66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

“You began with agreeable sentences and sentiments but
you go on prattling away like a madman. Is it out of fear or
out of love for those human beings? You remind me that I
have not asked for protection from human beings. Does one
have to ask for such a thing? Did I ever ask for the blessing
of being able to lift Kailas? You speak without any thought.
You think I have conquered the gods because of the boon
conferred on me by them. I do not have to wait for anybody’s
boon to do what I please. Nobody’s curse can ever touch
me.
“Why are you lost in such admiration for Rama? Because
he snapped the old rusty bow of Shiva? Or sent his arrows
through the trunks of those seven decaying trees? Lost his
kingdom because of a hunchbacked woman? Killed Vali
without daring to come up before him? Lost his wife through
a very simple trick that I tried? I am astonished that after all
this he has not taken his own life but continues to breathe
and move about! And indeed you are his admirer! You think
that he is likely to be an incarnation of Vishnu. What if he is?
I am not afraid of Vishnu or anybody. Particularly Vishnu,
who has been the most defeated god, having never won a
single battle.”
After saying this, Ravana cried, “Let us now go forth for
battle.” He looked at Vibishana and said, “Let those who
like, come with me.”
Vibishana made one more attempt to stop him. “Don’t