Lakshmana slaying Indrajit

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 80 to 90)

Sri Rama fighting

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama waging war against Ravana in Lanka.

• Ravana sending Indrajit: Ravana then sent Indrajit in the battle. Indrajit performed a sacrifice and propitiating the gods marched towards the battlefield. Then Indrajit became invisible and showered a volley of arrows on Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Sri Rama and Lakshmana also discharged a volley of arrows but they could not touch Indrajit. Indrajit created darkness with his mystic spell and remained invisible such that even his sound cannot be heard. Indrajit discharged steel arrows and wounded Sri Rama and Lakshmana. In retaliation, Sri Rama and Lakshmana discharged arrows (in the direction of the incoming arrows) and wounded the invisible Indrajit. Indrajit killed the vanaras by hundreds. Lakshmana then sought permission of Sri Rama to release the Brahma astra and destroy all the demons. Sri Rama said that Lakshmana should not kill all demons but only Indrajit. He should not kill those who are not fighting and are taking refuge. Sri Rama said that the petty Indrajit cannot escape from him for long even if he hides in patala or other lokas. Then Sri Rama started thinking of ways to eliminate Indrajit.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 80)

• Indrajit killing illusory Sita: Indrajit then entered Lanka and returned to the battlefield creating an illusory image of Sita in his chariot. Hanuman and other vanaras became confounded. Indrajit caught the illusory Sita by her hair and drew out his sword. Sita was crying "Rama Rama" all along. Hanuman rebuked Indrajit telling that by killing Devi Sita, he will meet with death in his hands and go to the terrible hell. Indrajit replied that women belonging to the enemies can be killed. Saying thus, Indrajit killed the illusory Sita with his sword. Then Indrajit laughed loudly and declared that all the effort of the vanaras have gone to vain. The vanaras became dejected and ran away. Hanuman instilled courage in them and again made them fight. Hanuman hurled a large rock towards the chariot of Indrajit. The horses carried the chariot far away and avoided the rock. The vanaras started destroying the army of demons with rocks and trees. Indrajit in anger released his arrows and killed a large number of vanaras. Hanuman asked the vanaras to retreat since Devi Sita for whom they were fighting has been killed. Hanuman said that they will inform the matter to Sri Rama and Sugreeva and consult them about future actions.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 81 to 82)

• Indrajit going to Nikumbhila and performing sacrifice: Seeing Hanuman and his army of vanaras retreating, Indrajit went to Nikumbhila to performed a sacrifice. The sacrificial fire blazed up consuming the oblations of flesh and blood.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 82)

• Hanuman informing Rama about the death of (illusory) Sita: Hanuman then came to the presence of Sri Rama and informed him that Indrajit has killed Devi Sita before them in the battle ground. Hearing that news, Sri Rama fainted. The vanaras sprinkled water on Sri Rama. Lakshmana lamented, embraced Sri Rama and comforted him. Lakshmana expressed his opinion that virtue does not exist; else a noble person like Rama cannot face such misfortune. Lakshmana said that prosperity enhances even in those rooted in unrighteousness and declines even in those rooted in righteousness. Hence the concepts of virtue and vice are useless. Lakshmana told Sri Rama to show his might over virtue, since virtue operates only when powered by strength. Lakshmana further said that wealth is all-important, since friends gather around the wealthy and relatives stand by him, and he is (even) considered a learned. Everything is obtained from wealth (whether it is religious or worldly). Lakshmana said that now he will completely destroy Lanka (displaying his might).
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 83)

• Vibhisana revealing the plans of Indrajit: Vibhisana came there and heard about the killing of the (illusory) Sita by Indrajit. Vibhisana said that this cannot be true. Ravana cannot kill Sita. He did not give up Sita even when begged by well-wishers for the sake of the demon community. Vibhisana said that the Sita who was killed by Indrajit was an illusory Sita. Indrajit wanted to get an intermission in the battle to go to Nikumbhila and perform a sacrifice. After performing that sacrifice he will become difficult to conquer even by celestials. Vibhisana told Sri Rama to send Lakshmana with him to Nikumbhila and destroy the sacrifice of Indrajit before it ends. Then Indrajit will become susceptible to getting killing. Sri Rama could not first understand the full import of Vibhisana's words (due to his grief over Devi Sita) and told him to repeat it again. Vibhisana said that Indrajit performed penance and obtained Brahmashira weapon from Lord Brahma. However Lord Brahma also said that if Indrajit fought without offering oblations at Nikumbhila, he will be killed by the enemy. Sri Rama sent Lakshmana with Vibhisana, Hanuman, Jambavan, Angada and accompanied by a large army. Lakshmana went to the sanctuary of Nikumbhila with the army of vanaras.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 84 to 85)

• Lakshmana slaying Indrajit: Reaching the sanctuary of Nikumbhila, Vibhisana asked Lakshmana to destroy the army of Indrajit through arrows and with the help of the vanaras; thereby destroying the sacrifice of Indrajit. A battle ensued between the demons and the vanaras. Lakshmana showered arrows in the direction of Indrajit. Hearing his army getting destroyed by the vanaras, Indrajit left his sacrifice, came out and ascended his chariot. At that time Hanuman showing his mighty prowess uprooted huge trees and hurled them on the demons making them unconscious. Indrajit took his chariot towards Hanuman and hurled swords, spears and axes on the head of Hanuman. Vibhisana warned Lakshmana that Indrajit is trying to kill Hanuman and told Lakshmana to release his terrible arrows on Indrajit. Vibhisana showed the place near a banyan tree where Indrajit performed oblations and then becomes invincible. Lakshmana reached near Indrajit and challenged him. Indrajit rebuked Vibhisana and said that by betraying his own relations he has stooped low. Finally the enemy side will kill him after getting their work done. Vibhisana said that by nature he is virtuous and on the side of righteousness. By renouncing an unrighteous man, one does not incur sins, but on the other hand gain happiness. By his unrighteous acts Ravana will not exist longer. Vibisana told Indrajit to show his prowess on Lakshmana. Indrajit reminded Lakshmana about his earlier fatal blow on him and making him unconscious. Lakshmana replied that during that time Indrajit adopted the path of thieves by making himself invisible. Indrajit in fury released many arrows on Lakshmana. In retaliation, Lakshmana released his arrows on Indrajit. A terrific duel ensued between Lakshmana and Indrajit. Lakshmana made Indrajit swoon for a moment. Regaining his consciousness, Indrajit struck Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhisana with his arrows and wounded them. Lakshmana made light of Indrajit's attack and releasing his powerful arrows broke the armour of Indrajit. Indrajit in retaliation broke the armour of Lakshmana. Indrajit and Lakshmana continued their terrific duel for a long time each attacking the other with their arrows. Vibhisana then entered the battle and started attacking the demons. Vibhisana told the vanaras that Indrajit is the last major hurdle among the demons and after killing him, only Ravana will be left. Therefore let them exert themselves to the utmost for eliminating the army of Indrajit. The vanaras attacked the demons with renewed vigour. Lakshmana struck the horses of Indrajit, and then with an arrow called Bhalla, killed his charioteer. Seeing his charioteer getting killed Indrajit became dejected and drove the chariot himself. Then four vanaras named Pramathi, Sharabha, Rabhasa and Gandhamadana quickly jumps up and pressing the horses of Indrajit with their weight, killed them. Indrajit returned to Lanka and brought another chariot. Indrajit then attacked Lakshmana and Vibhisana again, and created havoc among the vanaras. The vanaras took refuge in Lakshmana. Lakshmana in fury then tore the bow of Indrajit with his arrows. Indrajit took up another bow. Lakshmana broke that too with his arrows. Then Lakshmana released five arrows on Indrajit which penetrated his body and he fell on the ground. Becoming wounded, Indrajit released powerful arrows on Lakshmana. Lakshmana then pierced all the demons in the battlefield with three arrows each and severed the head of the charioteer of Indrajit with an arrow called Bhalla. Lakshmana then struck the horses of Indrajit with his arrows. Indrajit retaliated with his arrows. Indrajit struck all the vanaras with an arrow and then struck Vibhisana. Vibhisana in anger killed the horses of Indrajit with his mace. Indrajit hurled a javelin towards Vibhisana which Lakshmana broke with his arrows. Vibhisana attacked Indrajit with arrows which penetrated his body. The enraged Indrajit released the Yama astra towards Vibhisana which Lakshmana nullified with his Kubera astra. Lakshmana released the Varuna astra which Indrajit nullified with the Rudra astra. Then Indrajit released the Agni astra which Lakshmana nullified with his Surya astra. Indrajit then released a powerful astra which discharged hammers, swords, axes etc. Lakshmana nullified it with a Maheshwara astra. Finally Lakshmana fit the very powerful Indra astra on his bow which has never been defeated before. Lakshmana then offered a prayer to the weapon that if Sri Rama is steadfast in virtue, established in truth and is unconquerable, destroy Indrajit. Then Lakshmana stretched his bow and released his arrow. The arrow severed the head of Indrajit from his trunk. Seeing Indrajit fall, the celestials and the vanaras rejoiced. The demons fled from the battlefield. The celestials played music and showered flowers from heaven. Vibhisana and vanaras surround Lakshmana and praised him.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 86 to 90)

• Sushena treating Lakshmana: Lakshmana who was injured during his battle with Indrajit then came to Sri Rama and Sugreeva by taking the support of Vibhisana and Hanuman. He was breathing hard. Lakshmana and Vibhisana informed Sri Rama about the slaying of Indrajit. Sri Rama became overjoyed saying that it is almost like their final victory. Sri Rama embraced Lakshmana and drew him near his lap. Then he told Sushena to treat Lakshmana, Vibhisana and the other vanaras. Sushena administered an excellent herb to Lakshmana, inhaling the smell of which Lakshmana was healed and his wounds were cured. Then Sushena treated Vibhisana and the other vanaras.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 91)

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