महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

liii] History of the Rāma-story
opportunity to console Sītā and assure her of a speedy deliverance. Having
thus achieved the chief object of his journey, Māruti now leaves Laṅkā, not
without meeting sundry adventures, in the course of which he succeeds
in killing a few hundred demons and setting the whole city on fire. Once
more he leaps over the ocean and returns to Kishkindhā with the glad
news. END OF SUNDARA-KĀṆḌA.
18, M.—Rāma immediately resolves to invade Laṅkā. Sugrīva with
his army of Monkeys and Jāmbavant with his army of Bears offer their
assistance, and the whole army soon gains the Southern Ocean. Here they
are joined by Vibhīshaṇa, the youngest brother of Rāvaṇa. Vibhīshaṇa
had tried to remonstrate with his eldest brother against the evil course
of conduct he was pursuing, and being rewarded with contempt, he now
came over to Rāma's side. Rāma receives him well and promises him the
kingdom of Laṅkā after Rāvaṇa's death. To make it possible for the army
to cross over, Rāma now resolves to construct a stone bridge over the
ocean, and in this he is helped by the engineering genius of Nala.¹ Having
gained the island he next lays siege to the capital. The battle which
follows lasts, according to the several inconsistent time-indications, for four
or fifteen or thirty-nine or eighty-eight days; Rāvaṇa together with his
brothers and sons and the entire army of demons is put to death; and
Rāma, in accordance with his promise, installs Vibhīshaṇa as king of Laṅkā.
18, N.—Having thus vanquished the enemy and wiped out the insult,
Rāma now meets Sītā. He is, however, unwilling, for fear of public scandal,
to take his wife back until she has proved her purity. Pierced to the
quick by Rāma's suspicion, Sītā proposes the fire-ordeal. A huge pyre is
kindled and with a firm tread she walks towards it and is engulfed by the
flames. Immediately, however, she reappears, led forth by the Fire-god
himself, who in the hearing of all proclaims her innocence. Rāma now
accepts her, saying that he never doubted her innocence, but had to do
what he did for the sake of the people. The fourteen-year period of exile
having now almost expired, Rāma, along with his wife, brother, friends,
and allies, makes the journey northwards, utilizing for the purpose an
aerial car called Pushpaka which belonged to Rāvaṇa. They reach their
home, where they meet Bharata and the Queen-mothers anxiously awaiting
the return of the exiles. Rāma's coronation is now celebrated with due
pomp and there is rejoicing everywhere. END OF YUDDHA-KĀṆḌA.

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Rāvaṇa should again touch a woman with another maiden, Vedavatī.
against her free will he would instan- ¹ He was the son of the Architect of the Gods.
taneously meet his death. An exactly Traces of this bridge, on the maps called
similar story is told also in connexion Adam's Bridge, are still pointed out.