Shri Ram finally decided that it was time to put an end to the battle. He aimed his arrow at Ravan's neck and severed his head.

But to everyone's shock, another head appeared in its place. It was clear that Ravan was using the powers of illusion. Shri Ram severed his head once more but again a new head appeared.

This happened over a hundred times, Ravan roared with laughter and mocked Shri Ram's helplessness as they continued their duel.

"Kya socha tha tumne ? Ek manushya hoke Rakshas-raj ka vadh karoge ?!" Ravan laughed.

Shri Ram wondered how to succeed against Ravan, Matali saw that the son of Dashrath was being too defensive and hence offered some useful advice, as a good Sarthi should.

"Aapke paas Brahmadev ki shakti hai, uska prayog Ravan jaise shatru par kiya jaa sakta hai." Matali suggested.

And then Shri Ram remembered the arrow, the shakti of Brahmadev, that Rishi Agatsya had given him when he had visited the ashram with Devi Sita and Lakshman.

This was the apt time to use it on the apt opponent. Shri Ram summoned the arrow and aimed it at Ravan. The arrow pierced through the chest of the king of Rakshasas, the mighty Dashanan collapsed dead instantaneously.

The war was over, Shri Ram and the Vanars had defeated and killed Ravan on his home ground.

Vibhishan came towards Ravan's dead body and broke down into tears. Even though they both stood on the enemy side, even though he insult Vibhishan too much, the youngest son of Vishrav didn't bear any hatred towards Ravan.

Soon arrived the women of their palaces to see their husband one last time. Mandodari who was still mourning the death of her son Meghnaad, was broken completely after the death of Ravan.

She held her husband's dead body and lamented like someone who had lost all the reasons to live. Her cries were laced with regret because she had seen this all coming.

"Apne Indriyo pe vijay paake aap Trilok vijayi huye the swami, kintu lagta hai ki aapki Indriyo ne aapse pratishodh liya hai..... Indriyo ke jaal mei aap bhramit ho gaye.... Ram ke parakram ke baare mei sunne ke baad mujhe pata tha ki yeh koi sadharan vyakti nahi, maine aapko kinti baar inse shatruta na karne ka paramarsh diya kintu aap maane nahi ! Yeh spasht tha ki Sita ke prati aapki kaamna, aapka aishwarya, aapka kutumb aur swayam aapka vinaash kardegi...." Mandodari cried.

The way the war had progressed, no one was suprised at the outcome. Ravan had been warned by all his well wishers. But again, who is more blind that the person who refuses to see ? Who is more deaf than the person who refuses to hear ?

Neither Brahmadev's boon, nor the prosperity of Lanka, neither the best of rituals nor an all conquering son like Indrajeet, neither any amount of bravery nor any king of smart wit can save a person who had completely surrendered the reigns of his mind to the impulses of desire and ego.

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A/N

Finally the cosmos is at peace once again for a while ✨🙏

And here's a list of Shri Ram ki Sena ka parakram -

Indeed we can say *plays Gandiv ki strings*

Veer bane the Vanar paake
Ram naam saya !
Aganit Rakshas Veer Dashanan
Koi na tik paya !

Bolo Bolo Ram Chandra ki Jai !
Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai !
Bolo Bolo Ram Chandra ki Jai !
Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai !