Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part D

Part D

Rama and Lakshmana attack Ravana

Web Source: British Museum

• There were bad omens of war, such as the earth shaking (earthquakes), clouds raining blood, and a fiery circle that fell from the sun
• Ravana was counseled to surrender Sita
• He became more enraged and dismissed his spies
• Rather than give up Sita, he attempts to trick her by using an illusion
• He presents Rama's head and bow to Sita, so that she will believe Rama was actually killed
• Ravana is then called to battle and he disappears, taking his illusion with him
• In the battle Indrajit is driven back, so he decides to use magic to make himself invisible so he can cause more damage to Rama's army
• Ravana showed Sita that Rama and his army had been beaten
• Rama and Lakshmana were both lying on the battlefield and Lakshmana was pronounced dead
• The monkey chief, Sushena, told them of a magic herb that can bring the dead back to light
• Garuda, the Wind-God's son, healed Rama, Lakshmana, and their army
• Rama was curious of who Garuda was and questioned his kindness
• Garuda assured him that he is their ally and friend 
• Ravana awakens his brother Kumbhakama, who devours basically everything in sight
• He ate swine, apes, and even humans before heading off to battle
• His appearance in battle was made short as Rama fired flaming arrows which severed his head
• Ravana and Rama battle for quite some time, each still far away from defeating the other
• Rama eventually uses a flaming weapon that was created by Brahma for the protection of Gods
• Sita and Rama are reunited, but not in a romantic way
• Rama cannot get over the fact that Sita was kidnapped and forced to live with another man (Ravana), and sends her away to live with someone else
• Sita detests Rama and depends a test of fidelity 
• Lakshmana builds a pyre for Sita and she willingly goes into it, because it is her salvation 
• The Gods come down and plead with Rama to stop this madness. One God returns Sita to Rama, claiming that she did not fall victim to infidelity

Bibliography:

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Authors:  Manmatha Nath Dutt, Romesh Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder

Web Source: Ramayana Online