{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rama/ry479.htm","path":"hin/rama/ry479.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry479.htm","text":"He spoke, and vanished: R\u00e1ma raised\n His eyes with reverence meet, and praised\n The glorious Day-God full in view:\n Then armed him for the fight anew.\n Urged onward by his charioteer\n The giant's foaming steeds came near,\n And furious was the battle's din\n Where each resolved to die or win.\n The R\u00e1kshas host and V\u00e1nar bands\n Stood with their weapons in their hands,\n And watched in terror and dismay\n The fortune of the awful fray.\n The giant chief with rage inflamed\n His darts at R\u00e1ma's pennon aimed;\n But when they touched the chariot made\n By heavenly hands their force was stayed.\n Then R\u00e1ma's breast with fury swelled;\n He strained the mighty bow he held.\n And straight at R\u00e1van's banner flew\n An arrow as the string he drew--\n A deadly arrow swift of flight,\n Like some huge snake ablaze with light,\n Whose fury none might e'er repel,--\n And, split in twain, the standard fell.\n At R\u00e1ma's steeds sharp arrows, hot\n With flames of fire, the giant shot.\n Unmoved the heavenly steeds sustained\n The furious shower the warrior rained,\n As though soft lotus tendrils smote\n Each haughty crest and glossy coat,\n Then volleyed swift by magic art,\n Tree, mountain peak and spear and dart,\n Trident and pike and club and mace\n Flew hurtling straight at R\u00e1ma's face.\n But R\u00e1ma with his steeds and car\n Escaped the storm which fell afar\n Where the strange missiles, as they rushed\n To earth, a thousand V\u00e1nars crushed.","title":"BOOK VI: Canto CVIII.: The Battle.","type":"page"}