It was this prince who, when he went to protect the sage’s sacrifice, smote me with a headless arrow so that I was hurled a thousand miles in an instant. No good can come of showing hostility to him.

Now I find myself reduced to the position of a grub caught by a bhringi (a large black bee) inasmuch as I see the two brothers wherever I look. Even if he be only a man, sire, he is a valiant hero, and opposition to him will do no good.

Can such a mighty champion, who killed Tadaka and Subahu, broke Shiva’s bow, and slew Khara, Dushana and Trishira, be just an ordinary man?

Think therefore of the welfare of your family and go home.’ When he heard this, he flared up and directed a volley of abuses at Maricha: ‘You fool, do you presume to teach me like a guru? Tell me, which warrior in the world is a match for me?

Then Maricha thought to himself: ‘It does not do one good to make enemies of the following nine: an armed man, one who knows one’s secrets, a powerful master, a dunce, a wealthy man, a physician, a panegyrist, a poet and a cook.’

Realizing that he was doomed to death in either event, he sought refuge in Raghunatha, ‘If I argue further,’ he thought, ‘the wretch would slay me; why then should I not die by a stroke of Raghunatha’s shaft?

With these thoughts in mind, he accompanied Ravana, with unbroken devotion to Rama’s feet and an exceeding gladness of heart that he would be able to behold his greatest friend (Rama). But he did not reveal his joy to Ravana.