Chapter LIII: Section LIII

Hearing Dhumraksha slain, Ravana--lord of the Rakshasas--overwhelmed with a mighty rage, began to sigh like a serpent. And collied with passion, and sighing hot for a long time, he addressed a cruel Rakshasa--the exceedingly strong Vajradanshtra,[164]--"Go thou, O hero. Go out, environed by the Rakshasas. Slay Dacaratha's son--Rama--and Sugriva along with the monkeys". Thereupon hastily answering "So be it," that foremost of the Rakshasas skilled in illusion, marched forth surrounded by many a leader[165] of armies, furnished with elephants and steeds, mules and camels,--with his mind concentrated; and adorned with innumerable variegated flags and banners. And then decked out with curious _keyuras_ and a tiara, and wearing armour, he rushed out with his bow in his hand. And then going round his flaming vehicle, adorned with pennons and garnished with gold, the king[166] ascended the same. And equipped with slender swords and curious _tomaras_ and smooth maces and _bhindipalas_ and bows and darts and _patticas_ and scimitars and discuses and clubs and sharpened axes, the multiform infantry march bearing arms in their hands. And all those powerful and flaming Rakshasas wore variegated raiments. And heroic elephants in rut resembling mountains in motion, marched, being led by those well-skilled in battle carrying _tomaras_ and hooks in their hands. And mighty steeds bearing auspicious marks, marched, ridden by heroes. And that entire Rakshasa army, as it marched forth, resembled clouds in summer roaring with lightning. And (the Rakshasas) sallied forth through the Southern Entrance, where that leader of herds--Angada--was stationed. And as they went out, evil omens appeared. From the cloudless yet fierce sky meteors began to shoot. And throwing up flames from their mouths, dreadful jackals began to emit cries. And frightened beasts betokened the destruction of the Rakshasas in battle, And warriors began to tumble down in an ominous way. Witnessing these evil omens, the exceedingly powerful and energetic Vajradanshtra, assuming patience, set out, eager for encounter. And seeing them flee away, the monkeys, yearning for victory, set up tremendous shouts, filling all the cardinal points. And then there came on a terrific encounter of the monkeys and the Rakshasas, dreadful, of terrific deeds, and wishing for each other's death. And warriors fraught with high spirits, springing up, dropped down to the earth, their bodies and hands riven, and all their persons bathed in blood. And some approaching each other, with bludgeons in their hands, without turning away from the field, discharged various weapons at each other. And there were heard sounds of trees and rocks and weapons,--mighty and dreadful and capable of striking terror into the heart. And dreadful and mighty were the sounds of car-wheels, and conchs and trumpets and drums. And some, casting off weapons, engaged in a hand to hand combat by means of slaps, and kicks, and bones, and trees. And some Rakshasas, having their bodies broken, were killed by means of thighs, and some were crushed with crags by Danavas invincible in battle. And Vajradanshtra, resembling the noose-handed destroyer, frightening the monkeys, ranged in that field fatal to people. And Rakshasas, possessed of strength; equipped with various weapons, transported with passion, slew the monkey-forces. And then in the conflict the proud Wind-god's son, influenced by twofold wrath, spread havoc among the Rakshasa ranks, like the Fire at the universal dissolution. And the energetic Angada possessed of the prowess of a lion, with his eyes coppery with wrath, upraising a tree, began to spread terrible destruction among the Rakshasas, even as a lion destroyeth tiny deer. And attacked by Angada there, the Rakshasas of dreadful vigor, with their heads riven, fell down like unto trees that have been uprooted. And the earth became frightful (to behold), being covered with variegated cars and standards and steeds and the bodies of monkeys and of Rakshasas and streams of blood. And adorned with chains, and _Keyuras_, and attires, and umbrellas, the field of battle looked like an autumnal night. And agitated by Angada's impetuosity, that mighty army of Rakshasas began to shake, even as water trembleth, moved by the wind.

[164] Lit.--the thunder-toothed.

[165] _Valai_--forces--is interpreted _leaders_ by the commentator.

[166] Vajradanshtra.--T.