And on the leader of the Rakshasa host being slain in battle by the
foremost of monkeys, that army of the Rakshasa monarch, resembling the
ocean in violence,--furnished with dreadful weapons, began to scamper
away. And going to the lord of the Rakshasas, they apprised him of the
death of his general at the hands of the Fire-god's offspring. And
hearing those words of theirs, the Rakshasa lord was overcome with rage.
And hearing that Prahasta had been killed in battle, (he), exercised
with passion, with his heart influenced with grief, addressed those
foremost of the Rakshasa hosts, even as Indra addresses the chiefs among
the celestials, saying,--"That foe should no longer be disregarded that
hath slain along with his followers and elephants that leader of my
hosts that had destroyed the forces of Indra himself. Therefore, without
taking thought, will I, for compassing the destruction of the foe,
myself march to that marvellous field of fight. And to-day, even as a
flaming fire burneth down a forest, will I with showers of shafts burn
up that monkey-army, and Rama and Lakshmana". Saying this, that enemy of
the sovereign of the immortals ascended a flaming vehicle of dazzling
sheen yoked to rows of excellent steeds,--displaying itself gloriously
and having a glowing body. And eulogized with sacred hymns, the
sovereign of the Rakshasa rulers then set out to the sounds of conchs
and trumpets and _panavas_; and in the midst of those produced by
persons striking at their arms, with their hands, and of the sounds
defiance, and leonine roars. And like that lord of the
immortals--Rudra--surrounded by ghosts, the foremost of the Rakshsa
monarchs was surrounded by bands of flesh-feeding (Rakshas) resembling
cliffs and clouds,--with eyes glowing like fire. And at once issuing
from the city, that one endowed with high energy saw that fierce array
of monkeys, extended as the ocean or a mighty mass of clouds,--with arms
upraised with rocks and stones. And seeing that terrific host of
Rakshasas, that eminently auspicious one, followed by the forces, having
arms resembling the lord of serpents--Rama--spoke unto Bibhishana,
foremost of those bearing arms,--"Whose is this force furnished with
various ensigns and standards--and equipped with _pracas_ and swords and
darts and other arms,--consisting of intrepid (Rakshasas), and having
elephants resembling Mahendra[179] itself". Then hearing Rama's speech,
Bibhishana, possessed of the prowess of Sakra himself, informed Rama
anent that foremost of hosts consisting of that flower of high-souled
Rakshasas, saying,--"O king, him do thou know to be Akampana, who,
possessed of a high soul, is on the back of that elephant,--whose face
looks like the sun new risen, and who approacheth making the head of his
elephant tremble (with the splendour of his person).[180] And that one
is named Indrajit--foremost by virtue of the boon (that he hath
obtained), who ascending a car and having a lion for his
ensign,--twangeth his bow like the very bow of Sakra displayed,--and who
with his terrific round teeth appeareth like an elephant. And that one
of a gigantic person is named Atikaya, that, like unto the Setting-hill
of Vindhya, furnished with the bow and stationed on a car,--highly
heroic, stretcheth his bow of unparalleled proportions. And that
high-souled hero is named Mahodara that, furnished with right coppery
eyes resembling the sun new risen, and ascending a car resonant with the
sound of bells, shouteth shrill. And that one having the vehemence of
the thunder-bolt is Picacha, that, mounted on a steed in variegated
golden trappings, and having the aspect of a mass of evening clouds, or
a mountain,--(appeareth) with a _praca_ furnished with effulgence. And
that one is the famed Triciras,[181] that, grasping a whetted dart
endowed with the splendour of lightning and having the speed of the
thunder for its minister, approacheth, riding a bull--the best of his
species--and having the appearance of the Moon himself. And that one
looking like a mass of clouds, that, having a broad and beautiful breast
and a banner surmounted with the king of serpents, goeth in collected
carriage, stretching his bow is Kumbha. And that one is Nikumbha of
wondrous valorous deeds (in battle) that, grasping a flaming and
smoky[182] bludgeon embellished with gold and diamonds, cometh--a very
banner of the entire Raksha host. And that one is Narantaka, fighting
with mountain-peaks,--that appeareth before us, mounted on a car flaming
like fire, furnished with pennons and equipped with bows and swords and
shafts. And that crusher of the hauteur of even the celestials,--that
surrounded by various spectres of dreadful forms having faces of tigers,
or camels, or powerful elephants, or deer, or horses,--and with their
eyes rolling,--where the white umbrella resembling the Moon,--shineth,
graced with slender ribs--the high-souled sovereign of Rakshas appeareth
like Rudra himself environed by spectres,--the sovereign of the Rakshas
decked with a diadem, with his countenance graced with pendulous
ear-rings,--with a person resembling that monarch of mountains--even
Vindhya himself,--that humbler of the pride of Indra the Great and
Yama,--shineth like the Sun". Then Rama--repressor of foes--answered
Bibhishana, saying,--"Alas! Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--is of
exceeding glowing splendour; and Ravana shineth in glory, and is
incapable of being gazed at like the Sun himself. And his grace, being
enshrouded in his own splendour, I cannot view plainly. And the persons
of celestials appear splendid as doth the person of the Rakshasa-chief.
And all the warriors of that high-souled one are like mountains and
fight with crags; and all are equipped with flaming weapons. And
environed by glowing ghosts of dreadful forms and fierce-looking and
furnished with material tenements,[183]--the king of Rakshasas appeareth
imposing like the Destroyer himself. And by luck it is that to-day the
wicked-minded one hath come within the range of my vision; and to-day
will I vent my wrath incident to the ravishment of Sita". Having said
this, Rama endowed with prowess, ever followed by Lakshmana, stood,
taking up his bow and pulling out a powerful shaft. And then that
high-souled lord of Rakshasas addressed that mighty host, saying,--"Do
ye casting off fear stay at ease, at the gateways, high ways, and the
edifices (in Lanka). Taking note of this lapse,--_viz_., that ye have
all come hither with me, the wood-rangers in a body, subduing the empty
city incapable of being withstood,--shall suddenly put (all) to
straits". Then leaving those counsellors, (Ravana) on the Rakshas having
departed agreeably to his injunction, dived into that ocean of monkeys,
like a mighty fish diving into the waves of over brimming deep. And
seeing the lord of Rakshasas, furnished with flaming a bow and
arrows,--suddenly rushing,--the king of monkeys, uprooting a mighty
mountain-top, darted against the sovereign of the Rakshas. And taking up
that mountain-peak having its sides covered with innumerable trees, he
hurled it at the night ranger. And seeing it descend swiftly, (Ravana)
in battle severed the same by means of gold-knobbed shafts. And on that
gigantic peak furnished with fair sides filled with trees, falling to
the earth, severed in pieces,--the lord of Rakshasas took up an arrow,
resembling a mighty serpent and having the splendour of the Destroyer
himself. And taking that shaft endowed with the vehemence of the wind,
flaming like a fire aglow, and having the impetuosity of the great
Indra's thunder-bolt, (Ravana) hurled it in rage to compass the
destruction of Sugriva. And even as the fierce dart discharged by
Guha[184] had pierced Krauncha,[185] that shaft shot by Ravana, rushing
in violence at Sugriva possessed of a person having the touch of Sakra's
thunder-bolt, pierced it. Thereat, agonised by the shaft, that hero,
with his senses bewildered, dropped down to the ground with shrieks. And
seeing him down on the earth bereft of his senses, the Yatudhanas were
filled with rejoicing. And then Gavaksha and Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha,
Jyotimukha and Nala, uprooting crags and magnifying their bodies, rushed
against the lord of Rakshasas. And the lord of Rakshasas with hundreds
of shafts having sharpened heads, rendered their strokes fruitless. And
then he rived those foremost of monkeys with showers of arrows having
variegated golden knobs, and covered those fierce monkey-ranks with
networks of arrows. And on being sore assailed and falling in
consequence, those heroes, the monkeys, pierced with terrific arrows,
and distressed with the shafts of Ravana, emitting cries, sought the
shelter of Rama worthy of being sought. Then the high-souled and
excellent bowman--Rama,--taking his bow, at once sallied forth. And
thereat, Lakshmana, approaching Rama, with joined hands addressed him
words couching prime import. "O noble one, I alone am fit to compass the
destruction of this wicked-minded one. I will slay him. Do thou, O
master, permit me". To him replied Rama of exceeding energy, having
truth for his prowess,--"Go then, O Lakshmana, and put forth thy utmost
exertions in the encounter. Ravana is forsooth endowed with mighty
energy, and his prowess in battle is wonderful. Without doubt, when
enraged, he is incapable of being borne by this triple world. Do thou
keep an eye on his shortcomings as thou shouldst watch thine own
failings. Being always on the alert, thou must with thy eyes as much as
thy bow protect thyself". Hearing Raghava's speech, Sumitra's son,
embracing Rama, and saluting him and paying him his respects, went forth
to battle. And (going unto the field), he found Ravana, endowed with
arms resembling the trunks of elephants,--wielding his dreadful and
flaming bow, and covering with showers of arrows those monkeys, whose
bodies had been swarming with shafts. And seeing Ravana, the exceedingly
powerful Hanuman--son unto the Wind-god--resisting that downpour of
arrows, charged him vehemently. And coming at his car, the intelligent
Hanuman, uplifting his right arm and terrifying Ravana,
said,--"Incapable of being slain by gods, Danavas or Gandharvas, Yakshas
or Rakshasas,--Fear hath (at last) found thee, coming even from monkeys.
This my upraised right arm furnished with five fingers, shall rob thee
of thy soul long resident (in thy body)". Hearing Hanuman's speech,
Ravana possessed of dreadful prowess, with his eyes reddened in wrath,
said these words,--"Strike thou swift maugre fear; and acquire lasting
renown. And, O monkey, having (at first) taken the measure of thy might,
will I finish thee". Hearing Ravana's words, the offspring of the
Wind-god said,--"(First) remember thou thy son--Aksha--slaughtered by
me!" Thus addressed, the exceedingly energetic lord of the Rakshasas
possessed of prowess dealt a slap unto the offspring of the Wind-god.
And struck with his slap, he shook momentarily. And staying for a moment
and calling up fortitude, that magnanimous one administered a slap unto
the foe of the immortals. And hit by the highsouled monkey, the
Ten-necked one trembled, as trembleth a mountain during an earthquake.
And witnessing Ravana struck with a slap (by Hanuman) saints and Siddhas
and celestials and the Asuras shouted in glee. Then attaining a little
respite, Ravana said,--"Well done, O monkey. In prowess thou art a foe I
pride in". Thus addressed by Ravana, the Wind-god's son said,--"Fie on
my prowess, seeing that thou breathest yet, O Ravana. Strike at the same
time, O perverse one. Why dost thou bluster? And then my blow shall
despatch thee to the mansions of Yama". And at the speech of the
Wind-god's son, his ire flamed up. And then that one endowed with
prowess, clenching his right fist carefully, let it alight amain on the
monkey's chest. And hit at his spacious chest, Hanuman shook over and
over again. And seeing the mighty Hanuman overwhelmed, that powerful
car-warrior ascended on his car, approached Nila. And the powerful lord
of Rakshasas--the Ten-necked one--made that general of
forces--Nila--aflame with dreadful shafts entering into the vitals,
resembling snakes. And assailed with shafts, Nila--leader of
monkeys--with one arm took up a mountain-top and hurled it at the lord
of Rakshas. And the energetic and high-minded Hanuman, attaining
respite, eager for encounter, seeing (the fight between the Rakshasa and
the monkey), wrought up with rage, said,--"It is not meet for me to
attack Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--engaged with Nila". And the highly
powerful Ravana, by means of seven shafts with sharpened points, hit at
the mountain-top; and shivered in pieces, it fell (to the earth). And
seeing that mountain peak shattered, that general of the
monkey-forces--slayer of hostile heroes--flamed up in wrath like the
fire at the universal wreck. And in that encounter Nila discharged
Acwakarna trees, and _Salas_, and mangoes in full flower, and various
other trees. And Ravana, getting at the trees, severed them (by means of
his arrows), and poured on the Fire-god's son terrific showers of
shafts. And assailed with fearful showers of arrows as with a mass of
clouds, that one endowed with eminent strength, decreasing his
dimensions, dropped on the top of Ravana's banner. And seeing the son of
the Fire-god descend on the top of his banner. Ravana was fired with
ire, and Nila shouted (thereat). And seeing the monkey (now) at the top
of the banner, and (now) at the end of his bow, and (now) at the crest
of his tiara, Lakshmana and Hanuman and Rama were struck with
astonishment. And also Ravana endowed with exceeding energy, astonished
at the lightness of the monkey, took up a wonderful flaming fiery
weapon. And the monkeys seeing Ravana bewildered, and delighted thereat,
set up shouts. And Ravana encaged at the shouts of the monkeys, with his
heart overwhelmed with agitation, could not address himself to any
effort. And then taking a fiery shaft and setting the same on his bow,
the night-ranger gazed at Nila. And the exceedingly energetic lord of
the Rakshasas said,--"O monkey, by virtue of thy skill in illusion, thou
art furnished with lightness. But, O monkey, if thou canst, preserve thy
life. Thou transformest thyself into many shapes. Yet this shaft of mine
discharged from my weapon, shall deprive of thy life thee that art
preserving it". Having said this, the mighty-armed Ravana--lord of the
Rakshasas--fixing his shaft on his bow, shot it at the general. And
Nila, struck at the chest with that arrow, which had been shot (by
Ravana), burning, suddenly fell down to the earth. And by virtue of the
greatness of his sire and also of his own energy, he went to the earth
on his knees, but was not utterly deprived of life. And seeing the
monkey deprived of his senses, the Ten-necked one, eager for encounter,
riding a car emitting a rattle resembling the rumbling of clouds, darted
against Sumitra's son. And entering into the arena of fight and posted
there flaming, the powerful lord of the Rakshasas, baffling (the foe),
kept stretching his bow. And as that one of immeasurable prowess kept
stretching his bow, Sumitra's son of unflagging mettle, addressed him,
saying,--"O lord of night-rangers, do thou to-day try me in encounter.
Thou ought not to strive with the monkeys". And hearing Saumitri's
speech uttered in a full voice, as well as the terrific twangs of his.
bow-string, that Raksha--the king--approaching Sumitra's son staying in
the field, spoke unto him wrathfully,--"O Raghu's son, by my luck hast
thou of perverse sense, finding thy fate come within the range of my
ken. This very instant, tormented with the springes of my shafts, thou
wilt repair to the regions of Death". Thereat, Sumitra's son, without
being overwhelmed with wonder (on witnessing Ravana's prowess),
addressed that one furnished with large and sharp teeth,--setting up
roars,--"O king, those who are (really) endowed with prowess, do not
storm. O prince of sinners, in vain thou vauntest. O lord of Rakshasas,
I know thy prowess and strength and energy and vigor. Here am I
stationed, bow and shafts in hand. Come thou. What is the use of
vain-glorious self-laudation?" Thus accosted, the Raksha monarch,
growing wroth, discharged seven shafts furnished with knobs. Thereupon
Lakshmana split them up with sharp-pointed arrows having variegated
golden knobs. And they suddenly severed like powerful serpents cut off,
Lanka's lord came under the sway of passion, and discharged other
whetted arrows. And Rama's younger brother poured showers of arrows from
his bow; and, planting himself at his post, cut off those arrows (of his
adversary) by means of razors, and crescents, and excellent _karnas_ and
darts. And seeing his arrowy net-works rendered ineffectual, that enemy
of the celestials--the king--was seized with wonderment, and again shot
sharpened arrows. And Lakshmana also, resembling Indra the Great,
setting on his bow sharpened, sharp-pointed, flaming, and luminous
shafts, endowed with the dreadful vehement impetus of the thunder-bolt,
discharged (them), to compass the destruction of the lord of Rakshas.
And thereat the Rakshasa sovereign cut off those whetted arrows; and
smote Lakshmana in the forehead with an arrow resembling the Fire of
Dooms-day in energy,--which had been conferred on him by the
Self-create. And Lakshmana, tortured with Ravana's arrow, shook, loosely
holding his bow; and then recovering his consciousness after undergoing
extreme agony, he severed the bow of the foe of the foremost of
celestials. And having cut off Ravana's bow, Dacarathas son hit (him)
with three sharp-pointed arrows. And the king smarting under the shafts,
with much ado regained his consciousness. And the enemy of the immortals
of terrific power with his bow severed, and himself hit with shafts, and
his body covered with fat, and himself washed in blood, took up a dart
conferred on him by the Self-create. And the sovereign of the Rakshasas
and their lord in that encounter hurled at Sumitra's son the dart
resembling smoking fire, sending up living flames, and striking terror
into the monkeys. And as it coursed on, Bharata's younger brother
resisted it with arrows resembling a sacrificial flame. Yet the dart
pierced into the broad arm[186] of Dacaratha's son. And smit with the
dart, that hero of the Raghu race, although possessed of strength, was
aglow. And the king at once with his arms seized that one, who had been
deprived of his senses. But he that could with his arms wield Himavan or
Mandara or Meru or the triple world itself along with the immortals,
could not (for all his strength) lift up Bharata's younger brother. And
hit at his chest by the dart of Brahma, Sumitra's son remembered that he
was verily a portion of Vishnu himself. And pressing hard Sumitra's
son--that humbler of the hauteur of the Daityas, that thorn in the sides
of the celestials--could not move him (from his place). And then the
Wind-god's offspring waxing wroth rushed at Ravana, and overwhelmed with
rage smote at his chest with his clenched fist resembling the
thunder-bolt. And boxed (by Hanumana), Ravana--lord of the
Rakshasas--went down to the ground on his knees, and shook and dropped
to the earth. And blood gushed out in streams from his mouths and eyes
and arms; and staggered and senseless, he sat down on the platform of
his car. And he was rendered insensible with his senses lost; and he
knew not where he was. And seeing Ravana endued with terrific prowess,
rendered insensible in the encounter, saints and monkeys and gods with
the Asuras set up shouts. And then the energetic Hanuman taking
Lakshmana racked by Ravana, with his arms brought him before Raghava.
And albeit incapable of being moved by the foes, (Lakshmana), on account
of the friendship of the Wind-god's offspring as well as the high
reverence in which he was held by Hanuman, became extremely light to the
monkey. And then that dart, renouncing Sumitra's son vanquished in
fight, again sought its place in Ravana's car. And the exceedingly
powerful Ravana, recovering his consciousness in that dread encounter,
took up whetted shafts and seized a mighty bow. And that finisher of
foes--Lakshmana--recovered the exercise of his senses, and had his
entire person perfectly healed,--on his recalling that he verily was a
part and parcel of Vishnu himself. And witnessing the mighty army of the
monkeys and the redoubted heroes brought down in the conflict, Raghava
rushed at Ravana. Thereat drawing near to him, Hanuman said unto
him,--"It behoveth thee to chastise the foe ascending my back, even as
Vishnu chastiseth the enemies of the immortals, riding Garutman".
Hearing the words spoken by Hanuman, Raghava at once got up on that
gigantic monkey; and that master of men beheld Ravana in battle. And
seeing him, that highly powerful one darted against Ravana, even as the
enraged Vishnu had rushed against Virochana's son,[187] upraising his
weapons. And he sharply twanged his bow-string sounding like the
terrific crash of thunder; and then in solemn tones, Rama addressed the
lord of Rakshasas, saying,--"Stay, stay, having done me such wrong.
Repairing whither, shalt thou, O powerful Rakshasa, attain respite? Even
if thou shouldst seek Yama or Indra or the Sun--son unto Vivacwan--or
the Self-sprung or the Fire-god or Sankara himself,--or go to the ten
cardinal points in ten portions,--yet shalt thou not, so resorting,
attain deliverance. And (Lakshmana), going forth to the fight, hath been
wounded with the dart and hath suddenly been stupified. But, O king of
the Rakshas, to-day in conflict Death shall claim for his own thee and
thy sons and grandsons. By me with my shafts have been slaughtered four
and ten thousand Rakshas residing in Janasthana, wielding excellent
weapons". Hearing Raghava's words, the exceedingly strong lord of the
Rakshasas, overwhelmed with a mighty wrath, recalling enmity agone, with
burning shafts resembling the fire of Doom hit in encounter the
exceedingly impetuous offspring of the Wind-god, who was bearing
Raghava. And although struck and resisted by the Rakshasa with arrows,
the energy of that one, endowed by nature with prowess--increased
greatly. And the exceedingly energetic Rama, on seeing that foremost of
the monkeys wounded by Ravana, was mastered by wrath. And Rama, closing
with his enemy, by means of whetted arrow-points severed in pieces his
car together with the wheels and the steeds, the banner, the umbrella,
and the majestic streamer, as well as with the charioteer and the
thunder-bolts and darts and swords. And then as the reverend Indra
cleaveth Meru with his thunder-bolt, (Raghava) swiftly smote on Ravana's
spacious and shapely chest with a shaft resembling Vajra and the thunder
holt. And--that the king hero--who had not smarted nor shaken under the
impetus of Vajra and the thunder-bolt,--assailed with the arrow of Rama
and agonised in consequence, shook and lost hold of his bow. And seeing
him overwhelmed, Rama took up a flaming half-moon, and with the same at
once severed the sun-bright tiara of the high-souled sovereign of the
Rakshasas. And Rama in the encounter addressed the lord of Rakshasas,
resembling a serpent bereft of venom, shorn of his splendour, like unto
the sun shrouded (in mist),--without his wonted grace, and having his
entire tiara riven--saying,--"Thou hast (in battle) performed high and
dreadful deeds,--and hast also (in the conflict) slain my foremost
heroes. And therefore I know thou art fatigued. And for this reason it
is that I will not with my shafts bring thee to the door of Death. Go
thou. I know[188] that thou art worn out with fight. Therefore, O king
of night-rangers, enter Lanka. Having a little respite, do thou depart
on thy car along with thy bowmen. Afterwards, mounted on thy car, shalt
thou behold my power". And thus addressed, the king, with his pride and
joy defeated, with his bow severed, and his steeds and charioteer
killed, himself smarting under shafts,--and having his crown
splintered,--speedily entered Lanka. And on that foe of the deities and
the Danavas--the puissant lord of the night-rangers--entering (into
Lanka), Rama rendered the monkeys along with Lakshmana hale in that
fierce conflict. And at the break-down of that foe of the immortals, the
celestials and the Asuras, the ghosts and the Cardinal points, and all
the mighty serpents together with the oceans and the creatures
inhabiting earth and water, felt exceedingly delighted.
[179] The mountain so named.
[180] This meaning is the commentator's.
[181] Some other than the celebrated hero slain by Rama at the very
outset of his sojourn in Dandaka.--T.
[182] On account of lapises set on it.
[183] Having, according to the commentator, _goodly_ persons. But
_dehavadvi_ is literally _having bodies_; and this sense, with
reference to spirits, I fancy, fits in with the context.--T.
[184] The generallissimo of the celestials.
[185] The mountain so named.
[186] _Bhujantaram_ is vague. It may also mean _the chest_.--T.
[187] The Asura--Vali.
[188] _Janami_--lit. _I know_. The commentator says that here this word
means _I permit_. But the literal sense answers.--T.