{"collection":"Hinduism","full_text_available":false,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/sacred_texts_v1_hin_rys_rys6053_htm/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/sacred_texts_v1_hin_rys_rys6053_htm","id":"sacred_texts_v1_hin_rys_rys6053_htm","license":"unknown_pending_legal_review","rights_basis":"sacred_texts_v1_preview_gate_primary_text_only; acquisition-method/ToS and compilation-copyright questions still open, not resolved by this gate","source":"sacred_texts_v1","source_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/rys/rys6053.htm","summary":"This is a passage from the Sanskrit *Valmiki Ramayana*, specifically from the *Yuddha Kanda* (Book of War), presented in both Roman transliteration and Devanagari script. It depicts the marshaling and departure of Kumbhakarna \u2014 Ravana's colossal demon brother \u2014 to battle Rama's monkey army besieging Lanka.\n\nThe passage opens with Kumbhakarna rebuking the advisor Mahodara for cowardice and flattery, arguing that such sycophants have brought Lanka to ruin by encouraging Ravana's poor judgment. He then pledges to personally destroy Rama and end the siege. Ravana in turn adorns Kumbhakarna with jewels, garlands, and armor \u2014 a ceremonial send-off rendered in vivid ornamental detail \u2014 and dispatches him with a massive army of demons, elephants, horses, and chariots. The text is notable for its sustained use of heroic hyperbole: Kumbhakarna is compared to a mountain, to Vishnu in his Trivikrama stride, and to a conflagration burning locusts. An extended sequence of dire omens accompanies his departure \u2014 falling meteors, earth tremors, jackals with flaming mouths, a darkened sun \u2014 signaling his doom even as he exults. The episode closes cinematically: the monkey army scatters in all directions at the sight of him, then falls like uprooted sal trees at his thunderous roar.","tags":[],"text":null,"title":"The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 6: Chapter 53","tradition":"Hinduism","translated_text":null,"word_count":1169}