Kumbhakarna
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Kumbhakarna (Sanskrit: कुम्भकर्ण, kumbhakarNa), in theHindu epic Ramayana, was a Rakshasa and brother of Ravana. He was said to be 420,000 metres tall. His size could have made him invincible, but when he asked for a boon from Brahma, his tongue was tied by a goddess, and all he managed to say was that he wanted to sleep (Some sources say that this not a boon but a curse by Brahma). His request was granted, as Kumbhakarna slept for six months at a time and woke for only one day before returning to sleep. However, when he woke up, he ate everything in the vicinity including men.
During the war, Ravana went into battle and was humiliated by Rama and his army. He decided he needed the help of his brother Kumbhakarna, who was awakened with great difficulty. When he was informed of the circumstances of Ravana's war with Rama, he tried to convince Ravana that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to fight in the battle due to his loyalty to his brother. After becoming drunk, Kumbhakarna went into battle. He devastated Rama's army, heavily injured Hanumana, and knocks out Sugriva and takes him as a prisoner. When Sugriva wakes up in Lanka, he rips off Kumbhakarna's ears and nose and flies back to Rama. Kumbhakarna again runs off to battle bloody and berserk and kills Rakshasas and Vanaras indiscriminately. Rama eventually cuts him to pieces. When Ravana hears of his brother's death he faints and proclaims that he is truly doomed.
Kumbhakarna had two sons, Kumbha and Nikumbha, who too fought in the war against Rama and were killed.
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| Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa |  |
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