Hari Om.
Let us begin the sixtieth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Finally, the heroic lakshmaNa prevailed over indrajit. Having put the duo of rAma and lakshmaNa also under captivity a couple of times and having the vAnara army flattened, thanks to the boon he received from lord brahmA, indrajit was trying to do it a third time and was engaging in the nikumbhilA sacrifice to earn those magical powers to go invisible and vanquish the enemy. The danger of completing this sacrifice was known to vibhIshaNa and he fervently requested rAma to send lakshmaNa to force indrajit out of the sacrifice and then fight him. They succeeded in getting indrajit out and both of them fought a fierce battle that lasted three nights! Finally, with a mantra that was unique in the entire science of archery, where lakshmaNa invoked the dharmic nature, pure pedigree, and the total commitment of rAma to truth and unleashed the arrow which vanquished indrajit! The demon who could block any divine weapon with his own had no answer to this! Thus mahaRshi vAlmIki underscores the power of the name of rAma here by highlighting this verse.
धर्मात्मा सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यदि ।
पौरुषे चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वः शरैनं जहि रावणिम् ॥
An accomplished and victorious lakshmaNa, hailed by one and all, badly injured all over his body walked back to meet his elder brother rAma accompanied by the key warriors and the army. Onwards…
The embodiment of all noble qualitiea, lakshmaNa, bleeding from his injuries on his body was ecstatic having slain the demon who held sway over lord indra. Accompanied by jAmbavAn, hanumAn, vibhIshaNa and other warriors and the army, lakshmaNa came back to where rAma and sugrIva were present. He bowed to rAma and stood by his side like indra stands in the presence of lord bRhaspati (with utmost respect). In a low voice, as if he was whispering, saumitrI submitted to rAma the slaying of the terrifying indrajit in the battle. Then ecstatically vibhIshaNa narrated the severing of head of rAvaNI by the magnificent lakshmaNat to rAma. Hearing the vanquishment of indrajit in the hands of lakshmaNa, rAma derived immeasurable joy and said –
“Very well done, lakhmaNa. I am very delighted by this great act of yours. You can consider that the battle is won by the slaying of rAvaNI”.
He smelt the forehead (mUrdhnA, actually which is above the forehead) of an abashed lakshmaNa, embraced him strongly and made him sit on his lap. He looked at the affectionate lakshmaNa again and again, embraced the brother who was wounded in the battle having copped many arrows and was breathing heavily. He again smelt his mUrdhnA and touched him affectionately again and again and said –
“O lakshmaNa, by this impossible act, you have brought great relief and joy. Now with the son vanquished, I believe rAvaNa is as good as dead. I am victorious today with that wicked fellow slain. O great warrior, you have actually severed the right hand of rAvaNa and who used to be his refuge, in the battle. O hero, aided by the great works of vibhIshaNa and hanumAn, you fought for three nights and days and ultimately prevailed over indrajit. I have been freed from all enemies today. Now, upon learning that his son has been slain, a badly stung and grieving rAvaNa is bound to come to the war accompanied by a large army and I will slay that unassailable demon with his army. O lakshmaNa, with you leading the way for me and slaying the victor of Sakra (indra), either sItA or the entire earth is not unattainable for me”.
Expressing his delight thus, rAma again embraced him and felicitated him with his words and joyously addressed the vAnara sushENa (the doctor of the vAnaras) –
“O knowledgeable one, this saumitrI, the delight of his friends, is carrying the wounds made by the arrows. Treat him such that he regains his health immediately. Ensure his wounds heal fast and also those of vibhIshaNa and other vAnaras and Rkshas as well. Please ensure all of them regain the best of health at the soonest”.
Acting on the instruction of rAma positively, the vAnara warrior sushENa administered the best of medicines to lakshmaNa through the nasal route. Having scented the divine medicine through his nose, lakshmaNa was relieved of his pain and wounds and he became hale and healthy again. Likewise, sushENa treated vibhiShaNa and all others who copped blows and injuries from the battle and their health was restored. Having been relieved of his battle scars in no time, saumitrI became ecstatic. And seeing him hale and hearty again, rAma and along with all other key warriors were very happy and hailed the great and impossible achievement of lakshmaNa unequivocally. The king of the vAnaras was also very delighted to learn about the fall of the victor of indra.
Here we conclude the sixtieth sarga of the yuddha kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 6.092. For once, good counsel prevails
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 