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Horse paralyzed
As the challenge-horse continued to wander over the Earth, King Viramani accompanied Shatrughna, along with his army. Then, one day, something wonderful occured. The challenge-horse suddenly became stiff, like a statue, and thus did not move. The guards beat the horse with whips, and yet it still remained immovable. When Shatrughna was informed of this, he had Pushkala lift up the horse. Still, the horse remained stiff. Hanuman then went and dragged the horse, and yet, it remained like a statue.Shatrughna approached his minister, Sumati, and inquired as to the cause of this wonderful occurance. Sumati suggested that this must be the work of a powerful sage. Soldiers were sent to search for this mendicant and finally, at a great distance, a hermitage was discovered. Shatrughna was informed that the ashram of the sage Shaunaka was nearby. Along with Hanuman, Pushkala and some others, he went there. The sage gave Shatrughna a nice reception and asked about the purpose of his visit. In response, Shatrughna explained how his challenge-horse had miraculously become paralyzed.After contemplating for a moment, Pushkala replied, "There was a great sage named Sattvika, who practiced penance on the banks of the River Kaveri. One day, death appeared before Sattvika and took him to the peak of Mount Meru. A great Jambu tree was there, and a river called Jambabati. There, Sattvika enjoyed the company of many celestial girls, according to his desire.Being very proud of himself, however, he arrogantly disrespected those girls, and as a result, he was cursed by sages to become a demon. When he begged for forgiveness, the sages told him, 'When you make Rama's challenge-horse stiff, you will be able to hear Rama's pastimes. After that, you will become freed from our curse.Shaunaka thus urged Shatrughna to go and narrate Rama's pastimes to the demon, thus freeing him from the sages' curse. Shatrughna went and narrated Rama's pastimes near the challenge-horse, and while doing so, he suddenly saw a divine being, ascending to heaven in an airplane. That being then said, "I have become released from the sages' curse by hearing Rama's astimes. i am returning to my celestial abode, by your mercy.At that time, the horse became free from stiffness, and thus proceed to wander over the Earth.
Part-10
Fight with King Suratha and defeat of Ram's Army
Finally, after seven months were completed, the horse came to the kingdom of Suratha, who was a great devotee of Lord Rama. When the king's servants spotted the challenge-horse, they reported the matter to their master.
They said, "This horse belongs to Rama, the king at Ayodhya.
King-Why don't you seize it? It is very charming.It is our great fortune that we shall be able to see Lord Rama. I will capture the horse and then release it when Rama comes here. In this way, my goal of life will be achieved.
The king's servants caught the challenge-horse. When he came to know of this, Shatrughna questioned Sumati about the king of that region. In response, Sumati described King Suratha as Rama's loyal devotee, and he advised Shatrughna to send Angada as an envoy.Angada thus went to Suratha's assembly, and advised him to return the challenge-horse.
King Suratha replied- "I have knowingly seized Lord Rama's horse. I will not release it from fear of Shatrughna, however. Only if Rama personally comes here will I not only return the horse, but also offer my entire kingdom in His service. If Rama does not come, then I will easily defeat Shatrughna and his followers.
Upon hearing this, Angada laughed and said- "You have become senile with old age! You greatly underestimate Shatrughna, and his brother's son, Pushkala. What then to speak of Hanuman? Compared to them, you are but a mosquito! You must return the horse if you at all desire your welfare, and that of your sons.
King Suratha remained adamant, however, considering himself to be more powerful than even Hanuman. Angada returned to Shatrughna and informed him of all that had taken place.Thereafter, a great battle commenced. Suratha's son, Champaka, fought with Pushkala. After a heroic fight, Champaka released an arrow that struck Pushkala in the chest and bound him. Champaka then took Pushkala on his chariot. Upon seeing this, Shatrughna ordered Hanuman to free Pushkala. In the fight that followed, Champaka surprisingly foiled all of Hanuman's attacks.The enraged Hanuman then grabbed Champaka by the arm and took him into the sky. Even there, Champaka fought bravely, but finally, Hanuman grabbed him by the foot and threw him to the ground, causing the prince to faint. After accompishing this feat, Hanuman freed Pushkala from Champaka's nooses.Suratha angrily challenged Hanuman, and proceeded to pierce him with numerous arrows. Hanuman then went and grabbed Suratha's bow and broke it to pieces. Indeed, again and again, Suratha picked up a new bow, and again and again, Hanuman broke each one. In this way, eighty bows were destroyed.Suratha then struck Hanuman with a shakti weapons. In retaliation, Hanuman picked up the king's chariot and began carrying him toward the sea. Suratha struck Hanuman severely on the chest with his club and so the chariot fell from his hands and broke. Suratha mounted another chariot but again, Hanuman shattered it to pieces. Indeed, forty-nine chariots were smashed in this way.
King Suratha then angrily relased the Pashupata weapon, causing countless ghosts, witches, and fiends to suddenly appear. Indeed, Hanuman was bound by that weapon of Lord Shiva. However, while remembering Lord Rama, Hanuman easily broke his bonds.Finally, Suratha put the weapon of Lord Rama upon his bow. Being bound by that weapon, Hanuman did not even try to free himself, out of respect for his master. Pushkala then came and attacked Suratha. After a breathtaking battle, Suratha made Pushkala faint upon the battlefield. At this, Shatrughna finally came and challenged Suratha. After a fierce fight, Suratha released an arrow that fell upon Shatrughna's chest, making him fall unconscious. Seeing this, the other warriors supporting Shatrughna fled. Sugriva then challenged King Suratha. Soon, Suratha was able to bind Sugriva with the weapon presided over by Lord Rama.Thereafter, in his court, Suratha told Hanuman,
Suratha-"Kindly remember Lord Rama, the protector of His devotees, so that He will come nere and release you. Otherwise, I will not free you, even after many, many years.Hanuman offered prayers to Lord Rama, begging for his release. He concluded by saying
Hanuman-"O Lord, I have been bound by Suratha's nooses. If You do not come and release me, the people of this world will joke about us. For this reason, please do not delay.
Lord Rama immediatley came, accompanied by Lakshman and Bharata, riding upon the Pushpaka chariot. Suratha offered his obeisances, hundreds of times. Rama then came and embraced the king. After doing so, He freed his dear devotees from their bondage. Indeed, all of the unconscious warriors quickly regained consciousness. After this was accomplished, Suratha gladly presented the challenge-horse to Rama, and begged for His forgiveness. After staying in Suratha's palace for three days, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya in the Pushpaka chariot. Putting Champaka in charge of the city, Suratha accompanied Shatrughna on his journey, protecting Rama's challenge-horse. After wandering at will, the horse finally came to the ashram of Valmiki Muni.