VIII.10. Slaying of Ravana

[Full title: Section VIII: The killing of Ravana; (J) Slaying of Ravana]

According to the Paumacariya, in the final battle, Ravana fights driving in the Indra-chariot which was constructed by the Bahurupa-vidya, while Rama and Laksmana fight riding on the Kesarin and the Garuda chariots (supplied by Garudadhipati). In the gruesome fight many types of missiles are hurled from both the sides. Laksmana severs the head and the arms of Ravana by shooting arrows, his surprise he finds that on account of the effect of the Bahurupavidya they reappear every time increased in geometrical progression (71.16). Ravana then hurls his disc (cakra) at Laksmana (72.36), but instead of obeying his command it obeys Laksmana and Ravana is killed, his head being severed off, on the 11th day of dark Jyestha (73.34). 1. Vide-Sec. 8C. 2. 'Soi avatareu harana mahibhara".

100 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM In the Valmiki Ramayana Indra sends a chariot, a bow, an armour, arrows and a Sakti to Rama through Matali (6.102.12-15¹). Rama severs the limbs and the head of Ravana but they reappear as many times as he severs them off. Here Ravana is not said to have ten faces and twenty arms. Rama then on the advice of Matali, shoots Paitamaha arrow into the (heart) chest of Ravana (6.108.18) and kills him. This arrow is said to have been given to Rama by Agastya who had got it from Brahma (6.108). Ravana is said to have attained heaven (6.109.24). The Ramcharitmanas agrees with the Valmiki Ramayana It additionally mentions the conjuring up of many counterfeits of himself by Ravana with the power of his maya (6.95). Here on the advice of Vibhisana, Rama shoots an arrow in the navel of Ravana, which was the receptacle of nectar and hurls thirty other arrows to sever his heads and arms. Ravana then dies (6.103) and attains the 'dhama' of Rama (6 104). According to the Ramopakhyana, Ravana creates many illusory Ramas and Laksmanas (3.290.8), but it does not mention the reappearing of his limbs and the tendering of any advice by Matali or Vibhisana. Ravana is burnt to ashes on being shot by the Brahmastra of Rama (32.90.30). The Raghuvamsa also does not mention the reappearing of the limbs or heads of Ravana. According to the Birhora Rama story Laksmana is said to have killed Ravana (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 395).