The Ramayana

The Ramayana:-

The epic story of Ramayana was adopted by several cultures across Asia. Shown here is a Thai historic artwork depicting the battle which took place between Rama and Ravana.

· Vishwamitra:- He was the preceptor of Rama and Lakshmana, a powerful tapasvi and Brahmarishi. He bestows the knowledge of all divine weaponry to Rama and Lakshmana, leads them to kill powerful demons, and instructs them in religion and military arts.

· Rama:- He was Seventh Avatar of Vishnu. Rama was extremely powerful warrior & had knowledge of usage of many celestial astras. Rama single-handedly slayed the 14,000 demon hordes of khara (in one hour, according to the Ramayana), the demons Maricha and Subhau, Ravana's chief commander Prahasta and is responsible for the ultimate killing of Ravana himself.

· Lakshmana:- He was also very powerful like his brother. He was incarnation of Sheshnag. He controlled his sleep for 14 continuous years and slayed extremely powerful demons including Atikaya and Indrajit.

· Hanuman:- He was son of Kesari & Anjana. He was one of the Rudras of Shiva. He was first trained by Sun god Surya & later Shiva himself mentored him. Later he became Vanara minister of Sugriva. He is the greatest devotee of Rama, famous for his unerring service, absolute loyalty and great feats of courage. Hanuman is responsible for killing many demons, as well as burning the city of Lanka. His strength is given by his father Vayu, and by virtue of the boons bestowed on him by various Gods, no astra & weapon could harm him. He can transform into any size & shape as he desired. He was also well expert in using celestial astras. He also possessed Mohini astra, Raudra astra etc.

· Ravana:- Blessed by his fearsome 10,000 year tapasya to be the most powerful being on earth, invulnerable to every God, demon and living being, save man. Although an expert on the Vedas, a great king, and a great devotee of Shiva, he is the Emperor of evil due to his patronage of demons, murder of kings and humiliation of the Gods headed by Indra.

Ravana

· Indrajit:- He was first-born son of mighty Ravana. Originally his name was Meghanada. He was master of archery & illusion war techniques.He became the possessor of several supreme celestial weapons. Through penance, he obtained a boon from Brahma : he could be killed by a common man who could control his sleep for 12 years continuously. He defeated Indra & arrested him. Then Brahma appeared and asked him to free Indra. Meghanada did as Brahma directed & was then granted boon : he would never be won over in any battle, until his Yagna (fire-worship) of his native goddess Nikumbala was disturbed and destroyed. On the completion of the Yagna, a supreme celestial chariot would appear, boarding which, Indrajit would become invincible in any battle. But Brahma also cautioned him that whosoever would destroy this yagna would also kill him. In Rama-Ravana war, Indrajit killed 670 million Vanara's in a single day using his Brahmanda astra & approximately exterminated the entire half man-half monkey race. He was finally killed by Lakshmana.

Indrajit(Meghnad)

· Kumbhakarana:- The gigantic brother of Ravana is a fearsome monster-demon who sleeps for six months at a stretch, rising for only one day and then returning to his slumber. Kumbhakarna can slay hundreds of warriors by the sweep of his hand or step of his foot. He is slain by Rama in the war.

Kumbhakarana

· Prahasta:- The chief commander of Lanka's army who was killed on the 1st day of the war of Rama and Ravana.

·  Atikaya:- The second son of Ravana, who had an indestructible armor given to him by Brahma that can only be pierce by the Brahmastra. Once he caught Shiva trident in Mount Kailash when Shiva was angry with him. Both Atikaya and his cousin Trishira were the reincarnations of Madhu and Kaitabha, who were defeated by Mahavishnu.

·  Akshaykumara:- The youngest son of Ravana who died, fighting Hanuman in Ashok Vatika, who later set Lanka on fire.

·  Shatrughana:- Brother of Rama who killed Lavana, son of Madhu and Kumbhini (a sister of Ravana) and became the King of Mathura.

·  Bharata:- Brother of Rama who along with his maternal uncle Yudhajit, conquered Gandhara and created his kingdom of Takshasila and Pushkalavati by defeating Gandharvas inhabiting that kingdom.

Atirathis:-

· Akampana

· Kampana

· Devanataka

· Narantaka

· Akshayakumara

· Ahiravana

· Kumbha

· Nikumbha

· The Younger Sons of Ravana

Maharathis:-

· Laxmana

· Ravana

· Kumbhakarna

· Atikaya

· Jambavan

· Sugriva

· Angada

· Bharata

· Shatrugna

Atimaharathis:-

· Rama

· Hanuman

· Indrajit