Kumbhakarṇa Vadha (Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa)

The Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa tells how Kumbhakarṇa was woken, how he gave Rāvaṇa his counsel, how he fought Sugrīva and the vānara army, and how Rāma slew him. The account is in Sarga 11. Kumbhakarṇa knew that Rāma is Vishṇu and that Rāvaṇa was doomed. He told his brother to give up Sītā. When the counsel was refused, he chose to fight for his king, and to die in battle rather than leave him.

Waking Kumbhakarṇa

Many great rākshasa generals had been killed, and Rāvaṇa began to feel the weight of his losses. He decided to wake Kumbhakarṇa from his sleep of six months.

Rākshasas were sent to the cave of Kumbhakarṇa. It was very hard work. His strong breath drew them in as he breathed in, and blew them back as he breathed out. Together they beat him with trees and stones, trampled him with horses and elephants, and burned parts of his body. At last they woke him. Kumbhakarṇa, awake, ate huge amounts of animals and drank the water brought to him.

Kumbhakarṇa’s counsel to Rāvaṇa

Kumbhakarṇa went to Rāvaṇa. He did not at once agree to fight. First he gave counsel. He told Rāvaṇa what Nārada had told him: Vishṇu had taken birth as Rāma at Ayodhyā for the very purpose of destroying Rāvaṇa. Nārada had even hurried to Ayodhyā to urge Rāma on.

So Kumbhakarṇa advised him: “Give Sītā back. Make peace with Rāma. This is the right path.”

Rāvaṇa pushed his brother’s words aside: “You are still half asleep. Go and sleep again.”

Kumbhakarṇa had done his dharma by giving honest advice. He took Rāvaṇa’s refusal without anger. He bowed to his elder brother and said: “In battle I cannot tell friend from foe. Do not come in front of me.” Then he jumped down from the palace and went to the battlefield.

The battle with the vānaras and Sugrīva

When Kumbhakarṇa came onto the field, the vānaras panicked. His huge body and fearful roar sent them running. He crushed vānaras with his hands and feet, trampling thousands in one sweep.

Sugrīva fought Kumbhakarṇa. A triśūla (trident) struck Sugrīva and wounded him. Kumbhakarṇa seized Sugrīva and began to carry him towards Laṅkā. On the way Sugrīva bit and clawed at Kumbhakarṇa’s ears and nose and tore them with his nails. The pain made Kumbhakarṇa loosen his grip. Sugrīva leapt free, landed safely and went back to Rāma.

Kumbhakarṇa’s ears and nose were torn and dripping blood. He went back to the battlefield, ashamed before those who watched. He went back and fought again.

Meeting Vibhīshaṇa

Kumbhakarṇa saw his younger brother Vibhīshaṇa standing beside Rāma. He called out: “Vibhīshaṇa! I advised our elder brother rightly. You did the right thing in coming here. But do not stand in my way. In battle I cannot tell friend from foe.”

Vibhīshaṇa saluted his elder brother and stepped aside to stand by Rāma.

Death at Rāma’s hands

Rāma met Kumbhakarṇa face to face. They hurled weapons at each other. Kumbhakarṇa threw mountains and trees, and Rāma answered with arrows.

Rāma then used the Vāyavya-astra and cut off both of Kumbhakarṇa’s arms. Even without arms Kumbhakarṇa kept advancing, roaring with his huge mouth open. Rāma used ardhachandra (crescent-moon shaped) arrows and cut off both of his legs. The severed legs fell at the gate of Laṅkā with a thunderous sound.

Still moving, without arms or legs, Kumbhakarṇa came on with his mouth wide open like the mouth of the badavānala (the fire of destruction). Rāma filled his mouth with arrows. Then Rāma sent the Aindra-astra, blazing with the brightness of the sun, and the arrow cut off Kumbhakarṇa’s head.

The head fell with a roar. The devas rejoiced in svarga and showered flowers. Rāma received their blessings.

Sources

• Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Sāra Khaṇḍa, Sarga 11