After the encounter with Ayo Mukhi, the brothers encountered a heinous and horrific looking Danav, the gigantically giant-bodied and gigantesque-chested, Kabandh.

He had an over grown body, without head, without neck and whose mouth was located in the torso. He was as large as a mountain and had two extremely long and strong arms, in which he held both Shri Ram and Lakshman.

No matter how much the brothers trued they couldn't free themselves from the grip of Kabandh. Lakshman then asked Ram to offer him to the Danav and continue his search for Devi Sita.

But Shri Ram denied and started thinking of a way to free themselves from the grip of Kabandh. He then realised that their hands were free, hence drawing the sword, both the brothers cut the arms of Danav and successfully freed themselves.

Kabandh then asked them for their introduction, and purpose why they came to this forest. After knowing that the warriors were none other than Shri Ram and Lakshman looking for Devi Sita who was kidnapped by Ravan, Kabandh was relieved.

He wasn't always such a horrendous looking Danav, in fact he was known as the most handsome son of Danu. But earlier he used to harass sages for fun by taking horrible forms. Hence one Rishi named Sthulaashir cursed him to abide in that horrendous form only.

He begged forgiveness from Rishi Sthulaashir, asking for a way to break the curse and then the sage told him that the day Shri Ram and Lakshman severe his arms and perform his antim sanskaar, he would he freed from the curse and return to his original form.

Kabandh then prayed to Brahma and got a boon of longevity. And then due to his ill-mind, he thought that even Indra is no match for him. Hence he jousted with the king of gods, who in rightful anger shot his vajra at him which rammed his head, neck and legs in his body.

Kabandh begged Indra to lead him to Yamraj's abode which was better than living in this hell of a body. But Indra couldn't due to respect towards Brahma's boon.

Indra spared him and to make his life little easy, the benevolent king of gods gave him extremely long arms. Indra also told him that when Shri Ram and Lakshman will severe these arms, he shall attain heaven.

Kabandh said if the brothers perform his final rites then he would advise them about the next course of action, because in this form he had lost his discernment. Shri Ram and Lakshman agreed and performed his antim sanskaar, freeing him from the curse.

Now having gotten back his original beautiful form, attired in lily-white vestments and angelic garlands, he appeared like a fumeless fire. He had gained back his lost knowledge and discernment, he told to Shri Ram and Lakshman where they would find help to find Devi Sita.

"Prabhu, aapki yeh stithi durbhagya vash huyi hai. Iss liye aapko sahayata bhi usse leni padegi jiski sthiti bhi aapke bhaati ho. Fir ek dusre ki sahayata kar, aap dono apne durbhagya ko saubhagya mei parivartit kar sakte hai." Kabandh said.

"Tatparya ? Kaun hai mere jaisa durbhagya se peedit ?" Shri Ram asked.

"Prabhu, aap Pampa sarovar ke paas stith Rishyamukh parvat par jayiye. Waha Sugreev namak ek Vanar, apne bade bhai Indra-putra Vali se pidit ho, rehta hai apne 4 mantriyo ke saath. Sugreev Suryaputra hai, woh aatma-sammaan se paripurn, satyavadi aur sahasi vanar hai. Yadi aap uski sahayata kare, toh woh aapki sahayata awashya karega. Agni ko saakshi maan ke aap usse maitrei kare, aap awashya safal honge." Kabandh said.

"Rishyamukh parvat tak jaane ka maarg kya hai ?" Shri Ram asked.

"Yaha se paschim disha ki oor jayiye. Waha Maharishi Matang ka aashram hai, jaha Shabri namak ek vridh tapasvini aapka atithi-satkaar karne hetu varsho se pratiksha kar rahi hai. Woh aapko Rishyamukh tak jaane ka maarg batayegi." Kabandh said.

"Aapka koti koti dhanyawaad." Shri Ram said.

And then Kabandh ascended to heavens, as Shri Ram and Lakshman again began their journey with new hope.

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A/N

Kab darshan denge Ram param-hitkaari ?
Rasta dekhat Shabri ki umar gayi saari.

It's time for Tapasvini Shabri's wait to get over ✨

And you'll be surprised to know that in Valmiki Ramayan, Shabri doesn't offer jhoothe Baer to Shri Ram. She offers hospitality, water, food and that's it.