Aranya Kaanda
117 - Surpanakha approaches Ravana; Sita enters into the fire leaving Her shadow behind
Chaupais
Description
Among gods, human beings, demons, Nagas and birds," he thought, "there is none who can withstand my servants. As for Khara and Dusana, they were as powerful as myself; who else could have killed them, had it not been the Lord Himself? If therefore the Lord Himself, the Delighter of the gods and the Reliever of Earth's burden, has appeared on earth, I will go and resolutely fight with him and cross the ocean of mundane existence by falling to His arrows. Adoration is out of question in this (demoniac) body, which is made up of the principle of ignorance, Tamasa. Therefore, such is my firm resolve in thought, word and deed. And if they happen to be some mortal princes I shall conquer them both in battle and carry off the bride." Having thus made up his mind, he mounted his chariot and drove off alone to the spot where Marica was living by the sea-shore. Now, hear, Uma, the delectable account of the device that Sri Rama employed