Kumbhakarna is Ravana's giant brother, who asked Brahma for Indra's throne but, with Saraswati on his tongue, asked for sleep instead. Woken for the war of Lanka, he told Ravana to return Sita, then fought for him out of loyalty and was killed by Rama.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Kumbhakarna sleep for six months?
He meant to ask Brahma for Indra's throne, but Saraswati twisted his words and he asked for sleep; the boon was softened to six months of sleep and one day awake.
Did Kumbhakarna support Ravana?
He told Ravana he was wrong to take Sita, but fought for him out of loyalty.
Who killed Kumbhakarna?
Rama, with his arrows, in the war of Lanka.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Kanda (boons)
- Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda (sargas 60-67)
- Bhagavata Purana, Book 7, ch. 1 (Jaya and Vijaya)
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