The Vanaras saw the Rakshasa army advancing and were highly impressed. Rama asked Vibheeshana about the army. Vibheeshana described the various commanders and said “Rama there you see Ravana’s sons Akampana and Indrajit. The latter obtained boons from Lord Brahma and possesses several powerful astras. Mahodara is riding the elephant, Trisra the mighty bull, Kumbha is carrying his bow and Nikumbha is riding the flaming chariot. Ravana is riding the chariot which is so beautiful flying his Moon white flag and he looks like God Rudra”. Rama said that his splendor was so brilliant that his eyes were blinded. Rama said that he would avenge this sinner when he came to face him. Then Rama along with Lakshmana stood up with their bows in their hands ready to fight.
Ravana asked his army to just watch and he would go alone and fight and create havoc for the Vanaras. Sugreeva attacked Ravana with a huge cliff but Ravana smashed it with his arrows and shot a powerful arrow at Sugreeva. It hurled him to the ground and he lost his senses. Other Vanara commanders hurled mountains at Ravana which were also all crushed by his arrows and he wounded them all with his powerful arrows. The Vanara army started to run away in panic. Lakshmana wanted to fight with Ravana and asked Rama for his permission. Rama gave it but warned him to be very careful and vigilant about the illusory warfare of Ravana. Rama advised Lakshmana to watch for the weak spots of Ravana and attack. Lakshmana took Rama’s blessings and started off. Meanwhile, Great Hanuman wanted to spare Lakshmana the trouble and went in advance and approached Ravana not minding the arrows. He raised his fist and said, “Ravana even though you vanquished the celestials you are vulnerable in the hands of us, Vanaras. My fist would send you to death”. Ravana was angry and he asked Hanuman to try before he would be no more himself. They exchanged blows. Ravana under the blow of Hanuman shook like a mountain during an earthquake. Angered Ravana gave another blow and Hanuman swooned for a while. Ravana then left him and went and attacked Neela with arrows. But Neela reduced his form and confused Ravana jumping about on his head. Ravana grounded him with an astra spitting fire and went to attack Lakshmana. A terrible fight ensued and Ravana using his Shakti Astra made Lakshmana lose his senses. He then tried to carry him away but then he could not lift Lakshmana. Ravana was shocked because he had lifted several mountains including Mount Kailasa. This was due to the fact that Lakshmana before losing his senses remembered that he was a part of Vishnu. Hanuman saw this and rushed to the spot and delivered a big blow to Ravana who vomited blood and was stunned. He got so furious that he sent a powerful arrow at Hanuman. But Hanuman was not affected by it. Rama saw this and angrily shot arrows and destroyed Ravana’s chariot and also shot at his chest arrows as powerful as Vajrayudha of Indra. Ravana fell down losing his senses. Rama then with an arrow cut off his crown. This was the first time Ravana suffered such humiliation. Rama then said to him “Ravana you are tired and exhausted so I let you go away. Take rest and come again. I do not want to kill you now”. Ravana after this shock was so much humiliated that he left hurriedly to his city. All beings were so happy after seeing the defeat of Ravana.
This is called ‘Dharma Yuddha’ and strict adherence to the code of conduct established by Dharma. Rama could have easily finished off Ravana but then he was magnanimous in letting his enemy go and return the next day better armed. In the present world where innocent people are taken hostages, this kind of war could appear as stupid. Perhaps such happenings described in our Puranas could even lead the modern world to consider that our Puranas are just tales and doubt their historicity.
Ravana went through the most
shocking experience of his life. He was terrified by Rama and his astras. He
spoke to the Rakshasas and said, “Though I am as powerful as Indra I have been
defeated by a man! When I asked Brahma for my boon I had forgotten to ask for protection also from the man. Besides when I had killed the Ikshvaku king
Anaranya he had cursed that I would be killed by one of his descendants. It is
perhaps coming true through Rama. We should try our best to fight and eliminate
this danger”. He ordered the Rakshasas to wake up Kumbhakarna who went to sleep
nine days before the war broke out in Lanka. Ravana also said that he had been
sleeping for nine months or so which was the result of Brahma’s curse. So we learn
that the Rama Ravana war was going on for over nine months. He was sure that
Kumbhakarna who had no other curse on his head was capable of destroying Rama
and his army.
The Rakshasas carrying with
them mountain heaps of meat and other food and huge pots of drinks went to the
cave where Kumbhakarna was sleeping. It was not easy to wake him up. They made
loud noises and even sent elephants to shake him off from his sleep. He finally
woke up from his long sleep and when he breathed it was like powerful wind blowing
from the mountains. He first swallowed all the food brought to him and asked
angrily why they disturbed his sleep and woke him up. Then one of the ministers
named Yupaksha told him with great respect that Lanka was being invaded by Rama
and his army and even Ravana was defeated by Rama who had spared his life. He
requested Kumbhakarna to go and meet his brother Ravana who was waiting for
him.
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