrifice. You have snatched his horse too (which is to be used) in the best sacrifice.

69b-75a. Release these two monkeys; release this best among horses. Apologise to the very angry Shatrughna, the brother of the king. Hearing these words of their mother, the best among the mighty, said: "We have conquered that king possessing might in the manner of ksatriyas. Unfairness is not possible in the case of us who fight in the manner of ksatriyas. Formerly Valmiki said to us who were learning (under him): 'In the hermitage a horse fit for a sacrificial rite was seized. Therefore, a son would (i.e. could) fight with his father, or a younger brother with his (elder) brother; or a disciple with his teacher. By that no sin accrues.' By your order now we shall give (back) the excellent horse. We shall release these two monkeys. We shall do (i.e. carry out) your words (i.e. your order)."

75b-80. Saying so, the two went to the battlefield, released the lords of monkeys, so also the horse fit for the horse-sacrifice. Queen Sita, having heard from her sons about the destruction of the army, reflecting in her mind upon Shri Rama, looked at the sun, the witness. "If by mind, words or deeds I worship Raghunatha and none else, then let this king revive. O you lord of the worlds, due to my truth (fulness) let the entire big army, forcibly destroyed by my sons, revive.'" While Janaki who looked upon her husband as her deity, was talking like this, the entire army revived on the battlefield.

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