Lakshman Rao
Ravana, the mighty lord, was terrorizing all realms, unchecked, bolstered by divine blessings that shielded him from defeat, even when his morality faltered. Sage Narada, upon encountering Ravana, discerned that the demon king mistook him for one who relished war and strife. Ravana, thinking to amuse himself, engaged Narada, but the sage, recognizing Ravana’s invincibility, devised a subtle plan to appeal to the demon’s pride.
Narada, knowing that brute force would fail against an ego-driven adversary, sought to humble Ravana through flattery. “O mighty king, son of Visravasu, grandson of the great Pulastya Prajapati, your strength, energy, and combat skills are unmatched. I have seen Vishnu’s battles against the Daityas, but your conquests against gods, Yakshas, Uragas, and mortal kings strike terror into all. Your lineage is truly blessed, and your greatness is known throughout the realms. Permit me, O King, to offer counsel that will elevate your name to heights untold.”
Ravana, flattered by the sage’s words, invited him to speak. Narada then said, “You devote much time to mortals, but they are weakened by ego, selfishness, greed, jealousy, and fear. Diseases ravage their bodies, and they are haunted by the spectre of death. They fight within themselves and struggle against the chains of hunger, thirst, and anxiety. How can they be worthy opponents for you, mighty king? You waste your strength fighting the already defeated. Even in their joys, they are bound by sorrow, trapped in the fleeting pleasures of family and wealth. Their fate is already sealed, as they are destined for the realm of Yama.
“However,” Narada continued, “If you wish for a truly worthy opponent, I suggest you confront Yama himself, the lord of death. Defeat him, and you will hold dominion over all beings, mortal and divine.”
Ravana, swayed by Narada’s clever words, was eager to follow the sage’s advice. “O Devarshi, your wisdom is unparalleled. I will heed your suggestion and turn my attention south to defeat Yama. I will no longer waste my time on these mortals.” Bowing to Narada, Ravana began his march toward the southern realms.
Narada, intrigued by what would unfold, journeyed swiftly to Yama’s realm, where he found the lord of death presiding over the fates of the deceased, with Agni as his witness. Yama greeted Narada with due respect and inquired if all was well in the realms. Narada responded, “O King of Dharma, a formidable foe approaches—Ravana, the demon king blessed by Lord Shiva, seeks to invade your domain and release the sinners. Prepare yourself for the battle that lies ahead.”
As Ravana’s Pushpaka Vimana drew near, Yama witnessed the demon king’s arrival. Ravana, enraged and emboldened by his own power, barged into Yama’s realm, scattering his forces and releasing the condemned souls. The forces of Yama struggled to contain the demon, and chaos reigned. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Yama summoned the invincible powers of his being—Mrityu, Danda, and Pasha, his agents of death and destruction.
Pasha sought permission to strike Ravana’s life, while Mrityu declared, “The moment Ravana faces me, he shall not survive another.” Yama, enraged by Ravana’s insolence, prepared to wield his Danda, a weapon so powerful that the very thought of its use shook the cosmos. However, just as Yama was about to strike, Lord Brahma descended and intervened. “O King of Dharma, do not use the Danda against Ravana. To do so would violate my boon to him and defy the will of Lord Shiva.”
Yama, bound by Brahma’s command, relented and vanished from the battlefield with his forces. Ravana, believing himself victorious, returned to Lanka in triumph, while Brahma blessed Yama for preserving the balance of the universe by restraining his might.
Thus, Ravana claimed his hollow victory, and this tale was recounted by the sage Agastya as the day gave way to night, and all retired to their quarters.
