Lanka Torched
Then King of Vanaras Sugreeva expressed his opinion to Rama and addressed Hanuman “Kumbhakarana is Dead. Athikaya and other Princes are dead. So we should not give room for Ravana to come out for Battle. Let the Strong people and Speedsters in our Vanara Army enter with Deep Vatti (Burning Torch Flames) enter Lanka” thus he ordained.
Accordingly after Sunset, the chosen Vanaras in the 1st part of Dark Night along with Deep Vatti (Burning Torch Flames) entered Lanka from all 4 sides hitting and chasing away the Security gaurds, On the Gopuram / Towers / Arches / Minarete, Fort entrances, Fortress walls, Houses, Streets, Lanes, Palaces, set them on Fire. Many thousands of Houses were turned to Ashes very quickly. Mountain like Palaces fell down burning.The fragrance from the burning of Sandalwood, Akil etc were also emanating on one side and the burning of creatures and the cramation of Corpses was creating Foul Smell on other side. The Navarathnas (1.Kembu- Ruby 2.Komedhaga - Sardonyx 3. Neela -Saphire 4. Maragadaha-Emerald 5.Pavazham–Coral 6.Pushparagam –Topaz 7.Manickam –Carbucle 8. Muthu –Pearl 9. VAIRAM / Vaidooriyam- Diamond / Lapis Lazuli), White Silk, Weapons, Horses, Vessels, saddles, Ornaments, Caprisoning ornaments of Elephants and their chains other belts etc, Many parts of Chariots, decorations, the vests of warriors, and the belts, Vests of horses, Shields, Sword, Bows, Strings, Arrows, Thomar (Conceptual weapons used are soul smashers beat opponent not Physically but with the weight of soul), Sickle, Shakthi (Lancer with pointed spear or Multi pointed Spear from Spherical ball with many sharp spear extentions) and other Armaments, Depots containing Armoury were all set on Fire. The Carpets made of special types of goats, Chaamaram (Hand fans made of Quills symbolising Royal insignia), Bed spreads, Tiger Skin, Deer Skin, Saffron and other important materials, the Palalces with Pearls and rarest Gems, troves of Armoury, uniquely designed Housed Architecturally, Aesthetically constructed Buildings, Wealthy Rakshasaas Houses and Golden vests, Garlands, Necklaces, and all of them were set on Fire.
Those who were drunk with eyes swirling, those walking drunkenly, Thise who were walking those garments were being held / carried by Ladies, those with fiery eyes angered by the Vanaras, those who have just now come from Lustful plays, those wearing weapons like Mace, Trident etc, those who were eating, those who were drinking, those who were sleeping with Ladies in proper beds, those who were scared, those who were running, those who were running with their children in hand, many thounsands burnt by Fire.Those with plenty of wealth, Living in broad, Big, beautiful, round, novel unique, Houses construted on Hill Tops, were touching the sky. Their Windows made of Silver and Gold embedded with Navarathna Gems, Sofas with rarest of Gems, Exquisite beds, accompanied by Peaocks, Krouncha birds, with Musical instrument such as Veena, Flute, Mridhunga drums, with the Aura of the Sea with waves al these caught Fire and baked. The Entrance doors caught by Fire appeared like the Monsoon clouds having Lightning streaks; Like the Mountain Peaks fall when hit by Indra’s Vajhrayudha likewise some plalces caught fire and fell suddenly. Some Noble Ladies who were sleeping in Balconies, throwing away their ornaments were shouting ha ha ha and were yelling. In Himalayas which glow due to the dazzing illuminence of Oushadi (Medicinal Herbs) in the night, the Fire in Beautiful houses were akin to them. Houses engulfed by Fire and the Flames swaying here and there playfully they looked like the Phalasa Tree which had just been blossomed. The Elephants and Horses set free by their Mahuts and Care takers were like during the great Deluge when the Ocean crosses it sea shore boundaires and the marine mammals with fear flounder seeing the Horse coming neighing after getting rid of the rope binding it, the Elephants got scared and ran away trumpeting. In another place seeing the Elephant running the Horse got scared and ran away. The Lanka city which was with Red burning flames, It’s reflection turned the Sea water colour to red. In 1 Muhurtham (1½ Hours) the Lanka city which was set on Fire looked like Kala Agni (Fire at the time of Deluge, Pralaya or Khayamath aka din) . With Fire, Smoke surrounding, Ladies choking for Breath screaming was heard 10 Yojanas( 3 Km) away . Some of those Rakhsasaas who came half burnt by Fire and came out of their Houses Vanaras fought and killed them. Due to the screaming Yelling by Rakshasaas and Vanaras all the 10 Directions, Sea and Earth were shaken up.
Rama Lakshamana with wounds healed and their Strength and Aura increased and re energized nonchallant of the day’s happening took the Prachanda Kothanda. Rama pulled the strings and made Dankaram which made the Rakhsasaas heart torn apart. The Lakshanangal (features with ideal Formations) mentioned in Vedas are suitable for the Bow ‘Pinka’ with it when God Parmasiva is dazzling with inflamed Anger, thus was Kothandapani Rama was seen. The Sound reverberations from Rama Lakshmana’s bows matched the Vociferous noises generated by Vanaras and Rakshasaas. These 3 Sounds peireced all the 10 Directions. From the Bhanas that emanated from Rama’s Bow sent the Tall skyscraper Towers, Palaces built by Vishwakarama Divine Architect into smithereens and fell on the ground. The Rama Bhanas (Arrows with Feathers) came and fell in the Balconies, Towers / Arches / Gopurams/ Minerates; this spurred the Rakshasaas to go to war with Vanaras. Their roar made the Night Gory and aweful.
Sugreeva had ordered that “Block the Entrance of Queens Chambers of Ravana and fight, Anyone violating that kill him on the Spot”. Similarly they were surrounding the Queens Chambers with Deep Vatti (Burning Torch Flames), this infuritated Ravana. He when loosened his muscles and flexed them in rage, the 10 Directions shook. It looked like the rage of Rudra at the time of Deluge. He sent Kumbhakarana’s son Kumbha & Nikhumbha with many Rakshasaas to Battle. Rakshasaa leaders Yupaksh, Sonidhaksh, Prajhanga, Kambha also went on Ravana’s orders. “You immediately go, win over the Vanara Army and come back quickly”.Ravana ordered the great Strong Rakshasaas, they with dazzling weapons, with war cry, Lion’s roar, and Attakasam (Loud Laughter unaware of bad time nearing, overjoyed, ruckus behaviour) doing all this they came out of the City. With their natural illuminence, dazzle of their weaponry and fire the sky lit up. Meanwhile Moon rose. The Moon’s Luminence, along with the shine of the 2 Army’s armoury dispelled the darkness of the Night. The Moon’s illuminence, Ornaments dazzle and the Flames of Lanka all joined together and both Armies were clearly visible like as though it was Day Light. The burning inferno of the Palaces were matching with the swelling waves of the sea. The flags which were swaying and the staff with Fish as its symbol, with Sword,Sickle, Trident , Mace, Seoar with Burning inferno it its Tip, Vallyam etc weapons with Chariot, Elephants, Horses Army, with golden ornaments, Sounds of the Gongs, The dazzle emanating from the weapons which are being swirled by the Arms having been adorned by Golden bands illuminating the field , the sparks which came from Bhanas mounted on the Bows strings, the Cool breeze absorbing the Perfumes, fragrances, and the choicest Drinks odour was blowing softly. Like the sea the profound sound of the 2 Armies and the Rakshasaa Army crossing the borders of Sea Vanara Army once mre resounded it’s war Cry.Then they Leaped very fast , like the Fire moths fall on the wick Lamps pounced on the Rakshasaa Army. Due to the illuminence of the swirling hurling dazzle of its weapons the Rakshasaa Army was more visble.
Vanaras like mad men with fierce intensity pounced on the Rakshasaas with Trees, Mountains, and fist they beat them. Raksahsaas with their sharp weaponry severed the heads of Vanaras and growled ominously. With Vanaras biting of their Ears, with heads broken by the clenched fists, and the Limbs broken by the Boulders, Rakshasaas fell in Hordes on theground. Similarly Vanaras were beaten to death by Rakshasaas as well. When one was beating the other a 3rd person killed the 1st person. When 1 was ridiculing the 2nd the 3rd person was abusing the 1st person. One was biting the other another person also bit him. ‘Give, he is giving, I will give, why are you tormenting me? Don’t hit me; Don’t run, Stop” these words were being heard often. The garment slipped and so were the weapons, some were holding aloft Spear, Trident and coming running, mixing here and there the Whole Battlle Field was Ominous and Fearsome. Vanaras killed Rakshasaas in scores, with Hairs dishevelled, their dresses in disarray, Staffs broken, Vest split open. Rakshasaas who were on the run were blocked & fought a pitched Battle. (Slokas 70)
****************