"Every tale, no matter how dark or daunting, carries within it the light of lessons yet to be learned."
Aditya continued the story "The Lord of Wealth, however, in reverence for his father's words, built a city on Mount Kailasha which was
immaculate as the moon, adorned with splendid palaces sumptuously decorated, as Purandara constructed
Amaravati.
"The foremost of the Rakshasas, having been anointed king, with his brother began to consider giving his sister in
marriage. He therefore gave that Rakshasi to the King of the Kalakas and the Lord of the Danavas himself presented
Shurpanakha, his sister, to Vidyujjihva.
"This being accomplished, that night-ranger left for the chase and thereafter he beheld the son of Diti, Maya, O
Rama.
Seeing him accompanied by a young girl, that Rakshasa, Dashagriva said to him:—
"'Who art you wandering in the forest that is devoid of man or beast? How is it that you are in the company of this
youthful maiden whose eyes resemble a doe's?'"
"O Rama, to this question, put to him by that ranger of the night, Maya replied, saying:—
"'Hear me and I will tell you the truth! There was a nymph named Hema of whom you have already heard. The Gods
bestowed her on me, as Pauloma was given to Shatakratu. Full of love for her, I passed centuries at her side when she
was taken from me by the Gods. Thirteen years passed and in the fourteenth, I built a golden city which I decorated
with diamonds and emeralds by the aid of my magic powers. There I dwelt, deprived of Hema, sad, dejected and
extremely wretched. Thereafter, taking my daughter with me, I left that city in order to retire to the forest. This is my
child, O King, who was brought up in Hema's lap and here I am seeking a husband for her. A daughter is a great
calamity, at least for all those who have regard to her honour. In truth, she is a source of anxiety to the family of her
father and that of her mother.
"'Two sons were also born to me by my wife; the first was Mayavi, O Dear Friend, and Dundubhi followed
immediately. I have told you the whole truth in accordance with your wish 1 And now, My Dear Son, I would know
something of you, who art you?'
"At these words the Rakshasa answered respectfully:—
"'I am of Paulastya's race and my name is Dashagriva, my father was the Sage Vishravas, who was the third son of
Brahma.'"
"On hearing these words of that Indra among the Rakshasas, O Rama, indicating that he was the son of a great Sage,
Maya, the foremost of the Danavas wished to give his daughter to him. Taking her hand in his, Maya addressed that
King of the Rakshasas, saying:—
"'O King, this child, whose mother was the nymph Hema, the youthful Mandodari, for such is her name, do you
accept as your consort.'
"'Let it be so!' answered Dashagriva, whereupon igniting a fire there, he took her hand in his, O Rama. Maya was
conversant with the curse that Dashagriva's sire, that treasury of asceticism had pronounced, nevertheless he
bestowed his daughter in marriage on him, knowing him to be the offspring of the Grandsire of the World. At the
same time, he gave him a marvellous spear which he had obtained through his supreme penances. It was with this
weapon that Ravana wounded Lakshmana. Then, having brought about this marriage, the Lord of Lanka returned to
that city.
"There, with their consent, he chose two wives for his two brothers; the daughter of Virocana, named Vajravala, was
given by him to Kumbhakama, and Bibishana received as wife the virtuous Sarama, the daughter of the King of the
Gandharvas, the magnanimous Shailusha, and she had been born on the shores of the Lake Manasa.
"At that time in the rainy season, the waters of the Manasa Lake were swollen and the mother of the girl cried out
affectionately, 'Do not overflow, O Lake!' Thereafter the girl was called Sarama.
"These alliances having been concluded, the Rakshasas gave themselves up to pleasure, each with his own coflsort,
as the Gandharvas in the Nandana Gardens.
"And Mandodari gave birth to a child with the voice of a thunder-doud, he who is known to you as Indrajita. Scarcely
had he been born than that son of Ravana began to roar with a terrible voice, like unto thunder, and the city was
deafened, O Raghava. His father therefore called him Meghanada; and he grew up in the magnificent private
apartments, hidden in the lap of the foremost of women, as a fire is concealed under shavings; and that son of
Ravana filled his mother and father with joy.
"Some time later, the Lord of the Worlds sent Nidra [i.e., The Personification of Sleep] to Kumbhakarna in the form of
overpowering sleep and Kumbhakarna said to his brother, who was present:—
'"O King, sleep holds me in thrall, prepare a refuge for me.'
"Therefore the king selected some artisans, like unto Vish-vakarma, who constructed a splendid dwelling for
Kumbhakarna, a league in expanse and two in length which was exceedingly sumptuous and secluded. On every side,
it was decorated with columns of crystal encrusted with gold; the stairways were made of emerald with rows of small
bells hanging from the carved ivory galleries, the floors being of diamond and crystal.
"All should have been constantly and wholly happy in that place, which was enchanting and luxurious in every way,
and which was built by the Rakshasas and resembled a sacred cave in the Meru Mountain. It was there, overcome by
slumber, that the mighty Kumbhakarna rested innumerable years without waking.
"Whilst his brother, the mighty Kumbhakarna, overcome by Nidra, slept for thousands of years without waking,
Dashanana, of unbridled passions, harassed the Devas, Rishis, Yakshas and Gandharvas and overran their beautiful
parks and groves like a madman, laying them waste; and that Rakshasa churned up the rivers, like an elephant
disporting itself, agitating the trees like a violent tempest and striking the hills as if by lightning.
"Hearing of Dashagriva's exploits, the virtuous Lord of Wealth, reflecting that he was his own brother, for the honour
of his race and desirous of manifesting fraternal affection, sent a messenger to Lanka in Dashagriva's interests.
"Then the messenger, entering the city, approached Bibishana who received him with honour and enquired
concerning his visit. After asking about the welfare of Dhanadaand his kinsfolk, Bibishana brought him to Dashanana
in the assembly hall where he was resting.
"Beholding the king blazing in his own effulgence, the messenger said:—'Hail to you, O King' and having paid
obeisance with these words, stood silent awhile. At that time Dashagriva was reclining on a sumptuous couch
adorned with rich coverings whereupon the messenger addressed him saying:—
'"O King, I bring you the words uttered by your brother in their entirety—'Between us two, equality of conduct
should exist as among others of our race. A truce to these evil deeds! From now on comport thyself in a seemly
manner and, if possible, take righteousness as your guide! I have seen the Nandana Gardens laid waste and, it is said,
that the Rishis have been persecuted; the measures that the Gods are taking against you are known to me. I have
been disregarded by you on countless occasions, but even if a youthful person err, he should be protected by his
relatives.
"'Having repaired to the Himavat Plateau to practice dharma and subjugate my senses, I forced myself to undergo
penance in order to gratify the Lord Mahadeva; there I beheld that divine God accompanied by Uma and a glance
from my left eye fell on the Goddess 1 "Who is this woman?" I asked myself, desiring this knowledge and for no other
reason, for Rudrani had assumed an unparalleled form. Then the Goddess, by her celestial power, consumed my left
eye, which grew yellow and the light became obscured as if by dust.
"'Thereupon I repaired to another vast mountain plateau and remained there eight hundred years observing silence.
Having completed that penance, the God Maheshwara came to me and, highly gratified, said:—
"'"I am satisfied with thine austerities O Virtuous and Saintly Ascetic. This vow has been fulfilled by me and by you, O
Lord of Rishis; noneother could have observed a similar mortification. These practices are extremely rigid and I
myself formerly followed them also. Grant me your friendship therefore, O Sinless One, you have conquered me and
your penance has been fruitful. As the Goddess, whose form you didst look upon, burnt up your left eye, turning it
yellow, you shaft be named Ekakshipingali [i.e., yellow-eyed]."
"'Having thus contracted a friendship with Shankara, I took leave of him and, on my return, learnt of thine evil
conduct. Abandon this impious course that will bring dishonour on our race. The Gods with the hosts of Rishis are
considering how they may destroy you.'
"Hearing these words, Dashagriva, his eyes red with anger, clenching his fists and teeth, answered him thus:—
"'O Messenger, I knew what you wast about to utter! Neither art you my brother nor is he who sent you; for the Lord
of Wealth is not speaking in mine interests! That fool forces me to hear of his friendship with Maheshwara 1 This
speech of thine is intolerable. I have borne it till now, for he is mine elder brother and, as such, it is not fitting that I
should slay him. Now, hearing thine address, this is my resolve—'By the strength of mine arms, I shall conquer the
Three Worlds. Solely on his account, I shall dispatch the Four Guardians of the World to the region of Yama!'
"Having spoken thus, the Lord of Lanka, Ravana, slew the messenger with a single stroke of his sword and gave him
to the wicked Rakshasas to devour. Thereafter, ascending his chariot amidst acclamations, in his eagerness to subdue
the Three Worlds, he set out to seek the Lord of Wealth.
"Ravana, proud of his strength, surrounded by his six ministers, Mahodara, Prahasta, Marica, Shuka, Sarana and
Dhumraksha, those heroes, who dreamt only of war, departed, as if in his fury he would consume the worlds.
"Then he traversed cities, rivers, mountains, forests and woods and soon came to Mount Kailasha. Hearing that the
Lord of the Rakshasas, eager to fight, full of insolence and wickedness accompanied by his counsellors, had
established himself on the mountain, the Yakshas dared not remain there for fear of him. Then they said to each
other, 'This is the brother of our King' and, knowing this, they approached Dhaneshwara and, coming into his
presence, they imparted his brother's intentions to him. Thereupon, with Dhanada's permission, they set out joyfully
in order to give battle.
"The impact of those valiant troops of the King of the Nairritas was as violent as the sea; and the mountains seemed
to be riven asunder, whilst a furious struggle ensued amongst the followers of the Rakshasas and, seeing his army
thrown into disorder, Dashagriva, the ranger of the night, after many encouraging shouts, flew into a rage. Then the
companions of the King of the Rakshasas of redoubtable valour, each took on a thousand Yakshas. Smitten with
blows from maces, iron bars, swords, picks and darts, Dushana, scarcely able to breathe, was overwhelmed by a rain
of weapons which fell thick and fast like hail from the clouds. Nevertheless he remained unmoved under the shafts of
the Yakshas, as a mountain that the clouds flood with innumerable showers.
"Thereafter, that hero, brandishing his mace like unto Kala's sceptre, flung himself on the Yakshas whom he hurled
into Yama's abode. Like unto fire, flaming up on account of the wind, consuming a heap of grass or dried faggots
which are scattered about, so did he destroy the army of the Yakshas.
"And his ministers, Mahodara, Shuka and the others, only suffered a few of the Yakshas to escape, who resembled
clouds dispersed by the wind. Overwhelmed with blows and broken, they fell in the fight, filled with fury, biting their
lips with their sharp teeth. And some of the Yakshas, exhausted, clung to each other, their weapons broken, and sank
down on the battlefield as dykes give way before a surge of waters. With those who were slain ascending to heaven,
those who fought rushing hither and thither and the companies of Rishis witnessing the scene, there was not a single
space left anywhere.
"Beholding the foremost of the Yakshas scattered despite their valour, the mighty Lord of Wealth despatched other
Yakshas and, at his call, O Rama, a Yaksha named Samyodhakantaka instantly rushed out at the head of a large force.
Struck by him in the fight, as by a second Vishnu with his discus, Marica fell to the earth like a star falling from the
heights of Mount Kailasha, ts merits exhausted.
"Thereafter, that Ranger of the Night, regaining consciousness, gathered up his strength in a moment and entered
into combat with the Yaksha, who having been defeated, fled. Meantime Dashagriva, his limbs loaded with
ornaments of gold, silver and emerald, advanced to the very portals of the outer defences and, seeing that Ranger of
the Night enter, the doorkeeper sought to prevent him; but the Rakshasa forced his way in, whereupon the Yaksha
seized hold of him. Seeing himself checked, O Rama, he was not discouraged and began to break down the door,
whilst the Yaksha, overwhelmed by his blows, streaming with blood, looked like a mountain from which minerals are
pouring.
"Though struck by the Yaksha with the door-post, that hero was not slain on account of the rare gifts received from
Svyam-bhu, and in his turn, arming himself with the same post, he struck the Yaksha who, his body reduced to dust,
disappeared, leaving no trace.
"Thereupon, witnessing the strength of the Rakshasas, a general stampede took place among the Yakshas, who, mad
with terror, sought refuge in the rivers and the caves, throwing away their arms, exhausted, their features distorted.
"Seeing the foremost of the Yakshas fleeing in their thousands, the Lord of Wealth said to the powerful
Manibhadra:—
"'O Prince of the Yakshas, slay that wicked Ravana of evil ways and deliver the valiant and heroic Yakshas!'
"At this command, the long-armed and invincible Manibhadra set out to fight surrounded by four thousand Yakshas
and they hurled themselves on the Rakshasas, whom they struck with blows from maces, bars, javelins, lances,
swords and clubs. And they entered into a violent struggle, falling on the foe with the swiftness of birds of prey,
crying 'Advance! Advance!' 'Yield!' 'Never!' 'Fight!'
"Beholding that formidable combat, the Devas, Gandharvas, Rishis and Chanters of the Veda were extremely
astonished. A thousand of the Yakshas fell under Prahasta's blows in the conflict and that irreproachable Hero
Mahodara slew a further thousand, whilst, in his fury, O Prince, Marica, thirsting to fight, slew two thousand of the
enemy in the twinkling of an eye.
"On their side, the Yakshas fought valiantly but the Rakshasas called upon their powers of magic and thus gained
ascendancy in the combat, O Lion among Men. While wrestling with Dhumraksha in the great struggle, Manibhadra
received a violent blow in the chest from a pike but remained unmoved, and he, in his turn, struck the Titan
Dhumraksha on the head whereupon he fell senseless.
"Seeing Dhumraksha wounded and covered with blood, Dashanana hurled himself on Manibhadra in the thick of the
fray and, while he was rushing on him in fury, the foremost of theYakshas,Manibhadra,piercedhimwiththreedarts.
Wounded, Dashagriva struck a blow at Manibhadra's diadem which fell to one side and, from that day, he was known
as 'Parsh-vamauli' [i.e., One whose diadem is awry].
"Manibhadra, having been put to flight despite his valour, a great clamour arose on the mountain, O King. From afar,
the Lord of Wealth, who was armed with a mace and surrounded by Shukra, Prausthapada, Padma and Shakha,
beheld Ravana, and, seeing his brother in the field, having lost all dignity, deprived of his glory on account of the
curse, the sagacious Kuvera addressed him in words worthy of the House of his Grandsire, saying:—
"'As despite my warning, you dost not desist, O Perverse Wretch, you shalt recognize the consequences in the future,
when you have fallen into hell. He who through heedlessness drinks poison and when he realises it, in his delusion,
does not refrain, will know the results of his act in its effects. The Gods do not necessarily approve even dharmic
actions, how much less those that bring about such a condition as thine; it is because of this that you are reduced to
this state and you dost not appear to be aware of it. He who does not honour his mother, father, a brahmin or a
preceptor, will reap the fruit of his fault when he falls under the sway of the Lord of Death. That fool who does not
mortify his body will suffer hereafter, when after death he enters the region that his deeds have merited. No wicked
man sees his designs fulfilled as he would have wished; as he sows so shall he reap. In this world, prosperity, beauty,
power, sons, wealth and prowess are all attained by pious acts. Given over to such iniquitous deeds, you will go to
hell. I will not parley with you further; thus should one act in respect of evil-doers!'
"At these words of Dhanada, which were addressed to Ravana's counsellors led by Marica, they being struck, turned
and fled. Dashagriva, however, who had received a blow on the head from the mace of that powerful Lord of the
Yakshas, did not move. Thereafter Yaksha and Rakshasa entered into a fierce and prolonged duel, experiencing no
fatigue, and Dhanada loosed the Fire-weapon on the Lord of the Titans, who parried it with the Varuna weapon.
Then Ravana, having recourse to magic, natural to a Rakshasa, transformed himself in a thousand ways in order to
slay his adversary, and that Ten-necked One assumed the form of a tiger, a boar, a cloud, a mountain, an ocean, a
tree, a Yaksha and a Daitya. Thus, though wearing many forms, his own remained hidden. Thereafter seizing hold of a
mighty weapon, Dashagriva, whirling it round, brought that enormous mace down on the head of Dhanada and the
blow knocked the Lord of Wealth senseless, who fell covered with blood, like unto an Ashoka Tree whose roots have
been severed.
"Then Padma and other Rishis surrounded Dhanada and bore him through the sky to the Nandana Wood.
"Having vanquished Dhanada, the foremost of the Rakshasas, with a joyful heart, as a sign of victory, seized the
Chariot Pushpaka, that was furnished with golden pillars and doors of emerald, hung with strings of pearls and
planted with trees bearing fruit in all seasons; swift as thought, it ranged everywhere at will in its aerial flight.
Possessed of golden stairways, encrusted with gems and with floors of refined gold, that indestructible vehicle of the
Gods, a perpetual joy to the eyes and heart, that masterpiece created by Vishvakarma at Brahma's command, with its
countless ornaments, was indeed a marvel. All that could be desired was to be found therein and it was of a
magnificence nothing could surpass; neither too hot nor too cold, it was pleasantly temperate at all seasons.
"Ascending that chariot, which he had acquired by his prowess, coursing wheresoever he would, the King Ravana, in
his pride and wickedness, deemed himself to have overcome the Three Worlds. Having conquered Vaishravana, he
descended from Mount Kailasha and, having by his prowess obtained this great victory, that Ranger of the Night,
dazzling in his diadem and necklace of flawless pearls, in his marvellous chariot, blazed like fire.
"O rama, having vanquished his brother, the supreme Lord of the Rakshasas went to the great fen where Mahasena
was bom; and Dashagriva beheld that vast and golden expanse of reeds sending forth shafts of light like unto a
second sun. Ascending the mountain which rose in the centre of that fen, O Rama, he observed that the Chariot
Pushpaka was suddenly deprived of motion.
"Thereupon that King of the Rakshasas, surrounded by his attendants, reflected:—
'How is this, the chariot has halted? Why is it not still moving since it was created to follow its master's will?
Wherefore does the Pushpaka Car not go wheresoever I desire? Is this not the doing of some inhabitant of the
mountain'?
"Then, O Rama, the intelligent Marica said to him:—
"'It is not without reason, O King, that the Chariot Pushpaka moves no longer. Without doubt it is only able to serve
Dhanada and, since it is separated from that Lord of Wealth, it has become motionless!'
"As he spoke thus, a fearful yellow and black-hued dwarf appeared, who was extremely stout and possessed a shaven
head and short arms; it was Nandi. Approaching that Indra among the Rakshasas, that servant of Bhava, Nandi,
fearlessly addressed him, saying:—
"'Begone, O Dashagriva, the Lord Shankara is disporting himself on this mountain; it is forbidden to birds, serpents,
Yakshas, Devas, Gandharvas and Rakshasas to come hither!'
"Hearing Nandi's words, Ravana, with his earrings trembling in his wrath, his eyes red with fury, leapt down from the
Pushpaka Chariot and approaching the foot of the peak, demanded:—
"'Who is this Shankara?'
"Then he beheld Nandi standing at the side of that God, supporting himself on his gleaming trident, blazing in his
own effulgence, like unto a second Shankara.
"Beholding that monkey-faced One, the Rakshasa, in his contempt laughed derisively, roaring like a thunder-cloud.
Highly provoked, the blessed Nandi, Shankara in another form, said to Dashagriva, who stood near:—
"'Since you have derided me in my monkey form, O Dasha-nana, by bursting into loud laughter resembling thunder,
monkeys, like unto myself in form, endowed with prodigious strength, shall be born to destroy you and your race.
Armed with nails and teeth, O Barbarian, they will descend like an avalanche of rocks, and swift as thought, thirsting
to fight and, proud of their strength, shall crush your great pride and your high prowess with that of thine adherents
and your sons. I am well able to slay you now, O Ranger of the Night, but it is no longer necessary to put you to death
since your previous acts have already overtaken you.'
"Hearing these prophetic utterances of that magnanimous God, the celestial gongs resounded and a rain of flowers
fell from the sky.
Disregarding Nandi's words, the extremely powerful Dashanana drew nearer to the mountain and said:—
"'As it is on thine account that the course of Pushpaka, in which I was travelling, has been arrested, I shall uproot the
mountain, O Cowherd! What is the nature of the power which enables Bhava to sport here continually like a king? He
is not aware of what should be known to him and that the moment for him to tremble has come.'
"Speaking thus, O Rama, he seized the mountain in his arms and shook it violently so that the rocky mass vibrated. In
consequence of the mountain quaking, the attendants of the God were troubled and Parvati herself, terrified, clung
to the neck of Maheshwara.
"Then, O Rama, Mahadeva, the foremost of the Gods, as if in sport, pressed the mountain with his great toe and, at
the same time, he crushed Ravana's arms, that resembled pillars of granite, to the great consternation of all the
counsellors of that Rakshasa. And he, in pain and fury, suddenly let forth a terrible cry, causing the Three Worlds to
tremble, so that his ministers thought it to be the crash of thunder at the dissolution of the worlds!
Thereupon the Gods, with Indra at their head, stumbled on their way; the oceans became agitated, the mountains
shook, and the Yakshas, Vidyadharas and Siddhas cried out:—
'What is this? Do you pacify Mahadeva, the Blue-throated One, the Lord of Uma; apart from Him, there is no refuge
in the world, O Dashanana! By hymns and prostration seek refuge with Him, propitiated and gratified, Shankara will
look on you with favour.'
"Hearing the words of his ministers, Dashanana, bowing before Him, worshipped the God Whose standard bears the
bull, by the recitation of hymns and innumerable sacred texts. Thus did that titan lament for a thousand years.
"Thereafter the Lord Mahadeva, propitiated, released the arms of Dashanana from under the mountain and
addressed him saying:—
'"I am gratified with your courage and endurance, O Dashanana! When you wast imprisoned under the rock, you
didst emit a terrible cry, striking terror in the Three Worlds. For this reason, O King, from now on your name shall be
Ravana, and Celestials, Men, Yakshas and other Beings in the universe shall call you "Ravana"—"He who causes the
worlds to cry out". O Paulastya [i.e., Mahasena—The Lord of War, Karttikeya], follow the path that pleases you
without fear, you have my sanction to depart.'
"Thus spoke Shambhu to the Lord of Lanka and he, in his turn, said:—
"'O Mahadeva, if you are satisfied, then I pray you, grant me a boon! I am not able to be slain by Gods, Gandharvas,
Danavas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas or Nagas nor by any other great Beings, I do not take man into account deeming him
to be too insignificant. I have been granted a long life by Brahma, O Destroyer of Tripura, but I desire a further lease
of life; do you confer this upon me, as also a weapon.'
"Thus spoke Ravana, and Shankara bestowed an exceedingly bright sword upon him, famed as Candrahasa[1].
Thereafter the Lord of Creatures accorded him a further lease of life and, handing him the weapon, Shambhu said:—
"'Never treat this weapon with contempt, if you dost disregard it, it will assuredly return to me!'
"Having received his name from that great God Maheshwara, Ravana paid obeisance to him and re-ascended his
aerial Car Pushpaka. Thereafter, O Rama, he began to range the entire world subduing the foremost of warriors,
irresistible in combat and those who were filled with courage and boiling with ardour, who dreamt only of war and
who perished with their troops by refusing to submit to him. But those, who knew Ravana to be invincible, showed
themselves to be more wary and said to that titan, proud of his strength, 'We have been vanquished!'
"O king, when the long-armed Ravana was ranging the earth, he came to the Himalayan Forest and began to explore
it. There he beheld a young girl, radiant as a goddess, wearing a black antelope skin and matted locks, leading the life
of an ascetic
[End of Chapter 38]