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JAIN JOURNAL
There was then a regular meeting, so to say, of the war council and a highly provocative despatch was made ready which Angada carried. The outcome could be visualised. The proposals were ridiculed by Ravana who was supported by his son Indrajit. Sandhi na icchiya ravaņeņathese were the last words. Then Angada gave the challenge and returned.
Both sides were now getting ready for the war. Ravana's army led by Hasta and Prahasta was four thousand akşauhiņi strong. It was a very impressive array. In contrast Rama's forces was just half-only two thousand akşauhiņi strong. The result of the conflict had in fact evoked an universal interest so much so that even the heavenly nymphs had come there and started speculating as to which side would win.
The battle starts
Now the opposite armies joined in battle. In the first encounter Rama's forces were compelled to retreat. But shortly they re-organised and fell upon the enemy lines with great force, thereby creating a scare among them. Then Hasta and Prahasta rushed to the front to give encouragement to the demon forces and found themselves engaged soon in an encounter with Nala and Nila, two very able generals on Rama's side. Hasta and Prahasta were killed in action. The fighting stopped at dusk.
At night Jambuvat reorganised Rama's forces to form the impenetrable Lion Array (simha-vyūha). Ravana too visited his generals and was pleased at their very high morale. He honoured them with suitable gifts.
In the morning hostilities were resumed. This was a very bad day for Rama. He lost some of his good officers notably Santapana, Prathita, Akrosa, Durita and Vighna. Naturally, it was a day of great rejoicing for the demon forces. There was sorrow every where in Rama's camp.
On the third day raged a great battle. There were encounters between great warriors, Sardula from Rama's side meeting Vajrodara from Ravana's, Bahuvali meeting Simhadamana, Samkrodha meeting Khavicarin, Vilapin meeting Vidhi and Visalatejas meeting Sambhu. Hanumat alone met a number of demon warriors, Malin, Jambumalin, Vajrodara and Mahodara. Soon he was surrounded by all these. Hanumat met them in a single-handed encounter. When others saw
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