Kumbhakarna awakened

Ravana felt very insulated, having had to return back from the battlefield, defeated. He realized Nandi's words were coming true.
After having defeated Kubera, when Ravana was returning home, he had stopped at Mount Kailasha. There he had met Nandi, who was guarding the door of Shiva. Ravana had said he wanted to meet Shiva and Durga but Nandi had not allowed him. Ravana had then insulted the monkey faced Nandi. Nandi had cursed him saying the monkey that he had taunted would result in his end. Ravana had a boon to return victorious in battle in all except man and monkey, and that was coming true now. Ravana realized it was time to wake up Kumbhakarna. Kumbhakarna, who slept for six months.Five months were over, one more month was left. But there was no time, he had to be woken up.

Ravana asked people to gather food for Kumbhakarna. Various types of meat and drink were arranged.

It was huge long room where Kumbhakarna was sleeping. So big was it, that it was impossible to see the complete room standing in one place. On a big gem studded cot lay the sleeping demon.

The rakshashas who had come to wake up Kumbhakarna were flying around in the room, being dragged around by Kumbhakarna's inhaling and exhaling.

The clever ones carefully stepped int the room with barrels of drink. Countless musical instruments were played. Cold sandalwood paste on Kumbhakarna's body to wake him. Goats and sheep were brought in, who went inside his nose but never came out. When smell of food and drink did not wake him, the rakshashas started hitting Kumbhakarna with rocks and trees. The huge demon was injured but did not wake.

What to do? A demon suggested getting women to lie next to Kumbhakarna. All the demon did was turn on his side, and the women fled in fear. Now that Kumbhakarna had turned, food was brought closer to his nose. With a big yawn he sat. 'Why was I woken up, untime;y' He asked.

Ravana was informed that Kumbhakarna was awake. Ravana wanted to meet him. This was conveyed to Kumbhakarna. The demon washed his face and finished all the food in front of him.

Ravana's first day of war

Vibhishana said to Rama he would help identify who was coming. Holding a gem studded bow was Ravana. On his right was Indrajit, whose skin was the color or clouds and who had copper colored eyes. He was was the one who had bound Rama and Lakshmana. Nagendra and Devedra were with Ravana, who had helped Ravana on his victory over the Gods.

Sugriva was angry seeing Ravana. Lifting a huge boulder, he hurled that at Ravana. Shooting ten arrows, Ravana cut off the boulder. Ravana then shot arrows at Sugriva, who fell on the ground, but was alive.

Rama lifted his bow but Lakshmana stopped him saying, he would go and fight Ravana. Rama said Ravana was no ordinary warrior. He had won over the three worlds and one would have to bve very skilled to fight Ravana. Lakshmana said he would go anyways.

Hanumana told Lakshmana to stay back while he dealt with Ravana. After him, Lakshmana could fight Ravana. Taking Lakshmana's blessings, Hanumana went to face Ravana.

He jumped onto Ravana's chariot and flung the charioteer from the chariot. He then said - So far, your battles have been won because of Brahma's blessings. Face a Vanara today.

Ravana said - You should be the one to worry. You have fallen in my hands, where will you go.

Hanumana said You seem to have forgotten how easily I killed Akshyakumar and others.
Saying this Hanumana slapped Ravana. Ravana fell senseless on the chariot, living only because of Brahma's boon.

Regaining consciousness and getting up, Ravana said to Hanumana - You are brave and strong.
Hanumana said Fie on my strength. You are living.

Ravana then slapped Hanumana, who fell off the chariot onto the ground.

Seeing Hanumana fall, Ravana attacked Nila. Hanumana got up and said - Is this your war? While fighting one, you attack another?

Not caring, Ravan akept fighting Nila. Nila was in pain. He made his size like that of a mongoose and jumped on Ravana's chariot and climbed on the flag post. When Ravana looked up, Nila jumped down on his bow. From there Nila jumped on Ravana's head. When Ravana tried to catch him, Nila jumped on his crown. Nila kept avoiding Ravana. Nila kicked off the crown from Ravana's head. He then urinated on Ravana's head. Finally Ravana shot an arrow catching a glimpse of Nila.The arrow struck Nila, but he did not die.

After Nila and Hanumana, Lakshmana came to face Ravana. Ravana shot arrows at Lakshmana, who cut them off. Seeing his arrows go waste, Ravana released more powerful weapons on Lakshmana which struck him, and soon his body was red from the blood flowing.

Lakshmana somehow managed to control himself and cut off Ravana's bow and chariot. Ravana changed his bow and chariot and shot arrows at Lakshmana which were countered.

Ravana then remembered a spear that he had got from Brahma. He flung that at Lakshmana. Lakshmana tried to cut it off, but the spear hit him. Lakshmana fell on the ground.

Seeing LAkshmana fall, Ravana tried to lift him up to take him to Lanka, but was unable to move Lakshmana's body.Hanumana saw this. He came and hit Ravana. Reeling, Ravana fell on the ground. Ravana fled from there.

Hanumana then carefully lifted Lakshmana and took him away from there. Rama saw this. He caressed Lakshmana with his hands and Lakshmana came to his senses.

Rama then went to face Ravana.

Hanumana said to Rama - Ravana is riding a chariot and you need a chariot too, Climb on me and I will take you there.

Rama went to Ravana, on Hanumana's back.

Ravana saw this and decided to attack Hanumana as he would not be able to fight back, with Rama in his shoulder.

Hanumana was being showered with arrows. He was in a dilemma. He started growing in size. His body became huge and his tail became fifty yojanas long. Seeing the huge tail of Hanumana, Ravana remembered Vali and was scared.

Rama showered arrows at Ravana, and he, struck by them, fainted. When he came to his senses, Rama said - Go back. I spare your life.

Rama cut off the ten crowns on the ten heads heads of Ravana, and Ravana ordered his charioteer to take the chariot back to Lanka. 

Taking a break

Will be taking a few days break - Work pressures. Hopefully I will restart again, next week.

Ravana decides to go to battle

Ravana made an announcement  - Any one who knows how to hold a bow, come with me. I will enter the battlefield.

Getting his army and generals, Ravana set forth for the battle. He climbed on his gem studded chariot, stacked with various weapons. A massive noise was created when the musicians played instruments, celebrating Ravana's journey. The wind lowered its intensity and became a gentle breeze and the sun also mellowed down its rays. This happened as they were scared of Ravana.

Rama saw Ravana's crown shining in the sunlight. He asked Vibhishana who was this who was approaching. Vibhishana said it was Ravana coming, riding on a chariot designed by Brahma. He had got this by defeating Kubera. 

Prahastha

When Ravana got the news of the fall of Bajradanstra, he was worried. He called for his maternal uncle, Prahastha. He asked his uncle to go and save Lanka.
Prahastha said it was a simple task and he would easily get Rama and Lakshmana, dead or alive.

With a great fanfare, Prahastha entered the battlefield. The sky was covered with weapons, rocks and trees. Four generals of Prahastha's army came forward. They attacked the eastern gate. Nila was not able to fight these warriors, and seeing this Angada, Mahendra and Devendra joined Nila. The generals fled. The vanara warriors then saw Prahastha and rushed towards him. Angada killed a rakshasa called Mahanad. Hanumana started fighting a rakshasa called Mahahanu. Hanumana, in jest, said - You are MahaHanu and I am Hanumana. As our names are similar, let us become friends.
MahaHanu said - If you are my friend, why should I fight you.
Hanumana then said - Let me then make an end of you.
With a tight slap, Hanumana felled MahaHanu.
The other vanaras killed the other generals.
Prahastha saw this. He shot arrows at Nila, who was standing at the eastern gate. Angered, Nila hurled a huge rock. The rock smashed Prahastha's head.

Ravana heard this. He was devastated. He decided to enter the battle field himself. 

Bajradanstra

Ravana was worried hearing the news of Akampana. He sent for Bajradanstra and asked him to get ready for war. He got ready and came to Ravana for his blessings. Getting the best of the weapons with him, Bajradanstra left for the battle. Following him was a large army of elephants. On the way, he saw many ill omens. He saw blazing comets in the sky and tears in the eyes of the horses drawing his chariot.
He spoke to his army - Ignore the omens. Lookout for my strength and valor in the battle today. You will forget about the omens. I am not known as Bajradanstra for nothing. I have teeth like thunder bolts. I will eat Sugriva, Rama and Lakshmana.

The battle began. Trees, rocks and arrows covered the sky. Sugriva seeing chaos in the army went to face the demon. Throwing a huge rock, Sugriva broke the chariot of the demon. Uprooting a tree, he then smashed the demon's head.

Seeing the demon fall, his army started fleeing.

Ravana got the news of the fall of Bajradanstra.

Akampana

Hearing the news of Dhumraksha's fall, Ravana called for Akampana.
He asked the brave rakshasha to go and capture Rama and Lakshmana and bring them to him.
Akampana was about to leave when a vulture came and sat on his chariot. His hands were also shaking. These were ill omens.
Akampana went ahead and attacked the western gate. Dust flew everywhere from the fight that was happening between the two armies. Three vanaras, Mahendra, Devendra and Kumud came to see who had come to fight.
They started showering trees on the rakshasa. The rakshasha cut off the trees and the vanaras fled. Nila and Nala came next and they were defeated too.
Hanumana came next. The rakshasa showered arrows on Hanumana, Hanumana lost his balance and fell down. Getting up, he uprooted a tree and flung it at Akampana, who cut it off with his arrows.
Not sure what else to do, Hanumana jumped on top of the chariot of Akampana. Catching him by hair, Hanumana dashed him on the ground, killing him.

Ravana was sent the news of Akampana's death.