“Markandeya said, ‘At length, O king, after a long time had passed away,the hour that had been appointed for the death of Satyavan arrived. Andas the words that had been spoken by Narada were ever present in the mindof Savitri, she had counted the days as they passed.
“Markandeya said, ‘Having pondered over these words (of Narada) about hisdaughter’s marriage, the king began to make arrangements about thenuptials.
“Markandeya continued, ‘On one occasion, O Bharata, when that king, thelord of the Madras, was seated with Narada in the midst of his court,engaged in conversation,
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O mighty sage, I do not so much grieve for myself orthese my brothers or the loss of my kingdom as I do for this daughter ofDrupada.
“Markandeya said, ‘It was thus, O mighty-armed one, that Rama ofimmeasurable energy had suffered of old such excessive calamity inconsequence of his exile in the woods!
“Markandeya said, ‘Having slain Ravana, that wretched king of theRakshasas and foe of the celestials, Rama with his friends and Sumitra’sson rejoiced exceedingly.
“Markandeya said, The Ten-necked (Ravana), excited to fury at the deathof his beloved son, ascended his car decked with gold and gems.
“Markandeya said, ‘Beholding both the brothers Rama and Lakshmanaprostrate on the ground, the son of Ravana tied them in a net-work ofthose arrows of his which he had obtained as boons.
“Markandeya said, ‘Learning that Kumbhakarna had with his followers,fallen in battle as also that great warrior Prahasta, and Dhumraksha tooof mighty energy, Ravana then addressed his heroic son Indrajit saying,’O slayer of foes, slay thou in battle Rama and Sugriva and Lakshmana.
“Markandeya said, “Then Kumbhakarna set out from the city, accompanied byhis followers. And soon he beheld the victorious monkey troops encampedbefore him.
