Lakshman Rao
O mighty Rama, with hands humbly folded in surprise, addressed the embodiment of wisdom, the revered sage Agastya: “This tyrant, Ravana—where are the brave kings to stand against his cruelty? Are there no monarchs bold enough to quell his aggression? Can no devoted and well-trained rulers capture and imprison this demon?”
With a gentle smile, Agastya replied, “O Rama, let me recount to you a tale once spoken by Brahma to Lord Shiva. Ravana, accompanied by his counsellors and fearsome brigade, tormented many kings, growing ever more reckless. One day, he arrived at the kingdom of Mahishmathi, ruled by Karthavirya Arjuna, a kingdom that mirrored the grandeur of Amaravati. It is believed that Agni’s subtle form resides in the sacred fire altar here, where Arjuna, devoted to ritual and righteousness, offered his worship. His closeness to the divine made Arjuna an unparalleled king in the ancient world—strong, efficient, and wise.
At that time, Arjuna had gone to the river Narmada, accompanied by his female entourage, to refresh and rejuvenate. Meanwhile, Ravana arrived at the palace gates and commanded the guards to summon their king. However, the wise council informed him that Arjuna was not available and would return by evening. Upon further inquiry among the townsfolk, Ravana learned of Arjuna’s whereabouts at Narmada. Thus, Ravana set off for the Vindhya mountains, whose majestic peaks rival those of the Himalayas.
From the heights of Vindhya, streams of water cascade down into the valleys, their musical flow resembling a natural symphony. As sunlight touches the falls, a rainbow-like veil forms, enhancing the splendour of the place. This sacred site, where fairies and divine singers frolic in the waters, dazzled Ravana, transporting him to a peak of happiness. Crossing the crystal-clear streams of Vindhya, Ravana reached the banks of the mighty Narmada.
There, stones danced in the flowing tides, while the river made its way westward towards the sea. Thirsty bison, tigers, lions, bears, and mighty elephants quenched their thirst in their respective territories, obeying nature’s unspoken laws of survival. Ravana, observing this harmonious scene from his Pushpaka Vimana, marvelled at the beauty of the natural order. Swans, water hens, skylarks, sparrows, and many other birds flew in perfect formation, as though guided by a wise leader, reflecting the flawless rhythm of the natural world.
Descending from his aerial chariot, Ravana and his warriors followed. With his deep knowledge of nature’s healing powers, Ravana suggested to his demon soldiers, who bore the wounds of battle, that the sacred waters of Narmada would soothe their injuries. “Take a bath,” he commanded, “and you shall be free from the pain inflicted by the gods.” They did so, and found relief. Ravana himself bathed and prepared to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. On the sandy shores, he installed a golden Shivalinga. The trees along the riverbanks were laden with flowers, whose golden pollen drifted down, covering the sand in a divine hue. His counsellors gathered fruits and flowers to offer to Lord Shiva.
As Ravana looked around with intense focus, he remarked, “The sun, though blazing, is humble today, casting cool rays like the moon. The air, though typically wild at the river’s edge, is delivering a gentle breeze to soothe us. This is the reflection of our power.” His followers nodded in agreement.
Ravana then began to chant the Samaveda in an ancient and melodious manner, imitating Brahma’s sacred notes. His revered udgitha style echoed through the valleys and mountains, creating a resonant harmony with nature. Lost in divine ecstasy, Ravana began to dance, his movements filled with grace, elegance, and beauty. His dance cast a mesmerizing spell upon all who watched—celestial singers and divine musicians stood in awe of his brilliance, the air vibrating with energy. His performance captivated the heavens, and enchanted fairies rained down multi-coloured flowers, their gentle fragrance filling the air. Though fearful of Ravana, they honoured him in disguise.
“Such was the mesmerizing creativity of Ravana, O Rama, witnessed by the celestial beings. But as night falls, I shall continue Brahma’s tale another day.”
