Friday, 24 April 2026

Was the episode of Indrajit’s binding Shri Rama and Lakshmana with serpentine arrows an interpolated one?

 



In 44th Sarga of Yuddha Kanda of Ramayana, Indrajit makes Shri Rama and Lakshmana immobile with serpentine arrows. Thereafter, Garuda appears (50th Sarga of Yuddha kanda) and the serpents that bound Shri Rama and Lakshmana till then, in the form of arrows, ran away. Garuda makes Shri Rama and Lakshmana rejuvenated.

In the 56th Sarga of Yuddha Kanda, Shri Hanuman kills Akampana.

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When queried by Shri Rama (59th Sarga of Yuddha Kanda), Vibhishana introduces the following warriors in the Ravana’s Army. This list includes Akampana, who was killed by Shri Hanuman in the 56th Sarga of Yuddha Kanda.

1. Akampana

2. Indrajit

3. Atikaaya

4. Mahodara

5. Pishacha

6. Trishira

7. Kumbhasura

8. Nikumbha

9. Narantaka

10. Ravana

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In 33rd shloka of 59th Sarga of Yuddha Kanda, Ravana sends back all the warriors that accompanied him, to safeguard the city. Thus, he alone fought the war.

ततह् रक्षो अधिपतिर् महात्मा | रक्षांसि तान्य् आह महा बलानि |
द्वारेषु चर्या गृह गोपुरेषु | सुनिर्वृतास् तिष्ठत निर्विशन्काह् || -५९-३३

Thereafter, that powerful Ravana spoke to those exceedingly strong demons as follows: "Take up your positions unfalteringly and happily at the gates and principal exits, the outposts and fortifications."

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It is surprising to note that having allowed them to accompany him into the battlefield, why did he send them back, as if a group of relatives and friends accompanying an about to be wedded bridegroom?

Hence, in my view,

·        the episode of Indrajit’s binding Shri Rama and Lakshmana with serpentine arrows is an interpolated, as it was included to introduce Garuda, who is nowhere connected to the main story

·        the introductory speech of Vishishana and Ravana sending them back are interpolated.

·        Indrajit enters the battlefield, only after the death of Kumbhakarna and other warriors, in 73rd sarga of Yuddha Kanda.