Birds of the Ramayana

Garuda

Bharat Bhushan

Birds of the Ramayana

Garuda

Bharat Bhushan

Pre-publication draft manuscript

This is not a publication

Diwali, 14 November 2012

This draft copy is being distributed to invite comments and suggestions

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Being uploaded or distributed for guidance and suggestions in developing the story

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronics or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. This is not a publication. This is a pre-publication draft manuscript of a proposed book and is being distributed for editing, comments, critics and suggestions. The distribution is within a limited group of experts, resource persons, people who are familiar with the Ramayana, the aspects of the incarnation of Vishnu as Rama, and those who are interested in the aspects of development of a story. Those who receive this pre-publication draft manuscript may forward it those who may be able to contribute to the editing and development of the story. There will be errors, mistakes and contextual wrongs galore. Please do not hesitate to point them out and inform the author at bharatbhushan@yahoo.com

About the book

The Birds of the Ramayana is a series that presents the most prominent bird-characters associated with the Ramayana. Garuda is the almost unseen hero of the Ramayana. Similar to Krauncha, Garuda does not come in frequently in the story, and is difficult to explain.

About the author

Bharat Bhushan

Environment Scientist, Ornithologist. Birder, Birdwatcher, Teacher, Trainer. Eclectic and

Serendipitous Vagrant Traveller. On land, through books, inside the internet, and deep within the mind.

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Birds of the Ramayana

Garuda King of the birds

It is a fleeting but crucial moment within the Ramayana when Garuda, the king of the birds, enters to save Rama and Lakshmana, and withdraws without participating in the battle with Ravana. A faithful and constant companion of Narayana, he would have dearly loved to have fought alongside Rama. It is amazing that in spite of this momentary inclusion in the Ramayana, it is this grand epic and Garuda that brings together the tremendous diversity and panorama of nations from Mongolia, to Central Asia to South Asia and the Far East and South East Asian nations.

There are only two common threads between all these nations, and they are the Ramayana and Garuda. It is indeed a most challenging task to limit oneself to the presence and actions of Garuda within the Ramayana and not allow any of the many hundreds of stories of Garuda to be retold here. It is in the first day of the battle, in the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana that Garuda helps Rama and Lakshmana. So shall it be told...

The warriors of Ravana came to him and informed him that the city of Lanka had been surrounded by Rama along with his Vanara warriors. Knowing this, Ravana

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began to make arrangements for war, and climbed up to the ramparts of the city walls to look at the invading army and to ensure that Lanka was well defended. Ravana looked all about the beautiful city of Lanka, and the mountains and forests that were within it, and around the city walls. The beauty of his glorious city was marred by the extensively spread out army of Rama, waiting to attack.

From where he stood, Ravana could see that Rama’s army of Vanaras was in good strength. At this moment, the valiant Ravana was perplexed, seeing the numbers of the Vanaras, and wondered how he could destroy them completely. Knowing the strength of his own army, his generals and especially his son, Indrajit, Ravana regained his confidence and assured himself that victory would definitely be his, and Rama and his army of Vanaras would be wiped out.

At the same moment, Rama was inspecting the city and its great walls. Rama, seated on Hanuman’s shoulders, moved about his army of Vanaras, and inspected the armies of Ravana, the manner in which the city was defended, the various banners of Ravana’s generals and the numerous settlements within the protected walls. For Rama, he did not see the beauty of Lanka, and neither did he seem to appreciate the forests and mountains. For him, his heart in anguish, he kept telling himself, that this was the city where Sita, the daughter of Janaka, was hidden away.

Valmiki writes that, at that moment, Rama thought of Sita, who eyes resembled those of a fawn, and yet was tormented with severe grief, and probably was in severe physical distress, possibly refusing to eat, and sleeping on bare ground and suffering all these days merely

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because of the actions of Rama, himself. Thinking of Sita in trouble, thus, Rama commanded his army of Vanaras to attack the city of Lanka immediately.

Realising that Rama was not weary of having arrived in Lanka just then, crossing over the bridge that they had constructed, having struggled with it for many days, the eager army of Vanaras were delighted. They were all keen to begin the battle, and show their prowess to Rama and Sugreeva, the King of the Vanaras.

The Vanara warriors roared in pleasure, eager to fight, roaring that they would destroy the city of Lanka, and that they would do so merely with rocks, mountain-peaks or with their fists. Some Vanara generals roared that they could destroy the city of Lanka with their bare hands. They could tear off and lift entire mountain peaks, huge rocks or pull out huge trees and carry them as weapons. Having armed themselves, they began to attack the city walls, and Ravana stood, waiting, watching and wondering.

Ravana wondered, “What sort of an army was this? These Vanaras did not seem to carry any traditional weapons. They were destroying Lanka, uprooting the forests, breaking up mountains, and carrying huge rocks as though it was the normal manner of war.” The Vanaras attacked the city walls, and demolished many of the great walls, the gate arches and the moats.

They did all this by using trees, mountain-peaks and huge rocks. They filled the moats with debris and scaled the walls of the city, as Valmiki writes, “in battalions of monkeys in thousands, in crores, and even hundreds of crores.” [Crore = ten million]

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It seemed to Ravana that as the thrill of war took over the Vanaras and their generals, they began to grow in size, with some resembling large elephants in enormity. These Vanaras, huge and capable of changing their size and shape, attacked the arches of the walls and broke down the gates of the city, as Valmiki wrote, “equaled Shiva’s Kailasa itself”. These Vanaras kept shouting for victory to Rama and Lakshmana and to Sugreeva, who was protected by Raghava (= Narayana) himself.

The army of the Vanaras was not merely made of Sugreeva, Angad, Hanuman and Jambavan. There were great warriors, all known for their prowess and skill. The Vanara generals, Virabahu, Subahu, Nala and Panasa were known for previous battles and wars that they had won. Each one of them could lead more than a ten million Vanaras into battle, and they did command such numbers in this war on Lanka.

There was Kumuda, the mighty, who led ten million Vanaras. It was said that Kumuda’s Vanaras were very proud to fight alongside him, and attacked like the fierce conquerers that they were. Kumuda stationed himself in the north-east, and kept attacking the eastern gate of the city. Prasabha and Panasa, two great Vanara generals, came to join Kumuda and to support him.

Shatabali, a very well known and great Vanara general, stationed himself in the south-east, and attacked the southern gate of the city. He led a mighty army of 200 million Vanaras, and blocked any exit by Ravana’s armies. Sushena, one of the most powerful of Vanara generals, father of Tara, the widow of Vali and the wife of Sugreeva, led more than fifty million Vanaras to attack the western gate of the city. He stationed himself in the south-west.

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Rama, Lakshmana and Sugreeva attacked the northern gate of the city, and stationed themselves in the north-west. Rama had the support of Jambavan, the King of Rikshas, [= bears], and was accompanied by Dhumra, the brother of Jambavan, who had brought with him more than ten million Rikshas. Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, who had sought to fight under the leadership of Rama, stood alongside, with his mace in hand. He was accompanied by his warriors and ministers. The great warriors, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadana, fighting on behalf of Rama, defended the Vanaras and supported them with strategy and skills in attacking the city of Lanka.

Understanding the well coordinated attack from all sides on the city of Lanka, Ravana commanded his ever-prepared army to attack the Vanaras and defend the city. He ordered that there should be no mercy and the Vanaras should be decimated completely and immediately. The eager army of Lanka, anxious to prove themselves to the great Ravana, moved forward with tremendous sound, from beating drums, conches and shouts.

Ravana’s armies moved out of the city’s walls with the sound similar to the roaring ocean that faced a thunderstorm. Seeing the armies coming out, the Vanara warriors roared in unison, and the sounds seemed to takeover the Malaya Mountains, along all its ridges and caves. The sounds seemed to echo and re-echo through the mountains and into the sea and the skies. A terrible battle ensued.

The warriors of Ravana, veterans of many battles, well-armed, came out of the walls of Lanka, led by their generals, riding on horses, elephants and chariots. The

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battling armies of the Vanaras, the Rikshas and Ravana fought strongly against each other. Indrajit, son of Ravana, fought against Angad, son of Vali. Valmiki writes that the battle was equal to the energy produced during the battle between Shiva and Andhaka. The Vanara general, Sampati, fought against Prajangha, while Hanuman fought against Jambumali. Vibhishana fought against one of Ravana’s most valiant generals, Shatrughna.

The Vanara warrior, Gaja, he of great strength, fought against Tapana, a warrior of Lanka, of good fame, while the Vanara general, Nila, equal of strength to Gaja, fought against Nikhumbha, a veteran general of Ravana. Sugreeva fought against Praghasa while Lakshmana battled with Virupaksha. Four of Ravana’s best generals, Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitraghnu and Yajnakopa came to fight Rama.

Two veteran Vanara warriors, Mainda and Dvivida, fought against Vajramushti and Ashaniprabha, while the Vanara general, Nala, he who was known to be invincible in battle, fought against the battle-hardened Pratapana. The great Vanara, Sushena, who was the son of Yama, fought with one of Ravana veteran generals, Vidyunmali.

The battle was most fearsome and terrible. Rivers of blood carrying the dead like fallen timber flowed from the battlefields. Enraged at the ability of the Vanaras, and impatient, Indrajit hit Angad with his mace. In turn, Angad hit Indrajit’s chariot, and killed his horses and charioteer. In another location of the battle, Sampati, hit by three arrows, uprooted an Ashvakarna tree and killed Prajangha by hittin him. Jambumali, a great warrior of Lanka, hit Hanuman in his breast with a javelin. In turn,

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Hanuman climbed on to the chariot and destroyed it. Nala scratched out Pratapana’s eyes in the battle. These were all unthinkable and unacceptable to Ravana and Indrajit. They had not expected that the battle with the Vanaras would be so difficult.

Sugreeva killed Praghasa with a Saptaparna tree, the swift-handed warrior of Lanka, who had begun to swallow the Vanaras. Lakshmana killed Virupaksha with a shower of arrows. Rama, wounded in the battle with the four invincibles, Agniketu, Rashmiketu, Mitrughna and Yajnakopa, chopped their hands by four fire-pointed arrows. Vajramushti, the huge, was killed in a fist fight by Mainda, the Vanara warrior. The battle between Nikhumbha and Nila was fierce. Nila was wounded severely by the clouds of arrows that seemed to hit him unceasingly. In turn, Nila killed Nikhumbha’s charioteer. Dvivida, the Vanara, who fought like the lightning released by thunder, attacked Ashaniprabha with a rock, and later killed him, his charioteer and the horses with a Sala tree.

Vidyunmali, Ravana’s veteran general, repeatedly attacked Sushena, the son of Yama, with arrows of gold. Sushena killed his chariot and his horses under a huge rock. Vidyunmali, escaping the rock, attacked Sushena with a mace. Vidyunmali was the master of the night, a veteran warrior who could not be defeated at night. But, this battle was being fought in the day, and Sushena could take all the blows from his mace and retaliate successfully. Vidyunmali soon fell, his chest crushed by a huge rock thrown by Sushena. The wonderful weapons of Ravana’s warriors seemed to have met their match against the rocks and trees being used by the Vanaras.

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The battlefield was beginning to pile up with dead warriors from both sides, destroyed chariots, dead horses and elephants and wandering packs of jackals. The day was coming to an end, and Ravana’s warriors were eagerly looking forward to the night, for they were at their best in the darkness. They renewed their energy and strength as the sun went down, and they prepared for continued combat through the night. The Vanaras could not identify friend from foe at night and suffered defeat easily. The warriors of Lanka, dressed in their golden armour, attacked swiftly and killed the Vanaras in high numbers. Knowing that it was difficult to fight against the warriors, the Vanaras changed their strategy and attacked the chariots and the elephants.

Rama and Lakshmana, trained in all the skills of battle, could continue to fight against the warriors of Lanka, both visible and those who became invisible with magical skills. They chose their arrows skilfully, arrows with venomous snakes at their heads, sought out the invisible warriors with their special prowess and killed them. As the calamitous battle continued through the night, the bodies of the dead, including those who became invisible and those who used their magical powers, the numbers of fallen weapons, the dead animals and the fallen chariots could be seen all about the battlefield.

Those warriors of Ravana, skilful in battle at night, thrilled with the power of their magic, attacked Rama from all sides. They hid in the darkness of the night, and became invisible in their power of the magic that they had. For Rama, however, it was but a moment to choose the correct weapon, strengthen them with the proper spell, and release them in their ability to search out the invisible warriors of Lanka. Rama attacked the most

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valiant warriors of Ravana in that night, the first of the battle, battling Yagnashatru, Mahaparashva, Mahodara, the giant Vajradamshtra and Shuka and Sarana and causing them to flee and live out their lives away from the protection of Ravana. Apart from these six warriors, Rama killed many of the warriors of Lanka in that night, with his powerful arrows. Valmiki writes, that in that night, using flame-tipped arrows, flying instantly in all directions, Rama looked all bright, from the light cast by his arrows, like a pre-winter night, with fireflies swarming about.

It is thus written in the Ramayana, that the battle of the first night gained in sound, and fury, and swept up the slopes of the Trikuta Mountain, and was also fought inside its caves. The Vanaras used all their skills and ability to fight in the forests, and easily killed many of the warriors of Lanka, and left them to be devoured by scavenger animals that are to be found on the slopes of the Trikuta Mountain.

Meanwhile, in the battle near the walls of the city, Angad fought against Indrajit, attacking and killing his charioteer and all the horses. Realising that the battle could turn against him, Indrajit used his magical powers and became invisible and left the place. Knowing Indrajit’s fame and of his earlier victories against Indra and the gods, Rama and Lakshmana, and all the Vanara and Riksha warriors and generals were pleased with the victory of Angad, the son of Vali. Sugreeva and Vibheeshana praised Angad for his victory. Indrajit, having escaped and returned to Lanka, was angry and enraged, having been defeated by Angad.

Angered, Indrajit returned to the battlefield, wanting to end the war by directly attacking Rama and Lakshmana.

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Being invisible, he attacked with waves of sharp arrows, as bright as lightning, and kept hitting Rama and Lakhsmana, who were focused on fighting with some of the warriors of Lanka, those of whom that they could see. Moving all around Rama and Lakshmana, using the advantage of the night, and all his magical powers, Indrajit finally sought to choose a series of serpent-like arrows that pierced the limbs of Rama and Lakshmana and wound themselves them.

These were arrows that provided the illusion of being impossible to unwound, and took on the form of live and poisonous serpents. Brought down by the illusion, and the pain of the arrows that had pierced them, Rama and Lakshmana were hit by more waves of the serpent-headed arrows from Indrajit, who moved about invisible, to his advantage.

The Vanara warriors saw the two Raghuvanshi brothers, lion-like warriors, wounded by the piercing serpent-headed arrows that had transformed into snakes and bound them. The two warriors were helpless, and unable to move about. Not being able to defeat the two brothers, Indrajit had resorted to his magic and ability with spell-tied weapons, and made Rama and Lakshmana captive, and in a swoon. Soon enough, the poison from the serpents and the arrows would do their work, and they would not be able to survive.

Helpless, but searching for a solution, Rama asked ten of the very best Vanara warriors and generals to move about in search of Indrajit. The two sons of Sushena, Nila, the Vanara general, Angad, the son of Vali, Sharabha, the strong, Dvivida, Hanuman, Sanuprastha, Rishabha and Rishabha Skandha were chosen by Rama to seek the valiant son of Ravana and engage him in an

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unending battle. These great Vanara warriors went out in their enthusiasm, keen to help Rama and Lakshmana to regain their fitness to battle. The warriors went about uprooting huge trees and spread out in ten directions and fought several battles, causing havoc among the warriors of Lanka. Looking at the terror unleashed by these ten warriors, Indrajit shifted the focus of his battle to using his spell-driven arrows and checked their advance.

The great Vanara warriors and generals fighting a warrior they could not see, in the darkness, kept searching and continued fighting with the warriors of Lanka. While fighting them, Indrajit continued to release his serpent-headed arrows, helped by special spells, at Rama and Lakshmana, and wound them, even more tightly, by the manner in which the arrows turned themselves into serpents. These arrows pierced deeper into Rama and Lakshmana, and the blood flowed from the wounds, and the two brothers shone, as Valmiki writes, like flowering Kimshuka trees.

Invisible as he was, Indrajit, angry and furious at the numerous deaths of the warriors of Lanka, and the destruction caused to the city and its walls, and of the manner of challenge given to Ravana, his father, spoke thus, to Rama and Lakshmana, “How dare you think you can locate me when I am invisible? Even Indra was not able to see me or approach me to fight properly. How can the two of you think that you would be able to fight me? You are but mortals, descendants of Raghu. I have imprisoned you in this serpent-net caused by my arrows that sped to you with the speed given to them by the feathers of herons. Now, I will allow myself to commit to what I am supposed to do, that is, complete the task given to me by my father. I will send you to meet Yama, the God of Death.”

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Indrajit shot a series of serpent-headed arrows at Rama and Lakshmana, and shouted in triumph, for he knew that these arrows would be most fatal. As invisible as he was in that dark night, and being of dark complexion himself, unseen, he shot an unending series of arrows into Rama and Lakshmana. Finally, he aimed at the vital parts of their bodies, sending sharp arrows that pierced deeply into the brothers and allowed the poison and the spells to do their work.

The serpent-headed arrows that had turned themselves into serpents prevented Rama and Lakshmana from moving about, and the arrows that pierced their vital parts exhuded the poison that made them incapable of looking about anywhere. Weakened and helpless, the two great warriors fell in the battlefield, like flag staffs that had been released suddenly and had fallen from their stands.

The great warriors, Rama and Lakshmana, were bathed in blood, lying on the battle-ground, their bodies pierced with arrows, and were injured severely. Indrajit’s arrows had not missed any part of their body. Their skin was severely lacerated, and they were bleeding severely, as Valmiki writes, as water from a spring. Rama was the first to fall, pierced by Indrajit’s golden arrows, including fatal ones like the Narchas, Bhallas, Anjalis, Vatsadantas, Simhadantas and others. Loosing grip over his great bow, which was bent at three places, Rama fell down on the battlefield, helpless and unable to move.

Realising that Rama had fallen, Lakshmana, similarly injured and hopelessly continuing to fight, lost all courage. Knowing that the lotus-eyed Rama had fallen on the battlefield, wounded and helpless because of Indrajit’s arrows, saddened, Lakshmana also fell down,

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near Rama. The Vanaras led by Hanuman gathered in grief and wept in sorrow watching Rama and Lakshmana, helpless and bound by the serpent-arrows.

Knowing that Rama and Lakshmana were totally helpless now, and the Vanaras withdrawing from battle, Indrajit withdrew from the battle and watched quietly, waiting for the Vanara warriors to gather closer. Sugreeva and Vibhishana came up to Rama and Lakhsmana and grieved along with Nila, Dvivida, Mainda, Sushena, Kumuda and Angada.

Rama and Lakshmana were breathing faintly, and were totally bathed in blood. The countless numbers of arrows had pierced them deeply, and the serpent-arrows had wound about their bodies, tightly, making them motionless and helpless. The Vanaras were crying and had surrounded the brothers. Warriors that they were, the Vanara generals were careful and were on the watch for Indrajit, but could not locate him since he was invisible.

Indrajit had not planned for Vibhishana, however. Equally well trained, and knowledgeable as they were all, Ravana’s brothers and sons, Vibhishana sought out his own skills and was able to locate Indrajit, who had been hiding in the skies, nearby. Indrajit was very pleased with himself, and knowing that it was a great victory for him, spoke thus to the warriors of Lanka who had gathered near him, “Look at the fall of these strong brothers, Rama and Lakshmana. They, who had killed the valiant Khara and Dushana, have fallen to my arrows. They will not be able to release themselves from my arrows that have paralysed them. Even the gods will not be able to help them. They will not be able to cause any more sorrow to my father, who has been stricken with grief at the destruction caused to the city of Lanka.

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As with my father, the people of the city and the entire city of Lanka remains disturbed and caught in turmoil, like our rivers after the rains. These two brothers have now been destroyed by me. This is the end of all the activities of Rama and Lakshmana and all the Vanaras.”

Having spoken to the warriors of Lanka, Indrajit turned to continue the battle with the Vanaras who were grief stricken and unprepared. Nine arrows from Indrajit hit Nila, the Vanara general. Three arrows each were sent to Mainda and Dvivida. A powerful arrow hit Jambavan in the chest, and ten arrows found and hit Hanuman. Two arrows each hit Gavaksha and Sharabha, the brave warriors. After Gavaksha, Indrajit hit Angada, the son of Vali. And, as each flame-tipped arrow found its mark, Indrajit shouted in triumph.

Continuing to hit the Vanaras with series of arrows, the mighty Indrajit said, “O warriors of Lanka, look at these two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, and see how helpless they lie here, bound powerfully by my magical network of arrows. See how the Vanara army is helpless and unable to fight back.”

Upon hearing from Indrajit that Rama and Lakshmana were defeated, the warriors of Lanka were amazed and joyful. They roared in appreciation of Indrajit, shouting, “Rama is dead!” and that the armies of Vanaras were defeated. Seeing that Rama and Lakshmana continued to lie motionless, Indrajit, taken up with the joy and happiness of the warriors of Lanka, also accepted that the two brothers were indeed dead, and returned to Lanka to inform his father.

Sugreeva, sitting alongside the fallen Rama and Lakshmana, was fearful. He was saddened with anguish, seeing the two brothers whom he loved, filled with

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arrows, all over their bodies, and the serpent-arrows having turned into serpents and having bound them up tightly. He did not know of such warfare, and he feared for his Vanaras. If Rama and Lakshmana could be defeated thus, on the very first day of the battle, by the son of Ravana, then, how would the Vanaras face Ravana himself? Would the King of Lanka allow the Vanaras to return to Kishkindha safely?

Watching Sugreeva grieve thus, his eyes tearful, agitated, and knowing the thoughts that would trouble him at the moment, Vibhishana spoke to him, “Stop, O Sugreeva, stop your tears. Do not be fearful. Battles are fought in this manner, and especially with the warriors of Lanka, and more so, with Ravana and Indrajit. It is not so easy for mere arrows to defeat Rama and Lakshmana. It is not so simple for a mere Indrajit to kill Rama. The noble soul that he is, and you know of his strength and mission, just wait, Rama and Lakshmana will soon arise from out of this unconscious state of their bodies.”

Vibhishana continued, “O Sugreeva, bring back your courage, and if you do so, you will allow courage to return to me, for it is I who need it more. I have no protector now, if Rama would not regain consciousness. But I do not fear, for I know that truth will never be defeated. Righteousness will never be defeated. You should not fear death, my friend.”

Having said thus, Vibhishana moistened his hand with water, spoke an incantation and wiped the eyes of Sugreeva, and said, “O Sugreeva, you who are the King of the Vanaras, do not allow yourself to drown in surrender within you. Do not attach yourself to the aspect of needing Rama to lead us in this war. Do not

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attach yourself in having to survive in this war. As we kill others, so do we need to accept our death. Surrender will destroy all your actions. You have to be able to help your army of Vanaras, and they need your courage, for they are also saddened by the fall of Rama. Let us try and protect Rama till he gets his consciousness back. Once Rama and Lakshmana are back on their feet, they would get rid of the fear that the two of us are faced with.”

“Rama will not die so easily. This manner of war and injury would be of no consequence to Rama and Lakshmana. They have fought battles that were far tougher. See, their bodies have not lost the aspect of life, and they are alive. So, let us get our courage back, push our strength to help us, and let us get back to the battle. I will go and speak to all the Vanaras. O, King of the Vanaras, watch your warriors who have caught on to your fear. They speak to each other, and spread their terror and fear to the other warriors. We should stop this. We should make them stop their fear, and have them cast it off, as one would cast off a used garland of flowers. Let me go and give them courage.”

Giving courage to Sugreeva, Vibhishana went amongst the warriors of the Vanaras, who were milling about, terrified and frightened, and assured them that it would not be so easy to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Meanwhile, Indrajit reached the inner palaces within Lanka, and approached Ravana, offered his salutations, and informed his father, with details, and in an appeasing voice, informed him that Rama and Lakshmana had indeed been slain and that they were dead.

On hearing that Rama and Lakshmana had indeed been killed, right on the first day of the battle, by Indrajit,

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Ravana was joyful and hugged his favourite son. He was delighted with what he heard from Indrajit, and asked detailed questions of the battle. The story of the battle was told to him in specific deatil, and he was told of how both Rama and Lakshmana were felled, to lie motionless and without any sign of life by trussing them with serpent-arrows and with very powerful spells and incantations to make the weapons more powerful and dangerous.

At the battleground, where Rama and Lakshmana were brought down, the more pragmatic Vanara warriors were cautious. They organised themselves to watch out for the warriors of Lanka. The Vanara armies were organised under the leadership of Hanuman, Nila, Angada, Sushena, Kumuda, Nala, Gaja, Gavaksha, Panasa, Sanuprastha, Jambavan, Sunda, Rambha, Shatabali and Prithu. They watched the battleground, the mountains, the forests, the city walls and the skies, through the night, and kept shouting if they saw anything move. Sugreeva stood near the two brothers, deep in his grief.

After a great while, Rama recovered from his swoon, by virtue of his inner strength and resolve, but sat, unable to move. Seeing Lakshmana, in his swoon, bleeding and unconscious, his face altered due to the pain of his injuries, Rama was in anguish. He grieved for Lakshmana and feared that he may lose him to death. How could he return to Ayodhya and face Kausalya, his mother, or Sumitra, mother of Lakshmana? How could he inform Bharata or Shatrughna that he had returned without Lakshmana? It would perhaps be better to give up on his own life rather than have to return to Ayodhya without Lakshmana.

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Lakshmana, who had fought in many battles, defeated all his enemies, was now fallen, pierced by innumerable arrows, bleeding and unable to move or recover due to the serpent-arrows that had wound themselves around the both of them. Rama decided that he would follow Lakshmana to the land of Yama, as Lakshmana had done when Rama had begun his exile. He who could surpass the valiant Kartavirya himself in archery, he who could hit with five hundred arrows in a series, was now slain, and lying in pain on the battleground.

Turning to Sugreeva, the Prince of Ayodhya asked him to return to Kishkindha, for it was certain that Rama and Lakshmana could not help the army of Vanaras in the battle. Rama also spoke of his anguish that he would not be able to keep his promise of making Vibhishana, the King of Lanka. He told Sugreeva that he was most happy with the strength and courage of the armies of the Vanaras and the Rikshas. He was also happy with the great battles fought by Angada, Mainda, Dvivida, Kesari, Sampati, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Sharabha and Gaja. He was also happy with the manner of sacrifice by all those who had lost their lives in the battle.

“It was in the nature of any battle that one had to die. Mortals could not avoid their destiny,” said Rama to Sugreeva, “O great warrior, you have not failed in your duty. Do not be fearful of a defeat. You have stood by your friend and you have led your warriors as a proper leader would. You have not failed in your friendship. Let me take leave of you, of all the Vanaras. Please go away, and return to Kishkindha or wherever that you would want to go to.”

The Vanaras assembled near Sugreeva, Rama and Lakshmana, were all tearful at hearing Rama speak thus.

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At that moment, Vibhishana returned, having reorganised the armies of the Vanaras under the various leaders in defensive positions. Seeing Vibhishana, in the dark of that night, resembling Indrajit in countenance, the Vanara warriors panicked and started running away.

Sugreeva, the King of the Vanaras, enquired about the agitation and panic in the Vanara warriors. Angada, the son of Vali, replied that it was probably because of the fact that the noble Rama and Lakshmana, the sons of Dasharatha, were lying motionless, covered with innumerable arrows. Sugreeva disagreed and replied to Angada that it was probably due to some other cause as the Vanaras were just rushing about in terror, and not in grief. Vibhishana, wielding his mace, looking much similar to Indrajit, came up to them, proclaiming that victory would be with Rama.

Realising that Vibhishana could be the cause of the panic outbreak among the Vanara warriors, Sugreeva instructed Jambavan to reassemble the Vanara warriors and inform them that it was not Indrajit who had entered, but that it was Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana. Jambavan did so, and brought back the Vanara warriors and settled them into defensive positions.

On seeing Rama and Lakshmana, motionless and covered with Indrajit’s arrows, Vibhishana broke down in tears, and spoke in anguish, “Indrajit has brought down these two valiant warriors through his skill in spells and incantations and powerful weapons. He could not have defeated them in a regular war. These two great warriors, lying thus in their blood, covered with innumerable arrows, are awaiting their death. I will never be King of Lanka, and Ravana would continue to cause terror.”

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Sugreeva hugged Vibhishana, and said, “O rightful seeker of the throne of Lanka, you will certainly be King here. Ravana and his sons will certainly be defeated. Rama has given you his word, and I will help you. Rama and Lakshmana cannot die just because of some arrows from Indrajit. They are more powerful than these arrows. They will come out of their motionless state and will return to the battle and will certainly defeat Ravana very soon.”

Having spoken to Vibhishana, Sugreeva instructed Sushena, father of Tara, his wife, “You would need to take Rama and Lakshmana to Kishkindha with a strong army of our Vanaras. They can rest at our kingdom and will soon recover. I will stay back at Lanka, to seek out whatever it was that Rama and Lakshmana came here for. I will kill Ravana and all his relatives here at Lanka, and will bring Sita back with me to Kishkindha.”

Sushena replied, “O Sugreeva, I came here expecting a great and terrible war between the warriors of Vanaras and the warriors of Lanka. These warriors, who fight us, are capable of magical strategies, and they become invisible and use arrows with powerful incantations. We cannot fight them in a proper battle. Brihaspati, he who is an expert in the use of herbal medicines, spells and incantations for good health has treated all our Vanaras, including those who were wounded or those who had almost lost their lives. He knows of many magical herbs.”

“Brihaspati has knowledge of many sacred formulas in the treatment of those who are with much worse injuries than those that have fallen on Rama and Lakshmana,” continued Sushena, “Let our great Vanaras, – Sampati, Panasa and others – who know of such herbs, speedily

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travel to the various locations and bring back these magical herbs. They would know of how to locate even the celestial herbs, such as the Sanjivakarani and the Vishalya, which were created by the Gods themselves. In the oceans far away, in the high mountains of Chandra and Drona, where the churning of the oceans took place, one can find these two magical herbs. Let Sampati or Panasa go out to seek these medicines, or let us ask of Hanuman to go speedily and bring the herbs to us. He can go there rapidly, faster than Sampati or Panasa or Brihaspati, and return as speedily.”

At this moment, at the location where Rama and Lakshmana had fallen, helpless and motionless, the skies and clouds started swirling with a great wind that arose. The clouds massed together, and lightning struck across the skies, continually and fearsome in their manner. The oceans and seas around the island of Lanka swirled up in high waves, and the Vanara warriors could hear the sound and were frightened. The mountains around the city began to tremble as if caused by an earthquake. The large trees on the sea coasts were hit by the storm clouds, the waves and lost their branches that were broken by the power of stormy winds. At this enmasse happening, and in the manner in which the big branches of tall trees broke like twigs, the Vanara warriors could see that snakes seemed to come out from everywhere and escaped to plunge into the ocean waters.

ततो मुहतर्द् गरुडम वैनतेयम महा बलम ू ् ् ् | वानरा ददृशुः सवेर् ज्वलन्तम इव पावकम ् ् ||

tato muhuurtad garuDam vainateyam mahaa balam | vaanaraa dadR^ishuH sarve jvalantam iva paavakam ||

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At the very moment, the Vanaras saw the arrival of Garuda, the son of Vinata who glowed like a blazing torch

[Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 50:36]

तम आगतम अिभूेआय नागास ते िवूदिवुः ् ् ् ु ु |

यैस तौ सत पुरुषौ बद्धौ शर भूतैर महा बलौ ् ् ् ||

tam aagatam abhiprekSya naagaas te vipradudruvuH | yais tau sat puruSau baddhau shara bhuutair mahaa balau ||

On seeing that it was Garuda who arrived, the serpents that bound

(Rama and Lakshmana) the two great men in the form of arrows, ran away.

[Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 50:37]

In the midst of this thunder and storm, in the next moment, the Vanara warriors saw the arrival of an enormous eagle, Garuda, the son of Vinata, who glowed like a blazing torch in the darkness of the night. Merely on seeing Garuda, the serpent-arrows that bound Rama and Lakshmana turned themselves into serpents and fled away in the darkness in search of the mighty forests and the seas.

Knowing that the snakes would not be able to trouble Rama and Lakshmana again, for they would now know that the two princes were in the protection of Garuda. The mighty eagle, the king of the birds, came upon Rama and Lakshmana, and touched them with all his supplication, gently, and presented his respects and good wishes.

He caressed their faces that seemed to glow radiantly like the moon, in spite of their injuries and pain and

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anguish. In that momentary touch by Garuda, the wounds of Rama and Lakshmana were immediately healed. Their bodies regained their strength, and the Vanaras could see that Rama and Lakshmana seemed to get their strength, determination and courage, and their intelligence, persistence and great qualities, perhaps doubled.

Garuda lifted up Rama and Lakshmana and embraced them with affection. Rama, pleased to see Garuda, but not knowing the reason for his happiness, said, “Thank you, O mighty eagle, O king of the birds. With your help, I and Lakshmana have overcome a big disaster. We were almost defeated by Indrajit. We had lost all our strength and we would surely have lost our lives. You have made us live, and you have made as strong as earlier, if not stronger.”

को भवान रूप सम्पन्नो िदव्य ॐग अनुलेपनः ् ् |

वसानो िवरजे वसे्तर् िदव्य आभरण भूिषतः ||

ko bhavaan ruupa sampanno divya srag anulepanaH | vasaano viraje vastre divya aabharaNa bhuuSitaH ||

“Who are you? You who are so beautiful, blissful in garlands

and all forms of annointments, with clean garments and with divine ornaments?”

[Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 50:44]

अहम सखा ते काकुत्ःथ िूयह् ूाणो बिहश चरः ् ् |

गरुत्मान इह सम्ूाप्तो युवयोह् साह्य कारणात ् ् ||

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aham sakhaa te kaakutstha priyah praaNo bahish caraH | garutmaan iha sampraapto yuvayoh saahya kaaraNaat ||

“O Rama! I am Garuda, your dearest friend, as dear as your own breath

That moves outside. I come here, with purpose of helping you and Lakshmana.”

[Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 50:46]

“I do not know why, but I seem to be as happy at seeing you, as I would see my father, the mighty king, Dasharatha, or on seeing his father, the mighty king of Ayodhya before him. Who are you? We have never met, and yet I feel like I know you so closely. Who are you, who are so powerful, and yet endowed with much beauty? Who are you, who are so anointed, and adorned with divine ornaments?”

The mighty and powerful Garuda, the most powerful of all eagles, the king of birds, was happy that he was able to help Rama, and was glad and pleased, and replied, “O Rama, I am none but your dearest friend, Garuda. To me, you are as dear as my own breath that moves out of me. I can feel and sense every breath of you and I follow you by each breath of air that you breathe in and out. The moment that I realised that you were in trouble, I set out and arrived here for the very purpose of helping you and Lakshmana.”

“Nobody could have helped you. Not even the best of the warriors of Lanka, or the Vanara warriors, or the Gods themselves, or even Indra himself. Nobody can help you remove the serpent-arrows and their incantations and spells. It is only I, Garuda, who could have helped you. When I knew of your predicament, I realised that it was only I, who could break the spells of

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Indrajit, and remove the serpents that had wound themselves around you.”

Rama and Lakshmana felt strong bonds of affection towards Garuda, though neither could understand the reason. They felt that they had known Garuda for many eons but could not remember any details. Rama asked, “What manner of serpent-arrows are these, my friend? How did they prevent us from moving about and how did they prevent anyone else from helping us? We would have nearly died, and I would have failed in my mission to rescue the daughter of Janaka, to whom I have given my oath to protect. I would not have been able to return to Ayodhya with the news of Lakshmana’s death. I would have failed in so many ways, with not being able to establish Vibhishana as the King of Lanka.”

Garuda realised their predicament, that they could not recognise him. His very dear Lord, his very own Narayana could not recognise him. Garuda knew that he could not disclose the truth behind the manifestation of Narayana as Rama, here, in this battlefield at Lanka. As did Shiva himself, with Parvati, and as did Kakabhushundi, and all the other gods in the heavens, so did Garuda keep a close watch on Narayana’s troubles and life as the manifestation of Rama on earth. There was so much to learn from the manner in which Rama was troubled and faced the pain and pleasure of mortal men, and especially the deliberate avoidance of the powers of Narayana. It would have been so very easy for Narayana to escape from the poisonous serpent-arrows, and it would have been very easy for Narayana to gaze through the magic of Indrajit. Yet, he moved through those moments as a mortal warrior, capable of injury, capable of bleeding and capable of death.

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Garuda replied, bowing to Rama and Lakshmana, “These serpent-arrows that Indrajit cast at you, were actually serpents that had been disguised as arrows. These serpents were the thousands of sons of Kadru himself, and like Kadru, had very sharp fangs, and were very poisonous. It was through very exalted spells and incantations that Indrajit was able to capture these serpents and convert them into arrows, waiting for their release when it would be required.”

“O Rama, you are the beholder of rightful living, you know every single aspect of manner of living with righteousness. You are always true to your promises, to those who seek you. Along with Lakshmana, your beloved brother, the two of you are most formidable in battle. Who will dare face you or fight you? Your enemies in battle would never leave the battleground alive. But, today, the two of you are indeed lucky to live and survive this attack by Indrajit.”

Garuda continued, “Knowing that there would be nobody who would know how to help you, and knowing fully well that even the gods would not be able to help, I came rushing here to be with you. We have long eons of love and friendship, and I seek you always to be at your side. I knew about the powers of Indrajit, for even Ravana has not been blessed thus by the gods, especially Mahadeva himself. I knew that I had to come here and to be of help to you. You have now been released from the spells and incantations cast upon you by Indrajit. But the battle is not over as yet, and the two of you should be careful and vigilant. Be careful of Indrajit and Ravana.”

“The warriors of Lanka, and Ravana’s generals, are veterans of many battles. They have fought many kings and the gods themselves. They have conquered the lands

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of many oceans and worlds. They are aware of all the skills of battle, having been trained by Ravana himself, and by his grandfather. You, Lakshmana, and the Vanara warriors are capable only of simple warfare, and straight battles. These are your strengths. But, be aware of the manner in which this war will be fought by Ravana, Indrajit, Kumbhakarna and their generals and warriors. What Indrajit has managed to achieve now, in the first day of battle, tells you of the battles that are yet to come. Do not trust that Ravana and Indrajit and the warriors of Lanka will fight the battles that you know.”

The faithful companion of Narayana, ever ready to protect and serve, the mighty Garuda stood close to Rama and with all his affection, embraced the young prince of Ayodhya, and requested his permission to leave the battlefield. He said, “O Rama, you who are so affectionate, even to your enemies, O Rama, you who are most equanimous, please permit me to leave from this battlefield. I would like to return happily to the heavens, to my favourite mountains in the oceans of the skies. You are a hero to me and to the gods, by merely being Rama, as yourself.”

“I know that you would be curious to know about our friendship, and the reason for which I came about to rescue you. This is not the time and place to speak about our friendship. You need to focus on the battle, and you need to gain success in the battle against Ravana. I know that you would be victorious, and that you would indeed defeat Ravana. But, you would need to win in this battle with virtuous conduct, with the correct manner of battle and be able to win against the most treacherous of enemies, those who would not fight in the manner of heroes.”

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“You will destroy Lanka,” said Garuda, “You will destroy Ravana. The city will not be able to protect itself against your arrows. You will fight this battle in the rightful manner. You will protect the aged and the children in this battle and you will allow them to be saved in Lanka. And, when you have defeated Ravana, and you have killed all his sons and brothers and generals and warriors, you would find your beloved Sita, and you would bring her back to Ayodhya.”

Having said thus, Garuda, he who was of enormous size, with the awesome wing span, glowing in golden hue, blinding all those who stood close to him with his aura, offered his respects and obeisance to all the Vanaras, and walked in circumambulation, with bowed head, around Rama and embraced him again. He stood in respect, in front of Rama and Lakshmana and all the Vanara generals and warriors, and in the very next moment, he had taken off, into the skies, with his wings moving him forward in the manner in which a heavy wind would move across. And, he was gone, away from the battlefield.

Seeing Rama and Lakshmana completely ready to face battle again, Sugreeva, Angada, Jambavan, Hanuman and Vibhishana were delighted and roared in unison. Hearing their generals roar in challenge to Ravana, the Vanara warriors also roared in delight, hit upon their drums, and blew their conches. The warriors lifted huge trees to use as their weapons in battle, and the armies of the Vanaras began to move once again, towards Lanka. The battle cries of the Vanaras were frightening to the warriors of Lanka, and those who defended the gates of the city were terrified. The sound of the approaching Vanara armies was like the roar of thunder clouds in the silence of the night.

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The sound of the approaching armies was heard by Ravana, who spoke to his ministers, “That great sound, almost like thunder clouds, seems to be coming from the Vanara warriors ready to face battle. The sound is also extremely joyful and seems to be churning the oceans and the seas with their vibrations. I was told that Rama and Lakshmana were lying motionless and almost dead. But, this sound, the vibrations and the eager readiness in them to face battle is most puzzling. This does not sound like an army that has lost their generals. Find out the reason.”

The news came very soon, from the generals who had gone to look from the city walls, “O King of Lanka, O Ravana, what you fear is indeed true. It is the Vanara army, ready for battle, with Sugreeva and Vibhishana, leading them, and Rama and Lakshmana, with them, looking like two strong elephants that have broken the chains that have bound them, eager for battle.”

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Garuda: the companion of Narayana

Garuda, the Eagle, the king of the birds, is common to many mythologies from Mongolia through Central Asia to South Asia to South-East Asia and the Far East. Most often appearing in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, Garuda is also meant to be the name for the Constellation Aquila in the Universe. Garuda, is of course, most usually known as the vaahana (= vehicle / mount) of Lord Vishnu, or Narayana.

In anthromorphic depictions within mythological stories, Garuda is shown of golden hue with extreme large size, with deep red wings, occasionally with the body of a man with wings and an eagle’s beak. The wing span has been shown to be as enormous as needed to block the Sun.

There are many stories about Garuda, but the common aspect in all is that he is the enemy of the serpents, especially the Nagas, and given to feeding entirely on snakes. There are many myths about the efficacy of worship to Garuda being able to ward off the effects of snake bites and their poison, and there are several spells and incantations that would help prevent snake bites.

Though Garuda has the status of being only the vaahana of Narayana, he retains a special stature in Hindu mythology, with an entire Upanishad and an entire Purana being devoted to him, the Garudopanishad and the Garuda Purana.

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Garuda is seen in the stories of the churning of the oceans and its later events, and is shown to have brought the nectar, amrit, to the earth from the heavens. This is to be found among many stories in the Vedas and various Puranas. It is perhaps Krishna who confers the title “King of the Birds” on Garuda, during the rendition of the Bhagavada Gita in the battlefield of Kurukshetra to Arjuna, he says, “I am Garuda, the son of Vinata, the king of the birds”.

For all his hatred towards serpents, Garuda is protected by the celestial divine snakes, with Adisesha on his left wrist and Gulika on his right wrist. The great serpent Vasuki himself protects Garuda in the form of his sacred thread about his torso, from the shoulder to his waist. The warrior-like Naga, Takshaka, protects him in the manner of a belt around his waist. The fearful Karkotaka adorns him as a necklace. Padma and Mahapadma, two wonderous snakes, protect him as ear rings. The magnificent Shankachuda rests on his divine hair.

Vedanta Desika’s Garuda Panchashath and Garuda Dandaka depict the magnificent Garuda with all these snakes that protect him, and show him with his two consorts, Rudra and Sukirthi. There are other compositions and the Vedas and Puranas that also depict Garuda to be the Sankarshana aspect of Narayana himself. That is, to depict the parallel manifestation of Narayana as only he could, during his amorphous (formless) state before the beginning of creation, and one of the four forms that were presented at that time – Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. Garuda is of course prominently depicted in the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavat on various occasions in the companionship of Krishna and Narayana.

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Garuda is known for his prowess and leadership and symbolism in war. This is clearly depicted in the Mahabharata, where victory is often likened to the manner in which Garuda would swoop down on a serpent. Dronacharya names a military formation after Garuda, while Krishna had Garuda on his chariot’s banner. Buddhist mythology depicts Garuda as being large eagles with enormous intelligence, with celestial aspects and divine protection.

Garuda: the son of Vinata The Mahabharata presents the story of the birth of Garuda, born of the great rishi, Kasyapa and Vinata, who was the sister of Kadru, the mother of all serpents. It is thus written that at the very moment that Garuda emerged from his egg, he appeared as a blazing flame, equal in energy to cosmic starbursts that consume themselves. The gods were worried about the impact of such impounded energy that would move about in the worlds and the heavens that they requested Garuda for reducing himself in size and fury. The story of Vinata and Kadri is intense, and can be the text for a different book by itself. To summarise here, Vinata loses a bet to Kadri and becomes a slave to her sister and to all the serpents. Determined to help his mother obtain release from her bondage, Garuda is informed that the serpents would do so if they were to be provided with amrita, the elixir of immortality, from the gods. The elixir was protected in

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the heavens and was encircled with fire. There were knives and two gigantic snakes that were guardians to the elixir. Not to face defeat without an attempt, Garuda arrived to take the elixir with him. He fought against all the gods and defeated them and extinguished the circle of fire with the waters of many rivers. Reducing himself in size, he went past the knives and blades, and regained his original size to devour the two gigantic snakes. He took the elixir in his mouth, without swallowing, and flew back towards the waiting sons of Kadri, but met with Vishnu who challenged him. Though the two did not fight, Vishnu offered Garuda the honour of becoming Narayana’s vaahana and in turn to receive immortality. Further on, challenged by Indra, Garuda promised him that he would fulfil his promise to Kadri’s sons and deliver the elixir, but would not allow them to drink it, and Indra could take possession at that moment and return with it to the heavens. In turn, Indra promised Garuda that he could consume the serpents as his normal food, and all the serpents in the world would be terrified of him, even if he were to be the vaahana of Narayana himself. Upon returning to the sons of Kadri, Garuda placed the amrita in front of them, and determined that his promise has been fulfilled and that his mother, Vinata, would be released from the slavery to her sister. He suggested to the sons of Kadri that they should purify themselves, and bathe in the holy waters of the rivers before they would partake of the amrit that had been brought from celestial heavens. The sons of Kadri agree and leave to bathe in

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the rivers, and in that moment, Indra arrived and rescued the elixir and returned with it to the heavens. Garuda was happy that he was been able to rescue his mother, took her back to Kasyapa and ensured that she would live happily. Knowing that he has a promise to fulfil, Garuda returned to the celestial heavens and took up his place with Narayana, as his vaahana. In most myths, Garuda is recognised as a deity, and along with Narayana, he is seen to be in various events with Indra (= Vajrapani, in Buddhist and Bonpo mythology) and Hayagriva, the manifestation of Vishnu as the extremely knowledgeable horse. In Buddhist mythology, Garuda is depicted as the vaahana of Amoghasiddhi, the green Buddha of the north. Swami Vedanta Desika, who composed the Garuda Dandakam in praise of Garuda, depicts him as using the vedas as his nest and is loved by his wives, Rudra and Sukirthi, on his return from his services to Narayana.

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References Anon (manuscrypts) (2011): Garuda. At http://www.manuscrypts.com/myth/2011/12/27/garuda/ Bahadur, Satya Prakash – Tulasidasa (1978): Complete works of Gosvami Tulsidas: Ramayana. Prachya Prakashan. Dhody, Chandan Lal (1995): The Adhyatma Ramayana concise English version. M. D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. Griffith, Ralph, T. H. (1870-1874): Ramayan of Valmiki. Trubner and Co., London. Rao, Desiraju Hanumanta and K. M. K. Murthy (1998-2008): Valmiki Ramayana. At www.valmikiramayan.net Scharf, Peter M. (2003): Mahabharata – Ramopakhyana: the story of Rama in the Mahabharata. Routledge Publishers. Shastri, Ramchandra Verma. (2007): Valmikeeya Ramayan (in Hindi). Parampara Books Private Limited. New Delhi. Valmiki and Robert P. Goldman (1990): The Ramayana of Valmiki: An epic of ancient India. Princeton University Press.

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