रामोपाख्यान पर्व — कुम्भकर्ण का युद्ध को प्रस्थान

Markandeya said : Then Prahasta, harsh in battle, rushing against Vibhishana all on a sudden and sending forth a terrible yell, smote him with his mace.

(But) the intellectual Vibhishana of mighty arms, although struck with that mace (hurled) with a terrible force, did not tremble in the least and stood firm as the Himavana mountains.

Then Vibhishana, taking up a huge and mighty Javelin studded with a hundred bells and inspiring it with the mantras hurled it at the head of Prahasta.

(And that Javelin) falling with a (great) force like that of the thunderbolt cut off the head of Prahasta, who thereupon looked like a tree broken by the wind.

Seeing that night-ranger (Prahasta) thus slain in the encounter, Dhumraksha rushed furiously against the monkeys.

The monkey-chiefs, on beholding that his terrible-looking soldiers, resembling the clouds, were rushing against them, fled from (the field of) battle.

Seeing those foremost of monkeys run away all on a sudden, Hanuman, the brave of monkeys rallied them and stood ready (for battle).

(And), O king, beholding the son of Pavana remaining on the battlefield, all the monkeys rallied with great haste.

Then there arose a great and tumultuous uproar, causing the hair stand on end, as the soldiers of Rama and Ravana rushed against one another.

(And) in that battle which raged hot and furious, making the field muddy with blood, Dhumraksha began to oppress the monkeyarmy with (showers of) arrows.

Then the son of Pavana, Hanuman, the vanquisher of his foes, quickly seized that leader of the Rakshasas who was advancing (against the monkey host).

And there took place, between the Rakshasa and the monkey warrior, each desirous of vanquishing the other, as dreadful a battle as that (fought) between Indra and Pralhada (in olden days).

The Rakshasa smote the monkey with clubs and pikes and the monkey struck the Rakshasas with trees furnished with branches and trunks.

Then the angry Hanuman the son of Pavana fired with a mighty rage, destroyed Dhumraksha together with his horses charioteer and car.

And seeing that foremost of Rakshasas, Dhumraksha, (thus) killed, the monkeys giving up their fear, slew many other soldiers.

Thus slain by the powerful and victorious monkeys the Rakshasas lost their hearts and fled to Lanka in (great) fear.

And the surviving might-wanderers, who fled (from the battle-field), reaching the city, informed king Ravana of all that had happened.

Hearing from them that the valiant monkeys, had in battle, killed Prahasta and the mighty bowman Dhumraksha together with (all) their forces, Ravana drawing a heavy sigh and rising from his excellent throne said, "The time for Kumbhakarna to act, is come."

Saying this, he awakened Kumbhakarna by means of various instruments emitting loud sounds, from his deep and prolonged sleep.

And when Kumbhakarna, who was aroused by great exertions, was comfortably seated, recovered consciousness and self-possession, the terrified lord of the Rakshasas, the tenheaded (Ravana) addressed Kumbhakarna endued with a giant strength thus, "O Kumbhakarna, you are indeed happy who enjoy such a (prolonged) sleep.

Unaware of this dreadful calamity (we have been visited with). This Rama together with the monkeys having crossed the sea by means of a bridge and disregarding us all is waging a terrible war. I have stealthily abducted his wife, named Sita, the daughter of Janaka.

And in order to recover her, he has come here having constructed a bridge over the vast ocean. He has killed Prahasta and many other kinsmen of ours.

O scourage of your enemies, there is no other person capable of slaying him than you. O bravest of the brave, do you (therefore) march out this day donning your mail and O tormentor of foes, slay in battle all your enemies, Rama and others.

The two younger brothers of Dushana, Vajravega and Pramathin, accompanied by a mighty army will follow you."

Thus addressing the mighty Kumbhakarna, the lord of the Rakshasas pointed out to Vajravega and Pramathin what they should do.

And those two heroes, the younger brothers of Dushana saying to Ravana “It shall be so" (i.e. you orders shall be carried out) soon marched out of the city with Kumbhakarna at their head.