Kumbhakarna, the giant and fearsome brother of Ravana, made his terrifying entrance onto the battlefield of the Ramayana war, causing immediate chaos and destruction. His presence was akin to a natural disaster; his enormous size and brute strength rendered the Vanaras' efforts futile. With each step, he crushed numerous Vanaras underfoot, and many others were simply swallowed whole. The battlefield was in disarray as the Vanaras struggled to counter his overwhelming power.
Witnessing the massacre and the grievous injuries inflicted
upon his warriors, Sugriva, the valiant king of the Vanaras, resolved to
confront Kumbhakarna himself. In a display of immense strength, he uprooted
massive trees and hurled them at the demon. However, the trees shattered upon
impact with Kumbhakarna's impregnable body. The mighty demon then seized
Sugriva’s weapons and flung them aside effortlessly, while Sugriva deftly
dodged and retaliated with more projectiles.
In a dramatic escalation, Kumbhakarna tore a mountain from
the earth and hurled it at Sugriva. The immense weight of the mountain crushed
Sugriva beneath it. Sensing an opportunity to capture the Vanara king,
Kumbhakarna grabbed the unconscious Sugriva and decided to present him as a
trophy to Ravana.
As Kumbhakarna carried Sugriva through the streets of Lanka,
Sugriva began to regain consciousness. Dazed and disoriented, he soon realized
his predicament. Surrounded by the splendid golden architecture of Lanka and
devoid of any allies in sight, Sugriva knew he had to act swiftly and
decisively. Summoning all his strength and cunning, he launched a vicious
counterattack.
With savage determination, Sugriva clamped onto
Kumbhakarna’s ears and nose, biting and clawing with ferocity. The pain was
unbearable for Kumbhakarna, and he roared in agony as Sugriva's relentless
assault tore off his ears and mutilated his nose. Unable to endure the torment,
Kumbhakarna released his grip on Sugriva.
Seizing this critical moment, Sugriva fled with remarkable
speed, carrying with him the severed ears and a portion of the demon's nose as
trophies of his bravery. He navigated his way back to Rama’s camp, battered but
triumphant, and the Vanaras, seeing their king's return, were emboldened and
rallied with renewed vigor.
The story of Kumbhakarna capturing Sugriva is a testament to
the resilience and tenacity of the Vanara king, who despite facing
insurmountable odds, managed to turn the tide of battle through sheer willpower
and strategic acumen. This encounter not only showcased Sugriva's bravery but
also served to diminish the morale of the Rakshasas, proving that even the
mightiest of demons could be brought low by courage and cunning.
This story is found in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.