RAAVANA from within his palace was surprised to hear, home on the wind, the jubilant acclamations of the Vaanaras, who he thought must then be mourning their vanquished leaders and slaughtered comrades. He turned to the Raakshasas standing beside him and asked: "What has happened to make the Vaanaras so happy? Something strange must have occurred. Go and find out what it is."

Some Raakshasas climbed up and looked over the wall. Returning, they said to Raavana with fear and trembling: "King!

The Vaanara army, led by Sugreeva, is attacking the fortress with spirit. Rama and Lakshmana are both alive. Like elephants that have broken their bonds, Rama and Lakshmana have shaken off the naaga darts with which Indrajit bound them and have rejoined the army and are racing about the field like hungry lions. The darts of Indrajit have proved futile."

Raavana's face fell. He was filled with anxiety and said: "I marvel at what you say. No one till now has escaped these darts. if those weapons were powerless against these men, we are indeed in danger."

Then with an access of anger, he shouted: "Listen, Dhoomraaksha! Why should I worry when you are here? Get together all the men you want. Go at once and destroy these two little men and return quickly."

Dhoomraaksha was indeed happy and proud to be thus singled out by the king. He took a party of warriors and, issuing out of the fort, came into contact with the group who, under Hanumaan, were attempting to enter the western gate. In the battle that ensued there was great slaughter on both sides. In the end Dhoomraaksha was slain by Hanumaan. A few Raakshasas escaped into the fortress, but most of them lay dead without.

News of this discomfiture filled Raavana with uncontrollable fury. He hastily summoned Vajradamshtra and said: "Oh bravest of warriors, go without delay and destroy these wicked fellows."

Vajradamshtra bowed low before the king and followed by a mighty army sallied out of the southern gate and encountered Angada.

The Raakshasas under the leadership of Vairadamshtra waged grim battle and slew countless Vaanaras. And yet the Vaanara army stood firm and would not withdraw. Armed with boulders and trees, they killed innumerable Raakshasas. On both sides the fighting was intense. In the end, Angada and the Raakshasa chief fought hand to hand for a long while. Vajradamshtra was slain, gallantly fighting to the last, and the Raakshasas fled in Confusion. The Vaanaras surrounded Angada and shouted in exultation.

Then Raavana ordered Prahasta: "Send Akampana and let him have the most terrible Raakshasas to accompany him. Let them go and slay Rama, Sugreeva and the Vaanara army. None can resist Akampana's might and skill."

Accordingly, Prahasta sent an army of Raakshasas under the leadership of Akampana. True to his name, Akampana was firm and immovable in battle. He had chosen his weapons and his warriors carefully. As he advanced, bad omens met him. But neither he nor his followers regarded them. The noise of their challenge rose above that of the ocean.

A great battle ensued. Blood flowed in streams. Dust rose and cut off the sun plunging the earth in portentous gloom. The slaughter on both sides was enormous. Kumuda, Nala, Mainda and Dwivida attacked Akampana who defended himself with courage.

The battle went against the Vaanara warriors and they were about to take flight when Hanumaan arrived bringing courage and hope. Akampana sent forth a shower of arrows at him but Hanumaan took no notice and lift; g a huge boulder and swinging it above his head hurled it at Akampana. The Raakshasa's darts intercepted the stone and reduced it to powder. Then Hanumaan grew in size and shone with blinding brightness like the sun and a uprooting a big tree attacked the Raakshasa with it and slew him. The Raakshasa army was smashed like a forest in an earthquake and the survivors Red in panic from the fatal field that was strewn thick with the dead, and spread the dismal news in Lanka.

The Vaanaras surrounded Hanumaan and uproariously expressed their admiration.

Raavana's spirits fell when he received the news of Akampana's death but he found strength in anger and desperation and began thinking of new plans. He went round the defences of the city again and took counsel with Prahasta, the commander-in-chief.

"We must break this Vaanara siege. We should issue at the head of the whole army and slay the Vaanara chiefs. Myself, Kumbhakarna, yourself, Indrajit or Nikumbha-one of us five should take up the responsibility of leading the army out of the' fortress. Are we to be afraid of monkeys? Why! They used to, flee in terror on merely hearing the roar of a Raakshasa. They do not know the science of war. They are unskilled brutes. How have they managed to stand all our attacks?"

Prahasta answered humbly: "Things have happened as we foresaw. We respectfully submitted long ago that it would be best to restore Seeta and make peace. But I am bound to obey you. I am prepared to sacrifice my life, my family, my all for your sake. I shall lead this sortie, if such is your pleasure."

A huge army was collected and everything was got ready for a supreme endeavour, including the solemnisation of special rites and sacrifices.

Then Prahasta marched out to the beating of drums. Evil omens presented themselves. But be disregarded them.

Seeing the great army led by Prahasta issuing out of the eastern gate of the fortress, the Vaanaras roared with joy and prepared for battle.

Like moths rushing at a flame, the Raakshasas fell on the Vaanara army.

"Look," said Rama, "there comes out a Raakshasa at the head of an enormous army. Who is he?"

Vibheeshana replied: "It is Prahasta, the commander-in-chief of Raavana. A third of the imperial army is his to command."

Then ensued a grim battle between the Vaanaras armed with boulders and trees and the Raakshasas equipped with swords, spears, bows and axes. Exchanging showers of stones for arrows and grappling in death grips at close quarters, both sides fought fiercely, deluging the field with blood.

Prahasta's followers, Naraantaka, Mahaanaada, Kumbhahanu and others, were opposed by Dwivida, Durmukha and Jaambavaan and slain. There was a prolonged battle between Prahasta and Neela. At last Prahasta armed with a massive mace of iron rushed towards Neela. Neela, for his part, uprooted a big boulder and with it smashed Prahasta's head killing him on the spot.

The Raakshasa warriors fled in all directions. After this great victory, Neela went to Rama and Lakshmana and, bowing low, told them what happened. Rama and Lakshmana praised his prowess and congratulated him.

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 Rama 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 heard 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 Rama. 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."

Rama beheld the majestic and glowing form with interest and pity. "A great warrior no doubt," he said, "but he is no wicked that he has to be slain."

Raavana attacked innumerable Vaanaras and laid them low. Neela opposed Raavana gallantly but was felled by a fire-dart. Hanumaan attacked Raavana with violence and the two fought an equal battle for a while but Raavana could not be subdued and wrought great havoc in the Vaanara host.

There was a fight between Lakshmana and Raavana. Lakshmana fell down unconscious but Hanumaan intervened and carried Lakshmana away to Rama.

Then Rama, riding on Hanumaan's shoulders, gave battle to Raavana. The Raakshasa king was sorely wounded. His golden crown was broken. So was his chariot. Deprived of every weapon, he stood before Rama.

"You may go now," said Rama. "You have fought well today. Go away and rest and come back tomorrow, refreshed and with weapons." And Raavana retreated, shamefacedly to the city.