Lanka Kaanda
190 - Final encounter between Sri Rama and Ravana; end of Ravana; shouts of victory everywhere
Chaupais
Description
One arrow sucked up the depths of the navel, while the rest struck his ten heads and twenty arms with impetuosity. The arrows carried off with them all his heads and arms, while the headless and armless trunk danced on the battle-field. The earth sunk under the weight of the trunk as it rushed violently on, till the Lord struck it with His arrow and split it in two. While dying he shouted with a loud and terrible roar: "Where is Rama, that I may challenge and slay him in battle?" The earth reeled as the ten- headed monster fell; the ocean, the rivers, the elephants guarding the quarters, and the mountains were shaken. Expanding the two halves he dropped to the ground, crushing under their weight a host of bears and monkeys. After depositing the arms and heads before Mandodari, the darts returned to the Lord of the universe and all found their way back into the quiver. Seeing this, the gods sounded their kettle-drums. His soul entered the Lord's mouth in the form of effulgence. Lord Sambhu and the four-faced Brahma (the Creator) rejoiced to see the spectacle. The whole universe resounded with cries of "Victory ! Victory !! Glory to the Hero of Raghu's line, mighty of arm !!!" Gods and sages rained down flowers, shouting "Glory, glory to the All-merciful ! Glory to Mukunda (the Bestower of liberation) !!"