Adhyaya 26

During Rāma’s Aśvamedha campaign, Śatrughna comes upon a formidable fourfold army near the city of Cakrāṅkā. Sumati identifies the local ruler, Subāhu, and praises his dharmic kingship—devotion to Viṣṇu, faithful and upright conduct, fair taxation, and reverence for Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇas. The forces array themselves in the Krauñca-vyūha, and Śatrughna sends allied champions to pierce the formation. Lakṣmīnidhi confronts Suketu; after a fierce exchange of arrows that cripples Suketu’s chariot and banner, the duel turns to mace-fighting, then to grappling and fist-combat. Neither yields easily, and both display extraordinary endurance and strength, drawing praise from the onlookers for their valor and royal excellence.