उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

—V. 6 ] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 241
rear in the mountain bowers, that (noise) is swollen by the
loud beating of drums, makes, with the heaps of heads and
trunks which are still struggling and terrible, the earth as if
strewn with the remnants of food rejected by the wide mouth
of death sated with slaughter.
Sumantra.—(To himself) How can I allow dear Chan-
draketu to engage in single combat with such a warrior?
(Thinking) But I have grown old in Raghu's line and now
that the fight is impending, what way is there?
Chandraketu.—(with astonishment, shame and excitement)
Alas my troops have retired on every side!
Sumantra.—(Driving forth the chariot) Prince of long
life! that hero is within your call.
Chandraketu.—(Forgetfully) Noble sir, what name did
the heralds proclaim as his?
Sumantra.—Lava.
Chandraketu.—(Verse 7). Ho! great-armed Lava,
what hast thou to do with these soldiers? Here I am, attack
me, let fire be quenched in fire.
Sumantra.—Prince! look, look! (Verse 8) Being
summoned by thee, this youthful hero turns back from the
slaughter of the army, as a haughty lion's whelp on hearing the
roar of clouds from destroying the ranks of elephants.
(Then enters Lava with steady and haughty strides)
Lava.—Bravo, prince, bravo! Truly thou art a descen-
dant of Ikshvāku, therefore I shall just come (to meet you).
(A great noise behind the curtain)
Lava.—(Turning back proudly) What! do these leaders of
the army though defeated return eager for battle, and now
attack me. Curse on the wretches! (Verse 9) Let this
great, confused and wanton roar rising on every side like the
flood of the sea agitated by the wind of the day of doom be
swallowed by the accumulated flame of my fierce anger, which
is like the submarine fire from the mouth of the Vadava stirred
by dashing against mountains. (He walks about quickly).
Chandraketu.—O! youth! (Verse 10) Thou art dear to
me even from thy wonderful eminence of virtue, therefore
thou art my friend, whatever is mine is thine also, then why
dost thou deal carnage among thy own dependants? Surely I
Chandraketu am the only touch-stone of thy pride (of valour).
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