O mighty Ravana, your deeds resound throughout the three worlds. With your powerful arms, you descended into the netherworld and conquered the serpents—Vāsuki, Takṣaka, Śaṅkha, and Jaṭī—bringing them all under your command. Not only these, but even the Dānavas, those tireless, strong, and heroic beings blessed with boons, were subdued by you after a fierce war that lasted an entire year. Relying solely on your own strength, you overcame these formidable foes and, in doing so, gained many magical powers, O lord of the Rākṣasas. Your victories did not end there. The heroic sons of Varuṇa, accompanied by all four divisions of their army, fell to your might in battle, O greatly fortunate one. You boldly entered the great ocean of Yama’s realm, adorned with the Śālmalī tree and filled with the deadly rod of death, the great noose of time, and Yama’s serpent attendants. Plunging into that mighty ocean, brimming with Yama’s power and fever, you achieved a tremendous victory, warding off death itself. By your excellent battle, all the worlds were deeply satisfied. Once, the earth was filled with many heroic Kṣatriyas, equal in valor to Indra, standing tall like great trees upon the land. Yet, in strength, virtue, and vigor, Rāghava could not match them in battle; those who were unconquerable in war were forcefully slain by you, O King. Now, O great king, you may remain or rest from your exertions, for your son Indrajit alone, mighty-armed, is enough to destroy the Vānaras. Indrajit, having worshipped the supreme lord Maheśvara with sacrifice, obtained a boon most difficult to attain in the world. With his spear and javelin, he has made the battlefield resemble a vast sea, scattered with entrails like seaweed, crowded with elephants and tortoises, and filled with horses and frogs. He has transformed it into a great ocean of Rudras, Ādityas, and mighty crocodiles, filled with Maruts, Vasus, and great serpents, with chariots, horses, and elephants as waves, and foot soldiers forming the vast shore. Indeed, Indrajit entered the ocean of the gods’ forces, captured the lord of the gods himself, and brought him into Laṅkā. Released by the command of the Grandfather, the slayer of Śambara and Vṛtra departed to heaven, honored by all the gods, O King. Therefore, send forth your son Indrajit until he brings destruction upon the Vānara army, together with Rāma. O King, this adversity has come from ordinary men; do not let it trouble your heart, for you shall slay Rāghava. Now, listen to the eighth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa. At that moment, Prahasta, a Rākṣasa resembling a dark rain cloud, brave and commander of the army, spoke with joined palms. He declared, “The gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, birds, and serpents—all can be overcome. What then of two men in battle? All, being careless and trusting, were deceived by Hanūmat; as long as I live, that forest-dweller shall not escape alive. I will make the entire earth, up to the ocean, with its mountains, forests, and groves, free of Vānaras—just command me. And I will arrange protection from the Vānaras, O night-wanderer; no suffering caused by your own fault will come to you.” Then, greatly enraged, a Rākṣasa named Durmukha spoke: “This insult is not to be tolerated by any of us. This is a further humiliation for the city and the inner palace—the insult to the illustrious king of the Rākṣasas by a Vānara.” Next, the mighty Vajradaṃṣṭra, full of anger, seized a terrible iron club stained with flesh and blood and spoke: “What need have we for Hanuman, that wretched ascetic, while the indomitable Rama stands, along with Sugriva and Lakshmana? Today, I alone will go forth with my iron club and, after striking down Rama, Sugriva, and Lakshmana, I will scatter the monkey army.” He continued, “Hear this other counsel of mine, O King, if you wish: one skilled in strategy and untiring surely conquers his enemies. Thousands of rakshasas, O lord of the night-walkers, who are valiant, terrifying, dreadful in appearance, and able to assume any form at will, are ready. Let them all, assuming human form, approach Kakutstha and, without any confusion, address the best of the Raghu line. Sent by Bharata, your younger brother, he will quickly come here, having mobilized the army. Then, we, armed with spears, lances, maces, bows, arrows, and swords, will swiftly proceed there from here. Standing in groups in the sky, we will destroy that monkey army with a great shower of stones and weapons, and send them to the abode of Yama. If Rama and Lakshmana approach in this way, let them surely be deprived of life and meet their end.” Then the mighty hero Nikumbha, of Kumbhakarna’s line, furious, spoke to Ravana, the terror of the worlds: “Let all of you remain here together with the great king; I alone will slay Raghava and Lakshmana. Sugriva, along with Hanuman and all the monkeys here—” Then Vajrahanur by name, a rakshasa like a mountain, angry and licking his lips, spoke: “Let the rest of you, free from anxiety, do as you please. I alone will devour that entire monkey army; let the rest of you be at ease, play, and drink honeyed liquor.” Thus, the Rākṣasa leaders, each boasting of their strength and eager for battle, addressed Ravana, pledging to destroy the foes and restore honor to Laṅkā.