Chapter
8(a)
The Siege
When
Rama heard from Angada what had happened at Lanka and
learnt from him the attitude and alertness of the enemy,
He called together the chief leaders and commissioned
them to decide how best to lay siege to the four gates of
the City. At this, the Ruler of the Monkeys (Sugriva),
the Ruler of the Bears (Jambuvan) and the Ruler of the
Rakshasas (Vibhishana) met together; they decided on the
division of their forces into four, under commanders and
guides; then, they fell at the feet of Rama and enthused
by His blessings, they gave orders for
attack.
With Rama in their
hearts, the Vanaras armed with boulders and trees rolled
forward in terror-striking floods. Lanka was reputed
impregnable; but, the blessings of Rama helped them to
break into it. The Eastern Gate was stormed by the forces
under Nala; the Southern Gate was breached by the
millions under the command of Angada; the Western Gate
fell before the onslaught of the army led by Hanuman. The
Northern Gate was guarded by Ravana himself, and Rama
fought with him there. The Vanaras had no war-drums or
trumpets, but the "Ram - Ram" they voiced forth in
devotion rose as one call from all throats and echoed
from the sky. The entire City of Lanka was sunk in
confusion and panic. Ravana was blinded by foolish pride;
he was exulting at the prospect of victory over the
opposing forces, and reveling in the thought that the
festive day of victory had dawned for the Rakshasa Sun.
(see for a painting of the battle, the Vahini
Gallery).
The Rakshasas had taken
up positions over walls and turrets and bastions of the
fort, just as clouds on the peaks of the Meru mountain.
They were beating drums and blowing trumpets. Their
shouts of "Victory for Ravana" confronted the confident
shout "Victory for Rama, the Lord". The boulders that the
Rakshasas were hurling on the Vanaras attacking their
walls and attempting to scale them, were seized ere they
fell by the Vanaras and hurled back with fatal effect on
the very Rakshasas crowding the walls. The advance of the
Vanaras gained in momentum as the fight progressed. They
killed the Rakshasas wherever and whenever they caught
them. As a giant storm scatters the clouds into the four
directions, the mounting onslaught of the Vanaras so
dismayed the Rakshasas that they fled into the distances
and the City was shrouded in despair.
Women, old men, and
children began blaming Ravana for bringing about the
calamity that had descended on their heads. Some
Rakshasas gave up the fight, and fled with their wives
and children, in order to escape certain death. Noticing
such groups, Ravana gnashed his teeth in anger and
yelled, "Cowards, backing out of battle! I shall cut you
into pieces with my Diamond Sword!" At this, a few of the
fleeing Rakshasas stayed in the fray. Meanwhile, the
Vanara heroes penetrated the enemy lines and reinforced
by their contemplation on Rama they entered the inner
fortress of Ravana himself, and succeeded in razing it to
the ground. They plucked a pillar of gold and wielding it
as a weapon, started their orgy of destruction. Every
Rakshasa they encountered was given a terrible beating;
then, his head was severed and cast away, with such force
and such aim that it fell right in front of Ravana
himself. When darkness fell, the Vanaras, after
demonstrating their superior might and heroism before the
Rakshasas, presented themselves before
Rama.
The Rakshasas are
nocturnal beings, so, when night fell, their acclamation
and fury increased many-fold. Their shouts of "Victory to
Ravana" fell on the ears of the Vanaras like the roar of
lions. The Vanaras plunged into battle again. The
Rakshasa generals, Akampa and Athikaya through their
magical skill spread pitch darkness over the four
quarters, and, under cover of the blackness, heavy rains
of dust, stones and blood were poured on the enemy
forces. The Vanaras could not distinguish friend from
foe. They were afraid to fight with full fury. They
prayed "Rama! Rama", in a loud voice, so that they could
gain courage and give the enemy a good fight. Rama heard
their cries; he called together Angada and Hanuman and
told them that the magic skill of the Rakshasas had
caused the commotion. They were furious at the shameful
tactics of the enemy, but, Rama coolly pulled out the
Agneyastra, the Fire-arrow, from his sheath, and shot it
into the darkness they had designed. The effulgence of
that arrow destroyed the darkness, and filled the area
with splendid illumination. The Vanaras and the Bears set
about their task of overwhelming and destroying the enemy
with redoubled energy and enthusiasm. When the triumphant
yell of Angada and Hanuman were heard, the Rakshasas took
to their heels and fled. But, they could not escape; the
Vanaras caught them by their feet and threw them far out
into the sea! The Rakshasas retreated into their camp
when night advanced. They had no energy left for
continuing the fight. The Vanaras came into the Presence
of Rama. When the eyes of Rama fell upon them, they were
all refreshed and recouped, with no trace of
exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Ravana
summoned his ministers and addressed them thus: "This
day, thousands of Rakshasas were slain on the battlefield
by the Vanaras. We have now to plan our strategy to foil
them". Then, up rose Malyavantha, the aged Minister who
had served Ravana's father and who was also the father of
Ravana's mother; he counseled various rightful and moral
paths for his edification. "Ravana!", he began, very
endearingly, "Listen to my words in calmness. Pardon me
for being outright. Ever since you brought Sita here, bad
omens are being witnessed. It is not possible to describe
them in detail. The glory of Rama, the Supreme Person,
cannot be measured and extolled adequately even by the
Vedas. By opposing this Cosmic Person, this
Virat Purusha,
[see
SB: Canto 2, ch. 1]
you cannot earn any good, or win any grace. You would do
well to ponder over this calmly.
Rama is the very Person
who slew
Hiranyakasipu
[SB: Canto 7] and Hiranyâksha
[SB:
Canto 3 : ch. 17,18,19].
He is the repository of all virtues. Do not entertain
hatred against Him. O Emperor! Save Lanka, I pray.
Surrender Sita to Rama. Do not delay any longer. Your
safety lies in immediate surrender". Thus saying,
Malyavantha bowed his head and performed obeisance to the
Ruler. These words hurt Ravana. He was infuriated. He
ejaculated, "You seem to be determined to enter the jaws
of Death. Your senility is pleading with me to pardon
you; or else, I would have hacked you to pieces. Beware.
Get up and go out of sight". Ravana hissed like an angry
serpent. Malyavantha felt sorry, for, he feared Ravana's
end was fast approaching. He laughed within himself at
the conceit and ignorance that had blinded Ravana; he
concluded that he was yielding to ruinous reasoning and
foolish reactions, brushing aside the advice that would
save him and his empire, because destiny had decided to
close his career.
At that moment,
Meghanada rose and said, "Father! Do not hesitate.
Tomorrow, during the morning hours, you can witness my
skill in war. I shall demonstrate in action much more
than I declare in words." His assurance mollified
Ravana's anger and assuaged him a little. He was filled
with joy; it gave him courage and hope. He drew his son
near and caressed him fondly. He patted his head and
extolled, before all the bravery and heroic heart of his
son. The Assembly dispersed about midnight. Each member
hied back to his own residence but, no one of them had a
wink of sleep. Nor had any one the appetite for food. All
were sunk in anxiety and terror about the calamity which
might overtake them any moment. Even as they were rolling
in fear, dawn spread over the east. The Vanaras, and the
Bears laid siege to Lanka from all directions. Confusion
and panic raised their heads. Their roars echoed from the
sky. The Rakshasa warriors too had to take up arms and
oppose them, for, they had no other alternative. The rain
of rocks and hills that fell on the City from the walls
around were fought back with arrows and other weapons
from billions of Rakshasas. They too shouted and yelled
reverberating the sky as on doomsday. But, the huge peaks
and hilltops that the Vanaras threw at them reduced the
Rakshasa hordes into a mass of lifeless
pulp.
Enraged at the news
that the Vanaras had rushed into the City, Meghanada took
up arms and advanced to attack them. The hordes that
followed him beat their war-drums and sounded their
clarions. Meghanada was famous as Indrajit, for, he had
once overwhelmed in battle no less a person than
Indra,
the Ruler of the Gods. He was the chief among Lanka's
generals and a terrible warrior. The Vanaras lost courage
when they espied him on his chariot. Sighting the flight
of the enemy forces, Meghanada shouted in joy and
stringing his mighty bow, he shot a rain of arrows upon
them. Drawing the string right back to his ear, he shot
the arrows fast and furious; they flew like winged
serpents in all directions; so, the Vanaras were afraid
to face him. They lost the urge to fight and retreated.
Some were felled by arrows; others fainted and fell.
Witnessing the pitiable plight of the Vanaras, Hanuman
was overcome with rage; he hastened towards Meghanada,
full of fury appearing as the God of Death Himself! He
plucked a mountain peak that was nearby and threw it at
the Rakshasa leader. As soon as he saw the peak rushing
towards him like the messenger of Death, Meghanada used
his magical skill to rise up into the sky. His chariot,
the horses and the charioteer were all crushed underneath
that peak as it fell exactly where it was aimed.
Meghanada designed many other magic stratagems. But, his
design to create terror in Hanuman was as ineffective as
the attempt of a miniature snake to terrorize the King of
Eagles, Garuda. He showered fire from the sky; he rained
blood. He spread thick night, when day was bright. The
darkness was so dense that one could not see his own palm
spread before his eyes. The Vanaras were confused and
rendered despondent by such tactics. They felt that their
end had come.
Rama saw the tricks
into which the Rakshasas had descended in their despair;
he laughed within himself at their helplessness; he
became aware that the Vanaras had lost confidence and
courage; so, he shot one single arrow into the fray. The
magic of the Rakshasa was mortally hit and it no longer
worked. Brightness was restored to the earth, as if the
Sun had risen in the sky. The Vanaras recovered
self-confidence and advanced towards the Rakshasa ranks.
The compassionate glance of Rama fell upon them and they
were refreshed. The entire Vanara horde shouted with one
voice, "Jai, Jai for our Lord, Rama", and pressed forward
against all odds. Nothing could halt them; no one could
delay their advance. To heighten courage and quicken
their pace, Lakshmana joined Hanuman, and with his mighty
bow and sharp arrows he fell upon Meghanada. Ravana heard
that Lakshmana had jumped into the fray and so he
hastened to send strong re-enforcements to support his
son on the field. The Vanaras fought without respite,
armed with tree and rocks. Both sides fought ferociously
with unabated fury. Most of the fight centered round
duels between warriors and leaders. The Vanaras hit with
their clenched fists and bit with their sharp teeth; this
caused the death of a vast number of Rakshasas. They
clipped with their nails many a head from the shoulders
on which they rested; they pulled many a hand from the
sockets in which they were fastened. The yell of victory
with which the Vanaras announced their triumph resounded
among the Nine Islands. Headless corpses of the Rakshasas
continued to run along the directions which the Rakshasas
took while alive; seeing this eerie phenomenon, the
Vanaras broke into ribald laughter. The roads that
criss-crossed over the vast field of battle were filled
with streams of blood.
Lakshmana and Meghanada
were involved in deadly combat. Each appeared the other's
equal in skill and strength. Indrajit decided to defeat
Lakshmana by magic stratagem rather than by the tactics
of war. But, even these were foiled and his plans ended
in failure. Lakshmana in a spurt of terrific rage
destroyed the chariot of Meghanada and killed his
charioteer. Afraid that his death was imminent, Meghanada
took on hand the supremely potent weapon, Sakti, that
Brahma had gifted, and, aiming it at the very heart of
Lakshmana, he directed
It to the
target. The weapon hit the heart of Lakshmana, coming
straight from Meghanada's hand. Lakshmana fell on the
ground, in a 'mortal' swoon. Meghanada, now no longer in
fear, approached the fallen hero and tried to lift the
body away to his own camp. Though his strength was equal
to Lakshmana's, Meghanada could not raise the body.
Countless warriors came forward to help him; but, numbers
were of no avail. Lakshmana was the Primeval Serpent,
[SB: Canto 5, Ch. 25] that bears the Cosmos on
Its Thousand Hoods, Adisesha, come again. How could any
one however strong or any number of such ones succeed in
lifting him? Only those who have won the Grace of Sri
Rama could move Lakshmana!
Meanwhile, the shades
of evening invaded the land. The two opposing forces
returned to their camps. Sri Rama saw the returning
Vanaras but could not see Lakshmana among them. He asked,
"Where is Lakshmana?" Just at that moment, Hanuman
entered carrying the body of Lakshmana over his shoulder.
Hanuman was praying plaintively: "Rama! Rama!" Rama acted
as if he was perturbed and affected by anxiety; but, he
soon righted himself. He laid the body of Lakshmana on
his lap and examined it carefully for long. Jambuvan, the
aged, spoke at that juncture. He said, "Lord, let us not
lose time; Let us not delay treatment or hesitate. It is
best we get Sushena here, the physician, from Lanka; he
knows the remedy." That very minute, Hanuman assumed a
microscopic human form and entered the inner city of
Lanka. Even while moving in, he was hurt by a doubt
whether Sushena would comply with his request to come
into the camp of Rama. So, Hanuman resorted to a ruse. He
lifted the house of Sushena with him inside it, and
brought it intact over the intervening distance. When
Sushena emerged, he found himself in the presence of Rama
himself. Sushena fell at the feet of Rama, and disclosed
the name of the mountain where the drug, which could save
Lakshmana, was growing. While considering whom to send in
search of that precious drug, Hanuman himself prostrated
before the lotus feet of his Lord, and prayed that he
might be enjoined to bring it. And Rama entrusted the
task to him.
Lakshmana
wounded and lying unconscious while Hanuman
goes off to bring the magic herb
Meanwhile, one of his
spies reported to Ravana that Sushena, the physician, had
reached the presence of Rama. Ravana consulted Kalanemi
on this new development and its consequences. Kalanemi
replied, "Ravana! This Hanuman is an impossible person!
Did he not set Lanka in flames even when you were looking
on? What special skill or strength do I have to contain
and conquer this Hanuman? The time to do the right is
still not past. Give up the absurd notion that it is
possible for you to win a victory over Rama. Go; take
refuge at the feet of Rama. Your fortunes will get better
thereby. Forsake your pride and obstinacy." Kalanemi gave
Ravana good counsel; but, what he looked for was
something different. Therefore, Ravana condemned him.
Shaking with rage, he shouted: "Are you prepared to obey
me? If not prepare yourself for death". Kalanemi thought
that it would be much more beneficial to die at the hands
of Rama than being killed by Ravana; so, he left for
Rama's camp. Exercising his magical skills, he sought a
lake in the center of a lovely park, and wearing the
robes of a rshi, he sat in deep meditation on its bank.
Hanuman who was on his way to the mountain range where
the life saving drug was to be found, was exhausted,
since he had no rest after the fierce engagement with
Meghanada. So, he felt that a few moments of rest and a
drink from the cool lake would be worthwhile, for he
could proceed there after all the quicker. Hanuman fell
at the feet of the rshi, who was reciting the name of
Rama and extolling his exploits and excellences. He was
delighted; he too sang the Name "Rama! Rama!". The
disguised Kalanemi told him further, "O Vanara! There is
a war being fought between Rama and Ravana. I am watching
it every day from here. There is no doubt that Rama will
soon emerge as victor without fail". Hanuman was elated
at this; he told the sage, that he was very thirsty. The
sage told him that his water vessel had cool refreshing
water and he offered it to him. Hanuman said, "Master!
This little quantity cannot quench my thirst to any
appreciable degree." Then the rshi told him that there
was a lake nearby and he could have a dip in its limpid
waters and also drink his fill, in order to get
refreshed. Hanuman agreed and proceeded towards the lake
indicated. He stepped into the lake, until his feet were
immersed in the water; just then, a crocodile crept up
from within the lake and held his foot in its vile grip.
Of course, it could not do any further harm. For, Hanuman
shook it off and hit it to death. As soon as the
crocodile's life ended, it stood before Hanuman as a
resplendent Heavenly Being. Hanuman was surprised at this
vision. He asked the Appearance, "Who are you?" That
person answered, "O Servant of Rama! My load of sin
melted away when I had the good luck of seeing you and
being touched by you. Kalanemi and I were musicians,
Gandharvas,
at the Court of Indra in Heaven. One day, the sage,
Durvasa, celebrated for his short temper, arrived at
Court. When our eyes fell on that wild ferocious figure,
we burst into laughter. And, so he cursed both of us to
be born on earth as Rakshasas. We pleaded for mercy,
holding his feet and shedding tears of contrition; he
took compassion on us and said, 'Well! You will take
birth in Lanka. The Lord will be incarnating as Rama, in
the last quarter of the
Treta Age and a
terrible battle will ensue between Rama and the Ruler of
Lanka; during that battle, Lakshmana, the brother, will
get fatally hurt by the weapon called Sakti and Hanuman,
a devoted servant of Rama, will be journeying to the
Sanjivi Mountain, green with bushes of drugs; you both be
liberated from the Rakshasa encumbrance by contact with
him'. "O Vanara! The rshi who lives near by, who directed
you here, is no rshi at all. He is a Rakshasa in
disguise; he is named Kalanemi."
Hanuman approached
Kalanemi, and shouted in his ear, "Dear Preceptor! Accept
the offering I propose to make in return for the lesson
you taught me. You are my Guru and I have to pay you
fees". What had happened was that Kalanemi had wondered
why Hanuman had taken such a long time to quench his
thirst and return, and he had guessed that the reason was
the revelation of his own identity and history by his
brother who was living his curse out there, as a
crocodile. So, Kalanemi pretended to be too deeply
involved in
dhyana to
recognize the person who stood before him and accosted
him. Hanuman knew the disguise that Kalanemi was hiding
under. He caught hold of his neck and twisted it fast
until he died, with the words, "Rama! Rama!" emerging
from his lips with the last breath.
Kicking aside the
corpse, Hanuman hastened towards the Drona Mountain Range
and reaching the Sanjivi Hill, started looking for the
drug he had come for. But, he failed to identify it among
the plentiful vegetation with which the hill was carpeted
thick. Time was running out; his return was already
considerably delayed; he was conscious of the urgency of
Rama's Command. So, he resorted to another plan. He
plucked the entire hill and leapt through the sky
carrying it on his palm.
He had to pass over the
City of Ayodhya on his way to Lanka, during the hours of
night.
Bharatha was at
that time pining alone, wakeful but worried about his
brother and his life in the forest. Suddenly, the
moonlight was darkened by a shadow, the shadow of Hanuman
and the hill falling upon him. Bharatha inferred that the
monkey with the mountain load must be a Rakshasa that had
assumed that form proceeding on some wicked mission. He
decided to destroy it before it could accomplish any
mischief. Seizing his bow, he shot an arrow at it,
drawing the string right back to the ear and with good
aim. When the arrow struck him, Hanuman gave out a shrill
cry, "Rama!"
When that name fell on
his ears, Bharatha stood up shocked and ran towards the
fallen monkey. From Hanuman he learnt the story of his
mission and the urgency of his errand. He was overcome
with grief; but, he embraced Hanuman and pleaded that he
must be pardoned for his foolish haste. Bharatha broke
into tears. He prayed, "If it is true that I have adored
Rama through thought, word and deed and that I have not
deviated from this path, let this Vanara be restored to
his original health and strength."
When Bharatha lamented
so deep and took so firm a vow, Hanuman was relieved of
his pain; he rose up fresh and free. Then a thought
entered into him, to test the sincerity of Bharatha. He
said, "Victory to the Lord of the Raghu Dynasty". At
this, Bharatha's heart was so struck by anguish that he
broke into loud sobs; he pleaded, "O Chief of Monkeys!
Are Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana keeping well? My mother,
Sita, is she happy and in good spirits?" Bharatha shed
tears of joy when he recollected the absent Sita and his
brothers. At this, Hanuman related to him all that had
happened. Bharatha was overwhelmed with sorrow when he
heard the narration; he fainted and fell on the ground,
when he heard that Lakshmana had lost consciousness on
the field of battle. Recovering soon, Bharatha rose and
said, "Hanuman! Pardon me for my foolish act. I ought not
to cause any further delay. Hasten with Sanjivi Hill,
with the precious drug that can cure him. Proceed
fast".
Hanuman fell at the
feet of Bharatha and raised aloft the Hill on his palm.
When he took off and flew into the horizon, Bharatha
watched him with unwinking eyes, until he disappeared
from view. He was glad that at last he was able to secure
some knowledge of the movements of Rama; but, he was full
of grief at the condition of Sita and of Lakshmana. With
a heavy heart, he went home and communicated the story to
the mothers.
Sumitra, the mother of
Lakshmana, though saddened for a while, quickly recovered
her composure, reminding herself that Rama was present by
the side of her son. She told herself, "The son born of
my loins is offering his very life, in the service of
Rama! That is enough consolation for me. It gives me a
great sense of satisfaction. My life has attained
fulfillment. But, I am concerned, because Rama must be
afflicted at the fate of Lakshmana; this 'loss of
consciousness' must be affecting him; separation from his
brother might cause him grief. Son! Satrughna! Go to
where Rama is and be by his side". At this Satrughna
stood up in readiness, saying, "What greater good fortune
can fall to my lot?" But, Bharatha stopped him and said,
"Without specific orders from Rama, I am unable to agree
to your joining him". Bharatha comforted Satrughna, and
told him that Rama might dislike this act, and that it
was always beneficial to bow to his
will.
Meanwhile, in Lanka,
Rama was guarding Lakshmana. The day rolled into evening
and night and even into the hour of midnight. The Vanaras
were squatting around Rama. Rama, acting as merely human,
expressed anxiety at the non-arrival of Hanuman. "It is
midnight; there is yet no sign of Hanuman! Has he lost
his way by any chance? Brother Lakshmana is still
critically unconscious!" He turned the face of Lakshmana
tenderly towards him, and fondling it with tearful
affection, said, "Brother! Open your eyes and look at me.
Never have you spent such long hours without turning your
eyes towards me. Without even a wink you watched over me,
all these years, with no respite. How can I bear this
silence from you? Since yesterday, I have none to comfort
me with soft speech". Rama wailed thus, like common
mortals. "Brother! For my sake, you forsook both parents
and wife; you came into exile and forest life, along with
me, though you were under no obligation to do so. You
never paid attention to the hardships you encountered.
Your nature is simple and sweet. But, for my sake you
welcomed the hot sun, you got wet in the rain, and you
shivered in the cold. You would not take food, at
mealtime; for, you had no regular hours. You gave me
whatever food you collected. Lakshmana, I am not unaware
of the fact that often you laid yourself on the bare
ground on an empty stomach. Brother! For twelve long
hours I am deprived of loving care, do you not realize
this? Lakshmana! Open your eyes just once and look upon
me; that is what I most need now". Rama held the chin of
Lakshmana in his loving hand and prayed most touchingly
for one glance from his eye. The Vanaras shed tears of
sorrow at the anguish that Rama experienced. Many of them
climbed the hill-top trees and peered into the distance
to discover signs of the approach of Hanuman.
Soon,
Hanuman appeared carrying the Sanjivi Peak on his
upraised palm. Hanuman shone before their eyes as the
embodiment of courage, made more lovable by the splendour
of compassion. He touched ground and came among the
Vanaras. The Vanaras shouted, 'Hail! Hail!' They said,
"You have made our lives worth-while; had you not come
before dawn, we would all have plunged into the ocean and
ended our lives, for, we could not have survived
Lakshmana or cared to exist without him. You have saved
our lives." When Rama saw Hanuman with the Peak on which
the curative plants were growing, His delight was beyond
measure. Sushena immediately secured the drugs he
required - the Visalyakarini, the Samdhanakarini, the
Souvarnakarini and the Samjivakarini - from the Peak and
administered them to Lakshmana. And, Lakshmana sat up,
fully awake. Rama was overcome with joy; he embraced his
brother and caressed him very fondly. He exclaimed,
"Brother! Brother! Where had you been these hours?" His
eyes were streaming with tears of joy and gratitude. He
was plunged in high delight, comparable only to Brahmic
Bliss. Meanwhile, as a result of contact with the
vitalizing air that blew from the Sanjivi Peak in their
midst, the Vanaras who had fallen dead during the days of
bitter battle recovered their lives and were able to sit
up and move about as before. This produced great joy
among the Vanaras, who danced in glee, embracing their
revived companions and kinsfolk. Rama showered his
blessings on Sushena; he assured Sushena that he would
guard him against any vengeful steps that Ravana might
plan against him. He ordered Hanuman to deposit him back
again in Lanka, house and all, and also to deposit the
precious Sanjivi Peak near his house, in memory of his
service to Lakhsmana and the Vanaras. Hanuman praised his
services and thanking him for saving the life of his
master as well as those of his companions. He carried his
house, with him in it, as well as the Peak and placed
them safely on the ground in Lanka.
Another day dawned. War
drums could be heard from the Rakshasa camp. The Vanaras
were agog with excitement; they drew enormous strength
from the thought of Rama, their guardian and guide. Each
of them was filled with the might of many elephants. They
all jumped about, impatient, to start the fray. That day
the enemy generalissimo was Dhoomraksha. He fought
desperately, but he was killed the next day by Hanuman.
At this, Akampa stepped into the breach and fought
ferociously at the head of the demonic horde. Angada led
the Vanaras against Akampa, and he was able to kill the
Rakshasa general that very day. Hearing that Akampa had
met his death at the hands of the enemy, Prahastha rushed
into the battlefield raising great hue and cry. Nila took
him on, and, remembering ever more keenly the name of
Rama, he engaged him furiously. Leaping on him with
terrible ferocity, Nila succeeded in killing the new
general Prahastha. Mahodara came next. Hanuman jumped on
him with a reverberating roar, and fought with him, tooth
and nail. Soon, he was able to cut Mahodara into
pieces.
For five long days
thereafter, the two sons of Kumbhakarna
[see
also: SB, Canto 7, Ch. 1, verses
44-45],
Kumbha and Nikumbha, continued the fight, at the head of
a phalanx of fierce Rakshasas. On the sixth day, both
brothers reached the Heaven that warrior heroes attain
when they die on the field of battle.
Observing the unbroken
series of calamities that rained upon their forces, the
Rakshasas of Lanka were stricken with panic; they were
struggling to hide themselves somewhere in order to save
their lives; many surrendered and sought refuge in the
Camp of Vanaras. They blamed Ravana and abused him
bitterly. Many proceeded to Queen Mandodari and prayed to
her to arrest the train of disaster. She too was sad that
Ravana had yielded to his mad impulses, and she tried to
dissuade him away from the war.
But, the war went on
unabated. Makaraksha, the redoubtable warrior, continued
the battle. Lakshmana opposed him and killed him. When
such signal success was accomplished in a trice, the
Vanaras leaped in joy and shouted, "Jai! Jai!" Ravana
wailed and wept when he heard that his unbeatable
generals had all, one by one, fallen dead on the ground!
He ran towards the place where his brother, Kumbhakarna,
lay asleep, and he attempted to awaken him by urgent and
drastic means. Vast crowds of Rakshasas gathered near his
ears and beat huge drums wildly. Ravana brought hundreds
of boxers who hit the sleeping demon; hundreds rained
punches on him with their fisticuffs; many dealt heavy
thrusts on his thighs, with gigantic maces. At last, the
eyes opened, and the demon looked around. Ravana related
his despair to him; he told him of the death of his own
sons. That made him rise in red vengeance, as if he was
the very embodiment of Time, the Universal Destroyer. He
exclaimed, "Fool! Can victory be ever achieved by you?
You have tarnished yourselves unpardonably by the sin of
stealing and bringing away Sita, the Mother of the
Universe. Your wicked act is inexcusably heinous. Your
viciousness is bringing destruction on Lanka. Go,
surrender to Rama at least now, regardless of your absurd
sense of prestige! Was it right, for a ruler charged with
the high duty of maintaining righteousness and
suppressing unrighteousness in his kingdom, to cast off
propriety and good conduct, and abduct another's wife?
Has this the approval of ethics? Is it conducive to
spiritual progress? You have to suffer the fruits of your
actions. Ravana! Rama is no ordinary mortal. Surpanakha,
(RRV2-2)
our sister, was maddened by lust; she planned to achieve
her selfish desire and she suffered the consequence of
her wickedness. She set your instinct on fire, and
induced you to enact this barbarous crime. Listening to a
wily woman, you cast aside all discrimination, and
brought on your head this calamity by the mischief of
your own hands." Kumbhakarna laid the blame on his own
brother and advised him for long. But Ravana was in no
mood to accept the blame. "Do not desert me in disaster.
Prepare yourselves for leading our armies into the war;
save my life", he pleaded.
contents
of this Vahini
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