Thus accosted (by the sages), Rāma answered them with joined hands: “What doth he live on? What are his ways? And where doth Lavana live?” Hearing Rāghava’s words, the sages informed him of the way in which Lavana increased in power. “His food is every creature specially ascetics; his manner of life is regulated by ferocity and his constant home is Madhuvana. Slaying constantly thousands on thousands of lions and tigers and deer, and birds and human beings, he provides his daily food (with their flesh.) And like the Destroyer on the occasion of the universal dissolution, that one possessed of gigantic strength feeds on other creatures as well.” Hearing this, Rāghava spoke to the mighty ascetics: “I will slay that Raksha. Let your fright depart.” Having thus bound himself with that promise to the ascetics of fierce energy, Raghu’s son along with his brothers spoke: “What hero shall slay Lavana? Do you decide this. On whom shall devolve this duty? Whether the mighty armed Bharata or the intelligent Shatrughna shall (do this work?)” Thus addressed by Rāghava Bharata remarked: “I will slay this. Let this task be entrusted to me.” Hearing Bharata’s speech instinct with fortitude and valor, the younger brother of Lakshmana stood up, leaving his golden seat. And Shatrughna, saluting the king represented: “The mighty-armed second son of Raghu hath already achieved a grand work: he formerly governed Ayodhyā empty of the noble one, * bearing in his heart the grief connected with his return. Undergoing many a hardship, king, that illustrious one passed his days, lying down on a bed of sorrow, and living on fruits and roots, and wearing rags. Having suffered such misery, Raghu’s son should not be suffered to undergo trouble, while, O king I his servant is by.” On Shatrughna saying this, Rāghava again said: “Let this be so. Do thou do my bidding. I shall install thee on the graceful city of Madhu; or if thou wish without and entrust Bharata with this task, O long-armed one. Heroic, and accomplished, thou art competent to found a city on the Yamunā as well as flourishing provinces. He that, having people’s dominion, doth not furnish it with a king, goeth to hell. So if thou accept my words, then slaying Madhu’s son, the sinful Lavana, rule the kingdom righteously. O hero, thou must say anything after what I have spoken. Without doubt, a youthful younger brother must obey the injunctions of his elder brother. Do thou, O Kākutstha, accept the installation which I confer on thee, preluded by the prescribed religious formulae uttered by Vipras headed by Vasishtha.”
* Rāma.