Canto 47
Akshay’s Life on Line
Heard as all of Durdhar’s fall
Akshay truly itched for fight.
Fell as Ravan’s eyes on him
Bowed his son with golden bow.
In his chariot made of gold
Rode as Akshay to Hanuman
Seemed he like the sun on move.
Wind God it beats at his game
Akshay’s chariot drawn by eight.
Custom built in heaven itself
Out-maneuvers it all on earth.
Battles as he from that frame
None can ever face Akshay then.
With such battle guard Akshay
Went to confront Hanuman then.
Like the lion on hunt Akshay
Looked at Hanuman as his prey.
Having met his match Akshay
Felt eager to fight Hanuman.
To tease the vanar to fight him
Shot Akshay then three arrows.
Failed as they to hurt his foe
Saw the fight on hand Akshay.
Hanuman too then came to see
Makes Akshay hard nut to crack.
Raged as battle between them
Stopped all worlds to witness that.
Bull’s eye hit those arrows three
Aimed by Akshay at Hanuman’s
Head that he held ever so high.
Blood as spilled on his frame thus
Made him seem the morning sun.
Enthused by the fight on hand
Enhanced his frame then Hanuman.
So to account his foe’s affront
Destroyed vanar Akshay’s force.
Angered at that Akshay then
Aimed arrows in scores at him,
Akin that was to downpour
Of monsoon on mountain then.
Prowess at such of Akshay
Shouted Hanuman his salute.
Went as the praise to his head
Taunted Akshay Hanuman then
To fight the one whom angels dread.
Hurt though he was by arrows
Sent in rows by Akshay’s bow,
To take then on the daring youth
Jumped up Hanuman high in skies.
With no respite to Hanuman
Aiming arrows thick and fast
As would hailstorm hill terrain
Chased him all the way Akshay.
With his lightning reflexes
Escaped arrows all Hanuman.
Taking Akshay’s tender youth
Though he was no babe at arms
Felt like sparing him Hanuman.
But then Akshay was intent
To take the vanar his captive.
Matchless prowess of Akshay
Made the son of Vayu think
Youth he was not meant to die.
Lad this Ravan’s on his own
Could bring gods ’n angels too
Knees on to theirs in battles.
Battle that’s on hand I now
Looks he’s gaining upper hand.
Fail if I now to confine him
Shame me he would in no time.
No way out for me but now
Than slay Akshay Ravan’s son.
Killed as prelude then Hanuman
Stallions eight of Akshay’s cart.
Broke as Hanuman his vehicle
Hors de combat turned Akshay.
Not the one to get daunted
Kept up tempo still Akshay.
Eagle as an would have its prey
Took hold Akshay’s legs Hanuman.
Handled Hanuman then Akshaypublish
Washerwoman would as garments
On some stone by waterside.
With the impact that it took
Akshay’s frame there lay tattered.
With the fall of Akshay thus
Even Indra felt surprised.
To slay more of Ravan’s men
Lay then Hanuman there in wait.
