SECTION LXXVIII.
Beholding Kumbha and Nikumbha slain, Rāvana was excited with ire like unto flaming fire. And being beside himself, simultaneously with wrath and grief Rāvana³²⁸ spoke unto Makarāksha, Khara’s son, having spacious eyes, saying—"O child, do thou proceed at my command with the army and destroy Rāghava and Lakshmana with all the monkeys". Hearing the words of Rāvana, Khara’s son, Makarāksha, proud of his own prowess, delightedly spoke unto the night-ranger, saying, "Be it so". And saluting and circumambulating the Ten-necked one, that hero, at Rāvana’s behest, issued out of the house. And Khara’s son spoke unto the commander who was near him, saying,—"Do thou speedily bring the chariot here and all the soldiers". And hearing his words, that commanding night-ranger, soon led before him the army and the chariot. And going round the chariot and addressing the charioteer that night-ranger (Makarāksha) said,—"O charioteer, do thou soon drive the chariot". And Makarāksha addressed those Rākshasas, saying,—"O Rākshasas! do ye all fight before me. I have been commanded by the high-souled Rāvana, the lord of Rākshasas, to slay both Rāma and Lakshmana in conflict. I shall slay to-day, O night-ranger, with my excellent arrows, Rāma, Lakshmana, Sugriva and all other monkeys. Like unto fire consuming dry fuel, shall I to-day slay the host of monkeys with my darts". Hearing those words of Makarāksha, the mighty night-rangers, (addressed themselves for fight). They were armed with various weapons, cautious; assuming shapes at will, crooked, having fearful teeth, coppery eyes; roaring like elephants, having dishevelled hair and terrible. And encircling the huge-bodied son of Khara, those gigantic (Rākshasas) began to proceed, delighted and moving the earth (with the weight of their persons). There arose a terrible noise on all sides from the sound of conches, and thousands of bugles, and from the moving of the arms of the heroes. And all on a sudden the reins slipped off (the hands of) the charioteer and the flag of the Rākshasas dropped down. And the course of the steeds was thus slackend and they began to move slowly and poorly with their heads drooping down. There blew a terribly rough wind mixed with dust when the fearfully wicked-minded Makarākshas issued out for battle. Those powerful Rākshasas neglecting those bad omens proceeded towards where Rāma and Lakshmana were. They were all black like unto clouds, elephants and buffaloes, and had marks of swords and maces on their persons. And all those night rangers were skilled in the art of warfare and began to range to and fro (in the battle field) saying, "I shall go first".
³²⁸ Nairita is another name of Rāvana.