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Tales from the Hindu Dramatists by R. N. Dutta
page 53 of 143 (37%)
meet no more. Or give command, and by your side I march fearless to
fight, for I too am a Kshatriya." The progress of Ravana through the air
appals all Nature. The winds breathe low in timid murmurs through the
rustling woods; the sun with slackened fires gleams pale abroad and the
streams, relaxing from their rapid course, slowly creep along. Ravana
defies Rama with great disdain and in derision of his modest demeanour,
asks him whether he is not overcome with shame by the recollection of
his ancestor, Anaranya, killed formerly by Ravana.

Rama replies:--

"I am not ashamed my noble ancestor fell in the combat. The warrior
seeks victory or death, and death is not disgrace. It ill befits thee to
revile his fame. When vanquished, thou couldst drag out an abject life
in great Haihaya's dungeons, till thy sire begged thee to freedom, as a
matter of charity. For thee alone I blush, unworthy of my triumph."

Ravana falls under the arrows of Rama. The heads, that once, sustained
on Siva's breast, shone with heavenly splendour, now lie beneath the
vulture's talons. Mandodari bewails the death of her husband. Sita is
recovered, but Rama is rather shy of his bride, until her purity is
established by her passing through the fiery ordeal: a test she
successfully undergoes. Rama returns with Sita and his friends to
Ayodhya, when Angada challenges them all to fight him, as it is now time
to revenge his father's death. A voice from heaven, however, tells him
to be pacified, as Bali will be born as hunter in a future age, and kill
Rama, who will then be Krishna: he is accordingly appeased. Rama is now
seated on the throne of Ayodhya. After some time, he orders the exile of
Sita.

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