Ten Arrows for Every Warrior
Lanka Kanda, Doha 50
Doha 50 · Movement 2 of 2
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The field before Lanka disappears beneath dust, shattered weapons, and the movement of armies. From his position in the tumult, Meghanada draws and releases with terrible discipline. The bowstring strikes again and again. Ten arrows fly toward each vanara warrior, darkening the space between the armies before burying themselves in living ranks.
One after another, the defenders fall upon the earth. Bodies that had crossed the ocean and stormed the island lie amid broken shafts and churned ground. For a moment the advancing force is arrested, and the son of Ravana stands amid the destruction with his strength unshaken.
Then Meghanada throws back his head and roars. It is not the cry of confusion or fear. The sound rolls across the battlefield like a lion announcing dominion, reaching the ramparts of Lanka and the farthest vanara lines. Dust trembles in the air. The fallen warriors do not rise, and the battle holds its breath before the next movement.
His roar crosses the field while tenfold arrows quiver in the earth.
Read the passage from the Manas
दस दस सर सब मारेसि परे भूमि कपि बीर। सिंहनाद करि गर्जा मेघनाद बल धीर।।50।।
The monkey warriors, Angad, Sugriva, and others, lay unconscious from Kumbhakarna's blows. Seizing the monkey king under his arm, that mountain of immeasurable strength strode away.