Chapter LXXIV: Section LXXV

Then the exceedingly energetic lord of monkeys, Sugriva, said unto Hanuman these words fraught with import,--"Inasmuch as Kumbhakarna hath been slain as also the princes,[295] Ravana can no longer defend the city.[296] Now let those principal monkeys that are endowed with great strength and that are furnished with fleetness, taking fire-brands (in their hands) rapidly rush towards Lanka". Then when the Sun had set and at the terrific front of Night, those foremost of monkeys marched towards Lanka, equipped with fire-brands. And charged at all points by numbers of monkeys armed with fire-brands, those fierce-eyed (Rakshasas) that guarded the gates[297] suddenly fled away. And thereat, (the monkeys) delighted set fire to gates and upper apartments and spacious high-ways and various by-ways and edifices. And the fire[298] burnt their[299] mansions by thousands; and mountain-like superstructures toppled headlong to the earth. And there burnt _aguru_, and sweet sandal, and pearls, and sheeny gems, and diamonds and corals. And there burnt linen and fine silk and _avikas_ and various kinds of woolen cloths; and vessels of gold, and weapons; divers kinds of furniture, trappings and ornaments of steeds; cords for tying elephants; burnished ornaments for cars; armour of warriors; and hides of horses and elephants. And swords and bows and bow-strings and arrows and _tomaras_[300] and _ankucas_[301] and darts. And blankets and _chowris_ and tiger-skins and musk and other things. And pearls and excellent gems; and edifices all around. And there the fire burneth heaps of various kinds of arms. And then the fire burnt various kinds of curious structures, and the dwellings of Rakshasas and all householders. And there the fire flaming up again and again burnt down by hundreds and thousands the houses of the denizons of Lanka,--clad in curious golden mail; and wearing wreaths and ornaments and attires; having their eyes wildly moving in intoxication; reeling in drink; those whose paramours were dressed in flowing apparels; or those wroth with their foes; or bearing maces and darts and swords in their hands; or engaged in eating or drinking; or asleep with their beloved on costly couches; or who, agitated with fright, were hastily going taking their sons with them.--And that fire burnt down firm-based rich dwellings furnished with innumerable apartments, and garnished with golden Moons and crescents,--and mansions having graceful crests; and variegated windows and daises raised there, embellished with rubies and lapises, and seeming to touch the Sun; and piles resembling mountains in grandeur,--and resonant with the cries of Kraunchas and peacocks and the tinklings of ornaments. And the flaming gateways all round appeared like clouds in the rainy season lighted up by lightning, or like the peaks of a mighty mountain ablaze with a forest-conflagration. And superb damsels asleep in lofty edifices,[302] being burnt, cast away their ornaments and shrieked. And consumed by the fire, buildings began to drop down like the summits of a mighty mountain smit with the thunder-bolt of the thunderer. And those burning, appeared from a distance like the peaks of Himalaya aglow. And in consequence of those tops of the edifices burning and of the living flames, that night Lanka looked as if swarming with flowering Kincukas. And with elephant-riders, and elephants, and steeds let loose, Lanka appeared like the Ocean at the hour of Universal tumbling,--with its ferocious aquatic animals whirling in wild chaos. Sometimes, an elephant seeing a steed let loose,--was flying away in fear; and sometimes a horse seeing a frightened elephant, was stopping, himself seized with fear.--And on Lanka burning, the mighty main with the reflection (of the conflagration) looked like an Ocean of red waters. And in a short time that city set on fire by the monkeys, looked like the earth glowing at the time of the Universal dissolution. And the cries of the females amidst the drift of smoke, heated by the flames, could be heard from an hundred Yojanas. And as Rakshasas having their bodies burnt came out of houses, monkeys eager for encounter on a sudden sprung upon them. And the shouts of the monkeys and the cries of the Rakshasas made the ten cardinal quarters and the ocean and the Earth resound.

And on those high souled ones--both Rama and Lakshmana--having been cured of their wounds, possessing themselves in calmness, took up their excellent bows. And Rama drew that best of bows. And thereat there was heard a tremendous twang striking terror into the Rakshasas. And drawing his redoubtable bow, Rama appeared like the reverend enraged Bhava, drawing his bow having sounds and instinct with Brahma energy. And the twang of Rama's bow, drowning the roars of both the monkeys and the Rakshasas,--was alone heard. And the ululations of the monkeys and the cries of the Rakshasas and the rattle of Rama's bow--these three filled the ten cardinal quarters. And with the shafts discharged from his bow, the gateway of the city resembling the summit of Kailaca was crushed in pieces, scattered around on the ground. And seeing Rama's shafts in cars and dwellings, the preparations for conflict were pushed on with great vigor. And in consequence of the foremost Rakshasas preparing for fight, and emitting roars, that night appeared like the Fatal Night itself. And the foremost monkeys were directed by the high-souled Sugriva, saying,--"Ye monkeys, do ye fight, approaching the gate lying at hand. But he that flyeth from his ranks, should be slain by main force". As the principal monkeys stationed themselves at the gate, equipped with fire brands, wrath took possession of Ravana. And as he yawned, the wind (blowing from his mouth), filled the ten cardinal regions; and his wrath resembled that appearing in the person of Rudra. And wrought up with a mighty rage, he sent forth Kumbha and Nikumbha--both sons of Kumbhakarna--in company with innumerable Rakshasas.--And in accordance with Ravana's command, Yupaksha and Sonitaksha, and Prajangha, and Kampana went with Kumbhakarna's sons. And, setting up leonine roars, he commanded all those highly powerful Rakshasas, saying,--"Do ye go this very day for battle". Thus directed, those heroic Rakshasas, equipped with flaming weapons, went out, roaring again and again. And the firmament was illuminated with the splendour of the ornaments of the Rakshasas and the splendour of their persons and the fire kindled by the monkeys. And there the light of the Moon and that of the stars and the brilliance of their ornaments,--combined, lighted up the welkin.--And the beams of the Moon and the brilliance of the ornaments and the flaming splendour of the planets emblazoned all round the forces of the monkeys and Rakshasas. And the light of half-burnt houses, again, falling on the restless ripples of the sea, made it wear an extremely beautiful aspect. And those dreadful Rakshasa hosts, possessed of dreadful prowess and energy, were seen,--with ensigns and banners; excellent swords and _paracwadhas_,[303] terrific steeds and cars and elephants rife with _paths_,[304] and flaming darts and clubs and scimitars and _yrasas_ and _tomaras_ and bows; bearing blazing _prasas_; ringing with the tinklings of hundreds of balls; with their arms encased in golden networks; flourishing axes; whirling their mighty weapons; fixing shafts on their bows; making the air swoon away with the perfumes of their wreaths; extremely terrific; swarming with heroes; sending out sounds like those of the sea. And seeing the army of the Rakshasas incapable of being coped with advance, the monkey-forces began to move and send up loud cheers. And thereat that array of Rakshasas vehemently sprang forward before the force of the foe, like unto insects plunging into aflame. And whirling with their arms bludgeons and _acanis_, that army of Rakshasas appeared exceedingly grand. And the monkeys, eager for encounter, darted forward like maniacs; and began to despatch the night-rangers with rocks and trees and clenched fist. And Rakshasas possessed of dreadful prowess with whetted arrows swiftly cut off the heads of falling monkeys. And the Rakshasas ranged there, with their ears torn with teeth, or their heads broken by blows, or their limbs crushed with the discharge of crags. And in the same way other grim-visaged night-rangers slew with sharpened swords the foremost of monkeys on all sides. And one about to slay another was himself slain by the latter; and one, about to bring another down, was himself brought down (by his adversary), and one that was railing at another, was in turn rebuked by his enemy; and one who was going to bite his foe, was himself bitten by him. And one was crying 'Give,'[305] and his adversary anon giveth; and another, again said,--'I will give. Why puttest thyself to trouble? Stay.' Thus there did they accost each other. And there was waged a terrific encounter between the monkeys and the Rakshasas,--in which arms lay scattered about; and armour and weapons strewn around; and mighty _pracas_[306] were upraised; and which was fought with blows and darts and swords and _Kuntalas_.[307] And in that conflict the Rakshasas slaughtered monkeys by tens and sevens. And then the monkeys hemmed in the Rakshasa-forces, with their apparels falling off and with their mail and standards strewn around.

[295] _Nishuditah--slain_, left out for euphony.

[296] _Upanirharam_ is a contested term. Kataka gives the sense adopted
by me. Tirtha says it means 'Ravana cannot give battle in the open
field.' According to others, it means 'He cannot offer truce to
us'.--T.

[297] _Arakshah_--according to some means _gates_. According to others,
a _gulma or division of an army_.--T.

[298] _Hutabhuk--lit_. eater of sacrificial offsprings--a designation of
Fire.

[299] According to the commentator this refers to the fire lighted by
the monkeys. I differ.--T.

[300] An Iron club.--T.

[301] The hook used to drive an elephant.--T.

[302] _Vimana_, according to Ramanuya, is a seven-storied edifice.--T.

[303] A platoon consisting of one chariot, one elephant, three horse and
five foot.--T.

[304] A kind of sword.

[305] Battle.

[306] A bearded dart.

[307] What could this be like? The commentator is mute. Wilson has
_Kuntalika_--butter-knife or scoop. _Kuntala_ may, however, mean a
_plough_.--T.