CHAPTER VIII.
Dasaratha’s Reply to Viswámitra.
Válmíki added:—On hearing these words of Viswámitra, the tiger among kings remained speechless for a moment, and then besought him in the lowliness of his spirit.
2. Ráma my lotus-eyed boy is only of fifteen years of age. I do not see he is a match for the Rákshasas.
3. Here is a full akshauhiní legion of my soldiers; of whom, Oh my Lord! I am the sole commander; surrounded by them I will offer battle to the Rákshasas cannibals.
4. Here are my brave generals who are well disciplined in warfare; I will be their leader in the height of war with my bow in hand.
5. Accompanied with these, I can offer fight to the enemies of the gods, and to the great Indra himself, in the same manner as the lion withstands the wild elephants.
6. Ráma is but a boy who has no knowledge of the strength of our forces, and whose experience has scarcely stretched to the battle field beyond the inner apartments (of the house).
7. He is not well trained in arms, nor is he skilled in warfare. He does not know to fight with a foe, arrayed in the order of battle.
8. He only knows how to walk about in the gardens of this city and amidst the arbours and pleasant groves.
9. He only knows how to play with his brother princes, in the flowery parks set apart for his play within the precincts of the palace.