sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ashwapati, Dakshina Kosala, Dandakaranya, Jambavan, Jatayu, Kabandha

The Assassination of and Insulted

Ravivararo

Devaneyap pavanar Maraimalai Adigal Paridhi MaRkalaignar

Narayana Iyengar Vallal Pon.Pandithurai Thevar

Kosala Kingdom

The

Kosala Proper or Uttara Kosala is the kingdom of . was its capital. Aja was the 38th king in the solar dynasty. He was ruling the kingdom of Kosala on the southern banks of the River in the northern part of . Ayodhya was his capital. Northern Kosala, on the northern bank of the Sarayu, was ruled by another king, who also hailed from another branch of the Solar Dynasty. Aja was a king who spent most of his time earthly pleasures. His wife was Indumati. Due to her death, unable to bear the separation from his beloved wife, he ran into the palace and committed suicide.

Dasaratha’s Early Days:-

Aja’s son was only eight months old when aja died. Sumantra was the most intelligent minister in the kingdom and Vasistha was the rajguru ( of the king). requested Sumantra to rule the kingdom on behalf of aja’s son. He then left the child in the care of a great guru, marudanva, who was an adept in all sastras, including archery. The child was Dasaratha and became the ruler of southern Kosala when he attained the age of 18.

Kausalya:-

The kind of northern Kosala agreed to rule under Dasaratha’s patronage. He had a beautiful daughter, , whom Dasaratha wanted to marry. The king agreed. But he and Dasaratha were closely related, coming from the same clan ().

After hearing this marriage engagement, as Ravan who intended to expand his kingdom by marrying kousalya, he became furious and decided to kill Kausalya even before her marriage. But his wife , pleaded with him not to commit stree hati (the sin of killing a woman). She suggested that Ravana could prevent that marriage by separating Kausalya from Dasaratha. Ravana agreed to this proposal and sent a few men to kidnap Kausalya, put her in a box and float it in the currents of the Sarayu River so that she would not have a chance to survive. Thus, the sin of killing a woman would not fall on him and he could prevent the marriage of Dasaratha and Kausalya, he reasoned.

At midnight one day, Dasaratha was crossing the Sarayu after the conquest. He saw a box being thrown into the river by some persons from a hillock. Dasaratha jumped out from his boat and fought with those persons. Dasaratha could not defeat them. Meanwhile, the box was floating away fast. Dasaratha surmised that there must be somebody inside and jumped into the water to save that person.The box continued the far journey and when the Sarayu mingled with the , it began floating in the Ganga. Dasaratha, who was swimming fast, became tired. , the king of eagle flag, saw and rescued him. They located it in the midst of waterweeds in an island near the estuary of Ganga. They all opened the box and found Kausalya in an unconscious state. She regained consciousness.

The marriage was performed the marriage. Thereafter, Jatayu, Dasaratha and Kausalya went to Ayodhya, where the marriage ceremonies were again performed elaborately with fanfare and the blessings of Vasishtha and Sumantra.

Rama’s Elder Sister:-

Kausalya soon attained motherhood. She gave birth to a female child, which unfortunately had a handicap in its leg. The child was named Santai @ . The palace doctors tried their best to remove the handicap but failed. Vashishtha consoled Dasaratha and Kausalya. He said that the handicap was due to the marriage between close cousins (Dasaratha and Kausalya belonged to the same gotra) and advised them to give her in adoption.

Accordingly, Dasaratha and Kausalya gave the child in adoption to ROmapada, the king of Angadesa. With due care and treatment, Shantai’s disability vanished. Romapada performed her marriage with Maharishi.

It was after Shanta was given in adoption that Dasaratha got married to and with the hope of getting healthy children. As he had no issue even after that, he arranged for the Yaga on the advice of the sages. Dasaratha’s son-in-Law Rishyasringa has performed that Yaga.

Sumitra:-

Sumitra had two sons and Satrughna. Just as Lakshmana was forever attached to Rama, Satrughna was always attached to . Chandraketu, Son of Lakshmana, was valiant (7.102.2). He became the king of Malla territory (7.102.9). Chandrakanta Name of a city, which was situated in the territory of Malla (7.102.6) .Satrughna, was sent with Bharata to Kekeya, when Dasaratha planned Rama’s coronation. When Rama went to his Vanavasam (forest-residence: exile), Satrughna stayed back with Bharata while Lakshmana went with Rama.

Satrughna’s wife was Srutakirti father’s name was Kusadhwaja. Kusadhwaja was the younger of , the foster father of Sita . Srutakirti’s sister was Bharata’s wife. Kusadhwaja was the king of Sankasya.

Kaikeyi

The daughter of the mighty , a long-term ally of Kosala, Kaikeyi married Dasaratha after the latter had promised her father that the son born of her womb would succeed him as King of Kosala. Dasaratha was able to make this promise, as his first wife, Kausalya, was childless and not likely to produce a son of her own. Kaikeyi also remained barren for many years of marriage, because of which Dasaratha married Sumitra, the princess of , another kingdom with strong political ties to Kosala. By these marriages, , Magadha, and Northern Kosala were come under the control of Southern Kosala ruled by Dasaratha.

As a young girl and the only sister to seven , Kaikeyi grew up without a maternal influence in her childhood home. Her father had banished her mother from Kekaya after realizing that his wife's nature was not conducive to a happy family life. He had her banished to her parents' home.Kaikeyi never saw her mother again. She was raised by her wet nurse, , who accompanied Kaikeyi to Ayodhya as a trusted maid upon her marriage to Dasaratha. She had saved King Dasaratha in battle and demonstrated her warrior courage. Touched by her courage and timely service, Daśaratha offered her two boons. However, Kaikeyī chose to ask those boons later. In addition, she became his favorite wife and finally gained ascendancy over Kausalya.

Years passed and all three Queens produced sons. Rama, the son of Kausalya, was Dasaratha's favorite son. Rama revered Kaikeyi over his own mother, leading to the former's deep love and affection for him. When he turned 16 and was to be crowned King, Kaikeyi was delighted and as happy as she would have been had it been her own son, Bharata's, coronation. Bharata was Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. He was also the husband to Mandavi daughter of King Janaka's brother Kushadhvaja, and hence became a cousin of Sita. They had two sons, Taksha and Pushkala.

Kingdom of

Chronology of Tamil Kings of Eelam till Vibheeshana as per Akathiya Lankai

The "Akaththiya Lanka" by Akaththiya Maha Munivar, (Akaththiya the great Monk) translated and published by V Nathar, Notary Public, Puttur and Jaffna in about 1910, gives a genealogy of the Kings of Lanka before the .

Sayamban is listed as the first king of Lanka. Sayamban claims his descent from . He had his capital at Tirukonamalai (). He ruled the country for 33 years.

↓

Yalimugan the son-in-law of Sayamban, succeeded him to the throne. He ruled from Tirukonamalai, for ten years.

↓

Aethi @ Heti, son of Yalimugan ruled Lanka from Murugapuram (Kathirgamam). He ruled the country for 28 years.

↓

Vinthukesan @ Vidyutkesha , son of Aethi and Bhaya, succeeded his father, had his capital city at Sivanolipadamalai (Adam's Peak). He ruled for 29 years and 3 months. He married Salakatankata and produced a son, named Sukesha from her. His son became popular with the name of Sukesan @ Sukesa.

↓

Sukesan @ Sukesa succeeded his father Vinthukesan, was the king of Lanka and ruled from Kathiravan Malai. He ruled for 41 years and 7 days. Devavati was the daughter of a Gandaharva named Gramani was married to Sukesa; she gave birth to three sons named , Sumali and Mali. Hara was son of Maali; later he became the minister of after Ravana’s assassiantion.

Maliyavan succeeded his father Sukesan, built Ilankapuri, a beautiful city and proclaimed it as his capital. He ruled for 21 years, 7 months and 9 days. Vajramushti was the son of Malyavan. Virupaksha was the son of Malyavan. Durmukha was the son of Malyavan and Sundari. Analaa was the daughter of Malyavan and Sundari who was the daughter of one Narmada. Malyavan was the Chief Royal Adviser to the Ravana.

√

Sumali succeeded the throne of Lanka after the death of his brother Maliyavan. He had dual capital cities Ilankapuri and Manthai. He ruled for 5 years and 6 months before being deposed by a popular revolt. Sumali's daughter Kaikesi was too young to succeed her father. He had ten sons named Prahastra, Akampana, Vikata, Kalikamuka, Dumraksha, Dandha, Suparshva, Sanhadi and Barkarna. Later Mali was killed. His daughter, Kaikasi was married to sage and their son Ravana reconqured Lanka. His wife is Ketumati. One day Sumali took Kaikasi and left her in the house of Vaisravas. After a while, pleased with her services he took her as his wife. Ravana, and Vibhisana were her sons. Kumbheenasi was another daughter of Sumali and consort of Madhu .She was the daughter of Sumali and Ketumati. Madhu abducted her. When Ravana attacked Madhu, her husband, she requested Ravana to forgive him.

Prahasta was the father of Janmbumali and chief minister of Ravana. He defeated on Kailasha Mountain. He was appointed to the guard the east gate of Lanka. Ultimately, killed him. Kalikamukha was commander of the army of Khara, who had gone to fight against Rama in the forest of Kalikamukha. leds Ravana's army in the wars against , through which Ravana establishes his sovereignty. He also leads the initial Lankan response to the invasion led by Rama, Lakshmana, and the Army.

√

Trinabindu was the name of a sage who was residing near . His daughter, while searching for her other female friends in ’s , she became pregnant by Pulastiya. Trinabindu asked Pulastya to accept his daughter as his wife. She had 2 sons namely Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava and . Devavarnini was the daughter of Bharadhwaja, who was married to Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava and gave birth to Kubera @ Kuvera @ Kuperan. Kuperan became the king of Lanka.

Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava he made his son Kuperan as the king of Lanka. Chitraratha, Kubera's orchard, which was situated in the territory of North Kuru. Kubera married kauveri. On being defeated by Ravana, he had gone to Kailasa. He had two sons namely Manigriva @ Varnakavi , Nalakuvara @ Mayuraja and had one daughter namely .

Kubera is physically envisioned as a dwarf with an ugly and deformed body. His skin is white and he has three legs. He has a set of only eight teeth. Since Kubera was so deformed, he had difficulty in moving around.

Rambha is the wife of Nalakubera, the son of Kubera. is unrivalled in her accomplishments in the arts of dancing, music and love-making. She often asked by the king of the to break the penance of sages. When she tries to disturb the penance of Vishwamitra, he scolded her. Rambha was scolded and disrespected by Ravana for her service to Indra. who was a called as expelled from Kubera’s assembly for his excessive attraction towards Nalakuvara’s wife Rambha, his daughter-in-law. In the meantime, Sumali gave Kaikesi, in marriage to Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava . √

Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava and Kaikesi had three sons, Ravanan, Veedanan @ Vibheeshana, and Kumbhakaranam, and a daughter named Soorpanakha. To wrest the kingdom that rightly belonged his mother Kaikesi, Ravanan challenged his half-brother Kuperan. Their father Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava intervened and settled the dispute in favour of Ravanan, who became the king of Lanka. Vachiravaagu @ vaichiravagu @ Visrava and Raaka had three children namely Khara. Dhushana, . Makaraksha was the name of the chief of the s whose house was set on fire by . He was the son of Khara. He fought with Rama and broken his chariot, Rama killed him. Kaikesi also produced a daughter, Meenakshi ("girl with fish like eyes"), although later she was dubbed the infamous Shoorpanakha ("the one with copper- colored fingernails"). Sanyodhakantaka was the name of a , who was defeated by .

Kumbhakarna played an important role in Rama-Ravana war. and Nikumbha were sons of Kumbhakarna. Both of them were very powerful. Kumbha defeated the army of Rama-Ravana war on various occasions.His house was set on fire by Hanuman.

Vidyujjivha was the son of Kalka, whom Ravana had given his sister, Soorpanakha in marriage.

√

Ravanan - ruled Lanka from his capital city at Ilankapuri. Takshaka was the name of a Naga.(serpent) Ravana had forcibly taken his wife.

King was married to an elf Hema. A beautiful daughter was born to them. But the elf neither had any affection for Maya nor for the newborn baby. She deserted the baby and went to heaven. In the absence of his wife, Maya showered all his love and affection on the baby. He named her Mandodari and always kept her with him. Hema, a nymph, was the consort of Maya. Indra killed Maya and gave away Rikshabila to Hema. She appointed her friend Swayamprabha to protect that palace. Dundubhi was the son of Maya and brother of Mayavi. He was like a buffalo in appearance and huge like He had the strength of thousand elephants, proud and haughty over his prowess. killed him (brother of Mandodari, wife of Ravana. Sugriva mentioned about this to Rama.

Once, Maya was wandering on the earth along with his daughter. By that time, Mandodari had attained the age of 15 years and was having lot of radiance and beauty. They were in the dense forests when Ravana, the king of Lanka happened to meet Maya. Introducing his great lineage, Ravana begged Maya for his daughter. Maya gladly accepted the proposal. On an auspicious moment married Mandodari to Ravana and gave him many divine and deadly weapons as gifts. Though Ravana had married many women, Mandodari always remained his favorite among them and the most beloved to Ravana. Mandodari always wished well for Ravana and tried to maintain him on the pious path.

There are just over 168 years in the genealogy above. √

Veedanan @ Vibheeshna was crowned king of South Lanka by Ilakumanan on the orders of Rama and ruled the country from Kalyani (Kelaniya). According to the Yalpana Vaipava Malai, "Tradition adds that Vibhisana (Veedanan), who received the kingdom from Dasarata Rama, the conqueror of Ravanan, continued to reign." C S Navaratnam, in his book "A Short in Ceylon", adds, "Vibhisna, the brother of Ravanan, is still worshipped in Kelaniya." Kala was the eldest daughter of Vibheeshana who informed Sita that Ravana had turned down the proposal of Vibheeshana to return Sita back to Rama. and Trijataa were daughters of Vibhisana who was kind-hearted towards Sita. He informed/identified Rama with the fact that he has recognised Shuka and Sarana while inspecting the army of Rama in the guise of Vanaras. He being a great traitor explained to Rama the defence management of Lanka done by Ravana. Rama pledged to consecrate him on the throne.. He too stood near Rama duly equipped with weapons. He gave introduction of Prahasta to Rama. He introduced Kumbhakarna to Rama. Rama ordered Lakshmana to go for killing of at his request . In the intrest of Lakshmana he advised to attack him before the completion of the sacrifice (which is actually different from the of aswamedha and naramedha done by in ) , accordingly Lakshmana showered arrows on him. He had a heated conversation with Indrajit. He advised Lakshmana to hurry up in killing Indrajit . He also welcomed Lakshmana on killing Indrajit. Lakshmana taking support from him came to Rama for giving information of the killing of Indrajit. Lakshmana praised his bravery to Rama. Sushena treated him due to that he became healthy . He befelled the horses of Ravana with his club. Getting his kingdom he consoled the subject and then came to Rama. Rama, disregarding Sita, asked her to stay willingly with Vibeeshana also. He returned to Lanka after attending the coronation ceremony of Rama.

Battle for and against Sacrifice:

Sacrifice in Ancient South India/.

Although many are vegetarian, there are Hindu temples in India as well as where goats and chickens are sacrificed. There are many village temples in Tamilnadu where this kind of sacrifice takes place. It is attested in the Tamil Grammar, namely Tolkaappiyam.

ko ṟṟ avai-nilai, n. Theme of offering sacrifice to ko ṟṟ avai and worshipping Her; . (. . 59.)

In India, some semi-tribal Hindus, as well as some worshipper-communities of (the Mother Goddess) offer sacrifice of goats and buffaloes to the deity. Among the Hindus of Nepal, animal sacrifices are common even today, not only for the mother goddess, but also for almost all deities of .

In these non brahminical sacrifices, no is performed or required. These offerings to their Family deity may either be vegitarian or non vegitarian foods.

¹- pa ai- , 11 v. tr. [K. pa ē.] 1. To serve or distribute, as food to guests; . 2. To offer, as boiled rice, to gods or manes; . .

pa ai-kal, n. < +. A large stone slab on which boiled rice is mixed with various ingredients;

pa aippu , n. < . 1. Offering of food, as to a god; . Colloq. 2. Serving of food; .

pa aiyal, n. < . ( W.) Offering; . .

In Dravidian/Tamil Country, the previous mentioned offering is done by the Velala caste by simple modes as worshipful praise for an abundant harvest. It is thanks giving ceremony.

There are different kinds of such offerings to small deities by them.

1. aṭi-y-uṟai , n. 1. Offering to a great personage, as laid at his feet; . (. . 4, 3, 9). 2. Living in reverence, as for a person worthy of respect; . (. 140, 11.)

2. uyir-p-pali, n. . 1. Sacrifice of life; . 2. Warrior beheading himself as an offering to the goddess of war, an ancient custom; . (. . 59, .) 3. Saving a person's life; . (. 2, 16). This is self sacrification as against Vedic Nara Medha/Nrimedha concepts.

3. kāy-ma ṭa, n. Offering of fruits, commonly to a ferocious deity; . ( J.)

4. kuruti-p-pali, n.Oblation in which a warrior makes an offering of his own blood to Durgā; . (. . 59, .) iratta-pali, n. . 1. Libation of blood, blood sacrifice; .

5. cīpali , n. bali . 1. Rice offering in a temple; .

6. tikku-p-pali, n.Offering to the tutelary deities of the quarters, as in a temple; .

7. tiru-p-pō ṉakam. Offering of boiled rice to a deity; . (S. I. I. iii, 82).

8. tiru-maturam. A kind of sweet offering in temples; , , . Nāñ.

9. te ṉpulattār- vē ḷvi, n. < +. Daily offering of libations to the manes, one of ai-vakai-vē ḷvi ,

10. tē ṅkāy-eṟi-, v. intr . . To dash coconuts and break, as offering to an idol; . Nāñ. 11. ¹- nēr- , 4 v. intr . 1. To be fit or appropriate; . (. . 134). .-- tr . 1. To grant, bestow; . (. 111, 8). 6. [M. nēruka , K. nēr .] To agree, consent; . (. 25, 178).2. To resolve, vow, take vow; . (. . 12, . 7). 4. To entreat, pray; . (. .) 5. To say; to speak; . (. . 1, 8, 11). 6. To appropriate, as an offering to God; to consecrate, dedicate; .

nērtti-k-ka ṭaṉ, n. ) 1. Vow made to a deity; . 2. Offering in fulfilment of a vow; .

12. pa ṭṭ ai-c-cātam, n.Offering of rice boiled and set in a cup-like form; .

13. parapparici, n.. Offering of rice, etc., to a deity

14. pā ṉaka-pūcai, n. The ceremony of offering pā ṉakam

15. pi ṭi-cu ṭṭ u-p-pa ṭaittal, n. The ceremony of offering cakes to the household deity; . ( W.)

16. pi ṇṭ a-k-kiriyai, n. Ceremony of offering balls of cooked rice to the manes; .

17. pi ṇṭ ōtakam, n.Ceremony of offering to the manes balls of cooked rice with water and sesame; .

18. pu ṟa-ma ṭai : Offering of flesh and spirits, made to ferocious deities, outside a temple, opp. to uṇma ṭai ; . ( W.) 19. ² pūsaṇam, n. Coin tied in a piece of cloth and set apart as a votive offering; . . Nāñ.

20. pū-ma ṭai, n. Offering of flowers; . ( W.)

21. peru-m-po ṅkal, n. 1. A festival. See . ( W.) 2. Offering of po ṅkal food

po ṅkal-vai-, v. . intr . To boil rice for offering to a deity;

muttu-c-corital, n. . Offering of boiled rice to a deity; .

22. peru-ma ṭai, n. Food offering to a deity; . (. . 19).

23. mu ṭi-k-kā ṇikkai, n.Offering of the hair of a person's head which has been allowed to grow for a certain time, in fulfilment of a vow; . Colloq .

24. vilai-p-pali, n. Sacrificial offering given to deities, with a view to gaining their favour; . (. 12, 43).

25. ve ḷḷ ilai-y-amutu, n. . Offering of betel, as to a diety; .

26. aval-amutu, n. offering of fried rice to the deity;

27. parāvi-vai-, v. tr . To make an offering to a deity in fulfilment of a vow; . ( S. I. I. viii, 379.) 28. pūmālai- ko ṇṭ u-corital, n. < +. A kind of votive flower offering to a temple; . Nāñ.

29. āḷ-vi ṉai-vē ḷvi, n. . Hospitality to guests held to be as meritorious as a sacrifice; . (. 21, 13, .)

30. kā ṭu-pali-y-ūṭṭ u-, v. intr .To sacrifice cock, etc., to the forest deities before , to ensure a good game; .

31. ³ kāvu , n. 1. Sacrifice, oblation to inferior deities; .

32. kuruti-y-ūṭṭ u-, v. intr . . Lit., to feed with blood. To offer animal sacrifice;

33. ma ṉai-p-pali, n.Sacrifice to household gods; . (. 40).

34. intira-ci ṟappu, n. . A religious ceremony performed before the midday meal, consisting in the offering of small portions of cooked food to Indra for giving sufficient rain; (. 11, 88). worshipful praise of Fire (/Sun) for an abundant harvest:

In the earlier Dravidian/Tamil country, the farmers worshipped Fire/Agni as symbol of Sun in the form of light/Lamp.

vi ḷakkuk- ku-ch-chō ṟūṭṭ u-, v. intr . To make an offering of boiled rice before a burning lamp in thanks-giving to the God of Fire, on gathering the first sheaves; . ( W.)

&sup4; kōttiri, n.Burning wick or small torch placed on an offering of cooked rice to a deity; . Nāñ. This simple Dravidian/Tamil worship and sacrifices are connected together in the form of Vedic. Thereby self offering or self sacrifices were became other humen being or animal killing (Aswamedha, Naramedha, Sarpa Medha etc) or offering the foods directly into the fire. This led to the development of complicated Yajna System for the survival of Barbaric to get Dhakshina/gifts in the forms of wealth/wife.

The Vedic sacrifice:

The ancient Vedic religion of the involved animal sacrifice on some special occasions and may have disappeared with the influence of , and later reforms in Hinduism. In fact, yajna typically refers to any fire-offering or such equivalent ritual of the Vedic Indo-Aryans. The offerings were usually of vegetable origin, including saw-dust for the fire, grains like barley, etc. Milk and ghee (clarified butter) was also offered in large quantities. A mysterious, unidentified plan's juice, called , was offered at special Soma sacrifices. As said earlier, animal flesh seems to have been offered at larger sacrifices. Brahmins @ Paarppaan are claiming that they are the supporters of Non violance theory/ and they are pretending as vegitarian. To the contrary, their /books supports animal/human being sacrifies among the other things.

These offering and sacrifice are mostly done on behalf of the king by the Brahmins for Dhakshinas/Gifts. It is not a ceremony of thanks giving of Tamil Country, wherein the offerer himself offers his belongings or his life directly to God. In Brahminical Sacrifice, Brahmina becomes Agent to the King for his victory. These brahmins did the same for Dakshina/Gift on behalf of Merchants too. In rarest cases, they did it for so called Sudras too.

śūdr ḥ yājak ḥ. one who conducts a sacrifice for a Śūdra.

1. The Ashvamedha ; "horse sacrifice" was one of the most important royal rituals of so called Vedic religion, described in detail in the (TS 7.1-5, VSM 22–25[1] and the pertaining commentary in the Shatapatha ŚBM 13.1–5). The does have descriptions of horse sacrifice, notably in hymns RV 1.162-163 (which are themselves known as aśvamedha), but does not allude to the full ritual according to the Yajurveda.

The Ashvamedha could only be conducted by a king (rājā). Its object was the acquisition of power and glory, the sovereignty over neighbouring provinces, and general prosperity of the kingdom. The horse to be sacrificed must be a stallion, more than 24, but less than 100 years old. The horse is sprinkled with water, and the Adhvaryu and the sacrificer whisper into its ear. Anyone who should stop the horse is ritually cursed, and a dog is killed symbolic of the punishment for the sinners. The horse is then set loose towards the North-East, to roam around wherever it chooses, for the period of one year (or half a year, according to some commentators). The horse is associated with the Sun, and its yearly course. If the horse wanders into neighbouring provinces hostile to the sacrificer, they must be subjugated.

The wandering horse is attended by a hundred young men, sons of princes or high court officials, charged with guarding the horse from all dangers and inconvenience. During the absence of the horse, an uninterrupted series of ceremonies is performed in the sacrificer's home. After the return of the horse, more ceremonies are performed. The horse is yoked to a gilded chariot, together with three other horses, and RV 1.6.1,2 (YV VSM 23.5,6) is recited. The horse is then driven into water and bathed. After this, it is anointed with ghee by the chief queen and two other royal consorts. The chief queen anoints the fore-quarters, and the others the barrel and the hind- quarters. They also embellish the horse's head, neck, and tail with golden ornaments. The sacrificer offers the horse the remains of the night's oblation of grain.

After this, the horse, a hornless he-goat, a wild ox (go-mrga, Bos gavaeus) are bound to sacrificial stakes near the fire, and seventeen other animals are attached to the horse. A great number of animals, both tame and wild, are tied to other stakes, according to a commentator 609 in total (YV VSM 24 consists of an exact enumeration).

Then the horse is slaughtered (YV VSM 23.15, tr. Griffith)

Steed, from thy body, of thyself, sacrifice and accept thyself.

Thy greatness can be gained by none but thee.

The chief queen ritually calls on the king's fellow wives for pity. The queens walk around the dead horse reciting mantras. The chief queen then has to mimic copulation with the dead horse, while the other queens ritually utter obscenities.On the next morning, the priests raise the queen from the place where she has spent the night with the horse. With the Dadhikra verse (RV 4.39.6, YV VSM 23.32), a verse used as a purifier after obscene language. The three queens with a hundred golden, silver and copper needles indicate the lines on the horse's body along which it will be dissected. The horse is dissected, and its flesh roasted. Various parts are offered to a host of deities and personified concepts with cries of "all-hail". The Ashvastuti or Eulogy of the Horse follows (RV 1.162, YV VSM 24.24–45), concluding with:

May this Steed bring us all-sustaining riches, wealth in good kine, good horses, manly offspring Freedom from sin may vouchsafe us: the Steed with our oblations gain us lordship!

In the , the sacrifice is performed by Yudhishtira (Book 14), his brothers guarding the horse as it roamed into neighbouring kingdoms. defeats all challengers. The Mahabharata says that the Ashvamedha as performed by Yudhishtira adhered to the letter of the Vedic prescriptions. After the horse was cut into parts, had to sit beside the parts of the horse.

In the Ramayana , Rama's father performs the Ashvamedha, which is described in the bala kanda (book 1) of the poem. The Ramayana provides far more detail than the Mahabharata. The ritual take place for three days preceded by sage Rishyasringa and Vasista(1.14.41,42). Again it is stated that the ritual was performed in strict compliance with Vedic prescriptions (1.14.10). Dasaratha's chief wife Kausalya circumambulates the horse and ritually pierces its flesh (1.14.33). Then "Queen Kausalya desiring the results of ritual disconcertedly resided one night with that horse that flew away like a bird." [1-14-34]. The fat of the sacrificed horse is then burnt in ritual fire and after that the remaining parts of the body with spoons made out of Plaksha tree branches(1.14.36,38-39). At the conclusion of the ritual Dasharatha symbolically offers his other wives to the presiding priests, who return them in exchange for expensive gifts (1.14.35). The four sides of the Yagna alter is also donated to priests who had done the ritual and it is exchanged by them for gold, silver, cows and other gifts(1.15.43-44).

Vedanta and

The Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (a mystical appendix to the and likely the oldest of the ) has a creation myth where Mṛtyu "Death" takes the shape of a horse, and includes an identification of the Ashvamedha with the Sun:

Then he became a horse (ashva), because it swelled (ashvat), and was fit for sacrifice (medhya); and this is why the horse-sacrifice is called Ashva-medha. Therefore the sacrificers offered up the purified horse belonging to , (as dedicated) to all the deities. Verily the shining sun [ye ] is the Asvamedha, and his body is the year; Agni is the sacrificial fire (arka), and these worlds are his bodies. These two are the sacrificial fire and the Asvamedha-sacrifice, and they are again one deity, viz. Death. (BrUp 1.2.7. trans. Müller)

The Upanishads describe ascetic austerities as an "inner Ashvamedha", as opposed to the "outer" royal ritual performed in the physical world, in keeping with the general tendency of to move away from priestly ritual towards spiritual introspection; verse 6 of the Avadhuta Upanishad has:

"Through extreme devotion [sam-grahane ṣṭ i] he [the ascetic] performs ashvamedha within [anta]. That is the greatest sacrifice [mahā-makha] and the greatest meditation [mahā-]." According to the Vaivarta Purana (185.180),[9] the Ashvamedha is one of five rites forbidden in the .

2. Purushamedha ; "human sacrifice" is a Vedic yajna (ritual) described in the Yajurveda (VS 30– 31). The verse describes people from all classes and of all descriptions tied to the stake and offered to Prajapati. The describes the process of creation of matter from the cosmic Purusha (universal spirit) which is shown as a human-like entity. The Purusha Medha is an enactment of the sacrifice of Purusha that leads to creation.

The ritual in many aspects resembles that of the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice), with, according to Griffith (1899) man, the noblest victim, being actually or symbolically sacrificed instead of the Horse, and men and women of various tribes, figures, complexions, characters, and professions being attached to the sacrificial stakes in place of the tame and wild animals enumerated in Book XXIV [VS 24]. These nominal victims were afterwards released uninjured, and, so far as the text of the White Yajurveda goes, the whole ceremony was merely emblematical.

The ceremony evokes the primordial mythical sacrifice of Purusha, the "Cosmic Man", and the officiating recites the Purusha sukta (RV 10.90 = AVS 5.19.6 = VS 31.1–16). However, in a late Vedic Brahmana text, the Vadhula Anvakhyana 4.108 (ed. Caland, Acta Orientalia 6, p.229) actual human sacrifice and even ritual anthropophagy is attested: "one formerly indeed offered a man as victim for Prajāpati", for example Kar ṇājāya. "Dhārtakratava Jātūkar ṇi did not wish to eat of the ida portion of the offered person; the gods therefore exchanged man as a sacrificial animal with a horse." References to anthropophagy are also found in Taittiriya 7.2.10 and Katha 34.11.

nara-pali, n. Human sacrifice; . (. . . 121).

Criticism and controversy

1. Cārvāka View:-

The earliest recorded criticism of the ritual comes from the Cārvāka, an atheistic school of Indian philosophy that assumed various forms of philosophical skepticism and religious indifference. A quotation of the Cārvāka from Madhavacharya's Sarva-Darsana-Sangraha states:

“The three authors of the Vedas were buffoons, knaves, and . All the well-known formulae of the pandits, jarphari, turphari, etc. and all the obscene rites for the queen commanded in Aswamedha, these were invented by buffoons, and so all the various kinds of presents to the priests, while the eating of flesh was similarly commanded by night-prowling demons.

”The mock bestiality and necrophilia involved in the ritual caused considerable consternation among the scholars first editing the Yajurveda. Griffith (1899) omits verses VSM 23.20–31 (the ritual obscenities), protesting that they are "not reproducible even in the semi-obscurity of a learned European language" (alluding to other instances where he renders explicit scenes in Latin rather than English). A. B. Keith's 1914 translation also omits verses.

2. Kanch Sankarachari's View:

According to Kanchi Sankarachari, A yaga or sacrifice takes shape with the chanting of the mantras, the invoking of the deity and the offering of havis (oblation). The mantras are chanted (orally) and the deity is meditated upon (mentally). The most important material required for is the havis offered in the sacrificial fire-- in this "work" the body is involved. Ghee (clarified butter) is an important ingredient of the oblation. While ghee by itself is offered as an oblation, it is also used to purify other sacrificial materials - in fact this is obligatory. In a number of sacrifices the vapa(fat or marrow) of animals is offered.

Madvacharya was against the killing of any pasu for a sacrifice. In his he said that a substitute for the vapa must be made with flour and offered in the fire.

In the concluding passage of the whwre ahimsa or non-violence is extolled you find these words, "Anyatra tirthebhyah". It means ahimsa must be practised except with regard to Vedic rites.

According to Kanchi Sankarachari, there are a number of yajnas in which only ghee (ajya) is offered in the fire. In some, havisyanna (rice mixed with ghee) is offered and in some the cooked grains called "caru" or "purodasa", a kind of baked cake. In agnihotri milk is poured into the fire; in aupasana unbroken rice grains (aksata) are used; and in samidadhana the sticks of the palasa (flame of the forest). In sacrifices in which the vapa of animals is offered, only a tiny bit of the remains of the burnt offering is partaken of - and of course in the form of prasada. These offerings by the Brahmins for Kings etc into fire are totally in controduction to the offerings by the Velala Farmer to God direectly in Tamil Country. Justification offered by the is that the slaughtering the animal may be less painfull than the others, as it involves an immediate severing of the whole neck of the animal by one quick stroke of a sword or an axe (otherwise great calamities are believed to befall the sacrificer), rather than slitting of the throat.

According to Kanchi Sankarachari, one is enjoined to perform twenty-one sacrifices. These are of three types:pakayajna, haviryajna and . In each category there are seven subdivisions. In all the seven pakayajnas as well as in the first five haviryajnas there is no animal sacrifice. It is only from the sixth haviryajna onwards (it is called "nirudhapasubandha") that animals are sacrificed.

Brahmins sacrificed herds and herds of animals and gorged themselves on their meat. The Buddha saved such herds when they were being taken to the sacrificial altar was made. j animal sacrifices, meat in sraddha ceremonies and begetting a son by the husband's brother..

3. True Meaning of Medha:

Brahminical view of sacrificing horse or human being is due to confusion or wrong spelling/reading i.e. a false reading

There are 3 so called dhatu patas.

1. mēth To hurt, injure, kill.

2. mēd ḥ Fat.

3. mēdh ḥ1 A sacrifice.

In the Asvamedha, killing the horse in the sacrifice and swallowing of the fat by Brahmins are involved by combining the meaning of mēth, mēd ḥ and mēdh ḥ.

In Purushamedha, Killing of human being in the sacrifice involved.

(Altar for human sacrifice at Monte Alban which is similar to Brahminical fire pit)

Banabhatta, in a description of the dedication of a temple of Chandika, describes a series of human sacrifices; similarly, in the ninth century, Haribhadra describes the sacrifices to Chandika in Orissa. It was "more common" in the Southern parts of India, where it took on a scapegoating rather than purifying role.

The Khonds, an aboriginal tribe of India, inhabiting the tributary states of Orissa and (of Dhandakaranya region), became notorious, on the British occupation of their district about 1835, from the prevalence and cruelty of the human sacrifices they practised.

Purushamedha (" human sacrifice ") is a ritual described in the Yajurveda (VS 30–31). The verse describes people from all classes and of all descriptions tied to the stake and offered to Prajapati. in a late Vedic Brahmana text, the Vadhula Anvakhyana 4.108 (ed. Caland, Acta Orientalia 6, p.229) actual human sacrifice and even ritual anthropophagy is attested: "one formerly indeed offered a man as victim for Prajāpati", for example Kar ṇājāya. "Dhārtakratava Jātūkar ṇi did not wish to eat of the ida portion of the offered person; the gods therefore exchanged man as a sacrificial animal with a horse." References to anthropophagy are also found in Taittiriya 7.2.10 and Katha Samhita 34.

Etymology of Yajna:

According to Dictionaries Yajna is derived from the so called Dhatu yaj. To sacrifice, worship with sacrifices (often with instr. of words meaning 'a sacrifice'). However the meaning assinged to the said Dhatu is wrong if we applies the meaning to the following yajnas.

1. Ashvamedha Yajna= Horse killing worship/Sacrifice

2. Purushamedha Yajna= Human killing worship/Sacrifice

3. Sarpa Yajna= Serpant Worship/Sacrifice

The meaning of the word Yajna should be a different one. Lets see.

1 A son; , - f. a sacrifice performed to obtain male issue.Generally Sanskrit Nighantu says that iṣṭ iḥ and yajñ ḥ are derived from the same source. If we apply the meaning of Worship or sacrifice to Putra iṣṭ iḥ is, then the meaning of Putra iṣṭ iḥ would be worshiping or sacrificing of son.

Therefore, the meaning of worship or sacrifice is not appropriate.

True meaning of Yajna.

We have to find out the true meaning of yajna with the help of Tamil and Sanskrit words.

vē ḷ , n. < . 1. Marriage; . (. 360). 2. Desire; .. (. ( W.)

[] vē ḷ- , 9 v. tr . [K. bē ḷ.] To offer sacrifices; . (. 24, 6).

vē ḷvu , n. < . 1. Sacrifice; . (. 138). [ vēlimi ] [Telugu.] n. A burnt offering. . " ,

." Swa. ii. 57. firewood used in a burnt sacrifice. a mark made on the forehead with the ashes from a burnt sacrifice, . "

." R. ii. 109.

[ vēlucu ] , or vēlu ṭsu . [Telugu.] v. a. To offer up a burnt sacrifice.

. infin. . vēl-pin ṭsu . v. a. To cause to offer a burnt offering.

. " ." ND. ii. 553.

vēlimi-> [ vrēlmi ] [Telugu] n. A burnt offering, an offering by fire. .

" ." T. i. 27. .

icciyai, n. 1. Gift; offering; . 2. Sacrifice; . 3. Worship; .

iṭṭ i, n. 1. Epigrammatic verse; . 2. Gift; . 3. Worship; . 4. Desire; longing; .

² i ṭṭ i, n. A religious sacrifice; . (. . 19).

iṭṭ am, n. 1. Purificatory ceremony; . 2. Sacrifice; . 3. Yōga; .

¹ i ṭṭ am, n. 1. Desire, wish, inclination of mind, will; . (. 20, 8). 2. Love, attachment, affection; . (. . 15). 3. Friendship; . Colloq.

iṭṭ aṉ, n.1. Friend; . 2. Endeared person; . (. . , 4). 3. Master; . (. . 16).

iṣṭ iḥ f. 1 Wish, request, desire . -2 Seeking, striving to get. -3 Any desired object. -4 A desired rule or desideratum; (a term used with reference to Patañjali's additions to Kātyāyana's Vārttikas; -5 Impulse, hurry. -6 Invitation, order. -7 A sacrifice.-8 An oblation consisting of butter, food &c. - Comp. - a sacrifice lasting for a long time.

iṣṭ a 1 Wished, desired, longed for, wished for; -2 Beloved, agreeable, liked, favourite, dear; ˚ -3 Worshipped, reverenced. -4 Respected. -5 Approved, regarded as good. -6 Desirable; see . -6 Valid. -7 Sacrificed, worshipped with sacrifices . -8 Supposed (; oft. used in Līlavatī. - A sacrifice. - 1 Wish, desire. -2 A holy ceremony -3 A sacrifice; B ṛi. Up.4.1.

ijya To be worshipped . - 1 A sacrifice ; R.3.48,1.68,15.2;

If we look at these Tamil and Sanskrit words, we can find out that the actual meaning of the word yajna is desires. Lets apply of the said meaning.

Putra ishti= Desire to obtain sons.

Cf: puttirakāmē ṭṭ i, ( . .) n. / Skt. puttra-kāmē ṣṭ i. desire to obtain sons; . (. . 7.)

However the actual meaning of Desire for the word Yajna is missing in Sanskrit. How that word was created. Lets see the etymology of Yajna.

Etymology of Yajna:-

ul (to meet, to love, to attach)-> al -> el -> ( ekku)-> ēkkam, n. [M. ēkkam .] 1. Despondency, depression of spirits; . (. . 30). 2. Fear, fright, panic; . . . . (. . 77). 3. Craving, eager desire; .

ēkkam-> ēkka ṟavu, n. Desire, lust; . ( . . 83).

ēkkam-> ēkka ṟu-, v. 1. [T. ēkāru .] To suffer from weariness, to languish; . (. 1622). 2. To bow before superiors, as one seeking some favour at their hands; . (, 395).-- tr . To desire; . (. 157). ēkkam-> ekkiyam, n. Sacrifice, ceremony in which oblations are offered; . (. . 70.)

ēkkam-> ² eccam, n. . (. 571, 4).

echcha ṉ, n. 1. One who performs a sacrifice; . (. 596, 9). 2. The deity supposed to be present at a sacrifice and to accept the offerings given; . (. . 38).

² echcham-> yaj ḥ 1 A sacrifice. -2 Fire which is used for sacrifice.

² echcham-> yajas n. Ved. 1 Worship; -2 A sacrifice.

yajanam 1 The act of sacrificing. -2 A sacrifice; -3 A place of sacrifice;

yajamāna a. Sacrificing, worshipping. - 1 A person who performs a regular sacrifice and pays its expenses; -2 A person who employs a priest or priests to sacrifice for him. -3 (Hence) A host, patron, rich man. -4 The head of a family. -5 The head of a tribe. -Comp. - the pupil of a sacrificing Brāhma ṇa (of one who himself per- forms a sacrifice); Ś.4. yajamānak ḥ

= .

yajāka a. Worshipping.

yaji ḥ 1 A sacrificer. -2 The act of sacrificing. -3 A sacrifice;

echcha ṉ-> a. 1 A worshipper, sacrificer. -2 Honouring, adoring.

eccil , n. Leavings of sacrificial oblation made of pounded rice and offered in postsherds. . (. 5, 42).

² echcham-> esu, n. Yajur-Vēda; . (. . 5, 1, 6). esu-> yajus 1 A sacrificial prayer or formula; -2 A text of the Yajurveda, or the body of sacred mantras in prose muttered at sacrifices; -3 N. of the Yajurveda. -4 Ved. Worship, oblation.

² echcham-> eññam, n. See . (. . 26).

eññam-> yajñ ḥ 1 A sacrifice, sacrificial rite; any offering or oblation; -2 An act of worship, any pious or devotional act.

yajñik ḥ The Palāśa tree.

yajñin a. Full of sacrifices.

yajñiya a. 1 Belonging to or fit for a sacrifice, sacrificial; -2 Sacred, holy, divine. -3 Adorable, worthy of worship. -4 Devout, pious. - 1 A god, deity. -2 The third or Dvāpara age. -3 The Udumbara tree. - Implements or materials for sacrifice -Comp. - the land of sacrifices; - 1 a sacrificial hall. -2 a temple.

yajñīya. a. Sacrificial;

yajya a. Fit to be worshipped, adorable. - , - 1 Worshipping. -2 A sacrifice.

yajyu a. 1 Pious, devout. -2 Worshipping, adoring, honouring. -3 Sacrificing. - 1 A priest familiar with the Yajurveda ( ). -2 The institutor of a sacrifice ( ). -3 An adherent to the .

yajvan a. (- f. ) Sacrificing, worshipping, adoring &c. -m. 1 One who performs sacrifices in accordance with Vedic precepts, a per- former of sacrifices;

yājanam The act of performing or conducting a sacrifice;

yājamānam That part of a sacrifice which is performed by the Yajamāna himself. yājayit ṛm. The officiating priest at a sacrifice.

yāj ḥ 1 A sacrificer. -2 Boiled rice. -3 Food in general.

yājak ḥ A sacrificer, a sacrificing priest;

yājanam The act of performing or conducting a sacrifice; Ms.1.88;3.65.

yājamānam That part of a sacrifice which is performed by the Yajamāna himself.

yājayit ṛ m. The officiating priest at a sacrifice.

yāji ḥ The institutor of a sacrifice. -f. A sacrifice .

yājin a. 1 (At the end of comp.) Sacrificing; -2 Worshipping, adoring.

yājuk ḥ A sacrificer (as ); B ṛi. Up.1.5.2. .

yājñika a. (- f. ) Belonging to a sacrifice; Bhāg.4.31.1. - 1 A sacrificer or a sacrificing priest. -2 A ritualist. -3 The Kuśa grass. -4 N. of several trees , , , &c. -Comp. - N. of Vi ṣṇ u.

yājñiya a. 1 Sacrificial. -2 Fit for a sacrifice. - One skilled in sacrificial rites.

yājya a. 1 To be sacrificed. -2 Sacrificial. -3 One for whom a sacrifice is performed. -4 One who is allowed by Śāstras to sacrifice. - 1 A sacrificer, the institutor of a sacrifice; Mb.13. 93.27. -2 The performer of a sacrifice for another. - The presents or fee received for officiating at a sacrifice. - a sacrificial text or verse, Ṛik (recited at the offering of an oblation);

yājvan ḥ The son of a sacrificer.

ēkkam-> yākam, n.1. Sacrifice, 2. Worship; .

yāgam-> yāg ḥ 1 An offering, a sacrifice, an oblation; -2 Any cere- mony in which oblations are presented, with a direct reference to a deity; -3 Presentation, grant. -Comp. - a bad sacrificer - a sacrificial ceremony. - the recipient of a sacrifice. Kāśi. on P.IV.2.24. - the sacrificial sacred thread. ul (to meet, to love, to attach)-> il-> ²- ichchi-, 11 v. tr . To desire, wish, crave for, covet; . (. . 75.)

ichchai , n.1. Wish, desire, inclination; . (. 41, 9.) 2. Devoted service; . (. 672, 6).

ichchai ,-> ichchiyai, n. 1. Gift; offering; . 2. Sacrifice; . 3. Worship; .

ichchai ,-> ichchiyai-> ijya To be worshipped . - 1 A sacrifice ;

ul (to meet, to love, to attach)-> il-> iṭṭ i, n. 1. Epigrammatic verse; . 2. Gift; . 3. Worship; .. 4. Desire; longing; ....

² i ṭṭ i, n. A religious sacrifice; . (. . 19).

² i ṭṭ i-> iṭṭ am, n. 1. Purificatory ceremony; . 2. Sacrifice; . 3. Yōga; .

² i ṭṭ i-> iṣṭ iḥ f. 1 Wish, request, desire . -2 Seeking, striving to get. -3 Any desired object. -4 A desired rule or desideratum; (a term used with reference to Patañjali's additions to Kātyāyana's Vārttikas; -5 Impulse, hurry. -6 Invitation, order. -7 A sacrifice.-8 An oblation consisting of butter, food &c. -Comp. - a sacrifice lasting for a long time.

² i ṭṭ i-> ¹ i ṭṭ am, n. 1. Desire, wish, inclination of mind, will; . (. 20, 8). 2. Love, attachment, affection; . (. . 15). 3. Friendship; . Colloq.

² i ṭṭ i-> ¹ i ṭṭ am-> iṣṭa p. p. 1 Wished, desired, longed for, wished for; -2 Beloved, agreeable, liked, favourite, dear; ˚ Mu.2.8 fond of sons. -3 Worshipped, reverenced. -4 Respected. -5 Approved, regarded as good. -6 Desirable; see . -6 Valid. -7 Sacrificed, worshipped with sacrifices . -8 Supposed ( ); oft. used in Līlavatī. - A sacrifice. - 1 Wish, desire. -2 A holy ceremony -3 A sacrifice; B ṛi. Up.4.1. ¹ i ṭṭ am -> iṭṭ aṉ, n.1. Friend; . 2. Endeared person; . (. . , 4). 3. Master; . (. . 16).

Reasons of Yajna

Brahmins performed these ceremonies because they desired Dhakshina/Gifts on behalf of Kings who desired victory and without the state of enemy. Brahmins performed these ceremonies for Vysyas who desired wealth. Rarely these Brahmins performed it for Sudras too.

However the Sacrifice procedures of Brahmins are totally different from sacrifice/offering Tamil Country. However Sanskrit has borrowed these Tamil Words and Simple offering/sacrifice concepts. Further Sanskrit pandits and Brahmins have developed them as complicated sacrifice/offers.

Brahmin Priests:-

The Brahmins priests offered into the fire by enchanting Rigvedha to praise Demi gods like Indra, Agni, etc. Therefore the function of these Brahmin priests is to praise.

ul [to praise)-> pul->( Pol)-> PoTTu/PoTRu = v. tr. 1. To praise, applaud; .2. To worship; . (.)

pōTTi . n. 1. Praise, applause, commendation; . ( W.) 2. Brahman temple-priest of Malabar; . ( W.) 3. See , 1.--int. Exclamation of praise; .

pōtti, n. < . Brahman temple-priest in Malabar; .

pōTTi (PoTRi)-> hōtrā 1 A sacrifice. -2 Praise;-3 Ved. Speech. -4 The office of priest.

pōTTi/pōTRi -> hōtrin m. A sacrificing priest who offers the oblations.

pōTTi/pōTRi -> hōtrī The offerer of oblations, one of the eight forms of Śiva; (P=H changes as in Tamil and Kannada) pōTTi/pōTRi-> pōt ṛ m. 1 One of the sixteen officiating priests at a sacrifice (assistant of the priest called ).

pōTTi/pōTRi-> pōt ṛ-> a. Sacrificing, offering oblations with fire; . -m. 1 A sacrificial priest, especially one who recites the prayers of the Ṛigveda at a sacrifice.

pōTTi/pōTRi-> An assistant of the Hot ṛi.

(PoTTu)-> pōTTimai , n. Honour, reverence; . ( W.)

(PoTTu)-> , 1.--int. Exclamation of praise; .

Poththi->(Poththai)->(Pochchai)-> Poosai (Tamil) 1. Worship; homage to superiors; adoration of the gods with proper ceremonies; .. 2. Taking meals, as of devotees;

> [ pūja ] or pūja. n. Worship, reverence.

pūjaku u. n. A worshipper, a priest.

pūsi-v. 1. To perform acts of ceremonial worship; 2. To treat courteously, reverence; 3. To caress, fondle;

> or pūjin ṭṣ u v. a. To worship, adore, do homage or obeisance to, reverence.

[ pūza ] pū za.

pūsai-> (Pūja)-> pūjā

+ (Pusai+aari)-> (poosaari)

pūsāri-> , or pūjāri. ( +.) n. An officiating Brahmin or priest of a temple. . pūjāri-sāni. n. A priestess. Zacca. vi. 127.

pūsāli, n. . (. .). . Cf/ :

Talai + āri -> Talaiyāri-> [ talāri ] or (Telugu) Village officer. āri is a Tamil Suffix and it is not available in Skt. >Hindi :ri: (nm) a worshipper, adorer; Hindu priest . No such word is available in Sanskrit.

> (punjabi) PUJÁRÁ s. m. A worshipper, one who makes pújá, a priest.

> (punjabi) PUJÁRÍ s. m. A worshipper, one who makes pújá, a priest.

pūsaka ṉ -> (punjabi) PÚJAK s. m. A worshipper (of a devtá, or the Deity.)

In Skt for the word pūjaka the meanings are given as Honouring, adoring, worshipping, respecting &c. and not the priest.

Origin of Homa System :-

In Historical Times, peoples were depending upon fire for day to day domestic life.

¹ ara ṇi, n. Pieces of pipal or mesquit wood, used for kindling the sacred fire by attrition; . (. . 7).

¹ ara ṇi-> ara ṇiḥ m., f. - f. A piece of wood (of the Śamī tree) used for kindling the sacred fire by attrition, the fire- producing wooden stick; - (dual) The two pieces of wood used in kindling the sacred fire. - 1 The sun. -2 fire.

ñeki ḻi , n. < id. 1. Fire-brand; . (. 108). 2. Piece of wood used for kindling fire by friction; . . . . (. 226). 3. [T. nega i.] Fire; . (.) 4. Fuel; . (.)

They were forced to keep at home inside the fire place. It became the profession of certain people to keep and protect fire. Later it developed into Homa System.

ōmbu- , 5 v . [T. ōmu , K. ōvū , M. ōmbu .] tr . 1. To protect, guard, defend, save; . (, 549). 2. To preserve; to keep in mind; to cherish, nourish; . (. 186). 3. To remove, separate; to keep off; to ward off; . 4. To dispel; . (, 820). 5. To maintain, support; to cause to increase; to bring up; . (. 1, 1).

²- ōmba ṭu-, v. tr. < + ¹- 1. To protect; . (. . 114, ). 2. To avoid; . (. . 7, 3, ). 3. To confirm; to encourage; to cheer up; . .

ōmba ṭai , n. < id. +. 1. Protection, safeguard; . (. . 91). 2. Place of protection; . (. 5, 179, .). 3. Place where eligious instruction is imparted; . (. 5, 179, .) 4. Remedy; . (. 232). 5. Keeping in mind, retaining in memory; . (. 139, ).

ōmbu-> ( ōmbam)-> ² ōmam, n.1. Offering an oblation to the gods by pouring ghee, etc. into the consecrated fire; . ( . . 51). 2. Sacrifice; . (.)

ōmi-, 11 v. To perform the hōma

² ōmam-> hōm ḥ 1 Offering oblations to gods by throwing ghee into the consecrated fire, (one of the five daily Yajñas, to be performed by a Brāhma ṇa, called q. v.); -2 A burnt offering. -3 A sacrifice; -Comp. - the sacrificial fire. - sacrificial act. - mode of sacrificing. - a hole in the ground for receiving the consecrated fire. - a sacrificial horse; - a sacrificial chamber. - the smoke of a burnt offering or sacrificial fire. - a cow yielding milk for an oblation. - n. the ashes of a burnt offering. - a sacrificial implement. - the time for offering oblations. - a sacrificial hall or chamber.

hōmi ḥ 1 Clarified butter. -2 Fire. hōmin m. The offerer of an oblation, a sacrificer in general.

ōmam-va ḷar-, v. intr. < id. +. To kindle and feed the sacrificial fire, which should never be suffered to go out; .

ōma-ku ṇṭ am, n. Pit dug out in the ground for keeping sacrificial fire; . (. . 42.)

ōma-sānti, n.Propitiating by fire; .

ōma-sālai, n. Sacrificial hall; . (. 10. 143, .)

ōma-t-tiraviyam, n.Requisites for a sacrifice, including firewood; .

ōma-ma ̣ṇṭ apam, n. Sacrificial hall; . (.)

ōmākki ṉi, n.Sacrificial fire; .

ōmiyam, n. Sacrifice; . (. 432, 8).Cf. 1. eri-ko ḷḷ i, n. < ¹- +. Firebrand; . (. 41, ).

eri-y-ūṭṭ u-, v. To set fire to; . . (.).

eri-y-ōmbu-, v. To make offerings in the consecrated fire; . (. 1, 1).

eri-va ḷarppōr, n. Brāhmans, who keep alive the consecrated fire by daily offering; . (.)

2. tī-mu ṟai, n. < id. +. Fire-sacrifice; . (. 5, 175).

tī-y-ōmpu-, v. To tend the sacred fire; . (. . 7, 9, 7). tī-va ḷar-, v. 1. To tend the sacred fire; . 2. To light a fire, as in suttee; .

tī-va ḷarppōr, n. 1. Brahmins, as tending the sacred fire; [ ] . (.) 2. Ascetics; . (. .)

For Homa and Hotra, Sanskrit pandits give the meaning of offering into fire. However the primary function of the Brahmin is to tend the sacred fire by pouring ghee, etc. into the consecrated fire.

ōmam-> hōm ḥ->( hum ḥ)-> hu 1 To offer or present (as oblation to fire); make an offering to or in honour of a deity (with acc.); sacrifice -2 To perform a sacrifice. -3 To eat.

hu-> huta 1 Offered as an oblation to fire, burnt as a sacrificial offering; -2 One to whom an oblation is offered; Ś.4; R.2.71. - N. of Śiva. - 1 An oblation, offering. -2 An Oblation to fire;

Bṛi. Up.1.5.2; Bg.9.16. -Comp. - a. who has made an oblation to fire; ( -m. ) a sacrificial fire. - 1 fire. -2 N. of the number 'three'. -3 Plumbago Ceylanica (Mar. ). - 1 fire; -2 N. of Śiva. -3 the Chitraka tree. ˚ an epithet of Śiva.

- the full-moon day in the month of Phālguna ( ). - fire; R. 2.71. - a. one who has made an oblation to fire. - m. fire; - fire; . - a Brāhma ṇa who has offered oblations to fire; ( -) a burnt offering

hu-> huta -> huti ḥ f. Offering oblations;

However the words hav ḥ and havya havya were earlier used to denote food only, and thereafter the meaning of oblation was ascribed to them.Lets see. if havi denotes sacrifice, then should be suffering from punarukta dhosha/tautology, i.e. [ havis An oblation or burnt offering in general+ yajñ ḥ any offering or oblation.

In Sanskrit Nighantu/Dictionary, is mentioned as a kind of sacrifice without explaining the nature. But if applies tamil meaning, can be explained.

¹- avi- , 4 v. intr . 1. To be boiled, cooked by boiling or steaming; .

²- avi- , 11 v. tr . caus. of ¹-. 1. To boil in a liquid, cook by boiling or steaming; . (. 20).]

³ avi, n. 1. Offerings made to the gods in sacrificial fire; ((( Food). (, 413.) 2. Food; . (. . 7). 3. Boiled rice; . (.) 4. Ghee; . (.)

³ avi-> avisu, n. 1. Offering made to the gods in sacrificial fire; . (. 46, .) 2. Ghee; . (.) 3. Cooked rice, prepared without straining the conjee; ... Loc .

avisu-> havis 1 Clarified butter; -2 Water (boiled?). -3 Food ( ); -Comp. - (((())) devouring clarified butter or oblations.

aviyal, n. 1. Boiling, cooking; . (.) 2. Food; . (. . 145). 3. Kind of vegetable dish; . 4. Swelter, sultriness; . 5. Soreness of the mouth; . ( W.)

²- avai-, 11 v. tr. [Tu. abay.] 1.To cook, boil; . (.)

³ avviyam n. Oblation offered to the gods; . ( . . 2.)

appiyam, n. Oblation to the gods; . (. 26.)

³ avviyam-> havya a. To be offered in oblations. - 1 Clarified butter. -2 An oblation or offering to the gods (opp. q. v.). -3 An oblation in general; - A cow; etc. ŚB. on -Comp. - fire. - oblations to the gods and to the Manes, or spirits of deceased ancestors; - an oblation cooked with butter and milk, or the pot in which it is cooked. -, - , - , - m. 'the bearer of oblations', fire; ³ avi-> hav ḥ 1 An oblation, a sacrifice; ³ avi-> hav ḥ-> havanam 1 Offering an oblation with fire. -2 A sacrifice, an oblation. -3 A sacrificial ladle. - 1 Fire. -2 A fire-receptacle. -Comp. - m. fire.

³ avi-> hav ḥ-> havanī

= q. v.

havanīya

a. [ ] Sacrificial. - 1 Anything fit for an oblation. -2 Clarified butter or ghee.

havitrī

A hole made in the ground for holding the sacred fire (to which oblations are offered).

³ avi-> avisu-> havis An oblation or burnt offering in general

³ avi-> avisu-> havis -> havi ṣmat a. Possessed of oblations.

havi ṣmatī

N. of the mythical cow Kāmadhenu;

havi ṣyam

1 Anything fit for an oblation; -2 Clarified butter. -3 Wild rice. -4 Rice mixed with ghee . -Comp. - food fit to be eaten during certain holidays or days of fast. -, - m. fire.

Therefore, the meaning of is nothing but food oblation into the sacred fire.

Difference between original Tamilian offerings and Brahminical offerings.

Sacrifice Non Brahminical Tamilian offerings Brahminical offerings

Grains, Food (Veg and Non Veg), Domestic Animals (Goat, Chicken)-live Food (rice, ghee), Animal (Horse), Types or killed, body parts, one's own life, other human being's life (Naramedha) and blood. to whom God Fire, in the name of God by whom Generally Farmer for Brahmins for whom Nil King, also Merchants, rarely Sudra

to thank God for an abundant harvest Fee(Dhakshina)/Wifes to be given by intention and cattle King, Merchants, Wealthy Sudra

alter, and fire pit (which is later place of offering fire pit period)

Requirement of Nil Brahmin Agent

Complicated procedure with Rigvedha Procedure Simple language chanting expenses very less Very high

Why Ravana and his Associates were called as or Arakkan or Iraakathan or Nisachara?

Sanskrit could not explain the origin of Rakshasa () and it is showing the root Raskha (to protect, preserve) to that rakshasa. They could not explain how they are inter related.

The reason is the said rakshasa (Ravana and his men in Dandakaranya) were doing raksha (protection) against immoral animal sacrifices by preventing the yajnas done by so called sages like viswamitra. They were preserver of law and order in South India. They prevented the sacrifices, which is to totally in contrary to South Indian Sacrifices. Hence they prevented the sacrifices and not the penance of the sages. Indra alone obstructed the penance of sages including viswamitra whose sacrifice alone was prevented by so-called rakshasa on ground of animal or human sacrifices in the initial stages of yajna. They did so only in the Dandakaranya region only. They did not prevented the Aswamedha Yajna done by Rama’s brother-in-law Sage Rishya Shringa for the sake of Dasaratha.

The etymology of the word Rakshasa from raksha is as follows.

Prevention of evil thing always considered as protection or preservation of good thing. Wearing an Amulet or raksha round the wrist in India is considered as prevention of evil thing and protection of one’s wellness.

The word Raksha and Rakshasa are derived from the Tamil as follows.

ul (to leave, remove, go, prevent, reduce, destroy)-> al-> ( ) ar)-> ¹- arakku- , v. tr. 1. To rub with the palm of hand, or the sole of foot; . ( . 456). 2. To waste, ruin; . ( .) 3. To press down; . ( . 223, 11). 4. To cause trouble to, afflict; . . . . ( . . 230). 5. To clip off, prune; . Loc. 6. To cut, sever; . ( . 42, 4). 7. To cause to diminish; . ( . 46, 8). 8. To eat up; . Loc. 9. To push, drag or otherwise move, as a heavy body; . (J.)

¹- arakku -> arakka ṉ , n. Demon; . (.)

rak ṣas 1 An evil spirit, a demon, an imp, a goblin;. -2 Ved. Hurt, injury. -Comp. - , - an epithet of Rāva ṇa.

It seems that the Tamil word Arakkan is still an ethnic name in Southern Myanmar. ARAKAN iss the country which was also known as Rohang or Rakhapura or Rakhaingpryi. The earliest inhabitants of Arakan belong to the Negrito group. Burmese mention them in the Arakanese Chronicle as Rakkhasas or bilus (cannibals), which is similar to the North Indians’ description about South Indian/Ravana or his associates. The word Arakan is definitely of Tamil origin having the same meaning in both these languages. It is the corruption of the word Arakan. But Ibn Batuta wrote the name of Arakkan as Arkan. The name Rakhine is another name of Arakan. It is also derived from Tamil word Arakkan.

Area of Arakan

Arakan is situated between India in the North, Burma in the East and People's Republic of Bangladesh in the West. To the south, it extends up to Haigri Islands and is bounded on the southwest by the Bay of Bengal.The area of Arakan was more than 20,000 sq. ml. till the British period. But, Burmese ruler, without the consent of Arakanese people, split up a north western Arakan Hill Tracts area bordering India and a southern most part of Arakan (from Kyauk Chaung River to Cape Negaris) from the Arakan mainland. Due to these partitions,it comprise less than half of historic Arakan territory. Today area of Arakan is located between Lat. 16' 00" N- Lat. 21' 20" N and Long. 92' 20" E- Long. 95' 20" E. Arakan is known as one of the poorest states under so called Union of Burma ruled by military junta called SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) with its official name, Rakhine State.

Arakanese, use the term "Arakan" to mean the area, which was historically and traditionally known as Arakan before the 1784 Burmese invasion. Despite over 200 years of Burmese occupation of Arakan, the Arakanese peoples refuse to be conquered and subjugated by the Burmese. Arakan independent movement started just after it lost independent and is carrying on until now.

In the old poems and songs the Rakhine people are portrayed as a great nation, proud of possessing high morale, and are reputed for being pious and just. They are also said to be brave and enterprising. The name Rakhine also stands for the proud Buddhist traditions of benevolence, unity, peace and compassion.

The Greeks attributed the name of Argyre (Land of -Silver) to Arakan/Rakhine, while the Tibetans called it as Kawky. The Indians and Europeans always referred it as Arakan/Arracan. Indians often call the Rakhine people as the Maghs, since they are alleged to be the descendants of the Sakya clan of Magadha. Maurice Collis fondly called it as The Land of the Great Image' - or the land of the Mahamuni Buddha Image which was carried off by Bodaw Maung Wain, a Burmese feudal warlord, and which is enshrined at the Arakan Temple in Mandalay. The Source.

It is popularly believed that Rakhine was established by king Marayu and his queen Rucita Mala while Marayu was a distant descendant of the Magadha kings.

According to tradition Dwarawady city (Sandoway) was established by Ten Brothers including Bala , Deva, etc., Who are also alleged to be of Indian Aryan descendants. The story is almost legendary since no concrete proof of this otherwise mythical city has ever been found. Many think the city to have vanished into the Bay of Bengal. But who, after all, can tell this? The Historians.

1. The earliest Rakhine tribe came from Magadha, through the contiguous south-eastern ranges of the Great into the soil of Rakhine so that they are called the Maghs. -BRPearn

2. The early Indo-Aryan group migrated from the Ganges Delta, Magadha, into the southern reaches of Rakhine called Dwaravadi and got settled there with their relatives. - U San Shwe Bu

3. Marayu who established First Dhanyavati (B.C. 3325-3263) was the son of King Arjuna of Kapilavastu and Queen Indamaryu, the Sakya woman (in the old script the queen is described as Chaik-ma, which can mean as Chaik-daughter or the daughter of a Chak> Chakma> Sakya chief. - U San Tin, Ramree

4. When the Aryans migrated to the northern parts of India, they racially mixed with the indigenous Dravidians and became Aryo-Dravidians; likewise the Mongolians after intermixing became Monogolian-Dravidians ... - K S Latourette

5. When the Aryans met the Dravidians, they disparagingly named the aboriginals as or demons ... - E B Aavell

All these comments leads us to the conclusion that the Rakhine people are the descendants of the Indo-Aryans, with an admixture of Dravidian and dominantly Mongolian traits. The Name

Rakhine is a name that signifies a people and also the land they live in. The name actually has a story of gradual evolution. In the old palm-leaf Razwang it is written:

'Taking shelter in the rain foests and hills, conquering the local cannibals or Rakshasas, they in time attained the name of Rakhine, and preserved the name very fondly.'

'Defeating the Raksasas' as recorded in the Razwang probably means 'overpowering the aboriginal cannibal tribes' who were no better than 'demons' in their way of life. Compared with E B Havell's observations this statement can help us to conclude that the Raksasas were actually the ethnic Dravidians. Again in other writings we find that because of their unbroken tradition of safeguarding their national indentity the name of Arakkha' or preservation has been conferred upon them. 'Arakkha' in time, after natural modifications, changed into Rakkha, Ftakkliaing.

The Land

The name of the land also has an interesting story of evolution. The process was rather like a metamorphosis, changing a shade here and another there. In the tenth century Ananda Candra pillar Sanskrit inscription the land is mentioned as 'Araksadesa'. This stone pillar is now preserved at the Shit-thaung temple, Mrauk U. In the early histories Rakkhapura was the name ascribed to it. In some traditional histories the name of ' Mahimsaka-taing' is also given to the land. From these old stone inscriptions and chronicles we can draw an inference that Rakhaing is aconsiderably ancient land with a somewhat accurate history.

The Name

Rakhine is a name that signifies a people and also the land they live in. The name actually has a story of gradual evolution. In the old palm-leaf Razwang it is written : 'Taking shelter in the rain foests and hills, conquering the local cannibals or Rakshasas, they in time attained the name of Rakhine, and preserved the name very fondly.'

'Defeating the Raksasas' as recorded in the Razwang probably means 'overpowering the aboriginal cannibal tribes' who were no better than 'demons' in their way of life. Compared with E B Havell's observations this statement can help us to come to the conclusion that the Raksasas were actually the ethnic Dravidians.

Again in other writings we find that because of their unbroken tradition of safeguarding their national indentity the name of Arakkha' or preservation has been conferred upon them. 'Arakkha' in time, after natural modifications, changed into Rakkha, Ftakkliaing.

The Land

The name of the land also has an interesting story of evolution. The process was rather like a metamorphosis, changing a shade here and another there.

In the tenth century Ananda Candra pillar Sanskrit inscription the land is mentioned as 'Araksadesa'. This stone pillar is now preserved at the Shit-thaung temple, Mrauk U. In the early histories, Rakkhapura was the name ascribed to it. In some traditional histories, the name of ' Mahimsaka-taing' is also given to the land. From these old stone inscriptions and chronicles, we can draw an inference that Rakhaing is a considerably ancient land with a somewhat accurate history.

The present area of Rakhine is about 14,200 square miles, and population is a little over four million. The indigenous races living there are the Rakhine (Arakanese). Chin, Khami, Thet, Daingnak, and Barua (Maramagri). Chittagonian dialect speaking Bangalee Muslims also live there.Besides such agricultural produces as rice, cotton, black pepper, varieties of citrus fruit, areca nut, Rakhine also possesses a wealth of forest produce like teak, timber, bambooo and rattan. The flora and fauna of Rakhine consist of a caleidosopic collection. Along the coastline of the Bay the vast expanse of blue sea teams with countless kinds of sea-life. The state with its rugged hills and mountains mav be a source of untapped natural resources, including gas and minerals. Back in the history Rakhine was a flourishing kingdom with its sway felt at Ganges delta of Bengal in the west, at Assam and in the north, at Hanthawadi (Burma) in the east. (From Udina Langa verse).Most of the time the boundary encompassed in the west, Western Irrawaddy in the east, Assam and the Chindwin in the north, and a string of islands including Koko in the south.

ul-> il-> ira-> ira ṭcaka ṉ , n. 1. Protector, preserver, guardian; . 2. Saviour; . Chr .

ul-> il-> ira-> ira ṭci- , 11 v. tr .. 1. To preserve, protect, guard, defend; . 2. To save; . Chr .

-> ira ṭcippu , n. 1. Preserving, protecting, saving; . 2. Salvation; . Chr .

-> ira ṭcai , n. 1. Protection; . (. . 3). 2. Amulet, charm: mark made with sacred ashes, etc., as a protection; 3. Sacred ashes; .

ul-> il-> ira-> - irakki-, v. . ( . . 204).

ul-> il-> ira-> rak ṣ 1 P. 1 To protect, guard, take care of, watch, tend (as cattle); rule, govern (as earth. -2 To keep, not to divulge; . -3 To preserve, save, keep away from, spare (often with abl.); -4 To avoid;.2. -5 To observe (as a law, duty). -6 To beware of.

-> irakkai , n. 1. Amulet or charm; . 2. Sacred ashes, as a charm or protection against evil; . (. . 204).

irakkai -> rak ṣā 1 Protection, preservation; guarding; 5. -2 Care, security. -3 A guard, watch. -4 An amulet or mystical object used as a charm, any preservative; q. v. below. -4 A tutelary deity. -5 Ashes. -6 A piece of silk or thread fastened round the wrist on particular occasions, especially on the full-moon day of Śrāvaṇa, as an amulet or preservative; ( also in this sense).

rāk ṣasa. Belonging to or like an evil spirit, demoniacal, partaking of a demon's nature; - 1 A demon, an evil spirit, a goblin, fiend, imp. .

Like a security guard during night time to guard, these Lankan men and other similar persons were also called as one who moves about to prevent sacrifices involving animal killing or slaughter in Dandakaranya (only and not Kosala or other Aryan kingdoms) during time and words to denote that actions were also evolved.

, = Night = one who moves = one who moves/roams

iravi ṟṟ irivō ṉ , n. < ¹ + . Demon or goblin, one who moves about during night-time; . (. 111, 8).

irākkata ṉ n. Giant, demon or goblin; . (. . 4, 4, 8.)

irākkati , n. Giantess, female goblin;

nisāsara ṉ , n. Lit., night-rover. [ ] 1. ; . (. . 1, 83). 2. Rāk ṣasa; . (. . . 42). 3

nisāsari , n. 1. Rāk ṣasī; . (. . . . 39). 2. Owl; . (.) 3. Whore; . (. .)

nisi-sara ṉ , n.e . (. 615, 8).

- (Kshapaa charah) moving about by night ,a demon, goblin.

- a. (- , f. ) moving about by night, night stalker.

rajani ḥ nī 1 Night;. -Comp. - 1 a nightstalker, demon, goblin. -2 a thief. -3 a night- watcher.

rātri ḥ trī 1 Night; . -2 The darkness of night. -3 Turmeric; Mb.13.136.25. -4 One of the four forms or bodies of Brahmā. -Comp. - (also - ) ( - f. ) 1 'a night rover', robber, thief. -2 a watchman, patrol, guard. -3 a demon , ghost, evil spirit; - 1 night-roving. -2 a nightly act or ceremony.

vanēcara : Dwelling in a wood.- 1 A forester, woodman ; -2 An ascetic, a hermit.-3 A wild beast.-4 A sylvan, satyr.-5 A demon .

iruci , n. A female demon to whom sacrifices of rice, milk and blood are offered after sunset and which are then eaten by the devotees the same night; . . ( W.)

Jansthana or Dandakaranya

Danda was the youngest son of . His Kingdom was between the mountains of Vindhya and Himalaya. Madhumanta was a city founded by him. Once Danda raped Araja, the daughter of Sukra, when she was doing penance in a forest. Due to natural calamity, his country was destroyed and the forest in hat country is known as Dandakaranya, which is vast, forest lying between the Rivers Godavari and Narmada. Dandakaranya covers about 35,600 square miles (92,200 km 2) of land, which includes the Abujhmar Hills in the west and the in the east, including parts of the (Chattishgarh), Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh states. It spans about 200 miles (320 km) from north to south and about 300 miles (480 km) from east to west.

Tataka was a Yakshni and wife of Sunda and mother of Maricha, . She possessed the great strength. She was the daughter of Suketa @ Suketu. Khara and. Dushana were prevented animal sacrifice in yajna held at Janasthana. Dushana was the commander of the army of Khara.

When Agastya killed her husband Sunda, she attacked him. So he had an enmity with her. NOT far from Chitrakuta, Janasthana was in charge of a famous warrior named Khara, who was a brother of Ravana.

Tumburu was a participant in Kubera’s assembly. Since he had an eye on Rambha who was the wife of kubera’s son Nalakuvara, he did not attended kubera’s assembly often. Therefore, he was expelled from the assembly. Later had occupied a portion of Dandakaranya and he was known as Viradha. He later became the friend of Ravana and Khara brothers who are opposing sacrifices to kill animals and humans.

Vishwamitra:-

Vishwamitra demanded Rama from Dasharatha to kill Subahu and Mareech. His words were piercing in his heart. First Dasharatha refused to give him his son, due to that he became very angry. Vasishtha asked Dasharatha to send Rama with him praising him in different ways to Dasharatha. Though Vasishta and Viswamitra are having enmity against each other, Vasishta supported Viswamitra who is doing animal sacrifice in Yajnas. The same was objected and prevented by Ravana and his men as the same were done in the land of Ravana without the authority and sanction of Ravana.

Having no other option, Dasharatha compelled to send Rama with Vishwamitra, after hearing the statement of Vasishtha. Dasharatha send Rama with him. Vishwamitra explained about Malad, Karusha and forest permitted Rama to kill Tataka. He inspired him for the killing of Tataka. Hence, Rama got ready to kill Tataka with the orders of this monk. Viswamtira directed Rama to kill Tataka before sunset.

He spent night in the forest of Tataka along with Rama. He explained the technique of killing of the weapons to Rama and gave instructions of the various other weapons to kill Ravana and his associates. Rama protected his sacrifice and assassinated Subahu and his associates who opposed animal sacrifices in the yagas. "He proceeded to along with Rama and Lakshmana.

On the way in the evening, every body retired on the bank of Shona . He reached the sacrificial place of the king Mithila along with Rama and Lakshmana. The king Janaka offered libation with respect to him. Upon the request of king Janaka, he, introduced Rama. The king Janaka praised him and returned to his palace obtaining permission from him. The king Janaka after welcoming him along with Rama and Lakshmana explained about the bow kept with him and expressed his determination to marry Sita to Rama on Rama stringing the bow. The king Janaka made the bow to be brought in the assembly hall. After Rama broke the bow, viswamitra ordered Janaka to send ministers to call for the king Dasharatha. He selected the daughters of Kushadhwaja for Bharata and , which was agreed by Janaka.

The great drama of Exile:-

However, the popular legend portrays Kaikeyi in a villainous manner, but actually; Kaikeyi has helped Lord Rama to expand his kingdom. Once Rama went to mother Kaikeyi and approached her for a discussion. It seems that as he intended to expand his kingdom without loss to his troops and country, Rama discussed with Kaikeyi that he needed to leave Ayodhya. Rama asked mother Kaikeyi to do something so that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana could leave the country in the disguise of exilement of `Vanavasa` (forest abode).

He said that Kaikeyi would be depicted as villainous character for the future generation forever. Kaikeyi was a bold, strong and wise woman. Kaikeyi's name was pronounced as a wicked and evil woman and shameful motherhood. However, she sacrificed for the welfare of humanity. Under the pretext of Kaikeyi's devoted desire to retain superior status over Kausalya, due to her Love over Rama and at his request, she demanded the two boons granted to her years earlier by Dasaratha and to further remind him of his promise to Ashwapati that the son born of her (Kaikeyi's) womb should succeed Dasaratha as King of Kosala. In order to ensure that Rama would be no threat to her son, Kaikeyi further demanded the exile of Rama from Ayodhya for 14 long years. After sending his son into exile, a grief-striken Dasaratha died of a broken heart six days after Rama left Ayodhya. Kaikeyi came to blame herself for this death and she never blamed Rama for this.

However, Bharata swore never to ascend the throne as it was his older brother's birthright and he blamed his mother Kaikeyi for his father's death. Kaikeyi was said to have died a lonely and broken-hearted woman, estranged from her son, his wife (the cousin of Rama's wife, Sita) and their two sons, her only grandchildren. Bharata agreed to govern Ayodhya, not as its ruler, but only as Rama's representative.

Walking, through the great Dandaka forest, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana reached a spot where many those who are doing animal and human sacrifices lived. Even as they approached the place, they saw the sacrificial materials. They welcomed Rama. "O, King! You are our protector," they said. "Whether we are in the town or in the forest, you are our king ." Moreover, they gave the new comers all they needed and a place in which to rest.

There they met Viradha @ Tumburu. Viradha found out rama’s intention and invention. He lifted his weapon, roared horribly and, springing forward lifted Sita and as he held her, shouted at the princes: " Who are you, little fellows? How dare you enter this forest? You look young but wear matted locks and bark garments. You have disguised yourselves as ascetics; yet you carry bows and arrows . Whom are you trying to cheat? Are you not ashamed of yourselves? You are besmirching the good name of the monks by your conduct, you hypocrites ! Know that I am Viradha himself.

Rama was bewildered and did not know how to meet the Rakshasa. But Lakshmana, hissing like an angry snake, said: " Rama, you are strong like Indra and, with me by your side, you should not talk dejectedly. Look at what my bow and arrow can do. The earth will presently drink this monster's blood.. I shall attack this creature and slay him."

Viradha roared again: "Who are you? Tell me at once." Rama's mind now cleared. His face glowed with courage and calmly he said: "We are princes of the Ikshvaku race. We have come to live in the forest. May we know who you are?" The Rakshasa answered. "And so, you are the sons of Dasaratha, are you? My father's name is Jaya. And I am known among rakshasas as Viradha."

Rama bent his bow and shot a sharp arrow at the monster. It pierced his body and emerged red with blood, glistening like fire, and fell on the earth beyond. The aforesaid Viradha stated to Rama that now I have recongnised you that you are Rama and your brother Lakshmana and your wife Sita with you. And further he asked Rama to meet the saint Sharbhanga explaining his address. he was burried in the ditch by v and Lakshmana. Rama showed Sita the place where he had killed Viradha, while returning to Ayodhya.

When the persons doing sacrifice, of that forest heard the news of Viradha's death they came to Rama and surrounded him. "It is our good fortune, O King," they said, "that you have come to dwell in this region. Hereafter, we shall perform our sacrifice untroubled by them. Those who are doing sacrifices on the banks of Pampa and Mandakini live in constant fear of their lives from them. The King's duty from which he may not fail without sin is to protect his subjects. Just as householders pay taxes, a share of the merit of our penances goes to the King's benefit. You are radiant like Indra, king of the gods. Protect us from this persecution of the rakshasas. You are our only refuge." Rama answered: "I am bound, O great ones, to obey your command. I gave up kingship and came to the forest in obedience to my father's wish. I shall stay in the forest and destroy the those who prevent sacrifices and free you from trouble. Shed your fear."

Rama's promise of help gave and joy to those who are doing sacrifices. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita then proceeded towards the of Sutikshna. They met the sage.

That night they stayed in the sage's ashrama as his guests. Sita handed to them their swords, bows and quivers.

Rama decided to destroy those who prevent sacrifices in the Dandaka forest. A fear arose in Sita's heart like a shadow cast by events to come. "Why should you and Lakshmana who are properly to be merely ascetics in the forest" asked Sita of her beloved husband, "take on yourselves this task of protection? You have come here to fulfil a promise of the late King. The duty of protecting the rishis belongs to the ruler who is actually reigning. It is not for you, engaged in penance, to protect those who are doing sacrifices. To kill anyone, except in self-defence, is opposed to the vow of ascetic life. But you have rashly promised protection to them. I wonder where this will lead us?" Thus Sita argued in soft and affectionate words while they were going from Sage Sutikshna's ashrama towards some other ashrama in the Dandaka forest.

"Bear with me, my Lord," she said, "for seeming to counsel you. I speak but as a weak woman out of my infinite love for you. You know what is. But, men (i.e including Rama) , it is said, are driven by desire into three kinds of sin: falsehood, lust and violence. Falsehood is unthinkable in one who for truth's sake has renounced a kingdom and is here in the forest. And as for lust do I know that you will not allow even the thought of another woman to enter your mind. But I am afraid of the third kind of sin. Should we kill one who does not attack us? Whether it is a rakshasa or anyone else, why should we kill anyone who leaves us alone? You were in a hurry, I feel, to give your word to those who are doing sacrifices. To destroy the wicked is no doubt the duty of a but can that duty still cling to you when you have renounced the privileges that go with it, and elected the life of a recluse in the forest? The duties of kingship go with actual status. Dressed in garments of bark and with hair matted, you are now an ascetic, pure and simple. Of course, you know best. I am only asking you to think well before undertaking anything."

Rama's love and admiration of Sita rose all the more for her is misgivings. "Indeed, my love," he said, "you speak like a true daughter of Janaka. But, Sita, did you not once say yourself that the weapons borne by are for protecting others? When helpless people suffer persecution, how could a kshatriya sit still? When we came here the sages complained of their sufferings and entreated our protection. They could not endure the cruelties. Did they not show us a great heap of bones to show what had been done? 'You are the king's son,' they said. 'Our troubles will now end as darkness before the rising sun. You are our only refuge.' Could we princes hear their piteous appeal and refrain from helping them? Every kshatriya, everyone has to do his duty, not the king alone. You are, of course, solicitous for my safety. Even granting that what you say is right , I have given my word and I cannot go back. They said, 'You are our refuge,' and I have given my word to protect them. A pledge thus given cannot be withdrawn. What I have spoken cannot now be unsaid. You and I must tread together the path of dharma. How can we differ?" Talking thus, they went along the forest path.

This conversation occurs in the poem like the cloud that precedes the storm. For ten years, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita lived among the rishis who are doing sacrifice of animal and humans. During these ten years, Ravana and his brothers never disturbed Rama and his associates who lived in Dandakaranya being encroached by them, which is belonging to Ravana and his brothers Khara, Dhushana and Trishira.

When after ten years had thus passed, the end of their forest life was approaching, Rama wished to have meet sage Agaththiyar @ Agasthya who lived in the south. This Agaththiyar @ Agasthya is claimed as great scholar in Tamil and he is respected for his Tamil Knowledge and medicine. Earlier he has settled in Himalalayn region and later crossed the Vindhayachal mountains. The Vindhyachal mountain range divides North and South India in middle. Another name for Agastya is Kurumuni (short muni).

Pulastya was married to Havirbhoo one of the nine daughters of Kardama and Devhooti. Pulastya and Havirbhoo had two sons namely Agaththiyar @ Agasthya and Vishravaa.

Agaththiyar @ Agasthya had permanantly settled in Southern India. King of (an area in south-central India, just south of the Vindhya Mountains), was childless and was undergoing penances and prayers for the gift of a child. Agastya arranged for the child he had created to be born the daughter of that noble king of Vidarbha. The child was named "Lopamudra" by her parents. Upon her coming of age, Agathitar approached the king and sought the hand of his daughter. The king asked Agastya to get enough money so that his daughter would not have to live a life of total hardship. In order to fulfil this condition Agastya approached king Srutarvan, Vradhnaswa, and Trasadasyu. Trasadasyu explained that only Vathapi and Ilwala kings would be able to meet Rishi Agastya's requirement. Accordingly, they went to the king Ilwala who had a younger brother named Vatapi. The brothers destroyed Brahmins who were doing animal sacrifice in Yajna. When the three kings and Agastya arrived at Ilwala's court, the king decided to kill them. In the mean time, Agastya assassinated Vathapi. Ilwala then made many attempts to summon his brother but all that happened was a loud belch by the Rishi. When Ilwala saearched for his brother, Agastya laughed and said, "He cannot come out now. I have killed him." Though Ilwala was saddened at the death of his brother, he asked the Agastya about his requirements. Agastya repeated his request and condition. Ilwala then gave Agastya more than he needed. At the hermitage, Rishi Agastya gave the excess wealth to the three kings for their service and company. With the wealth obtained from Ilwala, Agastya was able to satisfy all of the king Vidarbha’s conditions. In time, Agastya asked for the hand of Lopamudra in marriage.

The king was initially chagrined to hear such a suggestion from a renunciate, but found that his daughter insistent that he should accept the proposal. Lopamudra and Agaththiyar @ Agasthya were duly married and a son was born called Dridhasyu. It is also said that they had two sons - Bringi & Achuthan.

Now Vidarbha, which is near to Dandakaranya, was under his control after marrying Lopamudra. Later he had the full control of souther India. has mentioned the same in yuddha kanda in the Rama’s conversation with Sita.

nirjitaa jiivalokasya tapasaa bhaavitaatmanaa | agastyena duraadharShaa muninaa dakShiNeva dik || 6-115-14

nirjitaa= (you have been) won by me; bhaavitaatmanaa= whose mind stands purified; tapasaa= by asceticism; dakShiNaa dik iva= as the southern quarter; duraadharShaa= which was difficult to be approached; jiivalokasya= by the world of mortals; (was conquered by) agastyena= by the Sage Agastya.

"You have been won by me, whose mind stands purified by asceticism as the southern quarter , which was difficult to be approached by the world of mortals, was conquered by the Sage Agastya ."

When Agastya assassinated Tataka @ Tadakai @ Tadaka’s husband Sunda, she attacked him. Therefore, he had an enmity with her. However, he could not do anything to kill her. Later she was killed by Rama. Therefore Agaththiyar @ Agasthya was very much interested to meet Rama.

Agaththiyar @ Agasthya warmly welcomed the princes. He said: "I heard of your having come to dwell in Chitrakuta, and I was looking forward to your visit . The end of your exile is approaching. Stay here during what remains of it in peace. This place is free from the fear of enemies." Rama answered: "I am happy to receive your blessing and I thank you for your gracious welcome. But I have promised protection to the rishis who are doing sacrifices in Dandaka forest and I must return to that forest."

And Agaththiyar @ Agasthya answered: "What you say is right." Then the Sage gave the bows and an inexhaustible quiver, as well as a sword to Rama who dressed in garments of bark and with hair matted, as an ascetic . He advised him to destroy those who prevent sacrifices with these weapons." Agaththiyar @ Agasthya advised the prince to spend the rest of his exile at Panchavati. He did so knowingly that he will meet and kill his relatives Ravana and his associates. The simple reason is that his brother vachchiravagu @ has already occupied Lanka without giving any share to him, though he is elder brother. Later the same was occupied by his son Kubera who later deposed by his half brother Ravana.

Panchavati

The Princes and Sita, following Agastya's instruction, took the way to Panchavati. They met Dasaratha’s friend Jatayu. They then proceeded on their journey. Panchavati is in Dandakaranya region. The same was once ruled by Vidyujjihva who is an ascetic unlike Agaththiyar @ Agasthya or Viswamitra who is doing animal sacrifices inYajna. The said Vidyujjihva was belonging to Kaalakeya clan and married to Ravana’s sister Surpanakha. Once upon a time, by mistake, Ravana has killed his brother in law Vidyujjihva during the battle against Kaalakeya. Ravana felt sorry for the same. Ravana has given the authority to his Sister Surpanakha as a superintendent of Dandakaranya and ruler of Panchavati. At that time she was carrying and gave birth to one male child namely Jambukumara. Ravana also directed his brothers Khara, Dhushana and Thrishira to take care of Surpanakha.

Without obtaining her permission, the princes and Sita had entered the Panchavati. Rama decided to build an ashrama in Panchavati. He directed Lakshmana to do so.

Lakshmana while building an ashrama entered the deep forest and thereat he found Surpanakha’s Son doing penance. Immediately he assassinated the young boy who is in meditation. Knowing of the assassination of his young son by Lakshmana, Surpanakha has approached Rama by complaining Lakshmana and sought justice for the same. As the same was done by Lakshmana, Rama directed her to approach Lakshmana for justice (?). Lakshmana has insulted her. Catching hold of her hair, he kicked her and drew his sword took up his sword and maimed Surpanakha and drove her out. Disgraced and mutilated, Surpanakha ran into the forest, bleeding and loudly appealing to her kinsfolk: "Oh, brother Khara! Oh, brother Ravana! Oh, Indrajit! Are you all asleep? A man has insulted me and cut off my nose. Do you not hear my lamentations?"

This is the actual occurrence. To give demon characters to Ravana and Surpanakha, who lost her son in Dandakaranya, with ulterior motive, Surpanakha was described as whore longed for Rama and then Lakshmana.

ACCOMPANIED by the fourteen generals of Khara, Surpanakha came back to Rama's ashrama. Rama told Lakshmana: "Take care of Sita for a while, while I deal with those fellows." Saying this, he took up his bow. Rama announced himself to Khara's generals and said, "Tell us the reason that you come here. Know that we are here in the forest at the bidding of the rishis for the purpose of destroying their enemies , who prevent animal sacrifices in Yajna’s. If you wish to escape with life, leave us alone."

From his statement, it is clear that Lakshmana hurt Surpanakha only to initiate War against Ravana and his associates who always against animal sacrifices in Yajna. He very well knew that reason, but he pretended that nothing has happened and enquired fourteen generals of Khara about their visit. He has assassinated them in that war initiated by him. Once again, Surpanakha went to Khara. The destruction of the powerful detachment he had sent was inconceivable. He could not believe it. He sought to soothe his disturbed sister with soft words. "I have sent warriors unconquerable, each one like Yama. They must have by now fulfilled their mission. Why do you weep'? Why need you bewail while I am here?"

Surpanakha rose, and wiping the tears from her eyes, said: "True, you sent your fourteen warriors with me. But the fourteen now lie stiff and cold in death, assassinated by Rama. If you have a spark of pride in you, start at once; fight with Rama and save our race. If you do not, the destruction of our people is certain. But if you are afraid, tell me so and I shall understand. These young men who have entered your country without permissionare determined to destroy your race, unless you first meet and destroy them."

These words, spoken by his sister in a loud voice before all his courtiers, pierced Khara's heart. A great army, fully armed, went in advance under the leadership of Dushana. Behind the army, Khara proceeded majestically in a chariot. Hearing the tumultuous noise of the approaching army, Rama and Lakshmana prepared for battle. Rama told Lakshmana: "Do you see the signs? It is certain that the army of Janasthana is coming here to their death! I see in your face the glory of the victory that awaits us. They destroyed the army of Khara.

Only Khara and remained. As Khara rushed forward to meet Rama, Trisiras stopped him saying: "I shall go first and kill Rama. Or else, I shall be killed. After I am dead, you may meet him." Rama met them with arrows that hissed like deadly serpents. At last Trisiras collapsed and fell spitting blood. Khara directed his chariot towards Rama. Khara stood like Yama in his chariot, sending his stream of arrows. Rama's armor (Who is living as an ascetic in Dandakaranya) was pierced by Khara's arrows. Rama now took up the bow given by Agaththiyar @ Agasthya and laid low Khara's chariot and cut his bow in twain. Khara then took his mace and approached Rama. Rama shouted that "You have been a terror to those who are doing sacrifices. You have persecuted and killed them engaged in animal sacrifices in the forest. You will now receive the punishment due for this. I have come to the Dandaka forest to destroy wicked Rakshasas. My arrows will pierce the bodies of all your kinsfolk. Your head will soon roll on the ground like a ripe fruit."

Khara responded that "Son of Dasaratha! Have done with boasting! You are proud because you have killed a few of us. A hero boasts not as you do. Only a Kshatriya banished by his people can talk boasting like this. You have shown you can brag. Let us see now if you can fight! Your words have blazed up like burning straw with little heat or life. Here I stand mace in hand, like Yama to take your life. Be prepared to lose your life. I am here to avenge the death of these my followers whom you have killed. So saying, he whirled his mace, and hurled it at Rama. The mace was split by Rama's arrows into splinters which fell harmless on the ground. "Have you finished speaking, Khara? Now you shall die. This forest will be safe hereafter and those who are doing sacrifices will do it in peace," said Rama. He aimed deadly darts at Khara. Rama has assassinated Khara.

Akampana, one of the few those who survived the great slaughter at Panchavati, fled to Lanka and informed Ravana that "Almost all our people who occupied Janasthana are dead and Janasthana is now an empty ruin. I alone have managed to escape with life." Ravana was furious with anger. He stared and violently shouted: "Who destroyed my lovely Janasthana?. Akampana told his tale. "Rama, son of Dasaratha, fought with Khara and Dushana at Panchavati and destroyed them."

"Well," said Ravana, "I do not understand this but I shall start at once. I shall destroy them and return."

However, Akampana advised him that there is only one way of killing him. His wife is with him. The whole earth holds not her equal in beauty. If you contrive to carry her off, separation from her will kill Rama; so great is his love for her. Consider how you can do this. Do not think of battle with him."

He advised so because it was common in ancient Tamil Nadu to capture women and chattel belonging to enemies before and after war as an claim and announce king’s victory. The same was done by Vali when his younger brother who tried to kill him in a war against Dundubhi by closing the cave with big stone and crowned himself as the king of , and possessed Ruma along with as his wife. Later Vali marched to Kishkinda and confronted Sugreeva. He was very furious. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, he came to know that his brother had betrayed him. And possessed his wife Tara. As a result, Sugriva was ostracized from the kingdom, Vali forcibly took Sugriva's wife, Roma, and the brothers became bitter enemies. [When Vali was assassinated by Rama, Sugriva reclaimed the kingdom and Vali's Widow Tara from his brother Vali. Rama has allowed Sugriva to do so as it is common in South Indian war winning Identity and he sought Sugriva’s help to reclaim Sita. Thus he permitted Sugriva but not Ravana’s practice to claim enemies’ wife. It is nothing but double stand took by Rama for his personal gains.]

It seems that Sita was also claimed as daughter of Ravanaa and Mandodari ( T'os'akanth (=Dasakanth) and Mont'o ), so according to 's popular national epic , Vibhisana (P'ip'ek ), the astrologer brother of Ravana, predicts calamity from the horoscope of Sita. So Ravana has her thrown into the waters, who, later, is picked by Janaka. It seems that he misguided Ravana to do so because he was not given any portion of land unlike, Khara, Dhushana, Thrishira. [He apprehended that Ravana would never do any favour to him. At the time of his exile, he left his family in lanka only. Sarama was the wife of Vibhisana who was kind-hearted towards Sita. Kala, his eldest daughter has informed Sita that Ravana had turned down the proposal of Vibheeshana to return Sita back to Rama. Trijataa is another daughter and revealed to others, of a horrible dream in which Rama had destroyed Ravana along with his kith and kin]. It is further verified by the fact that he reclaimed the lanka from Ravana after his defeat by Rama.

Ravana accepted Maricha's advice. While all looked at his sister with horror struck eyes in stunned silence, her anguish broke out in burning words. "What a fool are you that sunk in sensual pleasures and arrogantly secure of sovereignty. You are not awake to the deadly anger that threatens your existence at your very doors! Surely that king who is drunk with self- importance and dead to all portents that threaten his state is doomed to shame and destruction! No object is of less account or more contemptible than a ruler who falls through his own remissness. Know you not that Rama has exterminated your brothers, Khara, Dushana and Trisiras and your gallant army and that your outpost at Janasthana has been destroyed? One moment I saw a single warrior stand proud in the glittering pageantry of war and the next; they lay dead slain by that man's arrows, strewing the ground like ripe crops devastated by a terrible hail-storm. And you see me, your own sister, disgraced, mutilated and heartbroken! Have you no thoughts of vengeance, you, a hero, a brother, king?"

Stung by her contempt and heart-struck by her suffering and sorrow, Ravana said: " Be sure you shall have vengeance . But this Rama, who is he? What sort of man is he? What are his weapons? How does he fight? What seeks he in Dandaka forest? And how happened it that you were so cruelly mutilated?" She gave a description of the brothers and Sita.

Listening to these words of his sister, Ravana dissolved the council and retired to muse alone. He had to think and think again, because he remembered what Maricha had told him. He turned in his mind the pros and cons and finally coming to a decision ordered a chariot to be kept ready in secrecy. He reached Maricha's ashrama and met Maricha who, with matted hair and bark garments, lived the life of an ascetic. Seeing his king and kinsman, Maricha welcomed Ravana duly and said: "Why have you come all this way a second time and unannounced?" Ravana, skillful in speech began: "I am in great trouble from which only you can save me. I beg you for help. Do you know how my brothers, under my orders, ruled Janasthana and how they and their warriors knew no opposition all these years? But now this man Rama has killed them and their whole army. Today, in the Dandaka forest, rid of Rakshasas, the rishis doing animal sacrifices. This Rama has been wandering in the forest alone with his wife, Sita. This fellow dressed like an ascetic but enjoying sense-pleasures, this renegade from dharma, proud of his strength and for no other reason, has mutilated the face of my sister and insulted our race. My sister who has suffered this pain and shame had come and complained to me. If, with all this, I sit still and do nothing, would I still be a king? To avenge myself I have decided to carry off Rama's wife from the Dandaka forest. To disgrace and punish this Rama is a duty I owe to our race. And for this I need your help. With you to help me, I have no fear. In courage, strength, skill and magic powers, none on earth can equal you. That is why I have come to you. You cannot refuse me. I will tell you how you can help me. Rama losing his wife is sure to languish in sorrow and lose his manly spirit. It will then be easy to kill him and avenge ourselves."

MARICHA told Ravana, "I have listened, my king, to all that you have said and I am filled with boundless sorrow. Rama earlier defeated him. Maricha earnestly pleaded for the good of Ravana who, however, was far from pleased or convinced. Ravana refused to listen to Maricha's counsel. And so be agreed to the Ravana’s proposal to take away Sita, Maricha said: "I have given you good advice, but you will not listen. Come, let us go to Dandaka." The two ascended the chariot and proceeded towards the Dandaka forest. They flew over cities, mountains, rivers and kingdoms. Reaching Dandaka, they espied Rama's ashrama in a banana garden. Maricha has diverted the attention of Rama by some trick, Ravana has took away Sita from ashrama and she was kept in Garden. In that instant, Rama killed Maricha.

Cutomery practice of War In South Dravidian India (Tamil Country)

Chola king Karikalan destroyed towns of his enemies by setting fire.

," " (7) .

Chola king Rajasuyam Vetta Perunarkill has looted Paddy fields and destroyed the houses.

. , " " .

Nannan, king of Puzhi Country tied the elephants of his enemies with the help of hairs of queen and ladies in the king’s apartment.

, ( 270).

Chera King Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan also did the same after defeating Pazhaiyan.

( 5 ). Chera King Kanaikkal Irumporai also planted the teeth of King Moovan in the main Doors of Thondi Fort.

.

Maththi, king of Paradhava also planted the teeth of Ezhini in his Venmani Fort.

. ( 211).

King Raja Raja Chola after defeating Irattaipadi, has destroyed towns; assassinated children, priest and married young women.

" , " . . .. . ( 1989: 23940). . . . . .

During 1017-18 AD, King Rajendran has conquered the country and took away his hairs on the head and wives, her hair on the head, his daughter etc as a sign of war victory.

" . . . , , , , " ( ). (1012-1044) ? ? ? . .. 1017-18 ( 58-59) ." , , , , , . . . . " , , ." . . " ( , 1989: 272). , , (: 281).

King Rajadhi Rajan I has invaded Ceylon country and defeated Veera Jalamegha. Then King Rajadhi Rajan had jailed Veera Jalamegha’s elder sister and his wife and cut off his mother’s nose.

(1018- 1054) , . , (11 111; 5056).

His war against Chalukyas, several women were imprisoned at Poondur. That Town was destroyed altogether.

1048 . . . . (1989; 346)

During II War, King Kulothunga chola has imprisoned ladies including horses, elephants, cames etc. Lades were enslaved, the warriors nose were cut off.

(1070---1120) (.. 1110) , , . (.. 1178- 1218) .1. .2. .3. ( ) . " " (ARE 1913 . 97). .. 1219 (1216 - 1238) , (I.P.S; 290, 323) : , . , . , , , , , . . , . "" . , ( , , 579).

Kopperunchingan imprisoned several women in the enemies’ apartment. For that reason he was named as Para Raja Anthahpura Bandhikaran.

. . .. (1965: 117) . . " " . . . , , , , , ." " (SI XII; 129) . " " (SII XII; 120). .

In a war against Thirumalai Naicker, Army of Mysore King Narasa rajan cut off the nose of subjects on their way to Madurai.

(1623-1659) . (1638-1659) , . , . , , . . . . . . . ( 1956; 50-52). . . . () 1673 1681 . . , . . (). .. . .60 , , . . . . . . . ( , 1999 : 4142).

This is the practice of Kings of South India (Dravidian Kings). The same act was done by Ravana. But Ravana was alone condemned for his imprisonment of Sita.

Reaching the ashrama, they found it, as they had feared, empty. Sita was not there. He wandered about like one mad. They met and injured in Dandakaranya and Kabandha directed them to meet Sabari and Sugriva. Rama and Lakshmana now set forward in the direction of the Pampa. In that lovely region they visited the ashrama of the aged sanyasini, Sabari. The fugitive Vanara prince Sugriva and his faithful adherents with the watchful vigilance of fear saw Rama and Lakshmana roving in the forests and were troubled with doubts. Having been ejected from his kingdom by Vali, Sugriva chose this mountainous spot. And now he feared that here, too, Vali in disguise was following him in order to kill him. Or else, he feared, some Kshatriya warriors taking the side of Vali were there to kill him. Hanuman was Sugriva's chief minister. He reassured Sugriva, saying: "This is not Vali, and they are not the friends of Vali, it seems to me. There is no ground for fear. I shall go and talk to them and find out the truth." Sugriva was pleased and said: "Do it, but be careful. Go, find out the truth and come back. Use all your skill. I am full of suspicion. They behave as if they are searching for someone. Could it not be that it is me they seek?" Then they began to talk freely to one another. As a result of this talk, Lakshmana conceived a great affection for Hanuman. He said to Hanuman: "My brother has left his kingdom and come to the forest. Here his wife was abducted. We seek Sugriva's help to rescue her and recover her, for a Kabandha, told us: 'If you secure the help of Sugriva, the Vanara King, you will regain the princess stolen by the Ravana.' And so we are here. We seek the friendship of your king." Hanuman answered: "Sugriva too has been persecuted by Vali and deprived of his kingdom and his wife. It is now certain that he will regain both. My king will gain much by your friendship and with his help you will also succeed in your efforts." Then the three went to Sugriva.

Sugriva narrated the story of his life. Vali, ruled Kishkindha without giving any share to him. It had comes about this way. Ravana’s wife Mandodari’s brother named Mayavi came at midnight to the gate of Kishkindha, their capital, and vauntingly challenged Vali to instant combat in pursuance of an ancient feud. Vali, rushed forth impetuously, followed by Sugriva; and seeing them, he fled. Pursuing him they saw him disappear into a great cave the mouth of which was overgrown with brushwood. Vali bade Sugriva, exacting an from him, to wait at the entrance for him and plunged into the darkness of the cave after the foe. Availing the opportunity Sugriva blocked the entrance of the cave with a huge rock and returned to Kishkindha with his tale of Vali's assassination. While he was enjoying the sweets of power, like a bolt from the blue, Vali burst on them. Crowned himself as the king of Kishkindha, and possessed Ruma along with Tara as his wife. Later Vali marched to Kishkinda and confronted Sugreeva. He was very furious. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, he came to know that his brother had betrayed him, and possessed his wife Tara. As a result, Sugriva was ostracized from the kingdom, Vali forcibly took Sugriva's wife, Roma, and the brothers became bitter enemies

In contrast to Sugriva, when the ministers and subjects in Ayodhya pressed Bharata to accept the crown, he was firm in his refusal. Bharata's strength of character was great. But Sugriva was different.

Sugriva concluded his story with a piteous appeal to Rama. "For fear of Vali I am a wanderer in the forest. I live concealing myself here. Could you, will you, kill Vali and restore to me my kingdom and my wife?"

Rama answered: "Certainly I will. Vali cannot escape this now. Be assured.

THEN Sugriva heard the story of the calamity that had befallen the Rama princes at Panchavati. They talked how to set about and it was finally agreed that Sugriva should appear in Kishkindha and challenge Vali to single combat. Vali was sure to come out, and as the brothers were fighting, Rama would kill Vali with an arrow. They proceeded to Kishkindha. Sugriva went ahead. Rama followed him and stood away behind a tree in the dense forest. Sugriva shouted. Vali heard the shout and in great rage emerged from the fortress, radiant like the morning sun.

The two brothers fought each other fiercely. But Rama, who was standing bow in hand behind a tree, was bewildered. As they wrestled together the brothers were so similar in form and feature, in equipment and method of fighting, that Rama could not distinguish Vali from Sugriva and was afraid to shoot lest he kill the wrong combatant. Meantime Sugriva, having the worst of the fight, broke from his brother's grip with a desperate effort and, wounded and weary, disappointed and despondent, fled for life and reached Rishyamuka forest.

The assassination of Vali

EVENING was approaching. Once more Sugriva roared at the gate of Kishkindha and challenged Vali to fight. Vali disliked Tara’s advice. Vali issued from the fort hissing like an angry cobra and went to meet Sugriva. And Sugriva too ran forward to meet Vali. "If you love your life," warned Vali, "run away. Do not fall a victim to this fist of mine!"

Sugriva retorted angrily and the battle began. It was now or never and placing a deadly arrow on the string and pulling it to his ear, Rama sped it at Vali's mighty chest. Astounded at being hit and laid low, when he least expected it from an unknown quarter, Vali looked round in perplexed surprise and saw Rama and Lakshmana approaching him bow in hand. With tears of indignant wrath, and in a voice faint with approaching dissolution, he accused them of ignoble perfidy in dealing causeless assassination to a person engaged in combat with another.

"Rama," he said, "you are the son of Emperor Dasaratha. Born of a noble race and famous by your own exploits, how did you bring yourself to do this deed? The world is full of praises for your valor and virtue. Yet, while I was absorbed in a battle with another, you came unseen, and from behind, shot a fatal arrow at me. How false and undeserved is your reputation for manly virtue, for truth and forbearance! What will the world think of you now? What harm have I ever done to you? Did I come out to fight with you? You have killed me like an assassin concealing yourself behind the trees. For a royal prince to kill an innocent person in this way is grievous sin. You are unworthy for kingship. My greatest sorrow is that I am killed by a base and sinful wretch. If it was battle with me you wanted, I would have given it to you, and assassination by me in fair combat you might have been lying in the dust as I do now. Or if it was help to recover your Sita I would have won her back for you in a day. I would have killed Ravana and dragged his body with a rope round the neck and placed it at your feet. No matter where he has hidden Sita, I would have discovered her and restored her to you."

Thus Vali, son of Indra, reproached Rama with his dying breath. Vali's words were addressed to Rama. "All is over, I shall blame you no more. My dear, dear son is orphaned. You and Sugriva should look after him. I entrust him to you. Look after him it is your duty to see that he does not pine away like a withering lotus-plant in a dried-up tank. Tell Sugriva that he should not imagine that it was Tara who set me up against him. Ask him to treat Angada as he should treat a prince, with honor and affection . Do this for me. I want no more. " So ended Vali's life.

TARA'S GRIEF

THERE was panic in Kishkindha when the news came that Vali had been assassination by an archer, and the Vanaras fled hither and thither in hopeless confusion. Tara, seeing this, laid aside her own grief and like a queen put courage in her husband's subjects saying: "Till this day you walked before the King to battle! Why, then do you flee in fear now? There is no danger for you. Rama killed Vali only to make Sugriva king. Your lives are in no danger; you will only have a different ruler; that is all. You need not fly or fear." When she tried to go to the spot where her husband lay dead, the Vanaras stopped her saying: "We shall crown Angada king and we shall make safe the fortress. We shall defend the town against Sugriva and his allies." But she said: "Now my noble lord is dead, nothing matters." And boldly she went straight to where Rama and Lakshmana were standing. When she saw her husband lying wounded to assassination she could not control her sorrow. She sobbed and cried. "Ah my hero!" she wept embracing the wounded Vali. "How many heroes have you laid low and now you lie low yourself! And you have left me here!"

Soon Vali's son Angada reached the spot. Tara rolled on the ground and lamented: "Leaving dear Angada an orphan and myself a helpless destitute you have gone on the journey from which there is no return. My Lord! My hero! " Hanuman tried to console her: "The dead reach their places in heaven. Why lament for Vali? Angada will be crowned in due course and we shall then rejoice. It is our duty to look after Angada. Let us now think of performing Vali's obsequies." "I care for nothing," answered Tara. "It is for Sugriva to perform the obsequies and to look after Angada. What is there for me to do? Can a thousand Angadas equal in my eyes my husband? With him I shall enter the house of Yama. That alone will please me."

Vali, unconscious till now, opened his eyes for the last time and addressing Sugriva said: "Brother, we two could have been friends and reigned happily over the kingdom. But it was not given to us to be so wise and happy. I am more to blame than you, but why talk about that now? Hereafter you shall rule the kingdom. I have entrusted to you Angada, my son, dearer than life itself to Tara and me. He is a warrior equal to you in prowess. Be a father to him and look after him with kindness. This is my only request to you. And be kind to Tara who was not only a blameless and affectionate wife, but also a very wise and far-sighted counsellor. Whatever she foretells is bound to happen. Do not disregard her advice on any matter. Here, take the necklace that Indra gave me and take with it its secret power. My life is over and so is my resentment. May you be happy!" Thus the generous Vali blessed his brother Sugriva. He gave good advice to Angada: "Sugriva is now your king. Be loyal to him and give him patient, affectionate service."

Like a flowering creeper embracing a forest tree felled down by an axe, Tara lay on the ground clinging to Vali. Nila, as gently as he could, drew out the dart from Vali's chest. Blood gushed out of the wound and spread into a pool. Vali's life left his body. Tara lamented loudly. "For the last time salute your father," she bade Angada in heart-broken accents. "O my husband! Your dear son is bowing before you. Will you not say a word to him? Alas! I am a widow and he is an orphan."

The sight of all this struck Sugriva to the heart. He said to himself: "Moved by desire I closed the entrance of the cave and leaving Vali there, I seized and enjoyed his wealth. What a sinner have I been!"

Sugriva felt that desire had unknowingly blinded and betrayed him.

Sugriva lamented, "Though my sin was great, he would not kill me. He drove me out and allowed me to escape with life. That was all. But I conspired to slay him and succeeded. There is no sinner like me in the world and yet with his last breath he gave me the kingdom to rule and gave, too, the gift of Indra, the necklace of power. Indeed he was noble. Why should I still cling to this base life, I, who brought about the assassination of my heroic brother?"

Rama had gently approached the weeping Tara With fear and hesitation . The words she addressed to the slayer of her husband were worthy of a hero's queen. "With the weapon with which, O Warrior, you killed my husband, kill me too and enable me to join him. Even in heaven, he will not be happy without me. Do not fear it would be a sin. It will be a meritorious act to unite husband and wife. This will cleanse your sin, your treacherous slaying of my husband."

Vali's obsequies were performed with due form and ceremony. After the auspicious bath, Sugriva was crowned king and Angada was made Yuvaraja.

Rama and Lakshmana spent the time in their cave waiting for the end of the rainy season and the fulfilment by Sugriva of his promise. Sugriva addressed this enormous army and showed them their appointed camping places. Later, he divided the host into eight divisions and sent each under its commander, thoroughly to search in the eight directions for Sita.

One point is worth noting here. The Tamil poet Kamban describes Tara as a chaste widow living a life of discipline and privations. It is different in Valmiki, who includes Tara and the other women as part of the inheritance Sugriva won from Vali, in fact, as an appendage of the throne.

In ancient times, when an elder brother died leaving a wife, there was a custom in royal and other noble families for the younger brother to take the widow as wife and protect her. It is difficult for people of one age to judge the customs of another age. Imagination and great flexibility of mind are needed to assess the merits and defects of usage's with which we are not familiar.

THE SEARCH BEGINS

Sugriva gave orders to his army. "Sita must anyhow be discovered. No matter where she is hidden, you can and must find her. Within a month you must return with news of her."

Satabali and his army proceeded northwards. Vinata went east, Sushena westwards, Hanuman, Angada and General Tara travelled southwards. Hanuman and Angada entered and searched the caves and forests of the Vindhyas. FROM the Vanaras learnt the place where Sita was kept a prisoner in the land.

But then they had to cross the sea. Hanuman crossed the ocean and approached the coast of Lanka. On the shore of the island he saw groves and mountains and forests and the mouths of rivers. Hanuman saw the wealth of Ravana's kingdom and the beauty of the fortified city.

THE SEARCH IN LANKA

The Vanara walked towards the fortress gate. The moon shone brightly. Hanuman was glad and grateful for this help in his search. Even on a distant view Hanuman wondered at the wealth and beauty displayed in Ravana's capital. The streets and mansions were bright with flags and festoons and glittered with gold and precious gems. The breeze blew gently from the sea. After passing through many mansions and gardens filled with merriment and music, he came to a great palace rising aloft in a nobility of splendor far transcending all the magnificent buildings around.

Looking at the elephants, horses and foot-soldiers in front, the high walls surrounding it and the beauty of its structure and the richness of its decorations, he concluded that this was Ravana's own palace, the central glory of splendid Lanka. He entered this palace. It was in every way a heaven on earth worthy of Ravana's peerless power and glory. The park, the birds sporting there, the shrines scattered here and there, filled Hanuman with wonder.

He said to himself, "What wealth, what beauty and what bliss!"

He was for a while lost in amazement. Soon he recollected that he had not yet found Sita.

Passing through many mansions, he entered the innermost private apartment of Ravana and was almost overcome with the luxury and richness of its apartments, which made it look a very abode of the gods.

Finally in the Ashoka Vanam, Hanuman met Sita and."DEAR, dear Vanara friend," said Sita, "I do not know whether to rejoice or grieve at the news you have brought. Your words are like nectar mixed with poison. My lord's love for me is sweetest nectar, and his grief over my plight is bitterest poison." Thus, Sita spoke what she felt and found comfort in putting in words her love and her grief. Later Lanka was set fired by Hanuman and escaped from Lanka

War

Ravana carefully stationed his warriors. He posted Prahasta at the eastern entrance, Mahaparsva and Mahodara at the southern entrance and Indrajit, his illustrious son, accomplished in the arts of secret magic, at the western entrance, while he decided himself to guard the northern entrance. Virupaksha, the mighty, was appointed commander of the army within the city. He just fortified his area instead of attacking Rama and his associates.

However Rama, Sugriva, Vibhishana and others held a council of war. Rama distributed his forces to meet Ravana's disposition and assigned to each commander the task he was to perform. He ordered Nila to meet Prahasta at the eastern gate. Angada was to meet Mahaparsva and Mahodara at the southern entrance. At the western entrance Hanuman was to encounter Indrajit. "Lakshmana and I shall meet Ravana, the terror of the world, and we shall direct the assault on Lanka. Sugriva, and Vibhishana shall stay behind with our main army." The army rested for the night on Mount Suvela. The following morning, standing on the mountaintop, they took a good look at Lanka. The beautiful city on the summit of Trikuta seemed as if suspended from the sky. Behind the thick fortress wall the army stood sentry, looking like another massive wall. Observing the great and beautiful buildings in Lanka, Rama was moved to pity. And he said: "Alas! Because one person, drawn by the noose of time, has committed a sin, all this wealth and the whole race must now be destroyed. Alas that this scion of a noble race should forget his real greatness and pull assassination and destruction on himself and his people!"

Rama continued: "However, we should now bend all our thoughts to the task before us to win this battle and destroy Ravana. There will be much confusion in the course of the battle. If we stand together maintaining due order we can know who is who, slay our enemies and help our friends."

THE BATTLE BEGINS

THE Vanara army descended from Mount Suvela and entered the forest adjoining the city of Lanka. Gazing now from below at the mountain fortress and the beautiful city, Rama was again filled with wonder and exclaimed: "Oh what beauty! What wealth." The Vanaras, for their part, noted the Lankan warriors' strength and readiness for battle, the thick walls and mighty engines of defence. From Lanka, all ready for war, the sounds of drums and trumpets issuing from the city increased the eagerness of the Vanaras for battle. The army stood in ordered divisions as instructed by Rama.

Looking at Lanka he said: "Lakshmana! Look at the beauty of the city."

RAVANA went up the tower of his mansion and surveyed the scene. On every side he saw Vanara warriors. At the same time, Rama ordered an immediate assault. Then Ravana sent forth a big army. He commanded it to go out and slay at once all the Vanaras. They beat their drums and blew their trumpets till the sky resounded. Besides this gruesome engagement, there were many duels between individual warriors. Angada encountered Indrajit like against Yama. There was a duel between the Prajangha and Sampati, one of the companions of Vibhishana. Hanuman fought a duel with Jambumali, Nila with Nikumbha, Lakshmana with Viroopaksha, and so on. The chariot and horses of Indrajit were destroyed and Angada received a blow from the mace of Indrajit. Jambumali hit Hanuman with his weapon and Hanuman smashed his chariot to pieces. The Ravana’s army concentrated their attack on Rama, and fell in thousands under his arrows. Vidyunmali aimed his darts at Sushena. The latter smashed with a rock the chariot of the Associate of Ravana. Vidyunmali jumped out with his mace and attacked Sushena who crushed him to assassination with a rock. In this way many warriors fought and many died.

The battle raged throughout the day. The battle became fierce. Blood flowed in streams. There was terrible slaughter on both sides. Angada attacked Indrajit, slew his horses and charioteer and smashed the chariot.

The Vanara warriors wounded and downcast, seeing Rama and Lakshmana laid low, concluded that all was over. Vibhishana, who saw Sugriva standing helpless and forlorn, put courage in the Vanara king. "It is foolish to lose hope," he said. "Look at Rama and Lakshmana. Their faces are still bright. They are not dead. Be not afraid. Soon they will recover from this swoon and resume fighting."

The Assassination of Ravana

Ravana with uncontrollable fury hastily summoned Vajradamshtra and said: "Oh bravest of warriors, go without delay and destroy these wicked fellows." Vajradamshtra bowed low before the king and followed by a mighty army sallied out of the southern gate and encountered Angada. The Lankan Army under the leadership of Vajradamshtra waged grim battle and slew countless Vanaras. And yet the Vanara army stood firm and would not withdraw. On both sides the fighting was intense. In the end, Angada and the Lankan chief fought hand to hand for a long while. Vajradamshtra was assassination, gallantly fighting to the last, and the Lankan Army fled in confusion. The Vanaras surrounded Angada and shouted in exultation.

Then Ravana ordered Prahasta: "Send Akampana and let him have the most terrible Lankan Army to accompany him. Let them go and slay Rama, Sugriva and the Vanara army. None can resist Akampana's might and skill."

Accordingly, Prahasta sent an army of Lanka under the leadership of Akampana. True to his name, Akampana was firm and immovable in battle. He had chosen his weapons and his warriors carefully. As he advanced, bad omens met him. But neither he nor his followers regarded them. The noise of their challenge rose above that of the ocean.

A great battle ensued. Blood flowed in streams. Dust rose and cut off the sun plunging the earth in portentous gloom. The slaughter on both sides was enormous. Kumuda, , Mainda and Dwivida attacked Akampana who defended himself with courage. Then Hanuman slew him. Ravana's spirits fell when he received the news of Akampana's assassination but he found strength in anger and desperation and began thinking of new plans. He went round the defences of the city again and took counsel with Prahasta, the commander-in chief.

Prahasta answered humbly,"I am bound to obey you. I am prepared to sacrifice my life, my family, my all for your sake. I shall lead this sortie, if such is your pleasure."

A huge army was collected and everything was got ready for a supreme endeavor, including the solemnisation of special rites and sacrifices. Then Prahasta marched out to the beating of drums. Evil omens presented themselves. But he disregarded them.

Seeing the great army led by Prahasta issuing out of the eastern gate of the fortress, "Look," said Rama, "there comes out a Lankan men at the head of an enormous army. Who is he?"

Vibhishana replied, "It is Prahasta, the commander-in-chief of Ravana. A third of the imperial army is his to command". Dwivida, Durmukha and Jambavan and stain, opposed Prahasta’s followers, Narantaka, Mahanada, Kumbhahanu and others. There was a prolonged battle between Prahasta and Nila. At last Prahasta, armed with a massive mace of iron rushed towards Nila. Nila smashed Prahasta's head killing him on the spot.

Some of those who fled from the battle carried to the Lankan King the news that Nila had assassination Prahasta. Ravana was beside himself with rage and grief. "My warrior chief," he said, "who could vanquish Indra and his host of gods, has been killed by these Vanaras. We cannot treat this lightly. We must destroy Rama and the monkey host." So saying, Ravana got into his chariot and went forward like Rudra, the destroyer. Seated in his radiant chariot and issuing from the city, Ravana beheld the Vanara army and heard their uproar, which resounded like the ocean.

Ravana attacked innumerable Vanaras and laid them low. Nila opposed Ravana gallantly but was felled by a fire-dart. Hanuman attacked Ravana with violence and the two fought an equal battle for a while but Ravana could not be subdued and wrought great havoc in the Vanara host. There was a fight between Lakshmana and Ravana. Lakshmana fell down unconscious but Hanuman intervened and carried Lakshmana away to Rama. Then Rama, riding on Hanuman's shoulders, gave battle to Ravana. The Lankan king was sorely wounded. His olden crown was broken. So was his chariot. Deprived of every weapon, he stood before Rama.

"You may go now," said Rama. "You have fought well today. Go away and rest and come back tomorrow, refreshed and with weapons." And Ravana retreated shamefacedly to the city.

Ravana entered the fortress, ashamed and anxious. After deliberating a while, he recovered his courage and ordered his sleeping brother Kumbhakarna to be roused. Ravana's officers and their servants accordingly went to Kumbhakarna's palace. Rejoicing at the arrival of his peerless brother, Ravana stepped down from his throne and embraced him. "What can I do for you, brother?" asked Kumbhakarna. "

"Brother! You do not know what has happened," said Ravana. " I know your love for me. I know your keenness and your courage in battle. Go at once and annihilate these enemies and help us in our need and save Lanka."

Kumbhakarna, when he heard Ravana's words of anxiety, was moved at first to fury against the enemy but soon he remembered the whole story and Ravana's vainglorious confidence in his invincibility and that made him smile a little bitterly. Kumbhakarna armed with his great spear was about to go to battle alone, but Ravana stopped him and sent an army to aid him. He covered his brother's big body with jewels and garments and blessed him saving: "Go, my hero! Destroy the enemies and return victorious."

Dwivida, Hanuman, Nila, Vrishabha, Sarabha and other chiefs attacked Kumbhakarna fiercely. But he disregarded them all. Angada himself received a blow, as a result of which he fainted and fell on the earth. Sugriva was struck down.

Lakshmana tried with his arrows to obstruct his progress but the Lankan Army passed him by and rushed forward to face Rama himself. Rama wounded his arms and the feet. At last, Rama cut off his head with an arrow. When the army told this assassination, Ravana felt that his own life had left him. He swooned. After recovering consciousness, he cried in grief and anger. Trisiras and his other sons tried to console Ravana.

A great battle ensued. Narantaka, riding on horseback spear in hand, wrought havoc among the Vanaras and was proceeding towards Sugriva. Angada opposed him and killed him and his horse. Likewise, Devantaka and Trisiras were assassination by Hanuman, and Mahodara by Nila. fell a prey to Lakshmana's arrows. But before they died, these four had fought like four and caused enormous loss to the Vanara forces.

THE ASSASSINATION OF INDRAJIT

INDRAJIT comforted his father. "Why should you worry when I am here alive?" he said and gathered an army, and with it made another sortie. He swooped down on the Vanara forces and killed and wounded thousands of them. They were helpless against his fury.

Vibhishana rallied the Vanara leaders who had scattered in all directions and put hope and courage into them. The battle was resumed. Taking counsel with Rama, Sugriva now chose a few Vanaras and ordered them to enter Lanka and set fire to the city. Towards midnight they entered the city with torches. They attacked and overpowered the sentry and set fire to the palaces and turrets of Lanka. Houses in their thousands were reduced to ashes.

The proud city was reduced to a mass of ruin.

Seeing Lanka being burnt down by the Vanaras, Ravana was furious and sent to the battlefield Kumbha and Nikumbha, the sons of Kumbhakarna, together with Yupaksha and other Lankan warriors. After another terrible battle, Kumbha was assassination by Sugriva and Nikumbha by Hanuman. Makaraksha, son of Khara, who opposed Rama, fell to his fiery arrows. Many more mighty Lankan warriors perished. Then, at the bidding of Ravana, Indrajit went once again to the battle.

As a result of his trick, Indrajit gained time to perform an asuric sacrifice. Rama and Lakshmana, like the Vanara warriors, believed that Sita was dead and were lost in grief. They were completely bewildered and helpless when Vibhishana came and inquired what had happened. He listened to their story. Then he said: "You have been deceived. Never would Ravana allow Sita to be killed. This is only a trick of sorcery. Indrajit tries to defeat you through magic. Having given up all hope of achieving success by normal means, he has gone to perform an asuric sacrifice of great power. If he completes it, we cannot vanquish him. We should therefore go and obstruct the sacrifice. Let Lakshmana go at once and mar Indrajit's purpose." Accepting this advice, Rama sent Lakshmana who was ac companied by Hanuman and other Vanaras, besides Vibhishana. They went to the spot where Indrajit was about to offer oblations to evil spirits. The sacrifice was interrupted and a long and fierce battle ensued. Ascending his chariot, the son of Ravana sent forth his arrows. Standing on Hanuman, Lakshmana did the same. As they were well matched in strength and skill, the battle lasted long. The chariot of Indrajit was destroyed in the course of the combat and both the heroes stood on the ground and continued the battle.

At last, Lakshmana used the Indra- spell and uttering the name of Rama discharged the fatal arrow. The head of Indrajit was severed and fell to the ground and as it fell, it shone like fire. Lakshmana then went to Rama. He was wounded all over and bleeding. He walked slowly, supported by Jambavan and Hanuman.

The news reached Ravana that Indrajit had been assassination by Lakshmana. When he heard that Vibhishana helped Lakshmana in slaying Indrajit, his grief and anger swelled and the tears he shed burnt where they fell. And from his mouth issued fire.

"Alas, my son! O peerless warrior! O hero! Vanquisher of the great Indra! Has Assassination won after all? Have you entered the heaven of heroes? But I should not grieve," he said.

But the father's heart would not thus be denied, and again he cried: "What! Is Indrajit gone? The world is now empty for me. Oh son, you have left your mother Mandodari and your dear wife and myself heart-broken and disconsolate. Nothing remains to us now but revenge and despair. It is best to kill Sita, the cause of all this tragedy. My son killed the maya-Sita. Now I shall kill the real Sita her self." So saying he rushed out, sword in hand, intending to do it. Some fierce Lankan warriors, seeing Ravana issuing out in anger, applauded him with joy; but the minister Suparsva was horrified and appealed to Ravana's better sense and what was due to himself as a man and a king.

"King!" he cried, "how dare you think such a thought? How can you do it? Oh, Lord of ten heads! Brother of Kubera ! Are you thinking to kill a woman? Are you going to incur this shame and sin? Can you thus be tempted by anger? You have mastered the Vedas and all the sciences. You have performed many penances. How can you end up with such a thing as this? Who is equal to you? Let us direct our anger against Rama. It will be new moon tomorrow. Gather all your armies, issue out of Lanka, slay Rama and Lakshmana and achieve victory. Then take Sita. Put on the armour. Ascend your chariot and go to battle."

Ravana felt that Suparsva was right and his words were good. Seated on his throne, he was silent for a while, lost in profound meditation. Then he addressed the commanders with folded hands, saying: "Go now with all your strength and slay Rama. If even you fail, I shall go myself and destroy him."

Never before had he been so courteous and humble when dealing with his officers. Adversity had taught him this lesson. Mounted on chariots that shone like the hills on the evening horizon and on the back of great elephants and beautiful horses, Ravana's army went in full force for the great battle. Rama easily baffled these arrows with his own and struck Ravana repeatedly, without however being able to penetrate his armor. Thus they fought, these supreme bowmen, each bent on slaying the other and using increasingly potent missiles of secret power, while the gods in heaven looked on with marvel and admiration. Neither hero had met such an opponent before and on both sides admiration was mingled with wrath. Rama pierced with his darts every limb of Ravana. And yet he did not fall.

Then Lakshmana and Vibhishana together attacked Ravana. Furious with his brother and determined to kill him, Ravana flung at him a powerful weapon. But intercepted by a dart of Lakshmana it broke into two and fell on the ground like a burning brand. Once again, Ravana aimed another mighty sakti against Vibhishana. This too Lakshmana intercepted. Then Ravana hurled a sakti at Lakshmana crying: "Now you are dead!" Under its impact Lakshmana fell down unconscious on the ground. Not observing this, Rama went on keeping up his pressure against Ravana. While the battle raged between the two, the Vanara leaders took counsel and sent Hanuman once again to the Hill of Herbs to save the life of Lakshmana. For the second time, Hanuman flew northwards and, not wasting time searching for the plants, returned with the whole mountain. Lakshmana got well again and resumed his part in the battle.

Then followed a aggressive battle. Sorely wounded, Ravana fell unconscious and, noting this, his charioteer quietly took him out of the battlefield.

When, a little later, Ravana recovered consciousness, he was highly wroth, with his charioteer for taking him out of the battlefield and insisted on being taken back to face Rama. The grim battle began again. Every astra was met by another. In new and wonderful ways, the two chariots moved and the two warriors fought for a long time, while both armies watched the spectacle with breathless admiration and anxiety.

Then the bow slipped from the Ravana's hand and he fell down from the chariot and lay stretched on the battlefield. Lakshmana, Vibhishana, Jambavan and other warriors surrounded Rama, lost in joy and adoration. When the first flush of triumph was over and Vibhishana looked at his brother's body, the natural call of blood and memories of boyhood days when Ravana and he had loved and played quite overwhelmed him and he burst into lamentations over his lost brother. "O warrior!" he cried. "O brother of heroic deeds! O scholar learned in all ! O valiant and famous King of kings! Your great arms are, now sprawling helpless on the ground! Self- willed and self-deceived, surrounded by bad advisers, you would not heed my warning! The worst I feared has happened now! You reaped what you sowed and you lie on the bare ground, O once mighty ruler of the Lanka!"

To Vibhishana thus lamenting, Rama spoke: "Ravana fought like a true warrior and fell fighting like a hero!." Rama cleared all confusion from Vibhishana's mind and bade him do the funeral rites for his departed brother.

Vibhishana, The traitor

VIBHISHANA was crowned King of Lanka in a magnificent ceremony. The new Lord of Lanka came out to the Vanara camp and bowed low before Rama.

Rama, the Suspect

But Rama did not meet Sita in Ashoka vanam. . But he just said to Hanuman: "With the King's permission, enter Lanka and tell Sita what has happened." Hanuman accordingly took permission from Vibhishana and went to Asoka Vana to convey the news to Sita. Sita's joy was beyond words. She was silent. "What message am I to carry to Rama?" he asked. "I am eager to be in his presence," she answered. "That is all."

Hanuman returned to Rama and gave an account of his visit. For some reason Rama's face now darkened and with lack-lustre eyes he fell into a frown study. A little later he turned to Vibhishana and said: "Ask Sita to bathe and bedeck herself and bring her here."

When the message reached Sita in the Asoka Vana, she said: "I would rather go as I am." "Not so, my lady," said Vibhishana, "the prince's orders should be obeyed." So, after a bath and bedecked with jewels and seated in a palanquin, Sita went to the camp.

As Sita's palanquin was taken through the great concourse of Vanaras, they thronged round the princess and caused confusion. It was made worse by the Vanara leaders trying to push them aside and make way for the palanquin. "Let no one be kept away," said Rama. "These dear Vanaras have stood and suffered for me. Sita will be pleased to see me surrounded by such friends (i.e.for his victory over Ravana but not meeting her husband). Let no one be pushed away."

Rama's face showed a strange transformation of mind. None of those around him, not even Lakshmana could understand. Alighting from the palanquin, Sita, with downcast eyes, proceeded towards Rama. "Aryaputra," she said and sobbed, unable to speak more. "I have assassination the enemy," said Rama (he is claiming his victory and not his wife). I have recovered you. I have done my duty as a Kshatriya. My vow is now fulfilled." Incomprehensible and wholly unexpected were these words that he uttered. His face darkened for some reason. Then he spoke even harsher words.

Insulted Sita

"It was not for mere attachment to you that I waged this grim battle but in the discharge of duty as a Kshatriya. It gives me no joy now to get you back, for doubtfulness envelopes you like a dark cloud of smoke." "What do you wish to do now?" he continued. "You must live alone, for we cannot live together. "You were won by me with that end in view (viz. the retrieval of my lost honour). The honour has been restored by me. For me, there is no intense attachment in you. You may go wherever you like from here. O gracious lady! Therefore, this has been spoken by me today, with a resolved mind. Set you mind on Lakshmana or Bharata, as per your ease."

tadadya vyaahR^itaM bhadre mayaitat kR^itabuddhinaa | lakShmaNe vaatha bharate kuru buddhiM yathaasukham || 6-115-22

22. bhadre= O gracious lady!; tat= therefore; etat= this; vyaahR^itam= has been spoken; mayaa= by me; adya= today; kR^ita buddhinaa= with a resolved mind; kuru buddhim= set your mind; lakShmaNe= on Lakshmana; atha= or; bharate= on Bharata; yathaa sukham= as per your ease.

"O gracious lady! Therefore, this has been spoken by me today, with a resolved mind. Set you mind on Lakshmana or Bharata, as per your ease."

"O Sita! Otherwise, set your mind either on Shatrughna or on Sugreeva or on Vibhishana; or according to your own comfort. How can a Kshatriya take back a wife who has lived so long in a stranger's house?"

shatrughne vaatha sugriive raakShase vaa vibhiiShaNe | niveshaya manaH siite yathaa vaa sukhamaatmanaH || 6-115-23

23. siite= O Seetha!; niveshaya= set; manaH= your mind; shatrughne vaa= either on Shatrughna; atha= or; sugriiva= on Sugreeva; vibhiiShaNe va= or on Vibhishana; raakShase= the demon; aatmanaH yathaa sukham= or according to your own comfort.

"O Seetha! Otherwise, set your mind either on Shatrughna or on Sugreeva or on Vibhishana the demon; or according to your own comfort."

na hi tvaaM raavaNo dR^iShTvo divyaruupaaM manoramaam | marShayeta chiraM siite svagR^ihe paryavasthitaam || 6-115-24

24. dR^iShTvaa= seeing; tvaam= you; divyaruupaam= who are endowed with a beautiful form; manoramaam= and attractive to the sense; paryavasthitaam= detained; chiram= for long; svagR^ihe= in his abode; raavaNaH= Ravana; na marShayetahi= could not have endured (your separation).

"Seeing you, who are endowed with a beautiful form and attractive to the sense, detained for long in his abode, Ravana could not have endured your separation."

Sita looked at Rama. Her eyes flashed fire. "Unworthy words have you spoken!" she said. "My ears have heard them and my heart is broken. The uncultured may speak such words but not one nobly born and brought up like you. Your anger, it seems, has destroyed your understanding. My lord does not remember the family from which I come. Janaka, the great seer, was my father and he brought me up. Is it my fault that ravana seized me by force and imprisoned me? But since this is how you look at it, there is but one course open to me."

Then turning to Lakshmana, " Lakshmana, and kindle a fire," she said. self-pride of Rama

Lakshmana, who had been watching Rama's behavior in dismay and indignation turned to look at Rama's face seeking his orders, but Rama did not say 'No' to Sita's request nor show any sign of softening. Obeying Sita, Lakshmana kindled a big fire and the princess, with eyes fixed on the ground, circumambulated her lord and exclaimed "Ye Gods, I bow before you. Oh rishis, I bow to you. Oh Agni, you at least know my purity and will take me as your own!" With these words she touched the flames and proved her chastity.

Rama and Sita, now reunited, ascended the Pushpaka, which carried them swiftly in the air with their friends, the Vanara warriors and Vibhishana, to Ayodhya. As they travelled in the sky, he said: "Look there! That is the causeway built by Nala." Again, "Look there, that is Kishkindha," he said, "where I met and made friends with Hanuman and Sugriva." And Rama pointed out to Sita the spots where he and Lakshmana had wandered disconsolate and related to her all his unforgettable experiences. Alighting at Bharadwaja's ashrama, they sent word in advance to Guha and Bharata. The city of Ayodhya swam in a sea of joy. Rama and Bharata met.

Unlike Sugreeva and Vibhishana, for fourteen years till the return of Rama, Bharata installed Rama's padukas and administered the kingdom as a devotional exercise in the service of his brother. Now that Rama was crowned King as his father had wished, Bharata's penance was at an end and his heart was filled with joy.

Places invaded by Rama

Kingdoms established by and Kusa after Rama

Rama's sons Lava and Kusa inherited parts of this kingdom. Lava ruled from the city called Sravasti and Kusa from the city called Kusavati. Mahodaya was the name of a city, which was established by Kusanabha, the son of Kusa. A colony of Kosala kings existed in Madhya Pradesh. It was called . Rama's mother Kausalya was from this kingdom.

Kingdom established by Bharata

Rama's brother Bharata colonized the kingdom and founded the city of Takshasila there. Gandhara was situated close to Kekeya Kingdom, the native kingdom of Bharata's mother, Kaikeyi.

Kingdoms established by Lakshmana

Rama's second brother Lakshmana founded the city of Lakshmanapura near river Ganga, which is now known as . He colonized the Vanga kingdom and founded the city of Chandrakanta there. Rama's youngest brother Satrughna destroyed the forest called Madhu and founded the city of which later became the capital of the Kingdom.

Kingdoms established by Satrughna

Sumantra entered the presence of Rama and Lakshmana, one evening and announced the arrival of animal sacrificing monks who lived on the banks of the Yamuna, led by Chyavana.

Rama welcomed them and enquired about their visits. They complained about Lavana whose father was Madhu. Madhu was a mighty king and the eldest son of Lola. He built a lovely palace and married Kumbhinasi, the daughter of Visravasu and . They had a son called Lavana. Lavana caused much trouble to these who are doing animal sacrifice in yagas – monks).

They further stated that with no other option, they decided to approach the assasin of Ravana, Rama, himself and complained Rama who helped vismamitra by killing Subahu and his associates for obstructing Viswamitra’s animal sacrifice in Yajnas. He enquired the animal sacrificers to describe what Lavana was like and how he lived, so as to plan the best form of attack. Rama has no intention to involve himself and he asked which of his brothers would like to volunteer for the assignment without consulting his Kulaguru who earlier advised Dasaratha to send Rama to aid/support Viswamitra’s animal sacrifice.

Bharata volunteered first, but Satrughna made a case for himself. His argument was that Bharata had already done so much in looking after Ayodhya, while missing Rama terribly and living without any comforts while waiting for Rama’s return. Thus he cleverly created an opportunity to occupy that land for himself instead of Bharata.

Rama crowned Satrughna the king of Madhu-nagara, immediately, with Vasishtha performing the rites. Satrughna felt happy that he had wittingly come in the way of Bharata’s kingship.

Rama asked Satrughna to wait on the eastern gate of Madhu-nagari and challenge Lavana to a fight when he was returning from his hunt, with his sula inside the city and he gave him 4000 horses, 2000 chariots, 100 excellent elephants, 100,000 pure gold coins, rows of stalls with goods for purchase and sale as well as actors and dancers. He advised Satrughna to keep his army well governed and happy.

He asked Satrughna to proceed slowly so as to not rouse suspicion from Lavana as to his true purpose. The army was to proceed with the separately and he proceeded alone to the city gates in the rainy season, after summer had passed. Satrughna told his army chiefs, where to cross the river during summer and where to wait at the pre-appointed places at the beginning of the rainy season.

The next day, Satrughna waited alone for Lavana at the eastern city gate as planned. Lavana was very delighted to find Satrughna waiting for him and to be challenged to a duel and he asked him to hold on while he went in for his Sula. However, Satrughna released the arrow and it pierced Lavana’s chest.

Satrughna established the city in the month of Sravana itself.

Impartant persons in Ramayana

Viswamitra and Agasthya are at the first instance resposble for the invasion of Rama in South India and for the spread of animal sacrifice in South India, which was prevented by Ravana and his men in Dandakaranya.

Best traitor in Ramayana is Vibheeshana and then Sugreeva for slaying their own brothers by invader Rama in their own country without the consent of public of their country to rule the country. However, Kubera who was dethrowned by Ravana never joined with Rama unlike Vibheeshana and Sugreeva.