Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"Rama WoundedThen those of Rama s party rallied and for a time prevailed, and Indrajit was beaten back. But he, resortingto his magic, became invisible, and showered deadlywounding arrows upon Rama and Lakshman; fighting incrooked ways, he bound them fast so that they fell helplessto the ground, covered with a thousand wounds.Sugriva, Hanuman, Vibhishana, and all the leaders of themonkeys stood round about those wounded heroes withtear-filled eyes but ; Indrajit, unseen of any save his uncleVibhishana, rejoiced, and let fly many a shaft that woundedHanuman and Nila and Jambavan. Then Indrajit returnedto Lanka as a victor, and his father welcomed him ;andfor a while the fighting ceased.Now Vibhishana rallied the frightened monkeys, andcomforted Sugriva, saying: This is no time for givingway to grief.Rama is not dying. Do thou gather theforces and inspire them with fresh hope."But themonkeys were panic-stricken,and ifeven a straw movedthey deemed it to be a rakshasa. And Ravana meanwhile,taking Slta on his car, showed to her Rama and Lakshmanlying on the field, senseless and pierced with many arrows,wounded and lying in the dust ;and she deemed themto be dead, and wailedbut Ravana brought her back toLanka.Meanwhile Rama came to himself, and seeing Lakshmanseeming to be dead, he made great lamentation, andpraising what the monkeys had done, though unsuccessful,he gave them leave to go whither they would across thebridge and seek their homes. And Vibhishana, too, hadno more taste for battle or desire for the throne of Lanka.But Sugriva comforted them and gave them fresh courage,and the monkey-chief Sushena told of a magic herb thatby the Milky Ocean, and can restore the dead toFSi