Kabandha

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Kabandha (कबन्ध) is a Rakshasa who is killed and freed from a curse by the god Rama and his brother Lakshmana. Kabandha's legend appears in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as in later Ramayana adaptations.

Variants

  • Kabandha (कबन्ध) = "headless torso"

Kabandha was a Gandharva

Kabandha was a Gandharva (celestial musician) named Vishvavasu or Danu, who was cursed and made into an ugly, carnivorous demon by a sage named Sthulshira. In an encounter with Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers sever his arms and proceed to cremate his corpse. Upon his death, Kabandha resumes his Gandharva form and directs Rama to the Rishyamukha mountain, where the exiled monkey-chief Sugriva is hiding. Kabandha advises Rama to form an alliance with Sugriva, who would be of assistance in the search for Rama's wife Sita, who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the demon-king of Lanka. Following Kabandha's advice, Rama befriends Sugriva and rescues Sita with his help.

Literary sources

The most detailed account of Kabandha appears in the third book, Aranya Kanda, of the epic Ramayana, Sargas (cantos) 69-73.[1] However, Kabandha first appears in canto one of the first book Bala kanda of the Ramayana, in which the entire story is summarized.[2]

The account of Kabandha also appears in the Ramopakhyana – the retelling of Rama's story in the Aranya Parva – the third book of the Mahabharata,[3] and its appendix Harivamsa,[4][5] as well as in later adaptations of the Ramayana such as Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa (composed between 4th to 6th century CE),[6] Bhatti's 7th century work Bhattikavya, Bhavabhuti's 8th century play Mahaviracharita, Murari Mishra's 10th century drama Anargharaghava, Kamban's 12th century book Kamba Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana (chapter 9 of Aranya kanda, dated between late 14th to early 15th century)[7] from Brahmanda Purana and Tulsidas's 16th century work Ramacharitamanas.

Encounter with Rama

The Ramayana narrates: Rama, his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana were exiled to the forest for a 14-year period. While in the forest, Sita was kidnapped by the demon-king Ravana. Rama was informed of Sita's fate by the dying vulture Jatayu, who had been mortally wounded in trying to save her. Searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reached the Krauncha forest, where Kabandha dwelt.[8]


Kabandha tells Rama and Laksmana how he came to have his hideous form Suddenly, Kabandha appeared before them. The demon blocked the path of the brothers, who tried to escape by taking a different route, but was finally caught by Kabandha.[9] The demon grabbed Rama in his right arm and Lakshmana in his left. Finding themselves helpless in Kabandha's clutches, Lakshmana appeals to Rama to escape and find Sita, leaving him behind as a sacrifice to the demon. Rama consoled him. Kabandha declared that he was extremely hungry and asked them who they were who had come to sate his hunger. At this time, Lakshmana realized that the strength of the demon lay in his hands and suggested that they cut off the demon's hands. Annoyed by the brothers' conversation, Kabandha decided to eat them at once and drew them closer to his mouth. The brothers drew their swords and quickly cut off the arms of the demon, who fell down with a mighty roar.[10]

The fallen Kabandha again asked for the names of his vanquishers. Lakshmana introduced himself and Rama and asked the demon who he was. Kabandha narrated his story to the brothers and declared that he recognized Rama by the very fact that Rama had severed his arms. Kabandha requested that Rama perform his cremation rites, offered him what information he could, and died.[11]

While other adaptations tell a tale about the encounter similar to Ramayana, Mahavira-Charita is a notable exception. A woman called Shramana is caught in the clutches of Kabandha and calls for help. While roaming in the Dandaka forest, Rama hears her call and sends Lakshmana to check. Lakshmana kills Kabandha and leads Shramana to Rama. Shramana turns out to be a messenger of Vibhishana (Bibhishana) – brother of Ravana – who has joined forces with Sugriva against Ravana.[10] Anargharaghava mirrors the Mahavira-Charita, replacing Shramana with Guha, a forest chief who leads them to Sugriva.[12]

Counsel to Rama

The Ramayana narrates: the brothers burnt Kabandha's corpse on a funeral pyre. As the pyre was lit, Kabandha's demon form melted and from the flames Vishvavasu rose up in the air in his celestial form, dressed in spotless garments and finery as a chariot from heaven appears to get him. Vishvavasu told the brothers that to fight calamity there are six ways, one of which to nurture a friendship with someone, who is in trouble. He advised the brothers to find the monkey (vanara) king Sugriva, who would guide them in the quest for Sita. Vishvavasu informed Rama that Sugriva was driven out of his kingdom by his own brother Vali and that Rama should help Sugriva regain his kingdom. The deposed Sugriva dwelt at Rsyamukha hill. Vishvavasu then described in detail the route to Rsyamukha hill. He advised Rama to travel in the western direction till he reached the Pampa lake in the region called Matangavana where sage Matanga's hermitage once stood. Ram would meet vanaras at this lake and also sage Matanga's aged female disciple Shabari, who is waiting for him and after Rama's visit, would ascend to heaven. To east of Matangavana is the Rsyamukha hill, which has an arduous path up. Kabandha revealed that one who ascends to the top of this hill, his dreams come true. Kabandha also assured Rama that his sorrows would end after reaching this hill, where Sugriva dwelt in a cave on the side on the hill. Kabandha then disappears.[13][14]


As per the advice of Kabandha, Rama forms an alliance with Sugriva. Rama seated with Sugriva as the vanaras look for Sita in all directions. (17th-century painting from manuscripts commissioned by Rana Jagat Singh.) The Mahabharata corroborates the Ramayana account. Vishvavasu tells Rama to seek the help of Sugriva, who would know where Ravana stays. Kabandha also assured Rama that he would definitely meet Sita again.[15] In the Mahavira-Charita, the divine person that leaves the funeral pyre informs Rama that he is Danu and a curse had turned him in a demon, who was manipulated by Malyavan – Ravana's chief adviser – to create havoc in the region. He expresses his gratitude to Rama and cautions him that Malyavan has also set Vali against him.[16]

In Bhattikavya, Jatayu dies in the arms of Rama without revealing that Sita is in the clutches of Ravana. After his arms are chopped, the unnamed demon – identified with Kabandha – falls and starts his counsel. The funeral pyre scene is dropped here. The demon tells Rama that Ravana abducted Sita and has taken her to Lanka. He advises Rama to form an alliance with Sugriva, without which Ravana will not be overcome. He advises Rama to negotiate a deal with Sugriva as per which Rama will kill Vali and end Sugriva's sorrows and in return, Sugriva would mobilize his forces to defeat Ravana. The demon praises Rama, who purified the demon by his sword. The demon urges Rama to believe him as he is telling the truth. At last, the demon transforms into a radiant divine being as he was telling the truth and plunges into the sky.[17]

Kamba Ramayana concurs with the Ramayana account about the counsel, but adds a panegyric on Rama by the celestial Danu. Danu exalts Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu and even compares him to baby Krishna, another incarnation of Vishnu.[18] Raghuvamsa, which is a summary of the lives of ancestors of Rama and his own, does not mention the details of the killing of Kabandha, however, it acknowledges the counsel. In a passing reference, it notes: "At the advice of Kabandha, who by death escaped from curse, there grew up a friendship between Rama and the monkey-chief (Sugriva)".[19]

Rama and Lakshmana took Kabandha's advice and reached Pampa Lake.[20] There, as per Kabandha's prophecy, they met Shabari and then Sugriva. An alliance with Sugriva would finally help Rama defeat Ravana and save Sita.

The Adhyatma Ramayana, the Mahavira-charita, the Anargharaghava and the Ramacharitamanas do not discuss the counsel at all and credit Shabari or Shramana or Guha as the one who leads Rama to Sugriva.[21][22][23][24] In the Adhyatma Ramayana, Kabandha appears from the pyre as a divine being and reveals his true identity as a cursed Gandharva. He further extols Rama in a hymn stating that various worlds and deities are embedded in parts of his body and Rama is the Supreme being and then disappears.[25]

References

  1. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4.
  2. ↑ Goldman, Robert P. (1990). The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India: Balakanda. Princeton University Press. pp. 34–37, also p. 124. ISBN 978-0-691-01485-2.
  3. ↑ Peter M. Scharf (2003). "Mahabharata 3.263.25 – 3.263.42". Rāmopākhyāna: the story of Rāma in the Mahābhārata. Routledge. pp. 313–333. ISBN 0-7007-1391-3.
  4. ↑ Monier-Williams (2008) [1899]. "Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary". p. 251.
  5. ↑ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 361–2. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  6. ↑ Monier-Williams (2008) [1899]. "Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary". p. 251.
  7. ↑ Chandan Lal Dhody (1995). "Redemption of Kabandha". The Adhyātma Rāmāyaṇa: concise English version. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 99–101.
  8. ↑ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 361–2. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  9. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4.
  10. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4.
  11. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4.
  12. ↑ Arthur Berriedale Keith (1992). "Anargharaghava". The Sanskrit drama in its origin, development, theory & practice. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 228.
  13. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4.
  14. ↑ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 361–2. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  15. ↑ Peter M. Scharf (2003). "Mahabharata 3.263.25 – 3.263.42". Rāmopākhyāna: the story of Rāma in the Mahābhārata. Routledge. pp. 313–333. ISBN 0-7007-1391-3.
  16. ↑ Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi (1996). "The Mahavira-charita". Bhavabhūti: his date, life, and works. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 139.
  17. ↑ Bhaṭṭi, G. G. Leonardi (1972). "Canto 1: 45-58". Bhaṭṭikāvyam. BRILL. pp. 46–8.
  18. ↑ K. S. Srinivasan (1994). Rāmāyaṇam as told by Vālmīki and Kamban. Abhinav Publications. pp. 135–137.
  19. ↑ Kālidāsa, C.R. Devadhar (1997). "Verse 57, Canto 12". Raghuvamśa of Kālidāsa. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 229.
  20. ↑ Valmiki, Swami Venkatesananda (1988). "Aranya Kanda 69 – 73". The concise Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki. SUNY Press. pp. 170–2. ISBN 0-88706-863-4
  21. ↑ Chandan Lal Dhody (1995). "Redemption of Kabandha". The Adhyātma Rāmāyaṇa: concise English version. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 99–101.
  22. ↑ ulasīdāsa, Frederic Salmon Growse (1998). "Caupai 31". The Rāmāyaṇa of Tulasīdāsa (2 ed.). Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp. 451, 453.
  23. ↑ Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi (1996). "The Mahavira-charita". Bhavabhūti: his date, life, and works. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 139.
  24. ↑ Arthur Berriedale Keith (1992). "Anargharaghava". The Sanskrit drama in its origin, development, theory & practice. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 228.
  25. ↑ Chandan Lal Dhody (1995). "Redemption of Kabandha". The Adhyātma Rāmāyaṇa: concise English version. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 99–101.
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