Virádha

Family: Rákshases · Role: giant · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

In Book I, Canto 1, Nárad’s summary tells that Ráma slew Virádha. In Book III, Canto 2, Virádha seized Sítá, declaring, “This woman young and fair of frame / Shall be the conquering giant’s dame,” and threatened Lakshmaṇ as an enemy.

In Book III, Canto 3, Virádha said he was born of Java and Śatahradá and had gained from Brahmá a body no weapon could pierce. He abducted Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, carrying them through the wood. In Book III, Canto 4, their weapons failed to kill him, so they defeated him and buried him alive. Virádha then revealed that Kuvera had cursed him to wear a hideous shape for loving Rambhá; after Ráma destroyed him, Virádha was freed from the curse and his spirit went to heaven.

Relationship record

Life events

• Virádha seized Sítá and declared that she would be his wife.(Book III, Canto 2 · Virádha)
  • With: Sítá
  • “Then with a mighty roar that shook The earth beneath their feet, he took The trembling Sítá to his side.”
• Brahmá grants Virádha a boon making his body invulnerable to weapons.(Book III, Canto 3 · Virádha Attacked)
  • With: Brahmá
  • “The rites austere I long maintained From Brahmá’s grace the boon have gained To bear a charmed frame which ne’er Weapon or shaft may pierce or tear.”
• Virádha abducts Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, carrying them away through the wood.(Book III, Canto 3 · Virádha Attacked)
  • With: Ráma Lakshmaṇ
  • “Around each prince an arm he cast, And held the dauntless heroes fast: Then, though his gashes gaped and bled, Bearing the twain he turned and fled.”
• Ráma and Lakshmaṇ defeat Virádha and bury him alive after weapons fail to kill him.(Book III, Canto 4 · Virádha’s Death)
  • With: Ráma Lakshmaṇ
  • “The heroes, to their purpose true, In fight the cruel demon slew, And radiant with delight Deep in the hollowed earth they cast The monster roaring to the last,”
• Kuvera curses Tumburu to wear a hideous shape for loving Rambhá.(Book III, Canto 4 · Virádha’s Death)
  • With: Kuvera
  • “Cursed by Kuvera’s stern decree I wear the hideous shape you see.”
• Kuvera decrees that Ráma will destroy Tumburu, restoring his proper shape and return to heaven.(Book III, Canto 4 · Virádha’s Death)
  • With: Kuvera
  • “When Ráma, Daśaratha’s son, Destroys thee and the fight is won, Thy proper shape once more assume, And heaven again shall give thee room.”
• After Ráma defeats him, Virádha is freed from Kuvera’s curse and his spirit goes to heaven.(Book III, Canto 4 · Virádha’s Death)
  • With: Ráma
  • “Now through thy favour am I freed From the stern fate the God decreed, And saved, O tamer of the foe, By thee, to heaven again shall go.”
• Ráma slew Virádha in fight.(Book III, Canto 5 · Sarabhanga)
  • With: Ráma
  • “Then Ráma, having slain in fight Virádha of terrific might,”
• Ráma overthrew Virádha’s monstrous might for Sítá.(Book V, Canto 16 · Hanumán’s Lament)
  • With: Ráma
  • “Virádha’s monstrous might o’erthrew,”
• Ráma killed Virádha.(Book VI, Canto 128 · Hanumán’s Story)
  • With: Ráma
  • “He told how fierce Virádha fell;”

Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

• enemies with Ráma “Virádha, giant fiend, he slew, And then Agastya’s friendship knew.”

Book I, Canto 3 · The Argument

• enemies with Ráma “How Ráma with Virádha met;”

Book III, Canto 2 · Virádha

• admired: Sítá “This woman young and fair of frame Shall be the conquering giant’s dame:”
• enemies with Sítá “Then with a mighty roar that shook The earth beneath their feet, he took The trembling Sítá to his side.”
• enemies with Ráma “When Ráma saw Virádha clasp Fair Sítá in his mighty grasp,”
• enemies with Lakshmaṇ “Your blood, ye things of evil life, My lips shall quaff in battle strife.”

Book III, Canto 3 · Virádha Attacked

• parent: Java “From Java as my sire, O King:”
• parent: Śatahradá “Of Śatahradá born, I spring”
• patron: Brahmá “The rites austere I long maintained From Brahmá’s grace the boon have gained”
• enemies with Ráma “And wild with rage, pierced through and through, At Ráma and his brother flew.”
• enemies with Lakshmaṇ “And wild with rage, pierced through and through, At Ráma and his brother flew.”
• enemies with Sítá “The fiend the Maithil dame unclasped; In his fierce hand his spear he grasped,”

Book III, Canto 4 · Virádha’s Death

• enemies with Ráma “The heroes, to their purpose true, In fight the cruel demon slew,”
• enemies with Lakshmaṇ “Then Lakshmaṇ with resistless stroke The foe’s left arm that held him broke,”
• enemies with Kuvera “Cursed by Kuvera’s stern decree I wear the hideous shape you see.”
• admired: Rambhá “And thus on me his fury fell For loving Rambhá’s charms too well.”

Book III, Canto 5 · Sarabhanga

• enemies with Ráma “Then Ráma, having slain in fight Virádha of terrific might,”

Book V, Canto 16 · Hanumán’s Lament

• enemies with Ráma “Virádha’s monstrous might o’erthrew,”

Book VI, Canto 24 · The Spy’s Return

• enemies with Ráma “Ráma the matchless warrior, who Virádha and Kabandha slew,”

Book VI, Canto 67 · Kumbhakarna’s Death

• enemies with Kumbhakarṇa “No Khara, no Virádha,—thou Hast met a mightier warrior now.”

Book VI, Canto 128 · Hanumán’s Story

• enemies with Ráma “He told how fierce Virádha fell;”

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Extracted from the original text of The Rámáyan of Válmíki. Made with Rho MD.