Kabandha

Also known as: Danu · Family: Rákshases · Role: giant · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

In Nárad’s summary of the poem, Ráma kills Kabandha and casts his body into the fire. In Book III, Canto 70, Kabandha seizes Ráma and Lakshmaṇ in his long arms, but they cut them off. He tells them that Sthúlaśiras cursed him to keep his grisly form, while Indra had struck him and given him the long arms and chest-mouth; both had foretold that Ráma and his brother would free him.

In Book III, Cantos 72–73, Kabandha explains how to break the curse: his body is burned, and he rises from the pyre in heavenly form. He urges Ráma to join with one who can aid his search for his wife, and counsels him on how to find her again.