He ceased: and Rama, undismayed, Upon his cord those arrows laid Which pierced the stately Sal trees through, And Bali king of Vanars slew. They flew, they smote, but smote in vain Those mighty limbs that felt no pain. Then Rama sent with surest aim The dart that bore the Wind-God's name. The missile from the giant tore His huge arm and the mace it bore, Which crushed the Vanars where it fell: And dire was Kumbhakarna's yell. The giant seized a tree, and then Rushed madly at the lord of men. Another dart, Lord Indra's own, To meet his furious onset thrown, His left arm from the shoulder lopped, And like a mountain peak it dropped. Then from the bow of Rama sped Two arrows, each with crescent head; And, winged with might which naught could stay, They cut the giant's legs away. They fell, and awful was the sound As those vast columns shook the ground; And sky and sea and hill and cave In echoing roars their answer gave. Then from his side the hero drew A dart that like the tempest flew-- No deadlier shaft has ever flown Than that which Indra called his own-- Nor could the giant's mail-armed neck The fury of the missile check. Through skin and flesh and bone it smote And rent asunder head and throat. Down with the sound of thunder rolled The head adorned with rings of gold, And crushed to pieces in its fall A gate, a tower, a massive wall. Hurled to the sea the body fell: Terrific was the ocean's swell, Nor could swift fin and nimble leap Save the crushed creatures of the deep.Ramayana 6.310 · Ramayana · 6
Ramayana 6.310
Ramayana · translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Themes in this passage
NatureAngerThe DivineStrengthLeadershipWealth
Nature in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism address it.
The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:Joel 2:10 · Bible · Joel
Hast thou not seen that unto Allah payeth adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind, while there are many unto whom the doom is justly due. He whom Allah scorneth, there is none to give him honour. Lo! Allah doeth what He will.Quran 22:18 · Quran · The Pilgrimage
Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not a tree only! Danger comes out of the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, then, Bhikshus, you will be rid of the forest and free!Dhp 20.283 · Dhammapada · The Way
Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!Tao Te Ching 23.1 · Tao Te Ching
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