The Battle Between Vishnu and Rakshasas and the Birth of Dashagriva or Ravana

We are learning the origin of Rakshasas and their dwelling in Lanka from the sages when they spoke about it to Rama. According to the narrative which we had seen till now, the Rakshasas were initially created by Brahma to protect the waters. However, over time, they became malevolent and started troubling the sages and other beings. We had seen in the last post that Rakshasas are named initially after some of them said ‘Rakshami’ or ‘we will protect’ and those who said ‘Yakshami’ became Yakshas. The first Rakshasas were Heti and Praheti, with Heti marrying Bhaya and having a son named Vidyutkesha. Sukesha, the son of Vidyutkesha, received boons from Shiva and Parvati, making him and his descendants powerful. Sukesha’s three sons, Malyavat, Sumali, and Mali, performed austerities and received boons from Brahma, making them invincible and leading to their dominance over the gods. Following Vishvakarma’s counsel, the rakshasas establish their new stronghold in Lanka, where they thrive amidst lavish surroundings. The Rakshasas, empowered by their boons, began to oppress the gods, leading to a cosmic battle where Vishnu intervened to restore balance. Vishnu acknowledged the threat posed by the Rakshasas, particularly Sukesha’s sons, and vowed to confront and eradicate them. The Rakshasas, led by Malyavat, Mali, and Sumali, prepared for battle against the gods, confident in their strength and boons. We can see how the battle between Vishnu and Rakshasas take shape, the birth of Dashagriva or the one with ten heads in the following chapters and

In chapter 4, the combat between Vishnu and the Rakshasas commence to the destruction of Rakshasas. 

In the epic confrontation between Vishnu and the rakshasas, a dark and tumultuous battle unfolded. The rakshasas, fierce and powerful, charged at Vishnu with a cacophony of roars, unleashing a torrential downpour of arrows as if the skies had opened up onto a mountain. Vishnu, appearing dark blue like the night, faced this onslaught with great resilience. The arrows struck him fiercely, reminiscent of insects overwhelming a field. The tumultuous warfare became a dangerous spectacle, akin to a catastrophic destruction of the worlds. 

With chariot riders and elephant-mounted warriors in full force, the rakshasas unleashed their best fighters, comparable to the grandest heights of nature's fury. Amidst this chaos, Vishnu initially seemed to falter, akin to a creature losing its breath under immense pressure. Yet, like a whale surrounded by school of fish, he rose back to action, wielding his Sharnga bow to launch a counteroffensive that would soon match the intensity of the rakshasa assault. 

Vishnu's arrows, imbued with divine swiftness, began to rain down on the rakshasas, causing devastation. He obliterated them into thousands of fragments, driving them back as a storm dispels clouds. When he blew into his conch shell, Panchajanya, the ground shook with its might. The sound terrified the rakshasas, causing even the mightiest mounts to tremble and flee. Vishnu’s arrows shattered enemies and struck the ground, as the battlefield transformed into a scene of utter pandemonium. 

As the rakshasas thundered onward, Sumali attempted to challenge Vishnu, but his efforts were thwarted. Vishnu remained undeterred, displaying calm in the storm. The engagement saw him countering with a formidable barrage of arrows that cut through the adversaries like rain through a parched land. As he engaged Sumali with unrelenting force, the rakshasas began to feel the heavy toll of his aggression. The battlefield morphed into a literal hell, reminiscent of a lion preying upon scattered creatures. 

In a fierce exchange, Sumali hurled arrows aimed directly at Vishnu. However, Vishnu’s indomitable spirit emerged as he retaliated with arrows that outshone even the brightest lightning, devastating the rakshasa forces. The power of his weapons was relentless, drawing blood and instigating immense fear among the enemy ranks. With each shot from Vishnu’s bow, hope began to dwindle for the rakshasas, whose ranks disintegrated akin to clouds before a fierce wind. 

While the bloodshed raged, it culminated in the arrival of Mali, another formidable rakshasa. In the ensuing struggle, Mali wielded a club with devastating effect, managing to strike down Garuda, the celestial eagle. Yet, Vishnu’s resolve intensified upon witnessing this affront, unleashing his chakra, a radiant disc that cleansed the battlefield of darkness. 

With a decisive strike, Mali’s head was severed from his body, illuminating the night with an unparalleled brilliance. The eliminating blow brought jubilation among the gods, who celebrated their deliverer. However, grief enveloped Sumali and his fellow commanders as they were forced to retreat in despair, prompting their flight toward Lanka. 

The clash did not conclude with Mali’s demise. The battlefield erupted with renewed vigor as Garuda, regrouped and furious, took to the skies, reinstating order amidst the chaos. Vishnu’s arrows reigned down like a tempest, wiping out the scattered remnants of the rakshasa army as they fled in disarray, the imagery akin to dark clouds being scattered by a fierce wind. 

One could visualize the aftermath of the battle: a ground strewn with remnants of weapons, an army dismantled, and a celestial arena that bore witness to the might and resilience of Vishnu. The victorious echoes of the divine conch reverberated through the air as the battle concluded, with the rakshasas, once mighty, vanquished in this monumental confrontation. 

In chapter 8, the battle between Vishnu and Malyavat is chronicled. 

Malyavat confronted the powerful Padmanabha or Vishnu, expressing his disdain for the killing of those who had retreated from battle. He highlighted the dharma of kshatriyas, insisting that such acts do not lead to heaven but instead to sin. He challenged Padmanabha to fight him directly, as he was more than willing to face the deity in battle. 

Padmanabha, the younger brother of the king of the gods, responded to Malyavat's words by asserting that he had liberated the gods by vanquishing the rakshasas. He expressed his commitment to fighting for the gods rather than for his own life. A confrontation ensued where Malyavat launched a javelin at Padmanabha, who then retaliated by throwing it back, striking Malyavat despite his formidable defenses and causing him to fall into darkness. 

However, Malyavat, like an immovable mountain, quickly regained his composure and retrieved a spear to retaliate. Despite the intensity of the battle, he found himself outmatched when Garuda, the mighty bird and vehicle of Vishnu, struck him down with overwhelming force. Malyavat and Sumali, seeing the power of Garuda, retreated to Lanka, humiliated and defeated. 

Malyavat's defeat came as Vishnu (Hari) killed many rakshasas during the encounter, causing fear among their ranks. In the aftermath, the defeated rakshasas, including their wives, fled to patala to escape the wrath of Vishnu. 

They turned to Sumali, famed for his valor, as their last hope. Reference was made to how Vishnu's prowess was unmatched, declaring that no one else could have overcome such formidable foes. The narrative emphasizes the divine strength of Vishnu, the wielder of the conch, chakra, and mace, who was destined to defeat the rakshasas. 

The story captures the intense conflict between the rakshasas and the godly forces led by Vishnu, emphasizing the importance of dharma in warfare and the consequences of defying divine order. The themes of honor, strength, and redemption play critical roles as the rakshasas face inevitable defeat, further underscoring Vishnu's role as the eternal protector against evil. Ultimately, this confrontation serves as a testament to the power of dharma and the divine, showcasing how righteousness prevails against chaos and disorder.  

Vishnu is the embodiment of strength and the protector of the cosmos, destined to restore order and slay all malevolent forces that threaten dharma. 

In chapter 9, we know about the birth of Dashagriva and his brothers after the war with Rakshasas. 

In the intriguing tale of the rakshasa named Sumali, we begin with a powerful figure emerging from the depths of rasatala and venturing into the mortal world. Sumali, described like a dark cloud, embodies an overwhelming presence, accentuated by molten gold earrings. Accompanying him is his daughter, Kaikasi, who radiates the grace and beauty reminiscent of the goddess Shri, though she lacks the lotus that symbolizes her. As they traverse the skies, Sumali's gaze is drawn to the lord of treasures traveling on the majestic Pushpaka. This sight sparks a paternal conversation, as Sumali feels the urgency to speak to Kaikasi about her future. 

“Daughter,” he begins, “your youth is fleeting, and the time has come for you to consider marriage.” Despite her many qualities, Kaikasi hesitates, fearing rejection from potential suitors. Recognizing her apprehension, Sumali reveals the societal pressures weighing heavily on fathers concerning their daughters and marriage. “A maiden impacts not just her fate,” he explains, “but also intertwines the destinies of her mother’s lineage, her father’s lineage, and the family she joins.” This leads him to propose that Kaikasi marry Vishrava, a sage descended from the revered Poulastya lineage. Sumali expresses confidence that their union will yield offspring blessed with the power and energy of celestial bodies. 

Respecting her father's wishes, Kaikasi agrees to meet Vishrava. Approaching him with a shy demeanor, she reveals her father's intentions, standing with her eyes cast down in reverence. Vishrava, known for his wisdom and generosity, inquires about her identity and the reason for her visit. Kaikasi, joining her hands in salutation, responds, “O sage! I have come because my father commanded it. My name is Kaikasi.” Vishrava, through meditation, discerns the gravity of her visit and warns her: “The sons you will bear will be formidable, capable of cruel actions and drawing towards terrible deeds.” While Kaikasi struggles to comprehend the weight of his words, she humbly accepts the sage’s insight regarding her future progeny. 

In time, Kaikasi gives birth to her first son, Dashagriva, a figure marked distinctly by his formidable presence—ten heads and immense strength. The tumult of his birth sends ripples of fear and chaos across the realms. As jackals spew flames and celestial omens manifest around him, it is evident that his arrival heralds immense power tied to a dark prophecy. Dashagriva’s lineage unfolds amid unnatural phenomena: thunderous clouds, fading sunlight, and giant meteors falling from the sky. This violent entrance into the world reveals Dashagriva, the child of Kaikasi and Vishrava, is destined for significant and fearsome destinies. 

Soon thereafter, Dashagriva's brothers are born: Kumbhakarna, known for his immense size and destructive nature, and Vibhishana, who remains grounded in righteousness and dharma. As he matures, Dashagriva becomes increasingly aware of the accomplishments of his half-brother, Vaishravana, the lord of treasures, who embodies strength and virtue. Kaikasi, sensing her older son’s turbulence and insecurity, advises Dashagriva to aspire to become like Vaishravana. “Be that which you desire to surpass!” she urges, alluding to the potential within him. 

The story captures the unfolding dynamics among these brothers, especially the rivalry that brews between Dashagriva and Vaishravana. Kaikasi’s words ignite a sense of determination within Dashagriva—he vows to elevate himself, haunted by the desire not to be inferior to his brother. Despite this determination, the narrative highlights the duality within their heritage; while Dashagriva may embody terrifying strength, Vibhishana represents a moral compass amid the chaos that surrounds them. 

Through Sumali’s guidance and Kaikasi’s perseverance, a complex family emerges, accentuating legacies of strength, cruelty, and the weight of choices made by one generation for the next. Their intertwined fates illustrate the consequences of decisions surrounding marriage, power, and the nature of one's lineage.

 

This concludes chapters 7, 8 and 9 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen the battle between Vishnu and Rakshasas, Malyavat; the birth of Dashagriva and his brothers through Kaikasi and Vishrava. Seeing the rise of Rakshasas to dangerous levels, torturing all beings, Vishnu emerges to take them down. Thus begins the battle where the famed Rakshasas who took pride in their strength and boons received engages in a great duel with the all powerful Vishnu. Vishnu, blowing Panchajanya and wielding Vishnu chakra, aided by Garuda, completely destroys all those who confronts him. The remaining few flee to Lanka and patala. Venturing into mortal world, Sumali asks his daughter, Kaikasi to marry Vishrava. The union happens at wrong time and there emerges Dashagriva or Ravana with ten heads, who will indulges in terrible things. Soon after Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana are also born. We will look how this Dashagriva is raised to practice rigid penance, takes over Lanka in subsequent chapters.