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Thousands of drums were beaten and conches blew. Kumbhakarna assumed a form six hundred bow-lengths high and more than a hundred in breadth. He strode toward the battlefield surrounded by gigantic Rākṣasas driving chariots and mounted upon elephants Others followed him on camels, donkeys, lions, serpents, antelopes and birds. The Rākṣasas, who all had terrifying forms and faces, raised their maces, swords, lances, bludgeons and

With his ten heads and massive bow Rāvaṇa stood in his chariot looking like the Maināka mountain risen Observing the demon overwhelming Rāma with his arrows, the gods and ṛṣis felt despondent. The monkeys became fearful and they observed grim-looking omens. The sun became dim and the sea tossed with waves that seemed to rise up to the sky. Jackals howled and ghosts and wraiths darted about on the battlefield.

Hosts of gods and ṛṣis assembled in the sky and joyously praised Rāma. All the remaining Rākṣasas fled, astonished and dismayed. Rāma felt elated and shone brightly amid the monkeys, even as the sun shines after an eclipse.

As the chariot reached Kishkindha, Rāma had it stop and He told Sugrīva, “Quickly descend and fetch your wives and kinsfolk, O monkey.

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.

Rāma and Lakṣman stood ready for battle. The monkeys and bears roared in joy, uprooting huge trees and brandishing them. They swarmed toward the gates of Lanka, shouting for the Rākṣasas to come out and fight. Beating clay drums and blowing their conches, the army raised a massive tumult, which terrified the Rākṣasas

Kumbhakarna sprang to his feet and washed his face. He called for more drink and quickly swallowed two thousand pails of strong wine. Slightly inebriated and anticipating the excitement of battle, the Rākṣasa left his cave and marched He was surrounded by Rākṣasas who ran with joined palms and continuously sang his praises.

Hanumān laughed and reminded Rāvaṇa of the fight in the ashoka grove, and of Aksha and the other powerful Rāvaṇa threw a great blow which hit Hanumān on the chest and sent him reeling. But Hanumān regained his balance and whirling round he struck the demon with his outstretched palm.

Hanumān approached Bharata and found Him continuously repeating Rāma’s name. Then, with folded palms, he stood before the prince and said, “Having completed His exile and slain Rāvaṇa , Rāma will soon arrive, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣman. He has asked after Your welfare and He longs to be reunited with You.”

Virupaksha leapt down from his chariot and challenged Sugrīva. The Rākṣasa then mounted upon a great elephant and roared. Sugrīva turned toward the demon and seized hold of a huge tree. The colossal beast staggered backwards and sank to its knees. Virupaksha leapt down and took out his sword.

The Rākṣasa then took out an arrow resembling a huge serpent and released it for Sugrīva’s destruction The arrow sped like Indra’s thunderbolt and emitted a stream of sparks. It struck Sugrīva on the chest and the monkey groaned in pain and fell senseless to the ground.

The Rākṣasas then had a thousand elephants run up and down Kumbhakarna’s monstrous body while at the Feeling a light touch on his body Kumbhakarna opened his eyes and stretched his limbs. The Rākṣasas and elephants were thrown to the ground and scattered as he sat up and yawned. His mouth appeared like another great cavern and his luminous eyes resembled two blazing planets.

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.

Rāma and Lakṣman warmly applauded Nīla and then the monkeys rested, awaiting the next wave of Rākṣasas

Rāvaṇa sprang to his feet and embraced his son. He was elated and immediately called for the Rākṣasīs guarding Sītā. He instructed them to take the princess in the Pushpaka chariot and show her Rāma and Lakṣman.

The demons then placed Rāvaṇa upon the pyre and threw handfuls of parched rice, sesame seeds and kusha After uttering sacred mantras and sprinkling the pyre with ghee, Vibhishana set it alight. It quickly blazed up, and within moments the Rākṣasas king’s body was reduced to ashes.

The Rākṣasas were completely routed and they fled in panic. Their chariots lay smashed and their armor and weapons littered the ground. With the mangled corpses of Rākṣasas and animals lying everywhere, the battlefield appeared ghastly.

Gandharvas sang while the Apsarās danced their mind-stealing dances, filled with movements and gestures and “All glories to Sītā and Rāma!”

The monkeys roared back and charged. The two armies appeared like two oceans surging toward one another and then meeting with a tumultuous Demons and monkeys fell by the hundreds of thousands, pierced and smashed by weapons and trees.

He had them captured and brought before Rāma. The monkeys kicked and pummeled them as they were dragged toward Rāma, and the Rākṣasas were terrified and afraid for their lives. They joined their palms and implored Rāma, “Dear sir, we are two spies sent by Rāvaṇa to find out everything