Sri Rama humbling Ravana in battle

(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 59 to 60)

Sri Rama fighting

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

• Ravana going to battle, Sri Rama defeating him: Hearing about the death of Prahasta in the battle, Ravana himself went to the battle accompanied by powerful demons like Akampana, Indrajit, Atikaya, Mahodara, Pishacha, Trishira, Kumbha, Nikumbha, Narantaka. Rama said to Vibhisana that Ravana was shining like Yama himself and decided to face him. Sugreeva hurled a mountain peak on Ravana. Ravana broke it with his arrows. Ravana then released a powerful arrow on Sugreeva. Sugreeva lost consciousness. The demons raised a shout of triumph. Then Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Rishabha, Jyotimukha and Nala hit Ravana with rocks. Ravana with his arrows made their attacks fruitless and in turn attacked them with his arrows. Attacked by Ravana, the vanara generals fell on the ground. The vanara generals then fled and took refuge of Sri Rama. When Rama was going towards Ravana, Lakshmana prayed that he be permitted to face Ravana. Sri Rama acceded and sent Lakshmana. In the meantime Hanuman came to Ravana and threatened him to destroy with his right hand. Ravana told Hanuman to hit him first so that he can measure his strength. Hanuman reminded Ravana that he has killed his son Aksha. Ravana in anger hit Hanuman violently on his chest with his hand. Hanuman reeled for some time, but soon regaining balance hit Ravana with his hand. Ravana reeled for some time but regained his balance also. Ravana then hit Hanuman again on his chest. Hanuman reeled again. Ravana turned his chariot towards Nila. Ravana hit Nila with his arrows. Nila hurled a huge rock towards Ravana. Ravana shattered the rock of Nila. Meanwhile Hanuman regained his balance and came there. Nila then hurled various other trees like Ashwakarna, Shala, Cuta etc on Ravana. Ravana shattered those trees and attacked Nila with his arrows. Nila then rapidly changed his size and amazed Ravana with his agility. The vanaras shouted and confused Ravana. Ravana then hurled an Agneya astra (Arrow of Fire god) on Nila. Nila fell on the ground being burnt all over. Ravana then rushes towards Lakshmana. Ravana releases several arrows which Lakshmana destroyed it with his own arrows. Lakshmana then broke the arrows of Ravana with his own arrows (called Khura, Ardhachandra, Karni, Bhalla etc). Ravana became astonished at the skill of Lakshmana. Ravana hit the forehead of Lakshmana with a powerful arrow given to him by Brahma. Lakshmana reeled for some time but regained his balance. Then Lakshmana attacked Ravana with his arrows, broke his bows and made him swoon. Ravana regained his balance and hurled a spear at Lakshmana. The spear made Lakshmana fall on the ground. Ravana rushed and tried to lift Lakshmana but was unable to do so. Struck by the weapon of Ravana, Lakshmana recollected that he is a part of Lord Vishnu. Then Hanuman rushed and hit Ravana with his hand. Ravana reeled and fell down. He sat motionless in the middle of his chariot. Hanuman lifted Lakshmana and brought him near Sri Rama. To Hanuman, Lakshmana became light due to his devotion. The spear left Lakshmana and returned to the chariot of Ravana. Ravana also regained consciousness. Sri Rama now rushed towards Ravana mounting on the shoulders of Hanuman. Ravana in anger first hit Hanuman with his arrows. Seeing Hanuman wounded, Sri Rama shattered the chariot of Ravana with his arrows. He then hit Ravana on his chest with a powerful arrow. Ravana swooned. Sri Rama then shattered the diadem of Ravana. Thereafter he released Ravana telling him to return to Lanka and come back with his strength regained. Ravana returned to Lanka defeated. Sri Rama then arranged for drawing out the arrows from Lakshmana and other injured vanaras. The celestials felt great joy seeing the defeat of Ravana in the hands of Sri Rama.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 59)

• Ravana feeling humbled: Entering the city of Lanka, Ravana felt humble and was afflicted with the fear of the arrows of Sri Rama. Ravana became overwhelmed by Rama of great soul as an elephant is overwhelmed by a lion or a serpent by Garuda. Ravana said that all his penance has come to a waste since he has been defeated by a man. He recollected the word of Lord Brahma that he is not immune from threat from men. He recollected that he sought immunity from celestials and others but not from men. He recollected that Anaranya from Ikshvaku dynasty has cursed him that a man born in his race will destroy him. He said that Vedavati whom he has formerly humiliated has been born as Sita. He said that the predictions of Parvati, Nandishwara, Rambha and Punjikasthala is coming true.
(Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - 60)

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