03.259
Markandeya said.
But Viśravā, the sage, who was born as Pulastya's half-bodied son out of anger, looked with anger at Vaiśravaṇa. (03-259-1)
O king, Kubera always indeed strove to win the favor of his father, but the lord of the rākṣasas became aware of him with anger. (03-259-2)
Naravāhana, the king of kings residing in Laṅkā, gave three rākṣasī attendants who had belonged to his father. (03-259-3)
Then they, skilled in dance and song, endeavored to please that great-souled sage, O tiger of the Bharatas. (3-259-4)
O king, Puṣpotkaṭā, Rākā, and Mālinī—all women of beautiful waists—each desirous of supremacy, vied with one another, O lord of the people. (03-259-5)
The Lord, being pleased with them, the great-souled one gave boons—sons equal to the guardians of the worlds—to each one as she desired. (03-259-6)
In Puṣpotkaṭā two sons were born—lords of the rākṣasas, Kumbhakarṇa and Daśagrīva—who were unmatched in strength on earth. (03-259-7)
Mālinī gave birth to a single son, Vibhīṣaṇa. From Rākā were born twins: Khara and Śūrpaṇakhā. (03-259-8)
But Vibhishana surpassed everyone in appearance. He became a greatly fortunate one, a protector of righteousness, and a devotee of right action. (03-259-9)
But Daśagrīva, the eldest and foremost among all Rākṣasas, was full of great energy, mighty strength, and immense valor. (03-259-10)
At that time, Kumbhakarṇa, by his might, surpassed all others; he was a master of illusions, skilled in battle, fierce, and a night-wandering demon. (03-259-11)
Khara, who was powerful with his bow, a hater of Brahmins and an eater of flesh; and likewise fierce Śūrpaṇakhā, who obstructed the siddhas, also were there. (03-259-12)
All those who knew the Vedas, who were heroic, and of excellent conduct and vows, lived together joyfully with their father on the Gandhamādana mountain. (03-259-13)
Then, there, they saw Vaiśravaṇa—Naravāhana—sitting together with his father, endowed with supreme prosperity. (03-259-14)
Then, being filled with rivalry and steadfast in their resolve for penance, they pleased Brahmā at that time through intense austerity. (03-259-15)
Daśagrīva stood on one foot for a thousand years, sustaining himself on air, amidst the five fires, deeply concentrated. (03-259-16)
Kumbhakarna, lying below, was self-restrained in food and vow; Vibhishana ate only a single withered leaf. (03-259-17)
The wise man, always devoted to fasting and the recitation of prayers, of noble mind, observed that very time practicing intense austerities. (03-259-18)
Khara and Śūrpaṇakhā, with delighted minds, indeed rendered service and protection to those practicing austerities. (03-259-19)
But when a thousand years were completed, the ten-headed one, unassailable, would cut off his own head and offer it into the fire; by this, the lord of the worlds was pleased. (03-259-20)
Then Brahmā himself went and prevented them from penance, enticing all of them separately by offering boons. (03-259-21)
Brahmā said.
I am pleased with you; return, O sons, choose boons. Whatever is desired, except for the one—immortality—for you, let that be so. (03-259-22)
Whatever you have offered entirely into the fire with your head and great desire, in the same way, those very things will manifest in your body as you desire. (03-259-23)
Ugliness will not be present in your body, and you will have the ability to assume any form at will. Thus, you will become the conqueror of enemies in battle; there is no doubt. (03-259-24)
Rāvaṇa said.
May there not be defeat for me from gandharvas, devas, asuras, yakṣas, rākṣasas, serpents, kinnaras, or beings. (03-259-25)
Brahmā said.
Of all those who have been mentioned, there is no fear for you from them; except from humans. Welfare to you; so it was ordained by me. (03-259-26)
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
When thus addressed, Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa) was pleased. That ill-minded man-eater indeed held men in contempt. (03-259-27)
Then Kumbhakarṇa spoke in the same way to the great grandsire. In that state, he requested great sleep, with his mind overpowered by darkness. (03-259-28)
Having said, "Thus it shall be", he then spoke to Vibhīṣaṇa: "Choose a boon, my son; I am pleased"—thus again and again. (03-259-29)
Vibhīṣaṇa said.
May my mind not incline toward unrighteousness, even if I reach the highest achievement. And, O Lord, may the knowledge of the Brahma weapon, though unlearned, occur to me. (03-259-30)
Brahmā said.
Because you were born in the lineage of Rākṣasas, O tormentor of enemies, your mind does not delight in unrighteousness. I grant you immortality. (03-259-31)
Markandeya said;
But the demon, the ten-headed one (Rāvaṇa), O lord of men, after obtaining the boon, conquered the lord of wealth in battle and drove him out of Laṅkā. (03-259-32)
Leaving Laṅkā, the venerable one entered Gandhamādana mountain, accompanied by Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Kimpuruṣas. (03-259-33)
Rāvaṇa, having mounted his Puṣpaka vehicle, took it away. Vaiśravaṇa cursed him, saying, "This will not bear thee." (03-259-34)
But the one who kills you in battle—he alone will bear this. If you disregard your teacher and me, you will quickly cease to exist. (03-259-35)
But Vibhīṣaṇa, who was righteous and mindful of the dharma of the virtuous, O great king, followed, endowed with supreme glory. (03-259-36)
To him, the venerable and wise Dhaneśvara, who is the brother, being pleased, gave to his brother the command of the armies of the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas. (03-259-37)
The rākṣasas, cannibals, and the very powerful piśācas all gathered together and anointed Daśānana (the ten-headed one, Rāvaṇa) as king. (03-259-38)
But the ten-necked one, powerful among the demons and gods, having assaulted them, seized their gems; being able to assume any form at will, like a bird. (03-259-39)
He made the worlds cry out; therefore, he is called 'Rāvaṇa'. The ten-headed one, powerful with desire, instilled fear among the gods. (03-259-40)
