Jain Ramayana Part 3

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 92

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JAIN RAMAYAN
attack the Vanaras. At the same time thousands of Rakshasa warriors were killing Vanara soldiers, risking their own lives. Within a few moments, thousands of Vanara warriors were killed. When Hanuman heard of this, he decided to go there with Prasannakirthi and to fight against the Rakshasas, but Sugriv prevented them from going. He personally went into the battle-field, rushing among the chariots of Santhap, Nandan, Durith, Vighna and Prathita and reaching the battle-front successfully stopped the rushing flood of Rakshasa warriors. The son was setting in the west. The western horizon was crimson in colour like the battle-field that was covered with steaming blood. Maricha had begun an assault against the Vanaras to avenge the death of Hasta and Prahasta.
The Vanara warrior, Santap collided against Maricha out to rout him. He was one of the ablest commanders in Sugriy's army but he could not stand against Maricha for long. Maricha broke Santap's chariot to pieces and killed him. As soon as the commander Nandan received the news of the death of Santap, he killed Jwar, the Rakshasa commander.
The fight between Uddham and the Vanara hero Vighna assumed a new shape. Vighna displayed extraordinary skill and destroyed Uddham's chariot and tore off the fiag that had been hoisted on the chariot. He broke to pieces, Uddham's bow and arrows. In consequence, Uddham was stupefied and anguished. No way out flashed to him. Yet with an unshaken determination, he ascended another chariot and attacked Vighna and with his sword, he cut Vighna's body into pieces.
Durit, the mighty commander of Prasannakirthi slew the mighty Rakshasa commander Sukra. At the same time, Simha Jaghan, the Rakshasa warrior killed Prathit, the Vanara commander.
The sun set in the west. Bugles were sounded to indicate a cessation of the war. The two armies returned to their camps. The entire battle-field appeared terrible and dreadful.
The soldiers having taken a bath began taking rest. The attendants and servants were engaged in their activities, in