Fall of Ravana

 Fall of Ravana

As Lakshmana recovered, he told Rama that he wanted Ravana dead by sum Rama, encouraged by his beloved brother's words, stepped into the battlefi for what would be the war to end all wars.

Rama embraced a revived Lakshmana and said, "I am so fortunate to see you returned from the dead, for I would have had no reason to live had you departed."

Pained by these defeated words, Lakshmana replied in a weak voice, for he was still recovering. "Having vowed to kill Ravana and install Vibhishana as the king of the Rakshasas, you ought not to despair like this. Sinless one, those like you do not make false vows. Do not despair on my account. Fulfil your vow. Your enemy will not return alive from the path of your arrows. I desire to see Ravana dead before sundown today."

Indra's gift

Rama heard Lakshmana's words, rose, and released fierce arrows in Ravana's direction, but the Rakshasa struck them down easily.

Rama stood on the ground, but Ravana was on his chariot. Gandharvas, who watched the battle from the heavens said that this was an unequal war. Soon, Indra, the king of gods, sent his own chariot, covered in bells and drawn by horses in golden harnesses, along with Matali, his charioteer, his bow, armour, and powerful weapons. Rama mounted the chariot and looked resplendent as he rode into battle.

The great war

Divine weapons clashed with each other on the battlefield, as Rama, who possessed the greatest knowledge of weapons, destroyed Ravana's Gandharvastra, the weapon of “the Gandharvas. Furious, Ravana, the roamer in the night, released a weapon whose gold arrows turned into serpents in mid-air with fire that blazed from their mouths. Rama countered them with Garuda's weapon, which turned arrows into golden eagles, the enemies of snakes, who roamed the field and destroyed the snakes.”

In retaliation, Ravana shot arrows an Matali and covered the chariot and horses with nets of arrows. So fierce was the attack that Rama was unable to place arrows onto the bow. The celestial beings were distressed, but Rama only became more furious, his brows furrowed, and his eyes seemed to exude fire.

Rama's onslaught

Everyone ran to take shelter when they saw Rama's fury

The earth shook and the ocean rose in gigantic waves. The gods cried out for Rama's victory, while the Asuras shouted.

"Victory to Dashagriva!" Ravana conjured another weapon that emitted a loud roar and smoke appeared from its pointed end. a weapon even Death could not ignore. The king released the dreaded weapon, but Rama countered it with his arrows and reduced it to dust. He then raised Indra's javelin, and as he got ready to throw it. bells rang. Rama flung the javelin at the lord of the Rakshasas, who fell to the ground. Soaked in blood. Ravana's eyes were now red with rage.

The battle continues

Arrows rained from the sky like rain and it grew so dark that Rama and Ravana were unable to see each other.

Rama, the slayer of enemies, addressed Ravana in harsh words, "O worst of the Rakshasas, you think you have valour, yet you abducted my wife while I was away. You are not brave, but a shameless coward. My arrows will bring your death today."

He was determined to kill Ravana, and his valour and strength of weapons doubled. The arrows rose swiftly to his hands, even as divine weapons manifested on their own accord.

Understanding the auspicious omens, Rama aimed volleys of arrows at Ravana.

A charioteer's decision

Ravana tried his best to counter the weapons, but they did not serve any purpose, for the time of his death had arrived. Ravana's charioteer realized that his king was about to collapse and gently withdrew from the battle.

When Ravana realized what he had done, he roared, confused and angry. "You are an enemy in a friend's guise." he raged. "Worthless coward, you have destroyed the glory, the lame, and valour which took me years to build. How dare you remove the chariot from the enemy's presence, with little regard for my wishes? Now return, I wish to face the enemy before he leaves!

The charioteer, who was a well-wisher, explained himself. "I am neither a coward nor a fool, nor do I lack affection for you. I have, rather, protected your fame and glory. I know that you and the horses are exhausted.

A charioteer must always know about the time and the place: he should be able to read the signs and know the warrior's weakness. I have not acted out of my will, but was rather driven by my affection for you. I withdrew so that you could rest, as could your horses. Now command me, and I shall do as you say."

Calmed. Ravana praised his charioteer and asked him to return. "Ravana does not retreat without killing the enemy in battle," he said.

The omens

Soon, Rama saw Ravana's chariot return and stand before him. He requested Matali to control the reins and drive the chariot quickly "Do not be distracted. Do not be frightened," he said. He explained that his intention was not to instruct Indra's charioteer, but to remind him, so that he could focus on killing Ravana.

The sages, gods, and Gandharvas gathered in the sky and prayed for the end of the lord of the Rakshasas.

Terrible omens appeared in the form of white rays that descended from the sun and onto Ravana. Storms appeared and giant meteors fell, even as large vultures roamed the sky. The Rakshasas grew scared, for they knew that misfortune was about to befall their leader.

The final move

As Rama and Ravana faced each other, the Rakshasa and Vanara armies ceased to fight.

Ravana, as if ablaze, shot arrows at Rama's horses and at Matali. Rama grew angry and released a volley of weapons at the king. The earth and the oceans were agitated, and the celestial beings prayed for the well-being of the worlds.

The charioteers expertly guided the two chariots as Rama and Ravana struck each other with arrows, countering each attack and each blow. The earth, mountains, and forests trembled. The winds stopped blowing, and the sun lost its radiance.