BK Singh
PRAYAGRAJ: The ongoing Ramleela performances across Prayagraj continue to enthrall thousands of devotees, bringing alive timeless episodes from the Ramayana with sound, light, and theatrical brilliance.
On the ninth evening of the Public Ramleela Committee Trust at PAC Naini, the stage came alive with two of the most emotionally charged and spiritually powerful episodes—the wounding of Lakshman by Meghnad and the heroic flight of Lord Hanuman in search of the Sanjeevani Booti.
The performance began with the fierce battle of Kumbhakarna Vadh, where Lord Ram confronted Ravana’s mighty brother. The intensity of the battle set the tone for the evening. Soon after, the drama shifted to the more poignant Lakshman Shakti episode.
The Moment of Tragedy: Lakshman Struck Down
Meghnad (Indrajit), the valiant son of Ravana, unleashed his magical powers on the battlefield. With his divine arrow—the dreaded Shakti Baan—he struck down Lakshman. The mighty warrior fell to the ground, gravely wounded. Ravana’s army rejoiced, believing Lakshman to be dead, while Ram’s camp was plunged into grief.
The scene of Lakshman lying unconscious was heart-rending. When the injured Lakshman was brought before Lord Ram, the sight broke the divine prince’s composure.
Ram, the very embodiment of strength and calm, wept uncontrollably at the thought of losing his beloved brother. His anguished cries reverberated across the stage, moving the audience to tears.
Jambavan’s Counsel and the Call to Hanuman
It was the wise Jambavan, the elder statesman of the Vanara army, who calmed the distraught Ram. He declared that Lakshman’s life could still be saved—but only if the legendary Sanjeevani Booti, a miraculous herb capable of reviving the dead, could be brought from the sacred Dronagiri mountain in the Himalayas.
There was little time to spare. Jambavan emphasized that the herb had to be delivered before sunrise, or Lakshman’s life would be lost forever. At that moment, all eyes turned toward one being—the most faithful servant of Ram, the strongest of warriors, and the embodiment of devotion—Lord Hanuman.
Without hesitation, Hanuman bowed before Ram and vowed to bring the Sanjeevani at any cost. With the blessings of his Lord, he leapt into the skies, soaring like a blazing comet towards the Himalayas.
Hanuman’s Trials and Triumph
The Ramleela then dramatized Hanuman’s perilous journey. Along the way, the demon Kalnemi attempted to deceive and delay him, but Hanuman’s unwavering focus and divine strength allowed him to overcome the trap.
Upon reaching Dronagiri, Hanuman faced a dilemma. The mountain was covered with countless herbs, and even the wise could not easily distinguish the Sanjeevani. Rather than risk a mistake, Hanuman chose an act that would forever define his legend: he uprooted the entire mountain and carried it across the skies back to Lanka.
The sight of Hanuman flying across the heavens with a mountain on his palm is one of the most iconic images of the Ramayana, symbolizing not only his power but also his selfless devotion.
Lakshman Revived: Devotion Triumphs
Back on the battlefield, the great physician Sushen Vaidya, brought by Hanuman from Lanka, quickly identified the Sanjeevani among the herbs and administered it to Lakshman. The miracle unfolded before all—Lakshman stirred, opened his eyes, and rose once again, restored to life.
The audience burst into chants of “Jai Bajrang Bali!” as the stage resounded with joy. The Ramleela brilliantly captured the contrast of despair and triumph—the grief of Ram transformed into gratitude and renewed strength. The devotion of Hanuman had not only saved Lakshman but had also reignited the morale of the entire army.
The Final Battle Awaits
Following this episode, the evening’s performance concluded with the slaying of the mighty Kumbhakarna, struck down by Lord Ram in battle. Yet the true climax was still to come—the Ravan Vadh on Vijayadashami.
On Thursday, the Patharchatti Ramleela Committee will stage the grand Ravan Vadh at 7:30 PM, while the Daraganj and Katra Ramleela Committees will jointly enact the burning of a towering 25-foot effigy of Ravana at their venue in Alopibagh. The Pajawa Ramleela Committee will hold their Ravan Dahan at the sacred Bargad Ghat, Hanuman Mandir, at 9 PM.
The city awaits the symbolic victory of good over evil with bated breath, as the final act of the epic nears.
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