Flags of Ayodhya, Ravan, Kumbhkarn and Inderjeet / Meghnaad

Flags of Ayodhya, Ravan, Kumbhkarn and Inderjeet / Meghnaad

In Valmiki Ramayana there are interesting references and descriptions of the flags of Ravan, Kumbhkarn, Inderjeet and of Ayodhya. 

Flag of Ayodhya : 

Flag of Ayodhya

Bharat in an attempt to take back his brothers Ram, Lakshman and sister-in-law Sita to Ayodhya, moves with all his army and citizens is approaching the place where Ram is camped in a jungle, when they hear loud clutters and deafening sounds. Fearing the possible attack by Bharat, Lakshman mounts on a big tree to inspect and ascertain the distance and size of the attacking Ayodhya army. Lakshman tells Ram that Bharat is “on his way towards them mounted on a war chariot which looks splendid with a flag of Ayodhya depicting a tree of ‘Kovidaar’ with its bright and smooth trunk”.

‘Kovidaar’ tree is also known as Kaanchan, Dev-kaanchan, Kevnaar, Kachnaar and Vanraaj. In Ayurveda this tree is considered highly useful as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial with gastro-protective effects. Its parts are analgesic, anti-inflammatory and has wound healing properties. Its tender flowers are also cooked and eaten as regular diet. 

Flag of Ravan :

Flag of Ravan

In one of the greatest wars in Indian history Lakshman is facing Ravan in battle field. Valmiki depicts the scenario in following words :

“With the fierce, sharpest and very speedy arrows illustrious son of Sumitra shattered the flag of Ravan depicting the human skull into many small pieces”. 

Flag of Kumbhkaran

Flag of Kumbhkaran, brother of Ravan :

Valmiki writes “One whose complexion is like black clouds and one whose chest is large, wide and attractive, his war chariot is decorated with the flag depicting Vaasuki Naagraj and one who is playfully, but with all his concentration, pulling very hard on his bow is a great warrior Kumbhkarn”.

Flag of Inderjeet / Meghnaad, son of  Ravan :

Flag of Inderjeet / Meghnaad

Brother of Ravan, who has changed sides in war, known by the name Vibhishan is introducing Inderjeet to Ram in following words “One who is mounted on his war chariot, decorated with a highest flag depicting a Lion, whose teeth are as large as of an elephant, fearsome and sharp protruding outside of his jaw, along with an illuminating, bright rainbow like bow and arrow, his name is Inderjeet. He has achieved highest valor as a result of boon and blessings of Devas”. 

It is interesting that this flag is depicting the Lion, most famous prehistoric mammals, and the best known saber-toothed cat that is said to be extinct a way back, at the end of the late Pleistocene about 12,000 years ago. Such "megafauna" went extinct, a die-off called the Quaternary extinction. While the Ramayana war had been fought only some four to five  thousand years back. That means such saber toothed lions may not be extinct at least in Sri Lankan island. 

I imagined and designed these flags in photoshop to share with the people who might think it interesting to peep into this little information provided by Rishi Valmiki in Ramayana.