Hearing that the five generals had been slain by Hanuman alone with
their vehicles and followers, the king, gazing at prince Aksha, who was
ready and eager to go to battle, commanded him to take the field. And
that puissant one of a bow decked with gold, on being commanded (by
Ravana) with a glance, started up, like unto fire on being fed by
clarified butter by foremost regenerate persons on the sacrificial
ground. And that best of Nairitas[384] possessed of prowess, ascending a
car resembling the infant sun in effulgence, and surrounded all round
with networks of burnished gold, sallied forth in quest of that mighty
monkey. And (that warrior) in prowess resembling an immortal, sallied
out ascending that car, obtained with long-contianed asceticism,
embellished with a network of glowing gold, furnished with pennons,
having a standard studded with gems, nicely yoked with eight excellent
steeds having the fleetness of thought, incapable of being overpowered
either by celestials or Asuras, competent to course over uneven ground,
of the lustre of lightning, sky-ranging, completely garnished, equipped
with quivers, with swords fastened to the banners in eight directions,
with darts and lances arranged in proper places, splendid with every
object in full measure, bearing golden threads, wearing the brilliancy
of the sun and moon, and possessing the effulgence of the sun. And
filling the firmament and the earth containing mountains with sounds
proceeding from steeds, elephants and mighty cars,--he, accompanied by
his forces, presented himself before the capable monkey, who was seated
at the gate. And coming before the monkey, Aksha, having the gaze of a
lion,with eyes betokening regard, gazed at Hanuman resembling the Fire
on the occassion of the universal dissolution at the end of a _yuga_,
intent on destroying creatures, and who was seated and was influenced
alike by surprise and regard. And seriously considering the impetuosity
of the high-souled monkey as well as his prowess in relation to a
foe,--as also his own strength, he increased (in strength) like the Sun
on the expiration of a Yuga. And growing enraged, (Aksha), staying
calmly in the field, with concentrated soul, challenged Hanuman
difficult to resist in conflict and of prowess worthy to witness, with
three whetted shafts. And finding the monkey proud and untiring, capable
of vanquishing his foe, and possessed of exalted spirits, Aksha took up
his bow and held his arrows in his hands. And wearing a golden corslet,
_angadas_, and earings, and possessed of fiery vigor, he closed with the
monkey; and their meeting was something unparalleled on this earth,--and
was calculated to raise the respect[385] even of the celestials and the
Asuras. And witnessing the mighty conflict of the prince and the monkey,
Earth emitted cries, and the Sun did not burn, and the Wind did not
blow, and the mountains shook, and the welkin sounded, and the main was
vexed. And that hero, skilled in aiming, fixing and discharging arrows,
shot at the monkey's head three fine-headed feathered shafts plated with
gold near the feathers, and resembling venomous serpents. And with his
rolling eyes washed with blood in consequence of the shafts having
alighted at his head, Hanuman, resembling a new-risen Sun having arrows
for its rays, looked splendid like the light-engarlanded Sun. And seeing
in battle that son of the foremost of monarchs, with his excellent
weapons upraised and his beautiful bow, that best of the counsellors of
the lord of monkeys, rejoiced, and intent on encounter, increased
himself. And with his ire heightened, that one endowed with energy and
prowess, like unto the ray-decorated (Sun) on the crest of Mandara,[386]
began to burn with the fiery rays of his eyes, Aksha, along with his
forces and vehicles. And as a mass of clouds showereth rain on a high
hill, the arrow-showering Rakshasa resembling clouds, having the bow for
his rain-bow, discharged shafts at that foremost of monkeys,
representing a mountain. And then the monkey, having sounds like those
of clouds, beholding in battle Aksha of terrific prowess in conflict,
and strong in energy, strength and shafts, sent up shouts from elation
of spirits. And as an elephant approacheth a deep pit covered over with
grass, (Aksha) from a spirit of childishness elated in conflict with his
prowess, with his ire heightened, and eyes resembling blood, drew near
the monkey in the field. And as Aksha went on hastily pouring shafts,
that one uttering roars resembling the rumbling of clouds, looking
terrible in consequence of his arms and thighs flung about, darted into
the sky with exhuberant energy. And as he leapt up, that strong and
powerful one--foremost of Rakshasas--that car-warrior and the best of
choice car-warriors--rushed at (Hanuman), showering arrows on him, like
a cloud showering hail-stones on a mountain. And dashing in the midst of
the arrows like the wind, and thus baffling them, the heroic monkey of
dreadful prowess in conflict, and endowed with the speed of thought,
began to range the path of the air. And witnessing Aksha with regardful
eyes, as that one intent on contest, taking his bow, was covering the
sky with various excellent arrows, the Wind-god's offspring was plunged
in thought. Wounded in the arm with shafts by that high-souled, noble
prince, that mighty-armed one, capable of adequately appreciating the
nature of actions, thought on (Aksha's) prowess in battle. "This
exceedingly powerful one, endowed with the splendour of the infant sun,
is doing dire deeds incapable of being done by a boy; and I am loth to
slay one that hath shown himself equal to every martial feat. This one
is high-souled, mighty in energy, of concentrated self, and capable of
bearing extreme hardships in war; without doubt, by virtue of his
actions, he is worthy of being honored by Nagas, Yakshas and ascetics.
With his mind braced by prowess and hope, that foremost of heroes eyeth
me staying in the fore-front. The prowess of this light-handed (one), I
ween, maketh even the hearts of the celestials and Asuras tremble. If I
disregard him, he shall certainly vanquish me, for his prowess in battle
increaseth (fast). Therefore I must even slay him: it is not proper to
suffer an increasing fire." Thus reflecting on the strength of his foe
and having ascertained his line of action, that puissant one endowed
with great strength, summoned energy and set his heart on slaying him
(his antagonist). And remaining in the path coursed by the air, that
heroic monkey, the offspring of the Wind-god, with his slaps slew his
eight powerful and excellent steeds, capable of bearing pressure and
trained to diverse circular movements. And successfully assailed by the
councilor of that lord of monkeys, the car with its seat smashed, and
its pole broken, and deprived of its steeds, fell to the earth from the
sky. Thereat, forsaking that car, the mighty car-warrior sprang up into
sky with his bow and holding his sabre,--and (resembled) an ascetic of
fierce energy consequent on austerities, going up to heaven, renouncing
his body. Then the monkey possessed of the energy and vigor of the Wind,
approaching him as he was ranging the air coursed by the king of birds,
the Wind and the Siddhas, at length fast caught hold of his legs. And as
the foremost of birds, Garuda taking a mighty serpent, whirls it, that
foremost of monkeys, resembling his sire in prowess, whirling Aksha in
the conflict, violently dropped him on the earth. And with his arms,
thighs and chest crushed, bleeding, (having his bones and eyes smashed,
his joints riven, and his tendons snapped, the Rakshasa lay on the
earth, slain by the offspring of the Wind-god. And tormenting him
(Aksha) on the earth, that mighty monkey caused great fright unto the
ruler of the Rakshasas; and he was gazed at by the assembled Maharshis
and the orbit-coursing ones and all beings with Yakshas and Pannagas,
come to see him. And on the prince being slain, that monkey was gazed at
by the celestials with Indra, who had been seized with extreme
wonderment. And having slain in battle prince Aksha resembling a son of
the celestials and possessed of blood-red eyes, the hero (again) neared
the same gate, and waited there like _Kala_ bent upon destroying all
creatures.
[384] Rakshasas.
[385] _Sambhramaprada_, according to Ramanuja, means, _capable of
exciting_
[386] The Sun is on Mandara in mid-day; therefore the meridian Sun is
meant here.--T.