Some of those who fled from the battle carried to the Raakshasa King the news
that Neela, son of Agni, had slain Prahasta. Raavana was beside himself with rage and
grief. "My warrior chief," he said, "who could vanquish Indra and his host
of gods, has been killed by these Vaanaras. We cannot treat this lightly. We must destroy
Raama and the monkey host." So saying, Raavana got into his chariot and went forward
like Rudra, the destroyer. Seated in his radiant chariot and issuing from the city,
Raavana beheld the Vaanara army and beard their uproar which resounded like the ocean.
Seeing a new Raakshasa army issuing out,
the Vaanaras stood ready to receive them with stones and trees in hand. Vibheeshana
pointed out the Raakshasa warriors one by one to Raama. "There seated in the chariot
and shining like the rising sun, is Indrajit." And so he went on from one renowned
warrior to another till he came to Raavana. "There, in the big chariot, radiant like
the sun, sits the ten-headed Raavana." |
