Then ordered by the lord of Rakshasas, the sons of his counsellors,
seven (in number), in splendour resembling fire, issued forth from that
mansion. And surrounded by a mighty army, furnished with bows, endowed
with wondrous strength, and accomplished in arms--the foremost of those
acquainted with weapons--each burning for victory, with mighty cars
yoked with steeds, covered with golden net-works, bearing pennons and
standards,and having sounds like those proceeding from
clouds,--exultingly stretching with immeasurable prowess bows decked
with gold,--resembling clouds surcharged with lightning,--those warriors
sallied out. Learning that the servants had been slain, their[379]
mothers, along with their friends and kindred, were overpowered with
grief. And vieing with each other in eagerness, those (warriors) decked
in ornaments of polished gold, confronted Hanuman staying at the gate.
And with their cars sending roars, the Rakshasas, pouring showers of
shafts, ranged (the field), resembling clouds during the rainy season.
And covered with those arrowy showers, Hanuman had his person concealed,
like the monarch of mountains hidden by a downpour. And that
swift-speeding monkey, coursing the cloudless sky, evaded those shafts
of those heroes, as well as the impetuosity of their cars. And that
hero, playing pranks with those bowmen, appeared like the masterful Wind
playing tricks with the bow-bearing clouds.[380] And sending up a
dreadful shout, and thereby filling that vast host with fright, the
energetic Hanuman rushed on that Rakshasa army. And that subduer of
enemies slew some with slaps, and some he rived with nails, and some he
killed by blows, and others with (the pressure of) his chest. And some
dropped down on the ground at the very same spot at the sounds that he
emitted. And on their being slain or falling on the earth, that army,
afflicted with affright, began to fly in all directions. And the
elephants roared in frightful tones, and the steeds fell down oa the
earth.--And the Earth was covered with broken boxes, flagstaffs, and
umbrellas, (belonging to the cars), as also with the cars
themselves.--And rivers running gore were seen on the way, and Lanka
uttered various frightful cries. And having slain those overgrown
Rakshasas, that exceedingly powerful and heroic monkey of terrific
power, desirous of again coping with other Rakshasas, retraced his steps
to the self-same entrance.
[379] _i. e._ the mothers of the sons of the councillors.--T.
[380] _i. e._ having the iris.--T.