Upon Rama’s return to Suvela, Ravana said to his courtiers, “There is no use in my living without my beloved son Indrajit. I must either kill Rama or die myself.”

So saying, he began to shower arrows upon Rama, which the prince easily cut off. One arrow, however, struck Rama. Vibhishan immediately fired at the demon-king, who, enraged, discharged the weapon called Brahmashakti at his brother. Lakshman cut it in two, whereupon Ravana hurled another mighty missile. Maruti caught it mid-air, but to everyone’s astonishment, the weapon turned into a radiant female in his hands. She said,

“Well, Maruti, you call yourself a brahmachari — how can you touch a woman? You will incur sin if you do not release me.” Startled, Maruti placed her on the ground. No sooner had he done so than she transformed again into a weapon, rushed upon Lakshman, and struck his head and chest. Lakshman fell lifeless to the earth. The monkeys and Rama were stricken with grief. Ravana, overjoyed at his success, returned to Lanka in triumph. Rama’s army was plunged into despair. Some thought of abandoning Suvela, unable to bear the sorrow.

Soon after, Ravana came again to the battlefield. Boiling with rage, Rama loosed arrows that slew countless demons. Ravana trembled; he saw Rama’s image everywhere — before him, behind him, within his own mind — until terror overtook him. Distraught, he fled to Lanka and told Mandodari what had happened.

She pleaded, “My love, even now restore Sita to Rama and make peace.”

“No, never!” roared Ravana. “I will either kill him or die.”

He ordered a great pit to be dug and there performed severe penance to the Fire God to obtain a divine chariot. Meanwhile Rama mourned Lakshman. The monkeys surrounded their fallen commander. The physician Sushena examined him and said,

“Life still lingers. But as soon as the sun rises, he will die. If the plant of nectar is fetched from Mount Dronagiri before dawn, Lakshman can be restored. Who among you can travel forty million yojanas in a night and bring it here?”

Maruti stepped forward: “I will bring Dronagiri itself here within three hours.” He bowed to Rama and leapt from Suvela. He soon reached Mount Madaranchela, near Dronagiri. Thirsty, he stopped at the hermitage of an old Brahman and asked for water. The Brahman, surrounded by his disciples, greeted him warmly and said, “Spend the night here, son, and go in the morning.”

“I cannot wait a moment,” said Maruti. “My duty must be done now. When he refused, the Brahman pointed him to a river. As Maruti stooped to drink, a gigantic vivasi (ogress) rose from the water to devour him. He seized her by the legs and killed her instantly. From her belly emerged a heavenly devangana, who bowed before him and said, “I was once a celestial maiden, proud of my beauty. For mocking a sage, I was cursed to become this ogress. The sage softened his curse, saying I would be freed by your hand. Know this: the Brahman you met is the demon Kalnemi, sent by Ravana to delay you. He directed you to this river so I would devour you.”

Maruti rushed back to the hermitage. The Brahman demanded gifts for showing him the river. “I will gladly give you presents,” said Maruti — and struck him instead. The demon assumed his colossal form, five yojanas high, and fought ferociously. Maruti slew him, and his followers fled to Lanka. He then approached Dronagiri and implored, “Come with me to Suvela and save Lakshman.” The mountain arrogantly refused: “Go away, troublesome creature. I will not move.”

Enraged, Maruti lifted Dronagiri with his tail and soared into the sky. On his way, Bharat — living at Nandigram with the sage Vashistha — saw the blazing mountain flying through the heavens. Thinking it a weapon aimed at Rama and Lakshman, he shot an arrow that pierced Maruti’s arm and passed through the mountain. Wounded, Maruti descended, repeating Rama’s name. Bharat heard the chant and asked his identity. Maruti explained the whole story and cried, “If I do not reach Suvela before sunrise, Lakshman will die!” Bharat said, “Do not fear. Sit upon my arrow — it will carry you there in an instant.”

Maruti, amazed by Bharat’s power, thanked him but said, “Your love is enough; I will go myself.” He leapt again and reached Suvela before dawn. Sushena at once prepared the medicine, extracted the nectarous juice, and applied it to Lakshman, reviving him. He also anointed all the slain monkeys, restoring them to life. Maruti then returned Dronagiri to its place.

Ravana, furious, sent a hundred demons to seize the mountain, but Maruti, holding it in one hand, slew them all with the other. Until next time, Jai Shree Ram!

|| OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI || 

|| SHRI SATCHIDANANDA SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI ||

Note: This narration is based on Ramavijaya: The Mythological History of Rama (Bombay, 1891, Dubhashi & Co.), a public domain text shared here for free reading.