Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.3112

c4.3112

Citraratha was also one among those assembled for the svayaṃvara of Hemā, daughter of Kuśa. He sent an anaesthetic missile to the assemblage and made them all fall down senseless. He then took Hemā out from the marriage hall. But on reaching outside he felt he had done a very unjust thing and so withdrew the missile and stood outside ready to fight. A fight ensued in which Citraratha defeated all. But Lava alone continued to fight with him. Vīrabāhu, father of Citraratha, who was closely watching the fight came to the help of Citraratha and engaging Lava in a fight struck him down. Kuśa seeing this attacked Vīrabāhu and bound him hand and foot. At that time Śrī Rāma came to the scene and told Kuśa that Vīrabāhu was a friend of his and set Vīrabāhu free. Hemā was then married to Citraratha and Vīrabāhu was sent away with due respect.