Yuddha Kanda, also known as the Book of War, is the sixth and one of the most dramatic books of the Ramayana. It details the great battle between Rama and the demon king Ravana, culminating in the rescue of Sita and the restoration of dharma (righteousness). This Kanda is filled with intense action, valor, strategies, and deep moral lessons.
Here is a comprehensive summary of the Yuddha Kanda 👇
1. Preparations for War -
After receiving news from Hanuman about Sita’s location and condition in Lanka, Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and the entire monkey army led by Sugriva, begins preparations for the war against Ravana. They reach the shores of the ocean that separates India from Lanka. Rama prays to the ocean god for a way to cross. When the ocean god finally appears, he advises Rama to build a bridge across the sea.
2. The Building of the Rama Setu (Bridge) -
The monkey army, under the leadership of Nala, who was endowed with the ability to construct, begins building a bridge from the tip of India (Rameshwaram) to Lanka. This bridge, known as Rama Setu, is completed with the help of countless monkeys and bears who throw rocks and mountains into the ocean. Miraculously, the rocks float, and the bridge is constructed, allowing the army to cross over to Lanka.
3. The Army Reaches Lanka -
Upon crossing the bridge, Rama and his army reach the outskirts of Lanka. They establish a camp and prepare for the battle. Rama sends a final message to Ravana through his envoy Angada, urging him to return Sita and seek peace. Ravana, blinded by his arrogance and power, dismisses the offer and prepares his own forces for war.
4. The Battle Begins -
The battle begins with a series of fierce confrontations between the forces of Rama and Ravana. The war is intense, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Many prominent warriors from Ravana’s side, including his sons and brothers, are slain by Rama’s army. Each day of the battle is marked by remarkable feats of heroism and strategies.
5. The Duel with Indrajit -
Indrajit, Ravana’s son, emerges as one of the most formidable opponents in the battle. He uses his magical powers to become invisible and unleashes deadly weapons, causing significant damage to Rama’s army. He even manages to bind Rama and Lakshmana with a serpent weapon, rendering them unconscious. However, with the help of Garuda (the eagle mount of Lord Vishnu), the serpent weapon is nullified, and Rama and Lakshmana are freed.
Indrajit later performs a yajna (sacrifice) to gain invincibility. Lakshmana, guided by Vibhishana (Ravana’s brother who defected to Rama’s side), interrupts the yajna and ultimately kills Indrajit in a fierce battle.
6. Kumbhakarna’s Death -
Ravana’s giant brother, Kumbhakarna, who sleeps for months at a time, is awakened and sent to the battlefield. Kumbhakarna wreaks havoc on Rama’s army, killing many. However, Rama confronts him in a mighty duel and eventually kills him, adding another major victory to his side.
7. Ravana’s Final Stand -
With all his sons and brothers dead, Ravana decides to enter the battlefield himself. The final confrontation between Rama and Ravana is a legendary battle that lasts for many days. Ravana, who possesses numerous boons and weapons, proves to be a formidable opponent. However, Rama, who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, fights with unmatched valor and divine power.
During the battle, Ravana uses his most powerful weapon, the Brahmastra, but Rama counters it with his own Brahmastra. In the final moments of the battle, Rama invokes the Brahmastra with the mantra given to him by the sage Agastya and aims it at Ravana’s heart, where his life force is concentrated. The arrow pierces Ravana’s heart, killing him instantly.
8. Sita’s Agni Pariksha (Trial by Fire) -
After Ravana’s death, Sita is finally brought before Rama. However, to prove her purity and chastity, which had been questioned due to her captivity in Ravana’s palace, Sita willingly undergoes an Agni Pariksha (trial by fire). She enters the fire, and to everyone’s amazement, the fire god Agni himself appears, testifying to her purity and returning her unharmed to Rama.
9. Vibhishana Crowned as King -
Following the death of Ravana, Rama crowns Vibhishana, Ravana’s righteous brother who had helped Rama throughout the war, as the new king of Lanka. Vibhishana is blessed by Rama and the gods to rule Lanka justly and righteously.
10. Return to Ayodhya -
With the war over and Sita rescued, Rama, along with Sita, Lakshmana, and the entire monkey army, prepares to return to Ayodhya. They board the Pushpaka Vimana, a flying chariot originally owned by Ravana, and fly back to Ayodhya. On their arrival, they are greeted with great joy and celebration by the people of Ayodhya.
11. Rama’s Coronation -
Upon returning to Ayodhya, Rama is coronated as the king, marking the beginning of his reign, often referred to as Rama Rajya. His reign is characterized by peace, prosperity, and justice, and is considered the ideal rule in Indian culture.
Significance of Yuddha Kanda -
The Yuddha Kanda is a powerful narrative about the victory of good over evil. It highlights the importance of dharma (righteousness), devotion, loyalty, and justice. The battles, strategies, and interactions between the characters reflect deep moral and spiritual teachings. The Kanda also emphasizes the importance of compassion and forgiveness, as seen in Rama’s treatment of Vibhishana and his ultimate forgiveness of Ravana.
Yuddha Kanda is not just a story of war; it’s a story of the triumph of virtue and the inevitable defeat of adharma (unrighteousness), making it one of the most revered sections of the Ramayana.