Jain Ramayana Part 3

SR No.: 002023
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 518
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, & Literature
File Size: 24 MB

Page 89

The Terrible War
warriors and on the Southern front the mighty Rakshasa hero Saran stood with one hundred thousand warriors.
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Soon after the sun rose in the eastern horizon, a terrible war broke out between the two armies. The two armies began fighting with the determination of attaining victory. Neither army feared defeat. The battle-field began resounding with the clangour of weapons and the earth was covered with dead bodies. If some issued cries of victory, some gave out cries of agony and death. Within a few hours, the entire battle-field was covered with countless dead bodies. Countless horses and elephants lay dying on the battle-field but there was no sign of either side winning a victory. In consequence, in the next phase of the war, Nal and Neel commanded two lakh warriors to attack the Rakshasa warriors. Within the twinkling of an eye, Viradh with one lakh picked warriors pounced upon the Rakshasa warriors and within a short time, the Rakshasa warriors began crying in anguish and running away from the battle-field. The Vanara warriors were filled with joy and exultation.
Hasta and Prahasta stood in utter stupefaction, on seeing the Rakshasa soldiers running helter-skelter. They were totally confounded; yet they were not shaken or daunted. They at once, summoned up courage and confidence and drove in their chariots to the head of their armies. Seeing Hasta and Prahasta coming forward, Nal and Neel also rushed forward in their chariots which collided against those of Hasta and Prahasta. Nal challenged Hasta to a fight. Neel attacked Prahasta's chariot and drew him into a combat.
On the Northern front, Hanuman fought heroically against the Rakshasa warriors and made them lick the dust and scattered confusion among their ranks. The one lakh soldiers led by him displayed tremendous heroism and decimated the Rakshasa armies; and within a short time they broke Saran's chariot into pieces. Saran got a new chariot at once but Hanuman at once, killed his horses and when he tried to drive in a third chariot, he killed Saran shooting arrows at him. The Rakshasa warriors