Athikaya Battle
The Dangerous Rakhsasaa Army being in disarray and this was seen by the Great Tejhas ( shining with dazzling radiance of Aura) Athikaya. His brothers who were equal in valor to Indra slain, and his father’s younger brother also killed was in Fierce Rage. He is like the Mountain in Physique;he makes Devas and Dhanavas shiver in battle field; he had obtained rare boons from Brahma (God of Creations in Universe); He had climbed on top of a Chariot which was dazzling athough many Suns have joined together theredecorated by Crown, Vest, Ear Lobe balls (kundala) swirling his Bow and changing his Prowess in battle fields; he roared which made all directions tremble. Due to that Lion’s raor, Stringing of his bow’s strings the Vanaras were afraid.Seeing his body size they had a doubt whteher Kumbhakarana has revived?and hugged each other in sheer fright. Seeing his Tall feature the Vanaras Army leaders were swayed and and ran for cover. Some reached Rama and did seek his Charanam (Refuge, Your Lotus Feet, Shelter, Help, Asylum, Support or all of these) as he is the Shelterer of all 3 worlds.
Rama saw Athikay from distance coming on his Chariot which was Like the dark clouds roaring and was surprised by the sheer size of his body, Courage and Aura. He pacified and called Vibheeshana near by “Who is that Archer with huge size, with yellow eyes sitting on that chariot? Like Maheshwara is surrounded by his Ghost entourages with sharp Tridents, Vallyas, Spears with Fire on it’s Tip, were dazzling around him. Like Yama’s Togue, and the Lightning Streaks amongst the clouds his Chariot has many Shakthi Ayudhas. Like Rainbows are seen in clouds, in that Chariot were neumerous Bows strung and kept ready with Golden abndings. Who is that warrior who is coming in that Chariot shining like the Sun? By his Aura this battle field is illuminated. In the end of his Flag you can see Rahu Planet insignia. There is radiance of illuminence from his Bhanas. With 3 curves, sturdy like Thunder, with Golden banding, there is a Bow in his ahnd which is akin to Rainbow. The reverberations of its strings is teasing even thunder clasp of the clouds. That Chariot which is adorned with Flags and Staffs that Chariot is being driven by 4 Charioteers are steering many horses; 38 Karmukha Bows with Golden Strings are seen. On both sides 2 Sharp swords have been kept. Their handle was of 48“ periphery (4 times Chaan **(Distance from Small Finger Tip to Thumb Tip with Palm stretched) of a normal Rama’s hand as he was 8’ tall) Length will be roughly 8 Chaan ie 96” .ie 10 feet; there was a Red Garland around his neck; he is Dark in complexion; he seen like the sun surrounded by clouds. His Arms with Golden Keys looks like the Himalayan peaks. With clean Eyes, with his Face charming with ear lobe globe balls, his face looks like the Full Moon amongst Puarvasu Stars Vanaras are running away getting scared of him Who is he?” asked Rama to Vibheeshana.
Vibheeshana said “Kubhera’s younger brother and Leader of Rakhshasaas with 10 Head, Ravana’s son is this person. He is capable of achieving impossible and onerous tasks in war. He has immeasurable enthusiasm, and is a Warrior par excellence and son of Ravana. In war he is equal to his father; he respects Elders; in the knowledge of Astra (is an individually targetted or WMD missile-type weapon that is to be hurled at an enemy. Examples include arrows from bows. A shastra is a personal weapon, like swords and maces, that must be constantly operated by the warrior And are of Varied types some obtained from Divine Prayers). He is Expert amongst greatest of Exponents. He is extremely sagacious be it in mounting Elephants, Riding Horses, Sword Fight, and the right usage of Sama - Peaceful Negotiation , Dhana - entice with Wealth, Bedha - Revolution , Dhanda- Punishment and matchless in Ministerial advice, Lanka is staying with out fear believing on his Arm strength. There are no Asthras which he does not know. He has won many Enemies in battle front. Pleasing Brahma with penace has obtained many a rare Asthra as a Boon from Brahma. He is the son of dearest wife Dhanyamalini of Ravana.His name is Athikaya. He has obtained from Brahma that death will not happen to him from Asura. This Divine Chariot and Vests was obtained by him then. He has chased away Devas and Dahnavas countless no of times. He had decimated Yakshas and protected the Rakhsasaas; he is the greatest Rakhsasaa who stopped with his Bhanas Indras Indestructible Vajhrayudha and Varuna’s Pasham; very intelligent; he who quelled the arrogance of Devas and Asuras. Before his Bhanas kill Vanara Army we should win over him.
Meanwhile that Rakshasaa warrior entered the Vanara Army often roared swirling his bow. Kumudha, Dwividha, Maindha, Neela, Sarabah, Vanara Army Commanders took Trees, Mountain peaks, Mountains and came running to challenge him. That Rakshasaa Prince with his Bhanas sent all of them into smithereens in a few seconds and pierced all the Vanraas standing in front of him with Arrows made of Iron. They were showered by Arrows and were unable to battle with him,Like the well grown Lion cub chases Deer cluster that Rakhsasaa warrior scattered away the Vanara Army.
He did not hit anyone who did not battle with him. He came to where Rama was and with Pride said “When I am with all the Chariots, weapons it does not behove of me to battle with an ordinary warrior. If there is any Warrior Jewel amongst you who is full of enthusiasm, let him battle with me” said Athikaya.
Unable to tolerate those words Lakshmana pounced on his Bow, strung the strings and pulled them and made Dankaram, which sent shivers in the Sky, sea, Hills, Forest, Rakshsaas all around. Even the great Warrior Athikaya of immense Aura was surprised by the Sound of reverberations from Lakshmana’s Bow’s strings. Then angered he said “ Lakshmana! You are a small Child! you do not have experience of war fare. Go. Can you desire to battle with me as I am like Yama? The speed of the Bhanas coming from my hands can even rip the Himalayas, Sky, Earth stand them? Why are you awakening the Kala Agni (Fire at the time of Deluge, Pralaya or Khayamathka din)? Throw the Bow and return. Why do you want to forsake your Life? If you don’t want that challenge me, leave your Life and go to Yama Lok (God of Death). Have you seen my Bhanas which decimate the enemies? They are like Trident of Rudra; they have been decorated with pure molten flowing Gold. ; they are like Great Serpents; Like the Lion in Rage blows the Brain in the head with it’s paws and drinks the blood, this Arrow will drink your blood” - saying this in anger he mounted the Arrow on the Bow’s strings.
Lakshmana was furious on the words expressed by Athikaya with Pride and Arrogance, since he was with great glory and strength he could not tolerate said words which had many loaded meanings “ Aday Rakshasaa! Would you get glory only by words? Will you become by merely boast in Yourself? Hey Wicked! I am ready with Bow and Arrow to to battle with you; show your full strength; show your prowess in actions; do not boast unnecessarily; Only Manly person will be called Valorous; Good people do not boast themselves. You have come for the Battle in the choicest Chariot. Show your prowess with Bhanas and Asthras. Then like the gutsy winds shatters the Palm Fruits from Palm trees I will with sharp Bhanas severe your Head. Today my Bhaanas will pierce your body and will drink the blood oozing out. Do not ignore me that I am not grown up in Age. Please let it be known that whether I am Young or Old I am the Death for you in this Battle. In Earlier times Vamana Boy who was incarnation ofMaha Vishnu; are you not aware that he measured all 3 worlds with his 3 Foot steps? “ askedLakshmana.
Thus Lakshmana giving adequate reasons and with noble meaning, enraged Athikaya he took a choicest Bhana, then Vidhyadhara, Ghost, Celestials, Demons, Sages, Nocturnal Spirits, came to wintess this epic Battle. Athikaya bent the Bow, strung it, mounted the Bhana and very quickly as though he s going to swallow the sky launched it on Lakshmana. The Bhana which was like a venomous snake coming towars him Laskhmana too shot an Crescent moon shaped Arrow on Athikaya.it destroyed the Bhanas sent by Athikaya before tit could reach him. Athikaya retaliated with 5 Bhanas, Lakshmana destroyed them easily before they could reach him. Took an Arrow which was dazzling and shot it on Athikaya on his forehead. Like the Great Serpent enters a Hill that Bhanas struck on Athikaya’s forehead. Blood oozed. Like the Rudra who hit Thripurasura, Athika unable to bear the pain was shivering. Then regained himself somehow thought over it decided what should be done next and said “ Lakshmana! you are my worthy opponent, I appreciate your ability. You seem to be an expert in Archery” thus after praising him, Yawned and stretched his Arms and tightened them, steadied himself and sat properly on the Chariot and 1,10,100 thus countless Bhanas he shot. They were decorated with Golden Bandings and were like the soldiers of Yama (God of Death) and made the sky dazzle with illuminence. Lakshmana unperturbed just struck them away. Then Athikaaya sent a choicest Bhana carefully launched, it to Lakshmana in the centre of his Chest. Like the Rogue Elephant allows Roguish secretion his body was soaked in streams of Blood, Laskhmana plucked it away and carefully Launched the Agneyastra: The fire weapon, created by Agni, master of the flames
After reciting the Manthra Launched it on Athikaya. He stopped that with Suryasthra. They both fought on the sky lane above like Large serpents. Then finally both lost their Lusture and fell on the earth as Ashes. Seeing that Lakshmana used 1000 Choiciest of Bhanas. Since Athikay had got a Vest which can’t be split these bhanas did not make any dent on his Vest.
Then Vayu (God of Wind ) came to him ‘ Child! This Rakshasaa has obtained the Vest which can’t be opened by Asthra due to the Boon from Brahma. So you have to hit him with Brahmasthra; all others won’t work” - hearing that Lakshmana recited the Brahmansthra Manthra (Verse) and Launched Brahmastra on Athikaya: {Embedded with the mystical force of Brahma, this weapon releases millions of missiles, great fires and a destructive potential capable of extinguishing all creation, if not used by and aimed only at a celestial fighter. Modern speculation has equated its destructive nature to be similar to that of a nuclear weapon, it has been used multiple times in Ramayana, Indrajit used it against Hanuman, Lakshmana asked permission to use it against Indrajit, which lord Rama declined, Lakshmana used it to kill Atikaya, lord Rama used it as final arrow to kill Ravana}.Then all the Directions, Space, EARTH, Planets trembled and staggered. Being adorned by Golden bandings and Vajhara (in destructible alloy). Like the Indra’s Vajhrayudha, Yama’s Kala Dhandum (Bludgeon staff used to take Life away at the time of Death , indicating Life span is over) Glowing like Agni (Fire) with unstoppable force seeing that Brahamnsthra approaching hit it with a many sharp Bhanas . It swallowed his Bhanas and came like Garuda to the Prince then being undeterred he hit it with All his Asthras he had in his armoury like Shakthi, Mace, Sickle, Trident etc that destroyed those noble weapons it severed Athikaya’s head with Crown, Ear lobe balls etc with the ornaments fell on the ground. Seeing that the balance Rakshasaas cried aloud unabashedly. With pale face and hit by trees, boulders, mountain peaks having lost their Leader got terrified and lost all hope of winning the war hereafter, started running towards Lanka. Like the Lotus on Sun rise Blossoms Vanaras Faces Bloomed with Happiness. The enemy with huge body and endless Valour who came to defeat Vanaras was killed by Lakshmanaa and they worshipped him and revered him for his Prowess.(Slokas 15)
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