314. Vajradamstra, the next scapegoat enters.

             The news about the death of Dhumraksha drove Ravana mad with anger and he began to hiss with all his mouths like a bunch of serpents. After a few moments of careful analysis in his mind, Ravana decided that the valiant Vajradamshtra would be the most appropriate commander to take retribution for the killing of Dhumraksha and others. He, accordingly called him and told him "O, the most intrepid and valiant warrior! Go ahead as the commander and slay Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and all his vanaras." Saying "Yes, Sir" Vajradamshtra  left and organized very many divisions of the army. 

           Adorned with colourful bracelets and a diadem, Vajradamshtra set out immediately, wielding a bow and well-covered by an armour. That army-general circumambulated and ascended his chariot, duly decorated with flags. 
         All those rakshashas in their resplendent and coloured uniforms, full of strength and mounted on elephants furious with rut, resembled moving mountains. Those elephants mounted by warriors bearing lances and goads were skilled in war-fare. Some other elephants, mounted by valiant rakshashas, were quite mighty in strength. That whole army of rakshashas paraded, looking as brilliant as the clouds, with lightning and sound in the rainy season. They emerged from the southern gate where the General Angada was stationed.

         While those rakshashas were emerging from the gate, inauspicious portents appeared, as usual. From a cloudless yet burning sky, meteors fell. Fearful jackals, emitting their howls and belching forth flames and fire. The dreadful beasts foretold destruction of the rakshashas, who while entering the combat, stumbled miserably. Even after seeing these portents Vajradamshtra of exceeding prowess and sharpness, mustered courage and being fond of battle, set out for the combat with a brave face.

        The vanaras, burning for victory, seeing their enemies advancing, made tremendous shouts which echoed every quarter. Thereafter, a tumultuous battle ensued. It delivered many warriors of both sides with their necks severed, lying on the surface of the earth, their entire bodies bathed in blood.

          The unhurt warriors, with arms resembling steel, or with trees or large stones approached their adversaries, attacking with various kinds of weapons. An extremely horrible and terrible noise was heard there from trees, rocks and weapons. A terrific noise of the wheel-rims of chariots and the bow, along with the tumultuous sounds of conches, kettle-drums and tabours heard from there.

        Some rakshashas, leaving weapons, fought the battle with their arms. Many of the rakshashas were beaten and their bodies fragmented by the vanaras fighting with their teeth, nails, palms, feet, fists, trees and knees. Some rakshashas were crushed to powder with rocks. Tremendously frightening the vanaras in the battle by his arrows, Vajradamshtra moved himself in the battle-field like Yama moving at the time of dissolution of the worlds, wielding a noose in his hand.

           The strong rakshashas skilled in weaponry and wielding various kinds of weapons, in their increased anger killed many a vanara in that battle. The courageous Angada, killed all those rakshashas, like a world-destroying fire. The valiant Angada with his raging red eyes killed quite a lot of  rakshashas, like a lion killing small animals. 

          Many a rakshashas struck by Angada there, had their heads shattered and fell down like chopped off trees. The earth covered with chariots, conspicuous flags, horses, bodies of vanaras and rakshashas with streams of blood flowing there appeared fearful.            That battle-field, decorated with necklaces, bracelets worn on the upper arm, garments and umbrellas looked like an autumnal night. By the swiftness of Angada, that great army of rakshashas there trembled like a cloud by the swiftness of wind.

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