रामोपाख्यान पर्व — रामको लङ्कामा प्रवेश

Markandeya said : The descendant of Kakustha having encamped his troops in those woods and abounding with plenty of food and drink and various (sorts of) fruits and roots, began to watch over them carefully.

(On the other hand) Ravana set up, in Lanka, engines constructed in accordance with (the rules of the science on war). And the seven moats, (which encircled the city), protected by strong walls and gates, full of deep waters and abounding with fishes and alligators, though naturally unassailable, were rendered more so by being surrounded with pointed stakes of Khadira wood.

And the ramparts furnished with rounded stones and iron clubs were made unassailable by means of ballistas. The warriors (who mounted guard on the gates) had with them earthen jars full of poisonous snakes, resinous powders.

And were armed with maces, fire-brands, Narichas, Tomaras, swords, axes, Shataghnis and clubs saturated with wax.

And all the city gates were guarded by permanent and temporary encampments containing large numbers of infantry and by innumerable elephants and horses.

Angada having reached one of the gates of Lanka and being made known to the Rakshasa king entered (the city) fearlessly.

And that highly-powerful one surrounded by innumerable crores of Rakshasas shone like the sun in the midst of masses of clouds.

And that eloquent (monkey) having approached and saluted the descendant of Pulastya who was surrounded by (his) ministers, began to deliver Rama's message (in the following words).

"O king, the highly-renowned lord of Kosala, the descendant of Raghu says to you (through me) these words appropriate to the occasion. Accept that (message) and act in obedience to it.

(Those) countries and cities whose kings are addicted to immoral acts and are incapable of controlling their minds, are themselves covered with sin and destroyed.

You alone are guilty of forcibly carrying off Sita; but your guilt will lead many innocent persons to death.

Elated with power and pride, you who formerly killed many Rishis living in the forests, insulted the gods, slew many royal sages and carried off weeping damsels, are about to be visited with retributive justice for your those vicious deeds.

I will kill you together with your advisers. Give battle and play the hero. O night-ranger, behold the strength of my bow though I ar only a mortal.

Liberate Sita, the daughter of Janaka. But if you persist in not releasing her I will make this earth bare of all the Rakshasas with sharpened arrows."

Hearing these harsh words of the messenger, king Ravana could not brook them and became senseless with rage.

Thereupon four night-wanderers who understood (well) the signs of their lord seized Angada by his four limbs like birds seizing a tiger.

And along with those wanderers of the night who held him fast by his limbs Angada took a leap upwards and alighted on the roof of the palace.

Those Rakshasa raised up with great force fell down on the ground with their ribs shattered and sorely afflicted by the violence of the fall.

And he again took a leap from the roof of the palace whereon he descended and clearing the city of Lanka, come down to his comrades.

Then that monkey, approaching the lord of Kosala told him everything; and being highly praised by the descendant of Raghu, the energetic monkey went away to take rest.

Then the descendant of Raghu by the simultaneous exertions of all monkeys, fleet as the wind, caused the walls of Lanka to be broken down.

Then Lakshmana with Vibhishana and the lord of the bears (Jambuvana) marching ahead, demolished the impregnable southern gate of the city.

Rama then invaded Lanka with a hundred thousand crores of monkeys skilled in battle and resembling young camels in the reddish complexion which they had.

Thirty millions of grey-coloured bears having long arms and thighs, broad paws and supporting themselves on their broad haunches prepared themselves (for battle).

And the sun, with his rays shadowed by the dust raised by the monkeys leaping up an down and crosswise, could not be seen.

And the walls (of Lanka) covered all over with monkeys endued with complexions (yellow) as the ears of paddy, (grey) as shirisha flowers (crimson) as the morning sun and white as flax, assumed a tawny hue. And O king, the Rakshasas together with their wives and elders were wonder-struck (at this unusual sight).

And they (the monkeys and the bears) broke down pillars made of gems and the terraces of spires of the palaces. Pulling down and breaking to pieces the engines and their propellers they threw them away.

And seizing the Shataghnis together with discs, clubs and stones, they threw them violently into Lanka uttering load yells.

The night-wanderers that were stationed on the walls, attacked by the monkeys fled hurriedly by hundreds.

Then, at the command of the king, hundreds and thousands of Rakshasas of unnatural shapes and who could assume any form they liked, issued out (of the city to meet the enemy).

Discharging a (perfect) deluge of arrows and displaying great prowess, they graced the walls on driving away the dwellers of forests.

And those terrible-looking night-rangers resembling heaps of flesh made the walls clear of monkeys.

And there with their bodies pierced by lances many foremost of monkeys fell (dead) and several night-rangers also crushed by pillars broken in the course of battle breathed their last.

And the battle raged on between the heroic Rakshasas who fell to devouring (the monkeys) and the monkeys both parties dragging one another by the hair of the head and mangling one another with nails and teeth.

The Rakshasas and the monkeys with terrific yells and roars killed and struck down one another on the ground but (still) they did not give up the fight.

Rama too, then, poured down showers of arrows like the very clouds. And those arrows reaching Lanka killed many night-rangers.

And that mighty bowman, the indefatiguable son of Sumitra also, naming (particular) Rakshasas who were stationed in the forts killed them with Narachas.

Then by order of Rama the forces retired (from the battle field) after having achieved success (in battle) and demolished (the defences of) Lanka and thereby making all the objects (of the city) easy of being aimed at.