Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 26 Aug 2011 13:29 and updated at 26 Aug 2011 13:29
VALMIKI RAMAYANA
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BOOK 6: YUDDA KANDA
SECTION 55
Hearing that Vajradamshtra was killed by Angada, Ravana spoke the following words to the General of his forces who, with joined palms, stood near him. "Let the invincible Rakshasas of irresistible courage go forth soon, with Akampana as their head, who is skilled in the use of every weapon and missile." "This excellent Rakshasa is a chastiser, a protector and a leader in battle. He ever desired my welfare and always loved war."
"There is no doubt that he will prove victorious and Rama, Lakshmana, the mighty Sugreeva and the other terrible Vanaras." Taking that command of Ravana, the mighty Akampana of quick resolution then mobilized the army. Those foremost of Rakshasas of terrifying appearance, furnished with every kind of weapon and fearful to look upon, rushed into the fray where their general had dispatched them. Then, Akampana of the stature and colour of a cloud, whose voice resembled a thunder, ascended his great chariot, decorated with fine gold and set out, surrounded by dreadful Rakshasas.
Even Devas were indeed unable to upset Akampana in a great battle. Hence, among the Rakshasas, he was shining like the sun, by his splendour. As he sped on his way, hastened and eager to enter the battle, the Horses drawing his chariot were suddenly deprived of their energy. The left eye of Akampana, who delighted in warfare, began to twitch. His countenance grew pale and his voice trembled.
At a time of a good day, marked by fine weather, it turned into a day of bad weather with a bitter wind beginning to blow. Birds and beasts uttered cruel and fearful cries. That Rakshasa, who had the shoulders of a lion and the agility of a tiger, disregarding those portents, rushed towards the battle field. While Akampana advanced thus with his troops, an immense tumult arose that seemed to convulse the ocean.
By hearing that clamour of the Rakshasas coming for the battle, the huge army of the Vanaras, brandishing trees and rocks, was frightened. A highly fierce battle ensued between those Vanaras and Rakshasas, who were ready to lose their lives for the sake of Rama and Ravana. All the Vanaras and Rakshasas, who were willing to kill each other, were very strong and valiant. All were resembling mountains. The tremendous clamour of the aforesaid warriors, yelling in their rage and strength, making savage cries, were distinctly heard on the battle field.
A highly terrific dust, in a thick coppery colour, raised by the Vanaras and Rakshasas enveloped all the ten quarters. The combatants, enveloped by that dust, which was whitish like a piece of silk shaken by the wind, could no longer distinguish each other on the battle field. Neither standard, banner and shield, nor Horse, weapon and chariot could be discerned in that pall of dust.
A great tumultuous clamour, of warriors, making challenging cries and rushing upon each other, was heard on the battle field, yet in that confusion, no form was visible. In the darkness, the greatly enraged Vanaras killed the Vanaras themselves and the Rakshasas killed the Rakshasas themselves in battle. Those Vanaras and Rakshasas killing other and their own people then made the earth dampened with blood, anointing its body with mud.
Under the stream of blood being sprinkled, the dust was laid, revealing the earth covered with bodies and corpses. The Rakshasas and the Vanaras vigorously struck each other swiftly with blows from trees, spears, maces, javelins, stones, bars and picks. The Vanaras of dreadful deeds, resembling mountains, fighting with their arms appearing like iron bars, killed the Rakshasas in battle. The enraged Rakshasas with darts and javelins in their hands, struck the Vanaras there with their cruel weapons.
The extremely enraged Akampana, the general of the army of Rakshasas, cheered all those Rakshasas by his terrible prowess. The Vanaras however leaping upon them and snatching their weapons through their strength, crushed those Rakshasas with blows from large trees and stones. Meanwhile Kumuda, Nala and Mainda the courageous Vanaras in an outburst of anger, displayed unsuprassed rashness.
Those exceedingly valiant chiefs of Vanaras, as in sport, in the battle front, with mighty blows of trees, created a great carnage among the Rakshasas. All of them repeatedly crushed the Rakshasas with every kind of weapon.
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