We are currently looking at the exploits of the Ravana. These episodes are long before Ravana entered into the life of Rama. Upon victory over Ravana, the sages and Rama are discussing the lineage and history of Ravana in becoming so big and demonic. As we can see, he took extreme pride in himself and challenged the very status of the universe. He already conveyed his desire to control the three worlds, subjugate the gods, churn the ocean to obtain amrita, the elixir of immortality. He confronted Yama, and also the four guardians of the world, underscoring a powerful desire to challenge the very concepts of life and death. He faces Varuna, the God of the ocean, Bali and prevails over them. Thus, he challenges and win over the very essential heads of our life on the Earth. This has been unheard and unseen ever before but came to the fore with the misadventures of Ravana. Thus, his demonic stature continues to rise long before he intercepted Rama. Rivalry with Rama is the last adventure he led before his downfall as it has been ordained in the hands of human, the very reason behind the incarnation of the God in human form. We can look at his further pursuits, similar to the way a wild powerful beast run amok in the following chapters.
In chapter 23c, Ravana challenges the Sun god.
Ravana, the mighty Lord of Lanka, after contemplation, journeyed to the Solar Region to challenge Surya, the Sun God. Riding in the Pushpaka Chariot, a divine vehicle swift as the steeds of the sun, he made his way to Mount Sumeru’s summit. From this enchanting peak, Ravana beheld Surya, the glorious and resplendent Sun who purifies all things, adorned with a magnificent halo encrusted with precious gems. Surya, the embodiment of light and power, appeared with golden bracelets, brilliant earrings, and Keyuras—ornaments that further emphasized his radiance. His body, anointed with red sandalwood and garlanded with crimson lotuses, blazed with thousands of rays, making him a formidable sight.
Determined to test his might against such a primeval deity, Ravana addressed his trusted counselor, Prahasta, commanding him to convey a challenge to Surya: he demanded either combat or an admission of defeat. Prahasta, obedient to his lord, approached the two doorkeepers guarding Surya—named Pingala and Dandi—and relayed Ravana’s intentions. As Prahasta stood, nearly overwhelmed by the Sun’s intense rays, Dandi carried the message to Surya, the deity known as the enemy of the night and witness of the world.
Surya, with wisdom and composure befitting his divine status, responded with a simple directive to Dandi. He stated that Ravana must either conquer him or accept a symbolic victory, acknowledging his rival’s demand without engaging in combat. This subtle, sagacious reply signaled that Surya, while acknowledging Ravana’s presence and challenge, would not lower himself to direct conflict.
Dandi returned to Ravana with the Sun’s response. Hearing that Surya offered him a choice of either genuine defeat or an uncontested proclamation of victory, Ravana chose to announce his triumph. He proclaimed his victory with a resounding roll of drums, signaling his apparent conquest and then departed, satisfied with the recognition he perceived from Surya.
In chapter 23d, Ravana’s encounter with King Mandhata can be seen.
Ravana, the mighty Lord of Lanka, spent the night contemplating on the summit of Mount Sumeru before traveling to the lunar realm. There, his attention was captured by a luminous figure seated in a celestial chariot, surrounded by Apsaras and reveling in pleasure. Intrigued by this spectacle, Ravana sought an explanation from the sage Parvata, who was present. Parvata described the figure as one who had conquered the worlds through asceticism and devotion, earning celestial rewards from Brahma. The sage cautioned Ravana, remarking that the truly mighty, like Ravana himself, did not quarrel with the virtuous without just cause.
Shifting his gaze, Ravana saw another splendid chariot emitting music and song. This chariot carried a warrior of great renown, who had fought numerous battles, claimed many victories, and received mortal wounds defending his cause. Parvata explained that this hero was now journeying to the abode of Indra, honored for his deeds and valor. Still seeking a worthy opponent, Ravana requested Parvata to identify a monarch who would willingly face him in battle.
Parvata directed Ravana’s attention to Mandhata, the powerful Lord of the Seven Islands and conqueror of the known world. Mandhata was traveling in a gilded chariot, radiant and magnificent, having subdued his realm from sea to sea. Eager for combat and proud of his invulnerability, Ravana confronted Mandhata and demanded a fight. The king, confident in his strength, accepted the challenge, warning Ravana that the battle would be his undoing.
The ensuing fight was fierce and relentless. Mandhata, a formidable warrior, met Ravana’s initial onslaught with unmatched skill, shattering the Rakshasa’s chariot and forcing him to the ground. Ravana, however, quickly recovered and unleashed a torrent of arrows and celestial weapons, regaining his footing and rallying his troops. His attack momentarily stunned Mandhata, but the resilient king soon returned to battle, wielding a deadly arsenal of weapons and decimating Ravana’s forces with precision and ferocity.
The clash reached a crescendo when both warriors drew upon powerful celestial weapons. Ravana unleashed the Pashupata weapon, a gift from Rudra, causing terror to ripple through the Three Worlds. Even gods and serpents sought refuge in their abodes, fearing the immense power unleashed by the combatants. However, before the confrontation could lead to utter devastation, two powerful ascetics, Paulastya and Galava, intervened. They remonstrated with Ravana and Mandhata, urging restraint and a return to peace.
Heeding the counsel of the sages, Ravana and Mandhata ceased their battle. Both warriors acknowledged each other’s strength and valor, reconciling without further bloodshed. Ravana departed, his pride tempered by the encounter, while Mandhata continued his journey, his honor intact.
In chapter 23e, Ravana visits the Moon region and is given a boon by Brahma.
Following the departure of the Rishis, Ravana embarked on a celestial journey through the upper reaches of the sky. He traversed vast distances, beginning with a flight of forty thousand miles, arriving at a serene and virtuous realm inhabited by radiant swans. His ascent continued, taking him ten thousand leagues higher into a region blanketed by clouds known as Agneya, Pakshana, and Brahma, which encased the atmosphere in their ethereal embrace. This was not the end of his journey, for he pressed onward to a luminous realm of ten thousand leagues where the Siddhas and Caranas resided, beings of great spiritual attainment.
From there, Ravana ventured into the fourth aerial domain where the Bhutas and Vinayakas dwelt. Ascending further, he entered a fifth expanse, home to the sacred river Ganga. Here, massive elephants led by Kumuda cavorted in the waters, their bodies spraying droplets that blessed all they touched. These waters, purified by wind and sun, nourished the world with rain and snow.
In the sixth aerial region, Ravana encountered Garuda, the mighty king of birds, revered by his kin and followers. He continued his ascent into the seventh domain, where the Seven Rishis maintained their solemn watch over the universe. Beyond them, he reached the eighth region where the celestial Ganga, known as the Ganges of the sky, roared as it coursed along the sun’s path, upheld by powerful winds.
Above these realms lay the sphere of the Moon, an expanse spanning eighty thousand leagues. The Moon, surrounded by stars and planets, emitted radiant beams that illuminated the cosmos and brought joy to all beings. However, Ravana and his companions soon found themselves overwhelmed by the intense cold radiating from the Moon’s rays, which burned with the potency of fire. Ravana’s trusted counselor Prahasta pleaded for their retreat, warning of imminent destruction.
Enraged by this challenge, Ravana drew his mighty bow and prepared to strike at the Moon. His defiance and the twang of his bowstring reverberated through the heavens, prompting Brahma to intervene. Descending quickly, the god urged Ravana to desist, offering a powerful boon instead—a sacred mantra that would bestow invincibility and protection.
With great reverence, Ravana listened as Brahma outlined the terms of the gift. The mantra could only be invoked in times of mortal peril and required the recitation with a string of Rudraksha beads. This condition, Brahma emphasized, was critical; without it, the mantra’s power would be void. Eager to obtain such a gift, Ravana bowed and asked Brahma to bestow the sacred knowledge upon him, hoping it would shield him from all enemies, whether Celestial, Asura, or otherwise.
Brahma then chanted the sacred mantra, a litany of 108 names of Lord Shiva, the Supreme Deity. He described Shiva as the eternal force governing creation, preservation, and destruction, the lord who transcends time, power, and form. Shiva was portrayed as the bearer of the trident, the Blue-throated one, the protector and liberator of all beings, and a deity who embodied both fearsome and benevolent aspects. He dwelled in crematoriums, bore matted locks, and shone with a brilliance that humbled all creation.
The sacred mantra, Brahma declared, had the power to destroy all sins and bring refuge to its reciter. If Ravana chanted it, he would gain victory over any adversary. Ravana, filled with pride and reverence, accepted the boon, knowing it would solidify his strength and grant him unparalleled power. Yet even as he absorbed Brahma’s words, the warning lingered—a reminder of the delicate balance of cosmic power that even the mightiest must respect.
This concludes chapters 23c, 23d, 23e in Uttara Kanda where we had seen Ravana continuing his wild adventures challenging Sun God, King Mandhata and facing Moon. He wants to win over the cosmic powers and win over the mighty. This is the reason behind challenging Sun God, Surya. The war in true sense didn’t take shape but Ravana felt he won and retreated. He also challenged another powerful king Mandhata and before further escalation, peace was called upon by the ascetics. He also traveled to the Moon region and received a boon from Brahma – a sacred mantra which will destroy all sins and bring refuge to the reciter. We can look at the further episodes of Ravana in subsequent chapters.
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