“Accompanied by his six counsellors- Mahodara and Prahasta, Maricha, Shuka and Sarana, and the heroic Dhumraksha- eager for encounter- the graceful Ravana, elated with his strength sallied out, as if consuming all creatures with his wrath. And leaving behind cities and streams and hills and woods and groves, he in moment came to the mountain- Kailasha. And hearing that wicked minded lord of Rakshasas, breathing high spirits, had arrived at the mount in company with his counsellors, the Yakshas could not stay before that Raksha,- and knowing ‘This one is the king’s brother,’- went to where the lord of riches was. Going to him they in full related all about the doings of his brother. And on being permitted by the bestower of treasures, they went out for battle. And then, like unto the agitation of the ocean, there took place mighty ferment of the forces of the Nairita king, as if making the mountain tremble. And then there took place an encounter between the Yakshas and the Rakshasas; and therein the councillors of the Rakshasa were smitten fiercely. And finding his forces in that plight, Dashagriva set up full many cheerful shout and in wrath began to speak. Of the councillors of the Rakshasa-chief, each coped with thousand Yakshas. And then struck with maces and clubs and swords and darts and tomaras, the Ten-necked one dived into (that deep) of host. And rendered inert and sore assailed, Dashanana was deprived of his movements with vollies of weapons resembling torrents of rain. And albeit drenched with blood streaming down in hundreds of torrents, he like mountain flooded with downpour, being wounded with the weapons of the Yakshas,- doth not betray any smart. And that high souled one, raising up his mace resembling the rod itself of Time, entered into that army, despatching Yakshas to the abode of Yama. And as flaming fire burneth up an extensive sward of grass stocked with dry fire-wood, he began to consume that Yaksha army. And as the wind scattereth clouds, the small remnant of Yaksha army was scattered by the redoubtable councillors (of Ravana)- Mahodara, Shuka, etc. And some were wounded, and (some) broken down, and (some) measured their lengths on the ground in the encounter, and other Yakshas deprived of their arms in the field, being fatigued, sank down, embracing each other, even as banks drop down, on being worn away by water. And no room was left (in the sky) in consequence of its being thronged by hosts of sages; and warriors, wounded and rushing for conflict, and (finally) ascending heaven.” And finding the foremost Yakshas endowed with great strength give way, the mighty-armed lord of riches despatched (other) Yakshas. In the meantime, O Rama, Yaksha named Sanyodhakantaka, accompanied by an extensive force and large number of vehicles,- on being despatched, rushed (on the foe). And wounded in the conflict (by Sanyodhakantaka) with his discus, as if by Vishnu himself, Maricha toppled down to the ground from the mountain, like unto planet whose merit hath waned, And in moment regaining his consciousness and resting (for while), that night-ranger fought with the Yaksha; and thereat, on being defeated, he* fled. Then (Ravana) entered within the gate-way (of the palace), garnished with gold, and decked with lapises and silver, And thereat, O king, the warder named Suryyabhanu prevented the night-ranger- Dashagriva- as he was entering. And albeit prevented, the night-ranger entered in. And when, O Rama, that Rakshasa was prevented, he did not stay. And then struck by that Yaksha with the gate-way uprooted, he, discharging blood in streams, looked like hill with minerals running on it. And hit with that gate-way resembling mountain-summit in splendour, that hero did not sustain any injury, on account of the boon he had received from the Self-sprung. And on being struck by the same gate-way, the Yaksha ceased to be seen, his body having then been consumed to ashes. And witnessing the prowess of the Raksha, all began to flee; and then they afflicted with affright, fatigued, and with pale faces, entered into rivers and caves, leaving their arms behind.”
* A religious ceremony performed for propitiating any deity or malign star, and so warding off an impending disaster, or bringing luck to any undertaking. This has obtained to this day in Hindu society. -T.
* The idea of the author is: ‘The welkin was thronged with sages as well as warriors, who swelled the ranks of the sages stationed in the sky, by ascending heaven after having fallen in fight.” -T.
* The Yaksha, that is.