Story Summary
Experience the epic conclusion of the Ramayana in The Death of Ravana. Witness Lord Rama’s final battle against the demon king to restore dharma to the world.
The battle for Lanka reached its peak as Lord Rama faced the ten-headed demon king, Ravana. Despite Rama's mastery of the bow, every time he severed one of Ravana's heads, another instantly sprouted in its place. The battlefield was a spectacle of divine weapons and dark sorcery, yet the demon king seemed invincible. Seeing Rama's struggle, Vibhishana, Ravana's righteous brother who had joined Rama's cause, whispered a crucial secret: Ravana's immortality lay in a pot of celestial nectar hidden within his navel. Rama invoked the Brahmastra, a supreme celestial weapon created by Lord Brahma, imbuing it with sacred mantras. With a steady hand and a heart fixed on dharma, he released the arrow. It streaked through the air, piercing Ravana’s navel and drying the nectar that sustained him before striking his heart. As the titan fell to the earth, the heavens rejoiced and showered petals upon Rama, marking the end of tyranny and the ultimate triumph of light over darkness.
The Moral
Arrogance and unrighteousness lead to one's downfall, no matter how much knowledge or power they possess. Dharma will always prevail over ego.
“Even the greatest power cannot withstand the fall of one who abandons righteousness.”
Fun Fact
In many Indian traditions, Rama is said to have asked his brother Lakshmana to sit at the feet of the dying Ravana to learn the demon king's vast political and spiritual wisdom before he passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Death of Ravana?
The moral is that no matter how powerful or knowledgeable one is, arrogance and unrighteousness lead to inevitable destruction. It emphasizes that dharma (righteousness) will always triumph over adharma (evil).
Who killed Ravana in the Ramayana?
Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, killed Ravana during the great battle in Lanka. He did so to rescue his wife Sita and rid the world of Ravana's tyranny.
Why was Ravana difficult to defeat?
Ravana had received a boon from Brahma that made him nearly invincible. Additionally, every time Rama cut off one of his ten heads, a new one immediately grew back due to the nectar of immortality in his navel.
How did Rama find Ravana's weakness?
Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, revealed the secret to Rama. He explained that Ravana could only be killed if the nectar of immortality stored in his navel was dried up by a direct hit.
What weapon was used to kill Ravana?
Rama used the Brahmastra, a divine arrow crafted by Lord Brahma. It was a weapon of immense power that could only be used for the most righteous purposes.
What do Ravana's ten heads represent?
The ten heads represent Ravana's mastery over the four Vedas and six Shastras, but they also symbolize the ten negative human traits: ego, attachment, greed, anger, lust, jealousy, mind, intellect, will, and pride.