331. Trishira and Devantaka sent to join his brother.

            Seeing Narantaka dying, Devantaka, Trishira and Mahodara, the son of Pulastya, wept. Controlling his sorrow, Mahodara, mounting a huge and fearsome elephant, rushed towards Angada to crush him to death.

         Devantaka, absolutely  stunned, appalled, astonished, startled, astounded and confounded, was completely at a loss as to what to do. He, however, controlled himself quickly and then taking a terrific iron rod, ran towards Angada with a determination  to kill him. Trishira, the other dear bro of the demised, mounting a chariot yoked with excellent horses, flounced towards Angada. Despite completely made weak and tired in his last encounter, Angada, seeing the three very powerful rakshashas, who were capable of smashing the pride of even devas, coming towards him intent to finish him, bracing himself for the encounter, uplifted a tree with its large boughs and waited.
         The valiant Angada hurled that large tree on Devantaka who was sighted first. Trishira chopped off that tree with arrows looking like serpents. Seeing that, valiant vanaras around Angada, their prince, quickly collecting huge trees and large rocks and hurled them on that rakshash. The accomplished Trishara chopped most of them off with his arrows. Mahodara broke the remaining trees with the tip of his club. Trishira then started attacking Angada  with his arrows.
        Driving his elephant to rush towards Angada, the angry Mahodara struck on his chest with javelins looking like thunderbolts. At the same time, Devantaka quickly approached Angada by running at a full sprint, struck him as hard as could muster with his club. Ignoring all the hits he had, Angada with great prowess and splendor, did not get alarmed as he was trained well to handle any situation. The very capable Angada, acting with a great swiftness, struck Devantaka's elephant with his palm.
       That blow of Angada caused the death of that elephant with his eyes falling out. Pulling out a tusk of that elephant, Angada hit Devantaka with it. That hit made Devantaka sway to and fro in disorder, like a tree being tossed up by the wind and emitting plenty of blood with the colour of a lacquer.
        Devantaka, recovering his breath with a great difficulty, struck back Angada violently, with an iron rod. That made Angada fall down on his knees. However, he recovered immediately and bounced back.
      Unfortunately for Angada, Trishira struck him with three terrific and straight-going arrows on his forehead before he could steady himself after bouncing back. Seeing Angada being pestered by three capable rakshashas, our dear hero, Hanuman and Neela rushed to his aid. Neela hurled a mountain-peak on Trishira. Trishira broke it by sharp arrows.
          Devantaka ran towards Hanuman with his iron rod. Hanuman struck on his head with his fist causing his head crushed and broken, with his teeth and eyes coming out and with his tongue hanging down. He fell down stone dead on the earth.
      Mahodara, as his contribution, rained arrows in quick succession on Neela, like rumbling cloud with a circle of lightning showers rain on a mountain. These arrows made the body of Neela blow up. Mahodara then made his limbs paralyzed.
    However, Neela recovered his consciousness, almost immediately, uplifted a mountain consisting of a number of trees and then threw it with great force on Mahodara. That mountain hit the head of Mahodara who was shattered by the impact of that mountain and fell down. He then was crushed by that large elephant on which he was riding. That was the end of that rakshash Mahodara.
        Seeing Mahodara, his young paternal uncle, killed, Trishira was sorry and also enraged. Increasing his war efforts, Trishira hit Hanuman with sharp arrows. In retaliation Hanuman hurled a mountain-peak on Trishira, who broke it into several pieces with his arrows. Hanuman then tried a volley of trees.
        Trishira chopped those trees, too with his arrows in the sky itself and roared aloud jubilantly. Hanuman then jumped up and tore asunder with his nails, Trishira's horse, as a lion would a large elephant. Trishira hurled a spear on Hanuman. Hanuman caught that and broke it. Trishira, drawing his sword like lightning, dug it into Hanuman's breast with all the force he could muster. Despite the fact the thrust of the sword was hurting him like deathblow,  Hanuman, the indestructible, resiled quickly and struck Trishira on his breast, with his palm. That made Trishira unconscious and he fell down on the earth. Hanuman quickly snatching the sword of Trishira, roared loudly frightening all the rakshashas there. Strangely that road made Trishira recover his consciousness  and he jumped up and struck Hanuman with his fist.
Hanuman seizing hold of Trishira by his middle head covered by his diadem, chopped off with that sword, all the three heads decorated with diadems and ear-rings.
        Those mountain-like heads of Trishira fell down on earth, as planets and stars drop from the track of the sun. Seeing the finish of Trishira, all the vanaras cried joyously. 
         Mahaparshva(called Matta by his friends and others), seeing Trishira, Mahodara and Devantaka killed, decided to  take revenge.
Getting hold of a large mace, Mahaparshva marched towards the vanaras. One of the strong vanaras, Rishabha came jumping and stood in front of that rakshash. Mahaparshva struck him on his breast with his mace. Exuding blood profusely Rishabha fell down unconscious. However, he regained his consciousness quickly and hit Mahaparshva hard. With his body drenched in blood, Mahaparshva fell unconscious on the ground. Thinking that Mahaparshva was dead, Rishabha roared loudly in joy. Mahaparshva remained still as though he was dead for a while. After a while when he felt that he was okay, springing suddenly he struck that Rishabha, the son of Varuna, hard. That made Rishabha fall unconscious. Rising after regaining consciousness in a very short time and taking hold of the same mace banged on Mahaparshva whose breast was broken started exuding copious blood, as a mountain exudes water full of minerals.
   Rishabha wanted to ensure that rakshasha was dead. Quickly taking the mace he struck that rakshash with it repeatedly. That action resulted in the demise of Mahaparshva.
      Seeing Mahaparshva was killed, that army of rakshashas, which was as extensive as an ocean, abandoning their weapons in the battle-field, fled for their lives, like a sea which has burst its shores.

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330. Next victim is Narantaka.

               Hearing the lamentation and seeing the pitiable reaction of Ravana on hearing the death of his dear brother Kumbhakarna, Trishira (one of the sons of Ravana) tried to comfort and solace him by "O! Dad! Kumbhakarna uncle died as a hero fighting valiantly. In the past you have taken setbacks in your stride. I agree that the sudden loss of uncle Kumbhakarna is very difficult to reconcile. However, heroes and valiant warriors like you do not lament as you are doing now. All the worlds know that you are capable of conquering all the three worlds, even without any assistance. It is unbecoming of you to lament and grieve like this. It is quite unfortunate that uncle Kumbhakarna is no longer with us. However, you have the javelin given by Brahma. And an inviolable armour, a bow and an arrow together with a chariot yoked to a thousand donkeys, emitting a sound surpassing the rumbling of a cloud are at your command.
        "Devas and danavas were conquered by you several times by you without the assistance of uncle Kumbhakarna. As such, you can punish Rama  with the weapons endowed with you.
      "But actually there is no need for you to face that fellow Rama. You stay back and rest and brood over the tragic demise of uncle Kumbhakarna. I will set out and eradicate those two humans and his army of monkeys in battle, as Garuda eradicates the serpents."
      The comforting, encouraging and palliative  words of Trishira cheered Ravana up and made him think that he was born anew, after being summoned by Death.
     The brothers of Trishira namely Devantaka, Narantaka and Atikaya shouted in unison that they, too will go with Trishira for the final battle.
    Ravana was aware that all of them wee capable of passing through the sky. All were skilled in magic. All had humbled the pride of gods. All were fierce in battle. All were endowed with great strength. All were widely renowned. All were such as had never been heard of having been conquered by devas or Gandharvas or Kinnaras or mahoragas (Giant serpents) at any time in a battle.
       All of them were valiant, well-versed in weaponry and skilled in war-fare. All were greatly knowledgeable and all had pocketed good many boons. Ravana, surrounded by those four very competent and capable sons felt energized.
     Embracing his sons, embellishing them with ornaments and blessing them profusely, Ravana sent them to battle. Ravana reinforced them by sending two more capable rakshashas Yuddhonmatta and Matta  (better known as Mahodara and Mahaparshva) to assist them.
    All those chaps with colossal bodies, left after giving due homage to Ravana. Smelling their bodies anointed with all types of herbs and perfumes, those six mighty and capable rakshashas started, eager and raring  to fight.
      Mahodara mounted an elephant called Sudarshana very much resembling Airavata. On the back of that elephant Mahodara was shining like the sun on the peak of Ashtachala mountain.
      Trishira (he was named so as he had three heads) ascended an exquisite chariot, yoked to excellent horses and filled with all types of armory. Wearing  three diadems, standing in the chariot wielding a bow, he was looking like the Mt. Himavat, the king of mountains with its three golden hills, and was shining like a cloud with glittering meteors, illuminations and a rain-bow.
      Atikaya mounted his chariot, having first-rate wheels and axles, well-yoked, having a good carriage and pole, filled with quivers and bows and flashing all kinds of missiles, swords and maces. He was radiant with his lovely diadem, and shining in brilliant gold and other ornaments, like Mount Meru. In that chariot, Atikaya that mighty prince, was shining like Indra surrounded by devas.
      Narantaka mounted a white gigantic horse, looking like the one used by Indra. Narantaka, holding a javelin, which was resplendent like a meteor, appeared shining, like God Guha (=Kartikeya).
      Devantaka, holding his special weapon as hard as iron and as effective as vajra was marching ahead looking like an incarnation of Vishnu holding Mandara-mountain in his arms.
       Those distinguished rakshashas set out to the battle field, like Suras leaving Amaravati. Mighty rakshasha soldiers, holding excellent weaponry, accompanied them, mounting on elephants, horses and chariots making sounds of rumbling clouds.
        Those mighty princes, very valiant and absolutely fearless, wearing diadems and possessed of prosperity, were shining like glowing planets in the sky. The row of auspicious attire worn by them was like an autumnal cloud or like a flock of cranes in the sky.
        Determined to vanquish their enemies, those valiant rakshashas pressed forward to the battle field with courageous resolve and eager to fight for victory. Those mighty sons of Ravana set out with an arrogant conception of war, went roaring to the battle field fully confident of their victory.
         The earth trembled by their battle-cries and clapping of arms. The sky appeared breached by the vociferous roars of the rakshashas. The mighty sons of Ravana, on reaching the battle field,  were delighted to see the army of vanaras holding rocks as their weapons as against their mighty arrows, maces, missiles etc.
    The reaction of the mighty vanaras, on seeing the army of rakshasas was a determination to crush them and they, too roared again and again with a pitch much higher than that of their enemies.
       The battle started. Some vanara leaders, with their raised mountains, roamed about like mountains with their peaks. Some others ready with trees and rocks as their weapons. The spectators from the firmament were anxiously expecting the battle to be very fierce and would be very interesting to watch.
         The determined vanaras  blocked the flood of arrows by a matchless rain of trees, rocks and mountains.
       The spectators from the firmament noticed that the casualty was even on both sides.
       The rakshashas pierced the vanaras with their arrows, spears, mallets, swords, javelins and lances. Vanaras were fighting with huge rocks, trees, their hands, nails on hands and feet and their teeth. 
       In a short time the battle-field became dampened with blood and covered by the mountains, huge rocks, trees, swords, maces, spears, arrows etc. used in the battle. Oh, yes! It was covered with dead, dying and wounded  bodies of rakshashas and vanaras, too.
When all their weapons were used, the rakshashas used the corpses irrespective of whether it was that of a rakshash or a vanara, as a weapon. Vanaras aped this tactics, naturally.
           The battle-field, filled with those mountains, broken trees and dead and wounded bodies of vanaras, rakshashas, the various weapons of the rakshashas, horses,  donkeys, elephants etc. became difficult to be traversed.
        Undaunted by the killing of their comrades the brave and valiant vanaras, with their thrilling martial arts full of pride, and with their various weapons like trees, rocks, teeth and nails and unrepressed team spirit, carried out the battle with determination. Seeing the vanaras gaining upper hand in the conflict and the falling down of the rakshashas in huge numbers, the maharishis and the devas viewing the battle from the firmament applauded and blessed the vanaras.
         Seeing the vanaras decidedly gaining upper hand, Narantaka, mounting on a horse that can move like wind, and taking a barbed javelin entered the jubilant army of the vanaras. The action of that valiant prince Narantaka resulted in a devastating  catastrophe for the vanaras.
      The spectators from the firmament saw the mighty Narantaka, seated on the back of his horse and hacking a path way for himself through the army of vanaras. His path-way was covered with a mire of flesh and blood, along with heaps of fallen-down dead-bodes of vanaras, looking like hills.
        Whenever any brave vanara try to show valour, Narantaka simply cleaved him. Even before any vanara attempted to uplift any tree or mountain or rock, the javelin of Narantaka struck him  down.
       That mighty Narantaka, roamed in all directions in the battle-field, holding up his shiny javelin, massacring vanaras in all directions like the wind ravaging the earth in a rainy season. Narantaka, a single rakshash, struck a very large number of vanaras with his javelin.
         Unable to withstand or resist the onslaught of Narantaka,  the vanaras rushed to their king Sugreeva for protection. Narantaka following those running away vanaras reached in the vicinity of Sugreeva.
         Seeing Narantaka, Sugreeva told Angada "Go and protect our vanaras from that rakshas."
      Angada nodded and bouncing, as the sun coming out of a cloud jumped down before Narantaka. He told Narantaka "Hey! Stupid Rakshash! Why are you attacking these common vanaras? Try your javelin towards my chest."
    Narantaka duly obliged. Oh! That rakshash was shocked to see that javelin broke against Angada's chest, which was as hard as a diamond and fell to the earth.
     With a proud smile Angada stretched out his palm and struck the head of the horse of that rakshash. That mountain-like horse, fell down with its head shattered, feet broken, eyes and pupils put out and tongue come out. 
       Narantaka  felt an enraged surprise. As a requiter, raising his fist, Narantaka struck Angada on his head. Angada's head started reeling and blood started oozing out of the cut created by the hit. He also felt a burning sensation causing him to swoon. However, he regaining consciousness quickly and was surprised to note the power and strength of that rakshash.
       Then Angada, gritting his teeth and clinching his fist and mustering all his remaining strength, hit the chest of Narantaka. The chest of that rakshash Narantaka deeply sunk back by that fist-blow, giving out flames and with his limbs smeared by blood, fell down as a mountain is broken up by the fall of a thunder-bolt, stone dead.
         Witnessing the killing of Narantaka by Angada in battle, the spectators in the firmament and the vanaras clapped and shouted with joy. 

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329. Ravana rues over the death of Kumbhakarna.

               The way in which Kumbhakarna was overpowered and subsequently killed by Rama shocked and surprised and awed the accompanying soldiers. Shaking all over, they rushed to Ravana and reported to him "O king! The great Kumbhakarna, looking like Yama, driving away the army of monkeys and devouring quite a lot of them, was absolutely overpowered and killed by Rama who was unquestionably much more superior in prowess, bravery, courage, daring, fearlessness, heroism etc. The prowess exhibited for a moment by Kumbhakarna, your brother, was effortlessly crushed by the fiery energy of Rama. Unable to defend himself from Rama's arrows, Kumbhakarna who was looking grandeur like a mountain became an ugly mass, with his body copiously oozing out blood, his face bereft of nose and ears, resembling a tree scorched by a forest-fire, with his trunk half-submerged in a terribly looking sea and obstructing the main gate of Lanka."

           The news completed shattered Ravana, who was absolutely sure of his great brother's victory over Rama and his army, was tormented with grief and fell down, fainted. Devantaka, Narantaka, Trishira and Atikaya, the nephews of Kumbhakarna were afflicted with sorrow and wept. Mahodara and Mahaparshva (close relatives of Kumbhakarna) were overcome with grief.

          Ravana when came out of his stupor cried "Alas! O hero, destroying the pride of enemies! O mighty Kumbhakarna! Leaving me behind, you have gone to the abode of Yama. O mighty Kumbhakarna! I did not at all think that you will be vanquished by that  Rama, a mere human. I was immensely confident that after taking away the thorn of grief from relatives and me, you and me will be enjoying our lives eternally.

         "Without you, this right hand of mine, on whom I was taking refuge had no fear of suras and asuras, has fallen down. How such a hero, who destroyed the pride of devas and danavas, as also who was an image of fire that was to destroy the world, was killed by Rama, a mere human, today in battle?

         "It is incredible that you, who was not bothered in any way by the thunderbolt of Indra, were afflicted by Rama's arrows? Seeing you killed in battle, I am sure the devas along with the rishis, witnessing the battle from the firmament, were  rejoiced and applauded Rama.

       "I am now pretty sure that the wretched monkeys will be rejoicing and now itself will dare to ascend the inaccessible door-ways of Lanka here from all sides. Now, without you, I have no interest with this or any kingdom. Now I lost all interest in Seetha. I do not like to live without my dear brother Kumbhakarna. Anyhow I have to live to kill that Rama who has killed my dear brother. If I cannot kill Rama, who killed my brother, in battle, I would rather prefer death.

           "Now devas, who were holding me in awe, will now mock at me. O Kumbhakarna! Now that you are dead, how can I conquer Indra? I did not accept the advise of the prognosticator of my clan and my dear brother Vibhishana,  due to my arrogance. The cruel end of Kumbhakarna and Prahasta has has made me feel shameful."

        Not knowing what action to take next, Ravana simply slumped on his couch.

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328. Kumbhakarna was slain by Rama.

               Restored to confidence by Angada, all those vanaras who came back were waiting for the battle with a firm resolution. The words of Angada made the energy of all those vanaras augmented and prowess elevated. Restored to a thrill of rapture they were determined to die, if need be. They marched forward to the battle field decidedly with such a confidence they never felt before. Ready to abandon their lives, they were prepared for a tumultuous battle. The return to the battle-field of the  vanaras,  which started in trickle shortly became torrential. Dvivida, a leader and an adherent admirer of Angada opened his innings by hurling a mountain towards Kumbhakarna. Unfortunately it missed the target. However it crushed some horses, elephants and chariots of the enemy. Dvivida hurled another mountain which killed some rakshashas.
            Pulling out a mountain looking like a hanging cloud, Dvivida ran towards Kumbhakarna, who, himself resembled a mountain-peak. Dvivida, springing up, hurled that mountain towards Kumbhakarna. It fell short of Kumbhakarana but fell on his army crushing some horses, elephants and the chariots. 
         Lifting up trees and very large mountain-rocks, the large-bodied vanaras briskly ran towards Kumbhakarna. The mighty and valiant Kumbhakarna, who got very much enraged, lifting a mace and frightening his opponents, who diffused on all sides.

             Thousands of vanaras struck by Kumbhakarna, lay scattered on the ground. That angry and hungry Kumbhakarna catching about twenty to thirty vanaras at a time with his hands and was devouring them like Garuda, the mythical bird devouring the serpents in lots. However, the determined vanaras, assembling together from all sides, stood in the battle-front, with trees and rocks in their hands to ward off that rakshash from scooping any more of their comrades.

         Our hero of Ramayanam, Hanuman struck Kumbhakarna with a large mountain-peak which injured him severely. In reply, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuman's chest with his spike. Then, Kumbhakarna struck other vanara chiefs who were poised to attack him. Thousands of vanaras then boldly climbed Kumbhakarna's body and severely scratched him with their nails, hit him with their fists and bit him with their teeth. In fact they tried their best to annoy, irritate and harm him to the maximum extent they were able to. Kumbhakarna killed many of them with his spike. When Angada confronted Kumbhakarna, the latter hit Angada violently which made Angada fall unconscious. Then, Kumbhakarna directed his attack on Sugreeva. Sugreeva struck Kumbhakarna's chest with a mountain, which on hitting the target broke into pieces. When Kumbhakarna threw his spike towards Sugreeva in retaliation, Hanuman stopped it on the way and broke it off. Then, Kumbhakarna hurled a piece of a mountain on Sugreeva which made him unconscious. Immediately Hanuman took him away on his shoulders to a safe place. Sugreeva, on regaining consciousness, returned and almost tore off the ears and nose of Kumbhakarna with his sharp nails and teeth. In relation, Kumbhakarna took hold of Sugreeva and threw him down. Sugreeva bounced up and joined Rama. Kumbhakarna then directed his attack towards the vanaras and bears around him with his hammer.

          The enraged Hanuman violently struck Kumbhakarna, who was endowed with a magnificent body and looking like a mountain. Hit by Hanuman, Kumbhakarna stumbled. Holding firmly the spike, which was bright as lightning and looking like a blazing mountain-peak, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuman on his chest. That made Hanuman vomit blood from his mouth. Nevertheless he roared like the sound of thunderous clouds at the time of dissolution of the world. Looking at the perturbed Hanuman, all the troops of rakshashas shouted with rejoice. The vanaras, on the other hand, felt depressed with fear, started to retreat from the battle-field.

        Seeing that, Neela managed to stop them by infusing confidence into them. Then he hurled a mountain-top on Kumbhakarna. The mighty Kumbhakarna struck it with his fist making that mountain-top burst into pieces and fall down on the ground, with sparks of fire and blaze.

         The five valiant vanaras viz. Rishabha, Sharabha, Neela, Gavaksha and Gandhamadana marched ahead in unison towards Kumbhakarna with determination. Those five mighty vanaras struck Kumbhakarna from all sides, with crags, trees, palms of their hands, feet and fists. Kumbhakarna just took those attacks without flinching and was not at all perturbed. He just enfolded Rishabha in his arms.  Squeezed by Kumbhakarna's arms, Rishabha fell down with blood spewing out of his mouth.
           Then Kumbhakarna almost broke Sharabha's fist and Neela's knee. He struck Gavaksha with the palm of his right hand and kicked Gandhamadana violently by his left foot. This violent treatment made those vanaras moistened with their own blood, bewildered and fall down on the ground like chopped off Kimsuka trees. Seeing those mighty chief commanders of vanaras falling down on the ground, thousands of vanaras ran towards Kumbhakarna to save their leaders.

       All those intending saviors, looking like mountains, jumping up on Kumbhakarna who, himself was looking like a mountain, ascended him and bit him with their teeth. In other words they tried every means they could think of and capable of to hurt and defeat Kumbhakarna.

         Covered by thousands of vanaras Kumbhakarna was looking like a mountain, stood out in a crowd and also as a hill overgrown with trees. Seizing a few vanaras at a time with his arms, that mighty Kumbhakarna started devouring them like the enraged Garuda devouring the serpents.

           Hurled by Kumbhakarna in his mouth which was looking like a very huge hole in the earth, the vanaras managed to come out from his nostrils and ears. This made Kumbhakarna irate. He then mutilated the vanaras before popping them into his mouth.

           Making the earth dampened with flesh and blood, that rakshash, like an excited fire at the time of dissolution of the world, was strolling majestically among that army of vanaras. Wielding a spike in his hand in the battle-front, the mighty Kumbhakarna shone like Indra, the lord of devas, wielding a thunderbolt in his hand and like Yama the god of death wielding a noose in his hand.

Kumbhakarna was thus smashing away that army of vanaras in the same way as fire scorches away the dried-up forests in summer. Those vanaras, without the protection of an able commander, were being killed systematically. Seeing the vanaras terrified with fear Kumbhakarna roared with rebellious voice. Seeing Kumbhakarna destroying them in different ways, the agitated vanaras sought refuge in Rama.

             Seeing the plight of his chaps, Angada rushed rapidly towards Kumbhakarna. Taking a large mountain-top, Angada, roaring repeatedly and frightening all the rakshashas rushing towards Kumbhakarna hurled the mountain-top on Kumbhakarna's head. Struck on the head with that mountain, Kumbhakarna looking scornfully  at the wrathful Angada marched decisively towards him.

             Frightening all the vanaras with his great roar, the mighty Kumbhakarna hurled his spike at Angada. The mighty Angada evaded it with alacrity. Quickly spring up, Angada, gathering all his might struck  Kumbhakarna's chest, with his palm which made Kumbhakarna resembling a mountain, giddy.

           Overcoming his giddiness, that mighty rakshash quickly scooping Angada and threw him down  forcefully with a scorn. Angada fell down unconscious.
            Kumbhakarna, ignoring the unconscious Angada marched towards Sugreeva gripping his spike firmly in his hand. Seeing the mighty Kumbhakarna coming towards him, the valiant Sugreeva, collected himself and sprang up all at once. Uplifting a mountain-top with alacrity, and gripping the same firmly, the mighty Sugreeva ran towards the sturdy Kumbhakarna. Seeing Sugreeva coming rapidly towards him, Kumbhakarna, with all his limbs braced, stood facing the king of vanarass calmly.

             Seeing Kumbhakarna whose body was smeared with the blood of the vanaras devoured by him, Sugreeva sneered "You struck down very many valiant vanaras. And you ate many of them. You will be acclaimed and get a great fame for this lousy act from the clan of rakshashas. Now leave alone the vanaras. Killing or eating those vanaras will not enhance your reputation as a valiant warrior. Now try to stop this one mountain being hurled by me."

      Kumbhakarna retorted "O monkey! You are the grandson of Lord Brahma and also the son of Riksharaja (sprung from the yawn of Brahma) endowed with firmness and valour. Why do you roar?Demonstrate your valor and intrepidly."

            Sugreeva without replying that rakshash, firmly holding the mountain, hurled it forcefully on him. Even though that mountain was as strong as Indra's thunderbolt, it was crushed to pieces on hitting Kumbhakarna. Seeing this all the vanaras were distressed and the rakshashas roared with rejoice.

        Even though that mountain was crushed to pieces, it did hurt Kumbhakarna, who was therefore, enraged and roared angrily. Holding firmly the spike, which was emitting a flash of lightning, he hurled on Sugreeva. Hanuman, jumping up and holding with his arms that sharp spike  and smashed it. Seeing Hanuman breaking the spike, the army of vanaras was rejoiced, roared several times and those who were in hiding came back boldly  from all quarters.

       Kumbhakarna seeing his favorite spike broken became sad. To make score even he quickly uprooted a crest from Malaya mountain which was only a few steps for him, he struck Sugreeva hard with it. Sugreeva fell unconscious. 

          Picking up Sugreeva like you would a baby or puppy, Kumbhakarna, tucking him under his arm, walked away rather hastily thinking that if Sugreeva is killed, all this army including Rama would wither away.
           Seeing Sugreeva being carried away by Kumbhakarna our hero Hanuman thought of intervening to get his king from the clutches of that rakshash. But he refrained from taking any action for the reason that Sugreeva himself was very capable to extricate himself from the clutches of that rakshash and that it would be considered infra dig for his king if he intervenes.

          Thinking in this way, Hanuman consoled, comforted and assured his chaps that their king would soon get out of the clutches of that rakshash by himself.
            Taking Sugreeva who was throbbing, kumbhakarna entered the City of Lanka, where he was greatly revered, appreciated and welcome with showers of flowers, cool fragrant water etc. by the citizens.

          Sprinkling  of  fragrant waters cooled the royal roads. Some of the sprinkled water and the smell of the fragrant flowers made the mighty Sugreeva gradually regain his consciousness. Without showing that he was conscious he was thinking of the best way to get out of this captivity with dignity. He got it.

        Sugreeva smiling at what he intended to do, suddenly released himself from the clutches of that rakshash, jumped up and tore asunder Kumbhakarna's ears by his nails, his nose by his teeth and his ribs by the nails of his feet. Torn asunder with teeth and nails by Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna with his ears and nose deprived and his limbs moistened with blood, was in great pains causing him to throw Sugreeva down on the floor. Seeing that rakshash lifting his right foot for crushing him, Sugreeva jumped up with alacrity and speed like eh.... lightning or whatever it is, towards the sky and alighted before Rama.
           Bereft of his ears and nose, like his sister Surpanakha, the mighty Kumbhakarna, pouring out blood, was shining like a mountain with its streaming cascades. Kumbhakarna bathed in blood looked horrible, appalling, terrifying, shocking, grim, dreadful, revolting, fearful, obscene. ghastly and frightful. The thought that without his dear nose and ears he would now look like his sis Surp without such appendages made him revolting and vomit more blood with rage. Those looking at him misconstrued him for a mound of black antimony shone akin to a cloud with an evening-twilight. With a determination to wipe out the entire army of vanaras and, of course the human brothers, Kumbhakarna started to return to the battle field. As he left all his weapons in the battle field when he started walking back carrying Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna took a hammer-like weapon from one of his soldiers.
            On reaching the battle field,  Kumbhakarna immediately started devouring vanaras. Seeing that all the vanaras sought Rama for refuge.

               On hearing the catastrophe perpetrated on the vanaras by Kumbhakarna, Lakshmana rushed and challenged the rakshash by seven  arrows into the body of Kumbhakarna. Before that rakshash could react, Lakshmana released some more arrows. Kumbhakarna, however, stopped and broke both the sets of arrows without much effort.

           Then, Lakshmana covered the shining and charming golden armour of Kumbhakarna with his arrows, like a torrential  wind would make an evening-twilight cloud completely disappear. Kumbhakarna, looking like a mound of collyrium, tormented by the arrows, decked with gold, was shining like the radiant sun with its rays screened by clouds. Kumbhakarna thought "Oh! this guy is very competent! By the time I kill him or at least make him unconscious with  some severe injury, I will be so tired and may not be able to face that guy Rama. I, therefore, should somehow evade this chap and go  to where his bro is idling." He, therefore told Lakshmana as disrespectfully as  he could muster “O! My dear chap! You have well demonstrated your heroism fearlessly by attacking me, who has conquered even Yama effortlessly in a combat. Anyone who dares to even challenge me for a duel is considered venerable. 

       “Even the powerful Indra accompanied by all devas, did not ever defeat me in battle. O Lakshmana! Today, I am gratified by your strength and abilities. As a token of appreciation of your ability, strength and firmness in battle, I spare your life.  I desire to see how good your bro Rama is. Let me go to him and kill him. Subsequently, if you desire to die, you are most welcome to fight with me and I, certainly will fulfill your desire.”
             Lakshmana could not suppress his guffaw generated by the prattle of Kumbhakarna. After giving vent to his mirth, Lakshmana retorted "O valorous rakshash! I have already heard about your prowess, and now I have seen it. See Rama standing over there like a staunch mountain. By all means you can go over there and experience his prowess."

         With a thanks giving nod to Lakshmana, Kumbhakarna moved towards Rama. Seeing Kumbhakarna  coming over to him for a duel, Rama discharged a special set of arrows called Raudra (= the sentiment of violence, wrath and rage) aiming at Kumbhakarna's chest. When Kumbhakarna, who was coming fast towards Rama, was hit by those arrows, flames of fire mixed with particles of charcoal came forth from the face of Kumbhakarna. The pain was so excruciating he dropped his weapons and roared so loudly and horribly making the vanaras to run away from him in terror. With a terrific wrath, he felt insensible with loss of blood. He started devouring the vanaras, rakshashas and bears that were available handy. Then  with a terrific itch and urge to kill or at least do some harm to Rama, he i.e. Kumbhakarna, comparable in prowess and strength to Yama, getting  hold of a fearful mountain-peak, hurled it towards Rama. Rama split it into pieces with his arrows. At the instance of Lakshmana  a horde of vanaras happily mounted on the body of Kumbhakarna and started hurting him in every way they could think of. Kumbhakarna was naturally irritated and enraged and tried to shake them off with violence, as a vicious elephant would shake off its mahout. He swallowed the vanaras he was able to get hold of.
            Seeing Rama ahead of him he (Kumbhakarna) cried " 'I am not like  Viradha or Kabandha or Khara or Vali or Maricha. It is Kumbhakarna who is standing in front of you. The devas and the danavas were conquered by me before. The loss of my ears and nose does not, in any way decrease my prowess. There is no agony, even a little, for having lost the ears and the nose. Let me see your prowess. After seeing your strength and prowess, I will devour  you." 
          Rama replied by releasing the same arrow, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali. Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt. Then taking a more powerful missile called Vayavya, Rama hurled it on the rakshash. That weapon duly chopped off Kumbhakarna's right arm along with the hammer he was carrying in it. The loss of his right arm made Kumbhakarna roar tumultuously with surprise, pain, agony etc. That arm of Kumbhakarna, identical to a mountain-peak, fell along with the hammer in the middle of the army of Sugreeva killing some vanaras. Undaunted by the loss of his right arm, Kumbhakarna  pulling up a tree by its roots with his other arm, ran towards Rama. Rama chopped off Kumbhakarna's remaining arm, appearing like the coil of a serpent along with his uprooted palm-tree with another arrow. That arm resembling a hill, fell down on the ground. Wallowing hither and thither, it dashed with trees, rocks, vanaras and rakshashas. Before Kumbhakarna started realizing that both his arms were chopped off, Rama chopped off both his feet with his arrows. Kumbhakarna wanted to show that he was not an ordinary rakshash.  Widely opening his mouth like the mouth of a submarine fire and roaring, Kumbhakarna, bereft of arms and feet, rolled as fast as he could (which was something very much appreciated by the celestial spectators watching the battle with great interest from the firmament) towards Rama, like Rahu rushing to seize the moon in the sky. It seems that Rama wanted to demonstrate that he could be as callous as whoever it is. With that in view Rama filled up Kumbhakarna's mouth with sharply pointed arrows, having shafts covered with gold. With his mouth full of arrows, Kumbhakarna was unable to speak. He moaned with difficulty and almost became unconscious. Then Rama got hold of an arrow spelled with a missile presided over by Indra, effulgent as sun's rays, resembling the rod of Brahma as also the destructive Kala  and having the speed of wind. Rama discharged against the rakshash, that arrow, whose shaft was inlaid with diamonds and gold, which was shining as the dazzling sun and fire set ablaze, and which vied with the speed of Indra's thunderbolt. That arrow slashed Kumbhakarna's head, which was looking like a huge mountain-peak, having well-rounded tusks and with charming and quivering ear-rings, like Indra chopped off the head of Vritra. That head looking like a mountain, struck by Rama's arrow, fell down. It broke the buildings on the king's high-way and their gates as also threw down that high rampart. Then, that colossal rakshash of a great splendour fell into the sea. It crushed the principal alligators, beautiful fishes as also snakes and entered the bowels of the earth.

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327. Angada managed to consolidate the fleeing vanaras.

            Seeing them running away, Angada decided to do something to pacify and bring them back to the fore.  He quickly hopped on to his lieutenants Nala, Neela, Gavaksha and the mighty Kumuda and started his pacification by telling them “Hi! Guys! Why are you running away like cowards? Fie upon you for running away like that forgetting your own dignities as also nobilities of birth and trembling with fear like common vanaras? All of you are born to highly prestigious parents and are renowned for your bravery, courage, heroism, spirit, boldness, gallantry, fearlessness, intrepidity, doughtiness, lion-heartedness and strength. Please return! Are you not ashamed to be afraid of an enemy, however mighty he may be?
       "I am sure that this rakshash is not sent for combat. I am positive that this is merely a great robot made to terrorise us. O! valiant comrades! By our prowess, we shall destroy this robot in case it starts to fight with us. Come back! However,  if the worst comes to the worst, I assure you our supreme benefactor Rama will take care of us.”

          The words of Angada made those competent commanders ashamed of themselves and they meekly returned. Seeing them returning, the other vanaras, who were on the flee returned, too. All the vanaras then assembled together at a suitable place and snatching some trees and made themselves ready for the battle. When Kumbhakarna came within the ambit of their attack, like elephants in rut, those vanaras, having came back, boldly started hitting Kumbhakarna.

               Kumbhakarna,  assaulted with lofty mountain-tops, rocks and trees with blossoms at their ends, stood unshaken. The rocks, fallen on his limbs, broke into pieces. The trees, with blossoms at their ends, were broken and fell shattered on the floor.

               Kumbhakarna started to retaliate by crushing the ranks of vanaras. Many of the foremost among the vanaras fell down on the ground, bathed in blood as they were, looked like fallen trees with crimson flowers, when tossed up by that rakshash.

            Seeing the nonchalance and the enormous might and size of Kumbhakarna, quite a lot of vanaras developed fright and started rearing and running away. In that process some fell in the ocean and some inhabited the sky and some others tried to go back to Kishkindha by the same route, by which they earlier crossed the ocean.

          Some vanaras becoming pale-faced due to fear, inhabited the mounds and the low grounds. Some bears shaking with fear ascended the trees. Some escaped to a hill. Some were drowned in the ocean. Some had recourse into the caves. Some could not even stand stable on the ground. Some fell down. Some lied down pretending dead.

            Angada, disheartened seeing the en masse fleeing of the vanaras in huge number  shouted at them "Stay! We shall carry on the battle. Come back. I will not spare you, who have retreated, even if you roam over the entire earth.  Why do you safeguard your lives? O valiant vanaras, moving without hindrances! Your wives, when came to know of you running away leaving your weapons aside, will mock at and ridicule you. That would indeed be worse than death for those who do not return.

                 "All of us are born in distinguished races. Are you not ashamed to get frightened, like ordinary vanaras? As you are running away with fear, leaving all your valour, you are indeed unworthy of any honour. Were those boasting words, in which you highly projected yourself in front of Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva and others just before coming for the battle were hypocritical?                        "O Vanaras! We will get glory by killing our enemies in battle or if killed on the other hand, we shall enjoy the heaven reserved for the brave warriors. I assure you that Rama will protect all of us from that mountainous  thing called Kumbhakarna."

                Hearing the coaxing words and inferential arguments by Angada, all those fleeing vanaras started returning slowly to the battle field..           

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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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