|| Sri Ram Jayram Jaya Jaya Ram ||

 

Chapter – 15 – Lanka Kandam

The ferocious battle between Meghanath and Lakshman/ Meghanatha killed in the battlefield/Ravana with huge armies arrives in the battlefield

 

Meghanatha regained consciousness, saw his father before him, felt extremely shameful. He decided to conduct a fire sacrifice to attain a unique boon to remain unconquerable and followed severe austerities in a cave. Vibheeshana informed Prabhu “Oh! Compassionate Lord, the wicked and sinful Meghanatha performing a Yaga, he is Devashathru, if he successfully completed this Yaga, no one could win over him.” Raghupathi pleased at Vibheeshana and called for an assembly of Angadha, Hanuman, Jambavan, Sugriva, Nala, Neela, etc.  The Supreme Lord Rama spoke “Oh! Dear Vanaras, go with Lakshman and create obstacles to the Yaga of Meghanatha.   Lakshman you have to kill him in the battle. I am anxious about the distress of the deities; you have to use intellect or weapon to kill Meghanatha. Oh! Jambavan, Sugriva, and Vibheeshana, you all should be with your army of warriors to support Lakshman.” Immediately Lakshman prepared to perform the task of Prabhu, wielded in bow and arrow, contemplated upon Prabhu, and spoke “If I have returned without taking the life of Meghanatha, do not address me as the sincere servant of Raghupathi. If Meghanatha was supported by thousands of Lord Shiva, I will not let him free. It is my promise on Lord Rama.”

 

Lakshman who is Anantha, prostrated before Rama, and proceeded with Angadha, Jambavan, Sugriva, Hanuman and Vibheeshana, followed by a huge army of Vanaras and bears. They saw Meghanatha performing a huge fire sacrifice offering blood and meat as oblations; Vanaras entered in the Yaga arena and wrecked the Yaga proceedings. Rakshasa firmly seated on their Asanas and continued the Yaga, Vanaras mocked at them, physically abused the demons seated before the Yagagni. Finally, Meghanatha could not tolerate the turmoil caused by the Vanaras and bears; he took a sharp trident and rushed out of the cave, and rushed towards Lakshman, and roared like lion. Vayuputhra and Angadha attacked Meghanatha were hit hard on their chest and brutally wounded and both of them fell down on the ground. Meghanatha tossed huge rocks and rushed to Lakshman, but it was broken into two pieces with the arrow of Lakshman. Vayuputhra and Angadha regained consciousness and chased after Meghanatha, but he stood firm, they have tried all tactics to hurt Meghanatha was miserably failed, he roared like Kala and attacked the Vanara, was shot with a powerful arrow by Lakshman, watching the darting arrows like Vajrayudha, he disappeared from the sight. Meghanatha used illusionary powers and fought with Lakshman, it was extremely difficult for Lakshman, sometimes he appears and sometimes not, also appeared in numerous forms, Vanaras terrified watching the illusionary fight, Anantha could not control his rage, have chased Meghanatha long time in the battlefield, decided to kill him without wasting much time. He contemplated upon Kosaladheesha, aimed a powerful arrow against Meghanatha, which pierced the heart of Meghanatha, thus Meghanatha left his mortal coil on the battlefield, before parting his Prana enquired “Where is Ramanuja? Where is Rama?” Angadha and Hanuman who were watching this sight said “Your mother is  fortunate.”

 

Hanuman carried the mortal coil of Meghanatha and deposited before the main door of the palace of Ravana. The deities and Rishis came to know about the death of Meghanatha, they eulogized “Jai Anantha! Jai Jagadhadhara! Oh! Prabho, you have protected the deities.” and showered flowers upon Lakshman and the divine Dhundhubi echoed in the sky. Lakshman returned to Prabhu and prostrated before him. Dhashanan has fallen unconscious hearing the death of Meghanath. Devi Mandhodhari became inconsolable, wept bitterly beating her chest hardly. Dhashanan pacified his queens with various advice “This world is impermanent; do not keep attachment on anything.” Ravana was extremely cruel but had great knowledge of Prakrithi and the nature of Jeeva, which were the highest philosophies. The advice given by Ravana to his wives was pure and highly auspicious. There are people who advise others but do not follow the same. The entire palace sunk in deep sorrow at the death of Indhrajith/Meghanath. 

 

On the next day, the Vanaras and bears surrounded the four palace gates, Dhashanan shrieked to his army men “If anyone flees from the battlefield would face strict death punishment, hence warriors who are not courageous or confident to fight against the enemies can retire now. I have prepared myself to fight against the enemies with the power of my hands; I will give the right answers to the enemies who attacked my clan and the kingdom.” Ravana’s grand chariot got ready for the battle, the huge sounds of announcements for the war have reverberated in the sky, he was followed by mighty demons who have the appearance of Anjanadhri, and they have found several bad omens on their way. Ravana had great confidence and faith in the prowess of his twenty hands. He did not take notice of the bad omens, weapons slipped out of his hands, warriors fell down from the chariots, horses and elephants started to run frantically, donkeys, foxes, cried loudly, the eagles screamed all over the battlefield, owls screeched out loudly. The person who is soaked in worldly matters and bondage, drenched in Mahamoha/away from Lord, people who takes pleasure in tormenting others and animals, people who are soaked in worldly pleasures, people who are completely drenched in Maya, cannot be peaceful or wealthy or witness good omen, not even in their dreams.

 

The huge army of Ravana proceeded, it was divided into various sections like an army of elephants, chariots, horses, and warriors moved on the pathways with various weapons in numerous vehicles, decorated with colorful Pathaka and Dhwaja. The armies of demons were attired in colorful garments and had the greatest skill in war field and illusionary fights etc. The Ashtadhikgajja baffled, the ocean became unrest, mountains trembled, and dust raised from the movements of huge armies, thus blocked the sunlight, the wind has stopped, Mother Earth has quivered, the sounds of Bheri and Dhundhubi sounded like thunder at the time of deluge, there were sounds of divine instruments too to please the hearts of warriors. They exhibited their strength and roared like lions. Ravana ordered “Oh! My dear army men wipe out the clan of bear and Vanaras form the Earth. I will take care of the two Thapasvis/princes of Ayodhya”, and ordered his men to move forward on the battlefield.