Rama faces off Khara's army

"With lances, maces and snares, bearing darts, clubs and nooses in their hands, those great warriors covered the whole field with a hail of missiles, discharging volleys of trees and rocks. Thereafter the combat waxed furious, causing the hair to stand on end, and now it seemed as if Rama were the victor, and again, the demons appeared to triumph. Then, seeing himself besieged on all sides, that mighty warrior Rama, covered by a hail of darts, sent up a terrific shout, placing the mantra-propelled Gandharva weapon on his bow, whereupon a thousand arrows sped from his bent bow, covering the ten regions.

With such skill did Rama discharge his arrows that the demons could not distinguish when he drew them from their quiver and when he loosed them, and his shafts caused darkness to spread over the sky and obscure the sun."

Image notes: Rama is identified by name on the artwork. He is shown surrounded by Khara's army.

First to face off Rama are the demons Dushana and Trishira. In the artwork, the names of these demons are marked.

"Then Dushana lifted his mace covered with gold that resembled a mountain peak and was capable of destroying the army of the Gods. Studded with nails, smeared with the flesh of his foes, keen as a diamond, able to cut through the gates of hostile cities, that weapon, resembling a mighty snake, was wielded by that titan of evil deeds, who hurled himself on Rama."

Image notes: The artwork has names marked as Dushana and Trishira against two demons. Trishira can be seen here with three heads, which is what his name translates to (tri - three: Shira - head)

Rama cut off Dushana's arms, making him faint and hit the ground. Soon Trishira and other commanders faced the same fate. Enraged by the fall of his able men, Khara entered the battlefield himself.

Quoting from the original, Khara, in great fury, addressed the army's leaders, saying:—' Let all the titans attack that evil wretch, Rama, and strike him with weapons of every kind.'

However, Rama unleashed his arrows which eventually destroyed the entire army of Khara. With his soldiers dead, chariot shattered, and armour broke - Khara stood on the battleground alone. All he had left was his golden mace. At this stage, Rama advised Khara to give up the fight. He also counselled the demon to stop torturing the ascetics in the Dandaka forest. "Khara, a tyrant who works against the interests of others, is ultimately destroyed. He who is overcome by avarice or envy pursues an evil course without reflecting on the consequences comes to a miserable end."

Instead of being appeased by Rama's words, Khara got enraged. He insulted Rama that he had only destroyed an army of insignificant men and that Rama's end would come soon in his hands. Saying thus, Khara flung his mighty golden mace at Rama. When it was just about to strike Rama, he shattered it with arrows.

Still not accepting defeat, Khara tried uprooting a tree and hurled it at Rama. Reaching the end of his patience with the demon, Rama killed Khara by shooting a special arrow given to him by sage Agastya.