Warriors fell here and there like trees upon the banks; the marrow of their bones oozed out in quantities like foam. Dastards shuddered at the sight; the champions were delighted.

Ghosts, ghouls and goblins bathed in the stream, and frightful fiends with long shaggy masses of tangled hair and Pramathas (Shiva’s attendants) too; crows and kites flew off with human arms, which they tore from one another and devoured.

Some said, ‘What a pity, fools, that you should suffer from want even in such plenty!’ wounded warriors fallen on the bank groaned like the moribund lying strewn about half in and half out of the water (on the bank of a sacred river, lake etc. in order to ensure that they may breathe their last while their body is being washed by the sacred water). Some said, ‘What a pity, fools, that you should suffer from want even in such plenty!’ wounded warriors fallen on the bank groaned like the moribund lying strewn about half in and half out of the water (on the bank of a sacred river, lake etc. in order to ensure that they may breathe their last while their body is being washed by the sacred water).

Vultures pulled out the entrails of the dead like fishermen angling with rapt attention. A great many dead warriors floated down the stream with birds perched on them, as if they were sporting on river boats.

The Yoginis (female attendants of Durga) collected blood in skulls, while the wives of ghosts and goblins danced in the air. chamundas sang songs in various strains, clashing the heroes’ skulls like so many pairs of cymbals.

Herds of jackals snapped and snarled as they tore the dead, feasted upon them and yelled and, when surfeited, howled. Myriads of headless trunks scampered about, while the heads lying on the ground shouted, ‘Victory! Victory!’

The heads cried, Victory! Victory!’ while the headless trunks darted wildly about. Birds squabbled and struggled among the skulls, while champions overthrew champions. Imperious through Rama’s strength, the monkeys trampled down the demon crew; the champions, smitten by Rama’s wrathful arrows, lay dead as everlasting slumber sealed their eyes on the field of battle.