Indrajit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
From the Hindu epic Ramayana, Indrajit (pronounced indrajīt) (Sanskrit: इन्द्र जीत) also called Meghanaada (méghanāda) (also spelled Indrajita or Megnath) was the son of Raavana, king of Lanka by his wife Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura. A foremost warrior he could rival Rama in fighting skills. He was an ideal son and citizen
Indrajit was named "Meghanad" at birth because when he cried for the first time, thunder and lightning resounded, signifying the birth of a great warrior. The sobriquet 'Indrajit' ("conqueror of Indra") was conferred upon him by Lord Brahma when he defeated and imprisoned Indra, the king of the Devas. In modern India, "Indrajit" is not an uncommon name. This is a curious and a rare development[citation needed], because, 'Indrajit' was neither a 'Deva'(like Surya), nor a 'Bhakta' (like Prahalad); on the contrary, he was a Rakshasa. Meghanad's devotion to his father Ravana parallels Rama's devotion to his father. Meghanad realized Lakshamana was an avatar of a divine being, but rather than forfeit and live in disgrace, he fought till the end as this was his father, Ravana, wish.
A Brahmastra weapon was granted to Indrajit on his victory over Indra. It is said that this weapon has tremendous power and when it leaves the bow, it can beat any arrow and kill any person at wish.
Indrajit played an active part in the great war between Rama and Ravana. Indrajit had access to all of the divine weapons like the Brahmastra. Indrajit even bound Rama and Lakshmana under the Nagpash (Serpent spell). The King of eagles Garuda subsequently freed Rama and Lakshmana from the Nagpash.
Indrajit was unbeatable in war due to the yajna (also spelled yagna) he carried out before any battle, and could only be killed by an enemy force destroying this yajna. Lakshmana attacked the yajna with Sugreev's help. The yajna was successfully destroyed. Indrajit came out of the temple, mounted his chariot, and had a terrible battle with Lakshaman. Indrajit shoot brahmstr missile on lakshmana but missile denied to kill lakshmana. After this indrajit shoot shiva missile pasopasth but it denied to kill lakshmana and invisible.Finaly he shoot the last poweful missile in the three world but this is also denied to kill lakshaman. After this indrajit know that he is not an ordinary man Indrajit used his magic powers to transport himself to his father's palace. He tried in vain to convince his father once again to bow before Rama and come back on the side of Truth. Ravana refuses. After saying goodbye to his mother Mandodari and his wife Sulochana for the last time, Indrajit returns to battle Lakshaman. Lakshaman pieres Indrajit's neck with his arrows and he falls down dead. The entire army celebrates and wants to desecrate Indrajit's body. Rama, being virtuous and adhering to Dharma, says that only when Indrajit was alive was he an enemy. Now that Indrajit is dead, the enemity is also gone. Rama takes off his shawl and convers the body of the slain warrior, and tells Hanuman to leave the body at Lanka's main entrance, so the royal family could carry out the final processes.
Indrajit was married to Sulochana (Prameela), daughter of Adishesha, who is viewed by some sects as having been an incarnation of Lakshmana. Thus, in some way, Indrajit may be regarded as Lakshmana's son-in-law. Prameela hailed from the nagas.
| Ramayana by Valmiki |
|---|
| Characters |
| Dasharatha | Kausalya | Sumitra | Kaikeyi | Janaka | Manthara | Rama | Bharata | Lakshmana | Shatrughna | Sita | Urmila | Mandavi | Shrutakirti | Vishvamitra | Ahalya | Jatayu | Sampati | Hanuman | Sugriva | Vali | Angada | Jambavantha | Vibhishana | Tataka | Surpanakha | Maricha | Subahu | Khara | Ravana | Kumbhakarna | Mandodari | Mayasura | Sumali | Indrajit | Prahasta | Akshayakumara | Atikaya | Lava | Kusha |
| Other |
| Ayodhya | Mithila | Lanka | Sarayu | Treta Yuga | Raghuvamsa | Lakshman Rekha | Aditya Hridayam | Oshadhiparvata | Sundara Kanda | Vedavati | Vanara |