THE RÁMÁYAN OF VÁLMÍKI, VOL. III - Gujarat Knowledge Centre

128 THE RA'MA'YAN: Book III
That glorious flag whose every fold
Was rich with blazonry and gold,
Fell as the sun himself by all "
The Gods' decree might earthward fall.
From wrathful Khara's hand, whose art
Well knew each vulnerable part,
Four keenly-piercing arrows flew,
And blood in Rama's bosom drew.
With every limb distained with gore
From deadly shafts which rent and Dore,
From Khara's clanging bowstring shot.
The prince's wrath waxed wondrous hot.
His hand upon his bow that best
Of mighty archers firmly presse'd.
And from the well-drawn bowstring, true
Each to its mark, six arrows flew.
One quivered in the giant's head,
With two his brawny shoulders bled
Three, with the crescent heads they bore.
Deep in his breast a passage tore.
Thirteen, to which the stone had lent
The keenest point,, were swiftly sent
On the fierce giant, every one
Destructive, gleaming like the sun.
With four the dappled steeds he slew
One cleft the chariot yoke in two,
One, in the heat of battle sped,
Smote from the neck the driver's head.
The poles were rent apart by three
Two broke the splintered axle-tree.
Then from the hand of Rama, while
Across his lips there came a smile.
The twelfth, like thunderbolt impelled.
Cut the great hand and bow it held.
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