ma) and the god of riches. He afterwards consulted his
father Visravas about an abode, and at his suggestion took possession of
the city of Lanka, which had formerly been built by Visvakarman for the
Rakshasas, but had been abandoned by them through fear of Vishnu, and was
at that time unoccupied. Rama then (Sect. 4) says he is surprised to hear
that Lanka had formerly belonged to the Rakshasas, as he had always
understood that they were the descendants of Pulastya, and now he learns
that they had also another origin. He therefore asks who was their
ancestor, and what fault they had committed that they were chased away by
Vishnu. Agastya replies that when Brahma created the waters, he formed
certain beings,--some of whom received the name of Rakshasas,--to guard
them. The first Rakshasas kings were Heti and Praheti. Heti married a
sister of Kala (Time). She bore him a son Vidyutkesa, who in his turn took
for his wife Lankatanka[t.]a, the daughter of Sandhya (V. 21). She bore
him a son Sukesa, whom she abandoned, but he was seen by Siva as he was
passing by with his wife Parvati, who made the child as old as his mother,
and immortal, and gave him a celestial city. Sukesa married a Gandharvi
called Devavati who bore three sons, Malyavat, Sumali and Mali. These sons
practised intense austerities, when Brahma appeared and conferred on them
invincibility and long life. They then harassed the gods. Visvakarma gave
them a city, Lanka, on the mountain Trikuta, on the shore of the southern
ocean, which he had built at the command of Indra.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~} The three Rakshasa,
Malyavat and his two brothers, then began to oppress the gods, rishis,
etc.; who (Sect. 6, v. 1 ff.) in consequence resort for aid to Mahadeva,
who having regard to his protege Sukesa the father of Malyavat, says that
he cannot kill the Rakshasas, but advises the suppliants to go to Vishnu,
which they do, and receive from him a promise that he will destroy their
enemies. The three Rakshasa kings, hearing of this, consult together, and
proceed to heaven to attack the gods. Vishnu prepares to meet them. The
battle is described in the seventh section. The Rakshasas are defeated by
Vishnu with great slaughter, and driven back to Lanka, one of their
leaders, Mali, being slain. Malyavat remonstrates with Vishnu, who was
assaulting the rear of the fugitives, for his unwarrior-like conduct, and
wishes to renew the combat (Sect. 8, v. 3 ff.). Vishnu replies that h