Ramayana. Rama's Wrath.
Now Rama, returning from the chase of Maricha, was heavy-hearted; meeting Lakshman, he blamed him much for leaving Sita. The jackals howled and birds cried as they hurried back. As they came near to the hermitage the feet of Rama failed him, and a trembling shook his frame; for Sita was not there. They ranged the groves of flowering trees, and the river banks where lotus-flowers were open, and sought the mountain caves, and asked the river and the trees and all the animals where Sita was. Then Rama deemed that rakshasas had eaten her, taking revenge for Khara. But next day they came to where Jatayu had fought with Ravana, and saw the broken weapons and the car and the trampled ground; and Rama raged against all beings, and would destroy the very heavens and earth, unless the gods gave back his Sita. Then they perceived the dying Jatayu, and deeming him to be a rakshasa that had eaten Sita, Rama was about to slay him. But Jatayu spoke feebly, and related to Rama all that had befallen, so that Rama, throwing down his bow, embraced the friendly bird and lamented for his death; and Jatayu told of Ravana and comforted Rama with assurances of victory and recovery of Sita. But therewith his spirit fled away, and his head and body sank down upon the ground; and Rama mourned over his friend:
"Ah, Lakshmana," he said, "this kingly bird dwelt here contented many years, and now is dead because of me: he has given up his life in seeking to rescue Sita. Behold, amongst the animals of every rank there are heroes, even amongst birds. I am more sorry for this vulture who has died for me than even because of Sita's loss."
Then Lakshman brought wood and fire and they burned Jatayu there with every right and offering due to twice-born men, and spoke the mantras for his speedy coming to the abodes of the shining gods; and that king of vultures, slain battle for a good cause, and blest by Rama, attained a glorious state.
Then Rama and Lakshman set out to search for Sita far and wide; it was but a little time before they met a horrid rakshasa, and it was no light matter for them to come to their above in battle with him. But he, wounded to death, rejoiced, for he had been cursed with that form by a hermit until Rama should slay and set him free. Rama and Lakshman burnt him on a mighty pyre, and he rose from it and, mounting upon a heavenly car, he spoke to Rama, counselling him to seek the help of the great monkey Sugriva and the four other monkeys that dwelt on the mountain Rishyamukha. "Do not thou despise that royal monkey," he said, "for he is puissant, humble, brave, expert, and graceful, good at shifting shapes, and well acquainted with the haunts of every rakshasa. Do thou make alliance with him, taking a vow of friendship before a fire as witness, and with his help thou shalt surely win back Sita." Then he departed, bidding them farewell and pointing out the way to Rishyamukha; and they, passing by Matanga's hermitage, came to that wooded mountain, haunt of many birds, beside the Pampa lake.
Now Rama, returning from the chase of Maricha, was heavy-hearted; meeting Lakshman, he blamed him much for leaving Sita. The jackals howled and birds cried as they hurried back. As they came near to the hermitage the feet of Rama failed him, and a trembling shook his frame; for Sita was not there. They ranged the groves of flowering trees, and the river banks where lotus-flowers were open, and sought the mountain caves, and asked the river and the trees and all the animals where Sita was. Then Rama deemed that rakshasas had eaten her, taking revenge for Khara. But next day they came to where Jatayu had fought with Ravana, and saw the broken weapons and the car and the trampled ground; and Rama raged against all beings, and would destroy the very heavens and earth, unless the gods gave back his Sita. Then they perceived the dying Jatayu, and deeming him to be a rakshasa that had eaten Sita, Rama was about to slay him. But Jatayu spoke feebly, and related to Rama all that had befallen, so that Rama, throwing down his bow, embraced the friendly bird and lamented for his death; and Jatayu told of Ravana and comforted Rama with assurances of victory and recovery of Sita. But therewith his spirit fled away, and his head and body sank down upon the ground; and Rama mourned over his friend:
"Ah, Lakshmana," he said, "this kingly bird dwelt here contented many years, and now is dead because of me: he has given up his life in seeking to rescue Sita. Behold, amongst the animals of every rank there are heroes, even amongst birds. I am more sorry for this vulture who has died for me than even because of Sita's loss."
Then Lakshman brought wood and fire and they burned Jatayu there with every right and offering due to twice-born men, and spoke the mantras for his speedy coming to the abodes of the shining gods; and that king of vultures, slain battle for a good cause, and blest by Rama, attained a glorious state.
Then Rama and Lakshman set out to search for Sita far and wide; it was but a little time before they met a horrid rakshasa, and it was no light matter for them to come to their above in battle with him. But he, wounded to death, rejoiced, for he had been cursed with that form by a hermit until Rama should slay and set him free. Rama and Lakshman burnt him on a mighty pyre, and he rose from it and, mounting upon a heavenly car, he spoke to Rama, counselling him to seek the help of the great monkey Sugriva and the four other monkeys that dwelt on the mountain Rishyamukha. "Do not thou despise that royal monkey," he said, "for he is puissant, humble, brave, expert, and graceful, good at shifting shapes, and well acquainted with the haunts of every rakshasa. Do thou make alliance with him, taking a vow of friendship before a fire as witness, and with his help thou shalt surely win back Sita." Then he departed, bidding them farewell and pointing out the way to Rishyamukha; and they, passing by Matanga's hermitage, came to that wooded mountain, haunt of many birds, beside the Pampa lake.
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Now Rama, returning from the chase of Maricha, was heavy-hearted; meeting Lakshman, he blamed him much for leaving Sita. The jackals howled and birds cried as they hurried back. As they came near to the hermitage the feet of Rama failed him, and a trembling shook his frame; for Sita was not there. They ranged the groves of flowering trees, and the river banks where lotus-flowers were open, and sought the mountain caves, and asked the river and the trees and all the animals where Sita was. Then Rama deemed that rakshasas had eaten her, taking revenge for Khara. But next day they came to where Jatayu had fought with Ravana, and saw the broken weapons and the car and the trampled ground; and Rama raged against all beings, and would destroy the very heavens and earth, unless the gods gave back his Sita. Then they perceived the dying Jatayu, and deeming him to be a rakshasa that had eaten Sita, Rama was about to slay him. But Jatayu spoke feebly, and related to Rama all that had befallen, so that Rama, throwing down his bow, embraced the friendly bird and lamented for his death; and Jatayu told of Ravana and comforted Rama with assurances of victory and recovery of Sita. But therewith his spirit fled away, and his head and body sank down upon the ground; and Rama mourned over his friend:
"Ah, Lakshmana," he said, "this kingly bird dwelt here contented many years, and now is dead because of me: he has given up his life in seeking to rescue Sita. Behold, amongst the animals of every rank there are heroes, even amongst birds. I am more sorry for this vulture who has died for me than even because of Sita's loss."
Then Lakshman brought wood and fire and they burned Jatayu there with every right and offering due to twice-born men, and spoke the mantras for his speedy coming to the abodes of the shining gods; and that king of vultures, slain battle for a good cause, and blest by Rama, attained a glorious state.
Then Rama and Lakshman set out to search for Sita far and wide; it was but a little time before they met a horrid rakshasa, and it was no light matter for them to come to their above in battle with him. But he, wounded to death, rejoiced, for he had been cursed with that form by a hermit until Rama should slay and set him free. Rama and Lakshman burnt him on a mighty pyre, and he rose from it and, mounting upon a heavenly car, he spoke to Rama, counselling him to seek the help of the great monkey Sugriva and the four other monkeys that dwelt on the mountain Rishyamukha. "Do not thou despise that royal monkey," he said, "for he is puissant, humble, brave, expert, and graceful, good at shifting shapes, and well acquainted with the haunts of every rakshasa. Do thou make alliance with him, taking a vow of friendship before a fire as witness, and with his help thou shalt surely win back Sita." Then he departed, bidding them farewell and pointing out the way to Rishyamukha; and they, passing by Matanga's hermitage, came to that wooded mountain, haunt of many birds, beside the Pampa lake.
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