Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"Ravana sFuryAll Lanka was resounding with the lamentations of therakshasls for the rakshasas slain in battle, and Ravana satin fury, devising means to conquer Rama :he gnashed histeeth and bit his lipsand laughed, and went with Bigbellyand Squint-eye and Great-flank to the field of battle,followed by the last of the demon army, and boasting : Ishall make an end of Rama and Lakshman to-day."Ravana s FuryNor could the monkeys stand before him, but were destroyed like flies in fire; but Sugriva engaged in singlefight with Squint-eye and made an end of him; andtherewith both armies joined again, and there was deadlyslaughter on either hand, and either army shrank like apond in summer. Next Big-belly was slain by Sugriva,and Angada was the death of Great-flank, so that themonkeys roared with triumph. But now Ravana came on,bearing a Brahma weapon, and scattering the monkeysright and left.He stayed not ere he came to the sons of Dasharatha : hetook his way where Rama stood aside, with great eyes likethe petals of a lotus, long ofarm, unconquerable, holdinga bow so huge it seemed to be painted on the sky. Ramaset arrows to the bow and drew the string, so that athousand rakshasas died of terror when they heard ittwang ;and there began a deadly battle between the heroes. Thosearrows pierced the king of Lanka like five-hooded serpents,and fell hissing to the ground; but Ravana lifted up adreadful asura weapon, and let fly at Rama a shower ofarrows having lion- and tiger-faces, and some with gapingmouths like wolves. Rama answered these with shaftsfaced like the sun and stars, like meteors or lightningflashes, destroying the shafts of Ravana. Then Ravana