Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 317

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CHAPTER SEVEN
is Sugriva ? Or rather, what of them! Where are Rāma and Saumitri, who consider themselves heroes ?" :: As he was talking so from insolence because of his strength, Sugrīva, red-eyed from anger, challenged the son of Daśagrīva to battle. Bhāmaņqala began to fight Meghavāhana, the younger brother of Indrajit, like śarabha with sarabha. Clashing with each other, they looked like four elephants of the quarters, like four oceans, terrifying to the three worlds. The earth was shaken by the comings and goings of the chariots, and the mountains shook, and the earth trembled. No difference in the drawing and discharge of arrows could be detected on the part of them who were exceeding light-handed and expert. They fought for a long time with divine iron missiles, but no one of them was defeated by any one. Then Indrajit and Meghavāhana, angered, discharged the powerful missile Nāgapāśa (serpent-noose) at Sugrīva and Bhāmaņdala. Bhāmaņdala and the lord of the Kapis were bound by snake-nooses so that they were not able to breathe even. · Now Kumbhakarņa regained consciousness and from anger struck with a club Māruti who fell to the ground unconscious. He picked him up with his arm encircling him like a serpent, like an elephant picking up something with his trunk, and put him under his arm. Bibhīsaņa said to Rāma: "Master, these two, very strong, are essential to the army, like eyes in a face. Vaidehin and Sugrīva have been bound by the sons of Rāvana with great snakes. I intend to release them, so they will not be taken to Lankā. Hanumat, who is held by Kumbhakarņa with his very strong arm, must be freed without his reaching Lankā, Raghūdvaha. Master, without Sugriva, Bhāmandala and Hanūmat, our army is without soldiers, as it were. Permit that I go."
Just as he was saying this, the soldier Angada came rapidly, attacked, and fought with Kumbhakarņa, skilled in fighting. Māruti escaped from the noose of his arm