Ramayana

1. Ramayana By Justin Munnelly http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=1639

2. The Terrible Sight • From his tower, Ravana could see his city being attacked by Rama. The cries of his soldiers were like a constant ringing in his ear. He couldn’t bear the sight any longer. He took action immediately and started praying to Shiva, asking for his benediction. Ravana suited up for battle, and set out on his chariot. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_at_Lanka,_Ramayana,_Udaipur,_1649-53.jpg

3. Aid from Above • As Ravana stormed the battle, Rama received a special chariot from Indra. The swiftest vehicle ever known. Rama expects fraud, and is later convinced of it’s legitimacy. Rama gears up and rides into battle as well. During the flight, Rama is advised to let Ravana exhaust himself through his own rage. Rama does so. http://all-history.org/160.html

4. Heat of the Battle • Against Ravana’s advice, Mahodara, the giant, charges directly at Rama’s chariot. Rama quickly and effortlessly destroys the giant. This enraged Ravana even more, pushing him past the limit of his temper. Omens warn Ravana against attacking his enemy. He simply ignores them. In an attempt to change Ravana’s mind, Rama destroys his entire army. Ravana is even more enraged now.

5. Denial • Although Ravana should clearly stop fighting at this point, he continues due to his stubbornness. Ravana blows the conch of battle and of Panchajanya. Matali responds by blowing a conch of Indra’s, formally starting the battle. Ravana send a storm of arrows upon Rama and his army. Rama counters the attack with his own arrows. Ravana now feels betrayed due to the chariot of Indra siding with Rama. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/ramayana/1146

6. Loss of an Allie • Ravana realizes a flaw in his attack and heads for the monkeys in the air aiding Rama. Rama responds by sending Matali to protect his soldiers. In the tense pursuit, Matali is struck in the heart by one of Ravana’s arrows. Rama grieves but remains calm and collected. The battle continues all around the world. Rama finally lands the first hit on Ravana. Ravana shows signs of pain, indicating Rama had a successful attack. http://www.indianetzone.com/38/characters_ramayana.htm

7. Adaption of Battle • Ravana changes his tactics again; adding the effect of supernatural forces to his arrows. Bringing the battle to a higher power level, but nonetheless a stalemate, as it has been. To further his advantage, Ravana calls the Danda. A weapon designed to target and destroy any enemy; the weapon was easily taken down by Rama’s arrow. After all these failed attempts, Ravana decides to bring out the Maya. A very powerful weapon designed to confuse the enemy with illusions.

8. Body over Mind • The Maya cast by Ravana set the illusion that his army was completely revived. Rama was able to break the illusion with more advice from, the now revived, Malati, and the power of the Gnana, which was the weapon of wisdom. Ravana casts the Thama, a very powerful weapon that freezes all of creation and time. The Thamaalso called down a series of harsh weathers on Rama. Rama countered this attack with the Shivasthra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama

9. Another Failed Attack • Ravana sends out what he considers to be his most powerful weapon, a trident enchanted by a gift from the gods of devastating power. The trident was unaffected by all of Rama’s defenses. The battle seemed to be over. Mysteriously, the trident stopped inches in front of Rama and fell to the ground. Ravana, confused by the event considers that Rama may be the ultimate god, the creator of the universe. Regardless of this notion, he continues with his attacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama

10. Battle of Animals • Ravana sends out another of his weapons, this time it would send out snakes what spit fire and venom with monstrous fangs. Rama countered this attack with his own animals using the Garuda, meaning eagle. The eagles completely eliminated all the snakes. Out of rage, Ravana sent a quivers worth of arrows at Rama, only to have half of them destroyed mid-flight, and the others returned back at Ravana, impaling him in the chest.

11. Ravana’s Downfall • Ravana finally realizes his defeat. Rama decided now was his time to strike. He cuts off some of Ravana’s heads, only to find that they grow back, the same benefit applies to Ravana’s arms. Ravana is now faint on his chariot, his charioteer retreats in an attempt to save Ravana. Matali recommends that Rama attack now while he is faint. Rama refuses as he sees this as a disrespectful way to claim victory.

12. The Final Resort • Ravana returns to consciousness and is still desperate to win this battle. Throwing simple items at Rama, all of which were ineffective. Rama decides to take the final step in the battle and use the Brahmasthra, a weapon to be used only as a last resort. Rama sent the attack directly at Ravana’s heart, the most vulnerable part of his body. The attack hits and Ravana is killed. Just before dying, Ravana’s face seems to be cleared of burden, as if the attack had purified him.

13. The End • Rama casts away Indra’s chariot with much thanks. Upon observing Ravana’s body, Rama finds a scar on his back. He assumes it was set there by his attack, indicating he had killed an enemy who was retreating. Rama sees this as a dishonor. Vibishanapointed out the fact that the scar was old and could not have been from the recent battle. Rama, although just finishing a trying battle with the enemy, reminds his friends to honor and cherish Ravana’s memory, so that he may go to heaven.