In the previous chapter, we saw Ravana’s lamentations and Indrajit going to fight. , Now we'll see Setting fire to Lanka.
Sugreeva ordered that Lanka
be set on fire because he thought that Ravana would not come anymore and fight
given a great loss that he had suffered. So the Vanaras entered the city of
Lanka with burning torches in their hands and set fire to whatever they came
across, palaces, houses, and so on. It created a great panic. Old and young
rakshasas along with their children started running here and there and total
commotion prevailed. Valmiki gives a detailed description of the loss of
various things, such as pearls, jewels, silk clothes, rugs made of goat’s wool, and so on. Towers from palaces fell down as if hit by thunder. Several
thousand were burnt alive. Elephants and horses ran in panic. The Vanara army
also went and attacked. Ravana saw this and was mad in fury and ordered Yupaksha
and Sonnitaksha, who were Kumbhakarna’s sons along with an army to counterattack. The burning city presented an awe-inspiring sight. The weapons carried
by the rakshasas glittered in the light from the fire of burning palaces.
Kampana, the rakshasa chief
came and attacked Angada wounding him. But Angada caught hold of his sword and
killed him. Then Sonnitaksha who saw his brother dead came to attack Angada who
cut him across his body along the line one wears the sacred thread, as it were.
Yupaksha also joined the fight. Looking at this, the Vanara chiefs Dwividha and
Mainda also came to help Angada. Finally, the rakshasa chiefs were killed.
The rakshasa army retreated
in fear. Then Kumbha a great rakshasa warrior came and encouraged the army and
they returned to fight. Kumbha caused great damage. Angada fought with him
fiercely but was hurt by his arrows. In spite of Jambavan who joined the fight, Kumbha was still dominating. Finally, Sugreeva came to their rescue and he
caught hold of Kumbha’s mighty bow and broke it. Then he told Kumbha that he
indeed appreciated his bravery and added that he was tired and so he could go
and take rest and come the next day. It was really magnanimous on his part to
have told so. But Kumbha felt humiliated by Sugreeva’s compassion and he caught
hold of Sugreeva and they fought with each other. Sugreeva lifted him and threw
him into the sea. The seawater rose as high as Vindhya Mountains and water
splashed all over the land flooding everywhere. But Kumbha rose up and attacked
only to be killed by the powerful blow delivered by Sugreeva.
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