August 31 - Sargas 69 and 70 of Aranya Kanda.
As Sri Rama and Lakshmana proceed in the very dense forest looking for Sita, they encounter a strange rakshasa with a huge headless body who captures them in his massive outstretched arms. With great difficulty, the brothers are able to cut off his limbs and free themselves.
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As Sri Rama proceeds with Lakshmana in the dense forest, they enter a region so dense and dark as a dark cloud. They see also a huge cave with no light at all. A monstrous demoness by the name of Ayomukhi emerges and catches hold of Lakshmana. She quickly confesses that she shall be his consort forever and they will have a good time roaming in the mountains and along rivers. Not amused, Lakshmana takes out his sword and angrily cuts off that repulsive monster's ears, nose, and breasts. Ayomukhi runs away, screaming.
Lakshmana sees many bad omens. He tells Sri Rama that some trouble is afoot but he also sees from the strange cries of birds that they will emerge victorious in war.
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There is a very big explosion of sound like that of a thunderstorm.
तं शब्दं काङ्क्षमाणास्तु रामः खड्गी सहानुजः ।
ददर्श सुमहाकायं राक्षसं विपुलोरसम् ॥
विवृद्धमशिरोग्रीवं कबन्धमुदरोमुखम् ।
"Looking around with wonder for the source of that explosion, Sri Rama, his sword in hand, his brother by his side, saw a very huge rakshasa, with a huge chest, without a neck or head. The demon had his mouth and eyes in his huge belly."
Kabandha, for that was the name of that the rakshasa, was devouring all wild animals, smacking his lips. He now stretched his mile-long arms and caught hold of Sri Rama and Lakshmana in a terrible bind. Sri Rama didn't panic at once, but Lakshmana did. He cried out to Sri Rama, "Oh Rama, I suggest you offer me as a sacrifice to this demon and free yourself. I shall be happy as you will find Sita and return to Ayodhya."
Sri Rama would have none of it. Then the monster spoke. He expressed surprise that strangers in the forest, two weapon-wielding strong men had arrived, and would soon become his meal.
Now Sri Rama also mused how Destiny was cruelly placing them in one crisis after another, with no sign of Sita yet. As both the brothers were expressing dismay, Lakshmana decided to act. At his suggestion, the brothers swiftly pulled out their swords and cut off the demon's arms that were holding them.
The monster Kabandha fell to earth, bleeding profusely. Now Lakshmana introduced Sri Rama as the prince of Ayodhya, son of King Dasharatha, and himself as his younger brother Lakshmana.
Kabandha was very happy to hear this. He had been told by Lord Indra that when the two brothers Sri Rama and Lakshmana would arrive and cut off his limbs, it would signal that the moment for his liberation from this miserable form had arrived.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
