Scene 60
Part 2: The Ramayan of Valmiki · Act 6: Book 6
Kumbhakarna Roused
Scene 60Visible text2 paragraphs
With humbled heart and broken pride Through Lanka's gate the giant hied, Crushed, like an elephant beneath A lion's spring and murderous teeth, Or like a serpent 'neath the wing And talons of the Feathered King. Such was the giant's wild alarm At arrows shot by Rama's arm; Shafts with red lightning round them curled, Like Brahma's bolts that end the world.
Supported on his golden throne, With failing eye and humbled tone, "Giants," he cried, "the toil is vain, Fruitless the penance and the pain, If I whom Indra owned his peer, Secure from Gods, a mortal fear. My soul remembers, now too late, Lord Brahma's words who spoke my fate: "Tremble, proud Giant," thus they ran, "And dread thy death from slighted man. Secure from Gods and demons live, And serpents, by the boon I give. Against their power thy life is charmed, But against man is still unarmed." This Rama is the man foretold By Anaranya's lips of old: "Fear, Ravan, basest of the base: For of mine own imperial race A prince in after time shall spring And thee and thine to ruin bring. And Vedavati, ere she died Slain by my ruthless insult, cried: "A scion of my royal line Shall slay, vile wretch, both thee and thine." She in a later birth became King Janak's child, now Rama's dame. Nandisvara foretold this fate, And Uma when I moved her hate, And Rambha, and the lovely child Of Varun by my touch defiled. I know the fated hour is nigh: Hence, captains, to your stations fly. Let warders on the rampart stand: Place at each gate a watchful band; And, terror of immortal eyes, Let mightiest Kumbhakarna rise. He, slumbering, free from care and pain, By Brahma's curse, for months has lain. But when Prahasta's death he hears, Mine own defeat and doubts and fears, The chief will rise to smite the foe And his unrivalled valour show. Then Raghu's royal sons and all The Vanars neath his might will fall."