Part 6

As those terrible and inauspicious forces were marching on, a mighty sable cloud with dreadful sounds began to shower down blood. And the steeds yoked to his (Khara's) car, gifted with great celerity, dropped down all of a sudden on the level high ways strewn with blossoms. A dark circle bordered with red, resembling that of charcoal, appeared in the vicinity of the sun. And a frightful vulture, having a huge body, approaching the banner, sat upon the upraised golden flagstaff. And beasts and birds having shrill voices, living on flesh, remaining near Janasthana, emitted various dissonant notes. And in the quarter lighted up by the fierce jackals having mighty voices, in dreadful cries presaged evil unto the Rakshasas. And terrific clouds surcharged with water and blood, and resembling elephants with rent temples, enveloped the sky. And a dense darkness appeared, capable of making one's hair stand on end, and no quarter was distinctly visible. And out of season, there appeared evening hued like a cloth soaked in blood. And facing Khara, terrible beasts and birds set up cries. Kankas, Gomayas and vultures, portending fear, began to cry. Ever inauspicious in war, jackals presaging evil, with their mouths belching forth flame, howled in the face of the forces. And comets, resembling _parighas_ appeared beside the sun. That mighty planet Swarbhanu seized the sun when there was no _parva_. And the winds blew violently; and the sun was without lustre. And when there was no night, stars wearing the sheen of fireflies, began to fall. And in the tanks fishes and fowls were inert, and the lotuses were withered. And at that hour the trees were shorn of fruits and flowers; and without wind there arose dust dusky like clouds. And the parrots uttered wild notes--_chichikuchi_. And meteors of terrific aspects fell with loud noises. And the earth with her mountains, woods, and forests, shook. And as the intellegent Khara was roaring from his car, his left arm shook, and his voice fell, and as he surveyed around, his eyes moistened, and his head ached; yet through ignorance, he did not desist. Witnessing these mighty portents capable of making one's hair stand on end, Khara with a laugh, addressed the whole body of Rakshasas, saying, "Even as a strong person from prowess counts not a weak one, I do not dwell upon all these mighty portents, dreadful to behold, that have appeared. Even the stars will I bring down from heaven with my sharp shafts; and even Death will I engaged, bring to mortality. Without slaying Raghava puffed up with pride as well as Lakshmana, by means of sharp weapons, I return not (from the conflict). Let that sister of mine, for whom Rama and Lakshmana have had sense perverted, attain her desire, by drinking their blood. I had never before met with defeat in conflict. Ye have witnessed it. I do not speak a falsehood. Wrought up with rage, I shall slay in fight the sovereign of the celestials himself, going on his mad Airavata, with the thunderbolt in his hand,--what shall I say of those two, who are human beings? Entangled in the noose of death, that mighty army of the Rakshasas, hearing his challenge, experienced boundless enthusiasm. And anxious to see the encounter, there came high-souled saints, and celestials, and Gandharbas, and Siddhas, with the Charanas. And these pious ones assembled, spoke unto one another, "Welfare unto those cows, and Brahmanas, and those that are prized by the worlds! As the discus-handed Vishnu vanquished the foremost Asuras, may Raghava rout in battle those rangers of the night, the progeny of Pulastya! And saying this as well as various other things, the supreme saints and the celestials stationed in the sky conceiving curiosity (as to the issue of the conflict), beheld the host of those Rakshasas, whose days had been numbered. Then impetuously Khara issued in his car from the van of the army.[30] And these twelve endowed with exceeding prowess, _viz._, Synagami, Prithucyama, Yaynacatru, Vihangama, Duryyaya, Karaviraksha, Purusha, Kalakanuka, Maghamali, Mahamali, Sarpasya, and Rudhiracana posted themselves around Khara. And Mahakapala, Slhulaksha, Hramathi and Triciras[31]--[These four going before the forces, went at the back of Dushana]. Then as the planets dart towards the sun and moon, that heroic and dreadful army of Rakshasas, eager for victory suddenly rushed towards the princes with great vehemence.

[30] The N. W. P. text has a different _sloka. And seeing him come out on the ground, they themselves came out.--T._

[31] The sloka in the text is incomplete: The part within brackets, taken from the N. W. P. recension completes it.--T.

SECTION XXIV.

When Khara of fierce prowess had come to the asylum Rama in company with his brother saw all those evil prognostics. And beholding those dreadful portents, Rama exceedingly distressed, apprehending some calamity to the Rakshasas, observed unto Lakshmana, "O mighty armed one, behold these great presages that have taken place, capable of annihilating all beings, and which have for their object the utter extermination of the Rakhasas! Yonder threatening clouds of assinine sable, showering down blood and uttering loud sounds are ranging the welkin. And, O discerning one, rejoicing at the prospect of my fight, all these arrows emit smoke, and my bows plaited on the back with gold, are restless. Meseems from the noise of the wild birds that impending on us is danger and uncertainty to life. Without doubt, there shall take place a mighty conflict. At this critical time, my arm shaking momentarily, betokens, O hero, victory unto us, and defeat unto the enemy. And thy face appeareth pleasant with a delightful lustre. O Lakshmana, the pallid face of those that prepare for conflict, auger shortening of life. We can hear the shouts of the Rakshasas as they roar, as also the blasts of the trumpets of those doomed to be wounded blown by Rakshasas of remorseless deeds. A considerate person that wisheth for his welfare, apprehending peril, should prevent disaster ere it arrives. Therefore bearing arrows in thy hand, and equipped with thy bow, do thou, taking Videha's daughter, take refuge in the mountain cavern, covered with trees and difficult of access. That thou shouldst act contrary to my words, is what I do not wish. Swearing by my feet, go thou without delay, my brother. Thou art both strong and a hero: Thou canst, without doubt, slay these (Rakshasas). But I wish to slay all these rangers of the night myself." Thus accosted by Rama, Lakshmana, taking arrows and a bow, took refuge in an inaccessible cave along with Sita. Thereupon, saying, "Ah! we have spoken it sharp," Rama put on his mail. And adorned with that mail resembling fire Rama appeared in the dark like a mighty flame streaming up. And uplifting his bow, and taking his arrows, that powerful one stood there, feeling all directions with the twangs of his bow-string. Then the high-souled gods and Gandharbas, Siddhas and Charanas came there, with the intention of witnessing the fight. And high-souled saints of the world, and the foremost Brahmarshis, of pious acts, coming together, spoke unto one another, saying, "Hail to cows and Brahmanas, and all those in whom are established the worlds! May Raghava vanquish in fight those rangers of the night, the progeny of Pulastya, even as the discus-handed Vishnu routed in battle the foremost Asuras!" Having said this, they again spoke, eying one another, "There are fourteen thousand of the Rakshasas of dreadful deeds, while the righteous Rama is single. How can fight take place (between two such parties)?" Having said this, the Rajarshis, Siddhas, multitudes of the beet of the twice-born ones, and celestials stationed in the sky were moved with curiosity (as to the issue of the conflict). Then seeing Rama filled with energy, remaining in the field, all beings from fear experienced great pain. And the peerless grace of Rama of energetic deeds became like unto that of the high souled infuriated Rudra.[32] While the gods, Gandharbas and Charanas were thus conversing, the forces of the Rakshasas sending up solemn sounds, furnished with horrible armour, arms and flags, conversing in heroic parlance, roaring at each other, stretching bows, momentarily yawning,[33] sending forth shouts, and blowing trumpets. The universal uproar filled that (entire) forest. Scared and terrified at the hubbul the rangers of the wood fled to quarters free from noise; nor did they cast their eyes backward. And that army resembling the ocean, and rife with sounds, equipped with various weapons, with furious speed came towards Rama. And Rama also versed in warfare, casting his eyes arround, found the forces of Khara ready for fight.[34] Then stretching his dreadful bow, and swiftly taking out shafts, (Rama) for compassing the destruction of the entire body of the Rakshasas, waxed furiously enraged. And like unto the flaming fire at the universal dissolution, he, growing wroth, was incapable of being looked at. And seeing him filled with energy, the sylvan deities were extremely pained.[35] And the aspect of the enraged Rama appeared like that of the holder of Pinaka, intent upon destroying Daksha's sacrifice. Furnished with bows and ornaments and cars and mail hued like fire, that army of those subsisting on flesh, appeared like masses of blue clouds at sunrise.

[32] There is a variation in reading here; the sense, however, is the same.

[33] The commentator says the yawning was in consequence of the soldiers having during the conflict indulged in liquor.--T.

[34] Another text:--The holder of _pinaka.--T._

[35] Another reading is:--The sylvan deities fled away.--T.

SECTION XXV.

Coming to the asylum, Khara in company with those that went before him, saw that slayer of foes, the enraged Rama, holding his bow. And seeing him, Khara possessing a shrill voice, raising his bow, commanded unto the charioteer to drive towards Rama,--" Drive on!" At Khara's command, the charioteer drove the steeds to where the mighty-armed Rama stood alone, holding his bow. And seeing him (Khara) entered the field, all those rangers of the night--the counselors--uttering mighty shouts, environed him round. And Khara stationed on his car in the midst of Rakshasas appeared like red bodied one risen in the midst of the stars. Then in battle Khara, afflicting Rama of incomparable energy with a thousand shafts, uttered a tremendous roar. Then all the rangers of the night, waxing exceeding wroth, showered various weapons on that terrible bowman, the invincible Rama. And wrought up with rage, the Rakshasas in battle assailed him with iron clubs, and darts, and _prasas_, and swords, and axes. And resembling clouds (in hue), the exceedingly strong Rakshasas, having huge bodies, darted towards Kakutstha by means of steeds and cars. And mounted on elephants resembling mountain-peaks, numbers of Rakshasas, intent upon slaying Rama in battle, showered arrows on him, as mighty clouds pour down showers on the monarch of mountains. And Rama was hemmed in by all those fierce-looking Rakshasas even as in the evening Mahadeva is surrounded by his courtiers. And as the ocean resisteth the tide of a river, Raghava by means of arrows resisted the weapons discharged by the Yatudhanas. As a mighty mountain, assailed by the thunderbolt, doth not feel pain, Rama, having his person pierced by terrible flaming weapons, did not feel pain. And pierced, and with his person covered with blood, Rama, the descendant of Raghu, resembled the sun enveloped in evening clouds. And seeing him single, surrounded by many thousands, the Gods, Gandharbas, Siddhas, and supreme saints became sorrowful. Then Rama getting enraged, bringing his bow to a circle, discharged sharpened shafts by hundreds and by thousands. And as if in sport, Rama in the conflict shot irrisistible (shafts) furnished with Kanka feathers, and decked with gold, irrisistible, capable of inflicting extreme pain, and resembling the noose of Death. And sportively discharged by Rama, those arrows deprived the Rakshasas of their lives, like the noose forged by death. And piercing the persons of the Rakshasas, those arrows, soaked in blood, going up to the sky, appeared with the splendour of flaming fire. And innumerable shafts, exceedingly fierce, capable of depriving the Rakshasas of their lives, were let go from the circle of his bow. And with those Rama severed bows, in battle by hundreds and by thousands and flag ends, and shields, and mail, and many arms with embellished hands, resembling the trunks of elephants. And the arrows of Rama discharged from the string pierced and cut off steeds mailed in gold, yoked unto cars, together with the charioteer; and elephants with their riders; and horsemen with horses. And slaying foot-soldiers, he despatched them to the abode of Yama. And cut off with _nalikas_ and, _narachas_, and sharp-pointed _vikirnas_, the rangers of the night uttered dreadful howls of distress. And like a withered wood afflicted by fire, that host harassed by the various marrow-piercing[36] shafts shot by Rama, did not attain ease. And some heroic rangers of the night possessed of great strength, waxing furious, threw[37] at Rama _prasas_, and darts and axes. Thereupon resisting by means of shafts those weapons of theirs, the mighty-armed Rama endeued with prowess, took their lives in the conflict, and cut off the heads (of warriors). And having their heads, and shields and bow-strings, severed, they fell as fall on the earth trees thrown down by blasts from the wings of Suparna.[38] Those rangers of the night that remained there, wounded by arrows, and losing heart, fled with speed to Khara, to seek his protection. Thereat, encouraging them, Dushana, taking his bow, ran furiously in high rage against Rama, like the enraged Destroyer himself. And rallied again (by Dushana) and, their fear dispelled through their having found refuge with him, they armed with _salas_, _talas_, and crags, darted against Rama. And bearing in their hands darts, and clubs, and nooses, those exceedingly strong ones showered in battle shafts and weapons. And the Rakshasas discharged vollies of trees and crags. And capable of making one's hair stand on end, that battle was dreadful and furious and now on the side of Rama and now again on that of the Rakshasas. And waxing exceedingly wroth, they bore on him hard from all sides. Then finding all directions entirely covered with Rakshasas, and showers of shafts, that one gifted with mighty strength, sending up a terrific shout, fixed (on the bow-string) the exceedingly effulgent Gandharba weapon (for discharging it) among the Rakshasas. Then thousands of shafts went forth from the circle of his bow; and all directions were covered with thronging arrows. And those Rakshasas, afflicted with arrows could not see Rama how he took out his dread shafts, nor how he discharged those excellent shafts; they only saw him drawing his bow. And the darkness spread by the arrows enveloped the sky with the sun. And Rama stationed there continued pouring in shafts. And the earth was covered with shafts shot, and alighting, and alighted simultaneously. And at places were seen Rakshasas by thousands slain, falling, enfeebled, torn and riven. And cut off by Rama with arrows, darts and _Patticas_ in that battle the fearful field was scattered, heads with turbans, arms with finger-fences; torn thighs and arms, and various ornaments, horses, excellent elephants and cars, shattered in numbers, chouris, fans, and umbrellas, and pennons of various descriptions. Beholding all those stain, the (remaining) Rakshasas, sore distressed, could not (again) advance before that captor of hostile capitals Rama

[36] Another reading is, _sharpened.--T._

[37] Another reading: _remaining before Rama, threw powerful weapons.--T._

[38] _Lit.--Of fair feathers_. A name of Garuda.

SECTION XXVI.

Finding his own forces slaughtered, the mighty-armed Dushana speedily ordered five thousand Rakshasas, gifted with tremendous velocity, difficult of being approached, who never turned from the field. And from all sides they incessantly showered darts and _patticas_, and scimitars, stones, and trees, and shafts. Thereupon by means of shafts the righteous Raghava resisted that mighty destructive shower of trees and stones. Resisting that shower, Rama with his eyes staring, and resembling a bull, flew into a great rage, for the purpose of slaying the whole body of Rakshasas. Then influenced by wrath, and flaming in energy he on all sides covered the army along with Dushana with arrows. Then the general, Dushana, destroyer of enemies, getting wroth, opposed Raghava with arrows resembling thunderbolts. Then heroic Rama highly angered, severed his (Dushana's) mighty bow with shafts sharp as razors, and slew his four horses by means of as many shafts. And having slain the steeds, he (Rama) cut off the head of the charioteer by means of a crescent-shaped weapon, and pierced the (Rakshasa Dushna) in the breast with a brace of shafts. His bow cut off, his steeds together with the charioteer slain, and himself deprived of his car, he (Dushana) took a _parigha_ resembling a mountain peak, able to make one's down stand on end plated with gold, capable of afflicting celestial hosts, studded with sharp iron _sankus_, and graced with the fat of foes;--of the touch of a thunderbolt, able to pierce the persons of enemies.[39] And takng up in that encounter the _parigha_ resembling a mighty snake, that ranger of the night of cruel deeds Dushana, rushed towards Rama. And as Dushana was rushing forward, Raghava by means of a couple of shafts cut off his two arms with the ornaments. And the huge _parigha_ escaping from (Dushana's grasp) fell forward on the field like the banner of Sakra. And like a mighty elephant whose husks have fallen off, Dushana, on his arms having been severed, fell down to the earth. Seeing Dushana down on the ground, and slain in battle, all creatures, saying, "well done!" "well done!" paid homage unto Kakutstha. In the meantime, three generals, getting wroth, being entrapped in the noose of death, rushed against Rama in a body--viz; Mahakapala, Sthulakshya, and the mighty Pramathi the Rakshasa, Mahakapala, upraising a large dart, and Sthulakshya, taking a _pathica_, and Pramathi, an axe. And as soon as Raghava beheld them advance, he resisted them by means of sharp and keen-edged shafts, even as one receives guests that have come. And Raghu's son split Mahakapala's head,--afflicted Pramathi with countless shafts, and lodged the eyes of Sthulakshya with sharp shafts. And they fell down to the earth like mighty trees of many boughs. Thereat instantly inflamed with wrath, Rama by means of five thousand shafts, sent as many thousands of Dushana's followers to Yama's abode. Hearing that Dushana had been slain, Khara, waxing wroth, commanded his mighty generals, saying, "Fighting with that vile man, Rama, along with his mighty forces Dushana hath been slain in battle, together with his followers. Let all the Rakshasas slay him with weapons of various shapes." Having said this in wrath, Khara darted towards Rama. And discharging choice shafts, Syenagami Prithugriva, Jajnasatru, Vihangama, Durjaya, Paraviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Hemamali, Mahamali, Sarpasya, and Rudhiracana,--these twelve generals endeued with mighty prowess accompanied with their forces, proceeded vehemently against Rama, discharging excellent shafts. Threat with shafts resembling fire, and decked with diamonds and with gold, (Rama) possessed of energy destroyed the rest of his (Khara's) forces. And as the thunderbolt slayeth the mighty, Asuras, those shafts studded with gold, and like onto smoking fire, slew those Rakshasas. And in in the field Rama slew an hundred Rakshasa with an hundred Karnis, and a thousand (again) with a thousand. And, their armour and ornaments severed, and their bows broken in shivers, those rangers of the night fell down on the earth, bathed in blood. And as a spacious dais is covered with Kuca, the entire field was scattered with the Rakshasas fallen in battle with hair dishevelled, and covered with blood. And at that time that fearful forest, with the Rakshasas slaughtered, and with its clay mired with flesh and blood, resembled hell itself. Fourteen thousand Rakshasas of dreadful deeds were slain by Rama single, a human being, fighting, (moreover) on foot. And the remnant of his (Khara's) forces were that mighty car-warrior, Khara himself, and the Rakshasa, Tricira; and (on the other side) was that destroyer of foes--Rama. The rest of the Rakshasas, gifted with great prowess, terrible and difficult of being withstood, were all slain in battle by The dear brother of Lakshmana. Then seeing that dreadful army destroyed in terrible conflict by the mighty Rama, Khara ascending a great car, advanced before Rama, like Indra with the upraised thunderbolt.

[39] The text may also mean--_able to rend the cities of foes.--T._

SECTION XXVII.

As Khara was advancing before Rama, that leader of the army named Tricira, approaching him, said, "Do thou employ me, who am possessed of prowess; and thyself desist from this rashness. Behold the mighty-armed Rama brought down in battle. I swear (unto thee) truly; I touch this weapon, (to say) that I will slay Rama, who deserves to be slain by all the Rakshasas. Either I shall prove his death in battle, or he shall prove mine. Restraining thy martial ardour, do thou for a while become a witness. Either, joyed in consequence of Rama being slain, thou shalt repair unto Janasthana; or I being slain, thou shalt enter the field (against him)." Thus satisfied by Tricara, from his desire to meet with death, the latter, on being permitted with "Go," proceeded towards Rama. And like a hill with three summits, Tricira rushed towards Rama on an effulgent car yoked with steeds. And as a mighty cloud pours down shower, (Tricira) discharging vollies of shafts, uttered a roar resembling the sound of a wet kettledrum. And seeing that the Rakshasa Tricira was advancing, Raghava resisted (his attack) by discharging sharpened shafts. And that encounter of those exceedingly powerful ones, Rama and Tricira was fierce, like unto that between a lion and an elephant. Then struck on the forehead by a brace of shafts shot by Tricira, the wrathful Rama enraged, and inflamed with anger, said, "Ah! such is the strength of the heroic Rakshasas! I have been wounded in the forehead with shafts resembling flowers. Do thou also take the arrows shot from my bow." Saying this, (Rama) enraged, and influenced by wrath, wounded Tricira in the breast with fourteen arrows. And that energetic one by means of four shafts having their joints bent, brought down his four steeds. And by means of eight arrows (Rama) laid low the charioteer from the front of the car. And Rama with a shaft severed his upraised standard. Then as that ranger of the night was descending from his broken car, Rama pierced his breast with arrows,--and thereat he was stupified. Thereupon, that one of immeasurable prowess, out of anger by means of three shafts possessed of celerity, brought down Tricira's three heads. And that ranger of the night present in the field, afflicted by the shafts of Rama, after his heads had fallen first, fell, vomitting smoking gore. And the Rakshasas remaining after the rest had been slain, belonging unto Khara' s original forces losing heart, began to flee like deer terrified at a hunter. And seeing them fly, Khara waxing wroth, swiftly making them desist, darted towards Rama, like Rahu darting towards the Moon.

SECTION XXVIII.