Hearing Dhumraksha slain, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--overwhelmed
with a mighty rage, began to sigh like a serpent. And collied with
passion, and sighing hot for a long time, he addressed a cruel
Rakshasa--the exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,[164]--"Go thou, O hero.
Go out, environed by the Rakshasas. Slay Dacaratha's son--Rama--and
Sugriva along with the monkeys". Thereupon hastily answering "So be it,"
that foremost of the Rakshasas skilled in illusion, marched forth
surrounded by many a leader[165] of armies, furnished with elephants and
steeds, mules and camels,--with his mind concentrated; and adorned with
innumerable variegated flags and banners. And then decked out with
curious _keyuras_ and a tiara, and wearing armour, he rushed out with
his bow in his hand. And then going round his flaming vehicle, adorned
with pennons and garnished with gold, the king[166] ascended the same.
And equipped with slender swords and curious _tomaras_ and smooth maces
and _bhindipalas_ and bows and darts and _patticas_ and scimitars and
discuses and clubs and sharpened axes, the multiform infantry march
bearing arms in their hands. And all those powerful and flaming
Rakshasas wore variegated raiments. And heroic elephants in rut
resembling mountains in motion, marched, being led by those well-skilled
in battle carrying _tomaras_ and hooks in their hands. And mighty steeds
bearing auspicious marks, marched, ridden by heroes. And that entire
Rakshasa army, as it marched forth, resembled clouds in summer roaring
with lightning. And (the Rakshasas) sallied forth through the Southern
Entrance, where that leader of herds--Angada--was stationed. And as they
went out, evil omens appeared. From the cloudless yet fierce sky meteors
began to shoot. And throwing up flames from their mouths, dreadful
jackals began to emit cries. And frightened beasts betokened the
destruction of the Rakshasas in battle, And warriors began to tumble
down in an ominous way. Witnessing these evil omens, the exceedingly
powerful and energetic Vajradanshtra, assuming patience, set out, eager
for encounter. And seeing them flee away, the monkeys, yearning for
victory, set up tremendous shouts, filling all the cardinal points. And
then there came on a terrific encounter of the monkeys and the
Rakshasas, dreadful, of terrific deeds, and wishing for each other's
death. And warriors fraught with high spirits, springing up, dropped
down to the earth, their bodies and hands riven, and all their persons
bathed in blood. And some approaching each other, with bludgeons in
their hands, without turning away from the field, discharged various
weapons at each other. And there were heard sounds of trees and rocks
and weapons,--mighty and dreadful and capable of striking terror into
the heart. And dreadful and mighty were the sounds of car-wheels, and
conchs and trumpets and drums. And some, casting off weapons, engaged in
a hand to hand combat by means of slaps, and kicks, and bones, and
trees. And some Rakshasas, having their bodies broken, were killed by
means of thighs, and some were crushed with crags by Danavas invincible
in battle. And Vajradanshtra, resembling the noose-handed destroyer,
frightening the monkeys, ranged in that field fatal to people. And
Rakshasas, possessed of strength; equipped with various weapons,
transported with passion, slew the monkey-forces. And then in the
conflict the proud Wind-god's son, influenced by twofold wrath, spread
havoc among the Rakshasa ranks, like the Fire at the universal
dissolution. And the energetic Angada possessed of the prowess of a
lion, with his eyes coppery with wrath, upraising a tree, began to
spread terrible destruction among the Rakshasas, even as a lion
destroyeth tiny deer. And attacked by Angada there, the Rakshasas of
dreadful vigor, with their heads riven, fell down like unto trees that
have been uprooted. And the earth became frightful (to behold), being
covered with variegated cars and standards and steeds and the bodies of
monkeys and of Rakshasas and streams of blood. And adorned with chains,
and _Keyuras_, and attires, and umbrellas, the field of battle looked
like an autumnal night. And agitated by Angada's impetuosity, that
mighty army of Rakshasas began to shake, even as water trembleth, moved
by the wind.
[164] Lit.--the thunder-toothed.
[165] _Valai_--forces--is interpreted _leaders_ by the commentator.
[166] Vajradanshtra.--T.