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As night fell, the Rākṣasas felt their strength and enthusiasm increase. Voices were heard to call out, “Are you a monkey or a Rākṣasa?” Shouts of “Stand and fight!” and “Why do you flee?” mixed with the cries of wounded and dying soldiers. them, tearing them with their sharp teeth and pounding them with their fists. Powerful monkeys dragged down the elephants and horses mounted by demons.

Many valiant Rākṣasas were crushed in this way by mighty heroes among the monkeys and bears. The battlefield was strewn with spears and maces, as well as javelins, lances and arrows. Smashed chariots lay amid the carcasses of horses and elephants. The headless trunks of Rākṣasas and monkeys bounded here and there, spurting blood and finally falling Vultures and jackals moved about the field, feasting on flesh and blood.

Rāma praised Sugrīva’s courage and strength and then turned to Lakṣman. Many terrible omens are visible, boding massive destruction and death. The earth will soon be covered with rocks, darts, arrows and swords, hurled by monkeys and Rākṣasas. Soon a thick morass of flesh and blood will spread on all sides. Surrounded by monkeys and bears, We should immediately march on Lanka.”

A terrible sound arose as the Rākṣasas beat countless kettledrums and large wooden tom-toms and blew thousands of conches and trumpets. This sound, mixed with roars of pain and the clash of weapons, created a horrifying uproar. Monkeys and Rākṣasas lay on the battlefield with lances and arrows protruding from their lifeless bodies Ghosts and nocturnal fiends ranged about the battlefield, reveling in the scenes of carnage and death

Atop the Trikuta mountain the city appeared charming with its towering white gates and gold and silver Mansions and palaces and tall, golden-domed temples crowded the city. As the Rākṣasas readied themselves for battle the thunder of drums and the blowing of conches and trumpets

The Rākṣasas struck the monkeys with their flaming maces, javelins, pikes and axes. The monkeys grasped hold of the demons with their powerful arms and hauled them down from the walls. They aimed terrible blows at the Rākṣasas with their fists and feet. All around Lanka there were monkeys, bears and Rākṣasas locked in fierce combat. The earth quickly became covered with a mire of flesh and blood.

Vibhishana dipped his hand in cool water and wiped Sugrīva’s eyes. He told him to look closely at Rāma and Lakṣman. They were still breathing and Their bodies were lustrous. Vibhishana felt sure They would soon return to consciousness and find a way out of Their predicament. He left with Jambavan to reassure and rally the rest of the army, as the news of Rāma’s fall had spread

Seizing hold of fully grown trees and massive boulders, the monkeys rushed forward. Their long tails raised in anger and their terrible teeth bared. Their eyes were bloodshot and their faces contorted with fury. The growls and roars of the fierce bears led by Jambavan sounded like the rush of a mighty ocean.

Hearing then of Rāvaṇa’s cruel response, He resolved to fight and immediately gave the order to charge The entire earth around Lanka was rendered brown by the mass of monkeys and bears. They filled the moats and completely covered the defensive walls as they rapidly scaled them. The air was filled with cries of “Victory to Rāma and Sugrīva!” They poured onto the ramparts and tore into the Rākṣasas with their teeth and nails.

Rāvaṇa caught hold of Sugrīva and threw him forcefully to the ground, but the monkey bounced up like He closed on Rāvaṇa and grasped him tightly. and shaken by a gale. Both were endowed with extraordinary might and they fought with tremendous power. They appeared like a lion and a tiger engaged in a furious fight to the death.

Seeing Aṅgada besting Indrajit, the gods and ṛṣis praised him. Rāma and Lakṣman also praised the valor of the monkey prince. They called out, “Well done! Bravo!”

Aṅgada leapt high and crossed over the walls of Lanka. Confounding the demons by his speed and movement, he swiftly arrived before Rāvaṇa. He stood a short distance from the Rākṣasa and announced himself to be Rāma’s messenger.

As Rāma and the monkeys looked across at Lanka they saw in the distance Rāvaṇa himself. The demon appeared at the top of the city gate, clad in red robes and adorned with shining scarlet gems He was being fanned on all sides and a large white parasol was held over his head.

He immediately sprang from the mountaintop and with one mighty bound landed near the demon king. He rushed up to him and said, “I am a friend and servant of Rāma, ruler of this world.

Not tolerating the attack, Hanumān sprang onto the demon’s chariot and with his bare hands smashed it Sugrīva took up a massive sal tree and brought it down upon Praghasha’s chariot, killing the Rākṣasa A fierce and notorious demon named Pratapana rushed yelling toward Nala and lacerated him with hundreds With one of those arrows Nala bounded onto the demon’s chariot and gouged out his eyes. With a hail of arrows Lakṣman overwhelmed Durmukha, and with one swift shaft He pierced the demon in

They seemed to appear out of nowhere and sped toward Rāma and Lakṣman, piercing them all over. The Rākṣasa used his supernatural power to send arrows like venomous snakes which caught and bound Rāma and Lakṣman.

The demon continued firing his arrows at the two bound brothers who felt distressed and afflicted. Arrows with the heads of axes, others with razor heads and others with heads shaped like calves’ teeth Seeing Them lying there bathed in blood, the monkeys screeched in agony and fear. They surrounded the fallen princes and shed tears, giving way to despondency.

They stood beating their breasts and crying in anguish. Some of the monkeys mistook the Rākṣasa for Indrajit and they fled here and there, but Vibhishana reassured He told the monkeys not to worry and knelt down by Rāma’s side.

Hanumān, Aṅgada and eight other Vanara general bounded into the air and darted about, whirling trees and maces, but they could not locate the demon who continuously fired at them his swift iron arrows bedecked Laughing all the while and keeping out of sight, Indrajit shot hundreds of arrows into the bodies of Rāma and Lakṣman. Blood flowed profusely from Their wounds and They appeared like trees giving forth red blossoms in spring

With that, Sugrīva leapt upon Rāvaṇa and dashed his shining diadem to the ground. The Rākṣasa shook him off and stood for the fight. He spoke harshly.