Difference between revisions of "Kumbhakarna"
(Created page with " <poem> Kumbhakarna IAST: Kumbhakarṇa, is a rakshasa and younger brother of Ravana in the Indian {{Wiki|Ramayana}} epic. Despite his monstrous size and great hu...") |
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| − | Kumbhakarna IAST: Kumbhakarṇa, is a [[rakshasa]] and younger brother of [[Ravana]] in the [[Indian]] {{Wiki|Ramayana}} epic. Despite his monstrous size and great hunger, he was described to be of good [[character]], though he killed and ate many [[Hindu]] [[monks]] just to show his power. | + | [[Kumbhakarna]] IAST: [[Kumbhakarṇa]], is a [[rakshasa]] and younger brother of [[Ravana]] in the [[Indian]] {{Wiki|Ramayana}} epic. Despite his monstrous size and great hunger, he was described to be of good [[character]], though he killed and ate many [[Hindu]] [[monks]] just to show his power. |
| − | He was considered so pious, {{Wiki|intelligent}} and brave that [[Indra]] was jealous of him. Along with his brothers, [[Ravana]] and Vibhishana, he performed a major [[yajna]] and penance for [[Lord]] [[Brahma]]. When the [[time]] came for asking a boon ([[blessing]]) from [[Brahma]], his {{Wiki|tongue}} was tied by [[goddess]] [[Saraswati]] (acting on [[Indra's]] request). So instead of asking "Indraasana" (seat of | + | He was considered so pious, {{Wiki|intelligent}} and brave that [[Indra]] was jealous of him. Along with his brothers, [[Ravana]] and [[Vibhishana]], he performed a major [[yajna]] and penance for [[Lord]] [[Brahma]]. When the [[time]] came for asking a boon ([[blessing]]) from [[Brahma]], his {{Wiki|tongue}} was tied by [[goddess]] [[Saraswati]] (acting on [[Indra's]] request). So instead of asking "[[Indraasana]]" ([[seat of Indra]]), he asked for "[[Nidraasana]]" (bed for [[sleeping]]). It is also said he intended to ask for [[Nirdevatvam]] ({{Wiki|annihilation}} of the [[Devas]]), and instead asked for [[Nidravatvam]] ([[sleep]]). His request was granted. But his brother [[Ravana]] asked [[Brahma]] to undo this boon as it was in [[reality]] a curse. So [[Kumbhakarna]] slept, and was awake for six months, when he ate everything in the vicinity, including [[humans]]. |
| − | During the [[war]], [[Ravana]] went into battle and was humiliated by {{Wiki|Rama}} and his {{Wiki|army}}. He decided he needed the help of his brother Kumbhakarna, who was [[awakened]] with great difficulty. He woke up only after one thousand [[elephants]] walked over him. | + | During the [[war]], [[Ravana]] went into battle and was humiliated by {{Wiki|Rama}} and his {{Wiki|army}}. He decided he needed the help of his brother [[Kumbhakarna]], who was [[awakened]] with great difficulty. He woke up only after one thousand [[elephants]] walked over him. |
| − | When he was informed of the circumstances of Ravana's [[war]] with {{Wiki|Rama}}, he tried to convince [[Ravana]] that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to fight in the battle due to his loyalty to his brother. After becoming drunk, Kumbhakarna went into battle. He devastated Rama's {{Wiki|army}}, injured {{Wiki|Hanuman}}, and knocked Sugriva [[unconscious]] and took him as a prisoner but was killed by {{Wiki|Rama}}. When [[Ravana]] heard of his brother's [[death]], he fainted and proclaimed that he is truly doomed. | + | When he was informed of the circumstances of [[Ravana's]] [[war]] with {{Wiki|Rama}}, he tried to convince [[Ravana]] that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to fight in the battle due to his loyalty to his brother. After becoming drunk, [[Kumbhakarna]] went into battle. He devastated Rama's {{Wiki|army}}, injured {{Wiki|Hanuman}}, and knocked Sugriva [[unconscious]] and took him as a prisoner but was killed by {{Wiki|Rama}}. When [[Ravana]] heard of his brother's [[death]], he fainted and proclaimed that he is truly doomed. |
| − | Kumbhakarna had two sons, [[Kumbha]] and Nikumbha, who too fought in the [[war]] against {{Wiki|Rama}} and were killed. | + | [[Kumbhakarna]] had two sons, [[Kumbha]] and [[Nikumbha]], who too fought in the [[war]] against {{Wiki|Rama}} and were killed. |
| − | Kumbhakarna is certainly one of the most [[interesting]] characters in the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} epic. Whereas most characters perfectly embody either [[virtue]] or vice, Kumbhakarna is a more complex figure. Able to realize the mistakes and wrongdoings of [[Ravana]], even trying to intervene and moderate at certain times, he is unable to openly oppose him, [[feeling]] bound by his [[warrior]] [[ethics]]. Fighting on what he [[knows]] is the wrong side, he is ultimately killed in combat. When he was finally defeated, he annihilated in [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Rama}} and got {{Wiki|salvation}}. | + | [[Kumbhakarna]] is certainly one of the most [[interesting]] characters in the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} epic. Whereas most characters perfectly embody either [[virtue]] or vice, Kumbhakarna is a more complex figure. Able to realize the mistakes and wrongdoings of [[Ravana]], even trying to intervene and moderate at certain times, he is unable to openly oppose him, [[feeling]] bound by his [[warrior]] [[ethics]]. Fighting on what he [[knows]] is the wrong side, he is ultimately killed in combat. When he was finally defeated, he annihilated in [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Rama}} and got {{Wiki|salvation}}. |
| − | The battle between Kumbhakarna and {{Wiki|Rama}} is prominently featured in the {{Wiki|Balinese}} Kecak dance. | + | The battle between [[Kumbhakarna]] and {{Wiki|Rama}} is prominently featured in the {{Wiki|Balinese}} Kecak dance. |
| − | According to the {{Wiki|Shiva Purana}}, Kumbhakarna had another son called Bheema who fled to [[Dakini]] - on the ranges of the Sahyadri mountains with his mother Karkati. Bheema took an oath to destroy [[Lord]] [[Vishnu]] and began a campaign of terror based on a boon provided by [[Lord]] [[Brahma]]. When Bheema defeated a devotee of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] and interrupted his penances, [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] destroyed Bheema and [[manifested]] himself at that location in the [[form]] of the Bheemashankar Jyotirlinga - one of the 12 jyotirlingas in [[existence]]. | + | According to the {{Wiki|Shiva Purana}}, [[Kumbhakarna]] had another son called Bheema who fled to [[Dakini]] - on the ranges of the Sahyadri mountains with his mother Karkati. Bheema took an oath to destroy [[Lord]] [[Vishnu]] and began a campaign of terror based on a boon provided by [[Lord]] [[Brahma]]. When Bheema defeated a devotee of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] and interrupted his penances, [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] destroyed Bheema and [[manifested]] himself at that location in the [[form]] of the Bheemashankar Jyotirlinga - one of the 12 jyotirlingas in [[existence]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
| − | [[Category:]] | + | [[Category:Rakshasa]] |
Revision as of 22:43, 31 December 2013
Kumbhakarna IAST: Kumbhakarṇa, is a rakshasa and younger brother of Ravana in the Indian Ramayana epic. Despite his monstrous size and great hunger, he was described to be of good character, though he killed and ate many Hindu monks just to show his power.
He was considered so pious, intelligent and brave that Indra was jealous of him. Along with his brothers, Ravana and Vibhishana, he performed a major yajna and penance for Lord Brahma. When the time came for asking a boon (blessing) from Brahma, his tongue was tied by goddess Saraswati (acting on Indra's request). So instead of asking "Indraasana" (seat of Indra), he asked for "Nidraasana" (bed for sleeping). It is also said he intended to ask for Nirdevatvam (annihilation of the Devas), and instead asked for Nidravatvam (sleep). His request was granted. But his brother Ravana asked Brahma to undo this boon as it was in reality a curse. So Kumbhakarna slept, and was awake for six months, when he ate everything in the vicinity, including humans.
During the war, Ravana went into battle and was humiliated by Rama and his army. He decided he needed the help of his brother Kumbhakarna, who was awakened with great difficulty. He woke up only after one thousand elephants walked over him.
When he was informed of the circumstances of Ravana's war with Rama, he tried to convince Ravana that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to fight in the battle due to his loyalty to his brother. After becoming drunk, Kumbhakarna went into battle. He devastated Rama's army, injured Hanuman, and knocked Sugriva unconscious and took him as a prisoner but was killed by Rama. When Ravana heard of his brother's death, he fainted and proclaimed that he is truly doomed.
Kumbhakarna had two sons, Kumbha and Nikumbha, who too fought in the war against Rama and were killed.
Kumbhakarna is certainly one of the most interesting characters in the Ramayana epic. Whereas most characters perfectly embody either virtue or vice, Kumbhakarna is a more complex figure. Able to realize the mistakes and wrongdoings of Ravana, even trying to intervene and moderate at certain times, he is unable to openly oppose him, feeling bound by his warrior ethics. Fighting on what he knows is the wrong side, he is ultimately killed in combat. When he was finally defeated, he annihilated in Lord Rama and got salvation.
The battle between Kumbhakarna and Rama is prominently featured in the Balinese Kecak dance.
According to the Shiva Purana, Kumbhakarna had another son called Bheema who fled to Dakini - on the ranges of the Sahyadri mountains with his mother Karkati. Bheema took an oath to destroy Lord Vishnu and began a campaign of terror based on a boon provided by Lord Brahma. When Bheema defeated a devotee of Lord Shiva and interrupted his penances, Lord Shiva destroyed Bheema and manifested himself at that location in the form of the Bheemashankar Jyotirlinga - one of the 12 jyotirlingas in existence.
