Baal Kaanda
50 - Laksmana's fulmination
Chaupais
Description
The hopes of the rival kings vanished as night and their boasts died away like the serried stars. The arrogant princes shrivelled up like the lilies and the false kings shrank away like owls. Sages and gods, like the Cakravaka bird, were rid of their sorrow and rained down flowers in token of their homage. Affectionately reverencing the Guru's feet Sri Rama asked leave of the holy fathers. The Lord of all creation then stepped forth in His natural grace with the tread of a noble and beautiful elephant in rut. As Sri Rama moved ahead all men and women of the city rejoiced and thrilled all over their body. Invoking the manes and gods and recalling their own past good deeds they prayed: "If our religious merits are of any value, O Lord Ganesa may Rama snap the bow of Siva as it were a lotus-stalk."