Now hear the twenty-first sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda. After seeing Shurpanakha once again fallen and wounded, Khara—her brother, enraged—addressed her in clear words, for she had come seeking his help. “I have already sent those heroic, flesh-eating rakshasas for your sake,” he said. “Why do you weep again? They are always devoted, loyal, and well-disposed toward me. If they are being killed, they would not fail to obey my command. What is happening? I wish to hear the reason for which you cry out ‘Alas, protector!’ and writhe on the ground like a snake. Why do you lament as if you have no protector, when I am here? Rise, rise! Do not be so faint-hearted—cast off this weakness.” Thus addressed by the formidable Khara, Shurpanakha felt comforted. She wiped her tear-filled eyes and spoke to her brother: “I have come to you, my ears and nose cut off, drenched in streams of blood. You have comforted me. You sent those fourteen heroic rakshasas, armed, to kill the dreadful Raghava and Lakshmana for my sake. But all of them, furious and armed with spears and pikes, were slain in battle by Rama with arrows that pierce the vital points. Seeing those swift warriors fallen to the ground in a moment, and witnessing Rama’s great deed, I was seized by immense fear. Thus I am frightened, agitated, and despondent, O night-wanderer; seeing danger everywhere, I have come to you again for refuge. Inhabited by crocodiles of despair and waves of terror, why do you not rescue me, who am submerged in the vast ocean of grief? Those flesh-eating rakshasas who came to my aid have been struck down on the ground by Rama with sharp arrows. If you have any compassion for me, or for those rakshasas, and if you have strength or power against Rama, O night-wanderer—strike down the thorn of the demons dwelling in the Dandaka forest. If you do not kill Rama, the destroyer of enemies, today, I will abandon my life right before you, shameless one; in my judgment, you are not able to face Rama in battle. Even with your forces, you are not capable of standing face to face with him in the great war; you claim to be a hero, but you are not—your valor is falsely attributed. Depart swiftly from Janasthana with your kin; otherwise, kill the fools in battle, or you will bring disgrace upon your lineage. You are unable to slay those two men, Rama and Lakshmana; what sort of existence do you have here, lacking strength and possessing little power? Overcome by Rama’s energy, you will soon perish; for Rama, son of Dasharatha, is endowed with that very power.” Beside her brother, Shurpanakha, grief-stricken and unconscious, struck her belly with her hands and wept, overwhelmed by intense sorrow. Now hear the twenty-second sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda. Thus provoked by Shurpanakha, the warrior Khara spoke among the demons, uttering words harsher than even he himself. “This anger of mine, arising from your insult, is unparalleled; it cannot be contained, like turbulent salt water. I do not regard Rama as powerful—a mortal whose life is nearly spent; today, he will lose his life through his own misdeeds. Hold back your tears and let go of your agitation; I will send Rama and his brother to the abode of Yama. Today, you will drink the hot blood of Rama, struck down by my axe, as he lies weak on the earth, O demoness.” Hearing these words flowing from Khara’s mouth, Shurpanakha became delighted and, in her folly, again praised her brother, foremost among the demons. Having previously been harshly addressed by her, and now again praised, Khara then spoke to Dushana, his general: “Fourteen thousand demons, fierce and relentless in battle, follow my will. They are dark as rain clouds, roam about harming the world, and are all fully prepared; assemble all these demons, gentle one. Quickly bring me my chariot, gentle one, along with bows, arrows of various kinds, swords, and sharp spears. I wish to advance at the front, for the destruction of that unruly Rama, who is skilled in battle, along with the great-souled Paulastyas.” As he was speaking thus, Dushana ordered for him a great chariot, shining like the sun, yoked with dappled steeds. The chariot, resembling the peak of Mount Meru, was adorned with refined gold, crowded with golden wheels, and with a yoke made of cat’s-eye gems. It was covered with images of fish, flowers, trees, mountains, golden moons and suns, auspicious birds in flocks, and stars. Equipped with banners and swords, adorned with excellent bells, and always yoked with fine horses, Khara, in his anger, mounted it then. Khara, seeing that great army with chariots, armor, weapons, and banners, said to all the rakshasas, “Set out!” to Dushana. Then that rakshasa army, with terrifying armor, weapons, and banners, departed from Janasthana, roaring loudly and moving with great speed.