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They bounded away without looking back or sideways. Some rushed back over the ocean bridge. Others were seen sailing through the air, having been struck or tossed by the Rākṣasa. With their faces turned pale, the monkeys scrambled up mountains or dived into the sea. Bears climbed trees and hid in caves.

Vajradamstra saw his troops being routed and, roaring in fury, he rushed toward Aṅgada and shouted out He released arrows that flew with unerring accuracy and pierced eight or nine monkeys at a time. In his wake the demon left heaps of slain monkey warriors, who lay with their teeth clenched and eyes

They whirled their spiked maces and swords, viciously hacking down the enemy troops. The monkeys picked up one Rākṣasa to strike another, and the Rākṣasas did the same with the monkeys. Arrows with crescent or horseshoe heads sped through the air and lopped off arms, legs and heads.

Gradually Rāvaṇa came around and began to lament. “Alas, my brother, where have you gone? What use now is my kingdom, or Sītā, or even life itself? Either I shall slay Rāma or Death may claim me too.”

Another powerful Rākṣasa named Virupaksha stood up and spoke furiously, holding aloft his frightful iron bludgeon which was stained with flesh and blood. Order me and I shall leave this very hour! I will smash Rāma and Lakṣman with my iron club and crush the entire monkey army. Even if they flee into the dread deep or take refuge in the heavens, they shall not escape my wrath.”

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

Bharata was overwhelmed with joy and sank to the ground in a faint. After regaining consciousness He stood up and embraced Hanumān. The prince shed tears of happiness and He spoke in an exuberant voice. “O monkey, I do not know if you are a god, a ṛṣi or what, but you have told Me the most wonderful news I shall give you a hundred thousand cows and many beautiful maidens, adorned with gold and jewels.”

“Now that I have wiped off the stain of insult on My noble house and established My truthfulness and Rāvaṇa clasped You in his arms and looked upon You with a lustful eye. Perhaps You may now find shelter with Lakṣman or Bharata or Shatrughna, or even Vibhishana.

Vibhishana went ahead and informed Rāma that His wife was on Her way. Hearing that She was on a palanquin, Rāma said to Vibhishana, “The princess should be asked to dismount and The people desire to see Her and that is not condemned by scripture. A house, a veil or a costume are never the protection of a chaste woman.

Monkeys and demons were again destroyed in large numbers. Some monkeys were run through with pikes and lances, some cut down with razor-sharp discuses and some The monkeys smashed thousands of Rākṣasas with mountainous crags and trees. They struck down the Rākṣasas with their bare hands and pounded them to death. A tumultuous clamor arose as heroic fighters roared in exultation or screamed in pain.

“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.

He vowed that he would kill Rāma and Lakṣman personally. Vibhishana rebuked him with strong words. You cannot see what is right or wrong, dear child. You are evil-minded and deserve death, for your counsel will lead only to the death of all those who You are indiscriminate, dull-witted, wicked and ignorant. You do not understand Rāma’s power. There are none among the gods, Daityas, Dānavas or Rākṣasas who can withstand the flaming arrows Rāma

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 dared approach Him or say anything. Only Sītā came near Him. She walked around Him in respect and approached the blazing fire. “If I have never been unfaithful to Rāma either in mind, words or body, may the fire-god protect Me on

Rāma consoled him and told him to stand aside; the time for Kumbhakarna’s destruction had come. Seeing Rāma standing firmly before him, Kumbhakarna laughed hideously and said, “I am neither Viradha Nor am I Khara, Dushana, Vāli or Maricha. I am Kumbhakarna, arrived here as Your death. Show me the full limit of Your power and I shall then devour You, O Rāma.”

I hope everything is well with Rāvaṇa and with Lanka. Or perhaps some great peril has arrived.

Then Mahaparsva, a leader of some of Rāvaṇa’s troops, stood and asked him a question. Who can prevent you or do anything about it?”

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.

Shatrughna, along with Bharata’s ministers, went into the city and began to prepare. They had Kaushalya and Sumitra placed upon palanquins and brought to Nandigram, where Bharata was living Behind them came thousands of citizens, some walking, some on elephants or horseback, and others in chariots The blast of conches and the roll of drums was tumultuous. The fourteen years of Rāma’s exile had already ended and all the citizens longed only for His return.