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Summary of the Epic Ramayana back
From Shrimad Bhagavatam (9.10) By A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Ramachandra appeared in the dynasty of Maharaja Khatvanga. The son of Maharaja Khatvanga was Dirghabahu, and his son was Raghu. The son of Raghu was Aja, the son of Aja was Dasharatha, and the son of Dasharatha was Lord Ramachandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Lord Ramachandra went with Vishvamitra and killed Rakshashas like Maricha. After breaking the stout and strong bow known as Haradhanu, the Lord married mother Sita and cut down the prestige of Parashurama. To obey the order of His father, He entered the forest, accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita. There He cut off the nose of Shurpanakha and killed the associates of Ravana, headed by Khara and Dushana. Ravana’s kidnapping of Sitadevi was the beginning of this demon’s misfortune. When Maricha assumed the form of a golden deer, Lord Ramachandra went to bring the deer to please Sitdevi, but in the meantime Ravaaa took advantage of the Lord’s absence to kidnap her. When Sitadevi was kidnapped, Lord Ramachandra, accompanied by Lakshmana, searched for her throughout the forest. In the course of this search, They met Jatayu. Then the Lord killed the demon Kabandha and the commander Vali and established a friendly relationship with Sugriva. After organizing the military strength of the monkeys and going with them to the shore of the sea, the Lord awaited the arrival of Samudra, the ocean personified, but when Samudra did not come, the Lord, the master of Samudra, became angry. Then Samudra came to the Lord with great haste and surrendered to Him, wanting to help Him in every way. The Lord then attempted to bridge the ocean, and, with the help of advice from Vibhishana, He attacked Ravana’s capital, Lanka. Previously, Hanuman, the eternal servant of the Lord, had set fire to Lanka, and now, with the help of Lakshmana, the forces of Lord Ramachandra killed all the Rakshasha soldiers. Then Lord Ramachandra personally killed Ravana. Mandodari and other wives lamented for Ravana, and in accordance with Lord Ramachandra’s order, Vibhishana performed the funeral ceremonies for all the dead in the family. Lord Ramachandra then gave Vibhishana the right to rule Lanka and also granted him a long duration of life. The Lord delivered Sitadevi from the Ashoka forest and carried her in a flower airplane to His capital Ayodhya, where He was received by His brother Bharata. When Lord Ramachandra entered Ayodhya, Bharata brought His wooden shoes, Vibhishanaa and Sugriva held a whisk and fan, Hanuman carried an umbrella, Shatrughna carried the Lord’s bow and two quivers, and Sitadevi carried a waterpot containing water from holy places. Angada carried a sword, and Jambavan (Riksharaja) carried a shield. After Lord Ramachandra, accompanied by Lord Lakshmana and mother Sitadevi, met all His relatives, the great sage Vashishtha enthroned Him as King.
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