Lanka Kaanda
169 - Angada's departure for Lanka and dialogue between Angada and Ravana in the latter's court
Chaupais
Description
Even if I did so, it would hardly bring me any credit; for it is no act of valour to slay the slain. A follower of the Vamamarga (a sect of Sakti-worshippers indulging in certain prohibited practices as a part of their worship), a man given over to lust, a miser, a grossly stupid fellow, an utterly destitute person, a man suffering from disrepute, an extremely old man, an ever sick person, one who is always angry, he who is hostile to Lord Visnu, an enemy of the Vedas and saints, he who exclusively nourishes his own body, he who is given to slandering others, and he who is a storehouse of sins-these fourteen persons are no better than corpses, even while they live. Realizing this, O wretch, I refrain from killing you. But rouse my anger no more." On hearing this, the demon king bit his lips, wrung his hands and burst out furiously: "O vile monkey, you are now bent upon dying; for though small, you have spoken big words. He, on whose strength you dare utter such wild and sharp words, O stupid monkey, has no strength, glory, intelligence or majesty at all."