THE RAMAYANAADVERSARIES
In the Ramayana, Rama’s enemies are referred to as rakshasas, or demons.
Traditionally, they were malign beings who attacked women and children
or possessed people at night, driving them insane. Prominent among the
demons helping Ravana were his brother,
Kumbhakarna, a giant who spent most of
his life sleeping, and Ravana’s son, Meghnath,
who had defeated Indra and
was said to be unbeatable in
battle. These demons posed
such a great threat that Vishnu
had to come to Earth as his
avatar, Rama, in order to
defeat them for good.Ravana’s sword
Ravana attacked Rama
with the Chandrahas
(moon blade), which he
had been given by Shiva.Ravana moving Kailash
Once Ravana angered Shiva
by moving his abode at Mount
Kailash, and was punished.Meghnath
Meghnath’s magical serpent
arrows vanquished many
of the enemy warriors,
including Lakshmana.
Kumbhakarna
The giant Kumbhakarna had been given a boon whereby he could sleep
for six months at a stretch. When he finally awoke to fight for Ravana,
he devastated Rama’s army before being killed by the prince himself.
RAVANA
The king of the rakshasas, Ravana
was a fearsome figure with 10 heads
and 20 arms. He was a scholar and
an authority on the Vedas. He pleased
Brahma with his rigorous austerities
and arrogantly sought invulnerability
against gods and demons, believing
no human could harm him. He also
appeased Shiva, who gave him a
sword. He is seen as either a wicked
counterpart to the virtuous
Rama, or as a tragic figure
who had potential for
good but was destined
to become evil.HINDU FESTIVALS
There are some popular Hindu festivals associated with
Rama. He is believed to have worshipped the goddess
Durga before setting of to fight Ravana. So during the
nine nights of the festival of Navaratri, episodes from
the epic are enacted, with a climax on the tenth day,
Dussehra, when Rama slew Ravana. On this day, eigies
of Ravana, his brother, Kumbhakarna, and his son,
Meghnath, are ritually burned to symbolize the victory
of good over evil. Rama also has a role in the festival of
Diwali. On Diwali, people light lamps to commemorate
the return of Rama to Ayodhya after his long exile.FOR THIS DEED OF
INSULT, RAVANA, IN THY
HEEDLESS FOLLY DONE,DEATH OF ALL THY
RACE AND KINDRED
THOU SHALT REAP
FROM RAGHU’S SON!
Valmiki, RamayanaDiwali, the festival of lights^103