3.3 අරණ්යකාණ්ඩ - තෘතීය සර්ගඃ

Having said this, the glorious Lakshmana, as if laughing at Viradha, said: 'Who are you that has come to this forest and will roam about at your pleasure?' ^AI

Then Viradha, filling the forest, spoke these words again: 'Tell me, since I am asking — who are you two, and where are you going?' ^AI

Then the greatly resplendent Rama spoke to that demon with the blazing face, who was asking, about his own lineage of the Ikshvaku race. ^AI

'Know us to be Kshatriyas endowed with good conduct, wandering in the forest. But we wish to know you — who are you who roams the Dandaka forest?' ^AI

Then Viradha spoke to Rama, whose valor is true: 'Come, I will tell you, O king; hear me, O Raghava.' ^AI

'I am said to be the son of Jaya, and my mother is Shatahrada. All the demons on earth call me Viradha.' ^AI

'By austerity I obtained from the grace of Brahma that I am unslayable in the world by weapon, and also that I am uncuttable and unpierceable.' ^AI

'Abandoning this woman, heedless, go back the way you came; fleeing in haste, I will not take your lives.' ^AI

Then Rama, his eyes reddened with anger, replied to that Rakshasa named Viradha, of deformed form and evil mind. ^AI

"Wretched one, fie upon you! Base in purpose, you surely seek your own death. You shall meet it in battle — stand and fight! You shall not go from here alive." ^AI

Then Rama, stringing his bow, took very sharp arrows, quickly aimed them, and struck down the Rakshasa. ^AI

With his bow whose string was drawn, he let loose seven arrows, golden-shafted, of great speed, flying equal to the wind of Suparna (Garuda). ^AI

Those arrows, piercing the body of Viradha clad in peacock feathers, fell to the earth smeared with blood, like flames of fire. ^AI

Struck thus, the Rakshasa set down Vaidehi, raised his spear, and in great fury rushed at Rama together with Lakshmana. ^AI

Roaring a mighty roar, he seized his spear that resembled the banner of Shakra (Indra), and then shone like Antaka (Death) with gaping mouth. ^AI

Then those two brothers rained a blazing shower of arrows upon that Rakshasa Viradha, who was like Yama at the end of time. ^AI

That greatly terrible demon, laughing, stood and yawned; as he yawned, the swift arrows fell from his body. ^AI

But by the boon of invulnerability granted to him, the demon Virādha checked his life-breaths, and raising his spear he rushed at the two descendants of Raghu. ^AI

Rama, the foremost of those who bear weapons, cut that spear — resembling a thunderbolt and blazing like fire in the sky — with two arrows. ^AI

That spear, cut by Rama's arrows, fell from his hand to the ground, like a slab of rock from Mount Meru split by a thunderbolt. ^AI

Then the two swiftly raised their fair swords, resembling black serpents, and with force quickly came upon him as he struck. ^AI

Being sorely struck, that fierce demon seized the two with his arms — the two tiger-like men, unshakable — and wished to set out (carry them away). ^AI

Knowing his intention, Rama said to Lakshmana: 'Let this demon carry us along this path for now.' ^AI

'O son of Sumitra, let the demon carry us as he wishes; for this is indeed our path, by which the night-ranger goes.' ^AI

But that night-ranger, exulting in his great strength, lifted them up by his own might and valor and set them on his shoulders like two children. ^AI

Then the night-ranger Viradha, having placed the two Raghavas on his shoulder, roaring terribly, went facing toward the forest. ^AI

He entered the great forest, resembling a mighty cloud, furnished with great trees of many kinds, made variegated by flocks of birds of many sorts, filled with jackals and with beasts of prey scattered about. ^AI