Chapter LXXVI: Section LXXVII

Seeing his brother slain by Sugriva, Nikumbha, gazed at the lord of the monkeys, as if consuming him with his passion. And then that one endowed with calmness, grasped a bludgeon entwined with wreaths, and furnished with an iron ring measuring five fingers, and resembling the top of the Mahendra;[322] plated with gold and embellished with diamonds and lapises,--and looking like the rod of Yama himself; dreadful, and capable of removing the fear of the Rakshas. And whirling this, that highly powerful one, resembling the banner itself of Sakra in energy, Nikumbha possessed of terrific strength, with his mouth wide open, set up shouts. And with gold adorning his breast, and _angadas_ placed on his arms and a pair of curious and variegated earrings, Nikumbha, with his ornaments and that same bludgeon, appeared beautiful like a mass of roaring clouds laughing with lightning and furnished with the iris. And the head of that huge-bodied hero's _parigha_ undid the conjunction of the Seven[323] Winds and appeared[324] like a noiseless and smokeless flame. Along with the gyration of Nikumbha's _parigha_ the whole welkin, together with the excellent city[325] of the Gandharbas, and the planets, stars and the moon, began to whirl. And Nikumbha was hard to approach like unto the fire of dissolution, being resplendent with the brilliance of _parigha_ and other ornaments and having his anger for its fuels. And the Rakshasas and monkeys did not dare stir even out of fear. And the heroic Hanuman, spreading his breast, stood before him. And thereat the powerful (Nikumbha) having long-arms[326] threw his _parigha_ resembling the Sun at the breast of that powerful one. And falling on the firm and spacious breast of Hanuman it was broken into hundred pieces. And the broken portions, being scattered, appeared like hundreds of fire-brands in the sky. Like unto a mountain standing still even at the time of an earthquake that mighty monkey was not moved albeit struck with the _parigha_. Being thus hurt that highly powerful Hanuman, the foremost of the monkeys, with great velocity clenched his fist. And with this, the powerful (monkey) gifted with great impetuosity, and resembling the wind in prowess, struck Nikumbha on his breast. And with that fist, his (Nikumbha's) armour[327] was riven and blood gushed out. And a light rising out of his breast suddenly disappeared like unto lightning disappearing in a mass of clouds. And being struck with his (Hanuman's) fist Nikumbha was greatly moved and restoring himself attacked the mighty Hanuman and pulled him up. And beholding in conflict the terrible and powerful Hanuman pulled up by Nikumbha, the residents of Lanka began to shout with joy. Being thus put to shame by that Raksha, Hanuman the son of the Wind, struck him with his iron fist. And releasing himself from the grasp of Nikumbha, Hanuman the Wind-god's son instantly planted his foot on the earth. Inflamed with ire, he, throwing down Nikumbha, began to crush him; and gifted with vehemence, he, with great impetuosity, leaped up and sat on the breast (of the Raksha). And holding his head with two hands, he, emitting loud roars, displaced his head. Nikumbha being thus slain in conflict by the Wind-god's son, there ensued a terrible conflict between the highly enraged armies of the son of Dacaratha and the lord of Rakshasas. And Nikumbha being deprived of his life, the monkeys began to shout--as if resounding all the quarters. And with it the whole earth moved and the abode of the celestials dropped down. And the Rakshasa-hosts were greatly terrified.

[322] The mountain, so named.

[323] This indicates the length of the Parigha.

[324] This might refer to Kumbha as well.

[325] Some say _Vitapabati_ and some say _Alaka_.

[326] _Lit_. arms resembling _parighas_.

[327] Some texts read _charma_ (skin) in the place of _Barma_--(armour)
_i.e._ his skin was rent--This equally indicates Hanuman's
strength.--T.