Prof.Dr.Satya Vrat Shastri's Thai Ramayana 32, Kumbhakarna

The story of Kumbhakarna entertained us kids a lot! The fact that he slept six months at a stretch was fascinating.  Frankly I did not even know that he had advised Ravana not to fight and send Sita back to Rama and make peace. But in the end his loyalty to his elder brother was his undoing!

Kumbhakarna Gardens, Penukonda, Andhra Pradesh



Kumbhakarna in the picture looks peaceful as he sleeps. Back to the Thai Ramayana.

Ravana had not imagined that the unconquerable Maiyarba could be killed. He sent for Kumbhakarna  and asked him to fight Rama and save Lanka. Even though Kumbhakarna was a demon, he had not liked Ravana abducting Sita as it was not dharma and said so. 

This upset Ravana and he spoke to his brother with harsh words, called him a coward. Kumbhakarna unable to displease him went to fight Rama. 

Vibhisana saw him and approached with folded hands hoping to dissuade his brother from fighting. Kumbhakarna seeing his brother approach from the enemies side became very angry. While righteous he was also very fond of Ravana and did not approve of Vibhisana deserting them and rebuked him. Vibhisana embarrassed, explained that Rama was not an ordinary human, he was Lord Narayana himself, who had descended on earth. Kumbhakarna laughed at Vibhisana and said that he would believe if Rama could answer a few questions.

He wanted to know, 'Who is a foolish ascetic, which is the elephant with the straight tusks, who is the most deceitful woman and who is the most wicked person?'  Vibhisana went to Rama to get the answers, but Rama and the other monkey heroes thought for a long time and could not find the answers.

Then the very clever Angada went to Kumbhakarna and said, 'O sir, our lord knows the answers. So first of all, you give the answers, so that he can verity that he has thought correctly and there is no waste of time.' Kumbhakarna  hearing these childish words, laughed at Rama's inability to find answers and gave the answers.

'The foolish ascetic is Rama himself, who left his dear wife alone and ran after a golden deer. The elephant with the straight tusks is Ravana, who dissatisfied with his own wife, went after another's wife.  Surpanaka is the deceitful woman, not having control over herself, approached Rama and Lakshmana like a harlot. Vibhisana is the wicked person, who perpetrated treachery towards the king and the land. '

Having uttered these words marched towards the armies of Rama with a desire to kill him.