Thereat the righteous ascetics ranging the forest said that all the sides of the forest were infested by Rākşasas. “Ferocious beasts feasting on blood, and Rākşasas, O Rāghava, living on human beings, wearing various shapes, abide in this mighty forest."
तावूचुस्ते वनचरास्तापसा धर्मचारिणः। वनस्य तस्य संचारं राक्षसैः समभिप्लुतम् ॥ रक्षांसि पुरुषादानि नानारूपाणि राघव। वसन्त्यस्मिन् महारण्ये व्यालाश्च रुधिराशनाः॥