Saturday 23 January 2016

328. Kumbhakarna was slain by Rama.

               Restored to confidence by Angada, all those vanaras who came back were waiting for the battle with a firm resolution. The words of Angada made the energy of all those vanaras augmented and prowess elevated. Restored to a thrill of rapture they were determined to die, if need be. They marched forward to the battle field decidedly with such a confidence they never felt before. Ready to abandon their lives, they were prepared for a tumultuous battle. The return to the battle-field of the  vanaras,  which started in trickle shortly became torrential. Dvivida, a leader and an adherent admirer of Angada opened his innings by hurling a mountain towards Kumbhakarna. Unfortunately it missed the target. However it crushed some horses, elephants and chariots of the enemy. Dvivida hurled another mountain which killed some rakshashas.
            Pulling out a mountain looking like a hanging cloud, Dvivida ran towards Kumbhakarna, who, himself resembled a mountain-peak. Dvivida, springing up, hurled that mountain towards Kumbhakarna. It fell short of Kumbhakarana but fell on his army crushing some horses, elephants and the chariots. 
         Lifting up trees and very large mountain-rocks, the large-bodied vanaras briskly ran towards Kumbhakarna. The mighty and valiant Kumbhakarna, who got very much enraged, lifting a mace and frightening his opponents, who diffused on all sides.
             Thousands of vanaras struck by Kumbhakarna, lay scattered on the ground. That angry and hungry Kumbhakarna catching about twenty to thirty vanaras at a time with his hands and was devouring them like Garuda, the mythical bird devouring the serpents in lots. However, the determined vanaras, assembling together from all sides, stood in the battle-front, with trees and rocks in their hands to ward off that rakshash from scooping any more of their comrades.
         Our hero of Ramayanam, Hanuman struck Kumbhakarna with a large mountain-peak which injured him severely. In reply, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuman's chest with his spike. Then, Kumbhakarna struck other vanara chiefs who were poised to attack him. Thousands of vanaras then boldly climbed Kumbhakarna's body and severely scratched him with their nails, hit him with their fists and bit him with their teeth. In fact they tried their best to annoy, irritate and harm him to the maximum extent they were able to. Kumbhakarna killed many of them with his spike. When Angada confronted Kumbhakarna, the latter hit Angada violently which made Angada fall unconscious. Then, Kumbhakarna directed his attack on Sugreeva. Sugreeva struck Kumbhakarna's chest with a mountain, which on hitting the target broke into pieces. When Kumbhakarna threw his spike towards Sugreeva in retaliation, Hanuman stopped it on the way and broke it off. Then, Kumbhakarna hurled a piece of a mountain on Sugreeva which made him unconscious. Immediately Hanuman took him away on his shoulders to a safe place. Sugreeva, on regaining consciousness, returned and almost tore off the ears and nose of Kumbhakarna with his sharp nails and teeth. In relation, Kumbhakarna took hold of Sugreeva and threw him down. Sugreeva bounced up and joined Rama. Kumbhakarna then directed his attack towards the vanaras and bears around him with his hammer.
          The enraged Hanuman violently struck Kumbhakarna, who was endowed with a magnificent body and looking like a mountain. Hit by Hanuman, Kumbhakarna stumbled. Holding firmly the spike, which was bright as lightning and looking like a blazing mountain-peak, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuman on his chest. That made Hanuman vomit blood from his mouth. Nevertheless he roared like the sound of thunderous clouds at the time of dissolution of the world. Looking at the perturbed Hanuman, all the troops of rakshashas shouted with rejoice. The vanaras, on the other hand, felt depressed with fear, started to retreat from the battle-field.
        Seeing that, Neela managed to stop them by infusing confidence into them. Then he hurled a mountain-top on Kumbhakarna. The mighty Kumbhakarna struck it with his fist making that mountain-top burst into pieces and fall down on the ground, with sparks of fire and blaze.
         The five valiant vanaras viz. Rishabha, Sharabha, Neela, Gavaksha and Gandhamadana marched ahead in unison towards Kumbhakarna with determination. Those five mighty vanaras struck Kumbhakarna from all sides, with crags, trees, palms of their hands, feet and fists. Kumbhakarna just took those attacks without flinching and was not at all perturbed. He just enfolded Rishabha in his arms.  Squeezed by Kumbhakarna's arms, Rishabha fell down with blood spewing out of his mouth.
           Then Kumbhakarna almost broke Sharabha's fist and Neela's knee. He struck Gavaksha with the palm of his right hand and kicked Gandhamadana violently by his left foot. This violent treatment made those vanaras moistened with their own blood, bewildered and fall down on the ground like chopped off Kimsuka trees. Seeing those mighty chief commanders of vanaras falling down on the ground, thousands of vanaras ran towards Kumbhakarna to save their leaders.
       All those intending saviors, looking like mountains, jumping up on Kumbhakarna who, himself was looking like a mountain, ascended him and bit him with their teeth. In other words they tried every means they could think of and capable of to hurt and defeat Kumbhakarna.
         Covered by thousands of vanaras Kumbhakarna was looking like a mountain, stood out in a crowd and also as a hill overgrown with trees. Seizing a few vanaras at a time with his arms, that mighty Kumbhakarna started devouring them like the enraged Garuda devouring the serpents.
           Hurled by Kumbhakarna in his mouth which was looking like a very huge hole in the earth, the vanaras managed to come out from his nostrils and ears. This made Kumbhakarna irate. He then mutilated the vanaras before popping them into his mouth.
           Making the earth dampened with flesh and blood, that rakshash, like an excited fire at the time of dissolution of the world, was strolling majestically among that army of vanaras. Wielding a spike in his hand in the battle-front, the mighty Kumbhakarna shone like Indra, the lord of devas, wielding a thunderbolt in his hand and like Yama the god of death wielding a noose in his hand.
Kumbhakarna was thus smashing away that army of vanaras in the same way as fire scorches away the dried-up forests in summer. Those vanaras, without the protection of an able commander, were being killed systematically. Seeing the vanaras terrified with fear Kumbhakarna roared with rebellious voice. Seeing Kumbhakarna destroying them in different ways, the agitated vanaras sought refuge in Rama.
             Seeing the plight of his chaps, Angada rushed rapidly towards Kumbhakarna. Taking a large mountain-top, Angada, roaring repeatedly and frightening all the rakshashas rushing towards Kumbhakarna hurled the mountain-top on Kumbhakarna's head. Struck on the head with that mountain, Kumbhakarna looking scornfully  at the wrathful Angada marched decisively towards him.
             Frightening all the vanaras with his great roar, the mighty Kumbhakarna hurled his spike at Angada. The mighty Angada evaded it with alacrity. Quickly spring up, Angada, gathering all his might struck  Kumbhakarna's chest, with his palm which made Kumbhakarna resembling a mountain, giddy.
           Overcoming his giddiness, that mighty rakshash quickly scooping Angada and threw him down  forcefully with a scorn. Angada fell down unconscious.
            Kumbhakarna, ignoring the unconscious Angada marched towards Sugreeva gripping his spike firmly in his hand. Seeing the mighty Kumbhakarna coming towards him, the valiant Sugreeva, collected himself and sprang up all at once. Uplifting a mountain-top with alacrity, and gripping the same firmly, the mighty Sugreeva ran towards the sturdy Kumbhakarna. Seeing Sugreeva coming rapidly towards him, Kumbhakarna, with all his limbs braced, stood facing the king of vanarass calmly.
             Seeing Kumbhakarna whose body was smeared with the blood of the vanaras devoured by him, Sugreeva sneered "You struck down very many valiant vanaras. And you ate many of them. You will be acclaimed and get a great fame for this lousy act from the clan of rakshashas. Now leave alone the vanaras. Killing or eating those vanaras will not enhance your reputation as a valiant warrior. Now try to stop this one mountain being hurled by me."
      Kumbhakarna retorted "O monkey! You are the grandson of Lord Brahma and also the son of Riksharaja (sprung from the yawn of Brahma) endowed with firmness and valour. Why do you roar?Demonstrate your valor and intrepidly."
            Sugreeva without replying that rakshash, firmly holding the mountain, hurled it forcefully on him. Even though that mountain was as strong as Indra's thunderbolt, it was crushed to pieces on hitting Kumbhakarna. Seeing this all the vanaras were distressed and the rakshashas roared with rejoice.
        Even though that mountain was crushed to pieces, it did hurt Kumbhakarna, who was therefore, enraged and roared angrily. Holding firmly the spike, which was emitting a flash of lightning, he hurled on Sugreeva. Hanuman, jumping up and holding with his arms that sharp spike  and smashed it. Seeing Hanuman breaking the spike, the army of vanaras was rejoiced, roared several times and those who were in hiding came back boldly  from all quarters.
       Kumbhakarna seeing his favorite spike broken became sad. To make score even he quickly uprooted a crest from Malaya mountain which was only a few steps for him, he struck Sugreeva hard with it. Sugreeva fell unconscious. 
          Picking up Sugreeva like you would a baby or puppy, Kumbhakarna, tucking him under his arm, walked away rather hastily thinking that if Sugreeva is killed, all this army including Rama would wither away.
           Seeing Sugreeva being carried away by Kumbhakarna our hero Hanuman thought of intervening to get his king from the clutches of that rakshash. But he refrained from taking any action for the reason that Sugreeva himself was very capable to extricate himself from the clutches of that rakshash and that it would be considered infra dig for his king if he intervenes.
          Thinking in this way, Hanuman consoled, comforted and assured his chaps that their king would soon get out of the clutches of that rakshash by himself.
            Taking Sugreeva who was throbbing, kumbhakarna entered the City of Lanka, where he was greatly revered, appreciated and welcome with showers of flowers, cool fragrant water etc. by the citizens.
          Sprinkling  of  fragrant waters cooled the royal roads. Some of the sprinkled water and the smell of the fragrant flowers made the mighty Sugreeva gradually regain his consciousness. Without showing that he was conscious he was thinking of the best way to get out of this captivity with dignity. He got it.
        Sugreeva smiling at what he intended to do, suddenly released himself from the clutches of that rakshash, jumped up and tore asunder Kumbhakarna's ears by his nails, his nose by his teeth and his ribs by the nails of his feet. Torn asunder with teeth and nails by Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna with his ears and nose deprived and his limbs moistened with blood, was in great pains causing him to throw Sugreeva down on the floor. Seeing that rakshash lifting his right foot for crushing him, Sugreeva jumped up with alacrity and speed like eh.... lightning or whatever it is, towards the sky and alighted before Rama.
           Bereft of his ears and nose, like his sister Surpanakha, the mighty Kumbhakarna, pouring out blood, was shining like a mountain with its streaming cascades. Kumbhakarna bathed in blood looked horrible, appalling, terrifying, shocking, grim, dreadful, revolting, fearful, obscene. ghastly and frightful. The thought that without his dear nose and ears he would now look like his sis Surp without such appendages made him revolting and vomit more blood with rage. Those looking at him misconstrued him for a mound of black antimony shone akin to a cloud with an evening-twilight. With a determination to wipe out the entire army of vanaras and, of course the human brothers, Kumbhakarna started to return to the battle field. As he left all his weapons in the battle field when he started walking back carrying Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna took a hammer-like weapon from one of his soldiers.
            On reaching the battle field,  Kumbhakarna immediately started devouring vanaras. Seeing that all the vanaras sought Rama for refuge.
               On hearing the catastrophe perpetrated on the vanaras by Kumbhakarna, Lakshmana rushed and challenged the rakshash by seven  arrows into the body of Kumbhakarna. Before that rakshash could react, Lakshmana released some more arrows. Kumbhakarna, however, stopped and broke both the sets of arrows without much effort.
           Then, Lakshmana covered the shining and charming golden armour of Kumbhakarna with his arrows, like a torrential  wind would make an evening-twilight cloud completely disappear. Kumbhakarna, looking like a mound of collyrium, tormented by the arrows, decked with gold, was shining like the radiant sun with its rays screened by clouds. Kumbhakarna thought "Oh! this guy is very competent! By the time I kill him or at least make him unconscious with  some severe injury, I will be so tired and may not be able to face that guy Rama. I, therefore, should somehow evade this chap and go  to where his bro is idling." He, therefore told Lakshmana as disrespectfully as  he could muster “O! My dear chap! You have well demonstrated your heroism fearlessly by attacking me, who has conquered even Yama effortlessly in a combat. Anyone who dares to even challenge me for a duel is considered venerable. 
       “Even the powerful Indra accompanied by all devas, did not ever defeat me in battle. O Lakshmana! Today, I am gratified by your strength and abilities. As a token of appreciation of your ability, strength and firmness in battle, I spare your life.  I desire to see how good your bro Rama is. Let me go to him and kill him. Subsequently, if you desire to die, you are most welcome to fight with me and I, certainly will fulfill your desire.”
             Lakshmana could not suppress his guffaw generated by the prattle of Kumbhakarna. After giving vent to his mirth, Lakshmana retorted "O valorous rakshash! I have already heard about your prowess, and now I have seen it. See Rama standing over there like a staunch mountain. By all means you can go over there and experience his prowess."
         With a thanks giving nod to Lakshmana, Kumbhakarna moved towards Rama. Seeing Kumbhakarna  coming over to him for a duel, Rama discharged a special set of arrows called Raudra (= the sentiment of violence, wrath and rage) aiming at Kumbhakarna's chest. When Kumbhakarna, who was coming fast towards Rama, was hit by those arrows, flames of fire mixed with particles of charcoal came forth from the face of Kumbhakarna. The pain was so excruciating he dropped his weapons and roared so loudly and horribly making the vanaras to run away from him in terror. With a terrific wrath, he felt insensible with loss of blood. He started devouring the vanaras, rakshashas and bears that were available handy. Then  with a terrific itch and urge to kill or at least do some harm to Rama, he i.e. Kumbhakarna, comparable in prowess and strength to Yama, getting  hold of a fearful mountain-peak, hurled it towards Rama. Rama split it into pieces with his arrows. At the instance of Lakshmana  a horde of vanaras happily mounted on the body of Kumbhakarna and started hurting him in every way they could think of. Kumbhakarna was naturally irritated and enraged and tried to shake them off with violence, as a vicious elephant would shake off its mahout. He swallowed the vanaras he was able to get hold of.
            Seeing Rama ahead of him he (Kumbhakarna) cried " 'I am not like  Viradha or Kabandha or Khara or Vali or Maricha. It is Kumbhakarna who is standing in front of you. The devas and the danavas were conquered by me before. The loss of my ears and nose does not, in any way decrease my prowess. There is no agony, even a little, for having lost the ears and the nose. Let me see your prowess. After seeing your strength and prowess, I will devour  you." 
          Rama replied by releasing the same arrow, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali. Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt. Then taking a more powerful missile called Vayavya, Rama hurled it on the rakshash. That weapon duly chopped off Kumbhakarna's right arm along with the hammer he was carrying in it. The loss of his right arm made Kumbhakarna roar tumultuously with surprise, pain, agony etc. That arm of Kumbhakarna, identical to a mountain-peak, fell along with the hammer in the middle of the army of Sugreeva killing some vanaras. Undaunted by the loss of his right arm, Kumbhakarna  pulling up a tree by its roots with his other arm, ran towards Rama. Rama chopped off Kumbhakarna's remaining arm, appearing like the coil of a serpent along with his uprooted palm-tree with another arrow. That arm resembling a hill, fell down on the ground. Wallowing hither and thither, it dashed with trees, rocks, vanaras and rakshashas. Before Kumbhakarna started realizing that both his arms were chopped off, Rama chopped off both his feet with his arrows. Kumbhakarna wanted to show that he was not an ordinary rakshash.  Widely opening his mouth like the mouth of a submarine fire and roaring, Kumbhakarna, bereft of arms and feet, rolled as fast as he could (which was something very much appreciated by the celestial spectators watching the battle with great interest from the firmament) towards Rama, like Rahu rushing to seize the moon in the sky. It seems that Rama wanted to demonstrate that he could be as callous as whoever it is. With that in view Rama filled up Kumbhakarna's mouth with sharply pointed arrows, having shafts covered with gold. With his mouth full of arrows, Kumbhakarna was unable to speak. He moaned with difficulty and almost became unconscious. Then Rama got hold of an arrow spelled with a missile presided over by Indra, effulgent as sun's rays, resembling the rod of Brahma as also the destructive Kala  and having the speed of wind. Rama discharged against the rakshash, that arrow, whose shaft was inlaid with diamonds and gold, which was shining as the dazzling sun and fire set ablaze, and which vied with the speed of Indra's thunderbolt. That arrow slashed Kumbhakarna's head, which was looking like a huge mountain-peak, having well-rounded tusks and with charming and quivering ear-rings, like Indra chopped off the head of Vritra. That head looking like a mountain, struck by Rama's arrow, fell down. It broke the buildings on the king's high-way and their gates as also threw down that high rampart. Then, that colossal rakshash of a great splendour fell into the sea. It crushed the principal alligators, beautiful fishes as also snakes and entered the bowels of the earth.
=======================================================================

No comments:

Post a Comment