INTRODUCTION 115 told him that through his separation, Uparambhā was on the verge of death (12). If he accepted Uparambhä he would be the master of Asali, Sudarśana Cakra and Nalakūbara. At this Rāvana looked at Vibhīşana. The messenger went to take her bath. Vibhişana observed, "This is the occasion for employing strategem (13). If you are bent on success, somehow acquire Asälī and you can still manage not to touch Uparambhā.' Agree- ing with this, Rāvana presented garments and ornaments to the messenger and then asking for the Aśāli charm got it (14). Now the two hostile armies fell upon each other. Vibhişaņa soon cap- tured Nalakūbara. The city as well as the Sudarśana were also captured. Uparambha was not accepted by Rāvana. Nalakübara was thus subdued, and the kingdom was given back to him (15). move XVI Sandhi. Indra's consultation with his ministers: Failure of the negotations: Răvana and Indra prepare for war. Indra's spies gave him an idea of Rāvana's policy and the strength of his army (1), of how he spent his day and night ac- cording to a fixed schedule, which made provision for doing jus- tice to all the state and private duties (2-3). As Indra did not avail any of the previous opportunities of extirpating the enemy, who had grown from strength to strength, now he had become very mighty. But Indra said: "To have killed a boy was below my dignity (4). Indra then proceeding to the consultation hall, where extreme secrecy was maintained, asked his ministers: 'As the enemy now appears almost invincible, what course of policy is to be follow- ed?' Bharadvāja said: 'You act according to your best lights without consulting the counsellors.' Thereupon Viśālacakṣu said: chess the king not without the of the minister' (5). Parāśara, Piśuna, Kautilya, Manu and others stressed the necessity of an increasingly greater number of min- isters for the successful running of the state. Eventually all ex- pressed their opinion in favour of maintaining friendly relations with Rãvana (6). So long as the expedients of conciliation, dis- sension or gift worked why should anybody resort to war? They pointed out various malcontents among Råvaņa's feudatories who provided a fruitful soil for sowing dissension. They advised, With this end in view the messenger Citränga should be sent to Rāvana's court (7), Accordingly Citränga was called and while Indra was giving him instructions, Nārada informed Rāvana of the impending arrival of extremely clever Citrânga, and of the political design underlying it. He strongly advised him to reject the offer of friendship as at that moment Indra was weaker of the two. This good turn was done to him by Närada remembering Räva- ņa's help at the time of Marutta's sacrifice (8). Närada left and Rāvana gave instructions to his commander-in-chief to guard the forces against spies. Ci ga came to Mārica's palace and thence was brought to Rāvana, who, after due ceremony inquired about the strength of Indra's forces. Citrānga said, 'Indra is all powerful' (9). Rāvana praised him as a very clever messenger and asked the purpose of
