Surpanakha's fiery speech ended and Ravana pondered over what he should do to meet this unforeseen situation. He soon came to a decision and walked alone to the royal stables. The charioteer brought him a chariot embellished with gold and gems, a symbol of prosperity befitting the brother of Kubera, the Lord of wealth. Harnessed with donkeys, the chariot sped towards the ocean. Ravana the enemy of the devatas and curse of the sages looked magnificent with his ten heads, twenty arms and earrings of burnished gold. He resembled the Lord of the Mountains as he went forth like lightning towards a destiny that seemed to beckon him and a fate that seemed to push him! The vibrant seashore resounded with the call of cranes and swans. Those who had conquered the world by their austerities flew the skies in their aerial cars, festooned with flowers and echoing with the soft strains of divine music. Countless forests of sandalwood came into sight and their delightful fragrance filled the air. Herbs to cure and spices to tickle the palate grew in abundance. Pepper, nutmeg, mace and a myriad more of their family flourished in the sunny land. There were also heaps of pearls and conch shells. Coral piles lent their russet charm, to the glorious panorama that unfolded before the Lord of Lanka. One enchanting scene gave way to another even more breath taking. Mountains of gold and silver, limpid pools, cascading water falls and gurgling streams, decorated those shores. Cities prospered with riches and their streets were filled with elephants, horses and chariots. Beautiful women walked along, where even the winds blew softly and caressingly. It was an unending parade of the most exotic scenes of nature that were like glimpses of paradise. In the midst of all this there was a mammoth banyan tree whose branches stretched a hundred yojanas in every direction. This was the tree on which in ancient times Garuda had landed, holding his prey of a tortoise and an elephant, in each claw. It was then that the branch broke under the weight. Lest it hurt the people below, Garuda, flew down to catch it. He then flew away, holding the branch, the tortoise and the elephant in his claws. Later Garuda used this monstrous branch to destroy the Nishadas, who were wont to persecute the sages. Garuda's joy was boundless at being able to serve the holy men. The massive banyan tree known as Subhadra still shelters many seers and sages. Reaching the far end of the seashore Ravana beheld an ashram nestling amidst forest greenery where he saw Maricha clad in deerskin. Welcoming Ravana with affection, Maricha asked him the reason for his visit.
Summary
Surpanakha's fiery speech ended and Ravana pondered over what he should do to meet this unforeseen situation. He soon came to a decision and walked alone to the royal stables. The charioteer brought him a chariot embellished with gold and gems, a symbol of prosperity befitting the brother of Kubera, the Lord of wealth. Harnessed with donkeys, the chariot sped towards the ocean. Ravana the enemy of the devatas and curse of the sages looked magnificent with his ten heads, twenty arms and earrings of burnished gold. He resembled the Lord of the Mountains as he went forth like lightning towards a destiny that seemed to beckon him and a fate that seemed to push him! The vibrant seashore resounded with the call of cranes and swans. Those who had conquered the world by their austerities flew the skies in their aerial cars, festooned with flowers and echoing with the soft strains of divine music. Countless forests of sandalwood came into sight and their delightful fragrance filled the air. Herbs to cure and spices to tickle the palate grew in abundance. Pepper, nutmeg, mace and a myriad more of their family flourished in the sunny land. There were also heaps of pearls and conch shells. Coral piles lent their russet charm, to the glorious panorama that unfolded before the Lord of Lanka. One enchanting scene gave way to another even more breath taking. Mountains of gold and silver, limpid pools, cascading water falls and gurgling streams, decorated those shores. Cities prospered with riches and their streets were filled with elephants, horses and chariots. Beautiful women walked along, where even the winds blew softly and caressingly. It was an unending parade of the most exotic scenes of nature that were like glimpses of paradise. In the midst of all this there was a mammoth banyan tree whose branches stretched a hundred yojanas in every direction. This was the tree on which in ancient times Garuda had landed, holding his prey of a tortoise and an elephant, in each claw. It was then that the branch broke under the weight. Lest it hurt the people below, Garuda, flew down to catch it. He then flew away, holding the branch, the tortoise and the elephant in his claws. Later Garuda used this monstrous branch to destroy the Nishadas, who were wont to persecute the sages. Garuda's joy was boundless at being able to serve the holy men. The massive banyan tree known as Subhadra still shelters many seers and sages. Reaching the far end of the seashore Ravana beheld an ashram nestling amidst forest greenery where he saw Maricha clad in deerskin. Welcoming Ravana with affection, Maricha asked him the reason for his visit.