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The Capture of Varun
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form of a garland and made Meghavana's horses lick the dust. Meghavan was forced to take shelter in Dushan's chariot.
Within the twinkling of an eye, Pundarik inflicted heavy casualities on Indrajit and King Varuna's army used every opportunity to decimate Ravan's armies. Even a few hours had not passed since the commencement of the war but within that short time many able warriors on the side of Ravan were killed. Pundarik led his army in a ferocious manner against Ravan's army and compelled it to retreat a distance of two miles. The morale of King Varuna's army was very high. Their spirit and enthusiasm rose like the sea-waves on the night of the full-moon day, whereas Ravan's army was in bitter despair.
In another part of the battle-field, Hanuman had fought against King Varuna's chief commander and inflicted upon him heavy casualities. He had struck terror into the chief commander's heart by virtue of his prowess. But when he saw Pundarik marching his army against Indrajit and the Rakshasa army retreating in fear and despair, he said to Prahasit :
"Please drive the chariot towards Pundarik.” "Not yet; let the first phase of the day pass. Wait a little.”
There was only a little time left in the first phase of the day. Just then, Prahasit deliberately drove the chariot a little backwards. Yogesh the chief commander of Varuna was delighted to see this and he rushed forward with renewed confidence and courage. But as he came near, Prahasit made his chariot go round and round. At the same time Hanuman's chariot began circling around the chief commander's chariot. He inflicted heavy casualities upon him; broke to pieces his bow; wounded his horses and broke off the wheels of his chariot.
Soon after the first phase of the day was over, Prahasit drove Hanuman's chariot speedily towards Pundarik. Yogesh heaved a sigh of relief. Hanuman's chariot obstructed Pundarik's chariot; and stood stolid in the way like the Himalayas. Just then, with the purpose of confounding Hanuman, Pundarik caused a shower of arrows upon him. But was Hanuman inferior to him, in any way? He shot arrows and broke into pieces every arrow of Pundarik, and releasing ten arrows at a time,
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