Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/413

 THE FOREST. 353 his majesty, or intellect, or strength of body was left in him. After repeating a variety of legends and moral sentiments, he had recourse to threats and blan- dishments. Said Sita, "Hearken, reverend Father; what you say is hateful to me." Then Rávan showed himself in his proper form; and she was terror- stricken when he declared his name. But plucking up all her courage she said: " Wretch, stay as you are ; my lord is at hand. Like as a hare that would wed a lioness, so have you wooed your own destruction, O demon king." On hear- ing this speech the Ten-headed was furious, though in his heart he delighted to adore her feet. Dohá 24. Rávan angrily seized her and seated her in his chariot. As he took his way through the air, he was so agitated with fear that he could scarcely drive. Chaupái. " Ah! gallant Raghurái, sovereign of the universe, for what fault of mine have you forgotten mercy? Ah! reliever of distress, health-giving sanctuary, sun of the lotuses of the Raghu race. Ah! Lakshman ! this is no fault of yours : I have reaped the fruit of the temper I showed." Manifold were the lamenta- tions that she uttered. "My affectionate and loving lord is far away; who will tell him of my calamity ; that an ass is devouring the oblation intended for the gods !" At the sound of Síta's woeful lament every created being, whether animate or inanimate, was made sad. The vulture-king, too, heard her piteous cry and recognized the wife of the glory of Raghu's line, whom the vile demon was carrying away, as it were the famous dun cow that had fallen into the hands of some savage. The bird darted forth in its fury, like a thunderbolt launched against a mountain. " Stop, you villain, how dare you go on thus and take no heed of me." Seeing him bearing down upon him like the angel of death, Rávan paused and consider- ed : "Is it mount Maináka or the king of the birds ! anyhow they both know my might, as also do their lords." When he perceived that it was poor old Jatáyu, he cried, "he shall leavo his body at the shrine of my hands."3 At this, the vulture rashed on in a fury, crying: "Hearken, Rávan, to my advice; surrender Jánaki and go home in peace; if not, despite your many arms it will "Fear not, Sita my daughter, I will annihilate this monster." 1 Maináka is tho only peak which is said to have retained its wings when Indra clipped those of the other mountains. king of the birds,' has Vishnu for his lord, with whom Rávan had always been at war. 3 That is to say, 'as a man goes to a place of pilgrimago in order to die there, so has he come to me to die by my hand. 89
 * Maináka's lord is the oceur, which Rávan and the other demons had churned; and Garur, 'the