Part 7: Defeat and death of Rāvaṇa

After reciting this hymn of praise to Śānti, the lord of Laṅkā, occupying a jeweled slab before (him), began to subdue the vidyā, holding a rosary. Then Mandodarī said to the door-keeper, Yamadaṇḍa: “‘All the people of the city must be devoted to the Jinas’ religion for eight days. Whoever will not do this, of him there will be punishment consisting of death.’ Proclaim this in Laṅkā by beat of drums.”

At her command the door-keeper had it proclaimed in the city accordingly and it was reported to Sugrīva by spies. Sugrīva said, “Daśānana must be subdued, master, before he subdues the vidyā Bahurūpiṇī.” Padma smiled and said, “How can I seize Daśāsya when he is quiet, engaged in meditation, for I am not tricky like him?” Hearing this secret speech of Rāma, Aṅgada and others went to the lord of Laṅkā in Śānti’s shrine for the subjugation of the vidyā. They, unhindered, made numerous attacks on him, but Daśakandhara did not move from his meditation in the least. Then Aṅgada said: “Why do you, who have found no refuge, commit this impiety from fear of Rāma, sir! In my lord’s absence you seized his noble wife. I am going to seize your wife, Mandodarī, while you watch.” With these words, with quick anger he dragged Mandodarī by the hair like one without a lord, weeping with the pathetic sound of an osprey. Rāvaṇa, absorbed in meditation, did not even see her. The vidyā appeared, lighting up the sky.

She said: “I am submissive to you. Tell what I can do, sir. I shall do everything according to your wish. Verily, the two Rāghavas are of little importance.” Rāvaṇa replied: “Everything is brought about by you. You must come at the proper time when you are recalled. Now go to your own home.” Dismissed by him, the vidyā went far away, and the Vānaras went to their own camp, flying up like the wind.

Daśānana heard the news about Mandodarī and Aṅgada and at once made a loud exclamation of contempt filled with pride. After bathing and eating, the lord of Laṅkā went to the garden Devaramaṇa and said to Sītā: “For a long time I have shown you respect. Now, abandoning restraint, frustration, and timidity, I shall enjoy you by force after killing your husband and brother-in-law.”

Janaka’s daughter swooned at that speech resembling poison and fell to the ground, like Daśāsya’s hope of her, instantly. Recovering consciousness with difficulty, she took a vow to this effect: “If the death of Rāma and Saumitri should take place, then may I perish also.” Hearing that, Rāvaṇa thought: “Her affection for Rāma is inherent. Therefore my love for her is like planting a lotus in dry ground. I did not behave properly in that Bibhīṣaṇa was scorned, the ministers were not respected, and my own family disgraced. If I should free her now, that would not be discerning, since it would be said, contrary to my fame, ‘She was freed because he had been conquered by Rāma.’ After capturing Rāma and Saumitri, I shall bring them here and then surrender her to them. For that would be in accordance with propriety and (my own) fame.”

After making this resolution, the lord of Laṅkā passed the night and set out for battle, haughty, though restrained by unfavorable omens. Again a battle started between the armies of Rāma and Rāvaṇa and the elephantṣ of the quarters were terrified by the very loud slaps on the arms of the soldiers. Scattering the other Rakṣases, like a wind pieces of cotton, Lakṣmaṇa struck Daśakandhara with arrows. Seeing Saumitri’s strength with anxiety, Daśakandhara recalled the vidyā, Bahurupā, terrifying to all. The vidyā was present there just from being recalled and Rāvaṇa quickly created many terrible forms of himself. Lakṣmaṇa saw Rāvaṇas only on the ground, in the air, behind, in front, and at his sides, raining many weapons. The Tārkṣyastha (Vāsudeva) Lakṣmaṇa, though one, slew the Rāvaṇas with sharp arrows produced by thought, as if he had as many forms (as Rāvaṇa). Daśakandhara, distracted by Nārāyaṇa’s arrows, recalled the flaming cakra, the sign of being an Ardhacakrin. Red-eyed from anger, Rāvaṇa whirled the cakra in the air and discharged it, the last weapon, at Rāma’s younger brother. After making the circumambulation, it remained at Saumitri’s right hand, like the sun on the peak of the eastern mountain. Depressed, Rāvaṇa thought, “The speech of the muni has become true and the considered judgment of Bibhīṣaṇa and others was true.” Seeing his brother depressed, Bibhīṣaṇa said, “Brother, now free Vaidehī, if you wish to live.” Angered Rāvaṇa said: “What are weapons, even the cakra, to me, villain? I shall kill the enemy, even if he has the cakra, very quickly with my fist.”

As the lord of Rākṣasas was speaking in this way from arrogance, Lakṣmaṇa split open his chest, like a gourd, with the same cakra. Then Daśagrīva died in the last watch of the eleventh day of the dark half of Jyeṣṭha and went to the fourth hell.

At once a rain of flowers was made on Lakṣmaṇa by the gods crying, “Victory, victory,” and a violent dance took place among the Kapis, having the bower of heaven and earth filled with the cries of “Kila! Kila!” instigated by extreme joy.