Valmiki Ramayana - February 28

February 28 - sargas 21 and 22 of Uttara Kanda.

Ravana's attack on Yamaloka and how Brahma advises Yama to spare Ravana.

***

Sage Narada proceeds quickly to Yamaloka. Lord Yama is performing his duties with the sacred fire as the witness, dispensing the due rewards for good and bad deeds of those who have died and arrived in his world.

Yama offers respectful courtesies due to the venerable sage and enquires about the purpose of this visit. Everyone knows this for sure- Narada NEVER visits anyone without a purpose!

Narada says that the indubitable notorious rakshasa Dashagriva Ravana is about to attack Yama. Narada also adds that Yama needs to fear none because he wields the ultimate weapon called Yamadanda! Just then Ravana rises on the horizon like the sun on his Pushpaka. 

***

Valmiki describes how Ravana got to see the fate of everyone after death, and how each was being meted out whatever was his due in terms of rewards; as well as punishments, most of which were gut-wrenching. I could not help think how it was Ravana's destiny to get a preview of what awaited him later! Valmiki describes that the totally heartless Yamakinkaras were beating, boiling, and cutting those who deserved punishment and many worms were being thrown at them and were eating them!

Many were being pushed into the terrible blood river called Vaitarani. All those being punished were screaming out in terrible distress. By the way this description comes in Puranas and many mystics have validated that such punishments and hell and heaven are as real as this world of the five senses.

Those who deserved heaven by their good deeds were in the best of places with all comforts, luxuries, music and dance. Each one was enjoying a matching reward for his good deeds. 

By the way since most people do both good and bad, they will go through both rewards and punishments by turn!

Ravana attacked the Yama attendants and a fierce war raged. The Yamabhatas (attendants) attacked Pushpaka and tore down that magnificent vehicle's finest arrangements and decorations. But since it was blessed by Brahma, the Pushpaka healed and refurbished itself in quick time.

Ravana's lieutenants and soldiers fought the Yama army fiercely. Yama's army was large, with deadly weapons, and was ruthless. The battle was fierce.

Soon, after driving away Ravana's men, the Yamabhatas attacked Ravana fiercely. He was drenched in blood and all his weapons were destroyed. Pushpaka could not protect him. 

Ravana was enraged and jumped down and got into the battle in real earnest. He started raining his special weapons and driving away Yama's army. Finally, Ravana launched the Pashupata weapon. It was incomparable in might and spewed fire and destroyed the Yamabhatas' opposition as they all fell away.

Ravana roared such that the three worlds shook and celebrated his victory with his lieutenants and army.

***

That roar brought Yama into battle on his great chariot. He had special weapons, and particularly under his command lay on the chariot the Mrityudevata, the ultimate destructive force of death that cannot be resisted by anyone in creation. Yama also had with him the Yamadanda or Kaladanda, which dispenses death.

Seeing Yama's rage, the three worlds shivered in fright. Seeing Yama in his deadly chariot, all Ravana's people fled. But Ravana stood his ground. He started showering Yama with a rain of arrows. But when Yama launched an array of Shaktis, Ravana had no answer and tottered.

Soon the battle renewed between Ravana and Yama. Just then all the gods with Lord Brahma in the lead arrived. What they witnessed appeared to be the battle to end all creation.

Ravana managed to land some really powerful blows and hurt Yama badly. Yama was livid with rage. When he exhaled, fire spewed out, ready to burn everything down. Seeing him thus, Mrityudevata said,

मुञ्च मां समरे यावद्धन्मीमं पापराक्षसम्

"Oh Lord, please launch me, I want to go and kill this sinful rakshasa Ravana at once!"

Mrityudevata described himself as infallible and gave a long list of all the great heroes and even natural elements that were slain by him invariably when launched.

 न हि कश्चिन्मया दृष्टो बलवानपि जीवति "However powerful anyone may be, he shall always succumb to me, without fail." Mrityu said this was the natural law and not a boast.

***

But Yama said, "Mrityu, leave this to me." He now picked up the Yamadanda. That is the sceptre of death.

The Yamadanda came to life. It was most terrible in demeanour and ready to go and kill Ravana. Seeing Yama raising the Yamadanda, everyone around scattered in terror.

Just then Lord Brahma spoke and intervened.

यो हि मामनृतं कुर्याद्देवो वा मानुषोऽपि वा ।

त्रैलोक्यमनृतं तेन कृतं स्यान्नात्र संशयः ॥

यदि ह्यस्मिन्निपतिते न म्रियतैष राक्षसः ।

म्रियते वा दशग्रीवस्तदाप्युभयतोऽनृतम्  ॥

"Stop, please, Lord Yama! Who does not know that your Yamadanda is the final, irresistible weapon of death!? But please realize that I have given this Ravana a boon of long life and no possibility of death from the action of any god. So the order of creation I have made is that Ravana shall not be killed by this weapon. Therefore if you launch it and kill Ravana, it shall prove my boon to be futile and jeopardize the order I have established in the three worlds! No god or human shall be allowed to disturb my order.

"And on the other hand, if my boon protects Ravana from the Yamadanda, then what becomes of your own status and the inviolability of Yamadanda? We cannot allow for the Yamadanda to fail either! This is the classic Catch-22 situation, Lord Yama! Therefore, kindly desist."

Hearing this, Lord Yama said that the situation could only be averted by his immediate disappearance along with his weapons, his powers, his chariot and attendants. So that is what happened instantly.

Ravana, who did not understand what was going on, saw Yama suddenly disappear. Even Narada went away. What remained was for Ravana to roar again in triumph that he had conquered even Yama, as he flew away in his Pushpaka Vimana!

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 27

February 27 - Sargas 19 and 20 of Uttara Kanda. 

Ravana continued his conquest of one kingdom after another easily. His offer always was,

युद्धं मे दीयतां निर्जिताः स्मेति वा ब्रूत 

"Either give me a fight or confess that you have been defeated!"

Almost all kings came to know of his invincibility and by discussion amongst themselves, submitted tamely to Ravana's lordship to save themselves and their armies. In turn, they became his minions.

Soon, Ravana came to the kingdom of Ayodhya, ruled by King Anaranya, prosperous and happy like Indra's Amaravati itself. When Ravana came, Anaranya was well prepared, knowing the reputation of Ravana and his exploits. Anaranya did not want to give in. 

Ravana offered "battle or surrender!" and Anaranya offered battle.

There was a fierce war and Anaranya's well-organized army of elephants, horses, chariots, and footsoldiers fought bravely. Eventually, though, Ravana and his lieutenants were able to kill off most of Anaranya's army.

Now the brave Anaranya took up his famous bow and entered the battle himself. He was able easily to defeat Mareecha, Shuka, Sarana, and Prahasta who all ran away. He now came face to face with Ravana.

Anaranya rained arrows on Ravana but Ravana was not troubled in the least like a mountain happily receiving showers. Then Ravana struck Anaranya with his palm such that Anaranya fell and bit the dust like a sala tree felled. He was in great distress. Ravana laughed and proclaimed,

किमिदानीं फलं प्राप्तं त्वया मां प्रति युद्ध्यता ।

त्रैलोक्ये नास्ति यो द्वन्द्वं मम दद्यान्नराधिप।

शङ्के प्रस्क्तो भोगेषु न श्रुणोषि बलं मम     ॥

"Oh, King! Do you now see the outcome of your confronting me? Don't you know that there is no one in the three worlds who dares to give me a one-on-one fight!? Perhaps you have been too preoccupied with royal pleasures to be informed of my unconquerable prowess."

Anaranya was not mentally destroyed although physically he was beaten badly.

He replied, 

न ह्यहं निर्जितो रक्षस्त्वया चात्मप्रशंसिना ।

कालेनैव विपन्नोऽहं केतुभूतस्तु मे भवान्  ॥

"Oh, rakshasa! Know that I have been defeated by the turn of Time alone no8iw, not by the boastful self that you are. "

"Oh, Ravana! I have fought you like a hero and am dying now in battle. But your words have insulted my dynasty. So I now pronounce a curse on you. In my dynasty will be born a great hero by the name of Rama, son of King Dasharatha, who will come and kill you."

"If at all I have done Dharma (righteousness), Dana (charity), Yajna (scripturally ordained sacrifices and worship), Tapas (austerity) and have taken care of the people of Ayodhya, let my words come true."

There were heavenly incantations, benedictions, and showers of flowers as Anaranya pronounced these words and breathed his last.

Ravana, again feeling triumphant, continued his conquest elsewhere.

***

Ravana was cruising on his Pushpaka Vimana in the clouds when Sage Narada, the divine rishi who plays an important role in most Hindu epics, and in fact who introduced the story of Sri Rama to Valmiki (after he had reformed a dacoit and made him into Sage Valmiki!) now arrived in the skies as if by coincidence. Ravana offered his greetings and asked Narada what was his current mission. Narada replied,

"Well, Ravana, I know how you have been fighting gods and yakshas and humans all the time and bringing them down. In fact, even Vishnu is doing something similar by his continual attack on daityas. So both of you are on similar kinds of missions.

"Ravana, if you are receptive, I want to tell you something."

"Ravana, when you are so easily conquering gods and celestials, why do you persist in harming and troubling humans?  I think you are overdoing this conquest of the three worlds a bit."

नित्यं श्रेयसि सम्मूढं महद्भिर्व्यसनैर्वृतम् ।

हन्यात्कस्तादृशं लोकं जराव्याधिशतैर्युतम् ॥

"Do you see, Ravana, that this world of humans is already in utter misery on its own, owing to people's ignorance of the eternal verities of existence caused by their confusion!? They are already dying from disease, old age, pestilence, and so on. So who indeed would think of giving them more trouble by attacking them as you are doing these days?"

  

"So Ravana, my advice to you is to stop battering humans and their world anymore as they are already being ground beneath the heels of the Law (another name for Yama). They are already suffering the bodily handicaps of hunger, thirst, old age, and several forms of benumbing grief and afflictions. "

"Do you know, Ravana!? Indeed, strange are the ways of humans. They while away their lives in song and dance and merriment, knowing not how shortlived human lives are. And many are constantly grappling with ailments and difficulties. Many people are obsessed with parents, children, spouses, relatives, and such things. "

"Ravana, what is the use of your inflicting even more suffering on the human race when they are all in the mouth of death called Yama!? If at all you want to do something brave and lordly, you should go and confront Yama himself. Once you conquer Yama, you have conquered the entire human race!"

Ravana saw light! He thanked Narada profusely. "Of Sage Narada, you are well known for your travels in the three worlds and stirring up trouble between two parties. I now see your point. I shall now proceed to Rasatala and will conquer the nagas and celestials and capture the oceans full of Amrita (elixir of immortality)."

Narada then asked Ravana, "then why are you proceeding this way if your destination is Rasatala!? Indeed the way you are going is difficult as it passes Yamaloka!"

Ravana said with a laugh," Ok, Sage Narada! In fact I think I shall now change my itinerary and first go and conquer Yama. That was anyway a part of my original mission to defeat all the Lokapalas. I shall do that first and then proceed to Rasatala!"

Narada bid Ravana goodbye as the Pushpaka flew onward. He then thought to himself,

यो विधाता च धाता च सुकृतं दष्कृतं तथा ।

त्रैलोक्यं विजितं येन तं कथं विजयिष्यते।

अपरं किं तु कृत्वेवं विधानं संविधास्यति ॥

"Strange! Yama, who rules the three worlds and metes out his reward and punishment for good deeds and bad deeds, and thus is supreme; how will Yama be attacked by Ravana? By what methods? This is worth watching. I shall at once proceed to Yamaloka."

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 26

February 26 - Sargas 17 and 18 of Uttara Kanda.

We read of more atrocities by Ravana, especially of his molesting Vedavati and incurring her curse. This gives rise to the birth of Devi Sita afterward.

***

Ravana roams freely and comes to the foothills of the Himalayas. There he sees a very young, godly,  beautiful woman with matted locks wearing deerskin performing austerities. काममोहपरीतात्मा besotted with lust, he approaches her. With a swagger and a laugh of self-confidence, he enquires,

किमिदं वर्तसे भद्रे न हि युक्ता तवैतस्य रूपस्यैवं प्रतिक्रिया 

"Why, lady, do you engage in these austerities, unbecoming of a beautiful and young woman like you!?

Abandon this, consider your beauty that ravishes men. Whose wife/woman are you? Who is blessed to enjoy you!? Tell me how you got into this tapas."

The ascetic woman courteously received Ravana and then replied,

कुशध्वजो नाम पिता ब्रह्मर्षिः बुद्धितुल्यो बृहस्पतेः  

तस्याहं कुर्वतो नित्यं वेदाभ्यासं महात्मनः 

सम्भुता वाङ्मयी कन्या नाम्ना वेदवती स्मृता

पितुस्तु मम जामाता विष्णुः किल सुरेश्वरः

"Oh, Rakshaseshvara! Know me to be the daughter  born to the Brahmarshi Kushadhvaja, son of Lord Brahma,and  endowed with spiritual wisdom at birth. My name is Vedavati and I learnt the Vedas at my father's feet early. 

"Many gods, rakshasas, yakshas, and others approached my father for my hand. But my father wanted only Lord Mahavishnu, the lord of all gods, to be his son-in-law. 

"In fact, the king of daityas by the name of Shambhu was angry to be spurned as my suitor by my father and murdered him one night. My mother entered the funeral pyre with my father out of extreme distress. I have now taken a vow that Lord Vishnu alone shall be my husband and hence I am performing this severe tapas to propitiate him. That is the only way I can honour my parents."

आश्रये नियमं घोरं नारायणपरीप्सया 

"I have resorted to this severe penance as I desire to obtain the grace of Lord Narayana Mahavishnu."

"Also, Oh son of Paulastya, by my yogic power I know about you already. I know about your tapas and your activities thereafter in the three worlds."

Ravana now alighted from his Pushpaka Vimana and went close to Vedavati, unable to control his lustful attraction to her by the force of Manmatha's effect.

"Oh beautiful woman, only old women should do tapas like this. Your figure and beauty do not suit this. Know how attractive you are! Know that youth passes quickly! I am the supreme lord of rakshasas and rule from Lanka. Become mine, and enjoy queenhood! Whoever is that Vishnu!? In no way can he match me in my prowess, tapas, and luxurious enjoyments." 

Vedavati cut him short and simply said, "Just no way!"

"Lord Mahavishnu is the supreme lord of the three worlds. The entire creation runs under his care. Only you, despite your intelligence, would choose to slight him!"

Ravana now suddenly caught Vedavati's long hair. Vedavati burst into extreme rage, and using her hand as a sharp sword, cut off that lock of hair from her body.  

She was burning with uncontrollable rage as she set up a funeral pyre. She now spoke: "you despicable rakshasa! You have insulted me. Molested me. Therefore I shall end my life just now on this pyre as you witness it. I shall avenge this by taking birth again just to bring about your death. A woman is physically too frail to kill an evil man like you. I also don't to waste my spiritual energy to kill you. If at all I have followed Truth, Dharma, and asceticism, I shall be born again as a pure and noble woman spiritually, not through a womb, to a great soul, a noble person, and destroy you."

Saying this, Vedavati immolated herself instantly.

Soon, Vedavati was born as a beautiful maiden rising out of a lotus, and that golden lotus found its way to Ravana. Ravana brought the maiden to his palace, without knowing it was Vedavati, with the intention of possessing the maiden. But the moment a wise minister of his saw this woman on the lotus, he told Ravana that the woman spelt death to him and Ravana should at once cast away that lotus. Ravana, frightened, did accordingly. The lotus was cast into the sea, and soon, the lotus and Vedavati on it found a way to rise from the sacred earth in front of King Janaka, and was adopted by him as his divine child.

Sage Agastya tells Sri Rama, "Know, dear Sri Rama, that Sita is none other than Vedavati who is Goddess Lakshmi herself. This was preordained that you should marry Sita and go and kill Ravana to release her from her captivity in Lanka. You are none other than Mahavishnu!"

***

Ravana stuck to his travel plan after his misadventure with Vedavati. Now he saw a king by the name of Maruta performing a great sacrifice. In fact, all the gods were in attendance, given the glory of that king. 

But the moment they saw Ravana, all the gods assumed animal forms to save themselves. Indra became a peacock, Yama a crow, Varuna a swan, and Kubera a chameleon. 

Ravana challenged King Maruta to battle. King Maruta knew about Ravana and was not scared.  When Ravana announced how he had trampled on Kubera, his elder brother, and won boons, the king taunted him most acerbically:

धन्यः खलु भवान् येन ज्येष्ठो भ्राता रणे जितः! कं त्वं केवलं धर्मं चरित्वा लब्धवान् वरम्!

"Oh! You seem to be a really great one to have attacked and defeated your own worthy elder brother! What good deeds of yours would have merited the boons you boast of!?"  

As King Maruta got ready to fight, the rishi officiating in the Yajna told the king that it was prohibited to suspend such a yajna midway and go to engage in a violent battle. Such an act of abandoning the yajna would bring him great sin if he were to now go and fight Ravana. 

King Maruta had to contain himself and go back to his yajna, ignoring Ravana. Ravana's minister Shuka was on hand. He proclaimed loudly, "So our great monarch Ravana has conquered Maruta, who has surrendered without a fight!" Ravana was most pleased to take over Maruta's kingdom and go onward with his misdeeds.

Now it was the turn of gods to resume their godly forms. They all felt relieved to have got out unhurt from Ravana's attack. So each gave boons to the bird/animal forms they had taken.

Indra blessed the peacock that his one thousand eyes would now reside in the peacock's lovely plumes. So the hitherto blue peacock got his most attractive multicoloured plumes as a boon.

Yama blessed that the crow would live long and be free from any disease, aspects which were the domains of Yama.

Varuna blessed that the swan would become spotlessly white and have magnificent wings and fly in the Himalayas. He would symbolise purity and nobility.

Kubera, the lord of wealth, blessed the chameleon that he would get a golden and silvery crust and shine like no other creature on earth.

The yajna was well celebrated and the gods went away to heaven.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 25

February 25 - Sargas 15 and 16 of Uttara Kanda.

Ravana's attack on Kubera's troops ends in Kubera's comprehensive defeat. Ravana takes away the Pushpaka Vimana as his war trophy.

While roaming in Pushpaka, Ravana is stopped by Nandi and not allowed to disturb Lord Shiva in Kailasa. Ravana wants to teach Shiva a lesson and lifts Kailasa mountain itself, but Shiva severely punishes him, but later gives him boons.

***

Kubera, finding his yaksha troops decimated, asks his military chief Manibhadra to go and defeat Ravana and his team.

रावणं जहि यक्षेन्द्र शरणं भव वीराणां यक्षाणाम् - "Oh yaksha chief Manibhadra, go and defeat Ravana and protect the brave yakshas."

Manibhadra leads a strong yaksha army to fight against Ravana and his associates. They all fight with an indefatigable spirit, much to the astonishment of the gods and rishis assembled to witness the encounter.

But soon, Prahasta, Mahodara, and Mareecha, by resorting to rakshasa tricks of magic and illusionism, kill all the yakshas. Manibhadra confronts Dhumraksha and strikes him down senseless with his gada. Seeing this, Ravana is enraged and attacks Manibhadra. Manibhadra strikes Ravana with three Shaktis. Ravana is unfazed and instead strikes Manibhadra on his crown diadem so hard that it gets fixed at a tilt forever.

Manibhadra runs away from the battle.

Now Kubera himself enters the fray with his gada. He has with him the supervisory deities of wealth he rules over, called Shankha and Padma.

***

Kubera now sternly addressed Ravana:

"Oh, evil-minded Dashagriva! You have ignored my warnings to straighten your conduct. You will later reap the fruits of your evil deeds much like someone experiences the ill-effects of poison consumed after some time. What you consider your rightful action will never meet with approval by the gods."

मातरं पितरं विप्रमाचार्यं चावमन्यते स पश्यति फलं तस्य प्रेतराजवशं गतः 

"One who had insulted his mother, father, a sage, and a teacher will find out the fruit of his evil conduct in the afterlife under the regime of the god of dispensation."

"Ravana, know that life in this body is always temporary. The results of one's actions will unfold later."

तस्माद्धर्मं सुखार्थाय कुर्यात्पापं विसर्जयेत् "Therefore, in the interest of your own well-being, adhere to Dharma and give up your sinful ways."

"In this world, prosperity, beauty, power, glory, and progeny, all accrue only to one adhering to Dharma."

"It is a wise saying that one should not persist in giving advice to the evil-minded.  So I shall stop now."

Kubera now struck the rakshasa associates of Ravana and drove them away. Then he struck Ravana on his crown with his gada but Ravana was not affected. 

A terrific battle ensued now between Kubera and Ravana. Neither tired nor lost focus.

Kubera launched Agneyastra at Ravana. Ravana countered it with Varunastra. Then Ravana suddenly resorted to rakshasa tricks of magic and illusionism and appeared in several animal forms and even like a yaksha. Kubera could not fight him anymore. Eventually, Ravana was invisible and struck Kubera with a massive gada on his head. Kubera, bleeding copiously, fell down like a tree cut at its roots.

Ravana was triumphant that he had defeated Kubera. He took hold of the incomparable Pushpaka Vimana, which was a palatial city itself with perennial fruit-and flower-laden trees and decorations and the most luxurious arrangements for travel anywhere at will at the speed of thought in all the three worlds, and he celebrated this with his rakshasa chiefs as they all took off merrily.

***

I must pause here and tell you a little bit about Kubera. Although he was the leader of yakshas and had ruled over rakshasas in Lanka, he was a godlike personality. In the Bhagavadgita, Bhagavan Krishna says that he is Kubera among yakshas and rakshasas. Kubera was blessed by Brahma and his own father. He continues to be the god of wealth and one of the Lokapalas.

Kubera was also old enough to be Ravana's uncle. But never did Ravana have any filial regard or even commonly good sense in dealing with Kubera. Unless we understand this, we will not be able to assess the enormity of Ravana's evil. Ravana typifies the "Might is Right" attitude.

***

The great sage Agastya continued his narrative to Sri Rama.

***

Ravana was looking glorious, attired in the best way with garlands and ornaments, and making merry on the Pushpaka Vimana along with his associates. He directed Pushpaka to fly over Kailasa.

Suddenly, Pushpaka stalled and refused to move. Ravana was perplexed and angry. He might have even exclaimed, "What is this, made in China, is it?" while banging his fist on the flight control dashboard.

Mareecha was intelligent and reasoned, "Lord, this cannot be a machine malfunction. There must be a good reason for this. Perhaps Pushpaka takes directions only from Kubera. "

Just then Nandishwara, the devoted lieutenant and vehicle of Lord Shiva, appeared there. Like all Shiva ganas, Nandi had a weird appearance, a red dwarfish body, and a strange bald head and short limbs. But he seemed to be very powerful in spite of this. He addressed Ravana:

"Oh, Dashagriva! Go away! This is Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva and he is currently engaged in his pastimes. Nobody, no god or anyone, is allowed to come here now."

Ravana jumped down in rage from Pushpaka.

कोऽयं शङ्कर इतयुक्त्वा शैलमूलमुपागतः "Who is this fellow you call Shankara!?" Saying this, Ravana went to  the foot of Kailasa.

Suddenly Ravana saw Nandi by the side of Lord Shiva, effulgent like Lord Shiva himself. This time Nandi had a monkey-like face. Ravana burst out in a ridiculing laugh at Nandi. He continued to laugh at Nandi, who should be regarded as Shiva's alter ego. Now Nandi spoke:

यस्माद्वानररूपं मामवज्ञाय दशानन उत्पत्स्यन्ति वधार्थं हि कुलस्य तव वानराः 

"Oh, Dashanana! You laugh so loudly making fun of my face of a vanara. Hear now my curse on you. Vanaras will come and bring about your death and the destruction of your entire lineage!"

"Vanaras, mountainous in size and incomparable in strength and speed, will attack and destroy you with everything that you value- your people, your wealth, your pride, and your very life."

"Know, Dashagriva, that I am not killing you because your death has already been secured and made certain by your own misdeeds!"

Just then there were oracular benedictions from the heavens and a shower of flowers to herald Nandi's trenchant prophesy.

***

Ravana ignored Nandi and now addressed Shiva. "Look, Pashupati! Your mountain has impeded my Pushpaka in its course. I shall therefore uproot your mountain itself!"

तोलयामास तं शीघ्रं स शैलः अकम्पत "As Ravana lifted the mountain, it rocked and quaked a bit."

Lord Shiva's ganas were frightened. Devi Parvati herself was shaken and clung to Lord Shiva.

महादेवो देवानां प्रवरो हरः पादाङ्गुष्ठेन तं शैलं पीडयामास लीलया "Lord Shiva, foremost among all gods, then simply pressed his big toe on the mountain and held it down with almost no effort."

Ravana was now pinned down with his shoulders stuck under Kailasa and crushed into immobility.

Ravana was ashamed, enraged, and in terrible distress. His ministers were astonished how easily Shiva had pinned Ravana down. 

मुक्तो विरावः सहसा त्रैलोक्यं एन कम्पितम् 

"Then a most terrible roar of distress  rose from Ravana such that it shook the three worlds."

That roar spelt the end of the world to his ministers. Even Indra and other gods were frozen in their tracks by that terrible roar. The oceans and mountains were in distress. Ravana's ministers shouted to him in a plea, "Oh Lord! It is clear that you have to at once pray to Lord Shiva and propitiate him. We see no other course for you. "

कृपालुः शङ्करः तुष्टः प्रसादं ते विधास्यति "Oh, King! We have heard that Lord Shiva is most compassionate and easily pleased. If he is pleased with your prayer, he will grace you and bless you."

Dashagriva took his ministers' advice and started praying fervently to Lord Shiva, with Samaveda and other chants. संवत्सरः सहस्रन्तु रुदतो रक्षसो गतम् "A hundred years passed with the rakshasa king occupied with his wailing and prayer."

Lord Shankara Shiva was at last mollified. He released Dashagriva's shoulders from their vice-like crush.

"Oh Dashagriva! I am pleased with your valour and determination. 

शैलाक्रान्तेन यो मुक्तस्त्वया रावः सुदारुणः 

यस्माद् लोकत्रयं चैतद्रावितं भयमागतम् ।

तस्मात्त्वं रावणो नाम नाम्ना राजन् भविष्यसि   ॥

"Oh, King! That terrific roar of pain (raava) you let out on being crushed under the mountain indeed shook the three worlds and terrified all. Therefore I pronounce that henceforth you shall be known as Ravana."

"All the gods and yakshas and humans will narrate how your roar distressed all creatures in the three worlds."

So that is the genesis of the name Ravana for Dashagriva, the rakshasa son of Paulastya Vishravas and grandson of Sumali!

Lord Shiva told Ravana that he was now free and could travel anywhere freely. 

Ravana was also clever and seized the moment. "Oh, Lord Shiva! If you are pleased with me please grant me a boon."

"Oh, Lord! I have received the boon from Lord Brahma that I cannot be killed by gods, or yakshas, or other beings, except humans, whom I consider trivial. He has granted me long life. Please give me the boon that nothing comes in the way of my living out my full span of life without any modifications or impediments that may be attempted by anyone. Also, be gracious and give me a mighty weapon!"

Ever the compassionate god that Lord Shiva was, he said, 'Tathastu! Let it be so! And here is a mighty sword, Chandrahasa, for you!" Lord Shiva warned that that sword shall never be slighted or mistreated by Ravana, in which case it would at once come back to Lord Shiva.

Ravana was most delighted with the outcome. He thanked Shiva and left.

***

Ravana later embarked on the conquest of the worlds and defeated every single king, whoever opposed him. Many were killed. Many accepted defeat with docility and survived.

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

 

 

Upma Mahimaa

We call Upma in Kannada ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು!

I got this very creative piece:

ಓಹ್ ಬರೀ ಈರುಳ್ಳಿ ಇದ್ಯಾ

ಒಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ

ಓಹ್ ಬಟಾಣಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ fresh ಆಗಿ

ಚೆನ್ನಾಗ್ ಒಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡೋಣ

ಅವರೆಕಾಳು ಸೀಸನ್ನು

ಸೊನೆ ಕಾಳು ಹಾಕಿ ಒಂದೊಳ್ಳೆ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡೋಣ

ಇಷ್ಟೆಲ್ಲ ತರಕಾರಿ ಇದೆ ಮನೇಲಿ

ಎಲ್ಲ ಹಾಕಿ ಒಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಒಂದೂ ತರಕಾರೀನೆ ಇಲ್ವಲ್ಲ

ಇಂಗು ತೆಂಗು ಹಾಕಿ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಓಹ್  ಏಕಾದ್ಸಿ

ಸಿಂಪಲ್ ಆಗೊಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ

ಗಂಡಿನ ಕಡೇವ್ರು ಬರ್ತಿದಾರೆ

ಕಾಫಿ ಜೊತೆಗೊಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ

ಮನೇಲಿ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ 

ರಾತ್ರಿ ಫಳಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ

15 ಜನ ನೆಂಟರು ಬರ್ತಿದಾರೆ

ಟಿಫನ್ ಗೆ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಸಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಮನೆವ್ರು ಶುಗರ್ ಟೆಸ್ಟ್ ಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ

ಬೇಗ ಒಂದ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

 

ಅಡುಗೆ ಅಂತೇನು ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಬರಲ್ಲ

ಸಮಯ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಒಂದುಪ್ಪಿಟ್ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಳಕ್ಕೆ ಬರತ್ತೆ 

ರವೆ ಹುರಿದು ಒಗ್ಗರಣೆ ಹಾಕ್ಕೊಡ್ತೀನೋ 

ಬೇಕಾದಾಗ ಬಿಸಿನೀರಿಗ್ ಹಾಕಿ ಒಂದುಪ್ಪಿಟ್ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಬೋದು 

ಯಾಕೋ ಮೂಡಿಲ್ಲ.. ಸುಸ್ತು...

ಒಂದುಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ

ಡಾಕ್ಟ್ರು ರೈಸ್ ಬೇಡ ಅಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ

ರಾತ್ರಿಗೆ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಬೇಗ ಜೀರ್ಣ ಆಗುತ್ತೆ

ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಡಿಂಡಾಗಿ ಇರುತ್ತೆ

ಪ್ರಯಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡೋಣ 

ಉಫ್.. ಎಂಥಾ  all rounder ನೋಡ್ರೀ ನಮ್ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು .. 🥰🥰

ಕುಡುಕರು ಸುಖಕ್ಕೆ ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೆ ಎಲ್ಲದಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಂಡದ ಮೊರೆ ಹೋಗ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ ಹಾಗೇ ಇದು 😁😁😁

(ಧರ್ಮಶ್ರೀ ಅಯ್ಯಂಗಾರ್ ರವರ ಫೇಸ್‌ಬುಕ್‌ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್)

***

I have added my 2 cents here:

ಸರ್ವಪಾಕಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಡೇ ಮಾತೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು! 

ಸರ್ವಜನಾಭಿರುಚಿಯೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಾ ಈ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು.

ಲಘ್ವಾಹಾರಿ  ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಬಾಕ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಈ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು. 

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದಾ ಪ್ರತೀಕವಿದು ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪಿ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು! 

ಚಟ್ನಿ ಸಾಂಬಾರ್ ಗೊಜ್ಜು ಮಿಡಿ 

ಸಿಹಿಜೊತೆಯೂ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು

ಎಣ್ಣೆ ತುಪ್ಪ ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ ಮೊಸರು 

ಏನಿದ್ರೂ ಸಾಕು, ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು

ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಊಟ ತಿಂಡಿ

ಭರ್ಜರಿ ಭೋಜ್ಯ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು

ಸ್ವರ್ಗದಿ ಸಹ ನಿತ್ಯ ಖಾದ್ಯ ನಮ್ಮೂರ ಮಹಿಮೆಯ ಉಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು!

Jai Upma! Or, better still, Uppittu! 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 24

February 24 - Sargas 13 and 14 of Uttara Kanda.

Ravana begins to unleash his atrocities everywhere. Kubera comes to know of this and sends an emissary to tell him to desist from evil and to preserve the reputation of the family. Ravana kills the emissary and attacks Kubera's capital. 

***

Valmiki says that Nidradevi, the goddess of sleep, was now sent by Lord Brahma to work the effect of his boon on Kumbhakarna. She started making him yawn and doze off uncontrollably. Kumbhakarna managed to tell Ravana that he may please arrange a big enough palace for Kumbhakarna to go to sleep.  Ravana ensured a beautiful, huge palace was created with precious decorations for Kumbhakarna to go and hit the bed.

Valmiki says that the main entrance to that palace was encrusted with decorations made of ivory from the tusks of elephants. 

What did not go to sleep was Ravana's instinct for evil. He started incessantly tormenting the gods and sages and other celestials everywhere. He went to Nadanavana and repeatedly marauded it. Forests, mountains, and lakes were destroyed by Ravana.

When Kubera came to know of his younger brother's activities, he became concerned. He sent an emissary with some good advice to Ravana.

The emissary was cordially received by Vibhishana in Lanka. Understanding the purpose of this visit, Vibhishana took him to Ravana's court.

जयेति वाचा सम्पूज्य तूष्णीं बभूव After a benedictory greeting to the king, the emissary fell silent and took in the magnificence of the throne with its decorations and bejewelled drapery and Ravana's resplendent glory as the king sitting on it. Then he said,

राजन्वदामि ते सर्वं भ्राता तव यदब्रवीत् । उभयोः सदृशं वीर वृत्तस्य च कुलस्य च ॥

"Oh, Great King! I bring you your brother's advice that honours the glory of both your parental lineages and augurs your virtuous conduct."

साधु पर्याप्तमेतावत् साधु धर्मे व्यवस्थानं क्रियताम् यदि शक्यते 

"Oh, King! Enough of your (mis)deeds thus far. Please if possible, make efforts to reform your ways. I have seen for myself the damage done to Nandana, and know that you have slain rishis. Your conduct towards the gods is also known to me. You have disregarded me many times before but as your elder brother, I consider it my duty to take care of your interests. Hence these words."

"Dear King, know that I went to the Himalayas to perform rigorous penance. I had the darshan of Lord Shiva and standing by his side was Devi Parvati with her beauty which was simply out of this world. When I glanced at her, wondering who she might be,  albeit with no lustful intention, one eye was burnt and the other one rendered smoky red. I then proceeded to do penance for very long on another peak. Afterwards, Lord Shiva gave me his darshan and benediction.

प्रीतोऽस्मि तव धर्मज्ञ मया चैतद्व्रतं चीर्णं त्वया चैव धनादिप 

तत्सखित्वं मया सौम्य रोचयस्व धनेश्वर एकाक्षपङ्गलित्येव नाम स्थास्यति 

"Oh Kubera, the knower of Dharma! I am most pleased with your penance, which equals what I had performed before and will remain unequalled by any other. You shall be known as the "One-red-eyed Kubera" and be my great friend forever." (The word Kubera means physically deficient).

"Oh Ravana, only afterwards, when I became free, did I discover your dubious activities. I sincerely advise you to desist from such evil acts at once. I know that the gods and sages are already planning to eliminate you as a source of evil."

These words, delivered by the emissary with all due reverence to King Ravana, coming from his noble and famous elder brother Kubera, purely out of regard for the family honour and pursuit of righteousness, elicited unfortunately a most negative response from Ravana.

Ravana's eyes turned red, he gnashed his teeth and cracked his knuckles in rage.

"Fie on you, oh messenger! You shalt not live after speaking such words to me. Even so, my brother shall perish. What does Kubera think when he tries to frighten me with his tale of friendship with Lord Shiva!? In fact, I have spared his life so far merely because Kubera is my elder brother.  After hearing his message, I am doubly determined to conquer the three worlds by force. By the provocation from one of the Lokapalas (ie. Kubera), I shall kill all the four of them (Indra, Yama and Varuna also). "

Saying this, Ravana pulled out his famous sword and beheaded the emissary there and then. He then asked his attendants to eat up that dead emissary.

Ravana made the Brahmins utter benedictions for his victory over the three worlds and went to attack Kubera.

***

In less than half a day, Ravana reached the entrance to Kubera's city, along with his powerful lieutenants Mahodara, Prahasta, Mareecha, Shuka, Sarana and Dhumraksha. They were like raging bulls ready to destroy and kill.

Knowing the imminent danger from Ravana, and knowing him to be the younger brother of their king, Kubera, the diffident yakshas rushed to Kubera. Kubera ordered them to defend themselves against Ravana. 

The yakshas soon organized themselves and their huge army seemed to shake the mountains. They fought off fiercely and got the better of Ravana's side. Seeing this, Ravana was enraged and with a roar attacked the yakshas. Ravana's chiefs were formidable. Ravana's prowess was immutable. But the yakshas fiercely fought them all. Soon Ravana began to wreak havoc with his gada (mace.) He was like a fierce fire turning to ashes the dry grasses on the ground. Soon the yakshas were decimated or injured badly. The sky was mournful, filled with the souls of the dying yakshas and the distressed rishis. 

Kubera sent a brave military chief, Samyodhakantaka to battle. He felled with his discus reminiscent of Vishnu's own, Mareecha. But Mareecha recovered and was able to drive away that yaksha. 

Ravana entered the main entrance to Kubera's palace. The gatekeeper Suryabhanu tried in vain to stop him. Then he hit Ravana with a huge pillar. Ravana bled from the hit but felt no hurt by virtue of Brahma's boons. Ravana now used the same pillar and struck Suryabhanu such that nothing was left of him. Seeing Ravana thus, the yakshas simply fled, hiding themselves under water or in caves and so on, all most aggrieved and defeated.

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 23

February 23 - Sargas 11 and 12 of Uttara Kanda. 

The first thing Ravana does, on instigation by his maternal grandfather Sumali, is to make Kubera vacate Lanka, saying "Or else!".

Ravana and his siblings find spouses and get married. Meghanada is born.

***

उदतिष्ठद्भयं त्यक्त्वा सानुगः स रसातलात् "Sumali, exultant to hear of his grandson's newly acquired boons, rose up from Rasatala, freed from fear, along with his inner circle of rakshasas, Mareecha, Prahasta, Virupaksha, and Mahodara. "

Embracing Dashagriva warmly, Sumali said, "Son! You have achieved my long-standing ambition. You have got the greatest possible boons in the three worlds. You know we had run away from Lanka and hidden ourselves in Rasatala out of our fear of Vishnu. Indeed, our Lanka is right now is occupied by your worthy brother Dhanadhyaksha (Vaishravana Kubera)."

यदि श्कयं स्यात् साम्ना दानेन वानघ तरसा वा प्रत्यानेतुं कृतं भवेत् "Please see how we can get Lanka back either by diplomacy, exchange of favours, or if need be, coercion, oh blemishless one!"

"You shall then become the supreme emperor of all rakshasas, and will uplift us, the downtrodden."

Dashagriva hesitated. वित्तेशो गुरुरस्माकं नार्हसे वक्तुमीदृशम् "How can I tell our elder brother, the respected Kubera, to vacate Lanka?"

Sumali remained quiet, knowing that the idea soon would germinate in Dashagriva's mind. After allowing some time to pass, Prahasta went and met Dashagriva Ravana (this is the first time we see this name used since his birth). Prahasta said these meaningful words to Ravana:

"Ravana, you should not reject the idea of evicting Kubera from Lanka. "

सौभ्रात्रं नास्ति शूराणां शृणु चेदं वचो मम "There is nothing like cordial brotherhood among valorous people."

"Do you know that Aditi and Diti were sisters, both married to the great sage Kashyapa!? Aditi had sons who became devas (Vishnu was also born to her as Upendra). Diti produced daityas (asuras). The daityas pretty much owned the three worlds, all the lands, forests, and seas, everywhere, and were living happily. But Vishnu then led an attack from devas and wrested the three worlds from the daityas. So there is already a precedent for you. Nothing wrong in driving out Kubera from Lanka."

What Prahasta fails to mention is that the daityas were demonic in their rule and conduct, and had denied the devas any sharing. Also, Vishnu was never one to go after grabbing wealth or power by wrong means.

Ravana was now ready to send Prahasta as his emissary to Kubera. So they both went to the outskirts of Lanka. The message Prahasta was to deliver Kubera was, "Kubera, this Lanka was meant for rakshasas. It is not proper for you to live here. It will make us happy if you vacate Lanka and hand it over to us."

Prahasta spoke respectfully and diplomatically to Kubera: " Oh, lord of wealth! your younger brother Dashanana Ravana has sent me to tell you this. This Lanka was once the supreme capital of Sumali and others, who lived here well. Please therefore peacefully hand over Lanka back to Dashagriva."

Kubera replied:

दत्ता ममेयं पित्रा तु लङ्का शून्या निशाचरैः निवेशिता च मे रक्षो दानमानादिभिर्गुणैः 

"This Lanka was given to me by my respected father at a time it had been deserted by rakshasas. I have ruled this place well with charity and dignity all this while, attracting people back into it. 

"Please go and inform Dashagriva that I have absolutely no problem for him to come and live together here, and we shall share equally in its prosperity." 

After saying this, Kubera went at once to his father, Vishravas. He explained to him Ravana's thinking and proposal. He asked for advice on what he should do and stood with folded hands.

Vishravas replied,

"Child, know that Ravana has already come here and proposed the same thing to me that you vacate Lanka at once. I chided him and warned that that plan of his would result in great harm and his eventual downfall. But you know how Ravana has a warped mind always. Now with those boons, his arrogance and violence have become multifold. His very nature since birth as foretold by me has been evil. 

"It is, therefore, better, child, for you to move away to Kailasa. You can establish your own city there. There flows the delightful river Mandakini there, and the place is full of divine flowers. Devas and gandharvas favour that place for their visits and sport. You can live there in harmony and peace. Do not contest Ravana. You know he has arrogated to himself those powerful boons."

Respecting his father's words, Kubera immediately cleared out of Lanka with his wife, children, and ministers as well as his wealth and vehicles.

Prahasta went to Ravana and told him Lanka had been vacated! Ravana now entered Lanka with much fanfare, surrounded by his siblings, his army, and other rakshasas. He was wowed by its huge mansions, well-laid highways and avenues, and went and sat on the throne that rivalled Indra's throne in heaven.

Soon Lanka was buzzing with a large population of rakshasas. Meanwhile, Kubera, showing great respect for his father, went and constructed a magnificent city Alakapuri near Kailasa. That city rivalled Indra's Amaravati.

***

After establishing himself with his siblings well in Lanka, Ravana thought it was time to get a husband for Shurpanakha. He gave her hand in marriage to the danava king named Vidyujjivha, son of Kalaka.

Thereafter, during a hunting expedition, Ravana saw Maya, son of Diti. Maya had a young maiden with him. Ravana asked Maya who they were and what they were doing in that forest. 

Maya answered at length: "You may have heard of a famous apsara by name Hema. She was given in marriage to me by the gods, just as Paulomi was married to Indra. We lived well for a thousand years. Then Hema went to heaven for some work on behalf of the devas. It is fourteen long years and she has still not returned. I had built a heavenly city using my powers to enjoy life with her there. But it is wasted now and I am pining for her. This, here, is our daughter, and I want to get her married too. I have left my city on this mission. You will understand the worry of every father about getting his daughter married off well. I also have from Hema two sons, Mayavi and Dundubhi. That is my story. Now please introduce yourself."

Ravana replied with decorum, " I am King Dashagriva, son of Paulastya Vishravas. He is the grandson of Brahma himself." Maya was delighted to meet Ravana, who was the son of a great sage. He wanted right away to offer his daughter's hand to such a groom indeed! 

Placing her hand in Ravana's, in extreme happiness, Maya declared, "Oh great king! This daughter of mine, born to the great apsara Hema, is Mandodari. I offer her in marriage to you. " Ravana gladly acquiesced and with the sacred fire as witness, married Mandodari.

Sage Agastya now tells Sri Rama, " Oh Raghava! Maya well knew of the curse/prediction of Vishravas that Ravana would be evil. But he valued the fact even more that Ravana was born to a Brahmarshi, a descendent of Lord Brahma himself. So Maya was happy to give his daughter to Ravana."

Maya also had a terrific weapon called Shakti that he had acquired after great tapas. This was his wedding gift to Ravana. That was the Shakti Ravana used to strike down Lakshmana and injure him.

Ravana now arranged for Kumbhakarna to marry King Bali's grand-daughter Vajrajwala. For Vibhishana, he found a bride in Sarama, a daughter of the gandharva Shulusha. She was a righteous lady. Her name Sarama came from her mother's exclamation "सरो मा वर्धयस्व" to the Manas Sarorvar lake on whose edge the girl had been born. At the very moment of her birth, due to a big deluge of the monsoon rain, the lake started to swell all round. The mother ordered the lake not to cross its borders, the literal meaning of "sara maa" being "thou shalt not cross thy borders".

The three brothers lived like gandharvas in Lanka, making merry with their wives.  Soon, Mandodari gave birth to a son.

The child, immediately after his birth itself, let out such a roar that seemed to rend the skies! Ravana was happy to name him aptly, "Meghanada" (a clap of thunder). The boy grew up blissfully under the care of his doting royal parents, like a fire building up quietly hidden within logs.

"Oh, Sri Rama, that very Meghanada came to be called as Indrajit by all of you afterwards."

***

॥       श्रीरामजयम्       ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 22

February 22 - Sargas 9 and 10 of Uttara Kanda.

The birth of Ravana and his siblings, their tapas, and the boons they got from Lord Brahma.

***

Psychologists increasingly believe that everything about one's life can be traced back to the circumstances of one's birth. This is borne out in this story.

Sumali, happily living in Rasatala (one of the patalas, the netherworld), had a daughter by the name of Kaikasi who was of marriageable age. He decided to travel along with her on earth, looking for a suitable groom for her.

As they roamed the earth, in the vicinity of Sage Vishravas/Paulastya's ashrama, they saw Vaishravana/Kubera arrive in his Pushpaka Vimana to pay his respects to his parents.

He looked godly and prosperous and glorious in every sense. Sumali was highly impressed.

Later he told his daughter Kaikasi,

पुत्रि प्रदानकालोऽयं यौवनं व्यतिवर्तते । प्रत्याख्यानात् न प्रतिगृह्यसे । त्वं हि सर्वगुणोपेता श्रीः साक्षादिव पुत्रिके।

कन्यापितृत्वं दुःखं हि मातुः कुलं पितृकुलं यत्र चैव च दीयते । न ज्ञायते कः वरयेति ।

सा त्वं मुनिवरं श्रेष्ठं प्रजापतिकुलोद्भवं भज विश्रवसं पुत्रि पौलस्त्यं वरय स्वयम् ।

ईदृशास्ते भविष्यन्ति पुत्राः तादृशोऽयं धनेश्वरः ॥

"Dear daughter Kaikasi, you are of marriageable age and getting on in years. No groom will come seeking your hand out of the fear of rejection (and our terrible reputation 😒). But you are no less than Goddess Lakshmi in beauty or qualities. 

"The biggest worry of a parent is getting his daughter married off suitably.  This is so because on that depends the reputation of the father's, mother's, and the in-law's families.

"I have a great suggestion. You approach that great sage Vishravas whom we saw and seek his hand. If you succeed, you will have sons from him that will match his son Vaishravana/Kubera in glory and prosperity. Remember how he looked when we both saw saw him the other day!"

Kaikasi obeyed her father and dutifully went to the hermitage of Vishravas. Just as he completed his agnihotra, looking like the fourth sacred fire (we mentioned the three before), he looked up and saw a beautiful damsel standing right in front of him, scratching the earth with her toe and looking down coyly.

Vishravas asked Kaikasi courteously who she was, whose daughter she was, and what had brought her here. She replied, 'Oh great sage! I am Sumali's daughter Kaikasi and he sent me to you. The rest you can figure out by your spiritual powers!" Vishravas took a moment, and said, "Yes, I understand. I am happy to accept you, the embodiment of beauty and virtues, Kaikasi. But the time when you have chosen to come to me bodes evil. I am sorry to say that the children I shall give you will turn out to be terrible monsters of terrible deeds with terrible associates. दारुणान् दारुणाकारान् दारुणाभिजनप्रियान्."

Kaikasi managed to say, भगवन्नीदृशान् पुत्रान् त्वत्तः ब्रह्मवादिनः नेच्छामि प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥

"Oh, great Brahmic sage! I don't wish to beget such terrible sons from a great sage like you. Please be gracious and avert such progeny."

Vaishravas felt compassion and love for the damsel. He replied, "Well, the best I can do, lady, is that I promise you your last child will be full of Dharma and make my lineage proud."

And so, eventually, Kaikasi bore

a ten-headed ugly monster whom the father named "Dashagriva" (one with ten necks). His birth occasioned terrible omens that signalled his future evil ways;

a huge child Kumbhakarna who was the biggest rakshasa ever born in the three worlds;

a daughter who was extremely ugly, Shurpanakhi;

a son, the fourth and last child, whose birth was heralded with showers of flowers from heaven and exclamations of benediction. He was named Vibhishana.

Dashagriva and Kumbhakarna got into mischief early, living in forests and tormenting everyone that they came across. In fact, Kumbhakarna had insatiable hunger and ate up lots of rishis and other docile people in the three worlds on a daily basis.

Vibhishana was radically different. He was constantly engaged in the study of Vedas and meditation and ascetic practices.

Once, when they were with their mother in the ashrama, their half-brother Kubera came there to meet his parents. Pointing to that glorious Vasihravana/Kubera, Kaikasi told Dashagriva, "look, child! Look at Vaishravana, your half-brother, with his radiant glory! How I wish you should become like him! But look at yourself... Do something, son, and become an equal of Vaishravana. That is my ardent wish."

Dashagriva was highly provoked by his mother's words. He swore a terrible oath: "Mother, worry not! I hereby vow that I shall excel Vaishravana in every way."

Dashagriva at once went with his younger brothers to Gokarna Kshetra to perform the most terrible penance to win boons.

Valmiki describes how Kumbhakarna did tapas for 10,000 years, surrounded by fires in summer, standing in ice-cold water in winter, drenching himself in rain, and so on. 

Vibhishana stood on one leg, observing the most austere practices. He held up his hands and prayed to Narayana. His penance attracted blessings from the gods and celebrations by apsaras.

Dashagriva was the most determined. He ate nothing for 10,000 years. He offered one of his heads after every thousand years into the sacrificial fire.

It was 10,000 years, and Dashagriva was going to cut off his last remaining head. Lord Brahma hurried to the three brothers, accompanied by other gods. 

तव तावद्दशग्रीव प्रीतोऽस्मि शीघ्रं वरय धर्मज्ञ न वृथा ते परिश्रमः "Oh Dashagriva! I am most pleased with your penance. Ask for boons! Your efforts shall not go in vain."

Dashagriva replied, with bowed head, gladness in his voice, 

भगवन् प्राणिनां नित्यं नान्यत्र मरणाद्भयम्  अमरर्वं वृणे "Oh Lord! The biggest source of fear for all creatures is death. Please make me immortal!"

Lord Brahma quickly replied.  नाऽस्ति सर्वामरत्वं ते वरमन्यं वृणीष्व मे "Immortality cannot be conferred on you, Dashagriva. Ask for something else."

***

Sage Agastya continues his narration to Sri Rama.

"When Lord Brahma said this, Dashagriva replied. "Well, then, please confer on me the boon that I cannot ever be killed by birds, serpents, yakshas, daityas, rakshasas, and devas/gods. I am not afraid of other creatures!" तृणभूता हि ते मन्ये प्राणिनो मानुषादयः "I consider animals and humans as insignificant as blades of grass."

Lord Brahma said," Amen! Dashagriva, so be it! And I am so pleased with you that I shall grant you more boons. All those nine heads you sacrificed before shall be fully restored to you instantly. You shall be whole again. I will also give you one more boon. You shall have the power to assume any form of your choice at any time!"

Now Lord Brahma turned to Vibhishana. "Child, you have done a great penance and I am most pleased. You are full of righteousness and virtue. What boon do you want!?" 

वृतः सर्वगुणैर्नित्यं चन्द्रमा रश्मिभिस्तथा भगवन् कृतकृत्योऽहं यस्मिन् लोके गुरुः स्वयम् प्रीतेन यदि दातव्यो वरो मे श्रूणु सुव्रत !

"Vibhishana, who exuded virtues like the full moon is surrounded by his cool rays, spoke: "Dear Lord! I consider myself already fulfilled to receive the grace of the guru of the world, yourself! Oh, Brahmadeva, if indeed you still wish to give me a boon, here is my request."

परमापद्गतस्यापि धर्मे मम मतिर्भवेत् । अशिक्षितं च ब्रह्मास्त्रं भगवन् प्रतिभातु मे ॥

"Oh, Lord Brahma! Deign to grant me that even in the face of extreme danger and difficulty, I shall adhere to Dharma. Also, kindly grant me that the Brahmastra becomes mine, even without due training."

"May I adhere to my Dharma in every stage and phase of my life (called the four ashramas - Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa)."

न हो धर्माभियुक्तानां लोके किञ्चन दुर्लभम् "For there is nothing that is beyond attainment for one adhering to Dharma." 

Lord Brahma showed his happiness and replied, 

धर्मिष्ठस्त्वं यथा वत्स तथा चैतद्भविष्यति । राक्षसयोनौ ते जातस्य नाधर्मे जायते बुद्धिः अमरत्वं ददामि मे ॥

"Oh, Vibhishana! You are so righteous. Your requests will all be fulfilled. In spite of being born a rakshasa, you adhere to Dharma, which is so praiseworthy. So out of my pleasure, I grant you immortality!"

Now it was the turn of Kumbhakarna. The gods standing next to Lord Brahma cautioned him, "Lord. this monster is an unprecedented menace already. Be sure to grant him a boon that removes his threat to creation!" Lord Brahma thought for a moment and summoned Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of intelligence and speech. She was briefed that she must ensure Kumbhakarna would ask for a boon that would neutralize his evil. Goddess Saraswati entered Kumbhakarna's mouth unnoticed by him.

So when Lord Brahma asked Kumbhakarna what boon he wanted, he blurted out,

स्वप्तुं वर्षाण्यनेकानि देव देव ममेप्सितम्! "Oh, Lord! I wish to sleep for long years at a stretch! Please grant me that!"

Lord Brahma gladly said, "Be it so!" and soon left along with Saraswati and the other gods. Suddenly Kumbhakarna realized that he had asked for endless sleep as a boon! He beat his head in utter distress.

He realized that this must have been a trick of the gods.

The three brothers then went to Shleshmataka forest and lived happily thereafter.

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

   

  

Valmiki Ramayana - February 21

February 21 - Sargas 7 and 8 of Uttara Kanda.

Mahavishnu drives away the rakshasas who all go and hide in Rasatala. 

That is how Kubera/Vaishravana became the resident and ruler of a deserted heavenly city Lanka which then attracted back the rakshasas who felt safe under him. 

***

नारायणगिरिं ते तु गर्जन्तो राक्षसाम्बुदाः "The huge rakshasa army engulfed Lord Narayana (Mahavishnu) like dense clouds gather around a huge mountain."

Valmiki says that Vishnu was like the dark Anjana peak with dark clouds of rakshasas raining down their weapons on him.

All the weapons launched and directed at him, whom Valmiki now calls Hari (many epithets of Vishnu!), were simply absorbed into his body like moths consumed on entering a blaze.

निरुच्छ्वासं हरिं चक्रुः प्राणायामा इव द्विजम्

"As the rakshasa warriors fought in the skies from their various vehicles and mounts, Hari appeared to be simply holding his breath like someone doing Pranayama! "

Vishnu now took up his Sharnga bow and shot thousands of arrows that started decimating the rakshasas. It was as if a maelstrom was causing a huge cloudburst.

Now Vishnu picked up his Panchajanya and blew the conch such that it shook the three worlds. 

सोऽम्बुजो हरिणा ध्मातः सर्वप्राणेन शङ्खराट् "That celestial conch, king of conches,  born out of the ocean, was sounded by Hari with all the power of his Prana."

ररास त्रैलोक्यं त्रासयामास राक्षसान् "The sound of the conch resonated in the three worlds and shattered the body and spirit of the rakshasas."

The elephants, horses, and soldiers fell to the ground. The sonic boom was enough to make them want to disappear. Meanwhile, the arrows kept coming at them and tearing them down. Vishnu also launched his chakra and that decimated their army. Their chariots, flags, bows, and other weapons were systematically destroyed.

Valmiki cannot stop himself from comparing the way the rakshasas scattered from Vishnu's onslaught to the effect of an attack by a lion on elephants, by a tiger on leopards, by a cat on rats, and so on.

As his army was running away to Lanka, Sumali was provoked to attack Vishnu. Sumali's arrows covered Vishnu all over. Sumali was roaring loudly to instill confidence in rakshasas. Vishnu now coolly destroyed Sumali's chariot, horses, and the charioteer. 

Mali now attacked Vishnu with arrows. Vishnu was unflappable. He responded with a rain of arrows. He also destroyed Mali's vehicle. Mali now leapt down and rushed with his gada. He struck Garuda a terrific blow on his forehead. Garuda was much pained and turned away from the battle, forcingVishnu also to swerve. Seeing this, the rakshasas raised a huge cry of celebration. Vishnu was enraged. He slid around on Garuda and launched his Sudarshana chakra at Mali. In an instant, amid a blaze of light, the chakra went and cut off Mali's head.

There was a leonine roar from the gods now.  Seeing their brother dead, Sumali and Malyavan started towards Lanka.

Garuda was himself again, and by the fluttering of his wings, started to drive the rakshasas away. Vishnu's Sharnga bow, Nandaka sword, Kaumodaki Gada, Sudarshana Chakra, and Halayudha all took a severe toll on the rakshasas.

Malyavan now turned back to fight Vishnu. He taunted Vishnu for breaking the rules of war and continuing his attack on rakshasas who were withdrawing. He challenged him to a duel.

Vishnu replied, 

युष्मत्तो भयभीतानां देवानां वै मयाभयम् । राक्षसोत्सादनं दत्तं तदेतदनुपाल्यते ॥

"Look Malyavan, you people terrorized the devas (gods) who sought my protection. I am merely fulfilling my promise to them that I shall eradicate all of you rakshasas."

'Even if you run away to Rasatala (netherworld), I shall not spare you."

Malyavan was enraged. He launched his Shakti at Mahavishnu's breast. It shone like lightning as it struck the dark torso of Vishnu. Valmiki says that Shakti was the weapon sanctified by Karttikeya who worshipped Vishnu शक्तिधरप्रियः. Vishnu merely pulled out that Shakti embedded in his chest and launched it back at Malyavan. 

Struck now in his own chest by that Shakti, Malyavan managed to hold his own as he launched a trident with iron spikes at Vishnu.  He also managed to land a blow on Vishnu with his fist and shook from Vishnu's grasp his bow. साधुसाध्विति चोदितः A loud applause from rakshasas could be heard. This emboldened Malyavan to intensify his attack and he struck Vishnu and Garuda again with his fists.

Garuda had had enough. He flapped his wings such that Malyavan was blown away.

Sumali who was watching Malyavan being blown away now scooted to Lanka with the remaining army.

***

Sage Agastya narrates to Sri Rama that this kind of a battle occurred between these rakshasas and Vishnu a few times, and every time the rakshasas had to beat a retreat to Lanka. Finally, they felt it would be safer if they went and hid in Rasatala.

"Dear Sri Rama, know that Pulastya's descendents Malyavan, Sumali, Mali, and another associate Mahabhaga, were all more powerful than even Ravana. Only Mahavishnu could drive them back every time. Indeed, know that you are Lord Narayana, Mahavishnu himself, who has taken birth this time in a human form to deal with rakshasas who cause trouble."

नष्टधर्मव्यवस्थानां काले काले प्रजाकरः उत्पद्यते दस्युवधे शरणागतवत्सलः 

"Whenever the Dharma among the people in your creation is attacked by evil forces, for correcting that situation and out of compassion for those surrendered to you, Oh, Lord, you come again and again."

"As Sumali lived for long with his people in Rasatala, Kubera took charge in Lanka and ruled well."

***            

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥

 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - February 20

February 20 - Sargas 5 and 6 of Uttara Kanda. 

The rakshasa clan begins to show its true colours by tormenting all creation. As advised by Lord Shiva, all the gods and rishis rush to Lord Vishnu and appeal for his protection and relief.

A huge battle begins between Lord Vishnu and the immensely powerful and large rakshasa army. 

***

There was a gandharva by the name of Gramani who was as full of powers as Vishravas himself. He saw how Sukesha had won name and fame in the three worlds, and offered him his daughter Devavati's hand in marriage. Being a second goddess Lakshmi as it were in her beauty and qualities, Devavati made Sukesha, already rich and famous by Lord Shiva's boons, very happy. He felt like a great tusker would, sporting happily in the company of a good she-elephant. 

Soon they had three sons, each radiant like the sacred fire, tri-agni trio called Garhapatya, Avahaniya, and Dakshinagni (every home has symbolically 3 fires, one for cooking and so on, one for sacred rituals and worship, the third is the fire used during crematory rites). Their names were Malyavan, Sumali, and Mali.

The three brothers turned out to be quite a package. Valmiki says they excelled in physical prowess, leadership as well as the determination to get what they wanted. He compares them to three deadly diseases caused by imbalance in Vata, Kapha and Pitta!

He says they waxed like a deadly disease untreated. They decided to emulate their father and undertook severe penances to win boons. Their tapas was frightening for all creation.

They stuck to the tenets of asceticism dutifully and could not be denied the rewards which Lord Brahma finally came down to give them.

The boons they asked for and got!?

अजेयाः शत्रुहन्तारस्तथैव चिरजीविनः । प्रभविष्टो भवामेति परस्परमनुव्रताः ॥

"May we be unconquerable, and vanquish every enemy. Let us live forever/very long, be always powerful, and be bound together in filial affection."

***

Soon the three brothers terrorized the three worlds. They went to Vishwakarma and coerced him to build them a heavenly abode like Indra's. Vishwakarma created Lanka, the glorious city on Trikuta and Suvela mountains in the southern ocean. 

Soon the three made Lanka a glorious capital full of rakshasas and wreaked their havoc on the three worlds, unhindered and unchallenged.

A gandharva woman Narmada then came to Lanka with her three delightful daughters, who resembled the devis -Hri Sri and Kirti. Marrying them, the three brothers had several sons and daughters, almost all of them being chips of the old block in conduct and attitude to life around. I am not cataloguing all those children as Valmiki has done.

Suffice it to say that the last brother Mali married Vasudha who produced four sons, Anala, Anila, Hara and Sampati. These four later became the ministers and lieutenants of Vibhishana and accompanied him when he left Lanka and went to Sri Rama.

The troubles from this rakshasa clan became unbearable to all gods and rishis and every other creature in the three worlds.

***

भयार्ताः शरणं जग्मुः देवदेवं महेश्वरम् - "The gods and rishis were desperate and approached Lord Shiva for relief from these rakshasas."

The supreme deity, the greatest benefactor, the enemy of lower desires like lust, and the paragon of grace, Lord Shiva, heard their story of woe and how they wanted him to help them by destroying these rakshasas. The rishis described how the rakshasa brothers claimed to be as powerful as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and claimed to own all the three worlds.

Then Lord Shiva replied,

अहं तान्न हनिष्यामि ममावध्या हि तेऽसुराः "I am sorry I cannot destroy them, indeed their line belongs to Sukesha whom I have blessed before. But I will tell you who can take care of them."

Lord Shiva told the gods and ascetics that the right person to approach was Lord Mahavishnu.

Saying "Jaya Jaya! ( a kind of Thank You)", the gods and ascetics now rushed to Lord Mahavishnu.

"Oh, great lord! Empowered by the boons that Sukesha had got, the rakshasa lineage has become a terrible menace and we are unable to survive their onslaught unless you help us. Living in Lanka, Malyavan, Sumali, and Mali have unleashed a regime of terror. By destroying them, oh, Lord Mahavishnu, you will be giving the same relief to us as the rising sun who dispels darkness and blinding fog."

तानहं समतिक्रान्तमर्यादान् राक्षसाधमान् ।

निहनिष्यामि संक्रुद्धः सुरा भवत विज्वराः ॥

"Oh, gods and ascetics, I well know how Sukesha got those boons and raised his three sons to become evil and wreak terror over all of you. I shall punish these dregs of rakshasas who have transgressed all limits of permissible conduct. I shall muster such a rage that they will be destroyed, You can therefore give up your feverish despair."

Thanking the lord profusely with an immense sense of relief, the gods and ascetics dispersed.

Meanwhile Malyavan and his brothers came to know the course of events and Vishnu's assurance that he would destroy them.

They at once recalled how starting with Hiranyakashipu, a number of asuras and foes of the gods had been vanquished by Mahavishnu. So they should take some preemptive action. However, they again reminded themselves of their terrific powers, the immutable boons they possessed, and the wealth and prosperity they had accumulated systematically. In other words, they really had nothing to fear. The brothers felt confident that Vishnu or Shiva or Brahma or Yama would be no big adversaries for them. Also, they felt Vishnu felt really no animosity for them and he had been simply instigated by the gods. So better to go at once and attack the gods and destroy them forever, in which case Vishnu would be freed from his obligation! What a logic!

Valmiki describes how the three brothers led an attack on the gods with a huge contingent of rakshasas from Lanka riding on a variety of animals and vehicles.

Valmiki now resorts to his usual penchant for listing all the evil omens that the rakshasas encountered. This list is much bigger than what we read in Yuddha Kanda! Suffice it to say that anyone with the eyes to see and a mind to notice would have been highly discouraged by the clear signs of imminent death. But not our three brothers!

Lord Mahavishnu now noticed the onward march of these rakshasas. He also made himself ready.

स सज्जायुधतूणीरो वैनतेयोपरि स्थितः आसाद्य कवचं दिव्यं सहस्रार्कसमद्युतिः

शङ्खचक्रगदाशार्ङ्गखड्गांश्चैव वरायुधान् सुपर्णं गिरिसङ्काशं वैनतेयमथास्थितः    

"Mahavishnu got ready by wearing a divine armour, and dazzled like a thousand suns as he picked up his Shankha, Chakra, gada, sword, bow, and arrows in the quiver. Mahavishnu then mounted the mountain-like huge Vainateya Garuda, his carrier."

The sages and celestials pronounced auspicious benedictions as Mahavishnu advanced. The mere flutter of Garuda's wings frightened the rakshasa army. They shivered in fright and looked to run away, dropping their flags and weapons. But the brothers ensured that the raskhasas now attacked Mahavishnu from all sides.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥