Chapter XLII: Section XLII

Then those Rakshasas, going to that subduer of enemies, Ravana, informed him that Rama along with the monkeys had laid seige unto the city. Hearing the city beseiged, the night-ranger was enraged. And, hearing that double arrangements had been made (by Rama) in guarding the gateways, (Ravana) ascended the palace. He saw Lanka with her hills, woods, and forests, covered everywhere with innumerable monkeys eager for encounter. And he saw the entire Earth tawneyed with the monkeys; and he reflected within himself how he could destroy these. And reflecting for long, Ravana having expansive eyes, assuming patience, gazed at Raghava and the leader of monkeys. Raghava with his host was fast approaching (the wall); and Ravana saw Lanka defended on all sides by Rakshasas. And Dacaratha's son, seeing Lanka crowned with variegated ensigns and standards, mentally went to Sita, with a sad heart. "For my sake, here that one, Janaka's daughter, having eyes resembling those of a young deer,--is undergoing affliction; and lieth down on the ground". And aggrieved at the thought of Vaidehi, the righteous Rama speedily commanded the monkeys to compass the destruction of the enemies. As Rama of untiring deeds said this, the monkeys, filling (the air) with leonine roars, began to press forward furiously. "We shall cleave Lanka with mountain-peaks, or with our blows"--thus thought the leaders within themselves. And the monkey-leaders stood, raising up gigantic mountain-peaks and tops of mountains, and rooting up various trees. And for doing what was dear unto Rama, that army, divided into separate parties, in the presence of the Rakshasa-chief commenced scaling Lanka. And those copper-faced ones of golden sheen, who had consecrated their lives to the service of Rama, equipped with trees and rocks, began to throng upon Lanka. And the monkeys with trees and hill-tops and blows crushed countless gates and tops of walls; and they filled the moat containing crystal water with dust, tops of crags, straw, and wood. Then leaders of thousands and _kotis_ and hundreds of _kotis_ began to scale Lanka. And the monkeys crushed golden gateways; and, breaking down gates resembling the tops of the summits of Kailaca, bounded roaring, some towards the wall and some all around. And resembling gigantic elephants, they rushed towards Lanka. "Victory to the mighty Rama, and Victory to the exceedingly powerful Lakshmana, and Victory to king Sugriva, who is protected by Raghava". Thus shouting, those monkeys, wearing forms at will, sending up roars, rushed amain towards the wall of Lanka. And Viravahu, Suvahu, Nala and Panaca--leader of monkeys--breaking (a portion of) the wall, took up their post there. In the meantime, (they) arranged the forces in order of battle. And the strong Kumuda, surrounded by ten _kotis_ of victorious monkeys, stood obstructing the Eastern gate. And for backing him, there remained the monkey, Prasabha, as also the long-armed Panaca, surrounded by monkeys. And obstructing the Southern entrance stood the strong and gallant monkey, Satavali, surrounded by twenty _kotis_. And the strong sire of Tara, the powerful Sushena, obstructed the Western gate, backed by _kotis_ upon _kotis_ (of monkeys). And obstructing the Northern gate, remained the puissant Rama himself along with Sumitra's son, as well as the king of monkeys--Sugriva. And that huge-bodied and dreadful Golangula--the mighty and powerful Gavaksha--surrounded by a _koti_, remained by the side of Rama. And that destroyer of foes--the exceedingly mighty Dhumra of the bears of terrific wrath, remained by the side of Rama--where, surrounded by vigilant counsellors, and bearing a mace in his hand, stood the exceedingly strong Bibhishana, endowed with wonderful powers, in complete panoply. And Gaya, and Gavaksha, and Gavaya, and Sarabha, and Gandhamadana, protected the monkey-army, coursing all around. And then, his soul wrought up with wrath, Ravana--lord of Rakshasas--speedily ordered the whole host to sally out. Hearing those words, which came out from Ravana's mouth, all of a sudden the night-rangers sent up a dreadful yell. Then awoke the kettle-drums, having moon-like pale faces,--sounded by means of golden sticks. And conchs by hundreds and by thousands, capable of producing loud blares, filled with air proceeding from the mouths of dreadful Rakshasas,--were winded. And with conchs placed in their mouths, those night-rangers, having bodies blue like those of _Cukas_, resembled masses of clouds, with lightning and cranes. And, commanded by Ravana, the troops cheerfully issued forth like the onrushing of the mighty main filling all at the time of the universal dissolution. And then the monkey-army gave a roar, spreading all around; and it seemed as if the sound filled all Malaya with its sides and caves. And sounds of conchs, and drums, as well as the leonine shouts of the impetuous (warriors); made the earth, air, and ocean, resound; and these mixed with the roars of elephants, the neighing of steeds, the rattle of the car-wheels, and the tread of the Rakshasas' feet. And in the meantime there commenced a mighty encounter between the Rakshasas and the monkeys, like that which took place of yore between the gods and the Asuras. And displaying their prowess, they[128] began to slaughter monkeys with maces, and darts, and adzes. And the vehement monkeys (on their side) slaughtered Rakshasas with trees and tops of crags as well as with their nails and teeth. And a mighty sound arose of 'Victory unto king Sugriva!' and 'Victory unto thee, O king,'--each army taking the name of its king. And then other dreadful Rakshasas that were stationed upon the wall, dropping down, pierced the monkeys with darts and _bhindipalas_. And (thereat) the monkeys, flying into fury, descending to the earth and bounding, brought down the Rakshasas with their arms. And that encounter of the Rakshasas and the monkeys was mighty and wonderful, and the ground became wet with flesh and gore.

[128] Rakshasas.