Kanda 6 of 7 · 128 sargas
युद्धकाण्ड
Book of War
Yuddha-kāṇḍa
Setting: The shore of the southern ocean, Lanka, the battlefield
Central figure: Rama as the warrior-king; Ravana as the great antagonist
Kanda summary
The vanara army builds the Rama Setu under Nala's direction. Vibhishana defects from Ravana and is accepted. After failed embassies (Angada), war begins. Major duels: Kumbhakarna falls to Rama, Indrajit to Lakshmana (after the Sanjeevani booti episode). Finally Rama and Ravana meet; Rama uses the Brahmastra and slays Ravana. Vibhishana is crowned king of Lanka. Sita undergoes the Agni Pariksha. Rama returns to Ayodhya in the Pushpaka Vimana, is crowned, and Rama Rajya begins.
Key episodes
- ●Construction of Rama Setu
- ●Vibhishana's refuge (sharanagati)
- ●Fall of Kumbhakarna and Indrajit
- ●Hanuman fetches the Sanjeevani mountain
- ●Rama-Ravana duel; Brahmastra
- ●Agni Pariksha and return to Ayodhya — Rama Rajya
Central teaching
Adharma may be vast, but it falls. Surrender (sharanagati) is always accepted.