VirÁdha with a fearful shout

That echoed through the wood, cried out:

To him whose mouth shot fiery flame

The hero told his race and name:

And through this wood we wander free.

But who art thou, how born and styled,

To RÁma, bravest of the brave,

His answer thus VirÁdha gave:

And I my name and race will tell.

Of ?atahradÁ born, I spring

From Java as my sire, O King:

Me, of this lofty lineage, all

Giants on earth VirÁdha call.

The rites austere I long maintained

From BrahmÁ's grace the boon have gained

To bear a charmed frame which ne'er

Weapon or shaft may pierce or tear.

Go as ye came, untouched by fear,

And leave with me this woman here:

Go, swiftly from my presence fly,

Then RÁma with his fierce eyes red

With fury to the giant said:

Who madly thus thy death wilt seek!

Stand, for it waits thee in the fray:

He spoke, and raised the cord whereon

A pointed arrow flashed and shone,

Then, wild with anger, from his bow,

He launched the weapon on the foe.

Seven times the fatal cord he drew,

And forth seven rapid arrows flew,

Shafts winged with gold that left the wind

And e'en Supar?a's406 self behind.

Full on the giant's breast they smote,

And purpled like the peacock's throat,

Passed through his mighty bulk and came

To earth again like flakes of flame.

The fiend the Maithil dame unclasped;

In his fierce hand his spear he grasped,

And wild with rage, pierced through and through,

At RÁma and his brother flew.

So loud the roar which chilled with fear,

So massy was the monster's spear,

He seemed, like Indra's flagstaff, dread

As the dark God who rules the dead.

On huge VirÁdha fierce as He407

Who smites, and worlds have ceased to be,

The princely brothers poured amain

Their fiery flood of arrowy rain.

Unmoved he stood, and opening wide

His dire mouth laughed unterrified,

And ever as the monster gaped

Those arrows from his jaws escaped.

Preserving still his life unharmed,

By BrahmÁ's saving promise charmed,

His mighty spear aloft in air

He raised, and rushed upon the pair.

From RÁma's bow two arrows flew

And cleft that massive spear in two,

Then R