Ravana is Killed by Rama

Ravana's defeat by Lord Rama

The joyous shouts of Rama's army was enough to convince Ravana of his son Meghnad's death. Breaking down in his huge chamber, Ravan felt defeat was already his, yet he had to fight on. Lonely, he prepared for the bloody battle ahead. Ravana mounted his chariot and went charging to the battlefield.

At once Ravana fired his fearful arrows at Laxmana, and made him unconscious. Finally, he stood face to face with Rama. While both were equal in strength and bravery, one was virtuous, the other evil. The gods anxiously watched to see the outcome of this legendary fight.

Ravana looked fearsome with his ten heads and twenty arms. Rama shot one arrow after another to cut off his heads, but after every shot they would grow back again. He was awestruck. He then shot another series of arrows at Ravana, but he laughed seeing them.

Rama grew anxious. The gods who were watching from above asked Indra to help. Indra sent his celestial chariot driven by Matali to help Rama. As the chariot descended on earth, Rama quickly climbed it and started firing weapons.

Matali then asked Rama to use the brahmashastra. Rama took up the weapon, chanted Parvati's name and aimed it at Ravana's heart. The potent weapon pierced his body and Ravana fell dead.

Loud cheers echoed through Lanka. Flowers were showered from the heavens above. The gods announced the end of Ravana. Vibhisana refused to do the last rites, but Rama explained that he was after all a brother and had died like a warrior too. So Ravana deserved a proper funeral.

The story of Ravana's defeat by Lord Rama is a significant part of the Ramayana. Here's a summarized version of how it happened:

Abduction of Sita:

Ravana, lured by his desire for revenge and Sita's beauty, kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita, while they were living in exile in the forest.

Rama's Quest to Rescue Sita:

In pursuit of Sita and to uphold righteousness, Rama, along with his loyal brother Lakshmana and the monkey army led by Hanuman, embarked on a challenging journey to Lanka.

The Battle at Lanka:

Rama and his army reached Lanka, where they faced Ravana's formidable forces. Several days of fierce battles ensued, with both sides displaying great valor and prowess.

Ravana's Defeat:

The final and decisive confrontation between Rama and Ravana took place on the battlefield. Despite Ravana's skills and magical abilities, he was no match for Lord Rama's divine strength and determination.

Rama's Use of the Brahmastra:

In the epic battle, Rama used the divine weapon called the Brahmastra, which he had acquired from Lord Shiva. The Brahmastra was an immensely powerful celestial weapon, and when Rama invoked it, it was bound to bring about Ravana's downfall.

Lethal Arrow:

Rama skillfully aimed and released a powerful arrow that pierced through Ravana's chest, striking his heart. This caused Ravana to collapse on the battlefield.

Redemption:

Before his death, Ravana, despite his many misdeeds, showed great respect for Rama's valor and divine nature. He sought redemption by acknowledging Rama as the Supreme Being and understanding the error of his ways.

Thus, Ravana, the mighty demon king, was defeated and killed by Lord Rama, fulfilling his duty as the avatar of Vishnu and rescuing Sita from captivity. The Ramayana remains a timeless epic that continues to be revered and retold in various forms across different cultures and societies.