Ramayana through illustration Lanka Kand part II

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

Valmiki's Ramayana consist of seven kands which depicts the life of Lord Rama. Lanka kand refers to that episode of the epic Ramayana which marks Lord Rama's final battle against the demon king Ravana who abducted Sita, the wife of Rama. Meghnad injured Laxmana and went to perform Nikumbhila yajna in order to become invincible. Running out of options Ravana decided to wake up his own brother Kumbhakarna who was deep asleep by the virtue of a boon received from Brahma. With great difficulty Kumbhakarna was woken up.

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

A reluctant Kumbhakarna entered the war due to loyalty to his brother. He fought with great valour and almost devastated Rama's army. He knocked out the monkey king Sugreeva rendering him unconscious and took him as a prisoner. Eventually he was killed by Rama himself.

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

Meghnad tried his best to defeat the army of Rama. He went on to perform Nikumbhila yajna which would make him invincible. Knowing this through the spies of Bivishana, Lakshmana, invoked the Indraastra(Indra's weapon)and uttered the following words: "If Rama, the son of Dasharatha is the epitome of Dharma and if I am his true servant, then oh arrow, go forth and behead Meghanada(Indrajit), the son of Ravana." This eventually severed Meghnad's head from his body. This marked the end of a great warrior.

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

The death of Indrajit dragged Ravana into the war. Rama in his attempt to kill Ravana beheaded him with his arrows but each time one head was cut another head popped up. Ravana had acquired 10 heads by the virtue of his extensive knowledge of the Six shastras and four Vedas.

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

Surprised and worried Rama then acted on the advise of Vibhishana who revealed about the secret of Ravana's nectar of immortality which was hidden right inside his belly and which could be destroyed only through his naval. Thereafter Ravana died in the hands of Rama.

Ramayana through illustration: Lanka Kand, part II

Ravana's funeral was done with full honors. After Ravana's death, Rama fulfilled his promise to make Vibhishana, the king of Lanka. Eventually Vibhishan was corronated as the king of lanka.