amayana.
The intentions behind this post are to create an article which can be used as a debating resource by myself & others that have interest in the story of Ramayan.
One warrior that gets downplayed, underestimated, underrated, ignored, sidelined, or misportrayed in popular fanfiction presented on television screens is Kumbhkarn, one of Ravan's brothers.
Part 1 will discuss the battles kumvakarna had against devas & anyone before the lankan war. Part 2 will detail his achievements against only vanaras. Part 3 is about his duel vs raam/laxman.
=
PART 1)
Against Yama:
1-"He is the powerful Kumbhakarna, the son of Visravasa. He conquered Yama and Indra in battle. There is no other demon, corresponding to the size of his body."
2-"Seeing that demon of terrific eyes who could not be destroyed by Yama the lord of death the monkeys ran away."
3-"Anyone who even stands before me, the god of death, holding forth a weapon in a great battle here, is venerable. What to tell about a person who bestows battle on me?"
Quotes for his battle against Indra.
1st:
"Seeing that demon of terrific eyes who could not be destroyed either by Indra the lord of celestials or by Yama the lord of death or by Varuna the god of water, the monkeys ran away."
2nd:
"Indra also gets frightened of me, having a mountain-sized body wielding a sharpened pike, having pointed tusks and even as I roar. Without using a javelin or a mace or a sword or sharp arrows, I myself, on getting excited, can kill even Indra, with my bare hands."
3rd
"That Mahendra wielding a thunder-bolt was enraged and struck Kumbhakarna with his weapon of the white thunderbolt. The great souled Kumbhakarna struck by Indra's thunderbolt was quite agitatated at it and roared loudly with anger. Enraged as he was on Mahendra, the mighty Kumbhakarna then pulled out a tusk of Airavata, Indra's elephant & struck it into Indra's chest."
"That Devendra, tormented by the hit of Kumbhakarna, was burning with rage. The celestials, Brahmanical sages and demons were suddenly aggrieved. Even Indra with his people went to the abode of Brahma the Lord of creation."
4th
"He is the powerful Kumbhakarna, the son of Visravasa. He conquered Yama and Indra in battle. There is no other demon, corresponding to the size of his body."
5th:
"Even the powerful Indra, the lord of celestials, who mounted Airavata the elephant and accompanied by all celestials, did not ever stand before me in battle."
6th:
"O brave demon! You are telling that while you show your prowess, the heroes like Indra and others feel unbearable; it is true. Just now, I have seen your prowess."
Uttar Kanda version;
Kumvakarna's involvement in the battle against Indra & other devas.
[Quote]
"And the wicked Kumbhakama, brandishing weapons of every kind, came there, O King, unaware with whom the conflict was taking place; using his teeth, his feet, his hands, lances, picks, mallets or anything whatsoever in order to assail the Gods in his fury. Having attacked the formidable Rudras, it went ill with that Ranger of the Night, who, in an instant, was riddled with wounds; and the army of the Rakshasas, hard pressed by the Gods, assisted by the Hosts of Maruts and armed with every weapon, were completely routed and, in the struggle, some fell on the earth mutilated and palpitating, whilst others remained clinging to their mounts."
Next quote; "Meantime Dashagriva, seething with anger on seeing his army entirely overthrown by the Gods, hurled himself with one bound into that sea of warriors, slaying the Celestials in the fight and challenging Shakra himself."
The lines ''hard pressed by the gods" & "it went ill with that ranger of the night" {other word for Rakshasa/daitya} & "seeing his army entirely overthrown" clearly hint at the fact that (at least according to Uttara Kanda) the devtas/rudras defeated Kumbhkarna. Of course because this paragraph comes from Uttara Kanda its reliability is disputed/debatable.
Cause in Uttara Kanda the antagonist Ravan was vulnerable to getting killed by a character called Yamraaj. Yet according to Yuddh Kanda the character of Kumbhkarna was immune to death against Yamraaj.
Cross References.
Word of Ravan again;
"Earlier, together with you I conquered the celestials in a battle between the celestials and demons. You also conquered them."
Note - Here when Ravan said 'together with you' he was talking to more than just 1 single character, he was actually adressing a group of his courtier's, ministers, friends & servants. In much simpler terms he said that "all of us together defeated the devas" the claim "together with you" was not a reference to Kumbhakarna alone.
Ravan believed he could only annex Indra through the support of Kumbhkarn (that's probably the way he waged war against the devtas before):
"O Kumbhakarna! Now that you are dead, how can I conquer Indra the lord of celestials?"
Vibeeshan's quote hints at a Indra vs Kumvakarna duel.
{Begin}
"Kumbhakarna, my elder brother born after Ravana, who is valiant and highly powerful, has enough strength to fight against Indra in battle."
{completE}
Comment - Parenthesis text (lord of celestial's) was in the way so it has been deleted by me. This line does not prove he defeated indra but rather that he could compete with/duel vs indra.
Besides the devas he had other opponents but they do not receive any worthwhile attention in Ramayana. Kumbhkarn also had many off-screen battles against danavas but none are described in great detail at all.
So a theory has to be made here, its possible the danavas he had beaten were Maya (father to Mandodari) or Madhu (cause he was labelled the Danavendra of that era).
Quote:
devadaanava darpahaa = who humbles the pride of the celestials and demons
Gandharva Yudh.
Quote;
[etena = by him; sahasrashaH = thousands of;] [yakSaaH = a class of demi-gods; bhujangaaH = serpent-demons; pishitaashanaashcha = ogres; gandharva vidyaadhara pannagaashcha = celestial musicians; celestial artistes & kinnaras yudhi = in battle.
It's commonly believed that Kumbhakarna was able to scare BRAHMA (from the tridev club) as much as i would like for that to be the truth (so their could be villains outside of the purans that could beat the tridevs) its actually a mistake by a translator.
Quote:
vitatraasa = was frightened;
Screenshot:
Logic - This's from a authentic dictionary with credible information.
Not just the danavs but even the asuras were defeated by him.
[quote]
bahushaH = for several times; prativyuuhya = attacking; devaah = the celestials; asuraaH = and demons; daivaasureSu yuddheSu = in battles between celestials and demons nirjitaaH = were defeated tvayaa = by you
Theory; It is possible that asuras who were his victims (they lost but were not killed) are "Bali" (the vishnu-bhakt) or "Vana" (father of naraka). Cause Uttara Kanda says he married the sister of Vana who is Bali's duaghter.
Also cause Bali had no mention of being involved in a relevant incident after Ramayana it is possible he died before Mahabharat. But i doubt his killer was Kumbhakarna. Unless the indra (who vibeeshan claimed LOST vs Kumbhakarna) was actually Bali (since he got promised Indra's position).
=
PART 2
1st] Slew three vanar elites.
Quote;
"Kumbhakarna only laughed at them and began to eat them up. And he devoured those foremost of monkeys known by the name of Chala, and Chandachala, and Vajravahu. And beholding that fearful act of the Rakshasa, other monkeys were frightened and set forth a loud wail of fear."
[End]
Logic - hanuman claim's that everyone in Sugriva's circle/council or vicinity is equal to hanuman or above hanuman, so my belief is that kumbhkarna killed 3 Hanumans as they were Hanuman's equal in battle power. They did nothing to prove they were stronger so i can't place Vajrabahu, Chandachala & Chala as individuals stronger than him. But its fair to consider them to be at least equal to hanutati.
Quote; "As directed by Raghavana, Neela the commander-in-chief and the foremost of the monkeys, ordered the monkey-troops suitably. Then, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Hanuma and Angada looking like mountains, reached the gate, taking the mountain-tops."
Logic; hanutati's rank was below Nila's. Mahagandu hanuman followed the orders of Neela.
2nd]
Kumbhkarn vs other vanaras.
Quote;
"Looking at the perturbed Hanuma, all the troops of demons then suddenly shouted with rejoice. The monkeys, on their part, felt restless and being oppressed with fear, ran away from the battle-field. Thereupon, cheering up the army and stopping them, the mighty Neela then hurled a mountain-top on the intellectual Kumbhakarna.
Seeing that mountain-top befalling on him, Kumbhakarna then struck it with his fist. By that strike of the fist, that mountain-top was burst into pieces and fallen down on the ground, with sparks of fire and blaze. The five excellent monkeys, Rishabha, Sharabha, Neela, Gavaksha and Gandhamadana marched ahead quickly towards Kumbhakarna. Those five mighty monkeys struck the large-bodied Kumbhakarna from all sides, with crags, trees, palms of their hands, feet and fists in battle.
Perceiving those blows merely as the senses of touch, Kumbhakarna was not at all perturbed. He enfolded the greatly agitated Rishabha in his arms. Squeezed by Kumbhakarna's arms, the awful Rishabha, the foremost among the monkeys, fell down with blood coming out of his mouth. Then, in battle, the enraged Kumbhakarna, the enemy of Indra, beating Sharabha with his fist and Neela with his knee, struck Gavaksha with a palm of his hand and struck Gandhamadana violently with his feet. Perturbed by the blows given by Kumbhakarna, those monkeys being moistened with blood, were bewildered and fell down on the ground, like chopped off Kimsuka trees. Seeing those mighty chief commanders of monkeys falling down on the ground, thousands of monkeys ran towards Kumbhakarna."
"Seeing the monkeys defeated in that great battle, Angada the son of Indra, ran rapidly towards Kumbhakarna. Taking a large mountain-top, Angada, roaring repeatedly and frightening all the demons following Kumbhakarna's heels, hurled the mountain-top on Kumbhakarna's head. Struck on the head with that mountain, that Kumbhakarna, Indra's adversary, with a great rage, was excited and then ran rapidly towards the wrathful Angada. Frightening all the monkeys with his great roar, the mighty Kumbhakarna hurled his spike at Angada with anger. Knowing that the spike is going to fall on him, the mighty Angada, the chief of the monkeys, who was skilled in war-fare, avoided it with his alacrity. Jumping up Angada struck on Kumbhakarna's chest, with the palm of his hand. Thus beaten with anger by him, Kumbhakarna resembling a mountain, became giddy. Getting his consciousness, that mighty demon threw down Angada by tightening his fist with a scorn. Angada fell down unconscious. When that Angada the foremost among the monkeys fell down unconscious on the ground, Kumbhakarna ran towards Sugreeva, taking that spike in his hand."
=
First victory against Hanutati:
His roar & entrance was all that was needed to scare Hanuman to the point where Hanuman fled like a rat despite having multiple vanaras with him.
Raam's word
[start]
"He alone with a huge body here on this earth, is appearing like a solitary meteror, by seeing whom all the monkeys are running away hither and thither."
"The highly enraged Kumbhakara devouring the monkeys on is way, is running towards us. Even on merely seeing Kumbhakarna, the monkeys have now fled away. How can the monkeys check him, who is thus enraged in battle?"
QuotE.
"Kumbhakarna emitted a roar, making the sea to reverberate, causing the mountains to quake and drowning the thunder-claps, as it were. Seeing that demons of terrific eyes who could not be destroyed either by Indra the lord of celestials or by Yama the lord of death or by Varuna the god of water, the monkeys ran away."
[Quote]
"Dvipada, Panasa and hanuma marched ahead very quickly, with their faces turned towards the battle."
[done]
Logic - Cause hanuman was among this trio that went back to fight in the war its clear he was motivated by Angada's speech so he was also among the vanaras that ran away like cowards from Kumbhakarna.
[Passage]
"Thereafter, with the coaxing words and inferential arguments by Angada, all those fleeing commanders of monkeys turned back."
[enD's]
Other incident;
"Seeing that slayer of his foes on the royal high way, that monster as high as the peak of a mountain, those monkeys stationed outside the city, as also their leaders, were frightened suddenly. Some gained refuge in Rama who affords protection, some fell down tottering, some fled away perturbed in all directions and some others lay on the ground, confounded with fear. Seeing that colossus appearing like a great peak, having a diadem who seemed to touch the sun with his brilliance, the monkeys were seized with terror and had grown immensely in size, fled hither and thither."
It's a scene which happen's before kumbhakarna talked to Ravan. Prior to the 66th chapter.
Later battle;
"The heroic Rama, enraged with red-hot eyes, as though he was scorching the enemy with his looks, walked with speed, causing delight to all the leaders of the monkey-troops, who were tormented with the fear of Kumbhakarna and quickly marched towards the demon."
=
2nd victory against hanumana;
[Quote]
"Staying in the sky, Hanuma showered mountain-tops, rocks and various types of trees on Kumbhakarna's head. The mighty Kumbhakarna broken those mountain-tops and shattered the torrent of trees with his spike. Then, taking the dreadful spike in his hand, Kumbhakarna ran towards that terrific army of monkeys. Taking a mountain-peak in his hands, Hanuma stood in front of the approaching Kumbhakarna. The enraged Hanuma struck with violence Kumbhakarna, who was endowed with a magnificent body and looking like the most elevated mountain. Thus attacked by Hanuma, Kumbhakarna was stumbled with a sprinkling of blood and with his limbs succulent with flesh. Holding firmly the spike, which was bright as lightning and looking like a blazing mountain-peak, Kumbhakarna struck Hanuma on his chest, as Guha (the son of Shiva) struck Krauncha mountain with his powerful javelin. That Hanuma, struck in his broad chest by the spike in that great combat, was highly perturbed and while vomiting blood from his mouth, awfully roared like the sound of thunderous clouds at the time of dissolution of the world. Looking at the perturbed Hanuma, all the troops of demons then suddenly shouted with rejoice. The monkeys, on their part, felt restless and being oppressed with fear, ran away from the battle-field."
[Ending]
3rd victory against hanuman is a indirect one. Based on my analysis of events and reasons. It is when Sugrīva got captured by him then it was a victory of kumvakarna against all vanars because of various different reasons. First of all kumbhkarna did it in front of hanuman, the second one is that hanuman expressed his desire to try and save Sugrīva but understood he himself was incapable. So he backed off.
I know hanubhakts won't agree but I have a easy debunk to their arguments. A excuse like "hanuman did not want to save Sugrīva because it is disgraceful for a king to be saved by a minister" is lame. Cause Raam was also a king (but in exile) he recieved help from a minister (hanuman) when it comes to searching for seetha.
Hanuman himself helped Sugrīva by looking for the whereabouts/location of seetha so that the promises (made by Sugrīva to Raam) can be fulfilled. So if he is willing to help in a situation like that then it makes no sense why he wouldn't aid Sugrīva when his life is in danger unless the obvious choice (hanuman was afraid of Kumbhakarna).
=
4th incident - It is a possibility that hanutati was among the vanar leaders that tried to climb on kumbhkarna but were shaken off.
Word's of laxman;
"Let the foremost of monkeys ascend well upon his body from all sides. Following the commanders of their troops, let the monkey-leaders stand, surrounding him. If we do in that way, that evil-minded demon would be harassed by the huge weight, making him to crawl on the floor and cannot kill the other monkeys."
Logic - Yes hanutati was not the BEST vanara, but he is among their top 10 warrior's, so he should be considered 1 of the "foremost" i do not believe angada was in that group (which climb on kumbhakarna). The reason is angad was unconscious at the moment & sugreev should be absent too because the army at this point already risked losing the war cause he got captured briefly. So they would not risk letting their king get so close to kumbhakarna this time.
Deeds committed by vanaras;
"Hearing those words of that intelligent Lakshmana, those monkeys were rejoiced and mounted on the body of Kumbhakarna. Kumbhakarna, when climbed upon by the monkeys, was enraged and shook them off with violence, as a vicious elephant would shake off its mahout. Seeing the monkeys shaken down, Rama on his part understanding that he was enraged, jumped up speedily towards the demon and took an excellent bow."
Result is that kumbhkarn wins again.
Power difference/comparison with Hanuman:
"As the illustrious Kumbhakarna did not waken from his slumber despite those great sounds, all troops of demons seized hold of bars, pestles and maces towards him."
"Then, the cruel demons struck that sleeping Kumbhakarna on his chest with mountain-tops, pestles, maces, hammers and their fists."
"Even with all their strength, the demons could not stand upright before the breathing winds of Kumbhakarna, the demon."
Result was no damage to Kumbhkarna.
Foot soldier's damaged Hanuman;
"That Hanuma, then being beaten with sticks and fists by the cruel demons, was dragged to the vicinity of Ravana. Then, recognizing that Hanuma, tied with barks of trees and ropes."
Hanuman got dragged around like a toy: "That Ravana, who was endowed with an extraordinary energy, saw Hanuma the foremost of monkeys, being dragged hither and thither by demons."
Clearly Hanuman was tied up by ordinary wood, trees & ropes. I think if Kumbhkarn was in his place then he could easily get rid of such low level restraints.
=
Hanubhakts claim 'our hanuman said he could grow to a bigger size and end or squash kumbhkarna very easily'
MY DEBUNK;
[Quote]
"Indra’s younger brother Viṣṇu has been sent by Devas due to the words of the Earth. O my heroic friends, he is already scorched by my valour. I do not mind him at all."
Note - just cause Kamsa said it or bragged does that mean it really happened? Had kamsa defeated vishnu or even injured him (as he claimed "vishnu is scorched by me")? As far as i can tell their is no line in the puranas which reference vishnu fighting or meeting kamsa.
Conclusion; So just because Hanuman claims that he can grow to a size more massive than kumvakarna or that he can defeat kumbhakarna that does not make his claim a fact. Valmiki could not even read the minds of people so how can he know a internal thought of a character in the war? So it is doubtful whether these were the true thoughts of hanuman at all.
Sugrīva lost (in MB);
"And then, as if roused from his torpor by that blow, Kumbhakarna stretching forth his arms seized Sugriva by main force. And beholding Sugriva dragged away by the Rakshasa, the heroic son of Sumitra, that delighter of his friends, rushed towards Kumbhakarna."
As per Mahabharat king Sugrīva failed to injure Kumvakarn but according to Ramayana he succeeded in wounding the giant but according to both sources Sugrīva still loses the fight between them.
[Begin]
"Uplifting and tightly holding a mountain-top, the mighty Sugreeva ran towards the sturdy Kumbhakarna with speed. Seeing that Sugreeva coming rapidly towards him, Kumbhakarna, with all his limbs braced, stood facing the king of monkeys."
{BREAK}
"Sugreeva, firmly holding the mountain, hurled it quickly on him. He struck Kumbhakarna's chest by that mountain, which was as strong enough as Indra's thunderbolt. Soon after falling on his broad chest, that mountain was crushed to pieces. Then, the monkeys were suddenly distressed. The troops of demons roared with rejoice. Struck by the mountain-top, that Kumbhakarna was enraged and roared with his mouth wide open with anger. Holding firmly the spike, which was emitting a flash of lightning, he hurled it to kill Sugreeva, the king of monkeys and bears."
(HANUTATI STOPPED THE SPIKE)
"Uprooting a crest from Malaya mountain standing in the vicinity of Lanka and approaching Sugreeva, he struck him with it. Struck by the mountain-top in battle, that Sugreeva fell unconscious on the ground. Seeing him falling unconscious on the ground in battle, the demons were exceedingly pleased and cried out loudly. Seizing hold of that Sugreeva having wonderful and terrific prowess in battle, that Kumbhakarna took him away, as an impetuous wind takes away a cloud. Lifting up Sugreeva appearing like a huge cloud in the battle-field and marching forward, Kumbhakarna shone like Mount Meru, distinguished by its very high and formidable peak. Then, being praised in the battle-field by the demons for having seized hold of Sugreeva and hearing the sounds of the celestials who were wondering at the seizure of Sugreeva, Kumbhakarna the valiant chief of demons, sallied forth.
[donE]
Sugrīva broke his nose, ribs and teeth.
Quote;
"Thus thinking, Sugreeva tore asunder Kumbhakarna's ears by his nails as also nose by his teeth and ribs by his feet. Torn asunder with teeth and nails by Sugreeva, that Kumbhakarna with his ears and nose deprived and his limbs moistened with blood, was subdued with rage, threw Sugreeva down on the floor and crushed him."
[Complete]
Still he got crushed by kumbhkarna so kumvakarna had the last laugh.
Evidence:
"Crushed down on the floor by that terrific Kumbhakarna and struck by the demons, Sugreeva moved with speed like a ball towards the sky and got united with Rama."
What kumvakarna said to Raam "You need not treat me with contempt, as I am deprived of my ear and nose. To me, there is no agony even indeed a little, for having lost the ear and the nose."
Point; he felt no pain from Sugrīva's achievement.
=
PART 3)
Magical power.
1] Regrowing of limbs.
[quote]
"But as soon as the two arms of the Rakshasa were thus cut off, double that number of arms soon appeared on his person. Sumitra's son, however, displaying his skill in weapon, soon by means of similar arrows cut off those arms also, each of which had seized a mass of stone. At this, that Rakshasa assumed a form enormously huge and furnished with numerous heads and legs and arms."
[end]
Other abilities:
Weapons came out of his mouth like fire is released from a dragon's mouth.
[Quote]
"The demon with his very sharp teeth, rained spikes on the monkeys, like Yama, the god of death, risen to power at the end of the world-cycle."
Versatility.
Kumbhkarn was an archer too.
[Start]
"If Rama today survives even after facing the rapid blows of my fists, then my flood of arrows will drink the blood of Rama."
Durability.
1] Withstood attack of king Sugriva.
[Quote]
"that high-souled king of the monkeys swiftly approaching the Rakshasa, violently struck him on the head with the trunk of a Sala tree. And though the high-souled Sugriva always prompt in action broke that Sala tree on the head of Kumbhakarna, he failed to make any impression on that Rakshasa."
[End]
Logic - don't forget how much blood got shed from Vali's body due to Sugriva's attacks as per Kishkinda Kandam.
Sugriva vs Vali:
"Vali and Sugriva rushed to the encounter, fighting with Sala and Tala trees and stones. And they struck each other down on the earth. And leaping high into the air, they struck each other with their fists. And mangled by each other's nail and teeth, both of them were covered with blood."
Logic; Unless u believe Vali was covered with Sugriva's blood instead of his own u have to admit Kumbhkarn's durability was better than Vali's.
Arrows that prove to be the mrityu of VALI failed against kumbhakarna:
[quoTe]
"Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali the foremost of monkeys, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt. Sucking those arrows with his body, as mountains suck up torments of water, that Kumbhakarna, flourishing his hammer with terrible speed, hindered the tremendous speed of Rama's arrows."
=
Laxman vs Kumbhakarna (only ramayana not other sources).
Quote:
"Immediately, Lakshmana the son of Sumitra, the annihilator of the foe's army and conqueror of the cities of adversaries, commenced the battle with a rage. The valiant Lakshmana pierced seven arrows into the body of Kumbhakarna. He took some more arrows and released them too. Tormented by that weapon of Lakshmana, that demon destroyed it completely. Thereupon, the aggressive Lakshmana was enraged. Then, Lakshmana covered the shining and charming golden armour of Kumbhakarna with his arrows, even as the wind would make an evening-twilight cloud completely disappear. Kumbhakarna, looking like a mound of collyrium, tormented by the arrows, decked with gold, shone like the radiant sun with its rays screened by clouds.
After this he has a conversation and laxman is pushed aside.
Quote.
"Hearing in this manner, that mighty Kumbhakarna the demon, brushing aside Lakshmana and crossing him, ran, as though he is causing an earth-quake, towards Rama."
[END]
Conclusion - though laxman did put up a decent resistance against him in the finale Kumbhakarna overcame him. Possibly the praise he granted laxman was just a sarcastic speech (kumbhkarn spoke) to catch laxman off guard so he could get a chance to throw him away like a softball.
=
Valmiki compared Kumbhkarn to Vishnu himself:
"Seeing that paramount demon, whose appearance was in the form of a mountain and looking like Lord Narayana."
Again he got compared to Vishnu: "Adorned with all ornaments to all his limbs and with a spike in his hand, that demon shone like Narayana, the all-embracing Lord, enthusiastic to take the three long strides."
According to Ramayana he was drunk before the battle occurred;
"Having drunk two thousand pitchers, Kumbhakarna prepared to set out and slightly inebriated."
His physical condition below:
nidraamada samaakulaH = but filled with an intoxicating drowsiness
Kumbhkarn's armour was heavy so it reduced his physical speed/movement.
[Begin]
"Secured with a golden armour, carrying a great load, impenetrable by weapons and as if blazing with its own splendour with flashing like lightning, Kumbhakarna shone as a king of Mountains, enveloped by clouds at sunset."
So he had a restriction (shackle holding the bulk of his power back) during his victory against hanuman/sugreev etc.
=
Incident which makes no sense.
{Quoted texT}
"They crushed his limbs under piles of heavy logs and pillars, as also maces lifted with all their strength."
Logic - how did kumbhkarn even awaken let alone fight in war after his bones were broken?
But one thing i will clear up is that he was not a machine:
"Let all the monkeys be told that it is a kind of machine, advancing forward. By knowing this, they can become fearless by now."
Note; and his body was not that of a machine controlled by ravan or a brother of ravan either, he was born a giant instead.
Its clearly explained that either Vibeeshan or Raam chose to spread a rumor that kumbhkarna is a machine so the vanars become less intimidated by his entrance.
=
Raam vs Kumvakarna [PART A]
"Thereupon, Rama, the son of Dasaratha, employing a spell called Raudra, discharged sharp arrows into Kumbhakarna's chest. Flames of fire mixed with particles of charcoal came forth from the face of Kumbhakarna, who was thus struck and who was running quickly towards Rama. That foremost among demons, struck by Rama's arrow, roaring terribly with rage, making the monkeys to run away in battle, ran himself towards Rama. Those arrows, adorned with peacock's plumes, penetrated into his chest. His mace dropped off from his hand and fell on the ground. All his weapons fell scattered on the ground. Considering himself as weaponless, that mighty Kumbhakarna then fought fiercely with his fists and arms. That Kumbhakarna, with his body struck fiercely by arrows and bathed in blood, poured forth blood, even as a mountain would pour forth a cascade. With a terrific wrath, he felt insensible with blood. He roamed about, devouring the monkeys, demons and bears. Then, that Kumbhakarna, comparable to Yama the god of death, of terrific prowess and strength, firmly holding a fearful mountain-peak, hurled it towards Rama. Wile that mountain peak was still on its way and had not yet reached him Rama, fixing together his well-known bow and arrows, split the mountain in the middle, with seven straight-going arrows. Then, Rama, the virtuous man and the elder brother of Bharata, split the large mountain-peak which was hurled by Kumbhakarna at that time, with his variegated arrows made of gold. That mountain-peak, in the form of a peak of Mount Meru, as if shining with splendour, while falling, caused two hundred monkeys to fall."
After this a tactic is devised by laxman himself.
Kumvakarna vs Raam {part B};
"Seeing the monkeys shaken down, Rama on his part understanding that he was enraged, jumped up speedily towards the demon and took an excellent bow. The heroic Rama, enraged with red-hot eyes, as though he was scorching the enemy with his looks, walked with speed, causing delight to all the leaders of the monkey-troops, who were tormented with the fear of Kumbhakarna and quickly marched towards the demon. Taking in his hand, a terrific bow with a firmly fastened cord looking like a snake and looking variegated with its crust of gold, with a quiver full of excellent arrows fastened on his back and fully restoring the monkeys to confidence, that Rama quickly marched forward."
[BREAK]
"Seeing that Kumbhakarna, the foremost of demons, having a splendour of blazing fire, Rama, the excellent of men, then stretched his bow. Enraged by the twang of Rama's bow, Kumbhakarna, the foremost of demons, not tolerating that sound, ran towards Rama."
[BREAK AGAIN]
"Rama released plumed arrows. Even after struck by them, whose speed was equal to a thunderbolt, that demon was neither shaken nor afflicted. Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali the foremost of monkeys, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt. Sucking those arrows with his body, as mountains suck up torments of water, that Kumbhakarna, flourishing his hammer with terrible speed, hindered the tremendous speed of Rama's arrows. Then, flourishing that hammer which was smeared with blood and which can frighten the great army of celestials, in terrific speed, that demon scared away the army of monkeys. Thereupon, taking a great missile called Vayavya, Rama hurled it on the demon. By that weapon, he chopped off Kumbhakarna's arm along with the hammer. With his arm chopped off, Kumbhakarna roared tumultuously. That Kumbhakarna's arm, identical to a mountain-peak, which was chopped off by Rama's arrow, fell along with the hammer on that army of Sugreeva and killed that regiment of monkeys.
[BREAK]
"Having an arm chopped off by the arrow like a mountain-peak chopped off by a gigantic sword, that Kumbhakarna with his another arm, pulled up a tree by its roots and then ran towards Rama the lord of men in that battle-front. By his arrow, which was made variegated by gold and furnished with a mystic spell of Indra used for charming it, Rama chopped off Kumbhakarna's remaining arm, appearing like the coil of a serpent along with his uprooted palm-tree. That Kumbhakarna's arm, which appeared like a hill, was chopped off and fell down on the ground. Wallowing hither and thither, it dashed with trees, rocks, monkeys and demons. Seeing Kumbhakarna with his arms chopped off, abruptly with a roar, coming upon him and taking two sharp arrows with a shape of a half-moon each, Rama chopped off the feet of the demon in that battle. Creating a resound everywhere in all directions, even in hill-caves, in the great ocean, in Lanka as also in the armies of monkeys and demons, Kumbhakarna's feet fell down."
https://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm
Logic; raam clearly wins but it was not a fair fight from the beginning, on one side is raam who is fighting in a fresh condition vs Kumbhkarn who already fought numerous battles.
Shri Kumbhkarn would have a better chance at defeating Ram if he fought him first instead of fighting Angad initially. Kumbhkarn was injured grievously by Angad, Hanuman, Sugreev, Lakshman cause in order to defeat all 4 of them he had to suffer wounds first.
Conclusion; Kumbakarna was the underdog in his fight with Raam as it was, not fair at all. If the deaths of bhishma, karna, shalya can be classified as unfair ones, then the death of Kumvakarna was much more unfair than theirs.
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