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

147
CANTO XXXII.
SAVA^ ROUSED.
But Siirpanakbd saw the plain
Spread with the fourteen thousand slain,
Doers of cruel deeds o'erthrown
By Rama's mighty arm alone,
And Trisiras and Diishan dead,
And Khara, with the hosts they led.
Their death she saw, and mad with pain.
Roared like a cloud that brings the rain.
And fled in anger and dismay
To Lanka, seat of R^van's sway.
There on a throne of royal state
Exalted sat the potentate.
Begirt with counsellor and peer.
Like Indra with the Storm-Gods near.
Bright as the sun's full splendour shone
The glorious throne he sat upon.
As when the blazing fire is red
Upon a golden altar fed.
Wide gaped his mouth at every breath,
Tremendous as the jaws of Death.
With him high saints of lofty thought,
Gandharvas, Gods, had vainly fought.
The wounds were on his body yet
From wars where Gods and demons met.
And scars still marked his ample chest
By fierce Airavat's' tusk impressed.
Indra's elephant.