The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 6: Chapter 53

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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 — Ravana's colossal demon brother — to battle Rama's monkey army besieging Lanka. The 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 — a ceremonial send-off rendered in vivid ornamental detail — 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 — falling meteors, earth tremors, jackals with flaming mouths, a darkened sun — 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.

The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 6: Chapter 53

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