Lanka Kaanda
172 - conflict actually begins
Chaupais
Description
They bowed their head at the lotus-feet of their Master, and the Lord of the Raghus was glad at heart to see the valiant warriors. Sri Rama graciously regarded them both and presently their fatigue was gone and they felt supremely happy. On learning that Angada and Hanuman had left, the numerous monkey and bear warriors retired from the field; while the demons, recovering their strength at nightfall, sallied forth, calling on their ten-headed lord. At the sight of the demon host the monkeys turned again; and gnashing their teeth in fury the champions closed with their opponents here and there. The two armies stood formidable; their champion's challenging one another every time, came to a grim fight without giving in. The demons were all great warriors and dark in complexion; while the monkeys were stupendous in size and of numerous colours. The two armies were equally strong and the warriors too equally matched; displaying their martial feats they fought with fury and looked like masses of rainy and autumnal clouds driven against one another by a strong wind. The generals Akampana and Atikaya (sons of Ravana), when they perceived their troops losing ground, employed Maya (illusive devices); in an instant it grew pitch dark and there was a downpour of blood, stone and ashes.