Kumbhakarna

Jealous of Kubera's prosperity, Ravana and his brothers undertake terrible austerities to win boons from Brahma. Ravana stands on one foot for a thousand years, then cuts off his own heads and offers them into the fire. Brahma grants him invincibility against all beings except men — and Ravana, in his arrogance, ignores the exception.

Kubera, knowing his father Vishrava is angry with him, sends three rakshasis to serve the sage. They rival each other in dancing and singing to please him. Vishrava is pleased and grants each a boon — and from these three women are born the lords of the rakshasas: Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Khara, and Shurpanakha.

Imprisoned in Lanka and guarded by terrifying rakshasis who threaten to eat her, Sita declares she will starve rather than accept Ravana. After the rakshasis leave, the rakshasi Trijata comforts her with a prophetic dream — Ravana will be destroyed, Rama will come, and Sita will be reunited with her husband.

Ravana hears that Prahasta and Dhumraksha have been killed by the monkeys, sighs deeply, and arises from his seat. He declares the time has come for Kumbhakarna to act, uses musical instruments to awaken his brother from prolonged sleep, and instructs him to march out and kill Rama. Vajravega and Pramathi accept Ravana's orders, and Kumbhakarna leads them out from the city.

Kumbhakarna marches out from the city and finds the victorious monkey army waiting for him. They swarm him from all sides, striking with trees, nails, and teeth — and he only laughs. He begins to devour them. Tara and the others cry out in terror, and Sugriva hears them.

Kumbhakarna has Sugriva in his grip. The monkey army's cries fill the air. Then Lakshmana moves — one arrow, perfectly aimed, that pierces armor and body and shatters the rakshasa's heart. But Kumbhakarna does not die quietly. He grows new arms, seizes a rock, and becomes something monstrous before the end.

Ravana learns that Kumbhakarna, Prahasta, and Dhumraksha have been killed in battle. He summons his son Indrajit and commands him to kill Rama, Sugriva, and Lakshmana, reminding him of his past victory over Indra himself. Indrajit agrees, dons his armour, mounts his chariot, and proceeds to the battlefield.