Khabandhan
As they went in search of Sita in southern direction, uninhabited place, full of thorns, Plants,Trees and bushes scaring pathway appeared.The 2 Princes quickly crossed the Dhandakaaranya Forest which was infested with Tiger and Bears , wild animals and entered the Krouncharanya Forest area. It looked like the multi couloured rain bearing clouds. Everywhere Flowers were blooming looked as though the Garden was smiling enchantingly exhibiting it’s happiness. Many Birds and Animals in hordes were loitering around without fear. Rama Lakshmana decided to relax under a Tree all the while carefully searching for Sita. From there they went to a distance in East Direction crossed Krouncharanya and found in between another forest prior to Mathanga Asrama. Then while treading all the difficult terrain infested with Tall trees and wild Animals they saw a deep Cave going down the earth. That Cave was Dark all the time. Nearby they saw a huge gory looking Rakshasi. She was having a body like mountiain with a huge belly, Sharp teeth and Thick Skin. With her Hair un combed and strewn all over her back and mouth wide open was eating the animals avaialable with ease. Seeing Rama Lakshamana she came running towards them roaring, she hugged Lakshamana who was walking ahead and said ‘ Come Let us both live happily in this forest. My name is Ayomukhi . Please know that it is your good fortune you found me. I have now excess Love for you. As long as we are alive let us roam around jovially in the Mountainous Peaks,and River mounds. Hearing this Lakshmana got wild and with the sword cut off her Ears, Nose and Breasts; immediately she went back the way she came wailing wildly.
Then while Rama Lakshmana were walking along the Courageous strong and intelligent Lakshamana with immense reverence with folded hands said “ My Left shoulder is often twitching , creating a scare, is indicative of a lurking danger with many such ill omens. Hence you have to tread very carefully. Also the Manjhula Bird is screeching which indicates we will win over the enemy very quickly”.
Thus the duo were talking and searching for Sita in the Forest, there was aloud bang as though the forest was being torn apart; a huge Twister like Wind seen during deluge started blowing. Due to that roar the Sky and the Earth were trembling. When Rama Laskhmana were prying the direction of it’s source they saw a huge Rakshasaa standing near a Bush at a distance. First only his huge belly and Croocked Form was only seen. When they went near they found he had no Head, with his mouth in his belly, had sharp dense Hair. He had a dark body like the Cloud. He had a voice like the cloud’s thunder. He had a wide Eye Yellow in colour in his chest and was glowing like Agni Jhwala(Flame of a Fire). With Long Sharp teeth was often licking/smacking his lips was going on eating all the time animals like Bear, Lion, Deer, Elephant and Birds. His hands were 300 Meters Long. He stretched them and all those animals and Birds that came in it’s Fold grabbed them and was shoving them into the Mouth in his belly.
Rama Lakshaman saw this huge Rakshasaa who was blocking their path from a long distance it self. Then the Headless Khabanda , grabbed Ram Lakshamana as well along with other animals. Even Rama Lakshamana who have Sword, Bow Arrow had to surrender to his immense strength. Rama is elder; warrior of repute; immensly courageous;hence he was not least bit perturbed. Lakshmana was not that much matured and was still raw hence he was sad. Lakshamana was all the more discouraged the Rama who is the Fulcrum of all Living beings himself being captured by this Rakshsaa’s strength, then with with anguish he implored ‘ Anna ! iam caught in this Rakshasaa’s hold, at least you escape leaving me alone hear. You offer me as his human sacrifice and you escape from here. I think you will find Sita very shortly. The Kingdom which is due to you as per our Lineage rule our country and be happy and I pray do rememeber me often then’. Rama replied “ Child! Do not worry ! Aren’t you a Warrior? People like you, will they lose heart despite such adversities?” thus Rama was encouraging him. Then the cruel Rakshsasaa saw Rama Lakshamana and asked “ Who are you? You have Broad shoulders like the Fat Ox duly armed why have you come here to become my Food? What work do you have here? As I am extremely Hungry fall into my mouth and cast away your desire to Live’ Kahbanda said. Rama told Lakshamana who was sad “ I lost Kingdom, Was sent to Forest, Lost Sita, distressed by her separation, aren’t these grief enough? This seems to be greater Anguish than all of them.I think we will be deprived of our Life. Even we are overcome by grief and are Bhudhi Mayanagi(confused and hapless). The Greatness of Time is Limitless. None can surmount Time. There is nothing which Time can not accomplish with all the Creatures.Sagacius Warriors, Great Strongmen,Exponents in Missile technology and Satrategic warfare are bound by the Time’s conditions(grip) are destroyed by the Bridges built with River sand by the same River water.” Speaking thus Rama was distressed.seeing Famed, well known , man of immense Valour Lakshamana not stirred by his words ; Rama decided to consolidate his intrinsic Courage, Intellect, Tactic . (Slokas 51)
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