Lanka Kaanda
182 - Råvana's march to the field of battle; Sri Rama's victory-chariot and an encounter between the monkeys and the demons
Chaupais
Description
The demon host, which defied all calculation, marched. Complete in all its four limbs, viz., elephants and chariots, horse and foot, it was divided into many regiments and was equipped with mounts, cars and other conveyances of every description as well as with numerous banners and standards of diverse colour. Numberless troops of infuriated elephants marched like rainy clouds driven by the wind. There were multitudes of distinguished warriors wearing uniforms of various colours, all heroic in battle and conversant with many illusive devices. Thus the army was magnificent in every way and looked like the mustered array of the gallant deity presiding over the vernal season. Even as the host marched, the elephants guarding the eight quarters tottered, the ocean was stirred to its very depth and the mountains rocked. The dust rose in clouds that obscured the sun, the air became still and the earth was troubled. Drums and kettledrums made an awful din like the thundering of clouds at the time of universal destruction. Tabors, clarionettes and hautboys sounded the martial strain that gladdens the heart of champions. All the heroes roared like lions, each extolling his own might and valour. Ravana exclaimed; "Listen, my valiant warriors: wipe out the hordes of these bears and monkeys, while I shall slay the two brother princes." So saying he ordered his army to march forward. When the monkeys received this news, they all rushed forth invoking the help of Sri Rama.