The Arrow That Waited for Rama

Ravana turned to his ministers.

“Tell me, who in these three worlds is more powerful than I am?”

One minister hesitantly replied, “Maharaja, King Raghu of the Ikshvaku dynasty is renowned for his valour. His power comes from his wife’s extraordinary chastity and devotion.”

Determined to defeat this rival, Ravana approached Raghu, who was performing his evening prayers by the Sarayu River. He bowed and asked to become his disciple.

During the Aghamarshana rite, Raghu perceived a lion attacking a brahmin’s only cow in southern Bharatavarsha. The desperate brahmin wished that Raghu were there to save it. Without leaving his place, Raghu flung the consecrated water southward, killing the lion and saving the cow.

Ravana was astonished at this ability.

A few days later, he invited Raghu to Lanka. With a twig, Raghu drew a detailed map of the city on the ground, identifying its gates, palaces and trees. Ravana was shocked to realize that Raghu knew his city without visiting it ever.

As he moved, Raghu’s hand accidentally brushed against a corner of the drawing.

“Oh! What have I done? Ravana, a part of your Lanka has been lost!”

Ravana stared. “What do you mean?”

“The part my hand brushed has sunk into the sea. Go and see for yourself.”

Ravana returned to Lanka and discovered that Raghu had spoken the truth. His admiration of Raghu turned first into fear, then into hatred.

Remembering that Raghu’s power was linked to his wife’s chastity, Ravana disguised himself as Raghu and entered her chambers. She recognized him immediately.

“You may imitate his appearance, Ravana, but you cannot imitate his conduct or character!”

Raghu was furious. “You came to me as a disciple, and I welcomed you. You have betrayed my trust. I shall kill you!”

He raised his bow and fitted an arrow to the string. Brahma intervened, revealing that Lord Vishnu would incarnate as Rama in Raghu’s lineage to destroy Ravana. Since the consecrated arrow could not be withdrawn, Brahma promised to preserve it for Rama.

Years later, Ravana obtained that very arrow from Brahma as a boon and concealed it inside a pillar in his private chambers, believing he had outwitted destiny.

When Rama invaded Lanka to rescue Sita, his arrows failed to kill Ravana. Vibhishana revealed that Ravana could be slain only with Raghu’s ancient arrow.

Hanuman entered Lanka disguised as a young brahmin and approached Mandodari, who feared for her husband’s life.

“Please bless my husband! Rama is no ordinary warrior,” she pleaded.

“Why fear, Devi? Is not the arrow safe?”

“Yes! No one can kill Ravana without it.”

“Then worship it with flowers, sandalwood paste and akshata,” Hanuman advised.

Mandodari hurried to the pillar concealing the arrow and performed the worship. As she left, Hanuman transformed into a tiny fly and followed her. Once she was gone, he resumed his enormous form, smashed the pillar and retrieved the arrow.

Rama fitted the arrow to his bow and released it.

The arrow meant for Ravana had finally reached its destined mark!

Ravana’s pride, jealousy and lust led to his destruction. Raghu’s spiritual power, his wife’s pativrata dharma, and Hanuman’s wisdom remind us that when strength is rooted in dharma and surrendered to the Divine, it becomes invincible. No power or cunning can prevail against the will of the Lord, for ultimately, where dharma prevails, the Lord’s grace prevails.

Note: This story does not appear in the Valmiki Ramayana. It is a re-telling from the narration of the kathakar Pujya Indresh Upadhyay.