Lanka Kaanda
174 - The battle recommences; encounter between Laksmana and Meghanada; a javelin thrown by the latter strikes Laksmana in the breast
Chaupais
Description
The wounded warriors shone like so many Kimsuka* trees in flower. The two champions, Laksmana and Meghanada, grappled with each other in mounting fury. Neither could get the better of the other. The demon, however, resorted to wily tricks and unfair means. Laksmana, who was no other than Ananta (the serpent-god Sesa, whose wrath brings about the dissolution of the universe), then waxed furious and in a trice smashed the chariot and tore its driver to pieces. Sesa (Laksmana) smote him in so many ways that the demon (Meghanada) was all but dead. The son of Ravana thought within himself that he was in straits and the enemy would surely take his life. He threw a javelin which was notorious for killing warriors and was all brilliance; and lo! it struck Laksmana in the breast. The blow was so smart that the prince swooned and Meghanada now went near him shedding all fear.