23. Siege of Lanka: The Turning Point
As planned by Rama, all the gateways of the fortifications of Lanka were besieged from outside. Sugriva kept an army ready between the western and northern gates, remaining alert.
The Vanaras were equipped with huge boulders, rocks, and trees. Their incessant chattering filled the air around Mount Trikut.
Rama’s Message
In consultation with Vibhisana, Rama decided to send Angada as his emissary to Ravana. Angada was tasked with delivering a daring message:
“O Ravana! Brahma’s boons have made you extremely arrogant, but the time has come for your arrogance to be quashed. You have kidnapped Sita, and you must partly atone for your wickedness with your life. I challenge you to prove your valor by the strength with which you kidnapped Sita. However, this is your last chance to surrender. Otherwise, my arrows will destroy all your soldiers, and the throne of Lanka will pass to Vibhisana. Even if you attempt to escape me in the guise of a bird, there is no hope for you. Meanwhile, you may take a last glimpse of Lanka, the city so dear to you, and prepare your own funeral rites, for death lurks at your door.”
Angada’s Defiance
Angada took a great leap and arrived at Ravana’s court, where Ravana was busy conferring with his ministers.
Introducing himself, Angada delivered Rama’s message to the demon king. Furious, Ravana ordered his guards to capture Angada immediately. Four demons rushed at him, but Angada seized two of them under each arm and hopped to the top of the palace tower, dropping them while Ravana looked on. He then made another leap to rejoin Rama’s camp.
The Turning Tide
Ravana felt humiliated by Angada’s actions and for a moment, his courage faltered. He looked around nervously, breathing quickly.
The Vanaras would tolerate no delay. Eager to battle, they flexed their muscles. Following Sugriva’s instructions, the gigantic Susena, accompanied by a group of lieutenants, continued to march around the fort. The war cries of the demons echoed from inside the fort.
Ravana was continuously informed about the developments. Climbing to the top of the fort, he surveyed the situation and was astonished to see the multitude of Vanaras that Rama had brought with him.
The Assault Begins
As Rama saw the fortifications, a surge of anger overcame him at the thought of Sita being held captive. He signaled his army to begin the assault.
Immediately, the Vanaras sprang into action. Some charged the gates, while others climbed the walls, hurling stones and trees at the demons.
Vibhisana and his ministers, including Gaja, Gabaya, Gabaksha, Sharava, and Gandhamadan, supervised the actions of the army.
The Clash of Titans
As the Vanaras attacked, Ravana ordered his demon army to counterattack. With the sound of bugles, drums, and violent shouts, the demons advanced. The Vanaras responded with even louder roars, and the battle commenced.
The demons wielded maces, spikes, and axes, while the Vanaras fought back with rocks and trees. If a demon lost a weapon, the Vanaras would bite or tear him with their sharp nails. The demons attempted to attack from the high walls, but the Vanaras began uprooting sections of the walls to deny them advantage.
Several Vanaras were soon engaged in fierce wrestling matches with the demons. Angada battled Meghnad, Sampati faced Prajangha, Hanuman confronted Jamyumali, and many others took to the field, causing Mount Trikut to tremble with the cries of battle.
Turning Points in Battle
Angada soon destroyed Meghnad’s horses, chariot, and charioteer, while Sampati managed to kill Prajangha. Jamyumali narrowly escaped death at Hanuman’s hands. The demon Pratapas lost his eyes in combat with Nala, and Pradhas was slain by Sugriva.
Four cunning demons shot arrows at Rama, but with swift precision, Rama beheaded them. The well-known demon Vajramusthi was left unconscious by a few blows from Mainda, and Vidyunmali fell to Sushena’s might. Numerous others lost their lives at the hands of the Vanaras.
As dusk settled, the battle raged on. The demons consumed several Vanaras in the darkness, but the Vanaras, recognizing the demons by their shimmering ornaments and teeth, continued to fight on. Rama and Lakshmana relentlessly shot arrows at the enemy forces.
Meghnad’s Sorcery
After losing his chariot, Meghnad resorted to sorcery, becoming invisible and employing a supernatural power known as Nagastra against Rama and Lakshmana. The brothers fell incapacitated under a barrage of arrows. “Even Indra cannot harm me if I fight invisibly,” shouted Meghnad. “Do not expect to survive my attack. Know that the battle is over and your side is defeated.”
Profusely bleeding and blurred in vision, Rama and Lakshmana lay incapacitated. Meghnad continued his onslaught, and the Vanaras searched for him in vain. Hanuman and other heroes surrounded the brothers, weeping for them.
The False Victory
Meghnad declared to the demons, “Look at my achievement! Rama and Lakshmana, bound by my arrows, are dying. No one can rescue them. Rejoice, my demon brethren!”
He then intensified his assault, with the demons celebrating Meghnad’s accomplishments. Believing Rama and Lakshmana to be dead, Meghnad entered the fort with great pride.
Meanwhile, Sugriva fell into despair upon seeing Rama and Lakshmana. Vibhisana comforted him, saying, “Fear not, Sugriva. Maintain your courage. Such setbacks are inevitable in battle. Rest assured, Rama and Lakshmana have only fainted. They will revive soon.” Vibhisana wiped Sugriva’s tears, which provided him some solace as he organized the army once more.
The Aftermath
Meghnad appeared before Ravana, announcing, “Father! I have killed both Rama and Lakshmana!”
Ravana, thrilled by the news, stood and embraced his son, asking for a detailed report. Meghnad recounted the episode, bringing great joy to Ravana.
Once Meghnad departed, Ravana summoned the demonesses guarding Sita. He instructed them gleefully, “Go inform Sita that both Rama and Lakshmana are dead. Take her in my flying chariot, Pushpak, and show her their lifeless bodies on the battlefield. Then persuade her to marry me, ensuring she feels she has no choice.”
Sita’s Grief
The demonesses took Sita to the battlefield, where she saw Rama and Lakshmana lying still, with the Vanaras surrounding them in sorrow. The news that Meghnad had killed them spread throughout Lanka, accompanied by the beating of drums.
Ravana ordered a celebration in honor of this occasion, while Sita’s grief deepened.
She remembered the astrologers’ prophecies that she would bear brave sons and that her husband would be a celebrated monarch. Confused, she questioned how such predictions could prove false.
However, Trijata whispered to Sita, “My dear sister, trust me, Rama and Lakshmana are not dead; they have merely fainted.”
Hope Reborn
Trijata’s words proved to be true. Rama was the first to regain consciousness. But upon seeing Lakshmana’s condition, sorrow overwhelmed him. “I cannot bear the thought of surviving Lakshmana’s death. I am sorry I could not fulfill my promise to Vibhisana to crown him the king of Lanka. In this circumstance, Sugriva should return to Kishkindhya with the Vanara army.”
The Vanaras stayed silently in mourning, too pained to respond.
