We are looking at the exploits of Ravana since he began his duel with celestial beings. In addition, Ravana is also charting his course for a future rivalry and his own downfall by engaging and invoking elements like Vanaras, Sita. These very people are going to bring his destruction when he engages with Rama. Buoyed by his own powers, he takes everyone else with nonchalance and goes on a rampage, creating a fear among all. In this way, he can win and feel better on the present day but definitely doing a lot to put himself and all his men in great peril in the future. We can see that his rivalry with Sita was born long back through Vedavati. He dismissed her as a mere woman back then and clearly oppressed her. This led to the resolve from Vedavati to become the single most powerful reason to bring down Ravana. You can go against anyone but when you engage in face-off with faultless higher beings in deep penance, you are writing your own ill fate. Ravana, as a demon treads a wrong path in this way, going against good men and women time and again. Thus, he creates a world where cruelty, fear, torture etc take precedence over other finer virtues and correct path of dharma. These transgressions are numbered and he will reap the results when he abducts Sita. What he does before that to rise as a powerful force of exact opposite in stature to Rama is discussed in this book. We can look at his further misadventures in the following chapters after frightening Gods to assume thousand different forms and defeating king Marutta.
In chapter 19, Ravana fights with Anaranya
The conflict between Ravana, the rakshasa king, and various kings from the human realm, specifically focusing on King Anaranya of Ayodhya is discussed.
Initially, Ravana, demonstrated his formidable prowess by defeating Marutta and challenging other kings, presenting them with a choice: to engage in battle or admit defeat. Many kings, cognizant of Ravana's strength, chose the latter; notable figures like Dushyanta, Suratha, Gadhi, Gaya, and Pururava acknowledged his supremacy and claimed they had been defeated.
Ravana's confrontation with King Anaranya escalated the situation. Anaranya, provoked by Ravana's demands for a duel or recognition of defeat, decided to engage in battle. He prepared an extensive army, characterized by thousands of elephants and tens of thousands of horses, demonstrating a significant commitment to the confrontation.
The ensuing battle between Anaranya and Ravana was intense. Anaranya unleashed a barrage of arrows against Ravana; however, these efforts proved futile as they had no effect on the powerful rakshasa. Ultimately, Anaranya was defeated by Ravana, which drew a realization from the king about his grim fate.
In the aftermath of his defeat, Anaranya accepted the role of destiny in his downfall. Before his death, he prophesied that a great-souled descendant from the Ikshvaku lineage would rise to defeat Ravana in the future. This proclamation was met with divine approval, signaling hope for the future. As Anaranya ascended to heaven, the heavens celebrated, marked by sounds of drums and raining flowers.
In chapter 20, Ravana meets with the sage Narada.
This describes a significant encounter between Narada, a revered sage, and Ravana, the powerful lord of the rakshasas. The meeting takes place in a dense forest, highlighting the contrasting natures of the two characters. Narada begins by praising Ravana's noble heritage and formidable abilities, but he raises concerns about Ravana's brutality in killing mortals. Narada underscores the suffering of humanity, noting that they face confusion in their pursuits and often seek happiness in transient pleasures such as music and dance. He characterizes them as already burdened by life's challenges, prompting him to question Ravana's motivations for inflicting further pain upon these already devastated beings.
Ravana’s ambitious nature is revealed as he expresses a desire to dominate the three worlds, subjugate the gods, and even the serpents. His grand plans include churning the ocean to obtain amrita, the elixir of immortality, which illustrates his thirst for power and control. However, Narada warns Ravana about the perilous path he has chosen, specifically the inevitability of encountering Yama, the king of death.
Despite Narada’s caution, Ravana remains resolute, unfazed by the impending dangers of his quest. He is determined to combat and defeat Yama, showcasing a bold yet hubristic aspect of his character. His ambition drives him to declare his intentions to defeat not just Yama, but also the four guardians of the world, underscoring a powerful desire to challenge the very concepts of life and death. With cheerfulness, Ravana departs towards the south accompanied by his ministers, illustrating his confidence in his mission.
In the aftermath of their encounter, Narada reflects on the futility of Ravana's endeavors. The sage questions the practicality of battling Death, noting that it is Death who ultimately governs the destinies and lifespans of all beings. He ponders the folly in Ravana's quest to conquer something as inevitable and universal as mortality. Driven by a blend of curiosity and concern, Narada decides to follow Ravana on his journey to Yama’s abode, suggesting that he has a vested interest in witnessing the outcome of Ravana’s ambitious yet reckless pursuit.
Ravana's aspirations appear grand and noble on the surface, rooted in a desire for power, yet they are fraught with the risk of overstepping natural boundaries.
In chapter 21, Ravana goes to the nether region to challenge Yama.
There emerges a mythological confrontation between Maharshi Narada and Yama, the god of death, against the backdrop of an impending war brought on by Dashagriva, the powerful rakshasa.
It opens with Maharshi Narada visiting Yama. Yama greets Narada warmly and raises a profound question regarding dharma. However, the conversation quickly pivots to a pressing threat facing the celestial order: Dashagriva, a formidable opponent who is advancing with the intention to conquer.
Upon arrival, Dashagriva’s vimana illuminates the sky. He has the ability to observe the consequences of both good and bad deeds among creatures. In a bold move, he frees souls that are suffering due to their past wicked actions, which angers the guardians of the dead.
The conflict escalates into a fierce battle between Yama's forces and Dashagriva along with his advisors. Despite being attacked, Dashagriva's vimana remains indestructible, showcasing its divine origin. Both sides employ a variety of weapons, resulting in a bloody struggle where valor and ferocity are emphasized.
As the battle intensifies, Dashagriva, after sustaining injuries, decides to abandon his vimana and prepare for ground combat. He employs the divine pashupata weapon, launching a fiery arrow that wreaks havoc upon Yama's forces, leading to significant destruction and the downfall of many soldiers.
Ultimately, Dashagriva’s display of strength and fear leads to chaos on the battlefield, starting a great duel with guardian of death Yama.
This concludes chapters 19, 20 and 21 of Uttara Kanda, where we had seen Ravana challenging all the kings on the land, the submission of every one to him. He wages war against a formidable king from Ayodhya, Anaranya whose valor still doesn’t match with Ravana. Before death, he foresaw a great king from the lineage of Ikshvaku will defeat Ravana. Thus, the rise of Rama in this lineage and his defeating Ravana has been destined long before. Ravana converses with sage Narada who questions his ruthless aggression and raises concerns about Ravana's brutality in killing mortals. Ravana expresses his desire to dominate the three worlds and churn the ocean to obtain Amrita, the elixir of immortality. He further wishes to defeat Yama, challenging the concept of life and death. Narada reflects on the futility of Ravana's endeavors and follows him to nether land where Ravana engages in duel with Yama. In a bold move, Ravana frees souls that are suffering due to their past wicked actions beginning a tussle with guardians of dead. We can see the further detail on this war and other exploits of Ravana in subsequent chapters.
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