Adhyatma Ramayana - Day 28 Yudhakandham

 Adhyatma Ramayana - Day 28    Yudhakandham

Rama-Ravana Battle 

Ravana led a massive Rakshasa army into battle, met by Rama and the Vanaras. A fierce day-long conflict left both sides battered, with countless casualties. Rama’s divine prowess shone, earning celestial praise. Rakshasa women blamed Surppanakha and Ravana’s desire for Sita for their clan’s ruin. Ravana fought fiercely, supported by commanders Viroopaksha, Mahodara, and Mahaparswa, but Sugriva and Angada killed them. Ravana wounded Lakshmana with a powerful spear, Shakthi, rendering him unconscious. Rama, enraged, vowed to kill Ravana. Sushena suggested Vishalya Karani to revive Lakshmana, which Hanuman fetched from the Himalayas. Revived, Lakshmana urged Rama to fulfill his promise to defeat Ravana. Indra sent his charioteer, Matali, to aid Rama with a divine chariot. Rama and Ravana exchanged powerful divine arrows, but Ravana’s charioteer briefly retreated to let him rest. Assured of his loyalty, Ravana returned to fight Rama with renewed vigor, setting the stage for a decisive battle. 

Aditya Hridhay Mantra

During the intense battle, Sage Agastya appeared before Rama, who respectfully greeted him. Agastya assured Rama that his sorrows would soon end and taught him the Aditya Hridhay Mantra, a stuti to propitiate the Sun God, Surya. This mantra, when chanted with devotion, dispels all afflictions, grants longevity, and spreads fame. It benefits all beings—Devas, Rakshasas, humans, and others. Agastya described Surya as the primordial Deva, sustaining the fourteen worlds with his divine rays, tracking time, and acting as the eternal witness to all actions. He urged Rama to salute Surya daily, chanting salutations to the one who dispels darkness, delusions, and sustains all existence. Inspired, Rama thanked Agastya, who departed in a sky chariot to join Narada and observe the war.

 The Killing of Ravana

Rama directed Matali to drive his chariot toward Ravana, who stood resolute. A fierce battle ensued, with arrows, maces, and iron bars exchanged, obscuring visibility with dust. Rama destroyed Ravana’s flag post, while Ravana targeted Matali and his horses. The chariots maneuvered skillfully, captivating the celestials. Despite Rama severing Ravana’s heads repeatedly, new ones regrew instantly due to Ravana’s penance. The battle persisted for seven days, with neither yielding. When arrows seemed ineffective, Matali advised Rama to use the Paithaa-maha-astra, given by Agastya. Rama shot the divine arrow, piercing Ravana’s heart, felling him like a great tree. The Devas rejoiced, showering flowers, and nature celebrated. Rakshasas mourned, while Vanara warriors cheered. 

Vibhishana grieved beside Ravana, lamenting his fate, but Rama consoled Vibhishana and told him that Ravana was a great warrior. He died like a real fighter, and it is appropriate for powerful and gallant kings to leave their bodies in a battle. He fought against me, and he will go to heaven reserved for such heroes. Rama asked him to do the final rites for his brother, with all the royal honours. As Rama was advising Vibhishana, Mandodari, Ravana’s widow came to see Ravana’s body. She cried falling on her husband’s body and wailed and other Rakshasa ladies joined her. Rama asked the Vanaras to make a funeral pyre. Vibhishana was relieved to hear Rama asking them to honor Ravana as a hero and to give him a royal cremation although his brother was a sinner of the worst kind.

“If anyone dies of my arrows, know that all his sins are dissolved. Know also that all rivalry lasts only until death. Do the necessary rituals so that your heroic brother will get the virtuous path leading to heaven. Add sandalwood and other scented wood to the fire. Let there be drumming to celebrate the life of a valorous king, who was also a Brahmana.” Vibhishana performed the rites as instructed and set fire to the pyre. Ravana’s body was engulfed in fire. Matali prostrated Rama and bid goodbye and reached Indra.