Part 17

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.