326. Kumbhakarna goes to the battle-field with a huge army.

                  Kumbhakarna was not amused by Mahodara's prattle which he, Mahodara, called strategy(!). Kumbhakarna rebuked him suitably. Then he told his brother “My dear bro, Before the sun sets today, I assure you that you will hear the news most heartening to you, to wit, the annihilation of that Rama and his entire army. I will wipe-off your worry and fear today and you will live happily without any enemy for the rest of your life."
           Turning to Mahodara he said "O! Mahodara! Your words may be agreeable to those kings who are confused, who fancy themselves as very learned, but actually are stupid. You and people like you, are all cowards in battle. You always speak pleasantly and go according to the wishes of the king. Intent on conquering the enemy, I sally for the battle forthwith to make our monarch happy."

              Ravana  became very happy to hear his dear brother's words and told him "O dear brother! This Mahodara is frightened of Rama. There is no doubt. O! Kumbhakarna! None is equal to you in friendship and strength.

        "O! destroyer of enemies! You, who was sleeping, was awakened by me, for the purpose of destroying our enemies. Therefore, go like Yama the god of death, by taking a dart and a noose in your hand. Devour the monkeys and the two humans whose splendour is like that of the sun. By seeing your very form, the monkeys will run away. I am sure that the hearts of Rama and Lakshmana will get broken asunder."

          Ravana, knowing the strength and prowess of Kumbhakarna, was sure that he will vanquish Rama and his army. That thought made him so delighted and all his ten faces started to look as bright as the moon on full moon days.

         Taking hold of that large spike tinted with the blood of enemies, shining like Indra's thunderbolt and equally heavy, capable of tormenting Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Kinnaras, and donning garlands of splendorous crimson flowers emitting flames by itself naturally, Kumbhakarna of great brilliance told Ravana "Let our army stay back here. I shall go all alone. Being angry with hunger, I shall devour all those monkeys now.”

       Ravana was very happy to hear his dear brother say so. He, however told him "O! my darling brother! Go along with the army, with their spikes and hammers in hand. The monkeys, with their huge bodies, valiant, with a much determination and with their teeth, will destroy anyone who is either alone or off his guard. Therefore, go along with your troops so that you will be impossible to be defeated. Destroy the entire enemy force, which is inimical to our rakshashas."

              Getting up from his throne, Ravana  placed around the neck of Kumbhakarna, a necklace studded with a course of jewels. Not satisfied with that, Ravana then personally decorated his dear brother with armlets, rings, excellent jewellery and a handsome chain. Not satisfied with that, too, Ravana arranged for ornamentation of his (i.e. Kumbhakarna's) limbs with beautiful and sweet-smelling garlands as well as lovely ear-rings.

          Kumbhakarna with large ears, adorned with golden armlets and bracelets worn on his upper arms along with the ornament for his breast, shone like fire, well-fed with oblations. With a large, black and shining string worn around his loins, he was looking like Mount Mandara encircled by a serpent at the time of churning for amrit.

        Well secured with a golden armour and  carrying a great load of weapons, Kumbhakarna shone as a king of Mountains, enveloped by clouds at sunset. Adorned with ornaments to all his limbs and with a spike in his hand, that rakshash shone like Narayana, the all-embracing Lord, enthusiastic to take the three long strides,which were meant to cover the entire universe.

            Embracing his brother and offering him due respects, Kumbhakarna sought the permission (formal) of his brother. Ravana sent off the mighty Kumbhakarna, who then sallied forth with a great sound of drums and musical instruments  and with laudable benedictions.

        With loud sounds of conches and kettle-drums, with an army wielding excellent weapons and mounting on elephants and horses and chariots carrying mighty charioteers accompanied him who was the foremost among the charioteers. Those rakshashas followed that terrific and mighty Kumbhakarna, mounting on serpents, camels, donkeys, lions, elephants, wild beasts and birds.

           Kumbhakarna, whom devas and danavas tremble to see him as an antagonist , wielding a sharp spike in his hand, sallied forth with tremendous confidence. Many rakshashas, possessing a great energy and great strength, with terrific forms and fearful eyes, also wielding fearsome weapons in their hands, accompanied him as foot-soldiers.

         The rakshashas following him were of large colossal bodies resembling a mass of collyrium in hue,  with their eyes red hot, lifting up spikes, swords, sharp axes, javelins, iron rods, maces, mallets, enormous trunks of palmyrah trees to be hurled at the enemies.

         On the way Kumbhakarna assumed a body of a formidable and terrific form, with a breadth of a hundred bows and six hundred bows in height, with his eyes resembling the wheels of a cart, looking like a huge mountain and terrible to look at.

        Kumbhakarna with that colossal body having a proportionately huge mouth, looking like a scorched hill, boasted to the chaps around him "I'm  gonna burn up those troops of the foremost of monkeys in lots today, as a flash of fire would burn up the moths. The monkeys who are in the habit of roaming around in the woods, have not offended me of their own accord. That race of monkeys would be a good embellishment for the urban gardens in a city like ours. Rama, together with Lakshmana, is the root-cause for the attack on our city. If he is killed, all will be destroyed. Therefore, I'm  gonna kill that Rama in battle."

            Hearing that declaration of Kumbhakarna all the rakshashas who heard that applauded with a very terrific noise. However, Kumbhakarna was accosted with omens of terrific patterns appeared on all sides.

            Clouds, ashy in colour like asses, combined with meteors and strokes of lightning appeared. Even the earth trembled, together with its oceans and forests. Jackals of terrific form howled with morsels looking like flames in their mouths and birds twirled in circles from right to left. A vulture descended on the spike of Kumbhakarna, as he was sallying forth along the road. His left eye twitched and his left arm throbbed.

         Then, a blazing meteor fell down with a dreadful noise. Even the sun became lusterless and the wind was not blowing comfortably. Disregarding those great portents which were causing the hair (wherever he had on his body) to stand erect, Kumbhakarna marched on, driven by the power of fate.

          Kumbhakarna, looking like a mountain, traversing the rampart with his feet alone, saw a wonderful army of monkeys, looking similar to a thick coverage of clouds. Seeing that Kumbhakarna, the excellent among rakshashas, looking like a mountain, the vanaras ran away to all directions, as clouds are driven away by the wind.

           Kumbhakarna highly rejoiced seeing that highly fierce army of monkeys running away to different quarters in fright. In a very happy mood Kumbhakarna started roaring sounding like thunder. Hearing his terrific roar, similar to the rumbling of a cloud in the sky, many of the vanaras fell down on the ground, like Sal trees cut-up by the roots. Wielding a large iron rod, that gigantic Kumbhakarna looked like Yama to the frightened vanaras.

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325. Mahodara interjects a strategy.

           Mahodara, who was also present there, somewhat resented the boasting of Kumbhakarna. He interjected mildly "O Kumbhakarna! Having been born in an illustrious family, it does not become of you to be so audacious. Your boasting sounds like the perception of a vain man who is also arrogant. You do not seem to have the ability to perceive the right thing to be done at any point of time. O Kumbhakarna! Your perception that the king does not know what is prudent and what is not is not correct. Your boasting sounds childish and audacious. Our king knows very well about apportioning of place and time, understands the subject about strengthening and diminishing of relationships as well as his own position and the position of others.

          “You are speaking as though virtue, wealth and pleasure are dwelling separately in water-tight compartments. By their very nature, there is no accurate description for those things. Action alone is indeed the means to get all the results. Even sinful acts may yield a fruit of prosperity!

          “Living beings reap the fruit of good actions in this and in the other world. However, he who remains diligently devoted to actions, good or otherwise, with a view to attaining sensuous pleasure enjoys eternal  bliss in this life. Such a person does not care what happens to him in the other world. In this context, this act of pursuit of sensuous pleasure has been cherished in his heart by the king and was approved by us, too. What violation is there in doing this daring act against the enemy?

          "Your declaration of marching all alone for the encounter, does not seem to be prudent. I do not thing you will be able to conquer, single-handed, that Rama by whom several mighty rakshashas were destroyed in Janasthana.

          "It does not seem wise to encounter single-handed that Rama, who is forever shining with a splendour. Going there single-handed does not seem to be wise."

          Having thus admonished the enraged Kumbhakarna, Mahodara turned to Ravana said "Sir, I have a strategy by which Seetha will be submissive to you. Announce by a beat of drum in the city-streets that myself, Dvijihva, Samhraadi, Kumbhakarna and Vitardana  are setting out for the final battle with Rama.

         “Then, we will actually fight with him. If we conquer him, there is no need for any strategies. In case we are not able to conquer him, then we will implement the plan which is as follows. Moistened with blood on our bodies torn with arrows marked with the name of Rama engraved on them, we shall come back here from the battle.

         "We will report to you that 'Rama as well as Lakshmana have been devoured by us. Then, have it proclaimed by the beating of trumpets in the entire city, on the back of an elephant, that Rama has been killed along with his brother and his army.

       "Becoming happy for that, arrange to bestow on your servants, objects of enjoyment, other desired objects and gold. Then, present garlands, garments and cosmetics to champions as well as abundant gifts to other warriors. 

        "When this thick rumour that Rama along with his companions have been devoured by our rakshashas  spreads far and wide, you approach Seetha in private and talk to her nicely consoling and conciliating her, tempt her with a load of luxuries and precious stones.

          "Ensure that she is scared and anguished. And make Seetha think that she lost her husband. Then, I am sure she will, may be with some reluctance, submit to your will. Believing that her charming husband is destroyed, Seetha from her hopelessness and feminine feeling of flexibility will come to your protection and embrace. Seetha, without her husband Rama, cannot go to her dad's place or to her in-law's place. The only option left for her would be only you!

             "I think that this is a very wonderful plan without any flaw, whatsoever. After the successful execution of this my wonderful and marvelous plan you will be acclaimed as 'An emperor who conquered his enemies without losing his army, without meeting with any danger and without a combat'. You will certainly be crowned with a great fame, merit, prosperity and glory."

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324. Kumbhakarna promised to kill Rama and others in battle.

             Hearing the lamentation of Ravana, Kumbhakarna guffawed. Then with a serious face he told his bro Ravana "O! My dear bro! What has happened was a very likely possibility envisaged during your consultation with your well wishers and counselors. But you unfortunately discounted it totally. 
          "O emperor! This course of events were not expected by you at first. In your arrogance you did not foresee such a consequence, in particular  from Rama, a human. 

          "A king who disregards an enemy and does not protect himself adequately, is very likely to have disappointing occurrences and would be removed from his position. That advice which was tendered to you earlier by Vibhishana is beneficial to us.
           "Now there is no point in crying over the spilled milk. Now, I will certainly do what you want me to."

          Ravana was not in a mood to take criticism or advice, even from his dear brother, Kumbhakarna. He asked his brother angrily "Why are you advising me like a venerable great teacher? Now, it is a waste to tell again that I did not take the advice which you consider was the best option.

              "Wise persons do not repent over the past. Past is past. Let us consider what is best for the present. If you have some affection for me or if you are confident about your own prowess and if you think it fit in your heart that what I need from you is to be done very much, you nullify the hardship, born out of my wicked conduct, by your prowess. He who rescues an afflicted soul, whose fortune is ruined, is the real friend. He who is ready at hand to help one who has deviated from the right course, is a kinsman.”

        Kumbhakarna felt sorry that his words hurt his dear brother Ravana who had become very angry with him. As it was not his intention to hurt the feelings of his dear bro, Kumbhakarna spoke slowly, sweetly and smoothly. Observing that his brother was highly perturbed and excited, Kumbhakarna, gently and softly told Ravana “O my dear brother! Sorry my words hurt you. Let me assure you that it was not my intention to hurt you. Please shed your anger completely and become your normal sweet self again. O king! I hereby give you my solemn assurance that until I live, fulfilling of your desire will be my utmost duty. As you desire, I shall destroy him, for whose account, you are feeling anguished.

             "O king! I consider it is my duty to give advice, which in my opinion is the best for you. I gave this advice, because of our relation and brotherly affection. That was past. At this moment, I gather that you desire the destruction of your adversaries in battle. It will, certainly be done by me. See today the army of monkeys and Rama along with his brother being killed by me in the fore-front of the battle-field. Be happy by seeing Rama's head, which I shall bring today from the battle. Let Seetha be unhappy.

       "Let all those rakshashas in Lanka, whose relatives have died in battle, witness the death of  Rama today. Today, I shall do the act of wiping off tears of the rakshashas, who have been afflicted with grief and lamenting because of the destruction of their relatives in combat by the adversaries. See today in battle, the mountain-like Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, looking like a cloud illuminated by the sun, thrown about, dissipated.

         "O king of rakshashas! From this moment onwards Rama can kill you or even cause a scratch on your body, only after killing me. On that account, I do not regret for myself. You can command me, even now, as you wish. No other person need be sought to assist me. I, alone can vanquish your enemies, who have a great strength. You know very well that I can face even Shakra, Yama, Agni, Vayu or Varuna. It is common knowledge that even Indra gets frightened of me.

         "Without any weapon I can smash my enemies, singly. I can kill even Indra, with my bare hands.

         "If Rama today survives my rapid blows of my fists, then my flood of arrows will finish him. O king! So long as I am alive, why do you succumb to any anxiety? Here, I am ready to sally forth for the destruction of your enemies. Get rid of any apprehension of Rama. In the battle, I will kill Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and Hanuman, too, by whom the city of Lanka was burnt off and many rakshashas were killed. I shall devour the monkeys. I wish to be the raison d'être for the extraordinary reputation you will be securing for subjugating Rama.

         “O king! In case you have any fear for Indra or even for Brahma, I shall erase it, as the sun removes darkness of the night. You know very well that when I am enraged, even Devas will lay down on the floor. I can extinguish even Yama. I can devour the Pavaka (i.e. Agni), too. I can cause the sun along with the stars to fall asunder on the floor.

           "You know very well that I can overwhelm Indra. I can drink away the ocean. I can crush mountains into powder. I can tear up the earth. The supreme prowess of Kumbhakarna, who slept for a long time, is going to be demonstrated today. I am going to bring you happiness, conferring you a delight by killing Rama along with Lakshmana. I will devour all the chiefs of army of monkeys. O king! You make merry today. Throw away your agony and perform your usual duties without any worry. After I sent Rama to the world of Yama, Seetha will become subservient to you."

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323. Ravana asks Kumbhakarna to liquidate Rama and his army.

             Kumbhakarna was slightly tottering due to the drowsiness caused by the intake of abundant quantity of inebriating drinks, in his march along the king's highway, full of royal dignity. He was accompanied by thousands of rakshashas. He was covered with a shower of flowers from the houses on both the sides of the highway. He arrived at Ravana's abode, covered with golden grilled windows, spacious and looking beautiful, like a shining sun.
       Entering Ravana's palace Kumbhakarna saw his worried brother sitting in the Pushpaka viman. Seeing Kumbhakarna Ravana quickly jumped from his seat in delighted and brought him near to his side. After the usual formalities, Kumbhakarna  asked him "For what purpose have I been woken up by you? Tell me from whom is the danger for you here and who is to be killed."
       Ravana told Kumbhakarna "O mighty Kumbhakarna! During your sound sleep that Rama came here with an army of monkeys and troubles me. This Rama is cutting short our race. Alas! Coming happily by a bridge, the forests and groves have been covered with an ocean full of monkeys, the army of that human Rama. 
         "The monkeys killed very many important rakshashas in battle. It seems the monkeys were not defeated at any time before, in a combat. O mighty Kumbhakarna! That is the danger which has arisen. You have to help us now. Go and destroy them now. You have been woken up solely for that purpose.
     "I have a great respect and affection for you. For several times, in battles between devas and asuras, you conquered the devas. O Kumbhakarna of terrible prowess! Therefore, show your entire prowess. There is indeed no one, in all the worlds, who is equal to you in strength.
           "O Kumbhakarna, Go and blow away that Rama and his army by your indomitable power, as an autumnal cloud is blown away by a high-rising wind.”

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322. Kumbhakarna goes to meet Ravana.

            Hearing the commotion, Rama presumed some rakshashas were attacking the vanaras unexpectedly. Hurriedly taking his sword, bow and quiver he (Rama) rushed out to their aid. Seeing the bulky Kumbhakarna, adorned with a diadem Rama realized the reason for the brouhaha. However, he became very much curious seeing the form of a mountain and looking like Lord Narayana  taking strides across space, and measured the whole universe in a couple of strides. Nevertheless he became vigilant. He also wanted to know about that mountain like rakshash.

       Beholding him again, who looked like a rainy black cloud and wearing a golden bracelet as an ornament on his upper arm, almost all the vanaras took to their heels in full speed in terror. Seeing the army running away, the rakshash increased the size of his body. Rama became interested to know who that rakshash was. He asked Vibhishana "Who is this eminent rakshash, appearing as a mountain, with a diadem and tawny eyes and looking like a cloud with a flash of lightning?  I have not seen such a creature earlier at any time."

          Vibhishana replied "He is the powerful Kumbhakarna, the son of Visravasa. He conquered Yama and Indra in battle. There is no other rakshash, corresponding to the size of his body. O Rama! He conquered thousands of Devas, Yakshas, Bhujangas (Serpant faced rakshashas), Pisithasanas (a kind of ghost), Gandharvas  and Vidyadharas  in battle.

          "Seeing the mighty Kumbhakarna with ghastly eyes and a spear in hand, the Devas were not able to face him. For them he looked like Yama. This Kumbhakarna, by his very nature, is energetic and mighty in contrast to the strength of the other prominent rakshashas (like Ravana, Intrajit etc.) attributable to the boons (granted on request by gods).

         "He was born with a perpetual voracious hunger, ipso facto soon after his birth, he was said to have consumed thousands of living creatures. This kind of activity continued with increased vigor, capability and quantum with his age. The frightened people sought refuge with Indra explaining the matter about him. Indra struck Kumbhakarna with his weapon thunderbolt. Kumbhakarna struck by Indra's thunderbolt became quite agitated and angry, roared loudly with anger. That roar of Kumbhakarna, made  the frightened people further frightened.

           "Enraged as he was on Mahendra (an alias for Indra), the mighty Kumbhakarna then pulled out a tusk of Airavata, Indra's elephant and struck it into Indra's chest. That Devendra, tormented by the hit of Kumbhakarna, was burning with rage. Devas, Brahmarishis and Danavas were felt aggrieved by the torments of Kumbhakarna. Indra, himself felt aggrieved,  taking Devas and other his co-aggrieved subjects, went to the abode of Brahma for solace, protection and remedy.

          "The evil doings of  Kumbhakarna were reported to Brahma, including how he devoured the living creatures right from the day of his birth, his assault on Devas, the destruction of hermitages and his taking away of others' wives. If he eats away the living creatures continuously like this, the world will become desolate shortly. Brahama, the great grandfather of the entire world, as well as to Ravana and his brothers, after thoroughly examining the report, sent for all the rakshashas.  He, Brahma, was stunned seeing Kumbhakarna along with them. He, just could not believe that he, himself created him.

      "The mere sight of Kumbhakarna was frightening even to Brahma. After pondering for a few moments, Brahma cursed Kumbhakarna  'I just could not believe that Visravasa begot you. Anyhow, your consuming living beings like the way it is reported to me is not acceptable to me.  Hence you will be sleeping apparently dead from now onwards.' Humbled by Brahma's curse, Kumbhakarna then promptly fell down and started sleeping. Ravana was greatly pained to see his dear brother sleeping like this. He represented to Brahma 'O Grandpa! You are cutting off a well-grown golden tree, just at the time of yielding its fruit. It is not fair on your part to curse your own great grandson like this. I know that you will not be able to revoke the curse. I request you to modify it in such a way that some space of time be fixed for his sleeping and waking.'
          "Brahma felt that the request of Ravana was just and fair. He modified the curse by  'He will sleep for about six months and wake-up for a day.' 

            "On the single days he was awake, having starved for six months, he  wanders all over the earth and eat the human race  like an augmented fire. Ravana, who was thoroughly subdued by you seems  frightened at your prowess, now got Kumbhakarna awakened for retribution.

         "The mere sight of Kumbhakarna seems to terrify our vanaras."

             After hearing Vibhishana, Rama ordered Neela, the chief of the vanara army "O Neela! Go, marshal the entire army. Occupying the door-ways, high-ways and bridges of Lanka, stand ready for operation. Draw together the mountain-tops, trees as well as the rocks. Let all the vanaras with their weapons and rocks in hand, ordered to stand ready."

           As per the direction of Rama,  Gavaksha, Sharabha, Hanuman and Angada, reached the gates, taking the mountain-tops. 

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321. Kumbhakarna was awakened from sleep.

               Utterly ashamed and absolutely tired, Ravana was hardly able to walk. Probably he was cursing his maker for giving him two legs only as against twenty hands. May be he was thinking 'if only I have twenty legs, or at least a couple of more legs, it may not be so hard for me to walk.' Somehow he returned to the City of Lanka.
            Reaching his palace, he went straight to his favorite chamber to brood.  The thought that he, Ravana, the King of rakshashas was afflicted with the fear of Rama's arrows made his pride humbled and troubled him immeasurably. The thought that he was overcome by Rama, like an elephant by a lion or a serpent by an eagle, troubled him infinitely. The thought that Rama's arrows resembled the Rod of Brahma and possessed the splendour of lightning hurt his pride endlessly.
            He, the Lord of all Rakshashas, wanted to have a sound reprisal for the humiliation he had at the hands of Rama. After brooding for a while with all his ten heads he got a solution.   

           Resting on an excellent and charming throne made of gold, with his minds vastly relieved, Ravana told his flunky rakshashas "O! dear chaps! It is a pity that all that great penances performed by me did not help me, for, I, who is equal to Mahendra the Lord of Celestials, have been defeated by a lowly creature, to wit a human! The terrible words of Brahma, the Lord of Creation saying, 'You may have a threat from men' appear true. That is so. I sought immunity from death at the hands of devas, danavas, gandharvas, yakshas, rakshashas or pannagas (divine serpents), but I omitted to include humans.

       "Rama, the son of Dasharatha is the man I think of whom Anaranya born of Ikshvaku dynasty cursed me 'O, the worst of rakshasas, the worst of your race and the wretched one! In my race will be born a man who will slay you in battle with your sons, ministers, army, horses and charioteers.' Further, I was formerly cursed by Vedavati when she was humiliated by me. The same Vedavati seems to be born as Seetha, the daughter of Janaka.

       "What was predicted by Parvati the consort of Shiva, Nandishvara the attendant of Shiva, Rambha  and the daughter of Varuna have come to pass! The words of the sages never prove false. On account of all this, you should do your best to get me relief. Send immediately a good lot of rakshashas to the summit of Charya Mountain. Awaken that Kumbhakarna, who is without equal in prowess, who humbles the pride of the devas  and danavas, and on whom the curse of Brahma, the Lord of creation, rests all the time."

            In view of the grave situation to which he was driven in, Ravana issued orders  to guard all the gates with utmost care. So also the ramparts. Then to the flunky chaps he continued "Rouse Kumbhakarna who is slumbering soundly, immediately, by any means. 

          "The mighty Kumbhakarna, the foremost of all rakshasas will kill all the monkeys and the two princes at once in the battle. When Kumbhakarna is awakened, all my worried will evaporate."

           As ordered by Ravana a good lot of strong and mighty rakshashas were sent immediately to the place where Kumbhakarna was sleeping. He was sleeping in a beautiful cave, with a large door, having an area of a few Yojanas and bearing a floral perfume. Those very strong rakshashas, who were sent to awaken Kumbhakarna, though shaken off by Kumbhakarna's breaths, remained stable forcefully with difficulty and went into the cave. Entering that beautiful cave inlaid with diamonds and gold, those strong rakshashas beheld Kumbhakarna, of terrific prowess,  sleeping soundly.          

         They tried to awaken Kumbhakarna who was sleeping nastily like a spread-out mountain in a great slumber, breathing like a huge serpent. Kumbhakarna of irresistible valour was emitting dreadful snores, his nostrils looking horrible and his mouth a gaping hell. He was emitting an odour of marrow and blood, his limbs were adorned with golden armlets and he wore a diadem as bright as the sun.

          Then, those powerful rakshasas, in order to avoid the anger of Kumbhakarna, placed a heap of venison as high as Mount Meru, in front of him. They piled up a great mass of very tasty food with the meat of deer, buffaloes and pigs. Then, they placed pots of blood and various kinds of meat in front of Kumbhakarna. They rubbed Kumbhakarna with the most rare sandalwood and refreshed him with celestial and fragrant garlands as well as sweet-smelling perfumes. They burnt incenses and hymned his praises. They cried out noises which burst forth on every side like thunder.

          They blew conches which were as bright as the moon and made very high pitched sounds tumultuously all at once. Those rakshasas made sounds by clapping their hands, and shook him too, creating a great clamour. Birds passing through the sky ran helter-shelter and some  fell down soon on hearing the sounds of the couches, drums, gongs, clapping of hands and leonine roars.

         As the above endeavours did not waken  Kumbhakarna from his slumber, all the troops of rakshashas seizing bars, pestles and maces and pricked  him with all their might at various places on his huge body. Then, the cruel rakshashas tried hitting forcefully that sleeping Kumbhakarna on his chest with mountain-tops, pestles, maces, hammers and their fists; no dice. Despite the fact that all those rakshashas were quite strong and sturdy, they could not stand upright before the breathing from the nostrils and the mouth of Kumbhakarna. Then, they tried sitting round him and beating with their might drums, cymbals, kettle-drums and myriads of conches and trumpets.

          As they were unable to rouse him by these means, they resorted to more energetic and ruthless methods. They made horses, camels, donkeys, and elephants to trample upon him mercilessly. No dice.

           They then crushed his limbs under piles of heavy logs and pillars, as also pricked maces on his body with all their strength.                   Entire Lanka, with its mountains and groves, was filled with great noise generated by those rakshashas to wake the sleeping Kumbhakarna. Then, they beat a    thousand drums all around with sticks of refined gold.        

        Those rakshashas were at the end of their tether. As a last try they tried a thousand elephants ran up and down on his body. Oh! That seemed to be yielding the desired result. That made Kumbhakarna lightly wake up. The elephants running all over his body did not at all bother him. What bothered him was his beloved tummy. He then realized that he was terribly hungry, which made him suddenly spring up from his bed, yawning due to loss of sleep. 

         That yawning resembled a tempest. Guessing that he would be very hungry those rakshashas pointed to various kinds of victuals, boars, buffalos etc.. Kumbhakarna devoured them. Then, being thirsty drank blood kept ready in the pitchers. 
          As Kumbhakarna has gratified his hunger, the rakshashas approached him, saluting him with their heads bent and surrounded him on all sides.

             Raising his eyelids that were heavy with sleep, his gaze still veiled, he directed his glance towards those rakshashas and asked them "For what reason have you thus wakened me? Is all well with the king? Since you have wakened me in haste, there must be some problem from an external source. Now, I will sweep away the misfortune from Ravana, my very dear brother, even if I have to cut Mahendra (i.e. Indra) himself to pieces or to freeze Fire. For a petty reason, one does not indeed awaken, one such as I, from my slumber. Hence, tell me frankly, for what reason you have roused me."

           Yupaksha, a minister of the King, with his hands joined salutation, told "O, Prince! There is no threat whatsoever at anytime for us from celestials but a mere man is driving us back by a tumultuous tremor. That human guy has come with an army of monkeys, whose forms are as large as mountains, are besieging Lanka. There is an uncontrollable peril for us from Rama, who is furious on account of Seetha's abduction.

          "Already, a single monkey set fire to our great city and also slew the youthful Prince Aksha with his escort of elephants and retinue. Today that human guy defeated thoroughly our king and spared his life by saying something like 'Go now and come back refreshed tomorrow to face me to die'. Such a humiliation  our king never suffered even at the hands of Gods or Rakshashas or Danavas."

           Kumbhakarna rolling his great eyes, said "O, Yupaksha! I will now go and after conquering the entire army of monkeys with Lakshmana and Rama I will see Ravana. I shall satiate the rakshashas with the flesh and blood of monkeys and, as for Rama and Lakshmana, I shall drink their blood myself."

         Mahodara the captain of the team sent to awake Kumbhakarna, politely told Kumbhakarna "O, the mighty armed! Our King Ravana would like you to see him before you go to the battle field."

          Kumbhakarna agreed. The rakshasas, having awaken that sleeping Kumbhakarna hurried to the King in haste and told him "O, Lord of Rakshashas! Kumbhakarna, your brother, has wakened. Would you like him to enter the battle field from there itself or do you desire him to come here and see you?"

          Ravana answered "I wanna see him here first. Tell him that." Kumbhakarna was informed of the same.  Hearing his brother's wish, Kumbhakarna the inviolable rakshash of great prowess, leapt up from his couch and told them to bring him a drink which can boost up his strength.

           They obliged immediately what he wanted. Having drunk two thousand pitchers of assorted drinks, Kumbhakarna set out to see his dear bro.

          The fuming Kumbhakarna, going to his brother's palace along with the army of rakshashas, looked like Yama, the Lord of Death marching in high rage. He caused the earth to tremble with his foot-steps, while marching. The royal highway was illumined by his body, like the sun by its flashes illumines the earth. He went surrounded by a circle of rakshashas paying obeisance, resembling Indra  approaching the abode of Brahma.

           Seeing him on the royal high way, those vanaras stationed outside the city, as also their leaders, were frightened intolerably. They rushed to Rama for protection. Some fell down tottering, some so perturbed were going aimlessly and some others fell down due to nervous brake-down. Seeing that colossus appearing like a great peak, having a diadem which seemed to touch the sun with its brilliance, the vanarass were seized with terror were running hither and thither.

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