The Ramayana by R. K. Narayan
Chapter 10: Across the Ocean
- Vibishana cries out to Rama, seeking his grace and protection
- Jambavan & Sugreeva council Rama not to trust Vibishana because he is an asura and the brother of Ravana- it could be a trick
- Hanuman doesn't believe Vibishana to be evil. He points out that Vibishana tried to save his brother but failed, he saved Hanuman, and his house is that of a man of piety and purity
- Hanuman believes Rama should accept Vibishana
- Rama agreees- "One who seeks asylum must be protected." (Narayan, 132)
- Rama accepts Vibishana & declares that he should be treated like an exiled king, with all the comforts he needs and honors he deserves
- Vibishana gives information on Ravana's position, weapons, and strength- helping Rama plan his attack
- Rama's army crosses the sea to Lanka
Chapter 11: The Siege of Lanka
- The battle begins & Rama wipes out Ravana's army before sending a messenger to once more ask Ravana to let Sita go & end the battle peacefully
- Ravana orders the messenger killed, but it was Angada and he beats the 2 Rakshasas who come to seize him and leaves to report to Rama
- With Angada's news, Rama orders and assault on Lanka
- Indrajit attacks Rama and Lakshmana, knocking them out and reports to Ravana that he has defeated the two
- Ravana sends him and Sita in a chariot to see the dead bodies of Rama and Lakshmana
- on sight, Sita breaks down, but Trijata (one of Ravana's women) tells Sita in a whisper that they are not actually dead, just unconscious.
- Rama recovers and kills Ravana's commander-in-chief
- Ravana is badly beaten and forced to accept Rama's concession (Ravana may leave and return the next day with weapons) because otherwise he will die in an unfair fight
- Ravana awakens his brother Kumbakarna from his deep slumber to face Rama- Kumbakarna destroys and swallows thousands of monkey warriors, and almost Sugreeva
- Rama kills Kumbakarna
- Lakshmana kills Indrajit
- as a result, Ravana decides he must kill Sita, but is advised not to
Chapter 12: Rama and Ravana in Battle
- Ravana prepares for battle, calling upon Shiva for favor
- the gods send Indra's chariot to Rama to aid him in battle- its name is Matali
- Ravana and Rama come together
- Ravana is rushing ahead while Rama waits patiently
- Mahodara (Ravana's assistant) tries to attack Lakshmana and is killed by Rama
- Ravana decides to attack, but hesitates briefly when he notices many omens presenting themselves and hinting at his doom
- his bow-strings snapped, mountains shook, horses cried, and elephants with decorated foreheads moved along dejectedly (p. 141)
- Rama destroys all of Ravana's armies
- Ravana plunges forward, coming closer and closer to Rama
- conches are blown to signal the beginning of the battle
- Ravana sees Indra's chariot and is enraged that the gods chose to help Rama over him
- Ravana fires thousands of arrows from the 10 bows his 20 hands operate, but to no avail
- Ravana kills Matali, sending Rama's chariot down
- Ravana invokes "maya"- a weapon that confuses the enemy by creating realistic illusions
- it shows all of the enemy army coming back to life, confusing Rama
- Rama uses "Gnana" or wisdom/perception- effectively breaking the illusion
- Ravana uses "Thama"- a weapon that creates total darkness
- this is countered by Rama using "Shivasthra"
- Ravana uses his deadliest weapon- a trident w/ amazing destructive powers
- Rama collapses the trident with an incantation
- Ravana sends a weapon of huge snakes vomiting fire and venom, but Rama uses "Garuda" (eagle) and thousands of eagles came in and destroyed the snakes
- Rama causes Ravana to faint, but lets him recover out of fairness
- To end it all Rama uses "Brahmasthra" - a weapon made by Brahma to only be used as a last stitch effort- he hurls it at Ravana and it strikes him in the heart, killing him
In order to establish her integrity, Sita assembles a large pyre and throws herself into it- she is then returned to Rama in the hands of Agni, the god of fire
Chapter 14: The Coronation
Dasaratha comes down from the heavens to see Rama who asks him to forgive Kaikeyi and Bharata.
Vibishana gives Rama the Pushpak Vimana which takes him back to Ayodhya where he takes his rightful place as king with his queen Sita at his side.
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