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Rāvana's duel with Lakṣmaṇa
The gigantic sakti, with her outstretched. hands, apeared as if she wanted to destroy the whole universe. Rāma knew that though Bibhiṣaṇa was an able warrior, he lacked the strength to endure the śakti. He told Lakṣmaṇa, "Bibhiṣaṇa, our trusted ally is being killed with Amoghavijaya. Rush to his side and help him." Lakṣmaṇa stood in between Rāvana and Bibhişana and challenged Rävaṇa to fight with him. Rāvana said, "I have summoned this śakti not for you, but for this traitor, who, with his shameful behaviour, has disgraced the clan and brought an ill fame to Lanka. If you desire to protect this worthless being by offering your life, then may your desire be fulfilled." Rāvana infact was trying to scare Laksmana but inspite of Ravana's eloquance, he remained unchanged. Finally, Rāvana released the sakti in the direction of Laksmana. Bhämandala, Sugrīva, Nala, Nila and Hanumana, through their weapons and missiles, tried to overpower the śakti, but it hit Laksmana in the chest and he collapsed.
Overwhelmed by anger, Rāma attacked Rāvana and deprived him of his chariot five times. Finally, Ravana thought, 'Laksmana can never be freed from the clutches of Amoghavijayā and will surely die before the sunrise, and griefstriken Rāma would end his own life by committing a suicide. This will end the war, and victory will be mine. I must not waste my energy fighting any longer. While Ravana was thinking such, the Sun sets. The Aryans do not fight after sunset. Rāvana, therefore retreated to Lanka.
set. When he saw Lakṣmaṇa lying on the earth motionless, he swooned. Sugriva and others sprinkled water on Rama's face. After a while, Rāma gained his composure and began to lament. In Lanka, Sitä received the sad news of Lakṣmaṇa's plight. She too began to weep. A master of Avalokini vidya however assured her that Lakṣmaṇa would be ready to fight by next morning. Bibhişana informed Rama, "A man, however strong he may be, remains alive only for a night, after he has encountered Amoghavijaya. Incantations of mystic syllables and other rituals may work as an antidote. In the meantime, one of the soldier pleaded a vidyadhara to have a look at Lakṣmaṇa, who laid motionless. The Vidyadhara said, "Bharata's maternal uncle Droṇamegha has a daughter named Visalya. She is a pious soul, who has practiced austere penances in her previous births. If the bathing water of pious Visalya is sprinkled on Laksmana, the cruelest Amoghavijayā will be forced to leave him. When Rāma heard these words, he immediately ordered Bhamandala, Hanumana and Angada to reach Ayodhya first, and then leave for Kautukamangalapura of King Dronamegha, alongwith Bharata.
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Bhamandala, Hanumana and Angada left for Ayodhya. They met Bharata and told him what had transpired at the battlefield. Bharata immediately left with them to Kautukamangalapura. They requested King Dronamegha to send his daughter Princess Visalya with them. King Dronamegha remembered the prophery of a wiseman made long time back. It said that Princess Visalya will marry Lakṣmaṇa, the son of King Dasaratha. He therefore allowed Viśalyā to accompany them. From Kautukamangalapura, they reached Ayodhya and leaving Bharata there, they headed straight to the army camp.
Rāma also returned to his camp after sunFor Personal & Private Use Only
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