Part 4: Slaying of Ravana and Rama's Coronation
As narrated by Grandpa and edited by Arlene Hunter
Courtesy of the Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants
When Ravana heard from his messengers that Rama had already arrived at Mahendra Hill,
and was preparing to cross the ocean to Lanka, he summoned his ministers for advice. They
unanimously decided to fight Rama to his death. To them, Ravana was indestructible and
they, undefeatable. Only Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, was cautious and
opposed to this.
Vibhishana said, "Brother Ravana, you must return the chaste woman, Sita, to her
husband, Rama, seek his forgiveness and restore peace."
Ravana became upset with Vibhishana and told him to leave the kingdom of Lanka.
Vibhishana, through his magical power, reached Mahendra Hill and sought permission to
meet Rama. The monkeys were suspicious but took him to Rama as a captive. Vibhishana
explained to Rama all that happened in Ravana's court and sought his asylum. Rama gave him
sanctuary and Vibhishana became the closest adviser to Rama in the war against Ravana.
Rama promised Vibhishana to make him the future king of Lanka.
To reach Lanka, Rama decided to build a bridge with the help of
the monkey engineer Nala. He also summoned Varuna, the God of the Ocean, to cooperate by
staying calm while the bridge was in the making. Immediately thousands of monkeys set
about the task of gathering the materials to build the bridge. When the materials were
piled up in heaps, Nala, the great architect, started to build the bridge. It was a
stupendous undertaking. But the entire monkey army worked hard and completed the bridge in
just five days. The army crossed over to Lanka.
After crossing the ocean, Rama sent Angada, the son of Sugrive,
to Ravana as a messenger. Angada went to Ravana's court and delivered Rama's message,
"Return Sita with honor or face destruction." Ravana became enraged and ordered
him out of the court immediately.
Angada returned with Ravana’s message and preparation for the war began. The next
morning Rama ordered the monkey army to attack. The monkeys rushed forward and hurled huge
boulders against the city walls and gates. The battle continued for a long time. Thousands
were dead on each side and the ground soaked in blood.
When Ravana's army was losing, Indrajeet, Ravana's son, took the command. He had the
ability to fight while staying invisible. His arrows tied up Rama and Lakshmana with
serpents. The monkeys began to run with the fall of their leaders. Suddenly, Garuda, the
king of the birds, and the sworn enemy of the serpents, came to their rescue. All of the
snakes slithered away leaving the two brave brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, free.
Hearing this, Ravana himself came forward. He hurled the powerful missile, Shakti, at
Lakshmana. It descended like a fierce thunderbolt and hit hard at Lakshmana's chest.
Lakshmana fell down senseless.
Rama wasted no time to come forward and challenged Ravana himself. Following a fierce
fight Ravana's chariot was smashed and Ravana was sorely wounded. Ravana stood helpless
before Rama whereupon Rama took pity on him and said, "Go and rest now. Return
tomorrow to resume our fight." In the mean time Lakshmana recovered. 
Ravana was shamed and called upon his brother, Kumbhakarna for assistance. Kumbhakarna
had the habit of sleeping for six months at a time. Ravana ordered him to be awakened.
Kumbhakarna was in a deep sleep and it took the beating of drums, piercing of sharp
instruments and elephants walking on him to awaken him. He was informed of Rama's invasion
and Ravana's orders. After eating a mountain of food, Kumbhakarna appeared in the
battlefield. He was huge and strong. When he approached the monkey army, like a walking
tower, the monkeys took to their heels in terror. Hanuman called them back and challenged
Kumbhakarna. A great fight ensued until Hanuman was wounded. Kumbhakarna headed towards
Rama, ignoring the attack of Lakshmana and others. Even Rama found Kumbhakarna difficult
to kill. Rama finally discharged the powerful weapon that he obtained from the wind God,
Pavana. Kumbhakarna fell dead.
Hearing the news of his brother's death, Ravana swooned away. After he recovered, he
lamented for a long time and then called Indrajeet. Indrajeet consoled him and promised to
defeat the enemy quickly.
Indrajeet began to engage in the battle safely hidden behind the clouds and invisible
to Rama. Rama and Lakshmana seemed to be helpless to kill him, as he could not be located.
Arrows came from all directions and finally one of the powerful arrows hit Lakshmana.
Everyone thought this time Lakshmana was dead and Sushena, the physician of the Vanara
army, was called. He declared that Lakshmana was only in a deep coma and instructed
Hanuman to leave immediately for Gandhamadhana Hill, located near the Himalayas.
Gandhamadhana Hill grew the special medicine, called Sanjibani, that was needed to
revive Lakshmana. Hanuman lifted himself in the air and traveled the entire distance from
Lanka to Himalaya and reached the Gandhamadhana Hill. As he was unable to locate the herb,
he lifted the entire mountain and carried it to Lanka. Sushena immediately applied the
herb and Lakshmana regained consciousness. Rama was relieved and the battle resumed.
This time Indrajeet played a trick on Rama and his army. He rushed forward in his
chariot and created an image of Sita through his magic. Catching the image of Sita by the
hair, Indrajeet beheaded Sita in front of the entire army of the Vanaras. Rama collapsed.
Vibhishana came to his rescue. When Rama came to senses Vibhishana explained that it was
only a trick played by Indrajeet and that Ravana would never allow Sita to be killed.
Vibhishana further explained to Rama that Indrajeet was realizing his limitations to
kill Rama. Hence he would soon perform a special sacrificial ceremony in order to acquire
that power. If successful, he would become invincible. Vibhishana suggested Lakshmana
should go immediately to obstruct that ceremony and slay Indrajeet before he became
invisible again.
Rama accordingly sent Lakshmana, accompanied by Vibhishana and Hanuman. They soon
reached the spot where Indrajeet was engaged in performing the sacrifice. But before the
Rakshasa prince could complete it, Lakshmana attacked him. The battle was fierce and
finally Lakshmana severed Indrajeet's head from his body. Indrajeet fell dead.
With the fall of Indrajeet, Ravana’s spirit was in complete despair. He wailed
most piteously but sorrow soon gave way to anger. He furiously rushed to the battlefield
to conclude the long drawn fight against Rama and his army. Forcing his way, past
Lakshmana, Ravana came face to face with Rama. The fight was intense. Finally Rama used
his Brahmastra, repeated the mantras as taught by Vashishtha, and hurled it with all his
might towards Ravana. The Brahmastra whizzed through the air emitting scorching flames and
then pierced the heart of Ravana. Ravana fell dead from his chariot. The Rakshasas stood
silent in amazement. They could scarcely believe their eyes. The end was so sudden and
final.
After Ravana's death, Vibhishana was duly crowned as king of Lanka. The message of
Rama's victory was sent to Sita. Happily she bathed and came to Rama in a palanquin.
Hanuman and all other monkeys came to pay their respect. Meeting Rama, Sita was overcome
by her joyous emotion. Rama, however, seemed to be far away in thought.
At length Rama spoke, "I am happy to rescue you from the hands of Ravana but you
have lived a year in enemy's abode. It is not proper that I should take you back
now."
Sita could not believe what Rama said. Bursting in tears Sita asked, "Was that my
fault? The monster carried me away against my wishes. While in his residence, my mind and
my heart were fixed on my Lord, Rama, alone."
Sita felt deeply grieved and decided to end her life in the fire.
She turned to Lakshmana and with tearful eyes she implored him to
prepare the fire. Lakshmana looked at his elder brother, hoping for some type of reprieve,
but there was no sign of emotion on Rama’s face and no words came from his mouth. As
instructed, Lakshmana built a large fire. Sita reverently walked around her husband and
approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she addressed Agni, the God
of fire, "If I am pure, O fire, protect me." With these words Sita stepped into
the flames, to the horror of the spectators.
Then Agni, whom Sita invoked, arose from the flames and gently lifted Sita unharmed,
and presented her to Rama.
"Rama!" addressed Agni, "Sita is spotless and pure at heart. Take her to
Ayodhya. People are waiting there for you." Rama delightfully received her.
"Don't I know she is pure? I had to test her for the sake of the world so that the
truth may be known to all."
Rama and Sita were now reunited and ascended on a air chariot (Pushpaka Viman),
along with Lakshmana to return to Ayodhya. Hanuman went ahead to apprise Bharata of their
arrival.
When the party reached Ayodhya, the entire city was waiting to receive them. Rama was
coronated and he took up the reins of government much to the great joy of his subjects.
As of today, the celebrations of Navaratri, Dasshera and Dewali
come sequentially. Navaratri marks the beginning of
Rama's prayer to Goddess Durga to obtain the divine power to kill Ravana. Then Rama
received the divine power on the eighth day of Navaratri (Ashthami).
Finally, Ravana was killed on the day of Dasshera. Diwali
celebrates Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya and his coronation.
