1 85 1 .] Translation of the Vichittra Ndtak. 3 1 5 



Mighty heroes could not avoid them. 



By these excited, madly they fought, 



And using their weapons in fierce strife 



They maimed and slaughter'd each other ; 



The devil rejoicing drumm'd merrily. 



Sheo* wore his necklace of human skulls, 



Imps rejoiced, and demons urged to war ; 



Vultures and hysenas prowled about, 



And dead bodies thickly strewed the ground. 



Oh ! there was hacking and many wounds, 



Hands grappling arms, beards with fury pulled ! 



Heads broken, sinewy arms lopped off, 



And many chettriesf pierced with arrows. 



Wild beasts skulked on every side ; 



Animals of every kind were glad. 



And ogres mixed with the happy groups ; 



'Cause there were carcases enough to eat. 



The shouts of heroes equalled the thunder ; 

 They planted their flags in deadly hatred ; 

 Full of anger, they fought with sword and spear. 

 Foot to foot on the ground, these heroes fought. 

 The swords of the brave clashed fearfully ; 

 Their iron weapons dealt destruction. 



Battle axes, spikes, and double-edged swords, 



Short swords and daggers, and forsooth weapons 



Of every kind and shape, were flashing 



Around, about, and simultaneously. 



By wrath excited, the men were reckless, 



And fearlessly they wielded their weapons. 



Mad with deadly hatred, they heeded nothing, 



But, hurling defiance, they cut and slash' d about them, 



Thousands of fairies came from heav'n to see 



The combat, vociferating " Fight — Fight !" 



Some men lost limbs, many bandaged their wounds, 



* Sheo— /Siva. f Chettries — men of the second or military caste, 



2 T 



