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Lord Rama and Ravana at War


A Brief Summary of Lord Ramachandra's Pastimes
(Click arrows for accompanying images)


The son of Raghu was Aja, the son of Aja was Dasaratha, and the son of Dasaratha was Lord Ramachandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When the Lord descended into this world in His full quadruple expansion as Lord Ramachandra, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrughna - great sages like Valmiki who were actually in knowledge of the Absolute Truth described His transcendental pastimes.

As a youngster, Lord Ramacandra ripped apart the chest of Tataka Image demon who attacked him, and the flood of blood oozing from her solidified like a hill. Lord Rama went with the sage Visvamitra and, with a single arrow, killed a string of Rakshasas, including Subahu and Marica Image the she-demon, who were disturbing the sages duties.

After breaking the stout and strong bow known as Haradhanu Image the Lord married Sita. He cut down the prestige of Parasurama. To obey the order of His father, He entered the forest, going into exile accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita. There He cut off the nose of Surpanakha Image and killed the associates of Ravana, headed by Khara and Dusana. Ravana's kidnapping of Sita Devi was the beginning of this demon's misfortune. When Marica assumed the form of a golden deer, Lord Ramachandra went to bring the deer to please Sitadevi, but in the meantime Ravana took advantage of the Lord's absence to kidnap her. Ravana was obstructed on the way to kidnap Sita by the bird Jayatu Image . After Ravana cut Jatayu's wing, Lord Rama later found him dead and buried him, performing a proper funeral ceremony.

When Sitadevi was kidnapped, Lord Ramachandra accompanied by Lakshmana, searched for her throughout the forest. In the course of this search, They met Jatayu. Then the Lord killed the demon Kabandha Image and the commander Vali and established a friendly relationship with Sugriva.

At Kishkinda they met Hanuman and made friends with his monkey soldiers to deliver Sitadevi. After organising the military strength of the monkeys and going with them to the shore of the sea, the Lord awaited the arrival of Samundra, the ocean personified, but when Samundra did not come, the Lord the master of Samundra, became angry. Then Samundra came to the Lord with great haste and surrendered to Him, wanting to help Him in every way.

The Lord then attempted to bridge the ocean, and, with the help of advice from Vibhisana, He attacked Image Ravana's capital, Lanka. Previously, Hanuman, the eternal servant of the Lord, had set fire to Lanka, and now, with the help of Lakshmana and the bow given by Agastya Rsi, He killed Ravana Image . Ravana's brother Vibhisana was installed on the throne of Lanka. Vibhisana was a demon, but Lord Rama made him immortal by His blessings. Mandodari and other wives lamented for Ravana, and in accordance with Lord Ramachandra's order, Vibhisana performed the funeral ceremonies for all the dead in the family. Lord Ramachandra then gave Vibhisana the right to rule Lanka and also granted him a long duration of life.

The Lord delivered Sitadevi from the Asoka forest and carried her in a flower airplane to His capital Ayodhya where, after fourteen years in exile, He was received by His brother Bharata. When Lord Ramachandra entered Ayodhya, Bharata brought His wooden shoes. Lord Ramachandra, accompanied by Lord Lakshmana and mother Sitadevi, met all His relatives. He instructed his brother Satrughna to attack Lavnasura, who reigned at Mathura, and the demon was killed. The great sage Vasistha enthroned Him as King. Lord Ramachandra disappeared while bathing in Sarayu River. The great epic Ramayana is the history of Lord Rama's activities in the world, and the authoritative Ramayana was written by the great poet Valmiki.



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