SECTION II.
Sight of a Battle Array in Earth and Air.
19. Virtuous people who were unable to endure the horrid sight, betook themselves to prayers, with the chief priests for averting the calamity.
20. The messengers of Indra, were ready with their decorated elephants (called loka-pálas), for bearing the souls of mighty heroes to grace the seats of heaven.
21. The cháranas and Gandharvas, were singing praises of the advancing heroes; and heavenly nymphs that liked heroism, were glancing at the best combatants.
22. Voluptuous women were wishing to embrace the arms of the brave; and the fair fame of the heroes, had turned the hot sunshine to cool moonlight.
23. Ráma asked:—Tell me, sir, what sort of a warrior is called a hero, that becomes a jewel in heaven, and who is an insurgent.
24. Vasishtha answered:—He who engages in a lawful warfare, and fights for his king, and whether he dies or becomes victorious in the field, is called a hero, and goes to heaven.
25. Whoever kills men otherwise in war and dies afterwards, in an unjust cause, is called an insurgent, and goes to hell at last.
26. Whoever fights for unlawful property, and dies in battle, becomes subject to everlasting hell fire.
27. Whoso wages a just warfare, that is justified by law and usage, that warrior is called both loyal as well as heroic in deed.