"Whereupon darkness having set in all the celestials and Rākshasas,
maddened with their strength, began to fight crushing one another. And
in that darkness—Indra, Rāvana and Meghanāda—these three were not
possessed by the influence of illusion. Beholding his whole army slain
in a moment, Rāvana, worked up with dreadful ire, sent out terrible
roars. And in anger, that irrepressible one said to the charioteer,
stationed on the car—’Do thou take me to the other end of the enemies’
host. I shall soon with the stroke of various weapons despatch the
deities to the abode of Death. I shall slay Indra, Kuvera, Varuna and
Yama—what to speak of more—I shall soon destroy all the deities and
place myself above them. Be not sorry; do thou soon drive my chariot.
To-day I have told you twice to take me to the end of the enemy’s army.
We are now waiting near the Nandana grove—do thou take me to the hill
whence the sun rises.’ Hearing his words the charioteer drove the
steeds, coursing at will through the enemies’ host. Thereupon being
apprised of his intention, Sakra, the king of the celestials, stationed
on car, said to the deities, in the field of battle—’O ye deities—hear
my words, what appear to me best. This Ten-necked demon must be
vanquished by us while alive. Ascending his car, gifted with the
velocity of the wind, the highly powerful one is proceeding amongst the
army like unto the deep with waves rising during Parva. It is not
possible to slay him now—for he shall not meet with death in consequence
of the boon. So let us make him captive—and we should all exert to that
end. Bali being held captive I am enjoying the three worlds—and I think
proper to obstruct the course of this vicious-souled one.’ Having said
this and left aside Rāvana, Sakra went to another side, O King, and
fought terrifying the Rākshasas in the conflict. Dacagriva, incapable of
being thwarted, entered by the northern route and the performer of
hundred sacrifices by the southern. Thereupon having entered into the
army up to a hundred leagues—the lord of Rākshasas overpowered the
celestial host with a downpour of shafts. Thereupon beholding his own
army slain, Sakra returned fearlessly and obstructed the Ten-necked
demon. In the interim beholding Rāvana brought under his grasp by Sakra
the demons and Rākshasas cried aloud. ’Alas we are slain.’ Thereupon
ascending his car Rāvana’s son, beside himself with rage, entered the
dreadful flank. And having resorted to the illusory powers, conferred
upon him in yore by Paçupati he entered into the enemies’ camp and
belaboured them. Having left behind all other deities he pursued Indra
and the highly effulgent Mahendra too espied his enemy’s son. And albeit
assailed by the highly powerful deities, Rāvana’s son, divested of mail,
entertained no fear. Having overpowered the approaching charioteer with
many excellent arrows he covered Mahendra with a downpour of shafts.
Thereat having left his car and charioteer Indra mounted his elephant
Airavat and ran about in search of Rāvana’s son. Being invisible in the
welkin by virtue of his illusory powers and having brought Indra under
the influence thereof he struck him with hundreds of arrows. When
Rāvana’s son came to know that Indra was exhausted he, having bound him
up by virtue of illusion, proceeded towards his army. And having seen
Mahendra carried away by force from the battle field the deities thought
’What is this?’ That conqueror of Sakra and subduer of enemies,
conversant with illusory powers, was not visible, by whom, Indra,
although master of many illusions, was carried away by force. In the
meantime, the celestials, all enraged, covered Rāvana with a downpour of
shafts and belaboured him. And being worn out in the encounter with the
Adityas and Vasus he was not capable of fighting any more. Beholding his
father thus distressed and assailed in warfare with strokes, Rāvana’s
son, although invisible, said—’Do thou come O father, our work in the
battle field is finished; know, we have achieved victory; be thou
consoled and divested of agonies. By virtue of my illusory powers I have
made Mahendra captive—the lord of the three worlds and of the celestial
host and have crushed down the pride of the deities. Having subdued thy
enemy by virtue of thy prowess do thou enjoy the three worlds at thy
pleasure. What is the use of labouring again? And useless it is to fight
again.’ Hearing the words of Rāvana’s son the deities retired from the
battle field, and went away without Sakra. And hearing the sweet words
of his son, the lord of the night-rangers, the enemy of the celestials,
having great prowess and wide spread fame, desisted from fighting and
affectionately said to his son—’Thou hast enhanced the glory of our race
displaying thy prowess like a highly powerful man. Thou hast vanquished
the celestials and their king of unequalled might. Do thou set out hence
for the city, taking Indra on thy chariot and surrounded by soldiers. I
shall, soon, delighted, follow thee with my councillors.’ Thereupon
having returned home with his army and chariots and taking the king of
the celestials, the powerful son of Rāvana dismissed the victorious
warriors."