Book Vi. Canto Cx. R'avan's Death

Canto Cx.: Rvan'S Death.


Then Mtali to Rma cried:

'Let other arms the day decide.

Why wilt thou strive with useless toil

And see his might thy efforts foil?

Launch at the foe thy dart whose fire

Was kindled by the Almighty Sire.'

He ceased: and Raghu's son obeyed:

Upon his string the hero laid

An arrow, like a snake that hissed.

Whose fiery flight had never missed:

The arrow Saint Agastya gave

And blessed the chieftain's life to save

That dart the Eternal Father made

The Monarch of the Gods to aid;

By Brahm's self on him bestowed

When forth to fight Lord Indra rode.

'Twas feathered with the rushing wind;

The glowing sun and fire combined

To the keen point their splendour lent;

The shaft, ethereal element,

By Meru's hill and Mandar, pride

Of mountains, had its weight supplied.

He laid it on the twisted cord,

He turned the point at Lank's lord,

And swift the limb-dividing dart

Pierced the huge chest and cleft the heart,

And dead he fell upon the plain

Like Vritra by the Thunderer slain.

The Rkahas host when Rvan fell

Sent forth a wild terrific yell,

Then turned and fled, all hope resigned,

Through Lank's gates, nor looked behind

His voice each joyous Vnar raised,

And Rma, conquering Rma, praised.

Soft from celestial minstrels came

The sound of music and acclaim.

Soft, fresh, and cool, a rising breeze

Brought odours from the heavenly trees,

And ravishing the sight and smell

A wondrous rain of blossoms fell:

And voices breathed round Raghu's son:

'Champion of Gods, well done, well done.'