Garuda Devours the Serpent Illusion and the Vanaras Drive Demons to the Walls
Lanka Kanda, Doha 75क
Doha 75क · Movement 2 of 2
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The lord of birds descends upon the mass of illusory serpents. Garuda takes them one after another until the noose, the coils, and the spectacle of bondage disappear beneath his hunger.
Maya withdraws, and joy returns to the vanara ranks. Mountains, trees, rocks, and their own claws rise as weapons in hands made fearless by the sight of Rama free before them.
They charge in fury. The demons who had attacked from concealment break in greater distress and climb back upon the fortress walls. The movement reverses the whole field. Serpents that made the Lord appear captive become food, the army that seemed helpless becomes pursuit, and those who ruled the invisible sky seek safety behind visible stone.
Garuda eats the darkness one serpent at a time, and Rama's freed army drives illusion back behind the walls.
Read the passage from the Manas
खगपति सब धरि खाए माया नाग बरूथ। माया बिगत भए सब हरषे बानर जूथ। 74(क)।। गहि गिरि पादप उपल नख धाए कीस रिसाइ। चले तमीचर बिकलतर गढ़ पर चढ़े पराइ।।74(ख)।।
The lord of birds devoured all the serpents of maya. When that illusion was destroyed, the monkey hosts were freed and rejoiced. (74a) Grasping mountains, trees, rocks, and claws, the monkeys charged forward in fury. The demons fled in even greater distress, scaling the fortress walls in retreat. (74b)