Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part D

I decided to focus on the series of stories on the battle between Rama and Ravana because of its significance in the epic and the fact they're continuations of one another, making it a prime choice for a story in the future (though technically there won't be a future story).

67. Ravana's Lament by Donald A. Mackenzie and Romesh Dutt

• Previously, Lakshmana had killed Ravana's son, Indrajit. In this story, we see that Ravana is grieving at the loss of his son, who, according to the epic, he thought would "...close mine eyelids in death," though unfortunately, that won't be happening. Ravana then vows revenge against Lakshmana and Rama, though he first desires to slay Sita, but the female Rakshasas hid her from him and thus Ravana could not find her. The verse form follows the same theme, though it's arguably more beautiful and much more detailed with backstory in comparison to the prose. It's always interesting to see how the verse is richer in vocabulary and story than the prose, but I think it follows from the fact the prose is much easier to read, though it loses some details.

68. Ravana and Lakshmana by Donald A. Mackenzie

• This was one of the more intense stories in the epic because it could have very well caused the tale to take a different direction. In this section, Ravana pursued Rama and Lakshmana in his chariot and found both, engaging them in battle. Upon seeing Lakshmana, Ravana threw a dart at him, and actually pierced Lakshmana's heart. Lakshmana fell and died from this wound. Rama was with him as he passed, vowing to follow him into the afterlife after he killed Ravana himself. However, Hanuman, bless him, flew off and collected powerful herbs, making a healing paste out of them. He used this paste to revive Lakshmana to full health, and thus he returned to the living.

69. Rama and Ravana by Romesh Dutt

• This section had some integral plot points that probably affected how Rama and Ravana's battle ended. The gods themselves were actually rooting for Rama, so they sent to him celestial gifts. Namely, Indra sent Matali, Indra's charioteer, and his divine chariot down to give Rama great speed in his battle. He was also given a bow and falchion, and armor forged "in the flames of heavenly fire" by Vishvakarman, the god of the creative power of the universe. Matali was Rama's driver when he entered the battle.

70. Battle of Rama and Ravana by Sister Nivedita

• I actually think I have seen videos and renditions of this tale: the battle between Rama and Ravana. I definitely recall the scene where Ravana launches serpents at Rama and Rama in turn launches doves to devour the serpents in mid-air, for instance. What happened next is a little confusing to me, was it Rama or Ravana that was wounded? Either way, one of the two was harmed and their charioteer turned from the battle. The sage Agastya then makes a return to ask Rama to praise the sun(!!), and by doing so Rama purified himself. Rama cut each of Ravana's heads from his body, yet Ravana seemed not to be any closer to death. Apparently, Rama's arrows could not kill Ravana. I don't quite think this is it, but here's a video of Ravana versus Rama, which is honestly terrible but in a good way.

Ravana versus Rama. Source: Wikimedia

71. Ravana's Death by Donald A. Mackenzie and Romesh Dutt

• As follows from the previous story, Rama fired arrows at Ravana's heads, cleaving them off. Yet, his heads would grow back in the previous' place. Rama decided to use the weapon Brahma had created for him and cut Ravana's heart "in twain" (in half?). Ravana then fell to his death, or perhaps he was dead before he hit the ground (a more likely scenario).Thus Rama took kingship over Lanka with Ravana dead.