Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2992

c7.2992

5) Death of Kumbhakarṇa. Kumbhakarṇa played a very important part in the Rāma-Rāvaṇa war. Prominent warriors on the side of Rāma, like Sugrīva, his ministers and Lakṣmaṇa fought with him. But, none of them could kill him. At last, Śrī Rāma's arrows killed him. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Chapter 67). Kumbhakarṇa is not to be viewed merely and purely as an evil character. His advice to Rāvaṇa on various occasions shows noble traits of his character. When Śrī Rāma with his army of monkeys appeared on the other side of the ocean Rāvaṇa held a conference of his brothers, ministers and others at which Kumbhakarṇa spoke as follows:—"You abducted Sītā without consulting us, and we would not therefore be responsible for the consequences of that action of yours. But, it is not proper that the younger brother should keep away when danger faces the elder one, and on that principle here I am ready to fight Rāma."