Nikumbha saw his brother Kumbha dead and rushed with a heavy and mighty rod which he spun in all directions. None dared to approach him. Hanuman dared to approach him and he was hit very badly. However, he caught hold of that rod and finally cut off his head and killed him.
Ravana was sad and upset by the death of Kumbhakarna’s sons and he sent Khara’s son Makaraksha with his blessings to fight. He rode fast in his chariot encouraging the rakshasas to fight fiercely and told them that he was sure to kill Rama and Lakshmana. As Makaraksha and his army advanced, there were many ill omens. But the rakshasas advanced not minding these warnings. They fought fiercely and caused great damage to the Vanara army, which started to flee the battlefield. Then Rama came and sent such a shower of arrows that the way for the rakshasas was blocked and prevented them from advancing. Then Makaraksha challenged Rama to a duel. He told Rama “You killed my father in Dandakaranya and I am boiling with anger and waiting to kill you.
Now I will kill you with my arrows or with any weapon that you choose”. Rama replied that he had killed not only Khara but also thousands of rakshasas along with him and also Dooshana and Trishiras. Rama told him that the eagles too would soon feast on him. They started fighting with arrows and a ferocious war ensued between the two. The celestial beings assembled in the sky to witness the war. There were arrows everywhere. Rama finally smashed his chariot and killed his charioteer and the horses. Makaraksha stood on the ground and took his trident which was given to him by Lord Shiva and which had once terrified the Devas and the whole world. He threw the trident at Rama with full force. But Rama broke it into pieces with three of his arrows. He then rushed at Rama with his maze raised. Rama sent ‘Agneyastra’ which pierced his head and shattered it. Makaraksha fell dead. The rakshasa army, which saw this, disappeared into the city of Lanka. The Devas were very pleased and praised Rama’s valour.
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