Chapter XIII

The Death Of Ravana

Ravana received the news of Indrajita’s Death

Ravana

“Today I shall take the bow and arrow given to me by Brahma and destroy both Rama and Lakshmana. But first I shall slay Sita, the cause of all our woe!”

(Angry)

Ravana was very unhappy. He was breathing like an angry serpent.

“Go forth now with all your strength and hurl yourselves only upon Rama!”

“Wound him and wear him out and tomorrow I shall kill him!”

The next day the two warriors finally came together, as decreed by the Gods.

vs

Skilled archers Knew all the science of warfare Had weapons made by the high gods

Neither had ever know defeat

Ravana Rama

Monkeys gathered in a half circle behind Rama.

The demons stood behind their king

The Gods also watched this conflict, for it had been planned by them long ago.

The Gods said to one another:“This is not a fair fight, for Rama is on foot while the demon

rides his chariot.”

vs

Indra called to his charioter, Matali.

Indra

“Yoke my chariot quickly and offer it to Rama!”

MataliYes, Sir!

Matali harnessed the bay horses.“The lord of a thousand eyes sends this to you so that you may win the victory, O mighty warrior.”

“Here, too, is the great bow of Indra, his shield, and his spear.”

Rama bowed to the chariot driven by Matali and mounted it.

Ravana attacks Rama with his spear as strong as diamond.

“Now lie beside your brother, O arrogant prince! This lance will end your life.”

Rama flung the lance of Indra, which met the other in the air and shattered it with a sound like

thunder.

As he fought, Rama taunted to his foe:“What a hero you are, O wicked wretch, to carry off a woman after luring her husband from her by a trick! What a noble deed was that! If I had been there, I would have sent you to join your brother whom I have slain. Now by good fortune you stand before me. Today your head, with its crown and earrings, shall roll in the dust, and vultures will drink the blood that flows from your wounds!”

(Angry)

More fight……still neither warrior prevailed, but

RAMA THOUGHT:

WHILE RAVANA SAID TO HIMSELF:

“I shall win.”

“I must die.”

When it seemed as if every weapon had been exhausted, Rama thought:

These are the same weapons with which I killed Maricha and all the demons in the forest, which pierced the seven trees at Kishkindha and slew Bali.

Why is it that they have

no power over Ravana?

Matali, the wise charioter, divined his thought and said to Rama:

“Have you forgotten the most powerful one of all, O lord of men? Loose Brahma’s shaft upon him, for the hour of his doom has come!”

Rama summoned that weapon that was like a winged snake, that hissed like a viper.

He looked upon it with delight and fixed it on his bow, speaking the incantation.

Then with his whole strength he pulled the bowstring to his ear and loosed that deadly shaft.

It pierced the breast of Ravana and, passing through his body, returned to Rama’s hand.

The great fiend, scourge of the three worlds, fell from his chariot and the earth shook with his fall.

Rama’s attack that killed Ravana

Vibishana came and stood beside Rama.

VibishanaRavana

Rama

He looked at his brother’s body and remembered his former greatness,his generosity to his friends and kinsmen, and their long life together; he began to lament for him, with tears…

But Rama said:“No one should mourn a warrior slain in battle. He had great courage and fell without yielding; he met a Kshatriya’s death. Now with all honor perform his funeral rites.”

Then Vibishana remebered his brother’s sins and said:

“How can I honor one who failed to fulfill his vows, who was ruthless and cruel, who killed holy sages, and stole wives of others? He deserves no honor.”

RAMA ANSWERED:

“Death ends all enmity.

This prowler of the night was always brave, though he was wicked. We have accomplished our purpose;

He is no longer our enemy.

It is right for me as well as for you to perform his funeral rites,

For he is your brother and therefore mine.”

-Rama

~THE END

of Chapter 13~Reporters:

Jake E. YongcoShaina Mavreen D. Villaroza