Ravana falls

Rama picked up the weapon and fitted it on his bow. Reciting the mantra, Rama released the arrow. The arrow struck Ravana and he fell down.

The Gods saw that and were not sure. There had been many instances when Ravana had fallen and gotten up again.

When the Gods were wondering, Rama thought for a while. This was devotee of mine who had been cursed to become a demon.

Rama said to Lakshmana - We have been in the forests for years now. We do not know the art of ruling a kingdom. Ravana is a great learned person. Go to him and learn all you can.

Ravana saw Lakshmana and said let me touch your feet.

Lakshmana said he had been sent by Rama to learn how to govern a kingdom.

Ravana said I am not sure why Rama wants to learn from me, when he knows all. Even then, if Rama wants to hear from me, I request you to please tell him to show himself. I am unable to get up and go to him.

Lakshmana went back to Rama and said Ravana would not say anything but was requesting to see Rama.

Rama went to Ravana.

Ravana looked at him. He said You are the Lord of the World. Please place your feet on my head. Forgive all my sins. You are the only One who exists.

Rama said I want to know from you. You had won over the worlds with your own force.

Ravana said I do not have much energy left and will say what I can.

Do not be a slave of laziness. Let me tell you of an incident.
One day I was passing the abode of Yama. In a corner in the south, I saw hell. I heard the plights of the people suffering there and thought of helping them. I then thought of coming back again. If I had fulfilled that task, hell would have vanished.

I am thinking of another incident. One day I wondered why the ocean was salty. It should made of cream and milk. I kept thinking of taking the salt out of the waters but I never was able to do it, as I kept postponing the task.

If you think you want to do something good, Rama, please do that then.

I once thought of creating a path to the heaven for all. I had thought of talking to Vishwakarma about this but never got down to do this. If I had, the path would have been there for all.

Let me tell you more. Laskshmana cut off Surpanakha's ears and nose. She gave me bad advise and I listened to her. If I had just listened to her and not paid heed to her words, we would not be seeing this day.

Soon Ravana became quiet. His soul left the body.

Ravana was no more,

Hanumana gets the weapon for Rama

Rama appealed to the Goddess to help him. He said he was sad and frustrated.
The Goddess was quiet.
Rama thought rescuing Sita now seemed a distant dream.

Durga then appeared. She said You are all knowing Lord of the Universe. If you think back, you will realize that in an earlier birth, Ravana was a gate keeper of yours who was cursed. Do not worry. You needed to this worship to start the process of my process in the autumn season. I will now leave Ravana.

Rama, filled with new energy, picked up his bow and arrow. Brahma asked Pavana to send a message to Rama to make the chandi impure. Rama asked Vibhishana for advise. Vibhishana turned to Hanumana who got ready.
Taking the form a fly, Hanumana went where the chandi was being recited. Taking a chance, he resumed his own self and erased a few shlokas from the book. The book was incomplete and impure. Seeing this, the Goddess left Ravana.

Ravana appealed to the Goddess to stop, but she went back straight to Kailasha.

Ravana then thought, Rama was not aware of all this. Rama would now go back leaving Sita.

In Rama's camp, Vibhishana said to Rama - Let me tell you about something that happened long back. When Ravana had prayed to Brahma and wanted to be immortal, Brahma had not granted that boon. Brahma had told him that his cut limbs and heads would regenerate. He would die with only specific weapon. No other weapon would be able to kill him. The weapon would remain in Ravana's house, hidden and guarded. This was weapon was guarded by Mandodari. This weapon would have to aimed at his navel.

Rama was aghast. Who would be able to get the weapon from Mandodari? Hanumana said he would get the weapon. Taking the blessings of all, Hanumana went towards Mandodari's palace. Taking the form of an old brahmin and approached Mandodari.

Mandodari seeing the brahmin, gave him a place to sit. The brahmin said he would not sit. He said he was a great astrologer and had come to bless Mandodari and Ravana. He said no one would be able to defeat Ravana because of the hidden wealth.

Mandodari wanted to know what he was saying. The brahmin said he knew about the weapon and wanted to bless it. If the queen did not want that, he would leave.

Mandodari said she had hidden that carefully. The brahmin said Vibhishana would tell Rama about that. Mandodari said even Vibhishana did not know where it was. Pointing to a pillar, the queen said she had hidden it inside that.

Hanumana, taking his own shape, kicked the pillar and broke it, He was able to see the weapon. He picked that up and went to Rama with that.

Rama hugged Hanumana.

Worship of Durga - One lotus stolen by the Goddess

Rama started reciting the Chandi. The vanaras also joined in. Rama recited the hymns whole day, and soon it was evening. It was the sixth day (Sasthi). In the evening, Rama started his Bodhana. He made an idol using clay and worshiped that with the Vilva leaves. Getting nine different twigs, Rama created the navapatrika and tied that near the idol.
What ever was needed for the worship was brought by Hanumana.

The next day, early morning, after having his bath, Rama started the worship for the seventh day. Rama worshiped the Goddess. Similarly on the eight and ninth days, Rama worshiped Durga.

With Lakshmana on his side, Rama continued the worship on the ninth day. There was no sign of the Goddess.

Rama turned to Vibhishana and asked him what should be done. Vibhishana said he had heard that Durga loved the blue lotus flower and her worship was to be done with one thousand and eight of those lotus flowers.

Rama asked Vibhishana where were these flowers available. Hanumana said he would get the flowrs if they were available anywhere in the world.

Vibhishana said these flowers were in the favorite lake of the Goddess and it would take someone ten years to get there. Hanumana said that was not an issue. He would go and bring them. He started his journey for the flowers.

Rama then started worshiping the Goddess taking her many names. The Goddess was pleased but she wanted to test Rama, thus remained invisible.

On the other side, Hanumana managed to get one thousand and eight of the lotus flowers and started his journey back.

Rama counted the flowers and then started offering them to the Goddess one by one, reciting the mantras.

Remaining invisible, the Goddess stole one of the flowers.

Rama offering the flowers and noticed he was one short. He said to Hanumana that there was one flower less.

Hanumana said He would go and get the flower from the lake where he had got the others, but unfortunately, there were none left. He said he was sure this was Kali testing Rama.

Brahma asks Rama to worship Durga

Vibhishana said to Rama - I am not sure if I have a solution for this.

In the heaven, Brahma said, the only solution was the worship of the Goddess. This was the season of autumn. If Rama worshiped Durga and pleased her, he will be able to kill Ravana.

The message was given to Rama by Brahma. Rama asked how was he to worship the Goddess. The spring was the time for the worship, this would not be the right time. The worship was done and the Goddess would was woken up on the ninth day of the dark phase of the moon (Navami, Krishna paksha). This was the process set by the king Suratha.

Brahma said Do not worry. Invoke the Goddess on the sixth day (Sasthi) and worship her the way King Suratha had done.

Rama got early in the morning and had his bath. Rama made offerings of wild flowers and fruits to the ocean and started his worship of Durga.

Ambika pleased with Ravana

Pleased with his prayer, Ambika appeared before Ravana. She sat on the chariot and Ravana sat on her lap.
She said I will now protect you. Even if Shiva comes to fight, he will have to face me.

The dusky Kali sat with Ravana.

Ravana was thrilled. He started showering arrows at Rama. Rama got ready and then saw Shiva's beloved in the chariot. He left his bow aside and said to Vibhishana - How do I fight this battle, when Durga herself is there with Ravana.

The Gods were also shocked. Why was the Goddess doing this? They went to Brahma and asked him to figure out a way out. 

Ravana calls out to Durga for help

Ravana shot arrows at Rama wounding him. Hanumana then jumped on Ravana's chariot and slapped him. Ravana fell, senseless on his chariot. Rama revived himself and Ravana also gained his senses and the fight resumed.

Ravana then called out to Durga. Where are you O Mother, Ambika. Kali, Please Help me. You alone can help me. 

Rama Ravana war

Ravana was shocked to see Indra's chariot.
Rama went around the chariot and climbed it.
Ravana thought if Kumbhakarna and Indrajit were here, Indra would not have dared send the chariot.

Ravana asked the charioteer to go where Rama was. Ravana released arrows which took the form of snakes and flew towards Rama. Rama released the eagle weapon which devoured the snakes.

Picking up a spiked mace, Ravana faced Rama. Ravana released the weapon. Blazing, the weapon fled towards Rama. Whatever it touched, burnt to ashes.
Matali said to Rama - there is spear that Indra has sent. Use that on this weapon.
The spear cut off the mace.

Rama and Ravana kept showering arrows at each other and kept shouting at each other alongside. Rama threw a thunder bolt at Ravana which struck him on his chest. Ravana fainted. Seeing this, Ravana's charioteer turned the chariot and started fleeing.
Gaining consciousness Ravana started shouting at the charioteer and asked him to take him back.

Seeing the chariot return, Rama asked Matali to be careful as Ravana was returning.
War resumed with Rama and Ravana showering arrows at each other. Ravana flung a mace at Rama which was cut off.
Ravana then flung a weapon of Shiva, which Rama cut off.
Ravana then flung a spiked mace at Rama. Rama was unable to divert or cut off the weapon. Matali told Rama to use Indra's spear. That worked and the spiked mace was cut off. Cutting the weapon, the spear returned to Rama.

So terrible was the war between the two, that the earth was trembling and the ocean was throwing huge waves at the shore.

Rama taking control, shot and wounded Ravana gravely but Ravana kept fighting.

Ravana said I am not Khara or Dushana. I am Ravana. I will end your life.

Rama said you are tough and are able to survive my arrows.

Ravana then said I know who you are and I bow down to you.
Rama said How do I kill a devotee of mine now.

Gods sensing trouble asked the Goddess Saraswati to sit on Ravana's tongue. Ravana then called out to Rama and asked for a battle.

The war between the two resumed again.

Rama then using a weapon, cut off Ravana's head. As soon as the head was cut off, a new head emerged.

Rama cut off two heads of Ravana and new heads emerged.
Rama then with a weapon, cut off Ravana's body into two. The two parts magically joined back and Ravana resumed fighting. 

Ravana decides to go to battle

Ravana had tears in his eyes. He had pride, he would not give up. He also knew he was fighting a battle that he would not win.
He decided to go to battle.
Mandodari stopped him when he was on his way. She said -People say you are a wise, learned man. I am a woman and you may try to ignore me. You should recollect that if the wife is a well wisher, her words should be heard. You have ruled Lanka for years. When did you see vanaras cross the ocean. Rama is none other than Vishnu. Return Sita. Leave the battle.

Ravana said If I return Sita now, Vibhishana will laugh at me. I will not be able to stand that. The Gods will also laugh. Go and sit in peace. Maybe I will die, shot by Rama, but I will not be able to return Sita.

Mandodari said It is my destiny. In bad times, good advice is not heeded. I will still say this. Rama is Vishnu. Sita is Lakshmi. You have made enemies of one whom you should have worshiped.

Ravana said I know Sita is Lakshmi. People die to get a vision of Lakshmi. I have her in house for months. That Rama, whom people die to get a vision of, is thinking of me all the time. If I die in the hands of Rama, know for sure that Yama will not be able to do anything. I will be going straight to Vaikuntha. My destiny is greater than others. Control your grief and go to your room.

Mandodari, with tears in her eyes, took the names of Gods and let Ravana go for his battle.

Ravana got his chariot ready and climbed up on that.

Ravana started a fierce battle. Brahma saw this and asked Indra to send a chariot for Rama. Indra sent his celestial chariot with Matali, his charioteer, controlling the chariot.  Along with the chariot, Indra also sent armor for Rama and weapons.

Rama bowed down to Matali and climbed up on the chariot. 

Death of Ahiravana

When Mahiravana's wife heard about his death, she was furious. She started cursing the Goddess. She said She would go and throw her idol in the sea and then she herself would kill Rama and Lakshmana.
Armed with bow and arrows she started shooting arrows at Hanumana. Hanumana kept quite for sometime and then aimed a kick at the queen.

The queen was pregnant and she gave birth then to a terrible looking child who had four heads and eight arms. As soon as he was born, the child started fighting Hanumana. This was Ahiravana, son of Mahiravana.

Hanumana tried to grab the boy, but he was new born and the mucus and blood was still on his body and everything slipped off him.

A storm then started blowing. The boy's body was covered with dust. Hanumana then caught the boy and quickly killed him.

Hanumana then bowed to the Goddess and asked her to leave the nether world. Taking Rama and Lakshmana with him, Hanumana climbed back into the tunnel and brought the princes back to Lanka.

Everyone was happy to see this.

In the palace, Ravana was in shock.

Mahiravana dies

In the heaven Shiva asked Brahma how Rama and Lakshmana would be freed. Brahma said -
Once there was a Gandharva called Shatrudhanu who used to sing and dance in front of Vishnu. Once the sage Ashtavakra came to see Vishnu. Seeing the sage's body which was bent, the gandharva started laughing and lost the beat at which he was singing. The sage cursed him to be born as a rakshasha.
The gandharva said This is too big a curse for something which I did. I had no bad intention.
The sage said What I said will happen. You will stay in the nether world and will be a devotee of Shiva and Durga. Vishnu will be born as Rama and then Hanumana will cut off your head and you will be relieved.

Mahiravana asked Rama to bow and Rama asked him to show how. The moment Mahiravana did that, Hanumana cut off Mahiravana's head.

The gandharva was freed and Hanumana freed the tied Rama and Lakshmana. Rama embraced Hanumana. 

Hanumana talks to Goddess Mahamaya

An announcement was heard saying the worship of Mahamaya would be starting.
Rama said I am not sure what to do Hanumana. I am not armed and I do not have my army with me. How do I fight this enemy?
Hanumana said With your blessings, I will kill your enemy with rocks and trees. Till then I will talk to the Goddess and see what she wishes.
Rama said Please do not be late.
Hanumana said He will be back in a moment.

As a bee, he flew to the temple and said to the Goddess Mahiravana has brought Rama and Lakshmana to be sacrificed to you. Is that what you wish?

The Goddess laughed and said I do not wish that. Mahiravana has brought Rama over as his death. I will tell you how to end Mahiravana. He will bring Rama here and will tell him to bow before me. At that moment, Rama should say he has no idea how to do that and Mahiravana should show him.
Mahiravana will lay down prostate before me, and seeing that moment take the sword from my hand and cut off his head. This land is now blessed because of Rama, who is very dear to Shiva. Go and tell Rama what I told you.

Hanumana told Rama what the Goddess had said. He said He would be around like a bee.

Soon Mahiravana came and fetched Rama and Lakshmana. HE placed on the right of the Goddess and started his worship. 

Hanumana goes in search of Rama and Lakshmana

Sugriva said to Hanumana - All know you to be a great devotee of Rama. You jumped across the sea to find Sita. Go in search of Rama. Mahiravana tricked you and you must go in search, to make amends.

Hanumana's eyes were wet. He said I will go in search. I will look everywhere. If I do not find them, I will not show my face to anyone.

Hanumana then entered the tunnel that had been used by Mahiravana to capture Rama and Lakshmana.

On the other end of the tunnel he saw a wonderful world. Sun was shining brightly. He saw Ganga there, in a form called Bhogavati. He saw many sages, among them he saw the sage Kapila.

He saw the palace of Mahiravana. Disguising himself, he entered the palace to look out for Rama. He saw many good looking people there. He saw houses made of Gold. Finding a tree, he climbed that up and waited there.

People were surprised to see a monkey there. They wondered where the monkey had come from. An elderly person there said - I am reminded of an old story. Mahiravana had prayed to Goddess Mahamaya, to become immortal. The Goddess had not granted that boon. She instead granted him a boon that he would be invincible in battle from all except humans and vanaras. Now Mahiravana has captured humans and brought them over, and I see a vanara here. This is not a good sign.

Hanumana was happy to hear this. He waited on the tree. The tree was on the bank of a lake and many women were coming there to fetch water in their pitchers. Off them, one was a royal maid. The other women asked her, what was the occasion? There was celebration going on in the palace.
The maid said What I tell you, make sure sure, no one hears. The king has brought over two exceptionally handsome young men. They are to be sacrificed to Mahamaya today.

Hanumana heard this. He quickly got off the tree and went into the main palace. There he saw a room which was heavily guarded. Taking the form of a bee, Hanumana went into the room and saw Rama and Lakshmana. Taking his own form, he woke them up. Lakshmana asked - Where are are Sugriva and Angada? Where are we? Where is Vibhishana?

Hanumana said You have been captured by Mahiravana.