Ravana's messengers once again came back with more news of death and devastation. It was then that his gaze fell on his son Aksha, who ever craved and was ready for war. The prince knew what that look in his father's eyes meant and commanded by those eyes alone he sprang up with his gold inlaid bow. Blessed by the brahmins and blazing like the sacrificial fire fed by oblations Aksha set out on his massive golden chariot. Filled with arms and pealing with bells the chariot was drawn by eight of the most magnificent horses, which were so fleet footed that they seemed to hardly touch the ground. As Aksha raced headlong the sound of that noisy army reached the sky and filled the earth.

The chariot came to a halt in front of Hanuman and Aksha beheld the majesty and greatness in that giant form. It evoked in him a respect mingled with awe. Large eyes opened wide in wonder as he beheld his enemy, and the power that he radiated Concluding that vanquishing Hanuman would be no easy task. Aksha, wasted no time, but chose three of his most deadly arrows and shot them at Hanuman. In the combat that ensued, the sheer show of strength between the two warring forms caused fear among the celestials, and the earth rumbled. The sun shone subdued, the winds stilled the sky thundered and the troubled oceans roared their reply. Hanuman though hurt by Aksha's arrows and in pain was happy for having met his match. Growing his body to greater dimensions he flew into the skies like a wind blown cloud as he fought Aksha. Young and arrogant, the rakshasa prince surged towards his enemy like an elephant surging over a grass covered well. Though Hanuman admired Aksha's competence and courage and loathe to slaying him, yet he planned his final move thinking, "This prince has skills and valour to frighten the very devatas and asuras. If I do not kill him now, his strength, which is so invincible, will only increase with time. Killing him then will be that much more difficult. A spreading fire is best put out without delay." Hanuman having decided upon his strategy struck dead all the eight horses that drew the chariot, with his open palm. Even as they fell to earth Aksha the warrior whose skills had no match, who could guard his horses his chariot and his charioteer even while he fought eleven thousand archers, started moving upwards in the sky. Going after him, Hanuman caught him by his feet whirled him around a thousand times and threw him forcefully to the ground. Broken and bleeding Aksha breathed no more and even as the sages and celestials watched in stunned silence, Hanuman walked back to the gates of the Asoka garden, where he stood like Yama, striking terror in all those who beheld him.