Rama, Lakshman, and the monkey army once again prepared themselves to fight Ravana. But the demon-king remained within Lanka for some time, performing secret rites.

Then Vibhishan came to Rama and said,

“Ravana is engaged in a penance like that of his son Indrajit. Half of the divya-ratha has already emerged from the sacred fire. Unless you send your warriors to destroy his havan, you will not be able to overcome him.”

Hearing this, Rama immediately dispatched Maruti, Nala, Neela, Sugriva, and other monkey warriors to Lanka. They searched for the place of the penance but could not find it—until Sharma, the wife of Vibhishan, revealed the hidden spot.

The monkeys removed the great stone sealing the mouth of the underground chamber and rushed in. They found Ravana deep in meditation, motionless before the fire altar. They destroyed the havan and the half-formed chariot, and tried in every way to rouse him—striking him with weapons, hurling rocks and trees—but nothing moved him.

At last, Sugriva seized Mandodari and brought her into the chamber. Her terrified cries finally broke Ravana’s trance. Seeing his wife there and realizing his penance was ruined, Ravana rose in fury and struck down the monkeys. Beaten, they returned to Suvela, leaving Ravana and Mandodari behind.

Turning to her, Ravana said,

“My dearest, do not grieve for what has happened. Pain and pleasure are woven into life, and all must endure their turn. Now I go to battle Rama. Either I shall slay him or perish. If I return, so be it; if not, these are my last words to you.”

So saying, he gathered the remaining demons and marched to war.

The monkeys hurled mountains, trees, and rocks upon him, but Ravana shattered them all and struck them down. Seeing the monkeys falter, Rama entered the field himself.

Ravana loosed a serpent-weapon that produced countless snakes which stung the monkeys. Rama countered with a Garuda-weapon that manifested divine eagles to devour the serpents.

Then Rama released a rain-weapon that flooded the demon host, but Ravana answered with a wind-weapon that scattered the rain. Rama followed with a mountain-weapon, blocking the wind; Ravana struck back with a diamond-weapon, crushing the mountains.

They fought unceasingly, weapon for weapon, until Ravana unleashed a powerful arrow that pierced Rama’s left foot. Enraged, the monkeys rained stones, trees, and arrows upon him, yet Ravana’s skill broke them all.

Ravana fought from his chariot; Rama, from the ground. Seeing this, Indra, king of the gods, sent his celestial chariot. Rama mounted it and resumed the battle.

The two mighty warriors fought for seven days and seven nights without pause. Then Rama loosed four arrows and slew the horses of Ravana’s chariot. Ravana replaced them instantly, but Rama released an arrow shaped like the half-moon, which Ravana cleaved with one of his own.

Rama then fired a weapon that struck Ravana’s chest and cut off his ten heads—but to everyone’s astonishment, the heads grew back at once. Again and again Rama severed them, and again they reappeared.

The monkey hosts were dismayed. Then Matali, Indra’s charioteer, said to Rama,

“Ravana keeps a vial of nectar hidden in his chest. Until that vial is shattered, his heads will return. Strike his heart, O Lord, and break it.”

Hearing this, Rama invoked the mighty Agasti-astra and loosed it. The weapon pierced Ravana’s chest, shattering the nectar phial. Immediately Rama released another arrow that severed the ten heads, which fell and did not return. The demon-king collapsed and died on the spot.

Vibhishan wept for his fallen brother. Rama consoled him with compassion. Mandodari and the other wives came, wailing in grief. Vibhishan comforted them and sent them back to their palaces.

Ravana’s funeral rites were then performed with honor by his brother. Thereafter Rama installed Vibhishan upon the throne of Lanka. All the demons accepted him as king and paid homage. The gods and kings imprisoned by Ravana were freed, and Rama embraced each of them with joy.

|| 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.