This week’s reading was really interesting because it marked
the death of Ravana and Rama’s return to his rightful throne. The reading
starts out with Jambavan, Hanuman, and Sugriva slaying the demons of Lanka with
apparent ease. The demon magicians, Lightning Tongue and Thunder Tooth are
killed by Hanuman and Sugriva, while Jambavan is a ruthless force to be
reckoned with! Ravana, sensing that the time is near for battle, prepares
himself under the stars. He dances and causes a great wind storm! Kala (time)
comes and scolds Ravana for being a fool but Ravana just smirks at her and
dismisses her threats.
The time for the final battle has arrived and Rama and
Ravana are facing off in an epic battle. Rama succeeds in cutting off Ravana’s
heads but they just keep growing back. The two use an array of weapons,
mantras, and astras to fight each other. Ravana’s mace knocks Matali, his
chariot’s driver, off the chariot but Rama revives him. Ravana then turns himself
into Indra, which leaves Rama in a state or shock/paralysis, but Matali comes
to the rescue and is able to see through the disguise. Rama takes advantage of
this and slays Ravana with his bow and arrow.
I thought the battle scene in this version had a lot more detail
than the first version we read in class. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the
scene because it was vivid and I could definitely imagine it all happening in
my head. The death of Ravana is kind of like the end, but also a new beginning
because now Rama can go peacefully back to Ayodhya and rule as King when his
fourteen years of exile are up.
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| Rama battles Ravana; Wikipedia |
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