Kalidasa

  

Kalidasa probably lived in the fifth century of the Christian era. This date, approximate as it is, must yet be given with considerable hesitation, and is by no means certain. No truly biographical data are preserved about the author, who nevertheless enjoyed great popularity during his life, and whom the Hindus have ever regarded as the greatest of Sanskrit poets. We are thus confronted with one of the most remarkable problems of literary history. For our ignorance is not due to neglect of Kalidasa's writings on the part of his countrymen, but to their strange blindness regarding the interest and importance of historical fact.

                   One of these legends deserves to be recounted for its real interest, although it contains, so far as we can see, no grain of historic truth, and although it places Kalidasa in Benares, five hundred miles distant from the only city in which we certainly know that he spent a part of his life. According to this account, Kalidasa was Brahman’s child. At the age of six months, he was left an orphan and was adopted by an ox-driver. He grew to manhood without formal education, yet with remarkable beauty and grace of manner. Now it happened that the Princess of Benares was a blue stocking, who rejected one suitor after another, among them her father's counsellor, because they failed to reach her standard as scholars and poets. The rejected counsellor planned cruel revenge. He took the handsome

ox-driver from the street, gave him the garments of a savant and a retinue of learned doctors, then introduced him to the princess, after warning him that he was under no circumstances to open his lips.

The princess was struck with his beauty and smitten to the depths of her pedantic soul by his obstinate silence, which seemed to her, as indeed it was, an evidence of profound wisdom. She desired to marry Kalidasa, and together they went to the temple. But no sooner was the ceremony than the ceremony performed than Kalidasa perceived an image of a bull. His early training was too much for him; the secret came out, and the bride was furious. But she relented in response to Kalidasa's appeals, and advised him to pray for learning and poetry to the goddess Kali. The prayer was granted; education and poetical power descended miraculously to dwell with the young ox-driver, who in gratitude

assumed the name Kalidasa, servant of Kali.

Feeling that he owed this happy change in his very nature to his princess, he swore that he would ever treat her as his teacher, with profound respect but without familiarity. This was more than the lady had bargained for; her anger burst forth anew, and she cursed Kalidasa to meet his death at the hands of a woman.

Later, the story continues, this curse was fulfilled. A certain king had written a half-stanza of verse, and had offered a large reward to any poet who could worthily complete it. Kalidasa completed the stanza without difficulty, but a woman whom he loved discovered his lines, and greedy of the reward herself, killed him.

The story is a variation of the popular legend that Kalidasa was mentally challenged at one time and that his wife was responsible for his transformation. Kālidāsa, a mentally challenged shepherd, is married to Vidyottamā, a learned princess, through a conspiracy.

A belief has been at work with the stories which connect Kalidasa with King Vikramaditya and the literary figures of his court. It has doubtless enlarged, perhaps partly falsified the facts; yet we cannot doubt that there is truth in this tradition, late though it be, and impossible though it may ever be to separate the actual from the fanciful. Here then we are on firmer ground.

King Vikramaditya ruled in the city of Ujjain, in West-central India. He was mighty both in war and in peace, winning special glory by a decisive victory over the barbarians who pressed into India through the northern passes. Though it has not proved possible to identify this monarch with any of the known rulers, there can be no doubt that

he existed and had the character attributed to him. The name Vikramaditya--Sun of Valour--is probably not a proper name, but a title like Pharaoh or Tsar. No doubt Kalidasa intended to pay a tribute to his patron, the Sun of Valour, in the very title of his play, _Urvashi won by Valour_.

 

Kalidasa is widely regarded as the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist of all time. All of his admirers in India, including post-dated poets and critics such as Mammta, Anandavardhancharya, and Abhinav Gupta, praise him. His poetic style impacted all subsequent poets, as well as current poets of the twentieth century.

 

1) Abhijnana Shakuntalam 2) Meghadootam. 3) Raghuvamsa 4) Malavikagnimitram. 5) Ritusamhara 6) Kumarsambhava.

The six works identified as genuine are the dramas Abhijnanashakuntala (“The Recognition of Shakuntala”), Vikramorvashi (“Urvashi Won by Valour”), and Malavikagnimitra (“Malavika and Agnimitra”); the epic poems Raghuvamsha (“Dynasty of Raghu”) and Kumarasambhava (“Birth of the War God”); and the lyric “Meghaduta”

 

“Shiva as Primal Silence before recreation.”

I.

I am not breath, nor winds that rise,

Not flesh nor sheath, nor form that dies.

No hand, no foot, no Voice, no flame,

yet boundless light - without a name. (2)

I am the bliss no Stars Contain,

The peace untouched by joy or pain

The endless dawn, the timeless hum,

I am Shiva, I am one. (2)

 

II.

No hate, no chains of want or greed,

No pride's sharp thorn, no envy's seed

No law, no wealth, no fleeting flame,

No thirst for joy, no binds of name.

I am the light; no night can Veil

The timeless truth beyond the Pale.

The endless song, the cosmic psalm

I am Shiva. I am calm.

 

III.

I am not rage, nor greed's sharp chain,

No pride's illusion, envy’s stain.

No duty’s call, no wealth's embrace,

No fleeting joy, no sorrow's trace.

I am the dawn no dark can hold,

The formless flame, the unfathomed Gold.

The silent Surge, the boundless psalm

I am Shiva, pure and calm

Sandra

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.

Camel-"The Ship of the Desert"

 

Camel-"The Ship of the Desert"

Clumsy and slow, yet steadfast and wise,

Across the scorching sands it strides—

A living vessel, sun-baked, lean,

The desert’s lord, its patient queen.

No hoof, but padded, soft and wide,

It treads where brittle dunes abide.

No storm of sand, no furnace air

Can halt its march through wastelands bare.

For Abraham, a wealth untold,

For Job, three thousand—priceless gold.

Through Sheba’s pomp, through caravans,

It bore the dreams of desert clans.

And as it walked, the poets sang—

Of battles fierce, of love’s sweet pang,

Of dark-eyed maids and cooling streams,

Of phantom oases in their dreams.

The rhythm swayed with every stride,

The verses matched the beast’s slow glide.

Then faster songs would lift its head,

And drive it forth where silence fled.

No water is stored in secret cells,

No magic hump where liquid dwells—

Just flesh and fat, endurance true,

And salt to drink when journeys are through.

Oh clumsy beast, so strange, so grand,

You shaped the fate of sealess land.

Without your strength, without your tread,

The desert’s songs would all lie dead.

Sham Misri

polished draft

"The Ship of the Desert"

Clumsy in gait, yet steadfast and wise,

Across the furnace-wastes it plies—

A living ark on tides of sand,

The desert’s lord, the caravans’ hand.

No iron hoof, but spreading sole,

That treads where shifting dunes unroll.

No scorching wind, no blinding glare

Can shake its march through solitudes bare.

For Abraham, vast wealth untold,

For Job, three thousand—riches cold.

Through Sheba’s train in jeweled rows,

It bore the myrrh that Persia knows.

And as it swayed, the poets spun—

Of flashing steel and love undone,

Of maidens’ eyes like twilight wells,

Of palm-shade cast by phantom spells.

Each lurching step a meter made,

Each weary mile in rhyme arrayed.

Then swifter songs would lift its face

And drive it toward some water’s grace.

No crystal flask in stomach stored,

No liquid hoard in hump secured—

Just salted thirst, endurance grim,

Then oasis-brink where waves swim.

O awkward king of wasteland wide,

Who moves with time’s own plodding stride—

The sands’ own pulse beats in your feet,

The desert’s heart in your slow heat.

Ravana's Death

 Ravana's Death

The reverberations of Ravana's death were felt across the kingdom, which soon succumbed to a wildfire of despair that ran amok amongst the Rakshasas and the king's many wives.

The Vanaras roared triumphantly at Rama's victory and at the death of the king of the Rakshasas. Fortunate omens appeared, as a fragrant breeze began to blow, flowers were showered upon Rama, and the gods played auspicious instruments. Vibhishana, Sugriva, Jambavan, Hanuman, and the chief commanders of the Vanara army went to Rama and accorded him all honour.

A husband's death

The Rakshasis heard of Ravana's demise and rushed out of the inner quarters, their hair loose. They exited from the northern gate, crying for their husband, and rushed through the ground, which was covered in blood.

They saw the mighty Ravana, fallen to the ground, and wept. One of them grasped his feet, another held on to his neck, while one placed his head on her lap, regarding it with unspeakable affection.

They lamented, "You who terrified Indra and Yama sleep on the ground, killed in battle. You were fearless in the face of all beings, but now lie dead. You did not regard the advice of those who wished you well and told you to stop. You rejected Vibhishana, and held Sita here against your will -thus killing yourself, the Rakshasas, and us, who are now bereft of you."

Moment of truth

His chief wife, Mandodari, cried. "Ah, large-armed hero! The king of gods, Indra himself was afraid to face you in battle. Gandharvas and celestial sages would flee at your sight. Yet, you were killed by a mere man in battle! I do not believe Rama could have defeated you.

"You first defeated your senses and then routed the world. It is your senses which finally emerged victorious. Or perhaps, Indra himself has appeared as Rama. He killed Khara and the 14,000 Rakshasas, and that was hardly a human deed. I advised you against fighting Rama, but you did not listen. Look at what has happened now. Your obsession for Sita was destined to end this way, and I am rendered to this state, bereft of you. My brother-in-law was right.

There is no reason to grieve for you, for your prowess and valour are well-known. I grieve because of my own pain. I am anguished at my separation from you. You do not even look upon me. Shame on my heart, which does not shatter into a thousand pieces!"

For dharma's sake

Rama instructed Vibhishana to perform Ravana's funerar rites and return the Rakshas to the fortress.

Vibhishana, however, hesitated, for, how could he perform the last rites for one such as Ravana, who had abandoned dharma so completely? "He was an enemy in a brother's guise and desired to harm all beings. Ravana does not deserve honour even though he may be honourable like my older brother. People may think I am cruel at first glance, but I am sure they will understand," he said.

Rama, the very best of those who bear dharma, said, "1 have won this battle because of you, and as such, ought to do as you will. However, listen to what I have to say. It is true that he was engaged in adharma and falsehood. However, he was always invincible and valiant in battle. In any case, all enmity ends in death. What we sought has been achieved. Perform his last rites, Vibhishana, for he is to me what he is to you."

Vibhishana arranged for Ravana's final rites, offering him water, and sent Ravana's wives back to the fortress after comforting them.

The Cruel Illusion

 The Cruel Illusion

Indrajit realised that Rama planned to kill him. So, he hatched a cruel plan meant to break the enemy's morale and make him even more powerful than ever before.

Indrajit became aware of Rama's resolve to kill him and withdrew from the battlefield. He returned to Lanka and ruminated over the deaths of his kin at the hands of Rama, Lakshmana, and the Vanara army. His eyes turned red with anger and he re-entered the battle through the western gate, determined to decimate the brothers.

Indrajit's trickery

He saw Rama and Lakshmana, bows in hand, ready for battle, and decided to use his maya. the powers of illusion, to confuse the enemy. He placed an illusory image of Sita on his chariot and rode out to meet the Vanaras.

Hanuman charged towards him with a large rock, when he saw the woman. He realised it was Sita in faded garments, her hair loosely braided, wearing no ornaments. His eyes filled with tears and he thought, "What has he decided?"

Indrajit saw Hanuman and grabbed the woman by her head and hit her. She cried out for Rama and Hanuman, distraught, yelled out, "You have touched her hair and ensured your death. Despite being born in a lineage of Brahmarshis, you act like a Rakshasa. Have you no shame? What has she done to you that you wish to kill her? If you kill her, you will not live, and when you die, you will go to the realms of those wretches who kill a women."

The illusion of Sita continued to weep and Indrajit said, "As you watch, I will kill the one for whom you, Sugriva, and Rama have come here. Then, I will kill you, Sugriva, Rama, Lakshmana, and that ignoble Vibhishana. As to whether women can be killed - one should do whatever it is that will hurt one's enemies."

So saying, he raised his sword and sliced the illusion's torso. She fell on the ground, dead, and Indrajit told Hanuman cheerfully, "Behold! She was Rama's and I have killed her."

The outraged Vanaras

He stood in his chariot and roared. The distraught Vanaras ran helter-skelter, until Hanuman called them back.

They uprooted trees and mountains and attacked the Rakshasas who retaliated. After Hanuman warded them off, he told the Vanaras that it was time to turn back. "The one for whom we light is gone. We should inform Rama and Sugriva, and ask them what to do next."

When Indrajit saw Hanuman and the Vanara army retreat, he left for Nikumbhila as well, to offer oblations.

Rama's despair

Meanwhile, Rama heard fierce cries from the western gate and realized that Hanuman was in the midst of

a great battle. He requested Jambavan to help Hanuman and the other Vanaras. The king of bears agreed and left with his terrible army, which resembled a dark cloud. They turned back when they saw Hanuman and the other Vanaras returning.

Hanuman went to Rama and gave him the news. "As we watched, Rama, Indrajit killed Sita in the battlefield. We stand before you utterly lost."

Rama, faint with grief, fell to the earth like a tree cut at the root. The Vanaras surrounded him and sprinkled fragrant water on him, as he burned like a raging fire.

Lakshmana, drowning in sorrow, pulled an unsteady Rama into an embrace and said, "Dharma has to be meaningless, if it is unable to ward misfortunes off someone like you, who are firm on its path and have won over your senses, revered brother. If either dharma or f adharma did exist, Ravana would have gone to hell and adversity would not have afflicted you again and again. 

"Or, perhaps, dharma is weak and attaches to strength, in which case it is strength which should be sought. It seems that all things proceed from artha (economic and political strength), and your troubles began when you abandoned the kingdom. A person deprived of artha is in his or her energy. Faults arise when somebody desirous of pleasure abandons artha.

"Arise, Rama, and watch me counter with my actions the grief that Indrajit's actions have brought."

As Lakshmana comforted Rama, Vibhishana arrived and was shocked to see Rama immersed in grief.

The truth revealed

Lakshmana told him what Hanuman witnessed, but Vibhishana stopped him almost mid-sentence. He said, "What Hanuman has seen is impossible. I know Ravana and he will not kill Sita. Everyone begged him to let her go so that we may avoid this calamitous war, but he refused. Rest assured. Sita is alive. Indrajit has deluded the Vanaras. He used this as a distraction so that be may

complete his oblations that will render him invincible, it completed. Stand steady, Rama, and send Lakshmana to fight him. If Indrajit completes the sacrifice he will be invisible to the gods and Asuras. There will be great danger to even the gods." 

Rama composed himself and asked Vibhushana to repeat his words. He considered what he knew of Indrajit and his battle strategy and realized that Vibhishana was right. He asked Lakshmana to take an army with him and fight Indrajit

Lakshmana grabbed his bow, wore his armour, and clasped his word cheerfully. He touched Rama's feet and saud, "Today, the arrows from my bow will pierce Indrajit's body and destroy him."

Two mighty warriors

Lakshmana, surrounded by the army of Vanaras and bears, flanked by Hanuman and Vibhishana, reached Nikumbhila. He saw Indrajit's army before him, thick and dense, like darkness.

Vibhishana told Lakshmana that Indrajit would become visible if they shattered his army, so the Vanaras and bears fought vallanıly with trees and boulders The Rakshasas fought back with swords, arrows, and spears, but the Vanara army was stronger and larger.

Indrajit beard the sounds of battle and of the destruction of his army. He left the rituals nudway and climbed his chariest to join the battle. 

He saw Hanuman destroy the Rakshasa armies and showered him with battle-aves, words, and javelins. Ax he raised his bow and arrow to slay Hanuman, Vibhishana alerted Lakshmana who challenged Indrajit.

Ravana's son noticed Vibhishana by Lakshmana's side and grew angry. "Have you no shame, uncle? How can you cause me harm? You do not understand dharma. and you have no love for your family, Kin, even if devoid of virtues, should be valued over virtuous outsiders."

Vibhishana retorted, "You are an ignorant child. and yet you presume to instruct me in dharma I do not rejoice in adharma and abductions of other people's wives. Ravana has many vices, and soon, neither you, nor him, not this city will survive. Come fight Lakshmana-you will not live long after challenging him.”

The battle of the champions 

Indrajit grew senseless with rage and stood in his chariot, pulled by black horses, like Death himself.

"Behold my valour, I will release showers of my invincible arrows from my bow," he said with pride 

The battle between Indrajit and Lakshmana began. They were well matched. both strong, valiant, were unassailable, and knew all there was to know about weaponry. They resembled planets striking one another. 

Lakshmana sent a volley of sharp arrows towards Indrajit, which made him feel faint for a moment He retaliated and shot 100 arrows at Vibhishana.

Lakshmana smiled and said, "Heroes desirous of victory do not fight this way As the battle continued, Indrajit also fought Vibhishna before he turned back to attack Lakshmana again. However, neither grew tired as the two exchanged a flurry of arrows.

"Lakshmana calmly went forward to meet it, recalling that he himself was Vishnu, the presiding deity of the astra... Instead of coming at his body, that missile went around him worshipfully... and shot up to the air, where it lost its fire and smoke."

It is said that Ravana worshipped the Divine Mother, and she granted him protection in battle. When Rama saw Ravana on her lap, he realised that the war was lost. However, that night, he was encouraged to invoke the mother, and he began to worship her with 108 blue lotuses, which he had asked Hanuman to bring. Offering a single lotus at each completion, he went through all the lotuses but one. At that moment, the goddess made that last lotus disappear. Determined to complete the practice, Rama raised an arrow to pluck his eye to offer to her, but the goddess intervened, granting him her blessing. This is narrated by the medieval Bengali poet Krittibas Ojha, and a version of this story is rendered into modern Hindi in 20th-century poet and novelist Suryakant "Nirala" Tripathi's "Ram ki Shakti Puja" (Rama's Worship of the Divine Feminine).

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.