Initial battle between Sri Rama and Ravana in Lanka

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 42 to 44)

Sri Rama fighting

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama waging war against Ravana in Lanka.

• The battle begins between vanaras and demons: The demons inform Ravana that the city of Lanka has been besieged by the vanaras. Ravana ascended his mansion and saw that the entire Lanka has been surrounded by the vanaras. Sri Rama remembering the afflictions of Devi Sita ordered to destroy the enemies. The vanaras took up huge boulders and uprooting trees started destroying the defensive structures of Lanka. They filled up the moats with sand and other materials. Ravana ordered the demons to start the combat. The demons blared kettle-drums and conches and rushed forward. A terrible battle ensued between the demons and the vanaras. The demons attacked the vanaras with their weapons consisting of maces, spears, axes etc. The vanaras attacked the demons with trees, rocks and with their nails and teeth.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 42)

• Duels arising between the key generals: Then fierce duels arose between the key generals of either side. Indrajit fought with Angada. Sampati fought with Prajangha. Hanuman fought with Jambumali. Vibhisana fought with Shatrughna. Gaja fought with Tapana. Nila fought with Nikumbha. Sugreeva fought with Praghasa. Lakshmana fought with Virupaksha. Sri Rama fought with Agniketu, Rashmiketu etc. Mainda fought with Vajramushti. Dwividha fought with Ashaniprabha. Nala fought with Pratapana. Sushena fought with Vidyunmali. Sampati killed Prajangha with an Ashvakarna tree. Hanuman ascending the chariot of Jambumali overthrew the demon. Nala subdued Pratapana. Sugreeva killed Praghasa with a Saptaparna tree. Lakshmana killed Virupaksha with his arrows. Rama chopped the hands of Agniketu, Rashmiketu and his other opponents. Mainda subdued Vajramushti. Nila chopped the head of Nikumbha with the wheel of his chariot. Dwivida hit Ashaniprabha with a Sala tree. Sushena crushed Vidyunmali with a huge rock. The terrific battle continued till sunset.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 43)

• A nocturnal war starting after sunset: After sunset a nocturnal war started between the vanaras and the demons. Sri Rama and Lakshmana killed some key demons, some of whom were invisible. Sri Rama injured demons Yagnasharu, Mahaparshva, Mahodara, Vajradamstra, Shuka and Sarana with his arrows who somehow escaped alive. Sri Rama killed many other demons who came to fight with him. Angada hit Indrajit along with his chariot and horses. Indrajit vanished from the spot by his trick. The celestials, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Vibhisana and others praised Angada.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 44)

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