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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 Lakshmana hastened to the spot, his arrows announcing his arrival, swifter than the swiftest of shafts.
‘naaN erindhanan silayinai,’ writes the Poet. He twanged his bow and ‘arakkiyar nagu pon pUN
erindhanar,’ the rakshasa women in their hundreds and thousands had to remove their
thaali - mangala sutra - that very moment. That day, Hanuman became his carrier, as did he for Rama in the first day of the battle, when Rama fought
Ravana.
The war scenes are worth reading in their original just for the pleasure of the rich and realistic portrayal. Lakshmana’s part as a warrior just begins on the second day’s war with Kumbakarna. Kumbakarna is astounded by the skill, aim and force of his archery.
‘seruvil maaNdavar perumayum,’ (looking at the) large number of demons that died in a few moments
‘ilakkuvan seydha vari vil aaNmayum nOkkiya pulaththian marumaan,’ and at the speed with which Lakshmana shot his unfailing arrows, incessantly and relentlessly, Kumbakarna, the descendant of
Pulastya said ‘thiri puram setra dhEvanum iavanumE oru vilaaLar,’
If at all he can be compared with any other archer, there is only one in the entire universe. Who else but Lord Shiva who destroyed the
Thiripuras with an angered smile would but match him?
‘endru aayiram kaal eduththu uraiththaan’ Kumbakarna muttered this to himself a thousand times.
‘So, it is you who severed the nose and earlobes of my sister?’ he roared at Lakshmana. Though it cannot be said that Kumbakarna is angered at heart when he uttered these words, nonetheless, he was sincere to the core in fighting for his brother’s side - not for his brother’s cause, of course.
‘avaL kUndhal thottu Irththa kai, thalaththidaik kidaththuvan, kakkudhi.’ Be forewarned and defend yourself! I am going to sever that hand that took my sister by her hair.
The warrior spirit in Lakshmana answers in a quick repartee.
‘maatrangaL num paal villinaal sollin andri,’ If at all I answer your braggadocio, I do so with my bow and arrows and
‘vem thiral veLga sollinaal sollak katrilam yaam,’
I have not learnt the art of bragging. When I answer, I answer with my action and not with my words.
Lakshmana very soon destroyed the massive chariot on which Kumbakarna was stationed. The reader would recall here the description of the Poet that Kumbakarna, sitting cross-legged on the floor would be as tall as Ravana standing by his side. Lakshmana did not have this advantage of height but the warrior that he is, he would not fight this ogre, seated on the shoulders of Hanuman any more! He jumped from Hanuman’s shoulders, stood on the ground and fought
Kumbakarna.
 At that time, the reinforcements sent by Ravana reach the warfront and the scene is taken charge of by Rama, who severed the arms and legs of Kumbakarna, leaving the huge trunk of his lying on the ground, not willing to stop even at that helpless moment, taking huge mountains by his mouth holding them between his lips, and flinging them on the Vanaras with his tongue.
At the time of death, we see the heart of Kumbakarna who seeks Rama’s protection for Vibishana till the day the latter becomes the king of Lanka. ‘I say this because ‘the one who does not have any virtue’ (Ravana) is callous,’ says Kumbakarna. He would not think of him as younger brother and spare him. He needs to be protected.
‘unnaithaan umbiyaithan anumanaithan embi piriyaanaga aruludhi.’ Please see to it that my brother does not leave the side of you, your brother or Hanuman.
Kumbakarna sees only three persons capable of protecting Vibishana from the wrath of Ravana. Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. A compliment indeed!
More follows...
Published on 18th
April 2002
Hari
Krishnan
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