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 97

The Terrible War
countless arrows at the Rakshasa soldiers. The Rakshasa army was stupefied. The Rakshasa soldiers began running helterskelter. A terrible war broke out between the two armies. Seeing Hanuman at the head of the Vanara army, an old Rakshasa warrior rushed forth and tried to check his progress but Hanuman soon broke his chariot into pieces. He broke all his arrows into pieces. Within a few moments, Maali the heroic warrior felt greatly diffident and depressed. Seeing his pitiable condition, Hanuman said,
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"You old and weak Rakshasa! Run away at once. I do not think it proper to kill a weak and old fellow like you." Just then, Vajrodhar's chariot arrived there. He challenged Hanuman to fight with him.
Hanuman sent ceaseless showers of arrows and repulsed Vajrodhar. Vajrodhar also stood his ground. He too sent showers of arrows against Hanuman. Hanuman ordered his charioteer to drive his chariot around that of Vajrodhar, and kept shooting arrows at him but Vajrodhar rendered powerless every arrow shot by Hanuman.
All the warriors who were there stood in utter stupefaction. They were completely lost in watching the encounter between the two heroes. If at one moment, it seemed that Hanuman would be killed, the next moment, it seemed that Vajrodhar would be killed. But gradually Hanuman showed his extraordinary abilities and after having gone close to Vajrodhar's chariot, Hanuman broke it into pieces with his mace.
Vajrodhar, at once, jumped off his chariot and began fighting with his mace. The two began to fight ferociously with their maces. As soon as he got an opportunity, Vajrodhar with one mighty stroke sent Hanuman's mace up. Just then, Hanuman using his sword cut off one shoulder of Vajrodhar. Vajrodhar continued to fight with one shoulder but he could not continue to face Hanuman for long. He turned round and round and fell down on the ground. At once, Hanuman cut off his head.
A tremendous commotion arose among the armies of Ravan. The death of Vajrodhar incensed and anguished Ravan. His