Chapter 19 - History of Rama (continued, 4)

Hanumana after a stay of six days and seven nights at Lanka, came back to Rama and told him all he had seen and done there, delivering at the same time, Sita’s message to him. Rama started with his army on the tenth day of the light half of the month of Sravana^[1], and, after marching day and night, reached the, seashore on the afternoon of the 12th. Next day they were thinking how they should cross the sea when Vibhishana, with four other Rakshasas, came there to seek Rama’s protection. Rama, after mature deliberation, decided upon establishing friendship with him, and promised to make him the king of Lanka.

Under Vibhishana’s advice Rama began to propitiate the god of sea, and, after practising austerities for three nights, obtained the latter’s permission to construct a causeway across the sea.

Nala, the son of Maya (or Visvakarma), undertook this great work and completed it in four days—the sea-god stopping the waves in the meanwhile—for a distance of 120 Yojanas.^[2] Huge mountain peaks and masses of rock, with trunks of large trees, were thrown into the water. 14 Yojanas were built on the first day. Thereafter a gap of 8 Yojanas was left, and 26 Yojanas were built the next day. Then a gap of 7 Yojanas was left, and 50 Yojanas were built on the third day. After this, a gap of 5 Yojanas was left, and 10 Yojanas were built on the fourth day. The gaps were left with a view to prevent all but the strong and able-bodied monkeys from going to Lanka. Such of them as were unable to leap over these distances were not calculated to prove good fighters. When the causeway was completed the inhabitants of all the three worlds were filled with admiration, and prayed for the success of the enterprize.

Rama took Vibhishana with him, and, marching with fifty thousand crores of monkeys, reached the other, i. e. the southern shore of the sea, on the 13th day of Sravana, and filled Ravana’s heart with dismay.

Rama sent Bali’s son, Angada, as his ambassador to Ravana, but Angada finding his embassy a failure snatched away Ravana’s crown from his head and brought it to his master.

Rama entered Lanka on the morning following the last day (Purnima) of the light half of the month of Bhadra,^[3] and monkeys swarmed on the ground, trees, walls, terraces, houses and every other place they could get a footing on.

It was the first day of the month of Asvina^[4] on which Rama arrived at Lanka, and his heart was filled with joy. He held a consultation with Lakshmana, Hanumana, Vibhishana, Sugriva, Jambavana and Angada, and decided upon propitiating the manes of his ancestors for a fortnight, to ensure success to his enterprise. Since then the dark half of the month of Asvina, which is called the Aparapaksha^[5] has always been set apart for the worship of ancestors. By performing Sraddha and offering Tila (sesamum seed) and the water of the river Ganga, to forefathers, in this fortnight, one reaps the reward of many an Asvamedha sacrifice.

As soon as Kama had performed his first day’s worship, he saw a mighty army of demons headed by a great general, whose name was Akampana, approaching him. The valiant Hanumana went to meet this army and defeated it, killing Akampana.

The next day, again, another army appeared headed by a dreadful demon, Dhumraksha, who was also killed, and the army routed. In short, a battle was fought every day as soon as Rama had performed the worship of his ancesters for that day; and Vajradangshtra [Vajradamshtra], and Prahasta were killed on the third and fourth days respectively.

Prahasta had fought with great valour and persistence for a whole day and night, causing consternation even among gods, Daityas^[6] and Danavas^[6]. Ravana was, therefore, much alarmed at his defeat, but was consoled by his son, the mighty Indrajit, who himself proceeded to battle, and exercising his magical powers, bound both Rama and Lakshmana, with coils of snakes. The great bird Garurha [Garuda], however, came to their rescue, and devoured the snakes.

Ravana himself now appeared on the battle-field, and there was a tremendous battle between him and Rama, in which ten thousand crore^[7] warriors were slain. Countless rivers of blood began to flow and human heads rolled in them like pebbles. Headless human bodies began to dance and trunkless heads shout forth peals of laughter. This battle continued for two days and two nights at the end of which Ravana’s war-chariot was broken and his horses were killed; and he had to beat a retreat.

At this stage Kumbhakarna, the brother of Ravana, was awakened from sleep, and thereupon, the gods were struck with fear.

They went in a body to Brahma and said

“Lord, the invincible Kumbhakarna has arisen from his sleep, and is about to proceed with five lakh crore Rakshasas to fight with Rama whose safety will thereby be endangered. We, therefore, wish to perform some worship for his safety, and have come to you to be advised in the matter. If no steps are taken in this direction, Kumbhakarna and his army will devour all the monkeys and defeat Rama.”

Brahma advised them to worship the goddess, Parvati, and invoke her aid. Thereupon the gods headed by Brahma invoked the Devi with one voice, and she appeared before them in the form of a virgin.

The gods prostrated themselves before her and she spoke as follows.

“Gods, I am pleased with the respect you have shown me. The goddess, Durga, has sent me to tell you that you should invoke her aid under a Bel tree tomorrow, and she will then let you know what to do to ensure the victory of Rama”.

Saying this the virgin disappeared, and the gods descended forthwith on the earth in search of a Bel tree.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Corresponding to July-August.

[2]:

Yojana = 4 kosas or 8 or 9 miles.

[3]:

Corresponding to August-September.

[4]:

Corresponding to September October.

[5]:

Apara = ancestors, and paksha = fortnight i.e., the fortnight sacred to ancestors.

[6]:

Classes of demons.

[7]:

One crore is equal to ten millions.