INDRAJIT'S FALL

Indrajit decided to perform a sacrifice to gain more power to distract Rama and his army. Indrajit decided to trick them. Using his magical powers, Indrajit created an image of Sita. In front of Rama and his army, he cut off Sita's head.

Taking this image of Sita to be real, Rama swooned.

Vibheeshan knew about Indrajit's power to create illusion. He assured Rama that this was only a trick played by Indrajit.

He told them that Indrajit had played te trick to distract Rama and his army so that he could perform the sacrificial ceremony that would make him invincible. He further told Rama, "If Indrajit successfully completes this sacrifice, even the gods would be in danger."

In the middle of the battle, Indrajit had indeed gone to a secret place to perform the sacrificial ceremony which would make him invincible.

Vibheeshan knew about that secret place. Rama sent Lakshmana and Hanuman with Vibheeshan to disturb the sacrificial ritual and slay Indrajit.

Lakshmana attacked Indrajit before he could complete the sacrificial ceremony.

A fierce battle ensued between the two. Lakshmana shot powerful mantras, at Indrajit. Hit by that powerful arrow, Indrajit fell dead on the ground.

When Ravana came to know of his son's death, he was full of grief. But this sorrow soon gave way to anger. Now he wanted the Ayodhya princes dead at all cost. He then decided to enter the battlefield himself.

On the battlefield, he soon engaged in a fierce battle with Rama. Ravana shot powerful arrows charged with mantras at Rama, but Rama overpowered them.

Rama broke Ravana's chariot, killed his charioteer along with the horses and broke his bow and flag. Ravana himself was severely wounded.

Rama then said to Ravana, "Go Ravana! Take some rest and come to the battlefield tomorrow. If you return Sita, even now the war can end."

Ravana felt great insult at having his life spared at the hands of his enemy.

He thought that he now needed the help of his brother Kumbhakaran, who was known for his monstrous size and incomparable power.