Image: Indrajit in Battle

Indrajit in Battle

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Ravana's magician son Indrajit again advances on the monkey army, having brewed magic potions to make himself invisible at need. From his chariot and from the sky, where he is invisible, Indrajit overwhelms all the monkey leaders as well as Rama and Laksmana with his Brahma-weapons. They lie prostrate on the ground, riddled with arrows. Vibhisana and Hanuman seek out the wise bear Jambavan (also riddled with arrows), who tells Hanuman to look for the medicinal herbs which grow on the peaks of the Himalayas. Hanuman, using his power as the son of the wind god, assumes his true enormous size before taking off to cross the whole length of India.

You can read about the Indrajit's nagapasha, or snake-noose, at Wikipedia: "Upon impact, this weapon would bind the target in coils of living venomous snakes. In the Ramayana, it was used against Rama and Lakshmana by Indrajit."

Details: Indrajit; Hanuman in Giant Size

Image: The Monkeys Encircle Lanka

The Monkeys Encircle Lanka

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Ravana has sent out spies to assess his enemy's strength and now takes counsel with them and his ministers. Meanwhile, Rama confers with his allies - the monkeys headed by Sugriva, the bears under their king Jambavan, and the friendly demons under Vibhisana - as to the best plan of assault. The monkeys begin to surround the city in preparation for the attack. Ravana directs Lanka's defences, having placed key demons at the city gates and in the centre. Rama has now decided to climb the nearby Mount Suvela from which there is a splendid view of the city of Lanka "as if suspended in the air."

Details: Rama and his allies; Ravana.

Image: Ravana Fallen

Ravana Fallen

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Vibhisana was overcome with grief at the death of his brother Ravana, who despite his wickedness acted out his life in accordance with the dharma into which he was born. Rama on the left in full council instructs Vibhisana and the remaining demons to perform Ravana's funeral rites. Across the top of the picture the monkeys and demons gather the wood for the funeral pyre. On the right Ravana's body is surrounded by his lamenting wives headed by his chief wife Mandodari. The women express their grief with eloquent gestures. Sahib Din's expresses Mandodari's heartfelt lament for her dead husband and sons by placing her with her back to us as she unbraids her hair in the traditional gesture of the bereaved wife. The directional imperative from left to right has now ceased as Sahib Din reverts to a traditional dividing frame for his composition.

Details: Rama Makes Peace, 

Mandodari Grieves for Ravana

by unbraiding her hair,

Funeral Preparations

Image: The Fall of Kumbhakarna

The Fall of Kumbhakarna.

Painting by Sahib Din, 1652.

(British Library at Flickr)

Details:

More about Kumbhakarna at Wikipedia.

Rama shoots Kumbhakarna.

Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna's brother, grieves. 

Notice that as Kumbhakarna crashes to the ground, 

he pulls down part of the walls of the city of Lanka with him.

The rakshasas flee, terrified of what will happen next.

Image: Vibhishana Leaves Lanka

Vibhishana leaves Lanka

and comes to Rama's camp.

(painting circa 1790)

Details:

Vibhishana and Rama

Lanka

Image: Rama battles Ravana

Rama battles Ravana
(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Having seen Rama and Laksmana advancing to meet Ravana on foot, the god Indra has sent down his chariot and charioteer Matali. After a tremendous fight, in which Rama shoots off Ravana's heads with his arrows only to see them grow again, Matali reminds Rama to use his Brahma-weapon. This weapon pierces Ravana's breast and he falls lifeless from his chariot. The surviving demons depart and Rama receives the homage of Vibhisana, whose grief on the death of his brother he consoles, and that of all the monkey leaders and the bear Jambavan.

Details: