Shatashloki 64: The mighty Rama, who possessed powerful arms killed Kabandha

Tam nihatya mahaabahuh dadaaha svargatascha sah.

Meaning of the hymn- The mighty Rama, who possessed powerful arms killed
Kabandha. When Rama cremated the dead body, Kabandha was able to reach
Heaven.

Kabandha noticed the two brothers and catching them both in his long arms, threw
them far away. He continued to pick and hurl them. Rama did not lose courage one
little bit. However Lakshmana was deeply perturbed. Addressing Rama he said,
“Dear brother. Do not worry about me. Please set yourself free from this demon‟s
grip. Very shortly you will meet Seeta. You will regain the kingdom and will be
crowned the king”.

Addressing his brother, Rama said, “Oh Lakshmana. Fear not. Everyone is a puppet
in the hands of time. There is no one who can go against the force of time. What is
in store for us or for this demon, time will only tell. Do not lose heart”.
The arrogant demon said to them, “Who are you? Why are you here holding your
weapons? All your life is a sheer waste in front of my arms. I am ravenous (hungry)
and now I am about to eat you up”.

Hearing this arrogant demon, Lakshmana was anguished and angered. He said to his
brother, “This demon has all his might in his arms, dear brother. Hence it is wise that
without losing any time, we chop them off. It is with these hands that he is catching
us”.

Kabandha, the demon, who heard this conversation between the brothers, was
infuriated and he opened his mouth wide so as to devour these two brothers. As he
was quickly drawing his arms closer to his mouth, the brothers drew out their swords
in order to chop off his arms. Seeing this action, Kabandha trembled. Very swiftly
Rama chopped off the right arm near the shoulder while Lakshmana mutilated his
left shoulder. Blood was gushing out like a great stream from this demon. Both the
arms of this demon were chopped off. With a loud noise that reverberated across all
the forests, this gigantic demon collapsed to the earth.

Kabandha sought to know the identity of the two brothers. In response to this,
Lakshmana told him about Rama and about himself, their exile into the forests and
the kidnapping of Seeta. Upon hearing their identity the demon Kabandha was
deeply surprised. He now knew that the time for the redemption of his curse had
neared. He was delighted.

Addressing the two brothers he said, “A warm welcome to this place. I am an
accursed being. I will narrate my story. Please listen.

Once upon a time, I was a very handsome being with a great physique like Indra,
the lord of heaven. I derived great pleasure in changing my form to a ghastly and
hideous one, visiting the earth and moving about in these forests, scaring away the
great sages here. Once I went and tried to scare a great sage by name Sthoolashira
and irritated him. He cursed me to transform into a horrible and ghastly form and to
remain thus. I begged forgiveness from that great sage, he said „when Rama chops
off your arms, you will be relieved from this curse‟.

I undertook penance and pleased Lord Brahma, who granted me longevity. Proud of
my longevity, I dared to attack Devendra. Devendra directed his thunderbolt at me.
Due to its attack, I got this headless form. I cannot move. I grab animals and devour
them.

Rama, since a very long time I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please
cremate me. Doing so will being about auspiciousness to you. There is no one apart
from you, who can grant me liberation. When you cremate me, I shall tell you about
a being whom you can befriend and who will be of help to you. When I am burnt and
I regain my original divine state, I will get the divine vision. With that I shall be able
to help you”.

Upon hearing this, Rama and Lakshmana found a suitable place in the forests and
throwing Kabandha there, they cremated him. Immediately, Kabandha assumed a
divine form and seated in an airplane he addressed Rama and said, “Everything that
happens is bound by time. Go in the western direction from here. You will reach the
Pampa Sarovar. A sanyasini by name Shabari lives there. Please bless her by visiting
her. Very close to this Pampa Sarovar, is the Rshyamukha Mountain. A Vanara King
by name Sugriva lives there together with his friends. Meet him. It will bring about
auspiciousness to you. You will be successful in your mission”.

Saying this, Kabandha began his journey to heaven. Once again saying, “Rama, go
and befriend Sugriva. It will be useful” Kabandha continued his journey.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam Namaha.