No sooner were the heads severed than a fresh crop sprang up anew like covetousness, which increases with every gain. For all his toil the enemy would not die; then Rama looked towards Vibhishana.

O Uma, (says Shiva,) the Lord whose will causes the death of Death himself, tested the devotion of his servant, ‘Listen,’ said Vibhishana, ‘O omniscient sovereign of all creation animate and inanimate, protector of the suppliant, delight of the gods and sages!

In the depth of Ravana’s navel there lies a pool of nectar, by virtue of which, my lord, his life is preserved.’ On hearing such words uttered by Vibhishana, the gracious Raghunatha was pleased and grasped his fierce arrows.

Many evil omens then began to manifest themselves; numbers of donkeys, jackals and dogs set up a howling; birds screamed and portended universal calamity, and comets were seen in every quarter of the sky.

Fierce flames broke out in all the ten quarters, and though there was no new moon, a solar eclipse occurred. Mandodari’s heart beat wildly and idols shed tears from their eyes.

Idols, wept, thunderbolts fell from heaven, furious winds blew, the earth reeled, the clouds dropped blood and hair and dust; who could recount all the inauspicious omens? At the sight of these countless portents, the gods in heaven cried in dismay and shouted, ‘Victory! Victory! Sensing that the gods were overcome by fear, the gracious Raghunatha set an arrow to his bow.

Drawing the bow-string to his ear, Raghunatha shot forth thirty-one shafts which sped forth like the serpents of doom.