Ramayana through illustrations Lanka Kand Part 2

Ramayana through illustrations: Lanka Kand, Part 2

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. After getting report from Hanumana, Rama preapres his army of monkeys to wage a war against Ravana and his demons. They prepare a bridge with floating stones with the name Rama written on it. As Lord Ram reached the inlands of Ravana's Lanka with his army of monkeys and bears, a last minute attempt was made by sending Bali's son Angada to avoid the war. A non repenting Ravana turned down Angada's proposal. Rama brought the war right to Ravana's door. Lanka was attacked from all four fronts. The army on both sides drew heavy casualties with rakshasas dying in large numbers.

Ramayana through illustrations: Lanka Kand, Part 2

Seeing loss looming large, Ravana's son Meghnad hit Laxmana with a deadly weapon called “Veer ghatini shakti” which made him unconscious. Sushen, the Physician, wanted Sanjivani, a herb that would cure Laxmana but it had to be consumed before the next Sunrise else Laxmana would be dead.

Ramayana through illustrations: Lanka Kand, Part 2

Hanuman was called in to fly to Dronagiri (Valley of flowers) which is a part of the Himalayan mountain range. Unable to trace the sanjeevani herb among various other similar looking herbs Hanuman lifted the entire Himalayas and brought it at the feet of Lord Rama and eventually Lakshmana's life was saved.

Ramayana through illustrations: Lanka Kand, Part 2

Sushen, the physician or doctor on call sensed that Lakshmana was hit by a very dangerous weapon, “Veer ghatini shakti” by Indrajit / Meghnad (Ravana's son) and could only be treated by Sanjeevani herbs.

Ramayana through illustrations: Lanka Kand, Part 2

Ravana called in, his brother Kumbhakarna who was in deep sleep due to the boon received from Brahma. Lots of food were kept beside Kumbhakarna, trmpets were played and it required around 1000 elephants to walk over him to wake him up from sleep.