The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Ravana is finally killed, and Lord Rama asks Vibhishana to perform his last rites. Meanwhile, Ravana’s wife Mandodhari runs in search of her husband and mourns his untimely death! She regrets the fact that Ravana had ignored her advice to go ahead and fight Rama. But now it’s all too late! Ravana cannot be derived back! Mandodhari could not digest the fact that Ravana is no more! Eventually when Rama asks Vibhishana denies to perform the last rites for his brother, Lord Rama decides to do it by himself! Such is the magnanimity of Lord Rama that even he offered respect even to his deadliest enemies!

However, Vibhishana accepted Lord Rama’s instruction and prepares for the last rites. The pyre is prepared and all the last rites are done according to the required procedure. The entire Lanka city is in deep distress. They’ve lost a great king and an administrator in Ravana! However because of his uncontrollable and unwanted desires, Ravana had to give up his life! Nevertheless, Vibhishana performs all the procedures as Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Sugriva are looking on.

After all of this is over, now Lord Rama calls Hanuman and requests him to convey the news of victory to Mother Sita. Accordingly Hanuman prepares himself to go to the Ashoka-Vana and reaches there within the wink of an eye to convey the victorious news of Lord Rama! Hanuman goes in front of Mother Sita, pays his respects to her and conveys, “Oh Mother Sita! Rama has managed to win over Ravana finally, as per your prayers and wishes! He is on his way to take you back to Ayodhya!”

Upon hearing this, Mother Sita is completely overwhelmed with joy and tears start strickling down her beautiful eyes! She replies back to Hanuman, “Oh dear Hanuman!! I really do not know how to explain my happiness! I don’t have words to thank you for all the help and support you’ve given to Rama to achieve the mission. I don’t have the power in this human birth of mine to compensate and reward your contributions to our happiness! You have been the sole cause of Lord Rama’s victory! Hats off to you!”

However, Mother Sita is not satisfied with her own words. She continues, “Oh Hanuman! Although I’m all alone at this moment and I’m in a forest, you may ask me for anything whatever you please!” Upon which, Hanuman replies, “Oh Mother Sita! I just want one permission from you!” Sita asks back, “Okay! What is that permission?” Hanuman replies back, “Mother! Allow me to take a huge form and kill all those seven hundred Raakshasis who were troubling and torturing you day and night for all these ten months! Please give me this permission!”

Upon hearing this from Hanuman, Sita’s heart starts to melt with compassion. How can a mother allow her children to be killed? She immediately negates Hanuman’s request. She replies to Hanuman, “Oh Hanuman! I understand your frustration. However, you should understand that these Raakshasis (Demons) are innocent people. They had just executed the orders given by their master and hence, they had just done their duty. They did not threaten and torture me on purpose! Hence it is not right to punish these innocent people. Hence, Oh Hanuman! My love and compassion is always with these innocent people and you should not touch them and do any harm to them!”

Hearing this from Mother Sita, Hanuman realizes her compassion and love towards all beings in this world – Even if they are demons, Mother Sita is always a person who would protect and make sure that they are safe and happy! For today, let us also realize the compassion of Mother Sita and worship Her to save us from our sins and wrongdoings! The action continues in the next episode! 🙂

In the previous episode we had witnessed the fall of the mighty Ravana and how Lord Rama managed to make inroads into the war proceedings and take on Ravana thereafter. Finally Ravana falls on the ground and eventually we also witnessed that Lord Rama had the magnanimity to ask Lakshmana to learn the scholarliness of Ravana with folded hands! As Lakshmana obeys his brother’s words, Ravana breathes his last, as he realizes that it is none other than Lord Vishnu who has come all the way to send him back to Vaikunta.

Now moving on further, as Ravana breathes his last, news spreads very quickly to the entire Lanka city that their mighty king Ravana is no more! Rama has defeated Ravana successfully and killed him! Unable to bare the shocking news, Ravana’s wife Mandodhari rushes out of the palace in search of her husband. As she sees Ravana on the floor, she hugs him and cries aloud! It is such a ghasty and an emotional moment for Mandodhari as she has lost her beloved husband forever.

“Vyaktha vesha mahaa yogi paramaathmaa sanaathanaha!

Shrivatsa vakshaaha nithyashreehi ajaiyaha shaashwathaha dhruvaha!!”

Through the above sloka, Mandodhari cries aloud and says helplessly to the corpse of Ravana thus, “Oh Ravana!! My dear husband! You failed to realize who this Rama is! Rama is a “Paramaathma” and you failed to realize this fact even after my repeated advice! Now how am I going to live my life without you?”

Here in this context, we can see that Mandodhari is praising Lord Rama. Previously we had seen Soorpanaka praising Lord Rama, Thaara praising Lord Rama – This is the speciality of Lord Rama, wherein even his enemies take a moment to praise him!

“Appraapyathanchaiva kaamam mythili sangamekrutham!

Pathivvrathaayaastapasaa noonam dadhhoosime prabho!!”

Mandodhari thus continues further, “Oh Ravana! You were actually so invincible in nature that even this Rama would have found it difficult to take you on in a war. I can assuredly say that even Lord Rama is not good enough in front of you during war. You were defeated not because of Rama, but because of Sita’s “Paathivrathyam” (Ardent devotion towards husband). You failed to control your senses and thus Rama defeated you. Else, who on earth is as powerful as you, to take you on this easily?”

Upon uttering these words, Mandodhari is crying unconsolably. Vibhishana who is standing amidst the Vaanara army is also in tears upon seeing his sister in law crying profusely. Although Vibhishana had changed sides before the war began, he couldn’t control his emotions upon seeing his brother Ravana dead!

As all of this is going on, Lord Rama turns to Vibhishana and says, “Oh dear Vibhishana! Please take up the responsibility to perform the last rites of your brother Ravana!” However, since Vibhishana is now on Lord Rama’s side, he initially refuses to do it! Now Lord Rama again says firmly to Vibhishana, “Oh Vibhishana! You can be an enemy of a person only till he is alive. Once the person is dead, there is no more friend-enemy concept. Hence, are you doing the last rites or should I do it by myself? Oh Vibhishana! Performing last rites is never new to me! I’ve performed last rites to innumerable people during this fourteen-year tenure of my forest life, except for my father!”

As Vibhishana hears these emotion-packed words from Lord Rama, he has tears in his eyes. He gets ready to do the cremation and other last rites for his brother Ravana. What happens next? The action continues in the next episode!!

Finally we are at the stage wherein we are getting answers for the very purpose of Lord Rama’s birth – To reinstate Dharma (Righteousness) in this world! As Bhagawan Krishna says in his Bhagawad Gita,

“Praithraanaaya saadhunaam vinaashaayacha dushkrutham!

Dharma samsthaabhanaarthaaya sambhavaami yuge yuge!!”

We initially started with this particular sloka to explain Bhagawan Rama’s birth in our earlier episodes. Now we are finding out what exactly is Bhagawan doing! He has taken birth in the form of Rama to restore Dharma by destroying Ravana, who was the embodiment of “Adharma” (Unrighteous path). We are now at this critical stage wherein Ravana is on the floor gasping for his breathe! He is completely undone by Lord Rama’s fury and invincible powers! What Ravana did not even think of happening in his wildest dreams, has happened today! He stands defeated by an “ordinary human being”! For a person who has made even the Celestial beings tremble for their lives, how on earth can this happen?

As Ravana is lying on the floor helplessly, Lord Rama’s fury slowly comes down and he has a deep look at Ravana’s face and eyes. As Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He knows who Ravana really is! Just because of a curse from a sage in Vaikunta, “Jaya” and “Vijaya” (the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu’s abode in Vaikunta) have been born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna respectively. We’ve already spoken about this at length in one of our earlier episodes.

As Lord Rama looks at Ravana, he reveals his true form of Vishnu to him. Upon seeing Lord Vishnu standing in front of him, Ravana (who is actually an ardent Vishnu Devotee) is in tears of joy! Within a flash he realizes that all what had happened till date in his human life, was all a mere drama enacted by his Lord, so as to bring him back to Vaikunta! What a moment for Ravana this!! He cries unconsolably and thinks within himself, “Oh my dearest Lord! It is because of this small little devotee of yours that you had incarnated in this world! It is because of your dearest devotee that you had wantedly undertaken all these sufferings for so long! Little could I realize that it was Goddess Lakshmi Devi, (Sita) whom I had the audacity to abduct from Panchavati! Oh Lord! There is no forgiveness for what nonsense that I had done to you!”

Thinking thus, Ravana finally realizes his wrongdoings! He is now in a state of despair and frustration within himself! Looking at Ravana’s pitiful state, Lord Rama acknowledges his ardent prayers and requests and accepts him too! Such is the righteousness of Lord Rama! Moreover, he now turns to his brother Lakshmana and says, “Oh Lakshmana! Now that Ravana is in this pitiful state of affairs, go to him, fall in his feet and try to learn all the scriptural knowledge that Ravana possesses in him! The ego in Ravana is our enemy, but not the scholar in him! Hence, go and learn Ravana’s scholarliness before he breathes his last!”

What kind of magnanimity is this from Lord Rama! Even though Ravana is his enemy, he still is able to see the good in his enemy too! This is a very important management and a life lesson for all of us – Irrespective of whether a person is a friend or an enemy; we should try and grasp the good things from them at any time! This is exactly what Lord Rama is instructing Lakshmana to do.

Thus, as per his brother’s instruction, Lakshmana goes near Ravana and requests him to teach him the crucks of his scholarliness. Even Ravana himself is impressed! He happily teaches Lakshmana and by the end of the teaching, Ravana breathes his last! He is gone forever! The world has literally lost a scholar, a king an able administrator in Ravana! The world has lost a person who really was an epitome of the “Never-give-up” attitude! He fought till his last moment, although it was for a wrong cause!

For today, let us mourn and accept Ravana’s defeat and death but let us also realize that at any point in time, it would be “Dharma” that would prevail, however scholarly, able, powerful and invincible that person might have been! We shall wait for the next episode for the action to continue further!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Mandodhari gives a final attempt to convince Ravana to change his stance on Sita. She gives him valuable advice and requests him to relent in his stance and to mend his ways in the right direction by not going behind other’s wives. But does Ravana listen? What is his answer to Mandodhari? Let’s continue today.

As Mandodhari finishes her accord, Ravana is both emotional and at the same time, angry. He couldn’t digest the fact that even his wife doubts his capabilities. Thus, rather than relenting from his stance, Ravana instead tries to answer back his wife. He says, “Oh dear Mandodhari! I deeply understand all your concerns! I know that it was a terrible day for me at war yesterday. However, please do not doubt on your husband’s capabilities. Your husband has all the capabilities to emerge victorious in todays’ war. Rama will be history today. Rama will realize during the course of today’s war that he was testing a wrong person and would reap consequences for his actions. This Ravana is capable of anything and everything in this world. Even the Celestial beings are afraid of me. If that is the case, then who is this Rama? He is after all a miniature and an ordinary human being! What can he do to this mighty Ravana?”

As Ravana replies thus with arrogance and over-confidence, Mandodhari is in tears and is sobbing bitterly. She is trying her best to save her husband from the brink. However, Ravana is not ready. Mandodhari tries one last time to convince Ravana, “Oh Ravana! My dearest husband! I know that you are capable of accomplishing anything and everything in this world! Confidence is good, but overconfidence is dangerous! Please think for a while before you proceed to the battle. If you think for a while, you would understand what I’m trying to tell you! Rama is not that easy a person to defeat in a battle. The best way to defeat Rama is by doing good deeds and by seeking forgiveness to him. Please hand over Sita to him. What is the use of having Sita in our place? Sita has only caused destruction to you and to Lanka. Let us not do this any further. Please pay heed to your dear wife’s words!”

Even after Mandodhari’s repeated requests, Ravana’s heart refuses to relent. He looks at Mandodhari in anger and says, “Oh Mandodhari! I never expected your words to be this way. I thought that you would stand beside me to motivate me to win the war against this Rama, however, you’re asking me to act like a coward! Rama is the reason for Lanka’s destruction. I agree! But please note that it is my duty as a king to seek revenge for Rama’s atrocious act! I shall definitely teach Rama and Co. a fitting lesson today! Please do not stop me!”

Saying thus, he thwards Mandodhari and starts for the war. The entire Vaanara army is at the verge of wrapping things up and is waiting for Ravana’s arrival on the battlefield. As Ravana arrives, a fierce battle commences again. Again, Lord Rama is directly spearheading the Vaanara army under the able guidance of Vibhishana. Ravana comes prepared to take on Rama and the marquee battle begins yet another time!

This time Ravana has decided to go all out against Rama and Lakshmana – In fact, he doesn’t have another option if he has to win! The fierce battle commences and once more the world comes to a complete standstill. The battle continues for seven days and seven nights continuously without a break! As Ravana unleashes one “Asthra” after the other, Lord Rama has the equal ammunition in him to counter everything! Similarly, Ravana possess all the required ammunition to counter Rama’s surge. As the battle continues on and on, the Devas and other Celestial Beings become extremely anxious! Nobody can predict as to who is running away with this!

As the marquee battle enters into the fourth, fifth and sixth days and nights, Ravana’s army starts losing steam slowly! The Vaanara army spearheaded by Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Hanuman make significant inroads into Ravana’s (already) weak army. Not to forget that Vibhishana knows the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and Rama has no problems tackling any kind of assault from Ravana. It is at a point during the final night that Ravana is running weak on ammunition and arms – The Vaanara army manages to destroy the whole Raakshasa army successfully.

Now again, Ravana is left alone to defend himself but this time, Ravana is not going to give up even when he is all alone! He still has some tricks left in his book to unleash! However in the process, the tricks slowly start backfiring at him and Lord Rama gives one final blow with all his power-packed fury, pushing Ravana to the ground – Once and for all!! Ravana is completely defeated now and Lord Rama along with the Vaanara army are all over him! It is at this stage that Ravana finally gives up and accepts the defeat – But it’s too late! Ravana’s life is in extreme danger as he is injured beyond limits!

As Ravana falls on the ground, the entire Vaanara army is up on their feet to celebrate victory! Lord Rama has a glance at Ravana who is battling the last stage of his life. Let the Vaanara army keep rejoicing the victory for today. However, does Lord Rama have a message for Ravana at this moment? What is that message? Does Ravana realize his mistake atleast now? Let’s wait to answer all these important questions in the next episode!

We are now at a very important point wherein the first phase of Rama vs. Ravana is over. We had witnessed the marquee battle between the two invincibles in detail during the previous episode. During the course, we witnessed the intensity of the battle as described by Vaalmiki Maharishi. The ever-calm Rama defends whatever Ravana throws at him. However, when Ravana extends his arrogant attack over Hanuman in a brutal way, Rama has had enough! He unleashes his full powers towards Ravana, which makes the entire world shiver with fear! Eventually Ravana begins to lose to Lord Rama’s fury and is finally left weaponless towards the end of the war.

At this point in time, Lord Rama could have easily finished proceedings by killing the helpless Ravana, however he doesn’t do that. Here’s a person who implements “Dharma” exactly as per the “Rule-Book”! 🙂 Finally, Rama says to Ravana, “The war for today is called off since you are weaponless! Hence, go back to your palace today and come back with fresh ammunition tomorrow!”

Moving on thus, Ravana comes back to the palace in deep thoughts of frustration and anger. He has clearly been insulted here! Ravana is unable to bear the insult in Rama’s hands! He fumes his way into the palace and this sound of intense fury frightens Ravana’s wife Mandodhari. She comes running to the courtroom, looking for Ravana. As she looks at her husband, the first question that comes out from her mouth is, “Are you safe and secure?” Upon hearing this from his wife, Ravana becomes even more furious and shouts back at her thus, “Oh dear Mandodhari! Do you think your husband is a coward? What can happen to me? I’m invincible! Nobody in this earth has the courage to touch me and test my invincible powers!”

Upon hearing this, Mandodhari begins to advise her husband thus, “Oh my dear husband! I know and I’m fully aware of your invincible powers. But the only issue here is that, you are trying to exhibit your invincible powers in front of a person to whom you should not be doing so! Don’t you realize that this Rama and army have demolished the entire city of Lanka? Even your own brother Kumbhakarna hasn’t been spared! Vibhishana has joined Rama and his powers had only increased since then! Hence Ravana.. Please realize that enough is enough! Give Sita back to Rama and finish off things peacefully. This is my ardent advice. Please pay heed to my advice atleast now. Till now you have done innumerable blunders and I’ve kept quite all this while. However, please realize that you are at the brink of destruction. The entire city of Lanka has been held hostage to your unwarranted desire towards women! Please realize that this Sita, whom you think is a “Goddess of Love” is none other than an “Instrument of Destruction”. Please pay heed to your dear wife’s advice and do accordingly!”

Does Ravana pay heed atleast now? Does Ravana’s heart mend its ways to his dearest Mandodhari? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out!

The stage is now all set  for the marquee event to commence!! The arrogant Ravana is preparing himself to take on the compassionate, but powerful Lord Rama to settle scores! In the previous episode we had witnessed that the benevolent Lord Rama had given Ravana one final chance to realize his folly, yet the arrogance and overconfidence makes Ravana blinded! He refuses to relent and to add fuel to the fire, he insults Lord Rama very badly. Now Rama decides that enough is enough! The event is about to get going.

Vaalmiki Maharishi gives a detailed accord of the marquee battle. The war between Dharma and Adharma commences. As Lord Krishna explains in his Bhagawat Gita,

“Parithraanaaya saadhunaam vinaashaayacha dushkruthaam!

Dharma samsthaabhanaarthaaya sambhavaami yuge yuge!!”

Here too, Lord Rama is all set for destroying the “Adharma” (Unrighteousness) once and for all.

“Vibhedha hrudhayam tasya raavansya dhuraathmanaha!

Sasharo raavanam hathwaa rudhiraarthru gathacchabhihi!!”

As the war begins, Ravana starts the proceedings first. He commences his attack with his sharp arrows from his powerful bow. As the arrows come by, Lord Rama is also ready with his counter-attacking strategy. He successfully counters every arrow that comes from Ravana’s bow. The battle knows no comparisons! It was an intense and a fierce one! Both Rama and Ravana are invincible in their own ways! The Devas (Celestial Beings) are watching this war from above! It is for this event that they had been waiting for the past thirty-seven years. They were waiting patiently for Rama to take on Ravana.

Initially as Ravana attacks and repeatedly attacks Rama, Lord Rama never gets angry! He allows Ravana to exhibit his power, although he is hit badly! At one stage Ravana himself gets puzzled! He thinks within himself, “How do we make this Rama angry? Doesn’t he get angry at all? How do I make him lose his calmness?”

Thinking thus, Ravana turns his attention towards the Vaanaras. He now concludes within himself, “Yes! Now let me attack these monkeys one by one and put them to death! Let me see how Rama counters me now!”

It is at this point that Ravana hits Hanuman unexpectedly with a sharp and a powerful arrow! Since Hanuman wasn’t anticipating this from Ravana, he gets hit and falls on the ground! Ravana follows it up and pounds Hanuman subsequently with innumerable arrows! Now Hanuman is at a stage wherein one more arrow would cost his life!

Upon seeing his ardent devotee, Hanuman in such a condition, Lord Rama has had enough! He could tolerate all the blows that Ravana has given him so far. However, Lord Rama isn’t able to tolerate an inch more when his dear Hanuman is hurt! This was it! The fire in Lord Rama has woken up at last! Now Rama decides to teach Ravana a lesson. He lets out a huge war cry in front of the whole crowd, fuming in anger! He now fumes at Ravana, “Oh Ravana! Finally the moment has come! Now you’re going to see who this Rama really is! Till now I’ve given you all the chances to relent and realize and you’ve failed to do so! Now experience the other side of Rama! Let the world today understand what can Rama’s fury do!!!”

Saying thus, Lord Rama quickly raises his bar! His fighting escalates to a different level altogether! Rama makes a thundering noise with his bow, in such a way that the entire world comes to a complete standstill for a moment! Bhagawan is in full fury! He releases one arrow after the other in lightning quick speed, that Ravana couldn’t even make adjustments to his strategy to counter Rama’s attack. One arrow spilts into ten, twenty, fifty, hundred, thousand arrows! Ravana has no clue to counter Rama’s carnage! Weapon after weapon falls on the ground from Ravana’s hands! All his strategies are being proved useless in front of Rama’s fury!

Finally Ravana is reduced to a state wherein there is absolutely no weapon left in his repertoire to counter Rama! His powerful bow is broken down into pieces within minutes! His sword “Chandrahaasa” is reduced to rubbles! Lord Rama manages to counter even the powerful and the invincible “Asthras” that Ravana tried to employ! Now what does Ravana do? He is completely weaponless! He is reduced to nothing!

Here too, Lord Rama’s benevolence comes to the fore – Upon seeing Ravana weaponless, Rama stops the war all of a sudden! The war has now come to a grinding halt! But why? According to the “Raaja-Dharma”, if the opponent king is weaponless, it is not fair to continue the war any further!

Hence Lord Rama calls off the war and tells Ravana, “Go home for today and come equipped tomorrow morning!” This is one of the greatest qualities of Lord Rama, which marks him to the highest level in Leadership!

So for today, let Ravana go back, rejuvenate himself and return to the battlefield. And by the way, is he going to still continue the fight tomorrow? Or, is he going to relent atleast now? What happens next? The action continues in the next episode!

In the previous episode we had witnessed that Lord Rama and Ravana are now on the battlefield face to face for the first time. Even as Ravana comes near him, Lord Rama is still not ready to fight Ravana. Rather, he wants to give Ravana another chance to realize his mistake and to avoid a war. This shows Lord Rama’s benevolence in forgiving in his worst enemy! Eventually we also witnessed that Lord Rama has posed Ravana with a set of questions for him to think about and realize his wrongdoing. However, is Ravana ready to relent? Let us see today.

As Lord Rama asks Ravana a series of tough questions to ponder about, Ravana is not ready to listen to any of them. Rather, his anger and arrogance overtake his thinking ability as Ravana looks at Rama with overconfidence. As Rama completes his accord, Ravana replies him back thus: “Oh Rama! Thank you for your advice! But I’m a completely learned person and your advice is of no use to me! I know what I’m doing and I need not listen to worthless people like you! You’ve not even become a king in your life and hence, what do you know about ‘RaajaDharma’? You had been chased out of Ayodhya. Your own father had declared you unworthy! Then with what guts do you come and advise me? Sita is mine and will be mine forever! If you have the courage and if you really have the guts, fight me, win over me and then see if you can see Sita again!”

Here is a very important lesson to learn for modern day leaders and managers – Irrespective of how capable and knowledgable we might be, at any point in time, we should never exhibit overconfidence. Our knowledge and skills should only give us the confidence, but never should manifest overconfidence in us. Overconfidence would further lead us to exhibit arrogant behavior. When arrogance takes over, we would ultimately lose our thinking ability, wherein we would fail to judge the capabilities of the opponent and eventually would result in our downfall.

Hence, the important message from this Rama-Ravana episode is that, modern day leaders and managers should maintain their calm under any situation and not exhibit arrogance and overconfidence.

Hearing this from Ravana, how does Lord Rama react? As mentioned previously, Lord Rama is an epitome of calmness and compassion. He never gets angry on Ravana although Ravana has clearly insulted him. His compassion knows no bounds. However, time is nearing for Lord Rama to unleash his powers and to teach Ravana a fitting lesson. Hence, Lord Rama reluctantly but stubbornly replies back to Ravana thus, “Oh Ravana! You are talking this way because you do not know who am I! Anyway, if your wish is to have a fight with me, despite giving you a chance to think over, you are most welcome to begin the war. There are two clear sides now – Dharma and Adharma. Let us see which side is going to win!”

Saying thus, both Rama and Ravana prepare themselves for the all-important summit clash! On one side, Ravana is mustering up all his strength to show Rama his place! On the other end, Lord Rama is calmly but with confidence, building his strength and powers to take on Ravana! We are all set for the most important cracker! Let’s stay tuned until the next episode for the action to commence! 🙂

We are at a juncture wherein all of Ravana’s army chiefs, sons, brothers, etc. have lost their lives in the war. The war has also witnessed heavy loss of lives and materials. The damage is such that the army has to go to each and every household to recruit fresh personnel to fight for the country! The entire Ravana’s palace, which was once a paradise on earth, has transformed into a place of glum and darkness. All of them are in tears. Nobody could bare the loss of lives, especially those of Kumbhakarna, Indrajith, etc. who were the pillars of Ravana’s army. Mandodhari (Ravana’s wife) is sobbing uncontrollably over the loss of her son Indrajith. She goes to Ravana’s chamber with tears in her eyes and requests him to relent from his stance and to put an end to this war, so as to save the rest of Lanka to be destroyed by Rama and Co.

But does Ravana relent atleast now? Instead, as Mandodhari advises him, his anger again starts to grow! His ego is hurt! Ravana consoles Mandodhari and exudes confidence in her that her husband is capable of accomplishing anything in this world. This time, he decides to go to the battlefield all by himself to test the strength of Rama’s Vaanara army. He is in turn wondering within himself as to how come all of his chiefs, sons and brothers fell prey to this one person called Rama.

Thus, Ravana gets ready to face the enemy. He comes out on his golden chariot, followed by a mammoth population of soldiers. As Ravana makes his way to the warfield, the Vaanara army is up on its feet quickly to counter the enemy. Little did the army know that Ravana himself would stride into the field. As Ravana arrives in close quarters with Lord Rama for the first time, Lord Rama asks Ravana a set of questions before the fight commences. Here is where the magnanimity of Lord Rama comes into limelight – He wants to give Ravana one more chance to realize his mistake. Even at this point if Ravana apologizes, Lord Rama is ready to forgive him for all his misdeeds. It is to be remembered that Lord Rama is a strict follower of the “Raaja-Dharma” (Righteous principles of a king).

As Ravana arrives at the battlefield, Lord Rama addresses him, “Oh Ravana! I was anticipating your arrival in front of me for a long time. However, my intention is not to kill you. I’ve been waiting to ask you a few questions. Firstly, what is the reason behind your enemity with me? I don’t know you and you don’t know me and hence, why is there a need to be an enemy of mine? Secondly, even if there is an enemity between you and me, why didn’t you try and approach me to settle scores? As a righteous king, you should have approached me and negotiated, which you failed to do. Even if you have failed to negotiate and even if you want to fight with me, why didn’t you fight with me directly to settle scores? Why did you engage in “proxy wars” with my army and me? Moreover, even if you had to do proxy wars with me, what prompted you to kidnap my innocent Sita? What wrong did she do? If you had issues with me, you should have dealt with me face to face and the approach that you’ve taken is totally wrong. Hence Ravana, I’m giving you one final chance. I’ve explained your wrongdoings. Please realize your mistake. Please relent your stance and I shall call off this war immediately. Let us not put innocent lives of these soldiers to hostage because of the rivalry between you and me!”

Such is the magnanimity of Lord Rama. However, is Ravana ready to relent atleast at this stage? Is Ravana going to budge, or is he going to continue his stance? What is Ravana’s reply? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out.

Today we are at a very crucial situation wherein Indrajith is threatening to sweep away the entire Vaanara camp if he is somehow able to obtain destructive powers through his penance. However, in the last episode we had witnessed that Hanuman along with Angadha are quick enough to take on Indrajith’s deep penance and thus deny him from obtaining whatever invincible powers that he is aspiring for. Both of them try and disturb Indrajith through different ways possible. As time progresses, Indrajith eventually loses the plot and gets disturbed! The focus is gone! The penance is disturbed finally!

Upon realizing that his penance is disturbed, Indrajith is extremely frustrated! He is clearly outsmarted here. Hanuman and Angadha make fun of Indrajith who is fuming with anger!

It is at this time, Lakshmana enters the scene. He is rearing to have a go at Indrajith, so as to seek revenge for what he has done before! At the same time, Indrajith is brimming with anger and frustration and is preparing to take on Lakshmana again – for the second time now! Indrajith could not believe that Lakshmana is still alive!

As Hanuman and Angadha come forward to offer help to Lakshmana, he requests both of them to wait. Oh! Lakshmana is going to take on Indrajith singlehandedly! This is going to be a cracker of a battle. One important thing to remember at this point is that Indrajith is a little under-prepared for the war. The purpose of him coming to this remove cave is to do a penance and not to fight a war. Lakshmana is now trying to use and exploit this golden opportunity. This cannot get any better for Lakshmana!

Now the cracker of the battle begins – Indrajith is ready with his sword and so is Lakshmana! Both start attacking each other. Both of them are frontline experts in handling the sword during warfare. The battle is getting ferocious. Indrajith is growing in strength minute after minute and Lakshmana is equally combating Indrajith’s tight blows. Hanuman and Angadha are looking on with awe as the intensity of the fight increases exponentially by the minute!

As Indrajith attacks Lakshmana with all his fury, Lakshmana’s anger also increases tremendously. He is already seeking revenge with this battle. At this point, it is highly unpredictable as to who is winning this one! At one moment it seems that Lakshmana emerges more powerful and at another moment, it is the opposite! However since Indrajith has an obvious weakness of underpreparedness and frustration, Lakshmana uses this opportunity to nab him. He gives a few blows to Indrajith and demoralizes him. Unable to bare the blows at one stage, Indrajith starts sulking. He is slowly losing his ability. It is this opening that Lakshmana is waiting for! He quickly cashes in on the opening and strikes decisive blows with his sword! Indrajith starts bleeding profusely and is gradually beginning to lose the battle!

As Lakshmana gives blow after blow, Indrajith is finally unable to take it any further and falls on the ground! Lakshmana is all over him now and he has stamped his complete domination on Indrajith! As Indrajith is gasping for breath, Lakshmana lets out a huge war cry and says, “Indrajith! It is because of the encouragement that you gave to your father Ravana that my dear brother Rama is now suffering! It is because of your illusionary warfare that both my brother and myself were put to extreme hardships! You are such a coward that you were afraid to take on my brother Rama and hence you targeted me! Now let me teach you the lesson – You are going to meet a ghasty end for all what you have done to Mother Sita and Lord Rama!”

Saying thus, even as Indrajith is gasping for breath and trying to get up from the floor, Lakshmana gives one decisive blow and chops his head off with his sword! This marks the end of the fight! Indrajith is chopped to death! Lakshmana has the last laugh! Indrajith is finally conquered and that too in a convincing manner! As Lakshmana is standing over Indrajith’s headless body, Hanuman and Angadha come near him and calm him down. They congratulate Lakshmana’s victory over Indrajith and the trio hurries towards the place where the Vaanara camp along with Lord Rama is eagerly waiting!

As Indrajith breathes his last, it sends shock waves to Ravana! Upon hearing the news, Ravana faints off his chair unable to bare the irreparable loss! His most trusted and able son is dead! Ravana could not believe his ears! The whole palace is glum! Mandodhari (Ravana’s wife) is sobbing uncontrollably, unable to digest the fact that her dear son is no more!

Now what does Ravana do? Does he change his stance atleast now? He has lost everybody around him! The whole courtroom is empty! What happens next? The action continues in the next episode!

In the previous episode we were at a very important juncture wherein Indrajith sets out with a mission to obtain more destructive powers with his power of penance. This is to make him invincible by any force in this world. As Indrajith is on his way to his usual place for his penance, the entire world trembles with fear! This is happening in the middle of the night and the entire Vaanara camp is up on its feet upon realizing the tremble! Vibhishana senses that this is nothing but the work of Indrajith. Intelligent as he is, he immediately understands Indrajith’s strategy. He thinks of ways to counter Indrajith’s strategy. Time is running out. Indrajith has to be stopped before his penance garners the fruits.

It is at this point that Lord Rama comes in and learns the entire story from Vibhishana. Now how are they going to stop Indrajith? Who is going to take this huge responsibility? On one end there is the ever-dependable Hanuman rearing to go. Sugriva and Angadha are waiting for the opportunity to take Indrajith head on! On the other corner is Lakshmana who is fuming with anger to take revenge on Indrajith for what he has done to him previously! Upon thinking for a minute, Lord Rama quickly makes the decision. He just looks at Lakshmana’s face and winks his eye in approval! The decision is communicated in a jiffy – Lakshmana understands what needs to be done! Now that his brother Rama has approved his fight against Indrajith, Lakshmana is more confident this time. He is rearing to take Indrajith on.

Accordingly Lakshmana hurries to the storage area to take his bow and arrows, along with his swords and gets ready. With another wink of the eye, Lord Rama asks Hanuman and Angadha to accompany Lakshmana for the assignment. All the three of them set out in pursuit of Indrajith. As per the directions given by Vibhishana, the three of them try and locate the place where Indrajith is currently in.

By the time the trio reaches the cave, Indrajith has already commenced his penance. His penance is getting deeper by the minute. Now what do they do? How do they stop Indrajith? There is a quick discussion between the trio and the first step to be accomplished is to disturb Indrajith’s concentration and focus. As all of us know, Indrajith is an extremely focused person with tremendous amount of patience, perseverance and concentration in whatever he does. Now how do Hanuman and Angadha disturb and get the better of Indrajith?

Now the funny part commences – Hanuman and Angadha start their “Monkey-business”! 🙂 They pour water into the sacrificial fire, which Indrajith is growing up for his penance. Firstly, they manage to put off the fire. Yet, Indrajith is unperturbed! Now what do they do? Hanuman takes a huge mud pot and drops it on the floor with full force. He thinks that the sound, with which the pot breaks, would disturb Indrajith’s concentration. Again it fails! Indrajith is totally unmoved! He is now more deeply engrossed in his penance!

Now this is starting to send jitters amongst the trio. Time is clearly running out! Indrajith should not be allowed to get engrossed further. Hence, Hanuman makes the third attempt of lifting Indrajith in his hands and dancing! 🙂 Angadha too joins the party and both Hanuman and Angadha are using Indrajith as a toy for a play! Again, all efforts go in vain! Indrajith cannot be disturbed at all! Look at the level of concentration that this fellow possesses – Something that all of us should learn from! 🙂

Finally Hanuman decides to take one big step – He now gets a pot full of water and splashes the water on Indrajith’s face with full force! With Lord Rama’s grace, it starts working at last! There are signs of disturbance in Indrajith’s face and body. Taking this as a clue, both Angadha and Hanuman splash pots and pots of water on Indrajith’s face! As fate would have it, Indrajith is finally disturbed! He opens his eyes in anger and frustration! The penance is put to an end! The bid of foil has worked perfectly for the trio!

As Indrajith opens his eyes, he is clearly in frustration and realizes that he has been trapped! Now comes Lakshmana into the scene. Indrajith sets his eyes on Lakshmana and Lakshmana sets his eyes on Indrajith. The second innings of Lakshmana vs. Indrajith is about to begin! For today, let the tension between both of them build up! We shall wait till tomorrow for the cracker to commence! 🙂