PLATE FIVE

‘‘When all the demigods heard Vrtrasura’s tumultuous roar, which
resembled that of a lion, they fainted and fell to the ground as if struck
by thunderbolts. As the demigods closed their eyes in fear, Vrtrasura,
taking up his trident and making the earth tremble with his great
strength, trampled the demigods beneath his feet on the battlefield the
way a mad elephant tramples hollow bamboo in the forest. Seeing
Vrtrasura’s disposition, Indra, the King of heaven, became intolerant
and threw at him one of his great clubs, which are extremely difficult to
counteract. However, as the club flew toward him, Vrtrasura easily
caught it with his left hand. The powerful Vrtrasura angrily struck the
head of Indra’s elephant with that club, making a tumultuous sound on
the battlefield. Struck with the club by Vrtrasura like a mountain struck
by a thunderbolt, the elephant Airavata, feeling great pain and spitting
blood from its broken mouth, was pushed back fourteen yards. In great
distress, the elephant fell, with Indra on its back.” (pp. 192-195)
