VIRAADHA'S END

The corpses of three lions and the head of an elephant recently slain were impaled and strung in a row on the great spear which he shook menacingly at them.

The raakshasa lifted his weapon, roared horribly and, springing forward lifted Seeta and as he held her, shouted at the princes: "Who are you, little fellows? How dare you enter this forest? You look young but wear matted locks and bark garments.

You have disguised yourselves as ascetics; yet you carry bows and arrows, and go about with this woman by your side. Whom are you trying to cheat? Are you not ashamed of yourselves? You are besmirching the good name of the rishis by your conduct, you hypocrites! Know that I am Viraadha himself. The flesh of rishis is my daily food. I shall have this lovely damsel for my wife, do you under stand? I shall now drink your blood, you villains!"

Held in his grasp, Seeta trembled with fear. Raama lost his usual self-control and said: "Lakshmana, this is unbearable. Kaikeyi must have known all this when she sent us to the forest!"

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