Sugriva spake in words like these:
‘Now, Vánar lords, the occasion seize.
For now, of sons and brothers reft,
To Rávan little hope is left;
And if our host his gates assail
His weak defence will surely fail.’
–Excerpt from Canto LXXV (Book VI)(Yuddha-Kánda)
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Urged onward by his charioteer
The giant’s foaming steeds came near,
And furious was the battle’s din
Where each resolved to die or win.
The Rákshas host and Vánar bands
Stood with their weapons in their hands,
And watched in terror and dismay
The fortune of the awful fray.
The giant chief with rage inflamed
His darts at Ráma’s pennon aimed;
But when they touched the chariot made
By heavenly hands their force was stayed.
Then Ráma’s breast with fury swelled;
He strained the mighty bow he held,
And straight at Rávan’s banner flew
An arrow as the string he drew
A deadly arrow swift of flight,
Like some huge snake ablaze with light,
Whose fury none might e’er repel,
And, split in twain, the standard fell.
–Excerpt from Canto CVIII(Book VI)(Yuddha-Kánda)
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A dreadful encounter started between the two kings. The Rákshas and the Vánaras were surprised to see the epic duel. Two mahabalis Ráma and Rávan started discharging arrows. Rávan’s arrows were becoming useless whereas Ráma’s arrow broke Rávan’s flag staff which further enraged Rávan and he started a downpour of shafts. But finding that they were not working against Ráma, he started using gadas, parighas, chakras and musalas, mountain tops, trees, darts and parashus. The seven oceans thundered with the sound of maces and musalas. Both were determined to kill each other. One of Ráma’s arrow cut Rávan’s head but alas instantly arose another head resembling the former. It was also swiftly cut-off but there arose another one and this continued endlessly. Ráma finally took the flaming and dreadful arrow of Brahma, given by the great Rishi Agastya, and discharged it at Rávan which pierced his body and thus brought the end of Rávan.
