January 18 - Sarga 88 of Yuddha Kanda.
Indrajit expresses all his anger at Vibhishana's words by boasting to Lakshmana that he will presently kill him. Lakshmana replies calmly that he knows Indrajit's tricks and their battle will not end well for the rakshasa. A terrific battle ensues.
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Valmiki describes a new battle in a new setting between two formidable archers, both endowed with divine weapons and supreme strength and confidence.
As the dark collyrium-like huge rakshasa Indrajit attacks like an elephant goaded, hurting from Vibhishana's words, in his splendid chariot well-stocked with weapons and drawn by black horses, he encounters the great Lakshmana on his own incomparable vehicle, namely the shoulders of our hero Hanuman.
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Indrajit proclaimed arrogantly and angrily,
पश्यध्वं मे मराक्रमम्! "Watch out oh you Lakshmana, Vibhishana, and the vanaras, my arrows will rain down like the monsoon and destroy you! My arrows will be like a fire that burns at once a mass of cotton stored readily!"
गमयिष्यामि सर्वानेव यमक्षयम् "I shall despatch the whole lot of you to Yama's abode!"
'Oh Lakshmana, you seem to have forgotten how I laid you brothers low in that nocturnal battle! It seems you are keen on going to Yama, struck by me today."
In a deep tone that remained calm under provocation, Lakshmana responded,
उक्तश्च दुर्गंमः पारः कार्याणां राक्षस त्वया ।
कार्याणां कर्मणा पारं यो गच्छति स बुद्धिमान् ॥
"Oh rakshasa, Whatever terrific deeds you claim to do, you shall find it hard to accomplish! The one who is wise won't boast but show by doing first."
"I well know your despicable trick of fighting by being invisible. That is beneath a true warrior. Let me see you fight today, I have come in the path of your arrows."
Indrajit lost no time in raining arrows from his mighty bow on Lakshmana. Lakshmana started bleeding and looked like a blazing fire as Indrajit shouted that soon Lakshmana's dead body would feed vultures and scavenger animals in full view of Sri Rama. Lakshmana replied that it was not his way to boast but show Indrajit what awaited him. Soon, Lakshmana's golden arrows had embedded themselves as adornments in Indrajit's chest.
There are many descriptions of the arrows each shot at the other and how the fight was fierce and relentless.
उभौ परमदुर्जेयौ अतुल्यबलतेजसौ - "Both were supremely unconquerable. and incomparably radiant in valour".
They fought like two planets clashing in the heavens, and two lions fighting for supremacy.
Lakshmana was relentless. The fierce twanging of his bow repeatedly as he drew the arrows right back to his ear before releasing them visibly affected Indrajit's confidence.
Vibhushana drew Lakshmana's attention. "Strike now, oh brave one with magnificent shoulders! You can see Indrajit weakening in his spirit. Kill him now."
Lakshmana shot terrific arrows that hissed like venomous serpents as they struck Indrajit and rendered him unconscious. But he soon recovered and shouted, "If you have forgotten how I almost killed the two of you in that battle, let me show again to you what I can do." He shot seven arrows hurting Lakshmana and also repeatedly struck Hanuman who was carrying Lakshmana. He also shot arrows at Vibhishana.
Lakshmana said, "Oh this is not so impressive, it is nothing! You're so ineffectual!" And he rained arrows that went and shattered Indrajit's armour. Indrajit bled profusely. Indrajit now shot a thousand arrows and shattered Lakshmana's armour.
The mutual raining of arrows soon created a heap that looked like darbha grass kept ready for a huge sacrifice.
तयोरथ महान् कालो व्यतीयाद् युद्ध्यमानयोः ।
न च तौ युद्धवैमुख्यं श्रमं चाप्यभिजग्मतुः ॥
"Thus much time passed as the two fought unceasingly with great expertise and force. Neither displayed either a loss of enthusiasm for battle or tiredness. "
Vibhishana began to speak to Lakshmana to give him some comfort and suggest a different approach.
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
