________________
170
SETUBANDHA
88. 'If I am pious, I who forsook thee, unforsaken by thy other kinsmen who shared thy joys and sorrows, then, o king, who should be counted first among the impious ?'
89. Sorrowing over the killing of his kinsmen, Vibhīşaņa spoke to Rāma as he checked his oncoming tears with an effort more unbearable than death, like unto a mountain whose streams were dried by the summer's heat.
90. 'Sire, vouchsafe me leave to touch the head of the child Meghanāda that is dead, after I have fallen at the feet of Kumbhakarna and Rāvana
91. Moved to pity by Vibhisana's lament as he lay on the ground, distracted with grief, Rāma ordered Hanūmat to perform the funeral rites for the lord of the demons.
92. Rāvana having been slain, Sugriva, confident of the recovery of Sītā, saw the end of his services in return for Rāma's kindness, just as he had seen the further shore of the ocean.
93. Having completed his mission on behalf of the gods, Mātali, permitted by Rāma in the presence of the apes, turned his chariot towards heaven, with the banner fluttering amidst the clouds.
94. Taking with him Sītā, purified in the fire like a bar of gold, Rāma reached the city of Ayodhyā) to crown Bharata's devotion to him with glory.
95. Here ends the poem "The slaying of Rāvana', marked with the word anurāga (at the end of each canto). It rejoices the heart because of the recovery of Sitā, and is delightful to those who appreciate poetry.50
50. Lit. those who have a (good) ear (for poetry). The reading followed is saanņa. See Extracts.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
