mantra.  And beholding that excellent arrow transformed by Rama, with proper mantras into a Brahma weapon, the celestials and the Gandharvas with Indra at their head, began to rejoice.  And the gods and the Danavas and the Kinnaras were led by the display of that Brahma weapon to regard the life of their Rakshasa foe almost closed.  Then Rama shot that terrible weapon of unrivalled energy, destined to compass Ravana’s death, and resembling the curse of a Brahmana on the point of utterance.  And as soon, O Bharata, as that arrow was shot by Rama from his bow drawn to a circle, the Rakshasa king with his chariot and charioteer and horses blazed up, surrounded on all sides by a terrific fire.  And beholding Ravana slain by Rama of famous achievements, the celestials, with the Gandharvas and the Charanas, rejoiced exceedingly.  And deprived of universal dominion by the energy of the Brahma weapon, the five elements forsook the illustrious Ravana.  And were consumed by the Brahma weapon, the physical ingredients of Ravana’s body.  His flesh and blood were all reduced to nothingness,—­so that the ashes even could not be seen.’”

SECTION CCLXXXIX

“Markandeya said, ’Having slain Ravana, that wretched king of the Rakshasas and foe of the celestials, Rama with his friends and Sumitra’s son rejoiced exceedingly.  And after the Ten-necked (Rakshasa) hath been slain, the celestials with the Rishis at their head, worshipped Rama of mighty arms, blessing and uttering the word Jaya repeatedly.  And all the celestials and the Gandharvas and the denizens of the celestial regions gratified Rama of eyes like lotus leaves, with hymns and flowery showers.  And having duly worshipped Rama, they all went away to those regions whence they had come.  And, O thou of unfading glory, the firmament at that time looked as if a great festival was being celebrated.

“And having slain the Ten-necked Rakshasa, the lord Rama of worldwide fame, that conqueror of hostile cities, bestowed Lanka on Vibhishana.  Then that old and wise counsellor (of Ravana) known by the name of Avindhya, with Sita walking before him but behind Vibhishana who was at the front, came out of the city.  And with great humility Avindhya said unto the illustrious descendant of Kakutstha, ’O illustrious one, accept thou this goddess, Janaka’s daughter of excellent conduct!’ Hearing these words, the descendant of Ikshwaku’s race alighted from his excellent chariot and beheld Sita bathed in tears.  And beholding that beautiful lady seated within her vehicle, afflicted with grief, besmeared with filth, with matted locks on head, and attired in dirty robes, Rama, afraid of the loss of his honour, said unto her, ’Daughter of Videha, go withersover thou likest!  Thou art now free!  What should have been done by me, hath been done!  O blessed lady, owning me for thy husband, it is not meet that thou shouldst grow old in the abode of the Rakshasa!