Ramayana, page 68
Rama said: “You acted in an unforgivable manner and you have hurt many of my warriors. And yet, since you are extremely tired I have refrained from killing you with my arrows. I have allowed you to live. Go home, rest your tired limbs and come back with another bow and another chariot. The fight has exhausted you, O king! Go back to Lanka with my leave. When you come back after your rest, refreshed and ready to fight, I will then show you what I am capable of.”
Ravana’s bow was broken: his chariot, and his horses with the charioteer had been destroyed : his famed crown had been splintered by a single arrow of Rama’s. He had been hurt abominably by the many arrows and his pride had been humbled. His enthusiasm had all gone and he returned crestfallen to Lanka. The celestials who had been watching from the skies were pleased with Rama.
20. KUMBHAKARNA IS WOKEN UP
Ravana was very unhappy. He had never before been so insulted as he had been today by Rama. And Rama’s chivalry in asking him to come back refreshed and with another bow and another chariot was too galling to his pride. The sensitive monarch was full of humiliation and anger and he could do nothing about it. Like an elephant by a lion, or a serpent by Garuda, Ravana had been quelled by Rama and it was very painful to him. Again and again he thought of the sharp arrows of Rama which were swift and straight and Ravana sat as though he had been stricken with an ague. He sat on his golden throne and addressed his rakshasas:
“You have all seen how I was defeated by a mere man on the battlefield today. All my penance and my everything seem to me to be futile, worthless, and unprofitable when I think of the humiliation of today. After the boon had been granted to me assuring me of immunity from death at the hands of the devas and others Brahma had said: ‘Beware of man.’ I did not pay any attention to it then and I dismissed man as too much of an insignificant factor to be reckoned with. I remember an incident which took place many years ago.
“There was a king of the Ikshvakus by name Anaranya, and he had said: ‘You are a wicked rakshasa who is a blot on the name of your family. Remember, some time there will be born someone in my House and he will be the death of you along with your kinsmen.’ I wonder if Dasaratha’s son Rama is the man he meant.’ And again, there was a woman by name Vedavati and when I assaulted her she cursed me. Perhaps this Sita is that same Vedavati born again to destroy me. Several wise people have cursed me: Parvati, Nandikeshvara, Varuna’s daughter. They have been harassed by me and they have cursed me in the days of yore. The words of the learned will never prove false.”
Ravana sat silent for a while. He then shook himself out of his despondency and said: “All that is neither here nor there. Let the guards of the city be doubly careful. An emergency has arisen and I am afraid we will have to wake up my brother Kumbhakarna. He has been afflicted by the dread disease, sleep, and that is the curse of Brahma. He has to be woken up.”
Finding himself worried by the prowess of Rama, Ravana decided to summon Kumbhakarna whose valour was proverbial. He ordered the army: “Guard the gates and the wall around the city. Make haste and wake my brother.”
Kumbhakarna had sat with him in the council hall just nine days back and he had gone back to sleep. Ravana was certain that Kumbhakarna would succeed where Prahastha had failed. He would kill the Kosala princes and the Vanara army would be routed. Ravana was convinced that Rama would meet his end at the hands of Kumbhakarna. He told himself: “Rama seems to me to be as valiant as Indra himself and it is not possible for me to fight him and his army alone. I have to have the aid of my brother.”
The rakshasas who had been told that they should wake up Kumbhakarna went to his palace. They carried with them perfumes and flowers and food in abundance with barrels of wine to wash it down. They reached the main entrance. It was large and passing it they entered the hall where Kumbhakarna was sleeping. They could not stand there since the breathing of the rakshasa was so strong that it threatened to make them fall down. The hall was decorated richly and there was gold and silver with gems in great profusion. In the midst of it all was found the prince enormous like a small hillock. They began to try and wake him up. It was no easy task.
They surrounded him with food since he would be hungry as soon as he got up. Huge vessels of wine were placed near him. They decorated his huge body with sandal paste and garlands of flowers and they made loud noises like the roar of clouds and they recited stanzas in praise of him. Nothing could make him get up. They blew on conchs and trumpets and bugles and shouted all together, and yet he could not be roused. They had to use several sticks and rods to prod him and hurt him enough to wake him.
Finally, after a great deal of endeavour and efforts which were persistent, they found that he was disturbed in his sleep. They made a great deal of noise now and that roused him up.
Angry at the fact that he had been disturbed from his sleep Kumbhakarna sat yawning and looked at all of them. He stood up and glared at all of them. His red eyes were frightening and they silently indicated the food which was placed before him. He finished his repast and quaffed the pots of wine which were placed near him. They saw that his anger was somewhat lessened, since his hunger and thirst had been appeased.
They came near him and saluted him. He looked at them inquiringly and asked them: “Why have I been woken up at the beginning of my long sleep? Has any crisis arisen which needs me to handle it? I hope everyone is well and happy. I have my own doubts about it. The fact that I have been waken up from my sleep shows that some great danger is awaiting all of us. It is clearly indicated even by your looks! I am sure of the danger. I will at once go and rid the king of his worry. I am not worried whether it is Indra or Agni who has come to frighten our city.
“I will tackle them easily. My brother would never have asked for me to be woken up unless he is desperate. Tell me truly why he has asked you to fetch me.”
Yupaksha, one of the ministers of the king, said: “My lord, there is no danger for us from the heavens. The trouble is caused by a mere man. This evil which has befallen the rakshasas because of one man has never happened before. No asura or deva has caused us any worry so far. The entire city is surrounded by monkeys and each is as large as a mountain. Rama, who is full of wrath because of the stealing of his wife by our king, is causing great havoc in our ranks. Some time back one of the monkeys had come to our Lanka and he had killed our prince Aksha and he also burnt the beautiful city.”
They then spoke of the fight which has caused the death of some of the warriors, Prahastha being one of the dead. They then spoke of the fight between Rama and Ravana and the humiliation under which Ravana was still smarting.
They said: “This has never happened before to our king. Till now, no deva or danava has been able to treat the king thus in all these years. Rama allowed him to come back to the city alive since our king was too tired to fight and since he had lost his bow and his chariot. Our king has not been able to live this down and he decided to call you to his aid and to punish the human beings who have waged war on him: the Kosala brothers.”
Kumbhakarna was listening to the words of Yupaksha and he said: “I will go this very moment. I will kill Rama and Lakshmana and the host of the Vanaras and then go and see my brother. I am thirsty for the blood of these men. I want to see them dead as soon as I can.”
Mahodara, one of the valiant warriors in the rakshasa army, intervened and said: “If I may make bold to say so it will be better if you meet the king first and, after discussing the strength and weakness of the enemy with him, then you can proceed to the field of battle. The king is eager to meet you. Please go and see him. He wants someone, who is affectionate towards him, by his side now. Please hasten to his presence. He needs you now.”
Kumbhakarna who was extremely fond of his brother nodded in agreement and Yupaksha and Mahodara went to the palace of the king. They told him: “Your brother has been roused from his sleep and will you be going to see him or should we bring him to you?”
Ravana was very happy to know that Kumbhakarna had been woken up and he said: “Let him be brought here.”
They went to the valiant Kumbhakarna and said: “The king desires to see you immediately. Make him happy by talking to him.” Kumbhakarna rose up from his bed and, after he had dressed himself in beautiful white silks and decorated his ears with golden earrings, his magnificent chest with necklaces of gold, he walked with noble strides to the presence of Ravana. He looked like Yama at the time when the Yuga ends. The earth trembled under his firm tread and he walked towards Ravana’s palace like Indra going to see Brahma.
When he was walking in the streets of the city the monkeys, which had seated themselves on the walls, saw him and fled out of sheer terror. He was radiant like the sun during the middle of the day and the glow was unearthly. No one could look at him with the naked eyes.
At a glance Kumbhakarna saw that his brother’s face was devoid of the expression of the pride which was habitual to him. He now saw that worry sat on the brow of the king. Ravana got up from his seat and went towards his brother. Taking his two hands in his he made him sit on the couch placed beside his. Kumbhakarna prostrated before Ravana and was then embraced warmly by Ravana.
When he had seated himself Kumbhakarna asked: “Why was I asked to come to your presence in such a hurry? I was woken up from a deep sleep and I knew that you needed me. Tell me, which sinner is causing you trouble? Who is desirous of meeting death at my hands? Whether the danger is from Indra or even from our great-grandsire Brahma, let it not worry you. There is no one to equal me in valour or in strength. Not one in the three worlds can face me and escape me and my power. Tell me.”
Ravana was still smarting under the experiences on the battlefield. He said: “My brave brother, while you were asleep several things have happened. While you were happy and dead to the world, you have not been aware of the crisis that has arisen because of Rama. The son of Dasaratha has collected an army which is led by Sugriva. The army is made up of monkeys and Rama with his army has managed to cross the sea and is desirous of cutting up the entire rakshasa clan with a grim determination. If you turn your eyes about you, you will see the devastation caused to our forests and to our gardens. It is dreadful to see wasteland after wasteland wherever the monkeys have set foot. Many of my brave warriors have been killed and Lanka is inhabited now mostly by old men and children. I am at a loss as to how I am going to destroy these monkeys.
“They have not been vanquished, not even once. A great danger has arisen. You are the only person who can destroy their entire army. That was why I asked that you should be woken up. My city is surrounded on all sides by the enemy. My helpmates are all dead. My treasury is empty. Save the city and save me from complete destruction. Undertake this impossible task for me. My dear brother, never before have I asked such a favour of you. I have great affection for you and I respect you and your valour immensely. I have often seen your valour in the wars we have fought with the devas. I do not think there is anyone like you in all the three worlds. You love me and you hold me in high esteem. I know it. Help me now in my hour of need and, like a strong wind scattering the clouds which have gathered in the sky, reduce the army of Rama to dust and come back victorious.”
Kumbhakarna laughed when he heard the words of Ravana. He said: “This was exactly what we all warned you about when we had a council meeting hardly ten days back. You would not listen to the words of wisdom spoken and now, you are faced with the dire problem. One who has committed a grave sin cannot escape the special hell meant for him and your evil deed has rewarded you only too soon. Then, when you were proud of your valour, when arrogance blinded you, this solution was not thought of, nor did you think of the consequence of your deeds. One who is blinded by his wealth and glory, who does not act properly, who does the later things first and who postpones his immediate duties to a later date, does not know the difference between the right path and the wrong path. Actions which have been performed without any attention being paid to the proper time and place, which are unnatural, will be tainted with sin and will be ineffectual even as the yaga performed by a man who has no faith. A king who honours the advice of his wise ministers and adopts the different rules of governing, of statecraft, will ever be following the right path. The king who follow the rules prescribed by the shastras, who listens to advisers and well-wishers and acts according to their advice, who uses his own discrimination, will respect the wise men of his court and reap the rewards of Dharma, Artha and Kama.
“If, however, he does not understand the teachings which have been instilled in him it means that he has not utilised his learning in the proper manner. Sama, Dana, Bedha and Danda should be used at the proper times. The distinction between right and wrong should be discussed with his counsellors and a king should then decide on his action. Such a wise king will never be assailed by danger at any time. He should realise that some things can be done and some should be avoided since it is sinful to do so.
“A king should be careful to have wise and good men as his counsellors. A man who considers wrong to be right and advises accordingly should be shunned and such a man is as good as a traitor. If one acts without considering the consequences of his actions, he will surely suffer later. A king who knows his enemies and yet does nothing to guard himself will fall into danger and he will be pushed down from his state of power.
“Once your brother advised you wisely and you did not take his advice. It will be better if you take that advice at least now. If you do so it will be beneficial to you and to those whom you call yours. Please consider my words and do as you please.”
Ravana was listening to his brother’s words and his anger was rising. His lips were throbbing and the frown on his brow deepened. He said: “An elder brother has to be honoured like one’s own father or guru. And you dare to give me advice! Do not strain yourself unnecessarily. Do what you think fit now and act accordingly. Because of the fumes of lust, because of a deluded power of thinking, because of my arrogance born of power and valour, some events have taken place, perhaps. It is futile to discuss them now. Consider what is to be done now, at the present moment, and tell me what should be done. What has happened has happened and the wise do not waste time regretting over what is past. If you ever did hold me dear in your heart, if you are certain about your own valour, if you think that this task is essential, then wipe out the evil which has happened as a result of my wrong actions. Correct the results of my past indiscretions. One who aids a man who is helpless because all his efforts have been frustrated, is a real comfort. One who helps even a sinner is indeed noble, a real kinsman.”
Kumbhakarna saw that his brother was angry as well as very unhappy and he spoke soft and sweet words. He said: “My lord, my king, enough of this sorrow. Shed this anger and summon peace of mind. When I am alive this despondency does not become you. I will kill him who is the cause of your pain and unhappiness. I felt it my duty to tell you what is good for you and because of the affection I have for you I thought I could take advantage of that privilege and give you this advice. I wished you well and so I spoke as I did. If you think I should go and fight I will certainly do so. A well-wisher will act in such a manner as to please his dear kinsman. I will destroy your enemy. Soon you will see Rama and Lakshmana killed in the war. I will bring his head and lay it at your feet. I will be the death of Sugriva. Rama can never approach you, not as long as I am alive. I am not sorry for myself. Send me at once to the battlefield. When I enter the field with the trident in my hand I will set up such a roar that Indra will tremble in his abode in heaven. No one will dare to come near me. I need no weapons. With my bare hands I will kill the enemy. If Rama is able to withstand the power of my fist I will then use arrows against the brothers. My arrows also have been left dry since a very long time. I will go now and bring fame to you. The danger you spoke of will be removed by me like darkness by the sun. Shed all your worries. Go to your antahpura and spend your time with your women and with a flagon of wine. I will go to the field of battle and destroy your enemies. Once Rama is dead, Sita will become yours in course of time.”
Ravana was very pleased with Kumbhakarna and his words of encouragement and confidence. He said: “With the trident in hand you will enter the battlefield and they will all think that Yama himself has come to fight with them. Destroy them all and come back to me. Their hearts will tremble with fear when they hear your roar.”
Ravana was certain that he had won the war and that the end of Rama was very near. Kumbhakarna left for the battlefield with great enthusiasm and in his hand he held the trident which was very like Indra’s thunderbolt or like the great Pinaka of Lord Mahadeva. He turned to Ravana and said: “I do not need an army with me. I will go alone and do the needful.”
The king said: “It will be better if an army accompanies you. You do not know the viciousness of those dreadful monkeys. A moment of carelessness will make them bite you with their sharp teeth and torture you with their nails and with the boulders and trees which seem to be their weapons. You should be careful with them.”
Ravana stood up and taking up a beautiful necklace which had a pendant set with gems, he placed it on the neck of Kumbhakarna. He placed several ornaments on his chest and arms and fingers. He made him wear a necklace of pearls which gleamed beautifully and softly like the moon. He made him wear an armour which was impenetrable and the noble rakshasa looked like Himavan.
Ravana embraced his brother again and again and the great Kumbhakarna prostrated before Ravana before he left for the battlefield. Ravana went with him to the doorway and spoke words of blessing and then sent him on his mission.
