Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Yuddha Kanda (Book 6) Prose Sarga 61 to 80

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

                                          

 

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 61 

Rama sees Kumbhakarna with a colossal body and enquires Vibhishana about a report of him. Then Vibhishana apprises Rama about Kumbhakarna and narrates his story of his getting curse from Brahma, imprecating him to sleep apparently Vibhishana adds that on an appeal from Ravana Brahma relaxed the curse saying that Kumbhakarna would keep sleeping for every six months and then waking up for a day in a year Vibhishana informs Rama that Ravana got Kumbhakarna awakened and is sending now to the battle. Rama then orders Neela the commander-in-chief to marshal his entire army of monkeys in their appropriate positions in Lanka. On hearing Rama's orders the army of monkeys start their fighting operation.

Having taken his bow, Rama of great brilliance and prowess, then beheld the bulky Kumbhakarna, adorned with a diadem. Seeing that paramount demon, whose appearance was in the form of a mountain and looking like Lord Narayana (the son of the original Man); taking strides across space, (manifested in the form of Trivikrama, who measured the whole universe in a couple of strides) Rama became vigilant.

Beholding him again, who was appear like a rainy black cloud and wearing a golden bracelet as an ornament on his upper arm, that huge army of monkeys took to their heels in full speed. Seeing the army running away and the demon increasing his body, Rama with a surprise, spoke to Vibhishana as follows: "This eminent demon, appearing as a mountain, with a diadem and tawny eyes and looking like a cloud with a flash of lightning, is seen in Lanka. Who is he? He alone with a huge body here on this earth, is appearing like a solitary meteor, by seeing whom all the monkeys are running away hither and thither. Who is he with such a colossal body? Tell me whether he is a demon or an evil spirit. I have not seen such a creature earlier at any time."

Thus asked by Rama the prince, who was unweary in action, the highly intelligent Vibhishana replied to Rama as follows: "He is the powerful Kumbhakarna, the son of Visravasa. He conquered Yama and Indra in battle. There is no other demon, corresponding to the size of his body. O Rama! He conquered thousands of celestials, demons, a class of demi-gods, serpent demons, ogres, Gandharvas the celestial musicians, Vidyadharas the celestials artistes and Kinnaras (the semi-divine beings with the human form and the head of a horse) in battle."

"Seeing the mighty Kumbhakarna with ghastly eyes and a spear in hand, the celestials were not able to kill him, having confused to think that he was Yama the god of Death. This Kumbhakarna, by his very nature, is energetic and mighty. The strength of the other demon-chiefs is attributable to boons (granted on request by gods)."

"Soon after his birth, this great-souled demon, afflicted as he was by hunger, ate thousands of living creatures. While the living beings were being eaten, the frightened people sought refuge with Indra and even reported the matter about him. That Mahendra wielding a thunder-bolt was enraged and struck Kumbhakarna with his weapon of the white thunderbolt. The great souled Kumbhakarna struck by Indra's thunderbolt was quite agitated at it and roared loudly with anger. Hearing the roar of that Kumbhakarna, the demon, who was howling loudly, the frightened people were further frightened."

"Enraged as he was on Mahendra, the mighty Kumbhakarna then pulled out a tusk of Airavata, Indra's elephant and struck it into Indra's chest. That Devendra, tormented by the hit of Kumbhakarna, was burning with rage. The celestials, Brahmanical sages and demons were suddenly aggrieved. Even Indra with his people went to the abode of Brahma the Lord of creation."

"They informed about the evil-mind of Kumbhakarna to Brahma, how he devoured the living creatures, his assault on celestials, the destroyal of hermitages and his taking away of others' wives. If he eats away the created beings continuously like this, the world will become desolate just soon after some time. On hearing the words of Indra, Brahama, the great grandfather of the entire world, called for the demons and saw Kumbhakarna too along with them."

Just on seeing Kumbhakarna even Brahma was frightened. Thereafter on restoring his confidence, Brahma cursed Kumbhakarna as follows: "It is sure that you were created by Visravasa for the destroyal of people. On that account, you will be sleeping apparently dead from now onwards. Humbled by Brahma's curse, Kumbhakarna then fell down in front of Ravana. Thereupon, the highly perplexed Ravana spoke the following words:"

"'O Brahma! You are cutting off a well-grown golden tree, just at the time of yielding its fruit. It is not fair on your part to curse your own great grandson like this. Your words can never prove to be in vain. There is no doubt about it. He will have to sleep certainly. Let some space of time be fixed for his sleeping and waking. Hearing the words of Ravana, Brahma spoke as follows: He will indeed sleep for six months and wake-up for a day."

"On that single day, this male demon, having starved for six months, will wander over the earth and eat the human race with his month wide open, like an augmented fire. Ravana, the king of demons, who got into an evil plight and frightened as he was in seeing your prowess, now got Kumbhakarna awakened."

"This Kumbhakarna the male-demon with a terrific prowess started his tent. The highly enraged Kumbhakara devouring the monkeys on is way, is running towards us. Even on merely seeing Kumbhakarna, the monkeys have now fled away. How can the monkeys check him, who is thus enraged in battle? Let all the monkeys be told that it is a kind of machine, advancing forward. By knowing this, they can become fearless by now."

On hearing Vibhishana's words, which were well-founded to make the monkeys well-inclined to fight the battle, Rama then spoke the following words to Neela, the chief of army: "O Neela the son of fire-god. Go, marshalling the entire army. Occupying the door-ways, high-ways and bridges of Lanka, stand ready for operation. Draw together the mountain-tops, trees and even the rocks. Let all the monkeys with their weapons and rocks in hand, stand ready."

As directed by Raghavana, Neela the commander-in-chief and the foremost of the monkeys, ordered the monkey-troops suitably. Then, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Hanuma and Angada looking like mountains, reached the gate, taking the mountain-tops. On hearing Rama's words, the fearless monkeys started their operation. The heroic monkeys began to torment the enemy-troops with uplifted trees. That terrific army of monkeys, with uplifted rocks and tress in their hands, shone like a big collection of gigantic clouds, hanging close to a mountain.

Thus completes 61st Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

          Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 62

Kumbhakarna enters the abode of Ravana and sees his worried brother sitting in Pushpaka, a self-moving aerial car. Kumbhakarna asks Ravana about the nature of work to be done by him and whether he has to kill anyone. Ravana replies that Rama has come with troops of monkeys including Sugreeva, after crossing the ocean by a bridge, to wage a battle Ravana requests Kumbhakarna to show his terrible prowess in killing all the adversaries in battle.

That Kumbhakarna of great prowess and the foremost, having full of intoxicating drowsiness, marched along the king's highway, full of royal dignity. Then, that Kumbhakarna, who was very difficult to be conquered, accompanied by thousands of demons, sallied forth, covered with a shower of flowers from the houses (lining the way). He saw Ravana's abode, covered with golden grilled windows, spacious and looking beautiful, like a shining sun.

Entering Ravana's palace, like the sun entering a mass of clouds, Kumbhakarna then saw from of distance his brother seated on a throne, as Indra saw Brahma perched on his seat. While going to his brother's palace, that Kumbhakarna, accompanied by troops of demons, caused the earth to shake with his stamping strides. Reaching his brother's house and entering the inner apartment, Kumbhakarna saw his worried brother sitting in Pushpaka, a self-moving aerial car.

On seeing Kumbhakarna who arrived there, Ravana then quickly rose up from his seat, delighted and brought him nearer to his side. Then, the mighty Kumbhakarna having offered salutation to the feet of his brother sitting on a sofa, asked him, "What is to be done?"

Rising up from his seat, Ravana embraced him. That Kumbhakarna, who was thus embraced and made happy by his brother, occupied an auspicious, charming and excellent seat. Resting on that seat, the mighty Kumbhakarna, with his blood-shot eyes in anger, spoke to Ravana as follows:"O king! For what purpose have I been woken up by you, with effort? Tell me from whom is the danger for you here and who is to be killed."

Ravana, with his eyes rolling with annoyance, spoke to Kumbhakarna, his brother, who was there with anger (as follows): "O mighty Kumbhakarna! You slept for a long period. You, who were fast asleep, do not know about the fear created by Rama in me. This Rama, the son of Dasaratha, a strong man along with Sugreeva, having crossed the ocean, is cutting short our race. Alas! See! Coming happily by a bridge, the forests and groves have been covered with an ocean full of monkeys."

"The monkeys killed very important demons in battle. I do not envisage, in any way, the destroyable of monkeys on the battle-field. It seems the monkeys were not even defeated at any time before, in a combat. O mighty Kumbhakarna! Such a danger has arisen. You have to help us now. Get them destroyed now. You have been woken up solely for that purpose."

"Rescuing me, whose treasury has become completely diminished, you protect this city of Lanka, where only the children and the aged are left over. O the great armed Kumbhakarna. For the sake of your brother, perform this act, which is very difficult to do. O brother, the annihilator of enemies! In this way, I did not request anyone ever before."

"I have a great respect and affection towards you. O the foremost of demons! For several times, in battles between gods and demons, you conquered the celestials and demons, after attacking them in the battle. O Kumbhakarna of terrible prowess! Therefore, show your entire prowess. There is indeed no one, in the entire beings, who is equal to you in strength."

"O Kumbhakarna, delighting in war and feeling affection for relatives! Perform this excellent act, which is dear and beneficial to me, as per your liking. Blow away the army of adversaries by your vital power, as an autumnal cloud is blown away by a high-rising wind.”

Thus completes 62nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 63

Kumbhakarna abuses Ravana for his utter disregard of the earlier advices given by his well-wishers like Vibhishana, due to his sheer arrogance and neglect of the scriptures which enumerate the king's duties. Ravana replies to Kumbhakarna that bygone is a bygone and asks him to proceed to the battle-front. Then, Kumbhakarna reassures Ravana and promises him that all the adversaries would be destroyed by him in the ensuing battle.

Hearing the lamentation of Ravana, Kumbhakarna laughed at a full volume and spoke as follows: "The same bad consequence, which was imagined by us earlier while taking the final decision after our consultation, is faced by you now, due to your utter disregard of the words spoken by your well-wishers. How a doer of wicked deeds indeed falls into damnation, so also a punishment for your sinful act has indeed reached your fast."

"O emperor! This course of action was not excepted by you at first. You did not conceive this consequence, only because of your sheer arrogance of power. He who, abiding in power, performs duties to be done earlier at a later stage and duties to be done later, at an early stage, does not know what is a right course and what is a wrong course. Action done perversely, regardless of space and time, get spoiled like offering oblations without properly making the fire well-prepared."

"He, who acts according to an agreement done with his counsellors, considering three types of duties*, by harassing five types of means**, moves along a right course."

*1). Conclusion of peace through conciliation. 2) acceptance of allegiance through gift. 3) invasion, as a method of coercion. **1) The method of initiating an actions. 2) Personality and material to be worked upon. 3) Time and place of action. 4) Provision against mischance and 5) chances of success.

"A king who wishes to execute am agreement as per law, understands it through his own intellect as well as the counsellors and discovers it through his friends, is on a right course. O king of demons! A man resorts to virtue or worldly gain or pleasure or all the three together or a twin combination of virtue and worldly gain or virtue and pleasure or worldly gain and pleasure or worldly gain and pleasure, according to an appointed time*."

*The scriptures lay down that virtue should be pursued in the morning, worldly gain in the afternoon and sensuous pleasure at night. As an alternative, one is called upon to pursue

"That sovereign king or crown prince, who, having heard which one is the best out of these three but does not keep it in mind, his extensive learning would be in vain. O the foremost of demons! Whosoever deliberates with his counsellors and resorts to an act of with his counsellors and resorts to an act of bestowing gifts or conciliation or sowing dissension at appropriate occasion or exhibits valour or resorts to them all together or takes recourse to both right action and the reverse of it at the right time or pursues virtue or worldly gain or pleasure at the appropriate time, that intelligent person never confronts a misfortune in this world."

"A sovereign has to do an act here, looking into his welfare as a consequence along with his counsellors who make their subsistence by their intelligence and who understand the true state of the things. Men with brutal ideas, who are initiated in discussions, aspire to tell haughty things, without fully knowing the precepts of the scriptures."

"The words spoken by those who did not know the scriptures, who do not recollect the books dealing with practical life and who covet for abundant wealth are not to be implemented. Those men who talk with audacity, some inimical things in a friendly way, are to be kept out of deliberations, as they certainly spoil the work to be done."

"Some counsellors, colluding with some learned adversaries, spoil their king and make them do wrong deeds. The king should make-out those ministers who have been transformed by the enemy to their side (through bribery and other things) and are enemies though looking like friends, through their conduct when a final decision is being taken after deliberation."

"Outsiders find out the fickleness of a ruler, who is led away by false appearances and quickly performs the acts, as birds discover the hole (made by the arrow of Skanda, the commander-in-chief of gods) in the Kruancha mountain. A king who disregards an enemy and does not protect himself, indeed faces disappointing occurrences and would be removed from his position. That advice which was tendered to you earlier by vibhishana is beneficial to us. Do whatever you wish to do."

On hearing those words of Kumbhakarna, Ravana, on his part, twisted his eye-brows in anger and spoke the following words: "Why are you advising me like a venerable great teacher? What is the use in getting wearied of your speech? Let a work, most befitting of time, be performed. Now, it is a waste to tell again of that act which was wrongly done before, either by mistake or by an illusion of mind or by taking shelter in strength and prowess."

"Let whatever be appropriate at this moment be thought of now. Wise men do not repent over the past. Past is indeed but the past. If you have affection indeed for me or if you discover your own prowess and if you think it fit in your heart that my work is to be done very much, you nullify the hardship, born out of my wicked conduct, by your prowess. He who rescues an afflicted soul, whose fortune is ruined, he is the real friend. He who is ready at hand to help those who have deviated from the right course, is a kinsman.”

 Thereupon, hearing those deeply harsh words spoken by Ravana and understanding that he is quite enraged, Kumbhakarna spoke slowly and smoothly. Observing that his brother is highly perturbed and excited of his senses, Kumbhakarna, while consoling him, gently spoke the following words: “O king, the annihilator of adversaries! Listen to my words attentively. O emperor of demons! Enough of your giving way to the anguish. Abandoning your anger completely, you ought to be your normal self again. O king! Until I live, this idea should not be formed in your mind. I shall destroy him, for whose account, you are feeling anguished."

"O king! In whatever situation you are placed, I have to give certainly a good advice to you. I gave this advice, because of our relation and brotherly affection. See that which is to be done and this juncture, out of affection by a brother, viz. the destruction of adversaries in battle, will be done by me. See today, O mighty armed king, the fleeing army of monkeys and Rama along with his brother being killed by me in the fore-front of the battle-field. O the mighty armed! Be happy by seeing that Rama's head, which I shall bring today from the battle. Let Seetha be unhappy."

"Let all those demons in Lanka, whose relatives have died in battle, witness the death of the most beloved Rama today. Today, I shall do the act of wiping off tears of demons, who have been afflicted with grief and lamenting because of the destruction of their relatives in combat by the adversaries. See today in battle, the mountain-like Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, looking like a cloud illuminated by the sun, thrown about, dissipated. O faultless Ravana! Why are you agitated now, when you are being consoled by those demons and by me, who are desirous of killing Rama?"

"O king of demons! Rama will indeed kill you, only after killing me. On that account, I do not regret for myself. O Ravana, having unequal prowess and the annihilator of enemies! You can command me, even now, as you wish. No other person need be sought, for a dispatch to the battle. I can destroy your enemies, who have a great strength. I can engage in combat with all those persons, whether he is Indra or Yama or the fire-god to the wind-god or even Varuna. Indra also gets frightened of me, having a mountain-sized body wielding a sharpened pike, having pointed tusks and even as I roar."

"Even otherwise, no one can stand alive in front of me, who is even weaponless and smashing the enemies by me strength alone. Without using a javelin or a mace or a sword or sharp arrows, I myself, on getting excited, can kill even Indra, with my bare hands."

"If Rama today survives even after facing the rapid blows of my fists, then my flood of arrows will drink the blood of Rama. O king! When I exist, why do you suffer from anxiety? Here, I am ready to sally forth for the destruction of your enemies. Be free from the terrific fear of Rama. In the battle, I will kill Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and even Hanuma, by whom the city of Lanka was burnt off and the demons were killed. I shall devour the monkeys in battle, which is near at hand. I wish to contribute a tremendous and extraordinary reputation for you."

“O king! If you have a fear for Indra or even for Brahma, I shall remove it then, as the sun removes darkness of the night. When I am enraged, even celestials will lay down on the floor. I shall extinguish even Yama the god of death. I shall devour the fire-god. I shall cause the sun along with the stars to fall asunder on the floor."

"I shall kill Indra. I shall drink away the ocean. I shall crush the mountains into a powder. I shall tear up the earth. Let all the living beings, being devoured from all sides see today the prowess of Kumbhakarna, who slept for a long time. The entire heaven is not enough for my food. I am going to bring you happiness, conferring you a delight by the destroyal of Rama. Having killed Rama along with Lakshmana, I shall devour all the chiefs of army of monkeys. O king! You make merry today and drink wine. Throw away your agony and perform your usual duties. While I send Rama to the world of Yama, the god of death, Seetha will be subservient to your after a log time."

Thus completes 63nd Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 64

Mahodara excitedly speaks to Kumbhakarna about the true character of virtue, worldly gain as well as sensuous pleasure in a person and supports Ravana for his actions. He advises Kumbhakarna not to go single-handed to fight with mighty Rama, but to take the army with him. Mahodara then suggests to Ravana a strategy to fulfill his purpose without a combat.

Hearing those words spoken by the mighty Kumbhakarna of colossal body and large arms, Mahodara spoke as follows: "O Kumbhakarna! Though born in a good race, you are audacious, having the perception of an ordinary man as also arrogant. You are unable to know the right to be done at all times. O Kumbhakarna! It is not that the king does not know about the prudent and the imprudent conducts. Due to childishness and audacity, you, on your part, are craving merely to talk. The king of demons, knowing about apportioning of place and time, understands the subject about strengthening and mining (of relationships) as well as his own position and the position of others. What would a wise man attempt to do that which cannot be achieved by a man of ordinary intellect, though strong, does not sever his elders?”

“You are speaking as though virtue, wealth and pleasure are dwelling separately (in water-tight compartments). By their very nature, there is no accurate description to know those things. Action alone is indeed the means to get all the consequences. Even sinful acts spring up into a fruit of prosperity! Acts instrumental to virtue and wealth as well as other acts (instrumental to injustice and non-value) have just the prosperity as their fruit. But, acts instrumental to injustice and non-value gain the fruit of offence of omission."

“Living beings reap the fruit of good actions in this and in the other world. However, he who remains diligently devoted to actions with a view to attaining sensuous pleasure enjoys blessing even in this life. In such a situation, this act of pursuit of sensuous pleasure has been cherished in his heart by the king and was approved by us. What violation is there in doing this daring act against the enemy?"

"Regarding the reason which you have adduced for marching all alone for the encounter, I shall tell you what is irrelevant and not so good. How will you conquer, single-handed, that Rama by whom several mighty demons were destroyed in Janasthana earlier.”

"Are you not seeing those frightened demons (though highly energetic) who are now staying in the City, but who were earlier conquered by Rama in Janasthana? Though you know that Rama, the son of Dsasratha, is like an enraged lion, you wish to awaken a serpent, who is sleeping."

"Who would be competent to approach that Rama, who is forever shining with a splendour, dangerous to catch-up and as unbearable as death? Standing face-to-face with that enemy is all remaining in doubt. Going there single-handed does not indeed find favour with me."

"Having lost his advantage, who would feel inclined to reduce to submission, an enemy, who is rich in advantage and determined to lay down his life, as an ordinary person? O Kumbhakarna, the foremost among the demons! How do you wish to combat with Rama, with whom none in the human beings is equal and who is equal of Indra and the sun?"

Having thus spoken to the enraged Kumbhakarna, Mahodara on his part spoke as follows, in the midst of demons, to Ravana, who made the people cry: "Why are you delaying further, after having captured Seetha already? If you do so wish, Seetha will be submissive to you. Some strategy has been discovered by me, as a means of bringing her round. If it is found agreeable to your intellect, then listen to it. Announce (by a beat of drum in the city-streets) that myself, Dvijihva, Samhraadi, Kumbhakarna and Vitardana these five demons are setting out for the battle to kill Rama.”

“Thereupon, having gone to the battle field deliberately, we shall give him a fight. If we conquer your enemies, there is no need for any strategies to us. Otherwise, if our enemy survives, we, who have engaged in the fight, then shall implement the plan which was resolved by us in the mind. Moistened with blood on having our bodies torn with arrows marked with the name of Rama engraved on them, we shall come back here from the battle.”

 Saying "Rama as well as Lakshmana has been devoured by us", we shall clasp your feet. You fully grant our desire. O king! Then, have it proclaimed by beating of trumpets in the entire city, on the back of an elephant, that Rama has been killed along with his brother and his army."

"O annihilator of enemies! Becoming pleased for the name-sake, arrange to bestow on your servants, objects of enjoyment, other desired objects and gold. Then, present garlands, garments and cosmetics to champions as well as abundant gifts to other warriors. Drink yourself delighted."

"When this thick rumour has gone to all sides that Rama along with his companions have been devoured by the demons and you approach Seetha in private and restoring her to confidence and even conciliating her, tempt her with gold and grain, as well as luxuries and precious tones."

"By this false pretence, creating fear and anguish, Seetha who thinks she lost her husband, will submit reluctantly to your will. Believing that her charming husband is destroyed, Seetha from her hopelessness and feminine feeling of flexibility will come to your will. Seetha, who grew up with comfort, who is deserving of happiness; but emaciated with grief, knowing that her happiness depends on you, will by all means come near to you."

"After contemplating very well, I have conveyed like this. As soon as you see Rama, a calamity will happen. While you stay here itself without fighting, you will obtain a great benefit of happiness. Do not become restless. O king! An emperor who conquers his enemies without losing his army, without meeting with danger and without a combat will obtain for long, a great fame, merit, prosperity and glory."

Thus completes 64th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 65

Kumbhakarna rebukes Mahodara for rendering a wrong advice to Ravana. He asserts Ravana, saying that he will annihilate Rama in battle. Ravana gets pleased and orders Kumbhakarna to wipe off the monkeys together with Rama and Lakshmana in battle. Then, Ravana arranged for ornamentation of the various limbs of Kumbhakarna with various types of jewellery, before sending him to the battle. As Kumbhakarna sallies forth to the battle, several bad omens appear on all sides. Kumbhakarna disregards these portents and marches ahead for the battle. Seeing the colossal form of Kumbhakarna, all the monkeys get frightened and take to their heels.

Hearing the words of Mahodara, Kumbhakarna rebuked him and then spoke to his brother, Ravana, the chief of demons (as follows): “By annihilation of that evil-minded Rama, I will wipe-off your terrifc fear today. Be happy, indeed without any enmity. Warriors do not roar in vain as waterless clouds. Hear my roar, only on completion of my said task in battle. Warriors do not indulge in eulogizing themselves. They do difficult acts, without a show. O Mahodara! Your words may be agreeable to those kings who are confused, who fancy themselves as the learned, and who themselves are stupid. You are all cowards in battle. You always speak pleasantly and go according to the wishes of the king. You, as such, have spoiled all the undertakings. Having access to this king, who has friends merely for a name-sake as also behaving unfriendly, the treasury got depleted, the army destroyed and king alone is left the Lanka. Intent on conquering the enemy, I sally for the battle today to set right your imprudent policy."

Hearing the words of the intellectual Kumbhakarna, Ravana the king of demons, bursting into laughter, replied as follows: "O dear brother, well-versed in the art of war-fare! This Mahodara is frightened of Rama. There is no doubt. He is not indeed inclined of a war. O Kumbhakarna! None is equal to you in friendship and strength, in my eyes. You march to the battlefield for destroying the enemies and for achieving victory."

"O destroyer of enemies! You, who were sleeping, were awakened by me, for the purpose of destroying the enemies. This is indeed a grand time for our demons. Therefore, go like Yama the god of death, by taking a dart and a noose in your hand. Devour the monkeys and the princes whose splendour is like that of the sun. By seeing your very form, the monkeys will run away. The hearts of Rama and Lakshmana will get broken asunder."

Ravana, the king of demons, having a great energy, thus speaking to the mighty Kumbhakarna, thought himself as though he was born again. The king, knowing the strength and prowess of Kumbhakarna, was delighted and became as bright as the moon.

Some were drowned in the ocean. Some had recourse into the caves. Some others escaped. Some could not even stand stable on the ground. Some fell down. Some lied down, as though they were dead. Kumbhakarna, the annihilator of enemies, speedily took up a sharp spike fully made of iron, adorned with pure gold and splendidly shining.

Taking hold of that large spike tinted with the blood of enemies, shining like Indra's thunderbolt and equally heavy, capable of tormenting celestials, demons, Gandharvas, the celestial musicians, Yakshas a class of demi-gods and Nagas the celestial serpents, wreathed in garlands of crimson flowers with excessive splendour and emitting flames by itself naturally, Kumbhakarna of great brilliance spoke to Ravana the following words: "Let this large army stay back here. I shall go all alone. Being angry with hunger, I shall devour those monkeys now.”

Hearing the words of Kumbhakarna, Ravana said, "Go along with army, with their spikes and hammers in hand. The monkeys, with their huge bodies, valiant, with a much determination and with their teeth, will destroy anyone who is either alone or off one's guard. Therefore, go along with your troops as a person who is very difficult to be assaulted. Destroy the entire enemy-side, which in inimical to our demons."

Rising up swiftly from his throne, Ravana endowed with a great energy, then placed around the neck of Kumbhakarna, a necklace studded with a course of jewels. Ravana placed on the person of Kumbhakarna, armlets, rings, excellent jewellery and a handsome chain. Ravana arranged for ornamentation of his limbs with beautiful and sweet-smelling garlands as well as ear-rings to his ears.

Kumbhakarna with large ears, adorned with golden armlets and bracelets worn on his upper arms along with ornament for his breast, shone like fire, well-fed with oblations. With a large, black and shining string worn round his loins, he was looking like Mount Mandara encircled by a serpent at the time of churning the ambrosia.

Secured with a golden armour, carrying a great load, impenetrable by weapons and as if blazing with its own splendour with flashing like lightning, Kumbhakarna shone as a king of Mountains, enveloped by clouds at sunset. Adorned with all ornaments to all his limbs and with a spike in his hand, that demon shone like Narayana, the all-embracing Lord, enthusiastic to take the three long strides (which were meant to cover the entire universe).

Embracing his brother and even circumambulating him, the mighty Kumbhakarna sallied forth, after offering salutation to him by bowing down to him respectfully. Ravana sent off the mighty Kumbhakarna, having a colossal body, who was then sallying forth, with a great sound (of drums and musical instruments) and with laudable benedictions.

With loud sounds of counches and kettle-drums, with an army wielding excellent weapons, with elephants, with horses and with chariots making sounds of clouds, mighty charioteers accompanied him who was the foremost among the charioteers. Those demons followed that terrific and mighty Kumbhakarna, mounting on serpents, camels donkeys, lions, elephants, wild beasts and birds.

That Kumbhakarna, the enemy of ogres and celestials, wielding a sharp spike in his hand, while sallying forth, over whose head a parasol was held and drink and intoxicated by the smell of blood. Many demons, possessing a great energy and great strength, with terrific forms and fearful eyes, as also wielding weapons in their hands, accompanied him as foot-soldiers.

The demons followed, with their red hot eyes, large colossal bodies resembling a mass of collyrium in hue, lifting up spikes, swords, sharp axes, javelins, iron rods, maces, mallets, enormous trunks of palmyrah trees to be hurled at and difficult to be met.

Then, that Kumbhakarna, of a great splendour and a great strength, assuming another body of a formidable and terrific form, with a breadth of a hundred bows and six hundred bows in height, with his eyes resembling the wheels of a cart, looking like a huge mountain and terrible to look at, sallied forth.

Kumbhakarna with his colossal body and a huge mouth, looking like a scorched hill, approaching the demons and laughing loudly, spoke as follows: "Charged with anger, I shall burn up those troops of the foremost of monkeys, in lots today, as a flash of fire would burn up the moths. The monkeys who are in the habit of roaming about in the woods, have not offended me of their own accord. That race of monkeys serves as an embellishment for the urban gardens in a city like ours. Rama, together with Lakshmana, is the root-cause for the attack on our city. If he is killed, all will be destroyed. Therefore, I shall kill that Rama in battle."

While Kumbhakarna was speaking in that way, the demons made a very terrific noise, as though they were agitating the ocean. As that intelligent Kumbhakarna was sallying forth quickly for the battle, omens of terrific patterns appeared on all sides.

Clouds, ashy in colour like asses, combined with meteors and strokes of lightning appeared. Even the earth trembled, together with its oceans and forests. Jackals of terrific form howled with flaming morsels in their mouths and birds twirled in circles from right to left. A vulture descended on the spike of Kumbhakarna, as he was sallying forth along the road. His left eye twitched and his left arm throbbed.

Then, a blazing meteor fell down with a dreadful noise. Even the sun became lusterless and the wind was not blowing comfortably. Disregarding those great portents indicated, causing the hair to stand erect, Kumbhakarna on his part marched on, driven by the power of fate.

Kumbhakarna, looking like a mountain, traversing the rampart with his feet alone, saw a wonderful army of monkeys, looking similar to a thick coverage of clouds. Seeing that Kumbhakarna, the excellent among demons, looking equal to a mountain, the monkeys then ran away to all directions, as clouds are driven away by the wind.

Looking towards that highly fierce army of monkeys, running away to different quarters, as a net-work of broken clouds, that Kumbhakarna with the hue of a black cloud, highly rejoiced, repeatedly emitted a roar-like thunder. Hearing his terrific roar, similar to the rumbling of a cloud in the sky, many of those monkeys fell down on the ground, like Sal trees cut-up by the roots. Wielding a large iron rod for the destroyable of the enemies, that gigantic Kumbhakarna looked like Yama the lord of death armed with a rod of punishment, waiting upon him as his attendant at the time of dissolution of the world and caused a great terrific fear to the troops of monkeys.

Thus completes 65th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 66

Seeing Kumbhakarna coming with his colossal body and emitting a tremendous roar, the monkeys scare away. Angada reassures the monkeys, who then return to the battle field to resume fight. When the monkeys start attacking Kumbhakarna, the latter crushes some monkeys with rage. Then again, the monkeys get frightened and run away in different directions. Angada then restores the monkeys to confidence once more and all the monkeys stand awaiting the command of Angada.

That mighty Kumbhakarna, with his colossal body resembling the peak of a mountain, having crossed the rampart, sallied forth from the city. Kumbhakarna emitted a roar, making the sea to reverberate, causing the mountains to quake and drowning the thunder-claps, as it were.

Seeing that demons of terrific eyes who could not be destroyed either by Indra the lord of celestials or by Yama the lord of death or by Varuna the god of water, the monkeys ran away.

Seeing them running away, Angada the prince spoke to Nala, Neela, Gavaksha and the mighty Kumuda as follows:  “Where do you go, forgetting your own dignities as also nobilities of birth and trembling with fear like common monkeys? O auspicious monkeys! Please return! Why do you so fully guard your lives? This demon is not competent for a combat. He is merely a great toy of terror. O monkeys! By our prowess, we shall destroy this giant toy produced by demons. Come back!”

Reconciling themselves with some difficulty, the monkeys, from all sides, assembled together at a place and snatching some trees, the monkeys for their part, towards the battle-field. Like elephants in rut, those monkeys, having came back, hurriedly hit Kumbhakarna, very much enraged as they were.

The mighty Kumbhakarna, though assaulted with lofty mountain-tops, rocks and trees with blossoms at their ends, stood unshaken. Many rocks, fallen on his limbs, got burst into pieces. The trees, with blossoms at their ends, were broken and fell shattered on the floor.

Kumbhakarna too, very much enraged, crushed the ranks of monkeys though they were greatly energetic, with his extreme exertion even as a rising fire would consume the woods. Many of the foremost among the monkeys lay on the ground, bathed in blood as they were, fallen like trees with crimson flowers, when tossed up by the demon.

Some monkeys, while jumping and running away, did not look back. Some fell in the ocean. Some inhabited the sky. While that demon was killing some warriors of monkeys playfully, some others ran away by the same route, by which they earlier crossed the ocean.

While some monkeys becoming pale-faced due to fear, inhabited the mounds and the low grounds, some bears ascended the trees. Some escaped to a hill. Some were drowned in the ocean. Some had recourse into the caves. Some others escaped. Some could not even stand stable on the ground. Some fell down. Some lied down, as though they were dead.

Seeing those monkeys disorderly retreated, Angada spoke these words, "Stay. We shall carry on the battle. Come back. I do not catch sight of any place for you, who have retreated, even if you roam over the entire earth. Let all of you come back. Why do you safeguard your lives? O valiant monkeys, moving without hindrances! Your wives, seeing you running away leaving your weapons aside, will mock at you. It is indeed a death for those who lived well."

"All of us are born in distinguished races; which are well developed. Where to you go frightened, like ordinary monkeys? As you are running away with fear, leaving all your valour, you are indeed unworthy of honour. Where did those boasting words of you melt away, in which you highly projected yourself in front of the people just before coming for the battle?

"The cowards, who survive even after being reproached, have to hear slanders from the people. Let the path trodden by the good people be followed. Let your fear be abandoned. If our longevity is short, we shall lie down, being killed by the enemies, on the earth and reach the realm of Brahma (residence of pious spirits), which is difficult to be attained by bad warriors."

"O monkeys! We shall obtain glory by killing our enemies in battle or if killed on the other hand, we shall enjoy the heaven, attained by the warriors. Coming face to face with Rama, Kumbhakarna will not go back alive, any more than a moth meeting a blazing fire."

"If we, in large numbers, who are intended to fight, are conquered by one person alone and if we protect our lives by running away, our glory will undergo a damage. Then, those fleeing monkeys spoke the following words, which were contemptible by the warriors, to that valiant Angada, who was adorned with golden armlets.

"For us, it is enough of this terrific battle with Kumbhakarna, the demon. It is not the proper time to stay back but it is to time to go away. Life is indeed dear to us."

Seeing that terrific Kumbhakarna coming with his dreadful eyes, all those commanders of monkey-troops, speaking words only thus far, scattered in all directions. Thereafter, with the coaxing words and inferential arguments by Angada, all those fleeing commanders of monkeys turned back.

Having been cheered up by the intellectual Angada, all those commanders of the army-troops stood awaiting his command. Rishabha, Sharabha, Mainda, Dhumra, Neela, Kumuda, sushena, Gavaksha, Rambha, Tara and more particularly Dvipada, Panasa and hanuma marched ahead very quickly, with their faces turned towards the battle.

Thus completes 66th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 67

Restored to confidence by Angada, all the monkeys return to the battle-field. Dvivida, a leader of the monkeys hurls a mountain towards Kumbhakarna, but it misses the target and falls on horses, elephants and chariots of the enemy. Dvivida hurls another mountain and some demons are killed. Hanuma strikes Kumbhakarna with a large mountain-peak and injures him severely. In reply, Kumbhakarna strikes on Hanuma's chest with his spike. Then, Kumbhakarna strikes other monkey-chiefs who attack him. Thousands of monkeys then ascend Kumbhakarna's body and encounters him with their nails, fists, teeth and arms. In response, Kumbhakarna destroys all those monkeys with his spike. When Angada, the leader of the monkeys, attacks Kumbhakarna, the latter strikes Angada violently and Angada falls unconscious. Then, Kumbhakarna begins his attack on Sugreeva. But, Sugreeva strikes Kumbhakarna's chest with a mountain, but the mountain only breaks into pieces. When Kumbhakarna throws his spike towards Sugreeva in retaliation, Hanuma stops it on the way and breaks it off. Then, Kumbhakarna hurls a mountian-crust on Sugreeva to make him unconscious and takes him away on his shoulders to Lanka. When Sugreeva regains consciousness, he tears off the ears and nose of Kumbhakarna with his sharp nails and teeth. In relation, Kumbhakarna thren Sugreeva down and crushed him. Then Sugreeva bounces into the air and gets re united with Rama. Kumbhakarna thereafter takes his hammer and begins to attack the monkeys and bears. Then, Lakshmana starts to attack Kumbhakarna with his arrows. But, Kumbhakarna appreciates the valour of Lakshmana and proceeds towards Rama to fight with him. Rama discharges some arrows with 'Roundra' spell towards Kumbhakarna. Those arrows disappear into Kumbhakarna's chest and make him weapon-less. In retaliation, Kumbhakarna hurls a mountain-peak towards Rama and even before the mountain-peak reaches Rama, it was split up into pieces by the arrows released by Rama. Thereupon, on the advice given by Lakshmana, all the monkeys climb straight upon Kumbhakarna's body. Kumbhakarna shakes them off with violence. Then, Rama employs a great missile and chops off one arm of Kumbhakarna. When Kumbhakarna with an uprooted tree in his arm, retailiates by running towards Rama, the latter with an arrow, presided over by Indra, hurls it on the former and chops off the second arm of Kumbhakarna, Rama then chops off the feet of Kumbhakarna with his arrows and finally slashes off his head.

            Hearing the words of Angada, all those large-bodied monkeys who came back, having arrived at a firm resolution, were waiting for the battle. Restored to confidence by the words of the mighty Angada, those monkeys, whose energy was well-augmented and prowess well-elevated, restored to a thrill of rapture and as they were determined to die, marched forward to fight. Ready to abandon their lives, they were engaged in a tumultuous battle.

Lifting up trees and very large mountain-rocks, the large-bodied monkeys thereupon briskly ran towards Kumbhakarna. The mighty and valiant Kumbhakarna, who got very much enraged, lifting a mace and frightening his enemies, diffused them on all sides.

Seven hundred, eight hundred and thousands of monkeys struck by Kumbhakarna, lay scattered on the ground. That highly enraged Kumbhakarna, putting in his mount, (as many as) sixteen or eight or ten or even twenty or thirty monkeys by his hands and devouring them like. Garuda the mythical bird devouring the serpents in lots, ran about the battle-field. Restored to confidence with difficulty, the monkeys assembling together from all sides, stood in the battle-front, with trees and rocks in their hands.

Pulling out a mountain and looking like a hanging cloud, Dvivida the foremost among the monkeys, ran towards Kumbhakarna, who resembled a mountain-peak. Dvivida, springing up, hurled that mountain towards Kumbhakarna. Even without reaching the colossal bodied Kumbhakarna, it however fell on his army. That excellent mountain crushed the horses, elephants and the chariots. Another mountain-top, when hurled, crushed the other demons.

Struck by the jerk of the mountain, that great battle-field of demons, with its horses and charioteers killed, became dampened with blood. The demons who fight from the chariots, with their terrific roar, at once discarded the heads of the clamouring chiefs of monkeys, with their arrows, which were resembling the god of death at the time of universal dissolution.

Uprooting large trees, the mighty monkeys too began to destroy the chariots, horses, Camels and demons. Staying in the sky, Hanuma showered mountain-tops, rocks and various types of trees on Kumbhakarna's head. The mighty Kumbhakarna broken those mountain-tops and shattered the torrent of trees with his spike. Then, taking the dreadful spike in his hand, Kumbhakarna ran towards that terrific army of monkeys. Taking a mountain-peak in his hands, Hanuma stood in front of the approaching Kumbhakarna.

The enraged Hanuma struck with violence Kumbhakarna, who was endowed with a magnificent body and looking like the most elevated mountain. Thus attacked by Hanuma, Kumbhakarna was stumbled with a sprinkling of blood and with his limbs succulent with flesh. Holding firmly the spike, which was bright as lightning and looking like a blazing mountain-peak, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuma on his chest, as Guha (the son of Shiva) struck Krauncha mountain with his powerful javelin.

That Hanuma, struck in his broad chest by the spike in that great combat, was highly perturbed and while vomiting blood from his mouth, awfully roared like the sound of thunderous clouds at the time of dissolution of the world. Looking at the perturbed Hanuma, all the troops of demons then suddenly shouted with rejoice. The monkeys, on their part, felt restless and being oppressed with fear, ran away from the battle-field.

Thereupon, cheering up the army and stopping them, the mighty Neela then hurled a mountain-top on the intellectual Kumbhakarna. Seeing that mountain-top befalling on him, Kumbhakarna then struck it with his fist. By that strike of the fist, that mountain-top was burst into pieces and fallen down on the ground, with sparks of fire and blaze.

The five excellent monkeys, viz. Rishabha, Sharabha, Neela, Gavaksha and Gandhamadana marched ahead quickly towards Kumbhakarna. Those five mighty monkeys struck the large-bodied Kumbhakarna from all sides, with crags, trees, palms of their hands, feet and fists in battle. Perceiving those blows merely as the senses of touch, Kumbhakarna was not at all perturbed. He enfolded the greatly agitated Rishabha in his arms.

Squeezed by Kumbhakarna's arms, the awful Rishabha, the foremost among the monkeys, fell down with blood coming out of his mouth. Then, in battle, the enraged Kumbhakarna, the enemy of Indra, beating Sharabha with his fist and Neela with his knee, struck Gavaksha with a palm of his hand and struck Gandhamadana violently with his feet.

Perturbed by the blows given by Kumbhakarna, those monkeys being moistened with blood, were bewildered and fell down on the ground, like chopped off Kimsuka trees. Seeing those mighty chief commanders of monkeys falling down on the ground, thousands of monkeys ran towards Kumbhakarna.

All those champions of monkeys, looking like mountains, jumping up on Kumbhakarna who was looking like a mountain, ascended him and bit him with their teeth. Those mighty armed excellent monkeys encountered that Kumbhakarna with their nails, teeth, fists and arms.

Covered by thousands of monkeys that foremost among demons looking like a mountain, stood out in a crowd, as a hill overgrown with trees. Seizing all the monkeys with his arms, that mighty Kumbhakarna devoured them like an enraged Garuda the eagle devouring the serpents.

Hurled by Kumbhakarna in his mouth which was looking like a hole in the earth, the monkeys again came out from his nostrils and ears. Kumbhakarna, the best among the demons, looking like a mountain, was very much enraged and mutilated the monkeys angrily, before devouring them.

Making the earth dampened with flesh and blood, that demon, like an excited fire at the time of dissolution, strolled among that army of monkeys. Wielding a spike in his hand in the battle-front, the mighty Kumbhakarna shone like Indra the lord of celestials wielding a thunderbolt in his hand and like Yama the god of death wielding a noose in his hand.

That Kumbhakarna scorched away that army of monkeys in the same way as the fire scorches away the dried-up forests in summer. Those monkeys, without a commander, having their troops killed and terrified with fear they were being destroyed by Kumbhakarna, roared with rebellious voices. While Kumbhakarna was destroying them in many ways, the agitated monkeys sought refuge in Rama, with their distressed minds.

Seeing the monkeys defeated in that great battle, Angada the son of Indra, ran rapidly towards Kumbhakarna. Taking a large mountain-top, Angada, roaring repeatedly and frightening all the demons following Kumbhakarna's heels, hurled the mountain-top on Kumbhakarna's head. Struck on the head with that mountain, that Kumbhakarna, Indra's adversary, with a great rage, was excited and then ran rapidly towards the wrathful Angada.

Frightening all the monkeys with his great roar, the mighty Kumbhakarna hurled his spike at Angada with anger. Knowing that the spike is going to fall on him, the mighty Angada, the chief of the monkeys, who was skilled in war-fare, avoided it with his alacrity. Jumping up Angada struck on Kumbhakarna's chest, with the palm of his hand. Thus beaten with anger by him, Kumbhakarna resembling a mountain, became giddy.

Getting his consciousness, that mighty demon threw down Angada by tightening his fist with a scorn. Angada fell down unconscious. When that Angada the foremost among the monkeys fell down unconscious on the ground, Kumbhakarna ran towards Sugreeva, taking that spike in his hand.

Then, seeing the mighty Kumbhakarna coming suddenly towards him, the valiant Sugreeva, the king of the monkeys, sprang up all at once. Uplifting and tightly holding a mountain-top, the mighty Sugreeva ran towards the sturdy Kumbhakarna with speed. Seeing that Sugreeva coming rapidly towards him, Kumbhakarna, with all his limbs braced, stood facing the king of monkeys.

Seeing Kumbhakarna who stood devouring the monkeys and with his body smeared with the blood of the monkeys, Sugreeva spoke as follows: "You struck down eminent monkeys. You have done a very difficult act. You have devoured the armies. You obtained a great fame. Leave that army of monkeys. What will you do with these common beings? O demon! You bear up against the falling of this one mountain being hurled by me."

Hearing those words, endowed with strength and courage, spoken by Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna, the foremost of demons, spoke the following words: "O monkey! You are the grandson of Lord Brahma and even the son of Riksharaja (sprung from the yawn of Brahma) endowed with firmness and valour. Why do you roar?"

Hearing the words of Kumbhakarna, Sugreeva, firmly holding the mountain, hurled it quickly on him. He struck Kumbhakarna's chest by that mountain, which was as strong enough as Indra's thunderbolt. Soon after falling on his broad chest, that mountain was crushed to pieces. Then, the monkeys were suddenly distressed. The troops of demons roared with rejoice.

Struck by the mountain-top, that Kumbhakarna was enraged and roared with his mouth wide open with anger. Holding firmly the spike, which was emitting a flash of lightning, he hurled it to kill Sugreeva, the king of monkeys and bears. Hanuma, jumping up and holding with his arms that sharp spike, furnished with golden wreaths, and propelled by Kumbhakarna's arms, wreaths, and smashed it rapidly.

Then, the rejoiced Hanuma, placing on his knee, that large spike made of iron weighing twenty thousand Tulas, broke it. Seeing Hanuma breaking the spike, that army of monkeys was rejoiced, roared several times and came back quickly from all quarters.

Then, the frightened Kumbhakarna became down-cast. Those monkeys were rejoiced and made a lion's roar. Seeing the fate of spike in such a broken condition, they adored Hanuma. Seeing that spike broken in that way, that mighty Kumbhakarna was enraged. Uprooting a crest from Malaya mountain standing in the vicinity of Lanka and approaching Sugreeva, he struck him with it. Struck by the mountain-top in battle, that Sugreeva fell unconscious on the ground. Seeing him falling unconscious on the ground in battle, the demons wee exceedingly pleased and cried out loudly.

Seizing hold of that Sugreeva having wonderful and terrific prowess in battle, that Kumbhakarna took him away, as an impetuous wind takes away a cloud. Lifting up Sugreeva appearing like a huge cloud in the battle-field and marching forward, Kumbhakarna shone like Mount Meru, distinguished by its very high and formidable peak. Then, being praised in the battle-field by the demons for having seized hold of Sugreeva and hearing the sounds of the celestials who were wondering at the seizure of Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna the valiant chief of demons, sallied forth.

While taking away that Sugreeva looking like Indra, Kumbhakarna the adversary of Indra and having the prowess of Indra, thought, "If he is killed, all this army including Rama gets destroyed."

Seeing the army of monkeys running away hither and thither and Sgureeva the monkey even being taken away by Kumbhakarna, the intellectual Hanuma, the son of wind-god thought as follows: "While Sugreeva is being taken away in this way, what is to be done by me? I shall certainly do that which is justifiable to be done by me. Growing to the size of a mountain, I shall destroy this Kumbhakarna. Let all the monkeys be delighted while Sugreeva the king of monkeys is liberated and the mighty Kumbhakarna, with his body crumbled by the blows of my fists, killed by me in battle. Even otherwise, this Sugreeva can win the freedom himself despite he is taken away by celestials including demons and serpent-demons.”

"I think Sugreeva is not yet conscious of his self, as Kumbhakarna struck him with the blow of a mountain in the battle. Regaining his consciousness within a moment in this great battle, this Sugreeva will do what is good for himself and for his monkeys. If I liberate this great-souled Sugreeva, there will be a painful dislike for him and a perpetual in fame. Therefore, I shall wait for a while, for the king to show his prowess. Meanwhile, I shall cheer up the scattered army of monkeys."

Thinking in this way, Hanuma the son of wind-god, then again brought firmness to the large army of monkeys. Taking that Sugreeva who was throbbing, that kumbhakarna entered the City of Lanka, where he was greatly revered with showers of foremost flowers by the citizens staying in celestial cars, streets, houses and gate-ways of temples.

Sprinkled by those showers of pop-corn and fragrant waters and due to the coolness of the royal roads, the mighty Sugreeva gradually regained his consciousness. The great souled Sugreeva, who was interposed between Kumbhakarna's shoulders, regaining his consciousness with great difficulty and observing the royal highway of the city, repeatedly thought (as follows): "Having been captivated in this way, what should I do now? I have to do a proper act now which is desirable and beneficial to the monkeys."

Thus thinking, Sugreeva tore asunder Kumbhakarna's ears by his nails as also nose by his teeth and ribs by his feet. Torn asunder with teeth and nails by Sugreeva, that Kumbhakarna with his ears and nose deprived and his limbs moistened with blood, was subdued with rage, threw Sugreeva down on the floor and crushed him. Crushed down on the floor by that terrific Kumbhakarna and struck by the demons, Sugreeva moved with speed like a ball towards the sky and got united with Rama.

Bereft of his ears and nose, the mighty Kumbhakarna, pouring out blood, shone like a mountain with its streaming cascades. Kumbhakarna the demon and the brother of Ravana, having his large body bathed in blood, frightful in appearance, vomiting blood with rage, and looking like a mound of black antimony shone akin to a cloud with an evening-twilight. With his face directed towards the battle-front, Kumbhakarna the terrific demon made up his mind to continue his combat.

After the departure of Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna the adversary of Indra, with a rage, marched ahead quickly for the battle. Finding out that he is then without any weapon, the dreadful Kumbhakarna got possession of a hammer-like weapon. Starting from the city quickly, that mighty Kumbhakarna then devoured that huge army of monkeys in battle, like the devour of people by the augmented fire at the time of dissolution of the world.

Penetrating that huge army of monkeys, Kumbhakarna who was greedily desirous of flesh and blood in hunger, due to his deep bewilderment in battle, ate away even the demons, monkeys, devils and bears. He devoured the principal monkeys just as the death devours people at the time of the end of the world.

The enraged Kumbhakarna, quickly taking with his single hand, the monkeys and demons, in one's two's, three's or in many and hurled them into his mouth. Struck with mountain-peaks, by the monkeys, the mighty Kumbhakarna, then, gushing forth his flesh and blood, devoured the monkeys.

Thereupon, those monkeys, who were being devoured, sought Rama as their refuge. The very much enraged Kumbhakarna, while eating away the monkeys, marched forward. Grasping a hundred, a seven, an eight, a twenty and a thirty with his arms, Kumbhakarna was devouring the monkeys and running about in the battle-field.

Having his entire body besmeared with flesh, marrow and blood together with wreaths of tangled viscera hung over his ears, the demon with his very sharp teeth, rained spikes on the monkeys, like Yama, the god of death, risen to power at the end of the world-cycle. Immediately, Lakshmana the son of Sumitra, the annihilator of the foe's army and conqueror of the cities of adversaries, commenced the battle with a rage.

The valiant Lakshmana pierced seven arrows into the body of Kumbhakarna. He took some more arrows and released them too. Tormented by that weapon of Lakshmana, that demon destroyed it completely. Thereupon, the aggressive Lakshmana was enraged.

Then, Lakshmana covered the shining and charming golden armour of Kumbhakarna with his arrows, even as the wind would make an evening-twilight cloud completely disappear. Kumbhakarna, looking like a mound of collyrium, tormented by the arrows, decked with gold, shone like the radiant sun with its rays screened by clouds. Then, that terrific demon, with a thunderous noise of multiple clouds, spoke the following words disrespectfully to Lakshmana. “You declared your heroism fearlessly in battle, by attacking me, who has conquered even the lord of death effortlessly in a combat. Anyone who even stands before me, the god of death, holding forth a weapon in a great battle here, is venerable. What to tell about a person who bestows battle on me?"

“Even the powerful Indra, the lord of celestials, who mounted Airavata the elephant and accompanied by all celestials, did not ever stand before me in battle. O Lakshmana! Today, I am gratified by your strength and abilities. Taking leave of you, I desire to march forward towards Rama. Because I have been gratified by you by way of your ability, strength and firmness in battle, I for my part desire to kill Rama alone, for when he is killed, all the army will be killed. When Rama is killed by me battle here, I will make my army to fight with others who remain on the battle filled and destroy them.”

 To that demon in battle, who has given his opinion thus, abounding in enology, Lakshmana as though bursting with laughter, spoke the following extremely terrific words: "O brave demon! You are telling that while you show your prowess, the heroes like Indra and others feel unbearable; it is true. Just now, I have seen your prowess. But, see Rama the son of Dasaratha, standing here unmoving like a mountain."

Hearing in this manner, that mighty Kumbhakarna the demon, brushing aside Lakshmana and crossing him, ran, as though he is causing an earth-quake, towards Rama. Thereupon, Rama, the son of Dasaratha, employing a spell (used to charm arrows) called Raudra, discharged sharp arrows into Kumbhakarna's chest. Flames of fire mixed with particles of charcoal came forth from the face of Kumbhakarna, who was thus struck and who was running quickly towards Rama.

That foremost among demons, struck by Rama's arrow, roaring terribly with rage, making the monkeys to run away in battle, ran himself towards Rama. Those arrows, adorned with peacock's plumes, penetrated into his chest. His mace dropped off from his hand and fell on the ground.

All his weapons fell scattered on the ground. Considering himself as weaponless, that mighty Kumbhakarna then fought fiercely with his fists and arms. That Kumbhakarna, with his body struck fiercely by arrows and bathed in blood, poured forth blood, even as a mountain would pour forth a cascade.

With a terrific wrath, he felt insensible with blood. He roamed about, devouring the monkeys, demons and bears. Then, that Kumbhakarna, comparable to Yama the god of death, of terrific prowess and strength, firmly holding a fearful mountain-peak, hurled it towards Rama. Wile that mountain peak was still on its way and had not yet reached him Rama, fixing together his well-known bow and arrows, split the mountain in the middle, with seven straight-going arrows.

Then, Rama, the virtuous man and the elder brother of Bharata, split the large mountain-peak which was hurled by Kumbhakarna at that time, with his variegated arrows made of gold. That mountain-peak, in the form of a peak of Mount Meru, as if shining with splendour, while falling, caused two hundred monkeys to fall.

At that time, considering various strategies appropriate for killing Kumbhakarna, the righteous Lakshmana spoke to Rama as follows: "O king! He is not able to recognize who the monkeys are and who the demons are. Intoxicated with the smell of blood, he is devouring his own persons and also others. Let the foremost of monkeys ascend well upon his body from all sides. Following the commanders of their troops, let the monkey-leaders stand, surrounding him. If we do in that way, that evil-minded demon would be harassed by the huge weight, making him to crawl on the floor and cannot kill the other monkeys."

Hearing those words of that intelligent Lakshmana, those monkeys were rejoiced and mounted on the body of Kumbhakarna. Kumbhakarna, when climbed upon by the monkeys, was enraged and shook them off with violence, as a vicious elephant would shake off its mahout. Seeing the monkeys shaken down, Rama on his part understanding that he was enraged, jumped up speedily towards the demon and took an excellent bow.

The heroic Rama, enraged with red-hot eyes, as though he was scorching the enemy with his looks, walked with speed, causing delight to all the leaders of the monkey-troops, who were tormented with the fear of Kumbhakarna and quickly marched towards the demon. Taking in his hand, a terrific bow with a firmly fastened cord looking like a snake and looking variegated with its crust of gold, with a quiver full of excellent arrows fastened on his back and fully restoring the monkeys to confidence, that Rama quickly marched forward.

That mighty and heroic Rama, who was highly unconquerable, accompanied by Lakshmana, duly marched forward, surrounded by those troops of monkeys. The mighty Rama saw the powerful Kumbhakarna, the annihilator of enemies, wearing a crown and his eyes blood-red with anger.

Rama saw the angry Kumbhakarna, chasing all, like the mythical elephant guarding one of the quarters, searching for the monkeys, enraged as he was and surrounded by the demons. Rama saw that Kumbhakarna, looking like Vindhya and Mandara mountains, adorned with armlets of gold, emitting blood from his mouth and appearing as a rising rainy cloud.

Rama saw that Kumbhakarna, who was licking the corners of his mouth which were bathed in blood, all they way trampling the monkeys and resembling Yama in the form of all-destroying time. Seeing that Kumbhakarna, the foremost of demons, having a splendour of blazing fire, Rama, the excellent of men, then stretched his bow.

Enraged by the twang of Rama's bow, Kumbhakarna, the foremost of demons, not tolerating that sound, ran towards Rama.

Thereupon, Rama spoke to the dashing Kumbhakarna looking like a cloud driven by the wind, whose arms were like the coils of Vasuki (the king of serpents) and appearing like a mountain in the battle-field (as follows): "O leader of the demons! Come on. Do not regret. I sand, wielding a bow in my hand. Know me to be the annihilator of the race of demons. You will be dead within a moment."

Coming to know that he was Rama, Kumbhakarna laughed in a rebellious tone and ran up enraged towards the monkeys, driving them away in the battle-field. That Kumbhakarna of great splendour, as though bursting the hearts of all the monkeys, laughed unnaturally as also awfully and spoke the following words to Rama: “I am neither to be considered as Viradha nor Kabandha nor Khara nor Vali nor Maricha. It is Kumbhakarna who arrived here. See my large terrific hammer, completely made of iron. By it, the celestials and the demons were conquered by me before."

"You need not treat me with contempt, as I am deprived of my ear and nose. To me, there is no agony even indeed a little, for having lost the ear and the nose. O faultless excellent Rama born in Ikshavaku dynasty! Show your prowess on my limbs. After seeing your strength and prowess, I will be devouring you."

Hearing the words of Kumbhakarna, that Rama released plumed arrows. Even after struck by them, whose speed was equal to a thunderbolt, that demon was neither shaken nor afflicted. Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali the foremost of monkeys, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt.

Sucking those arrows with his body, as mountains suck up torments of water, that Kumbhakarna, flourishing his hammer with terrible speed, hindered the tremendous speed of Rama's arrows. Then, flourishing that hammer which was smeared with blood and which can frighten the great army of celestials, in terrific speed, that demon scared away the army of monkeys.

Thereupon, taking a great missile called Vayavya, Rama hurled it on the demon. By that weapon, he chopped off Kumbhakarna's arm along with the hammer. With his arm chopped off, Kumbhakarna roared tumultuously.

That Kumbhakarna's arm, identical to a mountain-peak, which was chopped off by Rama's arrow, fell along with the hammer on that army of Sugreeva and killed that regiment of monkeys.

Those monkeys who had escaped being broken and slain by that arm, though dejected with their tormented limbs and taking recourse to the sides, witnessed a highly terrific encounter between Rama and Kumbhakarna. Having an arm chopped off by the arrow like a mountain-peak chopped off by a gigantic sword, that Kumbhakarna with his another arm, pulled up a tree by its roots and then ran towards Rama the lord of men in that battle-front.

By his arrow, which was made variegated by gold and furnished with a mystic spell of Indra used for charming it, Rama chopped off Kumbhakarna's remaining arm, appearing like the coil of a serpent along with his uprooted palm-tree.

That Kumbhakarna's arm, which appeared like a hill, was chopped off and fell down on the ground. Wallowing hither and thither, it dashed with trees, rocks, monkeys and demons.

Seeing Kumbhakarna with his arms chopped off, abruptly with a roar, coming upon him and taking two sharp arrows with a shape of a half-moon each, Rama chopped off the feet of the demon in that battle. Creating a resound everywhere in all directions, even in hill-caves, in the great ocean, in Lanka as also in the armies of monkeys and demons, Kumbhakarna's feet fell down.

Widely opening his mouth like the mouth of a submarine fire and roaring, Kumbhakarna whose arms and feet were cut off, ran (with thighs) quickly towards Rama, like Rahu the seizer-demon going to seize the moon in the sky. Rama filled up Kumbhakarna's mouth with sharply pointed arrows, having shafts covered with gold. With his mouth full of arrows, Kumbhakarna was unable to speak. He moaned with difficulty and even became unconscious.

Thereupon, that Rama got hold of an arrow spelled with a missile presided over by Indra the lord of celestials, effulgent as sun's rays, resembling the rod of Brahma the lord of creation as also the destructive Kala, the Time-Spirit, and having its speed equal to the wind. Rama discharged against the demon, that arrow, whose shaft was inlaid with diamonds and gold, which was shining as the dazzling sun and fire set ablaze, and which vied with the speed of Indra's thunderbolt.

That arrow, propelled by Rama's arm, with a terrific aspect like the smokeless fire, having a formidable energy of Indra's thunderbolt and illuminating the ten quarters with its own splendour, proceeded forward. That Rama slashed Kumbhakarna's head, which was looking like a huge mountain-peak, having well-rounded tusks and with charming and quivering ear-rings, as like Indra the destroyer of strong-holds, in the past, chopped off the head of Vritra, the demon of darkness and drought.

The large Kumbhakarna's head, adorned with ear-rings, shone like the moon being in the middle, when the constellation, Punarvasu (presided over by Aditi the mother of gods and consisting of twin-stars) has risen at the night. That demon's head, equal in size to a mountain, struck by Rama's arrow, fell down. It broke the buildings on the king's high-way and their gates as also threw down that high rampart.

Then, that colossal demon of a great splendour fell into the sea. It crushed the principal alligators, beautiful fishes as also snakes and entered the bowels of the earth. While that mighty Kumbhakarna, the enemy of brahmanas and celestials was killed in battle, the earth and mountains shook. Even the celestials raised a tumultuous roar with joy.

Then, saints of the celestial class, great sages*, serpents, gods, genii, Suparnas (a class of bird-like beings of a semi-divine character), Guhyakas (another class of demi-gods), including troops of Yakshas and Gandharvas (celestial musicians) standing in the sky, were rejoiced at Rama's prowess.

* Ten Maharshis were created by Manu svayambhuva viz. Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pracetas, Vasishta, Bhrign, Narada. Some add Daksha, Dharma, Gantama, Kanva, Valmiki, Vyasa, Manu, Vibhandaka.

Thereupon, at the mere sight of Rama, Ravana's relatives were perturbed at the killing of Ravana of great intelligence and loudly roared, as elephants roar at the sight of a lion. Having destroyed Kumbhakarna in battle, that Rama shone in the midst of the army of monkeys, in the same way as the sun shines in the midst of the celestial world, having destroyed darkness, duly getting delivered from the mouth of Rahu.

Several monkeys were highly rejoiced, with their faces flowing like full-blown lotuses. They adored Rama, who was dangerous to be attacked and as a beloved young man, killed an enemy possessing a terrible strength. By killing Kumbhakarna, who tormented the army of celestials and who was not defeated at any time in great battles, Rama was rejoiced in the same way as Indra the lord of celestials was rejoiced in killing Vritra, the great demon.

Thus completes 67th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 68 

Hearing the news of Kumbhakarna having been killed by Rama, Ravana laments in various ways, thinking that he has virtually lost his right arm. Ravana initially faints on hearing the shocking news. On regaining consciousness, Ravana again wonders how the invincible Kumbhakarna was slain in battle. He feels sorry for not having listened to the sagacious advice of Vibhishana in the past.

Seeing that the great-souled Rama killed Kumbhakarna, the demons reported the matter to Ravana, the king of demons (as follows): "O king! That Kumbhakarna, looking like Yama the god of death, driving away the army of monkeys and devouring some monkeys, met with death, the time's act. Showing his prowess for a moment, Kumbhakarna your brother, was extinguished by the fiery energy of Rama. Injured by Rama's arrows, Kumbhakarna who was looking like a mountain became an ugly mass, with his body discharging blood, as his nose and ears were cut off, resembling a tree scorched by a forest-fire, with his trunk half-submerged in a terribly looking sea and obstructing the main gate of Lanka."

Hearing that the mighty Kumbhakarna was killed in battle, Ravana was tormented with grief and fell down, fainted. Hearing that his paternal uncle was killed Devantaka, Narantaka, Trishira and Atikaya were afflicted with sorrow and wept. Hearing that Kumbhakarna, their brother was killed by Rama, who was unwary in his actions, Mahodara and Mahaparshva (step-brothers of Kumbhakarna) were overcome with grief.

Then, recovering his consciousness with difficulty, distressed as he was for the killing of Kumbhakarna and perplexed in mind, Ravana the foremost of demons, lamented (as follows): "Alas! O hero, destroying the pride of enemies! O mighty Kumbhakarna! Leaving me behind, you have gone by divine will to the abode of Yama the lord of death. O mighty Kumbhakarna! Where are you going alone, leaving me behind, after having tormented the army of enemies and without taking away the thorn of grief from relatives and me."

"Indeed I shall no longer live now, that this right hand of mine, taking refuge on when I had no fear of celestials and ogres, has fallen down. How such a hero, who destroyed the pride of celestials and demons, as also who was an image of fire that was to destroy the world, was killed by Rama today in battle?"

"Having been afflicted by Rama's arrows, how are you, whom not even a clash of a thunder-bolt ever caused any fall, falling now insensibly on the earth’s surface? Seeing you killed in battle, these troops of celestials and sages, standing in the sky, are shouting with rejoice."

"It is doubly sure that the monkeys, having achieved their purpose, will be rejoiced and now itself will ascend the inaccessible door-ways of Lanka here from all sides. I have nothing to do with a kingdom and what shall I do with Seetha? I have no intention to live, bereft of Kumbhakarna. If I cannot kill Rama, who killed my brother, in battle, I would indeed prefer death, but in no case this useless life which has no meaning. Now itself, I will go to that place, where my younger brother is there. I do not wish to live even for a moment, after abandoning my brothers."

"Seeing me, who did harm to them in the past, the celestials will indeed mock me. O Kumbhakarna! Now that you are dead, how can I conquer Indra the lord of celestials? Those words of that great-souled Vibhishana, which I did not accept due to ignorance, have come true. Ever since this cruel end of Kumbhakarna and Prahasta has happened, I am feeling shameful. Since that venerable Vibhishana, my pious brother was banished by me, this bitter fruit of that painful deed has come to me."

Having thus lamented very much piteously in various ways on coming to know that Kumbhakarna, his younger brother and the enemy of Indra having been killed, Ravana the ten-headed demon, whose inner feelings were agitated, even sank down, extremely disturbed.

Thus completes 68th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 69

As Ravana is lamenting over the death of Kumbhakarna, Trishira (one of Ravana’s sons) consoles him and says that he will go to the battle-field and kill Rama. Hearing the words of Trishira, Ravana’s other sons (Devantaka, Narantaka and Atikaya) also come forward to join the fight. Then Ravana sends all them to the battle. He also sends Mahodara and Mahaparshva, his brothers to guard his sons. Mighty demons accompany them. The demons release arrows towards the monkeys, who see the demons coming in elephants, horses and chariots. The monkeys take huge rocks and trees to fight with the demons. Seeing several demons being killed in battle, Narantaka enters the field with his javelin and kills several monkeys. Meanwhile, those monkeys who were thrown down unconscious by Kumbhakarna earlier regain their consciousness and approach Sugreeva for help. Then, Sugreeva sends Angada for the fight. Narantaka hurls his javelin towards Angada’s chest, but the javelin breaks and falls down. Angada strikes Narantaka’s horse with his hand and the horse falls down dead. Then, Angada and Narantaka exchange the blows of their fists on each other in battle and finally, Narantaka dies.

Hearing the words of the evil-minded Ravana, who was thus lamenting, as he was overcome with grief, Trishira (one of his sons) spoke as follows: “Truly in such a manner, the highly valiant Kumbhakarna, (the middle of our father and uncles) has been killed. But good persons like you do not lament as you are doing, O king! You are capable of conquering even the three worlds. Why are you, as such, lamenting about yourself, as a common person? You do continue to have a javelin given by Brahma, an armour, a bow and an arrow together with a chariot yoked to a thousand donkeys, emitting a sound resembling the rumbling of a cloud.”

“The celestials and giants were indeed destroyed several times by you with your various types of weapons. As such, you can punish Rama, when endowed with all weapons. You stay on, O monarch! I will set out and eradicate your enemies in battle, as Garuda the eagle eradicates the serpents. Beaten down by me, as Shambara by Indra and Naraka* by Vishnu, I will lay down Rama today in battle.”

* This Naraka was not naraka, the son of Mother Earth, who died at the hands of Lord Krishna. He was procreated through Simhika and Viprachitti. His six brothers were Vatapi, Namuchi, Ilwala, Shrimara, Andhaka and Kalanabha.

Hearing the words of Trishira, Ravana the king of demons considered himself as though born anew, after being summoned by Death.

Hearing the words of Trishira, Devantaka, Narantaka and the energetic Atikaya were rejoiced of war. Then, the brave Ravana’s sons, whose prowess was equal to Indra and the foremost of demons, roared asserting their superiority saying “I will lead, I will lead!”

All of them wee capable of passing through the sky. All were skilled in magic. All had humbled the pride of gods. All were fierce in battle. All were endowed with great strength. All were widely renowned. All were such as had never been heard of having been conquered by celestials or Gandharvas or Kinnaras or large serpents while encountering a battle.

All the demons were valiant ones, well-versed in weaponry. All were skilled in war-fare. All were greatly knowledgeable and all had obtained boons. That Ravana the king, surrounded by his sons, who were radiant as the sun and who tormented the strength and fortune of the enemies, shone like Indra surrounded by celestials who can destroy the pride of gigantic demons.

Embracing his sons, embellishing them with ornaments and blessing them profusely, Ravana sent them to battle. For the defense of his sons, Ravana sent Yuddhonmatta and Matta (better known as Mahodara and Mahaparshva), his brothers to the battle.

Those demons with colossal bodies, paid obeisance (by circumambulating) to Ravana (who caused the people to cry in terror) and departed. Anointing their bodies with all types of herbs and perfumes, those six mighty and excellent demons went away, eager to fight.

Trishira, Atikaya, Devantaka, Narantaka, Mahodara and Mahaparshva, under the clout of destiny; set out for the battle. Thereupon, Mahodara mounted an elephant called Sudarshana, like unto a dark-cloud and born in Airavata-race.

That Mahodara, adorned with quivers, endowed with all types of armoury and mounting the elephant, shone like the sun on the peak of Ashtachala mountain. Trishira, the son of Ravana, ascended an exquisite chariot, yoked to excellent horses and filled with all types of armoury.

Trishira, wielding a bow and mounting the chariot, shone like a cloud with glittering meteors, illuminations and a rain-bow. That Trishira with three diadems in that exquisite chariot, stood out like Mount Himavat, the king of mountains with its three golden hills.

Then, Atikaya, having very fiery energy, the son of Ravana and the foremost among the wielders of bow, mounted an excellent chariot. Atikaya mounted that chariot, having first-rate wheels and axles, well-yoked, having a good carriage and pole, filled with quivers and bows and flashingly full of missiles, swords and maces.

He was radiant with his diadem, shining in brilliant gold and other ornaments, like Mount Meru, causing to shine with its splendours (by the sun). In that chariot, Atikaya that mighty prince, surrounded by the foremost of demons, shone like Indra surrounded by celestials.

Narantaka mounted a white gigantic horse, similar to Uchchaishrava (the mount of Indra), adorned with gold ornaments and as swift as thought. Narantaka, holding a javelin, which was resplendent like a meteor, appeared shining, like Guha (the offspring of Shiva) holding a spear and riding a beautiful peacock.

Devantaka, holding a glided iron-bar, marched ahead, resembling an incarnation of Vishnu holding Mandara-mountain in his arms. Mahaparshva, possessing a great splendour and vigour and wielding a mace in his arm in battle, looked like Kubera the lord of wealth.

Those distinguished demons set out from. Lanka, like the gods leaving Amaravati. Mighty demons, holding excellent weaponry, accompanied them, mounting on elephants, horses and chariots making sounds of rumbling clouds.

Those mighty princes, having sun’s brilliance, wearing diadems and possessed of prosperity, shone like glowing planets in the sky. The row of auspicious attire worn by them, shone like an autumnal cloud or like a flock of cranes in the sky.

Determined either to die or to vanquish their enemies, those valiant demons went forward, thus making their courageous resolve, eager to fight. Those mighty demons set out with a mad conception of war, roared and made a reverberatory sound, took up arrows and dispatched them.

The earth trembled as it were, by their battle-cries and clapping of arms. The sky appeared breached, by the lion’s roars of the demons. Those mighty leaders of demons, having set out, were delighted to see the army of monkeys having uplifted rocks as their weapons.

The mighty monkeys too saw that army of demons, which appeared like a black cloud but blazing like fire and sun on all sides, abounding with elephants, horses and chariots, made to resound with hundreds of small bells and wielding well-raised great weaponry.

Seeing that army which arrived and as they got the target for their fight, the monkeys, having the great mountains uplifted, roared again and again. The monkeys, not tolerating the demons, thus shouted, standing opposite to them.

Hearing the enhanced noise of the leaders of the army of monkeys, the troops of demons who were terrible in might, not tolerating the rejoice of the enemies, then made a noise more terribly. Entering that terrific army of demons, those monkey-leaders, with their raised mountains, roamed about like mountains with their peaks.

Some monkeys entering the sky and some others enraged, staying on earth with trees and rocks as their weapons, wandered among the army of demons. The foremost among the monkeys, holding trees, having extensive branches, roamed about in the battle-field. That battle-front, filled with demons and monkeys, looked terrific.

Those monkeys, of terrific prowess, though impeded by a flood of arrows, initiated a matchless rain of trees, rocks and mountains. In the battle, the demons and the monkeys made a noise of lion’s roars. The monkeys pounded the demons with rocks.

The enraged monkeys killed demons wearing armours and ornaments. Some killed valiant demons, sitting or standing in chariots and also those demons mounted on elephants and horses. Valiant monkeys struck the demons vehemently. Those foremost of demons trembled, as their bodies were attacked by mountain-peaks and blows of fists, down and roared.

Those demons also pierced the foremost of monkeys with sharp arrows, striking them with spears mallets, swords, javelins and lances. There, the monkeys and demons having their limbs smeared with the blood of their foes, mowed each other with a desire to conquer each other.

Thereupon, within an instant, the battle-field became dampened with blood and covered by the mountains and swords thrown by the monkeys and demons. Then the battle-field became filled with dead bodies of demons, who had an ardent passion for battle, having their colossal bodies devastated and scattered all over.

The demons, already thrown down and still being thrown down, with their spears broken by the monkeys at that time, approached the monkeys and carried out a wonderful combat with their limbs, arms and legs.

Those foremost of demons struck the monkeys with their own corpses and the monkeys also struck the titans with their own dead bodies. Then, grabbing the rocks and mountains, those titans struck the monkeys with them. The apes too, snatching away their weapons, struck the titans.

The monkeys and demons fractured each other with crags and made a noise with lion’s roars. The titans, having their armours broken, as struck by the apes, emitted blood at that place, like trees oozing their sap. Some monkeys in the battle-front destroyed chariot with chariots, elephants with the very elephants and horse by the very horses.

The titans broke the trees and rocks of monkey-chiefs with their sharp arrows with their hoe-shaped head, those arrows with crescent-shaped head and those with spear-like head. The battle-field, filled with those mountains, broken trees and dead bodies of apes and titans, became difficult to be traversed.

Reaching the battle-field and abandoning their fear, all those monkeys, with their thrilling martial arts full of pride, nay, who were having various weapons (like trees, rocks, teeth and nails) and unrepressed in spirit, carried out battle with the demons. Seeing the monkeys rejoicing in that tumultuous battle which commenced and the demons falling down, the great sages and troop of celestials emitted shouts of triumph.

Meanwhile, mounting on a horse having speed equal to the wind, and taking a barbed javelin, Narantaka entered the terrific army of monkeys, as a fish entering the ocean. That valiant and mighty Narantaka, the enemy of Indra, single-handedly within an instant, rent asunder seven hundred monkeys with that shining javelin and killed that army of the foremost of monkeys.

Vidyadharas, the super natural beings and great sages, saw the mighty Narantaka, seated on the back of a horse and hacking a path way for himself through the army of monkeys. His path-way was covered with a mire of flesh and blood, along with heaps of fallen-down dead-bodes of monkeys, looking like hills.

Whenever the foremost of the monkeys thought of showing their valour, so often Narantaka overtook and cleaved them. He burn away the army of monkeys, as the fire burns away the forests. Even before the monkeys get time to uplift the trees and mountains, the javelin struck them and they fell down, as mountains riven by lightning.

That mighty Narantaka, the destroyer of men, roamed in all directions in the battle-field, holding up his shiny javelin, ravaging in all directions like the wind ravaging the earth in a rainy season. Narantaka, a single demon, equal to so many demons, struck the armies of mokeys with his javelin, having the sun’s splendour and they fell down on the earth.

Narantaka, a single demon, equal to so many demons, struck the armies of mokeys with his javelin, having the sun’s splendour and they fell down on the earth. Those monkeys were unable to tolerate the down-onslaught of the javelin, which was similar to the striking of a thunderbolt and they shouted with a great uproar.

The images of the falling monkeys were flashing like those of falling mountains, with their peaks shattered by a thunderbolt. Those great-souled and the foremost of monkeys, who were earlier thrown down by Kumbhakarna, regained their self and approached Sugreeva.

That Sugreeva, while looking on, saw the army of monkeys running away hither and thither, as they were tormented of the fear of Narantaka. To that Sugreeva who was seeing his army running away, Narantaka appeared, coming seated on the back of a horse, holding a javelin in his hand.

After seeing Narantaka, the vastly splendoured Sugreeva, the king of monkeys spoke thus, to Angada, the valiant prince, having a prowess equal to Indra’s (as follows): “Go out and quickly detach the lives of this valiant demon, who is riding a horse and consuming the army of his enemies.”

Hearing the words of Sugreeva his sovereign, that valiant Angada then came bouncing from his army, as the sun coming out of a cloud. Angada the excellent of monkeys, resembling a rocky mass, wearing bracelets on his upper arms, looked brilliant like a mountain with its metallic streaks.

Angada the son of Vali, bereft of arms but only nails and teeth besides having a great splendour, approached Narantaka and spoke the following words: “Stop! What can you do with these common monkeys? Throw your javelin, having the sensation equal to a thunderbolt, towards my chest.”

Hearing the words of Angada, Narantaka was very much enraged. The enraged Narantaka, tightly biting his lip with his teeth, hissing like a serpent, approaching Angada and firmly holding that highly radiant javelin, then quickly released it towards Angada. That javelin broke against Angada’s chest, that was as hard as a diamond and fell to the earth.

Then seeing his javelin shattered, like a serpent whose powerful coils were cut off by Garuda the eagle, Angada stretched out his palm and struck the head of the horse. That mountain-like Narantaka’s horse, struck by a blow of the palm, had its head shattered, feet broken, eyes and pupils put out and tongue come out. It fell down on the earth.

Seeing his horse fallen down dead, Narantaka was enraged. Raising his fist, that exceedingly powerful Narantaka in battle struck Angada on his head. Then, Angada having his head shattered by the blow of the fist, heavily oozed out very hot blood, repeatedly felt a burning sensation and swooned. On regaining consciousness, he was surprised.

Thereupon, the great-souled Angada, the son of Vali, clinching his fist and then with a force equal to death, rushed it against the chest of Narantaka. Having his chest deeply sunk back by that fist-blow, giving out flames and with his limbs smeared by blood, that Narantaka fell down as a mountain is broken up by the fall of a thundr-bolt.

When that Narantaka of great prowess was killed by Angada in battle, the chiefs of celestials and the monkeys too then emitted a great roar of triumph in the sky. Then, that Angada, who showed that forcible means, which was very difficult to do, and which rejoiced Rama’s intellect. So much so, Angada too was surprised. Thereupon Angada, of terrible acts, was infused with vigour and again showed enthusiasm in battle.

Thus completes 69th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 70

Mahodara, Trishira and Devantaka start attacking Angada. When Angada attacks them with trees, they chop off the trees and break away the rocks hurled at them. With a blow of Angada’s palm, Devantakas’s elephant falls down dead. Seeing Angada being surrounded by three valiant demons, Hanuma and Neela arrive there. With a blow of Hanuma’s fist, Devantaka dies. Trishira and Mahodara attack Neela with their arrows. Mahodara dies in the hands of Neela. Meanwhile, Hanuma and Trisira fight at each other. Hanuma finally kills Trishira, by chopping off his three heads by Trishira’s sword itself. Then, Mahaparshva, the demon comes to the battle field and attacks Rishabha, the monkey-warrior. By banging Mahaparshva’s mace on Mahaparshva Rishabha kills him.

Seeing Narantaka dying, Devantaka, Trishira and Mahodara the son of Pulastya the foremost of demons, wept. Mounting an excellent elephant, resembling a cloud, Mahodara hurrily attacked Angada of great energy.

The strong Devantaka, tormented at his brother’s calamity, then taking a terrific iron rod, ran towards Angada. Thereupon, the valiant Trishira, mounting a chariot resembling the sun and yoked with excellent horses, marched towards Angada. That Angada, being attacked by the three chief demons, who were capable of smashing the pride of celestials, uplifted a tree with its large boughs.

The valiant Angada hurled that large tree with big branches quickly on Devantaka as Indra the lord of celestials would a blazing thunderbolt. Trishira chopped off that tree with arrows looking like serpents. Seeing the tree chopped off, that Angada then sprang up. Thereupon, that foremost of monkeys streamed forth trees and rocks. The enraged Trishara chopped them off with his sharp arrows. That Mahodra broke those trees with the tip of his club. Trishira too with his arrows attacked the valiant Angada.

Marching ahead quickly towards Angada on an elephant, the enraged Mahodara struck on his chest with javelins looking like thunderbolts. Then, the enraged Devantaka with a speed, approached Angada, struck him quickly with a club and went off to a distance. Eventhough attacked at the same time by those three foremost of demons, that Angada of great prowess and splendour, did not get alarmed. The speedy and quite unconquerable Angada, acting with a great swiftness and attacking well, struck Devantaka’s elephant with his palm.

By that blow of Angada in battle, the eyes of that royal elephant fell down and that elephant died. Pulling out a tusk of that elephant in battle, the mighty Angada ran towards Devantaka quickly and struck him. That energetic Devantaka swayed to and fro in disorder, like a tree being tossed up by the wind and emitted plenty of blood with the colour of a lacquer.

Thereafter, the strong Devantaka of great splendour, recovering his breath with a great difficulty, then struck Angada violently, by firmly holding an iron rod. Then, Angada the son of king Vali, struck by the iron rod, fell down on his knees on the earth, but again jumped up.

While Angada, the son of Vali was jumping up, Trishira struck him with three terrific and straight-going arrows on his forehead. Noticing Angada being surrounded by the three demon-warriors, Hanuma and Neela went there. Thereupon, Neela then hurled a mountain-peak on Trishira. The intelligent Trishira the son of Ravana broke it by using his sharp arrows.

That mountain-peak, broken into pieces by a multitude of arrows, with its split up rocks, fell down with sparks of fire and flames. Seeing Hanuma rushing with enthusiasm in the battle-front, that strong Devantaka ran towards him with his iron rod.

Then, Hanuma the foremost of monkeys, while jumping up, struck on the head of Devantaka rushing upon him with his fist equal to a thunder-bolt. Then, the valiant and the strong Hanuma struck him on his head. That great ape made the demons shake with the sound.

That Devantaka, the son of Ravana, with his head crushed and broken by the blow of the fist, with his teeth and eyes coming out and with his tongue hanging down, swiftly fell down dead on the earth. When that Devantaka the mighty chief of demon-warriors and the enemy of celestials was killed in battle, the enraged Trishira showered a terrible rain of sharp-pointed arrows on Neela’s chest.

Again mounting an elephant resembling a mountain, as the sun mounting Mandara Mountain, that enraged Mahodara on his part, caused rain of arrows to fall quickly on Neela, like rumbling cloud with a circle of lightning, showers rain on a mountain. Thereupon, by the rain of a multitude of arrows, the body of Neela the commander of the army of monkeys became blown up. Thus the mighty Mahodara then made his loosened limbs paralyzed.

After regaining consciousness, Neela uplifted a mountain consisting of a number of trees and then jumping up with a great speed, struck with it on the head of Mahodara. That Mahodara, then shattered by the fall of that mountain and crushed by that large elephant too, lost his life and fell down on the earth like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt.

Seeing Mahodara his young paternal uncle killed. Trishira was enraged seized hold of his bow and struck Hanuma with sharp arrows. While that enraged Hanuma hurled a mountain-peak, the strong Trishira broke it into several pieces with his sharp arrows. Seeing that mountain-peak becoming useless, Hanuma then hurled a volley of trees towards Trishira in that battle-field.

The valiant Trishira chopped off that volley of trees descending on him, with his sharp arrows in the sky itself and roared aloud. Then, the enraged Hanuma on his part, bouncing up, tore asunder with his nails, Trishira’s horse, as a lion tears asunder a large elephant.

Thereupon, Trishira the son of Ravana seizing hold of a spear, as Yama the lord of death takes in his service Kalaratri, a night of all-destroying time, hurled it on Hanuma. Capturing that spear coming like a meteor in the sky, Hanuma the foremost of monkeys broke it, even without its descending on him and roared too.

Seeing that spear of a terrific form broken up by Hanuma, the monkey-troops were very much delighted and roared aloud like rumbling clouds. Thereupon, lifting up a sword, Trishira the foremost of demons them dug it into Hanuma’s breast.

Hurt by the thrust of the sword, the valiant Hanuma the son of wind-god, struck Trishira on his breast, with his palm. Struck by Hanuma’s palm, that Trishira of great splendour fell down unconscious on the earth with the weapons slipping from his hand.

Hanuma, that large ape, equal to a mountain in size, snatching away that falling sword of Trishira, roared loudly frightening all the demons there. Unable to bear that roar, the demon jumped up and struck Hanuma with his fist.

Enraged as he was by the blow of Trishiras’s fist, Hanuma seized hold of Trishira the foremost of demons by his head covered by his diadem. That enraged Hanuma the son of wind-god chopped off with that sharp sword, his three heads furnished with diadems and ear-rings, like Indra the lord of celestials chopped off the heads of Vishvarupa the son of Tvashta.

Those mountain-like heads of Trishira the enemy of Indra, having longish organs of senses and having fire-like blazing eyes, fell down on earth, as planets and stars drop from the track of the sun. When that Trishira, the enemy of celestials, having a prowess equal to that of Indra was killed, the monkeys made a loud noise. The earth trembled. Then, the demons ran away everywhere. Seeing Trishira, Mahodara and the invincible Devantaka killed, Matta (Mahaparshva) was enraged with indignation.

Then, Mahaparshva was holding a large mace, which was resplendent, completely made of iron, wound round with golden wires, filled with a froth of flesh and blood, satiated with the blood enemies, the upper most part of which was blazing with splendour, decked with red coloured garlands and which frightened the elephants supporting the quarters like Airavata, Mahapadma and Sarvabhauma.

Taking that mace, the enraged Matta, the foremost of demons, went quickly to the monkeys like the blazing fire at the end of the world. Then, a strong monkey called Rishabha came jumping and stood in front of that Mattanika (Mahaparshva), the younger brother of Ravana.

Enraged in seeing that Rishabha, looking like a mountain, standing before him, Mahaparshva struck him upon his breast with a mace equaling a thunderbolt. When he struck with his mace, the breast of that Rishabha the foremost of demons was broken. He then trembled and exuded blood profusely.

That Rishabha, the supreme monkey regained his consciousness after a long while and enraged as he was with his lips quivering, looked towards Mahaparshva. That Rishabha, the supreme monkey regained his consciousness after a long while and enraged as he was with his lips quivering, looked towards Mahaparshva.

With his body drenched in blood, that Mahaparshva suddenly fell unconscious on the ground, like a tree with its root cut off. Then, taking quickly Mahaparshva’s mace, which was looking like Yama’s rod, he roared loudly. Mahaparshva remained as though he was dead for a while. Springing suddenly after regaining his consciousness, that demon, whose colour resembled his consciousness, that demon, whose colour resembled an evening cloud, struck that Rishabha, the son of Varuna the lord of waters.

That Rishabha fell unconscious for a while on the ground. Rising after regaining consciousness and tightly holding just the same mace, which was looking like a large mountain-peak, banged it on Mahapatra in the battle-field. That terrific mace, reaching the body of Mahaparshva, the fierce demon, the enemy of celestials, sacrificial rites and Brahmanas, broke his chest. Mahaparshva started exuding copious blood, as a supreme mountain exudes water full of minerals.

The great souled Rishabha quickly ran towards the mace of that mighty Mahaparshva. Seizing that dreadful mace and striking it repeatedly on the floor, he struck it on Mahaparshva in the battle-front. Struck by his own mace, that Mahaparshva with his teeth and eyes fallen out, fell down like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt.

When that demon depleted his strength, burst open his eyes, with his long life gone away and fallen down on the ground, the army of demons ran away. When that Mahaparshva was killed, that army of demons, which was as extensive as an ocean, abandoning their weapons in the battle-field, fled for mere lives, like a sea which has burst its shores.

Thus completes 70th Chapter of Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 71

Seeing Atikaya, the colossal demon, coming towards him on a chariot, Rama asks Vibhishana who he is Vibhishana introduces Atikaya, as being a son of Ravana and Dhanyamali (another consort of Ravana). When some commanders of monkeys try to attack Atikaya, he chops off trees and crags hurled at him. Without fighting further with the monkeys, Atikaya, moves forward to Rama and challenges him for a fight. Then Lakshmana with his bow and arrows begins to fight with Atikaya. By a sharp arrow struck by Atikaya in Lakshmana’s chest, Lakshmana is enraged and releases an arrow employed with a missile of fire and Atikaya attacks it with an arrow employed with a solar missile. On the advice the wind-god appeared before him, Lakshmana finally hurls an arrow employed with a missile of Brahma and chips off the head of Atikaya.

Thus, this is the 71st chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Seeing his own army making a tumultuous sound tottering with excessive fear, seeing his brothers having a prowess equal to that of Indra the lord of celestials having been killed, and seeing his paternal uncles as also Yuddhonmatta and Matta (Mahodara and Mahaparshva) his brothers and the foremost of demons having been fallen down, Atikaya of great splendour, having boons bestowed by Brahma the lord of creation, having appearance of a mountain and who removed the pride of celestials and ogres, was enraged.

That Atikaya, the enemy of Indra the lord of celestials, mounting a chariot shining like a cluster of thousand suns, ran towards the monkeys. Wearing a crown and well-cleansed ear-rings as also drawing his bow, he roared with a big noise, making his name loudly heard.

By that lion-like roar, making his name loudly heard and by that terrific sound of the bow-string, it created terror to the monkeys. Seeing the bulkiness of his body, all the monkeys, thinking that Kumbhakarna woke up again, took refuge with each other, afflicted as they were, with fear.

Seeing his form appearing like Vishnu who strided over the three worlds in three steps, the those renowned monkey-warriors with fear, ran away hither and thither. When Atikaya was to be attacked, the monkeys were bewildered in mind and sought in the battle, a refuge with Rama, who affords protection.

Then, Rama saw from a distance, Atikaya, who resembled a mountain in size, stationed in a chariot, armed with a bow and rumbling like a cloud appearing at the time of universal dissolution. Seeing that Atikaya, having a colossal body, Rama for his part was quite surprised and after consoling the monkeys, spoke to Vibhishana (as follows):

 “Who is he, resembling a mountain in size, armed with a bow, brown-eyed and seated in a spacious chariot yoked with a thousand horses?” He is shining like Lord Shiva surrounded by genii, with resplendent and sharp spikes, with very sharply barbed javelins and lances.

 “He is shining like a lightening cloud and moving round with staffs which support the banners of the war-chariot, appearing like tongues of the Time-Sprit. Bows adhered with golden backs in his excellent chariot are shining on all sides like a rainbow in the sky. That warrior of demons, the eminent of charioteers, making the battle-front to shine, is coming in a chariot with the splendour of the sun, with arrows having gleams of sun-beams, shining in ten directions and embellishing brilliance by an emblem of Rahu installed on the point of his standard.”

 “His triply curved, golden backed and decorated bow, having a rumbling sound of the cloud, is shining like a rain-bow. His large chariot, with its flag and emblem, with its axle-tree at the bottom, and having the sound of a cloud’s lightning, consists of four charioteers.”

“Twenty quivers, ten terrific bows and eight bow-strings, golden and reddish brown in colour, are abiding in his chariot. On that chariot are hanging two swords, clearly measuring ten cubits in length and provided with measuring four cubits, casting their splendour on his two sides.”

 “This brave warrior, with a red garland adorning his neck, resembling a large mountain black in colour and having a month as large as Death, looks like the sun veiled by a cloud. With his arms adorned with gold armlets, he shines like the Himalaya, the highest mountain with its two lofty peaks.”

 “His awfully dreadful face, with two ear-rings, is shining like a full moon appearing between the two stars constituting the constellation, Punnarvasu. O the long armed! Tell me who this foremost of demons is! On seeing him all the monkeys, afflicted with fear, are running away in different directions.”

Thus asked by Rama, the prince having an unlimited splendour, that Vibhishana of great brilliance, replied to Rama as follows: “The ten-necked king Ravana, having great brilliance, the brother of Kubera the lord of wealth, doing terrific deeds and possessing a great power, is the lord of demons. To him, there is a valiant son, equal to Ravana in combat, who serves elders, holding that which is heard from them and skilled in the use of weaponry. He is respected for his counsel, for his rides on the backs of horses and elephants, for his drawing out of the sword and the bow, for his strategy winning over to his side by sowing dissention negotiation and bribery and for his steering capacity of an army.

 “He is Atikaya, the son of Dhanyamali. Lanka is feeling fearless, by resting on his arm. He, who purified his soul by meditating on the universal soul, worshipped Brahma the lord of creation, obtained missiles too and conquered the enemies. Brahma, the lord of creation, granted a boon, exempting him from death at the hands of celestials and demons as also this wonderful armour and the chariot shining like the sun.”

 “He conquered the celestials and the ogres several times, destroyed Yakshas the supernatural beings and defended the demons. He is Atikaya, who paralyzed the thunderbolt of the intelligent Indra with his arrows. He struck down the noose of Varuna, the seizer of transgressors. This wise Ravana’s son, who is strong and the foremost of demons took off the pride of celestials and ogres. O Rama, the foremost of men! Therefore let the effort to destroy him be made quickly. Otherwise shortly, he will bring in destruction for our army of monkeys, with his arrows.”

 Entering the army of monkeys, the strong Atikaya then stretched his bow and roared again and again. Seeing him with a terrific body, seated in the chariot, as the excellent one among the charioteers, powerful chiefs of monkeys rushed towards him.

Taking trees and mountain peaks, Kumuda, Dvivida, Mainda, Nila and Sharabha marched forwards quickly to attack him at once. Atikaya of great splendour, the foremost among those skilled in weaponry, chopped off their trees and crags with his arrows decked with gold. That strong and skilled Atikaya with a terrific body, struck all those monkeys, facing in front of him in battle with arrows fully made of iron.

Those overthrown monkeys, injured with their blown out bodies, by the shower of Atikaya’s arrows in that great battle, were unable to retaliate on him. That demon, who was arrogant of his youth, frightened that army of monkey-warriors, as an enraged lion frightens a herd of deers.

That chief of demons did not strike whomsoever of the monkey-warriors who were unable to fight. That Atikaya, with his bow and quiver of arrows, going up quickly towards Rama, spoke haughty words (to him) as follows: “I am seated in the chariot with arrows and a bow in my hand. I would not give battle with any common warrior. He who has ability and energy can give his fight to me now and here quickly.”

 Hearing his words, Lakshmana the annihilator of enemies was enraged. Then, unable to bear his words and smiling, he rose up quickly and took up his bow. The enraged Lakshmana, coming forward quickly and taking off an arrow from his quiver pulled out his great bow in front of Atikaya. That twang of the bow of Lakshmana, filling the entire quarters, earth, sky and the ocean, was angry, frightening the demons. Hearing the terrific twang of Lakshmana’s bow, the strong Atikaya of great splendour, was surprised.

Seeing Lakshmana standing in front of him for the battle, Atikaya then was enraged and taking a sharp arrow, spoke the following words: “O Lakshmana! You are still a boy. You are ignorant of a fight. Why do you wish to fight with me, who is like Yama the Lord of Death? Go away. Even the Himalayan Mountains or the sky or the earth would be unable to endure the speed of arrows released by my arms. You wish to arouse a fire of dissolution, when it is sleeping happily. Placing your bow here, go back. Do not lose your life, by fighting against me. If you do not go back, with an obstinance, then you rather stay back. Abandoning your lives, you will reach the abode of Yama.”

 “See my sharp arrows decked with pure gold, which can remove the pride of my enemies and which are like the weapons of Ishvara the lord of destruction. This arrow looking like a serpent will drink your blood as a lion drinks the blood of an elephant. Thus speaking, Atikaya was enraged and fixed an arrow on his bow.”

Hearing the words of Atikaya, filled with anger and arrogance in that battle-field, Lakshmana was enraged. Thereafter, that Lakshmana, having a great strength wisdom and great glory, also spoke as follows: “O the evil-minded! Just by uttering mere words, you cannot by a very important person. People cannot become good persons, just by boasting of themselves. You rather show your strength in me, who is standing with an arrow in hand and wielding a bow. Reveal yourself by your deeds. You do not deserve to boast of yourself. A person with valour alone is declared as a warrior.”

 “You are seated in a chariot, with all the weaponry and wielding a bow. Show your prowess either by your arrows or even by your weapons. Thereupon, with sharp arrows, I shall strike down your head like a fruit of a fan-palm, ripened by its time, is fallen down from its stalk by the gust of a wind. Today, these arrows of mine decked with pure gold, will drink blood oozing forth from the holes formed in your body by the sharp points of my arrows. Thinking me to be a boy, you need not disregard me. Either as the boy or as the aged, you indeed know me in battle-front as the god of Death. Vishnu, as a boy occupied the three worlds just with his three strides, Didn’t he?”

Hearing the reasonable and highly meaningful words of Lakshmana, Atikaya was very much enraged and took out an excellent arrow. Then, Vidyadharas the supernatural beings, Bhutas the spirits, Devas the celestials, Daityas the demons, Maharshies the great sages and Guhyakas a class of demi-gods, all the great souled ones saw that battle.

Thereafter, the enraged Atikaya, stringing an arrow to his bow, dispatched it towards Lakshmana, as though he were shrinking up the space in between. Lakshmana, the annihilator of enemy-warriors, chopped off that serpent-like sharp arrow, which was falling down on him, with his crescent-pointed arrow.

Seeing that arrow which was chopped off as a snake’s hood severed into pieces, Atikaya was very much enraged and fitted five arrows to his bow. That demon hurled those arrows towards Lakshmana. Even before they reached him, Lakshmana chopped them off with his sharp arrows. Cutting off those arrows with his sharp arrows that Lakshmana, the destroyer of enemy-warriors, took up a sharp arrow, as though it was blazing with a glow.

Taking that arrow, Lakshmana harnessed it on his excellent bow, stretched it with force and released it. That valiant Lakshmana, by a flat-jointed arrow released fully, struck it on the forehead of that excellent demon. That arrow, sunken into the forehead of that terrible demon, smeared with blood, appeared like a serpent-king on a mountain.

The demon, tormented by Lakshmana’s arrow, then trembled violently as when the terrific town-gate of Tripura City, (built of gold, silver and iron in the sky, air and earth by Maya for the demons) was struck by Shiva’s arrow.

That demon of great strength, recovering his breath, reasoningly reflected as follows: “Well! By flying down an arrow, you have become a commendable enemy for me.” Thus speaking with his mouth wide open, Atikaya bent down with his large shoulder, ascended the top of his chariot and roamed about hither and thither by his chariot.

Atikaya, the foremost of demons, seized hold of one, three, five and seven arrows and fixed them to his bow, stretched it and released the arrows. Those arrows, released from the bow of Atikaya, the leader of demons, appearing as Death, with golden shafts and shining like the sun, set the sky ablaze. Thereupon, Lakshmana coolly chopped off those gluts of arrows released by that foremost of demons, by the multitude of his sharp arrows.

That Atikaya, of great splendour, fixing that arrow to his bow and by instantly releasing it, struck the approaching Lakshmana in the middle of his chest. That Atikaya, of great splendour, fixing that arrow to his bow and by instantly releasing it, struck the approaching Lakshmana in the middle of his chest. Struck in battle by Atikaya in his chest, Lakshmana oozed out blood severely, like the fluid exuding from a rutting elephant.

That powerful Lakshmana, then quickly made himself freed from that arrow-head, took up a sharp arrow and fixed it with a missile. When Lakshmana employed the missile of fire on his arrow, that arrow of the great souled Lakshmana and as also the bow, caused a flame to blaze.

Atikaya of great splendour took up a solar missile and employed it on that arrow, having a golden shaft as also looking like a serpent. Meanwhile, Lakshmana hurled at Atikaya, that blazing and awful arrow employed with that mystic missile as Yama the lord of Death would hurl his rod of destruction.

Seeing that arrow charged with a mystic missile of fire, Atikaya the demon then released the awful arrow charged with the solar missile. Those two arrows, having their points blazed in splendour, struck at each other in the sky, like two enraged serpents.

Those two excellent arrows, eventhough they were both blazing, did not radiate any longer on the earth’s surface, in that they were without a flame and had been reduced to ashes. Thereupon, the enraged Atikaya released an arrow made of cane (a missile) presided over by Tvasha (the architect of gods). Then, the valiant LakShmana chopped off that missile, by his missile presided over by Indra the lord of celestials.

Seeing his arrow made of cane struck down, that young Atikaya was quite enraged and fixed his arrow with a missile presided over by Yama the lord of retribution. Thereupon, Atikaya hurled that missile on Lakshmana. That Lakshmana struck it down by a missile presided over by the wind-god.

Then, the furious Lakshmana showered forth hails of arrows on Atikaya, as a rainy cloud showers hails of down-pour. Reaching Atikaya, those arrows with the points of their shafts shattered on his armour, adorned with diamonds and instantly fell on the earth’s surface.

Seeing those arrows becoming unsuccessful, the highly famous Lakshmana the annihilator of enemy-warriors, showered forth arrows in thousands. Atikaya, that mighty demon, though deluged with a flood of arrows, was not agitated in battle because of the inviolability of his armour.

Atikaya released an arrow having a serpent-like form on Lakshmana. Struck by that arrow on his vital parts, that Lakshmana, the tormentator of his enemies, felt unconscious just for a moment. Having regained his consciousness, the mighty Lakshmana, the annihilator of enemies, with his flood of arrows threw down the flag-staff and killed the horses and the charioteer in combat, with his four excellent arrows.

Free from flurry, that Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, released those arrows, exactly aiming at that demon, for the purpose of killing him. Lakshmana, the best among men, was not able to afflict any injury to Atikaya in battle. Then, the wind-god came to him and spoke to him as follows:  “He, endowed with a boon by Brahma the lord of creation, is cloaked by inviolable armour. Split him with a missile of Brahma. He cannot be killed by any other means. The mighty Atikaya, with that armour, cannot be destroyed by other missiles.”

Then, hearing the words of the wind-god, Lakshmana having a prowess equal to that of Indra the lord of celestials, adjusting his arrow with a missile presided over by Vrahma, quickly directed the arrow with a terrific force. While fixing that excellent missile on that superior sharp-pointed arrow by Lakshmana, all the quarters, the sun, the moon, the great planets and the sky were frightened. Earth also made an uproar. Having charged the missile of Brahma on that arrow with the feathers and all, equal to a messenger of Yama the lord of Death over his bow, Lakshmana released that arrow looking like a thunderbolt on Atikaya, the son of Ravana.

Atikaya saw that arrow, released with augmented force by Lakshmana, moving so fastly as the wind, having beautiful wings with variegated feathers and looking like a thunderous thunderbolt, approaching him in battle. Seeing that arrow, Atikaya quickly struck with several sharp arrows. That Lakshmana’s arrow, with a speed equal to Garuda the eagle, thus reached Atikaya’s proximity.

Seeing that blazing arrow, looking like Yama the lord of Death and black in colour, approaching him, Atikaya then struck it with spike, spear, mace, axe and arrows. Then, that arrow, blazing like fire, made in vain those weapons of wonderful form and taking Atikaya’s head, carried it away. That head with its diadem, chopped off by Lakshmana, quickly fell down on the ground, like a peak of the Himalayan Mountain.

Seeing Atikaya falling on the ground, with his clothes and ornaments scattered away, all the surviving demons became perturbed. Many of those depressed demons, dejected as they were, showing fatigue born of fighting, in their faces, suddenly began to shout loudly, with their voices in discordant notes.

As their leader was dead, the demons were then frightened and becoming indifferent to fight, went running away all around, with their faces turned towards that City of Lanka. When the dangerous demon with the terrific strength was killed, the multitude of monkeys then were endowed with a great delight, with their faces looking like full blown lotuses and worshipped Lakshmana who got his desire fulfilled.

Throwing down in battle, that Atikaya who was exceedingly strong and looking like a cloud, Lakshmana was greatly delighted and while he was being worshipped by the multitude of monkeys, thereupon quickly hastened towards the proximity of Rama.

Thus, this is the 71st chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 72

Having been informed that Atikaya, Dhumraksha, Akampana, Prahasta, Kumbhakarna and other mighty demons are killed in battle, Ravana felt anxious. He is surprised as to how Rama and Lakshmana got released from the bind of arrows, made by Indrajit, his son earlier. He feels that no demon is capable of defeating Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and Vibhishana. He enjoins demons to protect the City of Lanka and even Ashoka garden, where Seetha has been kept in capture. He asks the army not to be indifferent to the movements of the monkey-warriors. After issuing the necessary instruction to his army, he enters deep into his palace and remains boarding over the loss of Atikaya, his son.

Hearing Atikaya having been killed in the hands of the great-souled Lakshmana, Ravana was worried and spoke as follows:  “Dhumraksha, who was greatly impatient Akampana who was excellent among all wielders of weapons, Prahasta and Kumbhakarna were killed by Rama, who was unwearied in battle. The mighty and valiant demons longing for battle, who conquer the adversaries, who was never defeated in battle by the enemies they along with their enemies were killed. Many other mighty warriors.”

 “That day, Indrajit, my son, whose strength and prowess are renowned, bound both Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers with terrific arrows, on which boons had been conferred. That terrific bind of arrow cannot be released by any celestial or a mighty demon or by Yakshas the supernatural beings or Gandharvas the celestial musicians or Pannagas the serpent-demons. Rama and Lakshmana, the two brothers were released from that tie of arrows either by their power or by their sorcery or by their marvel I do not know that.”

 “All of those valiant demon-warriors set out for battle, at my command, were killed by those exceptionally mighty monkeys. I do not find any demon, who can destroy the valiant Rama along with Lakshmana, Sugreeva and Vibhishana accompanied by their army in battle now. By Rama’s valour, the demons were destroyed. Alas! How great is Rama’s strength! How great is the power of his arrow!”

 “Some regiments of the army have to protect this City and even Ashoka garden where Seetha is being guarded, vigilantly on all sides. We should know the locations of army-regiments and also the places where persons are exiting and entering at all times, again and again.”

 “O demons! Stay on all sides with your respective armies. The various positioning of those monkeys are to be watched. Indifference should not be shown to monkeys in any way at any time, either at evening or at midnight or at dawn. You have watch whether the army of adversaries is fervently active or advancing or staying where it was.”

Hearing those words of Ravana, all the mighty demons then precisely carried it out forthwith in its totality. Having thus instructed all of them, Ravana the king of demons, suffering from prickly sorrow and depression, penetrated deeply into his palace. Blazed as he was with a fire of anger, Ravana the mighty lord of demons, then remained broading about the loss of his son (Atikaya) and also sighing again and again.

Thus, this is the 72nd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
 

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 73

Seeing Ravana, his father looking lamented after hearing the death of Ravana’s sons and brothers, Indrajit promises to destroy Rama and Lakshmana. He sets out, for the battle, accompanied by his army. After reaching the battle-field, Indrajit performed a sacrificial ritual there, duly making an oblation to the fire. After performing the sacrificial rite, Indrajit goes himself invisible into the sky. Indrajit then showers multitude of arrows towards the monkeys and the monkeys lose their consciousness. Indrajit tears asunder principal monkey-warriors by his maces and arrows. Then, he rains a multitude of arrows of Rama and Lakshmana. Rama says to Lakshmana that he along with Lakshmana can act as thought they fell unconscious, so that Indrajit can return to Lanka, boasting of his laurels of victory. Grievously hurt on the battle field by the missiles of Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana along with the whole army of monkeys fell unconscious.

Then, those surviving troops of demons hastily told Ravana that Devantaka, Trishira, Atikaya and other foremost of demons had been killed. Thereupon, suddenly hearing of those who had been killed, Ravana the prosperous king of demons, having his eyes filled with profuse tears; boarding over the terrific destroyal of his son as also the death of his brothers, contemplated for long.

Then, seeing Ravana the king, miserably submerged in a sea of sorrow, Indrajit, Ravana’s son, the best among charioteers, spoke to him as follows: “O father, the king of demons! You ought not to get embarrassed, while Indrajit is alive. Anyone who is struck by Indrajit’s arrows cannot indeed protect his life. Today, you will see Rama along with Lakshmana, with their bodies undistinguished, scattered and dead, lying down on the floor, with their limbs diffused all over. Listen to Indrajit’s promise, which is very firm, backed by valour and divine blessing. Now itself, I will overwhelm Rama together with Lakshmana unfailing flood of arrows.

 “Now itself, Indra, Yama, Vishnu, Rudra, Sadhyas (a class of celestial beings), the fire-god, the sun and the moon can see my unlimited prowess, like the terrific prowess of Vishnu (in his dwarf incarnation as Vamana) in the enclosure where a sacrifice was being performed by Bali, the demon-king.”

 Thus speaking, that Indrajit, with an undepressed mind, after seeking permission from the king, mounted his chariot with a speed equal to that of wind and yoked with excellent donkeys. That greatly resplendent Indrajit, the annihilator of enemies, having ascended a chariot looking like the chariot of the sun, quickly went to the battle-front.

Many mighty demons with terrific prowess, with joy, holding excellent bows in their hands, carrying lances, sharp-edged spears, swords, axes and maces as also armed with Bhushundis (probably a kind of fire arms), mallets, cudgels, Shataghnis (cylindrical piece of wood studded with iron spikes) and iron rods, followed that great souled Indrajit. Some rode on the back of elephants, some ascended excellent horses, tigers, scorpions, cats, donkeys and camels, looking.

That valiant Indrajit swiftly went to the battle-field with full blasts of couches and kettle-drums. Indrajit, the tormentator of enemies, with a parasol white as a couch and the moon, shone like the sky with the full moon. The valiant Indrajit, the foremost among all the wielders of bow and decked with gold ornaments, was being fanned then with supremely charming whisks with handles of gold.

Seeing that son setting out with a large army, that glorious Ravana, the king of demons, spoke as follows: “O my dear son! There is no charioteer who can stand you as your rival. Indra the lord of celestials was conquered by you. You can kill Rama, a mere human being, who is assailable. How much more can I tell?” After hearing these words of Ravana Indrajit accepted his great blessings. With that Indrajit, having a splendour equal to that of the sun and having no warrior who can stand him as his rival, the City of Lanka shone, like the sky shining with the sun.

Reaching the battle-field, Indrajit of great splendour, the annihilator of enemies, stationed his demons around his chariot. Then, that foremost of demons, having a radiance equal to that of fire, with excellent sacrificial incantations, performed a sacrifice, as per rules, making an oblation to the fire.

That valiant leader of demons offered oblations to fire there, with garlands and pounded sandalwood, including clarified butter and parched grain. That sacrificial rite was performed with weapons serving as reeds, chips of Vibhishaka tree serving as fuel, then using red pieces of cloth and the sacrificial ladle made of iron.

Duly spreading fire with reeds (in the form of other weapons) accompanied by lances there, Indrajit elapsed the neck of a live goat of dark hue (for offering it to the fire as an oblation). From the great fire of flames, set ablaze by that offering having been thrown into it acting at once without smoke, appeared such signs as had beckoned victory (of the past).

The fire, resembling the molten gold, rising up on its own and having flames revolving from left to right, accepted that oblation. Indrajit, who was skilled in the use of mystic missiles, invoked the missile presided over by Brahma and charged it on his bow, chariot and all.

While that missile was being invoked and the sacrificial fire propitiated, the firmament including the sun, the moon, other planets and lunar mansions trembled with fear. Having propitiated offering in fire, Indrajit, having a splendour shining like the fire, having a might similar to that of Indra, and possessing an unimaginable prowess, became himself invisible in the sky, with the bow, arrows, sword, chariot, horses, charioteer and all.

Then, the army of demons, extensive with horses and chariots, embellished by banners and flags, set out with a desire to fight, roaring. They killed the monkeys in the battle-field with many wonderful and ornamental arrows, possessing great velocity as also lances and goads.

Seeing those demons, the most enraged Indrajit on his part spoke to them as follows: “All of you fight enthusiastically with an intent to kill the monkeys.”

 Roaring with a desire for victory, all those demons thereafter terribly rained showers of arrows on monkeys. That Indrajit, on his part, along with his demons in the battle-field, destroyed the monkeys with Nalika (broad-headed) arrows, steel arrows, maces and clubs. Those monkeys, wielding trees as their weapons, being struck in the battle-field, quickly rained mountains and trees on Indrajit.

Indrajit the son of Ravana, on his part, possessing great splendour and great strength, was enraged and wounded the bodies of the monkeys. Bringing enormous delight to the demons that enraged Indrajit severed off the monkeys by nines, fives and sevens with a single arrow.

That most invincible chief of demons, with arrows decked with gold, having brilliance equal to the sun, destroyed the monkeys in battle. Those monkeys, tormented by the arrows in battle, with their limbs severed, fell down with their aspirations shaken, like the great demons fallen down by the celestials.

Those excellent monkeys with anger attacked Indrajit, who was tormenting them like the sun with his terrific ray-like the sun with his terrific ray-like arrows. Then, all the monkeys, with their bodies severed, having lost their consciousness and perturbed as they were, having their limbs dampened with blood, took to their heels.

Those monkeys, wielding mountains as their weapons, roaring in the battle field, without turning back, abandoned their lives, showing their courage for the sake of Rama. Continuing to stay in the battle-field, those monkeys rained trees, mountain-peaks and rocks on Indrajit.

Indrajit of great splendour and the conqueror of battles, kept off that great rain of deadly hail of trees and rocks. Thereupon, the capable Indrajit with his arrows, identical of fire and looking like serpents in battle, split the armies of monkeys.

Indrajit struck Gandhamadana with eighteen sharp arrows and also struck Neela, who was standing at a far-away place, with nine arrows. Indrajit having a great prowess, struck Mainda with seven arrows, which can tear asunder vital parts and also struck Gaja with five arrows in battle.

Indrajit then struck Jambavan with ten arrows and Nila with thirty arrows. He also struck Sugreeva, Rishabha, Angada and Dvivida with sharp and terrific arrows endowed with boons and made them breathless. That enraged Indrajit, then looking like an excited fire that is to destroy the world, tormented other chiefs of monkeys too with many arrows.

He harassed the armies of monkeys’ fast-moving arrows looking like the sun in their splendour. That enthusiastic Indrajit, with a great pleasure, saw that exclusive army of monkeys, drenched in blood and tormented by a multitude of arrows.

Indrajit, the son of Ravana, possessing a great splendour power and strength, again generating a terrific rain of arrows and weapons, destroyed the army of monkeys from all sides. Leaving off his army from that great battle-field and becoming invisible, Indrajit advanced towards the monkeys and quickly rained terrific hail of arrows on those armies of monkeys, as black cloud downpours the rain.

In that battle, those mountain-like monkeys as victims of conjuring tricks with their bodies torn into pieces by Indrajit’s arrows and roaring as they were with discordant notes, fell down on earth, like mountains struck by Indra’s thunder bolt. Those monkeys in battle saw only arrows with pointed tips falling on the armies of monkeys. They could not see there, that Indrajit the demon, the enemy of Indra, remaining concealed by his conjuring trick.

Then, the mighty Indrajit, the leader of demons, covered all the quarters with hundreds of sharply pointed arrows, having splendour of the sun and tore asunder the monkey-chiefs. Indrajit excessively rained on the army of monkeys’ pikes, swords and axes, shining like augmented and flaming fire and shooting forth incandescent flames with sparks.

Struck by the Indrajit’s arrows, shining brightly as fire, the monkey-commanders then looked like Kimshuka trees bearing crimson flowers. Those excellent monkeys, torn asunder by that chief of demons, approaching at each other and roaring in a discordant tone, fell down on the ground.

Banged in the eyes by arrows, some monkeys looking up towards the sky, joined each other and fell down on the floor. With lances, spikes and sharp arrows, charged with sacred texts, Indrajit the excellent demon struck all those foremost of monkeys, namely Hanuman, Sugreeva, Angada, Gandhamadana, Jambavan, Sushena, Vegadarshina, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Kesari, Hariloma, Vidyuddamshtra, Suryanana, Jyothimukha, a monkey called Dadhimukha, Pavakaksha, Nala as also a monkey named Kumuda.

Tearing asunder the principal monkey-warriors by maces and arrows, which were of golden colour, that Indrajit rained a multitude of showers of arrows equal to sun’s rays on Rama and Lakshmana.

Ignoring that showering rain of arrows, as though they are mere showers of rain, that Rama of the most wonderful luster, looking around thoroughly, then spoke to Lakshmana as follows:  “O Lakshmana! This Indrajit, by a great missile, is throwing down our army of monkeys and tormenting us incessantly with his sharp arrows. How can the mighty and composed Indrajit on whom a boon has been bestowed by Brahma and who has concealed his terrible form who stands with his weapons uplifted eventhough his body is visible be killed in the battle today?”

 “I think the self-born Brahma who is the source of the universe is inconceivable and this missile is presided over by him. O wise one! Remaining undistracted in mind, you bear along with me today the hail of arrows here. Let this chief of demons, who is surpassing all, be covered with a multitude of showers of arrows. This entire army of Sugreeva, whose leading warriors have fallen, looks no more charming.”

 “Finding both of us fallen unconscious without displaying any joy or anger as also having desisted from fighting, Indrajit will certainly return to Lanka, after having obtained laurels of battle in its beginning itself.”

 Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana there became struck by a multitude of arrows of Indrajit. That leader of demons also there, causing affliction to both of them, roared with a thrill of rapture in battle. Thus causing the army of monkeys along with Rama and Lakshmana to become despondent in battle, that Indrajit, getting eulogized by the demons, quickly reached the city of Lanka which was being protected by Ravana’s arms. Then, Indrajit cheerfully informed all that had happened, to his father.

Thus, this is the 73rd chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 74

After having been struck by Brahma’s missile released by Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana became unconscious. Sixty-seven crores of monkeys fainted. Hanuma and Vibhishana, however in consciousness, roared about in the battle-front with torches in their hands, making a search of Jambavan. They find Jambavan. Jambavan requests Hanuma to proceed to Himalayas, by crossing over the ocean and to bring four important herbs, viz. Mrita Sanjivani, Vishalya karani, Suvarna karani and Sandhani; so as to bring succour to the fainted army of monkeys. Hanuma begins his journey to Himalayas and reaches Mount Rishabha, where the wonderful herbs exist. Hanuma searches for the four wonderful herbs. But the herbs appear invisible for him. Hanuma uproots the mountain clothed with the four celestial herbs and carries it along with him. Inhaling the odour of those herbs, Rama, Lakshmana and all the monkeys regain their normal health.

Then, in the battle-front, Rama and Lakshmana were knocked down senseless. The army of monkey-leaders fainted. Sugreeva, Nila, Angada and Jambavan could not understand what to do. Seeing the entire army looking worried, Vibhishana, the best among the intelligent ones, spoke the following matchless words, consoling the warriors of Sugreeva, the lord of monkeys:

 “Honouring the spell sacred of Brahma the creator, the two sons of the venerable Dasaratha have actually lost their free will and became dejected and have allowed themselves to be knocked down by the missiles of Indrajit. Hence do not be afraid. There is no occasion for despondency now. This excellent missile, presided over by Brahma the creator, with never-failing strength, was given to Indrajit by Brahma. Honouring it, Rama and Lakshmana the princes fell down in battle. This not a time for despondency here.”

Then, the intelligent Hanuma, the son of wind-god, paying honour to the missile presided over by Brahma and hearing the words of Vibhishana, spoke the following words: “Let us restore to confidence whosoever is in this army of energetic monkeys, after having been struck by the missile.”

Both those valiant ones, Hanuma and Vibhishana, together at that time of the night, roamed about in the battle-front, with torches in their hands. Hanuma and Vibhishana saw the battle-field, covered on all sides, with mountain-sized monkeys fallen with heir tails, arms, thighs, feet, fingers and heaps of heads fractured with blood oozing from their limbs and urine flowing out. The earth was also covered with flaming weapons fallen around.

Vibhishana and Hanuma saw Sugreeva, Angada, Nila, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Gavaksha, Sushena, Vegadarshi, Mainda, Nala, Jyotimukha and a monkey called Dvivida, who were struck down on the battle-field.

Sixty seven crores of powerful monkeys were struck down by the cherished missile of Brahma, the self-born creator, in the fifth and last period* of the day.

 *The twelve hours of the day were commonly divided into five parts consisting of six Ghatikas (or two hours and twenty four minutes) each. They were known by the names of PraataH (early morning), Sangava (forenoon), Madhyaahva (midday), Aparaahna (afternoon) and Saayaahna (evening).

Hanuma, along with Vibhishana, began to search for Jambavan, while looking at the terrific army (wounded by the arrows) which appeared like the tide of an ocean.

Looking at Jambavan, the son of Brahma, who was naturally bequeathed with old age, an elderly person, with his body conspicuous of hundreds of arrows and a valiant person looking like an extinguishing fire, Vibhishana approached him and spoke as follows: “O Vibhishana, the leader of demons, with a great prowess! I am able to recognize you by your voice alone. Pierced with sharp arrows, I am not able to see you with my eyes. O Vibhishana, of good manners! Does Hanuma, the foremost among monkeys, because of whom, Anjana (his mother) and the wind-god are his blessed parents survive, holding his life any where nearby?”

Hearing the words of Jambavana, Vibhishana spoke the following words, “why do you enquire about Hanuman, passing over the venerable sons of Dasaratha? O venerable one! The exceptional affection, you are showing towards Hanuma, is not being shown towards Sugreeva or Angada or even Rama.”

Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Jambavan replied as follows: “O the foremost among demons! Listen to me, why I am enquiring about Hanuma. If that brave Hanuma is surviving, the whole army even if killed, is unhurt. On the other hand, if Hanuma has given up is life, we are all dead, even though living.”

 “O dear child! If Hanuma, who is equal to the wind and the fire in prowess, survives; then there is a hope for all of us to survive.’

Thereafter, Hanuma the son of wind-god approaching the elderly Jambavan, offered his salutation, by grasping the feet of Jambavan with modesty. Hearing the voice of Hanuma, Jambavan, the foremost among monkeys, with perturbed senses, considered himself as though born again.

Thereafter, that Jambavan of great splendour spoke to Hanuma as follows: “Come on, O foremost of monkeys! You ought to protect the lives of monkeys. You are the great companion for these monkeys, by your copious prowess. There is no other person. This is the appropriate time to show your prowess. I do not see any other person to do it.”

 “Cheer up the martial warriors of both monkeys and bears. Heal Rama and Lakshmana from their arrow-wounds. O Hanuma! You ought to go to Himalaya, the foremost of mountains, by traveling higher and higher over the large ocean. O annihilator of enemies! Thereafter, you will see there the Mount Rishabha, the excellent mountain and the very much powerful peak of Kailasa, with a golden hue.”

 “O valiant Hanuma! In the midst of these two peaks, you will see a blazing and unequally brilliant herbal mountain, containing all kinds of herbs. O foremost of monkeys! Sprouted on the head of that mountain, are four blazing herbs. You can see them, illuminating the ten quarters.”

 “You can see there, Mrita Sanjivani (capable of restoring the dead to life), Vishalyakarani (capable of extracting weapons and healing all wounds inflicted by weapons), Suvarnakarani (restoring the body to its original complexion) and Sandhani, the great herb (capable of joining severed limbs or fractured bone). O Hanuma! Bring all those herbs quickly. O son of wind-god! Bring succour to the monkeys, by injecting lives into them.”

Hearing the words of Jambavan, Hanuma the son of wind-god was infused with animated strength, as the ocean gets animated with the force of the wind.

Standing on the summit of Trikuta mountain and pressing the foremost of mountains (with his feet), that valiant Hanuma appeared like a second mountain. Then, increasingly pressed and bent by Hanuma’s feet, that mountain was not able to bear its weight and sank.

The trees on that mountain, pressed by Hanuma, fell to the ground and caught fire due to rapidity of Hanuma. Its peaks also got broken. The monkeys were unable to stand on that excellent mountain, which started to reel, while being pressed severely by Hanuma, as the trees standing on it and the rocks got broken.

Confounded with panic, the City of Lanka, whose principal gates were broken, whose houses and town-gates were shattered, appeared as though dancing at night. Pressing hard the mountain, Hanuma equal to a mountain, caused the earth along with the ocean to shake.

From that mountain, Hanuma then ascended Mount Malaya, appearing as Mounts Meru and Mandara, filled with several kinds of cascades, full of many trees and creepers, having Kamala and Utpala lotuses blooming, visited by celestials and celestial musicians, having a height of sixty Yojanas (four hundred eighty miles), frequented by Vidyodharas, a number of sages and Apsaras the nymphs, filled with various kinds of animal-troupes and illuminated by many caves, Hanuma grew his body, appearing like a cloud, bewildering Yakshas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras.

Pressing the mountain hard with his feet, opening his terrific mouth which shone like a submarine fire and frightening the demons, Hanuma roared loudly. Hearing his loud noise, roaring clamorously, the foremost of demons residing in the City of Lanka, were not able to stir anywhere.

Hanuma of terrific prowess, annihilator of his enemies, after offering salutation to the ocean, made up his mind to embark on a prime act for the sake of Rama. Raising his tail which resembled on serpent, bending his back, contracting his ears and opening his month which shone like a terrific submarines-fire, Hanuma jumped into the sky, with a head long speed.

By his velocity, he carried away a multitude of trees, mountains and some ordinary monkeys. Driven up and away by the momentum generated from his arms and thighs, they fell down in water when their speed diminished. Stretching his arms, looking like coils of serpents, that Hanuma vying with the prowess of hostile Garuda the eagle, headed towards the excellent mountain of Himalayas, with gush as though he was drawing away the four quarters.

Beholding the sea, whose waves along with its water were made to agitate and all whose creatures were caused to whirl round, Hanuma quickly speeded up, like the discuss loosed by the fingers of Lord Vishnu. Gazing at the hills, flocks of birds, lakes, rivers, pools and excellent towns full of people, that Hanuma with a speed equal to that of the wind-god his father, shot forth towards Himalayas.

That valiant Hanuma, with a prowess equal to that of his father, whose fatigue was gone, swiftly rushed, taking recourse to the orbit of the sun. With a great speed of wind, reverberating the four quarters with sound, Hanuma the foremost of monkeys, hastened towards Himalayas.

Remembering the words of Jambavan, Hanuma the great monkey with a terrific stride, suddenly saw Mount Himalaya too. Hanuma went to Mount Himalaya, the foremost of mountains, embellished with various kinds of cascades, many kinds of caves, mountain-streams and summits resembling an assemblage of white clouds as also many kinds of trees.

Having approached that great mountain having excellent overbearing summits, he saw great holy hermitages, inhabited by a multitude of divine sages. He saw the abode of Brahma the lord of creation, Kailasa the abode of Shiva the lord of dissolution, the abode of Indra the lord of celestials, the arrow-discharging place of Rudra, the worshipping place of Hayagriva, the horse-faced form of Vishnu, the shining place at which Brahma’s head fell down, the sun-god and Kimkaras.

He saw the abode of Agni the fire-god, the abode of Kubera (son of Visrava) shining like the sun, the spot where the sun was tied down, the abode of Brahma, the abode of bow belonging to Lord Shiva and the novel of the earth (containing the hole through which one can enter Patala the nethermost subterranean region).

He saw the gigantic Mount Kailasa, the rock of Mount Himalaya (on which Lord Shiva is believed to have practiced austerities and abstract meditation) and Mount Rishabha, the lofty golden mountain, which was highly illumined by the flaming herbs and the lord of mountains on which all types of herbs grew.

Seeing that mountain shining with a heap of fire, Hanuma the son of wind-god, who is the envoy of Indra, was surprised to see that great mountain of herbs and then made a search for the herbs. That Hanuma, the great monkey, having crossed thousands of yojanas, walked around that mountain, searching for the heavenly herbs.

Knowing then that somebody was coming in search of them, all the distinguished herbs on that mountain disappeared from Hanuma’s view. In not seeing them thus, that great souled Hanuma was enraged. He made a loud noise in anger unable to bear it, Hanuma with his eyes as red as the fire, spoke the following words to the prince of mountains. “O prince of mountains! Is it quite sure that you have not shown any compassion for Rama? If it is so, overcome by the strength of my arms; find yourself shattered to pieces today.”

 Fiercely seizing hold of the top of that mountain, furnished with thousands of minerals, with its trees, elephants and gold, with the projections of mountain shattered and the crest of its plateau set on fire, at once sprang up with speed. Having uprooted that mountain, frightening the worlds together with the leaders of celestials and demons inhabiting them and being praised by many aerial beings, Hanuma sprang up into the sky and proceeded expeditiously with the terrible speed of Garuda the eagle.

Grasping that mountain-peak, radiant as the sun, that Hanuma who resembled the sun, having reached the orbit of the sun, shone as a second sun (as sun’s image) in the vicinity of the sun. In the sky, with that mountain in his hand, that Hanuma the offspring of the wind-god, who resembled a mountain himself, appeared mostly like Vishnu with his flaming discuss with its thousand edges holding his hand.

Then, seeing Hanuma, the monkeys made a noise. Seeing them, Hanuma in turn roared in delight. Hearing their awfully excessive noises the inhabitants of Lanka roared still more terribly. Thereupon, the great souled Hanuma descended on that prince of mountains (Trikuta) in the midst of that army of monkeys. Having offered salutation to the illustrious monkeys there with his head bent low, he then embraced Vibhishana

By inhaling that fragrance of those great herbs, both Rama and Lakshamana became healed of their wounds then and there. Other monkey-warriors rose up. By the fragrance of those most powerful herbs, all those monkey-warriors who were earlier dead were healed momentarily of their wounds, relieved of their pain, even as those who are asleep fully get up at the close of night.

From the day the monkeys and demons began to fight in Lanka, from that day onwards, under the orders of Ravana, all those demons, who were being killed by the foremost of monkeys were being thrown away into the sea as and when they were killed, merely or the sake of honour (so that their number may not be known to the monkeys). Then, Hanuma the son of wind-god, with a great speed, carried away that mountain of herbs quickly back to the mountains of Himalayas and again joined Rama.

Thus, this is the 74th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 75
 

King Sugreeva asks Hanuma to arrange for setting ablaze the City of Lanka. With torches in their hands, some monkeys throw fire to all parts of Lanka. The City, burnt by the monkeys within a short time, assumed like the earth burning at the time of a terrific dissolution of the world. Getting healed of their wounds, Rama and Lakshmana take their bows to resume fighting. Gates and buildings in the city are tumbled down by Rama’s arrows. Ravana gets enraged and sends Kumbha and Nikumbha the sons of Kumbhakarna along with other demons to the battle. A terrific fighting ensure between the monkeys and the demons. All the monkeys finally surround the army of demons in all sides.

Then, Sugreeva of great majesty, the king of monkeys spoke (the following) meaningful words to Hanuma, in order to inform him what they should do next.  “Since Kumbhakarna and his four sons were killed, Ravana cannot give any defense now. Let those dexterous monkeys, possessing the strength of lions, taking torches in their hands, rush towards Lanka quickly, in order to set ablaze the abode of Ravana.”

Then at the sunset of that awful evening, those foremost of the monkeys, went towards Lanka, with torches in their hands. When the troops of monkeys, with torches in their hands, attacked Lanka on all sides, the diversely eyed demons who were holding the position of guards, suddenly fled away. Those monkeys, feeling gladdened, threw fire to the towering gates, attics, streets, various byways and mansions.

Then, the fire consumed thousands of houses of demons. Mansions of mountainous forms fell down on the ground. Aloe, excellent sandalwood of great value, pearls, glossy gems, diamonds and corals were burnt there. Linen, charming silk, blankets of sheep’s wool, various kinds of ram’s wool, gold ornaments and weapons were burnt there.

The ornaments, saddles etc. of diverse and peculiar designs of horses, the chains worn round the neck of the elephants as also their girths and polished ornaments meant for the chariots were also burnt. Coats of mail of the warriors, the armour of the elephants and horses, swords, bows, bow-strings, arrows, lances, goads and javelins were burnt there.

The fire raging on all sides burnt blankets and rugs made of the hair of animals, whisks made of the hair of the tails, the skins of tigers, many birds, palaces inlaid with pearls and gems and various kinds of stores of arms. Then, the fire burnt away many kinds of bright coloured houses of all demons, who were greedily desirous of their homes. The fire there burnt away hundreds and thousands of inhabitants of Lanka, who were protected by gold coloured armoury and decked with garlands, ornaments and garments, with quivering eyes due to inebriation, moving with lustful walking, who were seized with fury against their enemy, who carried maces, pikes and swords in their hands, who were eating and drinking too or lay fast asleep on splendid beds with their loved ones and who were decamping quickly to all sides, taking their sons with them, frightened and fearing up again and again.

The fire there burnt away the houses, which were strong, very valuable, with profound qualities, decked in gold with moon shapes and crescent shapes, which rose high with their top rooms, provided all round with beautiful windows, furnished with seats coaches etc., decorated with gems and corals, as though touching the sky, rendered noisy with notes of herons, peacocks, veena the Indian lute and the jingling of ornaments as also appearing like mountains.

Surrounded by fire, the arch-ways shone like a collection of clouds bound by lightning, at the end of a summer season.

The houses, surrounded by fire shone like the peaks of a large mountain, ignited by a forest-fire. Getting scorched in fire, beautiful women, while lying fast asleep in their seven-storeyed mansions, gave up all connection with their ornaments and screamed loudly, saying “ah! Alas!”

The houses too, surrounded by fire there, fell down like peaks of a great mountain, struck by the thunder-bolt of Indra. Those houses, while being burnt, shone, from afar, like the peaks of Himalayas being consumed by fire on all sides. That City of Lanka at night with its house-tops being burnt ablaze with flames, looked like Kimshuka trees in full bloom.

With their elephants let loose by the superintendents of the elephants and horses too set free, Lanka was like an ocean, with roaming alligators in it at the end of a world-cycle. Here, seeing a horse being let loose, an elephant went back frightened. There, seeing a frightened elephant, a horse turned back with an alarm.

While Lanka was being burnt, the great ocean, with its image reflected on its waters, assumed like a great sea with red waters. That City burnt by the monkeys, within a short time, became transformed like the earth burning at the time of terrific dissolution of this world.

The noise of the women-folk, who were burnt by fire and covered with smoke, roaring loudly, was heard upto one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles). Then the monkeys, eager to fight, bounced suddenly upon the other demons, whose bodies had been severely burnt and who rushed out (to save their lives).

The loud noise made by the monkeys and the cry of the demons caused resounding of all the ten quarters, the ocean and the earth. Healed of their wounds and unperplexed, both those great souled princes, Rama and Lakshmana seized hold of those two excellent bows.

Thereupon, Rama pulled his excellent bow, making a tumultuous twang, which struck terror in demons. Rama, drawing his great bow, was as shining at that time as Lord Shiva (the source of Universe), stretching his bow, consisting of the Vedas in a great wrath (as at the time of dissolution of the Universe).

The twang of the bow-string of Rama could be heard above both of those sounds. The sound of the monkeys and the cry of the demons. The raised voice of the monkeys, the cry of the demons and even the twang of Rama’s bow-string these three sounds pervaded all the ten quarters.

By the arrows released from Rama’s bow, the main gate of that City looking like a peak of Mount Kailasa, tumbled down, shattered, to the ground. Thereupon, seeing Rama’s arrows descending on seven-storeyed mansions and other houses, the war-preparedness of the leaders of demons got disturbed.

To those demoniac leaders, who were preparing for the battle and emitting lion’s roars, that night became a night of final dissolution (presided over by Rudra, the lord of destruction). The monkey-chiefs were commanded by Sugreeva as follows: “O monkeys! Approaching the nearest gate, begin to wage the war. Even though present at the scene of fighting, he among you who proves futile by an escape, should be overtaken and killed as he will be quality of disobeying the royal command.”

Seeing those monkey-chiefs, standing at the gate, with flaming torches in their hands, Ravana was enraged with fury. All the ten directions were distracted because of Ravana’s act of disorderly movement of his body due to yawning and he looked like the wrath manifest in the limbs of Rudra appearing with a form.

The enraged Ravana sent both Kumbha and Nimkumbha, the sons of Kumbhakarna, along with a multitude of demons. By the orders of Ravana, Yupaksha, Shonitaksha, Prajangha and Kampana along with the aforesaid sons of Kumbhakarna set out for the battle.

Ravana instructed all those mighty demons thus, “O demons! Proceed now itself, bellowing a lion’s roar.” Incited by Ravana, the valiant demons then, wielding shining weapons and roaring repeatedly, sallied forth from Lanka. By the gleams of ornaments worn by their own natural splendour, those demons and monkeys with their fires, made the sky fluorescent on all sides.

The effulgence of the moon there, the light of the stars and the splendour of the ornaments of both the armies, while blazing, made the sky brilliant. The effulgence of the moon, the splendour of the ornaments and the fluorescence of the blazing planets made the armies of monkeys and demons glitter on all sides.

With the flames of the half-scorched houses there, the ocean on its part with its agitated waves mingled with water, shone abundantly. That army of demons was looking awful with flags and banners, with excellent axes shaped like swords, consisting of terrific horses, chariots and elephants, crowded with foot-soldiers of every description, distinguished by shining pikes, maces, swords, spears, lances and bows, noted for its redoubtable valour and prowess, with shining lances and rendered noisy by hundreds of tiny bells (tied around chariots, elephants etc), the arms of its warriors adorned with sets of gold ornaments, their axes being brandished, mighty weapons being waved about, arrows fitted to the bows and the whole atmosphere rendered fragrant by the abundance of sandal paste, garlands and wine.

Seeing the army of demons, which came crowded with gallant warriors, thundered like a huge cloud which was difficult to assail, the army of monkeys marched forth and made a loud noise. That large army of demons on its part went springing forward with all speed, towards the hostile army, as moths towards a flame.

The excellent army of those demons, in which iron clubs and the tips of missiles being brandished through the action of their arms, shone all the more brightly. Thereafter, the monkeys desirous to fight there, striking the demons with trees, rocks and fists, jumped up as though frenzied. Likewise, the demons with their terrific prowess instantly tore off the heads of those monkeys bouncing upon them, with sharp arrows.

The demons there strolled in the streets of Lanka, with their ears bitten off with teeth, their skulls smashed with fists and their limbs broken by crag blows. Even so, some demons with terrific form struck those chiefs among the monkeys, with sharp swords, on all sides of the battle field.

One warrior killed the one who was killing another, a second one threw down the one throwing down another; a third one scolded another who was scolding the other one; while a fourth one chewed the one chewing another. There, one said “Give me the blow. Another said, “He is giving”. Yet another said, “I am giving” some talked with one another, saying “Wait. Why do you take pains?”

In that very terrific war between monkeys and demons, some weapons were made futile. Some weapons were dug into armours. Long lances were lifted up. Fists, pikes, swords and spears were used as weapons of war. In the battle-front, the demons killed monkeys in tens and sevens. The monkeys too threw the demons down in tens and sevens. Catching hold of the army of demons, whose hair and raiment’s were kept in order with difficulty and whose armours and standards were thrown away, the monkeys surrounded them on all sides.

Thus, this is the 75th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 76

Angada kills Kampana and severely injures Shonitaksha, the demons in battle. Angada, along with Mainda and Dvivida the monkey-warriors encounter Shonitaksha, Yupaksha and Prajangha. Angada kills Prajangha. Shonitaksha dies in the hands of Dvivida and Youpaksha at the hands of Mainda. When Kumbha throws down Angada in the battle-field, Rama sends some more monkey-chiefs headed by Jambavan. Sugreeva, with his thunderbolt-like fist, strikes Kumbha with a heavy blow and kills him.

While that terrific battle, which destroyed many eminent heroes, was in progress, Angada, who was eager to fight, attacked the valiant Kampana. Calling Angada to fight, Kampana with fury, rapidly struck him with a mace in anticipation. Violently hit by him, Angada was reeled.

Restoring consciousness, the energetic Angada hurled a mountain peak. Tormented by that stroke, Kampana fell down on the ground. Then, seeing Kampana killed in battle, Shonitaksha fearlessly rushed there towards Angada quickly in a chariot.

He then swiftly struck Angada with sharp pointed arrows which can tear up the limbs and with fire-like forms which can destroy the world. He struck with many sharp arrows by the names of Kshura, Kshurapra, Naaraacha, Vatsatanta, Shilimukha, Karni, Shalya and Vipatha. The strong and powerful Angada, the son of Vali, with his wounded limbs, crushed his terrific bow, chariot and darts with his might.

Then, Shonitaksha quickly took a sword and a shield. Enraged as he was, he swiftly jumped down (from his chariot) unhesitatingly. Springing forward more swiftly, seizing hold of him with his hand and snatching away the sword, the strong Angada made a lion’s roar. Angada the foremost of monkeys the sword into the flat surface of his shoulder and cut him from left to right diagonally.

Taking hold of that large sword and repeatedly roaring, Angada rushed towards the other surviving enemies in the battle-front. Taking hold of that large sword and repeatedly roaring, Angada rushed towards the other surviving enemies in the battle-front. That valiant Shonitaksha, wearing golden armlets, restoring his consciousness, took an iron mace and rushed quickly towards the same Angada.

The strong and the great warrior, Prajangha on his part, along with Yupaksha, was enraged and rushed towards the mighty Angada with his mace. Angada, the chief of monkeys, between the two warriors, Shonitaksha and Prajangha, shone like a full moon between the two asterisms known as Vishakhas.

Protecting Angada, Mainda and Dvivida took their position near Angada, with an intent to exhibit each of their own martial skill. The mighty demons with their colossal bodies retaliated and rushed in anger, wielding swords, arrows and maces, towards the monkeys. A great battle, causing hair to stand on end, was waged by the three monkey-chiefs who encountered the three excellent demons.

In the battle-field, the monkeys, seizing hold of trees, hurled them against the demon-chiefs. The mighty Prajangha, however, cut them down with his sword. The monkeys in the battle-field hurled trees and rocks towards chariots and horses. The mighty Yupaksha chopped them off with a flood of arrows.

Shonitaksha, the valiant and the powerful demon, chopped off the trees uplifted and hurled by Dvivida and Mainda with his mace in the midway itself. Prajangha, lifting a large sword, which can chop off vital parts of the enemies, rushed swiftly towards Angada.

Then the mighty Angada, who was exceedingly strong, seeing him coming nearer, struck him with an Ashvakarna tree. Angada struck, with his fist, the arm of Prajangha, holding the sword. By that blow, the sword fell on the ground. Seeing that sword looking like a pebble (in shape), which fell on the ground, the mighty Prajangha tightened his thunderbolt like fist.

When that Prajangha of great splendour struck Angaa, the excellent monkey with a great strength on his forehead, Angada shuddered for a moment. That Angada of splendour and prowess, restoring his consciousness, struck with his fist and shattered Prajangha’s head off his trunk.

That Yupaksha, with tears filled in his eyes because of the death of his paternal uncle in battle, quickly took a sword as his arrows were exhausted and descended from his chariot. Seeing that Yupaksha rushing on him, Dvivida hurriedly struck Yupaksha on his chest and with a rage, forcibly caught hold of him. Seeing his mighty brother being seized, Shonitaksha, of great splendour, then struck Dvivida on his chest. That mighty Dvivida, struck by Shonitaksha was tottered; but pulled off the platter’s mace when lifted again on him.

Meanwhile, Mainda came nearer to Dvivida and banged Yupaksha on his chest with his palm. Those two demons, Shonitaksha and Yupaksha, who were full of violence, carried on a keen contest with the two monkeys in the battle field, by pulling and overthrowing them vehemently and severely.

The valiant Dvivida, after splitting open shonitaksha’s face with his claws, threw him down on the floor by his strength and crushed him down. Mainda, the foremost of monkeys, was enraged and pressed Yupaksha with his arms. Yupaksha fell down dead on the ground.

That army of demons, which was perturbed with their great warriors killed, then moved with its face turned towards the place where Kumbha (the son of Kumbhakarna) was carrying on battle. Kumbha, restored to confidence, that army which was coming towards him with speed. Then, seeing the army of demons whose chief-warriors were thrown down by the most powerful monkeys who could fulfill their aim, the powerful Kumbha then performed a great feat which was very difficult to do in a battle.

That Kumbha, the foremost among the wielders of bow, taking his bow and fully composed, released serpentine arrows which can split open the bodies. That excellent bow of his, fitted with an arrow, shone like a second bow of Indra (the rain-god), illumined by flashes of lightning and the splendour of Airavata (the elephant carrying Indra on its back).

By that arrow with a golden shaft and fastened with feathers, drawn upto his ear and discharged, he then struck Dvivida. Suddenly struck by that arrow, that excellent monkey possessing a splendour of Mount Trikuta, was perturbed, with his feet swaying to and fro and fell down throbbing.

Beholding his brother defeated in that great battle, Mainda there on his part, taking a large rock, rushed with speed to attack the demon. While that mighty Mainda hurled that rock towards the demon, Kumbha broke that rock into pieces with his five shining arrows.

Stretching another arrow resembling a serpent and with a good pointed tip, Kumbha of a great splendour, struck it on the chest of Mainda the brother of Dvivida. As that blow of Kumbha’s arrow struck that Mainda, the monkey-chief, on his vital parts, he fell unconscious on the ground.

Seeing both his mighty maternal uncles wounded, Angada rushed speedily towards Kumbha, who was standing with his bow uplifted. With five steel arrows and with three other sharp-edged arrows, Kumbha pierced that Angada advancing towards him, as on would pierce an elephant with goads.

That valiant Kumbha pierced Angada with a multiple of sharp arrows, decked in gold, with edges which were harsh and sharp. Angada, the son of wind-god, though pierced all over the body with sharp arrows, was however not shaken. He showered a rain of rocks and trees on Kumbha’s head.

The glorious Kumbha the son of Kumbhakarna chopped off all those trees hurled by Angada and burst off the rocks further. Seeing Angada the monkey-chief rushing upon him, Kumbha pierced his brows with his brows with his arrows, as an elephant would be struck with flaming torches.

Since Angada’s blood was oozing out, his eyes were covered with blood; Covering his eyes, dampened with blood, with one hand, he caught hold of a Sala tree nearby with another hand. In the battle-field, propping that tree with branches and all, on his chest, holding it with his hand and bending a little, Angada uprooted it from the ground.

While all the demons were looking on, Angada hurled that tree-which was tall like Indra’s banner and resembled Mount Mandara in size. That Kumbha chopped off that tree with seven sharp arrows which were capable of splitting asunder the body. That Angada was very much perturbed and fell down, swooning.

Seeing the unconquerable Angada fallen down and sinking into depression as though in an ocean, the monkey-chiefs informed the matter to Rama. Hearing of Angada being seized with anguish in that great combat, Rama sent out for help, leaders of monkeys, headed by Jambavan.

Hearing Rama’s message, those excellent monkeys were very much enraged and quickly rushed towards Kumbha who was wielding a bow in his hand. With an intent to defend Angada, the monkey-chiefs then holding trees and rocks in their hands and with their furious blood-red eyes, rushed on.

The enraged Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi, the monkey ran up towards Kumbha the son of Kumbhakarna to attack him. Seeing those mighty monkey-chiefs coming nearer to him, Kumbha covered them with a flood of arrows, as one would obstruct the course of a stream by means of a rock.

Reaching the range of his arrows, the great souled monkey-chiefs were unable even to look at him, much less advance towards him, any more than a great ocean would overstep its shore. Seeing those troops of monkeys being tormented by a flood of arrows, Sugreeva the king of monkeys, keeping Angada his brother’s son in the rear, rushed headlong towards Kumbha in the battle, as a swift lion would bounce upon an elephant walking along the slopes of a mountain.

Uprooting many large trees beginning with Ashvakarna and many kinds of trees, Sugreeva the king of monkeys hurled them on Kumbha. The illustrious Kumbha, the son of Kumbhakarna, with his sharp arrows, chopped off that down pour of trees, which was obscuring the sky and which was difficult to be assailed.

The trees, chopped off with his sharp arrows by the brutal Kumbha, skilled in hitting his target, shone like terrific Shataghnis (stones or cylindrical pieces of wood studded with iron spikes). Seeing that shower of trees chopped off by Kumbha, the mighty and illustrious Sugreeva of valour was not disturbed.

Enduring those arrows being hit, Sugreeva snatched away Kumbha’s bow, possessing the splendour of a rain-bow and broke it all at once. Thus bouncing swiftly and doing that most difficult task, the enraged Sugreeva spoke (as follows) to Kumbha, who was looking like an elephant with a broken tusk.

 “O Kumbha, the elder brother of Nikumbha! Both your prowess and the swiftness of your arrow are wonderful. Both Ravana and you are equal in complaisance towards demons and the majesty too exists. “O Kumbha, the compeer of Prahlada, Bali, Indra (the destroyer of the demon Vritra), Kubera (the god of riches) and Varuna (the god of water)! You alone are born with a likeness of your father (Kumbhakarna) who was exceedingly strong.”

 “The celestials cannot surpass even you alone, with a spike in hand, who can destroy the enemy with your large arms, as mental agonies cannot overwhelm the one who subdued his senses. Hence, exhibit your prowess, O demon of great intellect and see my exploits. Because of the boon received by him, Ravana your uncle is able to attack the celestials and demons. But Kumbhakarna (your father) on his part is tolerating the celestials and demons.”

“You are equal in archery to Indrajit and in prowess to Ravana. Hence, you are now the foremost in strength and heroism among the demon-folk. Let the created beings see your great wonderful fight with me in the battle field today, as they saw that fight between Indra and Shambara, the demon.”

 “You have performed an incomparable task. You have also shown your skill in missile weaponry. You have struck down these monkey-heroes possessing a terrific prowess. O valiant demon! Since you look tired after performing your martial duty, I did not kill you, with a fear of public censure. Identify my strength, after taking some rest.”

Kumbha was thus honoured with those insulting words of Sugreeva. Kumbha’s splendour then enhanced, like the splendour of the sacrificial fire, when a melted butter is offered to it as an oblation. The reopen, Kumbha pressingly clasped Sugreeva in his arms. Then, they stood breathing heavily again and again as elephants in rut, having their bodies fastened against each other, rubbing one another and emitting a flame to blaze with smoke from their faces because of their fatigue. The battle-ground sank under the trampling of their feet. With their waves whirled about, the ocean became turbulent. Then tossing up Kumbha, Sugreeva threw him down speedily into the ocean, showing him the bottom of the sea.

Due to the hurling down of Kumbha, the fully risen sea, reaching a height of as to that of Mount Vindhya, diffused on all sides. The enraged Kumbha, then jumping up and throwing down Sugreeva, struck him on his chest with his thunderbolt-like fist. Sugreeva’s armour was burst asunder. Even blood appeared oozing out of his chest. His cage of bones gave a counter-strike to that awfully forceful fist. Then, by the force of that fist shot forth there, a mighty flame resembling the fire that bursts up on Mount Meru, was born out of a stroke of lightning. Thus struck by Kumbha there, that mighty Sugreeva, the chief of monkeys, tightened his fist which appeared like a thunderbolt. The valiant Sugreeva forcefully descended his fist, which shone like the solar disc encircled by a thousand rays, on the breast of Kumbha.

That Kumbha, very much hurt by that blow, was exhausted and then fell down, like fire whose flame has extinguished. Thus struck with Sugreeva’s fist, that demon fell down suddenly, as the planet Mars, of splendid rays, would drop down from the sky accidentally. When Kumbha was killed in battle by Sugreeva the chief of monkeys, possessing a terrific prowess, the earth with its mountains and forests trembled. Too much fear seized the demons.

Thus, this is the 76th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
 

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 77

Seeing Kumbha his brother killed in battle, the enraged Nikumbha with an iron club as his weapon roars and faces the battle. Hanuma directly attacks Nikumbha, by striking his fist forcibly on Nikumbha’s breast. Unmoved by that blow, Nikumbha lifts Hanuma, off the ground. Hanuma in retaliation frees himself and throws down Nikumbha on the ground. Hanuma descends on Nikumbha, pounds his chest with his fist, catches his head and tears it off. Thus, Nikumbha dies at the hands of Hanuma.

Seeing his brother stretched on the ground, Nikumbha cast angry looks at Sugreeva, as it would burn him into ashes. Then, Nikumbha of firm mind grasped his iron club, stupendous like the crest of Mount Mandara and which was bright, festooned with wreaths and provided with iron plates, measuring five digits in breadth.

Round it ran a broad strip of gold while diamonds and rubies studded it all over. Like the death-dealing rod of Yama, it seemed causing dismay to the monkeys and nerving the demons with courage. Wielding that weapon, which in size resembled the flag-staff of Indra, Nikumbha of terrific prowess, roared with his mouth yawing wide. On his chest shone a medal of gold. His arms were held by beautiful bracelets. Lustrous pendants depended from his ear. Resplendent garland enfolded his neck. With these ornaments and with his club, Nikumbha assumed the threatening semblance of a cloud, with lightning and thunder and shot with a vivid rainbow.

The strong Nikumbha, with his arms as strong as his club, hurled his club having sun-like splendour, on the breast of that mighty Hanuma. The sky above appeared whirled around in the toss of Nikumbha's club, as though Alaka the City with the palaces of Gandharvas performed rapid revolutions and the moon and the stars and the planets joining the rotating race.

The hot tempered fire of Nikumbha, which had his club and ornaments for its flame and his fury as its fuel, became dangerous to be approached, like the fire rising at the time of dissolution of the world. The demons and the monkeys too, out of fear, were unable even to make the slightest movement. The mighty Hanuma, on his part, stood alone among them, with his breast bared to the fury of the attack, in front of Nikumbha.

The strong Nikumbha, with his arms as strong as his club, hurled his club having sun-like splendour, on the breast of that mighty Hanuma. The titanic club, which fell on the wide and rock-like chest of Hanuma, at once shattered into hundreds of fragments, like hundreds of meteors shattering into the sky. That Hanuma, struck by that blow of the club, was unmoved like a mountain in an earthquake. Thus struck by him, the mighty Hanuma the monkey-chief clenched his fist forcibly.

The greatly splendoured, powerful and swift Hanuma, with the violence of the wind-god, his father, lifting that fist, struck it against, Nikumbha’s breast with force. By the blow of that fist there, his armour got split up and red blood profusely oozed out, as a black cloud streaked suddenly with fierce lightning. But, by that blow, Nikumbha was unmoved, recovered soon and grasped the unwieldy bulk of Hanuma.

Seeing the mighty Hanuma lifted off the ground in battle, loud roar of exultant joy rose from the ranks of demons. Eventhough he was being carried off in that way by that demon, Hanuma the son of wind-god, struck him with his thunderbolt-like fist.

Freeing himself from Nikumbha, Hanuma the son of wind-god then threw him down on the ground and treated him with blows. Throwing down Nikumbha by main force and with a supreme effort, Hanuma descended on him, leaped on his chest and pounded it mercilessly.

Then with both hands, he caught the enemy’s neck, twisted it about and tore off his huge head, while Nikumbha was horribly roaring. Then, while the roaring Nikumbha was killed in battle by Hanuma, there ensued an exceedingly terrific struggle between the enraged Rama and Makaraksha, son of Khara, a ruler of demons. When it was clear that Nikumbha had expired, the monkeys shouted with glee, the quarters thundered with satisfaction, the earth rocked with joy, the heaven appeared to crumble and fear seized the army of demons.

Thus, this is the 77th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 78

Ravana orders Makaraksha to proceed to the battle-field with an army and to kill Rama, Lakshmana and the monkeys. Makaraksha, surrounded by his army of demons, set out for the encounter. Makaraksha’s whip and flag staff fall down all of a sudden, by the will of providence and a dust-storm ensued. Ignoring those portents, Makaraskha’s army march forward in the battle-field, to reach Rama and Lakshmana.

On hearing of Nikumbha and Kumbha having been killed, Ravana was very much flared up like fire. Engulfed with both anger and sorrow, Ravana ordered the wide-eyed Makaraksha, the son of Khara (as follows): “I am commanding you!  Accompanied by an army, go my son! Kill Rama, Lakshmana and the monkeys.” Hearing Ravana’s words, Makaraksha, the son of Khara, thinking himself as a hero, was rejoiced and assured Ravana that he would do it certainly as commanded. Having respectfully saluted, even by performing circumambulation, the mighty Makaraksha, by the orders of Ravana, came forth from these shining palace of Ravana.

Makaraksha the son of Khara asked the commander of an army who was in the vicinity to bring a chariot and the army swiftly. Hearing his words, the army-commander of the demons brought the chariot and the army to his proximity.

Walking clockwise round the chariot and ascending it, Makaraksha asked the charioteer to drive forward the chariot quickly to the battle-field.  Then Makaraksha spoke the following words to those demons, “O demons! All of you begin your fight before my presence. The mighty Ravana, the king of demons commanded me to kill both Rama and Lakshmana in battle. Today, I will kill Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva the monkey and the other monkeys with my excellent arrows, O demons! By hurling the spears, I will destroy completely the huge army of monkeys who arrived today to the battle-field, as the fire destroys the dry wood.”

Hearing those words of Makaraksha, all those strong demons, wielding various kinds of weapons, were steadfast to fight. Those cruel demons, who can change their forms at will, who had protruding tusks, had tawny coloured eyes, had their disheveled hair, creating terror with their colossal bodies, then marched forward like roaring elephants, shaking the firmament and surrounded the huge-bodied Makaraksha.

There arose a great tumult sounded, on all sides, of thousands of couches and kettle-drums including leonine roars and clapping of arms. The long whip then slipped down from the hands of Makaraksha’s charioteer and the flag-staff of that demon also suddenly fell down by the will of the province. Those horses, yoked to his chariot, deprived of their diversified gait, were walking with flurried feet and went timidly, with tears in their eyes. At the time of marching of that dreadful and evil-minded Makaraksha, a harsh and fearful dust-storm blew forth.

Though seeing those portents, all those highly valiant demons ignored them and set out to the place, where both Rama and Lakshmana were there. Saying thunderously, “I shall take the lead”, those demons who resembled black clouds, elephants and buffaloes in hue, who had been wounded pointedly more than once by maces and swords in the battle-front and who were skilled in martial art, moved hither and thither in the battle-field.

 “Today, I will kill Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva the monkey and the other monkeys with my excellent arrows, O demons!”

Thus, this is the 78th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 79

Fight again ensues between monkeys and demons, when Makaraksha enters the battle-field. The monkeys get frightened of Makaraksha's arrows and begin to run away. Rama comes in and intercepts the demons with his hail of arrows. Makaraksha challenges Rama to fight with him. Rama tears off the arrows hurled by Makaraksha and Makaraksha broke the arrows released by Rama. Finally, Rama breaks the chariot and its horses of his chariot, stands on the ground, takes a splendorous spike in his hand to fight and hurls it on Rama. Rama chops it off with his four arrows. When Makaraksha rushes towards Rama to fight with his fist, Rama hurls a mystic missile from his bow and kills him on the spot. The demons get frightened and run away to Lanaka.

On seeing Markaraksha come out, all those chiefs of monkeys, leaping all at once, took their positions, with intent to give fight. Thereafter, a very great battle ensued between monkeys and demons, which caused one's hair to bristle, like the encounter between celestials and demons.

The monkeys and demons then, by hurling trees and spikes and by throwing maces and clubs, began to crush each other. Those demons, who were prowlers of might, made a slaughter of the lions among the monkeys, by means of their javelins, swords, maces, spears, lances, sharp edged spears, Bhindipalas (slings for throwing stones), nooses, mallets, staffs, missiles and other weapons and by throwing arrows on all sides.

Tormented by Makaraksha with a multitude of arrows, all the monkeys were bewildered in mind, agonized with fear and ran away. On seeing those monkeys fleeing, all the arrogant demons roared like lions, assuming a triumphant feeling. While those monkeys were fleeing on all sides, Rama then, with a shower of arrows, intercepted those demons on that occasion.

Seeing Rama thus interrupting the demons, Makaraksha, the demon, engrossed in a fire of anger, spoke the following words: "Pause, O Rama! You will have a dual with me. I will make your life to quit, by the sharp arrows discharged from my bow. Since you killed my father on that day in Dandaka forest, my anger is still growing violent, when I think of you engaged in such nefarious acts. O evil minded Rama! Since you were not being seen by me from that time in that large forest, my limbs were getting very much fumed. By a good fortune, you came into my sight here, O Rama! You are being sought by me, as a lion in hunger seeks other animal to eat. Now, by the flight of my arrows, you will go to the world of Death and reside there with those warriors, who were killed by you earlier.”

"O Rama! What is the use, by telling too much on this topic? Hear my words. All the worlds will look at you and me, in this battle-front. O Rama! The battle will proceed in the battle-field, either with the weapons, or with a mace or by our arms or by any other means as learnt by you."

Hearing the words of Makaraksha, Rama the son of Dasaratha laughingly spoke the following words to him, who was still talking further and further (without interruption). "O demon! Why are you boasting yourself with so many unworthy words, in vain? Without fighting in the battle-field, it is well nigh impossible for you to attain victory with the strength of a mere speech. I killed fourteen thousand demons along with Khara your father, Trishira and even Dushana in Dandaka forest."

"O sinful one! Today, vultures jackals and crows with their sharp beaks and goad-like claws will be satiated with your flesh.”

 Hearing Rama's words, the mighty Makaraksha discharged a multitude of arrows on that Rama in the battle-field. Rama tore those arrows in many ways, by his array of arrows. Those arrows, which were provided with golden shafts, fell to the ground, when torn in thousands. That battle raged furiously, on their meeting each other there, between Makaraksha the son of Khara the demon and Rama the son of Dasaratha.

Then, the sound emanated by the bows, with a great resonance, was heard on the battle-front, like the rumbling of clouds in space. With an intent to see that wonderful battle, all the celestials, the demons, the celestial musicians kinnaras the mythical beings and Mahoragas the great serpents reached the sky.

Though the limbs of both were pierced by each other, their strength was redoubled. The two warriors inflicted wounds on each other, returned the blows of the other in the battle-front and continued the combat. In the battle, that demon broke the multitude of arrows discharged by Rama. Rama snapped off, in many ways, the arrows released by the demon.

All the four quarters and the intermediate points were diffused with a multitude of arrows. Even the earth was covered on all sides and did not become visible. Then, the long-armed Rama, full of anger in battle, broke off the bow of the demon. Thereupon, by his eight iron arrows, struck the charioteer.

Rama, breaking the chariot with his arrows and killing its horses, made them to fall down dead. That Makaraksha the demon, bereft of his chariot, stood on the ground. That demon, standing on the ground, took into his hand, a spike, which created fright among all living beings and whose splendour was equal to the fire at the end of the world.

That great spike, which was difficult to be obtained, was gifted to him by Rudra, one of the eight forms of Shiva the Lord of Dissolution. That terrible spike, which flamed violently in the sky, looked like another new weapon of destruction of the world. On seeing it, all the godheads were afflicted with fear and fled to different quarters.

Brandishing that flaming great spike that enraged demon hurled it against that great-souled rama. Rama broke, by his four arrows, that flaming spike coming forth from Makaraksha's arm and rushing towards him in the sky.

That spike, adored with charming gold, broken in many ways, struck by Rama's arrows, fell scattered on the earth, like a mighty meteor. Seeing that spike struck by Rama, who was unwearied in action, the beings standing in the air, cried, saying 'Excellent, Excellent!'.

Seeing that spike destroyed, Makaraksha the demon, rising his fist, called out to Rama, saying "Wait, Wait!". Then, seeing Makaraksha rushing towards him, that Rama the delight of Raghu dynasty, while smiling, fitted to his bow, a mystic missile presided over by fire. Struck by that missile by Rama, the demon with his heart split open, fell down dead then and there, in the battle-field.

Seeing the fall of Makaraksha, all those demons, tormented by the fear of Rama's arrows, ran away straight to Lanka. Thrilled with delight, the celestials watched that demon, the son of Khara, destroyed by the flights of Rama's arrows and resembling a mountain shattered, after struck by lightning.

Thus, this is the 79th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda in Prose Sarga 80

Ravana instructs Indrajit to proceed to the battle field. Before proceeding t the battle, Indrajit performs ceremonial oblations into a sacred fire and obtains a capacity of going out of sight while fighting. He proceeds to the battle-field and releases a flood of arrows towards Rama and Lakshmana, while himself remaining invisible in the sky. With a network of arrows, Indrajit creates darkness in the sky and showers a multitude of steel arrows towards Rama and Lakshmana. Sharp golden shafts arrows are then released by Rama and Lakshmana. Struck by the arrows discharged by Indrajit, monkeys in hundreds fall down dead. Then, Rama and Lakshmana reflect on the various ways and means to destroy Indrajit.

On hearing Makaraksha having been killed, Ravana who had been ever victorious in battle, grinding his teeth in rage, reflected on what to do then and there, and as greatly furious as he was, instructed Indrajit, his son to proceed to the battle-field. "O hero! Either remaining yourself invisible or visible, kill Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers of great prowess. You are superior in strength by all means. You have conquered Indra, of incomparable deeds, in battle. Can you not kill those two men, on seeing them in the battle-field?"

Hearing the words of Ravana, that Indrajit, bowing to the command of his father, poured oblations into the sacred fire, with due ceremony, on the sacrificial ground. Even as he was pouring oblations into the sacred fire there, the female-demons carrying red turbans (for the use of priests) hastily arrived at the spot where Indrajit was there.

Weapons (such as a lance) served as blades of Shara grass (for being spread around the sacrificial fire). Chips of wood of Vibhitaka tree served as wooden sticks to feed the sacrificial fire as also red robes and iron ladles were used for cleaning and pouring clarified melted butter into the sacrificial fire. Having spread on the ground around all the sides of the sacrificial fire with other weapons along with lances, the demon seized hold of the neck of a live goat, entirely black and consigned it to the fire.

Such omens as betokened victory appeared in the smokeless fire which burst into mighty flames, when it was fully aroused by that single offering. Becoming visible in person, the god of fire, who was shooting out flames towards the right and who shone brightly like refined gold, received that offering.

Offering oblations in fire and gratifying the gods, the devils and demons, Indrajit ascended an excellent and splendid chariot, capable of disappearing from sight. Drawn by four horses, provided with sharp arrows and a mighty bow placed on it, that excellent chariot looked beautiful.

Adorned with gold, that chariot glittered on account of its body and was decorated with carved images of antelopes, full moons and crescents. The flag-post of Indrajit shone like a flaming fire, provided, as it was, with large rings of gold and decorated with cat's eye gems.

Protected by the missile presided over by Brahma, which was as effulgent as the sun, that Indrajit endowed with exceptional strength, became difficult to be attacked.

Coming forth from the city and having acquired the capacity of vanishing from the sight, by offering oblations into the sacred fire, with the utterance of spells sacred to demons, that Indrajit, who was ever victorious in war, spoke as follows: "By killing both the princes who left home to become religious mendicants in the forest in vain, I will present a gift of victory secured in the battle, to my father, Ravana today. By making the earth bereft of monkeys today and by killing Rama and Lakshmana, I will create a great pleasure". Thus speaking, Indrajit vanished from the sight.

Impelled, as he was, by Ravana, the fiery Indrajit, with his barbarous bow and steel arrows, swiftly came to the battle-field enraged. That Indrajit saw the two heroes, showering a multitude of arrows. Both the princes, having mighty prowess, looked like three- hooded serpents in the middle of the monkeys.

Concluding that both of them were the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana and stringing his bow, he covered them with a flood of arrows, as the rainy clouds do. That Indrajit with his chariot, reaching the sky and remaining invisible, struck Rama and Lakshmana with his sharp arrows.

When enveloped by a stream of arrows Rama and Lakshamana, fitted arrows to their bows and revealed divine missiles. Though covering the sky with a net-work of arrows, the two mighty princes could not touch Indrajit with their arrows charged with mystic missiles and which were effulgent like the sun.

Covering the sky, the illustrious Indrajit created a dark-like smoke. He made the quarters also invisible, by enclosing them with mist-like darkness. While Indrajit was moving about, neither the sound produced by the impact of his palm on the bow string was heard, nor the sound of his wheels or the clattering of hoofs of his horses could be heard, nor did his form come tot he view.

In that thick darkness, that long-armed Indrajit showered hails of his steel arrows, like wonderful shower of rocks. That enraged Indrajit in battle, abundantly pierced Rama in all his limbs with his arrows, which were earlier granted as boons to him and which were effluent like the sun.

Both Rama and Lakshmana, the foremost of men, who were being struck with steel arrows, like two mountains being hit by torrents, released sharp golden-shafted arrows. Those arrows, adorned with plumes of heron, reaching Indrajit in the sky and piercing him, fell to the ground, soaked in blood.

Shining beyond measure with a flood of arrows, the two excellent men began to chop off those arrows which were falling on them with many arrows called by the name of Bhallas. Both Rama and Lakshmana for their part directed their excellent missiles in the direction from which they saw the aforesaid sharp arrows, fallen.

Indrajit for his part, who was a superior chariot-warrior and who was swift in discharging missiles, rushed on towards all sides and pierced Rama and Lakshmana with his sharp arrows. Those valiant princes, Rama and Lakshmana pierced deeply with well-made golden shafted arrows, appeared like two Kamshuka trees in flowering.

No one could perceive his rapid movement, like the position of the sun when the sky is thickly overcast with clouds, nor his form nor his bows and arrows, nor any other thing about him whatsoever could be known. Struck down by him, the monkeys were killed. The monkeys dropped dead in hundreds on the earth's surface there.

Then, Lakshmana for his part was enraged and told his brother that he would employ the missile presided over by Brahma for the purpose of killing all the demons. Then, Rama spoke to that Lakshmana, who was endowed with auspicious bodily marks as follows: "You ought not to kill all the demons on earth, merely for the sake of a single demon. You ought not to kill on this earth one who is not fighting or one who is hiding or one who seeks refuge with joined palms or is fleeing or is intoxicated."

"O long-armed Lakshmana! We shall try to kill Indrajit alone. We will employ mystic missiles with great impetuosity and which are equal to venomous serpents. On seeing this demons, the leaders of monkey-troops will forcibly kill this petty demon, who is skilled in conjuring tricks and whose chariot remains invisible. Scorched by my mystic missiles, he will fall dead on the ground, even if he enters the earth or into heaven or into the subterranean world or penetrates the vault of heaven and remains completely hidden in this manner."

Speaking highly meaningful words in the aforesaid manner, the great-souled Rama, surrounded by the foremost of monkeys, started to reflect on the speedy means of killing the furious Indrajit, the demons of cruel deeds.

Thus, this is the 80th chapter in Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

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