Virbahu starts his battle

With Virbahu was a rakshasa called Dhumraksha. When they entered the battlefield, the armies on both sides, charged up, started roaring. Behind all of them was the brave Bhasmaksha, riding on a chariot covered with leather. Whoever Bhasmaksha looked at, burned to death.

On his elephant, Virbahu was wondering how he would get a glimpse of Rama. He asked Bhasmaksha to proceed. Bhasmaksha, whose eyes were covered with leather, proceeded till he came near Rama. Vibhishana asked Rama to be careful. Whoever Bhasmaksha looked at, would be burnt. Vibhishana said Bhasmaksha has prayed to Brahma and asked for the boon of immortality which Brahma refused. Bhasmaksha then asked for a boon that whoever he looked at would burn. Brahma agreed. The rakshasa wanted to test the boon and he looked at the rakshasas accompanying him, they all got burnt. Happy, Bhasmaksha covered his eyes with leather. He lived alone as no one wanted to marry him. Vibhishana continuing said, hold a mirror in front of him and he will burn to his death.

Rama invoked the weapon that would create a mirror. The arrow flew towards Bhasmaksha. All the vanaras in Rama's army suddenly became transformed into mirrors. Seeing his own face in the mirrors, the rakshasa burned and was reduced a pile of ashes.

When Virbahu heard this he was angry. Riding on his giant elephant he came forward. Angada getting a mountain hurled that at Virbahu who cut that off. He then shot a few arrows at Angada who fell wounded. Seeing Angada fall, Hanumana uprooted a big Sal tree and hurled that at Virbahu. Virbahu cut that off. Hanumana got a bigger tree and hurled that. The tree hit Virbahu's elephant and broke. The elephant, angered, charged at Hanumana. Virbahu shot arrows at Hanumana, and Hanumana fell wounded.
Nala, Nila, Kumuda, Devendra and Mahendra then attacked Virbahu but Virbahu shot arrows at them, and they too fell. This elephant was the son of Airavata, the vehicle of Indra. He had asked to die in the hands of Narayana, and Brahma had said his wish would be fulfilled when he came across Narayana

Rama then decided to face Virbahu. Along with Lakshmana, Vibhishana and Sugriva started proceeding towards the spot where Virbahu was. On the way, Rama asked Vibhishana who Virbahu was.
Vibhishana said this was Virbahu the son of Ravana and a Gandharva woman called Chitrangada. He had a boon from Brahma that till the elephant he was riding on, was alive he would also be alive. Once the elephant fell, he would die too. Also there were only two great warriors left who could now save Lanka apart from Ravana. There were Virbahu and Indrajit.

Virubahu called out for a fight and wanted to know who would fight him. Rama said he would. 

Virbahu leaves for battle

Ravana was wondering whom to send next. Whomever he sent, did not come back alive.

In the heaven there was a gandharva called Chitrasen, whose daughter Chitrangada had been abducted by Ravana. A son was born off Chitrangada and Ravana. This son was called Virbahu. A pious boy, he was a devotee of Rama. He prayed to Brahma. Pleased Brahma granted him an elephant. The elephant was equal in strength to Airavata. Brahma also told Virbahu that with the help of the elephant he would win battles and the day the elephant dies, he would die too. Brahma also said Virbahu would have devotion towards Vishnu and would at the end of his life, go to heaven, 

Virbahu did not live in Lanka but he had told Ravana to call him, whenever there was a need. 

Virbahu hearing of the war in Lanka came to meet Ravana. He also wanted to meet Rama and get a glimpse of him. 

When Virbahu entered Lanka he was surprised. There were corpses of vanaras and rakshasas lying around. He saw burnt houses all around. The ocean had been bridged with rocks and trees. Dogs, jackals and vultures were feasting on the corpses. 

He rose to the sky on his elephant and on the western side he saw Rama and Lakshmana along with Vibhishana. He silently bowed down to all of them. 

He then went to meet Ravana. Ravana was sitting on the ground, tears flowing from his eyes. Ravana was wondering whom to send for battle when Virbahu came and stood before him. 

Virbahu wanted to know the reason for the carnage. Ravana said Rama had been exiled by his brother who had taken over the kingdom. He roamed the forests along with his brother and wife. When Surpanakha went there to collect flowers, her ears and nose was cut off. I abducted Rama's wife. Rama with vanaras came to Lanka. Now Kumbhakarna and other great heroes are dead. 

Virbahu said he would go to battle. He thought death in the hands of Rama would mean going to heaven. His mother hearing this came running and asked him why he wished to go to war when there were so many who had died. 

Virbahu said - If I do not go, who will go? If I die in war, I will go straight to heaven. 

Along with great commanders, Virbahu left for battle. 

Vibhishana tells Rama about Tarani

The moment Tarani fell, Vibhishana fell on the ground and started crying. Rama raised him and asked him the reason for his grief.

Vibhishana said You just killed Taranisen, my son.

Rama said If you had told me earlier, I would not have fought.

All were grief stricken with tears in their eyes.

Rama said to Vibhishana - Your heart is made of stone. You killed your son yourself.

Vibhishana said I am crying not because I have lost my son, but I am amazed by his devotion and strength. My son, dying in your hands, has attained heaven. All those who died in your hands are in heaven. If I could give up my body, I would do so. Brahma gave me a boon to be immortal.

Ravana got the news of Tarani's death. He was shocked.
Sarama was in grief.

Ravana then started thinking, who was to be sent next. 

Taranisen killed

Tarani, growling said - Rama, You wish to return back to your land but you will not be able to.

Lakshmana, angered, shot a few arrows at Tarani, who quickly cut those off. Lakshmana with an arrow, created darkness which caused Tarini to falter. Lakshmana then invoked the Gandharva weapon, and the complete army of Tarani was annihilated. Angry, Tarani aimed a spiked mace at Lakshmana. Lakshmana fell senseless. Hanumanaquickly grabbed Lakshmana and fled from there.

Tarani then called out for Rama. Rama said he would kill him soon.

Tarani looked at Rama and he saw the entire universe in Rama's body. He threw down his bow and bowed down before Rama.

He said - You are the Lord of the Universe. You are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. You are all Gods. You are the beginning and the end. You are all the qualities - Raja, Tama and Satva. You, taking various forms, put an end to all evil. Give me refuge in your lotus feet. I was born in the clan of the rakshasas and that is my misfortune. With your lotus hands, if you put an end to me, I will go to heaven.

hearing Tarani, Rama's eyes were filled with tears. He said - I will not be able to kill someone who is so devotional. Vibhishana, please help me. I think I will not get Sita back. How can I hurt my devotee? If I try to shoot an arrow at him, that will hurt me.

Rama sat down.

Tarani realized that Rama was pleased with his devotion and that is why Rama was refusing to raise his weapons. He needed to do something, else how would he get liberation from the rakshasa birth.

Tarani then shouted - Rama, What gave you the notion that I will not fight. I will now kill you. I will have Sita sit on Ravana's throne.

Lakshmana aimed arrows at Tarani. Tarani, who wanted to die in the hands of Rama, did not want Lakshmana to defeat him. Vibhishana realizing this said to Rama - Lakshmana fainted once when he fought this person. Why send him again? Please fight him yourself.

Rama shot arrows at Taani, which Tarani cut off. Rama with a crescent arrow cut off the horses of the chariot of Tarani. Tarani jumped off the chariot and styarted hurling rocks, trees and whatever he could find at hand. Rama was tense.

Vibhishana said thsi person would die only when killed by the weapon of Brahma. Rama then invoked the weapon of Brahma. Seeing this weapon, Tarani said Please grant me a place near you after I die.

The weapon cut off Tarani's head. The moment the head fell on the ground, it started taking the name of Rama.

Tarani sees Rama

Fight started. Vanaras with rocks and trees and Tarani using his arrows. So powerful was his war that the vanaras started fleeing.
Rama asked Vibhishana who was this who was coming? Vibhishana cleverly said, This was a relative of Ravana, a very pious and learned person.

Tarani wanted to catch a glimpse of Rama. He was anxious to see Rama and his father. How much longer would he have to wait? He fought as much as he could, driving the vanaras away, trying to reach Rama.

On his way, he was stopped by Nila. Tarani said Please let me go and see Rama and Lakshmana.
Nila said  How will you go, when I kill you with a blow from the mountain.

The vanaras standing around laughed. They said first Makaraksha came with a chariot of cows and now was coming one, who had name of Rama written all over.  What would the rakshasas think of next?

Nila uprooted a tree and tried to bring that over Tarani's head, but Tarani caught that with one hand and threw it down. Nila then got a mountain and tried to kill Tarani with that, but Tarani smashed the mountain with his mace. With an arrow, Taranisen wounded Nila.

Hanumana then climbed up on the chariot of Tarani and snatched the whip from the hands of the charioteer. Tarani gave one hard slap and Hanumana fell down. Hanumana climbed up on the chariot once again and Tarani and Hanumana began fighting. Tarani once again flung Hanumana from the chariot.

Angada then came to fight. The rocks, boulders and mountains hurled by Angada were all cut off by sharp arrows of Tarani. Angada killed the horses drawing the chariot. The charioteer quickly got more horses to draw the chariot. Tarani struck Angada on his chest with heavy iron mace and Angada fell on the ground.

Other vanaras came and started hurling rocks and mountains and it looked as if it was raining rocks. Tarani, adept at using weapons, cut off everything that was thrown at him.

Suseshan and Sugriva who came to fight Tarani could also not withstand his arrows.

Driving his chariot Tarani then came where Rama was. Rama and Lakshmana were surrounded by Vibhishana on the left and Jambuvana on the right. Tarani quickly and quietly bowed down before Vibhishana. Getting down from his chariot, he then bowed down before Rama.

Vibhishana said to Rama - Look, the enemy is bowing down.

Rama said - Enemy was here to do battle. Why should he then come and bow down before me?

Vibhishana said This is a big devotee of yours.He worships you. He has come because his king told him to come.

Rama said If that was the case, then he should be given what he wants.

Lakshmana said - That would be disastrous as he would ask for the victory of Ravana.

Rama said - You need to understand the heart of the devotee.

Taranisen prepares for war

Ravana could not believe his ears when he heard off the death of Makaraksha. What kind of enemy was this ? All great heroes who had gone to war, had gone but not come back alive. Whom to send now?

Ravana thought of Taranisen. He sent for Taranisen. When the prince came, Ravana said - Please save Lanka. Your father, Vibhishana, advised me, telling me what to do. My ego came in way, and I refused to listen to him. I kicked him and he left and took refuge with Rama. You are his son, but you have stayed back in Lanka. Help Lanka.

Taranisen said You are one who has conquered the three worlds. One should say ill of ones parents.

Ravana said You are a brave warrior. Go and win the battle.

Taranisen said He would what was best. The war was not the time to talk about good and bad. It was the time for action.

Ravana was pleased with words of Tarani. Ravana personally decked Tarani. A grand chariot was brought and decked up.

Tarani then went to Sarama, his mother. He said to her- Mother, the king has asked me to go to battle. I will now get a chance to see Narayana. I will get to see father and touch his feet. Please permit me to go.

Sarama was shocked to hear this. She said - I will not allow you to go into this battle. I will take you with me and leave Lanka. Let Ravana stay with his Lanka. Your father is a just person which is why he left Lanka to serve Rama. You to Rama and serve Him, who is none other than Narayana. Rama will ensure that not one single person is left alive in Lanka. You, yourself are well versed and learned. How can you talk of going to fight Rama.

Hearing his mother's words, Tarani said, Mother, I know that Rama in none other than Vishnu. Even then I will fight Rama. If I die in Rama's hands, it will be a place in heaven for me. And Mother, who can kill whom, when all we see around us are different forms of Vishnu.Do not grieve over death. I have heard from father, that the body is nothing but a shell. Rama will not kill me, if he knows I am a son of Vibhishana. If I am alive, I will come and greet you again.

The learned Sarama tried to control her tears.

Tarani took leave of his mother and decided to leave for battle. He wrote the name of Rama all over his body. He engraved the name of Rama on tablets made from the mud taken from Ganga, and had that stuck all over his chariot. Taking his bow in his hand, Tarani came out and reached the western gate.

Makaraksha

Ravana got the news of the death of the sons of Kumbhakarna. He could not control his tears. He sent for Makaraksha. Ravana asked him to kill Rama and avenge the death of his father, Khara.
Makaraksha said he would go and kill Rama and Lakshmana.
In his mind he was thinking that heroes like Kumbhakarna and Atikaya had fallen in battle. It was said that Rama was none other than Vishnu. If that was true, that dying in the hands oif Rama, he would attain heaven. Also Rama would not attack cows, so he decided to ride on a chariot driven by cows and bullocks. The chariot was covered by leather made from cow hide.
With instruments playing all around, Makaraksha climbed on the chariot with his weapons.

Makaraksha came face to face with Hanumana. Hanumana was in a dilemma. If he attacked the demon, he would end up killing the cows and bullocks.

Makaraksha shot arrows wounding many vanaras. The great vanaras were afraid to attack the demon because of the cattle. They asked Rama to intervene.

When Rama came, he was in a dilemma. Before he could react, the demon fired arrows at Rama. Rama then invoked the weapon that invoked the wind. The cattle and cattle skin all flew off in the great wind that was generated.

The vanaras then attacked with rocks and trees which the demon cut off. Nila and Sugriva were injured when they tried to fight the demon.

Rama then came and said I will soon kill you. Rama invoked a weapon that was cut by the demon. Makaraksha then shot an arrow that pierced Rama. Gathering force, Rama managed to cut off the bow of the demon. Makaraksha got another bow and resumed fighting. Rama was injured badly.

Rama thought - I had killed his father with a few arrows, but the rakshasa is much stronger than his father. Rama cut off the bow of the demon. The demon picked a spiked mace and started fighting. Rama cut off the mace. Makaraksha hurled his sheild at Rama who cut that off.

Angered, the demon came to fight Rama empty handed. With a crescent shaped arrow, Rama cut off the hands of Makaraksha. Rama then invoked the fire weapon and with that, he killed Makaraksha.