Then those Rakshasas, going to that subduer of enemies, Ravana, informed
him that Rama along with the monkeys had laid seige unto the city.
Hearing the city beseiged, the night-ranger was enraged. And, hearing
that double arrangements had been made (by Rama) in guarding the
gateways, (Ravana) ascended the palace. He saw Lanka with her hills,
woods, and forests, covered everywhere with innumerable monkeys eager
for encounter. And he saw the entire Earth tawneyed with the monkeys;
and he reflected within himself how he could destroy these. And
reflecting for long, Ravana having expansive eyes, assuming patience,
gazed at Raghava and the leader of monkeys. Raghava with his host was
fast approaching (the wall); and Ravana saw Lanka defended on all sides
by Rakshasas. And Dacaratha's son, seeing Lanka crowned with variegated
ensigns and standards, mentally went to Sita, with a sad heart. "For my
sake, here that one, Janaka's daughter, having eyes resembling those of
a young deer,--is undergoing affliction; and lieth down on the ground".
And aggrieved at the thought of Vaidehi, the righteous Rama speedily
commanded the monkeys to compass the destruction of the enemies. As Rama
of untiring deeds said this, the monkeys, filling (the air) with leonine
roars, began to press forward furiously. "We shall cleave Lanka with
mountain-peaks, or with our blows"--thus thought the leaders within
themselves. And the monkey-leaders stood, raising up gigantic
mountain-peaks and tops of mountains, and rooting up various trees. And
for doing what was dear unto Rama, that army, divided into separate
parties, in the presence of the Rakshasa-chief commenced scaling Lanka.
And those copper-faced ones of golden sheen, who had consecrated their
lives to the service of Rama, equipped with trees and rocks, began to
throng upon Lanka. And the monkeys with trees and hill-tops and blows
crushed countless gates and tops of walls; and they filled the moat
containing crystal water with dust, tops of crags, straw, and wood. Then
leaders of thousands and _kotis_ and hundreds of _kotis_ began to scale
Lanka. And the monkeys crushed golden gateways; and, breaking down gates
resembling the tops of the summits of Kailaca, bounded roaring, some
towards the wall and some all around. And resembling gigantic elephants,
they rushed towards Lanka. "Victory to the mighty Rama, and Victory to
the exceedingly powerful Lakshmana, and Victory to king Sugriva, who is
protected by Raghava". Thus shouting, those monkeys, wearing forms at
will, sending up roars, rushed amain towards the wall of Lanka. And
Viravahu, Suvahu, Nala and Panaca--leader of monkeys--breaking (a
portion of) the wall, took up their post there. In the meantime, (they)
arranged the forces in order of battle. And the strong Kumuda,
surrounded by ten _kotis_ of victorious monkeys, stood obstructing the
Eastern gate. And for backing him, there remained the monkey, Prasabha,
as also the long-armed Panaca, surrounded by monkeys. And obstructing
the Southern entrance stood the strong and gallant monkey, Satavali,
surrounded by twenty _kotis_. And the strong sire of Tara, the powerful
Sushena, obstructed the Western gate, backed by _kotis_ upon _kotis_ (of
monkeys). And obstructing the Northern gate, remained the puissant Rama
himself along with Sumitra's son, as well as the king of
monkeys--Sugriva. And that huge-bodied and dreadful Golangula--the
mighty and powerful Gavaksha--surrounded by a _koti_, remained by the
side of Rama. And that destroyer of foes--the exceedingly mighty Dhumra
of the bears of terrific wrath, remained by the side of Rama--where,
surrounded by vigilant counsellors, and bearing a mace in his hand,
stood the exceedingly strong Bibhishana, endowed with wonderful powers,
in complete panoply. And Gaya, and Gavaksha, and Gavaya, and Sarabha,
and Gandhamadana, protected the monkey-army, coursing all around. And
then, his soul wrought up with wrath, Ravana--lord of
Rakshasas--speedily ordered the whole host to sally out. Hearing those
words, which came out from Ravana's mouth, all of a sudden the
night-rangers sent up a dreadful yell. Then awoke the kettle-drums,
having moon-like pale faces,--sounded by means of golden sticks. And
conchs by hundreds and by thousands, capable of producing loud blares,
filled with air proceeding from the mouths of dreadful Rakshasas,--were
winded. And with conchs placed in their mouths, those night-rangers,
having bodies blue like those of _Cukas_, resembled masses of clouds,
with lightning and cranes. And, commanded by Ravana, the troops
cheerfully issued forth like the onrushing of the mighty main filling
all at the time of the universal dissolution. And then the monkey-army
gave a roar, spreading all around; and it seemed as if the sound filled
all Malaya with its sides and caves. And sounds of conchs, and drums, as
well as the leonine shouts of the impetuous (warriors); made the earth,
air, and ocean, resound; and these mixed with the roars of elephants,
the neighing of steeds, the rattle of the car-wheels, and the tread of
the Rakshasas' feet. And in the meantime there commenced a mighty
encounter between the Rakshasas and the monkeys, like that which took
place of yore between the gods and the Asuras. And displaying their
prowess, they[128] began to slaughter monkeys with maces, and darts, and
adzes. And the vehement monkeys (on their side) slaughtered Rakshasas
with trees and tops of crags as well as with their nails and teeth. And
a mighty sound arose of 'Victory unto king Sugriva!' and 'Victory unto
thee, O king,'--each army taking the name of its king. And then other
dreadful Rakshasas that were stationed upon the wall, dropping down,
pierced the monkeys with darts and _bhindipalas_. And (thereat) the
monkeys, flying into fury, descending to the earth and bounding, brought
down the Rakshasas with their arms. And that encounter of the Rakshasas
and the monkeys was mighty and wonderful, and the ground became wet with
flesh and gore.
[128] Rakshasas.