Ravan returned once again to the battlefield, and Shri Ram once again dueled with him. Both knew this was the final battle between them.

They both displayed exceptional talents, each matching the other in might, skill and execution. The thunderous sounds created by the pulling of bowstrings struck terror in the hearts of all the creatures.

Sometimes their arrows would meet halfway and split, other time it would injure the target. The intensity of the battle increased with every strike. Both had started using powerful Astras like Agneyastra, Raudrastra and other celestial weapons on each other.

But still it was an unfair match as Ravan was fighting on the chariot while Shri Ram was on the ground. Nevertheless, when the intention is alinged with Dharma and determination to act prevails, when the time is right divine intervention invariably takes place.

And hence the benevolent king of gods Indra sent a chariot, armour and some more weapons along with his Sarthi Matali.

After circumbulating and bowing to the chariot, Shri Ram mounted on it and once again began his assault on Ravan. An electrifying battle once again followed.

They showered their most potent weapons on each other, both were equally capable of countering the other's weapons and laying them waste.

Every limb of their had been hit by arrows, blood kept oozing out of their wounds. But they remained undaunted and kept going.

At one point Ravan was so exhausted that he was losing the grip over his bow and struggling to attack. Thus his Sarthi pulled the chariot away from the battlefield much to the indignation of king of Rakshasas.

Shri Ram too was exhausted after the battle and with Ravan gone he got some moments to rest. It was during then when unexpectedly Rishi Agatsya came to see him.

"Ram, Suryadev ka dhyaan kar Aditya Hridaye Stotra ka uccharan 3 baar karo." Rishi Agatsya said because the one who recites the stotra revering Suryadev doesn't perish even when faced with grave dangerbor severe affliction.

Shri Ram obeyed and recited the mantra, which had its impact. He felt rejuvenated and invigorated. He was ready to face Ravan once again, who on the otherside was scolding his charioteer.

"YEH TUNE KYA KIYA MURKH !? TUJHE LAGTA HAI KI MAJ KAYAR HU !? TUNE MERI KIRTI KO KALANKIT KIYA HAI ! RATH GHUMA AUR MUJHE WAPAS RAN-BHOOMI LEKE JAA !" Ravan screamed but his Sarthi maintained his composure.

"Lankesh maine yeh sab aapko vishram dene ke liye kiya hai, kyuki ran-bhoomi ki stithi aapke paksh mei nahi thi. Sarthi ka karya keval rath khichna nahi hota. Sarthi ko samaye aur sthaan ki maang ko samajhna ana chahiye. Rath pe virajman vyakti ki suraksha, Sarthi ka param kartavya hota hai. Mera nirnaye aapke prati meri chinta hai." The Sarthi said.

"Uchit hai, kintu ab wapas chalo." Ravan said.

And thus the Sarthi pulled the chariot back where Shri Ram was. Seeing Ravan coming back, the son of Dashrath addressed the charioteer of Indra.

"Matali, bina bhaye aur shanka ke, sthir man aur drishti ke saath rath aage badhaye. Mai aapko aapka karya nahi sikha raha, aap toh swayam Devraj Indra ke sarthi hai, mai keval aapko aapka kartavya smaran kara raha hu." Shri Ram said.

"Awashya." Matali said, he was impressed with the steadfastness of Shri Ram. He moved the chariot to place it past Ravan's.

Once again the battle between them ensued, it was more fierce and marvelous than before, so much that the Rakshas and Vanars stopped fighting to spectate the duel between Shri Ram and Ravan.

It was as if the whole world, including devtas and Gandharvas stood still just to watch this exceptional face off.

There was no parallel of this battle. Just like the sky is its own cognate and the ocean is its own simile, the battle between Shri Ram and Ravan was akin to the battle between Shri Ram and Ravan only.

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A/N

Ravan be like - Tumne rath bhaga ke meri kirti nasht kardi !

And I'm like - Accha ? Jo kuch der pehle Lakshman ji ko shakti Astra maarne ke baad, Ram ji se maar khaa ke kaunsa Ravan bhaga tha ? (-.+)

Anyway, the Sarthi of Ravan gave a very good explanation as to exactly what the job of a Sarthi is ✨