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 It took Sri Rama to arrest the progress of Kumbakarna towards the city of Lanka. With an amazing swiftness he shot a series of arrows to build a wall that obstructed Kumbakarna's path. As he turned to see who did this, Rama shot two arrows that pierced his temples, making blood to surge down in large quantities. The warm blood pouring on Sugriva enabled him to regain his consciousness. Sugriva immediately jumped out of the hold of Kumbakarna and without delay bit off his nose and earlobes, took them with him as memento and flew back to Rama. All the monkeys gathered around them applauding the bravery of Sugriva.
In a split second Kumbakarna had lost his nose. Cutting off one's nose and of course earlobes was done as a punishment with an intention to leave the person lead the rest of his or her life without the vital organs and to be scoffed at and insulted wherever he or she went. This was precisely why Lakshmana cut the nose, earlobes and teats of Surpanakka. Kumbakarna's pride was slighted. He drew out his massive sword and swung into the field with retribution raging his mind. He killed the monkeys in their hundreds in one sweep. Jambavan reported the destruction that was being caused to their lot to
Rama.
The war that ensued is beyond compare in the entire epic. Rama has a reputation for
'oka maata, oka bhaana, oka pathni' 'one arrow; one word and one wife'. He did not have to use a second arrow; did not go
 back on his first word and did not think of a second woman. But in the case of Kumbakarna, even thousands of Rama's arrows could not contain him. The poet sings -
'parappa aayiram' thousands flew around him
paduvana aayiram thousands struck him. 'pagattu ezil maarbam thirappa aayiram'
thousands bore into his muscular chest. 'sendru pukku uruvaadhu maraippa aayiram' thousands pierced his body and just stayed there without coming out through the other side.
'endrallum' even then 'sirappa aayidaith thezhithu (shouting; roaring) urath thirndhanan karangu (kite) enap perum saari' adding to his repute, he moved like a kite shouting and striking terror everywhere.
Rama then severed Kumbakarna's hand that was holding the sword. Kumbakarna did not waste a moment. He took his right hand that fell down, with his left. He used the severed hand as a formidable mace and started hitting and crushing the vanara army.
'ulla kaiyinum atra veng karathaiye anjina ulagu ellam'
the entire world was afraid of the hand that was cut asunder rather than the hand that was still intact!
Then Rama cut his left hand too. Kumbakarna used both his legs and trampled over the army, grinding them to nothing more than lumps on the ground. Now one leg was
 removed by another arrow. Kumbakarna did not stop. With that single leg left, he jumped hither and thither, still causing untold damage. Rama cut the second leg too, making him fall on the ground. Kumbakarna did not give up even then. He turned his face to the sides, picked up massive rocks with his teeth and holding them there, he used his tongue like a catapult to flip them into the air. Rama was taken aback.
'vallalum malark kai vidhirppu uttraan' writes Kamban. Rama's hands shivered.
That is something beyond words. You cannot see a single instance in the entire epic where the poet writes a similar line. This was a tribute to Kumbakarna that the poet pays. If one compares this scene with the war with Kara and Dhooshana the significance of this line could be understood very clearly.
Hari Krishnan
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