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JAIN RAMAYAN
various kinds of extraordinary weapons, took up position in his chariot which stood near Prince Pundarik's chariot. Just opposite to them, there were the chariots of Indrajit and Meghavahan. Behind them, there stood the chariot of Prince Prasannakirti, of Mahendranagar with his ten thousand soldiers on horseback. Near him, Ravan's faithful commanders Khar and Dushana stood intent upon compelling their bitter enemies to lick the dust in the battle.
On the other side a little away, there stood Yogesh the chief commander of King Varuna with fifty thousand soldiers intent upon pouncing into the battle. Just opposite to him Hanuman whose face was radiant like the sun stood in command of fifty thousand soldiers.
The sun rose in all his splendour. Bugles sounded on both sides as an indication to commence the war. Indrajit offered a prayer to his deities and took up arms and began fighting. His first arrow went whistling through the air and passed close to Pundarik's temple with a swishing sound. In reply to this, Pundarik shot ten arrows in quick succession. Indrajit shot arrows and broke to pieces Pundarik's arrows. At the same time, he released twenty-five arrows confounding Pundarik and his chariot rushed ahead but Pundarik was not immature and inexpedient. He at once released ten arrows and stopped Indrajit's chariot from rushing forward. On another part of the battle-field Rajiv fought with tremendous ability and heroism and began to decimate the armies of Lanka. Each arrow shot by him took away the life of a soldier. Meghavahan went forward and tried to surround Rajiv but Rajiv not caring for his move shot arrows dexterously and broke off Meghavahan's bow. At once, Meghavahan took up another bow and he shot arrows wounding the horses of Rajiv's chariot. Khar and Dushana also came to assist him. They caused a tremendous shower of arrows but Rajiv remained unshaken in his position and encountered them with a tremendous heroism. He released ten arrows and shot off Khar's helmet and he released ten other arrows and cut Dushana's armour into pieces. At the same time, he shot twenty-five arrows in the
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