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Victory or death were the only choices. Brooding on Atikaya’s fall, he went into his chambers and sat disconsolately on a golden couch.

“O Kumbha, you are the equal of Indra, Kuvera and even the mighty Bali. Indeed, you are no less powerful than your uncle Rāvaṇa or your cousin Indrajit. You have struck down many powerful monkeys today, O demon, and this is most wonderful.

Remaining invisible, Indrajit assailed the monkey army with razor-headed arrows, lances and maces. The monkeys realized the demon was fighting invisibly and surrounded the place from where his weapons They hurled numerous trees and boulders at him, but the demon cut them to pieces. With a single arrow the Rākṣasa pierced as many as five, seven, or even a dozen monkeys.

Numerous garlands, broken wine casks and burning incenses made the city fragrant as the bellicose opponents five or seven monkeys at once with their terrible spears. their fists and feet. Powerful Rākṣasas tore off the heads of the Vanaras and lopped off their limbs with great scimitars. and “You are killed!”

No one in all the worlds could stand against Indrajit, be they gods, Dānavas or Daityas. What then of humans and monkeys? After all, Indrajit had already overpowered the two humans.

They could not see the demon or his chariot, but saw only an endless stream of sharp-pointed shafts falling Indrajit sent forth a shower of violent weapons which gave off sparks and incandescent flames. He covered the monkeys with axes, swords, lances and pikes, all of those weapons charged with mystic

Vibhishana was surprised that Jambavan had first inquired after Hanumān rather than Rāma or Lakṣman. He called Hanumān over and the monkey came quickly and knelt before Jambavan.

The demon again and again recited the incantations sacred to Brahmā and sent fierce arrows at Rāma and They bled all over and appeared like a couple of kinshuka trees covered in red blossoms. Grievously wounded by Indrajit’s assault, They both fell to the ground and dropped Their bows.

The night was drawing to a close and Sugrīva, after consulting with Rāma and Lakṣman, decided to attack The monkeys took up flaming torches and moved like a surging ocean toward the city walls. Shocked and amazed to find so many monkeys clambering over the ramparts, the Rākṣasa guards fled in fear The monkeys set fire to the gates, houses and mansions in Lanka. Rāma and Lakṣman sent innumerable flaming arrows into the city and a great fire raged.

As the Rākṣasas reached the battlefield, Indrajit halted them and had them surround him. He dismounted from his chariot and lit a fire. He poured oblations of ghee into the fire and made offerings of lances, spears and swords in place of the traditional reeds and grasses. Clasping the neck of a dark-hued goat, the demon slit its throat and placed it on the fire.

As they neared Kumbha, the demon fitted a fierce arrow onto his bow and shot it at Dwivida’s chest. Hit by the arrow, Dwivida fell to the ground and lay there wriggling and gasping for breath. Mainda at once took up an enormous crag and hurled it with force at the Rākṣasa. Kumbha shot five arrows that shattered the rock and it fell in pieces at his feet. Taking another long shaft, he struck Mainda on the breast and the monkey fell unconscious.

Sugrīva then had Sushena, a monkey expert in healing, come and tend to the princes. In a short time the arrows fell from Their bodies and Their wounds closed up and healed. Both brothers sprang to Their feet, Their bodies renewed and invigorated. With tears in His eyes, Rāma embraced Hanumān and thanked him for his service.

Panic-stricken demons ran in all directions with their clothes and hair ablaze. Great mansions and palaces were completely consumed by flames. Golden archways and walls melted and crumbled to the ground. Searing red flames rose up to the sky and were reflected upon the ocean, making it appear like a charming They dashed out of their houses and were immediately assailed by the monkeys.

He bounded across to the Trikuta mountain and quickly climbed to its summit. He thought of Rāma and Lakṣman, and of Sugrīva and all the other monkeys and bears lying mortally wounded He crouched down and with a great shout of “Victory to Rāma!” leapt toward the north.

Hanumān embraced the Rākṣasa and thanked him for his kind words. But what could he do now? How could the battle continue with only a handful of monkeys and bears still standing? Even Rāma and Lakṣman seemed in no condition to fight.

Nikumbha saw his brother slain and his anger flared. He took up his terrific mace and gazed at Sugrīva as if about to consume him with his wrath. His club was fitted with iron plates and steel spikes, inlaid with gold and bedecked with diamonds and The demon wore black iron armor studded with jewels, as well as brilliant golden armlets and earrings His mace shot forth tongues of fire and it seemed to cause the very atmosphere to spin around.

Kumbhakarna’s son appeared awful and unassailable. He took up his tremendous bow, in no way inferior to Indra’s, and loosed venomous shafts by the thousand Mainda and Dwivida rushed toward the Rākṣasa and challenged him to fight.

Pulling his silk garment around his waist, the demon ran out of his chamber and called for his ministers Seized with fear they ran to Rāvaṇa and told him that Rāma and Lakṣman had somehow risen up and attacked They were led by Kumbha and Nikumbha, Kumbhakarna’s two powerful sons. The Rākṣasas rushed roaring toward the monkeys, attacking them with swords, pikes, maces, javelins and

Hanumān came forward and stood directly before the Rākṣasa. He pulled back his arms and bared his massive chest. “Strike me at once, O demon,” he challenged.