339. Ravana sends Makaraksha as the next victim.

                 Ravana was absolutely dazed to hear the demise of both Nikumbha and Kumbha. Ravana was very much confident that both those valiant heroes would completely squash the army of Rama and vanquish Rama and Lakshmana. While he was brooding, Makaraksha, the son of Khara, approached Ravana to offer his condolence. Seeing him Ravana thought that this lad who had a grudge against Rama and as such would be the best choice to set him against Rama. Accepting his condolence, he told him “My dear lad, I was thinking who is the most capable to vanquish and destroy Rama and his army. I see there is no one who is more capable than you in that regard. I, therefore, command you! Take an army of any size you want and go. Kill Rama, Lakshmana and the monkeys. Do not show any sympathy to any of them.”
            Makaraksha, the son of Khara, was highly exhilarated that he was personally asked by the great Ravana. Showing all his teeth (I think they were absolutely horrible), he  assured Ravana that he would do it certainly as commanded. Having respectfully saluted, performing circumambulation, the mighty (that is what he started thinking of himself from that moment) Makaraksha marched out to fulfill the great king's command.

        Makaraksha, the son of Khara ordered the commander of an army who came in to his vicinity to bring a chariot and make his army ready in a jiffy to march to the battle field with him to vanquish Rama and his army. The army-commander promptly executed his order.

    After following the usual formalities and prayers, Makaraksha jumped on to the chariot and pompously commanded the charioteer to drive forward the chariot to the battle-field, pronto. On the way he addressed his army guys “O rakshashas! All of you should now be proud to be under my overall command. Ravana, our mighty king has commanded me to kill both Rama and Lakshmana in battle. Today, I, therefore decided to kill Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and his whole army without any compunction. All of you are very fortunate to witness me destroy completely the huge army of monkeys, as fire destroys the dry wood.”

           Cheering Makaraksha for his declaration, all the rakshashas, wielding various kinds of weapons, became steadfast to fight. Those cruel rakshashas, who can change their forms at will, had protruding tusks, tawny coloured eyes and disheveled hair, creating terror with their colossal bodies marched forward like roaring elephants, shaking the firmament and surrounded the huge-bodied Makaraksha.

          There arose a great tumult sounded, on all sides, of thousands of couches and kettle-drums including leonine roars and clapping of arms. As usual ominous   portents appeared. The long whip slipped down from the hands of Makaraksha’s charioteer and the flag-staff of that rakshash also suddenly fell down  inexplicably. The horses, yoked to his chariot, deprived of their diversified gait, were walking with flurried feet and went timidly, with tears in their eyes. At the time of marching of that dreadful and evil-minded Makaraksha, a harsh and fearful dust-storm blew forth.

          Makaraksha and his guys ignored them and continued their journey to the battle field. All those accompanying Makaraksha were very eager to witness the killing of Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and his army by Makaraksha duly assisted by them.

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