Rāmāyana | Yuddha Kaṇḍa | Chapter 78
78. Makaraksha Goes to War
[Makaraksha, who is the son of Khara, goes to the battle. He sees many bad omens; but continues to the battle field.]
Hearing the death of Nikumbha and the fall of Kumbha, Rāvaṇa was greatly enraged and burnt like fire. 78.1
Completely filled with both anger and sorrow, the Rākṣasa king ordered Makaraksha, the son of Khara as follows. 78.2
"Obey my command and go with an army, Oh son and kill Rāma as well as Lakṣmaṇa along with their monkey army." 78.3
Hearing the order of Rāvaṇa, that Rākṣasa called Makaraksha, the son of Khara who considered himself as valorous said, "I will do". 78.4
Then after saluting the ten necked one, he went round him and that strong one obeying the orders of Rāvaṇa left that shining palace. 78.5
That son of Khara commanded an army chief who was nearby to speedily bring him a chariot as well as the army. 78.6
Hearing his words, that Rākṣasa who was an army chief brought a chariot as well as army to his proximity. 78.7
Going round the chariot that Rākṣasa summoned the charioteer to speedily drive the chariot to the battle field. 78.8
Then Makaraksha addressed all Rākṣasas and told them, "Oh Rākṣasas, all of you start fighting in front of me." 78.9
"The great king of Rākṣasas Rāvaṇa has ordered me to kill Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa in this battle." 78.10
"Oh Rākṣasas, with excellent arrows, I would kill Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Sugrīva and all other monkeys." 78.11
"Today by use of the spear, I would completely destroy the huge army of monkeys who have arrived here, like a fire destroys the dried wood." 78.12
Those strong Rākṣasas who have assembled there, heard the words of Makaraksha, using various weapons started to fight. 78.13
All those cruel Rākṣasas who can assume any form they want, who had protruding large teeth, tawny coloured eyes and dishevelled hair, created fear due to their huge bodies and marched like elephants shaking the earth and surrounded Makaraksha who had a huge body. 78.14-78.15
Then there arose great noise from all directions due to playing of thousands of conches and drums, lion like roars and clapping of arms. 78.16
At that time the long whip slipped from the hands of Charioteer of Makaraksha and his flag staff broke due to the will of fate. 78.17
The horses which were drawing his chariot lost their valorous walk and they started walking listlessly and timidly with tears in their eyes. 78.18
When that angry and evil minded Makaraksha marched ahead a harsh wind carrying dust flew against him. 78.19
Though those greatly valorous Rākṣasas saw all these evil omens they ignored them and marched to the place where Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were situated. 78.20
Shouting loudly that "I will, I will", those Rākṣasas who were having the colour like black clouds, elephants and buffaloes and who have been wounded more than once and were skilled in martial art moved here and there. 78.21
This is the end of Seventy Eighth Sarga of Yuddha Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.