Nityaraamasmaranam Aranya Kaanda - Ch. 230
Demons see Omens
Nature often warns even the evil ones before they commit Adharma, as it does Khara today. But will Khara heed the signs?
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Khara’s armies marched from Janasthana to Panchavati to wreak vengeance. Nature realised the evil one’s mind and sent various signals to him.
Grey clouds showered blood rain on Khara’s armies, making his horses totter on a well-made road. The Sun seemed to be in a total Grahana, with a black & red-tinged corona swallowing it completely.
An awful, large eagle perched on Khara’s chariot flagstaff. Carnivorous predators howled loudly and vultures flew over Janasthaana making raucous sounds.
Loud-noised jackals howled awfully, breathing fire, indicating ill omens for the demons. Large, mountain-like clouds are showering bloodlike water that flood all roads. Even the sky seemed to be drenched in blood with vultures, jackals and eagles screaming.
Surya seemed as though Rahu had swallowed him before time. Stars shone like fireflies though it was not night. Lotuses dried up in lakes and fishes stood still. Trees appeared fruitless. There was no wind and yet brownish-red sand stormed.
Horrible, fiery meteors fell thunderously and the Earth with its mountains, woods and forests shook. Khara’s left shoulder throbbed excessively and his voice quavered. Tears flowed from his eyes for no reason and his forehead ached. Still, the vain demon marched on, laughing off all the omens.
A boastful Khara said, “These awful omens do not worry me. With my devilish arrows I can hurtle stars from the sky and slay Death himself in anger. So, I will not return without killing that haughty Rama and his brother Lakshmana.”
“Shoorpanakha will happily drink the blood of that Rama and Lakshmana who defaced her. I am invincible. I can even defeat that Vajra-bearing Indra who rides Airavata, then what are these two?” All his demon companions cheered Khara. The Devas, Rishis, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Charanas sent out a silent prayer for Shri Rama’s victory, watching Khara boast.
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