Lanka Kaanda
190 - Final encounter between Sri Rama and Ravana; end of Ravana; shouts of victory everywhere
Chhands
Description
As he let loose his illusive power terrible beings appeared on the scene-goblins, ghosts and ghouls with bows and arrows in their hands. Yoginis holding a sword in one hand and a human skull in another, from which they quaffed draughts of fresh blood, danced and sang many a song. They uttered horrible cries of "Seize and kill !", which echoed all round. With their mouths wide open they rushed to devour the monkeys, who then took to their heels. But whithersoever they turned in their flight they saw a blazing fire. The monkeys and bears were thus in a quandary. Then Ravana began raining on them a shower of sand. Having thus flabbergasted the monkeys on all sides, the ten- headed monster roared again. All the heroes, including Laksmana and Sugriva (the king of the monkeys), fainted. The bravest of them wrung their hands, crying "Ah, Rama ! Alas, Raghunatha (Lord of the Raghus)!" Having thus crushed the might of all, he wrought another delusion. He manifested a host of Hanumans, who rushed forward with rocks in their hands and encircled Sri Rama in a dense cordon on every side. With uplifted tails and gnashing their teeth they shouted, "Seize and kill him; let him not escape!" Surrounded by their tails on every side, the Lord of Kosala shone in their midst. (1-8)