Ravana Enters the Battlefield

 Ravana Enters the Battlefield

The Vanara army saw Rama and Lakshmana cured and cheered, their morale and faith restored. They entered the battle in earnest, ready to face the most dreaded Rakshasa commanders, and even Ravana himself.

The sounds of the Vanaras cheering reached Ravana and the king mused, "The roars of the Vanara army sound like thunder. It seems clear that they are celebrating some great joy. If the brothers are truly dead, then this does not seem apt.” At his command, a Rakshasa climbed atop the rampart and saw the triumphant Vanaras alongside Sugriva, and Rama and Lakshmana freed from the effects of Indrajit's divine weapons: Ravana grew concerned when he heard the news. The effects of Indrajit's terrible arrows were unfailing, but his enemies were free and this would cast doubts over his entire army's competence.

Hanuman's triumph

Enraged, he commanded Dhumraksha to kill Rama. Terrible omens followed the Rakshasa warrior as he left for the western gate, where Hanuman stood. Blood showered from the sky, the ground shook, and the wind blew unfavourably. Yet, the Rakshasa army fought with renewed energy because Dhumraksha was with them. When a charge of Vanaras beat them back, Dhumraksha jumped into the tray and chased them away with a shower of arrows. Dhumraksha met his match when he laced Hanuman, who killed him in a duel.

The vicious Rakshasa general Akampana entered the battlefield and soon, bodies carpeted the earth, which was drenched in blood. The Vanara generals, Kumuda. Nala, and Mainda fought Akampana, but he was stronger than all of them. Finally, Hanuman intervened and killed Akampana.

The king of the Rakshasas

After Hanuman made quick work of the Rakshasa general Pratiasta, Ravana decided it was time to enter the battle. He set out on a chariot with mighty horses, to the sound of drums. Seeing him. Rama asked Vibhishana, "Whose army comes now, fearless and steady?" Vibhishana identified the commanders and said, "The crowned one, Immense as the Vindhyas, is Ravana, blazing like the sun."

Rama exclaimed in admiration, "Ah! The lord of Rakshasas is radiant! I know of no other being that possesses such brilliance."

A vicious onslaught

Sugriva laced the mighty king first, but soon fell to a powerful arrow. Lakshmana stopped Rama from entering the battle and stepped forward instead. Meanwhile, Hanuman approached Ravana's chariot and struck the king with an open palm.

Ravana whirled like the earth during an earthquake, much to the delight of the sages and gods who watched the battle. The 10-headed king praised Hanuman's strength, but the Vanara replied with disdain, "Fie upon my strength, for you still live!" Ravana struck back with equal power and left Hanuman disoriented. Nila joined the fight too and took on a tiny form. He leapt onto Ravana's chariot, and attacked the king until he was shot as well.

Clash of the Titans

Lakshmana approached Ravana and challenged him, and they exchanged arrows. Some found their mark and pierced Lakshmana. Once, he briefly lost grip of his bow, but swiftly regained his strength and broke Ravana's bow with an arrow.

The king then hurled a blazing javelin at him. The prince tried to deflect them with arrows, yet, it struck him in the chest, and he fell.

It was then that he remembered that he was a quarter of Vishnu and could not be harmed. It was why Ravana, who could lift Mount Kailasa, could not pick up Lakshmana.

Hanuman, however, saw Lakshmana injured, grew angry and attacked Ravana. Не struck him with his fist, like lightning, and the king of Lanka trembled and fell to his knees. Hanuman then lifted Lakshmana in his arms - his affection and devotion helping him-and took him to Rama.

Rama's grace

Once Lakshmana recovered, Rama decided to enter the battle. Seeing this, Hanuman said, "Ride into battle on my back and fight Ravana." And so, Rama rode into battle on Hanuman's back. Seeing Ravana, he said, "There is nowhere you can go to save yourself." In retaliation, Ravana shot and injured Hanuman. Rama grew angry and destroyed Ravana's chariot and charioteer before turning his bow on Ravana. The mighty king of the Rakshasas, who did not so much as flinch at Indra's blows, trembled and dropped his bow. Rama shattered his crown and said, "You have fought bravely, but are exhausted. I shall not kill you at this moment." Left alive, the Rakshasa king retreated ignominiously into Lanka.

RAVANA ENTERS THE BATTLEFIELD

ANALYSIS

LAKSHMANA'S REMEMBRANCE

This episode is one of the few in the Ramayana where the divinity of Rama and his brothers is explained, particularly as something which Lakshmana himself remembers. The relationship between Lakshmana recalling his true nature and Ravana not being able to lift his body has been explained in different ways. Lakshmana is regarded as an incarnation of Shesha, the divine serpent on whom Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe, sleeps and who lifts the worlds on his head, and it is said that Ravana is unable to lift him for that reason.

It is unclear whether the remembrance is meant to remind the reader that Lakshmana is Vishnu's aspect, thus making sense of Ravana's inability to lift him or if the remembrance causes him to become heavier than his human frame allows.