34. The Battle of the Vanaras and Demons
As the day progressed, the battle between the demons and the Vanaras intensified. Panic spread temporarily among the Vanaras; however, they quickly utilized their agility and prowess to counter the demons’ mischief. A long time passed without either side losing ground, but the demons seemed determined to crush the Vanaras. Fury gripped the demons as they resorted to various underhanded tactics.
Rama’s Intervention
Rama, while keeping a vigilant eye on the unfolding battle, decided to restore the Vanaras’ lost courage. He made a daring dash into the very heart of the demon horde, unleashing a flurry of fiery arrows. The moment the arrows struck, the demons scattered in fear. “These arrows are indeed strange,” observed someone beside Rama.
“Yes, except for Lord Shiva, no one knows how to use them,” Rama conveyed to his lieutenants. He continued to strategize, determined to reduce their enemies to mere clumps of dust. “I can send arrows that will darken the sky and earth, leaving the enemy with no way to escape. How little do humans understand of my prowess?”
The Assault of Ravana
Ravana advanced towards the Vanaras in a chariot drawn by eight horses, ruthlessly eliminating Vanara soldiers in his path. This created chaos among the ranks, prompting Sugriva to request Sushena to reorganize their forces. Despite their efforts, many demons lost their lives, and news of their casualties reached deep into the demon ranks, causing despair among the families of the fallen.
The demonesses lamented their fate, blaming Surpanaka for the catastrophic events, as it was she who had instigated Ravana’s kidnapping of Sita. Remorse filled the hearts of the lamenting mothers and wives as they reflected on the future of Lanka.
Turn of the Tide
Realizing his camp was becoming demoralized, Ravana addressed his commanders urgently. Amid the chaos, Virupaksha, one of Ravana’s best generals, charged forward on an elephant to confront Sugriva. He unleashed a volley of arrows, but Sugriva evaded them, uprooting a massive tree to counterattack. The elephant reeled back and collapsed, dead.
Furious over Virupaksha’s death, Ravana sent Mahodara to take his place. Mahodara charged at Sugriva with a fierce battle cry. Sugriva, however, skillfully parried Mahodara’s attacks, soon wounding him severely, leading to Mahodara’s defeat. In the ensuing chaos, both warriors found themselves grappling fiercely, their maces clashing until they broke.
Rama and Ravana Face Off
Meanwhile, Angada led a charge against Mahaparshwa, successfully knocking him and his charioteer unconscious with an expertly aimed mace. Yet, Mahaparshwa managed to recover quickly, resuming the assault on Angada’s team. As the battles raged on, Ravana turned his attention to Rama, indiscriminately slaying Vanaras along the way.
Rama and Lakshmana, refusing to wait, descended to meet Ravana. The confrontation was fierce, with arrows flying as Lakshmana attempted to pierce Ravana’s defenses. However, Ravana matched his attacks effortlessly. The two engaged in a battle of wills, with Rama countering each powerful arrow shot by Ravana.
A New Hope
As their battle wore on, exhaustion began to set in for Ravana. Lakshmana, with incredible skill, dismantled Ravana’s chariot and bow. In retaliation, Ravana aimed a fatal shot at Vibhishana but was intercepted by Lakshmana, who bravely stood in his brother’s defense. Ravana’s fury peaked, but Rama swiftly uttered a curse that intercepted one of Ravana’s deadly arrows, saving Lakshmana’s life.
Once stable, Lakshmana encouraged Rama to continue fighting and rescue Sita while they still had time. Inspired by his brother’s words, Rama rearmed himself and prepared to face Ravana once more.
Indra’s Gift
Just then, a resplendent chariot descended from above, sent by Indra himself, filled with golden armor, bow, and arrows tailored for Rama. The chariot, glistening with jewels, provided Rama with renewed vigor for the fight ahead. Delighted, Rama took his place in the enchanted chariot, ready to turn the tides of battle against the demon king.