Lakshman Rao
After receiving the blessings of Lord Sankara, Ravana embarked on his journey to conquer kingdoms. While flying in his celestial Pushpaka Vimana, he passed over the majestic Mount Himalaya. He descended near a secluded spot, where he saw a maiden seated on a mat of sacred grass, with deerskin beneath her. Her austere attire and matted hair reflected a life of penance. Her dwelling was that of a noble sage.
Ravana approached her with customary greetings, which she returned, following the rites of hospitality. Admiring her beauty, he asked, “O lady, you are the epitome of beauty and grace. Who is the fortunate man who has taken you into his life?” His admiration quickly turned into lust, and his words grew vulgar. “You are meant for a man of my power and stature, the mighty demon king. Marry me, and I will provide you with all comforts. Refuse, and you shall not be spared.”
With calm dignity, the maiden introduced herself. “I am Vedavati, daughter of Kusadhwaja, the son of the great sage Brihaspati. My father, a Brahmarshi of immense knowledge, sought to marry me to none other than Mahavishnu. But a vile demon named Sambhu killed him in his sleep. To fulfill my father’s wish, I have undertaken intense penance to make Lord Vishnu my husband.”
Ravana, arrogant and dismissive, sneered, “Narayana is neither as strong nor as capable as I am. Discard this delusion and marry me, or I shall take you by force.”
Vedavati, unwavering in her composure, responded, “Only a fool like you would dare to underestimate Vishnu. I know of your misdeeds, your sins against sages, women, and even the gods. Leave at once.”
Furious at her rejection, Ravana seized her by the hair. In a swift motion, Vedavati cut off her hair and rebuked him, “You, blinded by arrogance, cannot comprehend the gravity of your actions. I will not live after this insult, but hear me well—by divine grace, I will be reborn, and it is I who shall bring about your destruction.”
Vedavati then invoked divine fire and immolated herself, leaving Ravana haunted by her final words as he returned to Lanka.
The next morning, as Ravana strolled through his palace gardens, the beauty and serenity of the scene unexpectedly calmed him. Though he did not revere the sun, believing it to be an incarnation of Vishnu, he was drawn to the dazzling array of lotus flowers on the lake. Among them, he spotted a golden lotus cradling a baby. He took the child to his counselor, who was skilled in reading the past, present, and future through the Atharva Veda. The sage revealed, “This child is destined to bring about the destruction of the Rakshasa race.” Alarmed, Ravana threw the flower and the baby into the ocean, but nature protected the child, wrapping her in a protective shell and carrying her to the plains of Mithila.
There, in the sacred soil of Mithila, King Janaka, while performing Vedic rituals to bless the land, unearthed a golden box. As the sage Satananda chanted sacred hymns, the box opened, revealing the child. She was named Sita, adopted by the king, and raised with love and reverence.
Agastya later told Rama, “This Sita, whom you married, was born to bring an end to the Rakshasa race. With divine blessings from her past life, she aided you in vanquishing Ravana.”
As Ravana roamed through kingdoms, emboldened by his might, he arrived at the sacred site of Useerabeeja, where Emperor Maruttha was performing a grand yajna dedicated to Lord Shiva. Sensing Ravana’s approach, the Lokapalas—gods and guardians of the worlds—transformed into animals to hide their presence. Unfazed, Ravana marched into the sacred space and demanded that Maruttha either acknowledge defeat or engage in battle. Maruttha, undeterred, replied, “How shameless of you to boast about robbing your own brother Kubera. Such an act deserves punishment.” The yajna priest, Samvartha, intervened, warning the king that bloodshed would desecrate the holy rites and displease Lord Shiva.
Samvartha then confronted Ravana, declaring, “O demon king, I pronounce that Maruttha is defeated. You may leave.” Amused and boastful, Ravana departed, sparing the yajna from violence. The Lokapalas, grateful for their preservation, blessed the animals that had sheltered them with divine gifts—Indra bestowed the peacock with eyes of many colors, Yama granted the crow robust health, and Varuna blessed the swan with purity.
Flush with his victory, Ravana next ventured to Ayodhya, challenging the mighty King Anaranya of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Though Anaranya fought valiantly, Ravana employed deceit to strike him down. With his dying breath, the king cursed Ravana, “A great king, Dasaratha, will arise from my lineage, whose son shall slay you and your race.”
Thus, the prophecy of Ravana’s doom was set in motion.
