Valmiki Ramayana - December 31

December 31 - Shlokas 1-70 of Sarga 60 of Yuddha Kanda.

As if heralding a better year ahead for all of us in 2022, this sarga is very interesting, because Ravana sings a different tune here. He makes the rakshasas go and wake up Kumbhakarna, saying he badly needs his help.

Valmiki has packed three rasas in the shlokas I read today - Bhaya (Fear), Adbhuta (Astonishment) and Hasya (Humour). It provides relief from the incessant battle descriptions in recent sargas dominated by Vira rasa (bravery, valour).

***

भग्नदर्पस्तदा राजा बभूव व्यथितेन्द्रियः  - "King Ravana's ego had taken a battering, and he felt most tormented in body and mind."

Ravana is seated on his splendid golden throne so well described by Valiki on the occasion when Hanuman was brought into his assembly. He is surrounded by all his courtiers and ministers. But this is not the usual swashbuckling, radiant, and supremely confident king of rakshasas, but someone whose life has been contemptuously spared and who is thereby unimaginably insulted by the enemy.

Valmiki says Ravana looked like a tusker elephant who had been attacked by a lion king or a serpent attacked by Garuda.

ब्रह्मदण्डप्रतीकानां विद्युच्चलितवर्चसाम् ।

स्मरन्राघवबाणानां विव्यथे राक्षसेश्वरः    ॥

"Recalling those deadly arrows of Sri Rama that seemed charged with lightning, which looked like Brahmadanda wielded at the dissolution of the world,  the king of rakshasas was deeply distressed. "

Ravana spoke in his assembly. "Fie on all my bravery. I may be one who matches Indra in valour, but today I have been defeated and humiliated by a mere human!"

"I now recall with a shudder Lord Brahma's words, मानुषेभ्यो विजानीहि भयं त्वमिति तत्तथा "Know well, Ravana, that the great and certain danger to your life will come from a human.""

"Alas, I asked for boons that I should not be killed by devas, asuras and so on, but I omitted mentioning humans out of my pride!"

तमिमं मानुषं मन्ये रामं दशरथात्मजम्  - "I now see that the danger to my life has come in the form of Rama, son of Dasharatha! I remember the warning I got long ago from an Ikshwaku king and ancestor of Rama, by the name of Anaranya, whom I overthrew, that I would be killed by his descendant. He said, 

उत्पत्स्यति हि मद्वंशपुरुषो राक्षसाधम! 

यस्त्वां सपुत्रं समात्यं सबलं साश्वसारतिं ।

निहनिष्यति सङ्ग्रामे त्वां कुलाधम दुर्मते ॥

"Oh vilest of rakshasas, you’re a blot on your lineage (Kashyapa-Pulastya-Kubera and so on)! Know that my descendant alone will kill you, along with your sons and ministers and all your horses and charioteers, in the future."

शप्तोऽहं वेदवत्या च यथा सा धर्षिता पुरा ।

नेऽयं सीता महाभागा जाता जनकनन्दिनी   ॥

"I can also see the denouement of that curse of Vedavati which she pronounced before dying after I molested her! I now know that she alone has taken birth as the blessed Sita, daughter of the great king Janaka!"

'I also remember the curse of Devi Uma (Parvati). Nandishvara (Lord Shiva's attendant), Rambha and even Punjikasthala (apsara who bore Hanuman!) that I would die like this, on account of a woman. Indeed the words of great rishis never fail in their import!"

" Look, all of you, I am indeed afraid like never before. Please go and guard the city with its gates, moats and ramparts very vigilantly and fiercely. Also please go and wake up at once my brother Kumbakarna."

"My formidable military chief Prahasta has been killed. I have been defeated. Watch out! Guard Lanka well. And go wake up Kumbhakarna."

"This fool Kumbhakarna is always asleep by Brahma's curse. He sleeps for months on end! He went to sleep nine days ago after taking permission from me. I am sure that if he wakes up, he will make short work of Rama, Lakshmana, and the vanaras, and alleviate my anxiety."

Now Ravana has some choice words about Kumbhakarna. 

कुम्भकर्णः सदा शेते मूढो ग्राम्यसुखे रतः

"Kumbhakarna is always asleep! Damn! He is uncouth, given to crude sense pleasures, and slothful always." 

किं करिष्याम्यहं तेन शक्रतुल्यबलेन हि ।

ईदृशे व्यसने घोरे यो न साह्याय कल्पते ॥

"Of what use to me is Kumbhakarna with his valour equal to that of Indra, if he does not step up and help me in this moment of utter distress and military danger."

The rakshasas who had been listening to these strange words from Ravana were in utter disbelief and with sinking hearts stirred into action.

***

The rakshasas took massive amounts freshly carved meat of choicest animals by cartloads, with brimming vessels of blood and other detestable foods that are so dear to rakshasas. They took the best of perfumes and garlands and gifts. Their mission to wake up Kumbhakarna was fraught with terrible danger, and they were literally waking up a sleeping, unpredictable, monstrous, giant.

Kumbhakarna slept in an unusually large cave which was well decorated. He resembled a huge mountain rock ( a bit like the Mysuru Chamundi Hill.)

Kumbhakarna was snoring deafeningly. His body hair was all standing on end. His serpentine hissing breath was powerful enough to shake people around him. He looked mighty powerful even in his sleep.

Valmiki says Kumbhakarna's nostrils were deep and dangerous-looking. His huge mouth was open and looked like the netherworld. His body odour reeked of flesh and blood that was his regular diet.

Kumbhakarna wore a splendid crown. He had big armlets. He looked impressive.

The mountainous heaps of fresh meat did not make any impact. Valmiki says it was a mountain of a biryani with a wide variety of meats. 

First the rakshasas took a mild approach.  They started coyly anointing Kumbhakarna with sandal paste. They nearly stuffed his nostrils with the choicest of fragrant flower strings.They started chanting his praise sonorously very loud.

No effect.

They brought huge conches that resembled the moon and blew them very loudly. They all shouted in unison. No effect. Lots of drums and bugles that made a huge racket. No effect. But the birds in the sky scattered away in alarm.

They started piercing Kumbhakarna's body. The rakshasas started thumping Kumbhakarna's chest with pestles and maces. They even pounded him with rocks. No effect.

On the other hand, when any of the rakshasas accidentally came in the jetstream of Kumbhakarna's nostrils (imagine the rear of a running 787 engine), they were blown away.

Imagine a huge ring of rakshasas trying everything possible, making a deafening racket, all jumping around a snoring Kumbhakarna, who is not disturbed in the least.

The rakshasas now brought elephants and camels and horses and goaded them to climb all over Kumbhakarna. They used spiked poles and pierced him all over. No effect.

The entire Lanka was cursing the din raised. But it was all ineffectual.

The rakshasas fiercely pulled at his hair. Some even went and started chewing up Kumbhakarna's large ears. Some poured huge vesselfuls of water into  his cavernous ears. Some started pounding Kumbhakarna with shataghnis. 

No effect, until nearly a hundred elephants simultaneously stepped on Kumbhakarna. 

So far, he had not stirred in his sleep, accursed as he was by Brahma. But now there was a slight response.

Kumbhakarna now sat up. He gave a frighteningly big yawn that suggested Vadavagni (a volcano eruption under the sea). His exhalation could blow away a big army. Valmiki says that Kumbhakarna awake was a most frightening sight.

Then he caught sight of all that food. He gobbled them up instantly. He drank huge amounts of blood followed by strong liquor in potfuls. 

The rakshasas were dancing in glee to see their efforts bear fruit. They all now came and bowed low to Kumbhakarna.

***

किमर्थमहमादृत्य भवद्भिः प्रतिबोधितः ।

कश्चित्सुकुशलं राज्ञो भयं वा नेह किञ्चन ॥

"For what reason did you all wake me up so urgently and deferentially? I hope all is well with our King and no fear has confronted us?"

'There must be some great danger presented from some quarter for all of you to wake me up so prematurely!? Don't worry, now leave it to me. I shall uproot the Mahendra mountain or destroy Indra or whoever if need be and put out any conflagration, however big. I know that someone as dangerous when upset as I am would not have been woken up without sufficient cause or provocation. So tell me everything, have no fear!"

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्        ॥ 

***

Valmiki Ramayana - December 30

December 30 - Shlokas 99 - 146 of Sarga 59 of Yuddha Kanda. 

Ravana was sufficiently taunted by Lakshmana to release at him seven arrows with beautiful feathered tails. But Lakshmana nullified them with his own golden-tailed arrows. Ravana was incensed and  launched several arrows at Lakshmana. But they were all foiled quickly with Lakshmana's own arrows called Kshura, Ardhachandra, and so on. Ravana was astonished but did not stop.

Now Lakshmana launched his own arrows to kill Ravana. But Ravana not only countered them, but he also shot a brilliant arrow given to him by Brahma, which went and struck Lakshmana on his brow. Lakshmana tottered but recovered quickly to shoot such arrows that they destroyed Ravana's bow itself. Lakshmana shot three deadly arrows now at Ravana. Ravana was hurt and felt disoriented for some time. He was disheartened that his bow was broken and now he had been struck badly. He was bleeding profusely. 

Ravana now resorted to a special Shakti weapon bestowed on him by Brahma. When he launched it, it flew towards Lakshmana like a comet of fire. It terrified all the onlooking vanaras. 

Lakshmana intercepted that Shakti with his own sharp and targetted arrows. But they could not stop the Shakti from coming and striking him bang in the centre of his chest. He collapsed and his bow slipped from his grasp.

Lakshmana was very powerful but the Shakti floored him, burning him. Ravana rushed to Lakshmana to kill him off. He took the supine Lakshmana's shoulders to lift him up. But Ravana could not move Lakshmana even an inch! The rakshasa king who had lifted mountains like Mandara and Himalaya with gods residing on them could not move Lakshmana's shoulders. 

विष्णोरचिन्त्यं स्वं भागम् आत्मानं प्रत्यनुस्मरत् 

Lakshmana meanwhile recollected that he was himself born of a small part of Mahavishnu, the supreme god of gods. He was able to use his spiritual strength to pull himself together and hold on to life, despite the power of Brahma's Shakti. Valmiki says that Lakshmana realized that Ravana could not move his shoulders even an inch because of this fact.

Seeing Ravana attempting to hurt a prone Lakshmana even more, Hanuman was enraged. He rushed and gave Ravana a powerful blow with his diamond-strong fist वज्रकल्पेन मुष्टिना।

Ravana tottered, fell to his knees, and collapsed. Blood came out of his ears and mouth and eyes too. He barely managed to stagger to his chariot and sit down. He was shaking uncontrollably and lost his consciousness for a while,

The gods and rishis celebrated Hanuman's prowess.

Hanuman decided to attend to Lakshmana who was still lying flat on the ground. He gingerly picked him up and took him to where Sri Rama was. Valmiki says that Lakshmana could be carried by Hanuman easily only because of his own sattvic power of devotion to Sri Rama.

The Shakti now left Lakshmana and returned to its original place in Ravana's arsenal on his chariot.

Ravana had recovered. He picked up a new bow and started shooting arrows at the vanara army. Lakshmana also recovered fully, invoking the divine atomic presence of Mahavishnu in himself.

Sri Rama now decided to attack Ravana. Hanuman approached him deferentially and said, 

मम पृष्ठं समारुह्य राक्षसं शास्तुमर्हसि ।

विष्णुर्यथा गरुत्मन्तमारुह्यामरवैरिणम्  ॥

"Oh, Lord Sri Rama, kindly climb onto my shoulders, Please punish this rakshasa sitting on me just like Sri Mahavishnu punished the enemies of the gods by sitting on his vehicle, lord Garuda!"

Sri Rama immediately climbed onto Hanuman's shoulders and approached Ravana's chariot. Sri Rama looked like Mahavishnu himself.

Sri Rama now twanged his bow and produced an ear-splitting sound like a clap of thunder. Then he spoke in his serene and measured, deep voice:

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ मम त्वं हि कृत्वा विप्रियमीदृशम् ।

क्व नु राक्षसशार्दूल गत्वा मोक्षमवाप्सयसि ॥

यदीन्द्रवैवस्वतभास्करान् च

                स्वयम्भुवैश्वानरशङ्करान् वा।

गमिष्यसि त्वं दशधा दिशो वा 

        तथापि मे नाद्य गतो विमोक्ष्यसे ॥  

"Wait! Don't run away, you valiant rakshasa! You have committed such evil acts that the only place left for you to go is certain death. Know that even if you try to get protection from Indra, Yama, Surya, or even Brahma, Agni and Shiva, or run in any of the ten directions as fast as you can, you still cannot escape death at my hands."

"You struck Lakshmana with that Shakti and made him unconscious. I have come to avenge that and will destroy you with your sons and grandsons too."

"Know, Ravana, that the one standing in front of you is the same prince who wielded his glorious weapons and destroyed fourteen thousand rakshasas in Janasthana. "

Ravana was livid and recalled the adversarial relationship that had brought them to this moment. He chose to shoot arrows and hurt Hanuman badly, while he was carrying Sri Rama on his shoulders.

Hanuman bled profusely but did not shirk. He was so radiant in his valour that he redoubled his exertions. Sri Rama did not take kindly to Hanuman's being hurt thus by Ravana.

In one stroke Sri Rama destroyed Ravana's chariot, charioteer, horses, all his weapons, everything in its entirety with hundreds of arrows. 

Sri Rama's arrow struck Ravana like Indra's thunderbolt on his chest. But whereas Ravana had not been hurt so much by Indra's vajra itself and sported its scar as a sign of valour, this time he was badly hurt by Sri Rama's arrow and collapsed, his bow slipping from his hand. 

Sri Rama realized that Ravana had no response to give. Sri Rama shot a crescent-tipped arrow and broke Ravana's crown. Ravana looked like a faded sun and presented a pitiable sight.

Then Sri Rama addressed Ravana: 

कृतं त्वया कर्म महत्सुभीमं हतप्रवीरश्च कृतस्त्वयाहम् ।

तस्मात् परिश्रान्त इति व्यवस्य न त्वां शरैर्मृत्युवशं नयामि ॥

"Oh Ravana, you have fought well today and killed a lot of my vanara warriors. I realize that you are tired and listless now. I shall let you go and not kill you today with my arrows."

"Go back and rest a while and come back with your chariot and your bow. Then you will be fit enough to witness my prowess."

हतदर्पहर्षो शरार्दितो भग्नमहाकिरीटो विवेश लङ्कां सहसा स्म राजा - 'Ravana looked distraught and defeated, he had been struck badly by Sri Rama's arrows, had lost his weapons, his vehicle, his charioteer and even his crown. He quickly went back into Lanka."

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - December 29

December 29 - Shlokas 32 to 98 of Sarga 59 of Yuddha Kanda.

Having made his intentions clear, Sri Rama picked up his bow and arrows. Lakshmana joined him. 

Meanwhile, Ravana addressed his commanders who were around him. "Be fearless, and take your positions strategically at the various vantage points near the gateways and on the ramparts of Lanka. 

Know that the vanaras would consider it a great opportunity to attack Lanka right now as all our warriors are assembled outside here around me. This will only make it easy for the vanaras to cause extensive damage to the defenceless inner parts of Lanka. But this should not be allowed. Therefore you should go and take guard as I tell you."

***

Valmiki says that Ravana now attacked the vanaras fiercely.

व्यदारायद् वानरसागरौघं माहाझषः पूर्णमिवार्णवौघम् -   "Ravana wreaked havoc among the vanaras much like a great whale churns up the ocean fiercely."

Sugriva saw Ravana arraigned with his bow and arrow and attacked him with a huge piece of a mountain. Ravana saw that mountain with its blooming trees and shot many golden feather-tailed arrows such that the mountain was blown to bits. He then set a deadly serpent-arrow (माहाहिकल्पं शरमन्तकाभम्) and attacked Sugriva.  The arrow is compared by Valmiki to the deadly Shakti shot by Karttikeya in battle. Sugriva was struck and reeled to the ground crying aloud in distress. Seeing Sugriva unconscious, the rakshasas applauded.

Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena. Rishabha, Jyotirmukha, Nala, and others now attacked Ravana all at once with rocks. Ravana not only dispersed all the missiles easily, but his arrows also floored all these vanara heroes.  They were shrieking in pain. The remaining vanaras all rushed to Sri Rama for protection. As Sri Rama stepped forward, Lakshmana said, bowing down to him,  

काममार्य सुपर्याप्तो वधायास्य दुरात्मनः विधामिष्याम्यहं चैतमनुजानीहि मां प्रभो - "Oh, lord! By myself, I can deal with this evil rakshasa and kill him. Kindly order me and I shall do the needful."

Sri Rama was pleased, and replied, "Yes, Lakshmana, go ahead! But be fully prepared to deal with the enemy. Ravana is a fiendish force when provoked and extremely adept in war. No one in the three worlds will find it easy to cope with his challenge. Look out for chinks in his defence, just as you should guard your own weak points against Ravana. You should have single-pointed concentration and use your eyes as well as your bow to defend yourself." Saumitri Lakshmana nodded, embraced his brother warmly, and moved forward. 

Lakshmana saw the extensive damage Ravana was causing to the vanaras.

Hanuman now approached Ravana, brushing aside his arrows, and addressed him. He raised his right arm and said, "Oh rakshasa! After all, your boon protects you only from devas, danavas, gandharvas, and yakshas. So, know that you are vulnerable to attack from vanaras! Look at my raised right hand with the fingers open. Today I am going to strike you and separate your soul from your body."

Ravana, enraged, replied, "well, oh vanara! Do whatever you think you can while there is still time for you to earn fame, for I will then destroy you." 

"Bah! Ravana! Remember I already sent your son Aksha to the next world in battle." As Hanuman was speaking, Ravana struck Hanuman on his chest with his left hand. Hanuman was momentarily disoriented and hurt. But he recovered quickly and furiously struck Ravana with his palm. Ravana shook and looked like mountains during an earthquake. The siddhas, rishis, gods, and demons assembled in the skies and all the vanaras around rejoiced and applauded. 

The lustrous Ravana soon recovered his composure and complimented Hanuman, 

साधु वानर वीर्येण श्लाघनीयोऽसि मे रिपुः " Oh Vanara! My congratulations on your great prowess! You are a worthy foe for me."

Hanuman replied, धिगस्तु मम वीर्यस्य यत्त्वं जीवसि रावण! "Fie on my prowess, Ravana, that you are still alive! Try and strike me again. Then I will use my fist and send you, Ravana, express speed to Yamaloka."

Ravana now struck hard with his fist on Hanuman's chest. Hanuman again reeled a bit. 

Ravana now turned to Nila.  He shot ten fierce arrows and tormented the chief of vanara forces. Nila ducked and released a huge mountain rock at Ravana. By then Hanuman recovered and rushed at Ravana, only to see him engaged with Nila. He shouted, "it is not meet for me to attack you, Ravana, when you are fighting Nila."

Ravana meanwhile pulverized the mountain rock coming at him from Nila. Nila was enraged and now rained a whole lot of huge trees on Ravana. Ravana dispelled all those missiles and in turn, covered Nila with arrows. Nila suddenly shrank to a miniscule form and went and perched himself on the flagstaff of Ravana's chariot. Ravana looked on in fury as Nila roared deafeningly. Nila was able to hop from Ravana's flag to his bow to his crown and so on so adroitly it astonished Sri Rama and everyone around. Ravana was also non-plussed. 

Ravana found it tough-going. Just as vanaras started laughing at Ravana's discomfiture caused by Nila, Ravana picked up the deadly Agneyastra.  "Oh vanara, I see your magic and your nimbleness. But try and survive this great weapon now. " Nila was struck and badly wounded when he was hit in his chest by the Agneyastra and fell to the ground. The arrow burned him. But Nila was the son of Agni, the Fire-god. So he got off with his life intact. Ravana gave a loud roar of triumph having rendered Nila insensate and now turned his attentions to Lakshmana. He advanced, and confronting Lakshmana, and twanged his bow fiercely. 

Lakshmana addressed Ravana, "Oh king of rakshasas, you should stop fighting with vanaras now that we are face to face." 

Ravana spoke in rage, "Oh Raghava  (a descendant of the Raghu dynasty)! Now that you are in front of me, I shall send you to the next world. Get ready!" Lakshmana saw Ravana's bared canines (rakshasas have them) and heard the words spoken in Ravana's enraged voice. He replied calmly,

राजन्न गर्जन्ति माहाप्रभावा विकत्थसे पापकृतां वरिष्ठ! 

जानामि वीर्यं तव राक्षसेन्द्र बलं प्रतापं च पराक्रमं च ।

अवस्थितोऽहं शरचापपाणिरागच्छ किं मोघविकत्थनेन ॥

"Oh king, know that great warriors don't roar wasteful words like you. You are after all the foremost among evil-doers! 

I well know your bravery, prowess and valour (these words are full of irony as Ravana had hidden and used a ruse to abduct Sita when Sri Rama and Lakshmana were diverted by the golden deer, instead of facing them in battle.)

" I am waiting for you right nere, Ravana, with my bow and arrows. Come on, and stop blabbering."

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - December 28

December 28 - Sarga 58 (shlokas 26-62) and 59 (shlokas 1-31) of Yuddha Kanda.

Prahasta is killed in a fierce battle with Nila. Then Ravana decides to enter the fray. His arrival is truly impressive.

***

Valmiki describes Prahasta's fierce battle and the mayhem that resulted from the relentless confrontation between the well-armed rakshasas and the powerful vanaras in a most gruesome, gut-wrenching, way. He leaves no detail untold about how the earth was flooded by blood, a river whose banks were dead bodies and broken armour and chariots and weapons. The flotsam of organs and entrails and hair and so on that was seen everywhere would make anyone retch. The shlokas show at least one thing. The foremost, the first, poet of Sanskrit (because he was a hermit and had no one to copy from) left no description incomplete, whether it was of nature, or human behaviour, or emotions, or battlefields.

Nila now saw how much damage the formidable rakshasa chief Prahasta was causing to the vanaras with his rain of deadly arrows. He decided on a suitable response. Nila, who was the commander of the vanara forces, attacked the rakshasas like a whirlwind that scatters away even dense clouds. 

The rakshasas fled for their lives. Prahasta had to respond now.

स धनुर्धन्विनां श्रेष्ठो विकृष्य परमाहवे ।

नीलाय व्यसृजद् बाणात् प्रहस्तो वाहनीपतिः ॥

"Then Prahasta, the chief of rakshasa forces, who was foremost among archers, set arrows to his bow fiercely and released them, attacking Nila."

Nila was felled by those serpent-like arrows. Nila was badly hurt. He responded by plucking a huge tree and attacking Prahasta. Prahasta was now struck hard and provoked into great fury. He escalated his attack on Nila. Nila closed his eyes as the arrows came and pierced him all over. With great fortitude, he bore the onslaught. Then he plucked a big palm tree and struck and killed Prahasta's chariot's horses. He also attacked and broke Prahasta's bow itself.

Prahasta now picked up a huge pestle (मुसल) which in his hand was a mighty weapon. He leapt from the chariot and engaged Nila directly. Nila with his trees and Prahasta with his pestle were made for each other. The battle raged violently with each matching the other in speed and dexterity. Valmiki says they fought like two lions.

Prahasta struck Nila on his forehead and as a result, Nila bled profusely. But Nila was undeterred. He struck Prahasta on his chest with a huge tree. Prahasta was unmindful as he chased Nila. Nila understood the force of the attack and suddenly picked up a huge rock. He struck Prahasta with lightning speed on his head. 

Prahasta's head was shattered, and Prahasta died a gory death instantly. The rakshasa warriors were deeply disheartened now and ran back into Lanka, and stood in front of Ravana in a pitiable state describing Prahasta's end.

Nila received the ovation he richly deserved for his heroism, from Sri Rama and everyone around.

***

Ravana repents that he underestimated the enemy. Prahasta who had once defeated Indra was laid low! This enemy was not to be slighted. 

स्वयमेव गमिष्यामि रणशीर्षं तदद्भुतम् - "The time has come, and I shall personally enter this glorious battle!"

अद्य तद्वानरानीकं रामं च सहलक्ष्मणम् ।

निर्दहिष्यामि बाणौघैर्वनं दीप्तैरिवाग्निभिः ॥

अद्य संतर्पयिष्यामि पृथिवीं कपशोणितैः  ।

"I shall burn down the entire vanara army along with Rama and Lakshmana like a raging forest fire destroys the entire forest leaving nothing. I shall perform a sacrificial oblation profusely to the earth with the blood of the vanaras." 

Ravana mounted his wonderful chariot that glowed like a divine vehicle. The whole sight was dazzling as he entered the battlefield. There was a huge tumult of military music announcing Ravana. He was flanked by formidable warriors.

Ravana saw on the battlefield the incredible vanara army, all ready to respond. They were armed with boulders, trees and other heavy objects. 

***

तद्राक्षसानीकमतिप्रचण्ड-

          मालोक्य रामो भुजगेन्द्रबाहुः ।

विभीषणं शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठम्

          उवाच सेनानुगतः पृथुश्रीः    ॥

"Then Sri Rama, whose arms resembled the mighty lord of serpents, who graced the earth with his radiance and valour, addressed the supreme wielder of weapons, Vibhishana, about the magnificent army of rakshasas entering the fray against his own formidable vanara army."

"Oh Vibhishana, I see so many glorious flags and festoons, so many glorious royal umbrellas, So many wonderful weapons wielded by seemingly unconquerable, brave, warriors, with horses, elephants and chariots in plenty - tell me who is leading this rakshasa force?"

Valmiki uses the most poetic metres in this sarga, heralding the supreme rakshasa Ravana himself coming and making a huge impact. The shlokas are all very interesting but I shall leave them for brevity.

 

Vibhishana starts by describing the great warriors around Ravana.

"That mighty warrior on the elephant is Akampana II. There is Indrajit on his chariot, wielding his bow shining like a rainbow. There is Atikaya with his mighty bow. There is Mahodara, roaring like a lion. There is Pishacha on his horse. There is Trishiras, with his trishul. That fearsome warrior is Kumbha.  Here is Nikumbha. Over there is Narantaka. "

असौ किरीटी चलकुण्डास्यो

       नगेन्द्रविन्ध्योपमभीमकायः ।

महेन्द्रवैवस्वतदर्पहन्ता

रक्षोऽधिपः सूर्य इवावभाति        ॥

"And this, Sri Rama, sporting a great crown, with his pendulous earlocks, truly immense like the king of mountains, Vindhya! This is he who tamed the pride of Lord Indra and Lord Yama themselves! This is verily the supreme lord of all rakshasas, Ravana, who is dazzling like the sun!"

Sri Rama expresses his unstinting admiration.

अहो दीप्तमाहातेजा! रावाणो राक्षसेश्वरः!

न व्यक्तं लक्षये ह्यस्य रूपं तेजःसमावृतम्!

देवदानववीराणां नैव एवं विधं भवेत् यादृशं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य वपुरेतद् विराजते!

दिष्ट्या यमद्य पापात्मा मम दृष्टिपथं गतः ।

अद्य क्रोधं विमोक्ष्यामि सीताहरणसम्भवम् ॥

Sri Rama exclaims, " Lo and behold! What a dazzling persona this lord of rakshasas Ravana is! Indeed his lustre makes it difficult for me to perceive him.  He is surrounded by so many formidable warriors, too! I don't think anyone else, either among gods or demons, can come anywhere near Ravana's corporeal radiance.

"Now that this foe has appeared in my sight, see me unleash my fury in battle, occasioned by his heinous act of abducting my Sita!"

Much action ahead!

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Vakmiki Ramayana - December 27

December 27 - Sargas 57 and 58 (only shlokas 1-25) of Yuddha Kanda.

The death of Akampana plunges Ravana into a momentary, dismayed,  introspection. He pulls himself together and proceeds next morning early to view from the high ramparts the status of Lanka's defences. What greets him is the deployment of rakshasa soldiers fiercely guarding Lanka's four gates. At the same time, the sight of the oceanic vanara army surrounding Lanka  is unmissable.

Ravana calls Prahasta to his side. "Look, oh chief! Lanka has been besieged by the enemy.  The city and its people cannot rest until we get rid of them. That task is impossible except for me, Kumbhakarna, and, of course, yourself. The others are Indrajit and Nikumbha. I suggest you now take your entire forces and lead from the front."

नर्दतां राक्षसेन्द्राणां श्रुत्वा नादं द्रविष्यति -"Just hearing the earsplitting cries of the army under your command will drive the enemy to melt away."

"Prahasta, once the vanara army melts away, Sri Rama and Lakshmana will come within your easy grasp.  After all, in war, the outcome, death or life, is not certain. But dying a hero's death is infinitely superior to living on since death is anyway going to come to everyone. Apply your wise and militarily strategic mind and come up with a plan."

Prahasta replies, "Oh, lord! This matter was discussed at length among your advisors and ministers in the council. Many debates took place but nothing was conclusive or unanimous. But let me tell you what I think."

प्रदानेन तु सीतायाः श्रेयो व्यवसितं मया ।

अप्रदाने पुनर्युद्धं दृष्टमेव तथैव नः          ॥

"As I see it, the most favourable outcome will come from restoring Sita to Sri Rama with due ceremony. Otherwise, there will be war again and we have seen its impact on our heroes already."

"Oh, lord! You have many times rewarded me and honoured me generously. I am beholden to you and wish you well always. I don't care much for my life, my people, or my wealth. See how I will now go and fight the battle to end all battles and sacrifice my life."

Saying this, Prahasta orders that all their forces are marshalled quickly. In a couple of hours, the huge rakshasa army assembles around the palace.

The rakshasa warriors propitiate their deities, get blessings from Brahmins, and ready themselves with deadly weapons and shining armours. 

***

Prahasta mounted on a glorious chariot that was splendid, was well-stocked with weapons, was clad in shining armour, and was driven expertly. The chariot made a thunderous sound as it hurtled forward. The accompanying noises of the military band deafened ears and covered all directions.

Prahasta was accompanied by four lieutenants- Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada, and Samunnata.

Prahasta led the march triumphantly like Yama himself at the eastern gate. The tumult of the army advancement shook the denizens of Lanka. There were ill-omens as carrion birds circled overhead in unholy directions. An ugly wind blew hard. The charioteer's whip slipped repeatedly from his hand. The horses stumbled and bit the dust. But all these starting troubles did not deter Prahasta.

***

Prahasta's formidable army met an equally strong vanara contingent with their own weapons - rocks, boulders, huge trees, and more than anything else, bubbling enthusiasm.

Valmiki says Prahasta entered the battlefield much like moths rush to a blazing flame of death.

***

Sri Rama noticed Prahasta on the march. Smilingly, he enquired from Vibhishana who this warrior, huge in size and well-armed, might be and what were his strengths and weaknesses.

"Oh, lord Sri Rama, this is Prahasta, Ravana's chief of the armed forces. He is accompanied by one-third of Lanka's total army. He is fierce in battle and has a formidable reputation. "

As he was saying this, the vanara army saw the enemy, and roaring with great confidence, met the rakshasas on the march. A terrific battle ensued. There were countless fatalities on either side. Whereas the rakshasas killed with swords, maces, and arrows, the vanaras relied on their missiles of trees and rocks and many were able to strike fatal blows with their diamantine open palms.

***

Prahasta's lieutenants attacked with considerable success. Then Dvivida picked up a piece of a mountain and smashed Narantaka to death. The vanara chief Durmuka resorted to a huge tree and killed the dextrous Samunnata. Jambavan struck a fatal blow with a huge rock on the chest of Mahanada. Kumbhahanu did not survive the blow from the vanara chief Tara who struck him with a huge tree.

Prahasta did not take kindly to these acts of the vanara chiefs in killing his lieutenants. He roared as he picked up his bow and started killing the vanaras recklessly with his arrows. The battle was so fierce. valmiki describes that the rakshasa army and the vanara army were both moving in vortex-like movements.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्        ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - December 26

December 26 - Sargas 55 and 56 of Yuddha Kanda.

The story of the battle between the vanaras and the rakshasas moves on inexorably.

Vajradamshtra is dead. Ravana now orders Prahasta, his chief of the rakshasa forces, that Akanpana, someone very loyal to him and one who loves a good battle, should be sent to deal with Sri Rama, Sugriva, and their forces.

Akampana is very enthusiastic. He proceeds to the battle, unmindful of all the ill-omens that come his way. He and his army encounter the vanaras in a darkened, dusty, wind that confuses everyone and the battle proceeds a bit chaotically, the two sides often hurting their own warriors in reduced visibility.

अकम्पनः सुसंकृद्धो राक्षसानां चमूपतिः ।

संहर्षयति तान् सर्वान् राक्षसान् भीमविक्रमान् ॥

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरा हरयः कुमुदो नलः ।

मैन्दश्च द्विविदः क्रुद्धाश्चक्रुर्वेगमनुत्तमम्    ॥

"Akampana was in battle-rage and led the rakshasas. He egged them on to fierce battle, those very rakshasas who were tremendously powerful.

"Meanwhile, the fiercely brave vanaras, Kumuda, Nala, Mainda, and Dvivida, entered the battle in fury and attacked at incredible speed."

Akampana saw how these vanara heroes were decimating his forces. He was not happy. He picked up his mighty bow and told his charioteer that he should drive in the direction where those four vanaras were causing havoc using rocks and trees as weapons. Akampana reminded the charioteer that he was famed as unconquerable. 

Akampana started raining arrows. Soon he was able to scatter the attack from the vanaras.

समीक्ष्य हनूमान्ज्ञातीनुपतस्थे महाबलः - "Seeing what was being done by Akampana to his own vanara fellow-warriors, Hanuman came to confront Akampana."

The vanaras were delighted. They regrouped under Hanuman. 

Akampana beheld a mountain-like huge figure of Hanuman and lost no time in raining arrows on him. Hanuman seemed unmindful of the arrows. Hanuman decided to end Akampana's life. He roared a mighty laughter-like roar, stomped the earth that shook under his feet, and rushed forward.  He looked like a huge fire-ball.  Suddenly Hanuman realized he had no weapon in hand. It took him little time to pluck a huge mountain that he then spun in the air fiercely, ready to throw it at Akampana. As he released it, Akampana shot a crescent-tipped arrow that went and blew the mountain to smithereens! Hanuman was enraged. He plucked out a huge Ashvakarna tree and using it as a spinning weapon, he started decimating whoever among rakshasas were nearby. He rushed to Akampana and his thighs struck the air and made a terrific noise. The rakshasas started running away. 

Akampana now shot sixteen arrows that pierced Hanuman. Hanuman bled and resembled a huge tree in bloom. He also looked like a smokeless blaze. Hanuman now picked up another tree at lightning speed and struck Akampana so quickly that the rakshasa had no time to respond. 

Akampana was smashed to death. The rakshasas ran away for their lives and sought shelter within Lanka. Valmiki describes their pitiable state, covered as they were with blood, sweat, and tears.

समेत्य हरयः सर्वे हनूमन्तमपूजयन् । All the vanaras surrounded Hanuman and bowed down to him in celebration.

This is what Valmiki says happened at that moment. Hanuman in turn congratulated and felicitated all the vanaras! 

सोऽपि प्रवृद्धस्तान्सर्वान् हरीन् सम्प्रत्यपूजयत् ।

हनूमान् सत्त्वसम्पन्नो यथार्हमनुकूलतः          ॥

"The mighty Hanuman, big in physical as well as mental stature, in turn, celebrated the vanaras. Hanuman was full of true valour and nobility and behaved most appropriately with each vanara warrior!"

स वीरशोभामभजन्महाकपिः 

समेत्य रक्षांसि निहत्य मारुतिः ।

माहासुरं भीमममित्रनाशनं 

विष्णुर्यथैवोरुबलं चमूमुखे     ॥

"That great vanara Hanuman, brilliant with his military might, thus destroyed the formidable rakshasa foes by taking the attack to their home ground, much like Mahavishnu destroyed in battle the formidable demons who tyrannized the world."

The gods in heavens, Sri Rama himself along with Lakshmana, Sugriva and other chiefs, as well as Vibhishana, greatly honoured and celebrated the invincible hero Hanuman."

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्       ॥      

     

Akarma.Life - The Life Natural Way

 

Thanks to my good friend, Sundar, I came to know a special person, Ananth. He runs the Sadhana Farm at Akarma.Life, a short distance from Pollachi. Over 50 acres of land, he and his team have created a forest-like place starting from a barren ground in about 12 years. He practises and teaches Life Natural, more about which you can find out in https://www.Akarma.Life.

I have battled diabetes, hypertension and hypothyroidism for 16 years, with good meds and adhering to doctor's orders. I had ballooned into 94 kg by 2014.

I went to Freedom from Dabetes Transformational Reversal Program near Pune in 2019 Dec. It was an eye-opener in many ways:

1. Diabetes Type II is actually about insulin resistance of body cells.
2. Raised Sugar in the blood means that the insulin gateways in the cells that need to be open for insulin to come in and metabolise the blood sugar into cells are blocked.
3. The reasons for insulin gateway blockage are a. Inflammation. b. fat in the cells c. Dairy (yes, milk is a killer) d. Toxins e. Stress.
4. The way to reversal is to cut down on carbs, eat lots of raw vegetables, count your calories, exercise well, meditate and watch yourself into a serenity of life to destress. By removing toxins and nitric oxide from your cells, by eating right, and then staying fit, you can reverse diabetes.

My results :- I dropped 80% meds, dropped 15 kg (90kg Nov. 2019 - 75 kg Sep.2021), brought HBA1c from 8.3 to 6.1 (July 2010 readings).

I gained some 3 kg by Nov 2021 due to eating excesses and socialising. 

I decided to do something. I went to Life Natural at Sadhana Farm. I was introduced to their way of life by great volunteers and Ananth whom I call Vadhyar. They run successful IT businesses, live Life Natural, tend the farm, and have a blast all the time. I simply love them.

I spent one week there with my better half also there, busy with her veena and walks. She didn't like the cats running around everywhere including in the kitchen but otherwise she loved it.

Here is my status report after 30 days.

• I eat only one solid meal with cooked cereals and pulses everyday. I eat fruit (monofruit) for breakfast and salads at the third meal.
• I do yoga 6 days a week.
• I start the day with green juice or pumpkin juice.
• I have stayed 90% off coffee. I had anyway stopped dairy since Dec.2019.
• I have dropped 65% of my sugar nd BP meds since Nov. 2021. That means from 80% I have gone to 93% or so of meds reduction (since Nov.2019  when I enrolled for Freedom from Diabetes).
• I have dropped to 72.7 kg ( 5.4 kg in one month since Nov16, 2021).
• My HBA1c is 6.1 as per yesterday's test. My BP, cholesterol and creatinine are great.

I hope to drop my Thyroid meds also.

Life Natural, Thank you! Vadhyar Ananth, Thank you!

PS: Life Natural is NOT ABOUT NUMBERS! It is the way to live life such that the God-given life force vitality in the body nourishes and heals itself without external meds in the most creative and fulfilling and life-inclusive way. Destress, Detox, Demedicate, Do meditate and do eat right!

Valmiki Ramayana - December 25

December 25 - Sargas 53 and 54 of Yuddha Kanda. 

Ravana is very upset that Dhumraksha has been killed by Hanuman in battle. Now he calls upon Vajradamshtra, a formidable rakshasa warrior with many special powers, to go and kill Sri Rama, Sugriva, and the entire vanara army.

Valmiki describes the glory of Vajradamshtra's entry into battle in some detail. 

नागैरश्वैः खरैरुष्ट्रैः संयुक्तः सुसमाहितः । पताकाध्वजचित्रैश्च बहुभिः समलङ्कृतः ॥

ततो विचित्रकेयूरमुकुटेन विभूषितः । तनुत्रं च समावृत्य सधनु्र्निर्ययौ द्रुतम्       ॥

"Vajradamshtra took a huge army that rode on elephants, horses, donkeys/mules, and camels, and was fully equipped with deadly weapons, with flags and festoons being carried by the many rakshasas accompanying him. He wore a splendid crown studded with gems, and wore a great armour on his chest. He carried his mighty bow and proceeded quickly to battle."

To the accompaniment of war cries and many martial instruments like drums and bugles punctuating his forward thrust, Varjradamshtra looked forward to a deadly battle he would surely win. There were again many terrible unmistakably evil omens all portending defeat and death for the rakshasas. The rakshasas were disheartened, but Vajradamshtra was unfazed.

They went to the southern gate, where awaited the big vanara army under the leadership of Angada.

I shall spare you the gory details, but many were killed on both sides. Whereas Angada resorted to huge trees and rocks and pointedly killed many rakshasa warriors, Vajradamshtra also had a field day destroying many vanaras. Both the well-armed rakshasas and the very powerful vanaras were provoked into a battle-unto-death defiance, and attacked one another fiercely. The mother earth was strewn with corpses of men and animals and all their broken armour and discarded weapons presented a macabre sight.

विस्फार्य च धनुर्घोरं शक्राशनिसमप्रभम् ।

वानराणामनीकानि प्राकिरच्छरवृष्टिभिः ॥ 

"Vajradamshtra twanged his deadly bow and wielded it as effectively as Indra's thunderbolt. He rained arrows on the vanara army."

But soon, the vanaras got the upper hand and the rakshasas started scattering in fear. Vajradamshtra now escalated his killing of vanaras. The vanaras then ran to Angada to protect them. 

वज्रदम्ष्ट्रोऽङ्गदश्चोभौ योयुध्येते परस्परम् ।

चेरतुः परमकृद्धौ हरिमत्तगजाविव         ॥

'Then began a direct confrontation between Vajradamshtra and Angada. They fought unto death like a lion king and a tusker elephant in rut. "

Vajradamshtra shot a hundred thousand arrows at Angada. Angada threw a huge tree at him. But the rakshasa was fearless and cut that tree in half with his arrows. Then Angada despatched a huge rock aimed at the foe. But Vajradamshtra jumped in time from his chariot, mace in hand, only to see his chariot and its horses all destroyed. 

Angada now brought a piece of a mountain with flowering trees on it intact. He released it with such force that the rakshasa was hit and collapsed. But soon he recovered, and taking Angada unawares, directed his mace that found its target on Angada's chest. 

The two started fighting now with fists. Each rained deadly blows on the other. Valmiki says that the battle reminded one of the fight between Kuja and Budha. Both were spewing blood. 

Angada now brought a tree full of flowers and fruits. He himself looked now like a big tree. Vajradamshtra attacked him with a glittering sword. Both were untiring and fought with skill and speed. This went on for some time. Valmiki says that at one point both were bleeding all over and looked like the palasha tree with its red flowers.  They both had to take a knee owing to fatigue. But Angada suddenly leapt in the blink of an eye and struck Vajradamshtra with a lethal sword and cut off his head in one swell swoop. The rakshasa rolled onto the ground, and lay dead.

The rakshasas ran back into Lanka, fearing for their lives. The vanaras celebrated their triumphant leader Angada just like the hero Indra was once celebrated by the devas.

***

॥              श्रीरामजयम्             ॥ 

 

Vakmiki Ramayana - December 24

December 24 - Sargas 51 and 52 of Yuddha Kanda.

तेषां तु तुमुलं तदा शुश्राव रावणः - The uproar of the vanara army was heard along with his courtiers by Ravana.

सुव्यक्तं महती प्रीतिरेतेषां विपुलैर्नादैश्चुक्षुभे लवणार्णवः - Ravana said, "It is quite clear that the vanaras are supremely delighted, observing their uproar that seems to have stirred up the ocean into a high tide!"

Ravana wonders how the vanaras can be celebratory when their two heroes Sri Rama and Lakshmana are lying down, bound by nagapasha. He asks his chiefs to investigate the cause for this at once. They rush to the top of the outer wall and behold to their astonishment that Sri Rama and Lakshmana have broken free of the nagapasha and the vanara army is about to attack.

***

The chiefs were mortified to know that the enemy was resurgent. They were equally afraid of provoking Ravana. So they chose their words carefully to break the news. 

"Oh, Lord! Rama and Lakshmana have broken free like tusker elephants from their bonds. "

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां राक्षसेन्द्रो महाबलः ।

चिन्ताशोकसमाक्रान्तो ववर्ण वदनोऽभवत् ॥

"Hearing this, the lord of rakshasas, mighty Ravana, was plunged into worry and the colour was drained from his face." 

घोरैर्दत्तवरैर्बद्धौ शरैराशीविषोपमैः ।

अमोघैः सूर्यसङ्काशैः प्रमथ्यैन्द्रजिता युधि ॥

तदस्रबन्धमासाद्य यदि मुक्तौ रिपू मम ।

संशयस्थमिदं सर्वमनुपश्याम्यहं बलम्  ॥

"Those deadly arrows, endowed with fatal poisons of fearsome serpents, specially empowered by boons, and infallible always, glowing like the sun, were used by Indrajit to bind these two brothers.  How did my enemies break free from those deadly weaponized bonds? Indeed, this whole matter is now suspicious. I have to completely reassess the forces we are up against."

Ravana had always resorted to such weapons, and they had never let him down. But today, they had become null and void. Ravana breathed like a hissing serpent in anger and agitation. 

***

Ravana now sent for Dhumraksha. He called him भीमविक्रम - Fearsome warrior, endowed with great powers. He ordered Dhumraksha to go at once and kill Sri Rama and the vanaras and report back.

Dhumraksha went with great enthusiasm to the palace gate and exclaimed to the rakshasa army commander, त्वरयस्व बलं शीघ्रम् - "Get our forces into attack mode at once! No delay!"

The rakshasa forces were ready to strike at the enemy with their whole array of deadly weapons.  

They made loud noises as they advanced. Valmiki describes how these rakshasas left on their chariots, horses, and elephants in full battle readiness. Dhumraksha himself boarded a divine chariot.  He was roaring in anticipatory delight. He went to the western gate, where Hanuman waited with the vanara army.

Valmiki says that Dhumraksha's chariot was drawn by grotesque donkey-like creatures with devilish faces and he also brayed like a donkey. He did not first notice all the ill-omens that were present all around him.

But when all the rakshasas were alarmed at the darkening skies and the reddish rain that poured, even Dhumraksha was disheartened. But he went ahead regardless. He saw the huge vanara army waiting for a big fight.

***

A terrific battle ensued. There was a clash of huge trees launched by vanaras meeting with maces and tridents and lances of the rakshasas. There were many casualties on both sides. The rakshasas shot fierce arrows and attacked the vanaras. This only infuriated the vanaras who escalated their attacks. They started smashing the rakshasas proclaiming their own names in victory. The vanaras had the upper hand.

Dhumraksha started reversing the fortunes. He killed so many vanaras that there was a river of their blood. Vanaras began to die gruesome deaths or they ran away. The battlefield was soon filled with corpses. Valmiki says that the battle produced an eerie kind of music macabre in its import and gutwrenching in its spectacle.

Hanuman saw what was happening. He lifted a huge boulder and rushed towards Dhumraksha. Hanuman had reddish eyes spewing rage and he moved like his father, the Wind-god, as he smashed Dhumraksha's chariot with that huge boulder.

Dhumraksha was just in time as he jumped out of his chariot, his gada upraised. Once Hanuman's rock hit his chariot, everything - the vehicle and its horses, were all smashed to the ground.  Hanuman used trees and huge branches and unsparingly attacked the other rakshasas. 

पपात सहसा भूमौ विकीर्ण इव पर्वतः।
धूम्राक्षं निहतं दृष्ट्वा हतशेषा निशाचराः।
त्रस्ताः प्रविविशुर्लङ्कां वध्यमानाः प्लवंगमैः॥

स तु पवनसुतो निहत्य शत्रून्
क्षतजवहाः सरितश्च संविकीर्य।
रिपुवधजनितश्रमो महात्मा
मुदमगमत् कपिभिः सुपूज्यमानः॥

Then Hanuman picked up a huge, mountainous rock. He rushed towards Dhumraksha. Dhumraksha counterattacked. Dhumraksha's gada ( mace) had deadly spikes and struck Hanuman with a big blow on his head. But Hanuman was unfazed. He launched his rock at Dhumraksha. That one blow with that piece of the mountain completely destroyed Dhumraksha and there was nothing left of him. The rakshasas saw this and ran away. Hanuman was victorious.

The son of the Wind God was exhausted by the battle as he crossed gingerly the river of blood flowing in the battlefield, and cheered up as he was heralded by all the respectful vanaras after his huge victory. 

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्            ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - December 23

December 23 - Sarga 50 of Yuddha Kanda.

Garuda comes and releases Sri Rama and Lakshmana from nagapasha and gives them renewed vigour and vitality.

***

Vibhishana moves about stridently with his gada (mace) trying to marshall the vanara forces. Unfortunately, the vanaras are so distressed that many of them mistake him for Indrajit and start scattering in extreme fear.

Sugriva is annoyed and unable to understand the chaos. Then Angada attributes it to the fact that Sri Rama and Lakshmana seem to be breathing their last, thereby completely destroying the motivation and warrior spirit of the large army.

Then Sugriva discovers the problem. He tells Jambavan

विभीषणोऽयं सम्प्राप्तो यं दृष्ट्वा वानरर्षभाः ।

विद्रवन्त्या परित्रस्ता रावणात्मजशङ्कया   ॥

"Look, here comes Vibhishana, a huge warrior carrying his gada. Seeing him, the vanara warriors are scattering in utter fear, mistaking him for his nephew and Ravana's son, Indrajit!"

The misunderstanding is soon dispelled by Jambavan with loud and clear instructions that it is Vibhishana alone and the vanaras should regroup properly.

Meanwhile, when Vibhishana comes to the spot where Sri Rama and Lakshmana are lying flat, pierced by a network of arrows, he feels very distressed. He says,

भ्रातुः पुत्रेण चैतेन दुष्पुत्रेण दुरात्मना ।

राक्षस्या जिह्मया बुद्ध्या वञ्चितावृजुविक्रमौ ॥

"My brother's evil son has employed crooked methods of demonic warfare and defeated these two glorious warriors who always fought with righteous methods (without deceit)."

सुप्तौ दृष्येते शल्यकाविव - "Alas! These two now look like two porcupines, with all those arrows studded into their bodies!"

ययोर्वीर्यमुपाश्रित्य प्रतिष्ठा काङ्क्षिता मया ताविमौ देहनाशाय प्रसुप्तौ पुरुषर्षभौ - "On these two brothers' valour I had pinned my hope of getting my regal status again. Now, these two supreme warriors are lying down courting death!"

Vibhishana needs consolation, which comes from a sure Sugriva. He says, " Vibhishana, don't be disheartened! Do you think Ravana will have his way

!?"

गरुडाधिष्ठितावुभौ राघवलक्ष्मणौ त्यक्त्वा मोहं वधिष्येते रावणं रणे - "Sri Rama and Lakshmana will ride on Lord Garuda as their vehicle after getting rid of their malaise. They will destroy Ravana in battle. Sri Rama will crown you and return triumphantly to Ayodhya with his queen Sita."

***

Now Sugriva approached his father-in-law, the vanara chief Sushena. He advised him that without delay, Sushena should carefully transport the two fallen warriors Sri Rama and Lakshmana to the safe haven of Kishkindha and watch over their revival. Sugriva will in the meanwhile lead the vanara army and defeat and kill Ravana and all his folk. He will release Sita and bring her to Kishkindha.

Sushena is an elderly vanara who has seen much action in his days. He avers that there is a way to revive the brothers now itself. He recalls the ancient big battle between devas and asuras. Asuras always resorted to their occult tricks and tied up the gods in nagapasha again and again. The devas looked lifeless as they lay flat under the onslaught of the asura magical weapons. Then Brihaspati, the guru of devas, sent for some special medicinal herbs in the Himalayan mountains and restored the devas to their full health. Right now, the vanara chiefs Sampati and Panasa should proceed quickly to the mountain peak on the bank of the Kshirasagara (which was churned for Amrita or lifegiving ambrosia by the devas and asuras long ago.)  In fact, Hanuman should at once proceed to the two peaks Chandra and Drona on the banks of the kshirasagara. The life-giving herbs Sanjivakarani (life-restorer) and Vishalyakarani (remover of weapons and their injuries) have been created and placed there by Lord Brahma himself. Hanuman should immediately fetch those herbs to revive Sri Rama and Lakshmana.

Just as this important conversation between Sugriva and Sushena is underway, there is a sudden maelstrom of wind and all-round perturbance. The serpents and snakes in Lanka are all agitated and running helter-skelter. The mountains shake and the ocean displays stormy waves.

ततो मुहूर्तात् गरुडं वैनतेयं महाबलम्  ।

वानराः ददृशुः सर्वे ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्  ॥

'Then the vanaras beheld in disbelief the incredible persona of Lord Garuda, son of Vinata, arrive and descend from the skies, glowing like a blazing fire."

(Note: We know how Sita compared Hanuman to the Wind-god Vayu and Garuda. Garuda is a god in the form of a giant eagle-like bird, unconquerable, and divinely empowered to be the vehicle of Mahavishnu. He is the ultimate source of fear for the entire snake and serpent world from time immemorial. His loyalty and deeds of valour are everywhere in our Puranas.)

ततः सुपर्णः काकुत्स्थौ स्पृष्ट्वा प्रत्यभिनन्द्य च ।

विममर्श च पाणिभ्यां मुखे चन्द्रसमप्रभे        ॥

वैनतेयेन संस्पृष्टास्तयोः संरुरुहुर्व्रणाः ।

सवर्णे च तनू स्निग्धे तयोराशु बभूवतुः ॥

तेजो वीर्यं बलं चौज उत्साहश्च महागुणाः ।

प्रदर्शनं च बुद्धिश्च स्मृतिश्च द्विगुणा तयोः ॥

"The golden-winged Garuda went directly to Sri Rama and Lakshmana and touched them with his wings. He touched them and wished them felicitously, and wiped their moon-like radiant faces with his wings. As soon as they were touched by Garuda, the two brothers' injuries completely disappeared. The arrows which were indeed deadly serpents vanished. The brothers' radiant colour came back to their bodies, and they woke up most cheerfully. Their glowing prowess, physical strength, military might, enthusiasm, and all their famed qualities, as well as their intellect and memory, came back doubled."

Garuda now warmly embraced both the brothers. Sri Rama was very cheerful as he spoke.

भवत्प्रसादाद् "Oh Lord! By your grace, the extreme danger and distress we were subjected to from the attack by Indrajit have been dispelled! We have been instantly restored fully! My heart gladdens as I am meeting you as if I have met my glorious father King Dasharatha or my grandfather." को भवान् रूपसंपन्नः "Pray, tell me, sir! Who are you indeed? You are looking divine and are adorned with divine ornaments!"

Garuda looked at Sri Rama most affectionately as he replied. 

अहं सखा ते काकुत्स्थ प्रियः प्राणो बहिश्चरः   ।

गरुत्मानिह सम्प्राप्तो युवयोः साह्यकारणात्    ॥

"Oh dear Sri Rama! I am your close friend. I am dear to you like your own life, your alter-ego. I am Garuda! I have come here expressly to revive you both."

Garuda discloses that he came to know in heaven of their predicament and came instantly. Garuda says that none else,  neither Indra, nor all the gods and gandharvas or anyone else could have released them from these nagapasha bonds. The demons fight a deadly battle and use all evil forces to subjugate the enemy. The nagapasha is nothing but the highly poisonous serpent children of Kadru and they had attacked Sri Rama and Lakshmana in the form of arrows when invoked by Indrajit. 

Garuda congratulates Sri Rama that he along with his brother has been revived quickly and restored fully, thanks to Sri Rama's good luck ( his own innate powers?) . They should be very watchful in future, too. They should realise that the rakshasas will fight only using magical weapons, unlike Sri Rama and Lakshmana who use only righteous weapons. 

Garuda wants to bid goodbye. He embraces Sri Rama and says that when the war is won, Sri Rama will realize their unique relationship. He assures Sri Rama of his certain victory over Ravana and the happy restoration of Sita.

Garuda circumambulates Sri Rama reverentially and flies away at a great speed. 

The vanara chiefs are extremely glad to see their two lords Sri Rama and Lakshmana fully restored and leading them again. There are leonine roars of confidence and the vanaras get ready for the attack on Lanka again, gathering their weapons of boulders and huge trees. Their loud battle cries ring in echoes from all the directions.

***

॥             श्रीरामजयम्           ॥