Story of Rama and demon Khara is the direct result of
Lakshman nipping the nose of Rakshasi Surpanakha at Panchvati Ashram in
Dandaka forest in the Ramayana. Khara was one of the brothers of Surpanakha as
per Aranya Kanda. He ruled the Janasthana region – majority of the Rakshasas
lived here. To avenge the bodily harm and insult meted out to Surpanakha, Khara
orders 14 of his fiercest warriors to bring the dead body of Rama and Lakshman.
The 14 warriors were vanquished in less than 14 minutes by
Sri Ram.
Rama who knew that more trouble was in store asked Lakshman
to take Mata Sita to a safe cave and stand guard.
Then Khara himself appears at Panchavati with his commander
in chief Dushana and 14,000 rakshasa army.
Devas and Rishis gathered up in the skies to witness the
battle.
Rama stood before an army of 14,002 demons.
On sighting Rama, the demons started hurling their weapons
at him. Bhagvan replied an arrow for an arrow. Each arrow of Rama killed a
demon.
The speed with which arrows came out of Rama’s bow was such that
those that appeared on sky to witness the battle did not know when He took up
His arrow, when He fixed it to the string and when He released it. All they
could see was Rakshasas after Rakshasas falling dead.
There was panic in Khara’s army and the demons rushed to
their ruler.
He then retorted them to fight. They moved vigorously
towards Sri Ram.
Rama then took up an arrow named Gandharva. He chanted
mantras and sent it towards the army. Thousands of arrows emerged from that
single arrow. The arrows then changed into five-hooded serpents and killed the
demons.
Next the commander of the army Dushana attacked Rama with a
huge number of demons. They all were sent to the abode of Yama by Rama.
Now only Khara and a demon named Trishiras – one with three
head - was left. Although Trishiras was an excellent archer, he was no match to
Rama. He was soon killed.
Finally, the battle between Sri Ram and Khara started.
Arrows after arrows were sent down. Rama finally broke the chariot of Khara.
Khara then hurled mace, trees and boulders on Rama. But they were all decimated
in air. Finally, Sri Ram pierced the heart of Khara with an arrow. With the
death of Khara, Sri Ram put an end to the terror of Rakshasas in Dandaka
forest.