Lakshman Rao
In the shadowed depths of Rasatala, Sumali, the demon king, awaited the opportune moment to re-establish his empire on earth. Blessed with divine powers, he roamed the land in the guise of a wealthy and magnificent merchant, ever watchful of his former kingdom, Lanka.
As he moved among men, his eyes fell upon a grand figure—a robust and prosperous man, soaring through the skies in a splendid chariot, resplendent with glory. This was Kubera, the son of Prajapati Visravasu, now ruling Lanka.
Sumali marvelled at Kubera’s grandeur, recognizing it as the fruit of noble parentage and upbringing. Kubera’s reign as Lokapala, Lord of wealth and treasures, had elevated him to heights unreachable by ordinary beings. Returning to his abyss, Sumali convened with his council and brother, recounting the opulence of Kubera and urging them to devise a plan to reclaim their former power. A strategy was born—one that would alter the balance of the universe for millennia.
In the midst of their counsel, Sumali brought forth his daughter, Kaikasi, and revealed to her the splendour of Kubera. The spoke of the lofty heights Kubera had attained and how such stature might be within her reach. After returning to their abode, Sumali addressed her with fatherly concern.
“My daughter, your beauty, strength, and grace are unmatched in all the realms. I am anxious for the husband you shall wed, for it is through him that our legacy will endure. Only a worthy husband will ensure our heritage’s continuation.”
Kaikasi, with humility and reverence, responded, “Father, instruct me, and I shall obey.”
Sumali then spoke at length, “O gracious daughter, only you can restore our dying demon kingdom to its ancient glory. Go and seek the blessings of the great sage Visravasu, who will grant you noble children and ensure a life bound to dharma.”
Obedient to her father’s command, Kaikasi visited the sage’s ashram at twilight and, finding him immersed in sacred rituals, humbly touched his feet and sought his favour. Upon finishing his rites, the sage gazed upon her and, curious about her intentions, asked, “O maiden of noble beauty, who are you? What brings you to me, and what do you desire?”
Kaikasi, bowing with folded hands, replied, “O revered sage, I am Kaikasi, daughter of Malyavantha, the mightiest King of Rasatala. My father has sent me to you, for he believes that by following his command, I walk in the path of righteousness. I stand before you with a request that I trust you will discern with your divine insight.”
The sage, after a moment of contemplation, spoke, “O earnest one, I understand your desire. But you have approached me at twilight, an inauspicious hour. Nevertheless, I shall fulfil your wish. However, know this—your children will be fearsome, unusual in form and nature, harbingers of terror and cruelty. If this is acceptable to you, I shall welcome you as my life partner.”
Without hesitation, Kaikasi replied, “O sage, even if my children are fierce and ruthless, I will accept them as your divine blessing.”
Pleased by her devotion, the sage granted her a special boon: “Your youngest son shall be a mountain of righteousness and live in immortal glory.”
In due time, Kaikasi bore four children—Dasanana Kumbhakarna, Surpanakha, and Vibhishana. The brothers were rigorously trained in the Vedas and the ancient arts. After completing their studies, they were sent to Gokarna to perform severe penance to overcome their birth defects—Kumbhakarna’s insatiable hunger and Dasanana’s ten heads.
Their tapasya (penance) was a marvel even to the Gods. Kumbhakarna, during the scorching summer, sat amidst five fires in a ritual known as Panchagni Tapas. During the torrential monsoon, he stood in deep meditation under the rain, a feat called Mahodaka Tapas. In the biting cold, he submerged himself in icy waters, performing Jala Tapas. Vibhishana, ever the devotee of righteousness, balanced on one leg for thousands of years, dedicating himself to the study of scriptures. Dasanana meanwhile, performed the most extreme of rituals, sacrificing each of his ten heads to the fire of homa over countless years.
When only one head remained, Brahma, deeply moved by their dedication, appeared before them. He asked Dasanana, “O great ascetic, I am pleased. What boon do you seek?”
Dasanana replied, “Grant me immortality so I may never know the fear of death.”
Brahma refused, but offered him another boon. Dasanana then asked, “Grant that I may not be slain by demons, gods, serpents, or any other divine beings.”
Brahma agreed, restoring Dasanana’s ten heads and bestowing upon him the power to transform into any form at will. He then turned to Vibhishana, who asked for the boon of unwavering righteousness, even in times of great distress, and Brahma readily granted it, also bestowing immortality upon him for his steadfast virtue.
As Brahma prepared to offer Kumbhakarna his boon, the gods, fearful of Kumbhakarna’s appetite for destruction, whispered warnings. Acting quickly, Brahma used the divine power of Saraswati to place a spell upon Kumbhakarna, causing him to ask for eternal sleep instead of a boon of power. Thus, the brothers returned to their mother and their grandfather, Malyavantha.
In time, Malyavantha approached Dasanana and urged him to reclaim Lanka from his brother Kubera. Dasanana, reluctant to war with his kin, resisted. But Malyavantha, ever strategic, pressed him, reminding Dasam that even among the gods and demons, brothers had fought for power. At last, Dasanana sent his envoy Prahastha to Kubera, demanding the return of Lanka.
Kubera, in a show of grace, admitted that Lanka was indeed Dasanana’s by right but reminded Prahastha that their father had given it to him. Nevertheless, upon the counsel of their father, Kubera relinquished Lanka and moved his kingdom to Kailasa.
Thus, Dasanana ascended the throne of Lanka, restoring the demon realm to its former glory, while the sages and gods looked on, uncertain of what the future would bring.
