- in an instant it became pitch dark, and there was a downpour of blood and stones and ashes.

Beholding the dense darkness in all the ten directions, the monkey host was thrown into confusion; it was impossible to see one another, which led to an outcry everywhere.

But Raghunatha understood the secret of it all and, summoning Angad and Hanuman, he explained to them what was going on. The mighty monkeys had no sooner heard it than they rushed forth in a rage.

The gracious Lord then strung his bow with a smile and straightway let fly a fiery dart. Lo! light shone forth, and there was no trace of darkness anywhere, even as doubts disappear with the dawn of enlightenment.

When they saw light again, the bears and monkeys were relieved of their fatigue and fear and pressed on joyously. Hanuman and Angad thundered aloud on the field of battle and at the sound of their menacing roar the demons took to flight.

Seizing the demon warriors in their flight, the bears and monkeys dashed them to the ground and performed marvellous feats of daring. They caught them by their feet and cast them into the sea, where crocodiles and serpents and fish snapped them up and devoured them.

Thus were some demons slain, some more were wounded, while others fled back to the fort. Having thus routed the enemy forces, the bears and monkeys gave an exultant roar.