YUDDHA KANDAM

The Yuddha Kandam describes the battle in Lanka between the monkey and the demon armies of Rama and Ravana, respectively in which Ravana is defeated. It is also known as the book of War or the Lanka Kandam.

Rama was immensely pleased with the observations made by Hanuman. In fact both of them concurred in their views of Vibheeshana. Sugreeva was directed by Rama to escort the refugee to his presence. But the vanara king made a second appeal to Rama reminding him of the treacherous ways of the rakshasas. Either Rama had set him up to play a foul game or the youngest brother had betrayed the eldest at a critical time. In any case the action was objectionable. Therefore the prentenders had to be done to death. The Ravana-Vibheeshana clique bore a similarity to that of Vali- Sugreeva. Perhaps Rama had it in mind when he smilingly turned to Lakshmana and said, "Kings do not easily trust their neighbour kings, their close relatives and their brothers. All brothers cannot be as Bharatha is. All friends cannot be as Sugreeva is." Then turning to Sugreeva he said, "I assure protection to him who asks me for it, be he good or bad. This is my vowed mission in life. Even if Ravana asks for it, it will not be denied to him. No being can ever hurt me. Go and bring Vibheeshana to me." Sugreeva saw into the glory and magnanimity of Raghva. Forthwith he went and escorted Vibheeshana to his august presence. The fugitive along with his four ministers, prostrated and submitted, "I, the youngest brother of Ravana, surrender to you. Relinquishing my all in Lanka, I have come to you." Rama accepted him and granted refugee. Rama then asked Vibheeshana the cause of his deserting his brother Ravana. Vibheeshana recounted his succession from his brother on the issue of Sita's imprisonment. Interrogated further, he disclosed the innate strength of Ravana and his retinue.

Rama pledged that he would exterminate Ravana and his forces before redeeming Janaki. At this stage Vibheeshana submitted that his knowledge, talents and services were entirely at the disposal of Raghava. At the instance of the elder brother, Lakshmana now brought sea water and, assisted by Sugreeva, he bathed and crowned Vibheeshana the king of Lanka. Though simple it was a significant ceremony. Sugreeva allied with Rama in order to get his personal problem solved. Vibheeshana surrendered himself to Rama in order to get his personal problem solved. Vibheeshana surrendered himself to Rama to save Lanka to the extent possible. He had no personal problem. Sugreeva, Lakshmana and Vibheeshana sat in council to discuss the possible methods of transporting the army across the sea. The new ally sagaciously suggested propitiating the sea god in the matter. This venture was approved of. At this juncture a queer incident took place. Ravana sent Suka an envoy to seduce Sugreeva away from Rama. The gist of the vilian's message was, "You and I are brotherly neighbour Kings. Rama the weak link is a fugitive banished by a woman. He is incapable of maintaining a wife. What is the harm in my taking possession of that neglected woman" Sugreeva's rejoinder was "Rama and I are friends. Being his enemy you are my enemy too. Wicked that you are, Rama is going to rid the world of you. Are you a fool to fancy that after offending Rama, you are going to live?" The monkeys now began to belabor envoy. But Rama intervened, saved Suka and kept him in detention so that he might be released later to go and report the result of his adventure to Ravana.


For three days and nights Rama lay on a grass bed facing the sea and beseeching the sea god; but there was no response. Facing a glow with emotion he rose and discharged into the sea a mystic arrow stating: "A boor does not understand a beseech as he understands a blow." The splash created a terrible commotion in the sea. The aquatic creatures were all in danger. With folded palms the sea god came trembling on his knees and submitted, "O Ramachandra, I am one of the elements not deviating from the law of nature. I lay bare the easiest causeway across me to the other shore. There is Nala, the expert engineer in your group. Let him build a bridge to Lanka." So saying the sea god disappeared. Accordingly Nala took up the stupendous work. Thousands of monkeys joined hands in it. Carrying hills and rocks was like playing with balls. The project was not toil; it was a sport to them and a sight for gods. In five days the two lands were linked by a bridge. Then the army moved. Hanuman and Angada carried Rama and Lakshmana on their shoulders. The main forces marched while some swam and some others flew in the air. The land force, sea force and air force were jointly advancing. They reached the other shore with a tumult. Then they marched towards the capital with quick and vigorous strides. Reaching it, the divisions were strategically placed and then Suka the captive was let go to inform the developments to Ravana.

Two other demon spies disguised as monkeys were busy probing into the strength of Rama's army. But they could not hide themselves from the scrutiny of Vibheeshana who detected and produced them before Rama for capital punishment. Whereas the merciful Raghu Rama gave protection to those two unarmed spies and supplied them with all the information they wanted to gather. The envoy as well as the two spies returned to Ravana and recounted the strength of the enemy. They persuaded their king to return Sita to Rama and to get reconciled with him. But all the three were expelled for their cowardly counsel. Sardula an expert party of spies were then dispatched on espionage. Trembling with fear they made a show of spying and reported their findings to Ravana. He was shaky at heart but he prentended valour and swore he would not part with Sita for anything in the world. While the besiegement of Lanka by Rama was in full swing, the lust cankered lord of Lanka was busy in duping Sita. He approached her and gave a detailed account of the destruction caused by his general to the monkey forces and of death caused to Rama. Presently a magician brought the severed head of Rama and placed it before her. Ravana put it to her that now she had no alternative to becoming his wife.

Sita who was all along absorbed in the meditation of Rama now burst forth in lamentation. She gave thought to Kaikeyi's evil design, she gave thought to Lakshmana's plight and the frustration of Rama's career. Then she pleaded with Ravana to perform the only meritorious act of cutting off her lord's head. At this juncture Ravana was called urgently by the ministers to attend to some state business. No sooner did the wicked Rakshasa king leave the Asoka garden than the illusory head of Rama disappeared. Then Sarama a good natured demoness appeared before Sita and consoled her explaining that all that Ravana does was merely a trick and deception to win Sita. Rama had already laid siege to Lanka. Ravana called a council of war to discuss the latest developments. Malyavan, the maternal grandfather of Ravana and the senior most statesman presented his note of warning. Making reference to the enemy's progress and to the evil portents in Lanka he stood for the immediate restoration of Sita and for reconciliation with Rama. But Ravana ridiculed this idea, dissolved the council and went up the palace terrace to survey the enemy forces. From the mount Suvela, Rama and the party had a glance at Ravana on the terrace and he at the enemy cantonment. All of a sudden he flew at Ravana on the terrace and knocked down the crown from his head. Then a terrible duel ensued proving that they were match to each other. Just when Ravana thought it necessary to employ mystic methods the offender was back again with Rama on the mount Suvela. While Rama was amused over this incident he objected to it because it was an unkingly act when war was not yet declared .

Sugreeva pleaded that he got infuriated sighting the villain. Rama saw to it that the distinguished monkey and bear warriors were stationed in strategic positions to combat the renowned demon warriors. The manoeuvres over, he commissioned Angada the most appropriate person to convey the war ultimatum to Ravana. Angada did accordingly. As a dignified Prince he approached the rakshasa tyrant and presented his mission, "I introduce myself to you as Angada, the son of the late King Vali who had valiant relationship with you. I am sure you have not forgotten. Now I am before you as the envoy of Rama. This is his ultimatum to you. Because of the boons you have received from Brahma, the creator you have become conceited and wicked. The holy ones, the celestials and the human beings have been tortured by you for very long. The time has come now for the world to be cleansed of your heinous presence. You who carried away Sita stealthily during my brief absence now face me in battle and perish. There is no escape for you from my arrows. But if you are attached to life, with repentance restore Sita to me and crave forgiveness. Then your life will be spared. In any case you are no more the wicked king of Lanka. The virtuous Vibheeshana is already crowned the good king of Lanka. Bid farewell to Lanka either in death or in banishment.