We had seen Rama finally kills Ravana with an unrivaled Brahmastra which pierces the heart of the Lord of the titans, rendering him lifeless. This moment has fulfilled the mission of Rama to find and get back Sita, his very incarnation on the land in human form to eradicate evil and the significant reason behind his journey detailed as Ramayana in several kandas or books. Leaving any other detail or fable in his virtuous life, Rama’s rivalry with Ravana is matchless across ages and stands out for its completeness. As mentioned, the rivalry and the slaying of demon king fulfills his very life and that of every other compatriot warring from his side in the epic war with most powerful Rakshasas of the time. The ten headed Rakshasa who is the very symbol of wicked pride, ego and cruelty is killed by Rama and with that the earth is cleansed, purified from its very ugly roots. With this death the immoral, adharma and the torturing acts died a thousand deaths. Every honest man was protected by the heroism from Rama through his slaying of man-eating Rakshasas and laid the foundation for a belief that Rama is there to protect you against anything evil, forever. This one death after a series of battles signifies triumph of good over evil; restoration of dharma; redemption, realization and defeat of wicked ways; importance of human values and their strict adherence. These themes make the Ramayana a timeless epic, rich with moral and spiritual lessons. The victory certainly brought a new dawn on the earth back then and for ages to come. The aftermath of this humongous evil uprooting is one enliven with peace, sanity and order. We can look at everything in this new world and the immediate repercussions in the following chapters.
In chapter 111, the rakshasas who had lived to see the death of their king fled in terror. The vanaras rejoiced. The drums of heaven boomed and the world was purified of the evil that was Ravana.
In the ranks of the monkeys, there arose cries of joy and shouts of triumph proclaiming Raghava’s victory and Ravana’s defeat, and the skies re-echoed to the music of the drums beaten by the Gods. A rain of flowers fell from heaven on to the earth, covering Raghava’s chariot with a ravishing and marvellous shower of blossom. The cry of ‘Well done! Well done!’ came from the firmament and the celestial voices of the magnanimous Gods were raised in Rama’s praise. On the death of that source of terror to all the worlds a great joy filled the Celestial Host as also the Caranas.
In chapter 112, Vibhishana laments a lot, after seeing Ravana lying dead on the battle-field. Rama comforts him, saying that a warrior killed in battle, need not be mourned. Vibhishana describes the personality of Ravana and his qualities to Rama and seeks permission of Rama to perform funeral rites of Ravana. Rama directs Vibhishana to perform the obsequies to Ravana, his deceased brother.
Seeing his brother defeated, lying on the battlefield, Vibhishana, his heart torn with violent grief, began to lament, saying:
“O Illustrious Warrior, you who were renowned for your skill, experience and outstanding courage, even among the valiant, O You accustomed to a luxurious couch, how is it that you are lying stiff and motionless, your long arms adorned with bracelets, stretched on the ground, having suffered your diadem, the lustre of which equals the sun, to fall on the earth? O Hero that which I predicted has come to pass. I Carried away by passion, in your presumption, disregarding my counsel, this fate has overtaken Prahasta, Indrajita, Kumbhakarna, Atiratha, Atikaya, Narantaka, and you thyself. Alas! The rampart of the virtuous has disappeared, the incarnation of duty has departed, the refuge of the strong and powerful is no more. The sun has fallen to earth, the moon is obscured by darkness; fire has lost its brilliance, energy is bereft of force, since that hero, the prince of warriors, lies stretched on the earth. What remains now that he is deprived of his might and that tiger among the titans lies as if asleep in the dust? That great tree, the Lord of the Titans, whose stability was the foliage, his valour the blossom, his asceticism the sap, his heroism the intertwining roots, has been overthrown on the battlefield by that tempest, Raghava. That elephant in mustha, Ravana, his strength the tusks, his lineage the backbone, his exuberance the trunk, his wrath the limbs, has been seized by the lion, Ikshvaku. That blazing fire, whose prowess and energy are spreading flames, his angry breathing the smoke, his martial ardour the heat, has been extinguished by that cloud, Rama. That bull among the titans with the Nairritas as his tail, hump and horns, his love of pleasure the eyes and ears, he the conquerer of his foes, equal to the wind in swiftness, that tiger of the lords of the earth is lying dead.”
Hearing these words, full of good sense and virtue, uttered by Vibhishana who was torn with grief, Rama addressed him saying:
“Nay, this hero has not succumbed on account of his lack of prowess. Endowed with burning courage in battle, having displayed the greatest energy, he fell without yielding. One should not mourn for those who, firm in their duty as warriors, for the sake of renown fall on the field of battle. It is not the time to weep for this brave warrior, the terror of the worlds and their leaders, now that he lies under the sway of death; no one is always victorious in war; sometimes the brave succumb to the blows of the enemy and at other times it is the foe who is overcome by them. This path followed by Ravana was taught to us by the Sages and the warrior class hold it in great honour. The warrior who is slain in battle, should not be mourned, this is the law. In this conviction, do your duty without further anxiety and consider what action should now be taken.”
Then Vibhishana, who was overcome with grief, instantly replied to that noble prince who had spoken to him in his brother’s interest and said:
“This valiant one who, in previous battles was never defeated even by the assembled Gods under Vasava’s command, assailed by you on the field, beheld his power shattered as the ocean when coming in contact with its shores. The bestower of gifts on those who desired them, he knew how to enjoy wealth and entertain those who served him. The distributor of treasure amongst his friends, he suffered his wrath to fall on his foes. Feeding the sacred fire, he practiced severe penances, was conversant with the Veda and fulfilled his duty as a real hero. Now, with thine approval, I desire to perform his obsequies.”
Touched by these poignant words of Vibhishana’s, Rama commanded him to perform the funeral rites that lead the soul to heaven, and said:
“Death has terminated our enmity that now has no reason for its existence. He is as dear to me as you; let us therefore perform the obsequies.”
In chapter 113, all the consorts of Ravana lament, recollecting the valour of Ravana and with a stunning surprise of how he has been killed by an ordinary mortal. They feel sorry that, had Sita been restored by Ravana to Rama, this major disaster would not have befallen them.
Hearing that Ravana had fallen under the blows of the highly powerful Raghava, the female titans, like unto cows which have lost their calves, overcome with grief, their hair dishevelled, rushed out of the inner apartments and, though restrained, rolled in the dust again and again. Issuing from the northern gateway with their attendants, they entered that dreadful battlefield searching for their dead lord and cried out, ‘O Our King, Our Support’, running hither and thither on the ground that was covered with headless trunks, mud and gore. Their eyes full of tears, overcome with grief, they emitted cries like unto female elephants who have lost the leader of the herd.
Then they beheld that great and exceedingly powerful and illustrious Ravana, their lord, lying in the dust and they immediately all fell upon his body like creepers that have been torn down in the forest. In a transport of passion, one embraced him sobbing, one pressed his feet, one hung on his neck, whilst another, beating the air with her arms, rolled on the ground and yet another, gazing on her dead lord, swooned away, and one, laying her head in his lap, wept as she looked on him, her tears bathing his face, as rime covers a lotus flower.
They wailed, "If only you had heeded Vibhishana and returned Sita, the rakshasas, you and we would not all be dead. Rama would have been our friend and this dreadful sorrow would not have befallen Lanka. This destruction is also an act of destiny. No power on earth, neither wealth nor valor can avert its course.
In chapter 114, Mandodari stares at the dead body of Ravana and laments, recollecting the strength and power of Ravana. But, she realizes that Rama, who killed Ravana, is none other than Vishnu the lord of the world. She further laments that Ravana has done a sinful deed in abducting Sita and that he has faced the consequence in the form of his death; in the hands of Rama. Meanwhile, Rama asks Vibhishana to perform obsequies to Ravana. Initially, Vibhishana refuses to perform the last rites, but when Rama convinces him, he begins to perform the funeral of Ravana.
Mandodari says, ”Does it not shame you? This Rama is not a mere mortal, but the protector and sustainer of the world. He has neither birth nor death. Beyond the bounds of nature, he is lord Vishnu himself. Lord of the earth, he is here in human form for its protection along with the devas, who are in the form of vanaras.”
When the time came to perform the funeral rites, Vibhishana refused to do so because Ravana was cruel, ruthless and stole the wives of others. "He is a barbarian and the world will not condemn me for not honoring him." Rama thought otherwise. He said, "Though unjust and wicked, you are also magnanimous and powerful. With death ends enmity. We have achieved our purpose, so let us perform the obsequies.
Vibhishana kindled the pyre and when all the rites came to an end, Rama too laid down the divine armor, weapons and astras that Mahendra had given him.
In chapter 115, Matali, Indra's charioteer leaves the battle-field and returns to his heaven. Then, Rama instructs Lakshmana to arrange for the installation of Vibhishana on the throne of Lanka. Lakshmana arranges to get sea-water from some monkey-chiefs and sprinkles it on Vibhishana, to install him as the King of Lanka, in the presence of the demons there. Then, Rama sends his message to Sita through Hanuman.
The gods, devas and all others who had come to witness the great war went back happy and relieved at Ravana's death. Honored by Rama, Matali returned to heaven. Rama, grateful for Sugriva's help, embraced him and asked Lakshmana to coronate Vibhishana as king of Lanka.
Then Lakshmana, at Rama’s command, lifting up an excellent jar, caused Vibhishana to take his place on a high seat and, following the injunctions laid down in the sacred texts, surrounded by a crowd of his friends, with that water installed him as King of Lanka amidst the titans.
All the monkeys as well as the titans assisted at Vibhishana’s installation and, amidst unequalled transports of delight, they paid tribute to Rama. Vibhishana’s counsellors were exceedingly happy, as also the titans who were devoted to him and, being enthroned as King of Lanka, he, Raghava and Lakshmana, who accompanied him, experienced supreme satisfaction. Then the new monarch, having spoken graciously to his subjects, went to where Rama was to be found.
Thereafter the people of the city offered him curds, parched rice, sweetmeats, roasted grain and flowers, which he placed at the disposal of Rama and Lakshmana, and Raghava, seeing Vibhishana’s work accomplished and his purpose attained, accepted all in deference to him.
Rama then gave Hanuman permission to go to Lanka with Vibhishana's permission and tell Sita of the death of Ravana.
This concludes chapters 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115 of Yuddha Kanda where we had seen Vibhishana immediately lamenting the death of Ravana as his dear brother fell on the battle ground, all the wives of Ravana lamenting in the same way as Mandodari, Vibhishana regaining senses and refusing to perform obsequies for Ravana’s abducting acts but advises against by Rama, then Vibhishana does it and was installed as the King of Lanka by Rama. Everyone among his own men and women accepts that Ravana is a great king, brother and husband but brought his downfall by treading a wrong path. It is indicative of the closeness Ravana stitched with his people by tricking them into his mischievous world and still loved by one and all. Rama is not just the liberator of good people but also redeemed a person like Ravana and all his people were also liberated by removing the dangerous, false veil of affection which Ravana established. The people now saw the true reality after liberating from cruel acts of their lord and got someone like Vibhishana as their new king. Thus, Lanka is set free and is on the path of healing after inflicting upon innumerable wounds. How Sita is found, reunited and treated by Rama after separation can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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