Explore "The Ramayan" by Valmiki on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The haughty challenge, undeterred The son of Dasaratha heard, And cried, while reverence for his sire Checked the full torrent of his ire: "Before this day have I been told The deed that stained thy hands of old. But pity bids my soul forget: Thy father, murdered, claimed the debt. My strength, O Chief, thou deemest slight, Too feeble for a Warrior's might. Now will I show thy wondering eyes The prowess which they dare despise."
He hastened then with graceful ease That mighty bow and shaft to seize. His hand the weapon strung and swayed: The arrow on the string was laid. Then Jamadagni's son he eyed, And thus in words of fury cried: "Thou art a Brahman, still to be Most highly honoured, Chief, by me. For Visvamitra's sake beside Shall reverence due be ne'er denied. Though mine the power, I would not send A dart at thee thy life to end. But thy great power to wander free, Which penance-rites have won for thee, Or glorious worlds from thee to wrest, Is the firm purpose of my breast, And Vishnu's dart which now I strain Can ne'er be shot to fall in vain: It strikes the mighty, and it stuns The madness of the haughty ones."