Even as they were watching, there arose a swift wind, hurling water into the ocean, driving away clouds, and seeming to shake the mountains. The wind was being driven by a pair of powerful wings and suddenly, the serpents that dwelt there were terrified and plunged deep into the sea. And in a moment, the vānaras discerned Garuḍa who was as radiant as Agni. Looking at this invincible creature, the nāgas that had bound Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa fled in fear. Garuḍa then touched the faces of the brothers with his hands and immediately, their wounds healed. Gaining back their lustre, courage, strength, and fortitude, the brothers returned to the battle with redoubled force. The brothers were as delighted as seeing their father Daśaratha, and grandfather Aja. Garuḍa introduced himself and said that he rushed to the place as soon as he discovered that the brothers were bound by the nāgas. Garuḍa embraced Rāma, as befitting to a friend and assured saying, “Once you have slain the rākṣasas in Laṅkā, sparing only the children and the old, you will surely recover Sītā.” Seeing the Rāghavas thus recovered, the vānaras started celebrating by playing mṛdaṅgas and blowing conches.
~
Rāvaṇa learned from his men that Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were relieved of their nāga-pāśa. He instructed a powerful rākṣasa called Dhūmrākṣa to fight the enemy with his forces. However, Dhūmrākṣa was vanquished in no time by Hanūmān who struck his head with a mountain peak. Upon hearing that Dhūmrākṣa was slain, Rāvaṇa asked another mighty rākṣasa named Akampana to lead his forces to the battlefield. A violent battle broke out between the vānaras and the rākṣasas; due to the dust raised by the battle, the warriors couldn’t see a thing and the vānaras ended up killing vānaras in terrible fury, and the rākṣasas slew rākṣasas. Hanūmān rushed to the spot and valiantly fought Akampana. Though the rākṣasa’s arrows pierced Hanūmān’s body, he slaughtered him using a huge tree. Rāvaṇa then commanded his counsellor Prahasta to fight the vānaras. Prahasta tried to advise Rāvaṇa one last time to send Sītā back, but then went ahead as per the instruction of his adamant lord.
Vibhīṣaṇa pointed to different prominent rākṣasas on the battlefield and described to Rāma their prowess. When Vibhīṣaṇa pointed towards Rāvaṇa, Rāma couldn’t help but admire the brilliance of Rāvaṇa. Sugrīva charged at Rāvaṇa and hurled a mountain peak at him. But the overlord of the rākṣasas smashed the mountain peak with his arrows; Rāvaṇa then shot at Sugrīva an arrow that resembled a huge serpent and the vānara fell to the earth with a groan. Other prominent vānaras charged at Rāvaṇa, but were struck down by the rākṣasa’s arrows. Hanūmān then rushed at him declaring that his right fist with its five fingers would suffice to vanquish him; however, Rāvaṇa struck him on his chest with his palm and Hanūmān reeled. With no mind to give up, Hanūmān punched Rāvaṇa with his palm and the ten-headed rākṣasa shook like a mountain during an earthquake. Rāvaṇa slapped the vānara on his chest again, leaving him stunned. He made Nīla fall to the ground and charged towards Lakṣmaṇa. Enraged, Lakṣmaṇa shot arrows at Rāvaṇa and cut the rākṣasa’s arrows into pieces. As they fought, Rāvaṇa hurled śaktyāyudha that was gifted to him by Brahmā. Lakṣmaṇa tried to dodge the weapon using his arrows, but it struck him in the chest. Then recollecting that he was born out of an invincible part of Viṣṇu, Lakṣmaṇa fell unconscious. Rāvaṇa, who had the strength to lift the Himālaya, Mandara, Meru Mountains and the three worlds, was unable to budge the fallen Lakṣmaṇa. Hanūmān rushed to the spot, and slapped Rāvaṇa on the chest, causing him to fall unconscious. He picked up Lakṣmaṇa and brought him to Rāghava. The śaktyāyudha released itself from Saumitri’s body and returned to its place in Rāvaṇa’s chariot. Lakṣmaṇa, brought back strength to himself, as he was a part of Viṣṇu, and recovered his valorous state.
Rāma climbed upon Hanūmān’s back as per the vānara’s suggestion and raced towards Rāvaṇa. The lord of the rākṣasas fired arrows at Hanūmān and wounded him. Enraged, Rāma tore apart the rākṣasa’s chariot into pieces, along with its wheels, charioteer, horses, and weapons. He struck Rāvaṇa’s chest with an arrow, and the heroic king, who had not staggered at the blows of Indra’s vajrāyudha, was shaken. Rāma caused the rākṣasa’s crown to fall with his arrows. Then he said, “Though you have caused pain to my people, I shall not slay you today as I see that you are exhausted. Thus, humbled by Rāma’s words and deeds, Rāvaṇa returned to Laṅkā with his pride and valour crushed.
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa removed arrows from the body of the wounded vānaras and got them back to their feet.
~
Humiliated by Rāma, Rāvaṇa sat on his golden throne and addressed the rākṣasas, “It looks like all the tapas I performed has been in vain. I now recall the horrifying words of Brahmā, ‘Know that you must still fear mānavas – humans.’ Though I attained invulnerability from the devas, dānavas, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and nāgas, I did not request the same with respect to mānavas. Rākṣasas! Keep this in mind as you guard the gateways and the walls. Awaken Kumbhakarṇa, who is under the influence of Brahmā’s śāpa! He sleeps six, seven, eight or even nine months at a stretch. Once my mighty brother is awakened, he will avenge the humiliation that I faced at the hand of Rāma.”
~
Upon the instruction of Rāvaṇa, rākṣasas rushed to Kumbhakarṇa’s abode, carrying with them perfumes, garlands, and food. Even as they entered the cavern in which the giant rākṣasa slept, they got blown away by his breath. They held on to their feet with great difficulty and walked into the cavern. They began their efforts to wake up the gigantic rākṣasa but were terrified by his bristling body hair and his breath which was like a serpent hissing. His nostrils and mouth were as wide as Pātāla – he was fearsome to behold. They placed before Kumbhakarṇa heaps of meat that included dead deer, buffalo, and boar. They also tried to entice him by placing pots of blood and strong drinks of various kinds. They released fragrances and sang the praises of the rākṣasa. They sounded conches, beat drums, and roared together. Birds that were flying skyward crashed to the earth upon hearing the sound. Still unable to wake him up, the rākṣasas drove horses, donkeys, camels, and elephants over him. Some even tried to pull Kumbhakarṇa’s hair and the other bit his ears. Finally, when they made a thousand elephants walk upon his body, Kumbhakarṇa felt a slight sensation of movement and woke up. He leapt up as his sleep was violently interrupted, yawned and felt immense hunger. He ate the meat and drank the blood that was before him. He learnt of the imminent danger and rushed to his brother Rāvaṇa.
In the meanwhile, the vānaras who saw his huge form moving through the city of Laṅkā ran helter-skelter. Rāma learnt from Vibhīṣaṇa about the treacherous rākṣasa and the curse he had acquired from Brahmā. Upon Rāvaṇa’s request, Brahmā had granted that Kumbhakarṇa would sleep for six months at a stretch and would wake up for a single day devouring innumerable creatures.
~
Kumbhakarṇa met Rāvaṇa who sat dejected in his Puṣpaka-vimāna. He asked his older brother, “Why have you woken me up with so much of effort, O king? What are you afraid of? Who should I turn into preta today? With his eye rolling slightly, Rāvaṇa spoke to his angry brother, “Since you were asleep, you don’t know the terror Rāma has subjected us to. Our kingdom is only left with the aged and the children. You must defend the city for your brother’s sake. I have placed my love and confidence in you.”
Upon hearing Rāvaṇa’s words, Kumbhakarṇa said, “You paid no heed to sage counsel – we have at the gates exactly what we dreaded in the past. You are suffering the evil consequences of your wicked deeds. A valiant and noble king should consult his ministers before taking up tasks of sāma, dāna, bheda, and daṇḍa. While evaluating a counsel, the king must have a keen sense to ascertain which of his ministers are actually his enemies in the guise of well-wishers. A king who underestimates his enemy is sure to fall from his loft state!”
Rāvaṇa was enraged. With his brows knitted in anger, he said, “How dare you lecture me like a venerable elder? You must act in a manner that suits the current situation the best. What do you gain by recounting my past failures? Try to remedy my wrongdoing by your valour. A true friend stands by a poor wretch who has lost everything. A true kinsman assists those who have gone astray!”
Realizing that his brother was angry, Kumbhakarṇa promised him that he would execute his command. He said, “ Give up your fear of Rāma. I will slay him along with his brother and Sugrīva. I will confer upon you great renown. Enjoy yourself by drinking fine liquor. Once Rāma is slain, Sītā will be yours!”
Mahodara who heard the brothers speak, addressed Kumbhakarṇa, “Though you are born in a noble family, you seem to take to vulgar means. In your arrogance, you don’t know what you are speaking and don’t know how to act. Rāvaṇa knows well the nature of time and place, and has a clear perception of his enemy’s power as well. It is inappropriate for you to go into the battlefield alone. Don’t you know that Rāma single-handedly vanquished fourteen thousand rākṣasas in Janasthāna? Who would dare to arouse a person who is blazing like the fire and as irresistible as death?” Mahodara then addressed Rāvaṇa, “You don’t need to fret; you have already captured Sītā. She will submit to your wishes whenever you desire. I have devised a plan by which we can change Sītā’s heart. Have it proclaimed that five rākṣasas – Dvijihva, Saṃhrādī, Kumbhakarṇa, Vitardana and I, Mahodara – are going forth to kill Rāma. We will go ahead and fight him; if we are victorious, there is nothing more to worry. If we come defeated, we will pretend as if our bodies are pierced by Rāma’s arrows bearing his name. We will announce that we have killed Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and fall at your feet. You must then pretend to reward us to your heart’s content. You may have an announcement made from an elephant’s back throughout the city, ‘Rāma has been killed in the battle along with his brother and army!’ Then feigning delight, you may get your men to distribute delicacies and gifts throughout the city. You may pretend to reward your warriors with garlands, garments, and unguents. You should offer drinks to your soldiers and yourself engage in delightful drinking. Once the rumour has spread throughout the city, you must go to Sītā as though to console her. You should then seduce her by offering wealth and, ornaments, and various objects of desire. Sītā will be reduced to sorrow, but will submit herself to you, unwilling though she may be. This seems to be the best way forward. It would be tragic for you to face Rāma again in battle. Don’t be anxious. You will win your heart’s desire if you remain here without fighting. Thus, you will enjoy fame and prosperity without even facing the enemy or losing your men.”
Kumbhakarṇa was enraged with the idea and said, “It is because of such cowardly counsel, Mahodara, the king of rākṣasas has been reduced to such a sorry state. Our treasury is empty and so is our army. In order to remedy your unsound policy, I will go to battle right away and defeat Rāma!”
Rāvaṇa replied laughing out loud, “Mahodara is terrified of Rāma and thus speaks so. Kumbhakarṇa, I don’t see anyone else equal to you in your loyalty and valour. Go forth and slay the enemy!” Rāvaṇa rose up from this throne and placed a gem-studded helmet on Kumbhakarṇa’s head. The younger brother reverentially performed pradakṣiṇa to his elder brother and set forth to battle. Rāvaṇa sent a huge army behind Kumbhakarṇa.
To be continued...
[The critically constituted text and the critical edition published by the Oriental Institute, Vadodara is the primary source. In addition, the Kannada rendering of the epic by Mahāmahopādhyāya Sri. N. Ranganatha Sharma and the English translation by Sri. N. Raghunathan have been referred.]
