6. Yuddha Kand
The Book of War · 128 sargas
The vanara army bridges the sea and Vibhishana takes refuge with Rama. A terrible war follows in Lanka — Kumbhakarna and Meghnad fall, Lakshmana lies unconscious and Hanuman carries back a whole mountain to revive him. Sage Agastya teaches Rama the Aditya Hridayam, and Rama kills Ravana. Lamps are lit for the return to Ayodhya, and that is Deepavali.
Key Episodes
- Vibhishana takes refuge — Rama never turns away one who surrenders
- Nala and Nila build the Rama Setu across the sea
- Kumbhakarna and Meghnad (Indrajit) are killed
- Lakshmana falls, and Hanuman brings the Sanjeevani mountain
- Sage Agastya teaches Rama the Aditya Hridayam
- Ravana is killed, Sita's trial by fire, and the return to Ayodhya — Deepavali
Shlokas
Yuddha Kand
आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम् । जयावहं जपेन्नित्यमक्षय्यं परमं शिवम् ॥
āditya-hṛdayaṁ puṇyaṁ sarva-śatru-vināśanam / jayāvahaṁ japen nityam akṣayyaṁ paramaṁ śivam
The Aditya Hridayam is holy, destroyer of all enemies, bringer of victory, imperishable and supremely auspicious — recite it always. Sage Agastya's counsel to Rama on the morning of the final battle.