35. The Battle of Rama and Ravana

Rama and Ravana confronted each other, each enveloped in a shower of arrows from the other. This was the most awe-inspiring phase of the battle, where the skill and swiftness in handling weapons displayed by the two adversaries had never been seen before. With wonder and amazement, the Vanaras and demons kept watching in anticipation.

The Unleashing of Supernatural Weapons

Suddenly, Ravana applied the terrible shaft of the Gandharvas against Rama. But Rama was certainly not lagging behind; he deftly cut the advancing arrow asunder with a more powerful arrow of his own. Consumed by rage, Ravana shot what is known as the demon’s shaft—a rare weapon that produced innumerable serpents in the air. When Rama saw the serpents wriggling through the clouds towards him, he shot the shaft of Garuda, which instantly called forth a number of birds from the holy species of Vishnu, Garuda. They caught the advancing serpents and devoured them all.

The Demon King’s Desperation

Desperate, Ravana decided to deploy some of his last weapons. He picked up one, the Vajrayudha, the thunder-shaft, and shouted, “Rama! You have killed many of my kinsmen, so you deserve a reward. Come on!” As he shot the shaft, it roared like thunder and advanced towards Rama, who was alert enough to send several shafts to check it. However, they were reduced to ashes as soon as they touched the enemy’s shaft.

The Turning Tide

Realizing how powerful the fast-advancing shaft was, Rama at last applied one of the select shafts gifted to him by Indra. This proved effective, as Ravana’s shaft was smashed to pieces. Thereafter, Rama continued to harass Ravana with a variety of arrows, indicating that the demon king’s charioteer understood that his master was beginning to falter. He turned the chariot and retreated.

Confronting Retreat

But the charioteer’s action displeased Ravana. He rebuked, “How dare you retreat without my permission? Have you been bribed by my enemies to humiliate me? I command you to take the vehicle back and face Rama again.” The charioteer, nonplussed, gathered courage and replied, “O King! How do you doubt my integrity? Am I not your foremost well-wisher? I drove the chariot back because you were not in a position to withstand the fierce onslaught from Rama. You seemed tired, and our horses needed a brief respite. As your charioteer, should I not know what is right and what is wrong?”

A Change of Heart

Ravana was pleased with his charioteer and immediately rewarded him with a precious ornament, declaring, “No, I am not tired. Let me face Rama again!” The charioteer hastily resumed the vehicle and returned to challenge Rama.

Divine Intervention

However, at that moment, Rama was no longer in the mood to continue his fierce assault. A number of gods had gathered to witness the battle, among them Agastya, the great sage. To boost Rama’s spirit, Agastya taught him a special hymn. As Rama recited it, his drooping spirits lifted, and he instructed his charioteer, “Matali! It is high time I killed Ravana. Lead the chariot accordingly. You are no ordinary charioteer, but one who has guided Indra through battles.”

The Final Showdown

With renewed determination, Rama launched a mighty shaft that severed Ravana’s head. Yet, instantly, another head grew on the demon king’s shoulder. Rama cut off the new head too, but astonishingly, yet another head appeared. This phenomenon left Rama bewildered; he could not understand how the very shaft that had earlier succeeded in killing demons like Viradha and Kabandha could prove ineffective against Ravana.

The Decisive Moment

The battle continued for seven days and nights. On the eighth day, Matali realized that Ravana’s last hour had arrived. “My lord!” he told Rama, “Now is the time to concentrate on the demon king’s destruction. Please use the weapon of Brahma to bring it about.” Following Matali’s suggestion, Rama picked up the luminous shaft created by Lord Brahma for Indra’s use. Greeting it with the prescribed hymn, he sent it flying toward Ravana.

The End of a Tyrant

The winged shaft shook the earth with its sound and sped like a streak of lightning, piercing through Ravana’s chest. The bow fell from Ravana’s hand, and his lifeless body tumbled to the ground. The demons screamed in horror, while the Vanaras seized the opportunity to kill many of them. As Ravana fell, a celestial chorus accompanied by a shower of flowers resonated from the heavens. Rama’s glory was sung by the gods and the Gandharvas, resulting in indescribable joy among Angada, Sugriva, and the other heroes.

A Complex Aftermath

However, it was a different matter for Vibhishana. While he rejoiced at Rama’s triumph, he could not escape the sorrow of his brother’s death. He brooded over Ravana’s virtues—his scholarship and bravery—feeling it was a pity that his evil nature had overshadowed them. Rama consoled Vibhishana, saying, “Do not grieve. Ravana did not die like a coward; he fought like a true hero till the end. It is rare to find another brave warrior like him.”

Honoring the Fallen

With Rama’s permission, Vibhishana addressed urgent matters arising from Ravana’s death. The demon women had emerged onto the battlefield, surrounding Ravana’s corpse and weeping. They lamented Ravana’s actions in kidnapping Sita, which had ultimately led to his demise. Mandodari wept bitterly, lamenting the irony of her husband, who had conquered the three worlds, dying at the hands of a mere human being.

The Last Rites

“Vibhishana! Ask the women to retire into the fort. Then, make preparations for the due disposal of Ravana’s body without delay,” Rama instructed. Vibhishana wondered if Ravana truly deserved a traditional funeral. Despite his numerous misdeeds, the demon king had many virtues.