There were lots of offerings in the form of food placed before the deity. Hanuman started consuming the food. The demons were happy to see the food disappearing. They thought the goddess herself was consuming them! When Ram and Lakshman were brought to the sacrificial altar, they heard the demons talking about the food. They immediately understood that Hanuman was present there and that it was he who had consumed the food offered to the deity. Ahiravan proclaimed, “Princes! You have only a few moments left of your life.” Ram and Lakshman glanced at each other, smiling secretly. Hanuman recalled what Makardhwaj had told him about killing Ahiravan. He had to blow out five lamps kept in five different directions at the same time! To accomplish this, Hanuman assumed his Panchmukhi form with the faces of Hanuman, Hayagriv, Narsimh, Garud and Varah. He then extinguished all the five lamps simultaneously. Ahiravan was killed instantly.
Panchmukhi Hanuman Kills Ahiravan
