Ramayana Episodes-2
A montage of episodes from Hanuman's mythology. The center image shows him carrying the mountain to rescue Lakshmana, perhaps his most important epic feat. The scenes on the perimeter show other events, starting with meeting Ram and Lakshmana (upper left) and then proceeding clockwise to the final image with him kneeling before Rama's throne. For further explanation of all these images, click here.
After finding Sita, Hanuman allowed himself to be captured and taken to Ravana. Ravana was warned that one could not kill an envoy from another king, and decided to torture Hanuman instead. He had Hanuman's tail--which Hanuman magically lengthened--bound with rags and soaked with oil, and then st on fire. Hanuman then slipped his bonds and ran through the city, using his burning tail to set the city on fire.
Ravana's castle. At left he sits on his throne succrounded by his ministers, and on the right comes to meet with Sita, who is sitting underneath an Ashoka tree surrounded by Ravana's female minions.
Ravana on his throne, surrounded by demon minions and Hanuman.
Ravana's death, from an illustrated manuscript of the Ram carit-manas of Tulsidas. Rama first shattered Ravana's chariot wheel, robbing him of mobility, and then killed him by cutting off Ravana's ten heads with his arrows.
Sita's Trial by fire and vindication. At right we see Sita sitting on the pyre, in the center Agni (fire incarnate) carries her out, and at right Rama and Sita are blessed by all the gods.
The homecoming in Ayodhya after 14 years. This scene show Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana bowing before various family members upon their return. According to tradition, this happened on Diwali, so one of the reasons for lighting all the lights is the joy at Rama's return.