66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

handsome, in vigour and youthfulness unmatched. I have
stayed in the glory of his presence for a long time and am
now returning home this way.”
“Why should a saintly one like you have chosen to live in
that rakshasa country, leaving cities where good men are to
be found and the forest where sages live?”
“They are good people, not harmful or cruel like the socalled
gods. The rakshasa clan have been misrepresented
and misunderstood. They are kind and enlightened and
particularly good to sadhus like me.”
“Those who live amidst asuras could easily become
asuras too,” Sita remarked naïvely.
Ravana said, “Asuras can be good to those who are good
to them. Since they are the most powerful in all the worlds,
what could be wiser than to live in harmony with them?”
“But their days are numbered,” said Sita. “My lord’s
mission in life is to rid this world of them and establish
peace on earth.”
“No human being can ever dare try it. It’s like a little rabbit
hoping to destroy an elephant herd.”
“But have you not heard how my lord has vanquished
Kara, Dushana, Virada, and the rest, single-handed?”
“Kara, Virada, and the rest were weaklings possessing
neither bows nor armour—not a great task conquering them.
Wait until you see, as you soon will, what happens to him